iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- A South Carolina police officer died on Monday, succumbing to injuries she sustained in a deadly standoff earlier this month. Farrah Turner, a Florence County Sheriffs Office investigator, died after spending nearly three weeks in critical condition, battling to recover from an Oct. 3 incident in which a man opened fire with a high-powered rifle, killing an officer on the scene and injuring several others. "Farrah was the ultimate professional, excelling at everything she did," Florence County Sheriff Kenney Boone said in a statement. "She dedicated her life to serving the victims of the worst crimes imaginable. Please pray for Farrah's family, our FCSO family and for our community as we mourn her loss." Florence Police Department veteran Terrence Carraway, 52, also was killed in the shooting. Police have charged 74-year-old Frederick T. Hopkins Jr. with murder and attempted murder in the wake of the shooting. Hopkins allegedly fired multiple shots from inside his home when the officers arrived to serve a search warrant in connection with a sexual assault case, police said. Authorities said they were planning to interview Seth Hopkins, the suspect's son, when they were ambushed. Seth Hopkins, 27, was charged with criminal sexual conduct in the second degree after the shooting. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, who assisted with the investigation, called the shooting "the largest crime scene" he had ever seen, requiring the assistance of officers from nine surrounding law enforcement agencies. The funeral for Carraway, a 30-year police veteran, was held about a week after the shooting. Arrangements for Turner will be disclosed as soon as possible, the sheriff's office said. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. 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 Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Newcomer Michelle Ostrelich says James Tedisco doesn't share her values and wants to highlight his voting record to people in the 49th Senate District in her bid to upend the Republican incumbent. "It truly is just educating voters on who Jim Tedisco is when he gets to Albany," the Democratic challenger during a recent interview. "He just does not share my values so I decided to run." But Tedisco is proud of his political resume during his 16 terms total in the Assembly and one term in Senate. He thinks Ostrelich, 46, is off-base. "When she starts pointing towards Albany, we're the one group that's checking this governor," Tedisco said, noting that the governor, comptroller and attorney general are all Democrats. "We should be judged by not how long we've been elected officials but our ability to do the job and be effective." The 60-year-old Glenville resident points to Buster's Law and other related legislation that over the years have toughened penalties for individuals convicted of animal cruelty. In 2014, Tedisco sponsored and helped pass a constitutional amendment to make the Legislature more efficient by giving lawmakers digital copies of bills instead of on reams of paper. Ostrelich, a married mother from Niskayuna, describes herself as socially progressive but fiscally conservative who prefers to do more listening than talking. "The desire for change is so strong, people are tired of hearing politicians talk about the need for transparency in Albany when they haven't really fought for transparency or saying they want term limits when they've never really fought for term limits, where they've taken advantage of being an incumbent for so many years," she said. "They're tired of folks who stay in office without really listening to them." Tedisco countered that the reason he has been able to be so effective is because of his listening and problem solving skills. Ostrelich tells the story of attending a large women's march in Grand Central Station in 2016 and "feeling of wonderful unity and hope that was really inspiring." She returned home and along with other kindred souls started a grass roots organization called ROAR (Resist, Organize and Rise). She recounted heart-breaking stories on the campaign trail about people who couldn't afford to pay for health care as a top issue. "All around the district, whether they live in rural, suburban, or urban settings, people are feeling the same strain," she said, adding "people are playing Russian roulette with their health." "They're not going to the doctor or they're dropping their health care all together because now there is no mandate." She said the New York Health Act, that has languished in the Senate, is a solution that offers universal health care for all New Yorkers. Ostrelich also listed job creation, economic development, and education as other hot button issue where marginalized communities could benefit from more assistance from elected officials. She criticized Tedisco for his support for conversion therapy in minors and marriage equality. "I don't believe anybody should tell anybody who to love, who to live with, who to bring into their heart and home or who to bring into their bedroom, that's their choice but it's a longstanding definition that we've had in society that it's a special joining of one man and one woman and it's not a religious thing for me," said Tedisco, a married father, said, adding he respects the Supreme Court decision that legalized same sex marriage. He estimated that 98.5 percent of unwanted pregnancies are because of irresponsible behavior. "We should be putting some funding, we should be developing programs to deal with that 98.5 percent to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies by innovative educational programs," he said, describing himself as pro-life. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Ostrelich said she is pro-choice. "I think we both agree that we'd like a medical doctor to do this procedure to protect the health and well-being of women and mothers," Tedisco said. On a bill that would ostensibly take weapons out of the hands of domestic abusers, Tedisco said it was released in the middle of the night and lawmakers didn't have a chance to read it. "This is a singular politically motivated agenda to confiscate and use that as the answer for firearm confiscation," he said. The bill does not provide psychological evaluation and treatment, which in the end gives the public a false sense of security, he said. He noted that he has brought more than $9 million back to the district, which includes parts of Saratoga, Schenectady and Herkimer counties and all of Fulton and Hamilton counties, during his past two years in office. "When you're in the majority from an upstate area, you're able to bring that money upstate," said Tedisco. He contends that Ostrelich, if elected, would "become a majority of one voice, one political affiliation. I don't know how much we're going to be able to get for upstate because with one voice, you're overwhelmed with the numbers that are from the New York City area, and it doesn't represent a representative democracy anymore." Tedisco called for making the property tax cap and the 2 percent spending cap permanent and said the aging infrastructure, particularly outmoded sewer, water and gas pipes and lines and other structures below ground, needs to be retooled. He cited corruption as another big issue and his support and sponsorship of legislation, including the "data base for deals" where you can go online and see all state contracts and another that allows the state comptroller to take another look at bids for state contracts. Correction: An earlier version of this story mischaracterized Senate candidate Michelle Ostrelich's criticism of incumbent Jame Tedisco's stance on conversion therapy for minors. Ostrelich faulted Tedisco for supporting conversion therapy. If the setting of "The Guilty" couldn't be simpler, its immaculate execution by first-time director Gustav Moller couldn't be more gripping and involving. A disturbing Danish psychological thriller and a real-time police drama that's equal parts provocative and emotional, "The Guilty" wrings complex drama out of its minimalist physical trappings. Like 2014's Tom Hardy vehicle "Locke," "The Guilty" is a single-location film that consists almost entirely of a series of telephone conversations that get increasingly complex and unexpected. A precise, sure-handed filmmaker, Moller not only believes that "the strongest images in film, the ones that stay with you the longest, they are the ones you don't see," he has the skill to convince us as well. Working with co-writer Emil Nygaard Albertsen, Moller has set his film in the police emergency services control room of a large city unnamed, though presumably Copenhagen. The first sounds we hear, not surprisingly, are ringing phones. The first image we see in Jasper Spanning's taut cinematography is the close-up of an ear with a telephone earpiece firmly in place. The dispatcher on duty this evening is officer Asger Holm, played with an impact that gradually overpowers you by top Danish actor Jakob Cedergren. Asger, it's clear almost immediately, is not business as usual as a dispatcher. When people call in for help, he is as likely as not to give them a sarcastic hard time for getting drunk or being in the red-light district in the first place as he is to send help. Cedergren has given Asger a stern, rigid visage, presenting him physically as well as verbally as an uncompromising moralist with a sense of mission, someone who has no doubt he knows right from wrong. That doesn't mean, however, that he can't be disturbed or unsettled, as he is by a call on his personal mobile from a journalist who asks him if he has any comments on his court date the following day. What becomes clear is what we could have guessed: dispatcher is not Asger's regular beat. He has been temporarily assigned there pending the outcome of that legal proceeding, the cause of which we gradually learn more about. All this is merely the setup for the main event. The phone rings again and on the line is no disoriented drunk but someone whose situation will change the nature of Asger's night, maybe even of his life. The caller is Iben (Jessica Dinnage), a woman who sounds like she is talking to her young daughter. Asger quickly catches on that Iben is talking to him in a kind of code, trying to convey that she is in trouble without coming out and saying it, and he helps her along by asking a series of yes or no questions about her situation. What he discovers is that Iben is in a car being driven by her ex-husband and being taken somewhere very much against her will. Alive to all the grim possibilities a kidnapping presents, the moralist in Asger tries to piece together what is going on, bending heaven and earth to do the right thing. It can't be over-emphasized how carefully screenwriters Moller and Albertsen have constructed this story, doling out information sparingly, on a need-to-know basis, letting their plot purposefully unroll like a ball of twine. One of "The Guilty's" more potent elements is its emphasis on Asger's genuine passion for police work. "We're protection, we protect people who need help," he says on the phone at one point, and his sincerity is never in doubt. SOUTH GLENS FALLS The community is raising funds for a volunteer firefighter who was seriously injured after battling a blaze last week. Gregory Farnham suffered a foot injury during the fire, which led to him having a toe amputated. He might need more surgeries, according to a GoFundMe page that's been verified by the South Glens Falls Fire Department. For more information or to donate visit www.gofundme.com/gregory-farnham The fire department was called to a blaze at a residence on Reservoir Road on Thursday afternoon. When crews arrived, smoke was billowing out of the side of the home and flames were shooting from the front windows. Rivers said fire crews, including those from Fort Edward, Gansevoort and Wilton, knocked down the blaze in about 45 minutes. While no one inside was injured, the house was deemed a total loss and the family was displaced, South Glens Falls Assistant Fire Chief John Rivers said. Farnham was transported to Albany Medical Center, officials said. While insurance coverage will help with medical costs, Farnham will not be able to return to work any time soon and will lose income, the GoFundMe page notes. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. There goal of the GoFundMe effort is to raise $5,000. As of Tuesday evening, more than $3,200 had been donated. "Greg is a very outgoing person, always looking for ways to give back to his community, and he is always willing to accept any challenge thrown his way, with a very positive attitude," the GoFundMe page stated. "Greg is already asking when he can get back on the truck and start responding to alarms. Let's accept this challenge and help Greg exceed expectations on recovery and rehabilitation." ALBANY - Deb Riitano has loved every minute of her time as executive director of the Capital Area Council of Churches. But soon Riitano will shift to a new role as the Albany County Department of Aging commissioner. I never dreamed that I would have this opportunity, and this is an opportunity to affect many more lives with a vulnerable community, she said. Its ministry no matter how you look at it. Ive been doing senior work for a long, long time. Its something thats already in my blood. Riitano has led the Council of Churches as executive director for five years. The council was founded in 1941 to foster ecumenism and faith through service, advocacy and celebration. The membership includes about about 90 faith communities in the Capital Region. Riitano starts her new job on Oct. 31 and will replace Lisa Ferretti, who left in August for personal reasons, county spokeswoman Mary Rozak said. Since Ferrettis departure, the deputy commissioner has filled the role, which requires managing the department, key programs and outreach to over 50,000 seniors in the county. The commissioner's salary is $94,978 in the proposed 2019 budget, up from $93,116 this year. Her extensive work with seniors for decades at Senior Services of Albany, Albany NNORC, Statewide Senior Action Council and with the Capital Area Council of Churches has had a profound impact on our community, Rozak said. Her efforts have had no geographic boundaries and the network she has created is the very fabric of what Albany County needs as we move forward and continue to create new programs and assess the needs of our seniors. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Riitano worked with County Executive Daniel McCoy to establish the county Interfaith Coalition that has hosted community conversations on the issues of race, diversity, and community policing. The shift from leading the Council of Churches to leading the Aging Department will be seamless, Riitano said. The clergy is on the front lines someone gets sick, or gets a bad diagnosis, thats who is on the front lines, she said. I think that a healthy partnership with the county and the clergy is the way to go. Riitano said she looks forward to the grassroots work of the job, which she sees as an opportunity to expand programming to the African-American and LGBTQ communities. ALBANY Court officers and union leaders protested at an awards dinner honoring New York's Chief Judge Janet DiFiore on Tuesday to call attention to the Office of Court Administration's lack of a response to their allegations of dangerous staffing shortages at state courthouses. Officers handed out fliers to attendees at the Manhattan event highlighting what they described as an ongoing security crisis. Court officer levels are down nearly 33 percent and courtrooms that typically had four officers now have two, and at least 60 officers are currently on leave, according to Patrick Cullen, president of the New York State Supreme Court Officers Association, and Dennis Quirk, president of the New York State Court Officers Association. DiFiore was being honored at the event by the Cervantes Society, a fraternal organization for Hispanic employees of the Unified Court System. Quirk and Cullen, whose unions represent about 3,500 officers, are frequent critics of OCA's management of the court system and have long called for the Legislature and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to intervene. They said DiFiore has been unwilling to meet with union leaders to hear their concerns. "Instead of taking bows at a dinner and accepting an award, Judge DiFiore should be busy working on ways to make our courts safer and accepting responsibility for depleted staffing levels and for the almost daily assaults and scuffles in the courthouses," Quirk said. The union has also questioned the delay in the completion of a $35-million training academy that was budgeted 10 years ago. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Court officers confiscated a toy hand grenade in Queens in June and dozens of knives, small axes and pistols in a four-week period at one courthouse, union leaders said. Lucian Chalfen, a spokesman for OCA, denied that courthouses have been made unsafe by staff reductions. "There is no uptick in weapons smuggling, incidents of officers getting hurt or any compromising of safety for court users," he said. "To say so is untrue and reckless." He noted that since DiFiore's appointment in 2016, OCA has hired nearly 600 court officers. By next spring, three new classes of recruits, totaling more than 380 court officers, will have graduated and will assigned across the state. "We are extremely confident in the dedication, training, skill and professionalism of all our 4,000 court officers throughout New York City and state in maintaining order and keeping the courts safe and secure for the judges, lawyers, court staff, litigants and jurors who use them on a daily basis," Chalfen said. FORT ANN Forest rangers rescued five hikers including an eight-year-old girl lost in the Washington County wilderness on Saturday, the state Department of Environmental Conservation said Monday. The group of hikers, who ranged in age from eight to 35, called Washington County 911 dispatchers at 5:42 p.m. Oct. 20 to report they'd become disoriented while hiking Sleeping Beauty Mountain. MANHATTAN New York's confrontational gubernatorial debate on Tuesday confirmed there is no love lost between two-term Democratic incumbent Andrew M. Cuomo and Republican hopeful Marc Molinaro. In what will likely be the race's lone one-on-one televised debate before voters head to the polls in less than two weeks, the two candidates sparred aggressively over a range of issues, including taxes and spending, corruption and President Donald J. Trump. The tone for the contentious, hour-long forum was set early by the governor, who from the onset interrupted his GOP rival, talked over the moderators and demanded more speaking time. An exasperated moderator complained early on about his inability to get a word in "edgewise," while the other moderator warned she would have to "punch [Cuomo] out" as he lobbied for more air time. His barrage of attacks mostly sought to link Molinaro to Trump, who Cuomo has spent much of his re-election campaign talking about and identified as the biggest threat to New York. "Do you support Donald Trump?" Cuomo repeated four times, while a frustrated Molinaro tried to talk about health care services and his personal experience growing up in poverty. As the governor continued to needle his opponent on the topic, Molinaro sought to explain his support for the president's economic policies while still keeping the controversial politician at arm's length. "You won't say you support the president," Cuomo said. "Amazing." Molinaro, the Dutchess County executive, tried to volley the governor's attacks with his own familiar criticisms, highlighting the ongoing investigation into political contributions from Crystal Run, a Hudson Valley healthcare provider that has garnered millions in state grants, and rehashing the high-profile corruption convictions of top Cuomo administration officials, including Joe Percoco and Alain Kaloyeros. "You have allowed individuals in this administration to defraud taxpayers," Molinaro said. "Anywhere else in America, no governor could possibly be running for re-election." Molinaro also pledged to rekindle the defunct Moreland Commission, enabling people like law professor Zephyr Teachout and former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara to pursue corruption in state government. He accused Cuomo of disbanding the entity when it got too close to his interests. "I will use that as the tool to hold back the forces in Albany who think it's ok to defraud people," Molinaro said. The governor responded with allegations about pay-to-play charges in Dutchess County, which Molinaro has dismissed and said were based on the competitive awarding of county grants. In making his case for another four years in office, Cuomo touted his ability to work with Democrats and Republicans, citing the relatively peaceful budget process during his tenure. "I do have a problem with what my opponent represents and is happening in Washington, these extreme conservative, divisive people, who are anti-woman, anti-LGBTQ, anti-New York," the governor said. Molinaro responded by presenting himself as a moderate, distancing himself from votes he took as a member of the state Assembly against same-sex marriage, abortion rights and LGBTQ protections. He argued the issues were settled law, and he wouldn't try to overturn them as governor. Characterizing himself as the more inclusive candidate, Molinaro said he would give everyone "who has a stake in the game" a voice in his administration. "At the end of the day, when we put aside our differences to work honestly and earnestly toward solving problems, we can absolutely overcome any challenge," he said. Cuomo dismissed the sentiment as "beautiful, flowery words." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Molinaro took his own shots, at one point scolding the governor for lecturing him about women's rights as he cited a sexual harassment investigation at the Division of Criminal Justice Services in which two female employees who testified in an inspector general's investigation were subsequently punished. Cuomo has declined to comment on the case, contending it's part of an ongoing investigation. "With all due respect sir, when women spoke up in your administration regarding sexual harassment you fired one woman and put the other in a closet," Molinaro said. "Don't lecture me about women's rights." Cuomo referred the DCJS case to the Joint Commission on Public Ethics, which opened an investigation earlier this year but has not yet taken any action. The candidates presented starkly different pictures of the states tax and spending problems, with Cuomo blaming local governments for driving up property taxes and Molinaro faulting Albany for passing on mandated costs. The debate's lone upstate-specific question, aside from talk about Dutchess County's place in the geographic divide, was about a new stadium for the Buffalo Bills. "There was no specific discussion about upstate's declining population, the state's job-killing business climate or crumbling local roads and bridges," said Michael Kracker, executive director of the conservative-leaning Unshackle Upstate. "Ignoring the very real concerns of millions of upstate taxpayers is completely unacceptable," he added. Tuesday's debate appeared to come together at the last minute, despite Molinaro calling for multiple debates across the state. Cuomo demurred on the topic for most of the campaign, until publicly indicating a willingness late last week to share the stage with his Republican rival. The three third-party candidates and Molinaro have also agreed to a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of New York at The College of Saint Rose in Albany on Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. But the governor has yet to accept the invitation. Cuomo is considered the prohibitive favorite to win on Election Day, according to an analysis by FiveThirtyEight, a data-driven website that aggregates polling information. The governor has consistently led in the polls, has a large fundraising advantage and benefits from a two-to-one Democratic enrollment in the state. David.Lombardo@timesunion.com - 518.454.5427 - @poozer87 WEST HAVEN City computers have been down since Tuesday and West Haven paid anonymous perpetrators of a cyberattack $2,000 to unlock 23 servers and restore access to data, officials said Thursday. The ransomware attack, which initially took place early Tuesday morning, disabled 23 on-site servers although it did not affect off-site backup servers. It was contained by 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, officials said in a written statement. But all City Hall computers initially remained shut down Thursday as a protective and preventative measure, and employees were warned with hand-drawn signs in the workplace not to turn them on. They were coming back up incrementally Thursday afternoon, officials said. Finance Department staff have been working on Board of Education computers, which were not affected by the cyberattack, to prepare the citys payroll, Mayor Nancy Rossi said. Payday is Friday. Rossi said she expects city employees to get paid as they always do. The citys information technology manager, David Richards, notified Rossi, local police and federal authorities, the statement said. It was Richards decision to shut down all city computers rather than worry about problems continuing to spread from computer to computer while the city fixed the issue, said Corporation Counsel Lee Tiernan. MS-ISAC, a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, assisted the West Haven Police Department in the investigation and determined the attack came from outside the U.S. The city has support from IT experts from the Connecticut State Police and other state agencies. Rossi, Richards and police IT experts determined the best course of action, given all available information, was to pay a one-time fee of $2,000 to unlock the servers, the city said in the statement. The city paid the ransom in Bitcoin digital cryptocurrency, said Tiernan. The data restoration of a critical system occurred shortly after the completion of that transaction, the statement said. Despite access being blocked, there was no evidence that anything was being compromised, Tiernan said. While city officials initially did not want to pay, research showed that that was likely the easiest way to solve the problem, he said. Atlanta didnt pay when it was attacked, Tiernan said. They wanted $57,000. But $3 million later, theyre still trying to clean it up. A source said the cyber threat initially entered the citys computer system through a computer in the Assessors Office. The city hired an incident response team from TBNG Consulting in Milford to evaluate the current impact and assist in continuing remediation and restoration of City Hall computing systems, the statement said. The response will be done methodically to reduce any future potential compromise, it said. At this moment, there is no reason to believe that any data was stolen as a result of the attack, according to federal and local authorities. The attack remains under investigation by federal, state and local authorities, with local response being provided by TBNG Consulting, the statement said. Corrective measures are being explored to shore up city cyberdefenses and safeguard the city from future attacks, and will be implemented by my administration, Ross said in the statement. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Rossi said she contacted state Office of Policy and Management Secretary Benjamin Barnes, who is chairman of the Municipal Accountability Review Board that is working with the city to improve its finances, because, given that theyre involved with us, they should know. I cant believe that ... of all the communities in America, theyve got to pick West Haven, Rossi said referring to West Havens troubled finances. University of New Haven cyber security expert Ibrahim Abe Baggili said the fact that access to the citys servers has been restored doesnt in itself mean West Havens problems are over. They really have to find out how effective their systems are, said Baggili, Elder family chairman and assistant dean of the computer science program at University of New Haven. Globally, cybercrime is big businesses, with damage costs expected to hit $6 trillion by 2021, Baggili said, quoting research from Cybersecurity Ventures. Its expected that by 2019, a business will fall victim to a ransomware attack every 14 seconds, he said, quoting another report from Cybersecurity Ventures. But for me, I think one of the biggest problems is how understaffed cyber security jobs are in the state of Connecticut, Baggili said. About 4,000 cyber security jobs were expected to open up over the last year in Connecticut, but in the last year, only 500 people entered the (cyber security) job market in Connecticut. And right now, the top-notch kids are not staying in Connecticut. Theyre going to other states, he said. Unless the state really dedicates resources to address the issue, its just going to get worse, Baggili said. If its not West Haven, its going to be another city, and then its going to be another city. A week after Hurricane Michael made landfall on the Florida Panhandle with astonishing force, rescuers continued to dig bodies from the wreckage of the seaside village of Mexico Beach, now smashed to smithereens. More of the dead were excavated from nearby Panama City, as well as from smaller towns in inland Florida. But the grisly count didn't stop with areas near the state's shoreline. The storm's fury stretched across Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia, with a death toll at more than 30 so far. The number is expected to rise. Welcome to the new normal. Even if the depressing news from the recent report of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change didn't capture your attention, the devastating video footage from Hurricane Michael probably did. And the two are very likely linked. Climate scientists have said for years now that climate change would bring more extreme weather events. They have not said that global warming caused Hurricane Michael, but several have pointed out that warmer waters almost certainly made its winds stronger. According to their estimates, the waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico were 3 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than usual for this time of year. Indeed, according to the U.N. report, 93 percent of the excess heat produced by manmade global warming is stored in the oceans. That means more violent hurricanes. It also means more devastating storm surge because polar ice caps are melting, inundating oceans with more water and raising sea levels. It means heavier rainfall (warmer air holds more moisture) and, therefore, more flooding. But climate change also means more droughts as yearly averages for rainfall decrease. And then it gets much, much worse, according to the U.N. report. As agriculture is threatened by both flooding and droughts, food shortages will worsen, as will poverty. Worldwide instability will increase as populations war over food and water and as migrants move in search of better climates. Coastal areas will continue to be battered by violent storms, and some low-lying areas will be lost to rising seas. All of that could start to happen in the next two decades, the U.N. panel said. Again, just take a look at what's going on right here in the United States. Even as emergency crews continued their efforts to assist stricken residents in Florida, others were called to rescue central Texas residents overwhelmed by flooding from the Llano River, which crested at twice the level for flooding after several days of pouring rain. Roadways were flooded, bridges washed out, homes destroyed. Houston, of course, is still recovering from the catastrophic flooding that followed Hurricane Harvey, which struck last year. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The devastation has been severe enough to persuade even some in the conservative political camp, where flat-earthers have reigned supreme, that climate scientists are correct. An Elon University poll taken after North Carolina was drubbed by Hurricane Florence showed that 37 percent of the state's Republicans believe global warming is likely to negatively affect the state up from 13 percent in 2017. A similar political phenomenon is taking place in Australia, where huge swaths of agricultural and cattle country have been wracked by drought for years. According to published reports, Fiona Simson, president of the National Farmers Federation in that country, recently declared that climate change makes droughts worse. "We absolutely have to talk about it," she said. But too many politicians in Australia, the leading coal exporter, and in the United States have been bought off by the fossil fuel industry. They have refused to take the steps required to ameliorate the damage from global warming. President Donald Trump, you'll remember, withdrew from the Paris accords, in which most of the nations of the world agreed to limit carbon emissions. A few months ago, former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was ousted over his proposals to limit greenhouse gases. Eventually, the global catastrophe will be too devastating for any but the most obtuse to deny. By then, however, it may be too late to do anything about it. The Cathaoirleach of Tipperary Cashel Municipal District has defended the record of the local authority at this months meeting, while stressing that Tipperary town is a priority for the Council and elected representatives. March4Tipp organiser Padraig Culbert criticised Co. Council CEO Joe McGraths record in Tipperary and local engineers at Saturdays rally (see story left). Cathaoirleach Michael Fitzgerald congratulated the organisers on such a huge march of support for the town. I know our Council came in for criticism but we can all work more closely to improve everything. Things were said off the side of a stage that I could not agree with. The timeline, of two weeks, to let Mr MacGrath respond to organisers' demands, is not realistic, said Cllr Fitzgerald. There is a planned visit by Minister Heather Humphreys. We know we have to work hard to make things happen. I hate to see the decline of the town, like the closure of Wellworths. We are doing our level best to try to encourage and support it. A renewed effort will be made by the Minister, including looking at the Pall and the old Atari factory sites. Cllr Denis Leahy said Saturdays protest had been grumbling for the last 12 months. The elimination of the Town Councils, the re-unification of County Tipperary, and the equalisation of business rates, have all served to downgrade the status of Tipperary town, and cause hardship. The Town Councils had the weaponry to combat these things, he said. I have no doubt Tipperary will rise again, said Cllr Leahy. There are opportunities there. We need employment. I have great faith in the people of Tipperary, in the businesses of Tipperary. We have to look at the idea of a task force. Cllr John Crosse said politicians and business people shouldnt be afraid to make tough decisions, that may affect one business, but would help 10 to 15 businesses develop. Cllr Mary Hannah Hourigan congratulated Padraig Culbert on a peaceful and well organised march, but said CEO Joe MacGrath got the biggest rap in Mr Culberts speech. Cllr Hourigan criticised the rates system, but said she used to have to pay four and half thousand in rates back when there was no painting schemes, and you had to shovel the street yourself. Empty pubs during the weeks had to be revived if Tipperary is to be renewed. Cllr Roger Kennedy said traders and organisers of the march were very critical of the Council. Its easy to criticise if you dont sit down and see whats being done. More needs to be done, its a slow burner. We cannot take one decision that will change everything for everyone in Tipperary town. We have no magic wand. Cllr Kennedy asked how do we sell Tipperary better as a destination for investment, and infrastructure is vital. When you get the infrastructure you get the jobs. Better connections to Limerick are vital, as Limerick city is the driving force for the west Tipperary area. District Director for Cashel/Tipperary Municipal District Claire Curley said officials are committed to developing the social, economic, and tourism potential of this town, relentlessly, day in, day out, while tapping into the County roads team. Chief Executive Joe MacGrath treats Tipperary town as a priority, added Ms Curley. Foroige volunteers from all over Ireland gathered in the Hotel kilkenny last weekend, 19th 21st October 2018, for Foroiges annual volunteer conference. Treasa Smith & Gail O'Sullivan attended from Tipperary. Foroige has over 5,500 volunteers working in its 600 youth clubs, 160 projects and programmes such as the Aldi Foroige Youth Citizenship Programme; Leadership for Life; Be Healthy Be Happy; and Entrepreneurship. They are instrumental to Foroiges engagement with over 50,000 young people, or one in ten Irish teenagers, year on year. This was the 48th annual Foroige volunteer conference and the delegates enjoyed a variety of guest speakers, workshops, and the exchange ideas on best practice in youth work. David OReilly, Chairperson of the National Council of Foroige, speaking at the conference said Foroige volunteers are extremely special. They are thoroughly dedicated to providing young people with opportunities which will empower them to reach their full potential in a safe and understanding space. Without our army of 5500 volunteers a gapping hole would exist in youth work in Ireland and I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every volunteer who braves the winter nights, becomes a mentor, and empowers Irelands young people to believe in their own potential. Last year volunteers in Foroige gifted almost 400,000 hours to help support and develop young people the length and breadth of Ireland. This type of commitment doesnt just happen, it must be co-ordinated and given the support it deserves. Dr. Mark Brennan, Professor and UNESCO Chair in Community, Leadership, and Youth Development, at Pennsylvania State University, speaking at the conference said, Community is developed, created and recreated through social interaction. Local people through interacting and effective community leadership have the power to transform and change society. Volunteering can be central to developing a strong backbone to communities and moulding them into the best that they can be. I commend each and every person in this room for making themselves accountable for creating a world where young people not only survive but thrive. The undisputed king of country music Nathan Carter will make a welcome return to Thurles this December as part of his nationwide Christmas tour. Along with his extensive back catalogue of country classics, including the ever popular Wagon Wheel, Carter will be belting out a slew of Christmas crackers in front of a full live band. No stranger to the premier county, Carter's last appearance in Tipperary saw him play to thousands of fans at the annual Cut Loose country music festival in Holycross in July 2018. Ahead of his Thurles show, Carter is set to embark on a string of dates across the US and Canada before jetting back to Ireland for his annual Christmas tour. Earlier this year the 28 year old released his autobiography Born For The Road: My Story So Far which detailed his early years spent honing his craft, leaving Liverpool behind for the bright lights of Fermanagh and his brief appearance on Top of the Pops while still in school. Nathan Carter plays the Dome at Semple Stadiumon on Saturday December 15 as part of his Christmas Concert tour. Tickets are available now and cost 25. To book tickets visit www.ticketmaster.ie or call 0504 22702. Fresh from a sell-out tour, the star of BBC's The Blame Game and Soft Border Patrol, Neil Delamere, returns to The Source with a brand new show this December. The much loved comedian, broadcaster and columnist thinks he has that whole "illusion of control" idea sussed with his latest show Controlled Substance. But then again he would think that, wouldn't he? Lightning quick, sharp as a tack and riotously funny, Delamere is sure to have audiences rolling in their seats. One of the top acts working in the Irish comedy scene today, the Offaly funnyman is well-known to audiences for his regular television appearance on RTE and the BBC, as well as his sell-out, stand-up tours. Delamere returned to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year where his shows garnered rave reviews, including a coveted five stars from The Scotsman, the premier broadsheet reviewer at the event, who described him as a master. As well as touring Controlled Substance this Autumn, Delamere will also be making a welcome return to TV screens as part of a new series of Soft Border Patrol, the BBC Northern Ireland mockumentary set along the border, post-Brexit. In the show Neil plays head of IT, Niall Sweeney, whose pronouncements on border issues became a viral hit this summer, racking up more than two million views online. A seasoned television performer for many years, the Offaly born comedian will also make a weekly return to TV screens this October in the 14th season of the ever-popular topical news and current affairs panel show The Blame Game on BBC Northern Ireland. He will also star in BBC Scotlands first television broadcast of the long-running radio comedy show, Breaking the News. On radio, Neil recently made his debut on BBC Radio 4s legendary Newsquiz. Neil Delamere plays The Source Arts Centre Thurles on Saturday 29 December at 8pm. Tickets are on sale now and cost 25. Patrons are advised to book early to avoid disappointment as previous appearances by Delamere at The Source sold out in record time. To book tickets visit www.sourceartscentre.ie or www.neildelamere.com/gigs for tour listings and bookings. SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Rigrodsky & Long, P.A. Announces Investigation of Engility Holdings, Inc. Merger Rigrodsky & Long, P.A. announces that it is investigating potential legal claims against the board of directors ("Board") of Engility Holdings, Inc. ("Engility" or the "Company") (NYSE: EGL) related to the Company's entry into an agreement to merge with Science Applications International Corporation (" SAIC (News - Alert) ") (NYSE: SAIC) in a transaction announced on September 10, 2018 (the "Proposed Transaction"). On September 9, 2018, the Board caused Engility to enter into an agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement") with SAIC. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, shareholders of Engility will receive 0.450 shares of SAIC common stock for each share of Engility common stock. On October 18, 2018, SAIC filed a Form S-4 Registration Statement ("Registration Statement") with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (" SEC (News - Alert) ") in connection with the Proposed Transaction, which recommends that Engility's shareholders vote in favor of the Proposed Transaction. Rigrodsky & Long, P.A. is investigating possible violations of law related to the Registration Statement, including whether the Registration Statement omits material information with respect to the Proposed Transaction. If you own common stock of Engility and purchased any shares before September 10, 2018, if you would like to learn more about this investigation, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests, please contact Seth D. Rigrodsky or Gina M. Serra toll-free at (888) 969-4242, by e-mail at info@rl-legal.com, or at https://www.rigrodskylong.com/offices-contact. Rigrodsky & Long, P.A., with offices in Delaware, New York, and California, has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of investors and achieved substantial corporate governance reforms in numerous cases nationwide, including federal securities fraud actions, shareholder class actions, and shareholder derivative actions. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181022005974/en/ [October 22, 2018] Sigma Systems Expands Sales Team in Asia-Pacific and North America Sigma Systems (News - Alert) , the global leader in catalog-driven software, is pleased to announce the expansion of its sales team in Asia and North America with the addition of Ivan Evans and Berlin Bedesse. Ivan joins Sigma Systems as the Vice President of Sales for Asia-Pacific from Sandvine (News - Alert) , the leading provider of network policy control solutions. At Sandvine, Ivan served as Senior Vice President of Sales for Asia-Pacific and helped lead the Asia-Pacific sales team to market leadership in the region. Previously, Ivan spent 15 years with Alcatel and Newbridge Networks in various sales leadership roles working with Tier 1 communications service providers (CSPs). Berlin has 25 years of experience in the technology and communications industry and joins Sigma from Sandvine where he managed key business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) accounts with Tier 1 communications service providers in Canada. Previously Berlin held senior sales roles at Openet (News - Alert) , Cisco, and Nortel. In his new role as Account Director, Berlin will focus on driving the sales growth strategy within Sigma's home market of Canada. "Sigma's business is expanding globally, with continued strong momentum in both the Asia-Pacific and North American markets. Ivan and Berlin both have extensive eperience in managing accounts at Tier 1 communications service providers, and their addition will allow us to support our existing customer base while simultaneously propelling us forward into 2019. I am delighted to welcome both Ivan and Berlin to the Sigma team," said Simon Muderack (News - Alert) , Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Sigma Systems. For further information about Sigma Systems, its award-winning products, and getting the Next Done Now visit www.sigma-systems.com, http://sigma-systems.com/ja/sigma-systems or contact us on info@sigma-systems.com. About Sigma Systems (sigma-systems.com or Twitter (News - Alert) @SigmaSystems) Sigma Systems is the global leader in catalog-driven software solutions for communications, media, and high-tech companies. It serves over 80 customers in 40 countries with its award-winning products. The company's portfolio spans enterprise-wide Catalog, Configure Price Quote (CPQ), Order Management and Provisioning products. Sigma utilizes an agile approach to implementing its B/OSS products for its customers. Sigma has offices in North and South America, Europe and Asia Pacific, with technology and integration partners in over 100 countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181022005506/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 22, 2018] Fantamstick Launches Next-Generation Multi-Player AR Educational Kids App for iOS 12 "Math Ninja AR - Battle with Boxes -" In aim to redirect the resentment kids harbor towards studying, we at Fantamstick (Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan, CEO: Shane Belton) welcome a new addition to our collection of educational game apps, the "Play Study Go!" series. Our brand new app "Math Ninja AR - Battle with Boxes -" has been released on the App Store on October 22nd, 2018. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181022005397/en/ Multi-play AR for iOS 12 (Graphic: Business Wire) Play and Learn with Multi-Play AR "Battle with Boxes" is the sequel to our "Math Ninja AR", which recorded #1 on App Store's kids app ranking (6 to 8 year old) in 107 different countries. With the use of iOS 12's new direct transmission function, AR can now be shared between devices, enabling multi-play up to 4 players. The rules are simple. Add up the number o boxes to match the given number and rescue the box-turned villagers. The sums should be easy, but the effort to search, select, and calculate at the same time is more challenging than you think. Compete with friends and family and become a sum whiz before you know it! Our Play Study Go! series is the culmination of Fantamstick's continued effort to produce "fun educational apps for children", recording a series total of 3 million downloads and 12 billion problems answered worldwide. Our child-centered design represented by our graphics, music, and playability, mesmerizes children, consequently nurturing their academic skills without them knowing it. Our aim is to not teach children, but to stimulate their interest so they will teach themselves. Math Ninja AR - Battle with Boxes - Sneak Peek https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UROffpZIA4Q [App Details] Title: Math Ninja AR - Battle with Boxes - Target (News - Alert) Age: Above 6 years recommended OS: Above iOS 12 Price: $3 Download URL: https://itunes.apple.com/app/id1418461104 [Corporate Profile] Company Name: Fantamstick, Ltd. Headquarters: Roppongi Mikawadai Bld. 5th Floor CROSSCOOP, 4-8-7 Roppongi , Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-0032, Japan Founded: February 26th, 2010 CEO: Shane Belton Homepage: https://fantamstick.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181022005397/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] IESA and Keysight Join to Discuss Evolving Dynamics of 5G BANGALORE, October 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Focus on Standards, Products, Design and Test Challenges The India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) and Keysight Technologies joined hands to create a Thought Leadership Platform (TLF) on the various dynamics of 5G - the next big wave which is forging its way ahead. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/679815/IESA_Logo.jpg ) 5G technology has the potential for ushering a major societal transformation in India by enabling a rapid expansion of the role of information technology across manufacturing, educational, healthcare, agricultural, financial and social sectors. India must embrace this opportunity by deploying 5G networks early, efficiently, and pervasively, as well as emerge as a significant innovator and technology supplier at the global level. 5G technologies, beginning 2019, will enter gradually and advance to a full range of services by 2024. By acting early to embrace the 5G opportunity, India can accelerate the 5G dividend and potentially also become an innovator in 5G applications. Speaking at the Thought Leadership Forum, Anil Kumar Muniswamy, Chairman, IESA, said, "IESA is elated to create a platform with Keysight Technologies and share insights about the 5G evolution in India. The intent of such forums is to facilitate interactions between indigenous products, designs, solutions and user experiences both within Industry and the Government. The economic impact of 5G implementation is 1 Trillion USD between 2020 and 2030 and it is a huge opportunity for Indian companies to capitalise on this opportunity. IESA has also been proactive in leveraging and building platforms for new technologies and with the advent of 5G technology, India should not miss this opportunity. IESA will support both the Industry and Government to make this a reality." Sudhir Tangri, Country General Manager & Vice President at Keysight Technologies, stated that Keysight has ventured very early in the field of 5G. He said, "5G is the next big paradigm shift in communication technology. To cater to this revolution, Keysight, as the market leader in electronic instrumentation, will continue to develop and deliver rugged 5G test solutios." Sandeep Kapoor, Head of Marketing at Keysight Technologies spoke about 5G opening new doors to exciting applications in autonomous driving, broadband fixed wireless, Internet of Things, and augmented reality. He mentioned, "Keysight is committed to being at the leading edge of the technology curve. We have provided our customers a much needed first mover advantage with our cutting edge 5G technology test platforms." The forum showcased speakers from Mediatek, Intel and Samsung talk about key technical concepts and current states of 5G as well as the challenges and opportunities of this technology. Akshay Aggarwal, Director - Technology, Mediatek, spoke on 5G New Radio Motivation, Design, Deployment Options & Challenges; Madhusudana Raghupatruni, Senior Architect and Technologist, Intel shared his insights on wireless backhaul & spectrum and Manjunath Nanjundappa, Senior Tech Manager, Samsung Electronics spoke on the used cases. 5G services go well beyond those of prior generation mobile networks. 5G will additionally also connect myriad of new devices including machines, sensors, actuators, vehicles, robots and drones. India as a country, can benefit greatly from 5G, as it will enable the nation to leapfrog traditional barriers to development. 5G will also advance reach and utility of the 'Digital India' campaign and allied missions. As per the India 5G Market (2018-2025) by Research and Markets, 5G connection in India is expected to generate approximately USD 20Bn revenue for telecom companies by 2025. This is because India mobile companies are looking forward to providing high HD premium videos to their users by embracing 5G networks. With the adoption of 5G, India is expected to boost the AR and VR market5G networks can provide a million connections within a square kilometer, becoming critical for companies who are working within the AR and VR segments About IESA (India Electronics and Semiconductor Association) IESA is the premier trade body representing the Indian Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) industry and has represented it since 2005. It has over 300 members - both domestic and multinational enterprises. IESA is committed towards building global awareness for the Indian ESDM industry and supporting its growth through focused initiatives in developing the ecosystem. This is achieved through publishing credible data, networking events and alliances with other international associations. IESA works closely with the Governments as a knowledge partner on the sector, both at the centre and at the state level. To learn more, please visit http://www.iesaonline.org Follow us on Twitter @IESA_Online Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iesaorg Abou t Keysight in 5G Keysight's industry-first 5G end-to-end design and test solutions enable the mobile industry to accelerate 5G product design development from the physical layer to the application layer and across the entire workflow from simulation, design, and verification to manufacturing, deployment, and optimization. Keysight offers common software and hardware platforms compliant to the latest 3GPP standards, enabling the ecosystem to quickly and accurately validate 5G chipsets, devices, base stations and networks, as well as emulate subscriber behaviour scenarios. Additional information about Keysight's 5G solutions is available at http://www.keysight.com/find/5G Additional information about Keysight Technologies is available in the newsroom at https://www.keysight.com/go/news and on Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. Media Contact: Suriya Kala suriya@iesaonline.org +91-97409-84648 Deputy General Manager - Events & Alliances, India Electronics & Semiconductor Association [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] MGID Announces Partnership With Network18 Media & Investments Limited NEW DELHI, October 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- MGID, a global ad network specializing in native advertising, has announced its partnership with Network18 Media & Investments Limited - one of the largest media conglomerates with interests in broadcasting, digital, movies, e-commerce, magazines, mobile content and allied businesses. This partnership comes to the heels of MGID's new regional development strategy with the Indian market in its focus. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/772886/MGID_Logo.jpg ) From now on MGID's advertisers have exclusive access to the following websites: news18.com, firstpost.com, a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.moneycontrol.com/" rel="nofollow">moneycontrol.com and overdrive.in, where they can effectively deliver their brand's message to the relevant audiences through native placements. "Network18 offers its visitors digital content of high quality and utility. With MGID's non-intrusive content recommendations we are now able to provide added value to the readers, and open new possibilities for the brands interested in reaching their target audience through engaging native ad solutions," comments Vladyslav Stadnyk, Head of Business Development at MGID. "Partnership with Network18 Group is a new step for MGID on the way to expanding the company's reach in the Indian market," he adds. MGID has previously announced its strategy towards increasing the company's market share in India in 2019, introducing its outside-the-box native advertising solution to the advertising agencies. About MGID MGID is a global innovative pioneer in native advertising. Since its foundation in 2008 the company has become a leading content discovery platform targeting 850 million unique readers with 165 billion recommendations monthly. MGID helps publishers to retain users on their sites and monetize their traffic; connects brand marketers and advertisers to their target audience through personalized content recommendations, and consequently, drives revenue growth for all participants of the native advertising ecosystem. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Nine-Month Figures for 2018: Sartorius Continues to Grow by Double Digits Sartorius, a leading international partner of biopharmaceutical research and the industry, continued on the growth track, with double-digit gains in sales revenue and earnings. "In the first nine months of 2018, Sartorius achieved excellent organic growth," said Dr. Joachim Kreuzburg, Chief Executive Officer. "This applies particularly to the Bioprocess Solutions Division, which grew dynamically across all product categories and geographies. For the Lab Products & Services Division, growth in the third quarter was below our expectations due to softer demand in Europe. At the Group level, however, this effect will be largely compensated for by the strong development of our bioprocess business so that we confirm our ambitious full-year forecast." Business development of the Sartorius Group In the first nine months of 2018, Sartorius increased its sales revenue by 13.4% in constant currencies to 1,153.7 million euros (reported: +10.9%). The majority of growth was achieved organically, while acquisitions contributed close to 1.5 percentage points. In the same period, order intake also increased significantly, up 13.3% to 1,215.2 million euros. Geographically, all regions contributed to consolidated growth. Especially in the Americas, sales revenue rose significantly by 20.1% to 387.9 million euros against a moderate prior-year base, and Asia|Pacific again saw double-digit growth of 13.4% to 281.7 million euros, despite strong performance in the previous year. EMEA2) recorded a solid gain of 8.6% to 484.1 million euros (all growth rates for the regions and order intake in constant currencies). The Sartorius Group also substantially increased its earnings in the first nine months of 2018. Underlying EBITDA rose overproportionately relative to sales by 15.0% to 294.2 million euros; the respective margin was 25.5% compared with 24.6% a year ago. Relevant net profit3) for the Group grew significantly by 21.8% to 126.3 million euros. Earnings per ordinary share totaled 1.84 euros (9M 2017: 1.51 euros) and earnings per preference share 1.85 euros (9M 2017: 1.52 euros). The Group's key financial indicators continued to remain at robust levels. At the end of the reporting period, the company's equity ratio was 35.6%, and its ratio of net debt to underlying EBITDA stood at 2.4 (Dec. 31, 2017: 35.1% and 2.5, resp.). The capex ratio was 13.0%, slightly below the year-earlier figure of 13.6%. Investment activities continued to focus on expansion of the plant for manufacturing single-use bags and filters in Puerto Rico, as well as on the consolidation and expansion of Group headquarters in Gottingen, Germany. Business development of the divisions The Bioprocess Solutions Division, which offers a wide array of innovative technologies for the manufacture of biopharmaceuticals, recorded double-digit growth in sales revenue and order intake in the first nine months of 2018. After the previous year's comparably moderate performance, momentum considerably picked up in the reporting period. The division's sales revenue rose in constant currencies by 14.8% to 843.0 million euros (reported: +12.2%) and was driven by strong demand for equipment and single-use products. The increase in sales revenue was achieved almost completely organically, whereas the software company Umetrics acquired in April 2017 contributed around half a percentage point of non-organic growth. Order intake also rose at a very dynamic rate by 15.0% to 901.8 million euros. Despite negative currency effects, and driven by economies of scale and positive product mix effects, underlying EBITDA of the Bioprocess Solutions Division rose overproportionately relative to sales, by 16.5% to 239.1 million euros. The Group's respective margin increased significantly year over year from 27.3% to 28.4%. The Lab Products & Services Division, which offers laboratory technologies primarily for the pharma sector and life science research, recorded an increase in sales revenue in constant currencies by 9.7% to 310.7 million euros (reported +7.4%), following high growth in the prior-year period. After a strong first half, development was dampened in the third quarter as a result of softer demand in Europe. Finalized in March 2017, the acquisition of Essen BioScience, a specialist in cell analysis, contributed non-organic growth of close to 3.5 percentage points in line with expectations. The division's nine-month order intake grew in constant currencies by 8.7% to 313.4 million euros. Underlying earnings for Lab Products & Services rose 9.0% to 55.0 million euros. Despite negative currency effects, the division's earnings margin increased slightly from 17.5% to 17.7%, which was driven by economies of scale and product mix effects. Full-year guidance confirmed; division forecasts adjusted In view of the company's performance in the first nine months of 2018, management confirms its full-year projections, substantially raised at mid-year, that consolidated sales will grow by about 12% to 15%. The Group's underlying EBITDA margin remains forecasted to increase by about 0.5 percentage points compared with the year-earlier figure of 25.1%. Based on the dynamic growth recorded for the Bioprocess Solutions Division in the reporting period, management now projects that the division's sales revenue will increase at the upper range of the previously targeted bandwidth of about 12% to 15%. This figure includes a non-organic growth contribution of slightly less than 0.5 percentage points. The division's underlying EBITDA margin is forecasted to further gain about half a percentage point over the prior-year figure of 28.0%. For the Lab Products & Services Division, management reduces growth projections for sales due to softer demand in Europe, to 8% to 10% (previous guidance: about 12% to 15%). Essen BioScience consolidated since March 2017 is forecasted to contribute a good 2.5 percentage points of non-organic growth, as expected so far. The division's underlying EBITDA margin is projected to further rise; due to the division's lower sales growth, however, this increase will now be around half a percentage point over the prior-year figure of 18.0% (previous forecast: one percentage point). All forecasts are based on constant currencies. As a result of changes in the currency exchange rates, reported figures in actual currencies may differ from constant currency guidance. 1) Sartorius uses underlying EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and adjusted for extraordinary items) as the key profitability indicator 2) EMEA = Europe | Middle East | Africa 3) After non-controlling interest, adjusted for extraordinary items and non-cash amortization, as well as based on the normalized financial result and corresponding tax effects. This earnings release contains statements about the future development of the Sartorius Group. The content of these statements cannot be guaranteed as they are based on assumptions and estimates that harbor certain risks and uncertainties. This is a translation of the original German-language press release. Sartorius shall not assume any liability for the correctness of this translation. The original German press release is the legally binding version. Furthermore, Sartorius reserves the right not to be responsible for the topicality, correctness, completeness or quality of the information provided. Liability claims regarding damage caused by the use of any information provided, including any kind of information which is incomplete or incorrect, will therefore be rejected. Current image files https://www.sartorius.com/en/company/newsroom/downloads-publications Conference call Dr. Joachim Kreuzburg, CEO, and Rainer Lehmann, CFO, will discuss the company's business results with analysts and investors on Tuesday, October 23, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. Central European Time (CET) in a teleconference. You may register by clicking on the following link: http://services.choruscall.de/DiamondPassRegistration/register?confirmationNumber=6785779&linkSecurityString=2c6a4a5c7 Alternatively, you can dial into the teleconference, without registering, at: +49 (0) 69 566 03 6000 To view the presentation, log onto: https://www.sartorius.com/en/company/investor-relations/sartorius-ag-investor-relations Upcoming financial dates January 29, 2019 Publication of preliminary figures for 2018 A profile of Sartorius The Sartorius Group is a leading international partner of biopharmaceutical research and the industry. With innovative laboratory instruments and consumables, the Group's Lab Products & Services Division concentrates on serving the needs of laboratories performing research and quality control at pharma and biopharma companies and those of academic research institutes. The Bioprocess Solutions Division with its broad product portfolio focusing on single-use solutions helps customers to manufacture biotech medications and vaccines safely and efficiently. The Group has been annually growing by double digits on average and has been regularly expanding its portfolio by acquisitions of complementary technologies. In fiscal 2017, Sartorius earned sales revenue of more than 1.4 billion euros. Currently, more than 8,000 people work at the Group's approximately 60 manufacturing and sales sites, serving customers around the globe. Key Performance Indicators for the 9-Month Period of 2018 Sartorius Group Bioprocess Solutions Lab Products & Services In millions of (unless otherwise specified) 9M 2018 9M 20171) ? in % Reported ? in % cc2) 9M 2018 9M 20171) ? in % Reported ? in % cc2) 9M 2018 9M 20171) ? in % Reported ? in % cc2) Sales Revenue and Order Intake Sales revenue 1,153.7 1,040.4 10.9 13.4 843.0 751.1 12.2 14.8 310.7 289.3 7.4 9.7 - EMEA3) 484.1 448.9 7.8 8.6 342.5 308.6 11.0 11.5 141.6 140.3 0.9 2.1 - Americas3) 387.9 335.1 15.8 20.1 306.6 263.7 16.3 20.8 81.3 71.5 13.8 17.3 - Asia | Pacific3) 281.7 256.5 9.8 13.4 193.9 178.9 8.4 11.9 87.8 77.5 13.2 16.9 Order intake 1,215.2 1,096.4 10.8 13.3 901.8 802.0 12.5 15.0 313.4 294.4 6.4 8.7 Earnings EBITDA4) 294.2 255.8 15.0 239.1 205.3 16.5 55.0 50.5 9.0 EBITDA margin4) in % 25.5 24.6 28.4 27.3 17.7 17.5 Net profit for the period5) 126.3 103.7 21.8 Financial Data per Share Earnings per ordinary share5) in 1.84 1.51 21.9 Earnings per preference share5) in 1.85 1.52 21.7 1) The previous year's figures have been restated due to finalization of the purchase price allocations for the acquisitions of 2017. 2) In constant currencies; abbreviated as "cc" 3) Acc. to the customer's location 4) Adjusted for extraordinary items (underlying) 5) After non-controlling interest, adjusted for extraordinary items and non-cash amortization, as well as based on the normalized financial result and corresponding tax effects View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181022006008/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] APAC Financial Services Institutions Bank on Red Hat to Enhance Agility Open source solutions can facilitate innovation, cost savings and risk management SYDNEY, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Red Hat, Inc. (NYSE: RHT), the world's leading provider of open source solutions, today announced that financial institutions across Asia Pacific -- such as AmBank Group, BTPN, Bank BRI, China Merchants Bank, Cathay United Bank, Fukuoka Financial Group -- haveadoptedRed Hat's hybrid cloud architectures and practices to become more agile while helping to reduce costs and more effectively manage risks. 100% of commercial banks in the global fortune 500 rely on Red Hat.[1] Financial institutions are using Red Hat technology to automate and optimize IT processes; simplify front, middle and back office process; facilitate application and data integration; and modernize application development for better customer experience. The latest IDC Financial Insights research on the 101 Fast Growing FinTechs in Asia Pacific, covering 2017-2019 fintech to watch, highlights a rising level of commitment from traditional financial services institutions towards collaborating with fintechs or investing in them to build innovation competencies. Financial institutions are often faced with complex transactions, growing volumes of data and increasedregulation and mayneed to be more agile to better address consumer and regulatory needs fordigital banking.This can call for an IT architecture and modern applicationdevelopment and delivery practices that can deliver greater speed, stronger security, and greater flexibility while also enhancing the way organisations work across the business, IT and their partners. In APAC, several organizations have recently deployed Red Hat's hybrid cloud solutions to help meet their needs, including: AmBank Group AmBank Group is one of Malaysia's premier financial solutions groups with 43 years of experience. As part of its digital journey, the bank aims to provide better mobile banking and cash management in a manner that is easier, more simple and faster to its valued customers, across all touch points. To help achieve this goal, AmBank Group deployed Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform, Red Hat Virtualization and Red Hat Gluster Storage with the help of Red Hat Consulting. PT Bank Tabungan Pensiunan Nasional Tbk (BTPN) PT Bank Tabungan Pensiunan Nasional Tbk (BTPN) has a vision to become the best mass-market bank in Indonesia, supported by digital technology. To increase its agility and efficiency, BTPN worked with Red Hat Consulting to refine its DevOps capabilities and deploy Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform. With its OpenShift-based platform, the bank has accelerated its application development and deployment processes to help it gain a competitive advantage. Bank BRI Bank BRI is Indonesia's oldest commercial bank and the largest by assets, loans and deposits. As an established bank, Bank BRI faced a legacy infrastructure that it found to be ill-suited for rapid changes required in its current competitive environment. To enhance its digital capabilities, Bank BRI looked to Red Hat for help in developing a hybrid cloud platform that can provide greater business agility. Using Red Hat Cloud Suite and support from Red Hat Consulting, Bank BRI has been able to build and deploy applications more rapidly and with better time to market. China Merchants Bank (CMB) China Merchants Bank (CMB) is China's first joint-stock commercial bank wholly owned by corporate legal entities. To modernize its traditional centralized structure and gradually move towards an open and flexible distributed architecture, CMB deployed Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform (JBoss EAP) and Red Hat Ansible Tower to establish a standardized, process-oriented and automated platform. CMB also worked with Red Hat Training to equip its system administrators with the skills it needed to deliver the platform; many have now completed Red Hat Certification. The new Red Hat-based platform enables CMB to deliver personalized and mobile services to its active users. Cathay United Bank (CUB) Cathay United Bank (CUB) embarked on a digital transformation plan to keep ahead of foreseeable disruption in the financial industry. CUB decided to adopt Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform and Red Hat Fuse to implement a Platform-as-a-Service for its banking services, together with Red Hat Satellite and Red Hat JBoss Enterprise Application Platform. This helped reduce the total cost of ownership, improve the team's flexibility in resource management. Fukuoka Financial Group (FFG) Fukuoka Financial Group (FFG) is a 140 year old regional bank in Japan. FFG has established a 'Digital Strategy Division' and is participating in a Red Hat Open Innovation Labs engagement to help accelerate its digital transformation to more quickly introduce new services to the market amidst competition with fintech service providers. At the heart of its digital services platform is Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform. Supporting Quotes Benjamin Henshall, director of sales, financial services, APAC, Red Hat "The changes that are reshaping the financial services industry are providing financial institutions in APAC with opportunities to transform themselves to find new sources ofcompetitive advantage. Red Hat's open source solutions can offeran innovative, reliable foundation that can helpfinancial institutions scale more dynamically, withstand failures, and adapt more quickly. This can help financial institutions focus on innovation and customer engagement while running their IT platforms at a lower cost of service." Michael Araneta, associate vice president, IDC Financial Insights Asia Pacific "Open source is increasingly seen as a gateway to quick innovation. Banks are leveraging open source to bring to market new business models, product features, and product propositions -- and allowing that these are done fast and reliably. Many of these new offerings require new application functionalities, new features or fixes that are deployed and redeployed quickly and continuously. The ability to innovate fast, and change just as quickly will be a key indicator for success for banks in the future." Datuk Iswaraan Suppiah, group chief operations officer, AmBank Group "As part of our digital journey, it was critical for us to transform and innovate our services. By adopting Red Hat solutions, we were able to build up our digital capabilities with a more agile and scalable application delivery. This further helped us develop new applications and services to expand our market reach. We have upgraded our digital banking experience and services for our valued customers, making their banking experience with us more convenient and seamless." Karim Siregar, IT director, Bank BTPN "With Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform, we can now develop and deploy applications faster and more cost-effectively to take advantage of new market opportunities with innovative services. Digital banking is still a challenge for many banks in Indonesia and we had to disrupt ourselves to be more innovative. Our DevOps initiative backed by Red Hat solutions has helped us adopt new technologies and develop our skills to enable our digital transformation." Indra Utoyo, managing director, Information Technology and Operation, BRI "Our customers value speed, efficiency and accessibility and so it was important for us to move from a legacy infrastructure to the cloud. Using Red Hat solutions, we were able to deploy an enterprise cloud infrastructure which has made us more agile and cost efficient. This has enabled us to offer new digital services to our customers and help sharpen our competitive edge." Zhang Xiang, supervisor of open system management office, China Merchants Bank "We regard financial science and technology reforms as one of our top priorities for the next three to five years. With Red Hat solutions, we were not only able to achieve greater technology agility but also drive business agility and focus on building mobile Internet and managing data workloads. Thanks to Red Hat for contributing in our digital journey." Chris Wang, executive vice president, Information Management Office, Cathay United Bank "Cathay United Bank has been focusing in its digital transformation journey to move from a product-centric vertical architecture to a customer-centric horizontal architecture since 2015. The major shift in this enterprise architecture change is achieved technically by implementing the design of the Enterprise Architecture Integration (EAI), consists of Red Hat OpenShift, a micro-service based docker container PaaS solution, and Red Hat FUSE as a foundation of our PaaS. It enables us greater capabilities in providing a more flexible, highly efficient and faster time-to-market service to support in business growth, and to help survive in the FinTech competition." Koji Yokota, director and senior managing executive officer, Fukuoka Financial Group, Inc. "In order to accelerate our digital transformation journey and move to the cloud, we adopted Red Hat solutions and enrolled in the Red Hat Open Innovation Labs program. By gaining a better understanding of agile development methodologies and the DevOps culture, we've been able to innovate faster, which we believe is crucial to being more competitive in the market." Additional Resources Learn more about Red Hat 's f inancial s ervices solutions Learn more ho Red Hat is helping financial services with open source Red Hat's Open Banking Roadshows Learn more about Connect with Red Hat Learn more about Red Hat Get more news in the Red Hat newsroom Read the Red Hat blog Follow Red Hat on Twitter Join Red Hat on Facebook Watch Red Hat videos on YouTube Join Red Hat on Google+ Follow Red Hat on LinkedIn [1]Red Hat client data and Fortune Global 500 list, September 2018 About Red Hat, Inc. Red Hat is the world's leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to deliver reliable and high-performing Linux, hybrid cloud, container, and Kubernetes technologies. Red Hat helps customers integrate new and existing IT applications, develop cloud-native applications, standardize on our industry-leading operating system, and automate, secure, and manage complex environments. Award-winning support, training, and consulting services make Red Hat a trusted adviser to the Fortune 500 . As a strategic partner to cloud providers, system integrators, application vendors, customers, and open source communities, Red Hat can help organizations prepare for the digital future. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: risks related to the ability of the Company to compete effectively; the ability to deliver and stimulate demand for new products and technological innovations on a timely basis; delays or reductions in information technology spending; the integration of acquisitions and the ability to market successfully acquired technologies and products; risks related to errors or defects in our offerings and third-party products upon which our offerings depend; risks related to the security of our offerings and other data security vulnerabilities; fluctuations in exchange rates; changes in and a dependence on key personnel; the effects of industry consolidation; uncertainty and adverse results in litigation and related settlements; the inability to adequately protect Company intellectual property and the potential for infringement or breach of license claims of or relating to third party intellectual property; the ability to meet financial and operational challenges encountered in our international operations; and ineffective management of, and control over, the Company's growth and international operations, as well as other factors contained in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (copies of which may be accessed through the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov), including those found therein under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic and political conditions, governmental and public policy changes and the impact of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Red Hat, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, the Shadowman logo, JBoss, Ansible, Gluster and OpenShift are trademarks or registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries. Linux is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries. SOURCE Red Hat, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] NTT Communications Rated First for Growth in Customer Loyalty NTT Communications Corporation ( NTT (News - Alert) Com), the information and communications technology (ICT) solutions business within the NTT Group (TOKYO: 9432) announced today that it earned the 'valued partner' accolade in 5 out of 12 categories according to the second edition of Digital Zenith Benchmark, a report recently published by Ocean82 that measures customer-centric evolution. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181022005018/en/ Ocean82 Crystal Ball DIZEME (Graphic: Business Wire) A total of 866 people, who work for large and multi-national enterprises, were interviewed about their experiences with global service providers, generating about 1,000 evaluations and 6,000 points of data, over the last 12 months. The data was analyzed using an algorithm to calculate a cooperation coefficient, which is denoted by DZ and named DIZEME. The report can be viewed here. The 'valued partner' benchmark represents the point at which the level of cooperation between supplier and customer takes root and flourishes. It has a value of 100. Scores above the benchmark ilustrate the gradation of firm customer loyalty (advocates and valued partners) and those below the benchmark illustrate the gradation of a fragile or deteriorating customer loyalty (habitual or convenience purchases). To obtain a 'valued partner' rating a service provider must exceed the 'valued partner' benchmark. This is achieved through a company-wide commitment to providing an outstanding customer experience. It requires that service providers demonstrate exceptional customer satisfaction to earn the firm loyalty of their customers. NTT Com is rated as a valued partner, for a high level of customer engagement, at the time of innovation, purchase consideration, first purchase, service selection and growth from transformation. According to Janet Watkin, Managing Director at Ocean82, "transformation in the digital age requires that global service providers earn and sustain the trust of their customers to become valued partners. The emotion is the force for growth and user sentiment is often revealed at those times during the purchase cycle that most impacts growth". Links: Analyst Reports Awards About Ocean82 Ocean82 is an established marketing services firm specializing in benchmarking the customer service experience for the information & communication technologies industry. It is known for its track record in "Voice of the customer" analysis of competitive positioning, business strategy, branding, post-purchase care, channel management and pre-sales support, among other areas. It has experience in 30 countries and 10 languages, often making Ocean82 the first-choice supplier for organizations requiring international marketing research and analysis covering emerging technologies. www.ocean82.com About NTT Communications (News - Alert) Corporation NTT Communications solves the world's technology challenges by helping enterprises overcome complexity and risk in their ICT environments with managed IT infrastructure solutions. These solutions are backed by our worldwide infrastructure, including industry leading, global tier-1 public and private networks reaching over 190 countries/regions, and more than 400,000m2 of the world's most advanced data center facilities. Our global professional services teams provide consultation and architecture for the resiliency and security required for your business success, and our scale and global capabilities are unsurpassed. Combined with NTT Data, NTT Security, NTT DOCOMO and Dimension Data (News - Alert) , we are NTT Group. www.ntt.com | Twitter@NTT Com | Facebook@NTT Com | LinkedIn@NTT Com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181022005018/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Binary Tree Rolls out a Free Assessment to Kick Start Domino and Notes Application Modernization Gartner (News - Alert) estimates that there are 20 million Lotus Notes Applications in production today, 2 million of which are mission critical. Over the past 10 years, many of these have evolved to become quite complex, supporting countless business processes and workflows. But with IBM (News - Alert) appearing increasingly ambivalent toward the platform, clients around the world need a roadmap for modernizing these applications. "Many of our Notes clients have already migrated their mail systems to the cloud. Now, they want to capitalize on that investment by modernizing their applications and moving them to modern alternatives," said Steve Derbyshire, President of Domino Transformation Solutions at Binary Tree (News - Alert) . "I am excited that here at Binary Tree we are able to offer a complete solution to help them get there." Introducing DNA To help clients figure out what's next for Notes, Binary Tree is offering a free version of their Domino and Notes Analyzer (DNA). In this service, Binary Tree will work with the client to determine which applications will be analyzed. The result of the analysis will be detailed reports and a roadmap that shows options for where to move the application, including how much effort, cost, and time each will take. Here are examples of the options and possible recommended solutions. Option 1: Archive Applications that have low or no end user usage can be shut down and archived using a Binary Tree solution called DoMigrator. Option 2: Move to a SaaS platform For applications that are a good fit to move to a platform like Microsoft (News - Alert) SharePoint or SQL Server, Binary Tree can also use DoMigrator to get them there. Opton 3: Redevelop on modern technology Domino and Notes Application Migrator. Here, applications are migrated 'like-for-like' to a modern browser-based interface on a SQL backend that is run on Azure or in a client's data center. The migrated applications retain 100% of their user interface, business logic, security and data. This approach minimizes change management and documentation updates, leaving the user interface and workflows unchanged. If needed, more modernization and enhancements can then begin. Option 4: Set up a managed service on Azure Lastly, applications that have to stay on Domino and be used with the Notes client can be moved to Binary Tree's managed service Domino on Azure. In this service, clients can deploy internal IT resources more strategically while Binary Tree takes care of the daily management, maintenance and support of the Domino servers and Notes applications. What customers are saying Since Binary Tree rolled out its Domino Application services in 2016, a growing number of clients have already taken advantage of them. Here's what one satisfied customer said about the experience. "Binary Tree's Domino on Azure Managed Service has helped us to significantly reduce our Lotus Notes footprint and eliminated the need for internal support resources for managing and maintaining the Domino server environment," said Linda Morris, Global Collaboration Leader at Chemours. "We are now in the process of identifying solutions to completely exit Lotus Notes in a cost-effective manner while leveraging our investment in cloud technology." About Binary Tree Binary Tree offers an ever-growing collection of software, services and SaaS (News - Alert) solutions-all designed to help enterprises everywhere transform in the Microsoft cloud, merge organizations and modernize business processes. Through its business-first approach, Binary Tree helps organizations plan, move, and manage transformations that involve Microsoft 365, Office 365, Azure and business applications. The company is a Microsoft Gold Partner that helps clients move faster, do more with their investment and save money along the way. Binary Tree has served 8,000 global clients and 50% of the Fortune 500 to transform the productivity and collaboration of 42 million users, including moving 7.5 million users to the Microsoft Office 365 cloud. The company is a Microsoft Gold Partner and a globally preferred vendor, with headquarters outside New York City and global offices in France, Germany, Singapore, Sweden and the U.K. For more, visit www.binarytree.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005344/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Raytheon's Rolling Airframe Missile to defend Armada de Mexico patrol frigate TUCSON, Ariz., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has delivered a RAM launcher to the Mexican government as part of the long-range off-shore patrol vessel (Patrulla Oceanica de Largo Alcance, or POLA) program, marking the first delivery of a RAM product to a Latin American country. The Mexican Navy will use the RAM Block 2 supersonic, quick reaction, fire-and-forget missile to counter enemy anti-ship missiles. This latest version features a larger rocket motor, advanced control section and an enhancedradio frequency receiver. "RAM Block 2 protects ships against a long list of constantly evolving threats," said Mitch Stevison, Raytheon Air and Missile Defense Systems vice president. "With RAM protecting its frigate, Mexico not only enhances its maritime posture, but they also expand their naval support of national security and defense of critical sea lanes." The RAM system is the world's most modern ship self-defense weapon and protects ships of all sizes. It's deployed on more than 165 ships in eight countries, ranging from 500-ton fast attack craft to 95,000-ton aircraft carriers. About Raytheon Raytheon Company, with 2017 sales of $25 billion and 64,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 96 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter. Euronaval 2018 Barry Edwards +1.520.205.0689 USA John B. Patterson +1.520.440.2194 rmspr@raytheon.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/raytheons-rolling-airframe-missile-to-defend-armada-de-mexico-patrol-frigate-300735596.html SOURCE Raytheon Company [October 23, 2018] Goa-based Synapse Information Services Launches DesignMyReport.com, a Specialized Offering for Investor Relations Collateral Design PANAJI, India, October 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Synapse Information Services, an 18-year-old Business Communication agency, has birthed a new proposition to address investor communication design. Specializing in annual reports, quarterly reports, sustainability reports, and analyst presentations; DesignMyReport.com focusses on re-imagining reporting with clear, contemporary, and interactive report design for print, web, mobile, and other multi-media formats. DesignMyReport.com took up its first project in early 2018. Owned by privately held Synapse Information Services, it leverages respective domain expertise of sister concerns ScreenRoot Technologies (leading UI/UX Design Firm) and Visual Juju (Video Content Agency) to create interactive annual report microsites, mobile/web app reports, and 2D animated video reports. DesignMyeport.com converts complex data into engaging stories that are designed to deliver seamless experience to investors. The 20-member team including project managers, graphic designers, visualizers, and copywriters help crack the storytelling concept, write the content to convey that story, visualize the story for impact, visualize the data for added delight, suggest relevant formats and media, and manage the entire process from briefing to deployment. DesignMyReport.com works with enterprise clients from diverse geographies and sectors. DesignMyReport.com works with its clients all year long and saves them the complication of multiple RFPs, negotiations, and briefings. It even ensures the security of sensitive and undeclared data with watertight confidentiality agreements and dedicated in-house teams. "In our very first quarter, we on-boarded Marico and Kotak Mahindra Bank to design their Sustainability Report and Quarterly Earnings Report respectively," says Tanmay Modi, CEO, Synapse. "We recently won and delivered the designs for TCS's 50th Anniversary Annual Report and Zee's 25th Anniversary Annual Report too." About Synapse Synapse is a Communications Agency that specializes in Storytelling for businesses. It helps businesses like Kotak Mahindra Bank, Microsoft, SAP, HDFC Bank and many more with B2B marketing collateral, high-impact PowerPointTM presentation, direct marketing collateral, digital marketing collateral, social media, and employee engagement initiatives. Media Contact: Nikil Kanchan nikil@synapse.co +91-98333-58666 Synapse Information Services Pvt. Ltd. [October 23, 2018] BioSolar Considering Additional Development Partnerships Company leadership traveled to South Korea and identified a potential partner with anode material processing capabilities SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioSolar, Inc. (OTCQB:BSRC) (BioSolar or the Company), a developer of breakthrough energy storage technology and materials, today provided a progress report on the Companys recent efforts to form additional partnerships designed to scale a proof of concept of a Li-ion battery that incorporates its proprietary anode additive material. Representatives of BioSolar and the Companys technology partners, recently visited Top Battery, another technology development partner, in South Korea. During the trip, BioSolar also met with a number of technology companies including a potential technology development partner with extensive knowledge and capability in Si anode material processing. As a result of these meetings, the team is in the process of forming a mutually beneficial alliance with the aforementioned partners in South Korea to integrate BioSolars solid additives into Ferroglobes Si raw materials to produce Si anode materials incorporating BioSolars additive technology. BioSolar has continued its collaboration with Top Battery to design and build commercial grade prototype batteries to demonstrate the benefits of the Companys own Si additive technology for next generation Li-ion batteries. Furthermore, BioSolar intends to establish additional development partnerships to ensure successful preparation of the Companys Si anode material to be incorporated into commercial grade proof of concept Li-ion full cell prototype batteries. Our teams recent trip to South Korea was very productive in that it advanced our established relationships with Ferroglobe and Top Battery, but also established new ones with potential long-term patners, said Dr. David Lee, Chief Executive Officer of BioSolar. Ultimately, our goal for success will be enabled by two key initiatives: one on the technology development side, and the second being our ability to form meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships with the right partners. We believe both objectives are each on their respective track for success, and look forward to sharing details of these relationships as they mature. About BioSolar, Inc. BioSolar is developing a breakthrough technology to increase the storage capacity, lower the cost and extend the life of lithium-ion batteries. A battery contains two major parts, a cathode and an anode, that function together as the positive and negative sides. BioSolar is currently investigating high capacity anode materials recognizing the fact that the overall battery capacity is determined by combination of both cathode and anode. By integrating BioSolar's high capacity anode, battery manufacturers will be able to create a super lithium-ion battery that can double the range of a Tesla, power an iPhone for two days straight, or store daytime solar energy for nighttime use. Founded with the vision of developing breakthrough energy technologies, BioSolar's previous successes include the world's first UL approved bio-based back sheet for use in solar panels. To learn more about BioSolar, please visit our website at http://www.biosolar.com . Safe Harbor Statement Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting the Company and its operations, markets, product, and distributor performance, the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions, and U.S. actions subsequently; and other factors detailed in reports filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. CONTACT INFORMATION Investor Relations Contact : Tom Becker BioSolar, Inc. ir@biosolar.com (877) 904-3733 For Media Inquiries : Eric Fischgrund FischTank Marketing and PR eric@fischtankpr.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Edge by Ascential Launches to Deliver Industry-Leading Ecommerce-Driven Data, Insights and Advisory Services for Brands and Retailers Technology, data and industry experts from Brand View, Clavis Insight, One Click Retail and PlanetRetail RNG form the foundation of new business LONDON, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascential plc, the global specialist information company, today announces the launch of Edge by Ascential, the next-generation data, insights and advisory service for brand manufacturers and retailers worldwide looking to win in today's ecommerce-driven retail environment. With foundational elements from Brand View, Clavis Insight, One Click Retail and PlanetRetail RNG, Edge by Ascential provides its customersover 500 of the world's leading brands and retailerswith some of the industry's most comprehensive and actionable ecommerce-driven data, insights and advisory solutions to measure performance and drive sales, making it the industry's leading provider world wide for these capabilities. "Our solutions deliver everything our clients need to build and execute a winning sales strategy in an ever-changing retail environment driven by emerging technologies, innovative platforms and changing demographics in an increasingly challenging global trade system," explains Boren Novakovic, Edge by Ascential's managing director. "We give our clients a holistic view of their performance compared to the wider ecommerce market and a clear plan of action to implement their strategies to drive their sales faster and further than ever before." Edge by Ascential solutions for brands and retailers include: Weekly, daily and real-time digital shelf performance metrics Monitoring of price movements, promotions, availability, product content changes and new product listings SKU- and category-level online sales and share Traffic, search optimization and conversion measurements In-depth price and promotion analytics and benchmarking Competitive and market intelligence /li> Omni-channel go-to-market and market optimization strategies Michael Lisowski , president of Edge by Ascential and chief operating officer of Ascential plc. "Over the past few years, Ascential has methodically acquired the industry's best solutions and then invested to take these solutions to the next level. Edge by Ascential is that next level: we are now able to provide our customers, who up until today have had to rely on multiple solutions providers, a complete picture of their online performance, be it digital shelf analytics, online sales and share measurement, market optimization intelligence or product pricing and promotion tracking. The human and technological expertise from these top companies we've acquired will enable us to further innovate services that will take our customers to their next level of success." Edge by Ascential has over 400 employees in 10 offices across North America, Europe and Asia. About Edge by Ascential Formerly Brand View, Clavis Insight, One Click Retail and PlanetRetail RNG, Edge by Ascential delivers some of the industry's most accurate and actionable sales-driving data, insights and advisory solutions for global brands and retailers looking to win in today's ecommerce-driven world. Our solutions enable the world's top brands and retailers to implement strategies that help maximize revenue growth; optimize product listings; increase sales faster than the category and the competition; and drive margin growth with pricing and promotions. Our weekly, daily and real-time data-driven insights (including online Sales and Share measurement, Digital Shelf performance, Price & Promotions monitoring and Retail Insights intelligence), coupled with a wide range of customized advisory and education services, give our clients a comprehensive and competitive advantage across the entire landscape online and around the globe. For more information about how your company can gain the advantage, visit www.ascentialedge.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. About Ascential plc Ascential (LSE:ASCL.L) is a specialist global information company that helps the world's most ambitious businesses win in the digital economy. Our information, insights, connections, data and digital tools solve customer problems in three disciplines: Product Design via global trend forecasting service WGSN ; via global trend forecasting service ; Marketing via global benchmark for creative excellence and effectiveness Cannes Lions and WARC , and strategic advisory firm MediaLink ; and via global benchmark for creative excellence and effectiveness and , and strategic advisory firm ; and Sales via ecommerce-driven data, insights and advisory service Edge by Ascential, the world's premier payments and Fin Tech congress Money20/20, global retail industry summit World Retail Congress and retail news outlet Retail Week. Ascential also powers political, construction and environmental intelligence brands DeHavilland, Glenigan and Groundsure. For more information, visit www.ascential.com. Media Contact: Pola Hallquist Apothecary Communications for Edge by Ascential phallquist@apothecarycommunications.com 1-866-213-9210 x801 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/565618/One_Click_Retail_Logo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/622745/Ascential_Clavis_Insight_Once_Click_Retail_Logo.jpg [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Sparkle and Amartus Team Up for Multi-Vendor LSO Orchestrated SD-WAN, with Container-Based uCPE Proof of Concept at MEF18 Sparkle, the International Services arm of TIM Group and among the top ten global operators, and Amartus, an independent software consultancy firm, announce the details of their joint multi-vendor Software Defined-Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) service proof-of-concept (PoC), which will be demonstrated at MEF18 in Los Angeles on Oct. 29th - Nov. 2nd. The PoC is focused on developing a foundation for the next generation SD-WAN-enabled services that are technology and vendor agnostic and provide customers with a multi-vendor, orchestrated SD-WAN solution, fully compliant with MEF (News - Alert) framework and technical specifications. The goal of the PoC is to introduce the possibility of a cost-effective multi-vendor SD-WAN enabled service through the use of MEF Lifecycle Service Orchestration (LSO) Presto and a Docker-based containerized Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) that provides a cost-effective and flexible foundation for supporting vendor-agnostic, multi-vendor services. In the demo, a Presto northbound interface endpoint accesses an inventory/topology engine which exposes SD-WAN resources in a Presto-compliant fashion. Input data and inventory are used to create Topology and Orchestration Specification for Cloud Applications (TOSCA) descriptors for resources and SD-WAN services. Southbound provisioning is handled by a TOSCA-enabled orchestration component. Cloud native (containerized) virtual functions will be provided by customized uCPE appliances. Sparkle will contribute with its global network and multi-vendor experience while Amartus contributes with its innovation and expertise in the development and integration of network transformation software solutions. "Our aim is to deelop SD-WAN enabled services guaranteeing standardization across multiple vendors thus pushing their growth and the value they can provide to enterprises," said Daniele Mancuso, Director of Innovation & Engineering at Sparkle. "Amartus, with its extensive experience in both LSO Presto and in the development of containerized solutions, is the ideal partner to develop a solution that leapfrogs the industry, delivering the high levels of interoperability, at a reasonable cost, demanded by global enterprises." "The work we've done with LSO Presto to date has been focused on connecting backbone networks, but this demonstration takes this technology from the HQ to the branch office, significantly benefiting both carriers and enterprises," said Liam Twomey, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Amartus. "This is an evolving and exciting partnership where we are able to marry our software development and integration expertise with Sparkle's firsthand knowledge of the market demands. They pushed us to find ways to make the service both open and cost effective, to ultimately improve the interoperability capability significantly over what exists today." The demo will be viewable in the PoC Showcase area and at the stands of both Sparkle (517) and Amartus (614). The joint Sparkle-Amartus PoC is one of the 20 being presented at the MEF18 global networking event to be held in Los Angeles, Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2018. The PoCs will highlight how the MEF 3.0 framework is revolutionizing the industry's ability to orchestrate assured communications services across a global ecosystem of automated networks. For more information about the PoCs at MEF18, visit www.mef18event.com. For more information on Amartus visit http://amartus.com/services-new-product-development.html. About Sparkle Sparkle is TIM Group's fully owned Global Operator and among the top #10 international service providers worldwide, with a proprietary backbone of around 530,000 km of fiber spanning from Europe to Africa, the Americas and Asia. Leveraging its global IP, Data, Cloud, Data Center, Mobile Data and Voice Platforms, Sparkle offers a full range of ICT solutions to Internet Service Providers, OTTs, Media and Content Players, Application Service Providers, Fixed and Mobile operators as well as Multinational Enterprises. Its sales force is active worldwide and distributed over 36 countries. Find out more about Sparkle at tisparkle.com. About Amartus Amartus is a software development and integration company helping Service Providers and Software Vendors maximize their benefit from network automation and software-centric networks. The company offers professional services, designing and building logic for different inter-system API endpoints in various languages, using Swagger and model-to-model mediation. Amartus is active in open standard bodies and projects for telco and cloud orchestration, such as MEF, OpenDaylight, TMForum, ETSI (News - Alert) -MANO and ONAP. The company is involved in industry alliance implementation projects such as multi-vendor SD-WAN service implementation or Security as a Service (SECaaS). Learn more about Amartus services. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005358/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Malta and Austria Are Home to the World's Best Investment Migration Programs The Malta Individual Investor Program is the world's top citizenship-by-investment program and the Austria Private Residence Program is the world's top residence-by-investment program, according to the Global Residence and Citizenship Programs 2018-2019 report, released today by global residence and citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners. Dr. Christian H. Kalin, an international immigration and citizenship law expert and Group Chairman of Henley & Partners, says the annual report provides a systematic analysis and comprehensive benchmarking of the world's most important programs. "It's an invaluable tool for anyone interested in alternative residence or citizenship as well as for the professionals like private bankers and lawyers who advise them. It also provides governments with a detailed picture of the broader investment migration industry landscape and where they fit it." Malta is followed in the citizenship program ranking by Cyprus in 2nd place, Austria in 3rd place, and Antigua and Barbuda in 4th place. European newcomers Moldova and Montenegro performed strongly, in 5th and 6th place respectively, mostly on account of their competitive pricing structure, minimal physical-visit requirements, strong transparency, and streamlined processing. The Austria Private Residence Program has knocked Portugal off the top spot for the first time, with newcomer Italy claiming 3rd place, the Thailand Elite Residence Program coming in at 4th place followed by the UK Tier 1 Investor Immigration Program in 5th place. The US's EB-5 residence program only holds 8th position on the ranking. "Demand for such programs is at an all-time high," explains Dr. Kalin, "and new programs are being launched each year. In this high-growth climate, Henley & Partners is committed to providing authoritative, on-the-ground insights to those working in the field of investment migration as well as to the broader public. It is in precisely this spirit that we hold our annual Global Residence and Citizenship Conference, which is all about mapping the major trends and developments shaping our industry and our world." The annual event, now in its 12th year, will take place in Dubai from 4 to 6 November. Over 400 delegates from more than 40 different countries are expected to attend, including presidents, prime ministers, senior government officials, leading academics, industry professionals, and top-tier financial and business media. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005113/en/ [October 23, 2018] PGIM Investments European expansion accelerates with new hires in Germany PGIM Investments is expanding its distribution footprint throughout Europe, adding a team dedicated to Germany. The firm has hired as vice president Thiemo Volkholz, who will be based in Frankfurt and focused on growing the firm's presence with global, regional and local banks and financial intermediaries throughout the region. Together with Cvjetko Zecevic, hired as assistant vice president, the team will market PGIM's asset management capabilities including PGIM Funds throughout the region. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005327/en/ Thiemo Volkholz (Photo: Business Wire) PGIM Investments is the global manufacturer and fund distributor of PGIM Inc., the $1 trillion global investment management business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU). Volkholz and Zecevic's arrival represent the next step in the growth of PGIM Investments' European operations. These hires mark PGIM Investment's second dedicated team in urope, with plans to add two additional regional teams in Europe by early 2019. The team will report to Kimberly LaPointe, executive vice president and head of global accounts. "We have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the growth of our business, further enabling local sales and service support as well as cross-border distributor access to our funds by registering them in key European financial centers," said LaPointe. "These experienced professionals will help us establish a strong foothold in the important German markets to meet global client needs." While PGIM has had a longstanding institutional presence across Europe, PGIM Investments' growth outside the U.S. is anchored in its UCITS product suite launched in 2013, totaling $3.0 billion in UCITS assets under management as of August 30, 2018. Registered in 16 countries across Europe, Asia and Latin America, with 26 funds domiciled in Ireland, PGIM Investments' products offer investors access to multiple share classes and currencies. Both Volkholz and Zecevic join the firm from Capital Group, where Volkholz was a managing director responsible for relationships with banks, wealth managers and multi-family offices. He has more than a decade of investment industry experience, including roles at MainFirst Asset Management, JPMorgan and Helaba Landesbank Hessen-Thuringen. Zecevic was a business development associate covering financial intermediaries, global financial institutions, banks, multi-family offices, independent asset managers and IFAs. About PGIM Funds PGIM Funds plc is an Ireland-domiciled UCITS umbrella fund serving institutional and wholesale investors across the globe. PGIM Funds plc has country registrations in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, France, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, Chile and Taiwan. PGIM Funds plc is also offered to institutional investors only in Singapore and Switzerland. For a full list of funds available in your region, please visit pgimfunds.com. About PGIM and Prudential Financial, Inc. With 15 consecutive years of positive third-party institutional net flows, PGIM, the global asset management businesses of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), ranks among the top 10 largest asset managers in the world* with more than $1 trillion in assets under management as of June 30, 2018. PGIM's businesses offer a range of investment solutions for investors around the world across a broad range of asset classes, including fundamental equity, quantitative equity, public fixed income, private fixed income, real estate and commercial mortgages. Its businesses have offices in 15 countries across four continents. For more information about PGIM, please visit pgim.com. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of capital. Prudential Financial, Inc. of the United States is not affiliated with Prudential plc, which is headquartered in the United Kingdom. *As ranked in Pensions & Investments' Money Managers list, May 2018; based on Prudential Financial, Inc. total worldwide assets under management as of December 31, 2017. 1010943-00001-00 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005327/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] MedRisk's Jill Carnahan, PT, DPT and Patricia Dadura Will Discuss Telemedicine at New Jersey Self Insurers Association Annual Meeting Jill Carnahan, PT, DPT, a licensed physical therapist on MedRisk's staff, and the company's Regional Sales Manager Patricia Dadura will discuss ways telemedicine is being used in workers' compensation--including for physical therapy--at the New Jersey Self-Insurers Association Annual Meeting on November 2. "Most people think of physical therapy as hands on, and it is, but new research shows that telerehabilitation can be very effective too," said Carnahan. The session will cover advanced telehealth technologies and how employers can leverage them for different conditions along with regulatory considerations. Panelists will discuss the training and credentialing a telerehabilitation physical therapist should have and provide criteria for deterining if a patient is a good candidate for telerehabilitation. Starting at 2:00 pm on November 2, the session is part of NJSIA's annual meeting, which will be held at the Holiday Inn in East Windsor, New Jersey on November 2. For more information, please see https://www.njselfinsurers.com. About MedRisk Based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, MedRisk is the largest managed care organization dedicated to the physical rehabilitation of injured workers. One of the Inc. 5,000 fastest growing privately held companies for 12 consecutive years, MedRisk counts over 116,000 providers in its network and serves almost 500,000 injured workers every year. It holds direct contracts with more than 80 percent of the nation's top workers' compensation insurers and third-party administrators. MedRisk, which has successfully completed a SSAE 16 Type II examination, ensures high quality care and delivers outstanding customer service. To that end, all customer service professionals, healthcare advocates and physical therapists are based in the U.S. For more information, visit www.medrisknet.com or call 800-225-9675. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005099/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] MatchCraft Bags Top Honors at the SIINDA Media Tech Conference 2018 SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 23, 2018 /CNW/ -- At the Search & Information Industry Association (SIINDA) Media Conference held in Dubrovnik, Croatia this week, MatchCraft was awarded two Platinum Industry Excellence Awards. This is MatchCraft's third time being recognized at the conference. This year, the judges created a new higher award category, Platinum, as they deemed MatchCraft's products worthy of more than Gold. The SIINDA conference is Europe's most prestigious local search event. SIINDA's Industry Excellence Awards honor member companies that have proven to be innovative, customer centric and results oriented. The independent judging panel was a mix of media professors and industry experts from across the European continent. MatchCraft won the following awards: 1) Platinum in the Attribution & Engagement category for its Customizable Merchant Reporting Dashboard. 2) Platinum in the Sales & Marketing Automation category for its social offerings, AdVantage Social Connect & AdVantage Social Express. These awards highlight MatchCraft's continued dedication towards providing its customers with the best possible products and services. "Having been long standing SIINDA partners, we understand how valuable their recognition is. As such we are thrilled that our efforts to introduce new ways to help local businesses be successful with marketing solutions have been recognized by SIINDA," said Sandy Lohr, MatchCraft's CEO. The newly launched ocial Express enhances MatchCraft's Social solutions and takes advantage of CitizenNet, an inaugural Facebook Partner since 2010. CitizenNet has developed patented systems that automate targeting and optimization. Recently, MatchCraft celebrated its 20th Anniversary and launched the French & Portuguese versions of its website. Earlier this year, MatchCraft was honored with the Global Growth Hacker of the Year Award at the annual Bing Partner Summit held in Seattle. "These awards come at a very important time for our company as we celebrate 20 years of excelling in business," said Lohr. "It is an exciting time for MatchCraft!" About SIINDA SIINDA (Search & Information Industry Association) is the leading Europe based non-profit association bringing together companies in the search (digital, mobile, print, vertical directories and platforms), information, and telecommunication sectors as well as businesses providing "on demand" services. They have global members and SIINDA's Media Tech conference explores everything from what the Cloud means for Local Search, to data security, why location matters with perspectives on cross media advertising. Attendees include some of Europe's greatest digital companies and minds. About MatchCraft Founded in 1998, MatchCraft celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. MatchCraft provides a best-in-class marketing platform that enables companies to successfully sell and manage search, display, and social campaigns for their advertisers. Unlike other marketing technology platforms, MatchCraft's platform AdVantageTM helps organizations efficiently manage campaigns of all sizes, enabling clients to deliver spectacular results to their advertisers. MatchCraft's sophisticated real-time bidding algorithms, and team of digital marketing enthusiasts, work relentlessly to deliver exceptional ROI for merchants around the world. MatchCraft has headquarters in the heart of "Silicon Beach," in Santa Monica, Calif., with additional offices in The Netherlands, India and Brazil. For digital marketing news, advice and to stay in the loop on product rollouts, follow MatchCraft on Facebook, MatchCraft on Twitter, or visit www.MatchCraft.com Contact: U.S.: 310-314-3320 Europe: +31 71 760 16 34 info@matchcraft.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/matchcraft-bags-top-honors-at-the-siinda-media-tech-conference-2018-300735710.html SOURCE MatchCraft [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Cubic to Discuss Open APIs for Transit Solutions at California Transit Association's Conference & Expo SAN DIEGO, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cubic Corporation (NYSE:CUB) today announced that its Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) business division will participate in California Transit Association's 53rd Annual Fall Conference & Expo in Long Beach, California, from October 2426. The event will study the megatrends that are reshaping public and private transportation into a new mobility ecosystem inspired by technology, big data and ever-increasing rider expectations. "With a growing interest in mobility on demand in the U.S., U.K. and Europe, it's time the transit industry concentrated on promoting openness and broadening data sharing," said Crissy Ditmore, strategy director, CTS. "A focus on open APIs and greater knowledge transfer between various private and public transit stakeholders will not only help the industry effectively prepare for the transportation challenges of tomorrow, but will play a crucial role in advancing Mobility as a Service." Ditmore was recently named the chair of TravelSpirit Foundation, a nonprofit oganization that connects coders, planners, activists and policy makers in the transportation sector. Ditmore will advocate for openness in data sharing and push forward the development of partnerships with other industry-leading organizations to define common API frameworks that benefit the transit traveler community. At the conference, Ditmore will participate in the following sessions: "Transforming Transit: Redesigning our Future" Thursday, October 25 , 9:15 a.m. 10:30 a.m. "Mobility-as-a-Service: Integrated, Seamless, Connected" Thursday, October 25 , 3:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. Cubic will also showcase new technologies aimed at simplifying ticketing for small to large transit agencies. These solutions consist of the company's latest-generation bus driver control unit and payment validators, including its next-generation validator and one from partner Delerrok, a leading provider of cloud-hosted electronic ticketing solutions for small to mid-sized transit operators. Attendees can visit Cubic at stand #109. Follow Cubic Transportation Systems on Twitter @CubicTS and join the conversation on social media with #caltransit53. About Cubic Corporation Cubic is a market-leading, technology provider of integrated solutions that increase situational understanding for transportation, defense, C4ISR and training customers worldwide to decrease urban congestion and improve the militaries' effectiveness and operational readiness. Cubic Global Defense Systems is a leading provider of live, virtual, constructive and game-based training solutions for the U.S. and allied forces. Cubic Transportation Systems is a leading integrator of payment and information technology and services to create intelligent travel solutions for transportation authorities and operators. Cubic Mission Solutions provides networked Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities for defense, intelligence, security and commercial missions. For more information about Cubic, please visit the company's website at www.cubic.com or on Twitter @CubicCorp . View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cubic-to-discuss-open-apis-for-transit-solutions-at-california-transit-associations-conference--expo-300735735.html SOURCE Cubic Corporation [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Melissa Sponsors PASS Summit Session on Optimizing Your Data Quality Business Free Lunch and Learn Session Guides Data Quality Pros in Applying Tools, Accelerating Analytics, and Monetizing Data Cleansing RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif., Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Melissa , a leading provider of global contact data quality and identity verification solutions, today announced its PASS Summit session, Data Quality: Whats in it For Me? This free lunch and learn session is geared to industry professionals such as Microsoft MVPs and other credentialed industry experts and community leaders, and will help them uncover techniques for applying the right data quality tools for their clients. Data quality professionals are invited to join fellow consultants and enthusiasts in an interactive discussion of real-world data quality challenges, benefits, and creative applications from monetizing data cleansing to saving time on mundane data prep to driving more meaningful analytics. Click here to register for this free luncheon session, slated for Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at noon Pacific. Melissa will also be demonstrating its tools and technologies at PASS Summit booth #510, November 7-9, 2018, at Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. Booth demos will offer insght on Melissas MVP (Most Valuable Professional) program, a collaborative industry forum offering full access to Melissas core data quality tools for Microsoft technologies, including both full and community editions of SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) , .NET, Dynamics CRM, and Excel. Melissa MVPs are granted a free, non-commercial license to Melissas core products for contact data verification and receive cash incentives for referring new customers. Members include consultants, architects, analysts, database administrators and others; all are encouraged to share bios, credentials and information on industry events within the Melissa MVP network . Click here to access a free trial or learn more about SSIS data quality tools for address, email, and phone verification, record consolidation, data profiling, and data enrichment. To connect with members of Melissas data quality team outside the PASS Summit event, visit www.melissa.com or call 1-800-MELISSA. About Melissa Since 1985, Melissa has specialized in global intelligence solutions to help organizations unlock accurate data for a more compelling customer view. More than 10,000 clients worldwide in arenas such as retail, education, healthcare, insurance, finance, and government, rely on Melissa for full spectrum data quality and ID verification software, including data matching, validation, and enhancement services to gain critical insight and drive meaningful customer relationships. For more information or free product trials, visit www.Melissa.com or call 1-800-MELISSA (635-4772). Greg Brown Vice President, Marketing, Melissa greg.brown@Melissa.com (800) 635-4772 x1130 Jackie Zerbst MPowered Public Relations pr@mpoweredpr.com (714) 998-3448 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Red Hat, NVIDIA Align on Open Source Solutions to Fuel Emerging Workloads Red Hat, Inc. (NYSE: RHT), the world's leading provider of open source solutions, today announced it is collaborating with NVIDIA (News - Alert) to bring a new wave of open innovation around emerging workloads like artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning and data science to enterprise datacenters around the world. Driving this effort is the certification of the world's leading enterprise Linux platform, Red Hat (News - Alert) Enterprise Linux, on NVIDIA DGX-1 systems. This certification provides a foundation for the rest of the Red Hat portfolio, including Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform, to be deployed and jointly supported on NVIDIA's AI supercomputers. AI is often looked at as an enabling technology for enterprises seeking to gain a competitive edge and market differentiation through digital transformation. Research firm Ovum (News - Alert) highlights the growing interest in AI, stating that, "The proportion of enterprises with active interest in AI initiatives (i.e., planning, trialing, or deploying) shifted from 62% last year to 77% this year [2018]." As NVIDIA DGX-1 systems enter the datacenter to provide powerful AI platforms, IT teams will often want to manage and maintain these systems within their existing operations, which frequently are Red Hat Enterprise Linux-based. The ability to use Red Hat Enterprise Linux on NVIDIA DGX-1 hardware provides not only a familiar control plane and SELinux-secured user environment for IT teams to weave into their existing workflows, but can also serve as a catalyst to drive further innovation with AI and deep learning. Enterprises across many industries, including those in the public sector, oil and gas, financial services and more, will now be able to more effectively integrate NVIDIA architecture into existing infrastructure environments with Red Hat Enterprise Linux acting as the common "bridge." In support of greater flexibility across enterprise environments, current Red Hat Enterprise Linux customers will be able to use existing subscriptions on NVIDIA DGX-1 systems, backed by both Red Hat and NVIDIA. Additionally, organizations using Red Hat Enterprise Linux on NVIDIA DGX-1 systems will also have a foundation for the industry's most comprehensive enterprise Kubernetes offering in Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform, extending cloud-native support to emerging workloads. ISVs can move existing Red Hat Enterprise Linux-certified applications to NVIDIA's new class of systems with little-to-no changes, gaining easier access to advanced AI and deep learning capabilities to support more intelligent workloads. In the realm of high-performance computing, Red Hat and NVIDIA deliver technologies and expertise to fuel two of the world's fastest supercomputers, Summit and Sierra. As part of a broader group of industry leaders, Red Hat helped bring both of these systems online providing a model not only for next-generation high-performance computing (HPC) in performance-sensitive environments but also for the enterprise datacenter of the future. Beyond Red Hat Enterprise Linux certified and supported on NVIDIA DGX systems, the companies intend to collaborate on broader open source initiatives, including: NVIDIA GPU Cloud ( NGC) containers on Red Hat OpenShift - Red Hat and NVIDIA plan to deliver NGC containers that provide users with GPU-optimized software tools for AI and HPC based on Red Hat technologies, enabling mutual customers to take full advantage of NVIDIA GPUs. ( Red Hat and NVIDIA plan to deliver NGC containers that provide users with GPU-optimized software tools for AI and HPC based on Red Hat technologies, enabling mutual customers to take full advantage of NVIDIA GPUs. Heterogeneous memory management (HMM) - Red Hat and NVIDIA plan to continue upstream development of the heterogeneous memory management (HMM) feature. This kernel feature allows devices to access and mirror the content of a system's memory into their own, enabling significant performance improvements for applications using GPUs. Red Hat at GTC DC To learn more about how Red Hat and NVIDIA align on open source solutions to fuel emerging workloads, visit Red Hat (booth #44) at the GPU Technology Conference (GTC) in Washington, D.C., from October 23-24, 2018. At the event, Red Hat and NVIDIA will also jointly present a "Best practices for deploying Red Hat platforms on DGX systems in datacenters" on Tuesday, October 23, 3:30PM - 4:20PM. Supporting Quotes Chris Wright, CTO, Red Hat "The growing interest in performance-sensitive workloads, like AI and machine learnng, requires a different approach to enterprise computing, a need that NVIDIA is already helping to address at the architectural level with NVIDIA DGX-1. With Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform, Red Hat is adding enterprise-ready software innovation to NVIDIA's powerful hardware, helping enterprises to drive emerging workloads while retaining the stability, reliability and familiarity that they have come to expect of their production systems." Charlie Boyle, senior director, DGX Systems, NVIDIA "NVIDIA DGX systems combined with NVIDIA-optimized AI software provide a powerful combination of performance, productivity and value to data science workflows from desk-side to datacenter. With the certification of Red Hat Enterprise Linux on DGX-1, we're enabling enterprise IT to meet the growing demand of customers who expect enterprise support at all layers of the software stack, without inhibiting effortless AI exploration." Bronis Supinski, chief technology officer, Livermore Computing; head of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Advanced Technology systems "Red Hat Enterprise Linux's enablement of NVIDIA GPUs on our Sierra supercomputer provides commonality across our systems, greatly facilitating our users' ability to exploit the world's third fastest computer. Since we use Red Hat Enterprise Linux as part of our software stack on our commodity technology systems, that GPU enablement reduces the effort required to move applications to Sierra, a capability that we anticipate will help benefit other GPU-based systems, such as DGX-1." Charles Onstott, CTO, SAIC (News - Alert) "Leveraging our Innovation Factory, and our key collaboration with Red Hat and NVIDIA, SAIC has demonstrated agility and collaboration with rapid testing and integration of elements of the stack deployed on GPU to optimize the performance of our analytic engine. Our time to design, deploy and demonstrate was reduced to weeks and will continue to iterate in a true DevOps fashion." Additional Resources Read more about how Red Hat and NVIDIA are driving the future of GPU-accelerated workloads Learn more about Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform Learn more about Red Hat Enterprise Linux Connect with Red Hat Learn more about Red Hat Get more news in the Red Hat newsroom Read the Red Hat blog Follow Red Hat on Twitter Join Red Hat on Facebook Watch Red Hat videos on YouTube Join Red Hat on Google+ Follow Red Hat on LinkedIn About Red Hat, Inc. Red Hat is the world's leading provider of open source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to provide reliable and high-performing cloud, Linux, middleware, storage and virtualization technologies. Red Hat also offers award-winning support, training, and consulting services. As a connective hub in a global network of enterprises, partners, and open source communities, Red Hat helps create relevant, innovative technologies that liberate resources for growth and prepare customers for the future of IT. Learn more at http://www.redhat.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: risks related to the ability of the Company to compete effectively; the ability to deliver and stimulate demand for new products and technological innovations on a timely basis; delays or reductions in information technology spending; the integration of acquisitions and the ability to market successfully acquired technologies and products; risks related to errors or defects in our offerings and third-party products upon which our offerings depend; risks related to the security of our offerings and other data security vulnerabilities; fluctuations in exchange rates; changes in and a dependence on key personnel; the effects of industry consolidation; uncertainty and adverse results in litigation and related settlements; the inability to adequately protect Company intellectual property and the potential for infringement or breach of license claims of or relating to third party intellectual property; the ability to meet financial and operational challenges encountered in our international operations; and ineffective management of, and control over, the Company's growth and international operations, as well as other factors contained in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (copies of which may be accessed through the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov), including those found therein under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic and political conditions, governmental and public policy changes and the impact of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Red Hat, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, the Shadowman logo, and OpenShift are trademarks or registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries. Linux is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005605/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Congressman Jim Banks Launches StopSpeakerPelosi.com New Site will serve as counterweight to Democrat site Act Blue Contact: Jordan Gehrke, 586-799-2056 WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2018 /Christian Newswire/ -- This morning, Congressman Jim Banks (R-IN-03) announced a new website that will raise money for 23 vulnerable Republicans in targeted districts to save the House of Representatives for Republicans. Banks launched the site in response to recent news that Democrats raised over $36 million for Democrats targeting vulnerable Republicans in swing districts via online portal ActBlue.com. "Democrats have a massive financial advantage, but Republicans still have a 23 seat majority in the House. If we win these races, Nancy Pelosi will never be Speaker. If we don't stop her, Democrats will run the House and the Trump agenda is dead," said Banks. 100% of net dollars raised will go directly to House Republican candidates. "Republican candidates everywhere are getting crushed financially by the Democrats and Act Blue. If we let them win, Nancy Pelosi will swamp the Administration with investigations and Democrats will move to impeach the President. We can't let that happen," said Banks. StopSpeakerPelosi supports the following list of candidates: Diane Harkey (CA-49) Elizabeth Heng (CA-16) Young Kim (CA-39) Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27) Rod Blum (IA-1) Mike Bost (IL-12) Andy Barr (KY-6) Bruce Poliquin (ME-2) Mike Bishop (MI-8) Jim Hagedorn (MN-1) Mark Harris (NC-9) Ted Budd (NC-13) Cresent Hardy (NV-4) Danny Tarkanian (NV-3) Troy Balderson (OH-12) Carlos Curbelo (FL-26) Mike Waltz (FL-6) Pete Sessions (TX-32) Scott Taylor (VA-2) Barbara Comstock (VA-10) David Brat (VA-7 Denver Riggleman (VA-5) Bryan Steil (WI-01) [October 23, 2018] The Launch of DryEyeAccess.com--A New Education Resource IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- DryEyeAccess.com, a subscription-based education website that helps ophthalmology and optometry practices understand how to identify, diagnose, and treat patients with Dry Eye Disease, is now available. DryEyeAccess.com is built on content developed for Dry Eye University, a leading education program that has trained more than 1,000 eye care practices from around the world in Dry Eye Disease management. Dry Eye University was created by clinicians and staff at Bowden Eye & Associates in Jacksonville, FL, and has held multiple programs each year since 2014. DryEyeAccess.com consists of more than 25 clinical learning modules, white papers, case studies, diagnostic and therapeutic product overviews, implementation protocols, and information that includes everything from staff training to financing. Future modules will extend beyond clinical information to present education, insights, and resources that address the business challenges and patient education needs that are unique to Dry Eye Disease. According to Patti Barkey, a founder of DryEyeAccess.com, Chief Executive Officer of Bowden Eye & Associates, and ASOA board member, "Dry Eye Disease is multifactorial and demands the right protocols, products, and people in your practice to be successful. DryEyeAccess.com will help memberscreate a path forward that works for the practice and helps eye care patients who are suffering with this chronic, progressive condition." Today, Dry Eye Disease is gaining more attention as more diagnostic tools and treatments are coming to market. With the launch of DryEyeAccess.com, registered members are kept abreast of the latest resources to properly identify, diagnose, and treat the more than 33 million Americans suffering from Dry Eye Disease.* Statistically, 7 out of 10 patients sitting in an eye care waiting room could benefit from Dry Eye Disease management. Because of the way Dry Eye Disease touches every aspect of eye care, DryEyeAccess.com is supported by four distinct advisory boards, representing multiple stakeholders in eye care: an ophthalmology board, an optometry board, an administrator board, and a board composed of leaders from different eye care companies. The input from these expert panels will help to guide content and direction of DryEyeAccess.com. Richard Adler, MD, one of the first ophthalmologists to align with DryEyeAccess.com said, "The merger of eye care providers, administrators, and industry to help guide this initiative is unique and exciting and should help to ensure that DryEyeAccess.com meets the needs of all those connected to Dry Eye, especially patients." Complex and often complicated to diagnose, ophthalmologists and optometrists are looking for more education about the diagnosis and treatment of Dry Eye Disease. Unprecedented in eye care, Dry Eye Access was created for the eye care community with funding by the eye care industry to be a comprehensive education resource supporting a unified approach to all things Dry Eye. Dry Eye Access provides members with step-by-step guidelines on how to begin implementing and integrating a Dry Eye screening, diagnosis, and management program within ophthalmology and optometry practices. Contact Gala Struthers Chief Marketing Officer 203247@email4pr.com (949) 278-4581 *Garin M. A complete guide to dry eye syndrome. https://eyehealthweb.com/dry-eyes/. Article updated October 2016. Accessed October 4, 2018. Data on file, Dry Eye University. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-launch-of-dryeyeaccesscoma-new-education-resource-300735331.html SOURCE Dry Eye Access [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust Announces Date for Release of Third Quarter 2018 Results PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (NYSE: PMT) will announce results for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 in a news release to be issued after the market close on Thursday, November 1, 2018. The release will be available online at www.PennyMac-REIT.com. The Company's executives will review the results in a recorded presentation. The recording and accompanying slide presentation will be available on the Company'swebsite concurrently with the news release. Individuals who are unable to access the website but would like to receive a copy of the slide presentation should contact the Company's Investor Relations department at (818) 224-7028. About PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust is a mortgage real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests primarily in residential mortgage loans and mortgage-related assets. PMT is externally managed by PNMAC Capital Management, LLC, a controlled subsidiary of PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE: PFSI). Additional information about PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust is available at www.PennyMac-REIT.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005473/en/ [October 23, 2018] Speedify.tech Offers Free Automation Software to Issue and Install Free SSL Certificates to Websites in Shared Hosting BALTIMORE, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Speedify.tech (https://speedify.tech) recently announced that it developed new software 'FreeSSL.tech Auto' (https://freessl.tech) to help web designers, businesses and laymen add the "Secure" status of an SSL certificate to their website. Using a simple download, businesses can comply with Chrome 70 SSL certificate requirements without having to outsource the costly help of additional technical experts. Removing the glaring "Not Secure" status message from websites' address bars has become an urgent priority for many businesses and online retailers. The recent shift in Chrome opened an entire market of predatory "experts" who charge exorbitant fees to offer a relatively easy fix. In response, the web designers and developers of Speedify.tech created a free and simple way for businesses to comply with Google Chrome's certificate requirements. FreeSSL.tech offers 'A Let's Encrypt client/app' that is written in PHP. "The app completes the automation of a free SSL certificate in shared hosting, renewing and installing that certificate quickly and without need of additional tech help. All that is required is a web browser, the software download and a few minutes." said Anindya Sundar Mandal, Lead Developer of FreeSSL.tech. This SSL Certificate app: Works with shared hosting. Requires no root access. Requires no command line expertise. Works with a friendly administrator's dashboard. Is insalled and configured using a browser. Is mobile responsive. Users can efficiently manage its functions using a mobile phone. Is completely free of cost, with no obligations. Linux hosting: cPanel or any other control panel (this client is NOT compatible with Windows hosting). PHP 5.4 and up. and up. MySQL 5 or MariaDB 10. OpenSSL extension. Curl extension. MySQLi extension. PHP directive allow_url_fopen = On An SSL installation feature enabled for cPanel accounts (for automatic installation of a free SSL Certificate). Speedify.tech also maintains a free video tutorial HERE (https://freessl.tech/video) for those who would like a simplified walk-through. Secure status has always been an important feature for websites that take credit card information, but that is no longer the sole reason for businesses to add a certificate to their sites. Google Chrome rates sites "Not secure" if they ask for any type of user content: passwords, emails, etc. And after the recent July 2018 update, Chrome now marks any site "Not secure" that does not have a certificate. Finally, starting October 16, 2018, Chrome begins marking uncompliant HTTP websites as "Not secure" with a bright red warning color whenever users start to type in information, immediately alerting users to that site's status. Businesses that do not add a "Secure" status soon may find themselves losing customers. About Speedify.tech and Getwww.me Speedify.tech and Getwww.me are related web development and design companies that specialize in PHP, MySQL, Apache, Linux, CSS, JavaScript, HTML, WordPress, Joomla, Zend Framework and others. With over 10 years of experience in the business, the designers develop new mobile responsive websites, overhaul existing sites, add new functionality, increase website loading speeds and incorporate automation to many web processes. To learn more about what Speedify.tech can do to speed up your website, visit: www.speedify.tech. To learn more about how to transform or update your business or organization's website, visit: www.getwww.me. Contact: Anindya Sundar Mandal, Lead Developer +91 7872333540 (9:00am to 11:00pm UTC+5:30) 203333@email4pr.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/speedifytech-offers-free-automation-software-to-issue-and-install-free-ssl-certificates-to-websites-in-shared-hosting-300735470.html SOURCE Speedify.tech [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] ProNovos Launches Operations-Focused Platform for Construction Biz ATLANTA, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Construction tech startup ProNovos today announced the launch of Operations Managersoftware that ramps up contractors' profitability in groundbreaking ways. The cloud-based platform empowers contractors to track and manage bids, crews, equipment, punch lists, blueprints, requests for information and more in an easy-to-use interface. The software owes its origins to extensive contractor surveys conducted by Pronovos in 2017, said Bruce Orr, founder and Chief Data Scientist of the Atlanta-based company. "The contractors we surveyed described having too many applications that were too hard to use, too expensive and inadequately integrated with other apps," he explained. "We worked closely with construction professionals to create a platform that solves those problems." Those experts included Mikeal Kanouff, Washington Area Operations Manager for Eldorado Hills, Calif.-based McClone Construction, and other members of the national contracting firm. "What makes money for contractors is operationsgetting jobs completed," Kanouff said. "Busy construction professionals don't have time to master four to six different pieces of software, all opened and closed separately, and all with different logins, passwords, limitations and quirks. In working with Operations Manager, first as a beta test and now as a mature application rolled out to our entire company, we have been thrilled with the way it gives us new insights, better information and greater efficiency." ProNovos designed the software to help commercial contractors manage their workflows from beginning to end. While Operations Manager seamlessly integrate with major accounting systems and other industry apps, Orr explains, it also solves problems not addressed by other platforms. "At ProNovos, we're evangelists for the specific data analytics that are most effective for maximizing construction operations today," Orr noted. "The unique thing about Operations Manager is that every piece of data that flows into the ProNovos platform permeates into our powerful analytics engine as well. If you want insights into virtually any aspect of your business, it can generate that report quickly and easily." For McClone Construction, which worked with ProNovos to configure Operations Manager for its specific workflows, these capabilities have already proven invaluable, Kanouff said. The software has enhanced McClone's capabilities in areas such as equipment tracking, which saves the company time and money, he said. "If you have 10 or 15 different jobs that are going on all at the same time, and multiple teams are requesting the same pieces of equipment, that can create costly bottlenecks," Kanouff said. "Now we're able to track and follow it wherever it is, everything from multiple units to a specific forklift with a unique ID." McClone is also using the software to run reports that show exactly what crew resources are available for jobscritical in today's tight labor market. "All of our projects flow into the analytics engine, instead of being in silos, so now we can slice and dice that data," Kanouff said. "We can gauge whether an individual project superintendent has the capacity to work on a project we want to bid on, or see when and where our teams in the field will be, anywhere in the country." The ability to make decisions based on data rather than guesstimates is a must in today's tight construction market, Orr adds. "Too many companies still live in disconnected spreadsheets," he said. "With Operations Manager, contractors are able to see exactly the data they want, including all kinds of reports that simply weren't available before. It's business intelligenceand it gives them an edge." For more information about the software, visit http://pronovos.com/operations-manager/ About ProNovos ProNovos provides cloud-based business intelligence solutions and services that empower contractors to find new opportunities, make better decisions, save money and reduce risk. Founded in 2014, the Atlanta-based operations-management and data-analytics firm focuses exclusively on the specific needs of the construction industry. This actionable intelligence is accessible anywhere, anytime by superintendents, project managers, accountants, estimators, c-suite executives and other decision-makers. For more on ProNovos, visit www.ProNovos.com. Press Contacts: Bruce Orr, (678) 908-0087, 203685@email4pr.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pronovos-launches-operations-focused-platform-for-construction-biz-300735472.html SOURCE ProNovos [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] IE expo China 2019 Welcomes Environmental Buyers and Visitors in Shanghai IE expo China 2019 will celebrate its 20 anniversary and present multiple upgrades at the Shanghai New International Expo Center on April 15-17, 2019 to showcase advanced technologies and solutions in environmental management, water and sewage, solid waste, air pollution and soil management. Last year, IE expo China attracted 66,580 visitors from 59 countries and regions, and 1,762 exhibitors from 35 countries and regions, achieving a 20+% growth in both the exhibition area and the number of global exhibitors and professional visitors. In 2019, IE expo China 2019 will achieve even greater breakthroughs. The number of exhibition halls will increase from 11 to 13 and the exhibition area will exceed 150,000 square meters to showcase more sub-divisions in the environmental sector. It is expected to attract 2,000 industry-leading companies and more than 80,000 domestic and overseas visitors. The exhibition will also invite target visitor from government decision-making departments, engineering companies, design institutes, municipal facilities suppliers, as well as buyer delegations from industries of papermaking, textile, electroplating, pharmaceutical, cement and industrial parks. Meanwhile, IE expo China will continue to utilize overseas industry associations and media resources to help exhibitors promote in the "Belt and Road" countries and Southeast Asian market. The China Environmental Technology Conference held during the exhibition is the top event in the environmental protection industry. It builds a multi-level communications platform of politics, production, learning and research in the form of industrial policy interpretation, market hotspot analysis, application case studies and business leader dialogues. More than 40 forums will focus on the latest trends in the industry, and more than 700 speakers will share unique insights on water, air, solid waste, site remediation, environmental monitoring, and innovative technologies to help enterprises seize opportunities in the booming environmental market. IE expo China 2019 is now recruiting exhibitors. So far, 55% of the previous exhibitors have booked their booths for the next year. During the past 20 years, IE expo China has witnessed the iteration, growth and prosperity of China's environmental industry. Bringing together the world's leading brands and companies, it has become a flagship environmental exhibition in Asia. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005496/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Kanguru Offers A Unique Hybrid Approach To Data Security With KRMC MILLIS, Mass., Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ask any security-conscious organization what their biggest challenge is, and most will likely admit securing data in todays digital world. Ensuring that private data is safe should be a top priority for every organization given present online threats, but with many options to choose from, how do organizations know what the best choice is for keeping data secure? Data is the most important asset for any organization as it drives business and is a key part of its infrastructure. Hackers know this, and may stop at nothing to break in and steal valuable data. As a result, government is cracking down with tougher regulations on organizations to protect the private data of its customers and citizens, with some steep fines for violating compliance. On top of that, citizens are being empowered with many rights to file lawsuits if one feels their private records have been compromised in any way. Organizations need to consider not only whats convenient for their business, but what is the best security option to protect both the data of their customers, and to protect themselves. Security-conscious organizations realize that securing and protecting private information is of the highest priority, both for internal data as well as that of patients, clients or customers. They also need a secure option that is convenient in order to work efficiently in today's global environment. Many enterprise organizations are turning to KRMC as a robust alternative to storing data in the cloud. Kanguru offers a hybrid solution with KRMC that enables organizations to secure data locally on hardware encrypted USB drives, while providing IT Administrators the ability to remotely manage them anywhere in the world. Cloud Storage VS Local Storage Over the last decade or so, organizations have been making tremendous shifts to store their data in the cloud. There are advantages; convenience being the most prominent, with other benefits like backing up data to an offsite location in case of disaster. Popular cloud storage services, however, have seen some major data breaches over the last few years, prompting many organizations to wonder just how safe they really are. The convenience of having access to your data from any internet connection anywhere in the world could also unfortunately be its security downfall, as others might find ways to gain unauthorized access to it as well. Local storage like encrypted USB flash drives, hard drives and solid state drives on the other hand, cannot be compromised when closely guarded in the hands of the owner under password protection. In contrast to cloud storage, its usage is solely limited to the person holding the device under password protection- disconnected from the internet and the rest of the world. The very nature of its restrictive intent makes it he securest way to protect data, but it can be challenging if an organization needs to use that closely-guarded information in a variety of locations around the globe. The danger is reversed if an untrustworthy individual with a USB device suddenly chooses to unlawfully use a device to remove private information from an organization. Without being able to monitor such data loss, the damage control could be enormous unless there was a way to remotely wipe and destroy the stolen drive. The logic behind Kanguru Defenders encrypted USB drives with fully-integrated Remote Management is precisely for administrators to have the ability to remotely manage their encrypted drives. A Hybrid Approach to Secure Data Storage Kanguru offers a unique hybrid solution which combines the outstanding security of local secure USB storage, with the convenience of management through the cloud, KRMC-Cloud , (Kanguru Remote Management Console) . Enterprise and security-conscious organizations around the world have been using KRMC for many years to successfully protect their data. By storing sensitive information on local USB encryption, and using the cloud to manage their drives around the globe, IT Administrators can monitor their data assets without compromise. This fully-integrated, hybrid approach offers a robust, secure, two-fold process of checks and balances for organizations, putting tremendous safeguards in place for Administrators and sensitive data that is unparalleled by cloud storage. Since data is stored solely on the local secure USB drive under strong AES 256-Bit hardware encryption and not in a cloud interface, it cannot be compromised through internet connections. Simply put, Administrators manage the security perimeters of the drives while the users manage the sensitive data separately. The authorized user holds the information confidential and is able to use the drive under the permissions provided by the organization. The Administrator or Sub-Administrators use the convenience of the cloud to remotely manage the security, monitor and grant permissions, ensure the integrity of the secure USB drives security and report on any concerning activity. The IT Administrator can configure and deploy a fleet of Kanguru Defender hardware encrypted USB drives beforehand with specific permissions or restrictions accordingly, manage password guidelines, set a master password, and more, based on the security policies of the organization. Then with KRMC Cloud, remotely manage the location, permissions, rules and security of the drives anywhere in the world. Encrypted USB drives can be closely monitored, with specific permissions or restrictions. If a user forgets a password, Administrators can reset it remotely. If a user loses a drive, or it is stolen, the admin can remotely disable, delete or even wipe the drive. Administrators can provide reports, schedule actions, and even send a message to drives, making quick policy changes. This safeguard system can even be ideal for use in different departments, with sub-administrators managing silos of information to end-users of specific sectors, and one super-administrator managing the big picture. KRMC and Kanguru Defender hardware encrypted USB drives is a robust, hybrid system that helps organizations maintain full security of their data with the freedom to use it wherever it is needed around the world, while keeping an administrative check on the location of the data at all times. If you would like to learn more about Kanguru Remote Management Console (KRMC), Kanguru Defender Secure USB Drives, and how Kangurus fully-integrated system could work for your organization, please call Kanguru at (1) 800-KANGURU, or visit www.kanguru.com . Kanguru is a global leader in manufacturing highly-certified data storage products, providing the very best in FIPS 140-2 and Common Criteria Certified, hardware encrypted, secure USB drives fully-integrated remote management security applications and Endpoint Security. Kanguru also manufactures duplication equipment for cloning hard drives, SSDs, blu-ray, DVD discs and more. For more information on Kanguru, please visit kanguru.com . A photo accompanying this announcement is available at //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/73bafe45-f853-40ad-88c6-8b2963585d16 FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Don Wright, Marketing Manager Kanguru Solutions marketing@kanguru.com (1) 508.376.4245 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] BV Investment Partners Announces Sale of REAN Cloud to Hitachi Vantara BOSTON, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- BV Investment Partners ("BV"), a middle-market private equity firm focused on the business services, software and IT services sectors, today announced the sale of REAN Cloud ("REAN"), an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Premier Partner and global cloud systems integrator, to Hitachi Vantara, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501, "Hitachi"). Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Herndon, VA, REAN Cloud helps customers architect, build, migrate, and manage their IT workloads and applications on AWS, a rapidly growing public cloud infrastructure platform. The company provides professional and managed services to enterprise customers across various industry verticals, including higher education, technology, market/business intelligence, life sciences, and government. BV invested in REAN in 2016 in partnership with the existing REAN leadership team. The company is led by industry veterans with deep cloud services expertise supporting customers in predominantly highly regulated end markets. In addition to its AWS Premier Consulting Partner status, REAN is a designated AWS Managed Services Partner, whereby it enables 24/7/365 best-practice large-scale cloud operations for customers. The Company has also achieved the AWS DevOps competency, assisting customers in implementing continuous integration, continuous deployment (CICD) pipeline automation, built leveraging the industry's best tools. REAN has grown rapidly since its inception and currently has over 120 employees worldwide. REAN can now leverage Hitachi Vantara's global delivery ecosystem and multicloud service offerings to deliver a leading portfolio of end-to-end cloud solutions across public, private and hybrid environments. Matt Kinsey, Managing Director of BV, said, "Having invested in managed hosting and application hosting businesses, we identified the industry's shift towards cloud hosting several years ago. REAN stood out as one of the few AWS partners in the space that had demonstrated an ability to profitably deliver and scale enterprise-grade professional managed AWS services. Given the leading position of the Company, coupled with an exceptional management team, we felt we were in a solid position to rapidly grow the business in a short period of time. We are very pleased with the outcome of our investment and return for investors." Sekhar Puli , REAN managing partner, said, "REAN is today tackling some of the most complex projects to help clients successfully migrate to a cloud infrastructure, seamlessly and securely, and efficiently. Our partnership with BV allowed us in a relatively quick time frame to further scale our business, and we look forward to building on our momentum under new ownership." Sean Wilder, Principal, of BV, said, "Working with the talented and creative founders at REAN to execute on our growth plan in just over two years was extremely exciting for us at BV. As a result of implementing a number of growth initiatives, targeting compliance sensitive industries, and completing several targeted acquisitions, we have expanded the company's footprint beyond its core geographies and competencies." About REAN Cloud REAN Cloud, a global cloud systems integrator and Managed Service Provider (MSP), is a Premier Consulting Partner in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network (APN) and a Microsoft Azure Silver Partner. REAN Cloud offers managed services and solutions for hyperscale-integrated IaaS and PaaS providers, and is one the few systems integrators capable of supporting the entire cloud services life cycle. Backed by extensive security DNA and deep compliance IP and expertise, REAN Cloud specializes in helping enterprise customers that operate in highly regulated environments Financial Services, Healthcare/Life Sciences, Education and the Public Sector accelerate their cloud investments while extracting maximum value from use of the cloud itself. For more information about REAN Cloud, please visit www.reancloud.com. About BV Investment Partners BV Investment Partners is currently investing its ninth private equity fund. The firm is one of the oldest and most experienced sector-focused private equity firms in North America. Since its founding in 1983, the firm has invested over $3.2 billion in more than 94 companies, actively targeting investments in the business services and information technology services industries. For more information, please visit www.bvlp.com. About Hitachi Vantara Hitachi Vantara, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., helps data-driven leaders find and use the value in their data to innovate intelligently and reach outcomes that matter for business and society. We combine technology, intellectual property and industry knowledge to deliver data-managing solutions that help enterprises improve their customers' experiences, develop new revenue streams, and lower the costs of business. Only Hitachi Vantara elevates your innovation advantage by combining deep information technology (IT), operational technology (OT) and domain expertise. We work with organizations everywhere to drive data to meaningful outcomes. Visit us at www.hitachivantara.com. About Hitachi, Ltd. Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer society's challenges, combining its operational technology, information technology, and products/systems. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2017 (ended March 31, 2018) totaled 9,368.6 billion yen ($88.4 billion). The Hitachi Group is an innovation partner for the IoT era, and it has approximately 307,000 employees worldwide. Through collaborative creation with customers, Hitachi is deploying Social Innovation Business using digital technologies in a broad range of sectors, including Power/Energy, Industry/Distribution/Water, Urban Development, and Finance/Social Infrastructure/Healthcare. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com. Contact: Chris Tofalli Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC 914-834-4334 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bv-investment-partners-announces-sale-of-rean-cloud-to-hitachi-vantara-300736016.html SOURCE BV Investment Partners [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Jamf Kicks Off 2018 Jamf Nation User Conference MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Jamf Nation User Conference Today, with nearly 2,000 Apple IT administrators from around the globe in attendance, Jamf kicked off its 2018 Jamf Nation User Conference (JNUC). Jamf, the management standard for the Apple ecosystem, announced its latest version of Jamf Pro and exciting updates from strategic partners Microsoft and SAP. Jamf Pro 10 At JNUC 2017, Jamf announced general availability of Jamf Pro 10. One year and more than ten releases later, Jamf is announcing new capabilities in its latest version of Jamf Pro today, including: Empowering a better onboarding experience IT admins can now deploy configuration profiles to Supervised iOS and tvOS devices prior to Setup Assistant completing, a major step forward for seamless onboarding. When activated, this feature will keep the device in the Setup Assistant workflow until the assigned profiles finish installing, giving every user a smooth and consistent enrollment experience. IT admins can now deploy configuration profiles to Supervised iOS and tvOS devices prior to Setup Assistant completing, a major step forward for seamless onboarding. When activated, this feature will keep the device in the Setup Assistant workflow until the assigned profiles finish installing, giving every user a smooth and consistent enrollment experience. Manage tvOS updates Admins will now be able to remotely update the tvOS operation system. Admins will now be able to remotely update the tvOS operation system. Support of Classroom app for macOS Previously, teachers that wanted to leverage Apples Classroom app had to carry and use an iPad. With support for the Classroom app on macOS devices, teachers can now utilize a Mac to guide students in the classroom. Previously, teachers that wanted to leverage Apples Classroom app had to carry and use an iPad. With support for the Classroom app on macOS devices, teachers can now utilize a Mac to guide students in the classroom. Activation Lock enhancement Previously, Jamf gave admins the ability to enable Activation Lock as part of PreStage Enrollment on Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager devices. With the latest version of Jamf Pro, admins can manage Activation Lock outside of PreStage Enrollment entirely, meaning customers will not have to wipe and re-enroll devices in order to take advantage of Activation Lock. Jamf Now Deploying, managing and protecting Apple devices has never been easier than it is with Jamf Now, a cloud-based mobile device management (MDM) solution for small and medium businesses. Jamf Now boasts streamlined workflows and powerful features like operating system (OS) updates and custom app deployment. In 2018, Jamf Now released a number of significant product updates, including: Custom iOS app deployment: Organizations can support their teams with the iOS apps they need, no matter where the apps are available. Organizations can support their teams with the iOS apps they need, no matter where the apps are available. macOS package deployment: Users are empowered to package and deploy custom macOS apps and scripts. Users are empowered to package and deploy custom macOS apps and scripts. Balance: Organizations can now pre-pay for any amount of Jamf Now service and still enjoy monthly billing, so they onlypay for what is actually used. Organizations can now pre-pay for any amount of Jamf Now service and still enjoy monthly billing, so they onlypay for what is actually used. OS updates: Remotely start software updates for iOS and macOS devices, no matter where devices are located. Jamf Nation With more than 70,000 members, Jamf Nation is the largest Apple IT management community in the world. Earlier this year, Jamf introduced Jamf One , an iOS app that puts the power of the Jamf community in a members pocket. Users are able to create and join Jamf Nation discussions, view open jobs, access support, submit help tickets and further engage with the Jamf and Apple IT community. This month, Jamf also rolled out an exciting new feature in Jamf One. Users will be able to view and vote on product feature requests. Key Integrations With a goal of forever changing how employees are onboarded and productive with technology, Jamf announced key partnership advancements: Microsoft / Jamf Connect: In 2017, Jamf and Microsoft partnered to integrate Jamf Pro, the standard in Apple management, with Intune. The initial integration included the ability to share inventory data, apply conditional access and offer remediation paths, ensuring that trusted users are accessing corporate data from trusted applications on trusted devices. Today, Jamf announced its integration with Microsoft is expanding to enable users to authenticate to their Mac with their Azure AD credentials leveraging Jamf Connect, formerly NoMAD. This will simplify life for end users by enabling them to enter only one set of credentials to access their Mac and immediately use cloud-based services registered with Azure AD (e.g., Office 365). In 2017, Jamf and Microsoft partnered to integrate Jamf Pro, the standard in Apple management, with Intune. The initial integration included the ability to share inventory data, apply conditional access and offer remediation paths, ensuring that trusted users are accessing corporate data from trusted applications on trusted devices. Today, Jamf announced its integration with Microsoft is expanding to enable users to authenticate to their Mac with their Azure AD credentials leveraging Jamf Connect, formerly NoMAD. This will simplify life for end users by enabling them to enter only one set of credentials to access their Mac and immediately use cloud-based services registered with Azure AD (e.g., Office 365). SAP Apple Center of Excellence: SAP announced it chose Jamf to manage its whole ecosystem of Apple devices because it provides the best experience for IT and end users. SAP also debuted its new Apple@SAP service, an Apple Center of Excellence team that uses Jamf Pro to manage SAPs 17,300+ Macs, 83,700 iOS devices and 170 Apple TVs. Empowering Innovation in Education Jamf is proud to empower innovation in education worldwide. In partnership with MATTER , a nonprofit with a mission to expand access to health and education around the world, an Innovation Hub will be sent to the Victoria Falls Primary School in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Half of the population in Zimbabwe is younger than age 18, and this growing population has a lack of access to resources, particularly relating to technology training. Jamf began its mission to bring technology to developing nations in 2017 with the creation of an Innovation Center within Grace Academy in Haiti. The initial project supplied the center with hardware, and a subsequent trip provided internet access, additional hardware and more training for both students and teachers. Expanding the project to include an Innovation Hub allowed even more students the opportunity to get their hands on technology. These unique education hubs are outfitted with solar power and modified as 21st-century classrooms, ready to be deployed anywhere in the world. Utilizing the latest Apple technology, the Hub provides engaging and personalized learning for people who otherwise would have limited access to education, affording them meaningful opportunities to enrich their lives and their futures. To learn more about the Innovation Hub and support this initiative, visit donate.matter.ngo/jamf. Im excited to welcome our Jamf Nation friends at JNUC, a community that has swelled to over 70,000 members, said Dean Hager, CEO, Jamf. We are thrilled to announce these updates in our partnerships and products that show our dedication to simplifying management tasks for IT while ensuring the best possible experience for end users. Tune into tomorrows JNUC Keynote address at 9 AM CDT via Livestream to learn more about Jamf customers news. About Jamf Jamf is committed to enabling IT to empower end users and bring the legendary Apple experience to businesses, education and government organizations via its Jamf Pro, Jamf Now and Jamf Connect products, and more than 70,000 members of Jamf Nation . Today, over 18,000 global customers rely on Jamf to manage more than 11 million Apple devices. To learn more, visit: https://www.jamf.com . Media Contact: Rachel Nauen Jamf (651) 587-8927 Rachel.nauen@jamf.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Area 1 Security Announces Pay-Per-Phish, the First Performance-Based Cybersecurity Solution Area 1 Security, the leader against phishing, today announced Pay-Per-Phish, the industry's only performance-based cybersecurity solution. Unlike traditional solutions where customers are forced to pay without guaranteed results, Area 1 Security Pay-Per-Phish flips the traditional cybersecurity model on its head by charging $10 per phish actually caught. "Companies invest millions of dollars in cybersecurity technology much of which is not protecting them or their customers from phishing attacks. It's time for companies to pay only for solutions that work to safeguard their customers and preserve their license to operate. Area 1's pay-per-phish is just that - a pricing model that aligns compensation with performance and changes the economics of being a bad guy on the internet," said Ted Schlein, Managing Partner of Kleiner Perkins, a venture capital firm. Pay-Per-Phish comes on the heels of Area 1 closing a 32M Series C, led by Kleiner Perkins with participation from Icon Ventures, DCVC, Top Tier Capital, Allegis Cyber and Epic Ventures, among others; to respond to the company's record growth and increased demand for accountability in the cybersecurity industry. "Our mission is to catch phish and eliminate the ensuing damages. Today we're 99.9997% effective. I will continue to work and innovate until we're 99.99999999% effective. Our growth is due to businesses moving away from solutions that were not designed to stop phishing comprehensively," says Oren J. Falkowitz, co-founder, and CEO of Silicon Valley's Area 1 Security. "I expect we will continue to see a dramatic shift in the way businesses think about cybersecurity investments," Falkowitz continues. "The most dramatic effect of cloud computing is that customers demand to pay only when and if they successfully consume the business value of your products." By looking at phishing comprehensively and reemptively; and leveraging a cloud-native architecture, Area 1 Security has found great success in helping Fortune 500 customers secure their move to the cloud while supporting the needs of their global and mobile end-user base. "The intensity and success of phishing campaigns will continue to increase and as we approach the 2020 Presidential elections there will be a blurring between political and corporate damages," said Falkowitz. The World Economic Forum recently released its report ranking cybersecurity as one of the top threats to the survival of civilization, alongside nuclear war and climate change. Most recent estimates put the cost of cybercrime at $2.1 trillion by 2021. Humans remain the weakest link, and until solutions get automated and preemptive, the future will remain insecure. Attacks contain information and sources appearing so real, some studies have found that as many as 9 out of 10 people cannot spot the phish. "Area 1 stops phish-the attack that starts the attack in 95% of all cybersecurity incidents-and if a business's current solution doesn't do that, and almost all do not, they have no value," warns Falkowitz. About Area 1 Security Area 1 Security is the first to bring accountability to cybersecurity. Backed by top-tier investors, Area 1 Security is led by security, Artificial Intelligence, and data analytics experts who created a preemptive solution to stop phishing, the number one cause of cyber attacks. Area 1 Security works with organizations worldwide, including Fortune 500 banks, insurance, and tech companies, and healthcare providers to realign their cybersecurity posture for combating the most significant risks, protecting customer data, and stopping attacks before they happen. Area 1 Security is a recipient of Inc. Magazine's "2018 Inc.'s Best Workplaces" in America. To learn more about Area 1 Security, visit www.area1security.com, join the conversation at @area1security or follow the blog for the latest industry news and insights on how to stop phishing. ABOUT KLEINER PERKINS For five decades, Kleiner Perkins has partnered with some of the most ingenious founders in technology and life sciences, helping them make history with their bold ideas. Through twenty venture funds and four growth funds we've invested $10 billion in hundreds of companies including pioneers such as Amazon, Genentech and Google (News - Alert) . Today, Kleiner Perkins continues to invest in founders and their bold ideas helping them to make history. For more information, visit http://www.kleinerperkins.com and follow us @kleinerperkins. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005348/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] bleizeRIDE is One Upcoming Disruption in Ground Transportation for Business and Leisure As many of you know Ride Rebels is a mobile app, providing affordable and prompt limousine rides at your fingertips. For the past few months the Calgary based company has been in the process of re-branding Ride Rebels as bleizeRIDE. As per the company spokesperson, "our new name, bleizeRIDE, is more synonymous with the work we do and better represents the industry we serve". The app is now available on iOS and Android platforms. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005449/en/ bleizeRIDE provides quality chauffeured services at your fingertip. Key features of the app - Every ride on bleizeRIDE is throgh licensed operator network, making it extremely safe as compared with TNCs Experience true luxury with professional chauffeurs Uplifting the service level with regulatory compliance Enhancing trust with price transparency Lowering the ride cost through economy of scale as well as using "Name Your Price" option "Current users of Ride Rebels App only need to download the new app, bleizeRIDE, and can use their existing credentials. BleizeRIDE is extremely user friendly with features such as Name your price, hourly booking or point to point booking. Users can select vehicles (Sedan, SUVs, Limos, buses, and Vintage cars) depending on occasion and their choice. App shows actual pictures and features of each vehicle. We can bring the overall cost of limo rides down by effectively leveraging operator's sitting inventory and bring safety and quality back into the mainstream. We are also proud to empower fragmented chauffeured industry with the best technological platform to be able to stand together against TNCs", says Dhananjay Pankaj (DJ), CEO of bleizeRIDE. bleizeRIDE plans to enter into Toronto market next month, followed by other cities in Canada and the United States in 2019. For the past few years the limousine industry is going through a tough time by losing ground to technology companies. With bleizeRIDE providing one single platform for licensed operators across the globe, the company believes to revive the overall limousine industry. The app will empower operators of any size by levelling the playing field for them against giant transportation network companies. Technology will enable to pass on the benefits to customers in the form of cheaper rides without compromising on safety, quality and cleanliness. To learn more, visit www.bleizeRIDE.com or explore App video. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005449/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Helping Children Navigate Our Brave New World Contact: Kerry Beck, Marketing Manager, Catholic Answers, 619-387-7200, kbeck@catholic.com SAN DIEGO, Calif., Oct. 23, 2018 / "As our culture continues to publicly air and celebrate every form of deviance, we have no choice but to equip our kids to understand and to own the truth about such issues," said Todd Aglialoro, Catholic Answers director of publishing. "We broke the book down into ten hot-button moral topics," Miller said. "Each chapter includes, first, what the Church teaches on that topic; second, how to talk to younger kids about it; and, third, how to talk to teens." Horn adds that although the book can be read in chapter order, its structure also allows readers to "flip to whatever section they need in a particular moment." Though it's honest and direct in treating these tough issues, Made This Way seeks to uphold childhood innocence. "Rest assured, we are very careful to help folks protect the natural innocence of small children with what we advise to tell them," Miller said. Parents, educators, and clergy often need help articulating tough moral issues in practical terms. They can also benefit from a more thorough understanding of today's leading moral topics. "Made This Way allows the adults themselves to become more acquainted with the rich natural law tradition, thus enabling it to be shared with a new generation," said Robert Cardinal Sarah, prefect of the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Miller is the mother of eight children. In her childrearing, she said, the natural-law approach to teaching morality has proven to be the most sensible. "It just seemed to me that the best way to keep our children Catholic was to make sure that the worldand Christianitymade logical sense to them," Miller said. "If something makes sense, kids will accept it and stay with it." "We hope Made this Way will inspire parents and others to be confident in their explanation of the Faith," Horn said, "and that it will keep young people from abandoning the faithnot just in college but even in middle and high school." ABOUT CATHOLIC ANSWERS Catholic Answers is the nation's largest lay-run ministry of Catholic apologetics and evangelization. MISSION STATEMENT Catholic Answers is a media ministry that serves Christ by explaining and defending the Catholic faith. We help Catholics grow in their faith; we bring former Catholics home; and we lead non-Catholics into the fullness of the truth. Media Contact: Kerry Beck Marketing Manager Catholic Answers kbeck@catholic.com 619.387.7200 RELATED LINKS www.madethiswaybook.com shop.catholic.com/ Share Tweet Contact: Kerry Beck,Marketing Manager,619-387-7200,SAN DIEGO, Calif., Oct. 23, 2018 / Christian Newswire / To help parents answer the uncomfortable questions about sexuality that today's society forces on children, Catholic Answers Press has published Made This Way: How To Prepare Kids To Face Today's Tough Moral Issues by Trent Horn and Leila Miller."As our culture continues to publicly air and celebrate every form of deviance, we have no choice but to equip our kids to understand and to own the truth about such issues," said Todd Aglialoro, Catholic Answers director of publishing."We broke the book down into ten hot-button moral topics," Miller said. "Each chapter includes, first, what the Church teaches on that topic; second, how to talk to younger kids about it; and, third, how to talk to teens." Horn adds that although the book can be read in chapter order, its structure also allows readers to "flip to whatever section they need in a particular moment."Though it's honest and direct in treating these tough issues, Made This Way seeks to uphold childhood innocence."Rest assured, we are very careful to help folks protect the natural innocence of small children with what we advise to tell them," Miller said.Parents, educators, and clergy often need help articulating tough moral issues in practical terms. They can also benefit from a more thorough understanding of today's leading moral topics."Made This Way allows the adults themselves to become more acquainted with the rich natural law tradition, thus enabling it to be shared with a new generation," said Robert Cardinal Sarah, prefect of the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.Miller is the mother of eight children. In her childrearing, she said, the natural-law approach to teaching morality has proven to be the most sensible."It just seemed to me that the best way to keep our children Catholic was to make sure that the worldand Christianitymade logical sense to them," Miller said. "If something makes sense, kids will accept it and stay with it.""We hope Made this Way will inspire parents and others to be confident in their explanation of the Faith," Horn said, "and that it will keep young people from abandoning the faithnot just in college but even in middle and high school."ABOUT CATHOLIC ANSWERSCatholic Answers is the nation's largest lay-run ministry of Catholic apologetics and evangelization.MISSION STATEMENTCatholic Answers is a media ministry that serves Christ by explaining and defending the Catholic faith. We help Catholics grow in their faith; we bring former Catholics home; and we lead non-Catholics into the fullness of the truth.Media Contact:Kerry BeckMarketing Manager619.387.7200RELATED LINKS [October 23, 2018] Voya to Begin Role as New Service Provider for Gwinnett County, Georgia, Retirement Plans Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), announced today that through a competitive bid process earlier this year, its Retirement business was selected to serve as the new recordkeeper for the Gwinnett County, Georgia, Defined Contribution and Deferred Compensation Plans. The Gwinnett County Retirement Plans Management Committee approved the selection. Segal Consulting and UBS Financial Services both assisted throughout the evaluation process. The Gwinnett County Retirement Plans consist of 401(a) defined contribution and voluntary 457(b) plans, which allow participants to set aside funds from each paycheck toward their retirement. As of Sept. 11, 2018, the plans represented approximately $424 million in assets under administration and nearly 11,300 participating members. The plans are scheduled to transition to Voya's administrative platform this month. As part of its commitment to advancing the retirement readiness of Americans, Voya will provide plan members with localized support and access to industry-leading educational tools and resources. These include Voya's myOrangeMoney retirement-income-estimating capabilities and participant website experience, as well as communication and education programs designed to engage and motivate employees to save. "We're delighted to start our partnership with the Gwinnett County Retirement Plans Management Committee and look forward to supporting the hardworking men and women of the county as they prepare for greater security in retirement," said Heather Lavallee, president of Tax-Exempt Markets for Voya Financial. "Our commitment to service and dedicated support staff will help ensure te county's employees meet their broader retirement and financial wellness goals." Voya Financial's Retirement business serves clients of all sizes and across all sectors, including employers in the government and other tax-exempt retirement plan markets. As a leader and advocate for greater retirement readiness, Voya Financial is committed to delivering on its vision to be America's Retirement Company and on its mission to make a secure financial future possible - one person, one family, one institution at a time. About Voya Financial Voya Financial, Inc. (NYSE: VOYA), helps Americans plan, invest and protect their savings - to get ready to retire better. Serving the financial needs of approximately 14.7 million individual and institutional customers in the United States, Voya is a Fortune 500 company that had $8.6 billion in revenue in 2017. The company had $528 billion in total assets under management and administration as of June 30, 2018. With a clear mission to make a secure financial future possible - one person, one family, one institution at a time - Voya's vision is to be America's Retirement Company. Certified as a "Great Place to Work" by the Great Place to Work Institute, Voya is equally committed to conducting business in a way that is socially, environmentally, economically and ethically responsible. Voya has been recognized as one of the 2018 World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute; one of the 2018 World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune magazine; as a member of the Bloomberg (News - Alert) Gender Equality Index; and as a "Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion" on the Disability Equality Index by Disability:IN. For more information, visit voya.com. Follow Voya Financial on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter (News - Alert) @Voya. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005716/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Infiniti Research Reveals the Steps to Build an Ideal Customer Profile Template Infiniti Research, a world-renowned market intelligence solutions provider, has announced the completion of their latest article on the steps to build an ideal customer profile template. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005787/en/ Steps to Build an Ideal Customer Profile Template (Graphic: Business Wire) Unproductive leads are the consequence of a lack of proper guidelines that need to be focused on the right audience. Accuracy in targeting can be attained by developing an ideal customer profile. A customer profile template can be called as an archetypal representation of a customer. Today, for B2B marketing professionals, customer profile analysis has become a very crucial tool to drive customer engagements. Building a customer profile template can help establish a human connection with customers as it analyzes their behavior and factors that influence their buying decisions. Customer profile templates help organizations in bringing the voice of the customer to the front and center. This template can also be used for sales enablement, marketing, and product planning activities. "Developing a customer profile template helps organizations to concentrate on creating and communicatig value by drawing a clear picture of how customers seek solutions," says an industry expert from Infiniti. Continue reading to know more about the steps to build an ideal customer profile template or get in touch with our analysts for a free consultation. Steps to Build a Customer Profile Template Understand the client This is the first thing to do while building a customer profile template. Also, it is necessary to tell them about what your company offers. Organizing a workshop can help in gaining better insights about the customers. This can tell them about the key information of your organization that makes it better or unique than its competitors. This can also aid in guiding the content positioning strategy for entry into new markets and overall sales activities. To know more about our engagement models, request a proposal. Understand the market Next important step in the process is building an understanding of the market. This can be achieved by understanding the interests and behavior of buyers and the factors that affect their buying decisions. Additionally, a better understanding of the market can help in segmenting customers according to their demands and needs, which can subsequently aid in performing a customer profile analysis. To know more about the steps to build an ideal customer profile template, get in touch. Infiniti Research is a global market intelligence company offering strategic insights to help look beyond market disruptions, study competitive activity, and develop intelligent business strategies. About Infiniti Research Established in 2003, Infiniti Research is a leading market intelligence company providing smart solutions to address your business challenges. Infiniti Research studies markets in more than 100 countries to help analyze competitive activity, see beyond market disruptions, and develop intelligent business strategies. To know more, visit: https://www.infinitiresearch.com/about-us View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005787/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] South Texas Veterans Health Care System Joins Test Validation Trial of bioAffinity's CyPath Lung SAN ANTONIO, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- bioAffinity Technologies, a privately held biotech company, today announced that the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS), which is affiliated with the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system, will be a clinical collection site for the Companys test validation trial of CyPath Lung, a non-invasive test for the early detection of lung cancer. Dr. Sheila A. Habib, director of the Pulmonary Lung Cancer Clinic at STVHCS Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital, will supervise the study as the principal investigator. STVHCS will collect sputum samples from patients who have received a confirmed diagnosis of lung cancer, one of three cohorts in the bioAffinity study. Studies show that lung and bronchus cancers represent 20 percent of all cancers among our veteran population, Dr. Habib said. We also know that lung cancer is difficult to detect in its early stages, and by the time our patients are symptomatic, treatment options are not as effective. A non-invasive, highly accurate and relatively low-cost assay like CyPath will change the paradgm for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer not just for veterans but for all patients. CyPath Lung is a flow cytometric test that uses a proprietary molecule that binds to cancer cells and causes them to fluoresce in contrast to non-cancer cells. The validation study will confirm the differential characteristics between sputum samples collected from three participant cohorts, including patients with lung cancer, high-risk participants without lung cancer and healthy individuals with no or minimal smoking history who are cancer-free. We are pleased to have the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Habib and the VA here in San Antonio to advance our CyPath diagnostic through our validation study, bioAffinity President and Chief Executive Officer Maria Zannes said. Our focus on lung cancer gives bioAffinity a special connection to veterans because we know they are at significantly higher risk of developing lung cancer than the general population. According to the Department of Defenses Office of Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), military personnel are more likely to develop lung cancer due to higher rates of smoking and increased exposure to environmental carcinogens during their service. bioAffinity expects CyPath Lung to enter the U.S. commercial market as a Laboratory Developed Test (LDT) to augment lung cancer screening by low dose computed tomography (LDCT) by first quarter 2019. Although it is the current standard for early screening, LDCT has a 96 percent false-positive rate, which requires follow-up procedures to confirm a lung cancer diagnosis. By significantly increasing diagnostic accuracy, CyPath Lung is expected to lead to improved patient survival, fewer unnecessary invasive procedures and lower medical costs. STVHCS joins six other clinical sites Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, Summit Medical Group in New Jersey, Radiology Associates of Albuquerque in New Mexico, Waterbury Pulmonary Associates in Connecticut, Cookeville Regional Medical Center in Tennessee, and Atlantic Health Systems in New Jersey currently enrolling volunteers for the study. About bioAffinity Technologies, Inc. bioAffinity Technologies, Inc. (www.bioaffinitytech.com) is a privately held company that develops proprietary in-vitro diagnostic tests and targeted cancer therapeutics using breakthrough technology that preferentially targets cancer cells. Research, optimization and commercialization of its platform technology are conducted in bioAffinity Technologies laboratories at the University of Texas San Antonio. The Companys initial product is CyPath Lung, a diagnostic assay for the non-invasive detection of early-stage lung cancer. Contact: Maria Zannes 505.400.9747 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Oracle Cloud Delivers End-to-End Security for Customers SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Oracle OpenWorld -- To help ensure customers' data is secure from the core of infrastructure to the edge of the cloud, Oracle today announced new cloud security technologies. In addition to the self-securing and self-patching capabilities of Oracle Autonomous Database and with the integration of machine learning and intelligent automation to remediate threats, these new cloud services allow customers to improve the security of applications deployed on the next generation of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. The new cloud services include a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to protect against attacks on web traffic, Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) protection to stop outside parties from disrupting running applications, an integrated Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) which monitors and enforces secure configurations, and a Key Management Service (KMS) that allows customers to control the encryption of their data. Emerging technologies like cloud, artificial intelligence and IoT, enable organizations to drive new innovations and reduce costs. However, with opportunities come increased risk including expanded attack surfaces. Security teams rely on manual processes and disparate tools that introduce human error and take an excessive amount of time to accurately detect and respond to threats and outages. Oracle has built integrated layers of defense that are designed to secure users, apps, data and infrastructure. "Organizations are facing constant security threats from sophisticated actors who want to attack their applications and access their sensitive data," said Don Johnson, senior vice president, product development, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. "The new solutions build on Oracle's existing, strong security heritage and give customers always-on capabilities that make it easier than ever to achieve end-to-end security. These new security layers include highly automated detective, preventive, responsive, and predictive security controls that help mitigate data breaches, address regulatory compliance, and reduce overall risk." To help customers combat today's sophisticated threats and protect their data, Oracle has introduced the following automated security solutions: Web Application Firewall (WAF) . The native WAF is designed to protect next generation Oracle Cloud Infrastructure applications against botnets, application attacks and DDoS attacks. The platform can then automatically respond to threats by blocking them and alerting security operations teams for further investigation. . The native WAF is designed to protect next generation Oracle Cloud Infrastructure applications against botnets, application attacks and DDoS attacks. The platform can then automatically respond to threats by blocking them and alerting security operations teams for further investigation. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Protection . As part of the next generation of Oracle loud Infrastructure, all Oracle data centers get automated DDoS attack detection and mitigation of high volume, Layer 3/4 DDoS attacks. This helps ensure the availability of Oracle network resources even when under sustained attack. . As part of the next generation of Oracle loud Infrastructure, all Oracle data centers get automated DDoS attack detection and mitigation of high volume, Layer 3/4 DDoS attacks. This helps ensure the availability of Oracle network resources even when under sustained attack. Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB). Keeping a cloud environment secure requires constant monitoring and enforcement to ensure that no one has set up an insecure network or left data unprotected. Oracle Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) constantly checks OCI environments to help make sure that corporate security practices are being followed. It comes with preconfigured policies and controls so that customers can deploy applications faster while reducing security and operational risk. CASB also leverages machine learning-based behavioral analytics to predict threats. Keeping a cloud environment secure requires constant monitoring and enforcement to ensure that no one has set up an insecure network or left data unprotected. Oracle Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) constantly checks OCI environments to help make sure that corporate security practices are being followed. It comes with preconfigured policies and controls so that customers can deploy applications faster while reducing security and operational risk. CASB also leverages machine learning-based behavioral analytics to predict threats. Key Management Service. Oracle Key Management enables enterprises to encrypt data using keys that they control and offers centralized key management and key lifecycle monitoring capabilities. The solution delivers partitions in highly available and certified Hardware Security Modules that are isolated per customer. It is ideal for organizations that need to verify for regulatory compliance and security governance purposes that their data is encrypted where it is stored. Additional Resources Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Oracle blogs: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure blog Gartner Names Oracle a "Visionary" in New Magic Quadrant for Web Application Firewalls About Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Oracle Cloud Infrastructure is an enterprise Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) platform. Companies of all sizes rely on Oracle Cloud to run enterprise and cloud native applications with mission-critical performance and core-to-edge security. By running both traditional and new workloads on a comprehensive cloud that includes compute, storage, networking, database, and containers, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure can dramatically increase operational efficiency and lower total cost of ownership. For more information, visit https://cloud.oracle.com/iaas. About Oracle The Oracle Cloud offers complete SaaS application suites for ERP, HCM and CX, plus best-in-class database Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) from data centers throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information about Oracle (NYSE:ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com. About Oracle OpenWorld Oracle OpenWorld, the industry's most important business and technology conference for the past 20 years, hosts tens of thousands of in-person attendees as well as millions online. Dedicated to helping businesses leverage Cloud for their innovation and growth, the conference delivers deep insight into industry trends and breakthroughs driven by technology. With hundreds of demos and hands-on labs, plus exhibitions from more than 250 partners and customers from around the world, Oracle OpenWorld has become a showcase for leading cloud technologies, from Cloud Applications to Cloud Platform and Infrastructure. For more information; to register; or to watch Oracle OpenWorld keynotes, sessions, and more, visit www.oracle.com/openworld. Join the Oracle OpenWorld discussion on Twitter. Future Product Disclaimer The preceding is intended to outline our general product direction. It is intended for information purposes only, and may not be incorporated into any contract. It is not a commitment to deliver any material, code, or functionality, and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions. The development, release, timing, and pricing of any features or functionality described for Oracle's products may change and remains at the sole discretion of Oracle Corporation. Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer Statements in this article relating to Oracle's future plans, expectations, beliefs, and intentions are "forward-looking statements" and are subject to material risks and uncertainties. Such statements are based on Oracle's current expectations and assumptions, some of which are beyond Oracle's control. All information in this article is current as of October 23, 2018 and Oracle undertakes no duty to update any statement in light of new information or future events. Trademarks Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/oracle-cloud-delivers-end-to-end-security-for-customers-300735828.html SOURCE Oracle [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Top Mobile Key Technology Vendor, OpenKey, Chooses Armor's Secure Cloud Hosting Solution, Resulting in Significant Cost Savings and Robust Security Armor, a leading cloud security solutions provider, and OpenKey, the industry standard for universal mobile key in hotels, announced a case study today describing how Armor is providing OpenKey significant cost savings and robust security as the company expands domestically and internationally. Founded in 2014, OpenKey is focused on protecting hotels and their guests by making mobile key technology a safe and seamless alternative to plastic room keys. Using the OpenKey application, hotel guests can receive directions to the hotel property, access hotel Wi-Fi codes, view dining and amenity information, request check-out, and, in many cases, automatically receive a digital key at check-in-among other things. The hospitality industry is a popular target for cybercriminals. According to the 2018 Trustwave Global Security report, the hospitality industry is one of the top five industries subjected to network breaches each year. Additionally, this industry tends to use complex, often splintered technology systems from multiple vendors to fulfill multiple functions. This results in an environment with many back-end systems and connection points giving threat actors many access points to a company's network to steal data or launch attacks. To protect its environment, OpenKey chose to use Armor Complete, Armor's secure cloud hosting solution. By working with Armor, OpenKey projects it has reduced the cost of using the cloud securely by more than 80%, amounting to an average of more than $200,000 in savings per year when compared with what the company would have spent given its growth trajectory. These savings stem from the elimination of costs tied to hiring data security personnel and implementing and maintaining technology, and it will likely increase year-over-year while OpenKey continues to expand. With Armor Complete, OpenKey can use the solution's high-performance infrastructure nd built-in security controls to protect its environment and its customers' data. In addition, Armor Complete customers benefit from the 24/7/365 monitoring and detection capabilities of Armor's security operations center (SOC) as well as instant access to Armor's team of on-demand incident responders and Threat Resistance Unit (TRU). In the case of mobile key technology, compromising a guest's identity or the application itself could lead to unauthorized access to a room. This makes security paramount for OpenKey, as physical security and cybersecurity are interconnected. "Mobile key adoption is still in the early stages, and security is a critical part of our discussions as we introduce our technology to the industry," said Chris Hickingbottom, vice president of engineering at OpenKey. "By choosing Armor as our cloud security provider, we can tell our security story to customers with total confidence." "The right provider not only makes compliance and security achievable, but also maintainable and affordable," said Wayne Reynolds, CSO of Armor. "At Armor, we are committed to providing the robust, real-time protections, availability, and insight our clients need to meet their compliance requirements and defend against current and emerging cyberthreats, so that they can focus on growing their business and taking care of their clients." Hear more about OpenKey and Armor in this short video case study and read about how the two organizations are working together here. About Armor Armor is a cloud security company that takes the complexity out of protecting your data, whether it resides in a private, public, or hybrid cloud-or in an on-premise IT environment. We provide managed security solutions that give you a clear picture of threats facing your organization. This allows us to provide you with the people and security resources to stop attacks before they happen and react quickly and effectively when they do, keeping your data safe and compliant. Wherever you are on your cloud journey, Armor can help. We make cybersecurity simple. To learn more, visit www.armor.com or follow @armor on Twitter (News - Alert) . About OpenKey Founded in 2014, OpenKey is reinventing the hospitality experience through its mobile access solution. The OpenKey app is the industry standard for universal mobile key technology and works with the majority of digital hotel locks. Hotels and their guests benefit from OpenKey's platform providing efficiency, convenience, and cost savings. OpenKey is a privately held company located in Plano, Texas. The company has been funded by several of the largest hotel ownership and management companies in the world. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices. For more information, please visit www.openkey.co. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005861/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Tableau to Donate $100 Million through Tableau Foundation to Help Solve Global Challenges NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at the Tableau Conference in New Orleans, Tableau Software (NYSE: DATA) announced its commitment to grant $100 million in software, training, and financial support through Tableau Foundation between now and the year 2025. The company is pledging to help more people use data to take on some of the world's toughest challenges including global health, poverty, equality, and climate change. This commitment includes an equity donation of $25 million by Tableau early next year to fund the Foundation's work. Since its launch in 2014, Tableau Foundation has contributed over $30 million in software, services and cash to support 5,770 organizations working in 86 countries. These grants have helped non-profits like PATH, Splash and Community Solutions use data to tackle big issues such as combating diseases globally, bringing clean water to kids living in developing countries, and reducing veteran homelessness across the United States. Increasing Tableau Foundation's capacity to provide this type of support will help more organizations make a difference. Tableau Foundation is a philanthropic initiative led by the employees of Tableau Software to encourage the use of facts and analytical reasoning to solve the world's problems. Its grants combine Tableau's two most valuable resources its people and its products with financial support to innovative non-profits that help improve lives around the world. "For the past five years, Tableau Foundation has partnered with leading non-profits, governments, and fellow Tableau Community members to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time," said Adam Selipsky, Tableau CEO. "This grant will enable the power of analytics and this community to go further, use data to help solve some of our most complex problems, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of people in need." Tableau Foundation was originally established through a pre-IPO stock contribution by Tableau and its founders. When the company went public in 2013, that gift funded an initial $20 million endowment. Led by its founding Director, Neal Myrick, the Foundation invests in partnerships to develop innovative ideas that use data to drive change. Notably, Tableau Foundation and PATH partnered to create Visualize No Malaria , a multi-year collaboration with a coalition of technology partners to support Zambia's Ministry of Health to use analytics to help eliminate malaria across the African nation. The Visualize No Malaria initiative has helped drive a 90% reduction malaria-related deaths in the country's Southern Province since 2014. The program's success led the Zambian government to announce that it will scale the initiative nationwide. And last year, a similar program was deployed in Senegal, which is already showing a 60% reduction in reported malaria cases. "The opportunity to bring 21st century data tools and digital technologies to bear against the world's greatest health challenges has never been better, or more needed," said Steve Davis, President and CEO of PATH. "Our partnership with Tableau and Tableau Foundation is putting cutting edge tools in the hands of healthcare professionals and policymakers alike to ensure that no matter where a child is born, they have an equal chance to grow up healthy and to thrive." "I'm continually amazed by the creativity and ambition of people with big ideas about how data can help do good in the lives of others," said Neal Myrick, Global Head of Tableau Foundation. "This contribution to that work gives us an opportunity to take many of those ideas, help them scale them for greater impact, and reach more people in more countries than we ever thought possible." The new investment in Tableau Foundation will not only help scale successes like Visualize No Malaria, but will also support similar public-private-NGO partnerships with the potential to improve the lives of people and the well-being of our planet. To learn more about Tableau Foundation, please visit www.tableaufoundation.org. About Tableau Software Tableau (NYSE: DATA) helps people see and understand data. Tableau helps anyone quickly analyze, visualize and share information. More than 78,000 customer accounts get rapid results with Tableau in the office and on-the-go. Hundreds of thousands of people have used Tableau Public to share data in their blogs and websites. See how Tableau can help you by downloading the free trial at www.tableau.com/trial . About Tableau Foundation Tableau Foundation is a philanthropic initiative led by the employees of Tableau Software that encourages the use of facts and analytical reasoning to solve the world's problems. Tableau Foundation grants combine Tableau's two most valuable resources its people and its products with financial support to nonprofits that are using data to reshape communities around the globe. The organization is a signatory to the Principles of Donor Alignment for Digital Health, sits on the technology advisory board of the Global Partnership for Education, the governing board the Digital Square coalition of leading digital health experts, on the board of the Digital Impact Alliance, and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data. To learn more, please visit www.tableaufoundation.org. Additional Grantee Quotes: "Homelessness is a complex problem it's constantly changing so, communities need the ability to monitor and respond to the problem in real time," says Rosanne Haggerty, President of Community Solutions, the nonprofit behind the Built for Zero initiative working to end chronic and veteran homelessness in the United States. "The real-time dashboards we've built in Tableau have enabled a new level of problem-solving precision for the local teams we support. The result is a set of data tools that has helped us move beyond old paradigms of data for judgment or compliance and toward a new vision of data for improvement." "By using Tableau and working with their community of volunteers, Splash has been able to gain new insights from our data across our organization. We are using Tableau to inform every aspect of our work, from program quality to inventory management and external partnerships," said Eric Stowe, Founder & Executive Director of Splash, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions to children living in urban poverty in Asia and Africa. The combination of Tableau software, Zen Master advice, and training for our team has been invaluable as we prepare to reach one million kids by the end of 2023." CONTACT: Daniel Jensen, 1-206-634-5490 , djensen@tableau.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tableau-to-donate-100-million-through-tableau-foundation-to-help-solve-global-challenges-300736218.html SOURCE Tableau Software [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Surprise $100,000 From Reliant Helps Read Fort Worth Improve Literacy Among Third Grade Students Research shows 75 percent of third graders who struggle with reading never catch up, drastically increasing their chances of dropping out of high school. But one North Texas nonprofit, Read Fort Worth, is on a mission to improve early childhood literacy and ensure all Fort Worth ISD third graders are reading on grade level by 2025. Their efforts got a major boost today when the organization was surprised by Reliant employees with a donation of $100,000 after receiving the most public votes during the Reliant Gives charitable giving program. Camp For All and Undies for Everyone, both based in Houston, were also awarded with donations of $20,000 and $10,000, respectively, based on voting totals. Reliant's charitable giving program, Reliant Gives, launched in 2016 and puts the power of nonprofit advocacy in the hands of the public, inviting people to vote and direct the company's charitable giving to three Texas charities nominated by employees. The program has now donated $850,000 to 21 deserving nonprofits across the state. "Each round of Reliant Gives feels special knowing we're able to support causes that are close to our employees' hearts and rally the public around each nonprofit's mission," said Elizabeth Killinger, president, Reliant. "We are excited about the lasting change the gift of reading will make in these children's lives and the community at large. Congratulations to Read Fort Worth for earning this donation and for making a difference in the community." Final Voting Results: $100,000: Read Fort Worth's mission is to improve early childhood literacy in Fort Worth ISD. Backed by leaders of the community and local businesses, the organization supports volunteer reading programs in area elementary schools, programs to increase student attendance and making quality early learning and preschools more accessible. The Reliant Gives donation will support initiatives that promote children's literacy, including the Library Classroom Campaign and Reading Volunteers. $20,000: Founded in 1998, Houston-based Camp For All has served 150,000 campers of all ages who, because of an illness or disability, are unable to attend traditional camps. In partnership with 64 other nonprofits, Camp For All allows participants the ability to make friends, grow stronger and build confidence in an environment free of barriers. The Reliant Gives donation will enable campers with challenges such as autism, cerebral palsy, HIV, neurofibromatosis, Down syndrome, cancer, missing limbs, sickle cell and spina bifida to grow in self-confidence and realize they are not alone. $10,000: Houston-based Undies for Everyone works with Houston and Dallas-area schools and organizations to distribute new underwear to children in need. Undies for Everyone believes by providing this most basic necessity, children can attend school with confidence, dignity and enhanced self-esteem. The Reliant Gives donation will ensure thousands of deserving children receive clean new underwear. About Reliant, an NRG company Reliant powers, protects and simplifies life by bringing electricity, security and related services to homes and businesses across Texas. Serving customers and the community is at the core of what we do, with Reliant being nationally recognized for outstanding customer service and experience. Reliant is part of NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG), a Fortune 500 company that creates value through best-in-class operations and reliable and efficient electric generation. Backed by a diverse portfolio of power generating facilities, NRG's competitive residential electricity business, which includes Reliant, is the largest in the country and powers more than 3 million customers across the U.S. and Canada. For more information about Reliant, please visit reliant.com and connect with Reliant on Facebook (News - Alert) at facebook.com/reliantenergy and Twitter or Instagram @reliantenergy. PUCT Certificate #10007. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005741/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] BuildingBITs Launches a Powerful Alternative to Traditional Commercial Real Estate Investing BuildingBITs, a proprietary online real estate investment platform that enables non-accredited investors to purchase shares, known as "BITs," in companies that own commercial buildings, launched today. BuildingBITs is the first company to have received the Securities and Exchange Commission's qualification under Regulation A+ for individual properties to be available to non-accredited investors. "Up until recently federal regulations prohibited smaller, everyday investors from access to large-scale commercial real estate projects, which left them few options to grow their wealth and widened the income gap," BuildingBITs founder Alexander Aginsky said. "New regulations in 2015 helped create a whole new playbook for nonaccredited investors, and that's where BuildingBITs comes in." For an investment as small as $1,000, an individual can buy a "BIT." There is no limit to individual investment prior to a building's full funding. Using a proprietary online marketplace, BuildingBITs empowers ll investors to access a new class of investments designed to complement any portfolio type. BuildingBITs' strategy emphasizes new construction, quality tenants, long-term leases, reduced fees, with conservative returns. BuildingBITs offers a simple investment process: STEP 1: Investors browse buildings that appeal to them; STEP 2: Investors buy as many BITs as they want; STEP 3: Once the building is fully funded, recurring income and potential for appreciation kicks in; STEP 4: Investors can diversify their real estate portfolio by buying different BITs. "We are democratizing real estate investment with complete transparency," Aginsky said. "Traditional REITs are handled by investment managers at their discretion or whim. We allow investors to pick their own properties and invest as much as they want." Current buildings are located in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Oregon, and Minnesota. The company is in aggressive expansion mode and plans to grow its portfolio throughout North America and abroad. About BuildingBITs Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, BuildingBITs' mission is to provide equal access to opportunities in commercial real estate for all investors, accredited and non-accredited, institutional and individual, foreign and domestic. The company's objective is to become a leading global real estate platform, geared to individual non-accredited investors. Visit BuildingBits.com or email invest@buildingbits.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005878/en/ [October 23, 2018] Boo Oh- A New Name In Luxury Pet Accessories -Launches E-commerce Site NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Boo Oh, a new lifestyle brand for pets and their owners, announces the launch of www.boo-oh.com and debuts a line of pet accessories created to elevate everyday moments. Boo Oh's patent-pending designs speak to consumers who appreciate style, quality materials and attention to detail in their wardrobes, homes, and accessories they use while on the go with their furry companions. The brand's founder, Jay Sae Jung Oh, an artist and industrial designer by trade, brings a fresh point of view into the ever-growing market of pet products. The company is named Boo Oh in honor of her own pet, a French bulldog named Boo. The brand's debut collection features the Lumi Leash and Collar, the Ray Harness, and the Toto Bag. The Lumi collection, made from 100 percent vegetable-dyed Italian Buttero leather, is forthose who appreciate handcrafted objects made of the finest materials. Combining utility and comfort with a truly modern aesthetic, the Lumi features a unique ring handle, constructed of lightweight aluminum and treated with an anodization process. The Ray Harness is a utility patent-pending design that turns leash and harness into one distinct product. Made from a single piece of padded interwoven synthetic silk fiber rope and a series of Buttero leather details, the product allows owners to seamlessly attach and detach their pet's harness. Presented in an array of modern hues, the Ray is perfect for owners who appreciate a contemporary, sporty look. The Toto Bag, constructed of a single piece of fine grain leather, can be used to store essentials while out with your pet. The Toto is designed to integrate onto the Lumi Leash or Ray Harness and is available in a rich palette, allowing customers to customize their own combination of products and colors. "As a first-time pet owner, I sought to find beautifully designed accessories that reflect my personal style and needs. When my search fell short, I felt inspired to create my own," explains Oh. "Drawing on my years in product design, I created Boo Oh's debut collections using only the finest materials, assembling each product entirely by hand; I hope customers and their pets, will love them as much as I do." Press Inquiries: Sara Di Gangi boo.oh@headandhandpr.com +1 347 320 2277 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boo-oh--a-new-name-in-luxury-pet-accessories--launches-e-commerce-site-300735641.html SOURCE Boo Oh [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] PolyPhaser Launches New E-Commerce Website with Expanded Capabilities HAYDEN, Idaho, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- PolyPhaser, an Infinite Electronics brand, and an industry leader in the development and production of patented RF protection solutions has just launched a completely updated website with online purchasing capabilities and same-day shipping for many of its most popular surge protection solutions. PolyPhaser's new ecommerce website allows customers to place and track orders, access expanded product specifications, check product inventory levels, engage in live online chat support, and much more. The updated website makes it easier for the company's global customer base to purchase and receive industry-leading RF surge protection devices and other key PolyPhaser products. "Our goal, as always, is to meet the requirements of our customers," said Laurie Addison, Infinite Electronics' Vice President of Marketing. "The updated PolyPhaser website offers our customers another way to streamline their purchasing processes and to address their urgent product needs while enabling us the ability to provide comprehensive solutions with speed and accuracy." Users can purchase PolyPhaser products using a credit card or purchase order number. Larger orders can still be quoted directly throughthe PolyPhaser sales team, or through the "contact us" form on the new website. Key features of PolyPhaser's new ecommerce website include: Online shopping, including order placement and tracking Same-day shipping of in-stock products Real-time inventory levels for every product 24/7 support through online chat Expanded specifications to help with product selection Comprehensive resource center for additional support The e-commerce PolyPhaser website is online now. Market-based solutions pages, key corporate information and additional help is offered to provide a complete vision of PolyPhaser's capabilities and role in the industry. Visit the new website at https://www.polyphaser.com. For inquiries, PolyPhaser can be contacted at +1 800-882-9110. About PolyPhaser: PolyPhaser leads the market with its patented RF protection solutions, specifically supporting communications systems. Based on its extensive experience with multi-stage surge protection, PolyPhaser continuously expands its product offering to support the needs of advanced network applications with technologies such as HEMP Tested, DC Block, DC Pass and Ultra-Low-PIM. PolyPhaser is an Infinite Electronics brand. About Infinite Electronics: Infinite Electronics is a leading global supplier of electronic components serving the urgent needs of engineers through a family of highly recognized and trusted brands. Our portfolio brands are specialists within their respective product set, offering broad inventories of engineering-grade product, paired with expert technical support and same day shipping. Over 100,000 customers across a diverse set of markets rely upon Infinite Electronics to stock and reliably ship urgently needed products every day. Press Contact: Peter McNeil PolyPhaser 17792 Fitch Irvine, CA 1-978-682-6936 x 1174 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/polyphaser-launches-new-e-commerce-website-with-expanded-capabilities-300736205.html SOURCE PolyPhaser [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Individuals Leaving LGBTQ Lifestyle Schedule Freedom March for Los Angeles Contact: Jeffrey McCall, former transgender, 706-567-0839; Kimberly Zember, Catholic and former homosexual, 951-757-2568 LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23, 2018 / "I was transformed through the grace of Jesus and found that others have been as well," Freedom March founder Jeffrey McCall said. "These marches are a way to ensure that others who have overcome are not feeling isolated and alone." "There is an entire community of people that have made this transformation, and we are here to support them," explained McCall, who once lived as a transgender woman named Scarlett, but let go of that identity to follow his Christian faith. McCall is planning these marches with the help of a network of Christian organizations and individuals dedicated to helping people overcome LGBTQ "lifestyles" and follow Jesus' teaching. Their first march was held at the Sylvan Theatre in Washington D.C in May 2018. "These marches aren't about expressing hostility against people who live LGBTQ lifestyles," McCall stresses. "It's simply about bringing awareness to the world about individuals who have made this transformation, and building a community for them. Not everyone is happy living with a LGBTQ identity and lifestyle, and we want to offer those people hope, that change is possible." The November 4 march in Los Angeles and subsequent event will provide a platform for former LGBTQ individuals to share their stories. One of those individuals is Pulse Nightclub survivor Luis Javier Ruiz, who is planning Freedom March in Orlando next year. "I've always said it's not about gay to straight. It's about lost to saved," says Ruiz. "Through the Freedom Marches we want to spread messages of love and acceptance for people who have shed their LGBTQ identity and show others that we do exist. These marches are our platform to educate, encourage others, and share in a community. We've had a great response from people, community groups, and churches." November 4th- Testimonies & Worship at 1 p.m. March at 3:30 p.m. Pershing Square, Los Angeles More details on the upcoming marches are available on For Interviews: Jeffrey McCall, former transgender 706-567-0839 for interviews. Kimberly Zember, Catholic and former homosexual 951-757-2568 for interviews. Share Tweet Contact: Jeffrey McCall,former transgender,706-567-0839;Kimberly Zember,Catholic and former homosexual,951-757-2568LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23, 2018 / Christian Newswire / -- A newly created group of former LGBTQ identifying Christians plan to march in cities throughout the nation to provide community for and public awareness of those who have shed their LGBTQ identity to follow Jesus Christ. They call themselves "Freedom March," and are holding an event in heart of Los Angeles on November 4th. Press is encouraged to attend."I was transformed through the grace of Jesus and found that others have been as well," Freedom March founder Jeffrey McCall said. "These marches are a way to ensure that others who have overcome are not feeling isolated and alone.""There is an entire community of people that have made this transformation, and we are here to support them," explained McCall, who once lived as a transgender woman named Scarlett, but let go of that identity to follow his Christian faith.McCall is planning these marches with the help of a network of Christian organizations and individuals dedicated to helping people overcome LGBTQ "lifestyles" and follow Jesus' teaching. Their first march was held at the Sylvan Theatre in Washington D.C in May 2018."These marches aren't about expressing hostility against people who live LGBTQ lifestyles," McCall stresses. "It's simply about bringing awareness to the world about individuals who have made this transformation, and building a community for them. Not everyone is happy living with a LGBTQ identity and lifestyle, and we want to offer those people hope, that change is possible."The November 4 march in Los Angeles and subsequent event will provide a platform for former LGBTQ individuals to share their stories. One of those individuals is Pulse Nightclub survivor Luis Javier Ruiz, who is planning Freedom March in Orlando next year."I've always said it's not about gay to straight. It's about lost to saved," says Ruiz. "Through the Freedom Marches we want to spread messages of love and acceptance for people who have shed their LGBTQ identity and show others that we do exist. These marches are our platform to educate, encourage others, and share in a community. We've had a great response from people, community groups, and churches."November 4th- Testimonies & Worship at 1 p.m. March at 3:30 p.m.Pershing Square, Los AngelesMore details on the upcoming marches are available on FreedomtoMarch.com For Interviews:Jeffrey McCall, former transgender 706-567-0839 for interviews.Kimberly Zember, Catholic and former homosexual 951-757-2568 for interviews. [October 23, 2018] Community Brands Completes Second Phase of Enterprise Initiative with Launch of Integrated Software Platform for K-12 Schools ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Brands, the leading provider of cloud-based software for schools, associations, nonprofits and faith-based organizations, today made the all-new technology platform, SchoolCommunity, available for private and independent K-12 schools. Months in the making, SchoolCommunity is the enabling technology behind the company's K-12 software suite a complete set of integrated solutions addressing the digital needs of today's schools. The product launch includes an integration between the company's TADS and Ravenna Solutions, forming a powerful admission, enrollment, tuition, financial aid and student management combination. Development of the new software platform was completed as the second phase of an enterprise initiative under the name Project FIRE (Future of Innovation, Revenue and Efficiency). These next-generation capabilities enable schools to choose from a best-in-class portfolio that improves productivity and digitally engages families and donors. "Every school is unique in the way it operates and engages families," shared Bethany Little, EVP K-12 Solutions at Community Brands. "The comprehensive software suite and the integrated SchoolCommunity platform support that uniqueness by helping schools choose the solutions and capabilities that best meet their needs. Community Brands is leading the way in K-12 software, and customers are excited by the new enhancements." SchoolCommunity Platform SchoolCommunity is built to help schools use the combination of solutions that best meets their needs. The platform features an integration hub, which connects data across systems and creates a more seamless user experience. With a "wallet" style universal ID, families and administrators use one SchoolCommunity ID the same username and password to access solutions in the Community Brands K-12 software suite; users no longer need to keep or remember multiple passwords. As schools upgrade solutions within the suite, SchoolCommunity makes this possible without the adoption, implmentation, or support challenges that sometimes accompany multi-system use. Key platform features: Integration hub connects education applications and creates simpler processes and workflows Two-way data sync effortlessly moves information between systems and improves data quality Universal ID with single sign-on capabilities eliminates separate logins and passwords The company's TADS and Ravenna Solutions are now integrated through SchoolCommunity. TADS offers admission, enrollment, financial aid, tuition management, and student management capabilities; Ravenna offers one of the most advanced admissions solutions available. Schools needing the more advanced admissions capabilities of Ravenna pair the solution with the broad capabilities of TADS through the platform. Data seamlessly moves between systems, saving hours of manual entry and reducing the risk of lost or inaccurate data. The new SchoolCommunity platform, together with the announced integrations, is available immediately. K-12 Software Suite A complete set of education-focused solutions, the software suite helps schools increase revenue, improve efficiency and digitally engage their communities. Solutions within the suite provide the breadth and depth of capabilities needed from admissions to fundraising to power a school's technology, creating rewarding experiences for students, parents, and administrators. A one-size-fits-all approach to technology often does not align to the uniqueness of schools. Individual school missions and differences in size often means that needs are best met by using a combination of technology solutions that are designed to work well together. The K-12 software suite is designed to offer that flexibility and enables schools to choose the best mix of products while also ensuring a connected experience for school administrators and families. Comprehensive school needs addressed: Admissions and enrollment Financial aid Tuition and billing Student information systems Content management Payment services Fundraising and advancement The education software suite has recently been enhanced with the company's announced acquisition of UK-based Groupcall, a leading provider of communications and data analytics software. Additional suite integrations are expected to be released in the near future. To learn more about Community Brands and its K-12 Education Solutions, visit CommunityBrands.com. About Community Brands Community Brands is the leading provider of cloud-based software to associations, nonprofits, K-12 schools and faith-based groups. Through innovation and technology, the company empowers more than 100,000 clients and partners to succeed faster, grow stronger and achieve social good. Organizations adopt Community Brands software to manage memberships, career centers, learning, accounting, mobile giving, peer-to-peer fundraising, donations, admissions, enrollments and events. Using these engagement platforms, customers of all sizes create meaningful and lasting experiences for their members, donors, volunteers and families. Headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA, Community Brands serves the social good community in more than 30 countries. To learn more, visit communitybrands.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Media Contacts Community Brands Brad Bennett Media Contact press@communitybrands.com +1 817.517.9965 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/community-brands-completes-second-phase-of-enterprise-initiative-with-launch-of-integrated-software-platform-for-k-12-schools-300736421.html SOURCE Community Brands [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Institute of Human Virology Hosts 20th Annual International Meeting of Top Medical Virus Researchers in Baltimore, Maryland The Institute of Human Virology (IHV) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine yesterday commenced IHV's 20th Annual International Meeting, to be held through Thursday, October, 25 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. This year, among other viral and cancer related topics, the meeting is holding special sessions on the 40th anniversary of the first human retrovirus, Human T cell Leukemia Virus (HTLV), and the 15th anniversary of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). IHV's Annual International Meeting attracts hundreds of elite scientists who descend upon Baltimore to share ideas and inspire medical virus research collaborations. "Our meeting is designed to highlight cutting-edge science and provide a platform for provocative discussion," said Robert C. Gallo, MD, The Homer & Martha Gudelsky Distinguished Professor in Medicine, Co-founder and Director of the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Co-founder and Director of the Global Virus Network (GVN). "It is clear from yesterday's session that there is still much research needed forty years since announcing our discovery of HTLV-1 at a Cold Spring Harbor meeting. It is my hope that governments far and wide will recognize this need and provide the resources needed. I am looking forward to hearing about the enormous success of PEPFAR during our special sessions tomorrow, and about the lessons learned which could potentially be applicable to the HTLVpandemic today." The meeting program's organization was led by Man Charurat, PhD, Professor of Medicine and the Director of the Division of Epidemiology and Prevention of the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. In addition to the Institute's special sessions on HTLV and PEPFAR this year, the meeting comprised of interesting sessions on HIV, cancer research, particularly immune therapy of various cancers, and emerging global health challenges. During a gala held Wednesday, October 24, the 2018 IHV Lifetime Achievement Awardees, who are nominated and voted upon by IHV faculty, will be honored. The 2018 IHV Lifetime Achievement for Excellence in Medical Education, Clinical Care and Clinical Research will be awarded to Henry Masur, MD, Chief of Critical Care Medicine Department at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center. "Dr. Masur was already a leader in the early 1980s and helped the medical field confront the then new epidemic called AIDS," said Dr. Gallo. "Currently, Dr. Masur is tackling the ongoing AIDS epidemic disproportionately affecting marginalized people with health disparities in Washington DC, which has been highly successful in controlling HIV transmission, and for the early, rapid development of hepatitis C therapeutics. Dr. Masur is also a terrific role model and mentor for several HIV and infectious disease physicians, qualities not seen enough these days. We are pleased to honor Dr. Masur with this year's Lifetime Achievement Award." The 2018 IHV Lifetime Achievement for Excellence in Clinical Research will be awarded to Kiyoshi Takatsuki, MD, PhD, Professor Emeritus at Kumamoto University in Japan. "Dr. Takatsuki was the first to recognize an epidemiological disease occurrence of a specific kind of human leukemia, called Adult T cell Leukemia (ATL)," said Dr. Gallo. "He and his colleagues also discovered very specific features of the leukemic cells that are a virtual diagnostic marker of this leukemia. They defined particular presence of ATL in epidemic form in the south-western part of Japan. Later, my colleagues and I discovered the cause of this disease, HTLV-1. Dr. Takatsuki's milestone observation contributed to our ability to open a whole new field of human retroviruses. We are very pleased to honor Kiyoshi Dr. Takatsuki with IHV's top award." Since IHV's founding, the Baltimore-based Institute faculty and staff have grown from 50 to more than 300, and the Institute's patient base has grown from just 200 patients to currently nearly 6,000 in Baltimore and Washington, DC, and more than 1.5 million in 10 African and 2 Caribbean nations since 2004. IHV is also internationally renowned for its basic science research, which includes a promising preventive HIV vaccine funded largely by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and, in part, by others including National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. For more information, visit www.ihv.org. About the Institute of Human Virology Formed in 1996 as a partnership between the State of Maryland, the City of Baltimore, the University System of Maryland and the University of Maryland Medical System, IHV is an institute of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and is home to some of the most globally-recognized and world-renowned experts in all of virology. The IHV combines the disciplines of basic research, epidemiology and clinical research in a concerted effort to speed the discovery of diagnostics and therapeutics for a wide variety of chronic and deadly viral and immune disorders - most notably, HIV the virus that causes AIDS. For more information, www.ihv.org and follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @IHVmaryland. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023006064/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] KronosWorks 2018 Inspires the Future of Work Kronos Incorporated today announced that it will host nearly 3,000 customers, partners, industry thought leaders, and Kronos (News - Alert) solution experts at KronosWorks 2018, the world's leading workforce information exchange, being held Nov. 4-7 in Las Vegas. News Facts KronosWorks 2018 will provide valuable insights on the future of work and how organizations can leverage emerging workforce management, HCM, and consumer-grade technologies to empower their workforces and achieve success. Attendees will receive exclusive first looks at new Kronos technologies and solutions; have one-on-one access to Kronos employees, experts, and business partners; leverage peer networking opportunities; attend practical hands-on training workshops and technical courses; and have the opportunity to secure professional certification credits. Tech expert and Emmy Award winning TV personality Katie Linendoll will once again emcee KronosWorks, joining Kronos Chief Executive Officer Aron Ain - author of "WorkInspired: How to Build an Organization Where Everyone Loves to Work" - to kick off the opening session, which will be streamed live beginning at 11:30 a.m. EST/8:30 a.m. PST on Monday, Nov. 5. Other mainstage highlights include: Platon, celebrated photographer and founder of "The People's Portfolio - Powerful Portraits: An Intimate Look at Humanity and Leadership," will keynote a Monday session that tells the story behind iconic portraits he has captured in his career. Workforce Dimensions, Workforce Ready, and Workforce Central customers will headline a panel on what customer success means to them and how they drive the employee experience to meet expectations of today's worker. Workforce Dimensions Technology Partners Facebook, IBM (News - Alert) , and Microsoft will discuss how the Kronos D5 Platform is impacting the future of work. Interactive product demonstrations showcasing how Kronos HCM and workforce management innovations - including artificial intelligence, Employee Perspectives talent acquisition, onboarding, mobile, and predictive analytics - are reshaping how employees work and how managers manage. Grammy Award winner Kelly Clarkson brings her powerhouse vocals to the Tuesday Customer Appreciation Event. In line with the Kronos GiveInspired spirit, Kronos will use the power of social media to support The American Red Cross disaster relief efforts. Attendees who post an image on Twitter (News - Alert) or Instagram with the tag #KronosWorks will become part of a large mosaic that will be built onsite in real time. Once the mosaic is complete, Kronos will donate $20,000 to The American Red Cross. spirit, Kronos will use the power of social media to support The American Red Cross disaster relief efforts. Attendees who post an image on Twitter (News - Alert) or Instagram with the tag #KronosWorks will become part of a large mosaic that will be built onsite in real time. Once the mosaic is complete, Kronos will donate $20,000 to The American Red Cross. KronosWorks 2018 sponsors include: Atos, EverythingBenefits, GroupeX, The Hackett Group, HyBridge Solutions, MM Hayes, Objectiva Software, Passport Corporation, SAP (News - Alert) SuccessFactors, Tech Mahindra, Workforce Insight, and WorkJam. Aron Ain, chief executive officer, Kronos "I look forward to KronosWorks all year because of the meaningful time we get to spend with our customers and partners. Kronos believes that great businesses are powered by great people - and we're passionate about empowering our customers and their employees to be at their best. We do this at KronosWorks by connecting customers with technology experts, thought leaders, and industry peers for fresh perspective on the latest products, services, and workforce management trends that will make these great organizations even better." Supporting Resources About Kronos Incorporated Kronos is a leading provider of workforce management and human capital management cloud solutions. Kronos industry-centric workforce applications are purpose-built for businesses, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and government agencies of all sizes. Tens of thousands of organizations - including half of the Fortune 1000 - and more than 40 million people in over 100 countries use Kronos every day. Visit www.kronos.com. Kronos: Workforce Innovation That Works. 2018 Kronos Incorporated. All rights reserved. Kronos and the Kronos logo are registered trademarks and Workforce Innovation That Works is a trademark of Kronos Incorporated or a related company. See a complete list of Kronos trademarks. All other trademarks, if any, are property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023006080/en/ [October 23, 2018] Manifold Continues Momentum with New Office, Additional Team Members in Boston MetroWest NEWTON, Mass., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Manifold, the AI engineering services firm, recently opened a new office in the Boston MetroWest city of Newton, Massachusetts, to accommodate rapid growth. Manifold is known in part for its Lean AI method of efficiently delivering production-ready solutions. In 2018, Manifold has expanded its board of expert advisors, tripled its team, and doubled its office footprint as well by expanding from the corporate headquarters in Oakland, California, to the East Coast. This growth is the result of momentum that began in November 2017, when Vinay Seth Mohta was brought on as CEO to lead Manifold's development and to inaugurate the Boston-area office. Manifold's trajectory speaks to a significantly increasing demand for specialty AI development services and expertise during the past year. 2018 has been an inflection point for applied AI; while a lot of the press around artificial intelligence remains speculative hype, we are also seeing capabilities that were once the purview only of the most rarefied tech giants become accessible to more and more organizations, who are now putting them to work to create tangible business value. With a physical presence and a local team of experts in the Northeast, Manifold is even better positioned to serve such companies in a range of verticals, including those with highly regulated data such as healthcare and financial services. The Boston-area office also allows the company to maintain a local connection to institutions such as Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where its leadership team as well as more than half of its engineers and advisors were educated. "We have a high bar for adding team members, and the Boston area has a tremendous pool of world-class talent," says Vinay Seth Mohta, CEO and head of the new office. "Our clients have pressing problems that they want to tackle with AI, so working with a team like Manifold's that has been so painstakingly assembled is an effective way to accelerate projects and get results quickly." The Manifold team members now working from the East Coast include: Vinay Seth Mohta , CEO. Vinay is both a seasoned software architect and an experienced startup founder. He co-founded Kyruus, a venture-backed software company offering a data-driven platfrm to match patients and physicians. He has also been a product manager at KAYAK and an architect at Endeca Technologies. He is a co-inventor on several granted patents for search and faceted navigation. Vinay is both a seasoned software architect and an experienced startup founder. He co-founded Kyruus, a venture-backed software company offering a data-driven platfrm to match patients and physicians. He has also been a product manager at KAYAK and an architect at Endeca Technologies. He is a co-inventor on several granted patents for search and faceted navigation. Wassaf Farooqi , Director of Engineering. Wassaf is an engineering leader with a proven track record of delivery for complex SaaS solutions at companies including Kyruus, HubSpot, and EMC. He excels at managing multiple product lines while maintaining a high level of quality, and take a holistic view of problems to deliver value at the level of the whole organization. Wassaf is an engineering leader with a proven track record of delivery for complex SaaS solutions at companies including Kyruus, HubSpot, and EMC. He excels at managing multiple product lines while maintaining a high level of quality, and take a holistic view of problems to deliver value at the level of the whole organization. Matyas Tamas , Director of Data Science. Matyas founded the data science group at Quora and was Head of Supply Data Science at Uber. He brings a depth of experience and knowledge about real-time analytics and natural language processing as well as an intuitive grasp of Manifold's Lean AI process for data science and engineering. Matyas founded the data science group at Quora and was Head of Supply Data Science at Uber. He brings a depth of experience and knowledge about real-time analytics and natural language processing as well as an intuitive grasp of Manifold's Lean AI process for data science and engineering. Julie Steele , Director of Marketing. Julie knows how to translate technical ideas for a variety of audiences in a way that builds real understanding and relationships. She has served as an Acquisitions Editor and conference chair of Strata Rx at O'Reilly Media, as well as Director of Communications & Design for the recently acquired Silicon Valley Data Science. Julie knows how to translate technical ideas for a variety of audiences in a way that builds real understanding and relationships. She has served as an Acquisitions Editor and conference chair of Strata Rx at O'Reilly Media, as well as Director of Communications & Design for the recently acquired Silicon Valley Data Science. Dr. Jakov Kucan , Senior Architect. Jakov is a skilled architect and engineer, able to see through the details of implementations, keep track of the dependencies within a large design, and communicate the vision and ideas to both technical and non-technical audience. Recently, he has been Chief Architect at Kyruus and Director of Product Strategy at PTC Mathcad. Jakov is a skilled architect and engineer, able to see through the details of implementations, keep track of the dependencies within a large design, and communicate the vision and ideas to both technical and non-technical audience. Recently, he has been Chief Architect at Kyruus and Director of Product Strategy at PTC Mathcad. Joseph Goldbeck , Data Engineer. Joe is a backend engineer who also has extensive experience leading teams and collaborating closely with customer-facing business stakeholders. Most recently he was a Senior Software Engineer at TetraScience, a life sciences data integration and analytics platform company, where he spearheaded projects for enterprise pharmaceutical companies and served as Technical Lead for their core data integration platform. Joe is a backend engineer who also has extensive experience leading teams and collaborating closely with customer-facing business stakeholders. Most recently he was a Senior Software Engineer at TetraScience, a life sciences data integration and analytics platform company, where he spearheaded projects for enterprise pharmaceutical companies and served as Technical Lead for their core data integration platform. Martin Davy , Advisor, FinTech Executive Council. Martin understands at a deep level what it means to embark on AI projects at enterprise scale, and has a wealth of experience in managing software platforms for multi-national companies in verticals from financial services to publishing. In particular, as Global Head of Trading Engineering for Fidelity Investments, he modernized engineering practices using agile techniques and delivered four new trade order management platforms. Martin understands at a deep level what it means to embark on AI projects at enterprise scale, and has a wealth of experience in managing software platforms for multi-national companies in verticals from financial services to publishing. In particular, as Global Head of Trading Engineering for Fidelity Investments, he modernized engineering practices using agile techniques and delivered four new trade order management platforms. Dr. Demba Ba , Advisor, Deep Learning Methods. Demba is an Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering and Bioengineering at Harvard University . He specializes in deep learning methods and signal processing, and is the author of multiple publications and the holder of a patent for room modeling using sound source localization. He is spending his sabbatical semester collaborating closely with the Manifold team. Lean AI approach to achieving production-scale business impact with data quickly and efficiently, visit http://www.manifold.ai Manifold is a full-service AI consulting company offering a complete range of AI engineering services, including machine learning, data science, data engineering, devops, cloud, and edge. We accelerate data roadmaps to create business value and positively impact lives. Contact: Julie Steele, Director of Marketing Manifold, Inc. 320 Nevada Street, Newton, MA 02460 (650) 646-5154 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/manifold-continues-momentum-with-new-office-additional-team-members-in-boston-metrowest-300736503.html SOURCE Manifold [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] QTS and Telxius Collaborate to Deliver Lowest Latency Connectivity to and from Europe and Latin America via the New High Capacity MAREA - BRUSA Subsea Cable Systems RICHMOND, Va. and MADRID, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Responding to increasing demand for high capacity and low latency connectivity to Europe and South America via the new MAREA BRUSA sea cables, QTS Realty Trust (NYSE: QTS), a leading provider of hybrid colocation and mega-scale data center solutions, and Telxius, the infrastructure company of the Telefonica Group, today announced that Telxius has established a key point of presence in QTS' Richmond mega data center. MAREA and BRUSA are two of the highest capacity, lowest latency subsea cable systems ever built. MAREA is a Telxius joint project with Facebook and Microsoft. It has reached 200 terabits per second (Tbps) of ultrahigh transmission capacity that keeps growing and is the highest capacity subsea cable system across the Atlantic connecting Virginia (US) and Sopelana (Spain). BRUSA is a private cable built by Telxius and offers one of the lowest latency communication links between the U.S. and Brazil. Together, these cables provide state-of-the-art connectivity to enable the development of next generation cloud services and content distribution to and from European and Latin American markets. The cables terminate in the U.S. directly into the new Virginia Beach Cable Landing Station (VBCLS) located in Telxius' Virginia Beach distribution hub. Telxius is responsible for the operation of the MAREA & BRUSA cables and leverages its IP, capacity, colocation and security services through it, and extends the backhaul capacity via a high availability multi-homed point of presence in QTS' Richmond mega data center. QTS Richmond is the closest Tier 3 designed data center to the MAREA and BRUSA next-generation VBCLS enabling QTS to provide enterprises and hyperscalers with the highest on-net capacity and lowest latency for the entire MAREA BRUSA cable system. In addition, QTS' mega data centers in Richmond and Ashburn, Va. feature diverse connectivity for cloud and hybrid colocation including carrier-neutral cloud interconnection (Megaport and PacketFabric), multiple fiber routes, third party neutral internet peering exchanges and direct access to leading cloud ecosystems. This is particularly strategic for international organizations looking for the best route to and from Richmond and other markets with QTS data centers. Richmond continues to be an attractive destination for enterprises, including Bank of America's recently expanded operations in Henrico County and Facebook's construction of a two million square foot data center adjacent to QTS in White Oak Technology Park. "The Virginia Beach Cable Landing Station has catapulted Richmond as a destination for enterprises and hyperscalers seeking access to and savings from these ultra-high capacity and low latency international cable systems," said Chad Williams, CEO. "Telxius' presence in our Richmond mega data center combined with direct fiber routes to our new Ashburn data center, establishes QTS as the nexus for high performance hybrid colocation and hyperscale solutions." QTS' mega scale Richmond data center encompasses a 1.3 million square foot facility on a 220-acre campus. The existing facility features more than 500,000 square feet of raised floor capacity which provides a wide range of IT infrastructure services including significant capacity optimized for hyperscale and hybrid colocation. "We are very pleased to establish Telxius' presence in QTS' mega-scale Richmond data center as it creates numerous business possibilities for enterprises and hyperscalers with international interests," said Guillermo Canete, Senior Network Planning Director, Telxius. "We aim at effectively connecting BRUSA and MAREA to the main data centers in the world and this Tier 3 data center space, the closest of its kind to the MAREA and BRUSA landing station in Virginia Beach fits in perfectly with our plans." QTS recently opened its new mega data center in Ashburn, Va. The new facility is the first three-story data center in Ashburn and features approximately 180,000 square feet of data center space, 12 column free data halls, and up to 32 megawatts of critical power optimized for enterprise, hyperscale, and build-to-suit solutions. About QTS QTS Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: QTS) is a leading provider of data center solutions across a diverse footprint spanning more than 6 million square feet of owned mega scale data center space throughout North America. Through its software-defined data center platform, QTS is able to deliver secure, compliant infrastructure solutions, robust connectivity and premium customer service to leading hyperscale technology companies, enterprises, and government entities. Visit QTS at www.qtsdatacenters.com, call toll-free 877.QTS.DATA or follow on Twitter @DataCenters_QTS. About Telxius Telxius is the telecommunication infrastructure company of the Telefonica Group managing a unique combination of towers and an international network of high capacity fiber optic submarine cables. As specialists in telecommunication infrastructure, we aim at enabling the best communication for our customers. Telxius offers advanced services on its 87,000 km international network which consists of ten high capacity submarine fibre optic cables, including two of the highest capacity systems in the world, MAREA and BRUSA, both already open for business. For more information on Telxius, we invite you to visit www.telxius.com Media Contacts: Carter B. Cromley (703) 861-7245 carter.cromley@qtsdatacenters.com Conchi Gutierrez comunicacion@telxius.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qts-and-telxius-collaborate-to-deliver-lowest-latency-connectivity-to-and-from-europe-and-latin-america-via-the-new-high-capacity-marea--brusa-subsea-cable-systems-300736466.html SOURCE QTS Realty Trust, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Blackstone Energy Partners Announces Acquisition of Ulterra Drilling Technologies from American Securities Blackstone Energy Partners announced today that it has entered into binding agreements to acquire a controlling, majority interest in Ulterra Drilling Technologies ("Ulterra" or the "Company") from affiliates of American Securities LLC. American Securities and certain members of management will retain a minority equity interest in the Company going forward. Financial terms were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close prior to year-end 2018. Ulterra is the largest pure-play, independent supplier of polycrystalline diamond compact ("PDC") drill bits to the oil and gas industry. The Company is one of the fastest growing PDC drill bit manufacturers, having more than doubled total revenue since 2016. Ulterra currently has a leading position in many of the most active U.S. onshore oil and gas basins, including the Permian and Eagle Ford (News - Alert) , and has a growing presence internationally. Ulterra's singular focus on PDC drilling technology allows it to deliver the highest level of customer service and customization to producers across a wide range of basins and geological formations, driving industry leading performance and durability. The Company is led by a best-in-class management team who will continue in their current roles going forward, including Chief Executive Officer, John Clunan, and Chief Financial Officer, Maria Mejia, who are joined by a dedicated workforce of more than 600 employees worldwide. "We are very excited about having Blackstone as a partner as we enter the next phase of growth. Blackstone's in-depth knowledge of the energy markets through their upstream and midstream companies will provide valuable insight for Ulterra. We are also excited to have American Securities continue their involvement with the company. This new team will enable the continued expansion for our people, our culture, and our partners," said John Clunan. From Blackstone Energy Partners "Drill bits are a mission-critical downhole consumable product, which are poised to benefit from drilling activity, particularly in the most economic oil and gas plays in North America. Ulterra is well-positioned to serve producers in these plays given its portfolio of premium PDC drill bits that deliver best-in-class performance and reliability. We look forward to partnering with American Securities nd the Ulterra team as the Company enters this next phase of growth. We believe that high-quality equipment manufacturers such as Ulterra will continue to represent attractive investment opportunities, including potential add-on acquisitions for Ulterra, or new standalone opportunities in oil field services and equipment," said Eric Liaw, Senior Managing Director of Blackstone Energy Partners. From American Securities "During our partnership, John and the talented Ulterra management team have established Ulterra as a market leader through their best-in-class products and focus on customer service," said Kevin Penn, a Managing Director of American Securities. "We continue to believe in Ulterra and are excited to remain equity holders in the Company alongside the management team and Blackstone to pursue Ulterra's next phase of growth," added Michael Sand, a Managing Director of American Securities. Kirkland & Ellis served as legal counsel to Blackstone. Barclays served as financial advisor to Blackstone. Simmons & Company International, Energy Specialists of Piper Jaffray and Wells Fargo (News - Alert) Securities, LLC acted as financial advisors to American Securities and Ulterra. Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP acted as legal counsel to American Securities and Ulterra. About Ulterra Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, Ulterra is a leading manufacturer of PDC drill bits to the oil and gas sector. The Company has nearly 250,000 square feet of engineering, manufacturing and service space in Fort Worth, Texas, Leduc, Alberta in Canada and global locations in Oman, Colombia, Argentina, Kurdistan, and is soon to open in Saudi Arabia. With locations all throughout the United States, Canada, and international, Ulterra's field service locations are conveniently located near the drilling activity to provide direct support for your drilling operations. For more information, please visit www.ulterra.com About Blackstone Energy Partners Blackstone Energy Partners is Blackstone's energy-focused private equity business, with a successful record built on our industry expertise and partnerships with exceptional management teams. Blackstone has invested or committed over $16 billion of equity globally across a broad range of sectors within the energy industry. Blackstone is one of the world's leading investment firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our asset management businesses, with $457 billion in assets under management, include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter (News - Alert) @Blackstone. About American Securities Based in New York with an office in Shanghai, American Securities is a leading U.S. private equity firm that invests in market-leading North American companies with annual revenues generally ranging from $200 million to $2 billion and/or $50 million to $250 million of EBITDA. American Securities and its affiliates have approximately $23 billion under management. For more information, visit www.american-securities.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023006111/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Knowles Commits $250,000 for Women in Engineering Knowles Corporation (NYSE: KN), a market leader and global provider of advanced micro-acoustic, audio processing, and precision device solutions, today announced it has committed $250,000 to the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Engineering to support female engineering students. Knowles' donation is vital to creating positive and enriching environments for students to discover potential career paths in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023006138/en/ Knowles UIC Student Summer Program 2018 (Photo: Business Wire) "As a technology pioneer, Knowles recognizes that STEM disciplines are at the heart of our business and an integral part of the future of communication technology," said Jeffrey Niew, president and CEO of Knowles. "Our collaboration with the UIC College of Engineering, which began in 2014, is a natural way for us to support the development of young women and the skills needed to have a rewarding career." The $250,000 donation will help fund: Scholarships: High-achieving incoming female freshman STEM students are eligible for UIC's College of Engineering Society of Women Engineers-Knowles Scholarships. Having strong financial resources is critical to attracting and retaining high-performing women students. UIC's Women in Engineering Summer Program (WIESP): The multi-week, intensive program exposes 25-30 junior and senior level high school students to various engineering fields. The course focuses on engineering concepts, robotics and spatial competencies. Each year, Knowles hosts the program's students at its corporate headquarters in Itasca for a day of hands-on learning about careers in engineering. Beyond the financial commitment to UIC, Knowles and the College are exploring opportunities for Knowles' engineers to help shape a curriculum and present engineering topics to the WIESP students. Niew is the Chairman of the College's Advisory Board and has mentored and spoken with UIC engineering students on several occasions. Knowles' engineers and employees frequently speak to university students across the Midwest about engineering and potential careers paths. For more information about Knowles' commitment to gender diversity in engineering careers, visit www.knowles.com/womeninengineering. About Knowles Corporation Knowles Corporation (NYSE: KN) is a market leader and global provider of advanced micro-acoustic, audio processing, and precision device solutions, serving the mobile consumer electronics, communications, medical, military, aerospace, and industrial markets. Knowles uses its leading position in MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) microphones and strong capabilities in audio processing technologies to optimize audio systems and improve the user experience in mobile, ear, and IoT applications. Knowles is also the leader in acoustic components used in hearing aids and has a strong position in high-end capacitors. Knowles' focus on the customer, combined with unique technology, proprietary manufacturing techniques, rigorous testing and global scale, enables it to deliver innovative solutions that optimize the user experience. Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, Knowles has employees in 11 countries around the world. For more information, visit knowles.com. About University of Illinois at Chicago UIC ranks among the nation's leading research universities and is Chicago's largest university with more than 31,500 students, nearly 2,000 faculty members, 15 colleges and the state's major public medical center. UIC was ranked in 2018 by The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education as #7 in the United States for best value, a designation given to universities that provide an excellent education for their net cost. A hallmark of the campus is the Great Cities Commitment, through which UIC faculty, students and staff engage with community, corporate, foundation and government partners to improve the quality of life in metropolitan areas around the world. For more information about UIC, please visit www.uic.edu. About University of Illinois at Chicago College of Engineering The College of Engineering is home to more than 3,700 undergraduate and 1,400 graduate students, offering undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees in six departments as well as an online master's degree and a master's of energy engineering degree. Its 176 faculty members include 40 National Science Foundation CAREER award winners, 81 fellows of national and international professional societies, and 75 recipients of campus teaching awards. In addition to field-specific research, faculty conduct interdisciplinary research in biotechnology, nanotechnology, information technology, cyber security, infrastructure, and energy/environmental technology. Currently, more than $90 million of research grants are in force. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023006138/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Memorial Healthcare System Taps ezCarePoint to Provide Instant Online Financing for Patients' Out-of-Pocket Medical Costs Patients at facilities run by South Florida's Memorial Healthcare System (MHS), one of the nation's largest public healthcare systems, can now easily and quickly finance their out-of-pocket medical fees online, thanks to a new program powered by ezCarePoint, a next generation medical financing technology platform created by ezVerify, a Sunrise, Fla. based company and LendingPoint, a Kennesaw, Ga. based company. After creating a profile and logging into the MHS website experience, patients for the first time will have at their fingertips the ability to understand the financial obligations associated with their medical care through a detailed statement and then apply for a loan to cover the portion of the cost that is their responsibility. Patients will be notified of approvals in a matter of seconds. Funds from the loan automatically pay the entire bill upfront, and the patient repays on the schedule supplied in the offer. "Allowing the patient to understand the financial obligations for their medical procedures in a stress-free, private environment is key -- especially during a time when people should be focused on their health," said Matthew Muhart, Executive Vice President of MHS. "ezCarePoint, is a simple, transparent solution that helps make medical care more affordable to everyone. Transparency in healthcare costs is long overdue." ezCarePoint debuted last year as a joint venture between the online loan platform LendingPoint and ezVerify, a technology company that offers health insurance verification and validation. ezCarePoint provides critical transparency in medical billing and patient obligations to both the patient and the medical facility. The service assesses and provides financing for patient copay, deductible and out-of-pocket costs at point of medical care, providing flexible payment plans and loans to cover medical costs that patients may otherwise struggle to afford - all in an easy to navigate and understand user experience. "ezCarePoint is committed to providing affordable financing to people exactly when they need it, and there's no more important time than when someone is faced with an unexpected medical bill," said Dr. Gerald Glas, CEO of ezVerify and Tom Burnside, CEO of LendingPoint, in a joint statement. "The ezCarePoint technology we developed together ensures patients understand their financial obligations and can pay medical bills in a way that is realistic for their pocketbooks." Memorial Healthcare System is one of the largest public healthcare systems in the country and is a national leader in quality care and patient satisfaction. Its facilities include Memorial Regional Hospital, Memorial Regional Hospital South, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Memorial Hospital West, Memorial Hospital Miramar, Memorial Hospital Pembroke and Memorial Manor nursing home. The system received the following recognitions: Modern Healthcare magazine's "Best Place to Work in Healthcare," Florida Trend's "Florida's Best Companies to Work For," and Becker's Hospital Review's "150 Great Places to Work in Healthcare." For more information, visit mhs.net. About ezVerify ezVerify's revolutionary health insurance verification and validation proprietary technology enables patients and their healthcare providers to obtain real-time, accurate information regarding co-insurance, deductibles, in- and out-of-network benefits, co-payments and more. This technology enables patients to understand and plan for their financial responsibilities regarding treatment, and providers to receive payment or make arrangements for payment with patients in advance of healthcare services being provided. With all of the changes, confusion and disruption in the health insurance landscape resulting from healthcare reform, ezVerify is transforming the healthcare industry by empowering patients and providers nationwide with access to real-time, transparent, accurate insurance coverage information. It is a privately held company headquartered in Sunrise, Fla. To more information, visit www.ezVerify.com. About LendingPoint LendingPoint is a Fintech lending platform that offers personal loans and point-of-sale financing. The company is creating a better lending and borrowing experience by looking for more reasons to say "yes" -- helping consumers across the credit spectrum unlock access to affordable loans. Its LendingPoint Merchant Solutions platform provides merchants and other service providers a fully integrated, one-stop retail financing solution to convert more customers at the point of sale. LendingPoint was named in 2018 one of the nation's best consumer loan companies by U.S. News & World Report, one of the Best Personal Loans by NerdWallet, the fastest-growing private company in metro Atlanta by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, and one of the Top Workplaces by the Atlanta Journal Constitution. It is a privately held company headquartered in Kennesaw, Ga., with offices in San Diego. For more information, visit www.lendingpoint.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023006140/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Jacobs Names Executives for Company Strategy, Innovation and Information Technology to Extend Differentiated Leadership and Profitable Growth DALLAS, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (NYSE:JEC) announced three key executive appointments to expand high-margin growth in an evolving professional services sector, including Marietta Hannigan, chief strategy and communications officer; Darren Kraabel, chief technology and innovation officer; and Madhuri Andrews, chief information officer. "Two years ago, we embarked on a strategy to strengthen our culture, transform the core of our business and expand profitable growth. Since then, we have outperformed that strategy on several measures of value creation, including the integration of our largest, most transformative acquisition last year, and significant, further portfolio reshaping focusing on higher-margin growth with the pending sale of the ECR business," said Jacobs Chairman and CEO Steve Demetriou. "Now we are naming three pivotal positions to take the company further, by reshaping Jacobs' strategy and portfolio to profit from technology and innovation focused on advanced facilities, infrastructure and government services." Marietta Hannigan has been promoted to the new position of chief strategy and communications officer to lead the development, articulation and execution of Jacobs' brand leadership, corporate strategy and portfolio transformation to capitalize on attractive, non-traditional growth opportunities playing to Jacobs' unique strengths, that ultimately expand the company's capacity for superior value creation. Darren Kraabel has been promoted to the new role of chief technology and innovation officer, leading a new corporate function driving the company's transformation into an innovative, data-driven provider, building on the catalyst of Jacobs' connected enterprise solutions strategy, which addresses clients' highest-priority needs associated with urbanization, resource scarcity, security and widening workforce gaps. Capitalizing on Jacobs' deep knowledge of client applications and broad-based experience delivering smart-enabled, sustainable management approaches, including analytics, networking and cybersecurity solutions, Kraabel will work across business lines to leverage investment, development and extension of the company's unique thought leadership and deep client-domain experience in emergent technologies and broad-based applications to deliver mutual value creation. Madhuri Andrews has joined Jacobs as chief information officer to lead the development of the company's IT organization and systems as key enablers of efficiency and innovation. In this role, she will the optimize the company's data architecture and platforms as a competitive advantage to enhance agility and operational excellence with seamless, mobile collaboration throughout Jacobs' global supply chain. "In addition to their breadth and depth of experience, all three of these executives possess the ideal combination of proficiency, ingenuity and passion to help Jacobs realize its fulest potential in differentiated leadership and profitable growth," Demetriou added. About Marietta Hannigan Since joining Jacobs in 1999 via the acquisition of Sverdrup Corporation, Hannigan has played a leading role on the company's most significant mergers, acquisitions and integration efforts. She most recently served as senior vice president of growth and sales for Jacobs' Buildings, Infrastructure and Advanced Facilities business, and before that, served as senior vice president of the Sales Center of Excellence; senior vice president of global outside sales; and vice president of global inside sales in the Americas, U.K., Europe, Middle East, India and Asia Pacific. She also was vice president of design operations for Jacobs' U.S. Federal Civilian sector. Hannigan is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. About Darren Kraabel Kraabel previously served as senior vice president and general manager of mission solutions for Jacobs' Aerospace, Technology, Environment and Nuclear business, where he was responsible for delivering solutions focused on information technology, cybersecurity, and intelligence analysis for clients in defense and intelligence. He also provided business development leadership to grow Jacobs' global portfolio of technology-driven solutions. Prior to joining Jacobs, Kraabel served a distinguished, 10-year career with the U.S. Air Force. He earned his Bachelor of Science in engineering mechanics, with both Academic and Military Distinction, from the United States Air Force Academy, and a Master of Science in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. About Madhuri Andrews Andrews brings more than 20 years of experience leading IT transformation and global digital strategies at previous companies, including DynCorp International and Trinity Industries. A recent recipient of Dallas Business Journal's Women in Technology Award, Andrews earned a BS in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering from Northrop University in Los Angeles, and a BS in Mathematics from St. Stephens College, Delhi University, India. She also has completed the Management Challenge continuing education program at the University of Texas Graduate School of Business in Austin. Jacobs leads the global professional services sector delivering solutions for a more connected, sustainable world. With $15 billion in fiscal 2017 revenue when combined with full-year CH2M revenues and a talent force of more than 77,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of services including scientific, technical, professional and construction- and program-management for business, industrial, commercial, government and infrastructure sectors. For more information, visit www.jacobs.com, and connect with Jacobs on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Statements made in this release that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking statements on management's current estimates and expectations as well as currently available competitive, financial and economic data. Forward-looking statements, however, are inherently uncertain. There are a variety of factors that could cause business results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. For a description of some of the factors which may occur that could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements please refer to our Form 10-K for the year ended September 29, 2017, and in particular the discussions contained under Items 1 - Business, 1A - Risk Factors, 3 - Legal Proceedings, and 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements made herein. Jacobs Contacts Investors: Jonathan Doros, 817-239-3457 jonathan.doros@jacobs.com Media: Lorrie Paul Crum, 303-525-2916 lorrie.crum@jacobs.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jacobs-names-executives-for-company-strategy-innovation-and-information-technology-to-extend-differentiated-leadership-and-profitable-growth-300736557.html SOURCE Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [October 23, 2018] Entravision to Host John H. Cox, California Candidate for Governor, on Community Forum "Informate, VotaYA" with Broadcasts on its TV Station and Noticias Ya Platform Serving the San Diego Market SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- WHAT: Entravision Communications Corporation (NYSE: EVC), a diversified global media and advertising technology company serving Latino consumers, will host a community forum "Informate, VotaYA" in San Diego, CA, on Tuesday, October 23rd at 6:00pm PST on its Univision San Diego affiliate. The forum will feature John H. Cox, Republican candidate in the 2018 gubernatorial election. The 30-minute broadcast will include questions from moderators, Claudia Rodriguez and Sergio Urquidi, along with reporters, and the community of San Diego. In the week leading up to the event the local community has been encouraged to posts questions for Mr. Cox. The event is being co-sponsored with The Latino Legislative Round Table and will include questions from its founder Luis Alvarado. "It's exciting to have the opportunity to broadcast this San Diego community forum. We have a strong local news presence in the San Diego market and our ability to work with The Latino Legislative Round Table to make this event happen highlights our commitment to the local community and the election process. The live television broadcast and streaming on our Noticias Ya platform allows us to connect with our audience across traditional and digital media," said Luisa Collins, Entravision's Vice President of News, Social Affairs and Wellness. The forum will be moderated by Claudia Rodriguez and Sergio Urquidi and will also include questions from Luis Alvarado. The topics that will be discussed include: poverty, homelessness, housing, immigration, and the USMCA Trade Agreement. Claudia Rodriguez began her career as a reporter and news anchor in Mexico. She has been a part of the Univision San Diego broadcast team since 1995 and is a proven news anchor, which is highlighted by her eight Emmy Awards. Sergio Urquidi is Univision San Diego's 6pm news anchor with accomplishments including an Emmy Award and Golden Mike Award. Before moving to San Diego in 2017, he was lead anchor for Univision Arizona Daily Newscast. Luis Alvardo is a veteran Latino political expert and frequently quoted on national news programs. Mr. Alvarado has served as deputy press secretary for the California Republican Party and in senior advisor roles to Meg Whitman for Governor, Mike Villines for Insurance Commissioner, and a number of State Senate Congressional races. Lt. Governor Gavin Newson was also invited to participate in the forum, but declined the invitation due to a scheduling conflict. WHEN: Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 6:00-6:30pm PST WHERE: Univision San Diego Channel 17, NoticiasYa San Diego FB Page, and NoticiasYa.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/entravision-to-host-john-h-cox-california-candidate-for-governor-on-community-forum-informate-votaya-with-broadcasts-on-its-tv-station-and-noticias-ya-platform-serving-the-san-diego-market-300736577.html SOURCE Entravision [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Sports Minister Who Fought the 2003 Olympic Committee Over Transgenders Applauds Trump's Decision MADISON, Oct. 23, 2018 / From there, the LGBT movement spread rapidly to state high school teams, the NCAA, NFL, NBA, MLB, and the military. McConkey has fought this LGBT agenda every step of the way. Recently, the International Olympic Committee decided to make it tougher for transgender and intersex athletes to compete. They lowered the testosterone levels to five nanomoles instead of ten. After a Monday report said his administration is considering defining gender as male or female based on genitalia at birth, President Trump said he aims to protect the country. The move would remove the recognition and special protections for transgender people under U.S. civil rights laws promoted by President Obama. About 1.4 million U.S. adults identify as transgender, according to a 2016 estimate by the Williams Institute. "We applaud the Trump administration for trying to bring common sense to the transgender issue," states McConkey. "The LGBT agenda has weakened the moral fabric of the United States. People are fearful to speak up, but we must define what is right and wrong. "Morality is legislated every day, either for good or bad. Our children are growing up in a world that is in direct opposition to the Bible. The United States will not continue to exist if we do not get back to Judeo-Christian moral standards." Steve McConkey is the president of 4 WINDS USA, a ministry that stands up for Christian athletes. He regularly appears on worldwide radio and is frequently quoted in global articles. Steve has a Master of Science-Public Health from Western Kentucky University with honors and a BS-Public Health from Minnesota State University, Mankato with honors. Steve and his wife started in world-class track and field ministries in 1981 and began standing up for all athletes in 2014. Share Tweet Contact: 4 Winds USA , 608-469-7956MADISON, Oct. 23, 2018 / Christian Newswire / -- Steve McConkey is the founder and president of 4 Winds USA, a ministry standing up for Christian athletes. In 2003, McConkey started fighting the International Olympic Committee for allowing transgenders in the Olympics. He was the only one who stood against this publicly.From there, the LGBT movement spread rapidly to state high school teams, the NCAA, NFL, NBA, MLB, and the military. McConkey has fought this LGBT agenda every step of the way.Recently, the International Olympic Committee decided to make it tougher for transgender and intersex athletes to compete. They lowered the testosterone levels to five nanomoles instead of ten.After a Monday report said his administration is considering defining gender as male or female based on genitalia at birth, President Trump said he aims to protect the country.The move would remove the recognition and special protections for transgender people under U.S. civil rights laws promoted by President Obama. About 1.4 million U.S. adults identify as transgender, according to a 2016 estimate by the Williams Institute."We applaud the Trump administration for trying to bring common sense to the transgender issue," states McConkey. "The LGBT agenda has weakened the moral fabric of the United States. People are fearful to speak up, but we must define what is right and wrong."Morality is legislated every day, either for good or bad. Our children are growing up in a world that is in direct opposition to the Bible. The United States will not continue to exist if we do not get back to Judeo-Christian moral standards."Steve McConkey is the president of 4 WINDS USA, a ministry that stands up for Christian athletes. He regularly appears on worldwide radio and is frequently quoted in global articles. Steve has a Master of Science-Public Health from Western Kentucky University with honors and a BS-Public Health from Minnesota State University, Mankato with honors. Steve and his wife started in world-class track and field ministries in 1981 and began standing up for all athletes in 2014. 4WindsUSA.com EASA Approves AerTrak ADS-B Out System for Boeing 737 NG Series Aircraft AerSale, a global supplier of mid-life aircraft, engines, used serviceable material, and MRO services, announced today that the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has approved the company's AerTrak ADS-B Out system on Boeing (News - Alert) 737 NG series aircraft (10065422). Earlier this year, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved AerTrak for Boeing 737 NG series aircraft (ST04009NY) and Boeing 757-200 series aircraft (ST04011NY) to comply with the FAA's Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Operations rule. The Boeing 757-200 series aircraft Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) is now pending EASA and National Civil Aviaion Agency of Brazil (ANAC) validation. "With this validation, we demonstrate our commitment to our European customer base," said Iso Nezaj, Chief Technical Officer at AerSale. "Operators can now choose a fully-compliant ADS-B Out system visible to all-with no certification fees. We're working to expand AerTrak to cover additional aircraft types and look forward to making those announcements in the coming months." ADS-B provides enhanced navigational accuracy using precise tracking via global positioning satellite (GPS) signals. Reducing risk and improving safety, the technology increases navigational coverage, especially in remote areas beyond radar range. Additionally, ADS-B enables more direct flight plans, thereby saving time, costs, and reducing emissions. This technology enhances situational awareness for Air Traffic Control of aircraft with ADS-B Out capabilities and is mandated by the FAA effective January 2020, followed by EASA in June 2020. AerTrak kits include all necessary parts and can be installed by AerSale's technicians at any hangar around the world, typically requiring only three days of ground time. Lead time for ordering AerTrak is currently four weeks and allows operators to avoid potential installation facility backlogs, component shortages, and price premiums as the 2020 compliance deadline nears. About AerSale A global aviation leader, AerSale specializes in the sale, lease, and exchange of used aircraft, engines, and components, in addition to providing a broad range of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services and engineering services for commercial aircraft and components. AerSale also offers asset management services to owners of end-of-life aircraft and engine portfolios. Headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida, AerSale maintains offices and operations in the United States, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit our website at www.aersale.com or contact AerSale Media Relations by calling (305) 764-3200 or via e-mail at media.relations@aersale.com. Follow us on: LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023006197/en/ 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. The iPhone XR delivers fast performance, great cameras and longer battery life than other flagship phones, all in a colorful and affordable package. The iPhone XR delivers fast performance, great cameras and longer battery life than other flagship phones, all in a colorful and affordable package. Update: The iPhone XR has officially been discontinued by Apple but the iPhone 11 is a very good alternative at $499. Some carriers and retailers are still stocking the iPhone XR for now and it can be had for a lower price. The iPhone XR remains a good buy if you're looking for an iPhone under $500. You get a roomy 6.1-inch display, swift performance from Apple's A12 Bionic processor and good camera quality in a colorful design. Most important, the price is a very reasonable $499. There are some features you don't get here with the iPhone XR, such as a Night mode for the camera, 5G or an OLED display. If you can handle a smaller phone, the 4.7-inch iPhone SE is even cheaper while offering a faster processor. But based on my iPhone XR review, Apple's big-screen phone is worth buying for those on a budget. Some may want to wait for the iPhone 13 to see what Apple has to offer this fall, but those phones will likely have a much more premium price. The iPhone XR gives you pretty much everything you could want in an affordable phone with minimal trade-offs. iPhone XR review cheat sheet: What you need to know With a price drop to $499, the iPhone XR is one of the better smart phone values. The 6.1-inch LCD is big, bright and colorful, though OLED screens offer better blacks and wider viewing angles. The single rear camera offers excellent performance and impressive portraits, but the newer iPhones offers better low-light performance. Apple's A12 Bionic chip delivers fast performance that will satisfy most people. The iPhone XR offers nearly 11.5 hours of battery life, which is among the longest lasting phones. iPhone XR tech specs Price $599/629 OS iOS 13 CPU A12 Bionic RAM 3GB Storage 64GB, 128GB, 256GB Display 6.1-inch LCD (1792 x 828) Rear Camera 12-MP (f/1.8) Front Camera 7-MP (f/2.2) Colors White, Black, Red, Coral, Blue, Yellow Battery Life 11 hours 26 minutes Size 5.9 x 3.0 x 0.3 inches Weight 6.8 ounces The iPhone XR went on sale Oct. 26, 2018. It now starts at $499 for 64GB of storage, and it's available through Apple and all of the major U.S. carriers, including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon. You can also buy the iPhone XR through US Cellular and Xfinity, as well as through retailers such as Best Buy and Sam's Club. iPhone XR review: Design If you think most iPhones look too conservative, the iPhone XR will change your mind. Apple achieved a look that's fun yet elegant via a seven-layer color process. The glass backs are available in black, white, blue, yellow, coral and red. I'm partial to the cerulean blue. All of these hues have color-matched aluminum bands, which blend together with the back seamlessly. I've also been spending some time with the yellow and coral models. The yellow isn't as bright as the photos would have you believe; it's more of a lemony yellow. Again, as a phone snob, I can't help but notice that the bezels are slightly thicker on the iPhone XR than on the iPhone XS, but typical users won't care. The TrueDepth camera is up front, along with the notch, to help you log in via Face ID, as well as have fun with Animoji and Memoji and capture portrait selfies. If you'll allow me to geek out for a moment, OLED screens are much easier to manipulate than LCDs, so it's a pretty impressive feat that Apple was able to deliver a near full-screen design on the LCD-based iPhone XR that curves toward the edges. Apple pulled this off through a combination of precision milling, advanced pixel masking and subpixel anti-aliasing. That means that the very edges of the screen that look like bezels are actually part of the display and are made to look black. iPhone XR review: Durability In terms of ruggedness, the front of the iPhone XR has the same durable glass as the iPhone XS, but the back is not as tough, so you may want to get an iPhone XR case. The iPhone XR is IP67 water-resistant, which means it can withstand 1 meter of water for 30 minutes, compared to 2 meters for the same amount of time for the IP68-rated iPhone XS. If you need to repair a cracked screen on the iPhone XR, it costs $199/196.44 if you don't have AppleCare+. It costs $29/25 if you do pay for AppleCare+ service, which for the iPhone XR is $149/149. iPhone XR review: Size I've been switching between the 5.8-inch iPhone XS and the 6.5-inch iPhone XS Max over the last month, so the 6.1-inch iPhone XR feels just right to me. It's big enough to deliver the immersive experience smartphone buyers want these days for Netflix bingeing, Instagramming and gaming, but it's not so big that it's unwieldy. iPhone XR (left) and iPhone 8 (right) The design will take some adjustment for those stepping up from a puny, 4.7-inch iPhone 7 but not those stepping up from an iPhone 7 Plus. That's because Apple squeezed a bigger display into a design about the same size as the iPhone 7 Plus by banishing the Home button. As you might expect, the iPhone XR's size and weight (6.8 ounces, 5.9 x 3 x 0.3 inches) is in between that of the iPhone XS (6.2 ounces, 5.7 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches) and that of the XS Max (7.3 ounces, 6.2 x 3.1 x 0.3 inches). Google's Pixel 3 XL (6.5 ounces, 6.2 x 3 x 0.3 inches), with its 6.3-inch screen, is a bit lighter but noticeably taller than the iPhone XR. It's worth noting that the Galaxy S10e delivers a colorful design in a more compact package, as it sports a smaller 5.8-inch display. iPhone XR review: Display The iPhone XR's 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD is one of the brighter and more colorful smartphone displays out there. It's just not OLED-great. On the plus side, the 1792 x 828-pixel screen delivered excellent detail when I watched the trailer for Aquaman, as I could make out every scale in his superhero uniform. (Yes, even though this panel is not technically full HD.) And the laser beams being shot at Amber Heard were an intense blue. This LCD fared well in our lab tests as well. It registered an excellent 589 nits of brightness, and I had no trouble reading this screen in direct sunlight. That number blows away the Pixel 3 XL's 362 nits. The iPhone XS (606 nits) and Galaxy Note 9 (604 nits) are even brighter, though. The Galaxy S10e hit 603 nits. The iPhone XR's screen registered a good 123.4 percent of the sRGB color gamut, which is on par with the iPhone XS's result (123 percent) but is behind showings from the Pixel 3 XL (170.2 percent) and Galaxy Note 9 (224 percent). The Galaxy S10e registered 148 percent. The color accuracy is great, too, as the iPhone XR turned in a Delta-E score of 0.28 (0 is perfect). That beats results from the Pixel 3 XL (0.35) and Note 9 (0.34) and is comparable to the iPhone XS' showing (0.25). The Galaxy S10e was behind at 0.57. What you don't get on the iPhone XR's screen are the perfect blacks and ultrawide viewing angles that OLED displays offer. I noticed the difference when I put the iPhone XR and iPhone XS side by side with an aquarium screen saver. The OLED panel is just more vibrant, and blacks can look more gray on an LCD. iPhone XR review: No 3D Touch an issue? The iPhone XR's display doesn't offer 3D Touch capability like the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max do, which means you can't long-press on apps on the home screen to reveal shortcuts. But the XR does support what's called Haptic Touch, which delivers haptic feedback and a lot of the same functionality. So, instead of deep-pressing to launch the camera from the lock screen, you long-press with a soft touch. And instead of pressing hard anywhere on the keyboard to control the cursor while you're typing, you just long-press gently on the space bar. This change took some getting used to for me after I'd been using 3D Touch-capable phones, but overall, I don't think most iPhone owners will notice the difference between Haptic Touch and 3D Touch. iPhone XR review: Audio With wider stereo sound, the iPhone XR's dual speakers delivered excellent audio quality when streaming Post Malone's "Better Now." The vocals and instruments were rich and full, so good that my family told me to keep it down. More importantly, there's a true volume boost over the iPhone X, which I appreciated when getting turn-by-turn directions via Google Maps while I was driving. I could even hear the directions over my car stereo played at moderate volume. iPhone XR review: Cameras If you're worried that the single-lens iPhone XR won't capture photos that are as good as those from the dual-lens iPhone XS and XS Max, you can stop worrying now. This phone has the same stellar wide-angle camera sensor as its pricier siblings and the same Smart HDR functionality, which delivers better highlights in the shadows. You can even shoot Portrait mode shots with the rear lens, complete with artistic bokeh effect, but there's a catch: For now, the back camera can snap Portraits only of people, and if you try something else, the iPhone will tell you that it's waiting for a person to enter the frame. The Pixel 3 doesn't have that limitation. The good news is that the iPhone XR's people portraits look pretty convincing. Plus, the iOS 12.1 update lets you tweak the depth control in your portraits in real-time preview as you shoot, not just after the fact. Take this shot of my colleague Sherri. The street scene to her left is artfully blurred, and yet the edges of her jacket look crisp. The iPhone XR's camera delivered good results in uneven sunlight, though the left side of Sherri's face could be brighter. Just keep in mind that because the iPhone XR doesn't have a telephoto lens like the iPhone XS has, your results will look more zoomed out than they would on Apple's dual-camera phones. How about food? The iPhone XR took a more appetizing shot of this dessert than the Pixel 3 did. The raspberry on top is much brighter on the iPhone's photo, and the chocolate topper is more in focus. When shooting pink flowers, the iPhone XR's camera delivered less of a gradient in the color than the Galaxy Note 9 did, so I actually preferred the results from Samsung's phone. The Pixel 3 outperformed the iPhone XR on this shot of a lion in bright sunlight. There's more contrast in the Pixel 3's shot, and the shadows don't get lost. There's also a bit of lens flare in the iPhone XR's photo. Because the iPhone XR lacks the 2x optical zoom of the iPhone XS Max, I took this shot of the facade of the New York Public Library with the XR's digital zoom. As it turns out, the iPhone XR's image looks pretty sharp, though the text on the iPhone XS Max's photo is more defined and has better contrast when you zoom in further. Same thing goes for the stone figures to the left. To test low-light performance we took the iPhone XR and Pixel 3 XL into our video studio and shut off all the lights, leaving just a bit of light coming in from the hallway. The iPhone XR captured a brighter shot, making the Cappy hat, Unicorn Meat tin and white water bottle more visible. The Pixel 3 XLs image was dimmer with more noise. The 7-MP front camera did an excellent job taking selfies. There's good detail in my blue-and-red checkered shirt, as well as in my hair, and the lamp post and street in the background are artfully blurred. Just as with the iPhone XS, you can tweak the depth effect and change lighting effects, although the Contour Light option made me look like I was wearing makeup. MORE: Pixel 3 vs. iPhone XS Camera Face-Off: Why Google Wins Apple is also issuing a bug fix in iOS 12. 1 that can result in selfies with a so-called skin smoothing effect. According to The Verge, this was because the iPhone XR's and iPhone XS' Smart HDR feature was selecting the wrong base frame for the shot. iPhone XR review: Performance No surprise here: The A12 Bionic processor in the iPhone XR is just as fast as those in the iPhone XS and XS Max, which means you're getting a phone that beats the best Android flagships for hundreds of dollars less. I enjoyed silky-smooth performance when playing the augmented reality puzzle game AR Blast, which has you shoot colored blocks in front of you. Plus, other people can join in on the AR action for multiplayer fun, something you can't do on Android (at least not yet). On Geekbench 4, which measures overall performance, the iPhone XR scored 11,312, which is comparable to the scores from the iPhone XS Max (11,515) and iPhone XS (11,420). That beats scores from the Galaxy Note 9 (8,876) and OnePlus 6 (9,088) and blows past the Pixel 3 XL's result (7,684). The Galaxy S10e, which has a fast Snapdragon 855 processor, scored 10,513 on Geekbench 4. The iPhone XR also excelled in our video-editing test, taking just 40 seconds to convert a 4K clip to 1080p. That's only a second behind the iPhone XS and way faster than the Pixel 3 XL (2:42), Galaxy S9+ (2:32) and OnePlus 6 (3:45). The Galaxy S10e finished in 2:26. On 3DMark's Slingshot Extreme Unlimited test, which evaluates graphics performance, the iPhone XR notched 4,416. The Pixel 3 XL was just a bit behind, at 4,396, but the Galaxy Note 9 reached a higher 4,639. The iPhone XR pulled ahead in everyday tasks like opening apps, too. For example, it took the phone 12.3 seconds to open the Tekken fighting game, compared to 21 seconds for the PIxel 3 XL. The gap was a lot narrower on the Asphalt 9 racing game, with the iPhone taking 4.98 seconds to the Pixel 3 XL's 6.4 seconds. While the iPhone XR doesn't support the fastest Gigabit LTE network standard that the iPhone XS and XS Max do, it delivered excellent data rates in our testing. On the Speedtet.net app, the iPhone XR averaged 58.4-Mbps downloads, compared to 58.2-Mbps down for the iPhone XS. However, the iPhone XS offered about double the upload speeds, at 25.4 Mbps versus 12.87 Mbps for the XR. iPhone XR battery life One of the best reasons to choose the iPhone XR over the iPhone XS Max and XS is longer battery life. On the Tom's Guide Battery Test, which involves continuous web surfing at 150 nits of screen brightness, the iPhone XR lasted 11 hours and 26 minutes. That beats the times from the iPhone XS Max (10:38) and iPhone XS (9:41) by a significant margin. The Pixel 3 XL lasted only 9:30, while the Galaxy Note 9 also endured for 11:26. The Galaxy S10e endured for 9:41. In everyday use the iPhone XR's endurance also impressed. After unplugging at 100 percent at 7 a.m., I used the phone intermittently to play games, check Facebook and email, and stream Spotify and capture photos and videos, and I still have 24 percent battery left at 9 p.m. Unfortunately, Apple once again doesnt offer fast USB-C charging on this phone. Youll have to pay about $50/50 for a USB-C charger and USB-C to Lightning adapter if you want to get to 50 percent in 30 minutes. The iPhone XR does support wireless charging. iPhone XR review: iOS 14 The iPhone XR runs iOS 14. The top features of iOS 14 include widgets on the home screen to give you more info at a glance, as well as App Library for automatically organizing your apps. Other enhancements include compact incoming call notifications (so they don't take over your whole screen, picture in picture, pinned conversations in Messages, a Translate app and more. iPhone XR vs iPhone 11 The iPhone XR remains a good value, but there are reasons to consider stepping up to the iPhone 11. The iPhone 11 has a more durable design with tougher glass and a faster A13 Bionic processor, but the biggest reason to opt for the iPhone 11 over the iPhone XR is its new camera system. The iPhone 11's camera takes much better pictures in low light and has a sophisticated Night Mode that takes stellar shots. On the other hand, the iPhone 11 starts at $599, so if you want to keep the price low on your next phone the $499 iPhone XR is still a good buy. For more info see our iPhone XR vs iPhone 11 face-off. iPhone XR vs iPhone SE 2020 Our iPhone SE vs iPhone XR face-off has more details, but here's the gist if you're on the fence between these two phones. The cheaper $399 iPhone SE is faster, thanks to its A13 Bionic processor, and that same chip enables several photography features, including Portrait mode for the rear and front cameras and Smart HDR. The iPhone XR makes due with an older A12 Bionic chip. On the other hand, the iPhone XR has a larger display than the iPhone SE (6.1 inches vs 4.7 inches), longer battery life and Face ID. The iPhone SE uses a Touch ID sensor. iPhone XR review: Verdict The iPhone XR has shockingly few trade-offs compared to pricier iPhones. You get a big and bright display, very good cameras, fast performance and long battery life for a very affordable price. Overall, we prefer the newer iPhone 12 because of its better cameras, OLED display and 5G, but if you're on a budget you should be very happy with the iPhone XR. A tougher choice is between the $499 iPhone XR and even cheaper $399 iPhone SE 2020. The iPhone XR offers a larger screen and Face ID, but the new iPhone SE has a faster A13 Bionic chip and better cameras in a more compact design. See our iPhone XR vs iPhone SE face-off for more info. Some may want to wait to see if Apple launches a new iPhone SE 3, but that's apparently not being launched this year. And while the iPhone 13 is on the way this fall, we expect prices to continue to start at $799. Overall, the iPhone XR is one of the best iPhones out there if you don't want to pay a flagship premium. Credit: Tom's Guide The Trump administration may be making a move toward redefining gender. That's according to a recent New York Times report, which explained that the new definition would limit gender to strictly male or female, a "biological, immutable condition determined by genitalia at birth." Kansas City Cave Arson??? Illegal fires reported in area of underground fire Click here to view this video from kctv5.com. Show-Me No Consequences??? Report: Hawley investigation into Greitens' use of messaging app 'limited' Senate candidate Josh Hawley's role in the investigation of former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens is back in the news. The New York Times published a report saying Hawley's investigation into the former governor's use of a secret messaging app was "limited." Police Want Conversation With This Local Scholar Police looking for person possibly connected to July killing of KC honor student KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Kansas City, Missouri police are looking for a person possibly connected to the killing of an 18-year-old man earlier this year. Detectives announced Monday that they would like to speak with Ertayveon Frazier regarding the July homicide of Antonio Jones. Kansas City Felony Farter Revealed Kansas City man who farted in police interview pleads guilty | The Kansas City Star A man whose flatulence-filled police interview was memorialized in court documents pleaded guilty Monday to federal gun and drug charges. Sean A. Sykes Jr., 25, was charged last year in U.S. District Court in Kansas City with possession with intent to sell cocaine, heroin and marijuana, and with being a felon in possession of three firearms, two of which were reported stolen. Quick peek at all of the important news links tonight . . .And this is thefor right now . . . This was in the to-do list for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles ever since the companys new CEO, Mike Manley, filled the shoes of the late Sergio Marchionne. Now, the company has sold its component unit, Magneti Marelli, to Calsonic Kansei Corporation for 6.2 billion, which is approximately $7.2 Billion at current exchange rates. Fiat Chrysler was looking to dispose it off for quite some time now The Magneti Marelli Deal in Detail FCA signed a deal with one of Japans leading component suppliers, Calsonic Kansei Corporation, to sell Magneti Marelli for over $7 Billion. Given the companys reputation in the market, Calsonic Kansei Corporation will not be changing the name, but instead adding CK Holdings to call it Magneti Marelli CK Holdings. Post acquisition, the companys expected annual turnover will be 15.2 Billion, or approximately $17.5 Billion. This makes the Japanese company the seventh largest automotive component supplier in the world with around 200 facilities and R&D centers in Europe, Asia, and America. Calsonic Kansei Corporations chief, Beda Bolzenius, will serve as CEO of the merged entity. Magneti Marellis CEO, Ermanno Ferrari, will be joining the new board. FCA will still continue to work with Magnetti Marelli, which has been part of FCA since 1967. The Italian group has announced a multi-year supply agreement to continue buying parts from Magneti Marelli, especially in Italy. However, the deal wont be Mopar in any way. What They Had To Say Speaking about the deal, Bolzenius said, Our industry has gone through fierce change in recent years, and the phase to come will be even more dynamic. It is exciting to form a strong platform for Calsonic Kansei and Magneti Marelli to work together and create a competitive automotive supplier which is extremely well placed among the global Top Ten. Together, we will benefit from complementary geographic footprints and product lines, while our respective customers will benefit from an increased investment in people, processes and innovative new products. FCAs CEO, Mike Manley, said, Having carefully examined a range of options to enable Magneti Marelli to express its full potential in the next phase of its development, this combination with Calsonic Kansei has emerged as an ideal opportunity to accelerate Magneti Marellis future growth for the benefit of its customers and its outstanding people. The combined business will continue to be among FCAs most important business partners, and we would like to see that relationship grow even further in the future. The transaction also recognises the full strategic value of Magneti Marelli and is another important step in our relentless focus on value creation. Final Thoughts It was quite surprising to see FCA wanting to wash its hands free of Magneti Marelli, given that it was running profitably. The winner in this deal would be the buyer because this has not just made the Japanese company the seventh biggest supplier in the world but also increases its footprint. Share your thoughts on this deal in the comments section below. The Taycan sedan will be revealed sometime in 2019 and hit the market in 2020, so the Taycan crossover should debut sometime after the turn of the decade. It wont differ too much from the concept, featuring mainly detail changes, but the same overall body and design. Some details, like the mirrors, the roof, and the rear light cluster will be different, as weve seen on Taycan sedan prototypes that are currently undergoing testing. Porsche is set to launch a crossover-styled version of the Taycan. It will be based on the Mission E Cross Turismo, will be more off-road-worthy, and will be the third official model in the Taycan range. Exterior The Taycan Sport Turismo Cross (not its actual name, but theres a good chance it may be called that) will essentially be a jacked up version of the Taycan Sport Turismo (the wagon variant) with body cladding and a more rugged appearance. Porsches Mission E Cross Turismo concept actually looked like a very close-to-production concept straight from the motor show floor where it debuted. Most of it could just be put into production as is, although Porsche will simplify some design elements before it does. The front end will most likely remain the same, but with a number plate, and maybe without those daytime running lights that protrude from the leading edge of the hood. The mirrors will also be different in the production version, and if it does use body cladding like that of the concept, it will be modified to be made more practical - what the concept has would probably get filled with mud and dirt ten seconds after departing tarmac. The light bar running across the back will also probably be different, although we cant see from the camouflaged sedan prototype what the exact design will be like - but it will look closer to that of the Cayenne and Panamera models than it does to the concept. Interior The concepts interior was much less production-ready than the exterior, featuring no fewer than four screens inside, a center console with absolutely no buttons (not even for the hazards), and dashboard shapes that would not really be feasible for a production car. But if you take one look at the inside of a current Panamera model, you will have a better understanding of how the interior of the Taycan range of vehicle will turn out like. Drivetrain Porsche will most likely use a one motor per axle setup, with one driving the front wheels and the other the rears. Combined output is expected to exceed 600 metric horsepower (or 592 horsepower) which should allow it to sprint to 100 km/h or 62 mph in under 3.5 seconds. Estimated range at the moment is 500 km (or 310 miles) but it may increase by the time the raised Taycan reaches production some two or three years from now. Pricing The Taycan sedan is expected to cost from around $80,000, but the crossover-style wagon will probably be more expensive and also be offered with most of the optional extras already fitted to further bump up its price - it will most likely cost in excess of $100,000. Competition Mercedes recently unveiled the actual production version of its EQC high-riding all-electric car. Unlike the Taycan Cross which is a raised wagon with plastic body cladding, the EQC is an actual SUV very similar in look and dimensions to the current Mercedes GLC model. It wont be as quick as the Porsche, but it will probably cost around the same and offer a more cavernous and practical interior since it is a taller overall vehicle, but it will have a bit less range. The EQC will start reaching showrooms in Europe next year and US showrooms in 2020. Read our full review on the 2019 Mercedes EQC The first and still the most well known high-riding electric vehicle is the Tesla Model X which is a very interesting SUV offering. It has a simple yet very effective design and the rear falcon wing doors are both spectacular to look at in action and also genuinely useful in most situations. It also packs a lot of performance, and theres a chance its most potent version will still outaccelerate most of these new contenders from the segment. It too costs in excess of $100,000, so it will be a direct rival to the high-riding Taycan. Read our full review on the 2019 Tesla Model X Final Thoughts Porsche was only planning to launch the Taycan as a sedan and touring model, but since the Geneva motor show concept was so well received and attracted a lot of positive feedback the manufacturer gave it the green light. It wont sell as well as the two main models and will probably be more expensive than them, so it will be a rarer sight on the street. If Porsche retains the motor show studys high ground clearance, then it could also prove quite good off-road, although it will probably ride lower in production form. Love it An all-electric Porsche wagon you can go rallying in Unique proposition Very cool and rugged look Leave it High price Not as quick as a Tesla Further Reading Read our full review on the 2020 Porsche Taycan. Read our full review on the 2018 Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo Concept. Read our full review on the 2015 Porsche Mission E Concept. The first ordinary session of the fifth Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament kicked off officially on Monday, 22 October 2018 at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda, where legislators from across the continent convened to dissect matters pertaining to the continents progress. Held under the theme, Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africas Transformation, the first ordinary session of the Pan-African Parliament received a keynote address from Rwandas President Paul Kagame, who doubles as the Chairperson of the African Union. In his address, President Paul Kagame called on Pan-African legislators to ensure the speedy ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) by member states. I ask for your support for a speedy ratification of the AfCFTA, the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, and other key pillars of Agenda 2063. The entry into force of these historic compacts will do more than almost anything else to accelerate economic growth and shatter outdated perceptions of our continent. We cannot afford to squander the momentum we have gained, President Kagame said. He added: We need your help to communicate more effectively with constituents and stakeholders in civil society about the importance of these agreements for the well-being of our citizens and our economies. The AfCFTA which was signed by 48 African states in July is the worlds largest bloc, boasting a combined population of more than one billion people and a combined gross domestic product of more than US$3.4 trillion. Once ratified, the AfCFTA is estimated to bring about long-term gains of about US$16 billion annually to Africa through the elimination of tariffs, free movement of people and goods across the continent. The AU Chairperson further noted that the African Union is a healthier and more financially independent body than it was before, having slashed its annual budget by 14 percent and having more member states contributed their share of funds. Important changes are underway on our continent, and in the wider world, and we have to be ready to meet them. Working together is the only way to give Africas position the weight it should have in the wider geopolitical context, President Kagame said. We must meet the imperative of good governance with innovations and solutions drawn from Africas rich experiences and cultures, even as we remain open to benefiting from the best global insights. President of the Pan-African Parliament, Hon. Roger Nkodo Dang, told the assembly that fighting corruption across the continent must be paramount for regional integration to work. Illicit financial aided by corruption are responsible for capital flight from Africa of up to $50 billion, he said. Corruption is a challenge that we should all be concerned about. It is up to us as legislators to work hard and fight against this evil that leads to poverty and underdevelopment. Speakers of parliaments of the Congo, Djibouti, Gabon, Mozambique, Tanzania, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) as well the director of the Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light (HWPL) presented messages of solidarity. The speakers also unanimously hailed Rwandas Louise Mushikiwabo for her successful election to the position of Secretary General of the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF). They said that Ms Mushikiwabos election represents a unified and stronger Africa that is taking centre-stage on global issues. The Pan-African Parliament also swore in 16 new members from countries that include Chad, Comoros, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe. President Kagame addresses the First Ordinary Session of the 5th Pan-African Parliament I want to wish a good morning to all of you, and a very warm welcome to Kigali. We are honoured to serve as host for the First Ordinary Session of the Fifth Parliament. Please consider Rwanda as your home during the weeks ahead. I hope that your busy schedule will allow you to get to know our country and our people. I wish to thank you for the work that you do. The Pan-African Parliament serves as a point of connection joining Africas legislators, and the citizens they represent, to the African Union Organs. I therefore commend the breadth of your agenda for this session, including a model law on disability, a conference on womens rights, as well as substantive reports on nutrition, corruption, election observation, and the African Peer Review Mechanism. The impact of your work in this body is multiplied by your dual role as members of your respective national legislatures. We count on you to be strong advocates for African integration. More specifically, I would like to ask for your support for the speedy ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, and other key pillars of Agenda 2063. The entry into force of these historic compacts will do more than almost anything else to accelerate economic growth and shatter outdated perceptions of our continent. We cannot afford to squander the momentum we have gained. But we need your help to communicate more effectively with constituents and stakeholders in civil society about the importance of these agreements for the well-being of our citizens and our economies. Let me say a few more words about the state of Africa and the African Union. Important changes are underway on our continent, and in the wider world, and we have to be ready to meet them. It is about getting our house in order, doing what is right for our people, and speaking with one voice to advance Africas interests. Working together is the only way to give Africas position the weight it should have in the wider geopolitical context. At the same time, illusions of moral hierarchy that divided continents and peoples are crumbling rapidly, as we have been seeing. Responsibility for Africas security and prosperity is, and should be, firmly in our hands. We must meet the imperative of good governance with innovations and solutions drawn from Africas rich experiences and cultures, even as we remain open to benefiting from the best global insights. This reality is the background to the financial and institutional reform of the African Union that has been underway for the last few years. As a result, our Union is stronger than ever. Next years budget is 12 per cent smaller, while the share of funds supplied by Member States has significantly increased. Contributions to the Peace Fund are running at the highest level since its creation in 1993, allowing Africa and our partners to push for an ambitious new partnership with the United Nations that will provide stable funding for peace support operations. Next month, we will convene in Addis Ababa for an Extraordinary Summit to finalise implementation of the institutional reform, where we have also seen good progress this year. We very much welcome your active participation and engagement in this process. You are much more than interested observers. I would like to take this opportunity to call on the Pan-African Parliament to play a bigger role in monitoring and accompanying political progress on our continent and holding institutions to account for the commitments that have been made to Africas citizens. Excellencies, Honourable Members of the Pan-African Parliament, I wish you productive deliberations and I thank you for your kind attention. Treehugger 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 Treehugger.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) The city of Scottsdale, Arizona, is best known as a hotbed of well-heeled leisure pursuits a place where upscale spa resorts and immaculately coiffed golf courses dominate the surprisingly lush landscape of the northern Sonoran Desert. (Also, somewhat inexplicably, there's a very large aquarium.) Phoenix-neighboring Scottsdale is also a bona fide destination for architecture lovers due to the presence of Taliesin West, the late-career studio and snowbird retreat of pioneering 20th century American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. A trip to the Valley of the Sun, however, is no longer required to tour the fabled 620-acre desert property thanks to the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, which is headquartered at Taliesin West, and Swiss digital surveying firm Leica Geosystems. Using an advanced 3D imaging laser scanner, the foundation and Leica have developed an immersive virtual walk-through tour of Taliesin West that's tailored to armchair tourists and anyone who might have future travel plans to Scottsdale but are hankering for a sneak peek before experiencing the real deal. (More than 100,000 annual visitors make the pilgrimage to Taliesin West.) "True to our mission, the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation is dedicated to preserving Taliesin and Taliesin West for future generations. Through our partnership with Leica Geosystems, we're able to carry out our mission, and Wright's vision into the future, by making Taliesin West available to the world so it can experience his ideas, architecture and design in new ways," says Stuart Graff, president and CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, in a press release. Per the foundation, there are plans to generate digital self-guided tours of additional iconic Wright-designed buildings through the partnership, dubbed the Frank Lloyd Wright 3D Laboratory or simply 3D Lab. Next up for scanning will be Taliesin, Wright's thrice-rebuilt primary studio and summer home in rural Sauk County, Wisconsin. Taliesin and Taliesin West both listed as National Historic Landmarks also serve as dual campuses for the Taliesin School of Architecture (formerly the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture), a graduate program for apprentice architects dating back to 1932. Self-guided tours for everyone Describing Taliesin and Taliesin West as "unfinished works" when compared to "complete" iconic Wright designs that were originally commissioned by private clients, Graff elaborates in a promotional video (embedded below) as to why immersive virtual tours are so crucial at these two particular properties, particularly when it comes to accessibility ... or the lack thereof: "Despite the over 110,000 visitors that come here to Taliesin West every year, there are many more people that would like to come but don't get the chance whether that's because of distance, because of accessibility challenges or because a desert camp, which Taliesin West was formed to be, is not the most friendly for mobility challenged members of our public." He adds: "All of these buildings were built as experimental buildings. They were constructed over time, sometimes without even plans." Translation: Taliesin and Taliesin West aren't the most accessible places for everyone. Open year-round and offering a variety of ticketed tours that range from 90 minutes to three hours long, Taliesin West is inherently hobbled by accessibility issues. The sprawling property is terraced into the foothills of the McDowell Mountains with few considerations made for modern day accessibility standards. The foundation does make this clear to potential visitors, noting that while there are some narrow ramps, the complex is largely dominated by gravel walkways, stairs and uneven surfaces. Spread across over 600 acres, Taliesin West features lush desert gardens and sculptures designed by Wright himself in addition its main studio and residential buildings. (Photo: David Silverman/flickr) The push to preserve an 'extremely complicated building' While providing highly detailed virtual tours of Taliesin West that "allow visitors to roam from room-to-room, walk the gardens, and zoom in on the expansive collection of sculptures that adorn the property," is certainly a huge deal, the preservation-aiding aspect of the 3D Lab initiative cannot be underestimated. The foundation provides more detail into the technology at play: The Leica BLK360 was used to capture the property. It is the world's smallest, fastest and most simple to use 3D imaging laser scanner. The BLK360 provides the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation with data in two ways. The first is the 360o spherical imagery that feeds the visual immersive experience. The second comes in the form of a point cloud, a dimensionally accurate laser reproduction of the property that can be used for the Foundation's preservation efforts. The point cloud can even be loaded in popular CAD and BIM software for highly accurate renovations and careful design changes should the need arise. As mentioned by Graff, Wright and his students constructed Taliesin West in somewhat of an ad-hoc manner using desert rocks and other natural, locally sourced materials additions were made and alterations were executed often without the benefit of proper blueprints. As such, the compound, which dates back to 1937 and is where Wright designed some of his most famous creations such as Manhattan's Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, can be viewed as a perpetual work-in-progress. And while this all makes for a fascinating and enigmatic work of architecture, it presents a challenge to preservationists 80-some years later. "Taliesin West is an extremely complicated building," Fred Prozzillo, the foundation's vice president of preservation, recently explained to Quartz. "Everything is handmade, everything is custom, everything is designed with the environment." The high-accuracy digital models captured through the 3D Lab project make the job of Prozzillo and his colleagues much easier. A view of Taliesin West's living quarters, which, along with the entire historic Arizona compound, are now open for virtual tours via the Frank Lloyd Wright 3D Lab. (Photo: InSapphoWeTrust/flickr) "It's one of the most important architectural sites in the U.S., if not the world," elaborates Prozzillo in the promo video. "We really need accurate drawings and data to be able to understand the building and then make correct decisions on how to preserve and care for it." While no doubt impressive, one does wonder if the obsessive and notoriously ill-tempered "godfather of organic architecture" would have embraced emerging technology like 3D architectural scanning and virtual reality. Graff thinks he would. "Experimentation, innovation is at the heart of Frank Lloyd Wright's 70-year career," he tells Quartz. "What's possible is the credo his work." Cutting-edge tech has been used to preserve and restore other Wright-designed structures including the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel (1941), a concrete "textile block" structure on the campus of Florida Southern College home to the world's largest single-site collection of Wright buildings that was recently restored with the aid of 3D printing technology. Graff also notes that the legacy of Wright, who died in 1959 at the age of 91 following a prolific and often scandal-plagued career, is now more important than ever as contemporary architects strive to leave the lightest ecological footprint possible with their own designs. "More than an architect of buildings, Wright was an architect of ideas whose time has come now with great urgency as we face great challenges to sustainability," he says. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form shalender@tribune.com Vijay C Roy Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 23 Basmati from Punjab and Haryana is being sold up to Rs 3,700 per quintal, about a 30 per cent jump in its price over the previous marketing season, after a team of overseas buyers visited farms in the region and found pesticide residue in the crop within the limit. Exporters said basmati rates have surged 25-30 per cent, depending on the variety, in various mandis. While PUSA-1509, a variety of basmati, is sold at Rs 2,900-3,200 per quintal, PUSA-1121 is selling around Rs 3,600-3,700. The rate of another popular variety, PB-1, is hovering between Rs 3,400 and Rs 3,500 per quintal. Basmati growers are getting remunerative prices for their produce this year. Many reasons are attributed to it such as an export order 1 lakh tonnes by four private firms. Besides, many exporters, who have opted for contract farming with local peasants, are offering premium to the farmers for their crop, All India Rice Exporters Association president Vijay Setia said. Fourteen companies have entered into contract farming with farmers of these two states, he said. The total sown area under the contract farming in the two states is around 50,000 acres. Favourable weather conditions, barring a few districts, have been also cited as one of the reasons behind handsome returns to the farmers. The campaign against pesticide use by exporters and the state government has also boosted confidence of the overseas buyers, Punjab Agriculture Secretary KS Pannu said. Last year, several export consignments of basmati were rejected by the US, the EU and Saudi Arabia because of high pesticide residue. To restrict chemical use and regain importers confidence, Indian exporters and the state governments had launched campaigns for pesticide-free basmati this season. The Punjab Rice Millers & Exporters Association is also satisfied with the basmati quality. Pannu said a team of the US Food and Drug Administration recently visited the paddy-growing areas of the region and was impressed with results of the pesticide-free basmati campaign launched by the Punjab government. A team from the EU also visited Punjab last week. We requested it to relax its standards of residue limits. Ideally, it should be comparable to the limits set by the US and Japan, he said. The maximum residue limit of the US and Japan are 3 parts per million and 5 ppm for tricyclazole (pesticide). The EU's prescribed limit is, however, 1 ppm, which is impossible to meet, he said. shalender@tribune.com Mumbai, October 23 Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty fell for the fourth session in a row to hit their over six-month low levels, dragged by IT and pharma stocks as concerns over the rupee fall, global trade war tiff and geo-political tensions resurfaced. The BSE index ended 287.15 points lower at 33,847.23 the weakest closing since April 10, when the 30-share gauge had settled at 33,880.25. Similarly, the NSE Nifty dropped 98.45 points to end at 10,146.80 its lowest closing since April 4. Meanwhile, the rupee depreciated to 73.82 (intra-day) against the US dollar, which too had a negative influence. It bounced back from the days low level to settle almost flat at 73.57. Geo-political concerns over death of a Saudi journalist, Brexit and likely breach in Italys budget also kept investors cautious. Profit booking in IT and pharmaceuticals stocks dragged the indices lower on Tuesday. These two sectors were holding their ground recently while overall markets corrected. Investors choose to book some profits here as the tailwinds of the depreciating currency are slowing, said VK Sharma, Head PCG & Capital Markets Group, HDFC Securities. The overall market sentiment remained weak largely in sync with other Asian markets, tracking overnight losses at the Wall Street as caution grew ahead of a slew of earnings reports this week, brokers said. On a net basis, foreign portfolio investors sold shares of Rs 511.91 crore on Monday, while domestic institutional investors bought shares worth Rs 303.21 crore, as per provisional data. PTI editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 23 Four theft incidents, including a daylight burglary at a house in Sector 27 from where thieves decamped with Rs 40,000, $1,100 and other valuables, have been reported from the city. According to the police, the complainant, Manjit Singh, a resident of Sector 27, reported that he had his wife had gone to get their grandson from the school yesterday. The complainant left the house around 11.55 am and returned after an hour. On returning, he found Rs 40,000, $1,100, jewellery, three passports, five Aadhaar cards, five PAN cards, a driving licence and voter cards stolen from his house on October 22. A case has been registered at the Sector 26 police station. In another incident, a woman, Priyanka Sharma, reported that three unidentified women stole her bag containing gold jewellery from a shop in Sector 37, where she had gone to purchase shoes for her children yesterday. Sources said the complainant, a resident of Delhi, had arrived at her parents' house in Sector 38 (West) to attend a function. She went for shopping yesterday, when her bag, which was kept on a sofa in the shop, was stolen. According to the complainant, the bag contained six gold bangles, two gold necklaces and two earrings. The police were informed, who registered a case at the Sector 39 police station. The third theft incident was reported from a house in Sector 46. The complainant, Anshul Sharma, reported that an LED and a laptop were stolen from his house between October 18 and 22. A case has been registered at the Sector 34 police station. The fourth theft was reported from the Sampark Centre, Mauli Jagran, from where an LED and a data card were stolen on the intervening night of October 20 and 21. A case has been registered at the Mauli Jagran police station. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 23 Almost a week after a Sub-Inspector (SI) of the UT police was booked on a charge of raping a Mumbai-based model, the police have dismissed him from service. SI Naveen Kumar, against whom a case was registered at the Sector 31 police station, is at large. The victim came in contact with the suspect earlier this year after she filed a cheating complaint against a city youth alleging that he had fraudulently withdrawn Rs 12 lakh from her account. The complaint was marked to the cyber cell of the UT police for investigation. SI Naveen Kumar, who was then posted in the cyber cell, investigated the complaint following which a case was registered against the suspect, Rahul, a resident of Dhanas. Rahul had approached the victim through Facebook on the pretext of providing her modelling assignments and later allegedly duped her of Rs 12 lakh. Police sources said since Naveen was investigating the case, he became friends with the victim and allegedly raped her in a hotel. The victim recently submitted a complaint against the SI to the UT police following which the police probed the matter and registered a case against him. SI Naveen Kumar, who was also the investigating officer in the multi-crore Bitcoin scam, was transferred from the cyber cell to the Police Lines, Sector 26, in July this year following corruption allegations against him. Though the police had stated that the transfers were made on administrative grounds, sources said there was a complaint against Naveen due to which he was transferred. editorial@tribune.com Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 23 The Punjab and Haryana High Court has upheld an order passed by the Central Administrative Tribunal, whereby the benefit of the General Provident Fund-cum-old pension scheme was extended to PGI doctors working uninterruptedly in different departments before January 1, 2004. The doctors were earlier appointed on an ad hoc basis against regular sanctioned posts and continued after the regular selection without a break. The CAT ruled that the doctors appointed assistant professors in the PGI against regular sanctioned posts possessed all qualifications and experience to be appointed on a regular basis and performed the same duties. The doctors earned all regular increments and were extended benefits of housing and medical care on a par with the regular employees. The doctors were, subsequently, appointed on a regular basis from 2005 to 2011. The regular appointments were done maintaining continuity. Even their pay, along with past increments, was protected and carried forward. The doctors, however, agitated against wrongful denial of the benefit of the old pension scheme by the Central Government, despite recommendations in their favour by the PGI governing body, headed by the Union Health Minister. It was noted that the delay in regular appointment by the PGI beyond January 1, 2004, was attributable to the PGI. It was on account of the time taken in the selection committee meeting, even though regular posts were advertised in 2003 before the new pension scheme came into effect. The new scheme, the doctors claimed, was only a contributory provident fund plan without the element of pension. Allowing the plea, the CAT ruled that the initial date of appointment would be relevant for purposes of coverage under the old pension scheme. In the case in hand, the old pension scheme was in existence. The CAT judgment was challenged by the Union of India before the High Court. Appearing for the PGI doctors, senior advocate Gurminder Singh and Harpriya Khaneka reiterated the factum of pay protection. The Bench was also told that continuity in service was granted to the doctors earlier appointed on an ad hoc basis against regular vacant posts. They, thereafter, continued on the same posts as regular employees upon selection following the issuance of an advertisement. Gurminder Singh further argued that the issue of delay in regular appointment beyond January 1, 2004, was attributable to the PGI. It was also argued that even the PGI rules envisaged the counting of service from the initial appointment for purposes of qualifying service. Were earlier appointed on an ad hoc basis The doctors were earlier appointed on an ad hoc basis against regular sanctioned posts and continued after the regular selection without a break. The CAT had ruled that the doctors appointed assistant professors in the PGI against regular sanctioned posts possessed all qualifications and experience to be appointed on a regular basis and performed the same duties. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 23 A day after an 18-year-old Class IX student was stabbed to death, the police today arrested the suspect. The police said the victim, Rajesh, a resident of New Indira Colony, Mani Majra, was allegedly stabbed by Shivam, alias Lefty (21), who escaped from the spot after the incident. The victim was stabbed with a knife in the chest and the stomach. The police said Shivam, a safai karamchari in a company at IT Park, was arrested from a forest area in New Indira Colony. The suspect had an altercation with the victim on October 13, following which he wanted to take revenge from him. The police said the suspect would be produced in the court tomorrow. Radhika Ramaseshan Radhika Ramaseshan Senior journalist GUJARAT has led the vanguard of emigration or out-migration from India, before other states such as Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu followed by example or compulsion. Dwijendra Tripathi, the business historian who chronicled the history of Gujarats trade and commercial links established over millennia, quoted a popular adage that if somebody had gone to Java in the years when trade between India and Southeast Asia flourished, be sure he would not return. If he did, he would come back with a bulging purse to see through several generations. Mahatma Gandhi exemplified Gujarats spirit of out-migration, when early on in his life, he set sail to South Africa to have a fighting chance at practising law after running out of luck in Mumbai. Of course, Gandhi was a rare Gujarati who went against the grain of a verse written by poet Ardeshar Khabardar Jyaan, jyaan vase ek Gujarati, tyaan, tyaan sadakal Gujarat (wherever one Gujarati settles, he creates a Gujarat there) because he was drawn back to India. The states history is replete with waves of emigration that were forced upon by economic and professional imperatives or spurred by a yen for adventure. Of the 190 sovereign nations listed by the UN, Gujaratis took up residence in 129 and constitute over 30 per cent of Indias diaspora in the US, UK, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The saga of emigration had a dark underside that was manifest in the exodus of several thousand Gujarati migrants from Uganda in 1972, when the former military ruler Idi Amin accused them of milking his countrys economy. Undeterred by the experience, many of them returned to Uganda later and became a pillar of its economy. In the sixties and early seventies those who sought refuge in Britain to escape repressive regimes in Africa got little respite because they were pushed to the wall by racial assaults, trying economic conditions and the imposition of stringent immigration laws. These circumstances pushed them to emigrate to Canada, the US and Australia, where they worked in sales, insurance and realty before foraying into the hospitality sector and becoming synonymous with Americas motel chains. The bitter-sweet experience on foreign shores was perhaps among the factors that made Indias Gujaratis remarkably tolerant, if not kind, towards migrants who came to their state, looking for work in the skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled spheres. Among them were the tribals from the districts of Rajasthan, bordering the state, who have been around for several decades. Starting off as daily wagers in the unorganised sector, the Rajasthani migrants earned enough to set up small businesses and become able entrepreneurs. Their place in industry and manufacturing was filled by the migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha. Indeed, Surats diamond industry is serviced almost entirely by Odishas migrants who constitute such a significant vote-bank that Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, whos from Odisha, had camped in the city to woo the community during the last Assembly elections. Gujaratis pride themselves on the fact that the migrants adopted their state as a second abode because it had peace and induced a sense of security that came with the ban on alcohol. The dream scenario, that was marketed like many other features of the state and acquired a patina of credibility because neighbouring Maharashtra has always had an uneasy equation with its migrants, was shattered in September. A child was raped allegedly by a migrant from Bihar, working in the Sabarkantha district. The episode sparked off a wave of attacks against the Bhaiyyas of UP and Bihar, and engendered a we-told-you-so sentiment, as if to warn the state government that if the inflow from the north was not stemmed, the lives of Gujarati women and children would be endangered. Unlike the Rajasthani migrants, now domiciled, who lived in the cities and larger towns, those from UP and Bihar went to small places and villages to take up work in micro units that the locals were unwilling to. Word spread that the migrants, who typically arrived without their families, were a menace to the women and should be shunned. So while the first wave of migrants from Rajasthan, who also came single, fairly integrated themselves with the locals, those from North India lived like castaways. The rape exacerbated the hostility towards them. Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor, who helms a caste outfit called the OBC Ekta Manch, dominated by the Thakore caste he belongs to, spoke out vociferously against the arrest of Thakore youths who allegedly assaulted migrants. His stance lent a caste dimension to the occurrence because he was perceived as filling a political vacuum in the powerful Thakore community that once boasted of leaders such as Shankersinh Vaghela and Bharatsinh Solanki of the Congress. The BJP has not nurtured a Thakore leader. Alpesh also accused the Vijay Rupani government of short-changing the locals of jobs. Touched to the quick, the CM announced he would bring in a law, mandating manufacturing and service sector entrepreneurs to hire 80 per cent of their workforce from the state. Gujarats present policy makes it incumbent on industrial units, benefitting from state incentives, to employ 85 per cent locals but this is not scrupulously followed because the local population is reportedly unwilling to do certain jobs or demands higher wages. Entrepreneurship has been a way of life with the Gujaratis. The recent agitations, spearheaded first by Hardik Patel who demanded reservation for the Patels in education and jobs, and now Alpesh, demonstrate a churn in the economic dynamics that is bound to impact Gujarats politics. ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM A RAPE case, an aggrieved nun, a powerful bishop, the death of a witness the trappings of a cheap thriller, only if it wasnt stark real. The 62-year-old Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, who dared depose against Bishop Franco Mulakkal two months ago in the rape case of a nun, has been found dead at his residence on the premises of a Dasuya church. The death of a crucial witness, the circumstances leading to it, and the timing, do raise suspicions, pending the postmortem report and detailed investigations. A few days earlier, on October 17, a spirited reception was accorded to Bishop Franco by the Jalandhar Diocese upon his return from Kerala on conditional bail. His supporters came out in droves; among them a large number of dutiful nuns. The current administrative Bishop went out of his way to make him comfortable, even offering him the Bishops chair. The Bishop House was slathered with happy posters; the road jammed as hundreds sang the Lords praise. There were garlands, a rain of rose petals, and a smiling Bishop Franco. Hallelujah! Such fervent outpourings and solidarity for a man who was in jail for over three weeks; a man not yet acquitted. It was an honour reserved for a hero, only he was no warrior returning from battlefield. For the sake of probity, in a case as delicate as this the outcome may have a ponderous bearing on the Catholic Church in India it was critical that the celebrations, if at all, were restrained, and away from the public eye; confined only to a handful who may have sworn undying allegiance. In cases, where the accused commands a powerful clout, there is always the sneaking fear that the case may be impacted. Deferential supporters may, in all such cases, influence or manipulate the truth. A man of God, who stuck his neck out for his version of the truth, is gone. Deliverance from evil is possible if justice and nothing but gospel truth is allowed to prevail. 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. editorial@tribune.com Sushil Manav Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 23 A court in Sirsa on Tuesday issued summons to five functionaries of the Dera Sacha Saudas Shah Satnam Multispecialty Hospital and a Karnal-based doctor under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act for running a skin bank without registration. Twenty-nine containers with human skins were recovered from the deras hospital during an inspection by a team of the Health Department on September 9 last year, days after the dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh had been convicted and sentenced to 20 years in jail for raping two of his followers. Acting on a complaint filed by Civil Surgeon Dr Gobind Gupta, the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Vijay James issued summons to Abhijeet Bhagat, chairman, Shah Satnam Development Foundation, a society that runs the hospital, Col OP Kashnia, chief operating officer of the foundation, Dr MP Singh, chief medical officer of the hospital, Dr Swapnil Garg, a plastic surgeon working there and Balbir Singh, an operation theatre technician. Summons had also been issued to Dr Rakesh Jindal, in charge of Balaji Hospital, Karnal, who purchased a skin graft from the skin bank. All six accused have been directed to appear before the court on December 14, the next date of hearing. The team recovered 29 plastic containers containing skin pieces of varying length and width which were found preserved. As per records of the hospital, 40 units of skin grafts were collected by the deras skin bank, but out of these eight grafts were discarded due to various infections to the diseased persons from whose bodies the skin grafts were removed. Dr Punit of the multispecialty hospital who joined the inspection informed the team that two grafts had been used for treatment of patients in the hospital and one was provided to Balaji Hospital, Karnal, for a patient. The hospital authorities could not produce any certificate of registration or a licence to run the skin bank, though they produced an application purportedly furnished to Sirsa DC and Civil Surgeon stating that such skin bank was opened in the hospital. Dr MP Singh is also facing trial in the Special CBI Court in Panchkula in case of castration of several sadhus of the dera. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Panchkula, October 23 To give a thrust to employment generation in the region, the Haryana Government has decided to construct a fruit and vegetable market at the HMT, Pinjore, at a cost of Rs 100 crore. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced this while addressing a gathering after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of various projects worth Rs 83 crore at Tau Devi Lal Stadium here on Tuesday. He said the project would be set up on the HMT land acquired by the state government. Khattar said they had made 176 promises to the people of Haryana before coming to power on October 26, 2014 and he was pleased to announced that they had already fulfilled 161 promises made to the people or were in the pipeline. Lashing out at the previous Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress government in the state for rampant corruption, Khattar said they had brought down the corruption from 51 per cent to 19 per cent. He said strict action would be taken against those who were found indulging in it. He also announced development projects worth Rs 234 crore for Panchkula district out of which Rs 176 crore would be spent on Kalka. The CM said his government would not befool the people by making false promises and added that they would promise only those projects for which the government had funds. He said the condition of village ponds was bad, especially Kurukshetra. He said a special ponds committee had been constituted, which would be assigned the duty of renovating and cleaning 14,000 ponds in the state. He said the state would do this to preserve water for future generations and these ponds would also help in recharging the ground water. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Dharamsala, October 23 Kangra DC Sandeep Kumar has ordered an inquiry into the death of nurse Rozy Thakur in Tanda medical college. The nurse, who was serving the Tanda medical college, sustained burn injuries on October 10 at her home. She was brought to the medical college where she succumbed to her injuries on October 20. SS Rana, president of the worker union at Tanda, said Rozy was admitted with burn injuries. It was on Saturday that her health started deteriorating. Despite repeated calls, no senior doctor came to attend her and she died. The staff were demanding an inquiry. Rajesh Chouhan, husband of the deceased, said his wife was admitted for almost 10 days but no senior staff member had come to ask about her well being. We approached doctors when her health deteriorated but a junior doctor. was sent to examine her. My wife died due to staff carelessness, he said. Principal of the medical college Dr Bhanu Awasthi said Rozy was admitted with 40 per cent burn injuries. Her condition deteriorated suddenly on Saturday and she died. The cause of the death would be known after post-mortem, he said. The DC passed the order for the inquiry as the protesting staff members said they would raise the issue before the President of India who is scheduled to visit the institute on October 29. Nurses and pharmacists alleged that Rozy died as she was not given proper medical treatment in the hospital. They also organised a protest, demanding an inquiry into the death and action against the erring medical officials yesterday. After efforts to placate the protesters failed, the DC ordered an inquiry into death which would be conducted by the ADC, Kangra. Kin blame doctors editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Dharamsala, October 23 Deputy Director, Agriculture, Chamba, Dharam Chand was suspended for not attending a meeting chaired by Shanta Kumar, BJP MP from Kangra, yesterday. The order for his suspension was issued last evening by Principal Secretary, agriculture, Onkar Sharma. The order said the deputy director had skipped a meeting to be chaired by Shanta Kumar without informing the authorities. He was neither on leave, nor had given any tour programme. Shanta Kumar, who chaired the meeting at Dharamsala today, said officers should be serious about the meetings held by political leaders. The meetings were held by MPs to review the progress of various development schemes being run under the aegis of the Union government. Another officer, who came under fire, was BDO, Fatehpur, Arvind Guleria. The officer was suspended today and posted at DRDA office in Dharamsala. Arvind Guleria was publicly scolded by Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Kishan Kapoor in Fatehpur on Saturday for being absent from his programme held to hear the grievances of people. The officer said he had attended the programme but gone to take medicines. He had met with an accident and recently joined duty. The video of the minister scolding the BDO went viral on social media. Later, the BDO, while talking to newsmen, said the minister should not have scolded him in public. He claimed that the minister could have marked inquiry or said anything to him in private. After the BDOs objection, he was put under suspension by the government. The action against the officers has been criticised by the Congress. CLP leader Mukesh Agnihotri said the public scolding of officials would demoralise them. BDO chided in public editorial@tribune.com Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service Shimla, October 23 The much-hyped heli-taxi service between Chandigarh and Shimla has come to a grinding halt with the unavailability of the state government-hired helicopter and there being no back-up plan in place to keep the service operational. It was on June 4 earlier this year that the Himachal Government had launched the heli-taxi service between Shimla and Chandigarh, which was now operational thrice a week. The heli taxi has not plied for more than a week now. The state government had hired a chopper from Pawan Hans, which has now remained grounded for one month due to mandatory service. The service, launched in association with Pawan Hans Ltd, was initially operating on Mondays and Fridays. The frequency was later increased to thrice a week. The fare for the 20-minute journey was fixed at Rs 2,999. The flight was taking off and landing at Jubbarhatti airport, near here. What is surprising is that despite the government being aware of the mandatory grounding of the MI-17 helicopter for one month for maintenance, there was no back-up plan. Though the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation had floated tenders for inviting operators to run the heli-taxi service these were cancelled on technical grounds. Sources in the department said that seven air operators had participated and sent in their bids for providing the service. The department had even held pre-bid meeting with these companies. However, later with the terms and conditions not being acceptable to them the tenders were called off. As such the heli-taxi services have been discontinued. Additional Chief Secretary Ram Subhag Singh said: It is true that the service is not running these days. We cannot rely on the state government chopper. I am in Delhi to hold talks with private operators so that the service can run smoothly. The discontinuation of the services has come at a time when the government was planning to launch the services from other towns like Manali and Dharamsala. The plan was to link these popular tourist towns with destinations like Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Jalandhar, from where a large number of tourists visit Himachal. Plans were also afoot to link most of the temple towns with heli-taxi services. Poor rail and air connectivity has been the biggest impediment in tourist promotion in Himachal. Having good air connectivity is a pre-requisite for attracting high-end tourists and barring the Gaggal airport in Kangra, the flight from Shimla have been unreliable and erratic. Plans under cloud editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Srinagar, October 23 Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said there had been a decline in the stone-throwing incidents and recruitment of militants during the past four months while several initiatives were being taken for the employment of youth in J&K. He also appealed to all political parties to participate in the panchayat elections. The Home Minister stated this after reviewing the security situation and developmental projects at a meeting held in the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) here today. Addressing a press conference at Nehru Guest House before returning to New Delhi this evening, the Home Minister said the Central and state governments were moving towards overall development of J&K. Rajnath said the recent civic elections were held in a fair and transparent manner and the state was making adequate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the panchayat elections beginning on November 17. The Home Minister said he had appealed to all political parties to participate in the panchayat elections for the overall development at the grass-roots level. He met five delegations, including those from major parties such as the National Conference, PDP, Congress, and the BJP. The delegations conveyed their stand on various issues, including the security scenario and civic elections in the state. I appealed to all parties to participate in the panchayat elections and those who are not participating in the democratic process are not doing any service to the people, he commented. On welfare initiatives, the Home Minister said a scheme to provide employment to more than 2.5 lakh youth was under process and the Home Ministry was also providing jobs to nearly 11,000 unemployed persons. Initiatives discussed: Rs 350 cr for Dal, jobs for youth To check rampant corruption, the J&K Government has taken an action plan, which will be announced soon Rs 350 cr approved for development of Dal Lake in Srinagar A scheme to provide jobs to more than 2.5 lakh youth is under process A detailed project report is being made for roads in border areas of Kargil, Drass, Machchil, Keran, Tangdhar and Gurez Talks, terror can't go together On talks with Pakistan, Rajnath Singh said: "Our Government is making all efforts to improve the situation in the state. We are not hesitating over talks, but talks and terrorism (sponsored by Pakistan) cannot go together" Rs 5 lakh for kin of Kulgam vcitims Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the civilian killings in the explosion after an encounter in Kulgam were "unfortunate". "We are pained I express my heartfelt condolences to the (bereaved) families," he said. The Home Minister also announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of each of the deceased amansharma@tribunemail.com Srinagar, October 23 The Centre is ready to hold talks with anyone, including Pakistan but terror and dialogue can never go together, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here on Tuesday. Singh, who met representatives of various political parties in Srinagar, said he has appealed to all of them to participate in the upcoming panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir. "Biggest of problems can be faced and issues resolved through democratic means. Many problems of Jammu and Kashmir can also be addressed through democracy. I appeal to people of the state to take part in this festival of democracy," he said at a press conference here. Singh said those who do not believe in democracy can never be well-wishers of people. The National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party had boycotted the the recent urban bodies election in Jammu and Kashmir. Singh told reporters that as far as talks are concerned, the government has no problem in holding dialogue with anyone. "At least, they should see that Pakistan is sponsoring terrorism in India and promoting terrorism also. Give us this much of assurance that there will not be any such attempt by Pakistan. Terror and dialogue both can never go together," he said. Asked if there was any initiative to hold talks with separatists, Singh said the government will talk to anyone who is willing to enter dialogue. - PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Srinagar, October 23 Normal life remained affected for the second consecutive day on Tuesday as the authorities imposed restrictions in certain parts of the city to foil a sit-in protest by separatists at Lal Chowk over the death of seven civilians in a blast at an encounter site in Kulgam district on Sunday. All roads leading to Lal Chowks historic Ghanta Ghar were sealed, with a large number of police and paramilitary personnel deployed to foil any attempt by the separatists to reach there, officials said. The authorities also imposed restrictions in parts of the old city as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, they added. Shops, private offices and other business establishments remained shut in many parts of the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, while public transport was off the roads. The separatists had not called for a strike on Tuesday, but the authorities shut down all educational institutes and postponed examinations. While a shutdown was observed on Monday, the separatists called for a sit-in at Lal Chowk over the death of civilians in a blast at an encounter site in Laroo area of Kulgam district. The agitation programme was announced by separatists Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik under the banner of Joint Resistance Leadership. Mirwaiz and Geelani have been placed under house arrest. Three militants were killed in the Kulgam encounter on Sunday, while seven civilians lost their lives in a blast following the gunfight. PTI shalender@tribune.com The Faculty of Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow is offering a number of scholarships for self-funded, international (non-EU) fee-paying students with excellent academic qualifications for the MSc in Civil Engineering with Industrial Placement programme starting in January 2019. Value - 3,400 scholarship towards course tuition fees Eligibility -Students will need a minimum of a 2:1 (or equivalent) in your undergraduate degree to be considered. Deadline - January 18, 2019 For further information please contact -- eng-scholarships@strath.ac.uk India Scholars Programme Students who take the SAT for university admission in India, post Class XII are given an opportunity to avail the benefits under this invite. The call offers a free SAT test in December 2018 and full tuition scholarship at leading Indian universities. Eligibility: The applicant must be an Indian resident with annual family income less than Rs 6 lakh and must be in Class XII. To be considered eligible for full college tuition scholarship, the applicant's family income should be below Rs 4 lakh per annum. The student must also perform very well on the SAT and must apply to and receive admission from the partnered Indian universities. Details: Free SAT examination worth INR 7,000 and full tuition scholarship for any of the partnered Indian universities. Deadline: November 2, 2018 How to apply: Online only. Short Source URL: http://www.b4s.in/JC/CBI1 For students with disabilities The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is inviting students with disabilities (SwDs), who are undertaking graduation, postgraduation or diploma level education from recognised institutes, to apply for this scholarship in order to receive economic support to further their education. Eligibility: Applicants having more than 40 per cent disability and a proof for the same with annual family income not exceeding Rs 6 lakh per annum are eligible to apply. Details: Up to Rs 2 lakh per annum as reimbursement of tuition fees and non-refundable charges paid or payable to the institute. One time grant of Rs 30,000 for reimbursement of expenses for purchase of Aids and Assistive Devices. Monthly maintenance allowance of Rs 3,000 and Rs 1,500 for hostellers and day scholars along with the annual book grant of Rs 5,000 and monthly special allowance of Rs 2,000 will be given. Deadline: October 30, 2018 How to apply: Online. Short Source URL: http://www.b4s.in/JC/SFT4 UWE Bristol MBA scholarship The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) is inviting MBA applicants for its scholarship. Eligibility: Graduates, who hold an offer letter from the above-mentioned university and have not studied in UK previously, are considered eligible for this scholarship. They must not be a holder of any other scholarship offer. Details: Selected candidates will get 50 per cent tuition fee waiver. Deadline: October 31, 2018 How to apply: Online. Short Source URL: http://www.b4s.in/JC/UBM1 National means-cum-merit scholarship The Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, is offering scholarship to meritorious students of Class IX, who are impoverished and are finding hurdles in continuing their secondary stage education. Eligibility: Students, who have scored at least 55 per cent or equivalent in Class VII and VIII with annual family income not exceeding Rs 1.50 lakh per annum, are considered eligible for this scholarship. Five per cent relaxation will be given to SC/ST students. Details: Selected students will be awarded Rs 6,000 per annum i.e. Rs 500 per month, by the Central Government Deadline: October 31, 2018 How to apply: Online. Short Source URL: http://www.b4s.in/JC/NMC5 Bhavishya Jyoti scholarship NIIT Limited recently announced its IT & new-age careers scholarship programme 'Bhavishya Jyoti Scholarship', to reward meritorious students desirous of building successful careers in todays digital economy. Based on the student's performance in an aptitude test, NIIT will be offering scholarships across the country this year, in programmes like Digital Marketing, Banking and Finance, Data Analytics, Accounting & Business Analytics along with scholarships in other career verticals. The scholarship examination is being conducted across NIIT education centres across the country and will continue till October 31, 2018. Eligibility: In addition to students who have completed their Class XII or equivalent, graduates/or those currently pursuing graduation and post-graduation programmes are also eligible for the scholarship. How to apply: The application forms for the test are available at NIIT education centers across the country. Details: The scholarship will reward fee waivers of up to Rs 36,000 across the country this year. Inputs courtesy: www.buddy4study.com shalender@tribune.com IIT Ropar has been put at 21st position in the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) rankings announced last week. It has been adjudged third in research quality in India. Among the new IITs, this institution leapfrogged to rank 107th among the 400 universities of BRICS nations and emerged as India's top-rated institution. The success is the result of extensive research going on the institution which focuses on core research areas as well as the interdisciplinary research for solving regional and national's problems. Commenting on the achievement Professor S.K.Das, Director IIT Ropar said, This is the first time that IIT Ropar has entered a QS list and it is the result of the consistent efforts of faculty and students in pursuing quality research. The institute has started reviving industry in Punjab by making industry clusters and addressing their problems pertaining to R&D, sustainable approach to treat liquid and gaseous waste from industries etc. For ease of providing solutions, IIT Ropar has established Career Development and Corporate Relations Centre (CDCRC) which provides a single-window point of contact to industry fulfilling their entire spectrum of requirements. The rankings were released in QS India Summit on 15 October, 2018. Thapar ranked 31 Meanwhile, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET), Patiala, too got a higher ranking in the QS BRICS university rankings 2019. TIETs rankings have gone up by an impressive five places to 132nd in the QS BRICS university rankings. Additionally, in the first ever a QS India ranking, TIET was placed at 31st position. Commenting on the development Dr. Prakash Gopalan, Director - TIET said, Our strong belief in outcome-based, experiential, self-directed, research-led and project -driven curriculum coupled with high research expectations from the faculty is catapulting us to a higher standing. TNS shriaya.dutta@tribuneindia.com Beijing, October 23 Bollywood actor Aamir Khan met a top official from China's film regulator here last week and discussed cooperation between India and China in making films. The actor is immensely popular in China for his movies like "Dangal", "Secret Superstars" and "Three Idiots", among others. The Information Office of China's State Council announced Aamir Khan's meeting with Wang Xiaohui, Executive Vice Head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Director General of the State Film Administration on Tuesday. The meeting was held on Friday. Wang discussed the development of Chinese films and said he hoped that China and India could strengthen cultural exchanges and cooperation, share excellent films, carry out in-depth cooperation in making films and encourage filmmakers of both sides to produce more quality films. The actor said that he would like to share his filmmaking experiences with industry colleagues from China, seek inspiration and create more excellent works. IANS shriaya.dutta@tribuneindia.com Shiv Kumar Tribune News Service Mumbai, October 23 Actor Ajaz Khan, who featured in reality show Bigg Boss, was arrested on Monday night with eight tablets of the banned 'Ecstasy' tablets, police said on Tuesday. According to the Navi Mumbai police, a team from the anti-narcotics squad acting on a tip-off raided a hotel room at Belapur late Monday night. Khan who was found in the room was frisked and the banned narcotic was found on his person, police said. Navi Mumbai police officials said they were still questioning the actor on why he was carrying the drugs in his possession. A few years ago, the actor was arrested for allegedly sending obscene pictures to a woman. He was however released on bail in that case. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered against him. The actor however said in tweet that he was being victimised. If helping the delivery boys of Zomato was a crime, I'm a criminal. If speaking against the wrongdoing of Politician was a crime, I'm a criminal. P.S: This all is a conspiracy Planned by the biggies & Dear Media & Haters this "?" won't help as I know my family & Allah is with me, the actor tweeted on Tuesday. uttara@tribuneindia.com Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 23 Rajasthan Government on Tuesday invited the wrath of the Supreme Court, which ordered it to shut down illegal mining units in the state within 48 hours after it came to light that 31 of the 128 hillocks in the states Aravalli areas disappeared. What is happening in Rajasthan? Humans seem to be flying away with hills just like Hanuman, a Bench of Justice Madan B Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta wondered after perusing a Forest Survey of India (FSI) report submitted to it. The Bench ordered Rajasthan chief secretary to file a compliance affidavit by Friday and posted the matter for further hearing on October 29. As the Bench expressed shock over rampant illegal mining, the Rajasthan Government counsel did not dispute disappearance of hillocks. The Benchwhich had sought a response to the FSI report from the state governmentsaid it was forced to issue directions as it was not satisfied with the states affidavit. The court said even though Rajasthan was earning a royalty of around Rs 5,000 crore from mining activities in Aravalli, it couldnt endanger lives of lakhs of people in Delhi as the disappearance of hills there could be one of reasons for rise in pollution level in the national capital region (NCR), it said. Hills act as barriers. If you start removing them the pollution from there will enter Delhi. For the sake of a minority in your state you are endangering the lives of lakhs of people living in Delhi, said Justice Lokur. For royalty you (Rajasthan) are putting Delhi residents at a risk. Since you admit that there is illegal mining in your state, give your royalty to the people of Delhi. Hospitals are overcrowded here, the Bench said. The Rajasthan Government admitted illegal mining in over 115 hectares in Rajasthan, but contested the FSI survey accusing it of carrying out inspection without consulting the local authorities. Earlier, amicus curiae advocate ADN Rao told the Bench that Rajasthans admission was sufficient to impose a ban on mining in the Aravallis in the state as was done in Haryana. rchopra@tribunemail.com Vibha Sharma Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 23 On the heels of the MJ Akbar episode, the current infighting in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is another headache to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Still recovering from the embarrassment over the former union minister being named in the #MeToo movement, the war within the premier investigating agency has given the BJP anxious moments in the run-up to 2019 general election. It is the second time in 15 days that Modi finds himself in a situation where either way it will be embarrassing for the government. The CBI versus CBI imbroglio reflects poorly on the PMO. Modi is in direct control of the agency and whichever way he reacts to the situation, there will be questions over his action and what took him so long, especially when the matter had been simmering for months. While action against Gujarat-cadre special director Rakesh Asthana will be a reflection on his judgment, it is also not easy to act against CBI director Alok Verma, who has been appointed by a committee. The amended Delhi Special Police Establishment Act empowers the committee to appoint the CBI director. It includes the Prime Minister as chairperson, and the Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court Judge recommended by the Chief Justice as members. Apparently, the PMO is considering repatriating Asthana. The situation is similar to the one the PM had faced in Akbars case. It was probably the first time during his tenure that Modi faced a quandary when either way it became detrimental for the governments image. As the BJP weighs its options, with concern and a whole lot of unease to tide over the latest crisis, all eyes are on the PM to see what he does to restore the credibility of the premier investigating agency, especially when similar bureaucratic wars seem to be brewing in other sections as well. ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 23 Refusing to order a blanket ban on the manufacture, sale and use of firecrackers, the Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed bursting of crackers with certain conditions, including timing and emissions. Advocating a balance between festivities and the need to check air pollution, a Bench headed by Justice AK Sikri said only crackers with reduced emission and green crackers can be sold and manufacturers will have to adhere to permissible noise and emission standards. It ordered a complete ban on all other crackers, including joined firecrackers popularly known as laris. On Diwali days or on any other festivals like Gurpurb, etc., when such fireworks generally take place, it would strictly be from 8 pm till 10 pm. On Christmas eve and New Year eve, when such fireworks start around midnight, it would be from 11:55 pm till 12:30 am only, said the Bench, which also included Justice Ashok Bhushan. The Bench made it clear that the order will apply across India and not only to festivals, but also wedding ceremonies where crackers are burst. The top court ordered the Centre, NCT Delhi and state governments of the National Capital Region to allow only community fireworks during festivals wherever possible. Directing the police to ensure compliance of its directions, the Bench said the Station House Officer (SHO) of the area concerned would be hauled up for contempt in case its directions were violated. It banned online sale of crackers and said sale of crackers shall only be through licensed vendors. It means e-commerce outlets such as Flipkart and Amazon cant sell crackers online. Already manufactured crackers which dont fall into the improved or green category crackers cant be sold in the entire NCR, including the national capital. The order came on petitions filed by three infants Arjun Gopal, Aarav Bhandari and Zoya Rao Bhasin through their parents, seeking a complete ban on crackers during Diwali on the ground that it adversely affected the health of millions of people, particularly children, as the air quality was already poor in the NCR. Ahead of Diwali in October last year, the top court had banned the sale of crackers in NCR on an experimental basis to see its impact on air pollution. Later the ban was lifted on November 1, 2017. Firecracker manufacturers have been demanding that they should be allowed to sell their product, citing various studies that showed other factors contributed much more to air pollution. Indic Collective, a Chennai-based NGO, had opposed a blanket ban of crackers during Diwali contending it violated Hindus right to religion. Lari use banned rchopra@tribunemail.com Azamgarh, October 23 A criminal, wanted in 18 cases and carrying a reward of Rs 25,000 on his head, was nabbed while a sub-inspector was injured in an encounter near here on Tuesday morning, police said. On a tip-off, a police team laid siege on the Turk Chara turn. The motorcycle-borne criminals opened fire at them, injuring sub-inspector Basant Lal. In the retaliatory action, the criminal identified as Rahul Yadav was injured while two of his accomplices escaped, police said, adding that a pistol, cartridges and a motorcycle were recovered from him. Both the injured SI and criminal have been admitted to the district hospital where their condition is said to be serious. Azamgarh DIG Vijay Bhushan said the arrested criminal was wanted in 18 cases of loot, attempt to murder and murder cases in Azamgarh, Sant Kabirnagar and Basti districts. Raids were on to nab the other two criminals, he added. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 23 Foreign nationals applying for Indian visas will now have to declare their criminal records as part of the new visa format approved by the Government to check child sexual abuse and a range of other crimes by travellers. The move follows a specific request Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi made to Sushma Swaraj, her counterpart in the MEA, last June to ensure mechanisms to prevent travelling child sex offenders (TCSOs) from entering India and perpetrating sexual violence on children here. India on account of its lenient visa rules has remained a favourite destination for child traffickers and paedophiles convicted in their countries of origin. There have been several instances where foreigners convicted of child abuse at home have travelled to India to run child sex rackets. The latest involved Australian Paul Dean convicted recently of abusing a host of differently abled poor children from Vishakapatnam and Puri during his three-decade stay in India in which he wore different hats--from a priests to a charity workers. US citizen John Jones was recently arrested by the Hyderabad police for circulating child sex abuse literature online. Past cases have seen worse forms of child abuse being perpetrated by travelling foreigners who were hitherto not required to tell the Indian visa and passport authorities whether they had any criminal records, whatsoever, back home. For instance, Raymond Varley, convicted in Britain of child sexual abuse in the 1970s hopped from country to country after his release ultimately making India his home. Here he ran a child sex abuse racket dating back to 1989 at a Goa orphanage. Varley fled India and continues to escape the domestic law. I am pleased to inform you that our request to revise the visa Application process for foreign nationals travelling to India to declare any criminal record, in view of prevention of sexual abuse of children, has been accepted, Maneka Gandhi said on Monday. She said it had now been decided that an appropriate questionnaire and a declaration would be incorporated in the visa application form which would have to be filled up by visa applicants and foreign nationals. The WCD Minister credited Home Minister Rajnath Singh with considering her request which, she said, was based on complaints of serial child sexual abuse offenders managing to visit India. The step will certainly be a strong deterrent for perpetrators of such heinous crimes, Gandhi noted. New visa rules: Qs foreigners must answer *Have you ever been convicted by a court of law in any country? *Have you ever been refused entry or deported by any country, including India? *Have you ever been engaged in human trafficking/drug trafficking/child abuse/child abuse/crimes against women and financial frauds? *Have you ever been engaged in cyber crime/terrorist activities/sabotage/espionage/genocide/political killing or other acts of violence? *Have you ever by any means or medium expressed views that justify or glorify terrorist violence or that may encourage others to terrorist acts or other serious criminal acts? *Have you sought asylum (political or otherwise) in any country? monicakchauhan@gmail.com New Delhi, October 23 A 34-year-old woman, a cousin of gangster Neeraj Bawana, was injured after being shot at her residence in Bawana area on Monday, police officials said. The incident comes almost a fortnight after her live-in partner was killed and she had escaped with a bullet injury. The woman, Jyoti, was in a live-in relationship with one Amit, who was killed on October 6 by some unidentified assailants, the officials said. Jyoti was also injured in that attack and a bullet had pierced through Amit's chest and hit her in the waist, they said. On Monday, two men on a motorcycle stopped outside her home and asked her 16-year-old son whether she was present at her residence, they said. While one of them stayed outside, the other man entered the house and shot at her. Jyoti was shot in her cheek in the presence of her 12-year-old daughter, the officials said. She is currently undergoing treatment at the Maulana Azad Medical College, they said, adding that police are probing all angles, including that of honour killing. It is suspected that Amit and she were targeted because they were in a live-in relationship, the police officials said. Jyoti has two children from her first marriage and she left her first husband Satpal nine years ago, they added. PTI amansharma@tribunemail.com Satya Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 23 The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre and Assam government to respond by October 30 to a report filed by the state's NRC Coordinator Prateek Hajela on why five additional documents should not be allowed to be relied upon for claims for inclusion in Draft NRC. A Bench of Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogogi and Justice Rohinton F Nariman asked Hajela to give a PowerPoint presentation to all the stakeholders, including Assam government and the Centre, on his report on October 26 and fixed November 1 for a full-day hearing. During the hearing Attorney General KK Venugopal and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta tried to impress upon the court to allow some of these documents to be used for filing of claims by people who relied on some other documents under a bonafide belief that the latter were better documents but didn't succeed. They said it could be done without allowing them to change their family tree. "Behave like a State and not an individual," CJI Gogoi told the Centre and Assam Government. In his report submitted to the top court, Hajela suggested five documents that should not be allowed for filing of claims for inclusion in the NRC. The five documents are ration card, citizenship certificate and refugee registration certificate, NRC, 1951, Electoral Roll up to March 24, 1971 and certified copies of pre-1971 Electoral Roll, particularly those issued from the state of Tripura. Relying on these five documents cannot be permitted as their "introduction now will create problems", Hajela said. Out of the 40 lakh people left out, only a few lakh have so far filed their claims, the court was informed. The Supreme Court had on September 19 directed the Assam NRC coordinator to commence the process for filing of claims and objections for inclusion in the Final Draft NRC from September 25. The Final Draft NRC list was published on July 30 in which 2.89 crore names out of the 3.29 crore people were included while 40,70,707 people failed to make it to the list. Of those left out 37,59,630 names had been rejected and the remaining 2,48,077 were put on hold. The top court had said those left out of the Draft NRC can rely on 10 of the 15 documents prescribed. Window for filing of claims and objections shall remain open for 60 days, it had said, adding the second opportunity had been granted to the citizens keeping in mind the "magnitude" of the issue. "We are not shutting out the rest of the five documents. All that we are saying is that at this stage claims and objections shall be filed on the basis of 10 documents," it had said. The 10 documents which can be relied upon for filing of claims and objections are: Land documents like Registered Sale Deed, Records of land rights, permanent Residential Certificate issued from outside the State, passport issued by the Government of India, LIC Insurance Policy, any licence/certificate issued by any government authority, document showing service/employment under Government/Public Sector undertaking, Bank/Post Office Accounts, Birth certificates issued by competent authority, educational certificate issued by Board/Universities and records/processes pertaining to court provided they are part of a processing in a judicial or revenue court. The documents shall be acceptable only if they were of relevant period i.e. up to March 24, 1971 (midnight). The Bench had then said it will consider after a month whether to allow the other five documents as well or not. rchopra@tribunemail.com New Delhi, October 23 The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it would hear on November 13 the petitions challenging its Sabarimala verdict allowing women of all age groups entry into the temple. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice SK Kaul told lawyer Mathews J Nedumpara that it had already passed an order with regard to listing of petitions on November 13. Earlier, the court had noted that there were 19 review petitions pending in the matter, filed by National Ayyappa Devotees Association and others seeking a review of its verdict. A five-judge constitution bench by a ratio of 4:1 had held that women of all age groups should be allowed entry into Keralas Sabarimala Temple. PTI editorial@tribune.com GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 23 As the three-day mourning in Amritsar announced by the government in the wake of tragic train mishap ended today, the holy city seems to be limping back to normalcy. However, a heavy police force and RAFcommandoes are still deployed along the rail track at the mishap spot Joda Phatak at Golden Avenue. Newly appointed gateman Dwarka Das said their duties had been fixed on a rotational basis in three shifts. The one who was posted on October 19 has been sent on leave. Mahesh Kumar, JE, said the mob had attacked the guardroom and broken the automated electronic operation module. We faced difficulty in bringing down the barrier manually, but now it has been rectified, he said. MCofficials have started the exercise of gauging the exact location plan. Suresh Kumar, architect, MC, visited the site with his team to measure distance between the level crossing and its surroundings, type of buildings along the tracks and other obstacles, if any. In collaboration with the police, we will prepare a report covering the Joda Phatak and the site of the accident. This finding will be part of the government probe, he said. Meanwhile, children attended schools and traders in the locality opened their shops. Dilip, a juice vendor, and Harjot Singh, who runs an AC repair shop, opened their business after three days, but the heart-wrenching scenes of the fateful day still haunt them. To rehabilitate the victims, Cabinet Minister Navjot Sidhu has announced to adopt children, who lost their parents, and take the responsibility of the affected families in his personal capacity. Sidhu said he had already started identifying the affected families. He said he would approach the public sector to absorb the needy as per their skills and requirement. I and my wife will bear their education and other living expenses. I also take the responsibility of the persons who became disabled and will look after the elderly who have lost the breadwinner of their family, he said. Give jobs to kin: Bajwa to railways Chandigarh: Rajya Sabha MP Partap Singh Bajwa has urged the Railways to provide jobs to the families of those killed in the mishap. In a communication to Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, the MP said while the state was doing its part, the Railways could not run away from its responsibility. True accountability can only be achieved if all stakeholders commit themselves to a transparent inquiry, he said. TNS editorial@tribune.com Jupinderjit Singh Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 22 Twenty-four hours prior to the Amritsar train accident, the Amritsar Commissionerate of Police had sent out a Security Programme for the function at Golden Avenue, ordering the deployment of 75 policemen for an expected crowd of 15,000-20,000. Despite training in crowd control, the police failed to prevent the tragedy. The three-page circular was marked to the district administration, the MC, the area SHO and the traffic wing. Despite the venue being adjacent to a rail track, it was not sent to the Railways. This was confirmed by Inder Preet Singh Sahota, ADGP-Railways, who began a probe into the accident on Monday. In fact, security plans were made for 20 key Dasehra venues in Amritsar and duties clearly marked. Commissioner of Police SS Srivastava maintained that rail tracks did not come under the jurisdiction of the district police. He declined to say anything further. Contrary to allegations that proper permission had not been taken, the police circular shows the local authorities were aware of it and had made elaborate bandobast. The tragedy occurred despite the Security Programme, a mandatory document with details regarding the security arrangements at a venue where a VIP or a large gathering is expected. Case filed against Navjot Kaur in Bihar Patna: A case was lodged at a court in Muzaffarpur on Monday against Navjot Kaur Sidhu in connection with the train tragedy. It was alleged that her presence at the Dasehra event led to the crowd being pulled back to the tracks and mowed down. The court has fixed November 3 as the date of hearing. TNS NHRC issues notices to punjab govt, railways New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Railways and the Punjab government over the Amritsar accident. The panel observed that it cannot be said to be a sane act by people to sit on railway tracks, but at the same time, the negligence on the part of the district authorities is apparent behind this bizarre and horrific incident. PTI Punjab Human Rights panel asks for report Chandigarh: Taking suo motu cognisance of the mishap, the Punjab Human Rights Commission has called for a report on the matter from the state government through the DGP and the Chief Secretary by November 8. The notice has been issued by the Bench comprising chairperson Justice Iqbal A Ansari and members Justice Ashutosh Mohunta and Avinash Kaur. TNS rchopra@tribunemail.com Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 23 A board of doctors at the Dasuya Civil Hospital on Tuesday conducted autopsy of a Catholic priest whose death continues to be shrouded in mystery. Forensic expert Dr Jaswinder Singh, who was a part of a team of four doctors that conducted Father Kuriakoses postmortem examination, refused to reveal details of their findings. We cannot even give a preliminary report today. We are sending samples for a histopathology report to Government Medical College Amritsar and a chemical report to Kharar. The reports could take as long as 2-3 months. Only after that can we give our conclusion, he said, refusing to confirm if the priest had died of a heart attack. Jalandhar Diocese arranged a prayer meeting for Kuriakose at St Marys Cathedral in Jalandhar Cantonment, where his body was taken, on Tuesday. The priests family then took his body to Ludhianas CMC Hospital for embalming. They are scheduled to fly back to Kerala from Delhi on Monday for Kuriakoses burial on scheduled on Thursday. He will be buried at Alappuzhas Pallippuram, his village. The priest was a key witness in a rape case in which Bishop Franco Mullakal of Jalandhar Diocese stands accused. Mullakkal has been accused of raping a nun repeatedly between 2014 and 2016. Kuriakose, who deposed against Mullakal almost two months ago, was found dead on Sunday at his residence at St Pauls Convent School, Dasuya. His family claims his death had to do with the rape case. Meanwhile, Devinder Puri, SMO, Dasuya Civil Hospital, said the police had not given them the papers as yet and the post-mortem would be done after the police gave him the papers. He said all depended on police papers; if they wanted a medical board they would constitute it and then perform the post-mortem. Earlier, police on Tuesday visited the quarters in St Pauls church where Father Kuriakose, witness in the Kerala nun rape case, was found dead on Monday. The SHO said, Prima facie, it was a natural death. But it will be ascertained after the post-mortem. He said the door handle was broken by the locals to take the body out, and they had checked it. With agencies ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 23 The Shiromani Akali Dal on Tuesday received yet another jolt with the Khadoor Sahib MP, Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, quitting the posts of senior vice-president and core committee member, citing age and deteriorating health. Earlier, on September 29, senior Akali leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa too had resigned as secretary-general and member of the core committee. Brahmpura announced his resignation in the presence of former Akali MP Dr Rattan Singh Ajnala. Confessing he had been unhappy with the pardon to Sirsa dera chief (rescinded later) in a blasphemy case and the Bargari sacrilege incidents, Brahmpura hinted that the issues could have been handled better had senior party members been taken into confidence. Significantly, Brahmpura, Dr Ajnala and former Cabinet Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan, all Majha leaders, had skipped SADs Jabbar Virodhi rally in Patiala on October 7. I have not spoken with Badal Sahib since the rally. We have already expressed our dissent. The Dera Sacha Sauda pardon was damaging to the party and so was the leniency shown in the Bargari and Behbal Kalan incidents. Along with Dr Ajnala and Sekhwan, I have already paid obeisance at the Golden Temple for atonement, he said. Not naming anyone, Brahmpura said the shortcomings in the partys organisational set-up and the decision-making process had resulted in SADs ignominious defeat in the state elections. The party needs to introspect. Asked about damage control measures, the wily veteran quipped: Sukhbir te Majithia bahut siyane ne... party vich ohna da rutba hai... baaki tusi sab jaande ho... kyon sade kolo kahaonde ho... (SAD president Sukhbir Badal and Bikram Majithia are wise leaders, they hold a sway over the party... All is in the public domain... Why provoke us to say more?). Brahmpura, 82, associated with the SAD since 1961, stressed he would remain an Akali till the very end and that he would not re-contest the 2019 parliamentary elections, but support the party candidate. Talking to mediapersons in Ludhiana, Sukhbir said the party looked to Brahmpura for guidance. He has resigned from party posts, not the party. ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Varinder Singh Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 23 In a major setback for Punjabi-origin candidates in Canada, only three of the nearly three dozen candidates in the fray registered victories in high-voltage Brampton civic elections held yesterday. In all, 128 candidates were in the fray. Right-wing sympathiser and sitting Mayor of Mini Punjab Linda Jeffrey was defeated by prominent Progressive Conservative Party (PCP) leader Patrick Brown. Jeffrey was being backed by Sikh radicals. Balbir Sohi, a dental hygiene professional and social worker, wrested the prestigious position of the Trustee of the Peel District School Board. Sohi polled 4,986 votes (21.98 per cent) of the total 22,686 in wards 9 and 10. Incumbent Gurpreet Dhillon defeated Vicky Dhillon, a Brampton city councillor for eight years till 2014, in a keen contest for Regional Councillor in wards 9 and 10. He polled 14,330 votes (55.46 per cent) against Vicky Dhillons 5,238 (20.27 per cent). Harkirat Singh was elected as Brampton City councillor, polling 10,804 votes (42.87 per cent) against his nearest rival Michael Farquharsons 4,629 votes in wards 9 and 10. For the mayoral post, former minister Baljit Gosal, the lone Punjabi in the race, polled 5,319 (5.04 per cent) votes against 46,894 (44.43 per cent) polled by Patric Brown and 42,993 votes (40.73 per cent) by nearest rival Linda Jeffery. While a sizeable chunk of Sikh radicals were supporting Jeffery, a majority of Hindus, particularly those from Gujarat, had thrown their weight behind Brown. Bramptonians elected the Mayor, five city councillors (each representing two wards), five regional councillors (each representing two wards) and a Trustee for the Peel District School Board. One trustee for the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board was also elected but none of the members from the Punjabi diaspora participated in its election. editorial@tribune.com Ruchika M Khanna Tribune News Service Chandigarh, October 23 Paddy yield has fallen by 10-15 per cent across the state after the crop was hit by showers in late September. This has forced the government to revise its production target, which is now estimated to drop by over 10 lakh quintals compared to last year. Farmers and commission agents (arhtiyas) are claiming that the yield is down by about 5 quintals per hectare (from 32-33 last year to 27-28 this season). According to the state Agriculture Department, the average fall in yield is 2-3 quintals per hectare. Jasbir Singh, Director, Agriculture, Punjab, said: We were expecting a bumper crop this year, but the untimely rain affected the crop maturity, and thus its yield. We have revised our production target to 190 lakh tonnes, a fall of about 5 per cent over last year. At Khanna, the largest grain market in Asia, Harbans Singh Rosha, a commission agent and senior vice-president of the Arhtiya Association, Punjab, said, According to the trend so far, we are expecting almost 1.75 lakh tonnes lesser arrivals in this grain market alone. Almost 45 per cent of the (targeted) paddy has already arrived in the mandi so far. The state and Central governments should jointly give bonus to the farmers to compensate them for their losses, he said. Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan, general secretary of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), said apart from rain, the yield was also affected by the state governments decision to not allow paddy sowing before June 20. Sowing was delayed by 10 days. We want the state government to give us Rs 100 per quintal as compensation, besides an equal amount from the Centre, he said. So far, paddy arrivals in the mandis have been slow. As compared to almost 77 lakh tonnes till the corresponding date last year, the arrivals are around 44 lakh tonnes this time. Noted agro economist Dr MS Sidhu told The Tribune that as paddy arrivals pick up and peak in 10 days, the projected production figure may improve. ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Dasuya (Hoshiarpur), October 23 A post-mortem was conducted on the body of Father Kuriakose Kattuthara (62), who was found dead at his residence on the premises of St Pauls Convent School here on Monday. Carried out by a team of four doctors at the Civil Hospital, the postmortem was video-taped at the insistence of the deceaseds brother, Jose Kurian, and cousin Johnny Thomas, who arrived from Kerala on Tuesday morning. EDIT: DEATH OF A FATHER Prior to the post-mortem, they said they might seek a second one in Kerala, if dissatisfied with the report. In a complaint to the police, they alleged Father Kuriakose was being harassed at the behest of Bishop Franco Mulakkal against whom he had deposed in a rape case. Dr Jaswinder Singh, among those on the medical board, said, We cannot give a preliminary report. We will send samples to the Amritsar Government Medical College for a histopathology report and the Kharar lab for a forensic report. Both will take two-three months. He refused to confirm if the Father had died of a heart attack. The Dasuya police have taken note under Section 174 of the CrPC. In a statement, Jose Kurian alleged his brothers salary had been slashed from Rs 1,000 to Rs 500. This was meant for his personal expenses, including medicines and mobile recharge. My brother was the first to speak against Bishop Franco, who turned his parish members against him. One of the senior-most priests of the Jalandhar Diocese, all positions were wrested from him. I am told his then residence at Bhogpur was attacked the day he deposed against the Bishop before a police team from Kerala. A vehicle parked outside was attacked too. Since the Bishops return on bail, he had faced constant harassment, Jose Kurien alleged. The Bhogpur police said it had no record on the alleged attack on Father Kuriakoses house and car. Father Mathew Kokkandum, Vicar General, Jalandhar Diocese, said Father Kuriakose had been removed from various positions as he was engaged in the translation of a prayer book and parts of the Bible into Punjabi. He himself had sought to be excused from any other work, he added. In his statement to the police, he claimed the death was natural. Father Sebastian, a cousin of the complainant nun, helped the family with the proceedings. The Jalandhar Diocese held a prayer meeting for the deceased at St Marys Cathedral in Jalandhar Cantonment where the body was brought after which it was taken to the CMC Hospital, Ludhiana, for embalming. Diocese administrator Agnelo Gracias attended the last prayers. Bishop Franco skipped the mass. Father Kuriakose will be buried at his native place Pallippuram in Alappuzha on Thursday. gspannu7@gmail.com Jerusalem, October 23 Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday visited the cemetery of Indian soldiers in Israel who had laid their lives during the War of Liberation of Haifa in 1918. Haifa celebrated the centenary year of its liberation by Indian cavalry units in September, paying warm tributes to the courage shown by them in what is considered by most of the war historians as the last great cavalry campaign in history. Singh, who is a well-acclaimed military historian and has penned books like Saragarhi and The Defence of the Samana Fort, visited the Commonwealth Cemetery for the Battle of Haifa martyrs and paid his tributes to the Indian soldiers who had laid their lives while protecting the Israeli city of Haifa from the Ottoman Empire forces during World War I. Haifa municipality has immortalised the sacrifice of the Indian soldiers in the liberation of Haifa by including a chapter on their bravery in history textbooks taught at schools. Singh is on a five-day visit to Israel that commenced on Monday. He is heading a high-level delegation to the country to strengthen Punjabs cooperation with the middle east nation in the field of agriculture, horticulture, dairy farming and waste water management, besides trying to attract investments in the state. PTI editorial@tribune.com Divya Sharma Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 23 Living in the city for the past 20 years, Rajesh of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh has decided to go back to his native place with family after the Amritsar train tragedy during the Dasehra celebrations. The mishap left him and his three children injured, but all of them are out of danger. His family had joined him a year ago. His 10-year-old son, Vishal, currently undergoing treatment at the local Civil Hospital, has vowed never to celebrate the festival again in his life. He said, I will neither celebrate this festival nor go to any crowded place. Vishal was standing near the track when the train crossed. I ran towards the track as soon as I came to know about the mishap. I was able to locate my husband and two other children, but Vishal was stuck between bodies. We took him out, said Kalandi, Vishals mother, who was at home at the time of the accident. The family of five has resolved to go back and start afresh. Now, we will not stay here. My husband is a fruit vendor. We can go back anytime, added Kalandi. Rajesh said, My son is scared. My brothers family members are in a serious condition. I will think about a livelihood later. The priority is to leave this place. editorial@tribune.com Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 23 In a record of sorts, at least 100 FIRs have been registered against a travel and immigration agent, Nitish Ghai (30) of Sunder Nagar here. He has allegedly duped hundreds of gullible youths, yearning for greener pastures abroad. Nearly 80 per cent of his victims belong to Punjab. The remaining are from Haryana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The Ludhiana police have so far filed challan against him in three cases. Additional DCP Surendra Lamba, who led the investigation, told The Tribune, This is the first time in the state that the police have registered 100 FIRs against any agent. More than 300 complaints of travel frauds are still pending against him. These too are likely to turn into FIRs.Lamba said the accused was earning Rs 70 lakh to Rs 80 lakh per month. He used to give advertisements in newspapers, mostly vernaculars, and his ad budget ran in crores of rupees. He only had a licence for visa consultancy service, but was taking money for processing files for work permits and immigration as well, the ADCP said. On the agents free run since 2015, Lamba said Ghai was working in an organised way. He used to take just around Rs 25,000 each from people for work permits abroad. Then he would tell them that their visa had been rejected. Only a few among them would lodge a police complaint. He used to strike a compromise with them by paying Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 each, the ADCP said. We are probing if any police official had connived with him, but no such case has come to the fore so far, he said. Vengadasalam of Perambalur in Tamil Nadhu, one of the complainants, said on behalf of over 200 daily wagers in his state, he had given Rs 10,000 each to the accused for Canadian work permit, but none got visa. As per the police, over 12 properties in the name of Ghai and his family members, including brother Munish Ghai, have been identified. Their market value is said to be over Rs 20 crore. Most of these assets have been acquired by him in the past three years. We have written to the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department for necessary action, Lamba said. Sources said Ghai was fond of luxury cars and high life. His father and brother used to run a small-scale hosiery unit. He started his firm in 2015 and became a millionaire in a short time. On May 25 this year, the police raided his offices. Blessing Consultancy at Samrala Chowk and V Visa at Model Town were registered in his name, while other companies GGI Group near Gill Chowk, 99 Visa and Bright Solution Consultancy, both at Madhok Complex, Ghumar Mandi, were registered in the names of his aides Tajinder Singh and Ravinder Singh. He also had offices in Jalandhar, Nakodar, Phagwara, UP, Delhi and Ludhiana. The police have also booked his wife Gurminder Kaur, brother Munish Ghai, brother-in-law Kulbhushan Sood and an employee, Gurmeet Kaur Asha. Modus operandi Nitish Ghai used to charge between Rs 25,000 and Rs 35,000 for work permits and immigration abroad. He roped in three laboratories Chaudhary Diagnostic Centre, Ludhiana, Fast Diagnostic Centre, Samrala Chowk, and Delhi Diagnostic Centre, Sector 44, Chandigarh for medical examination of applicants. The staff at these laboratories collected blood and urine samples of applicants, but prepared no reports. Ghai told the police that he used to charge little amount so that people could bear the loss. Exposed in May shriaya.dutta@tribuneindia.com Washington Salty pools of water under the surface of Mars could hold enough oxygen to support the kind of microbial life, according to a study which contradicts existing views on the red planet's potential habitability. The findings could inform future missions to Mars by providing better targets to rovers searching for signs of past or present habitable environments, researchers said. A team led by scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in the US has calculated that if liquid water exists on Mars, it could under specific conditions contain more oxygen than previously thought possible. According to the model, the levels could even theoretically exceed the threshold needed to support simple aerobic life. The existence of liquid water on Mars is not a given. Even if it is there, researchers have long dismissed the idea that it might be oxygenated, given that Mars's atmosphere is about 160 times thinner than that of Earth and is mostly carbon dioxide. "Oxygen is a key ingredient when determining the habitability of an environment, but it is relatively scarce on Mars," said Woody Fischer, a professor at Caltech. "Nobody ever thought that the concentrations of dissolved oxygen needed for aerobic respiration could theoretically exist on Mars," said Vlada Stamenkovic, from JPL, lead author of the study published in the journal Nature Geoscience. Finding liquid water on Mars is one of the major goals of NASA's Mars programme. In recent months, data from a European spacecraft have suggested that liquid water may lie beneath a layer of ice at Mars's south pole. It has also been hypothesised that water could exist in salty subsurface pools, because perchlorate salts (compounds of chlorine and oxygen) have been detected at various places on Mars. Salt lowers the freezing point of water, which means that water with perchlorate in it could potentially stay liquid despite the freezing temperatures on Mars, where summer nights on the equator can still dip down to minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If salty water were close enough to the surface of the Martian soil, then it could effectively absorb oxygen from the thin atmosphere, researchers said. PTI. uttara@tribuneindia.com Jerusalem, October 23 A theory that a lightning strike triggered Palestinian rocket fire from Gaza last week gained traction in Israel on Tuesday and might explain the Israeli military's limited response. Two rockets were launched from the Hamas-ruled enclave on October 17. But the group took the unusual step of denying it had carried out an attack. Israeli cabinet minister Tzachi Hanegbi said there was reason to believe that was true. One of the rockets wrecked a house in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba, causing no casualties, the other landed in the Mediterranean Sea. Israel responded with air strikes that killed a militant in Gaza. Soon afterwards, video appeared on social media showing lightning illuminating the night sky in Gaza and then two flaming rockets streaking into the air. Israel's best-selling daily, Yedioth Ahronoth, reported on Tuesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet now believed the lighting set off a launch mechanism. Asked about the report, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, a member of the security cabinet, told Israel Radio: "I won't discuss security cabinet meetings and I don't know which ministers are chatting with journalists, but I can say that as far as we know, Hamas did not intend to fire those rockets". Hamas officials had no immediate comment. The rocket launchings coincided with Egyptian efforts to broker a long-term ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, which have fought three wars in the past 10 years. Reuters laxmi@tribune.com Ankara, October 23 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said the savage murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was meticulously planned, demanding that all those linked to the killing face punishment. Erdogan had promised that his speech in Ankara would give the naked truth about the killing and he gave a host of new details while still saying Turkey wanted answers to key questions, including who gave the orders. Hours before Erdogan delivered his speech to ruling party lawmakers, a major Saudi investment forum opened in Riyadh under the heavy shadow of the murder after key delegates pulled out. The murder of the Washington Post contributor has severely dented the international reputation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has spearheaded a reform drive in the kingdom. With international pressure mounting, Saudi Arabias Cabinet on Tuesday said it would hold accountable all those behind the murder no matter who they may be. Measures have been taken by the kingdom to uncover the truth and hold accountable all those whose incompetence or immediate responsibility was behind the killing no matter who they may be, read a statement. Erdogan outlined the steps taken by what he said was a 15-person team who came from Riyadh planning to kill Khashoggi, including carrying out reconnaissance outside Istanbul and then deactivating security cameras at the consulate. Three operatives arrived in Istanbul the day before Khashoggis killing on an apparent reconnaissance mission. The next day 15 people came to the consulate, including security, intelligence and forensic experts. Consulate personnel were given the day off. He said 18 suspects already detained by Saudi Arabia should be extradited to Istanbul to face trial over the killing and called for an investigation into those who have even the slightest link to the savage murder. But Erdogan did not confirm or even mention some of the most striking claims that appeared in the Turkish press over the last days. The president admitted several questions remain unanswered. These people, from whom did they get orders and came there? We are seeking answers, he asked. Erdogan did not mention Prince Mohammed by name but said he was confident of the full cooperation of his father Saudi King Salman in the probe and vowed full retribution for all the guilty. The conscience of humanity will only be satisfied when those who ordered (the murder) and those who carried it out answer for their actions. He said no Saudi linked to the murder should enjoy diplomatic immunity as set out by the Vienna Convention. Later, the King and Crown Prince met Khashoggis son Salah and brother Sahel at the royal palace in Riyadh and offered condolences. A former royal family insider-turned-critic of the Crown Prince, Khashoggi (59) disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to collect a document for his upcoming marriage. Agencies A vicious murder "The findings and evidence so far show Khashoggi was the victim of a vicious murder. Covering up a savage murder like this will only hurt the human conscience." Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey President A plot gone awry: Trump Washington: US President Donald Trump said he believes the death of Jamal Khashoggi was the result of a plot gone awry, but does not want to scrap the $110 billion mega arms deal with Riyadh over the issue. I am not satisfied with what Ie heard, Trump told reporters at the White House. I dont want to lose all that investment thats been made in our country. But were going to get to the bottom of it. Crown Prince attends summit amid crisis Riyadh: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday attended an investment summit, nicknamed Davos in the desert, boycotted by a host of global business leaders amid a crisis over journalists murder. Saudi organisers, however, sought to portray business as usual at Future Investment Initiative forum, announcing 12 mega deals worth $50 billion in oil, gas, infrastructure and other sectors Sponsored: Ministry of Planning In previous articles weve covered a few of the most significant issues facing the environment today and how our Government is addressing these. A large part of our, and indeed many other countries, strategy to do this involves being part of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and a crucial factor for the successful implementation of MEAs is our youth. More here ATT all foreigners: Money stolen from a Vietnamese bank account and not returned: Read my story and take it as you will: I feel that this is the perfect scenario as a foreigner traveling out of vietnam and using a bank card which was cloned. There are no excuses that can be made by the bank to not pay me back. I wasn't in the country at the time of the withdrawals. I proved so in the best way possible. Now I will explain the case and how they are dealing with it. I recently went to Indonesia from the 1st - 21st of June. I got back to Vietnam on the evening of the 21st of June with my bank card of course. On the 24th of June (The day I was leaving for Europe), I got 7 notifications from my bank in the space of 5 minutes where money was being withdrawn. I checked if they were correct notifications by logging into the app and I horrifically watched my balance decline at 4.2 million per withdrawal until the international daily limit of 30 million was withdrawn. As a foreigner with BIDV you cannot set any limits on your account. I immediately called the BIDV to notify them. I was told the action was taking place in Indonesia and was instructed to put my bank card into an ATM in Vietnam to prove that I had my card with me in Vietnam and I was not the one withdrawing in Indonesia. They told me I'd have a response in 45 working days. I followed the instructions and waited. I hadn't been contacted at all for 2 months by the bank but I had sent multiple emails in this time asking for a response (I was not in Vietnam at this time). They finally responded telling me to come to the bank. I was given no information about my situation. I then went to the bank and they told me that the "paying" bank said the "payments were correct". I will therefore not be reimbursed. The "paying" bank, as I understand, is the bank in Indonesia and not BIDV. They proceeded to assume that I had given someone my pin and my card number etc. This is of course not the case as it was obviously cloned like all card cloning cases around the world. While I was in Indonesia, knowing that I can't put any limits on my account, I was very careful to not use any POS systems besides once in a reputable restaurant. The rest were ATM withrawals. They then asked me to sign a piece of paper if I wasn't satisfied so that they could continue the process with the "paying" bank. I suggested that the "paying" bank in Indonesia please look at the camera which should be on the ATM where the person withdrew my money. The people at BIDV instantly brushed me off and said: "maybe the man is wearing a mask and you can't see their face". Of course I am going to take this suggestion further when I have another meeting with the bank.It seems like they would rather not make the effort to help me when that could be the one thing that makes the "paying" bank reimburse me. BIDV - Ngan hang TMCP au Tu & Phat Trien Viet Nam is not taking responsibility for this issue. According to the lady I am dealing with, they are not insured for fraud cases. So as a foreigner BIDV customer, you are not protected. You cant set limits, you aren't insured and worse of all - if someone clones your card in Vietnam, there is no daily limit and someone can withdraw your entire savings in less than 1 an hour. You are better off keeping your money in cash. I used to think that keeping cash was a bad idea but as a BIDV banker you are risking your entire earnings every time you hand someone your card. What I am doing with this post is warning all foreigners banking with BIDV. I am also turning to social media to get any advice from others who have been in a similar situation. Had I been in Indonesia at the time I would be screwed, but I wasn't and I don't feel satisfied with their answers. Are there any laws/ lawyers/ ombudsmen/ public advocates I can turn to to take further action? Please, if anyone has any advice, I am all ears because I have no idea what to do now! With the exception of Ha Giang which we missed on our last visit because of the weather/floods, we have visited all of those places at various times over the years. I really regret missing ha Giang and will return at some point. Sapa was getting pretty heavily touristed 20 years ago and I suspect it is worse now. that said I am sure it is possible to get away from the crowds if you try hard enough. We visited Ba Be maybe 15 years ago and it was beautiful. We stayed in homestay in villages outside of the national park rather than the park HQ and had a great time despite terrible weather. However, it was along old rage to get there - maybe the roads have improved since then. a couple of years ago we used Ethnic Travel in Hanoi for a hiking/driving trip from Mai Chau to Ninh Binh via Cut Phuong NP and the Black River Valley, again staying in homestay in remote villages. Basic accommodation, friendly people, great food and gorgeous scenery. Ninh Binh has some amazing scenery but, if you dont choose the right places, it can be heaving with local tourists, especially at weekends. some info and photos on our blog @ If you want a tour operator then you could do worse than Ethnic travel and I am pretty sure they do trip via Sapa Ha Giang and Ba Be. When we have used them they were very happy to adjust things to allow us to do all the hiking we wanted. When I was talking to them about a Ha Giang trip they were able to be very specific about hiking times and distances v driving times. Hi E&CinReno, Thank you so much for your feedback. So I realized I didnt tell the whole story of our stay. We plan to do an outer island (preferably closer to Nadi) and hence I am inclined to looking at the Manacumana;s islands (definitely got the spelling wrong- sorry!). Here's our plan: we land in Nadi on 5th Feb around 11am I think and then we plan to do 3 days at an outer island, then come back for 1 or 2 nights at Hilton resort (may be- still deciding) on the Nadi land. So, I am very very confused for the outer island and I think I am looking at Musket Cove or Matamanao (although a little far), and Lomani (little expensive too). But any suggestions for these three and/or others in this range would be helpful. It is our honeymoon, do definitely want some luxury and privacy while still not spending all our savings onto this. In terms of what we would like to have in the resort: Nice bath tub in the room , possibly beachfront, and a nice pool (infinity pool's are cool). We are also vegetarians so would love to have more than the resorts restaurants to dine in to get more options. Also, as a side question, do you know if the cost to transport to Matamanao is same as the cost to go to Malolo? (basically are the ferry charges different based on the destination) or just the time it takes to reach differs. If anyone can give us the best tranport options too, that will be super helpful. Thanks a bunch in advance. PS: Hope Feburary is not school holidays, right? Hello all - I wonder if you can help me unravel my plans to travel from JFK to the Tillary Hotel in Brooklyn please. We'll be arriving on a Saturday afternoon into terminal 4, and from what I can see we need to take an air train to either Jamaica or Howard Beach - is one a better/quicker route than the other or is it entirely dependent on which is due in first? Then we need to change trains but could you advise the best to take from Jamaica as there seem to be a few. Once we get to our last stop nearest the hotel I don't really want to be getting a bus or walking (I think we'll be too tired) so do you know if we'll be able to pick up a taxi easily from either Atlantic terminal or Jay St Metro Tech. And can anyone advise a rough idea of fare from either of those to the Tillary please? Also, am I right in thinking that we can't use a metro card for the train journeys? We were going to buy them on arrival but I've heard somewhere that there are restrictions. Many thanks for your help. - Raila's main office will be based in Nairobi according to Suna East MP, Mohamed - He will have other offices in Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt - ODM party officials, however, dismissed claims Raila will cease to be a politician because of his new job Suna East MP Junet Mohamed has revealed his party leader, Raila Odinga, will have offices in at least five African countries following his high-profile appointment as special envoy to the African Union (AU). Mohamed said the former prime minister will have offices in Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt where he will discharge his duties as AU's High Representative for Infrastructure Development in Africa. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Picha za jumba la kifahari la seneta wa Kakamega linalodaiwa kujengwa na Ruto Opposition leader Raila Odinga was appointed by African Union as the High Representative of Infrastructure and development. Photo: Raila Odinga. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Raila Odinga lands plum AU job on Mashujaa Day, accepts appointment Speaking to NTV Kenya on Monday, October 23, the ODM party's Director of Elections further disclosed Raila's main office for the AU job will be based in Nairobi and not Addis Ababa as some may have been made to believe. "He will be in many countries. First he will be based in Nairobi, where his main office will be. He is going to have an office in Johannesburg, Cairo, Lagos, and Addis Ababa," Mohamed said. READ ALSO: Ruto congratulates Raila on his new appointment after mocking his journey to Canaan The Suna East legislature, however, dismissed claims the ODM party leader would not have enough time for local politics owing to the nature of his new assignment which may require him to travel more frequently. "The appointment has nothing to do with the Kenyan politics. He will remain NASA coalition and ODM party leader. He will still discharge his duties as a political party leader in this country," Momamed said. READ ALSO: Rwanda follows Ethiopia's example by appointing Cabinet made up of 50% women A section of Jubilee party MPs had challenged the former prime minister to relinquish his position in the local politics and instead concentrate in his AU job. Speaking during a fund-raising in Kesses Constituency, Uasin Gishu County, the leaders, led by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, told Raila to leave local politics to the small fish, arguing the AU appointment would take up most of his time. Because he has a bigger job in the whole of Africa, he should now leave local politics to us," Nyoro said. READ ALSO: Uhuru reaffirms his support for DP Ruto in 2022 days after Raila's appointment to AU Raila's appointment comes at a time he is pushing for a fresh referendum to amend the Constitution, a position Jubilee party politicians, led by Ruto, are evidently not comfortable with. Those against the plebiscite argue it is only being pushed so as to create new positions in government to accommodate the Opposition figure. It is not yet clear whether the ODM party leader would continue with his quest for constitutional change in Kenya following his new job. 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: Kenya Breaking News Today Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Monday, October 22, arrested a man suspected to be defrauding Kenyans by promising them lucrative jobs. In a statement, the DCI said the suspect, Joseph Kipkoech Keino, has been obtaining money from desperate job seekers with a fake promise of helping the secure employment in Qatar. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens. READ ALSO: Man robbed KSh 732,000 by OLX cons, two suspects arrested, KSh 400,000 recovered Joseph Kipkoech Keino, has been obtaining money from desperate job seekers with a fake promise of helping the secure employment in Qatar. Photo: DCI's Twitter Source: Twitter READ ALSO: Detectives arrest man masquerading as KDF officer and selling fake military tenders The suspect is set be arraigned on Tuesday, October 23, and will be charged with a count of obtaining money by false pretenses. READ ALSO: Uhuru reaffirms his support for DP Ruto in 2022 days after Raila's appointment to AU This latest arrest brings to the fore the alarming rate at which con men have gone on the prowl with an aim of stealing from unsuspecting citizens. It also comes at a time when concern has been raised that a section of Kenyans who land jobs in foreign countries end up being slaves of abusive employers. READ ALSO: Sport CS Rashid Echesa narrates how William Ruto built Kakamega senator KSh 7 million house On Wednesday, October 17, detectives arrested a man masquerading as a Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) officer. Erick Otieno Atanga, according to the DCI, had been defrauding members of the public with fake tenders while posing as an officer from Department of Defense (DOD) and had tagged himself as Colonel Kiprotich. On the same day, a police officer arrested two con men in Parklands, Nairobi after they allegedly robbed a man KSh 732,000 and threw him out of a moving vehicle. The two, Sameer Abdulaziz Kassim and Peter Kavoli Musili, police sources said, had interacted with their target, Amos Charo Saro, on OLX and agreed to sell him construction material. 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's Former Gangsters Now Cleaning Nairobi City - Kenya Untold Stories | Tuko TV. Source: Tuko Breaking News - Biya was declared winner after he garnered over 71% of the total votes cast - He beat nine other presidential candidates in the hotly contested election - Biya has been in power for 36 years and is currently one of the longest serving presidents globally - The polls were reportedly marred with low voter turnout and incidents of violence Cameroon's incumbent president who has been in power for over 36 years has been re-elected once again. Paul Biya, currently one of the longest serving heads of state in Africa and second globally, will be serving his seventh term in office. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Emmerson Mnangagwa declared president elect of Zimbabwe Paul Biya, 85, is one of the longest serving presidents in Africa. He will be serving his seventh term after beating nine other presidential candidates in the 2018 General Election. Photo: CNN. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Uhuru congratulates Zimbabwes president-elect amid Opposition protest TUKO.co.ke on Tuesday, October 23, confirmed the 85-year-old politician was declared winner after beating nine other presidential candidates in the hotly contested election which was reportedly characterised by low voter turnout and violence. According to Cameroon's Constitutional Council, the incumbent won 71.3% of the total votes cast in the October 7, 2018, General Election and was therefore validly elected as per the country's law. READ ALSO: Except Raila, Uhuru, Ruto and my wife, I fear no one else - Aden Duale The announcement followed a spate of protests and violence in different parts of the country as some of the presidential candidates challenged the poll results. Some of the Opposition leaders demanded for nullification of the election claiming it was rigged in Biya's favour. Election boycott and running battles between security officers and supporters of various political parties were witnessed in the northern and southwest parts of the country. READ ALSO: Violence breaks out in Zimbabwe as Mugabes choice for president cries foul Due to the rising political temperatures, security was beefed up along major streets and around homes of some of the Opposition leaders who were allegedly planning to stage protests ahead of the declaration of the presidential poll results. Although most of Biya's past election victories were by a landslide, his regimes have been facing harsh criticisms, especially from human rights watchdogs. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. When Uhuru, Ruto and Raila Met at State House - On Tuko TV Source: Tuko.co.ke Kenyatta University popularly known as KU is a public research University in Kenya. To successfully complete a course in this school, you must meet the respective course requirements and excel in your examination. So, how do you know your examination grade? Read on to know more about Kenyatta University grading system. University grading system in Kenya varies from one school to the other. In KU, there are standard requirements that must be met before completion of a course. The requirements are as essential as they aid in the grading. Keep in mind that medical and mechanical engineering students have their own requirements as well as the grading system. The outlined below is the grading system for medicine, engineering, and other undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Bachelor's degree requirements and grading system At the end of the semester students usually do examinations in the centers they registered in. Before doing an examination, its important to do CATS and any other online activities since they boost your marks. CATS, group work, take away assignments and practical work together contribute 30% to the final exam while the university examination contributes the bigger share of 70%. The pass mark for all the units is 40%. Keep in mind the pass mark doesnt apply to medical and engineering students. Just familiarize yourself with the course you are taking to know some detailed requirements which apply to your course. Below is the Kenyatta university degree grading system. Grading system Units are always marked out of 100 and translated to grades as follows 70% and above A 60 to 69 B 50 to 59 C 40 to 49 D 0 to 39 E Incomplete grades Letter (I) is used to represent an incomplete grade at the end of a semester. The grade will be assigned to you if you have an acceptable senate reason as to why you cant sit for your examination. However, if you fail to take the examination in the next period it will be offered, a zero score is given to you. Zero falls under the E grade category and implies a failure. Retake You can only be allowed to sit for a retake if you have not failed in more than half of the units in a given trimester. The failed units normally are graded just like a normal examination. Academic warning Academic Warning (AW) will be given if you fail more than half of the units in a given trimester. Discontinuation on academic grounds Failing in all units in a given trimester automatically leads to discontinuation. Consequently, getting two academic warnings consecutively will also usher in discontinuation. Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences requirements and grading If you take this course, passing all the examinations units for the 4 years is mandatory. This includes even the university common units. The course operates on a trimester basis where each unit has 2 lecture hours and 3 practical hours per week. The laboratory skills unit for 1st, 2nd and 3rd year is usually held during the third semester of each year. It runs for 8 hours per day for a period of 8 weeks thus giving a total of 320 hours. n the 4th year, however, a hospital attachment unit that runs for 16 weeks is taken. It involves an 8-hour schedule per day excluding weekends giving a total of 640 hours of attachment. Additionally, a 90% class attendance is required. Each unit has CATs, oral examinations conducted by a panel of examiners and a practical examination which contribute 25%, 10%, and 15% respectively to the final examination. At the end of a semester, a final exam is done and contributes 50% to the final grade. The total pass mark required is 50% thus scoring less than that will be deemed as a fail. Here is the grading system at Kenyatta University for the course. Grading system 75 and above A 65 to 74 B 50 to 64 C 49 and below E Compensation rule If you obtain a final mark of not less than 46% and its below 50%, you can compensate for that according to your school provisions. The compensation, however, is not compulsory and applies only if your total mark is made up of a 50% mark from CAT examinations. Each mark can be compensated from passed units where if one mark is compensated, two marks are subtracted from the passed unit. A maximum of 8 marks from a single course can be compensated. Supplementary Supplementary exams are taken on once in a failed unit provided that more than half of the units taken have not been failed in a given trimester. Retake Failing in more than half of all the registered units in an academic year will lead to a repeat of the units offered in that year. In this case, you will be required to register the units afresh. Failing supplementary exams also ushers in a retake. Discontinuation on academic grounds Failing in all the units offered in an academic year will lead to a discontinuation. Failing in a retake will also usher in a discontinuation Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery requirements and grading The two programs are full-time courses and take six years academic years with each having three semesters. Each clinical course comprises of 35 contact hours where lectures, rotations, and clinical practical, field courses and community healthy attachments are applicable. Examinations Assessment tests comprise of practical, written tests, orals, assignments and any other mode the school prescribes. End of trimester exams are marked out of 60 % as follows: Final written exam 25% Orals 10% Clinical/practical component 25% The final grade is derived from the addition of the final examination marks with the CAT marks. Cats contribute 40% of the final grade. The pass mark for each unit is 50%. Nevertheless, any student who fails to satisfy examiners in the clinical examination shall have failed even if the final score is more than 50%. Grading system 75 and above A 65 to 74 B 50 to 64 C 49 and below E Compensation This is not compulsory and is done only if you have a total of marks between 46% and 49% in a failed unit. The marks, however, come from only related units which the Department Board of Examiners shall identify. Supplementary Supplementary exams are always ground to 50% and you cannot take the exam twice or take it if scored a minimum of 40%. Retake If you score marks between 30% and 40%, you will be liable to repeat the given unit. Discontinuation on academic grounds You can be discontinued under the following circumstances: Scoring less than 30% in any course. Failing in supplementary exams when you are a repeater. Failing in a retake. Bachelor of Pharmacy (B Pharm) requirements and grading system B Pharm is one of the courses offered at Kenyatta University. The program extends to a period of not less than five academic years or so. It comprises of research projects and hospital practical, lectures and industry/ community pharmacy attachment with each having 35 contact hours. Examinations Assessment is done for every course taken in every semester. The marks are distributed as follows: Final written exam 60% Practical and clinical assessments 30% Orals 10% CATS 30% The grading system is as follows: Grading system 75 and above A 65 to 74 B 50 to 64 C 49 and below E Pass marks For units that fall under Medicine School, the pass mark is 50% while for the rest; the pass mark in the respective school applies. PPG (Project Attachment) assessment comprises of the following: Project assessments - 60% Field assessments 40% Failing to satisfy examiners in these categories will lead to a redo of the failed units within a period of not less than 3 months. Supplementary If you score more than 40% but less than 50% in a given course, you can take a supplementary examination for which a pass will be recorded as 50% Retake Failure to attain a 40% mark in any unit exam will usher in a retake. Similarly, failing a supplementary exam leads to a retake. Keep in mind that taking more than two retake or supplementary exam in one year is unacceptable and will lead to discontinuation on academic grounds. Bachelor of science in mechanical engineering requirements To qualify being awarded a mechanical engineering degree, you have to complete a minimum of 80 units for which 12 are elective and the rest compulsory. Examination Design units comprise of a design exercise 50%, a CAT 10%, and a final exam test 40% while non-design units comprise of a final exam 70%, CATS, and assignments 30%. An engineering project is vital as it makes up 70% of the total marks. An oral presentation is available too, adding up to 30% of the total score. The pass mark for each unit is 40% from which assessments of practical attachments is based on supervisors evaluation report and student log-book. Supplementary Once you fail in a first attempt, the next thing will be doing a supplementary exam. This can only happen if you have failed in a maximum of 4 units in an academic year. Retake Failing a supplementary exam will lead to a retake and you wont be allowed to continue to the next academic year until you do it. Discontinuation on academic grounds Scoring less than 40% in more than half of the units in a given academic year automatically leads to a discontinuation. Similarly, the same happens when you fail in a retake more than two times. Kenyatta University masters grading system Each masters unit comprises of 35 one-hour lectures with practical and tutorial consisting of 3 and 2 hours respectively. Full-time first-year students normally take a minimum of 8 units in the academic year. To enroll in these programs, you must have a degree from a recognized institution by the Kenyatta university senate. Examinations Assessments for every unit you take are done at the end of each semester and contribute 70% to the total marks. A coursework CAT constituting 30% of the final score is also available. Here the pass mark goes up to 50% in each individual unit where youll be required to pass all the first year units. Here is the Masters Kenyatta University grading system. 75 and above A 65 to 74 B 50 to 64 C 49 and below E Supplementary and retake exams The School Board of Examinations shall decide if any supplements or retakes are to be taken. Kenyatta University result slip and transcript At the end of every trimester results slips can be downloaded from the student portal. Kenyatta University graduation system uses these results to calculate the final grades of students. The grades and average will use the following initials: P Pass AW Academic Warning I Incomplete A Auditing W Withdrawal R Retake RR Re-Retake DISC Discontinuation Outlined below is the breakdown of the Kenyatta University GPA grading system. Note that classification is based on the cumulative average percentage score of the total units done. 70% and above First class honours 60% to 69% - Upper second class honours 50% to 59% - Lower second Class 40% to 49% - Pass 0 to 39% - Fail Now you have the Kenyatta University grading system for medicine, engineering, and other undergraduate degree courses. The grading system at Kenyatta University postgraduate program has also been comprehensively covered. Go ahead and apply for that course and work to achieve the best grade. READ ALSO: Kenyatta University contacts Kenyatta Uni Notable Alumni Kenyatta university courses and cluster points Courses offered at Kenyatta University and their cluster points University of Nairobi Kenya overview: courses, admissions and fees Kabianga University Courses And Application 2018 Source: Kenya Breaking News Today - Eight lion teeth, two warthog teeth and three lion claws were recovered from the foreigner - They were wrapped in a foil and then concealed in a thermos flask - The foreigner is set to be arraigned in a Nairobi court on Tuesday A Vietnamese man was on Monday, October 22, arrested by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers after he was found to be in illegal possession of wildlife products. Truong Trung Hieu was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and he was on transit from Liberia to Bangkok through the Nairobi based airport. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens. READ ALSO: Angry Bomet MPs walk out of Uhuru Kenyattas function for being ignored In a statement, KWS said eight lion teeth, two warthog teeth and three lion claws were recovered from the foreigner. Photo: KWS Twitter Source: UGC READ ALSO: Angry Bomet MPs walk out of Uhuru Kenyattas function for being ignored In a statement, KWS said eight lion teeth, two warthog teeth and three lion claws were recovered from the foreigner. "A Vietnamese national was early this morning (Monday) arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi for illegal possession of lion and warthog products. The illegal wildlife products, included eight lion teeth, three lion claws and two warthog teeth," KWS shared on Twitter. READ ALSO: 85-year-old Paul Biya re-elected president of Cameroon for seventh term TUKO.co.ke, learnt the trophies were wrapped in foil papers and then stashed in a thermos flask before they were intercepted. The suspect is set to be arraigned in a Nairobi court soon as a Vietnamese interpreter is availed to aid in reading the charges to the accused. The arrest came hardly a day after DCI detectives working together with KWS officers arrested two people in Diani after they were found to be in illegal possession of ivory tusks. The two, Sura Ali Pango, 29, and Juma Ali Mwamadi ,33, appeared in court Monday, October 22. The ivory recovered from them, according KWS, was valued at over KSh 1.9 million. READ ALSO: Detectives arrest conman promising Kenyans fake jobs in Qatar While attending the fourth Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade at the Battersea Evolution in London, United Kingdom, First Lady Margret Kenyatta affirmed Kenya's commitment towards eradicating the poaching menace. She revealed the current elephant population in the country stood at 43,000 while that of rhinos was over 1,000. The Fist Lady stated since 1989 to date, Kenya has destroyed a total of 137 tonnes of ivory and 1.5 tonnes of rhino horns. 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's Former Gangsters Now Cleaning Nairobi City - Kenya Untold Stories | Tuko TV. Source: Tuko - Thomas Ng'ang'a was employed as a nurse at Lexington Rehabilitation and Healthcare - He was accused of raping a 72-year-old woman who was a patient at the facility - Ng'ang'a was caught by one of his co-worker's forcing himself on the patient A Kenyan national working as a caregiver in Virginia, USA is being held at Henrico County jail on rape allegations and is due in court again in December 2018. Authorities arrested and charged Thomas Ng'ang'a with raping a 72-year-old female patient at Lexington Rehabilitation and Healthcare where he was employed as a nurse. Send News' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Picha za jumba la kifahari la seneta wa Kakamega linalodaiwa kujengwa na Ruto Thomas Ng'ang'a was arrested on allegations he was caught forcing himself on an elderly woman at a nursing home where he was a health officer. Photo: KNS News. Source: UGC READ ALSO: US based Kenyan pastor holds three pre-weddings with two different women According to US media outlet, KSN News, a female coworker at the facility bumped into the suspect forcing himself on the elderly victim. "The fear, the trauma that somebody experiences when they witness an event like this is understandable. I am proud she stepped forward and did the right thing," said Hamilton Jonathan, the rehab administrator. READ ALSO: Donald Trump deports 20 Kenyans from the US Ng'ang'a had passed multiple tests prior to his employment six months before the incident which authorities described only as sickening. "We are traumatised at a certain level but I think this community in particular is a very close and loving community and we are helping each other to get through this," added Hamilton. Now detained, the suspect has no bond option. 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. The Sad Life of Dedan Kimathi's Forgotten Family - on Tuko TV. Source: Tuko Breaking News - Mathius Ombiro died on Sunday, October 21 - He had complained of ill health for a few weeks before he underwent a scan at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital - According to his family, he had a liver infection which led to his death Teachers and students at Nyabisase SDA School in Kisii county are in mourning following the death of a Form Four candidate few hours to the beginning of the national examination. Mathius Ombiro who was among the candidates in the 2018 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam was pronounced dead on the evening of October, Sunday 21, at Christmarine Hospital in Kisii. Send News' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Picha za jumba la kifahari la seneta wa Kakamega linalodaiwa kujengwa na Ruto Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed has warned students, teachers and parents against exam cheating. Photo: Amina Mohammed/Facebook. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Education CS narrates how her son begged for money to buy leaked KCSE exams The national exam kicked off on October, Monday 22. According to Kenya News Agency, his parents, Thomas Orina and Mary Moraa, said their son had complained of ill health for a few weeks before he underwent a scan at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital. The KCSE candidate had been diagnosed with a liver infection and was put on medication by doctors and later discharged to school but his condition worsened forcing him to seek further treatment. READ ALSO: Uhuru urges KCSE, KCPE candidates to accept their national exam grades Omiro was treated at a mission hospital in South Mugirango Sub-county and discharged to take rest at home but still complained of ill health. Nyamache Sub-county Education Director Janet Onduso confirmed the candidate died in hospital where he was undergoing medication. On Monday, October 22, a section of the candidates sat oral tests examined in Arabic, French and German languages. Practical exams will end Thursday, November 1, and thereafter theory papers will kick-off on Monday, November 5. READ ALSO: KCSE exams set to kick off on Monday as school term heads to a close A sum of KSh 4.2 billion has already been earmarked to facilitate the exams. During the tests, at least 264,446 field personnel will be involved in administering the tests to the 1,930,947 candidates. 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. The Sad Life of Dedan Kimathi's Forgotten Family - on Tuko TV. Source: Tuko Kenya - The workers want hourly allowances increased from KSh 5,000 to KSh 20,000 - Kenya Airways said it would discuss the deal immediately after the launch of the flight - The Union insisted the deal should be closed before Sunday or else the strike will take effect Kenya Airways (KQ) staff have threatened to paralyse launch of direct flights to the US if the airline does not offer them better pay as earlier agreed. Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) Secretary General, Moses Ndiema, through a statement said the industrial action will see cabin crew abscond duties on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner airplane come Sunday, October 28. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens. READ ALSO: Picha za jumba la kifahari la seneta wa Kakamega linalodaiwa kujengwa na Ruto Ndiema said KQ had not shown commitment to implementing an earlier negotiated CBA. Photo: KQ Source: UGC READ ALSO: KQ fully booked one week ahead of maiden direct flight to New York Ndiema said KQ was not willing to show commitment to implementing an earlier negotiated CBA and also not shown signs of effecting better pay for crew set to man the 15 hour Nairobi - New York route. Its our demand that management commits to concluding the CBA negotiations before Sunday, October 28,. To that end, we are calling on all our members across all sections, that is passenger services, cargo operations, passenger ramp, in-flight functions, technical, flight ops and support services, to stay away from the USA operations until further advised by the union," stated Ndiema. READ ALSO: Celebrated CNN business anchor Richard Quest meets up with Marathon World record holder Eliud Kipchoge The carrier's CEO, Sebastian Mikosz, however, pressed upon the staff to shelve their strike threat, stating the airline would engage them in talks immediately after the launch. Mikosz termed the planned strike as sabotage and illegal as the airline was currently spreading its business across the world in a move to solidify its revenue base. Employees proceeding with an illegal strike are supporting our competitors by working to the detriment of the company and should be considered as such by the public and Government of Kenya, the CEO said in a statement. The carrier's CEO Sebastian Mikosz has, however, pressed upon the staff to shelved their strike threats stating that the airline will engage them in talks immediately after the launch. Photo: UGC Source: Depositphotos READ ALSO: Cash-strapped Kenya Airways increases flights across Africa as it struggles to restore profitability The union demanded that KQ pays its members KSh 20,000 as hourly allowances stating the current KSh 5,000 being offered was exploitative. President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to launch the flight which will have 468 passengers on board on Sunday, October 28. Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said the direct flights to the US will position the county as an economic and tourism hub thus launching Kenya on a transformative trajectory. On Tuesday, October 23, a delegation of directors from from Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) is expected to leave for the US to finalise arrangements ahead of the historic flight. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Shosh Cecilia Story Continues: Shosh Cecilia Gets New Teeth | Tuko TV. Source: Tuko - Malala argued the deputy president may need the position in 2022 - He urged the Jubilee party leaders to support referendum to create the new office - Ruto has been campaigning against constitutional amendment to create new positions in government Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala has proposed for creation of Office of the Chief Opposition leader through constitutional amendment, claiming the deputy president, William Ruto, may need the position in 2022. The senator argued the new office will come in hand for Ruto should he lose in the future presidential election. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Khalwales insults for Ruto return to haunt him after changing tone to support the DP Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala wants Office of the Chief Opposition leader created through constitutional amendment. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Angry Bomet MPs walk out of Uhuru Kenyattas function for being ignored Speaking at a Church function in Kakamega, Malala told Senate speaker Kenneth Lusakato reach to Ruto and Jubilee party leaders to support the referendum. You never know, Ruto could just need the Official Opposition seat when that time comes. He must support push for referendum for us to create that office for him in advance, said Malala amid laughter from the congregation. READ ALSO: Uhuru reaffirms his support for DP Ruto in 2022 days after Raila's appointment to AU According to the senator, the proposed constitutional reforms could guarantee individuals like Ruto and even Lusaka, who was present at the church function in Kakamega, an opportunity to lead the country one day. We want to restructure the government and expand the executive so that all communities can be represented in government. This will be a good opportunity for any Kenya irrespective of where they come from to become president, said Malala. READ ALSO: Uhuru confirms backing Ruto in 2022 The senator's proposal, however, did not go down well with Speaker Lusaka who is strongly opposed to the plebiscite. We cannot afford to go through what we experienced during the Banana versus Orange referendum where Kenyans would find themselves in big trouble selling either fruit, the speaker argued. Lusaka added it was time for leaders to concentrate on serving Kenyans as opposed to engaging in campaign battles. It was evident the referendum talk had split leaders from the Western region. Whereas Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetangula and others have been critical of the renewed push for constitutional change, Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali and others are vigorously campaigning for it. Story by Joe Tinga 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 Kenya - The gang comprised four robbers who attacked woman operating a multiple mobile banking shop - The robbers struck at 3pm on Monday, October 22, wielding a pistol - The businesswoman raised alarm which was promptly responded to by police officers on patrol - A shootout ensued and two among the four robbers were fatally injured Police from Shauri Moyo police station in Nairobi gunned down two youthful robbers in a daylight botched robbery attempt in Burma market. A pistol and three rounds of ammunition were recovered during the incident which took place at 3pm on Monday, October 22. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Senator Malala proposes creation of Office of Chief Opposition leader for DP Ruto the gang of four struck at 3pm and confronted a businesswoman operating a multiple mobile money shop in Burma market. Photo: UGC Source: UGC READ ALSO: Armed robbers shoot and injure two police officers in Kayole, steal gun In a police incident report seen by TUKo.co.ke on Tuesday, October 23, the two were part of a gang of four men who confronted a businesswoman operating an M-Pesa, Equity and KCB Mtaani agency shop in the busy market. According to police, the two were killed following a shootout which ensued after the woman promptly alerted police officers. "While at her place of work, she was confronted by four young robbers wielding a pistol. She raised alarm which was promptly responded to by officers on patrol. A shoot out ensued and two among the four were fatally injured," read part of the report. READ ALSO: KCSE candidate dies, Form Three student blinded after drinking stolen methanol in Elgeyo Marakwet According to the police, the Baretta Pistol which was recovered had a faded serial number. The bodies of the deceased are lying at City Mortuary awaiting postmortem with the matter pending investigations. 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. Jacque Maribe, Joseph Irungu to Return to Court on October 24th - On Tuko TV Source: Kenyan Breaking News - The coastal region shall experience heavy rainfall accompanied with strong winds and waves - The counties that shall be affected include Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu - The weather man warned residents to be on the lookout for possible flash floods Residents of the coastal region will be forced to stay indoors in the coming days after the Kenya Meteorological Department warned of heavy rainfall between Wednesday, October 24, to Friday, October 26. According to the weatherman, heavy rainfall of above 30 mm will be expected on Wednesday, October 24, and will last for 24 hours. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Picha za jumba la kifahari la seneta wa Kakamega linalodaiwa kujengwa na Ruto The Kenya Meteorological Department warns of heavy rains and floods in the coastal region. Photo: UGC Source: Facebook READ ALSO: KCSE candidate dies, Form Three student blinded after drinking stolen methanol in Elgeyo Marakwet In a Twitter post seen by TUKO.co.ke on Tuesday, October 23, the department warned of heavy rains above 40 mm on Thursday, October 25, accompanied by strong winds and large waves. "On Friday, October 26, 2018, the rainfall intensity expected along the coast will decrease to 30 mm in 24 hours. These heavy rains will be accompanied by strong winds and large waves," said the weatherman. The rains will affect five counties including Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu. READ ALSO: Khalwales insults for Ruto return to haunt him after changing tone to support the DP "Residents in all the mentioned areas are advised to be on lookout for flash floods, people should avoid driving, wading or walking through any fast-moving waters," warned the weatherman. "The heavy rains and strong winds off shore may result to storm surges along the coast, hence fishermen and all the marine industry should be on alert," added the Met department. 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 THE SAD LIFE OF DEDAN KIMATHI'S FORGOTTEN FAMILY| Tuko TV Source: Tuko - Obado is being detained over murder of his ex-lover Sharon Otieno and her unborn baby - The governor and his two aides have denied any wrongdoing in connection to the killing - Migori county ODM chairman Makabong'o claimed the continued detention had stalled county operations - He urged the MCAs to explore all the legal avenues to force out the embattled county boss Migori county ODM chairman Philip Makabongo has given Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) a two-weeks ultimatum to impeach beleaguered Governor Okoth Obado. In a controversial WhatsApp message to the MCAs, Makabong'o called on the politicians to apply the due process as stipulated in law to force the governor out of office or else the party would be forced to intervene. Send News' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Picha za jumba la kifahari la seneta wa Kakamega linalodaiwa kujengwa na Ruto Governor Obado at Milimani Law Courts where he denied orchestrating ex-lover's murder. Photo: Nation. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: DNA test confirms Migori Governor Okoth Obado sired late Sharon Otieno's baby The law of the land is categorical on the legal proceedings under article 181.1 on how to remove a governor from the office, he said. Makabong'o is perceived to be the biggest critic of Obado and his statement was a strong indication that a major impeachment motion was in the offing. He said the county chief should be removed from office over his absence from the county and his deputy Mwita Mahanga to take over. READ ALSO: No Governor Okoth Obado, no sex - Female supporters Obado is facing murder charges together with his two aides, Caspal Obiero and Michael Oyamo, over the death of his girlfriend Sharon Otieno and their unborn baby boy. The Migori county assembly members are sleeping in class or they dont understand their legislative obligations! Makabong'o went on. He added: Kindly deal within two weeks or the party will intervene. READ ALSO: Okoth Obado suspected slain university girl was cheating on him with his son - Journalist claims According to the party official, county government operations are at a standstill but the MCAs have ignored it despite breaking into education office last week to steal bursary forms. "God forbid the Migori senator has been sworn in and demand for a way forward. Migori people wake up and remove the webs, he warned in a thinly veiled reference to Obados political nemesis senator Ochillo Ayacko. Story by Ian Omondi, Migori county TUKO.co.ke correspondent. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. The Sad Life of Dedan Kimathi's Forgotten Family - on Tuko TV. Source: Breaking News - She won the award for her outstanding contribution in peace and fight for women education - The MP said the award was a great motivation to keep pushing for women empowerment - In December 2014, Lesuuda was named in Forbes list of 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa - The award came days after she revealed her plans to wed in November, 2018 Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda has won a One Young World Politician of the year 2018 award in a ceremony held in Hague, Netherlands. The MP bagged the award for her outstanding contribution in the education and peace in her community. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Picha za jumba la kifahari la seneta wa Kakamega linalodaiwa kujengwa na Ruto READ ALSO: Senator Malala urges Raila to use AU position to create jobs for Kakamega youth "To be honest, it has not been a walk in the park. There are times that my passion for peace, education, youth and women empowerment seemed to dim. Maybe the negative energy and criticism drowned the voices that continued to pray and encourage me along the way," said the politician following the win. The MP stated she was ready to keep pushing for women education and empowerment not only in her community but across other disadvantaged areas. " I get back home re-energised. Interacting and listening to what others have had to do to impact change in their countries was a refreshing experience; one that has inspired me to keep moving forward," she added. READ ALSO: Senator Malala proposes creation of Office of Chief Opposition leader for DP Ruto The lawmaker has been on the forefront in the fight against FGM among the Samburus and has been headlined as a champion of peace in the community. In December 2014, Lesuuda was named in Forbes list of 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa. The award came days after she revealed her plan to tie the knot with her fiance on Saturday, November, 17 2018. 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 THE SAD LIFE OF DEDAN KIMATHI'S FORGOTTEN FAMILY| Tuko TV Source: Tuko.co.ke A hungry man is an angry man, so they say. It is also important to note hunger comes in many shapes and forms. It could be hunger for freedom or even justice. An irate teacher from Litein, Kericho County was caught hammering a police officer during a riot and boy did the internet go crazy! Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Kutana na binti mrembo Mkorino anayewakosesha wanaume usingizi READ ALSO: Uhuru Kenyatta's niece Kavi Pratt to drop collabo with late Kamaru soon In a viral video seen by TUKO.co.ke, the male teacher dressed in a conspicuous yellow shirt ran after a police officer and hit the cop on the back uing a huge piece of wood, the kind of rungus used by police to quell riots. It all started when teachers decided to hold a protest on Tuesday, October, 23 after their colleague and his wife were found dead in their Chesingoro village home. READ ALSO: Kenyans grossly angered by Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuris perceive arrogance Policemen within the area tried to contain the commotion and they started chasing after some of the rogue educators. As the teachers took to their heels amidst teargas and clobbering by the anti-riot cops, one man, presumably a teacher in a yellow t-shirt, came from behind and attacked one of the policemen then proceeded to run away. The rest of his colleagues just took to their heels without bothering to turn around and catch a glimpse of the predator becoming the prey. The officer who was gleefully running after the teachers salivating to clobber one of them with his rungu was taken a back and shocked, he suddenly stopped the chase, clueless as to who decided to savagely attack him. Social media was left giggling and poking fun at the policeman with some congratulating the teacher for shooting his shot. Prior reports by TUKO.co.ke indicated a man who was a teacher at Cheborge secondary school was found lifeless next to his deceased wife in the dawn of July, 21 2018. TUKO.co.ke understands the man was found with deep wounds while his wife was killed using a blunt object. The ladys eyes were said to be gorged out. Witnesses intimated to TUKO.co.ke the assailants may have forcibly gained entry to the couples home before mutilating the duo. Further reports suggested the perpetrators of the heinous crime are yet to be punished. 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. THE SAD LIFE OF DEDAN KIMATHI'S FORGOTTEN FAMILY| Tuko TV: Source: Breaking News - Obado has been in custody since his arrest on Friday, September 21, 2018 - The county boss pleaded not guilty to murder of his ex-lover Sharon - Ruling on his bail application is set for Wednesday, October 24, at Nairobi High Court - ODM MPs Wanga and Kaluma are on record calling for his impeachment Detained Migori Governor Zachary Okoth Obado on Tuesday, October 23, took a swipe at Nyanza ODM politicians for politicising the ghastly murder of his ex-lover Sharon Otieno. Obado who was speaking from the Industrial Area Remand Prison where he is being held in connection with the killing, reiterated his innocence even as he awaited ruling on his bail application on Wednesday, October 24. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Kutana na binti mrembo Mkorino anayewakosesha wanaume usingizi Governor Obado at Milimani Law Court. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder charge. Photo: Nation. Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Obado enjoyed VIP treatment at Industrial Area remand prison Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga and her Homa Bay Town MP counterpart Opondo Kaluma are on record calling for Obado's impeachment over integrity. Interestingly, Kaluma is the victim's family lawyer in the case. "It is unfortunate some members are using this incident to fight me, they badmouth when they meet Jakom (Raila). I sincerely believe I should not be here at all because I did nothing and nobody has said anything that is incriminating me," he told K24 TV. READ ALSO: Okoth Obado now facing 2 counts of murder, sent back to remand for 4 more days On media coverage, the county chief lamented he was a victim of sensational biased reporting which has since reduced him to a political punching bag for his nemesis. "At least 90% of news reports are people interested in misquoting me. All the available tools are now used against me," he claimed. Obado and his two aides, Caspal Obiero and Michael Oyamo, pleaded not guilty to the two counts; murder of Sharon and her unborn baby. READ ALSO: Okoth Obados PA to spend 13 more days in remand after denying killing his bosss lover The governor was sent back to remand for 12 more days after his lawyers failed to secure him freedom on bond. Hearing on bail application resumes on Wednesday, October 24, before Lady Justice Jessie Lesiit. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Obado to Spend More Days Behind Bars - On Tuko TV Source: Tuko From midnight, the State of Emergency, inclusive of the 10pm to 5 am curfew shall come to an end. Ukraine will be among only five NATO partner countries (out of more than 40) to take part in the Trident Juncture exercise on October 25 - November 7 this year. This exercise is, indeed, very large, and Ukraine will be represented by full-time officers in the headquarters. In general, only five countries out of 41 NATO partner countries participate [in the exercise this year], and Ukraine is among them, Major General Odd Egil Pedersen, the NATO Deputy Chief of Staff of Military Partnerships Directorate, said in an exclusive commentary to an Ukrinform correspondent. According to him, the representatives of Sweden, Finland, Ukraine, Georgia and Jordan will participate in the drills. The start of military exercise is scheduled for October 25. The multinational NATO-led Trident Juncture exercise will take place in Norway, the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic, including Iceland and the airspace of Finland and Sweden, from October 25 to November 7. About 50,000 soldiers will take part in the maneuvers, including more than 14,000 soldiers of the U.S. Army. ol Ukraine, Montenegro, Albania and Norway have joined the EU's extended sanctions against Russia that were imposed over the violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said this in a statement on Monday, October 22. According to the statement, these countries joined the September decision of the EU Council to prolong the restrictive measures against Russia until March 15, 2019. "The Candidate Countries Montenegro and Albania, and the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, align themselves with this declaration," the statement reads. These countries will ensure that their national policies conform to this Council decision. "The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it," Mogherini said. In September, the European Union extended personal restrictive measures against Russian individuals and entities involved view of the continuing undermining or threatening of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. These measures concern asset freezes and travel bans. Sanctions have currently been applied to 155 individuals and 44 legal entities. op A new program from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will facilitate Ukraine's access to funding worth $8 billion, which will keep a fairly stable hryvnia exchange rate next year. Anders Aslund, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, said this in an interview with the Ukrainian service of the Voice of America. Ukraine is now likely to get $2 billion from the IMF, $2 billion from the EU and the World Bank, the Ukrainian government is likely to place $2 billion in Eurobonds, and state companies are likely to place Eurobonds for an additional $2 billion or more, Aslund said. According to him, this should be enough for Ukraine to maintain a fairly stable exchange rate next year. The analyst also said the IMF program will help resolve two main issues that concerned observers - limited central bank reserves and limited budget funding. The new IMF program will help increase the central bank's foreign exchange reserves currently amounting to about $16.6 billion, which, according to the analyst, is an absolute minimum. The reserves will grow to about $25 billion, which will be enough for Ukraine for next year when elections take place in the country. The new Stand-By Arrangement of $3.9 billion replaced the Extended Fund Facility of $17.5 billion, which was due to lapse in March 2019. The new program will become a stabilizing factor, according to the analyst. In order to reach agreement on a new SBA, Ukraine had to fulfill a number of conditions, he added. According to Aslund, the first condition was an anticorruption court, the legislative decision on which was made in June. The second was an increase in natural gas prices by 23.5%, which is now in force, and the third condition was a budget with a limited deficit. And 2.3% of GDP is absolutely acceptable to the IMF, he said. Now it is only necessary to adopt the law on the budget, which the Verkhovna Rada will have to vote in the final reading and the president will have to sign it. op VIRGINIA FILM FESIVAL TO HONOR CHRISOPH WALTZ Cinema Retro Cinema Retro has received the following press release: TWO-TIME ACADEMY AWARD-WINNING ACTOR CHRISTOPH WALTZ ANNOUNCED AS A SPECIAL GUEST AT THE 2018 VIRGINIA FILM FESTIVAL FESTIVAL OFFICIALS ALSO ANNOUNCE HIGH PROFILE ADDITIONS TO 2018 PROGRAM INCLUDING BARRY JENKINS IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK AND JULIAN SCHNABELS AT ETERNITYS GATE Additions Also Include Sundance Award-Winning Documentary Matangi / Maya / M.I.A. CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA OCTOBER 10, 2018 Two-time Academy Award-winning actor Christoph Waltz will be a special guest at the upcoming 2018 Virginia Film Festival, VAFF officials announced today. The Festival also announced program additions including Moonlight writer and director Barry Jenkins latest film, If Beale Street Could Talk, and Julian Schnabels At Eternitys Gate, which stars Willem Dafoe as Vincent van Gogh. The Virginia Film Festival is a program of the University of Virginia and the Office of the Provost and Vice Provost for the Arts. The 2018 Festival will take place from November 1-4 in Charlottesville and will include more than 150 films and over 100 industry guests from around the world. The Festival also announced today the addition of the Sundance Award-winning documentary Matangi / Maya / M.I.A. that charts the unlikely rise of a London Sri Lankan immigrant through the ranks of the music industry to become one of the most fascinating and controversial artists today. We are thrilled to announce that Christoph Waltz will be joining us for the 2018 Virginia Film Festival, said Jody Kielbasa, director of the VAFF and vice provost for the arts at UVA. Our audiences will not only have the chance to hear from someone who is clearly one of the leading actors working today, but also one who is at the very top of his game, and whose star is still on the rise. He is truly one of the most interesting and talented actors of his time, and brings a sense of originality to every role that makes it nearly impossible to imagine anyone else in it. Waltz will appear with Academy Award-winning producer and VAFF advisory board chair Mark Johnson for A Tribute to Christoph Waltz on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 1:00 PM at The Paramount Theater. The pair worked together previously on Alexander Paynes Downsizing, which opened last years Virginia Film Festival. The event will combine the onstage interview with clips of key scenes from Waltzs career. Tickets for the newly-announced screenings and tribute event will go on sale on Friday, October 12 at noon online at virginiafilmfestival.org; in-person at the UVA Arts Box Office in the lobby of the UVA Drama Building, open M-F from noon to 5:00 PM; and by phone at 434-924-3376. Beginning October 24, Festival tickets will also be available at the Downtown Box Office in the lobby of Violet Crown on the Downtown Mall. Christoph Waltz is best known for his work with filmmaker Quentin Tarantino. After working steadily on stage and on screen in Europe for 30 years, Waltz burst on the Hollywood scene in 2009 when he played the ruthless, brutal, but at times charming Austrian SS Col. Hans Landa in Tarantinos Inglourious Basterds. The role earned Waltz 27 major awards, including 2009 Golden Globe and Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor. He won his second Golden Globe and Academy Award in 2012, again in the Best Supporting Actor category, for his role as bounty hunter Dr. King Schultz in Tarantinos Django Unchained. Other acclaimed roles have included plagiarist Walter Keane in Tim Burtons Big Eyes; and 007 nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld in 2015s Spectre. Other starring roles for Waltz have included Benjamin Chudnofsky in Green Hornet, the villainous Cardinal Richelieu in Paul W.S. Andersons remake of The Three Musketeers, and August in Francis Lawrences adaptation of Sara Gruens bestselling novel Water for Elephants. Barry Jenkins If Beale Street Could Talk recently had its World Premiere at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival. A powerful follow up to Jenkins Academy Award-winning triumph Moonlight, If Beale Street Could Talk is set in 1970s Harlem and is centered around the story of young African American couple Tish and Fonny. The pair, friends since childhood, find themselves deeply in love and are eager to get married. Their love story is shattered when Fonny ends up in prison after being falsely accused of a heinous crime, and Tish finds herself in a race against time to prove his innocence before their child is born. Julian Schnabels At Eternitys Gate is a journey inside the world and mind of a person who, despite skepticism, ridicule, and illness, created some of the worlds most beloved and stunning works of art. This is not a forensic biography, but rather scenes based on Vincent van Goghs (Academy Award-nominee Willem Dafoe) letters, common agreement about events in his life that present as facts, and moments that were just plain invented. Matangi / Maya / M.I.A. is an intimate portrait shot by Maya Arulpragasam and her friends over the last 22 years. The film captures her unlikely rise from immigrant teenager in London, to the international pop star M.I.A. who draws inspiration from her roots. M.I.A.s mashup, cut-and-paste identity pulls from every corner of her journey, including Tamil politics, Art-school punk, hip-hop beats, and the voice of multicultural youth. The cameras roll through Mayas battles with the music industry and mainstream media as her success and fame grew, and she cemented her place as one of the most provocative and divisive artists working in music today. The 2018 Virginia Film Festival is presented by The Joseph & Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation (Richard M. Adler and Joseph Erdman, Trustees). The 2018 Virginia Film Festival is generously supported by the following Premiere Sponsors: The AV Company, Bank of America, CFA Institute, Community Idea Stations, Harvest Moon Catering, James Madisons Montpelier, Violet Crown Charlottesville, and the Virginia Film Office. For more information, visit virginiafilmfestival.org. Reaching the agreement between the IMF and Kyiv on a new stand-by macro-financial assistance program is a key step towards ensuring Ukraines future economic stability. "The G7 Ambassadors welcome the staff level agreement reached between the IMF and the Ukrainian authorities on a new Stand-By Arrangement. A key step towards ensuring Ukraines future economic stability and continued economic growth," reads the statement of the Canadian Chair of the G7 Ambassadors Support Group in Kyiv posted on Twitter. At an extraordinary governments meeting on October 19, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine supported the increase in gas prices for the population by 23.5% starting from November 1. Immediately after that, the IMF made a public statement on reaching the agreement with the Government of Ukraine on a new stand-by arrangement. ol The first Canada-Ukraine Investment Forum will be held in Toronto, the largest city in Canada. As an Ukrinform correspondent reports, the event is timed to the first anniversary of the entry into force of the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement. The main purpose of the forum is to deepen Canada-Ukraine cooperation in the area of investment attraction, informed the representative office of the Canada-Ukraine Trade and Investment Support project (CUTIS), which is the main organizer of the forum. The projects of 20 Ukrainian companies dealing with infrastructure, natural resources, agriculture and information and communication technologies will be presented at the Canada-Ukraine Investment Forum on October 23-24. Apart from the business representatives, a large political delegation led by First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Stepan Kubiv will attend the forum. Among other things, the format of the event provides for face-to-face interaction between the representatives of Ukrainian companies and Canadian investors. During the event, Canadian investors will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the investment projects, exchange views with Ukrainian officials as well as communicate with the representatives of Ukrainian business, the CUTIS representative office noted. ol The US-Ukraine cooperation has the potential to expand in the areas of innovation, energy, infrastructure, investment and privatization. "The cooperation between Ukraine and the United States has the potential to expand in the areas of investment, innovation, energy, infrastructure, privatization in Ukraine and other areas," First Vice Prime Minister - Economic Development and Trade Minister of Ukraine Stepan Kubiv posted on Facebook. As Kubiv noted, he is now on a working visit to Washington D.C., where he will discuss the expansion of cooperation during the eighth meeting of the Ukraine-US Trade and Investment Council and at the bilateral meetings. In 2017, Ukraine-US trade increased 1.6-fold compared with 2016 and totaled more than $3.3 billion, the Vice PM added. ol Minister of Ukraine for Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons Vadym Chernysh and U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch will visit Mariupol on October 25. "On October 25, 2018, Minister of Ukraine for Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons Vadym Chernysh and U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch will make a working visit to Mariupol. During the visit, the ceremony of opening and carrying out of tests of a pilot water treatment plant in Mariupol (the Starokrymska filter station) will take place," the Ministrys press service reports. ol Ukraine and Canada have managed to form a mutually beneficial partnership that goes beyond the borders of the two states, according to First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Stepan Kubiv. Ukraine and Canada have a mutually beneficial partnership, first of all, in terms of forming the security level not only bilateral but global as well, Kubiv told an Ukrinform correspondent. He added that Ukraine sees in Canada "a strategic partnership in social, economic, energy and human potential." In the triangle of free trade agreements among Canada, the EU and Ukraine, we see the opportunity of an innovation and investment plan for expanding and modernizing the production in Ukraine in the energy, engineering, IT environment, food processing, scientific sectors, in the issues of space, aviation, satellites, strengthening of joint schools, etc., Kubiv said. According to him, at present among the current issues of cooperation between the two states are small and medium business, technology and innovation, and joint ventures." As Ukrinform reported, Stepan Kubiv is on a working visit to Canada. iy The Conservative Party of Canada, the largest opposition party in the country's parliament, promises not to curtail its support for Ukraine. The Conservative Party of Canada will always be a reliable voice in support of the people of free and democratic Ukraine, party leader Andrew Scheer said on the occasion of the unveiling of the Holodomor victims memorial in Toronto, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. According to him, some of the lessons learned during the Holodomor are still relevant. The lessons of the Holodomor are still relevant as Ukraine continues to fight against the repressive Moscow regime. The regime is trying to force Ukrainians to bow to its will, inciting violence and undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, he stressed. Scheer also praised the active standing of Ukrainian organizations in Canada involved in the construction of the memorial. I praise the leadership role of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress in Toronto and other diaspora organizations and individuals involved in the construction of the memorial to the victims of the Holodomor. It will serve as a place of remembrance, commemoration and public education, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada noted. As reported, the memorial to the victims of the Holodomor of 1932-33 in Ukraine was unveiled in Toronto on Sunday. ol Ukraine will switch to winter daylight saving time in the early hours of Sunday, October 28, when the clocks will go backwards one hour. According to Ukrinform, the transfer to summer and winter time is regulated by a Cabinet of Ministers resolution of May 13, 1996 on the procedure for calculating time in Ukraine. According to the document, the clocks in Ukraine are moved one hour forward on the last Sunday of March at 3 o'clock and one hour backwards on the last Sunday of October at 4 o'clock. The European Commission proposes abandoning the practice of switching to summer and winter time in the EU member states from 2019. In 2011, the Verkhovna Rada tried to cancel the moving of clocks to winter time in Ukraine but the decision was repealed under public pressure. op Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze met with Minister for Veterans' Affairs of Australia Darren Chester in Canberra, the Government portal reports. The Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister stated that the experience of Austria in the rehabilitation and social adaptation of military veterans would be very important for establishing the Ministry for Veterans Affairs in Ukraine. Today we are fully aware of the need to create the Ministry of Veterans Affairs. The best practices of Australia and, in particular, the Ministry for Veterans Affairs in the rehabilitation and social adaptation of military veterans would be incredibly important for us," she stressed. The parties discussed common approaches and differences in the functioning of social, psychological and medical rehabilitation systems in Ukraine and Australia, as well as the existing conditions and possibilities for further professional development of servicepersons after they complete military service. Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze thanked the Australian Government for its firm and consistent position regarding Ukraine, strong support for sovereignty and territorial integrity. facebook like button Tweet tweet button for twitter Published October 23, 2018 Research into the treatment of Alzheimer's disease using a component of virgin olive oil, which the process of extracting was developed by researchers at the University of Louisiana Monroe, will continue thanks to a $350,000 grant. The grant was announced Monday at a press conference at ULM. The funding is from the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Aging. ABOVE: Attending the press conference were, from left, Dr. Eric Pani, ULM Vice President of Academic Affairs; Dr. Jim Cardelli, Oleolive CTO and Segue Science Management co-founder; Kylie Grant, Oleolive CEO and SSM financial consultant; Dr. John Sutherlin, ULM Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research; Dr. Alana Gray, Oleolive COO and SSM co-founder; Dr. Glenn Anderson, ULM Dean of the College of Pharmacy; and ULM President Dr. Nick J. Bruno. Jeanette Robinson/ULM Photo Services Research is very important. ULM is positioned to do some significant research in every college. So the call has gone out and the response has been very positive 73 new awards this year, 65 last year, said ULM President Nick J. Bruno. Patenting research that has economic value, that is the priority here at ULM. But also the research that improves the standard of living for the citizens of this region and the state. We are very well positioned to help in so many areas of need. Not only here in north Louisiana, but throughout the Delta Region. The grant went to the company Oleolive, which licensed the ULM technology of extracting oleocanthal from virgin olive oil. The process was discovered by Dr. Khalid El Sayed of the ULM School of Pharmacy and his former research partner Dr. Amal Kaddoumi. Kaddoumi is now at Auburn University and will conduct the continuing research. Revenue from Oleolive and future licensed technologies returns to ULM as royalties. Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Dr. John Sutherlin said, One of the things that we wanted to do was make sure that we were investing the precious dollars that we had, whether in the forms of grants or matching funds, whatever it was, into programs that could make money for the university. That is the purpose of a licensing agreement, to get our products out there. Certainly to impact the quality of life and also to provide a steady revenue stream over time. Nothing is developed overnight. We all wish it would happen immediately and thats not the way success becomes sustainable. Were committed to the long term. Sutherlin continued, commenting on other profitable possibilities for the university saying, We had meetings last week for everything from nursing to radiotechnology and other pharmacy applications. So there are lots of things going on and very exciting times for us. Coincidentally, the press conference was held on the one year anniversary of ULM signing an agreement with Segue Science Management, the company which negotiated the licensing of the olive oil research with ULM. Attending from Oleolive were CTO Dr. Jim Cardelli, COO Dr. Alana Gray and CEO Kylie Grant. Cardelli and Gray are co-founders and facilitators of Segue Science Management and Grant is financial consultant. Both companies are located in Shreveport. Chairman of the Duma Committee on CIS Leonid Kalashnikov calls such an idea "absurdity." Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, Member of Parliament of Ukraine Refat Chubarov's idea of renaming Crimea has been met with a furious reaction in Russia. For example, Chairman of the Duma Committee on CIS Leonid Kalashnikov called such an idea "absurdity" and said that options of the new name were "factitious," Russian media reported. Read alsoMost Ukrainians say 'no' to idea of swapping Crimea for Donbas peace - Poll "Member" of Russia's State Duma from Crimea Ruslan Balbek accused Chubarov of seeking popularity. "Chubarov wants to become a local tsar, therefore he has been lobbying the idea of renaming Crimea," Balbek told the Russian newspaper Izvestia. "Member" of the Crimea State Council Vladislav Ganzhara said the de-factor authorities in Russian-occupied Crimea do not care how Ukraine will call Crimea. Earlier, Chubarov reported a possible change in the name of the administrative territorial unit "Autonomous Republic of Crimea" within Ukraine after the creation of the Crimean Tatar national autonomy on the peninsula. UNIAN memo. Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea in March 2014 after its troops had occupied the peninsula. An illegal referendum was held for Crimeans to decide on accession to Russia. De-facto Crimean authorities reported that allegedly 96.77% of the Crimean population had voted for joining Russia. On March 18, 2014, the so-called agreement on the accession of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to Russia was signed in the Kremlin. The West did not recognize the annexation in response to which sanctions against Russia were introduced. Ukraine's parliament voted to designate February 20, 2014, as the official date when the temporary occupation of Crimea began. The Russian Orthodox Church insists that the Orthodox Ecumenical Council foresees no special privileges for the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Secretary of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate Igor Yakimchuk says that the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) is not obliged to obey the decisions of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He did not agree with the position of Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I that Constantinople has exclusive rights, the Russian media outlet RBC reported. Read alsoU.S. Secretary of State supports Ukraine in efforts to create autocephalous church "The Orthodox Ecumenical Council foresees no special privileges for the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Except for the privileges of honor, which do not give any authority beyond the limits of this church. Accordingly, neither the ROC nor any other church has any obligation to obey the decisions of Constantinople," Yakimchuk said. He described the current line of Bartholomew's behavior as "non-Orthodox Catholic," when certain special powers are assigned to one of the primates. "The Russian Church disagrees with such an approach. It violates the purity of the Orthodox faith," he said. As UNIAN reported earlier, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on October 22 said the Russian side would have to accept the decision of Constantinople on the Ukrainian church issue. "Whether our Russian brothers like it or not, sooner or later they will follow the decisions that the Ecumenical Patriarch has made since they have no other choice," he said. Following a meeting of the Holy Synod, a decision was announced on October 11, stating that the Ecumenical Patriarchate proceeds to granting autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine. In addition, the legal binding of the Synod's letter of 1686 was abolished, thus taking the Kyiv Metropolis from under Moscow's canonical jurisdiction. Also, head of the UOC of the Kyiv Patriarchate Filaret and head of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church Makariy were reinstated in their canonical status. The Kremlin vowed to protect the interests of Orthodox Church members in Ukraine "politically and diplomatically," claiming Moscow did not intend to interfere in the "interchurch dialogue." On October 15, the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church ruled to sever eucharistic communication with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The future mission in Donbas should include from 25,000 to 50,000 peacekeepers. Advisor to Ukraine's minister for temporarily occupied territories and internally displaced persons, ex-Ambassador to Croatia Oleksandr Levchenko says a UN peacekeeping mission in Donbas should be deployed according to the "Croatian model." "The ministry for temporarily occupied territories has once again analyzed the use of peacekeeping missions around the world. Having studied dozens of cases, we have come to the conclusion that the Croatian model would be the best for us from among all those that we have seen. Scenarios of events in Donbas and Croatia are very similar, although the difference is a 23-year lapse," he said at a press conference in Kyiv, an UNIAN correspondent reports. According to Levchenko, the peacekeeping mission could follow Croatia's pattern. Read alsoKlimkin: Resolution on UN peacekeepers in occupied Donbas drafted long time ago "We have expressed the ministry's view in support of an international transitional administration that heads the international mission. This is an important and crucial component," he said. Levchenko said a peacekeeping mission, as a rule, has three components the military (70%), police (15%) and civilian one (15%). "Since the full deployment of all military and police units, the transitional administration takes full control of the territory under the mandate for the future owner of this land the Ukrainian state," he said. "The peace plan for Donbas is the Minsk deal. There are no other documents that would be considered by the international community, therefore the fulfillment of the clauses of these agreements is, in fact, the finale for the temporarily occupied territories to be returned by peaceful means. We believe the future wording of a UN Security Council resolution [on a UN peacekeeping mission in Donbas] should incorporate a provision on the importance of this mission for facilitating the fulfillment of the Minsk agreements by the parties," the diplomat added. According to him, rough estimates show that the future mission in Donbas should include from 25,000 to 50,000 peacekeepers. "I do not exclude that 30 or even more countries will join in the international mission in Ukraine," Levchenko added, stressing the Russian Federation cannot participate in the UN mission in any way. Klimkin states that it's historians, not politicians, who are to deal with issues related to the countries' past. Foreign Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin and his Polish counterpart Jacek Czaputowicz discussed steps to restore monuments and search for the remains of those killed in past wars in the territories of both countries. Speaking at a joint press conference with Czaputowicz in Warsaw October 23, Klimkin stressed it is impossible to avoid difficult subjects in common Ukrainian-Polish history. Such issues should be looked at "with an open heart, sincerely," to understand what can be done, "because the emotional context of such understanding history does not help us move forward." "Therefore, today we talked about how we could move forward in the sense of restoring the monuments that are out there in Poland, and that, of course, are legal. We have to do this. It is also the duty of our Polish friends and colleagues. And we also have to go ahead with the search works [joint exhumation-search operations to find the remains of the fallen Poles and Ukrainians in both countries] because it is important for everyone," said Klimkin. We, as politicians, should deal with the present and the future, and we should take responsibility for this, while our historians should work on the past, together. And whatever they find, we must recognize these facts honestly, with an open heart. I am ready, either alone or together with our Polish friends, to pay tribute to everyone, both Ukrainians and Poles, who died tragically in history, since this is our Christian duty," the diplomat emphasized. "Therefore, we have agreed on how we could move forward. Now we will work more on this, and I very much hope that we can move on," Klimkin said. Read alsoTop Polish diplomat says Crimea, Donbas main problem in relations with Russia As UNIAN reported earlier, on February 22, Deputy Prime Minister, Ukraine's envoy to the joint Ukrainian-Polish Commission on historical issues, Pavlo Rozenko, said that Ukraine was asking Poland to restore the Ukrainian monuments destroyed on its territory, following the example of the Ukrainian side, which is investigating all acts of vandalism in respect of Polish monuments in Ukraine, and restores them. Rozenko also said that the resumption of cooperation between Ukraine and Poland in the joint work to find the remains of the fallen Ukrainians and Poles depends on the decisions of Warsaw, including in the context of changing the law on the Institute of National Remembrance, which prohibits the "ideology of Ukrainian nationalists." UNIAN memo. On April 26, 2017, Polish nationalists dismantled a monument to UPA [Ukrainian Insurgent Army] soldiers, which had already been destroyed by vandals in the village of Hruszowice. The members of Polish nationalist organizations dismantled the monument with the permission of local authorities as "illegally installed." Later, the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of Poland stated that the monument had been dismantled legally. At the same time, the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine called the act "provocation." The High Representative said that the EU was not willing to witness a military buildup in the Black Sea. High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, says that the EU is concerned about the developments in the Sea of Azov as militarization in the region could lead to destabilization in the Black Sea. Speaking at the European Parliament debate on the situation in the Sea of Azov, Mogherini said: "The construction of the Kerch Bridge between the Crimean peninsula and the Russian Federation took place without Ukraine's consent, and it constitutes another violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity." "On top of that, the bridge hinders the passage of vessels to Ukrainian ports in the Azov Sea. [] Six months ago, Russia started to apply a new inspection regime for cargo vessels coming from Ukraine's ports in the Azov Sea, or heading towards them. These inspections lead to long delays, which have increased dramatically over the past months. This has direct consequences on shipping costs, not only for Ukrainian exporters, but also for vessels flying a European Union Member State's flag," the official said. Read alsoU.S. eyes giving Ukraine Oliver Hazard Perry frigates to boost defenses in Black, Azov Seas "So far, more than 200 vessels under both Ukrainian and international flags have been affected by these controls by Russia, which in some cases lasted several days. Even more worrying, tougher controls on naval traffic in the strait have gone in parallel with the militarization of the Azov Sea," she added. Russia has recently started deploying military vessels to the area in significant numbers, and Ukraine has partially responded with an increased military presence, according to Mogherini. "Let me recall that the Azov Sea used to be almost fully demilitarized, and that Ukraine and Russia have signed a cooperation agreement 'on the use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait'. This agreement implies that disputes between the parties are to be resolved through consultations and negotiations," the Hgh Representative said. She noted that the EU appreciates that Ukraine "is seeking justice in international courts, such as the ongoing case under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea." Read alsoReuters: Ukraine needs Azov Sea base to counter new Russian threat, military chief says "When international law is violated, when Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity are violated, the European Union stands by the people of Ukraine. We immediately condemned the construction of the Kerch Bridge without Ukraine's consent. In July, the Council added six entities involved in the construction of the [Kerch] Bridge to the list of those subject to restrictive measures over actions that undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine," the official stated. "A militarization of the Azov Sea is in no-one's interest, and it can only destabilize the delicate security situation in the wider Black Sea region," Mogherini said. "Let me remind us all that the Black Sea is a European sea, and we do not want to witness yet another military build-up in our immediate region. We will continue to push for the respect of international law and conventions, and to support Ukraine in these challenging circumstances," the High Representative concluded. The finalists for the 2018 Sakharov Prize are: Oleh Sentsov, 11 NGOs saving migrant lives across the Mediterranean Sea and Nasser Zefzafi. Brussels reporter for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Rikard Jozwiak has said illegally convicted Ukrainian film director Oleh Sentsov, who is imprisoned in Russia, will likely win the 2018 Sakharov Prize. "Looks very likely that Sentsov will win the 2018 Sakharov Prize this Thursday. I understand that both ECR [European Conservatives and Reformists] and ALDE [the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe] will support him, together with EPP [the European People's Party] that nominated him," he wrote on Twitter on October 23. looks very likely that #Sentsov will win the 2018 #sakharovprize this Thursday. I understand that both ECR and ALDE will support him, together with EPP that nominated him. #Ukraine#Crimea#Russia Rikard Jozwiak (@RikardJozwiak) October 23, 2018 As UNIAN reported earlier, the finalists for the 2018 Sakharov Prize are: Oleh Sentsov, 11 NGOs saving migrant lives across the Mediterranean Sea and Nasser Zefzafi. This year's finalists for Parliament's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought were chosen by the foreign affairs and development committees on October 9. This year's prize winner will be selected on October 25 by Parliament President Antonio Tajani and the leaders of the political groups. The prize, consisting of a certificate and EUR 50,000, will be awarded in a ceremony in the Parliament in Strasbourg on December 12. The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named in honor of the Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honor individuals and organizations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. The year 2018 marks 30 years since the Sakharov Prize was first conferred. There have been no Ukrainian army casualties in the past day. Russian-led forces mounted 12 attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, in the last 24 hours. "No casualties among Ukrainian troops have been reported in the past day. According to intelligence reports, three occupiers were killed and another two were wounded," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in an update on Facebook as of 07:00 Kyiv time on October 23, 2018. Read alsoOSCE monitor: Political will could end eastern Ukraine conflict quickly media Russian occupation forces opened aimed fire from grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns and small arms to attack the defenders of the towns of Schastia, Zolote and Maryinka, and the villages of Krymske, Pisky, Taramchuk, Berezove, Novotroyitske, Chermalyk, and Lebedynske. "A fortified position of our troops near Schastia came under fire from automatic and mounted grenade launchers. The attack lasted for almost three hours. However, the enemy most often attacked our soldiers near Maryinka and Lebedynske," the report says. "Since Tuesday midnight, Russian-led forces haven't attacked the Ukrainian positions yet," the report said. The FBI's New York office said in a tweet late Monday that it was conducting an investigation, and that there was no threat to public safety. An explosive device was found Monday in a mailbox at the New York residence of George Soros, the liberal philanthropist and target of far-right, nationalist groups, according to authorities. The Bedford Police Department said a suspicious package was discovered Monday afternoon by an "employee of the residence." Police didn't specify who owned the home, but town records show that it is co-owned by Soros Fund Management LLC, a family office operated by Soros. Inside the package was what appeared to be an explosive device, police said. The employee placed the material in a wooded area and notified authorities at 3:45 p.m. Monday, according to The Washington Post. Authorities in Bedford, N.Y. which includes the hamlet of Katonah, where the residence is located said an "extensive investigation commenced," also involving the Westchester County Police Department, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case has since been turned over to the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force. The FBI's New York office said in a tweet late Monday that it was conducting an investigation, and that there was no threat to public safety. Read also"Stop Soros": Hungary passes laws banning aid to undocumented immigrants The Open Society Foundations, the philanthropic organization run by Soros, didn't immediately return a request for comment. The Times of Israel reported that Soros, a billionaire hedge fund manager and prominent donor to Democratic and other causes, was not home at the time. The 88-year-old Holocaust survivor has funneled much of his fortune into liberal projects around the world, including in his native Hungary, which has taken an illiberal, nationalist turn under Prime Minister Viktor Orban. After he won reelection in April, Orban wasted no time in pushing a "Stop Soros" bill designed to crack down on nongovernmental organizations, think tanks and other liberal institutions. Justified in the name of deterring illegal immigration, it was passed in June. The Hungarian government's attack on Soros, which relies on anti-Semitic tropes, has fed into a conspiracy theory that casts the Jewish philanthropist as the director of a global cabal intent on flooding the West with migrants and undermining national sovereignty. Soros has become the archrival invoked by autocrats and far-right activists around the world. President Trump bought into the conspiracy theory this month when he tweeted that protesters opposing the nomination of Brett M. Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court were "paid for by Soros and others." Erdogan said Khashoggi was killed in a "savage way." Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday there were strong signs Jamal Khashoggi's killing was planned and attempts to blame it on intelligence operatives Riyadh has suggested it was a rogue operation "will not satisfy us." In a speech to parliament, Erdogan did not mention Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who some U.S. lawmakers suspect ordered the killing. But he said Turkey would not complete its investigation into Khashoggi's death until all questions were answered, Reuters reported. Read alsoSaudi foreign minister says killing of Khashoggi was "tremendous mistake" - CNN He said Khashoggi was killed in a "savage way." Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of the crown prince, the kingdom's de facto ruler, disappeared three weeks ago after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain documents for his upcoming marriage. Turkish officials suspect Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the consulate by Saudi agents. Turkish sources say authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the killing of the 59-year-old. Riyadh initially denied knowledge of his fate before saying he was killed in a fight in the consulate, a reaction greeted sceptically by several Western governments, straining relations with the world's biggest oil exporter. Following the global outrage prompted by the journalist's disappearance, U.S. President Donald Trump's comments have varied from playing down Riyadh's role to warning of possible economic sanctions. Meanwhile, Britain's Mirror Online reported with reference to Turkey's Haberler that parts of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi's body had been found at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, a Turkish opposition leader claims. Dogu Perincek, leader of Turkey's Rodina party, claimed in an interview that body parts were discovered in a well on the grounds of the consulate. Turkish authorities have not offered a comment on the claims. Her lawyer, Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, said today she would likely remain in Kajang Prison as the bail amount was very high. A Ukrainian woman, earlier acquitted of a charge of drug trafficking, was today asked by the court to post RM300,000 as a condition for bail pending the prosecution's appeal. A three-member Court of Appeal bench, chaired by Mohtarudin Baki, also ordered Katheryna Ryabalchenko to surrender her travel documents and provide a permanent address in Malaysia other than the Ukrainian embassy, Free Malaysia Today wrote. "We also order you to report to the nearest police station every Tuesday," Mohtarudin said today in allowing her application for bail. The judge said a warrant of committal would be issued if Katheryna flouted other conditions after posting the bail in two sureties. Read alsoFrench Gendarmerie arrest Ukrainian "King of the Castle," seize over EUR 4 mln Katheryna had gone to the Court of Appeal to seek bail as the High Court had earlier acquitted her but ordered that she be held as a remand prisoner pending an appeal of the acquittal to the Court of Appeal. Her lawyer, Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, said today she would likely remain in Kajang Prison as the bail amount was very high. "I am disappointed with the bail amount as it will be impossible for a foreigner to raise that kind of money," he told FMT. Deputy public prosecutor Nik Syahril Nik Ab Rahman opposed the bail application on grounds that Katheryna could escape from Malaysia. Ukraine's envoy to Malaysia Olexander Nechytaylo and his staff were present to observe the proceedings. Katheryna, 29, an English teacher who worked in China, was charged with trafficking in 1.4 kg of methamphetamine at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on June 15, 2016. At the close of the prosecution's case, the High Court in Shah Alam last year acquitted her as the key ingredients for trafficking were not proved. However, the Court of Appeal, following an appeal by the prosecution, ordered her to enter her defence in April this year. Three months ago, the High Court acquitted her at the close of the defence case as the prosecution again failed to prove its case. However, the High Court ordered her to be held as a remand prisoner pending appeal to the Court of Appeal. Meanwhile, Rafique said he had also filed a representation to Attorney-General Tommy Thomas for the prosecution to drop its appeal. "She was acquitted twice because the court was satisfied that she had no knowledge, custody or control of the drugs," he said. Putin enacted anti-Ukrainian sanctions on October 22. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said Russian President Vladimir Putin's decree implies retaliatory sanctions in response to Ukraine's actions and they will not affect Ukrainians in Russia. "Ukraine is taking measures both in relation to the economy, in relation to legal entities, and in relation to individuals. Therefore, neither one nor the other or the third can be excluded. The decree instructs the government to develop a respective list," Peskov told journalists in Moscow, answering a question on the areas the Russian sanctions may concern. Read alsoMontenegro, Albania, Norway, Ukraine align with EU's prolonged sanctions over Crimea, Donbas Answering a clarifying question from an UNIAN correspondent in Russia whether the sanctions would massively affect citizens of Ukraine staying or residing in the Russian Federation, or whether they would be selectively applicable, he said: "President Putin has repeatedly said the citizens of Ukraine suffer from the policy pursued by the [Ukrainian] leadership because of those reckless actions in the country's southeast the citizens of Ukraine were involved in." "President Putin has repeatedly said in this case we do not consider the Ukrainian people our adversaries and do not [apply] any restrictions," Peskov said. He added the Ukrainian people are "fraternal" "except for unsuccessful representatives of that nation who are plagued by nationalist and ultranationalist sentiments." As UNIAN reported earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 22 signed a decree to introduce "special economic measures" in response to Ukraine's "unfriendly actions." Part of new cyber strategy to identify, track, warn Russian operatives. The U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) is engaging in a campaign to deter further disinformation operations by Russian operativesindividuals like those employed through Russian companies as part of the "Project Lakhta" program described in last week's Justice Department indictment of Elena Alekseevna Khusyaynovaby letting them know that they are being watched. According to a report from the New York Times' Julian E. Barnes, USCYBERCOM has directed operations to identify, track, and directly message individuals involved in disinformation campaigns associated with the upcoming midterm elections, Arstechnica wrote. The Cyber Command operation, described by unnamed senior military officials, is limited in scope and does not involve directly threatening Russian operatives. The measured steps are meant to avoid an escalation of operations by Russia to more serious computer-based attacks on U.S. information systems and infrastructure. The operation reflects a more aggressive stance outlined in President Trump's recent executive order on national cyber strategy, which called for building a stronger deterrent. The new policy was accompanied by a loosening of Obama administration limits on use of offensive "cyber weapons" and a more "offense-forward" posture in information and network operations. Read alsoBritain has reportedly practiced a cyberattack to send Moscow into total blackout Business Insider USCYBERCOM, which is led by Gen. Paul M. Nakasone (also director of the National Security Agency), has had a growing role in taking on foreign adversaries on the Internet. During operations against the Islamic State, CYBERCOM launched attacks intended to prevent Islamic State propagandists from accessing social media platforms. But the latest campaign targeting Russians working for private companies not directly funded by the Russian government is relatively new territory for the military command. Defense officials did not share the means by which warning messages were being delivered to the Russian disinformation operatives identified by USCYBERCOM. While not carrying a direct threat, the warnings being imparted could be interpreted by the recipients as a threat of public exposure, indictment, and sanctions from the U.S. government. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Oct, 2018 ) :The Ministry of Finance on Monday clarified the news report on Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) issues. Referring to a news report on Pakistan's FATF and APG issues, in a statement, the ministry said that Pakistan is passing through two separate processes, one is FATF Action Plan and another is regularassessment of AML/CFT regime. It said that the FATF Action Plan has been agreed with FATF and is being implemented withtimelines from Jan-2019 till September 2019. Its progress is being monitored byFATF on quarterly basis. The focus of this action plan is on the implementation ofTF regime in Pakistan, it added. The regular APG assessment is part of Pakistan's APG membership requirementsand every country in the globe is required to undergo assessment of anti-moneylaundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) framework. It said that Pakistan's assessment is being conducted by APG and assessment team fromChina, Turkey, UK, USA, Indonesia and Maldives. The purpose of the assessmentis to gauge the level of compliance on key AML/CFT areas including adequacyand effectiveness of laws, policies and coordination, implementation of preventivemeasures, powers and capacity of FMU, supervisory and law enforcementagencies, use of financial intelligence and international cooperation. It said that during theonsite visit (October 8-19, 2018) to Pakistan, the APG assessment team heldmeetings with all Pakistan's AML/CFT stakeholders. This process will culminatein July 2019 in APG's annual meeting and in between draft reports would beexchanged with APG including one face to face meeting in April 2019. Bothprocesses like FATF Action Plan and APG's mutual evaluation are distinct andmay not be mixed while reporting in press. It is pertinent to mention that all countries undergo regular mutual evaluationprocess using a global assessment methodology and procedures. As of date theAML/CFT assessments of 60 countries have been completed across the globe outof which 16 countries are the members of APG. It is the third mutual evaluation ofPakistan the first two were held in 2004 and 2009 respectively. The ministry also clarified that APG assessment team headed by APG's ExecutiveSecretary Gordon Hook held a courtesy meeting with Finance Minister anddiscussed Pakistan's overall AML/CFT regime. The Finance Minister during themeeting with APG team assured Pakistan's strong commitment for a robustAML/CFT regime as per international standards and highlighted Pakistan'smeasures on this front. The APG team also did not share any assessment in writtenor verbal forms whether Pakistan will continue to remain on FATF Gray list or not.No other issues were discussed with the Finance Minister by APG delegationexcept this matter for which a press release was also issued by the Ministry ofFinance on October 17, 2018. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Monday urged the government to play its effective role for reduction in paper prices as the recent massive hike has dealt a big blow to the business. LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Oct, 2018 ) :Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Monday urged the government to play its effective role for reduction in paper prices as the recent massive hike has dealt a big blow to the business. The demand was raised at a meeting, held here between the LCCI Acting President Khawaja Shahzad Nasir, Vice President Fahim-ur-Rehman Sehgal and a delegation of All Pakistan Paper Merchants Association (APPMA). The delegation comprised of APPMA Chairman Ahad Amin, President Khawaja Muhammad Ilyas, Khamis Saeed Butt, Bao Bashir, Samiullah Butt and others. The office-bearers of LCCI said that paper prices were directly linked with the education sector and hike in its prices not only affected the traders but also hit the common man hard. Therefore, the government should step in to this matter and play role for early reduction in paper prices to keep education in the range of common man, they opined. They added that duties and taxes on imported paper should also be reduced in the larger interest of the people, especially the students. The LCCI office-bearers were of the view that business community was driving force of the economy but it could not play its due role for economic wellbeing of the country because of various challenges. Earlier, Ahad Amin, Khawaja Muhammad Ilyas and Khamis Saeed Butt informed the LCCI office-bearers that the prices of paper products had increase around Rs 20 to 25 per kilogram, while Regulatory Duty was also imposed on imported paper. They continued that prices of books and copies had been increased around 25 per cent and it had become very hard for the common man to continue education of his children. The government should pay immediate attention towards this major issue which was crushing both traders and masses, they urged. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah has said that education is the only key to progress and prosperity and it is creating tolerance in the society. KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah has said that education is the only key to progress and prosperity and it is creating tolerance in the society. He said, "That is why Sindh government has taken a number of steps for the promotion of education in the province. " He stated this while talking to media persons after inaugurating the school of special children in Sukkur. He said that it is their responsibility to support the children, who are differently-abled. The Chief Minister said that he is working hard for the education and for providing training to every segment of the society. Adding, "We are also improving our schools for special children." Reply to a question, he said Sindh is part of Pakistan, thefederal government should play its due role to resolve its issues. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has decided to formulate a new policy on plagiarism in research work compilation by 2019, said Chairman HEC Dr Tariq Banuri here Monday. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Oct, 2018 ) :The Higher education Commission (HEC) has decided to formulate a new policy on plagiarism in research work compilation by 2019, said Chairman HEC Dr Tariq Banuri here Monday. Addressing a press conference, he said the decision to this effect has been taken on the directions of 18 members Commission during an investigation of high profile plagiarism cases being investigated by the HEC. He told the media persons that Executive Director HEC, Dr Arshad Ali has voluntarily resigned from his post during ongoing investigation carried out against him regarding allegations of plagiarism in Ph.d thesis. The Chairman HEC said that Dr Arshad has taken this decision for the protection of institution and his resignation has also been accepted. No further action would be taken against him as he has resigned on the basis of merely allegations but not on the base of any judgment, he told. Dr Banuri further said the Commission hailed the decision of Dr Arshad for resigning during the investigation for the sake of credibility of HEC. However, till formulation of new policy, the previous cases regarding plagiarism would be dealt with the old one, the Chairman explained. We want to fix all issues in future being faced by HEC in different sectors, he assured while replying a question. In an another question, Chairman HEC Dr Banuri said the decision would be taken soon in remaining four high profile plagiarism cases after investigation. He said the Commission has assured that the justice will be done in all other cases relevant to plagiarism. He said the vacant post would be advertised tomorrow for the appointment of new Executive Director HEC. Currently, he said former Rector National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Lt. General (retd) Muhammad Asghar would look after the matters as caretaker Executive Director HEC. Dr Asghar is also the member of HEC Commission would work as interim ED, he added. Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood Monday said that education is the top priority of this government as its main targets are bringing the 25 million out of school children to schools, introducing a uniform education system and curriculum, providing quality education and skill development. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Oct, 2018 ) :Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood Monday said that education is the top priority of this government as its main targets are bringing the 25 million out of school children to schools, introducing a uniform education system and curriculum, providing quality education and skill development. He said this during a meeting held here with Ms. Ellen Van Kalmthout, Chief Education UNICEF Pakistan and Mr. Edward Davis, Senior Education Adviser DFID, a press release said. The Minister said a lot of work has been done on the education policy and it will be introduced soon.Neq policy will help in achieving these targets. He informed the delegation that the Federal Education Ministry and its attached departments will also be organized in such a way that will be reflective of our priorities in education sector. "Once our Education Policy is formulated we will also seek technical and financial assistance from UNICEF, DFID and other such organizations working for promotion of education in Pakistan. "Ms. Ellen Van Kalmthout and Mr. Edward Davis said that enrollment of the out of school children is their organization top most priority and will provide both technical and financial support to the government of Pakistan in this regard. "We will provide technical support to Pakistan by providing a report that calculates the cost of inaction on the enrollment of the out of school children and their adverse impacts on Pakistani Society and Economy, the cost of enrollment of these children, ways to target the children and allocation of funds for this purpose", added the foreign delegates. The Minister and visiting delegation agreed on keeping regular contact & coordination for addressing the challenges in education sector in Pakistan. Director General Health Punjab Dr Munir Ahmad has directed the Chief Executive Officers Health to further accelerate activities of social mobilisers to reach out to every house to sensitise parents as only four days are left in conclusion of 12 days anti-measles campaign. LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :Director General Health Punjab Dr Munir Ahmad has directed the Chief Executive Officers Health to further accelerate activities of social mobilisers to reach out to every house to sensitise parents as only four days are left in conclusion of 12 days anti-measles campaign. The DG health further said that International Development Partners were fully Supporting Primary and Secondary Health department in this campaign and UNICEF was providing technical assistance to the department. Director General asked the field officers to ensure that no child of 6 months to 7 years of age should not be left without vaccination. He also asked them that cooperation of elected public representatives also be sought for that noble cause. Dr. Munir Ahmad hoped that the target of vaccination of 19 million children would be achieved easily. He disclosed that officials of UNICEF and WHO were also in the field to monitor the progress of measles vaccinationcampaign. AJK President Masood Khan said that India is not an upper riparian state, it is an occupier of the people, waters and land of one part of Jammu and Kashmir and therefore calls itself an upper riparian. MIRPUR (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) ,:AJK President Masood Khan said that India is not an upper riparian state, it is an occupier of the people, waters and land of one part of Jammu and Kashmir and therefore calls itself an upper riparian. He made these remarks while speaking at the book launch ceremony of the book Hydro-Diplomacy: Preventing Water War Between Nuclear-Armed Pakistan and India authored by Ashfaq Mahmood, former Federal secretary, Water and Power, and published by IPS Press the publishing arm of the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), according to statement issue by AJK President office. President Masood Khan said that the author has identified the key ingredients for the success of hydro-diplomacy, which he said were building mutual trust, third-party intercession, the commitment of the leadership and expert knowledge-based approach. The President said that the book also identifies the Indus Water Treaty's many loopholes and limitations. The limitations, he said, including groundwater, desertification, ecological impact, water quality, and flora and fauna, which in the long run has led to numerous problem. President AJK said that the issue of water scarcity and a shortage is a reality that does not exclusively pertain to the shortfalls of the IWT. He said that Pakistan is a water scarce country and the situation will worsen till 2025 if drastic steps are not taken. The President informed that the key issue of tension between Pakistan and India, is Kashmir. Till date, he said, India has not accepted the creation of Pakistan and the fact that the people of Jammu and Kashmir wanted to be a part of Pakistan. He said that for India; Kashmir and water are interlinked. President AJK pointed out that, firstly, India is obsessed in keeping all its issues with Pakistan within the bilateral realm and keep away from third-party arbitration or intercession. Secondly, use dilatory tactics by restricting access to data and refusing to engage in any dialogue. Thirdly, he said India has always used the tensions between India and Pakistan as a smokescreen to complete their dams; like they completed Baglihar during the tensions experienced in the early 2000s. Lastly, he said that Indian lobby with neutral experts by either directly approaching them or the countries from which they originate. Masood Khan said that India despite its efforts to pit the people of Kashmir against Pakistan; Kashmiris are not deluded and have not been influenced by the Indian tactics. India, he said, has tried to manipulate Kashmiris into thinking that Pakistan's just objections against the building of dams is an attempt towards denying them from reaping the benefits of such projects. He also underscored the need for preparing a comprehensive water policy having an external domain encompassing India and other neighbors, as well as internal domain stressing on water conservation, the building of dams, investment in the environment and the strategies to deal with the challenges of climate change. The President expressed hope that due to Pakistan's strategic parity with India and its display of immense restraint will not allow for any escalation. He urged that it would be prudent for both the countries to de-link war and water and the nuclear capabilities of the neighboring countries. He said that water is a natural resource which needs to be equitably distributed. The event was also addressed by Ambassador (r) Shafqat Kakakhel, Mirza Hamid Hasan, former secretary, Water and Power and the chairman of IPS' steering committee on Water, Energy & Climate Change, DG-IPS Khalid Rahman and the author Ashfaq Mahmood. The book launch was attended by senior bureaucrats, academics, scholars, and researchers. The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, FCSA, has announced the launch of the Private Sector Advisory Council, PSAC, a new body that aims to involve the private sector in helping UAE meet its United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs. DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 23rd Oct, 2018) The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority, FCSA, has announced the launch of the Private Sector Advisory Council, PSAC, a new body that aims to involve the private sector in helping UAE meet its United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs. The announcement was at the UN World Data Forum, organised by the FCSA from 22nd to 24th October at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. Those behind the PSAC initiative say that the new council highlights the importance of the private sectors role in implementing the SDGs, which are centred on food security, health and learning. It is hoped that the new body will help usher in a new era in public-private partnerships, defined by constructive collaboration and a holistic approach in meeting the UNs 17 SDGs. "The UAE has played an instrumental role in formulating the UNs Agenda 2030, which outlines the 17 SDGs. We helped ensure that a consensus on the importance of sustainable development was a key outcome of the UNs Rio+20 Summit in 2012 and then worked with the global community for three years to institutionalise the goals for their formal adoption in 2015. Our concerted efforts made the UAE one of the first nations to join the global journey towards human prosperity via sustainability," said Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Director-General of the FCSA and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the UN World Data Forum 2018. The PSAC is an initiative from FCSAs UAE National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals a body that has been mandated by the government to overview the nations fulfilment of the SDGs in the UAE. The council was conceived to create collaboration opportunities on the SDGs between the UAE government and industry leaders from local, regional and international private sector organisations and across verticals that include aviation, manufacturing and consulting. "At the heart of the process in meeting the SDGs is the critical role of the private sector. The PSAC was set up to be a platform of cooperation between the UAEs government, its civil sector organisations and its commercial entities to help the country realise its SDG goals. It was established in recognition that the private sector has a wealth of knowledge and expertise that can be harnessed to help the UAE meet its sustainable development aims and it will help us tap into these valuable resources," added Lootah. Lootah continued that reciprocity was the underlying principle in the relationship between the FCAs National Committee and the PSAC, highlighting that the National Committee can liaise with the Council for advice and input on strategy implementation and with pre-testing some recommendations, but also that the private sector can communicate challenges and desired outcomes to the Committee to gain support for their sustainability agendas. "Nations today aspire to export their knowledge and best practices of their sustainability experiences and the UAE is no exception. Through innovative partnerships with the private sector, our country will not only be able to share its thought leadership across borders, it will also gain access to global expertise on how to achieve greater prosperity. Via the UAE National Committee on SDGs, the PSAC and numerous partnership programs and initiatives, I have full confidence that we can create a tremendous positive impact on our global drive to build prosperous and sustainable life for all," he continued. Current members of the PSAC include Careem, Majid Al Futtaim, Dubai Free Zone Council, Multinational Companies business Group, Al Serkal Group, Emirates, Shurooq, DP World, FAB, Dubai Holding, Masdar and Emaar. The Council is also being assisted with the support of AT Kearney and Oliver Wyman consulting companies. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the UN World Data Forum 2018 - the second edition of the forum - is expected to bring together more than 1,500 data experts, high-ranking government officials and prominent policy makers from around the world to enhance the role of data and statistics in achieving the UNs Agenda 2030. The OPEC Fund for International Development, OFID, has signed a US$50 million public sector loan agreement with Argentina to co-finance the second phase of the Desvio Arijon Water Supply project. VIENNA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 23rd Oct, 2018) The OPEC Fund for International Development, OFID, has signed a US$50 million public sector loan agreement with Argentina to co-finance the second phase of the Desvio Arijon Water Supply project. The agreement was signed by OFID Director-General Suleiman J Al-Herbish and Argentinas Minister of Economy of the Santa Fe Province Gonzalo Saglione. Al-Herbish highlighted that this project is in line with Argentinas National Development Plan 2016-2020 as well as with the Provincial Strategy Plan of Santa Fe, Vision 2030, in which the government of Santa Fe defines access to water as a basic right. The project is also in line with OFIDs mandate to alleviate poverty and its commitment to continue supporting adequate water infrastructure. Al-Herbish noted that this latest loan will provide 122 km of pipelines to connect the Desvio Arijon water purification plant with the city of Rafaela and surrounding towns, benefitting more than 220,000 people. On behalf of the Province of Santa Fe, Saglione indicated that this project is crucial for residents, and expressed his appreciation for OFIDs continued support. All of OFIDs public sector loans to Argentina have targeted the countrys water and sanitation sector, in line with the organisations strategic focus on the energy-water-food nexus approach to sustainable development. Cumulatively, OFID has approved US$150 million in public sector lending to Argentina, in addition to US$20 million through its private sector window. OFID is the development finance institution established by the Member States of OPEC in 1976 as a channel of aid to the developing countries. The fund works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international donor community to stimulate economic growth and alleviate poverty in all disadvantaged regions of the world. OFID was established in January 1976 by the then 13 member countries of OPEC; including the United Arab of Emirates. Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabiah, Advisor to the Saudi Royal Court and General Supervisor of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, has announced that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will provide US$70 million towards the salaries of teachers in Yemen, in cooperation with the United Nations and UNICEF, with each country paying half of the sum. RIYADH, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 23rd Oct, 2018) Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabiah, Advisor to the Saudi Royal Court and General Supervisor of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, has announced that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will provide US$70 million towards the salaries of teachers in Yemen, in cooperation with the United Nations and UNICEF, with each country paying half of the sum. The Saudi Press Agency quoted Al-Rabiah as saying that, in a press statement, the sum will boost the salaries of 135,000 teaching staff. Al-Rabiah added that the Saudi-led Arab Coalition are closely following the suffering of the Yemeni people as a result of deteriorating economic conditions because monthly salaries were not paid to certain segment especially to the educational sector. The donation comes as part of the continued support undertaken by the coalition countries to alleviate the humanitarian and economic crisis of the Yemeni people, with over US$17 billion presented since 2015 and still ongoing. The coalition highlighted the importance of the unified international efforts supporting the humanitarian and economic initiatives in Yemen to avoid the worsening of the situation there, said Al-Rabiah. The coalition states are directly involved with the new Yemeni government to put the economic and humanitarian file at the top of their priorities, and activate the work mechanisms and ease to enhance the government's performance as part of the international efforts in tackling the humanitarian and living crisis. He added that the coalition attributed the responsibility of the deteriorating humanitarian and economic conditions in Yemen to the Houthi militias, who refuse to settle the conflict politically and commit to international resolutions related to this conflict. Pakistan on Tuesday invited Lithuanian companies to invest in energy, information and communications technology (ICT) and agriculture sector. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :Pakistan on Tuesday invited Lithuanian companies to invest in energy, information and communications technology (ICT) and agriculture sector. The 6th Round of Pakistan-Lithuania Bilateral Political Consultations was held here. The Pakistan side was led by Additional Secretary (Europe) Zaheer A. Janjua, while the Lithuania delegation was headed by Ambassador Eduardas Borisovas, Director Latin America, Africa, Asia and Pacific Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a statement issued by the foreign office said. The two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and identified opportunities and possibilities for further cooperation, especially in the spheres of trade, investment, education, culture, parliamentary exchanges and people-to-people contacts. Additional Secretary (Europe) briefed the Lithuanian side on the 2018 general elections and priorities of the new government. The two sides discussed mutual collaboration at international fora, including the UN, and agreed to further deepen it. They expressed satisfaction at the overall progress in bilateral relations and committed to enhance cooperation in all fields of mutual interest. The Lithuanian side was apprised of recent developments in the South Asian region, especially in Afghanistan, Pakistan-India relations and human rights violations in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The Lithuanian side briefed on the situation in the Baltic region and relations with neighbours. The next round of BPC will be held in Vilnius in 2019. Chief of State Border Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Elchin Guliyev called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters (GHQ) here on Tuesday. RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :Chief of State Border Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Elchin Guliyev called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters (GHQ) here on Tuesday. During the meeting, matters of mutual and professional interest including regional peace and stability were discussed, said a press release issued here by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan Army's professionalism and achievements in the war against terrorism. Earlier, on arrival at GHQ, the Chief of State Border Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan, laid a wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada. A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army presentedthe guard of honour to the visiting dignitary. (@FahadShabbir) Capital Development Authority (CDA) had allocated funds amounting to Rs3,000 millions for the acquisition of land and payment of built up property in Islamabad. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :Capital Development Authority (CDA) had allocated funds amounting to Rs3,000 millions for the acquisition of land and payment of built up property in Islamabad. According to budgetary documents, Rs1000 million have been allocated for the infrastructure development of Sector I-15, Rs500 million have been proposed for the construction of grade separation facility at intersection of 7th Avenue with Khayaban-e-Suharwardy and Kashmir Highway, Rs100 million for construction of land fill site, Rs100 million for construction of cultural complex at Shakarparian, Rs100 million for construction of Service Road (South) of Blue Area, sector E-11 and Rs100 million for provision of water and sewerage services in F-8/F-9, Blue Area. Similarly construction of major roads of Model Village Kuri would be also developed during the financial year 2018-19 and in this context funds amounting to Rs100 million have been approved during the meeting. Master Plan of the Islamabad would also be reviewed during financial year 2018-19 and necessary funds amounting to Rs100 million have been allocated for the purpose. During the financial year 2018-19, funds amounting to Rs100 million for construction of Barma Bridge at Lehtrar Road, Rs100 millions for construction of Orchard Scheme Murree Road and funds amounting to Rs100 million for refunds have been allocated for refund to the allottees of flats of sector I-15. Senior Minister Punjab Abdul Aleem Khan has said that due to wrong planning, many power projects in Punjab have turned to be big scams and they not producing desired quantity of electricity. LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :Senior Minister Punjab Abdul Aleem Khan has said that due to wrong planning, many power projects in Punjab have turned to be big scams and they not producing desired quantity of electricity. He added that there was a lot of work had to be done in the right direction and the Energy Department should come forward with short and long term planning to resolve the present issues. He expressed these views while presiding over a high level meeting of Energy Department, while Provincial Minister Dr Akhter Malik and Secretary Energy Aamir Jaan were also present. Senior Minister said that circular debt, over payments and incomplete projects were the core problems which were badly affecting the production side and these ill projects were not as useful as they were being expected. Abdul Aleem Khan said that thermal, coal and solar projects had a bigger cost and they had outdated machinery and bank issues as well even payment to Sui Gas Department was in pending. He said that all those sectors where commission was not expected were left unattended by the last regime and now these projects were in dolldrum for which present government would have to take steps on war footing basis and resolve the issues. Abdul Aleem Khan expressed astonishment on it that how the last Chief Minister announced his responsibility for the provision of electricity only up to the midnight of his last day of the government. He said that after spending heavy amounts such volume of the electricity was not available which affecting our industry mainly and which also interlink with the jobs and employment in the society. Senior Minister directed Energy Department to take immediate steps for the completion for Bhikhi Projects and make it functional at the earliest. He said that salaries were not the problems but corruption and looting the money would not be tolerated. Abdul Aleem Khan said that all the issues relating to the Punjab government would be presented to Chief Minister as well and the best efforts would be made to steer the province out of crisis. In the meeting, Minister Energy Dr Akhter Malik said that before starting the next summer season we have to complete gigantic work. He told that unfortunately just to benefit a big person's LNG business, pace of work remained slow on the power projects. He said that in Energy Department there were also a number of problems and special steps were being taken to resolve the situation. Secretary Energy Aamir Jaan gave a detailed briefing in view of the existing projects in power sector in Punjab and also suggested their solution. First Lady Begum Samina Alvi on Tuesday said floral art brought beauty and creativity to the lives and homes of people, who could pursue it as a healthy pastime. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :First Lady Begum Samina Alvi on Tuesday said floral art brought beauty and creativity to the lives and homes of people, who could pursue it as a healthy pastime. Addressing the floral art competition organized here by Floral Art Society of Pakistan (FASP), Islamabad Chapter, the First Lady said every society needed healthy hobbies to create harmony. The floral art was the prominent one to create a pleasing and balanced effect in the lives of people, she added. Begum Samina Alvi said flowers were a source of happiness, which reduced mental stress. She mentioned her fondness for flowers and said as the former president of Ikebana Forum, she believed in its motto of 'friendship through flowers'. The First Lady said she was highly impressed by the creative art exhibits at the event and complimented its winners. She lauded the women members of FASP for participating in international floral competitions and bringing accolades to the country, besides promoting its soft image abroad. Later, the First Lady gave away prizes to the winners of floral art competition titled 'Layers of Loveliness' with four categories, including Seascape, Urban Forest, Coherence Modern Exhibits and Landscape. President Executive Committee of FASP Sobia Riaz and other members attended the event. Joint Investigation Team (JIT) head Wajid Zia Tuesday informed the Accountability Court-II (AC) of Islamabad that Hassan Nawaz had confirmed that Capital FZE Company was established in 2001-2 when his family was abroad and an amount of 0.65 million pounds were given to it to purchase property in Dubai. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :Joint Investigation Team (JIT) head Wajid Zia Tuesday informed the Accountability Court-II (AC) of Islamabad that Hassan Nawaz had confirmed that Capital FZE Company was established in 2001-2 when his family was abroad and an amount of 0.65 million Pounds were given to it to purchase property in Dubai. During the cross-examination by defence counsel, the prosecution witness also deposed that the copies of two trade licenses and a letter written to the Standard Chartered Bank by the Assistant Registrar Capital FZE were part of the source documents in the JIT report. The team had taken the trade licenses related to the Flagship Investment to Dubai for verification, he added. AC Judge Arshad Malik conducted the hearing of Flagship Investment reference against former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, who also appeared before the court. Defense counsel Khawaja Haris continued cross-examination of Wajid Zia. Zia told the court that accused Hassan Nawaz, son of former prime minister, had admitted before the JIT that Coint Peddington company had given 0.65 million pounds to his company Capital FZE company as he wanted to purchase property in Dubai. The Coint Peddington Company was later sold out due to financial loss, Hassan Nawaz further told the JIT. During the course of proceedings, the court also asked the defence counsel to avoid irrelevant questions as it wanted to complete the trial within the given time. The JIT head said Khawaja Haris had spent a whole day for cross-examination on the same documents. The NAB prosecutor also objected that the reference was not based on the points which were being discussed by Haris, who, however, adopted the stance that it was his legal right to ask questions about the documents that were submitted by the prosecution against his client. Later, the court adjourned the case till Wednesday. Like other parts of the globe, the International Snow Leopard Day was celebrated in Pakistan to renew the commitment of protecting and conserving the snow leopard, its habitat and the ecosystem. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :Like other parts of the globe, the International Snow Leopard Day was celebrated in Pakistan to renew the commitment of protecting and conserving the snow leopard, its habitat and the ecosystem. In this regard, an event was organized by Snow Leopard Foundation in collaboration with Ministry of Climate Change and other partners here on Tuesday. Pakistan has endorsed the Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Programme (GSLEP) by developing its National Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Priorities (NSLEP) and joined other snow leopard rang countries for achieving the goal of "securing 20 landscapes by 2020" three of which falls in Pakistan, speakers said. The audience on the event appreciated the screening of documentary by Snow Leopard Foundation "Science, Society and Snow Leopards". An act by schoolchildren and announcement of poster competition were also part of the event. The poster competition was arranged one month earlier as part of the snow leopard day celebrations in snow leopard communities. Pakistan is an active member of GSLEP process and chaired the GSLEP steering committee for three years. Three GSLEP model landscapes; Karakoram-Pamir, Himalayas and Hindu kush, falls in Pakistan. The speakers talked about the measures to impart ground-breaking impact in context of conserving these ecosystems such as: establishing endowment fund to encourage community's active participation in conservation by providing safety net against predation losses and incentives to improve natural habitats in their valleys. By establishing National Wildlife Institute to provide a platform for professional training of wildlife professionals of all levels/cadres and foster systematic ecological research to understand ecology and conservation needs of threatened species of Pakistan. To establishing Information Centres to promote awareness about snow leopards, prey species and the values of snow leopard ecosystem, and to engage youth in conservation activities. The products of Snow Leopard Enterprise were also put on display so showcase the crafts produced by female artisans from snow leopard range communities. These women are trained by Snow Leopard Foundation team of women in order to enhance their skills which can help the local communities to improve their household livelihood. The International Snow Leopard Day was initiated by the countries that encompass the snow leopard's range. They include Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. On October 23, 2013 they signed the Bishkek Declaration on the conservation of snow leopard at the First Global Snow Leopard Forum that took place in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) Head of Delegation Thomas Gurtner on Tuesday said that humanitarian diplomacy was about persuading decision makers and opinion leaders to act at all times in the interest of people. KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) Head of Delegation Thomas Gurtner on Tuesday said that humanitarian diplomacy was about persuading decision makers and opinion leaders to act at all times in the interest of people. Addressing a seminar on "Humanitarian Diplomacy" organized by Pakistan Red Crescent Sindh at a local hotel here, he said that the Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) movement works with the government to facilitate the influx of international aid and guide national societies in creating more resilient communities. Speaking on the occasion, Ghazi Salahuddin from Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) talked about the importance of human rights for the humanitarian work. He said we must learn to be effective citizen and work collectively to make things work. Advocate Yasin Azad, Ex-President of Supreme Court Bar Association said that the constitution ensures protection of fundamental human rights but people are not aware of it. He said that organizations like PRCS were working to facilitate people in need and make them aware of their rights. Prof. Dr. Khalida Ghous of Social Policy and Development Center said, "We need to improve our understanding of humanitarian issues and the difference between humanitarian Law and Human rights law." She also spoke on the importance of outreach in humanitarian work and how to reach at certain segments. She highlighted the challenges present in the country in philanthropy and the greater scope of issues that need to be addressed. Dr. Khalida said we as a society should come forward in order to improve the situation. The seminar aimed at bringing people and organization from humanitarian sector to work in collaboration with Pakistan Red Crescent and ensure at protecting the rights and dignity of the people in need. It included more than 100 people from different governmentorganizations, NGOs, media and civil society. Punjab Minister for Public Prosecution Chaudhry Zaheer-ud-Din Tuesday said that the prosecution and criminal justice system forms the basis of any civilized society. LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :Punjab Minister for Public Prosecution Chaudhry Zaheer-ud-Din Tuesday said that the prosecution and criminal justice system forms the basis of any civilized society. Presiding over the closing ceremony of the four-week induction training course for assistant district public prosecutors here, he said that expert prosecutors were supposed to bridge the gap between all stakeholders of a system as a vital component of the criminal justice system. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had clear vision of development of human resource. He said that skilled human resource had proved to be essential asset of developing countries. He said the government would continue focusing on human resource development and administration of justice in true letter and spirit. "It is the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan to make the homeland a better, prosperous and developed state," he added. He said that prosecutors should learn the latest techniques of prosecution and the prosecution department should work hard to justify its separation from police. The minister congratulated the participants on successful completion of the course and gave away certificates to the participants. Earlier, Director Center for Professional Development Muhammad Jahangir told the minister that 2291 prosecutors had been trained by CPD so far in different dimensions. The minister visited various sections of the Center and wrote his expressions in visitors' book. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed to probe alleged laundering through fake bank accounts on Monday informed the Supreme Court that the Sindh government's cooperation was not satisfactory. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Oct, 2018 ) :The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed to probe alleged laundering through fake bank accounts on Monday informed the Supreme Court that the Sindh government's cooperation was not satisfactory. JIT head Ahsan Sadiq told the three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar hearing the case pertaining to money laundering through fake bank accounts, that the "information being provided by the Sindh government is in piecemeal." He said transactions of billions of rupees through thousands of fake accounts had been identified, whose total figure was crossing Rs 100 billion. He said investigations so far had revealed that several 'benami' accounts were opened in some private banks. "Some 600 companies and individuals are associated with the scam. We are trying to reach the real beneficiary of the fake accounts," the JIT head stated before the bench. However, Advocate General Sindh Salman Talibuddin rejected the JIT head's statement regarding the provincial government. Subsequently, the bench summoned all the relevant secretaries of the Sindh government on October 26 to explain as to why cooperation was not being extended to the JIT in the matter. Meanwhile, the counsel for Anwar Majeed, CEO of Omni group, pleaded to shift his client from the prison to a hospital. The CJP observed that Majeed might be allowed to be shifted to Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology (RIC) for a cardiac procedure but not to any hospital in Sindh. It may added that former president Asif Ali Zardari, his sister Faryal Talpur and one of his close aides, Anwar Majeed, are among those implicated in the case. The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the bail application moved by Sarang Latif, a section officer of Sindh Information Ministry in the funds embezzlement case. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the bail application moved by Sarang Latif, a section officer of Sindh Information Ministry in the funds embezzlement case. A three-judge bench headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed rejected the bail application after hearing the arguments at length. During the course of proceedings, Justice Gulzar remarked that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) seemed to be not adopting same approach for every embezzlement case like that of the Rs 5 billion misappropriation case. Justice Qazi Faiz Isa also criticized NAB for its intention to make a plea bargain in the case, The Bureau must form a uniform policy for all the cases, he added. Tirana, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :Albanian police said Monday they have arrested 27 people in an operation to dismantle an international ring of traffickers of heroine and cocaine to European Union countries. "Police ... were still looking for four other people, including two Turkish nationals," police spokesman Gentian Mullai told AFP. The prosecutor's office for serious crime said that suspected members of criminal gangs "conducted their activities in different European countries, being closely linked to other criminal organisations." They are also suspected of being involved in criminal activities linked to money-laundering in Albania, it said in a statement. In the operation arms and a "considerable amount of heroine and cocaine" were seized, police said in a statement, without giving further details. Meanwhile, Albanian police also reported Monday the arrest of 13 other people, including two police officers and two former MPs of the ruling Socialist Party, for suspected corruption and abuse of power in a separate investigation. They included Arben Cuko, a former head of the prison department who was sacked in September over alleged corruption and former deputy Arben Ndoka, suspected of being involved in falsifying documents for the sale of public land. According to the prosecutor's office, the Names of the two MPs were mentioned in phone conversations that were wiretapped by the investigators for months. A NATO member since 2009 and a candidate for EU membership, Albania has been under strong pressure from Brussels to fight organised crime and corruption, particularly drug trafficking. Former interior minister Saimir Tahiri has been under investigation for international trafficking of cannabis. Last week the prosecutor's office extended the probe against him for three more months. (@FahadShabbir) WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th October, 2018) General Dynamics has presented its new Bluefin-9 unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) or drone at the Oceans 2018 show, the company announced in a press release on Tuesday. "General Dynamics Mission Systems today released the new Bluefin-9 autonomous unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) at Oceans 2018 in Charleston, South Carolina," the release said. The re-engineered vehicle combines high navigational accuracy, outstanding sonar resolution, and precision manufacturing to deliver defense, commercial and academic customers with highly detailed subsurface data in minutes rather than hours, General Dynamics said. "The two-man portable UUV provides the same data collection capabilities of larger UUVs, and can be deployed and recovered from piers, a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) or other vessels of opportunity," the release said. The Bluefin-9 includes a removable data storage module (RDSM) which stores high-definition images, video and sonar data and delivers mission endurance of up to eight hours at a speed of 3 knots, and can reach speeds of 6 knots and dive to 200 meters, the company said. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The change of power and continuing political turbulence in Armenia have slowed down the negotiating process on the Karabakh settlement, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told Sputnik. BAKU (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd October, 2018) The change of power and continuing political turbulence in Armenia have slowed down the negotiating process on the Karabakh settlement, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov told Sputnik. According to the diplomat, Baku is ready to continue substantive talks to resolve the conflict, and the latest high-level talks between the Azerbaijani president and the Armenian prime minister in Dushanbe have shown Azerbaijan's readiness for comprehensive dialogue. "The change of power and the political turbulence observed so far in Yerevan have slowed down the process to a certain extent. We hope that the Armenian government will soon be able to demonstrate the political will to continue the negotiation process within the framework of the existing format and on the basis of the well-known agenda," Mammadyarov said. The Gambia hopes that senior Russian officials, in particular, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, will visit the country, and is especially looking forward to reciprocal presidential visits, Jainaba Bah, the Gambian ambassador to Russia, told Sputnik Tuesday on the sidelines of the Russian-African Social Forum. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd October, 2018) The Gambia hopes that senior Russian officials, in particular, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, will visit the country, and is especially looking forward to reciprocal presidential visits, Jainaba Bah, the Gambian ambassador to Russia, told Sputnik Tuesday on the sidelines of the Russian-African Social Forum. "Our President [Adama Barrow] has expressed the eagerness to be able to meet [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin ... We are equally looking forward to have high-level Russian officials to travel to Banjul, including President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov ... We want them to come to the Gambia. The Gambia is a small country, but it would make a large impact and resonate with the whole African continent. People in Africa love President Putin and want to welcome him," Bah said. The Gambian ambassador indicated that her country was interested in developing cooperation with Moscow, in particular, in the field of oil and gas exploration and to learn from Russia's experience in that field. "From Gambia's side, I believe, this is where Russia can help if we [could] send our young people to come and learn about oil drilling; what is involved in oil and gas exploration. From there, we can have a partnership, because Russia has the experience. This has to be worked on at a higher level," Bah said. The relations between Russia and The Gambia, which were officially established in 1965, have been developing in various directions, for example, in trade, with Russia exporting food and grain to the African state. The two countries have also enjoyed cooperation in the field of education and plan to sign the memorandum of understanding in this field. (@rukhshanmir) The Macedonian parliament vote on country's name change, which took place on October 19, was held in violation of all existing norms, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd October, 2018) The Macedonian parliament vote on country's name change, which took place on October 19, was held in violation of all existing norms, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday. "The eight votes that the parliament lacked for securing the qualifying majority were received via blackmail, threats and bribes given to the opposition lawmakers ... Notably, the US Ambassador [to Macedonia] was in the parliament building up to the end of the session, and this is why there is no doubt that he orchestrated the process," the ministry said in a statement. "We regard what happened as an explicit violation of all norms both in terms of law, and in terms of morality," the statement said. A total of 80 lawmakers out of 120 voted in favor of the name change securing the majority required to pass the bill. The new name will allow the Balkan state to join NATO and the European Union, the process that Greece has been blocking over fears that the former Yugoslav republic might try to claim its region under the same name. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad will make an official visit to Thailand on Wednesday to push forward bilateral ties and the peace process in Southern Thailand that Malaysia has facilitated KUALA LUMPUR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad will make an official visit to Thailand on Wednesday to push forward bilateral ties and the peace process in Southern Thailand that Malaysia has facilitated. The visit is a part of a series of foreign trips after Mahathir assumed office in May, Malaysia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. Mahathir is expected to meet his counterpart Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha during the two-day visit, which will provide an opportunity for both leaders to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, the statement said. The visit is also expected to add momentum to the Southern Thailand peace dialogue process where Malaysia has served as facilitator for the peace talks between the Thai government and the militants. It would also allow Malaysia to highlight the government's current policies and its stand particularly on issues of mutual concern, and provide an opportunity to exchange views on regional and global issues of common interest, the statement added. Malaysia's total trade with Thailand in 2017 recorded a significant growth of 18.43 percent amounting to 98.69 billion Ringgit (23 billion U.S. Dollars) from 86.46 billion ringgit (20 billion U.S. dollars) in 2016, as Thailand is Malaysia's fifth largest trading partner and the second largest among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries after Singapore. (@rukhshanmir) The Mexican Navy has received the first delivery for any nation in Latin America of the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) system, which defends ships against enemy missiles, the manufacturer Raytheon announced in a press release on Tuesday. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd October, 2018) The Mexican Navy has received the first delivery for any nation in Latin America of the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) system, which defends ships against enemy missiles, the manufacturer Raytheon announced in a press release on Tuesday. "The Mexican Navy will use the RAM Block 2 supersonic, quick reaction, fire-and-forget missile to counter enemy anti-ship missiles," the release said. "This latest version features a larger rocket motor, advanced control section and an enhanced radio frequency receiver." Mexico is the first nation in Latin America to receive the system, which is on more than 165 ships in eight countries, ranging from 500-ton fast attack craft to 95,000-ton aircraft carriers, the release said. The RAM is a supersonic, lightweight, fire-and-forget weapon designed to destroy anti-ship missiles and other airborne threats, according to a Raytheon website. (@ChaudhryMAli88) WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th October, 2018) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray discussed Mexico's efforts to address a caravan of Central American migrants that is headed toward the United States, the State Department said in a readout of a phone call between the two top diplomats on Tuesday. "The two leaders discussed Mexico's efforts to address the migrant caravan," the readout said. Pompeo also welcomed Mexico's collaboration with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and said the US stands ready to assist in those efforts. The US is pressing Mexico to halt the caravan, which the UN estimates includes more than 7,000 asylum-seekers, before the group reaches the US border. President Donald Trump has vowed to cut off US aid to Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala over their failure to stop migrants from leaving their countries to come illegally to the United States. The caravan consists mainly of Honduran migrants, however, published reports indicate that a second US-bound caravan is now forming in El Salvador. (@rukhshanmir) Mongolia has launched a campaign to increase national awareness on the importance of savings and the level of financial literacy, local media reported on Tuesday, citing the country's central bank. ULAN BATOR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :Mongolia has launched a campaign to increase national awareness on the importance of savings and the level of financial literacy, local media reported on Tuesday, citing the country's central bank. The campaign is part of the activities held in the country on the occasion of the World Savings Day, which is celebrated every year on Oct. 31 across the world, the Bank of Mongolia said in a statement. Under the two-week campaign starting Monday, several related activities will be organized across the country by the central bank in cooperation with commercial banks. According to data released by the National Statistics Office of Mongolia, only 27 percent of Mongolia's total population have any savings, and 83 percent of those who have savings only have less than a million Mongolian Tugriks (less than 390 U.S. Dollars) in their accounts. Mongolia started marking the World Savings Day across the country since last year. (@rukhshanmir) Nepal is approaching an electric future by launching the Made-in-China electric buses for the first time in the country. KATHMANDU, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :Nepal is approaching an electric future by launching the Made-in-China electric buses for the first time in the country. Amid a special function organized in Lalitpur on Tuesday, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated the battery-operated buses, which have been developed by the Chinese company BYD. The formation of electric bus fleet has been regarded as a major milestone for the South Asian country for moving towards a green economy. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the prime minister said the electric buses are symbolic indication of the direction that Nepal is taking towards clean energy. "The conversion of public transport to domestically-produced electricity will displace the expensive imported gasoline and diesel. I believe the conversion to electric mobility will have a significant positive impact on environment and health of the public," Oli said. Mentioning that the country is going to be self-reliant in hydropower with the next few years, he said that the government aims to ensure that at least 20 percent of the overall vehicles will run on electric power by 2020. "Our overall national goal is to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products by 50 percent or even more by the year 2050," Oli said. In the initial phase, five electric buses will be plying on streets of the capital city. Then the electric bus fleet will be operated in Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha, after the construction of the international airport is completed in the region some 10 months later. The vehicles have been financed by the Asian Development Bank and handed over to Lumbini Development Trust. In Kathmandu, the electric buses will be operated under Sajha Yatayat cooperative company. On the occasion, the Nepalese government also launched the "National Plan of Action for Electric Mobility," which mainly focused on the promotion of electric vehicles in the country through different strategies and financing mechanisms. The step has been regarded as a landmark also for Nepal's tourism, as the electric bus fleet will significantly reduce air pollution. Kathmandu valley has been facing severe air pollution in the past few years especially due to smoke emission from the growing number of vehicles. "The government is committed to operating electric vehicles in the major world heritage sites in the near future," Nepali Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari said. Zhang Fan, the economic and commercial counsellor of the Chinese Embassy, said the step will contribute to the new energy development in Nepal and will strengthen collaboration between Nepal and China in the renewable energy sector. After the inauguration, the prime minister himself took a ride in a newly launched electric bus from the event venue to his official workplace Singhadurbar. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Marking the 2018 United Nations Day, which falls tomorrow, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the men and women of the UN, and those they serve, to "never give up," tackling the world's many challenges. UNITED NATIONS, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :Marking the 2018 United Nations Day, which falls tomorrow, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the men and women of the UN, and those they serve, to "never give up," tackling the world's many challenges. In a video released in advance of UN Day, Guterres said that, despite the odds and obstacles, and growing inequality "we don't give up because we know by reducing inequality we increase hope and opportunity and peace around the world." The UN chief made clear the Organization's determination to implement climate action, fight for human rights and the life of peace that everyone deserves to enjoy. "On United Nations Day, let us reaffirm our commitment. To repair broken trust. To heal our planet. To leave no one behind. To uphold dignity for one and all, as united nations." UN day commemorates the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being. (@ChaudhryMAli88) The second Syrian National Dialogue Congress may be held in Russia's Sochi in mid-November if UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura fails to reach agreement on the Syrian Constitutional Commission with Damascus on Wednesday, media reported on Tuesday. DAMASCUS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd October, 2018) The second Syrian National Dialogue Congress may be held in Russia's Sochi in mid-November if UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura fails to reach agreement on the Syrian Constitutional Commission with Damascus on Wednesday, media reported on Tuesday. The al-Watan newspaper said, citing diplomatic sources, that de Mistura hoped to negotiate with Damascus his participation in the third group of the Syrian Constitutional Commission. Damascus, however opposes de Mistura's involvement, claiming that the UN role is to facilitate dialogue rather than naming participants. If de Mistura fails to reach an agreement with Damascus, the second Syrian congress may be held in mid-November in Sochi, the newspaper said, adding that the congress could reach a new agreement or decide on the commission's members. WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd October, 2018) US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo in a phone call with UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura discussed progress towards establishing a constitutional committee to end the conflict in Syria, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a press release. "Pompeo spoke with UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura and discussed the Special Envoy's progress on convening a constitutional committee," Nauert said on Monday. Pompeo also thanked de Mistura, who is stepping down as the UN's envoy on Syria in November, for his efforts in de-escalating the military conflict. The creation of the Syrian Constitutional Commission, tasked with rewriting the Syrian main law, was agreed upon during the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi in late January. The commission is to include both the representatives of the Syrian government and opposition activists. (@ChaudhryMAli88) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th October, 2018) Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will discuss the crises in Syria and Libya, as well as bilateral cooperation, during their meeting in Moscow on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Conte arrived in Moscow to pay his first official visit to Russia. In addition to meeting with Putin, he is scheduled to hold talks with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, and to meet with Italian businesspeople working in Russia. Conte's trip to Russia was preceded by visits of Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini and Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi. Putin and Conte plan to discuss the state and prospects for the development of Russian-Italian cooperation in various spheres, exchange views on urgent international and regional issues, including the situation in Syria and Libya. On November 12-13, the Italian city of Palermo will host the international conference on the situation in Libya. According to Milanesi, it will be mainly focused on securing elections in the crisis-torn country. On October 8, Milanesi said that Putin had been invited to the conference. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia would certainly attend the conference, but would later determine the level of its representation. Conte has previously repeatedly said that Italy would promote the revision of anti-Russia sanctions, adding that Moscow had played a major role in resolving geopolitical crises in recent years. The new Italian government, which was formed in late May by a coalition comprising the anti-establishment Five Star Movement and the eurosceptic Lega party, stated the need to lift the EU sanctions imposed on Russia in their government coalition agreement. Just before his visit to Russia, Conte expressed support for the idea for the G7 (Group of Seven) to readmit Russia, which would allow the group to deal more effectively with a number of urgent international issues. (@FahadShabbir) WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th October, 2018) Russia plans to continue providing security assistance to the Central African Republic (CAR) government in an effort to end a far-flung insurgency in which authorities in the capital of Bangui are attempting to wrest control of much of the nation from more than a dozen rebel groups, Russia's Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia said. "Russia will continue to provide support to the car in reforming its national security sector, including in strengthening the battle readiness and battle capacity of the armed forces of the country," Nebenzia told the UN Security Council on Tuesday. Nebenzia noted that Russian military experts have managed to achieve "significant results" by training more than 1,000 soldiers of the CAR army. In addition, Nebenzia pledged increased Russian humanitarian assistance to CAR, in particular by providing medical services to the population. On Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced plans to send 60 additional military advisers to the CAR to complement 175 advisers dispatched to the country earlier this year along with a shipment of small arms. The CAR government is battling 14 rebel groups that control much of the nation outside Bangui, according to published reports. Russia remains Ukraine's major trade partner, with the Russian-Ukrainian trade amounting to billions of rubles, in spite of the ongoing deterioration of relations between the two countries, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday, commenting on the planned counter-sanctions against Kiev. KALININGRAD (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd October, 2018) Russia remains Ukraine's major trade partner, with the Russian-Ukrainian trade amounting to billions of rubles, in spite of the ongoing deterioration of relations between the two countries, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday, commenting on the planned counter-sanctions against Kiev. On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to introduce special economic measures against Ukrainian citizens and companies as a response to Kiev's unfriendly actions toward Russian nationals. The measures can be cancelled, if Ukraine revokes its sanctions targeting Russian nationals and companies. Medvedev specified that a ban on exports of certain categories of Ukraine-produced goods to Russia would come as part of the planned anti-Ukrainian counter-sanctions. "Perhaps, this is not that common to mention it, and our Ukrainian colleagues are not eager to emphasize it anyway, but the Russian-Ukrainian trade is in fact quite significant. It certainly amounts to billions of rubles, and this is one of Ukraine's largest trade volumes," Medvedev told reporters. He specified that despite all the recent difficulties, and all the bans and restrictions that Ukraine had recently introduced on Russia, the Russian market share remained "quite significant" for the Ukrainian deliveries and the Ukrainian capital. "This means that we remain Ukraine's largest foreign trade partner. And this is why measures of such kind [targeting Ukrainian exports] will be introduced," Medvedev concluded. Economic cooperation between the two neighboring countries continues in spite of the fact that their bilateral relations deteriorated in 2014, with Kiev accusing Russia of meddling in the conflict in eastern Ukraine and also annexing the Crimean Peninsula that in fact rejoined Russia following a referendum. Moscow has repeatedly claimed that the referendum had been held in compliance with international rules. The Russian-Ukrainian trade grew by 22.6 percent year-on-year to $9.5 billion in January-August, according to the Russian Federal Customs Service. While Russia's exports to Ukraine went up by 25.3 percent to $5.9 billion, its imports increased by 18.5 percent, totaling $3.6 billion, compared to January-August 2017. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd October, 2018) Russian scientists have invented a biohybrid device that uses rats to detect early-stage lung cancer in record time, Alexander Panfilov, who leads medical research at the FPI state foundation, told Sputnik. "This biohybrid system uses rats as a detector. Electrodes are placed in a rat to create a mathematical device that interprets its biorhythms as its receptors react to tumor markers in the exhaled air," he said. Panfilov said this was not the first time animals were used in attempt to diagnose cancer. But the Russian Foundation for Advanced Research Projects' rat detector was the first to actually work. "Our diagnosis system can detect first and second-stage cancer by analyzing a patient's exhaled air in a very short time... The chance to detect lung cancer in the second and third stage is over 90 percent," he said. Dogs have also been found to be able to identify cancer by smell, he said, but the rat device has "automatized the process," allowing large numbers of patients to be checked for lung cancer and tuberculosis in under five minutes. The scientists are working to reduce that time to a minute or less. A series of storms brought hail, flooding and strong winds throughout Italy, local emergency officials said ROME, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :A series of storms brought hail, flooding and strong winds throughout Italy, local emergency officials said. Italy's Civil Protection Department issued an orange alert for the entire region of Calabria, while a less severe yellow warning was issued for Abruzzo, Calabria, Sicily and Lazio, as the wave of severe weather swept across the country beginning on Sunday. Schools in Naples and other towns were ordered to remain closed Monday due to the alert. A hailstorm struck Rome on Sunday, leaving roads covered with chunks of ice that disrupted local traffic, Euronews reported. Heavy storms also caused some drivers in Rome to abandon their vehicles as they were surrounded by rain and hail. The San Sebastiano Basilica also was flooded with more than a foot and a half of rainwater. The Coldiretti agriculture association said the sudden hail storms caused a a calamity for Italian farming, possibly wiping out the remains of the olive harvest in Lazio. Northern Italy experienced strong winds that knocked down several trees in Milan, while airports in Bologna experienced delays due to poor flying conditions. Sicily's eastern province of Catania also was affected by the storms, bringing heavy rains and flooding to an area that had experienced flash floods earlier in the week. (@FahadShabbir) A delegation of tribal elders, currently on a goodwill visit to China on the invitation of the Chinese government, visited the Embassy of Pakistan here on Tuesday. BEIJING, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Oct, 2018 ) :A delegation of tribal elders, currently on a goodwill visit to China on the invitation of the Chinese government, visited the Embassy of Pakistan here on Tuesday. Pakistan Ambassador to China, Masood Khalid welcomed the delegation comprising tribal elders from Bajaur, Khyber, Kurram, Mohmand, Orakzai agencies as well as North and South Waziristan. The ambassador highlighted the significance of having representation from the tribal areas in such goodwill visits from Pakistan. He said that interaction between people from different walks of life from the two friendly countries was crucial to ensure that the time-tested friendship between Pakistan and China was passed on to the next generation. The members of the delegations were also briefed on the friendly relations between Pakistan and China and the progress of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative. The delegation presented the ambassador with a traditional shawl and cap, followed by a group photo. Apart from the Chinese capital, the delegation will also visit Xian and Shanghai. APP/asg Get Outlook for Android Erectile dysfunction (ED), which worldwide is likely to affect in excess of 300 million men by 2025, is often either untreated or insufficiently treated. It can be a prelude to other serious illnesses and may be a cause or consequence of depression in affected individuals. Among men younger than 60 years of age, ED can be a robust early-stage indicator of vascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Untreated or inadequately treated ED can also be a sign of poor communication between health professionals and service users of all ages. Improved treatment of ED could cost-effectively prevent premature deaths and avoidable morbidity. The extension of community pharmacybased health care would enable more men living with ED to safely access effective medications, along with appropriate diagnostic services and support for beneficial lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation in conveniently accessible settings. The task of introducing improved methods of affordably addressing problems linked to ED exemplifies the strategic challenges now facing health care systems globally. Promoting professionally supported self-care in pharmacies has the potential to meet the needs of aging populations in progressively more effective ways. Research in social & administrative pharmacy : RSAP. 2018 Jul 21 [Epub ahead of print] David G Taylor, Francois Giuliano, Geoff Hackett, Evelyn Hermes-DeSantis, Michael G Kirby, Robert A Kloner, Terry Maguire, Vera Stecher, Paul Goggin The UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury, London, WC1N 1AX, UK. Electronic address: ., Neurourology R. Poincare Hal Garches, Versailles Saint-Quentin University, 104 Boulevard Raymond Poincare, Garches, 92380, France. Electronic address: ., Good Hope Hospital, Rectory Road, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, B75 7RR, UK. Electronic address: ., Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, 160 Frelinghuysen Road, New Brunswick, NJ, 08854, USA. Electronic address: ., The Prostate Centre, 32 Wimpole St, Marylebone, London W1G 8GT, UK; University of Hertfordshire, Centre for Research in Primary and Community Care, College Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB, UK. Electronic address: ., Huntington Medical Research Institutes, 686 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105, USA; Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Dept. of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California, 1975 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA. Electronic address: ., Queens University Belfast, University Road, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK, Ireland. Electronic address: ., Pfizer Inc, 235 E 42nd St, New York, NY, 10017, USA. Electronic address: ., Pfizer Ltd, Discovery Park, Ramsgate Rd, Sandwich, CT13 9ND, UK. Electronic address: . PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30057329 Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition that may affect men of all ages; in 1999, a Process of Care Model was developed to provide clinicians with recommendations regarding the evaluation and management of ED. To reflect the evolution of the study of ED since 1999, this update to the process of care model presents health care providers with a tool kit to facilitate patient interactions, comprehensive evaluation, and counseling for ED. A cross-disciplinary panel of international experts met to propose updates to the 1999 process of care model from a global perspective. The updated model was designed to be evidence-based, data-driven, and accessible to a wide range of health care providers. This article summarizes the resulting discussion of the expert meeting and focuses on ED evaluation. The management of ED is discussed in an article by Muhall et al (J Sex Med 2018;15:1280-1292). A comprehensive approach to the evaluation of ED is warranted because ED may involve both psychological and organic components. The updated process of care model for evaluation was divided into core and optional components and now focuses on the combination of first-line pharmacotherapy and counseling in consideration of patient sexual dynamics. Patient evaluation for ED should encompass a variety of aspects, including medical history, sexual history, physical examination, psychological evaluation, laboratory testing, and possibly adjunctive testing. This update draws on author expertise and experience to provide multi-faceted guidance for the evaluation of ED in a modern context. Although a limited number of contributors provided input on the update, these experts represent diverse fields that encounter patients with ED. Additionally, no meta-analyses were performed to further support the ED evaluation guidelines presented. Comprehensive evaluation of ED affords health care providers an opportunity to address medical, psychological/psycho-social, and sexual issues associated with ED, with the ultimate goal being effective management and possibly resolution of ED. While some or all techniques described in the updated model may be needed for each patient, evaluation should in all cases be thorough. Mulhall JP, Giraldi A, Hackett G, et al. The 2018 Revision to the Process of Care Model for Evaluation of Erectile Dysfunction. J Sex Med 2018;15:1280-1292. The journal of sexual medicine. 2018 Jul 26 [Epub] John P Mulhall, Annamaria Giraldi, Geoff Hackett, Wayne J G Hellstrom, Emmanuele A Jannini, Eusebio Rubio-Aurioles, Landon Trost, Tarek A Hassan Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address: ., Sexological Clinic, Psychiatric Center Copenhagen, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark., Aston University Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom., Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, LA, USA., Endocrinology and Medical Sexology (ENDOSEX), Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy., Asociacion Mexicana para la Salud Sexual A.C. (AMSSAC), La Joya, Mexico City, Mexico., Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA., Pfizer Inc, New York, NY, USA. PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30057280 Murray the Magician aka Murray SawChuck hits a HUGE milestone on his most recent project YouTube, with achieving 1 million subscribers today! Murray is officially a YouTube Star after building his fans and subscribers on social media over 3 years along with his producing partner social media genius Seth Leach. Seth Leach started doing YouTube videos when he was just 13 when YouTube first started out really studies the pulse of the industry. Seth saw Murray perform at the Tropicana in 2013 and followed him on Instagram and YouTube. After about 2 years Seth reached out to Murray via Instagram telling him, Your magic is great and should be going viral but no one is seeing it the way you are sharing it! After that first connection Murray and Seth formed a partnership and business and now are celebrating a massive milestone in social media history reaching over 1 million subscribers and fans. This makes Murray The Magician the first and only YouTuber to have a resident show on the Las Vegas strip. Murray celebrates his show opening at the Tropicana Las Vegas Laugh Factory this Wednesday Oct. 24, 2018 and will be celebrating much more when he takes the stage with his over 1 million subscribers. Murray is also a regular on History Channels Pawn Stars in his 10th season and CWs Masters of Illusion in his 5th season. You have also see Murray on more than 21 reality shows. Nguyen Hanh Phuc, Chairman of the NA Office What is the NAs timetable regarding the CPTPP approval? On November 2, 2018 the State President will present a statement seeking the NAs approval for the CPTPP and related documents. Later on, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh, on behalf of the prime minister, will deliver a comprehensive report about what the CPTPP and relevant documents are. Then, Chairman of the NA Committee for External Relations Nguyen Van Giau will present an investigatory report about ratifying the CPTPP and NA delegates will discuss this content in groups. The discussion about the CPTPP will take place at the November 5 meeting. Then, on November 12, the NA will vote on approving the CPTPP resolution. After Mexico, Japan, and Singapore, on October 17 the Australian Senate has also adopted the CPTPP. Vietnam will likely become the fifth nation out of the 11 member countries to ratify the landmark deal. As regulated, the CPTPP will come into force once six members ratify the agreement. Vietnam and 10 other members have signed the CPTPP in Santiago (Chile) on March 8, 2018. Why do we still need to hold an inspection into its approval? In light of the Law on International Conventions, the NA Committee for External Relations is held responsible for assessing the necessity of approving international conventions, compliance in making procedures proposing international convention approval, as well as its compliance with the Constitution and Vietnams laws and resolutions. The Committee is also responsible for inspecting Vietnams capacity to directly apply the international convention in whole or in part, as well as has the mandate to request amendments, supplementation, the removal or enactment of relevant laws, circulars, and resolutions by the NA to realise these international conventions. Vietnam will likely become the fifth nation out of the 11 member countries to ratify the landmark deal. Through review and inspection, the NA will get to know how many laws and circulars must be amended and supplemented to match the international conventions that Vietnam has signed. With the CPTPP, Vietnam has to amend and supplement about eight laws. This will be conducted following a specific roadmap. We might face potential lawsuits if we fail to keep to the schedule. Could you elaborate on the deals implications on Vietnam as well as the NAs activities to approve the CPTPP? The CPTPP is a new-generation free trade agreement (FTA) with sweeping impacts across the board. With respect to import activities alone, right after the agreement comes into force, most goods from the 10 member countries will flow into Vietnam free of import tariff. This will have tremendous effects on domestic production and business, especially for agricultural production in which Vietnam enjoys strong export advantages. The question is whether Vietnamese agricultural products, seafood, and woodwork retain their competitive advantages after Vietnam removes tariffs on the products from the 10 CPTPP member countries. If we lose these advantages, participating in the CPTPP would affect 20.7 million Vietnamese people currently working in these areas, which accounts for more than 38 per cent of Vietnams total workforce, as well as affect the life of over 61 million peoples living in rural areas, equal to 64.5 per cent of the Vietnamese population. As for exports, after the CPTPP comes into force, Vietnamese export items will also be entitled to zero per cent tariff. The benefits will be enormous if Vietnamese export items enter the markets of CPTPP member countries. But how Vietnamese companies could avail themselves of the advantages needs further careful consideration. As the implications are so wide and deep, NA delegates need time for discussion to be able to present suitable measures helping Vietnam make use of the advantages while alleviating limitations from this landmark deal. Hanoi has implemented solutions to facilitate the sustainable development of e-commerce activities, which have grown rapidly recently, though problems persist in the quality of goods traded online. According to a survey of 1,000 enterprises in Hanoi conducted by the Vietnam E-commerce Association, 61 per cent have conducted business activities on social networks because it is an easy and effective business trend, while it also has low operation costs and offers quick feedback from customers. About 37 per cent of the businesses said that e-commerce revenue accounted for about 30 per cent of the enterprises total revenue while 16 per cent of them have gained 50 per cent of their total revenue from e-commerce activities. In the first half of this year, about 7,726 websites and e-commerce applications of organisations and individuals were registered to operate in Hanoi. Nguyen Thanh Hai, deputy director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, said to promote e-commerce development this year, the department has put into operation a website on shopping in Hanoi at http://bandomuasam.hanoi.gov.vn to easily search for prestigious places of shopping, selling consumer goods and food, and the location of vending machines in the capital city. Now, the department has developed e-commerce in various sectors, online public services, electronic tax declaration and e-payment to create a transparent and fair business environment. Hanoi has also encouraged businesses to set up e-commerce websites or applications for agricultural products and food and promoted the application of quick response (QR) codes to trace the origin of products and goods and print on anti-counterfeit stamps, authentic stamps or similar stamps to prevent commercial fraud. Nguyen Manh Hung, vice president of the Vietnam Standards and Consumer Protection Association, said when shopping online, consumers have difficulty in distinguishing between licensed and unlicensed sale sites and between counterfeit and known-origin goods. Detection, management and handling of commercial frauds via online shopping are very difficult, because the transactions of fake products lack invoices. Meanwhile, many websites and their transaction accounts on the social network have only a virtual address, so it is difficult to control and handle commercial frauds such as goods lacking quality. Many consumers worry about these problems when using online shopping platforms. To protect the interests of consumers, the department has directed relevant state offices to supervise and inspect e-commerce businesses. Therefore, they have had administrative penalties worth VND3.4 billion for violations in e-commerce activities. To manage the online business methods, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is drafting a circular regulating the management of e-commerce websites for mobile devices and online trading activities. In cases of violation, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will publicise names of the e-commerce websites and mobile applications that violate existing regulations as well as names and information of traders or organisations owning those websites and apps. According to a report on the Vietnam e-commerce index conducted by the Vietnam E-commerce Association, in the past five years, Hanoi was one of two cities having the leading e-commerce index in the country. In 2017, trading value from e-commerce activities in Hanoi was estimated at VND36 trillion (US$1.54 billion). Apartment rental yields in HCM City have declined slightly due to excessive supply, property consultancies said.-Photo kinhtedothi.vn In a report on the real-estate market in the second and third quarters, CBRE reported that the ratio is down in some areas since rents are below landlords expectations. Duong Thuy Dung, senior director at CBRE Viet Nam, told Viet Nam News that the downtrend in yields started at the beginning of this year after a huge number of condos were handed over to buyers. Furthermore, some condos do not have the quality their developers had promised, another reason for falling rentals, according to Dung. From 7-7.5 per cent they have now fallen to 6-6.5 per cent though some high-quality places in District 2 and elsewhere still fetch 7 per cent. She said while condo prices had not decreased, many landlords cut their rents to quickly find tenants amid the increasing competition. She said the 6-6.5 per cent rate would continue in the near future. Savills Vietnam also said yields had fallen, but put the current rate at an even lower 4-6 per cent. Vo Thi Khanh Trang, head of research at Savills Vietnam, told Viet Nam News that condos were the main competition for serviced apartments. Condos in districts like 2, 4 and 7 with comprehensive amenities and services are the most attractive areas for renters, according to Trang. A report by Savills says there has been a huge supply of condos in 2015-18, with grade A and B condos increasing by 68 per cent a year. Speaking about the trend in the near future, the report says until 2020 there will continue to be a huge supply of apartments. But the market is still potential thanks to HCM Citys stable economy and huge foreign interest, it says. According to Jones Lang LaSalle the high-end rental segment is more popular in the city thanks to the location, construction quality and amenities of apartments in it. The number of high-end apartments put for rent as of the third quarter of this year was 27,255, it said. Stephen Wyatt, country head of JLL, said 30-35 per cent of them could be buy-to-let deals. In the year to date the market saw the entry of 5,320 new units in 10 high-end projects in districts 1, 2, 4, Binh Thanh, and Phu Nhuan. The average rent for these are expected to reach US$122 per square metre per annum ($10.1 per month) by the end of this year. In 2019-21 a downward trend on a chain-linked basis is expected in line with the increased competition from the vast supply, especially as large projects with a monotonous design do not seem to attract expats while demand from local renters in the high-end segment is low, according to Wyatt. The rental market is likely to plateau or even soften, with longer vacancy times, due to the considerably increasing supply. Rental growth will also be negative in degraded and/or increasingly inferior older properties. But the completion of ongoing projects with better locations and higher quality are expected to offset this downward trend. Deputies of the 14th National Assembly cast secret ballots on October 23 morning to elect a new State President . (Photo: VNA) The result of the vote is scheduled to be released in the afternoon. After that, the new President will take the oath of office and deliver a speech at the swearing-in ceremony, which will be broadcast live by Vietnam Television and Radio The Voice of Vietnam. On October 22, the first day of the session, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan delivered a speech on the candidate for the post of the State President. The NAs Standing Committee recommended General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, who is also a deputy of the 14th legislature, for the position of the State President for the 2016-2021 tenure, she said. Also on October 23, deputies will vote on a resolution approving the dismissal of Truong Minh Tuan from the post of the Minister of Information and Communications. They will also discuss the appointment of a new Minister of Information and Communications as proposed by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May is trying to calm nerves within her own party. (Photo: AFP/John Thys) May has been on the receiving end of a furious backlash from Brexit hardliners in her own party after indicating at an EU summit last week that she could accept a longer post-divorce implementation phase than previously envisaged. Her shift aimed to break an impasse in negotiations between London and Brussels over how to keep the Irish border open after Brexit, by giving the two sides more time to agree their future relationship. But it infuriated Brexiteer colleagues who fear remaining tied to the EU for years after Britain's formal departure next March. Several Sunday newspapers said rebellious MPs were preparing a fresh bid to topple her leadership this week, many carrying colourful off-record quotes from the plotters. In a bid to calm passions, May will address MPs in the House of Commons on Monday where she will say the divorce deal with Brussels is nearly done. "Ninety-five per cent of the Withdrawal Agreement and its protocols are now settled," she will tell parliamentarians, according to a partial transcript released by her office late Sunday. Highlighting progress in the year-long talks, she will say agreements have now been reached across a broad range of issues including with Spain on the status of the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar, and with Cyprus on the UK's military bases there. "We have broad agreement on the structure and scope of the future relationship, with important progress made on issues like security, transport and services," she will say. BUSTED BACKSTOP But on Ireland she will seek to reassure MPs in her own party that she will not bow to the EU's current proposals. "As I set out last week, the original backstop proposal from the EU was one we could not accept, as it would mean creating a customs border down the Irish Sea and breaking up the integrity of the UK," she will say. "I do not believe that any UK Prime Minister could ever accept this. And I certainly will not." Updated timeline of the Brexit talks. (Graphic: AFP/Gillian Handyside) The so-called backstop is a proposal to keep either Northern Ireland or all of Britain in a customs union should future trade talks end in deadlock. Talks have stalled over how to stop its land frontier with the Republic of Ireland, an EU member, becoming a hard border again. London believes customs and other checks can be avoided through a new trade agreement with Brussels, but accepts the need for a fallback plan until that deal is agreed. However, the two sides have so far been unable to settle the terms of this so-called backstop. France's Europe minister Nathalie Loiseau told the BBC Sunday that the bloc needs "definitive answers, or at least no temporary measures which disappear and we don't know what to do afterwards". Despite voting in favour of a split from Europe, the British public remain deeply polarised on Brexit. On Saturday, more than half a million anti-Brexit protesters hit the streets of London, the largest demonstration since 750,000 people showed up against the Iraq war in 2003. Source: AFP/zl Tagged Topics Brexit European Union United Kingdom Theresa May Honduran migrants in a caravan to the US, take a break in Tapachula, Chiapas state, Mexico AFP/Johan ORDONEZ UNITED NATIONS, United States: More than 7,000 people have joined the migrant caravan headed toward the US border with Mexico, a UN spokesman said Monday (Oct 22), citing estimates of the International Organisation for Migration. "IOM reports that large numbers of people are arriving in Mexico today and are likely to remain in the country for an extended period," UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said, urging that they be treated with "respect and dignity". "At this time, it is estimated that the caravan comprises some 7,233 persons, many of whom intend to continue the march north." Haq said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had spoken to several leaders about the situation over the weekend and planned to travel to Washington on Tuesday for talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "This situation needs to be dealt with in line with international law and with full respect for countries' right to manage their own borders," Haq said. "The states in the region need to cooperate on resolving the situation." Earlier Monday, US President Donald Trump said the United States would begin cutting aid to Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador because they had failed to stop the movement of migrants. Haq said the UN High Commission on Refugees has mobilized to help the migrants, and that the governments involved had been urged to work with the IOM and UNHCR. The UNHCR has deployed an emergency team in southern Mexico, and now has 32 people on the ground on the border, in Ciudad Hidalgo and Tapachula, according to the spokesman. "Numbers will increase in the coming days to address and ensure adequate provision of information on the asylum system to members of the caravan, as well as legal advice and humanitarian assistance to those who seek asylum," he said. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnams Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong. - VNA/VNS Photo The announcement was made on October 22 as the countrys legislative body convened its 6th sitting, with the Presidential vote one of the key tasks on its agenda. NA Chairwoman Ngan said that starting from 8am ofnOctober 23, NA deputies will discuss the nomination for the head of state position in groups and the minutes of the group discussion will then be forwarded to the NA Standing Committee. Afterwards, the NA deputies will go to the plenary hall to start the presidential voting process. Per protocol, NA Standing Committee will first present the abovementioned minutes, listen to feedback from the plenary hall and incorporate them into their report. NA deputies will then vote on the nomination list via an electronic voting process, which will be followed by casting their ballots for the President position. The results of the vote will be publicly announced later the same day. NA General Secretary Nguyen Hanh Phuc would present the draft resolution on the election of the President, followed by a vote of the NA to adopt the resolution. Afterwards, the new State President will be sworn in before the countrys legislature with the ceremony broadcast live on television and radio. On September 23, after the late President Tran Dai Quang passed away, the then Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh was assigned to temporarily serve as the acting President until the NA officially makes their choice on Quangs successor. The 8th plenum of the 12th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, which concluded on October 5, introduced General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to become the State President for the 2016-21 tenure with 100 per cent endorsement. Prior to the vote, NA deputies said that the nomination of the General Secretary was met with a favourable reception from the general public, who expect that the anti-corruption campaign, spearheaded by the Party chief himself, will become even more robust. Chinese and Russian missiles prompt a U.S. policy shift. Australia apologizes for sexual abuse. Rohingya Hindus observe a festival. The bravery of Afghan women on stage. Roadside food, and virtual city tours before and after war. The caravan of Central American asylum seekers heading to the U.S. border has become a key issue in the upcoming U.S. midterm congressional elections. VOAs Brian Padden reports anti-immigrant activists expect President Donald Trumps efforts to portray the caravan as a national emergency to shift public focus away from other controversial polices and bolster his Republican Party prospects at the polls. Air Force One is the plane that takes the President of the United States on trips around the world. Did you ever wonder what it's like inside the cabin? What does the president eat and who assists him while he is in the air? VOA's Nastassia Jaumen takes us on a tour. The U.S.-China trade war is helping push Beijing and Tokyo closer. How close will become clearer later this week, when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe makes his first visit to China since taking office in 2012. Analysts say the three-day trip is unlikely to resolve historic territorial disputes between the two sides, but it will provide Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping a rare opportunity to warm ties and try to advance key policy agendas. Abe arrives Thursday in Beijing accompanied by an entourage of more than 500 business leaders who, with their Chinese counterparts, will attend an investment forum focusing on collaboration in third countries. As relations between Beijing and Washington worsen, China is looking to build closer ties with Abe, a leader who has visited the United States frequently and has sought to build a friendly relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump. For Abe, this is an opportunity that Trump has created for him that suits Japans foreign diplomacy interests, said Ho Szu-shen, Japanese language and culture professor at Taiwans Fu-Jen Catholic University. If Japanese companies can find a way to cooperate on belt and road projects that could help diminish international criticisms and concerns of countries along the belt about debt trap diplomacy. In recent weeks, a handful of countries have canceled or scaled back billions of dollars in belt and road projects over concerns about debt. China denies it is trying to create debt traps and take advantage of developing countries. Japans participation in projects with China could help ease those fears. During Abes visit, dozens of investment announcements are expected and some are looking to see whether the two will collaborate in places such as Thailand. "There is a stiff competition between China and Japan vying for deals in third countries and competition adds to both countries costs, said Jiang Yuechun, a senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies. If both countries can find a way to cooperate or complement each other's strengths that could create a win-win situation for both countries and further benefits for third countries as well." Japan has made clear it supports the idea of building infrastructure to help boost economies around the globe, but it also has stressed that investments it participates in be transparent, economically viable and fiscally sustainable for the host country. A Japanese government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that while there will be announcements during the visit by private companies, it is not going to be a big deal like when Mr. Trump came to Beijing. When Trump visited China last November, the two announced $250 billion in trade deals. Trump is entangled in trade disputes with both Japan and China and criticized the two countries trade practices and deficits with the United States. Jiang said the two leaders are likely to use the meeting to voice their similar concerns about trade and tariffs. But I don't think China will ally with Japan to stand against the U.S. That is unlikely given the U.S. and Japan have a strategic alliance, he said. As far as trade disputes go, Japan is in a better position than Beijing. Late last month, Tokyo and Washington agreed to shelve auto tariffs and begin negotiations on a free trade agreement. China and the United States remain deeply divided. At the same time, however, China has been working hard to push a free trade agreement of its own for the region, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and is likely to use the meeting to buoy support for that agreement and the goal to finish the deal by the end of this year. A Japanese government source said that reaching an agreement is desirable, but at the same time we cant compromise too much on standards. He also added that there are differing views among participants of RCEP as well, which includes six Asian countries and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. China is Japans biggest trading partner and more than 30,000 Japanese companies have operations in the country. Last year, Japanese investments grew for the first time since 2012 when a territorial dispute over uninhabited islands in the East China Sea and frictions sent relations into a nosedive. Ties were so tense there were concerns the two countries might enter into a military conflict, which contributed to an exodus of Japanese businesses. That dispute remains unresolved, but Japanese investment is picking up again, growing by 5.1 percent last year. Abe's visit comes as the two countries mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Sino-Japanese Peace and Friendship Treaty, and with that, both are looking to open a new page in relations. Joyce Huang contributed to this report. U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton has hinted that a key arms control pact with Russia may have run its course. Bolton meets in Moscow Tuesday with President Vladimir Putin to explain why President Donald Trump wants to pull the U.S. out of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Trump has accused Russia of violating the agreement. "We don't think that withdrawal from the treaty is what causes the problem. We think it's what Russia has been doing in violation of the treaty that's the problem," Bolton told Russia's Kommersant newspaper. "You can't bring someone in compliance who does not think they are in breach." Bolton said he believes Cold War-era bilateral treaties are no longer relevant because of today's global security environment, where other countries are also building missiles. Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and the late U.S. President Ronald Reagan signed the INF accord in 1987. It bans the United States and Russia from building, testing, and stockpiling ground-launched nuclear missiles with a range from 500 to 5,000 kilometers. Trump said the U.S. would have to start developing new weapons if Russia and China which is not part of the INF treaty do. Russia denies violating the agreement and says it is U.S. missile defense systems in Europe that are in violation. A Putin spokesman says a U.S. pullout from the INF treaty would make the world a more dangerous place. He said Russia would have to take security countermeasures to "restore balance." Russian National Security Council chief Nikolai Patrushev said after his talks Monday with Bolton that Russia is willing to talk with the U.S. about the mutual complaints against one another in a bid to salvage the INF pact. A Russian statement also said Monday Bolton and Patrushev discussed a possible five-year extension of another arms control agreement, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. That deal took effect in 2011 and is set to expire in 2021. Defense advocates in Washington say the INF treaty keeps the U.S. from developing a new generation of weapons in a world that faces new global security challenges. King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands highlighted the "shadow of uncertainty" hanging over Dutch nationals living in Britain due to Brexit in an address to the British parliament on Tuesday during a two-day state visit. The king used a speech to lawmakers and diplomats in one of parliament's grandest halls to express his regret over Britain's decision to leave the European Union next year - a body he said was flawed, but which had also made great achievements. "It truly saddens us to see a close partner leave. But of course we respect your country's choice," he said. Reaching a deal and predicting the consequences of Brexit was a highly complex task, he said, adding that the 150,000 Dutch nationals living in Britain and 50,000 British nationals living in the Netherlands deserved special attention. "Many of them have lived and worked here for many years. They feel at home in their local community and their contribution to society is valued," he said. "Yet these individuals now live under the shadow of uncertainty about their future status. I understand how difficult this is for them and I trust this uncertainty will be resolved." Earlier, the king and Queen Maxima were formally welcomed by Queen Elizabeth with a Guard of Honor before taking a state carriage procession along the Mall in London to lunch at Buckingham Palace. The Dutch royals were also visiting the grave of William III and Mary II of England, the Anglo-Dutch couple who ruled Britain at the end of the 17th Century, and were also due to lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey. After his address to parliament the king was scheduled to take afternoon tea with Elizabeth's heir Charles at his official Clarence House residence. Elizabeth was later hosting the Dutch royals at a banquet to celebrate the first UK state visit by Dutch monarchy for 36 years. Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus visited Britain in 1982, while Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip paid a state visit to Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands in 1958. U.S.-based Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi was "murdered in a ferocious manner," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday. Erdogan contended that Saudi Arabia carried out the killing in its Istanbul consulate in a premeditated plot, and dismissed Riyadh's claim that "rogue agents" were responsible. "All evidence gathered shows that Jamal Khashoggi was the victim of a savage murder," Erdogan told the Turkish parliament in Ankara. "To cover up such savagery would hurt the human conscience." The Turkish leader said "to blame such an incident on a handful of security and intelligence members would not satisfy us or the international community." Erdogan demanded that whoever ordered the killing of Khashoggi must "be brought to account," and that the 18 officials already arrested by Saudi Arabia in connection with the killing stand trial in Istanbul. In Washington, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said Erdogan's assessment of the killing "underscores the determination" of the Trump administration "to find out what happened." "The word from President Erdogan this morning that this brutal murder was premeditated, pre-planned days in advance, flies in the face of earlier assertions that had been made by the Saudi regime," he said. "The world is watching," Pence said at an event at The Washington Post, where Khashoggi wrote opinion columns that were critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country's de facto leader. "The American people want answers, and we will demand that those answers are forthcoming." Erdogan told Turkish lawmakers that "Saudi Arabia has taken an important step by admitting the murder." "As of now, he added, "we expect of them to openly bring to light those responsible, from the highest ranked to the lowest, and to bring them to justice." The Turkish president described Khashoggi's death as a "murder" 15 times in his speech. But he never mentioned Mohammed bin Salman in his speech and did not play an audio of the killing that news accounts have cited. Erdogan gave new details surrounding the killing that involved 15 Saudi agents who started arriving in Turkey the day before Khashoggi was killed, October 2, while largely confirming earlier news accounts of Khashoggi's disappearance, including that Saudi agents deployed a body double with Khashoggi's clothes, glasses, and beard to walk out of the consulate to make it appear he had left the diplomatic outpost alive. The Turkish president said on the day before the 59-year-old Khashoggi was killed, a team of Saudi consular staff scouted out two separate locations in a forest outside Istanbul and at Yalova, 90 kilometers south of the city. Turkish authorities have searched the locations, theorizing that Khashoggi's remains may have been disposed of there, but have not found his body. Erdogan also said Saudi agents removed the hard drive from the consulate's surveillance system. Saudi officials at first said Khashoggi walked out of the consulate and that they did not know his whereabouts. Then they said he died in a fistfight in the consulate. Most recently, the Saudis said Khashoggi was killed in a chokehold when he tried to leave the consulate to call for help. "When the murder is so clear," Erdogan said, "why were so many inconsistent statements made? Why is the body of a person who has officially been accepted as killed still not around?" Khashoggi had gone to the consulate to get documents he needed to marry his fiancee, Turkish national Hatice Cengiz, who waited outside in vain for his return. The Turkish leader stressed the need for his police and intelligence services to conduct a thorough probe, both to avoid falsely accusing anyone and to fulfill a responsibility to the international community. Since Saudi accounts say a "local collaborator" disposed of Khashoggi's remains, Erdogan said, "I am now asking: Who is this local collaborator?" U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director Gina Haspel is in Turkey conferring with Turkish officials about their ongoing investigation. On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he is "not satisfied" with Saudi explanations about the killing but hopes the Saudi royal family did not order it. Trump said he expects soon to know more information. "I have a great group of people in Turkey right now, and a great group of people in Saudi Arabia. We will know very soon," Trump said. Trump has said there would be consequences if Saudi Arabia was found to be responsible for Khashoggi's death, but also made it clear he has no intention of doing anything that would affect lucrative U.S. arms deals with Riyadh. "I dont want to lose all of that investment that's being made in our country," he said Monday. In Riyadh, Saudi King Salman and his son, the crown prince, met with Khashoggi's family, the state news agency reported. The family group included Khashoggi's son, Salah bin Jamal Khashoggi. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to go before his parliament Tuesday and reveal what he said would be the "naked truth" about the death of U.S.-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Ankara. Since he went missing after entering the consulate on October 2, Turkish officials have accused Saudi Arabia of sending a team to kill Khashoggi. The Saudis at first said Khashoggi had left the consulate and that they did not know his whereabouts. Later, they said he died in a fistfight after an argument inside the consulate. Most recently, the Saudis said Khashoggi died in a chokehold to prevent him from leaving the consulate to call for help. WATCH: Erdogan to speak on Khashoggi investigation The various explanations have been met with skepticism from the international community and allegations Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman -- the country's de facto ruler -- ordered Khashoggi be killed. U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday that he is "not satisfied" with what he has heard, but that he expects to find out a lot more in the next few days. "I have a great group people in Turkey right now and a great group of people in Saudi Arabia. We will know very soon," Trump said. Trump has said there would be consequences if Saudi Arabia was found to be responsible for Khashoggi's death, but also made it clear he has no intention of doing anything that would affect lucrative arms deals. "I dont want to lose all of that investment that's being made in our country," he said Monday. U.S. media reports said CIA Director Gina Haspel left the United States on Monday to go to Turkey to meet with officials there who are investigating Khashoggi's death. The Trump administration did not publicly say anything about her trip. In another development Monday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin met the Saudi crown prince in Riyadh. The Saudi Foreign Ministry posted a photograph of the meeting on its Twitter account. Mnuchin canceled his plans to attend a three-day investment conference hosted by Saudi Arabia beginning on Tuesday, but said he would meet the crown prince to discuss counterterrorism efforts. New surveillance video released Monday from Istanbul appears to show a Saudi agent wearing Khashoggi's clothing and leaving Riyadh's consulate on October 2 in an apparent attempt to cover up his killing by showing he had left the diplomatic outpost alive. The video was taken by Turkish law enforcement and shown Monday on CNN. The 59-year-old Khashoggi had been living in the United States in self-imposed exile while he wrote columns for The Washington Post that were critical of the Saudi crown prince and Riyadh's involvement in the conflict in Yemen. It is not known what happened to his remains, although Turkish officials say he was tortured, decapitated and then dismembered. One Saudi official told ABC News that Khashoggi's body was given to a "local cooperator" in Istanbul for disposal, but Saudi officials have said they do not know what happened to his remains. In Washington, White House adviser Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, told CNN the United States is still in a "fact-finding" phase in trying to determine exactly what happened to Khashoggi. "We're getting facts in from multiple places," Kushner said. He said that Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will then decide how to respond to Saudi Arabia, a long-time American ally. Israel is expressing confidence that it can pursue attacks on Irans forces in Syria even after Iranian partner Russia transferred an advanced air defense system to Syrian territory earlier this month. In a recent interview with VOA Persian in Jerusalem, Israeli Deputy Minister for Diplomacy Michael Oren said Russias transfer of the S-300 system will pose a challenge, but not an insurmountable challenge. Israel has been overcoming such challenges since the day of its creation in 1948, Oren said. We will overcome this one as well, if we are forced to do so. Speaking separately to VOA Persian in Tel Aviv, Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett, who is part of an 11-member Security Cabinet, reacted to the S-300 move by saying Israel will not allow Iran, its main regional rival, to build a stronghold in Syria, adjacent to Israeli territory. We are going to fight to defend Israeli citizens, just as Iran would do if an enemy would create a big build-up on its borders. Just put yourself in our shoes, Bennett said. Russia says it delivered the S-300 system to its regional ally Syria on October 1, in response to a September 17 incident in which Syrian forces accidentally downed a Russian surveillance plane using a less-advanced S-200 system as they responded to an Israeli air strike. Israel said its warplanes had struck Syrian-allied Iranian military targets and returned to Israeli airspace before Syrian forces carried out what it described as indiscriminate fire that downed the Russian plane. Moscow accused Israel of creating a dangerous situation leading up to the incident. Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani described the S-300 transfer as a blow to Israels years-long campaign of air strikes on Irans forces and suspected weapons shipments to Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in Syria. The Israeli military said last month that it had struck 202 targets in Syria since 2017. I dont think that the Israelis are able to take a serious step (after the S-300 transfer), Larijani said, in an October 9 interview with the Russian TV channel RTs Arabic service in Turkey. But Iran has little cause to celebrate the Russian move, according to Iranian American analyst Nader Uskowi, a former senior civilian advisor to the U.S. militarys Central Command. Speaking at an October 17 panel discussion at the Atlantic Council in Washington, Nader said Iran is very surprised that Russia has not used its most advanced S-400 air defense system in Syria to challenge Israeli strikes on Iranian positions there in recent years. Russia does not see itself as an enemy of Israel. Iran does, Nader said. So Iranians are not counting on Russia to go all the way in alignment with their policy. Israels former chief of military intelligence Amos Yadlin told VOA Persian in a recent interview in Tel Aviv that Iran cannot count on its forces being protected by the newly-installed S-300 batteries in Syria, either. Russian officials have said those batteries will be operated by Russian forces as they train their Syrian allies to use the system in the coming months. They also have said the S-300 transfer is primarily meant to ensure the safety of Russian aircraft and personnel operating in the area. I dont think the Russians want to challenge the Israeli air force, which is very capable, said Yadlin, who serves as executive director of Tel Aviv Universitys Institute for National Security Studies. And the Russian strategic goal is to stabilize Syria. The worst scenario that Russia can see is more instability. So from what I know of how the leaders in Moscow are thinking, they will not allow their military to fire at Israelis. Israeli Deputy Minister Oren said the Israeli and Russian militaries have been in daily contact at the level of deputy chiefs of staff to try to avoid confrontations between their forces. We will continue to do our uppermost to prevent that, he said. We have no interest whatsoever in a military confrontation with Russia. Yadlin said Israel would face a challenge if and when Russia were to allow Syrian forces to fully operate the S-300 system, a move that would improve the capabilities of Syrias air defenses. But, he said that challenge would be mitigated by the age of the system, first deployed by the Soviet Union in 1978. S-300 is not very advanced. I was chief of intelligence for the air force in the late 1990s. At that time, it was called SA-20, Yadlin said. So we know how to deal with it. And if they (use it to) fire at the Israeli air force now, I guess these batteries will be destroyed. This article originated in VOAs Persian Service. U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday called a caravan of migrants bound for the United States "an assault on our country." At a political rally in Houston, Texas, the president repeated his claim the caravan has "some very bad people in it." Trump said he has spoken to Texas Governor Greg Abbott about the group of migrants and said Texas is going to "build another kind of wall" to prevent their entry. He didn't provide further details. Earlier, the president said the United States "will now begin cutting off or substantially reducing" the amount of foreign aid given to three Central American countries, saying they were "not able to do the job" of stopping migrants from leaving their countries and "coming illegally" to the U.S. Thousands of Central American migrants resumed an arduous trek toward the U.S. border Monday, trying to get away from what they say is unbearable violence and poverty at home. Many bristled at Trump's suggestions there could be terrorists among them and said the caravan is being used for political means by the U.S. president before the midterm elections. Trump, in a tweet earlier in the day, claimed "criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in" the caravan, prompting him to alert the "Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Emergy (sic). Must change laws!" Reporters traveling with the caravan say they have spotted no people from the Middle East in the group. Asked by a reporter on the White House south lawn what evidence he had of Middle Easterners in the caravan, Trump replied, "I had reports, and they have a lot of everybody in the group. It's a horrible thing, and it's a lot bigger than 5,000 people, and we got to stop 'em at the border. And unfortunately, you look at the countries, they have not done their job." When pressed further about his assertion, Trump told journalists that if they take their cameras into the caravan, "You're going to find MS-13. You're going to find Middle Eastern. You're going to find everything. And guess what, we're not allowing them in our country. We want safety." Cutting off aid "Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador they're paid a lot of money," Trump told reporters Monday afternoon. "Every year, we give them foreign aid. And they did nothing for us. Nothing. They did nothing for us. So, we give them tremendous amounts of money. You know what it is, you cover it all the time hundreds of millions of dollars. They, like a lot of others, do nothing for our country." Two weeks ahead of U.S. congressional elections, Trump, a Republican, again laid the blame for the latest mass migration toward the southern U.S. border on opposition Democrats. UNHCR assistance The United Nations refugee agency said it has 32 workers in Mexico to provide humanitarian assistance to the migrants and legal advice, with its local partners offering asylum information to those who want to stay. The International Organization for Migration announced on Monday that large numbers of migrants arrived in Mexico, with many likely to remain for an extended period. IOM estimates that more than 7,200 people are in the caravan, with many of them planning to continue their march northward. The Red Cross said Saturday that many of the people, including a large number of women and children it is helping along the caravan route, are suffering from dehydration, stomach infections and foot injuries. "It is imperative that the dignity and security of families are safeguarded, and they are kept together," said Walter Cotte, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies regional director for the Americas, in a statement. "It is imperative that the dignity and security of families are safeguarded, and they are kept together." Authorities in southern Mexico largely left the migrants alone Sunday as they walked toward the day's destination in Chiapas state. The Mexican government has pledged to process asylum requests for migrants who apply. The country's interior ministry reported that on Friday, Saturday and Sunday a total 1,028 people had requested refugee status. Mexico's National Migration Institute said it reiterates its duty to safeguard the human rights of migrants who enter its territory. Pueblo Sin Fronteras, an organization that helps the migrant caravans in Central America, said governments in the region have adopted "a policy of fear and racism imposed by the United States" and are not considering the reasons why people are seeking somewhere new to go. "They are walking in mass exodus because they cannot live in their country anymore due to extreme violence, lack of opportunity, and the corruption and impunity that has expelled them from their homes," the group said in a statement Sunday. Mexico's incoming president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told supporters at a rally Sunday in Chiapas that he would be sending a letter to Trump proposing Mexico, the United States and Canada work together to invest in development in Central America to address poverty. On Mothers Day 2015, Iva Johnson, a member of the Navajo Nation living off reservation in Flagstaff, Arizona, suffered a heart attack and fell into a coma. When she opened her eyes days later, she saw two unfamiliar women sitting at the end of her bed. I was trying to focus, and I was thinking to myself, Oh my gosh, did I die? she said. The women explained they were caseworkers from Arizonas Department of Child Safety (DCS) and would be removing three of Johnsons children from the home because there was no one to care for them. Johnson wanted to tell them that the oldest child, 21 and a legal adult, lived at home and could look after her siblings, but breathing and nose tubes prevented Johnson from speaking. All I could do was shake my head no, said Johnson. Thats when one of the ladies turned around and pulled out this little ink pad. And she dabbed my thumb into that inkpad, and she smacked it on that paper. And then she said, Well, were going to leave you now. We hope you get better soon. Three years of court battles followed before Johnson was reunited with her children. They had been rotated, separately, from one non-Native foster home to another. It was to prevent situations like this that Congress passed the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), after learning that as many as one-third of all Native American children had been taken from their families and placed in non-Native homes. Law under threat? ICWA outlines a set of standards for such removals. Before you can place an Indian child in a non-Indian home, you have to first look for another member of the immediate family, then another member of the tribe, then another Indian family before you can place that child in a non-Indian home, said Stephen Pevar, an American Civil Liberties Union senior staff attorney who works in its Racial Justice Program. Johnson states that Arizonas DCS failed to follow procedure. The office did not respond to VOAs request for comment. Today, like many Native Americans, Johnson worries that two recent court decisions could pave the way for many more parents to lose their children. On Oct. 4, Judge Reed O'Connor in the Northern District of Texas federal court struck down the ICWA as unconstitutional," saying it discriminates against non-Native couples looking to adopt Native children. The lawsuit was filed by a group of parents and attorneys with the support of the Goldwater Institute (GI), a libertarian research group based in Arizona. In a brief filed in support of the Texas plaintiffs, Goldwater attorneys argued that ICWA imposes restrictions based on race, not the best interests of Indian children. Further, Goldwater said the ICWA is a federal government attempt to intrude on matters that should be decided by the state. In a statement on its website, the institute said it remains committed to ensuring that Native American children are no longer denied "the same strong protections against abuse and neglect" that children of other races already enjoy. Most tribes see the ruling as an extension of decades of U.S. assimilation policy that nearly cost tribes their cultures, and tribes look to youth to preserve future cultures. This case, unfortunately, is part of a well-funded multiyear effort by antitribal interests, who use Indian children as weapons in their assault on ICWA and on tribes more broadly, said Native American Rights Fund attorney Erin C. Dougherty Lynch via email. It is a shameful, nakedly political effort to undo decades, even centuries, of settled law. The National Indian Child Welfare Association expressed a further concern that the Texas decision could lead to constitutional challenges to many other federal Indian laws. The ruling comes in the wake of a federal appeals courts reversal in September of a 2015 U.S. District Court ruling that South Dakota had violated the ICWA by failing to notify parents prior to removal hearings, denying parents and tribes a voice in the proceedings. Scarred for life The social isolation, poverty and poor health care services on many reservations have contributed to high rates of alcohol and drug abuse and related crime. An examination of more than four dozen child removal cases in Pennington County, South Dakota, during 2014 revealed that alcohol was a factor in more than half of the removals. Domestic violence was cited in 22 percent of cases. Child abuse was given as a reason in 9 percent of all cases. Studies also demonstrate that when children are removed from homes and placed in foster care, the trauma that results can lead to poor self-esteem, mental health problems, substance abuse and a variety of behavioral problems. Birth parents suffer loss, guilt and shame. And its even worse when you place somebody in a different culture, which is usually what happens to Indian children, said the ACLU's Pevar. Jace Roe, 41, can attest to that. Born on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana, he was taken from his mother as an infant. Initially fostered by an aunt in Minnesota, he was later raised in a non-Native home. Everything was different there, he said. They didnt understand my culture or where I was coming from. They didnt understand the humor that goes along with my culture or the way we interact with each other. One of the only minority youth in school, Roe said he faced constant bullying. I grew up ashamed of who I was, ashamed of being Native, he said. I wished I was white. Roe turned to drugs at an early age and would not overcome addiction for decades. It took a lot of work, he said, and Im still in therapy to talk about these issues of shame, anger and disappointment. Roe said he believes placing Native children in non-Native homes does more harm than good. It doesnt give them a sense of who they are. It doesnt instill any pride, he said. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) opposes any diminishing of the ICWA, saying child advocacy groups have considered it the gold standard of child welfare policy." As for Pevar, he said he isnt too concerned about these legal setbacks. There have been challenges to ICWA from Day One, he said, but said he thinks the law will prevail. Gaza's Health Ministry says a 17-year-old Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire during a protest along the perimeter fence with Israel. The ministry said Montaser al-Baz was shot in the head Tuesday and died hours later at a hospital. The Israeli military said 200 protesters burned tires and threw explosive devices toward the fence. It said Israeli troops opened fire at one protester who approached the fence and lobbed an explosive device. Hamas has held weekly protests along the frontier for six months, aimed at easing a crippling Israeli-Egyptian blockade. Recently, Hamas has appeared to be scaling back the protests amid renewed Egyptian efforts to broker a cease-fire with Israel. Israeli fire has killed 157 Palestinians during the protests. An Israeli soldier was shot dead in July. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were greeted by hundreds of flag-waving well-wishers on Tuesday after arriving in Fiji for a three-day visit as part of their tour of the South Pacific. School children in uniform and people of all ages lined the streets and waved both British Union Jack and Fijian flags as Prince Harry and Meghan's motorcade drove past. The couple arrived from Australia, where Meghan, who is four months pregnant, had her schedule reduced in recent days after a hectic start to their 16-day trip across four countries. Meghan has not announced any plans to reduce her schedule in Fiji. After stepping off the plane, Meghan needed to hold her cream-colored hat to prevent it from being blown away as Harry inspected a guard of honor. There was a light drizzle and an official held an umbrella above Meghan's head. The couple attended an official welcome ceremony at Suva's Albert Park that mirrored one attended by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in 1953. It involved traditional elements of Fijian culture, including dances and a kava ceremony. Members of the public are invited and 15,000 were expected to attend. The couple was scheduled to attend a reception and state dinner Tuesday evening hosted by Fijian President Jioji Konrote. Home to just over 900,000 people, Fiji is a former British colony that became independent in 1970 and later became a republic. Fiji remains a part of the Commonwealth group of countries and is a popular destination for tourists thanks to its warm climate and beaches. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant women not travel to a number of countries including Fiji and Tonga because of the presence of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which can cause severe birth defects. There is no vaccine for Zika, and the CDC says the best way to avoid infection for those who must travel is to take extra precautions to prevent mosquito bites. The couple is scheduled to visit Tonga on Thursday before returning to Sydney on Friday night for the final days of the Invictus Games, Harry's brainchild and the focus of their tour. The couple will then finish their tour with a four-day visit to New Zealand. In the first study of its kind, Austrian researchers have tracked the movement of microplastics into human beings. The results show that the plastic that is a ubiquitous element of human life is now also a constant element in the human body. The research was presented at this week at UEG Week in Vienna, Austria, the largest gastroenterology meeting in Europe. Follow the plastics Two Austrian researchers, Dr. Philipp Schwabl from the Medical University of Vienna, and Dr. Bettina Liebmann, from the Environment Agency Austria, studied participants from countries including Finland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, the UK and Austria. Microplastics are particles of plastic less than 5 mm in size. They are often tiny plastic beads that are put in cosmetic products. A few nations, including the U.S., the UK and South Korea, have banned microbeads. But microplastics also are created when larger pieces of plastic break down over time, and plastic in general is everywhere. The U.N. estimates that about 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in the worlds oceans every year. And the World Economic Forum estimated that Americans threw away over 33 million metric tons of plastic in 2014. But this study, which was small, suggests that plastic, whether it's bad for us or not, is already in all of us. Study participants were asked to keep a food diary for seven days prior to taking part in the test. Then they turned over stool samples to the researchers who then looked for microplastics. And they found them. Every single stool sample tested positive for the presence of microplastic, and up to nine different plastic types were identified. Where is the plastic coming from? In the cases of this study, the plastic that showed up in people is associated with eating plastic wrapped foods, and drinking from plastic bottles. But most of the participants also ate fish, so Schwabl says that right now, "no exact conclusion on plastic origin can be made" on exactly where the plastic is coming from. Future studies should narrow that down. What is it doing to us? So is all that plastic making us sick? Schwabl says, for now, there are no definitive studies that suggest a danger to humans. But he says that in "animal studies, it has been shown that microplastics may cause intestinal damage, remodeling of the intestinal villi, distortion of iron absorption and hepatic stress." And the concern is "what this means to us, and especially patients with gastrointestinal diseases," Schwabl says. "While the highest plastic concentrations in animal studies have been found in the gut, the smallest microplastic particles are capable of entering the blood stream, lymphatic system and may even reach the liver." He was surprised, he says, to find that plastic is apparently showing up in all of us, and he expects the amount collecting in our bodies to keep increasing, unless the world drastically changes its use of plastic. Saudi Arabia has agreed to lend Pakistan $3 billion in cash and allow Islamabad to defer payments for oil imports worth $3 billion for a one-year period to help the country address its looming balance of payments crisis. The Pakistani government announced the details Tuesday at the end of Prime Minister Imran Khan's official visit to Riyadh, where he met with the Saudi leadership and attended an investment conference boycotted by several other world leaders over the death of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at Riyadh's consulate in Istanbul. "It was agreed Saudi Arabia will place a deposit of USD 3 billion for a period of one year as balance of payment support," the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement. "It was also agreed that a one year deferred payment facility for import of oil, up to USD 3 billion, will be provided by Saudi Arabia. This arrangement will be in place for three years, which will be reviewed thereafter," it added. Prime Minister Khan's detail discussions with King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman led to the "far-reaching decisions on bilateral economic and financial cooperation," the ministry noted. Hours earlier on Tuesday, Khan said while speaking at the Future Investment Initiative Conference that his government was urgently seeking loans from "friendly governments" and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to shore up Pakistan's rapidly depleting foreign currency reserves and pay for import bills. "Yes, we are talking to the IM. What we are hoping is that we can do a bit of both, get some loans from friendly governments, at the same time get a loan from the IMF and so to go through this (tough) period," Khan explained when asked how he would be managing the financial crisis facing his country. Pakistani Finance Minister Asad Umar has estimated the country needs around $12 billions to meet its immediate liabilities. Islamabad approached the IMF earlier this month for a bailout package. A team from the international lender is due to arrive in the Pakistani capital on Nov. 7 for talks. Umar has not revealed the amount Pakistan is seeking from IMF. Prime Minister Khan is also scheduled to undertake an official visit to China on Nov. 2, his first since taking office two months ago. His visit comes amid reports Beijing could also step in and provide foreign currency support to Islamabad like it has done in the past year and deposited more than $2 billion with the State Bank of Pakistan. Pakistan said Tuesday that the Saudis have also shown interest in investing and building a major oil refinery in Gwadar, the Arabian Sea port built and operated by China. Officials estimate the proposed project may bring up to $8 billion in Saudi investment. The port is regarded a gateway to the bilateral multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is the flagship of Beijing's global Belt and Road Initiative. Both the countries strongly reject U.S. concerns as misplaced that Chinese loans under CPEC are also to be blamed for Pakistan's current financial woes. Khan blames bad governance and rampant corruption by his predecessors for the financial crisis facing the country. He has vowed to investigate and bring to justice those responsible for laundering billions of dollars out of Pakistan. The United Nations independent expert on human rights for North Korea has welcomed political talks and denuclearization efforts, but urged that the human rights situation not be forgotten. "The human rights situation at the moment has not changed on the ground in North Korea, despite this important progress on security, peace and prosperity," Special Rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana told reporters Tuesday ahead of his briefing to the U.N. General Assembly committee that deals with human rights issues. Ojea said the "reality" is that the nuclear issue is "extremely serious" and that human rights had been put on a back burner, but at some point, Pyongyang must signal that it will discuss human rights. "It is the time for North Korea to show commitment to the human rights agenda," he said. "We have seen nothing from North Korea in this respect." Ojea also called for access to the country, which rejects his mandate and has not allowed him to visit. In 2014, a U.N. panel wrote an exhaustive report on North Korea's human rights situation. It found systematic, widespread and grave violations of rights rising to potential crimes against humanity. "The gravity, scale and nature of these violations reveal a state that does not have any parallel in the contemporary world," the Commission of Inquiry said at the time. The panel said such crimes against humanity were the result of "policies established at the highest level of State." Abuses included murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions, sexual violence, enforced disappearance of persons, and the act of knowingly causing prolonged starvation. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have decreased dramatically in the past year. Starting with North Korea's participation in last February's winter Olympics in South Korea, which led to three separate summits between the leaders of those two countries. In June, President Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore. Trump has said he plans to hold a second summit with Kim soon. Speaking of the U.S.-DPRK summit, Ojea said there were some "confusing statements" on whether human rights had been addressed. He said the issues of the repatriation of the remains of U.S. soldiers and the release of U.S. prisoners in Pyongyang are human rights issues, but that there must be a discussion about the situation of ordinary North Korean citizens. More than 45 U.N. refugee staff have arrived in Tapachulas, Chiapas State, Mexico and others are on their way. Job one is to stabilize a chaotic situation with more than 7,000 people in a migrant caravan on the march toward the United States. The UNHCR says conditions on the ground appear to be somewhat calmer and more orderly than in previous days. But that could change according to UNHCR spokesman, Adrian Edwards. Of particular concern for us at the moment is the developing humanitarian situation among this group, with many people having food, water, health and other needs, Edwards said. There is also a kidnapping and security risks in areas the caravan may venture into. Stabilizing the situation is, therefore, urgent. The UNHCR teams are also going to register asylum seekers, identifying those who are particularly vulnerable with specific needs as a way of streamlining the process. So far, about 1,000 people have sought asylum in Mexico, Edwards says. But, he adds thousands more are likely to continue on toward the United States and many of them will be seeking asylum. According to international law, individuals fleeing persecution and violence must be given access to the country where they are seeking asylum and the right to apply for it. So the UNHCR is also going to be safeguarding migrants rights. All countries have a right to be able to manage their own immigration and manage their own borders, Edwards told VOA. What is important for us is that those borders are managed in an asylum sensitive way, which means giving people access, assessing their claims and then dealing with them accordingly in line with international law. But President Donald Trump has vowed to prevent the caravan of refugees and migrants from crossing U.S. borders. We got to stop them at the border, he said Monday during a pool spray in front of the White House, and then, Guess what? We're not allowing them in our country. To Trump, the migrants are "an assault on our country." He has threatened to cut off foreign aid to Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala if they do not stop people from migrating "illegally" to the United States. The United Nations refugee agency said it has 32 workers in Mexico to provide humanitarian assistance to the migrants and legal advice, with its local partners offering asylum information to those who want to stay. The Red Cross said Saturday that many of the people, including a large number of women and children it is helping along the caravan route, are suffering from dehydration, stomach infections and foot injuries. Confusion surrounds an alleged attack on a car making its way down Nazon, a main thoroughfare in the capital, Port-au-Prince which media reports claimed was owned by Haitian President Jovenel Moise's son. The office of the president has denied that the car of the leader's eldest son came under attack by four gunmen. "The office calls on all sectors of the population not to give in to disinformation practices that have become commonplace in recent times in the country," the statement said. VOA Creole contacted the Haitian National Police (PNH) spokesperson, Michel-Ange Louis Jeune, who also denied the report Tuesday. Earlier media reports claimed Joverlin Moise, the president's eldest son, was not in the car during the attack the driver had just dropped him off at an undisclosed location. A source close to the president who did not wish to be named, was cited as saying the car, a white Toyota Land Cruiser, was equipped with some bulletproof features, and had sustained several bullet holes. News of the alleged attack comes amid calls for Moise's departure after massive nationwide protests last week against the alleged mismanagement of $3.8 billion in government funds earned under an oil agreement with Venezuela. The president also has been criticized for not adequately responding to the Oct. 6 earthquake that left hundreds homeless in the northwest. A coalition of the United States and six Persian Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia announced sanctions Tuesday on nine individuals belonging to or supporting the Taliban. The Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) said they included two members of Irans Revolutionary Guard on the list to highlight the countrys regionally destabilizing behavior, furthering the U.S. maximum pressure campaign against Iran. Irans provision of military training, financing, and weapons to the Taliban is yet another example of Tehrans blatant regional meddling and support for terrorism," U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said. The list also featured prominent Taliban actors, several of whom helped coordinate shipments of weapons from Iran to the terror organization. Individuals sanctioned by the U.S. government typically have any bank accounts or assets in the U.S. frozen and are hit with travel restrictions. The Treasury Department, representing the U.S. in the coalition, did not say specifically what form the sanctions would take in this case. The TFTC was created in 2017 to identify and disrupt terrorist finance networks and is co-chaired by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. U.S. Senate has recently passed two bills sanctioning the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Once signed by U.S. President Donald Trump, the sanctions will target foreign nationals and companies that provide financial, material or technological support to Hezbollah and its affiliates in the region. The Lebanese militant group has footprints beyond Lebanon in places like Syria, but analysts believe that with increasing U.S. pressures, the militant group would be forced to reduce its military activities outside of Lebanon. "Hezbollah is clearly facing a number of financial pressures due to the war in Syria," said Phillip Smyth, a researcher at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Since the outbreak of the Syrian war in 2011, Hezbollah has sent thousands of fighters to support the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime. The Lebanese Shi'ite militant group has been instrumental in major gains made against Syrian rebel forces throughout Syria, particularly in Aleppo, Homs and Damascus suburbs. But such involvement in Syria's war has been costly for Hezbollah. Increasing numbers of its fighters have been reportedly killed in battlefields across the war-torn country. "Further tensions will not be good for the organization. They are not only trying to support their veterans of the Syrian conflict, but also thousands of wounded, [which] costs money and requires proper facilities Hezbollah does not yet have," Smyth told VOA. Effects on Lebanon While some of the U.S. sanctions could target Hezbollah-affiliated entities inside Lebanon, experts downplay the effects of the sanctions on the local Lebanese economy. "The main purpose of the recent U.S. sanctions on [Hezbollah] is to drain its sources of funding without affecting the Lebanese economy," Riyad Tabara, a former Lebanese ambassador in Washington, told the Lebanese daily al-Joumhouria. For decades, the U.S. has been providing financial assistance to Lebanon, where Hezbollah has gradually gained influence over the government and the country's national politics. Effects on Hezbollah Some analysts like Salem Zahran, who is head of Medic Focal Center, a pro-Hezbollah group based in Beirut, charge that the new U.S. sanctions would not seriously undermine Hezbollah and its activities within Lebanon and abroad. "These measures will almost have zero impact because Hezbollah relies on cash supply from Iran and Syria," Zahran said. "Tehran and Damascus airports are regularly used to transport cash to Hezbollah and these two countries are strategic allies of Hezbollah that will continue providing financial assistance to the group, even if U.S. sanctions get tougher," he added. Iran, Hezbollah's main sponsor, also has been targeted by U.S. sanctions in recent months. Since May of this year when the U.S withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, the U.S. has imposed a number of embargoes against Tehran. In August, the U.S. re-imposed a set of sanctions prohibiting Iran's purchase of U.S. dollars and precious metals, which is part of a larger U.S. measure aimed at cutting the country off from the international financial system. A second round of U.S. sanctions in November will target Iran's energy sector. "The Iran sanctions have officially been cast. These are the most biting sanctions ever imposed, and in November they ratchet up to yet another level. Anyone doing business with Iran will not be doing business with the United States," President Donald Trump said in a tweet in August. "The new wave of sanctions on Iran [in November] will necessarily affect Hezbollah. So Hezbollah will be hurt either by direct sanctions or by actions against Iran," said former Lebanese ambassador Tabara. Measures inside U.S. Last week U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions designated five groups, including the Lebanese Hezbollah, as "top transnational organized crime threats," in an effort to step up pressure against criminal organizations. As part of the recent designation, a multi-committee task force has been formed to "coordinate our efforts and develop a plan to take each of these groups off of our streets for good," Sessions said. The committee on Hezbollah will be led by Ilan Graff, an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York, overseeing the prosecution of two alleged Hezbollah members, the first-ever Hezbollah operatives to be charged with terrorism in the United States. Sessions created the team in January as part of the U.S. government anti-Hezbollah campaign, accusing the group of involvement in drug trafficking and vowing to "prosecute those who provide financial support to Hezbollah in an effort to eradicate the illicit networks that fuel terrorism and the drug crisis." Hezbollah has allegedly run drug and terrorist operations in the Middle East, Europe, East Asia and Latin America. "The Trump administration has taken a number of concrete moves against the financial assets of Hezbollah, other Iranian regional proxies (particularly in Iraq and Bahrain), and IRGC assets," Smyth of the Washington Institute said. "However, if the administration hopes to truly pressure Hezbollah, it will need to use more than just rhetoric and a few listings," Smyth added. Two U.S. warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait Monday. Pentagon spokesman Col. Rob Manning told reporters that the USS Curtis Wilbur and the USS Antietam conducted what he described as a "routine transit" to demonstrate the United States; commitment to "a free and open Indo-Pacific." The U.S. Navy conducted a similar "freedom of navigation" exercise through the expansive waterway that separate China and Taiwan back in July. Monday's exercise took place amid China's increasing pressure on Taiwan in recent months. It broke off relations with the self-ruled island in 2016 when President Tsai Ing-wen, the leader of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, took office in 2016 and refused to accept Beijing's "One China" principle that Taiwan belongs under the mainland's rule. It has carried out numerous military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, and persuaded several nations to switch diplomatic relations from Taiwan to China. The two sides split after the 1949 civil war, when Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist forces sought refuge on Taiwan after being driven off the mainland by Mao Zedong's Communists. The controversy over the death of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi has shined a harsh light on the growing financial ties between Silicon Valley and the world's largest oil exporter. As Saudi Arabia's annual investment forum in Riyadh dubbed "Davos in the Desert" continues, representatives from many of the kingdom's highest-profile overseas tech investments are not attending, joining other international business leaders in shunning a conference amid lingering questions over what role the Saudi government played in the killing of a journalist inside their consulate in Turkey. Tech leaders such as Steve Case, the co-founder of AOL, and Dara Khosrowshahi, the chief executive of Uber, declined to attend this week's annual investment forum in Riyadh. Even the CEO of Softbank, which has received billions of dollars from Saudi Arabia to back technology companies, reportedly has canceled his planned speech at the event. But the Saudi controversy is focusing more scrutiny on the ethics of taking money from an investor who is accused of wrongdoing or whose track record is questionable. Fueling the tech race In the tech startup world, Saudi investment has played a key role in allowing firms to delay going public for years while they pursue a high-growth strategy without worrying about profitability. Those ties have only grown with the ascendancy of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the son of the Saudi king. The kingdom's Public Investment Fund has put $3.5 billion into Uber and has a seat on Uber's 12-member board. Saudi Arabia also has invested more than $1 billion into Lucid Motors, a California electric car startup, and $400 million in Magic Leap, an augmented reality startup based in Florida. Almost half of the Japanese Softbank's $93 billion Vision Fund came from the Saudi government. The Vision Fund has invested in a Who's Who list of tech startups, including WeWork, Wag, DoorDash and Slack. Now there are reports that as the cloud hangs over the crown prince, Softbank's plan for a second Vision fund may be on hold. And Saudi money might have trouble finding a home in the future in Silicon Valley, where companies are competing for talented workers, as well as customers. The tech industry is not alone in questioning its relationship with the Saudi government in the wake of Khashoggi's death or appearing to rethink its Saudi investments. Museums, universities and other business sectors that have benefited financially from their connections to the Saudis also are taking a harder look at those relationships. Who are my investors? Saudi money plays a large role in Silicon Valley, touching everything from ride-hailing firms to business-messaging startups, but it is not the only foreign investment in the region. More than 20 Silicon Valley venture companies have ties to Chinese government funding, according to Reuters, with the cash fueling tech startups. The Beijing-backed funds have raised concerns that strategically important technology, such as artificial intelligence, is being transferred to China. And Kremlin money has backed a prominent Russian venture capitalist in the Valley who has invested in Twitter and Facebook. The Saudi controversy has prompted some in the Valley to question their investors about where those investors are getting their funding. Fred Wilson, a prominent tech venture capitalist, received just such an inquiry. "I expect to get more emails like this in the coming weeks as the start-up and venture community comes to grip with the flood of money from bad actors that has found its way into the start-up/tech sector over the last decade," he wrote in a blog post titled "Who Are My Investors?" "Bad actors' doesn't simply mean money from rulers in the gulf who turn out to be cold blooded killers," Wilson wrote. "It also means money from regions where dictators rule viciously and restrict freedom." This may be a defining ethical moment in Silicon Valley, as it moves away from its libertarian roots to seeing the world in its complexity, said Ann Skeet, senior director of leadership ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. "Corporate leaders are moving more quickly and decisively than the administration, and they realize they have a couple of hats here one, they are the chief strategist of their organization, and they also play the role of the responsible person who creates space for the right conversations to happen," she said. Tech's evolving ethics Responding to demands from their employees and customers, Silicon Valley firms are looking more seriously at business ethics and taking moral stands. In the case of Google, it meant discontinuing a U.S. Defense Department contract involving artificial intelligence. In the case of WeWork, the firm now forbids the consumption of meat at the office or purchased with company expenses, on environmental grounds. The Vision Fund will "undoubtedly find itself in a more challenging environment in convincing startups to take its money," Amir Anvarzadeh, a senior strategist at Asymmetric Advisors in Singapore, recently told Bloomberg. Graffiti covers the ruins of Cyrene in eastern Libya, a city founded by Greeks more than 2,600 years ago that once attracted tourists but is now neglected and the target of vandals. Insecurity and looting has hit Libya's archaeological sites in the chaos and fighting that has followed the overthrow of Muammar Gadhafi in 2011, as rival groups struggle to consolidate control of the country.Libya is home to five of UNESCO's World Heritage sites, listed for their outstanding universal value. The sites include the ruins of the Roman city of Leptis Magna and Sabratha, which is famous for its amphitheater. There are also prehistoric rock carvings in the Akakous mountains deep in the southern Sahara desert near the border with Algeria. In the east, tourists once trekked to Cyrene, a site founded by Greeks and later expanded by Romans, nestled in the mountains some 200 km (124 miles) east of Benghazi. But with foreign tourists gone and the sites visited only by Libyan families on weekend trips, locals have seized land at the sites and vandals have even smeared graffiti on columns and walls. That presents a challenge to local authorities trying to protect the ruins located in the small community of Shahat. "In Cyrene, instead of speaking to one owner, now we speak to 50 with different backgrounds," said Ahmad Hussein, the head of the antiquities department of a parallel administration in charge of eastern Libya. "Some of the owners have built houses on these sites," he said. The challenge is worsened by a law in 2013 that allowed people to reclaim land confiscated under Gadhafi. Some people took that literally and annexed what they felt they deserved. Hussein wants to hold those who seized land accountable. Two governments, few visitors The effort to preserve ruins is further hampered by the fact that Libya has two governments. One administration backed by the United Nations sits in Tripoli, while the east has a parallel government. In a rare positive sign, Hussein said that about 1,700 artifacts had been returned since 2011 after they were looted inside the country. Many other items are smuggled abroad though. Leptis Magna in northwestern Libya has been able to escape vandalism thanks to local history fans and relative security at its location near the city of Misrata. Sabratha has been repeatedly hit by fighting between rival factions and UNESCO last year issued an appeal to protect the site. The site received no help. In the capital Tripoli, a lone director is trying to preserve some 18 Roman graves, dating back some 1,700 years which were found in 1958 in the western suburb of Janzour. "There is no support for this site," said al-Amari Ramadan Mabrouk, director of the Janzour antiquities office. Libyan families come occasionally but otherwise spiders and dust cover the graves. "I cannot give a number for tourists who visit Libya... but I can say that, before 2011, tourism was popular in Libya," he said. VOA60 America - President Donald Trump says the United States will withdraw from the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty Share VOA60 America - President Donald Trump says the United States will withdraw from the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty share A week before his death, Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi noted at a conference he attended, "Change will happen solely because of the grave mistakes committed by the [Arab] despots." His remark strikes his friends as appallingly ironic, and they're determined to ensure his death by alleged assassins, with links to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, in what Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says was a meticulously planned premeditated murder, won't have been for nothing. They hope Khashoggi's slaying ends up as a "mistake" marking the beginning of the end for Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "The biggest threat to the crown prince is what he did," says Khalil Jahshan, a friend of the slain journalist and director of the Arab Center, research group in Washington, D.C. "Whether he supported it, endorsed it, whether he picked up the phone, as the Turks have alleged, when Jamal entered the consulate and [when they] spoke with Jamal to try to persuade him to head back to Saudi Arabia and he refused, if that is the case it is pretty damning. It is his actual actions that will condemn him," said Jahshan. Khashoggi's death three weeks ago in Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, which Riyadh belatedly acknowledged as a tragic error, but insists was a rogue intelligence operation, is emboldening exiled Saudi dissidents and it may trigger a serious challenge from within the kingdom's royal family to the day-to-day rule of the crown prince, say Saudi activists and analysts. In midst of a crackdown Khashoggi's death has compounded the widespread fear in the Gulf kingdom of criticizing the royal family and especially of the crown prince, widely referred to as MBS. Activists say people were already cowed by a vicious crackdown on dissent and are afraid now to say anything against the regime, and the murder has terrified the Saudi Diaspora. But high-profile dissidents living outside Saudi Arabia appear emboldened and are adamant they will make sure the death of the onetime palace insider-turned-critic isn't forgotten or glossed over. Much of their effort is on ensuring those in the West, who they accuse of overlooking injustice and repression in the kingdom, don't try to assist what they see as a Saudi effort to exonerate the crown prince, who they firmly believe ordered the killing. "Solace will only come if this turns out to be a tipping point in how the world deals with tyrants and dictators," according to Wadah Khanfar, a Khashoggi friend and president of Al Sharq Forum, an independent network dedicated to finding strategies for political development and social justice in the Middle East. They draw some comfort from an unlikely figure, Erdogan, who according to his aides sees the killing as a personal insult. The Turkish president is the target of criticism from rights campaigners for overseeing a crackdown on dissent in his own country and for jailing journalists, but he appears ready to continue to press the Saudi government for a full accounting of the killing. Lack of details Speaking Tuesday to members of the ruling party, Erdogan said all the culprits should be held accountable to the law, including those who instructed the killers. And he wants them tried in Turkey. His speech carried the strong implication the crown prince isn't innocent. In a remark clearly pointed by omitting any mention of MBS, he said, "I do not doubt the sincerity of King Salman. That being said, independent investigation needs to be carried out. This is a political killing." Erdogan's speech was a disappointment to many, on Sunday he had said his speech would reveal all the facts about the killing. But he made no mention of audio and video evidence Turkish officials say they have and which have been reportedly shared with Western intelligence agencies. But Western diplomats say they assume Erdogan knows more than he revealed Tuesday and by withholding what he knows, he's increasing his leverage on Riyadh and turning the screws on the Saudi royal family. That may force the Saudis offer more admissions about the slaying, they say. Dysfunctional family As pressure mounts for Riyadh to clear up crucial questions about the killing, there is mounting disapproval of the crown prince in the Saudi royal family from senior princes, many of whom have been sidelined by MBS and bear him a grudge. His decision to break with Saudi tradition and to rule as a one-man show and not seek consensus for decisions within the royal family could come back to haunt him, say analysts. Last week, Saudi Prince Khalid bin Farhan Al-Saud, one of the sidelined senior princes, who lives in self-imposed exile in Germany, called publicly for King Salman bin Abdulaziz to abdicate the throne in favor of his brother Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz. Ahmed is the 31st son of the founding king of Saudi Arabia and until Salman decided to make his son MBS the crown prince, Ahmed was next in line to succeed. For MBS to be stripped of his crown prince status, a so-called allegiance council would have to be convened, but that can only happen with King Salman's agreement. How the West reacts and what punishment for the killing they decide to impose on Saudi Arabia will be a major factor in shaping the king's thinking, say Saudi activists. Some analysts discount the idea that King Salman will 'dethrone' his favorite son doing so would indicate weakness and invite further demands from princes who have been sidelined. And Tuesday there were few signs the crown prince's power was waning he received a warm welcome at the opening of a high-profile investment summit. However, he did not deliver the opening speech, as had been expected by attendees. Cameroon's longtime leader Paul Biya has been declared the winner of the country's October 7 presidential poll. Opposition parties are rejecting the results, but the Constitutional Council has already thrown out petitions to nullify the election. This is the voice of Clement Atangana, president of Cameroon's constitutional council, reading election results on Monday. According to the results, incumbent President Paul Biya won a landslide victory with 71 percent of the vote. His strongest challenger, Maurice Kamto, was a distant second with 14 percent. Seven other candidates scored vote percentages in the single digits. Voter turnout was 53 percent nationwide but much lower in the volatile northwest and southwest regions, where government forces have been fighting separatist movements. Biya won more than 80 percent of the votes cast in those regions. Dion Ngute, Biya's close aide and minister in charge of special duties, said he is not surprised at the president's victory. He said Cameroonians are aware that Biya has done much for them, and is ready to do more for the country's development. "Paul Biya, we know the man who is very persevering, the person who is very patient, the one who is very honest and who is candid and who tells Cameroonians what can be done and what is not possible to be done. The man who is peace-loving, and the one who wants good for Cameroon," he said. Angry protesters came out singing that Biya had stolen Maurica Kamto's victory but were quickly dispersed by heavily armed troops. Augusta Bate supports Kamto. "We want justice. We should not only preach democracy, we should practice it, as well. The presidential elections, even Biya knows Kamto won this presidential election, so he should just let him take over power," said Bate. Joshua Osih of the main opposition Social Democratic Front, who finished fourth in the election, said he does not recognize the election results. "History holds it that one head of state is using the entire government, army police and state resources to maintain himself in power. History holds it that what happened on the 7th of October 2018 was worse than anything witnessed before. It was everything except an election," he said. Last week, Cameroon's Constitutional Council threw out 18 petitions filed by Kamto, Osih and others demanding the election be nullified. The opposition parties allege widespread irregularities, insecurity and low turnout, especially in the restive Anglophone regions, but the court ruled there was not enough evidence to throw out the results. Biya has been in power for over 40 years in Cameroon, seven as prime minister, 36 as president. In 2008, he removed term limits from the constitution, allowing him to serve indefinitely. He is now the second oldest president in sub-Saharan Africa. When his new term is finished, he will be 93 years old. While domestic concerns dominate much of the political debate ahead of next months U.S. midterm elections, Democratic lawmakers say they are eager to assert themselves on foreign affairs and, when necessary, provide a check on the Trump administration if they win control of at least one chamber of Congress in November. From trade to refugee quotas to regional concerns spanning the globe, a newly empowered Democratic majority would work energetically to hold the administration to account on its policies and potentially wield the power of the purse in areas of disagreement. Republicans, who played a similar role for much of the previous Obama administration, are warning of a potential uptick in partisan discord on foreign policy, a realm that in past eras, such as the Cold War, often saw broad bipartisan consensus. The results of the election can create an opportunity to press issues in a way that, right now, cant be done with Republican control of both the House and the Senate, Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told VOA. For example, our role in the world on refugees -- this administration has dramatically cut back on refugees, Menendez added. And standing up for human rights and democracy -- it doesn't seem to be a significant priority, as it has been in other administrations, with the Trump administration. We [members of Congress] are the appropriators, Virginia Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said. So when the White House sends a budget up every year and they propose dramatically reduced funding for USAID [foreign assistance] or diplomacy, we will be able to continue to robustly fund those priorities. Power of the majority Republicans dont dispute that a new Democratic majority in either house of Congress would flex its muscles. The primary role of Congress is to fund the government, including the Department of Defense, and Democrats could have a direct impact, the Senates No. 2 Republican, John Cornyn of Texas, said. The Democrats could do a great deal with power in Congress, said Michael OHanlon, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. The president, by the Constitution, is granted diplomatic power. Hes also the commander-in-chief of the military, but only Congress can declare war. And also on many other issues, such as applying sanctions, Congress passes the laws. You dont need to worry about a dull period, said national security expert Anthony Cordesman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. I dont know that control of both houses [of Congress] is the issue. I think it might well be the partisanship of both houses and how hard it may be to agree on anything, move things forward, and avoid turning every foreign policy issue into a partisan issue. Current polling suggests that Democrats are more likely to win a majority in the House of Representatives than the Senate. Recent months provide examples of House bipartisanship on international matters as well as partisan divergence. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce, a California Republican, and the panels top Democrat, Eliot Engel of New York, recently wrote a joint letter to President Donald Trump demanding swift action regarding the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Last month, however, Democrats took center stage in opposing the administrations plan to provide $20 million to help Mexico deport Central American migrants passing through the country to reach the United States. In a statement, Engel labeled the plan senseless and an attempt to use the State Department to force his [Trumps] deportation crusade on other countries. Oversight role A majority in either chamber of Congress would give Democrats broad power to scrutinize and draw attention to the administrations decisions and initiatives on matters large and small. There are things Id like to see done at the [Foreign Relations] committee that the Republican majority doesn't have an interest in, Menendez said. For example, I get concerned about the allegations of political firings at the State Department. That is something I would press if we had a Democratic majority. I have a more robust view of oversight we really dont know, for the most part, whats been happening in our engagement with North Korea. A lot of Democrats are critical of President Trump on North Korea policy, OHanlon said. Certainly many Democrats think hes been too friendly to Kim Jong Un or too unpredictable in his bluster and his tweets. OHanlon noted that Trump is constitutionally empowered to try to forge a nuclear treaty with North Korea, just as his predecessor, former President Barack Obama, pushed for an international nuclear accord with Iran. Ratification is another matter. Only the Senate can ratify treaties. Congress cannot write the treaty itself, only the executive can do that. But then the Congress has the power to say yea or nay, OHanlon explained. Ultimately it would be a question of whether Congress would bless any possible [North Korean nuclear] deal that required U.S. money or funds or a peace treaty. Obviously the Democrats are going to pick at every possible weakness, Cordesman said. If the president is successful in dismantling the North Korean nuclear program, you might have some very loud Republican voices and some very silent Democratic ones. Its going to depend on how people perceive the opportunity. A Democratic majority in either the House or the Senate could launch or reinvigorate investigations of the Trump administration, including its ties to Russia, an issue that is already the focus of a special counsel probe as well as bipartisan investigations by multiple committees on Capitol Hill. Republican and Democratic lawmakers also have joined forces to slap sanctions on Moscow for a variety of misdeeds. Asked if a Democratic legislative majority would take an even tougher line with Russia, Kaine paused before answering. Certainly greater scrutiny, the Virginia Democrat said. You wont see Congress turning a blind eye. Russia is a place where its Donald Trump against the rest of the American foreign policy community, rather than President Trump against the Democrats, OHanlon said. Congress has been pretty adamant, both Democratic and Republican caucuses, against Russian behavior and anxious to apply punishment. Republican view Regardless of the outcome of the elections, Republicans say lawmakers of both parties should work cooperatively with the administration on foreign affairs. Theres a lot going on in the world, so we need to try to be as unified as we can in working with the administration, rather than just joining the resistance, Cornyn said. Theres a lot of stake. I have not been encouraged by what weve seen of late. They [Democrats] seem more of the sand-in-the-gears mindset. This is a different political environment than any Ive encountered during my adult life. Another Republican, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, scoffed when asked about Democrats asserting themselves on global affairs. I dont know what their foreign policy is, Graham said. I know what Trumps is. But what is the Democratic view of foreign policy? I dont think they have one. They dont like Trump, but what are they for? Should we stay in Syria? Should we stay in Afghanistan? What should we do with Iran? These are things they never talk about. Military engagements Kaine has long urged Congress to pass a new authorization for the use of military force in the war on terror, updating a law passed after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. I hope, on matters like trade and declaration of war, Congress will haul back some of its [constitutional] power, the senator said. Cordesman said the next Congress will confront multiple questions about ongoing U.S. military engagements at a time when Americas fiscal situation is worsening. On defense policy, in terms of basic spending levels, things are now relatively non-partisan, Cordesman said. If it came to a major new commitment in Afghanistan, any dramatic action in Iraq or Syria, or humanitarian aid, a lot would be debated there. Government spending and money may be a much more sensitive issue. Republicans may favor defense spending, Democrats may have more support for foreign aid. But exactly whats going to happen is pretty hard to tell. My expectation is that in most foreign policy issues we would not see a Democratic House, even a Democratic Senate, making huge changes in U.S. foreign policy because, in some ways, they lack the means, OHanlon said. But even more importantly, as much as they complain about Mr. Trumps style and worry about his overall steadiness, its not clear how many of his policies they fundamentally disagree with in a way that would create a consensus they could write into law and change the nations basic foreign policy course. Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says Zimbabwe needs a transitional authority in order to tackle the countrys current economic problems fueled by the degradation of the local bond notes, corruption and other issues. Chamisa told journalists in Harare the first thing is for this nation to go on a path of a political dialogue We need a national transitional authority so that we resolve this crisis. He said his party is ready to discuss the countrys challenges with President Emmerson Mnangagwas government even if they do not want to legitimize his presidency. "We are ready to discuss. We will ultimately discuss and resolve our national issues as a country. We are not ready to be forced to legitimize the illegitimate. "Our people are suffering. This economic decay is common to all The situation in the hospitals is so shocking. Our hospitals are sick. Sick hospitals can't attend to sick people. Our people are dying from preventable diseases such as cholera." Chamisa, who claims that he won the presidential election in July this year, said Mnangagwa has failed to rule the country. "There is an absence of leadership. The nation is orphaned, the nation is parentless," Chamisa said. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has called for accountability from the government, describing the country as "parentless." In a press conference in Harare today, Chamisa called for a national transitional authority to help steer the country out of its economic quagmire. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama voters next month will decide a constitutional amendment regarding the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools and government buildings. The proposal would allow public schools and government buildings to display the Ten Commandments in a way that "complies with constitutional requirements" such as being intermingled with historical documents. Amendment supporters say it will encourage schools and towns to put up copies of the Ten Commandments. Dean Young is a Christian activist who is promoting the amendment. He says it will send a message that Alabama want to "acknowledge God.' Randall Marshall of the ACLU of Alabama said the amendment doesn't change much since the displays have to be "constitutional." A former Alabama resident is accused of trying to send money and resources to the terrorist organization al Qaeda. According to officials, Alaa Mohd Abusaad was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to al Qaeda -- a designated foreign terrorist organization, and aiding and abetting others. Officials allege that Abusaad committed the crimes through a mobile messaging app beginning in March 2018 while in the Northern District of Alabama. According to the complaint released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Abusaad instructed an FBI undercover employee about how to send money to fighters engaged in jihad. READ THE COMPLAINT: Click here to read the full complaint from the FBI Abusaad allegedly told the undercover agent that money, "is always needed. You can't have a war without weapons. You can't prepare a soldier without equipment." Abusaad is also accused of advising the undercover agent how to send money without getting caught, including using fake names and addresses. According to the DOJ, Abusaad also allegedly introduced the undercover agent to a financial facilitator who could route money to, "brothers that work with (al Qaeda.)" If convicted, Abusaad faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to a life term supervised release. Investigation of the case was conducted by the FBI, including FBI offices in Birmingham, Alabama and Cleveland, and Toledo, Ohio. WAAY 31 is learning more about the polio-like disease that's spreading across the U.S. mainly impacting children. It's called Acute Flaccid Myelitis also known as AFM. Right now, we know that there are four cases being investigated in Alabama. The Alabama Department of Public Health said there's no way to prevent someone from getting the disease, but it's important to stay clean especially in public areas. "She's three years old and has never been sick," said Caroline Wisby. Caroline Wisby is already aware of AFM. She's making sure her granddaughter stays germ-free. "I wanted to be sure that she stayed out of daycare. They're just sick all the time with every kind of disease," Wisby said. The Department of Public Health officials said that AFM has been spreading since 2014. Though it's still rare, there are now 62 cases within 22 states. A parent, Marcus Brooks, said he is making sure his son visits the doctor. "You should be concerned, because it is spreading. Even though it's rare, at the moment you can't be as concerned," Brooks said. There's no special vaccine for AFM, but health officials said it's still important children are up to date on their vaccinations. Certain symptoms to watch out for are weakness in your limbs, having a weak grip when carrying things or having issues walking. Making sure you don't get bit by mosquitoes is another way to prevent a disease from spreading. "There's no known cure for it. It's very scary. Especially when there's children involved," Wisby said. The Alabama Department of Health officials also said it takes a long time to confirm if someone has this disease because doctors have to rule out all the other diseases that are similar to AFM first. The Madison County Sheriff's Office responded to Madison Hospital, Huntsville Hospital and Parlay's Sports Bar and Grill on Wall Triana Highway Monday night after learning of a shooting. Officials spoke with three victims. A 32-year-old male had a gunshot wound to his back, a 47-year-old male had a gunshot wound to his shoulder and a 31-year-old male had a gunshot wound to his ear. One man who lives in the Town of Triana where the shooting happened told us shootings normally happen on the weekends. "It's different in the daytime. It's not a bad place to live. It's mostly on the weekend we have our most problem," said Samuel Glover. According to Lieutenant Donny Shaw with the sheriff's office, a confrontation inside Parlay's led to the parking lot where a male in his twenties shot at the victims. Glover told us he has lived in the are for nearly forty years and has heard shootings. "They stop and shoot in the air and just start shooting. In the past, they would stop and start shooting the stop sign in front of my house," he said. The victims are all expected to survive. The sheriff's office said they expect warrants will be obtained and issued for the suspect Tuesday. WAAY 31 will update this story when an arrest is made. Once again, the vote on the proposed anti-dog tethering ordinance in Athens is delayed. The city council wants to make last minute amendments. Right now, the council has two options: An ordinance that still allows tethers and one that does not allow them at all. Because of the amount of public outcry from people in Athens it seems like the city council is leaning towards choosing the option that would not allow you to tether your dog outside. Robert Pitman is a veterinarian and one of roughly 20 people at the meeting who are against tethering, "That's animal cruelty in the worst form. They're not socialized. They're not able to interact with people most times," said Pitman. The city council is adjusting the ordinance to make the required pen sizes bigger. For dogs 60 pounds or lighter, it would be 12' x 12', or 144 square feet. For dogs over 60 pounds, it would be 20' x 20', or 400 square feet. They are also adding a provision allowing people to have invisible electric dog fences. "I think it's too much of the government getting into people's homes," said James Lucas of Athens. He also said as long as a dog has enough food and water, someone should be allowed to tether them outside, "I think that you should be able to care for your dog in any way that's suitable for the dog." Lucas said putting up a fence would be expensive for many people on fixed incomes in Athens. "I think all the argument about people can't afford a 12' x 12' pen, or a 10' x 10', if they can't afford the pen they can't afford the dog," said Pitman." If the city council chooses to approve the ordinance change at the next city council meeting, people here in Athens will have 90 days to make the changes before the police start enforcing it. The animal advocacy group North Alabama Animal Warriors was at the meeting and vowed to help people put up fencing and get proper outside housing for their dogs if they can't afford it if the ordinance passes. Time is running out to register to vote in Alabama. The Madison County Board of Registrars closed at 4:30 p.m. Monday, but people have until midnight to register online. WAAY 31 talked to some people who registered to vote to find out why they were registering and what issues are important to them. Janet Watkins told us voting is a responsibility every citizen has. "It's my civic duty to vote." Watkins wasn't the only one with that viewpoint. Many others said that was one of the reasons they were registering to vote. Damian Jennings recently moved to Huntsville from New York. He said he's unhappy with what's going on in the country right now. "I'm not in favor of the way our country is going since the presidential election." When people were asked if they knew what would be on the ballot in two weeks, all of them said they didn't, but they said they know there are some important issues they believe in that could be impacted by the election, which is why they're voting. "I do know that women's rights are really an issue, unfortunately, sadly to say. I feel like we're going back to the 60's with Jim Crow laws and whatnot," said Jennings. Watkins said people lose the right to be upset about the outcome of elections if they don't exercise their right to vote. "We have no right to speak against who the other people put in office." The registrars office said anyone who is planning on registering online will want to do it before the 11:59 p.m. deadline just in case anything goes wrong. Rain is on track to arrive in the Tennessee Valley on Thursday. Tuesday night and Wednesday will stay dry even amid increasing clouds. High clouds will steadily increase Tuesday night. Temperatures will drop from near around 4 PM to near 60 by 6 PM. Nearly all of the Tennessee Valley will be in the 50s. Wednesday will start with chilly 40s and then warm into the upper 60s and lower 70s. Long range forecasts indicate high odds of below-normal temperatures for the next 6-10 days. Those odds even out with near equal odds for below-,above-, or near-normal temperatures in the 8-14 day period. Normal for October 23 is a high of 72 and a low of 49. Normal is defined by average high and low temperatures over 30 years. Our next weather maker is what is now Hurricane Willa, which is making landfall over the Pacific Coast of Mexico Tuesday evening. It is a powerful and dangerous category three hurricane approaching the coast just north of Puerto Vallarta. Hurricane Willa will weaken quickly over the mountains of Northern Mexico and then evolve into a non-tropical storm system. It will still have plenty of moisture when its leftovers approach the Tennessee Valley and bring rain on Thursday and Friday. Rainfall amounts of a half-inch to an inch are possible. 23 Oct. The British School at Rome is hosting a screening of the 1959 movie I'm All Right Jack as part of the Peter Sellers retrospective oranised by this year's Rome Film Fest. The screening is open to the public and takes place at 16.00 on Wednesday 23 October. The film, a comedy, will be shown in its original English version, with no subtitles. For full details see Facebook event page. The upswing after a long lag has exacerbated the countrys labor shortage there are more jobs open in the United States than workers to fill them. So, employers and unions lately have tried to recruit more women into traditionally masculine trades. The effort has introduced paid maternity leave, for example, to some ironworking roles. We know we have to get our trade imbalance in order, but any bailout should not support the very companies who are owned by the very countries causing us the pain, said Joe Maxwell, who owns a small pig farm in southern Missouri and is the executive director of the Organization for Competitive Markets, a farm advocacy organization. How can you help prevent this? Call 811 before you dig. Each state has an 811 system. The phone representative will ask you information about your plans to dig, and will let the correct utility companies know. Also dial 811 if you have struck a power line or other line. They will advise you how to proceed. The most charitable interpretation for the governments proposal is that we humans, as a species, have a need to organize things, and put them in categories. That we are uncomfortable with the unknown, and uncomfortable with being uncomfortable. That our aversion to this is so strong that we would rather ask unspeakably rude questions to strangers So, are you a boy or a girl? So, whos the wife in your same-sex relationship? than accept that there are things we dont need or deserve to know. The archdiocese said in a statement Tuesday that it remains committed to a collaborative and transparent review process because there is not now, and has not been for decades, any problem of abuse of minors by clergy of the Archdiocese of Washington. The archdiocese says there has been no clergy abuse of a minor for more than 20 years to the knowledge of church leaders. The bill prevents homeowners from renting their properties on platforms such as Airbnb for more than 30 consecutive days. They can rent their properties for up to 90 days a year when they are not home, or up to 180 days a year when they are home but the total number of rental days cannot exceed 180. At the time, the Food and Drug Administration did not yet have regulatory oversight over medical devices. (Congress would not extend that authority to the agency until 1976.) Mr. Bakken tested his device on a dog and, the next day, found Lillehei using it on a human patient at the hospital. Rear Adm. Thompson was best known for his service after his 1975 military retirement. For 15 years, he was chief of the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation, a private, not-for-profit lobbying and advocacy organization. In that role he was the driving force behind the creation of the U.S. Navy Memorial, bringing it from an idea to fruition, the Navy said in an obituary release. 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 There were numerous times that Victim One felt that she could escape from Dove, but worried that even if she did, and was able to call the police, that Dove would eventually get out of jail and hurt her or send someone else, that was not in jail, to hurt her. It was for those reasons that she did not alert anyone to the situation, detectives wrote in an affidavit. The incident started before 9:30 a.m. with an altercation between occupants in two cars off the parkway, followed by an exchange of gunfire while the vehicles were moving, Dingeldein said. The cars then moved onto the parkway, where one car stopped near Silver Hill Road and a man got out, police said. He ran across the parkway and was shot by someone in the other vehicle, which then sped off, police said. D.C. police reported that as many as 10 youths tried to carry out a strong-arm robbery in the 100 block of Third Street NE. The address is one block from the back of the majestic stone structure housing the high court. The back of the court is on the 100 block of Second Street. Harper worried that her sons school might feel emboldened to further tighten its restrictions on the teenager. What if his classmates were to find out his sex at birth? What if, two years from now, he were forced to use his sex at birthon his drivers license? She thought about the transgender children she knows who have been hospitalized for severe mental health problems. Would her son be next? The Districts Josh Gibson has an idea for how Washingtonians can use their address to push for statehood. The problem, as he sees it, is that the rest of the country has trouble thinking of Washington as a place where real people actually live. They lump D.C. in with the demonized Washington of the federal government. The return address doesnt help: Washington, D.C. I dont think it should be that hard to look at the history and imagine the impact that it had and continues to have and do something about it, Schwarz said. You can draw a straight line from this nations acceptance of lynching to cops shooting blacks in the back today. Im sure everybody was concerned when the automobile was introduced, when we had streetcars, Bowser said. When we test any new kind of transportation, theres always going to be a concern about how safe it can be, and how safe it is, and how we can make it even safer. In their closing arguments Tuesday, they urged jurors to give Ronald Hamilton, a former Pentagon information-technology specialist who killed his wife and a rookie police officer, the death sentence instead of life in prison without parole. Again and again, they reminded jurors of the harrowing sequence of events that played out Feb. 27, 2016, at Hamiltons home in Woodbridge, Va.: First, the Army staff sergeant shot 29-year-old Crystal Hamilton with a handgun four times after they had gotten into a fight and she called 911. Then he grabbed his AK-47 and shot three Prince William police officers, injuring two and killing Ashley Guindon, who was working her first shift. It could be that voters are just numb to political shenanigans these days, said Bruce Thompson, a developer in Virginia Beach. Theres so much of that kind of crap going on now as a result of whats taking place with our president that I think peoples tolerance levels are a lot greater than what they were prior to the election of Donald Trump, Thompson said. Quentin was among eight dogs that were to be euthanized at the city pounds gas chamber in 2003. Quentins owners surrendered him because they were moving to an apartment that didnt allow pets. Some people are making do with replacement heating systems and microwave dinners, but many gave up on staying in their cold homes. As of Oct. 16, Columbia Gas has placed 1,829 families in substitute housing the bulk in nearby hotels, some of them in New Hampshire. Four mobile home communities have been established on public properties, becoming fully operational this week, with more than 457 residents in 114 trailers, said Christopher Besse, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. Another 115 trailers are assigned but people have not checked in yet, and there are more than 100 still available, he said. Each F-22, known as the Raptor, is worth more than $140 million. The planes are considered highly nimble at both supersonic and subsonic speeds, and they keep a small radar signature that makes it hard for adversaries to track. They were first used in combat against Islamic State ground targets in 2014, and they have flown at high altitudes over Syria because their advanced sensors could track Russian aircraft over the battlefield. The Raptors were all in hangars when the storm hit, but they probably suffered at least some surface damage, and that could impair their radar-deflecting technology. The Health and Human Services Department has been pushing for the change, a fresh and direct aim at transgender rights, hoping other departments embrace that approach for sweeping impact. But it is unclear whether there is support for the broader effort or whether the regulation would be issued at all, as some in the administration are pushing back. Ex-premier of Croatia gets 2 years for war profiteering: A Croatian court sentenced former prime minister Ivo Sanader to 2 years in prison for war profiteering after his retrial in the high-profile corruption case. The County Court of Zagreb ruled that Sanader also must return about $570,000 in kickbacks he took in a deal with Austria's Hypo Bank in the 1990s. The court said Sanader, who was deputy foreign minister at the time, was guilty of war profiteering because he acted for his benefit rather than Croatia's during its 1992-1995 war. French police clear 1,800 migrants from camp: French police moved into a makeshift migrant camp outside the northern port city of Dunkirk to clear out an estimated 1,800 people seeking to cross the English Channel to Britain. The local prefecture said the migrants will be sent to reception centers in northern France, where officials will check whether they want to seek asylum. The camp in Grande-Synthe is a way station for migrants where human traffickers are known to operate. And he does it very effectively. Though Hawley embraces the voluable Trump, who has already been to Missouri three times to campaign for him, he eschews Trumps style of blunt force trauma in favor of a more polished approach. On the air, Hawley supporters bash McCaskill as a rich, out-of-touch hypocrite, but Hawley didnt go there during their debate last week in St. Louis. Instead, he repeatedly thanked McCaskill for her many years of public service while concluding almost sorrowfully that the eons have turned her into just another party-line liberal. He moved easily from his lectern to draw near to each audience member who stood to ask a question and took particular interest in getting their names right. And because no one seriously questions that murderers and other violent offenders should be imprisoned (indeed, 54 percent of the state prison population is serving time for violent offenses, not drug offenses or other nonviolent crimes), these data imply that, for some U.S. jurisdictions, mass incarceration is not the issue, but rather something possibly more corrosive: uneven incarceration. Minority communities experience a criminal-justice system that simultaneously over- and under-enforces the law. If Republicans retain control of the Senate, he says, were going to fill every vacancy we possibly can with strict constructionists. Does that include another Supreme Court justice, if a vacancy comes up in a presidential election year? The tradition, McConnell explains, is that if a Senate is of a different party than the president and a vacancy occurs in a presidential election year, it doesnt get filled. But what if the president and the Senate are of the same party? Could you imagine . . . a majority in the Senate of the same party as the president saying no thank you? I dont think thats likely to happen. So, is the McConnell Rule that when you have the White House and the votes in the Senate, you use them? Yep, he says. Thats the way its going to work. Thats the way its worked for 230 years. By injecting stimulus into the economy during an expansion, Republicans have given us less fiscal space to act when (not if) we next have a recession. But timing isnt the only problem here. By Trumps own stated objectives, the tax cut is also supremely mistargeted. Trumps pre-midterms campaign speeches warn of rogues around every corner: There are a lot of rigged things going on, he announced. Among them: Democrats are financing the caravan of migrants from Honduras. The deep state within the Justice Department refuses to investigate Hillary Clinton and Benghazi. More deep staters at the State Department are hiding Clintons deleted emails. The sexual-assault allegations of Christine Blasey Ford were a con job plotted by Democrats (who also artificially inflated hurricane deaths in Puerto Rico). And Democrats have become the party of crime. Protesters are paid by George Soros. The survey by The Post and George Mason Universitys Schar School of Policy and Government was conducted in 69 congressional districts rated as competitive in late August by the team at the Cook Political Report and Post political staff. Surveys identified the major-party candidates by name in each district. This survey was a follow-up with voters who were initially interviewed in late September and early October. The survey, which was in the field Oct. 15-21, did not attempt to measure the state of races for the Senate. Results among the sample of 1,269 likely voters have an error margin of plus or minus three percentage points. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. Market Highlights: Many microorganisms such as virus, fungi, and bacteria are the causative agents for infections. These infections can be categorized into several types including stomach and intestinal infections, Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs), eye infections, common childhood infections, ear infections, skin infections, lung and respiratory infections, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs). There are numerous steps for the controlling and prevention of such infections. For example, the most effective way to prevent the spread of HAIs in hospitals is a proper hand wash. Few other steps include immunizations, using protective clothing such as masks and gloves, covering while coughing and sneezing, and others. Many companies are undergoing collaborations for developing and novel product launches. For instance, in March 2017, Kimberly-Clark Health Care and 3M Healthcare Company signed an alliance for co-developing and delivering surgical and infection prevention solutions utilizing their respective expertise. This deal was expected to be implemented by the end of 2017. The increasing government initiatives for ensuring prevention of infections is supposed to be a significant driver of the market. Moreover, many guidelines are issued by government organizations to promote awareness related to effective prevention measures, globally. All these factors are expected to contribute to the market growth throughout the forecast period. The global market for infection control is expected to have a CAGR of approximately 7.5% during 2017 to 2023. Request Sample with Latest Market Trends @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5901 Global Infection Control Market Key Players STERIS Corporation (U.K.) Getinge Group (Sweden) Cantel Medical Corporation (U.S.) Ecolab (U.S.) 3M Healthcare Company (U.S.) Sotera Health (U.S.) Advanced Sterilization Products (U.S.) MMM Group (Germany) Matachana (Spain) Belimed AG (Switzerland) Halyard Health (U.S.) Metrex Research (U.S.) Reckitt Benckiser (U.K.) Pal Internation (U.K.) Nordion, Inc. (U.S.) Ahlstrom Corporation (Finland) Honeywell International, Inc. (U.S.) and others. Intended Audience Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies Contract Research Organizations (CROs) Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) Contract sterilization service providers Sterilization and disinfection service providers Clinical and Diagnostic Labs Regulatory bodies Medical device companies Food and beverage companies Healthcare providers Research and consulting firms Venture capitalists and investors Global Infection Control Market Segmentation The global infection control market has been segmented on the basis of type and end-U.S.er. On the basis of type, the global infection control market can be segmented into disinfection products, sterilization products and services, and others. The disinfection product is categorized into disinfectants, medical nonwovens, disinfectors, and endoscope reprocessors. Disinfectants are further categorized by type, by formulation, and by EPA classification. Disinfectants, by type, are classified into hand disinfectants, skin disinfectants, instrument disinfectants, and surface disinfectants. The disinfectant by formulation is categorized into disinfectant wipes, disinfectant liquids, and disinfectant sprays. EPA classification is categorized into low-level disinfectants, intermediate-level disinfectants, and high-level disinfectants. Medical nonwovens are classified into surgical drapes, surgical gowns, sterilization wraps, and face masks. Disinfectors are classified into washer disinfectors, flusher disinfectors, and UV ray disinfectors. Endoscope reprocessors are classified into automated endoscope reprocessors, endoscope tracking systems, and other endoscopic reprocessing products. Sterilization products and services are classified into sterilization equipment, contract sterilization services, by type, and consumables and accessories. Sterilization equipment are segmented into heat sterilization equipment, low-temperature sterilization, filtration sterilization, and radiation sterilization. Heat sterilization equipment are categorized into moist heat sterilizers and dry heat sterilizers. The low-temperature sterilization is categorized into Ethylene Oxide Sterilizers (EtO), hydrogen peroxide sterilizers, ozone sterilizers, formaldehyde sterilizers, and other low-temperature sterilization. Contract sterilization services, by type is segmented into Ethylene Oxide Sterilization (EtO) services, gamma sterilization services, e-beam sterilization services, steam sterilization services, and other contract sterilization services. The consumables and accessories are segmented into sterilization indicators, sterilant cassettes, and other consumables and accessories. On the basis of end-U.S.er, the global infection control market is segmented into hospitals and clinics, life sciences industry, medical device companies, pharmaceutical companies, food industry, and others. Get Instant Discount on Customize Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/5901 Global Infection Control Market Regional Analysis The global infection control market consists of four regions, namely, the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. The Americas region accounted for the largest market share of the global infection control market owing to the increasing awareness about chronic infections along with the growing number of service providers. These factors are driving the market growth in the region. Moreover, the U.S. contributes to a significant market share for the infection control industry. The European infection control market is the second largest market followed by Asia Pacific. The Asia Pacific region is expected to exhibit the fastest growth throughout the forecast period owing to the growing healthcare expenditure, exceptional healthcare standards and infrastructure, and growing presence of outsourcing organizations across this region. For instance, a voluntary organization namely the Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control (APSIC) is working in collaborations and partnerships to facilitate the quality improvement and conducts infection control research for promoting cost-efficient practices throughout the Asia Pacific region. Moreover, the presence of various government organizations dedicated to improving the standards for infection control is among the significant factors contributing toward the growth of the Asia Pacific region. The Middle Eastern region is expected to grow at a steady pace owing to factors such as the extensive development of the healthcare infrastructure and increasing R&D activities in the healthcare sector. 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 TOC Continued. Access full Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/infection-control-market-5901 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 Commerce Department spokesman Kevin Manning said in an emailed statement that 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. DOJ has been seeking extraordinary relief in the Supreme Court much more often during the Trump administration than in the past as the sheer number of cases and filings makes clear, said Nicole A. Saharsky, a lawyer who frequently appears before the Supreme Court and spent more than a decade in the solicitor generals office. This seems to be a result of the administrations desire to aggressively defend and appeal certain cases such as those involving DACA recipients, the census and climate change. Democrats will also face the question of whether to try to impeach Trump something that could also look like an overreach to voters. Trump has been warning that Democrats will try to remove him from office if they seize control of Congress. Pelosi has tried to downplay the idea, while some of the more liberal members in her caucus continue to tout the possibility. Thomas said he took down the painting Monday after a Washington Post reporter explained that its subject, Nathan Bedford Forrest, was a Confederate general and slave trader who became the KKKs first figurehead in 1868. He said he was unaware of Forrests affiliation with the hate group, which formed after the Civil War to maintain white control over newly freed blacks through violence and intimidation. As part of the process, the candidates were asked to provide links to their social media profiles and disclose whether they had ever given a speech to Congress, spoken at a political convention, appeared on talk radio, or published an opinion piece in a conservative forum such as Breitbart News or a liberal one such as Mother Jones, according to one candidate, who requested anonymity because the person is not authorized to speak to the media. We very much dont view it as about Trump or about individual politicians or policies in any way; were trying to get above that, said Volker, who is also the Trump administrations part-time special envoy for Ukraine. Its very easy to not like Trump and then to blame everything on him. Thats not a constructive way to think about this. Questo comunicato e stato pubblicato piu di 1 anno fa. Le informazioni su questa pagina potrebbero non essere attendibili. This is certainly true when it comes to fashion. They might cause their child to avoid even natural or logical consequences in order to save him from perceived harm, unhappiness or hurt feelings. Both Helen Mirren and Jane Fonda looked sexy and strong on the red carpet. Now that we're all a bit older and Golden Goose have siblings, kids, or students we have the awesome privileged of introducing them to the world of Dr. And as we look into the delinquencies, which we give you at least insight into the 90day delinquencies, we don't see anything bumping up. But the Greeks were right when they described the gifts of Dionysos as being a joy and a burden for mankind. It's one thing to hear them on a thirtysecond television spot or even in a stump speech before a small crowd. There is a flurry of various forms of traditional African attire, from vastly differing parts of the continent. Linton, in case anyone was wondering, is not a tax expert; she is a Scottishborn actress and producer. The source of terrorist funds may be licit or illicit, and funding often takes the form of multiple small donations, rather than one large sum of money. Management empowers lowerlevel staff to establish goals and even to evaluate their own performance. If you have the proper Golden Goose Sale relationship with someone, you can get just about anything accomplished. said over a year ago that we would pursue a course to protect and defend our coast, and that exactly what we doing. (Privacy Policy)Rubicon ProjectThis is an ad network. At a Rimmel London press launch, she made a similar mistake. Rappelant ses rsolutions sur la question, notamment sa rsolution 181 (II) [Plan de partage] et celles du Conseil de scurit, l'Assemble gnrale a raffirm que la communaut internationale, par l'intermdiaire de l'Organisation des Nations Unies, porte un intrt lgitime la question de la ville de Jrusalem et la protection du caractre spirituel et religieux unique de cette ville. Trump has faced criticism for suggesting it is problematic on its own that people from the Middle East might be part of the group of migrants and that they would therefore be terrorists. Asked about this in the Oval Office, Trump said Border Patrol officials have told him they have intercepted all sorts of people of Middle Eastern descent trying to enter the United States over the years. Voter satisfaction is the enemy of voter turnout, said Bill Stepien, the White House political director. Whats changed is that while voters are still happy in the direction the president is leading the country, theyre angry at the way Democrats treated Justice Kavanaugh, theyre scared when they hear Democrat after Democrat talking about socializing medicine and Medicare-for-All, and voters are plugged in as the president spends more and more time on the campaign trail. Trump has repeatedly declined to say whether the crown prince was behind or aware of the killing as many U.S. officials and foreign governments have concluded, in part because many of the crown princes associates were involved in the killing. Trump instead has said there is not enough evidence to determine Mohammeds involvement and that the Riyadh government has not indicated to him one way or the other if he ordered the killing. CIA Director Gina Haspel is currently in Turkey and is expected to return Wednesday. I want to know whos doing that, DeSantis said. I can tell you we are not doing it, and I think the people doing it are doing it because they are trying to create division. Yet one Democratic strategist noted Monday that the party does not have a consensus position on immigration enforcement to succinctly counter Trumps build a wall mantra. The strategist pointed to a Pelosi interview last week as an example of the far from potent message: The leader said the partys immigration platform if it wins the House would focus on providing legal status to younger immigrants, known as Dreamers, who entered the country illegally as children. The Sipeses, who live two miles away, like the location, in part, because its close to their workplaces and to shopping and restaurants, Brian Sipes said. We noticed the sign driving by where the neighborhood will be and then visited the website and toured the model home, he said. We like that the property backs up to woods and offers a level of privacy uncommon in this area. It is very odd. It crosses that much of the sea, and yet ordinary people cannot use it. Whats the point of that? said Claudia Mo, a pro-democracy lawmaker in Hong Kong. This project is so obviously a political symbol. Im sure Beijing knew clearly that we didnt quite need it and that it was not necessary for the time being. As far as I can remember, the U.S. seal depicts an eagle on one side holding 13 arrows and on the other side an olive branch with 13 olives, Putin said, sitting across from Bolton at talks before the news conference. Heres the question: Did your eagle already eat all the olives and only the arrows are left? You support your friends in good times and bad, the executive said. The trajectory [in Saudi Arabia] is toward more openness and transparency, but there are going to be bumps in the road. He, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. The two Palestinian leaderships have failed to reconcile more than 10 years after Hamas wrested control of Gaza from rival faction Fatah, which dominates the Palestinian Authority. The discord has meant that free elections have not taken place in more than a decade. The Trump administration earlier this year announced plans to develop a nuclear-tipped, sea-launch cruise missile in response to Russias violations of the INF. The U.S. military could also put Tomahawk cruise missiles on ground launchers and deploy them in the Pacific. They are currently on ships and submarines. The Pentagon, mandated by Congress, is also in the early stages of developing a missile banned under the INF for possible deployment if the treaty falls apart. There is nothing more important, no other priority that is higher at the NSA than the security of the midterm elections, Nakasone said at a conference last month. We looked at what our adversaries have done previously and what they might do in the future. . . . The forces that are working are well trained, ready to do what is necessary in terms of securing the elections in 2018. The Kremlin has many reasons for targeting Saudi infrastructure, said Michael Carpenter, a former senior White House and Pentagon official who handled Russia policy. Among them, he said, Moscow sides with Tehran in the proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and it believes Riyadh is closely aligned with U.S. interests in the region. Moreover, he said, Moscow has an interest in driving global oil prices as high as possible to maximize Russian budget revenue and weaken Western economies. A U.S. official said the Trump administration had committed to extending the military mission until it achieves a lasting defeat of the Islamic State. And while the White House now says the United States will remain in Syria until Iranian forces are gone, officials say the parallel anti-Iran mission may be diplomatic rather than military. The Pentagon has not been asked to take on Iran, which is thought to command a force of at least 10,000 fighters in Syria, including government soldiers and militiamen. The Turkish president did not address some of the most explosive allegations that have surfaced during the investigation notably that Khashoggi was dismembered after he was killed. And he did not present any of the evidence that Turkey had gathered so far, including audio recordings that investigators are said to possess that captured the moments when Khashoggi was killed. The young woman found dead on a north Queensland beach on Monday morning had posted social media messages about men harassing women on the street and how women were wrongly blamed when they became victims of male violence. Police believe the death of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley could potentially be a sexually-related murder and are treating it as suspicious. She has been described as "the most beautiful, honest person you could imagine" who had an incredible way of calming any animal, even the loudest and most vicious. Animal-lover Toyah Cordingley was found dead on Wangetti Beach on Monday morning. Credit:Facebook Facebook posts on the victim's account show on June 17 she shared a tweet from Aslylum Seeker Resource Centre chief executive Kon Karapanagiotidis. "I can only imagine the rage and fear women feel to see women die doing everyday mundane things like walking home, like they do too, only to be told its their fault and that they need to be more careful. A Perth backyard car dealer has copped an $8000 fine for buying and selling cars without a license for nearly a year. John Salehi bought 13 cars and sold 12 of them from his Rivervale backyard, and drew the attention of Consumer Protection. Consumers should not do any business with unlicensed motor vehicle dealers and report them to Consumer Protection," Mr Hillyard said. Its unknown how much money he made off the cars. Barnaby Joyce has launched an extraordinary attack against his own government for asking Malcolm Turnbull to represent Australia on the world stage, as recriminations grow over the Liberal Party's devastating Wentworth byelection defeat. The former deputy prime minister lashed the Morrison government for sending Mr Turnbull to an international oceans conference in Bali next week, describing the offer as "wild" and "remarkable" given his resignation from federal politics contributed to the Coalition losing its majority in Parliament. But Liberal MPs were left stunned that Mr Joyce had tried to blame Mr Turnbull for the loss of Wentworth. "Barnaby needs to look in the mirror. He has no shame," one said on Tuesday night. Outspoken CFMEU official John Setka has drawn fresh criticism on social media after invoking the Nazi regime as a justification for law breaking. "Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal," Mr Setka tweeted ahead of Tuesday morning's ACTU mega-rally in Melbourne, where thousands of workers have downed tools to call for dramatic changes to Australia's workplace laws. CFMEU Victorian secretary John Setka has posted another controversial tweet. Credit:Justin McManus The quote is attributed to the late civil rights activist Martin Luther King, who penned the phrase in a letter sent from Birmingham jail in 1963, in which he argued that governments could commit atrocities while technically not breaking the law. GADEM's report on the expulsions was buttressed by the Moroccan Association of Human Rights, which published videos of groups of migrants being taken to the airport and deported. Raids on sub-Saharan migrants in Morocco, coordinated with Spain and the European Union, are resulting in the arrest of thousands, many with proper documents, banishment to distant parts of the country, or even expulsion, rights groups say. Credit:New York Times At the same time, the Moroccan Association of Human Rights in Nador, among other groups, has reported an uptick in attacks on migrants. As outsiders, they have never been welcomed by native Moroccans, who see them as soaking up state benefits in a country that struggles to provide jobs and health care for its citizens. Morocco's crackdown on migration has extended to its own citizens. In late September, the Moroccan Royal Navy shot and killed a young Moroccan woman who had boarded a boat full of migrants trying to cross illegally into Spain. Moroccan officials said the Navy opened fire after the boat refused to stop, but some non-governmental organisations have questioned the circumstances. For years, most migrants seeking entry to Europe went through Greece and Italy. But after those portals were shut down, the migrants turned their sights to Spain, where the arrival of migrants entering the country illegally surged to 40,623 so far this year, making it the leading destination for migrants from Africa. Those numbers pale next to the 1 million or so migrants and asylum-seekers who entered Europe in 2015, but are about triple the number who entered in 2016. That, in turn, has led to rising anti-immigrant political pressures in Spain. A view of Jebel Musa, a mountain in Morocco that towers over the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, from Benzu, Spain. Credit:New York Times Traditionally, King Mohammed VI of Morocco has been publicly welcoming to sub-Saharan Africans. Yet, despite these proclamations of support, migration has often seemed intended as a lever to pry concessions out of Europe, said Helena Maleno Garzon, a human rights worker and founder of the group Walking Borders. Something like that seems to be occurring now, she says, citing a $275 million aid package from the EU, agreed to in September, ostensibly to help with basic services and to support job creation. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita acknowledged the crackdown but said it was aimed at fighting unauthorised migration and human trafficking, and he vehemently denied that Europe was dictating Morocco's migration policies. "Morocco does not play and will never play the role of policeman for the European Union," he said. "Morocco will continue to be a host country for sub-Saharan Africans. What you call 'expulsions' are made according to the norms. Embassies of African countries are involved in the process for identifications." Migrants from Africa stormed a border fence to enter Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco in December. Credit:AP Still, analysts say there is no denying that the two governments work closely together on the issue. "There are very intense and constant contacts at all levels between Spanish and Moroccan officials over the hot topics such as migration, security, coordination and other things," says Haizam Amirah-Fernandez, a senior analyst at the Elcano Royal Institute, a public policy research institution in Madrid. "Depending who you ask, the interpretations will differ," he said. "When there is a high level of arrivals, it is understood that it's a message sent by the Moroccan authorities, saying we are not happy for this or that reason." On a visit to Rabat this month, Consuelo Rumi, the Spanish state secretary for migration, said that Spain was ready to act as "the voice of Morocco in the European Union," to help Morocco receive more financial and material aid in its efforts to control migration. Rumi also said her government would look to regularise the papers of some of the estimated 200,000 Moroccans who live in Spain without official residency. A man and young boy watch as a rubber dingy carrying migrants approaches the beach at Cadiz, southern Spain last year. Disembarkations by migrants on Spanish beaches aren't common but have happened before, especially at Spain's north African enclave cities of Melilla and Ceuta, which border Morocco. Credit:AP Whatever the motivation for the crackdown, human rights groups have denounced the raids. GADEM said that many migrants, like Abdoulaye N., did not realise they were being expelled until they were dropped off hundreds of kilometres from their homes, and that many reported harsh treatment, with people often confined for hours on end without access to food or toilets. The Moroccan Association of Human Rights shared videos and photos of officials piling black-skinned migrants into buses in Tangier, Tetuan and Nador and dropping them off in the south. Images of harsh police treatment also emerged in local news reports. "It is shocking to see that young children are among those subjected to these brutal punishments, as well as UN-recognised asylum-seekers and refugees as well as registered migrants holding residency cards," Heba Morayef, Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa director, said in a statement. An estimated 70,000 sub-Saharans reside in Morocco, according to several organisations, though the numbers are difficult to verify. About 24,000 got their papers during a legalisation campaign begun in 2014 and another 28,400 in a similar effort in 2017. Abdoulaye N. thought he was one of those who benefited from the program, until his arrest. "The legalization campaign is useless," he said. "The fact is we have our residence cards and they still embarked us. At first, they left us at peace on the markets and in the streets. Now, they are preventing us from working with or without papers." Rights groups say that some people have died during the roundups, usually under murky circumstances. A 16-year-old boy from Mali arrested at the market in Tangier and an older man from Gambia were found dead, handcuffed together near the city Kenitra, apparently after falling off a bus, the Moroccan Association of Human Rights reported. 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. As Shelton continues to attract companies from throughout the state, the community has added another to its list with German chemical company Lanxess putting down roots. The company moved its Connecticut-based internal services and administration offices from Middlebury to a new 29,000-square-foot space at 2 Armstrong Road this month. Lanxess executives said the move to Shelton would better accommodate employees from both operations following the companys 2017 acquisition of the former Chemtura. We felt that it would be much better to find a space where it would be a much more modern building and efficient and would bring everything together, said President and CEO Antonis Papadourakis. We are a company that is looking to grow, and we are in financial position to grow in the state even if there is some economic slowdown. Lanxess had previously set up in Chemturas executive office building on 199 Benson Road following its multibillion-dollar purchase of the global chemical manufacturer last spring. It was one of several transactions that officials said virtually doubled the companys footprint in the United States. Along with closing its deal with Chemtura, Lanxess recently acquired Belgian chemicals group Solvay. The Germany-based company, headquartered in Cologne, employs 19,200 people in 25 countries at 75 production sites worldwide, developing and manufacturing additives, specialty chemicals and plastics for different industries. Its Shelton offices accommodates 130 employees, all of whom were previously in the Middlebury facility, which Papadourakis said was too large and outdated for the operation to remain there. It also has research and development facilities in Naugatuck that were formerly owned by Chemtura. Those operations remained unchanged following the transition, and currently employ roughly 60 scientists and engineers. Company executives have highlighted the U.S. as a key market for future growth, according to Papadourakis, who added that Lanxess recently announced plans to invest $500 million in North America while it continues to look for further acquisition opportunities. Jordan.grice@hearstmediact.com BRIDGEPORT If city officials wont restore $250,000 in funding to the school districts 2018-19 operating budget, the school board will ask the City Council to transfer the funds. That is the gist of a three-page letter sent by Berchem Moses, the boards attorney to Mayor Joseph P. Ganim. Schools Superintendent Aresta Johnson told the school board on Monday she has not yet received a reply. The mayors office also did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The school board learned this fall that City Budget Director Nester Nkwo treated $250,000 of a 2017-18 budget increase by the city as compensation for a state decision to reduce the boards Education Cost Sharing Grant by that amount even though the rescission occurred in December 2017, months after the city approved a $387,593 increase to the school district. Nkwos then lowered the starting point on the citys 2018-19 contribution to city schools, effectively reducing a $1,039,419 increase awarded by the council to $789,419. Under state law, municipalities such as Bridgeport may not reduce its contribution to education. That is precisely what Mr. Nkwo did, wrote Floyd J. Dugas, an attorney for the board. When confronted with the situation, the city offered to pay $250,000 worth of school district bills without actually transferring the money. The school board refused the offer. Board members worried the district would not be fully compensated and that the states Minimum Budget Requirement would be compromised. We ... prefer that the City deliver the additional appropriation, Dugas wrote, adding it shouldnt pose any greater financial cost to the city if they were prepared to pay $250,000 worth of school district bills. Dugas said the board is prepared to ask one or more City Council members to submit a resolution to the full council to force the transfer if necessary. At a meeting this month between members of the school board and city councils Education and Social Services Committee, council members seemed confused by the situation but promised to look into the matter. All council members were copied on the attorneys letter to the mayor. Marlene Siegel, the districts chief financial officer, said despite the lack of a response from the city, she expects the district will prevail. The $250,000 is factored into the school districts $248.4 million operating budget. Three quarters of the budget comes from the state. The city pays much of the rest. Although Bridgeport city and school officials have often been at odds over the budget, they are not the only ones waging an internal struggle as state dollars fail to keep up with rising costs. Ansonia has gone to court over its bottom line. A power play over the cost of school transportation sent Shelton school and city leaders to court over the summer. And Monday, New Britains school superintendent has accused city hall of tampering with its reserve fund. NEWTOWN Police will have to make public 35 documents belonging to the disturbed 20-year-old who killed 26 first-graders and educators at Sandy Hook School in 2012, the states highest court has ruled. The documents include a spreadsheet ranking mass murders and a notebook entitled The Big Book of Granny. The notebook contains a story school shooter Adam Lanza wrote in fifth grade about a woman who uses her rifle cane to kill people. The ruling Tuesday by state Supreme Court did not say when police must release Lanzas writings and other evidence. Nor is it clear the release of documents will shed light on a question that has never been answered: Why Lanza acted with such barbarity against the closest person in his life his mother and defenseless children. Lanza shot and killed his mother, Nancy Lanza, the morning of Dec. 14, 2012, and then drove to Sandy Hook School with an AR-15-style rifle that he took from an unlocked closet. He shot his way into a locked Sandy Hook School, killing the children and educators before turning a handgun on himself. A 2014 report by the Connecticut Child Advocate said Lanzas severe and deteriorating mental health, his obsession with mass murder, and his access to his mothers firearms proved a recipe for mass murder. The Child Advocates report said Newtown schools and Lanzas parents missed chances to treat his autism, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, but found only Adam Lanza was to blame for the worst crime in modern Connecticut history. Last week, two former Sandy Hook School administrators challenged that report, saying the school district did everything it could to meet Lanzas needs. More for you With Kavanaugh on court, gun laws could be targeted Tuesdays ruling is a victory for Connecticuts Freedom of Information Commission and The Hartford Courant, which argued the documents seized by police from Lanzas Newtown home were public under state open records law. The court ruled unanimously for the newspaper and the commission, whose order to police to release Lanzas belongings was overturned by a lower court judge. State police had seized guns, ammunition and Lanzas belongings, including personal journals. State police already have released some of Lanzas writings, along with thousands of pages of interviews, documents and other evidence from the investigation. But the full contents of the spreadsheet and the Granny notebook have not been released. The Granny book contains several chapters with the adventures of Dora the Beserker. When Granny asks Dora to assassinate a soldier, she replies: I like hurting people. ... Especially children. In the same story, Dora sends Swiper the Raccoon into a day care center to distract the children, then enters and says, Lets hurt children. The Courant asked to see 35 items seized from the Lanza house, but state police rejected the request, citing privacy rights under the states search and seizure law. The newspaper appealed to the Freedom of Information Commission, which ruled the belongings must be made public because the law doesnt specifically bar documents seized from peoples homes and not used in prosecutions from being released. State police appealed to Superior Court, which agreed with state police and overturned the commissions ruling. The state attorney generals office, which represented state police, declined to comment Tuesday. The office could ask the state Supreme Court to reconsider its decision or possibly appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. State police declined to comment. In the ruling, Justice Raheem Mullins wrote the court must narrowly construe language in state law that allows exceptions to public disclosure, otherwise any statute governing an agencys general treatment of records becomes a possible restriction on disclosure. Staff writer Rob Ryser contributed to this report. rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342 Democrat Ned Lamonts lead over Republican Bob Stefanowski has shrunk during the last month from 6.2 percent to 3.4 percent, putting the governors race into a statistical tie, according to a Sacred Heart University/Hearst Connecticut Media Group poll released Tuesday. The survey of likely voters shows that the unaffiliated have shifted their support to Stefanowski, a consultant and former corporate executive from Madison running for his first elective office, from 36.5 percent in September to 43.2 percent with two weeks left before Election Day. The race is now within the margin of error of plus-or-minus 4.32 percent. Overall, the survey finds Lamont with 39.5 percent of the vote, Stefanowski with 36.1, and Oz Griebel, the unaffiliated former Hartford business leader, with 8.4 percent, along with 14.8 percent undecided. The governors race in Connecticut is coming down to the wire and has tightened up since our September poll, said Leslie DeNardis, director of the Institute for Public Policy and director of Sacred Heart Universitys master of public administration program. The numbers reflect voter discontent with current leadership, our states struggling economy and concerns about national issues, she said. Results from our new poll indicate a large number of undecided voters and support largely along party lines. In September, the Sacred Heart/Hearst Poll showed Lamont with 43.1 percent support, compared to Stefanowskis 36.9 percent. Marc Bradley, Lamonts campaign manager, used the poll to criticize Stefanowski. Polls go up and down, but one thing has remained consistent: Bob Stefanowski's tax scheme will eliminate more than half the state's revenue, forcing property taxes to rise dramatically in every one of Connecticut's 169 towns and cities while decimating education, health care and public safety, Bradley said in a statement. Stefanowski spokesman Kendall Marr, linked the poll findings to Lamont, Griebel and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. As we have said from the beginning, this race will continue to move in Stefanowski's direction as voters realize that Ned Lamont's policies are the same ones that put our state in its current position. When it comes to Ned, Oz, and Dan Malloy, they are three peas in a pod, Marr said in a statement. We've said consistently that the only poll that matters is on November 6th, said Chris Cooper, spokesman for Griebel. As importantly, this poll does not match up with what we are hearing and seeing and it is also true that polling in recent election cycles has been notoriously inaccurate. Widening gender gap Support by gender Gender Lamont Stefanowski Griebel unsure Women 50% 25.2% 8.8% 15.2% Men 29.1% 47% 8% 14.3% Source: Sacred Heart University/Hearst Connecticut Media poll See More Collapse While 50 percent of women say they will vote for Lamont, a Greenwich investor, compared to 25.2 percent for Stefanowski, 47 percent of men say theyll back Stefanowski, with 29.1 percent for Lamont. Female voters are likely to have a strong impact on local and national races as reflected in our survey for the gubernatorial and Congressional races, as well as lackluster support for President Trump and discontent over how the Kavanaugh appointment was handled, DeNardis said. It looks like the gubernatorial race will remain highly competitive right up to election day. Statewide, there are 460,279 registered Republicans, 785,615 Democrats and 870,171 unaffiliated voters, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill announced Tuesday. Stefanowski opposes highway tolls and higher taxes. But 52.1 percent of voters support toll roads to raise money for transportation infrastructure, and 64.9 percent believe that raising taxes on those with incomes of a million dollars or more is a fair and effective way to help balance the state budget, if cutting state services and spending cannot solve it. Lamont has proposed trucks-only highway tolls, but has not backed higher income taxes. Overall, given a list of nine top issues facing the state, 22 percent of voters said the tax burden is the major problem, followed by 17.6 percent who said the budget crisis is paramount. The 501 voters, who said they were likely to cast ballots on November 6, were reached by landline and cell phones by the polling company GreatBlue Research. The survey took place between October 13 and 17. On congressional races, 48.7 percent of those responding to the poll said they would support Democrats for the U.S. House of Representatives, while 34.1 percent said they would vote for Republicans. The poll found that 72.4 percent of Democrats and 54.8 percent of Republicans disapproved of the way the U.S. Senates Judiciary Committee handled the recent nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. Eighty percent of women surveyed disapproved of the Senate committees actions. On October 10, the Quinnipiac University Poll found Lamont leading Stefanowski by 47 percent to 39 percent, with 21 percent undecided. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT (This article was previously published at www.ImmigrationReform.com. Published here with permission.) If the Biden administration carries out threats to fire ... As of November 2021, a majority of developing countries have vaccinated less than a quarter of their populations. The Biden... Most actors are hoping for the lucky break that gets them into the movie business. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 22/10/2018 (1122 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Most actors are hoping for the lucky break that gets them into the movie business. For Aaron Nobess, the Winnipeg artist behind The Crypt Skin Project, it was a "lucky break" that got him out. "I became a mask-maker completely by accident," says Nobess, 32. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Nobess puts a finishing touch on another mask. He'll be at this weekend's Comic Con. "I was working as a forklift driver and acting and auditioning on the side when I got an audition for the movie A Dogs Purpose in 2015." He won the part and would be needed in Brandon a few weeks later for the shoot. It was an opportunity to work on a film and be on set with actor Dennis Quaid, one of the films stars. "I was pretty excited and really happy, and then the day after, I was dressed up with my dress shoes on, and going out the back door I just slipped and landed right on my tibia bone and broke it," he says. His agent told him to go to the shoot anyway and see what would happen. He had cut off his cast to give it a go and in the scene took a few steps as directed. "They said that they couldnt use me because I needed to walk up the hill," he says. "I was heartbroken. I was really crushed and I had to drive back to the city that day feeling low in my own little depression." RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Aaron Nobess makes spooky masks for his company, The Crypt Skin Project. Now off work with nothing to do, he decided to build a mask for himself for Halloween, a holiday he and his wife Erin and their friends typically celebrate in a big way. "I had seen a picture of these little fake teeth and someone had laid a piece of burlap over it and it just kind of grabbed me," he says. "I visualized what I could do with the same process: putting burlap over certain forms and shapes. So I bought myself some burlap and a hot glue gun and some cheap paint and I created a scarecrow mask. Some of Nobess' creations are eerily realistic. "The response was just amazing." With encouragement from his wife, Nobess built a boar mask and put it up for sale on the internet. It was snapped up. And he had found his medium in burlap. "Working on my artwork that year really opened up a whole new path and a whole new mindset," he says. Erin encouraged him to quit his job and take the summer to work on his art. He worked to refine his method, taking his inspiration from the MacFarlane models he used to collect as a kid. (McFarlane Toys are model figurines produced by Canadian Todd McFarlane, the creator of Spawn.) Nobess gets inspiration from listening to a horror-themed YouTube channel. "They are these really detailed figurines of horror movie and all kinds of characters," he says. "The detail on these little toys was amazing to me, so thats what I think about when I making my masks or my figurines I think about the tiniest little detail that will just bring the mask of the figurine to the next level." When hes working, Nobess likes to listen to Creepypasta, a scary storytelling channel on YouTube. "Theres no video its just story where hes explaining some alien or werewolf, or some monster thing with horns or antlers or something, and I can kind of visualize what this creature would look like, and that gives me the idea of where I can go with the next one." Nobess is striving not only for something that is striking and unique, hes also working for a durable end result. He starts with a papier-mache base. "After the first few masks, I realized its not strong enough so I use the hot glue gun to completely cover the cast," he says. Figurines are another part of Nobess' business. From there he continues adding layers, including a foundation colour of black spray paint and adds the strap to hold it on. "To get definition in the face, Ill cut Styrofoam and shave it and melt it to whatever wrinkle in the face or bone structure in the face I want," he says. From there he adds his burlap layer, working it into every crevice of the face. Next are details like hair. "For the teeth, I use recycled material like any hard piece of plastic I could find from coffee containers to jars that I may have around the house," he says. Those bits and pieces are often the add-ons that give his masks their finishing touches. "Ill finish it all off with spray paint or some hand-painting, and then to make it stronger, Ill use a resin to coat the teeth and tongue and things. If you're going to have the word 'hell' in your name, you're prime pickings for a figurine by Nobess, even if you are a Winnipeg Jet. Nobess recently added figurines to his offerings at the suggestion of a fellow artist. It gives collectors another option. And he now has an Etsy store (www.etsy.com/ca/shop/CryptSkin) along with items available on his website. Nobess credits his cousin Kyle Nobess, a film actor and workshop facilitator/leader, with introducing him to acting and opening him to the idea of a life in the arts. But Nobess hasnt totally given up on the idea of film. "First of all, I would like to have my own little storefront where I could design and show all my work and to have somewhere where someone could just come in and purchase or get a custom order," he says. "The Crypt Skin name is getting bigger people love the name and I would eventually like to collaborate with two of my cousins in the film industry under the name where Id like to be behind the scenes making short films using my artwork." For the immediate future, Nobess is getting ready for this weekends Central Canada Comic Con and other shows, which is putting a bit of a crimp in his own Halloween decor. "Before Crypt Skin, I would love to have my house crazily designed and have all the cool stuff, but I just dont have the time so we will literally get a pumpkin the day of Halloween, carve it and throw it out with a candle!" he says. And just a little over four months ago, Nobess and his wife completed a joint project a baby girl. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Nobess at work making figurines. "This year with Isabelle, we plan to dress her up as something cute and take her around to our family members," he says. "I want to make her just the creepiest little girl that would be walking around and terrifying people and my wife is like: Yeah, no youre not," he says, laughing. In the meantime, Nobess says hes game to build almost anything as creepy or scary as you could want although he draws the line at anything he calls "demonic." "I want people to know theres no ending to what Im doing, from creepy masks to full-body burlap animals to collectable figurines," says Nobess. Twitter: @WendyKinginWpg OTTAWA Winnipeg anti-poverty groups say Canadas telcos are ripping off the most vulnerable Manitobans. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 23/10/2018 (1121 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA Winnipeg anti-poverty groups say Canadas telcos are ripping off the most vulnerable Manitobans. "They find it more difficult, and they pay more, for [] a necessity," Gloria Desorcy, Manitoba head of the Consumers Association of Canada told the industry's federal regulator Tuesday. BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Consumers Coalition lawyer Katrine Dilay says access to telecommunications productions is essential to meaningful participation in society. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is holding hearings this week on "misleading or aggressive sales practices" by Canada's large telecommunications carriers. Consumer advocates are airing complaints about how companies like Bell, Shaw, Rogers and Telus advertise their products, solicit customers and charge them for services. Thats led so some unflattering testimony. "When a customer is duped into a sale, there are usually significant early-cancellation costs that deter customers from leaving, and this does not hurt the former company," said Jennifer Chow of the Fair Communications Sales Coalition. That national group is among the advocates calling on Ottawa to implement a code of conduct similar to other Western countries, that compels clear contracts and more favourable cancellation terms. Winnipegs Public Interest Law Centre raised similar demands in hearings just outside Ottawa. "Access to telecommunications productions is essential to meaningful participation in society," said group lawyer Katrine Dilay, who spoke on behalf of a local coalition that includes Winnipeg Harvest. She said a heavily concentrated telco market lets companies come up with terms that lock out lower-income and immigrant users, and can leave customers with contracts that dont match up with advertised prices. A poll of one thousand Manitobans this year by Prairie Research Associates, weighed for demographics, revealed 45 per cent had received unexpected charges on their bills, an issue that 59 per cent of twenty-somethings experienced. A quarter of all respondents felt pressure to accept resolutions to complaints that they thought were unfair, and a fifth had terms changed without notice, and just as many felt pressure from upselling staff. Seven in 10 respondents say they use bundled services, and Dilay said that has made it complicated for consumers to find the best deal. Desorcy testified that multiple newcomers in Canada have complained about the best deals being out of reach, because they require a credit history which many havent established in Canada. She noted that hydro, water and other utilities are provided first in Manitoba and billed later, without a credit check. "So if we are saying that access to communication services is a need, then it doesnt seem appropriate that the credit history come into it." Dilay and Desorcy suggested federal regulators impose escalating fines on companies that dont change their behaviour, and publish that information publicly. In submissions, large telcos told the regulator that they're trying to make their terms and offerings clearer to customers, but Dilay said those hardly cut the mustard. Dilay slammed "their refusal, on the record of these proceedings, to acknowledge there is a systemic problem." Desorcy said researchers dont yet know the impact of Bells 2017 takeover of MTS on consumer prices and services. The CRTC will report to the federal Cabinet by the end of February. With files from The Canadian Press dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca Mayoral candidates Brian Bowman and Jenny Motkaluk used part of the last day of the 2018 civic election campaign to lob criticism at each other. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 23/10/2018 (1121 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Mayoral candidates Brian Bowman and Jenny Motkaluk used part of the last day of the 2018 civic election campaign to lob criticism at each other. While Bowman spent Tuesday on a hectic meet-and-greet schedule (accompanied by his wife, Tracy), Motkaluk was relaxing with her team in her St. James-area headquarters. However, when questioned by reporters, each pulled their campaign knives out one last time. "I like Brian Bowman. Hes a nice guy. Ive never questioned his character. I have however questioned his leadership -- and that is why Im here right now," Motkaluk said, as she criticized the incumbent's political tactics at city hall, saying it focused his attention only on those councillors willing to support his initiatives and labelling anyone who questioned him an a threat to the public good. "Brian Bowman has demonstrated and said on multiple occasions that he will not engage in what he calls special-interest groups, but in doing so hes alienated hundreds of thousands of Winnipeggers and really eliminated their voices from our civic government," the challenger said. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Candidate Jenny Motkaluk holds a campaign wrap-up press conference at her headquarters Tuesday afternoon. "All members of council are duly-elected representatives of tens of thousands of people, and they are deserving of everyones respect including, and most especially, the mayor of Winnipeg. Its absolutely unconscionable to think that someone who has been elected to represent tens of thousands of citizens could have their voice silenced at city hall. And when I am mayor of Winnipeg, those days will be over." Winnipeggers go to the polls Wednesday. The media caught up to Bowman at a Filipino bakery on McPhillips Street, where he used his understated manner to criticize Motkaluks angry tone throughout the campaign. "Her campaign has been marked with everything from trolling me on social media with pictures of chickens, referring to Winnipeg as 'Turdsville,' even recently liking a social media post that criticized social diversity," Bowman said. "This is not the actions of somebody who is going to be positioned well to bring the community together and to lead in a positive way." Bowman last week released his campaign book: a glossy, 37-page document detailing campaign commitments he said reflected costed positions on road renewal, community safety, community centres, inclusion, and human rights -- and asked voters to give him four more years as mayor. In contrast, Motkaluks campaign commitments were outlined in a plain, photocopied three-page document she said offered "a way forward in a practical manner, something we can do right now." MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Incumbent Brian Bowman talks to the media outside of Sugar Blooms and Cakes on McPhillips Street during a stop on his a city-wide blitz Tuesday. Motkaluk took time during her Tuesday news conference to confront a recent election survey finding that showed most Winnipeggers found Bowman to be a more likable candidate. The polling by Forum Research, on behalf of the Canadian Municipal Election Study, which is looking at municipal elections in Winnipeg and seven other cities, found Winnipeggers gave Bowman a "likability" rating of 58.2 out of 100, compared to Motkaluks score of 43.5. Motkaluk told reporters being "likeable" is not easy when youre finding fault with someone whose style and manner you totally oppose. "Recently, some Winnipeggers have felt that Im not very likable. I can appreciate why they might think that because its tough to be likable when you spend all your time talking about raw sewage in the river, and taxes, and smoke-and-mirror games and all the serious issues that are facing Winnipeggers," Motkaluk said. "Going forward, I sincerely hope people will get more of a chance to get to know me and to come to realize Im really likable, too." Bowman said he tried to be positive throughout the campaign, but added it is the voters who will decide the type of person they want to lead them as mayor. "While weve been mapping out a positive vision for building this city for the future, her campaign has been one that has been very negative and angry. Shes been pretty clear with her remarks that she is angry," Bowman said. "How you run a campaign is indicative of how you would govern if given the chance to serve." aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca Three weeks after Premier Brian Pallisters abrupt abandonment of a Manitoba-made carbon tax plan, Ottawa fired back with its plan on how the province will start paying the new environmental levy. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 23/10/2018 (1122 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Three weeks after Premier Brian Pallisters abrupt abandonment of a Manitoba-made carbon tax plan, Ottawa fired back with its plan on how the province will start paying the new environmental levy. Ottawa says the average Manitoba household will pay less in carbon taxes next year than it receives in federal rebates and the money will be paid out just months before next falls national election. Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick were the target of Tuesday's announcement provinces the feds had determined as not having adequate carbon tax plans. The federal government announced the cost of gasoline will rise by nearly five cents a litre in April. Heating fuels will also rise at that time. Because Manitoba's Progressive Conservative government abandoned its proposed carbon tax plan Oct. 3, Ottawa will institute its own plan for the province. Unlike provinces that have adopted the federal carbon pricing plan, the Manitoba government will not control how the tax revenues are used. Instead, beginning next year, rebates will be paid to individuals when they file their income tax. Under the federal program, the average Manitoba household will pay $232 in carbon taxes next year, but receive $336 in rebates. By 2022, under the escalating tax, the average household will pay $547 in carbon taxes, but receive $797 after filing their tax return, Ottawa estimates. THE CANADIAN PRESS/JOHN WOODS Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification: Ottawa "will not keep one cent" of the money it collects. That means households will receive roughly nine months of revenues from the carbon tax in mid-2019, despite only having paid the levy for a few of those months. The rebates will arrive before the October 2019 federal election. Trade Diversification Minister Jim Carr told a news conference in Winnipeg that Ottawa "will not keep one cent" of the money it collects. "Every dollar collected is going right back to Canadians," the MP for Winnipeg South Centre said. "Pollution shouldn't be free in this country. Nobody should be allowed to pump unlimited emissions into the air we all share without consequence. "To our opponents I say this: if you do not have plan for climate change then you do not have a plan for the economy and you do not have a plan for the future. While Conservative (provincial) governments are wasting time in court, we will be reducing pollution across the country now and sending the money we collect directly to you." Ontario and Saskatchewan have announced their intention to fight the carbon tax in court. Premier Brian Pallister said he hasn't ruled out a legal fight on the federally imposed carbon tax, and believes Manitoba stands a better chance of winning in court than other provinces. "(The federal carbon tax plan) seems to me a pretty stark example of a lack of understanding of the diversity of the country, that the federal government would propose to bomb Manitoba with the same carbon tax, when were green, that they would impose on Saskatchewan, which is based on a bed of oil and produces more carbon outputs than we do by quite a bit," he said Tuesday. Pallister said the federal government hasn't assured Manitoba it will receive all the intended share of its carbon tax revenue, beyond rebate cheques coming to taxpayers' pockets. Ottawa promised $60 million for "undefined programs" to green the province, Pallister said, but he's unclear when or how that money will flow. "As far as were concerned, we havent seen any plan from the federal government on which programs (it will pursue)," the premier said. In its announcement Tuesday, Ottawa said Manitobans living outside of the Winnipeg area will receive a 10 per cent higher rebate than urban residents, to compensate for higher energy use. As part of the carbon levy, Ottawa will implement a fuel charge starting in April that will add 4.42 cents per litre to gasoline. Natural gas for home heating will rise by 3.91 cents per cubic metre. Both rates will increase annually until 2022. The carbon tax is expected to generate $190 million in revenue from Manitoba in its first year, and $460 million by the fourth year. Ottawa says it will remit roughly seven per cent of the revenues to small businesses, and about three per cent to hospitals and schools. THE CANADIAN PRESS/JUSTIN TANG Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister says "we havent seen any plan from the federal government on which programs (it will pursue)." Loren Remillard, president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, decried the federal announcement as a "one-size-fits-all" solution that will penalize Manitoba business. He said the reason individual Manitobans will recoup more in rebates than they pay in carbon taxes is business will be subsidizing them. "Our biggest concern with carbon pricing was how it would position Manitoba companies vis-a-vis our main competitors, and (Tuesday's) announcement is not good news for business," Remillard said, adding "trade-exposed" industries will be particularly affected. "There's really nothing of any significance that will be coming back to business to... help them deal with reducing greenhouse gas emissions and... mitigate the impact to business in terms of its competitive position with the U.S." THE CANADIAN PRESS/NATHAN DENETTE Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to the media and students at Humber College regarding his government's new federally-imposed carbon tax in Toronto, Tuesday. The carbon tax wont apply to some forms of heavy industry, such as fertilizer and steel plants. Instead, these businesses will have the option of a cap-and-trade or carbon-credit system, which has low-efficiency plants paying for carbon quota from greener firms. Otherwise, theyll be rolled into a carbon tax, and Ottawa will use that revenue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Federal officials are still ironing out those plans. Speaking with reporters in Toronto, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau branded those who opposed his plan as political or economic opportunists. "Their long list of excuses won't cut it anymore," he said. The prime minister said provinces that reject a carbon tax "will have to answer difficult questions" from citizens about how to address the climate crisis. He did not cite Manitoba. Trudeau rejected claims he was buying votes by giving Canadians their carbon-tax rebates ahead of next fall's election before those revenues had been collected. "We will be giving upfront the money to people" so "people get support as we move forward into this transition," he said. That didnt convince federal federal Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, however. "Canadians wont be tricked by this; they know an election gimmick when they see one," he said. dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca larry,kusch@freepress.mb.ca jessica.botelho@freepress.mb.ca Dylan Robertson Parliamentary bureau chief In Ottawa, Dylan enjoys snooping through freedom-of-information requests and asking politicians: "What about Manitoba?" Read full biography The air was thick with the smell of burning asphalt and black clouds billowed through the sky above east Winnipeg Monday, after a serious chemical fire erupted and forced evacuations near the Rural Municipality of Springfield. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 23/10/2018 (1122 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The air was thick with the smell of burning asphalt and black clouds billowed through the sky above east Winnipeg Monday, after a serious chemical fire erupted and forced evacuations near the Rural Municipality of Springfield. Emergency crews from a handful of agencies blanketed the area in response to the fire, shutting down multiple roads and causing significant traffic snarls throughout the morning and afternoon. No one was injured in the blaze, and emergency crews lingered on scene into the night. The 911 call came into the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service at 10:05 a.m. The caller reported a large fire at Pounder Emulsions an asphalt plant and a division of Husky Energy Inc. located on Day Street between Gunn and Springfield roads. By the time the WFPS got the call, volunteer firefighters from the RM of Springfield were already on scene, but required help. Two dozen city fire trucks were dispatched, including the hazardous materials unit. Upon arrival, fire crews quickly realized the situation was volatile and dangerous. "There are approximately six large tanks of liquefied asphalt and diesel oil. The total capacity, were told, is in the vicinity of four million litres of product... Theres always a potential with these products for explosion," said Christian Schmidt, WFPS deputy chief. A command centre was set up, where representatives from responding agencies trickled in, exchanged information face-to-face and planned their respective responses. Alongside the two fire departments, members of the Winnipeg Police Service, Canadian Armed Forces, Office of the Fire Commissioner, Manitoba Sustainable Development, City of Winnipeg and local airport employees were dispatched to the scene to help. Within minutes of establishing a command centre, the fire department determined it was dealing with a sizable potential blast zone. Factoring in the chemicals involved, the heat of the fire, the temperature and the wind, it was decided an 800-metre evacuation zone was needed. "Thats basically the area that could have been exposed if those products were to have exploded," Schmidt said. Many of the businesses in the industrial park where the fire broke out were under a mandatory evacuation. Other places nearby, including a school and some homes in Transcona, were self-evacuated. Springfield Reeve Bob Bodnaruk lives roughly three kilometres from the site of the fire. He first noticed the smoke shortly after the blaze broke out. Bodnaruk told the Free Press he was informed a leak in one of the chemical tanks likely caused the fire. The WFPS, meanwhile, said an official cause has yet to be determined. Bodnaruk drove down to the scene shortly after he noticed the dark smoke filling the sky, but was stopped well short of the area by a blockade. He said he recognized wind patterns were working in everyones favour, effectively pushing the smoke out into a lightly-occupied area. The City of Winnipeg advised area residents to stay inside while the fire was burning, due to the toxicity of the smoke. Late in the afternoon, the fumes had thinned out and changed in colour from black to grey. The RM has plans to build a new fire hall in the area next year about a kilometre away from the site of Mondays incident. Schmidt said the fire was officially knocked down by 4:30 p.m., although crews remained on scene to monitor the situation. By 5:30 p.m. all city fire trucks had left the scene, and control was handed over to the RMs fire department. The traffic jams and gridlock caused by having multiple roads shut down was made worse when a vehicle rammed into a traffic light near the intersection of Lagimodiere Boulevard and Regent Avenue. ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @rk_thorpe Indigenous parents whove had their children apprehended by Child and Family Services have long raised concerns about child-welfare system involvement contributing to a loss of cultural identity for their kids and Manitobas highest court has now been called upon to consider the issue for the first time. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 23/10/2018 (1122 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Indigenous parents whove had their children apprehended by Child and Family Services have long raised concerns about child-welfare system involvement contributing to a loss of cultural identity for their kids and Manitobas highest court has now been called upon to consider the issue for the first time. As part of a mothers recent fight against a CFS agency being granted permanent guardianship of her five children, a panel of judges at Manitobas Court of Appeal had to decide whether the children would be better off in an Indigenous home with their mother or in their current non-Indigenous foster homes. The court ultimately dismissed the mothers appeal, ruling cultural concerns must come second to child protection. "While it would be ideal for all children in foster care to be placed in culturally compatible homes, judges must make decisions based on the evidence before them in each individual case. In this case, the trial judge found that the children would not be safe if returned to the mother," Justice Jennifer Pfuetzner wrote for the panel in the decision, released earlier this month. The mother, whose identity is protected along with the identities of her children, wanted her children to live with her in Pine River after she completed CFS programming, and offered to follow any conditions the court wanted to impose. She first came into contact with Dakota Ojibway Child and Family Services in 2013, when the agency learned shed moved to Winnipeg, didnt have stable housing and "lacked the resources necessary" to care for her young children. The children were ultimately taken into care in July 2015, after her two-year-old son was found wandering in the street wearing only a diaper. The mother consented to temporary guardianship orders but fought against the agencys permanent guardianship. The appeal courts decision "takes a lot of the wind out of" similar legal challenges about responsibilities within the child-welfare system to expose children to their culture, says lawyer Meredith Mitchell, who represented the childrens mother and practises in Legal Aid Manitobas child protection law office. "Unfortunately, in child-welfare litigation, the eyes are only on the parent; they are not on the system. Its very different from public policy, where in public policy and in a political sense, were looking at reducing the numbers of children in care, making the experiences of children in care more up to standard, but when youre in a courtroom, the gaze is not on the agency," she said. "And I think the difficult pill to swallow with this decision is now the Court of Appeal is affirming that really, this is a one-sided analysis, in that were not looking at the quality of care the agency is giving children. Were looking at risks of returning to a parent, period." In this case, the mother and her family were "deeply immersed" in their culture and wanted the same for the children, Mitchell said. The provincial Child and Family Services Act lists "the childs cultural, linguistic, racial and religious heritage" as one of the factors courts must consider when deciding the childs best interests -- but the childs safety comes first. "It is there, enshrined in the law. Unfortunately, it is simply just a principle. Its not something that is necessarily enforceable," Mitchell said. Cultural preservation was just one of several grounds of appeal Mitchell brought up on the mothers behalf, and it prompted the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs First Nations family advocate office to get involved in the case as an intervener, arguing the courts should think more seriously about culture when they think about childrens best interests, particularly since Indigenous children are over-represented in Manitobas child-welfare system. The appeal court described the over-representation of Indigenous children in child welfare as "disturbing, if not tragic," and said preservation of Indigenous culture is "vital" for children and their families, and that "it enriches our society as a whole." In the decision, Pfuetzner cited devolution of child-welfare services to Indigenous communities as an example that "progress toward reconciliation is being made." katie.may@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @thatkatiemay Wait times in Winnipeg's emergency departments and urgent-care clinics are down overall since April 2017, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority said Tuesday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 23/10/2018 (1121 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Wait times in Winnipeg's emergency departments and urgent-care clinics are down overall since April 2017, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority said Tuesday. The WRHA released data showing median wait times have dropped to 1.6 hours from two hours since the spring of 2017 when the Healing Our Health System transition plan was introduced. The average wait time last month was 1.5 hours. "We are certainly very pleased with the level of improvement we're seeing and the fact that we're continuing to see improvement over time. Wait times are something that fluctuate day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month so it's important that we are seeing and continue to see the downward trend towards the level we expect to see once we've made all the changes in the health system," Lori Lamont, the health authority's interim chief operating officer, told the Free Press. "It's not where we want to be just yet, but we are pleased to see that we are making progress in the right direction." Lamont said data shows wait times averaged two hours during the three years prior to the start of the health-system overhaul. Since then, only last winter's flu crush the worst since the H1N1 outbreak in 2009-10 raised wait times to those levels. The Healing Our Health System plan is to consolidate emergency services in three hospitals Grace, St. Boniface and Health Sciences Centre from the previous six and increase the urgent care centres to two from one. The former urgent care centre at Misericordia has has been closed. So far, the Victoria ER has been converted to an urgent care centre and the Seven Oaks ER is scheduled to transition to urgent care in September 2019. The ER at Concordia is scheduled to close next June. "By consolidating all of the services needed to support a fully functional emergency department in three places allow us to have more timely access to services," she said, She said a big part of reducing wait times is that access to diagnostic services and specialists has improved because they are no longer stretched across six ERs. "We expect to continue to see improvements as we complete the consolidation plan," Lamont said. "We will be able to, as we make changes at the three community hospitals, actually augment some of those specialized diagnostics services and hours of specialist consultation at the three acute-care hospitals going forward." She said the goal is for Winnipeg's wait times to meet the Canadian average, which is under 1.2 hours. The long-term data also shows the average length of stay in the ER for patients who've been admitted but are waiting for a bed has declined by more than three hours in the past 18 months, the WRHA said. That wait was down to 11.6 hours in 2017-18 from 14 hours in 2014-15, and has fallen to 10.5 hours in the current fiscal year, which began April 1. The report can be seen at http://www.wrha.mb.ca/wait-times/report.php. ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca The University of Winnipeg's downtown Duckworth Centre is the canvas for a massive mural of Daphne Odjig's iconic Thunderbird Woman. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 23/10/2018 (1121 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The University of Winnipeg's downtown Duckworth Centre is the canvas for a massive mural of Daphne Odjig's iconic Thunderbird Woman. The work of art was reproduced over the course of 56 days this fall by artists Mike Valcourt and Peatr Thomas for the Wall-to-Wall Mural and Cultural Festival. Thunderbird Woman was the final piece to be painted in the two-month-long event. The mural measures nearly 10 metres by eight metres. "The Thunderbird Woman represents a figure of transformation, half-woman and half-bird. It is an icon a symbolic message of hope and matriarchal strength," said Jaimie Issac, curator of Indigenous and contemporary art at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Issac guest curated the project with festival curators Synonym Art Consultation. Daphne Odjig created Thunderbird Woman in 1973, when she lived in Winnipeg. A founder of the Aboriginal Group of Seven (which included famed painter Norval Morrisseau), Odjig opened the first Indigenous-run gallery in Canada: the New Warehouse Gallery. It became the home for the "Indian Group of Seven/Professional Native Indian Arts Association," the formal name for the Aboriginal Group of Seven. Odjig, who died in 2016 at age 97, remains a celebrated Indigenous artist. Collectors and gallery curators alike consider her work as relevant today as ever, and often cite her as an example for the current resurgence of Indigenous artistic expression. In a statement, festival artists and organizers said they hoped the recreation of Odjig's Thunderbird Woman would deepen public appreciation of Indigenous art. They said they also want the mural to act as a symbol of strength as Winnipeg continues to evolve and face up to challenges posed by issues of social justice related to Indigenous people, especially those faced by Indigenous women and girls, and two-spirited people. alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca When election time rolls around, I really do my best to avoid repeating the lines from Simon and Garfunkels Mrs. Robinson in my head: Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 23/10/2018 (1122 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion When election time rolls around, I really do my best to avoid repeating the lines from Simon and Garfunkels Mrs. Robinson in my head: "Laugh about it, shout about it/When youve got to choose/Every way you look at it, you lose..." Politics of all kinds these days, not just the American variety, leave us wondering where the heroes have gone, why the leaders we have today seem so far removed from the ones we remember. When people reminisce with fondness about the arrogant disdain Pierre Trudeau had for mere mortals, or hail Jean Chretien as the "green" prime minister, or remember Stephen Harper for his humility, there is something seriously wrong with our political compass and with our moral compass as well as with our memory. Marvel Comics has touched a nerve in the last decade with all of its various superhero films. Our world does need heroes, of all sorts, but the ones we see in the news most frequently are the ones most lacking in leadership essentials. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on 1.5 degrees (Oct. 8), combined with Category 5 hurricane Michael hitting the Florida Panhandle as the worst ever recorded there, provided a fitting context for American economist William Nordhaus sharing the Nobel Prize in economics for his work on carbon tax and greenhouse-gas emission reduction. Flip to Manitoba the same week, and Premier Brian Pallister flops by cancelling his Made in Manitoba Climate and Green Plans carbon tax apparently to the surprise of his caucus, as well as the dismay of Manitobans of all political stripes. We now have no carbon tax, as well as no plan what to do with carbon tax revenues to reduce emissions if the federal government follows through on what it promised. The rest of that Green Plan will now probably be kicked to the curb, because Manitoba cant afford any of it without carbon tax revenue, but Pallister can still weakly claim that he tried. At least when Albertas Rachel Notley makes a hash of things, she does it with some literary flair. She pompously announced, "In Alberta, we ride horses, not unicorns," to a bunch of teachers who have already figured out that Albertans dont ride nearly enough horses to save the planet, as that province is Canadas largest emitter of greenhouse gases, mostly from fossil-fuel combustion. Ontarios Doug Ford, on the other hand, is crying into his now-more-expensive beer. Climate change will wreck barley production and drive up the price of what Ontario voters seemingly wanted more than a healthy future for their children. As another example of the fiscal responsibility we have come to expect from recent Conservative governments, Fords fit of pique in cancelling the cap-and-trade system and other green initiatives will cost Ontarians upwards of $3 billion and, for next generations, much more down the road. Throughout all of this political nonsense, Mother Nature just keeps on warming, ignoring our seriously misplaced sense of self-importance and leaving us to sow the seeds of our own doom. It doesnt have to be this way but that would mean finding leaders who really lead, on the issues that threaten the world as we know it. Sometimes I wonder if we are looking too high up the ladder. Perhaps we should be looking not for global heroes, but for local ones. Canadians are not alone in this predicament. Elsewhere, when national governments fail repeatedly to address the causes of global warming and climate change, regional governments are stepping up. U.S. President Donald Trumps administration has threatened to sue California and other states to stop their climate initiatives, essentially saying the federal government has the right to endanger their children, too. When regional governments also fail, local governments especially in cities are still stepping up to make a difference. More and more people live in cities, and in many ways the global effort to change course will be won or lost in the places where most people live. The mayor of Winnipeg (who is elected directly, unlike the premier) manages the lives of three-quarters of Manitobas population. City councillors are responsible for a very large budget, in a defined local area, where they have the authority to do some things differently, if they choose, regardless of what the province says. If the mayor and council (and the Manitoba Capital Region municipalities) decide to work together for a sustainable future, it would give everyone a place to contribute, right here where it matters most close to home however inadequate the provincial effort might be. On election day, get out and vote for some local heroes for people who want to make a real difference where they live, who will work for serious change and not just continue to do business as usual. Heroes? We need them. Peter Denton is an activist, writer and sustainability consultant. He chairs the policy committee of Manitobas Green Action Centre. The biggest problem for Canadas cannabis stores last week was keeping up with demand. Many retailers had been given only a fraction of what they ordered from their suppliers as legal trade in recreational cannabis started last Wednesday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 22/10/2018 (1122 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The biggest problem for Canadas cannabis stores last week was keeping up with demand. Many retailers had been given only a fraction of what they ordered from their suppliers as legal trade in recreational cannabis started last Wednesday. A few stores had to close after a day or two for lack of product. Most had long lines of eager customers outside their doors. Online services were figuratively run off their feet on the first day and had to hire more drivers. An estimated 400 people were in line to purchase cannabis at the Tweed retail store on Water Street, St. John's N.L. when it became legal after midnight on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. (Paul Daly / The Canadian Press files) Until last Wednesday, nobody really knew whether the official, licensed stores and online shopping services could draw customers away from the illegal dealers who have been serving the cannabis market for many years. The answer came in quickly: the customers love it. Stores are providing mid-range products at a competitive price point, but they also offer a wider range of products, better assurance of quality and a more agreeable shopping experience. Once they can line up a steady stream of fresh goods from their growers and distributors, licensed retailers will clearly dominate the market. Plenty of Canadians though never a majority in polls this year doubt the wisdom of legalizing cannabis. They will find their worst fears confirmed when the first traffic death happens with a driver high on legal weed or when, as must happen eventually, a worker turns up on a job site evidently stoned on government-approved pot. Steven Stairs, who camped out in a tent Tuesday evening, shows his excitement as he purchases his first order of legal cannabis in Winnipeg last Wednesday. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press) But as long as those are rare occurrences, Canadians will probably be willing to accept them as a regrettable consequence of freedom. The country has always lived with a certain amount of alcohol abuse and is likely to take a similar view of cannabis abuse. Politically, those lineups outside the pot shops vindicate the Liberal governments guess that Canada was ready to legalize. Sales at the licensed retailers were as strong as the lineups suggested they would be. A securities analyst estimated that the average shopper bought $80 or $90 worth of cannabis a little less in Atlantic Canada, a little more in Quebec and Alberta. On Day 1, Quebecs government-run cannabis retailer recorded more than 12,500 in-store transactions and 30,000 online orders far more than it was expecting. Nova Scotia reported $660,000 of sales on Day 1, tiny Prince Edward Island $152,000. The Alberta liquor and pot agency reported $730,000 in sales before the first day was half-over. Hundreds of people wait in line to purchase legal cannabis products outside a government cannabis store in Montreal Wednesday. (Graham Hughes / The Canadian Press files) In these circumstances, criminal gangs will presumably turn to other lines of merchandise opioids, firearms, sex trafficking. The government, wisely, never said it would put organized crime out of business, just that it hoped to put them out of the marijuana business. Legal, regulated employment in the newly legal cannabis industry has already massively expanded. Last weeks results suggest it may expand further. Meanwhile, the criminal gangs squeezed out of the cannabis trade will be looking for new opportunities. Whether Canada will, on balance, be a more law-abiding country is anyones guess. The country has at least brought the huge marijuana trade out of the shadows and into the formal, visible economy and the tax system. Successful legalization in Canada will have a powerful effect in other countries that have been debating what to do about cannabis. This country may live a fishbowl existence for a few years as U.S. and overseas delegations come to investigate the effects on our health, our economy, our courts and our mellow national mood. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 23/10/2018 (1122 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. As November approaches, I take time to reflect on the efforts of our troops; past, present, and future. As November approaches, I take time to reflect on the efforts of our troops; past, present, and future. This year, Remembrance Day is particularly special as it also marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. However, I would be remiss to forget about the important missions currently being pursued abroad. Having recently celebrated Ukraines independence among colleagues and constituents alike, I was reminded of the dedicated Canadian Armed Forces members currently stationed in Ukraine for Operation UNIFIER. Operation UNIFIER, led currently by Lt.-Col. Pierre Leroux, started in spring of 2015 with the deployment of about 200 CAF members to Ukraine. Canada has continued to send groups of about 200 CAF members to Ukraine every six months. Canada has acted as a support for development, security, democracy, humanitarian aid and military training through Operation UNIFIER. This is an integral part of Canadas plan to support the government of Ukraine to remain sovereign, secure and stable. As of Oct. 1, 2018 the CAF Joint Task Force-Ukraine had trained more than 8,760 Ukrainian soldiers. These efforts do not go unnoticed, particularly by our Ukrainian community in Winnipeg. On Sun., Oct. 14, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress - Manitoba Provincial Council hosted an appreciation event for personnel based in Manitoba who have served in Operation UNIFIER in Ukraine. This event had an expected attendance of 300 citizens and over 30 Canadian soldiers, one of which was Lt. Col. Kristopher Reeves, a former commander of Operation UNIFIER. As the MLA for Kildonan, it is a great pleasure of mine to recognize the importance of international efforts such as Operation UNIFIER. I cannot understate my appreciation for families and members of the Canadians Armed Forces and their important work at home and abroad. I am grateful to the many Ukrainian families who called the North End home long before Ukraine achieved its independence. The spirit of independence is alive amongst those protecting Ukraines sovereignty and those who contribute to the robust Ukrainian community in Winnipeg and around the world. I look forward to seeing our community awash with poppies this coming November. I encourage constituents to please take the time to attend a Remembrance Day ceremony at a local Legion. Engaged constituents are an important part of a healthy community and a better Kildonan. Please continue to reach out to my office at 210-1375 McPhillips St., call me at 204-339-7852 or e-mail me at nic@niccurry.com Shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF split on the morning of Monday, October 19th 2020. The 4-1 split was announced on Friday, September 18th 2020. The newly issued shares were payable to shareholders after the closing bell on Friday, October 16th 2020. An investor that had 100 shares of iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF stock prior to the split would have 400 shares after the split. 36 minutes ago Macy's, Kohl's post strong results heading into holidays NEW YORK (AP) Department store chains Macy's and Kohl's delivered strong results for the fiscal third quarter as shoppers go back to buying dresses and other goods that fell to the bottom of the shopping list when the pandemic struck. Macy's and Kohl's swung to a profit during the quarter as sales surged. Read Article Royal Bank of Canada operates as a diversified financial service company worldwide. The company's Personal & Commercial Banking segment offers checking and savings accounts, home equity financing, personal lending, private banking, indirect lending, mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, credit cards, and payment products and solutions; and lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer financing, trade products, and services to small and medium-sized commercial businesses. This segment offers financial products and services through branches, automated teller machines, and mobile sales network. Its Wealth Management segment provides a suite of advice-based solutions and strategies to high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, and institutional clients. The company's Insurance segment offers life, health, home, auto, travel, wealth, annuities, and reinsurance advice and solutions; and creditor and business insurance services to individual, business, and group clients through its field sales force, advice centers, and online, as well as through independent insurance advisors and affinity relationships. Its Investor & Treasury Services segment provides asset, cash management, transaction banking, and treasury services to institutional clients; correspondent banking and trade finance services for financial institutions; and short-term funding and liquidity management services. The company's Capital Markets segment offers corporate and investment banking, as well as equity and debt origination, distribution, sale, and trading services for corporations, institutional investors, asset managers, governments, and central banks. Royal Bank of Canada has a strategic partnership with Royal College Of Physicians & Surgeons Of Canada to support the needs of Canada's medical specialists. The company was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF's stock was trading at $22.75 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, SCHE stock has increased by 36.7% and is now trading at $31.09. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at [email protected] | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. 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Ltd., AMP Limited Partnership, ARA Catering and Vending Services Limited, ARA Coffee Club Limited, ARA Coffee System Limited, ARA Food Services Limited, ARA Marketing Services Limited, ARA Offshore Services Limited, ARAMONT Company Ltd., Active Industrial Unif, Alcatraz Hospitality, AmeriPride Services, American Snack & Beverage LLC, Aramark (BVI) Limited, Aramark Airport Services Limited, Aramark American Food Services LLC, Aramark Asia Management LLC, Aramark Aviation Services Limited Partnership, Aramark B.V., Aramark Beverages Limited, Aramark Business & Industry LLC, Aramark Business Center LLC, Aramark Business Dining Services of Texas LLC, Aramark Business Facilities LLC, Aramark CCT Trustees Limited, Aramark Campus LLC, Aramark Canada Ltd., Aramark Canadian Investments Inc., Aramark Capital Asset Services LLC, Aramark Catering Limited, Aramark China Dining Services (Shanghai) Limited, Aramark China Holdings Limited, Aramark Chugach Alaska Services LLC, Aramark Cleaning S.A., Aramark Cleanroom Services (Puerto Rico) Inc., Aramark Cleanroom Services LLC, Aramark Co. Ltd., Aramark Colombia SAS, Aramark Concessions Services Joint Venture, Aramark Confection LLC, Aramark Construction Services Inc., Aramark Construction and Energy Services LLC, Aramark Consumer Discount Company, Aramark Correctional Services LLC, Aramark Defence Services Limited, Aramark Denmark ApS, Aramark Distribution Services Inc., Aramark Educational Group LLC, Aramark Educational Services LLC, Aramark Educational Services of Texas LLC, Aramark Educational Services of Vermont Inc., Aramark Entertainment LLC, Aramark Entertainment Services (Canada) Inc., Aramark Executive Management Services USA Inc., Aramark FHC Business Services LLC, Aramark FHC Campus Services LLC, Aramark FHC Correctional Services LLC, Aramark FHC Healthcare Support Services LLC, Aramark FHC Kansas Inc., Aramark FHC LLC, Aramark FHC Refreshment Services LLC, Aramark FHC School Support Services LLC, Aramark FHC Services LLC, Aramark FHC Sports and Entertainment Services LLC, Aramark FSM LLC, Aramark Facility Services LLC, Aramark Food Service LLC, Aramark Food Service of Texas LLC, Aramark Food and Support Services Group Inc., Aramark Global Group S.a.r.l., Aramark Global Inc., Aramark GmbH, Aramark Gulf Limited, Aramark Gulf Limited Catering Services LLC, Aramark Healthcare Support Services LLC, Aramark Healthcare Support Services of the Virgin Islands Inc., Aramark Healthcare Technologies LLC, Aramark Holding Deutschland GmbH, Aramark Holdings GmbH & Co. KG, Aramark Holdings Ltd., Aramark Industrial Services LLC, Aramark Intermediate HoldCo Corporation, Aramark International Finance S.a.r.l., Aramark International Holdings S.a.r.l., Aramark Inversiones Latinoamericanas Limitada, Aramark Investments Limited, Aramark Ireland Holdings Limited, Aramark Japan Holdings Limited, Aramark Japan LLC, Aramark KSA LLC, Aramark Kazakhstan Ltd., Aramark Lakewood Associates, Aramark Limited, Aramark Management GmbH, Aramark Management LLC, Aramark Management Services Limited Partnership, Aramark Manning Services UK Limited, Aramark Mexico Group, Aramark Mexico S.A. de C.V., Aramark Monclova Manufacturing de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Aramark Monclova Support S.A.de C.V., Aramark Norway SA, Aramark Organizational Services LLC, Aramark Partnership Limited, Aramark Personnel Services, Aramark Peru S.A.C., Aramark Peru Servicios de Intermediacion SRL, Aramark Processing LLC, Aramark Property Services Limited, Aramark Qualified Opportunity Fund, Aramark Quebec Inc., Aramark RBI Inc., Aramark Rail Services LLC, Aramark Receivables LLC, Aramark Refreshment Group, Aramark Refreshment Services LLC, Aramark Refreshment Services of Tampa LLC, Aramark Regional Treasury Europe DAC, Aramark Remote Workplace Services Ltd., Aramark Restaurations GmbH, Aramark S&E/QCF Joint Venture, Aramark S.A., Aramark S.A. de C.V., Aramark S.R.O., Aramark SARL, Aramark SCM Inc., Aramark SM Management Services Inc., Aramark SMMS LLC, Aramark SMMS Real Estate LLC, Aramark School Catering Facility Ltd., Aramark Schools Facilities LLC, Aramark Schools LLC, Aramark Senior Living Services LLC, Aramark Senior Notes Company LLC, Aramark Service Industries (China) Co. Ltd., Aramark Services Inc., Aramark Services SA, Aramark Services of Kansas Inc., Aramark Services of Puerto Rico Inc., Aramark Servicios Industriales S. de R.L. de C.V., Aramark Servicios Integrales S.A., Aramark Servicios Mineros y Remotos Limitada, Aramark Servicios SRL, Aramark Servicios de Catering S.L., Aramark Servicos Alimenticos e Participacoes Ltda., Aramark Sports Facilities LLC, Aramark Sports LLC, Aramark Sports and Entertainment Group LLC, Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services LLC, Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services of Texas LLC, Aramark Sub Investments Limited, Aramark Technical Services North Carolina Inc., Aramark Togwotee LLC, Aramark Trademark Services, Aramark Trustees Limited, Aramark U.S. Offshore Services LLC, Aramark Uniform & Career Apparel Group Inc., Aramark Uniform & Career Apparel LLC, Aramark Uniform Holding de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Aramark Uniform Manufacturing Company, Aramark Uniform Services (Canada) Ltd., Aramark Uniform Services (Matchpoint) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services (Rochester) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services (Supply Chain), Aramark Uniform Services (Syracuse) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services (Texas) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services (West Adams) LLC, Aramark Uniform Services Japan Corporation, Aramark Venue Services Inc., Aramark WTC LLC, Aramark Workplace Solutions (UK) Ltd., Aramark Workplace Solutions Yonetim Hizmetleri Limited Sirketi, Aramark Worldwide Investments Limited, Aramark-Clarksville Club, Aramark-FINCO of Texas LLC, Aramark-Gourmet DPS LLC, Aramark-KWAME of St. Louis LLC, Aramark-SFS Healthcare J.V. L.L.C., Aramark/Dasko Restaurant and Catering Services S.A., Aramark/GM Concessions Joint Venture, Aramark/Giacometti Joint Venture, Aramark/Globetrotters LLC, Aramark/Gourmet HE-1 LLC, Aramark/Gourmet HE-2 LLC, Aramark/HF Company, Aramark/HMS LLC, Aramark/Hart Lyman Entertainment LLC, Aramark/Martin's Stadium Concession Services OPACY Joint Venture, Aramark/QHC LLC, Aramark/SFS Joint Venture, Avendra, Avendra Canada Inc., Avendra Gaming, Avendra Replenishment, Avoca, Avoca Handweavers Designs Limited, Avoca Handweavers Limited, Avoca Handweavers NI Limited, Avoca Handweavers Shops Limited, Avoca Handweavers UK Limited, Beijing Golden Collar Dining Ltd., Boompjes Hotel BV, Brand Coffee Service Inc., BuyEfficient, CDR Mantenimiento Integral S.A., Campbell Catering (Belfast) Ltd., Campbell Catering (N.I.) Ltd., Campbell Catering Holdings Limited, Campbell Catering Limited, Campbell Catering Ltd., Campbell Catering Services, Canadian Linen and Uniform Service Co., Canyonlands Rafting Hospitality LLC, Catering Alliance Limited, Caterwise Food Services Limited, Central Multiservicios S.R.L., Central de Abastecimiento Limitada, Central de Restaurantes Aramark Limitada, Central de Restaurantes Aramark Multiservicios Limitada, Central de Restaurantes S.R.L., Centrapal S.R.L., Centro de Innovacion y Servicio S.A., Cliff House Hospitality, Comertel Educa SLU, Comertel Residencia SLU, Comertel SA, Complete Purchasing Services Inc., Corporate Coffee Systems LLC, Crater Lake Hospitality, D.G. Maren II Inc., Delicious on West Street LLC, Delsac VIII Inc., Distributor JV Limited, Dongguan Best Property Management Co., Doyon/Aramark Denali National Park Concessions Joint Venture, Effective Partnerships Limited, Filterfresh Coffee Service, Filterfresh Coffee Service LLC, Filterfresh Franchise Group LLC, Fine Host Holdings LLC, Food JV Limited, Freedom Ferry Services, GTB Gastro Team Bremen GmbH, Gestion de Alimentacion y Limpieza Colectivadades SLU, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Concessions LLC, Glen Canyon Rafting Hospitality, Glenrye Properties Services Limited, Golden Collar, Good Uncle Services, Gourmet Aramark Services LLC, Guaranty Energy Group 1981, HPSI Purchasing Services LLC, Harrison Conference Associates LLC, Harrison Conference Services of North Carolina LLC, Harry M. Stevens Inc. of New Jersey, Harry M. Stevens Inc. of Penn., Harry M. Stevens LLC, Hunters Catering Partnership Limited, Institutional Processing Services, Instituto ICS S.A., Inversiones Aramark Chile Limitada, Inversiones Centralcorp Limitada, Inversiones Palm Limitada, Inversiones en Aseo y Mantenimiento S.A, Irish Estates (Facilities Management) Limited, L&N Uniform Supply LLC, Lake Tahoe Cruises LLC, Landy Textile Rental Services LLC, Lifeworks Restaurant Group LLC, Lotus Facilities Management, MESA, Masterplan, Medical Equipment Solutions & Applications Sagl (MESA), Mill Mount Weavers Limited, Muir Woods Hospitality, MyAssistant Inc., New Aramark LLC, Nissho Linen, North Rim Hospitality, Old Time Coffee Co., Olympic Peninsula Hospitality LLC, Orange Support Services Limited, Overall Laundry Services Inc., Paradise Hornblower LLC, Pelican Procurement Services Limited, Philadelphia Ballpark Concessions Joint Venture, Prem Hospitality Limited, Premgroup Franchise Services Limited, Premier Management Company (Dublin) Limited, Premier Partnership (Catering) Limited, Quebec Linge Co., ReMedPar, Restaura Inc., Rocky Mountain Hospitality LLC, Rushmore Hospitality LLC, SeamlessWeb, Seguricorp Servicios S.A., South Rim Hospitality LLC, Spokesoft Technologies Limited, Stuart Cabeldu Catering Limited, Sun Office Service Inc., Tarrant County Concessions LLC, The Aramark Foundation, The Original Food Company Limited, Travel Systems LLC, Trinity Hospitality Services GmbH, Trinity Hospitality Services SARL, Trinity Purchasing N.V., Vector Environmental Services Limited, Vector Workplace and Facility Management Limited, Veris Plc, Veris Property Management Limited, Veris UK Limited, WearGuard, Wilderness River Adventures, and Yosemite Hospitality LLC. 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 The following companies are subsidiares of Laboratory Co. of America: 1957285 Ontario Inc. dba Quality Underwriting Services, 2089729 Ontario Inc., 2248848 Ontario Inc., 3065619 Nova Scotia Company, 3257959 Nova Scotia Company, 896988 Ontario Limited, 9279-3280 Quebec Inc., Accupath Diagnostic Laboratories Inc., Alpha Medical Laboratory LLC, Assets of Pathology Inc, Beacon LBS IPA Inc., Beacon Laboratory Benefit Solutions Inc., CannAmm GP Inc., CannAmm Limited Partnership, Center for Disease Detection International, Center for Disease Detection LLC, Centrex Clinical Laboratories Inc., Chiltern, Clearstone Central Laboratories (U.S.) Inc., Clearstone Holdings (International) Ltd., Clipper Holdings Inc., Colorado Coagulation Consultants Inc., Colorado Laboratory Services LLC, Correlagen Diagnostics Inc., Covance Inc., Curalab Inc., Cytometry Associates Inc., Czura Thornton (Hong Kong) Limited, DCL Acquisition Inc., DCL Medical Laboratories LLC (DE), DCL Medical Laboratories LLC (FL), DCL Sub LLC, DIANON Systems Inc., DL Holdings Limited Partnership, Decision Diagnostics L.L.C. (aka DaVinici/Medicorp LLC), Diagnostic Services Inc., DynaLifeDX, Dynacare - Gamma Laboratory Partnership, Dynacare Company, Dynacare G.P. Inc., Dynacare Holdco LLC, Dynacare Laboratories Inc., Dynacare Laboratories Limited Partnership, Dynacare Northwest Inc., Dynacare Realty Inc., DynalifeDX Infrastructure Inc., Endocrine Sciences Inc., Esoterix Genetic Counseling LLC, Esoterix Genetic Laboratories LLC, Esoterix Inc., Execmed Health Services Inc., FirstSource Laboratory Solutions Inc., GDML Medical Laboratories Inc, Gamma Dynacare Central Medical Laboratories GP Inc., Gamma Dynacare Central Medical Laboratory Limited Partnership, HHLA Lab-In-An-Envelope LLC, Health Trans Services Inc., Home Healthcare Laboratory of America LLC, IDX Pathology Inc., Impact Genetics Corp, Impact Genetics Inc., Kaleida LabCorp LLC, Lab Delivery Service of New York City Inc., LabCorp BVBA, LabCorp Belgium Holdings Inc., LabCorp Central Laboratories (Canada) Inc., LabCorp Central Laboratories (China) Inc., LabCorp Central Laboratories (Singapore) Pte., LabCorp Development Company, LabCorp Employer Services Inc., LabCorp Health System Diagnostics LLC, LabCorp Indiana Inc., LabCorp Japan G.K., LabCorp Limited, LabCorp Michigan Inc., LabCorp Nebraska Inc., LabCorp Neon Ltd., LabCorp Neon Switzerland S.a.r.l., LabCorp Specialty Testing Billing Service Inc., LabCorp Specialty Testing Group Inc., LabCorp Staffing Solutions Inc., LabCorp Tennessee LLC, LabCorp UK Holdings Ltd., LabWest Inc., Laboratoire Bio-Medic Inc., Laboratory Corporation of America, Lifecodes Corporation, LipoScience Inc., Litholink Corporation, MEDTOX Scientific Inc., MNG Laboratories, Medical Neurogenitics LLC, Medtox Diagnostics Inc., Medtox Laboratories Inc., Monogram Biosciences Inc., Monogram Biosciences UK Limited, Myriad Autoimmunes Vectra Testing Business, NWT Inc., National Genetics Institute, New Brighton Business Center LLC, New Imaging Diagnostics LLC, New Molecular Diagnostics Ventures LLC, Orchid Cellmark Ltd., Orchid Cellmark ULC, PA Labs Inc., Path Lab Incorporated, Pathology Associates Medical Lab LLC, Pee Dee Pathology Associates Inc., Persys Technology Inc., Pixel by LabCorp, Princeton Diagnostic Laboratories of America Inc., Protedyne Corporation, ReliaGene Technologies Inc., SW/DL LLC, Saint Josephs-PAML LLC, Sequenom Biosciences (India) Pvt. Ltd., Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine LLC, Sequenom Inc, Sequenom Inc., Southern Idaho Regional Laboratory, Tandem Labs Inc., The LabCorp Charitable Foundation, Tri-Cities Laboratory LLC, Viro-Med Laboratories Inc., Visiun, and Yakima Medical Arts Inc.. Deutsche BArse AG operates as an exchange organization in Europe, the United States, and the Asia-Pacific. The company operates through seven segments: Eurex (Financial Derivatives), EEX (Commodities), 360T (Foreign Exchange), Xetra (Cash Equities), Clearstream (Post-Trading), IFS (Investment Fund Services), and Qontigo (index and analytics business). The company engages in the electronic trading of derivatives, electricity and gas products, emission rights, and foreign exchange; operating of Eurex Repo over the counter (OTC) trading platform and electronic clearing architecture; and operating as a central counterparty for on-and-off exchange derivatives, repo transactions, and OTC and exchange-traded derivatives. It also operates in the cash market through Xetra, BArse Frankfurt, and Tradegate trading venues; operates as a central counterparty for equities and bonds; and provides listing services. In addition, the company offers custody and settlement services for securities; investment fund services; global securities financing services; and global securities finance and collateral management, as well as secured money, market transaction, and repos and securities lending transaction services. Further, it develops and markets indices, as well as portfolio management and risk analysis software; markets licenses for trading and market signals; provides technology and reporting solutions for external customers; and offers link-up of trading participants. Deutsche BArse AG was founded in 1585 and is headquartered in Eschborn, Germany. Read More There is not enough analysis data for BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust. 4.1 Community Rank Outperform Votes BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust has received 262 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust has received 155 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust has received 62.83% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe BOE will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe BOE will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next There is not enough analysis data for BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust. 4.0 Community Rank Outperform Votes BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust has received 119 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust has received 77 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust has received 60.71% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about BlackRock Taxable Municipal Bond Trust and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe BBN will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe BBN 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 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 Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen Coding GmbH, Allen France SAS, Alpine Automation Limited, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Holdings Inc., Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, Arylux Hungary Elektromechanikus Alkatreszgyarto Kft, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix (Suzhou) Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Holdings Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel (Ireland) Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Brooks Instrument LLC, Buell Industries Inc., CAPMAX Logistica S.A. de C.V., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS (Australia) Pty Limited, CS (Finance) Europe S.a.r.l., CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, CSMTS LLC, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures (Australasia) S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Coeur, Coeur (Shanghai) Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Dorbyl U.K. (Holdings) Limited, Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO (Holding) AG, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elga Skandinavian AS, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, FEG Investments L.L.C., Fasver, Filtertek, Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech (Taicang) Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart (Japan) K.K., Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart Foster Belgium, Hobart International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW (China) Investment Company Limited, ITW (Deutschland) GmbH, ITW (EU) Holdings Ltd., ITW (European) Finance Co. Ltd., ITW (European) Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW (European) Finance III Co. Ltd., ITW (Ningbo) Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Alpha Sarl, ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components (Chongqing) Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components (Langfang) Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium, ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS (UK) Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Contamination Control (Wujiang) Co. Ltd., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Delta Sarl, ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EAE B.V., ITW EAE Mexico S de RL de CV, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.A., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Finance Designated Activity Company, ITW Finance Europe S.A., ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW France Finance Alpha S.A.S., ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments II Inc., ITW Global Investments Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics (Thailand) Ltd., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Italy S.R.L. in liquidazione, ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France (Luxembourg) S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings UK, ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Holdings X Limited, ITW Holdings XI Limited, ITW Hungary Finance Beta Kft, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Finance Srl, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lombard Holdings Inc., ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW M FILMS II LLC, ITW MH LLC, ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd., ITW Metal Fasteners S.L., ITW Mexico Holding Company S. De R.L. de C.V., ITW Mexico Holdings LLC, ITW Morlock GmbH, ITW Mortgage Investments II Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments III Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments IV Inc., ITW Netherlands Administration BV, ITW Netherlands Beta B.V., ITW Netherlands Finance Alpha BV, ITW New Universal LLC, ITW New Zealand, ITW Novadan Sp. Z.o.o., ITW PPF Brasil Adesivos Ltda., ITW Packaging Technology (China) Co. Ltd., ITW Participations S.a r.l., ITW Pension Funds Trustee Company, ITW Performance Plastic (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Japan Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Korea Limited, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids OOO, ITW Performance Polymers (Wujiang) Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers ApS, ITW Performance Polymers and Fluids Group FZE, ITW Peru S.A.C., ITW Philippines Holdings LLC, ITW Poly Mex S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Polymers Sealants North America Inc., ITW Pronovia s.r.o., ITW Pte. Ltd., ITW Qufu Automotive Cooling Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Real Estate Germany GmbH, ITW Residuals III L.L.C., ITW Residuals IV L.L.C., ITW Rivex, ITW SMPI, ITW SPG Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Simco-Ion (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., ITW Slovakia s.r.o., ITW Spain Holdings S.L., ITW Specialty Film LLC, ITW Specialty Films France, ITW Specialty Materials (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., ITW Spraytec, ITW Sverige AB, ITW Sweden Holding AB, ITW Test & Measurement Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, ITW Test and Measurement Italia Srl, ITW Test and Measurement Services Industry and Trade Ltd., ITW Texwipe Philippines Inc., ITW Thermal Films (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ITW UK, ITW UK Finance Beta Limited, ITW UK Finance Delta Limited, ITW UK Finance Gamma Limited, ITW UK Finance Limited, ITW UK Finance Zeta Ltd., ITW UK II Limited, ITW Universal II LLC, ITW Welding, ITW Welding AB, ITW Welding GmbH, ITW Welding Products B.V., ITW Welding Products Group FZE, ITW Welding Products Group S. DE R.L. De C.V., ITW Welding Products Italy Srl, ITW Welding Products Limited Liability Company, ITW Welding Produtos Para Solgdagem Ltda., ITW Welding Servicios Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Welding Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW de France, ITW do Brasil Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Ideal Molding Technologies LLC, Illinois Tool Works (Chile) Limitada, Illinois Tool Works (ITW) Nederland B.V., Illinois Tool Works Norway AS, Impar Comercio E Representacoes Ltda., Industrie Plastic Elsasser GmbH, Inmobiliaria Cit. S.A. de C.F., Innova Temperlite Servicios S.A. de C.V., Innovacion y Transformacion Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Instron (Shanghai) Ltd., Instron (Thailand) Limited, Instron Brasil Equipamentos Cientificos Ltda., Instron Foreign Sales Corp. Limited, Instron France S.A.S., Instron GmbH, Instron Holdings Limited, Instron International Limited, Instron Japan Company Ltd., Instron Korea LLC, International Leasing Company LLC, International Truss Systems Proprietary Limited, Isolenge - ITW Sistemas de Isolamento Termico Ltda., KCPL Mauritius Holdings, Kester, Kester Components (M) Sdn. Bhd., Kleinmann GmbH, Krafft S.L., Loma Systems, Loma Systems (Canada) Inc., Loma Systems BV, Loma Systems sro, Lombard Pressings Limited, Lumex Inc., Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z.o.o., M&C Specialties (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., M&C Specialties Co., MAGNAFLUX GmbH, MEHB Holdings Limited, MGHG Property LLC, MOA Enterprises Inc, Manufacturing Avancee S.A., Meritex Technology (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Meurer Verpackungssysteme GmbH, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Miller Insurance Ltd., NDT Holding LLC, NOVADAN APS, Norden Olje AB, North Star Imaging Europe, North Star Imaging Inc., Nova Chimica S.r.l., Orbitalum Tools GmbH, PENTA-91 OOO, PR. A. I. Srl, PT ITW Construction Products Indonesia, Pacific Concept Industries Limited (Enping), Panreac Quimica S.L., Paslode Fasteners (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Peerless Machinery Corp., Penta Dnepr LLC, Penta Sever OOO, Penta Volga OOO, Polyrey, Premark FEG L.L.C., Premark HII Holdings LLC, Premark International, Premark International LLC, Prolex Sociedad Anonima, QSA Global Inc., Quimica Industrial Mediterranea S.L., Ramset Fasteners (Hong Kong) Ltd., Rapid Cook LLC, Refrigeration France, S.E.E. Sistemas Industria E Comercio Ltda., ST Mexico Holdings LLC, Sealant Systems International Inc., Sentinel Asia Yuhan Hoesa, Shanghai ITW Plastic & Metal Co. Ltd, Simco (Nederland) B.V., Simco Japan Inc., Societe de Prospection et dInventions Techniques SPIT, Speedline Holdings I Inc., Speedline Holdings I LLC, Speedline Technologies GmbH, Speedline Technologies Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Speedline Technologies Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Stokvis Celix Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Stokvis Danmark ApS, Stokvis Holdings S.A.R.L., Stokvis Promi s.r.o, Stokvis Prostick Tapes Private Limited, Stokvis Tapes (Hong Kong) Co. Limited, Stokvis Tapes (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes (Taiwan) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes BVBA, Stokvis Tapes Benelux B.V., Stokvis Tapes Deutschland GmbH, Stokvis Tapes France, Stokvis Tapes Italia s.r.l., Stokvis Tapes Limited, Stokvis Tapes Limited Liability Company, Stokvis Tapes Norge AS, Stokvis Tapes Oy, Stokvis Tapes Polska Sp Z.O.O., Stokvis Tapes Sverige AB, Stolvis Holdings II S.A.R.L., Technopack Industria Comercio Consultoria e Representacoes Ltda., Teknek (China) Limited, Teknek (Japan) Limited, Teksaleco Ltd., The Miller Group Ltd, Thirode Grandes Cuisines Poligny, Tien Tai Electrode (Kunshan) Co. Ltd., Tien Tai Electrode Co. Ltd., Unichemicals Industria e Comercio Ltda., VR-Leasing Sarita GmbH & Co. Immobilien KG, VS European Holdco BV, Valeron Strength Films B.V.B.A., Veneta Decalcogomme S.r.l., Versachem Chile S.A., Vesta, Vesta (Guangzhou) Catering Equipment Co. Ltd, Vesta Global Limited, Viltronics Soltec, Vitronics Soltec B.V., Wachs Canada Ltd., Wachs Subsea LLC, Weigh-Tronix Canada ULC, Weigh-Tronix UK Limited, Wilsonart International Holdings LLC, Wynn Oil (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd., Wynn's Automotive France, Wynn's Belgium BVBA, Wynn's Italia Srl, Wynn's Mekuba India Pvt Ltd, ZF TRW (Engineered Fasteners and Components), and Zip-Pak International B.V.. There is not enough analysis data for Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund. 4.1 Community Rank Outperform Votes Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund has received 179 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund has received 111 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund has received 61.72% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Kayne Anderson Energy Infrastructure Fund and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe KYN will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe KYN will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next The following companies are subsidiares of CVS Health: @Credentials Inc., ACS ACQCO CORP., ADMINCO Inc., AE Fourteen Incorporated, AHP Holdings Inc., AMC - Tennessee LLC, APS Acquisition LLC, ASCO HealthCare LLC, ASI Wings LLC, AUSHC Holdings Inc., Accendo Insurance Company, Accordant Health Services L.L.C., Active Health Management Inc., Administrative Enterprises Inc., AdvancePCS SpecialtyRx LLC, AdvanceRx.com L.L.C., Advanced Care Scripts Inc., Aetna, Aetna (Beijing) Enterprise Management Services Co. Ltd., Aetna (Shanghai) Enterprise Services Co. Ltd., Aetna ACO Holdings Inc., Aetna Asset Advisors LLC, Aetna Behavioral Health LLC, Aetna Better Health Inc., Aetna Better Health Inc., Aetna Better Health of California Inc., Aetna Better Health of Florida Inc., Aetna Better Health of Kansas Inc., Aetna Better Health of Michigan Inc., Aetna Better Health of Missouri LLC, Aetna Better Health of Nevada Inc., Aetna Better Health of North Carolina Inc., Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma Inc., Aetna Better Health of Texas Inc., Aetna Better Health of Washington Inc., Aetna Capital Management LLC, Aetna Card Solutions LLC, Aetna Corporate Services LLC, Aetna Dental Inc., Aetna Dental of California Inc., Aetna Financial Holdings LLC, Aetna Florida Inc., Aetna Global Benefits (Asia Pacific) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Bahamas) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Bermuda) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Europe) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Middle East) LLC, Aetna Global Benefits (Singapore) PTE. LTD., Aetna Global Benefits (UK) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits Limited (DIFC UAE), Aetna Global Holdings Limited, Aetna Health Holdings LLC, Aetna Health Inc., Aetna Health Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Aetna Health Insurance Company, Aetna Health Insurance Company of Europe DAC, Aetna Health Management LLC, Aetna Health and Life Insurance Company, Aetna Health of California Inc., Aetna Health of Iowa Inc., Aetna Health of Michigan Inc., Aetna Health of Ohio Inc., Aetna Health of Utah Inc., Aetna HealthAssurance Pennsylvania Inc., Aetna Holdco (UK) Limited, Aetna Holdings (Thailand) Limited, Aetna Inc., Aetna Insurance (Hong Kong) Limite, Aetna Insurance (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Aetna Insurance Company Limited, Aetna Integrated Informatics Inc., Aetna International Inc., Aetna Ireland Inc., Aetna Korea Ltd., Aetna Life & Casualty (Bermuda) Ltd., Aetna Life Assignment Company, Aetna Life Insurance Company, Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC, Aetna Multi-Strategy 1099 Fund LLC, Aetna Network Services LLC, Aetna Partners Diversified Fund LLC, Aetna Pharmacy Management Services LLC, Aetna Resources LLC, Aetna Risk Assurance Company of Connecticut Inc., Aetna Rx Home Delivery LLC, Aetna Services (Thailand) Limited, Aetna Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Aetna Student Health Agency Inc., Aetna Ventures LLC, Aetna Workers Comp Access LLC, Alabama CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Alaska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, American Continental Insurance Company, American Drug Stores Delaware L.L.C., American Health Holding Inc., Arbor Drugs, Arizona CVS Stores L.L.C., Arkansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Badger Acquisition LLC, Badger Acquisition of Kentucky LLC, Badger Acquisition of Minnesota LLC, Badger Acquisition of Ohio LLC, Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Company, Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Banner Health and Aetna Health Plan Inc., Beauty Holdings L.L.C., Best Care LTC Acquisition Company LLC, Busse CVS L.L.C., CCI Foreign S.a R.L. (R.C.S. Luxembourg), CCRx Holdings LLC, CCRx of North Carolina LLC, CHP Acquisition LLC, CP Acquisition LLC, CVS 2948 Henderson L.L.C., CVS 3268 Gilbert L.L.C., CVS 3745 Peoria L.L.C., CVS AL Distribution L.L.C., CVS AOC Corporation, CVS AOC Services L.L.C., CVS Albany L.L.C., CVS Bellmore Avenue L.L.C., CVS Care Concierge LLC, CVS Caremark Advanced Technology Pharmacy L.L.C., CVS Caremark Indemnity Ltd., CVS Caremark Part D Services L.L.C., CVS Caremark TN SUTA LLC, CVS Foreign Inc., CVS Gilbert 3272 L.L.C., CVS Health Solutions LLC, CVS Indiana L.L.C., CVS International L.L.C., CVS Kidney Care Advanced Technologies LLC, CVS Kidney Care Health Services LLC, CVS Kidney Care Home Dialysis LLC, CVS Kidney Care LLC, CVS Manchester NH L.L.C., CVS Media Exchange LLC, CVS Michigan L.L.C., CVS Orlando FL Distribution L.L.C., CVS PA Distribution L.L.C., CVS PR Center Inc., CVS Pharmacy Inc., CVS RS Arizona L.L.C., CVS Rx Services Inc., CVS SC Distribution L.L.C., CVS State Capital L.L.C., CVS TN Distribution L.L.C., CVS Transportation L.L.C., CVS Vero FL Distribution L.L.C., Campos Medical Pharmacy LLC, Canal Place LLC, Care Pharmaceutical Services LP, CareCenter Pharmacy L.L.C., Carefree Insurance Services Inc., Caremark Arizona Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Arizona Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark California Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Florida Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Florida Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Hawaii Mail Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Hawaii Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark IPA L.L.C., Caremark Illinois Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Illinois Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Irving Resource Center LLC, Caremark Kansas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark L.L.C., Caremark Logistics LLC, Caremark Louisiana Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Maryland Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Massachusetts Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Michigan Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Minnesota Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark New Jersey Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark North Carolina Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ohio Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Pennsylvania Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark PhC L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Redlands Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Repack LLC, Caremark Rx L.L.C., Caremark Tennessee Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ulysses Holding Corp., Caremark Washington Specialty Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Alabama Mail Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Health L.L.C., CaremarkPCS L.L.C., Central Rx Services LLC, Claims Administration Corp., Cofinity Inc., Compscript LLC, Connecticut CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Continental Life Insurance Company of Brentwood Tennessee, Continuing Care Rx LLC, Coram Alternate Site Services Inc., Coram Clinical Trials Inc., Coram Healthcare Corporation of Alabama, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater D.C., Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater New York, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Indiana, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Massachusetts, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Mississippi, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Nevada, Coram Healthcare Corporation of North Texas, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Northern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Utah, Coram LLC, Coram Rx LLC, Coram Specialty Infusion, Coram Specialty Infusion Services L.L.C., Coventry Consumer Advantage Inc., Coventry Health Care National Accounts Inc., Coventry Health Care National Network Inc., Coventry Health Care Workers Compensation Inc., Coventry Health Care of Illinois Inc., Coventry Health Care of Kansas Inc., Coventry Health Care of Missouri Inc., Coventry Health Care of Nebraska Inc., Coventry Health Care of Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Care of West Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Plan of Florida Inc., Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company, Coventry HealthCare Management Corporation, Coventry Prescription Management Services Inc., Coventry Rehabilitation Services Inc., Coventry Transplant Network Inc., D & R Pharmaceutical Services LLC, D.A.W. LLC, Delaware CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Delaware Physicians Care Incorporated, Digital eHealth LLC, District of Columbia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., E.T.B. INC., Echo Merger Sub Inc., Eckerd Corporation of Florida Inc., Employee Assistance Services LLC, Enloe Drugs LLC, Enterprise Patient Safety Organization LLC, EntrustRX, Evergreen Pharmaceutical LLC, Evergreen Pharmaceutical of California Inc., Express Pharmacy Services of PA L.L.C., FOCUS HealthCare Management Inc., First Health Group Corp., First Health Life & Health Insurance Company, First Script Network Services Inc., Florida Health Plan Administrators LLC, Garfield Beach CVS L.L.C., Generation Health L.L.C., Geneva Woods Health Services LLC, Geneva Woods LTC Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Management LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Alaska LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Washington LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Wyoming LLC, Geneva Woods Retail Pharmacy LLC, Georgia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., German Dobson CVS L.L.C., Goodhealth Worldwide (Asia) Limited, Goodhealth Worldwide (Global) Limited, Goodyear CVS L.L.C., Grand St. Paul CVS L.L.C., Grandview Pharmacy LLC, Group Dental Service Inc., Group Dental Service of Maryland Inc., Health Care Management Co. Ltd., Health Data & Management Solutions Inc., Health Re Inc., Health and Human Resource Center Inc., HealthAssuance Pennsylvania Inc., Healthagen LLC, Highland Park CVS L.L.C., Holiday CVS L.L.C., Home Care Pharmacy LLC, Home Pharmacy Services LLC, Hook-SupeRx L.L.C., Horizon Behavioral Services LLC, Idaho CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., IlliniCare Health, Indian Health Organisation Private Limited, Innovation Health Holdings LLC, Innovation Health Insurance Company, Innovation Health Plan Inc., Interlock Pharmacy Systems LLC, Iowa CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., JHC Acquisition LLC, Kansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Kentucky CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., LCPS Acquisition LLC, Langsam Health Services LLC, Lo-Med Prescription Services LLC, Lobos Acquisition LLC, Longs Drug Stores, Longs Drug Stores California L.L.C., Louisiana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., MHHP Acquisition Company LLC, MHNet Life and Health Insurance Company, MHNet Specialty Services LLC, MHNet of Florida Inc., Managed Care Coordinators Inc., Managed Healthcare LLC, Martin Health Services LLC, Maryland CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Med World Acquisition Corp., Medical Arts Health Care LLC, Medical Examinations of New York P.C., Melville Realty Company Inc., MemberHealth LLC, Mental Health Associates Inc., Mental Health Network of New York IPA Inc., Meritain Health Inc., Merwin Long Term Care LLC, MetraComp Inc., Minor Health Enterprise Co Ltd., MinuteClinic, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Alabama L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Arizona LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Florida LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Georgia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Hawaii L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Illinois LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Kentucky L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Louisiana L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maine L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maryland LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Massachusetts LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Nebraska L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Hampshire L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Mexico L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Ohio LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oklahoma LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oregon LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Pennsylvania LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Rhode Island LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of South Carolina L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Texas LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Utah L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Virginia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Washington LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Wisconsin L.L.C., MinuteClinic L.L.C., MinuteClinic Online Diagnostic Services LLC, MinuteClinic Physician Practice of Texas, MinuteClinic Telehealth Services LLC, Mississippi CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Missouri CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Montana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NCS Healthcare LLC, NCS Healthcare of Illinois LLC, NCS Healthcare of Iowa LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kansas LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kentucky Inc. (Oh, NCS Healthcare of Montana LLC, NCS Healthcare of New Mexico LLC, NCS Healthcare of Ohio LLC, NCS Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, NCS Healthcare of Tennessee LLC, NCS Healthcare of Wisconsin LLC, NIV Acquisition LLC, Navarro Discount Pharmacy, Nebraska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NeighborCare Holdings Inc., NeighborCare Inc., NeighborCare Pharmacy Services Inc., NeighborCare Services Corporation, NeighborCare of Indiana LLC, NeighborCare of Virginia LLC, New Jersey CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Niagara Re Inc., North Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., North Shore Pharmacy Services LLC, NovoLogix LLC, OCR Services LLC, Ocean Acquisition Sub L.L.C., Ohio CVS Stores L.L.C., Oklahoma CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Omnicare, Omnicare Holding Company, Omnicare Inc., Omnicare Indiana Partnership Holding Company LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of Pennsylvania East LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of Pennsylvania West LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of the Great Plains Holding LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy and Supply Services LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of Tennessee LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of the Midwest LLC, Omnicare Property Management LLC, Omnicare of Nebraska LLC, Omnicare of Nevada LLC, Omnicare of New York LLC, Oregon CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., PE Holdings LLC, PHPSNE Parent Corporation, PP Acquisition Company LLC, PRN Pharmaceutical Services LP, PT Aetna Management Consulting, Pamplona Saude e Beleza LTDA, Part D Holding Company L.L.C., PayFlex Holdings Inc., PayFlex Systems USA Inc., Pennsylvania CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Performax Inc., Pharmacy Associates of Glenn Falls LLC, Pharmacy Consultants LLC, Phoenix Data Solutions LLC, Precision Benefit Services Inc., Prime Net Inc., ProCare Pharmacy Direct L.L.C., ProCare Pharmacy L.L.C., Prodigy Health Group Inc., Professional Risk Management Inc., Pt. Aetna Global Benefits Indonesia, Puerto Rico CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Red Oak Sourcing LLC, Resources for Living LLC, Rhode Island CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Roeschens Healthcare LLC, RxAmerica, Schaller Anderson Medical Administrators Incorporated, Scrip World LLC, Sheffield Avenue CVS L.L.C., Shore Pharmaceutical Providers LLC, Silverscript Insurance Company, Soma Intimates, South Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., South Wabash CVS L.L.C., Specialized Pharmacy Services LLC, Spinnaker Bidco Limited, Spinnaker Topco Limited, Stadtlander Drug Company, Stadtlander Pharmacy, Sterling Healthcare Services LLC, Superior Care Pharmacy LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Administrative Services LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, T2 Medical Inc., TCPI Acquisition LLC, TargetPharmacy, Tennessee CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Company, Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Texas Health + Aetna Health Plan Inc., The Vasquez Group Inc., Thomas Phoenix CVS L.L.C., Three Forks Apothecary LLC, U.S Healthcare Holdings LLC, U.S. Healthcare Properties Inc., UAC Holding Inc., UC Acquisition LLC, UNI-Care Health Services of Maine LLC, Universal American - Medicare Part D Business, Utah CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., VAPS Acquisition Company LLC, Value Health Care Services LLC, Vermont CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virtual Home Healthcare L.L.C., Warm Springs Road CVS L.L.C., Washington CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Washington Lamb CVS L.L.C., Weber Medical Systems LLC, Wellpartner LLC, West Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Westhaven Services Co LLC, Williamson Drug Company LLC, Wisconsin CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Woodward Detroit CVS L.L.C., Work and Family Benefits Inc., ZS Acquisition Company LLC, Zinc Health Services LLC, Zinc Health Ventures LLC, bSwift LLC, and iTriage LLC. DowDuPont Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in agriculture, materials science, and specialty products businesses in the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company's Agriculture segment produces, and sells hybrid corn seed and soybean seed varieties; sunflowers, wheat, alfalfa, canola, cotton, rice, and sorghum; silage inoculants; and crop protection products that include weed control, disease control, and insect control. Its Performance Materials & Coatings segment manufactures and sells architectural paints and coatings, and industrial coatings; performance monomers and silicones; standalone silicones; and home and personal care solutions. The company's Industrial Intermediates & Infrastructure segment offers ethylene oxides, propylene oxide derivatives, cellulose ethers, redispersible latex powders, and acrylic emulsions; sustainable solutions; and chlorine and caustic soda. Its Packaging & Specialty Plastics segment provides ethylene, and propylene and aromatic products; and polyolefin elastomers and ethylene propylene diene monomer rubbers. The company's Electronics & Imaging segment offers materials and systems for mobile devices, television monitors, personal computers, and electronics. Its Nutrition & Biosciences segment provides specialty ingredients, as well as cellulosic- and alginates-based pharma excipients; and enzymes, biomaterials, biocides, and antimicrobial solutions and process technologies. The company's Transportation & Advanced Polymers segment offers engineering resins, adhesives, lubricants, and parts for transportation, electronics, healthcare, industrial, and consumer end-markets. Its Safety & Construction segment provides engineered products and integrated systems for construction, worker safety, energy, oil and gas, transportation, medical device, and water purification and separation industries. The company was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Midland, Michigan. Read More 5 Wall Street research analysts have issued "buy," "hold," and "sell" ratings for Metro Bank in the last twelve months. There are currently 2 sell ratings and 3 hold ratings for the stock. The consensus among Wall Street research analysts is that investors should "hold" Metro Bank stock. A hold rating indicates that analysts believe investors should maintain any existing positions they have in MBNKF, but not buy additional shares or sell existing shares. View analyst ratings for Metro Bank or view top-rated stocks. The following companies are subsidiares of Sysco: 2234829 Alberta ULC, 2234842 Alberta ULC, A. M. Briggs Inc., A.M. Briggs, Almacen Fiscal Frionet Caldera S.A., Almacen Fiscal Frionet Limon S.A., Appert's Foodservice, Arnotts (Fruit) Limited, Asian Foods, Bahamas Food Holdings Limited, Bahamas Food Services Limited, Brake Bros, Brake Bros Foodservice Ireland Limited, Brake Bros. Foodservice Limited, Brake Bros. Holding I Limited, Brake Bros. Ltd., Brakes Foodservice NI Limited, Buchy Food Service, Buckhead Beef Co., Buckhead Meat & Seafood of Houston Inc., Buckhead Meat Company, Buckhead Meat Midwest Inc., Buckhead Meat of Dallas Inc., Buckhead Meat of Denver Inc., Buckhead Meat of San Antonio LP, Buzztable Inc., CAKE Corporation, Central Seafood Co., Christys Wine & Spirits Limited, Clafra Aktiebolag, Colorado Boxed Beef Co - Specialty meat-cutting division, Corporacion Frionet Sociedad Anonima, Crossgar Foodservice, Crossgar Foodservice Limited, Crown I Enterprises Inc., Cucina Acquisitions (UK) Limited, Cucina Finance (UK) Limited, Cucina French Holdings Limited, Cucina Fresh Finance Limited, Cucina Fresh Investments Limited, Cucina Lux Investments Limited, Curleys Quality Foods Limited (Third Party), Davigel Belgilux S.A., Davigel Espana S.A., Desert Meats & Provisions, Distagro, Doerle Food Service, Doughtie's Foods Inc., Dust Bowl City LLC, Eko Fagel Fisk o mittemellan AB, Enclave Insurance Company, Enclave Parkway Association Inc., Enclave Properties LLC, European Imports, European Imports Inc., Figg Inc., Freedman Meats, Freedman Meats Inc., Freedman-KB Inc., Fresh Direct (UK) Limited, Fresh Direct Group Limited, Fresh Direct Limited, Fresh Holdings Limited, FreshPoint, FreshPoint Arizona Inc., FreshPoint Atlanta Inc., FreshPoint California Inc., FreshPoint Central California Inc., FreshPoint Central Florida Inc., FreshPoint Connecticut LLC, FreshPoint Dallas Inc., FreshPoint Denver Inc., FreshPoint Hawaii LLC, FreshPoint Inc., FreshPoint Las Vegas Inc., FreshPoint North Carolina Inc., FreshPoint North Florida Inc., FreshPoint Oklahoma City LLC, FreshPoint Pompano Real Estate LLC, FreshPoint Puerto Rico LLC, FreshPoint San Francisco Inc., FreshPoint South Florida Inc., FreshPoint South Texas Inc., FreshPoint Southern California Inc., FreshPoint Tomato LLC, FreshPoint Vancouver Ltd., Freshfayre Limited, Fruktservice i Helsingborg AB, GHS Classic Drinks Limited, Gilchrist & Soames Inc., Gilchrist & Soames UK Limited, Guest Packaging LLC, Guest Supply, Guest Supply Asia Limited, Guest Supply Singapore Pte. Ltd., International Food Group, Isakssons Frukt & Gront AB, J & M Wholesale Meats, J. Kings Food Service Professionals, J. Kings Food Service Professionals Inc., Kent Frozen Foods, Les Ateliers Du Gout, Liquid Assets Limited, M&J Seafood Holdings Limited, M&J Seafood Limited, Manchester Mills LLC, Mayca Autoservicio S.A., Mayca Distribuidores S.A., Menigo Foodservice AB, Mitshim Etatu Supply LP, Newport Meat Company, Newport Meat Northern California Inc., Newport Meat Pacific Northwest Inc., Newport Meat Southern California Inc., Newport Meat of Nevada Inc., North Star Holding Corporation, North Star Seafood, North Star Seafood Acquisition Corporation, North Star Seafood LLC, PFS de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Palisades Ranch Inc., Pallas Foods, Pallas Foods Farm Fresh Unlimited Company, Pallas Foods Unlimited Company, Pauleys Produce Limited, Promotora del Servicios S.A. de C.V., Restaurangakdemien AB, Restaurant of Tomorrow Inc., Rohan Viandes Elaboration SAS, SMS Bermuda Holdings, SMS GPC International Limited, SMS GPC International Resources Limited, SMS Global Holdings S.a.r.l., SMS International Resources Ireland Unlimited Company, SMS Lux Holdings LLC, SOTF LLC, SYY Netherlands C.V., SYY Panama S. de R.L., Serca Foodservice, Servicestyckarna I Johannes AB, Servicios Ameriserve S.A. de C.V., Shenzhen Guest Supply Trading Co. Limited, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Bianchi Montegut, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Boiseau, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Garcelles, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) J.D. Lanjouan, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Le Dauphin, Specialty Meat Holdings LLC, Stockflag Limited, Stockholms Fiskauktion AB, Supplies on the Fly, Sysco Albany LLC, Sysco Asian Foods Inc., Sysco Atlanta LLC, Sysco Autoservicio S.A., Sysco Baltimore LLC, Sysco Baraboo LLC, Sysco Bermuda Partners L.P., Sysco Boston LLC, Sysco Canada Holdings S.a.r.l., Sysco Canada Inc., Sysco Central Alabama LLC, Sysco Central California Inc., Sysco Central Florida Inc., Sysco Central Illinois Inc., Sysco Central Pennsylvania LLC, Sysco Charlotte LLC, Sysco Chicago Inc., Sysco Cincinnati LLC, Sysco Cleveland Inc., Sysco Columbia LLC, Sysco Connecticut LLC, Sysco Corporation, Sysco Corporation Director's Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Employee's 401(k) Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Good Government Committee Inc., Sysco Corporation Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Unemployment Benefits Plan Trust, Sysco Detroit LLC, Sysco Disaster Relief Foundation Inc., Sysco EI VI S. s.r.l., Sysco EU II S.a.r.l., Sysco EU III S.a.r.l., Sysco EU IV Capital Unlimited Company, Sysco EU IV S. s.r.l.., Sysco EU V S. s.r.l., Sysco Eastern Maryland LLC, Sysco Eastern Wisconsin LLC, Sysco Foundation Inc., Sysco France Holding SAS, Sysco France SAS, Sysco George Town II LLC, Sysco George Town Limited S. s.r.l.., Sysco Global Finance LLC, Sysco Global Finance LLP, Sysco Global Holdings B.V., Sysco Global Resources LLC, Sysco Global Services LLC, Sysco Grand Cayman Company, Sysco Grand Cayman II Company, Sysco Grand Cayman III Company, Sysco Grand Rapids LLC, Sysco Guernsey Limited, Sysco Guest Supply Canada Inc., Sysco Guest Supply Europe Goods Wholesalers LLC, Sysco Guest Supply Europe Limited, Sysco Guest Supply LLC, Sysco Gulf Coast LLC, Sysco Hampton Roads Inc., Sysco Hawaii Inc., Sysco Holdings II LLC, Sysco Holdings LLC, Sysco Indianapolis LLC, Sysco International Food Group Inc., Sysco International Inc., Sysco Iowa Inc., Sysco Jackson LLC, Sysco Jacksonville Inc., Sysco Kansas City Inc., Sysco Knoxville LLC, Sysco Labs Europe Limited, Sysco Labs Pvt. Ltd., Sysco Leasing LLC, Sysco Lincoln Inc., Sysco Lincoln Transportation Company Inc., Sysco Long Island LLC, Sysco Los Angeles Inc., Sysco Louisville Inc., Sysco Memphis LLC, Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Canada Inc., Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Inc., Sysco Metro New York LLC, Sysco Minnesota Inc., Sysco Montana Inc., Sysco Nashville LLC, Sysco Netherlands Partners LLC, Sysco North Central Florida Inc., Sysco North Dakota Inc., Sysco Northern New England Inc., Sysco Philadelphia LLC, Sysco Pittsburgh LLC, Sysco Portland Inc., Sysco Raleigh LLC, Sysco Resources Services LLC, Sysco Riverside Inc., Sysco Sacramento Inc., Sysco San Diego Inc., Sysco San Francisco Inc., Sysco Seattle Inc., Sysco South Florida Inc., Sysco Southeast Florida LLC, Sysco Spain Holdings SLU, Sysco Spokane Inc., Sysco St. Louis LLC, Sysco Syracuse LLC, Sysco Technologies Cayman Ltd., Sysco Technologies LLC, Sysco UK Holdings Limited, Sysco UK Limited, Sysco UK Partners LLP, Sysco USA I Inc., Sysco USA II LLC, Sysco USA III LLC, Sysco Ventura Inc., Sysco Ventures Inc., Sysco Virginia LLC, Sysco West Coast Florida Inc., Sysco Western Minnesota Inc., The SYGMA Network Inc., Upsys, Victua SAS, Walker Foods Inc., Waugh Foods, and Wild Harvest Limited. Genesee & Wyoming Inc. owns and leases freight railroads. It operates through three segments: North American Operations, Australian Operations, and U.K./European Operations. The company transports various commodities, including agricultural products, autos and auto parts, chemicals and plastics, coal and coke, food and kindred products, lumber and forest products, metallic ores, metals, minerals and stone, petroleum products, pulp and paper, waste, and other commodities. It owns or leases 122 freight railroads, including 105 short line railroads and 2 regional freight railroads located in the United States, 8 short line railroads located in Canada, 3 railroads located in Australia, 1 railroad located in the United Kingdom, 1 railroad in Poland and Germany, and 2 railroads in the Netherlands with a total of approximately 16,200 miles of track. The company also operates 6,200 additional miles of track that is owned or leased by others. In addition, it operates deep sea maritime containers and provides bulk haulage, including coal, aggregates, cement, and infrastructure services. Further, the company provides rail service at approximately 40 ports; rail-ferry service in North America, Australia, and Europe; and contract coal loading and railcar switching for industrial customers. Genesee & Wyoming Inc. was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Darien, Connecticut. Read More iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF's stock was trading at $39.49 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, IEUR stock has increased by 50.3% and is now trading at $59.34. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Sagen MI Canada Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a private residential mortgage insurer in Canada. It provides mortgage default insurance to residential mortgage homebuyers, lenders, brokers, and realtors. The company was formerly known as Genworth MI Canada Inc. and changed its name to Sagen MI Canada Inc. in February 2021. Sagen MI Canada Inc. was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Oakville, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Carnival Co. &: 1972 Productions Inc., 6348 Equipment LLC, A.C.N. 098 290 834 Pty. Ltd., A.J. Juneau Dock LLC, AIDA Kundencenter GmbH, Adventure Island Ltd., Air-Sea Holiday GmbH, Alaska Hotel Properties LLC, Barcelona Cruise Terminal SLU, Bay Island Cruise Port S.A., Belize Cruise Terminal Limited, CC U.S. Ventures Inc., CCL Gifts LLC, CSSC Carnival Italy Cruise Investment S.r.L, Carnival (UK) Limited, Carnival Bahamas FC Limited, Carnival Bahamas Holdings Limited, Carnival Corporation & plc Asia Pte. Ltd., Carnival Corporation Hong Kong Limited, Carnival Corporation Korea Ltd., Carnival Corporation Ports Group Japan KK, Carnival Finance LLC, Carnival Grand Bahama Investment Limited, Carnival Investments Limited, Carnival Japan Inc., Carnival License Holdings Limited, Carnival Maritime GmbH, Carnival North America LLC, Carnival Port Holdings Limited, Carnival Ports Inc., Carnival Support Services India Private Limited, Carnival Technical Services (UK) Limited, Carnival Technical Services Finland Limited, Carnival Technical Services GmbH, Carnival Technical Services Inc., Carnival Vanuatu Limited, Costa Crociere PTE Ltd., Costa Crociere S.p.A., Costa Cruceros S.A., Costa Cruise Lines Inc., Costa Cruise Lines UK Limited, Costa Cruises Shipping Services (Shanghai) Company Limited, Costa Cruises Travel Agency (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Costa Cruzeiros Agencia Maritima e Turismo Ltda., Costa Group Digital & Strategic Services GmbH, Costa International B.V., Costa Kreuzfahrten GmbH, Cozumel Cruise Terminal S.A. de C.V., Creative Travel Lab Ltd., Cruise Ships Catering & Services International N.V., Cruise Terminal Services S.A. de C.V., Cruiseport Curacao C.V., D.R. Cruise Port Ltd., Ecospray Technologies S.r.L., F.P.M. SAS, F.P.P. SAS, Fleet Maritime Services (Bermuda) Limited, Fleet Maritime Services Holdings (Bermuda) Limited, Fleet Maritime Services International Limited, GXI LLC, Gibs Inc., Global Experience Innovators Inc., Global Fine Arts Inc., Global Shipping Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Grand Cruise Shipping Unipessoal LdA, Grand Turk Cruise Center Ltd., HAL Antillen N.V., HAL Beheer B.V., HAL Cruises Limited, HAL Maritime Ltd., HAL Nederland N.V., HAL Properties Limited, HAL Services B.V., HSE Hamburg School of Entertainment GmbH, Holding Division Iberocruceros SLU, Holland America Line Inc., Holland America Line N.V., Holland America Line Paymaster of Washington LLC, Holland America Line U.S.A. Inc., Ibero Cruzeiros Ltda., Iberocruceros SLU, Information Assistance Corporation, International Cruise Services S.A. de C.V., International Leisure Travel Inc., International Maritime Recruitment Agency S.A. de C.V., Milestone N.V., Navitrans S.R.L., Ocean Bahamas Innovation Ltd., Ocean Medallion Fulfillment Ltd., Operadora Catalina S.r.L., P&O Princess American Holdings, P&O Princess Cruises International Limited, P&O Princess Cruises Pension Trustee Limited, P&O Properties (California) Inc., P&O Travel Limited, Prestige Cruises Management S.A.M., Prestige Cruises N.V., Princess Bermuda Holdings Ltd., Princess Cays Ltd., Princess Cruise Corporation Inc., Princess Cruise Lines Ltd., Princess Cruises and Tours Inc., Princess U.S. Holdings Inc., RCT Maintenance & Related Services S.A., RCT Pilots & Related Services S.A., RCT Security & Related Services S.A., Roatan Cruise Terminal S.A. de C.V., Royal Hyway Tours Inc., Santa Cruz Terminal S.L., SeaVacations Limited, SeaVacations UK Limited, Seabourn Cruise Line Limited, Shanghai Coast Cruise Consulting Co. Lda, Ship Care (Bahamas) Limited, Sitmar Cruises Inc., Spanish Cruise Services N.V., Sunshine Shipping Corporation Ltd., T&T International Inc., Tour Alaska LLC, Transnational Services Corporation, Trident Insurance Company Ltd., Westmark Hotels Inc., Westmark Hotels of Canada Ltd., Westours Motor Coaches LLC, Wind Surf Limited, and World Leading Cruise Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.. Pimco Total Return ETF's stock was trading at $110.14 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, BOND shares have decreased by 0.6% and is now trading at $109.51. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. 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. SPDR S&P Retail ETF's stock was trading at $34.97 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, XRT shares have increased by 195.5% and is now trading at $103.33. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Knoll, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, markets, and sells commercial and residential furniture, accessories, and coverings for the workplace and residential markets in the United States, Canada, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through Office and Lifestyle segments. It provides systems furniture, including integrated panels or table desks, work surfaces and storage units, power and data systems, and lighting products; office seating products comprising various work chairs; and files and storage products, such as lateral files, mobile pedestals and other storage units, bookcases, and overhead cabinets. The company also offers adjustable tables, as well as meeting, conference, training, dining, and stand-alone and table desks; conference furniture product platforms; height desks, tables, and ergonomic seating and accessories principally for individual home offices and small businesses; technology support accessories, desktop organizational tools, and lighting and storage products; seating and lounge furniture, as well as side, cafA, and dining chairs; conference, training, dining, and occasional tables; and lighting, rugs, textiles, fabrics, felt, leather, upholstery, drapery, and related architectural products. It serves Fortune 1000 companies, governmental agencies, and other medium-to-large sized organizations in various industries, including financial, legal, technology, entertainment, accounting, education, healthcare, and hospitality through its direct sales force and showrooms, distribution partners, and independent dealers and retailers, as well as online. The company was founded in 1938 and is headquartered in East Greenville, Pennsylvania. Read More Koninklijke Philips N.V. is the Netherlands-based health technology company. The Company's segments include Personal Health businesses, Diagnosis & Treatment businesses, Connected Care & Health Informatics businesses, HealthTech Other and Legacy Items. The Personal Health businesses segment is engaged in the health continuum, delivering integrated, connected solutions that support healthier lifestyles and those living with chronic disease. The Diagnosis & Treatment businesses segment delivers precision medicine and treatment, and therapy. The Connected Care & Health Informatics businesses segment provides consumers, care givers and clinicians with digital solutions that facilitate care by enabling precision medicine and population health management. The HealthTech Other segment comprises such items, as innovation, emerging businesses, royalties, among others. The Legacy Items segment consists mainly of separation costs, legacy legal items, legacy pension costs, among others. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Roche: 454 Life Sciences, Adheron Therapeutics, Adheron Therapeutics Inc., Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Anadys Pharmaceuticals Inc., Ariosa Diagnostics, Ariosa Diagnostics Inc., Arius Research, Ascur Versicherungsvermittlungs GmbH, BINA Technology, Bina Technologies Inc., BioImagene, BioVeris, BioVeris Corporation, Biopharm AG, Boehringer Mannheim, Borean Pharma, Chemical Manufacturing and Trading Company Limited, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Disetronic Holding AG, Dutalys GmbH, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd / Jordan P.S.C., FLLC "Roche Products Limited", FMI Germany GmbH, Flatiron Health, Flatiron Health Inc., ForSight Labs, ForSight VISION4 Inc., Foundation Medicine, Foundation Medicine Inc., Foundation Medicine Securities Corporation, Galenus Mannheim Pharma GmbH, GeneWEAVE, GeneWEAVE Biosciences Inc., Genentech, Genentech Inc., Genentech P.R. Inc., Genentech USA Inc., Genia Technologies, Hoffmann - La Roche Ltd, Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., Hoffmann-La Roche Limited, Hoffmann-La Roche Products Limited, I5 Surviving Corp., IGEN International Inc., IGEN LS LLC, IQuum, IQuum Inc., Ignyta, Ignyta Inc., Inflazome, Infogenetik Molekuler Bilgi Hizmetleri Anonim Sirketi, Institut Roche SAS, InterMune, InterMune Holdings Limited, InterMune Inc., InterMune International AG, Jecure Therapeutics Inc., Kapa Biosystems, Kapa Biosystems (Pty) Ltd, Kapa Biosystems Inc., Limited Liability Company Roche Diabetes Care Rus, Limited Liability Company Roche Diagnostics Rus, MTM Laboratories, Marcadia Biotech, Medingo Ltd., Medingo Medical Solutions, Memory Pharmaceuticals, Memory Pharmaceuticals Corp., Mirus, Museum Tinguely AG, N.V. Roche S.A., P.T. Roche Indonesia, PVT Probenverteiltechnik GmbH, Phaor AG, Piramed, Productos Roche (El Salvador) S.A. de C.V., Productos Roche (Honduras) S.A., Productos Roche (Nicaragua) S.A., Productos Roche (Panama) S.A., Productos Roche Dominicana S.R.L., Productos Roche Guatemala (Sociedad Anonima), Productos Roche Interamericana S.A. (PRISA), Productos Roche Quimica Farmaceutica S.A., Productos Roche S.A., Productos Roche S.A. Quimica e Industrial, Productos Roche S.A. de C.V., Produtos Roche Quimicos e Farmaceuticos S.A., Promedior, Rabbit-Air Ltd, RoDiagnostics Egypt for Trading S.A.E, Roche (China) Holding Ltd., Roche (Hellas) S.A., Roche (Hungary) Ltd, Roche (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Roche (Philippines) Inc., Roche (Shanghai) Pharmaceuticals Consulting Co. Ltd, Roche (Shanghai) Pharmaceuticals Trading Co. Ltd., Roche - Moscow Ltd., Roche AB, Roche Algerie SPA, Roche Austria GmbH, Roche Bangladesh Limited, Roche Beteiligungs GmbH, Roche Biomedical Laboratories Inc., Roche Bolivia SRL., Roche Bulgaria EOOD, Roche Cameroun SARL, Roche Capital Market Ltd, Roche Capital Services Ltd., Roche Catalyst Investments Ltd., Roche Chemische Unternehmungen AG, Roche Chile Limitada, Roche Cote dIvoire SARL, Roche DC Japan K. K., Roche DC Mexico S.A. de C.V., Roche Deutschland Holding GmbH, Roche Diabetes Care (Switzerland) Ltd, Roche Diabetes Care Argentina S.A., Roche Diabetes Care Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Roche Diabetes Care Australia Pty Limited, Roche Diabetes Care Austria GmbH, Roche Diabetes Care Brasil Ltda., Roche Diabetes Care Deutschland GmbH, Roche Diabetes Care France SAS, Roche Diabetes Care GmbH, Roche Diabetes Care Inc., Roche Diabetes Care India Private Limited, Roche Diabetes Care Italy S.p.A., Roche Diabetes Care Limited, Roche Diabetes Care Middle East FZCO, Roche Diabetes Care Nederland B.V., Roche Diabetes Care Polska sp. z o.o., Roche Diabetes Care South Africa Proprietary Limited, Roche Diabetes Care Spain S.L., Roche Diagnostica Brasil Ltda., Roche Diagnostics (Hellas) S.A., Roche Diagnostics (Hong Kong) Limited, Roche Diagnostics (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Roche Diagnostics (Shanghai) Ltd., Roche Diagnostics (Suzhou) Limited, Roche Diagnostics (Switzerland) Ltd, Roche Diagnostics (Thailand) Limited, Roche Diagnostics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Roche Diagnostics Australia Pty. Limited, Roche Diagnostics Belgium NV, Roche Diagnostics Corporation, Roche Diagnostics Deutschland GmbH, Roche Diagnostics France SAS, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Roche Diagnostics Hematology Inc., Roche Diagnostics India Private Limited, Roche Diagnostics International Ltd, Roche Diagnostics K.K., Roche Diagnostics Korea Co. Ltd., Roche Diagnostics Limited, Roche Diagnostics Ltd., Roche Diagnostics Middle East FZCO, Roche Diagnostics NZ Limited, Roche Diagnostics Nederland B.V., Roche Diagnostics Norge A/S, Roche Diagnostics Operations Inc., Roche Diagnostics Oy, Roche Diagnostics Polska Sp. z o.o., Roche Diagnostics Proprietary Limited, Roche Diagnostics S.L., Roche Diagnostics S.p.A., Roche Diagnostics Scandinavia AB, Roche Diagnostics Turkey Anonim Sirketi, Roche Diagnostics a/s, Roche Ecuador S.A., Roche Eesti OU, Roche Egypt LLC, Roche Egypt for Manufacturing and Trading SAE, Roche Farma (Peru) S.A., Roche Farma S.A., Roche Farmaceutica Quimica Lda., Roche Finance Europe B.V., Roche Finance Ltd, Roche Financial Investments Ltd., Roche Financial Management Ltd., Roche Financial Services Ltd., Roche Forum Buonas Ltd, Roche Georgia LLC, Roche Glycart, Roche Glycart Ltd, Roche Health Solutions Inc., Roche Holding (UK) Limited, Roche Holdings Inc., Roche Hong Kong Limited, Roche Innovation Center Copenhagen A/S, Roche Innovatis, Roche International Ltd., Roche International Ltd. (Montevideo Branch), Roche Intertrade Limited, Roche Ireland Limited, Roche Kazakhstan LLP, Roche Kenya Limited, Roche Korea Company Ltd., Roche Laboratories Inc., Roche Latvija SIA, Roche Lebanon S.A.R.L., Roche Long Term Foundation, Roche Makedonija DOOEL, Roche Molecular Systems Inc., Roche Myanmar Company Limited, Roche Mustahzarlari Sanayi Anonim Sirketi, Roche Nederland B.V., Roche NimbleGen, Roche Norge A/S, Roche Operations Ltd., Roche Oy, Roche PVT GmbH, Roche Pakistan Limited, Roche Palo Alto LLC, Roche Pars Co. (Ltd.), Roche Pharma (Switzerland) Ltd, Roche Pharma AG, Roche Pharmaceuticals (Israel) Ltd., Roche Pharmaceuticals Middle East FZCO, Roche Pharmholding B.V., Roche Polska Sp. z o.o., Roche Privacy GmbH, Roche Products (India) Private Limited, Roche Products (Ireland) Limited, Roche Products (Mauritius) Ltd, Roche Products (New Zealand) Limited, Roche Products (Proprietary) Limited, Roche Products Ghana Limited, Roche Products Inc., Roche Products Limited, Roche Products Ltd., Roche Products Pty. Limited, Roche Products Saudi Arabia LLC, Roche R&D Center (China) Ltd., Roche Real Estate Services Mannheim GmbH, Roche Registration GmbH, Roche Registration Limited, Roche Romania S.R.L., Roche S.A., Roche S.p.A., Roche SAS, Roche Sequencing Solutions Inc., Roche Services (Asia Pacific) Sdn. Bhd., Roche Services (Europe) Ltd, Roche Services Americas Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Roche Services Holdings Ltd., Roche Servicios S.A., Roche Servicios de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Roche Singapore Pte. Ltd., Roche Singapore Technical Operations Pte. Ltd., Roche Sistemas de Diagnosticos Sociedade Unipessoal Lda., Roche Slovensko S.R.O., Roche TCRC Inc., Roche Thailand Limited, Roche Tunisie SA, Roche Ukraine LLC, Roche Vietnam Company Limited, Roche a/s Medicinalvarer og Kemikalier, Roche d.o.o., Roche d.o.o. farmaceutsko drustvo Roche Ltd. Pharmaceutical Company, Roche farmacevtska druzba d.o.o., Roche mtm laboratories AG, Roche s.r.o., Santaris Pharma, Sapac Corporation Ltd., Seragon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Shanghai Roche Pharmaceuticals Limited, Signature Diagnostics GmbH, Spark Therapeutics, Spring Bioscience Corp., Stratos Genomics, Syntex Corporation, Syntex Pharm AG, Syntex Pharmaceuticals International Limited, Syntex Puerto Rico Inc., Tanox Inc., Tavero AG, Tensha Therapeutics, Tensha Therapeutics Inc., Therapeutic Human Polyclonals, Therapeutic Human Polyclonals Inc., Trophos, Trophos SA, Tusk Therapeutics, Tusk Therapeutics Limited, UAB Roche Lietuva, Ventana Medical Systems, Ventana Medical Systems Inc., Verum Diagnostica GmbH, Viewics, Viewics Inc., Viewics India Private Limited, mySugr, mySugr GmbH, and mySugr Inc.. Novan, Inc., a clinical development-stage biotechnology company, provides nitric oxide-based therapies to treat dermatological and oncovirus-mediated diseases. Its clinical stage dermatology drug candidates include SB204, a topical monotherapy for the treatment of acne vulgaris; SB206, a topical anti-viral gel for the treatment of viral skin infections; SB208, a topical broad-spectrum anti-fungal gel for the treatment of fungal infections of the skin and nails, including athlete's foot and fungal nail infections; and SB414, a topical cream-based gel product candidate for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. The company also develops SB207, an anti-viral product candidate for the treatment of external genital warts; WH602, a nitric oxide-containing intravaginal gel to treat high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV); WH504, a non-gel formulation product candidate to treat high-risk HPV; and SB019 for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Novan, Inc. has a license agreement with Sato Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; and a strategic alliance with Orion Corporation. The company was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Centene: APS Parent Inc., AWC of Syracuse Inc., Absolute Total Care Inc., AcariaHealth Inc., AcariaHealth Pharmacy #11 Inc., AcariaHealth Pharmacy #12 Inc., AcariaHealth Pharmacy #13 Inc., AcariaHealth Pharmacy #14 Inc., AcariaHealth Pharmacy Inc., AcariaHealth Solutions Inc., Access Medical Acquisition LLC, Access Medical Group of Florida City LLC, Access Medical Group of Hialeah LLC, Access Medical Group of Lakeland LLC, Access Medical Group of Miami LLC, Access Medical Group of North Miami Beach LLC, Access Medical Group of Opa-Locka LLC, Access Medical Group of Perrine LLC, Access Medical Group of Tampa II LLC, Access Medical Group of Tampa III LLC, Access Medical Group of Tampa LLC, Access Medical Group of Westchester LLC, Accountable Care Coalition Direct Contracting LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Chesapeake LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Community Health Centers II LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Community Health Centers LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers II LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers III LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers IV LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers V LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers VI LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Elite Providers VII LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Florida Partners LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Georgia LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Maryland LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Maryland Primary Care LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Mississippi LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of New Jersey Inc., Accountable Care Coalition of North Texas LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Northeast Georgia LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Northeast Partners LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Northwest Florida LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Prime Health LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Quality Health II LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Quality Health III LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Quality Health LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Southeast Partners LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Southeast Physician Partners LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Southeast Texas Inc., Accountable Care Coalition of Southeast Wisconsin LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Tennessee LLC, Accountable Care Coalition of Texas Inc., Agate Resources Inc., AirLogix, Ambetter of Magnolia Inc., Ambetter of North Carolina Inc., Ambetter of Peach State Inc., America's 1st Choice California Holdings LLC, American Progressive Life and Health Insurance Company of New York, Apixio, Apixio Inc, Arch Personalized Medicine Initiative LLC, Arkansas Health & Wellness Health Plan Inc., Arkansas Total Care Holding Company LLC, Arkansas Total Care Inc., B2B Gestion Integra S.L.U., B2B Salud S.L.U., Bankers Reserve Life Insurance Company of Wisconsin, Blackcrow Asistencia Medica S.L, Bridgeway Health Solutions LLC, Bridgeway Health Solutions of Arizona Inc., Buckeye Community Health Plan Inc., Buckeye Health Plan Community Solutions Inc., CCTX Holdings LLC, CMC Real Estate Company LLC, CT Poprad s.r.o., CT Presov s.r.o., Calibrate Acquisition Company, California Health and Wellness Plan, Cantina Laredo Clayton LP, Cardium Health Services, Care 1st Health Plan of Arizona Inc., Care1st Health Plan Administrative Services Inc., Carolina Complete Health Holding Company Partnership, Carolina Complete Health Inc., Casenet LLC, Casenet S.R.O., CeltiCare Health Plan Holdings LLC, CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts Inc., Celtic Group Inc., Celtic Insurance Company, Cenpatico Behavioral Health LLC, Cenpatico Behavioral Health of Arizona LLC, Cenpatico of Arizona Inc., Centene Center I LLC, Centene Center II LLC, Centene Center LLC, Centene Company of Texas LP, Centene Europe Finance Company Limited, Centene Health Plan Holdings Inc., Centene Institute for Advanced Health Education LLC, Centene International Ventures LLC, Centene Investments LLC, Centene Management Company LLC, Centene Venture Company Alabama Health Plan Inc., Centene Venture Company Florida Inc., Centene Venture Company Illinois Inc., Centene Venture Company Indiana Inc., Centene Venture Company Kansas Inc., Centene Venture Company Michigan Inc., Centene Venture Company Tennessee Inc., Centro Inmunologocia De La Comunidad Valenciana S.L., Centurion Correctional Healthcare of New Mexico LLC, Centurion Detention Health Services LLC, Centurion LLC, Centurion of Arizona LLC, Centurion of Delaware LLC, Centurion of Florida LLC, Centurion of Kansas LLC, Centurion of Minnesota LLC, Centurion of Mississippi LLC, Centurion of New Hampshire LLC, Centurion of Pennsylvania LLC, Centurion of Tennessee LLC, Centurion of Vermont LLC, Centurion of West Virginia LLC, Centurion of Wyoming LLC, Chrysalis Medical Services LLC, Clinica Santo Domingo De Lugo S.L., Collaborative Health Systems IPA LLC, Collaborative Health Systems LLC, Collaborative Health Systems of Maryland LLC, Collaborative Health Systems of Virginia LLC, Comfort Hospice of Missouri LLC, Comfort Hospice of Texas LLC, ComfortBrook Hospice LLC, Community Medical Group, Community Medical Holdings Corporation, Comprehensive Health Management Inc., Comprehensive Reinsurance Ltd., Coordinated Care Corporation, Coordinated Care of Washington Inc., Country Style Health Care LLC, Discare CZ a.s., District Community Care Inc., Dr Magnet s.r.o., Elche-Crevillente Salud, Envolve Benefits Options Inc., Envolve Captive Insurance Company Inc., Envolve Dental IPA of New York Inc., Envolve Dental Inc., Envolve Dental of Florida Inc., Envolve Dental of Texas Inc., Envolve Health, Envolve Holdings Inc., Envolve Inc., Envolve Optical Inc., Envolve PeopleCare Inc., Envolve Pharmacy IPA LLC, Envolve Pharmacy Solutions Inc., Envolve Total Vision Inc., Envolve Vision Benefits Inc., Envolve Vision IPA of New York Inc., Envolve Vision Inc., Envolve Vision of Florida Inc., Envolve Vision of Texas Inc., Essential Care Partners LLC, Exactus Pharmacy Solutions Inc., Family Nurse Care II LLC, Family Nurse Care LLC, Family Nurse Care of Ohio LLC, Fidelis Care, Forensic Health Services LLC, Foundation Care LLC, Godgrace Asistencia Medica S.L., Golden Triangle Physician Alliance, Grace Hospice of Austin LLC, Grace Hospice of Grand Rapids LLC, Grace Hospice of Illinois LLC, Grace Hospice of Indiana LLC, Grace Hospice of San Antonio LLC, Grace Hospice of Virginia LLC, Grace Hospice of Wisconsin LLC, Granite State Health Plan Inc., Growly Asistencia Sanitaria S.L., HHS Texas Management Inc., HHS Texas Management LP, Hallmark Life Insurance Company, Harmony Behavioral Health IPA Inc., Harmony Behavioral Health Inc., Harmony Health Management Inc., Harmony Health Plan Inc., Harmony Health Systems Inc., Health Care Enterprises LLC, Health Net Access Inc., Health Net Community Solutions Inc., Health Net Community Solutions of Arizona Inc., Health Net Federal Services LLC, Health Net Health Plan of Oregon Inc., Health Net LLC, Health Net Life Insurance Company, Health Net Life Reinsurance Company, Health Net Pharmaceutical Services, Health Net of Arizona Inc., Health Net of California Inc., Health Plan Real Estate Holdings Inc., HealthSmart Benefit Solutions Inc., HealthSmart Benefits Management LLC, HealthSmart Care Management Solutions LP, HealthSmart Information Systems Inc., HealthSmart Preferred Care II LP, HealthSmart Preferred Network II Inc., HealthSmart Primary Care Clinics LP, HealthSmart Rx Solutions Inc., Healthy Louisiana Holdings LLC, Healthy Missouri Holdings Inc., Healthy Washington Holdings Inc., Heritage Health Systems Inc., Heritage Health Systems of Texas Inc., Heritage Home Hospice LLC, Heritage Physician Networks, Home State Health Plan Inc., HomeScripts.com LLC, Hospice DME Company LLC, Hospinet S.L., Hospital Polusa S.A., Hospital Povisa S.A., Hudson Accountable Care LLC, IAH of Florida LLC, Illinois Health Practice Alliance LLC, Infraestructuras y Servicios de Alzira S. L., Integrated Care Network of Florida LLC, Integrated Mental Health Management LLC, Integrated Mental Health Services, Interpreta Holdings Inc., Interpreta Inc., Iowa Total Care Inc., Kentucky Spirit Health Plan Inc., LBB Industries Inc., LifeShare Management Group LLC, LiveHealthier Inc., Louisiana Healthcare Connections Inc., MH Services International Holdings (UK) Limited, MHM, MHM Correctional Services LLC, MHM Health Professionals LLC, MHM Services Inc., MHM Services of California LLC, MHM Solutions LLC, MHN Government Services LLC, MHN Services LLC, MHS Consulting International Inc., MHS Travel & Charter Inc., MR Centrum Melnick s.r.o., MR Poprad s.r.o., MR Zilina s.r.o., Magnolia Health Plan Inc., Managed Health Network, Managed Health Network LLC, Managed Health Services Insurance Corporation, Maryland Collaborative Care LLC, Maryland Collaborative Care Transformation Organization Inc., Mauli Ola Health and Wellness Inc., Medicina NZ spol s.r.o., Meridian Health Plan of Illinois Inc., Meridian Health Plan of Michigan Inc., Meridian Management Company LLC, Meridian Network Services LLC, MeridianRx IPA LLC, MeridianRx LLC, MeridianRx of Indiana LLC, Michigan Complete Health, Mid-Atlantic Collaborative Care LLC, Nebraska Total Care Inc., Network Providers LLC, New York Quality Healthcare Corporation, Next Door Neighbors Inc., Next Door Neighbors LLC., North Florida Health Services Inc., Northern Maryland Collaborative Care LLC, Novasys Health Inc., OB Care, OB Klinika, Ohana Health Plan Inc., Oklahoma Complete Health Inc., One Care by Care 1st Health Plans of Arizona Inc, Operose Health (Group) Ltd., Operose Health (Group) UK Ltd., Operose Health Ltd., OptiCare Health Systems - Managed Vision Business, PANTHERx Rare Pharmacy, Panther Pass Co LLC, Panther Specialty Holding Co LLC, Pantherx Access Services LLC, Pantherx Specialty LLC, Parker LP LLC, Peach State Health Plan Inc., Penn Marketing America LLC, Pennsylvania Health and Wellness Inc., Phoenix Home Health Care LLC, Pinnacle Home Care LLC, Pinnacle Senior Care of Illinois LLC, Pinnacle Senior Care of Indiana LLC, Pinnacle Senior Care of Kalamazoo LLC, Pinnacle Senior Care of Missouri LLC, Pinnacle Senior Care of Wisconsin LLC, Premier Marketing Group LLC, PrimeroSalud S.L., Pro Diagnostic Group A.S., Pro Magnet CZ s.r.o., Pro Magnet s.r.o, Pro RTG s.r.o, Progress Medical A.S., Prowl Holdings LLC, QCA Healthplan Inc., Qualchoice Life and Health Insurance Company, Quincy Coverage Corporation, R&C Healthcare LLC, RMED LLC, RX Direct Inc., Rapid Respiratory Services LLC, Ribera Lab S.L.U., Ribera Salud II, Ribera Salud Proyectos S.L., Ribera Salud S.A., Ribera Salud Tecnologias S.L.U., Ribera Slaud Infraestructuras S.L.U., Ribera-Quilpro UTE, Salus Administrative Services Inc., Salus IPA LLC, Secure Capital Solutions 2000 S.L.U., SelectCare Health Plans Inc., SelectCare of Texas Inc., Seniorcorps Peninsula LLC, Servicios De Mantenimiento Prevencor S.L.U., SilverSummit Healthplan Inc., Social Health Bridge LLC, Social Health Bridge Trust, Specialty Therapeutic Care GP LLC, Specialty Therapeutic Care Holdings, Specialty Therapeutic Care Holdings LLC, Specialty Therapeutic Care LP, Sunflower State Health Plan Inc., Sunshine Health Community Solutions Inc., Sunshine Health Holding LLC, Sunshine State Health Plan Inc., Superior HealthPlan Community Solutions Inc., Superior HealthPlan Inc., The Practice Properties Limited, The WellCare Management Group Inc., Torrejon Salud S.A., Torrevieja Salud S.L.U., Torrevieja Salud UTE, Traditional Home Health Services LLC, Trillium Community Health Plan Inc., U.S. Medical Management Holdings Inc., U.S. Medical Management LLC, UAM Agent Services Corp., US Script, USMM Accountable Care Partners LLC, Universal American Corp., Universal American Financial Services Inc., Universal American Holdings LLC, WCG Health Management Inc., WellCare Health Insurance Company of America, WellCare Health Insurance Company of Kentucky Inc., WellCare Health Insurance Company of Louisiana Inc., WellCare Health Insurance Company of Nevada Inc., WellCare Health Insurance Company of New Hampshire Inc., WellCare Health Insurance Company of New Jersey Inc., WellCare Health Insurance Company of Oklahoma Inc., WellCare Health Insurance Company of Washington Inc., WellCare Health Insurance Company of Wisconsin Inc., WellCare Health Insurance of Arizona Inc., WellCare Health Insurance of Connecticut Inc., WellCare Health Insurance of Hawaii Inc., WellCare Health Insurance of New York Inc., WellCare Health Insurance of North Carolina Inc., WellCare Health Insurance of Southwest Inc., WellCare Health Insurance of Tennessee Inc., WellCare Health Plans, WellCare Health Plans of Arizona Inc., WellCare Health Plans of California Inc., WellCare Health Plans of Kentucky Inc., WellCare Health Plans of Massachusetts Inc., WellCare Health Plans of Missouri Inc., WellCare Health Plans of New Jersey Inc., WellCare Health Plans of Rhode Island Inc., WellCare Health Plans of Tennessee Inc., WellCare Health Plans of Vermont Inc., WellCare Health Plans of Wisconsin Inc., WellCare National Health Insurance Company, WellCare Pharmacy Benefits Management Inc., WellCare Prescription Insurance Inc., WellCare of Alabama Inc., WellCare of Arkansas Inc., WellCare of California Inc., WellCare of Connecticut Inc., WellCare of Florida Inc., WellCare of Georgia Inc., WellCare of Illinois Inc., WellCare of Indiana Inc., WellCare of Kansas Inc., WellCare of Maine Inc., WellCare of Michigan Holding Company, WellCare of Mississippi Inc., WellCare of Missouri Health Insurance Company Inc., WellCare of New Hampshire Inc., WellCare of New York Inc., WellCare of North Carolina Inc., WellCare of Ohio Inc., WellCare of Oklahoma Inc., WellCare of Pennsylvania Inc., WellCare of Puerto Rico Inc., WellCare of South Carolina Inc., WellCare of Texas Inc., WellCare of Virginia Inc., WellCare of Washington Inc., Wellcare Health Plans Inc., Western Sky Community Care Inc., Windsor Health Group Inc., Winning Security S.L., Worlco Management Services, and nirvanaHealth LLC. Rogers Communications Inc. operates as a communications and media company in Canada. It operates through three segments: Wireless, Cable, and Media. The company offers mobile Internet access, wireless voice and enhanced voice, device and accessory financing, wireless home phone, device protection, text messaging, e-mail, global voice and data roaming, bridging landline, machine-to-machine and Internet of Things solutions, and advanced wireless solutions for businesses, as well as device delivery services; and postpaid and prepaid services under the Rogers, Fido, and chatr brands to approximately 10.9 million subscribers. It also provides Internet and WiFi services; smart home monitoring services, such as monitoring, security, automation, energy efficiency, and smart control through a smartphone app. In addition, the company offers local and network TV; on-demand television; cloud-based digital video recorders; voice-activated remote controls, and integrated apps; personal video recorders; linear and time-shifted programming; digital specialty channels; 4K television programming; and televised content on smartphones, tablets, and personal computers, as well as operates Ignite TV and Ignite TV app. Further, it provides residential and small business local telephony services; calling features, such as voicemail, call waiting, and long distance; voice, data networking, Internet protocol, and Ethernet services; private networking, Internet, IP voice, and cloud solutions; optical wave and multi-protocol label switching services; IT and network technologies; and cable access network services. The company also owns Toronto Blue Jays and the Rogers Centre event venue; and operates Sportsnet ONE, Sportsnet 360, Sportsnet World, Citytv, OMNI, FX (Canada), FXX (Canada), and OLN television networks, as well as 55 AM and FM radio stations. Rogers Communications Inc. was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More Stantec Inc. provides professional consulting services in the area of infrastructure and facilities in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company provides consulting services in engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, environmental sciences, project management, and project economics. It also offers water, transportation, and public works; transportation planning and traffic engineering; and resource assessment, mine development, reclamation, hydrology, and geotechnical and infrastructure engineering services, as well as urban planning, traffic assessments and optimization, environmental impact assessments, and public consultation services. In addition, the company provides structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and hydraulics engineering services. It serves urban regeneration, infrastructure, education, public and private sector, tourism and leisure, and waste and water sectors, as well as office and commercial, residential, and retail and town centers. The company was formerly known as Stanley Technology Group Inc. and changed its name to Stantec Inc. in October 1998. Stantec Inc. was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Edmonton, Canada. Read More Change the Rules Taking the fight to the bosses Workers rally Perth WA More than 4,000 workers in Perth defied weather and bosses threats to attend the ACTU Change the Rules National rallies that kicked off in Perth on Thursday October 18. The rally took place at the historic Solidarity Park behind WA State Parliament. This place witnessed the defeat of the Third Wave of industrial reforms introduced by the Liberal state government in 1997 so was a fitting place to kick off the start of the national rallies. Before the Change the Rules rally commenced the state secretary of the CFMEU, Mick Buchan asked for a minutes silence for the most recent workplace death on a building site in Mosman Park. A young trainee worker was trapped in a three-metre trench and drowned. It was the third workplace fatality in a week and Mick Buchan renewed calls for the introduction of industrial manslaughter laws. MC for the rally, state vice-president of the Electrical Trades Union, Terry Hayes, introduced the main speaker, ACTU secretary Sally McManus, who said, We are rallying because we will not accept inequality through record low wage increases while businesses have record profits and award their CEOs with record salaries. McManus said the new Prime Minister Scott Morrison has shown he has no concern about the use of labour hire going through the roof, insecure work affecting more than 40 percent of workers and he just does not care about the plight of ordinary workers. The federal Industrial Relations Minister, Kelly ODwyer, attempted to stop workers having the rally. They can try to dock our pay and jail our officials but they will not stop us from our historical mission which is to defend our wages, rights and conditions. We do not want to be in the position where in the future we have to ask, What did we do for our children as we watched our conditions sail down the river?. Pointing to the imminent federal election McManus said: We need to defeat the Liberals and their Muppet show when the time comes. Alan Hicks, national secretary of the ETU said building companies had tried to stop workers attending the rally. Hicks spoke passionately about his members who were picketing UGL/ESSO after the corporation had sacked their entire workforce and then offered them their jobs back at 30 percent less wages by removing them from their enterprise bargaining agreement, which had been in place for more than 20 years, reverting to the award. UGL/ESSO is part of Exxon/Mobil, the second largest corporation in the world. They engage in these tactics in a context where in Australia one percent of people own more than 70 percent of the wealth and inequality is at a 75-year high. Hicks also accused the government of undermining workers and wages by signing off on the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement, which will water down local market testing and skills recognition for migrants coming to look for work in Australia. Chris Cain, the state secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia, told the rally that his members attended by closing the docks at the port of Fremantle. He called for an end to workforce casualisation and privatisation, which is creating insecure work and the sale of public assets for private gain. Cain backed Buchans call for strong industrial manslaughter laws and engaged the rally in loud chants of, Kill a worker, go to jail! Steve McCartney, state secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) spoke of the struggles of his members at workplaces around Australia where the bosses use the tactic of increasing their profits by taking their workers off their EBAs and reverting to the award. Workers will take the fight up to the bosses; they will not give up their hard-fought wages, conditions and rights. Members in Collie, WA, stood together for one and half years outside the gates of Griffin Coal. Tim Dawson, state secretary of the Transport Workers Union, said TWU members are currently in dispute with Transdev who provide public transport services for the state government. Dawson said his members had been in dispute for over eight months and were yet to have a decent offer put on the negotiating table. The union was also concerned about the increased rate of casual contracts being offered to drivers, going from 20 percent to 60 percent casual. He said most of his members had never taken industrial action before but have been solid in their resolve to face up to the dirty tactics used by Transdev. This included standing them down for 48 hours when drivers as part of their industrial action, turned off their ticket machines for 24 hours. Union strategy however has seen an increase in public support. The Australian Workers Unions Mike Zoetbrood, spoke of the over 1,500 workers coming off a dispute at five Alcoa sites in WA. They were on strike for over 52 days. Unions WA secretary Meredith Hammat said that workers, their families and communities were often doing it tough in their struggle to resist the unfair laws that lowered wages, reduced conditions and increased inequality. The employers increasingly use big sticks to force their workers into submission. Hammat said the issues which the Change the Rules campaign seeks to address are widely and deeply felt and that the Perth rally was the start of nation-wide actions that will conclude on November 20 in Queensland. The Communist Party of Australia calls for a change in the system, not just the rules. The CPA supports the ACTU campaign to Change the Rules and calls on all workers to join their unions and support the ACTU national rallies. The following companies are subsidiares of Becton, Dickinson and: (Bard Istanbul Healthcare Limited Company), Accuri Cytometers, Accuri Cytometers Inc., Adaptec Manufacturing Singapore, Alverix, Alverix Inc., Atto Bioscience, BD Holding S. de R.L. de C.V., BD Infection Prevention BV, BD Kiestra BV, BD Kiestra Total Lab Automation, BD Rapid Diagnostic (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., BD San Luis Potosi S.A. de C.V., BD Switzerland Sarl, BD Ventures LLC, BD West Africa Limited, BDX INO LLC, Bard (Thailand) Limited, Bard ASDI Inc., Bard Access Systems Inc., Bard Acquisition Sub Inc., Bard Australia Pty. Limited, Bard Benelux N.V., Bard Brachytherapy Inc., Bard Brasil Industria e Comercio de Produtos Para a Saude Ltda., Bard Canada Inc., Bard Chile S.p.A., Bard Colombia S.A.S., Bard Czech Republic s.r.o., Bard Devices Inc., Bard Dublin ITC Limited, Bard EMEA Finance Center Sp.z o.o., Bard European Distribution Center N.V., Bard Finance B.V. & Co. KG., Bard Financial Services Ltd., Bard Finland OY, Bard France S.A.S., Bard Global Holdings I LLC, Bard Global Holdings II LLC, Bard Global Holdings III LLC, Bard Healthcare Inc., Bard Healthcare Science (Shanghai) Limited, Bard Hellas S.A., Bard Holding SAS, Bard Holdings Limited, Bard Holdings Netherlands B.V., Bard Hong Kong Limited, Bard IP Holdings Inc., Bard India Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Bard International Holdings B.V., Bard International Inc., Bard Korea Ltd., Bard Limited, Bard MRL Acquisition Corp., Bard Malaysia Healthcare Sdn. Bhd., Bard Medica SA, Bard Medical Devices (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Bard Medical R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Bard Medical SA (Proprietary) Limited, Bard Mexico Realty S. de R.L. de C.V., Bard Norden AB, Bard Norway AS, Bard Pacific Health Care Company Ltd., Bard Peripheral Vascular Inc., Bard Poland Sp. z.o.o., Bard Productos Plasticos e Medicos Ltda., Bard Reynosa S.A. de C.V., Bard S.r.l., Bard Sdn. 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S.A. de C.V., Becton Dickinson Infusion Therapy UK, Becton Dickinson Insulin Syringe Ltd., Becton Dickinson International Holdings II Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson International Holdings III Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson International Holdings Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson Israel Ltd., Becton Dickinson Italia S.p.A., Becton Dickinson Ithalat Ihracat Limited Sirketi, Becton Dickinson Korea Holding Inc., Becton Dickinson Korea Ltd., Becton Dickinson Ltd., Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Finance S.a.r.L., Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Global Holdings Sarl, Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Holdings II S.a.r.L, Becton Dickinson Luxembourg Holdings III S.a.r.L, Becton Dickinson Malaysia Inc., Becton Dickinson Management GmbH & Co. KG, Becton Dickinson Matrex Holdings Inc., Becton Dickinson Medical (S) Pte Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Devices (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Devices (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Products Pte. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Medical Technology (Jiangsu) Co. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Netherlands Global Holdings II C.V., Becton Dickinson Netherlands Holdings B.V., Becton Dickinson Netherlands Holdings II B.V., Becton Dickinson Norway AS, Becton Dickinson O.Y., Becton Dickinson Overseas Services Ltd., Becton Dickinson Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd., Becton Dickinson Penel Limited, Becton Dickinson Philippines Inc., Becton Dickinson Polska Sp.z.o.o., Becton Dickinson Portugal Unipessoal Lda., Becton Dickinson Pty. Ltd., Becton Dickinson Research Centre Ireland Limited, Becton Dickinson Rowa Germany GmbH, Becton Dickinson Rowa Italy Srl, Becton Dickinson S.A., Becton Dickinson Sample Collection GmbH, Becton Dickinson Scot Financing L.L.P., Becton Dickinson Scot Financing L.P., Becton Dickinson Sdn. Bhd., Becton Dickinson Slovakia s.r.o., Becton Dickinson Sweden AB, Becton Dickinson Sweden Holdings AB, Becton Dickinson Switzerland Global Holdings SarL, Becton Dickinson Technology Campus India, Becton Dickinson U.K. Limited, Becton Dickinson UK Financing I Ltd., Becton Dickinson UK Financing II Ltd., Becton Dickinson Venezuela C.A., Becton Dickinson Venture LLC, Becton Dickinson Verwaltungs GmbH, Becton Dickinson Vostok LLC, Becton Dickinson Worldwide Investments Sa.r.L., Becton Dickinson Zambia Limited, Becton Dickinson and Company Ltd., Becton Dickinson de Colombia Ltda., Becton Dickinson de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Becton Dickinson del Uruguay S.A., Benex Ltd., Biometric Imaging, Bridger Biomed Inc., C. R. Bard, C. R. Bard (Portugal)-Produtos e Artigos Medicos e Farmaceuticos, C. R. Bard Do Brazil Productos Medicos Ltds., C. R. Bard GmbH, C. R. Bard Inc., C. R. Bard Netherlands Sales B.V., CME America LLC, CME Ltd., CME Medical (UK) Limited, CME UK (Holdings) Limited, CRISI Medical Systems, CRISI Medical Systems Inc., Caesarea Medical Electronics, Cardal II LLC, Care Fusion Development Private Limited, CareFusion, CareFusion (Barbados) SrL, CareFusion (Shanghai) Commercial and Trading Co. Limited, CareFusion 213 LLC, CareFusion 2200 Inc., CareFusion 2201 Inc., CareFusion 302 LLC, CareFusion 303 Inc., CareFusion Asia (HK) Limited, CareFusion BH 335 d.o.o. Cazin, CareFusion Corporation, CareFusion D.R. 203 Ltd., CareFusion France 309 S.A.S., CareFusion Germany 318 GmbH, CareFusion Iberia 308 S.L., CareFusion Israel 330 Ltd., CareFusion Italy 312 S.p.A., CareFusion Manufacturing LLC, CareFusion Mexico 215 S.A. de C.V., CareFusion Netherlands 328 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands 503 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands 504 B.V., CareFusion Netherlands Financing 283 C.V., CareFusion Resources LLC, CareFusion S.A. 319 (Proprietary) Limited, CareFusion Solutions LLC, CareFusion U.K. 244 Limited, CareFusion U.K. 305 Limited, CareFusion U.K. 306 Limited, Carmel Pharma AB, Carmel Pharma Inc, Cato Software Solutions, Cell Analysis Systems Inc, Cellular Research, Cellular Research Inc., Clearstream Technologies Group Limited, Clearstream Technologies Limited, Clontech Laboratories Inc, Corporativo BD de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Cubex, Cytopeia, DLD (Bermuda) Ltd., DVL Acquisition Sub Inc., Davol Inc., Davol International Limited, Davol Surgical Innovations S.A. de C.V., Difco Laboratories Incorporated, Distribuidora BD Mexico S.A. de C.V., Dutch American Manufacturers (D.A.M.) B.V., Dymax Corporation, Embo Medical Limited, Enturia de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Enturican Inc., FJ International Inc., FlowCardia Inc., FlowCardia LLC, FlowJo LLC, Franklin Lakes Enterprises L.L.C., GSL Solutions, Gamer Lasertechnik GmbH, GenCell Biosystems, GenCell Biosystems Ltd., GeneOhm Sciences, GeneOhm Sciences Canada Inc., Gentest Corporation, Gesco International Inc., Gesco International LLC, HandyLab Inc, HandyLab Inc., IBD Holdings LLC, Ionotophoretics Corporation, JoHome LLC, Kabushiki Kaisha Medicon (Medicon Inc.), Liberator Health and Education Services Inc., Liberator Health and Wellness Inc., Liberator Medical Holdings Inc., Liberator Medical Supply Inc., LifeBond, Limited Liability Company Bard Rus, Loma Vista Medical Inc., Loma Vista Medical LLC, Lutonix Inc., Med-Design Corporation, Med-Design Investment Holdings Inc., Med-Safe Systems Inc., MedChem Products Inc., Medafor Inc., Medegen LLC, Medinservice.com Inc., Medivance Inc., NAT Diagnostics, NAT Diagnostics Inc., NOW Medical Distribution Inc., NOW Medical Distribution LLC, Navarre Biomedical LLC, Navarre Biomedical Ltd., Neomend Inc., Nippon Becton Dickinson Company Ltd., Omega Biosystems Incorporated, P.R.C.(Isialys)Societe a responsabilitie limitee(Societe a associe unique), PT Becton Dickinson Indonesia, PharMingen, PreAnalytiX GmbH, Pristine Access Technologies Inc., ProSeed Inc., Procesos para Esterilizacion S.A. de C.V., Productos Bard de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Productos Para el Cuidado de la Salud S.A. de C.V., Puls Medical Devices AS LC, PureWick Corporation, Roberts Laboratories Inc., Rochester Medical Corporation, Rochester Medical Ltd., Saf-T-Med, Safety Syringes, Safety Syringes Inc., Sendal S.L.U., SenoRx Inc., SenoRx LLC, Shield Healthcare Centers Inc., Sirigen, Sirigen II Limited, Sirigen Inc., Sistemas Medicos ALARIS S.A. de C.V., Specialized Cooperative Corporation, Specialized Health Products Inc., Specialized Health Products International Inc., Specialized Health Products International LLC, Staged Diabetes Management LLC, Straub Medical, Straub Medical, Straub Medical (US) LLC, Straub Medical (United Kingdom) Ltd., Straub Medical France, Surgical Site Solutions Inc., TVA Medical, TVA Medical GmbH, TVA Medical Inc., Tepha, Touchstone Medical Limited, Tri-County Medical & Ostomy Supplies Inc., TriPath Imaging, TriPath Imaging Inc., Vas-Cath Incorporated, Vascular Pathways Inc., Velano Vascular, Venetec International Inc., Venetec International LLC, Y-Med Inc., and Y-Med LLC. The following companies are subsidiares of Occidental Petroleum: 1PointFive Inc., 1PointFive P1 LLC, APC Aviation Inc., APC International Holdings LLC, APC Midstream Holdings LLC, APC Venezuela Srl, ARCO Long Beach, Altura Energy, Amarok Gathering LLC, Anadarko 20-25 Company, Anadarko 20-36 Company, Anadarko 20-47 Company, Anadarko 20-48 Company, Anadarko 20-49 Company, Anadarko Algeria Block 403 c/e Company, Anadarko Algeria Block 406B Company, Anadarko Algeria Company LLC, Anadarko Algeria Oil & Gas Company, Anadarko Brazil Investment I LLC, Anadarko Brazil Investment II LLC, Anadarko Canada E&P Limited, Anadarko China Holdings 2 Company, Anadarko Colombia Company, Anadarko Consolidated Holdings LLC, Anadarko Cote d'Ivoire Block 103 Company, Anadarko Cote d'Ivoire Company, Anadarko DBMOS Operator LLC, Anadarko Development Company, Anadarko Development Holding Limited, Anadarko E&P Onshore LLC, Anadarko Egypt Holdings Company, Anadarko Energy Holding Limited, Anadarko Energy Services Company, Anadarko Exploracao e Producao de Petroleo e Gas Natural Ltda., Anadarko Finance Company, Anadarko Gabon Company, Anadarko Ghana Mahogany-1 Company, Anadarko Global Energy S.a.r.l, Anadarko Global Funding 1 Company, Anadarko Global Funding II Ltd., Anadarko Guyana Company, Anadarko Holding Company, Anadarko International Development S.a.r.l, Anadarko International Energy Company, Anadarko International O&G Company, Anadarko International Trading Corporation, Anadarko Jordan Company, Anadarko Kenya Company, Anadarko LMM S.a.r.l, Anadarko Land Corp., Anadarko Mexico B.V., Anadarko Mexico S.a.r.l, Anadarko Midkiff/Chaney Dell BR Corp., Anadarko Midkiff/Chaney Dell LLC, Anadarko Natural Gas Company LLC, Anadarko New Zealand Company, Anadarko OGC Company, Anadarko Offshore Holding Company LLC, Anadarko Offshore Well Containment Company LLC, Anadarko Oil & Gas 5 LLC, Anadarko Peru B.V., Anadarko Petroleum, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Anadarko Realty LLC, Anadarko Rockies LLC, Anadarko Royalty Holdings Company, Anadarko UK Corporate Limited, Anadarko US Offshore LLC, Anadarko USH1 Corporation, Anadarko Venezuela Company, Anadarko Venezuela LLC, Anadarko Venezuela Srl, Anadarko WCTP Company, Anadarko West Texas BR Corp., Anadarko West Texas LLC, Anadarko Worldwide Holdings C.V., Atlantic Rim Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Aventine LLC, Baseball Merger Sub 2 Inc., Bear Branch Exploration LLC, Big Island Trona Company, Bitter Creek Coal Company, Bravo Pipeline Company, Cain Chemical, Cain Chemical Inc., Carbon Finance Labs LLC, Concord Petroleum Corporation, Conn Creek Shale Company, D.S. Ventures LLC, DMM Financial LLC, Deerwood Exploration LLC, Downtown Plaza II, Elk Hills Field, FLAG Development LLC, FP Westport Commodities Limited, FP Westport GmbH, FP Westport LLC, FP Westport Limited, FP Westport Services LLC, FP Westport Trading LLC, Fosters Mill Exploration LLC, Glenn Springs Holdings Inc., Globrep Representaciones S.A., Grand Bassa Tankers Inc., Grupo OxyChem de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Headwater II LLC, Houndstooth Resources LLC, INDSPEC Chemical B.V., INDSPEC Chemical Corporation, INDSPEC Chemical Corporation, INDSPEC Chemical Export Sales LLC, INDSPEC Holding Corporation, Ingleside Cogeneration GP LLC, Ingleside Cogeneration Limited Partnership, Interore Trading Ltd., Joslyn Partnership, KERR-McGEE TT E&P LTD., KM BM-C-Seven Ltd., KM International Insurance Ltd., Kerr-McGee Corporation, Kerr-McGee Natural Gas Company Inc., Kerr-McGee Oil & Gas Onshore LP, Kerr-McGee Shared Services Company LLC, Kerr-McGee Stored Power Corporation, Kerr-McGee U.K. Energy Corporation, Kerr-McGee Worldwide Corporation, Kerr-McGee do Brasil Ltda., Kerr-McGee of Canada Northwest Ltd., Laguna Petroleum Corp., Laguna Petroleum LLC, Liwa Oil & Gas Ltd., MC2 Technologies LLC, Mariana Properties Inc., Marico Exploration Inc., Miller Springs Remediation Management Inc., Moncrief Minerals Partnership L.P., NGL Ventures LLC, Natural Gas Odorizing Inc., New OPL LLC, OEVC Energy LLC, OEVC Midstream Projects LLC, OIH LLC, OLCV CE Holdings ULC, OLCV CE US Holdings Inc., OLCV Net Power LLC, OLCV Services LLC, OOG Partner LLC, OOOI Chem Holdings LLC, OOOI Chem Sub LLC, OOOI Chemical International LLC, OOOI Chile Holder LLC, OOOI Ecuador Management LLC, OOOI Oil and Gas Sub LLC, OOOI South America Management LLC, OPM GP Inc., OPM Holdco LLC, OTCF LLC, OTH LLC, OXY CV Pipeline LLC, OXY Campus LLC, OXY Inc., OXY LPG LLC, OXY Libya E&P Area 103 BR4 B.V., OXY Libya E&P Area 35 Ltd., OXY Libya E&P Concession 103 Ltd., OXY Libya E&P EPSA 102 B.V., OXY Libya E&P EPSA 1981 Ltd., OXY Libya E&P EPSA 1985 Ltd., OXY Libya E&P NC 143 144 145 150 B.V., OXY Libya Exploration SPC, OXY Libya LLC, OXY Little Knife LLC, OXY Mexico Holdings I LLC, OXY Mexico Holdings II LLC, OXY Middle East Holdings Ltd., OXY Oil Partners Inc., OXY PBLP Manager LLC, OXY Support Services LLC, OXY Tulsa Inc., OXY USA Inc., OXY USA WTP LP, OXY VPP Investments LLC, OXY West LLC, OXY of Saudi Arabia Ltd., OXYCHEM (CANADA) INC., OXYMAR, Oakwood Exploration LLC, Occidental (Bermuda) Ltd., Occidental (East Shabwa) LLC, Occidental Advance Sale Finance Inc., Occidental Al Hosn LLC, Occidental Angola Holdings Ltd., Occidental CIS Services Inc., Occidental Canada Holdings Ltd., Occidental Chemical Asia Limited, Occidental Chemical Belgium B.V.B.A., Occidental Chemical Chile Limitada, Occidental Chemical Corporation, Occidental Chemical Export Sales LLC, Occidental Chemical Far East Limited, Occidental Chemical Holding Corporation, Occidental Chemical International LLC, Occidental Chemical Investment (Canada) 1 Inc., Occidental Chemical Receivables LLC, Occidental Chemical de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Occidental Chile Investments LLC, Occidental Chile Minority Holder LLC, Occidental Colombia (Series G) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series J) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series K) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series L) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series M) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series N) Ltd., Occidental Colombia (Series O) Ltd., Occidental Crude Sales Inc. (Canada), Occidental Crude Sales Inc. (International), Occidental Dolphin Holdings Ltd., Occidental Energy Marketing Inc., Occidental Energy Ventures LLC, Occidental Exploradora del Peru Ltd., Occidental Exploration and Production Company, Occidental Hafar LLC, Occidental International (Libya) Inc., Occidental International Corporation, Occidental International Exploration and Production Company, Occidental International Holdings Ltd., Occidental International Oil and Gas Ltd., Occidental International Services Inc., Occidental Joslyn GP 2 Co., Occidental LNG (Malaysia) Ltd., Occidental Latin America Holdings LLC, Occidental Libya Oil & Gas B.V., Occidental MENA Manager Ltd., Occidental Middle East Development Company, Occidental Midland Basin LLC, Occidental Mukhaizna LLC, Occidental Oil Asia Pte. Ltd., Occidental Oil Shale Inc., Occidental Oil and Gas (Oman) Ltd., Occidental Oil and Gas Corporation, Occidental Oil and Gas International Inc., Occidental Oil and Gas International LLC, Occidental Oil and Gas Pakistan LLC, Occidental Oil and Gas of Peru LLC, Occidental Oman (Block 27) Holdings Ltd., Occidental Oman Block 51 Holding Ltd., Occidental Oman Block 51 LLC, Occidental Oman Block 65 Holding Ltd., Occidental Oman Block 65 LLC, Occidental Oman Block 72 Holding Ltd., Occidental Oman Block 72 LLC, Occidental Oman Gas Company LLC, Occidental Oman Gas Holdings Ltd., Occidental Oman North Holdings Ltd., Occidental Oriente Exploration and Production Ltd., Occidental Overseas Holdings B.V., Occidental PVC LLC, Occidental Peninsula II Inc., Occidental Peninsula LLC, Occidental Permian Ltd., Occidental Permian Manager LLC, Occidental Permian Services Inc., Occidental Peruana Inc., Occidental Petrolera del Peru (Block 101) Inc., Occidental Petrolera del Peru (Block 103) Inc., Occidental Petroleum (Pakistan) Inc., Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Occidental Petroleum Corporation Political Action Committee, Occidental Petroleum de Venezuela S.A., Occidental Petroleum of Nigeria, Occidental Petroleum of Oman Ltd., Occidental Petroleum of Qatar Ltd., Occidental Power Marketing L.P., Occidental Power Services Inc., Occidental Qatar Energy Company LLC, Occidental Red Sea Development LLC, Occidental Research Corporation, Occidental Resource Recovery Systems Inc., Occidental Resources Company, Occidental Shah Gas Holdings Ltd., Occidental South America Finance LLC, Occidental Specialty Marketing Inc., Occidental Tower Corporation, Occidental Transportation Holding Corporation, Occidental West Texas Overthrust Inc., Occidental Yemen Ltd., Occidental Yemen Sabatain Inc., Occidental del Ecuador Inc., Occidental of Abu Dhabi (Bab) Ltd., Occidental of Abu Dhabi (Shah) Ltd., Occidental of Abu Dhabi Holdings Ltd., Occidental of Abu Dhabi LLC, Occidental of Abu Dhabi Ltd., Occidental of Bahrain Ltd., Occidental of Bangladesh Inc., Occidental of Colombia (Chipiron) Inc., Occidental of Colombia (Cosecha) Inc., Occidental of Colombia (Medina) Inc., Occidental of Colombia (Putumayo) Ltd., Occidental of Colombia (Teca) Ltd., Occidental of Colombia PUT-36 LLC, Occidental of Dubai Inc., Occidental of Iraq Holdings Ltd., Occidental of Iraq LLC, Occidental of Oman Inc., Occidental of Russia Ltd., Occidental of South Africa (Offshore) Inc., Occidental of Yemen (Block 75) LLC, Oceanic Marine Transport Ltd., Opcal Insurance Inc., Oryx Crude Trading & Transportation Inc., Oxy BridgeTex Limited Partnership, Oxy C & I Bulk Sales LLC, Oxy Canada Sales Inc., Oxy Carbon Solutions LLC, Oxy Carbon Storage LLC, Oxy Climate Ventures Inc., Oxy Cogeneration Holding Company LLC, Oxy Colombia Holdings LLC, Oxy Colombia TopCo Ltd., Oxy Delaware Basin LLC, Oxy Delaware Basin Plant LLC, Oxy Dolphin E&P LLC, Oxy Dolphin Pipeline LLC, Oxy Energy Canada Inc., Oxy Energy Services LLC, Oxy Expatriate Services Inc., Oxy FFT Holdings Inc., Oxy Holding Company (Pipeline) Inc., Oxy International Ventures Ltd., Oxy LPG Terminal LLC, Oxy Levelland Pipeline Company LLC, Oxy Levelland Terminal Company LLC, Oxy Low Carbon Ventures LLC, Oxy Midstream Strategic Development LLC, Oxy Oleoducto SOP LLC, Oxy Overseas Services Ltd., Oxy Permian Gathering LLC, Oxy Permian Plaza LLC, Oxy Petroleum de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Oxy Renewable Energy LLC, Oxy Salt Creek Pipeline LLC, Oxy TL LLC, Oxy Taft Hub LLC, Oxy Technology Ventures Inc., Oxy Transport I Company LLC, Oxy Vinyls Canada Co., Oxy Vinyls Export Sales LLC, Oxy Vinyls LP, Oxy Westwood Corporation, Oxy Y-1 Company, OxyChem Ingleside Ethylene Holdings Inc., OxyChem do Brasil Ltda., OxyChile Investments LLC, Oxychem Shipping Ltd., Permian Basin JV Tax Matters Member LLC, Permian Basin Limited Partnership, Permian VPP Holder LP, Permian VPP Manager LLC, Phibro, Placid Oil LLC, Ramlat Oxy Ltd., Rio de Viento Inc., Rodeo Midland Basin LLC, San Patricio Pipeline LLC, Scanports Shipping LLC, SequestCo LLC, Stetson Exploration LLC, Sun Offshore Gathering Company, Swiflite Aircraft Corporation, Transok Properties LLC, Troy Potter Inc., Turavent Oil GmbH [in liquidation], Tuscaloosa Holdings Inc., UP Petroleo III Ltd., Upland Industries Corporation, Venezuela US SRL, Vintage Gas Inc., Vintage Petroleum, Vintage Petroleum Argentina Ltd., Vintage Petroleum Boliviana Ltd., Vintage Petroleum International Finance B.V., Vintage Petroleum International Holdings LLC, Vintage Petroleum International LLC, Vintage Petroleum International Ventures Inc., Vintage Petroleum Italy Inc., Vintage Petroleum South America Holdings Inc., Vintage Petroleum South America LLC, Vintage Petroleum Turkey Inc., WGR Asset Holding Company LLC, WGR Canada Inc., Wardner Ranch Inc., Western Gas Resources Inc., Western Gas Resources-Westana Inc., Western Midstream Holdings LLC, Woodlands International Insurance Ltd., and YT Ranch LLC. There is not enough analysis data for BlackRock MuniEnhanced Fund. 4.7 Community Rank Outperform Votes BlackRock MuniEnhanced Fund has received 105 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes BlackRock MuniEnhanced Fund has received 46 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment BlackRock MuniEnhanced Fund has received 69.54% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about BlackRock MuniEnhanced Fund and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe MEN will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe MEN will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next Rayonier, Inc. is a real estate investment trust, which engages in investment in timberlands. It operates through the following business segments: Southern Timber, Pacific Northwest Timber, New Zealand Timber, Real Estate, Timber Funds and Trading. The Southern Timber, Pacific Northwest Timber and New Zealand Timber segments reflect all activities related to the harvesting of timber and other value-added activities, such as recreational licenses, within each respective geography. The Real Estate segment reflects all U.S. land sales, which are reported in the following sales categories: Improved Development, Unimproved Development, Rural, Non-Strategic and Timberlands, and Large Dispositions. The Timber Funds segment represents operations of the three private equity timber funds included in the Pope Resources transaction. The Trading segment reflects the log trading activities that support New Zealand operations. The company was founded in 1926 and is headquartered in Wild light, FL. Read More Vedanta Resources plc operates as a diversified natural resources company in India, Zambia, South Africa, Namibia, the United Arab Emirates, Ireland, Australia, and Liberia. It primarily produces zinc, lead, silver, copper, iron ore, and aluminum deposits. The company also explores for, extracts, and processes minerals, as well as oil and gas. In addition, it operates as a power producer with an installed capacity of 8.4 gigawatts of thermal based power generation and 274 megawatts of wind power generation. Further, the company engages in the port operations business in India; mining, smelting, and refining copper, aluminum, zinc, and iron ore; and gold and silver processing activity. Additionally, it provides accommodation and catering services; and leases medical equipment, as well as offers related building and conducting services. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Vedanta Resources plc is a subsidiary of Volcan Investments Limited. Read More iShares Latin America 40 ETF's stock was trading at $22.49 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, ILF shares have increased by 7.5% and is now trading at $24.17. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at contact@marketbeat.com | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. Our Accessibility Statement | Terms of Service | Do Not Sell My Information 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research. Push for just transition As the mining union prepares to ramp-up its campaign for a just transition for workers whose future is disrupted by climate change, its leader has warned the Labor Party that to take power at the next election, it must win the Central Queensland seats that contain thousands of coal mining and power workers. CFMMEU Mining and Energy Division general president Tony Maher told a just transition roundtable last week that the key lesson that must be learnt from the chaos of the UK [Brexit] and the USA [Trump] and elsewhere is that economic development that leaves people behind produces a backlash that can topple governments. And the message on that front for federal Labor, he said, is that there is no path to government in Canberra that does not pass through Central Queensland, while noting that in general that most of the power stations and mines are in the [federal and state] seats ... that help to determine who forms government. He said that on just transition, the federal Labor Party is actually listening to us for a change and making noises sympathetic to our agenda, while indicating he would wait to see if it resulted in policy change. However, those pushing for just transition, face a deeper problem, he told the just transition roundtable convened by the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU). Maher flagged that over the next few weeks the union will be releasing research it has commissioned on just transition. Weve looked across the world for the best and worst examples of how to restructure as if people mattered, he said. The worst examples include the Appalachian region of the United States, where coal companies and the politicians in their pocket have doubled down on a coal future an over-reliance which has already resulted in recession or near-recession for two decades He said the Ruhr Valley in Germany provided a much better example, where jobs in coal mining were phased out from 90,000 jobs to almost nothing today, with no worker being forcibly retrenched. In Australia, he said the closure program for the Hazelwood brown coal power station shows the limits of voluntary programs, at least in Australia where few firms voluntarily participate in social dialogue and have little commitment to the communities that host them. He said that Hazelwood owner Engie failed to plan for the power stations closure and planned to throw the 750 workers on the scrap heap and nothing could be done about it. But thats crap, he said, governments intervene in markets all of the time. Maher said the belief that nothing could be done to ameliorate the effects of the Hazelwood closure was one of the faults commonly identified within structural adjustment programs in Australia and elsewhere. The other was that it was announced on the run and after the fact of the closure announcement, while it was also designed to address electoral concerns as much as to create a long-term alternative future. We have known for most of a decade now that the existing coal-fired power stations will close and will not be replaced because of carbon constraints. Whether they are publicly owned or privately owned, the signs have gone up that these power stations will close. Maher said that when Australia created its then 20 percent renewable energy target, unions failed to make it conditional on ... an industry policy. So weve created jobs, but theyre largely overseas jobs, because the great bulk of jobs in renewables are in manufacturing. So if youre importing everything, all youve got is the assembly jobs. Meanwhile, NZ has recently established a Just Transition Unit within its Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Its general manager, Gus Charteris, told the conference that the relatively new entity had been set up after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern asked MBIE to bring a just transition approach to its climate change work. He said one of two tasks she had set the ministry was to start a national conversation on what a just transition could look like. The government, he said, would be holding a summit to kickstart that conversation on May 9 and 10 next year in the north islands Taranaki region (midway between Wellington and Auckland), which is the hub for the nations oil and gas industry. The NZ CTU released a 10-point plan for a just transition at the roundtable. It includes a social guarantee of good jobs and making decent work a condition of new infrastructure funding and development. * Russell Robertson is the unions lodge president at the mine. Vermilion Energy Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of petroleum and natural gas in North America, Europe, and Australia. It owns 81% working interest in 642,300 net acres of developed land and 87% working interest in 376,700 net acres of undeveloped land, and 613 net producing natural gas wells and 3,034 net producing oil wells in Canada; and 96% working interest in 248,900 net acres of developed land and 91% working interest in 222,100 net acres of undeveloped land in the Aquitaine and Paris Basins, and 325 net producing oil wells and 3.0 net producing gas wells in France. The company also owns 49% working interest in 930,000 net acres of land and 51 net producing natural gas wells in the Netherlands; and 36,900 net developed acres and 965,900 net undeveloped acres of land, and 61 net producing oil wells and 8 net producing natural gas wells in Germany. In addition, it owns offshore Corrib natural gas field located to the northwest coast of Ireland; and 100% working interest in the Wandoo offshore oil field and related production assets that covers 59,600 acres located on Western Australia's northwest shelf. Further, the company holds 138,000 net acres of land in the Powder River basin, and 136.6 net producing oil wells in the United States; and 951,200 net acres of land in Hungary, 244,900 net acres of land in Slovakia, and 2.4 million net acres of land in Croatia. Vermilion Energy Inc. was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More President Donald Trumps son, Eric Trump, will be in the local area to attend a rally for Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney on Tuesday, Tenneys campaign confirmed to NEWSChannel 2. The rally with Tenney and Trump will be at 4 p.m. in New Hartford, and members of the public who would like to attend will need a ticket. Details on tickets will be released Tuesday morning. The location of the rally which is not a fundraiser has not yet been made public. Trump is also expected to make a stop in Rome during his visit to the area, but details on that have not been released. Eric Trump is the executive vice president for the Trump Organization, along with his brother Donald Trump Jr. Last week, House Speaker Paul Ryan attended a fundraiser for Tenney in the Southern Tier, and President Donald Trump attended a fundraiser for Tenney in Utica back in August. Tenneys campaign says they do not know if President Trump or Vice President Mike Pence will be coming back to the area, but theyre hopeful that they will. In the Nov. 6 general election for the 22nd Congressional District, Tenney will face Democratic challenger Anthony Brindisi. (CNN) -- The Human Rights Campaign on Sunday called for the Trump administration not to go forward with a rollback of protections for transgender people, following a report in The New York Times on a draft proposal. "Setting a destructive precedent, the Trump-Pence administration intends to erase LGBTQ people from federal civil rights protections and eviscerate enforcement of non-discrimination laws," the group's president, Chad Griffin, said in a statement. HRC is among the nation's most prominent LGBTQ rights groups, and its statement Sunday called on Congress to pass legislation enshrining protections it says are at threat should the Trump administration go forward with the reported plan. The Times report said the Department of Health and Human Services is working to define sex under Title IX as solely male or female at birth, with no room for change. The proposal could formally be presented to the Justice Department by the end of the year, sources told the Times. "Sex means a person's status as male or female based on immutable biological traits identifiable by or before birth," the proposal says, according to The Times. The move, if made and followed through in coordination with other key federal departments, would mark a major shift for transgender rights under the law and reverse course from the Obama administration, which expanded the legal concept of gender in several instances to recognize gender identity did not always match one's sex as determined at birth. Vanita Gupta, head of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, said in a statement on Sunday that the proposal "defies the medical community, science, civil rights laws, the courts and the dictates of human decency." Gupta worked in the Justice Department's civil rights division during the Obama administration, and in her statement, said civil rights groups would use "every tool" they could to counter the reported Trump administration move. The report published Sunday said the new definition, if adopted, would erase federal recognition for the many Americans who identify as a gender different than the one they were identified with at birth. It also said the move would be relevant in particular to a pair of proposed rules, one from the Education Department on sex discrimination at schools and colleges and another at HHS on health programs that receive federal funding. HHS spokesperson Caitlin Oakley declined to comment to CNN "on alleged leaked documents," and a statement from Roger Severino, the head of HHS' office of civil rights, said HHS was following a court order blocking a rule on gender identity. "A federal court has blocked HHS's rule on gender identity and termination of pregnancy as contrary to law and infringing the rights of healthcare providers across the country," Severino's statement said. "The court order remains in full force and effect today and HHS is abiding by it as we continue to review the issue." The Times report said HHS has argued privately that sex should not include gender identity "or even homosexuality," and that the Obama administration was wrong to extend civil rights protections. It said additionally that HHS officials were looking to a 2016 federal court ruling on a provision of Obamacare, where Judge Reed O'Connor said, "Congress did not understand 'sex' to include 'gender identity.'" The draft proposal would be one of the latest attempts to push back against Obama administration policies on gender identity and LGBT rights, much of which has come in contrast to President Donald Trump's pledge during his 2016 presidential campaign to be an ally to the LGBT community. HRC described the news Sunday as "the latest effort in a consistent, multi-pronged campaign by the Trump-Pence White House over the past two years to undermine the rights and welfare of LGBTQ people." "Defining 'sex' in this narrow language tailored to the talking points of anti-equality extremists is part of a deliberate strategy to eliminate federal protections for LGBTQ people," Griffin said. EDMESTON, NY-- A local farmer is facing animal abuse charges after 27 cows were found dead inside a barn along Route 20 in Edmeston. According to state police, troopers received a call on Sunday around 1 p.m. to check on the welfare of the cows at a barn on Route 20. "They went inside the dairy farm and they located immediately 27 deceased cows, which were also in several inches of manure," said Aga Dembinska, public information officer for New State Police Troop C. Police said 45-year-old James Mumbulo, of Edmeston had been renting the property. Mumbulo has been charged with 27 counts of torturing and injuring animals. Police said there was no water or food in the barn. "The veterinarian looked at the animals and determined that they had been deceased for good amount of time," Dembinska said. "They could not even determine the cause of death." The owner of the property did not want speak on camera, but he said he reported it to police because he had seen the cows at the barn in months. Mumbulo has been released on an appearance ticket. He is schedule to appear in court next month. CAMDEN New York State Police were investigating a reported hunting accident in the Camden area that occurred over the weekend. New York State Police say a 14-year-old was struck by pellets in the upper torso and neck. Police say two hunters shot toward an embankment at a flying duck, and the teen was walking close by. Police say his injuries are superficial. State police have now turned the case over to investigators with the state Department of Environmental Conservation. A Rome man is facing a list of charges after he allegedly broke into multiple residences, was involved in several domestic disputes with his wife, and struck a police officer with his vehicle, according to the Rome Police Department. Police say at approximately 2:30 a.m. Sunday, they took 30-year-old Jeffrey Smith-Brown into custody after he unlawfully went into a residence in the 500 block of West Liberty Street in Rome. Police say Smith-Brown walked into the home around 2:25 a.m. and was immediately detained by one of the residents, who didnt know Smith-Brown, while the other resident called 911. In connection to that incident, Smith-Brown was charged with misdemeanor second-degree criminal trespass, but police say he was also wanted on felony charges related to domestic incidents that had occurred over the last four to five days and as recent as the last couple hours. Police say a couple hours prior to his arrest, Smith-Brown had broken into his former home and assaulted his wife, who had an active order of protection against him, then fled the scene before police arrived. Police say Smith-Brown was also wanted in connection to an incident on Oct. 16, where Smith-Brown allegedly went into his former residence and assaulted his wife. Police say he was on scene when police arrived, and he struck an officer with his vehicle as he attempted to flee the scene. Smith-Brown is charged with: - Three counts of first-degree criminal contempt (Felony) - First-degree burglary (Felony) - Second-degree reckless endangerment (Misdemeanor) - Second-degree criminal trespass (Misdemeanor) - Reckless driving (Misdemeanor) Smith-Brown was taken to the Rome Police Department to be processed and arraigned. Police say the investigation is ongoing and further charges are pending. SODUS, N.Y. (AP) - Schools are closed in an upstate New York town as police continue to search for the suspect in a double fatal shooting. Authorities say the shooting happened Monday afternoon outside a home in Sodus, on Lake Ontario about 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of Rochester. A witness told police the suspect walked up to a car and shot and killed the female driver. The suspect then shot and killed a man nearby. The Wayne County Sheriff's Office says the suspect was spotted running through the backyard of a home near the shooting scene wearing a dark hoodie and a green hat. Police are not releasing the names of the victims until their next-of-kin is notified. Authorities say the victims knew each other, but have declined to divulge details of their relationship. Cubas struggle for freedom On October 10, 1868, Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, an educated, wealthy lawyer, sugar mill and slave owner, called for an uprising against Spanish colonial rule, the Grito de Yara (Cry of Yara), otherwise known as the declaration of rebellion. Antonio Maceo Grajales. The date continues to define Cubas national identity and is seen as the start of the Cuban peoples struggle for independence; the late Fidel Castro called the date the beginning of the revolution. October 10 Independence Day is an annual public holiday. Cespedes is renowned as Father of the Homeland, and Cubas national anthem, La Bayamesa, was also written in the same period, a century and a half ago. Cespedes released the slaves owned by his family following the Grito de Yara and called for the abolition of slavery, reportedly urging the crowd of 500 people at his La Demajagua sugar mill to rise up against Spanish rulers, who had colonised the island since the beginning of the 16th century. Citizens, that sun you see rising above Pico Turquino comes to illuminate the first day of Cubas freedom and independence, Cespedes is said to have told the crowd. The Ten Years War, Cubas first war of independence, followed the declaration. In the eastern town of Bayamo, following a rebel victory against the Spanish in the Battle of Bayamo, Cespedes became the first president of the Republic in Arms in 1869. Slavery and the independence struggle In addition to independence, the abolition of slavery was a key issue in the war. In 1868, Cuba was producing 40 percent of the worlds sugar, and slave labor was creating significant riches for white landowners. Although slavery was officially illegal in the US by this time, US-flagged vessels played a crucial role in the illegal slave trade to Cuba and Brazil. US cities, including Boston and Baltimore, were built on the huge profits made by US slave traders who were reportedly still bringing slave ships into Cuba until 1876 eight years into the Ten Years War. A wave of slave liberations followed the October 10 declaration and large numbers of black Cubans actively fought for their own freedom and for an end to slavery as well as for independence. The mambises rebel army was comprised of thousands of black Cubans, in addition to Cubans of Spanish and Chinese descent, alongside a small number of white landowners who had also freed their slaves. While Cespedes is called the Father of the Homeland, Mariana Grajales is renowned as the Mother of the Homeland. The Afro-Cuban Grajales family serve as an iconic symbol of Cuban independence and Afro-Cuban resistance to colonial oppression. Mariana Grajales operated a rebel mountain settlement and field hospital and was renowned for entering battlefields to rescue and treat wounded soldiers. Her son, Antonio Maceo Grajales, is arguably a more revered hero than Cespedes in Cuba. Maceo was second-in-command of the independence army and was said to be heroic on the battlefield, a master of military strategy, and was known as the bronze titan by his comrades. They faced the huge force of the Spanish army, with an estimated 250,000 heavily armed Spanish soldiers sent to quash the rebellion, which numbered closer to 12,000 mambises. The Spanish were supported by many recent white Spanish settlers on the island, who were determined to maintain slavery and were given free rein to respond with brutality to the uprising. In addition to being greatly outnumbered, the mambises also faced challenges from divisions on their own side. As more regions joined the independence struggle, disagreements emerged on the battlefield and different visions of independence emerged. Some factions wished to annex Cuba to the US, while others, including Maceo, wanted true independence from foreign powers and were aware of the threat posed by US interests in maintaining slavery on the island. Cespedes was ousted as president of the Republic of Arms by other independence figures in 1873 and was killed by Spanish forces the following year. Over 20 members of his family are said to have died for Cubas independence, including the infamous case of one of his sons, Oscar. Oscar was captured and held hostage by the Spanish in an attempt to blackmail his father into renouncing the call for independence. It is said that Carlos Manuel de Cespedes wrote in a defiant letter of response: Oscar is not my only son, I am the father of all the Cubans who have died for Cuba. Oscar was executed on June 3, 1870. The Ten Years War ended with neither side winning. The Pact of Zanjon brought a truce to the war in 1878 but didnt achieve independence or the full abolition of slavery. For Antonio Maceo, the Pact of Zanjon was a betrayal of the aims of the independence insurrection it did not bring the end of slavery in Cuba nor independence it only included an amnesty and freedom for the black soldiers who had fought in the war. Maceo responded by calling a conference now known as the Baragua Protest, but the rebellion was not large enough to continue the armed struggle. Why did the independence war fail? Jose Marti, who was a teenager during the Ten Years War, said the war was lost not because the enemy wrenched the sword from our hand, but because we let it drop. Following the splits that emerged in the Ten Years War, unity became a key aim for Marti. The focus on unity against foreign intervention in Cuba remains today. Marti is largely credited with helping bring unity among Cubans in their independence struggle. Just seven years after the end of the first war, in 1895, the next war of independence began, and Marti was killed. This war proved to be successful in defeating the Spanish, but the Cubans ended with another imperial power effectively in control of their affairs the United States, after its late intervention. On May 20, 1902, following the US intervention in the war against the Spanish, a faux-independence agreement was signed with the US. The agreement allowed the US the right to intervene in Cuban affairs through the infamous Platt Amendment and gave the US an indefinite lease of Cubas Guantanamo Bay. May 20 is still annually commemorated as Cuban independence day by the US president and the hard-line anti-Cuba Florida politicians a celebration of a date when the US retained control of Cuba. The legacy of October 10 One hundred and fifty years ago, Cespedess declaration started the highly improbable task of defeating a global superpower with hundreds of thousands of well-armed soldiers. But it was the courage of the original independence movement that helped inspire the successful Cuban Revolution in 1959. Cespedess movement confirmed the axiomatic truth, Fidel Castro said, if to fight we first have to await ideal conditions, all the necessary weapons and supplies, then the struggle would never have started. And the leading role played by black Cubans, who eventually won their own freedom and the abolition of slavery, cannot be understated. Like 1868, the conditions were certainly not ideal on July 26, 1953, for Castro and his fellow revolutionaries when they launched an attack on the Moncada Barracks. The Moncada attack and the Grito de Yara both were failures in their military aims but led to a movement that finally triumphed on January 1, 1959. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly last month, Cubas new President Miguel Diaz-Canel also tied in the events of October 10, 1868 and the 1959 Revolution as two events of the same struggle: The country will not go back to the opprobrious past that it shook off with the greatest sacrifices during 150 years of struggle for independence and full dignity. By the decision of the overwhelming majority of Cubans, we shall continue the work that started almost 60 years ago. Morning Star Taking Issue Rob Gowland Trumping the UN It is an irony much remarked upon by those that know about these things, that ignorant people are often also the most arrogant. Surely you too have noticed this? It was very much in evidence towards the end of last month when Donald Trump took his style of buffoonery to the United Nations General Assembly. Apparently unaware that the UN was established after the most devastating war in history with the purpose of promoting peace, Trump took to the podium to boast that his administration had secured record funding for the [US] military. That sentiment no doubt gladdened the hearts of arms manufacturers everywhere, but would surely have been poorly received by all those people around the world trying desperate to get clean drinkable water or to secure adequate funding to cope with the myriad serious diseases that still bedevil humankind or all those poor souls trying to mitigate the disastrous effects of global warming, like what to do when their island home disappears under rising sea levels. Trump had the gall to boast to the UN that the US would not only spend an unimaginable US$700 billion on the military this year, but apparently not content with diverting so much money from peaceful, socially beneficial projects he added that they would increase Americas expenditure on war and war preparations next year by another US$16 billion! Our military, he crowed, will soon be more powerful than it has ever been before! Whoopee! Thats not a cause for worry or concern, is it? Its not like the US military is ever used to create global mayhem, let alone devastation and destruction, is it? Some however would certainly have rejoiced. Trumps massive boost to the Pentagons war chest would no doubt have been music to the ears of US clients the Saudi oil sheiks as they gleefully contemplated adding to the chaos and deadly destruction they have already funded in their former progressive rival for influence in the Third World, Libya, destruction that began with a US/NATO bombing campaign against that country. At the same time, the Saudis, emboldened by their close relationship with the belligerent Trump regime, are killing thousands of men, women and children as they try to crush neighbouring Yemen, and of course they are actively helping the Yanks in Syria, providing funds and special forces personnel for the mercenaries posing as rebels in that country. Syria of course is being punished by the US for daring to stand up to the US New World Order. Libya stood up and was crushed, its leader brutally murdered. Venezuela is being subjected to assassination attempts and also a continuing campaign to whip up another reactionary colour revolution. In fact, the US military and intelligence services are interfering in so many countries at present that one must wonder how they manage to cope with them all. But of course, the bright young men and women who devise the plots and deadly executive actions that comprise so much of US foreign policy these days are richly rewarded by their government paymasters, and so know that if they do their jobs well, after they leave the agency they presently work for, they will be guaranteed another well-paid job with a grateful private corporation. Trump bizarrely singled out Saudi Arabia for praise at the UN, along with Netanyahus racist regime in Israel, even though all his listeners would have been only too aware that both these countries were not only engaged in regularly attacking their neighbours, but were also heavily involved in destabilising countries and regimes from North Africa to Central Asia. To adopt the pose favoured by almost all American leaders, that of champion of democracy and freedom, while backing to the hilt an Israeli government that continues to forcibly impose an apartheid regime on the occupied territory of Palestine is so hypocritical that is it any wonder that so many of the worlds governments find it impossible to go along with the US? When the UN General Assembly votes to condemn Israels racism, only a couple of US client states join the US in voting against the resolution. And every time the UN body tackles the question of lifting the illegal US blockade of Cuba, the only two states in the whole world to vote against it are the US and its faithful attack dog, Israel. The numerous countries presently battling US-backed destabilisation or outright invasion by mercenaries masquerading as popular insurgencies Syria, Venezuela, Ukraine, Nicaragua to name only a few know very well just what devastating consequences increased US military spending will have for countries that want to follow their own independent line and not dance to whatever tune US corporations choose to play. However, bragging about the USAs bloated military budget was not all that Trump had to say to the UN. He also bragged that he had cut US funding to several UN agencies that did not conform to the Trump Administrations political line, including those helping Palestinian refugees and those promoting womens rights. (Trumps notorious misogynist attitude to women, is of course, world famous.) The US is currently the subject of a lawsuit wending its way through the International Criminal Court alleging war crimes by US forces in Afghanistan. Now thats a shocker, isnt it? War crimes by US forces? I mean, just because they made themselves notorious for it in Korea and then in Vietnam, not to mention Grenada, Nicaragua, Iraq and a score of other countries where US troops have trampled on gooks, both literally and figuratively, thats no reason to think they make a habit of it, is it? Yes, youre right, it is. The US has used the International Criminal Court in the past to attack countries and national leaders it opposed, perhaps most notably Serbias socialist President, Slobodan Milosevic, who had the gall to resist US efforts to break up Yugoslavia, a leading member of the non-aligned movement and consequently a constant thorn in the USAs side. The US organised for Milosevic to be kidnapped, delivered into the hands of the ICC in The Hague (to ensure the actions of the USA/NATO were all legal and above-board sure they were!). There he was imprisoned and subjected to a gruelling trial during which he successfully rebuffed the machinations of his Western accusers until his health collapsed under the strain and, to the relief of NATO heads of state, he conveniently died. Now, however, with the US in the dock, the boot was on the other foot. Trump savaged the ICC, telling the UN delegates that it had no legitimacy, jurisdiction or authority, and declaring that his administration would never surrender Americas sovereignty to an unelected, unaccountable, global bureaucracy. Unless they can use it for their own purposes, of course. In Trumps simplistic world view, the only way to demonstrate that he is in fact the leader of the Free World is to threaten to rain down death and destruction on all other countries that dont toe the US line. Last year, he threatened to totally destroy the DPRK (North Korea). That was prompted by the DPRKs efforts to protect itself against US belligerence by developing its own ballistic missiles which could be used to strike US bases in the Pacific or US west coast cities. Trump blustered and fumed, calling Korean leader Kim Jong Un little rocket-man and similar childish epithets, but the North Koreans held their nerve, and presumably Trumps advisers pointed out to him the inadvisability of starting another war with North Korea, since this time Russia and China would join in immediately, with potentially disastrous results for the USA. Nevertheless, the US leadership appears to only know how to be a bully. At the UN, Trump abused the leaders of Iran, which refuses to let the US own its oil and also refuses to let the USAs close ally Saudi Arabia dictate to the Arab world. Riled by Irans preference for co-operating with Russia and China, especially in the mammoth belt and road initiative which potentially will see the US sidelined to a minor player, Trump railed at Irans leaders. Apparently without any sense of irony, he asserted that they do not respect their neighbours or borders or the sovereign rights of nations and declared that they sow chaos, death and destruction. Many of Trumps listeners must have been laughing to themselves as this farrago was paraded before them. But soon they simply could not help themselves and had to laugh out loud as Trump actually declared to his audience of world leaders and diplomats that he had accomplished more as President than almost any other US administration in history. Trump, of course, was reading his speech off the auto-cue. No doubt his speechwriter thought it was a powerful statement that would impress everybody. The UN delegates thought otherwise. Trump was clearly bemused by their laughter but did his best to remain upbeat: I didnt expect that reaction, but thats OK, he assured his audience. Too bad if he hadnt thought it was OK. Besides blowing his own trumpet, Trump used his time on the podium to attack OPEC for doing the capitalist thing and raising its prices. Some of the OPEC countries are American, of course. Do you think they would refund the price increase if Trump asked them? The Irish left and the EU This is an important question under discussion. We certainly operate and struggle against the European Union in a complex situation in our country today. There are no simple answers, no easy or pain-free solutions to the many challenges facing our people, particularly the overarching role and control by the European Union. Our understanding of the relationship between the Irish ruling class and the European Union should influence our strategy and tactics, and should inform our understanding when we are looking for allies and building alliances to advance our strategic goal. The starting-point for Irish communists in evaluating any social, political or even institutional structures is a class viewpoint, a class understanding. Who stands to gain? Who benefits? Whose interests are served? Does it strengthen and advance the interests of labour (workers) or consolidate and advance the power and control of capital (bosses)? If you remove class from your understanding, then you will not fully understand the processes that shape and influence society. The Irish people today are caught in the triple lock of imperialist interests: British, European, and American. The Irish ruling class and the political establishment are trying to serve three masters hence their confusion over Brexit. We need to understand that imperialism has no friends only interests. The continuing and deepening economic crisis of the system is exacerbating the differences and the conflict between the main imperialist blocs, weakening the drive to economic co-operation, and may further deepen the crisis of the system. This continuing crisis is the backdrop to the Brexit negotiations between the EU and Britain. Brexit The referendum in Britain came about because of a split within the Conservative Party, the main political party of the British ruling class. These divisions are mirrored within the wider society, including the working class and the labour movement. The continuing pantomime that is the Brexit negotiations is part theatre, part internal struggle among the EU ruling forces. The theatre is about shaping how the peoples of Europe understand why the people within the British state voted to leave, about frightening the people into believing there is no survival outside the EU, that nothing exists but a black hole, which the people within the British state are about to be plunged into unless they take a responsible approach and do a rethink. This is an ideological struggle against the workers of Europe, attempting to control and shape how they understand today in order to control them tomorrow. Fear is the strategic weapon of the EU, though they havent abandoned the honey trap of social Europe. Brexit is at its heart a question of democracy and sovereignty. The divisions within British society are a reflection of real material forces and interests. I do not believe that the dominant sections of the ruling class want to leave the EU: its just that events have tripped them up. Time will tell whether the British state leaves or not. While the Irish establishment present themselves as players on the EU stage, they are only two-bit gamblers. The question of a hard or soft border between the Irish people will not be decided by the Irish ruling class or any combination of political parties that represent their interests. Our history shows us that this sham debate about Brexit is not the first time, nor will it be the last time, that we have been pawns on the imperialist chessboard. Our peoples genuine democratic interests will be used by contending imperial interests to promote their agenda. It will be London and Berlin that will have the final say. Lived experiences of the people Irish communists consistently opposed this state (the Republic) joining the EEC. We have opposed the numerous treaties that have followed. Nothing over the last four decades has made us review this position. The lived experience has confirmed our view and our analysis of the class character of the EU and the forces that determine and shape it and that decide whose interests it serves. It is the political structure needed by imperialism at the European level. All states arose where society was split as a result of irreconcilable class interests and conflicts. The state is for protecting and advancing the dominant mode of production (capitalism), reproducing the dominant idea (ideology), managing differences within capital and controlling and managing workers. The EU fulfils that role at the international level. The EU is for protecting and promoting the interests of monopoly capitalism at the European level but also for promoting its global strategy of domination and exploitation and hence continuing militarisation. We cannot fully understand the EU if we do not understand it in class terms. We need to keep asking ourselves and our fellow-workers, Whose interests does it serve? Perpetual illusions The EU has pushed forward its agenda using a number of fig leaves: that it is a peace alliance; that it is a social-democratic counterweight to the aggressive, crude, market-driven United States; that it is a guardian of workers rights; that it is the protector of social Europe; that it is a benign political force in the world. Why and how did it come about? The EEC came about primarily because of the economic priorities pertaining after the Second World War. European monopolies had to combine and co-operate in self-preservation, to halt the advance of the left across Europe and to counter the advance of socialism. Class interests drove them together, encouraged by the United States despite the fact it was encouraging a potential competitor. For the United States the threat from the Soviet Union was greater than the fear of building up a competitor. What has been the strategy contained in subsequent treaties? The strategy of the EU was and is to close down at the national level the capacity of people, in particular working people, to effect real change. It was to neutralise the capacity and the impact of national class struggle, to hollow out democracy, to enshrine within the legal structures of the EU the primacy of the market, binding on member-states. Economic and social policies were defined and presented as mere technical issues, supposedly devoid of any specific class-political or sectional economic interests. Sovereign power was voluntarily transferred by member-states. This was not the actions of stupid, corrupt or incompetent individuals or a naive establishment but a coalescence of shared interests between the EU and the Irish ruling class, in mutual support. It was a strategy for limiting the potential of the peoples struggles to effect change at the national level. In Ireland this coalescence of interests stretches right back to 1921 and 1922, when the Irish capitalist class too weak and dependent, because of its subservient relation to British imperialism settled for partition. Things have not changed. The Irish ruling class is still subservient, still parasitic and dependent upon its relationship with imperialism. It is a comprador ruling elite. A special form of neo-colonialism The relationship between this state and the EU as indeed with all the peripheral states is a special form of neo-colonialism. We see this in the debt imposed on the peripheral states by the core states all former colonial powers and in the imposition of various programs to facilitate the transfer of wealth from peripheral to core countries. This understanding is vital, for it shapes the forces in whose interests it is to win back powers from the EU to the member-states. Who needs to win back powers and establish national sovereignty and national democracy? We have to ask the question: Which class needs the tools of national democracy and sovereignty to advance their interests? And which class is subservient to and will collaborate with the EU and imperialism? Is it not the Irish ruling class that is the beneficiary of the handing over of powers to the EU? It was in their class interests to do so, because of their dependence and their subservient relationship with the European Union. It is this relationship with the EU and imperialism that they require in order to continue to rule, dominate, and exploit. Are the political forces that are subservient and are the handmaidens of the ruling class not also doing very well and benefiting from the largesse dispensed by the EU? Has national democracy and national sovereignty no class aspects? Is this not what James Connolly spoke about when he stated that only the Irish working class are the incorruptible inheritors of the fight for Irish Freedom? Are not national democracy and national sovereignty the essential tools needed for advancing the interests of the Irish working class? So, appeals to these forces to break with the EU are simply a waste of time and can only fall on deaf ears. True national sovereignty and national democracy can only be established by a radical government anchored in a mobilised, politicised working class. Radical change can only be brought about by the conscious actions of a political and class-conscious working class. * Eugene McCartan is the General Secretary, Communist Party of Ireland Socialist Voice A caravan of more than 7,000 migrants was slowly making its way through Mexico on Monday, two days after most of it illegally crossed the countrys southern border with Guatemala as Americas president pressured Central American countries to halt it. After spending their second night in the town of Tapachula, the migrants took to the road once more under the sweltering sun to reach Huixtla, a town about 40 kilometers (25 miles) to the north in the Chiapas region. The Red Cross, which was absent the previous day, was taking care of pregnant women on the trail. The caravan counts many women and children -- a lot of them very young -- whom their parents carry on their shoulders or in their arms. This is an exodus without precedent, Ruben Figueroa, coordinator of the Mesoamerican Migrant Movement, told Anadolu Agency in the small border town of Ciudad Hidalgo. The caravan mostly consists of Hondurans who are fleeing their violent and poverty-stricken country. I had to go for my son -- to offer him a better life, said 23-year-old Jessica Velasquez during the caravans haul to Tapachula as 2-year-old Santiago smiled. She said in Honduras, she and her husband could not afford to buy a house and had trouble renting a place as they couldnt find work anymore. If you go to a hospital in Honduras, you will not find medication. We are not leaving because we want to, but because we need to, 22-year-old Honduran mother Sindy Sandoval added. She left her two children back in Honduras and plans to get a job in the U.S. to send money back home so that her younger siblings and her children can afford to go to school. A lot of migrants fled because of the violent criminal groups that extort those with jobs. Its called a war tax, and if you cant pay it, you risk death, said a Honduran migrant, who declined to give his name. Numerous migrants also referred to President Juan Orlando Hernandez as being a factor of leaving. Since he came to power five years ago, things have worsened, said Santiagos grandfather, Jose. The migrants were happy to be in Mexico, as it meant they were getting closer to their final goal -- the United States. But many of them also said they were worried about Mexican authorities. Since the vast majority of them entered the country illegally, they risk being deported. So far, local police have not tried to stop the caravan. During the walk from the border to Tapachula, police set up road blocks twice with hundreds of riot-control equipped officers, but they were lifted before the migrants got there. The caravan arrived at the Guatemala-Mexico border Friday. After crossing a metal fence, thousands of migrants were stuck for more than 24 hours on the border bridge that crosses the Suchiate River, waiting for the Mexican border to open. When it did not, an increasing number of migrants decided to cross illegally using rafts. By Saturday night, only a thousand were left waiting on the bridge, while the others were on Mexican land, unauthorized. Mexicos National Institute of Migration said Sunday they had processed around a thousand asylum applications. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto reminded migrants Sunday that "going undocumented would make it extremely difficult to reach their goal, being reaching the U.S. or settling in Mexico". These caravans reveal the breaches in the migration policies of the countries they go through, Figueroa told Anadolu Agency in Ciudad Hidalgos main square as migrants kept coming in from the muddy banks of the Suchiate River they had just crossed. Another group of about a thousand Honduran migrants is making its way through Guatemala on foot towards the Mexican border, Guatemalan police confirmed Monday. On Twitter, U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he would begin cutting off, or substantially reducing the massive foreign aid that Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador receive from the U.S. as they were not able to do the job -- a claim he had already made days prior and to which migrants in Tapachula only reacted to with disdain. If money is sent over to Honduras, then Ive never seen the color of it in my life, said Sindy Sandoval while resting with her family in the house of a Guatemalan woman before crossing the river on a raft hours later. Conveniently reminding U.S. voters that midterm elections were coming up, Trump insisted the caravan, which is still some 2,500 kilometers (1,553 miles) away from the U.S.-Mexican border, was a national emergency. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in, he added, without providing evidence to support his statement. It was a claim that numerous reporters covering the caravan dismissed as false. "This caravan is not about one country. It's the reflection of what is happening in the region, and the crisis should be addressed regionally. It's not about borders," the Fifth General Visitor of the National Commission of Human Rights, Edgar Corzo Sosa, said in Tapachula. Mexican President-elect Lopez Obrador, who will be sworn in on Dec. 1, has stated various times that he plans to offer migrants work visas. His incoming foreign affairs secretary, Marcelo Ebrard, said Monday that the future government would "considerably change its migration policies" as well as invest in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Brought to you by the Decapitation Kingdom European nations, including Germany, France, and Britain, are calling for a credible investigation of the disappearance of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 and never came out. Turkey said he was tortured, killed, and dismembered by a Saudi hit squad that had entered their country. The reactionary Saudi government, of course, says the charges are false. Germany, France, and Britain framed their response in the context of freedom of expression and the protection of the rights of journalists, which they said was the paramount issue. We encourage joint Saudi-Turkish efforts (to investigate), and expect the Saudi government to provide a complete and detailed response, their joint statement added. The outcome of this investigation doesnt look promising. Saudi Arabia and Turkey have formed a working group to investigate. Considering the human rights records of both countries, the only question to be settled here is what price the Saudis are willing to pay for a Turkish-endorsed finding of inconclusive or, better yet, a finding that the Saudis are innocent. The world already knows, or at least that portion of the world that pays attention to things, that the killing of Khashoggi is part of an ongoing scandal that involves the Saudis, the United Arab Emirates, and the Trump administration. The only thing we dont know is the exact extent to which Trump himself was involved in or at least knowledgeable of the mechanics of the killing. That this administration is culpable, however, we already know. It goes back to a 2016 meeting at Trump Tower not the meeting everyone has talked about for the last two years in relation to Russian election interference, however. The New York Times reported on May 19, 2018, that there was a second highly consequential meeting on August 3, 2016, three months before the 2016 election. That gathering involved Donald Trump Jr meeting with George Nader, an emissary for the princes of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Joel Zamel, an Israeli specialist in social media manipulation, and Erik Prince, a Republican donor who had founded the Blackwater security firm. After that August meeting, there were frequent and regular meetings between Nader on behalf of the Arab princes and Jared Kushner, Trumps son-in-law, and (now convicted felon) Michael Flynn on behalf of Trump. The Arab princes, through Nader, were pushing for a plan to destabilise Iran, the enemy of the Saudis. Since Nader is now cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Mueller, it is assumed Trump collusion with the Saudis to influence an American election is also a focus of the Mueller probe. The Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, backed Trump in part because of his unhappiness with then President Barack Obamas nuclear agreement with Iran and statements of support for the Arab Spring uprisings all over the Middle East. The prince wanted a US president who would line up with him 100 percent against Iran. Since he became president, Trump and his son-in-law have engineered a number of highly lucrative financial deals with the Saudis and the UAE. Whereas Qatar backed out on a multi-million-dollar loan to the Kushner family, the Saudis granted Kushner more than $900 million to bail out his failing ventures. With the Saudis having backed Trumps campaign and continuing to pour tens of millions of dollars into his and his son-in-laws pockets, it is no wonder that the president has jumped through hoops to back the Saudis ever since he entered the White House. It started with his first trip abroad when he flew to Saudi Arabia to eat and dance with the princes at several opulent balls. When Qatar refused a huge loan to Kushner after having had the audacity to back the Iran nuclear arms deal, Trump announced support for Saudi efforts to isolate that country. He did it over the objections of Rex Tillerson who was then his own Secretary of State. Qatar had served as a loyal ally to the U.S. and had long backed Exxons plundering of the Middle East, the company from which Tillerson hailed. After pleasing Mohammed bin Salman with his turnabout on Qatar, Trump then withdrew from the Obama administrations nuclear deal with Iran, giving the Saudi prince perhaps his biggest payoff up to that point. It is not surprising then that MBS, as the Saudi prince is known, has become used to Trump doing his bidding any time he asks for something. MBS is getting what he expects from the hundreds of millions of dollars he has given the Trump family personally and from his promise to spend more than $100 billion on US weapons armaments he needs to continue his mass extermination of civilian populations in Yemen. The president has made clear that cancelling those arms deals and sacrificing the profits they bring to US companies like Boeing, Lockheed, and Raytheon is not an option hes considering for punishing Saudi Arabia. They are ordering military equipment. Everybody in the world wanted that order, Trump said this weekend. We got it, and we got all of it, every bit of it. US administrations have long preferred to remain silent when Saudi Arabia engaged in egregious human rights violations, brutal public executions, and the oppression of women. Trump departs from that tradition only in the extent to which he is prepared to brazenly declare that it is profit which determines his foreign policy. As for MBS, killing a journalist here or there certainly would not be too much to ask the US to put up with, he is likely to have thought, when he ordered the torture-murder of Khashoggi. Trump had shown he was already willing to back the blockade of a long-time ally and risk world peace by cancelling a nuclear disarmament deal with Iran. Why wouldnt he look the other way when a journalist who was critical of MBS was tortured, killed, and chopped into pieces? US intelligence sources have already made it clear that they knew about the MBS plan to lure Khashoggi back to the Middle East to silence his criticisms of human rights by the Saudi government. It is impossible to believe then that Trump did not have this knowledge. At the very least, Trump is guilty of condoning silence and not warning Khashoggi of what would happen to him if he stepped back onto Saudi territory or into a Saudi consulate or embassy. At worst, the President of the United States is implicated in the actual murder of the journalist. Given the history of his intimate collusion with international criminals and autocratic thugs who run some other countries, can anyone be blamed for thinking the worse when it comes to Donald Trump? All the more reason to wrest control of the House and the Senate from the Republicans on November 6. Thats Step 1 in ending the Trumps grip on the nation. Peoples World Parents, understandably, were not thrilled, pointing out that while benefits may exist in the abstract, in practice it meant that their kids were being separated from friends they'd known since kindergarten. The resulting "brouhaha" was deemed likely to hurt the institution's admissions, and was also found to be, like, just a pretty shitty thing to do without even mentioning it until students and parents began to notice. In the school's defense, an education expert pointed out that the school had a valid point about how awkward it often is to be the only black kid in a history class where half the white students still think that getting free room and board made the whole slavery thing a wash. But they also pointed out that segregation is a Band-Aid solution, and that if the school really wanted the problem solved, they'd need to advocate for better financial aid and support for minority students, given that hoity-toity private schools aren't the most welcoming environments. We're sure the school will get right on that more costly and difficult solution. The Hurun Research Institute released its annual China Rich List for 2018 on October 10, the 20th annual ranking of the richest individuals in China. The number of individuals with a personal wealth greater than 2 billion yuan ($US290 million) fell to 1,893 in 2018, a sharp 11 percent decrease from last years tally of 2,130 billionaires. This is the first absolute drop in numbers since 2012 and the highest turnover in names ever. Moreover, some 219 new names appear on the list, which means that in all 456 multi-millionaires are no longer on the lista fall of 21 percent. The decline reflects the impact of a slowing Chinese economy, US trade war measures and sharp falls in Chinas share markets this year. The list included 620 US dollar billionaires, slightly down from last year. Despite this years fall in numbers, there is still an astounding 89 percent more billionaires on the list than 5 years ago and a four-fold increase from 10 years ago. When Hurun reports began in 1998, the list had no dollar billionaires and only eight individuals in China with wealth over the benchmark of 2 billion yuan. The report notes that the increase is taking place amid the fastest wealth creating period in the history of the world. Globally, Chinese entrepreneurs now comprise 35 percent of the Hurun Global Rich List, overtaking US entrepreneurs for the first time two years ago. At the same time, wealth in China is becoming more concentrated among the upper stratum. The Big Three are pulling away from the rest, said Hurun Report chairman and chief researcher Rupert Hoogewerf. Furthermore, he added, the wealth of the top 10 placings equates for(sic) 10 percent of the total wealth on the list, and that of the top 200 accounts for half of the total wealth. The wealthiest individual in China is Jack Ma, the owner of e-commerce giant Alibaba, whose wealth shot up 35 percent to $US39 billion. The growth was largely due to the increased value of his Ant Financial, which is now the worlds most valuable financial technology (fintech) company, worth $US150 billion as of June. The market value of Alibaba reached $390 billion at the end of September, making it the most valuable company in China and one of the 10 largest companies globally. Hui Ka-yan, the chairman of property developer Evergrande Group, lost 14 percent of wealth from last year and dropped to second place ($US36 billion). The wealth of the third richest individualPony Ma Huateng of Tencent, a conglomerate of internet-related services and productsdropped by 4 percent to $US35bn. Manufacturing proved to be the main source of wealth, as it has been for the past five years, with 26.1 percent of the Rich List making their money from the sector, slightly down from last years 27.9 percent amid the growing US-China trade war. Real estate came in second rising from 14.6 percent to 14.9 percent, while finance and investments ousted IT with a year-on-year increase from 10.9 percent to 11.6 percent. Many of those on the Rich List have strong political ties to the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The number of those on the Rich List appointed to the National Peoples Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) decreased from last year by 10 percent to 142 individuals. However, the wealth of those present at this years NPC and CPPCC sessions in March actually increased almost 20 percent from last year to $US624 billionlarger than the GDP of neighbouring Taiwan. Business people were formally welcomed into the CCP as advisors in 2002, coinciding with Chinas entry into the World Trade Organization. Their representation has steadily increased to about 20 percent of the 3,000-member NPC, according to the state-owned media earlier this year. The CCP, which has presided over four decades of capitalist restoration in China, represents the interests of the wealthy elite that have amassed great riches through the exploitation of, and at the expense of, the working class. Social inequality has deepened despite an overall rise in the per capita GDP and the emergence of substantial middle class layers. According to Chinas National Bureau of Statistics, the countrys Gini coefficient was 0.467 in 2017, the last time it was measured officially. The scale runs from zero, which would mean the same income for everyone, to 1, which signifies absolute inequalityone person receives all income. An International Monetary Fund working paper released in June called Inequality in ChinaTrends, Drivers and Policy Remedies placed China among the most unequal countries in the world and noted the sharp increase in income inequality since capitalist restoration in the early 1980s. It pointed out that those in the rural areas were falling further behind: households in urban areas had an average disposable income of around $5,600 in 2017, almost three times that of those in the countryside ($2,064). While the number living in absolute poverty has dropped, large numbers of people still live in desperate situations, particularly in rural areas. According to Oxfam, there are still over 70 million people who live below the national poverty line of less than 2,300 yuan (353.75 US dollars) a year. The minimum monthly wage for workers varies across provinces and within provinces. The figures for 2016 varied from 1,030 yuan ($US148) to 1,895 yuan ($US273)a miniscule fraction of the income of the ultra-wealthy members of the Hurun Rich List. The social gulf between rich and poor, as well as rising living expenses, including health and education, is fuelling a resurgence of the class struggle. While no official figures of protests and strikes are available, the China Labour Bulletin based in Hong Kong reported that the first eight months of this year alone saw 1,194 strikes, almost matching last year's total of 1,257. On October 15 the magazine North and South published allegations that the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) covered up the killing of two Afghan children by a member of the elite Special Air Service (SAS) unit. The 10-page article by journalist Nicky Hager was based on accounts by unnamed members and ex-members of the SAS and NZDF. It reported that in 2004 an SAS medic joined a raid on an Afghan village, led by US forces. During the fighting, the medic shot dead two Afghans defending the village. He later discovered they were just boys, aged 12 and 13. The article is the latest revelation of potential war crimes committed by New Zealand troops in Afghanistan. The Labour Party-led government of Prime Minister Helen Clark sent the SAS to join the US-led invasion in 2001. For 17 years NZ forces have been deployed in the impoverished country, under Labour and National Party-led governments alike. Troops were also sent to the Iraq war in 2003 as part of the bipartisan agenda to strengthen New Zealands alliance with US imperialism. The Labour Party-led government of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern recently extended NZs deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and sent troops to support the US military encirclement of North Korea. Hager and journalist Jon Stephenson co-authored a book last year, Hit and Run, which described in detail how a New Zealand-led raid on a defenceless Afghan village in 2010 led to six civilian deaths and injured 15 people. The NZDF denied the allegations and the government has established an inquiry into what took place. Most of the hearings, however, will be held in secret. The North and South article explains that the SAS medic violated the Geneva Conventions, which strictly ban medical personnel from shooting anyone, except in self-defence. A former SAS member told Hager the corporal was severely damaged by taking part in the raid. He was thinking, Shit, Ive killed kids and was angry at [the SAS commanders] for sending him into it and, when it turned to custard, for turning on him. According to the source, the NZDF initially considered court-martialling the corporal, a claim the NZDF denies. Instead, the article explains, details of the raid were kept secret and the medic was given New Zealands second-highest medal, the Gallantry Decoration. In a July 2007 ceremony, Prime Minister Clark presented the award, saying it was for displaying outstanding courage and leadership, and accepting extraordinary risks... testimony to the dedication, skill and professionalism of the NZSAS. The ex-SAS member came forward to Hager after seeing then-Chief of Defence Force Tim Keating deny any responsibility for the civilian deaths documented in Hit and Run. The source said in his opinion Keating was lying. He said: The SAS is at the extreme end of thinking theyre above the law, that they dont have to be held accountable to others. We can say we never committed war crimes, but we have. The article also detailed the violent, abusive, alcohol-soaked culture within the NZDF, which is at odds with the picture painted by its well-funded public relations department. In preparation for greater wars, the NZDF is engaged in a recruitment drive, with posters and online advertisements telling young people they can follow their passion in the armed forces. Hager pointed to several allegations of sexual assault and rape that were ignored or downplayed by the NZDF. Hayley Young, a navy marine engineer, said she was raped in 2009 while posted on a British warship, but her navy friends told her speaking out would be career suicide. When she left the navy in 2012, she sent a letter to the captain of fleet personnel and training detailing what she had endured. Young was given no support. She was horrified to discover, 18 months later, that the navy was using her face, without asking her, on thousands of brochures and posters promoting NZ Navy careers to young women. Young told North and South her case was the very tip of an iceberg. Sources also told Hager that homophobic bullying was common, despite the NZDF being named the 2018 Supreme Winner in the Diversity Awards, based on information NZDF had provided about itself. In 2010, 20-year-old Ethan Hall fell from a building in Palmerston North after being bullied at Linton Military Camp. Three soldiers who believed Hall was gay had held him down and tortured him by scorching his leg with a gas burner. One of Halls former colleagues told Hager he was driven to suicide. A coroner ruled Halls death an accident based on a commanding officers statement that the bullying had been an isolated incident. Other sources outlined the lack of support for soldiers returning from combat overseas. One former SAS trainer said: NZDF doesnt care about the people who work for them... When they come home, anger management and PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] are treated as their personal problems. Another source said: Three to six months after a deployment, you start to see people with alcohol problems, domestic violence, drugs, financial problems, affairs, suicide, anxiety and depression. The military has remained virtually silent on the North and South article. A brief report by Newstalk ZB said in an initial response to specific points, the Defence Force says the claims are either incorrect, or that it has taken appropriate action. It did not elaborate. The Labour Party-led coalition government has said nothing, including the Green Party and New Zealand First, underscoring the cross-party agreement with the governments militarist agenda. Defence Minister Ron Mark, from the right-wing nationalist NZ First, is a former soldier who completed the SAS selection course in 1982. The corporate media, after a handful of reports, has buried the story. Pro-Labour Party commentator Chris Trotter, writing on the Daily Blog, called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the alleged breaches of the Geneva Convention, dishonesty and cover-ups, sexual assault and torture. He blamed these heinous crimes, not on militarism or imperialism, but on a culture of toxic masculinity. He called for a purge to ensure that the armed forces are led by brave, upright and honourable personnel. In fact, the atrocities and brutality exposed by Hager and Stephenson are the direct and foreseeable product of the much bigger crimes perpetrated by New Zealands ruling elite. Genuine accountability requires the prosecution not just of leading military personnel, but the leaders of successive Labour and National-led governments who authorised participation in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which have killed more than a million people. The author also recommends: New Zealand government extends troop deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan [21 September 2018] New Zealand government launches sham inquiry into Afghan war crimes [16 August 2018] US wars claim soaring casualties in Yemen and Afghanistan [28 September 2018] The threat issued over the weekend by US President Donald Trump to unilaterally rip up a key disarmament treaty with Russia has provoked vows from Russia to retaliate, expressions of sharp concern among Washingtons NATO allies and near total silence from Trumps ostensible opposition in the Democratic Party. Two weeks before the US midterm elections, not a single candidate, Democrat or Republican, is raising the growing danger of a new nuclear arms race and of direct military confrontation between the worlds two largest nuclear powers as an issue. No section of the ruling political establishment has any interest in alerting the population to the real and present danger of a catastrophic nuclear war. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty that Trump has vowed to scuttle was negotiated in 1987 between US President Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, whose perestroika and glasnost policies paved the way to capitalist restoration and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The deal banned the production and deployment by the US and Russia of land-based ballistic missilesboth conventional and nuclearwith ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers (3103,420 miles). It represented a significant concession by Moscowpreviously rejected by Gorbachevs predecessors and the Soviet military commandresulting in the destruction of 1,752 Soviet missiles, including SS-20s aimed at Washingtons European NATO allies, as compared with 859 less powerful US missiles, most of them Pershing IIs pointed at Moscow and other Soviet targets. The deployment of the US missiles had provoked mass protests, particularly in Germany, over the fear that the arms buildup threatened to turn Europe into the main battlefield in a US-Soviet nuclear war. That threat is now being revived between the US and Russia with charges and counter-charges, provoking new expressions of alarm in Europe. Washington has charged Moscow with developing and deploying a new intermediate range nuclear missile, which Russia denies. The danger that the dispute over the so-called intermediate-range nuclear missiles could turn into a direct military conflict between the worlds two largest nuclear powers became all too apparent earlier this month, when the US NATO ambassador, Key Bailey Hutchison, threatened a pre-emptive military strike against Russia. Hutchison told a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels that if Moscow continued its development and alleged deployment of the missile that Washington claims violates the INF treaty, the Pentagon was prepared to take out the missile. The Pentagon, meanwhile, has acknowledged in its 2018 Nuclear Posture Review that it has already begun research and development on new conventional, ground-launched, intermediate-range missile systems. Moscow has further charged that anti-missile installations that the US has deployed surrounding Russia in eastern Europe could easily be converted into launchpads for offensive missiles. Moscow responded Monday to Trumps threat with a combination of offers to negotiate mutual grievances over the INF and threats to answer any US military escalation with one of its own. We need to hear the American sides explanation on this issue, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Scrapping the treaty forces Russia to take steps for its own security. Delivering this explanation is US national security adviser John Bolton, the chief advocate within the Trump administration for abrogating the treaty and an anti-Russian hawk who had previously described Moscows alleged meddling in the US 2016 election as an act of war. Bolton met with his counterpart, Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Russias Security Council, and with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday, and is scheduled to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin today. Reaction in Europe to Trumps threat has been generally negative. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called it regrettable. French President Emmanuel Macron called Trump on Sunday. The president noted the importance of this treaty, in particular for European security and our strategic stability, Macrons office said of the call. The governments of Italy and Spain issued similar statements. British Defense Minister Gavin Williamson, meanwhile, reiterated the UK governments subservience to Washington, declaring that Britain stands absolutely resolute with the Trump administration. Should the Trump administration consummate the abrogation of the treaty, it would sharply escalate already rising tensions within NATO, posing the threat of a breakup and the consolidation of a new European military alliance. China called upon Washington to think twice before ripping up the arms control treaty. A foreign ministry spokeswoman added, It needs to be emphasized that it is completely wrong to bring up China when talking about withdrawal from the treaty. Washington is being driven to abrogate the treaty in large measure as part of its buildup toward war with China. Not a party to the bilateral accord, China has developed a significant force of land-based, conventionally armed, medium-range ballistic missiles to counter the US military buildup in its pivot to Asia. The Pentagon wants to counter this by deploying its own missiles in the region, but is barred from doing so by the INF treaty. Meanwhile, in the US itself, the threat to tear up one of the most important arms control treaties of the 20th century, opening the door to the breakdown of all such agreements and a frenzied arms race to deploy usable nuclear weapons, has been met with near total silence, particularly by the Democratic Party, which is ostensibly running against Trumps policies in the midterm elections. One exception was Senator Robert Menendez, who is the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Menendez, who has denounced the Trump administration for not adopting a more confrontational stance against Russia, declared Monday: There is no doubt that Russia is responsible for the degradation of the INF treaty. However, withdrawing from this treaty without a comprehensive strategy for addressing its underlying strategic implications and without consulting Congress or our allies threatens long-term United States national security interests. The Democratic Party supports the buildup to war against Russia and welcomes Trumps threats against Moscow; that is what they have demanded from the outset of his administration. What Menendez is demanding, however, is that the Trump White House present a comprehensive strategy for military confrontation with the nuclear-armed power. At the same time, he is expressing concerns within the US military and intelligence apparatus that Trumps unilateralism is undermining the NATO military alliance in Europe. Within Americas two capitalist parties and the ruling political establishment generally, there exists no antiwar faction. Divisions between the Democrats and the Trump White House are limited to tactical matters of where and how the US should concentrate its global war drive. The US ruling class as a whole supports the escalation of the conflict with Russia, regardless of the threat of nuclear war. The aim is to eliminate the Russian Federation as an impediment to US domination of the strategic energy producing regions of the Middle East and Central Asia, and ultimately to subjugate and divide it into a collection of semi-colonies of US imperialism. Despite the basic unanimity of the two capitalist parties in support of war and reaction, there exists a powerful constituency for the struggle against war within the American working class. The US government, the corporate media and the major parties have all sought to conceal the real danger of a global nuclear conflagration from the broad mass of the population. Britain has issued a joint statement with France and Germany condemning in the strongest possible terms the torture and murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The foreign ministers said there was an urgent need for clarification on exactly what happened after Khashoggi entered the consulate on October 2. Defending freedom of expression and a free press are key priorities for Germany, the United Kingdom and France, the three declared. The hypocritical protest comes in the wake of the medias almost universal dismissal of Saudi Arabias latest version of the events surrounding Khashoggis assassination, calling it a crude cover-up to protect Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is presumed to have ordered the assassination. All three imperialist powers have extensive economic interests in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, none more so than Britain. London, taking its cue from the US, barely commented on the affair until President Donald Trump, under pressure from the political establishment in Washington, qualified his previous support for the Kingdoms transparent lies, saying he was not satisfied with the Saudi explanation and was dispatching Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Riyadh. Even then, Britains comments were carefully calibrated. At the end of last week, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the response will be considered if Saudi Arabia was found to be responsible for Khashoggis disappearance. When asked if the UK would stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia, he cited a strategic relationship and told the BBC that the UK had a very strict arms sale control mechanism. A spokesman for International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, who has now pulled out of this weeks investment conference in Saudi Arabia, said, The UK remains very concerned about Jamal Khashoggis disappearance... those bearing responsibility for his disappearance must be held to account. Britains considered response contrasts starkly with its virulent anti-Russia campaign after the alleged novichok poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in March. Theresa Mays Conservative government insisted that the father and daughter were the victims of an operation ordered by President Vladimir Putin. May expelled dozens of Russian diplomats and called for an extension of sanctions against Moscow, without offering any evidence proving Moscows culpability. Britains quiescence reflects its dependence on the House of Saud for policing the oil-rich Gulf, as well as concerns for its massive arms sales to the kingdom and other equally reactionary petro-monarchies as they come under threat from their own populations. Since 9/11, this has been legitimised with the rhetoric of combatting terrorism and radicalisation, with successive governments piously invoking the catechism, Gulf security is our security. Londons fundamental interest in the Gulf, at one time under its imperial protection, is to ensure that profits accrue to its oil corporations, BP and Anglo-Dutch Shell. Israels defeat of the Arab nationalist regimes in 1967 and 1973, the quadrupling of oil prices in 1973 after the establishment of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and rising demand for oil served to strengthen and enrich the feudal states of the Arabian Peninsula and enhance their influence. By 1976, Britain was an economically spent force and had to turn to the International Monetary Fund for a bailout. Under those conditions, it bent over backwards to ensure that the Gulf states wealth was recycled through the City of London and used to buy British military hardware and manufactured goods. The higher oil prices also helped to make the exploration of North Sea oil economically viable, with the result that Britain now obtains only 3 percent of its oil and 20 percent of its gas supplies from Qatar. As a major producer, the British oil sectorlike its US counterpartgains from higher prices in a way that non-producers do not, while the government gains additional revenues via taxation. This makes a close working relationship with Saudi Arabia, whose significant reserves enable it to act as a swing producer, advantageous. The Gulf has become even more important since 2016, with the May government making a concerted pushunder the rubric of Global Britainto offset the implications of Brexit for the UK. Today, the Gulfs sovereign wealth funds and private fortunes constitute a vital source of investment in Britains property market, corporations and banks. These capital flows have helped balance the UKs chronic trade deficit, maintain the value of the pound and generate profits for the British financial sector. The 43 billion al-Yamamah arms deal signed in 1985, and secured by Britains largest manufacturing corporation BAE with massive bribes, provided the House of Saud with a modern air force and aerial defence system. In 2006, then-Prime Minister Tony Blair intervened to stop a Serious Fraud Office investigation into bribery by BAE in order to secure another Saudi arms deal worth 40 billion, which was signed in 2007. These weapons, and the military training that goes with them, were used by the Saudi royal family and other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council to suppress dissent in BahrainBritains former colonial possessionin 2011. Media reports revealed that Britain had provided extensive training for the Bahraini military and police, alongside a Defence Cooperation Agreement to provide a framework for current and future defence engagement activity, including training and capacity building, in order to enhance the stability of the wider region. Bahrain, where Britain recently opened a permanent military base staffed by up to 500 soldiers, sailors and airmen, provided Britain with an important staging post for operations against Afghanistan and Iraq. The new facilities will enable Britain to police the Gulf and the strategic Straits of Hormuz and play a key role in a military conflict with Iran. According to the Daily Telegraph, writing in 2011, Britain had a secret military training unit in Saudi Arabia, where British personnel trained security forces in crowd control. The House of Commons Select Committee on Foreign Affairs provided more details in 2014, confirming that British army personnel were training the National Guard and stating that the UK had some 130 military personnel stationed in Saudi Arabia. Britain has continued to supply arms, intelligence and training to Riyadh, as well as diplomatic cover for its military operations in Yemen. According to the United Nations, the war in Yemen has caused the deaths, including indirectly through famine, of more than 60,000 people, mostly civilians, with 14 million now facing starvation. Speaking of the Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir stated in January 2016, We have British officials and American officials and officials from other countries in our command and control centre. They know what the target list is and they have a sense of what it is that we are doing and what we are not doing. As well as civil servants and military personnel, BAEs contracts with the kingdom include joint activities with the Ministry of Defence Saudi Armed Forces Projects (MODSAP), with the line between the government, BAE and its subcontractors increasingly blurred. These arms deals play a major role in sustaining British arms exports and the UK defence industry, positioning Britain as the worlds second largest arms exporter. They also underpin the viability of the Gulfs petro-monarchies and Britains position as a military power. Just last year, the UK signed a new Military and Security Cooperation Agreement confirming its commitment to the House of Saud. Londons reluctance to comment on the Khashoggi assassination stems from its fear that the crisis triggered by the killing will compound economic problems in Saudi Arabia and fuel demands for sweeping social change. Seven years after the revolutionary movement that swept the Mubarak dictatorship from power in Egypt, the former colonial power dreads a mass political upheaval in the oil-rich country and its Gulf neighbours. In another provocative move, the US sent two warships on Monday through the narrow Taiwan Strait between the Chinese mainland and the island of Taiwan. The naval operationthe second such passage this yearfollows an inflammatory speech by US Vice-president Mike Pence earlier this month criticising China on all fronts. It also comes as the Trump administration has pulled out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty enabling the US to develop mid-range nuclear missiles to counter China as well as Russia. A bland statement issued by US naval spokesman Nate Christiansen declared that the USS Curtis Wilbur, a guided missile destroyer, and the USS Antietam, a guided missile cruiser, made a routine transit through the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law. He said that the operation was to demonstrate the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. While the US navy might be operating in strict accordance with international law, the sailing of two warships close to the Chinese mainland is calculated to further raise tensions with China and make a show of US support for Taiwan. If Chinese military vessels or aircraft appeared in international waters close to the American coastline, the US media would be filled with denunciations of a Chinese provocation. The Taiwan Strait is just 130 to 220 kilometres wide. The Chinese government is yet to make any official statement, but is likely to criticise the US operation as it did after two American warships transited the Taiwan Strait in July. The foreign ministry expressed concerns to the US and urged Washington to at once scrupulously abide by the One China principle and avoid harming China-US relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. In reality, the Trump administration has systematically heightened tensions over Taiwan as part of its increasingly aggressive confrontation with China over trade, the South China Sea and unsubstantiated claims that China is interfering in American politics. Even before formally assuming office, Trump suggested last year that continuing US adherence to the One China principle was dependent on concessions by China on trade and economic issues. Taiwan is one of the worlds most sensitive and potentially explosive flashpoints. Since 1979, when it ended diplomatic ties with Taipei, the US has abided by the One China principle that effectively acknowledges Beijing as the legitimate government of all China, including Taiwan. China regards Taiwan as a renegade province and has warned that it would forcibly take over the island if Taipei ever declared formal independence. The Trump administration has been strengthening military ties with Taiwan. It has approved two large arms sales of $1.4 billion in June 2017 and $330 million last month and is providing assistance to Taiwan in developing its own diesel-powered submarines. Earlier this year Trump signed the Taiwan Travel Act into law that authorises contact and visits, including by top-level Taiwanese and US military officials. The US is encouraging allies to conduct their naval operations in sensitive waters close to the Chinese mainland. The Australian reported last week that an Australian frigate, HMAS Melbourne, passed through the Taiwan Strait late last month after taking part in exercises with the Chinese navy. Australian researchers were on board a US naval research ship that docked last week in the southern Taiwanese port city of Kaohsiung, provoking criticism from Beijing. Washington has also been developing ties with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, whose Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) advocates a more independent stance by Taiwan. After winning the US presidential election in 2016, Trump provoked angry condemnation from China by accepting a phone call from Tsai. In August, Tsai toured the NASAs space centre in Houston, becoming the first Taiwanese leader in decades to visit an official US government facility of any kind. The Trump administrations attitude is clearly encouraging Taiwan to take a more confrontational stand towards China. On Saturday, protesters organised by the pro-independence Formosa Alliance took to the streets of the capital Taipei to call on the Tsai administration to hold a referendum on formally declaring Taiwan independent of Chinaa move that could rapidly lead to conflict. China has always feared that any step towards Taiwanese independence would boost separatist movements in other areas such as Tibet and Xinjiang. Taiwan is a key element of the Trump administrations strategy to intensify the pressure on China across the board. While the most evident steps have been US trade war measures against China, Trump has continued the US military build-up throughout the Indo-Pacific region that was begun under President Obamas so-called pivot to Asia. Taiwans strategic value in a war with China was underscored by General Douglas MacArthur who once described it as an unsinkable aircraft carrier. In his speech on October 2, Vice President Pence berated China for putting pressure on countries to sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan and turn to Beijing. For decades, Taiwan and China have offered competing economic rewards to small countries, mainly in the Pacific and Central America, to shift their diplomatic recognition. However, Pence claimed that Beijings activities now threaten the stability of the Taiwan Strait. Given that the US has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, Pences remarks are significant. Trumps National Security Adviser John Bolton, a staunch advocate for Taiwan, went one step further in August by reportedly suggesting that the US should penalise El Salvador for breaking diplomatic ties with Taiwan and turning towards China. This opposition to a shift in diplomatic relations by other countries to China suggests at the very least that the Trump administration is actively considering open diplomatic ties with Taiwan. A renunciation by Washington of the One China principle or support for Taiwanese independence would dramatically escalate the existing tensions between the worlds two largest economies. Trumps aggressive confrontation with Beijing is driven by deep concerns in American ruling circles that Chinas economic rise threatens US global dominance of the United States. The latest naval provocation is another warning that US imperialism will stop at nothing, including a catastrophic war, to subordinate China to American economic and strategic interests. Anyone who carefully follows the publications of the various pseudo-left organizations in the United States will note how reliably they track the political line of the New York Times and other Democratic-Party aligned media outlets. These corporate media, in turn, reflect the positions of definite factions within the US intelligence establishment. This is clearly seen in the response by Socialist Worker, the publication of the International Socialist Organization (ISO), and Jacobin, which is closely aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), to the state murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. These publications respond like political weathervanes to shifting currents within US imperialist policy-making and intelligence circlesin this case, growing dissatisfaction with the current ruler of Saudi Arabia, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Obama administration gave bin Salman the OK to launch a war in March of 2015 to defeat Houthi rebels and reinstall the deposed US-Saudi puppet regime of Abd-Rabbu Monsour Hadi. Since then Washington has provided crucial military, logistical and intelligence assistance for a savage bombing campaign against civilian targets that has killed somewhere between 16,000 and 50,000 Yemenis, brought some 1.4 million people to the point of famine and caused a world record cholera epidemic affecting a million people. The Trump administration has continued and deepened the Obama policy, forging even closer relations with the Saudi dictatorship and negotiating a $1.2 billion arms deal as part of a united front of Washington, the Sunni Gulf states and Israel against Iran. For more than three years, SocialistWorker.org and Jacobin have been virtually silent on the war being waged by a coalition of Gulf states led by Saudi Arabia against Yemen. A Google search of Socialist Worker shows a total of only eight articles since the outbreak of the war. A search of Jacobin yields a mere six articles. (The World Socialist Web Site, in comparison, has published dozens of articles, commentaries, Perspective columns and historical pieces exposing one of the greatest war crimes of the 21st century.) In all but ignoring this made-in-the USA war crime, the ISO and the DSA have followed the lead of the major corporate media. Now, however, amid the flurry of criticism of the crown prince following the murder of Khashoggi, a US resident and columnist for the Washington Post with close ties to US intelligence, the New York Times, the Post and the major TV news outlets have suddenly discovered the war in Yemen and even, though rarely, mentioned Washingtons role. Their newfound interest in the war is entirely cynicala means of placing pressure on the House of Saud and the Trump administration to either rein in the crown prince or replace him with a different member of the royal family. The ISO and Jacobin have followed suit. Hence the appearance on October 15 of the article Will the Saudi regime get away with murder? on Socialist Worker. The piece, by an unnamed activist and writer from Saudi Arabia, mentions the war in Yemen while focusing on Khashoggis longstanding ties to the Saudi monarchy. It states: Since his self-exile, Khashoggi has transformed himself from a loyalist who as late as 2016 celebrated the execution of dissidents and praised the disastrous US-backed war for saving Yemen into an ardent critic of Saudi Arabias ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (commonly referred to as MBS). The writer adds that Khashoggi was well-connected in Washingtonsomeone these elites can see and identify with. The author continues: But there may also be a developing sentiment that MBS is out of control and becoming an unreliable ally. He is responsible for a series of international and domestic crises that not only further destabilize the region, but his own rule. This shift within intelligence circles was signaled in a more public manner by Bernie Sanders, who gave a speech at Johns Hopkins University on October 9, one week after Khashoggis disappearance, titled Building a Global Democratic Movement to Counter Authoritarianism. Sanders focused on the Saudi regime, denouncing it for its internal repression and for devastating the country of Yemen in a catastrophic war in alliance with the United States. Jacobin has published three articles on the Khashoggi killing that touch on the war in Yemen. The first (Bernies New Internationalist Vision) hails Sanders foreign policy speech as a genuine call to action against war and authoritarianismwhile admitting that Sanders has voted repeatedly in favor of US military intervention and spoken of the need to maintain American military supremacy. The second, by Branko Marcetic, cites statements by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham denouncing the Saudi government and speculates on the possibility of a rift in US-Saudi relations that is long overdue. The third, posted October 17 (How We Can End the Saudis War in Yemen), also by Marcetic, argues that the way to end the war is to pressure 10 Democrats who previously voted against a Senate resolution calling for the US to end its participation in the war to reverse their vote. In all these articles, the pseudo-left publications write as advisers to factions of the state. There are definite political reasons why the pseudo-left promoters of human rights imperialism downplayed the slaughter in Yemen for more than three years. Both the ISO and the DSA supported the war for regime-change in Libya, which ended with US-backed Islamist terrorists torturing and killing deposed ruler Muammar Gaddafi, and they back the ongoing war for regime-change in Syrianeocolonial wars that have killed hundreds of thousands of civilians and destroyed both countries. They have accordingly directed their moral indignation against not the US and its allies, first and foremost Saudi Arabia, but rather against the Syrian regime and its backers, Russia and Iran, which they have conveniently labeled imperialist powers. Saudi Arabias internal repression and its bloodbath in Yemen, carried out with the indispensable aid of Washington, cut across their pro-imperialist narrative. Hence the virtual silence from these quarters. To the extent that they have criticized the foreign policy of the Trump administration, they have done so largely from the right, in line with the New York Times and the Democratic Partydenouncing the administration for not arming the Syrian rebels with weapons capable of shooting down Russian warplanes and for insufficiently escalating the attack on Syrian President Assad and the confrontation with Russian President Putin. They line up behind those factions of the US intelligence establishment that see Russia as the most pressing obstacle to the establishment of US dominance in the Middle East, which is seen, in turn, as crucial to imposing US hegemony over the Eurasian continent. Their assigned task is to provide a left rationale for US imperialist war and cultivate a pro-war constituency within sections of the upper-middle class whose political views are dominated by the politics of race, gender and sexual orientation. Now, however, in the wake of the murder of Khashoggi, there are signs that the winds are shifting in relation to the crown prince. With the war in Yemen deadlocked and the Saudi regime facing a growing social and economic crisisthe Wall Street Journal warned last week about bin Salmans debt bingethere is increasing concern over the 33-year-old princes recklessness and impetuosity and the lack of control over his actions exercised by the Trump administration. John Brennan headed the CIA under Obama when the US gave its blessings to the Saudi-led assault on Yemen. He also presided over Obamas drone assassination program, which killed hundreds of Yemenis. But on October 12, Brennan published a column in the Washington Post denouncing the crown princes inhumanity. He concluded with a demand for US sanctions against all Saudis involved in the killing, a freeze on US military sales, suspension of all routine intelligence cooperation and a US-sponsored UN Security Council resolution condemning the murder. Bloomberg published a commentary on October 17 that concluded with a quote from a long-time friend of Khashoggi and adviser to Turkish President Erdogan, who stated, Jamal may have been seen as the focal point of an alternative governing power. Foreign Affairs on October 18 posted a piece by Daniel Benjamin, appointed in 2009 by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as coordinator for counterterrorism at the US State Department, declaring that the murder of Khashoggi has evinced a recklessness that is deeply at odds with US interests. It is clear that factions within the US intelligence apparatus have grown increasingly concerned over the rule of the current crown prince and were promoting Khashoggi as part of a push to rein him in or possibly replace him. None of the US critics of the crown prince remotely suggest that the crimes of the regime call for a campaign of regime-change, as with Saddam Hussein, Gaddafi and Assad. But they fear a change at the top may be required to avert a collapse of the regime itself. In suddenly discovering the war in Yemen and the crimes of the Saudi regime, the pro-imperialist, pro-Democratic Party organizations of the privileged middle class such as the ISO and the DSA are snapping into line behind those factions within the ruling class and the state with which they are allied. Cameroon's President Paul Biya has been re-elected for a seventh term, the country's constitutional council said Monday, extending his 36-year rule over the nation. The 85-year-old president won 71.3 percent of the vote, beating nine other candidates in an election marred by violence and low voter turnout. Africa Cameroon Central Africa Continents and regions Elections and campaigns Government and public administration Paul Biya Political Figures - Intl Politics Separatism and secession Unrest, conflicts and war Biya was announced the winner of the tensely-contested election amid high-security presence in Yaounde and other major cities. Riot police and security personnel were deployed to major streets in Douala ahead of the announcement. Security operatives surrounded the homes of two opposition leaders Sunday, preventing them from attending a planned protest calling for the annulment of the polls. Biya's win follows protests and petitions by opposition candidates, who alleged the October 7 polling was rigged in the leader's favor. Many voters in Cameroon's troubled north and southwest regions stayed away from polling booths as violence broke out between security forces and armed separatists. Ballot boxes in the southwest were half-empty as voters stayed away in droves. Biya has often recorded a landslide victory in past elections. He was declared the winner of the 2011 elections by the Supreme Court, which found that he got 77% of the vote, beating out 22 other contenders. Biya maintains his iron grip on the Central African country despite a growing secessionist movement, which has worsened security in the nation. He has been accused by rights groups of presiding over a brutal regime, characterized by human rights abuses, particularly toward residents of Cameroon's English-speaking provinces. People in the country's Anglophone provinces, who make up 20% of the country's population, say they have been marginalized by a Francophone-dominated government that can be traced to Cameroon's post-colonial era. But tension deteriorated into a full-blown crisis last year after protests in Anglophone regions turned violent, with armed separatists calling for a country of their own. Biya's government has been accused of using its military to crack down on armed separatists. Secessionist fighters also stand accused of kidnapping and killing soldiers and civilians. Amnesty International, in a report last month, said it had recorded 260 security incidents, including kidnappings of civilians and violence between Cameroon's soldiers and armed Anglophone separatists this year. The human rights organization said 400 civilians have been killed since January in escalating attacks between armed separatist groups and security forces in Cameroon's English-speaking regions. Biya, in the past, has condemned all "acts of violence regardless of their sources and their perpetrators." Here is a look at the life of former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Personal: Birth date: October 28, 1956 Hassan Rouhani Iran Iran nuclear development Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Middle East Middle East and North Africa Political Figures - Intl Fast Facts Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Elections and campaigns Government and public administration Politics Continents and regions Birth place: Aradan, Iran Birth name: Mahmoud Saborjhian Father: Ahmad Saborjhian, a blacksmith. Ahmadinejad's father changed the family name from Saborjhian to Ahmadinejad after the family moved to Tehran. Mother: Seiyed Khano Marriage: Azam Farahi Children: Two sons and a daughter Education: Iran University of Science and Technology, Bachelor's and Master's, 1986 (in civil engineering) and Ph.D, 1987 (in transportation engineering) Other Facts: He is a member of the Abadgaran party and is considered ultra-conservative. He is a very loyal supporter of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Several of the 52 Americans held hostage during the 1979 Islamic Revolution claim Ahmadinejad was one of their captors. Former hostage takers in this incident, who are now political opponents of Ahmadinejad, deny he was involved. Timeline: 1986 - Joins the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Late 1980s-Early 90s - Governor of Maku and Khoy in Iran. 1993 - Adviser to the Minister of Culture and Higher Education. 1993-1997 - Governor of Ardabil Province in northwestern Iran. May 3, 2003-2005 - Appointed mayor of Tehran. June 24, 2005 - Wins Iran's presidential election by a landslide, defeating Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani. Ahmadinejad gets approximately 62% of the vote and immediately begins stating his desire to restart Iran's nuclear program. August 3, 2005 - Sworn in as president. October 26, 2005 - During a speech at the World Without Zionism conference in Tehran, he states that "Israel must be wiped off the map." December 14, 2005 - Speaking to thousands of people in the Iranian city of Zahedan, Ahmadinejad states "Today, [Europeans] have created a myth in the name of Holocaust and consider it to be above God, religion, and the prophets." April 11, 2006 - Announces that Iran has produced low-grade enriched uranium that can be used for nuclear power. September 19, 2006 - One of two featured speakers on the opening day of the United Nations General Assembly. The other is US President George W. Bush. The two men do not meet. September 24, 2007 - Speaks at Columbia University. Ahmadinejad denies having ever denied the Holocaust, saying he just introduced "two questions" about it. He is booed after saying, "we don't have homosexuals [in Iran] like in your country." September 25, 2007 - Speaks to the UN General Assembly. September 26, 2007 - Christiane Amanpour interviews Ahmadinejad. He unexpectedly gets up and leaves after only a few minutes. March 2-3, 2008 - Ahmadinejad visits Iraq; this is the first-ever visit to Iraq by an Iranian president. He meets with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talabani, discussing topics such as oil production and development, border demarcations, and Israel's excessive use of force in Gaza. June 13, 2009 - Is re-elected president of Iran as demonstrators fill the streets. August 5, 2009 - Is sworn in as president. October 13, 2010 - Arrives in Lebanon for his first state visit to meet with the president, the prime minister, and members of the militant group, Hezbollah, with whom Iran has a strong relationship. April 17, 2011 - Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi is fired by Ahmadinejad; the action is vetoed by Khamenei. May 2011 - Ahmadinejad accuses Western countries of using special equipment to cause a drought in Iran. September 22, 2011 - Speaks at the UN General Assembly. March 14, 2012 - Ahmadinejad is summoned before parliament to answer questions about domestic and foreign issues. It is the first time since the Iranian Revolution in 1979 that the parliament has summoned the country's president to answer questions. September 24, 2012 - Gives a speech at the United Nations, during which the ambassador from Israel walks out. February 5, 2013 - During a visit to Egypt, a group of men throw shoes at Ahmadinejad. This is an insult in the Muslim world. June 14, 2013 - Hassan Rouhani wins the Iranian presidential election. August 4, 2013 - Rouhani is sworn in and Ahmadinejad officially leaves office. April 11, 2017 - State media reports that Ahmadinejad has registered to run in the country's presidential elections in May. This is unexpected, as Ahmadinejad was instructed last September by Khamenei not to run. April 20, 2017 - The Guardian Council, a government forum that approves candidates, disqualifies Ahmadinejad from running in the upcoming presidential election. Special counsel Robert Mueller's scrutiny of Roger Stone includes investigating whether Stone had backchannels to WikiLeaks during the 2016 election beyond the New York radio host and political activist whom Stone claims was his primary go-between, according to people familiar with the matter. Investigators' queries to people connected to Stone, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump, suggest Mueller's team is skeptical of Stone's explanation that Randy Credico was his main intermediary, according to people familiar with interviews conducted by investigators. The scrutiny also includes probing Stone's relationship with right-wing journalist and conspiracy theorist Jerome Corsi about whether he also acted as a go-between with Stone and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, a source said. 2016 Presidential election Continents and regions Donald Trump Eastern Europe Elections (by type) Elections and campaigns Europe Government and public administration Investigations Jerome Corsi Julian Assange Misc people Non-profit and NGO organizations Political candidates Political Figures - US Politics Randy Credico Robert Mueller Roger Stone Russia Russia meddling investigation US Federal elections US Presidential elections WikiLeaks Digital security Technology The Washington Post and Wall Street Journal previously reported about Mueller's interest in Corsi's possible interactions with WikiLeaks. Additionally, investigators are looking into whether Stone shared information that he believed was from WikiLeaks with members of Trump's presidential campaign, according to a source familiar with the probe. Investigators have been provided recordings of Stone claiming he talked to Trump regularly early in the 2016 presidential campaign, CNN has learned. Later, after various document dumps from WikiLeaks, Stone claimed in separate communications he should receive credit for coordinating with the group, the source said. The queries about whether Stone may have shared information with the Trump campaign are a strong indication that Mueller's team is still actively investigating the possibility that someone close to Trump engaged in collusion with the Russians. "We have said over and over again that he shared nothing with the campaign because he had nothing to share," said Grant Smith, an attorney for Stone. "He received nothing from anybody. At what point does this old record get worn out from being played over and over again?" "I never discussed WikiLeaks stuff with Trump and would never have said I should get credit for coordinating with WikiLeaks since I did no such thing," Stone said. A spokesman for the special counsel declined to comment. A lawyer for the President declined to comment. In an interview with the Associated Press last year, Trump denied that he knew about WikiLeaks before the shadowy website started releasing hacked Democratic emails during the 2016 presidential campaign. The President said, "When WikiLeaks came out ... never heard of WikiLeaks, never heard of it. When WikiLeaks came out, all I was just saying is, 'Well, look at all this information here, this is pretty good stuff.'" Stone's associates questioned on contacts While Stone said he has not been contacted by Mueller's team, many of his associates have been called in for interviews or testimony before the grand jury. Witnesses said the main focus of their interviews has been Stone's contact with WikiLeaks and Assange. Some of them are still actively cooperating with Mueller's team and have handed over troves of communications involving Stone, according to sources familiar with the matter. A key area of inquiry is whether Stone actually received information from WikiLeaks and who helped facilitate that information-sharing. Investigators' questions to Corsi about his communications with WikiLeaks and Stone indicate they are trying to determine whether Stone had other go-betweens with WikiLeaks. Corsi has participated in hours of interviews with Mueller's team and testified before the grand jury, according to sources familiar with the situation. Corsi's lawyer declined to comment. At one point, Corsi appeared to provide cover for one of Stone's most inflammatory tweets: His summer 2016 claim that "it will soon (be) the Podesta's time in the barrel." It was later seen as an indication Stone may have had advance warning that then-Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta's hacked emails would soon be public. In March 2017, Corsi -- who was then the Washington bureau chief for InfoWars -- wrote, "Having reviewed my records, I am now confident that I am the source behind Stone's tweet." In his article, Corsi claimed his own research inspired Stone's Twitter missive. Stone has since said he was referring to the business dealings of both John Podesta and his brother, DC lobbyist Tony Podesta. Stone has suggested that the special counsel may be interested in Corsi's own relationship with Trump rather than Corsi's interactions with Stone. But a person familiar with the situation said investigators were mainly interested in Corsi's interactions with Stone and whether he acted as Stone's backchannel. Stone told CNN, "Corsi told me he was never in communication with WikiLeaks or Assange, I believe him and know of no evidence to the contrary." Corsi's own attorney denied to CNN back in September that his client was in touch with Assange, WikiLeaks or Guciffer 2.0, US intelligence has determined that the online persona Guccifer 2.0 was a front for Russian intelligence and Russian officers who hacked Democrats and passed the stolen material on to WikiLeaks during the campaign. Stone's own words fuel questions Stone has been under scrutiny for his contact with Guccifer 2.0 and comments he made in 2016 that appeared to suggest he had advance knowledge of material from WikiLeaks before it was released. "I actually have communicated with Assange," Stone said in a speech in Florida on August 8, 2016. "I believe the next tranche of his documents pertain to the Clinton Foundation but there's no telling what the October surprise may be." The Atlantic reported Stone and WikiLeaks exchanged direct messages on Twitter, but both have denied that they were in direct contact about the release of Clinton emails. Stone told CNN that "although my claims were dramatized for effect before a partisan audience, they were not fabricated and I clarified in a dozen interviews that my 'communication' with Assange had been through a third party." He added, "I had no advance knowledge of the source or content of the material WikiLeaks would ultimately release." Meanwhile, Stone's claim that he used Credico as that third party has been met with inconsistencies as well as denials from Credico. The radio host, who is open about his friendship with Assange, has denied funneling information back-and-forth to Assange on Stone's behalf. "I am a decoy, the patsy to divert attention," Credico told CNN. "Or he just didn't have one (an intermediary) and his ego was too big to admit that." Stone also suggested to reporters and associates that he had other links to WikiLeaks. A source familiar with the matter said Credico told the grand jury that Stone mentioned having another link to WikiLeaks. "I did tell Credico I had an additional source who also told me the material was coming and that the revelations would address the Clinton Foundation," Stone told CNN. When he appeared before the House Intelligence Committee last year, Stone testified that he had no direct contact with Assange during the election and instead relied on a go-between. In a letter following his committee appearance, Stone's lawyer identified his intermediary as Credico. "Mr. Stone noticed Credico had traveled to London on at least two occasions and conducted two landmark interviews with Julian Assange on WBAI," Stone's lawyer wrote, referring to the New York progressive radio station where Credico worked. But Stone's timeline doesn't align with public events. Stone claims that Credico's interviews with Assange inspired Stone to use Credico as a backchannel, according to the letter from Stone's attorney. But Credico didn't interview Assange until August 25, 2016, weeks after Stone started touting an intermediary. Stone now says that he knew Credico had ties to WikiLeaks even before the Assange interview. As first reported by CNN, in multiple radio interviews between Credico and Stone -- now in the special counsel's possession -- Credico also asked Stone about the backchannel and expressed doubt that any such backchannel exists. In yet another discrepancy, the letter from Stone's lawyer to the House committee also insists that Stone had only ever asked Credico to confirm information that Assange had shared publicly in media interviews or via social media. But on September 18, 2016, Stone asked Credico to ferret out other information from Assange that Stone believed would be damaging to Hillary Clinton. "Please ask Assange for any State or HRC e-mail from August 10 to August 30...," a portion of the email from Stone to Credico says about Clinton emails from 2011. "My testimony before the House Intelligence Committee was entirely truthful and there is no credible evidence to the contrary," Stone told CNN, maintaining that Credico was his primary backchannel and that he has associates who will corroborate his account. "From the beginning, I wanted to protect the identity of Credico, because I knew that his support for Julian Assange and the journalistic independence of WikiLeaks would not be popular in the progressive left circles where he made a living," Stone said. "I turned over Randy Credico's name to the House Intelligence Committee only reluctantly." Stone's lawyer said there were "no inconsistencies in what we sent to the House." While Stone has proclaimed his innocence, he has said he believes Mueller's team could bring charges against him to try to force him to cooperate against Trump. Prosecutors may also be confronted with the possibility that Stone, a braggadocios self-proclaimed "dirty trickster," did not actually have access to a legitimate backchannel providing him information from WikiLeaks. "He may have had somebody, I don't know," said Credico. "Who can tell with this guy?" UPDATE: This story has been updated to add more detail about previous reporting from the Washington Post and Wall Street Journal. CORRECTION: This story has been corrected to reflect when Trump did his interview with the Associated Press. Update 10/23/18 2:22 p.m. The victim has been identified as Hank W. Sweatman, 60, of Stockbridge, Georgia, according to Sherman Police Chief Joel Spellins. Update 10/22/18 11:19 p.m. Sherman Police Chief Joel Spellins confirms the driver of the 18-wheeler has died. His name will be released once his family is notified. The driver is from out of state. See the original post below. SHERMAN, Miss. (WTVA) - Traffic is backed up after a motor vehicle collision involving an 18-wheeler on I-22 near Sherman, according to Tupelo police. The tanker truck could be seen on its side and hanging off the side of a bridge. Tupelo police were asked by the Mississippi Highway Patrol to divert traffic coming from the west, and officers will do so at the McCullough Boulevard exit. Drivers are asked to use caution around this area. Sherman police are investigating with MHP and Tupelo police assisting. COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) - Mississippi University for Women has been awarded a $1.5 million grant to focus on retention and graduation rates. The grant will be implemented during a five-year period. It was awarded by the U.S. Department of Educations Title III program to implement processes that will improve retention and graduation rates and streamline the student advising process. Among the programs the grant will cover include redesigning intermediate education courses, professional development for intermediate education instructors, release time for faculty-led enhancement and improvements, establishing a peer mentoring program and implementing a web-based tutoring program. Dr. David Brooking, director of MUWs Student Success Center and Title III Project, says that streamlining the advising process will also be a major component covered under the grant. Goals include expanding targeted counseling services and outreach to faculty, implementing comprehensive training and support program for faculty advisers, establishing fellows program for continued professional development and implementing an electronic degree audit and data analytics system title Degree Works. MUW President Nora Miller says the grant will help fulfill the schools mission of empowering students as the school works toward increasing completion rates. TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - Tupelo police are asking for the publics help locating a credit card fraud suspect. The suspect is identified as Jonathan Edward Terry. On June 27, a Lee County grand jury indicted him for his alleged role in a lengthy fraud investigation. Police say he was identified using images captured on ATM surveillance cameras making several withdrawals from another persons account. He stands 511 and weighs approximately 200 pounds. According to Tupelo police, Terry has been known to frequently visit the Fulton and Shannon areas. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi at 1-800-773-8477. 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Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Meghan Markle and Prince Harry received quite the welcome to Fiji. After the royal couple who recently announced they are expecting their first child arrived at Nausori Airport on Tuesday, they met with Fijian President Jioji Konrote and headed to an official welcome ceremony in Albert Park. The ceremony, known as the Veirqaraqaravi Vakavanua, embodies Fijian cultural identity and heritage. It mirrored that of the one attended by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1953, including the presentation of the Tabua and the performance of a traditional dance, known as the Meke, by members of the Nakelo village. Cant get enough of PEOPLEs Royals coverage? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visit Fiji in 1982 Harry was cheered on by the crowd of around 15,000 as he took a sip of kava, a non-alcoholic drink traditionally served at social events. Although the herb is used to treat anxiety, concerns about its effect on the liver means it has been banned from being imported to the EU since 2003. Bula vinaka! Harry told the crowd, demonstrating his knowledge of the Fijian greeting. The Duchess and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible during the next two days and celebrating the links and close friendship between Fiji and the United Kingdom. Meghan, 37, and Harry, 34, also received woven fans personalized with HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) on them! Meghan Markle Prince Harry Meghan Markle and Prince Harry The couple then headed to the Grand Pacific Hotel and greeted well wishes from the balcony just as Harrys grandparents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, did during their visit to Fiji in 1953. The Queen has stayed at the hotel five times and Harrys father, Prince Charles, has also been a guest on several occasions. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1953 Later in the evening and after an outfit change, which saw Meghan in her first evening gown of the couples tour Down Under Harry spoke at a reception and state dinner hosted by Fijis president. Harry said he and Meghan were overwhelmed by the warm Fijian welcome we received from the people of these beautiful islands this afternoon in Albert Park, and all the way from the airport! It really is a privilege to be here. Story continues Meghan Markle and Prince Harry RELATED: Every Photo from Royal Parents-to-Be Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys Tour Down Under This visit is particularly nostalgic for us as a young married couple my grandparents stayed in this very hotel, the Grand Pacific, a number of times over the years. The Duke of Sussex added, As you know, Fiji has a long tradition of welcoming Royal visitors over the years and our two countries have enjoyed a close relationship and friendship. We share Commonwealth values and common goals a love of rugby and a sense of humor! Our ties run deep. CIA Director Gina Haspel traveled to Turkey on Monday as part of the U.S. governments investigation into the death of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Reuters and NBC News reported. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, went missing on Oct. 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He has not been seen since. After weeks of denying any knowledge of his whereabouts, the Saudi government admitted last week that Khashoggi was dead. Also Read: Jared Kushner Calls on Saudi Crown Prince to Be 'Fully Transparent' on Khashoggi Death According to the Saudi government, Khashoggi was killed during a fight gone wrong inside the consulate. The explanation contradicts reports by Turkish officials, who told The New York Times that it has audio that proves Khashoggis body was dismembered by a hit team of Saudi agents after he was tortured shortly after arriving at the consulate. On Monday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin held a meeting with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, as part of a scheduled discussion on fighting terrorism and Iran. Mnuchin was supposed to also take part in the Future Investment Initiative conference taking place in the Riyadh this week, but he withdrew from the event after public outcry over Khashoggis disappearance. The CIA did not immediately respond to TheWraps request for comment. Read original story CIA Director Gina Haspel Heads to Turkey in Jamal Khashoggi Investigation At TheWrap The Texas woman who was seen on videotape leaving a two-year-old boy at a strangers doorstep says the incident was a big misunderstanding and that she ran from the home because it was cold outside. And the only reason I took off running was because it was chilly outside and I didnt have [a] sweater on, as you can see in the video, the woman, Keairra Woods, told local station KTRK. Woods said she was just helping out her best friends aunt, who is the mother of the boy, when she was captured on grainy video rushing to the door with the boy, quickly ringing the bell and then bolting to the car without the boy. She said she was under the impression shed left the boy on the doorstep of his fathers house, where she was supposed to drop him off. The boys father, Willie Simmons, lived next door. In the interview, Woods blamed the boys mother, from whom she was receiving guidance on the telephone when the mishap occurred. I followed the GPS, she told the station. Mind you, Im still on the phone with her, so by the time I get to the house, I say, Well I just pulled up to the house. She said, Okay, get out the car, get his bag and go to the door. Woods said she described multiple cars in the driveway and believes the boys mother should have realized then that she was at the wrong house because the boys father didnt have that many vehicles. By the time I get to the door, I ring the doorbell. I still have him in my hand. I say Its like five cars out here, a red car, a black car, and a white car, and its like two rows of cars. [The boys mother] said Okay.' 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. Story continues Woods said she rang the doorbell and saw a lady walking to the door and said she took off running because she wanted to avoid contact with the boys stepmother, who had a dispute with the boys mother. Thats when I took off running, she said. A video of the incident went viral last week soon after the Montgomery County Sheriffs Department released it. At the time, many feared that a mother had abandoned her child. Police have said the neighbor who found the boy at her doorstep after hearing the doorbell ring and a knock on the door brought the toddler inside and called 911. When approached with the footage by reporters, the boys father revealed his disbelief. What if my neighbor wasnt there? Simmons told the station. If my neighbor wasnt there, my son would have been roaming up and down the street, Simmons continued. That was very irresponsible. And I feel the lady who dropped my son off needs to be held accountable, Simmons told the station. Lt. Scott Spencer of the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office told KPRC-TV that Simmons was under the impression that the boy would be dropped off to him Wednesday afternoon. However, he got a text from the boys mother saying her friend would be bringing the child home because she had been admitted to the hospital. ABC 13 also caught up with the childs mother. When asked about the incident she said: It was a very big misunderstanding. At this time, no charges have been filed against the woman, but according to Spencer she could face a charge of child abandonment, KPRC-TV reported. A University of Utah student-athlete was fatally shot Monday evening at the schools Salt Lake City campus, according to a statement by the school about the death of Lauren McCluskey. The suspect in the killing, Melvin Rowland, a convicted sex offender, was found dead hours later on Monday night inside a Salt Lake City church from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to multiple reports. According to the schools statement, the shooting took place at about 8:20 p.m. Campus police responded to a call of a possible abduction at that time and found McCluskeys body in a parked car outside a dorm. McCluskey, a Washington state native and a senior at the school, was majoring in communication and was a highly regarded member of the schools track and field team, the statement added. Police have said she may have had a previous relationship with Rowland, 37, which might have prompted the attack, ABC reported. After the shooting, Rowland was seen fleeing from the part of campus where McCluskey was discovered. Then he allegedly killed himself, police said. They chased him to this location, where they found that he had forced entry into the church, University of Utah Police Services Lt. Brian Wahlin told ABC. After clearing the building, they found our suspect deceased in a room in the church, suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Melvin Rowland, the suspect in Lauren McCluskey's death University of Utah Campus Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment. ABC also reported that Rowland, a Salt Lake City native, was not a student at the university and that court records show he had been convicted of attempted forcible sex abuse and enticing a minor over the internet in 2004. Lauren McCluskey According to a Facebook account that apparently belonged to McCluskey, she was 21. All University of Utah classes on Tuesday were canceled, and the school is planning a vigil for McCluskey on Wednesday at 5 p.m. to allow our campus community to grieve the senseless loss of this bright, young woman, school president Ruth Watkins wrote in the statement. Her family is understandably in shock at this news about their daughter. They are heartbroken. According to USA Today, this is the second deadly shooting at the university within a year. In October 2017, Austin Boutain was charged with carjacking, which led to the death of 23-year-old Chenwei Guowas. Boutain, 24, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Sen. Kamala Harris hits the campaign trail in Iowa: 'This is a pivotal moment' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com California Sen. Kamala Harris, a potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, began a two-day campaign swing across Iowa on Monday, her first major visit to the state that will hold the first-in-the-nation caucuses in just over 16 months, telling voters to recognize the urgency of electing Democrats in the midterm elections that are just two weeks away. "This is a pivotal moment, and weve got 15 days to get this done," Harris told a crowd at a community college in Ankeny, Iowa. Harris also cast the midterms as a part of a broader narrative beyond Donald Trump's presidency. "Let's also recognize," she said, "this moment at some point will pass. We will get beyond this, I promise you. We will get beyond this." PHOTO: Senator Kamala D. Harris speaks at the Netroots Nation annual conference for political progressives in New Orleans, Aug. 3, 2018. (Jonathan Bachman/Reuters) A prominent critic of the Trump administration, Harris also said she rejects the notion that someone is not a patriot if they criticize the direction of the country. "Sometimes when we're critical about what's not working in our country ... that invites a question about one's love of country," Harris said. "I reject that, because I believe there are two different definitions of what it means to be a patriot. One, the definition that suggests you don't condone the conduct of your country whatever it does. And then the other, being the kind of patriot that I believe most of us end up being. The kind that will fight each and every day for the ideals of our country." Attendees at Harris' campaign stops today said they view her as an effective and positive messenger for the party, and see her as a legitimate contender to lead the Democratic charge to deny President Trump a second term. "She's my top choice because she is strong, she is smart, she is insightful," Sarah Zigtema of West Des Moines told ABC News at Harris' stop in Ankeny. "Watching her on Senate committees she asks really good questions and she gets her answers, and I appreciate that about her. Also I'd just love to see her go up against Donald Trump because I think she'd kick his butt." Story continues Carter Winton, a tech consultant from Urbandale, Iowa, said he'd like to see Harris on a presidential ticket with someone like New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, but worries a woman of mixed race would face unfair prejudice in Donald Trump's America. PHOTO: Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., speaks before President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 6, 2018, for the third day of his confirmation. (Alex Brandon/AP) "My dream ticket would be someone like her and Cory Booker," Winton told ABC News before Harris' speech in Des Moines. "But I don't believe somebody of mixed race and a female would do very well in a general election. So as much as I would love to see her run, I don't know if that's a winning ticket. "Shes the type of person that doesn't really take crap," said Darrell Hagans, a 38-year-old software company worker from Des Moines who came to see Harris speak Monday night. "I think that she is a rising star in the Democratic Party. I think that she definitely has the potential, whether it's in this next election or possibly the one afterwards." Harris is set to campaign in the central and eastern parts of the state, including stops in Des Moines, Cedar Falls, Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, hoping to boost the Democratic nominee in Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, Cindy Axne, and the Democratic nominee for Iowa Secretary of State, Deidre DeJear. This is Harris' first visit to the state since 2008, when she campaigned for then-Sen. Barack Obama during her time as the district attorney of San Francisco. PHOTO: Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., makes her way to the Senate Policy luncheons at the Capitol, May 22, 2018. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images) "There is so much on the line this year," Harris said in a statement released by the Iowa Democratic Party last week. "We have seen how Republicans sow the seeds of hate and division throughout our country over the last two years. Now it's time to hold them accountable, at every level of government, and Iowans know that better than anyone." (MORE: Kamala Harris in South Carolina: 'Fight for ... who we are') Harris, first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016 after serving as California's Attorney General for six years, has been a prominent and fierce critic of the Trump administration during her time on Capitol Hill. She has clashed with numerous administration officials including Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and recently called the confirmation hearings of then-Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme court a "sham and disgrace." (MORE: Bernie Sanders pushes health-centric message in Iowa as voters sound off on potential 2020 bid) PHOTO: Cindy Axne, democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Iowa's 3rd district, speaks to supporters at a get-out-the-vote rally which she was hosting with Fred Hubbell, Democratic candidate for governor of Iowa, Oct. 8, 2018. in Des Moines, Iowa. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Aside from her high-profile role as Trump administration antagonist, Harris also recently rolled out a new tax proposal called the "LIFT Act," which aims to help U.S. families earning less than $100,000 year become eligible for a monthly tax credit of up to $500, or $6,000 a year. The LIFT Act would lift up one in every two American workers and two out of three children by giving families a tax credit up to $500 a month to help them pay their bills and make ends meet. https://t.co/q6f48PUdne Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 20, 2018 PHOTO: Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., shakes the hand of Garlin Gilchrist II, Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor, as he arrives at a Michigan Democratic Party rally in Ann Arbor, Mich., Oct. 19, 2018. (Jacob Hamilton/Ann Arbor News via AP) While Harris has begun to make a name for herself on Capitol Hill as a forceful progressive advocate, the Democrat is still not widely known to much of the American electorate. A recent poll from CNN had Harris polling at 9 percent, third in a field of potential Democratic 2020 contenders that included former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who campaigned across Iowa this past weekend. Saudis' killing of Jamal Khashoggi was 'savagely planned,' Turkish president says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was "savagely planned" by the Saudis. Erdogan in a speech to Turkey's Parliament laid out a timeline of events from the moment a team of Saudis arrived in Istanbul for what he said was the intentional killing of Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist critical of the Saudi government who disappeared after going into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. "The information and evidence we have gathered until now shows that Khashoggi was the victim of a murder which was savagely planned, Erdogan said. Khashoggi, who has been living in the U.S., went missing after visiting the consulate for documents he needed to marry his fiance, Hatice Cengiz. His disappearance set off an international uproar. Saudi officials at first denied involvement, saying Khashoggi had left the consulate through the back door. That explanation has since evolved to Saudi officials' saying that Khashoggi was killed unintentionally in the consulate when he was put in a chokehold. Erdogan said Tuesday that the 18 individuals whom Saudi officials identified late last week as having being involved in Khashoggi's death are the same whom a Turkish investigation has found to be responsible, Erdogan said. The Turkish president didn't mention the audio recording that Turkish media said had recorded Khashoggi's murder. He also didn't present any physical evidence from the investigation. (MORE: Trump 'not satisfied' with Saudi response to Khashoggi killing, but not willing to risk arms sales) Erdogan said Saudi Arabia was obligated to reveal the identity of everyone involved and called for the prosecution of those responsible to happen in Turkey. PHOTO: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks about the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi during his weekly parliamentary address, Oct. 23, 2018, in Ankara, Turkey. (Getty Images) Erdogan called on Saudi Arabias leaders, including the king, to accede to a Turkish trial for the suspects. "My proposal to the Saudis is that the 15 plus three -- 18 -- people who were arrested should be tried on our soil, in Istanbul." Story continues Saudi officials said Friday, more than two weeks after Khashoggis disappearance, that the journalist died in a fight at the consulate. (MORE: Khashoggi died when he was put in a chokehold to prevent him from calling for help) Over the weekend, the Saudis' explanation continued to evolve with a Saudi official's telling ABC News that Khashoggi died when he was "placed in a chokehold position" to stop him from leaving the consulate and calling for help. On Monday, CNN received surveillance videos from a senior Turkish official that appeared to show a member of the 15-person Saudi squad dressed in Khashoggi's clothes the same day the journalist went missing. Then, a Saudi official told ABC News that the team of men who met Khashoggi at the consulate was acting on orders from the Saudi intelligence agency, GIP. According to the official, the mission involved taking Khashoggi to a safe house for 48 hours in order to pressure him to return to Saudi Arabia. President Donald Trump on Monday told reporters he wasn't satisfied with the Saudis' response to Khashoggi's death, adding, "I'm not satisfied with what I've heard." Trump, however, continued to defend U.S.-Saudi economic relations. PHOTO: Jamal Khashoggi, then general manager of a new Arabic news channel speaks during a press conference, in Manama, Bahrain, Dec. 15, 2014. (Hasan Jamali/AP, FILE) "I don't want to lose all of that investment that's being made in our country," the president added. CIA Director Gina Haspel headed to Turkey on Monday to address the investigation of Khashoggi's death, two sources confirmed to ABC News. (MORE: On Khashoggi, we 'see where this is headed' -- Trump will accept Saudi 'crown prince's denials': Schiff) Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Monday to discuss American-Saudi strategic partnerships, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Saudi Arabia has said that the crown prince was not involved in the mission against Khashoggi. Erdogan in his address to Parliament on Tuesday criticized the conflicting explanations of Khashoggi's killing and asked why Khashoggis body has still not been recovered. This article first ran in the Fall-Winter 2018 issue of NewBeauty, available on newsstands until January 15, 2019. Enid Fernandez, spa director at The Peninsula New York, is discerning when it comes to skin care; her customersglowing-complexion devotees who dont pause at paying $1,000-plus for signature facials and stockpile Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 in all sizesadmittedly, more so. Yet in a setting where only the best is served, Fernandez felt there was a missing link in the spas offerings when she reevaluated the menu last spring. Many of our guests were seeking products that produce even greater results for pre- and post-surgical treatments, such as facelifts and other enhancements. Then there were the guests who wanted higher-grade medical ingredients in their everyday, anti-aging skin-care regimens. You May Also Like: Drew Barrymore Reveals the Product She Uses to Supplement Her Noninvasive Treatments After exploring, examining and testing what she describes as a ton of options, the spa selected German-based brand Medical Beauty Research (MBR) to add to its small portfolio. The line covers all of guests requests and needs, Fernandez says. In fact, their products have the highest grade of medical ingredients acceptable for any type of spa use. The line isnt new (it was founded by a group of plastic surgeons and dermatologists in 2001) and its not cheap (the star product, the Liquid Surgery Serum, retails for $1,750), but it is the latest beauty induction thats part of what can only be described as a German beauty boom. I have been saying for the past few months that German beauty products are slowly taking over, says Rescue Spas Kim Zimmerman. Weve been carrying MBR for a bit now and the products are phenomenaltheyre medical-grade, organic and offer truly incredible results. Zimmermanshes probably best known as the worlds de facto P50 expert and a bit of a French skin-care connoisseuralso sings the praises of other German brands. Theres Dr. Barbara Sturm and, of course, now theres Augustinus Bader, who is a professor and a leader in epigenetic, anti-aging skin care. Then there is Susanne Kaufmann, who is technically in Austria, but I have to include her because its so close and so good! All of the brands are undeniably effective. I cant think of any other category thats so trendy in skin care right now. Story continues You May Also Like: Youll Never Believe How Much Americans Spend on Beauty Products Paula Derrick, vice president of MBR, is also a believer. Derrick, who previously worked with German-based Babor, describes the beauty products currently coming out of the country as deeply steeped in medical. I can only speak on behalf of MBR, but there are endless hours and resources dedicated to seeking out the latest discoveries in the field, and that means constant quality and proven results. We have many patents and buy patented ingredients, which sets us apart, she says. As a whole, German skin-care brands are really science-oriented; they work on all layers of the skin. Beyond the science and medical tie-in, Dr. Timm Golueke, founder of Royal Fern, says theres also a strong spa connection, something he attributes to the focus on clean ingredients. For a very long time, countries like France and Italy were considered to be skin care meccas, but, more recently, the German market has developed a reputable practice in skin care with its spa treatments. German spa towns have become the go-to destinations for wellness. People travel from all-over to experience these specified treatments and thats a big reason why the skin care care is one step aheadits because the products have trustworthy and clean formulas. From sourcing the ingredients to product production, the entire process typically takes place in Germany, which offers a transparency of quality to the consumer. You May Also Like: These Are the Skin Care Treatments Celebs Have Written Into Their Film Contracts Dr. Barbara Sturm is also a fan of the clean focus. German skin care stands for the provision of non-harmful, nontoxic ingredients. Formulations are strictly controlled by the government and will never contain carcinogenic ingredients. For example, the EU law bans 1,328 chemicals that are known for their carcinogenic effects, while the FDA has only banned 11 of those chemical ingredients. Like Derrick, Dr. Golueke sees an edge when it comes to manufacturing. Although German products tend to be more expensive, the quality is never compromised. If you look at the manufacturing process, youll see that many products are made by small companies and only produced with the highest-quality ingredients. And then there is the ampoule: those small, sealed vials containing a high concentration of serumBABOR also considers the delivery system the cornerstone of the brandthat Dr. Golueke says makes for a very distinct application. Post-treatments ampoules are commonly offered to patients in dermatology in Germany. They are able to choose the ampoule that best suits their skin, allowing for customers to take their skin care needs from the treatment room to their home. The non-medical brands also agree with the effectiveness mantra. You May Also Like: 4 Warning Signs Your Skin Care Routine Is Damaging Your Skin Weve heard about this commitment to excellence from big German auto and pharmaceutical companies of course, but it true for skin and body care companies, too, says Katie Pretti, director of marketing for Kneipp U.S.The German skin care products do not use any filler ingredients because all of that is just stuffstuff that typically makes the product cheaper. Every single ingredient in the products have a working purpose, and they are carefully tested and recommended for their quality and compatibility to our skin. Pretti also points out that, at Kneipp, a company that has been making products for more than 125 years, efficiency comes first, but it is always on the basis of natural ingredients and scientifically founded teachings. There is a long-standing tradition in German culture that whenever something is created, it comes with exceptionally high-quality. Even when it comes to skin care, there are no shortcuts. Yahoo Life Videos Christie Brinkley thinks its time the world breaks up with the word fattening. Speaking to WestlakeMalibu Lifestyle magazine, the model shared how the fashion industry has come a long way in terms of inclusion, describing a period of time in which "young women used to pick up fashion magazines and feel horrible because all the models were reed thin and they looked nothing like the girls who were reading the pages." President Donald Trump briefly addressed the latest controversy as he left the White House for a political trip to Houston, but left unclear how his administration plans to proceed. We have a lot of different concepts right now, Trump said. They have a lot of different things happening with respect to transgender right now you know that as well as I do and were looking at it very seriously. Trump added: Im protecting everybody. The Cabinet agency had acknowledged months ago that it was working to rewrite a federal rule that bars discrimination in health care based on gender identity. It cited a Texas-based federal judges opinion that the original rule went too far in concluding that discrimination based on gender identity is a form of sex discrimination, which is forbidden by civil rights laws. The department said Monday it would not comment on alleged leaked documents. It did release a statement from Roger Severino, head of its Office for Civil Rights, saying his agency was reviewing the issue while abiding by the 2016 ruling from the Texas-based federal judge, Reed OConnor. LGBT activists, who pledged legal challenges if the reported memo leads to official policy, said several other courts had issued rulings contrary to OConnors. For years, courts across the country have recognized that discriminating against someone because they are transgender is a form of sex discrimination, full stop, said Diana Flynn, Lambda Legals litigation director. If this administration wants to try and turn back the clock by moving ahead with its own legally frivolous and scientifically unsupportable definition of sex, we will be there to meet that challenge. Shannon Minter, a transgender attorney with the National Center for Lesbian Rights, called the reported plan a cynical political ploy to sow discord and energize a right-wing base before the Nov. 6 election. UCLA legal scholar Jocelyn Samuels, who ran the HHS civil rights office in the Obama administration, said the Trump administration would be going beyond established law if it adopted the policy in the memo. Story continues What they are saying is you do not get to decide your sex; it is the government that will decide your sex, said Samuels. Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, a lawyer with Lambda Legal, said the proposed rule change appears to still be undergoing White House review. It would need to be signed off by the departments of Justice, Labor and Education, which are also involved with civil rights enforcement. He said the purpose of this rule is to erase transgender people from existence, to write them off from federal law, and to institute a definition that is contrary to case law, contrary to medical and scientific understanding, and contrary to the lived experience of transgender people. While social mores enter into the debate, medical and scientific experts have long recognized a condition called gender dysphoria discomfort or distress caused by a discrepancy between the gender that a person identifies as and the gender at birth. Consequences can include severe depression. Treatment can range from sex-reassignment surgery and hormones to people changing their outward appearance by adopting a different hairstyle or clothing. According to an estimate by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, there are about 1.4 million transgender adults in the United States. ___ Crary reported from New York By Yeganeh Torbati WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. agents arrested nearly 17,000 members of family units attempting to cross the U.S. border with Mexico in September, a 31 percent increase over the previous month, according to official statistics released on Tuesday. In a news briefing with reporters on Tuesday, Trump administration officials pointed to the increase in migrant families as evidence of a "border crisis" because those groups are more difficult for immigration enforcement officials to detain and deport because of protections granted by U.S. law to migrant children. President Donald Trump's administration has expressed alarm at the change in the makeup of migrants attempting to cross into the United States from mostly single adults to children and families traveling together. About 40 percent of those apprehended in fiscal 2017 and 2018 were unaccompanied children or families with children, compared with 10 percent in 2012, according to the Migration Policy Institute, a non-partisan think tank. According to numbers released on Tuesday, U.S. border officials arrested nearly 397,000 people in total at the southern border in the 2018 fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, a significant increase over the 304,000 apprehended in 2017 but largely in line with arrest trends of migrants at the U.S. southern border over the past decade. Border arrests dropped in the months after Trump took office in January 2017 but have rebounded over the past year. Experts believe that Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric dissuaded potential migrants from crossing in the first months of his presidency. Trump has vowed to begin cutting millions of dollars in aid to Central America over a caravan of thousands of mostly Honduran migrants fleeing violence and poverty at home. He has called the caravan, which is currently in southern Mexico, a national emergency as he seeks to boost his Republican Party's chances of maintaining control of Congress in the Nov. 6 elections. Story continues Earlier this year, Trump's administration tried to deter families from traveling to the border by instituting a "zero tolerance" policy, separating thousands of children as their parents were prosecuted. About 2,500 children and parents were separated before Trump abandoned the policy in June after a public outcry. A federal judge ordered the families reunited, a process that is still incomplete. 'NOT SUSTAINABLE' In Texas' Rio Grande Valley (RGV), where more migrants are arrested crossing illegally than in any other section of the 2,000-mile-long (3,200-km) border with Mexico, apprehensions continued to rise in October, said the Border Patrol sector's Chief Patrol Agent Manuel Padilla. RGV made over 12,700 arrests in the first three weeks of October, marking a 112 percent increase over the same period of 2017, Padilla said in a phone interview. Sixty-four percent of those detentions were of family members or unaccompanied children from countries other than Mexico, up from a rate of 51 percent in all of fiscal year 2018, Padilla said. Over 5,400 family units were detained in the first half of October, up 300 percent from the same period of 2017. "Right now we're at maximum capacity when it comes to detention, and so is ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement). Our detention capacity is just breaking at the seams," said Padilla, predicting border-wide family apprehensions would rise again in October. "This is not sustainable." (Reporting by Yeganeh Torbati in Washington; Additional reporting by Andrew Hay in New Mexico; Editing by Peter Cooney) By Colin Packham SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday offered a rare national apology, only the second since 2008, to victims of institutional child sexual abuse and their families, bringing some survivors to tears. The gesture followed a five-year inquiry into child sexual abuse that delved into more than 8,000 cases of sexual misconduct, most of them at religious and state-run institutions responsible for keeping children safe. "Today, as a nation, we confront our failure to listen, to believe, and to provide justice," Morrison told lawmakers in the Australian capital, Canberra. "We say sorry. To the children we failed, sorry. To the parents whose trust was betrayed and who have struggled to pick up the pieces, sorry." Expressions of national regret such as Monday's are reserved for egregious misdeeds in which the state has played a role. In the previous instance in 2008, then prime minister Kevin Rudd apologized to members of the Stolen Generations of indigenous Australians, forcibly taken from their families and communities as young children under assimilation policies. Morrison also repeated Monday's apology in a speech to nearly 800 victims, some of whom began to cry, images broadcast on television showed. "It was very, very intense to be in that room," Graeme, a victim who identified himself only by his first name, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. "I looked around and I thought to myself there is not a room of stronger people anywhere in the country." He added, "I am proud to be a victim and I am proud of all victims." Morrison vowed tougher oversight, although some victims say the government has failed to do enough. "If they think saying sorry is going to finish it, it's not," Tony Wardley, who suffered abuse in the 1980s, told the broadcaster. "There's still so much to be done." Australia set up a redressal scheme this year to pay abuse victims compensation of up to A$150,000 ($106,000) each. But the conservative government has yet to decide if it will adopt recommendations from the wide-ranging national inquiry, most notably one requiring Catholic priests to report child abuse they may learn about in the confessional. In August, a top Catholic body, the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference, said it would not comply with proposed state laws. ($1=1.4086 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Colin Packham; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) - Boko Haram jihadists have killed two people in an attack on a village in northeast Nigeria near the town of Chibok, residents and a militia official told AFP Tuesday. The jihadists, believed to be loyal to Boko Haram factional leader Abubakar Shekau, late Monday raided Mifah, seven kilometres from Chibok, where militants abducted more than 200 schoolgirls in 2014. Boko Haram's nine-year conflict has killed an estimated 27,000 people and displaced two million, creating a humanitarian crisis and spilling into Nigeria's northern neighbours. "They killed two people and looted the village before setting it on fire," said David Bitrus, a civilian militia member fighting alongside the army, after the Mifah attack. "The village has been reduced to ashes. Six people were injured in the attack," he said. The attack, which happened around 8 pm (1900 GMT), forced residents of the village to flee to Chibok. "The gunmen came in a truck and on several motorcycles and began shooting in the village," said Mifah resident Manasseh Amos. "They took all our food and livestock and burnt the village. We have nothing left," Amos said. Troops were stationed in Chibok since the schoolgirls were abducted four years ago, but violent Boko Haram raids have continued in communities across Nigeria's remote northeast. Chibok lies close to Boko Haram's Sambisa forest enclave from where the jihadists launch attacks on nearby villages. In recent days Boko Haram militants have increasingly attacked civilian targets in the region. On Saturday, the militants burnt down three neighbouring villages near the state capital Maiduguri in an overnight raid that left two people dead. The raid came hours after the jihadists hacked to death 12 farmers working in their nearby fields. On Thursday, Boko Haram fighters looted and burnt Kalli village near the town of Damboa after fighting off soldiers protecting it, according to local officials. Moscow (AFP) - US National Security Advisor John Bolton on Tuesday praised "productive" talks with President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials during a two-day trip to Moscow. "I had a series of very comprehensive and productive discussions," he told a press conference after the visit, which follows US President Donald Trump's announcement he will pull out of a nuclear arms treaty with Russia. A 90-minute meeting with Putin touched on the conflict in Syria and alleged election meddling by Russia as well as Trump's decision on the arms treaty, Bolton said. "We discussed our continuing concern with Russian meddling in elections and why it was particularly harmful for Russian-American relations without producing anything in return," he said. Washington was "monitoring potential foreign interference in our elections very closely" with two weeks to go before the mid-terms, Bolton added. "We had lengthy conversations about arms control issues, the new strategic landscape and the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) treaty" from which Trump wants to pull out. Bolton described it as "a Cold-War bilateral treaty in a multipolar world" that did not cover the activities of countries such as China or North Korea. He said he would want the US to remain in the treaty "if I were living in Beijing. But I am not". A formal notice of withdrawal has yet to be filed, he added. Bolton repeated claims that Russia had violated the treaty. Moscow rejects the claims and says Washington has broken the agreement. Bolton earlier said Trump wished to meet Putin when the two visit Paris on November 11 for World War I commemorations. During the press conference he said arrangements were being made for that meeting. Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - Promises by Brazils far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro and his entourage bode badly for the future of the Amazon -- called the "lungs of the planet" -- if he wins, environmentalists warn. The candidate is seen as pliant to the powerful agrobusiness lobby in his country known for putting profit ahead of preservation. One of his most controversial campaign pledges is to merge the agriculture and environment ministries into one. "Let us be clear: the future ministry will come from the productive sector. We won't have any more fights over this," Bolsonaro, who vows to boost Brazil's fragile economy, told a media conference four days after winning the October 7 first-round in the presidential race. "If he's elected, that will be the beginning of the end for the Amazon," his leftist rival in Sundays run-off, Fernando Haddad, said last week. Geraldo Monteiro, a political science professor at Rio de Janeiro State University, said: "As he's backed by the agrobusiness lobby in congress, which is really strong, Bolsonaro virtually wants to make the environment serve the interests of agrobusiness." - Winding the clock back - Bolsonaro has also several times evoked studies to build hydroelectric power stations in the Amazon, which implies the construction of massive dams that would greatly impact water courses and require communities to be moved. That issue has long been a contentious one between Brazilian authorities and indigenous tribes -- particularly over one project already under construction, Belo Monte, which when finished will be the third-biggest dam in the world. In February, the hard-right candidate said that, if elected, he would not give up "one centimeter more" of land to indigenous communities claiming traditional land. His aim is to end what he sees as "Shiite ecologist activism," where "Shiite" to him means radicalism, with no religious connotation. Story continues In August, while visiting Roraima state within the vast Amazon, the longterm congressman railed against "Shiite control" over the public environmental agencies ICMbio and IBAMA, saying they "hurt those who want to produce." Oswaldo Ferreira, the retired general Bolsonaro wants to install as his transport minister, recently told the Estadao de Sao Paulo newspaper that those agencies only worked "to piss people off." IBAMA's chief, Suely Araujo, responded with a statement warning that establishing projects "with high environmental impact, without the necessary study, signified turning the clock back four decades." - 'Serious consequences' - Emilio La Rovere, director of an environmental studies lab at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, said Bolsonaro's discourse "recalled the doctrine in place at the time of the military dictatorship," between 1964 and 1985 -- which Bolsonaro served as an army captain. That doctrine was "development at any price," to the detriment of the environment, which was seen as an "obstacle" to building roads or mining. For La Rovere, Bolsonaro's campaign promises could have "serious consequences at a global level" and also undermine efforts made over the past 15 years to preserve the country's exceptional biodiversity. Greenhouse gas emissions have been cut almost in half under strict laws against deforestation. Lifting restrictions could block "the transition towards an economy based on low carbon emissions," he said. Bolsonaro has even threatened to follow US President Donald Trump's example of taking his country out of the Paris climate accord. "It would be a serious setback to have another major world economy run by a president who denies the importance of fighting climate change," said Lisa Viscidi, analyst at the US-based think tank The Dialogue. La Rovere said that, if that happened, Brazil could be hit with "trade sanctions from some countries over its beef or soya exports." Ouagadougou (AFP) - No one was killed when gunmen on motorcycles stormed a police station in Burkina Faso's restless north last week -- but only because the outnumbered officers quickly fled the scene, allowing an unknown number of detained terror suspects to escape. The attack in the heart of Djibo on Thursday night came just hours after French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian arrived in the capital Ouagadougou, his second visit this year to address deteriorating security in the country since a deadly assault on the French embassy last March. French officials say the raid was a "catastrophe", signalling a growing boldness of jihadist fighters in the north of the former French colony, while also broadcasting the government's apparent inability to protect its citizens. "Clearly Burkina Faso is now the main worry" among the G5 Sahel nations trying to fend off jihadism and lawlessness in five nations on the Sahara's southern rim since 2015, a top French diplomatic source said, warning of a "very long" anti-terrorist fight. Already around 220 schools have been closed in the north and up to 40,000 people have been driven from their homes toward Djibo, a town that is home to one of the biggest cattle markets in West Africa. In September, a spate of near-daily roadside bomb attacks erupted along the eastern border with Niger, a sparsely populated area of national parks with a history of smuggling activities. Although attacks in the area have subsided in recent weeks, NGOs have told their workers to remain in larger cities for fear of landmines. So far no group has claimed responsibility for the bombings, which officials say could be the work of Ansarul Islam -- normally based in the north -- or the Islamic State in the Greater Sahel, the group behind a deadly ambush on US soldiers in western Niger in October 2017. But the violence has prompted two of Burkina Faso's neighbours to the south, Togo and Benin, to start moving troops to their northern borders, according to a French diplomatic source. Story continues And on the eve of Le Drian's visit, defence and foreign ministers from Togo, Benin and Niger met their Burkinabe counterparts in Ouagadougou to discuss security strategy and cooperation -- for the first time in recent memory. - 'Can't do anything' - Adding to the unease, President Roch Marc Christian Kabore has refused to address the surge in attacks, declining to appear alongside Le Drian for a press briefing after their meeting last week. Few people believe his claim that partisans of former president Blaise Compaore are at work, trying to destabilise his government. "People are scared," said a local journalist in Ouagadougou who asked not to be quoted by name, calling Kabore's silence "an admission of weakness". "He can't do anything -- he doesn't have the resources," the senior diplomatic source added. "We'll see how they are going to respond, what they're going to ask of us," he said, noting a planned visit by Kabore to Paris in December. His government has recently taken the notable step of calling on France's Barkhane anti-terror force in the Sahel for air strikes and other assistance, after refusing for years to seek help from Paris. For now, no Barkhane troops are stationed in Burkina Faso, where the focus has been on training an army which was severely curtailed after the 2014 ouster of Compaore, who used elite forces as his personal militia. Kabore remains wary of giving too much power to his own army, in a country which has suffered several attempted or successful coups, notably the 2015 uprising staged by members of Compaore's former presidential guard. In the meantime, Le Drian announced during his trip a 30 million euro ($34 million) "Three Borders" aid package for Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to help spur development, seen as essential for easing the conditions which have allowed the jihadist insurgencies to thrive. Poverty remains endemic in Burkina Faso, and around half its population of some 20 million people are younger than 17 years old. But officials admit that even projects as simple as digging wells were not currently possible given the security risks, which are heightening a sense that entire swathes of the country are being abandoned by Ouagadougou. "We're going to have to stand together," Foreign Minister Alpha Barry said of the risks of attacks as he and Le Drian inaugurated an education and start-up hub in the capital on Friday. Monsanto is a publicly traded American multinational agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation/courtesy photo A California state court judge has struck more than $200 million in punitive damages from a verdict linking Monsanto Co.s herbicide Roundup to cancer. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Suzanne Bolanos oversaw a jury trial earlier this year where a former school groundskeeper won a $289 million verdict from Monsanto after being diagnosed with cancer following exposure to one of the company's herbicide. But in a ruling Monday, Bolanos held that the $250 million punitive damages award handed down by the jury was unconstitutionally high. Bolanos' ruling, however, stopped short of Monsanto's request to toss out and cap punitives at $39.25 million, equal to the amount of compensatory damages. The company told the Wall Street Journal in a statement Monday that the damages reduction was "a step in the right direction," but that it continued "to believe that the liability verdict and damage awards are not supported by the evidence at trial or the law. However, attorneys for the plaintiff, Dewayne Lee Johnson, a former school groundskeeper diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2014 after using Monsantos herbicide Ranger Pro, told the Journal that the reduction in damages was improper and that they were considering their options for pursuing a new trial. But they said they were "happy the jurys voice was acknowledged by the court, even if slightly muted. Bolanos had indicated in a tentative ruling on Monsanto's motion for a new trial and for a judgment notwithstanding the verdict that she thought the evidence was insufficient to warrant $250 million in punitive damages since the plaintiffs had failed to show "malice or oppression" by Monsanto. But in Monday's order, Bolanos found to the contrary. "The jury could find that the decision by Monsanto to continue marketing glyphosphate-based herbivores notwithstanding a possible link with non-Hodgkin lymphoma constitutes corporate malice for purposes of punitive damages." Read the order: falcon-embed src="embed_1" Read More: Judge Tentatively Strikes $250M in Punitives From Roundup Verdict Monsanto Asks Judge to Vacate $289M Roundup Verdict, Citing Lack of Evidence Plaintiffs Lawyers Eye More Roundup Lawsuits After $289M Verdict Against Monsanto By David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada is prepared to freeze a big arms deal with Saudi Arabia if it concludes the weapons have been misused, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday, amid increasing pressure to punish Riyadh for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Trudeau's comments signaled Ottawa might halt a 2014 contract that the Canadian unit of U.S. weapons maker General Dynamics Corp won to supply light-armored vehicles. The deal is worth up to $13 billion. "We strongly demand and expect that Canadian exports are used in a way that fully respects human rights," Trudeau said in Parliament. "We have frozen export permits before when we had concerns about their potential misuse and we will not hesitate to do so again." The opposition left-leaning New Democrats, who will be competing for the same voters as Trudeau in 2019 elections, say Canada should not be arming the Saudis when they are attacking civilian targets in Yemen. Trudeau condemned the death of Khashoggi and said Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland had been talking to allies to discuss the next steps. On Monday, Trudeau convened a special meeting of government ministers and officials to discuss the matter, his office said in a statement. German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday called the killing a "monstrosity" and vowed to halt German arms exports to Saudi Arabia until the case is cleared up. Freeland said on Saturday that the kingdom's explanations on the death of Khashoggi at its consulate in Istanbul lacked credibility. "There are very important questions about the entire relationship with Saudi Arabia that need to be asked," she told reporters on Monday. Asked why Ottawa would go ahead with the arms deal given recent events, Freeland replied: "That is a very good question" but declined to be more specific. Relations between Canada and Riyadh have been tense since a diplomatic dispute over human rights earlier this year. In August, Saudi Arabia froze ties with Ottawa after Canada urged the release of jailed civil rights activists in the kingdom. A Canadian foreign affairs tweet was translated into Arabic and sent out by its embassy in Riyadh, angering Saudi authorities. Interfering in the arms deal could hurt the Liberals politically, since the General Dynamics plant in question is in London, Ontario, an economically depressed town. The Liberals hold two of London's three seats in Parliament. (Additional reporting by Allison Martell in Toronto; Editing by Dan Grebler) With the pivotal midterm elections several weeks away, hurricanes Michael and Florence have been major obstacles to the administrative procedures for the election in the hardest-hit locations in the Carolinas and Florida. Homes and businesses have been lost due to historic flooding and catastrophic winds and many families are still grappling with the reality following the destruction as they move into temporary housing or begin the process of applying for federal aid. Tens of thousands remain without power in some portions of the Florida Panhandle following Michael and some roads are still being repaired. Several tightly contested races are underway in Florida, including the gubernatorial race between Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gallium, a Democrat, and Republican Ron DeSantis, the former U.S. Representative from the state's sixth district. A second pivotal race is taking place for a seat in the U.S. Senate between incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson, and outgoing Republican Gov. Rick Scott. Even prior to Michael's landfall, Florida officials assessed potential impacts to voting sites and were taking steps to come up with alternative measures in case voting sites couldn't be used during the election. "The Florida Department of State's top priority is ensuring that there are ample opportunities for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Michael, many of whom lost their homes, to be able to cast ballots while protecting the integrity of the 2018 General Election," officials said in a statement. home damage michael An American flag hangs in a bedroom of a damaged home from Hurricane Michael in Mexico Beach, Fla., Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/David Goldman) Scott recently issued an executive order allowing supervisors of elections in the eight counties hit hardest by Michael to extend and enhance voting options based on needs and challenges they have identified. The supervisors are now able to extend the amount of days of early voting, designate additional early voting locations and expedite the delivery and acceptance of vote-by-mail ballots. The order also ensures that National Guard troops, first responders, utility workers, law enforcement and other volunteers conducting relief efforts are able to cast a ballot. Story continues Damage to polling locations in Florida have been reported, but supervisors have not described any damage to voting machines or other election-related equipment such as ballots. Secretary of State Ken Detzner also extended the voter registration deadline in counties where offices were closed due to Michael's approach. "The department shares the governor's commitment to ensuring that all registered voters from counties devastated by Hurricane Michael are able to exercise their right to vote safely and securely in the upcoming general election," he said in a statement. In North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper extended the voter registration deadline in 28 counties the most affected by Florence. "We do not want this devastating storm to keep people from voting," said Kim Westbrook Strach, the North Carolina State Board executive director. "Voters may cast ballots by mail or in person during the early voting period or on Election Day. We hope voters take advantage of the option that works best for them at this difficult time." Early voting began on Oct. 17 in North Carolina and runs through Nov. 3. In the affected Florida counties, early voting began Monday, Oct. 22 and can extend through Election Day. North Carolina residents who were displaced by the storm can request an absentee ballot to be sent to their current location, even if it's not their permanent residence. In addition, absentee by-mail ballots that are delivered to the proper county board of elections office in any of the 28 counties should be counted if received by 5 p.m., Nov. 15. Voter registration was also extended in South Carolina as many roads or registration offices were closed following Florence's flooding. In 2012, Superstorm Sandy leveled parts of the northeastern United States, with New Jersey and parts of New York City suffering some of the worst impacts. The storm occurred about one week prior to the presidential election between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. David Redlawsk, the chair of the political science department at the University of Delaware, said New Jersey had its lowest turnout for a presidential election that year. "Hundreds of polling places were closed or damaged, and in some parts of the state electricity was not yet restored by Election Day," he told AccuWeather. Unlike Sandy, Florence and Michael struck several weeks to over a month ahead of the general election, giving authorities time to clear debris and make proper changes to polling locations. Whether or not the two hurricanes lead to a lower turnout at the polls won't likely be determined until after the election, if at all, according to Redlawsk. "In midterm elections, turnout is always much lower than in a presidential election, so even low turnout may not be because of the weather," he said. Jamal Khashoggi (AP) The mutilated body parts of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi have reportedly been discovered, including his disfigured face. One source said the body parts were found 500 metres from the consulate building in Istanbul. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today said Khashoggi was killed in a premeditated and savage murder. Spanish police are investigating an incident on a Ryanair plane where an elderly black woman was racially abused by a fellow passenger. Essex police said they had identified the man and passed the information to their Spanish counterparts. Shocking footage posted online shows Deslie Gayle, who is disabled and in her 70s, being shouted out by a white man, who called her an ugly black b****** and demanded she move seats. Tommy Robinson has been temporarily freed after the contempt of court case against him was passed to the Attorney General. The former EDL leader, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, claimed he had already won as he addressed a crowd of supporters. The court heard that in the current setting, lawyers would not be able to perform an appropriate cross-examination of the evidence. The rectangular iceberg is a natural phenomenon (NASA) A strangely perfect rectangular iceberg has been pictured in Antarctica. Despite looking like it had been photoshopped, NASA insists the mile-wide berg is a natural phenomenon. A couple who died driving the wrong way down a busy motorway while towing a caravan, also killing another driver, have been named. The three people were killed after the car crashed into two other vehicles while travelling in the wrong direction on the M40 in Oxfordshire. The couple in the Subaru Forester towing the caravan have been named by Thames Valley Police as John Norton, aged 80, and Olive Howard, aged 87, both from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The crash happened last Monday just before 4pm on the northbound carriageway near junction six in Lewknor. The crash happened on the M40 in Oxfordshire (Picture: PA) Shocking footage posted by drivers on social media showed motorists travelling in the outside lane forced to swerve out of the way to avoid colliding with the vehicle travelling towards them. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: Student died after taking part in bar crawl initiation involving 100 triple vodkas and pigs head Man admits murdering midwife Samantha Eastwood after affair Proposed EU ban on daylight saving time could cause clock chaos in no-deal Brexit, warn peers Theresa May insists Brexit is 95% done as rebel MPs plot revolt Previously, the third victim had been named as Stuart Richards, a former soldier from Stockport, Cheshire. Mr Richards, 32, served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Royal Engineers and, after leaving the service in 2016, he most recently worked as a health and safety inspector. He was also a member of Veterans For Peace, which has invited fellow members to attend his funeral in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, on November 2. The Subaru Forester was involved in a collision with a Ford Mondeo, driven by Mr Richards, and a Ford Focus. Sonia Thomson, from Staffordshire, was driving in the outside lane of the motorway when she realised the Subaru was just heading towards me. Ms Thomson, who works as cabin crew for British Airways, said the car was going so fast and it was almost past me in the blink of an eye. The crash happened shortly after her encounter with the car. Someone must have been looking after me because 10-20 seconds later and that could have been me, she said. Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou is set to portray the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege in Panzi, a biopic helmed by actress-turned-director Marie-Helene Roux (Links of Life). Mukwege is a prominent Congolese gynecologist who founded the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, where for decades he has been treating thousands of women who have been raped by armed rebels. He was jointly awarded this years Nobel Peace Prize with Iraqi Yazidi human rights activist Nadia Murad for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict. Hounsou, who is best-known for his Oscar-nominated performances in Jim Sheridans In America and Edward Zwicks Blood Diamond, will headline Panzi, which Cynthia Pinet at Paris-based 1divided Films is producing. The film is currently in casting and is scheduled to start shooting next summer. 1divided acquired the exclusive rights to the life and story of Mukwege and his colleague and friend Guy-Bernard Cadiere. The two doctors, who have been working hand-in-hand to end sexual violence against women in Congo, co-wrote the book Panzi. Published in 2014, the book chronicles what they have witnessed and experienced at the hospital, with heartfelt testimonies from victims. Panzi is the second feature film written and directed by Roux, who was born to French parents in Gabon, and grew up between Africa and France. Rouxs feature debut, Links of Life, will be released in France during the first quarter of 2019. The English-language movie follows the encounter between a 50-year-old Frenchwoman with obsessive-compulsive disorder, who flies to Utah to fulfill a lifelong dream and meets an enigmatic 30-year-old American man. 1Divided Films is a five-year-old company committed to developing films that are socially or politically engaged. The companys credits include the short film A Deported Life and Shortage of Children, a drama inspired by true events that took place in 1963 on the island of Reunion. Story continues Panzi will mark Hounsous return to non-Hollywood material. The actor has a flurry of high-profile U.S. movies in the pipeline, notably the reboot of Charlies Angels, which Elizabeth Banks is directing. Related stories Djimon Hounsou Joins 'Charlie's Angels' as One of the Bosleys (EXCLUSIVE) Miami Film Review: 'In Search of Voodoo: Roots to Heaven' Film Review: 'Same Kind of Different as Me' Subscribe to Variety Newsletters and Email Alerts! Chicago Tribune The Kyle Rittenhouse jury on Thursday began its third day of deliberations something that seems almost inconceivable to the social media pontificators who made up their minds about the case more than a year ago. For many legal experts, however, Kenosha County jurors are working right on schedule. I dont think the length of time says anything about what the jurors are thinking, veteran ... Wedding day, 2011 Kate wore the Cartier Halo tiara with her Alexander McQueen bridal gown on her wedding day in 2011. Made by Cartier in 1936, the Halo tiara was an anniversary present from King George VI to the Queen Mother. She passed it down to her daughter the Queen on her 18th birthday (PA) Its not often we get to see the Duchess of Cambridge wearing a tiara, but occasions such as State Visits and the Queens annual Diplomatic Reception call for it. Before marrying into the royal family in 2011, we never saw Kate wearing a tiara in public, and this is all down to etiquette. Grant Harrold, also known as The Royal Butler, explained that tiaras can only be worn after 6pm and are typically reserved for married women. Grant tells Yahoo UK: For married ladies, it was a sign of status and would show you were taken and not looking for a husband. For the gentleman, it was a clear sign not to make advances toward the lady in question. The Queen has a vast collection of jewels in the royal vaults, passed down to her from the Queen Mother and her grandmother Queen Mary. She regularly loans pieces out to younger members of the Royal Family. Kate wore her first tiara on her wedding day on April 29, 2011 the Cartier Halo. Since then, she has also worn two other headpieces from the Queens collection, including the Lotus Flower and the Lovers Knot. Kate was seen in a tiara for the ninth time at the Queens annual Diplomatic Reception on 4 December 2018. And its not just crowns, the Duchess has also borrowed earrings, bracelets, necklaces and brooches from Her Majesty. 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: Pregnant Meghan Markle dazzles in diamonds and designer gown for Fiji evening engagement Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet Radio 1s Teen Heroes of 2018 for tea at the palace Duchess of Cambridge chooses designer favourite Alexander McQueen for Princess Eugenies wedding Kate wore Princess Dianas Lovers Knot tiara and Collingwood diamond and pearl drop earrings for the Queens annual Diplomatic Reception 2018. She teamed the jewels with a bespoke Jenny Packham gown and her Royal Family Order (PA) The president has made several false and misleading claims about the Central American migrants travelling to the US border Trump claiming the Democrats want caravans at a campaign rally on Saturday in Elko, Nevada Photograph: Alex Goodlett/AP Donald Trump is not hiding his ambition to conflate the caravan of around 7,000 migrants heading towards the US border with other issues in order to drum up support for Republicans in the forthcoming midterm elections. In his bid to make the caravan an election issue, Trump has made a number of false and misleading claims about the migrants that are travelling in it. Trumps claim: They are from the Middle East In a series of tweets sent early Monday morning, Trump claimed the caravan included unknown Middle Easterners, presumably in an attempt to link the caravan to fears among some voters about Islam and terrorism. There are many journalists from a breadth of political backgrounds travelling with the caravan. No reporting has suggested that anyone in the caravan has travelled from the Middle East in order to reach the US via the southern border. Trumps reasoning for the tweet is not currently clear, but it was sent shortly after Fox & Friends host Pete Hegseth claimed on the morning show that members of the Islamic State were travelling in the caravan. Hegseth claimed the president of Guatemala had told a local newspaper that they had captured over 100 Isis fighters in Guatemala travelling in the caravan. He appears to be referring to a story that appeared in the Guatemalan newspaper Prensa Libre which reports that President Jimmy Morales made a speech claiming to have captured 100 terrorists. Morales said he couldnt provide any evidence for the claim because of reasons of national security. The speech was made on 11 October, before the caravan had formed. No other reporting from Guatemala suggests any Isis members have been discovered in the country. On Tuesday, Trump himself acknowledged that he had no evidence for the claim. When he was asked about the tweet he responded that US border patrol had previously apprehended many people from the Middle East in previous years and they had also apprehended Isis. (This isnt true, no suspected members of Isis have been known to attempt to gain entry to the US via the southern border.) Story continues When pushed by a reporter about whether he had specific evidence about people from the Middle East being part of the caravan currently heading to the US border, Trump said: Well, they could very well be. When the reporter asked for evidence once again, Trump said: Theres no proof of anything. Theres no proof of anything. But they could very well be. Trumps claim: Theyre hardened criminals At a rally in Arizona on Friday, Trump said the people in the caravan were bad people, not little angels and tough, tough people. Trump has not referenced any evidence for his claims of criminality. We do know that many migrants have said they are fleeing terrible gang violence, with some fearing for their lives. When Emily Cochrane, a New York Times journalist, asked Trump for evidence that migrants in the caravan had a history of violence, he responded: Oh please, please, dont be a baby take a look. Trumps claim: Democrats are paying members of the caravan to try and get into the US to harm Republicans in the midterms Trump has repeatedly claimed that Democrats are funding the caravan. At a rally in Montana, for example, he claimed that a lot of money has been passing to people to come up and try and get to the border by election day, because they think thats a negative for us They have lousy policy they wanted that caravan, and there are those that say that caravan didnt just happen. It didnt just happen. BREAKING: Footage in Honduras giving cash 2 women & children 2 join the caravan & storm the US border @ election time. Soros? US-backed NGOs? Time to investigate the source! pic.twitter.com/5pEByiGkkN Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) October 17, 2018 There is no evidence that Democrats, donors or other political actors are providing financial support to caravan for political gain. Trump has made reference to a video posted by Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, which shows people in Guatemala being handed money. Gaetz suggested without evidence the money may have come from billionaire George Soros, Trump has suggested it came from the Democrats. In reality, the video shows migrants being handed a single note of Guatemalan currency by people who are likely to be local residents or NGOs. Migrants in the caravan have said this sometimes happens as they pass through towns. The money given is normally extremely small amounts, often less than a dollar a person, and is given to help pay for essential supplies like food and water, not for political aims. Trumps claim: Democrats want caravans Separately from accusing them of funding the caravan, Trump has claimed that Democrats have openly invited illegal immigrants to the border, that they want open borders and want caravans, they like the caravans. While its true that some Democrats have been more sympathetic to the migrants than Republican lawmakers, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has voted to make a commitment to strengthening borders part of its platform. Earlier this year Chuck Schumer coauthored a bill that would resolve the status of the dreamers, undocumented immigrants who came to the US as children, while providing at least $25bin in increased border security. The bill failed to pass the Senate. Archaeologists from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, who are in charge of the Rajagala Archaeological Reserve in Ampara have confirmed that it was there that the ashes of Arahat Mahinda were enshrined, Vice Chancellor Sampath Amaratunge informed the media. The team of archaeologists from the Department of History and Archaeology of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, was headed by the department head and eminent archaeologist Prof. Prashantha. B. Mandawala. An agreement was signed between the Director General of Archaeology and the Vice Chancellor of the Sri Jayewardenapura University in September 2012 handing over the project to the Department of History and Archaeology of the university. The Jayewardenapura University team in Rajagala is assisted by a group of Indian archaeologists led by internationally acclaimed archaeologist Professor Vasant Shinde, who is the Vice Chancellor of Deccan University, Pune. Professor Shinde who is better known for his extensive research on the Harappan civilization is reportedly of the opinion that Rajagala site deserved to be recognized as one of the world heritages through UNESCO. While theres an inscription among Rajagala ruins stating that the ashes of Arahat Mahinda and Venerable Ittiya who accompanied him to Sri Lanka, were enshrined in a stupa there, an extensive process of excavation begun only after the site was handed over to the university. Spread over 1600 acres, the Rjagala Reserve consists of more than 600 historic ruins and artifacts and it is believed that nearly one hundred of them are Stupas. Among the ruins is a 1.6 km long stairway as well. The main objective of the Jayewardenapura University project is to preserve the architectural remains and the cultural landscapes of the ancient meditation monastery of Rajagala by preventing the deterioration processes and revitalizing the ancient character of a forest monastery. Plans are also underway to develop the site as a Spiritual and Ethical Development. By Steve Gorman LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Fourteen more women accusing a former University of Southern California gynecologist of sexual misconduct sued the physician and the university on Tuesday, as their lawyer decried a proposed class-action settlement with the school as "grossly inadequate." Women's rights attorney Gloria Allred said the tentative $215 million deal reached last week to settle claims brought in federal court against Dr. George Tyndall and USC by his former patients would let the university off too easy, without the school fully accounting for its role in the scandal. Hundreds of women have accused Tyndall of subjecting them to molestation, lewd comments and other sexually inappropriate behavior during medical exams while they were his patients at the university's student health clinic. Some of the allegations date back nearly 30 years. The university has acknowledged failing to properly act on at least eight complaints that were made against Tyndall between 2000 and 2014 but were never brought to light until uncovered during an inquiry that the university opened in 2016. An attorney for Tyndall, whose medical license was suspended in August, has said that her client denies all the allegations but agreed to the settlement to avoid the expense of continued litigation. USC had no immediate comment on the latest lawsuit. Many accusers have recounted sensing something unprofessional or "creepy" about Tyndall but trusting him nevertheless, only to fully comprehend the sexual abuse retrospectively. Tyndall resigned from the university last year after an internal investigation found that his pelvic examination practices were beyond accepted medical standards and that he had harassed patients. Widespread faculty and student outrage over the university's handling of the matter led to then-USC President C.L. Max Nikias to resign. The Los Angeles Police Department has opened a criminal investigation. Story continues In suing the university, Tyndall's former patients had accused USC of complicity and negligence in its duty to protect students. Allred said her latest filing brings to 50 the number of clients she is representing in three lawsuits against Tyndall and USC. She vowed to press ahead in state court with those cases to "determine what USC knew and when they knew it." She called last week's tentative settlement of a class-action federal case on behalf of hundreds of Tyndall's patients - making each eligible for $2,500 to $250,000 - "grossly inadequate compensation." "USC, not just their insurance carriers, should bear the financial consequences for their alleged failure to act to properly remove or discipline Dr. Tyndall when complaints were initially made," Allred said. Allred was flanked by two of her latest clients in the case, along with the first named plaintiff in the lawsuits, Daniella Mohazab, who called the proposed settlement "a mockery." Last Thursday, 93 lawsuits were filed on behalf of current and former USC students against Tyndall and the university. (Reporting by Steve Gorman; Additional reporting by Bernie Woodall in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Editing by Toni Reinhold) Four Florida friends were killed on Saturday along with a tour guide when the raft they were riding on capsized in Costa Ricas Naranjo River, leaving at least a dozen others clinging to floats to survive, reports say. The four U.S. citizens Andres Denis, Jorge Caso, Ernesto Sierra and Sergio Lorenzo traveled from Miami to the Central American country for a bachelor party and were in one of three rafts that capsized around 3 p.m. local time near Liverpool de Quepos, NBC News reported. Throughout the dangerous ride down the river, all of us struggled to stay above water, swallowing lots of it on the way down as our bodies ricocheted against the rocks in the water while struggling to survive, a friend, Anthony Castro, wrote on a GoFundMe page set up for the victims families. There were five tour guides with the group, according to NBC 6. The victims were swept away by the waters and the others managed to hold on to the boats before being rescued by responders. Most of us were ultimately able to grab hold of rocks or barriers in or around the water and await the rescue teams to get to us. Unfortunately, not all of us were so lucky. Four of our friends drowned in those waters. Castro wrote that all 14 guests on the rafts were friends in the country for the bachelor party. He said that they had been on the water for only around five minutes when the vessels capsized. The large group of friends had arrived in Costa Rica on Thursday and were renting a house in Jaco, according to NBC 6. What was meant to be a weekend to remember for 14 friends turned into a living nightmare, Castro wrote. Along with the four friends, Costa Rican tour guide Kevin Thompson Reid, 45, also died in the accident, NBC 6 reported, citing the Costa Rican government. Rescue teams arrived to find three rafts and one kayak flipped over, Luis Guzman, spokesman for Costa Ricas Red Cross, told NBC News. We are saddened by news of rafting accident in #CostaRica. We can confirm 4 U.S. citizens died as a result of the accident. We extend our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones, and extend our gratitude to Government of Costa Rica for their support in this tragedy. Heather Nauert (@statedeptspox) October 21, 2018 The tourists were whitewater rafting in an area full of nature, Guzman reportedly said. Authorities said the river was swollen by rain and Castro wrote on the fundraising page that the group was initially told to wait before heading out into the water, due to wind and rain. They waited for less than an hour, Castro claimed. Chris Comas, who survived the incident, told NBC that the group of friends had known each other since high school. Comas said that one of the victims, Lorenzo, was the grooms brother. Luis [Beltran], the man we hoped to celebrate all weekend, lost a brother and we all lost four great friends during this vacation which went horribly wrong, Castro wrote. Le Bourget (France) (AFP) - France's government launched plans on Tuesday for a new aircraft carrier, saying it will make a decision on how to build the multi-billion-euro warship in 2020. France currently has one carrier, the Charles-de-Gaulle, but is seeking to develop a replacement that would serve until 2080 and be adapted for next-generation combat jets. "The Charles-de-Gaulle will need a successor," Defence Minister Florence Parly told reporters at the Euronaval industry expo in Le Bourget, north of Paris. "The first step which we're launching today is a study period," she said. "It's about deciding together what and how we want our future aircraft carrier to be." The budget for the study period alone will be 40 million euros ($46 million). Running until 2020, it allows France to start organising the vast industrial operation needed to construct the vessel. The Charles-de-Gaulle has been deployed in conflicts from Afghanistan to Libya and is key to keeping France strategically independent at sea. The hulking 42,000-tonne vessel, which has also launched air strikes against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, is due to be retired in 2040. It has been undergoing a major upgrade since early 2017 in its home port of Toulon, southern France, and will not be back in action until next year when it heads to the Indian Ocean. Experts estimate that its replacement will cost between five and seven billion euros. Key issues to be decided during the study period include whether or not the new carrier will be nuclear-powered like the Charles-de-Gaulle, and how to accommodate new combat aircraft being jointly developed with Germany. Paris (AFP) - France warned its business leaders Tuesday to prepare for all potential Brexit scenarios including Britain crashing out of the EU with no deal, as Paris scrambles to plan for a new era of trade with its neighbour. The meeting between junior finance minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher and members of trade federations comes after the French government unveiled draft legislation setting out preparations for a possible "no-deal" Brexit. "It's about really explaining to them that they must prepare at the same time for the United Kingdom becoming a third-party country, and the risk of there being no transition period after March 2019," a ministry source said of the meeting. Any transition period to smooth Britain's exit "depends on an exit deal having been reached with the United Kingdom," the source said -- a deal that has eluded the EU and Britain so far, just months away from Britain's scheduled departure on March 29, 2019. French companies are therefore being urged to prepare for "all options", the source said. Some 30,000 French companies export goods to Britain, according to the finance ministry. The exports were worth some 31 billion euros ($35.5 billion) in 2017. "There are also all the companies which import goods from the United Kingdom and those that import services which are also affected," the source said. Credit insurer Euler Hermes estimated Tuesday that a no-deal Brexit could cost French exporters up to three billion euros next year. Germany would however be the biggest EU country to lose out in trade terms, with its exporters losing some eight billion euros, followed by the Netherlands with four billion euros of losses. Belgium, like France, would lose an estimated three billion euros under the credit insurer's model, which is based on import taxes of four to five percent being imposed as per default World Trade Organization rules. It is also based on estimates that the pound would crash from its current value of 1.13 euros to 0.88 euros by the end of 2019. Story continues The car manufacturing industry would be the worst affected by such a scenario, Euler Hermes predicted, followed by equipment manufacturing, electronics, aeronautics and drink production. The draft bill unveiled by the French government this month lays out in broad terms the preparations needed for a potential no-deal Brexit. It will cover what happens to French citizens living in Britain and vice versa, as well as customs plans to ensure the neighbours can continue to trade smoothly. France has already begun recruiting extra customs agents to be deployed along the border after Britain leaves the EU. Officials would not say whether the device was capable of exploding: Sean Gallup/Getty Images The FBIs anti-terrorism task force is investigating after an explosive device was found at the home of billionaire philanthropist George Soros. Agents and local police officers were called to the hamlet of Katonah, New York, where Mr Soros lives, at 3.45pm on Monday after an employee found an apparently explosive package in a post box, Bedford Police Department said. The employee took the package to a wooded area and called police, who alerted the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives. The FBIs New York field office said on Twitter that it was conducting an investigation at and around a residence in Bedford, NY. It added: There is no threat to public safety, and we have no further comment at this time. Mr Soros was not thought to be home at the time of the discovery. Neither local nor federal authorities would say whether the object was capable of exploding. However, bomb squad technicians arrived and detonated it, a police official told The New York Times. A message emailed to Mr Soros foundation was not immediately returned. Mr Soros, a billionaire who made his fortune in hedge funds, has donated heavily to liberal causes and is vilified on the right. He is also the subject of many unfounded conspiracy theories and specifically antisemitic abuse. Most recently, conservative critics have, without evidence, accused him of secretly financing a caravan of Central American migrants to make their way north toward the US and Mexico. Others have falsely accused him of being a Nazi collaborator during World War II, when he was a child in Hungary. In his native country, the right-wing government of Viktor Orban has moved to limit the ability of Mr Soros foundation to help refugees. Support free-thinking journalism and subscribe to Independent Minds Activists frequently post the addresses of homes he owns in Westchester County, north of New York City, on social media. FBI officials did not respond to requests for more information late on Monday. Additional reporting by agencies The killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi has unleashed a shockwave of anger around the world, which has amplified every day as new details emerge about his death and Saudi Arabias apparent role in it. World leaders have struggled to formulate their responses to this international incident, but global superstar Gerard Butler who is not a government leader, but plays one in the new film Hunter Killer has been straightforward in his response. When I woke up in the morning before we were supposed to go to Saudi Arabia, we were informed of what was happening, and it just didnt feel like a good time to be getting involved with that, Butler told reporters during a press conference at the Pentagon last week explaining why he canceled a promotional trip. It wouldve felt incredibly insensitive to go to Saudi Arabia. Butler elaborated on that decision when he stopped by Build Series in New York City on Monday. It was a simple answer from our experience, he said of the choice to cancel his appearance in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. We were very excited to go to Saudi Arabia, because a lot of good people put in a lot of work for our movie in good faith. Watch the Hunter Killer trailer: The producing team behind Hunter Killer, which follows Butlers character, a U.S. Navy submarine commander charged with rescuing the Russian president before World War III engulfs the globe, agreed, even though it would disappoint local exhibitors and audiences. We had a discussion, and knew we were going to have to upset some people, but it would be upsetting many more people if we were to go ahead including ourselves, Butler explained. It just felt completely wrong to be associated with anything over there at this point. I know we made the right decision on that. Hunter Killer opens in theaters on Oct. 26. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment Rmelan (Syria) (AFP) - From northern Syria, Muslim convert Sufyan is imploring his native Germany to take him back, having been captured years after joining the Islamic State group's so-called "caliphate". His beard neatly buzzed, Sufyan is one of hundreds of foreigners held by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in war-torn Syria, accused of fighting for IS. The 36-year-old insists he was not a fighter, but a misguided civilian making orthopaedic shoes and prosthetics in IS territory. "I am not Jihadi John, I am not Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, I am not Adnani," said Sufyan, listing IS's infamous British executioner, its elusive chief, and its now-dead spokesman. "I just made limbs," added the pale-skinned Sufyan, who refused to give his real name and said he was from Stuttgart in southwest Germany. He was selected to speak to AFP by the YPG, who detained him around a year ago and were present during the interview. They have refused to try accused foreign fighters in their custody, urging Western countries to take them back. Some foreign governments have agreed to do so, but most are reluctant. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces are holding several alleged German IS members, including Mohammad Haydar Zammar, a Syrian-born German national accused of helping plan the September 11 attacks. Berlin is not known to have repatriated anyone, but Sufyan hopes he, his Syrian wife and their son can start afresh in Germany. "People make mistakes and I was naive," he said, dressed in a yellow hoody with a side zip, cargo pants, and black beanie. "I just want to go back to my old life." - 'I didn't fight' - Speaking in near-fluent English peppered with Arabic words, Sufyan recounts his winding journey to what he thought would be a pious life under Islamic rule. In 2014, IS declared a "caliphate" across large parts of Syria and neighbouring Iraq. The following year, Sufyan travelled across Europe and Turkey, finally crossing into Syria in March 2015, four years into the Syrian war. Story continues Once inside, he says, IS shuffled him among safe houses for weeks alongside Australians, Central Asians, and Russians. He was given one month of military training and assigned to a battalion, but claims he never fought. "I didn't fight and I didn't kill anyone," he said. "I never killed any person in my life." Instead, Sufyan was hired at a hospital in IS's de facto Syrian capital Raqa, using his 12 years' experience as an orthopaedic shoemaker. "They teach me over there prosthetics. Until I came to YPG, I was doing this job... making prosthetic and orthopaedic shoes," he said. In 2016, he married a Syrian woman from northwest Idlib, and they had a son. They stayed in Raqa until YPG-led forces surrounded the northern city in 2017, forcing them to flee to the IS-held eastern town of Mayadeen. Sufyan took up the same work there until Mayadeen came under attack, this time by the Russia-backed Syrian regime. He said he had grown embittered towards IS by then and decided to pay a smuggler to bring him and his family to a YPG checkpoint. "I was not ready to kill someone or to die, so I decided to go out," said Sufyan. "Everyone was running away." - 'New start'? - A year later, Sufyan lives separated from his wife and son, who are detained in a Kurdish-run camp. He desperately wants to be reunited with his family. Kurdish authorities say they have in their custody around 900 male foreign IS members, 550 women and around 1,200 children from 44 countries. According to a European Parliament report in May, Germany estimates there are 290 children with claims to German citizenship in Iraq and Syria. "If I can come back to Germany and if Germany want to punish me, I will accept this, to stay in prison," Sufyan told AFP. "I hope it will not be a long sentence, because I miss already my wife and my son," he said. He hopes to study or open his own business in his homeland, for which he has renewed appreciation since meeting Syrians who "see Germany as something like a paradise on earth". "I know Germany is a country with a lot of 'rahma' with a lot of people. I expect that Germany will have also 'rahma' with me," he said, using the Arabic word for "mercy". Sufyan has written to his parents in Germany, who replied and also sent a letter and money to his wife. Included in his parents' reply was a picture of a bicycle, which has kept Sufyan's hopes of returning home alive. "My brain says, why will my mother and my father buy a bicycle for my son if he is in Syria? I hope I can go back to my country and make a new start." Conakry (AFP) - A teenager was killed Tuesday as Guinean police clashed with youths in the capital Conakry and the opposition leader claimed his car was shot at during a banned rally over disputed elections. Mamadou Samba Diallo, an 18-year-old apprentice plumber, died after being shot by security forces, his uncle Cellou Binani Diallo, a news photographer who works for several organisations including AFP, said. "My nephew was shot by soldiers in the Cosa suburb. The moment they shot him, he fell and they surrounded him and kicked him," he said. "When they were sure he was dead, they got on their pick-up truck and continued on their way," Diallo said. Opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo denounced "yet another death from the bullets of the security forces," adding that 97 demonstrators had been killed since 2010 when President Alpha Conde came to power. "They wanted to assassinate me. The bullet passed between my driver and myself. My driver was wounded," Diallo said, alleging his vehicle was hit by a police bullet as he was on his way to the protest. After demonstrators tried to block traffic in Cosa, they lobbed stones in clashes with police who responded with tear gas, an AFP reporter said. Tensions have been high in the poor West African country since the death on October 16 of a protester during a two-day campaign aimed at bringing Conakry to a standstill. Opposition leader Diallo, a former prime minister and key opponent of President Conde, accused the gendarmerie of targeting his vehicle. AFP could not immediately confirm police had fired live rounds. The police meanwhile rejected the allegation. CID today informed the Fort Chief Magistrate that the Government Analyst had identified 123 voice cuts as those of ex-DIG Nalaka de Silva from the 124 recordings sent to the Government Analyst. He had also detected the voice cuts to be tampered by attaching a software device to the complainants mobile phone. The CID said efforts made by them to rectify the deletions had failed. Meanwhile, the mobile phone manufacturer in Hong Kong had assured the CID that they re-marry the deleted parts of the recordings and as such the CID sought Court permission to send the mobile phone to Hong Kong for examination. The CID said the two CDs given to the CID by Namal Kumara had been sent to the GA and were awaiting a response. CID Chief Inspector Ranjith Munasinghe told the Magistrate that their investigations had revealed that Anti-Corruption Unit's director Namal Kumara, the complainant in this case, was an air force deserter who had later joined the Army and thereafter had worked in the Avant Guarde Security Services headed by Nissanka Senadipathy. Counsel Ajith Pathirana appearing for Nalaka de Silva told the Magistrate that according to GAs report the recordings of the conversation had been tampered and in such an event could not be used as evidence against his client because a tampered recording could not be considered as an original recording. The Magistrate directed the Government Analyst to file a report on the questionnaire send to him by Court report his findings on the CDs sent to him for examination. Meanwhile the CID directed Nalaka Silva to report to the CID to record another statement. (T. Farook Thajudeen) Video by Prasanna Harley-Davidson, the iconic motorcycle maker, reported worse-than-expected domestic sales on Tuesday. U.S. retail sales trended down 13% in the third quarter from a year ago analysts called the figure disappointing. This is Harley-Davidsons first earnings report since it was thrown into the political spotlight. After it announced it will move some of its U.S. production overseas because of tariffs, President Donald Trump backed boycotting Harley-Davidson tweeting Many @harleydavidson owners plan to boycott the company if manufacturing moves overseas. Great! Trump even trolled the company in a speech in June. Its hard to tell how much of the sales decrease is due to Trumps call to boycott the company. Harley-Davidson has faced a decrease in sales in the U.S. for years, as overall demand for heavyweight motorcycles has been on the decline. The Milwaukee-based manufacturer managed to gain some market share, up from 48.4% to 50.9% in the third quarter, but soft sales industrywide adversely impacted the company. Motorcycle demand growth in the U.S. has slowed, partly due to limited interest from the younger generation. In December, a study prepared by a focus group of motorcycle industry long-timers suggest sales are flat or falling in almost every area and the industry has failed to attract new riders out of women, minorities and millennials. While Trumps boycott call may have been pure talk, his full-blown trade war has squeezed Harley-Davidsons bottom line. The company estimates the tariffs will cost it $90 million to $100 million annually. President Trumps trade war is giving iconic American motor brand a hard time. (Photo: AP) Tariffs could cost HD $100 million Since the beginning of this year, Harley-Davidson was among the first companies hit by Trumps tariffs on steel and aluminum. The company had to absorb the higher cost of raw materials. Unless something dramatically changes, aluminum and steel prices are just gonna be higher, Harley-Davidson CFO John Olin warned on Tuesday. After Trump imposed tariffs on imports from Europe and China, both retaliated. The tit-for-tat tariffs between Washington and Beijing will cost Harley-Davidson $7 million to $12 million. Harley-Davidson expects tariffs from the EU to increase its cost by $43 million to $48 million on an annual basis. So far, Europe has been a bright spot for Harley-Davidson as domestic sales plunged. Sales in EMEA was up 4.6% in the third quarter. Harley-Davidson owns 10.4% of the EMEA market. Story continues Were looking at all the things we need to do to move the production of our EU volume to plants outside the United States, said Matt Levatich, Harley-Davidsons President and CEO, on Tuesdays earnings call. This is something weve never contemplated on doing. We have never imagined moving production for European customers outside the United States, and here we are. The company estimates in total the tariffs will cost $90 million to $100 million annually. Caught in the center of Trumps trade war, the 115-year-old bike maker now needs to figure out the logistics of relocating production. It expects the process to take 12 months to 18 months and will share more details about its plans in the first half of next year. It is also lobbying government and trade officials to minimize the impact of tariffs. Harley-Davidsons shares (HOG) were down 3.3% after Tuesdays earnings announcement. Harley-Davidson stock is down by 27% this year. (Yahoo Finance) Krystal Hu covers technology and economy for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter. Read more: Why the $375 billion US-China trade deficit can be totally misleading Foxconn executive: Make products in the U.S. and sell them to China Amazon bought Whole Foods a year ago. Heres what has changed New Delhi (AFP) - India's top court on Tuesday eased a ban on fireworks for a major Hindu festival despite air pollution in New Delhi and other cities again reaching danger levels. The Supreme Court, which last year banned firecrackers for the Diwali festival, rejected a new call for a ban in the capital amid growing concern over pollution. Firecrackers set off for the Hindu festival of lights add to the toxic mix created by farmers burning crop stubble, diesel engines, coal-fired power plants and industrial emissions. The World Health Organization in May listed 14 Indian cities, including Delhi, in the world's top 15 with the dirtiest air. Ahead of Diwali on November 7, the Supreme Court ordered that only reduced smoke fireworks -- so-called "green firecrackers" -- could be sold and that this must be through licensed traders. No fireworks can be sold online, it said. The court has also set a two hour window from 8:00pm to 10:00pm for the lighting of crackers on Diwali. "It needs to be enforced strictly," Gopal Sankarnarayan, a lawyer for the petitioners, told NDTV television. Last year, the Supreme Court suspended the licences of all firecracker sellers in Delhi for one month because of the pollution crisis which leaves the Indian capital's 20 million residents gasping for clean air during the winter months. However, many ignored the ban and purchased crackers illegally or brought out old stocks. Every winter, air pollution in Delhi soars as cooler air traps harmful particles from the various emissions. Smog has climbed in recent weeks as temperatures have fallen and smoke from burning wheat fields in neighbouring states has reached the capital, mingling with urban pollutants. The US embassy website Tuesday showed levels of the smallest and most harmful airborne pollutants reached 164 at midday -- more than six times the WHO safe maximum. The city administration last week closed its biggest coal-fired power plant in a bid to improve air quality. Story continues But another coal plant is proposed for Khurja, just outside Delhi, posing similar health risks for millions in the Indian capital, critics say. In a report published Tuesday, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis recommended the Khurja proposal be scrapped. "Delhi already has the dubious reputation of having the worst air pollution of any city in the world," the institute's Tim Buckley said in a statement. "If the Khurja coal plant is built as planned near Delhi, this will increase the impact on local residents, emergency workers and the local government." By Agustinus Beo Da Costa BOGOR, Indonesia (Reuters) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo called for a "transparent and thorough" investigation of the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a meeting on Monday with Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, the foreign minister of the Asian nation said. Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country, maintains close ties with Saudi Arabia and has "expressed concern" over the killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, which the kingdom initially denied for weeks. Khashoggi's killing has drawn international criticism, prompting the kingdom on Sunday to describe it as a "huge and grave mistake", while adding that crown prince Mohammed bin Salman had not been aware of the case. "Indonesia hopes the investigation being carried out is transparent and thorough," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told reporters after Widodo's meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, which she attended. The two met at the presidential palace on the outskirts of Jakarta, the capital, to discuss several subjects, including the Khashoggi case. Marsudi said al-Jubeir had conveyed a "statement and explanation" to Widodo about the case, but she declined to elaborate. She is scheduled to hold talks with al-Jubeir in Jakarta on Tuesday. In 2017, King Salman became the first Saudi monarch to visit the Southeast Asian nation in nearly five decades, and signed a range of cooperation pacts. (Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Yep, something like that (Getty Images) Marijuana stocks whipsawed on both sides of the border on Tuesday, with many extending days of losses as investors continued to pan signs of strong demand in newly-legal Canadian recreational markets. Opening bells in Toronto and New York were followed by double-digit declines for several of the industrys biggest names. Tilray Inc. (TLRY) plunged 16 per cent before paring much of its losses. Canopy Growth Corp. (WEED.TO) fell as much as 12 per cent before showing signs of recovery. The Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index (HMMJ.TO) exchange-traded fund dropped as much as 11 per cent in early trading before cresting towards positive territory. Craig Wiggins is a member of the increasingly popular trio of independent marijuana analysts known as TheCannalysts. He said the volatility speaks to the number of rookie retail investors that piled into pot stocks ahead of recreational legalization in Canada. Once the sheep start running the sheep keep running, he told Yahoo Canada Finance on Tuesday. The news seems to whip first-time investors into the market. I dont think they have the stomach for it. Once it starts dropping, theyre like, Oh my God. I should sell. TheCannalysts emerged for a popular pot forum on the social networking website Reddit. Wiggins boasts three decades of experience in commercial lending, and runs a supply chain financing company. Veteran commodity trader Andrew Udell and Brock University biotechnology PhD candidate Graham Jones round out the other two-thirds of the group. Wiggins said new investors buying marijuana company shares without stop-loss orders to shield them could explain in part why sell-offs have tended to lag days behind material news in the sector. Wiggins is calling for carnage in this industry as it matures and consolidates into a handful of dominant players. That said, he remains positive on pot over the long-term. He owns shares of Aphria Inc. (APH.TO), Liberty Health Sciences Inc. (LHS.CN), CannTrust Holdings Inc. (TRST.TO), and Origin House (OH.CN), formally CannaRoyalty Corp. (CRZ.CN). This is like riding the cannabis bronco. You got to get used to being thrown every once in a while, Wiggins said. Dont just abandon the plan because the market has changed and none of the fundamentals have. Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel will on Wednesday resume supplies of fuel to the Gaza Strip after a 12-day halt imposed over violent border clashes, the defence ministry said. Israel suspended the desperately needed deliveries of Qatari-financed diesel on October 12, hours after Israeli troops shot dead five Palestinians who the army said broke through the border fence and attacked a military post inside Israel. "In accordance with recommendations by security bodies it has been decided to resume the supply of 'Qatari fuel' from tomorrow," the ministry statement said on Tuesday night. On Sunday, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman ordered the reopening of Gaza's goods and pedestrian crossings into Israel after a four-day closure sparked by a Palestinian rocket attack into southern Israel. His office cited "a decrease in the violent events in Gaza over the weekend and efforts Hamas made to restrain" border protests as grounds for the reopenings. Near-daily protests along the Gaza border since March 30 against Israel's crippling 11-year blockade of the impoverished enclave have sparked repeated clashes with the army. More than 200 Palestinians and one Israeli have been killed in the violence. The fuel deal, brokered by the United Nations and backed by the United States, Israel and others, briefly brought thousands of litres of diesel into Gaza daily to boost the impoverished territory's electricity supply. But the daily shipments to Hamas-ruled Gaza's only power station lasted merely for three days. Under the limited agreement Qatar, a longtime Hamas backer, was to pay $60 million for fuel to be brought into Gaza over six months. scw/ach Gaza City (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian teenager in a border clash on Tuesday, the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip said in a statement. It named him as 17-year-old Muntaser Mohammed al-Baz, saying he was shot in the head earlier during protests near Bureij in central Gaza and died of his wounds in hospital. An Israeli army spokeswoman told AFP that troops at the border fence opened fire during a violent protest by about 200 Palestinians. "They burned tyres and threw explosive devices at soldiers," she said. "They also threw a petrol bomb." She said none of the soldiers was injured. "Troops responded with riot dispersal means and gunfire according to the rules of engagement," she added. Near daily protests along the Gaza border since March 30 against Israel's crippling 11-year blockade of the impoverished enclave have sparked repeated clashes with the army. More than 200 Palestinians and one Israeli have been killed in the violence. Last week a rocket from the Palestinian territory hit a home in southern Israel, prompting the Jewish state to strike 20 Hamas targets in Gaza. Another rocket fell in the Mediterranean off Tel Aviv, without causing casualties or damage. Hamas disavowed the rocket launches and said it was investigating the incident. An Egyptian security delegation that visited Gaza on Thursday encouraged Hamas leader Ismail Haniya to rein in the protests, according to an Egyptian official. Hamas has fought three wars with Israel since 2008 and fears of a fourth have spurred efforts by Egypt and the United Nations for a wider deal that would see Israel ease its blockade in exchange for a long-term truce with the Islamists. Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law, is White House adviser whose brief includes the Middle East - REUTERS Jared Kushner, Donald Trumps son-in-law, has revealed he urged Saudi Arabias crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman to be fully transparent about missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi as international pressure for answers continued to grow. Mr Kushner, 37, who has developed a close relationship with the 33-year-old Prince Mohammed, said he had warned him that the world was watching and that Mr Khashoggis disappearance was very serious. The comments came during a rare public interview with Mr Kushner, who is married to the US president's daughter Ivanka Trump, as world leaders and ministers continued to demand more clarity from the Saudi leadership. Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, floated the possibility of cancelling a multi-billion dollar defence contract with Saudi Arabia, while other leading overseas politicians called for a "credible" explanation for what happened. Mr Khashoggi, who was living in America and writing for The Washington Post, has not been seen since entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, three weeks ago. Turkish officials claim he was killed and dismembered in the consulate. Saudi officials recently admitted Mr Khashoggi died there but claimed it was an accident after a row broke out. Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince Credit: AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin Mr Kushners relationship with Prince Mohammed, known by his initials MBS, has been in the spotlight in recent weeks. The Trump administrations decision to strategically align itself with Saudi Arabia has also been called into question. And on Monday, Steven Mnuchin, US Treasury Secretary, attracted widespread criticism for travelling to Riyadh to meet the crown prince behind closed doors. Mr Kushner, who is a White House adviser with a brief that includes the Middle East, had cultivated a close relationship with the Prince Mohammed and has reportedly stressed the importance of Saudi-US relations during White House discussions in recent days. Story continues Making a rare public appearance, Mr Kushner struck a tough line during a question and answer session with a CNN presenter when talking about Mr Khashoggis death. Jared Kushner and his wife Ivanka Trump, daughter of the US president Credit: REUTERS/Jim Bourg Asked what he had told the crown prince, Mr Kushner said: "Just to be transparent, to be fully transparent. The world is watching. This is a very, very serious accusation and a very serious situation." Asked if Prince Mohammed has listened to his advice, Mr Kushner said: "We'll see." He also said that the US had its eyes wide open and stressed that the country was not reliant on Saudi Arabia for its strategy in the Middle East. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Frances foreign minister, said Mr Khashoggis death was extremely serious and vowed the country would take "necessary measures, if required once the results of investigations into the incident were completed. Lolwah al-Khater, a spokesman for Qatars foreign minister, said the incident should be a wake-up call for everyone. Giuseppe Conte, Italys prime minister, said he was awaiting credible answers before deciding how to act. What makes Gaminis death most consequential in the Twentieth Century? The important thing to know about an assassination or an attempted assassination is not who fired the shot, but who paid for the bullet. ~Eric Ambler, A Coffin for Dimitrios Lalith Athulathmudali and Gamini Dissanayake were both men of immense stature and education Gamini knew his boundaries on political philosophy Once said that he was one of the best products to market Two dozen years have gone by after the assassination of one of the greatest men who towered over the political life in Sri Lanka in the second half of the Twentieth Century. Gamini Dissanayake, as I knew him from the year he first entered Parliament in 1970, never ran out of steam. When the average line Minister or Parliamentarian at the time was most preoccupied with mundane duties in his or her electorate, Gamini tackled big things. His vision knew no horizon. Unlike other great politicians of his time such as J. R. Jayewardene and Dudley Senanayake and R. Premadasa, Gamini was neither behind nor ahead of his time. He just fitted into the present as the present was defined then. For instance, JR was far behind his time when he assumed power in 1977. JR, in fact, should have been the Prime Minister of Ceylon in the wake of the death of D.S. Senanayake. When Dudley asked him to take over the wheels of the State in 1951, (Source: Pages 258 and 259, J. R. Jayewardene of Sri Lanka by Professor K. M. de Silva and Howard Wriggins) JR refused to realize that Dudley was much more acceptable to the country at the time. Dudley had one significant advantage over anyone else as he was the son of the deceased Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake. Nevertheless, while JRs refusal to take over the reins set him back almost two-and-half-decades in his ambition of leading Sri Lanka, Dudleys takeover proved that he was not ready for the gruelling trail of political intrigue. R. Premadasa on the other hand, who would not have risen to the pinnacle of the United National Party (UNP) but for the fact that JR foresaw that the immediate future of the party lay in the hands of a populist leader, whose appeal to the declasse of Sri Lankan voters, as a hardworking politician, whose work and hobby both were politics, as an ambitious self-driven politician was unmatched and unmatchable at the time and even since then. Yet, when R. Premadasa, the champion of the declasse, voice of the poor and an exceptional leader of the underprivileged became a victim of a bomb blast, some took to the streets and lit crackers expressing their relief or somewhat joy at his death. Being cheerful at anybodys demise is an absolutely despicable response to someones death. Collective cheerfulness assumes and injects even a more gruesome element into it making it seem acceptable or forgivable in specific circumstances. R. Premadasa, with all his political plusses and minuses, did not deserve such human trash. Those who happened to light crackers at the death of R. Premadasa exhibited, if not anything else, a tremendously low sense of enmity and vengeance. Gamini never stopped from then on. He once told me that he was one of the best products to market and, do exactly that- market him as one of the best political products Bandaranaikes assassination was the first political assassination in our short history of the post-independence era. Bandaranaike was one single politician who, whether one agreed with his groundbreaking policies or not, whose rhetoric never matched his performance as a pragmatic political leader. In fact, his deficiencies in the astute leadership of a nation ultimately tragically led Mapitigama Buddharakkhitha, a leading member of the five pillars of his political platform, Sanga, Veda, Guru, Govi and Kamkaru, to plan and plot his slaying. Bandaranaike led this country for three short years. Some of the policies and programmes he injected into the countrys polity had some far-reaching effects, which are being felt even today. The ill-effects of the Sinhala-only policy, nationalization of some profit-making companies and turning them into loss-making ones and placing financial burdens on the countrys ailing GDP are not very fond memories of the man. The other two political assassinations, those of Lalith Athulathmudali and Gamini Dissanayake, belong to a totally different genre. Lalith Athulathmudali and Gamini Dissanayake were both men of immense stature and education. Their charisma glowed wherever they chose to go. They were neither behind nor ahead of their times. By 1977, Gamini had already been baptized by fire. His very entry into politics in 1970 was remarkable, to say the least. Dudley Senanayakes read on the gullibility of our voters was much to be desired and below par for an experienced politician like him, four times Prime Minister. Dudley Senanayake was quite sure of victory at the 1970 elections. What happened, on the contrary, was a complete sweep for Sirimavo Bandaranaike-led coalition. The only UNP newcomer to Parliament was, when giants fell by the wayside, the solitary figure of Gamini Dissanayake. Yet, Gamini lost his seat due to an election petition and ironically, when Felix Dias Bandaranaike introduced an Act in Parliament to pave the way for Nalanda Ellawala of Ratnapura, who, like Gamini, was unseated by way of an election petition, to contest again, Gamini was one of the beneficiaries of this Act by Felix Dias. From that time onwards, Gamini Dissanayake had his focus on much higher ideals instead of just being satisfied with being a Parliamentarian or even a frontline Minister. Gamini never stopped from then on. He once told me that he was one of the best products to market and, do exactly that- market him as one of the best political products. He also knew his boundaries on the political philosophy that he chose to follow. After learning of the demise of R. Premadasa, Gamini and I were travelling back to Colombo from Kandy. He asked me a direct question: Palitha, can we work with Chandrika and the SLFP? Before I could reply, he answered his own question. Gamini Dissanayakes assassination stands out as the most destructive and consequential one in terms of depriving Sri Lanka of a potential Nation Builder We cant. The gulf between the UNP and the SLFP is too wide. Our political philosophies are way too mutually exclusive. Our problem was with Premadasa, not the UNP. Im going to meet Wijetunga (President D. B. Wijetunga) and rejoin the party that elected me many a time to Parliament. Im going back home! he said. Gaminis marketability was exhibited without a shadow of doubt when the Leader of the Opposition slot became vacant. After leaving the party and having worked against it and the then leader R. Premadasa, Gamini came back and defeated Ranil Wickremesinghe by two (2) votes to become the Leader of the Opposition. The UNP Parliamentarians wanted a winner, who could take the party back to power. One memorable event during the Presidential Election campaign in 1994 was when Gamini was surrounded by the so-called intelligentsia in the country in an open debate. Gamini shredded them to pieces and showed the country what an intellectual giant she would be privileged to be led by when Gamini Dissanayake held his sway in the midst of a politically-charged debate that was televised to the country. Gaminis death was the most consequential one in the Twentieth Century. There is no argument about that. Political assassinations have occurred in human history more than one could write about in volumes. More and more such assassinations will recur in the future too. In an unforgiving and brutally competitive sphere of human endeavour, politicians, especially in not-so-democratic countries, which have not blossomed out to be full and all-inclusive liberal societies- countries that are governed by Republican Constitutions- are deeply engrossed in populist and people-oriented politics. In such environments, opportunities for political assassins are aplenty and a quick rise to power is so alluring. Of all political assassinations, from S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, R. Premadasa, Lalith Athulathmudali to Gamini Dissanayake, with all due respect and empathy for others, Gamini Dissanayakes assassination stands out as the most destructive and consequential one in terms of depriving Sri Lanka of a potential, as J. N. Dixit, the former Indian High Commissioner of Sri Lanka wrote in his book, Assignment Colombo, a Nation Builder. In fact, it was the unkindest cut of all. palithapelpola@gmail.com Heres a look at some of the companies the Yahoo Finance team will be watching for you today. Johnson & Johnson is making a big bet on skin care. Its looking to buy all outstanding shares of Ci:z holdings, the makers of the skincare line Doctor See Labo and others. The price tag is for nearly $2.1B in cash or a 55% premium. J&J already owns about 20% of the company. One of the biggest names in alcohol may be getting away from selling wine. Reuters says Constellation Brands is looking to sell off some of its biggest labels, including Clos du Bois and Arbor Mist. It could be a $3B deal. Theyve reportedly hired Goldman Sachs to explore their options. Constellation also owns Corona and other beer brands while also recently making a $4B investment in the Canadian pot company Canopy Growth. Twitter is taking down more accounts linked to Alex Jones. The company says its removed 18 accounts due to numerous violations and warnings. Five other accounts connected to Joness Infowars site had already been banned for spreading false information online. Nestles chairman is under pressure this morning from activist investor Daniel Loeb. Hes among a growing list of shareholders who claim Paul Bulkay isnt doing enough to help grow the company. Bulkay stepped down as CEO last year to take the chairman role. About 65% of Nestle shareholders in a new survey say they would vote against his re-election as chairman. San Francisco (AFP) - A San Francisco judge on Monday upheld a jury verdict that found Monsanto liable for not warning a groundskeeper that its weed killer product Roundup might cause cancer, but slashed the damages award. Judge Suzanne Bolanos denied Monsanto's request for a new trial but cut the $289 million damages award to $78 million to comply with the law regarding how punitive damages awards must be calculated. Jurors in August 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 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 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. "Although we believe a reduction in punitive damages was unwarranted and we are weighing the options, we are pleased the court did not disturb the verdict," Johnson's lawyers said in a released statement. "The evidence presented to this jury was, quite frankly, overwhelming." In her ruling, Bolanos gave Johnson the choice of accepting the lessened damages award or triggering a new trial focused on what Monsanto should pay in the case. Johnson's lawyers told AFP they are considering which option to pursue. - 'Important win' - "That said, today is a triumph for our legal system," Johnson's lawyers contended, calling the judge's ruling "an important win." Monsanto-parent Bayer vowed on Monday to appeal the case. The court's decision to reduce the punitive damage award by more than $200 million is a step in the right direction," Bayer said in response to an AFP inquiry. Story continues "But we continue to believe that the liability verdict and damage awards are not supported by the evidence at trial or the law and plan to file an appeal with the California Court of Appeal." Monsanto attorney George Lombardi argued in court earlier this month that the evidence presented at trial did not sufficiently back the verdict, and that an attorney for Johnson was wrong to urge jurors to teach the company a lesson. In motions filed after the August verdict, Monsanto urged the judge to strip away the entire $250 million punitive portion of the damages, arguing that a new trial was justified. Johnson's lawsuit built on 2015 findings by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the UN World Health Organization, which classified Roundup's main ingredient glyphosate as a probable carcinogen, causing the state of California to follow suit. Monsanto vice president Scott Partridge told reporters outside the courthouse the day of the verdict that "the jury got it wrong." Monsanto has defended the weed killer, arguing that it has a history of safe use that dates back more than 40 years. - More to come? - At the time of the verdict, Johnson's attorney Brent Wisner called the ruling the "tip of the spear" of litigation likely to come. The lawsuit is the first to accuse the product of causing cancer, but observers say a Monsanto defeat likely opens the door to thousands of other claims against the company, which was recently acquired by Germany's Bayer. Roundup is Monsanto's leading product. Despite its denials of any links between its products and ill health effects, Monsanto has already suffered hits to its reputation in light of the controversy. Records unsealed earlier this year by a federal court lent credence to Johnson's claims -- internal company emails with regulators suggested Monsanto had ghostwritten research later attributed to academics. Founded in 1901 in St Louis, Missouri, Monsanto began producing agrochemicals in the 1940s. It was acquired by Bayer for more than $62 billion in June. Monsanto launched Roundup in 1976 and soon thereafter began genetically modifying plants, making some resistant to Roundup. Jakarta (AFP) - The killing of a critic like Jamal Khashoggi is something that must "never happen again", Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Tuesday, as he pledged a full investigation into the journalist's death. Saudi Arabia's leadership will "see to it that the investigation is thorough and complete and that the truth is revealed and those responsible will be held to account", al-Jubeir told reporters after meeting with his Indonesian counterpart in Jakarta. "And that mechanism and procedures are put in place to ensure that something like this can never happen again." His comments, following a bilateral meeting in the Indonesian capital, come after al-Jubeir appeared on Fox News Sunday to blame a "rogue operation" by individuals who "exceeded their responsibilities" and then "tried to cover up for it". Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Tuesday that Jakarta was "deeply concerned" about Khashoggi's killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul this month, which Ankara has said was "savagely planned". Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected later Tuesday to reveal what he has said is the "naked truth" about the murder. Omer Celik, spokesman of Erdogan's ruling party, said the killing "was planned in an extremely savage manner," and that "there has been a lot of effort to whitewash this". A tough critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Khashoggi, 59, disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to collect a document for his upcoming marriage. A few days later, a Turkish government source said police believed he was murdered by a team sent to Istanbul, and on October 17, a Turkish newspaper said he was tortured and decapitated inside the consulate. After more than two weeks of near silence, Saudi Arabia admitted on Saturday that Khashoggi was killed in an altercation at the consular office -- an explanation rejected by friends and foes alike. Story continues US President Donald Trump, who said he found Riyadh's initial explanations credible, told reporters at the White House Monday: "I am not satisfied with what I have heard", and that he expected to know more "very soon". US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin meanwhile met the Crown Prince behind closed doors in Riyadh for talks while CIA Director Gina Haspel headed for Turkey, although details of her trip were not immediately clear. White House advisor and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner said he had urged Prince Mohammed to be "fully transparent" stressing that "the world is watching". The case has shone the spotlight on the Crown Prince, who was credited with spearheading a reform drive but is now accused of having ordered Khashoggi's murder -- a claim Riyadh denies. By Andrew Osborn and Vladimir Soldatkin MOSCOW (Reuters) - Washington will press ahead with a plan to quit a landmark nuclear arms control pact despite objections from Russia and some European countries, senior U.S. official John Bolton said on Tuesday, after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin. Bolton had a 90-minute meeting in the Kremlin with Putin which resulted in an agreement for the Russian leader to hold talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in Paris next month, their first meeting since a July summit in Helsinki. But the Moscow talks appeared to yield no breakthrough over Trump's stated desire for Washington to leave the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF), a step Moscow has decried as dangerous and many European countries have warned could reignite a Cold War-style arms race. "There's a new strategic reality out there," Bolton, who is National Security Advisor to Trump, told a news conference, adding that the Cold War-era treaty did not address new missile threats from countries such as China, Iran and North Korea, and was therefore redundant. "In terms of filing the formal notice of withdrawal, that has not been filed but it will be filed in due course," he said, suggesting it was a process that could take several months. Moscow has warned Washington it will be forced to respond in kind to restore the military balance if Trump carries through with his threat to quit the INF treaty, a 1987 agreement that eliminated all short- and intermediate-range land-based nuclear and conventional missiles held by both countries in Europe. Putin used the start of the meeting with Bolton to take the White House to task over what he said were a series of unprovoked U.S. steps against Moscow. But Bolton told reporters afterwards Russian missiles were a threat and signaled Washington would ignore Russian objections to its exit plans. "The problem is there are Russian INF violations in Europe now," Bolton told reporters, repeating an allegation Moscow denies. "The threat is not America's INF withdrawal from the treaty. The threat is Russian missiles already deployed." He said Russia had first illegally tested a land-based cruise missile in 2008 and described its violations of the treaty as "long and deep". Russia in turn accuses Washington of violating the same treaty, something it denies. Bolton has said the treaty is outdated because other countries remain free to make intermediate-range ballistic missiles and cruise missiles while the United States finds its hands tied. He noted that previous efforts to expand the treaty to include other countries had come to nothing. COAT OF ARMS Putin made an acerbic reference to the U.S. coat of arms at the start of his meeting with Bolton. "We barely respond to any of your steps but they keep on coming," he jokily complained to Bolton. "On the coat of the arms of the United States there's an eagle holding 13 arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other. My question is whether your eagle has gobbled up all the olives leaving only the arrows?" Bolton quipped that he had not brought any olives. Before the talks, a Kremlin spokesman said the INF treaty had its weak points, but that the U.S. approach of talking about leaving it without proposing a replacement was dangerous. But Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, speaking to reporters after the talks finished, sounded a conciliatory note, saying that Moscow viewed Bolton's visit as a sign that Washington wanted to continue dialogue on the issue. He said Moscow wanted the same thing. Ex-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, now 87 and an original signatory to the treaty, has warned that unraveling the pact could have catastrophic consequences. Countries such as Poland have, however, backed Trump's move. Trump's withdrawal announcement is causing particular concern in Europe which was the main beneficiary of the INF treaty as a result of the removal of Pershing and U.S. cruise missiles from Europe and of Soviet SS-20 missiles from the European part of the then Soviet Union. Without the treaty, some European countries fear that Washington might deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe again and that Russia might move to deploy such missiles in its exclave of Kaliningrad which would once again turn Europe into a potential nuclear battlefield. Bolton said Washington was "a long way" from making any such deployments in Europe and said grim warnings about the dangerous consequences of Washington quitting the treaty were wide of the mark and reminded him of similarly hollow warnings when the United States left the Cold War-era Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty in 2002. "It was not true then and it will not be true now," he said. (Additional reporting by Christian Lowe, Polina Nikolskaya, Katya Golubkova and Polina Devitt in Moscow, Paul Carrel and Hans-Edzard Busemann in Berlin, Joanna Plucinska and Pawel Sobczak in Warsaw, and by Robin Emmott in Brussels; Writing by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Richard Balmforth and Alison Williams) Kym Marsh (Credit: PA) Coronation Street star Kym Marsh has said that she doesnt care that co-star Jack P Shepherd is earning more than her on the veteran ITV soap. Rumours emerged recently that Shepherd, who plays David Platt on the show, had received a 30,000 salary hike, bringing his contract to 250,000. That would make him the highest-paid actor on the show, with Marsh reportedly earning 150,000 for her role as Michelle Connor, which shes played since 2006. There were reports last week that stated that Jack P Shepherd was the highest paid actor on Corrie, but we dont talk about how much we earn at work, she wrote in her column for OK! Magazine. Jack P Shepherd (Credit: PA) In the past Ive read I earn a different amount to what I actually do. No one knows and, actually, no one cares! Following the news of his renewed contract, sources on the show told the Daily Mirror: Jack is going nowhere for the next year and the executives are very happy. His new deal is richly deserved. The bosses are aware that stars are keen to maximise their earnings and his new deal reflects their desire to keep top talent in the show. Shepherd, whos been on the show since 1990, won Best Actor at the Inside Soap Awards on Monday this week, following his controversial male rape storyline on the show earlier this year. It saw the father-of-two drugged and assaulted by Josh Tucker following a night out. Corrie, meanwhile, scooped the Best Soap title, among seven other awards. Read more Strictly fans anger as Seann and Katya survive Charlie Sloth to leave Radio 1 immediately Robbie Williams in One Direction dig Beirut (AFP) - Lebanon's premier-designate Saad Hariri threw his support behind Saudi Arabia Tuesday as it faces outrage over the murder of Saudi journalist and government critic Jamal Khashoggi at its Istanbul consulate. Hariri's comments came less than a year after he resigned in mysterious circumstances in a televised address from the Saudi capital, sparking rumours he was being held there against his will. "The measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the case of journalist Jamal Khashoggi... come within the framework that serves the path of justice and the disclosure of the whole truth," a statement from his office quoted him as saying. On Tuesday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir pledged a "thorough and complete" investigation into Khashoggi's murder. A tough critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Khashoggi disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to collect paperwork for his marriage. A few days later, a Turkish government source said police believed he was murdered by a team sent to Istanbul, and on October 17, a Turkish newspaper said he was tortured and decapitated inside the consulate. The case has tarnished the image of the crown prince, and caused policymakers and business titans to cancel their plannned attendance at a key investment forum that opened in Riyadh on Tuesday. Hariri said the directives of "King Salman bin Abdulaziz would put things in the right direction and contribute to respond to the malicious campaigns targeting the kingdom", the statement said. Turkey has said the murder of Khashoggi was "savagely planned", and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to reveal what he has said was the "naked truth" about the killing later Tuesday. Saudi Arabia has long been a key ally of Hariri, while Riyadh's regional foe Iran backs Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah. But in November last year, Hariri announced he was stepping down in a televised address from the Saudi capital, causing observers to speculate he was being held against his will. After French mediation, he rescinded his resignation the following month, and Saudi Arabia has denied intimidating Hariri into quitting his post. Hariri was named premier for a third term in May after Lebanon's first parliamentary elections in nine years, but has since struggled to form a cabinet. BENTON, La. (AP) A Louisiana elementary school teacher is accused of rape and video voyeurism of children. News agencies report that Benton Elementary School physical education teacher Aubrey "Perry" Norcross was arrested Wednesday on a charge of video voyeurism, and the rape charge was added Friday. The two charges involve different children. The Times of Shreveport reports the Bossier Parish School system has hired outside counselors for Benton Elementary School parents, children, staff and others. Superintendent Scott Smith and psychologist Grady Bray held a news conference Saturday about the district's efforts to help families. Bray says numerous families have met with his team. Smith says a community meeting will be held Tuesday evening in the Benton High School gym. Bond for Norcross was set at $900,000. It's unclear if he has an attorney. Turkeys official news agency says Hatice Cengiz, fiancee of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi has been given 24-hour police protection. Anadolu News Agency reported that the decision was made by the Istanbul governors office Sunday, citing an anonymous security official, but did not say why Cengiz was given police protection. Hatice Cengiz, a Turkish national, waited for Khashoggi outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, where he was to get papers for their planned marriage. She alerted authorities after the writer did not emerge from the building. Saudi officials on Saturday confirmed that he died, after denying knowledge of his circumstances for over two weeks. News of Turkeys decision to beef up security detail around Cengiz comes just as the House of Saudi remains mired in damage control mode. Saudi King Salman and his son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have called Jamal Khashoggis eldest son to express their condolences over the journalists death. Saudi Arabias king and chosen heir phoned Jamal Khashoggis eldest son on Sunday to express their condolences after the journalist was killed on October 2. Saudi Arabia only admitted the Washington Post journalist was dead after weeks of denying anything to do with his disappearance. Khashoggi was at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to get papers so he could marry his Turkish fiancee when he was killed. Saudi Arabia only admitted the Washington Post journalist was dead after weeks of denying anything to do with his disappearance. Daily Mail, 22 October 2018 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Earl Bakken, an electronics repairman who created the first wearable external pacemaker and co-founded one of the world's largest medical device companies, Medtronic, has died. He was 94. Bakken, who also commercialized the first implantable pacemaker in 1960, died Sunday at his home in Hawaii, Medtronic said in a statement. It didn't give a cause of death. Bakken and his brother-in-law, Palmer Hermundslie, formed Medtronic in 1949 and turned it from a struggling company they ran out of the Hermundlie family's Minneapolis garage into a multinational medical technology powerhouse. "The contributions Earl made to the field of medical technology simply cannot be overstated," said Medtronic's chairman and CEO, Omar Ishrak. "His spirit will live on with us as we work to fulfill the mission he wrote nearly 60 years ago to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life." Bakken, who led the company for 40 years, was fitted for his own pacemaker in 2001 and a replacement in 2009. One of the men who followed Bakken as chief executive, Harvard management professor Bill George, said Bakken made sure that Medtronic's future leaders followed the company's original values, which are laid out in its mission statement. "He was a remarkable human being, a visionary 25 years ahead of his time," George told the Star Tribune. "He was a graduate of the University of Minnesota, the pioneer of one of our strongest industries, and really stood for all the values that Minnesota stands for." Bakken and Hermundslie, who was married to the sister of Bakken's wife at the time, formed Medtronic to repair and modify hospital equipment. The company mixed fixing TVs and selling other companies' medical devices with its most important work: custom-made medical devices. In 1958, University of Minnesota heart surgeon Dr. C. Walton Lillehei asked Bakken to make a battery-powered pacemaker that could keep babies with irregular heartbeats alive. Until then, patients with irregular heartbeats had to plug their cumbersome external devices into wall outlets, limiting their movement and leaving them susceptible to power outages, according to the company. Story continues Bakken delivered his device to the university's animal lab for testing and was stunned to see it attached to one of Lillehei's pediatric patients the next day. Medtronic has 86,000 employees worldwide. Its operational headquarters are still in the Minneapolis area but a few years ago, it moved its corporate headquarters to Dublin, where it would benefit from Ireland's lower corporate tax rate. Bakken is survived by his wife, Doris J. Bakken, his sister, several children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Escuinapa (Mexico) (AFP) - Mexico cleared the debris and wreckage Wednesday strewn by powerful Hurricane Willa, but breathed a sigh of relief that damage from the Category 3 storm -- now downgraded to a tropical depression -- wasn't worse. Willa, which had been a maximum Category 5 hurricane on Monday, slammed into Mexico's Pacific coast on Tuesday night with winds of 195 kilometers (120 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 240 kilometers per hour. In Escuinapa, the town of 30,000 people where it made landfall, residents got down to work after surveying the wreckage left by the hurricane: roofs torn off homes, a hospital and a church; trees ripped from the ground; roads blocked by debris and flooding; power and water outages. But with no reports of dead or wounded, those in the storm's path were mainly counting their blessings. "There were a lot of material damages, but the most important thing is that there was no loss of human life," said Sinaloa state Governor Quirino Ordaz. Victor Aguilar, a hotel manager in Escuinapa, echoed that sentiment as he tried to figure out how to serve his 200 guests breakfast with no electricity or running water. "We have a lot of repairs to do, but I'm not worried about that," Aguilar, 76, told AFP. The important thing is that "not a hair on anyone's head was hurt," he said. - 'Power of nature' - Nearby, members of a Protestant church tried to salvage what they could from its wrecked remains, after the storm ripped off its roof and left the building in ruins. "It was a total loss," said the church's pastor, Samuel Vicencio. "What can we do faced with the power of nature?" Businesses were slowly reopening in the town, though many still had their windows and doors boarded up with the plywood nailed in place as the storm approached. "It sounded like the devil himself," resident Ernesto Mallorquin, 61, said of the hurricane's passage. Story continues But three hours later, the worst was over, he said. Willa first swept over the Marias islands, where Mexico has a federal prison with about 1,000 inmates. But there were no reports of damages there. - Returning home - Willa dumped heavy rain on the states of Sinaloa, Nayarit, Durango, Jalisco and Zacatecas before breaking up in the mountains over Nuevo Leon. As of 1500 GMT, the storm was dissipating over northern Mexico, and its maximum sustained winds had decreased to 35 kilometers per hour, the US National Hurricane Center said. State and federal officials were touring the affected areas to assess the damages and allocate emergency funds. Soldiers were deployed to Sinaloa and Nayarit, the hardest hit regions, to help with clean-up and provide food and medical services where needed. Many schools remained closed in both states. More than 4,250 people had been evacuated from high-risk areas in the storm's path, including tourists who were on vacation at the beach. They were gradually returning home from 58 temporary shelters. Mexico's Pacific coast has already been hit by deadly storms and rains this hurricane season. In September, at least 15 people were killed when flash floods hit the states of Sinaloa and Michoacan. Last week, 12 more people died in flooding in Oaxaca, including seven children. Montreal (AFP) - Mexico "absolutely" could follow Canada's lead in legalizing marijuana as a way to reduce violence generated by a war on drugs that "doesn't work," its incoming foreign minister said Tuesday. Marcelo Ebrard, who will become foreign minister when Mexico's president-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes office December 1, said he discussed Ottawa's experience Monday with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland. Asked whether Mexico might follow Canada's example, Ebrard told reporters, "Sure, absolutely." "We think it is a very interesting option in the short term for Mexico," he said. "We think there are two options: the Canadian model or the Uruguay model." "It doesn't make sense to have a law forbidding the possession or production of cannabis and we have 9,000 people in jail for that, we have a huge amount of violence in the country," Ebrard said. "You spend a huge amount of money (on policing), you cause suffering for a lot of people and it doesn't make sense." Prohibition, he added, "doesn't work, you have the cannabis anyway." Canada legalized cannabis on October 17, becoming the first major economy to do so. Uruguay legalized recreational use of the drug in 2013. Mexico has long been a major supplier of marijuana and other illegal drugs to the US market, spawning powerful drug cartels and violent struggles for control of drug routes. Since 2006, when the government deployed the army to fight the cartels, more than 200,000 people have been murdered, including a record 28,702 last year. Another 37,000 people are reported missing. Michael Avenatti, the attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels, has reportedly been ordered to pay $4.85 million to settle a dispute with a former colleague in yet another financial blow for the prospective presidential candidate. A California judge on Monday ordered Avenatti to fork over the payment to attorney Jason Frank, who accused Avenatti of owing him millions for his prior work at law firm Eagan Avenatti LLC, The Associated Press reported. In May, a bankruptcy court had ordered the law firm to pay Frank $10 million. (The $4.85 million is in addition to that.) A California judge has ordered Michael Avenatti to fork over $4.85 million to his former colleague Jason Frank. (Photo: MARK RALSTON/Getty Images) Avenatti did not file opposing arguments in the case or attend the court hearing, according to the AP, though he told the outlet on Monday that Frank owes him and the firm $12 million for his fraud. He did not explain or elaborate on that claim. On Sunday, The Daily Beast reported that Avenatti has personally owed at least $1.2 million in federal taxes and corporate debts while enjoying an extravagant lifestyle in recent years. Avenatti called that report completely false in an email to HuffPost on Monday. The taxes were paid long ago and my law firm is Avenatti and Associates. It owes nothing, he said. Avenatti, who is an outspoken Trump critic, recently declared that he is seriously considering running for president. (Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS) Its not clear if or when Avenatti separated himself from Eagan Avenatti LLC. As of Monday, the State Bar of California lists Avenattis address as the address for Eagan Avenatti LLP. He also communicates through his Eagan Avenatti email. Avenatti did not immediately respond to questions about his current association with Eagan Avenatti or to Monday reports that the firm is facing eviction for failing to make rent for several months. Avenatti, who has loudly criticized President Donald Trump for refusing to release his tax records, recently declared that he is seriously considering running for president. He repeated a pledge on Sunday to release his tax returns if he runs for office, which would provide more detail about his financial history. A lot of misinformation being thrown about re my tax returns. Be clear - on Aug. 12 (This Week interview on ABC), I stated I would release my tax returns if I ran. On Sept. 28 (Texas Tribune interview), I stated the same thing. Both on video. My position remains the same. Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) October 22, 2018 Avenattis client Daniels, meanwhile, is facing her own legal woes after a judge threw out her defamation lawsuit against the president last week and ordered her to pay Trumps legal fees. Story continues Those fees have yet to be determined but are not expected to be small, The New York Times reported. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. Related Coverage Michael Avenatti 'Seriously Considering' 2020 Run Against Trump 'The View' Hosts Rip Trump For Calling Stormy Daniels 'Horseface' Carly Fiorina Says Trump Has Reached A 'New Low' With Stormy Daniels Attacks Judge Dismisses Stormy Daniels' Defamation Lawsuit Against Donald Trump Michael Avenatti Is Thoroughly Enjoying Living Rent-Free In Trumps Head This article originally appeared on HuffPost. The 2018 midterms are just two weeks away and races all over the country are heating up - Donald Trump also is in the midst of an unprecedented run of campaign rallies. Midterm elections, in the middle of the sitting presidents term, have historically been a referendum on the current leader and their party. However, 2018 could shape up to be a reinforcement for Mr Trumps particular brand of Republican politics and policies instead. Democrats have been raising hundreds of millions of dollars in this cycle for what they deem are vulnerable seats - both US Senate and US House seats which could turn from Republican red to Democrat blue and those staid strongholds which are in danger of turning more conservative. Voter turnout in midterm elections has always been abysmally low, as has turnout in presidential elections compared to the rest of the world. But, pollsters seem to think Mr Trumps influence - which has played in a part in more women running for office than ever before on both sides of the political aisle - could have an effect. Those on the left are angered by his 2016 win, immigration policy to separate families of undocumented immigrants at the US-Mexico border, and the appointment of Brett Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court despite being accused of sexual assault. While Mr Trumps supporters have been out in full force at his series of Make America Great rallies in support of down-ticket candidates. Here are five things you should keep in mind as you read our full coverage of this important election: Donald Trump is running for office, too Mr Trump has repeatedly said at his red hat-filled rallies: A vote for [your candidate] is a vote for me. The president may not officially be on any ballots for another two years but that has not stopped him from throwing his name into the mix in support of Republican candidates for the US Senate and House as well as governors. It is a campaign strategy which most sitting presidents have not been so bold to take on as Senators and House members are seen as a check on the executive branch of government, not just a blanket endorsement. Story continues However, Mr Trump is counting on packing the federal legislative bodies with his brand of Republicans in order to garner more unwavering support for not only his re-election campaign in 2020 in key battleground states like Ohio, Michigan, and Georgia, but for pushing through controversial legislation like repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act also known as Obamacare, reinstating his family separation policy which several sitting members of his party were openly against, and a new tax plan. Control of the House and Senate are at stake and these are the states to watch Mr Trumps influence through frequent campaigning and taking and taking more questions from journalists than ever before have certainly raised the stakes for an already crucial election. The current numbers are this: The 115th Congress which is set to end on 3 January 2019 show Republicans hold 235 seats to Democrats 193 in the US House with six vacant seats. The vacant seats are due to current representatives running for other offices in this election cycle, one member who passed away, and several resignations. In the US Senate there are 51 Republicans, 47 Democrats, and 2 Independents - counting the late Republican Senator John McCain. Naturally, both parties want to control both houses of Congress and midterm elections are usually when control turns over. Democrats will be gunning for seats left by Republican members like Blake Farenthold who resigned over sexual harassment allegations. The entire US House of 435 seats is up for re-election as it is every two years and a third of the US Senate is running again. Democrats vulnerable Senate seats include several hotly contested races: Joe Manchin in West Virginia, Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota, Joe Donnelly in Vice President Mike Pences state of Indiana, Claire McCaskill in Missouri, Jon Tester of Montana, Bill Nelson of Florida, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Sherrod Brown in Ohio, Bob Casey in Pennsylvania. It is no coincidence Mr Trump won all those states, some by a large margin, in the 2016 presidential election. But Republicans are not without their vulnerable seats in the Senate either as recent votes have proven they are uncomfortable with such a small majority and closer-to-center Senators make them nervous. Dean Heller, the Senator from Nevada, could be in particular danger of losing his seat as is Ted Cruz of Texas, whose upstart opponent Beto ORourke has raised more than double the money in Mr Cruzs campaign coffers. Other critical races are in Arizona for both the retiring Jeff Flake and late John McCains seats as well as in Tennessee, where candidates vy to fill the retiring Bob Corkers spot. The Cook Political Report, a longstanding Washington newsletter which analyses elections, campaigns, and polling data, has labeled those Republican races as toss-ups. The report also said races for Mr Brown, Mr Casey, and Ms Baldwin all lean Democrat but the remainder are toss ups. Who becomes governor this year will be important for 2020 races across the board While the focus is often on US House members and US Senators, governors hold quite a bit of power. There are only 50 of them for the states and four for US territories plus the mayor of the District of Columbia. When it comes to governors, they, state legislators, and mayors often have a larger impact on peoples everyday lives than the politicians in Washington, DC. This is important for Mr Trump because he will want to retain all the states he won during the 2016 presidential election and having a governor of a state supporting him will go a long way. There are 36 states holding gubernatorial elections in 2018. Of those, 26 are currently held by Republicans, nine by Democrats, and one Independent. Democrats will be defending seats in Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Republicans will try to hold on to their state leadership positions in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. According to experts, Democrats have the best chance to gain control in Maine and New Mexico and Republicans have the best chance in Connecticut as current Governor Dan Malloys approval rating is below 30 per cent. Not all Republican governors are likely to blanket endorse the president, however. The ugly scandal of sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was just the latest incident when Marylands Larry Hogan and Massachusetts Charlie Baker distanced themselves from the president. They called on the Senate to postpone a vote on confirming Mr Kavanaugh - who denies all the allegations - breaking with the rest of the party as they both run for re-election in relatively liberal states. More women are running for office than ever before If anything clear has resulted from Mr Trumps 2016 victory, it is the resurgence of the womens rights movement. From the day after his inauguration in January 2017 when millions of people - around the world - joined in on a massive protest and march for womens rights to this years unprecedented number of women running for office, the influence his policies and rhetoric have had is clear. Nearly 600 women have run or are running for office in races around the country and that is only counting US House, Senate, and gubernatorial races. The majority - up to 75 per cent - are Democrats, but the rest are Republican or third party. According to Politico, 273 have advanced past their primaries thus far. The last time Congress saw this wave was in 1992, dubbed the Year of the Woman. What resulted was largely ignored female members or being told how to vote by male colleagues. But, times have changed and the political climate has gotten not just more female, but also more brown, black, and Asian though white male representation remains the highest. Voter turnout rates for primaries Part of the relatively low voter turnout in the US is due to a disillusionment with the people who have traditionally run for office and also the ease of voting in particular states but race, income, education are also important factors. In 2016, the turnout of the voting age population was an estimated 55.5 per cent - Hawaii had the lowest and Minnesota had the highest. Voter turnout rates are often even lower during midterms cycles. In 2014, an astonishing 36.4 per cent of eligible voters showed up to the polls. It was the lowest percentage in 70 years. Democrats and Republicans alike hope the anger whipped up since Mr Trump has come into office will benefit them and send people to the polls. As former President Obama famously said: Dont boo, vote! The celebrity factor There are several so-called Get Out the Vote efforts around the country by both parties, though it has normally been encouraged by Democrats who want to reach poorer and minority populations. Part of that movement is recruiting celebrities to endorse candidates and Hollywood has by and large supported the left. This year is no exception with the likes of legend Willie Nelson holding a concert to benefit Democrat Beto ORourkes campaign for a US Senate seat. Some of his more conservative fans got angry but the country music icon simply said: I dont care. Taylor Swift is more known for her shaky track record of failed-personal-relationships-turned-hit-songs, but the but the pop princess came out to endorse Democratic Senate candidate Phil Bredesen and House candidate Jim Cooper in her home state of Tennessee. She said she was always reluctant to express her political views but wrote in an Instagram post: "due to several events in my life and in the world in the past two years, I feel very differently about that now." Kanye West is one who is never shy about expressing his views. In recent months, the rapper and husband of Kim Kardashian West has been seen rubbing elbows in the Oval office and sporting a Make America Great Again hat. Mr Trump even floated the idea of West running for office himself one day. Most expensive races in the most expensive midterms cycle The 2018 election has not only been the most watched midterms cycle in US history but also the most expensive. In terms of raising money, the Texas Senate race between Mr Cruz and Mr ORourke has garnered more than $96m in contributions according to the Center for Responsive Politics, with Mr ORourke raising $60m of that. The Florida Senate race between Republican Rick Scott and Mr Nelson has raised nearly $80m, with nearly $55m going to Mr Scott, the current governor. Reverse those two races for the most amount of money spent on the campaigns thus far. Mr Scott has spent a whopping $52m of his funds, compared to $17m for Mr Nelson. Mr ORourke has spent $38m to Mr Cruzs $24m. And, the election is still two weeks away. There are several other House and Senate races from Missouri to Indiana which have spent more than $100m combined, but one race remains the top - the Illinois gubernatorial campaign. By June 2018, Democrat and Hyatt hotel chain heir JB Pritzker and incumbent Republican Bruce Rauner had spent in excess of $200m combined on their race. With just two weeks to go, Mr Pritzker alone has spent $161.5m. Fear-mongering is not new in American politics. This midterm election season American voters have seen a growing number of candidates - nearly all Republican - smearing their political opponents either as terrorism threats or with Islamophobic rhetoric. But according to a new report, the politics of anti-Muslim fear will no longer win campaigns. On Monday, ahead of the midterm Election Day, Muslim Advocates, a legal advocacy group in Oakland, California, released their Running on Hate 2018 report noting a sharp increase in anti-Muslim rhetoric from election campaigns in the state and local level. In the report, Muslim Advocates observed and analysed more than 80 candidates that used Islamophobic narratives in their campaigns. Forty of these candidates are running for seats in Congress and about 23 of them have made it to the general election. Thirteen of these candidates are incumbents. Weve seen anti-Muslim candidates running in every region, Muslim Advocates Public Advocacy Director Scott Simpson told The Guardian. Weve seen them running at every level of office, from the school and planning boards all the way to governor and Congress. Weve seen it in liberal places and conservative places. It has really taken root and become very widespread. The lot of these 80 candidates espoused typical Islamophobic narratives and conspiracy theories often insinuating that Muslim extremists were infiltrating the US federal government. Throughout the election cycle, Muslim-American candidates were the subject of fake news from anti-Muslim websites, online harassment and armed protests. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar - who are both projected to be the countrys first Muslim congresswomen - were smeared with false accusations of being jihadis, anti-semitic or working for terrorist groups. Deedra Abboud, an attorney who ran for the US Senate seat in Arizona, was subjected to an onslaught of ant-Muslim cyber-harassment. In addition to the racist vitriol online, right-wing militia groups staged armed protests outside of Abbouds campaign stops. Story continues But Islamophobic campaigns did not just attack Muslim candidates. In a desperate attempt to save Republican Dave Brats re-election in Virginias 14th district, the Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF) superPAC accused his Democratic opponent Abigail Spanberger has terrorist sympathies. While awaiting for her CIA security clearance to process, Ms Spanberger used to work as a substitute teacher at the Islamic Saudi Academy in Alexandria, Virginia. CLF broadcasted a 30-second ad smearing the former CIA official for teaching at Terror High and described the school as a terrorist breeding ground. California Republican Duncan Hunter is running the most notable anti-Muslim campaign, according to Muslim Advocates. In his latest campaign ad, Mr Hunter has accused his Democratic challenger Ammar Campa-Najjar of legally changing his name several times to hide his familys ties to terrorism and described him as a national security threat. Mr Campa-Najjar is a Christian of Palestinian-Mexican descent. But heres the thing: Stoking anti-Muslim fear into the hearts of American voters is a losing strategy. According to the report, only 11-14% of the 80 candidates that ran on Islamophobic campaigns were elected or safely projected to win their elections come around Election Day next month. The report also found core anti-Muslim voters to only represent a small--albeit a conscientious--and fringe electorate, and attempts to demonise the Muslim community does more to turn vex constituents than gain voter support. Many candidates faced serious repercussions from voters and a backlash from even members of their own party, the report added. Some faced recalls and pressure to withdraw, or their entire campaign became largely defined by their anti-Muslim rhetoric. In fact, the report found super-majorities from both parties, of every demographic and region, preferred the candidate who defended Muslims. This even includes Trump voters. Out of the 80 candidates that ran on Islamophobic campaigns, 52 of them have either lost their primaries, are projected to lose, withdrew or were recalled. While President Donald Trumps anti-Muslim campaign might have won him Florida, Georgia, Wyoming, South Dakota, Arkansas, Michigan and South Carolina in 2016, many Republican candidates that ran on anti-Muslim conspiracy theories lost their primaries in those same exact states this election season. In North Dakota and Tennessee, Nebraska and Michigan, several candidates either lost their elections, dropped out or had to resign for their anti-Muslim rhetoric. Shahed Amanullah, an adviser to national grassroots organization Muslim Caucus of America, told the Independent the intensity of anti-Muslim feelings among fringe groups mistakenly convince some candidates that they will get greater traction in the mainstream. In the wake of the Trump era, those wishing to leverage anti-Muslim sentiment are finding out that a large swatch of the American public is now keenly aware of Islamophobia and is now willing to push back on it in ways that werent possible a few short years ago, Mr Amanullah said. The energy generated by anti-Muslim sentiment online can give candidates a false sense of security. The data backs Mr Amanullahs assessment. Included in the 51-page report are survey results from Probolsky Research, a Republican polling firm, that prove fewer and fewer Americans harbor negative feelings towards Muslims. Out of 1000 survey participants, only 7 percent had a negative impression of Muslims. Furthermore, 71 percent said it is inappropriate for candidates to speak ill of Muslims during their candidates. If candidates spoke negatively about Muslims, 57.6 percent said they would be more likely to vote against candidate. Only seven percent said they would more likely vote for the candidate if they did. While President Donald Trump might have won the 2016 presidential election with a campaign run almost entirely on fear on immigrants and Muslims, the report reveals a seismic shift in how American voters view their Muslim neighbors and whether or not they are capable of honorably serving public office. Shahed Amanullah pointed out that in 2006, the election of Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn), a black Muslim-American, stunned much of the political establishment to the point where there were open debates about his loyalty and oath of office. But now, the nation anticipates having two Muslim women--one of whom wears the hijab--serving their congressional districts on Capitol Hill. The most notable thing about this occurrence is how uncontroversial it seems, Mr Amanullah added. But what does this mean for the future of American electoral politics? Its likely well see more Muslim Americans in public office. Aside from partisan grumbling, we have no uprising against the presence of Muslims in high political office, Mr Amanullah said. So it is safe to say that American of all stripes, both conservatives and liberals, now accept that American Muslims can serve honourably in governance. The Mahavamsa or The Great Chronicle of Ceylon (to use the title of the English translation by Wilhelm Geiger of the ancient classic) is a book of history in the form of a poem in the Pali language composed by a Bhikkhu named Mahanama at Anuradhapura around the latter part of the 5th or the beginning of the 6th century CE (Common Era). This work was commissioned by King Dhatusena (c. 460 -478 CE). Prof. Wilhelm Geiger translated into German; his own revised critical edition of the Pali original, which had been published in 1908. He added an introduction, appendices and notes to the German version. Mabel Haynes Bode put Geigers German translation into English. Prof. Geiger then revised Ms. Bodes English translation. Geigers Mahavamsa is in prose. Its first edition, prepared by T.W. Rhys Davids, was published in 1912. There are several other translations of the Mahavamsa produced before and after this date by local and foreign scholars such as George Turnour (1837), L.C. Wijesinghe (1889), and Ananda W.P. Guruge (1989), to name some of them. My personal opinion as a lay reader is that the local Sinhalese translators of the book are better guides to its meaning than European oriental scholars because of the formers natural cultural affinity with the work and their intuitive attunement to its broad communicative frequency; and it is a fact that visiting European scholars were automatically inclined to consider themselves as being in the intellectual vanguard of those colonizing powers, who hypocritically believed that they were bearing the so-called white mans burden of forcing European civilizational values on them. Naturally, such scholars were reluctant to acknowledge the actual cultural superiority of the Sinhalese that they wanted to civilize. However, among them Geiger could be an exception. He betrays little evidence of any orientalist prejudice (defined by Edward Said in his 1978 book Orientalism) against the Sinhalese whose ancient cultural-historical classic he tried to interpret. It was fortunate for us that Western scholars such as Geiger and Rhys Davids tried to understand our history and culture reasonably free from preconceived notions of their own superiority over the natives usually prevalent among imperialistic Europeans at that time. Apart from this, the Geiger translation is still the best known and the most commonly used one, particularly among foreign scholars interested in the island history; it is probably the most authentic English version of The Great Chronicle done by any non-Sinhalese translator. This is the justification of my choice of the Geiger translation as the main source of this brief essay on the monumental work from a nonacademic ordinary readers point of view. The Mahavamsa is a serious book of history, though it was composed at least 1500 years before modern concepts of historiography evolved The Mahavamsa is a cherished symbol of the national identity of the Sinhalese, the builders of the unique two and a half millennia old island civilization. Sri Lanka (known in history by an array of different names such as Sivhela/Sihela/Sinhale, Serendib/Swarnadipa, Rathnadeepa, etc) abounds in the ruins of ancient monuments and also restored edifices that bear testimony to that unbroken island-wide historical achievement. There is no evidence of any other independent parallel civilization having evolved within its boundaries. The Mahavamsa gives the Sinhalese a feeling of continuity of nationhood. The danger of the Mahavamsa becoming an unnecessary casualty of ethnic politics is real, but such a fate is something unthinkable for us as a race with a distinct history. It is criticized by some because it does not provide a historical precedent that might support their unjust political claims. Some others treat it with contempt claiming that it divides the Sri Lankans. The truth is that the Mahavamsa refers to the close links that existed between Lanka and India in propitious circumstances in early times, which should actually unite rather than divide different races. Then there are those enlightened individuals who just cannot tolerate even the mention of the legitimate claims of the Sinhalese! They are racists who, nevertheless, have no qualms about sticking the label on their victims, the Sinhalese. The Mahavamsa is a serious book of history, though it was composed at least 1500 years before modern concepts of historiography evolved. Bhikkhu Mahanama, the author, at the very opening relates himself to the existing historical literature and popular traditions thus: That (Mahavamsa) which was compiled by the ancient (sages) was here too long drawn out and there too, closely knit; and contained many repetitions. Attend ye now to this (Mahavamsa) that is free from such faults, easy to understand and remember, arousing serene joy and emotion and handed down (to us) by tradition, - (attend ye to it) while that ye call up serene joy and emotion (in you) at passages that awaken serene joy and emotion. Mahanamas Mahavamsa comes to a conclusion in Chapter 37, which deals with the reign of King Mahasena (c. 325 352 CE). The subject of the Mahavamsa is the early phase of the history of the Sinhalese race and that of the establishment of the Buddhist faith in the island. But the Mahavamsa was later continued up to the end of the 18th century by different authors at different times (in the form of the Culavamsa) The Culavamsa opens in the middle of the 37th chapter where the earlier Mahavamsa came to an abrupt end, and completes the 101th chapter which ends thus: After they had brought the King, the torturer of his people, to the opposite coast the Ingirisi by name seized the whole kingdom (i.e. the British took possession of the whole island with the capture of the last king of Sinhale Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe in 1815). The Mahavamsa has been updated since, and now comprises the whole history of the island to date. So the 6th century Mahavamsa covers roughly the first eight hundred years of the island civilization since the legendary Vijaya, which period ended about 150 years before the reconstruction of its history by Mahanama. It is appropriate to consider against this background where we are at present in our understanding of our history as a nation (a group of people occupying a specific geographical space, speaking a unique language and generally identified with one spiritual tradition). Today, we have a more national minded generation of local archaeologists and historiographers than before who are free from the enslaving influence of orientalist prejudices of the past, and who are inspired by a sense of apekame (lit. usness) or national pride. Their researches are breaking new ground in the field. For example, the findings of foreign and locally trained archaeologists Shiran Deraniyagala (e.g., relicts of a pre-Vijayan civilization found in excavations in the inner city of Anuradhapura) and Raj Somadeva (objects dug up and rock inscriptions deciphered at many places across the island including Kuragala, Welmeethalawa, and Kegalle, and a gold sheet writing discovered at Vallipuram in Jaffna, for instance) prove beyond doubt that the Sinhalese have a much longer and a more glorious history than that celebrated in the Mahavamsa. Such successful challenges to the authority of the Mahavamsa represent a tribute to its avowed commitment to the elimination of defects found in earlier treatises such as the Dipawansa, which it uses as its sources. The pre-Vijayan culture predates Vijaya by at least three centuries. Somadevas findings (pieces of pottery, bone ornaments, iron implements, clay receptacles found at burial/cremation sites, etc which are signs of a sophisticated culture) have been determined to be over 4350 years through radiocarbon dating. The important thing to mark here is that this culture was independent of any foreign (that is, Indian or other) influence, unlike the Sinhala Buddhist civilization historicized by the Mahavamsa narrative. The brightening prospects of revealing these more ancient historical roots of the Sinhalese (according to Somadeva these could be as old as 6000 years) should not be seen as an emergent threat to the status of the Mahavamsa as the incomparable national monument it is. It only proves that the Sinhalese were heir to a much older, and certainly more advanced civilization than the Mahavamsa author dared to credit them with. The unlocking of the ancient secrets of our history through the use of technologies that are the most advanced to date will be in the interest of not only the Sinhalese and the minorities that make Sri Lanka their common home, but also of the whole of humanity. The grand purpose of the Mahavamsa authors whole endeavour was, after all, to compile this history for the serene joy and emotion of the pious, (as the less than ideal English rendering of the original Pali phrase tells us). The book is intended to generate serene joy and emotion in the pious. Each chapter of the Mahavamsa and its sequel theCulavamsa ends with the postscript Here ends the chapter, called ., in the Mahavamsa, compiled for the serene joy and emotion of the pious. (Prof. Geiger glosses the two terms pasada(serene joy) and samvega (emotion) thus: Pasada signifies the feeling of blissfulness, joy and satisfaction in the doctrine of Gauthama Buddha, samvega the feeling of horror and recoil from the world and its misery. This historic monument must be cherished for its humanity as much as for its value as a historical document. It is this noble culture of humanity inspired by Theravada Buddhism that made Sri Lanka a secure home for diverse minorities living in harmony with the majority Sinhalese. Suppressing it is not the way to bring about communal harmony in the land. Rabat (AFP) - The driver of a passenger train that derailed killing seven people and injuring 125 in Morocco a week ago was charged Tuesday with involuntary homicide, a prosecutor said. The driver -- who faces five years in prison on charges that also cover injuring people -- has been referred to a court in the town of Sale near the capital Rabat, and will appear under arrest, the Sale prosecutor added. The "excessive" speed of the train, which was travelling at 158 kilometres (98 miles) per hour at the moment of the accident instead of the 60 kilometres per hour limit, caused its derailment, the prosecutor said. The high casualty toll, spectacular images of the derailment and an initial silence by national rail company ONCF in the first few hours after the accident caused anger in Morocco. Seven of those hurt received serious injuries and a Frenchman was among those who died in the October 16 accident around 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of Rabat. Nick Clegg has been hired by Facebook with a reputation as an EU insider (Getty) European politicians have dismissed Nick Cleggs appointment as Facebooks top lobbyist as a public relations ploy that wont lead to real reform at the company. The former UK deputy prime minister announced last week that he is moving to California to take up a post as Facebooks head of global affairs and communications. Facebooks hiring of the former European Commission official and MEP is seen as an effort to improve its relations with the EU, who have the power to set tough regulations on tech giants. Clegg said in a statement he would be helping the company to ensure that technology is a force for good by working with people, organisations, governments and regulators around the world. MORE: Facebook Hires Ex-Deputy Premier Clegg to Lead Lobbying Push But senior members of the European parliament, which summoned Facebook founder to Brussels over the Cambridge Analytica scandal, have expressed scepticism that Clegg will be part of a change of ways at the company. Zuckerberg has realised he has an image problem, said socialist group leader Udo Bullmann in answer to a question on the issue from Yahoo UK. Everything else has to be seen. Philippe Lamberts, co-leader of the Green group, also said: The fact that hes been hired by Mark Zuckerberg is not in itself a sign that Facebook will change course. Its quite clear that the obsession of Facebook is to avoid regulation. When you see that Facebook is enjoying a quasi-monopoly in this business, youre led to think that this is dangerous to have Nick Clegg or no Nick Clegg, he added. EU justice commissioner Vera Jourova told MEPs that Facebook was cleaning up its act (Reuters) Cleggs appointment has also sparked concerns on the other side of the political spectrum, with UKIP MEP Nigel Farage calling it a worrying step towards further censorship of conservative voices on the platform. Their interventions came as MEPs debated new measures in response to the scandal over the Cambridge Analytica data breach, which affected 87 million Facebook users. An EU audit of Facebooks data protection mechanisms and rules to prevent the platform being used to manipulate elections are recommended in a report authored by British Labour MEP Claude Moraes. Story continues European justice commissioner Vera Jourova backed the report despite saying she recognised that many companies, including Facebook, are trying to fix the mistakes they made. MORE: Zuckerberg apology to European Parliament over data scandal branded inadequate Liberal MEP Sophia in tVeld said she was not convinced that Facebook was committed to reform. They may have fixed some mistake if they had to, but theyre making new ones in the meantime, she said. Theyre not mistakes theyre deliberately trying to circumvent the law. Green co-leader Ska Keller added: Were not happy with just some minor tweaks to the privacy settings of Facebook because the Cambridge Analytica scandal was not just a privacy scandal but a political scandal that is putting a threat to our democracy. Moraes warned MEPs that Facebooks failings had already had an effect on referendums and elections. But Conservative MEP Dan Dalton dismissed suggestions that the scandal played a part in the Brexit vote or Donald Trumps election as US president. MORE: Brexit vote not won fairly, Cambridge Analytica whistleblower tells MEPs WASHINGTON The White House cant provide any evidence to back up a recent claim made by President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence that Middle Easterners are participating in the migrant caravan heading through Mexico to the U.S. When pressed for proof of the claim by Yahoo News, the Department of Homeland Security provided unrelated statistics and the White House did not respond. The migrant caravan formed this month in Honduras, and has ballooned to include thousands of people who are now making their way through Mexico. Many members of the group say they hope to escape the crushing violence and poverty in Central America and move to the U.S. President Trump walks on the South Lawn before leaving the White House on Monday. (Photo: Xinhua/Ting Shen) On Monday, Trump took to Twitter and suggested the caravan is a national emergency. Sadly, it looks like Mexicos Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in, Trump wrote. Pence echoed that claim, and its suggestion that the caravan is a terrorism threat, in an interview with the Washington Posts Robert Costa on Tuesday. Well, its inconceivable that there are not people of Middle Eastern descent in a crowd of more than 7,000 people advancing toward our border, Pence said. However, no government agency seems to have any information to back up these assertions. On Monday, Yahoo News reached out to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security to see if there was any evidence to back up Trumps claim. ICE referred the request to DHS. A CBP spokesperson also referred the request to DHS, adding for information on the presidents comments, please ask the White House. A DHS official responded to the request with a series of statistics that included apprehension of nationals from African, Asian and European countries, but who were not linked to the caravan. The official said Customs and Border Protection apprehended 3,028 special interest aliens from countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Somalia in fiscal year 2018. The official also cited CBP activity this year against aliens from more than a dozen countries with significant Muslim populations, including Eritrea, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo. Story continues The information provided by DHS has little bearing on Trumps claim that Middle Easterners are participating in the caravan. Not only is that list of countries far beyond the Middle East; CBPs jurisdiction includes ports, airports and the northern border, so it is unclear whether any of the people referred to by the official were apprehended after coming from Mexico. A group of Honduran migrants in Ciudad Hidalgo, Mexico, on Saturday. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) The DHS official did not respond to follow-up requests asking if there was any specific information about the caravan, or to requests for numbers of attempted illegal crossings at the southern border in recent years by nationals of Middle Eastern countries. The White House has not responded to multiple requests for comment on Tuesday asking if there is any evidence to support Trump and Pences statements. Senior Trump administration officials held a telephone press briefing on Tuesday during which they cited the same figures provided by DHS when asked about the comments. The officials said they would have to defer to Mexican authorities for questions on the actual current construct of the caravan. The officials said they had no new information on Middle Easterners being apprehended on the southern border. The State Departments country reports on terrorism from 2016 specifically said there are no known international terrorist organizations operating in Mexico, no evidence that any terrorist group has targeted U.S. citizens in Mexican territory, and no credible information that any member of a terrorist group has traveled through Mexico to gain access to the United States. That report was compiled during President Barack Obamas administration. The State Departments country reports on terrorism from last year, the first edition under Trump, included slightly changed language that still indicated there is little threat of Middle Eastern terrorists coming from Mexico. At years end there was no credible evidence indicating that international terrorist groups have established bases in Mexico, worked with Mexican drug cartels, or sent operatives via Mexico into the United States. The U.S. southern border remains vulnerable to potential terrorist transit, although terrorist groups likely seek other means of trying to enter the United States, the report said. When asked whether there was any new information about terrorists crossing into the U.S. from Mexico, a State Department official simply referred to that same report. Trump essentially admitted there was no basis for his claim about unknown Middle Easterners when he was asked about it by reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday. Theres no proof of anything, but there could very well be, he said. Additional reporting by Caitlin Dickson _____ Read more from Yahoo News: LONDON (Reuters) - The Northern Irish party which props up British Prime Minister Theresa May will back an amendment proposed by rebel Brexiteer lawmakers that will effectively make the European Union's backstop proposal illegal, a Telegraph newspaper reporter said. Brexit talks have stalled over a disagreement on the so-called Northern Irish "backstop", an insurance policy to ensure there will be no return to a hard border on the island of Ireland if a future trading relationship is not agreed in time. May has rejected the EU's proposal - for Northern Ireland to remain in the bloc's customs union - as it would potentially create barriers to trade with the rest of Britain. Prominent Brexiteer Steve Baker, a former junior Brexit minister, will try to block the EU's backstop plan on Wednesday by attaching amendments to legislation passing through parliament. Northern Ireland has been without a fully functioning executive since January 2017, and Baker's amendment would prevent officials acting in the absence of a devolved government to implement any trade or regulatory barriers between Northern Ireland and mainland Britain. "DUP will back amendment being tabled by Tory Eurosceptics on Wednesday that will effectively make the EUs NI backstop illegal," Steven Swinford, the Telegraph's deputy political editor, said on Twitter. "Yet another headache for No. 10, with 40 Tory MP already poised to support it." The Democratic Unionist Party, whose 10 lawmakers provide May with a slim working majority in parliament, say the EU's backstop proposal would tear Northern Ireland from the rest of Britain. The DUP had no immediate comment on the report. Only seven Conservative lawmakers have to rebel for May to lose a vote in parliament, if all opposition party lawmakers vote against the government, so if 40 Conservatives backed the amendment the DUP's decision would not sway the outcome. But the scale of votes against the government could provide an indication of how many may ultimately refuse to back any final Brexit deal with the EU when it is voted on in parliament. The Times reported that the opposition Labour Party was likely to abstain on the amendment, however, meaning the government would still win the vote. A spokesman for the Labour Party said it would make a decision later on Monday. May's spokesman said the government would look at the amendments "in the usual way". "It's worth pointing out the legislation's purpose: it is necessary to provide the Northern Ireland civil service with the certainty and clarity they need to continue to deliver public services," he told reporters. (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan and William James, Editing by Alistair Smout and Alison Williams) By Abdiqani Hassan BOSASSO, Somalia (Reuters) - Fighting between clans in Somalia's breakaway Somaliland region has killed more than 50 people, a witness at the scene and an official in neighboring Puntland said on Tuesday. "There has been fierce clan fighting yesterday and today. Over 50 people died but they have not been buried because the fighting is still going on," Ahmed Ismail told Reuters from Dhumey village. "The injured are dying of blood loss because there are no hospitals here," he said, adding that some had been taken to hospitals further away. Dhumey is in an area controlled by Somaliland, but which has been claimed by Puntland for years. "We understand 51 people died and 120 others were injured in fighting, with clans exchanging heavy weapons fire for the second day," Abdullahi Ali Hirsi, interior minister of Puntland, told Reuters. "It is unfortunate that other clan militias equipped and paid by Somaliland have sided with the two fighting clans. We call for ceasefire and urge the clan elders to stop the war and participate in a peace conference to be held by Puntland." Somaliland broke away from Somalia in 1991 and operates as an independent state but has not won international recognition. (Editing by George Obulutsa and Andrew Roche) Lima (AFP) - Peru President Martin Vizcarra vetoed on Monday a law that would have spared disgraced former leader Alberto Fujimori from prison, confining criminals over 65 suffering from serious or chronic illnesses to house arrest. The law, passed by a Congress dominated by Fujimori's former party, Popular Force, would have allowed the 80-year-old to avoid being sent back to prison once he leaves hospital, where he is being treated for heart problems. Fujimori is serving a 25-year sentence for crimes against humanity and corruption. He was granted a presidential pardon -- by Vizcarra's predecessor -- on humanitarian grounds in December, but that was revoked by a court earlier this month. Fujimori was 12 years into a sentence handed down for ordering two massacres by death squads in 1991 and 1992, leaving 25 people dead, when pardoned last year. Vizcarra told journalists that before such a law could be passed, it would need to be "debated in depth to avoid" benefitting "incarcerated people who are a danger to society." He also described it as "unconstitutional." His veto is largely symbolic, though, as Congress has the power to approve any law through insistence, by holding a second vote two weeks later at which point the bill would be automatically passed. The bill was passed in Congress on October 11 thanks to the large majority enjoyed by the Popular Force, now led by Fujimori's daughter Keiko. It was criticized by human rights groups, though, with Amnesty International saying it was a blow to "the families of victims of grave violations of human rights." Conscious of such criticisms, Popular Force legislator Ursula Letona said her party would look to resolve the impasse in discussions with the government. Keiko Fujimori, who is herself trying to avoid prison -- accused of benefitting from millions of dollars in campaign bribes -- said it would be up to legislators to decide whether or not to consider Vizcarra's observations or push ahead with the bill. Alberto Fujimori has said that sending him back to prison would be a "death sentence." President Donald Trump said Monday he will move to cut foreign aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador for failing to stop people coming illegally into the U.S. The threat, made in an early-morning tweet, comes as publicity grows about a caravan of thousands of people weaving its way up through Central America towards the U.S. border. The caravan formed in the Honduran city of San Pedro Sula. Over the weekend, it crossed the border between Guatemala and Mexico, leading to growing alarm from anti-migrant voices in the U.S. Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were not able to do the job of stopping people from leaving their country and coming illegally to the U.S., Trump tweeted Monday morning. We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them. Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were not able to do the job of stopping people from leaving their country and coming illegally to the U.S. We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2018 Guatemala received $249 million of U.S. aid in 2017, according to USAID. Honduras received $175 million, and El Salvador received $115 million. Our programs contribute to a safer and more prosperous United States by helping to secure our borders, protect our citizens, and increase economic and business opportunities, reads a pre-existing statement from Mark Green, the administrator of USAID, on the groups website. In addition, evidence suggests it helps mitigate the conditions that drive migrants to make the perilous trip north, he said. Trump also claimed without evidence that unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in with the crowd of migrants. Sadly, it looks like Mexicos Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States, Trump tweeted. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in. I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Emergy. Must change laws! Sadly, it looks like Mexicos Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in. I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Emergy. Must change laws! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2018 Trump did not say in his tweets whether cutting foreign aid to Mexico was being considered. By James Oliphant SPOTSYLVANIA, Virginia (Reuters) - The last time U.S. congressional elections were held in this central Virginia district, Meg Sneed voted for the Republican incumbent, Representative Dave Brat. Her friend, Cheryll Lesser, did not vote at all. Last week, the two women sat in the second row at a campaign event in a martial arts studio listening to the Democrat running against Brat, Abigail Spanberger. They nodded in agreement with much of what she had to say. But the real reason they were there was basic: Donald Trump. They don't like the president, and they were not about to vote for anyone, like Brat, who supports him. More than the policy, its the animosity he is fostering within the country, Sneed said of Trump. Voters such as Sneed and Lesser are a significant reason why Democrats now believe that in the Nov. 6 congressional midterm elections, the party can win more than the 23 seats they need to seize control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Some predict Democrats could take as many as 40 seats by flipping districts like Brat's in Virginia. Earlier this year, Brat's seat was considered safe. But if a so-called blue wave materializes, it would roll through a district like his, which includes pockets of suburban voters who increasingly have been turning away from Republicans. Republicans are playing defense in more and more places, said Doug Heye, a former official at the Republican National Committee. The Democrats map continues to get bigger. The Republicans map continues to get smaller. Thats a real problem. If Democrats do take the House, much of Trump's agenda would be stalled, and his administration would fall under greater scrutiny. Republicans are favored to retain the Senate. While Democrats need a net total of just two seats there to control that chamber, they must also defend seats in a several conservative states. Democrats have poured resources not only into Brats district, but others that have come onto their battleground list, in places such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Southern California and other parts of Virginia such as the district currently represented by Republican Scott Taylor. They have been backed in the effort in Virginia by deep-pocketed advocacy groups such as House Majority PAC, which started running anti-Brat television ads last month, and NextGen, funded by California billionaire Tom Steyer, which decided this summer to launch efforts to turn out young voters in the district. In response, the Congressional Leadership Fund, a Republican political action committee, is running ads attacking Spanberger, a sign that the party is genuinely worried about losing the seat. "IN MY GRILLE" Brat is a high-value Democratic target for several reasons. In 2014, he shocked the political order by beating then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in a Republican primary. Since taking office, he has aligned himself with the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus, which has become a reliable ally of the Trump White House. Last year, as protesters crashed his events in the midst of a House push to repeal former President Barack Obama's healthcare program, Brat remarked that women are in my grille no matter where I go. Those words have followed him ever since. In September, Brat held his first town hall in a year and did so with supportive audience of older veterans. Sarah Montgomery, a librarian for the U.S. Department of Defense who attended Spanbergers event in Spotsylvania, said that after Brats district was redrawn in 2016 to include her home, she researched him, and the video of his grille remark was the first thing she found. He obviously has no respect for women, she said. The firestorm over Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual assault while in high school, came at a perilous moment for Brat, given his already difficult reputation with some women voters. Trump has played a part. Both Sneed and Lesser were angry that he chose to attack Kavanaughs accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, at a rally last week. It was disgusting, Lesser said. Kavanaugh was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Saturday. Democratic activists hope discontent with his nomination will linger through November. Republicans, however, see the Kavanaugh fracas as galvanizing conservatives who have been looking for a reason to come out and vote in November's elections. It has mobilized and energized Republican voters in a way that only a Supreme Court nomination can, said Matt Gorman, communications director for the National Republican Congressional Committee, the arm of the party that supports House candidates like Brat. Brat has been a solid supporter of Kavanaugh, even though the House served no role in his nomination, and reasserted that support last week in a Facebook post. His campaign rejected the notion that he is not supportive of women, pointing to his efforts to combat human trafficking and the opioid epidemic and the passage of tax reform last year. Congressman Brat has worked hard on issues affecting women since day one, said a spokesperson, Katey Price. A MODERATE TONE A 39-year-old former officer for the Central Intelligence Agency, Spanberger looks like she could be the face of the Resistance, the woman-driven protest movement against Trump. But she has been careful to not alienate the independent and moderate voters she needs to win the district. At the Spotsylvania event, she didnt mention Trump, Brat or Kavanaugh, focusing on domestic-policy issues such as healthcare and education. Asked for her position on Kavanaughs nomination, her campaign declined to comment. Instead, Spanberger touched on the thing that attracted voters such as Meg Sneed to her: turning down the volume in the civic discourse. Weve reached a place where we need to restore a level of civility to our conversations, she told the crowd. Tom Davis, a former Republican congressman from Virginia, said it remains Brats race to win, and that Kavanaugh may be the issue that pulls him over the finish line. Its still a southern district, Davis said. Theres nothing like a good fight to keep your base in line. (Editing by Jason Szep, Cynthia Osterman and Jonathan Oatis) The recent advertisement on the university teachers, who defaulted after having received huge amounts of money from the Government as loans for further education in various countries, is the manifestation of an appalling mentality in many people of the country. Further reports on the advertisement say that majority of these university teachers had not at least returned to the country. The number of university teachers including those holding Doctorates and Professorships - is a mind-boggling 486 and the amount they had defaulted is Rs. 813 million, according to the University Grants Commission (UGC). Many of them are employed in other countries now, according to the reports. There may be people among these university teachers, who had fought for the allocation of six percent of the GDP for the education, which was a major demand by the academia. Except for a very few, who had gone to International Schools, the entire student population whether they are attending schools or universities are being taught with the funds allocated annually by the budget and sometimes Government pumps more money for education and higher education through supplementary estimates. And needless to say that this is the tax levied from the ordinary people, including those who toil in chenas in the dry zone and those who sweep the roads in Colombo. In spite of parents spending huge amounts of money on tuition classes, the education in schools and universities is free or State or taxpayer-funded. Despite questions having been raised on the dedication and commitment of some of the teachers in schools and universities, Government spends millions of tax-payers money each year on each child studying in schools and universities. Hence, every person who had attended Government schools at least one or two years is indebted to the country and the people, morally. Therefore, it goes without saying that it is a punishable national crime on the part of the university teachers to default public funds obtained by way of loans for postgraduate education, after having received all these benefits during their studies in schools as well as in universities. They are indebted not only in financial terms but also in moral terms, as mentioned before. Nobody can argue that these university teachers who had defaulted on the loans they had obtained from the Government found better opportunities in other countries after they obtained the postgraduate education in those countries. They should definitely have had the prior knowledge of those opportunities and most probably had premeditated the default of public funds and their brain drain. They do so as they are paid in those countries several folds of what they earn here. That only fact, signifies their financial capability to repay at least the loans they obtained, leave alone the moral indebtedness to the country and its people. Some argue that publishing an advertisement on the default of loans by the university teachers would tarnish the good names of the universities. However, it is ironic to think that the image of the universities would be tarnished by the exposure of the defaulters and not by defaulting on the public funds by the university teachers. One may also argue that people migrate to other countries due to the degenerated situation in every sphere of society in Sri Lanka. School teachers leave the teaching to the tuition classes; doctors are fond of prescribing more and more medical tests for patients, compelling the Government to ban some tests at private hospitals for patients in State hospitals; only hope of the politicians irrespective of their parties who wax eloquent on morality on every platform is plundering public funds in millions, if not billions; traders sell food discarded as animal food to their fellow citizens; transport in urban areas is a nightmare; no decent man can use public transport; even some religious issues are being looked through political prism. Yes, there are reasons to leave for a better place to live, in a way. Yet, this is an invalid argument when it comes to the question of the university teachers who do not repay their loans. Because how can one expect dedication and commitment towards the country and its people from others, if he or she is not prepared at least to repay the loan he or she obtained from public coffers, even when he or she gets a high salary and perks abroad? Saudi King Salman (front left) speaks with de facto United Arab Emirates leader Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, (front right) in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, in June. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman walks behind them. Saudi allies like the UAE want to avoid association with the Khashoggi scandal. (Photo: Associated Press) WASHINGTON Some of the most prominent U.S. foreign policy figures urging a tough response to the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi are earning thousands of dollars each month from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabias closest partner and a vocal defender of the Saudi narrative about how he died. Its a stunning situation that underscores how Middle East powers aligned with the Saudis and the U.S. are doing damage control amid the scandal sustaining their relationship with the biggest player in the Arab world while trying to keep Western partners happy so their own human rights records and behavior dont come under similar worldwide scrutiny. Publicly, countries like the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan have come out in support of the Saudis in multiple statements. Privately, government leaders in those countries are having discussions similar to those of officials in Western capitals about whether the killing and aftermath show that de facto Saudi leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman isnt up to the job, experts said. And all the while, such countries paid friends abroad are helping them hedge their bets. Rich Mintz, the UAEs powerful longtime lobbyist in Washington and an adviser to the wealthy monarchys leadership, made his firm, the Harbour Group, the first to drop a contract with the Saudis. The widespread news coverage of that move allows Mintz to claim that he and to some degree his client place morality above profit. Former Foreign Policy magazine editor David Rothkopf, who now earns $50,000 a month to help craft the UAEs public image in the U.S., has for weeks used his perch as a noted Twitter and cable television critic of President Donald Trump to boost attacks on the Saudis shaky narrative about Khashoggi and on the crown prince in particular. Middle Eastern governments are hewing to the Saudi line in public because of the massive financial help some of them receive from the kingdom and because of their officials worries, amplified after Khashoggis killing, that the Saudis will respond with unprecedented anger to any expression of dissent, said Lina Khatib of the Chatham House think tank in London. Story continues Regional officials are now weighing how to handle Riyadh and how they will shift their approach if the kingdom the dominant force in the Arab world becomes increasingly preoccupied with domestic struggles and grows isolated internationally. Egyptian officials are quietly questioning the princes handling of the crisis, Khatib said. But on Monday night, Cairo offered its latest signal of support when Egypts foreign minister flew to Riyadh carrying a message from President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi to Saudi Arabias King Salman. Most people are basically worried that Saudi Arabia is going to enter a period of darkness and a period of the country being more closed, Khatib added. Solidarity with Riyadh is important for regimes used to getting away with human rights violations despite their association with Western governments pledged to upholding democratic standards and uninterested in a radical change in that bargain. The UAE, for instance, faces multiple allegations of war crimes for its participation in a Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen, and it is holding a British academic in solitary confinement, one of many people accused of threatening the security of the government and provided little due process. Egypt, the destination of billions in U.S. taxpayer dollars annually, has tens of thousands of people in its prisons and on Sunday arrested a well-known economist who wrote a book questioning the governments policies. Israel, which is a quiet partner of the Saudis in their regional rivalry with Iran and frequently likes to remind foreign audiences it is the most advanced democracy in the Middle East, appears to have little interest in accountability for Khashoggis killing either. Meanwhile, Iran and other powers sparring with Riyadh, like Qatar, are spreading the message about how pleased they are about the crisis, a European official told HuffPost. Combined with Turkeys seemingly deliberate campaign to use the moment to boost its regional standing, that reality has countries content with the status quo, like Jordan, nervous about any shift that might rock the boat no matter how good the intentions for, say, reducing Western military cooperation with Saudis. Few in the Saudi camp are for now eager to turn to the kingdoms foes, Khatib said. A united front is, then, likely to persist, even though rights groups and experts say its objectionable and possibly counterproductive to letting Arab societies thrive. In Washington, Rothkopf wrote that Mohammed cannot be a credible partner of a state to which values matter. From the UAE, his employers will continue to say things like, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by its leadership, always has been and remains to be, a nation built on just and fair state institutions. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. ANKARA (Reuters) - A team of Saudi agents began arriving in Turkey the day before journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed, and cameras at the consulate were removed, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday. Erdogan, who also said the issue of diplomatic immunity would also be discussed in regards to the case, was speaking at a meeting of his AK Party in parliament. He had previously promised to detail Turkey's investigation of the case. Erdogan said a Saudi team of 15 entered the consulate the day of the killing, and that three men from the team went on an exploration trip to Belgrad forest in Istanbul and Yalova, a 90-kilometre (55 mile) drive south of Istanbul. (Reporting by Gulsen Solaker; Writing by Sarah Dadouch; Editing by David Dolan) By Jeff Mason and Gulsen Solaker WASHINGTON/ANKARA (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Tuesday Saudi authorities staged the "worst cover-up ever" in the killing of prominent journalist Jamal Khashoggi this month, as the United States vowed to revoke the visas of some of those believed to be responsible. Trump spoke hours after Turkey's president, Tayyip Erdogan, dismissed Saudi efforts to blame Khashoggi's death on rogue operatives. Erdogan urged Riyadh to search "from top to bottom" to uncover those behind Khashoggi's death in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, an incident that has sparked global outrage and strained relations between Riyadh and Washington. For Saudi Arabias allies, the question will be whether they believe that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has painted himself as a reformer, has any culpability. Trump said the killing and subsequent cover-up by Saudi Arabia were "a total fiasco." "There should have never been an execution or a cover-up, because it should have never happened," Trump told reporters. He said he had spoken on Monday with the crown prince who denied having anything to do with Khashoggi's killing. Earlier, Trump said the Khashoggi matter was handled badly by Saudi officials. "Bad deal, should have never been thought of. Somebody really messed up. And they had the worst cover-up ever," Trump told reporters at the White House. Khashoggi, a critic of the crown prince, was a U.S. resident and Washington Post columnist. Trump's comments in recent days have ranged from threatening Saudi Arabia with "very severe" consequences and mentioning possible economic sanctions, to more conciliatory remarks highlighting the country's role as a U.S. ally against Iran and Islamist militants, as well as a major purchaser of U.S. arms. Trump did not give his views on who was ultimately responsible. But Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States had identified some of the Saudi government and security officials it believed were involved in Khashoggi's murder and would take appropriate actions including revoking U.S. visas. Story continues The U.S. State Department said 21 Saudis would have their visas revoked or be made ineligible for U.S. visas. Another official said the vast majority of the group had U.S. visas. "As we continue to develop our understanding of the individuals that were responsible for this, not only those who executed it but those who were connected to it, the world should know that we intend to hold those individuals accountable when we develop this fact set," Pompeo told reporters. Pompeo also said the State Department was looking into whether sanctions could be applicable for those found to be involved. "These penalties will not be the last word on this matter from the United States," Pompeo said, although he emphasized as have other senior U.S. officials, the importance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship. "Neither the president nor I are happy with this situation." The Saudi Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment on the U.S. measures. As the crisis unfolded over the past three weeks, Saudi Arabia changed its tune on Khashoggi. Riyadh initially denied knowledge of Khashoggi's fate before saying on Saturday he was killed in a fight in the consulate, an account met with skepticism from several Western governments, straining their relations with the world's biggest oil exporter. Saudi Arabia has detained 18 people and dismissed five senior government officials as part of an investigation into Khashoggi's death. One of those fired includes Saud al-Qahtani, a top aide who ran social media for Prince Mohammed. According to two intelligence sources, Qahtani ran Khashoggi's killing by giving orders over Skype. Turkish security sources say that when Khashoggi entered the consulate, he was seized by 15 Saudi intelligence operatives who had flown in on two jets just hours before. Graphic on Khashoggi killing: https://tmsnrt.rs/2JdjuNH Saudi royal family: https://tmsnrt.rs/2CzrEyJ ERDOGAN VOW Erdogan on Tuesday stopped short of mentioning the crown prince who some U.S. lawmakers suspect ordered the killing. "The Saudi administration has taken an important step by admitting to the murder. From now on, we expect them to uncover all those responsible for this matter from top to bottom and make them face the necessary punishments," Erdogan said in a speech in parliament. "From the person who gave the order, to the person who carried it out, they must all be brought to account," Turkey's president said. Turkish sources have said that authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the killing. Erdogan made no reference to any audio recording. A Saudi Cabinet meeting chaired by King Salman said Riyadh would hold to account those responsible for the killing and those who failed in their duties, whoever they were. Turkish investigators searched a Saudi consulate vehicle in Istanbul that contained two suitcases and other items, according to broadcaster CNN Turk. It was not clear what was in the suitcases. 'BRUTAL MURDER' Trump said he would work with the U.S. Congress to determine the U.S. response to the Khashoggi matter. "In terms of what we ultimately do, I'm going to leave it very much - in conjunction with me - up to Congress," Trump said, adding he would like a bipartisan recommendation. CIA Director Gina Haspel, in Turkey to investigate the death of Khashoggi, has sought to hear the purported audio recording of his torture and murder, four sources familiar with her mission told Reuters on Tuesday. A host of Western executives and governments have pulled out of a high-profile Saudi investment summit that started on Tuesday because of the Khashoggi affair. Erdogan said the killing was planned from when Khashoggi, 59, first went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Sept. 28 to obtain documents necessary for his marriage. He was told he would need to return later to collect the documents. A day before Khashoggi's death, agents arrived from overseas and began to scout locations, including the Belgrad Forest near Istanbul and the city of Yalova to its south, Erdogan said. Police have searched both areas for evidence of Khashoggi's remains, Reuters has reported. On the day Khashoggi arrived for his appointment and was later killed, the hard disk in the consulate's camera system was removed, Erdogan said. "Covering up a savage murder like this will only hurt the human conscience. We expect the same sensitivity from all parties, primarily the Saudi Arabian leadership," he said. "We have strong signs that the murder was the result of a planned operation, not a spontaneous development." (Reporting by Jeff Mason in Washington and Gulsen Solaker in Ankara; Additional reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu in Ankara, Ezgi Erkoyun, Daren Butler, Ali Kucukgocmen and Sarah Dadouch in Istanbul and Jonathan Landay and Susan Heavey in Washington; Writing by Alistair Bell; Editing by Yara Bayoumy, Will Dunham and Peter Cooney) By Jeff Mason and Gulsen Solaker WASHINGTON/ANKARA (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Tuesday Saudi authorities staged the "worst cover-up ever" in the killing of prominent journalist Jamal Khashoggi this month, as the United States vowed to revoke the visas of some of those believed to be responsible. Trump spoke hours after Turkey's president, Tayyip Erdogan, dismissed Saudi efforts to blame Khashoggi's death on rogue operatives. Erdogan urged Riyadh to search "from top to bottom" to uncover those behind Khashoggi's death in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, an incident that has sparked global outrage and strained relations between Riyadh and Washington. For Saudi Arabias allies, the question will be whether they believe that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has painted himself as a reformer, has any culpability. Trump said the killing and subsequent cover-up by Saudi Arabia were "a total fiasco." "There should have never been an execution or a cover-up, because it should have never happened," Trump told reporters. He said he had spoken on Monday with the crown prince who denied having anything to do with Khashoggi's killing. Earlier, Trump said the Khashoggi matter was handled badly by Saudi officials. "Bad deal, should have never been thought of. Somebody really messed up. And they had the worst cover-up ever," Trump told reporters at the White House. Khashoggi, a critic of the crown prince, was a U.S. resident and Washington Post columnist. Trump's comments in recent days have ranged from threatening Saudi Arabia with "very severe" consequences and mentioning possible economic sanctions, to more conciliatory remarks highlighting the country's role as a U.S. ally against Iran and Islamist militants, as well as a major purchaser of U.S. arms. Trump did not give his views on who was ultimately responsible. But Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States had identified some of the Saudi government and security officials it believed were involved in Khashoggi's murder and would take appropriate actions including revoking U.S. visas. The U.S. State Department said 21 Saudis would have their visas revoked or be made ineligible for U.S. visas. Another official said the vast majority of the group had U.S. visas. "As we continue to develop our understanding of the individuals that were responsible for this, not only those who executed it but those who were connected to it, the world should know that we intend to hold those individuals accountable when we develop this fact set," Pompeo told reporters. Pompeo also said the State Department was looking into whether sanctions could be applicable for those found to be involved. "These penalties will not be the last word on this matter from the United States," Pompeo said, although he emphasized as have other senior U.S. officials, the importance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship. "Neither the president nor I are happy with this situation." The Saudi Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment on the U.S. measures. As the crisis unfolded over the past three weeks, Saudi Arabia changed its tune on Khashoggi. Riyadh initially denied knowledge of Khashoggi's fate before saying on Saturday he was killed in a fight in the consulate, an account met with skepticism from several Western governments, straining their relations with the world's biggest oil exporter. Saudi Arabia has detained 18 people and dismissed five senior government officials as part of an investigation into Khashoggi's death. One of those fired includes Saud al-Qahtani, a top aide who ran social media for Prince Mohammed. According to two intelligence sources, Qahtani ran Khashoggi's killing by giving orders over Skype. Turkish security sources say that when Khashoggi entered the consulate, he was seized by 15 Saudi intelligence operatives who had flown in on two jets just hours before. Graphic on Khashoggi killing: https://tmsnrt.rs/2JdjuNH Saudi royal family: https://tmsnrt.rs/2CzrEyJ ERDOGAN VOW Erdogan on Tuesday stopped short of mentioning the crown prince who some U.S. lawmakers suspect ordered the killing. "The Saudi administration has taken an important step by admitting to the murder. From now on, we expect them to uncover all those responsible for this matter from top to bottom and make them face the necessary punishments," Erdogan said in a speech in parliament. "From the person who gave the order, to the person who carried it out, they must all be brought to account," Turkey's president said. Turkish sources have said that authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the killing. Erdogan made no reference to any audio recording. A Saudi Cabinet meeting chaired by King Salman said Riyadh would hold to account those responsible for the killing and those who failed in their duties, whoever they were. Turkish investigators searched a Saudi consulate vehicle in Istanbul that contained two suitcases and other items, according to broadcaster CNN Turk. It was not clear what was in the suitcases. 'BRUTAL MURDER' Trump said he would work with the U.S. Congress to determine the U.S. response to the Khashoggi matter. "In terms of what we ultimately do, I'm going to leave it very much - in conjunction with me - up to Congress," Trump said, adding he would like a bipartisan recommendation. CIA Director Gina Haspel, in Turkey to investigate the death of Khashoggi, has sought to hear the purported audio recording of his torture and murder, four sources familiar with her mission told Reuters on Tuesday. A host of Western executives and governments have pulled out of a high-profile Saudi investment summit that started on Tuesday because of the Khashoggi affair. Erdogan said the killing was planned from when Khashoggi, 59, first went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Sept. 28 to obtain documents necessary for his marriage. He was told he would need to return later to collect the documents. A day before Khashoggi's death, agents arrived from overseas and began to scout locations, including the Belgrad Forest near Istanbul and the city of Yalova to its south, Erdogan said. Police have searched both areas for evidence of Khashoggi's remains, Reuters has reported. On the day Khashoggi arrived for his appointment and was later killed, the hard disk in the consulate's camera system was removed, Erdogan said. "Covering up a savage murder like this will only hurt the human conscience. We expect the same sensitivity from all parties, primarily the Saudi Arabian leadership," he said. "We have strong signs that the murder was the result of a planned operation, not a spontaneous development." (Reporting by Jeff Mason in Washington and Gulsen Solaker in Ankara; Additional reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu in Ankara, Ezgi Erkoyun, Daren Butler, Ali Kucukgocmen and Sarah Dadouch in Istanbul and Jonathan Landay and Susan Heavey in Washington; Writing by Alistair Bell; Editing by Yara Bayoumy, Will Dunham and Peter Cooney) Vick and Graziano (Credit: BBC) Vick Hope got emotional during her exit interview on last nights Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, saying that the verdicts of the judges rattled her. Hope and her dance partner Graziano Di Prima were voted off the show on Sunday night, while controversial couple Seann Walsh and Katya Jones remained following their head-to-head dance off. There was some weeks where the judges knocked my confidence but thats life as well, you pick yourself up and you move onto the next thing and you do it better, there was a level of graft instilled in me, said the radio presenter. As for her final dance, she added that she felt there was nothing they would be able to do to make the judges like their dance. There was no way they would change their mind about not liking the routine no matter what we did, she said. And thats really gutting because I just wanted them to enjoy it. (Credit: BBC) She went on to say that the language barrier between her and her Italian trainer Graziano was initially something of an issue. Working through that was quite difficult when youre learning technical things, especially with the cha-cha-cha, and I think Ive learnt to become more patient and more confident, she added. You have to remember you got to do this incredible thing, Im so lucky, especially if its someone like me. Im in a job where something like that sort of thing doesnt come around very often and what an amazing experience, Im so glad I got to spend it with you Gratz. What an amazing platform, its an opportunity to connect with an audience I would never have been able to speak to before, its amazing to have support from these people. Hope said yesterday that she felt head judge Shirley Ballas had it in for her, and didnt like her from the beginning of the competition. I wish I knew, [why] she said while appearing on Capital Breakfast. I think Ive gotta be careful what I say here, because you never know what someones thinking. And it was from week one that people were suggesting there was something there, I dont know. Story continues Its been consistent and Saturday night I really felt it was just weird, wasnt it? Id never really been spoken to like that. She really relished in it. Strictly returns with its Halloween show on Saturday night. Read more Strictly fans anger as Seann and Katya survive Charlie Sloth to leave Radio 1 immediately Robbie Williams in One Direction dig Ed Farmer, 20, died after a night out in Newcastle in December 2016 (Picture: Facebook) A university student died after taking part in a bar crawl initiation that involved a round of 100 triple vodkas and a pigs head, an inquest has heard. Ed Farmer, 20, died in hospital in December 2016 after a night out with the Newcastle University agricultural society. Newcastle Coroners Court was told on Monday that a round of at least 100 triple vodkas had been ordered at one of the venues on the bar crawl. There was also a plan to drink vodka from a pigs head, but Mr Farmer was so ill he was unable to take part in the task. Mr Farmer, a first-year economics student from Leicester, was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary after being found unconscious. A post-mortem examination found he had five times the legal drink-driving limit of alcohol in his blood. Excess alcohol caused cardiac arrest which led to brain damage and his death, the inquest heard. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: Couple in car that towed caravan the wrong way down a busy motorway are named Man admits murdering midwife Samantha Eastwood after affair Proposed EU ban on daylight saving time could cause clock chaos in no-deal Brexit, warn peers Theresa May insists Brexit is 95% done as rebel MPs plot revolt The initiation went ahead on December 12, 2016 despite such events being banned by the university. CCTV footage from that night showed students visiting a number of bars. At one point, Mr Farmer can be seen falling over and being held up by two other students, then being carried by his arms and legs. After the bar crawl, students ended up at the home of agricultural society chairman James Carr in the Jesmond area of Newcastle, where a third-year student shaved Mr Farmers head. Mr Farmer was heard to be snoring loudly, making students think he was sleeping soundly, but the inquest heard it signified partial obstruction of the airways. Mr Carr told the inquest he was woken by another student at about 4.30am who said Mr Farmer needed to go to hospital. I was panicking if Im honest, I was in a state of shock, said Mr Carr. Story continues Mr Farmer was a first-year economics student at Newcastle University (Picture: Facebook) The inquest heard that Mr Farmer could have been saved if he had received medical treatment earlier. Dr Reuben Sahara, head of the Royal Infirmarys Emergency Medicine Department, said cardiac arrest is at the end of the scale of the spectrum of alcohol poisoning. We knew that the situation was very grave from the outset, he said. I would agree that had he been in hospital prior to cardiac arrest then I would expect the patient to survive. Previously, Mr Farmers parents have raised questions about the police investigation, a pre-inquest review heard last October. Their solicitor said there were text messages circulating between students which said deny, deny, deny before they were interviewed by police. The family wanted the police to interview more first-year students who attended the event. The inquest continues. The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday blocked Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross from having to sit for a deposition in a lawsuit challenging the Trump administrations decision to add a question about citizenship to the 2020 census. The brief order from the court is a victory for the Trump administration, which fought hard to block Ross from having to answer questions under oath. Its a major blow to the plaintiffs in the suit, a coalition of states, cities and immigrant groups that say the way the question was added violates the U.S. Constitution and federal law. In testimony before Congress and in a memo announcing the question, Ross said the administration added the question at the request of the Department of Justice so that the department could better enforce the Voting Rights Act. But documents disclosed in the lawsuit show Ross was interested in adding the question months before the Justice Department made its request, and that he discussed it with Steve Bannon, a top White House adviser. Ross deposition could have provided key insights into those conversations and how the decision was made. The plaintiffs likely would have used it to make their case that the Justice Department request was a pretext and that Ross, who has control over the Census Bureau, was set on adding the citizenship question before he even instructed census officials to study the possibility of doing so. Civil rights groups strongly oppose the decision to add the citizenship question, saying immigrants will be less likely to respond to the census because they are fearful about giving information about their own immigration status or the status of a loved one to the Trump administration. They say the question has a discriminatory purpose in violation of the Constitutions due process protections, and that Ross violated federal law by deciding to add the question before the Census Bureau had reviewed it. An inaccurate census would have severe consequences. The survey helps determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funds are allocated, and how political districts are drawn. While the Census Bureau does ask about citizenship through the American Community Survey, which only goes out to a small percentage of households each year, it has not asked about citizenship on the decennial census, which goes out to every American household, since 1950. Story continues It is not common for federal judges to order high-ranking government officials, including Cabinet secretaries, to sit for depositions. But U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman, the trial judge who is overseeing the case in New York, ordered Ross in September to sit for one. He reasoned that Ross intent and credibility are directly at issue in these cases. The concededly relevant inquiry into Commerces intent could not possibly be conducted without the testimony of Secretary Ross himself, Furman wrote in September. Critically, that is not the case merely because Secretary Ross made the decision that Plaintiffs are challenging. ... Instead, it is the case because Secretary Ross was personally and directly involved in the decision, and the unusual process leading to it, to an unusual degree. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit upheld Furmans decision in October. Attorney General Jeff Sessions strongly criticized Furmans ruling in a speech to the Heritage Foundation this month, saying it was an example of the federal courts overstepping their authority. The probing discovery of the kind ordered in the Census case is just the kind of intrusion Hamilton warned against, Sessions said, according to prepared remarks. And we are seeing it in case after case. When a hot-button policy issue ends up in litigation, judges are starting to believe their role is to examine the entire process that led to the policy decision to redo the entire political debate in their courtrooms. The trial in the New York case is scheduled to begin in early November. There are also separate federal lawsuits in California and Maryland seeking to block the question from being added. Related Coverage Wilbur Ross Contradicts Trump Administration Rationale For 2020 Census Citizenship Question Trump Administration's Justification For Adding A Census Citizenship Question Is Unraveling Trump Administration Asks SCOTUS To Block Top Officials From Explaining Census Citizenship Question Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. President Maithripala Sirisena made a financial donation of Rs. one million to student Gihan Hettiarachchi of Gampaha Bandaranaike College, who made a rocket that can travel upto 20 km, for his future innovation works, at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. The President also summoned the technical officers of the Sri Lanka Air Force and instructed them to provide necessary assistance to the student to launch the rocket.(Pix by Presidents Media) Swiss banking giant UBS said Tuesday it was "business as usual" in China following reports that the company restricted travel there as an employee had to delay her return home after being asked to meet with authorities. The wealth manager, who focuses on China, delayed her return from Beijing to Singapore last week after she was asked to meet with local officials on an unknown matter, Bloomberg News reported, citing a personal familiar with the issue. The incident prompted UBS to warn its staff that travel to China would require extra approval by management, but the bank had now lifted the restriction, a source told AFP. "UBS would like to confirm that we allow all our staff to travel freely in and out of the country and it is business as usual for us in China," the Swiss bank said in a statement. "UBS has had a strong franchise in China for 30 years and remains fully committed to further developing our business on the mainland," it said. The statement mentioned neither the travel restrictions nor the situation of the Singaporean banker, who according to Bloomberg is due to meet with officials this week. US banks Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase have asked wealth managers to reconsider travel to China following the incident, according to Bloomberg. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a press briefing on Monday that she was unaware of the situation and referred questions to UBS. It is not uncommon for Chinese authorities to prevent foreigners from leaving the country due to investigations or legal matters. The incident also comes as Chinese authorities have intensified a campaign against corruption within the Communist Party and seek to curb financial risks. More than a million officials have been punished under the sweeping anti-graft drive launched by President Xi Jinping but critics say it has also served as a way to root out his political enemies. YILAN, Taiwan (Reuters) - The driver of a train in Taiwan that crashed killing 18 people told a court on Tuesday he had switched off its speed-control system, a court official said, as investigators pieced together events that led to the island's worst rail crash in decades. The train came off the rails on Sunday on a curve while moving at almost 87 miles per hour (140 kmh), nearly twice the speed limit of 46 mph (74 kmh), in the island's mountainous northeast, the head of a government investigation team said. Chief investigator Wu Ze-cheng told Reuters earlier it was not clear whether the speed-control system, called automatic train protection, had switched off by itself or had been manually disabled before the accident, which also injured 187 people. A spokesman for Taiwan Yilan District Court told Reuters the driver told his bail hearing he switched off the system himself to boost the train's power when it had slowed down on an earlier stretch of the journey. "He should have turned the system back on at the next stop," said the court spokesman, Huang Yong-sheng. "The defendant is highly suspected to have been negligent." Reuters was not able to reach the train driver, You Zhen-zhong, 48, for comment. He was granted bail of T$500,000 ($16,167) and barred from leaving Taiwan after being detained for the investigation. You had been treated in hospital after the accident. You's public defender, Kou Tua-jai, said the driver knew he had to turn the protection system back on, but he had failed to do so because he was busy communicating with other coordinators due to a separate problem with the train's speed. "He admitted that he's responsible for dereliction of duty, but hed like to raise one point: there was something wrong with the train," Kou told Reuters. Kou said the driver said the speed shown on the train's indicator was not its real speed. Chief investigator Wu said more investigation was needed to determine why the driver failed to turn the protection system back on. He said it was not immediately clear if the speed shown on the train's indicator was different to its actual speed. GRAPHIC: Deadly train crash in Taiwan - https://tmsnrt.rs/2NZiXQi The disaster was Taiwan's deadliest rail accident since a 1981 collision that killed 30 people. The head of the state railway administration, Lu Jie-shen, had offered to resign but that was not accepted by the transport minister, the railway authority said. Premier William Lai apologized for the accident on behalf of the government. "People expected the railway to be the safest," Lai told parliament. "I apologize to the people on behalf of the Executive Yuan," he said, referring to the island's cabinet. Train derailments are not uncommon on the island, which has rough, mountainous terrain, but deadly accidents are rare. (Reporting by Yimou Lee; Editing by Robert Birsel) Teenage suspect in Georgia cop killing is dead: Officials originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A teenager wanted in the fatal shooting of a Georgia police officer was killed by police Monday morning after they found him hiding in a shed of a home in suburban Atlanta, officials said. The suspect, Tafahree Maynard, 18, was killed after he refused to drop a lawn mower blade when police found him in an unincorporated area of Snellville, Georgia, said Chief Butch Ayers of the Gwinnett County Police Department during a news conference. Maynard's death came two days after he allegedly shot and killed Gwinnett County Police Officer Antwan Toney, prompting a manhunt involving multiple police departments, the FBI and U.S. Marshals. Ayers said police received a tip about 3 a.m. Monday that Maynard was spotted in a residential neighborhood about three miles from where Toney was shot. PHOTO: Antwan Toney is pictured in this undated photo released by Gwinnett County Police in Georgia. (Gwinnett County Police) He said 75 to 90 officers responded to the neighborhood, established a perimeter and went door to door in search of the suspect. He said two officers found Maynard about 11:30 a.m. hiding in a shed behind a home and confronted him. "Mr. Maynard was issued verbal commands" to show his hands and come out of the shed, Ayers said. "He failed to comply with the verbal commands." Ayers said an officer deployed a stun gun on Maynard when he brandished the lawn mower blade he had been hiding behind his back. The chief said that despite being hit with the stun gun, Maynard refused to put down the weapon. A second officer confronting Maynard opened fire from five to six feet away, killing him, Ayers said. "I'd like to say the danger to the community is over," Ayers said. There has been a credible sighting of Tafahree Maynard in the Snellville area in the last 12 hours. Keep an eye out and call 911 if you see him. Maynard is 601 and 300lbs. pic.twitter.com/XwSfRBIiPX Gwinnett Police Dept (@GwinnettPd) October 22, 2018 Maynard is suspected of shooting Toney as he and his partner approached a car about 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Toney was investigating a report of people in the vehicle smoking marijuana, officials said. Story continues PHOTO: A massive manhunt is underway in Georgia, on Oct. 20, 2018, for the suspects involved with the shooting and killing of Officer Antwan Toney. (WSB-TV) Ayers said Toney, 30, whom he described as a "shining bright star" in the police department, was shot four times and later died at a hospital. Toney is the 46th U.S. law enforcement officer shot to death this year, a 15 percent increase from 2017, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Ayers said the deadly shots were fired from inside the car and through a closed window as Toney and his partner approached the vehicle. Police later recovered four guns in the car and marijuana, Ayers said. "What prompted Mr. Maynard to open fire ... I'm not sure we'll ever know," Ayers said. He said that following the shooting, Maynard jumped out of the car and ran. The other occupant of the vehicle, identified by police as Isaiah Pretlow, 19, allegedly got behind the wheel as responding officers fired on the car, Ayers said. After driving a short distance, the car crashed and Pretlow bailed out and ran, he said. Pretlow was arrested Saturday night and charged with aggravated assault. He is scheduled to appear in court Monday afternoon. PHOTO: A massive manhunt is underway in Georgia, on Oct. 20, 2018, for the suspects involved with the shooting and killing of Officer Antwan Toney. (WSB-TV) Chief Ayers said detectives are investigating whether people provided Maynard assistance while he was being sought by police. (MORE: Manhunt underway for 'armed and dangerous' suspect in killing of Georgia police officer) Toney, who grew up in Southern California, was killed just six days before his third anniversary with the police department. "He didn't deserve it. He was a stand-up guy and it is heartbreaking," Toney's brother, Dartangan Johnson, told ABC station KABC-TV in Los Angeles. (Credit: Warner Bros) Terminator and movies like it might be fiction now, but as science and technology continue to make huge, exponential leaps, it may not stay that way for long. And while the growth of A.I. continues all around us, so does the vague chance of the robot apocalypse. But not if Gale Anne Hurd has anything to do with it. Hurd, who with James Cameron co-wrote and produced the 1984 sci-fi classic, has said that she wants those working in the tech industries to promise to use their power for good over evil. The producer was appearing at the annual Screamfest event in Hollywood, where she was being given a lifetime achievement award, when she made the comments. The one thing that they dont teach in engineering schools and biotech is ethics and thinking about not only consequences, but unintended consequences, she said. If you go to medical school, theres the Hippocratic Oath, first do no harm. I think we really need that in all of these new technologies. Gale Anne Hurd (Credit: Rex) The oath dates back to somewhere between the fifth and the third centuries BC, authored by the Greek physician Hippocrates, and was the first written expression of medical ethics. She went on to say: We are cutting edge. We create and think about things that the people who are being paid so much money, the scientists and the physicists, the mathematicians, biotech people arent even considering. The more leaps and bounds are made in technology right now, the more fearful we should be that these scenarios may come to pass. Stephen Hawking only came up with the idea that we need to worry about A.I. and robots about two and a half years before he passed away. I remember saying to Jim, If hed only watched The Terminator. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton (Credit: TriStar) Hawking told Wired in 2016 about his concerns about the power of artificial intelligence. The genie is out of the bottle, he said. We need to move forward on artificial intelligence development but we also need to be mindful of its very real dangers. I fear that AI may replace humans altogether. Story continues If people design computer viruses, someone will design AI that replicates itself. This will be a new form of life that will outperform humans. Nothing terrifying about that, then. Nope. Terminator 6 is currently in production, and is set for release in November, 2019, hopefully before the robot apocalypse. Read more Frozen star says Snow White sends bad message Tom Holland reveals new Spider-Man suit Fast & Furious producer sues over spin-off Dakar (AFP) - Campaign group Greenpeace urged Senegal Tuesday to boost security for hard-pressed fishermen, saying "thousands" have disappeared at sea in recent years. "At least 226 people have officially disappeared or lost their lives" in the past two years, Greenpeace Senior Oceans Campaign Manager Ibrahima Cisse told a press conference in Dakar. The real number however "goes well beyond that. In fact, thousands are lost at sea," he added. Because many informal fishermen do not register with the authorities, official statistics are incomplete, he explained. Competing with industrial fishing boats, with which their small craft sometimes collide, many fishermen search for fish far from the Senegalese coast, often in waters belonging to neighbouring Mauritania. Bad weather and mechanical breakdowns are other major reasons why fishermen disappear, according to some who participated in the press briefing. Abdourahmane Faye, who represented fishermen from Rufisque, near Dakar, urged the government to install equipment to locate boats, often just large canoes, that were in trouble. Cisse said fishermen should be provided with life vests, be registered, and be covered by a national surveillance and rescue network. Former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson addresses his supporters as he arrives at the Old Bailey (Picture: PA) The contempt of court case against former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson has been referred to the Attorney General. Judge Nicholas Hilliard made the decision at the Old Bailey on Tuesday morning. Before the hearing, Robinson real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon claimed he had already won as he addressed a crowd of supporters outside the court. The court heard that in the current setting, lawyers would not be able to perform an appropriate cross-examination of the evidence. I think it necessary to look at quite a lot of the detail of what Mr Yaxley-Lennon said in the broadcast as to come to the overall picture as to what happened, the judge said. Im satisfied in the light of the issues as they now appear as they emerged from the statement of yesterday, that cross-examination of Mr Yaxley-Lennon is necessary for a proper and thorough examination and resolution of the case that is in the public interest. Robinson was released on bail. Fans had chanted Oh Tommy Tommy and blasted klaxons outside the Old Bailey as he walked into court. The 35-year-old was freed from prison in August after three leading judges quashed a contempt of court finding made at Leeds Crown Court. Crowds wait for the arrival of Tommy Robinson at the Old Bailey (Picture: PA) He risked being sent back to jail if again found in contempt for filming people in a criminal trial in Leeds and broadcasting the footage on social media. Robinson walked through the chanting crowd to make an address rather than take the easy route from behind the stage. We want Tommy out, they shouted, as supporters filmed him on their phones. They patted the suited EDL founder on the back and expressed their gratitude. Robinson told crowds he had scored a victory regardless of whether he is sent back to jail. No matter what happens today, Ive already won, he said. READ MORE FROM YAHOO NEWS UK: Couple in car that towed caravan the wrong way down a busy motorway are named Student died after taking part in bar crawl initiation involving 100 triple vodkas and pigs head Man admits murdering midwife Samantha Eastwood after affair Proposed EU ban on daylight saving time could cause clock chaos in no-deal Brexit, warn peers Theresa May insists Brexit is 95% done as rebel MPs plot revolt Story continues Their attempts to silence and stop people having the knowledge of the Muslim rape gangs that are terrorising our nation. The entire world is now watching. He blamed the government, police and social services for sacrificing a generation of our daughters at the hands of the multiculturalism altar. The media is the enemy of the people, he yelled, eliciting the crowd to respond: Shame on you. Metropolitan Police and their colleagues from the City of London manned barricades outside court for the rally, which was attended by up to 1,000 of Robinsons supporters. Large crowds gathered outside the Old Bailey in London before the hearing (Picture: PA) Police keep an eye on crowds of supporters of Tommy Robinson (Picture: PA) England and Union flags, as well those for Ukip, were flying as dozens of protesters gathered. Under the watchful gaze of officers, the largely male crowd chanted oh Tommy Robinson, while some drank an early can of Stella Artois before the hearing. A supporter in a Union flag suit said: I have come here to support Tommy because theres so many injustices going on in the world today. Ive learned so many things in the last two years, such as the killings of anyone thats not of the Islamic faith. Robinson spoke to the crowds ahead of his court hearing (Picture: PA) Anti-racism protestors outside the Old Bailey (Picture: PA) A small group of anti-fascism campaigners faced Robinson fans before the hearing. Last month, Robinson was ushered into court amid similar scenes outside. Following the brief hearing on September 27, a video appearing to show Robinson at a window within the court building was posted on the Twitter account of Ezra Levant, a reporter for the right-wing Rebel Media organisation. In the footage Robinson says thats such a good feeling before promising to go and greet the crowd of hundreds of supporters cheering and chanting outside. Tommy Robinsons supporters have campaigned for his release (Picture: PA) The video is believed to have been made in the canteen on the Old Baileys second floor. By the afternoon, it had been viewed more than 160,000 times. Section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act 1925 (CJA 1925) makes it an offence to photograph people within court precincts. City of London had confirmed they were looking into whether any offences were committed at September court appearance. TOKYO (AP) Japan is anxiously awaiting confirmation that a man freed from Syria is a freelance journalist kidnapped three years ago. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters Wednesday he was relieved by the news and is anxious to get the man's identify confirmed as soon as possible. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has said the man is most likely Jumpei Yasuda and he is now in Turkey. Yasuda was kidnapped in 2015 by al-Qaida's branch in Syria, known at the time as Nusra Front. A war monitoring group said he was most recently held by a Syrian commander with the Turkistan Islamic Party, which mostly comprises Chinese jihadis in Syria. UNITED NATIONS (AP) North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's summits with the presidents of South Korea and the United States have not changed his country's abysmal human rights record, the U.N. independent investigator on human rights in the isolated Asian nation said Tuesday. Speaking at a news conference, Tomas Ojea Quintana said he is "very concerned" that statements following Kim's meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump made no mention of human rights in North Korea. He pointed to reports of "systematic, widespread abuses" of human rights and a U.N. commission of inquiry's findings in 2014 that possible crimes against humanity have been committed in North Korea. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) South Korea's liberal president on Tuesday formally confirmed his recent reconciliation deals with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, triggering immediate backlash from conservatives who called him "self-righteous" and "subservient" to the North. Some experts say President Moon Jae-in's move is largely symbolic, but others say it shows his determination to carry out the September deals despite growing skepticism about whether his engagement policy will eventually lead to North Korea's nuclear disarmament. Moon "ratified" the deals on Tuesday afternoon, hours after his Cabinet approved them during a regular meeting, his office said in a statement. The back-to-back endorsements came with no prior parliamentary endorsement. Story continues SUVA, Fiji (AP) The Duchess of Sussex was rushed through her visit to an indoor market in Fiji's capital Wednesday due to concerns about the large crowd that came to greet her in the relatively confined space. Meghan chatted with one vendor and briefly greeted others at Suva Market, where throngs of people spilled into surrounding streets. She spent only about half of her allocated 15 minutes there as she was whisked through by security personnel in the enclosed and relatively dark market. Meghan had visited Suva Market to meet some of the female vendors who have been involved in the U.N. ZHUHAI, China (AP) China on Tuesday opened the world's longest sea-crossing bridge linking Hong Kong to the mainland, a feat of engineering carrying immense economic and political significance. Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over a ceremony in the city of Zhuhai to open the 55-kilometer (34-mile)-long bridge linking it to the semi-autonomous regions of Hong Kong and Macau. Digital fireworks exploded on a screen behind him as leaders of the three cities watched. The $20 billion bridge took almost a decade to build while incurring major delays and cost overruns. It includes an undersea tunnel allowing ships to pass through the Pearl River delta, the heart of China's crucial manufacturing sector. HANOI, Vietnam (AP) Vietnam's rubber stamp National Assembly elected Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as the country's president on Tuesday, consolidating his influence as the most powerful man in the Southeast Asian nation. The 74-year-old Trong is the first Vietnamese leader to hold the two positions since founding President Ho Chi Minh in the 1960s. He succeeds President Tran Dai Quang, who died last month after battling a viral illness for more than a year. Raising one hand and placing the other on the constitution, Trong vowed during the swearing-in ceremony to be "absolutely loyal to the nation, people and the constitution." He acknowledged in his acceptance speech that despite impressive achievements in recent years, Vietnam faces many challenges. NEW DELHI (AP) At least two people were killed and another 17 injured in a stampede as people crowded an overpass bridge at a railroad station in eastern India on Tuesday, a state official said. The crush occurred with a large number of people travelling during a Hindu festive season and rushing to catch trains at the station in Kolkata, the West Bengal state capital. Mamta Banerje, the top elected official of West Bengal state, in a tweet confirmed the incident, which happened four days after a train killed 60 people on railroad tracks at a religious festival in the northern Indian city of Amritsar. TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) Excessive speed was the main cause of the derailment of a train in Taiwan that killed 18 people and injured scores of others, a district court said Tuesday. The train entered a curve in eastern Taiwan on Sunday afternoon at 140 kilometers (87 miles) per hour, almost twice the speed limit for that section of track, the Yilan County district court said in a statement. The train's driver has been placed under investigation on suspicion of negligence leading to death. The driver, Yu Cheng-chung, had disabled the automatic train protection system after sensing "abnormal movements" in acceleration, the court statement said. BEIJING (AP) "Both ignorant and malicious" was how the official China Daily newspaper recently described comments by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, offering a stinging insight into the current bitter tone of discourse between the countries. The White House's move to expand Washington's dispute with Beijing beyond trade and technology and into accusations of political meddling has sunk relations between the world's two largest economies to the lowest level since the Cold War. A major speech by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Oct. 4 was the clearest, highest-level sign that U.S. strategy was turning from engagement to confrontation. DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) A prominent lawyer and newspaper publisher who is tied to Bangladesh's political opposition was denied bail Tuesday after his arrest on defamation charges, heightening concerns about a crackdown on dissent ahead of national elections. Police arrested Mainul Hosein late Monday in a raid on an opposition leader's home in the capital, said Mahbub Alam, a joint commissioner of the Detective Branch of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Hosein is the publisher of the English-language New Nation daily and heads its editorial board. Magistrate Kaisarul Islam gave no explanation for denying Hosein bail at a brief hearing Tuesday. A court in northern Bangladesh issued a warrant for Hosein's arrest Monday, with Alam saying the case was linked to an Oct. Organisers of the Peoples Vote march said 700,000 people demonstrated in favour of a second referendum (Reuters) Conservative infighting over Brexit has reached new levels, with the partys MEPs now battling it out in emails sent to hundreds of European politicians and their staff. Pro-EU Charles Tannock and pro-Brexit Rupert Matthews were involved in a row over Brexit over an e-mail thread that could be seen by all 751 MEPs and their assistants. Matthews cast doubt on the number of people who took part in an anti-Brexit March on Saturday before Tannock hit back to say that Brexit was a destructive act. The row was sparked when Labour MEP Seb Dance sent an e-mail to all MEPs about the protest in favour of a peoples vote held in London at the weekend, which organisers said involved 700,000. MORE: EU wont accept Mays plan to break Brexit deadlock, says Verhofstadt I have no idea what will happen next, Dance wrote on Monday. I hope we can stop Brexit, but I recognise that that is not yet the likeliest outcome. But whatever does happen next, please remember that there are many, many millions of British people who whether were in or out of the EU will never give up on Europe, or what it represents. Matthews replied questioning the level of support for the event and wrote: I would ask you to disregard Mr Dances email. More people voted to leave the European Union than have ever voted for anything in British history Pro-EU Conservative MEP Charles Tannock (European Parliament) Mr Dance may hope we can stop Brexit. To do so would be an affront to democracy, an insult to the British people and confirmation that the European Union is an undemocratic organisation. That sparked a reply from Tannock, who pointed out he attended Saturdays demonstration with other Conservative politicians who dont support Brexit. Rupert Matthews MEP does not speak for all Conservative MEPs, he wrote in the exchange seen by Yahoo UK. I personally strongly believe Brexit is a regrettable selfish, and destructive act. MORE: With banners and dogs anti-Brexit demonstrators take to London streets Tannock said voters were deceived in the 2016 referendum and that many would now like a vote on the final deal which included the option to remain. He warned though thats his pro-Brexit party colleagues would fight tooth and nail to prevent a second vote. Story continues I am very sad the majority within the Conservative party I joined 34 years ago and which was once an internationalist pro-European party has become as illustrated by the views of Mr Matthews so hostile to the European project, he concluded. Two UK MEPs were recently kicked-out of the Conservative party after rebelling over Brexit. Green MEP Philippe Lamberts accused Brexiteer Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was pushing the UK towards a no-deal (European parliament) Labours position on Brexit also came under fire on Tuesday. Green MEP Philippe Lamberts, a member of the European parliaments Brexit steering group, accused Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn of being a Brexiteer whose tactics risked pushing the UK towards a no-deal. Speaking to journalists in Strasbourg, he said: I see a poisonous combination of forces [at Westminster]. That is the hard Brexiteers on the Tory side which are intent on killing any Withdrawal Agreement its a small number but of course she needs that number and on the other hand you have the opposition which still seems to harbour the thought that if they can deprive may of a majority on the Withdrawal Agreement that will result into elections I think this is a dangerous combination. Lamberts said he believed the best chance of keeping the UK in the EU was to get the Withdrawal Agreement through the UK parliament and then see if there was a change of government during a transition period. If another referendum takes place during the transition for whatever reason then it creates a new political situation and maybe the EU 27 will be willing to consider the UK coming back, he said. Corbyn met EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier last month to discuss Labours six tests for a sensible Brexit deal, which includes a customs union. MORE: Corbyn meets Barnier in push for sensible Brexit deal Donald Trump has vowed to cut financial aid to a number of Central American countries while also declaring a national emergency in light of the caravan of migrants making its way to the US border. Sadly, it looks like Mexicos Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border, he wrote after Mexican riot police failed to contain thousands of people from crossing into the country. The caravan, mostly Hondurans, crowded into the Mexican border city of Tapachula over the weekend after trekking on foot from the Guatemalan border. Organisers claim there are now more than 7,000 people in it, which will take about a week to reach the US border. President Trump has repeatedly called for immigration law reform in light of the influx of undocumented immigrants fleeing rampant gang violence and poverty in Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. He has made the issue and his hardline stance central to the upcoming midterm elections in Congress. I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Emergy [sic]. Must change laws! Mr Trump said. Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were not able to do the job of stopping people from leaving their country and coming illegally to the US. We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in, the president wrote. He has repeatedly called the thousands on the Mexico border criminals. He has been speaking about the issue of immigration at dozens of political rallies across the country ahead of the 6 November midterm elections. He is due to hold another Make America Great Again rally in Texas on Monday night. Every time you see a Caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, into our Country illegally, think of and blame the Democrats for not giving us the votes to change our pathetic Immigration Laws!, Mr Trump said, as a reminder his supporter base. Story continues The sentiments are echoed in his now infamous campaign rally line: Democrats create mobs, we create jobs. The president also restated his threat to cut off foreign aid to Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, much of which is aimed at violence prevention and poverty reduction. According to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2016, the US gave Honduras nearly $128m, Guatemala $297m, and El Salvador $75m in aid across all federal agencies mostly aimed towards counter-narcotics activities, military training, agricultural subsidies, and violence prevention. By next year, those sums were projected to fall to $69.4m for Guatemala, $65.8m for Honduras, and $45.7m in the case of El Salvador. Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said that while National Guard troops are currently supporting the Department of Homeland Security on the border, the Pentagon had not been asked to provide additional support. There are currently 2,100 National Guard troops along the border in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, according to the Pentagon. Mexican officials also issued their own warning to the caravan, stating only those who met the countrys standards for refugee status would be allowed to enter at its southern border but to no avail. Several people rushed a bridge gate at the border between Guatemala and Mexico or crossed the Suchiate River to enter. As crowds persisted, Mexican police did allow women and children to enter and seek refuge. A similar caravan of approximately 1,500 people made its approach in April, just weeks before the Trump administration began its family separation policy and putting National Guard troops along the 2,000-mile US-Mexico border. The separation policy stemmed from a zero-tolerance approach to illegal immigration where all adults face prosecution, even if it means removing them from infants travelling with them. Several of those who had crossed without documentation were seeking asylum, which requires physical entry into the US before an application for the protected status can be considered per American immigration laws. The Trump administration continues carrying out its bid to build a large border wall, the funding for which is still up for debate in Congress. A Sri Lankan national had been arrested yesterday at the BIA with Rs.6.4 mn worth foreign currency notes including Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) concealed inside a Portable Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Deputy Director and Acting Spokesman Vipula Minuwanpitiya said. Speaking to the Daily Mirror he said the HDD was among his other goods, while he was attempting to smuggle out to Singapore. The suspect who was a resident of Nugegoda holds a platinum privilege card from the airline he used to travel frequently to Singapore. He was identified himself as a partner of a small business. During the investigations 35,015-US Dollars (USD), 319 Singapore Dollars (SD), 1,100 Euros and 25,000 Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) were found inside the portable HDD which was amounting to Rs.6,413,273, Mr. Minuwanpitiya said. The foreign currency was detected after the goods went through the scanner and finally the Customs Officers decided to open the HDD and look into it, he said. Mr Minuwanpitiya said according to the amendments made to the Customs Act, foreign currencies, including the local currency, would be confiscated and no fines were imposed on the suspect. Further investigations were carried out under the directive of Customs Additional Director General Stanley Senarathne, Customs Director M.A Karunarathne, Deputy Directors V Minuvanpitiya, S.P. Kiriwaththuduwa and Customs Superintendents D.W.K Wijethunga and M.I.M Ismail. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama) A US withdrawal from the Cold War-era nuclear arms treaty with Russia could greatly escalate tensions with China, experts have warned. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he planned to pull out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, known as INF, claiming that Russia had violated the agreement. While the treaty remains in place, China is free to develop and deploy increasingly sophisticated land-based missiles, including those designed to target US aircraft carriers patrolling the Western Pacific. A former Pentagon official, Dan Blumenthal, said pulling out of the treaty would allow the US to field easier-to-hide, road-mobile conventional missiles in places like Guam and Japan. This would make it more difficult for China to strike against US ships and bases in the region as it would need to spend more on missile defences, forcing the country into a costly arms race. It will change the picture fundamentally, Mr Blumenthal said. While Mr Trump has blamed Russian violations of the treaty for his decision, he also claims Beijing has been fielding new and more deadly missile forces. These include Chinas DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), which has a maximum range of 4,000 km (2,500 miles). According to the Pentagon, this can threaten US land and sea-based forces as far away as the Pacific island of Guam. It was first fielded in 2016. If Russia is doing it [developing these missiles] and China is doing it and were adhering to the agreement, thats unacceptable, Mr Trump said on Sunday. John Bolton, White House national security advisor, noted that recent Chinese statements suggest it wanted Washington to stay in the treaty. And thats perfectly understandable. If I were Chinese, I would say the same thing, he told the Echo Moskvy radio station. Why not have the Americans bound, and the Chinese not bound? Kelly Magsamen, who helped draw up the Pentagons Asian policy under the Obama administration, warned that any new US policy guiding missile deployments in Asia would need to be carefully coordinated with allies, something that does not appear to have happened yet. Story continues Mismanagement surrounding a US treaty pullout could unsettle security in the Asia-Pacific, she warned. Its potentially destabilising, she said. Experts warn that China would put pressure on countries in the region to refuse US requests to position missiles there. Abraham Denmark, a former senior Pentagon official under Obama, said Guam, Japan and even Australia were possible locations for US missile deployments. But there are a lot of alliance questions that appear at first glance to be very tricky, he cautioned. US officials say Washington is right to focus on Chinas missile threat. Harry Harris, who led US military forces in the Pacific before becoming US ambassador to Seoul, said earlier this year that the US was at a disadvantage. We have no ground-based [missile] capability that can threaten China because of, among other things, our rigid adherence ... to the treaty, Mr Harris told a Senate hearing in March, without calling for the treaty to be scrapped. Asked about Mr Trumps comments, Chinas foreign ministry urged the US to think thrice before acting. Talking about China on the issue of unilaterally pulling out of the treaty is completely mistaken, spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. HOUSTON In a move that would have seemed unthinkable two years ago, President Trump offered a full embrace, literally and figuratively, of Ted Cruz in a massive rally here Monday night, imploring a crowd of tens of thousands of supporters to turn out for his former political rival in a closely watched Senate race in Texas. In what is likely to be a highly scrutinized endorsement of the midterm elections, Trump and Cruz shared the stage at the top of an hour-long rally here, sharing a brief man-hug and a few arm squeezes before an estimated crowd of 18,000 in the heart of downtown Houston. It was the most public sign yet that Trump and Cruz, whose bitter battle for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination was one of the ugliest campaigns in recent memory, have put the past behind them for now, anyway. President Trump is greeted by Sen. Ted Cruz as he arrives for a campaign rally at the Houston Toyota Center. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP) We had our little difficulties. It got nasty, Trump admitted, as he took the stage here. But he hailed Cruz as someone who has become a really good friend of mine. Nobody has helped me more, he added, citing Cruzs efforts to pass tax cuts and to secure the recent confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Trumps trip came as Cruz has faced a stronger-than-expected challenge from Rep. Beto ORourke, a rising star Democrat whose unlikely candidacy has drawn massive crowds and national attention. A recent CNN poll found Cruz leading ORourke, a three-term congressman from El Paso, by 7 points, a relatively small margin in a state where no Democrat has won statewide office since 1994. Trump formally endorsed Cruz months ago, but leading Texas Republicans have been appealing to the president to turn out for his former rival for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. The two fought a bitter campaign marked by harsh personal attacks, including Trumps suggestion that Cruzs father, Rafael, had a connection to the assassination of President Kennedy. Sen. Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas. (Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images) While Cruz has remade himself into a close ally of the president, Monday marked the first time the two have shared a campaign stage in more than two years. The event drew extensive media attention. A couple of hundred journalists were credentialed for the rally, and as the moment came for Cruz and Trump to share the stage, they crowded near a press riser, squeezing in to observe the hotly anticipated moment of political rapprochement. Story continues Cruz appeared first, delivering a shorter version of his usual stump speech. But he also added new lines, pledging his political loyalty to Trump vowing to campaign for the president when he seeks reelection in 2020. The vow was a sharp contrast to Cruzs infamous 2016 Republican National Convention speech, in which he refused to formally endorse Trump. Im going to make a prediction to every person here: In 2020, Donald Trump will be overwhelmingly reelected as president of the United States, Cruz declared. I am honored that President Trump is here endorsing and supporting my campaign, and I look forward to campaigning alongside him in 2020. This time, Cruz was there for Trump and Trump, in turn, was there for him. As the president finally sauntered to the stage, slowly walking out to his theme song God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood, the Texas senator patiently waited near the lectern, clapping and smiling. Trump, in return, bashed ORourke trashing him as a radical and a socialist and referring to him by his given name: Robert Francis ORourke. He said ORourke was a stone cold phony who would replace Texas values with Nancy Pelosi values. Photo: Evan Vucci/AP But for all the attention given to Trumps appearance for Cruz, the presidents appearance here was a standard-issue Make America Great Again rally. The crowd was a sea of red-and-white MAGA hats. They waved the pre-printed signs that are handed out at most Trump rallies, not Cruz signs. There was the familiar chant from the crowd of Lock her up! at the mention of Hillary Clinton. Trump pointedly reminded the media that he didnt start the chant, although he didnt disavow it either. The president proudly laid claim to a description that some of his critics have used against him: nationalist. You know, they have a word, it sort of became old-fashioned. Its called a nationalist. You know what I am? Im a nationalist. OK? Im a nationalist. Before Cruz and Trump took the stage, Brad Parscale, Trumps campaign manager, appeared on stage with campaign spokeswoman Katrina Pierson to urge the crowd to sign up for text messages to help Trump win reelection. But Sen. John Cornyn, Cruzs colleague, made the link between Cruzs fate and Trumps fortunes in 2020 explicit suggesting that if Cruz falls, the president and other Republicans up for reelection in two years are at risk too. Texas is the firewall in this midterm election, he said. _____ Read more Yahoo News midterms coverage: By Makini Brice and Delphine Schrank WASHINGTON/TAPACHULA, Mexico (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Monday vowed to begin curtailing millions of dollars in American aid to three Central American nations and called a caravan of migrants bound for the United States a national emergency, as he sought to boost his party's chances in Nov. 6 congressional elections. "Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were not able to do the job of stopping people from leaving their country and coming illegally to the U.S. We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them," Trump wrote in a series of Twitter posts. The caravan, an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 Central Americans fleeing violence and poverty in their homelands, is in southern Mexico, inching toward the distant U.S. border. Trump and his fellow Republicans have sought to make the caravan and immigration campaign issues ahead of the midterm elections, in which his party is fighting to maintain control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. "Remember the Midterms!" Trump tweeted. Trump's remarks also seemed aimed at piling pressure on Mexico to stop the caravan, something that he complained the Mexican police and military had failed to do. Mexico, which has refused Trump's demands that it pay for a border wall between the countries, tries to walk a fine line between showing solidarity with the Central American migrants and responding to Washington's demands to control its borders. The caravan was moving north again on Monday as migrants left the southern Mexican city of Tapachula near the Guatemalan border, bound for the town of Huixtla, also in Chiapas state. Some shielded themselves from the midday sun with umbrellas, others with bits of cardboard on which they had slept the previous night. As they left the city and crossed a highway, Mexican drivers honked their horns in support. U.S. administrations have long seen aid programs as an essential part of efforts to stabilize the countries of Central America and stem the flow of migrants leaving. But since Trump became president last year, the United States has already moved to sharply decrease aid to the region. In 2016, the United States provided some $131 million in aid to Guatemala, $98 million to Honduras, and $68 million to El Salvador, according to U.S. data. By next year, those sums were projected to fall to $69 million for Guatemala, $66 million for Honduras and $46 million for El Salvador - a reduction of almost 40 percent for the three nations. Later on Monday, Trump headed to Texas, a key border state, to campaign for Republican U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who is seeking re-election. Speaking to reporters, Trump stepped up his criticism, saying that despite getting a "tremendous amount of money" in U.S. foreign aid, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador "like a lot of others, do nothing for our country." Trump also said, without providing evidence, that "Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners" are mixed in with the caravan, a claim immigration advocates disputed. 'POWER OF THE PURSE' Democratic Representative Nita Lowey said Trump's threat to cut foreign aid "ignores that Congress, not the president, is entrusted by the Constitution with the power of the purse." Lowey said Congress provides assistance to Central American countries to address the root causes of why people want to leave in the first place. "Cutting funding would make the problem worse, not better," Lowey added in a statement. The migrants - men, women and children - have defied threats by Trump that he will close the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as Mexican government warnings. Argelia Ramirez, a spokeswoman for the caravan, said there were about 10,000 people in the group and that around 6,000 of them would seek to remain in Mexico. U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq estimated the caravan includes more than 7,000 people. "Donald Trump can say what he wants. At the end of the day, he knows he's not the king of the world," Ramirez told Reuters. "We're fighting for a cause, and I think God will end up moving the hearts of all the American people." The caravan is still a long way - more than 1,100 miles (1,800 km) - from the U.S. border. Mexico hopes to disperse the convoy long before it can reach the border using bureaucratic procedures, telling migrants to register with authorities in order to submit applications for asylum in Mexico. That process can last weeks, and migrants are supposed to stay where they register while applications are processed. If they violate those rules, they face deportation. Mexican Interior Minister Alfonso Navarrete told a media briefing on Monday that 1,128 Hondurans had sought refugee status in Mexico. He said 82,166 migrants from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador had been returned to their homelands in 2018. He did not give a clear answer when asked if federal police would accompany the migrants to the U.S. border or stop them. Officers had instructions to keep watch over the caravan and help the national migration agency, Navarrete said. He did not provide further details of how the police would be deployed. Separately, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto told a business summit that those in the caravan who did not follow the rules were unlikely to be able to remain in Mexico or reach the United States. A spokesman for the president's office in El Salvador, Roberto Lorenzana, said the country had slashed migration to the United States by 60 percent over the past few years, a feat its Central American neighbors had not matched. In Guatemala, a border crossing with Mexico and another with Honduras have been closed indefinitely, said Alejandra Mena, a spokeswoman for that country's migration agency. Army Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said that while National Guard troops are currently supporting the Department of Homeland Security on the border, the Pentagon had not been asked to provide additional support. There are currently 2,100 National Guard troops along the border in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, according to the Pentagon. (Reporting by Makini Brice and Delphine Schrank; Additional reporting by Jeff Mason, Susan Heavey, Patricia Zengerle and Idrees Ali in Washington, Michelle Nichols at the United Nations, Sofia Menchu in Guatemala City, Nelson Renteria in El Salvador, Ana Isabel Martinez, Dave Graham and Daina Beth Solomon in Mexico City; Writing by Will Dunham; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Rosalba O'Brien) Nellie Liang Photo Credit: Bloomberg/Andrew Harrer President Donald Trumps most recent nomination to the Federal Reserve could be in trouble. In September, Trump named former Fed official Nellie Liang to take the seventh seat on the Board of Governors. But Republicans have been lukewarm to Liangs track record on regulatory policy, spurring concerns that Trumps pick may not be confirmed. Trump also has two other nominees in the pipeline: economist Marvin Goodfriend and Kansas banking commissioner Michelle Miki Bowman. With the midterm elections coming, the fate of all three nominees is uncertain. Liang Liangs nomination has anti-regulation Republicans scratching their heads. In Liangs 11 years of experience at the Fed, she watched the financial crisis unfold and headed the central banks efforts to monitor financial stability. As the head of the Office of Financial Stability Policy and Research, Liang helped steer the Feds post-crisis reforms that led the creation of new regulatory tools like stress testing and living wills. Shes part of the old-school or Obama Fed in that regards, said Paul Kupiec, a resident scholar at the Washington, D.C.-based think tank American Enterprise Institute. Some Republicans on the Senate Banking Committee feel her efforts to install Obama-era regulations threaten Trumps de-regulatory agenda. Shortly after taking office, Trump promised to do a major haircut on the Dodd-Frank regulatory bill that implemented a number of post-crisis controls on the banking industry. In May 2018, the White House signed a package bill that offered mid-size regional banks and community banks some relief from certain Dodd-Frank regulations. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., told Politico in September that he has concerns about her views on financial regulation. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., expressed serious concerns because of comments that she made at the Brookings Institution, the think tank that she has worked at since February 2017. It is not clear that Ms. Liang will be an advocate for reducing some of the undue burden regulations place on banks all across the U.S., Tillis spokesperson Adam Webb said in a statement. Story continues Liang has yet to face the Senate Banking Committee for her hearing. The committee confirmed to Yahoo Finance that it is out of session and will not hold any hearings until after the midterm elections. Goodfriend and Bowman The Fed Boards fifth and sixth seats are also still in the wings. Bowman, selected to bring a community bank perspective to the board, has also been waiting for developments on her confirmation, although she was already cleared by the Senate Banking Committee in June. The Senate has filed paperwork to advance her confirmation to a full floor vote but it has not been scheduled yet. Goodfriends nomination, meanwhile, could be in jeopardy. The conservative professor from Carnegie Mellon University won a narrow green light from the committee in February but Senate leadership has yet to move on any procedural motions to bring his nomination to a full vote. Once the new Congress forms after the election, the White House will need to renominate any candidates that were not fully confirmed, raising the question of whether the administration will reconsider the Liang and Goodfriend nominations. Ian Katz, an analyst at Capital Alpha Partners LLC, said in an interview that the White House will have to consider the outcome of the midterm elections in its re-nominaton process. If the Republicans keep hold of the Senate, Katz says there is little pressure for them to vote on a nominee theyre not thrilled about. The Fed is already functioning with four members Chair Jerome Powell, Vice Chairs Randal Quarles and Richard Clarida and Governor Lael Brainard. Assuming Bowman joins, the Fed Board will have five members the same amount the Fed had at the end of the Obama administration. Republicans dont actually have to act on her nomination anytime in the near future so I dont see any real incentive for them to do it, Katz said. Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, LinkedIn, and reddit. Brian Cheung is a reporter covering the banking industry and the intersection of finance and policy for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter @bcheungz. Read more: Fed Vice Chair Quarles prefers more gradual rate hikes Prudential Financial to shed its post-crisis too big to fail label Big banks reveal challenges in consumer credit, mortgages - Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved Recep Tayyip Erodgan, Turkeys president, said Tuesday that the death of Jamal Khashoggi was a savage murder planned in advance by Saudi officials, as he rejected Riyadhs claim that the journalist was killed accidentally by rogue operatives. Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, responded by summoning Mr Khashoggis son to the royal palace for a photo opportunity where he and the king expressed their condolences over the journalists death. In his first major speech since Mr Khashoggi disappeared on October 2, Mr Erdogan said Turkish intelligence indicated the killing was a planned operation and called for those who gave the orders to be held accountable for the crime. Despite promising to reveal the naked truth, Mr Erdogan left several major questions unanswered. He did not say if Turkish intelligence indicates that Crown Prince Mohammed ordered the killing, as several US senators have alleged. He also said nothing about an alleged audio tape which Turkish officials say proves that Mr Khashoggi was tortured and that Saudi Arabia is lying about his death. While Mr Erdogan stopped short of making direct accusations, his speech adds to pressure on Riyadh, which has been facing a wave of international scepticism since claiming over the weekend that Crown Prince Mohammed was not involved in the killing. Jeremy Hunt, the foreign secretary said he was deeply concerned to hear President Erdogan describe Jamal Khashoggis murder as pre-meditated. The world is still waiting for answers. Mike Pence, the US vice president, said the killing will not go without an American response. I want to assure the American people were going to get to the bottom of it, he said. Crown Prince Mohammed, 33, tried to project calm and confidence Tuesday by appearing at an afternoon session of his Davos in the Desert" summit, where he was greeted with a standing ovation and was mobbed for selfies by young Saudi men. Story continues Earlier in the day, he and King Salman met with Mr Khashoggis son, Salah, who is under a travel ban and is unable to leave Saudi Arabia. The meeting produced a striking photograph of the younger Mr Khashoggi shaking hands and looking into the eyes of the prince, who faces widespread allegations of ordering his fathers murder. Mr Erdogan later made his own phone call to Mr Khashoggis other son, Abdullah, and vowed to do everything necessary to solve the murder. The competing condolences from the two heads of state show how the Khashoggi family find themselves caught up in the broader political rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Turkey in the Middle East. Jamal Khashoggi's son Salah meets Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Credit: SPA In his speech, Mr Erdogan said he could not accept that the 18 Saudi men arrested so far - 15 members of a hit squad of soldiers and spies as well as three consular staff - were the only ones responsible. Pinning such a case on some intelligence and security members will not satisfy us and the international community. The conscience of humanity will only be satisfied once everybody is called into account, from those who gave the orders, to those who carried them out, he said. Deeply concerned to hear President Erdogan describe Jamal #Khashoggis murder as pre-meditated. The world is still waiting for answers https://t.co/lymp7uu6BS Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) October 23, 2018 He called for the 18 men to be tried in Turkey, a challenge to the Saudi government which has said they will face justice in Saudi courts. Mr Erdogan said I do not doubt the sincerity of King Salman but pointedly did not say the same about Crown Prince Mohammed. He said that one day before the murder, a group of Saudi carried out exploratory searches in a forest near Istanbul and in Yalova, a nearby city, in an apparent effort to find somewhere to hide corpse. The kingdom has said that Mr Khashoggis body was rolled into a rug and given to a local collaborator and that the arrested men did not know where it was hidden. Who is this local collaborator? Mr Erdogan said. You are obliged to reveal this local collaborator. He also demanded to know why Saudi officials had refused to allow Turkish police to search the consulate for more than a week after Mr Khashoggis death. Without these questions being answered, nobody should think the issue will be closed. Intelligence and security institutions have evidence showing the murder was certainly planned, he said. Saudi Arabia offered no official reaction to Mr Erdogans comments but released a statement after a cabinet meeting chaired by King Salman, in which ministers promised to hold anyone involved in the death accountable. Turkey keeps leaking Meanwhile, Turkish sources have kept up a steady stream of leaks from their investigation into how the journalist died casting further doubt on the Saudi version of events - that Khashoggi died after an argument spiralled into a brawl. Donald Trump said he was "not satisfied" with Riyadh's explanation of the death and world leaders are demanding answers. On Monday, CNN broadcast images showing a Saudi official playing a body double for Khashoggi, wearing the journalist's clothes, exiting the consulate. Omer Celik, spokesman of Mr Erdogan's ruling party, said the killing "was planned in an extremely savage manner," and that "there has been a lot of effort to whitewash this". An Erdogan adviser, Yasin Aktay, wrote in the Yeni Safak daily that Riyadh's version of events "feels like our intelligence is being mocked". The security official heading a team of 15 Saudis allegedly sent to Istanbul, called the head of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's office, Bader al-Asaker, "four times after the murder", the adviser added. Abdulkadir Selvi, whose Hurriyet newspaper columns are closely watched for indications of Mr Erdogan's thinking, wrote that Khashoggi was slowly strangled to death before a Saudi forensic specialist cut his body into 15 pieces while listening to music. "We cannot close this file until the crown prince is brought to account and removed from his post," said Selvi. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, a smooth former envoy to Washington, appeared on Fox News on Sunday to blame a "rogue operation" by individuals who "exceeded their responsibilities" and then "tried to cover up for it". On Tuesday he said the killing of a critic like Khashoggi is something that must "never happen again". Saudi Arabia's leadership will "see to it that the investigation is thorough and complete and that the truth is revealed and those responsible will be held to account", he told reporters. "And that mechanism and procedures are put in place to ensure that something like this can never happen again." What we know The saga surrounding the fate of Saudi Arabias best-known journalist has played out in claims and counterclaims published in the worlds media, as both Turkey and Riyadh struggle to control the narrative. Since news of Mr Khashoggis disappearance broke, journalists have had to rely on carefully controlled releases of information from Turkey - a country which has in recent years muzzled its relatively free press - and Saudi Arabia, which never enjoyed one to begin with. The singular fact that both countries can agree on is that Mr Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul at 1.14pm on October 2, leaving his Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz waiting outside. Turkey gave Saudi Arabia a day to come up with an explanation, but Riyadh was not forthcoming. The kingdom offered the explanation that the journalist met with officials at the consulate and left shortly after, saying they noted nothing out of the ordinary. Ms Cengiz, who stood by the exit for more than four hours before raising the alarm, said that was impossible. Saudis response appeared not to be satisfactory for Turkey either, which was under mounting pressure to investigate an alleged state-ordered assassination on its soil. A series of leaks followed, including CCTV footage of Khashoggi entering the consulate, but not leaving. Turkish officials alluded to a tape they had which they said revealed that the journalist was tortured and then killed. His body was chopped into pieces and taken out of the embassy. It implicated members of MBS's inner circle. The kingdom was forced to respond, saying their own investigation found there was a "fistfight" between Khashoggi and some of the Saudi officials who entered the embassy. They were not there at the order of the crown prince and were to be fired and investigated. Turkish officials have continued to leak damaging information in the hope of forcing Saudi to come clean. The latest of which was CCTV footage which appeared to show one of the 15-an hit squad dressed up as Khashoggi's body double leaving through the back door of the consulate. International reaction and diplomatic fallout There is a lot at risk here, with the incident threatening Turkey-Saudi relations, US-Turkey relations and perhaps most importantly Saudi-US relations. Under Erdogan, Ankara has jockeyed for influence in the region over Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia. The two have an alliance of convenience in conflicts in Syria and Yemen but the partnership has always been uneasy. Until his speech on Tuesday President Erdogan had been careful to distance himself from the reports, instead preferring to leak damning details to the press through confidantes. The US, a close and strategic ally of the bin Salman family, initially stayed silent as they weighed their response. Mr Trump appeared to open the door for Saudi rulers to distance themselves from the scandal by appearing to place the blame on rogue assassinations. Neither country is looking for a high-level diplomatic confrontation and both have strong incentives to agree a version of events that absolves Crown Prince Mohammed. A US-Saudi rift would likely send shockwaves around the world, destabilising oil markets and the global investment climate, not to mention dealing a blow to the Trump administration's own plans in the Middle East. Last week the president despatched Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State, to Riyadh to smooth things over. But Mr Trumps softly-softly approach has not been well-received at home. Mr Erdogan's address was carefully judged. He appeared transparent in front of the world, but stopped short of laying any blame on Saudi Arabia's heir apparent. By doing so he now has leverage over Saudi, simultaneously buying time for the Trump administration, which does not want to see its ally implicated in the murder. DPA, 22nd OCTOBER, 2018- The US withdrawing from the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty would require Russia to undertake measures to ensure its security, the Kremlin warned on Monday. If the US develops intermediate-range nuclear weapons, then Russia would have to follow suit, to restore the balance, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in comments carried by media. US President Donald Trump announced over the weekend that the US was pulling out of the deal on an accusation that Russia had violated it. The US has said Russia breached the treaty by developing the Novator 9M729 cruise missile, estimated to have a range of 2,600 kilometres. The treaty, signed between the United States and the then-Soviet Union in 1987, had sought to restrict nuclear-armed missiles with a range up to 5,500 kilometres. Peskov rejected accusations that Russia could have violated the deal, saying: Russia has been and remains committed to the provisions of this agreement, according to comments carried by state news agency TASS. Russia has alleged that the Western military alliance NATO could have violated the deal with a missile shied in Romania that Russia says has the capability of launching a nuclear missile at any time. ANKARA, Turkey Saudi officials murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi in their Istanbul consulate after plotting his death for days, Turkeys president said Tuesday, contradicting Saudi Arabias explanation that the writer was accidentally killed. He demanded that the kingdom reveal the identities of all involved, regardless of rank. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also said he wants Saudi Arabia to allow 18 suspects that it detained for the Saudis killing to be tried in Turkish courts, setting up further complications with the Saudi government, which has said it is conducting its own investigation and will punish those involved. Saudi Arabia has described the suspects as rogue operators, even though officials linked to Saudi Arabias assertive Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have been implicated in the killing. To blame such an incident on a handful of security and intelligence members would not satisfy us or the international community, Erdogan said in a speech to ruling party lawmakers in parliament. Saudi Arabia has taken an important step by admitting the murder. As of now we expect of them to openly bring to light those responsible from the highest ranked to the lowest and to bring them to justice, said the Turkish president, who used the word murder 15 times in his speech. Erdogans speech was previously pitched as revealing the naked truth about Khashoggis slaying. Instead, it served merely to put a named source to information already circulated by anonymous officials and the Turkish press in the days since the columnist for The Washington Post walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Erdogan didnt mention Prince Mohammed by name in his speech. However, he kept pressure on the kingdom with his demands for Turkish prosecution of the suspects as well as punishment for the plots masterminds. All evidence gathered shows that Jamal Khashoggi was the victim of a savage murder. To cover up such a savagery would hurt the human conscience, he said. Story continues Erdogan mentioned information that was earlier leaked by Turkish sources, including reports of 15 Saudi officials arriving in private jets shortly before Khashoggis death as well as a man, apparently dressed in the writers clothes, acting as a possible decoy by walking out of the consulate on the day of the disappearance. Why did these 15 people all with links to the event gather in Istanbul on the day of the murder? We are seeking answers. Who did these people get their orders from to go there? We are seeking answers, Erdogan said. When the murder is so clear, why were so many inconsistent statements made? Why is the body of a person who has officially been accepted as killed still not around? International skepticism intensified after Saudi Arabia said on Saturday that Khashoggi died in a brawl. The case has shocked the world and raised suspicions that a Saudi hit squad planned Khashoggis killing after he walked into the consulate on Oct. 2, and then attempted to cover it up. Before Erdogans announcement, top Turkish officials said Turkey would clarify exactly what happened to Khashoggi as pressure increased on Saudi Arabia, which is hosting a glitzy investment conference this week that many dignitaries have decided to skip because of the scandal. As we all know these are difficult days for us in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih told attendees seated in an ornate hall during the opening of the conference in Riyadh. Nobody in the kingdom can justify it or explain it. From the leadership on down, were very upset of what has happened, Al-Falih said Saudi Arabia said it arrested suspects and that several top intelligence officials were fired over Khashoggis killing, but critics alleged that the punishment was designed to absolve Prince Mohammed, the heir-apparent of the worlds top oil exporter, of any responsibility. Any major decision must be signed off by the highest powers within its ruling Al Saud family. On Monday, leaked surveillance video showed a man strolling out of the diplomatic post hours after Khashoggi disappeared into the consulate, apparently wearing the columnists clothes as part of a macabre deception to sow confusion over his fate. The new video broadcast by CNN, as well as a pro-government Turkish newspapers report that a member of Prince Mohammeds entourage made four calls to the royals office from the consulate around the same time, put more pressure on the kingdom. Meanwhile, Turkish crime-scene investigators swarmed a garage Monday night in Istanbul where a Saudi consular vehicle had been parked. Saudi Arabias foreign minister, meanwhile, said Tuesday the investigation into the killing of Khashoggi would produce the truth about what happened and that his country was committed to ensuring that the investigation is thorough and complete and that the truth is revealed and that those responsible will be held to account. Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, in Indonesia, also pledged that mechanisms will be put in place so that something like this can never happen again. Washington (AFP) - The United States said Tuesday it was revoking visas of Saudis involved in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as President Donald Trump ridiculed the kingdom's response as "one of the worst cover-ups" in history. The move came as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Khashoggi's killing inside the Saudis' Istanbul consulate had been meticulously planned, in a speech that overshadowed a long-planned investment forum in Riyadh. Saudi leaders have denied involvement in the killing, pushing responsibility down the chain of command. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman "strongly said that he had nothing to do with this, this was at a lower level," US President Donald Trump said, adding he had spoken Monday to the prince and his father King Salman. Trump said the Saudis had a "very bad original concept" in killing the 59-year-old Saudi insider-turned-critic. "It was carried out poorly and the cover-up was one of the worst in the history of cover-ups," Trump said. "It was a total fiasco," he later added. "I'm saying they should have never thought about it. Once they thought about it, everything else they did was bad too ... It should have never happened." Faced with mounting calls for tough measures by US lawmakers across the political spectrum, the State Department said it had identified 21 Saudis whose visas would either be revoked or who would be ineligible for future visas. "These penalties will not be the last word on this matter from the United States," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters. "We are making very clear that the United States does not tolerate this kind of action to silence Mr. Khashoggi, a journalist, through violence," he said. The top US diplomat said the Saudi suspects came from "the intelligence services, the royal court, the foreign ministry and other Saudi ministries." Story continues Pompeo added the United States was also looking into whether to take action under a law named after Sergei Magnitsky, the anti-corruption accountant who died in Russian custody, that would impose financial sanctions on individuals behind Khashoggi's death. The initial US action against the Saudis came three weeks after Khashoggi, self-exiled to suburban Washington, vanished in the consulate and following contradictory statements by Trump, who has ruled out major steps such as cutting arms sales to the major defense partner. - 'Brutal murder' - Vice President Mike Pence, in an appearance at The Washington Post, where Khashoggi was a contributing opinion writer, denounced the "brutal murder." He added Erdogan's account -- the most substantive remarks on the case by the Turkish leader -- "flies in the face" of the Saudis' earlier assertions. Saudi Arabia -- whose ambitious crown prince has been amassing power -- initially claimed Khashoggi left freely after visiting the consulate, where he was completing paperwork for his upcoming marriage. But as pressure grew, Saudi state media changed the story and said Khashoggi died when an argument descended into a fistfight, an account that was swiftly denounced overseas even if Trump initially said he found it credible. Erdogan said that a 15-person team came from Riyadh to kill Khashoggi, carrying out reconnaissance outside Istanbul and deactivating security cameras at the consulate. He said 18 suspects detained by Saudi Arabia should be extradited to Istanbul to face trial and called for an investigation into those with "even the slightest link" to the case. The Turkish leader did not mention some of the most striking claims that appeared in the Turkish press in recent days, notably that Khashoggi's body was cut up into multiple pieces, and that there is an audio recording of the murder. However, he did confirm a Saudi official played the role of body double for Khashoggi, wearing the journalist's clothes upon leaving the consulate to pretend to be the dead man. The whereabouts of Khashoggi's corpse remain unknown. Turkish police were searching an abandoned car belonging to the Saudi consulate in an underground car park in the Sultangazi district of Istanbul. - 'Many questions unanswered' - Jana Jabbour, a professor at Sciences Po university in Paris, said the fact Erdogan did not opt for sharper rhetoric against Riyadh suggested the two nations were talking behind the scenes. "Erdogan's very moderate speech shows that a deal has been reached," she told AFP. But allies remained alarmed. The Group of Seven industrial nations said in a joint statement that the killing left "many questions unanswered." Denmark also summoned the Saudi ambassador over the case. The murder has shone the spotlight on the Mohammed bin Salman, who was credited with a reform drive in the kingdom, but is now accused of ordering Khashoggi's killing. A key investment summit, dubbed "Davos in the desert," was overshadowed by big-name cancellations as it kicked off in Riyadh. Dozens of executives, including from banks Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan and ride-hailing app Uber pulled out of the three-day Future Investment Initiative. Saudi organizers sought to portray it was business as usual, announcing 12 "mega deals" worth more than $50 billion in oil, gas, infrastructure and other sectors. But Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih acknowledged "we are going through a crisis." burs-wat/mdl/ska Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday offered more details of how Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed earlier this month, saying his death was likely a planned operation. The information obtained so far and the evidence found shows that Khashoggi was murdered in a ferocious manner, Erdogan told lawmakers in Ankara, Turkey, as reported by CNN. Khashoggi made an initial visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Sept. 28, Erdogan said. The team that planned his murder was subsequently notified and several members of the consulate staff were rushed back to Saudi Arabia, indicating that the planning likely took place there. One day before Khashoggis disappearance, Erdogan continued, Saudi officials performed reconnaissance work in Istanbul and in a forest outside of the city. A team totaling 15 Saudis, who flew into Istanbul on Oct. 1 and 2, met on the morning of Oct. 2 before Khashoggis arrival. The team removed the hard drive from the consulates security camera system, according to Erdogan. They all left Turkey within hours of arriving. Erdogan also confirmed that a body double dressed like Khashoggi was used following the murder. The Saudi government had said it had arrested a total of 18 people in connection with the incident. Erdogan confirmed that this group matches the list compiled by Turkish intelligence and pressed for suspects to be tried in Turkish courts. Many questions remain unanswered, Erdogan added, namely who the team is that orchestrated the killing and where Khashoggis body is located. Yet he failed to address the supposed audio and video evidence in the Turkish governments possession that shows the journalist was beheaded, dismembered and killed. The announcement comes amid international outrage over Khashoggis disappearance and subsequently confirmed death. Khashoggi was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 to obtain papers needed for his upcoming wedding. His fiancee, who was waiting outside, alerted friends and authorities when he never emerged. Story continues The journalists disappearance quickly pitted Turkish and Saudi authorities against one another with drastically different accounts of what happened. The Saudi government initially said Khashoggi left the consulate on foot shortly after securing the marriage document. The Turkish government immediately launched an investigation, and within days, authorities told U.S. intelligence and news outlets that evidence suggested Khashoggi had been killed and dismembered upon entering the consulate. In a statement early Saturday more than two weeks after the journalists disappearance Saudi Arabia finally admitted Khashoggi was killed at the consulate. The kingdoms official account, based on what it claimed to be an initial investigation, was that Khashoggi was killed when a discussion turned into a physical fight. A Saudi prosecutor announced the arrests of 18 people linked to the journalists death. The kingdoms statement came at the end of a week of reports suggesting the Saudi government was preparing to admit to a version of events that avoided directly implicating its powerful crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS. It also followed a report from The Washington Post on Oct. 10 that MBS had personally ordered an effort to lure Khashoggi, who had been living in Washington, D.C., back to Saudi Arabia. The claim that Khashoggi died accidentally contradicts intelligence Turkish officials have leaked to foreign media that he was drugged, beaten, killed and dismembered by Saudi officials who flew to Istanbul from Riyadh that day to carry out the operation. The agents reportedly included several senior Saudi officials and men with close ties to MBS. A pro-government newspaper in Turkey last week reported it had obtained recordings that proved Khashoggi was tortured in the office of Mohammad al-Otaibi, Saudi Arabias consul general in Istanbul. Turkeys government has also told U.S. officials it possesses audio and video footage of the journalists killing, according to multiple news outlets. Erdogan had remained largely silent in the weeks following Khashoggis disappearance, but on Sunday, he promised to reveal what Turkish investigators had learned about the journalists death. It will be revealed in full nakedness, he said in a televised speech. This story has been updated to include additional quotes from Erdogan as reported by CNN. Related Coverage Jamal Khashoggi's Fiancee Put Under 24-Hour Police Protection In Turkey Saudi Operative Seen Wearing Jamal Khashoggi's Clothes After Killing: CNN Jared Kushner Dodges Questions About Saudi Account Of Jamal Khashoggi's Death Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. CARACAS (Reuters) - Two Venezuelans attempting to reach the Caribbean island of Aruba died, authorities said over the weekend, highlighting the increasingly perilous routes migrants take to escape the OPEC member's economic meltdown. Venezuelans routinely travel to the more prosperous Aruba in search of work or staple products that have become unavailable under the socialist government of President Nicolas Maduro. Those who are not allowed to enter Aruba often travel in rickety boats under the cover of darkness. Aruba's government said the pair were undocumented and that three Venezuelans had been detained in relation to the case. "Two people lost their life in the search for a better life," Aruba's Prime Minister Evelyn Wever Croes told reporters late on Saturday, adding that authorities were investigating the case. Venezuela's Information Ministry and Interior Ministry did not respond to a request for information. In a similar incident in January, four Venezuelans attempting to reach the Dutch Antilles island of Curacao died when their boat broke apart. As many as 1.9 million Venezuelans have emigrated since 2015, according to the United Nations. Combined with those who preceded them, a total of 2.6 million are believed to have left. Given delays of months or even years to receive a passport from Venezuela's collapsing bureaucracy, many Venezuelans are now emigrating without passports, pushing them toward illegal and sometimes dangerous border crossings. (Reporting by Sailu Urribarri, Mircely Guanipa and Mayela Armas; Writing by Alexandra Ulmer; editing by Grant McCool) By Doina Chiacu and Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top U.S. lawmakers turned their ire on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday and said they believed he ordered the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, although the Trump administration maintained a more cautious stance. "Do I think he did it? Yes, I think he did it," Republican Senator Bob Corker, the influential chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in an interview with CNN. Corker, who received a classified briefing on the case on Friday, said he was waiting for investigations to be completed and hoped that Turkey would share any audio tapes of the killing of Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. However, he made it clear that he believed the murder was directed by the prince, who has consolidated power in the world's top oil exporter and courted U.S. President Donald Trump. "Let's let this play out, but my guess is that at the end of the day the United States and the rest of the world will believe fully that he did it," Corker told CNN's "State of the Union." The prince has denied involvement with the disappearance of Khashoggi, a critic of the government who wrote columns for the Washington Post and lived in the United States. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir went on U.S. television to insist that the killing was a mistake, and sought to shield the prince from the widening crisis. On Saturday, Trump joined European leaders in pushing Saudi Arabia for more answers after Riyadh changed its story and acknowledged that the journalist died at the consulate. White House officials said on Sunday that Trump has not changed his belief that the crown prince is a strong leader who is passionate about his country. They said he and his advisers want to see the results of both the Turkish and Saudi probes. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who is traveling in the region, said the Saudi explanation was a "good first step but not enough." He said it was premature to discuss sanctions, in line with Trump administration efforts to censure a killing that has drawn international outrage while also protecting relations with the Saudis. However, a number of Trump's fellow Republicans joined their Democratic colleagues in Congress in expressing impatience with the shifting Saudi responses. Corker said the Saudis have "lost all credibility" and fellow Republican Senator Ben Sasse said they "have a lot of explaining to do." Both Republicans and Democrats have turned their attention to the role of the prince, with whom Trump and his son-in-law and White House adviser Jared Kushner have cultivated a close relationship. "I think it stretches credulity to believe the crown prince wasn't involved in this," Senator Rand Paul, a Republican close to Trump, said on "Fox News Sunday." "In Saudi Arabia, you do not do something of this magnitude without having clearance from the top," Senator Thom Tillis, another Republican, said on NBC's "Meet the Press." Three officials told Reuters that Trumps relationship with his son-in-law has not been ruptured by Kushners ties to the crown prince. One source familiar with the situation said their relationship "could not be better." 'CROSSED THE LINE' Senator Dick Durbin, the No.2 Democrat in the Senate, said he believed "the crown prince has his fingerprints all over this," and called on the Trump administration to expel the Saudi ambassador and ask allies to do the same. Corker said that if the prince had ordered the murder, "he's now crossed the line, and there has to be a punishment and a price to pay for that." What that price will be is a thorny issue for Congress, as well as some European allies who also sell arms to the Saudis and have other business interests in the kingdom. The United States could impose sanctions on the prince if he were found culpable in the killing, Corker said, but there should be a collective response with U.S. allies that are looking to Washington for leadership. A number of lawmakers, including Paul, have called for an end to arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Members of Congress have the power to block such sales. But Trump said last week he saw no reason to cut off weapons sales to Saudi Arabia in response to Khashoggi's disappearance. Corker said a nuanced response was needed. "Sanctions are a blunt instrument. They're good but they're not that great," Corker said. "And so we need to think of other ways to deal with this kind of behavior." (Reporting by Doina Chiacu and Steve Holland; Additional reporting by Patrick Rucker in Washington; Editing by Mary Milliken, Rosalba O'Brien and Grant McCool) LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May will address her Conservative Party lawmakers at a private meeting in parliament on Wednesday, her spokesman said, as she seeks to calm growing tensions over her Brexit strategy. May will appear before the party's so-called "1922 Committee" of backbenchers in parliament, where she can expect a rowdy crowd and difficult questions. How she goes down with restive lawmakers, some of whom would like to topple her, will be closely watched. She herself asked the committee's chairman if she could address the meeting, her spokesman said. Earlier, the Sun newspaper's political editor Tom Newton Dunn had posted on Twitter: "Interestingly, May was not summoned to attend tomorrow - but has herself asked to go. This must mean the Chief Whip (party organizer) is confident of pulling off a choreographed show of loyalty." With just over five months until Britain is scheduled to leave the EU, Brexit talks have stalled over a disagreement on the so-called Northern Irish "backstop", an insurance policy to ensure there will be no return to a hard border on the island of Ireland if a future trading relationship is not agreed in time. May again failed to clinch a deal at an EU summit last week and her decision to signal the possibility of extending a post-Brexit transition period, keeping Britain under EU governance with no say in it, to help end the deadlock has angered both hardline supporters of Brexit and pro-EU lawmakers. Britain's Sunday newspapers were full of anonymous attacks on her, the violent nature of which have since been condemned by even her harshest critics. One said May was entering "the killing zone", while another said May should "bring her own noose" to the 1922 committee meeting. A vote of no-confidence in May would be triggered if 48 Conservative lawmakers submit letters to the chairman of the 1922 committee to demand such a vote. The Sunday Times said 46 had now been sent, but Reuters could not verify that number. (Reporting by William James, Kylie MacLellan and Paul Sandle; editing by Stephen Addison) A United Express airplane on its way to Chattanooga, Tenn., on Oct. 16 made a U-turn in midair and returned to its origin, OHare International Airport in Chicago, a representative for Skywest Airlines (United Airlines partner company) confirmed to Yahoo Lifestyle. The aircraft had been en route for about an hour when the about-face was ordered, said Marissa Snow, the Skywest spokeswoman. Initially, the 50-person plane the passengers were supposed to board was unavailable, so they were upgraded to a larger ERJ-175 aircraft. The flight departed at 2:45 p.m. local time, just a few minutes behind schedule, according to USA Today, and was proceeding without any issues when the crew made an announcement from the pilot that the plane would be turning around. A United Airlines plane (Getty Images) A passenger, Vince Fallon, told USA Today that passengers on the airplane began to grumble upon hearing the news. The pilot, nor the flight attendants, did not have any information for us and just kept saying they would figure it out when we land, another passenger, Jill Lohsen, was quoted as saying. But when the airplane did return to OHare, the passengers finally received a text alert that read, Your 2:13 p.m. United flight to Chattanooga is delayed because of unforeseen circumstances. This is an unusual situation and were working hard to solve it. We value your time and were sorry for the inconvenience. The unforeseen circumstances? The jet was too big to land safely in Chattanooga. We didnt have the ground equipment there to handle that aircraft, Snow told Yahoo Lifestyle, also sharing the following statement: On October 16, SkyWest flight 5277 operating as United Express from Chicago to Chattanooga, Tennessee returned to Chicago to change aircraft. The flight landed safely in Chicago, departed for Chattanooga on a different aircraft and landed safely in Chattanooga. We apologized to our passengers for the inconvenience and worked with our partner, United, to provide compensation. Story continues When the flight landed safely in Chicago at 4:27 p.m., passengers were provided with Cheez-Its, pretzels, and water, then assigned a new flight on a 50-seat Bombardier CRJ 200 that was scheduled to leave within the hour. Each passenger was also given a $300 flight voucher for a future trip. Their do-over flight wound up landing in Chattanooga at 8:30 p.m., three hours later than originally scheduled. Though midflight turnarounds are very uncommon for airplanes, they do happen. In addition to the aircraft being too big for the runway, other weird reasons range from birds hitting the windshield to passengers getting sick, according to Travel + Leisure. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. University of Utah student athlete was on phone with mother when she was shot dead originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A University of Utah track and field athlete was on the phone with her mother just before she was shot dead on campus Monday night. Lauren McCluskey, a senior majoring in communication and an "accomplished" student athlete, was found dead in a parked car on campus, authorities said. "She was returning to her university apartment from her night class and talking to me on the phone," McCluskey's mother, Jill McCluskey, said in a statement. "Suddenly, I heard her yell, 'No, no, no!' I thought she might have been in a car accident. That was the last I heard from her." PHOTO: Lauren McCluskey is seen here in this Aug. 30, 2017 file photo in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Steve C. Wilson/University of Utah) PHOTO: Lauren McCluskey is seen here in this Aug. 30, 2017 file photo in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Steve C. Wilson/University of Utah, FILE) Jill McCluskey stayed on the call as her husband dialed 911. After "a few minutes, a young woman picked up the phone and said all of Laurens things were on the ground," Jill McCluskey said. The suspect, 37-year-old Melvin Rowland, who killed himself after the shooting, had dated Lauren McCluskey, 21, for about one month, Jill McCluskey said. PHOTO: Police arrested Melvin Rowland, 37, as a suspect in the shooting death of a University of Utah student on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. (Utah Department of Corrections) (MORE: Suspect captured in killing of University of Utah student: Police) Rowland, a registered sex offender, had lied to Lauren McCluskey about his name, age and criminal history, her mother claimed. Rowland, who wasn't a student at the university, was convicted of attempted forcible sex abuse and enticing a minor over the internet in 2004, court records show. When Lauren McCluskey learned about his criminal history, she ended the relationship on Oct. 9, Jill McCluskey said. She had "complained to University of Utah police that she was being harassed," Jill McCluskey said. "We did have a case where there was a police report filed on the 12th and the 13th," University of Utah Police Chief Dale Brophy told reporters. "It was assigned to a detective. The detective had been in contact with Ms. McCluskey, and they were working on the case with our suspect at that time." Story continues Rowland was seen fleeing the Medical Towers dorm around the time of Monday night's shooting, authorities said. PHOTO: A University of Utah students body was discovered on campus on Monday, Oct. 23, 2018. (KTVX) Rowland led police on a chase and was later found "dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound" at a local church, authorities said. PHOTO: Police investigate a fatal shooing at the University of Utah on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2018. (KTVX) Lauren McCluskey, a native of Washington state, "was an outstanding student with a 3.75 GPA," her mother said. "She loved to sing and had strength and determination. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed." PHOTO: Lauren McCluskey is seen here in this Aug. 21, 2018 file photo in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Steve C. Wilson/University of Utah) Classes have been canceled Tuesday "to allow our campus community to grieve the senseless loss of this bright, young woman," the university said in a statement. "Students, staff and faculty who knew her are feeling a profound loss," Lori McDonald, associate vice president and dean of students, said at a news conference Tuesday. "The trauma of last night's event has clearly impacted our entire campus community." We are absolutely devastated about the loss of one of our own. Lauren McCluskey, we will miss you more than anyone could ever imagine. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family through this difficult time. #utefamily pic.twitter.com/Ts6KSB2kUM Utah T&F/XC (@Utah_trackfield) October 23, 2018 PHOTO: Officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department said a suspect shot himself after he allegedly killed a University of Utah student on Monday, Oct. 23, 2018. (KTVX) "There are no words to express the emotions and grief we are experiencing right now," track and field coach Kyle Kepler said in a statement. "Lauren was a wonderful person, an excellent student and a dedicated member of our track and field team." "She showed a relentless drive to improve every day," he said, "and was always kind and supportive of her teammates." Monday's tragedy was the second deadly shooting at the university since last year. Student Austin Boutain, 24, was arrested in October 2017 after he fatally shot ChenWei Guo, a 23-year-old computer science major. Boutain entered a guilty plea last month to aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder and aggravated kidnapping, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. He agreed to be sentenced to life in prison. It was "almost a year ago that our campus experience a similar tragedy," McDonald said Tuesday, "and it is important to acknowledge that trauma and stress impact us differently." "There is no normal reaction to something like this," she said, crying. "To our students, especially, please know that we have a number of campus resources to support you. Please do not hesitate to ask for help." ABC News' Jennifer Watts and Marilyn Heck contributed to this report. Washington (AFP) - US Vice President Mike Pence vowed Tuesday to press Saudi Arabia for answers over journalist Jamal Khashoggi's "brutal murder" after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the killing inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate was meticulously planned. "The world is watching. The American people want answers and we will demand that those answers are forthcoming," Pence told an event at The Washington Post, where Khashoggi was a contributing opinion writer. Erdogan, in his most extensive public remarks since Khashoggi's disappearance upon entering the consulate on October 2, called on Saudi Arabia to extradite suspects to Turkey to face justice over the writer's death. "The word from President Erdogan this morning that this brutal murder was premeditated, pre-planned days in advance flies in the face of earlier assertions that had been made by the Saudi regime," Pence said. "It underscores the determination of our administration to find out what happened," he said. The strongly worded remarks come after days of mixed messages by President Donald Trump, who has vowed punishment but also ruled out major actions such as stopping arms sales to Saudi Arabia, a longstanding US ally. Pence, whose administration routinely criticizes the media, called Khashoggi's death "an assault on a free and independent press, and our administration is determined to use all means at our disposal to get to the bottom of it." "We're going to demand that those responsible are held accountable and once we have all the facts President Trump will make the decision based upon the values of the American people and our vital national interests," he said. Hindustan Times(Srinagar), Oct 22, 2018 - Seven civilians were killed in Kashmirs Kulgam in an explosion at the site of a gun battle between militants and security forces after the encounter ended with the death of the three Jaish-e-Mohammed members, the police said. Police spokesperson Manoj Kumar said the civilians were killed by stray explosives after they rushed to the encounter site, despite a warning by security forces. Locals earlier arrived at the spot and began shouting slogans and throwing stones at the troops after they heard about the ongoing encounter, the police said. The three militants were killed in a house after the gunfight broke out early on Sunday after security forces began a cordon-and-search operation following reports of the presence of militants in Laroo village. The police said once the firing stopped, local residents went too close to the encounter site before security forces could sanitise the area. Kumar said civilians had been advised to stay away from the spot. They didnt listen and visited the spot immediately after the forces withdrew... Some explosive substance went off resulting in injuries to civilians, the spokesperson said. Washington (AFP) - The US Treasury and allies in the Gulf took aim at Iran's support for the Taliban Tuesday with new sanctions against nine individuals from both countries. The Riyadh-based Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) said the sanctions aimed to "expose and disrupt Taliban actors and their Iranian sponsors that seek to undermine the security of the Afghan Government." The list included two Iranian Revolutionary Guard officials identified as Mohammad Ebrahim Owhadi and Esma'il Razavi. According to a TFTC statement the two involved in providing training, financial and logistical support to the Taliban. It said Owhadi arranged a deal in 2017 with a top Taliban official in Aghanistan's Herat Province in which the Revolutionary Guard would provide military and financial support to the Taliban in return for them attacking government forces in Herat. Razavi provided similar support to other Taliban groups across the Iran-Afghanistan border, the statement said. Also named were the Taliban's deputy shadow governor for Herat, Abdullah Samad Faroqui; Mohammad Daoud Muzzamil. who holds the same position in Helmand province, Naim Barich, who manages Taliban-Iran relations, and three other senior Taliban officials. The blacklist also included Abdul Aziz, accused of paying the Taliban for protection for his narcotics trafficking and gemstones businesses. "Iran's provision of military training, financing, and weapons to the Taliban is yet another example of Tehran's blatant regional meddling and support for terrorism," said US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. "The United States and our partners will not tolerate the Iranian regime exploiting Afghanistan to further their destabilizing behavior," he said in the statement. The sanctions were announced during Terrorist Financing Targeting Center meeting in Riyadh. Some of those mentioned were already on US and UN sanctions lists. The Targeting Center was launched in May 2017 and includes the United States, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump said Monday that his decision to withdraw from a decades-old atomic accord with Russia was also driven by a need to respond to China's nuclear build-up. "Until people come to their senses, we will build it up," Trump told reporters Monday at the White House, referring to the US nuclear arsenal. "It's a threat to whoever you want. And it includes China. And it includes Russia. And it includes anybody else that wants to play that game." Beijing is not a signatory to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). China for its part Monday called on the United States to "think twice" about its decision to ditch a Cold War-era nuclear weapons treaty with Russia. "It needs to be emphasized that it is completely wrong to bring up China when talking about withdrawal from the treaty," said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying. The landmark treaty was signed by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev and led to nearly 2,700 short- and medium-range missiles being eliminated. It put an end to a mini-arms race in the 1980s triggered by the Soviet Union's deployment of SS-20 nuclear missiles targeting Western European capitals. Heres a daily overview of the top business and economic developments the Yahoo Finance UK team is monitoring in the UK, Europe and abroad: European stocks hit lowest level since 2016 Major European exchanges underwent heavy selling in early trading, following the sharp sell-off across Asian markets. Alongside US futures, the UKs FTSE (^FTSE), Germanys DAX (^GDAXI), and Frances CAC (^FCHI) were all down at least 1% after the global equity selloff resumed. Investors sought shelter in safe-haven assets, pushing up prices of the yen, gold and Treasuries. Global financial markets continue to struggle to rally as various geopolitical concerns weigh on investor confidence, Nick Twidale, chief operating officer at Rakuten Securities Australia said in a note to clients. LCG analyst Jasper Lawler said similar in his note: Risk off the table as geopolitical tensions remain. READ MORE: Stock slump deepens as investors flock to havens The UK dangles a US trade deal Britains international trade secretary Liam Fox claims that US President Donald Trump is very keen to do a trade deal. His comments follows the Trump administrations statement in Congress that it planned to start formal talks with the UK after it leaves the European Union. Staunch Brexiteers for years have tried to sell a hard Brexit by highlighting that it will allow Britain to seal its own global trade deals with the likes of the US, China, and Japan without any intervention from other countries, such as those in the EU. Thats because if it was part of the bloc, it would be prevented in seeking side deals to the ones that all member states would have to collectively decide upon. If Britain left the EU but still remained in the single market or customs union, it would not be able to pursue a trade deal with the US like this because it would still have to adhere to the blocs trading rules. READ MORE: A no-deal Brexit wont mean that a UK-US trade pact is going to happen anytime soon Story continues Britain is still on a trade mission to Saudi Arabia Britain is still going ahead with its tech trade mission to Saudi Arabia despite the global dispute with the nation over the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The UK Technology & Smart Cities Delegation will still head to Jeddah and Riyadh for an event organised by the Saudi British Joint Business Council from 18-21 November. This is with support from the UK government. Over the weekend, Saudi Arabia said that Khashoggi was murdered but blamed a rogue operation for his killing. Saudis foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told Fox News the act was a tremendous mistake. Khashoggi was a prominent critic of Saudis authoritarian regime and was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October. Al-Jubeir denied Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud had ordered the killing. Business leaders and politicians around the world have pulled out of Saudi Arabias Future Investment Initiative this week and investors have withdrawn $1.1bn from the Saudi market in response to the murder. But economist Cornelia Meyer of Meyer Resources told BBCs Wake Up To Money programme this morning that Saudi Arabia is more than just about money. When governments look at things, Saudi Arabia has been a very good ally to the West. READ MORE: Global investors pull $1.1bn from Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi murder Whitbread eyes pod hotels after Costa sale Photo: Whitbread Whitbread (WTB.L) shares fall after the leisure group, which recently sold its coffee chain Costa to Coca-Cola for $5.1bn, reported a modest rise in profits in the first half of the year and warned on Brexit headwinds. It said it would focus on expanding its hotel business after its Costa sale. It is doing this by launching a no-frills hotel chain with small pod-style rooms located on the outskirts of major towns and cities. Rooms will cost from 19 a night and be less than half the size of a standard Premier Inn room. READ MORE: Coca-Cola gets shareholder approval to buy UK coffee chain Costa Harry Potter boosts Bloomsbury The publishers of Harry Potter is back on track to achieve the boards expectations for the full year. The group reported a 4% rise in revenue to 75.3m. However, it clocked pre-tax profit at 1.6m, which is slightly down from the 1.7m it posted in the same period in last year. Sales in JK Rowlings Harry Potter series grew by 5% in the first half of the year, ahead of the franchises twentieth anniversary. The author also provided the company a boost with her illustrated version of The Tales of Beedle the Bard by JK Rowling. World's longest sea bridge to open after 9 years of construction originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Chinese officials are set to unveil the worlds longest sea bridge this week after nine years of construction work, advancing the country's interest in connecting three major regions. Around 26 miles, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge consists of a main bridge over Chinese mainland waters, with attached border checkpoints and roads connecting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Zhuhai City in Guangdong, China, and the Macao Special Administrative Region. PHOTO: Members of the media take pictures on the Hong Kong side of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge, Oct. 19, 2018, days before its opening ceremony. (Bobby Yip/Reuters) (MORE: India to unveil world's largest statue) The bridge will include 22 miles of a three-lane highway from northern Lantau to the Western Shore of the Pearl River Estuary, and a 4.1 mile tunnel between two artificial islands along the way to prevent the disruption to sea traffic. The bridge is lined with towers topped by dolphins, Chinese Knots and ship sails to symbolize the three different regions, according to the South China Morning Post. The total cost of the project is $20 billion, according to The Guardian newspaper. PHOTO: A section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HKZMB) is seen from Lantau island in Hong Kong, Oct. 7, 2018. (AFP/Getty Images) The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge will bring the Chinese mainland economic hub of the West Bank of the Pearl River Delta to within a 3-hour drive of Hong Kong. PHOTO: Aerial view of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, June 11, 2018, in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province of China. (VCG via Getty Images) Steve Tsang, the Director of the China Institute at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, said the bridge is part of a larger Chinese investment strategy. This is part of the Greater Bay Area Project, which includes Hong Kong and Macau with the development of the Pearl River bay area, he told ABC News. It is about making Hong Kong an integral part of what is supposed to be a new dynamic economic and innovative engine of China. (MORE: VP Pence paints China as foremost threat to US: 'We will not be intimidated') PHOTO: President Xi Jinping (C) is briefed by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan (R) on the Hong Kong section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) during his inspection of the HZMB Hong Kong Link Road, July 1, 2018. (The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Chinese President Xi Jingping visited the bridge in July of last year, and is expected to attend the opening ceremony on Tuesday. Xi Jinping's visit to the region also reinforces Hong Kong's role in the cross-border economy approach that China is developing, said Dr. Winnie King, a specialist in Chinese international political economy at the University of Bristol. There's a clear symbolic value of being the world's longest bridge re[garding] nationalism and state-building. Story continues PHOTO: The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is lit up in Hong Kong, Oct. 21, 2018. The bridge, the world's longest cross-sea project, which has a total length of 34 miles, will have opening ceremony in Zhuhai on Oct. 23. (Vincent Yu/AP) (MORE: A look at China's President Xi Jinping before his first meeting with Trump) PHOTO: A map showing the route of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge, May 17, 2017. (Reuters) But the reasons behind the investment may not be purely economic, as the bridge will bring Hong Kong, which has a separate system of governance, closer into Beijings sphere of influence. By making Hong Kong an integral part of the Greater Bay area, it will bring Hong Kong closer to mainland China, notwithstanding the official commitment for the one country, two systems model, said Tsang. The more Hong Kong is integrated into mainland China, the less is there a case for it to be given very special treatment. Editor's note This story is the second in a series that examines the opinions of high school students coming of voting age during Donald Trumps presidency. To report the series, staff writer Alec Regimbal is spending a few days a week embedded in a U.S. government class for seniors at West Valley High School. 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. During the last few weeks I have read couple of stories on Sri Lankan usage of Imo, the messaging and video calling App. They were written in dramatic style and with catchy headlines. At the core they were about disturbing criminal activity. There was one similarity, all of them spoke of how Imo accounts had been hacked and users blackmailed. One said how a young woman working in the garment sector had bought her first smart phone. Super excited as she was, she had wasted no time in downloading Imo to talk with her family and loved ones. Some random man calls this woman on Imo and they become quite friendly. That was till the said man started sending this lady nude pictures of her, the story does not explain how the pictures were obtained or whether they are genuine or fake Then the story takes a turn to the lurid. Some random man calls this woman on Imo and they become quite friendly. That was till the said man started sending this lady nude pictures of her, the story does not explain how the pictures were obtained or whether they are genuine or fake, but the assumption was that they were and have been taken from the memory of the phone. The poor woman was blackmailed and kept paying ransoms up to Rs.30,000 and then smashed her phone with a rock and disappeared till her husband found her and took the blackmailer to Police more or less a teledrama stuff! Not the first story of its kind. A colleague related how he kept getting messages with all kinds of innuendoes from a number used by an actress. He called her and was told that she was not sending the message which turned out to be a hacker, who was using the number to blackmail young men. I was not told whether this instance also ended up in a Police Station. She kept paying ransoms up to Rs.30,000 and then smashed her phone with a rock and disappeared till her husband found her and took the blackmailer to Police Messaging Apps are the most popular downloads here in Sri Lanka. They make up the top four Android downloads in Sri Lanka, surprisingly Imo is number one here the only other country in the region where this makes it to the top three is Bangladesh. There is no doubt about its popularity but as we have seen it can be quite a risky app as well. Last year, cyber security officials warned the public to be wary of mobile messaging apps. They had been getting a stream of steady complaints of messaging apps being either hacked or misused. The easiest trick to hack into the Imo account of another user is to get the passcode for the app. Sometimes you really dont need to be a techie to do this, you just need to be good at duping people. One of the ways of doing this is to call the genuine holder of the number and indicate that the app would have sent the passcode inadvertently. Users with at least somewhat of an understanding on digital hygiene would know that this is almost an impossibility, but many Sri Lankan users, especially those not well versed in English dont seem to understand this. Many of the victims that have fallen victim to hacking have given out their passcodes themselves without their knowledge. Once the code is gained, the hacker has all the access needed to use the app. Users with at least somewhat of an understanding on digital hygiene would know that this is almost an impossibility, but many Sri Lankan users, especially those not well versed in English dont seem to understand this A Youtube search will also reveal that there are a few instruction videos of Sri Lankan origin talking about more elaborate hacking techniques, two of which I watched with a combined view count of over 100,000 talk specifically of hacking into Imo. As digital tech becomes popular in Sri Lanka, so will the dangers rise. Not many will be up to date with the security risks and fewer will take the effort to figure out the risks and mitigation measures. Right now, there is no public information outlet that provides this vital info. Such an outlet needs to also be updated consistently, a big ask from Sri Lankas pubic sector. Not many will be up to date with the security risks and fewer will take the effort to figure out the risks and mitigation measures. Right now, there is no public information outlet that provides this vital info. Unless this is taken over by the private sector and monetized you pay for the risk mitigation like virus guards, that probably will work here. The author is the Asia-Pacific Coordinator for the DART Centre for Journalism and Trauma, a project of Columbia Journalism School Twitter - @amanthap Dear residents of the Gaza border community, can I ask a small favor? Take a look out the window for a moment. The view you see is very strange because there is no fire or thick smoke. If there is fire, then it is probably coming from the Lehava emergency conference, which they held to discuss the wedding of Lucy Aharish and Tsahi Halevi , and if there is smoke, dont worry, it is probably coming from the stoners who attended the InDnegev festival nearby. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter If the skies are indeed clear and the wheat is growing then it is thanks to Quartermaster Avigdor Lieberman, and to the one who is warming the seat of the prime ministerboth of whom, have been threatening Hamas for the past few weeks. Indeed, they threatened. What kind of threats were they? The sexiest kindthe implied threats. Benjamin We will defeat Hamas Netanyahu said sweetly :"Hamas has apparently not internalized the message ... We are edging closer to a different kind of activity in Gaza." (Photo: Hagai Dekel) What "message" exactly has the most right-wing government in our history sent to the circus of fire that has been on exhibition there for months? And what does "a different kind of activity" mean? Is it like the Different kind of sex" poem by Yona Wallach? A war is going to break out? Is the reoccupation of Gaza on the agenda? Let's talk openly, yes or no? Because we are already very tired, as the poem says. What did Avigdor "48 hours" Lieberman hint at? "No stone was left unturned, and we have passed the point of no return We tried to exhaust every possibility ... We must deliver the hardest blow imaginable on Hamas, the defense minister said two weeks ago. What do you mean we have exhausted every possibility? Listen, it does not look like that, and if what weve seen so far is all that the mighty IDF and the sophisticated arms of our security establishment are capable ofwell, then we are in even bigger trouble than we thought. And what exactly is Lieberman proposing? More ambiguity. We must deliver the hardest blow imaginable on Hamas. The harder blow would be dropping an atomic bomb. Here is an easier optioncarpet bombing with a pinch of napalm. Heres an option on a level higherthe reoccupation of the strip and the establishment of our military in the Gaza mud for years to come. There are many other military options before we reach the hardest blow. The problem is that Lieberman, Netanyahu and the Security Cabinet has so far refrained from striking Hamas even with the easiest of blows. Although the snipers on the border fence might shoot dead some teenagers, but the leaders of Hamas? They safely drink their tea with salvia. Hold on. Do not run to your safe rooms. The Cabinet continues to give the ceasefire arrangement negotiations more and more chances. Why? Do you want to threaten in the morning and then not deliver on your threats at night, because there might be elections on the smoky horizon? We understand. From now on, slogan balloons and promise kites will be launched, but once the truth is revealed, they will land on our fields as well. In the film Halfon Hill Doesn't Answer, Victor Hasson asked his daughter to prepare him "the suit of threats." But he, unlike our greedy couple, pursued his bitter enemy Sergio Constanza all the way to Sinai. WASHINGTONUS President Donald Trump told USA Today in an interview on Monday he believes the death of Jamal Khashoggi was "a plot gone awry," after the journalist died in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Senior Israeli ministers have complained that increasing water supply to Jordan, after the Hashemite Kingdom decided to cancel the appendices to the peace treaty with Israel, is an "absurd gesture," while other Israeli officials said the responsibility for the crisis between the countries in part lies with the Israeli government. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The writing was apparently on the wall. Two years ago, Jordanian Water Authority chief Saad Abu Hammour warned Israeli diplomats that his country would have no choice but to demand the territories of Naharayim and Tzofar back, senior officials involved in the relations between the two countries told Yedioth Ahronoth. Jordan's flag near Naharayim (Photo: EPA) The Jordanians were furious that Israel did not honor an agreement signed on February 26, 2015, which launched the "Sea Canal" project. The project included the construction of a desalination plant in Aqaba, which will pump water to Jordan and Israel. Israel agreed to purchase 35-50 million cubes of desalinated water from the Jordanian facility, as well as construct a 200 km pipeline from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea for seawater transfer. "Since then we have been stagnant and haven't made any progress," said one Israeli official. "They (the government) are doing what they want and constantly violate our agreements with Jordan. It is shameful and inappropriate. Because of the government's conduct, the Jordanians no longer trust us." Naharayim bridge (Photo: Reuters) The crisis with Jordan escalated Monday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposal to renegotiate the lease of Naharayim and Tzofar enclaves stirred a great deal of anger in Amman. "Jordan will take back its territories. If negotiations are to take place, they will only concern the manner in which lands will return to full Jordanian sovereignty within a year," Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi clarified, while adding that it was King Abdullah's decision to exercise the option to claim back the territories. "This decision is final, there will be no room for change," he said. King Abdullah and Prime Minister Netanyahu (Photo: EPA) Meanwhile, senior Israeli ministers said Israel plans to increase the amount of water it pumps to Jordan (as well as the water supply to the Palestinian Authority and Gaza). Although they claimed this constitutes "humanitarian aid," they also made it clear that it is an "absurd gesture" given the recent strain in relations. According to a senior minister, there is no justification to increasing the amount of water transferred to Jordan while Israeli farmers suffer, and the entire country is "drying up." In accordance with the peace treaty and the subsequent understandings reached between the two countries, Israel initially supplied 45 million cubic meters of water per year to Jordan. In recent years, the water supply has increased to 55 million cubic meters a year. Naharayim (Photo: Reuters) At the present, because of Jordan's water shortagepartly due to millions of refugees fleeing from Syriathe Jordanians have asked to increase the water supply, especially during the summer, and Israel has agreed. According to the minister, in a move kept quiet, Israel is expected to transfer the additional water supply soon, at a particularly low price. "The peace agreement includes the option of ending Israel's lease of Naharayim and Tzofar enclaves, and heavy pressure was exerted by the opposition in Jordan to exercise this option, and so, this is what happened. The official assessment is that Jordan's decision would have been made due to internal considerations, regardless of Israel's actions," political sources said Monday. SEOUL, South Korea (Daily Mail), 22 October 2018- Military officers from the two Koreas and the U.S.-led U.N. Command met again at the Koreas border village Monday to examine an ongoing effort to disarm the area. Demilitarizing the Panmunjom village inside the Koreas heavily fortified border was among many agreements the Koreas struck in September to lower military tensions between the rivals. Under the deals, troops from the Koreas began clearing mines from Panmunjom earlier this month before withdrawing weapons and guard posts there. They eventually plan to have 35 unarmed personnel from each side guard the village. Mondays trilateral talks are the second in kind in about a week. Officially, the village is jointly overseen by North Korea and the U.N. Command, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War that ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. The talks are to review the demining work and discussing future steps in the area, South Koreas Defense Ministry said in a statement. Mossad Director Yossi Cohen warned of Iranian expansionist aspirations in the Middle East in a rare public speech on Monday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter One of Israel's main objectives, he said at a budget conference held by the Finance Ministry, "is to push Iran out of the (rest of the) Middle East. It has a strong presence on the Lebanese border thanks to Hezbollah; it has a strong presence on the Syrian border. And it is establishing its status more and more inside Iraqboth politically and militarily. Inside Iraq itself, we can see the Iranians operating exactly as they are in other areas of the Middle East by turning to the Shiite population." Cohen explained that the Iranian takeover of Iraq could lead to Tehran's vision of a "Shiite Crescent" from Iran through Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. "Creating a Shiite territorial contiguity is possible for them," he said. Mossad director Yossi Cohen (Photo: GPO) The Mossad chief cautioned that "if we don't push Iran out of the Middle East, with the help of all other countries in the world, we'll reach a situation of uncontrolled expansion of Iranian forces in the Middle East." In addition to gaining foothold in other countries in the region, Iran "has considerable long-term artillery capabilities that could cover large parts of the Middle East," Cohen warned. He said other countries in the region share Israel's views of the Islamic Republic, with "some even defining Iran as their central existential threat, something the world should be aware of and deal with accordingly." The Mossad director called on other nations to follow the US example in changing their policy towards the expansionist Iranian regime. "President Trump and the American State Department have written an entire new doctrine toward Iran. In it, they take into consideration everything that needs to be done to put Iran back in its right place in the Middle East," he said. Hamas and Islamic Jihad may not have intentionally fired the two rockets at Be'er Sheva and central Israel last week. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Security Cabinet ministers told Ynet on Monday the government decided against launching a military operation in the Gaza Strip following the rocket attack because Israeli intelligence determined, with a very high degree of certainty, that the rockets were fired due to a malfunction caused by the lightning storm that raged on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday. According to one minister, there was indication Hamas and Islamic Jihad were embarrassed by the incident and even exchanged accusations before realizing the rocket launches were the result of a malfunction. Rockets fired from Gaza during lightning storm X "We acted very responsibly," the minister explained. "It wasn't right to go to war because of the weather." He stressed that despite the tensions on the Gaza border, Israel continues giving a chance to efforts by Egypt and the UN to reach an arrangement between Israel and Hamas. Reports that a lighting strike caused the rocket launch first emerged on Wednesday night, when the Cabinet convened to discuss a possible response to the attack. Damage caused to house in Be'er Sheva hit by rocket (Photo: Reuters) At first, the ministers had a hard time believing this and even made jokes on the matter, but after receiving intelligence information on the matter, they were convinced and decided there is enough evidence to point to the rocket launch indeed being the result of a malfunction. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who has been expressing doubt the Egyptian mediation would bear fruit, said Monday he remains convinced a strong blow against Hamas is necessary, adding however that he is committed to the decisions of the Cabinet. "I don't believe in any arrangement with Hamas. It doesn't work, it hasn't worked before and it won't work in the future," Lieberman said during a discussion at the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. RAMALLAHSecurity forces of the rival Palestinian governments routinely use torture and arbitrary arrests, among other tactics, to quash dissent by peaceful activists and political rivals, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday. The charges come in a new report released by the New York-based watchdog, following a two-year investigation that included interviews with nearly 150 people, many of them ex-detainees. It accused both the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and the Islamic militant Hamas in Gaza of using "machineries of repression" to stifle criticism. The Ministry of Public Security presented new legislation on Tuesday proposing to impose costs of terrorists' medical expenses on the Palestinian Authority. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The bill, which went up for discussions at the Knesset's Labor, Welfare and Health Committee, proposes to add a new clause to the National Health Insurance Law that would restrict medical care "for those who take part in terrorist activity" and exempt Israel from footing terrorists' medical bills. "According to the policy change I am promoting, the damned terrorists should only receive the bare minimum required by international law. I am working towards reducing their conditions," said Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan. Terrorist receives medical care after being neutralized by police (file photo) (Photo: MDA Spokesperson's Unit) "In this framework, I decided that it is inconceivable that the state pays for the medical expenses of terrorists who committed heinous acts of terror, and therefore I asked to correct this distortion of justice," he added. Although the proposed amendment does not preclude medical treatment, which is required under international law, it does exempts Israel from funding terrorists' medical bills by allowing the deduction of medical expenses from regular tax payments Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, which uses these payments to provide terrorists with generous stipends. Minister Gilad Erdan (Photo: Avi Mualem) The medical care in question is expensive and often includes complex surgeries and long-term hospitalizations. The Ministry of Public Security estimates that the Israel Police pays NIS 2 million annually to provide medical treatment for terrorists injured in terror attacks, while the Israel Prison Service (IPS) finances an additional NIS 20-25 million annually for medical treatment given to security prisoners. MDA team (file photo) (Photo: MDA Spokesperson's Unit) According to the proposed amendment, which was prepared by Likud MKs Anat Berko and Nava Boker, "the rationale behind this proposition is that anyone who acts out an ideology that undermines the existence of the state will not receive medical care funded by the same civilians he sought to harm. Anyone who chooses to join forces with Israel's enemies and suffers injuries as a result will pay his medical expenses himself." Robert Faurisson, a former French academic who was convicted several times for claiming there was no systematic mass killings of Jews by Nazi Germany, has died aged 89 in his hometown of Vichy, central France, his sister and his editor said Monday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter British-born Faurisson was also a staunch defender of Marshal Philippe Petain, the Vichy French leader who collaborated with Nazi occupiers of the country during World War II. He "had just returned from England when he collapsed in the hallway of his home in Vichy" on Sunday evening, his sister Yvonne Schleiter told AFP. Robert Faurisson (Photo: AFP) A former professor of French literature at the University of Lyon, Faurisson maintained that the gas chambers in Auschwitz were the "biggest lie of the 20th century," saying deported Jews died instead of disease and malnutrition. He also contested the authenticity of the diary of Anne Frank, the Dutch girl who managed to hide with her family from the Nazis for years before being caught and sent to concentration camps. After France passed a law in 1990 making Holocaust denial a crime, Faurisson was repeatedly prosecuted and fined for his writings. He was dismissed from his academic post in 1991. Robert Faurisson (Photo: AFP) French historian Valerie Igounet, who wrote a book about him, branded him a "anti-Semitic forger" who "lusted after scandal." "He never stopped applying methods of interpretation and of the reading of historical documents in total contradiction with scientific method," she said. In 2008, he became close to French comedian and political activist Dieudonne, who has also been convicted for anti-Semitic insults. In 2012, Faurisson received a prize from Iran's president at the time, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, for his "courage, resistance and fighting spirit" in contesting the Holocaust. MOSCOW Russia has heard the official Saudi Arabia's stance that the royal family had no connection to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Other matters are for investigators, he told reporters. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of the Saudi government, died after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Riyadh initially denied knowledge of his fate before saying he had been killed in a fight there, an explanation that has drawn international scepticism. RAMALLAH - Security forces of the rival Palestinian governments routinely use torture and arbitrary arrests, among other tactics, to quash dissent by peaceful activists and political rivals, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The charges come in a new report released by the New York-based watchdog, following a two-year investigation that included interviews with nearly 150 people, many of them ex-detainees. It accused both the Western-backed Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and the Islamic militant Hamas in Gaza of using "machineries of repression" to stifle criticism. Human Rights Watch also said the systematic use of torture could amount to a crime against humanity under the United Nations' Convention against Torture, and called on countries that provide funding to Palestinian law enforcement to suspend their assistance. Palestinian security forces push away demonstrators in Bethlehem (Photo: EPA) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' government joined the convention after Palestine was accepted as a nonmember state at the UN. "Palestinian authorities have gained only limited power in the West Bank and Gaza, but yet, where they have autonomy, they have developed parallel police states," said Tom Porteous, deputy program director at Human Rights Watch. "Calls by Palestinian officials to safeguard Palestinian rights ring hollow as they crush dissent." According to HRW, the Palestinian leaderships in the West Bank and Gaza engage in similar tactics, in most cases without holding anyone to account. Among the alleged abuses: whipping people's feet, forcing detainees into painful stress positions, hoisting up people's arms behind their backs with rope and coercing suspects into granting access to their mobile phones and social media accounts. Both Hamas and the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority denied the accusations. The two Palestinian factions split in 2007 after Hamas violently seized the Gaza Strip from forces loyal to Abbas. For more than a decade, Hamas has maintained an iron grip on power and suppressed any signs of public dissent, including street protests and on social media. Despite having Western backing, Abbas has also silenced dissent in the areas of the West Bank he administers under past agreements with Israel. Last year, he clamped down on social media and news websites with a vaguely worded decree that critics say allows his government to jail anyone on charges of harming "national unity" or the "social fabric." Abbas' security forces also work closely with Israel to keep Hamas in check in the West Bank. Critics accuse Israel of holding Palestinian detainees without charge for extended periods and also of torture. Mohammed Khatib, a 20-year-old law student and activist with Hamas' student branch in the West Bank, told The Associated Press he was arrested last month and held for 19 days at an intelligence center in the West Bank city of Ramallah. He said he was forced to stand for hours at a time and hung by his handcuffed hands to a door for 15 minutes, a stress position meant to cause pain but leave no sign of injury. "This is not only a violation of human rights, it is a violation of human dignity, a violation of basic morals," he said, adding that he believed the aim was to intimidate him. HRW's report also highlights other tactics used to silence Palestinian dissent and punish activists, among them the seizing of phones, leaving investigations and charges open, and coercing detainees to promise to stop any further criticism. In Gaza, Taghreed Abu Teer, a 47-year-old journalist, told the AP that she was held by Hamas authorities for 11 days and interrogated under "humiliating circumstances" for her activities with the rival Fatah movement. She said she was kept in a dark cell for days at a time and forced to stand for lengthy periods. Although she was not physically beaten, she said she could hear the screams of men being tortured nearby, and that at one point, a man with a whip threatened to beat her as well. More than a year and a half later, she still cries when she recalls the "unforgettable experience." "As long as I was in the cell, I was wondering what had caused me to end up here," she said. She spoke at a relative's home so her six children would not hear about the ordeal. Taghreed Abu Teer (Photo: AP) Abu Teer said interrogators threatened to charge her with collaboration with Israel, widely feared as a stigma, and that most of the questions focused on a three-day trip she made to the West Bank, where she met senior Fatah officials and briefed them about the situation in Gaza. She said interrogators accused her of inciting the Palestinian Authority to make financial cuts and other punitive measures against Gaza, a tactic meant to squeeze Hamas. She denied all the allegations, saying she had only led protests and lobbied for ending the Hamas-Fatah split. While she was never charged, Hamas officers advised her "to be quiet" and focus on her home and family, "which I considered a veiled threat rather than advice," she added. Human Rights Watch also said it has encouraged the International Criminal Court to open an investigation into both Israeli and Palestinian conduct in the Palestinian territories. It called on both Palestinian authorities to pledge to stop carrying out arbitrary arrests, end torture, establish an oversight mechanism or body over its detention practices and hold credible investigations into allegations of misconduct. In a rare step, the report also called on countries that provide funding to either territory's law enforcement agencies to withhold assistance until concrete steps are taken to end the practices. Among the aid is millions of dollars for the West Bank security forces from the United States, which has continued its support even after slashing hundreds of millions of dollars in other assistance to the Palestinians. The report said Hamas receives assistance from Iran, Qatar and Turkey. Adnan Damiri, spokesman for the Palestinian security forces in the West Bank, denied any allegation of systematic torture and said authorities investigate claims and punish perpetrators. "These testimonies are not accurate. They are testimonies of political activists who belong to political parties with political agendas, and of course they will put any blame they can on the Palestinian Authority," he told the AP. In Gaza, Hamas denied arresting critics or opponents on political grounds. Faraj al-Ghoul, a Hamas lawmaker, said the report was "unfair," and that Human Rights Watch was welcome to inspect the group's prisons. A 17-year-old Palestinian boy was arrested Tuesday after he drew a knife at Border Police guards at a checkpoint in the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron. The suspect drew the knife after soldiers asked to search his body. No casualties were reported. According to the Border Police, the suspect tried to infiltrate the Cave of the Patriarchs and carry out a stabbing attack. Muhammad Shinawi, a resident of Haifa who was convicted under the Anti-Terrorism Law of the murder of Guy Kafri and the attempted murder of Yehiel Iluz, was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison and an additional 22 years, which he will serve cumulatively. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The Haifa District Court also sentenced Shinawi to one year probation on previous convictions and ordered him to pay NIS 258,000 to the Guy Kafri's family and NIS 120,000 to Yehiel Iluz in compensation. Shinwai, who expressed no remorse for his actions, was nationalistically motivated, committing the heinous crimes "only because of his hatred of Jews," wrote Judge Rivka Fuchs, who headed the three-judges panel, which ruled unanimously. Shinawi at court (Photo: Gil Nechushtan) During a hearing dealing with the defendant's sanity, Shinawi decided to admit to all charges, contrary to the advice of his attorney. He also confessed to use of a weapon, possession of a knife, attempted robbery and car theft. His confession led to his conviction a year after the murderous attack in January 2017. The defendant also went on a rampage inside the courtroom and had to be transferred back to the detention cell. Shinawi's lawyer admitted that she found it difficult to advocate for her client, but noted that his apology to his victim's family was "genuine and sincere." Scene of Haifa terror attack (Photo: Gil Nechushtan) In the ruling, Judge Fuchs noted that the testimonies of Kafri's family members show they find it difficult to function following the murder of their son. "The mother of the victim is having a hard time leading a normal life. From an active woman with various interests, she has become a woman who finds it difficult to function," the judge said. Kafri's mother Berta criticized authorities at a plea hearing last month. "For such a heinous crime, even the death penalty is not enough, but that's not the point... The point is that no official has responded or suggested ways to prevent the next attack, perhaps they are afraid of undermining coexistence," Berta said. "The murderer studied in Israel's education system. No one checks what they learn in schools, what kind of incitement they absorb. No one inspects the mosques in Halisa (a neighborhood in southern Haifa), and the police does not confiscate their weapons. If they do that, they might be able to prevent the next murder. Even today, no official representative came to court," she accused. Kafri's mother Berta (Photo: Gil Nechushtan) According to the indictment, Shinawi purchased an improvised machine gun, which he painted black, in late 2015, over a year before the attack. He managed to conceal the weapon as he practiced shooting in the woods. On the night between January 2 and 3 2017, the terrorist asked his younger brother, a minor, to bring him the weapon, following which he loaded it and concealed it in his brother's presence. According to the District Attorney's Office, the brother was not aware of Shinawi's intention to carry out a terror attack. The next morning Shinawi concealed the weapon in a backpack and left his home. At around to 9:30am he arrived at Ha'atzmaut Street in Haifa to carry out the attack. At first, he fired several shots at his first victim, Yehiel Iluza visibly religious Jewish manfrom a short distance while the weapon was still concealed in his bag. Iluz collapsed to the ground before his would-be murderer fled the scene. The victim, Guy Kafri As he was fleeing the scene, Shinawi fired again in the direction of a Jewish woman, but she was not harmed. Later, at around 10am, the shooter noticed Kafri walking on HaGiborim Street. He shot at Kafri, hitting him with three bullets and killing him. The investigation of the attack found that Shinawi had nurtured his hatred of Jews over the course of 10 years, since the Second Lebanon War. In addition, one of the catalysts for the crime was his girlfriend provoking him by calling him a "Jewish Zionist" and a "Jew lover." Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked's bill proposal that seeks to resolve the illegal African migrants issue by bypassing the High Court of Justice faces several obstacles. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The justice minister has proposed a narrow notwithstanding clause that would allow the government to pass a plan to deport African asylum seekers and refugees that the High Court would not be able to overturn Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon (Kulanu) has previously blocked attempts to pass a broader notwithstanding clause, which would've applied to additional issues, but has already announced his support for the narrow version, which is limited to the African migrants issue. Justice Minister Shaked (Photo: Yaron Brener) Nevertheless, the proposal still faces several other obstacles. Primarily, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit remains opposed to the notwithstanding clause, even in its narrow version, and believes the High Court will strike it down. The disagreement resolves around the majority required to override the High Court's authority. Based on the current proposal, the required majority is 61 members of Knesset, while the opposition is pushing for a majority of 70 MKs and over. The ultra-Orthodox parties might also oppose to the narrow version of the bill, as they wish to have override power on other issues, primarily the previous IDF draft law, which was struck down by the High Court. The objection from the Haredim might be resolved, however, as Shaked recently announced that her Bayit Yehudi party will demand assurances in any future coalition agreement that a broader notwithstanding clause will be passed. Finance Minister Kahlon (Photo: Reuters) The opposition, meanwhile, came out against the proposed legislation. "The smell of elections is in the air and the government has already begun the liquidation sale. It's time to shoot off populist statements for another voice in the primaries and another quarter of a seat in the Knesset, and to hell with the rule of law," said Meretz leader Tamar Zandberg. "When they can only see their political interests, they're willing to pass a tool to override the rules of democracy." "Instead of looking to Western nations, the Israeli government continues glancing at its dubious friends that are disintegrating democracy in their countries, and also takes organized and systematic measures against all rule of law bodies, marking them like targets in the shooting range. The Israeli public won't give up the rule of law that easy," Zandberg added. Zionist Union MK Michal Biran questioned Finance Minister Kahlon's decision. "Kahlon declared he would support a narrow notwithstanding clause, concerning the infiltrators. Meaning, in some cases it's allowed to bypass the High Court, but in other cases it's not. Kahlon's attempt to run between the raindrops in this extremist right-wing government shows lack of ideology, lack of trust in the justice system, and lack of trust in the fact the public is not stupid," Biran charged. "Kahlon's voters wanted to see a man in the government who represents the sane center, and got a submissive slave of Netanyahu. With his own hands Kahlon is helping bypass Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty over political whims," she added. In May, the Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved an override power legislation proposed by MK Bezalel Smotrich, which would constitute an amendment to the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty. The bill received the support of 11 committee members, among them Kulanu Minister Yoav Galant, while Kahlon missed the vote. The US Department of State has provided nearly Rs. 600 million ($3.5 million) in assistance towards Sri Lankas demining efforts this year, the US Embassy said today. So far in 2018, US funding has cleared 1.86 million square meters and safely removed 9,344 land mines and unexploded ordnance and 8,637 items of small arms ammunition. In a statement issued over the visit of a delegation from the State Departments Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement from October 8 to 12, the Embassy said the delegation observed US-funded demining activities and met with some of the beneficiaries of these projects in Sri Lanka. The group met with the Ministry of Re-settlement, the National Mine Action Center, and the Sri Lanka Armys Engineering Brigade and travelled to Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Mannar to review mine clearance operations. Charge d'affaires Robert Hilton said they are proud to support Sri Lankas national mine action strategy and the goal of making Sri Lanka mine-impact free by 2020. Landmine removal directly supports peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka by allowing citizens to return safely to their homes, businesses, schools, and places of worship, he said. Since 2002, the US has provided more than Rs. 9.5 billion to clear explosive hazards in Sri Lanka. Thanks to US funding and in cooperation with the Sri Lanka Army, the Batticaloa District was declared mine-impact free in 2017. US funding continues to assist in clearance efforts in the other eight districts affected by landmine contamination and currently supports 664 de-mining jobs across the Northern and Eastern Provinces. The US Government has assisted in clearance operations through its local partner the Delvon Association for Social Harmony and through international partners such as HALO Trust and the Mines Advisory Group. Palestinian health ministry reported Tuesday that a 17-year-old protester was shot in the head and several others had been wounded by IDF fire as some 200 demonstrators clashed with Israeli security forces east of Deir al-Balah in the southern Gaza Strip. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter According to the IDF, the Palestinians set alight tires and threw explosive devices and stones at Israeli troops, who responded with riot control measures, as well as sniper fire, which intended to neutralize the main instigators. Riots in Deir al-Balah (Photo: AFP) In addition, a massive fire broke out near the Gvaram Forest in the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council as a result of incendiary balloons flown from the strip into Israel. The fire destroyed dozens of acres of natural woodland, and it took the firefighting crews several hours to gain control of the flames. Fire in Gvaram Forest (Photo: Roee Idan) Two aircrafts from the the Elad Firefighting Squadron were called to the scene to prevent the fire from spreading deeper into the forest, which during the red anemone season, attracts a large number of tourists. A smaller fire, which also believed to have been started by incendiary balloons, broke out near the Eshkol Regional Council. The fire had been extinguished. Massive fire in Gaza border region X Earlier, Israel widened the Gaza Strip's fishing zone to six nautical miles. The zone had been scaled down to three miles a week and a half ago after violent border riots. While on Sunday, the Kerem Shalom and Erez border crossings in the strip were reopened following their temporary closure in light of a rocket attack on the southern city of Beer Sheva last week. Fire in the Gaza border region In the meantime, A delegation of senior Egyptian intelligence officials held on Monday a five-hour meeting with Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar regarding a ceasefire agreement between Israeli government and Gaza's rulers. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman also addressed on Monday the possibility of reaching a ceasefire deal with the terror group, emphasizing he does not believe such a deal is possible. "Nothing less than than striking Hamas with the hardest and heaviest blow will help us in Gaza. It has not worked in the past, it does not work now, and it will not work in the future," the defense minister said referring to the Egypt-mediated indirect talks between Israel and Hamas. Israel marked the 70th anniversary of its first diplomatic mission as a new nation Tuesday with a re-enactment in the city that hosted the outpostWarsaw, Poland. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Israeli Ambassador Anna Azari, flanked by other diplomats, hung the Israeli flag from a balcony of the historic Bristol Hotel in central Warsaw. Just as in 1948, a small crowd on the street below applauded and sang the Israeli national anthem. Ambassador Anna Azari (Photo: AP) Israel chose the Bristol as the seat for its mission because the hotel was one of the few buildings that had not been destroyed by Germany during World War II. The Israeli Embassy in Poland is in a leafy residential neighborhood. The modern state of Israel was created in 1948, and many of its early leaders and settlers were Jews from Polandthe heartland of European Jewry before the war. During the ceremony, embassy officials showed a brief video of the 1948 ceremony establishing the mission. One key difference: while all the diplomats then were men, the ambassador and many other Israeli diplomats in Warsaw today are women. Holocaust survivor Marian Kalwary attended Tuesdays reenactment of an event he witnessed as an 18-year-old at his mothers urging. The Star of David on the Israeli flag he saw raised with pride that day was the same symbol that Warsaws Jews were forced to wear a few years earlier while confined to a ghetto a few blocks away and sent to death camps by Nazi German forces. Kalwary said his mother was very moved by the ceremony recognizing Israels place on the world stage, describing it as a moment he could never forget. The anniversary re-enactment follows efforts by Poland and Israel to repair their typically strong ties after a Polish law that sought to regulate what could be said publicly about the Holocaust caused tension early this year. A presidential adviser read out a letter of greeting from President Andrzej Duda on Tuesday. China's vice president has met with Israeli and Palestinian officials as part of a three-day trip to the region. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Wang Qishan visited the West Bank on Tuesday, where he met Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, laid a wreath on the grave of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and toured Bethlehem's Nativity Church. Later, he met President Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem. Rivlin said relations between the two countries were "excellent." Rivlin and Qishan (Mark Nayman/GPO) The relations between China and Israel are excellentbased on mutual respect, a shared past and a promising future, said the president. He added that the good relations between the two people began as early as the 10th century CE with the Jewish community of Kaifeng. Vice President Qishan thanked the president for his welcome and said, The relations between the two countries are based on a long shared history, as you mentioned, and also on partnership in innovation." "Israel does not have large natural resources, but the miracle of development rests on the tremendous human capital of this nation. Human beings are the most precious asset, Qishan stressed. Wang's trip to Israel illustrates the warming ties between the two countries. They have become close trade partners, with China showing interest in Israeli developments in agriculture, water and other environmental technologies. Wang, a confidant of President Xi Jinping, is one of the most senior Chinese officials to visit Israel since the countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. An attempted terror attack targeting IDF soldiers took place Tuesday at the checkpoint near the city of Halhul in the southern West Bank, when terrorists opened fire at Israeli troops from a moving vehicle. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The soldiers responded by shooting back at the car and set up roadblocks as part of the IDFs manhunt for the perpetrators. No injuries among the security forces had been reported. On Monday, a terrorist stabbed a military driver in Hebron. The driver shot and killed his attacker. (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit) Cpl. M. serves as a combat service support driver in the IDF, but believes that despite not being a combat soldier himself, "a soldier must react like this; it doesn't matter if he's a cook or a paratrooper." Cpl. M. was touring the area near the Cave of the Patriarchs with his commanding officer when he "heard three calls of 'Allahu Akbar.' I turned my head, and there, a meter away, I saw the terrorist holding a sharp object in his hand and jump me. I fought him, and during the fight I was stabbed in my chest and hand." When the terrorist moved the scissors he was attacking Cpl. M. with from one hand to the other, the soldier saw an opportunity. "I took a few steps back, and he tried to stab me in the gut," he said. "In that time, I quickly cocked my rifle and shot at him to neutralize him." "After I shot him, I made sure he wouldn't be able to get up again and stab. The entire incident lasted maybe two minutes," he added. Golani soldiers patrolling the area then arrived at the scene from a nearby post to close off the area and isolate the scene. SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Carol Jean (Dahlbacka) Stempihar, 69, passed away peacefully on Oct. 19, 2018, with the sun shining on her in Scottsdale. Carol was born on March 16, 1949, to Arne and Eldora Dahlbacka, and grew up in Ironwood, Mich., where she formed life-long friendships and graduated from Ironwood High School. After attending Gogebic Community College and Northern Michigan University, Carol began working at Wakefield Central School as an elementary teacher. On Aug. 19, 1978, she was united in marriage to Thomas Stempihar. Carol and Tom built a beautiful life together with a home and four sons in Bessemer, Mich. She resigned from her teaching career to focus her time on what was her proudest title, Mom. She dedicated so much of her life to raising her four boys, was actively involved in Sharon Lutheran Church, the schools and the community. Her grandchildren brought her so much joy, and they felt her love. She had a love for dogs, dancing and desserts, and to everyone who knew her, Carol was beautiful, genuine and kind. She lived her life with strength and courage, and her big smile left a lasting impression on anyone who met her. Carol is survived by her four sons: Jeff (Jaime), Scottsdale; Scott (Jill), Superior, Wis .; Bradley, Eagle, Colo .; Steven, Scottsdale; five grandchildren: Grant, Landon and Averly, Scottsdale; Sam and Reese, Superior. She is also survived by her sister, Arlene (Bill) Zuck, and brother, John Dahlbacka; brothers-in-law, John (Dorothy) Stempihar and Ron (Karen) Stempihar; sister-in-law, Marilyn (Lee) Fassett; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, many close and treasured friends, and communities who loved, admired, respected and cared for her. We are grateful for the many years we had her here with us and will miss her smile, her hugs, her care and kindness, but we are joyous and celebrating as we know she is now dancing with the love of her life, Tom, in Heaven, surrounded by her parents, her father- and mother-in-law, and others who have gone before her. It gives our hearts great comfort to know they are together watching as their children and grandchildren continue on with their love and values weaved into our every day. Visitation will be held at Sharon Lutheran Church in Bessemer on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., and her life will be celebrated with a service at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery, Bessemer. In lieu of flowers, we request that donations be made in Carol's name to HOPE Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 261, Ironwood, MI 49938. Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, Mich., is assisting the family. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Peter Frances Ryskewecz, 75, died unexpectedly on June 7, 2018, at his home in Fort Lauderdale. Peter, the oldest son of Roman and Iris (Richards) Ryskewecz, was born on April 15, 1943, in Ironwood, Mich. Peter is survived by a sister, Susan (Ryskewecz) Buck, and three brothers: Gary (Karen) and Jon "Chuck" of Ironwood, and Michael, of Hurley, Wis .; a nephew, Steven (Char) Buck and nieces Tina and Lisa Ryskewecz, and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his lifelong partner Lance Klinge, in 2006; and sister-in-law Linda Ryskewecz, in 2017. Peter graduated with honors from Luther L. Wright High School, class of 1961. He then attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee until 1964, when he transferred to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo from which he graduated in 1965, with a bachelor's degree in education, with majors in French and English. He continued there to a master's degree in French, graduating in 1969. Peter taught high school French and English for 30 years at South Haven and Port Huron, retiring in 1995, when he moved to Fort Lauderdale with his partner. While teaching, Peter loved to travel and worked devotedly to organize and lead his student/parent trips to Europe for many years. In addition, Peter and Lance traveled extensively through Europe to search for his family roots. Later, he and Lance traveled to Egypt, Buenos Aries (with his sister Susan), and on to the Far East: China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Cambodia. Peter was a consummate scholar, continuing his post graduate studies, attending sessions at the University of Grenoble, France (1966), U.S. Government Institute at Purdue University (1967), and other studies at Wayne State University, University of Michigan, and Michigan State University, finishing his education specialist studies in 1977. While in his late 40s, he started another career goal: A teaching minor in Spanish, planning ahead to continue to work in foreign language teaching in Florida. Another avocation and devotion for Peter was restoring houses. His first attempt was a 100-year-old clapboard house which he gutted and redid with the help of his brother, Mike, back in the early '70s. Peter also had a great eye for interior design, which he loved. His next endeavor was a beautiful Spanish/Tudor mansion in Port Huron, Mich., overlooking the St. Clair River. He spent 16 years working this 1926 beauty into a showpiece. Finally, he culminated his interest by redoing a waterfront house in Fort Lauderdale during the last 22 years. His home was always open to entertain his Northern family and friends. In addition, a great love of Peter's involved antique cars, an interest accredited to his father, who was a very gifted auto body man, who restored cars for customers in Ironwood for more than 40 years. He always said he loved driving his Dad's customers' 1950s cars when they would drop them off and he would take them home. Peter's "children," as he called them, were a 1947 Dodge and a 1963 Thunderbird (restored with the help of brother Chuck), several four-door Thunderbirds from 1968-'71, and lastly four Cadillac Fleetwood Broughams from 1988-'90. Funeral arrangements were handled by the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home in Ironwood, with a private graveside burial in the Hillside Cemetery, Iron Belt, Wis., where many of his family relatives lie. For more information and to express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. News Washington, DC - The Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior announced a dramatic expansion of the federal governments key program that provides tribes with access to national crime information databases, the Justice Departments Tribal Access Program for National Crime Information (TAP). By the end of 2019, the Justice Department will expand the number of TAP participating tribes by more than 50 percentfrom 47 tribes to 72. The Department of the Interior (DOI) will fund the instillation of TAP Kiosks at three locations where the BIA-Office of Indian Services (BIA-OIS) deliver direct service social services by the end of 2019 and DOI aims to expand TAP access at all 28 BIA-Office of Justice Services (BIA-OJS) operated law enforcement agencies and detention service centers. These BIA locations will provide some degree of access to TAP for services delivered to more than 50 tribal communities that currently do not have any direct access. For far too long, a lack of access to federal criminal databases has hurt tribal law enforcementpreventing them from doing their jobs and keeping their communities safe, said Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. With the Tribal Access Program, participating tribes will be able to protect victims of domestic violence, register sex offenders, keep guns out of dangerous hands, and help locate missing people. This milestone demonstrates our deep commitment to strengthening public safety in Indian country. I am proud to authorize the funding for the expansion of the Tribal Access Program to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to make the future of justice in Indian Country stronger, said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney at the 75th National Congress of American Indians Convention today. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is proud to grant greater access to these important databases at more locations throughout Indian Country. Performing background checks is a critical step in protecting our precious Native children in foster care, and tribal communities served by the BIA will benefit from access to this extensive public safety tool. Access to information is vital to effective law enforcement, said Trent Shores, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma and the Chairman of the Attorney Generals Advisory Subcommittee on Native American Issues. The Tribal Access Program will enhance and improve the ability of tribal law enforcement officers to serve their communities. The Native American Issues Subcommittee is proud to support the continued expansion of this tool throughout Indian Country. The Native American Issues Subcommittee (NAIS) is comprised of United States Attorneys with Indian Country in their federal districts. They advise the Attorney General regarding the development and implementation of policies pertaining to justice in Indian Country. The NAIS identified increased law enforcement resources as one of four priority areas to improve justice services in Indian Country. Support for and increased dissemination of the TAP was unanimously supported by the US Attorneys at a recent NAIS meeting in Indian Country in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We at the BIA-OJS look forward to having direct access to these vital resources, said Deputy BIA Director for Office of Justice Services Charles Addington. We have waited years for the opportunity to streamline how we access these critical databases and the funding authorized by AS-IA Sweeney will allow our law enforcement officers the ability to receive the information they need to do their jobs effectively and keep them safe. TAP, offered in two versions, TAP-FULL and TAP-LIGHT, allows tribes to more effectively serve and protect their communities by fostering the exchange of critical data through several national databases through the FBIs Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) network, including the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Next Generation Identification (NGI), National Data Exchange (N-DEx), National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), Law Enforcement Enterprise Portal (LEEP) as well as other national systems such as the International Justice and Public Safety Network (Nlets). TAP enhances tribal efforts to register sex offenders pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA); have orders of protection enforced nationwide; protect children; keep firearms away from persons who are disqualified from receiving them; improve the safety of public housing, and allow tribes to enter their arrests and convictions into national databases. TAP-FULL consists of a kiosk workstation that provide access to national systems and is capable of processing finger and palm prints, as well as taking mugshots and submitting records to national databases. TAP-LIGHT is software for criminal agencies that include police departments, prosecutors, criminal courts, jails, and probation departments. Both versions provide federally recognized tribes the ability to access and exchange data with national crime information databases for both civil and criminal purpose. TAP is currently available to 47 tribes nationwide with over 220 tribal criminal justice and civil agencies participating. News Washington, DC - Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs Tibor P. Nagy will travel to the United Kingdom, France, Togo, Guinea, Mali, and Nigeria October 29 - November 10. During his trip, Assistant Secretary Nagy will focus on promoting stronger trade and commercial ties between the United States and Africa, harnessing the potential of Africas youth, advancing peace and security through partnerships, and conveying the United States unwavering commitment to Africa. In the United Kingdom and France, the Assistant Secretary will conduct bilateral meetings with his British and French counterparts. Assistant Secretary Nagy will then travel to Lome, Togo on November 1 where he will meet with Togolese government officials, and lead a regional U.S. Chiefs of Mission Conference. In Conakry, Guinea, November 2-4, Assistant Secretary Nagy will conduct bilateral meetings with Guinea government officials, host a business roundtable, and meet with alumni of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). In Bamako, Mali on October 4-7, Assistant Secretary Nagy will hold meetings with Malian government officials, host a trade and entrepreneurship roundtable, and meet with YALI alumni. The final stop on the trip will be Abuja, Nigeria. Assistant Secretary Nagy will have meetings with government officials, members of the American business community, religious leaders, civil society organizations, youth groups, and he will deliver a speech at Baze University on U.S.-Africa relations. Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - A unique partnership of cities, agencies, nonprofit groups and other organizations has developed an interactive online story map that takes viewers on a journey through history and explores the challenges the lower Gila River is facing and what collaborative landscape-scale restoration efforts are being done. Users can scroll through detailed information thats presented in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand format, while learning about the areas history as it relates to how invasive vegetation has changed the function of the river. This story describes the numerous challenges on the river, including invasive vegetation, fire and flooding, and the impending arrival of a beetle that could increase fire risk and habitat loss for threatened and endangered species. The site also provides in-depth information about efforts to address these challenges, taking the viewer on a journey with photos, maps, and key information on how the river plays an important role not only in our history, but also today and for future generations. This story explains the collaborative restoration efforts on a portion of the lower Gila River that flows through the cities of Phoenix, Avondale, Goodyear and Buckeye. The Gila River is considered the second-longest river in Arizona. Restoration efforts are necessary to ensure a more functional river system that provides critical habitat for wildlife species, supports biological diversity, and provides for recreational opportunities in the Sonoran Desert. A collaborative planning team came together to address the issues and determine how to move forward in order to protect and restore the river. Creating solutions to these challenges will help to restore multiple ecosystem services: establish high-quality habitats for fish and wildlife species, improve water quality, increase water flows, provide recreational opportunities, and reduce flooding and wildfire risk. This online tool is an important part of the initiative because it pulls the public into the story, while providing detailed information in a clear and visual manner and putting into a geographic context the various challenges and efforts going on to heal the river, said Kelly Wolff, Habitat Evaluation and Lands Program Manager with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. This stretch of the Gila River might be the best opportunity in our region for restoration of one of North Americas most endangered ecosystems: the cottonwood-willow gallery forest, said Ian Dowdy of the Sonoran Institute. Though once thriving along rivers and streams in the Southwest, dams and groundwater pumping have virtually eliminated it from the landscape. With abundant water, this portion of river could become a world-class destination for cultural appreciation, ecotourism, recreation, and birding along its banks. For two decades, officials have been working tirelessly to raise awareness of the need for removal of the invasive vegetation and replacement with the natural conditions that existed a hundred years ago along this river system. With the coming of the tamarisk leaf beetle, restoration is even more important than before, said Mayor Jackie Meck of Buckeye. The story map was developed in partnership with the various entities in the Lower Gila River Collaborative. These partners contributed data, photos and video, making the resource possible. The Arizona Game and Fish Department currently hosts the application. For more information, to view the story map and to get involved, visit http://bit.ly/LGRCStoryMap. Latest News Austin, Texas - The former Chief Financial Officer of an Austin, based company pleaded guilty today to willfully failing to pay over employment taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Departments Tax Division. According to court documents, from 2010 to 2016, John Herzer was the CFO of AXO Staff Leasing (AXO), a professional employer organization. Herzer handled all of the companys finances and had final authority over which creditors to pay and when to pay them. Herzer was also responsible for collecting and paying to the IRS taxes withheld from AXOs employees wages. Despite this obligation, Herzer did not pay to the IRS AXOs employment tax withholdings and instead used more than $4.9 million of those funds for his own benefit including paying personal expenses and transferring millions of dollars to his own bank accounts. In total, Herzers fraudulent conduct caused a tax loss to the IRS of more than $13 million. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. Herzer faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, as well as a term of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman commended special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who conducted the investigation, and Tax Division Trial Attorneys Robert Kemins and David Zisserson, who prosecuted the case. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman also thanked the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Texas (Austin Division) for their substantial assistance. Latest News Washington, DC - Thousands of uninsured Floridians are eligible for no-cost replacements of critical medications lost or damaged by Hurricane Michael. This relief comes from the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP), managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). The program pays for prescription medications for people without health insurance who are affected by disasters. More than 4,900 Florida pharmacies participate in EPAP, and more than 72,000 pharmacies participate nationwide. The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program provides vital assistance to people without insurance who rely upon certain prescription medicines to protect their health after disasters, said HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Robert Kadlec, M.D. I encourage citizens in Florida who can use this assistance to take advantage of it to ensure they have an adequate supply of the medicines they need. At no cost to uninsured patients, those needing certain prescription medications during an emergency can obtain a 30-day supply at any EPAP participating pharmacy through Nov. 15. Most prescription drugs are available. Uninsured patients also may use the program to replace specific medical supplies, vaccines or medical equipment, such as canes and walkers, damaged or lost as a direct result of Hurricane Michael or as a secondary result of loss or damage caused while in transit from the emergency site to an emergency shelter. EPAP provides an efficient mechanism for enrolled pharmacies to process claims for prescription medication, specific medical supplies, vaccines and some forms of durable medical equipment for eligible individuals in a federally identified disaster area. Uninsured Floridians affected by Hurricane Michael can call 855-793-7470, to learn if their medication or specific durable medical equipment is covered by EPAP and to find a participating pharmacy or visit www.phe.gov/epap. HHS also has Disaster Medical Assistance Teams working alongside local healthcare providers to care for emergency department patients at damaged or overwhelmed hospitals. In addition, these federal medical teams have triaged people found by Urban Search and Rescue and provided basic medical care for residents in local emergency shelters. Since arrival, these teams have seen more than 1,500 patients. A U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps behavioral health team also is providing behavioral health support for emergency responders. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has information available to help citizens understand the safe use of medical products, including insulin and devices, exposed to flooding or unsafe water after Hurricane Michael. This information includes the safe use of temperature-sensitive drugs when refrigeration is temporarily unavailable. The FDA also continues to monitor Hurricane Michaels impact on companies that develop products the FDA regulates, including medicines, medical devices, food, and the blood supply, to help ensure safety and availability. There have been no reports of significant impacts on companies that produce critically important medical products, and no shortages of these products are expected at this time. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention subject matter experts are working with the state health department to determine and meet any long-term public health effects of the hurricane and providing public health information such as safe clean up and preventing common post-disaster diseases. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is providing waivers and flexibilities to assist healthcare providers and suppliers in providing necessary care and services to beneficiaries throughout the emergency. CMS is working with the Kidney Community Emergency Response network and dialysis providers to check on the well-being of dialysis patients and reschedule their dialysis services at open dialysis facilities after the hurricane. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration activated its Disaster Distress Helpline, a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. The Disaster Distress Helpline is toll-free, multilingual, and confidential. Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 (for Spanish, press 2 or text Hablanos to 66746) to connect with a trained crisis counselor. The helpline has received almost 200 calls from Floridians in the past week. HHS Secretary Alex Azar declared public health emergencies in Florida and Georgia to authorize flexibilities for CMS beneficiaries, following President Trumps emergency declarations in those states due to Hurricane Michael. These actions and flexibilities are retroactive to Oct. 9, 2018, in Georgia and Oct. 7, 2018, in Florida. HHS, through ASPR, leads the federal governments public health and medical response and recovery support for states and territories after disasters. HHS works to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans, providing for effective health and human services and fostering advances in medicine, public health, and social services. ASPRs mission is to save lives and protect Americans from 21st century health security threats. Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - The Yuma Police Department received a Snapchat photo and video depicting the following individuals. In the video these individuals were heard making threats towards an unspecified school. Currently the Yuma Police Department has an open investigation into these threats. In an abundance of caution this information is being disseminated to assist us in identifying the individuals. The Yuma Police Department encourages anyone with any information about this case to please call the Yuma Police Department at 928-373-4700 or 78-Crime at (928) 782-7463 to remain anonymous. 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. iShares MSCI Austria ETF's stock was trading at $15.26 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, EWO shares have increased by 67.6% and is now trading at $25.57. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. iShares MSCI Denmark ETF's stock was trading at 60.79 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, EDEN stock has increased by 86.3% and is now trading at 113.25. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Ormat Technologies, Inc. operates as a holding company. The firm engages in the provision of geothermal and recovered energy power business. It operates through the following segments: Electricity, Product and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment focuses in the sale of electricity from the company's power plants pursuant to PPAs. The Product segment involves in the manufacture, including design and development, of turbines and power units for the supply of electrical energy and in the associated construction of power plants utilizing the power units manufactured by the company to supply energy from geothermal fields and other alternative energy sources. The Energy Storage segment consists of battery energy storage systems as a service and management of curtailable customer loads under contracts with U.S. retail energy providers and directly with large commercial and industrial customers. The company was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Reno, NV. Read More 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 The following companies are subsidiares of SK Telecom Co.,Ltd: ADT CAPS Co. Ltd., ADT Caps, Atlas Investment, CAPSTEC Co. Ltd., Cyworld, DongGuan Iriver Electronics Co. Ltd., Dreamus Company, Eleven Street Co. Ltd., FSK L&S (Hungary) Co. Ltd., FSK L&S (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., FSK L&S Co. Ltd., FSK L&S Vietnam Company Limited, Hana Card, Hanaro Telecom, Happy Hanool Co. Ltd., Home & Service Co. Ltd., ID Quantique, Id Quantique LLC, Incross Co. Ltd., Infra Communications Co. Ltd., Iriver China Co. Ltd., Iriver Enterprise Ltd., K-net Culture and Contents Venture Fund, Korea Thrunet, LG HelloVision, Life & Security Holdings Co. Ltd., Life Design Company Inc., Mindknock Co. Ltd., Onestore Co. Ltd., PS&Marketing Co. Ltd., Panasia Semiconductor Materials LLC, Quantum Innovation Fund I, SK Broadband, SK Broadband Co. Ltd., SK Communications Co. Ltd., SK Global Healthcare Business Group Ltd., SK Infosec Co. Ltd., SK M&Service Co. Ltd., SK O&S Co. Ltd., SK Planet Co. Ltd., SK Planet Global Holdings Pte. Ltd., SK Planet Japan K. K., SK Telecom China Fund I L.P., SK Telecom China Holdings Co. Ltd., SK Telecom Innovation Fund L.P., SK Telecom TMT Investment Corp., SK Telink Co. Ltd., SK stoa Co. Ltd., SK telecom Japan Inc., SKP America LLC, SKT Americas Inc., SKinfosec Information Technology (wuxi) Co. Ltd., Service Ace Co. Ltd., Service Top Co. Ltd., Shopkick, Tbroad Nowon Broadcasting Co. Ltd., YTK Investment Ltd., iRiver Ltd, and id Quantique Ltd.. There is not enough analysis data for Enel Generacion Chile. 4.1 Community Rank Outperform Votes Enel Generacion Chile has received 205 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Enel Generacion Chile has received 122 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Enel Generacion Chile has received 62.69% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Enel Generacion Chile and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe EOCC will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe EOCC will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next iStock/Thinkstock(SALT LAKE CITY) -- The University of Utah community is grieving after an "accomplished" student athlete was shot dead on campus Monday night, the school said. Lauren McCluskey, of Washington state, was found dead in a parked car on campus, witnesses told police, who have not announced a motive for the killing. McCluskey, a senior majoring in communication, was on the track and field team, the university said. The suspected shooter, Melvin Rowland, who killed himself, had a prior relationship with McCluskey, authorities said. Rowland, 37, a registered sex offender, had been seen fleeing the Medical Towers dorm around the time of the shooting, authorities said. Rowland wasn't a student there, police said. "They chased him to this location, where they found that he had forced entry into the church," University of Utah Police Services Lt. Brian Wahlin said. "After clearing the building, they found our suspect deceased in a room in the church, suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound." Rowland, a resident of Salt Lake City, was convicted of attempted forcible sex abuse and enticing a minor over the internet in 2004, court records show. Classes have been canceled Tuesday "to allow our campus community to grieve the senseless loss of this bright, young woman," the university said in a statement. "We have made our counseling and support services available to students, staff and faculty." McCluskey's "family is understandably in shock at this news about their daughter," the university added. "They are heartbroken. We have and continue to offer our full support to them at this terrible time." "Students, staff and faculty who knew her are feeling a profound loss," Lori McDonald, associate vice president and dean of students, said at a news conference Tuesday. "The trauma of last night's event has clearly impacted our entire campus community." Monday's tragedy was the second deadly shooting at the university since last year. Student Austin Boutain, 24, was arrested in October 2017 after he fatally shot ChenWei Guo, a 23-year-old computer science major. Boutain entered a guilty plea last month to aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder and aggravated kidnapping, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. He agreed to be sentenced to life in prison. It was "almost a year ago that our campus experience a similar tragedy," McDonald said Tuesday, "and it is important to acknowledge that trauma and stress impact us differently." "There is no normal reaction to something like this," she said, crying. "To our students, especially, please know that we have a number of campus resources to support you. Please do not hesitate to ask for help." University Athletics Director Mark Harlan said everything done this year will be in McCluskey's memory. ABC News' Marilyn Heck contributed to this report. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. 10 hours ago 3 Stocks to Buy for a Santa Rally Consider Adding These 3 Stocks for an End of Year Santa Rally Over the years, investors and traders will pick up on certain trends that tend to play out time and time again. This experience can really pay off in the long run, as patterns repeat themselves in financial markets more often than not. Read Article When one talks of enjoying a holiday in any of the African countries, most will think of safari tours, trips to Marrakesh or Cape Town or visiting the Egyptian pyramids. However, in this very continent, there are various beautiful islands lying on the shores of both the Atlantic and Indian oceans with most of them located in the latter. One of these fantastic islands is Madagascar which is the fourth largest island in the world. There are some other smaller islands with unique living creatures, white sandy beaches, and fascinating history. Such locations are definitely worth a trip. The island life, is a form of refreshment which has been romanticized in different romantic books and blockbuster movies. By the nature of islands, they have captured vicinity with unimaginable watchtowers that are accompanied by natural beauty. These places are also preferred due to the privacy they offer; they provide the peace that one may require to keep away from the everyday bustles of city life. Islands are places where one can spend his days getting the suntan and preferably drinking some rum while enjoying the beauty of the surrounding environment. There are different groups of islands in Africa; the Atlantic Ocean islands and the Indian Ocean islands. Main islands in Africa Islands are basically landmasses which are surrounded by water. As many would ask: how many countries in Africa have islands? Africa, being the second largest continent after Asia, it has 54 states that are recognized by the African Union. These countries include the island nations, which are sovereign countries like any other African country. The main islands include: Madagascar The Republic of Madagascar initially referred to as the Malagasy Republic is the biggest island in Africa with a size of 587,041 km2 which doubles the size of Arizona. The big red island is ranked the fourth biggest island worldwide. It is found in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of East Africa, about 450 km from Mozambique. Madagascar became isolated from the initial continentGondwana land 88 million years ago. The separation of this country has resulted in the evolution of plants and animals into relative isolation. This nation is relatively closer to Comoros, Reunion, South Africa and Mauritius, and it has a population of 22 million people. In Madagascar, there are various ethnic communities which inhibit that particular area. The Malayo Indonesia first occupied this country in the first century A.D. They were followed by the Arabs who were establishing trade ports in the 6th century. Other communities like mixed Africans later came and inhibited the area. In October 1958, Madagascar was rendered as an independent state under the French and later became entirely independent in June 1960. Comoros Udzima Wa Komori or the union of the Comoros is an independent country found in the northern parts of Mozambique on the African coast. Comoros is a self-governing state with three other Comoros islands which are substantially known by their French names. These islands include the Grande Comore (Ngazidja), Moheli (Mwali ) and Anjouan(Nzwani). C omoros has a geographical area of 1,660 square kilometers with a population of 795,601 people excluding the island of Mayotte. With its capital city being at Moroni the largest city, this nation is made of hamlet groups. This archipelago is known for its diverse history and culture; it was first inhabited by East African Bantus who were supplemented by the Austronesian immigrants together with Arabs. Despite the uncertainty in the history of this land, the Shizari Persians are believed to be the people who have established the dominant religion- Sunni Islam. The volcanic Comoro islands are referred to as the perfumed islands because of their fragrant plant life and their intrigue scenic beauty. It is also the third smallest among all the African countries. Seychelles The Republic of Seychelles is an autonomous nation found in the Indian Ocean. Seychelle is 1,600 kilometers (942 miles) eastwards of the main African continent. It has a population of roughly 96,000 people being the country with the smallest population among all African countries, and its capital is Victoria. Historically, Seychelles culture and people living in that nation is a blend of Asians, Europeans and Africans who mostly were the freed slaves. This has resulted in a rich cultural heritage which is enjoyed by all these groups of people. Higher populations of people in this country are Catholics, other denominations such as Adventists, Jehovah witness and Anglicans are also present. Hindus and Islamic are also found on this island but in small numbers. Seychelles is one of the English speaking islands in Africa; other languages like French and Seychellois Creole are widely used. English has become predominant because of various English visitors who frequently visit this area. Mauritius This island is located in the Indian Ocean, about 2000 kilometers from the southeastern coast of Africa. The country incorporates the islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues, which is 560 kilometers from the eastern side of Mauritius together with Agalega and Brandon that are on the outer side of the main island. Mauritius has an area of 2,040 km2 (790 miles) with its capital located at Port Louis. This nation was a colony of the Dutch between 1638 and 1710; later they became a French colony between 1715 and 1810. The British became their colonizers from 1810 till 1968, and then they gained independence. Mauritius is known to be a democratic state with more than one ethnic group that enjoys the political and economic freedom at equal measures. Being one of the countries in Africa with a small geographical area, Mauritius has a higher human development index. Together with the Mascarene Islands, Mauritius is famous for its different creatures that inhabit different characteristics to other Africans creatures, therefore making it one of the best islands in South Africa. Cape Verde The Republic of Cabo Verde is a self-governing country. It is an island found in the central Atlantic ocean. This nation is an archipelago of 10 volcanic islands which were referred to as the Fortunate Isles or The Islands of the Blessed. It is one of the islands in West Africa located 570 kilometers (350 miles) from the west of Cape Verde peninsula. Cape Verde covers an area of over 4,033 km2 with a population of 525,000 individuals according to the 2015 census. Its capital city is Praia, found in the Santiago Island. They have two official languages which are Portuguese and Kabuverdianu. This land was uninhabited until the 15th century when it was discovered by the Portuguese explorers. Later, it became fully occupied by Italian traders, Portuguese colonialists and some West African slaves. Most beautiful islands in Africa Africa as a continent has numerous beautiful sceneries which serve as tourist attractions. These islands have sandy beaches and excellent hotels where one can enjoy his holiday. They include: Sao Tome This is the biggest island and the capital city of Sao Tome and Principle. Sao Tome is a Portuguese name meaning Saint Thomas. According to the 2018 census, this island has a population of 71,868 residents. The Portuguese-speaking nation is located in the western coast of central Africa. Sao Tome was founded in 1439 by the Portuguese who were looking for land to grow sugarcane. It is found on the right regions of the equator with wet climatic conditions. This land remained uninhabited until 1470 until the first group of Portuguese discovered the area. Tourists travel to this island to inquire into the sleepy fishermans villages and to dive into the ocean waters. It is always about leisure in Sao Tome; people still have options for different activities whenever they visit this place. This area also has 130 bird species that are not found anywhere else in the African continent. Moheli Moheli is one of the smallest islands that make up the country of Comoros. It is the only place in Comoros with a national park-Moheli Marine Park. This is one of the best islands in Africa to visit during a holiday, because various creatures exist there like dolphins, whales, sea turtles and fascinating coral reefs. Nosy Be Island This is an island located in the northern coast of Madagascar. It was called Assada in the seventh century during the colonial period. Nosy Be has a population of about 73,010 inhabitants with a geographical area of 320.02 square kilometers. This small island is a tourist attraction, bringing thousands of visitors to Madagascar from all over the world. There are various refreshment points like seafood restaurants in Nosy Be which serve food on the sand. Djerba Djerba is an island located in the in North Africa off the coast of Tunisia. It is the largest island in the northern part of Africa. It has a peaceful environment and beautiful sandy beaches which provide refreshments for honeymooners and other tourists as well. It only remains the only place in Tunisia with Berber language speakers. According to a 2004 census, the island has a population of 139,544 people. Praslin This is one of the largest islands in Seychelles; it is found 44 km from Mahe, having a population of 6,500 people. Praslin was anciently a hiding place for pirates and Arabs; currently, it is a scenery attracting various tourists with many resorts and hotels. Anse Georgette and Anse Lazio are some of the refreshment sites that sandy beaches, which attract many visitors from different parts of the planet. This area has a sweep of the tropical forest with birds like Endemic Seychelles Bulbul. The Vallee de Mai is known for his unique, beautiful vanilla orchids, and coco de mer. Zanzibar Zanzibar is one of the best eastern African islands which have a more significant geographical area with a larger population of people. It is found 35 kilometers from the mainland of Tanzania. The archipelago is made up of the much smaller island such as Mnemba and Chumbe. Beaches in Zanzibar have beautiful white sands lapped by turtles which are some of the attractions to the tourists. The main attraction site in Zanzibar is the Stone Town which has courtyards, charming shops, bazaars, and coral rag houses. The island has been a trading centre for centuries. Lamu Island Lamu Island is among the islands forming the Lamu archipelago in Kenya. The central town in the isle is Lamu old town; it was one of the cities which was a trading centre for the Arab merchants. This area has a preserved history on the way of life, culture and settlement for the Swahili people. Most buildings in the land are made up of mangrove timber and stones. The island is made up of narrow streets with walls on both sides, and therefore there are few cars in this island making people use donkeys in most occasions. Reunion This is a French territory located on the eastern side of Madagascar and south-west of Mauritius. It has a population of 800,000 people. It was a colony of France in 1665 and was often visited by the Arabs, the Swahili or the Portuguese sailors. Reunion and Hawaii have a common factor as both are located above hotspots in the earth crust, with the Piton des Neiges being its tallest volcano with 3,070 meters above the sea level. Sal This is the most famous island in Cape Verde; a state made up of 10 islands in the central Atlantic Ocean. The Island of Sal meaning salt in Portuguese is popularly known for its sandy beaches. Its major town is Santa Maria where most bars and hotels are located. Spanish islands in Africa Africa is also home to several Spanish islands. They include: Canary Islands Islas Canarias is a Spanish Island found on the southern parts of Spain in North Africa in the Atlantic Ocean. Its nearest island is located 108 kilometers off the northwest of the African continent. The Canary Islands comprise of Spanish provinces of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas together with the insular councils. These islands form the outer most regions of European Union, but they dont belong to the EU. Historically, the Canaries are among the eight regions with special consideration like that of the Spanish government. The indigent state was established on August 10, 1982, with its capital being at Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It has an area of 2,875 square miles with a population rise of 2,101,924 people from initial 2,082,655 people. Man made islands in Africa Kamfers dam is a large water mass covering an area of 400 ha, it has an S-shaped island which is an important breeding area for flamingoes. A local Ekapa mining company constructed this island; using tonnes of materials during its construction. The dam supports between 20,000 - 50,000 flamingos. This dam being private property, it makes the island one of the private islands in Africa. Other artificial islands in Africa include the Eko Atlantic in Nigeria which was created like the Spiral Island in Mexico. The Spiral Island was made of synthetic floating materials by a British artist known as Richart Sowa. It was destroyed in 2005 by Hurricane Emily and later replaced by Joyxee Island in 2008. The first spiral island was located in a Laguna next to the Puerto Aventuras on the coast of Mexico on the southern part of Cancun. READ ALSO: Farewell message for friends Floyd Mayweather net worth How to flirt with a girl you just met Source: Yen There is a clear route through which one can be a professional such as a teacher, lawyer, doctor, accountant, or a journalist. What is not clear to many parents and students is how to become a pilot. A pilot license in Ghana is awarded to a person who has completed a training course under a reputable school or a Certified Flight Instructor. Therefore, earning a pilots license in Ghana follows a specific process. It is the desire of most parents to see their children succeed. As parents. you should help your children to make informed decisions that will shape their future for the better. Below is a step-by-step method through which you can become a pilot. To become a certified pilot in Ghana, you need to be aware of various facts such as regulations and guidelines. You need to have the right attitude and skills so as to succeed as a pilot. The skills are not limited to good judgment, willingness to learn, self-control, performance under pressure, and careful planning. You should understand that these skills can destroy you or they can help you succeed as a pilot. You should also know the type of aircraft you want to fly. You can choose to train on the helicopter or a fixed wing. The following details will come in handy when understanding the process of becoming a pilot. READ ALSO: How to Become a Blogger in Ghana and Get Paid How to become a pilot in Ghana In order to become a pilot, you will need to go through years of education, training, and licensure. You need to prepare early so that you understand what to expect and draw your career map. If you want the best-paying piloting career, you are supposed to have at least ten years of experience to qualify. You need to practise more often and work hard to meet the requirements for your piloting career. You need to follow the process below to become a qualified pilot in Ghana. First, you should attend a flight training school just like becoming an engineer you need to go to an engineering school. The path that one needs to follow in order to become a pilot in Ghana is not known to many because there are few aviation schools in Ghana. If you are a prospective pilot, you need to ask yourself the following questions: Am I eligible to get into a flight training school? How do I get into a flight training school and where may I find a school? What kind of pilot do I want to be? Professional or Private Pilot? What stage do I need to start my training and will I get a job when I am done with training? READ ALSO: Stop Asking How to Become Rich! 18 Signs You Are a Rich Man in the Making! What is eligibility to become a pilot? An eligible pilot student is the one who is at least sixteen years of age and knows how to read, write, and speak English. You do not need WASSCE grades, and there is no interview or entrance exams. Aviation schools in Ghana Below are the aviation schools in Ghana that offer training for the grant of full commercial pilot license with multi-engine ratings. Institute of Aviation and Professional Studies Ghana CAA Aviation Training Academy APTECH Aviation & Hospitality Academy Mish Aviation School of Aviation Ghana is the most reliable institution offering aviation courses. It was the first institution in Ghana to provide aviation courses. It has knowledgeable teachers, essential learning facilities, and a favourable learning environment. Second, you should choose the type of aircraft you wish to fly. You can train on the helicopter (H) or a fixed wing (A). There are several pilot licenses available in Ghana which are: Student Pilot License (SPL) Commercial Pilot License (CPL-A or H) Airline Transport pilot license (ATPL- A or H) Private Pilot License (PPL- A or H) Free Balloon Pilot License, Glider Pilot License Multi-Crew Pilot License. Under the licenses, some specific ratings can be added to the licenses to perform some specific operations. The ratings are such as Night Rating (NR), Instruments Rating and many more. READ ALSO: How to become a millionaire in under 5 years How to become a pilot after graduation To join a flight school in Ghana, you need to have completed your high school education with a pass in English, Mathematics, and Physics. The type of pilot you want to be is primary to the route you will take after graduating from high school. To fly bigger carriers, you are required to have a degree in Aviation, to prove to the airline that you are capable of completing their education program and at the same time boost your capacity for leadership and managerial roles. In case you want to be a private pilot and fly an aircraft for recreational purposes, it is recommended that you join the University to pursue a formal career and later join flight training school after you have graduated. If you wish to become an airline pilot, and you have enough resources, then do not waste your time going to the university. Going to the University will be a waste of time because many airlines in Ghana and international airlines prefer to employ younger individuals. They often take younger people, train, and retain them. This is why it is hard to get an older person working as a flight officer (co-pilot). It is believed that most of the cognitive skills are learned and retained for a long time during the teenage years. It is advisable, therefore, to enrol in a flight school of your choice immediately after graduating from high school. Then start a student pilot and work hard to obtain your airline transport pilot license. Qualifications to become a pilot A passion for flight is key on a personal level, but you need to balance it with the number of qualities that are demanded by aviation schools. Ambition and motivation, technical aptitude, self-discipline, pressure tolerance, individual awareness, and maturity for your age are all critical attributes if you are to fit the pilot profile. You should have completed your secondary education with a pass in English, Mathematics, and Physics. Some partnered or airline-sponsored programmes may have more educational requirements. Before you begin training, you are expected to go through an examination that will test your coordination, eyesight, hearing, and overall health. After completing the test, you will be awarded a Class 1 Medical Certificate. You will be required to have the certificate throughout your flying career. You are also required to live in Ghana because that is where the training will take place. For more information concerning the specific requirements about the programme, you are advised to contact the individual trainer. Finally, you need to have passed the assessment test which is conducted to identify individuals that have a high success potential in the pilot training. The assessment process will involve personality questionnaires, aptitude testing, computer-based interviews, and teamwork exercises. Becoming a commercial pilot If you want to be a commercial pilot in Ghana, you will be required to have various certificates and ratings which are provided by aviation schools. The first and essential thing that you need to have is a private pilot license. The license will allow you to fly on your own, but you will not be paid. To be a commercial pilot, you will also be required to have a commercial pilot certificate. The certificate will allow you to receive payment for the flight services that you provide. This certificate is awarded to you after passing commercial pilot ground school and logging more than 250 flight hours with most of the time dedicated to specific manoeuvers and conditions. After logging your hour hours and passing a written ground school test, you will also be required to pass a check-ride. This is just like a driving test that is mandatory to receive a license. If you pass the test, you will be issued with a commercial pilots certificate. You will also need a multi-engine rating to become a commercial pilot. With this, you will be allowed to fly a plane with multiple engines. Most of the commercial planes have two engines which need some specific skills to operate. To be awarded the rating, you should take some lessons and mass a multi-engine check-ride. Where to become a helicopter pilot At the initial state of training, helicopters are very hard to control because they are less stable. However, once you have mastered how to control it, you will control it without almost thinking. With a helicopter license, you will fly any type of helicopter including multi-engine helicopters and turbine (jet) engine-powered helicopters. Anyone can qualify for the training provided you have correctable eyesight, no major health issues, proper motivation, and above average intelligence. With the helicopter license, you can work for the Law Enforcement (Police), Fire Fighting, Helicopter training, news gathering agencies, traffic reporting, offshore oil rig transport, heavy-lift work, crop spraying, search-and-rescue, air-ambulance, aerial photography & filming, business transportation, and vehicle tracking operations. READ ALSO: How to Apply For Us Visa Online How much does it cost to become a pilot? Pilot training in Ghana is very expensive. On average, pilot training costs up to $58,995 when you are starting with a private pilot certificate or $75,995 when you have zero experience. To receive a basic commercial pilot license including instrument and multi-engine rating, you will be required to pay up to pay between $85,000- $150,000, depending on the institution the training was conducted. In addition, other aspects associated with type ratings on various aircraft types and the compulsory Airline Transport Pilot license (ATPL) will require you to pay between $10,000- $45000. When investing in pilot training, you should first understand whether there is any return on investment. Most prospective pilots have shelled out their resources to receive the pilot training. In order to find yourself in an elaborate flight desk of an airliner, takes a very long time and much dedication. To become a profession and become employed also means meeting all the requirements which may be a very expensive pathway. How to become a pilot with no money You can also become a pilot in Ghana if you do not have resources or money. The best option will be joining the Ghana Airforce. The air force will pay for your training outside the country, and you will work in the air force until a time when you want to retire from the air force to join an air carrier. The advantage of this option is that you do not pay anything towards the training. In addition, most airlines prefer employing pilots with military experience. You should understand that Ghanas air force does not have fighter aircraft such as Eurofighter lightening 2, F16, and the hawk. The pilots of these aircraft are often the most preferred by commercial air carriers. The duration of the training depends on the institution. The same applies to the concern of how often you get the chance to fly. On average, the training takes between six months and one year. In relation to jobs, there is a high demand for pilots in emerging markets like China. Five years ago, it was very hard to get a job in the industry, but the trend has changed due to emerging markets. Becoming a pilot means having a profession that pays well, meaning that you will receive a return on investment within a concise time. How to become a pilot should not be a problem for you anymore because we have provided you with detailed information on how you can become a pilot. The above information will help parents make informed decisions that will shape the future of their children. Remember to share the information with your friends and families to help them understand that to become a pilot is not that hard as they think. Source: Yen Ghana In two months fuel prices have gone up again in the country and the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has blamed the international market. According to Citi News report sighted by YEN.com.gh, that prices of both petrol and diesel have shot up by about 2.76 percent. The price of petrol and diesel is currently pegged at GH5.21 per litre, up from the previous price of GH5.07 per litre despite a reduction in the price of crude oil in the international market. NPA boss Hassan Tampuli Source: UGC READ ALSO: Im begging you to come for rematch in 2020 Mahama to Nana Addo But according to the NPA, the latest increase in prices for fuel is as a result of a surge in the price of finished products on the international market. The Executive Director of the NPA, Hassan Tampuli in an interview with Citi News said the price increases witnessed at the various pumps are within the permitted indicative prices. Almost all the OMCs that have moved the prices up are within the indicative price range. We observed some shocks on the international market. LPG price has gone up by about 2.21%, and petrol by about 2.94 %, and diesel has gone up by 6.37%. That is what we have seen on the international market. The imposition of sanctions on Iran by the United States has also impacted negatively on the prices on the international market, he said. READ ALSO: Mafi Zongo Assemblyman claims 'Worlds Politician of the Year' award The price of fuel crossed the GH 5 mark in September. According to the Institute of Energy Security (IES), the increase was largely due to the depreciation of the cedi. It said other factors such as the increase in Brent crude contributed to the increase. READ ALSO: NABCO has issues to fix - These are the biggest four of them Prices of petroleum products went up by 2% in August 2018. Meanwhile, Policy think tank on taxation and consumer protection CUTS International, wants the government to reduce the special petroleum levy to give consumers relief. Executive Director of CUTS International, Appiah Kusi Adomako, also told Citi News that the government can still help relieve consumers of the burden from the increases. Government can take away some of the taxes from petroleum whenever the prices go up on the world market. We asked the government to reduce the Special petroleum levy so that consumers can get some kind of relief from the high prices. Petroleum price in Ghana is very high and we need to find a sustainable way of addressing this." In other news: The Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti Region believes none other than President Akufo-Addo is to blame for the issues at the KNUST. According to an executive of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC,) no less a person should be blamed for the brutalities on the campuses of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) than President Nana Akufo-Addo. Ghana News Today: Shatta Wale Rocks Fans at Reign Album Launch | Yen.com.gh: Your stories and photos are always welcome. Send us a message via YEN's official Facebook page. Source: Yen.com.gh A disagreement among Chinese nationals at a gambling table at China-Town, Wassa-Akropong in the Wassa Amenfi East District of the Western Region, has cost two lives while another is in critical condition. A Chinese man who remains unidentified has shot three of his compatriots leaving two confirmed dead in the Wassa Amenfi East District of the Western region. The third is said to be in a critical condition i the hospital. Graphic.com.gh reports that there was a misunderstanding prior to the violence. All the people involved were reportedly gambling at a table when disagreement ensued. Since the language was unknown to the Ghanaians around they just looked on as the would-be assailant and his victims shouted on. READ ALSO: Ghost reportedly writes letter to husband who killed her The Chinese Ambassador to Ghana has reiterated his country's efforts to have its nationals abide by the laws in Ghana Source: UGC During the confusion, the suspect stormed out and returned shortly thereafter to spray bullets towards his compatriots, and sped off in a vehicle to an unknown destination. After calm was restored, three Chinese nations were reportedly found to have fallen, with the police pronouncing two dead at the scene and the third critically injured. The dead and the injured are now at the Government Hospital in Wassa. The police also arrested 29 Chinese who were said to have been present at the scene. None of them however, could tell the police what happened and the whereabouts of the assailant. READ ALSO: Nana Aba Anamoah pleases Sarkodie, Shatta Wale & Stonebwoy with a photo In recent past, Chinese individuals involved in sectors such as mining and retailing have found themselves foul of the law. Sometimes, the crimes were very serious. This has forced one Chinese ambassador after the other to assure Ghanaians that they would ask their people to be law-abiding. Ghana News Today: Shatta Wale Rocks Fans at Reign Album Launch | Yen.com.gh: Do you have a story to share with us? Inbox us on our Facebook page and we could feature your story Source: Yen - Manchester United will host the Serie A giants on Tuesday, October 23 in their third Champions League group match - Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to feature for Juventus on his second return to Old Trafford - The Portuguese ace has taken time to send former United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, an important message ahead of the clash Juventus ace, Cristiano Ronaldo, has paid tribute to former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, ahead of the forward's second return to Old Trafford since his departure to Real Madrid in 2009. The Portuguese talisman spent six years with the Red Devils, winning several titles including three English Premier League titles, the Champions League and the Ballon dOr before sealing a moving to Santiago Bernabeu. His decorative tenure at Old Trafford has seen the 33-year old express gratitude towards Ferguson who played an integral part in developing his career. READ ALSO: Arsenal beat Leicester City 3-1 in Premier League encounter "Sir Alex Ferguson is someone I will never ever forget and I would like to express my best possible wishes to him," he stated. Speaking exclusively to the media on Monday, October 22 ahead of Juventus' clash against United, Ronaldo further revealed that he would not celebrate should he score against his former side. "I won lots of trophies here, cups, league, Champions League. I remember the support as well. The support is fantastic," Ronaldo told reporters. This would be Ronaldo's second return to the Manchester outfit since his exit, with the first being during Ferguson's last season with United. READ ALSO: Floyd Mayweather shows off his new home in America On his last visit, Cristiano featured for Madrid, where he scored the winning goal but bizarrely refused to celebrate. When asked if he would replicate that on Tuesday night, Ronaldo said: "My reaction will be the same." Ghana News Today: Shatta Wale Rocks Fans at Reign Album Launch | Yen.com.gh: Your stories and photos are always welcome. Send us a message via YEN's official Facebook page. Source: Yen The acclaimed Ghanaian investigative journalist has said the biggest threat to his job would be if he lost support of 'discerning minds.' The award-winning documentary journalist was speaking in the first edition of a new magazine called, "People and Power." In a report first filed by Mynewsgh.com, Anas Aremeyaw Anas said that his work was only motivated by the fact that there were more good people than those he called "the bad guys." Anas reassured in the interview that he has been monitoring media trends and so far, he has about 80 to 90% approval rating on social media. This he said gives him the courage to continue not caring about the destructive criticisms from the supposed few. READ ALSO: If you continually refuse to the youth, they will one day rise - Shatta Wale Anas Aremeyaw Anas is a journalist who has won accolades for his extensive investigative work. Photo credit: Google Photos Source: UGC As such, the investigative journalist pointed that the biggest threat to him if these "bad guys" control the public's opinion on me. He is quoted as saying: "Im more worried about people like you [the interviewer], who are discerning. And my message always goes to people like you. If I lose people like you, I will quit journalism. So you look at the trends, the thoughts, the mannerisms. For them [people who are not discerning], what you have today, it will take them another five years to get to this level, and dont blame them too; the level of education, the IQ level...everything is confusing to them. READ ALSO: Nana Aba Anamoah pleases Sarkodie, Shatta Wale & Stonebwoy with a photo Anas has been logged in a public debate for about a decade on whether or not the journalist is doing a disservice with his methods of investigations. Ghana News Today: Shatta Wale Rocks Fans at Reign Album Launch | Yen.com.gh: Do you have a story to share with us? Inbox us on our Facebook page and we could feature your story. Source: Yen - The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has embarked on a GH2,000,000.00 fund raising campaign for Bible translation - The aim is to ensure that the Bible is translated to all Ghanaian languages by 2025 - Otumfuo will be working together with the Ghana Institute of Linguistics and Bible Translation (GILBT) and Bible Society of Ghana on this project The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has embarked on a fund raising project to support bible translation in Ghana, YEN.com.gh can report. The fundraising campaign is part of a project aimed at obtaining the requisite financing for the translation of the Bible into all Ghanaian languages by 2020. This was disclosed at an event held in Kumasi, according to a report by Myjoyonline.com. READ ALSO: GCCH is fake; they duped me of GH10,000 Tracey Boakye blows alarm The project is dubbed Operation Cover the Land; Completing Bible translations in Ghana - vision 2020. The Asantehene, will be assisted by Ken Ofori-Atta, the finance minister, and Reverend Dr Kwabena Darko, to establish a financial Patrons platform to help raise a targeted amount of GH2,000,000.00 for that purpose. Rev. Dr. Kwabena Darko, who was at the event, said translating the Holy Book into all the dialects spoken in the country was essential for the growth of Christianity in all cultures and traditions while also taking the gospel of Christ to every corner of the country. He said the translations would be done by both the Bible Society of Ghana and the Ghana Institute of Linguistics and Bible Translation (GILBT) within the framework of partnerships with the local churches, which would lead to a great transformational impact. READ ALSO: God bless you all for your insults and lies Akua GMB tells her enemies The project will commence with the translation of 10 Ghanaian languages that have no scriptures at all, which are Anyin Awutu /Afutu, Chakali, Chala, Abron/bono, spoken by some ethnic groups in the Western, Central and Northern Regions. Rev. Dr. Darko said the Bible Society had also started work in these languages: Cherepon/Kere, Dwang/Bekye larteh and Jwira/Pepesa. He said the Old Testament translations would be done for languages that already had the New Testament translation. They are Adele, Hanga, Hausa, Mamprusi, Avatime, Nkonya, Sisaala paasaal and Nawuuri. For his part, the finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has predicted that Ghana will be blessed immensely when this Bible translation project is completed. The heavens would be opened on the country if this project is successful. I urge all to put their resources into the project, he said. READ ALSO: Latest photo of model Tracy Sarkcess on the runway stuns Ghanaians Ghana News Today: Chaotic Riot by KNUST Students / Poisonous Tilapia on Ghanaian Markets |Yen.com.gh READ ALSO: Policeman shot in daylight robbery on a Metro Mass Transit bus 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 Ghana -A pastor based in South Africa has reportedly killed his two young daughters and killed himself - Pastor Precocious Mpofu, a Zimbabwean, was the senior pastor of Eagle Life Assembly - The remains of the pastor and his daughters have since been buried YEN.com.gh has sighted reports suggesting that a 36-year-old senior pastor, Precocious Mpofu, of Eagle Life Assembly has just poisoned his daughters, 11-year-old Shalom and 7-year-old Panashe before killing himself. According to Daily Post, late Pastor Mpofu hailed from Nkulumane in Zimbabwe and committed this act in his Yeoville Johannesburg home in South Africa. It was further reported that the deceased were buried on Saturday, October 20, in Zimbabwe, the same day their bodies were found. Pastor Precocious Mpofu (Photo: Precocious Mpofu) Source: UGC The pastor allegedly forced his daughters to drink a drainage cleaning chemical before also taking it, citing marital problems. READ ALSO: Wild photo of KNUST students seizing security man's pot of banku on fire goes viral This act took place after his wife Ms Chido Chipangura separated from him recently. According to a family member, As a family we are very sad. We have lost two children and we are still in mourning. We thank the family, friends and neighbours for their support at this time. I was reliably informed by residents at his apartment that they saw him carrying each of the daughters on his shoulders into their flat at around 2pm. At 2:40pm he sent his sister here in Bulawayo a WhatsApp message saying one of his daughters, Shalom, had died. Exactly 10 minutes later, he sent another message saying his second daughter had also passed on. "This puzzled his sister who was trying to call him to understand what exactly he was trying to say. Ms Chipangura dashed to the flat only to find three bodies. The kids bodies were neatly laid in bed between blankets while Precocious body was on the floor, father of the deceased also disclosed. Precocious Mpofu and his wife (Photo: Precocious Mpofu) Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Moesha Bodoung finally reveals why she removed her bra to take photos at a party (Video) While the pastors body was recovered in his home, family members also came across the note he had written before his death. Late Mpofus father disclosed that his son had earlier told him that he was being stalked by four men that he named in his suicide note. He said his son also listed the four men's phone numbers. Sipho said he used to hear rumours that his son and his daughter-in-law were having marital problems. The deceased's mother, Sibangani Mpofu said that, her son was texting his sister strange messages giving directives on how his assets should be distributed. Pastor Precocious Mpofu and his children (Photo: Precocious Mpofu) Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Nana Aba Anamoah 'unites' Shatta Wale, Sarkodie, Stonebwoy with just 1 photo He ordered his sister to sell his car in South Africa and give the money to his parents in order to fund a huge task that is on the way. She said: "It's like he had already planned everything and shared his assets. In his numerous texts, he mentioned that his wife should never set foot at this family home. It means he meant she shouldn't attend this funeral I guess. Meanwhile, residents of Ablekuma in Accra claim that the ghost of a woman who was murdered by her husband at Ablekuma in Accra has written a letter to him. One of them narrated the whole incident in a video YEN.com.gh has sighted. Ghana News Today: Shatta Wale Rocks Fans at Reign Album Launch | 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 - A group calling itself Aggrieved customers of Menzgold has threatened to embark on a nationwide demonstration - The leader of the group, Timothy Binob, said the date for the demonstration would be released soon - He said Menzgold had failed to fulfil any of its payment promises to customers Angry customers of gold dealership company, Menzgold Ghana Limited, say they will embark on a nationwide demonstration by the end of October. The spokesperson of a group calling itself Aggrieved Menzgold Customers, Timothy Binob, said the exact date for the demonstration would be announced at a press conference to be held later this week, according to a report sighted by YEN.com.gh on Citinewsroom.com. Mr. Binob explained that the customers all over the country were expected to take part in the demonstration. READ ALSO: I broke up with Iceberg Slim on mutual terms Juliet Ibrahim According to him, the nationwide demonstration is for the customers to express their displeasure at the companys failure to pay them the extra value on their investments as promised earlier. He revealed that the customers were yet to receive any official communication from the company on what percentage of the total value of gold traded would be refunded to them. The aggrieved customers have demanded a fifty percent refund within four weeks, but Menzgold says it may be able to pay only a portion of what is being demanded. READ ALSO: GCCH is fake; they duped me of GH10,000 Tracey Boakye blows alarm It is a nationwide demonstration, and Tarkwa and Kumasi will all be part. So we are liaising with them and all of them will also come with their buses. We will convey a press conference very soon maybe at the end of this week so we announce the date of the demonstration, Mr. Binob said, while calling on all customers to come on board. He decried the rate at which Menzgold had taken the customers for granted, saying that the gold company had failed to fulfil any of its payment promises to them. We have been promised by the firm and for several times they have not fulfilled their promises. They gave us a four week period to come on out with a percentage they will be paying, but none of the customers have received anything. No customers has received any money; not even a single one, Mr. Binob lamented. READ ALSO: God bless you all for your insults and lies Akua GMB tells enemies Meanwhile, in an earlier report by YEN.com.gh, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Nana Appiah Mensah, asked all customers of Menzgold to remain calm while the company prepares their payment. But some of them have blamed the situation on President Akufo-Addo, the Bank of Ghana, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). READ ALSO: Policeman shot in daylight robbery on a Metro Mass Transit bus Ghana News Today: Chaotic Riot by KNUST Students / Poisonous Tilapia on Ghanaian Markets |Yen.com.gh READ ALSO: Photos: Pastor Precocious Mpofu poisons his 2 daughters and self in South Africa 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.com.gh Author Michael Mahin playing the harmonica. Roxyanne Young Southern Carlsbad resident Michael Mahin readily acknowledges why he wanted to write childrens books. I was starting to entertain the idea of being a creative writer, Mahin said. I foolishly thought that childrens writing would be an easy way into it. Ten years later, I was right. Mahins book Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters with illustrations by Evan Turk, was published in 2017 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of the Simon & Schuster Childrens Publishing Division. The Childrens Literature Council of Southern California has named Muddy the Outstanding Picture Book Biography of 2018 and it also made the New York Public Librarys list of Top Ten Childrens Books of 2017. He will be among those honored by the literature council in its fall gala Saturday, Oct. 27, in Monterey Park. Information on the event and the council is available at childrensliteraturecouncil.org. Such recognition ultimately corroborated Mahins decision to venture into childrens literature and orient his themes to musicians whose childhood lives were largely unheralded. A native of El Cajon, Mahin grew up immersed in church music as his father was a Methodist minister. His grandmother was a church organist and he began taking piano lessons when he was 5. Eventually, Mahin settled on the guitar as his favorite instrument and played in blues and pop-rock bands. The cover of Muddy: The Story of Blues Legend Muddy Waters Illustrator Evan Turk Writing, however, is his foremost passion. He received a bachelors degree in English literature at UC Santa Barbara, a masters at SDSU and a PH.D. from Claremont Graduate University. Though he taught for a while at SDSU, he ultimately decided against the professorial life and now works as a copywriter. His wife teaches at El Camino Creek Elementary School in Carlsbad not far from their home. While Mahin spurned musical performance as a career, his knowledge of the art and musicians infuses his writings for children. Muddy was inspired by the trajectory of McKinley Morganfields life from a poverty-stricken teenage sharecropper and part-time musician in the Mississippi River delta to becoming the foremost exponent of the Chicago blues. He became known popularly by the sobriquet Muddy Waters. According to Mahins book, Muddy was a nickname given to him by his Grandma Della, observing the tots penchant for playing in dirt. She scooped him up and tried to keep him clean and finally just started calling him Muddy, Mahin writes. Though Waters powerful blues vocals and guitar playing were often neglected in the United States even in his adopted hometown of Chicago he profoundly influenced rock musicians, especially the British wave that included The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton. A lot of people dont realize that without Muddy Waters and the Chicago blues scene, you dont have rock n roll, and everything that came after that, Mahin said. To me, its a seminal part of our culture. While Mahins Muddy Waters book was his first to be published, hed already written Stalebread Charlie and the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band, which was published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt this year. The narrative recounts the true story of a group of homeless children who invented their own instruments to entertain visitors in the streets of New Orleans in the late 19th century. Also published this year by Simon & Schusters childrens publishing division was Mahins When Angels Sing: The Story of Rock Legend Carlos Santana. Illustrated by Jose Ramirez, the book follows Santanas beginning years from his poverty-stricken adolescence and early years as a street musician in Mexico to his bands historic appearance at the Woodstock festival in 1969. All of these books are a chance to remind children and adults that this thing we think of as American culture is something thats created by lots of people from different backgrounds and ethnicities, Mahin said. Thats something we should process and remember, especially today when politics are intentionally divisive. Through each of the volumes, Mahin writes with a playful, poetic lilt at times reminiscent of Theodore Geisels Dr. Seuss works. Part of what you do as a childrens writer is you have to make it accessible to children without removing what makes Muddy Waters Muddy Waters, Mahin said. For example, a mantra within the text is: But Muddy was never good at doing what he was told, referring to Waters penchant for ignoring advice and going his own way. While his publishers chose different artists for each of Mahins books, each is visually vivid, colorful and vibrant. Turks work on the Muddy Waters book resulted in him being honored with the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award and Muddy being named one of the New York Times Best Illustrated Childrens Books of 2017. Ramirez was awarded the Society of Illustrators Gold Medal for Original Art in 2018. Childrens literature is not the only creative outlet for Mahin. The 44-year-old father of two also is a screenwriter and wrote the script for what he describes as a low-budget horror movie that is being readied for release. Its completely not kids-appropriate, Mahin said. Kids should not go see it. He is not, however, giving up his day job or his path in childrens literature. In seeking election Nov. 6 to the San Dieguito Union High School District Board of Trustees, candidates participating in a public forum Wednesday, Oct. 17, agreed on one thing. The goal in representing a district whose schools perennially rank as among the best in the state should be to maintain and refine that level of excellence. All seven candidates vying for three seats on the five-member board participated in the forum. It was held at the districts Earl Warren Middle School campus in Solana Beach by the North Coastal Council of PTAs and the Earl Warren PTSA, and moderated by League of Women Voters representative Lois Martyn. The candidates are Amy Flicker and Maureen Mo Muir in Trustee Area 1; Melisse Mossy and Rhea Stewart in Area 3; and Kristin Gibson, Cheryl James-Ward and Lea Wolf in Area 5. I think were going in a great direction, Muir told the audience of about 100. It is a great district but we need to do better. Said Mossy, We want to be the leaders, not just in the state but in the nation. We want to be the district (in which) everyone is coming to see what is happening and why its happening well. Muir is the only incumbent in the three races since Area 3 Trustee John Salazar and Area 5 Trustee Amy Herman are not running. Muirs subdistrict, Area 1, covers the northwest corner of the district, including much of Encinitas and south Carlsbad. Muir is the boards vice president as well as vice president of the districts Facilities Authority and and she is a member of the Safety and Wellness Committee. Flicker, Muirs challenger, has performed many volunteer activities. She serves on the districts Proposition AA Independent Citizens Oversight Committee, which monitors how the districts $449 million facilities bond measure passed in 2012 is being spent. She also is a member of the districts Special Education Task Force and its Social Emotional Wellness Committee. She contended that while the district is successful academically, the board is failing its leadership role, as illustrated by the ongoing turnover of superintendents in recent years. I believe that we need to have a restoration of proper governance on the board, Flicker said. I believe that were really functioning with a dysfunctional board. Mossy is a credentialed teacher with experience both in education and business, including being the managing director of a multi-million dollar company. Now, I have the time to impart all of my passion, my experience and my love for education and kids to your kids, she said. Mossy is vying with Stewart to represent the area that occupies the central swath of the district and encompasses Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe and southern Encinitas. Stewart, a former Cardiff Elementary School District trustee, was a leader in the campaign for Proposition AA, and has been a member of its oversight committee since 2013. She cited her experience on the committee as having prepared her for the challenges of being a board member. Based on that experience, I will be prepared for the fiscal work ahead managing the current budget and shedding light on this years spending and how it will influence our budget in 2019 (and future years), Stewart said. In Area 5, the southeastern section of the district blanketing Carmel Valley, future leadership is up for grabs among Gibson, James-Ward and Wolf. Gibson is a Del Mar Union School District board trustee currently serving as the bodys president. She is a faculty member at SDSUs School of Teacher Education, among other involvements. I was asked to teach at San Diego State University training teachers to be teachers, she said, while adding that serving as a school board member helped her gain a different perspective. Being on the school board I gained experience that I think I can bring here to help San Dieguito with what theyre dealing with and what the schools in general are dealing with, she said. A former NASA engineer, James-Ward has more than 25 years of experience in public education and is the principal of e3 Civic High, an innovative charter school housed in the San Diego Public Library. She said she is known as a turn-around administrator brought in to turn the tide in schools that were not doing well in meeting acceptable standards. When asked what she believes is the best approach to disciplining students, she talked about her experience on a panel examining the issue. We looked at that data and said, Okay, weve got to suspend for certain things, but how do we prevent kids from being in that place in the first place? With her background as an entrepreneur, Wolf has focused on using innovative technology to address social issues. She developed a proprietary communications methodology titled e-LEADERSHIFT and with her daughter created Deeds-by-Kids, which involves youths in community services projects. Wolfs remarks focused on the need to empower students and give them more of a voice in their education. I see our kids (as) vulnerable today, she said. Schools exist for students but are run by the adults who do not understand the students. That is why I got involved. In her closing statement, Wolf said, Im confident that together, we can solve any problem. But really first and foremost, we need to change the way we work in this district. We need to shift the culture. We must be student-centered first. The Nov. 6 election will be the first in the district in which the jurisdiction has been divided into five subdistricts, with each area represented by one trustee. To ensure compliance with the California Voting Rights Act and avoid costly litigation, many cities and school districts have switched from at-large elections to elections by subdistricts. In the at large system, any voter within the district could vote for any candidate, regardless of where they lived. In the subdistrict system adopted by San Dieguito, voters in one of the five areas can only cast ballots on a candidate who lives in that area. This November, Del Mar Union School District residents will be asked to vote on Measure MM, the $186 general obligation bond to improve school facilities. The bond proposes to fund the complete rebuild of Del Mar Heights Elementary School, a modernization of Del Mar Hills Academy, a ninth district school in Pacific Highlands Ranch, as well as provide for improved safety and technology infrastructure, classroom renovations and repairs and upgrades at all neighborhood schools in Carmel Valley. The average tax rate for the bond would be a maximum of $29.25 per $100,000 of assessed value. With a median assessed value in the districts boundaries of $923,038, the proposed tax rate would cost median homeowners approximately $270 per year. The bond will need 55 percent of the vote to pass. One of the Yes on MM co-chairs is Christene Renner, an Ocean Air School parent who was vocal throughout the districts sometimes contentious facilities discussions earlier in the year as the district worked to come up with funding solutions to fix deteriorating school facilities and replace old portables. Renner often stated that a bond is the only way to ensure that general fund money is not used to pay for facilities needs, which would jeopardize the districts unique small class sizes. No other funding currently exists to properly upgrade our schools, Renner said, noting that the state does not provide funding for school facilities improvement or reconstruction, leaving it a local issue and a challenge for a district in which 87.3 percent of the budget funds teacher and staff salaries. We need to educate our children in the best, safest and most innovative facilities that the district can provide. Almost immediately after the Del Mar Union School District (DMUSD) board voted to place the bond on the ballot in August, the Yes on MM group formed, huddling in the parking lot of the district office. As Renner said, the parents knew it would take a committed group of volunteers to get MM to pass. She said so far the groups grass roots efforts have been successfulvolunteers have come together to phone bank and canvas the district, they have put out about 400 yard signs, sent direct mailers and held a rally at the MM headquarters in Sorrento Valley. MM has also received endorsements from San Diego City Council President Pro Tem Barbara Bry, Del Mar Mayor Dwight Worden and former California State Superintendent of Instruction Jack OConnell. We are really pleased to note that there is no organized opposition, Renner said. No argument against MM appears on the ballot. Big Bad Bonds, a statewide group that targets every school bond in California, opposes the bond although the website does not include anything specific to DMUSD or MM. The Republican Party of San Diego County also did not endorse MM (they did not respond to requests for comment). This will be DMUSDs second stab at a general obligation bond to improve school facilitiesits last effort in 2012 failed by a couple hundred votes. The one big difference for us this time around is the San Diego County Taxpayers Association fully endorsed MM and thats pretty huge because they did not do that the last time, Renner said. That really resonated with a lot of voters that we have their support. Del Mar parent Sean Wheatley said he volunteered to be co-chair of the bond campaign mainly because of the state of Del Mar Heights School facilities. It was always clear to me that Del Mar Heights was in need of substantial renovations to better reflect the caliber of our teachers, students and the community that we live in. However, the urgency became clearer to me last year when I saw two of the schools portable classrooms become uninhabitable mid-year and eventually condemned due to water damage and other problems, Wheatley said. The portables at Del Mar Heights are far beyond their intended life span and it isnt hard to imagine that more of the portables could see the same fate in the near future. Wheatley believes that the top-performing students and teachers in DMUSD deserve facilities where they can focus on teaching and learning and not working around facility issues. Providing a safe environment for our children to learn should be top priority in any community, Wheatley said. The Yes on MM campaign also states that a new DMUSD school in Pacific Highlands Ranch is high priority as between 2016 and 2022, it is estimated that 2,500 homes will be built in the east Pacific Highlands Ranch area. Those new homes are currently estimated to generate over 500 new students. Currently, there is no DMUSD school in that area and families said they sometimes face a drive of 30 to 45 minutes to reach their nearest assigned schools due to traffic. The existing schools that PHR students are assigned to no longer have the capacity to absorb more students, said Sara Lake,campaign coordinator. Two years ago when my son started at Sycamore Ridge there were 450 students, today there are 620. Every one of our classes has between 24-27 students, which puts added stress on our teachers, Lake said. Without the passing of Measure MM and a new school in East Pacific Highlands Ranch, costly portable trailer classrooms at Sycamore Ridge are inevitable to accommodate the growing number of students, estimated to reach 1,000 at Sycamore Ridge. We desperately need the passing of Measure MM to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce class sizes and maintain our highly skilled teachers to provide the exceptional education our district is known for. Renner said a big part of Yes on MMs work is educating the many voters in the district who do not have children in the schools about why they should support this bond. She said they remind people that schools serve as the hub of a community and that good schools make neighborhoods more desirable places to live and support property values. Our amazing school district is important to the health of this community, Renner said. As Renner stressed, taxpayer protections are included in the bond. The MM language includes the requirements that bond funds will only be used for the specific projects listed and that the district will conduct annual independent audits as well as the appointment of a citizens oversight committee to oversee expenditures of bond funds. None of the money from MM can be used to increase salaries, benefits or pensions for administrators, teachers or any other school employees. Students from the Carmel Valley-based Theatre of Peace, a youth bullying awareness acting troupe, were selected to perform at the International Bullying Prevention Conference on Nov. 5-7 in San Diego. Eight members of the troupe will present "Baffle Away Bullying! An Interactive Stage Play: Learn Life Skills to Help You Build Resilience and Manage Encounters with Anyone Who Mistreats You. Carmel Valleys Amy Jones Anichini is the executive director for Theatre of Peace, which she runs through her nonprofit organization Act Like You Matter. The nonprofit provides anti-bullying programs for students in kindergarten through high school with the goal to empower young people to find their voice and give students the tools they need to overcome and combat bullying and be part of the solution, changing the way their generation treats each other. The Theatre of Peace actors who will present at the IBPA Conference in San Diego on Nov. 7. Amy Jones Anichini Anybody can step in and make a difference. Anybody can notice, anybody can choose a different behavior, Jones Anichini said. I feel so passionate about my students going into schools and saying that to other kids, and giving them the tools to do exactly that. Jones Anichinis passion to become an anti-bullying advocate unfortunately came from experiences in her own family when her youngest daughter Chase was horribly bullied in the second and third grade. Together, they figured out a way for Chase to manage encounters with kids treating her poorly, to not get upset and learn resilience --turning it into a game. Once they had rebuilt Chases confidence, they both wanted to help others experiencing the same thing so in 2013, they shared their effective methods in a book called Baffle That Bully. Chase developed a love of acting and in 2014 became a part of the Theatre of Peace troupe and an inspired Jones Anichini started volunteering for the group. I know how it feels to be treated terribly on a daily basis, and I dont want anyone to have to go through what I went through, said Chase, now a sophomore at Canyon Crest Academy. Joining Theatre of Peace was the perfect way to help end bullying through something I am passionate about: theatre. After about a year, the owner said she could no longer run the group and encouraged Jones Anichini to take it over. Theatre of Peace became a part of the nonprofit that she founded in 2015, Act Like You Matter. While her daughters grew up in the theatre world, Jones Anichini comes from a background in business, she has an MBA and worked in real estate investment and corporate finance. She said she relies on her business background to drive the nonprofit and to deliver effective and fully-ready programs at schools on time. Theatre of Peace now includes 37 youth actors ages 12-22 from all over San Diego County and one student from Mexico. Many of the actors are from Carmel Valley and Jones Anichini said she feels very fortunate that so many young actors are interested in using their talents in this way. I joined Theatre of Peace as a sophomore because I loved the idea of directly making a difference in the life of kids in the community and since day one, I have found the work to be immensely rewarding, said Theatre of Peace actor Lexie Maltzman, a Canyon Crest Academy senior. I care deeply about education, and have a personal connection with the message against bullying that Theatre of Peace is helping to spread, so I was instantly thrilled to be a part of such a unique program. Jones-Anichini writes all of the content and the students work with her to make sure that the situations and dialogue are realistic. At many rehearsals, the actors just talk about the stresses and the concerns they are facing at schoolif an issue feels universal it becomes part of the script. Being a part of this group of vivacious and kind-hearted individuals is incredible. Im constantly surrounded by support from my peers, who share similar experiences with bullying, Lexie said. Theres a huge sense of camaraderie between us, and I know that I can trust everyone, echoed Chase. If I ever need help with something, I can bring it up to them, and I know I will walk away with multiple solutions. The troupe has presented at various San Diego Unified Schools and locally at Ocean Air, Ashley Falls and Torrey Hills Schools, as well as Pacific Rim School in Carlsbad. Over the last month the troupe has taken two trips to Los Angeles to perform for two high schools and an elementary school. I always get a feeling of satisfaction and hope when we perform at a school, Chase said. I feel satisfied that I have successfully delivered Theatre of Peaces message, and I feel hopeful about the future experiences and relationships of the kids in our audiences. When the troupe is hired by a school, Jones Anichini works closely with the school to see what kind of issues the students may be experiencing, it helps the troupe pick the scenarios and solutions that they will use in their performanceits important that what they see on stage is something that students can relate to. In March 2017 they went to Santana High School, a moving experience for the troupe as they performed as part of Peace Week, commemorating the anniversary of the March 2001 shooting at the school in which two students were killed and 13 wounded. We felt so honored to be able to come to the campus and talk to students about what they might be able to do to prevent something like that from happening again, Jones Anichini said. Chases book Baffle That Bully was adapted into the stage play Baffle Away Bullying that will be performed at the conference. Jones Anichini said they changed the name as over the years, they have made more of an effort not to label the perpetrator because labels imply that they cant change. As her play shows and what she believes, bullying behavior can change with effort. Jones Anichini said her goal is to spread her message to as many students as she possibly can and is working on publishing a workbook and making a script available to be performed all over the country. She said she has become more and more passionate about the cause in the three and a half years since taking over the troupe and she thinks all the time about the way it all started, trying as a parent to help resolve the challenges that were thrown at her daughter. Looking back, weve really turned lemons into lemonade, Jones Anichini said. Its so important to me to be one of the voices that is making a difference. To learn more visit actlikeyoumatter.org Subscriber content preview Photo by Colliers [enlarge] The land is zoned for housing up to 240 feet, but Colliers said the buyers current plan is to remodel the units. Two small old University District apartment buildings at 4105-4115 Brooklyn Ave. N.E. have sold for almost $19.9 million, according to King County records. . . . Subscriber content preview SEATTLE The Luke Apartments, at 2119 23rd Ave. W., sold for just under $4.5 million, according to King County records. The seller was Lee Properties LLC, which had owned the property for decades. . . . The following essay was written by Ben Zylman who lives in Michigans 6th Congressional District and is represented by Congressman Fred Upton. I use quotes around represented intentionally and youll come to understand why when you read Bens piece. Enjoy. Im not the kind of person who ever thought Id write a political opinion piece. For years, I paid little attention to politics unless it was front page news for days on end. But, things change and here I am writing to tell you my story. I hate to admit it, especially to friends who have been active and involved for years, but I never even voted much. Sure, I voted in 2008 because I was excited by the Obama campaign and believed in his message of hope and change. But that didnt mean I voted straight ticket. As a matter of fact, I voted for Congressman Fred Upton because I had heard about him from neighbors and he seemed like the kind of guy who would represent us well. Well, things sure changed quickly. I thought Upton would be the kind of person who would put party labels aside and work to get things done especially on health care. Our district leads the way on health care, from the inventions of Homer Stryker to Upjohn and, today, Pfizer this area has led the country on health care innovation. I thought Fred Upton would surely cross the aisle and help find a bipartisan solution to our health care problems. I was sadly mistaken. Instead, Congressman Upton sat on his hands while we became bitterly divided over an issue that should be non-partisan. But, Upton couldnt be bothered to try and then he got even worse. As a matter of fact, Upton changed even more. Last year, I was shocked when I heard Congressman Fred Upton was not just supportive of repealing the Affordable Care Act but was the leader of the charge to rip health care away from people with pre-existing conditions. This is not the kind of person I knew Fred to be. Sure, he may support his party, but he had never been a far-right extremist before. Oh Fred, wherefore art thou?, I thought. That was the last straw for me. I would no longer skip elections and I would, in fact, get involved. Since last year, this former apathetic voter has been heavily involved in retiring Congressman Upton. I dont think he represents our values any longer and certainly doesnt deserve our vote. Uptons actions on health care would be enough to start planning his retirement party, but then I found out he voted for the Republican tax bill that gave nearly all the benefits to the wealthy. I mean, I know Upton is wealthy and benefitted greatly from this bad legislation but it just didnt seem like he used to be that way. Then I found out that Upton has voted with President Trump a whopping 95.5 percent of the time. Thats far from an independent voice for our district and not the person I voted for a decade ago. Hes just not the same old Fred we used to know. Maybe Fred has lost touch with us because he refuses to hold town halls. I was shocked when I found out it has been over 3,150 days since he held a town hall. You read that right, Upton has not met with us since February of 2010. A whole heck of lot has happened since then, but Congressman Fred Upton hasnt had time to check in with us and see where we stand. That is taxation without representation in my opinion. Editors note: Fred Upton is vulnerable, no matter what the Very Serious Political Pundits tell you. He is so vulnerable, in fact, that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has begun running ads against him starting today. And Upton has a terrific Democratic challenger this cycle: Matt Longjohn. You can donate to his campaign HERE. [CC image credit: Bluerasberry | Wikimedia Commons] Better roads. Cleaner water. Real Democracy. Check out and share our non-partisan voter guide for a new Michigan. Introducing A Fresh Michigan Novembers elections in Michigan will in many ways likely come down to one questiondo you want to fix our roads? After eight years of one-party rule of all three branches of our state government, the deterioration of our roads and bridges may be the perfect symbol of what Republicans are willing to do with their power when they alone get it. Michigans GOP was willing to slash corporate taxes, gut the negotiating power of workers, and implement bungled takeovers of struggling schools and cities that resulted in the poisoning of Flint and the further brutalization of Detroits already beleaguered public schools. But Republicans just could not get it together to fix our roads, even though it is a top priority for voters. In fact, its almost four times more popular than the standard GOP pledge of lower taxes, according to a new Detroit Free Press poll. Starving the public to pay off the rich and corporations with tax breaks is a passion of the current GOP, and not just in Michigan. But they didnt invent itnor did their particular genius make it possible to gut education and investment in our infrastructure. Like the takeover of the United States Supreme Court, it was a project generations in the making. It isnt We didnt spend the money last year. This is We didnt spend the money over the last couple of decades, said Bill Anderson of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. SMCG found that only 19 percent of Michigans roads are in good condition. Meanwhile, Detroit schools have lead in their water and, of course, we cant find nearly enough teachers of any kind, much less of the high-quality teachers kids deserve. The erosion of our public resources mirrors the erosion of our democracy. Michigan suffers from the twin rots of gerrymandering and dark money as bad or worse as any state in the nation. Our legislators are so afraid of the voters that just this year they performed a catch and kill of two ballot measuresone to raise the minimum wage and the other to grant sick leaveso Michiganders could not give themselves these basic guarantees of decent treatment. The disconnect between what citizens want and what government does is only possible because the GOP has raged a relentless war on our faith in elections. Theyve been so effective that most citizens give away their power and their vote and allow corporate interests to dictate what our government does and for whom. And, verily, we tell youthis can all change in November with one ballot. Yours. Over the next two weeks well be making the case for transforming this state by legalizing marijuana, stopping politicians from picking their voters, expanding ballot access and returning our state Supreme Court to the people. And we need your help to spread these posts and our A Fresh Michigan voter guide to everyone in the state. If you have $5 to help us spread this guide, please donate on the right column to help us make the case for a new state by, for and of the people of Michigan. Our posts about these proposals and candidates are here: Proposal 1: Vote YES on Proposal 1 for #AFreshMichigan Proposal 2: Want REAL democracy in Michigan for EVERYONE? Vote YES on Proposal 2 for #AFreshMichigan. Proposal 3: Make voting easy? Vote YES on Proposal 3 for #AFreshMichigan. Sam Bagenstos and Megan Kathleen Cavanagh: Take back Michigans Supreme Court? Vote Megan Kathleen Cavanagh and Sam Bagenstos for #AFreshMichigan. By Western Journal , Oct. 17, 2018 After coming up short in his bid to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, former Arizona lawman Joe Arpaio is blaming a member of The New York Times editorial board, among others. The newspaper has voiced its determination to vigorously defend itself against the claims. In a new lawsuit, the ex-sheriff claims he deserves a nine-figure judgment for allegedly defamatory claims made in Michelle Cottles opinion article, which was published in August. 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 CHP didn't take Turkey's controversial issues in its agenda The Republican People's Party (CHP) interested in their own topics rather than discuss Turkey's controversial issues. Every Tuesday, political party group meetings are made in the Turkish Parliament. In the group meeting made today, opposition leaders criticized the government and give several messages to the public. HE DIDN'T MENTION IMPORTANT ISSUE Recently, the parties have fallen apart on the student oath issue of a decision by Turkeys Council of State that reinstated the student oath in schools. The AK Party, which initiated the ban, was critical of the court decision when Bahceli expressed discomfort over the ruling partys stance on the issue. However, CHP leader Kemal Klcdaroglu did not mention any of them. CHP'S AGENDA Instead, CHP entered a seat war within itself. Klcdaroglu who lost the presidential race against Ak Party, still couldn't determine a roadmap for itself. 'Turkey will not tolerate a step taken against the country' says minister Addressing the military officers in Ankara, Minister of Defence, General Hulusi Akar warned that Turkey would not accept any fait accompli actions in the eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea. Turkey will not tolerate a step taken against the country in the Aegean or Eastern Mediterranean, the Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Monday. No fait accompli or step taken against Turkey in Cyprus, the Aegean or the Eastern Mediterranean will be permitted, the defense minister Akar, the former Chief of General Staff of the Turkish Army, said during a round of military exercises near Turkeys capital city of Ankara. PROJECTS IN AEGEAN 'NOT POSSIBLE' WITHOUT TURKEY "Everyone should know that in the Aegean and the Mediterranean no project can survive without Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Everyone should know that they should avoid the provocations that can create risks in the area," he underlined. On Thursday, a Greek frigate trying to interfere with Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa, a Turkish seismic vessel working in the eastern Mediterranean, was blocked by the Turkish navy. The incident prompted an immediate response from Turkish officials, who warned Greece against taking actions in the Mediterranean Sea that would spark tensions in the region. Written by ACM *Strasbourg/CoE/Angelo Marcopolo/- When Both CoE's Secretary General, Thornbjorn Jagland, and CoE Assembly's President Liliane Maury-Pasquier, launch Parallel Calls against "Pessimism" and/or unusual "Incidents" (See Infra), during one of the most Strange and "Spooky" Plenary Sessions in the PanEuropean Organisation's History, which might have Long-term Structural Repercussions on its 47 Member States (including Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Turkey, etc), after an Urgently needed Compromise Attempt on Russia was curiously Postponed sine die, it's better to Start "Ab Ovo" (i.e., from the Beginning): - Notorious former US Under-State Secretary for Europe and Central Asia, Miss Nuland, dating from Back the Era of former US President Barack Hussein Obama ("Socialist"), had become World-Famous for her pittoresque but meaningful Phone Call on Ukraine urging to ..."F... the EU !" (sic), back on 2014. Shortly Afterwards, a Compromise Peace Plan, Agreed by the pro-Russian President Yanukovic, and All the main Opposition Leaders (the Same who seized Power later-on), which provided for Amnesty, a new, National Unity Government, Presidential Elections before the end of that Year, (etc), signed in Kiev under the auspices of the French, German and Polish Foreign Ministers, (while a Summit of he Franco-German Heads of State/Government was unfolding, following closely the Ukranian developments, in the Presidential Palace of "Elysee" in Paris, with Chancellor Angie Merkel and f. President Francois Hollande, as the "Maidan" Events were entering a Decisive Phase), was, Suddenly, brutally Droped, smashed into pieces, and trampled underfoot, amidst an UnExpected Explosion of Deadly Violence, which pushed to an Abrupt and Total Change of Government by Force, provoking a series of Conflicts inside Ukraine, and Europe's Division, with a Growing Number of Destructions, Killed Victims (including too Many Civilian People, particularly in the Russian-speaking Regions of the East), Dangerously Opposing Russia to EU - USA, creating Tensions inside the EU, and Costing to Europe a lot, also in Missed Economic Growth during many Years, as OECD's CEO, Angel Guria, later told "Eurofora", (See : ... etc). - IF, on the Contrary, that unanimously Agreed, EU-brokered Compromise Peace Plan had been let Free and UnHindered to be Applied as scheduled, then, EU would have been widely Hailed as a Succesfull "Peace-Maker", and Europe would have become even More United than ever, with a Thriving, Productive and Peaceful Ukraine probably soon Acceding in the EU, Strengthening its Historic Cultural and GeoPolitical Identity, even if not NATO (f.ex. as Finland, according also to the 1994 International Agreement which made Ukraine a State), a main "Bridge" between the EU and Russia, with several Key High-Tech joint Projects to develop (f.ex. on Air-Space Technologies, Energy a.o. strategic Transports, etc), while the PanEuropean Economic Growth would have taken a decisive positive Boost. + Mutatis-mutandis, Similarly, Today, a key Attempt to find, at last, a Compromise on the Participation of Russian MEPs to CoE's Parliamentary Assembly, after 4 Years of Exceptional Absence, due to Controversial Sanctions first imposed on 2014, on Pretext of the Ukraine Issue, triggering Counter-Measures by Moscow which Suspended its Annual Financial Contributions to the CoE, was UnExpectedly Postponed sine die, Risking to Provoke even much Heavier Consequences in CoE's PanEuropean Area, due also to tight Time Deadlines, around January - June 2019, that it's not obvious at all how they could be met, before irreversible damage might be done... Astonishingly, indeed, a long-awaited Report which gave, indirectly but surely, to Russian and other MEPs a much-Sought Guarantee that they would Not Face, no more, any so Heavy Sanctions against their Elementary Rights to Vote, Speak and Participate to CoE's Assembly, simply by Hardening the Conditions (including on Quorum, Special Majority, concerned Issues, etc) under which such Exceptional Measures might be eventually Decided anew in the Future, (something which could really Ensure them, in real Practice, since such Sanctions had been initially Taken, Back on 2014, in Controversial Circumstances, in fact, only by a ... Minority among Registered CoE Assembly MEPs : See, f.ex. http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/coeminorityamendmentpushesrussianmepsout.html, etc), was, Suddenly Postponed "sine die", for non-clearly explicitated reasons, after a Spectacular "U-Turn" of a substantial Number of MEPs, who had Initially Supported that Report for Now, but something made them Change their Mind at the Last Minute, Pushing them to Vote for that Report to be Referred Back to Committee, Instead of being Adopted Now, Contrary to what had been initially Scheduled. => It soon became Obvious that such a Surprizing, Last-Minute Set-Back, and UnExpected Obstacle against an Urgently Needed Compromise concerning CoE's relations to its Biggest Member Country : Russia, etc, even on 2018, under Pretext of the Ukraine Issue provoked in controversial circumstances since 2014 (Comp. Supra), naturally had an "Arome" of ...Miss Nuland (Comp. Supra - even if she Left the State Department on 2017, after the New Elected Administration of President Don Trump), since it Threatened even the entire Participation of Russia also in All Other CoE's Activities, Seriously Undermining the Strasbourg Organisation's "Pan-European" character, by Dividing Europe even Deeper and perhaps Definitively, in the foreseable Future, with unknown yet, further Negative Consequences for Peace, Cooperation and Development in our Continent. And this, at the Same Time that Mrs Nuland's companion, (Robert Kagan, who has reportedly Insulted the New USA President Don Trump by calling him even "Fascist" : sic !), was apparently busy Nowadays, based at nearby Brussels, into, precisely, ...War-Mongering against Russia and China, by "Predicting" even a so-called ..."3rd World War" against them !... ------------------------ So that, If History was let to tragically Repeat itself, then, Strasbourg from 2018, would have to Expect a kind of Provocative Incidents, mutatis-mutandis SImilar to those ...Deadly "Snipers", of Maidan Square in Ukraine's Kiev, Back on February 2014, who, (by Surprizingly Targetting Both Demonstrators and Policemen by their Deadly Arm Shots), notoriously Provoked a Violent Conflict which immediately Droped the above-mentioned Compromise Peace Agreements earlier Signed by all the first stage Protagonists, under EU auspices (Comp. Supra. Those strange Snipers had been notoriously spoted by former Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, currently a Liberal MEP at EU Parliament, and the current Kiev Government's Failure to Investigate on them was Criticized by a CoE Experts' team Headed by ECHR's former President Sir Nicolas Bratza) : I.e., Now, the immediate Target obviously was to "Kill" that Key CoE's Report on MEPs' Rights and CoE Assembly's (PACE) Rules on Credentials, which might offer a Chance for a workable Compromise on CoE - Russia a.o. relations, (Comp. Supra), but was Heavily Criticized by a number of Opposed MEPs during the present PACE's Plenary Session of October 2018.However, Both Initial Votes, Previously, in Committees, and a Last-Minute Added, preliminary Vote, also at the Beginning of Nowadays' PACE Plenary's Debate in Strasbourg (October 9, 2018), had found a Clear Majority of MEPs in Favour of Dealing with that Key Report Now : Such Moves even Reached a ... 2/3 Special reinforced Majority of MEPs, at least in the relevant Vote added at the Beginning of this Plenary, in the Morning, which was Won by 128 Votes against Only 51, in order to procede to the Discussion and Final Vote on the Draft Resolution contained in that Report... But, Surprizingly, an UnExpected, 2nd Vote in PACE's Plenary, during the Afternoon's Last Debates, Marked a Big Change, fuelled mainly by a Strange "U-Turn" of Many MEPs, as well as by a kind of curious "Replacement" of several Other MEPs, (some, indeed, having Left the Plenary at that moment, while, on the Contrary, Others had Arrived then), Resulting in the Opposite outcome : Indeed, even with a Smaller, merely Relative Majority, (Only a Difference of 20 MEPs...), just 99 against 79 MEPs, with 16 Abstentions, Suddenly Voted to Refer that Crucial Report Back to Committee ! What really happened, between that Morning and Afternoon Contradictory Votes in PACE's Plenary of Tuesday, 9 October 2018 ? - Experienced Russian MEP Leonid Slutsky, President of Duma's Foreign Affairs Committee, (Comp. various relevant Statements to "Eurofora" by Chairman Slutsky, f.ex. at: .. + ..., etc), had reportedly Warned, from Early September 2018, about the Potential Importance of those Votes, by stressing that 9 October may become "a Moment of Truth" on CoE - Russia relations' present and Future. - But, the Day (20 September 2018) that a PACE Committee initially Adopted the current Draft Report on MEPs' Credentials and Sanctions in general (Comp. Supra), prepared by Controversial Belgian "Socialist" MEP Petra de Sutter, (a notorious Member of PACE's LGBTI Lobby, which, inter alia, Backed, at this Same PACE Plenary, in Parallel, also a Report on Controversial and UnPopular Same Sex "Marriage", including even Submission of Children to the Power of Homosexuals under "Adoption" Pretexts, against which Russia is notoriously Opposed, as well as Many other Central-Eastern European Countries, Italy, etc., in Addition to Various, New or Traditional Political Movements recently Growing in several Western European Countries too : See, f.ex. ..., etc), the Climate appeared quite Cold : Indeed, Both Russia's Federal Senate's President, Valentina Matviyenko, (Com. Matviyenko's Replies to various "Eurofora"s Questions, f.ex., at : ..., etc), and Russian Senate's Foreign Affairs Committee's Chairman, Experienced MEP Konstantin Kosachev, Warned about growing Risks for Russia to consider an eventual "Withdrawal" from the CoE, (during a Meeting, in Saint Petersburg, with PACE's New President, Liliane Maury Pasquier). + And CoE's Secretary General, Thornbjorn Jagland, replying Later-on to MEPs' Questions, claimed that "even if MEPs had Voted for that Report with (the required) 2/3 Majority, Russia would not have come back, under these conditions", (eventually implying also a Group of MEP's Hostility, vociferously expressed during these PACE's Debates). - But Nothing known didn't confirm that from the Russian side, which, on the contrary, had appeared to be Waiting to see the concrete Outcome of PACE Plenary's Votes of Tuesday, October 9, 2018 : On the Contrary, even Ambassador Ivan Soltanovsky, speaking to "Eurofora" just after a last-Minute Meeting between CoE's Committee of Ministers and CoE's Parliamentary Assembly, at the Eve of that Crucial PACE Vote, last Monday Evening in Strasbourg (8/10/2018), appeared relatively Hopefull for a Compromise, but stressed, in substance, that Nobody could Pre-judge PACE Plenary's outcome, neither Russian MEP's subsequent appraisal. +Moreover, even if Russia's well-known preference was to Saveguard all MEPs' core Voting and Participation Rights inside PACE, while that PACE Report's main aim obviously was to Simply Harden the Conditions and Restrict the Scope of relevant PACE Sanctions in Future, nevertheless, given the Fact that even the 1st PACE Decision, Back on 2014, to Strip Russian MEPs from many of their Rights, had been taken, by a Last-Minute, UnPredictable Move, in Controversial Circunstances, Only with a ...Minority of PACE's Registered MEPs, (See : ..., etc), Now Russia a.o. could be Ensured, in real practice, that their MEPs could Not be, No More, Striped of their Core Rights, simply Because their usual Critics could Never gather Enough Votes for that, (See "Euforora"s exchange with Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Sloutsky, at : ...)... Therefore, a Realistic Base for a feasible PACE - Russia Compromise, apparently Existed on Tuesday, October 9, 2018. => So that, when a 2/3 Majority inside PACE's Plenary initially Voted, on Tuesday Morning, Against a first Demand to Send that Report Back to Committee, (i.e. with Sufficient special Majority in order to, subsequentlly, Modify PACE's relevant, pre-existing Rules), Hopes for a Solution appeared, then, realistic. -------------------------------- >>> But, Suddenly, during the Debates, (where Only a Part of MEPs Registered to Speak were Allowed to do so, Many being Obliged to Add just a Written Statement Afterwards, for the Records, which, as some Complained, were Not so Smoothly operated as Usual), the Dialogue about "Srenghening PACE's Decision making process concerning (MEPs') Credentials and Voting" was rapidly and brutally Transformed into just another Unilateral and Brutal ..."Russia Bashing" (in the Absence of any Russian MEP) by a Group of Sharply Opposed, even Hostile MEPs apparently seeking to Push Russia 100% out of the CoE... - This served as a Pretext or a Motivation for an UnExpected "U-Turn" by CoE's Rapporteur, Petra de Sutter, a Belgian "Socialist", who made, Later-on, during the Afternoon, just before MEPs Vote on that Report, a Surprizing 2nd Proposal to Refer it Back to Committee, claiming that she discovered that PACE would be "Divided", as things stand Today... => After that, a Small, Relative "Majority", based Just in a Difference of Only 10 (Ten) MEPs (sic !), with 99 against 79 Votes, Surprisingly Overturned the Previous, Contrary Vote, which had been obtained by a Two-Thirds (2/3) Absolute Majority of the PACE, (Comp. Supra), Referring that Report Back to Comittee, for Review : I.e. exactly the Opposite of what had been Decided by PACE's Plenary a Few Hours ago, Earlier in the Morning of that Same Day ! CoE's official Data on Votes show that it was particularly a Massive "U-Turn" of "Socialist" MEPs, followed by many Mainstream ChristianDemocrat/EPP MEPs (largely Divided), and Some Liberal MEPs, which brought that Change, between the 1st and the 2nd Vote, even if the Euro-"Left" remained Focused on Supporting that Report, (as well as the Head of the French Delegation, from Macron's Centrist Party), with only a Few Changes among Conservatives, and almost None from Independents, (the Unique Exception being Beppe Grillo's "5 Stars" atypical movement, which followed that manoeuvre). Manifold concrete Facts give the Impression of a Sudden Change, which took many by Surprize, so that Voring Trends for several MEPs did Not Vote as usual, or were Absent (while Others came in) at that precise Moment, (Earlier than Scheduled), etc. - Questioned by "Eurofora" on this Sudden "U-Turn", the Experienced Austrian Socialist MEP Stefan Schennach, President of PACE's Committee on Social affairs, Health, and Sustainable Development, (as well as, Earlier : of "Monitoring" Committee, etc), said that the Move would be Motivated by the Need to Avoid Now a Vote on the Content of that Report, in the current Circumstances, which Risked to get Less than the Required 2/3 Super-Majority, thereby "Killing" it for the foreseable Future. Indeed, several MEPs who had Initially Supported that Report in Committee, suddenly appeared to have Changed Views, during this PACE Plenary's Debate Nowadays, so that their Support would have become UnCertain, or even Absent, Today, for UnKnown or UnClear yet reasons, as he found, citting some examples. Therefore, in such a Context, it would have Become Preferable to bring the Report Back to the competent Commitee, which (after making, eventually, some unspecified Modifications), could Decide to Send it Back into a PACE's Plenary, as Soon as possible, in a more Appropriate Moment and in a way which would Give it a Chance to be adequately Approved, (most probably at the Next, January 2019 "Winter" Plenary session). + Indeed, as "Eurofora" was told also by the President of PACE's "EuroLeft" Group of MEPs, Dutch Senator Tiny Cox, the Next Meeting of PACE's Committee on Rules is currently scheduled for "December 10", 2018. ++ Russia's Ambassador, Permanent Representatif to the CoE, Ivan Soltanovsky, speaking to "Eurofora" after PACE's above-mentioned Vote, carefully said that he "didn't know yet how (Moscow's) Lawmakers will react", and that Russians were still "Evaluating" what had just happened in PACE's Plenary (Comp. Supra). - However, Ambassador Soltanovsky also Warned "Eurofora" about his Concern for the Few "Time" available to the CoE, from now on, in order to try to find a Compromise and a Solution before it becomes too late for all involved. Indeed, after several Years of "Sanctions" repeatedly Hindering Russian MEPs' Rights to Vote and Participate in PACE's collective activities, (Comp. Supra), Moscow has, indeed, decided to "Freeze" its Annual Financial Contribution to the CoE, according to the Rules of which, at the Latest from June 2019, CoE might be asked to Suspend the entire Membership of Russia for Non-Payment... In Addition, Parallel Calls to Withdraw from the CoE were heard by Some Russian Politicians Nowadays. + In Addition, a Legal Expertise ordered by CoE's Committee of Ministers, and revealed Recently, (on Late 9/2018), practically confirmed another Moscow's complaint, that an Extended Exclusion of Elected MEPs from their Voting Rights would be even Contrary to CoE's Statute, at least in the measure that this Hinders them to Participate in the Election of several Important CoE's Bodies, Representatives, Senior Officials, etc., such as, f.ex., ECHR's Judges, CoE's Commissioner on Human Rights, etc., (as it has Already happened until Now). Such a List Risks to be Soon extended even into the forthcoming Election of the New CoE's Secretary General, (the PanEuropean Organisation's Top CEO), which is due to take place in 2019... ----------------------------------- - However, the currennt CoE's Secretary General, Thornbjorn Jagland, a former Prime Minister of Norway, replying to MEPs' Questions, Later-on, predicted that Russian MEPs would Not present their Credentials in the Next Plenary Session of January 2019, as he would have been told, (apparently by some Unnamed Sources from Moscow). That Date is Important, because, according to PACE's Rules and current Practice, the Credentials of National Delegations are Examined and Adopted or Rejected at the Beginning of each Year, by a Decision whose Effects usually durate during the next 12 Months, (See, neverheless, also Infra). -------------------------- + At any case, PACE's New President, Liliane Maury - Pasquier, an Exprienced Socialist MEP from Switzerland, Replying to a relevant Question raised by "Eurofora", later-on this week (UPDATED), clearly stressed that the current Time-table does Not allow for an attempt for the Next PACE's Plenary Session of January 2019 to eventually Endorse Russian MEPs' Credentials, simply Because they are Systematically Chequed from the very Beginning of each Session, i.e. BEFORE any new Report might be Discusssed and Voted by MEPs Afterwards. - Earlier, Maury-Pasquier found Preferable for that Report on MEPs' Credentials to be DisConnected from the controversy about Russia's participation into the CoE, in order to have a more Calm Discussion, as she said, speaking to Journalists, including "Eurofora". - But, in a Reply to MEPs' Questions, she merely said that a possible Fresh Version of that PACE's Report would Not be made during its forthcoming Meeting of the CoE's Standing Committee (Equivalent to PACE's Plenary) before the End of 2018, while she "does not know yet" at which PACE Plenary this might be done on 2019, (f.ex., January, April, June, September, etc). ----------------------------- - Jagland, speaking Earlier in Wider terms about CoE's current Problems, Urged to look upon the forthcoming "Ministerial Summit at Helsinki", scheduled for May 2019, on order to "Find a Way out". This will coincide with the Beginning of the forthcoming French Presidency of the CoE (May - November 2018), while Jagland also observed that an eventual Threat for Russia to be Pushed out of the CoE (at Moscow's or Strasbourg's initiative) might now Justify even a New Heads of State/Government's Summit for the PanEuropean Organisation, since this would obviously affect its overall GeoPolitical Structure. - Russian Ambassador Soltanovsky said to "Eurofora" that he has the feeling that if France was to Decide on that matter, the Issue may have been Solved a Long Time Ago. But it's mainly some Other States which are stubornly Hindering to find a Compromise Solution, he criticized. + He also expressed Doubts about the Time really available now for too long Diplomatic exchanges during 2019, (Comp. Supra). However, recent Political Developments, (f.ex. in Countries such as Sweden, Latvia, etc), where European People expressed a Will for Change, also as far as relations with Russia are concerned, may notably Facilitate an eventual Compromise now. ------------------------- - Meanwhile, despite those Problems, CoE's Secretary General, Thornbjorn Jagland, called, however, upon PACE's MEPs to Avoid the "Trap" of "Pessimism" : - On the Contrary, "Be Optimistic !", urged CoE's Chief. In this regard, he cited 2 main Points, concerning Funds and Human Rights : (1) On the First point, Jagland, (who Recently met with Billionaire Soros in New York, reportedly on the occasion of an event about Non-Discrimination of Minorities as Roma, etc), argued that recent CoE's Economic Measures, including ECHR Reforms and e , would have created "Extra-Budgetary Resources" of about "60 Millions ", (i.e., approaching the Total of 66 Millions currently Lacking because of the Suspension of Russia's Financial Contribution, (= 2 X 33 Millions : Comp. Supra )... (2) On the Second Point, CoE's Chief Highlighted ECHR's Judgements and CoE's Committee of Ministers' work for their Implementation by Member States : The Mecanism of the PanEuropean Convention on Human Rights is working and "gets Results", for the Benefit of Citizens, he underlined, (pointing f.ex. to Italy, for necessary Reforms on National Court's functionning, to Russia and Changes of the conditions inside Prisons, etc). Whenever a National Government threatened to Stop Applying ECHR's case-law, we clearly told them that, if they do so, then, their Country could Not stay, no more, a CoE's Member State. And they Implemented ECHR's judgements, Jagland boasted, in substance. Naturally, all that would be very Nice, IF it was Always True... But, is it really ? -Nowadays, the concrete Example of Turkey, replies "No !". Indeed, Ankara's Government had already Threatened, since June/July 2018, that if CoE's Committee of Ministers did not Stop Working for the full Implementation of ECHR's Judgements in the cases of several Individual Applications lodged by Greek Cypriot Refugees/IDPs, still Hindered by the Turkish Occupation regime to Access their Family Homes and other Private Properties in the Territories of Cyprus controled by Turkey's Foreign Invasion and Occupation Army since 1974, then, the Turkish Delegation to the CoE would Stop Cooperating with that Committee also on All Other Cases where ECHR has already Condemned Turkey for Massive and Continuing Violations of Human Rights in Cyprus, including the landmark Inter-State case "Cyprus v. Turkey", and even those concerning many "Missing" People's and their Families' Tragedy, (etc). And Turkey really put its Threat into Execution during the Latest CoE's Committee of Ministers' Session on Human Rights, just a few Weeks ago, (on 18-21 September 2018), when, suddenly, all the Turkish Delegation ostensiby Abandoned its Desk-Office, leaving Only 1 Agent, Elsewhere in the Room, to merely Watch passively, but Totaly Refusing to Participate in the Debates... Such an UnPrecedented, Negative Behavior (and even blatant Blackmail : Comp. Supra) by Turkey against CoE's Highest Political body's Duty to "Supervise the Execution of ECHR's Judgements", is a very Serious matter, since it's a Fundamental Obligation of all CoE's Member States to abide by ECHR's Judgements on Human Rights, resulting even from the Statute of Strasbourg's PanEuropean Organisation, (Articles 3 and 8). And CoE's Committee of Ministers has just "Deplored" Turkey's "Refusal" to "Cooperate" on ECHR Judgements' Implementation, (See: ... + ....). Nevertheless, CoE Augmented the Number of Turkish MEPs in PACE, almost at the Same Time that it put Heavy Sanctions on Russian MEPs, pushing them Out, (since 2014-2015). This was done on the Pretext that Ankara had decided to become a "Big Payer", giving to the CoE a Bigger Amount of Annual Financial Contribution (2015), But, Curiously, it Remained even after Turkey made a Sudden "U-Turn" and decided to Lower its Contribution to the CoE on late 2017... So that PanEuropean PACE has now ZERO (0) Russian MEPs, but ...EIGHTEEN (18) Turkish MEPs, (as Many as Germany, which has, however, a Bigger Population than Turkey's 70 Millions : i.e. 90 Millions, while Russia has 140 Millions of People without any Representation in the PACE), already since 2015 ! And all that, Despite Turkey's notorious Massive "Krach" against Human Rights and Rule of Law, even to the detriment of Democratically Elected Representatives, at First against the Kurdish Minority from Mid-2015 etc., and Afterwards extended towards All kinds of alleged Political Dissidents, both of the Right and/or the Left, Religious or Secular, etc., from mid-2016 until now... +To which was also Added, more Recently, Turkey's notorious ..."Gun-Boat" Threats against EU Member Cyprus' peaceful exploration of its Natural Energy Resources inside a European EEZ, (f.ex. by Aggrressing and Threatening an Italian ENI's Off Shore Exploration Vessel since 2017, etc), as well as this UnPrecedented "Refusal" of Ankara to "Cooperate" with CoE's Committee of Ministers on ECHR Judgements' Execution, from 2018, doubled with a Scandalous Blackmail demand, (Comp. Supra)... - "This is Impossible ! Impossible !", immediately reacted to a relevant "Eurofora"s Question, the new Rapporteur of CoE's Parliamentary Assembly for the Execution of ECHR's Judgements, Experienced former Foreign Minister of Greece, Evangelos Venizelos (Socialist), who had organized a "Side Event" with a Hearing of Top Legal Experts on his Report during this PACE's Plenary Session. - But, at least for the Time being, PACE's New President, Liliane Maury Pasquier (also a Socialist MEP, from Switzerland), Replying to a similar Question by "Eurofora", told us that she had "Not yet been Informed" about Turkey's Refusal to Cooperate on ECHR Judgements' Execution related to Cyprus, Neither of the subsequent CoE Committee of Ministers' Decision (of September 20, 2018) which "Deplores" Ankara's attitude in this regard, (See : ..., etc). => Will, perhaps, things Change Next Month, on November 2018, when Finland takes over CoE's rotating Presidency of its Committee of Ministers, (for the Period of 11/2018 - 5/2019), almost at the same time that the Crucial USA "Mid-Term" Elections take place, immediately followed by a Visit of new US President Don Trump in Europe, (Paris), for the November 11 Anniversary of 1 Century since the End of the 1st World War (1918-2018), where he is reportedly due to Meet both with the French President Emmanuel Macron, and, probably, also with the Russian President Vladimir Putin, among about 60 Heads of State/Government, i.e. including the main Protagonists of the "Hot" period which will soon follow at the CoE in Strasbourg (Comp. Supra), and may Mark the foreseable Future of all the PanEuropean GeoPolitical Area ? We'll all know, sooner or later, if that dangerous "Miss Nuland Syndrom" (Comp. Supra) has been exorcised during New US President Don Trump's era, or not. But, Hopefully, Not Too Late !... (../..) ----------------------------- Written by ACM *Strasbourg/CoE/Angelo Marcopolo/- It's with Stong Support by Both the Franco-German core of the EU, but also the UK, and Russia, as well as various key Countries from Other Continents, that CoE's PanEuropean Organisation succesfully Launched Today, in its Headquarters in Strasbourg, the collective signature of its ReNovated Treaty on Data Protection, a Domain in which CoE is an Historic Pioneer, already as early as since the 1980ies, but which clearly has, Nowadays an Ambitious Aim to Both UpDate (in Digital, Trans-Border Data Flow, Artificial Intelligence, Genetics, and National Security new Challenges), and particularly Extend its Legal Mechanism towards a Trans-Continental, (open also to Other Regional/International Organisations) and even Global Horizon in the foreseable Future. Carefully Negotiated, previously, Both with the EU, (including a very active UK, despite or most probably because of its imminent BREXIT), and with Russia, as well as Other European and Non-European Countries, CoE's New, ReNovated Convention for the Protection of Persons vis a vis the Automatic Treatment of Personal Data, (known as Treaty "108 +"), now has an largely Similar Content to that of EU's brand New relevant "Directive", which has just Entered into force Earlier this Year, but is Strongly Backed by the EU mainly Because it offers a Unique Possibility to considerably Extend the Area where such Rules are applied, also throughout Other European, Non-EU Countries, as well as accross a much Wider, International Space. - This is, indeed, the Main Interest for the EU to Back this Move, and for EU Member Countries to Join it too, stressed in Reply to an "Eurofora"'s Question, the competent CoE's Director for Data Protection, Sophie Kwasny, during a Press Briefing with Journalists earlier in Strasbourg. In Exchange, Non-EU and even Non-European Countries, by Joining that move, become able to claim that they use the Same Rules as all Europe, in such an extensively Trans-Border Issue Nowadays as Personal Data's protection, she added. + Thus, it's mainly at the Creation of "a Unique Forum for Cooperation in this field at Global Level", that CoE's Secretary General, Thornbjorn Jagland, a former Prime Minister of Norway, pointed during his Speech at the event organized Today for the Opening to Signature of that Convention's New, Amending and UpDating Protocol. - Concerning such EU - CoE Cooperations in general, the New EU Ambassador to Strasbourg, former EU Commissioner and Foreign Minister of Bulgaria, Miss Kuneva, recently stressed, indeed, that what is really at Stake is "Global Governance", (See, f.ex.: ..., etc). => Thus, among the 21 States' Representatives, who Signed Today this New CoE's Legal Instrument for Data Protection, are Included also the Franco-German "core" of the EU, as well as the UK, Together with Other Both Western (f.ex. Spain, Austria, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, etc) and Eastern EU Member States, (f.ex. Estonia, Finland, Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, etc), including several Small but particularl Active in Trans-Border Data Flows, Countries, (such as Luxembourg, Ireland, etc), extended also to key Non-EU but European Countries, from Norway to Monaco, and particularly Russia, but even a Non-European Country from Latin America, as Uruguay, (in fact, an Original Country with a Unique Synthesis of various European Origin Populations, and an Economy, as well as a Strategic Location, which is often Compared to a kind of Latino-American Switzerland)... + Moreover, well Beyond EU's 27 and CoE's 47 Member States, the Historic CoE's Old Convention on Data Protection, (a Pioneer Legal tool dating from the 1980ies), has Already attracted anOther 6 Non-European Countries, (Both from Africa : Tunisia, Senegal, Cabo Verde, Mauritius, and soon Morocco, Burkina Faso, as well as from Latin America : Mexico, and soon Argentina, etc), Totaling 53 current and 56 Future Members, while there are also Various Other Countries accross the World, which have reportedly used CoE's Convention as a "Model", and participate as "Observers" in its Monitoring Committee, gathering almost 70 Countries, until now. Among its various Innovations, this CoE's New Legal Instrument includes also Persons' Rights vis a vis Algorithms f.ex. in Artificial Intelligence, has UpGraded Genetic and BioMetric Data in the Categorie of "Sensitive" Data, and deals even with "National Security" issues, (on the Basis mainly of ECHR's case-law), while the EU's Directive does Not, since the EU prefers to do that through Specific Tools concerning Police Cooperation, etc. Another Original character of this New CoE's Tool, is that it provides also for a Accelerated Entry into Force, at least among those Member States which will Ratify it, even BEFORE the accession of All the 53 current Member Countries of CoE's Old Convention on Data Protection, dating from the 1980ies : From the moment that at least 38 Member Countries will have Ratified it. => I.e. the New Rules can Enter into Force with Only +17 more Member States, (in Addition to the 21 which have already Signed Today), while CoE itself has 47 Member States. I.e. in a rather Short Foreseable Future, (which will also set Immediately in motion the ReNovated Convention's "Monitoring" Mechanism, already prepared and Ready to Start Working asap). Last, but not least : Significant of the Interest that the Incoming, New CoE's rotating Presidency by Finland (November 2018 - May 2019) shows for this ReNovated and Extensible Data Protection, is also the Fact that it send to Strasbourg's event of Collective Signature, its Seretary of State, in the Foreign Ministry, Matti Anttonen, while Lithuania also send its vice-Minister of Justice, Irma Gudziunaite, all the Other Signatory Countries having used their Ambassadors/Permanent Representatives to the CoE, (with the only Exception of Uruguay, which send to Strasbourg's ceremony its Ambassador to France). (../..) --------------------------------------- This Page Is Under Construction - Coming Soon! Why am I seeing this 'Under Construction' page? 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. Chinas former top internet regulator pleaded guilty Friday to corruption and abuse of power during 15 years of public service. Lu Wei , 58, headed the Cyberspace Administration of China for three years. He resigned from the powerful post in June 2016. Lu was the target of an investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) for serious violations of party discipline. In February, the CCDI expelled Lu from the Communist Party. A statement described him as a shameless man with a swollen head and an arbitrary and tyrannical leader who pursued personal fame. Prosecutors charged him in July with taking millions of dollars in bribes and abusing his power. In 2015, Time magazine named Lu to its list of the 100 Most Influential People in the world. During a U.S. tour in 2014, he met with Tim Cook and Mark Zuckerberg. Lu had served as vice mayor of Beijing, in charge of publicity. Later, as chief of the the Cyberspace Administration, he advocated strong central control over the internet and more regulation of social media. Prosecutors in Zhejiang province said Lu took bribes between 2002 and 2017 worth more than $4.5 million. ____ Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog. World Bank Integrity Vice President Pascale Helene DuboisThe World Bank Group debarred 78 firms and individuals during fiscal year 2018 and opened 68 new investigations into allegations of misconduct in bank-funded projects. The bank also recognized 73 cross debarments from other multilateral development banks during the year, according to a report published this month. There are five types of sanctionable practices while participating in a World Bank-funded project fraud, corruption, collusion, coercion, or obstruction. Fifteen firms and individuals were released from sanctions during the year and became eligible to work on bank-funded projects again, the Sanctions System Annual Report FY18 (pdf) said. The banks Integrity (INT) Vice President is Pascale Helene Dubois. Shes a Belgium national, a lawyer, and a Certified Fraud Examiner. Before her appointment in mid 2017, she was the World Banks Chief Suspension and Debarment Officer. During FY2018, the INT staff worked on 390 projects in which the World Bank had committed about $2.2 billion in funding. The [Integrity] team also trained approximately 1,650 people over the course of the year and provided advisory services in 28 countries, the report said. Other multilaterial development banks that recognize cross-debarments are the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the African Development Bank. A list of all World Bank debarred entities and individuals is here. ___ Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog. THE DUKE OF SUSSEX AT THE STATE DINNER HOSTED BY HE PRESIDENT JIOJI KONROTE Your Excellency President Konrote and First Lady Madam Sarote, Honourable Prime Minister, representatives from all Opposition Parties, Ladies and Gentlemen, Bula Vinaka.It is a great pleasure for Meghan and me to be your guests here tonight on our first visit to Fiji. We were overwhelmed by the warm Fijian welcome we received from the people of these beautiful islands this afternoon in Albert Park, and all the way from the airport! It really is a privilege to be here.As you know, Fiji has a long tradition of welcoming Royal visitors over the years and our two countries have enjoyed a close relationship and friendship.We share Commonwealth values and common goals a love of rugby and a sense of humour! Our ties run deep. Your soldiers fought with the British Armed Forces during the First and Second World Wars and continue to serve alongside our soldiers to this day, with more than 1,250 Fijians currently serving.I must emphasise my respect, admiration and camaraderie with the Fijian soldiers that I served with in Afghanistan. We trained together, we fought together, and most importantly we laughed together.This visit is particularly nostalgic for us as a young married couple my grandparents stayed in this very hotel, the Grand Pacific, a number of times over the years.But this visit is also an opportunity to learn more about the future of Fiji, your economic growth, sustainable tourism development and social enterprises. We are really looking forward to meeting the students at the University of the South Pacific and the young leaders from all walks of life. The health and sustainability of this planet depends on the younger generation, and they are full of optimism so lets listen to them.Im very glad that the British Government is increasing its support for Fiji and the region, and we are proud of the long-standing collaboration between the UK and Fiji on climate change; and in fact, the UK just hosted its own Talanoa on climate change across Great Britain earlier this month.We look to Fiji to provide leadership on environmental issues which affect all of us, and that have been affecting you as an island nation for many, many years.Fiji is a proud and vibrant culture whose people are so gentle but proud, honourable and resourceful.Your country has demonstrated its fortitude and resilience by rebuilding your communities following the devastating Cyclone Winston two years ago. You continue to smile, you continue to have hope, and you continue to share what you have with others.All over the world Fiji is renowned for its incredible natural beauty and hospitality. We, as a couple, feel very lucky to be spending part of our tour as your guests.Your Excellency, through you, I would also like to wish the people of Fiji the very best for a successful election in November.Vinaka Vakalevu. 100 Thieves, a Los Angeles, CA-based lifestyle, apparel, and esports brand, completed its undisclosed Series A funding round. The round was co-led by recording artist Drake and Scooter Braun, who will join founder Matthew Nadeshot Haag and Dan Gilbert, Chairman of the Cleveland Cavaliers, as co-owners. Other new participants in the round include: Sequoia Capital, WndrCo, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, Tao Capital, Green Bay Ventures, and Advancit Capital. As co-owners, Drake and Braun will act as strategic advisors for the company. Braun has also joined the Board of Directors. 100 Thieves is a lifestyle, apparel, and esports organization which has teams competing in League of Legends, Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Clash Royale. They also operates a fast growing esports channel on YouTube. The company has already collaborated with Drake on the custom gaming stations that travel with his current Scorpion tour, and apparel collaborations are underway as well. 100 Thieves has raised over $25 million in funding to date, from investors including Cleveland Cavaliers and Quicken Loans chairman Dan Gilbert, Sequoia, Ludlow Ventures, Courtside Ventures, WndrCo, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, Dropbox CEO Drew Houston, Green Bay Ventures, Tao Capital, and Advancit Capital. FinSMEs 23/10/2018 Cowboy, a Brussels, Belgium-based e-bicycle startup, raised 10m in Series A funding. The round was led by Tiger Global with participation from Index Ventures and Hardware Club. The company intends to use the funds to scale operations and to roll out the products into Germany, U.K., the Netherlands and France. Co-founded by Adrien Roose, Karim Slaoui, and Tanguy Goretti, Cowboy is an electric bicycle maker which features an intelligent motor-assistance system with built-in sensor technology, measuring speed and torque. The technology adjusts intuitively to pedaling style and force, delivering an added boost of motor-assisted speed at key moments. A battery gives riders the freedom to roam for 50km, and takes just 2.5 hours to fully charge. The companys mobile app features live dashboard, navigation, GPS tracking and ride stats. The bike and battery together weigh in at 16 kg. The company began offering its products in its home market in April 2018 and hit the 1m milestone in just four months. FinSMEs 23/10/2018 London and Munich-based investment firm Hg closed Hg Saturn 1 Fund, a softwarefocused, largecap buyout fund, raised a total of 1.5 billion. Saturn received support from existing investors, as well as those making their first commitment to the firm. Led by Nic Humphries, Senior Partner at Hg, Saturn aims to invest in companies valued at an enterprise value of approximately 1 billion and above, with equity requirements in excess of 500m, behind the same technology business models into which Hg already invests through its existing funds, principally Hg8 and Mercury 2. The Saturn Fund is now currently 40% invested across two high quality businesses: Visma (4.4 billion buyout in 2017) and IRIS (1.3 billion buyout in 2018). During the last 15 years, Hg has acquired technology businesses with more than 10 billion of enterprise value, investing in over 45 technology buyouts and more than 100 bolt-on acquisitions. The closing of Saturn follows a period of significant activity from Hg since the start of 2017, during which time the investment teams have completed 15 investments and 19 realisations, which have returned total proceeds of more than 3.2 billion to investors. FinSMEs 23/10/2018 While buying a business is a big step in the right direction compared to starting one from scratch, the biggest challenge comes in raising enough funds for the project. Competition for funds increases every day, which makes the chances of securing an investor slimmer every day. Traditional lenders have become a problem and require you to fulfil so many unattractive terms, even after jumping through various hoops while trying to secure some funds. Investors and private lenders, on the other hand, have become extra cautious and have raised their standards. In such cases, the only thing left is to use your business common sense. There are a few factors that determine your business financing, including the kind of project the business entails, the kind of partners and the business management. The best part is that you have numerous options at your fingertips and it is up to you to choose the best one based on your needs. Here is a look at some of the most common ways of raising funds to buy a business. Your savings Before you start looking for a business for sale, the chances are that you had already saved up enough money for the project. Even if you havent raised the full amount yet, then you probably have a percentage of it secured in your account depending on the size of business you wish to buy and how much it will cost you. You should prioritize the project and put your savings toward it before seeking additional financing. Borrow from family and friends Most entrepreneurs tend to shy away from this option. They feel like they will be burdening their friends or relatives with their financial problems but have you thought of the enormous advantage that comes with it? You should not view it as begging. Instead you should see it as a way of them lending a hand to someone they love. In the case of buying a business, try and professionally present your pitch just as you have done with other investors. You will be amazed by how much cash you can raise from these people who are genuinely willing to support your dreams. Traditional lenders This is by far the most common method among small businesses. However, you should note that it is also the most challenging option. You need to fulfill some terms for them to consider your request for a small business loan. For starters, the lenders will view your credit profile to ensure that you are in good shape to be trusted with loans. If you plan on buying a business someday and you intend on going through this means, then try as much as you can to build a good credit score. You also must have a comprehensive business plan in place to show them that you are ready to own a business and you have the potential to run it well, earn profits and pay their money back and more. Crowdfunding If you do not qualify for business loans, you have not saved up much, and you do not have any friends or relatives willing to help you, it is time to turn to well-wishers. There are organizations out there that are specifically meant to fund businesses. You only need to look for a reputable, successful company and ensure to check their terms and rates. You also need to set a goal for the funds you wish to raise within a specific period. You, however, should know that this choice is not suitable for long-term funding. Instead, it is meant it works best for small businesses. Consider investors Securing investors is not a walk in the park. You need to be really good at what you are doing to get one to consider you. You should have a clear plan and prove to them what makes your business idea unique and worth investing in. Pitch the idea and who knows; it could be what they are looking for. This can also be helpful if you are looking to tap into a local community. For example, if you are looking to buy and revitalize a local area in Houston, Texas, consider creating a pitch around buying a business for sale in Houston. You might find a local investor who may consider your proposal on the basis of helping out the local community. There are no silver bullets when it comes to raising money to buy and run an already established business. You have to apply the right tricks and tactics. Also, be careful with the choices you make, since after all, the primary purpose for purchasing it is to make profits. Consider the pros and cons of each and go for the option that has the most benefits for you. Stoke Therapeutics, a Bedford, Mass.-based biotechnology company, completed a $90m Series B financing. The round was led by RTW Investments with participation from founding investor Apple Tree Partners and new investors RA Capital Management, Cormorant Asset Management, Perceptive Advisors, funds managed by Janus Henderson Investors, Redmile Group, Sphera Funds Management, and Alexandria Venture Investments. In conjunction with the funding, Roderick Wong, M.D. from RTW Investments, Matthew Hammond, Ph.D. from RA Capital, and Bihua Chen from Cormorant Asset Management, joined the Board of Directors as observers. The company intends to use the funds to advance its pipeline of antisense oligonucleotide medicines for Dravet Syndrome and other severe genetic diseases. Led by Edward M. Kaye, M.D., chief executive officer, Stoke Therapeutics is a biotechnology company working to increase gene expression to treat a wide array of severe genetic diseases, including genetic conditions affecting the central nervous system, eye, ear, liver, and kidney. Stoke has identified thousands of genes that could be addressed by its proprietary TANGO technology, which targets non-productive RNA splicing to increase gene expression and address the root cause of monogenic diseases caused by loss or reduction of gene function. FinSMEs 23/10/2018 . , , , , ! 1, 9 , , . , ... The Washington Post/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- In the middle of speaking to a group of voters on a chilly Long Island day, Liuba Grechen Shirley stops. "Put your coat on baby, it's cold," she said over the microphone, after her 4-year-old daughter took off her jacket and tossed it on the ground. Shirley continued to address the group, but she's interrupted. It's her daughter again. She sprinted through supporters to give her mother a sticker. "Thank you, munchkin," chuckled Shirley, who's running for office in New Yorks 2nd Congressional District. With less than a month to the election, Shirleys children are her two youngest supporters. Her daughter refers to door knocking as "trick or treating for votes" and jumps at the opportunity to tag along, she told "Good Morning America." Her husband can typically be seen pacing the edges of events with the couple's second child in his arms. Paving the way for more moms to run for office "I'm a mom first and I'm running for office because of them," she said. But her children also caused her biggest hesitation. When she was approached to run for office by Square One politics, an organization started by staffers for former President Obama, they asked her one important question: "What do you need to run?" "Child care," Shirley responded. At the time, she was a full-time caregiver for her two kids, who were just 1 and 3 years old. "I would be nursing my son, and my daughter would be playing with my hair and I'd be making phone calls," she recalled. In the first two months of her campaign, she raised $126,000 -- with no paid staff. Child care, however, was expensive -- a cost Shirley believes keeps many mothers from considering a run for office. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the average annual cost of infant child care in New York is $14,144. The Federal Election Commission, which monitors campaign finances, prohibits using campaign funds for personal use. Shirley decided to put in a request to the FEC to create a ruling that would allow her to use campaign funds from private donors on child care. "I can make the decision to use these campaign funds on a pizza party for my staff or on more lawn signs or on child care -- and without the child care I wouldn't be able to run for office," she said. Hillary Clinton wrote in support of Shirley's request, as well as 24 U.S. representatives, including Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., and Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga. The decision was approved in a unanimous bipartisan decision. "This is for people who need to pick up the extra costs of child care to be able to run, because if you're not independently wealthy and you have small children you can't do it. You cannot run for office. And this rule changes that," Shirley explained. Running to flip a red district blue again Shirley, who has a Master of Business Administration and previously worked for the United Nations Association, is facing off against Republican incumbent Rep. Peter King in November. King, who has held the seat since 2012, hosted President Donald Trump in the district in May to discuss ways to combat violence and the MS-13 gang. Although the district leans red, Shirley believes this election is different from previous ones. For starters, although the district voted for Trump in the 2016 election, its constituents voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012. "The problem is this district was actually redrawn in 2012. We have more Democrats in this district. Peter King is out of touch with people in this district, she said. She admits that a lot of Democrats in her district, which includes Long Island's Suffolk County, have voted for King in the past but said it's because there wasn't a serious challenger. "Maybe they didn't know his voting record, but they knew his name and he seems like a nice guy and so they'll vote for him," she said. Shirley's opponents call her a socialist, a description she denies. While King voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Shirley would like to expand upon it. She supports a plan that provides Medicare for All, often championed by former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. A pro-choice advocate, she would like to protect a woman's access to abortion care. She believes health care is a human right. "When you knock on doors there are always four issues that people care about: It's health care, taxes, education and the environment, she said. Shirley supports legislation that would cut taxes on the middle class. King voted against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts, a measure brought forward by the GOP to rewrite the nation's tax code. She'd also like to see campaign finance reform. "There is a disconnect between the people who are in office and the people who live in the community. And that disconnect is there because of campaign finance issues. We need campaign finance reform. We need publicly financed elections," she said. Shirley, who grew up in the district, has seen it change: "There are a lot of people who have to leave Long Island because they can't afford to live here; who can't find affordable housing; who can't find good paying jobs." The Long Island home her parents bought in the 1940s has been passed down through generations. After a long day of campaigning, Shirley enters the living room skipping over rocking horses and toy firetrucks. Her daughter decorated toilet lids with colorful stickers and her fridge is covered in her children's artwork. She admits she's not like other politicians. She said she isn't wealthy and is still paying off student loans while trying to provide for her kids. But she believes that representation is exactly what is needed. "We need more diversity in Congress," she said. "We need to be having the important conversations and we're not going to have them until we change the dynamics at the table." Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Game changing digital distribution specialist Genba Digital have partnered with Blacknut, a French leader in Cloud Gaming Solutions, to bring players their favourite games to any device, and open up brand new opportunities for games publishers. Pinch of Salt: So much to be thankful for Lonely Planet : Germany one of the top destinations for 2019 London Chile was top this year, followed by South Korea. Next year, the Lonely Planet is recommending Sri Lanka and Germany as travel destinations. But some may be surprised by the main reason for picking Germany in 2019. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken Germany is one of the top ten countries in the coming year according to the world-famous travel guide, Lonely Planet. In the new book Lonely Planets Best in Travel 2019, which was published on Tuesday, Germany ranks second behind Sri Lanka. Germany was last in the top ten countries nine years ago. Among the reasons given in the travel book for visiting Germany in 2019 are the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and, above all, the centenary of Bauhaus. The anniversary of this midwife of modernity founded in Weimar in 1919 and, after its heyday in Dessau, virtually banned by the Nazis in Berlin in 1933 will be celebrated all year long, it says of the Bauhaus School of Design and Architecture, which started an aesthetic movement whose reverberations can still be felt across the world today. Glitzy new museums are opening in three cities and there are plenty of accompanying events and exhibitions throughout the country. In its chapter on Germany, Best in Travel 2019 recommends a two week travel plan including a concert at the stunning Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, parties in Berlin clubs as wells as stops in Dessau, Weimar, Munich and the Middle Rhine. Visits to cities like Cologne and Frankfurt are also worthwhile because they are very individual but still united in their wide variety of cultural, culinary and historical offerings. Germany enchants and surprises even those who live here. Clambering between the cliffs of the Saxon Switzerland National Park near Dresden and the Bavarian royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Linderhof are in the not to be missed category. In general, it says Germany exhibits a special mix of tradition and vision. After all, in the small part of the Alps belonging to Bavaria, you can climb mountains in rustic surroundings, you can visit castles, cycle through vineyards further north, says cheers with a few beers in cosy inns and jump into cold waves in the North or Baltic Seas. Not forgetting all those places where great minds like Beethoven, Einstein, Goethe and Marx worked. Each year, the Lonely Planet selects the ten best countries, regions and cities. Lonely Planets Best in Travel 2019 is the 14th edition of the travel book. Germany has rarely been represented before now. In 2018, Hamburg was the fourth placed city. In 2016, Bavaria was the eighth placed region. In 2010, Germany was the second placed country behind El Savador. Copenhagen was chosen as one of the top cities this time behind Paris, Washington, Kotor, Bordeaux and Seville. Of the regions, the north Italian Piedmont around Turin leads in 2019. Leading the additional category Destinations worth the money are the southern Nile Valley in Egypt and Lodz, which is the third largest city in Poland after Warsaw and Krakow. Man died on A3 near Bad Honnef : Lorry driver who fled scene of fatal accident caught BAD HONNEF After a fatal accident on the A3 near Bad Honnef early on Monday evening, the motorway was completely closed until Tuesday morning. The man suspected of causing the accident fled the scene but was later found. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken A 25-year-old man was fatally injured in a serious car accident on the A3 near the Bad Honnef/Linz exit early on Monday evening. Four lorries collided there at around 5.40pm. The motorway was completely closed and only opened again to traffic on Tuesday morning. The man suspected of causing the accident fled from the scene in his lorry. A man was found during the night following a search. The police told the GA on Tuesday lunchtime he was the lorry driver who fled. Police are not giving any further details at the moment. Police said the cause of the accident was a manoeuvre by a lorry driver who pulled sharply to the right from the overtaking lane to take a motorway exit. This led to a 57-year-old lorry driver having to break sharply. This resulted in a 55-year-old, then a 56-year-old and finally a 25-year-old driving their lorries into each other. The 25-year-old was so tightly jammed into his truck that he died at the accident scene. His female co-driver was taken to hospital with slight injuries, as were two drivers from the lorries in front. Difficult rescue Only the driver in the first lorry was uninjured and able to continue his journey in his lorry, Andreas Geller, a service group leader from the Bensberg motorway police, said at the scene. The lorry that drove into him and the 25-year-olds vehicle had to be towed. The fourth lorry was also severely damaged, but could be driven from the motorway to a car park. When the fire brigade arrived, they first had to move the front three lorries forwards to reach the trapped person. To do this, the lorries were winched with a cable, explained Marc Neunkirchen, deputy press officer for the Konigswinter fire brigade. The firemen were supported by a towing company from the region. The load from the rear lorry, chilled sides of pork, had also spread over the motorway and made access to the drivers cabin more difficult. When the 25-year-old was finally reached through the drivers cabin, it was confirmed he had died. Problems with rescue lane A long queue formed on the A3 immediately after the accident. Rescue service and fire brigade vehicles had difficulty getting to the accident scene. There were serious problems getting there, said Neunkirchen. Due to the traffic jam, many lorry drivers had parked their vehicles in the middle lane making it difficult for some of the large rescue vehicles to get through. Around 50 personnel from Ittenbach, Uthweiler and Oelberg fire brigades were at the accident scene. They were supplied by DRK Bad Honnef. A rescue helicopter from the THW was also in use. Traffic was diverted over a wide area. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Waukesha, WI (53187) Today Generally cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Temps nearly steady in the low to mid 30s. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. Low 19F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. The work of a city treasurer probably seems boring to many people, but Tishaura Jones, who oversees the finances and tax code for St. Louis, doesn't just crunch numbers all day.She started an Office of Financial Empowerment to offer financial literacy classes to low-income residents and launched a program that offers new parents $50 to incentivize them to save for their childs college education. She has also made addressing racial inequality a priority.After the death of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teen who was shot by police in Ferguson, just outside St. Louis, a state commission released "Forward Through Ferguson" in 2015, a report that outlines hundreds of ways for local leaders to ease racial inequality and tension. On this episode of "The 23%: Conversations With Women in Government," Jones talks about the progress the region has made since that report -- and why it's been so slow."I would love to tell your listeners that weve been able to move forward and adopt all 189 recommendations or all 47 of the signature recommendations, but unfortunately weve only been able to implement five of the signature recommendations and six of the 189," she says.With two weeks til Election Day, Jones' political career is a reminder of how much every vote counts. When she ran for mayor in 2017, she lost the Democratic primary by less than 1,000 votes. She says her campaign was tainted by both racist and sexist attacks on her for being an African-American woman."All of my dirty laundry was aired by the local press, and none of the dirty laundry of any of the other candidates was," she says. "So I felt this was a concerted effort to, dare I say, keep a black woman down."Governing On Dec. 30, just in time for New Year's Eve, Utah drivers will become the first in the nation subject to a blood alcohol content limit of .05 percent, a significant reduction from the current .08 standard. If a majority of Americans have their way, more states will soon follow Utah's lead.On an average day in the United States, 29 people die in car crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. The yearly cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $44 billion. While Americans overwhelmingly agree that action is needed to deter drunk driving, there is debate about the best way to achieve that. Advocates have pushed not only for lower legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limits but also for ignition interlocks (car breathalyzers that prevent drivers from starting their cars if they're legally drunk) and sobriety checkpoints, among other solutions.New national polling results from our organization, the Texas Medical Center Health Policy Institute, shows that 55 percent of Americans support lowering the legal BAC while driving from .08, the current standard in every state, to .05. For years, the National Transportation Safety Board has pushed for exactly that. It cites data showing that the risk of being in a fatal crash is seven times higher for drivers with BACs of .05-.079, compared to drivers with no alcohol in their system, and cites estimates that a nationwide BAC of .05 would save nearly 1,800 lives annually. Last year, Utah lawmakers decided to heed NTSB's call.Despite the clear safety benefits of the move, Utah's reform hasn't come without controversy. Critics argue that it will damage Utah's beverage and tourism industries and say it could turn responsible drinkers into criminals by enacting BAC limits that are too low.But our survey shows that Americans support moves like this one -- and that they want states to enact other efforts to reduce drunk driving. Roughly 84 percent, for example, support requiring ignition interlocks for drivers convicted of driving under the influence, and 77 percent support automobile insurance discounts for drivers who voluntarily install the interlocks. Surprisingly, 46 percent support lowering the legal BAC limit to .00, meaning no alcohol content at all. Advocates push for other potential solutions as well, such as promotion of ride-sharing apps and high-visibility enforcement of impaired-driving laws.The opportunity for action is wide open. The survey findings remind us that reducing alcohol-related deaths requires a multi-pronged effort that influences the safety habits of all drinkers. Utah's move will no doubt prompt national interest when it takes effect. We should take advantage of this interest and encourage other states to follow Utah's lead. But the lower BAC limit is only part of the fix. Lawmakers, police, consumers and the hospitality industry need to work together to seize this moment and take even more steps to reduce alcohol-related crashes. Detailed Manuals Passionate About the Work Over the past three decades, the world has seen a steady decline in the number of women dying from childbirth. Theres been a notable outlier: the United States.Here the maternal mortality rate has been climbing, putting the United States in the unenviable company of Afghanistan, Lesotho and Swaziland as countries with rising rates.But that trend has been reversed in dramatic fashion in one state: California. The state Department of Public Health calculates that between 2006 and 2013, California lowered its maternal mortality rate by 55 percent from 16.9 to 7.3 deaths for every 100,000 live births, which translates to saving about one life in every 10,000 live births. The California rate is in line with those in Western Europe. During that same period, according to federal data, the U.S. rate rose from 13.3 to 22.The United Health Foundation, which ranks states according to various health indices, using primarily a five-year average of federal data from 2011 to 2015, put the U.S. maternal mortality rate at 20.7 per 100,000 live births and Californias at 4.5.Experts in maternal health blame the high U.S. rate on poverty, untreated chronic conditions and a lack of access to health care, especially in rural areas where hospitals and maternity units have closed in the past few years. But California has made a difference in part by focusing narrowly on problems that arise during labor and delivery, using data collection to quickly identify deficiencies (such as failing to have the right supplies on hand or performing unnecessary C-sections) and training nurses and doctors to overcome them.Those involved in Californias efforts acknowledge they cant definitively say how much the states falling maternal mortality rate is the result of its efforts. The state has long provided maternity care for poor women and also embraced the Affordable Care Act, which provided health insurance to more women. But other blue states that eagerly implemented ACA provisions did not experience reversals as dramatic as in the Golden State.The rest of the country has been paying attention.Theres no excuse now, said Stephanie Teleki, who leads maternity care initiatives at the California Health Care Foundation, a philanthropic nonprofit that has funded some of the California efforts. There are free [instruction manuals] to help hospitals address the major drivers of maternal mortality and morbidity. And we have a data center in California that can be replicated in other states that is low-burden and low-cost to hospitals.This isnt some weird California thing that cant be replicated, Teleki said. This is doable in other states. Its a matter of having the will and the funding to get it off the ground. The cost to the state Department of Public Health is about $950,000 a year with additional resources from grants and foundations.The California effort began around 2006, when officials at the state Department of Public Health first noticed the rising rates of maternal deaths. It was disturbing, and frankly we didnt know why, said Connie Mitchell, deputy director of the departments Center for Family Health.The department created a pregnancy-related mortality review board to dig into causes of every death. (As of last year, 29 other states had created similar boards, according to the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health Program, a national coalition with expertise in maternal health.) With Stanford, the agency also created the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative, which brought together clinicians, hospitals and other maternity experts to sift through the data to identify solutions.In turn, the state and the collaborative created exhaustive how to manuals for hospitals and clinicians, detailing the best practices to address specific circumstances, such as obstetric hemorrhages and pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy-related complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to an organ, usually the liver or kidneys. They also sent experts to train doctors and nurses on the techniques.The first manual, distributed in 2010, addressed hemorrhages. Early on, we discovered that labor and delivery was often not ready to spring into action when a hemorrhage happened, Mitchell said. They hadnt drilled for it in the delivery room, or they kept blood supplies in another part of the hospital and a nurse had to run around for 15 minutes to get it.The hemorrhage toolkit, for example, details what to do when a woman experiences excessive bleeding in the delivery room, who should perform which procedures and what supplies should be on hand. Theres more: It recommends stocking a hemorrhage-specific tray of medicines in the labor and delivery refrigerator, and advises that hospitals put together a hemorrhage cart on wheels, holding everything from uterine forceps and sutures to a bright task light.Since then, the collaborative has created guides on cardiovascular disease, pre-eclampsia and venous thrombosis, a blood clot in a vein that is a common cause of pregnancy-related deaths. The collaborative also has distributed instructions for reducing the rate of Caesarean deliveries, which are riskier for women than vaginal births. All are freely available to hospitals and practitioners outside California.Kathleen Belzer, president of the California Nurse-Midwives Association, said the instruction manuals are ubiquitous in hospital maternity units and birthing centers.I think every [obstetrical care] provider in California and most hospital systems absolutely use the [instruction manuals], she said. They are very well embraced.The heart of the system, though, is a fast-moving, comprehensive system called the Maternal Data Center; it collects data from birth records, hospital discharge records and other medical information supplied by the states hospitals. Researchers analyze data at a statewide, regional and even hospital level to determine whether providers are following the best practices.The system allows hospitals to check their performance against peers and can pinpoint problems with individual practitioners. Is a doctors C-section rate high? Is it because that doctor has a high rate of labor inductions?Hospitals send the data to the Maternal Data Center every 45 days, which, in the world of hospital data collection, is unusually fast and allows for quick interventions when a problem is identified.The California collaborative said it recently started to cooperate with Oregon (13.7 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births) and Washington (14.8), to help those states create their own data systems.Other states have also taken actions similar to Californias. Florida, Massachusetts and Ohio have adopted measures to enable the sharing of birth certificates and hospital discharge records to provide a deeper level of analyses to identify areas for improvement.At least 40 states have also established central bodies like Californias collaborative, to provide expert support and training to hospitals and practitioners. And North Carolina created a program to identify low-income pregnant women in order to provide them with coordinated care that addresses not just their medical needs but also help with nutrition, housing and transportation.No other state, though, has developed as thorough a system for improvements as has California.Californias plan brings together all the players in maternal health: clinicians, hospitals, state agencies including Medi-Cal, the administrator of Medicaid in California, professional medical associations, commercial insurance carriers, and philanthropic organizations.Its been the work of a lot of people who are very engaged and passionate about the work, said Cathie Markow, administrative director of the collaborative.According to the collaborative, 212 of the states 240 hospitals, representing more than 95 percent of births, submit data to the Maternal Data Center. Several Medicaid-managed care plans in the state require hospitals to participate, according to Markow.Inspired by Californias efforts, in 2014, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, and the American Hospital Association created the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health to provide support and guidance to states. Nineteen states, including Florida, Illinois, New York and Texas, are now working with the coalition, known as AIM.We all look to California because they have reversed the trend and decreased their maternal mortality rate significantly, said Dr. Lisa Hollier, a Houston OB-GYN and president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.The alliance promotes many of the methods pioneered in California, including the creation of collaboratives on maternity care, use of instruction manuals and rapid data collection and analysis.But even cheerleaders for the California effort agree that there are limits to the success.While the maternal mortality rate has declined overall in California across all demographic groups, African-American woman still are three to four times more likely to die from complications from pregnancy than are white women. In 2006, black women were more than five times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications.The collaborative now is gathering data to focus on closing that racial disparity.As Teleki, of the California Health Care Foundation, said, the state is pointing the way for the rest of the nation.This can be replicated in other states and indeed must be replicated in other states because these numbers were seeing are despicable, she said. We like to think we have great health care available in this country, but maternal mortality is one of the major indicators of a countrys health, and in some states there are third-world levels of deaths associated with pregnancy. Hannah Traaseth told the deputies things she had been too afraid and ashamed to tell her father.How she got into the car of a man she had never met before. How he and his friend had taken turns raping her, an experience so violent that she said she later texted a friend, My body hurts.Traaseth was 13. The men were 21.Investigators in Wisconsin and Maplewood spent the next 8 months working the case, even though Traaseth, afraid for her safety, initially misled them on how she met the men and where the assault occurred. Still, detectives combed through her text messages and social media accounts to identify possible suspects, and Traaseth soon told them everything. Then they obtained warrants for Facebook accounts, arrested and questioned two men and took samples of their DNA, which matched the samples found on the teenagers underwear.Police, convinced the evidence was strong enough to charge both men with rape, sent the case to the office of Ramsey County Attorney John Choi in May of 2016.We generally dont send cases over unless we think theres enough evidence, said David Kvam, a commander at the Maplewood Police Department.Chois office declined to charge the men, saying in a letter to the family that the teenagers conflicting versions of what happened that night made it unlikely they would win at trial.We strongly believe that no responsible prosecutor in the state of Minnesota would charge this case, Choi told the Star Tribune.Bradley Traaseth, Hannahs father, begged Maplewood police to resubmit the case.They did. Five months later, Chois office again declined to press charges, citing the same reasons. In total, Chois office would review the case four times, each time electing not to charge either of the men.Bradley Traaseth is still furious. The Lakeland city commissioner who was charged last week with second-degree murder in the death of a would-be shoplifter has resigned from his elected position.A letter of resignation dated Oct. 20, the same day Michael Dunn was arrested, was hand delivered to Lakeland City Hall on Monday afternoon."It is with a heavy heart that I submit this letter to you," Dunn wrote to his fellow commissioners and the city's mayor. "Being born and raised in Lakeland, this city means a great deal to me and always will. Thank you to the residents of Lakeland for having given me the opportunity to serve."Dunn, 47, remained jailed Monday without bail.Polk County State Attorney Brian Haas announced Friday that Dunn would be charged with second-degree murder in the Oct. 3 shooting of Christobal Lopez.Dunn had spotted Lopez pocketing a hatchet inside the Vets Army Navy Surplus store, which the commissioner co-owns.When police showed up, they found Dunn with his gun still pointed at Lopez, who lay on pavement near the entrance."I think he expired," Dunn said, according to a criminal complaint.Dunn's attorney, Rusty Franklin, filed a request Friday to dismiss the criminal charge under Florida's stand your ground self-defense law.Franklin argued that Lopez, when confronted, threatened Dunn with the hatchet, putting the commissioner in fear. He called the killing justifiable.Haas, the state attorney, concluded otherwise. "It is the policy of my office to comply with and abide by the stand your ground law," he said Friday. "However, I have determined that this case and the actions of Mr. Dunn fall outside the protection of the stand your ground law."Police reviewed store surveillance video and interviewed two witnesses, including Lopez's father. The video showed Lopez removing a hatchet from a rack and tucking it in his pants. Dunn, from an office, saw him do it.A few minutes later, Lopez's father went to the front counter and paid for a "boonie" hat. The pair then moved to leave.Dunn confronted Lopez near the door, asking if he was going to pay for the item. The hatchet slid down Lopez's leg to the floor."I will pay! I will pay!" he said, according to the complaint.Lopez picked up the hatchet and went to the counter but tried to leave again without paying.Video shows Dunn holding a gun in his right hand as Lopez moves toward the door. Dunn pushes Lopez with his left arm. Lopez is seen gripping the door, trying to pull away, police said. He held the hatchet in his right hand, the blade against his palmDunn fired twice. Bullets hit Lopez in his upper body and his back, police said. Dunn made no effort to render first-aid.Police said Lopez made no threatening movements and witnesses heard no threats.Detectives asked Dunn what would have happened if he had let go of Lopez. He replied: "It might be fair to say that if I just stepped back and let somebody come in and take what they want, that there would be no issue."Lopez and his father had recently become homeless, the detectives noted. They previously lived in the rural community of Wauchula, in Hardee County. Both had been accepted into Lighthouse Ministries, a faith-based shelter program Description GIS 23 October, 2018: A talk focusing on the different aspects of the Mauritian Sign Language (MSL) was given by Mr Alain Gebert, yesterday at the Octave Wiehe Auditorium in Reduit in presence of the Director (Planning & Budgeting, (including Logistics and Support Services, Extra-Curricular Activities and Special Education Needs), Mr K. Ng Wong Hing, the President of the Society for the Welfare of the Deaf, Dr N. Joonas. Several educators and representatives of different schools attended the talk. Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research, Mr K. Ng Wong Hing, underlined that all youngsters irrespective of their disabilities should be given equal opportunities to develop their potential and pursue their educational pathway. The MSL, he highlighted, serves as a driving force for those children with special education needs. He underscored that persons with disabilities have an essential role to play in the society as they represent perseverance, determination and courage. On this score, he emphasised that Government is committed to upholding the rights of persons with disabilities while adding that the country has ratified the United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. Mr K. Ng Wong Hing further pointed out that more importance should be given to the MSL with a view to enhancing the learning process of children with disabilities. The Ministry, he emphasised, is engaged in providing the necessary support to help children address their individual differences in an effective way. For her part, Dr N. Joonas, highlighted that much emphasis should be laid on the need to create an enabling environment for the development of the child, hence encouraging an inclusive education system. She underpinned that the learning of sign language should be facilitated for hearing impaired children and should be delivered in an appropriate manner by dedicated instructors, thereby encouraging these children to succeed in their endeavours. She also underlined that the key role of the Society for the Welfare of the Deaf, since 1968, is to cater to the well-being of deaf persons while fostering an equitable society. Several facilities including parental guidance, pre-primary, primary and pre-vocational classes, audiology and hearing aids to speech therapy, sign language classes and ear mould making, among others, are also offered to the hearing impaired community. Description GIS 23 October 2018: Mauritius is set to host, from 28 to 30 November 2018, the World Artificial Intelligence (AI) Show and World Blockchain Summit. The aim is to identify opportunities for the deployment of AI in the various key sectors of the countrys economy. The AI Show will also feature humanoid robot, Sophia, developed by Hong Kong-based Company Hanson Robotics, and, named the United Nations Development Programme's first ever non-human Innovation Champion. During a press conference yesterday at SICOM Tower, in Ebene, the Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation, Mr Yogida Sawmynaden, elaborated on the event. The Senior Economic Adviser, Prime Ministers Office, Mr George Chung Tick Kan; the Group Chief Strategy Officer, Trescon, Mr Sanjiv Singh; the Managing Partner, Trescon Mauritius, Mr Vishal Seeboruth; and, the CEO of the Economic Development Board (EDB), Mr Francois Guibert, were present. Mr Chung Tick Kan spoke about the objectives and the expected outcomes of the initiative, while both Messrs. Singh and Seeboruth introduced Trescon Global and its Mauritius subsidiary. Mr Guibert for his part emphasised on the role of the EDB. The three-day event is being organised by the Ministry of Technology, Communication and Innovation, in collaboration with the EDB and Trescon Global. The World AI Show will have as confirmed speaker line-up the Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth. Minister Sawmynaden stated that given the fact that Mauritius wants to become an inclusive and high-income country it is important to foster a new generation of technopreneurs who master emerging technologies such as AI and Blockchain. Speaking about the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0), he emphasised the need to increase the efficiency of industrial processes which require a minimum amount of human intervention, and, thus improve productivity by reducing costs and energy consumption. Referring to the World Economic Forums Readiness for the Future of Production Report 2018, the Minister said that the Report indicates that Mauritius can transform itself into a country with a high development potential in terms of Industry 4.0. The Report also positions as leaders the following countries: China, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, UK and USA. In addition, the Minister pointed out that an Artificial Intelligence Council will be set up shortly and a Working Group has been created to that end. The Council will have as mission to create the legal framework for AI and propose incentives to entrepreneurs. In turn, these entrepreneurs will offer new AI products and services for the international market. According to Mr Sawmynaden, the aim is to position Mauritius on the world map of emerging technologies and it is precisely against this backdrop that the 2018 World Artificial Intelligence (AI) Show and World Blockchain Summit is being organised in the country. Mauritius World AI Show and World Blockchain Summit The Mauritius AI Show and the Summit have as objectives to: transform the country into an attractive destination for key players in AI and Blockchain; and, assist Government on mapping the economic impacts of AI technologies and to attract investors in the field of AI and Blockchain. More than 400 local, regional, international delegates and project stakeholders are expected to attend the event to be held at Intercontinental Resort, Balaclava. Around 35 AI and Blockchain experts from USA, France, UK, Estonia, and India, amongst others, will be present. Several investors and exhibitors will participate with the aim to initiate collaborative ties. This initiative will also support Mauritius vision to enable governments, enterprises and industries to implement the latest innovations that shape the AI and Blockchain roadmap in the following sectors: Digital Public Services, Transportation, Supply Chain, Emergency Management, Healthcare, FinTech Services, Smart Cities, Smart Education, and Industrial IoT and Manufacturing. World AI Show is a thought-leadership-driven, business-focused, global series of events taking place in strategic locations across the world. The show is part of a world tour that is taking place in Amsterdam, Mumbai, Mauritius, Nairobi, Dubai and Singapore. It connects top AI experts, enterprises, government representatives, data scientists, technology leaders, startups, investors, researchers, academicians, and global AI innovators - all under one roof. World Blockchain Summit connects global blockchain experts and technology players in this space including emerging startups with regional businesses, governments, IT leaders, investors and blockchain developers from across the world. (TNS) During extreme emergencies, like the active shooter situation at Forest High School in April, teachers and staff members were told to go on lock-down until they received further notice.That included the receptionist in the lobby, who had to abandon her post, which is equipped with an intercom that is typically used to notify everyone at the school about an ongoing situation.The end result was that dozens of teachers and thousands of students spent hours huddled in classrooms not knowing what was happening at the school.School District officials are hoping a new mass notification alert system will help employees, administrators and law enforcement update each other in real time in the event of another such emergency.The School Board reached a consensus to move forward in establishing what is called the "Regroup Mass Notification Alert System."The the real-time notification app system, which typically costs about $100,000 annually, has been offered to the district at a discounted rate.Dennis McFadden, the School District's Safe Schools coordinator, shared information about the new system at a work session last week.The system will allow any employee to send out an alert if a crisis arises. The app will have a pull-down menu to access groups. The severity of the crisis will determine who receives the alert.For example, users may have four groups they can chose to send the information. The groups may include district administration, school administration, school staff and first responders. In case of an armed person on campus, for example, a teacher could send out alert to everyone."Communication to the entire school became a problem (during the Forest incident)," McFadden noted. He said communicating with many people at one time was challenging.Traditionally, the district has used radios, public address systems, telephones, emails and text messages to get the word out when there is a crisis situation. In some cases, the information never makes to all the employees affected.Regroup is a cloud-based platform "that makes it easier for administrators to send and receive messages," according to a district PowerPoint presentation."Regroup provides the tools needed to save lives and property and allows instant alerting to large groups of recipients when a crisis occurs," the presentation notes.Using Regroup, employees will be able to instantly send critical alerts from computers and smart devices, including phones and tablets.McFadden said every second counts and employees will be able to transmit critical alerts to multiple communication channels simultaneously. All with a single click from what he called a "user friendly" interface," users can send messages to one or more of the following: digital signage, public address systems, computers, cellphones (text and voice) and social media."Accelerated transmission of critical alerts can reduce the margin for human error," McFadden told the board.McFadden said Regroup officials will visit Marion and help the district set up geo-fencing of properties. This means the notifications will only work near and on a district campus or facility. If someone tries using the system off campus, it will call 911 and not alert school officials.The system also connects to law enforcement. The main focus of the app is to help employees, administrators and law enforcement know what is happening in real time. The system can pinpoint a user within 9 feet, a valuable asset for first responders.The ultimate goal, the PowerPoint noted, is to protect life and minimize casualties by notifying students and visitors or an existing emergency situation and instruct them on what actions they should take through accurate, concise, timely and well-directed messages.School Board Chairman Beth McCall urged district officials to start with a few pilot programs at a few schools before implementing districtwide. The list of chief privacy officers in state and local government continues to grow, as the public sector increasingly looks to use data to drive leaner, more effective operations while respecting its obligation to safeguard the publics sensitive information. Ted Cotterill occupies the position in the state of Indiana, where he also serves as general counsel for the states Management and Performance Hub.At the annual National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) conference this week in San Diego, Cotterill talked about how his job intersects with some of the other important C roles in the state of Indiana. Not surprisingly, he works closely with CIO Dewand Neely , as well as the state Chief Information Security Officer Bryan Sacks, who serves alongside him on the Governors Cybersecurity Council. (TNS) The Dallas Police Department wants to use drones to help fight crime, but first, police want the City Council to back the aircraft.On Monday, police officials made their case for the systems to the city's Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee.Police refer to them as small unmanned aerial systems" rather than "drones," a word they say may remind people of weaponized aircrafts.But the aircraft Dallas police want to use wouldnt carry anything but a camera, and they wouldnt go in the air without a specific mission, Assistant Chief Paul Stokes told the committee.Stokes said he understands that some people may be afraid of the aircraft, especially if they arent sure how police want to use them.People think that we're going to drop them in backyards and spy on them that's not the purpose of this equipment, he said. We would never launch one of those systems just to patrol the city.With support from the city and enough funding, the department could be using the aircraft by early 2019, Stokes said. The department is hoping for a fleet of five: two for SWAT and three for patrol.Dallas police dont have any drones yet, but they had a chance to fly them during the National Rifle Association's national convention in May, when the Texas Department of Public Safety brought theirs in and let Dallas officers fly them to monitor crowds at the downtown convention center.Other uses for the drones could include search-and-rescue situations if a car is swept away in high water, police could deploy one to fly directly up to the window of the car and see whether someone is inside. They could also help track down a suspect or a missing person.Law enforcement agencies, including the Arlington Police Department, have been using drones for years. Other agencies using them include the Mansfield Police Department, the Houston Fire Department and the Las Vegas Metro Police Department.In September, Carrollton police used a drone outfitted with a camera to find the bodies of a man and woman killed in a murder-suicide before officers entered the home.Dallas City Council member Sandy Greyson, who represents Far North Dallas, said she thought the drones surveillance capabilities could be particularly helpful if they were stationed along Dowdy Ferry Road a street notorious for being a dumping ground for dogs both dead and alive.Right now they don't last long enough and they're costly enough that that wouldn't be a good application for it, Greyson said. But someday, when the cost comes down and we have a lot more of them, that could be something that we could use.Stokes said the price for the department's preferred aerial systems range from $7,500 to more than $30,000. The low-cost models work in daytime and low-light settings. The mid-range aircraft, with thermal imaging technology, cost between $10,000 and $15,000. The most expensive, highest-tech versions specifically designed for law enforcement use, can cost more than $30,000.Costs are coming down, Stokes said. But council member Kevin Felder, who represents southern Dallas, said he thought the drones are still pricey for their lifespans about 400 hours in the air, according to the briefing police gave to the committee.Limited battery life means the aircraft could be flown for 25 to 35 minutes without a battery change, Stokes said. Thats just one reason why they couldnt replace police helicopters, he said.For now, police just want the citys support for operating the aircrafts budget decisions will come later, along with the technicalities of getting a license from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly in Dallas. It is interesting to me that it seems "all of a sudden" I'm seeing more documentation about the threat, risks and needs to address the dangers to our electrical grid and then other critical infrastructures being impacted by a coronal mass ejection (CME) or electromagnetic pulse (EMP).Curry Mayer, director of Bellevue, Wash., Emergency Management, just shared a copy of a study that was done, which she participated in. SeeAs noted earlier in this blog, an Interdependencies Workshop/Exercise is being conducted in western Washington to address the issues brought on by a CME incident. That event will be held in May 2019.Then I got a marketing email from CellCube a company that is offering the ability to have "islands of energy" when you lose your electrical power and are trying to function "off the grid." Generators are one source, but we do need technology that gives us some micro-grid capability when we lose power, the generators don't start, or run out of fuel.I can't say these guys are a total solution, since I'm not that skookum on KVI, watts and all that electrical stuff when it comes to "what the actual capacity is" from these types of sources.Our initial planning meeting for the workshop identified above is 8:30 a.m., Oct. 30 at the King County Regional Communications and Emergency Coordination Center (RCECC) in the Training Room. NEWARK, N.J. -- The massive amounts of data collected by cities, and the analytics it enables, are often trumpeted as forces to grow the collective good, whether that is to make traffic move more smoothly or improve air quality.With improper oversight and policy direction, however, that data can also lead to unjust policing or uncontrolled surveillance of communities, say researchers and policymakers who have studied the various types of smart cities technologies being deployed in municipalities across the country.As we look at the next few years, the big challenge, in my mind, is theres no formal public oversight over technology in our cities, said Ryan Gerety, a technology fellow at the Ford Foundation, speaking Oct. 15 at the MetroLab Network Annual Summit at Newark's New Jersey Institute of Technology. Cities, themselves, recognize this and are looking for mechanisms to correct that.Agencies with some of the biggest budgets and consequently amassing the most technology tend to be in areas of public safety, said Gerety, and thats where oversight is often thinnest.We have many people in the room who are extremely expert at building systems to change, in very positive ways, communities, and people who are choosing to work with those city agencies who want to do that in the best way possible, said Gerety during the panel discussion Are Smart Cities Utopian or Dystopian?The flip side of that is in places where you have much more regressive, say, police departments who want to do something different, who will go ahead and do it on their own, and where we dont have a civil society that is informed in order to push back against illegal or inappropriate measures, she added. And so we need to have civil rights organizations, and social justice organizations, at the local level that have the technical capacity to fight back and evaluate these programs, using the best know-how weve learned to do it right, and we need legal, formal accountability.Three years ago Chicago rolled out its Array of Things project, an enterprise-scale, sensor-driven Internet of Things platform that collects data about the people, places and air quality in Chicago. The network gathers information related to the patterns of people as they move through the city, not data related to individuals.Researchers wanted to design an infrastructure for research into intelligent infrastructure: street signals, real-time communications between infrastructure and vehicles, which require edge computing, as well as sensors to measure flooding. The data is updated every 30 seconds, and is free and open. The application programming interface (API) is updated every five minutes.With 80 percent of Chicagoans living about two kilometers from one of the 100 sensor and camera pods, it was immediately obvious how a citywide IoT network like this one could raise concerns around privacy and using the data to further questionable activities like unjust policing or surveillance.Advocacy groups, along with city and University of Chicago officials, came together to define a privacy policy that exceeded the state requirements in Illinois, and took that draft to communities for resident feedback, said Brenna Berman, the executive director of the City Tech Collaborative at U+I Labs in Chicago, who worked on the rollout of the Array of Things.We did not get a lot of pushback about those cameras, mainly because this was a community-based project, not a public safety-based project, she said during the panel discussion. Residents wanted more access to the images in an effort to be more engaged in the policing of their neighborhoods.So the pushback wasnt, Hey, we dont want surveillance. [It was,] We want to have participation in that surveillance so that we can help to serve our advocacy and engagement within our community, Berman recalled.One of the biggest lessons learned was, listen to the residents that are going to be engaged in the project, because you cant guess what they are going to think or need unless you actually ask, said Berman.The next evolution of the Array of Things project is to install more of the sensor pods for greater detailed readings, said Charlie Catlett, a senior computer scientist with the Argonne National Laboratory at the University of Chicago.Our goal is to make 100 percent of the people who live in Chicago have one of these within 2 kilometers of where they live, said Catlett, during one of the MetroLab Summit sessions. And we think we can push the 1 kilometer up to at least 70 to 80 percent of the population, at which point an air quality measurement or a noise measurement starts to mean something if its a kilometer away instead of 6 kilometers.The community IoT network project in Chicago which brought together community and social justice advocacy groups underscored how to move forward with sophisticated smart city projects dedicated to collecting and analyzing large amounts of data to bring about improvements to urban life, according to Berman.When youre defining the project and the policy around it whatever that might be involve those advocacy groups, whether thats the ACLU [American Civil Liberties Union], or a specific community representation group, so that they are part of the definition of the project, she said. You may not be able to implement everything they suggest. You may not be able to address every concern that they have. But essentially, having the advocacy voice in the tent to help you define the program can go a long way in defining a program that will more holistically understand what the perspective of the overall ecosystem is going to be. (TNS) Downtown Cleveland would become a power-secure site for new businesses that cannot afford power failures and want a grid insulated from cyberattacks, says a proposal prepared for the Cleveland Foundation.The Energy Policy Center at Cleveland State University and the Great Lakes Energy Institute at Case Western Reserve University are proposing that the city of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County build a microgrid powered in part by a new power plant at Cleveland Thermal.The microgrid would encompass an area from Lake Erie border south to Carnegie Avenue, from the Cuyahoga River east to E. 55th Street.In the proposal, commercial customers willing to pay a delivered price of 14 cents per kilowatt-hour would have clean power delivered in a cybersecure system designed to be operational 99.999 percent of time, or "less than 6 minutes of power loss per year."Additionally, customers would see improved power quality, in other words, no voltage sags or changes in frequency. And they would not have to spend as much on their own backup power generators, though the studies contemplate that the private systems could also be integrated into the new grid as additional backup supplies.Customers would also be insulated from a regional or national blackout because the microgrid would be designed to "island" itself from the larger grid if needed.The all-new downtown microgrid, aimed to be operational in 2022, would be connected to Cleveland Public Power's system, which would deliver the electricity from a "combined heat and power" plant Cleveland Thermal would build.Combined-heat-and-power plants are considered among the most efficient gas-fired systems because they make both steam and electricity and Cleveland Thermal envisioned adding power generation to its new boilers installed last year.Cost of the project, which is being proposed as an economic development tool, has been estimated at $100 million. And economic impact study predicts the project by 2026 would create as many as 2,264 jobs with annual earnings of nearly $162 million.The two feasibility studies, to be released by the universities Monday, are among topics that will be discussed next week at a cybersecurity conference at the IX Center.One additional feasibility study is pending. An initial study published last fall noted that the marginal cost of secure power adds over 5 cents per kilowatt-hour to the regular commercial rate of around 9-10 cents per kilowatt-hour.Andrew Thomas, executive in residence at the Energy Policy Center, said the study teams surveyed 150 companies in an effort to see whether there would be potential customers for the microgrid.He said companies were interested if the grid could provide the power at 14 cents per kilowatt-hour or lower. The projected price on the grid is 13 cents."These prices would be pretty attractive right now," he said. "Our goal here is growth, not to steal customers from the Illuminating Co. or Cleveland Public Power," he said."We identified three areas that had the largest [loss of productivity] in the event of an outage, professional and technical services, health care and insurance."Some county and city leaders have seen the early versions of the feasibility studies, he said, but will need a lot of time to digest the information.County Executive Armond Budish said he is interested in further research and discussion."I am very interested in exploring how a microgrid could make a difference here in Cuyahoga County," he said in a written statement. "We've seen the problems in the past few years of large electric grids going down and customers losing power for days and months."A microgrid district like the one being envisioned with clean, affordable and reliable power could be a great economic development attraction for us. From the County's perspective, we want to help make this a reality." Georgia's Fast-Track to Cyber State as a Service Developing Effective Leaders The Road to E-signatures This year Georgia took a big step forward in cybersecurity with the development and construction of its cyber center and training range , moving from proposal to ribbon-cutting on an aggressive 18-month timeline.Funded entirely with state cash on hand, the $100 million Hull McKnight Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center brings together universities and technical colleges, private-sector businesses, and law enforcement, as well as the Army Cyber Command, a strategic group within the military branch that was consolidated at the center in Augusta.State CIO Calvin Rhodes described the motivations behind creating the cyber center, as well as the far-reaching impact it will have on state security. He laid out five program areas, including research and development, training and education, and innovation and incubation. One of the main drivers for private-sector partners to get involved, Rhodes said, comes from ready access to the centers student population. Already, 500 students from local schools are taking courses at the training center, and the state anticipates that number to grow dramatically.Collaboration among the different groups at Georgias cyber center is key to its mission. Were going to force collisions, Rhodes said, explaining that by bringing together partners who may not otherwise have met, the parties are more likely to realize greater outcomes.Agencies of all levels across the state are welcome to access the resources at the cyber center, which will make Georgia more secure overall. And Rhodes added that the new Cyber Crime Unit created as part of the centers development will give small jurisdictions with limited resources tools to improve their strategies.[slideshow-break]Collaboration was the theme that ran through the afternoon session featuring Nebraska Chief Information Officer Ed Toner and Ohio Deputy Director of Enterprise Shared Solutions Deven Mehta. More specifically, each described instances where the state took the lead on projects where a shared system or asset benefited both parties.In Nebraska, Toner described a call the state received from a county with a server that had been out of service for three days. The state had them up and running on their virtual server in four hours, paying 10 percent of what they were paying for their on-premise server. In fact, Nebraska is well on its way to full migration of all of the states 93 counties servers to the state system. So far, more than 70 counties share state infrastructure, saving them a significant amount of money, according to Toner. Were going to get them all sooner or later, he said. What helps get the word out is Toners blog , where he writes about many of the successes theyve enjoyed.Toner went on to give several other examples of money-saving shared-services projects, like a shared permit system with the cities of Lincoln and Omaha, and Network Nebraska, a shared telecom backbone that serves nearly 300 public agencies.Mehta described Ohios massive IT transformation that began in 2012, aimed at reducing complexity, as becoming more efficient and saving money. From the outset, the vision for the undertaking included finding ways for local governments to participate in and benefit from the states modernization efforts.Among the examples Mehta offered of putting this idea into practice was the states data warehouse in central Ohio. Cuyahoga County now houses its data there, which saved them $12 million upfront, as well as $1 million in annual operational expenses. Similarly, the Ohio One Network is made up of 2,250 miles of 100 GB connectivity, which connects more than 750 state and county buildings and sites across the state.[slideshow-break]In a breakout session on leadership development, Colorados HR leaders described how in the last year and a half theyve transformed the way IT handles training and development, a model they think could work for other states.In the Colorado Governors Office of Information Technology, Chief People Officer Ramona Gomoll and Barb Davis, senior strategic HR business partner, found that when they got to the state that employees in leadership roles didnt understand their authority levels. A lack of training around how to effectively manage and supervise employees meant work wasnt always being done effectively, and there were no processes in place for mediating a staffing situation that wasnt working.And just because someone is good with tech does not mean they have the innate skills to be good leaders. They may know how to make data centers more effective or develop apps, but they dont know how to continue to grow the knowledge of their workforce.Were moving forward in technology and not necessarily [planning] how to migrate our workforce, said Delaware CIO James Collins from the audience.In Colorado, Gomoll and Davis said they overhauled the state's vision for leadership, using a multifaceted approach that involved an emotional intelligence assessment for managers. They found that many lacked the appropriate skills around relationships and communication. As a result, they instituted training for managers, and emphasized working strategically with human resources, being sure to set the culture of performance management. That included face-to-face time with employees, and therefore a reduction in email management, and concrete processes for discipline.Colorado IT supervisors, Gomoll and Davis said, now feel empowered to manage their employees, and although the culture shift around this new performance management strategy was not without challenges, their IT team is stronger for it.If you go down that path, stick with it, Gomoll said. Its going to take time.[slideshow-break]This digital signatures element of Hawaiis IT modernization journey has its roots in CIO Todd Nacapuys first day on the job. As part of the states onboarding process, new hires used to spend two hours on their first day signing physical documents. This didnt sit well with Nacapuy or Gov. David Ige , who pursued e-signature technology to expedite this process along with many others throughout the state.An average document working its way through state offices would take 30 days and about 13 steps to reach the governor for his physical signature. With the e-signature solution in place, that process now takes about a week two days of that representing the time it takes to route through every necessary department for their digital signature. Since the tool first became available to the state about three years ago, more than 400,000 transactions have been completed.Touting the added security the digital solution offers, as well as the knowledge of where a document is at any point in the process, Hawaiis governor has made it known that he gives preference to documents sent to him digitally, Nacapuy said. One of the biggest keys was the top-down approach.Another lesson the CIO passed on to session attendees was to be mindful of how the process change is communicated to employees not just the nuts and bolts of the change, but also the why behind the transition that encourages staff to buy in to a new way of doing things. Nacapuy classifies the IT workforce in the state based on the technology that was broadly used when they started working there: mainframe, PC, laptop and mobile. You cant communicate to all employees in the same way, he explained, specifying that more physical documentation is required for employees who onboarded in the mainframe era, for example. We communicate to four generations of workers and we do it very differently, he said. Long time coming Policy in progress (TNS) After years of research, the Racine, Wis., Police Department plans to equip officers with body-worn cameras in early 2019, as long as the funds allocated in the proposed 2019 budget are approved by the city council.Mayor Cory Mason announced the initiative during his budget address last week. Mason said that, if implemented, the cameras would be "a good step forward for transparency and public confidence."The proposed capital improvement projects budget for 2019 includes $384,000 for purchasing approximately 160 units and $108,000 for purchasing dash camera equipment compatible with the body camera system.If the funds are approved with next year's budget, Racine Police Chief Art Howell said he hopes to have the technology and policy in place so they can have cameras out on patrol within the first quarter of 2019.According to a timeline provided by RPD, the department first formed a committee to look into body cameras in June 2015. In an memo to Howell from July of that year, the committee members laid out the pros and cons for implementing body cameras."The reasons to do it outweighed the reasons not to do it," said Howell.The department product-tested one model in November 2016. Due to technological shortcomings, RPD decided not to move forward then."The first generation of cameras that came out were not really perfected a lot of problems," said Howell. "One of the largest problems was that when the officers would get involved in foot pursuits, the unit would fall off because they were clip-on."That model was unreliable, bulky and had a short battery life, he said.In May 2017, Panasonic announced its third generation body camera, the Arbitrator MK3. Near the end of the year RPD started product-testing that model, which is the one eventually chosen.Then, about eight months later, on Jan. 17, 2018 Donte Shannon was fatally shot by Investigator Chad Stillman and Officer Peter Boeck. In March, after an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Racine County District Attorney Tricia Hanson decided not to press charges against Stillman and Boeck for Shannon's death.The incident prompted members of the community, including George Nicks, president of the Racine Branch of the NAACP, to ask why body cameras weren't being used."The public has been asking this public-safety question since that event, but the Police Department has been doing the ground work for it for a long time," said Mason.Howell said that at this point the two biggest obstacles to getting the cameras in place (aside from funding) have been working out data storage and the departmental policies on body cameras.For storage, the department has chosen to use a local server instead of cloud storage."(Cloud storage) can be extremely expensive. We opted to do it on a local level where we have our own server," said Howell. "And as a result of that we'll be able to save the city a significant amount of money."Docking stations at the Police Department would charge camera batteries and upload footage onto the server.If funding for the initiative comes through, the biggest hurdle left will be developing a policy for recording, storing and sharing footage.Mason, who as a former legislator has been involved in the body-camera discussion on the state level, said developing a policy that balances departmental transparency and individual privacy is more complicated than many people think."The state's been wrestling with the policy issues around this for several years," said Mason. "I think it's taken some time without a clear policy in place. Local jurisdictions have been left to come up with best practices on their own."Deputy Chief Charles Weitzel, who heads the committee overseeing body camera implementation, said a draft policy has been written up and he is working with the City Attorney's Office to finalize it. So far, the draft policy states:Officers are required to turn on cameras before any event during which they may have to act in an enforcement capacity. Cameras are capable of capturing footage up to one minute before the officer turns them on.General footage storage is still being debated, but the minimum would be 30 days.Footage related to an infraction that could lead to a citation or charges against an individual would be retained for the life of the appeals process for that case.Videos for public release can be redacted and edited to protect an individual's privacy. However, RPD will have a copy of the full, untouched video on its server.As for when footage would be shared with the public, Howell said that, should a situation arise, he would push to expedite that process should it serve the public interest."It's a trust issue," said Howell. "They have to trust us and if knowing facts that would change the course of how the community is going to receive it, we should get that (information) out as soon as possible."If the city council approves the funds for all of the equipment, the department could go forward with a pilot program as early as December.Weitzel said that should no issues arise during the pilot period, every officer, including investigators, supervisors and shift commanders, will be issued his or her own body camera with spares available for all divisions. Howell hopes to have full implementation within the first quarter of 2019. 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. Grab a bottle of Madeira and some of your kids leftover candy. Photo-Illustration: The Ellaphant In The Room Halloween candy is one of lifes great pleasures. Or, at least, some of it is. The truth is that the good stuff the chocolate bars, the peanut-butter cups, the brand-name fruit chews disappears almost immediately, and most Halloween hauls quickly become odds-and-ends collections of vanilla-flavored whatevers, stale hunks of pink gum, and loose candy corn. Making sure that every last piece of candy gets eaten requires a little help, but fortunately one of the most interesting styles of wine can be a great match for all of the weird little leftover candy you (or your kids) will have a day or two after Halloween. Madeira is a fortified wine that I could discuss for longer than I should, mostly because its so underappreciated today. That wasnt always the case, and, in fact, it was the United States most coveted wine in the 18th and 19th centuries. Major public events were toasted with glasses of Madeira, but that particular tradition, like the wine itself, has fallen out of favor. This is too bad because the wines are really cool. They start out like any other fortified wine: Grapes are crushed and fermented, and when the desired level of sweetness is reached, they are fortified with a neutral spirit to stop fermentation and beef up the wines alcohol. What happens next, however, is a process called estufagem: The wine is heated to temperatures over 100 degrees for several months or longer, which replicates ancient aging techniques. The estufagem process also renders these wines nearly bulletproof: It wouldnt be unusual to see a bottle from the 1920s thats been opened and left at room temperature, usually death for any other wine. The most important part, of course, is the taste. The intentional heating can result in wine with very specific, individualized profiles: You will find caramel-like notes of citrus peel and savory nuttiness that, yes, will go very well with something like a Tootsie Roll. Now, a note on the price: These bottles are not bargain finds, but think of Madeira as you would something like a bourbon. You can open it, have a glass, and let the bottle sit for weeks and weeks, so you can return to it for a pour from time to time, instead of having to finish it all at once. Heres how you should get started: The Rare Wine Company Charleston Sercial Madeira NV ($60) Sercial Madeira, named for the grape used to make it, is a category that has a touch of sweetness, but is nevertheless the driest offering you can find, which makes it a great match for saltier candies like Mary Janes, those peanut-butter chews you find in the black-and-orange wax wrappers, or even some Reeses peanut-butter cups, if you can find those. Barbeito Freitas Signature Madeira Verdelho 1992 ($120) If youve ever wondered which wine to drink with those orange, marshmallowy circus peanuts and who hasnt, right? this is it. Theyre also good with fruitier things like Smarties or Starburst. The reason is because Verdelho will be sweeter than Sercial, so the sugar will work well with these little sugar bombs. The Rare Wine Company Boston Bual Madeira NV ($53) Another choice from the Rare Wine Company, the house names its wines after famous American cities from before the Revolutionary War as an homage to the fervor at which we once drank these wines. Darker in color and sweeter still, there is a raisinated quality to Buals that will match chocolaty and sweet flavors alike. The vanilla and cinnamon characters will also be a nice touch in softening the waxlike coating of the candies and overall elevating the whole waxed experience. Finally, a reason to eat those waxy candies like Tootsie Rolls, candy corn, and those little candy cola bottles. Blandys Malmsey Madeira 10 Year Old ($35) Malmsey is the sweetest, richest, densest style of Madeira. Its flavors of burned caramel, coffee, and nuttiness help temper the bitterness of darker candies like black licorice or the stray box of Good & Plenty (which is nothing if not an acquired taste). Blandys is the oldest house that makes Madeira now, so even at this lower end of the price scale, youre getting some very high-quality wine. Culture Preity Zinta welcomes twins via surrogacy "We are very excited about this new phase in our lives. A heartfelt thank you to the doctors, nurses and to our surrogate for being a part of this inc... Rebel Group Claims South Sudan Ceasefire Has Been Violated Rebels of the Federal Democratic Party (FDP) are accusing forces loyal to Riek Machars Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM IO) of attacking FDP forces in Kotkea near Nasir town in Upper Nile State. SPLA-IO rebels walk during an assault on government Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) soldiers in the town of Kaya, South Sudan, Aug. 26, 2017 [Credit|VOA] SOURCE:VOA WASHINGTON, 23 October 2018 [Gurtong]-Spokesman Changkouth Bichiock Reth for the umbrella group of opposition parties known as South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA), said FDP commanders Major General Riek Gach Gatluak and Brigadier Ochan Nyuot were captured by opposition forces during the fight over the control of Kotkea. SPLM IO reaction SPLM IO Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee Stephen Par told VOAs South Sudan In Focus that rebels of the FDP have no military posts in Upper Nile. What is happening in Upper Nile, I dont think the party [FDP] of Gabriel Changson has forces in Nasir. We are not aware of this, Par said. However, he admitted his group arrested one person in Nasir for what he called "suspicious activities. Reth says the attack by SPLM IO and the arrest of FDP senior military officer Major General Jany Kaway Yoakhor a few weeks is a flagrant breach of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed in December 2017 and a violation of the permanent ceasefire agreed to in Khartoum in June 2018. Looming attacks Suba Samuel Manase, the spokesman of the rebel National Salvation (NAS), released a statement Saturday accusing the SPLM IO of mobilizing its forces to attack NAS forces in Yei River state. Manase alleges that NAS intelligence confirmed reports of two groups of SPLM/A IO forces moving from the village of Panyume in Morobo County to Kajo-Keji, Lanya, and Loka to attack NAS forces stationed in this area. This information is credible because we have forces on the ground and we monitor the movement of the SPLM IO, and for that matter the information is, indeed, credible. Manase told VOA. Reth said urged the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the U.S, Norway and the United Kingdom to put pressure on SPLM/A-IO to respect the September 12 peace agreement, release the captured FDP officers, and withdraw from Kotkea. VOA could not independently verify the accusations by the three rebel groups. Cease-Fire Monitors The Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM), a body formed by IGAD to monitoring cease-fire violations, has not issued any statement on the latest reports. Chris Trott, Britain's special representative for Sudan and South Sudan told VOA last month that the parties involved in the conflict in South Sudan have a chance to show their commitment to peace by implementing the revitalized agreement. Just days after the signing of the agreement, reports of fighting had surfaced in several parts of South Sudan, according to Jean-Pierre Lacroix, U.N. undersecretary-general for peacekeeping operations. In an interview with VOA in September, Angelina Teny, a senior member of the rebels of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), blamed government forces for allegedly attacking rebel strongholds in Central Equatoria and the former Unity state. Haiti - PetroCaribe : PM announces adopted measures Prime Minister Jean Henry Ceant reiterated his firm commitment on Monday to make every effort to hold a PetroCaribe trial that is fair and equitable for all. To do this, Ceant informed about the constitution of a group of national experts to analyze documents relating to the PetroCaribe file, supervised by a foreign firm of accounting and auditing. "On the subject of the PetroCaribe file and to facilitate the search for the truth, an independent Commission for Truth Research, consisting of personalities of the Civil Society, will be created. It will be assisted by a foreign firm of accounting and auditing [...] The Government will continue its work of analysis and search for the truth, through the institutions engaged in the fight against corruption. The latter will receive ongoing support in the fight against corruption. "The foreign firm of accounting and auditing expertise can be chosen by the independent Commission previously composed among others of representatives of the civil society, the ANMH, Chambers of Commerce, the PetroCaribe Challenge movement, the bars of the republic etc..." said the PM. Reacting to this announcement the PetroCaribe Challenge movement has rejected the invitation to participate in this Commission calling for a trial and conviction of the persons indexed in the disputed report of the Special Senatorial Inquiry Commission largely dominated by government opposition https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22687-haiti-flash-conclusion-of-the-petrocaribe-report-the-commission-accuses.html ; the Association of Independent Media of Haiti (AMIH) and National Association of Haitian Media (ANMH) declared that it is not considered opportune to participate in this Commission as for the Catholic Church it is reluctant ... For his part the former Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, one of the many people quoted in the PetroCaribe dossier, welcomed the initiative of the Prime Minister "I take at the word PM Jean-Henry Ceant. I welcome his initiative to hire an international audit firm, credible to end demagoguery, permanent conspiracy and assassination of character." See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22844-haiti-flash-report-petrocaribe-laurent-lamothe-goes-on-the-offensive.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22715-haiti-petrocaribeformer-minister-of-tourism-denounces-and-proves-13-false-accusations.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22687-haiti-flash-conclusion-of-the-petrocaribe-report-the-commission-accuses.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Earthquake : Consolidated report of the earthquake of October 6th Following the magnitude 5.9 earthquake that struck Saturday, October 6, the northwest of Haiti, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Haiti on the basis of available official data (DPC, Primature...) in collaboration with the humanitarian partners present, realized a consolidated (still partial) report for the period from 9 to 19 October 2018. Summary : The material damage according to the latest consolidated figures from the reports of the Departmental Emergency Operations Center (COUD), report 2,102 homes destroyed and 15,932 houses damaged in all 3 departments, while the number of people affected climbs to 13,671 (document of the Primature, which also mentions public buildings affected by the earthquake) Northwest : 9,466 homes damaged and 1,460 homes destroyed, between 500 and 2,900 families affected and in need of urgent humanitarian assistance in the two most affected municipalities, Plaisance and Pilate. Artibonite : 552 houses destroyed, 4,614 houses badly damaged and 91 public and private buildings heavily damaged (COUD report of 16/10). Response : Haitian Red Cross : distribution of 150 kitchen kits, 300 hygiene kits and 200 tarpaulins in the city center and in the 1st section of Bassin Bleu on Sunday October 14th. United Nations Migration Agency (IOM) : Provision of 2,000 tarpaulins, 15,000 hygiene kits and 2,000 fixing kits for distribution in the 3 affected departments. World Vision : in coordination with the Department of Civil Protection (DPC) in the North-West has distributed 200 kits "Non-Food" (NFI) in Saint-Louis North and 300 families in Port-au-Prince. of Peace (Blocosse, Nan Kasav, 2 Melus and Cite Maxo American Red Cross: 2 distributions in the commune of Port-de-Paix. The first took place in Deletan for 150 families (one hygiene kit per family). The second at Mormon Church for 100 families (2 tarpaulins per family). A distribution of 200 kitchen kits was also held on St. Louis du Nord. DPC : Distribution of 200 hygiene kits in Gros-Morne, kits donated by Oxfam after signature of donation certificates between DPC and Oxfam Water, hygiene and sanitation : Pilate (North) : Drinking Water Supply System is damaged which resulted in a reduction of water distribution of 20%. Port de Paix : Installation of 6 mobile toilets on 3 shelters. A truck from the Regional Office for Drinking Water and Sanitation will empty the mobile toilets with funding from UNICEF Action Against Hunger (ACF) NGO ensures the disinfects and cleaning of existing toilets (most are dysfunctional) pending installation of mobile toilets In Bassin Bleu (North-West) a request for "water trucking" has been approved by UNICEF Education : 54 schools damaged including 25 public schools and 29 private schools; Blue Basin: 2 public schools damaged, 2 destroyed; Jean Rabel: 20 schools damaged. 10 national schools (Dubois, Raymond, Port-a-l'Ecu, Gombo), 3 community schools and 7 private schools; St. Louis North: Lycee Lamennais damaged; Mole-Saint-Nicolas: School Believe in God is damaged. According to the Departmental Direction of Education in the North, 16 schools in Pilate have been badly damaged or destroyed and are unusable for the moment. Also read : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25811-haiti-earthquake-last-assessment-revised-upwards.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25784-haiti-earthquake-food-for-the-poor-on-the-front-line-in-the-field.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25774-haiti-flash-the-last-assessment-of-the-earthquake-is-heavier.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25765-haiti-flash-15-people-dead-333-wounded-7-000-homes-destroyed-or.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25758-haiti-earthquake-other-aftershocks-could-occur-in-the-coming-days.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25755-haiti-flash-42-earthquake-north-of-turtle-island.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25754-haiti-flash-earthquake-of-52-in-the-north-of-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25753-haiti-flash-saturday-night-earthquake-12-dead-and-188-wounded.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25747-haiti-flash-earthquake-cell-crisis-and-call-for-calm.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25745-haiti-flash-saturday-night-earthquake-10-dead-and-135-wounded.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25744-haiti-flash-earthquake-of-59-in-the-north-of-haiti.html PI/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : 80% of EDH customers refuse to pay their electricity bill Monday at a press conference, Pierre-Louis Herve, the Director General of Electricity of Haiti (EDH), denounced the refusal of many customers to pay their electricity bill. Stressing that for the EDH to continue to supply the capital, especially the metropolitan area as well as the provincial cities with electricity, customers must play their role by displaying responsible behavior, paying their bills on time, and changing their perception of the EDH. Recalling that of the 45 circuits that supply the metropolitan area, 10 circuits (22%) provide more than 20 hours of electricity out of 24. Herve regrets that only 1,330 (51.5%) of the 2,578 consumers classified in the category of large customers have paid their bill. At regular customers in outlying areas such as Petion-ville, Delmas, Tabarre and Carrefour the situation is worse "Commercial Management has prepared and issued 36,313 bill to customers of the commune of Petion-ville : only 6,445 paid (17.7%). In Port-au-Prince, out of 21,700 consumers, 5,044 paid (23%). In Delmas, out of all the customers listed only 6,963 (23%) out of 29,787 have paid their bill..." For Herve Pierre-Louis, EDH will be functional only when customers pay their bills. In addition, he said that EDH's anti-fraud department had recovered more than 4.4 million Gourdes in a recovery operation last September, following court actions against fraudsters in the metropolitan area of which 128 were arrested for illegal use of electricity recalling that the fight against fraud was one of the priorities of the EDH. SL/ HaitiLibre The current collective bargaining agreement in the private security industry covers an estimated 8,500 employees, including janitors, security guards, security inspectors and cash-in-transit drivers, according to a press release from PAM. Service Union United (PAM) on Monday announced a three-day strike will start in the private security industry on Wednesday, 24 October The three-day strike will not affect emergency services or other functions the unavailability of which could jeopardise critical societal functions or harm the public interest considerably. Vuokko Piekkala, the National Conciliator of Finland, yesterday suspended attempts to settle the dispute between the industry and its employees over wage increases, concluding that the preconditions for tabling a settlement proposal were non-existent. The parties to the dispute had reached an understanding on the cost impact of the increases but were unable to agree on how the increases should be allocated. PAM stated that it is particularly puzzled by the employers unwillingness to reward employees with the most experience and best occupational skills in accordance with its proposal. These are the very people who are the backbone of companies, and their skills are an important factor when customers put security guarding services out to tender, argued Ann Selin, the chairperson at PAM. She also revealed that some employers have resorted to intimidation in an attempt to break the strike in advance. We have filed a claim to the employers federation concerning Securitas and Securitas Palvelut, whose actions have been the most objectionable. We demand that these companies end their strike-breaking actions immediately, she stated. Aleksi Teivainen HT Source: Uusi Suomi Justin Sullivan/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Vice President Mike Pence doubled down Tuesday on the president's assertion that "Middle Easterners" have infiltrated a caravan of Central American migrants traveling through Mexico to the U.S. border. "It's inconceivable that there are not people of Middle Eastern descent in a crowd of more than 7,000 people advancing toward our border," Pence said in a conversation with the Washington Post Tuesday morning. Pence backed up President Donald Trump's statements that people from the Middle East, as well as MS-13 gang members, were mixed in with the thousands of migrants traveling to the nation's southern border to escape violence and poverty in their countries. Trump made the comments in a tweet Monday and repeated them during a campaign rally in Houston later that night. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. The design bureaus early years were marked by as many failures as successes, but the company would go on to produce some of historys greatest fighter aircraft. Alesksei N. Lesha Grinchik had only seconds to live. As he bottomed out of a high-speed pass over a Soviet airfield, one of the ailerons inexplicably fluttered off the wing of the MiG I-300 prototype he was flying. Before Grinchik could react, the jet slammed into the ground at over 500 mph, killing him almost instantly. Only a few weeks before, on April 24, 1946, Grinchik, an ace of the Great Patriotic War and an experienced test pilot, had been accorded the honor of being the first Soviet citizen to fly the first Soviet jet. An investigation of the crash traced the fault to a cracked compensation lever in the aileron linkage. Artyom I. Mikoyan, the MiG Design Bureaus chief builder and a friend of the voluble Grinchik, was distraught over the incident. But he was given precious little time to grievewithin a matter of weeks, Mikoyan was summoned to the Kremlin and ordered by Chairman Josef Stalin himself to have at least 15 of the new jets ready in two months time for the October Revolution flyover. The chairman intended to make a visible and dramatic statement to the world: The Soviet Union was not to be trifled with. Ironically, the flyover was canceled due to bad weather. Test pilot Alesksei Grinchik stands in front of the first prototype of the MiG 1-300. (Aviation Pictoral) Test pilot Alesksei Grinchik stands in front of the first prototype of the MiG 1-300. (Aviation Pictoral) MiG is undoubtedly one of the worlds best-known aviation acronyms. In the second half of the last century, MiG produced more jet fighter aircraft than most other manufacturers combined, and supplied them to more than 40 air forces all over the globe. But MiGs first seven years were characterized by limited success in aircraft production and too many dead-end projects. And during the Soviet Unions Stalinist period, an aircraft design bureau (OKB) that failed to produce often ceased to existits designers, engineers and technicians were reallocated to more successful OKBs if they were lucky. Or they might even end up in the Red Army or a Siberian work camp. The now-famous partnership between Mikoyan and Mikhail I. Gurevich began in late 1939, while both men were still attached to the OKB headed by Nikolai N. Polikarpov. Polikarpov, who was responsible for some of the earliest Soviet aircraft designs, was regarded by his peers as the king of fighters. A year before, the Commissariat of the People for Aviation Industry (NKAP) had circulated a directive (Project K) to Polikarpov and other OKB chiefs, pressing for development of new fighter designs to replace those in service with the V-VS (Soviet air force), mainly Polikarpov I-15 biplanes and I-16 monoplanes. While equipping volunteer brigades in the Spanish Civil War and Sino-Japanese War, both Polikarpov types had proved woefully deficient against German and Japanese fighters, Germanys new Messerschmitt Bf-109 in particular. At the time, Mikoyan was employed at the Polikarpov plant as a representative to the V-VS, while Gurevich had recently joined the OKB as a design group leader on Project K. Mikoyan had been born to humble circumstances in a small Armenian village in 1905. After serving a two-year hitch in the Red Army, in 1931 he was admitted to the Zhukovsky Academy (a school that trained officers for the V-VS), where he demonstrated a talent for aircraft design and production. Upon graduation in 1937, he was sent to the No. 1 Aviakim factory near Moscow, where the Polikarpov OKB was located. In 1939, while Mikoyan was in charge of reorganizing and upgrading the I-153 production line (the I-153 was a retractable-gear derivative of the I-15), his abilities came to the attention of P.A. Vorinin, manager of the Polikarpov plant, and P.V. Demenyev, chief engineer. Besides Mikoyans organizational skills and popularity within the NKAP and V-VS, Vorinin and Demenyev were also undoubtedly aware that he had high connections in the Communist Party, namely an older brother, Anastas, who was an important member of Stalins Politburo. When the two men were secretly called to meet with Stalin in late 1939 to discuss the leaders dissatisfaction with progress at the Polikarpov OKB, they suggested the formation of a new experimental design section (OKO) consisting of Polikarpovs top people, to be headed up not surprisingly by Artyom Mikoyan. After being told to form the OKO, Mikoyan, who was neither an engineer nor a scientist, wisely decided that he needed a deputy who possessed the technical expertise he lacked. He had been favorably impressed by the design group leader on Project K, Gurevich. Then 47, Gurevich, a graduate of the Kharkov Technology Institute, had been involved in the Soviet aircraft industry since 1930. From 1936 to 1938 he spent time at the Douglas Aircraft plant in the United States, working to obtain a license-built version of the DC-3 transport for the USSR, the result of which was the mass-produced Lisunov Li-2. Taking the preliminary work done in Project K, the new OKO began to finalize its design of a monoplane fighter prototype under the designation I-200. It evolved as the smallest possible airframe around the Mikulin AM-37, a liquid-cooled V12 power plant that, with supercharging, was expected to produce 1,380 hp above 16,000 feet. When the AM-37 failed to materialize, the team was forced to use the AM-35, which developed 180 hp less. The structure of the I-200 was conventional, but due to mass-production concerns and the scarcity of metals, some of its major subassembliesouter wing panels, fuselage aft of the cockpit and empennagewere made of wood. The cockpit, enclosed by a side-hinged canopy, was very basic, including only essential flight and engine instruments and no radio or heater. The landing gear layout featured a main gear that retracted inward into flush wells and a tail wheel that retracted rearward into the fuselage. The pace of work was so intensespurred by government pressure and the knowledge that competing OKBs (Lavochkin and Yakovlev) were ahead of them that the fledgling OKO moved from its first set of production drawings to the first flight of the I-200 prototype in a mere 100 days, on April 5, 1940. The flight trials, which included two more prototypes completed in May and June, respectively, went almost as quickly. The I-200 prototypes were fast (403 mph) and high-flying (39,370 feet), but suffered from deplorable handling qualities. They were dangerously unstable at high angles of attack, with the tendency to stall without warning and enter spins that were almost impossible to recover from. Visibility from the aft-located cockpit was terrible, exacerbating the planes treacherous stall characteristics during takeoff and landing. But the I-200, coming to fruition at a time when the Soviet government was becoming more and more paranoid over the seemingly unstoppable power of the Nazi Reich, became a child of necessity. Thus in September 1940 it was ordered into immediate production as the MiG-1 (Mikoyan and Gurevich Type 1) despite its faults. In fact, only minor modifications were made to production models, including increased radiator capacity, an additional oil cooler and self-sealing fuel tanks. Production versions were armed with two 7.62mm ShKAS machine guns and one 12.7mm UBS machine gun, all housed in the nose. Initial output during the spring of 1941 was marred by constant modifications and numerous accidents, which meant the new fighters reached V-VS units only in small numbers. Pilots serving in these units were reportedly very displeased about exchanging their I-15s, I-153s and I-16s for problematic MiGs. The prototype of the MiG-3, which replaced the MiG-1 after some 100 of the latter had been built. Like its predecessor, the MiG-3 was fast but dangerously unforgiving. (Foxbat Files via Warren Thompson) The prototype of the MiG-3, which replaced the MiG-1 after some 100 of the latter had been built. Like its predecessor, the MiG-3 was fast but dangerously unforgiving. (Foxbat Files via Warren Thompson) Meanwhile the OKO worked feverishly to correct the MiG-1s deficiencies. Improvements to the follow-on Model I-201 included increased wing dihedral, movement of the engine forward, more fuel capacity, a new propeller, armor plate and a radio. But its general flying characteristics were only marginally better, and it was still dangerous in the hands of inexperienced pilots. In December 1940, the improved type was nonetheless ordered into production as the MiG-3 at the Aviakim factory and began reaching V-VS units at practically the same time as MiG-1s. The actual numbers of MiG-1s and MiG-3s serving with V-VS and air defense (PVO) units at the time of the German invasion of the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa) in June 1941 isnt clear, but we do know that most fighter regiments were still equipped with obsolescent I-15s, I-153s and I-16s. And like hundreds of other Soviet aircraft on the morning of the German attack, most of the MiGs were destroyed on the ground. In the fall of 1941, the German advance threatened the Aviakim factory. The OKOs operations were hastily moved to Kuybyshev, on the Volga River (more than 500 miles southeast of Moscow), where production of the MiG-3 was resumed. But when the new plane was introduced into combat, the MiGs performance proved to be markedly inadequate. The Luftwaffes improved Me-109Fs and even newer Focke Wulf Fw-190As were superior in all respects, plus the air war over Soviet front lines was generally being fought below 15,000 feet, placing the MiGs at an even greater disadvantage. A curious telegram was sent out by Chairman Stalin in December 1942not directly to Mikoyan or the OKO, but to the managers of the two factories in Kuybyshev that built MiG-3s and AM-35 engines. He said: You are playing a shabby trick on our homeland and on our Red Army.Il-2s are today as essential to our Red Army as are air and bread [the Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik was a ground attack aircraft built at the same plant and used the same AM-35A engine]. We need Il-2s, not MiGs.Let this be a last warning to you both. No. P553 STALIN. Not surprisingly, MiG production, after a run of 100 MiG-1s and 3,322 MiG-3s, came to a grinding halt, and the unavailability of AM- 35 engines dictated that production would not be resumed. During the balance of 1942 and 1943, MiGs remaining in operational units were relegated to reconnaissance and night operations as rapidly as they could be replaced with more capable Yak-1s, Yak-7s and La-5s. Another program that had been started in 1940 as a separate brigade within the MiG OKO was the long-range escort fighter project (DIS) led by P.D. Grushin. The DIS (Project T) was a big twin-engine, single-seat aircraft intended to operate variously as an escort fighter, highspeed reconnaissance plane or light bomber, and incorporating the same liquid-cooled Mikulin engines used in the MiG-1/-3 series. The first flight was made in May 1941 at the Aviakim plant, and testing soon revealed a respectable top speed of 378 mph and a ceiling of 25,425 feet. The prototype, which initially exhibited poor low-speed handling characteristics, was modified to include automatic leading edge slats and slotted landing flaps. The fighter version was designed to be armed with four 7.62mm and two 12.7mm machine guns plus one 23mm cannon. But the relocation of the OKO to Kuybyshev following the German invasion stopped work on Project T before a serious evaluation of the type could be made, and the lack of AM-35 engines put the question of production on hold. Despite its limited success thus far, in early 1942 the MiG organization was moved back to Moscow and accorded the status of a full-fledged OKB. MiG was already working on a number of projects intended to replace its less than successful MiG-3 and create a production version of the DIS. Significantly, the Central Institute for Aviation Engines (TsIAM) had placed a new type of engine into mass production, the Shvetsov M-82, a 14-cylinder radial rated at 1,400 hp, with more powerful versions expected to follow. In response the OKB quickly modified a MiG-3 airframe to accept the radial engine, but the resulting Model I-210, which flew in January 1942, exhibited worse handling characteristics than the MiG-3 and was 40 mph slower. MiGs second attempt at a radial installation, the Model I-211, adopted a cowling arrangement similar to that of the La-5, with the supercharger and oil cooler ducting moved to the wing roots. When the plane flew in mid-1943, it was marginally faster but not as maneuverable as the combat-proven La-5. No production resulted. In early 1942, the OKB also began working to modify a second DIS prototype for installation of M-82 radials. After making its first flight in late 1942, the DIS-IT prototype reached a top speed of 375 mph and a service ceiling of 32,100 feet (note that the DIS-IT was 33 mph faster and could operate 6,000 feet higher than Messerschmitts late-war Me-110G and H series). But Soviet disillusionment with the twin-engine fighter concept led to cancellation of the project while flight testing was still underway. New attempts within the OKB to create a successor to the MiG-3 during 1942 and 1943 also proved fruitless. The MiG-3U (U stood for improved; also identified as Models I-230 and I-231), which appeared in early 1943, featured extensive aerodynamic improvements and a lighter, all-metal airframe. But despite the new designs excellent performance (409 mph) and improved handling, no AM-35A engines were available, and a supply of the alternative AM-39A never materialized so once again no production resulted. Other projects begun by the OKB in late 1942 concentrated on creating a single-engine, high-altitude interceptor to deal with Luftwaffe reconnaissance aircraft. The I-220 and I-221 prototypes of 1943 shared little commonality with the MiG-3 except for the use of inline Mikulin engines (a salvaged AM-35A on the I-220 and an experimental AM-39A on the I-221). Both types used a completely new wing planform of greater span and area than the MiG-3, with noticeable leading edge sweepback on the outer panels. The engine on the I-221 was fitted with dual turbosuperchargers, giving it a top speed of 429 mph and an impressive ceiling of 42,650 feet. But as before, the shortage of Mikulin engines kept either type from being placed in production. MiGs ultimate high-altitude prototypes, the I-222 and I-224, flew in 1944 and are credited with being the first Soviet aircraft to have pressurized cockpits. These planes had truly stratospheric performance, operating as high as 46,200 feet, and while they were only experimental, they still gave MiGs engineers valuable experience with cockpit pressurization and other aircraft systems designed for operations above 40,000 feet. The final piston-engine design to come off MiGs wartime drawing boards was the I-225, which flew in March 1945. While incorporating the improvements learned from the high-altitude program, the smaller-winged I-225 was specifically intended for normal fighter operations at medium altitudes. The 2,000-hp AM-42FB fitted to the second prototype was the most powerful piston engine produced in the USSR up to that time, and the I-225s 451-mph top speed made it the fastest Soviet propeller-driven fighter of the war. But the capture of German turbojet technology by Soviet forces in the spring of 1945 effectively placed on hold any plans to put new piston-engine types in production. In fact, the MiG OKB had already designed and flown a fighter powered by a unique piston-ramjet arrangement, and had also completed much of the work on a second fighter design that would use two turbojet engines. Both efforts had commenced in early 1944 after the Soviet Committee for State Defense (GKO) charged all fighter OKBs with the responsibility of developing a jet-propelled fighter aircraft for the USSR. Given the fact that TsIAM had yet to produce a usable turbojet engine, the OKBs faced a daunting task. The MiG OKB approached the problem in two ways: Project Na fighter designed around the unusual VRDK power plant; and Project Fone designed around two turbojet engines. Combining piston and turbojet engines, the I-250 entered service as the MiG-13, but rapidly improving jet technology rendered it hopelessly obsolete and outclassed even before it was accepted for extremely limited production. (USNI) Combining piston and turbojet engines, the I-250 entered service as the MiG-13, but rapidly improving jet technology rendered it hopelessly obsolete and outclassed even before it was accepted for extremely limited production. (USNI) Developed in 1943-1944 at TsIAM and known simply as the booster, the VRDK was a piston engine driving a conventional propeller and a compressor that fed into a ramjet-type combustion chamber. In boost mode, the VRDK augmented the piston engine, a 1,650-hp Klimov V12, with approximately 660 pounds of static thrust. Project N, the VRDK-powered Model I-250, bore no resemblance to any previous MiG venture and incorporated many of the latest aerodynamic innovations developed by the Central Aero and Hydrodynamics Institute (TsAGI), including a thin laminar flow wing with frise ailerons and slotted flaps. Following mockup approval in late 1944, the GKO and V-VS were sufficiently impressed to give the OKB the go-ahead to construct a prototype as a preproduction model. At last! The prototype made its maiden flight in early March 1945 under piston power only, and five days later, on the third flight, the VRDK was fired. Under VRDK boost, the I-250 reached a maximum speed of 514 mph and an altitude of 39,200 feetoutstanding in comparison with piston-engine fighters of the day. In May, as if to confirm MiGs success, the GKO canceled Sukhois competing VRDK project and ordered the I-250 into production as the MiG-13. Yet only a small number of MiG-13s were actually produced (some sources say 16 or 17); like its piston-engine I-225 stablemate, the MiG-13 was overshadowed by the USSRs overnight acquisition of a turbojet engine program during the spring of 1945. In truth, the I-250 was doomed before it flew. Once it was apparent that Soviet-made jet engines would not be forthcoming any time soon, in early 1945 Stalin instituted a hurried program among the fighter OKBs to plan on using captured German engines months before the fact. Thus when Red Army forces overran the Junkers and BMW factories late that spring, the preliminary design for MiGs project F, the Model I-300, was well underway. From the beginning, the I-300 had been designed to accommodate two turbojet engines installed in the belly of the fuselage below the midmounted wing. Both Mikoyan and his chief project engineer, A.G. Brunov, believed this configuration would be superior in terms of drag and maneuverability than the wing-mounted engines seen on the Messerschmitt Me-262 and the Gloster Meteor. The wing planform was basically similar to that of the I-250, and the tailplane was set in a high cruciform arrangement to stay clear of exhaust flow. When the captured BMW 003 turbojets allocated to MiG finally arrived in the summer of 1945, the design of the lower fuselage was modified accordingly. The preliminary design was approved in the fall of 1945 and the mockup in January 1946. The first flight apparently involved some political maneuvering, inasmuch as the Junkers Jumo-powered Yak-15, which sources indicate was ready to fly by the end of 1945, took off on its maiden flight just three hours later. The I-300s performance was similar to that of other straight-wing jets of the time. Its flying characteristics were good enough that new military pilots could easily learn to fly it. Refinements to the basic design resulted in the improved Model I-301 and mass production of the MiG-9 (given the NATO code name Fargo). A two-seat trainer version, the MiG-9UTI, was introduced in mid-1947. But production was halted after only 1,100 planes had been built because by 1948, within the space of just two years, the MiG-9 and all its straight-wing contemporaries were already obsolete. Two things had happened: In 1946 Great Britain sold 30 Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet engines (5,000 pounds static thrust with water injection) to the USSR, and shortly after that TsAGI, through wind tunnel tests, concluded that a wing sweep of 35 degrees incorporating fences to control traverse stability and airflow breakdown would produce optimal performance in a Nene-powered fighter. As early as February 1947 the MiG OKB began drafting plans for Project S (Model I-310), a midwing fighter designed around TsAGIs new wing configuration and the Nene engine. After its first flight in December 1947, the I-310 underwent many modifications before being accepted by the V-VS, but the OKB had finally conceived something that was world class: a fighter that could reach 652 mph at sea level (Mach 0.856), was easy to fly, simple to maintain and could be manufactured in huge numbers. The silhouette of the resulting MiG-15 (given the NATO code name Fagot) became one of the best known in the world. By the mid-1950s, more than 8,000 MiG-15s in all versions had been produced by the USSR, Czechoslovakia, Poland and Hungary, and even after they were replaced in frontline service within the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact countries, MiG-15s continued to soldier on in many Third World air forces well into the 1960s. Originally published in the March 2007 issue of Aviation History. To subscribe, click here. A Georgia showdown between former West Pointers adds drama to the March to the Sea Joe Wheeler is considered by many Civil War historians, somewhat unfairly it seems, the Confederate Armys most overrated general. In their opinion, as Edward G. Longacre writes in his 2006 book A Soldier to the Last, Wheeler was an inept tacticiana commander who failed to inspire or discipline his troopsand whose ambition-driven support of equally inept superiors [e.g., Braxton Bragg] retarded rather than advanced Confederate fortunes in the Western Theater. The criticisms have some merit, Longacre concedes, but are also overblown. What cannot be disregarded in any assessment of Wheeler is the part he played defending against Maj. Gen. William T. Shermans 1864 March to the Sea and the 1865 Carolinas Campaign. Sherman, for one, was not about to underestimate Wheeler and his small, yet seasoned, Cavalry Corps, and he wanted to make sure his own cavalry commander, Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick, did not either. An earnest duel between Kilpatrick and Wheeler, which actually had begun a few years earlier when the two were cadets at West Point, would play out over several months and provide a fascinating sideshow as Sherman rolled through Georgia in late 1864 and the Carolinas in early 1865. A fter the capture of Atlanta on September 2, 1864, Sherman spent the next 10 weeks destroying Confederate supplies and infrastructure, consolidating his own resources, and contemplating his next move. Confederate General John Bell Hoods Army of Tennessee, meanwhile, did whatever it could to disrupt Shermans supply lines. But in late October, Hood had his army retire into Alabama. Sherman, presuming from comments made by Confederate President Jefferson Davis that Hood intended to invade Tennessee, saw this as an opportunity. Instead of chasing Hood, he would lead his Military Division of the Mississippi on a devastating march through Georgia. Sherman dispatched the Army of the Cumberland (minus two corps), under Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, to defend Tennessee and kept four corps, comprising the Army of the Tennessee and the Army of Georgia, back in Atlanta. On November 15, he began moving toward Savannah. As expected, Hood invaded Tennessee. The two wings of Thomas Army of the Cumberland at that point were separated by about 75 miles, and Hood hoped to strike before they could come together. The invasion led to disaster, howeverfirst with a severe Confederate defeat at the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864, then a second at Nashville on December 15-16. The back-to-back defeats left the Army of Tennessee with more than 10,000 casualties and roughly only 20,000 demoralized men in the ranks. At his own request, Hood was relieved of command, and the remnants of his army were mostly scattered back east. The decision to invade Tennessee left only about a third of Lt. Gen. William J. Hardees 45,000-man Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida as well as Wheelers 3,000-man Cavalry Corps available to resist Shermans 62,000-man force. It didnt help that most of the Rebel defenders were militia and not veteran or reliable troops. When Maj. Gen. O.O. Howards Army of the Tennessee and Maj. Gen. Henry W. Slocums Army of Georgia moved out of Atlanta on November 15, it wasnt clear to the Confederates where Sherman was headed. Sherman hoped Hardee would consider Augusta a feasible destination. It was a major industrial center, home of the Souths largest powder works and several important textile mills, and also the terminus of the Georgia Railroad. This line linked up with the Tennessee River at Chattanooga, Tenn., and until cut by Shermans capture of Atlanta, provided access from the Georgia interior to the Mississippi River. It took Howards and Slocums armiesmarching as the right and left wings on parallel routes, respectively, and facing only slight oppositioneight days to reach the Georgia capital of Milledgeville, about 100 miles to the southeast. On November 24in an effort to divert attention from his armys true destination, SavannahSherman sent Kilpatricks 5,000-man cavalry division, along with a single infantry division under Brig. Gen. Absalom Baird, from Brig. Gen. Jefferson C. Davis 14th Corps, on a feint toward Augusta. Kilpatrick was to ride into Waynesboro, 30 or so miles from Augusta, and destroy the rail lines there, before heading to the south to liberate Union prisoners being held at Camp Lawton. From there, he was to rejoin the main army as it proceeded to Savannah. Hardee instructed Wheelers cavalry, and a small contingent of Georgia state troopers, to track down and stop Kilpatrick. Wheeler learned late in the day November 26 that Kilpatricks force had crossed the Ogeechee River, undoubtedly heading, in Fighting Joes mind, to Augusta. That was particularly vexing to Wheeler. Augusta was his hometown, and he felt he had a personal incentive to defend it. Wheeler, much more of a by-the-book soldier, also would be pleased if he could get the better of the rogue warrior Kilpatrickknown now even by his own men as Kilcavalry for his tendency to order reckless cavalry charges. The two had been together at West Point in 1859, when both were eligible for conduct honors. Two years behind and a better student, Kilpatrick had no demerits that year, compared to Wheelers (still-noteworthy) six. Kilpatrick led a brash saber charge and managed to escape capture, though he lost his hat in the process While at West Point, Kilpatrick was also aggressively outspoken in his anti-Southern views, often prompting fights with Southern cadets. Though there is no record he ever fought with Wheeler, the Georgian no doubt would have been angered by such smears. Over eight days, beginning on November 27, Wheeler and Kilpatrick engaged in a series of cavalry clashes in the vicinity of Waynesboro. That first day, the Federal troopers had had some success tearing up and destroying sections of railroad track and burning some buildings in Waynesboro. When Kilpatrick learned the Union prisoners at Camp Lawton had been moved elsewhere, he prepared to leave the town and head south to rejoin Sherman. At dawn on November 28, with his men already on the move, Kilpatrick was nearly captured, along with members of the 9th Michigan Cavalry and the 8th Indiana Cavalry, when they became isolated during an attack by Wheelers troopers. Kilpatrick led a brash saber charge and managed to escape, though he lost his hat in the process. Kilpatrick established a solid defensive position three miles west of the Buckhead Church and fended off another attack by the Rebels as night approached. For the next two days, a stalemate ensued. Still convinced the Federals were headed for Augusta, Wheeler had his troopers occupy roads leading in that direction. (Map Graphics DLF Group, 2018) On December 1, Kilpatrick renewed the offensive, making sure he would do so this time with the aid of infantry. Bairds 3rd Division accompanied Kilpatrick as it moved out of Louisville in the morning. Although Wheelers main body remained in position behind Rocky Creek, several of his detachments contested the advance. During the day, Baird wrote, [there was] considerable skirmishing with the enemys cavalry, with a loss on our side of 3 men killed and 10 wounded. Baird and Kilpatrick, on the far left of the advance, continued their combined effort to deal with the Rebel cavalry. They crossed Buckhead Creek and pushed back the Confederate pickets. A saber charge by a battalion from the 5th Ohio Cavalry cleared the way. Reaching Rocky Creek, Kilpatricks cavalry stopped to permit an infantry attack. Baird extended his lines and found a crossing point. After the 74th Indiana crossed the creek, Wheeler withdrew toward Waynesboro. Once across the creek, Baird turned the column southeast toward Thomas Station. On December 3, Wheeler moved back through Waynesboro and engaged Federal pickets. Kilpatrick and Baird had orders to turn north toward Wheelers position. The flanking column was to destroy the bridge over Brier Creek on December 4. That ended up setting the stage for the second cavalry clash around Waynesboro. A shout went up all along the line, and the glitter of sabers following the fire of carbines showed the mettle of the men During a restless night, Baird sent a report to his corps commander, Davis, and expressed his disdain for the cavalry, which he believed leaned too much on the infantry for support. Baird alerted his commander to Wheelers increased activity, the presence of Confederate artillery, and signs of entrenching. Kilpatrick thinks that the fight of the campaign will take place here today, he wrote. I do not see it in that light, but will support him. There were severe limitations on how much Baird could do, however, as his ammunition supplies were desperately low. Later in the day on December 3, Wheeler again attacked Kilpatrick near Buckhead Creek, driving off the Federals and halting their destruction of the railroad there. Kilpatrick had finally had enough of Wheelers incessant agitation. The following morning, he ordered his full command to advance on Waynesboro, warning his men to prepare for a fight; that he was going out to whip Wheeler. The 10th Ohio Cavalry led the assault, but almost immediately encountered a line of three barricades manned by dismounted Confederate cavalry. Wheeler looked to lure the Federals into a close fight the next morning, where he could negate any numerical advantage they enjoyed. The Confederates initial volley forced the Ohio men to fall back. The Union cavalry deployed and advanced again, finding the first barricade abandoned. About three hundred yards farther, they came upon Wheelers main position, described as a splendid defensive position with heavy rail barricade, with a swamp on one flank and the railway embankment on the other. In short, Wheeler used the small detachment of men at the first barricade to draw Kilpatrick into a bottleneck from which the Federals could not easily escape once they were engaged there. Kilpatrick ordered Colonel Smith D. Atkins 2nd Brigade to take the barricade. Atkins decided to pin down the enemy with severe fire while his mounted elements turned the flanks. He assigned Lt. Col. Matthew Van Buskirks 92nd Illinois Mounted Infantry to pin down Wheelers men at the barricade with the massed firepower of their Spencer repeating rifles, while the 9th Ohio Cavalry swept around Wheelers right flank and the 9th Michigan Cavalry and 10th Ohio Cavalry tried the left. While his men deployed, Kilpatrick decided to taunt his old West Point acquaintance, Wheeler. He grabbed his battle flag, stepped in front of the skirmish line, and called out, Come on now, you cowardly scoundrel! Your [news] organs claim you have thrashed Kilpatrick every time. Heres Kil himself. Come out, and Ill not leave enough of you to thrash a corporals guard! The 92nd Illinois laid down a heavy suppressing fire while the men of the 9th Ohio put spurs to their horses and dashed around Wheelers right flank. Colonel William D. Hamilton led the way. I ordered my bugler to sound the charge, Hamilton recalled. The companies began to move in an awkward irregular line, looking back for me. Hamilton waved his hat and cried, Come on, boys. A shout went up all along the line, and the glitter of their sabers following the fire of the carbines showed the mettle of the men, when the charge was on. One of Hamiltons troopers said, Away we went on the gallop, carbines firing, sabers flashing. The 92nd Illinois Mounted Infantrys new, high-tech Spencers gave the Federals a decided edge in the battle. (Heritage Auctions, Dallas) While the 9th Ohio attacked the right, the 10th Ohio pounced on the other flank. Just before charging, 22-year-old Captain Samuel E. Norton, commanding the 10ths Company D, called out, Now for a name for our regiment. The 10th Ohio dashed forward. At the word of command 200 bright blades leaped from their scabbards, and with a yell away we flew like the sweeping cyclone, until the intervening space had been passed, wrote one 10th Ohio trooper. Moments seemed like hours. Recalled another trooper of the 10th Ohio: Suddenly a sheet of flames shot out from thebarricadeand as suddenly horses and riders were in the last agonies of death, blocking the way. Another Buckeye watched a Confederate officer dashing up and down the enemy line of battle with his saber raised, calling on his brave men to defend against the enemy invaders. The Ohioans later learned that the officer was Fighting Joe himself. The 9th Michigan Cavalry joined the attack on the Confederate left. While the flank attacks proceeded, the men of the 92nd Illinois charged the barricade, overrunning it as they pumped their Spencers at the backs of the retreating rebel soldiers. The color-bearer of the 92nd Illinois was shot down during the melee at the barricade, and a Confederate officer seized the flag. An Illinoisan grabbed the flagstaff and the two men wrestled for possession of the banner until the Illinoisan freed his revolver, aimed at the Confederate, and compelled him to surrender. Show of Force: Sherman holds a review of his army in Savannah, shortly before the start of his Carolinas Campaign. Cump didnt mind showing off a little for any Southern partisans who happened to be watching. (Library of Congress) Wheeler made several counter-charges to save his dismounted men and check our rapid advance, Kilpatrick noted. At that moment, Kilpatrick committed his reserve, the 5th Ohio Cavalry, calling out, Col. [Thomas T.] Heath, take your regiment; charge by column of fours down that road and give those fellows a start. Kilpatrick apparently joined the Buckeye charge. They rode over the rebel barricade, hewed men down and used their pistols in a close engagement. Some 14th Corps infantrymen arrived just in time to witness this charge. The charge by our cavalry across the open field was a most sublimely grand, never-to-be-forgotten scene, recounted an Ohio soldier, no words of the writer can describe or paint the picture. An Indiana soldier watched as some of the Rebels had to retreat across a large swamp about a mile ahead and the road was graded high and about wide enough for three or four men to ride abreast. They was in such a hurry they crowded each other off. Kilpatrick wasnt aware that Wheeler had erected a third, stronger barricade just outside Waynesboro, on the banks of McIntosh Creek, and his men fell back and took position behind it. Between us and Waynesboro was a valley, through which ran a small creek, recalled an 8th Indiana Cavalry trooper. On the north or opposite side of this creek the rebels had taken their stand, having their artillery well posted. Kilpatrick moved his 1st Brigade into position to assault this artillery-supported barricade, only to realize that he could not flank Wheeler out of it, as the Southern commanders flanks [were] so far extended that it was useless to attempt to turn them. I therefore determined to break his center. From an Old Friend Captain Samuel E. Norton of Company D, 10th Ohio Cavalry, was wounded while leading a charge during the December 4 fighting, hurt too badly to move. Kilpatrick sent Wheeler this note: General: For the memory of old associations, please let Corpl. M.D. Lacey, Tenth Ohio Cavalry, to remain to attend a wounded soldier, one for whom you should have every respect, for he is a very brave and true gentleman. Captain Norton was wounded today charging your barricades. Please show him such attention as is in your power, and at some future day you shall have the thanks of your old friend, J. Kilpatrick, U.S. Army. Wheeler assured the Federal commander that Norton, a particular favorite of Kilpatricks, was being well cared for and resting comfortably. He then asked his fellow West Pointer to show the same mercy to the civilians of Georgia. But Nortons wound proved mortal. He died a few days later.E.J.W. The 1st Brigade, commanded by the 3rd Kentucky Cavalrys Colonel Eli H. Murray, advanced mounted. The 3rd assaulted the Confederate left, the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry headed for the right flank, and the 8th Indiana Cavalry attacked the center dismounted, with the 2nd and 5th Kentucky Cavalry held in reserve, all supported by the 10th Wisconsin Battery. Because the 3rd Kentucky attacked first, it drew the full attention of Wheelers troopers, whose muzzles blazed. No body of men ever stood fire more resolutely, not a man faltered, noted the commander of the 3rd Kentucky. At length, the enemys fire becoming fierce and many of their comrades falling around them, they disregarded the restraints of discipline and rushed, with wild shouts, upon the enemy in their front. The 9th Pennsylvania then made a mounted charge on the Confederate right flank. As the dismounted troopers of the 8th Indiana fired volley after volley at the center of Wheelers line, the Union horse artillery shelled it. At that moment, Murray committed the 2nd Kentucky, which drew sabers and charged the center of the barricade. They smashed through the Rebel line, and Wheelers position collapsed, his beaten troopers driven back into and then through Waynesboro. Wheeler admitted that his troopers were so warmly pressed that it was with difficulty we succeeded in withdrawing. A victorious Kilpatrick relished the moment. He rushed around like a child with a new toy, saying: I knew I could lick Wheeler! Backed by at least one battery of horse artillery, Wheeler smartly and professionally re-formed his command on the north side of Brier Creek to defend the three bridges that crossed it. Atkins 2nd Brigade pursued the retreating Confederates right up to the creek, and the 5th Ohio Cavalry destroyed the railroad bridge before turning their attention to the two wagon overpasses on either side (Walkers Bridge and Raes Bridge), which they proceeded to destroy while covered by the 5th Kentucky Cavalry. In town, meanwhile, 9th Pennsylvania troopers amused themselves by examining the contents of the fine houses in town and making several bon fires of buildings, &c. A victorious Kilpatrick relished the moment. He rushed around like a child with a new toy, saying: I knew I could lick Wheeler! I can do it again! Kilpatrick and Baird then withdrew and bivouacked for the night. They continued their march south the next day. Major James A. Connolly, serving on Shermans staff, held little regard for Kilpatrick and his troopers. He wrote in his diary: So many cavalry in line in an open plain make a beautiful sight. But it is all show; theres not much fight in them, though Kilpatricks men have behaved very handsomely today. They did all the fighting and whipped Wheeler soundly.But then Kilpatricks men had the moral support of two of our brigades that were formed in line right behind them and kept moving forward as they moved, so that our cavalry all the time knew that there was no chance of their being whipped. This has been a regular field day,and we have had lots of fun chasing Wheeler and his cavalry, Connolly added. Kilpatrick is full of fun and frolic and he was in excellent spirits all day.A cavalry fight is just about as much fun as a fox hunt; but, of course, in the midst of the fun somebody is getting hurt all the time. But it is by no means the serious work that infantry fighting is. The Confederates retreated after taking approximately 250 casualties in the vicious fight. Though Wheeler claimed he had inflicted 197 Federal casualties, Kilpatrick had in fact delivered him a thrashing. At the time, Wheeler also continued to believe he had prevented Kilpatrick from moving on Augusta, and that he had saved his beloved hometown, not realizing he had been fooled by the Federal commanders adroit feint, which had also allowed Shermans main force to proceed to Savannah mostly unhindered. In the engagements around Waynesboro, Wheeler was counting on his knowledge and understanding of Kilpatricks aggressive nature to entice his opponent into battle, figuring Kilcavalry would commit his entire force to the fight and could get trapped. Wheeler prepared three formidable defensive positions and executed his game plana delaying actionwell. Kilpatrick triumphed with simultaneous attacks on the center and on both flanks on two separate occasions during the battle. A little more than two months later, during the Carolinas Campaign, Wheeler and Kilpatrick dueled again in similar fashion at the February 11 Battle of Aiken, S.C. Wheeler got the upper hand on the field this time, forcing Atkins 2nd Brigade to withdraw and nearly capturing Kilpatrick in the process. But for Wheeler, it was ultimately a setback, as he had fallen victim to another feint by the Federal cavalry. Kilpatrick had again compelled Wheeler into thinking he was threatening Augusta, as Shermans army advanced on the South Carolina capital of Columbia. By working to steer Kilpatrick away from Augusta, Wheeler had allowed Sherman to reach Savannah nearly unhindered and capture the city on December 21, 1864. A week after the Battle of Aiken, Sherman captured Columbia without interference from Rebel cavalry. Joe Wheelers obsession with defeating Judson Kilpatrick had far-reaching consequences for the Confederacy, undoubtedly hastening the Souths inevitable defeat. Eric J. Wittenberg is an award-winning historian, speaker, and tour guide, and the author of several Civil War titles, including Out Flew the Sabres: The Battle of Brandy Station. A native of southeastern Pennsylvania, he has been hooked on the Civil War from the time of a third grade visit to Gettysburg. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. About 100 gathered at Conte Community School to discuss problems with crime and violence. Pittsfield's Westside Neighbors Vent Following Another Violent Crime Lindsay Roucoulet said one of those being accused of killing her fiance was out on bail related to domestic abuse charges. PITTSFIELD, Mass. It seems like a pretty straightforward concept: someone sees a drug house in their neighborhood, they tell the police, and officers swoop in and make a big bust. Lt. Glen Decker spent 18 years on the narcotics beat and he'll tell you that it's not that simple. In fact, he's watched known drug user after known drug user walk into a home and leave shortly afterward. He knows what happened in there. But without an informant performing a controlled buy inside there, there isn't much he can do. "That's what it takes to get into a house, that's what we need, controlled buys," Decker said. Decker said he can't count the number of times he watched similar instances happen at 219 Robbins Ave., the home outside of which 34-year-old William Catalano was murdered last week. He said officers are in the neighborhood undercover, in plainclothes, using their own personal vehicles, observing the behavior and trying to get an informant. It is a burden of proof that goes above what residents see and know about their neighborhood. And even if the department can get an informant in, that only helps get a search warrant and more evidence will be needed to build a case for court. "We understand you see what you know to be a drug deal. We have to meet the burden of proof that we can testify to in court," Decker said. That's not what the residents of the West Side wanted to hear Monday night, and one woman even got into a verbal spat with Decker saying officers should be able to detain people walking out of known drug dens. Decker responded that the officer can approach anybody, but all the person has to say is "I didn't do anything" and walk away. "When they tell you to beat it, you're done," Decker said, after role-playing with Chief Michael Wynn in such a scenario. Decker said having neighbors report license plates of suspicious vehicles is "huge" because even if authorities can't get into a house right away, they might be able to get somebody driving with a revoked license, which opens the door to a possible informant. But it is frustrating and Decker's explanation did little to calm the anxieties of those in the West Side who gathered at Conte Community School on Monday evening to discuss violence and crime in their neighborhood. That 219 Robbins address has been a long known hub for criminal activity and those on the West Side feel nothing has been done about it. "What you see as clear criminal activity and what officers see may not be the same," Wynn said, comparing the perspective and information residents in a neighborhood have to the level of proof an officer needs. One resident, who gave his name as Dave, saw it firsthand when his son overdosed on heroin. His son had left a home on Circular Avenue before he overdosed. He told law enforcement exactly where his son got it, and still, nothing happened. Police have documented hundreds of calls to Circular Avenue. And it doesn't give anyone confidence to report it when a judge is going to let somebody back out on the streets on bail. After an arrest, the alleged criminal is still innocent until proven guilty and bail is used to ensure somebody returns for court. Wynn said if a person hasn't missed court dates in the past, then judges won't require a high bail. "Bail is simply securing a hearing," said District Attorney Paul Caccaviello, who said there is a process for a dangerousness hearing that could lead to someone being held without bail. Caccaviello said the prosecutors ask for a certain level of bail but judges ultimately make the financial decision. "As far as the amount goes, we make that assessment based on the person's prior record," Caccaviello said. That answer doesn't appease Lindsay Roucoulet. It was Roucoulet's fiance who was stabbed to death, who left behind four children, while he was making a house call as a barber. And one of the alleged killers was out on bail for allegedly beating and threatening his girlfriend. "This could have been prevented, absolutely prevented, and I don't think judges take it serious enough," Roucoulet said. Wynn directed concerns about bail to the state level, saying the Legislature would have to pass something overhauling the way bail is done. State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier said the dangerousness of an individual involved in domestic issues hasn't been taken all that serious by judges, and that's the problem with those instances. "Someone who is a perpetrator of domestic violence is not taken very seriously as dangerous. We need to change that mindset," Farley-Bouvier said. "Domestic violence is a serious issue and needs to be taken seriously." Another woman said she has repeatedly reported what she sees. But police have not been keeping her anonymous as she has asked. She said she'll report something, asking not to be named, and officers will knock on her door in front of the whole neighborhood making it pretty clear who reported it. She feels she is risking her life by doing so. It is those types of issues residents vented about Monday night. West Side Neighborhood Initiative Chairwoman Linda Kelley headed the meeting, looking for residents to come together to combat the crime in the neighborhood. "Our neighborhood is a place where we have residents of mixed cultures and incomes, it is a place you can grow and develop fully, while also be safe, affordable, an attractive neighborhood to live in," Kelley said of the initiative's mission. But that vision is far from being seen. She cited a number of efforts to improve playground equipment and get crosswalks painted, but the neighborhood is still dealing with violence and drugs. "During the eight years that I have lived here in Pittsfield and on the West Side, we have gathered a number of times in sadness, in fear, in frustration to mourn the tragic loss of one of our residents," Kelley said. Police Chief Michael Wynn gets into the weeds of the law as residents press the department on how it operates. In fact, it was only three years ago when residents of the West Side gathered at the Christian Center calling for an end of the violence after a murder in the same exact section of Robbins Avenue. Monday's meeting was the fourth community meeting to discuss crime in as many years one at Morningside, one at the Christian Center, one at the Senior Center, and now one at Conte. And yet, violent crimes haven't really been curbed. According to Police Department records, combined assaults, aggravated assaults, murders, and attempted murders have stayed fairly consistent throughout the last five years citywide. So far this year, 19 percent of all aggravated assaults; 23 percent of all drug overdoses; 28 percent of drug violations; and 29 percent of weapons violations; and 27 percent of larceny from a person, were all committed in West Side neighborhoods. Meanwhile, Wynn said specifically in the Robbins Avenue and Linden Street area there were 136 additional patrols not counting undercover operations 115 calls for disturbances; 92 fire/emergency calls; 73 times to serve papers; 56 times for assault and batteries; 54 times for suspicious activity; and 47 well-being checks among other calls. Police were at 219 Robbins 59 times so far this year for various reasons, Wynn said, so it was certainly on the department's radar. The residents pushed for foot patrols, which Wynn said would require the department to double inside and instead the officers have been doing "park and walk" to help get some foot presence. The residents want more interaction with police. The residents want a police substation to open and have some ideas on how and Wynn doesn't disagree with that concept if the city is willing to pay for it. Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Carolyn Valli teased the idea of the non-profit funding a location if police were willing to utilize it. Kelley hoped to move the discussion into being forward-looking through suggestions such as substations and foot patrols. But she was faced with criticism from a community that had a lot more questions to pose to the department, the district attorney's office, and city officials. Kelley said there will certainly be more meetings as she hopes to grow the community effort to combat the crime issues. "We have a lot more to address and with your help, we can do this," she said. The concerns voiced on Monday did have an audience filled with elected officials including Mayor Linda Tyer, City Council President Peter Marchetti, City Council Vice President John Krol, Councilors at Large Earl Persip and Peter White, Ward 7 Councilor Anthony Simonelli (who originally began organizing the meeting), School Committee Chairwoman Katherine Yon, state Sen. Adam Hinds, and Sheriff Thomas Bowler. Deborah Moran, left, and Maria Ziemba speak with members of the Maple Grove Civic Club on Sunday. North Berkshire Registry Candidates Tout Experience, Future Plans Deborah Moran has been first assistant register for two years. ADAMS, Mass. The bitter district attorney race has been dominating headlines but another race important to Northern Berkshire has been flying under the radar: register of deeds. Two experienced and longtime employees in the Northern Berkshire Registry of Deeds are hoping to succeed Frances Brooks, who is retiring after 56 years, 14 of those as register. Deborah Moran, first assistant register, and Maria Ziemba, a clerk, touted their experience and future plans for the office to nearly three dozen Maple Grove Civic Club members on Sunday at the PNA. Moran has worked in the office for 26 years and was appointed first assistant two years ago by Secretary William Galvin and Brooks. Prior to that, she worked in several real estate law firms. She's ready to lead registry in completing some of the projects she's been working on and others she wants to see through. "I really have a genuine concern for the records and to serve the public ethically," Moran said. The documents on file at the registry date back the 1700s and Moran said preserving these records and making them available online is a major priority for her. She's also been working on gathering assessors maps from the towns the registry serves to make those available as well. "In the past year, we put all the surveys and recorded land and registered land records all on microfilm and CD," she said, which are backed up in Boston. If elected, Moran would also like to see the website updated to provide more information and be more user-friendly. She said she's also developed a good rapport with the secretary of state's office over the years. In addition to digital archiving and preservation, Moran also wants to modernize the registry's setting in the 135-year-old old town hall building on Park Street. "We've had furniture in there from the '50s," she said. "Working closing with the commonwealth, I have obtained funding out of our technology fund [to purchase new furniture]." Five dollars is set aside from fees for recording documents to go into a technology fund that is available to registries across the state. "I want to make sure going forward your money is put to good use in the office," Moran said. Handicapped accessibility is also "first and foremost" on her to-do should she be elected. "It's something that's very passionate to me and most recently, really recently, I've seen people almost fall down the stairs because they have a cane or walker," she said. "It's ridiculous." Moran has been in conversation with interim Town Administrator Donna Cesan about renovating the front entrance to make it safer and gain grant money to make the changes. "I have the passion for the job and I worked my way up over 26 years," she told the club members. "I enjoy doing the job; how many people can say they enjoy their job? I'll be hands-on, dependable, accountable and experienced. "I would hope you would make the right decision on Nov. 6." Maria Ziemba has worked in the office for 21 years. Ziemba has worked at the registry for 21 years. She has a law degree from Bay Path University and experience as a real estate paralegal that gave her a "jump-start" to what she needed to know at the registry. "I'm running because I feel I am qualified," she said. "I have the experience, I have the enthusiasm and I have a long time ahead of me." Ziemba said she handled the digital archiving of the surveys in the office and she did a complete inventory of the film stored for years in Rhode Island. "It took me a couple days to do that and transfer it to a local facility out here in Holyoke ... where it was looked at to ensure it had all been preserved all those years," she said. "That's a great way our records are backed up." Ziemba also said record keeping and access to the land records is a daily priority and that, if elected, she would continue efforts to digitize documents that only go back online to 1956. "We want to go back as far as we can. That's a daily tedious project, one document at a time, one book at a time but it has to be done," she said. With the office somewhat shorthanded, she would look to cross-train employees. Ziemba also pointed to her experience with working with state vendors to do all the office's materials and services ordering. "I still believe though that there are things that need to be changed," she said. "The internal structure of the office when you walk in that front door is confusing to people who've never been there ... we need to figure out a way to make it a more welcoming environment." She also would develop deeper relationships with related offices to ensure that residents and officials coming into the registry are better served. "I believe that the office should not be just sustained. I believe it can be a more viable structure," she said. "We should be able to create bonds with agencies we work with on a daily basis. ... If we don't have what you're looking for we should be able to move you to who does." While registries are nominally supposed to conform, they tend to beat their own drum, she said, and should the state begin considering consolidation, the Adams office should stand out. "I want the Northern Berkshire Registry of Deeds to always be a cut above the rest ... so that they look at us like we offer more than what most do," Ziemba said. "I also have a passion, I have the knowledge, the experience, the enthusiasm and I have a long way to go ... "I appreciate any support you offer." The Northern Berkshire Registry of Deeds serves Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, Hancock, Lanesborough, New Ashford, North Adams, Savoy, Williamstown and Windsor. Ziemba will appear on the ballot on Nov. 6 as a Democrat while Moran as unenrolled. The office is elected but has not tended to be particularly political in recent years. The Maple Grove Civic Club meets monthly except during the summer. It is open to residents of Adams and surrounding communities interested in civic issues. The bridge club at the senior center poses for a group photo with Ethel Connors, who is celebrating her centennial. The club pitched in to buy Connors a cake. PreviousNext Pittsfield Woman Celebrating 100th Birthday Ethel Connors turns 100 years old on Wednesday. PITTSFIELD, Mass. Ethel Connors will hit a milestone on Wednesday: 100 years. Her bridge club friends at the Ralph Froio Senior Center threw her a surprise birthday party a day ahead of her turning centenarian. Connors walked into her weekly game to a standing ovation on Tuesday. "This is unreal. I couldn't believe it," Connors said. "It really is a surprise." She weaved her way through the crowd, giving hugs along the way, and there was food, a birthday cake, and the group cheers a toast to Connors. Connors said the secret to longevity is "exercise, exercise." Every day, Connors does something, whether that be at the hospital or as a participant of the Berkshire Family YMCA's Silver Sneakers program. When she takes a vacation to Cape Cod, she can be seen out on a kayak. Connors is a Pittsfield native and worked for 25 years as a teacher's aide after she spent a few years as an X-ray technician. She started in the classrooms of the former Tucker School. "When the two community schools opened up, I went to Westside and then I went to Morningside," Connors said. She retired from Morningside and still lives in the same house she grew up in. Meanwhile, she raised five children -- three of whom are retiring themselves. Her elder child does consulting work now, but only a few days a week, and her daughter is a radiologist. Connors has two grandchildren and a great-grandson, and her friend Ellie Persip jokingly adds herself to that list as "an adopted daughter." Connors has been playing bridge for 22 years at the senior center, where the group shares plenty of laughs. While Persip says Connors is "really good" at bridge, she enjoys socializing over a number of different games. She is also an avid reader and always continues to learn, such as recently taking classes to learn to speak Italian. The bridge club organized the surprise party to recognize the important milestone but with Connors' popularity, those at the senior center won't be the only ones honoring the occasion. iciHaiti - Humanitarian : Thank you Food for the Poor Haiti Two weeks after the earthquake that seriously affected people in the North, North West and Upper Artibonite, "Food for the Poor" did not give up and continued to work to help the most vulnerable. During the past week, in the framework of its partnership with the Republic of Taiwan, in the presence of Stephanie Auguste the Minister Delegate in charge of Human Rights and the Fight Against Extreme Poverty, "Food for the Poor" was in Gros Morne where and proceeded to the distribution of : - 34 tons of rice generously donated by Taiwan (Republic of China); - 8 tons of peas; - 1,200 bottles of liquid soap for the bath; - 240 bottles of shampoo and conditioner - 1,000 cases of various food products; - 21,600 bottles of fortifying drinks; - Personal toiletry kits. Further information will follow on "Food for the Poor" interventions in the North, North West and the rest of Artibonite. IH/ iciHaiti iciHaiti - Justice : The United Nations grateful to Haiti As part of the International Day of Peace celebrated on 21 September, the United Nations family in Haiti reiterated its support for the authorities and the Haitian people in their efforts to promote the culture of peace. "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a reference document in the history of fundamental rights. Developed by representatives from different legal and cultural circles around the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on December 10, 1948 as the Common Ideal to be achieved by all peoples and all nations. As a founding member of the United Nations and a sponsor of the Declaration, Haiti played a crucial role in approving the document through Senator Emile Saint-Lot. "The United Nations has many reasons to be grateful to Haiti, a founding member of the United Nations, and a proponent of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Security, stability and the continued strengthening of the rule of law are key elements of development. The United Nations is accompanying and will continue to accompany Haiti in strengthening its rule of law institutions, strengthening its security, and advancing its efforts towards sustainable development,", stressed Helen Meagher La Lime, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Haiti and head of Minujusth. "The United Nations continues to support Haiti in advancing national priorities for the development of Haiti's Strategic Development Plan and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as pillars of lasting peace, which represent Haiti's commitment to his children and grandchildren," added Mamadou Diallo, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General, United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti. This support materializes through the 2017-2021 Sustainable Development Framework, signed with the Government in June 2017, which focuses on five strategic pillars : Poverty Reduction and Employment, Resilience, Basic Social Services, Social Security and Social Security. Gender Equality and Protection, and Governance, which includes the rule of law. IH/ iciHaiti Saudi Prince Spoke to Khashoggi Moments Before His Murder, Report Claims By RT October 22, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman phoned Jamal Khashoggi and tried to convince him to return to Riyadh, just moments before the dissident journalist was killed in the kingdoms Istanbul consulate, a new report claims. The prince contacted Khashoggi shortly after he was detained inside the consulate, Turkish pro-government paper Yeni Safak reported on Sunday, citing its own sources. According to the publication, Mohammad bin Salman, known in the West by his initials MBS, attempted to convince the journalist over the phone to return to his homeland, Saudi Arabia. Once close with the Saudi elites, Khashoggi fled the kingdom last year in fear of possible prosecution. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter 'Nothing happens in Saudi Arabia without MbS [Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman] knowing it' - Sen. Lindsey Graham https://t.co/UPevrEPq1T #Khashoggi RT (@RT_com) October 22, 2018 The journalist declined the princes offer to fly to Riyadh, thinking he would be arrested and killed there, and was then murdered by the Saudi hit-team after the talk with MBS ended, the paper wrote. More than two weeks have passed since Khashoggi disappeared after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Saudi officials claim that he was killed in a fist fight which broke out in the consulate building. The officials have yet to provide details on the incident and are still determining where Khashoggis body is. Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir stated earlier that Khashoggis death was a tremendous mistake and MBS was not aware of his killing. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on Jamal Khashoggi: "We want to make sure that we know what happened and we want to make sure that those responsible be held to account." https://t.co/ZNhIXzUPC9 pic.twitter.com/YjrhiGzKBe Fox News (@FoxNews) October 21, 2018 Meanwhile, Turkey is conducting a separate investigation into the case. Ankara insists that the Saudis had planned to murder the journalist and dispatched an assassination squad to take him out. Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to reveal further details soon. This article was originally published by " RT " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here. ==See Also== In Case You Missed It: 'Here Are Your Enemies': Saudi crown prince bragged that Jared Kushner gave him CIA intelligence about other Saudis, days before 'corruption crackdown' which led to torture and death Tucker Carlson: Anger Over Jamal Khashoggi Death Is 'A Stunt' Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy October 22, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Twelve years ago this month, WikiLeaks began publishing government secrets that the world public might otherwise never have known. What it has revealed about state duplicity, human rights abuses and corruption goes beyond anything published in the worlds mainstream media. After over six months of being cut off from outside world, on 14 October Ecuador has partly restored Wikileaks founder Julian Assanges communications with the outside world from its London embassy where the founder has been living for over six years. The treatment - real and threatened - meted out to Assange by the US and UK governments contrasts sharply with the service Wikileaks has done their publics in revealing the nature of elite power, as shown in the following snapshot of Wikileaks' revelations about British foreign policy in the Middle East. Conniving with the Saudis Whitehalls special relationship with Riyadh is exposed in an extraordinary cable from 2013 highlighting how Britain conducted secret vote-trading deals with Saudi Arabia to ensure both states were elected to the UN human rights council. Britain initiated the secret negotiations by asking Saudi Arabia for its support. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter The Wikileaks releases also shed details on Whitehalls fawning relationship with Washington. A 2008 cable, for example, shows then shadow foreign secretary William Hague telling the US embassy that the British "want a pro-American regime. We need it. The world needs it." A cable the following year shows the lengths to which Whitehall goes to defend the special relationship from public scrutiny. Just as the Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq War was beginning in 2009, Whitehall promised Washington that it had put measures in place to protect your interests. American influence It is not known what this protection amounted to, but no US officials were called to give evidence to Chilcot in public. The inquiry was also refused permission to publish letters between former US President George W Bush and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair written in the run-up to the war. Also in 2009, then prime minister Gordon Brown raised the prospect of reducing the number of British nuclear-armed Trident submarines from four to three, a policy opposed in Washington. However, Julian Miller, an official in the UKs Cabinet Office, privately assured US officials that his government would consult with the US regarding future developments concerning the Trident deterrent to assure there would be no daylight between the US and UK. The idea that British decision-making on Trident is truly independent of the US is undermined by this cable. The Wikileaks cables are rife with examples of British government duplicity of the kind Ive extensively come across in my own research on UK declassified files. In advance of the British-NATO bombing campaign in Libya in March 2011, for example, the British government pretended that its aim was to prevent Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafis attacks on civilians and not to overthrow him. However, Wikileaks files released in 2016 as part of its Hillary Clinton archive show William Burns, then the US deputy secretary of state, having talked with foreign secretary William Hague about a post-Qaddafi Libya. This was more than three weeks before military operations began. The intention was clearly to overthrow Gaddafi, and the UN resolution about protecting civilians was simply window dressing. Deception over Diego Garcia Another case of British duplicity concerns Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos archipelago in the Indian Ocean, which is now a major US base for intervention in the Middle East. The UK has long fought to prevent Chagos islanders from returning to their homeland after forcibly removing them in the 1960s. A secret 2009 cable shows that a particular ruse concocted by Whitehall to promote this was the establishment of a marine reserve around the islands. A senior Foreign Office official told the US that the former inhabitants would find it difficult, if not impossible, to pursue their claim for resettlement on the islands if the entire Chagos Archipelago were a marine reserve. A week before the marine reserve proposal was made to the US in May 2009, then UK foreign secretary David Miliband was also conniving with the US, apparently to deceive the public. A cable reveals Miliband helping the US to sidestep a ban on cluster bombs and keep the weapons at US bases on UK soil, despite Britain signing the international treaty banning the weapons the previous year. Miliband approved a loophole created by diplomats to allow US cluster bombs to remain on UK soil and was part of discussions on how the loophole would help avert a debate in parliament that could have complicated or muddied the issue. Critically, the same cable also revealed that the US was storing cluster munitions on ships based at Diego Garcia. Spying on the UK Cables show the US spying on the Foreign Office, collecting information on British ministers. Soon after the appointment of Ivan Lewis as a junior foreign minister in 2009, US officials were briefing the office of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about rumours that he was depressed and had a reputation as a bully, and on the state of his marriage. Washington was also shown to have been spying on the UK mission to the UN, along with other members of the Security Council and the UN Secretary General. In addition, Wikileaks cables reveal that journalists and the public are considered legitimate targets of UK intelligence operations. In October 2009, Joint Services Publication 440, a 2,400-page restricted document written in 2001 by the Ministry of Defence, was leaked. Somewhat ironically, it contained instructions for the security services on how to avoid leaks of information by hackers, journalists, and foreign spies. The document refers to investigative journalists as threats alongside subversive and terrorist organisations, noting that the enemy is unwelcome publicity of any kind, and through any medium. Britains GCHQ is also revealed to have spied on Wikileaks itself - and its readers. One classified GCHQ document from 2012 shows that GCHQ used its surveillance system to secretly collect the IP addresses of visitors to the Wikileaks site in real time, as well as the search terms that visitors used to reach the site from search engines such as Google. Championing free media The British government is punishing Assange for the service that Wikileaks has performed. It is ignoring a UN ruling that he is being held in arbitrary detention at the Ecuadorian embassy, while failing, illegally, to ensure his health needs are met. Whitehall is also refusing to offer diplomatic assurances that Assange will not be extradited to the US - the only reason he remains in the embassy. Smear campaigns have portrayed Assange as a sexual predator or a Russian agent, often in the same media that have benefitted from covering Wikileaks releases. Many journalists and activists who are perfectly aware of the fake news in some Western media outlets, and of the smear campaign against Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, are ignoring or even colluding in the more vicious smearing of Assange. More journalists need to champion the service Wikileaks performs and argue for what is at stake for a free media in the right to expose state secrets. Mark Curtis is a historian and analyst of UK foreign policy and international development and the author of six books, the latest being an updated edition of Secret Affairs: Britains Collusion with Radical Islam. This article was originally published by " MEE " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here. ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy US Ready To Blow Another Arms Control Treaty To Feed Its War Economy By Finian Cunningham October 22, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The United States economy is a military-industrial complex. Therefore any multilateral arms control treaty that limits weapons and war tensions is by definition incompatible with the functioning of American-style capitalism. President Donald Trumps announced intention of withdrawing the US from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty is but the latest move by Washington in undoing decades of hard-won arms controls agreements. The US unilaterally scrapped the Anti-Ballistic Missiles (ABM) Treaty back in 2002 under then-President GW Bush. That breach of a decades-old treaty has led to the installation of American missile systems in Europe ever-closer to Russian territory, as the US-led NATO military alliance relentlessly expanded eastwards. US scrapping INF would make world more dangerous, force Russia to restore balance Kremlinhttps://t.co/Cm5phvER41 pic.twitter.com/r4bA7bmzIa RT (@RT_com) October 22, 2018 If Trump goes ahead with pulling the US out of the INF, that will leave only one remaining pillar in the arms control architecture, the START Treaty limiting the deployment of all types of nuclear weapons. START is due to expire in 2021 and several hawkish US politicians are urging no replacement. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter No wonder then that Trumps unravelling of the nuclear non-proliferation regime is unnerving many people, including NATO allies in Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly phoned Trump, imploring that the INF is vital for European security. Macrons views were reiterated by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. Moscow and Beijing said the anticipated US move will undermine the strategic balance and unleash a new arms race, reminiscent of the Cold War. Mankind is facing full chaos in the nuclear weapon sphere, Russian Senator Konstantin Kosachev said. Another senior Russian lawmaker, Alexei Pushkov, slammed the Trump administration for pushing the world to another Cuban missile crisis. That standoff in October 1962 saw the US and Soviet Union on the brink of nuclear war. The disaster was averted by President John F. Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, who then paved the way for beginning arms controls. By undoing the INF, the ABM and possibly START, the United States is returning the world to ground zero, said Pushkov. That deregulated global situation will inevitably greatly increase the risk of a nuclear war. Why would Washington be so reckless? First, it seems domestic US political infighting is a factor. Trump made his announced repudiation of the INF at a political campaign rally in Nevada at the weekend. There are only around three weeks before US mid-term congressional elections, in which the rival Democrats are vying to take control of the Senate. By talking tough over the INF, claiming that Moscow is in violation of the treaty and the US wont stand for it, Trump is trying to neutralize the long-held charge from Democrats that he is soft on Russia. It is lamentable that international security is being sacrificed because of internal US politicking. Another factor is that the US needs to abandon the INF if it wants to pursue its ambitions of unipolar military dominance, and in particular its effort to subjugate Russia and China. Several strategic planning papers out of Washington over the past two years openly target Russia and China as great power rivals. By abandoning the INF, the US will have license to expand missile forces towards Russian and Chinese territory. Such an aggressive move could not be done openly for political reasons. Therefore, Washington is finding a pretext for its own violations by accusing Moscow of breaching the INF. Russia has repeatedly rejected US claims that it has violated the treaty, pointing out that the American side has never presented evidence to back up its claims. A third factor is the bigger picture of the US economy as a war-driven system. With an annual spend of over $700 billion on military about half the total discretionary US budget and multiples more than any other foreign nation the American economy is dependent on its military-industrial complex. That monstrous deformation of American capitalism, first warned by President Eisenhower in 1961, can only exist in the realm of relentless weapons production. That, in turn, relies on the US constantly creating global tensions and uncertainty, even to the point of inciting war. An arms race is not only a lucrative boon for the Pentagon and American weapons manufacturers who are the biggest lobby group in Washington but there is an added strategic objective. By dragging Russia and China into an arms race, it serves as a way for US imperial planners to weaken these rivals. Out of necessity to counter US military aggression, Moscow and Beijing will be compelled to devote ever-more of their economic resources to weapons procurement. Such a pursuit of militarism, it is calculated, will end up breaking the economies of Russia and China. China slams Trumps plans to ditch crucial INF treaty, warns of 'multilateral negative effect'https://t.co/z9y1YxBxKH pic.twitter.com/ajI6XHy2ay RT (@RT_com) October 22, 2018 Arguably, the Soviet Unions downfall in the late 1980s was largely brought about by decades of inordinate spending on military instead of resources strengthening the civilian economy and society. It seems Trump wants to re-run the Cold War for this purpose of hobbling Russia and China. Such a limitation does not apply to US capitalism, which gives itself the privilege of racking up endless debt. That privilege is partly due to the unique position of the US dollar as the main global reserve currency. Eventually, however, such profligacy is unsustainable, and when the American collapse comes there will be much gnashing of teeth. However, in the nearer term, the excesses of an arms race can be disguised by seemingly endless American debt. The various arms control treaties that the US seems bent on unravelling have up to now afforded a certain security from nuclear war. The treaties worked because there was a level of multilateral mutualism between Washington and Moscow. Not any more, it seems. Washington, especially under Trump, has reduced the art of diplomacy to Twitter tirades and reckless threats, such as when the US ambassador to NATO, Kay Bailey Hutchison, earlier this month warned that the American military would take out Russian missiles deemed to be in violation of the INF. She later backtracked on that incendiary comment, but the first impression of preemptive gung-ho mentality is not easily remedied. Any attempt at diplomacy by Trump seems confounded by a deplorable lack of logic or intelligence. After tearing into the INF, the president appeared to leave the door open for a replacement treaty with Russia and China. Well have to develop those [short, intermediate-range] weapons, unless Russia comes to us and China comes to us and they all come to us and say, Lets really get smart and lets none of us develop those weapons.he said. Heres what Trump and the rest of Washington dont understand. The INF treaty has been continually eroded because US military forces insist on stationing their missiles thousands of kilometers from American territory on the doorstep of both Russia and China. If Trump really wanted to find an accord on this arms control, he would withdraw Americas so-called anti-missile systems from Poland, Romania and the Black Sea, as well as from South Korea and near Chinas maritime territory. Ultimately, though, the best arms control mechanism is for Americans to overhaul their economy away from the warmongering system it is. Finian Cunningham has written extensively on international affairs, with articles published in several languages. He is a Masters graduate in Agricultural Chemistry and worked as a scientific editor for the Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, England, before pursuing a career in newspaper journalism. He is also a musician and songwriter. For nearly 20 years, he worked as an editor and writer in major news media organisations, including The Mirror, Irish Times and Independent. This article was originally published by " RT " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here. ==See Also== Russia warns of arms race if US quits weapons treaty; US National Security Adviser John Bolton reaches Moscow for talks. Bolton: US understands Russia's position better, has yet to finalize its position on START treaty Russian warns on US plans for total military supremacy Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy By Finian Cunningham October 22, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Finally, nearly three weeks after what most of the world suspected to be a foul murder, the Saudi regime has officially admitted that Jamal Khashoggi was killed in its consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. No sooner had the Saudis issued their latest lie to cover up previous lies, US President Trump was lending White House prestige to the travesty. Trump said the belated Saudi version of what happened was credible. He also welcomed as good first steps the Saudi arrest of 18 individuals and sacking of several top officials. The Saudi explanation of Khashoggis death stretches credulity to snapping point. They are saying he was killed after a fist-fight broke out in the consulate. The Saudis are also claiming the de facto ruler of the kingdom, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), did not know anything about the murder, its planning or aftermath. Recall that MbS asserted in an interview with Bloomberg on October 5 that Khashoggi had walked out of the consulate the same day he arrived. Now the Crown Prince has been appointed by his father, aging King Salman, to head up a committee to oversee an overhaul of the royal courts intelligence organization. The former deputy head of intelligence, Ahmed al-Assiri, is one of those senior aides who has been sacked and set to take the rap. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter In other words, the heir to the throne, MbS, is being absolved of any responsibility in the scandal. The sacked aides and arrested men, who are believed to include the 15-member team that went to Istanbul to intercept Khashoggi, are being made the scapegoats. It is customary Saudi treachery at work. There is simply no way that a 15-member team that included top bodyguards of the Crown Prince could have carried out the Khashoggi abduction and killing without the monarchs knowledge and sanction. US intelligence intercepts have claimed to show that MbS was indeed involved in the planning of Khashoggis doom. It is simply preposterous that the 15-member hit squad went rogue and carried out a murder on their own initiative. But President Trump and his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo appear to be coordinating with the House of Saud to project an alibi for the 33-year-old future king. It was Trump who floated the idea last week of rogue killers being the culprits. Pompeo then flew to Riyadh where he held chummy photo-ops with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and King Salman. The top US diplomat ludicrously commended the Saudi commitment to a transparent investigation into what happened in Istanbul. Now that the Saudis have finally admitted the killing, while denying the Crown Princes involvement, Trump is saying that such a patent lie is credible. Whats more, the treachery in the House of Saud will likely involve the killing of the scapegoats to ensure they never talk about the plot against Khashoggi. One of the 15-man hit squad has already been killed in a suspicious car accident in Riyadh last week. Mashal Saad al Bostani (31) was a Saudi Royal Air Force lieutenant who was identified by Turkish intelligence as being among the group that lay in wait at the consulate for Khashoggi. Turkish media have speculated that the House of Saud has begun destroying evidence and potential witnesses. Watch, in particular, the fate of the former Consul General in Istanbul, Mohammed al Otaibi. The notion, according to the Saudis, that a fight broke out in the consulate leading to Khashoggis death does not tally with reports that the 15-man team was equipped with a bone saw. Turkish intelligence sources also say they have audio tapes showing Khashoggi was immediately assaulted on entering the consulate, then tortured by having his fingers cut off, before finally being decapitated and his body dismembered. If the Saudi explanation is considered, then where is Khashoggis remains? If his death was somehow an accident, then the Saudis should be able to present his corpse. But they wont because the far more credible account is that Khashoggis remains would testify to torture and mutilation. Lets also bear in mind the routine nature of treachery in the House of Saud, especially under the new Crown Prince. When he was made heir to the throne in 2017, the then incumbent Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef was unceremoniously sidelined. It was a power grab that broke Saudi succession rules. Video footage at the time showed MbS feigning an act of humility and contrition to the ousted Bin Nayef, his older cousin. MbS was seen bending down to kiss the leg of the hapless former Crown Prince, in what appeared to be a show of magnanimity. Within weeks of the ouster, it was then reported that Bin Nayef had been placed under continual house arrest by MbS with armed guards. The move was to ensure there would not be a counter-coup. Next the new Crown Prince ordered the round-up and detention of several other senior House of Saud figures. Some of them were reportedly tortured and extorted for billions of dollars to buy their release. MbSs penchant for abduction then went overseas when he ordered the kidnapping of Lebanese Prime Minister Said Hariri. Hariri was reportedly slapped around while in detention in Riyadh before being forced to announce his resignation in a bizarre TV interview. An intervention by French President Emmanuel Macron, who was friendly with MbS, managed to secure Hariris release, and he reversed his resignation on returning to Lebanon. These are just some examples of the Saudi Crown Princes nature as a psychopathic tyrant who thinks he can act with impunity. The image of a reformist monarch had been built up by the Western media and leaders like Macron and Trump. But that image is totally at odds with reality, as the Western media are slowly being forced now to admit after the barbarous killing of Khashoggi. US media and many Republican and Democrat lawmakers in Congress are skeptical about the latest Saudi explanation for the death of Khashoggi. Other Western governments seem also to be adopting a tougher line, with Britain, France and Germany withdrawing diplomatic contacts. Trump also lately said there will be severe consequences after the Saudis admitted Khashoggis death in their consulate. But the lucrative multi-billion arms trade is off-limits for Trump if any sanctions are imposed. The White Houses solemn rhetoric is belied, however, by Trumps willingness to dignify the absurd Saudi response as credible. The whitewashing of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman the undoubted author of Khashoggis execution is being given crucial gloss from the Trump administration. Apart from the lucrative arms trade and Trumps own personal enrichment from years of doing property business with the House of Saud, the other vital interest for the US is its reliance on the Saudis for the coming war with Iran. Trump said so himself when he tried to excuse not imposing sanctions on Saudi Arabia by saying the country was an important counter to Iran. In the next few weeks, the Trump administration is set to impose a global oil embargo on Iranian exports of crude. For the economic war to succeed, Washington needs the Saudis to ramp up oil supply in order to replace the anticipated Iranian shortfall and to prevent world market prices from soaring. The imperative of US aggression towards Iran by Trump means that he has to, by sheer necessity, shore up the House of Saud. That means spinning a cover-up to absolve the Crown Prince. But such is the damning evidence against MbS over Khashoggis murder, the Trump media charade on behalf of the Saudis may prove to fall apart. For the sake of peace in the Middle East, we might hope so too. Finian Cunningham has written extensively on international affairs, with articles published in several languages. He is a Masters graduate in Agricultural Chemistry and worked as a scientific editor for the Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, England, before pursuing a career in newspaper journalism. He is also a musician and songwriter. For nearly 20 years, he worked as an editor and writer in major news media organisations, including The Mirror, Irish Times and Independent. This article was originally published by " Strategic Culture Foundation " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here. ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy By Andre Vltchek October 22, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The insanity and vileness of Western anti-Chinese propaganda used to make some of my Chinese friends cry late at night. But things are changing. The lunacy of what is said and written about China (and Russia, of course), in the US and Europe, is now clearly reflecting frustration and the bad manners of sore losers. One could almost be inclined to pity the Western empire, if only it wasnt so violently murderous. The Empires propagandists are pitying nobody they are now shooting like maniacs, but without any coherent plan. Various Western experts and journalists cannot really agree on the basics: what is really wrong with China. But they are paid extremely well to find new and newer skeletons in the huge Chinese closets, and so they are constantly competing with each other, looking for the juiciest and the most scandalous stories. Often it appears that it pays to assume that absolutely everything is flawed with the most populous, and on top of it, Communist (with the Chinese characteristics, of course) country on earth! China will end extreme poverty by 2020, but do not look for cheers and applause from Berlin, Paris, London and Washington. China is far ahead of all the large countries on earth in building a so-called ecological civilization, but who is willing to notice? China is constructing public parks, boardwalks and playgrounds, the biggest on earth, but who cares? The Chinese government is introducing sweeping educational reforms, while flooding the entire nation with concert halls, museums and theatres. But thats not worth mentioning, obviously! Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Western propaganda tries to discredit China literally from both left and right, sometimes accusing it for being too Communist, but when it is suitable, even for not being Communist enough. The New York Times ran a cover-page story on October 5, 2018, Unlikely foe for Chinas leaders: Marxists. For this highly sarcastic piece, a reporter visited the Chinese city of Huizhou, from where he wrote about a group of over-zealous young Marxists who are demanding things to be as they were in Maos days: But the Huizhou activists represent a threat the authorities did not expect. Seriously? A threat? China is moving towards Communism, again, under the current leadership. We are talking about democratic, socially-oriented Communism. But let us not argue with the official U.S. newspaper. It is definitely not a pro-Communist publication, but they had to show some sympathy (by running a cover story!) to a small bunch of over-zealous opposition Marxists, just to spread doubts among the readers, suggesting that the Chinese government is not that Red, anymore. The next day (Saturday-Sunday edition, October 6-7, 2018), the same New York Times published two cover stories on China. One was along its usual anti- Chinese and anti-Russian conspiracy lines Will China hack U.S. mid-terms?, but the other basically contradicted the story from the previous day, accusing Beijing this time of cutting the wings of private companies: Beijing is pushing back into business, with a sub-title: Government flexes muscle as private companies that built economy lose ground. Wherever it can hurt China, just write it, could be the credo of thousands of European and North American journos: as long as the news about or from China is bad, really dark and negative, anything goes! Too much Communism, or too little As far as the West is concerned China can never get it right! Because simply because it is China, because it is Asia, and because it waves the red flags. And so, The New York Times ran two totally contradictory stories. An editorial blunder, or a pre-meditated attempt to inflict maximum damage, by kicking left and right? * It is, of course, fun, to follow this propaganda trend, from a safe distance (meaning: not believing a word of what it says). But what is happening is not a joke; what is being done can actually be deadly. It can trigger, unexpectedly, a chain of events that could truly hurt China. An explosion could originate in Taiwan, in Southeast Asia, or from the PRC territory itself. Look at Brazil, look at Venezuela! Look at all those Color Revolutions, Umbrella Revolutions, Springs from Europe to Arab countries. And look at China itself: who triggered; who sponsored the so-called Tiananmen Square events? There is clearly enough evidence, by now, that it was not some spontaneous student rebellion. The West has convinced several countries such as the Philippines, that they should confront China, through various territorial claims in which, honestly, almost no serious Filipino historian or political scientist is ready to believe (unless he or she paid royally from abroad). I talked directly to several top historians and political scientists in Manila, and I got a clear picture of whom and what is behind those territorial claims. I wrote about it in the past, and soon will again. China is too big to tolerate dangerous subversions from abroad. Its leadership knows well: when the country is in disarray, hundreds of millions of human beings suffer. To preserve the nations territorial integrity is essential. * So, what is China really; in a summary? It is a Communist (or you may call it a socialist) country with thousands of years of a great and comparatively egalitarian history. It has a mixed economy but with central planning (government tells the companies what to do, not vice-versa). It is clearly the most successful nation on earth when it comes to working on behalf of, and for the benefit of its citizens. It is also the most peaceful large nation on earth. And here are two more essential points: China is at the forefront of saving the world from the looming ecological disaster. And it has no colonies, or neo-colonies, being essentially an internationalist state. Its political system, economy, culture: all are diametrically different from those in the West. China has millions of things to say about how this planet should be governed, how it should be marching forward, and what is true democracy (rule of the people). Now honestly: does Western mainstream, which manufactures public opinion all over the world, allows many Chinese (PRC) patriots, Communists, thinkers, to appear on television screens, or to write op-eds? We know the answer. Almost exclusively, it is the Westerners who are, (by the Western rulers), entrusted with the tremendous task of defining what China is or isnt. And what the entire world is or isnt. If China says that it is socialist with Chinese characteristics, they say No! with their perfect Oxford accents. And their arrogance from telling the greatest civilization on earth what it actually is or isnt, gets accepted because of the fact that most of them are white, and they speak perfect English (paradoxically, still a seal of trustworthiness, at least in certain circles). The West never hears what the Chinese or Russians think about the world. While the Chinese and Russians are literally bombarded by what the West thinks about them. Even Chinese people used to listen to such false prophets from the civilized West. Now they know better. Same as the Russians know better. Same as many in Latin America know better. The spread of Western propaganda and dogmas used to appear as a battle, an ideological combat, for Chinese and Russian brains (if not for hearts). Or at least it appeared as such, to many naive, trusting people. Now it is all much simpler and in the open: the battle continues, but the frontlines and goals have shifted. How? What is taking place these days, is simply an enormous clash between Western imperialism plus its propaganda, versus the determination of the Chinese and Russian people to live their own lives the way they choose. Or to put it into even simpler terms: the battle is raging between Western imperialism on one side, and democracy with Chinese and Russian characteristics on the other. West is bashing China and Russia left and right, literally. But it is definitely not winning! [First published by NEO New Eastern Outlook] Andre Vltchek is a philosopher, novelist, filmmaker and investigative journalist. He has covered wars and conflicts in dozens of countries. Three of his latest books are Revolutionary Optimism, Western Nihilism , a revolutionary novel Aurora and a bestselling work of political non-fiction: Exposing Lies Of The Empire. View his other books here. Watch Rwanda Gambit, his groundbreaking documentary about Rwanda and DRCongo and his film/dialogue with Noam Chomsky On Western Terrorism. Vltchek presently resides in East Asia and the Middle East, and continues to work around the world. He can be reached through his website and his Twitter. Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here. ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy By Ken Livingstone October 22, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Trump is escalating attempts to push through regime change in Latin American countries that are not US puppets, while maintaining a hypocritical silence when it comes to the human rights abuses of US allies like Saudi Arabia. Recent years have seen a resurgent of the right wing in Latin America. The first stage in the election of the next president of Brazil showed the right wing candidate Jair Bolsonaro winning 46 percent of the vote. With the final ballot just two weeks away, he is currently leading by 16 percent. While progressive governments are still a force in the region, putting equality, education, healthcare and tackling poverty at the forefront of politics, it has been a difficult time including in Venezuela. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter But it is also vital at times of crisis that we remember what those giving intentional solidarity, like ourselves, are fighting for. It is with great sadness that we remember Hugo Chavezs death in 2013 but the ideals and gains he fought for still live on. But for those depending on the right-wing media all they think about Chavez was that he was a brutal dictator, not that he changed Venezuela for the better. Nor was he only concerned with his own nation: he set out to reshape the whole continent. He was the spark for others, who like him, wanted to address the vast inequality and free themselves from the neo-liberal system that was hurting the population. I was honoured to meet him when he came to London in 2006 and to work with him after this. What I found most striking was that unlike so many other presidents and prime ministers, he was just a regular guy with none of the vanity or obsession with fame that disfigures so many of our leaders. He did not come from a political background and had spent his career in the military leading the fight against the guerrillas who were trying to overthrow the reactionary government of Venezuela. I was very moved when he told me what changed him. It was during a skirmish in which one of his troops, who was a good friend, was shot. Chavez held him in his arms as he slowly died, and it was at that moment that Chavez decided that both he and the country had to change. I was speaking on the weekend at the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign, held to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of Chavezs first election win. I told the conference we had to make certain that people knew the truth about his legacy. Despite his vilification by the US and the media, despite the coup attempt and despite the oppositions relentless attempts to remove him through undemocratic means, Chavez made his goal of saving Venezuela and we can see that through his achievements. He developed the Mission Miracle Programme which has since treated over 3.5 million cases of preventable blindness throughout Latin America His great housing legacy has provided 1.2 million low cost homes for Venezuelas poorest since 2010 and is still growing strong. His education programmes have eradicated illiteracy in Venezuela, teaching 1.5 million adults to read and write. There has been a at least a sixfold increase in the number of Venezuelans getting a state pension He also introduced a national health service that has led to saving the lives of millions Sadly, the Venezuelan economy now faces real challenges, the massive cut in oil prices undermined the economy given that oil exports were the biggest single factor in the countrys economy. But more damage has been done by Americas sanctions against Venezuela which started under the Obama administration but have been dramatically escalated by Trump. Those include a ban on the US purchase of any debts or accounts receivables owed to the Venezuelan government and the state-run oil giant PDVSA. It is not surprising that the economic sanctions have increased shortages of food, medicine and other essential goods while limiting the governments ability to solve the countrys economic problems. This hurts Venezuelans on low incomes the most. The sanctions have also increased political polarisation, making much needed dialogue more difficult just at the time when international voices are adding their support to try and move the country forwards. During his presidential campaign Trump made clear he would seek regime change in Venezuela and you cant accuse him of not sticking to his promise. With the sanctions against Venezuela we should be aware that this could mean big steps towards regime change and this has been accompanied by threats of military action. It was revealed last month in the New York Times that dissident Venezuelan military officers had had a secret meeting with Trump administration officials to discuss overthrowing the current president Nicolas Maduro. The article reported that the Trump administration declined to help but the sanctions continue. The White House refused to answer questions about these talks but admitted a dialogue with all Venezuelans who demonstrate a desire for democracy in order to bring positive change to a country that has suffered so much. There have already been two failed attempts to overthrow Maduros government with one in August in which two explosive drones failed to reach their target at a rally in Caracas. Trump has already publicly threatened military intervention. In August 2017 saying we have many options for Venezuela including a possible military option if necessary. For decades now the US has sought to bring down progressive governments or sometimes just governments that assert their national sovereignty using a range of methods from soft coups to military coups, from sanctions to blockades and from international isolation to direct military action. Trumps displays of belligerence in all directions, including pressing ahead with his proposal to build a wall along the border with Mexico, have seen millions of dollars channelled into organisations working against governments that are not US puppets in order to reassert US control in the region. It is not just Venezuela that suffers from sanctions, so does the Republic of Nicaragua and Cuba has suffered from sanctions for almost sixty years. What is never reported in the media is that these sanctions are illegal under international law. However, America is able to use its influence via its veto at the United Nations and its influence over the main international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Venezuela can resist Trumps policy by getting investment in the economy and diversifying it away from total reliance on oil. Hopefully the dialogue process taking place in Venezuela and the successful recent regional elections will help set a framework for a return to normalcy and getting to grips with the challenges the country faces. However, Trump does not just have Venezuela in his sights. Following the re-election of the Sandinistas (FSLN) in 2016, the USs latest attack on Nicaragua is the Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality Act which aims to block loans to Nicaragua from the World Bank, the International Development Bank and other institutions. Nicaragua was receiving millions of dollars loans each year for investment in infrastructure and education and social programmes. The act has been widely condemned including by business representatives, parliament and trade unions. Trump has also indicated a return to the hostile attitude of George W Bush when it comes to Cuba. In June last year Trump said he would roll back the modest advancements under Obama and toughened the US blockade of the island, despite most Cuban Americans opposing this. In another move to appease hard-liners, Trump expelled 60 percent of Cuban diplomats from the US. We also need to be clear that there is an alternative to Trumps agenda. The opposition to Trump is growing in the US, Latin America and around the world, including here in Britain, where the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn showed real integrity by being the first national political figure to call on Theresa May to withdraw her offer to Trump of a state visit. Corbyn said Let no-one be in doubt that I will oppose and the Labour party will oppose all those who fan the flames of fear at home and abroad and the Labour party stands unequivocally with those demonstrating against Trump and will do so until we are victorious. Ken Livingstone is an English politician, he served as the Mayor of London between 2000 and 2008. He is also a former MP and a former member of the Labour Party. Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here. ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy Why the Two State Solution is Apartheid By Craig Murray October 22, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - I expect you are all familiar with the maps showing the radical shrinking of Palestinian land over 70 years due to the expansion of colonial Israeli settlement. Startling and appalling, yes, but to me they bring back strong memories of other maps, in a precisely analogous situation, which goes to the heart of why Israel is an apartheid state. The original apartheid state of South Africa created homelands, known colloquially as bantustans, and proposed that, as the apotheosis of apartheid, these homelands would become independent states and house the majority black population of the country in fenced-off areas which had been too arid, rocky or commercial mineral free to attract significant white settlement over three centuries of theft. South Africa actually did recognise some of these as Independent states, while the rest were supposed to be on a course to recognition. The maps really do bring out the startling similarity between these two attempts to formalise the dispossession of the original people. Thankfully, even though the Homelands solution had its supporters including Thatcher, it never achieved support beyond what was then an extreme right wing view, and none of the independent states ever achieved international recognition. I worked in the FCO as the South Africa (Political) desk officer from 1984-6, and seeing off right wing Tory lobbying to adopt the Homelands policy was a major problem. It is simply symptomatic of the extraordinary right wing shift in western politics over the intervening three decades, that a Bantustan solution for Palestine, laughably called a two state solution, is now the accepted wisdom of the political and media class. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter The proposal is precisely analogous to South Africa not only because of the displacement of the original population into separated enclosures, but because it leaves the bulk of the land in the hands of a colonial population, whose identity and exclusivity is specifically enshrined in law by ethnicity. Israels adoption this year of a new nation state law putting the state on an officially racist basis only confirmed the reality encapsulated in a raft of hundreds of other laws and regulations. The harsh discriminatory regime faced by non-Jews in Israel has been exhaustively documented, and it is not my purpose to repeat it here. I recommend this lecture by Ben White: Many of the practices Ben describes have strong echoes of the apartheid regime, as do the disregard for Black/Palestinian life, the regular use of disproportionate lethal force against protestors, the mass arrests and detentions, the impunity for both law enforcers and master race civilians who attack blacks/Palestinians. These features are highly analogous. But what I want to address here is the striking similarity between the arguments used by supporters of apartheid, with which I dealt every day at the FCO, and the arguments used today by supporters of Israel. They came by post thirty years ago not internet, and we did not use the word meme, but the key arguments are exactly the same. We are outnumbered, we will be murdered in our beds. Supporters of apartheid argued constantly that, as there were more black than white people in South Africa, they would be powerless in a single, democratic South Africa and would be dispossessed and murdered. Bloodcurdling quotes from black nationalists, some real, some invented, would be recycled continually as evidence that a peaceful united South Africa was not possible. A unitary democratic state, it was frequently asserted, would inevitably be followed by a massacre of the white population. I think it is extremely important to state that the white South Africans arguing this, and their overseas supporters, genuinely believed it at the time. In 1984-6, they really did think majority rule would mean massacre. I hear precisely the same argument from Israelis and their supporters today. A single state encompassing Israel and Palestine is not possible because they would be outnumbered. Exactly as in South Africa then, these assertions are often accompanied by an obsession with racial demographics and birth rates. And exactly as in South Africa then, the Israelis today really have been taught actually to believe this that they will all be massacred unless the original population is corralled and viciously controlled. In fact, of course, no such thing occurred in South Africa. The capacity of a subject people for forgiveness once released is generally surprising. It turns out that it is vicious racial overlordship, as opposed to subjection, which sooner develops psychopathy in a nation. Indeed, remarkably the South African government is only now taking the first tentative steps towards long overdue land reform. The Land Was Empty Before We Colonised It White supremacists had put an enormous amount of effort into arguing that the part of Africa most free of disease and amenable to human population, was remarkably free of humans before the arrival of the colonists. The amount of historical distortion involved in this was mind-boggling, and it has been comprehensively debunked since. It is however remarkable how exactly the same arguments are repeated by Israelis and their supporters who make a variety of ahistoric claims: that the Naqba never happened, that the Palestinians always lived herded together in the Gaza strip, that there is no such thing as a Palestinian identity, and that illegal West Bank settlements are built upon previously unoccupied land. The Only Democracy in the Region This claim was made repeatedly by both South Africans and Israelis. It depended on the notion that black South Africans were not South African citizens, but could exercise their democratic rights within the Homelands, precisely as Israel argues that the millions of displaced Palestinians are not Israeli citizens but can exercise their democratic rights within the Palestinian occupied territories they were herded to. And again, this argument was rejected with derision by the Western media and political class in the South African case, but to query it in the Israeli case is well outside the Overton window. The Original Population Are Better Off A rehash of the Imperial argument that governance by the master race brings economic benefits to the colonised, it was continually asserted that Black South Africans enjoyed better working conditions than any other Africans. Similarly Israel claims that by permitting its caged Palestinian labour force to commute into Israeli factories from their camps, it is helping the Palestinian people. If you scroll down the replies to this tweet, made at the time of the Gaza demonstration massacre, you will find numerous examples of all of the above arguments being put forward by supporters of Israel. I really had not expected to find myself still fighting apartheid in 2018, let alone in a situation where it is viewed by the Establishment as the acceptable solution. I do not accept the arguments of any proponent of a two state solution, any more than I accepted the arguments of the supporters of apartheid South Africa. It is an essential work to convince people that, despite the massive backing of the media and politicians for it, the two state solution represents nothing but the ultimate sanctification of apartheid Israel. The disgraceful shift of Saudi Arabia to close alliance with Israel and the USA to pursue an obsessive fight against the interests of Shia Muslims everywhere, has hopefully lost some traction after it has become impossible to deny that Mohammed Bin Salman is the psychopath his actions, especially in Yemen but also against peaceful democratic dissidents, had long revealed him to be. The Salman/Kushner plan for an ultra-fragmented Palestinian state with its capital in an obscure outer suburb of Jerusalem may have been dealt a mortal blow in the diplomatic world. The only potential resolution of the situation in Palestine must involve justice and dignity for all. That solution requires the abolition of apartheid Israel and its replacement by a unitary, democratic state blind to race and religion. That is no more impossible in Palestine than it was in South Africa. The fears of those who believe it is not possible, are just as implausible as the fears of apartheid supporters 30 years ago, Craig Murray is an author, broadcaster and human rights activist. He was British Ambassador to Uzbekistan from August 2002 to October 2004 and Rector of the University of Dundee from 2007 to 2010. https://www.craigmurray.org.uk Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here. ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy Home Search ICH Khashoggi Drama - A Deal Is No Longer Possible - Erdogan Demands That MbS Goes By Moon Of Alabama October 22, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - The Khashoggi saga continues to influence Middle East policies. On Friday the Saudi regime admitted that Khashoggi was killed in its consulate in Istanbul. Since then they have changed their story twice: After weeks of denying involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance, Saudi Arabia said that he was killed in the Istanbul consulate, saying his death was the result of a "fistfight". A Saudi source close to the royal palace later told CNN that the Washington Post journalist died in a chokehold. On Sunday, its foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, went further, describing Khashoggi's death on Fox News as a "murder" and a "tremendous mistake." Mohammad bin Salman, the Saudi clown prince and effective ruler, does not seem to have any good media advisors. By not sticking to one story all further Saudi accounts will immediately come into doubt. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter The Saudis originally claimed that Khashoggi had left the consulate. We now know why they felt safe to make that claim. CNN has a new Turkish story of a decoy which was send out to make it look as if Khashoggi left. They provide pictures to prove it: One member of the 15-man team suspected in the death of Jamal Khashoggi dressed up in his clothes and was captured on surveillance cameras around Istanbul on the day the journalist was killed, a senior Turkish official has told CNN. CNN has obtained exclusive law enforcement surveillance footage, part of the Turkish government's investigation, that appears to show the man leaving the consulate by the back door, wearing Khashoggi's clothes, a fake beard, and glasses. While Khashoggi was half bald, the decoy in Khashoggi's cloth seems to have full hair. bigger Bit by bit the Turkish government leaks more of the sorry tale. It helps to keep the issue on the political agenda. YeniSafak, an Erdogan aligned broadsheet, claims (Turkish, machine translation) that Khashoggi was put on the phone with MbS while he was in the consulate. He was allegedly told to return to Saudi Arabia. After he rejected to do so he was killed. A later YeniSafak report (Turkish, machine translation) says that Saudi teamleader in the consulate, Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb, made a total of four calls to bin Salman's office manager Badr bin Mohammed Al Asaker in Riyadh. Al Asaker is the head of the crown prince's foundation and his 'invisible hand'. Mutreb allegedly used the cell phone of the consul. Another call was made to the U.S., presumably to Khalid bin Salman, the brother of MbS who is the Saudi ambassador in Washington DC. Khalid has since returned to Riyadh. Al Jazeerah Arabic had earlier reported of such calls, and of 19 additional WhatsUp calls to MbS himself. If the news of these calls proves to be true, the killing of Khashoggi was undoubtedly premeditated murder on the direct order of the clown prince. bigger Turkish police also found an abandoned car that is owned by the Saudi consulate. It can be seen on CCTV footage of the consulate on the day that Khashoggi was killed. All this proves that the spy-craft of the Saudi assassination team was abysmal. All cellphone networks store records of each call. Any foreign official's phone in Turkey is under surveillance of the country's intelligence service. Only some throw-away phone with an anonymous prepaid card could have given some protection. It seems that the Saudi team simply did not care. It tried to obscure the incident by removing the body, but did otherwise little to hide the operation. They likely expected to get away with this. Their boss, MbS, certainly did: As the disappearance of Mr. Khashoggi escalated into a diplomatic crisis, Prince Mohammed was shocked by the backlash. He couldnt understand why Mr. Khashoggis disappearance was such a big deal, according to people who recently interacted with the prince. ... On Oct. 10, eight days after Mr. Khashoggi went missing, Prince Mohammed called Jared Kushner, the adviser and son-in-law to President Trump, according to people briefed on the phone conversation. Why the outrage, Prince Mohammed asked in English. ... The princes confusion soon turned into rage. He was really shocked that there was such a big reaction to it, said a person close to the royal court. He feels betrayed by the West. He said he would look elsewhere and he will never forget how people turned against him before evidence was produced. No one seems to care how many Yemeni's Mohammad bin Salman kills each day. There was no harsh reaction when MbS kidnapped the Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri, nor when he incarcerated nearly 400 princes and tortured them to steal their money. Why would anyone care about Khashoggi? Because that is how human psychology works: The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic. Josef Stalin We humans care way more for a single persons we know, than for a mass of people we have no relations with. Khashoggi was a personal friend of Erdogan. He was a columnist at the Washington Post, the CIA's most favored news outlet. Mohammad bin Salman is an enemy of both. Neither the neocon opinion editor of the Post, Fred Hiatt, nor Erdogan have any love for the Saudi clown prince. They would of course raise a ruckus when given such a chance. They will pile on and air the Saudi's dirty linen until MbS is gone. Yesterday the New York Times exposed the twitter brigades the Saudis hired to manipulate the public. Today the Washington Post has a detailed report of Saudi influence peddling through U.S. stink tanks. The Middle East Institute, CSIS and Brookings get called out. Lobbyists for the Saudis are canceling their contracts. More such reports will come out. Years of lobbying and tens of millions of dollars to push pro-Saudi propaganda have now gone to waste. The affair is damaging to Trump. He built his Middle East policy on his relations with Saudi Arabia. But he can not avoid the issue and has to call out MbS over the killing. His own party is pressing for it. Yesterday the Republican Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, dismissed the Saudi version of the story on CNN and called (vid) for consequences: "It is my sense, I don't know yet, but based on the intel I have read, based on the other excerpts that I have read, it is my thinking that MbS was involved in this, that he directed this and that this person was purposefully murdered." ... There has to be a punishment and a price paid for that. ... Do I think he did it? Yes, I think he did it. [...] We obviously have intercepts from the past that point to involvement at a very high level, so let's let play this out. On Sunday Erdogan was on the phone with Trump. The Turkish readout of the call hints at negotiations over Syria, the lifting of sanctions against Turkey and other issues. But the Khashoggi case has now gone too far to allow for a deal to be made over it. Erdogan's mouthpiece, the somewhat lunatic columnist Ibrahim Karagul, gives an insight into Erdogan's thinking and sets out his aims: The real trap was set against Saudi Arabia. Even though a Saudi Arabia-U.S.-Israel rapport was established and discourse about shielding the Riyadh administration from Iran, the objective was to destroy Saudi Arabia through Salman and Zayed. The next front after the Syria war was the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia. They never understood this, they could not understand it. Turkey understood it, but the Arab political mind was blinded. Now Saudi Arabia is in a very difficult situation. The world collapsed over them. Crown Prince Salman is going through a tough test via Zayed, who has control over him. If the gravity of the situation after the facts revealed with the Khashoggi murder is not comprehended, we will witness a Saudi Arabia front in less than a few years. ... The Riyadh administration must dethrone Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at once. It has no other choice. Otherwise, it is going to pay very heavy prices. If they fail to quash the trap set up targeting Saudi Arabia through bin Zayed, they will be victims of Trumps You wont last two weeks statement, and the process is going to start to work in that direction. ... This duo must be taken out of the entire region and neutralized. Otherwise they are going to throw the region in fire. Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed is Mohammad bin Salman's mentor and partner in crime in Yemen. MbZ is smarter than MbS - and will be more difficult to dislodge. Erdogan announced that he will describe more details of the case on Tuesday in a speech to his party's parliament group. He will probably not yet play the tape from inside the consulate that Turkish intelligence claims to have. But he may well confirm the revealed phone calls and threaten to release their content. Erdogan's aim seems clear. The chance for deal is gone. MbS has to go. He will try to play the case out until that is achieved. This article was originally published by " Moon Of Alabama " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here. ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy Search Information Clearing House === Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. Arsenal made it 10 wins in a row yesterday after beating Leicester city by three goals to one during their domestic league match at the Emirate stadium. The Gunners last achieved such feat in 2007/2008 season, when they went 10 games across all competitions before tasting defeat. Should they win their next match against Sporting Lisbon in the EUROPA league on Thursday, then they would set a new personal record of 11 wins across all competitions. At the end of their match against Leicester city yesterday, which culminated into their tenth straight wins across all competitions, Arsenal players took out time to react on social media to the winning streak. What the players are saying: And, the Arsenal win again pic.twitter.com/sffRO2r4fB Rob Holding (@RobHolding95) October 22, 2018 https://twitter.com/HectorBellerin/status/1054492267581530112 https://twitter.com/alexiwobi/status/1054489459524296705 https://twitter.com/Aubameyang7/status/1054502907524067329 Manchester City face a Shakhtar Donetsk side that have never lost a home match against an English side in European competition today (Win 5 Draw 2), with their most recent such game being a 2-1 win against Man City in the Champions League last season. The Citizens would be looking to get back to the top of the table after losing their first match of the campaign and also needed a late goal to win at Hoffenheim last time. While the Ukrainian club, Shakhtar, have lost just 2 of their last 12 Champions league matches on home soil against Real Madrid and Paris Saint-German respectively, ManCity have been scoring in all but one of their last 17 Champions League matches a sequence of results that includes a 2-1 defeat against Shakhtar in Kharkiv 10 months ago. These notwithstanding, we back this encounter to produce the following outcomes: Manchester City to win outrightly which is priced at 1.40 odds Over 9.5 corner kicks which is priced at 1.67 odds Mancity to score in both halves, which is priced at an improved 1.98 odds The Citizens to win and over 2.5 which is priced at a whopping 1.92 odds And also, the match should produce 1st corner between 10 minutes which is priced at 1.62 odds. Which do you think is appropriate??? The leader of De Montfort University Leicesters (DMU) world-renowned Contour Fashion course has been named as a keynote speaker at a global lingerie forum. Gillian Proctor, Associate Professor and Subject Leader for Contour Fashion, has been invited to speak at the 4th Lingerie Industry Forum in Latvia in front of more than 150 professionals from the trade. Gillian will be talking about innovations and the future of the industry at the forum which is being held in Liepaja, sometimes referred to as "the Disneyland of the lingerie industry" due to it having the biggest cluster of lingerie manufacturers in Europe. There are more than 50 lingerie producers in Liepaja and 95 per cent of their products are exported around the globe. Gillian, who has previously received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the UK Lingerie Awards, said: I am really honoured to be asked to be a keynote speaker at such a prestigious event. I will, of course, be flying the flag for DMUs Contour Fashion course and looking at how we continue to be a major supplier of top quality graduates to the intimate apparel industry. DMUs Contour Fashion course is the oldest of its kind in the world. Now in its 72nd year, the course teaches the manufacture of lingerie, swimwear, sportswear, nightwear and corsetry. RELATED NEWS Contour Fashion students impress leading industry professionals Contour Fashion students praise DMU's world-renowned course as their stunning collections hit the London catwalk DMU Contour Fashion leader Gillian Proctor named among top 50 industry leaders for second year running Gillian has been named in the industrys Power List for two years running as one of 10 major influencers in the UK lingerie industry. Lingerie Insight magazine, which compiles the Power List, said of Gillian this year: Since joining the course in 2008, Gillian has been responsible for driving forward innovation and nurturing the future of the intimate apparel industry. Gillian is an internationally-recognised expert in her field and her strong links in the lingerie sector have been built on a career working for huge fashion names, such as Karl Lagerfeld and Armani. As a result, students and graduates have gone on to secure placements and employment with some of the worlds biggest design names, including Abercrombie and Fitch, H&M, Agent Provocateur, Gap and Tommy Hilfiger. It also praises Gillian for overseeing the launch of DMUs post-graduate Contour Fashion Communication course the first of its kind in the world to combine contour with fashion buying modules. Vanguard Sanwo-Olu wont disappoint Lagosians Razak Former Lagos State Commissioner for Public Transportation and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Lanre Razak, has described the Lagos APC governorship candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as a public sector expert in manpower development and policy formulation with capacity to consolidate on the people-oriented policies and programmes of the state government. ThisDay In apparent response to growing public disapproval of the elbowing of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, by political power brokers in the state The Nation Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaigners got a bloody nose yesterday.Nigerians should not return the party to power, an elder statesman said.Second Republic Governor of old Kaduna State Alhaji Balarabe Musa believes the country would be worse off if the main opposition party is allowed to come back.He said PDPs 16-year administration before 2015 brought misery and underdevelopment to Nigeria, adding that the party almost ruined the economy completely with massive corruption and plunder of reso The Sun Imo Women and youths in Imo State have accused the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, of being responsible for the botched primaries in the state. The women and youths, who marched and barricaded the roads in the state yesterday, accused Oshiomhole of impunity and high handedness, and vowed Daily Times The Federal Government has revealed plans to begin mop up of small arms and light weapons in seven states of the federation. Daily Trust Dr. Davidson Isibor Akhimien is the presidential candidate of the Grassroots Development Party of Nigeria (GDPN). In this interview, he speaks on his agenda for Nigeria. Excerpts: Dont you think you are in a difficult terrain considering that both the APC and the PDP are fully in the race Leadership The Department of State Services ( DSS), has denied that five of its personnel aided Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to escape from his Umuahia home on Sept. 14, 2017. The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) reports that Kanus whereabouts was unknown, until he surfaced in Israel recently. Tribune The Minister of State for Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Jibril, said on Monday that the Federal Government was set to commence the clean -up of oil spills in Ogoni land. Jibril told the News Agency Daily Independent Tue, 23 Oct 2018 Osogbo The newly constituted Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Osun State yesterday began sitting on petitions and counter-petitions filed over the just concluded Osun State governorship election. It would be recalled that the first panel was disbanded and no reason was adduced for the action. But the new panel on Monday commenced sitting on the President Muhammadu Buhari was in Lagos earlier to perform the official hand-over of the new Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Border Posts at Seme-Krake and Neope-Akanu in Badagry. According to the government, the joint border post will enhance the free movement of persons and goods in the ECOWAS region and serve as a symbol of integration between the peoples of Nigeria and Benin Republic. In a statement on Tuesday, the president informed Nigerians that the country doesnt take lightly her relationship with her neighbour. In his words: President Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin & I today jointly inaugurated the upgraded Border Post at the SEME-KRAKE Joint Border, one of the busiest boundary lines in Africa. The new Border Post is a symbol of integration that brings together the peoples of Nigeria & Benin. We take our relationships with our neighbours very seriously. Nigeria and Benin indeed share many things in common; and I would like to congratulate my brother, President Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin, on the successful completion of this very important project. More photos The immediate past governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose has taken his stomach infrastructure policy to the cuatody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commmission(EFCC). According to his media aide, Olayinka Lere, Fayose who appeared at a Lagos high court today but was ordered by the judge to remain in Efcc custody, pending bail, fed very many detainees there. The governor, who is being arraigned over corruption charges, was said to have also secured lawyers foe detainees who are in dire need of one, while also promising to help those having a hard time meeting their bail condition. See statement below In his usual characteristics, Fayose took his Stomach Infrastructure to the EFCC office in Lagos today as he provided food for over 150 people (detainees and visitors). The highly elated detainees jointly sang the National Anthem after their stomachs were adequately serviced. Also, he has secured lawyers for some of the detainees that are in genuine need of legal representation and promised to assist those having challenges in meeting their bail conditions. 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. Opinion Policies Editorials are longer opinion pieces that are written by a group of community members recruited across campus who address relevant issues on a local, national and international level. Editorials are research-based. The purpose of the Editorial Board is to promote discussion concerning relevant issues in the community while advising on possible solutions. Topics are chosen via relevancy and interests of the members, which are then discussed by the Editorial Board in order to reach a general consensus concerning the topic or issue. 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These contain similar research-based content and need to be at least 400 words in length. The following requirements should be met: first and last name, email and relation or position to Iowa State. Emails must be tied to the submitted guest column or it will not be accepted or published. Pseudonyms are prohibited and the writer will be banned from submissions. Read our full Opinion Policies here. Updated on 10/7/2020 Apple continues to echo its statement that a recent report regarding Chinese spy chips being installed on some servers is inaccurate, and now executives from the other named companies in the original report are weighing in again. The story grew legs right out of the gate, but Apple, Amazon, and Super Micro (the company that handles the server distribution itself) were quick to cry foul on Bloombergs reporting. The story itself quickly spiraled out of control, and there was constant pressure from Apple (and Amazon), denying the story outright. Furthermore, security researchers, and even the Department of Homeland Security, all sided with Apple in the matter, finding no reason to doubt Apples statement that its servers had not been breached. Most recently, Apples CEO, Tim Cook, weighed in and called for Bloomberg to offer a full retraction of the story. At the time it didnt look like the publication was going to do that, however, saying it stood by the reporters involved and the story itself. Super Micro, for what its worth, did say earlier on Monday that it did plan on investigating further, despite not seeing any actual proof of the original reports veracity. Now, a few hours after that, Super Micro CEO Charles Liang has weighed in directly, stating that Bloomberg should retract the story. This actually follows Amazon executive Andy Jassy, who is a leader with Amazons Web Services, who tweeted out earlier today for the same thing. At this point, executives from all of the major companies implicated in the report have said, matter-of-factly, that there is no truth to the story and that the original report should be retracted: @tim_cook is right. Bloomberg story is wrong about Amazon, too. They offered no proof, story kept changing, and showed no interest in our answers unless we could validate their theories. Reporters got played or took liberties. Bloomberg should retract. https://t.co/RZzuUt9fBM Andy Jassy (@ajassy) October 22, 2018 And here is the statement from Super Micros CEO: NEW: The CEO of Super Micro joins Apple CEO @tim_cook and Amazon Web Services CEO @ajassy in calling for Businessweek to retract its China chip story pic.twitter.com/dk8VdTtkxG Steve Kopack (@SteveKopack) October 22, 2018 There does not seem to be any indication that Bloomberg is going to retract its story. And unless Super Micros new investigation of its servers find something that wasnt found before, this will probably get more interesting either way. UVAS University Lahore Jobs for Computer Data Analyst Latest University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences UVAS Computer Posts Lahore 2021 University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences UVAS Lahore, Government of Pakistan required applications from experienced candidates for the posts of Computer Data Analyst. How to Apply on University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences UVAS Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Company Address: University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences UVAS Lahore Telephone: 042-99212868 Official Website: www.uvas.edu.pk Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If the employer asks you to pay money for any purpose including processing to shortlisting, do not pay at all and report us using our contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs cannot be applied online here. Error & omissions excepted. HOWARD COUNTY, Iowa A 20-year-old man is facing a felony charge for assault causing serious injury after an incident at a party earlier this year. Ty Sobolik, 20, of Ramsey, Minnesota, is accused of beating a man resulting in the person suffering a broken collar bone that requierd surgery. According to court documents, the incident happeend in Floranceville on the Iowa-Minnesota border on April 29. The victim had passed out after drinking and smoking a drug called dab, according to court docuemnts, before Sobolik became aggitated and punched, kicked and body slammed the victim. Authorities said Sobolik became mad the victim was wasting the drug. CRESCO, Iowa A Howard County man is facing charges for a collision that injured one person. Criminal complaints were filed on October 11 accusing Lonnie Joe Dishinger, 51 of Cresco, of serious injury by vehicle and operating a vehicle without an ignition interlock. Authorities say Dishinger was riding his motorcycle on August 12 when he crossed the center line on 45th Street near Unity Avenue and hit a Dodge Neon. According to court documents, the driver of the Neon suffered 12 fractures in her foot as a result of the crash. Law enforcement says Dishingers blood alcohol content was over the legal limit at the time of the collision. Court documents state Dishinger is required to have an ignition interlock on any vehicle he drives due to a past OWI conviction and there was none on the motorcycle. ROCHESTER, Minn. - Were learning more about what local law enforcement did to prepare for the big presidential visit. Police Chief Franklin tells KIMT local law enforcement only had 10 days to prepare for the presidents arrival in Rochester. About 250 law enforcement personnel, including federal officers, were on duty throughout the day. Over 25,000 tickets were reserved at the Mayo Civic Center for Trumps Make America Great Again Rally, and out of all of those people there was only 1 arrest made by Rochester Police. The chief says hes proud of the team effort that got the president into and out of Rochester safely. A lot of new division leaders on the leadership team at the city it was a great opportunity for us to pull together and come together collectively to make the event happen and just pull together to make the event happen it was an all hands on deck situation where we needed every bit of assistance. MASON CITY, Iowa A woman is pleading guilty to punching a Cerro Gordo County jailer in the face. Misty Lea Whitecotton, 41 of Coralville, was arrested in Clear Lake on July 2 for public intoxication. After being booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail, authorities say she hit a correctional officer in the face with her fist while being moved to a different cell. The jailer suffered a black eye from the assault. Whitecottons sentencing is set for November 21. OSCEOLA, Iowa (AP) A county attorney in southern Iowa who's accused of being drunk in a courtroom has apologized and has asked voters to let her continue her work. Clarke County court documents say 42-year-old Michelle Rivera is charged with public intoxication. A sheriff's deputy says in a criminal complaint that he noticed Rivera "slurring her words and stumbling on her feet" in the Osceola courtroom last Thursday afternoon. He arrested her after she refused to take a breath test. Rivera, a Democrat, is running for re-election against Republican Adam Ramsey on Nov. 6. She issued a statement in which she said she's "taking every step necessary to get help, to fix this problem and to make sure that nothing like this ever happens again." She apologized for what happened Thursday and said she hopes voters "will afford me the opportunity to continue this endeavor next term." TAPACHULA, Mexico (AP) Thousands of Central American migrants resumed an arduous trek toward the U.S. border Monday, with members bristling at suggestions there could be terrorists among them and saying the caravan is being used for political ends by U.S. President Donald Trump. The caravan's numbers have continued to grow as they walk and hitch rides through hot and humid weather, and the United Nations estimated that it currently comprises some 7,200 people, "many of whom intend to continue the march north." However, they were still some 1,140 miles (1,830 kilometers) from the nearest border crossing McAllen, Texas and the length of their journey could double if they go to Tijuana-San Diego, the destination of another caravan earlier this year. That one shrank significantly as it moved through Mexico, and only a tiny fraction about 200 of the 1,200 in the group reached the California border. The same could well happen this time around as some turn back, splinter off on their own or decide to take their chances on asylum in Mexico. While such caravans have occurred semi-regularly over the years, this one has become a particularly hot topic ahead of the Nov. 6 midterm elections in the U.S., and an immigrant rights activist traveling with the group accused Trump of using it to stir up his Republican base. "It is a shame that a president so powerful uses this caravan for political ends," said Irineo Mujica of the group Pueblo Sin Fronteras People Without Borders which works to provide humanitarian aid to migrants. Some have questioned the timing so close to the vote and whether some political force was behind it, though by all appearances it began as a group of about 160 who decided to band together in Honduras for protection and snowballed as they moved north. "No one is capable of organizing this many people," Mujica said, adding that there are only two forces driving them: "hunger and death." Earlier in the day Trump renewed threats against Central American governments and blasted Democrats via Twitter for what he called "pathetic" immigration laws. In another tweet, he blamed Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador for not stopping people from leaving their countries. "We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them," he wrote. A team of AP journalists traveling with the caravan for more than a week has spoken with Hondurans, Guatemalans and Salvadorans, but has not met any Middle Easterners, who Trump suggested were "mixed in" with the Central American migrants. It was clear, though, that more migrants were continuing to join the caravan. Ana Luisa Espana, a laundry worker from Chiquimula, Guatemala, joined the caravan as she saw it pass through her country. Even though the goal is to reach the U.S. border, she said: "We only want to work and if a job turns up in Mexico, I would do it. We would do anything, except bad things." Denis Omar Contreras, a Honduran-born caravan leader also with Pueblo Sin Fronteras, said accusations that the caravan is harboring terrorists should stop. "There isn't a single terrorist here," Contreras said. "We are all people from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua. And as far as I know there are no terrorists in these four countries, at least beyond the corrupt governments." The migrants, many of them with blistered and bandaged feet, left the southern city of Tapachula in the early afternoon Monday under a burning sun bound for Huixtla, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) away. In interviews along the journey, migrants have said they are fleeing widespread violence, poverty and corruption. The caravan is unlike previous mass migrations for its unprecedented large numbers and because it largely sprang up spontaneously through word of mouth. Carlos Leonidas Garcia Urbina, a 28-year-old from Tocoa, Honduras, said he was cutting the grass in his father's yard when he heard about the caravan, dropped the shears on the ground and ran to join with just 500 lempiras ($20) in his pocket. "We are going to the promised land," Garcia said, motioning to his fellow travelers. Motorists in pickups and other vehicles have been offering the migrants rides, often in overloaded truck beds, and a male migrant fell from the back of one Monday and died. "It is the responsibility of the driver, but it is very dangerous, and there you have the consequences," Mexican federal police officer Miguel Angel Dominguez said, pointing to a puddle of blood around the man's head. Police started stopping crowded trucks and forcing people to get off. Caravan leaders have not defined the precise route or decided where on the U.S. border they want to arrive, but in recent years most Central American migrants traveling on their own have opted for the most direct route, which takes them to Reynosa, across from McAllen. Late Sunday, authorities in Guatemala said another group of about 1,000 migrants had entered that country from Honduras. Red Cross official Ulises Garcia said some injured people refused to be taken to clinics or hospitals. "We have had people who have ankle or shoulder injuries, from falls during the trip, and even though we have offered to take them somewhere where they can get better care, they have refused, because they fear they'll be detained and deported," Garcia said. Roberto Lorenzana, a spokesman for El Salvador's presidency, said his government hopes tensions over the caravan decrease after the U.S. elections. "We have confidence in the maturity of United States authorities to continue strengthening a positive relationship with our country," Lorenzana said. Asked if he thinks Trump will follow through on his threat to cut aid to El Salvador, he said, "I don't know. Of course the president has a lot of power, but they will have to explain it there to the different government structures." Lorenzana added that El Salvador has significantly reduced violence, a key driver of migration, and that the flow of Salvadoran migrants has dropped 60 percent in two years. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said large numbers of migrants were still arriving in Mexico and were "likely to remain in the country for an extended period." CRESCO, Iowa A former Subway employee is facing charges for stealing the contents of a cash register after using a key card he never returned to enter the store. Jess Wirkler, 31, is facing a third-degree burglary charge in connection to the incident in late September. Wirkler is accused of stealing $350 and told authorities that it was likely his girlfriend who committed the burglary, according to court documents. Authorities say Wirkler is seen on video opening and emptying the cash register before exiting through the back door. On Oct. 11, Wirkler denied any involvement in the burglary, according to court records. On Oct. 12, he allegedly told authorities his girlfriend was probably the subject who committed the act. On Oct. 17, his girlfriend identified Wirkler as the person committing the burglary, according to court records. IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) An Iowa real estate regulator said Tuesday she will step down weeks after an investigation ordered by Gov. Kim Reynolds faulted her for failing to report sexual misconduct by her powerful boss. Iowa Title Guaranty Director Tara Lawrence will resign Nov. 2 after six years with the program, including serving as director since 2015, the Iowa Finance Authority announced. The authority said in a press release that Lawrence "has played a critical role in the development and success of the organization," which sells title insurance to property owners and lenders. The statement thanked Lawrence for her service and wished her well in future endeavors. It made no mention of a report released last month that faulted Lawrence and agency lobbyist Wes Peterson for failing to report "egregious" sexual harassment that they witnessed by former authority director Dave Jamison. Lawrence had taken issue with the report in meetings with state officials, saying it unfairly painted her as an enabler of Jamison when she was actually another one of his victims. In an interview Tuesday, she said the decided to resign after learning that Reynolds' administration will not make any changes to the report or public statements exonerating her. "It's hard to work for an organization that treats its staff that way," she said. "Because of the report and the conditions that have come about at work after the report, it's impossible to continue working there." Lawrence said she was saddened to leave and that she was unsure whether she would pursue legal action against the state. The report said Jamison grabbed a colleague's breasts at a bar in December 2016 in front of them during a work trip to northwest Iowa and they kept the incident quiet. A witness told investigators that Lawrence was drinking so heavily that night that she had trouble walking. Lawrence and Peterson were also aware of other inappropriate sexual comments and actions by Jamison, including that he showed a pornographic video on his phone to the groping victim during another trip, the report said. The two remained a part of Jamison's inner circle, traveling and socializing with him at bars. Peterson's lawyer has said that his client was fired last month over the report's findings, which he said contained unspecified inaccuracies. Lawrence, 34, said in an interview last month that the report gave an unfair portrayal of her role as well but that she was expecting to keep her job, which paid $122,000 last year and is responsible for managing 20 employees. Iowa Finance Authority interim director Carolann Jensen appointed Lawrence's deputy, Matt Rousseau, to serve as the program's interim director. Reynolds ordered the independent investigation by the Weinhardt Law Firm in Des Moines amid questions about her handling of allegations against Jamison, who had been a close friend and colleague for 20 years. She terminated Jamison in March the day after two women contacted her staff to complain about his long-running sexual harassment. The report found that employees may have not come forward sooner because Jamison bragged about his close relationship with Reynolds, which included giving input on her major speeches and frequently promising to go directly to Reynolds to get priorities accomplished. Lawrence had said that she didn't report Jamison's misconduct because she feared retaliation if she complained and that she had been sexually harassed by him, too. She told The Associated Press that Jamison showed her photographs of nude women, commented on her body and quizzed her about her sex life during meetings and work trips. Lawrence said she didn't cooperate with the investigation because she didn't want to detail her harassment and wanted to protect her family and the agency from embarrassment. She said she was ashamed she drank too much on the night of the 2016 groping incident. Independent investigator Mark Weinhardt said he told Lawrence when they met for a voluntary interview that she could share details of any harassment confidentially, but that he also wanted to ask her about Jamison's behavior toward the two complainants. Weinhardt said Lawrence declined to speak about any topic, saying she "anticipated litigation." FOREST CITY, Iowa A Mason City man is pleading guilty to stealing over $2,000 worth of tools from the City of Lake Mills. Dylan James Mitchell, 26, entered guilty pleas Tuesday to 3rd degree burglary and 3rd degree theft. Authorities say he stole the tools from a shed on March 20 and tried to sell them via social media. Mitchell has been sentenced to five years in prison, with credit for time served. Tampa Bay Times and got right into DeSantis' head. Gillum, wrote Smith, "said he feels like he has a sense of DeSantis already from the Republican gubernatorial nominee's campaign. 'They have a uniquely unlikeable candidate. He's easily dislikable,' said Gillum. 'I don't think anybody could spend a lot of time with him and walk away feeling inspired or encouraged or believe that he in some way knows what it means to live their life. They realize they can't package him in that way. I've heard from Republican members of congress (DeSantis would) go on these congressional trips with them and he'd put on his headphones and not talk to them the entire time,' Gillum said. The Tallahassee mayor's tough comments came-- ironically, as he sought to contrast his campaign largely focused on his agenda for Florida-- with DeSantis' largely focused on attacking Gillum. He predicted Republicans and DeSantis will spend the remaining 17 days of the race trying to push down turnout by attacking him." Just hours before last night's first Florida gubernatorial debate, Andrew Gillum, the front runner, was interviewed by Adam Smith for theand got right into DeSantis' head. Gillum, wrote Smith, "said he feels like he has a sense of DeSantis already from the Republican gubernatorial nominee's campaign. 'They have a uniquely unlikeable candidate. He's easily dislikable,' said Gillum. 'I don't think anybody could spend a lot of time with him and walk away feeling inspired or encouraged or believe that he in some way knows what it means to live their life. They realize they can't package him in that way. I've heard from Republican members of congress (DeSantis would) go on these congressional trips with them and he'd put on his headphones and not talk to them the entire time,' Gillum said. The Tallahassee mayor's tough comments came-- ironically, as he sought to contrast his campaign largely focused on his agenda for Florida-- with DeSantis' largely focused on attacking Gillum. He predicted Republicans and DeSantis will spend the remaining 17 days of the race trying to push down turnout by attacking him." "They aren't trying to sell people on Ron DeSantis or his vision. They're trying to terrify people of me. They want people to know I'm blackThey want to focus people on I'm different, not like everybody else-- dangerous," Gillum said. "All these others things to cause people to be fearful. It's not to convert their votes to him. It's to suppress votes. It's the same they did with the Trump campaign." The DeSantis campaign is falsely saying he wants to enact an income tax, is the corrupt target of an FBI investigation, Gillum said. "Mr. DeSantis has far too many degrees from far too many good schools not not know better," Gillum said. "I think this is disqualifying to openly lie to Floridians when you know better. We will see filth from them. Susie (Wiles) has a particular style with these kinds of things. I think we're going to see that style on full display and with the lobbyists that are running his campaign as well. Look, this is a death grip. These folks have not been out of power for 20 years in this state. I have no expectation that they're going to part with it easily." "What we're going to be matching that with is someone who is going to go uber positive and uber ambitious about our vision for the state," Gillum said, "and I think people are going to cling to that more easily than they will a message of fears." Miami Herald didn't wait for the CNN debate to announce the paper's endorsement: Tampa Bay Times interview and the Miami Herald endorsement and the Thedidn't wait for the CNN debate to announce the paper's endorsement: Andrew Gillum will be a governor for all Floridians . Between theinterview and theendorsement and the neo-Nazi Proud Boys news linking the Republican Party to outright Florida fascists, it's easy to see why DeSantis performed so badly last night. Also before DeSantis' poor showing at the debate, a new CNN poll showed Gillum winning by a large margin and dragging a weak Florida team of Democrats on his coattails. "Gillum's 54% to 42% lead rests on advantages among women (60% back him vs. 34% who say they favor DeSantis), non-white voters (74% back Gillum, 23% DeSantis), younger voters (60% for Gillum, 33% for DeSantis) and political independents (51% back Gillum, 42% DeSantis). Gillum has also consolidated Democratic support (97% favor him) in a way that DeSantis has not matched on the Republican side (88% back him)." Andrew Gillum is the best candidate to pull Florida back to the center, back to making sure the middle class and working class dont continue to bear the brunt of Tallahassees misguided spending; back to acting on behalf of the Floridians denied health insurance by the current administration; back to putting public schools, which serve the majority of the states children, in the spotlight; back to being a leader in the fight against sea-level rise and the degradation of the environment. The tenacity, political smarts and commitment to public service that propelled this Tallahassee mayor to victory from the bottom of the pack of better-known candidates in Augusts Democratic primary speak volumes. We think that each quality will serve him well as he likely confronts and negotiates with a Republican-dominated Legislature. These lawmakers were used to falling into line behind a governor whose often skewed sense of public service too often matched their own. Floridians can only expect more of the same should Gillums Republican opponent, Ron DeSantis, move into the Governors Mansion. That wouldnt be good for Florida or the people who call it home. Its unseemly that, in a race in which the issues should be front and center, DeSantis and his surrogates have tried to paint Gillum as a socialist, an extremist and an anti-Semite. Gillum is none of these things. Though he has received support from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, Gillum has resolutely and rightly rejected the label. Indeed, his is nothing close to a platform of government ownership of private business. DeSantis is using worn-out fear tactics to win votes. However, voters should really be alarmed at DeSantis close proximity to supporters and contributors who have made racist comments, especially at the candidates campaign appearances. His tepid repudiation does not persuade us that he would be the governor for all Floridians. Thats something voters themselves should reject. Gillum has conducted an all-embracing, optimistic and engaging campaign throughout the state, another quality that speaks well of the state leader he would be. When it comes to the issues Floridians most care about, Gillum and DeSantis offer Floridians a distinct choice. Gillum would work with the Legislature to expand Medicaid. There are at least 400,000 Floridians who do not have health insurance. Even so, local taxpayers still subsidize the uninsured by paying for the most expensive care-- delivered in emergency rooms, where such patients go at their sickest. In providing coverage, Florida would take the burden off local taxpayers by ensuring they get less costly, preventive care first. DeSantis opposes Medicaid expansion, and while in Congress voted-- again and again-- to repeal the Affordable Care Act, including coverage for pre-existing conditions. This would have hit Florida residents hard. Now DeSantis wants to lead a state that leads all others in ACA enrollees. The Commonwealth Fund ranked Florida 48th in access to quality healthcare. This is such a hot-button issue that many Republicans are backpedaling, unconvincingly, on their staunch opposition to maintaining coverage for pre-existing conditions and other popular elements of the ACA. Gillum would push for more funding for traditional public schools. They have gotten short shrift from the Scott administration, with charter schools getting an ever-increasing chunk of the education budget. Traditional public schools and their students would not prosper under a DeSantis administration. Like Republicans in the Legislature, he would continue to funnel funding to charter schools. We think charters add to the mix of academic choices as parents search for the best way to educate their children. However, these for-profit entities have gotten favorable treatment from the Legislature at the expense of students attending many traditional public schools. Gillum could change that. Gillum understands the urgency of addressing sea-level rise and other environmental challenges. And its heartening to see DeSantis oppose fracking and support building a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee. This, and his decision to reject sugar-industry donations, helped win him the Everglades Trusts endorsement. But he is less resolute about banning offshore drilling and his votes in Congress belie his status as a green candidate. He co-sponsored a bill that would block federal oversight of waterways and supported slashing both funding and projects that were under the Environmental Protection Agencys authority. While DeSantis has not done much to put distance between himself and racist supporters, Gillum has an FBI investigation of Tallahassee City Hall casting a shadow on his campaign. DeSantis has overreached in calling Gillum corrupt, willfully ignoring that Gillum himself is not a target of the investigation. After eight years of misplaced priorities, its time to swing the pendulum back, back to a Florida that works for more of us, that builds on its prosperity and that doesnt squander its more precious resources, be they fiscal, environmental or human. DeSantis with props Andrew won the debate-- hands down. DeSantis lied all evening; nearly everything he said was untrue. For example, he blundered into the classic Republican Party lie about Medicare-For-All: "Medicare for All," he stated, "is a euphemism because, if you read it, it abolishes Medicare for seniors, it abolishes Medicare advantage, and TRICARE, and as a veteran I know military families depend on it." PolitiFact rated this as pure bullshit when DeSantis' guru, Donald Trump included it in his infamous OpEd two weeks ago. "According to PolitiFact, "This is a 'horrible mischaracterization of the proposal,' said Linda Blumberg of the Urban Institute. Medicare for All would actually give an expanded version of traditional Medicare to everyone, with broader coverage-- including items such as dental and vision care-- while eliminating virtually all out of pocket costs,' she said. 'I find it impossible to imagine that the approach could lead to everyone losing coverage,' Blumberg said." DeSantis also lied and said he supports protecting people with pre-existing conditions and that the Republican plan to kill ObamaCare, which he voted for, did that, which it didn't. DeSantis: "Pre-existing conditions should be covered. In that bill, they were required to be covered." PolitiFact rated that more bullshit ("Mostly False:). As for DeSantis personally... he was literally a leader in the fight to get rid of protections for pre-existing conditions. He, along with several other radicals, withheld support from the so-called American Health Care Act-- which would have taken away health care from 23 million people-- because he didnt think it was extreme enough. DeSantis only voted for the bill after joining with the far-right Freedom Caucus to push for changes to allow insurers to charge more for people with pre-existing conditions. Since 2010 DeSantis has been vocal about his opposition to the Affordable Care Acts 'essential health benefits'-- which ensure that insurance companies cannot sell junk plans or discriminate based on pre-existing conditions. Last year he supported the Cruz Amendment, which would have gutted essential health benefits, "undermine[d] protections for those with preexisting conditions," and led to "widespread terminations in coverage," according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Philip Levine, the former Mayor of Miami Beach, went nuts when DeSantis, an anti-Semite, tried to paint himself as a friend of the Jews. "Ron DeSantis," he said in a written statement to the media, "is shameless. Its disgusting to hear DeSantis call himself a friend of the Jewish community when his campaign has paid anti-Jewish conspiracy theorists and he himself has palled around with vile anti-Semites like Gavin McInnes. Lets be clear: when DeSantis calls himself an ally of the Jewish community on the debate stage, he is lying." By Jung Min-ho First Boracay in the Philippines, then Maya Bay in Thailand. Now another famous Thai tourist destination, Similan islands, appears to have become a victim of its own success. In recent years, a huge influx of visitors to the Similan islands has polluted once-crystal-clear waters and seriously damaged marine ecosystems. To tackle the problem, the Thai government announced last week that it would ban tourists from staying overnight on the islands from Oct. 16 except tours operated by licensed deep-sea diving companies, according to local media. Eighty kilometers north-west of Phuket, the 11-island Similan archipelago is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the Andaman Sea. Before the ban, more than 5,000 tourists visited there a day to enjoy pristine beaches and swim amid colorful coral reefs. "The limit on the number of tourists will remain in effect. We have no thoughts on changing this," Similan National Park Chief Ruamsilp Manajongprasert told The Phuket News, a local English-language paper. "The main aim is to reduce damage to corals and the environment by tourists, tour operators and divers." The measure follows the closure in June of Maya Bay, which became world famous after the 2000 Hollywood movie, "The Beach" was filmed there. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation initially planned to close it for only four months, but after confirming extensive damage, it later decided to extend the period indefinitely. In April, the Philippines government also shut down the popular tourist island of Boracay for six months because of environmental problems. Actor Lee Sung-min/ Korea Times file By Kang Aa-young Veteran actor Lee Sung-min, 49, won the Best Actor Award at the Grand Bells Awards better known to the Korean public as Daejong Film Awards on Monday for his performance in the critically acclaimed film "The Spy Gone North." Award-winning actor Hwang Jung-min, who played the South Korean spy codenamed Black Venus in the same movie, was also honored in the same category, showing the two actors were in a tight competition for the award and thus judges were determined to honor both actors. The best actress award went to Na Moon-hee who played a survivor of Japanese wartime sex slavery in "I Can Speak." In the winning speech, Lee said he owes his success to fellow actor Hwang. "There's no doubt the lead actor of this film was Hwang," he said after winning the award. "I didn't do much. I think he fed me I thank director Yun for giving me the opportunity to play the character." In a media interview earlier, Lee said "The Spy Gone North" directed by Yun Jong-bin encouraged him to look back on his past three decades of acting because his character was a departure from what he had done in past films. In the film, Lee plays high-ranking North Korean official Ri Myung-un who is in charge of the impoverished country's earning of hard currency overseas. Ri is one of the henchmen of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. He rarely reveals his emotions but has warmth for poor North Koreans deep in his heart. The actor said it was difficult to play the character but he learned a lot while shooting the film. "I feel like I played music without having a break," he said. While shooting the spy action film, Lee said he was uncomfortable because he couldn't present the character as described in the screenplay. "I struggled to breathe (because of the pressure for acting)," he said. "I thought my acting over the past 30 years was wrong and felt my performance in my previous works were dirty and redundant." Lee is a late bloomer in the film industry. Though he got an award at the very beginning of his theater debut, his screen career didn't go so well. For 25 years after his debut, took on mostly supporting roles on TV and in films. He often played villains and comic relief. However, his experience has shaped him into a credible actor. He has been constantly challenging himself across a wide spectrum of genres, building his reputation as "a scene stealer" over the years. He started to draw public attention for his remarkable performance in MBC's 2012 medical TV series "Golden Time" and the 2014 movie "Broken." He won the best actor award at tvN for his performance in the 2014 drama "Misaeng." The hit drama helped him earn fame. Late actor Kim Joo-hyuk received awards at the 55th Grand Bell Awards. Yonhap By Dong Sun-hwa, Park Si-soo Late actor Kim Joo-hyuk was recognized posthumously, winning two prizes at the 55th Grand Bell Awards, one of Korea's most prestigious film awards. Kim, who died in a car accident in October last year, won the best supporting actor award for "Believer" and a special award at the event in Seoul on Monday. In the "Believer," Kim's last movie released after his death, he played a drug trafficker. The special award recognized his contribution to the film industry. The executive of Namoo Actors received the awards on Kim's behalf. Capture from TV Chosun A model holds a placard promoting a new loan policy available from Woori Bank, at the bank's headquarters, Tuesday. The bank will offer government-funded, low-interest mortgages to young workers at small- and medium-sized companies. Courtesy of Woori Bank South Korea will firmly deal with the growing trade protectionism and actively seek to create new overseas markets via free trade pacts, the country's top economic policymaker said Tuesday. South Korea is seeking to join the fledgling Pacific trade pact, dubbed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The agreement that aims to slash tariffs on goods to stimulate trade include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand and Peru as its members. The countries represent 13.5 percent of global gross domestic product equal to some $10 trillion. South Korea also has been in talks with members of the Pacific Alliance (PA) for associate membership in the Latin American trade bloc. The PA members are Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Peru. South Korea has already signed free trade agreements (FTAs) with three countries in the trading bloc although not with Mexico. Its PA membership would be tantamount to a similar trade deal with Mexico, the largest economy within the alliance. "External conditions surrounding us are not good. ... We will actively deal with the protectionism," Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon said in an economy-related ministers meeting. The minister said downside risks to the global economy are growing due to trade conflicts, and the trade war between China and the United States is feared to become a drawn-out affair. "We need to utilize changes in external conditions, which could become a risky factor but also serve as an opportunity for us." (Yonhap) African legislators have convened in Kigali, Rwanda to discuss among others contemporary issues affecting the continent such as natural resources management and corruption, labour migration and the need to develop model laws. The First Ordinary Session of the Fifth Pan African Parliament sitting, is premised on the African Union theme of the year 2018: Winning the fight against corruption: a sustainable path to Africas transformation, is taking place at the Kigali Convention Centre, Rwanda from October 22 to November 2, 2018. In his remarks the guest of honour, Rwandas President Paul Kagame who doubles as the Chairperson of the African Union, commended the PAP for the breadth of their agenda for the session, which includes developing a model law on disability in Africa; conference on womens rights as well as discussion and debate of reports on nutrition, corruption and election observation. Stories Continues after ad The impact of your work is multiplied by your dual role as MPs for your respective legislatures. We count on you as advocates for Africas integration. I ask for your support for speedy ratification of the continental free trade agreement and the protocol on free movement of persons, Kagame told the MPs. The responsibility for Africas security and prosperity should and must be in our hands. We should innovate and get solutions from Africas rich experiences and cultures even as we are open to the best global insights, he said. He called on the PAP to play a big role in monitoring political progress in the continent and holding institutions to account for commitments that have been made to Africas citizens. PAP President, Roger Nkodo Dang said, Africa should be a space of solidarity and dialogue. He said the continent possesses potential, which should be tapped and that it should cease to be a market for raw materials. Nkodo said, there is still a challenge of ratification by African countries of some of the Protocols of the African Union, in particular the Malabo Protocol, and hoped that with President Kagame at the helm of the AU, he would give added push to rally nations to ratify the Protocol. Its our wish that you be the spokesperson of the PAP and the Bureau has decided to appoint you as the champion of the Malabo Protocol, Nkodo said. Currently, the Pan African Parliament is only a consultative and advisory organ, but the Malabo Protocol seeks to give it full legislative authority to make laws for the continent. The Protocol provides for the election of MPs to the continental assembly from outside the membership of national parliaments. It also provides for representation of two women out of five designated members per country. The Protocol to the Constitutive Act of the African Union on the PAP was adopted by the Assembly of the AU in June 2014 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Since its adoption, there have been only five out of 28 ratifications needed for the Protocol to come into force. The Pan African Parliament draws membership from 55 AU member states with five members elected or designated from each countrys legislature. Several speakers attended the official opening of the Session among which included Speakers from DR Congo, Djibouti, Gabon, Mozambique, Tanzania and the East African Legislative Assembly. The PAP also administered oaths to 40 new MPs. NH Investment & Securities CEO Jeong Young-chae, right, holds a plaque with Korea Management Association Consulting (KMAC) Vice President Han Soo-hee at the brokerage's head office in Seoul, Oct. 15. The firm was selected as the nation's top securities firm in the 2018 Korean Customer Satisfaction Index surveyed by the KMAC. / Courtesy of NH Investment & Securities By Jhoo Dong-chan NH Investment & Securities has been selected as the nation's best securities firm in this year's Korean Customer Satisfaction Index (KCCI) released by the Korea Management Association Consulting (KMAC). Surveying customers who have used target products and services, the KMAC has evaluated their satisfaction and brand loyalty since 1992. An NH Investment & Securities official said the brokerage clinched the honor thanks to its high quality in customers' overall satisfaction and investment information credibility. "NH Investment & Securities has done its utmost to enhance its customer experience under the firm's motto of customer-centered management since 2013," the official said. "The Fair Trade Commission and Korea Customer Protection Board recognized NH Investment's efforts by granting the firm their customer-centered management certificate in 2016." In a bid to improve customer experience, NH Investment has carried out not only a number of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities but also invented various indices to evaluate each worker's efforts in protecting customers' interests and rights. Including customer's earnings rate in the evaluation, the securities firm has since concentrated not only on its rate of return but also customer satisfaction. As a part of its efforts to accommodate a wide range of customers in different needs, NH Investment is operating the Premier Blue centers for wealthy customers while providing the one-stop service integrating brokerage, bank and insurance services in the NH Financial Plus centers across the country. The Korea Financial Investors Protection Foundation also recognized NH Investment's efforts, naming the firm as the best equity fund selling brokerage for the second consecutive year from 2016. Of its management motto of customer-centered management, NH Investment said it has focused mostly on its CSR activities. The brokerage has operated its CSR taskforce managed directly from the CEO's office since 2010. There are currently 39 different in-house volunteer groups in the brokerage conducting various activities including education, child welfare and community service. NH Investment has also actively engaged with rural areas in a bid to help invigorate local economies and improve the incomes of farmers. The brokerage employees not only help farmers in harvest seasons but also open farmers' markets in each area to contribute to local communities. "NH Investment & Securities will continue striving to offer differentiated customer experience under the motto of customer-centered management," NH Investment & Securities CEO Jeong Young-chae said. "We will provide necessary information and financial services for each customer while doing the utmost to fulfill our social responsibilities." By Lee Kyung-min Korea's two state-run banks have come under increasing criticism for having spent a considerable amount of taxpayers' money to finance coal-powered plants in recent years. This flies in the face of global efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, a lawmaker said Tuesday. The money, in the form of "project financing," was part of funds allocated by the banks to invest in power generation. According to a report released by Rep. Chang Byoung-wan of the minor opposition Party for Democracy and Peace, the Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK) has spent 109.6 billion won ($96 million) over the past six years into the "environmentally harmful" business, accounting for nearly half, or 43.99 percent, of its development investment. The Korea Development Bank (KDB) has spent 164.1 billion won over the past eight years, accounting for 11 percent of its total. The KDB's investments, in particular, largely go against its previous move where it issued $300 million in "green bonds" as the first financial institution here to become an executive arm of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in 2016. The GCF was established as a financial entity within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to assist developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change. The years-long investment should have been made after careful consideration about where the state-run enterprise should place its priorities, according to the lawmaker. "Many global entities not only in the public sector but also the private sector are increasingly moving toward a low-carbon economy to better deal with global warming. The ill-targeted investment clearly goes against the much-shared awareness on the importance of promoting sustainable, eco-friendly growth," Chang said. The state-run bank's endeavors should also prioritize financing struggling, capital-strapped businesses and budding entities with limited means to attract investors, he added. "The state-run banks should be always aware of the responsibility of the government to help foster the country's industries in a discriminating manner based on a long-term vision." A KDB official said the investment was in compliance with international guidelines recommended by the OECD. "The KDB's financing met OECD standards, under which coal-powered plants with ultra-supercritical coaling plants are eligible for project financing," the official said. However, the OECD only allows lending to high-efficiency coal plants as part of broader efforts to tackle global warming. In a text message, the IBK said, "The bank will continue to expand investment into eco-friendly businesses in accordance with global movements." Pyongyang Station seen on Sept. 19 / Image by Jon Dunbar This is the third in a three-part series about travel in North Korea. By Jon Dunbar Where are you if, to go home, you have to travel in the opposite direction? This is the story of how the 195-kilometer distance from Pyongyang to Seoul became a 1,022-kilometer journey taking 27 hours, four trains, three buses, one taxi, one random Chinese couple's car, one airplane, two border crossings and six beers. Additionally, I was dressed in North Korean clothes the whole way. I visited the tailor at the Yanggakdo Hotel in Pyongyang, to make my "Yanggakdo leisure suit." Ever since my 2010 visit, I wanted to get a North Korean suit made. You might be thinking of a severe black high-collared "Mao suit" befitting an authoritarian look. But I had vivid memories of the leisure suit. North Korean men wearing short-sleeved suits, something I'd never seen before which struck me as humble and unpretentious. The morning of my departure, I separated from my group. I'd chosen the four-day tour operated by the Canadian-run Paektu Cultural Exchange to see Pyongyang and Kaesong, and the others were on a 10-day trip, with visits to Wonsan and Mount Paektu. My Korean guides complimented me on my suit and one took a picture on her smartphone. They dropped me off at Pyongyang Station, an impressive structure built in 1958. One guide seated me inside the crowded station and left abruptly. I wondered if he'd abandoned me now that I was essentially no longer his responsibility, but he came back a few minutes later to stay with me until the train departed. A crowded platform at Pyongyang Station, seen in August 2010 / Image by Jon Dunbar From here on out, I was going solo. Pyongyang was once a stop on the Gyeongui Line built in 1904. But the Gyeongui Line was split in 1948, and today the North operates the Pyongui (Pyongyang-Sinuiju) and Pyongbu (theoretically Pyongyang-Busan, but really Pyongyang-Kaesong) lines, while the South has the Gyeongui Line connecting Seoul with Dorasan Station at the DMZ. Soon this historic train route may be reconnected. But for now, I was headed the opposite direction, up through Sinuiju to Dandong, China. After about four hours, in the distance loomed tall buildings. There was China, visible from Korean soil. Apparently Sinuiju citizens grew up in comparative affluence across the river from the less-developed Dandong. But the past couple decades changed that as Dandong built rapidly, it left an uncomfortable psychological effect on the Korean locals. The whole time, I was anxious about the border crossing. My camera battery had died, and if the border guards wanted to inspect my photos, things would get difficult. On my customs form I overdeclared, mentioning my two cameras, as well as purchases from North Korea including foodstuffs, books and the shirt on my back. It made for good conversation with the border guard, anyway. We sat crammed in the train compartments for about two hours before the train rolled through and crossed the Yalu River. Pyongyang Station seen in August 2010 / Image by Jon Dunbar We were out of North Korea, but the hard part was still to come. During my 2010 trip the transit in China had been the most stressful parts. China compared to Korea either Korea feels lawless, and every minor financial transaction becomes a hot-tempered argument. I even recall being turned away from hotels despite having reservations, for incomprehensible reasons. The air quality, especially in Shenyang, is so awful you can taste it whenever you open your mouth. Once I left the train station, I got lost looking for the bus to Shenyang Airport. Finally I found a taxi driver who knew some Korean words, and he brought me to the bus station. Only it was closed. Drenched in sweat and carrying four heavy bags, I rushed back into the train station to catch the Shenyang-Dandong Intercity Railway. Back in 2010, it was a lumbering old train that took several hours, but today it was a super-modern train boasting speeds up to 250 km/h. People stared at this sweaty foreigner dressed in a North Korean suit, probably unsure what to think. I heard an attendant speak some basic Korean words, which came as a huge comfort on my journey between the Koreas. But I couldn't understand the cultural context and intent in using the words. About an hour into the 208-kilometer journey, we got an announcement the next stop was Shenyangnan Station. Was that my stop? I hurried to the Korean-speaking attendant. Turns out Shenyang has two train stations and two airports. They ushered me off at Shenyangnan, which turned out to be in the middle of nowhere, and told me to follow a man who clearly wasn't a rail employee. What's more, he told me the airport hotel where I had a reservation was about 30 minutes away, about the same distance from the other Shenyang Station. But, he assured me, I won't have to pay for a taxi this way. There were no taxis out here anyway. We loaded into a compact car with his wife and headed out. I looked out for road signs pointing toward the airport, but saw none for the first 20 minutes. Soon enough they dropped me off in front of the airport hotel. These people had not picked me up for free language lessons like I would expect in the South, nor were they interested in harvesting my organs or selling me into slavery. We never exchanged names, but their kindness undid some of my negative thoughts about China. My hotel reservation this time was valid, and with the great wealth of Chinese money I had left, I splurged on instant noodles and Chinese beer in the hotel store, falling asleep in my room before I could finish it all. Next morning, I caught a flight back to Incheon, still wearing my Yanggakdo leisure suit. I temporarily took off the jacket while passing through customs. I worried people here would get upset at it, but few South Koreans know how they dress in the North. Still, there may be anti-communist conservatives or people living here from the North who might take issue, so I don't wear it in public often. Once I was out of the airport, I grabbed a beer from the nearest convenience store, confirming that, yes, South Korean beer really is the worst after a week of Taedonggang and smaller breweries' fare. On the train back to Seoul, I looked around at all the people wasting their lives looking at their smartphones, and I sneered at a blandly colored "I Want" apartment complex we passed. Finally I reached the end of my journey in Seoul, a journey that a few like me have taken, and many could never do. By Jung Da-min, Park Si-soo North Korea has issued four sets of stamps commemorating the three inter-Korean summits this year on April 27, May 26 and Sept. 18-20 the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Monday. Their price ranges from 70 to 140 North Korean won, higher than the 40-50 won stamps issued to mark the North's 70th anniversary of its foundation. Kim Seong-soo, a murder suspect who allegedly killed a part-time worker at an internet cafe in a sudden fit of rage, is escorted out of Yangcheon Police Station in southwestern Seoul, Monday. / Yonhap By Kim Jae-heun More Koreans are failing to control their temper with statistics showing nearly one person a day is killed by an assailant who has lost control of themselves. According to the National Police Agency, 401 out of 914 murder cases last year, or 43.9 percent, were the result of uncontrolled rage. Of them, 357 were a result of an immediate loss of control while the other 44 were through accumulated anger. A recent "internet cafe murder" is a possible example of this. The 29-year-old suspect, Kim Seong-soo, stabbed a 21-year-old part-time worker to death over what he claims was improper treatment he received at the internet cafe. Kim and the worker had a scuffle after he demanded a refund of the 1,000 won computer use fee claiming poor service. He then went to his nearby home, returned with a knife and committed the brutal crime. He said he was angry at not receiving the refund, and decided to kill the worker out of sudden rage, according to police. More and more people are finding themselves in psychiatric facilities after failing to manage anger in their daily life. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, 5,986 people received treatment at hospitals last year for anger management issues, a 21.3 percent increase from 2013's 4,934. The figure has been rise steadily from this to 4,962 in 2014, 5,390 in 2015 and 5,920 in 2016. Male patients outnumbered female patients, taking up 82.5 percent of the total. Also, patients with anger management issues were mostly in their 20s. Among male patients, those aged between 20 and 29 made up 34.1 percent of the total, followed by those in their 30s at 21.9 percent, and 10 to 19, 18.4 percent. "The amount of stress that 20-somethings and 30-somethings undergo is incomparable to that of people a generation ago," said Jeon Sang-won, a psychiatrist at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital in Seoul. "No other mental illness has outpaced the skyrocketing number of cases of anger control recently." Oh Se-yeon, a professor at the Police Administration School of Semyung University, said accumulated stress and depression due to discord in relationships with family members or individuals can all come at the same time, resulting in violent outbursts. "At this moment, it is important to deal with issues causing a sense of deprivation coming from unfair social structures as much as educating individuals," Oh said. By Martin Limon During the 1970s, GIs used to call America "The Land of the Big PX." So when we naive young soldiers arrived in "The Land of the Morning Calm" it was disorienting to be suddenly told that instead of being constantly exhorted to buy, buy, buy, we were now being told that we couldn't exercise our God-given right to purchase anything and everything we could afford _ or not afford. We ran into the 8th United States Army's policy of Ration Control. In the PX and the Commissary a single GI was allowed to spend only $90 per month (somewhere between $600 and $330 in today's money). Certain items, like Folger's Coffee Crystals, Tang and soluble creamer were restricted by the number of ounces you could buy. More upscale items like stereo sets, televisions, cameras and wristwatches were restricted to purchasing only one per tour. And your company commander would check before you left to make sure you still had them! Why this totalitarian obsession with GI consumerism? The official reason was that since these items were shipped to Korea at U.S. taxpayer expense and since no sales taxes or other import duties were charged, it would be unfair for a soldier to turn around and sell them at a profit. And since the Korean economy was still recovering from the bludgeoning it took during the Korean War, fledgling local industries needed space to grow without having to compete with imported U.S. products. That was the stated reason. The real reason, I believe, was different. As I often heard said by dependent American wives and high-ranking U.S. officers alike, the real reason was to keep the "yobos" out of our PX ("yobo" is a term Korean spouses call each other). Once a GI married a Korean woman she received a dependent ID card and her own 8th Army Ration Control Plate. With that she could purchase the maximum amount of allowed items every month and turn around and sell them on the rapidly growing Korean black market, usually doubling her money. Some items, such as imported scotch or cigarettes, would fetch three or four times what was paid for them. As a result, U.S. law enforcement _ both the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and MP investigators _ were put on the black market detail, the purpose of which was to arrest GIs or their wives who were caught red-handed selling restricted items off base. This is the task I gave to my two fictional characters, George Sueno and Ernie Bascom, in my series of Yongsan Compound-based novels, the most recent of which is "The Line" out this month on Soho Press. But their hearts aren't fully committed to the task of busting people who they see as not exactly criminals. Most of the dependent Korean wives who engaged in black marketing came from poor families and the money they earned was put to purposes such as supporting elderly parents or subsidizing school tuition for a younger sibling or paying a grandmother's medical bills. They weren't exactly jet-setting to the French Riviera. But in the five tours totaling 10 years I served in Korea I never once saw the 8th Army brass falter or even slow down in their manic quest to stop the black market. In their opinion, the yobo menace had to be stopped. Even to the extent that once a GI and his family members were shipped back to the States, if the Korean wife returned to visit her mother and show off the grandkids, she wasn't allowed even a few dollars ration to purchase anything in the PX. Not baby formula, not diapers, nothing. This despite being a bona fide military dependent with, supposedly, full Commissary and PX privileges. Meanwhile, the college-aged children of high-ranking officers who flew to Korea to visit their parents during summer break received a full ration. As did Officers' Wives' Club members from Japan on a shopping junket. Even members of some foreign embassies received ration control plates, as did their dependents. But a Korean GI wife? No ration for her unless 8th Army was forced into it. During the late 1970s, I was assigned to the strangest duty of my military career. We were given an armband and told to stand at the end of the checkout line at the Yongsan Commissary and write down the names of any dependent wives or GIs purchasing excessive amounts of non-controlled items. Examples were bananas, Spam and frozen oxtail. I felt like a fool. So did most of the other guys on the detail. One of them wrote to his Congressman complaining that he hadn't enlisted in the military in order to save the world from a Spam apocalypse. Shortly thereafter, the detail was canceled, no explanation given. Stop the yobos! That was the real impetus behind 8th Army's ration control policy. Martin Limon is a full-time writer who retired from the army with 20 years of military service, 10 of which he spent in Korea. The latest of his 13 novels is "The Line." Visit for more information. Participants of the Servas International 31st Conference and Central Assembly (SICOGA) 2018 assemble for a group photo at Imjingak during a day trip to the DMZ. / Courtesy of Servas Korea By Jon Dunbar The eight-day Servas International Conference and General Assembly (SICOGA) 2018 officially wrapped up last Saturday, although members are still in Korea for after-events. The Europe-headquartered NGO holds the event every three years to bring global citizens closer together. It has over 15,000 members in over 100 countries, Servas International (SI) President Jonny Saganger was in Gangchon, Gangwon Province, on day 2 of the four-day Servas International Peace Riding (SIPR) bike tour, when he spoke to The Korea Times by phone. "We are an organization that offers a network for individual members to make contacts around the world with people in your own country and in other countries," he explained, "in order to meet people of different ethnic backgrounds, religious beliefs, ideological beliefs, any kind of difference you can think of, and make it possible to become more tolerant through understanding." The conference offered various talks and workshops, while the General Assembly settled operational matters for the next three years, including elections and budget planning. The SI Executive Committee agreed to dedicate a large part of their budget over the next three years for upgrading their hospitality social media platform. The platform connects members who host other members for free. Members must pass a screening process and pay an annual membership fee. "We have that system but we want to improve it and make it state of the art to make it possible for members from all around the world to get in touch with each other and make arrangements for visits in each other's homes," said Saganger, originally from Sweden. He envisions expanding the platform to mobile, and making it possible to connect with other members based on keywords, for instance by searching "Ecuador" and "birdwatching" to find someone there with similar interests. Korea was chosen as host country this year based on the thorough proposal submitted by Servas Korea, which showed its members were ready to host such a global event, according to Saganger. They aimed to have the conference as sustainable as possible, eschewing disposable items and cutting down on printed paper. They also shared only vegetarian food on Oct. 15 to promote a more sustainable way of eating. According to Choi Byung-wan, national secretary of Servas Korea, the Korea branch has 350 active members spread out in 11 regional branches nationwide. It was founded in 1965, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015. SI itself was founded in 1949. "Talking together, eating together is most convenient for understanding each other," Choi said, emphasizing face-to-face contact which is the goal of SI's digital platform. Saganger offered three seminars himself, with one on the "practical philosophy of how to make people feel welcome." Last Wednesday, the group visited the DMZ. "An area in the world with the only demilitarized zone anywhere is of course something very interesting," he said. "It's a symbol of a conflict area that has been frozen. From a peace perspective it's a very interesting place." He admitted to having one cultural misunderstanding during his stay, when he invited people for coffee only to find the Koreans expecting him to pay and the Europeans naturally arriving with their own money ready. "In order to create a peaceful world, it starts with understanding and tolerating differences, rather than looking at differences as a problem," Saganger said. "It's a richness we have to understand. It's like creating a more peaceful world one talk at a time or visit at a time, that's our little contribution to a more peaceful world." Visit or for more information. By Jung Hae-myoung D.Ark, the youngest contestant on the rap music show "Show Me The Money 7," has recently been mired in a sex scandal, in which his ex-girlfriend said the 15-year-old tried to have sex with her without her consent. "I refused because there was no protection, but you (D.Ark) begged me to have sex persistently," the ex-girlfriend wrote on her Instagram. Although the girl later said the coercion came from a misunderstanding between them, the shock lingered among the public even after that, considering the young age of the rapper. However, this is not an isolated case considering the average age of Korean teenagers' first sexual intercourse is 13.1, according to the 2016 report from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This means teenagers have their first sexual experience during their elementary school or middle school years. Although the age of their first sexual intercourse is getting lower every year, sex education at school remains stagnant and outdated. Sex education in Korean schools is a "single-session" lecture, usually replaced by educational video clips without any specific explanation about actual intercourse and protection methods. "I remember having a short session of sex education during the technology and housekeeping class when I was in middle school. Looking back, the teachers just taught us 'biology.' There was no practical information about sexual intercourse and how to have healthy relationships," Lee Ka-won, 25, told the Korea Times. In a report by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE) in 2017, 43.3 percent of 671 middle school students said sex education at school is not helpful. Criticism also rises as the schools teach unrealistic measures regarding sexual assault. In the "standard" teaching material for sex education published by the Ministry of Education in 2015, it instructs students to "not get into a situation in which males and females are together alone," to avoid sexual assault. Following years of criticism, the ministry decided to revise it by 2019. Experts say insufficient knowledge about sex can lead to unsafe sexual experiences. Some high school students take unhygienic options, such as plastic wrap and bags to replace condoms, because they feel embarrassed to buy them in public. According to the report by the SMOE, only 51 percent of teenagers used proper contraception. "They hesitate to buy condoms because they don't want to get curious looks from others," a youth counselor said. According to the Juvenile Protection Act, minors can buy condoms, because they are not registered as adult products. But the dominating atmosphere in Korea about sex, or anything related to it, remains secretive, taboo and it is deemed promiscuous. Condoms are rarely advertised in television commercials, although it is the most effective measure for contraception. However, advertisements on birth control pills are on television frequently, which creates the idea that women should be responsible for the consequences. In the United States and Europe, many use implanon, a thin rod implanted under the skin on the upper arm that stops women from getting pregnant, but they are frowned upon by the Korean public. "The prevailing atmosphere in Korea is that people who have birth control implants are prostitutes," a college student in Seoul, 24, said. Some parents, teachers or influencers voluntarily seek alternatives for the failing sex education at schools. Some hire a private tutor to teach a group of four to six children about ethics and practical education on sex, with the price ranging from 250,000 won ($ 218) to 300,000 won. "Private lessons are more realistic and straightforward compared to what we learn at school," a sixth-grader in primary school said. "It may seem like an overreaction, but after watching the #MeToo movement, I felt our children need to have the right knowledge about sex to prevent a bigger problem," his parent said. Daisy, a beauty creator on YouTube, recently reached two million views after uploading "condom reviews" on Sept. 29. She explains different types of condoms, their function and the way to use them. "Some condoms can cause allergic reactions for some people. It is important that partners discuss openly or buy it together," she explains in the video. The video received positive responses, with people saying Korean schools should play this video instead of outdated sex education clips. Others showed appreciation for her speaking openly about practical information that no one has taught them before. Still, some parents worry that discussion on the subject might encourage more teenagers to have sex. However, experts say it is better to prevent and protect their bodies than suffer unwanted consequences. "Teenagers' love should not be seen as a problem, but should be openly discussed in order to deliver the message that they are in charge of their body and should be responsible for their behavior," said Park Hyeon-yee, the head of department at Aha Sexuality Education & Counseling Center for Youth. In Germany, sex education has been a mandatory course for students since 1992. The experts teach proper contraceptive measures and different positions of having sex. "Teenage sex happens, or will happen in their near future. Rejecting that fact may lead to worse options or consequences if education is not considered seriously," she said. Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon responds to lawmakers at a National Assembly audit of the city government at Seoul City Hall, Monday. / Korea Times photo by Bae Woo-han Lim Jong-hun Prosecutors on Tuesday sought an arrest warrant for Lim Jong-hun, a former judge at the center of judicial power abuse allegations involving the Supreme Court. The warrant for the former deputy head of the National Court Administration (NCA), the top court's administration affairs body, has been pursued for his alleged role in illicit lobbying and trial manipulation. Lim, 59, is accused of helping former Supreme Court Chief Justice Yang Sung-tae use trials as bargaining chips in dealings with the presidential office under the previous conservative government to establish a separate court of appeals. Lim worked for the NCA from 2012-2017. The NCA, under Yang's direction, allegedly devised plans to influence politically sensitive trials to the advantage of then-President Park Geun-hye. Among the trials in question are the long-pending compensation case for Korean victims of Japanese wartime forced labor and a case that involves a progressive teachers union. Lim is accused of being the key man who was in charge of carrying out Yang's schemes. (Yonhap) Local telecoms regulator -Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) has granted a 30 days provisional licence to MTN Uganda, its 20 -year licence having expired on October 20, 2018. Eng. Godfrey Mutabazi, the Executive Director of UCC said MTN Uganda was not ready to renew its old licence as it expired last Saturday. We are still working out some modalities. We have given them a 30 days provisional licence, he said, emphasizing that the telecom company will get a 10-year licence when the provisional one expires. Stories Continues after ad The process for licence of renewal started a year ago when Mutabazi revealed that UCC had received application from MTN Uganda. Cabinet last month cleared to renew MTNs licence though it comes with tough terms as laid out in the new national broadband policy. Some of the conditions include; listing on the Uganda Securities Exchange (USE) and covering entire geographical area of Uganda, national roaming, among others. CEO Wim Vanhelleputte months ago hinted the top managers would in the near future start the process of listing on the local bourse to allow Ugandans own shares in the company. President Moon Jae-in presides over a Cabinet meeting held in Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday. Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul President Moon Jae-in ratified an agreement signed between him and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at their third summit in Pyongyang last month. "Moon ratified the Pyongyang Joint Declaration. An official announcement will soon follow," a Cheong Wa Dae official said. As a procedural step for the ratification, the Cabinet earlier approved the declaration, as well as a separate inter-Korean military agreement reached at the summit. The move comes after the Ministry of Government Legislation concluded that obtaining the National Assembly's consent for ratification of the two agreements was not necessary as a broader inter-Korean agreement, the Panmunjom Declaration reached at the first Moon-Kim summit in April, is undergoing the Assembly ratification process. The conservative parties sharply criticized the move, claiming Moon was backtracking on his earlier pledge to seek parliamentary consent for inter-Korean deals. However, the presidential office said the ratification of the two agreements will boost the wider implementation of promises made in Pyongyang. "At the Vatican, Pope Francis directly mentioned his willingness to visit North Korea. The U.K. and France, permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), clearly showed their backing in terms of denuclearization as well as the peace process. The international community is on our side. I hope to win more support from the public in the ongoing process," Moon said at the Cabinet meeting, according to press pool reports. The two Korea are engaging in military trust-building, the President said. "Once we see further progress in the easing of military tensions and the development of inter-Korean relations, then the whole denuclearization process will accelerate," Moon said, adding the agreement will also help promote human rights in North Korea. The promises made at Panmunjeom in April and Pyongyang in September face the difficulties of the limits of economic cooperation under the extensive international sanctions regime on North Korea, and the issue of denuclearization. By Park Ji-won President Moon Jae-in's plan to ratify the Pyongyang Joint Declaration and a separate military agreement reached at last month's summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang is drawing a strong backlash from the conservative parties. They sharply criticized Moon for pushing inter-Korean projects without the consent of the National Assembly. Rep. Kim Sung-tae, floor leader of the largest opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP), said, "The interpretation of the Ministry of Government Legislation is absurd as it said the Oct. 14 declaration, which includes substantial content, didn't need to get Assembly consent for ratification while claiming the Panmunjeom Declaration, which is full of empty promises, should obtain agreement from the Assembly. Even when the Panmunjeom Declaration didn't receive consent from the National Assembly, the ministry insisted the military agreement didn't need to get Assembly agreement." "It is not helpful to the country to have an arbitrary interpretation and ratifications should be decided through discussions at the National Assembly," Kim insisted. The remarks came after the legislation ministry concluded that the Pyongyang agreement does not need consent from the Assembly for ratification because the prior agreement, April's Panmunjeom Declaration was undergoing a National Assembly ratification process. Earlier in the day, the Cabinet approved the two agreements as a procedural step for Moon to sign and ratify them. The Pyongyang Joint Declaration fleshed out the April inter-Korean agreement to take specific steps toward denuclearization as well as seek inter-Korean exchanges. The inter-Korean military agreement includes the suspension of hostile acts against each other to ease tension and clashes on the Korean Peninsula. Rep. Yoon Young-seok, a senior spokesman of the LKP, said "The Pyongyang declaration and military agreement need National Assembly agreement as they include linking railways and the withdrawal of guard posts which require a huge amount of budget and are directly related to national security." According to the Constitution, the National Assembly has the right to agree on the ratification or the adoption of treaties or bills that require considerable government spending. Meanwhile, Rep. Kim Kwan-young, floor leader of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party, said, It is problematic to prioritize the ratification of the Pyongyang agreement first even though the President is unable to ratify the Panmunjeom Declaration as it hasn't received the Assembly's approval." "The President should wait to see the result of discussions at the National Assembly regarding the Panmunjeom Declaration." Volunteers lay a water pipe underground in a Myanmar village in this 2017 file photo. K-water sent 34 volunteer workers to Vietnam Oct. 15 to improve the water supply of a remote village there. / Courtesy of K-water By Park Jae-hyuk K-water has recently upgraded the water supply system of a remote village in Vietnam, the state-run corporation said Monday. Thirty-four volunteers consisting of K-water employees, university students and medical staff from Korea University Ansan Hospital paid a week-long visit to Son Lu in Quan Son District, Thanh Hoa Province, Oct. 15, to install water tanks, booster pumps, disinfection facilities and a remote monitoring system there. They also laid a kilometer-long water pipe underground to supply water all over the village. In addition to the water supply system, the volunteers installed water fountains and toilets there, as well as building an embankment to prevent flooding from a nearby river. The medical staff gave free treatments for the residents and conducted hygiene education. During their visit to the village, the volunteers opened physical education, science and art classes as well. Son Lu, located southwest of Hanoi, is a poverty-stricken region where GDP per capita is $217. Its residents had faced difficulties in controlling water quality and supplying water to remote areas, because they had no choice but to use wells or hoses connected to the nearby river for their water supply. K-water expects the improvements in the village's water system will solve the area's water-related problems and raise the quality of life of the residents. The public firm also said it used facilities made by small- and medium-sized enterprises in Korea, so as to introduce the nation's excellent technologies to the Southeast Asian country. It hopes its recent work helps Korean firms expand their presences in the Vietnamese market. "We want our recent social contribution activity to help the residents who have suffered water shortage," K-water CEO Lee Hak-soo said. "To solve water-related problems worldwide and foster the domestic industry, we will continue to push ahead with overseas activities that can introduce excellent technologies of Korean firms to other countries." Based on its capability in water management, K-water has conducted overseas activities since 2006 to solve water-related problems worldwide. The company has improved water systems in 32 villages in nine countries, including Vietnam, Myanmar, Nepal and East Timor. The Trump administration continues to send disturbingly mixed signals about whether it will hold Saudi Arabia's rulers accountable if it's proved that they're responsible for the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. It has been three weeks since the Washington Post contributor and Virginia resident, a critic of the current Saudi leadership, entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul to obtain paperwork he needed for his marriage. He was never seen again. According to Turkish officials, audio recordings show that Khashoggi was interrogated, tortured and killed by Saudi intelligence officers inside the consulate. The officials add that his body was cut up with a bone saw and removed from the building. On Wednesday, the New York Times, citing a recording described by a Turkish official, reported further that Khashoggi's fingers were severed before he was beheaded and dismembered. It also reported that one of the men identified by Turkish officials in Khashoggi's disappearance was a frequent companion of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's de facto leader, and that three others are linked by witnesses and other records to the crown prince's security detail. The crown prince has denied any knowledge of what took place at the Istanbul Consulate, a denial relayed by Trump on Twitter. In an interview with the Associated Press, Trump suggested that the Saudi rulers were being judged "guilty until proven innocent" just like Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh! Such evasions, though, won't work for long. The evidence is mounting, and the U.S. needs a plan for when a story that now seems very likely to be true is finally proved beyond a doubt. What punishment will the U.S. mete out if it becomes clear that one of our closest allies in the region is torturing and dismembering journalists merely for criticizing the government? Surely even President Trump, though he's known for his transactional approach to relationships, can't allow this to pass. Or maybe he can. On Wednesday, Trump denied that he was "giving cover" to the Saudis, and said that the United States had asked for recorded evidence of what occurred at the consulate in Istanbul. But then he added: "With that being said, Saudi Arabia's been a very important ally of ours in the Middle East." The president cited a Saudi commitment to purchase $450 billion worth of military equipment and other items (not bothering to explain that few of those transactions have materialized.) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, speaking after a mission to Saudi Arabia in which he cordially greeted the crown prince, noted that Trump was taking the situation seriously, but then added: "I do think it's important that everyone keep in their mind that we have lots of important relationships financial relationships between U.S. and Saudi companies, governmental relationships, things we work on together all across the world efforts to reduce the risk to the United States of America from the world's largest state sponsor of terror, Iran." He continued, "The Saudis have been great partners in working alongside us on those issues. Those are important elements of the U.S. national policy that are ... in Americans' best interests." Pompeo is correct that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have interests in common, though a case can be made that this administration has exaggerated the political and economic advantages of the relationship. It's also true that the U.S. over the years has made common cause with other governments that oppress and imprison their citizens. But if it turns out that the leaders of Saudi Arabia were complicit in the torture and murder of a journalist, it would be reckless, not "realistic," to ignore that reality and conduct business as usual. The Saudi crown prince has already proved himself irresponsible and impulsive. Consider the brutal war he is waging in Yemen, his senseless crackdown on women's rights activists, the bizarre detention of dozens of senior Saudi princes and business leaders in the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh, his brief kidnapping of the Lebanese prime minister. President Trump and the rest of his administration need to make it clear that there is a line the crown prince may not cross without jeopardizing the Saudi-U.S. relationship. The investigation into what happened to Khashoggi must be credible. And there must be consequences for any crimes that were committed. The above editorial appeared in the Los Angeles Times. It was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Policymakers should listen to state think tank's advice The state-funded Korea Development Institute (KDI) has pointed out _ again _ that weak demand for labor has led to an "employment disaster." In a report analyzing the reasons for high unemployment, the think tank noted that until last year, the "mismatch" between labor demand and supply in industries had been the biggest cause of the rise in the jobless rate. This year, however, the overall drop in demand for labor exerted the most significant influence on soaring unemployment, it said. The aggravated employment situation in the third quarter, in particular, cannot be explained by economic conditions or demographic structures alone, the KDI said. It insinuated that the Moon Jae-in administration's hasty labor policies, including the steep minimum wage hike, have resulted in the "job shock." One does not need to look at the KDI report to see the dismal employment situation resulting from low demand. The reality reveals a more naked situation. The once numerous part-timers at cafes and restaurants are nowhere to be seen. Even hypermarkets with sufficient cash are curtailing business hours and trimming their workforces. University campuses are brimming with graduates who have yet to land jobs, and the labor market is full of people seeking daily jobs. Some pro-government economists blame demography and the weather, which is far from convincing. According to Statistics Korea's estimate, the working-age population began to decline from last year, but the actual drop was slight at 7,000, too small a number to explain the plunge in new jobs to 45,000 last month from 300,000 a year ago. All this shows the main culprit is the government's hasty labor policy, resulting in businesses' reluctance to hire workers. The KDI also offers solutions. The government should stir up labor demand by promoting innovative, high value-added industries. It should also inject more flexibility into the rigid labor market, allowing jobseekers to move freely between industries and workplaces. Economic officials should start by acknowledging their policy blunders and coming up with more realistic and viable measures. If the government and the governing party stop being stubborn and change course, the employment crisis should not necessarily be an insurmountable obstacle. Association protests reform measures, fuels parents' outrage Parents are increasingly worrying about the quality of their young children's education after the widening scandal over accounting fraud and corruption at privately run kindergartens. The Ministry of Education announced last week during a meeting with metropolitan and provincial vice superintendents of education in Sejong that it would reveal the names of the corrupt kindergartens. After conducting an inspection, the ministry is planning to announce a list of kindergartens that committed irregularities. The list will be available on the websites of provincial education offices from Oct. 25. But the latest measure from the ministry has done little to assuage the anger of parents, many of whom rely on these institutions to educate, feed and care for their young children while they are at work. The shameless reaction from the Korea Kindergarten Association (KKA) is triggering even more public outrage. About 75 percent of kindergartens nationwide belong to the association. It issued a public apology Oct. 16 after ruling Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Rep. Park Yong-jin revealed the names of around 2,000 kindergartens that were found to have committed a wide range of accounting fraud and the diversion of state subsidies, which they have been receiving since 2012, amid other irregularities. But the association dismissed Rep. Park's allegations as fake news, and protested the government decision to name and shame the corrupt kindergartens. The association is also refusing parents' calls to adopt a state accounting system called Edufine, saying the privately run kindergartens are private businesses that should not be subject to government meddling. It even had the audacity to issue a statement claiming the kindergartens' operations were much more transparent than education officials'. It is also considering legal action against Rep. Park. Some of the association members are planning to stop recruiting new students or temporarily close next year. Some are planning to change their institutions into playschools and other establishments that will not be subject to government inspection. It's not just issues related to money that is igniting anger from parents who have kids in kindergarten. Recently, the police launched an investigation after receiving a report that the husband of a kindergarten owner in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, shared an obscene video on his smartphone with some of the children attending it. The case was mentioned in an online petition on Cheong Wa Dae's website, prompting many visitors to call for punishing such a heinous act against minors. Under these circumstances, it is hard to entrust these selfish and incompetent people with preschool education. The government should announce strong countermeasures to ensure the qualification of owners of kindergartens and raise the transparency of their operations, such as stricter monitoring of state subsidies and punishment of those that commit irregularities. By Choi Sung-jin What would be a fair evaluation of President Moon Jae-in's tour of five European countries last week "as the salesman for North Korea?" In the Vatican, President Moon delivered an invitation to Pope Francis from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to visit Pyongyang. The pontiff all but accepted it, saying he would be "available" if Kim formally invites him. If realized, the Pope's visit to the North would speed up the "normalization" of the isolated state by nudging it closer to the outside world. In other capitals, however, Moon's efforts to help ease sanctions on North Korea were met with a polite but unmistakable "No." The leaders of France, Germany and the U.K. commonly reiterated the so-called CVID (complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization) phrase, the strongest demand that even the U.S. does not make any longer. The phrase was also adopted in the final statement of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). Cheong Wa Dae praised the nine-day tour as an "astounding success," while several conservative Korean newspapers slammed it as a "diplomatic disaster." Objectively speaking, it was at least, or at best, a half-success; whether seeing it as half-full or half-empty is up to the watcher. Anyway, the tour reaffirmed the fact that the President and his diplomatic team have a long way to go before winning international support for inter-Korean rapprochement unless, and until, Kim gives up his nuclear ambitions altogether. Reality is a reality, good or bad, and whether you like it or not. But what if the North Korean leader has real intentions to give up his nuclear and missile programs and pursue economic prosperity, but cannot because of the reclusive state's past record or because of the West's especially America's reluctance to give any indulgence to the rogue state so easily? The negotiations to denuclearize North Korea would then drag on, as they do now. That shows in part why President Moon appears to be the only busy person in this drawn-out process that has become like a staring contest. And why should the South Korean leader be the only anxious one, then? Moon pithily explained it during a recent interview with Fox TV in New York City. An anchor at the conservative broadcaster asked Moon which of the two he thinks is more important inter-Korean detente or denuclearization? His answer was "peace." Koreans, South and North, have lived with the fear of war over the past 65 years. For the first time since Korea was split in two, there are leaders in both halves of the divided peninsula who are ready to talk and practice peace, not just in words but deeds. Equally if not more important, there is also an unprecedented leader in the United States. For the Koreas, at least, President Donald Trump should be neither a crook nor a weirdo as his political opponents describe him but a blessing in disguise. Trump, of course, has his own political agenda that only he and God know, or he could change his mind anyway, for a hundred reasons. Despite, or rather because of, this possibility, the two Koreas can ill afford to lose this one-in-a-million opportunity. So they have declared a virtual end to a warring state and called for the U.S. to do likewise. If it continues to refuse it, Washington will only reveal its real intention the perpetuation of the status quo. The U.S. and North Korea blame each other for taking only ostensible steps. To most objective watchers, however, Pyongyang has done more than Washington, cosmetic or not. The reason is apparent: The risks of failed negotiations are incomparable. The impoverished regime will go toothless with broken claws, too. The world's richest and strongest country has little to lose as long as it can keep Pyongyang from developing intercontinental ballistic missiles. Some say Kim Jong-un does not have to be like Moammar Gadhafi or Saddam Hussein, hated by their people and the U.S. Unless the U.S. pledges not to invade the North, Kim's paranoia is understandable, though. Now is the time for the West, led by the U.S., to present what they can offer commensurate with Pyongyang's progress. Commentators, especially conservative ones, say the speeding of inter-Korean rapprochement by Seoul will cause a rift in its cooperation with the U.S., even hurting their blood alliance. Just think of it, however. Which "allies" of the U.S. are in such an unequal relationship with America as Korea? Whether it be the defense cost burden-sharing or wartime operational control, no other U.S. allies let alone Germany and Japan endure near-unilateral disadvantages like Korea. Behind all this was North Korea's military threat. That justifies, yet again, the two Koreas' efforts to end the state of war and move toward a nonaggression treaty. When South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha hinted at easing Seoul's eight-year economic sanctions on Pyongyang recently, Trump said: "They won't do it without our approval." Few, if any, here correctly criticized the U.S. President for his remarks infringing on national sovereignty. Instead, most were busy analyzing what forced Trump to make such an angry comment. They laughed at Kang's, not Trump's, lack of diplomatic sense and courtesy. Yes, there is an enormous gap in national power. And it will not be possible for the two Koreas to reach their ultimate destination without consent from the four major powers surrounding them. Even powerful Germany had to win a nod from the U.S. and the then Soviet Union, as well as the U.K. and France, to move toward unification. The Koreas will also have to take a similar path. Is South Korea allowed to do even a tenth of what West Germany did to East Germany on the way to reunification, however? Unification or not, the two Koreas have the right to live in peace and seek prosperity through close cooperation and healthy competition. Even God cannot help those who will not help themselves. Choi Sung-jin is a Korea Times columnist. Contact him at choisj1955@naver.com. By Jun Ji-hye LG Chem will invest 2.1 trillion won ($1.8 billion) by 2023 to build its second plant in China to manufacture electric vehicle (EV) batteries in a bid to amplify its production capacity to meet growing global demand, the company said Tuesday. The nation's leading battery and chemical company held a groundbreaking ceremony for its second plant to be built in Nanjing in southeastern China. The three-story plant will be built on the 198,300-square-meter site and is aimed at producing high-performance batteries that can annually power more than 500,000 EVs, which can each travel about 320 kilometers on a single charge. The first phase of production will begin late next year. "We will deploy advanced technology and equipment in the second plant in Nanjing so it can become the world's best plant capable of responding to rapidly growing global demand for EV batteries," LG Chem Vice Chairman and CEO Park Jin-soo said. The company said it considered geopolitical factors when selecting Nanjing as the location for its second plant. The firm is already operating the first plant in an area close to Nanjing to produce small batteries, meaning the two plants can create a synergy effect, it said. The location will also make it easier for the company to receive raw materials as it is about 180 kilometers from the site of a joint venture it set up with Huayou Cobalt, a major cobalt supplier in China. In April, LG Chem announced a decision to invest 239.4 billion won to form two separate joint ventures with the Chinese firm in a bid to ensure a stable supply of cobalt, a key material in making EV batteries. Once the construction is completed, the company will have five battery plants in Korea, China, Europe and the United States. The company said it will utilize each plant's strategic position to expand in the global market. According to market research firm SNE Research, the EV market will grow to 6.1 million in 2019 and 22 million in 2025, accounting for 21 percent of total vehicle sales. By Park Si-soo American food brand General Mills has hit the Korean jelly market with a new product that has an unprecedented flavor: Angry watermelon. It is a cocktail of a piquant spicy taste and a sweet watermelon flavor. "Angry Watermelon Foot Jelly" went on sale in the U.S. last summer and is "popular," the company's Korean office said. "As much as the yearly growing jelly market's main growth engine is new products, in order to meet the needs of consumers with high expectations for new products, we are launching the 'Angry Watermelon Foot Jelly,' differentiated from existing jellies," a General Mills marketing manager said. "The Foot Jelly, which is considered fun to eat by unrolling the coiled jelly, and through the launch of its new spicy flavor, is expected to widen the spectrum of flavors and provide a fun experience at the same time." The product is available at Homeplus outlets. Uganda is mourning the death of Dr. Sarah Nyendwoha Ntiro, the first woman who claimed to have been the first female graduate from university in East and Central Africa. She was aged 92. The deceased graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in History from Oxford University in 1954. According to her nephew, Mr. Edgar Agaba, the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Attorney General, Dr. Nyendwoha died Monday evening as she was being taken to Mengo Hospital for treatment illnesses she has been battling since early this year. Ntiro was was born in Hoima district to the late Erasto B. Nyendwoha Akiiki and Jane Nsungwa Nyendwoha Adyeri. Both her parents are said to have been teachers and this partly informs their willingness to see their daughter attain such milestones. Stories Continues after ad She went to Duhaga Girls School, Kings College Budo and Makerere College where she trained as a teacher. She was to later do her teaching practice at Kings College Budo and Kyebambe Girls School before receiving her teaching certificate. Accordingly, Dr. Nyendwoha was the first East and Central African woman to graduate from Oxford University since at that time no tertiary institutions granted degrees in East Africa. In 1955, she joined Gayaza High School before joining Duhaga Junior Secondary School (DJSS) in Hoima where she taught for two years before she resigned from active teaching service in 1958. At Gayaza, when she discovered that her salary was to be less than that of her male counterparts, she offered to work for one year without pay as a form of protest and repay for sponsoring her education. When she told them she would resign to find employment, not as a woman but any other worker, the authorities succumbed to her demands and she started receiving equal pay for equal work done. It was because of this that some publications likened her to American civil rights activist, Rosa Parks. She contributed so much to the nation because when the British announced that they were to grant Uganda independence, Dr. Nyendwoha started civic education sessions at the Hoima district headquarters and enlightened the masses on democracy and elections She also served in the Uganda Legislative Council from 1958-1961 where she tabled a private members bill on the Registration of Marriages in 1961. In December 1958, she married Sam Joseph Ntiro (RIP) and together, they had two sons, Joseph Kakindo Ntiro Amooti (1960) and Simbo Nyakwera Ntiro Atenyi (RIP). Her family will communicate her burial arrangements in due time. May her soul rest in peace. By Ra Seung-yong Spitsbergen, a Norwegian island in the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, is widely known as one of the coldest areas on the planet. But it houses the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a global long-term seed storage facility, established to prevent the extinction of rare seeds and to safeguard human food supplies after any natural disaster. Today, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault has been dubbed the "Noah's ark," which in the Bible is the ship that kept Noah, his family and animals safe during a worldwide flood. The vault has been used in preserving the seeds of major food crops from countries around the world to save prototypes that would be impossible to restore once lost. In 2008, South Korea deposited local varieties such as rice, barley and sesame, with around 13,000 accessions of 33 crops bred by the Rural Development Administration (RDA), in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. The vault puts seed boxes of the two Koreas side-by-side in the long-term storage room. This year marks the 10th anniversary of its opening. South Korea is the fifth country that manages 320,000 accessions, including native and foreign ones. One hundred and five new varieties created from existing accessions are kept at the RDA's genetic bank. Seeds have DNA that is coded to produce each fruit, with a specific taste, shape, color and scent. Crucial information during the lifespan of plants, such as data on the ability to endure a poor natural environment or to respond to diseases and pests, is decided at the seed stage. Hence, the dramatic survival story of a seed in storage is called "genetic information." The preservation of various native seeds is the best way to prepare for climate change, disease, pests and infectious diseases of the future. The native accessions could be considered the surviving varieties over thousands of years. Therefore, they may be utilized in variety development and also in food, medicinal products and new material development in the field of modern biotechnology. It is broadly known that the "octagonal," which originally grew in southern China, is used as an active ingredient in Tamiflu, the only new flu medication. This is a good example of one little genetic resource that could be used as a powerful antiviral medication. Securing various genetic resources means taking an advantageous position in increasing competitiveness in the global seed industry. The industry, by stepping outside conventional breeding methods, has been growing as the center of the creative bio-based economy that converges cutting-edge technologies in medicine, bio-energy and the materials industry. Thus, the previous concept of "seed" that simply aims to produce food is now changing to become a source of high-technology products used in creating highly functional materials. In this regard, the Korea Seed Expo 2018 will be held for four days, beginning Oct. 23, in the R&D complex for plant-breeding companies in Gimje, North Jeolla Province. It is Korea's only seed industry expo and it plays a bridgehead role in the exhibition and promotion of varieties for export and domestic consumption, as well as consultation on seed exports. Expo events will include briefing sessions on technology and varieties, seminars, symposia and programs to promote the exchange of information among farmers and seed companies. Field demonstrations will allow participants to check the performance of varieties developed by domestic research institutes and seed companies. The last expo led to commercial business deals worth 3.4 billion won, involving buyers from 11 countries including China and Japan, and created new jobs at 20 seed firms operating in the R&D complex. The technology transfer in North Jeolla Province involving seeds has increased by 18 percent this year compared to last year, raising expectations for the local seed industry to make further progress. Resource diplomacy is often compared to a "war without gunshots." The conflict to seek hegemony within the seed industry will become more severe as people need to tackle food issues and secure new growth engines. It is not an exaggeration to say, "The one who dominates seeds will rule the agriculture and food industries." Ra Seung-yong is the administrator of the Rural Development Administration. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High 39F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 28F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Angola, IN (46703) Today A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High 39F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Overcast. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 28F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Freely accessible local news is vital. Please power our reporters and help keep us independent with a donation today. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe In 1923, beloved Mexican restaurant chain El Cholo opened the doors to its first establishment. To commemorate that tasty occasion, El Cholo will sell its best-selling item -- the #1 combo plate, comprised of a cheese enchilada, a rolled beef taco, Spanish rice and refried beans -- for 95 cents on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. The deal is good all day and at all six El Cholo locations -- downtown L.A., Koreatown, Santa Monica, La Habra, Anaheim Hills and Corona Del Mar -- but it's limited to one combo per person. "On opening day in 1927 the 4 crew members posed for a picture in the kitchen of El Cholo Cafe among the cooking utensils. The location was a storefront on Western Ave. at 11th Street." (Security Pacific National Bank Collection/Los Angeles Public Library collection) A SIDE OF HISTORY When the restaurant opened in 1923, it wasn't known as El Cholo. It was called the Sonora Cafe and it was located at Santa Barbara and Moneta avenues (now Martin Luther King Blvd. and Broadway), near the site where the L.A. Coliseum would later be built. Founders Alejandro and Rosa Borquez were a married couple. She was a native of Globe, Arizona. He was either a native of nearby Safford, Arizona or an immigrant from Mexico (accounts vary). Both had roots in the state of Sonora in northwestern Mexico and the food they served -- enchiladas, tamales, albondigas, chile rellenos and "fried beans" -- was rooted in Sonoran cuisine. "On opening day in 1927 the four El Cholo Cafe crew members posed for a picture by the cash register in the interior of the cafe, located on Western Ave. at 11th Street in a storefront. Seating can be seen behind and on the left." (Security Pacific National Bank Collection/Los Angeles Public Library collection) A couple years later, a guest, while waiting for his dinner, sketched a figure of a man on the menu. He nicknamed him El Cholo, the term used by Spanish settlers in California for field hands, according to the restaurant's website. The Borquezes liked the drawing so much, they renamed the restaurant El Cholo in 1925. Two years after that, in 1927, their daughter, Aurelia Borquez Salisbury, and her husband, George Salisbury, opened their own El Cholo Cafe on Western Ave., in what is now Koreatown. It had eight stools, three booths and a hot top stove where cooks could heat tortillas on the top while melting the cheese in the enchiladas underneath. The exterior of El Cholo restaurant, located at 1121 S. Western Ave., in 1931. (Security Pacific National Bank Collection/Los Angeles Public Library collection) In 1931, El Cholo moved a few doors away, to a house at 1121 S. Western Ave., now known as El Cholo's original location. Back then, Mexican food was often referred to as Spanish cuisine -- and El Cholo's neon sign still says "Spanish Cafe." Over the next several decades, the restaurant expanded its menu and its locations. In the '30s, El Cholo introduced its customers to the Caesar salad, a dish that originated in Tijuana. In 1955, guacamole joined the offerings as a dip for corn chips, which were becoming popular. A few years later, in 1959, waitress Carmen Rocha's nachos were added to the menu. Newer additions include the chicken chimichangas (1967), the crabmeat enchilada (1971) and the blue corn chicken enchiladas (1986). Along the way, El Cholo became an institution, a beloved destination for family gatherings and special outings. A copy of the menu of at El Cholo Restaurant, circa 1938. Minimum service for 25 cents. Special plate lunch for 45 cents and combination plate for 60 cents, plus a la carte service. (Security Pacific National Bank Collection/Los Angeles Public Library collection) For many people who didn't grow up eating Mexican food, it was also the first restaurant where they got to try it. El Cholo introduced the palate of white America to chiles, tortillas, meatball soup and flan. From a business standpoint, it was also a groundbreaking restaurant concept that paved the way for Mexican restaurants and fast food chains like El Torito, Acapulco, Taco Bell, Del Taco, Chevys, Baja Fresh and Chipotle, to name a few. How important and influential is El Cholo? Take the green corn tamales, which date back to 1923. Available from May until September or October, they're still made fresh every year and they're also so popular that people have them shipped around the world. "Exterior view of the J.H. Russell residence at 1115 So. Western Ave., next to El Cholo Restaurant, which in 1931 moved into the house at left at 1121 So. Western Ave. Demolition is being done on the El Cholo property." (Security Pacific National Bank Collection/Los Angeles Public Library collection) You made it! Congrats, you read the entire story, you gorgeous human. This story was made possible by generous people like you. Independent, local journalism costs $$$$$. And now that LAist is part of KPCC, we rely on that support. So if you aren't already, be one of us! Help us help you live your best life in Southern California. Donate now. 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. Most of what I know about how humans wrangle hardware in outer space I learned from the movies. "Hidden Figures" taught me that although NASA hired a brilliant mathematical corps of African American women to launch rockets and bring them back, the feds wouldn't let them go to the bathroom (plot summary). "First Man" taught me that NASA had little confidence in its ability to return the Apollo 11 moon walkers home intact. "Alien" taught me that in space, no one can hear you scream. On Saturday at The Huntington, I learned how NASA scientists express their artistic soul. A friend and I went to San Marino primarily to see what the Library had on rotating display. We were amazed by the painstakingly illuminated rendition of Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales," circa 1400; by the stately ochre signature of ALincoln concluding a letter written during the Civil War; by the contemporaneous code-breaking manual known by only 12 people waging bloody battle. At the Art Gallery, we hoped to witness the restoration of Thomas Gainsborough's "The Blue Boy," which is happening in real time as visitors walk by. But the satin-clad teenager and his makeover artist were nowhere to be seen -- the excruciatingly granular work is performed only on Thursdays, Fridays and one Sunday per month, and your faithful correspondent had failed to do her research. Portraits of 18th-century rich people who commissioned artists to make them look as though God sought their counsel aren't really my thing, but the effort required to maintain their sublime appearance is. My friend, who had been to The Huntington a few weeks earlier, suggested a visit to the Orbit Pavilion, where NASA had constructed an otherworldly structure in which the sound of satellites sailing high above the planet, he said, are replicated for your terrestrial enjoyment. He had it half right. The slatted pavilion is a gorgeous, hollow, aluminum-skinned spiral 17 feet high, 28 feet in diameter and open at the top. It must admit light and air so that the sound doesn't bounce around in a cacophonous mess. Inside, a series of speakers emit squeaks, hums and creepy sounds like what you get banging a Tibetan singing bowl. As you walk around this peculiar aural universe, some speakers offer animal noises, trees in wind, crashing waves, the human voice... It's all bunk. Scientists made up this stuff -- remember, sound is created by friction, by atoms and molecules vibrating in a medium, like air or water; because there's no air in outer space, no way to convey a noise, there is no sound (see: "Alien"). A team of "visual strategists" from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory conceived the Orbit Pavilion. One member is Dan Goods, who was valedictorian of his class at Pasadena's ArtCenter. Right brain, meet left brain. Each sound in the pavilion reflects one of 18 NASA satellites studying earth science, and the International Space Station. It's a two-part symphony by team member/composer Shane Myrbeck. One part reflects a day's worth of compressed satellite trajectory data as a chorus of 19 different satellite sounds. Part two reflects the actual position of the spacecraft, as each satellite vocalizes in sequence. The team hoped to capture a sense of NASA's satellite research into natural phenomena such as storms, droughts, ocean and wind currents. You hear the "music" as its respective satellite muse appears hundreds of miles directly over your head. The point is to connect mere Earthlings with the greater cosmos, and it's an arranged marriage of fact and fiction that works just fine. Orbit Pavilion is at The Huntington through Sept. 2, 2019. Photo: Ellen Alperstein Ed Catmull, the Pixar Animation Studios co-founder who helped pioneer the computer-animation industry and led Walt Disney Co.s animation business to its contemporary renaissance, is retiring. Catmull, 73, the longtime president of Pixar and Walt Disney animation studios, will step down from his current role at the end of the year, Walt Disney Studios said Tuesday. He will stay on in an advisory role through July and will not be replaced, the company said. Catmulls retirement marks the end of an era for Pixar and Disney. At Pixar, he and co-founder John Lasseter were credited with turning the studio into an animation juggernaut with such hits as Toy Story, Finding Nemo and The Incredibles. When Disney bought Pixar in 2006, it named Catmull president of its overall animation business, which went on to produce mega-hits, including Frozen. I have the mixed emotions that come with stepping away from a group of people I love, but also with the utmost pride and pleasure that we now have at both Pixar and Disney Animation, the most dedicated and imaginative leaders I have worked with, Catmull said in a statement. Advertisement The news comes less than five months after Lasseter stepped down amid allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior. Inside Out director Pete Docter and Frozen co-director Jennifer Lee were named chief creative officers of Pixar and Disney Animation, respectively, in June, replacing Lasseter. Docter and Lee both report to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn. Pixar President Jim Morris and Walt Disney Animation Studios President Andrew Millstein will continue to oversee operations of their respective studios, reporting to Walt Disney Studios President Alan Bergman, Disney said. They were elevated to their positions in 2014. In many ways, Catmull came to Hollywood as an outsider. He grew up in Salt Lake City in a conservative Mormon family, idolizing Albert Einstein and Walt Disney. He worked briefly as a computer programmer at Boeing Co. in Seattle after graduating from the University of Utah, but returned to his home state for graduate school. The soft-spoken Catmull pioneered some of the earliest techniques for computer animation such as texture mapping. His 1972 student film A Computer Animated Hand was one of the earliest examples of 3-D-rendered computer animation and was inducted into the National Film Registry. Ed Catmull is one of the central figures in the creation of digital media that so transformed Hollywood, said Tom Sito, an animation professor at USC. He is the research scientist turned movie mogul. Catmulls exit caps a more than four-decade career shaping the future of the film business. In 1979, Star Wars maestro George Lucas hired Catmull to create a computer group at his Northern California studio, Lucasfilm, when Catmull was running the computer graphics lab at the New York Institute of Technology. It was there that he hired the buoyant animator Lasseter, following a longtime philosophy of hiring the best available talent. Catmull is credited with helping persuade Apple co-founder Steve Jobs to acquire Lucasfilms computer division in 1986 and rename it Pixar. Early on, Pixar and Disney collaborated on the revolutionary Computer Animation Production System technology used in films such as The Rescuers Down Under and Beauty and the Beast. Though his presence looms large in the animation community, Catmull kept a low profile at Pixar. He has sometimes joked that next to co-founders Jobs and Lasseter, he was the Pixar founder no ones heard of. Still, people at the Emeryville, Calif., studio often repeated his management theories, including his belief in listening to everyones ideas and not operating out of fear. Pixar released the worlds first feature-length computer-animated film, Toy Story, in 1995 and has since won 15 Oscars and grossed more than $13 billion at the box office. Its 20 films have all been released by Disney. When he took over Walt Disney Animation in 2006, Catmull brought his leadership style to the studio, which was struggling to create hits as audiences shifted away from Disneys traditional hand-drawn filmmaking style. Under Catmull and Lasseter, the company embarked on a stunning turnaround, releasing successes including Zootopia and Moana. Drawing on his own experiences at Pixar, in 2014 he published a book co-written with Amy Wallace titled Creativity Inc., about how to launch a creative organization. In the book he emphasized the values of teamwork and a willingness to make mistakes. Failure isnt a necessary evil, he wrote. In fact, it isnt evil at all. It is a necessary consequence of doing something new. ryan.faughnder@latimes.com @rfaughnder Former Times Staff Writer Claudia Eller contributed to this report. UPDATES: 6:27 p.m.: This article was updated with more details on Catmulls career. This article was originally published at 4:10 p.m. Ken Moelis, the prominent investment banker, traveled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to extol the virtues of friendship and make money. The Los Angeles business titan whose company was selected last year to advise on the planned initial public stock offering of Saudi national oil company Aramco stood out as many of the other leading figures in U.S. finance sat out the kingdoms investment conference amid international outrage over the killing of government critic Jamal Khashoggi. Speaking on a panel that included the head of Russias VTB Bank, which is operating under U.S. sanctions, Moelis told the audience in the crowded conference room at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Tuesday that relationships are a companys most valuable asset even if theres no way to account for them on the balance sheet. He subsequently declined to answer reporters questions, underscoring the dilemma faced by those who decided to attend or avoid the gathering the latter group including U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. Advertisement The conference is the brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, held to showcase the kingdoms investment opportunities. Attendees gave the smiling 33-year-old crown prince applause when he showed and posed for pictures. But there was no hiding the fact that elsewhere in the Middle East as the conference was kicking off, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was telling lawmakers in his country that he rejected the Saudis explanations for the death of Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, in their consulate in Istanbul. Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, the billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Times, pulled out of the conference, as did many other media chieftains. Others who didnt show included the chief executives of some of the Saudis main financiers and business partners: Blackstone Groups Stephen Schwarzman, JPMorgan Chase & Co.s Jamie Dimon, HSBC Holdings John Flint and BlackRock Inc.s Larry Fink. Also not showing was Bank of America Corp.s Chief Operating Officer Thomas Montag and Ralph Schlosstein, chief executive of Evercore Inc., the investment banking advisory firm co-founded by current Los Angeles schools chief Austin Beutner. But most of those executives head firms with the balance sheet and history to weather any potential storm. Moelis, 60, leads a boutique New York investment bank with fewer than 1,000 employees. It was founded in 2007 with offices in New York and Los Angeles where records show Moelis owns several area homes but now boasts outposts in other U.S. cities, Brazil, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Winning a 2017 mandate to advise on the planned IPO of Saudi Aramco was a coup that promised Moelis & Co. its biggest payday ever. While the date for potentially the largest-ever IPO has receded into the future, the mandate earned him the nickname Ken of Arabia. Bloomberg estimated Moelis wealth at $1 billion in April, but there is more money to be made. Just as the Khashoggi scandal was unfolding early this month, the crown prince vowed that the Aramco IPO would proceed by 2021, potentially raising $100 billion at a record $2-trillion valuation. Still, that was then, even if just a few weeks ago. Most financial firms opted to send regional executives to the conference as they attempt to walk a fine line between the risks of stoking the outcry over the killing and losing future business in Saudi Arabia. Also walking a fine line was SoftBank Group Corp. Chief Executive Masayoshi Son, whose $100-billion Vision Fund has a $45-billion commitment from Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund. The Japanese billionaire met with the crown prince in Riyadh on Monday, but was not expected to attend the conference, according to people familiar with the matter. Key executives who are participating in the summit or are scheduled to do so include Patrick Pouyanne, CEO of Total SA; Lorenzo Simonelli, CEO of Baker Hughes; Paal Kibsgaard, CEO of Schlumberger Ltd.; Loh Boon Chye, CEO of Singapore Exchange Ltd.; Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of Russian Direct Investment Fund; Jim Breyer, CEO of Breyer Capital; and Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti SpA. Saudi Arabia has signed more than 25 deals as it tries to salvage its forum, including accords with French oil giant Total SA, oil-services provider Halliburton Co. and Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Some of the deals, totaling about $50 billion, had been announced previously, while others were for new ventures or marked progressive steps on existing agreements. Times staff writer Laurence Darmiento contributed to this report. In creating the space force that President Trump wants, one of the first steps should be to make an agency that buys cutting-edge space technology for all branches of the U.S. military, the National Space Council said Tuesday. Creating a new branch of the military would be subject to Congress approval, but the council, led by Vice President Mike Pence, is recommending that the nation build a space force and structures that would usher it into existence. The blueprint it outlined Tuesday also calls for review of each military branchs space-related responsibilities, development of a Defense Department organization to oversee space operations, and collaboration with Congress and U.S. intelligence agencies. The recommendations were sent to Trump for consideration. Advertisement This summer, Trump directed the Defense Department to begin the process of establishing a space-focused military service that would be a counterpart to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The White House has said it will release plans for the space force early next year. On Tuesday, Pence described the proposed space force as the next and natural evolution of our armed forces, arguing that U.S. adversaries such as China and Russia are developing new technologies, such as hypersonic missiles, that make space a place where wars can be fought. Pence said the Trump administration was already working closely with congressional leaders on both sides of the Capitol building to include funding for the space force in next years defense budget. The new military branch could be established as soon as 2020. Today, space is fundamentally different than it was a generation ago, Pence said during Tuesdays meeting at the National Defense University in Washington. It is the cost of inaction that we cant afford. But congressional support of the space force proposal is not certain, and Pentagon officials have said standing up a new military service could cost billions of dollars. At Tuesdays meeting, the council also provided updates on past initiatives. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said her department is looking at streamlining commercial space regulations, including launch licensing that currently needs to be obtained through several agencies. samantha.masunaga@latimes.com Twitter: @smasunaga On Monday morning, a cross section of Los Angeles close-knit tech investment community gathered on the plaza of the Annenberg Space for Photography to mingle with Mayor Eric Garcetti, drink mimosas and commit to changing their ways. The event marked the beginning of PledgeLA, an initiative by the Annenberg Foundation and City Hall that asks venture capitalists and the companies that they fund to make a three-point pledge: diversify their companies at all levels, increase community engagement, and measure and report their progress. The tech industry looks a little different because people are wearing T-shirts and flip-flops, Garcetti said from the stage. But the boardrooms and C-suites look like something out of Mad Men. The initiative grew out of Annenberg Tech, a project focused on spreading the benefits of the growing local tech sector by encouraging social-impact investing and workforce development. Advertisement Tech cannot keep growing at this explosive rate without engaging with the community, said Annenberg Foundation Chief Executive Wallis Annenberg. What I want with this partnership is to say, Lets all grow together, so everybody benefits. Forty-eight venture capital firms have signed on to the program, representing the bulk of L.A.s tech investor class. They are joined by 39 tech companies in the city, including heavy hitters such as Dollar Shave Club and Tradesy, an online resale marketplace for womens fashion. Data provided by the Annenberg Foundation outlines the scope of the problem. On the investment side, only 11% of venture capital partners in L.A. identify as women, and only 2% identify as African American or Latino. On the start-up side, more than 90% of local venture-backed companies are led by white men. As a native Angeleno, I know personally that the lack of diversity in tech is not because of a lack of talent or ambition or innovative thinkers, said Nonny de la Pena, founder of virtual reality company Emblematic Group. Its often because the networks of opportunity are granted to a limited few if were going to see a change made on these issues, its going to take recognition and coordination at an industry-wide level. The first step for venture capital firms that sign the pledge is taking a survey that measures diversity in their companies on metrics including race, gender, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation and engagement in local philanthropy and education. The aggregate results will be made public in early 2019 and then used as a baseline for setting specific goals for improvement. A survey for companies that sign the pledge is set to follow soon after. sam.dean@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter: @samaugustdean In an engaging installation at Commonwealth & Council, Jemima Wyman explores the aesthetics of public protest. Her fabric works, sculptures and wall-spanning collages are covered in graphic patterns and images from various progressive causes and popular movements. From stars associated with Anonymous, to bee costumes donned by activists speaking out against biochemical agribusiness Monsanto, they form a visual vocabulary of resistance. The most striking works are paintings on Zeltbahns, or shelter-halves. These triangular pieces of fabric were developed by the military to be worn as ponchos or combined to form temporary shelters. They were sometimes printed with a camouflage pattern, but Wyman has replaced it on both sides with protest imagery. With their upper corners folded down to reveal the painting on the back, they look like robes or perhaps flags draped around shoulders. One features a striking motif of skulls, stars and bombs gleaned from a 2017 anti-Trump demonstration in the Philippines, backed with a similar pattern of skulls and stripes from a 2014 protest after the killing of Michael Brown. Another Zeltbahn features a repeating letter A used by protesters at the 2012 Republican National Convention, interspersed with bullet holes displayed in the We Will Not Go Back demonstration after the killing of Eric Garner in 2014. On the folded corners are paint bomb marks from a 2016 anti-government protest in Macedonia. These flags make strange but exhilarating connections. Jemima Wyman, Coated Shelter-quarter (Womens March, Pittsburgh, Jan. 21, 2017 (Vagina Eye) and Anti-Prisoner Release protest banner, Israel, Aug. 13, 2013 (Hands) 2018. (Ruben Diaz) Advertisement In the center of the room is a large sculpture whose silhouette suggests a protester draped in such a flag. Its constructed like a carapace out of silvery, quilted panels, each bearing a photographic image of a protester wearing a mask. The panels form a soft armor, echoing the way a mask protects ones identity. Less powerful are two large wall collages of painted fabric, paper and photographs. Although their range of references is impressive, theyre not as moving as the pieces that operate on a bodily scale. Protests are all about putting ones body on the line, after all. Although Wyman is careful to document the source of each motif, she remixes them to suggest a global interconnectedness. Those who fight for justice, the environment and human rights all over the world might be a motley crew, but were all in the same fight. Wyman has given us our colors. Jemima Wyman, Coated Shelter-quarter (Anti-Trump protesters, Manila, Philippines, Nov. 14, 2017 (Bombs) and Protester against the death of Michael Brown, Missouri, Aug. 17, 2014 (Skulls and stripes), 2018. (Ruben Diaz) Commonwealth & Council, 3006 W. 7th St., Suite 220, (213) 703-9077, through Nov. 3. Closed Sunday through Tuesday. www.commonwealthandcouncil.com At the start of the mystery-drama Dont Go, struggling married couple Ben and Hazel Slater (played by Stephen Dorff and Melissa George) channel their grief over their young daughters accidental death into refurbishing an Irish seaside hotel. But the ocean view reminds Ben of one of the last happy days they all spent together, with memories so vivid that it almost feels like he could step inside them and maybe even change the past. The idea of human memory as a kind of time machine is powerful, and writer-director David Gleeson and his co-writer Ronan Blaney make it pay it off well in their movies final 10 minutes. Its the preceding 80 that are the problem. While Dorff and George are fine actors, the Slaters are stock characters. The movie trickles out details about their broken lives, each one more maudlin and old hat than the last: a stalled writing career, a tawdry affair, a tragic moment of neglect, and so on. The films beachfront locations are beautiful, and Dont Go has some memorable supporting performances, including Simon Delaney as a libertine priest at the Catholic school where Ben teaches. Advertisement Its admirable to try to make a movie about time travel and ghostly visitations that cant really be classified as horror or science-fiction. But too much of Dont Go is dry and dour, lacking the pop that some good genre elements could bring. This picture needs less moping and more spooking. ------------- Dont Go Not rated Running time: 1 hour, 32 minutes Playing: Starts Oct. 26, Arena Cinelounge Sunset, Hollywood ------------ See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers calendar@latimes.com @LATimesMovies On Her Shoulders is an intimate, empathetic documentary, made with discretion and power, about a 23-year-old woman who less than a month ago burst onto front pages worldwide when she won the Nobel Prize for Peace. That would be Nadia Murad, a survivor of the 2014 ISIS-led massacre of the non-Muslim Yazidi minority in her northern Iraq homeland, a woman whose story of rape and sexual slavery is beyond horrific. But unlike most documentaries about heroic individuals, On Her Shoulders, two years in the making, does more than show us why and how this woman with a complete lack of interest in fame or personal celebrity became the face of an international movement and a source of visible pride to her fellow Yazidis. Rather, director Alexandria Bombach, who won a directing prize at this years Sundance Film Festival for Shoulders, is equally interested in the personal price that has to be paid for this level of advocacy, to show what its like when global forces forcibly remove you from your normal life the way a tornado wrenched Dorothy from Kansas to Oz. Advertisement The world collapsed for Nadia on Aug. 3, 2014 when, as we hear newscasters announce, a catastrophe unfolded around her. ISIS forces overwhelmed her town in the Sinjar region, killing 700 of its 2,000 inhabitants, including her mother and six brothers. A total of 18 extended family members were killed or taken into slavery, as was the then-19-year-old Nadia. She eventually escaped and was taken to Germany, where psychological treatment was initiated. But, Nadia says, she stopped after one session. It would be too self-involved, too painful, she felt, to focus on herself when thousands of women and children were still in captivity and suffering horrors like her own. On Her Shoulders picks up Nadias story nearly two years later, in early summer 2016, when shes engaged in what has become her lifes work, campaigning nonstop for freedom and justice for those left behind as well as better conditions for those who made it out as refugees. The world is silent, mute about us, she says, and, working and traveling with Murad Ismael, the executive director of Yazda, a Yazidi advocacy organization, that is something she cannot abide. Even in the films opening frames, you can feel the close connection director Bombach, who also served as her own cinematographer and editor, has established with Nadia. She has used that intimacy in an unobtrusive way, to show us quite vividly the toll Nadias path has taken on her. Among the remarkable things On Her Shoulders demonstrates are the gifts of a self-described normal young woman whose hopes and dreams centered on nothing more than opening a beauty salon in her town. Instead, the catastrophe visited on Nadia created an unexpectedly steely level of determination as well as a natural gift for moving and compelling public speaking. On Her Shoulders shadows Nadia through three different situations, starting with a trip to Canada, where she evangelizes for the Yazidis plight in the hope that more of her compatriots will be admitted as refugees. Part of this work involved submitting and that really is the word to an exhausting string of interviews where she has to tell her horrific story again and again to interviewers whose questions can seem obtuse and intrusive. Next stop for Nadia is Greece, specifically three refugee camps where Yazidi refugees are being housed. She is mobbed as a savior here, and though she clearly enjoys being among her own people, it is difficult for her as well, and Ismael has to remind her that these people get their strength from you. The third part of Nadias story takes place in New York, where various appearances at the U.N. are scheduled, including one appointing her as Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking. This is yet another side of Nadias life, one involving planning, strategizing and networking with concerned individuals (Amal Clooney makes an appearance) who dont necessarily understand what she has been through. Asked to use the phrase Imagine yourselves in a speech, Nadia quickly replies, They cant imagine. On Her Shoulders, as its title indicates, is expert at conveying how heavily the weight of sadness sits on Nadia. When she is off air, her default position is to look shattered and genuinely haunted, an aura Patrick Jonssons rich score enhances. Yet filmmaker Bombach provides glimpses of another young woman, someone with a sense of fun who knows how to laugh. But whenever she does so, Nadia looks guilty and almost furtive, as if frivolity is not permitted. Of all the moments in this remarkable and deeply moving documentary, those are some of the saddest. RELATED: On Her Shoulders documents the quiet persistence of Nobel Peace Prize winner Nadia Murad ---------- On Her Shoulders Not rated Running time: 1 hour, 34 minutes Playing: Laemmles Monica, Santa Monica, Edward Westpark 8, Irvine kenneth.turan@latimes.com @KennethTuran The Conners returns Tuesday on ABC for its second episode, once again without former star and co-creator Roseanne Barr. Is the spinoff worth watching without her? The Times asked readers for their thoughts following the series premiere, with responses ranging from positively disgraceful to a talented ensemble at last able to shine. Even Barr weighed in on the premiere. Speaking about how her character was written out, Barr tweeted and also issued a statement along with her rabbi in which she said that the Roseanne Conner story line lent an unnecessary grim and morbid dimension to an otherwise happy family show. RELATED: Heres how The Conners wrote Roseanne off the show Advertisement Speaking with The Times about last weeks premiere, executive producer Dave Caplan predicted the opening episode would be a divisive one among fans: I think it will be highly debated, Rasmussen said. I dont think theres any one attitude on this. It really depends on how you feel about her, about the show in general. There will be some tumult. He was right, at least when it came to L.A. Times readers. Here are 25 opinionated responses below, edited for length and clarity. Warning: Some comments contain spoilers of The Conners premiere. Chris Pinter, 49, Rocky Mount, Va. It was horrible. Horribly written, and deliverance by the actors seemed more fake and forced than the normal flow the show always had. The entire cast stabbed her in the back, and a little part of me wants this to fail miserably. Kathy M. Eldridge, 65, Bend, Ore. I liked it. I think it will do well. We dont need [Roseannes] kind of hatred and racism on the media. Walter, 58, Cottonwood, Calif. Sucks. I will not watch again just not the same show, a huge loss without Roseanne. Dianna Fox, 63, Winchester, Calif. She made the show, and no one cares about the other cast members. Theyre like nobodies. It shouldnt be continued. Michael Kape, 64, Palm Springs The show felt for lack of a better term balanced, more of an ensemble piece. Without Roseanne Barr demanding the spotlight stay on her, we saw the show enhanced by the incredibly gifted supporting cast stepping into the light. And that was a good thing overall. Roseanne Barr was always funny in the show, but she could never handle the dramatic heft the role required. Now the pros are in command, and its like the best parts of the old show (and even last years reboot) have taken over. Ms. Barr might have done her fellow cast mates a huge favor without realizing it. Three cheers for a talented ensemble at last able to share the spotlight as one. RELATED: The Conners producers are ready to move on without Roseanne on- and off-screen Roseanne Barr and John Goodman in an episode from the ABC sitcoms original 10-season run. The comedy went off the air in 1997 before returning in 2018. (Daniel Watson / ABC) Roseanne was my comfort food. I grew up with Roseanne and the Conner family from day one. 'The Conners will just not have the same comfort. Hunter McGaughey, Wesley Chapel, Fla. Lou Ayala, 65, Fresno As usual the writer came up with a very controversial mode of death for Barr. Would it have [been] just as good to have Roseanne dying by being hit by a train? The show will not last past this season. TV studios are canceling better shows on TV. Brian Tone, 61, Campbell, Calif. Waste of time and money. I was never a Barr fan, but there was no need to remove Barr. It was a bad comment, but based on misunderstanding Id like to see another network pick up the real show with Barr in place. Hunter McGaughey, 48, Wesley Chapel, Fla. Roseanne has always been my go-to show when I wanted to feel like a fly on the wall in someone elses family. It always made me laugh and taught me theres no such thing as a normal family and thats OK. Roseanne was my comfort food. Sadly you cant even feel or think on your own unless its [within] the norms The Conners, for me, is just something that I am not going to support as I grew up with Roseanne and the Conner family from day one. The Conners will just not have the same comfort. Our country is founded on freedom of speech no matter how bizarre, outrageous, outspoken or absurd that speech is. She is not a racist, and its unfair to paint her as such. Lene, 62, Costa Mesa Its a testy sitcom, and there are plenty of actors who could fill Roseanne Barrs shoes. Kathy B., 65, Mill City, Ore. It was utterly boring. I died laughing watching the new Roseanne show with Roseanne Barr, but this newer version without her is awful. Roseanne was the star of that show, and it will never be the same without her. I also dont like that ABC chose to pick on elderly people and prescription pain meds. Some of us are in chronic pain and can barely function, yet all the time we are treated like criminals. ABC is trying to make money on Roseanne even though they refuse to forgive her for a statement she made. They arent going to make much with this show. I wont watch it, and nobody I know will either. William A. Griffith, 59, Norway, Mich. I do not like it at all. Her presence is glaringly missing The story reflected Roseannes life and attitude, and without her input, the show will never succeed. Robert Morgan, 88, Atlanta I will not watch without her. The show is RINO, Roseanne in Name Only....only they are not using her name. REVIEW: Without Roseanne, The Conners move on with a new family dynamic thats sharp, funny and cuts deep Roseanne Barr and John Goodman in the 2018 revival of Roseanne. The series was canceled in May after Barr made a racist comment on social media. (Adam Rose / ABC) I dont like that ABC chose to pick on elderly people and prescription pain meds. Some of us are in chronic pain and can barely function Kathy B., Mill City, OR Marty Gillis, 62, Apple Valley, Calif. It works. I couldnt bring myself to watch the first reboot because of Roseannes outspoken ignorance. John and Laurie can easily keep this show going. Greg Kerr, 49, Las Vegas I always found Roseanne as a performer irritating like running fingernails across a chalkboard, and never watched her throughout her career. I think the show now is much better, and I am more likely to snap it on from time to time. Why fire the entire crew and cast over one actors racist tweets? Goodman is better than ever, as are the others. And the writing appears to be ambitious, and mostly first rate. I think Sara Gilbert is going to be the breakout lead who centers the shows point of view. Jaxon G., 15, Texas Even though I was not an original fan of Roseanne, I still loved the new season. I think that ABC shot themselves in the foot with this one. Dont get me wrong, I still love the characters, but its not the same without Roseanne. The right decision is to forgive and forget; ABC bringing light to the tweet is just making it more of a problem. Dee, 67, Charlotte, N.C. She is what made the show. The show was so good with her, and so many looked forward to it. Such a shame! Christina Kelso, 40, Thermal, Calif. I recorded the show by DVR, but I dont feel I can bring myself to watch it. [I] feel it is tragic to erase her from her own show. She created it. Period. Where is the loyalty, compassion, and attention? Whats the point of cutting her out when she was the draw? H Paul Overholt Jr., 65, Pasadena I have a very positive feeling for the move to remove Roseanne Barr from The Conners. Just as positive as when we remove Trump from the White House. RELATED: 10.6 million viewers watch The Conners mourn the death of Roseanne From left to right, John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert and Lecy Goranson in The Conners. (Eric McCandless / ABC) Ms. Barr might have done her fellow cast mates a huge favor ... Three cheers for a talented ensemble at last able to share the spotlight. Michael Kape, Palm Springs, CA Nikki Foster, 36, Muskogee, Okla. Roseanne is the star of the show! REFUSE to watch it without her on it... She has a right to her opinion, and she should be able to state it, just like every other idiot out there that does. She got fired because shes Republican and for TRUMP!!! Joseph, 58, Los Angeles Not interested. ABC made a decision, which in todays PC world, I understand. They should have written a totally new show and used the actors and crew for that show. Nina Lee, 49, Los Angeles Positively disgraceful. Roseanne was the heart of the series. We laughed and cried with her. She made the show real, along with the supporting cast. Having her die of opioids is positively awful and untrue to her character. TC, 55, Santa Maria, Calif. Its a shame. Political correctness ruins another American life. Its about how much money ABC can exploit out of such a sad situation. Ray Busmann, 59, Los Angeles I love it. Roseannes absence allows more room for the incredibly talented cast to shine. And new cast members seem very promising! Brown, 65, New Ulm, Texas Sucks!!!!!!! If she had said something bad about Trump she would be a hero. But since it was about a [Democrat] she is crucified. Barbara Ann Van, 27, Wildwood Crest, N.J. None of the cast has the personality and charisma of Roseanne ... If I was her, I would start a Roseanne show on another network and get a new cast and try to get John Goodman back as her husband. Lacey, 32, Wichita, Kan. It was good, but Roseanne is incredibly missed ... I hope it is a success as this was a lifetime favorite for me growing up. Our national politics are awash in sexism. The president called a woman he is alleged to have slept with horseface. A man who belittled a female U.S. senator after being credibly accused of sexual assault was confirmed to the Supreme Court. Is it any wonder that the sexist bile swamping the upper reaches of American politics has trickled all the way down to the local level? Advertisement And yet, if the bucolic wine country town of Sonoma is any example, there is hope. Women are not taking it anymore. Exhibit A is Rachel Hundley, 35, a Sonoma city councilwoman who is seeking reelection. She is the victim of a political attack that was so misogynistic and mendacious that it has made her something of a political celebrity. Hundley, a municipal policy attorney and onetime food truck entrepreneur, was a political neophyte in 2014 when she ran for City Council here. Shed been in Sonoma for only two years, having left the East Coast after she was let go from her corporate law job. She wanted to live in a community with a sense of itself, and wanted to get involved. She was fully prepared to lose her first campaign, but to her surprise, edged out an incumbent. When she took office, she became the first millennial member of the Sonoma City Council. In 2016, the council chose her as mayor, a largely ceremonial year-long position that comes with a few unique powers, which she put to use. She spearheaded a shakeup of the Planning Commission, which rattled the local establishment at a time when Sonoma is in a protracted struggle over how to balance its identity as a charming wine country town with intense development pressures and soaring housing costs. She said she felt the commission was too passive. Traditionally, commissioners had been automatically reappointed, she said, and she wanted to have fresh voices on the panel. That was the first time I was called a carpetbagger, the first time I was called arrogant, she told me Sunday, sipping a mimosa as we sat on the cozy back deck of her rental home in a rural neighborhood dotted with oaks and grapevines on the east side of town. She didnt invite me inside, as she had just gotten married a week earlier, and the house was in post-wedding disarray. Her husband, Sean Hamlin, is also in politics; he is campaign manager for Democratic state Assemblyman Jim Wood. When I asked if I could plug my dying phone in, she said, Of course. We have a cord right here. Were millennials. Later, we drove over to City Hall, a stately stone building in the middle of the towns famous plaza, to meet a photographer. As soon as she arrived, a woman approached. Hi, Mayor! she said. I want you to meet my daughter. Who was that? I asked. I dont know, Hundley replied sheepishly. Im terrible with names and faces. With the sun in her eyes, she sat gamely for photos in the O of a big red metal sculpture in front of City Hall that spells LOVE. As mayor, she quickly learned that exercising even her limited power came at a cost. Though appointing new planning commissioners was well within her rights as mayor, she said, I had no idea what I was stepping into with that one. Thats what opened the gates of fury. Rachel Hundley speaks with tourists outside City Hall on Oct. 21. (Noah Berger / For the Times) :: And heres what came out: In the middle of August, Hundley got an email from a group called Sonoma Citizens for Peace & Cooperation. The email, which told her to drop out of her race, had a link to a website called Exposing Rachel Hundley. The website, with images lifted from her social media posts, was vicious if sophomoric. There she was in her not-very-revealing underwear, posing for wholesome, fitness-style shots from 2013, the year she turned 30. I gave myself the gift of having a personal trainer for six months, she said. At the end of that, I was as buff as this body can get. And I figured one day when I was 70 or 80, it would be a memory of what I was at 30. There were a couple of photos from Burning Man, including one where she is wearing a bustier and bikini bottoms. Also, a sweet shot of her hugging the hood of her late and lamented food truck, Drums and Crumbs, which is painted in a pink-and-white gingham pattern, with frills. Not exactly Stormy Daniels material here. In the text, she was vilified as a devious lawyer with an unbridled desire to dominate Sonoma into submission and a cruel and demented person who lacks a moral compass. She was accused of resenting Sonoma for rejecting her failed fried chicken truck. She was accused of inflicting fatal damage on the planning commission in a Heil Rachel blitzkrieg. Her behavior was alleged to be lascivious, drunk and drug-addled. I had this nauseated feeling that didnt disappear for a month, Hundley said. Something like that had never happened in Sonoma. Friends counseled her to ignore it. Hundley decided to fight back. She created a four-minute video, and posted it to YouTube. :: She is standing on Sonoma Plaza wearing a prim blue dress. She seems a little nervous, but resolute. The video is, in its own restrained way, a tour de force. It is a millennial womans unflinching declaration of independence from sexual shame, from patriarchy, from fear. What was especially disturbing in this era of #MeToo was the attempt to slut-shame me for celebrating my body and my attendance at Burning Man, Hundley says in the video. She skipped the festival this year. I have voluntarily managed a well-known wine bar that is associated with a consent-focused, sex-positive theme camp. Im not exactly sure what that means, but Im a big fan of using consent and sex in the same sentence. For too long it has been seen as OK to control women by dictating what is acceptable for us to wear, say and do, Hundley says. Strong women have been fighting these double standards and hypocrisy for years, fighting a culture that says our bodies and our lives are meant only for the consumption of men. I am here today to tell my faceless bullies that I cannot be shamed into quitting because I am not ashamed. Since it was posted on Aug. 20, the video has been watched nearly 187,000 times. Thats 17 times more than the population of Sonoma, and 26 times more than the citys 7,000 registered voters. And the attack website? It was taken down almost immediately. No one took credit for putting it up, and given the support and attention Hundley has received in the aftermath, I doubt anyone ever will. robin.abcarian@latimes.com Twitter: @AbcarianLAT The images convey a deepening U.S. immigration crisis: a two-mile-long stream of more than 7,000 Central American migrants marching into Mexico, heading north toward the United States. President Trump has seized on the mass exodus, taking to Twitter to call it an assault on the southern U.S. border. Two weeks shy of the midterm election, he continues to characterize the border as out of control, threatening to send troops there and telling a crowd of supporters in Montana: Remember its gonna be an election of the caravan. But is pressure on the U.S. border really getting worse? Advertisement Overall, illegal immigration has been at historic lows the last several years. The U.S. government gauges trends in illegal immigration by looking at the number of people who are apprehended each year trying to cross the border. That figure climbed steadily from the 1970s through the 1990s, peaking at 1.64 million in fiscal year 2000. It has dropped sharply since then, hitting 303,916 in 2017. Based on the first 11 months of this fiscal year the most recent data available the annual total was on pace to rise past 390,000. That would still be lower than all but four of the previous 45 years. Thats because illegal immigration from Mexico has been falling. Traditionally, the vast majority of people crossing the border illegally have been Mexican citizens. For decades, a booming U.S. economy pulled many Mexicans fleeing poverty. They accounted for more than 99% of all people who were caught in the peak year of 2000. But in recent years, increasing economic opportunity in Mexico has reduced clandestine immigration. Another factor driving down the numbers is that women in Mexico have been having fewer children on average, reducing poverty rates and the motivation to seek work in the U.S. A beefed-up border enforcement presence is also thought to be a deterrent. In 2016, Mexicans made up about 47% of people apprehended at the border, according to federal data provided to the Pew Research Center. (Los Angeles Times) At the same time, illegal immigration from the Northern Triangle Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador in Central America is far higher than it was a decade ago. The number of migrants from these three countries rose from 45,709 in 2010 to a peak of 239,229 four years later, according to Pew. It has since dropped, hitting an estimated 163,000 last year. But for the last two years, there have been more apprehensions of migrants from the Northern Triangle than from Mexico. Record violence and political instability are the primary factors driving Central Americans to the United States. The first big wave of migration from Central America occurred during the regions civil wars of the 1980s. The U.S. helped fuel those wars, backing right-wing governments and rebel groups against what it saw as the threat of communism. The biggest factor in the current exodus is gang violence, and once again U.S. policy has played a role. In the late 1990s, the U.S. deported hundreds of early MS -13 and 18th Street gang members back to Central America, where they created offshoots and grew more powerful. As gang extortion and killings became prevalent, many people fled. Many of these immigrants have surrendered to U.S. border officials and requested asylum, studies show. More migrants from the Northern Triangle asked for asylum in the U.S. between 2013 to 2015 than in the previous 15 years combined. The current caravan is unusual for its size. Im only just realizing the massive scale of this caravan as they march north into Mexico. Its several thousand people. Just look. pic.twitter.com/aRuoLNYTZg Kate Linthicum (@katelinthicum) October 21, 2018 Migrant caravans from Central America are nothing new. People have long traveled in large numbers but away from public view and with not much fanfare. Some have been organized to draw attention to the plight of Central Americans. They also offer migrants protection from rape, extortion and other dangers along the journey, as well as a way to get to the United States without hiring a smuggler for thousands of dollars. At more than 7,000 migrants, the current caravan is the largest to date. It dwarfs the group of about 1,200 people that garnered extensive media coverage in the spring. Many will probably not be granted asylum. Its perfectly legal to show up at a U.S. port of entry and request asylum. Getting it is another matter. Migrants must first demonstrate to border officials a credible fear of persecution based on religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. It can take weeks and even months just to be allowed to enter the U.S. ports of entry for an interview, and encampments have sprung up along the southern border in the last couple of years. Applicants who pass the interview must then make the case before an immigration judge. Decisions can take years because of a shortage of judges and an increase in cases. The migrant caravan has arrived in Tapachula, Mexico. pic.twitter.com/q2bSaECuWP Kate Linthicum (@katelinthicum) October 21, 2018 Between fiscal years 2012 and 2017, immigration judges denied about 75% of the nearly 11,000 asylum cases brought by Guatemalan immigrants, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a Syracuse University project that collects immigration data. The percentage of denials was slightly higher for Salvadoran and Honduran asylum seekers. The Trump administration has made the process even more difficult by ordering immigration judges to stop granting asylum to virtually all those claiming to be victims of domestic or gang violence, a move that could block tens of thousands of people from gaining permanent entry into the U.S. Once they reach the border, some families in the caravan may be separated. In May, the Trump administration announced a new zero tolerance policy to criminally prosecute every adult who enters the country illegally. The policy resulted in immigration officials separating migrant children from their parents. That triggered widespread outrage, and in June the government scrapped the policy. But that doesnt necessarily mean family separations will end. Some lawyers for immigrants say the government has been taking children from their asylum-seeking parents by abusing a long-standing policy designed to protect children. The government can take custody when the child is deemed to be in danger or an adult cannot prove he or she is related to the child. But lawyers say in court filings that in some cases immigration officials have been falsely making such determinations. The Trump administration denies that and says it is acting only in the interest of the children. cindy.carcamo@latimes.com Follow Cindy Carcamo on Twitter @thecindycarcamo More than 15,000 University of California radiology technologists, nurses aides and other patient care workers have scheduled a three-day strike beginning Tuesday. The workers with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 were expected to be joined by 24,000 other union members in a sympathy strike. The supporting strikers include service workers from AFSCME and pharmacists, physician assistants and other members of the University Professional & Technical Employees-CWA 9119. All 10 campuses and five medical centers are expected to remain open throughout the strike. UCLA Health has retained temporary contract staff with extensive qualifications and experience to fill in, and outpatient clinics are offering after-hours and weekend appointments, officials said. Advertisement All UCLA Health hospitals and clinics will continue to provide safe, high-quality patient care, Johnese Spisso, UCLA Health president, and Dr. Kelsey Martin, dean of the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, said in an email to employees. All four dining facilities in UCLAs residence halls will remain open, but four smaller locations serving to-go meals will be closed. UC San Diego Health has trained about 270 replacement workers to step in during the strike and will continue to operate its regional burn center and emergency and trauma departments. Whats important for the public to know is that safety is our priority, Jacqueline Carr, UC San Diego Health spokeswoman, said in an email. The union and university reached an impasse last year over disagreements about pay increases, healthcare premiums and outsourcing. AFSCMEs service workers called a three-day strike in May over similar issues. AFSCME is asking for a 6% annual raise per year plus additional payments over four years; UC is offering 3% plus a onetime payment of $750 after a contract is ratified. The union is rejecting the universitys demands for higher healthcare premiums. John de los Angeles, an AFSCME spokesman, said the union wants to stop outsourcing, which he said has led to a loss of middle-class jobs and growing pay inequity among workers. African Americans are disappearing from UC and women of color are paid far less than white males, he said. We believe outsourcing is exacerbating this problem. UC spokeswoman Claire Doan said that UC spending on outside contracting has stayed relatively flat, from $162.4 million in fiscal year 2016 to $166.8 million in fiscal year 2018. Meanwhile, Doan said, the number of AFSCME workers at UC has gone up from 21,323 in 2013 to 24,979 in 2018. As a negotiating tactic, this AFSCME-led strike is no more effective now than it was in May, Doan said in an email. Union leaders certainly have the right to express even scream their opinions, but the way to a deal is at the negotiating table, not on the picket lines. In recent months, UC has reached a labor agreement with United Auto Workers Local 2865, representing academic student employees, and the California Nurses Assn./National Nurses United. Both contracts provided 3% annual raises. teresa.watanabe@latimes.com Twitter: @TeresaWatanabe A vintage small plane crashed onto the 101 in Agoura Hills on Tuesday afternoon, shutting down the freeway in both directions, authorities said. Los Angeles County firefighters arrived at the crash site near Liberty Canyon Road about 1:50 p.m. According to spokeswoman Vanessa Lozano, the plane crashed in the middle of the freeway. No injuries were reported, and no one was taken to a hospital. Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesman Marvin Lim said he did not know whether the pilot was able to safely exit the plane himself or had been removed by rescuers. About 4:15 p.m., the north and southbound slow lanes reopened, said California Highway Patrol spokesman Chris Baldonado. Because the crash happened between the on- and offramps, traffic was directed off the freeway and immediately back on the other side of the crash, he said. Advertisement All lanes on both sides of the freeway were reopened shortly before 6 p.m., the CHP reported on Twitter. (Los Angeles Times) Images tweeted by drivers on the freeway showed the vintage airplane in flames, emitting a black cloud of smoke. Firefighters put out the flames about 2:15 p.m., officials said. National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Terry Williams said the agency was in the very early stages of the investigation and will have more information tomorrow. Officials identified the plane as a North American SNJ-5 (T-6), a trainer aircraft used by the U.S. Army Air Forces, U.S. Navy, Royal Air Force and others during World War II. Chris Rushing, president of the nonprofit Condor Squadron, said the plane belongs to his organization. According to its website, the group was formed in 1965 to preserve World War II history. The pilot obviously had a catastrophic failure and had to put it down on the 101, Rushing said. Thank God hes OK and no one got hurt on the ground. Rushing said the pilot, whom he identified as Rob Sandberg, was able to get out of his plane. Cole Puente, who was driving on the freeway when the crash occurred, said traffic was sparse but that he was surprised no injuries had been reported. I find that really remarkable, said Puente, a 28-year-old Thousand Oaks resident. Im guessing it was just a very fortunate set of circumstances. A vintage plane crash-landed on the 101 Freeway on Oct. 23, 2018. The pilot survived, but the traffic was backed up for miles. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) Just saw a plane crash on the 101 pic.twitter.com/QUUfG5NzAL Cole Puente (@colepuente) October 23, 2018 alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Twitter: @r_valejandra UPDATES: 6:10 p.m.: This article was updated with the freeway being reopened. 4:50 p.m.: This article was updated with details from the NTSB and the planes owner. 3 p.m.: This article has been updated with more details. This article originally published at 2:20 p.m. Prosecutors on Tuesday asked the judge handling Robert Dursts murder case to consider as evidence a fictional movie loosely based on the New York real estate scions life, as well as the DVD commentary he made while watching the film. Dursts comments and, at times, his silence while viewing All Good Things constitute a tacit admission of guilt, prosecutors wrote in a motion filed Tuesday. The 2010 film starring Ryan Gosling as the character based on Durst ties him to the slayings of his wife, his best friend, his neighbor and his dog. After reading the script and watching this movie, prosecutors wrote, defendant did not sue the production company for slander, nor did he object to how the movie portrayed him. The prosecutions request came during a preliminary hearing for Durst, who is charged with shooting his friend Susan Berman in the back of the head inside her Benedict Canyon home in 2000. Prosecutors allege that he killed her because of what she knew about his first wifes disappearance in New York years earlier. Los Angeles prosecutors have argued that Durst killed his wife, Kathleen, in 1982, but her body has never been found. Advertisement The 75-year-old Durst has publicly denied involvement in Kathleens disappearance and has pleaded not guilty in the Los Angeles case, saying he didnt kill Berman and doesnt know who did. His attorneys have said they believe the Los Angeles murder prosecution was prompted by publicity surrounding the HBO miniseries The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, not evidence. He was arrested in connection with Bermans slaying on March 14, 2015, the day before the series finale aired. In the motion filed this week, prosecutors said that after Durst watched All Good Things, he contacted the director, offering praise and agreeing to sit for an interview, which was used as commentary for the films DVD release. Dursts only criticism of the film, prosecutors said, was the depiction of him killing his dog, Igor. His failure to dispute any of the other damning allegations from the rest of the movie manifests his belief in the movies truth, prosecutors argued. It strains all credibility to suggest that a person being depicted as a serial killer would not have stood up and proclaimed the falsity of such allegations. In court Monday, Dursts lead attorney, Dick DeGuerin, scoffed at the prosecutions attempt to use the film as evidence. Where do I start? DeGuerin said. This is a work of fiction. Its a work of drama, it has actors and all of the accouterments of a Hollywood production. Judge Mark E. Windham has yet to make an official ruling on whether he will consider the film and commentary as evidence. In court Monday, the judge told prosecutors he had specifically avoided watching the film, saying he found it problematic to rely on a fictionalized account of something youre alleging actually took place. As prosecutors laid out evidence Tuesday, a fuller picture emerged of how director Andrew Jarecki, who made All Good Things and The Jinx, helped Los Angeles authorities build their murder case. By the time he contacted law enforcement, Jarecki was more convinced than ever that Durst was responsible for Bermans death and his wifes disappearance, according to a detectives report based on an interview with the director in 2015. Jarecki initially contacted an FBI agent, who suggested he call L.A. County Deputy Dist. Atty. John Lewin, a veteran cold-case prosecutor. The production team turned over a key piece of evidence to prosecutors a letter from Durst to Berman in 1999 showing handwriting that looks similar to that in an anonymous note sent to police at the time of Bermans death, telling them theyd find a cadaver at her home. In both documents, Beverly Hills is misspelled as Beverley Hills. In his interview with the detective, Jarecki said he didnt learn about Dursts arrest until a day after it happened, saying there was no effort to alert him to increase television ratings. Prosecutors played clips from recorded interviews between Jarecki and Durst, including a portion that was included in the All Good Things commentary. As the defendant watched a scene in which Gosling yanks Kirsten Dunst who plays the character based on Kathleen by her hair, urging her to leave a social gathering, Durst said, This is close. The multimillionaire tells Jarecki that in the past he had heard two different versions of what happened that day. One way I drag her out of the house by her hair; the other way, I grab her hair and a big chunk comes out, Durst said. Either one is close enough. During a later interview, which was also played in court Tuesday, Jarecki asked Durst if hed had trepidation when first watching the film. Oh, enormous trepidation, Durst said. But I felt the movie was very, very, very close in much of the ways about what, pretty much, happened. There were parts where I said, Well, thats just not right. At the end of the preliminary hearing, which is scheduled to stretch into Thursday, the judge will decide whether there is enough evidence for Durst to stand trial for Bermans murder. marisa.gerber@latimes.com Twitter: @marisagerber UPDATES: 6:35 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details from the court hearing. This article was originally published at 4:15 p.m. When Elon Musks tunneling firm began digging in Hawthorne last year, the construction site next to SpaceX headquarters was barely noticeable, sandwiched between a home improvement store and a parking garage. The engineers at work on the Boring Co.s tunnel, which now runs for a mile beneath city streets, have signaled that they intend to finish as they started: away from the public eye. For the record: An earlier version of this article misstated Cal/OSHAs role overseeing the Hawthorne project. The agency regulates tunneling safety on the project, but not the transportation system inside. But documents submitted to city officials by Musks tunneling company offer a sneak peek at the companys plans. The most futuristic is a blueprint for a steel elevator shaft inside the garage of a shabby house near the Hawthorne Municipal Airport that would connect with the test tunnel 40 feet below. Advertisement Well be completely contained within the garage, Boring Co. employee Brett Horton told officials last month when the project received approval from the Hawthorne City Council. You wont be able to see or hear it. The structure would serve as a covert place for engineers to practice raising and lowering vehicles into the test tunnel, a key element of the transportation system known as Loop. Musk envisions a transportation network where commuters in cars, on foot or on bicycles can board platforms the size of parking spaces, dotted across the city. The platforms, called skates, would sink through elevator shafts, merge seamlessly into the tunnel network and whisk riders to their destinations at speeds of up to 130 mph. An artists rendering shows passengers boarding a pod on a skate, with drivers pulling onto other skates in the background. (The Boring Co.) Musk said Sunday that the companys first tunnel will open to the public in December with free rides for the public. If that happens, it will be the first chance many residents have to learn anything about the tunnel, where engineers have been honing their digging skills for a year. The tunnel has been built quietly, with comparatively little noise, congestion or public communication. Milestones have mostly popped up through Musks Twitter feed, sparking excitement from traffic-weary Angelenos and skepticism from locals about the projects feasibility. Transportation planners and officials say they worry about the systems effect on traffic and whether Musk can deliver on his ambitious visions. As one example, critics say, the tunnel in Hawthorne is shorter than the two-mile route that city officials approved last year. The route was truncated because a property became available where the company could extricate a piece of digging equipment known as a cutter head that otherwise would have been abandoned underground, company representative Jane Labanowski said at City Hall last month. A video posted on Instagram by the Boring Co. earlier this year showed a glimpse of the tunnel underway beneath the streets of Hawthorne, including a narrow railway track. (The Boring Co.) The company will haul the cutter head, a massive disk that functions like a drill bit, through a shaft in an industrial building on 120th Street near Prairie Avenue. The company bought the property for nearly $2 million earlier this year, state records show. We decided to shorten the tunnel because we wanted to reuse the cutter head, Labanowski said. We think its a much better move to shorten the tunnel. The blue-and-gray house on West 119th Place, where the elevator shaft would be built, sold for $485,000 in January to Irmas House, a limited liability company owned by the Boring Co., according to local and state records. Documents filed with the city of Hawthorne call for a bigger, sturdier garage along the houses property line, near the tunnels path along 120th Street. A small spur would connect the tunnel to the elevator shaft in the garage, the plans said. Hawthorne officials have said that there will be no signs on the well-kept street that one homes garage conceals an entrance to a subterranean test track. The Boring Co. said the elevator will be quiet enough that the house can be rented to tenants. The garage of a nondescript house on West 119th Place in Hawthorne will conceal the entrance to an access shaft to Boring Co.'s test tunnel 40 feet below, according to company plans. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) The garage would be surrounded by security gates and surveillance cameras to prevent intruders, the company said, and the elevator platform will seal off the tunnel shaft when its not in use. To keep the street from becoming a de facto loading zone, no vehicles will be allowed to enter or leave the garage, city officials said. Instead, all vehicles inside the test tunnel must enter and exit through the SpaceX construction site a mile east. After the sale, the house was quiet for months. But security cameras were recently installed on the roof, and residents have received letters saying construction would start soon, said Carmen Ayala, 48, who lives across the street. Some residents have been concerned about potential damage to their homes, Ayala said, but she is more optimistic. I actually feel proud, she said. Were the first to have that tunnel. At a city meeting last month, Ayalas neighbor Sammy Andrade told local officials that he and other residents really, really want to know how the company will prevent damage to their properties, because its our families, and its our homes. Company officials have assured residents that tunneling is safe, and that they continually monitor the soil for signs of settling. In a now-deleted Instagram post, Musk wrote earlier this year that the public will be able to take free rides through the Hawthorne tunnel in a few months, pending final regulatory approvals. Exactly how those regulatory approvals would work is not clear. The Boring Co. did not return a request for comment. A spokeswoman for Cal/OSHA, the workplace safety agency, said her department oversees tunneling safety on the Hawthorne tunnel, but has nothing to do with regulating the transportation system inside. A spokesman for the Federal Railroad Authority said officials in Washington are providing informal technical assistance, but have not approved any new technology. Musks progress in Hawthorne has gone more smoothly than his efforts to tunnel across the border in the city of Los Angeles. His pitch to dig a 2.7-mile test tunnel beneath Sepulveda Boulevard stalled when two homeowners groups sued Los Angeles over the City Council public works committees decision to exempt the tunnel from environmental review. The move still needs a full council vote. Musk has posted images online showing a spider web of possible tunnel routes across L.A., with proposed stations at the Getty Center, Dodger Stadium, Union Station and Los Angeles International Airport. In August, Musks team proposed a 3.6-mile tunnel to Dodger Stadium from a Metro Red Line station in Los Feliz, Hollywood or Koreatown. In a nod to the stalled Westside tunnel, the company said it has made technical progress much faster than expected and has decided to make its first tunnel in Los Angeles an operational one, rather than a test. Times staff writer Alejandra Reyes-Velarde contributed to this report. laura.nelson@latimes.com Twitter: @laura_nelson An Air Force captain who sued Southern California Gas Co. after he was seriously injured last year in Hawthorne when one of the companys trucks struck him while he was on his motorcycle and dragged him several hundred feet has reached a $46-million settlement with the utility. The settlement was announced Monday after a nearly monthlong civil trial as jurors were considering punitive damages in the case. Jurors already had awarded Jason Lo a nearly $41.9-million verdict, Los attorneys said. Lo, a Long Beach resident, said in a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court that Southern California Gas was negligent when it allowed employee Dominick Consolazio, who suffered from seizures, to drive one of the utilitys trucks. The company said in a statement Tuesday that it took responsibility very early in the litigation process and admitted liability for its drivers actions. Advertisement We respect the jurys role in deciding the verdict and extend our sincere condolences to Mr. Lo and his family for the injuries and hardship they have endured, the utility said. Consolazio said he suffered a seizure before striking Lo, who was stopped at a red light on his motorcycle at Rosecrans and Hindry avenues on Feb. 13, 2017. Lo and his motorcycle became wedged underneath the front end of the utility truck, which stopped at the intersection for 23 seconds, according to the lawsuit. The suit says Consolazio then continued driving, dragging Lo about 430 feet, in an attempt to flee the crash and get onto the freeway. Witnesses eventually forced Consolazio to stop the vehicle, and he was arrested. Consolazio pleaded no contest to felony hit-and-run causing injury in August 2017 and was sentenced to five years probation and community service, according to court records. Lo suffered serious injuries to his right leg and lost about 40% of his blood as a result of the crash. He spent nearly a month in the hospital with orthopedic and vascular injuries that required multiple surgeries, according to his attorneys. His leg remains severely disfigured, and he faces additional surgeries to repair the damage. Amputation of his right leg remains a threat that must be monitored for life, his attorneys said. The Lo family will live with this tragedy for the rest of their lives, attorney Brian Panish said. The settlement reached by the parties after the jurys substantial verdict will enable this young couple to move forward, build a family and get Capt. Lo the medical care he will need in the future. hannah.fry@latimes.com Twitter: @Hannahnfry A former staffer with Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar is suing the city of Los Angeles, alleging she faced retaliation after voicing concerns that her boss was having an affair with an aide and committing potential legal and ethical violations. Mayra Alvarez, who left the councilmans office in July, said she was demoted and had her responsibilities scaled back after she complained that staffers had been assigned to work during city time on the upcoming council campaign of Huizars wife, Richelle Huizar. Alvarez said she was also punished for taking maternity and disability leave and for complaining that Huizar was having an affair with one of his aides, a situation she said had been causing friction in his office. Many of the councilmans staffers believed that Huizars mistress received more favorable treatment from him with respect to assignments and more leniency with respect to deadlines and attendance, the lawsuit states. Advertisement Huizar issued a statement calling the legal filing absolute nonsense, saying its accusations are completely false and outlandish. It is nothing more than a hit piece orchestrated by political operatives who seek to undermine all the good work Ive accomplished on behalf of my constituents, he said. Terrence Jones, the attorney representing Alvarez, would not name the person involved in an alleged affair, saying he does not want to shame her. However, he said his client is not referring to Francine Godoy, who sued Huizar for sexual harassment in 2013 and later settled privately. Huizar said at the time that he had engaged in a consensual extramarital affair with Godoy, his former deputy chief of staff, calling the relationship a huge mistake. Alvarez, who started with Huizar as an intern and became a full-time staffer in 2014, is seeking financial damages and attorneys and experts fees. She currently works as a staffer to Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles), a former Huizar aide herself. Huizar is named as a defendant in the case, which alleges workplace harassment, retaliation and pregnancy discrimination. The Alvarez lawsuit comes as city officials are investigating a separate discrimination complaint lodged against Huizar through the citys online complaint system. A five-member committee held its first meeting Oct. 10 to look into those allegations, according to a personnel department spokesman. Alvarez did not file that complaint, her lawyer said. The Alvarez lawsuit comes one month after Richelle Huizar announced she is running in the 2020 election to replace her husband. She has been appearing at various community events with her husband, who faces term limits in two years. A consultant for her campaign did not respond to requests for comment. Alvarez said in her legal filing that in June 2017, Huizar began requiring his council staff to hold Executive No. 2 meetings to plan and launch his wifes campaign. The councilman instructed aides to share his calendar with his wife and email her talking points to get her up to speed on certain issues, according to the lawsuit. Alvarez said she voiced concern to Huizar about those activities, which she considered a violation of city and state ethics rules. Her concerns were rebuffed by the councilman, she said. Despite local, state and federal laws prohibiting government employees from engaging in political activity on the job, Huizar required his city staffers to conduct meetings in order to plan Richelle Huizars campaign, the lawsuit states. Those meetings were formally calendared and occurred during normal city work hours and within city properties. Huizar, in his statement, drew a link between the Alvarez lawsuit and his wifes upcoming campaign. I find it suspicious that these claims have surfaced now when my wife has announced her candidacy for my seat, he said. This further supports that this is politics at its worst. In her lawsuit, Alvarez said she and other staffers were instructed to perform other nongovernmental activities for the councilman, such as picking up his dry cleaning, dropping his children off at school and going to his home in Boyle Heights to let his dog out to poop. Alvarez said she also chafed at instructions from Huizar to alter appointment calendars from 2015 and 2016 that had been requested by The Times under the California Public Records Act. In her lawsuit, she said Huizar did not want the public to know about meetings with lobbyists and developers. Alvarez said she voiced concern about the practice but was compelled by the councilman to make the changes, the lawsuit states. She was then directed to delete all of the emails concerning the calendar modifications, according to the filing. Huizar was elected to the council in 2005 and represents neighborhoods stretching from downtown to Eagle Rock. Before joining the council, he served on the Los Angeles Board of Education. david.zahniser@latimes.com Twitter: @DavidZahniser UPDATES: 4:40 p.m.: This article was updated to say a consultant to Richelle Huizars campaign did not respond to requests for comment. 1:10 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from Jose Huizar. This article was originally published at 10:45 a.m. A Mission Hills man was charged with the illegal storage of a firearm after his stepson was caught taking an unloaded gun to school, Los Angeles City Atty. Mike Feuers office announced Tuesday morning. Jose Munoz, 35, was charged with one count of criminal storage of a firearm carried off-premises to a public school and one count of unlawful storage of a firearm, the city attorneys office said. He faces up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine if convicted. On Sept. 13, Munozs 17-year-old stepson posted a photo on social media showing himself carrying a gun in his waistband while on the Grant High School campus. Another Grant High student notified school police of the image, and when school police searched the teenagers locker, they said they found an unloaded .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol. The boy was not identified because he is a minor. Police then searched the teens home, where they found an unlocked gun case and a handgun magazine in a backpack on the floor of Munozs closet, officials said. Advertisement #PressRelease: City Atty Mike Feuer files criminal charges against parent for allegedly not storing gun, which was brought to school by his stepson https://t.co/zDlfEqnMoH #gunviolence #SchoolSafety #news pic.twitter.com/1rvC6GLSlb LA City Attorney (@CityAttorneyLA) October 23, 2018 Feuer said during a news conference Tuesday that his office has prosecuted a handful of similar cases. Safely storing guns saves lives, prevents crime and its the law, Feuer said. If an unsecured gun falls into the hands of a teenager and is taken to school, its a recipe for tragedy. City Councilman Paul Krekorian announced at the conference that he will introduce a motion to the council asking parents in the Los Angeles Unified School District to sign a pledge saying they will securely store their firearms, as required by law. The pledge is one of 33 recommendations from Feuers Blue Ribbon Panel on School Safety that aims to reduce gun violence. Locking up firearms helps prevent accidental shootings, it helps prevent a moment of teen angst to turn into an irreversible horrendous tragedy, Krekorian said. alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Twitter: @r_valejandra Two weeks after the Tubbs fire tore through Sonoma County, Michelle Halbur drove up the familiar winding road to Pepperwood Preserve so she could see what had become of it. The weary ecologist knew that the fire had scorched most of the 3,200 acres of protected land just north of Santa Rosa, as well as several buildings on the property. But nothing could prepare her for what greeted her: a charred moonscape dotted with barren trees, and an unearthly silence. No rustling grass, no chirping birds. No traffic from the nearby Mark West Springs neighborhood, where hundreds of homes had burned. Then something stirred. A deer stood on its hind legs as it foraged for leaves that the flames had not touched. It was a comfort to see a sign of life, however fragile, after so much devastation. It had been an unbearable week for Halbur, whose in-laws were among the 22 people killed by the fire. She would spend the coming months teetering between grief and joy as she watched nature rebound in the aftermath of Californias most destructive wildfire. She threw herself into her work not only tending to the land, but using it to study the effects of wildfire and long-term vegetation response to climate change. Advertisement A year later, Halbur has found healing in what shes witnessed. A few weeks after the fire, green shoots of perennial bunchgrass pushed through the blackened ground. Woody chaparral shrubs had also begun to sprout: chartreuse clumps of chamise, shrubby leaves of coast live oaks. (Los Angeles Times) Growth accelerated throughout the spring with bursts of wildflowers, including some species that hadnt bloomed there since the 60s, when the Hanley fire tore through the preserve. There were the blue toadflax, the soft yellow whispering bells, the purple Venus looking glass. Scientists call them fire followers; their embryos lie dormant in the soil for decades, waiting for fire to trigger their germination. The kaleidoscopic display of renewal stood in blunt contrast to the heartbreak Halbur felt outside of work, yet it had its similarities. Recovery, too, comes in fits and starts. I was living a dichotomy: I was grieving, I was in pain, said 40-year-old Halbur, who grew up in Sonoma County. But I felt so much curiosity over the way that the land was changing. Some days, as shes driving through the fires footprint on her way to work, shes grateful for the opportunity to see the hills and rock formations that were once hidden by Pepperwoods Douglas firs, hundreds of which are now gone. Then there are days when those hills speak only of loss, days when the sight of a blackened tree trunk or the howl of high winds will trigger memories of the early morning of Oct. 9, 2017. The night before everything changed, Halbur and her family ate Sunday dinner at her in-laws home in Santa Rosa, a weekly tradition. Her father-in-law, LeRoy, talked about how he thought hed never make it to 80. And yet there he was, a thriving octogenarian. Halbur and her husband, Dave, gave their 2-year-old son a tour of family portraits, explaining who was who in each one. When they got home, they sat in their driveway for a few minutes and reflected on what a perfect night it had been, down to the unusually delicious Chinese takeout. Then they went inside and went to bed. Their son, Rowan, woke Halbur up at around 2:30 a.m., seeking comfort after a nightmare. After consoling him, she got a text from a friend: There was a wildfire, a big one. He was being evacuated. Its probably just a grass fire, Halbur thought. She fell back asleep. At 5 a.m., she heard a pounding on the front door. It was a neighbor, clearly frantic. Theres fire everywhere, the neighbor said. Were getting out of town. It was then that Halbur noticed that there were people in the streets, a plume of smoke in the hills. Because they were in the citys urban center, they decided not to evacuate. Dave Halbur called his parents, who lived right in the fires path. No answer. He spent the morning looking for them, driving from shelter to shelter. By days end he would learn that Donna and LeRoy Halbur, both 80 and married for half a century, had died trying to escape. School children on a tour hike among regrowth in a wooded area of charred oaks, Douglas firs and California bay laurels in the Pepperwood Preserve on Oct. 10. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) When Michelle Halbur returned to Pepperwood in mid-October, she carried the immense weight of her loss, but also a sense of responsibility to help future generations learn from what had happened. Right away I knew that I was going to have a positive experience professionally, said Halbur, who works with visiting scholars to research the long-term effects of climate change. Right away I knew that this landscape would thrive after the fire, that it needed fire. But right away I was absolutely devastated. Pepperwood a nickname for the fragrant California bay laurel, a large shrub that bears an avocado-like fruit is no stranger to combustion. There is evidence of wildfires manifesting there in 50-year intervals since the 1870s. Before that, the Wappo Native Americans burned the land every five to 15 years to improve crop production. Halbur regards this history along with a wealth of research on the matter as proof that humans should see fire as a tool rather than something that simply happens to them. The preserves staff is studying how people might better coexist with fire, an element Sonoma Countys ecosystem has been adapted to for millennia. With the assistance of a Native advisory council, Pepperwood researchers are experimenting with fire management strategies used by the Wappo people. The staff had begun conducting prescribed burns in the grasslands even before the Tubbs fire, studying fire patterns and various land management practices that will only become more important if the predicted consequences of climate change more frequent wildfires, among them come to fruition. Ideally, this work will help researchers identify which areas are at the greatest risk for wildfire. That knowledge can be used to build more resilient communities, fire detection technology and emergency response protocols. Halbur thinks about that often about how, if Santa Rosa had been better prepared for the latest wildfire, she might still be having Sunday night dinners with her in-laws. A steady undercurrent of heartache and hope propels her forward. Pepperwood also continues to heal. The grasslands, benefiting from soil flush with nitrogen from the plants that burned, are thicker than they were before the fire. Redwood trunks that were scorched beyond recognition are now coated in bright green sprouts. On the first anniversary of the Tubbs fire, Halbur pointed to a gnarled coast live oak, its branches growing healthy clusters of leaves around an ashen trunk. This ones survived other fires, she said, touching its bark. Knowing what she knows, it will probably live through another. Coyote mint blooms among charred trees in the Pepperwood Preserve about a year after the Tubbs fire. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) laura.newberry@latimes.com | Twitter: @LauraMNewberry A National Park Service plan to set fire to an ancient sequoia grove in western Sierra Nevada has been canceled for the second time this year, further delaying a delicate forestry operation aimed at triggering new growth near the worlds largest tree. The controlled burn in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks was expected to blacken 483 acres in the Giant Forest, a cathedral-like grove of sequoias straddling Generals Highway. The carefully tended fire was expected to last seven days, but was canceled Friday after a test fire failed to consume vegetation fast enough for the plan to work, according to Mike Theune, a fire information officer with the National Park Service. Californias famed General Sherman Tree and other giant sequoias have evolved in a manner that allows them to not only survive periodic wildfires, but also thrive in their aftermath. The towering trees are wrapped in a thick, fire-resistant bark, and their cones release seeds when exposed to heat. Fire also helps to clear the forest floor and expose nutrients that allow the fallen seeds to germinate. Since the 1960s, the U.S. Forest Service has used intentionally set fires to foster new growth of giant sequoias. Before conducting a controlled burn, however, operation managers have to consider the moisture content of the vegetation that will burn, wind conditions and the chance that firefighters might be called to help out on wildfires elsewhere in the state, Theune said. Advertisement Trees are draped in smoke during a prescribed burn at Sequoia National Park on Saturday. (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times) Although vegetation appeared to be dry enough for a controlled burn during the planning stage, a test fire on Friday did not burn as intensely as officials hoped, Theune said. Accelerating the controlled burn with drip torches devices that drop burning diesel fuel and gasoline onto dry brush would have been too dangerous for firefighters and would have increased the risk of the fire getting out of control, Theune said. The goal is to have a moderately burning fire that clears overgrowth and makes room for the next generation of plant life, among other things. The reason we dont try to force it and use more firefighters with drip torches is it comes back to safety, Theune said. Are we going to put firefighters at risk? Its your return on investment. What is going to give us the best outcome thats not only safe for our crews but also what is healthiest for the forest? The Park Service will monitor conditions going forward to determine when they can launch the prescribed fire for the Giant Forest. No timetable was immediately set, officials said Sunday. Sequoia and Kings Canyon officials deliberately burn between 1,100 and 1,500 acres of forestland annually to manage forest health. But one of its other benefits mitigating wildfires has taken on greater importance as California experiences a surge in deadly and destructive blazes. Not all federal lands are suited for prescribed burns, Theune said. Some landscapes might be too rugged to manage safely and others are too overgrown so officials have to wait for Mother Nature to take the lead. An old sign points the way to the nearby General Sherman Giant Sequoia. (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times) The Giant Forest has been under a prescribed fire regimen for decades. So, even though officials have had to cancel burns twice this year, its not as bad as some areas and can be revisited at a future date, Theune said. Assigning a never-before-treated area for a controlled burn can take years because it has to be surveyed for relevant infrastructure and archaeological or historical artifacts as well as environmental impacts, funding, weather and logistics. For the controlled burn in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks, the plan was for the fire to chew through most of the fuel bed and to knock down dead trees and snags. But all of the necessary conditions have to be in place for the burn to be most effective. Were giving a prescription the way a doctor gives a prescription of medication, Theune said. Were trying to work within the prescription to get desired outcomes and effects. The prescribed burn, called the Sherman Prescribed Fire because of its proximity to the famous tree, was originally scheduled to take place in June. It was called off because smoke from the fire would not have dispersed adequately and would have smothered surrounding communities. Eva Uceda Serralle and Raquel Lozano snap a photo with General Sherman, the worlds biggest tree, during their recent visit from Spain. (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times) Fridays attempt was called off after crews burned three acres outside the grove and found that 10-hour fuels items slightly denser than grass, like sticks and twigs, that take up to 10 hours to completely consume were not helping the fire spread. The winds were too light to help, Theune said. Park officials spent the weekend monitoring the fire and let it burn itself out. Clearing the forest of dead trees also helps to minimize wildfire behavior. That point was effectively illustrated in 2015 when the 150,000-acre Rough fire entered Sequoia National Park. Thanks to a regimen of prescribed burns in Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks since the 1960s, theres been little undergrowth to exacerbate a fire. The trees are also adequately spaced apart with enough room to grow with bark thick enough to prevent serious damage or to slow a fire from spreading, Theune said. When flames from the Rough fire reached Grant Grove, a community of towering sequoias on the parks western edge near the Fresno and Tulare county line, the trees were able to resist the flames. Thats because those areas of Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks are regularly treated with fires as part of their ecosystem preferably through natural dry lightning strikes but if not, then by park firefighters, according to the Park Service. Flames will rake the landscape, reducing competition for precious resources and burn open holes in the canopy, giving saplings an opportunity to soak up the sun. Although full-grown sequoias have bark thick enough to withstand a fiery onslaught, they also use the heat to dry out and open their seed cones to spawn future generations. Park officials treat different parts of the forest every year and will treat the same area only once every five to 20 years, depending on the history of fire in that particular area, Theune said. Firefighter Dave Purcell takes part in a controlled fire near General Sherman, the worlds largest tree. (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times) But it wasnt always this way. Following the Big Blowup fire in 1910 that scorched more than 3 million acres and killed 85 people in Washington, Idaho and Montana, the federal government adopted a strict extinguish-all-fires policy in its jurisdiction. It wasnt until the 1960s, when officials noticed that there were no young sequoias growing among the ancient behemoths theyd been protecting that the agency reassessed its approach. The Park Service now relies on fire scars visible in tree rings to determine how often fires burned through a particular area and tries to mirror that cycle in a controlled way, Theune said. Being able to restore low-intensity fire to the landscape not only protects these special areas, its really beneficial when theres a wildfire, Theune said. Its a reset for the forest. joseph.serna@latimes.com For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter. When Christian Ilaka wakes up, the first thing he sees on his wall in large letters is the word Focus. The 25-year-old uses the reminder to motivate himself to do what he needs to do to succeed in his new life in the U.S. Ilaka, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, came as a refugee in February with eight family members as part of a shrinking number of newcomers to San Diego County. While new arrivals from the Democratic Republic of Congo, at 115, made up the largest group of refugees who came to the county in fiscal 2018, the overall number of Congolese resettled in San Diego decreased to the lowest number since 2014, when 53 came. Advertisement Iraqis used to be the largest group of newcomers to the county, and so many came that they made San Diego the California county that resettled the most refugees for about a decade. That changed in fiscal 2018, with new policies in place from the Trump administration drastically lowering the overall number of arrivals as well as changing who was able to come. Though President Trump took office during fiscal 2017, this past fiscal year, which ended in September, was the first full year with his changes and the first time those changes knocked San Diego County from the top of the list. The county resettled 264 refugees in fiscal 2018, an 82% drop from the 1,503 who came in fiscal 2017, and a 91% drop from the 3,075 who came in fiscal 2016. More refugees came to San Diego in one month during previous fiscal years than did for all of fiscal 2018. Trump set the annual cap last year at 45,000 refugees. The U.S. resettled just under half of that at 22,491. Thats also lower than the planned cap for fiscal 2019, proposed at 30,000. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo said in announcing the new cap that the reduction was to account for an increase in asylum requests at the U.S.-Mexico border. The refugee ceiling number should not be viewed in isolation from other expansive humanitarian programs, Pompeo said. Some will characterize the refugee ceiling as the sole barometer of Americas commitment to vulnerable people around the world. This would be wrong. Pompeo also defended the longer processing times that have come with Trump administration changes to the resettlement program. The American people must have complete confidence that everyone granted resettlement in our country is thoroughly vetted, Pompeo said. The security checks take time, but theyre critical. Resettlement agencies fear that the new cap of 30,000 could mean the number of actual arrivals shrinks even more. Our intent is to really hold the government accountable for reaching that target knowing we have many people in harms way and in desperate situations, said Donna Duvin, executive director of the International Rescue Committee in San Diego. For Etleva Bejko, director of refugee and immigration services at Jewish Family Service, watching the number of arrivals shrink has been especially difficult knowing that conflicts around the world have created more refugees registered with the United Nations than ever before. When you do this work day-to-day, and you work with the clients, youre not even thinking about the numbers as much, Bejko said. Each one is a family that is trying to do their best, focusing on their children. All they want is to be safe and have a future. Her agency helped a family of seven refugees from Myanmar, also known as Burma, get settled this year. They had been waiting since 1999. This is the day I have been living for, the mother told Bejko after the family arrived. For other families, arriving in the U.S. doesnt mean that the wait is over. Many have family members still waiting overseas for their processing to finish. Its just heartbreaking to see somebody worrying about family constantly and not be able to have a final answer, Bejko said. People are still in process, but its taking longer to get information. The International Rescue Committee was able to reunite at least one person a Rohingya refugee fleeing Myanmar with family here, according to Duvin. The agency also began receiving refugees being held by Australia on Nauru Island. The process, based on an agreement the U.S. made with Australia before Trump took office, has been slow, Duvin said, but she was happy that some were making it through. Resettlement agencies such as Jewish Family Service and International Rescue Committee have had to restructure their programs because of the lower numbers of arrivals. When staff positions fell vacant, they often went unfilled. Those who remained shifted to providing longer-term services to refugees who had already arrived, and agencies became increasingly reliant on private donations to fund their work. With the shifting focus from resettling refugees from the Middle East to resettling those from African countries, the International Rescue Committee has also been recruiting Swahili speakers. While resettlement agencies prepare for the possibility of even fewer arrivals in fiscal 2019, they still dont know how much money they will receive to do their work or whether they will be allowed to stay open. Since the Trump administration is still working out details about the 2019 resettlement efforts, it has not yet released its budget for the program for this year. Local resettlement agencies are operating through December with leftover money from the fiscal 2018 budget because the number of resettled refugees didnt reach the 45,000 cap. They have been told that some of the nine agencies nationwide may be asked to close their doors once the 2019 budget is finalized. A State Department official confirmed that the administration is expecting to fund a smaller number of resettlement agencies. We expect to have a resettlement network that is smaller but still national in scope, the official said. Decisions regarding the location of resettlement affiliates will be based, as they have always been, on prioritizing family reunification and consideration of the local resettlement environment and economy. For Ilaka, the shrinking numbers of arrivals have personal impact because he has friends back in the refugee camp in Uganda where he lived for eight years who are still waiting to come. He celebrates what he has here, but he faces constant inner conflict about how much he can help the people left behind while he works to better his own future. He compared the feeling of waiting in the refugee camps to that of waiting for a bus that is supposed to come in 10 minutes but doesnt arrive for 10 hours. He waited for so long that it felt like he had no choice but to wait more. He couldve started walking, he said, but then if the bus came, he wouldve had to run back to catch it. You have to be there to know what its like to be a refugee, to be waiting for something you have no control over, Ilaka said. You go to bed, wake up the next morning and hope. Thats the only thing you have when youre a refugee hope. He recalled the pain of telling the intimate details of the worst moments of his life to officials who were deciding whether he counted as a refugee. The longer a refugee waits to be resettled, the more they have to tell those stories, he said. He keeps the trauma buried in the back of his mind and tries not to think about memories like the Six-Day War that rained hundreds of bombs and thousands of bullets on the town he lived in when he was about 6 years old. He was at school when the war broke out, a hailstorm of bullets echoing in his classroom. He took shelter under his desk for hours until a stranger arrived that afternoon to help him get home. He remembers running past the bodies of older students who had tried to go home earlier in the day and having to jump over some of the dead as he made his way across town. Exhausted from running, he and the man helping him stopped for a moment to rest under a tree. Right after they started moving again, a bomb exploded at the spot where they had been standing. Once they reached home, Ilaka hid in his basement until the end of the war. He couldnt eat meat for a long time because it reminded him of what he had seen. This nightmare you cant explain, Ilaka said. The images you cant make sense of. There are a million ways to die. Some you cant explain. It just sticks in the head. In addition to working a job at a factory assembling car parts and going to school for software engineering, Ilaka is interning with the International Rescue Committees youth program to mentor high school boys. He hopes to inspire them to go after their dreams early in life. The American dream, its what you make of it, Ilaka said. Thats what I like about this place you have the power to decide what you will make for your future. Morrissey writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com, @bgirledukate on Twitter Faced with a referendum seeking to repeal San Diegos new restrictions on short-term rentals, the City Council did that repeal itself Monday, but left open the question of how the city will regulate home sharing in the future. The council had only two choices before it: repeal the regulations it adopted in August or put the question before voters. The councils actions again leave San Diego in limbo on the much-debated question of renting out homes for periods of less than 30 days, an increasingly common practice popularized by online platforms such as Airbnb and HomeAway. The council vote to repeal the short-term rental legislation was 8 to 1, with Councilwoman Lorie Zapf dissenting. Zapf had supported taking the matter to voters. I was not elected to represent the interest of out-of-town investors and I will not let corporate interests with a lot of money to bully me into rescinding this ordinance, said Zapf, who represents the beach communities that have been most affected by the proliferation of vacation rentals. Advertisement I just feel we worked too hard on this issue, she said. There is no guarantee a compromise will be reached any time soon or ever. But other council members expressed optimism that a compromise on new regulations can be reached, despite years of debate and struggles to reach consensus. What Ive always said is a good compromise is where you find yourself where neither side is totally happy, said Councilman Scott Sherman, one of the backers of the referendum effort. We found ourselves, though, where one side was very happy and the other side very unhappy, but I think there is room to find a true compromise, he added. Were going to have to let the dust settle and cut back on some of the rhetoric. We can get to a place where I think a compromise can happen. The regulations, adopted in August, would have barred the short-term rental of second homes but would have permitted the use of primary residences for short-term stays six months out of the year. Though the council members were limited in what action they could take Monday, many people who addressed the council pushed for speedy action on replacement regulations. The city legally has the option of adopting regulations within the next year, but those new rules would have to be substantially different from the ones that were repealed. Our communities cannot wait an indefinite period of time to bring this pressing issue to resolution, said La Jolla Town Council President Ann Kerr-Bache, who heads a short-term vacation rental working group that represents about 20 community organizations. We are prepared to immediately work with the city and all stakeholders to create legal, reasonable and improved ordinances that protect our communities. Weisberg writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com Firefighters rescued a man who was hanging from a rope outside the seventh floor of a nine-story building in Santa Ana, authorities said Tuesday. The Orange County Fire Authority responded to a call about a man hanging outside the building at 701 W. Santa Ana Blvd., shortly before 8 a.m., spokesman Tony Bommarito said. By about 8:50, rescue personnel were able to safely lower the man to the ground using a rope and rigging system, he said. The man is a construction worker who was repairing concrete on the side of the building with another worker, Bommarito said. The other worker was able to lower himself to one side of the platform on which they were working and escape safely, but the first worker became ensnared in a safety line. Advertisement Bommarito said he didnt have information about whether the platforms motor had malfunctioned. The worker didnt appear to have been injured but was complaining of leg numbness while he was suspended, Bommarito said. Technical Rescue: Rescue in progress. pic.twitter.com/p1nk9PIHa7 OCFA PIO (@OCFA_PIO) October 23, 2018 alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Twitter: @r_valejandra San Diego tourists, residents and drivers rallied together this week to protect an unusual pedestrian: a happy-go-lucky sea lion taking a break from the ocean. The female sea lion bopped through a throng of bystanders Monday, making her way from Fishermans Landing all the way to Rosecrans Street, two blocks away, San Diego police said. After successfully crossing the busy intersection, the marine mammal took a slight turn toward the Sand n Sea liquor store on Garrison Street. Employees joked that, like many of the stores customers, the sea lion was taking its shot at the lottery. The sea lion was acting like a little dog, belly up, said Angel De La Paz, who works at Sand n Sea. It was as if it was putting on a show. Advertisement The animal was clearly enjoying herself, as she scratched her back on the pavement, basked in the sunlight and strolled down the street. Video showed that at one point, the sea lion stopped for a rest and closed her eyes as bystanders sang the animal a lullaby: Seals Kiss From a Rose. Before police and SeaWorld rescuers arrived, a crowd had chaperoned the sea lion as she crossed Rosecrans. Two men stopped a truck they were driving to retrieve green netting from the vehicle, which they held up to keep the sea lion protected, De La Paz said. Meanwhile, bystanders directed traffic around the animal, who appeared to be in no rush to return to the water. We see them sometimes on the dock, De La Paz said. They hang out by Mitchs, a seafood place across the street, but never as far as here. SeaWorld employees eventually captured the meandering marine mammal with nets and placed her in a cage, while the crowd erupted in applause. On Tuesday, the 175-pound animal was doing well at SeaWorlds rescue center, where she swam and ate live fish in a pool, spokesman David Koontz said. SeaWorld plans to release the sea lion to the ocean after several days of monitoring. It is impossible to say why this sea lion decided to travel so far away from the water, Koontz said. While is a somewhat unusual, in the past, SeaWorld has rescued sea lions from the driveways and porches of peoples homes, from outdoor eating areas at hotels, parking lots, and, in 2016, from inside a San Diego-area restaurant. A sea lion that strolled from Fishermans Landing to the intersection of Garrison and Rosecrans streets in San Diego is doing well at SeaWorlds rescue center, a spokesman said. (Mike Aguilera / SeaWorld San Diego) alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Twitter: @r_valejandra The police standoff lasted more than six hours, shutting down a busy six-lane stretch of Ventura Boulevard in Tarzana for most of the evening. An armed robbery suspect, authorities said, had barricaded himself inside an illegal marijuana dispensary in a strip mall in the 18300 block of Ventura Boulevard. He was believed to be one of four suspects and was thought to have a female hostage. But when officers searched the building after 8:20 p.m., there was no one inside, said Officer Mike Lopez, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department. Now, three suspects are missing. It remains unclear if there was a hostage. Advertisement Authorities responded to a call about an armed robbery at a business in the strip mall at 1:37 p.m., said LAPD Officer Jeff Lee, another department spokesman. When officers arrived, they discovered the illegal dispensary. About 7 p.m., Lee said that one male suspect was barricaded inside with a woman and that it was unclear whether she was a suspect, victim or hostage. Officers, he said, were trying to negotiate with the suspect and had not yet searched the building. SWAT officers surrounded the strip mall. After the hours-long standoff ended, the whereabouts of three suspects was unknown. Asked for details about the woman believed to have been in the dispensary, Lopez said: There was nobody inside. One male suspect was taken into custody early in the standoff, authorities said. Tenants from other businesses in the strip mall were evacuated. hailey.branson@latimes.com Twitter: @haileybranson UPDATES: 10:40 p.m.: This article was updated with the end of the standoff. 7:20 p.m.: This article was updated with information about the possible hostage and the illegal dispensary. This article was originally published at 5:20 p.m. When President Obama used the word transgender in his State of the Union address in 2015 the first time a sitting president had ever done so Mariana Marroquin experienced a sense of affirmation that the U.S. government had rarely afforded her community. It was something I could point to and say, Look, we exist, we matter to someone at the very top, said Marroquin, a transgender woman and director of the Trans Wellness Center in Los Angeles. Three years later, Trumps Department of Health and Human Services is reportedly considering a narrow federal definition of gender that hinges solely on sex assigned at birth, a move that would in effect strip transgender and intersex Americans of their civil rights and render their chosen identities invisible in the eyes of the federal government. L.A.s LGBTQ leaders see the potential policy change as an effort to systematically undermine a national recognition of transgender people ushered in by the Obama White House. And while they arent surprised by the Trump administrations effort to establish a strict legal definition of sex, they say they are still alarmed. Advertisement Advocates fear the sweeping change would breed an increase in hate and violence toward transgender people, lead to new barriers in obtaining adequate healthcare and education, and induce a greater sense of hopelessness and isolation in a community that already exists on the farthest margins of society. In the 36 hours after the New York Times first reported that the federal government may soon define gender as a fixed biological condition determined by a persons sex organs at birth, advocates primary concern was for the mental health of transgender people. Aydin Olson-Kennedy, executive director of the Los Angeles Gender Center and a clinical social worker, said his organization received a higher volume of calls and emails on Monday from transgender clients and their family members. They were panic-stricken over what this proposed policy change could mean for them, he said. This adds a whole other layer of trauma for people who already experience a lot of it, said Olson-Kennedy, who noted that transgender people are disproportionately affected by depression and anxiety and have higher rates of suicide. The Trevor Project, a national suicide prevention organization for the LGBTQ community, said it has seen an increase in calls from young people who identify as transgender or gender-nonconforming. Advocates partly attribute this phenomenon to a White House that is increasingly hostile to transgender people. They point to the Trump administrations attempt to ban them from military service; a memo from Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions concluding that civil rights laws dont protect transgender people from discrimination on the job; and the scrapping of Obama-era guidance encouraging school officials to let transgender students use school bathrooms that matched their gender identities. In 2017, advocates tracked at least 29 deaths of transgender people in the U.S. due to violence the most ever recorded, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Now, the Department of Health and Human Services is spearheading an effort to create a legal definition of sex under the federal Title IX law that would rigidly define it as either male or female. Any dispute about ones gender would have to be clarified through genetic testing, according to the New York Times account of an internal memo. A federal definition of gender that does not recognize transgender people will invite more aggression against them, said Bamby Salcedo, founder and president of the L.A.-based TransLatina Coalition, an advocacy group that helps transgender immigrants. This sends the message that we are deviants, that we arent who we say we are, that we deserve to be put in our place, said Salcedo, a transgender woman. LGBTQ leaders also worry that the federal erasure of trans identity could restrict access to medical intervention for people with gender dysphoria. Hormone therapy and gender confirmation surgery not only help transgender people align their physical appearances with their identities, Olson-Kennedy said, but they also help them exist safely in the world. What Im most concerned about is what this is going to do to my trans siblings who dont pass, people who arent able to move through society without extra attention being brought down on them, said Iris Bainum-Houle, co-owner of Cuties, an LGBTQ-centered coffee shop in East Hollywood. Most states, including California, permit name and sex to be changed on a birth certificate. But many still require a diagnosis of gender dysphoria from a doctor or medical proof of gender confirmation surgery before the certificate can be altered. West Hollywood Mayor John Duran noted that although California is the base for the resistance against the Trump administration and his policies, transgender residents would still be affected by the new definition of gender any time they apply for a federal program like Medicare or Social Security. They could be met with discrimination while traveling abroad with a passport that does not match their gender presentation. And they could still be denied access to gender-specific programs at educational institutions. The proposed definition flies in the face of decades of medical and social science research that validates the existence of gender dysphoria, Bainum-Houle said. It also fails to acknowledge the lives of intersex people, who may have been born with ambiguous sex organs. It doesnt make sense, this focus on genitalia, said West Hollywood Councilman John Heilman, who also serves on the board of OutRight Action International, which advocates for LGBTQ rights around the world. How somebody identifies, how they present themselves thats far more important in terms of how we should be treating people. If there is a silver lining to this development, transgender rights advocates say, it is that it could motivate a newly impassioned Democrat base to vote in the midterm election on Nov. 6. Ian Thompson, senior legislative representative for the American Civil Liberties Union, said Monday in a telephone conference call with reporters that, if Democrats win the House in November, he expects the Equality Act would be a very high priority looking ahead to next year. The act would provide LGBTQ people across the country with comprehensive nondiscrimination protection by explicitly adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the existing federal civil rights statutes. Lilac Vylette Maldonado, an advocate with L.A.-based LGBTQ organization Equal Action, said it is more important than ever for transgender and gender-nonconforming people to find strength in community, and to rail against the apathy that often accompanies hopelessness. We must remember that our people have faced worse than this, Maldonado said. We have a legacy of resilience. If thats all we have, thats enough. Times staff reporter David Montero contributed to this report. laura.newberry@latimes.com | Twitter: @LauraMNewberry Dr. George Tyndall, the longtime campus gynecologist at USC, faces the loss of his medical license after state regulators formally accused him of negligence and sexual misconduct with several patients. The charges brought by the Medical Board of California come as Tyndall and USC face hundreds of civil claims from women who allege sexual abuse and harassment. On Friday, USC announced that it had agreed to pay $215 million to settle a federal class-action lawsuit brought by several former patients. The universitys total legal costs for the scandal are expected to be significantly higher. The medical boards accusation outlines a series of appointments with five patients in which Tyndall allegedly made lewd remarks, performed non-clinical breast and pelvic exams, and in one case, mocked the injuries of a patient after she told him she had recently been sexually assaulted. According to the 13-page accusation, Tyndall locked the door when meeting with a graduate medical student in 2012, watched her disrobe and repeatedly inserted his fingers in her while complimenting her body, asking if she worked as a model and wondering about her mothers beauty. Advertisement While performing a vaginal exam on an undergraduate student in 2016, Tyndall allegedly said her boyfriend was a lucky guy. Another patient said he used both hands to grope her breasts, a departure from standard exams, according to the Sept. 26 filing, which has not been previously reported. Tyndall, 71, has repeatedly insisted that his care aligned with medical norms, and in a series of interviews with The Times earlier this year, he defended his frank discussions about sex as a way to counsel and connect with his mostly younger patients. In August, he voluntarily agreed to surrender his license in order to focus on his defense, and he now has a team of lawyers to handle criminal, civil and regulatory matters. He has denied any wrongdoing while working at USC. COMPLETE COVERAGE: USC former gynecologist Dr. George Tyndall accused of inappropriate behavior The attorney representing him before the medical board, Peter R. Osinoff, declined to comment. An investigation by the Los Angeles Times first revealed that Tyndall was accused repeatedly of misconduct by patients and staff but was allowed to continue treating students until 2016. The Times reported that an internal investigation concluded Tyndalls behavior during pelvic exams was outside the scope of current medical practice and amounted to sexual harassment of patients. Tyndall was allowed to resign quietly with an undisclosed financial settlement, and USC did not notify the medical board until March months after his departure. Tyndall began working at USC in 1989, but the boards accusation contains the accounts of patients who saw him during his final decade at the university. In 2009, he allegedly showed a graduate student a provocative photograph of his wife, inquired about her sex life and later gave her prescriptions for the morning after pill, even though she did not seek the medication, according to the filing. In the 2012 appointment with the graduate medical student, Tyndall asked where she was from in China and then proceeded with the pelvic exam. He inserted his fingers into her and moved his fingers in and out, back and forth, repeatedly, for several minutes. After she asked him to stop, Tyndall said it would conclude in a few minutes and that she should just relax, according to the filing. At one point, Tyndall put his face within a couple of inches of her vagina and she heard him breathing heavily, according to the filing. Tyndall also allegedly encouraged her to take birth control so that her boyfriend could enjoy unprotected sex, the filing states. The board alleged the exam was unprofessional and amounted to sexual misconduct. In the wake of The Times reporting, scores of former patients shared accounts of Tyndalls behavior. The accounts detailed in the medical boards filing dovetail with the allegations of more than 460 former patients who have filed lawsuits against USC, alleging sexual abuse and harassment at the student health center. A criminal investigation by the L.A. Police Department is ongoing. Detectives so far have presented 64 cases to the Los Angeles County district attorneys sex crimes unit. Prosecutors are evaluating the cases, and no charges have been filed against the physician. The medical boards high-profile case against Tyndall follows the agencys decision this summer to revoke the license of former USC medical school dean, Dr. Carmen Puliafito. The board accused Puliafito of using methamphetamine and heroin and providing drugs to criminals and addicts while running the Keck School of Medicine, part of a hard-partying double life that The Times exposed in 2017. The allegations played out this spring in a downtown L.A. courtroom, where Puliafitos attorneys denied that the Harvard-trained ophthalmologist provided drugs to others and said the former dean suffered from bipolar disorder. An administrative law judge ultimately determined Puliafito showed an appalling lack of judgment while leading the nationally ranked medical school and recommended he should not be allowed to practice again in the state. Puliafito is appealing. In September, his attorney filed a petition in Los Angeles County Superior Court asking a judge to set aside the medical boards decision. His attorney argued that the medical board violated disability laws and treated his client differently than other physicians suffering from substance abuse. The Board improperly imposed a moral judgment on Dr. Puliafitos conduct, penalizing him for his mental illness, without even being willing to evaluate his present safety to practice, the petition stated. Times staff writer Harriet Ryan contributed to this article. matt.hamilton@latimes.com Twitter: @MattHjourno When San Franciscos homelessness problem swelled in the early 2000s, Gavin Newsom endorsed a radical plan for the famously liberal city. Then a San Francisco supervisor on the rise, Newsom proposed slashing the amount of welfare for single homeless adults and instead using the funds on shelters, housing and services. Called Care Not Cash, the program sought to stop welfare recipients from spending their monthly checks on heroin or alcohol. Advocates called it heartless to take money from the homeless. They burned Newsoms likeness in effigy and spray-painted his garage, forcing him to move, he said. The battle over Care Not Cash ultimately went to the courts and the young politician was branded a hardliner by activists. People were outraged, Newsom wrote in his 2013 book Citizenville. Progressives and Democrats, nuns and priests, homeless advocates and homeless people were furious. Advertisement Now, as the homelessness crisis worsens across the state, how Newsom and other Democratic leaders have handled the issue over the years is the subject of debate ahead of the Nov. 6 election. The states homeless population topped 134,000 in 2017, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a 13.7% jump from the previous year and the largest increase in the nation. Republican candidate John Cox is ratcheting up his attacks on Newsom over homelessness in the final weeks of the campaign. Cox alleges Newsom failed to fix the problem in San Francisco, and has said his opponent is part of the political class whose policies have fueled the rise of encampments, which the Republican labeled Newsomvilles in a recent radio spot. Newsom rejects Coxs charges, saying his efforts in San Francisco show hes willing to take politically unpopular positions if he feels it will result in better policy. He has pledged to put homelessness at the top of his agenda if elected, and has gone so far as to criticize Gov. Jerry Brown, who he said has neglected the issue while in office. California needs a governor that is actually focused on these issues, which has not been the case for decades in this state, Newsom said during a visit this month to a San Diego homeless veterans facility. Governors have not campaigned on homelessness, governors havent talked about homelessness. Newsom has said his policies reduced the homeless street population in San Francisco by 40%, an accurate claim for the years 2002 to 2009, according to city statistics. But Newsom was mayor from 2004 to 2011, and the city didnt perform a count of its homeless population the year he took office, making it difficult to determine the exact number of homeless who left the streets during his tenure. San Franciscos homeless count was 7,499 in 2017, compared with 8,640 in 2002, according to the San Francisco Human Services Agency. Just months after taking office as mayor, Newsom pledged to end chronic homelessness within 10 years a promise that didnt pan out. The politician has defended setting the goal, contending that the danger is not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark, a quote borrowed from Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo, he said. Republican gubernatorial candidate John Cox, left, talks about homelessness and affordable housing on Oct. 16 with LAPD Officer Deon Joseph, who is assigned to the L.A.'s skid row. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Under his direction as mayor, thousands of units of supportive housing were built, which his supporters credit with helping San Franciscos homeless numbers stay flat in recent years in comparison to cities including Los Angeles, which has seen large increases in some annual counts. But homeless advocacy groups repeatedly clashed with Newsom over policies they said penalized the poor. Sparking contentious debate, Care Not Cash targeted the citys 3,000 single homeless adults who received welfare, cutting their payment subsidy from a few hundred dollars to about $60 and putting the money toward low-income housing or shelter beds. The program was proposed after city officials noticed increases in emergency room visits for overdoses when the welfare checks were issued, said Trent Rhorer, executive director of San Francisco Human Services Agency, who drafted Care Not Cash with Newsom. In addition, single homeless adults were staying on welfare for an average of four years, longer than other populations on welfare, Rhorer said. This cash wasnt helping this group improve their life at all, he said. At the same time, the amount of San Franciscos welfare check was higher than that in surrounding cities and counties, Rhorer added, leading officials to believe people came to San Francisco for the citys bigger welfare payment before returning to other areas. San Francisco business interests backed Care Not Cash, while Democrats broke ranks with Newsom to oppose it. It passed with 60% of the vote in 2002. The victory boosted Newsoms political standing and he was elected to lead San Francisco the next year. A 2008 audit by San Franciscos controller found 2,000 people dropped out of the welfare program after Care Not Cash launched. That confirmed to some officials that people were coming from out of town for the citys higher check, but critics argued people left the welfare program because they resented that their welfare check was now going toward housing. Care Not Cash had housed more than 2,100 since it launched in 2004, the audit found. The overall benefit package of housing and services was worth $1,300, according to the audit, far more than the $400 or so that welfare recipients used to receive. In addition, 90% of the tenants remained in supportive housing after one year in the program, Rhorer said. After Care Not Cash, more people came in to get addiction treatment services at Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic, said the facilitys founder, David Smith. When Gavin was here, he put public health as one of his top priorities, Smith said. Thats why I and the medical community supported him. But there were questions about which segment of the homeless population benefited from the program. The San Francisco Chronicle reported in 2004 that the overwhelming number of homeless people moving into supportive housing through Care Not Cash came from shelters and werent longtime street residents. Care Not Cash wasnt a broad vision, said Quintin Mecke, a homeless rights advocate. He said Newsom should have focused instead on new revenue streams for homeless housing. It was a re-purposing of existing money. Paul Boden, the former executive director of San Franciscos Coalition on Homelessness, said Care Not Cash sent a negative message that people are homeless because they dont know how to handle money. Paul Boden, left, a San Francisco advocate for the homeless, debates then-Supervisor Gavin Newsom during a meeting of Democrats in San Francisco in 2002. (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times) Theyre paying for their shelter bed out of their welfare check, Boden said of the homeless. Thats not right. Homeless advocates also criticized Newsoms support for a local ballot measure that banned aggressive panhandling in public places and for a program, still in place, that gives homeless people a one-way bus ticket to leave San Francisco and reunite with relatives or friends. Newsom continues to support laws that prohibit the homeless from sleeping or lying on the sidewalks during certain hours, a divisive issue in cities across the state. A federal court last month ruled that cities cant criminalize sleeping on public property. Weve allowed these streets to be completely taken over, Newsom said in an interview earlier this month, adding that its incumbent upon [government] to provide an alternative. Its not about penalizing, its not about criminalizing, its about having a tool in the toolkit to encourage someone to move on. Criticism over his homeless policies from groups including the Coalition on Homelessness became a point of pride, Newsom said. The more they opposed, the more I realized that we were about change and not the status quo, Newsom said. His proposals for addressing homelessness at the state level include giving tax credits to landlords who rent out units to homeless people, employers who hire the homeless and home builders who construct units geared toward the population. He wants to bring back a form of the states redevelopment program, which allowed local governments to sequester property tax revenue from blighted areas. A portion of that revenue had to be set aside to help build low-income housing. The program was discontinued by Brown over concerns about abuse. Newsom also wants to create a cabinet position to address homelessness, and to increase services at prisons to prevent inmates from becoming homeless upon release. California needs a regional planning approach to encourage coordination between cites and states, Newsom said. He also said the federal government needs to increase its commitment to creating affordable housing and that homelessness is now a national problem. Its not about the state prescribing a pill to solve this problem, he said. We dont have the money. Flat out, theres not the resources. Homelessness will be the issue for Browns successor, said state Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles), who has focused on poverty during her time in the Legislature. It has spread from the inner city, the urban centers where services have typically been centralized, to truly be a statewide issue, she said. So it has to be on the forefront of the next governors strategy. Cox toured Los Angeles skid row last week and said hed build more housing and help the homeless receive mental health and addiction treatment. During Coxs stop, he seemed to align with Newsoms approach. As he walked by rows of encampments, Cox suggested cash alone wasnt the answer. The people down here need support and help, Cox told reporters. They dont just need money handed out to them, they dont need just rhetoric. They need actual help. dakota.smith@latimes.com Twitter: @dakotacdsmith President Trump says he is withdrawing from a landmark Cold War-era arms treaty with Russia because Moscow has been violating the agreement for years. But scrapping the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty also serves another key Trump goal: intensifying military pressure on China. Because Beijing is not a signatory to the agreement, it has been able to build an extensive arsenal of medium-range ballistic missiles armed with conventional warheads. Its a stockpile that now threatens U.S. air bases and aircraft carriers central to the Pentagon strategy for defending allies in Asia. If Trump follows through on his vow to withdraw from the treaty, the Pentagon would be free to deploy medium-range missiles in Asia capable of hitting targets in China, current and former officials say. Unless Russia and China agree to a new agreement, Trump has said, we are going to develop the weapons. Advertisement Abrogating the treaty could come at a high price, however. It would risk intensifying a growing U.S. military rivalry with Beijing and Moscow, both of which are likely to deploy new weapons to counter any U.S. buildup, critics say. Withdrawing from the treaty will open the door to a new and unconstrained competition, said Lisbeth Gronlund, co-director of the Global Security Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, an arms-control group based in Washington. Exiting the treaty has long been a goal of Trumps national security advisor, John Bolton, a longtime critic of arms-control agreements who traveled to Moscow this week to explain the U.S. decision to Russian officials. At a news conference Tuesday in Moscow, Bolton brushed off mounting concerns from China and European allies as well as Russia that U.S. withdrawal from the treaty would undermine global security. Bolton quipped that he would say the same thing if he were living in Beijing. In the case of China, one-half to one-third of their ballistic missile capability would violate the treaty if they were party to it, Bolton said. In 2011, Bolton argued in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece that the U.S. should either expand the treaty to cover China or abrogate it entirely so that we can rebuild our own deterrent capabilities. A Pentagon report on Chinas military capabilities released in August said Beijing had conventionally armed short- and medium-range ballistic missiles as well as ground- and air-launched land-attack cruise missiles. The U.S. is especially concerned about Chinas DF-26, an intermediate-range ballistic missile fielded in 2016 that has a maximum range of 2,500 miles, enabling it to strike U.S. bases as far away as Guam. We are at a disadvantage with regard to China today in the sense that China has ground-based ballistic missiles that threaten our basing in the western Pacific and our ships, Adm. Harry Harris, former head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, who is now ambassador to South Korea, told the Senate Armed Services Committee in March. He added: We have no ground-based capability that can threaten China because of, among other things, our rigid adherence and rightfully so to the treaty that we signed on to, the INF treaty. The Pentagon would by no means be helpless if war broke out with China. U.S. warships and attack submarines carry highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles, while its warplanes are armed with air-to surface missiles that can hit targets hundreds of miles away. Air Force Gen. Paul Selva, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Congress in July 2017 that there was no military necessity to withdraw from the treaty because the U.S. already had the capability to hit sufficient targets in China using air- and sea-based missiles. Both types of weapons could strike targets on the Chinese mainland from far offshore, fired from ships and planes that can move around, making them harder for the Chinese to target. The treaty only covers missiles based on land, leaving the U.S. free to deploy as many sea- and air-based missiles as it chooses. But some experts say basing medium-range cruise missiles on land in Asia would significantly increase the Pentagons ability to constrain China, deterring Beijing from using force to reclaim control over Taiwan or the Senkaku Islands, an archipelago in the Western Pacific controlled by Japan but claimed by China. Putting missiles in Japan or Guam is another way to enhance the deterrent capability, said Eric Sayers, a former consultant to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and an adjunct fellow at the Center for a New American Security, a Washington think tank. The goal is to be able to deter them from thinking that this month or this year is a good time to move on Taiwan or the Senkakus, he added. At best, it will take years for the U.S. to put this strategy into practice. Because of the treaty restrictions, the U.S. has gotten rid of medium-range missiles in its arsenal. Its quickest path to reconstitute the capability would be to modify existing cruise missiles so they could be fired from mobile launchers. Every dollar spent on treaty-prohibited missiles in Asia is a dollar not spent on what in my view are superior treaty-compliant air- and sea-based cruise missiles where we have a greater advantage, said Kingston Reif, director for disarmament and threat reduction policy at the Arms Control Assn., an anti-proliferation policy organization. The U.S. would also have to convince Japan or other close allies in Asia to agree to have the missiles based on their territory, a potentially difficult task, since it could make the host country a target of Chinese missiles if war broke out. Japans chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said Monday at a news conference in Tokyo that the United States withdrawal from the treaty would be undesirable, adding, We hope that it will be averted. Special correspondent Matthew Bodner in Moscow contributed to this report. david.cloud@latimes.com Twitter: @davidcloudLAT While President Trump has wavered between dismissiveness and criticism in his comments on the killing of U.S.-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, on one statement he has remained firm and consistent: Saudi Arabia is a crucial strategic ally. And as such, he argues, any punishment of Saudi Arabia for its alleged role in killing Khashoggi should be limited. But how much of an ally on behalf of U.S. interests is the repressive desert kingdom? The two countries have had a long if often fraught relationship in the more than 80 years since the United States, under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, recognized the kingdom shortly after the Saud royal family formed it atop vast oil reserves. The relationship hit a low point in recent years, when President Obama along with allied leaders riled the Saudis by choosing to negotiate a landmark nuclear-containment deal with Iran Saudi Arabias archenemy and main regional rival. The Saudis enthusiastically welcomed Trumps election, confident they could do business with him. Advertisement Today, however, the question is: Who needs whom more, Riyadh or Washington? U.S. is less reliant on Saudi oil supplies For decades, the United States relied heavily on other countries for its oil, chief among them Saudi Arabia. In recent years, however, thanks to U.S. development of shale oil reserves and the growth of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, the United States has gradually weaned itself away from many outside producers. Today the U.S. imports only about 11% of its oil from Saudi Arabia, or about 700,000 to 800,000 barrels a day, down from as much as 2 million barrels a day in the late 1990s and early 2000s, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. But Saudi Arabia remains the major player in the global energy market, and it can readily influence the price of fuel sending it soaring if it reduces the number of barrels it produces. That is what Riyadh initially threatened to do if the West hit it with reprisals over Khashoggis death. The steady and stable flow of Saudi oil is critical to the global economy, experts say. As it is, Trump has been publicly critical of the Saudi governments decision not to exploit greater supplies of crude and petroleum products and produce more to keep pump prices down. And oil will become more scarce in the coming weeks and thus costlier as the administration slaps sanctions on Iran that could force Tehran to remove millions of barrels from the market. Many Saudi arms deals have yet to materialize Trump frequently cites figures as high as $450 billion to $560 billion in U.S. sales to Saudi Arabia of weapons and other things, from deals he says he secured last year when he made his first foreign trip as president to Riyadh. The biggest orders in the history of this country, probably the history of the world, is how Trump described the deals last week. In fact, hardly any of those sales have materialized; most of those in the pipeline were executed under the Obama administration. Negotiation, production and delivery of weapons can take years. Also, former U.S. officials say that Saudi Arabia is a bad client, often in arrears or slow to make payments. Now Congress is pondering blocking some sales, because of both the Khashoggi case and reported atrocities committed by Saudi Arabia in Yemen. Trump has also exaggerated the number of jobs that the as-yet-nonexistent deals will create. Shortly after Khashoggi was reported missing Oct. 2, Trump said he did not want to interfere with arms sales because his deals with Riyadh would create 40,000 jobs for Americans; by last week, he was putting the number at more than a million jobs. Not only is that prospect far-fetched, but the tentative deals provide that many jobs will go to Saudi Arabia, buttressing its effort to diversify its economy from oil. Critics point to another, more immediate benefit that Trump could have in mind: revenue for Trump family coffers from its business dealings with the Saudis and from Saudi dignitaries regular use of its properties, especially the expensive Trump International Hotel in Washington. Ethics expert Norm Eisen has said that the Saudis believe their patronage has bought them friendship with the White House, and political cover. During the presidential campaign, in 2015, Trump boasted that he made a lot of money with the Saudis, adding, They buy all sorts of my stuff. Last week, however, he denied having any financial interest in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabias complex relationship with terrorism and Iran The administration frequently credits Saudi Arabia with valuable assistance in the gathering and accumulation of counter-terrorism intelligence. Undoubtedly, Saudi agents have cooperated extensively with American counterparts, especially as a bulwark against Iran. Yet former U.S. officials say even the definition of terrorism can be complicated with Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia. Washington typically defines terrorists as militants committing violent deeds, while the Saudis often brand as terrorists people whose views they dont like, such as members of the Muslim Brotherhood movement, Shiite clerics or dissidents. For more than a generation, the Saudis also have exported a fundamentalist view of Islam, and won its acceptance in many parts of the world with the money accompanying its imams. Bosnia-Herzegovina, for example, where Islam long existed in a steadfastly secular environment, saw an explosion of Saudi-financed mosques and an influx of Muslims practicing a puritanical Wahhabi faith in the 1990s, as civil war there wound down. That ideological strain contributed to the creation of Al Qaeda under Osama bin Laden, a Saudi. Most of the men who participated in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, were Saudi. Saudi Arabia helps with Israel, but pulls the U.S. into a Yemen quagmire Only two Arab countries have formal, if rocky, diplomatic ties with Israel: Jordan and Egypt. Saudi Arabia, by suggesting it is willing to work with Israel, even quietly, opens a rare opportunity for a U.S.-brokered Middle East peace deal. When the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, toured the United States recently, he praised Israel and badmouthed the Palestinians, according to people who accompanied him. Trump and his son-in-law and advisor, Jared Kushner, staked the success of their Mideast peace plan on the princes cooperation and endorsement. They were stunned when his father, King Salman, nixed the plan as it was presented to him this summer, judging it to be far more pro-Israeli than the Saudis could accept. It was a cold reminder to the Americans that Saudi support for Israel is still largely behind the scenes and limited. Furthermore, putting the U.S.-Saudi relationship in the hands of two inexperienced scions of wealthy families 37-year-old Kushner and the 33-year-old crown prince created numerous risks. Prince Mohammed is now viewed by many in the West as a likely suspect in Khashoggis slaying, emboldened by Kushners clumsy handling of their dealings. That, and the Trump administrations laser focus on Iran, may also be factors in Washingtons continued support of Saudi Arabias calamitous war in Yemen against Tehran-backed rebels. The U.S. military provides weapons and targeting intelligence for Saudi bombings that often claim the lives of civilians including at least 45 children in a school bus in August and have pushed millions of Yemenis to the brink of starvation. Mohammed is widely seen as having miscalculated disastrously in Yemen. The United States, as his backer, is being brought in for the same international opprobrium. Gerald Feierstein, who served as a diplomat throughout the Middle East for nearly 40 years, said that putting the relationship back into the hands of professional diplomats and national security experts will be a positive first step in normalizing ties between Washington and Riyadh. Feierstein, who runs the government relations program at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, also urged Trump to appoint an ambassador to Riyadh. The post has sat vacant since just before Trump assumed office, perhaps reflecting the personal interest of Trump and his son-in-law in controlling the Saudi portfolio. tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter The Supreme Court is siding with the Trump administration to block the questioning of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross about his decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. The unsigned order Monday overrides lower federal courts in New York that would have allowed the questioning of Ross to proceed in lawsuits challenging the addition of a citizenship question on the decennial census for the first time since 1950. The suits by a dozen states and big cities, among others, say that asking census respondents if they are citizens will discourage immigrants from participating, diluting political representation and federal dollars for states that tend to vote Democratic. But the court is allowing the deposition of acting Assistant Atty. Gen. John Gore to go forward, over the dissent of Justices Neil M. Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas. Advertisement A trial is scheduled to begin in New York on Nov. 5, although Gorsuch suggested in a four-page opinion that U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman could delay the proceedings. Gorsuch said he sees no reason to distinguish between Secretary Ross deposition and those of other senior executive officials. Furman based his ruling requiring Ross deposition on concerns about Ross truthfulness in relating how the decision to add the citizenship question came about. The judge noted that Ross claimed in March, when the decision to add the citizenship question was announced, that he considered adding it after a request to do so last December from the Justice Department. The record developed thus far, however, casts grave doubt on those claims, the judge wrote in September. But earlier this month, Justice Department lawyers filed a new document in the case in which Ross said he now remembers speaking with former senior White House advisor Steve Bannon in spring 2017 about adding the question. In the recent court filing, federal government lawyers said Ross recalled that Bannon called him in the spring of 2017 to ask if he would speak with then-Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach about Kobachs ideas about adding a citizenship question to the census. The lawyers wrote that Ross also discussed adding the question with Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions in the spring of 2017 and at other times. The administration has maintained that questioning Ross is inappropriate. Sessions himself waded into the issue last week when he said in a speech at the Heritage Foundation that Furmans order represents an improper attempt to hold a trial over the inner workings of a Cabinet secretarys mind. The courts order on Ross will remain in place indefinitely, assuming the administration files a fuller appeal with the justices within a week. Retired Justice Sandra Day OConnor revealed Tuesday in an open letter that she has stepped away from public life because she is suffering from dementia. The first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, OConnor, now 88, announced in the letter that she is in the beginning stages of dementia, probably Alzheimers disease. She said her diagnosis was made some time ago and that as her condition has progressed, she is no longer able to participate in public life. OConnor served as a state legislator in Arizona, including as the majority leader of the state Senate, as well as a judge before President Reagan chose her for the high court in 1981. Advertisement For much of her 24-year career on the court, she was its most influential justice, the one who decided the biggest cases. Overall, she had a moderate-conservative record, but she cast key votes to preserve abortion rights and to permit affirmative action admissions policies at universities. In 2000, she joined the 5-4 decision in the Bush vs. Gore case that halted the ballot recount in Florida and made George W. Bush president. But in the years afterward, she seemed to move somewhat to the left. She cast the key vote to uphold the McCain-Feingold Act and its limits on political campaign spending in 2003 and she argued for maintaining the separation of church and state. In 2004, she wrote an opinion dealing a defeat to the Bush administration and holding that courts and Congress must play a role in the war on terrorism. A state of war is not a blank check for the president, she said. In July 2005, she surprised her colleagues by announcing her plans to retire. She said then her decision was influenced by the declining health of her husband, John OConnor III, who also suffered from Alzheimers disease. He died in 2009. While serving as a justice, she said she had been surprised and dismayed to see that young people were learning little about government and the courts. In her letter Tuesday, OConner urged others to carry on the effort to get young Americans involved in government. Not long after I retired from the Supreme Court twelve years ago, I made a commitment to myself, my family, and my country that I would use whatever years I had left to advance civic learning and engagement, she wrote in her letter. I feel so strongly about the topic because Ive seen first-hand how vital it is for all citizens to understand our Constitution and unique system of government, and participate actively in their communities. It is through this shared understanding of who we are that we can follow the approaches that have served us best over time working collaboratively together in communities and in government to solve problems, putting country and the common good above party and self-interest, and holding our key governmental institutions accountable. Eight years ago, I started iCivics for just this purpose to teach the core principles of civics to middle and high school students with free online interactive games and curriculum that make learning relevant and remarkably effective. Today, iCivics (www.icivics.org) reaches half the youth in our country. We must reach all our youth, and we need to find ways to get people young and old more involved in their communities and in their government. OConnors letter appeared to follow the model of Reagan, who disclosed in a 1994 letter that he was afflicted with Alzheimers disease. OConnor did not have the obvious upbringing of a future justice, as she noted in her closing comments. She was raised on a cattle ranch in the desert near the border of Arizona and New Mexico. While the final chapter of my life with dementia may be trying, nothing has diminished my gratitude and deep appreciation for the countless blessings in my life. How fortunate I feel to be an American and to have been presented with the remarkable opportunities available to the citizens of our country. As a young cowgirl from the Arizona desert, I never could have imagined that one day I would become the first woman justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, she wrote. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., who joined the court a few months before OConnors retirement took effect, issued a statement in response to her letter. I was saddened to learn that Justice Sandra Day OConnor, like many Americans, faces the challenge of dementia. But I was not at all surprised that she used the occasion of sharing that fact to think of our country first, and to urge an increased commitment to civics education, a cause to which she devoted so much of her time and indomitable energy. Justice OConnor is of course a towering figure in the history of the United States and indeed the world. She broke down barriers for women in the legal profession to the betterment of that profession and the country as a whole. She serves as a role model not only for girls and women, but for all those committed to equal justice under law. Although she has announced that she is withdrawing from public life, no illness or condition can take away the inspiration she provides for those who will follow the many paths she has blazed. OConnors son, Jay, told the Associated Press on Monday that his mother had begun to have challenges with her short-term memory. He also said that hip problems now require her to use a wheelchair and stay close to her Phoenix home. UPDATES: 1:35 p.m.: This article was updated with more background about OConnors career. 9:05 a.m.: This article was updated with staff reporting. This article was originally published at 7:40 a.m. Police are searching for a man they say shot and killed a University of Utah student outside a dormitory on campus, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. The female students body was found in a car, University of Utah Police Lt. Brian Wahlin said. The man they are searching for and the student had a previous relationship, Wahlin said. The man is 37 years old, about 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds, police said. He was last seen wearing a gray beanie, black pants, white shoes and a white hoodie. Weve got the campus secure at this point in time, Wahlin told the Tribune shortly after 11 p.m. Advertisement Last month, an ex-convict pleaded guilty to killing a University of Utah student from China using a gun stolen after another slaying. Austin Boutain, 24, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He and his wife were charged with hatching a carjacking plot that led to the October 2017 death of Chenwei Guo. UPDATES: 11:10 p.m.: The article was updated with additional details about the victim and comments from police. The article was originally published at 10:45 p.m. President Trump has made a habit of repudiating international agreements negotiated by Barack Obama, his Democratic predecessor. Now he seems to be on the verge of withdrawing the United States from a landmark arms control agreement signed more than 30 years ago by a Republican president, Ronald Reagan. Trumps stated reason for abrogating the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty that Russia is violating its terms seems superficially plausible. But withdrawal would still be a catastrophic mistake. The treaty, concluded between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union, ended an arms race in Europe that began in the late 1970s when Moscow deployed a new generation of intermediate-range missiles capable of delivering multiple nuclear warheads, and NATO responded with a plan to deploy U.S. ground-launched cruise missiles and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. Eventually the two superpowers agreed to a treaty banning all land-based missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers (310 to 3,420 miles). We can only hope that this history-making agreement will not be an end in itself, President Reagan said at the time, but the beginning of a working relationship. Advertisement And indeed, the INF treaty was part of a larger disarmament dialogue between the U.S. and the Soviet Union (and later the Russian Federation) that also included talks to limit long-range nuclear weapons. Current strategic stockpiles and delivery systems are limited by the 2010 New START treaty, which expires in February 2021 unless the two nations agree to extend it for up to five years. Trump has been telegraphing in recent days that the U.S. would be abandoning the INF treaty. On Saturday he said: Russia has violated the agreement. They have been violating it for many years. And were not going to let them violate a nuclear agreement and go out and do weapons and were not allowed to. The president apparently was referring to allegations that the Russians have developed a land-based cruise missile that exceeds the range specified in the treaty, an allegation the Russians deny. The Obama administration also alleged that Russia breached the treatys terms, and in 2016 convened a meeting of the Special Verification Commission, a body established by the treaty to address compliance concerns. But rather than withdraw from the treaty, the Obama administration adopted a policy of trying to press the Russia back into compliance. Initially, the Trump administration took the same position. In 2017, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon said that the U.S. was making every effort to preserve the INF treaty in the face of Russian violations, although he warned that continuation of a situation in which the United States remains in compliance while Russia violates the agreement is unacceptable to us. That may sound reasonable. But arms-control experts point out that abrogating the treaty over one alleged violation by Russia would free Moscow to disregard all constraints imposed by the agreement. And that wouldnt be the only adverse consequence. U.S. renunciation of the INF treaty also would undermine prospects for extending the New START treaty. Reacting to Trumps comments about leaving the INF treaty, Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said I hope were not moving down the path to undo much of the nuclear arms control treaties that we have put in place. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion A U.S. repudiation of the INF treaty also would also further damage relations with Americas closest European allies already dismayed by Trumps withdrawal from the Iran nuclear agreement and the Paris climate accord. On Monday a spokeswoman for the European Union, while calling on Russia to address concerns about its compliance, said: We also expect the U.S. to consider the consequences of its possible withdrawal from the INF on its own security, on the security of its allies and of the whole world. The world doesnt need a new arms race. In addition to complaining about Russian violations, Trump has pointed out that China is not bound by the INF treaty. If Russias doing it and if Chinas doing it, and were adhering to the agreement, thats unacceptable, he said. Some arms-control experts have spoken about globalizing the INF treaty to add China and other Asian nations. But the idea that the U.S. needs to be freed from the treatys restrictions to deter China isnt serious given this countrys other military assets not constrained by the agreement. On too many occasions this administration has acted impulsively on the world stage and scrambled to contain the damage later. Trashing the INF treaty would be another such blunder. The president should pull back from the precipice. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook Parents and grandparents of students in the Los Angeles Unified School District know that smaller classroom sizes would mean more attention to the social and academic needs of the children they love. But in elementary, middle and high schools across the district, class sizes have not met state or regional goals for more than 25 years. In the current contract between L.A. Unified and United Teachers Los Angeles, there is a chart that establishes maximum class sizes. At most grade levels, the maximum hovers at around 36 students. But in the 1990s, during a period of deep recession, teachers agreed to Section 1.5 of their contract, which allows the district to ignore these maximums. Although teachers negotiated a rule in 2014 that requires the district to give the union a notice of intent to use Section 1.5, write a rationale for ignoring class-size requirements and give teachers an opportunity to dissent from the rationale provided, L.A. Unified can and does still unilaterally implement whatever class size it chooses. Today, classes of 45 students or more are not uncommon in most secondary schools. (This excludes kindergarten through third-grade classes, which receive state funding specifically for class-size reduction.) Advertisement Ask any parent if he or she would rather have his or her child in a class with 45 students or 30 students. If the district truly wants its students to learn more, it should get rid of Section 1.5 and immediately begin hiring 2,000 new teachers to meet the class-size goals that are already laid out in the current contract. This would cost $200 million more each year. That may sound like a lot, but the district has a minimum of $1.8 billion in reserve. Opposition to class-size reduction comes from the top. When I chaired the Assembly Education Committee, lobbyists would often come in and argue that the cost of reducing class sizes in Californias public schools was simply too high. When I asked these lobbyists where their own children attended school, many if not all of them would respond that they sent their children to private schools some to schools where tuition could cost as much as $45,000 a year and classrooms would have as few as a dozen students. In other words, although they paid considerable tuition rates for their own kids to benefit from small classes, they considered it perfectly acceptable for children who live in poverty 80% of the LAUSD student population to be relegated to the third-largest class sizes in America. Really? There is also some quiet opposition coming from a few well placed charter-school advocates. Why? Because if the district were to reduce class sizes by hiring 2,000 additional teachers, it would need to provide 2,000 classrooms to those new teachers classrooms that some charter-school advocates are eyeing for themselves. The Board of Education at LAUSD needs to put its students first. Though it claims to do so at nearly every meeting and on seemingly all of its printed materials, its claims are often empty rhetoric. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion It is common sense that smaller classes make for better learning environments and higher grades and test scores. Its also well documented. A 2016 study conducted by William J. Mathis at the University of Colorados National Education Policy Center showed that smaller classes correlated with higher graduation rates, student engagement and self-esteem. Mathis also found that the positive effects of smaller classes were twice as large for poor and minority students. In conclusion, Mathis called for class sizes of 15 to 18 students and argued that, although reducing class sizes can be expensive, it could prove to be the most cost-effective policy in the long run. Ask any parent if he or she would rather have his or her child in a class with 45 students or 30 students. Likewise, ask any teacher how reducing class size would affect students achievements. All will acknowledge that class size matters. We need to stop blaming teachers for low student test scores and start providing the resources they need to close the achievement gap. L.A. Unified needs to put students first. Jackie Goldberg was a classroom teacher for 17 years. She represented northeast Los Angeles neighborhoods on the LAUSD School Board, on the Los Angeles City Council and in the California State Assembly, where she chaired the Education Committee. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook To the editor: In The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, 18th century English historian Edward Gibbon observed that Rome was summoned to consider the propriety or danger of admitting or rejecting an innumerable multitude of barbarians who driven by despair and hunger solicited a settlement on the territories of a civilized nation. Given the migrant caravans from Central America heading our way just before the Nov. 6 election, we should ponder Romes fate. The peoples who existed at the fringes of the empire simply desired the civilization that Rome possessed. However, these new peoples inevitably supplanted the Romans who had become complacent and preferred bread and circuses over good government. Liberty was sacrificed for security, religious intolerance replaced reason, and civilization wavered. The migrants pressing on our borders now are seeking refuge from the barbarisms of fear, hunger and hopelessness. Great wisdom is called for. Leaders on both sides of the border should heed the warning that those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. Advertisement Kevin C. Glynn, Los Angeles .. To the editor: These Central American pilgrims head to America in search of a better life for themselves and their families. Weve seen this story before, when the English pilgrims first landed at Plymouth Rock, also in search of a better life. Our country is wealthy beyond words because of the various backgrounds of all the immigrants from so many places. This country still needs an unending source of low-wage workers who will take the jobs Americans whose families have been here for generations will not. We should welcome these new people. Rob Macfarlane, Newport Beach .. To the editor: Imagine this picture: Thousands of people from Central America arrive at our border and declare, Weve traveled hundreds of miles and now were here, so let us in! Apparently, they believe they have earned the right of entry by virtue of this display of collective misery and suffering, as if anyone from any country who suffers enough should be able to do the same. Imagine a box that gets checked on the immigration form: Have you suffered at least this much? Yes. OK, youre in. Im Armenian. My people were genocided by the Ottoman Turks during World War I. Thats a state-sponsored extermination. Can the Central Americans moving north beat that? Arthur G. Saginian, Santa Clarita .. To the editor: Once again, President Trump is doing the exact opposite of what is morally and ethically correct by threatening to cut aid to Central American nations. The migrant caravan is a symptom of the larger humanitarian crisis in that part of the world. The U.S. should be increasing aid to Central American countries to help reduce the need for their citizens to flee countries like Honduras. When these migrants make it to our southern border, the right and good thing to do is to greet them with food, blankets and medical attention, not a military barricade. Never before have I seen the United States so wrong about the correct response to a humanitarian crisis. Matthew Vasko, Monterey Park Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook It was only a few years ago that a strident denier of climate change who mocked the idea of humans pushing temperatures higher represented the congressional district that stretches into what Floridians fondly call their Treasure Coast. No House candidate along the Treasure Coast talks that way now. Worries about increasingly toxic algae blooms have consumed residents this election season. Putrid water that scientists say is aggravated by a warming climate has killed sea life, sickened residents, battered tourism and reshaped politics up and down the states Atlantic coastline. It is getting worse, said Betty Hardwick, 86, who was working the front desk of the Stuart Heritage Museum on a recent hot October afternoon. She has lived here since 1950. Advertisement Its definitely warmer, and that is causing this to stay around so long, Hardwick said of the toxic water. We need to do something. For years, conventional wisdom among political strategists has labeled climate change as a politically weak issue, a concern of environmental activists but not the mass of voters. Thats still the case in many areas. But in districts around the country where warming is exacerbating natural disasters and disrupting regional economies, the anxiety of voters like Hardwick has started to shift how candidates campaign. The change is clearest in Florida, a state battered by hurricanes, threatened by rising tides and, this year, wrapped in toxic algae more dangerous than even old-timers can recall. The blooms intensified and converged with an extreme bout of red tide, a toxic scourge familiar to Gulf Coast Floridians but one that almost never spreads all the way to the Atlantic shore. I caught snook with spots and weird growths on them, said Jake Kielar, a 24-year-old chef at a local restaurant, as he fished off Stuarts Healthy Trail footpath. Signs nearby warned residents to avoid contact with the water. You could tell they were sick, he said. It was awful. The Gulf Coast is still reeling from its own horrendous and persistent red tide this season, among the worst Florida has seen in decades. It killed millions of fish, scores of dolphins and manatees, and even a whale shark. As the red tide dragged on, Hurricane Michael tore through the states Panhandle region, highlighting the role climate change can play in causing more frequent and more intense storms. Only a year earlier, Superstorm Irma forced a large swath of Florida to evacuate. The latest look at the Trump administration and the rest of Washington The increased focus on climate has complicated the reelection bids of numerous Republicans. Theyve found that too close an alignment with a White House and congressional leadership determined to resist action on climate can be toxic. We cannot afford a congressperson who supports a climate change denialist at the head of the [Environmental Protection Agency], said Lauren Baer, the Democrat running in the states 18th Congressional District, which stretches north from Palm Beach along the Atlantic coast. Her Republican opponent, first-term Rep. Brian Mast, has responded not by challenging climate science, as his partys leadership does, but embracing it. He notes that hes joined the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, racked up endorsements from local clean water groups and has even sided with the League of Conservation Voters, a leading environmental political group that endorsed Baer, on five out of the six climate votes they tracked this session of Congress. Around the country, several other Republicans have at least rhetorically stepped away from their partys opposition to action on climate change. In California, Rep. Mimi Walters of Laguna Beach, in a tight race with a 4% lifetime voting score from the conservation league, has tried to reposition herself as a climate crusader. In August, she joined colleagues in warning that the states forest fires will get worse if global warming is not confronted. Minnesota Rep. Erik Paulsen, a longtime climate change skeptic whose seat is also threatened, had a similar conversion. He joined the Congressional Climate Solutions Caucus earlier this year. In Illinois, veteran Republican Rep. Peter Roskam did the same. Hes in a very close race in the Chicago suburbs against a Democrat who has run an ad specifically targeting Roskams record on global warming. Activists deride such moves as election-season conversions, often legitimately. The climate caucus has been largely symbolic, failing to advance any major legislation. But the fact that these conversions are happening at all signals that in some parts of the country, Republican candidates have come to see inaction on climate as a liability. This is not just a political issue anymore in some places, said Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Climate Change Communication program at Yale University. Voters are seeing the consequences [of warming] right here, right now. Climate change has yet to register as a top voting priority for most Americans, Leiserowitz said, but many Democrats rank it substantially higher than they did just a few years ago. Thats driving the issue to the forefront in swing districts. Among liberal Democrats, Leiserowitz said, climate change now ranks as their fourth-highest priority out of 28 issues he has tested. Climate has become a more urgent voting issue for liberal voters than such concerns as campaign finance reform, for example. Republicans remain far less concerned. Only 11% of voters who plan to cast ballots for Republicans this year consider climate change a very big problem for the nation, according to a Pew Research Center survey released this month a stark contrast to the 72% of Democrats who feel that way. This issue is more polarized than any issue in the country, Leiserowitz said. It is more polarized than abortion. But in a year when Democrats hope to make major gains, climate and clean energy have been pushed into a starring role in campaign ads in several parts of the country. In New Mexico, a candidate is on camera climbing the giant ladder of a wind turbine, and in Iowa a Democrat is walking among a field of them. Campaign visuals of solar panels are hitting screens from New Hampshire to California this election cycle. Orange County Democrat Harley Rouda has gotten considerable mileage out of a Twitter video he posted of his Republican opponent, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa, riffing on why he believes climate change is a fraud. In Floridas solidly Republican 16th Congressional District, which covers the Gulf Coast around Sarasota, voter uneasiness with environmental problems has disrupted what was supposed to be a cakewalk to reelection for Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan. This historically strong Republican district is closer than it should be, Michael Binder, who directs polling at the University of North Florida, said of Buchanans race. Trump carried the district by 10 points in 2016, but as the red tide plagued the area, voters are concerned. This issue is on their mind and driving votes, Binder said. Buchanan has responded, in part, by talking about climate change. The GOP veteran, whose record includes steadily voting against climate action, has lately been pushing a greener agenda. He very publicly albeit unsuccessfully -- urged Trump not to withdraw from the landmark Paris climate pact. He ran an ad attacking his opponent for investing in companies that emit large amounts of greenhouse gases, even though Buchanan does the same himself. Environmental issues have also had an effect on the states U.S. Senate race, one of the closest contests in the country so far. Policies that may have worsened the red tide have become a major issue and fueled anger with Gov. Rick Scott, who is challenging incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. Nelson, meanwhile, has taken every opportunity to highlight how failing to curb warming subjects Floridians to more of the environmental crises they are enduring right now. If there is one politician on Floridas coast who would seem to be immune from it all, its Rep. Francis Rooney, a freshman Republican from the Fort Myers area on the southern Gulf coast, whose constituents do not appear to mind the 0% voting score he has earned from the conservation league. The political forecasting outlet Five Thirty Eight projects Rooney has a 98.5% chance of winning reelection. Yet in early October, he made an unexpected move. He joined the climate caucus. More stories from Evan Halper evan.halper@latimes.com | Twitter: @evanhalper Bahraini detainee Hani Marhoun continues to be ignored by Manamas oversight bodies as his hunger strike entered its tenth day on Tuesday. AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Bahraini detainee Hani Marhoun continues to be ignored by Manamas oversight bodies as his hunger strike entered its tenth day on Tuesday. Marhoun started his hunger strike in a bid to put a stop to abuses against prisoners in the Gulf kingdom after repeated requests to meet with officials from the National Institution for Human Rights, the Ombudsman Office and other relevant bodies fell on deaf ears. According to Bahraini rights campaigner Ebtisam Al-Saegh, Marhouns health is deteriorating. His blood sugar is dropping and he is experiencing numbness and spasms. But the detainee is said to be adamant on continuing his hunger strike until Baharini officials respond to his request. Marhoun is serving a 15-year prison sentence over what activists describe as politically-motivated charges. /257 Allies balk at Trump administration bid to block Chinese firm from cutting-edge telecom markets By David S. Cloud Britain and Germany are balking at the Trump administrations call for a ban on equipment from Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, threatening a global U.S. campaign to thwart Chinas involvement in future mobile networks. Both countries are expected to limit Huawei and other Chinese companies from providing core components including routers. But other types of Chinese equipment for next-generation, high-speed communications could still be installed on British and German networks, officials and analysts say. The U.S. push to ban Huawei has provoked a global dispute in recent weeks, with senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, publicly urging NATO allies in Europe to exclude the company and warning that the United States might limit its military presence in countries that did not do so. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Confucius Institutes: Do they improve U.S.-China ties or harbor spies? By Don Lee Hanging red lanterns welcome visitors to the University of Marylands Confucius Institute, the oldest of about 100 Chinese language and cultural centers that have popped up over the last 15 years on American campuses, subsidized by millions of dollars from Chinas central government. But last fall, when four U.S. Senate investigators walked into the Confucius offices in Maryland and spent hours questioning staff, they werent looking for an educational exchange. The committee has been seeking detailed information from the university about the program, including contracts, email exchanges and financial arrangements that school administrators have kept under wraps since it started in 2004. American colleges once viewed these jointly funded institutes as an economical way to expand their language offerings one that could also bring warmer ties with China and, importantly, an influx of Chinese international students paying full tuition. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Watch Live: White House holds surprise news briefing amid government shutdown Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement U.S. policy toward China shifts from engagement to confrontation By David S. Cloud For decades, China had no closer American friend than Dianne Feinstein. As San Francisco mayor in the 1970s, she forged a sister-city relationship with Shanghai, the first between American and Chinese communities. As U.S. senator, she dined with Chinese leaders at Mao Tse-tungs old Beijing residence. And in the 1990s, she championed a trade policy change that opened a floodgate of Western investment into China. Today the Democratic senator sees China as a growing threat, joining a broad array of Trump administration officials, national security strategists and business executives who once favored engagement with Beijing and now advocate a confrontational approach instead. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Mnuchins attempt to calm markets backfires as Trump takes another shot at the Federal Reserve By Jim Puzzanghera An attempt by Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin to calm plunging financial markets backfired Monday, further rattling investors with new fears about whether major U.S. banks have enough cash on top of worries about interest rates, political instability in Washington and a slowing global economy. Adding to the volatile mix was a fresh attack on the Federal Reserve by President Trump, who declared that the central bank was the U.S. economys only problem and that it didnt have a feel for the market. The Fed is like a powerful golfer who cant score because he has no touch -- he cant putt! Trump said on Twitter. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print He speaks to Democratic hearts. But is Beto ORourke a serious White House contender? By Mark Z. Barabak Hes a failed U.S. Senate candidate with an undistinguished congressional record who, for the moment, is a blazing-hot 2020 presidential prospect despite the fact that he may not run and faces long odds if he does. Beto ORourke suggests the will-he-or-wont-he speculation is something he himself cant quite fathom. I think thats a great question, he responded in a Dallas Morning News interview when asked whether his unsuccessful November Senate bid merited a promotion to the White House. I ask that question myself. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Russian disinformation teams targeted Robert S. Mueller III, says report prepared for Senate By Craig Timberg, Tony Romm, Elizabeth Dwoskin Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. (Associated Press) Months after President Trump took office, Russias disinformation teams trained their sites on a new target: special counsel Robert S. Mueller III. Having worked to help get Trump into the White House, they now worked to neutralize the biggest threat to his staying there. The Russian operatives unloaded on Mueller through fake accounts on Facebook, Twitter and beyond, falsely claiming that the former FBI director was corrupt and that the allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election were crackpot conspiracies. One post on Instagram which emerged as an especially potent weapon in the Russian social media arsenal claimed that Mueller had worked in the past with radical Islamic groups. Such tactics exemplified how Russian teams ranged nimbly across social media platforms in a shrewd online influence operation aimed squarely at American voters. The effort started earlier than commonly understood and lasted longer while relying on the strengths of different sites to manipulate distinct slices of the electorate, according to a pair of comprehensive new reports prepared for the Senate Intelligence Committee and released Monday. Read more Timberg, Romm and Dwoskin report for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement President Trump announces Mick Mulvaney as acting White House chief of staff By Associated Press President Trump says budget director Mick Mulvaney will serve as acting chief of staff, replacing John F. Kelly in the new year. I am pleased to announce that Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, will be named Acting White House Chief of Staff, replacing General John Kelly, who has served our Country with distinction. Mick has done an outstanding job while in the Administration.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print It aint over when its over: In Michigan, Wisconsin and elsewhere, losers seek to undermine election results By Mark Z. Barabak Democrat Gavin Newsom has yet to become California governor, but already a candidate for state Republican Party chairman is promoting a recall effort. In Michigan and Wisconsin, GOP lawmakers have rushed through legislation to thwart their incoming Democratic governors and hamper others in the opposing party from doing the jobs voters chose them to do. In Congress, GOP leaders have echoed President Trump and sought to undermine the legitimacy of Democrats strong midterm performance, raising unsubstantiated allegations of fraud and political malfeasance. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print New CFPB Director Kathy Kraninger says she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera On her first full day leading the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Kathy Kraninger said she wont be a puppet of Mick Mulvaney, the controversial acting director whom she replaced in the powerful regulatory position. To underscore that point, the former White House aide said she would even reconsider a Mulvaney action that critics saw as a gratuitous jab at Democrats who championed the agencys creation: changing its name to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. Kraningers declaration during a meeting with reporters Tuesday addressed one of the main criticisms of her selection. She is considered a protege of Mulvaney, her boss at the White House Office of Management and Budget who has executed a dramatic, industry-friendly shift at the watchdog agency. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trumps pick for chief of staff, Nick Ayers, out of running By Associated Press Nick Ayers, right, with Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, at the funeral service for George H.W. Bush on Dec. 3. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Associated Press) President Trumps top pick to replace John F. Kelly as chief of staff, Nick Ayers, is no longer expected to fill that role. Thats according to a White House official who is not authorized to discuss the personnel issue by name and spoke on condition of anonymity. Ayers is Vice President Mike Pences chief of staff. The official says that Trump and Ayers could not agree on Ayers length of service. The father of young children, Ayers had agreed to serve in an interim capacity though the spring, but Trump wanted a two-year commitment. The official says that Ayers will instead assist the president from outside the administration. Trump announced Saturday that Kelly would be departing the White House around the end of the year. Thank you @realDonaldTrump, @VP, and my great colleagues for the honor to serve our Nation at The White House. I will be departing at the end of the year but will work with the #MAGA team to advance the cause. #Georgia Nick Ayers (@nick_ayers) December 9, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement U.S. hiring slows to 155,000 jobs, unemployment rate holds at 3.7% By Jim Puzzanghera Job growth slowed significantly in November but still was solid, indicating the economy remains in good shape but not expanding so quickly that it will lead to sharply higher interest rates. U.S. employers added 155,000 jobs last month, well below analyst expectations and a steep decline from Octobers strong 237,000 figure, the Labor Department reported Friday. Still, monthly job gains are averaging 206,000 this year, the best since 2015. Even the slower pace of 170,000 over the last three months is close to last years average of 182,000 and well above the amount needed to keep up with population growth. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump is expected to pick State Department spokeswoman for U.N. ambassador By Associated Press Heather Nauert at a briefing at the State Department on Aug. 9, 2017. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) President Trump is expected to nominate State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Two administration officials confirmed Trumps plans. A Republican congressional aide said the president was expected to announce his decision by tweet on Friday morning. The officials were not authorized to speak publicly before Trumps announcement. Trump has previously said Nauert was under serious consideration to replace Nikki Haley, who announced in October that she would step down at the end of this year. Trump has been known to change course on staffing decisions in the past. Nauert was a reporter for Fox News Channel before she became State Department spokeswoman under former Secretary Rex Tillerson. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Senate confirms new consumer financial protection chief: Kathy Kraninger, protege of industry-friendly Mick Mulvaney By Jim Puzzanghera The Senate, in a party-line vote Thursday, confirmed White House aide Kathy Kraninger to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and experts predicted a continuation of the industry-friendly shift it has taken since President Trump installed an acting director last year. Kraninger is a protege of acting director and White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney, an outspoken critic of the agency that was created in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis to prevent predatory lending and other abuses that led to it. Democrats and consumer advocates have denounced him for sharply departing from the aggressive watchdog role the bureau had pursued under its first director, Obama-appointee Richard Cordray, including scaling back enforcement and moving to reassess tough new rules on payday loans and narrow the definition of abusive practices by banks and other firms. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Shutdown postponed by two weeks under plan approved by Congress By Erik Wasson Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), shown at the Capitol on Tuesday, says President Trumps border wall is a waste of money. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Congress passed a two-week stopgap spending bill that will delay the chance of a partial government shutdown until Dec. 22 as lawmakers and President Donald Trump negotiate over his demands to pay for a wall on the southern border. The House and Senate passed the measure Thursday without dissent, and Trump has indicated hell sign the bill before the current shutdown deadline of midnight Friday. Negotiations were delayed by memorial services this week for former President George H.W. Bush. The temporary measure gives Democrats and Republicans more time to find a resolution to their biggest hurdle: funding a wall on the U.S. Mexico border wall. Trump says he wants $5 billion for parts of a concrete wall on the southern border and is willing to shut down the government if he doesnt get it. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York has said Democrats will provide no more than $1.6 billion for border security, because the wall is a waste of money. The presidents demands for wall funding from Congress come after he said during the campaign that Mexico would pay for it. This week he said on Twitter that a $25 billion border wall would pay for itself in two months, without providing evidence. Most of the U.S. governments $1.2 trillion discretionary budget has been appropriated already by Congress for the fiscal year that began on Oct. 1. Departments at a risk of a partial shutdown late this month include the departments of State, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Treasury and Homeland Security. Talks to resolve the differences have been on hold since a meeting among Trump, Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California originally slated for Dec. 4 was postponed due to Bush memorial events. The three are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter. Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby of Alabama told reporters the rest of the seven-bill spending package being negotiated is basically done. Shelby in recent weeks had tried to broker a compromise in which Trumps $5 billion request would be split over two years, but Schumer has rejected that. Some Democrats have been willing to trade border wall funding for deportation protections for young undocumented immigrants. Pelosi ruled out such a deal in remarks to reporters Thursday. The stopgap government funding measure also would extend the National Flood Insurance Program, which provides subsidized coverage for homes in flood-prone areas, to Dec. 21. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Bipartisan Senate group wants to formally blame Saudi crown prince for journalists killing By Karoun Demirjian Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires. (Associated Press) A bipartisan group of senators filed a resolution Wednesday condemning Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as responsible for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, directly challenging President Trump to do the same. This resolution -- without equivocation -- definitively states that the crown prince of Saudi Arabia was complicit in the murder of Mr. [Jamal] Khashoggi and has been a wrecking ball to the region jeopardizing our national security interests on multiple fronts, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said in a statement accompanying the release of the resolution. It will be up to Saudi Arabia as to how to deal with this matter. But it is up to the United States to firmly stand for who we are and what we believe. The resolution put forward by Graham and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who are expected to lead the Judiciary Committee together next year, comes just one day after CIA Director Gina Haspel briefed leading senators about the details of the agencys assessment that Mohammed ordered and monitored the killing and dismemberment of Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Senators emerged from that closed-door briefing furious not only with Saudi Arabia, but Trump as well for dismissing the heft of the CIAs findings. You have to be willfully blind not to come to the conclusion that this was orchestrated and organized by people under the command of MBS and that he was intricately involved in the demise of Mr. Khashoggi, Graham said following the briefing, referring to Mohammed by his initials. He added that Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Defense Secretary James N. Mattis, who briefed senators last week, were at best being good soldiers and at worst were in the pocket of Saudi Arabia for presenting the evidence of Mohammeds involvement as inconclusive. The release of the resolution condemning Mohammed also comes as the Senate is preparing to move ahead with debate on a resolution to curtail U.S. support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. Though the Yemen resolution does not directly address Khashoggis murder, its popularity is a sign of how strained the United States patience with Saudi Arabia is on multiple fronts, including its role in worsening the civilian cost of the war in Yemen, cited by the United Nations as the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. Last week, the Senate voted 63 to 37 to advance the Yemen resolution past an opening procedural hurdle. But Graham and Feinsteins resolution on the crown prince has the potential of drawing broader support, especially from Republicans, who are deeply divided about how fiercely to punish Saudi Arabia over Khashoggis killing. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who has been an outspoken advocate for human rights and is seen as one of the more influential foreign policy voices in the GOP, did not vote for the Yemen resolution last week or sign on to a bipartisan measure last month to sanction Saudi officials and cease weapons transfers to the kingdom. But he is an original co-sponsor of the resolution condemning Mohammed over Khashoggis death. So is Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), who represents the other end of the GOP spectrum in terms of recent Saudi-related votes and endorsements. Young was an initial co-sponsor of the bill Graham wrote with Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) to sanction Saudi officials deemed responsible for Khashoggis killing and stop the sale of anything but exclusively defensive weapons to the kingdom until it ceased hostilities in Yemen. Young also voted to advance the Yemen resolution something Graham did as well, though Graham has signaled he will not be lending any similar support to the measure, fearing it may establish a precedent of invoking the War Powers Act too broadly. Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) are listed as original co-sponsors of the resolution condemning Mohammed, which also urges Saudi Arabia to negotiate with Houthi rebels to end the Yemen war, work out a political solution to its standoff with Qatar and release political prisoners. But how much sway the resolution has probably comes down to how forcefully the administration decides to heed it -- and thus far, Trump has not shown any interest in condemning the crown prince the way the senators hope he will. Demirjian reports for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Los Angeles County offices and U.S. Postal Service closed Wednesday in honor of George H.W. Bush By Brian Park The Honor Guard carries the casket of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush following his funeral on Dec. 5 in Washington, DC. (Doug Mills - Pool/Getty Images) The U.S. Postal Service will suspend regular mail delivery Wednesday, which President Trump has declared a national day of mourning in honor of former President George H.W. Bush. All retail postal outlets will be closed, and package delivery will be limited. In Los Angeles, all nonessential county departments, offices and libraries will be closed for the day, L.A. County officials said. The Los Angeles County Library said no overdue fines will be assessed for books, and due dates will be moved forward one week. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health offices also are closed Wednesday. The Sheriffs Department, Fire Department, clinics and hospitals will continue to operate, the county said. The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health clinics are being operated with reduced staffing, and the department asked patients to confirm or reschedule any appointments. All county courts and the disaster recovery centers for the Woolsey fire in Malibu and Agoura Hills will remain open. Larger federal government operations will be closed Wednesday. To honor the life and legacy of President Bush, the Postal Service will observe the National Day of Mourning. Learn how Postal operations will be affected. https://t.co/Mffch7bPCh pic.twitter.com/vG46BsIOpm U.S. Postal Service (@USPS) December 4, 2018 L.A. County offices and libraries will be closed tomorrow (Dec 5) in observance of the #NationalDayOfMourning for President George H. W. Bush. The Countys Disaster Recovery Centers in Malibu & Agoura Hills will remain open from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. pic.twitter.com/Sv1J7GoJ7T Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) December 4, 2018 @LAPublicHealth offices will be closed tomorrow December 5 in observance of the national Day of Mourning for President George H. W. Bush. Essential Services including clinics and other services will remain open: https://t.co/tZGoGGHRlg pic.twitter.com/ypXsV6vlYY LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) December 4, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick to skip 2020 White House race, sources say By Associated Press Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick speaks during an interview in Boston on Dec. 15, 2014. (Elise Amendola / Associated Press) Former Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts will soon announce he wont launch a 2020 presidential campaign, according to three sources familiar with his plans. They did not say why the Democrat decided against a run. A formal announcement was delayed as the country observed a day of mourning for President George H.W. Bush, one source said. News of Patricks plans was first reported by Politico. Patrick, 62, served two terms as governor, from 2007 to 2015, was assistant attorney general for civil rights in the Clinton administration and since leaving the governors office has been a managing director for Bain Capital. Patrick traveled the country in support of Democratic candidates in the recent midterm election. Earlier this year, some of Patricks supporters and close advisors started the Reason to Believe political action committee, a grassroots organization dedicated to advancing a positive, progressive vision for our nation in 2018 and 2020. Reason to Believe PAC had been holding meetups across the country, including in early presidential primary states. While Patrick is opting against a 2020 run, dozens of Democrats are considering jumping in, including nearly a half-dozen members of the Senate, several House members, and other Massachusetts politicians. On Tuesday, Michael Avenatti, the attorney for adult film star Stormy Daniels and a vocal critic of President Trump, said in a statement that he would run. Patrick had previously expressed some concerns about breaking through if he sought the nomination, telling David Axelrod, a former advisor to President Obama, that he wasnt sure he could stand out in such a large field. Its hard to see how you even get noticed in such a big, broad field without being shrill, sensational or a celebrity, and Im none of those things and Im never going to be any of those things, Patrick said in a September interview with Axelrod. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Former Trump adviser Roger Stone invokes 5th Amendment right and wont testify before Senate Judiciary Committee By Associated Press Roger Stone in 2017. (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) Roger Stone, an associate of President Trump, says he wont provide testimony or documents to the Senate Judiciary Committee. An attorney for Stone said in a letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the committees top Democrat, that Stone was invoking his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination in refusing to produce documents or appear for an interview. Stone has been entangled in investigations by Congress and special counsel Robert S. Mueller III about whether Trump aides had advance knowledge of Democratic emails published by WikiLeaks during the 2016 election. Stone has not been charged and has said he had no knowledge of the timing or specifics of WikiLeaks plans. In the letter to Feinstein, Stone said the committees requests were far too overbroad, far too overreaching and far too wide-ranging. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Watch live: Vice President Pence and lawmakers honor George H.W. Bush at the U.S. Capitol before he lies in state Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Rebuilding crumbling infrastructure has bipartisan support. But who gets to pay for it? By Jim Puzzanghera The grades for major U.S. infrastructure would give any parent indigestion if they were on a childs report card. Roads: D; bridges: C+; dams: D; ports: C+: railways: B; airports: D; schools: D+; public transit: D-. The nations overall grade: D+, which translates to being in fair to poor condition and mostly below standards with significant deterioration and a strong risk of failure, according to an evaluation last year by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump calls former lawyer Michael Cohen a weak person who is lying By Associated Press President Trump says his former lawyer Michael Cohen is lying to get a reduced sentence. The president is reacting to Cohens guilty plea Thursday to lying to Congress about work he did on a Trump real estate project in Russia. During a surprise court hearing, Cohen admitted to lying in testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee about a plan to build a Trump Tower in Moscow. Cohen in his guilty plea said he made the false statements to be consistent with Trumps political message. Cohens lawyer says he continues to cooperate with special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation into Russian election interference and possible coordination with Trump associates. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Mark Z. Barabak When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print As California Republicans confront a congressional wipeout, GOP leader Kevin McCarthy faces a reckoning By Sarah D. Wire When the House voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Kevin McCarthy trooped with other Republican lawmakers to a splashy Rose Garden celebration, smiling alongside President Trump as they celebrated the moment. As majority leader, McCarthy had helped round up the votes to narrowly pass the hard-fought legislation, convincing 13 other California Republicans to go along, even though several faced tough reelection fights. Fewer than half will be returning in January. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Michael Cohen, President Trumps ex-lawyer, pleads guilty to lying to Congress about Trump real estate project in Russia By Associated Press Michael Cohen, President Trumps former personal lawyer, pursued a Russian real estate project on candidate Trumps behalf well into the 2016 campaign, he said Thursday while pleading guilty to lying to Congress. Cohen had previously said that the project was abandoned in January 2016, but he now admits he continued to pursue a deal and says he updated Trump and members of his family about the negotiations, according to a new court document. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement James Comey says acting Atty. Gen. Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer By John Wagner Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker speaks at the Justice Department in Washington on Nov. 14. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) Former FBI Director James B. Comey apparently isnt too impressed with the mental prowess of President Trumps acting attorney general. Matthew Whitaker may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, Comey said during a radio interview on Monday night in which he sized up the man Trump installed this month to replace ousted Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions. Comey was asked by WGBH News in Boston if he thinks Whitaker could derail the investigation of special counsel Robert S. Mueller III into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Whitaker has spoken critically of the probe, and Trump as recently as Tuesday continues to call it a witch hunt. I think its a worry, but to my mind not a serious worry, Comey said. The institution is too strong, and [Whitaker], frankly, is not strong enough to have that kind of impact. He may not be the sharpest knife in our drawer, but he can see his future and knows that if he acted in an extralegal way, he would go down in history for the wrong reasons, and Im sure he doesnt want that, added Comey, who was fired by Trump last year and later wrote a book that portrays the president as an ego-driven congenital liar. Whitaker, a former U.S. attorney in Iowa, was Sessions chief of staff before being picked by Trump to lead the Justice Department. Trump has called Whitaker a very smart man. Earlier this year, Trump called Comey an untruthful slime ball. Wagner writes for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Interior Department watchdog clears Zinke in investigation of Utah national monument By Juliet Eilperin Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, third from the left, and Gov. Jerry Brown tour fire damage in Paradise, Calif., on Nov. 14. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) The Interior Departments Office of Inspector General has cleared Secretary Ryan Zinke in a probe of whether he redrew boundaries of a national monument in Utah to aid the financial interests of a Republican state lawmaker and stalwart supporter of President Trump. In a Nov. 21 letter to Zinkes deputy, David Bernhardt, Deputy Inspector General Mary Kendall wrote that her office found no evidence that the secretary or his aides changed the boundaries of Utahs Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in an effort to help former Utah state representative Mike Noel, who serves as executive director of the Kane County Water Conservancy District. Last December, Trump shrank the monument, first established by President Clinton in 1996, by 46% based on Zinkes recommendation. Noel owns 40 acres that had been surrounded by the monument, but now lies outside its boundaries. The new boundaries also would make it easier to construct the proposed Lake Powell Pipeline, which would deliver water to sites in Kane County that include Noels property. Earlier this year, the Interior Department had proposed selling off 120 acres of federal land from the former monument that lay adjacent to some of Noels land holdings, but later reversed the plan. We found no evidence that Noel influenced the DOIs proposed revisions to the [monuments] boundaries, that Zinke or other DOI staff involved in the project were aware of Noels financial interest in the revised boundaries, or that they gave Noel any preferential treatment in the resulting proposed boundaries, Kendall wrote. Neither the Interior Department nor the inspector generals office would release the actual investigative report. In the letter, Kendall writes that her office will provide the report to Congress no sooner than 31 days from Nov. 21, when it is provided it to Zinkes office. The Associated Press first reported the inspector generals conclusions Monday night, but did not provide details from the report itself. Noel emailed Zinke about the effort to alter Grand Staircase-Escalante, according to emails released by Interior under the Freedom of Informational Act. But those emails do not make references to Noels land holdings. Noel also pushed to rename a Utah highway in honor of Trump, but abandoned that effort in March after some of his fellow Republicans objected to the idea. Noel did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. The inspector generals office still has at least two ongoing probes of the secretary, including one focused on his real estate dealings in Whitefish, Mont., and another regarding his decision to deny a permit to two Connecticut tribes who were hoping to jointly run a casino after MGM Resorts International lobbied against it. Interior Department spokeswoman Heather Swift welcomed the watchdogs conclusions. The report shows exactly what the secretarys office has known all along that the monument boundaries were adjusted in accordance with all rules, regulations and laws, she said in an email. This report is also the latest example of opponents and special interest groups ginning up fake and misleading stories, only to be proven false after expensive and time consuming inquiries by the IGs office. But Kendalls spokeswoman, Nancy DiPaolo, defended the inquiry, even though she said the report has not been publicly released and we will not be speaking specifically about the matter at this time. The OIG opens investigations based on credible allegations and reports our findings objectively and independently, DiPaolo added. Any time or resources spent investigating conduct or activity that may be a violation of law, regulation or policy is a service to the public, Congress and the Department. Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, said in a statement that he still intended to investigate the way Zinke and his colleague redrew the boundaries for Grand Staircase-Escalante and another Utah national monument, Bears Ears, next year. I have great respect for the inspector general, and I accept these findings, but Secretary Zinke should have known the people he listened to while destroying our national monuments had disqualifying conflicts of interest, he said. Should I chair the Natural Resources Committee in the next Congress, the process he and President Trump used to destroy Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante will be front and center in our oversight and investigations efforts. We need to know why they ignored overwhelming public expressions of support for both Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, why they ignored Native American tribes throughout their decision-making, and why they removed protections on parcels of land with known mineral deposits. Eilperin and Rein report for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump advisor Larry Kudlow says China must do more to end trade war By Jim Puzzanghera Larry Kudlow, President Trumps top economic advisor, said Tuesday that Chinas response to U.S. efforts to rework the two economic superpowers trade relationship has been extremely disappointing but the planned meeting this weekend between the nations leaders is an opportunity for a breakthrough. They have to do more. They must do more, Larry Kudlow, director of the White House National Economic Council, told reporters ahead of a Saturday dinner between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Group of 20 Summit in Argentina. I think the president is exactly right to show strong backbone when prior administrations did not, to break through these Chinese walls, Kudlow said. Theyre so resistant to change. We have to protect the country. We have to protect our technology, our inventiveness, our innovation. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Watch live: White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders holds a media briefing amid tensions at the border By Los Angeles Times Staff Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Democrat TJ Cox grabs lead over Republican David Valadao in nations last remaining undecided House race By Maya Sweedler Democrat TJ Cox slipped past Republican incumbent David Valadao on Monday to take the lead in the countrys sole remaining undecided congressional race, positioning Democrats to pick up their seventh House seat in California and 40th nationwide. Cox, who trailed by nearly 4,400 votes on election night, has steadily gained as ballot counting continues nearly three weeks after the Nov. 6 election, a pattern consistent with the states recent voting history. On Monday, he pulled ahead by 438 votes after Kern County updated its results. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former CIA director Michael Hayden hospitalized after suffering a stroke By Deanna Paul Then-CIA Director Michael Hayden testifies before a Senate committee in 2008. (Saul Loeb / Getty Images) Former CIA Director and retired Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke, his family said Friday. He is receiving expert medical care for which the family is grateful, according to a statement issued by his namesake organization. The General and his family greatly appreciate the warm wishes and prayers of his friends, colleagues, and supporters. Hayden, 73, served as director of the CIA and National Security Agency during the George W. Bush and Obama administrations. He retired from the CIA in 2009. Hayden has been a vocal critic of Donald Trumps campaign and presidency. Earlier this year, after Trump decided to revoke the security clearance of former CIA director John Brennan, Hayden was one of several former intelligence leaders who signed a statement in opposition. Criticizing the president for crossing a line, he quickly became one of the individuals whose security clearance Trump threatened to review. Deanna Paul writes for the Washington Post. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump tells troops hes thankful for what hes done for the U.S. and rails against courts and migrants By Associated Press President Trump talks with troops via teleconference from his estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on Thanksgiving. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump used his Thanksgiving Day call to troops deployed overseas to pat himself on the back and air grievances about the courts, trade and migrants heading to the U.S.-Mexico border. Trumps call, made from his opulent private Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., struck an unusually political tone as he spoke with members of all five branches of the military to wish them happy holidays. Its a disgrace, Trump said of judges who have blocked his attempts to overhaul U.S. immigration law, as he linked his efforts to secure the border with military missions overseas. Trump later threatened to close the U.S. border with Mexico for an undisclosed period of time if his administration determines Mexico has lost control on its side. The call was a uniquely Trump blend of boasting, peppered questions and off-the-cuff observations as his comments veered from venting about slights to praising troops You really are our heroes, he said as club waiters worked to set Thanksgiving dinner tables on the outdoor terrace behind him. It was yet another show of how Trump has dramatically transformed the presidency, erasing the traditional divisions between domestic policy and military matters and efforts to keep the troops clear of politics. You probably see over the news whats happening on our southern border, Trump told one Air Force brigadier general stationed at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, adding: I dont have to even ask you. I know what you want to do, you want to make sure that you know who were letting in. Later, Trump asked a U.S. Coast Guard commander about trade, which he noted was a very big subject for him personally. Weve been taken advantage of for many, many years by bad trade deals, Trump told the commander, who sheepishly replied, Mr. President, from our perspective on the water we dont see any issues in terms of trade right now. And throughout, Trump congratulated himself, telling the officers that the country is doing exceptionally well on his watch. I hope that youll take solace in knowing that all of the American families you hold so close to your heart are all doing well, he said. The nations doing well economically, better than anybody in the world. He later told reporters, Nobodys done more for the military than me. Indeed, asked what he was thankful for this Thanksgiving, Trump cited his great family as well as himself. I made a tremendous difference in this country, he said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump contradicts CIA assessment that Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi killing By Josh Dawsey | Washington Post (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) President Trump on Thursday contradicted the CIAs assessment that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, insisting that the agency had feelings but did not firmly place blame for the death. Trump, in defiant remarks to reporters from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, defended his continued support for Mohammed in the face of a CIA assessment that the crown prince had ordered the killing. He denies it vehemently, Trump said. He said his own conclusion was that maybe he did, maybe he didnt. I hate the crime .... I hate the cover-up. I will tell you this: The crown prince hates it more than I do, Trump said. Asked who should be held accountable for the death of Khashoggi, who was killed at the Saudi Consulate in Turkey, Trump refused to place blame. Maybe the world should be held accountable because the world is a very, very vicious place, the president said. He also seemed to suggest that all U.S. allies were guilty of the same behavior, declaring that if the others were held to the standard that critics have held Saudi Arabia to in recent days, we wouldnt be able to have anyone for an ally. Trumps remarks came after he held a conference call with U.S. military officers overseas, during which he repeatedly praised his administration and sought to draw the officers into discussions of domestic policy. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former FBI Director James Comey gets subpoena from House Republicans By Bloomberg Former FBI Director James B. Comey said he has received a subpoena from House Republicans, according to a Twitter post on Thursday. Bloomberg News reported last week that Comey would be receiving a subpoena alongside former Atty. Gen. Loretta Lynch as part of continuing probes into their handling of investigations into Hillary Clinton and Russian election meddling, according to a top House Democrat. Happy Thanksgiving. Got a subpoena from House Republicans. Im still happy to sit in the light and answer all questions. But I will resist a closed door thing because Ive seen enough of their selective leaking and distortion. Lets have a hearing and invite everyone to see. James Comey (@Comey) November 22, 2018 Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Republican David Valadaos lead slips to 447 votes over Democrat TJ Cox in still-undecided Central Valley House race By Mark Z. Barabak Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), right, finds himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox. (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) On election night, it looked like Rep. David Valadao had survived a close shave and was destined to return to Washington for his fourth term. But on Wednesday, when Fresno County announced its latest vote totals, the Hanford Republican found himself in an increasingly harrowing cliffhanger against Democrat TJ Cox, with his lead in the Central Valley district shrunken to 447 votes. Thousands remain to be counted. Valadao, a repeated Democratic target, finished election night with a lead of nearly 4,440 votes. Cox, an engineer and a business owner who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2006, has steadily gained ground in the 21st Congressional District ever since. The trend is consistent with historic patterns showing Republicans in California tend to vote early and Democrats later, meaning their mail ballots continue to stream in past election day. Under California law, ballots postmarked up to midnight on Nov. 6 will be counted. Democrats have already picked up six House seats in California. They ousted Reps. Dana Rohrabacher, Mimi Walters, Steve Knight and Jeff Denham and won the seats of retiring Reps. Ed Royce and Darrell Issa. All six represented districts that backed Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in 2016. Valadao was the seventh California Republican in a district Clinton won, though his previous successes he last won reelection by a 14-point margin suggested his ouster was a longer shot for Democrats. If Cox prevails, it would give Democrats a 40-seat gain nationwide, far more than the 23 seats needed to take control when Congress reconvenes in January. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump says no new punishments against Saudi Arabia in Jamal Khashoggi murder By Eli Stokols In this Oct. 25 photo, candles are lit in front of a photo of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. (Lefteris Pitarakis) President Trump made it clear on Tuesday that he does not intend to punish Saudi Arabia or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an American resident killed by Saudi officials in Turkey in October. In a remarkable statement replete with exclamation points, Trump cast doubt on the CIAs reported conclusions that it has a high degree of confidence that the crown prince ordered Khashoggis murder and sent his closest allies to Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul to carry it out. Read MoreThis article has been updated with staff. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Sixteen House Democrats vow to oppose Nancy Pelosi as next speaker By Mike DeBonis | Washington Post House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Sixteen House Democrats said Monday that they will vote to deny Rep. Nancy Pelosi another stint as House speaker, a show of defiance that puts her opponents on the cusp of forcing a seismic leadership shake-up as their party prepares to take the majority. Their pledge to oppose Pelosi (D-San Francisco), both in an internal caucus election and a Jan. 3 floor vote, delivered in a letter sent to Democratic colleagues, comes as Pelosi has marshaled a legion of supporters on and off Capitol Hill to make her case. But her opponents said Monday they are convinced it is time to select a new leader. We are thankful to Leader Pelosi for her years of service to our Country and to our Caucus, they wrote. However, we also recognize that in this recent election, Democrats ran on and won on a message of change. Pelosi has expressed complete confidence that she will retake the speakers gavel in January eight years after she lost it following massive Republican gains in the 2010 midterms and 16 years after she was first elevated to the top Democratic leadership post in the House. Come on in, the waters fine, she said Friday about a potential leadership challenge. The signers might not be able to force Pelosi out themselves. The size of the Democratic majority remains in flux, but Democrats have already won 232 seats, according to the Associated Press, with five races still undecided. All those races have Republican incumbents, but the Democratic challenger is ahead in only one of them. If the leads hold in the uncalled races, Democrats would have won 233 seats, a 16-seat majority. That means Pelosi could lose as many as 15 Democratic votes when she stands for election as speaker on Jan. 3. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democratic senators sue over Whitakers appointment as acting attorney general By Associated Press Acting U.S. Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitaker (Nicholas Kamm / AFP/Getty Images) Three Senate Democrats filed a lawsuit Monday arguing that Acting Atty. Gen. Matthew Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and asking a federal judge to remove him. The suit, filed by Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, argues that Whitakers appointment violates the Constitution because he has not been confirmed by the Senate. Whitaker was chief of staff to Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions and was elevated to the top job after Sessions was ousted by President Trump on Nov. 7. The Constitutions Appointments Clause requires that the Senate confirm all principal officials before they can serve in their office. The Justice Department released a legal opinion last week that said Whitakers appointment would not violate the clause because he is serving in an acting capacity. The opinion concluded that Whitaker, even without Senate confirmation, may serve in an acting capacity because he has been at the department for more than a year at a sufficiently senior pay level. President Trump is denying senators our constitutional obligation and opportunity to do our job: scrutinizing the nomination of our nations top law enforcement official, Blumenthal said in a statement. The reason is simple: Whitaker would never pass the advice and consent test. In selecting a so-called constitutional nobody and thwarting every senators constitutional duty, Trump leaves us no choice but to seek recourse through the courts. The lawsuit comes days after a Washington lawyer challenged Whitakers appointment in a pending Supreme Court case dealing with gun rights. The attorney, Thomas Goldstein, asked the high court to find that Whitakers appointment is unconstitutional and replace him with Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Rosenstein, the second-ranking Justice Department official, has been confirmed by the Senate and had been overseeing special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker is now overseeing the investigation. The Justice Department issued a statement Monday defending Whitakers appointment as lawful and said it comports with the Appointments Clause, the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and legal precedent. There are over 160 instances in American history in which non-Senate confirmed persons performed, on a temporary basis, the duties of a Senate-confirmed position, Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said. To suggest otherwise is to ignore centuries of practice and precedent. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Gov. Rick Scott says Sen. Bill Nelson concedes Florida Senate race By Associated Press Republican Senate candidate Rick Scott speaks with his wife, Ann, by his side at an election watch party in Naples, Fla., on Nov. 7. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas Republican Gov. Rick Scott says incumbent Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson called him to concede defeat in their extremely tight race. Scott issued a statement Sunday saying Nelson graciously conceded their Senate race shortly after the states recount ended. The final results show Scott defeated Nelson by just over 10,000 votes out of 8 million cast. Nelson is scheduled to release a videotaped statement later Sunday. The defeat ends Nelsons lengthy political career. The three-term incumbent was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000. Before that he served six terms in the U.S. House and as state treasurer and insurance commissioner for six years. Scott spent more than $60 million of his own money on ads that portrayed Nelson as out-of-touch and ineffective. Nelson responded by questioning Scotts ethics and saying he would be under the sway of President Trump. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Orange County goes blue, as Democrats complete historic sweep of its seven congressional seats By Michael Finnegan Gil Cisneros defeated Republican Young Kim on Saturday in the last of Orange Countys undecided House races, giving Democrats a clean sweep of the states six most fiercely fought congressional contests and marking an epochal shift in a region long synonymous with political conservatism. With Cisneros victory, Democrats will constitute the entirety of Orange Countys seven-member congressional delegation, the first time since the 1930s that the birthplace of Richard Nixon, home of John Wayne and spiritual center of the Republican Party will have no GOP representative in the House. Sitting back in the 1960s, I would never have believed this would happen, said Stuart K. Spencer, a party strategist who spent more than half a century ushering Republicans, including President Reagan, into office. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Going, going ... with midterm wipeout, California Republican Party drifts closer to irrelevance By Michael Finnegan For a party in freefall the last two decades, California Republicans learned that its possible to plunge even further. The GOP not only lost every statewide office in the midterm election again, in blowout fashion but Democrats reestablished their supermajority in Sacramento, allowing them to legislate however they see fit After major defeats in Orange County and the Central Valley, two longtime strongholds, Republicans will have a significantly smaller footprint on Capitol Hill. (Democrats hold both Senate seats.) When the vote-counting is finished, the GOP may not even have enough lawmakers in Californias 53-member House delegation to field a nine-person softball team. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter says she will support Rep. Nancy Pelosi for speaker By Maya Sweedler Democratic Rep.-elect Katie Porter is congratulated by volunteers at her campaign headquarters in Irvine. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Congresswoman-elect Katie Porter said she plans to support Rep. Nancy Pelosis bid for speaker of the House and will make campaign finance reform her top priority when she enters the chamber in January. Im going to continue to have conversations, but so far I feel like Leader Pelosi is definitely making the things that were a priority to the families that elected me her priorities, including announcing her support for campaign finance reform and anti-corruption as HR1, Porter said in her first public appearance since being declared the winner in Californias 45th Congressional District on Thursday evening. It means a lot to me that she is a Californian. She understands our state, Porter added. When we talk about environmental protections, this is a person who understands as a Californian how fragile our environment is and whats at risk in things like drilling off our coasts. Porter, a law professor at UC Irvine, defeated two-term Republican Rep. Mimi Walters. The 45th District, covering inland Orange County, has never been represented by a Democrat. Porter became the third Democrat to claim a Republican-held seat in Orange County, following the victories of Harley Rouda in the 48th District and Mike Levin in the 49th. A fourth, Gil Cisneros, is running slightly ahead of his Republican opponent in the race for the open seat in the 39th District, which extends into Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Porter attributed the massive political shift in the county, for decades a conservative stronghold, to increased levels of political engagement. Folks here care about education, they care about the environment, they believe climate change is real, they want healthcare that protects preexisting conditions, they want a tax system that doesnt punish California, they want our schools and places of worship to be safe from gun violence, she said. Those are the issues we campaigned on, and to the extent that Donald Trump and Mimi Walters were on the wrong side of those issues, the voters have made clear what direction they want us to go. Porter was flying back from the East Coast when her race was called, she said. She turned on her phone to find 167 text messages from friends and supporters. Among them was Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who was one of Porters teachers in law school and with whom she has remained close. The pair spoke via FaceTime this morning, she said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Bitter battle for Senate seat in Florida goes to hand recount By Associated Press Employees look through damaged ballots during a recount Thursday in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press) Floridas acrimonious battle for the U.S. Senate headed Thursday to a legally required hand recount after an initial review by ballot-counting machines showed Republican Gov. Rick Scott and Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson separated by less than 13,000 votes. But the highly watched contest for governor between Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum appeared to be over, with a machine recount showing DeSantis with a large enough advantage over Gillum to avoid a hand recount in that race. Gillum, who conceded the contest on election night only to retract his concession later, said in a statement that it is not over until every legally casted vote is counted. The recount so far has been fraught with problems. One large Democratic stronghold in South Florida was unable to finish its machine recount by the Thursday deadline due to machines breaking down. A federal judge rejected a request to extend the recount deadline. We gave a heroic effort, said Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher. If the county had three or four more hours, it would have made the deadline to recount ballots in the Senate race, she said. Meanwhile, election officials in another urban county in the Tampa Bay area decided against turning in the results of their machine recount, which came up with 846 fewer votes than originally counted. Media in South Florida reported that Broward County finished its machine recount but missed the deadline by a few minutes. Counties were ordered last weekend to do a machine recount of three statewide races because the margins were so tight. The next stage is a manual review of ballots that were not counted by machines to see whether there is a way to figure out voter intent. Scott called on Nelson to end the recount battle. Its time for Nelson to respect the will of the voters and graciously bring this process to an end rather than proceed with yet another count of the votes which will yield the same result and bring more embarrassment to the state that we both love and have served, the governor said in a statement. The recount has triggered multiple lawsuits, many of them filed by Nelson and Democrats. The legal battles drew the ire of U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker, who slammed the state for repeatedly failing to anticipate election problems. He also said the state law on recounts appears to violate the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that decided the presidency in 2000. We have been the laughingstock of the world, election after election, and we chose not to fix this, Walker said during a morning hearing. Walker vented his anger at state lawmakers and Palm Beach County officials, saying they should have made sure they had enough equipment in place to handle this kind of a recount. But he said he could not extend the recount deadline because he did not know when Palm Beach County would finish its work. This court must be able to craft a remedy with knowledge that it will not prove futile, Walker wrote in his ruling turning down the request from Democrats. It cannot do so on this record. This court does not and will not fashion a remedy in the dark. The overarching problem was created by the Florida Legislature, which Walker said passed a recount law that appears to run afoul of the 2000 Bush vs. Gore decision by locking in procedures that do not allow for potential problems. A total of six election-related lawsuits are pending in federal court in Tallahassee as well at least one lawsuit filed in state court. Walker also ordered that voters be given until 5 p.m. Saturday to show a valid identification and fix their ballots if they have not been counted due to mismatched signatures. Republicans appealed the ruling, but an appeals court turned down the request. State officials testified that nearly 4,000 mailed-in ballots were set aside because local officials decided the signatures on the envelopes did not match the signatures on file. If those voters can prove their identity, their votes will be counted and included in final official returns due from each county by noon Sunday. Walker was asked by Democrats to require local officials to provide a list of people whose ballots were rejected. But the judge appointed by President Obama refused the request, calling it inappropriate. Under state law, a hand review is required with races that have a margin of 0.25 percentage points or less. A state website put the unofficial results showing Scott ahead of Nelson by 0.15 percentage points. The margin between DeSantis and Gillum was at 0.41 points. The margin between Scott and Nelson had not changed much in the last few days, conceded Marc Elias, an attorney working for Nelsons campaign. But he said that he expected the vote tally to shrink due to the hand recount and the ruling on signatures. The developments fueled frustrations among Democrats and Republicans alike. Democrats want state officials to do whatever it takes to make sure every eligible vote is counted. Republicans, including President Trump, have argued without evidence that voter fraud threatens to steal races from the GOP. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democrat Gil Cisneros pulls ahead of Republican Young Kim as more votes are tallied in Orange and San Bernardino counties By Michael Finnegan Congressional candidate Gil Cisneros (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Democrat Gil Cisneros pulled ahead of Republican Young Kim in one of Californias undecided congressional races Thursday, an ominous sign for a GOP already reeling from its loss of four House seats in the state. In updated vote counts released by the registrars for Orange and San Bernardino counties, Kim fell 941 votes behind Cisneros in the contest to succeed Republican Rep. Ed Royce in Californias 39th Congressional District. The 39th straddles Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange counties. In another unresolved House race, Democrat Katie Porter pulled further ahead of Republican incumbent Mimi Walters in the 45th District, which includes Mission Viejo, Tustin, Irvine, Rancho Santa Margarita and Laguna Hills. Porter, a consumer attorney and UC Irvine law professor, is now 6,203 votes ahead. The Nov. 6 midterm election has been devastating to Republicans in California. If Cisneros and Porter win, the party will have lost six of its 14 House seats in the state, essentially a wipeout in every contest that both parties spent heavily to win. The three Republicans already bounced from Congress are Reps. Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa, Steve Knight of Palmdale and Jeff Denham of Turlock in the San Joaquin Valley. Democrat Mike Levin won the seat of retiring GOP Rep. Darrell Issa of Vista in the fourth district flipped so far. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Florida Senate race likely headed to second recount By Associated Press A Palm Beach County Sheriffs deputy walks past boxes of ballots before a recount on Nov. 15 in West Palm Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee) Unofficial Florida election results show that the governors race seems to be settled after a machine recount but the U.S. Senate race is likely headed to a hand recount. Republican Ron DeSantis is virtually assured of winning the nationally watched governors race over Democrat Andrew Gillum. Florida finished a machine recount Thursday that showed Gillum without enough votes to force a manual recount. Unofficial results posted on a state website show the margin between U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott is still thin enough to trigger a second review. State law requires a hand recount of races with a margin of 0.25 percentage point or less. Counties have until Sunday to inspect the ballots that did not record a vote when put through the machines. Those ballots are re-examined to see whether the voter skipped the race or marked the ballot in a way that the machines cannot read but can be deciphered. The election will be certified Tuesday. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Pelosi says she has the votes to become the next House speaker By John Wagner Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi speaks during a news conference in Washington on Nov. 14. (Susan Walsh) House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi insisted Thursday that she has the votes to become the chambers speaker despite solid opposition from more than a dozen Democrats who want fresh leadership when the party takes control next year. I have overwhelming support in my caucus to be speaker of the House, the San Francisco lawmaker told reporters. I happen to think at this point, Im the best person for that. A vote within the Democratic caucus is scheduled for Nov. 28. The full House votes on Jan. 3 to elect a new speaker. During her remarks, Pelosi touted the size of the Democratic victory in the midterms, which she called almost a tsunami. With a few races still to be decided, Democrats are poised to pick up close to 40 seats in the chamber. Pelosi called that the biggest victory for the Democrats since 1974, when the Watergate babies came in. Pelosis comments come as she faces solid opposition from at least 17 Democrats, setting the stage for a battle over who will ascend to one of the most powerful positions in Washington. After a campaign in which some Democrats prevailed in competitive districts by promising to oppose her, a coalition of incumbents and newly elected members has denied her a smooth path to the speakership. The defections, if they stand, would leave Pelosi, who has led the Democrats for more than 15 years, several votes short of the 218 she would need when the full House votes for speaker Jan. 3. However, no Democrat has stepped forward to run against her for a job she held from 2007 through 2010. Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) told reporters Wednesday that shes being encouraged to stand for speaker if Pelosi doesnt have the votes. In an interview with the Washington Post on Thursday, she said she has been overwhelmed by the support from many of her colleagues for her possible entry into the race for House speaker. Over the last 12 hours, Ive been overwhelmed by the amount of support Ive received, Fudge said, adding that there are probably closer to 30" Democrats who have privately signaled that they are willing to oppose Pelosi. Things could change rapidly, Fudge said. Fudge, 66, a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said she is building a diverse coalition as she mulls a speaker run, talking with allies in the caucus, moderate Democrats and newly elected members. To this point, Pelosi has enjoyed the strong backing of the Congressional Black Caucus. On Thursday, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), one of its members, wrote a letter to colleagues praising her insight, fortitude and strategic thinking and urging support for her speakership bid. Former Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr., an African American who is contemplating a 2020 presidential bid, also voiced support for Pelosi, praising her in a tweet as an architect of the recent midterm success. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a leader of the resistance to Pelosi, said during an interview on CNN on Thursday that Fudge is the kind of new leader that we need in this party. Shes in touch with middle America. She understands what the American people want. Shes a next-generation leader that people will look to and say, Thats the future of our party, thats the future of our country, and thats exactly the kind of leader that I want to see as our next speaker. Wagner reports for the Washington Post. The Posts Robert Costa, Erica Werner, Mike DeBonis, Paul Kane and Elise Viebeck contributed to this report. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement GOP Rep. Jeff Denham concedes to Democrat Josh Harder in Central Valley race By Maya Sweedler Rep. Jeff Denham (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) Republican Rep. Jeff Denham has conceded to Democrat Josh Harder in the race to represent Californias 10th Congressional District in the San Joaquin Valley. It has been an absolute honor to serve our community and represent the Central Valley in Congress over the past eight years, the 51-year-old congressman said. The enormity of the responsibility was never lost on me. My wife Sonia and I look forward to starting the next chapter of our lives. Harder said he had spoken with Denham and the two were committed to a productive transition. Denham, an Air Force veteran, previously represented the region in the state Senate for eight years and founded a company specializing in plastic packaging used in agriculture. While a member of Congress, he sat on the Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans Affairs and Agriculture committees. First-time candidate Harder was born and raised in the district. After graduating from Stanford University, he served as vice president of a Silicon Valley venture capital firm. Since moving back, he has been teaching at Modesto Junior College. Denhams House seat is one of four in California that Republicans lost in the Nov. 6 election, with two contests in Orange County still undecided as of Thursday morning. Jeff Denham called me this morning and we had a very productive conversation. I'm honored that I've been chosen to serve our community in Congress, and we're both looking forward to a productive transition that best serves the people of District 10. Josh Harder (@JoshHarder) November 14, 2018 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Democrat Katie Porter now nearly 3,800 votes ahead of GOP Rep. Mimi Walters By Maya Sweedler Rep. Mimi Walters thanks all of her supporters as she watches election results in Irvine on Nov. 7, 2018. (Alex Gallardo / Associated Press) Democrat Katie Porter opened a 3,797-vote lead Wednesday over Republican Rep. Mimi Walters in Orange Countys 45th Congressional District. In the neighboring 39th, Democrat Gil Cisneros has nearly tied the race against Republican Young Kim. Cisneros now trails Kim by a razor-thin margin of 122 votes. The 39th District straddles Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties; Wednesdays updated ballot counts came from the latter two. There are more than 202,000 ballots left to count in Orange County, which includes parts of seven congressional districts. The 45th is entirely in inland Orange County. In California, the ballots counted first tend to lean Republican and those tallied later skew Democratic. In the Central Valleys 21st Congressional District, Democratic challenger TJ Cox has pulled within 2 percentage points of Rep. David Valadao, who is serving his third term. The Associated Press had projected a win for Valadao on election night, but his 4,839-vote advantage has shrunk to 2,090. Back in CA-21, Valadao (R) wins a batch of ballots from his stronghold in Kings Co., but by a considerably smaller margin (14 points) than his previous ~30-point margin in the county. We're moving to Lean R from Likely R; today a bit scary for Valadao.https://t.co/WqJVUVkqGW Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) November 15, 2018 A spokesman for Valadao told the Fresno Bee that the changes were expected and that [s]tatistically, David Valadao has won this race. Democrats in California have already flipped four House seats, defeating three Republican incumbents and claiming an open seat previously held by the GOP. Reps. Steve Knight of Palmdale, Dana Rohrabacher of Costa Mesa and Jeff Denham of Turlock have already lost their races, and retiring Rep. Darrell Issas San Diego County seat was claimed by Democrat Mike Levin. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump aide departs West Wing after rebuke from Melania Trump By Associated Press First Lady Melania Trump. (Alain Jocard / AFP-Getty Images) Deputy national security advisor Mira Ricardel is leaving the White House, one day after First Lady Melania Trumps office issued an extraordinary statement calling for her dismissal. No replacement was named. Aides said Ricardel clashed with the first ladys staff over her visit to Africa last month. Yet it is highly unusual for a first lady or her office to weigh in on personnel matters, especially the presidents national security staff. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Ricardel would have a new role in the administration. On Tuesday, Stephanie Grisham, the first ladys spokeswoman, released a statement saying, It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House. President Trumps White House has set records for administration turnover. Ricardel was the third person to hold the post under Trump. An ally of national security advisor John Bolton, Ricardel began her service in the Trump administration as associate director in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, then moved to the Commerce Department last year. Bolton brought her into the West Wing shortly after taking the job in April. He is traveling in Asia this week alongside Vice President Mike Pence. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Race for House Minority Leader is Kevin McCarthys to lose By Associated Press (Bill Clark / CQ Roll Call) House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is running to take over next years shrunken caucus in closed-door elections that will set the tone for the new Congress. The race for minority leader is McCarthys to lose Wednesday. But the California Republican, who is an ally of President Trump, must fend off a challenge from conservative Jim Jordan of Ohio. Jordan is a leader of the House Freedom Caucus. The two encountered questions and finger-pointing during a private meeting with lawmakers Tuesday night as the GOP sorted through the midterm defeat that put Democrats in the majority next year. Elections Wednesday will also determine party leadership in the Senate. Voting for the biggest race, Nancy Pelosis bid to return as the Democrats nominee for speaker, is later this month. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Melania Trump calls for the firing of deputy national security advisor By Justin Sink First Lady Melania Trump arrives at the Chateau de Versailles outside Paris on Nov. 11. (Alain Jocard / AFP/Getty Images ) First Lady Melania Trumps office said she wants Mira Ricardel, the deputy national security advisor, ousted from the White House. It is the position of the Office of the First Lady that she no longer deserves the honor of serving in this White House, Trumps spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, said in a statement in response to a question about reports the first lady had sought Ricardels removal. Ricardel is the top deputy to national security advisor John Bolton. She drew the first ladys wrath after threatening to withhold National Security Council resources during Melania Trumps trip to Africa last month unless Ricardel was included in her entourage, one person familiar with the matter said. Grishams statement comes as several media outlets have reported that President Trump is considering a broader shakeup of his administration, including ousting Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Sink and Jacobs report for Bloomberg. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print CNN sues Trump over the suspension of Jim Acostas White House press credentials By Jim Puzzanghera CNN said Tuesday that it is suing President Trump and other administration officials over the decision to suspend the White House press credentials of correspondent Jim Acosta after a conflict at a news conference last week. The suit, to be filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, escalates an ongoing battle between Trump and the cable news outlet that he frequently accuses of disseminating fake news for its aggressive coverage of him and his administration. The wrongful revocation of these credentials violates CNN and Acostas 1st Amendment rights of freedom of the press, and their 5th Amendment rights to due process, CNN said in a written statement. If left unchallenged, the actions of the White House would create a dangerous chilling effect for any journalist who covers our elected officials. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Maxine Waters to take aim at Wells Fargo and Deutsche Bank as new head of House Financial Services Committee By Jim Puzzanghera Rep. Maxine Waters plans to zero in on two big banks Wells Fargo & Co. and Deutsche Bank when she becomes head of the powerful House Financial Services Committee. The Los Angeles congresswoman, now the committees top Democrat, is widely expected to gain the gavel after her party won control of the House in last weeks elections. While Waters has outlined a wide-ranging agenda, she said her focus on bank oversight will target two large institutions she has been tangling with for a while including one, Deutsche Bank, that spills into her bitter feud with President Trump. With Trump in the White House, I know that our fight for Americas consumers and investors will continue to be challenging. But I am more than up to that fight, Waters wrote in a letter last week to her Democratic colleagues on the committee that was obtained by The Times. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Heres how a controversial voting system will decide a congressional race in Maine By Kurtis Lee For the first time in U.S. history, a controversial voting system known as ranked choice is being used to decide a federal election. Its happening in Maine, which adopted the system in 2016. Rather than marking a single candidate, each voter ranks them all, assigning a first-place vote, a second-place vote and so on down the ballot. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print ACLU files suit to stop Trumps new asylum limits By Associated Press A group of Central American migrants march to the office of the U.N.'s humans rights body in Mexico City on Nov. 8. (Rebecca Blackwell / Associated Press) The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a legal challenge to President Trumps order denying asylum to migrants if they cross the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. The lawsuit was filed Friday in federal court in San Francisco and argues the new rules are against the law. Attorney Lee Gelernt said the regulations will put families in danger. The suit seeks to declare the regulations invalid and wants a judge to stop the rules from going into effect while the litigation is pending. The new rules were spurred in part by caravans of Central American migrants slowly moving north on foot, but officials say they will apply to anyone caught crossing illegally. Officials say about 70,000 people who enter the country illegally claim asylum. The order invoked the same national security powers Trump used to push through his travel ban. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump on new acting AG: I dont know Matt Whitaker By Associated Press President Trump talks with reporters before departing for France on the South Lawn of the White House on Nov. 9. (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) President Trump is moving to distance himself from Matthew Whitaker as he faces criticism over his choice for acting attorney general. Trump told reporters Friday that I dont know Matt Whitaker and said he didnt speak with Whitaker about special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation. Whitaker has made public comments critical of Muellers investigation, and critics have called on Whitaker to recuse himself from oversight of the inquiry. Under former Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, the investigation was overseen by Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein. Of the scrutiny Whitaker is facing, Trump said: Its a shame that no matter who I put in they go after. He also called Whitaker a very highly respected man. Whitaker was Sessions chief of staff before Trump made him Sessions interim replacement. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg out of hospital after fall By Associated Press The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is home after being released from the hospital. She had been admitted for treatment and observation after fracturing three ribs in a fall. The court said Ginsburg was released Friday. Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg says she is doing well and working from home. The court had previously said the justice fell in her office at the court on Wednesday evening and went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Gun-control activist Lucy McBath defeats GOP Rep. Karen Handel in Georgia By Associated Press Lucy McBath speaks during a rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams on Nov. 2 at Morehouse College in Atlanta. (Alyssa Pointer / Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Democratic gun-control activist Lucy McBath has defeated Republican Rep. Karen Handel of Georgia in a suburban congressional district long considered safe for the GOP. Handel had to seek reelection after winning her seat last year in a close special election race against Democrat Jon Ossoff. McBath became an advocate for stricter gun laws after her son, Jordan Davis, was fatally shot at a Florida gas station in 2012 by a man angry over loud music the teenager and his friends were playing in a car. McBaths margin of victory was narrow enough for Handel to have requested a recount. The Associated Press declared McBath the winner Thursday after Handel conceded. Handel conceded in a statement Thursday morning, stating that after reviewing all of the election data, its clear she came up a bit short in Tuesdays vote. Handel congratulated McBath, offering good thoughts and much prayer for the journey that lies ahead for her. McBath, who is African American, declared victory Wednesday. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg hospitalized after fracturing 3 ribs in fall By Associated Press Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) The Supreme Court says 85-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg fractured three ribs in a fall in her office at the court and is in the hospital. The court says the justice went to George Washington University Hospital in Washington early Thursday after experiencing discomfort overnight. The court says the fall occurred Wednesday evening. Ginsburg was admitted to the hospital for treatment and observation after tests showed she fractured three ribs. Ginsburg broke two ribs in a fall in 2012. She has had two prior bouts with cancer and had a stent implanted to open a blocked artery in 2014. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print White House suspends press pass of CNNs Jim Acosta after heated exchange with Trump By Associated Press The White House on Wednesday suspended the press pass of CNN correspondent Jim Acosta after he and President Trump had a heated confrontation during a news conference. They began sparring after Acosta asked Trump about the caravan of migrants heading from Latin America to the southern U.S. border. When Acosta tried to follow up with another question, Trump said, Thats enough! and a female White House aide unsuccessfully tried to grab the microphone from Acosta. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement accusing Acosta of placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern, calling it absolutely unacceptable. The interaction between Acosta and the intern was brief, and Acosta appeared to brush her arm as she reached for the microphone and he tried to hold onto it. Pardon me, maam, he told her. Acosta tweeted that Sanders statement that he put his hands on the aide was a lie. CNN said in a statement that the White House revoked Acostas press pass in retaliation for his challenging questions Wednesday, and the network accused Sanders of lying about Acostas actions. This conduct is absolutely unacceptable. It is also completely disrespectful to the reporters colleagues not to allow them an opportunity to ask a question. President Trump has given the press more access than any President in history. Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Contrary to CNNs assertions there is no greater demonstration of the Presidents support for a free press than the event he held today. Only they would attack the President for not supporting a free press in the midst of him taking 68 questions from 35 different reporters... Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 As a result of todays incident, the White House is suspending the hard pass of the reporter involved until further notice. Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 8, 2018 Sanders provided fraudulent accusations and cited an incident that never happened. This unprecedented decision is a threat to our democracy and the country deserves better, CNN said. Jim Acosta has our full support. Journalists assigned to cover the White House apply for passes that allow them daily access to press areas in the West Wing. White House staffers decide whether journalists are eligible, though the Secret Service determines whether their applications are approved. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump spars with reporters at post-election news briefing, ordering several to sit down By Associated Press President Trump assails CNNs Jim Acosta at a White House news conference. President Trump sparred with reporters at his post-election news conference, ordering several to sit down and telling another hes a rude, terrible person. He told another reporter hes not a fan of yours, either. The presidents mood turned sour Wednesday after reporters pressed him on why he referred to a migrant caravan making its way to the U.S. on foot through Mexico as an invasion. Trump ramped up his anti-immigrant rhetoric against the caravan in the final days of the midterm elections. Trump was also pressed on why his campaign aired an ad featuring a Mexican immigrant convicted of killing American police officers and linking the mans actions to the caravan. Several television networks pulled the ad after airing it or declined to air it at all. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Im living one hour at a time at this point By Christine Mai-Duc Republican congressional candidate Young Kim and gubernatorial candidate John Cox campaign in Rowland Heights. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Republican congressional candidate Young Kim greeted gubernatorial candidate John Coxs giant campaign bus, the words HELP IS ON THE WAY emblazoned across it, as it rolled into the parking lot outside her Rowland Heights field office. Standing beside Cox on Saturday, Kim predicted that a string of GOP victories Tuesday would start with voters repealing the gas tax hike. Can you imagine Gavin Newsom being our governor? Can you imagine Gil Cisneros being your representative? Kim asked the crowd, to loud boos and cries of Nooo! The former state assemblywoman who worked for retiring Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) is vying for his seat with Democrat Gil Cisneros. She led the crowd in chants of Enough is enough! and, though short-lived, Drain the swamp! Ive served you in Sacramento and Ive seen dysfunction personally, Kim continued. We cannot continue that route. She urged her supporters to stay and help make phone calls or walk neighborhoods. Lets get out there the 72 hours is really critical. Its all going to come down to a few votes, it could be your vote, she said pointing to her left, then pivoting right, it could be your vote. So dont sit back and do nothing. Every night I go to sleep thinking, OK, how many more votes can I get or how many more people can I call tomorrow? Kim said. It can be physically exhausting but Im mentally, emotionally very energized. She listed off her events so far that day and the next one she was heading to. Thats just what I can remember, she said. Im living one hour at a time at this point. Kims campaign invited press to two of her events on Saturday. After she was whisked away to her next event a high tea fundraiser in Walnut, a couple dozen volunteers remained. John Freeman, a statewide field manager for the state Republican Party, tried to pump them up. This is the Super Bowl. Were not in an NFL stadium, were not getting paid millions of dollars, but you know what? Freeman said. Were walking on the field right now. This is that high-stakes-level game. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Its going to be tough out there Democratic candidate Katie Porter speaks to volunteers in Mission Viejo. Jon Bauman, Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na, is in the background. (Victoria Kim / Los Angeles Times ) Judging from the cheers in the crowd, about half those assembled at Katie Porters campaign headquarters in Mission Viejo Sunday morning were old enough to remember 70s rock n roll star Bowzer from the band Sha Na Na. Jon Bauman, as Bowzer is known off stage, said it was her position on senior issues including retirement and social security that has him out supporting Porter over her opponent, incumbent Rep. Mimi Walters. I want you to make sure every phone is called and every door is knocked, he told the crowd of about 80 volunteers. There has never been a more important election. Both Bauman and his nephew, California Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman, were interrupted by yells from Trump supporters coming from an adjoining hillside. We love Trump, the voice cried out. We love him too, he makes great fodder, the younger Bauman retorted, before introducing Porter. Porter, a UC Irvine law professor and first-time candidate, acknowledged the uphill battle some of her canvassers might face in this more conservative end of the long-red Orange County district. I know its going to be tough out there, she said, motioning to the hillside. But she said the attacks meant the other side viewed her campaign as a significant threat. This election is going to be close, she said. If we dont fight all the way to the finish line, until 8 oclock on Tuesday, this could slip away. Bowzer then took to a keyboard piano to lead the crowd in a reworded rendition of the song Good Night Sweetheart: Good night, Mimi Walters, he crooned. A woman in a black tank top, jeans and flip flops holding a cup of coffee later joined the crowd with her two sons, 17 and 14, the younger one wearing a Trump 2016 T-shirt. She declined to give her name, saying she was concerned about being attacked, but said she lived up the hill and said she had been the one yelling. She said she was encouraging her sons to talk to people on both sides and make up their own minds. We need to have a government that runs the way government teachers are telling kids its supposed to be run, said the woman, a retired registered dental assistant who voted early for Mimi Walters. Referring to Democrats, she said: Theyve had control over all these years and Californias gone to crap. Among those canvassing was Stacie Campbell, 37, who was at the launch with her husband Jerome and three children, the youngest of whom was 2 months old. Campbell, a Mission Viejo resident who runs a business, had never canvassed or volunteered for campaigns before, and her husband is a French citizen and unable to vote. She said they had been talking to their children the older ones are 5 and 2 about the presidency and the government since Trumps election. Together, they worked on homemade Katie Porter lawn signs and put them up around town. This is the first time its felt like a big deal and there isnt a president up for election, she said. Because her city is a mix of conservatives and liberals her next-door neighbor is an NRA-supporting Republican she the race felt m President Trump claimed Tuesday that California mismanages its water resources, dismissing the possibility of drought and accusing the state of sending water out to sea that could be used to help farmers in the Central Valley. Trump also threatened to withhold federal disaster dollars from California, which he incorrectly claimed is impeding firefighters access to water during wildfires. Were tired of giving California hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars all the time for their forest fires when you wouldnt have them if they managed their forests properly, Trump said. They dont. They have lousy management. California, get on the ball. Because were not gonna hand you any more money, he continued. Its ridiculous. Advertisement Speaking at the White House before a group of county officials from California, Alaska and Hawaii, Trump first related his impressions of the water shortage from having toured part of the state with Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) four years ago. He described how he was informed that acres of dry farmland were not the result of a drought, which was severe at the time. The state, he claimed, has more than enough water. You have so much, you dont know what to do with it, he said. It is a disgrace. Instead of allowing farmers to access the water, the state is intentionally releasing it into the Pacific Ocean, he said. They have a valve like a faucet, but massive, he continued. And the water goes out into the Pacific Ocean. Exactly what Trump meant was unclear, but his remark seemed to refer to a long-standing complaint from some Republican lawmakers that environmental rules designed to preserve the health of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta limit the amount of water that can be diverted away from rivers and pumped to Central Valley farms. The comments came after Trump, claiming a water shortage has hurt firefighters, signed a directive last week to override environmental protections that were put in place to protect salmon and smelt fisheries. He admitted, during his ad-libbed comments, that he had no idea what smelt are. The tiny, endangered delta smelt is at the heart of Californias water wars and plays an important role as an indicator of the overall ecological health of the delta. Trump first blamed Californias water policies for making fires worse as wildfire season exploded in August, even though firefighters made it clear they had ample access to water. I know California well, Trump said Tuesday. And I see houses, beautiful houses, people are very proud of their house. Their lawn is brown. Its dead. Its dying, its dead. And they end up taking it out and just have sand in front of their houses. The latest from Washington estokols@gmail.com @EliStokols With just two weeks to go before the midterm election, Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher appears to have received a slight bump in his reelection bid, but the race remains tight, according to the latest poll in his coastal Orange County district. The poll, released Tuesday by Monmouth University, shows Rohrabacher with support from 50% of likely voters in the 48th Congressional District and Democrat Harley Rouda not far behind with 48%. The survey is a reversal of fortune for Rouda, who held a 46% to 43% lead in Monmouths July poll. Both results were within the polls respective margins of error. Republican voters appear to have closed the enthusiasm gap against Democrats in the district at the same time that President Trumps approval rating has ticked up. The winds in this race have started to blow a little more in the Republicans favor, said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth poll. Advertisement The 15-term incumbent faces the most competitive race of his career in a district where Republicans hold a 10-point voter-registration advantage. Initially, few election prognosticators considered the race a true toss-up, but surging enthusiasm on the left and Rohrabachers lackluster support among local GOP leaders prompted Democrats to make the district part of their plan to flip control of the House. An even share of Democratic and Republican voters say they have high interest about 85% a shift from July, when GOP voters trailed on that point by double digits. About 54% of voters approved of the job Trump is doing, a slight increase from the summer, and the share of voters favoring a GOP-controlled Congress inched up to 48%. More than four in five voters said they considered it very important to cast a ballot in the House race to register support or opposition to Trump. Rohrabachers strongest support was among older voters and whites without college degrees. Rouda has the support of nearly three in four likely voters younger than 50. But since July, he has lost ground among three key groups: independents, white college-educated voters and minority voters. The Democrat led among independents three months ago, but the latest survey shows them evenly split between the candidates. And although Rouda still leads 55% to 42% among nonwhite voters, Rohrabacher has cut his deficit with that group in half since July. The final few weeks before an election are often marked by a coming home period during which voters views crystallize and, often, they return to partisan inclinations. Other factors could also be at play. Unlike in other battleground districts, a third of likely voters told pollsters that immigration was the most important issue. About 46% said they trusted Rohrabacher more to handle the issue; 38% said they placed greater trust in Rouda. The numbers suggest Rohrabacher, who has taken a hard line on immigration issues, has managed to turn voters attention to an issue that gives him an advantage. The district includes a significant contingent of Asian American voters, many of them Vietnamese refugees who have shown support for the congressmans stances on immigration. As the election neared and attack ads against Rouda increased, more voters said they held unfavorable views of the Democratic challenger about 29%, up from 16% in July. The percentage of voters with no opinion on Rouda dropped from just over half in July to 35%. Since the June primary, the Congressional Leadership Fund, a conservative SuperPAC with ties to House GOP leadership, has run more than $3.1 million in ads attacking Roudas business record and claiming hed raise taxes. The poll was conducted from Oct. 17 to 21 by telephone, using landlines and cellphones, and included 372 likely voters in the district. The margin of error is 5.1 percentage points in either direction. Coverage of California politics Will California flip the House? The key races to watch christine.maiduc@latimes.com For more on California politics, follow @cmaiduc. Its that time of year again, when we carve our favorite pumpkins, tell spooky stories and sing Halloween carols. Halloween carols? So says Kristen Lawrence, who has recently released a 2-CD set, Halloween: Night of Spirits. And if youve never heard the term Halloween carol before, theres a good reason: Lawrence invented the term using the traditional spelling with the apostrophe, short for All Hallows Evening and wrote the carols herself. Cause someone had to do it, said the lifelong Tustin resident. We have Christmas carols, why not Halloween carols? Ive always thought October was such a beautiful month, so we need something to celebrate the whole month with. Lawrence is an organist and organ teacher who plays with the Pacific Symphony, as well as at weddings, funerals and other church services. She plans to play at the Nov. 20 Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra concert at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. For me, growing up, [Halloween] was a mystical, magical holiday, she said. Then, when I went away to college, I started studying Halloween in a scholarly way, reading up on books that told its pagan history, and [I] learned about the Druid traditions associated with Halloween that have trickled down over the years. I wanted to know why I loved Halloween so much. Lawrence was especially intrigued by an outmoded way people used to think about the holiday. It used to be associated with romance, did you know that? she said. Greeting cards would have that theme. But thinking of Halloween, that way lasted only until the first half of the 20th century I like to dig up this history of Halloween and present it to people through my music. Released Oct. 1, Halloween: Night of Spirits is the fourth in her well-received ongoing series of Halloween recordings. It has, appropriately enough, 13 carols on each disc, the first containing most of the vocals, the second the instrumentals. Night of Spirits was one of the old nicknames for Halloween. A lot of our traditions come from Ireland, for example, fairies being particularly dangerous on Halloween, said Lawrence, referring to her track Scary Fairies. Lawrence not only wrote all the music and almost all the lyrics, but she also did all the vocals and played organ, harpsichord, celesta, bells and piano and contributed various sound effects. Bumps in the Night features an old-timey, vaudeville-esque radio program showcasing charming and whimsical sound oddities, such as ravens, books, doors, breathing and screams, according to Lawrence. And in Monsters, besides pipe organ and voice, I pluck the strings of a grand piano and smack them, treating the piano like a percussion instrument, she said. All that created great monster sounds. Lawrence considers Demons and Jack-o-Lantern the two crown jewels of the collection. The former has a demon-slaying pipe-organ rock anthem. And the latter has more Halloween history behind it. Jack-o-lanterns used to be carved out of big turnips in Old World Ireland, Lawrence explained. But when the Irish came to the New World, they discovered pumpkins were much easier to carve. The Halloween carols started out as only rounds. (Think: Row, Row, Row Your Boat.) But as I wrote more and more, I didnt want to limit myself, so I branched out, she said. The music tells me where it wants to go and is for anyone to enjoy. Lawrence is joined by various other musicians she knows from the Pacific Symphony and community orchestras and even a couple of members from Oingo Boingo. She promises more Halloween carols to come. I hope Ive created something that will last and will give people something elegant and beautiful to listen to, said Lawrence. But also fun and rocking Ive always wanted to just rock. Michael Rydzynski is a contributor to Times Community News. After last weeks winds we were left with absolutely sparkling clear days. At night the stars were even brighter. Such was the case on the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 16 when Analily Park and Sandy Kobeissi co-chaired the USC Verdugo Hills Hospitals salon event, Mingle Under the Moon, at the Kobeissis hilltop home in La Canada Flintridge. The Kobeissi home that overlooks the San Gabriel Mountains offers a vista that reaches practically all the way to Palm Springs. It was near dusk when guests started arriving, and the deepening light was turning mauve on the mountainsides it was absolutely exquisite. Enthusiastically greeting guests at the front table were Angela Peachy-Larson and Barbara Jordan. Upon entering the party, guests were first offered a Bellini served up from the Kobeissis marble-clad bar. The drink, made with peach puree and prosecco, an Italian sparkling wine, was first presented at Harrys Bar at the Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Italy back in the mid 1930s. The party was centered around the pool patio that overlooks the valley far below. Rustica Gourmet presented a beautiful selection of tasty hors doeuvres that were passed as people visited with one another and admired the lovely evening. Stepping to the forefront to address the crowd was Keith Hobbs, USC Verdugo Hills chief executive. Adding comments were Dr. David Tashman, medical director of the emergency department; Dr. Steven Hartford, chief of staff and chair of labor and delivery unit and Dr. Robert Gall, medical director of the hospitals neonatal intensive care unit. Also introduced that night was the hospitals Fund-A-Bear program in support of the the pediatrics emergency team. The program will gift children coming to the ER with a soft teddy bear clad in a red cardigan emblazoned with the name of the hospital. Sandy Kobeissi, who had her birthday just the night before the party, announced that her birthday wish was that friends and supporters of the hospital would help to raise close to $10,000 for the Fund-A-Bear program. They reported that more than $6,500 was raised that night, with the hope that others who might be reading this column would also contribute. For those interested in supporting the Bear project, donations can be made at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Foundation, attention: Barbara Jordan. For more information about the program call (818) 952-2226 or email Jordan at Barbara.Jordan@vhh.usc.edu. *** The Oakmont League recently held a past presidents tea in the lovely T Room located on Honolulu Avenue in Montrose. It was a delightful way to honor the past presidents and also to partake of the grand tradition of sipping tea in lovely china cups and nibble on scones and other sweet delights. Past presidents in attendance were Liz Isenman (1983-84), Esther Bowen (1994-96), Julie Budimir (2001-02), Marlene Hirt (2002-03), Nina Ratliff (2003-04, 2010-11 and 2015-16), Chloe Ross (2006-07) Judy Mendicina (2011-12 ,2014-15) Donna Sauer (2012-13), and Lydia Brown-Trout (2017-18). *** On Wednesday, Oct. 17, the La Canada Junior Womens Club welcomed new provisional members at its meeting held at Etc. Gourmet Restaurant in Montrose. The meeting was opened by Jill Chapman, president of the organization that is celebrating its 50th year in the community. Laura Plourde, chair of the provisional members, greeted them all to the cozy restaurant. Among those new members are Gillan Frame, Lisa Foster, Yara Salman, Renu Samudrala, Melissa Lorenz and Kathryn Enright. JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Canada Flintridge social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@aol.com with news of your special event. Five robbery suspects have been arrested and will answer to 60 felony counts stemming from multiple armed home invasion robberies including two that took place in La Canada last December that amassed $1 million in losses, sheriffs officials confirmed Tuesday. Four adult males and one female were arrested last Thursday by officers from the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department, who worked with assistance from Torrance Police Department personnel to serve multiple search and arrest warrants. Found during the searches were two firearms, masks, gloves, handcuffs, zip ties, police scanners, walkie-talkies, jewelry, cash and several items connoting gang affiliation. Crescenta Valley Sheriff Capt. Chris Blasnek said Tuesday the local home invasion robberies that took place in La Canadas Flintridge neighborhood on Dec. 12, 2017 and then on the night of New Years Eve rocked the community. This has weighed heavily on my mind for almost a year now, said Blasnek, adding that CV Station detectives shared details of the local crimes with various agencies. [But] we knew with persistence and good detective work we would find a break in the case. Arresting detectives worked with a number of agencies in the jurisdictions hit by the crew, including the Los Angeles Sheriffs Departments Major Crime Bureau and its Burglary-Robbery Task Force. Thought to be associated with a South Los Angeles gang, the suspects were connected to two home invasion robberies that took place in Palos Verdes Estates on March 2 and July 8 of this year. In both La Canada Flintridge home invasions, residents were tied up at gunpoint by the suspects, who demanded money and valuables. In the Dec. 12 robbery, four adult men obtained illegal entry into a home on the 800 block of Inverness Drive, where two victims were tied up as the suspects ransacked the residence, stealing collectibles and electronics. At least one of the men was seen in possession of a firearm, according to reports of the incident. On New Years Eve, at around 8:30 p.m., a woman was outside spraying a pan with Easy-Off cleaner on the porch of her home on the 800 block of Flintridge Avenue when she was approached by a black male adult wearing dark clothing and a ski mask. With the woman in his custody, the man and two cohorts pushed their way into the house, where they tied up the victim, her husband and adult son. The suspects ransacked the house, stealing the victims wallets, some money and a 50-year-old .38 Special revolver, sheriffs reports indicated. The suspects are 45-year-old Kelyon Thomas, Janalisa Estrada, 39, Dennis Coleman, 40, and 33-year-old Carlos Cisneros of Los Angeles, all of whom have prior robbery convictions against them, according to a press release issued Tuesday by the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department. Also arrested last week was 46-year-old Wilmington resident James Carmicle. Evidence connects this robbery crew to a total of eight home invasions committed in La Canada, Rancho Palos Verdes, La Habra Heights, Playa Del Rey and Palmdale, according to the release. It was a collaboration among a lot of agencies, Crescenta Valley Sheriffs Det. Alan Chu said Tuesday. Criminals will leave some kind of footprint somewhere, its just hard police work that we do. It was definitely a collaborative effort to get these people in custody. Blasnek thanked La Canada residents and city officials for their continued support of the department, and urged citizens to educate themselves about AB-109 and Propositions 47 and 57 three fairly recent crime reform bills law enforcement officials say have made it harder to detain and prosecute criminals. Vote carefully and really look at some of these laws, because were really being affected, Blasnek said. We need to stand together on this. sara.cardine@latimes.com Twitter: @SaraCardine When children feel safe at home they will generally feel safe at school and pass on that feeling to others. School safety starts at home with the development of accepting and resilient children. There is no precise formula for accomplishing this, but there are three key ingredients that increase the chances of success. First, provide a safe and nurturing environment at home create a loving and unthreatening place that also has structure. This means being firm but fair. Parents set the ground rules ahead of time and then follow through with reasonable consequences. It also means spending time with your kids in order to play, contemplate, observe and talk. This is how rapport and trust is built. Between the ages of 3 and 9 they still look up to you, and they generally dont over-challenge you unless they feel unfairly treated. Second, help children see their value and place in the family and community. Help them understand they are part of something larger, and that they (and their peers) have unique abilities and interests. Emphasizing strengths helps them feel valued. This can be developed beyond the house with special classes, scouts, teams, schools or clubs. For example, a student I knew was fascinated with rock collecting. As a student, he attended a lapidary club. He was the youngest member, and from there he started making jewelry with stones he found and polished, gaining the admiration of many adults and peers. He found value and was appreciated for what he learned and could make. Third, walk the talk. Parents must lead by example. Kids are quick to notice discrepancies between what you say and what you do. If we expect our sons and daughters to develop good values, we must live by these values. If we dont want our children to be mean, we too must be kind to others. If we dont want them to be a bully or be bullied, we need to not bully family, friends or colleagues. But beyond not doing whats wrong, we must also model what is right; how to be kind and compassionate, how to speak respectfully even in disagreement, how to consider the wants and needs and feelings of others, whether in person or online. You can then expect that the school will build on this positive foundation by teaching students what friendship, compassion, respect and honesty look like. This collaboration between home and school provides the optimal opportunity for success in creating an environment in both places where students feel safe, secure and happy. One final thought. Years ago I visited a large, racially mixed school that had paired each student with a staff or faculty member. Each adult met with his/her one or two students at least monthly for lunch, break or right after school in a public place on campus to just talk and get to know each others issues and challenges as a student, cafeteria worker, teacher or administrator. The school hummed. Staff and students seemed happy, and they greeted one another and visitors with hello or good morning. It was an amazing environment. School officials stated that problems on campus subsided nearly 70% when the program was implemented. It demonstrated the power and possibilities when people begin to be advocates and supporters for one another, rather than competitors. The program begins at home. Robert Frank is the executive director of the Hillside School and Learning Center in La Canada. He holds a masters of science degree in special education and has more than 40 years of teaching experience. His column appears on the last Thursday of each month. He can be reached at frank@hillsideforsuccess.org. ROBERT FRANK is the executive director of the Hillside School and Learning Center in La Canada. He holds a masters of science degree in special education and has more than 40 years of teaching experience. His column appears on the last Thursday of each month. He can be reached at frank@hillsideforsuccess.org. George Alexander Grant was the first chief photographer of the National Park Service, shooting breathtaking landscapes of national parks, monuments, historic sites, battlefields and other places. He started out shooting parklands in the West and Southwest during the New Deal period. But Grants work is far less well-known than that of nature photographers Ansel Adams and Eliot Porter, even though he took more than 30,000 photos of national parks from 1929 until 1954. View of the Desert View Watchtower at Grand Canyon National Park, the east side illuminated by sunrise, shot Oct. 10, 1935. (George Alexander Grant / National Park Service) Though his name was relatively unknown, he took thousands of images of places most people had never seen before, according to the National Park Services website. Advertisement His practiced eye for composition and exposure and his patience to capture subjects in their finest light are comparable to those of his more widely known contemporaries, Ren and Helen Davis wrote in a 2015 book about Grant called Landscapes for the People: George Alexander Grant, First Chief Photographer of the National Park Service. Grant, a native of Pennsylvania, discovered national parks in 1922 and started shooting photographs, mostly in the West and Southwest, in 1929. His prolific career earned him the term eminent photographer, a title given to those who have documented national parks. You can learn more about Grant when the Davises will give a presentation 7 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 13 in Joshua Tree, Calif. The event is sponsored by the Desert Institute at Joshua Tree and is free, but attendees should register in advance. Hermits Rest stone entrance and bell at Grand Canyon National Park, circa Nov. 16, 1936. (George Alexander Grant / National Park Service) ALSO Celebrating our national parks: a dozen of our most outstanding public lands Lonely Planets best places to visit in 2019. Top picks: a welcoming Asian island and the capital of Scandi cool travel@latimes.com @latimestravel Take your Rhine River cruise to new heights next year by adding a train trip on the Glacier Express.that will take you to the Swiss Alps. The 10-night Riviera River Cruises sail-and-rail tour departs Cologne, Germany, passing through the Rhine Gorge on the way to Basel, Switzerland. The river boat visits Strasbourg, France, Rudesheim, Germany, and the Black Forest and continues to Lucerne, Switzerland, and the Bernese Oberland. Passengers then switch to a train to visit Zermatt and Zurich and ride the famed Glacier Express into the Alps. Dates: Departures April to October For the record: This post says Strasbourg is in Germany. It is in France. Price: From $3,648 per person, double occupancy. Includes a seven-night river cruise with accommodations, meals, 10 tours and visits, and train travel with three nights in hotels with breakfasts. International airfare not included. Info: Riviera River Cruises, (888) 838-8820, lat.ms/rhinecruisetoswitzerland Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivers a report on Vietnam's socio-economic situation this year and the development plan for 2019 at the opening of the parliament's 6th session on October 22nd (Photo: VNA) Addressing the opening of the session in Hanoi, the Government leader said the countrys gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 6.98 percent in the first nine months of 2018, and the whole years figure is expected to be higher than the NAs target of 6.7 percent. The average GDP growth rate between 2016 and 2018 is estimated at 6.57 percent, compared to the target of 6.5 - 7 percent for 2016 - 2021. The expansion of consumer price index (CPI) can be kept below 4 percent, making 2018 the third straight year the CPI is under 4 percent. He expressed his belief that basing on those attainments, all the 12 targets set for this year by the parliament will be fulfilled, and eight of them will be surpassed. The Government leader said from 2016 to 2018, clear improvements have been recorded in economy, culture, society, environment, defence, security and external relations. During the period, the size of Vietnams economy has increased by 1.3 folds while the per capita GDP has risen by USD440, and peoples living standards continually improved, he noted. He stressed the achievements in all fields have reflected the right and drastic leadership and directions of the Party, the State and authorities at all levels. Efforts by the entire Party, people and army have greatly helped with enhancing the trust in society. However, PM Phuc also admitted certain shortcomings, with subjective factors being the main cause. Emphasising that there is no room for complacency in the remaining time of 2018, he affirmed the resolve to push on with the set tasks and solutions, keep a close watch on the international and domestic situation to make timely response, and strongly reform administrative procedures to further facilitate production and business activities. The PM also pledged continued efforts to cope with natural disasters as well as climate change, fight corruption and wastefulness, ensure political security and social order and safety, enhance public consensus, and successfully realise the development plan for 2018 so as to create better momentum for the next years./. If youre looking for a South Seas idyll, check out the Cook Islands. This tiny nation, made up of 15 islands in the heart of Polynesia, is a lot like Hawaii was 50 years ago, with a low-key pace and charm. This week-long Islands in the Sun tour includes round-trip airfare and visits to two main islands in the chain, Aitutaki and Rarotonga. Ride a scooter around Rarotonga, spend an afternoon in a hammock on Aitutaki, and snorkel in crystal clear waters surrounding both islands. Dates: Through March 31 On Oahu, 20 places for great meals for less than $20 Advertisement Price: From $3,429 per person, double occupancy. Includes round-trip airfare from LAX and air transfers between islands, beach-side accommodations (two nights in Aitutaki, three nights in Rarotonga), breakfasts and airport transfers. Info:Islands in the Sun, (888) 828-6877 ALSO As the Dodgers-Sox Series begins, heres a guide to Boston for rookies, from the ballpark to the swan boats Lonely Planets best places to visit in 2019. Top picks: a welcoming Asian island and the capital of Scandi cool On Hawaii Island, nature nurtures guests at an unusual inn Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared the killing of Jamal Khashoggi a planned operation, and President Trump complained that the Saudis had engaged in the worst cover-up ever as both countries increased pressure Tuesday on Riyadh to more completely account for the death of the dissident Saudi journalist. After Trump spoke, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo announced that the U.S. would revoke the visas of the men implicated in Khashoggis killing the first concrete U.S. steps to punish the Saudis for the slaying. These penalties will not be the last word on this matter from the United States, Pompeo said in announcing the action. Together, the statements by Trump and Erdogan showed that the Saudi effort late last week to blame the killing entirely on security officials had failed to resolve the 3-week-old crisis. It began on Oct. 2 when Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi government, disappeared after visiting the countrys consulate in Istanbul. Advertisement But both presidents also carefully limited their statements, avoiding anything that might lead to a clear break in relations with the Saudis. Erdogan had vowed on Sunday that he would reveal the details behind the killing of Khashoggi. The truth, he said, would be revealed in full nakedness. It remained mostly clothed. Speaking to parliament, Erdogan declared that Khashoggis slaying had been a planned operation challenging the Saudi claim that he died accidentally in a struggle with security officials. But the Turkish leader carefully praised Saudi Arabias King Salman, who is 82, and stopped short of implicating Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabias de facto ruler, who many believe ordered the hit on the journalist. He did not mention the crown princes name and said the Saudi acknowledgment that its agents had killed Khashoggi was a significant step. The human conscience will only be satisfied when the person who gave the order is punished, Erdogan said, adding that he had no doubt about the sincerity of King Salman and that the investigation should be carried out without bias. Leaving some security personnel to hold the bag will not satisfy us nor the international community, he said, referring to the death as a murder, according to a translation provided by Turkish broadcaster TRT World. He did not produce a much-anticipated audio recording that Turkish media reports have said captured Khashoggis final moments as he was tortured in the office of the Saudi consul general. Trump also criticized the Saudis, but appeared to partially absolve them from responsibility, saying that the Middle East is a nasty part of the world and that the Saudis had been a good ally. The operation in which Khashoggi was killed had a very bad original concept. It was carried out poorly, and the cover-up was one of the worst in the history of cover-ups, Trump said. Whoever thought of that idea is in big trouble, and they should be in big trouble, he added. As he has repeatedly over the last two weeks, however, Trump said he opposed halting arms sales to Saudi Arabia, using heavily exaggerated figures about the number of jobs involved to defend the importance of the deals. We do that, were just hurting ourselves, he said. It is a terrible thing, but it would really be hurting ourselves. He said he would leave to Congress the decision on how to retaliate for Khashoggis killing. Pompeo, speaking at the State Department, said the revoking of visas was aimed at making very clear that the United States does not tolerate this kind of ruthless action to silence Mr. Khashoggi, a journalist, with violence. The State Department said it revoked the visas of 21 Saudis. Asked if he still trusted the crown prince or would call for him to step aside, Pompeo said, Were learning the facts, and that he would reserve judgment until all facts unfold on who ordered, carried out and led the operation. Whoever is found responsible will be punished, he said. He, too, added, however, that we continue to maintain a strong partnership with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Erdogans speech came hours after CIA Director Gina Haspel flew to Turkeys capital, Ankara, as U.S., Saudi and Turkish officials continue to seek a way out of a crisis that threatens to damage their long-standing relationships. Haspel was expected to review the evidence that Turkish investigators have compiled about the slaying. The Saudis initially denied that Khashoggi had been killed, insisting that he left the consulate shortly after arriving. Late last week, they changed their story and said he had died after a brief fight with a team of security officials at the diplomatic office. In the speech, Erdogan gave a review of the evidence his intelligence and security services had gathered, which contradicted the Saudi account. He confirmed some details of the investigation that had been leaked to the media in piecemeal fashion over the last three weeks. He spoke about the team of security, intelligence and forensic specialists from Saudi Arabia who flew into Istanbul before and after the killing, detailing their movements, including reconnaissance work at Istanbuls Belgrad forest and the district of Yalova, areas where Turkish investigators believe Khashoggis body may have been buried. He also described the removal of hard drives from the consulates camera system in the hours before Khashoggi was due to arrive there to pick up documents he needed for his impending marriage. Erdogan demanded the Saudis provide the identity of a Turkish local who was to have assisted in the bodys disposal and confirmed that a body double had been used as a decoy in an unsuccessful effort to show Khashoggi had left the consulate. Diplomatic immunity might not apply in this case, Erdogan said, because although the killing took place on Saudi sovereign territory, the consulate is on Turkish land. Earlier, Saudi Arabia had insisted the suspects should be tried by its judiciary. The incident took place in Istanbul; therefore, I propose the trial of these 18 people should be in Istanbul, Erdogan said. Meanwhile, in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, officials kicked off their Future Investment Initiative conference, a showcase for the crown princes economic policies that has been marred by the controversy over Khashoggis death. The three-day event, billed as Davos in the Desert, aims to draw foreign investment to the country and display Saudi Arabias potential for industries beyond oil. The crown prince received a standing ovation when he appeared at the conference, but did not speak. High-level government and corporate officials have pulled out of the conference (although many dispatched second-tier executives). Earlier Tuesday, the conference website was hacked, displaying a picture of the crown prince brandishing a bloodied sword with a smiling Khashoggi kneeling before him. For the sake of security for children worldwide, we urge all countries to put sanctions on the Saudi regime, said a message below the picture. Separately, the official Saudi Press Agency published photos of King Salman and the crown prince meeting two members of Khashoggis family, including his son. The photos showed the son, looking stricken, shaking hands with the crown prince while a videographer recorded the session. nabih.bulos@latimes.com Twitter: @nabihbulos tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com For more on international affairs, follow @TracyKWilkinson on Twitter Bulos reported from Istanbul and Wilkinson from Washington. UPDATES: 3:25 p.m.: This article was updated with comments by President Trump and Secretary of State Pompeo. This article was originally published at 4:05 a.m. Crafts, Arts, Hobbies Review of the 20th Art Fair in Zurich. Art Fair Kunst in Zurich 23.10.2018 09:46:32 - This was the 20th ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH. Once again, a great ambience with many visitors, good sales and high-quality contacts at the Art International art fair in Zurich. (live-PR.com) - The art fair ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH annually shows contemporary art in a central location in Zurich with a combination of internationality, quality and diversity. The 20th international art fair ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH was able to further consolidate its reputation as a top-class art fair in Zurich. In particular, the international orientation, which is unique in the trade fair landscape, ensures fascination - The art fair ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH annually shows contemporary art in a central location in Zurich with a combination of internationality, quality and diversity.The 20th international art fair ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH was able to further consolidate its reputation as a top-class art fair in Zurich. In particular, the international orientation, which is unique in the trade fair landscape, ensures fascination and a lasting impression. Works of art from the fields of painting, graphics, sculpture and photography are exhibited here. Already at the vernissage, numerous visitors interested in art gathered for an aperitif and a tour of the exhibition stands. At almost all the stands, visitors were able to talk personally to the artists present about their work. Until the last day of the fair, the exhibition hall was crowded and bustling with business. The majority of exhibitors at ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH were also satisfied with the fair. Many exhibitors were able to book lucrative sales and orders, but also emphasized the high value of the contacts made here. The exhibition continues to score highly as a public success in Zurich. Every year, the ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH art fair presents international contemporary art in the heart of Zurich. The fair was opened in 1999 in the Kongresshaus Zurich - strategically located near the shopping mile Bahnhofstrasse and in the banking district Paradeplatz. In 2017, due to the many years of renovation of the Kongresshaus, the company moved to Puls 5, also close to the centre - a former foundry hall converted into an event arena in the middle of the bustling trendy district of Zurich West. ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH has always been a forum with the aim of making contemporary art accessible to a broad public. This art fair presents a diverse series of artistic concepts in an exhibition dedicated entirely to dialogue. An ideal place for encounters and exchanges. At ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH you can view and acquire breath-taking works and make exciting connections. The annual art fair offers an interdisciplinary exhibition space and an interactive meeting place for gallery owners, collectors, artists and an audience interested in art. With plenty of space for personal discussions, the fair offers a broad overview of contemporary art. The attraction of this exhibition lies in the great variety of exhibits, ranging from multimedia, photography and installations to classical forms of expression in painting and sculpture. On display are figurative and abstract, conceptual and spontaneous works in small to large formats, by new or established artists at low to high prices. ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH is not only an art marketplace, but also a forum for lively exchange. Since 1999, the art fair has established itself with quality and internationality as a public trade and public fair in Zurich. The fair has developed into an institution on the Swiss art market that art-loving people can no longer ignore. Modern and young art is presented here in a refreshingly relaxed manner, including new discoveries! Zurich's international art fair takes place in the historic foundry hall of the Puls 5 building complex in the trendy district of Zurich West. Exciting industrial architecture in a large hall with plenty of daylight thus forms the modern and atmospheric setting for ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH. It is less than three minutes on foot from ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH to Escher-Wyss-Platz, tram lines 4, 13 and 17 as well as bus lines 33 and 72 are virtually on the doorstep. The fastest way is to take tram line 4, stop Technopark (or stop Schiffbau) or tram 13, stop Forrlibuckstrasse. Zurich main station and the airport are about 10 minutes away by car, and the motorway towards Bern/Basel starts right next door. Near the Giessereihalle there are many hotels, in and around the hall there are many restaurants and shops. Every year, ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH offers plenty of space for personal contacts, sales and cultural exchange - not only for art professionals, but for all people interested in art. Since 1999, ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH has enchanted the city and region of Zurich as an impressive art marketplace with international exhibitors. This year's 21st edition once again transforms the historic foundry hall PULS 5 into a veritable art palace. The ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH art fair is the darling of the public in Zurich. For many visitors it has become a fixed date in their calendars. The exhibition offers plenty of space for personal talks and contacts. The Puls 5 event hall with ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH is located in the heart of the trendy district of Zurich West next to the Technopark educational centre on Turbinenplatz. Here lies the Giessereihalle, the centre of this lively and trendy quarter. It is located in the immediate vicinity of Escher-Wyss-Platz. When we speak of Zurich, we mean Zurich West and Puls 5 with its foundry hall. They stand for the urban lifestyle that gives Zurich its international metropolitan feel. The most popular restaurants, bars and clubs can all be found in this area. The cultural aspect of Zurich is also shaped by the gates of Puls 5 with first-class galleries, museums, exhibitions and theatres in the region. Next Event: ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH 2019 21st Contemporary Art Fair Puls 5, Zurich / Switzerland 26-29 September 2019 Info: and a lasting impression. Works of art from the fields of painting, graphics, sculpture and photography are exhibited here.Already at the vernissage, numerous visitors interested in art gathered for an aperitif and a tour of the exhibition stands. At almost all the stands, visitors were able to talk personally to the artists present about their work. Until the last day of the fair, the exhibition hall was crowded and bustling with business. The majority of exhibitors at ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH were also satisfied with the fair. Many exhibitors were able to book lucrative sales and orders, but also emphasized the high value of the contacts made here. The exhibition continues to score highly as a public success in Zurich.Every year, the ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH art fair presents international contemporary art in the heart of Zurich. The fair was opened in 1999 in the Kongresshaus Zurich - strategically located near the shopping mile Bahnhofstrasse and in the banking district Paradeplatz. In 2017, due to the many years of renovation of the Kongresshaus, the company moved to Puls 5, also close to the centre - a former foundry hall converted into an event arena in the middle of the bustling trendy district of Zurich West.ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH has always been a forum with the aim of making contemporary art accessible to a broad public. This art fair presents a diverse series of artistic concepts in an exhibition dedicated entirely to dialogue. An ideal place for encounters and exchanges. At ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH you can view and acquire breath-taking works and make exciting connections. The annual art fair offers an interdisciplinary exhibition space and an interactive meeting place for gallery owners, collectors, artists and an audience interested in art. With plenty of space for personal discussions, the fair offers a broad overview of contemporary art. The attraction of this exhibition lies in the great variety of exhibits, ranging from multimedia, photography and installations to classical forms of expression in painting and sculpture. On display are figurative and abstract, conceptual and spontaneous works in small to large formats, by new or established artists at low to high prices.ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH is not only an art marketplace, but also a forum for lively exchange. Since 1999, the art fair has established itself with quality and internationality as a public trade and public fair in Zurich. The fair has developed into an institution on the Swiss art market that art-loving people can no longer ignore. Modern and young art is presented here in a refreshingly relaxed manner, including new discoveries!Zurich's international art fair takes place in the historic foundry hall of the Puls 5 building complex in the trendy district of Zurich West. Exciting industrial architecture in a large hall with plenty of daylight thus forms the modern and atmospheric setting for ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH.It is less than three minutes on foot from ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH to Escher-Wyss-Platz, tram lines 4, 13 and 17 as well as bus lines 33 and 72 are virtually on the doorstep. The fastest way is to take tram line 4, stop Technopark (or stop Schiffbau) or tram 13, stop Forrlibuckstrasse. Zurich main station and the airport are about 10 minutes away by car, and the motorway towards Bern/Basel starts right next door. Near the Giessereihalle there are many hotels, in and around the hall there are many restaurants and shops.Every year, ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH offers plenty of space for personal contacts, sales and cultural exchange - not only for art professionals, but for all people interested in art.Since 1999, ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH has enchanted the city and region of Zurich as an impressive art marketplace with international exhibitors. This year's 21st edition once again transforms the historic foundry hall PULS 5 into a veritable art palace.The ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH art fair is the darling of the public in Zurich. For many visitors it has become a fixed date in their calendars. The exhibition offers plenty of space for personal talks and contacts.The Puls 5 event hall with ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH is located in the heart of the trendy district of Zurich West next to the Technopark educational centre on Turbinenplatz. Here lies the Giessereihalle, the centre of this lively and trendy quarter. It is located in the immediate vicinity of Escher-Wyss-Platz. When we speak of Zurich, we mean Zurich West and Puls 5 with its foundry hall. They stand for the urban lifestyle that gives Zurich its international metropolitan feel. The most popular restaurants, bars and clubs can all be found in this area. The cultural aspect of Zurich is also shaped by the gates of Puls 5 with first-class galleries, museums, exhibitions and theatres in the region.Next Event:ART INTERNATIONAL ZURICH 201921st Contemporary Art FairPuls 5, Zurich / Switzerland26-29 September 2019Info: www.art-zurich.com Press Information: BB International Fine Arts GmbH Churerstrasse 160a, CH-8808 Pfaeffikon, Switzerland Contact Person: Monika Stern PR Phone: 0041555258437 eMail: eMail Web: http://https://www.art-zurich.com 23.10.2018 09:46:32 - Disclaimer: If you have any questions regarding information in this article please contact the author. Please do not contact Live-PR.com. We are not able to assist you. Live-PR.com disclaims content contained in this article. Live-PR.com is not authorized to give any information about content and not responsible for content posted by third party. A declaration of invalidity for EU device mark with word element 'la mafia - se sienta a la mesa' for goods and services in Classes 25, 35 and Class 43 lodged by the Italian Republic was upheld by the Board of Appeal of the EUIPO and confirmed as contrary to public policy as set out in Article 7(1)(f) of Regulation No 207/2009, now Article 7(1)(f) of Regulation 2017/1001. The owner of the contested sign filed an appeal against this decision before the Court of First Instance. The Court decided that when applying the absolute ground for refusal, it is necessary to take into account both public policy and principles of morality common to all member states of the EU and to the individual member states. The assessment for the existence of such a ground for refusal must be based on the standard of a reasonable person with average sensitivity and tolerance thresholds and cannot be limited to the public to which the goods and services are directly addressed, as such signs will also shock other people. The Court further decided that the Board was right when it found that the word element 'la Mafia' was the dominant element in the contested device mark and that they rightly rejected the applicant's argument that the Mafia is not listed as a terrorist organisation, since the list of examples provided in the guidelines is not exhaustive. The Board also rightly found that the word element 'la Mafia' in the contested mark would bring to mind the name of a criminal organisation responsible for particularly serious breaches of public policy. 'La Mafia' is understood worldwide as referring to a criminal organisation originating in Italy. Its criminal activities breach the very values on which the EU is founded and are a serious threat to the security and organisation of Italy and the EU. When a sign is particularly shocking or offensive, it must be regarded as being contrary to public policy or to accepted principles of morality, irrespective of the goods and services for which it is registered. The fact that the purpose of the registration of the contested mark is not to shock or offend, but to refer to the Godfather film series, as the applicant argued, does not alter the fact that the mark is perceived negatively. Also, no element of the trade mark directly refers to that series. The fact that there are many books and films on the subject of the Mafia does not change its bad reputation. Finally, the Court found that linking the positive elements of a red rose (the symbol of love or a spirit of unity) and 'se sienta a la mesa' ('at the table') could lead to a trivialisation of the illegal activities of the criminal organisation and contrast with the violence that characterises the Mafia's activities. The fact that there are other brands with the word element 'mafia' does not detract from this conclusion as the legality of decisions is based on EU law and not on the previous decision-making practice of the EUIPO or a national trade mark office. The Court therefore confirmed the statement from the Board of Appeal calling for the EUIPO to take a firm stance in cases that transgress the basic principles and values of European society and to refuse to register, for breach of public policy, any trade mark that might be deemed to support or benefit a criminal organisation such as 'la Mafia'. Denys Bertels 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 Hague Photo: vov.vn According to Ms Nguyen Thi Bich Lien, Head of the Hai Duong Womens Club, not all mothers have conditions to live with their offspring abroad, including in the Czech Republic. Therefore, the club decides to take the image of Vietnamese mother as the representative image of the program to remind the descendants of the merit and sacrifice of mothers. Speaking at the event, representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy, Overseas Vietnamese Association and Vietnamese Womens Association in the Czech Republic highlighted the image of Vietnamese women, especially grandmothers and mothers, and wished the descendants in the community to live up to their great sacrifice. The program included various art performances to depict images of Vietnamese mothers in fierce war as well as in peace. Thu Trang, a Vietnamese woman living in the Czech Republic for many years, said that she had previously attended some programs of the Hai Duong Womens Club, but this program left her filled with emotion./. In the patent battle between Nikon and ASML in relation to which 11 cases were pending before the District Court of The Hague, the Court recently ruled on case three. Nikon is holder of European patent EP 2937734B1, granted on December 28 2016. It has 18 claims with independent product claim 1 and independent process claim 15. Both independent claims incorporate feature 1.6: "The reference (MFM) is covered with a light-transmissive material". The reference is provided on the substrate (wafer) that is used for detecting a projection position of the pattern image to be projected on the wafer. The parties agree that the other features in the claim are present in ASML's machine, but dispute the presence of feature 1.6. To prove infringement Nikon referred to a publication of ASML and Zeiss from 2010 and a patent application of ASML from the same year. These publications, however, do not disclose anything about the actual features in the machines that ASML is currently selling in 2018. ASML convincingly argued with a statement from its senior architect that at least since the grant of the patent, it only manufactures NXT machines in which the reference is not covered with a light-transmitting material. ASML proved with an expert statement that although previous machines were equipped with such a light-transmitting coating this resulted in degradation of the coating over time and hence in decreasing precision. To solve this, ASML removed the coating at the reference position in machines made since March 2016 in Veldhoven. From that moment onwards, even when repairing older machines, the sensors if any were replaced with sensors without coating. Repair of the machines anyway was not held to be contributory infringement in the Netherlands as Nikon did not show that an essential component was supplied or that the machine was reconstructed. The Court did not grant an injunction for machines covered by the patent sold by ASML before grant. Nikon also argued that ASML was obliged to use such a light-transmitting layer since removing it causes problems. ASML however argued, again with an expert statement, that these problems occur theoretically, but not in practice. Nikon further failed to prove the infringement with, for example, product specifications or a more concrete analysis. Nikon's argument that it was not possible to more thoroughly prove infringement because it is too expensive to buy such a machine (the cost is EUR 80 million) and that ASML would not deliver to a competitor, did not hold. Other means of gathering evidence would have been available, such as a descriptive seizure. Nikon's attempt to reverse the burden of proof to ASML was not honoured by the court, either. It was not sufficient to contest the correctness and credibility of ASML's motivation. The District Court ruled that there was no direct infringement and also, with regard to repair activities, no contributory infringement. Nikon was directed to pay the court costs of ASML, about EUR 600,000. Annemie Jaeken 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 Leuven Skilled Traders Can Find Profits In Small Caps The recent downside price rotation in the US Equities markets has been a blessing for skilled traders. The opportunities for profits are setting up all over the markets you just have to look for them and understand price theory. The Small Cap ETF, TNA, is setting up a nearly perfect example of a quick in and out trade for a potential profit of 8% to 15% or more. We understand the fear that many traders may have in the markets right now and we understand the reason why many experienced traders decide to sit on the sidelines while these types of moves play out. Yet, we believe the opportunities that exist while these volatile market moves are playing out are some of the best setups for experienced and skilled traders. Typically, volatility may only be only 20% or 30% of the current volatility on average trading days. In other words, you might be waiting 3x to 4x (or more) longer for the same types of price swings to occur. If the opportunity presents itself and you have the skills and understanding to dissect the trade, why not take the opportunity for these great, quick moves? Lets take a look at the TNA setup This Monthly TNA chart illustrates the Price Channels that our research team has suggested present the opportunities for this LONG trade setup. Our research team believes the primary BLUE price channel is acting as support for the current price near $65~70. As long as this lower price channel holds, then the potential for an upside price reversal towards $78~80 is rather strong. The MAGENTA target level is price resistance from 2013~2015 and would be an immediate price target for any relief rally from these lows. The Breakdown Zone is where we want to alert our followers to be cautious. If the price does not rally and falls below the Breakdown Zone, this trade is invalid. This TNA Daily chart more clearly illustrates the trade setup that is currently setting up. The relief rally on Tuesday, October 15, rallied to near $74 from lows near $65. This type of price rotation establishes a price range and shows us what is capable if the price were to enter a rally mode. Again, the MAGENTA level is our immediate price target for any new long trades near these lows. Our opinion is that any new long entries below $70 are sufficient for most skilled traders and, of course, waiting for deeper price entries could be very advantageous. Dont get greedy with this one just yet. We still believe the price will rotate lower after reaching near the target zone and form a major price bottom near November 8~12. Think of this as a scalping trade. Once you have entered your long position, any price level above $75 is sufficient to call this one a solid winner. We continue to deliver superior results to our subscribers and members. We hope you are enjoying our free research articles and are able to gain insight and understanding of our work, research, passions for the markets and willingness to share our knowledge. If you find our work helps your trading, then take a minute to really see what we offer our subscribers by visiting www.TheTechnicalTraders.com . Consider trying our services for a three month period to see how we can help you stay ahead of these moves and find greater profits. If you want to read more about our detailed market research, please visit www.TheTechnicalTraders.com/FreeResearch/ Chris Vermeulen www.TheTechnicalTraders.com Chris Vermeulen has been involved in the markets since 1997 and is the founder of Technical Traders Ltd. He is an internationally recognized technical analyst, trader, and is the author of the book: 7 Steps to Win With Logic Through years of research, trading and helping individual traders around the world. He learned that many traders have great trading ideas, but they lack one thing, they struggle to execute trades in a systematic way for consistent results. Chris helps educate traders with a three-hour video course that can change your trading results for the better. His mission is to help his clients boost their trading performance while reducing market exposure and portfolio volatility. He is a regular speaker on HoweStreet.com, and the FinancialSurvivorNetwork radio shows. Chris was also featured on the cover of AmalgaTrader Magazine, and contributes articles to several leading financial hubs like MarketOracle.co.uk Disclaimer: Nothing in this report should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any securities mentioned. Technical Traders Ltd., its owners and the author of this report are not registered broker-dealers or financial advisors. Before investing in any securities, you should consult with your financial advisor and a registered broker-dealer. Never make an investment based solely on what you read in an online or printed report, including this report, especially if the investment involves a small, thinly-traded company that isnt well known. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report has been paid by Cardiff Energy Corp. In addition, the author owns shares of Cardiff Energy Corp. and would also benefit from volume and price appreciation of its stock. The information provided here within should not be construed as a financial analysis but rather as an advertisement. The authors views and opinions regarding the companies featured in reports are his own views and are based on information that he has researched independently and has received, which the author assumes to be reliable. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content of this report, nor its fitness for any particular purpose. Lastly, the author does not guarantee that any of the companies mentioned in the reports will perform as expected, and any comparisons made to other companies may not be valid or come into effect. Chris Vermeulen Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. We publish here a joint solidarity statement from the comrades of Bloque Popular Juvenil (El Salvador), Izquierda Marxista (Honduras) and La Izquierda Socialista (Mexico) to the thousands-strong migrant caravan travelling from Central America to the United States. The migrants have been met with prejudice, attacks by the media and state repression their plight expresses the suffering of a whole region, plagued by the policies of American imperialism and oligarchical rule. [Read the original statement in Spanish] On 19 October, thousands of Central Americans, mainly Hondurans travelling in a huge migrant caravan were greeted on the southern border of Mexico with tear gas, hundreds of military police, and warplanes flying overhead. This is the migration policy that American imperialism has enforced on the Mexican government for years. It is not incorrect to say that the American frontier begins in the Suchiate River and not in the Rio Grande. The government and the bourgeoisie of the United States consider Mexico to be its backyard, and therefore obliged to implement and defend all of the USAs security policies. Divide and rule Hundreds of Central American migrants started the caravan in Honduras a week ago and are headed to the United States. It began with 150 people, tired of their hopeless conditions, who made a call to openly cross different countries where they risk being extorted by the police; where women risk being raped and assaulted; and where they are constantly under threat from gangs and drug trafficking groups. Thus, they are marching in a caravan for safety, as well as aiming to be as visible as possible. The call did not fall on deaf ears: as the caravan progressed, hundreds joined, more than four thousand arrived at the Mexican border. For those who embarked on the march to seek opportunities in other countries away from their families and friends the decision wasnt taken lightly. Many women and men have been forced to leave their children, sick relatives, and what little they have. In no way is this a journey for pleasure or adventure, as the media has often claimed, telling us these people are "in search of the American dream". In fact, these are men, women and children driven from their lands by violence and lack of opportunities; to look for work, education and a decent life. Embed from Getty Images Many in Mexico have criticised the fact that thousands of Central Americans are standing on the southern border and trying to cross the country. The most reactionary sentiments emerge among the middle class, the bourgeoisie and some declassed sectors, who call our Central American brothers criminals, murderers, filthy, etc. This reflects the dominant ideology of the ruling class, which teaches us to be humble and servile to the powerful (the bourgeoisie and imperialism); and haughty, arrogant and not at all in solidarity with the poorest. It is a policy of division for those at the bottom, and reverence for the exploiters. Solidarity from Mexican workers It is clear that racist sentiments are not widespread throughout the Mexican population; on the contrary, there is strong solidarity, empathy and support for all those who come in the caravan from the working class. This is not surprising: we share a common history of struggle and suffering. We are the same: from poor nations, children of violence, victims of a predatory capitalist system that was brutally established to destroy our natural resources and exploit us to the maximum. It was not until 1823, when due to struggles between the native elites did the imperialists separate this territory between Mexico and Central America. Afterwards, the different interests of the local landlords and bourgeois maintained those artificial boundaries. Central America was once a single land and it was a crime to divide it: the intention was always to control and plunder the territory. The Creole bourgeoisie has always been cowardly and incapable of developing the productive forces and carrying forward the slogans of the national democratic revolution: they are bound hand and foot to imperialism. They are loyal servants to the rapacious policies of the international elites that dominate the world. These are the ones who have truly expelled our people from our lands by provoking violence and poverty, and making it impossible for a person to live in their home countries with dignity. They are the ones who are alarmed to see us passing through different countries, those who inflame prejudices and say that the poor are murderers and criminals. In reality, the real looters and murderers are those who have kept all the natural riches of our lands, while hiding behind armies, television broadcasters and all those who still cling to nationalism. Imperialism and oligarchy: bound hand and foot Remember, it was American imperialism and the Honduran oligarchy that implemented a coup against former Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, for simply offering better salaries and working conditions, and lowering the price of gasoline, etc. The polices imposed after the coup impoverished the people. The right wing has ruled, militarising the country and plunging it into bloodshed. Last year, they supported the rise of right-winger Juan Orlando Hernandez to the presidency through blatant electoral fraud, which has aggravated even more the situation of misery and exploitation. This is the history of every country in the region, you only need to change the names of the characters. The oligarchy in the Honduran government faced opposition from an insurrectional mass movement after the fraud of 2017. In reality, the government is weak: it does not have a solid social base. The Honduran people voted massively for a change in those stolen elections. Under the coup leaders, we have seen poverty and misery deepen even more. The bloody hands of imperialism and oligarchy are all over the region. It was American imperialism and the Honduran oligarchy that implemented a coup against former Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and supported the rise of right-winger Juan Orlando Hernandez / Image: Kimberly Aguirre As it advanced, the caravan was expanded with migrants from other countries in the region, all chanting: Fuera JOH! (JOH out!) The migrant caravan is exposing the rottenness of the capitalist system in Central America and Mexico, as well as the reactionary policies that flow from imperialism in the region. We as young people, workers and women of the working class are against any policy that divides our class, be it national, religious, racial or based on gender. We are internationalists because the working class cannot organise itself on a national basis to defeat an international enemy. Therefore, we are not only supporting our fellow migrants, who are looking for what imperialism has denied them in their countries of origin we are for the abolition of all the borders, that only serve to weaken us in the face of our true enemies: the oligarchy and American imperialism. Internationalism and socialism! Mexico is not a country that can offer Central American migrants a paradise on earth; it is a country that is being devastated by the most brutal violence and poverty: the result of the same policies that overwhelmed the Central American peoples in decades past. Only the unity of the Central American, Mexican and Latin American peoples will be able to overthrow the capitalist system, which prevents us from living happily in our lands / Image: Twitter, Hillary Goodfriend Mexicans, more than anyone else, know perfectly well what it means to emigrate to find better living conditions. More than 900,000 Mexicans have been displaced by the war against drug trafficking and there are more than 20 million Mexicans living in the United States illegally. Mexicans also understand perfectly well what violence means, because in Mexico, 30,000 people have disappeared and more than 300,000 have been killed in the last 12 years. The Mexican working class does not buy the story that the Central Americans are coming to take away our jobs, because right now there is no work for the Mexicans themselves! We are united because their demands are our demands, because their path is our path, because their lives are our lives. Only the unity of the Central American, Mexican and Latin American peoples will be able to overthrow the capitalist system, which prevents us from living happily in our lands. The working class is one, anywhere in the world: including the United States, Canada and other developed countries. We are internationalists because we believe that we have more in common with any worker in the world than with the rapacious bourgeoisie of Mexico or any Central American country. Our struggle is the struggle of all the exploited across the globe. Montana State University has released its latest television commercial, highlighting the universitys efforts to increase the number of women in the traditionally male-dominated fields of engineering and computer science. The ad follows MSU student Whitney Kieffer, a senior majoring in chemical engineering in MSUs Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering, as she conducts research in an MSU lab and charts her path to graduation and beyond. http://www.montana.edu/news/18120 Innovators and creators, now is your chance to sign up to feature your work and inspire the next generation in Kalispell next February at an event celebrating problem solving and collaboration. Making Montana is a two-day event https://kalispell.makerfaire.com/about/expo/ featuring the Manufacturing and Technology Expo and the annual Kalispell Mini Maker Fair. That will be held at the Flathead County Fairgrounds on Feb. 15 and 16. Last nearly more than 3,000 people attended, and that number is expected to be even higher this year. Nicole Miller The North Face athlete, alpinist and environmentalist Conrad Anker stopped by to discuss Protecting Our Winters. Tonight, at Reid Hall on the MSU campus, Anker will be speaking and presenting on climate change, what he has seen firsthand throughout his years climbing in glacial regions. Missy OMalley The beaches and small islands around Phu Quoc are a perfect getaway on the crowded holiday scene these days, it says. Travellers should visit Sao Beach, Long Beach, Truong Beach, Hon Chong Island, Hon Rom Island, Thom Island, and Trung Truc Temple at Ganh Dau Cape, it exhorts. Located on the Vietnam-Cambodia-Thailand marine economic corridor, Phu Quoc is dubbed the pearl island. It features a monsoon tropical climate, with two seasons, the dry season from November to April and the rainy season from May to October. The average temperature is 28 degrees Celsius, allowing visitors to enjoy the islands beauty at any time of the year. Phu Quoc was once a sleepy area of around 100,000 people. In recent years, however, the 567sq.m island has become a tourist mecca for thousands of visitors from around the world. Located 46km from the mainland, the island can be reached by air from HCM city within one hour and from Hanoi within two hours. Phu Quoc National Park is one of the most attractive places in the district. It is home to 929 plant species, of which 42 are listed in the Vietnamese and world red books of endangered species. The park is part of the Kien Giang biosphere reserve, which was recognised as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2006. The island was named as one of the 10 most beautiful Asian islands to visit in summer by tourism site www.topinspired.com. "This peaceful tropical paradise is Vietnam's largest island, which has rapidly morphed from a sleepy island to a must-visit destination. It's still largely undeveloped as there is plenty of room for exploration. Dive the reefs, kayak in the bays or relax by lounging on the beach, indulging in a massage and dining on fresh seafood. It really is a perfect escape from reality and everyday life, the site said. In September, it was named by CNN among the top five up-and-coming Asia Pacific destinations to visit this fall./. Editors note: This year marks the 40th anniversary of Chinas reform and opening-up, and huge changes have been made in Beijing, capital of China, over the past 40 years. We have invited 40 foreign experts to participate in a series of interviews named New Era, New Insight jointly hosted by GMW.cnThe official website of Guangming Daily and the Information Office of Beijing Municipality and share their Beijing Stories. The following is a part of the interview with John Speakman, a professor from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology at Chinese Academy of Sciences. My name is John Speakman. Im from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology at Chinese Academy of Sciences I originally from the UK. But I worked in China for the last 7 years. So the very first time was, I guess, about 2005. I start up a research collaboration with some groups here. So I was approved on the 100 talents in July 2011. And then really started immediately to open my lab and I been here ever since, just doing research. I think actually the way that Chinese government and local Beijing government is handling this. Its really good because they really bring in forward skims trying encourage the best people to do what they do. So basically the super bright people are the same in the UK. There are not many differences between them. The language obviously different but their approach and what they try to do and passion for science, these are exactly the same. There is no difference between the Chinese students and British students. But there are a lot of advantages here to doing research. The funding level is much higher than it is in the UK. The success rates to get grades are much higher than it is in the UK. Ive already have lots of contact with Chinese researchers before I came here. So I kind of knew there are lots of talented people here and I was looking forward to collaborating with them and doing a lot of interesting researches. So then I progressively with coming more and more each year and until about 2010 I came four times in the same year for quite long period. So then I kind of decided it would be easier for other then coming from the UK to China. I actually move my base into China and then visited back to the UK. So I applied for a 1000 talents position. Now I work 9 month per year in Beijing and 3 month per year back in the UK. So I started to open a lab here in 2011. So part of it was just I was travelling so much back and forwards between Beijing and UK. It feel bad at just transfer my activity to China completely. So what happened was my main collaborator works in the Chinese Academy of Sciences. But he works in the Institute of Psychology. And I was quite interest to move to be close to him but not actually in a same institute. So what I date was I posted institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology. Just met some people here and spoke to them about what the opportunity might be. They were very welcoming and very nice. So we put the application in together for the 1000 talents and that was basically what happened. What is actually the lab of me to do is focus more of my tab on academic research rather than doing other things that academics do. So if you are an academic, your life is really separate between three things: you doing administration work, or you doing research, or you doing teaching. So there are a lot of things to do. But coming out to China, I was able to focus on almost all my time on to research. So that just accelerated in amount of research that I could actually achieve. [ Editor: zyq ] Photo taken on Oct. 21, 2018 shows the train derailment site in Yilan County, southeast China's Taiwan. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai) TAIPEI, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- At least 18 people died and another 164 injured as of 11 p.m. Sunday, after a passenger train derailed in Taiwan earlier in the afternoon, according to the island's railway authority. The Puyuma Express No. 6432 bound for Taitung from Shulin Station with 366 passengers on board derailed at 4:50 p.m. at Xinma Station, Yilan County. Seventeen people were declared dead before being sent to hospital. All eight cars of the express train derailed, with three of them overturned. The cause of the derailment is still under investigation. The accident, the worst of Taiwan railways in more than three decades, happened on a popular line along the island's east coast. Train services in both directions have been halted. One American citizen was injured while the rest are all from Taiwan, according to the local railway authority. The injured passengers were rushed to four local hospitals for treatment. The Puyuma Express has an operational maximum speed of 130 kph. 4 1 [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over a bimonthly session of the 13th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 22, 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) BEIJING, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature on Monday started its bimonthly session to deliberate a draft amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law and a draft amendment to the Drug Administration Law, part of a five-day agenda. Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presided over the meeting. The draft amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law, submitted for a third reading, includes "default judgment" provisions, which will let a criminal trial continue even if the defendant has fled China. One provision makes it applicable to corruption-related criminal cases, and also serious cases endangering state security and terrorist activities that have been examined and approved by the Supreme People's Procuratorate and need to be tried in a timely fashion. To better protect the legitimate interests of the defendant, the draft imposes new stringent rules, requiring the courts to examine whether a case is applicable to a "default judgment." The amendment to the Drug Administration Law aims to address counterfeit drug problems with tougher punishment and all-round supervision. A draft law on basic healthcare and health promotion was also submitted for a second reading. The session will also consider draft revisions to the People's Courts Organic Law and the People's Procuratorates Organic Law. Lawmakers will also review a package of draft revisions on 15 laws, including the Wild Animal Conservation Law and the Metrology Law, in a bid to conform to a key institutional reform plan adopted by the NPC on March 17. For example, the customs and quarantine offices used to be parallel law enforcement agencies under the Wild Animal Conservation Law, but the latter are now a part of the customs administration. Several reports, including two submitted by the State Council on state assets, will also be discussed, according to the agenda. Lawmakers are also considering a change of the intellectual property right appeals procedure, which would hand the Supreme People's Court cases that require more expertise due to the complexity of such cases. The meeting is expected to decide whether to adopt revisions to the Company Law, which set to relax restrictions on public companies making share repurchases. [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] Education Montgomery County Community College will present the spring installment of the interview/talk show program Issues and Insights April 20 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in Science Center room 214, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The programs will be simulcast to the Colleges West Campus in South Hall room 216, 101 College Drive, Pottstown. Dr. Kolsky will offer a humorous presentation, Carrots, Sticks and Politics: A State of the Nation and the World Message. In this speech, he will provide his interpretation of domestic and international politics and then welcome questions from the audience for discussion. Issues and Insights, is free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Kolsky, professor of political science, at 215-641-6380 or tkolsky@mc3.edu. Montgomery County Community Colleges STEM Scholars Program will host a STEM Jam! open house April 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center at the Colleges Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The drop-in event is designed for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Activities will include STEM program information and career advising, STEM speakers throughout the day from industry and academia, micro-helicopter and robotics competitive obstacle courses and demonstrations and static models of STEM student and faculty work. For more information about STEM Jam! or STEM programs at MCCC, contact William Brownlowe at wbrownlowe@mc3.edu or 215-641-6644, or Robin Zuhlke at 215-619-7440 or rzuhlke@mc3.edu. Temple Ambler, located at 580 Meetinghouse Road, presents the following events: International Club Global Bazaar April 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Ambler Campus International Club invites all students, faculty, staff and the community to celebrate a multitude of diverse cultures, which will be showcased at the organizations Global Bazaar. This family friendly event will highlight cultural traditions and celebrations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, South American, North America and Africa through music, entertainment, food and informative displays developed and presented by students at the Ambler Campus. Young visitors will be provided with passports, which they may get stamped at each country they visit. Prizes will be awarded to world travelers who talk to cultural representatives, answer questions about the countries theyve visited and take part in fun-filled activities designed to help them learn about the rich diversity of cultures found throughout the world. Refreshments will be served. The event is free. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail tuc36466@temple.edu. EarthFest 2011 April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 75 exhibitors, including the Philadelphia Zoo, The Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Elmwood Park Zoo and the Insectarium, will take part in EarthFest 2011. School students of all ages are invited to attend and develop displays of their own. EarthFest partner the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society also offers its Kids Grow Expo, featuring the Junior Flower Show, as part of the event. For more information, call 267-468-8108 or e-mail duffyj@temple.edu. Annual Spring Plant Sale May 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The plant sale an Ambler Campus tradition dating back to the early 1900s will feature woody plants and perennials in portable sizes, hardy trees, shrubs, and vines, native plants that are attractive to wildlife, herbs, and hanging baskets. There will also be numerous special plants for sale to highlight Amblers special anniversary year. Garden books and garden tools will also be available for sale. Students, staff, and volunteers from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture and the Ambler Arboretum Advisory Committee will be available to answer questions. All proceeds from the Spring Plant Sale will support the Ambler Arboretum Fund and the Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society. Information: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. June Homecoming/Louise Bush-Brown Garden Dedication June 5 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. (June Homecoming), Bright Hall Lounge; 2 p.m. (Garden Dedication), Ambler Campus Formal Perennial Gardens. Tickets June Homecoming: Participant $18 per person; Sustainer $25 per person; Benefactor $40 per person. The 2011 June Homecoming, sponsored by the School of Environmental Design Alumni Association, will include the Alumni Association annual meeting and luncheon. June Homecoming will be followed by the formal dedication of Temple University Amblers Formal Perennial Gardens as the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Gardens. During this 100th anniversary of the campus, Temple University Ambler and the Ambler Arboretum of the Temple University is honoring Louise Bush-Browns many contributions to the history of the campus by formally dedicating the gardens in her honor. During the program, campus Executive William Parshall will welcome guests, Ambler Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey will speak about the Bush-Browns and the history of the garden, and an official ribbon cutting will be held for the Louise Bush-Brown Formal Garden. Following the ribbon cutting, guests are invited to take a tour of the gardens, which will wend their way to the Campus Greenhouse for the School of Environmental Designs annual Plant Auction. Information (Garden Dedication): 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Information (June Homecoming): 215-482-0722. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. Northview Garden Tour and Fundraiser for the Ambler Arboretum June 12 from noon to 5 p.m. Call for reservations. Tickets: $15 per person or $20 at the door. In addition to the gardens of the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University, Arboretum Director Jenny Rose Carey has a garden oasis all her own right in Ambler Northview. Visitors will have the opportunity to take self-guided tours throughout the many gardens, where garden experts will be available to answer questions about the various designs. The Ambler Keystone Chapter of the Womans National Farm and Garden Association will also provide tea and refreshments. All proceeds from the tours will support the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. Information or to register: 267-468-8001 or judy.shatz@temple.edu. Learn more at www.ambler.temple.edu/anniversary. The Senior Adult Activities Center of Montgomery County, 536 George Street, Norristown, will hold the following events: SAAC Adult Day Care, an alternative to Nursing Home Care is available for information call 610-275-1960 Volunteers are needed for Meals on Wheels Program (call the number above) SAACs Fifth Avenue Boutique opens Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Exercise with Theresa will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m. Dance class is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Tai Chi is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Yoga is held every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Line Dancing is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Dancing with Joan is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Sculpture Class is held Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Why Should I Learn Spanish? will be held Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Generations On-Line computer classes for seniors will be held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. 4 p.m. computers are available during those hours. Health Living will be held every Tuesday at 1 p.m. Boomer U will hold the following events. Boomer U is located at 45 Forest Avenue, Ambler. Registration & payment is required for all events: 215-619-8863. Pilates Class is held Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. First class is free; please bring a mat. For information call 610-291-5376. Blue Bell School of Dance, 921 Penllyn Blue Bell Pike, Blue Bell, hosts Argentine Tango Classes and a Milonga dance party every Friday evening. Lessons start at 8:30 p.m. followed by dancing at 9:30 p.m. Andrew Conway, master Argentine Tango dancer, instructor and performer and his partner Linda Chase will instruct. All levels welcome and no partner is needed. Refreshments will be served. Fee is $12 per person and includes lesson and dancing. Information: 215-634-1101 or www.amoretango.com. The Montgomery Hospital Medical Center will offer the following classes: Childbirth Education Class- all parents are invited to participate, including those who are delivering at other hospitals. For more information on maternity services or classes, call 610-270-2020. CPR and First Aid Courses are offered for beginners to experiences health care providers. Call 610-270-2313. The Ambler SAAC (Senior Adult Activities Center), located at 45 Forest Ave in Ambler will hold the following events: Tai Chi every Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m. Yoga is every Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10:30 a.m. Strength and balance training every Wednesday at 10 a.m. Armchair Aerobics is held every Monday at 10 a.m. Gourmet Weight Wise every Thursday at 12:30. Fitness Center and Pool Room open daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The Diabetes Education Center will offer day and evening classes each month. Health insurance pays for diabetes education classes. Preregistration is required. Call 610-270-2301. For Kids & Families The Ambler Kiwanis Club will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 26 at 10 a.m. in Ambler Borough Park, located just off of the intersection of Hendricks Street and Valley Brook Road. Members of the Wissahickon Key Club will assist Kiwanians in hiding thousands of wrapped chocolate eggs in a designated area of the park. Also hidden will be plastic colored eggs, which are redeemed for prizes. Elementary school children are separated by age. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation will hold its 21st annual Storybook Egg-Stravaganza April 15 fom 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building. Toddlers and preschoolers love this annual event where photo opportunities with favorite friends abound! Treasures are collected from UDP&Rs assortment of lifesize cutouts of favorite cartoon characters from Disney, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and other well-known animation. Children can have their picture taken with Bugsy OHare; bring your own camera. And dont forget a basket for goodies! $7 for UD residents; $12 for non-residents. Pre-register at 215-643-1600 ext. 3443. Splash Week is a free week-long program that teaches children and families basic swimming skills and water safety practices. All YMCA branches will host multiple classes each day from April 11 to 15. For more information, contact the Ambler Area YMCA at 215-628-9950. Healthy Kids Day is April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day is filled with fun, engaging and artistic activities that cultivate healthy living as part of the YMCAs larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active. All activities are free and open to the community. For more information, contact the Ambler YMCA at 215-628-9950. No reservation is required. The Ambler Area YMCA has added several new programs for area youngsters. Classes are held late afternoons or evenings on various weekdays. For more information, visit philaymca.org or call 215-628-9950. Basic Beading: Ages: 10+. Wednesdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. This class will teach you the fundamentals of wiring and stringing along with how color can be used to create unique and vibrant beadwork design. You will create various jewelry including earrings, bracelets, charm pendants and much more! Supplies will be provided. Bringing your own jewelry pliers or tools would be a plus. Messin with the Masters: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 7 to 7:45 p.m. Learn about some of the worlds greatest artists. You will be inspired to create your own Starry Night with oil pastels and tempera paints, a tissue paper painted Monet garden, a Picasso head using scraps of paper, a Georgia OKeeffe clay flower bowl and a Rousseau jungle collage. Super Scientist: Ages: 5-7. Mondays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Well be concocting chemistry experiments such as making slime, mixing potions and having fun with magnet magic. Your budding little scientist will enhance his/her creative thinking and motor skills and to top it off will learn that science can be serious fun. Wacky Junk Art: Ages: 8-12. Thursdays 6 to 6:45 p.m. Why throw it away! Instead join us to make household junk into aliens from outer space, wacky specs, crazy hats, body masks or a recycled train. Globe Trotters: Ages: 4-6. Tuesdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Youre never too young to start thinking globally. Each week, we explore a new country through crafts, games, music, stories and even some taste-testing. A perfect introduction to our great big world! Crazy about Crafts: Ages: 5-7, Thursdays 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Let your childs creative juices flow with our fun arts and crafts projects each week. Fine motor skills and creative thinking skills will be enhanced with this crafty class. Come out and join the Ambler Area YMCAs Teen and Junior Leaders Club. Participants are given the freedom to plan community service projects year round and truly make a difference in the lives of people in need. Those in Teen and Junior Leaders also attend leadership retreats all along the East Coast three times a year and meet other leaders who are doing the same great work in their respective areas. Dont miss out on this inspiring opportunity. Teen Leaders, ages 13-17, meet every Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Junior Leaders, ages 10-12, will begin in the spring and will meet every Monday. For more information, contact Mike Miles, Teen Director, 215- 628-9950 x 1540 or mmiles@philaymca.org. Did you know that the new Ambler Area YMCA holds childrens birthday parties at its site for members and non members as well. The Ambler Y does all the work from start to finish and birthday parties include a personalized cake, ice cream, beverage and paper products. Parties are held on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and include two party hosts to lead activities, set-up, clean-up and assist with serving. You can have a Splash Party for children ages six to 12 in the new zero depth entry pool with water slide and spray fountains. Up to 25 children have exclusive use of the pool area with 30 minutes in the party room. Sports Parties are offered for kids ages four to 12 with age appropriate activities and games, and sports such as floor hockey, soccer, basketball or dodge ball. Children ages three to five years of age will enjoy parties in the Family Active Center with use of the Moon Bounce and organized activities, such as parachute play and songs. For information, 215-628-9950 ext. 1583. Community Events at the Ambler Y: -YAchievers YMCA Achievers is a developmentally based, extracurricular, educational and team mentoring program designed to help students in grades five through 12 prepare for fulfilled livelihoods in college and beyond. Participation is free and all students in this program receive a free YMCA membership. Registration for the 2009 program begins now. You do not need to be a YMCA member to utilize these special services. Call 215-628-9950 to register. Greater Norristown Art Leagues Childrens Weeklong Summer Art Camps will be held at 800 West Germantown Pike in East Norriton, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout the summer. The cost per session is $125 per student for ages 6 and up. Jo Ann Cooksey Bono teaches an introduction to basic drawing skills and techniques from 10 a.m. until the lunch break each day. In the afternoon sessions, Mary Vogel Lozinak involves the students in hands on projects such as collage, papermaking, T-shirt printing, 3D design and sculpy clay. Fridays Graduation Day includes an art show, awards ceremony and reception for parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. All supplies are included. Students provide their own lunch. A refrigerator is available and the building is air-conditioned. This is the 15th year to run this successful program. Both instructors are professional artists with State Police and Child Abuse Clearances. To register, call Jo Ann at 610-279-1008, or register on-line at www.gnal.org. Health Dresher Physical Therapy is hosting an interactive seminar discussing its Golf Assessment Progam April 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at Dresher Physical Therapy, 1075 Virginia Drive, Suite 200, Fort Washington. Physical therapist Chris Miller, certified through the Titleist Performance Institute, will discuss why your body may be the most important piece of golf equipment you invest in and how this can drastically improve your game. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Call 215-619-4545 to reserve your spot. The Chestnut Hill Center for Enrichment, Center on the Hill and Chestnut Hill Hospital will host a Senior Health and Resource Fair April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, 8855 Germantown Ave. The event is free. For more information, call 215-248-0180 or e-mail chseniors@cavtel.net. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is hosting Help Yourself to Health, a new six-week workshop for older adults with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and others. The free workshop will take place at the Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center, 45 Forest Ave. on six Thursdays, May 12 through June 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Although there is no charge to participate, registration is required. To register, call 215-619-8863. The Ambler Senior Adult Activities Center is sponsoring an eight-week program called A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls. Presented by the Montgomery County Health Department, this workshop will be held on Tuesdays, May 3 to June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ambler Center, 45 Forest Ave. If you pre-register by April 27, the fee is only $5! Registration at the first class is $10. (Checks should be payable to SAAC and will benefit our Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors.) A workbook will be provided and refreshments will be served. Call 215-619-8863 to register or for more information. Fort Washington Wellness Center classes are ongoing. There are several offered during lunch or right after work, for your convenience: Boot Camp from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday; Zumba is MWF from 11 a.m. to noon and Friday at 4 p.m.; there are 25 cycling classes; Ashtanga and Vinyasana Yoga and Pilates; and a group Womens Strength Training class M-F from 10 to 11 a.m. Questions, call Cathy DeMarco at 215-641-1245. Following the success of other local area programs, Impact Sports and Upper Dublin Parks and Recreation are delighted to team up again to offer a spring program for the 2011 season! Upper Dublin area children ages 3-5 years old can attend a Sports Program featuring their favorite sports games; soccer, rugby, hockey, track and field, basketball, and more. The program will start on April 27 and run through June 1. Cost for the program is $85 for the six weeks. The classes will be running 12- 1 p.m.; 1- 2 p.m.; 2- 3 p.m. For more info or to register, call Upper Dublin Township on 215 643 1600 or visit their website a http://www.upperdublin.net. Spring Aquatic Programs UDHS Pool: -Summer is just around the corner Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool can help get you into shape! Programs begin in March; preregistration is required. Shallow Water Aerobics Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 8-8:45 p.m., $40R/$50NR. Adult Swim Instructions Two 5-week programs, Wednesday nights, 7-8 p.m., $50R/$60NR -Open Rec Swims are fun for the whole family! Come out on Fridays from 7-9 p.m. or Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and enjoy use of the pool and diving area. Fridays are offered through June 17; Saturdays are offered March 12-May 21. -Join a growing group of adult lap swimmers and water walkers. Lanes are set aside evenings and weekends for use; lanes are shared. Monday Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays from 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays (March 12-May 21) from 1-4 p.m. -Private Swimming & Diving Lessons for ages 3-adult are offered at the UDHS Pool through a partnership with the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club (UDAC). Visit the UDAC website for more information, www.udac.us, and click the link to UDHS Private Lessons. -Looking for local programs for US Masters Swimming (adults) or Water Polo (all ages)? UDAC and UDSD are working together to develop programs that will be offered at the UDHS Pool. Add your name to Interest Lists by emailing slohoefer@upperdublin.net. emails will be sent about clinics and program start dates. Questions about Community Aquatic Programs at the UDHS Pool, group use of the pool or pool rental? Contact Susan Lohoefer, Facility & Community Affairs Manager at slohoefer@upperdublin.net or call 215-643-8800 x8994. SilverSneakers Fitness Program. The Healthyways SilverSneakers Fitness Program is a result-oriented program that enables older adults to take charge of their health. The program is an innovative blend of physical activity, healthy lifestyle and socially oriented programing. Members of the program are eligible for a free YMCA membership, with use of the pool and exercise equipment, along with customized classes designed for older adults who want to improve their strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. If you are a subscriber to Independence Blue Cross (Personal Choice 65 PPO) or Keystone 65 HMO, Bravo Health, or Health Options Programs (HOP), call the Ambler Area YMCA, 215-628-9950 or Hatboro Area YMCA, 215-674-4545. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com. Zumba Fitness offers Zumba dance/fitness classes at Academy of Dance and Music/BBAD Studio located at 1524 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell (behind Sherwin Williams). Classes are offered three times a week: Tuesdays at 6 p.m., Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. For a free trial pass for your first class, email us at info@danceandmusic.biz or call 610-277-2557. For more info, visit our site at www.academyofdanceandmusic.org. Chestnut Hill Health Systems presents the following Health Education Programs: FITNESS CLASSES Golden Yoga: A Breathing, Stretching and Relaxation Class. Fridays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lea Auditorium, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. Registration for four classes at a time required. Golden Yoga is Classical Yoga, adapted by the SKY Foundation, to accommodate those who have difficulty getting up and down from the floor. The program includes postures, breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques, all performed while sitting in a chair and standing. Registration required. Call 215-247-3029. Cost: $20 for 4 classes per month. Tai Chi: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:30 9:30 a.m. Springfield Residence, 8601 Stenton Ave. Classes, for the novice or beginner/intermediate student, are designed to improve balance, power, posture, coordination, flexibility and mental focus. Slow, gentle movements are modified to most everyones abilities. For more information or to sign up for a free introductory class, call 215-882-2804. Cost: $8 per class/paid monthly. SUPPORT GROUPS Weight Loss Surgery Support Group: Fourth Wednesday of the month, 7-8 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. Join us for a monthly get-together where well share information for those interested in weight loss surgery, learn from guest speakers discussing current news on issues including lifestyle modification, nutrition and exercise and provide ongoing support for those who have completed surgery. Registration required. Call 215-753-2000. Breast Cancer Networking Group: Fourth Tuesday of the month 5:30 7 p.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia. A free, confidential support group for women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer designed to provide a forum for sharing information, feelings and concerns associated with breast cancer. Facilitated by Tish Wakefield, LCSW, Oncology Social Worker. Registration required. To register or for more information, call 215-248-8047. New Moms Support Groups Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. 12 p.m.; contact Jeanine ORourke, MSW or 2:30 4 p.m.; contact Susan Schack, Ph.D Volunteer Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. The Center for Postpartum Depression at Chestnut Hill Hospital is pleased to offer two new support groups to support new moms. Both groups will be run by experienced mental health professionals who really get it when it comes to new motherhood and juggling relationships, extended family, work/family balance and self-care. If you are experiencing new mom challenges that often heighten anxiety and involve hormonally driven depression, join us for an informative and supportive forum to connect with other moms. Infants are welcome. $30 per session (flexible based on need). Registration is required. Call Dr. Schack, 646-265-2484, or Ms. ORourke, 215-206-2931. Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group Third Thursday of the month 8-9 a.m. Williams Conference Room, Chestnut Hill Hospital, 8835 Germantown Ave. A networking group for men diagnosed with prostate cancer designed to provide education, support and encouragement. Spouses and partners welcome. Harry M. Baer, MD, Chief, Urology Division, will host Ask the Doctor. Registration required. Call 215-248-8325. Contact the Senior Center by phone 215-248-0180 or email (chseniors@cavtel.net) with your questions about these programs or any of our on-going activities and classes. Holy Redeemer HomeCare and Hospice seeks compassionate and emotionally mature volunteers to provide support to local hospice patients and their families in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Volunteers may also assist with pet therapy and administrative work within the hospice department and are requested to have daytime availability. Hospice patient care volunteers visit with patients in their homes or nursing facilities once a week for two to three hours. They provide emotional support and companionship to patients and family members, assist with errands or provide respite for caregivers. Bereavement volunteers support the families of hospice patients following the loss of a loved one, while administrative volunteers assist with typing, mailings and/or filing. Hospice care workers provide a great service to families and loved ones of hospice patients. Many volunteers also report a great deal of personal satisfaction as a result of their services. Patient care and bereavement volunteers complete an application and attend an 18-hour volunteer training program that covers the medical, psychological and spiritual aspects of hospice volunteering. Day and evening training programs are offered. To sign up for volunteer opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact Holy Redeemer Volunteer Coordinator Jean Francis at 215-698-3737 or email jfrancis@holyredeemer.com. Librarytalk Upper Dublin Public Library, 805 Loch Alsh Avenue, Ft. Washington, 215-628-8744 www.upperdublinlibrary.org APRIL CHILDRENS PROGRAMS: Storytimes: Please register in the library. o Wee Ones: 0 to 23 months Thursdays and Fridays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. o Tiny Tots: age 2. Wednesdays 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. and Fridays 11 to 11:20 a.m. o Jr. Book Lovers: ages 3 to 6. Tuesdays 10:30 to 11 a.m. o Bedtime Storytimes: 7 to 7:30 p.m. April 20 and 27. Wear your jammies, bring your teddy & hear Miss Barbara read bedtime stories! For ages 3 to 6. APRIL TEEN PROGRAMS: North Hills Library Teens April 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Movie Matinee APRIL UDPL ADULT PROGRAMS: NEW! ESL Conversation Group. Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Interested in practicing your English in a safe and caring environment? Come to our conversation group and improve your skills! Please register with Kay Klocko at 215-628-8744 or kklocko@mclinc.org. One-on-One Computer Mentoring. Get personalized assistance from experienced computer volunteers! Sign-up for a one-hour session. Limit one session per month. Please register contact info above. Book Groups Please register with Kay Klocko 215-628-8744. o Daytimers: April 21 at 1:30 p.m. Tired of book groups where you all read the same book? Read any fiction or non-fiction book on this months theme: Explorers. Please register. Meetings: Annual Meeting of the Friends of UDPL: April 14 at 1 p.m. Board of Directors: April 20 at 7 p.m. Blue Bell Library www.wvpl.org Upcoming Events: The Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 650 Skippack Pike (Route 73) in Blue Bell, is diagonally across from the Blue Bell Inn. Call 215-643-1320 or visit their website at www.wvpl.org. For children and teens at Blue Bell: * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Mondays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * Fridays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Family Movies, new releases, second Saturdays of the month at 1:30 p.m. * May 14 Despicable Me * June 11 Alpha and Omega * Special Events * April watch for date of spring/Easter events * April 14 at 4:30 p.m. Junior Lego Club for children ages 3 through 5. Parents and caregivers need to stay with children. * April 14 at 7 p.m. Jeopardy for ages 11 to 18. Test your book and library knowledge for prizes. Sign up to be a contestant. No sign up to be in the audience. Snacks provided. * April 16 at 1 p.m. Adult Mystery Book Group discussing The Beekeepers Apprentice by Laurie King. * April 16 at 1:30 p.m. Childrens event for One Book, Every Young Child celebration. Story and craft for book Whose Shoes? * April 19 at 7 p.m. and April 26 at 1:30 p.m.- Adult book group discusses The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester. Group led by Adam Button. * April 30 through May 3 Friends book sale with about 10,000 items for sale for children, teens and adults. * May sign up for Science in the Summer * June sign up for Enrichment Programs for Elementary-Age children * June sign up for Summer Reading, all ages For adults at Blue Bell: * Daytime Book Discussion Group fourth Tuesday, Jan April at 1:30 p.m. * April 26 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Night-time Book Discussion Group third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. o April 19 The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester * Art Series with Dr. Sheldon Weintraub, docent at The Barnes and speaker at local colleges o April 27 at 2 p.m. The Art of Looking at Art-Is She Nude or Is She Naked? *Mystery Book Discussion Group, third Saturday of the month at 1 p.m.; new mystery theme each month; www.wvpl.org/programs * Yoga on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop-in class. * Tai Chi on Mondays at 3 p.m. with Dr. Kurt Findeisen. $20 for eight classes; $5 per drop in class. * Philadelphia Museum of Art presents class on their Marc Chagall exhibit, April 13 at 2 p.m. * Giant Book Sale, April 29 May 3 o Starts with almost 10,000 items for children and adults! o Held during library hours. o Preview for members of the Friends of the Library, April 28 at 7 p.m. o Join the Friends and attend the preview sale. Modest fee to join. * Blooms at Blue Bell Gardening Series o May 11 at 1 p.m. Summer Bulbs by PA Horticultural Society * Knitting group Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Work on your project or observe and learn. The groups continue year-round in the community room. * Socrates Cafe discussion group every Monday at 7 p.m. You pick the topic to discuss each week. No sign-up, nothing to read. * Bridge every Friday at 12:30 p.m. New players welcome. * Mah Jong every Wednesday at 1 p.m. New players welcome. *Chess every Wednesday at 7p.m. for adults and teens 14 and older. * Movie Matinee showing recent releases every Thursday at 2 p.m. April 14: Maos Last Dancer; April 21: Welcome to the Rileys; April 28: Conviction; May 5: Inception; May 12: Inside Job; May 19 The Kings Speech; May 26 The Fighter; June 2 Rabbit Hole; June 9 Black Swan; June 16 127 Hours * Ongoing like-new, year-round book sale for adults & children during library hours * Library opening at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday! Ambler Library, a branch of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, 209 Race St., 215-646-1072. www.wvpl.org. All the following events occur at the Ambler Library. * Story times with guitar music by Miss Michelle, the singing librarian. * Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. * Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. for all ages. * For adults: * Beading Group meets the first and third Monday of every month at 1 p.m. Work on your own projects or come to watch and learn. * Free Family History Lookup with Connie Briggs. Email Connie for an appointment at the Ambler Library. conniebriggs@comcast.net * Special Events: * April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Book Group discusses Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. * April 19 at 7 p.m. Travel to Paris with world traveler Harry Balin. Tea and scones at 6:30 p.m. * April 21 at 7 p.m. Art with Sara for children in fourth through seventh grades. *May 2 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Lone Star with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. *May 10 Robert Capucci discusses Art into Fashion. Tea and scones served at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *May 12 at 1:30p.m. Book Group discusses The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman. *May 17 Tour the gardens of Devon and Southwest England with Lois McMullen. Tea and Scones at 6:30 p.m. Program at 7 p.m. *June 13 at 6:30 p.m. Discuss the movie Blade Runner with Temple Professor Lisa Hawkins. Watch the movie ahead of time. Meetings and Lectures The Unisys Blue Bell Retiree Group will meet in the Church on the Mall in the Plymouth Meeting Mall April 14 at 1:30 p.m. Kathy Sacket Young, director/trainer with the North Penn YMCA, will speak on Keeping Fit in Retirement. For more information, contact Membership Committee Chairperson Jerry Feldscher at 610-275-3538 or President Al Rollin at 215-368-4833. The next FWBA meeting will be April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m.; meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Leon Singletary, Principal, First Contact HR and FWBA Executive Board, will present: Social Media: How to Use It To Get More Business. Lunch is provided courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn Fort Washington. Members are welcome to bring a guest. An RSVP is requested by return email or 215-628-0313. Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA is hosting a information sessions over the next few weeks on how to become a Big Brother. The information sessions will take place: April 16 at noon, April 19 at 8 a.m. and April 28 at 6 p.m. All sessions will be held at the groups Norristown Office,t 530 DeKalb St., Norristown. For more information, call 610-277-2200. The North Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from now until May. Meetings are held at the William Penn Inn on Route 202 and Sumneytown Pike, Upper Gwynedd, PA. Social hour starts at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., and the technical program begins at 7 p.m. Cost with reservation is $28 for members. Members without reservations and guests pay $30. Students with reservations pay $15. Reservations may be made by noon on the Monday preceding the meeting by phoning 215-371-1854 or emailing the reservation to northpennima@yahoo.com northpennima@yahoo.com. Information about the North Penn Chapter is available at http://northpenn.imanet.org/. LeTip, a professional organization of men and women who are dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service meets every Tuesday at Cedar Brook Country Club, 180 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell at 7 a.m. -meeting officially starts at 7:16 a.m. and ends at 8:31 a.m. Our purpose is the exchange of business tips, leads, and referrals. Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed. Guests are welcome to visit any of our breakfast meetings. Every third Thursday of month, Sunrise Assisted Living of Blue Bell (795 Penllyn Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, 215-619-2777) serves as a satellite site to 148th Legislative district PA congressman Mike Gerber from 10 a.m. to noon. Stop by for help needed with things such as disability placards and license plates, vehicle registration, utilities issues, birth/death certificates,property tax/rent rebates, etc. Notary services arranged by appointment. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is an action-oriented organization dedicated to promoting its members and the economic health of eastern Montgomery county. The Chamber is committed to serving as a catalyst by uniting business, community agencies, government and education to make our county a great place to live and work. For information, call 215-887-5122 or visit www.emccc.org. Do you have a fear of public speaking? Blue Bell Toastmasters Club can help. We meet from 7 to 9 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday at the Marriott Courtyard, located on Route 202, directly across from the Montgomeryville Mall. Learn how to improve communication and leadership skills in a friendly and supportive environment. Guests are welcome. Admission fee: $5. For more info, visit www.bbtoast.org. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will hold the following meetings (for reservations to any of the following, email info@PennSuburban.org) -Breakfast News Network, 7:30-8:45 a.m. at Normandy Farm Hotel (1401 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA 19422) $15 members, includes full buffet breakfast. Join us for a networking program at Normandy Farm Hotel every Thursday morning for breakfast, business news, informative speakers, and plenty of networking. The cost includes a full breakfast buffet. Copies of the business cards will be made available to those who would like them. The BNI, Fort Washington Chapter meets every Monday at The Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington for a networking meeting. Meetings are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Visitors are welcome. The only cost to attend is the cost of your meal. For information or a reservation to attend, please call Luanne Cram at 215-947-7784, or visit our Internet site at: http://www.BNIDVR.Com and click on the menu item Find a Chapter. For the past seven years, people have enjoyed participating in WVWAs Adopt-a-Tree program. Individuals can support the Association in its reforestation efforts by purchasing native trees to be planted. Supporters can plant their adopted tree or have WVWA volunteers will plant it. Trees cost $30 each. If you would like to volunteer or purchase a tree(s), please contact: Bob Adams at Bob@wvwa.org or call: 215-646-8866 for more information. Check www.WVWA.org for directions and maps. Sustainable Upper Dublin, http://sustainableupperdublin.org, meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Please send any questions to suec@sustainableupperdublin.org or call 610-996-6316. To learn more about Sustainable Upper Dublin, view or join the discussion at http://googlegroups.com/group/sustainableupperdublin. Special Events The Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard will hold its first nutrition class April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Community Cupboard, 150 N. Main St., Ambler. Lynne Sinclair, a nutritionist from Abington Memorial Hospital specializing in diabetic nutrition, will conduct the class. Topics will include healthy eating, beneficial foods, recipes, making meals with every day foods, and how to use unfamiliar produce. A healthy snack will be provided.The class is is open to all residents in Montgomery County. The Historical Society of Fort Washington presents The History of Conshohocken April 19 at 8 p.m. at the Clifton House, 473 Bethlehem Pike, Fort Washington. Jack Coll will present an illustrated program on the history of the Borough of Conshohocken. Coll is a longtime resident of Conshohocken and a member of the Conshohocken Historical Society. He is co-author with his son, Brian, of the Arcadia Then and Now Series book Conshohocken. He has also done books Conshohocken and West Conshohocken Sports and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Italian Feast. He has taken many photos for the Conshohocken Record and the Norristown Times Herald. This program is free. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 215-646-6065. Taste of the White House Soiree featuring former White House Chef Walter Scheib will take place April 29 at 6 p.m. at Manufacturers Golf & Country Club in Fort Washington to celebrate HealthLinks 10th anniversary and honor its founders, the Eugene Jackson Family. The evening will heat up with a Chef Meet & Greet, followed by a specially selected presidential menu. Gala tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds benefit HealthLink, a free clinic providing compassionate, quality medical and dental care to uninsured, working adults in Bucks and Montgomery counties who fall in between the health care cracks. Go to http://tasteofthewhitehouse.charityhappenings.org to make reservations online or lend support through sponsorship. For event information, call 267-699-0124 or email jmarushak@healthlinkmedical.org. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association will hold an open house at the Evans-Mumbower Mill April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. The Mill is at the corner of Swedesford and Township Line Roads in Upper Gwynedd. The open house is free but donations are welcome. For more information, call 215-646-8866 o email info@wvwa.org. The Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce will host Breakfast With Your County Commissioners and State Representatives April 21 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Fort Washington, 432 W. Pennasylvania Ave. Commissioners: James R. Matthews (Chairman), Joseph M. Hoeffel (Vice Chair), State Representatives: Todd Stephens (District 151) and Josh Shapiro (District 153). Register onlineat www.emccc.org. $10 for EMCCC member; $20 for non-members. Upper Dublins Districtwide Allied Art Show will be held April 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Upper Dublin High School Athletic Complex. The Rev. Alfred Muli, chaplain at Fort Washington Estates, will be the featured speaker at the Kiwanis sponsored breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer May 5 at 7 a.m. at the William Penn Inn. The breakfast is open to the public ($15). Reservations can be made by calling 215-646-4356 or by emailing georgesaurman@Juno.com. The Upper Dublin Shade Tree Commission invites people to participate in its spring bare root planting events, sponsored in part by Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Friends of Robbins Park. On April 9, zix trees will be planted at the Evelyn B. Wright Park & Community Pool, 401 Logan Ave., North Hills, at 9 a.m., followed by the planting of 10 trees at Sheeleigh Park, Loch Alsh Avenue and Douglas Street, Ambler, at 10:15 a.m. On April 29, students from Upper Dublin High School will join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to plant 16 trees in Robbins Park, Butler Pike and Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, to help launch the societys Million Trees campaign. This event will occur in conjunction with Temple Amblers EarthFest. Experienced tree-tenders are sought to assist the students. For more information,contact Ron Ayres at 215-653-0421 or 215-483-4348. The Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association are teaming up once again to clean the Wissahickon Creek from top to bottom April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon. This spring marks the 41st anniversary of Wissahickon Valley Watershed Associations annual Creek Clean Up, and the second year that FOW has teamed up with WVWA. Volunteers of all ages will clean the creek, the surrounding trails and the many tributaries of the Wissahickon Creek. Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections of the creek. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWAs Talkin Trash picnic in Fort Washington State Park, with food provided by Whole Foods Market of North Wales. The pavilion is located on Mill Road in Flourtown. To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre-assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek to clean. Please contact Bob Adams, WVWA director of stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@wvwa.org. To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, meet at the pavilion along Forbidden Drive, a short distance south of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. Limited parking is available along Northwestern Avenue and other nearby streets. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to the event. To participate, register at www.fow.org. Contact Kevin Groves with questions at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org. Montgomery County Community Colleges International Club invites the community to the second annual International Festival April 20 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Central Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The rain date is April 26. The International Club will transform the outside quad area into multicultural celebration with various performances by dancers, singers and musicians. Artists will share their artwork at various display tables. Activities include games, raffles, Easter egg decorating and henna tattoos. Students will have samples of international cuisine at tables representing different countries and will serve food from various local ethnic restaurants. Throughout the evening, volunteers will accept donations and will raffle gift baskets and prizes to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Donations of food, international clothes and prizes are needed. Volunteers, including artists and performers, are welcome. For more information or to sponsor an activity, contact Gillian Nel, International Club president, at gnel9277@students.mc3.edu or 267-974-0163. The Arts and Humanities Division at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Philadelphia Writers Conference to host Memoirs Matter: How Life Stories (Including Yours) Can Transform Your Relationship to Literature April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Advanced Technology Center room 101, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. The event is free and open to the public. In the first part of this two-hour seminar, professor and author Robert Waxler will explain how writing his two memoirs affected his life as well as his relationship to literature. In the second part, blogger and workshop leader Jerry Waxler will present a sequence of steps to help writers find their own story. For information, contact Dana Resente at dresente@mc3.edu. The Maple Glen Garden Club will hold its fourth annual Plant Sale on May 7 from 8 to 11 a.m. Perennials, shrubs, vegetables and native plants grown by the club members will be sold. The club uses the plant sale proceeds to fund community projects, a college scholarship and community plantings. The sale will be held in the 500 block of Coach Road, Horsham, as part of a neighborhood garage sale. Plants will be sold at bargain prices. For more information, email MapleGlenGardenClub@gmail.com. The Relay for Life Craft Show is looking for local crafters to participate in show, which will be May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Wissahickon High School track, 521 Houston Road, Ambler. There is a $10 entry fee, and 20 percent of sales are donated to the American Cancer Society. Participants will receive a 6-foot table under a tent. For information, contact Joanne at joannescoles@comcast.net or Mindy at mcamsilver@comcast.net. Spring House Estates is hosting its annual book fair on April 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Included will be hardback and paperback used books. Spring House Estates is located at 728 Norristown Road, Lower Gwynedd. The PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce will present the Penn Suburban/Hatfield Joint Business Card Exchange April 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Univest Bank Lansdale Area Financial Service Center, 120 Forty Foot Road, Hatfield. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. Join Univest National Bank and Trust Co. for a spring-inspired Business Card Exchange at its newest office in the Hatfield Pointe Shopping Center. Come out and meet members of Univests executive management team while enjoying fine food and beverages. 13th Annual Community Reading Day Kick-off Breakfast Get Together April 26 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the North Wales Area Library, 233 Swartley St., North Wales. The event is free. To make reservations, visit PennSuburban.org/Events. For more information, contact the chamber office at 215-362-9200 or info@pennsuburban.org. Join presenting sponsor Verizon, chamber staff and fellow members for the Community Reading Day volunteer get together. The Community Reading Day program allows volunteers to read a designated book to second-grade students throughout 38 area public and private schools and present the book as a gift to each class. Even if you are not a volunteer, you are cordially invited to stop by to network, enjoy coffee and pastries. Ambler Mennonite Church is hosting a Spring Craft Show and Flea Market May 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date will be May 28. The community is invited to shop the great craft booths, find some gifts and deals, as well as enjoy home baked goods and tasty lunch specials. Childrens activities are planned. All vendors are encouraged to contact the church at 215-643-4876 or AmblerMennonite@verizon.net. Advertising, signage, customer parking and a shuttle to auxiliary parking at nearby lots for vendors will be provided. 10 foot by 10 foot spaces can be rented for $5 each and tables for an additional $5 each. All proceeds from space and table rentals go toward school kits for children around the world. The church is located at the corner of East Mt. Pleasant Avenue and North Spring Garden Street, Ambler. The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association presents The Life & Times of Aquatic Insects in the Wissahickon Creek April 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join WVWA for a hands-on program. RSVP required: www.wvwa.org or 215-646-8866. WVWA member fee: $5 per person / $15 per family. Non-WVWA member fee: $10 per person / $20 per family. The photography exhibition Natures Palette by photo-artist Judy Miller will run March 18 to May 19 at the Art in the Storefront gallery, 41 E. Butler Pike, Ambler. JPRN Networking For People in Transition & People Who Can Help Them Unemployment remains high. JPRN, the Jarrettown Professional Relationship Network can help. Are you trying to network your way to a new job? Do you have expertise or contacts that can help people in transition? Is your company or organization looking for people in the area? This is a free outreach program to support those seeking work, involve people with contacts and networking know how, and involve local companies. Meetings held monthly at Jarrettown United Methodist Church, Limekiln Pike. Pennsylvanias Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) grant program is now open for the 2010-11 heating season. Grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Additional information, such as specific income limits, and applications for LIHEAP grants are available online via the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) website at www.compass.state.pa.us. Applications are available at most public officals district offices, county assistance offices, local utility companies and community service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies. Begin your holiday shopping at Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation! Entertainment books for 2011, Philadelphia North, are now on sale at $30 each. Regal/United Artists movie tickets are on sale for just $7.50 each, and tickets to the Adventure Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, and the Philadelphia Zoo are also available. Discounted ski vouchers to area mountains will be arriving in December; call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. RSVP of Montgomery County and the Wissahickon Valley Public Library have partnered again to offer the public their popular free mock interview sessions. The mock interviews are conducted by RSVP volunteers who are retired professionals, some of whom were in hiring positions themselves. Packets of information which include a sample employment application and interviewing tips with mock interview questions are available at the library to pick up prior to a scheduled mock interview or will be sent via email once the interview is scheduled. To schedule your interview, please contact Janis Glusman at RSVP 610-834-1040, ext. 16. The library is also offering a free resume review service. Bring in your current resume and the professional reference staff will assist you with hints and tips on capturing your work history accurately. Registration for Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation summer playgrounds, Camp B.I.G. and Small Folks, X-Zone, and sports camps has began. Register online at www.upperdublin.net/store, or at the UDP&R office, 801 Loch Alsh Avenue, Fort Washington. Call 215-643-1600 x3443 for more information. Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation and Danielles Espresso Cafe presents Mornings at Mondaug Bark Park April 16 and May 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Meet fellow dog lovers. These events include complimentary coffee, treats for people and pups and raffles/giveaways. Upper Dublins Annual Spring Flea Market will be held June 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reserve a table, or come and shop. Tables are $15 for UD residents, $20 for non-residents. This successful event occurs rain or shine. Refreshments available. Call 215-643-1600 ext. 3443 to register for a table. Regal movie tickets available for purchase at Upper Dublin Township Parks & Recreation. Reduced rate: $7.50 per ticket. Some restrictions apply. Call 215-643-1600 x3443. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation movie tickets $7.50 Regal Cinemas, United Artist & Edwards Cinemas on sale throughout the year Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Whitpain Township Parks & Recreation Camp Sign-ups for Stony Creek Day Camp Stony Creek Tracers and Park n Tots. Register on-line at www.whitpaintownship.org OrCome to Township Building with check or Visa MasterCard Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 4 p.m. For additional information call 610.277-2400 ext. 374 Upper Dublin Parks & Recreation offers exciting new programs for the fall: -Returning favorites include UK Elite Petite Soccer, Tiny Dancers, Kiddie Tennis, Fun-nastics, Messy Playtime, Little Chefs, and more. Babysitters Training will be offered in November and December. Continuing Adult Fitness Classes include Cardio Circuit, Core & More, Yoga, Boxing, and Adult G.Y.M. For more information call 215-643-1600 x3443. Register for programs online at www.upperdublin.net/store. Music and Theater The community is invited to a Cantors Concert April 16 at 8 p.m. Congregation Beth Or, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen. Listen and hum-along to the Yiddish, pop tunes and classical music performed by Congregation Beth Ors own Cantor David Green and his special guest, Cantor Irvin Bell, from Temple Beth Israel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. The cantors will be accompanied by Mark Sobol and his Klezmer musicians. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. RSVP with payment to Barb Murtha, 239 Welsh Road, Maple Glen, PA 19002, or call 215-646-5806 ext. 220. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse will host the Jameson Sisters May 14. Doors open at 7:30 pm, performance at 8:00 pm. Gwynedd Friends Coffeehouse is located at the corner of Rte. 202 & Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd. $5 suggested donation. Light refreshment available at a modest cost. For further information, call 215-393-9576 or visit gwyneddmeeting.org/coffeehouse.html. Celebrate patriotism through song with Gwynedd-Mercy Colleges choir, the Voices of Gwynedd, as it presents Hear America Singing April 15 at 8 p.m. The choir will perform song selections from all over the country, including Georgia on My Mind, New York State of Mind, and a medley including Philadelphia Freedom and Allentown. The performance will end with When the Saints Go Marching In to acknowledge the choirs upcoming tour in New Orleans. Hear America Singing will take place in the Julia Ball Auditorium, located in St. Bernard Hall. Parking is available in lots A, C and D. Admission is free. The Choristers will present Anton Dvoraks Stabat Mater April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church in Ambler. The choir will be accompanied by a 41-piece orchestra. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students and children are free. Tickets will be sold in advance or at the door. For more information, call 215-542-7871 or visit TheChoristers.org Religious News The Staircase Gallery at Or Hadash: A Reconstructionist Congregation in Fort Washington will feature the work of Emily Ennuat-Lustine. The artist will be showing paintings and graphics inspired by her own personal spiritual journey and quest for meaning. Some of the works to be shown have been inspired by Biblical Psalms and writings. Her work has been shown at Abington Art Center, Cheltenham Arts Center and Old City Gallery of Jewish Art among others. The exhibition is open Friday evenings starting Feb. 18 after Shabbat services. Gallery hours are: Mondays through Thursdays 10-4:30, Fridays 10-3 and following Shabbat Services and Sundays 10-1. The synagogue is located at 190 Camp Hill Road in Fort Washington. For additional information contact the synagogue office at 215-283-0276. Reunions St. Matthews High School Conshohocken Class of 1961 is looking for classmates. For details, contact Greg Marincola at 215-646-2239, 215-740-1296 or gregcola@comcast.net. Olney High School Class of 1971 is Lloking for classmates for a 40th reunion Oct. 28. For details, contact Judy at ohsclassof71@yahoo.com or 215-870-7572. Abington High School Class of 1961 is seeking classmates for a 50-year reunion to be held Oct. 14-15, 2011.Visit the website, www.abington61.com, for details or call 215-947-1779. Overbrook High School class of January 1956 is having a 55 year reunion on May 22, 2011 at the Bala Golf Club in Philadelphia. For information please contact overbrookreunion56@comcast.net Germantown High School Class Of January 1961 is looking for classmates for 50th year reunion to take place in May of 2011. Please contact: 215-362-9148, 856-577-0659 or samdelcomo@comcast.net The June 1961 class of Germantown High School is holding their 50th reunion on May 15, which will be a brunch. For further details please contact Linda Dorfman Alten at lindaalten@yahoo.com or call 215-441-8411. Support New Life Presbyterian Church in Dresher, will host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group which will run on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., from March 7 through June 6. At each meeting there will be a DVD about the grief process, discussion and reference to a grief workbook. Preregistration is required to secure a place in the group and to purchase a GriefShare notebook (for a one-time fee of $15). The notebook goes along with the 13-week schedule covering such topics as: living with grief, the effects of grief, and stuck in grief. For more information or to register, call: Sandy Elder at 215-884-5149. PUPS (People Understanding Parkinsons) A self-help group for those adjusting to a new diagnosis or dealing with the early stages of Parkinsons Disease. Meets fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Abington Health Center, Schilling Campus, Willowood Building, 2510 Maryland Road, Suite 251, Willow Grove. For more information or to RSVP, contact Lorna at 215-542-2931. The North Penn Visiting Nurse Associations Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers to pack or deliver meals to the elderly and infirmed. Meals are packed and delivered mornings, Monday through Friday. You can volunteer for as many days per week or month as you would like. Packaging meals requires approximately 2-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves making sandwiches, packaging food into individual serving containers and packing coolers with the meals. Delivering meals requires approximately 1-1/2 hours of your time each day and involves loading coolers into your car and delivering a route of approximately 10 to 15 stops. The Meals on Wheels program is also in need of emergency, winter-weather volunteers to pack and deliver meals in bad weather. North Penn VNA is located at 51 Medical Campus Drive in Lansdale and delivers meals in the Lansdale, North Wales and Blue Bell areas. For more information or to volunteer, please call Bridget, North Penn VNA Meals on Wheels coordinator at 215-855-8296. Elkins Park Area CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) meets the first Tuesday of every month, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital in Elkins Park. For information on CHADD or ADHD, please see our website www.chadd.net/249 or call Claire Noyes at: 215-779-6656. Center for Loss and Bereavement, 3847 Skippack Pike, Skippack (610-222-4110) www.bereavementcenter.org Offers professional counseling for individuals, couples, children and families dealing with issues of loss and bereavement. Six-week adult support groups: Newly forming young adult grief support group every other Wednesday, 7 8:15 p.m. (free of charge); Monthly loss of child support second Mondays, 7-8:15 p.m.; Six-week young loss of spouse/partner Thursdays, 10-11:15 a.m.; Other groups scheduled as interest is shown for suicide loss support, adult loss of parent, motherless daughters, adult loss of sibling, coping with chronic illness and disability and mens loss of spouse. Nellos Corner Family Bereavement program offers peer grief support groups for ages 4 through teen and their caregivers Every other Tuesday or Wednesday (free of charge) Local chapter of Parents of Murdered Children also meets at the Center. Registration required. Call for further information. CHADD is a national organization for children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, providing education, advocacy and support for individuals and their families with AD/HD. Einstein at Elkins Park Hospital, 60 Township Line Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027, will host children & adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on the First Tuesday of each month 7 8:30 p.m. Free, no childcare provided. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphias Kehillah of Old York Road is sponsoring a free Caregiver Support Group for individuals who care for an elderly person with cognitive and/or physical impairments. The group meets at SarahCare Adult Day Care Center, 101 Washington Lane, Suite G-6, Jenkintown, Pa., on the first Wednesday of each month. Patty Rich, The latest county vote totals posted on Tuesday night were the first to have Snyder ahead, and show Warner with a total of 2,770 votes, then 2,752 for Snyder, with Bell just 15 votes behind at 2,737 and then fellow Democrat Steven Kulp at 2,654. Green Talents Award 2018 winners from China Zhou Di (L) and Shan Yuli pose for photos at the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research in Berlin, capital of Germany, on Oct. 22, 2018. Two Chinese scientists, together with 23 others from different countries, have been awarded the Green Talents Award 2018 by the German government on Monday for their achievements in sustainability related research. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi) BERLIN, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Two Chinese scientists, together with 23 others from different countries, have been awarded the Green Talents Award 2018 by the German government on Monday for their achievements in sustainability related research. The 25 young awardees were honoured at the "Green Talents - International Forum for High Potentials in Sustainable Development" held by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in Berlin. The forum aims at promoting the international exchange of innovative green ideas. Two Chinese scientists, Zhou Di and Shan Yuli, were among the 25 awardees for their respective expertise in environmental law and low carbon cities. Shan Yuli, researcher in Climate Change Economics with the U.K.'s University of East Anglia, told Xinhua, "I feel quite honored for receiving the prize, and I think I was awarded because of my research on low-carbon roadmaps for Chinese cities. He is engaged in working out a catalogue of carbon emission statistics of various levels of Chinese localities and proposing low-carbon development models for different localities accordingly. His research has been published by the journal "Science Advances". The jury highlighted Shan's study "City-level climate change mitigation in China" which found that different cities should have different low-carbon roadmaps due to the natural resources available to them and previous development tracks in each city. Zhou Di, a post-doctorate researcher with China's Wuhan University, said her research aimed at making laws and regulations at both central and local levels, national and international levels compatible, so that sustainability can be practiced in a systematic way. The jury said they were impressed by Zhou's strong interdisciplinary interests and her work on creating a legal system in which the legislation is fully embedded within the idea of sustainability. "Through this, the rule of law itself can become a driving force for a sustainable development and create an ecological civilization," the jury wrote. Georg Schutte, State Secretary at the BMBF, said at the award ceremony: "The effects of climate change are becoming more and more visible around the world - even in Germany. This is something that this year's winners of the Green Talents competition are addressing." "They are making important contributions worldwide to creating a sustainable society with their work in such areas as water management, bioenergy use and alternative economic systems. " The award winners have been granted unique access to the country's research elite. They attended a two-week Science Forum on Oct. 13-27, visiting different hotspots of sustainability science in Germany. 5 1 [ Editor: WPY ] Veterans Day program at Pennridge North Middle School thanks those who served By By: Dr. Francis R. Souder, 85, formerly of Telford, died Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007 in the skilled nursing unit of Peter Becker Community, Franconia Township. He and his wife Marion R. (Parker) Souder celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in July. Born in Souderton, he was a son of the late Elvin B. and Mary (Rittenhouse) Souder. A 1938 graduate of Souderton High School, he received his undergraduate degree in 1941 from the University of Pennsylvania where he was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa. Dr. Souder went on to receive his medical degree from Hahnemann Medical College in 1944 and completed his internship at Hahnemann Hospital from Oct. 1944 July, 1945. He served with the U.S. Navy Medical Corps for 30 months in San Diego and Long Beach, Calif. during WW II and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant prior to his discharge. He entered his second tour of duty during the Korean War where he served in Panama City, Fla. as the medical officer for the Panama City Naval Air Station and the Tyndal Air Force Base. Dr. Souder owned and operated his family practice on Main Street in Telford from 1947-1989. He served on the staff of Grand View Hospital, and as its president, and taught at the Grand View Hospital Nursing School. He was a member of the Pa. Medical Society, the Bucks County Medical Society, Diplomat American Academy of Family Practices, and served on the board of trustees at Grand View Hospital, Sellersville. He was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Telford, where he sang in the church choir. He was also a member of the MacCalla Lodge #596 in Souderton, the Raja Shrine, and Lehigh Consistory. In addition to his widow, he is survived by a son, Dr. Ronald L. Souder, and his wife Susan L. of Green Lane; a daughter, Susan J. Souder, and her husband Stephan Russo of New York, N.Y.; five grandchildren: Jennifer A. Souder of Philadelphia; Emily E. Souder of Philadelphia; Kathryn A. Souder of Washington, D.C.; Noah Russo of New York, N.Y., and Rebekah Russo of New York, N.Y., and two brothers: Attorney Elvin B. Souder of Souderton and Dr. Lawrence Souder of Souderton. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 12 p.m. in Trinity United Church of Christ, 101 S. Main St., Telford, with calling hours following the service. Interment will be private in Trinity UCC Cemetery Telford. Memorial contributions may be made to Grand View Hospital, 700 Lawn Ave., Sellersville, Pa. 18960. Arrangements are by Sadler-Suess Funeral Home, Telford. Pennsylvania Horticulture Societys Harvest program ends season with almost 19,000 pounds of produce donated and $30K raised to fight food insecurity A doctor from the TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) hospital of Changxing explains the efficacy of medicinal herbs to students of Baixian central primary school in Meishan Town of Changxing County, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 22, 2018, the World Traditional Medicine Day. Students of the primary school, which is an educational base of TCM culture in Huzhou City, learn to identify, collect and process medicinal herbs under the guidance of a TCM doctor. (Xinhua/Xu Yu) 6 1 [ Editor: WPY ] The products brought to this years fair by the delegation of Vietnam are very diverse, including honey, cashew nuts, pepper, vegetables, rice and rice products. Attending the fair, Vietnamese businesses not only present products, but also connect with European food and beverage distributors. At this years fair, the delegation of Vietnamese enterprises will especially focus on introducing organic products. The delegation also includes many enterprises interested in exporting organic products. The Sial Paris International Food Fair 2018 is the world's leading gathering of more than 7,000 businesses from 109 countries active in the food industry. The event was organised at the Paris Nord Villepinte, in Paris. The fair attracts 155,000 visitors per year from nearly 200 countries around the world. The fair offers a great opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to introduce their products to food distributors, companies and businesses operating in the hospitality industry around the world and promote Vietnam food industry in general. MERIDEN As the leaves change color and the temperatures cool, hiking the local trails is popular. Here are five things to know about fall hikes from city resident and Connecticut Forest and Park Association communications director Martin Gosselin. Hiking in Meriden Anywhere along the trap rock ridge is recommended for viewing foliage. Gosselin suggests visiting Castle Craig and East Peak, as well as Chauncey Peak in Giuffrida Park by way of the Mattabesett Trail. Anywhere you can get some elevation, Gosselin said. The trail up to Chauncey Peak was relocated a few years ago because of erosion and is easier to hike than the previous one. NET hiking series A total of nine hikes have been scheduled through next month on the New England Trail (NET), part of the National Park System. The trail is about 271 miles and runs from Long Island Sound in Guilford up to the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border. Early hikes this fall included the Metacomet trail in Plainville, Mount Higby in Middletown and the new Mount Pisgah trail in Durham. Gosselin said more than 100 people have participated in this falls hiking series. Upcoming hikes include: Mount Higby/Tynan Park in Middletown on Thursday, an Easthampton area hike in Easthampton, Massachusetts on Saturday, and a Penwood State Park Hike in Simsbury on Nov. 10. Gear Along with a sturdy pair of shoes or hiking boots, Gosselin also recommends hikers carry a backpack with water, snacks, extra clothes and a first aid kit. A physical map can also be helpful along with a compass. Safety tips While there are fewer sightings of wildlife during the colder months, Gosselin still warns hikers to be aware of their surroundings. He said coyotes are still present, and hikers should have a sense of when the sun sets to avoid getting lost in the dark. You do have to be cautious on some of the trails at this time of year because of hunting, Gosselin said. Options The Meriden Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a hiking series on Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m. called Meriden Trail Blazers. Upcoming hikes include the Linear Trail on Thursday, which begins at the Platt High School east side parking lot, and the Beseck Mountain Trail on Nov. 1, which begins at the Black Pond parking lot. Additional hikes may be added in November. More information can be found on the parks and recreation Facebook page or by calling 203-630-4259. akus@record-journal.com 203-317-2448 Twitter: @KusReporter While candidates for the 80th House District speak mostly the same language on economic development and the need to reduce taxes and the cost of living, their approaches differ on some hot-button topics. Wolcott residents David Borzellino, a Democrat, and Gale Mastrofrancesco, a Republican, are running to replace Rep. Rob Sampson, R-Wolcott, who is running for the 16th Senate District. Borzellino is a newcomer to politics, while Mastrofrancesco is Wolcott Town Council vice chairwoman. Borzellino described himself as a middle-class Democrat and hoped voters wouldnt put him in a box. Mastrofrancesco said shes been upfront about her beliefs and that Borzellino has presented himself as more centrist than he really is. Theres a stark difference between the two of us, she said, describing herself as a conservative Republican. Borzellino, a licensed marriage and family therapist, was endorsed by the Connecticut chapter of the National Organization of Women, NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut PAC and Planned Parenthood. Those endorsements have resulted in some support, but also criticism from some voters hes encountered. Its none of my damn business what happens between you and your doctor, Borzellino said. He said the district, which includes Wolcott, Southington and Waterbury, was Republican-leaning and that the race for him would be uphill. Mastrofrancesco, who described herself as personally pro-life, supports certain restrictions on abortions and a notification requirement for minors considering one. I dont believe in late-term abortions. I dont want to see people using it for birth control, she said. Mastrofrancesco said she does support abortion in the case of rape, incest or when the health of the mother is in jeopardy. Borzellino said few voters had raised the issue. Mastrofrancesco said none had. Mastrofrancesco received an AQ rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund, a top rating based on a questionnaire sent to candidates who dont yet have a legislative record. Borzellino has a D rating. Mastrofrancesco said she doesnt conceal her support for Second Amendment rights and opposed recent state laws that introduced more gun control. I believe the people have the right to bear arms. I believe in our Constitution, she said. Borzellino said he also supports gun rights but said new technologies and weapon developments need to be occasionally looked at. Nobody wants to see anybody getting hurt with a weapon, he said. Im just looking for some solutions and some reason. Mastrofrancesco criticized a tweet from Borzellinos Twitter account from earlier this year where he called for closing gun law loopholes then ban every semi automatic assault. She opposed the expansion of the states definition of assault weapons passed by the General Assembly following the Sandy Hook school shooting. Both candidates received public campaign financing and have more than $30,000 to spend. Both had spent about a third of their funds by the Oct. 10 filing and had just over $24,000 remaining. Much of Mastrofrancescos money went to signs and campaign supplies. Borzellinos spending was similar, although he hired a campaign manager for $400 per week. He said campaign manager Cassandra Gallions experience with state races has been beneficial for a first-time candidate. Mastrofrancesco has been on Wolcotts Town Council for 10 years and was familiar with campaigning. She preferred to use the money in the race rather than on a manager. jbuchanan@record-journal.com 203-317-2230 Twitter: @JBuchananRJ WALLINGFORD The Coalition for a Better Wallingford and the Mayors Council on Substance Abuse Prevention hosted their sixth annual Community Night Ceremony Monday night. A large crowd gathered outside Town Hall to hear different speakers warn about the dangers of drug use. Im very happy about the turnout, especially because people were preparing for the colder weather, Coalition volunteer Samantha Welch said. It was nice to see. The ceremony began with a prayer by the Rev. Kathy Cunliffe of First Congregational Church. She also lit the community candle to acknowledge those affected by drug abuse. We have to look at the deeper root causes of addiction, Cunliffe said to the crowd. Its wonderful to see everyone come together for a common cause. Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. said the potential legalization of marijuana and the vaping epidemic are reasons to warn children of the dangers of drugs. Our voice is absolutely essential, Dickinson said. These things arent going away. We need everyone. This week highlights what we must do all year long. The Coalition for a Better Wallingford, started several years ago to combat the opioid epidemic, believes the voices of drug abuse awareness have been growing louder, despite initial resistance in the organizations early days. The first time we approached the Town Council, one said I dont know what youre talking about, theres no drug problem here, and the other said What do you expect us to do about it? said Coalition president Ken Welch, father of Samantha Welch. Those people have done a complete 180, and large parts of the community have followed them. The Community Night Ceremony is proof of the towns serious approach to the addiction epidemic, Ken and Samantha Welch said. In the past few years, weve seen a lot of community support, and thats crucial to what we do, Samantha Welch said. Were here to let people know theres a place to turn and resources to come get. The Coalition will also host its annual Walk of Hope on Thursday evening. rchichester@record-journal.com 203-317-2231 Twitter: @ryanchichester1 A range of export barriers According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), by the end of July, the export of catfish reached US$1.2 billion, up 19% over the same period last year. It is forecasted that the figure for the whole year could reach US$2 billion. However, according to Chairman of the Vietnam Pangasius Association Duong Nghia Quoc, pangasius export has been developing but the market is not stable, leading to the low average price. High-priced import markets, including the United States and the European Union, field a range of trade barriers to Vietnamese pangasius. For example, in the US market, the US Department of Agriculture applying the Farm Bill to inspect 100% of imports of catfish is considered the main cause leading to the decline in export turnover. Currently, only two enterprises - Vinh Hoan and Bien Dong - are not subject to anti-dumping tax and they are able to export to the market at US$3-4 a kg. With the EU market, pangasius exports are down because the bloc is concerned that Vietnamese catfish would compete with their whitefish, so they regularly launch negative campaigning against Vietnamese pangasius. Meanwhile, in the most developed markets for Vietnamese pangasius, such as China and ASEAN, export volumes are high but are not at high prices. China is the biggest market for Vietnam pangasius, but exports to this market is also facing many barriers. Truong Dinh Hoe, General Secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, said that exporters are facing difficulties due to regulations from the local authorities. Particularly, since the quantity of pangasius exported to China has increased sharply, the local market authorities have set up technical barriers and strictly controlled the quality of imported goods through official channels, but hardly controlled the quality of imported products via unofficial border trade, that does not have to pay 17% of value added tax as via the official trade channels. That causes disadvantages for Vietnamese pangasius exporters who have invested in improved technology and paid efforts to be eligible to official trade. In addition, one of the challenges facing the pangasius industry in Vietnam is that India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and even China are also investing in the development of catfish farming to compete with Vietnam pangasius. Tran Dinh Luan, Deputy Head of the MARDs Directorate of Fisheries, said that although the catfish industry, after a long period of restructuring, has achieved initial results, it is facing many difficulties against traditional markets barriers, such as barriers from the US and the EU, while several markets like Saudi Arabia and South America also unilaterally put restrictions on imports. Maintaining the quality and building a strong brand name for catfish is a sustainable and long-term development path for the sector. Promoting brand building Responding to doubts about the increase of catfish farming in Vietnams import markets that could affect Vietnamese enterprises competitiveness, Tran Dinh Luan said that Vietnam's pangasius industry has 20 years of development; meanwhile, the sector in such foreign countries has just started. On the other hand, Vietnams pangasius industry in recent years has invested in intensive processing, enabling the Vietnamese management agencies and business community in finding new directions for stable development. In particular, the creation of good breeding will contribute significantly to the success of Vietnams catfish industry. Luan also informed that the MARD has issued a project on developing three-level linking for high-quality catfish breeding production in the Mekong Delta to meet the demand for high quality breeds and stabilise supply-demand on seed production, with trusted brand, traceability and mobilisation of all economic sectors to participate in the chain, thus contributing to the development of catfish industry in a sustainable manner to meet the requirements of both domestic and international markets. By the end of July, the Mekong Deltas catfish farming area reached 4,033 hectares, with capacity at 814,086 tonnes. The price of raw catfish in the first half of 2018 was higher than the average price in 2017 from VND4,500 to VND7,000 VND per kg, leading to the real price ranging from VND25,000-27,000 a kg, depending on the quality and form of payment. According to experts, to pursuit for sustainable exports, pangasius products need to ensure quality instead of quantity. In addition, Vietnam needs to build a strong brand for its pangasius industry. Duong Nghia Quoc affirmed: "Vietnamese pangasius is exporting to 150 countries and territories around the world, however, a specific brand for Vietnamese pangasius has not been reached by the global consumers. Therefore, it is time to develop a new strategy for the industry. The MARD should build a programme to promote quality enhancement, such as encouraging businesses to invest in technologies, thereby enhancing added value along with promoting trade and expanding new markets for the pangasius industry." By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Alliance Air, the wholly owned subsidiary of Air India, is introducing a daily direct flight from Hyderabad to Bengaluru via Kolhapur and back with effect from November 1, 2018. According to Alliance Air, the commencement of this flight will fulfil a long-standing demand of passengers for a convenient connection to Kolhapur. The daily flight from Hyderabad to Bengaluru via Kolhapur and back will operate with an ATR-72 aircraft. Flight AI-9875 will depart Hyderabad at 10.45 am to reach Kolhapur at 12.10 pm on all days except Tuesdays. On Tuesdays, the flight will leave Hyderabad at 11.40 am to arrive in Kolhapur at 1.05 pm. The flight will leave Kolhapur at 12.35 pm to arrive in Bengaluru at 2.15 pm. On Tuesdays, the flight will leave Kolhapur at 1.35 pm to arrive Bengaluru at 3.30 pm. On the return, Flight AI 9876 will leave Bengaluru at 2.45 pm to arrive in Kolhapur at 4 pm on all days except Tuesdays. The flight will leave Kolhapur at 4.25 pm to arrive in Hyderabad at 5.50 pm. On Tuesdays, the flight will leave Kolhapur at 5.50 pm. By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: Vedanta Group firm Hindustan Zinc Ltd has reported a 29.7 per cent decline in net profit for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, dented by higher expenses.Net profit dropped to `1,815 crore ($247.43 million) in the quarter, from Rs 2,584 crore a year earlier, the zinc miner said. Revenue from operations was down 10 per cent at Rs 4,777 crore against Rs 5,309 crore a year ago, primarily due to lower metal prices and lower zinc metal volume, partly offset by higher lead and silver volumes and rupee depreciation. The decline is in line with EBITDA and higher depreciation, partly offset by lower tax rate, the company said in a BSE filing. EBITDA fell 22.8 per cent at Rs 2,334 crore, while margin was down at 48.9 per cent. Total expenses increased to Rs 2,897 crore against Rs 2,694 crore in the same quarter of 2017-18, while total income during the quarter dropped to Rs 5,171 crore from Rs 5,779 crore in the year-ago period. During the quarter, the companys mined metal production from underground mines was all-time high at 232 kilo tonne (kt), up 10 per cent sequentially, and 44 per cent year-on-year. Integrated metal production stood at 212 kt, down 8 per cent from the year-ago period. Integrated zinc production was down 5 per cent sequentially and 16 per cent year-on-year to 162 kt due to temporary mismatch in mined metal availability even as mine production ramped up towards the later half of the quarter, the company said in a regulatory filing. On the outlook, Hindustan Zinc said, Mined metal and refined zinc-lead production in the second half of 2018-19 are expected to be significantly higher than that in the first half with the continued ramp-up of underground mines and the overall production in the fiscal will be slightly higher than that of last year, as guided earlier.The companys shares settled at Rs 282.60 a piece on BSE, down 1.14 per cent from the previous close. It has declared interim dividend at Rs 20 per share. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: A six-page complaint submitted by Hyderabad-based businessman Sathish Babu Sana over corruption activities in the CBI had led to the rift between two top-ranked CBI officials of Gujarat cadre -- IPS officer Rakesh Asthana, Special Director of CBI, and the CBI Director Alok Kumar Verma, in connection with Vanpic case. Sathish Babu made serious allegations against Rakesh Asthana, of having a conversation with a middleman, demanding Rs 5 crore bribe if the complainant did not want to be harassed in connection with Vanpic case. READ| CBI arrests its Deputy SP Devender Kumar in bribery case involving its Special Director In the complaint copy available with Express, Sathish Babu said the then Investigation officer of CBI Devender Kumar asked him to appear before him for questioning. On November 1, 2017, Sathish Babu appeared before the CBI in Delhi when Sukesh Gupta, Shabbir Ali and Moin Akthar Qureshi were also present. The IO asked me about Rs 50 lakh cash paid to Qureshi. I denied it stating that he invested Rs 50 lakh in Qureshis company -- Great Height Infra and he paid IT returns for that money paid to Qureshi, he said. On December 2, 2017, Sathish Babu met one Manoj Prasad who runs Q Capital business in Dubai. Manoj Prasad had given assurance that his brother Somesh Prasad had good contacts in CBI office and asked to pay `5 crore bribe to CBI officers through him. Somesh Prasad showed the caller ID of a CBI officer with whom he spoke and that was Rakesh Asthana. After I made the payment, I received another notice asking to appear before the CBI. On September 25, 2018, while I was leaving for Paris, I was stopped at the airport by immigration officers, he said. CBI to probe TDP MP It is reported that a TDP MP who made a number of calls to a CBI officer in Delhi requesting the officer not to harass Sathish Babu and not to serve any notices in Vanpic case and issues related to Qureshi. The agency is likely to question the TDP MP from Andhra Pradesh. J Deepti Nandan Reddy By Express News Service HYDERABAD: TDP president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has made it clear that the yellow party is determined to make the Grand Alliance a viable alternative to the TRS in Telangana. He, in fact, directed leaders of TDPs Telangana unit to be accommodative in sharing seats with the Congress during a party meeting at NTR Bhavan in Hyderabad on Monday. The AP chief minister pacified TTDP leaders by promising to reward those unable to secure tickets in the future and said he would bargain hard with the grand old party for constituencies of the partys choice, most of which fall in the Greater Hyderabad region. Naidu will campaign in Telangana ahead of the Assembly elections slated for December 7, TTDP chief L Ramana told Express. The Congress is ready to give us 12 seats. We will bargain for 6 to 8 more. Both the NDA at the Centre and the TRS government in Telangana are aiming at crushing the Opposition. The Grand Alliance is the need of the hour not just in Telangana, but also at the national level, a TTDP leader quoted Naidu. Congress is understood to have agreed to give Serilingampally, Kukatpally and Uppal to the TTDP, but Naidu has his eyes on constituencies in Greater Hyderabad and is vying for Jubilee Hills, Khairatabad, Ibrahimpatnam, Musheerabad and Rajendranagar among other constituencies. Besides its rural BC support base, the TTDP also enjoys a strong vote bank in Greater Hyderabad as the area has a considerable number of Andhras. The party won 10 MLA seats in Greater Hyderabad limits in the 2014 elections and its former ally BJP, 5 . Of the 10 MLAs, all except R Krishnaiah who won from LB Nagar constituency, defected to the TRS. Party leaders are hopeful that the exodus may not have eroded its support base. Congress too seems to be considering Naidus request seriously. Naidu is currently working on finalising a list of contestants and as per party sources, Anand Prasad, an entrepreneur with interests in cement and real estate, may be given the Serilingampally ticket and senior leader E Peddi Reddy may be allowed to contest from Kukatpally. The TDP has disciplined cadre and a loyal support base in Telangana. It is Chandrababu Naidu who transformed Hyderabad and developed Telangana. We have asked him to campaign in the Telangana elections and he has agreed. His campaign will definitely boost our prospects further TTDP chief L Ramana told Express. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: As part of nationwide agitations by cab drivers of aggregators Ola and Uber, the Telangana Four Wheeler Drivers Association along with other bodies of cab drivers staged a protest march from Necklace Road to Secretariat on Monday. In Secretariat, members of the association met Transport Department commissioner Sunil Sharma and submitted a list of demands. The services were, however, partially affected. I travel everyday to office by Uber. Though there was a surge in price, it wasnt more than the usual, says Harish Ram, who travels everyday to Begumpet from Madhapur, indicating that there was a short-availability of cabs. When I came to know about the strike in the evening, I took an auto back home, said Swetha Bajaj, a school student who travels to Ameerpet for classes. Shaik Salauddin, TFWDA president, said: The Commissioner has promised to set up a roundtable discussion where higher officials from Ola and Uber will also participate to address the problems faced by drivers working for the two companies. K Eshwar Rao, president of Telangana Cab Drivers Owners Federation, said that one of the demands in the representation submitted to the transport commissioner included that cab aggregator services should increase fares to `17 per km and customers have their KYC approved to avoid instances of assault on driver. Drivers should be hired under a three-year contract for job security. Adding that the rise in the cost of petrol is also a major issue, the association members raised several demands they wanted the government to fulfil. By Express News Service BENGALURU: Kannada actor Chetan on Monday defended himself saying that he got involved in Sruthi Hariharans case just because he supported the #MeToo campaign and had been working since the last year-and-a-half to build the organisation Film Industry for Rights & Equality (FIRE). FIRE on Sunday announced the formation of its internal complaints committee, which made Sandalwood the first film industry in the country to have such a panel to deal with sexual harassment. About the Rs 10 lakh advance for Prema Baraha not returned to Sarja, Chetan said, I was supposed to work with Arjun Sarja a few years ago for which I had to let go of a few projects, including a project with Mynaa director, Nagashekar. He (Sarja) has always been professional with me. He gave me an advance of Rs 9 lakhs with Rs 1 lakh as TDS cut. We did a photoshoot, and various kinds of rehearsals. It was a six months process. He said he did have offers coming in from other languages, but sacrificed his other films for the project with Arjun Sarja. He added that it was only because of creative differences with Sarja that he made an exit. He has never asked me directly to give me the money back. I worked for 6 months and had given him the dates. In case he doesnt want to work with me on another project, I am ready to give him the money back, he further stated. By Online Desk A few days after actor Mohanlal confirmed that Dileep is not a part of Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), the latter claimed that no one approached him for his resignation. In a press meet on Friday, AMMA chief Mohanlal said, "I personally demanded his resignation as the AMMA president. The available members of the Executive Committee have approved it and now it is official - AMMA has ousted Dileep." Association of Malayalam Movie Artsits #AMMA president @Mohanlal says AMMA has sought and obtained the resignation of actor #Dileep who is accused in the actress assault case. A forum has been constituted within AMMA to address women's issues says @Mohanlal @NewIndianXpress Sovi Vidyadharan (@vidyadharansovi) October 19, 2018 However, in a letter obtained by Manorama News, Dileep said that there was a hidden conspiracy to destroy AMMA and mentioned that he had stepped down to save the Association. ALSO READ: Mohanlal says he asked and Dileep quit AMMA The letter also stated that the organisation is helping many artists and must continue to do so, and is exiting AMMA because he has been "falsely accused and blamed." Dileep was ousted from AMMA in 2017, after he was arrested in the actor assault case. When the association took him back, the Women in Cinema Collective questioned the move. The negotiations on the EVFTA officially concluded on December 1, 2015 and the preliminary text of the agreement was announced on February 1, 2016. The EVFTA was split into two Agreements, one for trade and one for investment, on June 26, 2018. Vietnam and the EU formally completed the legal review of their EU-Vietnam FTA and the IPA (the Investment Protection Agreement) in August 2018. On October 17, 2018, the European Commission sent a dossier to the European Council to ask for authorisation to sign the EVFTA and IPA. After the signing, the agreement is scheduled to be submitted to the European Parliament for approval in early 2019. The European Commission held a press conference on the afternoon of October 17 to announce this positive information and confirmed its commitment to promote the implementation of the agreements as soon as possible. Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade, Tran Tuan Anh, and EU Trade Commissioner, Cecilia Malmstrom, issued a joint ministerial statement on the EVFTA on the side-lines of the ASEM Summit in Brussels on October 19, 2018. The joint statement welcomed the European Commission's submission of the FTA to the European Council for approval. The statement stressed that the agreements would open up new opportunities for exports and investment for European and Vietnamese businesses, while also paying special attention to the rights of workers and environmental protection. Europe is rushing to translate the two agreements into 24 EU languages and accelerate other process before the official signing of the EVFTA, scheduled for late 2018. President of the European Parliament and President of the European Parliament's International Trade Commission also confirmed that efforts would be made to finalise the ratification of these two agreements early next year in the interests of both sides and for trade benefits between Europe and Asia. The agreements are expected to bring about unprecedented benefits to businesses and peoples of both Europe and Vietnam. The agreements will help European companies gain better access to a market of more than 92 million consumers, while increasing investment, creating more jobs, and boosting trade with one of the Asia's most dynamic economies. Vietnamese exporters will also have easier access to the European market. The EU is now the third largest trading partner and one of the two largest export markets of Vietnam. The import and export structure of Vietnam and the EU complements each other with less direct competition. Two-way trade revenue between Vietnam and the EU increased more than 12 times from US$4.1 billion in 2000 to US$50.4 billion in 2017. Of which, Vietnam's exports to the EU increased by 13.6 times (from US$2.8 billion to US$38.3 billion) and Vietnam's imports from the EU increased by nine times (US$1.3 billion to US$12.11 billion). Vietnam's main export items to the EU are footwear, garments and textiles, coffee, furniture and seafood. The EU is also a large investor in Vietnam. As of 2017, 24 of the 28 EU countries had invested in Vietnam with roughly 2,000 valid projects worth over US$21.5 billion. EU investors are present in all most of Vietnam's key economic sectors with the focus on industry, construction and service sectors. The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (Eurocham) emphasised that when the agreement comes into force, Vietnam will eliminate 65% of duties on EU exports to Vietnam. The remaining tariff lines will be gradually removed in the next 10 years, resulting in the elimination of 99% of duties on goods traded between the two sides. A tax rate of 0% will be applied to export goods of both sides such as garments and textiles, footwear, seafood, tropical agricultural products, and wood products of Vietnam and automobiles, equipment, alcohol, pharmaceuticals, temperate agricultural products of the EU. The EVFTA also contains provisions to address the existing non-tariff barriers in the automobile industry as well as the protection of geographical indications for 169 European food and beverage products in Vietnam. In general, the EVFTA is expected to increase Vietnam's GDP by 10-15% and raise Vietnam's exports to the EU by 30-40% in the next 10 years. High quality capital is also anticipated to pour into Vietnam and products with European standards will be exported to Vietnam with clear origin. Regarding trade and services, the EU and Vietnam's commitments go beyond the rules set out in the WTO framework. EU businesses will enjoy more incentives when investing and doing business in Vietnam, especially in areas of their strengths such as financial and banking services, distribution, transportation, and others. The EVFTA also deals with other aspects including national treatment commitments in the area of investment; the settlement of disputes between investors and the State; competition, sustainable development, and capacity, legal and institutional building; the generation of an open, favourable and equal investment environment for enterprises of the two sides; among others. The effectiveness of the EVFTA, especially the removal of tariffs and the improvements to the business environment, will bring about huge opportunities for Vietnam to expand exports, attract investment and participate more broadly in the global value chain. EVFTA's investment in Vietnam will not only aim at production and import and export, but also in telecommunications and information technology, architecture and technical consulting, and environmental services. The EU's FDI is also expected to create new impetus for Vietnam to promote its international integration, economic restructuring, technology transfer, exports, and others. However, experience in implementing WTO commitments and previous FTAs shows that the expected benefits of an agreement will not automatically materialise. Therefore, greater efforts are needed to realise the commitments and benefits while addressing the challenges involved. Ramananda Sengupta By Express News Service NEW DELHI: India reacted sharply to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khans tweet that condemned the killings of civilians in Kashmir and demanded a dialogue in accordance with UN resolutions. The remarks made by Pakistans Prime Minister in his tweet today are deeply regrettable. Instead of making comments on Indias internal affairs, Pakistan leadership should look inwards and address its own issues, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a statement. Pakistan would serve the interest of the people of the region by taking credible action against all kind of support to terrorism and terror infrastructure from all territories under its control rather than supporting and glorifying terrorists and terror activities against India and its other neighbours. Strongly condemn the new cycle of killings of innocent Kashmiris in IOK by Indian security forces. It is time India realised it must move to resolve the Kashmir dispute through dialogue in accordance with the UN SC resolutions & the wishes of the Kashmiri people. Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 22, 2018 Pakistans deceitful stand on dialogue, while supporting terror and violence, stands exposed to the whole world, it added. ALSO READ | Pakistan PM Imran Khan calls for dialogue to resolve Kashmir issue Strongly condemn the new cycle of killings of innocent Kashmiris in IOK by Indian security forces. It is time India realised it must move to resolve the Kashmir dispute through dialogue in accordance with the UN SC resolutions & the wishes of the Kashmiri people, Khan had tweeted, hours after seven civilians were killed in South Kashmir on Sunday. What else do you expect from a stooge of the GHQ and the ISI? asked an Indian official wryly. Harpreet Bajwa By Express News Service CHANDIGARH: A petition seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation probe or formation of a Special Investigation Team was submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday in connection with the Amritsar train tragedy. Gurugram-based lawyer Dinesh Kumar Dakorias petition is expected to be placed before the bench headed by Chief Justice Krishna Murari on Tuesday. The petitioner, through counsel Shashak Deo Sudh, claimed that the Punjab Police should have registered a case against all those responsible for organising such an irresponsible event adjacent to Joda Phatak. He has made former Amritsar-East MLA Navjot Kaur a respondent. Apart from an HC monitored probe, the petitioner urged for a panel under retired or sitting judge for assessment and estimation of personal losses for grant of adequate compensation. Meanwhile, the Punjab Police and the Government Railway Police (GRP) are yet to initiate any action against Saurabh Madan alias Mithu, the organiser of Fridays Dussehra function, as he has gone underground. In a video message, Madan claimed to have taken all kind of permissions for holding the event. We had taken all kind of precautions. More than 50 police personnel were present at the venue. A fire brigade engine and a water tanker from the municipal corporation were also stationed, Madan is heard saying. On Monday, Punjab Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu announced that he will adopt the families of the victims who died in the train tragedy. I will take care of them for the rest of my life. Its my promise to the families and to everyone, he said. NHRC notice The NHRC issued notice to the Punjab government and the Railway Board, asking for a report over the tragic incident. It also sought a report within four weeks over the disbursement of relief and rehabilitation as well as the status of treatment being provided to the injured. Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service GUWAHATI: Vehicles were damaged and the movement of trains was blocked at various places during the dawn-to-dusk statewide bandh in Assam on Tuesday. The bandh was called jointly by 46 organisations in protest against the Centres move to pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. The bandh organisers claimed that the bill was aimed at protecting the Hindu Bangladeshis (read Bengali Hindu immigrants of Bangladesh) in Assam. The bandh coincided with a meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) which will submit its final report on the bill to the Central government. Earlier, it visited Guwahati and the Barak Valley to take the opinions of people on the bill. By passing the controversial bill, the Centre wants to grant citizenship to the persecuted non-Muslim immigrants of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, who migrated to India till December 31, 2014. READ HERE: Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016: Bill that has kept Assam on the edge The protestors burnt vehicle tyres and the effigies of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and BJP Assam unit chief Ranjit Dass on the streets and chanted slogans against the BJP and Central government. They damaged a number of vehicles in Upper Assam and blocked the movement of trains. Dozens of the protestors were arrested by the police. The state government had earlier warned of taking action against truant employees. It had also warned of cancelling trade licenses of shops and commercial establishments if they remain closed on the day. Despite the threat, attendance in government offices was thin. The entire state also virtually remained shut. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which is a constituent of the states BJP-led coalition government, took out a massive rally in Guwahati in protest against the Citizenship Bill. The AGP said it would keep opposing the bill as it threatens the existence of indigenous communities. We will not allow this bill to be passed in the Parliament under any circumstances. If the Centre dares pass it and turns it into an Act, we will pull out of the government, AGP president Atul Bora categorically stated. We have already met JPC chairman Rajendra Agarwal and some of its members. We told them to not ignore the opinions of people in Assam. The JPC is supposed to submit its report based on peoples opinions. As they visited only two places of Assam earlier, we told them that they should not submit the report based on the opinions of a section of people. We demanded they visit Assam again before submitting the report. The people of Assam will not accept this bill. If it is passed, the locals will become a minority. There is no doubt it threatens the existence of the locals, Bora said. RTI activist Akhil Gogoi, whose peasants body Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti spearheaded the bandh, said the bandh was a protest staged by the people of Assam and not just groups and organisations. Despite the threats by the government, the whole of Assam observed the bandh. This was because the people know this is a dangerous bill and if it is passed, it will severely harm them, he said. Anand ST Das By Express News Service PATNA: The new 50-50 formula devised by BJP and JD(U) for sharing Bihars 40 Lok Sabha seats among NDAs four parties faced trouble on Tuesday as Ram Vilas Paswans LJP and Upendra Kushwahas RLSP rejected it. While LJP upped the ante, demanding additional seats in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, RLSP said it expects to get more than three seats to contest in Bihar. Sources the 50-50 formula floated by BJP and JD(U) has caused deep disappointments in the two smaller NDA partners. READ HERE: Upendra Kushwaha says some in NDA dont want Narendra Modi as PM again As per the new formula, which is yet to be officially announced, BJP and JD(U) would contest on 17 seats each and allot the rest six seats to LJP and RLSP. While LJP would get four seats, RLSP would get two. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, LJP had contested on seven seats and won six, while RLSP had won all the three seats it had contested. These seat-sharing numbers are based on speculation in the media, but we will not accept any less than seven seats. Besides, we also expect to be allotted seats in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand as we also have a strong support base there, said LJPs Bihar president Pasupati Kumar Paras, who is also a minister in the state government. ALSO READ: I did not seek milk from RJD nor sugar from BJP: Upendra Kushwaha RLSP national general secretary and spokesperson Madhaw Anand rejected the 50-50 formula, saying there has been no formal meeting of NDA over sharing of seats in Bihar and a final decision on this is due. If any such formula comes up in total disregard of RLSPs enhanced support base in Bihar, we will reject it. Our aim for 2019 is the same as BJPs to ensure that Narendra Modi becomes PM again. So we expect to get more than three seats, he added. READ HERE: Ram Vilas Paswan's daughter set to contest against him in Bihar's Hajipur Lok Sabha seat Sources in BJP and JD(U) said the new formula is the result of the one-upmanship game between the two parties, which resumed their alliance last year after a four-year break. This formula has been agreed upon amid indications that RLSP could switch sides, said a senior BJP leader. By UNI CHANDIGARH: Two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, whose entry to Canada was denied at Ottawa Airport on July 21, 2018, are now eligible to enter Canada at any time in future. This development has come to light with the second letter of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rana K P Singh. Expressing serious concern over the discourteous treatment to AAP MLAs Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Amarjit Singh Sandoa at the Canadian Airport, Speaker Rana K P Singh wrote to the External Affairs Minister for an action in the matter on July 25. In the letter to the Speaker, the Union Minister said that the Indian High Commission in Ottawa has strongly raised this matter with the Canadian Government, seeking the circumstances and reasons for this deplorable action by the Canadian immigration authorities. She further wrote, "I have been informed that the Canadian Border Services Agency has conveyed to our Mission in Ottawa that due to privacy legislation they are unable to provide further details in the matter. However, they have also conveyed that Mr Kultar Singh and Mr Amarjit Singh are eligible to return to Canada, if they choose to do so, at any future time. "We will continue to pursue such matters with the Canadian side to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future. I also urge you to kindly ensure that Government of India's guidelines on foreign travels are followed by Legislators in the future and Our Mission and Posts in Canada are kept informed about such travels", she added. Expressing gratitude for the External Affairs Minister's efforts in the matter, Rana K P Singh has advised all the MLAs to follow the prescribed procedure for their visit to abroad including obtaining of political clearance from the ministry of external affairs and providing prior information to Indian Missions abroad, even for their private visits. By PTI NEW DELHI: Special CBI Director Rakesh Asthana Tuesday moved the Delhi High Court against the lodging of an FIR against him in a bribery case. Asthana has sought the high court's direction that no coercive action be taken against him. His petition was mentioned before Chief Justice Rajendra Menon. The chief justice allocated the matter to an appropriate bench, which will hear it in the post-lunch session. On Tuesday, media reported that CBI Director Alok Verma has proceeded to suspend Asthana, his Deputy. The two met PM Narendra Modi on Monday. As per sources, Verma in a letter to the government last weekend had recommended for Asthana's suspension, calling him "a source of demoralization". The probe agency had filed a bribery case against Asthana, who wrote to the government listing several charges against his boss. The tiff between the two senior IPS officers of the Gujarat cadre started after a Hyderabad-based businessman Sathish Babu Sana submitted a complaint in connection with a money-laundering case against meat exporter Moin Qureshi Sathish has alleged that he was asked to pay a bribe of Rs 5 crore to Asthana to be spared in the case. The CBI says Sathish told a magistrate that he had paid Rs 2 crore as bribe to Asthana over a 10 month period from December 2017. In August 2018, Rakesh Asthana had alleged it was the CBI chief Alok Verma who took that bribe but had framed him because he prevented Sathish from leaving India. Earlier this month, Asthana also accused the CBI chief of trying to frame him in the case of Gujarat-based firm Sterling Biotech which is under investigation for loan default. CBI on Sunday defended Verma after Asthana put bribery allegations on the former. The agency also termed Asthana's charges as "false and malicious". In his letters to the Cabinet Secretary and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), Asthana had written about 10 cases of alleged corruption and irregularities against Verma, levelling serious corruption charges in some of them. The whole issue put the Modi government under Opposition fire, as Congress chief Rahul Gandhi who said that the investigative agency has become a weapon of "political vendetta" under NDA rule. "The PM's blue-eyed boy, Gujarat cadre officer, of Godra SIT fame, infiltrated as No. 2 into the CBI, has now been caught taking bribes. Under this PM, the CBI is a weapon of political vendetta. An institution in terminal decline that's at war with itself," Rahul tweeted. Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Monday too said that the BJP has turned CBI into a national disgrace. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Army on Monday warned Pakistan to restrain the terrorists operating from its soil, a day after killing two heavily-armed Pakistani "intruders" in a gunfight in Sunderbani sector of Jammu on Sunday, official sources said. They said the Army has also asked the Pakistan military to take back bodies of the two "intruders", who were wearing combat uniforms and believed to be members of Pakistani Border Action Team, they said. Two heavily armed Pakistani intruders and three Army soldiers were killed Sunday in the gunfight after the Army foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in Sunderbani sector. The sources said Pakistan Army has been informed, through established communication channels, to take possession of the bodies of the "hostile Pakistani nationals" and that a "stern warning" was also conveyed to the military of the neighbouring country to restrain the terrorists operating from its soil. The incident on Sunday took place at around 1:20 PM. The sources said five to six Pakistani intruders crossed the LoC and fired on Indian Army patrol in the Sunderbani sector. Three soldiers of Eight Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI), Havildar Kaushal Kumar of Nowshera (Rajouri), lance naik Ranjeet Singh of Doda and rifleman Rajat Kumar Basan of Pallanwala (Jammu), were killed while rifleman Rakesh Kumar of Samba suffered injuries in the gunfight. The sources said since the talks between DGMOs (Director General of Military Operations) of the two countries on May 29, the Indian Army has been maintaining "utmost restraint" to uphold the ceasefire pact along the LoC despite regular provocative actions from across the border. However, Pakistan Army has been vigorously attempting to send terrorists across the LoC and seven infiltration bids have been foiled by the Indian Army since May 30, in which 23 terrorists have been killed. Reports suggest a concentration of a large number of terrorists in launch pads across the border, desperate to infiltrate into India before the onset of winter. Sources said the Army was ready to deal with any challenge along the LoC which has been witnessing frequent incidents of cross-border firing since January. The Indian Army has been adopting a "tough" approach in dealing with ceasefire violations and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir in the last one year. By PTI WASHINGTON: India has no dearth of talent but a large number of students lack access to quality education that could meet the demands of the modern times, Super 30 founder and mathematician Anand Kumar has said. Kumar, who is presently in news for an upcoming biopic on his life starring Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, was felicitated in the Silicon Valley over the weekend in recognition of his effort to help poor children to get admission into the prestigious IITs. "In India, there is a huge craving for education, but quality education is not accessible to all of them. Today, technology can make it happen online classes can do what is not otherwise possible," Kumar said. "Education is changing fast, as the requirements are changing. This calls for new approach to education," he said while speaking at the golden jubilee function of 'Indian for collective action' organised in San Jose, California, on Saturday. Observing that there is no dearth of talent in India, Kumar said equal opportunities in terms of quality education and modern-day requirements often eluded a large number of students. "Today, there are opportunities to fill this void through technology. You people can make it happen through small contributions from your side in your own way to make a big difference," he said. Anand runs Super 30 educational programme to mentor 30 students free off cost through a year-long residential programme for India's prestigious IIT-JEE exam. In its 17-year, Super 30 has helped hundreds of students, mostly from a poverty-stricken background, successfully chase their IIT dream. By IANS KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said "negligence and callousness of some people" was responsible for the stampede at a railway foot-overbridge in Howrah that killed two and injured 12 others, urging the railways to take proper care of the passengers. Referring to the horrific train accident in Punjab's Amritsar four days ago in which at least 59 people died and scores injured, Banerjee said the department should initiate inquiries into the matters rather than shying away from taking responsibility. "The accidents in railways should be reduced because so many modern equipments are available. But I think there must be some negligence or callousness... I do not know from which part," she told reporters. ALSO READ | Kolkata's Majherhat bridge collapse: Toll reaches three, NDRF calls off rescue The Railways should "take more responsibility and take care of coordination among various sections" of it so that coordination-gap between its various internal departments can be reduced, she said. According to her, money has not been a constraint for the railways to construct wider railway foot-overbridges. Banerjee also alleged that the railways did not seek any help from the state government during the festive seasons, but they "should work in liaison with the state" particularly during the festive period. "See what happened in Amritsar. Even during the Puja time, I noticed three-four incidents in my state also. I asked the chief secretary to talk to the railway authorities to find out if they are monitoring the situation," said Banerjee, who herself is a former railway minister. "I do not want to blame the railways just for the sake of it. Let them investigate. Why are they not investigating the matter?" she questioned. "When BJP called a bandh, I saw there were only four people on the tracks and they withdraw their train. But in Amritsar where 59 people died had so many people on the track... and they said they cannot take responsibility... I do not understand this," she added. By PTI NAGPUR: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's demand for a law to construct a Ram temple in Ayodhya "proves" that the organisation would never change howsoever it tries to to improve its image by inviting prominent people at Sangh events, former finance minister Yashwant Sinha said Monday. In an apparent reference to the government take-over of the debt-laden firm IL&FS, Sinha said the country was facing a "payment crisis" because public money is being "misused" to "bail out" banks and NBFCs through Life Insurance Corporation (LIC). Addressing a press conference en route to Akola where he would address a rally of farmers Tuesday, the former BJP leader questioned the legitimacy of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief's demand for a Parliamentary law. "How can an act of Parliament be passed when the issue (title suits for the disputed land in Ayodhya) is being heard in the Supreme Court. This (Bhagwat's statement) means that you want to prevent the apex court from giving the order. Though I had left the BJP, but (I know that) the BJP's stand is that this issue be resolved either through consensus or through the decision of court," he said. "As the issue is being heard in the apex court, they should wait for the court's decision," he said. In his annual Vijayadashmi address in Nagpur on October 18, Bhagwat said the government should clear the path for construction of the Ram temple through an appropriate and requisite law. He had said the temple construction was necessary from the "self-esteem point of view" and it will also pave way for an atmosphere of goodwill and oneness. Sinha said, "RSS invited former president Pranab Mukherjee, (industrialist) Ratan Tata and others (to address swayamsevaks in Nagpur) as a part of its image makover exercise. However, the RSS chief's statement proves that it (the organisation) will never change". While Mukherjee, a Congress veteran, had attended the RSS event in June this year, Tata shared the stage with Bhagwat in August. Sinha, who floated a front to take up the issues of farmers after quitting the BJP, said the BJP and Congress would face a tight contest in forthcoming Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh assembly polls. "It is difficult to say who will win," he said. Responding to a query on his prediction about the BJP's prospects in the party-ruled Rajasthan, which is going to polls in December, Sinha cited conversation he had had with a resident of that state. "That person opined that the BJP will lose in Rajasthan," he said. When asked if he would campaign for Congress or AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) in the forthcoming elections, Sinha said he would think over it if invited. He also attacked the government on a string of issues including the current turmoil in the CBI. "The government is finishing autonomy of independent institutions like the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) and Reserve Bank," he said. Referring to filing of an FIR by the CBI against its own special director in connection with an alleged bribery scandal, Sinha said the development was embarrassing for the investigating agency. "What has happened to these organisations," he questioned. Sinha said the country was facing a huge "payment crisis" and cited the IL&FS takeover. "The government is misusing money invested by people in Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) to bail out the banks and other financial institutions. The government is bailing out IL&FS and other NBFCs (Non-Banking Financial Corporations). The government is spending money of people parked in the LIC, thinking that it is its own money. The government is misusing the people's money to bail out banks and other financial institutions," said Sinha. Later, he addressed a rally in Amravati and attacked Narendra Modi government on many issues. He announced that his Rashtriya Manch would launch a nationwide agitation for farmers from Akola in Vidarbha region Tuesday. "The Modi government has ignored farmers completely and left them in the lurch. The situation in the country is akin to emergency and needs to be opposed. The nation experienced one emergency in 1977 and is experiencing it again now," he said. Sinha said demonetisation announced by the prime minister in 2016 broke the financial backbone of the country. "It was a wrong decision of Modi which only enabled his friends to turn their black money into white," Sinha alleged. Speaking on the occasion, BJP MP Shatrughan Sinha alleged that Modi was "dishonest and non-transparent" in the Rafel deal issue, and urged the PM to come clean on the issue. "If he (Modi) thinks that he has made a mistake in allotting the contract to Anil Ambani-owned firm at the cost of richly experienced HAL, he should publicly admit his mistake and apologise. "If the people have any doubt, they have every right to seek an explanation. Modi must come forward to tell the people the truth," he demanded. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh also criticised the BJP on issues surrounding farmers. During a working session in Hanoi on October 23 with Romanian Minister of Business Environment, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship Stefan Radu Oprea, Politburo member Binh spoke highly of the two countries bilateral friendship over the past seven decades, reflected in the exchange of visits by agencies and localities. He said Romania has experience and technologies in energy, mining, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood processing, agriculture and food processing. Meanwhile, Vietnam could export seafood, tropical fruits, apparel, coffee and pepper to the European country. The host asked the Romanian minister to urge the Romanian Government to push for the early ratification of the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. He requested to hold the 16th meeting of the Vietnam-Romania Inter-Committee on Economic Cooperation shortly. Oprea, for his part, wished to carry forward the practical and effective development of bilateral ties and lift them to a greater height, connecting the two economies together. By UNI NEW DELHI/JAKARTA: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met her Indonesian counterpart Ryamizard Ryacudu on Tuesday and discussed promoting strategic cooperation in the defence industries by sharing technology and experience. At the meeting, Indonesia praised India`s advanced technology for long-range missiles. "This technology is in line with Indonesia`s plan that is currently building seven national flagship programmes in the defence industry, one of which is missile technology," said Brig.Gen.Totok Sugiharto, head of the Ministry of Defence's Public Communication Centre. Both countries are also optimistic of other forms of cooperation being followed up, such as production of components for radar and sonar systems. A Memorandum of Understanding between Bharat Electronic Ltd and Indonesian electronics company PT Len is under negotiation and is expected to be completed soon. The MoU is expected to be signed at the 2018 Indo Defense Expo and Forum next month in Jakarta. India and Indonesia have a Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA). The DCA, signed in 2001, has been revised and signed by both parties in May this year. It provides the legal umbrella for boosting bilateral defence cooperation. "In principle, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Indonesia will continue to support efforts to strengthen cooperation in the defence industry between Indonesia and India," said Sugiharto. Also on Tuesday, Sithraman met Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan. "Both leaders discussed ways to enhance cooperation in strategic and commercial fields by sharing technology and experience," the defence minister's office said in a tweet. India and Indonesia currently have three bilateral forums in the fields of defence and security -- the Biennial Meeting at the level of defence minister, Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) at the level of secretary general, and Indonesia-India Security Dialogue (IISD) at the level of coordinating minister for politics and security. Sugiharto said bilateral meetings between Indonesia and India needed to be continued to maintain defence cooperation between the two countries. On Monday, Sitharaman held an interaction at Indonesian Airforce Academy in Yogyakarta where she reiterated India's commitment to strengthen defence cooperation with Indonesia. By UNI LUCKNOW: Samajwadi Party is bracing itself to go it alone in the 2019 Lok Sabha election in Uttar Pradesh. The general mood in the party is against an alliance with Bahujan Samaj Party after Mayawati did a volte-face on tie-up with Congress in the poll-bound Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The standing of the BSP among minorities has also suffered after its refusal to ally with the Congress in these states. ALSO READ: 'Cannot wait any more' for Congress, says Akhilesh Yadav; to have talks with BSP The SP brass feels that they would get overwhelming support of minority community in the 2019 election. ''The message is clear, that Mayawati is playing the Bharatiya Janata Party's game to make it easy for the saffron party to retain power in all three states where it faces strong anti-incumbency wave. The BSP chief has punctured the opposition unity by directly attacking the Congress and tying up with Ajit Jogi in Chhattisgarh,'' said a senior SP leader here on Tuesday. READ HERE: Congress needs to talk to SP and BSP for alliance in Madhya Pradesh: Akhilesh Yadav The sources in the SP said that a senior leader told party chief Akhilesh Yadav bluntly that the BSP would never ally with the Samajwadi Party, to which Akhilesh reportedly said, "Even that would serve positively for the party in 2019 elections as the voters, particularly the minorities, would shift to the SP." Sources in the BSP said the party had already finalised candidates for over 60 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in UP and it was not willing to offer more than 18 seats to the Samajwadi Party. The possibility of Mayawati refusing to ally with the SP has forced Akhilesh to rethink about a grand alliance having BSP in its fold. And this is visible in SP stance. The party has started wooing its old guards, marginalised after Akhilesh Yadav took over as SP national president in January 2017. In a bid to set its house in order, the SP chief visited Rajya Sabha member Beni Prasad Verma twice this month and held long parleys with him. ALSO READ | BSP-Congress alliance for Lok Sabha 2019 elections possible: Rahul Gandhi Mr Verma has been an old associate of SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav for five decades and is a tall leader of Kurmi caste. He distanced himself from the party after his son was denied ticket from Barabanki in 2017 assembly poll. The SP badly needs the support of Kurmis, which is the second most numerically dominant OBC caste in UP. By IANS NEW DELHI: Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh to those injured in a stampede at a railway foot overbridge at Santragachhi station in Howrah. Goyal in a statement said, "Railways would give ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of every deceased, Rs 1 lakh would be given to the grievously injured and Rs 50,000 to those who suffered simple injuries." West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who visited the hospital where the injured were being treated, earlier announced a compensation of Rs five lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh each to the injured. At least two people died and over dozen others injured including two children on Tuesday evening in a stampede at Satrangachhi station. Railway Ministry spokeserson Smita Vats said, "The incident happened around 6 p.m. at a foot overbridge due to over crowding." She said that the incident happened due to arrival of three trains in a short interval of time. The stampede occurred around 6 p.m. when the passengers hurriedly tried to cross the foot overbridge between two platforms following an announcement of three trains coming simultaneously on two adjacent tracks. The mishap occurred just four days after 59 people were killed when a train crushed them as they stood on rail tracks watching Ravana effigies go up in flames during Dussehra celebrations in Amritsar. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: Even after the Supreme Court struck down triple talaq calling it illegal and unconstitutional, the custom is very much prevalent in the country. In Bareilly, a woman is caught in an intriguing situation as she wants to reunite with her previous husband, but the person with whom she performed halala following the provisions of Sharia is refusing to divorce her. Khatima resident Aqil Ahmad had married off his daughter Juhi to Moahmmad Javed of Bareilly in 2010. The couple had two sons. After three years, Juhi and Javed divorced in 2013. However, a few days after the separation, Javed went back to Juhi for reconciliation, which was accepted by Juhi. But, in came the Sharia provision of nikah halala the divorced woman needs to enter in a wedlock with another man and consummate the marriage before she can return to her first husband. ALSO READ | UP woman alleges 'forced to undergo nikah halala', raped by father-in-law; five booked Juhi's relatives arranged for her to marry a 65-year-old man from Bareilly under the condition that he would divorce her soon after the marriage so that she can reunite with Javed. But, the man later refused to divorce Juhi, alleging that he couldn't do so as she did not perform halala by consummating the marriage. While Javed and Juhi are caught in a fix, the couple's two sons seem to be worst affected by this turn of events. One of the two sons live with Javed and the other with Juhi. The couple finally approached an NGO. Activists tried to persuade Juhi's second husband to grant her divorce, but he remained firm in his stand. While some ulemas (Muslim clerics) say that it is the right of the woman to seek divorce and advise the couple to go to a Sharia court for justice, Mufti Ghulam Mustafa Rizvi of Ala Hazrat Dargah of Bareilly claims that the person with whom the woman performs halala remains her husband till he grants her divorce. "The Sharia also suggests that if it the talaq was pre-decided and the deal was that divorce will be given the next day of marriage, in such a case, the marriage stands annulled on its own," he said. "But if this condition was not there before marriage, the elderly man will remain the husband till he grants divorce." By PTI INDORE: The Congress in Madhya Pradesh is left red-faced with its state working president Jitu Patwari's purported remarks in which he appealed to voters to elect him for "keeping his honour" and snubbed his own party. A video of Patwari's remarks has become a talking point on the social media in the poll-bound state, where assembly elections are scheduled to be held on November 28. In the video, the MLA purportedly says: "Aapko Meri Izzat Rakhni hai, Laj Rakhni hai...Party Gai Tel Lene (You have to keep my honour, dump the party)". The clip shows Patwari, who represents Rau assembly constituency in Indore district, and his supporters seeking blessings from an elderly couple during door-to-door campaign, when he made the remarks. After the video went viral, Patwari clarified that he had used the phrase--"Party Gayi Tel Lene"--for the ruling BJP and not for his party. However, the BJP said the video has exposed the "selfish politics" of Patwari. "Now, Patwari may say anything in his defence, but this video is a proof that he believes in selfish politics. He has made it clear to the voters that his personal interests are above his party and its leadership," said state BJP spokesperson Umesh Sharma. Patwari, who had won Rau assembly seat in 2013 assembly elections, is an aspirant for the party ticket for the forthcoming elections. By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: As the TDP has been going hammer and tongs at the Centre for its failure in fulfilling the assurances given to Andhra Pradesh, the State BJP too has decided to intensify its attack on the misrule of the TDP government in the State. BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav led a hunger strike here on Monday to expose the alleged failure of the TDP government to auction the assets of AgriGold and return money to thousands of depositors. It is just the beginning, Madhav said, indicating a long political battle against the ruling TDP. Not mincing words, Madhav described the TDP government as a Hitler regime and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu the boss of Goebbels. He also predicted change in the government in the State after 6-8 months with BJP playing a vital role in the new government. Claiming that the Rose Valley scam in Tripura was handled swiftly by the CBI, Madhav said the Naidu government was intentionally dragging its feet on the issue, though it was fully capable of settling the matter. It is only a matter of `6,500 crore. Is the State government, which has a revenue of `1.5 lakh crore, incapable of addressing such a small financial matter ? he sought to know. After State bifurcation, land sharks were trying to gobble up the assets of AgriGold by any means and the State government was supporting them, he alleged. Not happy with the TDPs allegations of corruption against the NDA government, he said the Modi Sarkar and BJP had zero tolerance to corruption. TRS and TDP governments in both Telugu states are competing in corruption not in development in the last four years, he said and pointed out Telangana emerging second and AP fourth in a recent survey on corruption to buttress his point. Seventy per cent of the people have to bribe officials for even small things, he said. The AgriGold scam is tip of the iceberg and TDP is steeped neck deep in corruption. When we were allies of the TDP and playing a minor role in the State government, the BJP was never given a chance to make clear their stance Madhav claimed, adding Naidu was making baseless allegations and meaningless demands to divert the attention of people from his corrupt rule. The Modi Sarkar is determined to ensure development of Andhra Pradesh and is doing and will do everything for the State. However, the State government is stuck with special category status, he pointed out. He also took exception to TDPs threats of obstructing Modi in the 2019 polls. Those who cant win even 25 seats have guts to stop Modi. By joining hands with the Congress in Telangana, the TDP betrayed its founder. The Congress is a sinking ship and the TDP, by going along with it, will also sink. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state expects contributions of more than Rs 700 crore the support earlier promised by the UAE Government from various organisations in the UAE to rebuild flood-ravaged Kerala. They include Non-Resident Keralites, charitable foundations and well-wishers. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters on Monday his five-day visit to the UAE had been a success. He had held talks with functionaries of three major charitable-humanitarian foundations in UAE. Among them was Emirates Red Crescent chairman Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is the brother of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Red Crescent had come forward to support the state during the floods itself. Discussions were also held with Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation chaired by Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also the brother of the UAE President. They sought the details of the states rebuilding work, offered support and assured to send a delegation of senior officers to the state for holding detailed talks. Pinarayi also held talks with Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Foundation vice-chairman Ibrahim Bu Melha. The foundation had sent relief materials during the floods and have now offered to support Kerala on various aspects, including in building constructions. Dubai Minister of Tolerance Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan received the state delegation at his palace. They were of the view the UAE will never let the state suffer. He also publicly expressed UAEs affection towards Kerala at a public meeting. Despite Friday being a holiday, Dubai Cabinet Affairs Minister Mohammed Al Gergawi came to his office to receive the Kerala delegation. This shows their affection towards the state. The UAE Government had promised us `700 crore. But we couldnt accept that amount. In view of the visit, Im confident the state will get contributions of much higher amount, Pinarayi said. NRK businessmen Yusuffali M A, Azad Moopen, Shamseer Vayalil, office-bearers of various organisations, members of Loka Kerala Sabha, Norka directors, entrepreneurs and professionals played a major role in organising talks between Pinarayi and various UAE officers. By Express News Service KOCHI: He always told us that once Franco gets out on bail, his life would be in danger. He even feared that his phones were tapped and he was monitored all along by Francos men, said Jose Kattuthara, brother of Fr Kuriakose Kattuthura who was found dead at St. Marys Church in Dasuya, Jalandhar, on Monday morning. Fr Kuriakose Kattuthara Fr Kuriakose Kattuthara had given a statement to the police against the former Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mullackal, who was just released on conditional bail in the case of allegedly raping a nun. He had given us clear indications to suspect that it is a plotted murder, Jose said. Jose Kattuthara told Express that Fr Micheal Anikuzhikatil from Jalandhar telephoned the family at 11 am on Monday to inform the death of his brother. According to Jose, Micheal Anikuzhikatil is one of the right-hand men of Franco, who is currently in Jalandhar after being released on bail last week. The phone call itself was weird. Micheal only said that Father Kuriakose was dead on Sunday. Rather than answering our queries, he just cut the call, said Jose. Whenever he called his family, Fr Kuriakose used to share his fears regarding his involvement in Francos case. Fr Kuriakose, who was a vocational teacher at the Jalandhar diocese, had taught the survivor nun and the other nuns who protested for the arrest of Franco. He was not safe at Jalandhar. Due to his fears he had to shift his places of stay several times. He could not call often due to his fear, but he always stood for the truth, Jose added. Francos power and influence will increase the number of deaths. His money and power can twist witnesses statements and truths regarding the nuns rape case. Though fears were expressed, we never thought that he would actually murder him, he said. Meanwhile, the Save Our Sisters (SOS) Action Council said that they are not shocked by the incident. We have always expressed our fears about his power and influence. If he was set free, more murders will take place and the life of the nuns will also be in danger. The Council has warned everyone earlier about the grim situation, said SOS Action Council Convener Augustine Vattoly. Complaint lodged Alleging mystery behind the death of Fr Kuriakose Kattuthara, his brother Jose Kattuthara has lodged a complaint with the Chief Minister, Director General of Police (DGP), and Superintendent of Police (SP) of Alappuzha. He has also sought a re-postmortem of the body in Kerala. Following our complaint, the Jalandhar police have stopped the post-mortem examination of his body, Jose said. We are not safe The news of Fr Kuriakoses death has come as a shock for the five nuns who had staged the protest demanding the arrest of Bishop Franco. Fr Kuriakose had taught us, including the victim. He had been supporting us from day one of our protests. He encouraged us in our fight for justice. It is really disheartening to hear the news about his demise, said one of the five nuns who staged the protest. She also expressed fear over their safety inside St Francis Mission House, Kuravilangad, where they are presently staying. We are not safe inside the convent. The four sisters, including the Mother Superior, are supporters of Franco and now that he is free we do not know what awaits us in future, she said. SOS writes to CM Kochi: In an open letter, Save our Sisters (SOS) action council has requested the Chief Minister to set up a special court and appoint a special prosecutor to expedite the prosecution in the nun-rape case. SOS said various false accusation against the survivor and her colleagues are being propagated by public personalities such as P C George. The council also believes the accused is trying to influence the witnesses and manipulate evidence to get himself acquitted and that puts the life of the nuns at risk. By Express News Service KOCHI: A delegation from Gujarat led by Social Welfare Minister Vasanbhai Aahir arrived here on Monday to invite leaders and people of Kerala to the unveiling of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patels statue at Narmada on October 31. The delegation will proceed to Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, where it will meet Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Governor P Sathasivam. Vallabhbhais Patel statue, named as the Statue of Unity, will be unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We know the important role played by freedom fighters for the formation of independent India. However, freedom fighters were not properly respected. When Narendra Modi came to power, he decided to initiate steps by which freedom fighters remain glorified. The Statue of Unity is one such initiative. The statue is the result of the contribution made by every state in India. We know Sardar Patel as a unifier of India, and it is on his birthday the statue will be unveiled, Vasanbhai Aahir said. He invited all citizens of the state to visit Gujarat and attend the unveiling ceremony.The delegation also held a meeting with the Gujarati community at Mattancherry and invited them for the same.The other members in the delegation include Deepsingh Rathod MP, Prabathsingh Chauhan MP; MLAs Shashikath Pandhya, Arvindbhai Patel, Ratansigh Rathod and Nareshbhai Patel; Keralite officers working in Gujarat including education secretary Vinod Rao and IG Manoj Shasidhar. The delegation will return on Wednesday from Thiruvananthapuram. Vinod Rao said the statue will be highest in the world. The length of the statue is 182 m. The second highest statue is Buddhas statue in China which is 153 m high. The structure is constructed at an island near Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River, he said. The foundation stone for the statue was laid in 2013. The construction of the statue was completed with a fund of `2,332 crore. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Tuesday said that it would hear on November 13 petitions challenging its Sabarimala verdict allowing women of all age groups entry into the temple. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul told lawyer Mathews J Nedumpara that it has already passed an order with regard to the listing of petitions on November 13. Nedumpara was mentioning the petition filed by National Ayyappa Devotees Association. Earlier the court had noted that there were 19 review petitions pending in the matter, filed by the Association and others seeking a review of its Sabarimala verdict. ALSO READ | Sabarimala protests: Five women turned back on manic Monday A five-judge constitution bench by a ratio of 4:1 had held that women of all age groups should be allowed entry into Kerala's Sabarimala Temple. The court had on October 9 declined an urgent hearing on Nedumpara's plea which had contended that the five-judge Constitution bench verdict lifting the ban was "absolutely untenable and irrational". The bench had said the review petitions could only be taken up after the Dussehra vacation, adding that in any case, it will be heard in a chamber and not in open court. The petition filed by Shylaja Vijayan, president, National Ayyappa Devotees Association through Nedumpara, had submitted that, "Faith cannot be judged by scientific or rationale reasons or logic". ALSO READ | Pandalam palace representative says its for thantri to take final call on rituals "The notion that the judgment under review is revolutionary, one which removes the stigma or the concept of dirt or pollution associated with menstruation, is unfounded. It is a judgment welcomed by hypocrites who were aspiring for media headlines. On the merits of the case, as well, the said judgment is absolutely untenable and irrational, if not perverse," the petition had submitted. ALSO READ | Sabarimala verdict: Government says no to ordinance "Review judgment and order. On the ground that it is unconstitutional and void inasmuch as it is vitiated by errors apparent on the face of the record; that it is without jurisdiction or in excess of jurisdiction, that it is in violation of principles of natural justice and that it is in violation of express constitutional provisions," the plea had said. ALSO READ | Punishment transfer for activist Rehana Fathima; BSNL hints at more action Besides the Association, another petition seeking review of the September 28 verdict of the apex court had also been filed by the Nair Service Society (NSS), an organisation for the uplift and welfare of the Nair community. It had said that as the deity is a 'Naistika Brahmachari, females below the age of 10 and after the age of 50 years are eligible to worship him and there is no practice of excluding worship by females. ALSO READ | Journalists leave shrine, another woman approaches police to enter Sannidhanam "Hence, the delay or wait for 40 years to worship cannot be considered as exclusionary and it is an error of law on the face of the judgement," the plea had said. The NSS had said that many essential religious practices will be rendered void and religion itself may be rendered out of existence if the general ground of equality under Article 14 is resorted to and essential religious practices are tested on the principle of rationality. Congratulating Vietnam on Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trongs election as State President, Oprea informed his host about the outcomes of his working sessions with the Party Central Committees Economic Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and several relevant agencies on ways to step up the two countries relations. He noted that he and the Ministry of Industry and Trade shared the view that bilateral trade and economic ties boast huge potential, agreeing to target trade revenue at US$ 500 million in the near future, instead of just US$ 200 million at present. The Romanian delegation has worked with relevant Vietnamese agencies to enhance cooperation in agriculture, information technology, Industry 4.0 technology, tourism, and investment, as well as between small- and medium-sized enterprises of the two countries. Minister Oprea said Romania pledges to strongly intensify links with Vietnam in fields matching its strength and Vietnams demand, such as developing expressway infrastructure, research infrastructure, and hospitals. His country also wants to boost labour collaboration with the Southeast Asian nation and hopes to receive Vietnamese workers, he added. He noted that Romania will hold the presidency of the European Union (EU) Council in the first half of 2019 a good chance to promote Vietnams cooperation with the EU and Romania, including in the signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). At the meeting, PM Phuc applauded the two countries cooperation in recent years, stressing that Vietnam has signed and will sign 16 new-generation free trade agreements, which will open up big opportunities for links between Vietnamese and Romanian businesses. Valuing Romanias advantages in manufacturing industries, he said Vietnam has a population of about 100 million, and as such is a great potential market for Romanian firms in all fields, from seaports and tourism, to oil and gas, and infrastructure. The PM shared his guests view that bilateral trade remains modest, adding that he hopes the two sides will raise their trade to more than US$ 500 million. He also asked the Vietnam-Romania Intergovernmental Committee to devise concrete measures to strengthen bilateral relations in all aspects, including removing barriers in terms of tax and investment procedures, and organising many business forums to promote partnership between their businesses. Vietnam has a diverse range of agricultural products, PM Phuc said, calling on Romania to bolster ties to help such products enter their market. The Government leader also voiced his delight at Romanias holding of the EU Council presidency in the first half of next year. He expressed his hope that the EU will promote the signing of the EVFTA and the Investment Protection Agreement towards enhancing cooperation. By Express News Service CHENNAI : Just as the verdict in the case relating to the disqualification of 18 AIADMK MLAs is expected anytime, resort politics returns to Tamil Nadu as the three sitting MLAs, who are supporting TTV Dhinakaran, as well as the disqualified MLAs, chose to take shelter at a resort in Courtallam, the spa of South India, located in Tirunelveli for a few days. The reports about Dhinakaran asking the sitting and disqualified MLAs to stay in one place until the verdict is out started doing the rounds just after Dhinakaran called on his aunt VK Sasikala at Parappana Agrahara prison in Bengaluru and held discussions. While P Vetrivel, one of the disqualified MLAs, said there was no instruction from Dhinakaran to stay at one place but some of the MLAs are going to some place but he chose to be in Chennai. Meanwhile, Thanga Thamizh Selvan, another disqualified MLA, said he and others were going to take part in Thamirabarani Pushkaram to take a holy dip and later stay at Courtallam for a couple of days. Last year, on August 22, 19 MLAs supporting Dhinakaran met the then Governor Vidyasagar Rao and submitted individual letters withdrawing their support to the government headed by Edappadi K Palaniswami. Just after that, all of them moved to a resort in Puducherry. Later, they were moved to a resort in Kodagu district in Karnataka. Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal on September 18 last disqualified 18 MLAs except STK Jakkaiyan, who had withdrawn his letter to the Governor. Following this, the hearing on the petitions filed by the disqualified MLAs began and on June 14, the Madras High Court gave a split verdict with the then Chief Justice Indira Banerjee upholding the disqualification while another judge setting the disqualification order aside. Later, the case was referred to third judge Justice M Satyanarayana as per the directions of the Supreme Court. The judge is expected to deliver his judgment within a few days. When O Panneerselvam, after quitting the office of Chief Minister in February, 2016, revolted against Sasikala, all MLAs supporting her were kept at a resort in Kuvathoor. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Congress, through its grand alliance experiment, is trying to stitch together a formidable and inclusive force ahead of the elections by striking a balance between different caste groups during the issuance of tickets. With an eye on social engineering and social justice, Congress is planning to give importance to members of Backward Castes and other disadvantaged sections while issuing tickets and also ensure that all subgroups such as Madiga and Mala in SCs and Lambadas and Adivasis in STs are given proper representation as well. AICC leadership on Monday discussed with several SC, ST and BC leaders from Telangana about probable contestants from these sections and their chances of winning. Among the 119 Legislative Assembly constituencies in Telangana, 19 are reserved for SCs and 12 are for STs. As SC/STs have traditionally been a Congress vote bank, the party had launched a Leadership Development Mission in Reserved Constituencies (LDMRC) in these constituencies more than a year ago to strengthen its cadre and consolidate its voter base. While leaders like V Hanumantha Rao have demanded that the party give at least 2 Assembly seats to OBCs in each Parliamentary constituency, leaders from OBC department have written to Rahul Gandhi to allocate tickets to them according to their percentage of total population. With BC leaders inside the party and pressure groups outside it demanding to give more tickets to BCs, the party high command is exploring the possibility of accommodating contestants from all groups in its list. Meanwhile, AICC top bosses are also keen on not disappoint leaders from the Reddy community, who have been integral to the Congress fortunes. VV Balakrishna By Express News Service HYDERABAD: While Telangana Rashtra Samithi leaders might claim that the grand alliance - Congress, TDP, CPI and TJS - is not a threat to them, their actions and strategies suggest the opposite. It is learnt that TRS could encourage Independent candidates at several Assembly segments, where differences between alliance partners are likely. The pink party is banking on its prediction that there will be quite a few candidates in all four alliance parties who will end up disappointed after the seat sharing and allocation is complete. The party will then encourage these candidates to rebel and contest as Independents to divide the grand alliances vote banks. Once the alliance announces its candidates, discontentment is likely to bubble up among leaders who fail to secure tickets. TRS would most likely take advantage of this situation by adopting a divide and rule policy to try defeat the alliance. The party is yet to announce candidates for 12 constituencies and it is probably in a wait-and-watch mode. The prophesied rebellion READ| Why should turncoats have all the fun? TRS loyalists fume over ticket allocation Congress, which is clearly the Big Brother in the alliance and in the drivers seat, will nevertheless have to spare a considerable number of seats to its allies. TRS leadership is confident that there are bound to be scores of dissatisfied Congressmen after the seat sharing is concluded as these leaders will then have to campaign or vouch for a TDP, CPI or TJS candidate. In any case, there are two to three Congress candidates, and potential future dissidents, at many constituencies. The strategy is to encourage the rebels, especially in Assembly segments where grand alliance is likely to give a tough fight to TRS. The party might encourage these Congress rebels to contest as Independent candidates and split the Oppositions votes, say sources. Besides, TRS is also keenly watching how many seats Congress will spare for its allies. The seats allotted to those three parties (TDP, CPI, TJS) are sure to be a waste for Congress and TRS is sure to win them, said a TRS leader. Party hopping Over the past few weeks, Telangana has seen numerous cases of leaders switching parties in search of greener pastures. Recently, Nandeshwar Goud left BJP and joined TDP after getting assurances that he would be given the Patancheru Assembly segment, upsetting many TDP leaders there who expected that their loyalty would be rewarded by their party. And, it is not even clear if TDP will even get Patancheru, which could ultimately mean Gouds party switch was for nothing and force him to contest on his own. TRS promises life insurance to SCs and STs Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on Monday decided that it will add the promise of providing life insurance coverage to SCs and STs in its election manifesto. The scheme will be christened as Telangana Life Insurance. Apart from several other sops, the life coverage to SCs and STs too will be included in the special manifesto being drafted by TRS for the welfare of SCs and STs. A committee headed by Kadiyam Srihari held discussions on the special manifesto. By PTI DHAKA: The Bangladesh Police has arrested prominent pro-opposition newspaper editor and lawyer Moinul Hosein on a defamation charge, days after he was exposed to massive criticism for calling a woman journalist "characterless" on a TV talk show. Hosein, the owner and editor of the Daily New Nation, is a well-known critic of the government and though he does not belong to any party, the 78-year-old is known for his right-wing political views. The barrister, who had served as an adviser with ministerial status in the past caretaker government, was arrested Monday night by police's Detective Branch. "We have arrested Barrister Moinul Hosein in compliance with an arrest warrant issued by a court in (northwestern) Rangpur," Joint Commissioner at the Detective Branch Mahbub Alal told reporters. Hosein would be kept in police custody overnight at the Detective Branch office to be produced before a court Tuesday for subsequent legal procedures, he said. On a talk show on October 16 midnight journalist Masuda Bhatti had asked Hosein if he represented fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami in the newly-floated Unity Front, as being speculated on the social media. In his reply, Hosein had said, "I thank you for your audacity (in asking the question) and want to call you a characterless (person). " Hosein had a played a key role in the formation of the recently-floated Unity Front, an alliance between the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and other centrist parties. He was arrested around 10 PM from the residence of left-leaning opposition politician ASM Abdur Rab of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), which is also a part of the alliance. "He came out of the house as the plainclothesmen laid a siege around the house and sent him the message that they awaited outside with the warrant," a witness to the arrest process told PTI. The Unity Front comprises main opposition outside parliament BNP and several other political groups led by prominent lawyer Kamal Hossain. Hosein is also a former chairman of the Board of Editors of the Daily Ittefaq, one of the Bangladesh's oldest newspapers. Earlier, Masuda Bhatti had said Hosein had called her to apologise. But, his move could help him little to evade a spate of massive disparagement and a series of defamation cases filed by women rights groups and the one lodged by the woman journalist. A police officer, privy to the arrested, said at least six defamation cases were filed against Hosein for his comments while he managed to secure bail in three of them. "We arrested him in one of the cases where he was not protected under the High Court order," the officer said. Hosien's younger brother Anwar Hossain is a senior minister in the cabinet as his faction of Jatiya Party (JP) is a partner of the Awami League-led ruling coalition. Hours ahead of the arrest Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told a news conference that Hosein deserved punitive actions for his defamatory comments against a "lady colleague of yours". She also described him "an agent of the 1971 Pakistani forces" and "no less responsible" for the killing of martyred journalist Serajuddin Hossain during the 1971 Liberation War. By PTI WASHINGTON: US President Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will meet at the G-20 summit in Argentina next month, the White House announced Tuesday, amid an escalating trade war between the world's two largest economies. The G-20 Summit, comprising top 20 economies of the world including India, is scheduled to take place in Buenos Aires in Argentine on November 30 and December 1. Trump's top economic advisor Larry Kudlow told reporters at the White House that the two leaders are scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit. "The two presidents will meet for a bit in Buenos Aires, Argentina at the G-20, other than that, nothing I can say," he said. He, however, gave no details of the meeting. The announcement came amidst high tensions between the US and China. Responding to questions, Kudlow reiterated the common American concerns with regard to China, including Beijing's unfair trade practices, cyber theft and Intellectual Property rights protection. "Our asks are on the table, I would live to see them respond. Thus far they haven't," he said. The anticipated meeting between Trump and Xi comes as the Trump administration is signalling that it will treat China more aggressively. Earlier this month, US Vice President Mike Pence gave an entire speech laying out the perceived failures of China to adapt to a more liberal world order, and how the administration will respond accordingly. The US imposed a tariff on steel and aluminium and other tariffs totalling about USD 50 billion of goods from China. President Trump in September imposed tariffs on Chinese products worth about USD 200 billion, on top of USD 50 billion already targeted. China hits back at the US with USD 60 billion of new tariffs, a move which further escalated the full-scale trade war between the world's two biggest economies. Trump has threatened to slap tariffs on virtually all of China's exports to the United States in the tit-for-tat trade conflict. By PTI WASHINGTON: The powerful group of G-7 countries Tuesday called for a "thorough, credible, transparent, and prompt" investigation by Saudi Arabia, in full collaboration with Turkey, in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, and High Representative of the European Union in a strong statement said Saudi confirmation of Khashoggi's death is the first step is the first step toward full transparency and accountability. "However, the explanations offered leave many questions unanswered," the statement said. Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on October 2, where he had gone to collect papers for his marriage. Saudi Arabia has said that he died in a fist fight, while Turkey has asserted that it was pre-planned and Khashoggi was brutally murdered. "We reiterate our expectation for a thorough, credible, transparent, and prompt investigation by Saudi Arabia, in full collaboration with the Turkish authorities, and a full and rigorous accounting of the circumstances surrounding Khashoggi's death," the G-7 statement said. Demanding that those responsible for the killing must be held to account, the G-7 said that Saudi Arabia must put in place measures to ensure something like this can never happen again. "The circumstances of Khashoggi's death reaffirm the need to protect journalists and freedom of expression around the world," it said. Meanwhile, US Vice President Mike Pence said that the Trump Administration will follow the facts. "We're going to demand that those responsible are held accountable," he said at an event in Washington DC. "The word from President Erdogan this morning that this brutal murder was premeditated -- preplanned days in advance -- flies in the face of earlier assertions that had been made by the Saudi regime," Pence said. Pence said the killing of Khashoggi was also "an assault" on a free and independent press. By PTI JERUSALEM: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday met Israeli President Reuven Rivlin here and discussed a wide range of subjects of mutual interest, with an eye on engaging with the Jewish nation for technical collaboration and support in the key areas of water management, agriculture and homeland security technologies. During the talks, the President shared Israel's experience on judicious management of water to transform a desert into an agricultural nation, while the chief minister spoke about the need to take urgent steps to check the depletion of water levels in Punjab through better water management and conservation, according to a press release. The President also observed that India's water problem had also been raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Tel Aviv earlier this year. Rivlin suggested use of desalination to make water drinkable, as was being done extensively by Israel through various innovative technologies. Referring to Punjab's hostile neighbours, Singh also underlined the need to adopt Israeli knowledge and technologies in the area of homeland security. The President said Israel was keen to extend to India, including Punjab, all possible support in the area of internal security, the release said. Singh is on a five-day visit to Israel that commenced on Monday. He is heading a high level delegation, which includes Punjab Principal Secretary Tejveer Singh and CM's Media Advisor Raveen Thukral, to the country to strengthen Punjab's cooperation with the middle east nation in the field of agriculture, horticulture, dairy farming, and waste water management, besides trying to attract investments in the state. "Glad to have met President of Israel, @PresidentRuvi today. Discussed the continued strengthening of relations between Israel & India. Expressed to him our great interest in Israeli water management, agriculture and cyber technologies," Singh tweeted after the meeting. "The two leaders discussed a variety of subjects of mutual interest. The talks focused, in particular, on water management and homeland/internal security, with Punjab looking at greater cooperation with Israel on these issues," an official travelling with the chief minister said. During his meeting with the President, Singh gifted him a set of his military history books and a wooden box from Hoshiarpur, engraved with mother of pearls. Rivlin also presented Singh a box from Jerusalem. Describing his first day of official engagements in Israel as "extremely productive", Singh on Monday appreciated the technological knowhow developed by the Jewish nation and expressed hope that his state could also adopt some of them to solve issues of distressed farmers and water conservation. He met officials of Israel's Tyros International Group Ltd on Monday and discussed investment opportunities in Punjab's infrastructure sector. He also visited facilities of NaanDan Jain Irrigation, accompanied by officials of the state, to witness latest technology deployed in precision farming and horticulture. NaanDanJain Irrigation Ltd is the leading global producer and provider of tailor-made irrigation solutions. "Had an extremely productive 1st day in Israel, beginning with some major investment talks, followed by field visits to NaanDanJain Irrigation farms, & Dan Region Wastewater Treatment Plant. Impressed by the Homeland Security presentation on latest technologies to prevent crime," Singh tweeted at the end of a packed day Monday. By PTI ISTANBUL: Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who wrote critically of the kingdom's policies and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. Here are some key moments in the slaying of the Washington Post columnist: Sep 2017: The Post publishes the first column by Khashoggi in its newspaper, in which the former royal court insider writes about going into a self-imposed exile in the US over the rise of Prince Mohammed. His following columns criticise the prince and the kingdom's direction. Sep 28, 2018: Khashoggi visits the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, seeking documents in order to get married. He's told to return Oct 2. Oct 1: Khashoggi returns to Istanbul. At around 16:30, a three-person Saudi team arrives in Istanbul on a scheduled flight, checks in to their hotels then visits the consulate. Another group of officials from the consulate travel to a forest in Istanbul's outskirts on a "reconnaissance" trip. Oct 2 - 3:28 am: A private jet arrives at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport carrying some members of what Turkish media refers to as Saudi "assassination squad." Other members of the team arrive by two commercial flights in the afternoon. They meet at the Saudi Consulate. One of the first things they do is to dismantle a hard disk connected to the consulate's camera system. 11:50 am: Khashoggi is called to confirm his appointment at the consulate later that day. 1:14 pm: Surveillance footage later leaked to Turkish media shows Khashoggi walking into the main entrance of the Saudi Consulate. No footage made public ever shows him leaving. His fiancee waits outside, pacing for hours. 3:07 pm: Surveillance footage shows vehicles with diplomatic license plates leaving the Saudi Consulate for the consul general's home some 2 km away. 5:50 pm: Khashoggi's fiancee alerts authorities, saying he may have been forcibly detained inside the consulate or that something bad may have happened to him. 7:00 pm: A private plane from Saudi Arabia carries six members of the alleged Saudi squad from Istanbul to Cairo, the next day returning to Riyadh. 11:00 pm: Seven members of the alleged Saudi squad leave on another private jet to Dubai, which the next day returns to Riyadh. Two others leave by commercial flights. Erdogan confirms reports that a "body double" 'a man wearing Khashoggi's clothes, glasses and a beard ' leaves the consulate building for Riyadh with another person on a scheduled flight later that day. Oct 3: Khashoggi's fiancee and the Post go public with his disappearance. Saudi Arabia says Khashoggi visited the consulate and exited shortly thereafter. Turkish officials suggest Khashoggi might still be in the consulate. Prince Mohammed tells Bloomberg: "We have nothing to hide." Oct 4: Saudi Arabia says that the consulate is carrying out "follow-up procedures and coordination with the Turkish local authorities to uncover the circumstances of the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi after he left the consulate building." Oct 6: The Post reports Khashoggi may have been killed in the consulate in a "preplanned murder" by a Saudi team. Oct 7: A friend of Khashoggi tells the AP that officials told him the writer was killed at the consulate. The consulate rejects what it calls "baseless allegations." Oct 8: Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Turkey is summoned over Khashoggi's disappearance and alleged killing. Oct 9: Turkey says it will search the Saudi Consulate as a picture of Khashoggi walking into the diplomatic post surfaces. Oct 10: Surveillance footage is leaked of Khashoggi and the alleged Saudi squad that killed him. Khashoggi's fiancee asks President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump for help. Oct 11: Turkish media describes Saudi squad as including royal guards, intelligence officers, soldiers and an autopsy expert. Trump promises to get to the bottom of Khashoggi's disappearance. Oct 13: A pro-government newspaper reports that Turkish officials have an audio recording of Khashoggi's alleged killing from his Apple Watch, but details in the report come into question. Oct 14: Trump says "there will be severe punishment" if Saudi Arabia is involved. The kingdom responds with a blistering attack against those who threaten it, as the manager of a Saudi-owned satellite news channel suggests the country could retaliate through its oil exports. Oct 15: A Turkish forensics team enters and searches the Saudi Consulate. Oct 16: A high-level Turkish official tells the AP that "certain evidence" was found in the Saudi Consulate proving Khashoggi was killed there. Pompeo arrives for meetings in Saudi Arabia with King Salman and Prince Mohammed. Oct 18: A leaked surveillance photograph shows a member of Prince Mohammed's entourage walked into the consulate just before Khashoggi vanished there. Oct 20: Saudi Arabia for the first time acknowledges Khashoggi was killed in the consulate, claiming he was slain in a "fistfight." The claim draws immediate scepticism from the kingdom's Western allies. Oct 22: A report says a member of Prince Mohammed's entourage made four calls to the royal's office around the time Khashoggi was killed. Police search a vehicle belonging to the Saudi consulate parked at an underground garage in Istanbul. Oct 23: Erdogan says Saudi officials murdered Khashoggi after plotting his death for days, demanding that Saudi Arabia reveal the identities of all involved. By AFP BEIRUT: Lebanon's premier-designate Saad Hariri threw his support behind Saudi Arabia Tuesday as it faces outrage over the murder of Saudi journalist and government critic Jamal Khashoggi at its Istanbul consulate. Saad Hariri's comments came less than a year after he resigned in mysterious circumstances in a televised address from the Saudi capital, sparking rumours he was being held there against his will. "The measures were taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the case of journalist Jamal Khashoggi... come within the framework that serves the path of justice and the disclosure of the whole truth," a statement from his office quoted him as saying. On Tuesday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir pledged a "thorough and complete" investigation into Khashoggi's murder. A tough critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Khashoggi disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to collect paperwork for his marriage. A few days later, a Turkish government source said police believed he was murdered by a team sent to Istanbul, and on October 17, a Turkish newspaper said he was tortured and decapitated inside the consulate. The case has tarnished the image of the crown prince and caused policymakers and business titans to cancel their planned attendance at a key investment forum that opened in Riyadh on Tuesday. Hariri said the directives of "King Salman bin Abdulaziz would put things in the right direction and contribute to responding to the malicious campaigns targeting the kingdom", the statement said. Turkey has said the murder of Khashoggi was "savagely planned", and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to reveal what he has said was the "naked truth" about the killing later Tuesday. Saudi Arabia has long been a key ally of Hariri, while Riyadh's regional foe Iran backs Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah. But in November last year, Hariri announced he was stepping down in a televised address from the Saudi capital, causing observers to speculate he was being held against his will. After French mediation, he rescinded his resignation the following month, and Saudi Arabia has denied intimidating Hariri into quitting his post. Hariri was named premier for a third term in May after Lebanon's first parliamentary elections in nine years, but has since struggled to form a cabinet. By AFP OSLO: Some 50,000 troops will kick off NATO's biggest military exercises since the Cold War on Thursday in Norway, a massive show of force that has already rankled neighbouring Russia. Trident Juncture 18, which runs until November 7, is aimed at training the Alliance to mobilise quickly to defend an ally under attack. The head of NATO's Allied Joint Force Command, US Navy Admiral James Foggo, said the exercise was intended to "show NATO is capable to defend against any adversary. Not a particular country, anyone." Russia, which carried out its biggest ever military exercises in September in the Far East, has not been officially identified as the intended adversary, but it is on everyone's minds after the 2014 Ukraine crisis. "Russia doesn't represent a direct military threat to Norway," Norwegian Defence Minister Frank Bakke-Jensen told AFP. "But in a security situation as complicated as we have today... an incident elsewhere could very well heighten tensions in the North and we want to prepare the Alliance in order to avoid any unfortunate incidents," he added. The exercises come after President Donald Trump has repeatedly complained that other NATO members do not contribute enough money to the 69-year-old alliance, although Defense Secretary Jim Mattis reassured allies of America's "iron-clad" commitment earlier this month. 'Sabre-rattling' While the exercises will take place at a respectful distance from Norway's 198-kilometre (123-mile) border with Russia in the Arctic, Moscow has expressed anger over the manoeuvres. Russia was already touchy over the fact that -- independently of Trident Juncture 18 -- the United States and Britain have been increasing their troop presence in the Scandinavian country to acclimatise them to combat in the chilly Arctic. And tensions between Moscow and Washington have flared in recent days after Trump announced he was abandoning a Cold War-era nuclear treaty, a move which Russia warned could cripple global security. When at full strength, 700 US Marines will be on rotation on Norwegian soil. "The main NATO countries are increasing their military presence in the region, near Russia's borders," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, slamming "the sabre-rattling". "Such irresponsible actions are bound to lead to a destabilisation of the political situation in the North, to heighten tensions," she said, vowing Moscow would "take the necessary retaliatory measures to ensure its security." Under President Vladimir Putin, the Russian army has already beefed up considerably in the Arctic. Military air bases have been built or refurbished, and new radar and anti-aircraft missile systems have been installed. In addition, the backbone of the Russian navy, the Northern Fleet, is due to receive five new warships, five support vessels, and 15 aircraft by the end of the year, according to Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. Military 'choreography' "Russia's military strength has pretty much returned to what it was during the Cold War," Francois Heibsbourg of France's Foundation for Strategic Research (FRS) told AFP. "In a way, NATO is also in the process of returning to what it was." "It's a pretty mechanical engagement," a "return to a kind of choreography", he said. But Trident Juncture 18 is "in no way destabilising," he added. The exercises, involving NATO's 29 members plus Sweden and Finland, are nonetheless imposing, with substantial means deployed. The 50,000 troops will be backed by 10,000 vehicles, 250 aircraft and 60 ships, including a US aircraft carrier. "The core exercise area is 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) from the Russian border, and air operations could take place up to 500 kilometres away from the border," Norwegian Lieutenant General Rune Jakobsen said. "There should not be any reason for the Russians to get scared or see this as anything other than a defensive exercise." Two Russian and two Belarus military observers have been invited to watch the manoeuvres. The British contingent hit the road for five days to travel to the exercises. "It demonstrates ... to our NATO allies that we're prepared to move across Europe when needed and to show that we have the capability to do so," Major Stuart Lavery told AFPTV. The function gathered about 1,500 representatives from across the world to discuss the theme on neuro-education, languages and pedagogy of sciences. In her opening remarks, Director General of Cendi Early Childhood Education Centres Maria Guadalupe Rodriguez said the event was intended to provide a platform for educators, social workers and policymakers to analyze and reflect on studies and experiences in neuro-education, languages and pedagogy of sciences. Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Nguyen Hoai Duong praised Cendis preschool education approaches towards poor children. He hoped that Cendi would share experience and pedagogical skills with Vietnamese educational institutes for the country to apply the model. Duong had a meeting with Secretary General of Mexicos Labour Party (PT) Alberto Anaya and Director General of Cendi Early Childhood Education Centres Maria Guadalupe Rodriguez on the sidelines of the international meeting. By UNI SEOUL: North and South Korea have agreed to remove guns and guard posts from Panmunjom, the "truce town" that straddles their border, the latest move in a fast-improving relationship. The announcement comes amid US concerns that the inter-Korean military initiative could undermine defence readiness and comes without substantial progress on North Korea's promised denuclearisation Also known as the Joint Security Area (JSA), Panmunjom is the only place along the border where troops from the two Koreas face each other. The aim is to reduce tensions between the two countries. Earlier this month, troops from both sides started removing about 800,000 landmines buried along the border, BBC reported. "The two Koreas and the UNC [US-led United Nations Command] agreed to take measures of withdrawing firearms and military posts from the JSA by 25 October, and for the following two days, the three parties will conduct a joint verification," the South Korean defence ministry in Seoul said in a statement. The three parties also confirmed the completion of the demining operations in the JSA, it said. Monday's talks were the second meeting of a trilateral JSA commission made up of the two Koreas and the UN Command, which has overseen affairs in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) since the end of hostilities in the 1950-53 Korean War. The village is used as a meeting point, and the leaders of the two Koreas met there twice this year. Meanwhile, a group of North Korean officials left for Russia on Monday, the North's official news agency said, amid speculation that leader Kim Jong-un is planning to visit the country later this month or early next month. By PTI LAHORE: The arrest of PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif in a corruption case has been challenged by a top Pakistani lawyer in the high court here. A K Dogar filed the petition in the Lahore High Court on Monday challenging the authority of Pakistan's anti-graft body - the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) - to arrest Shehbaz Sharif, opposition leader in the National Assembly and younger brother of deposed premier Nawaz Sharif, in the Ashiana-i-Iqbal Housing Project case. Dogar is also the lawyer of Jamat-ud-Dawah chief and 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed. He said the arrest of a person during investigation and trial is inconsistent with article 10(1) of the constitution. "No person can remain in custody unless he is informed about the grounds of his arrest and such ground can only be established after the investigation is completed. No investigation is constitutionally valid unless the accused has been granted the fundamental right," Dogar said. He further said article 10 of the Constitution gives the right to be defended by a counsel at the time of the investigation, which former Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz was not granted by the NAB. He requested the court to declare that section 24 of the NAB ordinance that allows the chairman of the bureau to arrest an accused during investigation or inquiry is inconsistent with fundamental rights enshrined in article 10 of the Constitution. "I pray the court to set aside the order for the arrest of the opposition leader issued by the NAB chairman and release him on bail," Dogar said. The Lahore NAB arrested Shahbaz on October 5 after he appeared before a combined investigation team in this case. He is primarily accused of directing the Punjab Land Development Company (PLDC) to assign the Ashiyana project to the Lahore Development Authority, resulting in the award of the contract to Lahore Casa Developers, causing a loss of Rs 715 million and eventual failure of the project. He has dismissed all allegations by the NAB. Nawaz Sharif has directed the legal resources of his party to contest NAB's plea for further extension of his brother's physical remand when it comes up for hearing on October 30. The ousted premier believes that NAB's case against Shahbaz is "very weak" and his physical remand in the bureau's custody should not be extended. Nawaz Sharif who is on bail in the Evenfield properties case is facing another two corruption cases and has been appearing in the accountability court in Islamabad on an almost daily basis. By Associated Press JAKARTA: Saudi Arabia's foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir said the investigation into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi will produce the truth about what happened. He also pledged that mechanisms will be put in place so that "something like this can never happen again." Adel al-Jubeir spoke on Tuesday in Indonesia, just hours before Turkey's president was expected to detail his own country's findings. READ| Journalist Khashoggi killed within 7 minutes of entering Saudi consulate: New York Times Al-Jubeir says Saudi Arabia is committed to ensuring "that the investigation is thorough and complete and that the truth is revealed and that those responsible will be held to account." Saudi Arabia has acknowledged that Khashoggi died on October 2, during a visit to the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. It maintains he died in a fistfight. Turkish officials say the 59-year-old was attacked and killed by a 15-man Saudi team. By PTI WASHINGTON: The United States has said that voting irregularities in Cameroon cast doubt on the credibility of strongman Paul Biya's latest victory as it urged a peaceful way forward. A council dominated by Biya loyalists said that the 85-year-old leader won 71.3 per cent of the vote, after authorities banned an opposition march called to denounce allegedly widespread fraud. "While we welcome the Cameroonian Election Commission's demonstrable improvement over the 2011 elections, there were a number of irregularities prior to, during and after the October 7 election," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Monday in a statement. "These irregularities may not have affected the outcome but created an impression that the election was not credible or genuinely free and fair," she said. Amid tight security in the capital Yaounde and gunfire in the restive English-speaking region, the United States called for dialogue moving forward. "We urge all parties -- including the government -- to respect the rule of law, resolve peacefully any disputes through established legal channels and avoid hate speech," Nauert said. The United Nations similarly called for Cameroon to rely on "legal channels" to resolve disputes over the re-election of Biya, who has ruled the country since 1982. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "reiterates his encouragement to all stakeholders to prioritize dialogue as the surest path to social cohesion and national unity," a UN statement said. Within the framework of the event, the citys tourism leaders plan to work with Costa Cruises, Genting Cruise Lines, Shanghai China Youth Travel Services and Shanghai Jingjiang in order to establish partnerships with the cruise lines and cruise travel agents. Seatrade Cruise Asia Pacific is expected to see the attendance of more than 1,000 guests, from 34 countries, in the field of cruise ships as well as 193 representatives from over 20 cruise lines. Vietnams Indochina Unique Tourist will attend the conference with a booth introducing the port of Da Nang and cruise tour packages. Indochina Unique Tourist Director Nguyen Son Thuy stated that Da Nang has great potential for cruise tourism development, especially when the central government has approved to separate Tien Sa Port into a dedicated tourism port in the future, which is an opportunity for Da Nang to welcome many large cruise ships. In the first nine months of 2018, Da Nang received 75 cruise ships docking at Tien Sa Port, bringing nearly 94,000 tourists to Da Nang and Quang Nam. The city is expected to welcome 120 ships and 165,000 tourists in 2019. In November this year, Da Nang will organise a conference on cruise tourism development to introduce Da Nang Ports potential and infrastructure as well as the citys development orientations in the future. According to reports, the accident happened at Multan road near the Ghazi Ghat area of Dera Ghazi Khan, a district in Punjab province. One of the passenger buses was completely destroyed in the accident, reported local TV channel ARY News, adding that the bodies of the dead and injured were retrieved after cutting parts of the ill-fated buses. Following the incident, rescuers, police and local people rushed to the site and shifted the bodies and injured to a hospital. A hospital official said that the death toll might further rise as several injured were in critical condition. Police officials in the area said the accident happened due to over-speeding and negligence of the bus driver, adding that a case has been registered against the driver for the negligence. Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in the tragic incident. He also directed hospital authorities to provide the best medical treatment to the injured passengers. According to official data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, around 9,000 road accidents are reported every year since 2011, killing more than 4,500 people on average annually. Traffic police said that 90 percent of the accidents in Pakistan are caused merely by human error. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Chinese leaders Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng attend the opening session of the 17th National Congress of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 22, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BEIJING, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The 17th National Congress of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) opened in Beijing Monday. President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the opening session. The meeting was also attended by other leaders of the CPC and the state including Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Wang Huning, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a speech on behalf of the CPC Central Committee. Over the past five years, trade unions at all levels have mobilized employees to make accomplishments at work, promoted harmonious labor relations, and pushed for reforms and innovations of trade unions, among other achievements, Wang noted. He said Xi's important discourses on the working class and the work of trade unions have pointed out the directions of innovations and development for labor movement and trade unions' work in the new era. "It is the common task of the whole Party and Chinese people of all ethnic groups, as well as the historic mission of the working class, to realize the great blueprint laid out at the 19th CPC National Congress," Wang said. He urged the working class to implement the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress, hold fast to their ideals and faith, give full play to their enthusiasm, advance reforms and innovations, and improve their working skills. More than 2,000 delegates from all walks of life, along with nearly 100 specially invited delegates, attended the national congress. The congress is held every five years. The previous session was convened in Beijing in October 2013. Secretary for the Environment KS Wong speaks at the 16th Hong Kong Green School Award presentation ceremony. The green efforts of 84 schools were recognised by the Environmental Campaign Committee today. Speaking at the 16th Hong Kong Green School Award presentation ceremony, Secretary for the Environment KS Wong said waste reduction at source is the key to tackling environmental problems. He urged the public to take proactive action to achieve the aim of "dump less, save more" and live a low-carbon lifestyle. The environment chief also encouraged schools to maintain their efforts in promoting the message of "use less, waste less". Fifty-nine schools received the Green School Award for promoting environmental education and practising the habit of "use less, waste less", while 25 schools won the Green Lunch School Award. The primary and secondary schools were assessed by four criteria: environmental policy & campus environment, environmental management measures, environmental education plan & implementation, and environmental education effectiveness. Schools meeting the benchmark scores were given gold, silver or bronze awards. Schools receiving the Hong Kong Green School title were invited to compete for the 2018 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence. For pre-schools, assessment was based on environmental infrastructure, environmental management, environmental education, and parents' participation in environmental activities. Launched in 2000, the award scheme has attracted the participation of more than 860 schools and encourages them to formulate an environmental policy, implement an environmental management plan and enhance environmental awareness. Click here for details. Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury James Lau will visit Frankfurt and Zurich from October 23 to promote Hong Kongs advantages in financial services. Mr Lau will take part in the NZZ Swiss International Finance Forum, to be held in Zurich on October 25, where he will deliver a keynote speech on how Hong Kong can leverage its unique advantages in the opening up of the Mainlands financial markets. Upon arrival in Frankfurt, Mr Lau will meet with senior management of financial institutions and fintech companies. He will also speak to leading business figures at a luncheon organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Berlin. In Zurich, Mr Lau will meet key personnel of the financial regulators and the banking, asset and wealth management sectors as well as the fintech community, and give a keynote speech at a business luncheon. He will return to Hong Kong on October 26. Chief Executive Carrie Lam will visit Beijing and Hebei from October 23 to 25. Mrs Lam will depart for Beijing in the evening of October 23 and will attend the fourth Hong Kong/Beijing Co-operation Conference and the opening ceremony of the 22nd Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium on October 24. The Hong Kong/Beijing Co-operation Conference, formerly known as the Hong Kong-Beijing Economic & Trade Co-operation Conference, was established in 2004 and three plenary sessions have been held. During Mrs Lam's meeting with Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee Cai Qi and Mayor of Beijing Chen Jining in Beijing at the beginning of the year, both sides agreed to hold another plenary session as soon as possible to further co-operation between the two places. The Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium has been held annually since 1997 and the two cities alternate to host the event. This year's symposium, themed on the Belt & Road Initiative, will feature activities on the development and further opening up of the initiative, technology and cultural innovation, major works projects and city management. While in Beijing, Mrs Lam will also call on the central ministries and municipal leaders. She will then go to Hebei where she will meet leaders of Hebei Province on October 25. Financial Secretary Paul Chan, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau, Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Patrick Nip, and Director of the Chief Executive's Office Chan Kwok-ki will accompany her. During Mrs Lam's absence, Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung will be Acting Chief Executive. Financial Secretary Paul Chan (second left) chats with staff at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital. Financial Secretary Paul Chan visited a hospital and inspected land development in Tai Po today. Mr Chan first inspected the land development of Lai Chi Shan. He then visited Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, touring the joint replacement centre and a combined heat and power plant. It is the first public hospital in Hong Kong to feature a combined heat and power plant. It utilises landfill gas to fuel its combined heat and power generating system, which supplies electricity to run the hospital's central air-conditioning system. The waste heat from the generator's cooling and exhaust is converted into clean hot water and steam used for showering, sterilising medical equipment, cooking and laundry washing. Mr Chan said the Government will continue with its efforts to improve the environment and combat climate change. He has set aside $800 million in this year's Budget to further promote the installation of renewable energy facilities at government buildings, venues and community facilities. The Government will also enhance tax concessions for enterprises in procuring energy efficient building installations and renewable energy devices, he added. Wrapping up his visit, Mr Chan met District Councillors to discuss livelihood and development issues. Chief Executive Carrie Lam will visit Japan from October 29 to November 2. Mrs Lam will meet government officials, parliament members, representatives of the business and political sectors and professionals in Japan. She will speak at a symposium and dinner organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and at an activity to promote tourism in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. Mrs Lam will also address a forum on financial co-operation between the greater bay area and Japanese enterprises organised by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Japan and Hong Kong. She will attend an architecture exhibition organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, a cheongsam exhibition organised by the Hong Kong Arts Centre, and a special concert presented by alumni of the Asian Youth Orchestra from Hong Kong and Japan. She will also meet leaders of education institutions and organisations specialising in innovation and technology and will conduct visits to seek further collaboration in I&T between Japan and Hong Kong. Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng, Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau and Secretary for Innovation & Technology Nicholas Yang will join parts of the visit. During Mrs Lams absence, Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung will be Acting Chief Executive. Acting Chief Executive Paul Chan (back row, right) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank President Jin Liqun (back row, left) witness the signing of the AIIB Project Preparation Special Fund Contribution Agreement. Acting Chief Executive Paul Chan and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank President (AIIB) Jin Liqun today witnessed the signing of the AIIB Project Preparation Special Fund Contribution Agreement. Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury James Lau and AIIB Vice President Joachim von Amsberg represented the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the bank to sign the agreement. Mr Chan and Mr Lau met Mr Jin and the senior management of the bank before the signing ceremony. Welcoming the visiting delegation, Mr Chan said Hong Kong as a member of the AIIB is pleased to contribute US$10 million to the AIIB Project Preparation Special Fund for supporting low-income countries. He added that he looked forward to the bank making good use of Hong Kong as a hub to source investment opportunities, prospective investors and financing partners. Mr Chan also thanked Mr Jin for accepting the invitation to attend the annual Asian Financial Forum which is scheduled to be held in Hong Kong on January 14 and 15. South Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United Nations Command agreed on Monday to withdraw firearms and guard posts by Thursday from the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the inter-Korean border area, South Korea's defense ministry said. The agreement was reached after the second consultation on disarming the JSA was held at the Freedom House, a South Korean building in the border village of Panmunjom inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The first one was held last week. From Oct. 1, soldiers from the two Koreas conducted a 20-day operation to remove landmines inside the JSA, which was set up right after the 1950-53 Korean War ended with armistice. During the second consultation, the two Koreas and the UN Command agreed to pull firearms and guard posts out of the JSA by Oct. 25, and to conduct a joint verification for the next two days. The three parties jointly confirmed the official completion of the landmine removal works in the JSA, according to the ministry. The disarmament of the JSA was agreed upon by defense chiefs of the two Koreas during the Pyongyang summit in September between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un. Following the disarmament, South Korea and the DPRK planned to station a patrol of non-armed 35 soldiers each, including five officers, inside the JSA. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has availed a further US$3,3 million towards drug procurement, bringing to US$9,9 million the total disbursements made in the past two weeks. In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said the latest disbursement was earmarked for both private and public sector pharmacies as well as the manufacturing sector. As we continue on the path to normalisation of the health service, the ministry further advises players in the health sector that Government is committed to resourcing the industry and the RBZ has in response released a further US$$3,3 million cash to pharmaceutical industry and other health institutions, reads part of the statement. According to the ministry, the development is expected to see things normalising in the health sector, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. As was agreed with various stakeholder representatives, the health sector would embark on the normalisation process and revert back to the status quo through accepting different forms of payment for services, service providers accepting medical aid cards, medical aid societies timely meeting reimbursements for prescriptions and upholding the value of RTGS:US$ at 1:1, further reads the statement. Meanwhile, Pharmaceutical Society of Zimbabwe president Mr Portifa Mwendera yesterday emphasised the need for consistency in availing of foreign currency to improve drugs supplies. He said the initial US$6,7 million availed on October 11 was in the form of letters of credit and drug suppliers were yet to confirm production of drugs using this arrangement. Mr Mwendera said the pharmaceutical sector had for long not been operating using letters of credit. They were using direct payments, hence suppliers were waiting for approval from manufacturers on whether they approve production using this facility. So far, none has been able to confirm that supplies will be delivered using letters of credit and we were told the process takes between two to three weeks before we receive a confirmation, said Mr Mwendera. demand. He said the pharmaceutical sector alone required US$2 million per week to meet its demand. He said the latest disbursement of US$3,3 million was a direct payment and supplies were expected to improve soon, but only for a short period since the amounts involved were far from what is required to meet the nationaldemand. He said the pharmaceutical sector alone required US$2 million per week to meet its demand. Retail pharmacies were allocated US$1 million for importation of medicines and we are going to prioritise medicines for chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Natpharm company, was also allocated US$1,5 million to procure drugs for the public sector and the remaining allocation went to local pharmaceutical manufacturers, he said. Mr Mwendera said the allocations were not enough. Natpharm managing director Ms Flora Sifeku was unreachable for comment regarding progress towards procurements in the public sector. (Newser) While nobody wants the nation's airmen to have to drink cold coffee, Air Force officials have admitted that spending $1,280 for a metal mug that breaks easily is "irresponsible," USA Today reports. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said in a letter to Sen. Chuck Grassley that the service has spent $326,785 since 2016 on the special mugs, which can reheat drinks on air refueling tankers in flight. Service members tell Fox that because of their design, the handle breaks easily when the cups are droppedand when that happens, a new mug has to be purchased at great expense because replacement parts are not available. Decreased production has caused the price of replacement cups to almost double over the last few years. story continues below After Grassley wrote to the Air Force, questioning what he called "yet another report of wasteful spending in the Department of Defense," Wilson told him that a solution was in the works. She said the new Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office can supply 3D printed handles for just 50 cents each. "It is simply irresponsible to spend thousands of dollars on manufactured parts when we have the technology available to produce them ourselves," she told the Republican. Grassley said in a statement Friday that while he was glad to hear about the innovations, he's still not sure why the Air Force can't find a cheaper alternative to a $1,280 cup in the first place. "Government officials have the responsibility to use taxpayer dollars efficiently," he said. "Too often, thats not the case." (The Air Force also paid $30,000 for three toilet seat covers.) (Newser) Turkey's president says the latest Saudi explanation of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death doesn't washand he's demanding answers. The Saudis blame a fistfight that escalated out of control, but in a highly anticipated speech on Tuesday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asserted that the "brutal" killing had been planned days before Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. "Covering up this kind of savagery will hurt the conscience of all humanity, he said, per the Washington Post. Erdogan did not directly implicate crown prince Mohammed bin Salman or any other top Saudi official, but he called on Saudi Arabia to extradite more than a dozen suspects to Turkey as the first step in an investigation. "Pinning such a case on some security and intelligence members will not satisfy us or the international community," he said, per Reuters. Other highlights: story continues below He said a team of Saudi agents arrived in Turkey on Oct. 1, the day before Khashoggi's death, and some visited the woods around Istanbul; that area has been searched for the journalist's body, which has yet to be found. Another team went to the consulate and removed the hard disk from its security camera, he said. Why did these 15 people meet in Istanbul on the day of the murder?" Erdogan asked. "We are seeking answers to this. Who are these people receiving orders from? Erdogan made no mention of an audio recording purported to have captured the slaying, reports CNN. Erdogan asked the Saudis to reveal the name of a "local cooperator" accused of taking the body. The Turks previously revealed that the Saudis used a body double of Khashoggi after the killing. (Read more Jamal Khashoggi stories.) (Newser) With two weeks to go until the midterm elections, passionsand voter turnoutare running high in Texas. In Houston early Monday, thousands of people lined up at a voting location hours before early voting began, the Houston Chronicle reports. Authorities say early voting turnout has been much higher than in 2014 across the state's biggest counties. Renee Cross, senior director for the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston, tells the Texas Tribune that the numbers are "very impressive." "We see so much anger or enthusiasm about candidates in much higher numbers than weve ever seen," she says. "From a political standpoint, I think theres just as much energy that weve seen in presidential years." In other election news: Trump praises "Beautiful Ted." President Trump appeared at a Houston rally for Sen. Ted Cruz on Monday, where both men made it clear the bitterness of the 2016 campaign was behind them. Before he flew to Texas, Trump told reporters that he now called Cruz "Beautiful Ted" or "Texas Ted" instead of "Lyin' Ted," reports the Washington Post. At the rally, the two men embraced and Cruz told the crowd that he is looking forward to hitting the campaign trail for Trump's re-election bid in 2020. Trump described Cruz's opponent, Beto O'Rourke, as "overrated." story continues below "You know what I am? I'm a nationalist." At the Cruz rally, Trump attacked Democrats as a "big risk to the American family" and accused them of "encouraging millions of illegal aliens to break our laws, violate our borders, and overwhelm our nation," the AP reports. He also attacked globalists, declaring himself to be a nationalist. At the Cruz rally, Trump attacked Democrats as a "big risk to the American family" and accused them of "encouraging millions of illegal aliens to break our laws, violate our borders, and overwhelm our nation," the AP reports. He also attacked globalists, declaring himself to be a nationalist. GOP may have the edge in early voting . According to data analyzed by NBC News, talk of a "blue wave" may be overstated: In early voting, Republican-affiliated voters have outnumbered Democrats in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Montana, Tennessee, and Texas, while Democrats are ahead in Nevada. . According to data analyzed by NBC News, talk of a "blue wave" may be overstated: In early voting, Republican-affiliated voters have outnumbered Democrats in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Montana, Tennessee, and Texas, while Democrats are ahead in Nevada. Trump "plans to distance himself from GOP losses." Insiders tell Politico that while Trump is currently describing the midterm vote as a vote on his presidency, he plans to break with recent precedent and distance himself from the results if there are serious GOP losses. The sources say Trump is likely to blame losses on House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellas well as the media. One GOP insider says Trump has said of McConnell and Ryan: "These are their elections ... and if they screw it up, it's not my fault." Insiders tell Politico that while Trump is currently describing the midterm vote as a vote on his presidency, he plans to break with recent precedent and distance himself from the results if there are serious GOP losses. The sources say Trump is likely to blame losses on House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellas well as the media. One GOP insider says Trump has said of McConnell and Ryan: "These are their elections ... and if they screw it up, it's not my fault." Dems lower "blue wave" expectations. Trump may not have to distance himself from results: With congressional races tightening, Democrats have been trying to lower expectations of a "blue wave," the Hill reports. Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez says he believes this year's races will be close and control of the House could rest on just a few votes. (These are the most, and least, political states. (Newser) Rosie O'Donnell says she is now engaged to a "wonderful woman," though the wedding probably won't happen until "a long time in the future." O'Donnell, 56, confirmed to People on Monday that she plans to marry Elizabeth Rooney, a 33-year-old police officer and Army veteran. "Shes very much an equal, shes very much her own person and loves what she does," O'Donnell says. "She's a pretty unbelievable young woman." E! Online reports that the couple, who went public with their relationship in November 2017, currently live in different cities, with Rooney in Boston and O'Donnell living with daughter Dax in New York. (O'Donnell has explained why she thinks President Trump has gone "crazy" on her.) (Newser) TV producer Ryan Murphy revealed Monday that his son, Ford, has been battling cancer for two yearsand that he's donating $10 million to Children's Hospital Los Angeles in tribute to the 4-year-old. Ford, a "sweet little innocent boy with a deep belly laugh and an obsession with Monster Trucks," was diagnosed with neuroblastoma during a routine check-up. He's been incredibly "strong" through surgery and other procedures, "and today he is thriving," the Glee producer and American Horror Story creator writes on Instagram. "He just celebrated his fourth birthday, a milestone we are all so thrilled about." story continues below "Ford is doing so well because of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles," Murphy writes, and the wing the family is donating will ensure "other children can experience the love and care of this exceptional facility," which turns no child away. Murphy, 52, wed photographer David Miller in 2012; the couple welcomed their first son that year and Ford two years later, Page Six reports. (A mystery donor gave $130,000 so a boy could get cancer treatment.) (Newser) Police say a suspected letter bomb was found Monday in a mailbox at a New York state home owned by billionaire George Sorosa frequent target of right-wing groups. Officials tell the New York Times that the device was "proactively detonated" by the bomb squad after an employee found it at the home in Bedford, Westchester County. "An employee of the residence opened the package, revealing what appeared to be an explosive device," police said in a statement. "The employee placed the package in a wooded area and called the Bedford police." Soros, a major donor to liberal causes and the focus of numerous conspiracy theories, was not home at the time. story continues below The FBI's New York field office said in a statement that it is "conducting an investigation at and around a residence in Bedford, NY. There is no threat to public safety, and we have no further comment at this time." Authorities have not disclosed whether the device would have exploded on its own, the AP reports. Soros, 88, has donated billions to groups including the Democratic Party and conspiracy theorists accuse of him orchestrating events including last year's violence in Charlottesville, the BBC reports. Right-wing groups have been known to share his addresses on social media. (An ally of President Trump recently claimed that Soros was funding a caravan of migrants making its way to the US border.) (Newser) A Florida man accused of groping a woman's breast on a Southwest Airlines flight defended his alleged behavior Sunday, noting "the president of the United States says it's OK to grab women by their private parts." Bruce Alexander of Tampa was nonetheless arrested and charged with abusive sexual contact when his plane reached Albuquerque from Houston. A criminal complaint describes how the woman seated in front of Alexander initially felt a hand touch her right breast but thought it might've been an accident, per KHOU and the Albuquerque Journal. She later felt a hand move from the back of her arm to her ribs and again to her breast, this time "attentively," and "told the passenger behind her that she didn't know why he thought it was OK and he needed to stop," per the complaint. story continues below The woman was moved to another seat for the remainder of the flight, which was greeted by law enforcement in Albuquerque due to "reports of a customer's alleged inappropriate behavior onboard." Federal agents say 49-year-old Alexander denied touching the woman despite his reference to the 2005 Access Hollywood tape on which President Trump is heard bragging about grabbing women by their genitals. He also said he slept for most of the flight and wasn't drinking or taking sleep medication. However, his hands matched those the victim described as being thick-fingered and hairy, with dirty finger nails, per the complaint. Alexander, who reportedly asked about a possible sentence, faces up to two years in prison if convicted. A preliminary hearing is set for Tuesday, reports ABC News. (Two pilots say they were groped by the CEO of La Croix.) A maritime drill jointly held by China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was launched Monday in the city of Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong province. A maritime drill jointly held by China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is launched in the city of Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong province, on Monday, October 22, 2018. Photo shows participants attending the opening ceremony of the event. [Photo: Chinanews.com] The seven-day drill will be divided into three parts, including activities at port and on shore, maritime military exercises and a conclusion. During the maritime military exercises, participants will perform missions including search, rescue, and disaster relief. The joint drill is the first of its kind held between China and ASEAN countries and is important in expanding exchange and cooperation between China and ASEAN armed forces, said Yuan Yubai, commander of the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, at the opening ceremony of the drill. (Newser) Tempers flare in the current West Wing as in others, but the New York Times reports on a particularly nasty confrontation this year that required the intervention of the Secret Service. By the newspaper's account of the "near brawl," chief of staff John Kelly got physical with informal Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski just outside the Oval Office in February. Kelly first called for someone to remove Lewandowski from the building, then reportedly grabbed Lewandowski's collar and tried to shove him against a wall as the two men began arguing. Secret Service agents arrived, and the confrontation ended. story continues below All of this reportedly took place while President Trump was inside the Oval Office. Kelly and Lewandowski had both just been in there, too, and the Times says Kelly criticized Lewandowski in front of the president for making money off the president's re-election super PAC. The ill will continued as their meeting with Trump ended. The newspaper presents the story in the context of Kelly's famously hot temper, and Axios notes that he scuffled with a Chinese security official in Beijing last year. (Kelly is apparently not afraid to mix it up with John Bolton, either.) (Newser) Another newspaper is out with a serialized crime story: This time, Kevin Grasha and Cameron Knight of the Cincinnati Enquirer present the four-part story of Cody Jackson, who is introduced as, by 2014, having "an eighth-grade education, two children, no job, no permanent home, no plan, and few skills"at the age of 18. But he did have one skill, and a dark one at that: "He knew how to lure fragile young women into relationships by promising safety, attention and love," and he had a father who willingly and repeatedly sent him money, "which allowed him to drive endlessly through multiple states with little concern about the cost." Grasha and Knight's first two parts, published Monday and Tuesday, track Jackson across the country, with womenor, in some cases, underage girlsin tow. story continues below He would start by professing his love and discussing their future together; then he'd turn on them, instituting extreme rules: The women could only use their phones on speakerphone with Jackson present. They couldn't look at people in public. They had to close their eyes if a TV character was scantily clad. He was once angered when a woman watched a TV commercial that featured wrestlers who were more muscular than he was. On Aug. 27, 2014, things started to unravel: Two women he had been keeping in an Ohio hotel room decided to escape while he was out; though they had a phone, they were initially too afraid to use it to dial 911. After spotting Jackson driving around looking for them, they finally did. Police located Jackson but didn't arrest him. Less than a week later, he left Wisconsin with another girla 15-year-old. Part three will run Wednesday. (In the meantime, read this incredible serialized crime story.) (Newser) A photo released by the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday shows a striking handshakeone between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the son of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The crown prince is suspected of playing a role in the murder of Khashoggi, but he and his father, King Salman, are pictured greeting Salah Khashoggi at Yamama Palace in Riyadh to offer their condolences. They also greeted the elder Khashoggi's brother. A friend of Salah Khashoggi tells the AP that the journalist's son has been under a travel ban since last year. story continues below Also Tuesday, the crown prince received a standing ovation when he made an unannounced visit to his nation's Future Investment Initiative, reports the New York Times. The annual summit has a lot of big-name no-shows this year because of the Khashoggi controversy. Meanwhile, CIA Director Gina Haspel was in Turkey reviewing the investigation, and VP Mike Pence said in DC that the "brutal murder" of Khashoggi "will not go without an American response." (Turkey's president says the official Saudi explanation looks pretty shaky.) / She Was on the Phone With Mom, Then, 'No, No, No!' Police say University of Utah student Lauren McCluskey was killed by an ex-boyfriend The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and tunnel seen on Sunday, as final preparations were made for its opening on Wednesday. [Photo by Vincent Chan/ for China Daily] The 55-kilometer Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, scheduled to open for traffic on Wednesday, will provide a crucial boost to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, analysts said. As the first road link to span the Pearl River Estuary, the bridge and tunnel will energize the regional economy and integrate cities from both sides of the estuary into one dynamic community. The Bay Area, in the Pearl River Delta, encompasses nine cities in Guangdong province plus the two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao. Last year, the total GDP of those 11 cities reached 11.7 trillion yuan ($1.69 trillion). That means 5 percent of the nation's population contributed over 14 percent of country's GDP in 2017. Like the San Francisco Bay Area in the United States, the strategy behind the development of the Bay Area in China was to merge the 11 cities into a world-class city cluster, able to compete on a global scale. "The HZMB is one of the most important elements of the development of the Bay Area," said Jason Ni Mengcheng, an assistant professor in the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at City University of Hong Kong. Ni specializes in research into large transportation infrastructure. With 9.1 million tourists visiting the Kingdom during the first nine months of this year, the tourism segment is witnessing a strong growth, it emerged. This is a 5.7 percent increase compared to the numbers from the last year during the same period. Bahrains tourism sector has shown further growth this year with more tourists coming to the country and longer stays, said Shaikh Khaled Bin Humood Al Khalifa, the Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Authority for Tourism and Exhibitions. I think it is time for the tourism industry to take the economy forward, he said, adding Bahrain is maintaining excellent tourism numbers this year. He was also speaking at the Innovation in Tourism - Building the Tourism Sector for the Savvy Travellers event. Our tourism strategy is based on four As - Awareness, Attraction, Accessibility, and Accommodation. We have worked closely with the Economic Development Board to create the tourism brand. Now we have a unified message on what Bahrain offers and how we can market Bahrain. As a result of creating the Bahrain tourism brand, we launched international tourism offices in seven countries. Bahrain is no longer a weekend destination, people now spend more time here. Our aim now is to extend the average length of stay of the tourists to four nights. The Cassation Court, Bahrains highest court, yesterday rejected the appeals filed by eight defendants convicted of joining the Islamic State (IS). The appellants were earlier sentenced to 10 years behind bars each, while their Bahraini nationality was as well revoked. The eight men were among 24 defendants held guilty in connection with this case, but many suspects are still at large and were held guilty in absentia. Among the fugitives is the Islamic States (IS) ideological leader Turki Al Binali who was handed down life imprisonment by the High Criminal Court. The US-led coalition had released a statement last year, stating that Turki Al Binali had been killed in an airstrike in Mayadin, Syria. His co-defendants were given 15 years behind bars each by the High Criminal Court. However, the High Appeals Court reduced the sentences issued against the appellants but upheld the revoking of their nationality before taking their case to the Cassation Court. The defendants were all tried on grounds of joining the IS. Thirteen of the defendants had also their Bahraini nationality stripped in the process. The others citizenship had been already revoked by a state-issued decree. Aged between 16 and 42, the defendants were charged in October last year with forming a cell that had links with the IS group, plotting suicide attacks and recruiting fighters for the jihadist organization. The defendants are said to have been plotting to carry out a suicide bombing at a local mosque. However, 16 of the suspects are still at large and they are being tried in absentia. The mastermind of the cell was Turki who is believed to have recruited dozens of Bahraini youth and sent them to front-lines outside the country. The Cassation Court accepted the request to retry two men facing the death penalty in light of new medical reports, announced the Public Prosecution. The two Bahraini defendants are implicated in a bomb blast that killed an officer and injured five others. Mohammed Ramadan Hussein, a 31-year-old former employee at the Bahrain International Airport, and Hussein Moussa Mohammed, a 27-year-old former hotel employee, received the capital punishment after they were convicted of premeditated murder, attempted murder, detonating and possessing an explosive device, participating in an illegal gathering and possessing Molotov cocktails. Seven other men accused in the case were sent to six years behind bars each. Bahrain is set to host the 109th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Executive Council from 30 October to 1 November at Art Rotana Hotel in Amwaj. The Executive Council will be discussing several topics related to the development of the global tourism sector including the Secretary- Generals report and general programme of work, the UNWTOs financial report for the period ended 30 June 2018 and the Organizations budget. The council will also discuss the Organisations focus and plans to drive innovation and transformation in the tourism industry by 2030, identifying key priorities for the development of the world tourism over the next two years. In addition, the session will review the progress on the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) recommendations, and the associate members will elect the Executive Vice President of the Executive Board for 2019. The UNWTO will focus on five pillars in the coming period including innovation, digital transformation, investments and entrepreneurship, education and employment, safe, secure and seamless travel in addition to social, cultural and environmental sustainability. This will lead to the creation of new job and business opportunities, an increase of investments in tourism, and enhanced competitiveness and sustainability within the sector, said the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani. Bahrain, represented by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), was selected as a member of the UNWTO Executive Council for the period 2018-2021. WhatsApp, the Facebook-owned messaging app, is one of the main tools that Brazilians use to keep in touch with friends and family, and do business. Increasingly, it is also a part of politics. A recent poll found that 44 per cent of voters in Brazil use WhatsApp to read political and electoral information. Unfortunately, in the lead-up to the first round of the presidential election on Oct 7, the app was used to spread alarming amounts of misinformation, rumours and false news. With just a few weeks before the runoff vote on Oct 28 between the far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro and his left-wing opponent Fernando Haddad, there is still time for WhatsApp to make temporary changes to the platform to reduce the poisoning of Brazilian political life. The company must be decisive before it is too late. There have been positive developments in the fight against false news in Brazil. Ours is one of 17 countries where Facebook has third-party fact-checkers trying to weed out misinformation from the platforms news feed. Facebook and Google have also collaborated on an initiative called Comprova, gathering 24 Brazilian newsrooms to debunk misleading links, videos and images. But these efforts seem to have pushed dirty campaigns elsewhere, in particular to WhatsApp, where activity consists of encrypted personal conversations and chat groups involving up to 256 people. Such chat groups are much harder to monitor than the Facebook news feed or Googles search results. From Aug 16 to Oct 7, we collected and analysed posts in 347 chat groups that are open to the public and focused on Brazilian politics. This is just a small sample of the estimated hundreds of thousands of chat groups that millions of Brazilians use every day to gather information. Our study, which was conducted as a joint project by the Federal University of Minas Gerais, the University of Sao Paulo and the fact-checking platform Agencia Lupa, revealed how misinformation spreads. It is difficult to establish to what extent these misinformation campaigns are affiliated with political parties or candidates, but their tactics are clear: They rely on a combined pyramid and network strategy in which producers create malicious content and broadcast it to regional and local activists, who then spread the messages widely to public and private groups. From there, the messages travel even further as they are forwarded on by believing individuals to their own contacts. From a sample of more than 100,000 political images that circulated in those 347 groups, we selected the 50 most widely shared. They were reviewed by Agencia Lupa, which is Brazils leading fact-checking platform. Eight of those 50 photos and images were considered completely false; 16 were real pictures but used out of their original context or related to distorted data; four were unsubstantiated claims, not based on a trustworthy public source. This means that 56pc of the most-shared images were misleading. Only 8pc of the 50 most widely shared images were considered fully truthful. The problem of false news in Brazil transcends ideological divides. Bolsonaros supporters shared several images describing politicians including those from the center right as communists. The most widely shared image from our sample was a black-and-white photo of Fidel Castro and a young woman. The description accompanying the picture claims the woman is former President Dilma Rousseff, and the text accompanying it suggests Rousseff was Castros pupil, a socialist student. The young woman in the photo, however, is not Rousseff. The picture was taken in the United States in April 1959, when Rousseff was only 11. Yet such images are effective in smearing Rousseff and the Workers Party of which Haddad is a member in a country where there is much antipathy to communism among the middle class. The false news spread by Haddads supporters is generally somewhat different. These messages tend to distort Bolsonaros positions on taxes and the minimum wage, often using exaggerated data. But some anti-Bolsonaro messages on WhatsApp are outright conspiracy theories: After Bolsonaro was stabbed at a campaign event on Sept 6, Haddads supporters shared pictures of the candidate entering a hospital smiling, suggesting he had staged the attack. The image, however, was taken before the stabbing. The alarming flow of distorted information can be mitigated. If WhatsApp changes some of its settings in Brazil from now until Election Day, Oct. 28, it can reduce the spread of lies. Moreover, these simple changes can be made without impinging on freedom of expression or invading users privacy. WhatsApp should undertake three measures immediately: Restrict forwards : This year, after the dissemination of rumours on WhatsApp provoked lynchings in India, the company put restrictions on the number of times that a message could be forwarded. Globally, the number of forwards was reduced to 20, while in India it was reduced to five. WhatsApp should adopt the same measure in Brazil to limit the reach of disinformation. Restrict broadcasts : WhatsApp allows every user to send a single message to up to 256 contacts at once. This means that a small, coordinated group can easily conduct a large-scale disinformation campaign. This could be prevented by limiting the number of contacts to whom a user could broadcast a message. Limit the size of new groups : New chat groups created in Brazil during the next two weeks should have a limit on the number of users. This wouldnt affect existing groups. We contacted WhatsApp this week and presented these suggestions. The company responded by saying that there was not enough time to implement the changes. We disagree: In India, it took only a few days for WhatsApp to start making adjustments. The same is possible in Brazil. Our country is in a decisive political moment. Bolsonaros extreme right-wing positions including his contemptuous positions on human rights and his nostalgia for the military dictatorship have led many voters to fear for the future of our countrys democracy. Many other voters worry that Haddad seems to be following orders from Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, the former president who is now in prison on corruption charges. With such high stakes and such a polarised debate, Brazilians should not be casting their votes on the basis of false or distorted information. None of our proposals would require WhatsApp to limit its operations or impede Brazilians ability to communicate with friends and family. We are suggesting only that the company temporarily impose some restrictions to stop the spread of fake news and dangerous rumours ahead of a critical election. Canadaas legalization of the recreational use of marijuana, which went into effect last week, has prompted the Japanese government to issue warnings that Japanas law on cannabis use may apply to its nationals even when they are abroad. In an Oct. 4 message posted on its website, the Japanese Consulate in Vancouver said that while Canada was set to legalize the possession and use of marijuana on Oct. 17, acts such as possessing or purchasing the drug are illegal in Japan and are subject to legal penalties. It said the Cannabis Control Law may be applicable for actions taken overseas. The consulate asked that Japanese nationals living or traveling abroad respect Japanese law and stay away from marijuana, including food and drink products that contain the substance. An Oct. 11 Japanese language notice issued by the consulate general in Toronto made a similar request. Japanas law makes growing, importing or exporting marijuana punishable by up to seven years in prison. The punishment can reach up to 10 years a and possibly a maximum A3 million fine a for those proven to have engaged in those acts with the intent to profit. Possession, distribution or receipt of marijuana can mean up to five years prison, while those with a profit motive can get a maximum seven-year jail term and up to a A2 million fine. An official of the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry suggested that all individuals, not just Japanese nationals, are technically subject to this law, wherever they are. But there are limits to what authorities can do to pursue someone who violates the law when abroad, especially in a country where the acts are legal. aIt boils down to whether it can be proven that someone had committed acts in question while abroad after that person returns to Japan,a the official said. aItas probably difficult to go after a case unless it involves a situation in which the person has been caught abroad and deported to Japan.a Any individual bringing marijuana from overseas to Japan would certainly be subject to the domestic law, and Canada also warns against such action. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, announces the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge at an opening ceremony in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 23, 2018. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) President Xi Jinping announced the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge at an opening ceremony in the city of Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, on Tuesday morning. Leading officials from Guangdong and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions attended the 9 am ceremony, which takes place at the passenger clearance building of the Zhuhai Port. There were hundreds representing the roughly 50,000 construction workers and engineers from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and Macao SARs who built the mega bridge, including leading engineers and designers. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, announces the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge at an opening ceremony in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 23, 2018. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Representatives of bridge operators from the three cities also attended the grand opening. These include HZMB Authority, immigration and customs officers from the ports in Zhuhai, and in the Hong Kong and Macao SARs. The 55-kilometer bridge-island-tunnel complex, the first sea span across the Pearl River Estuary linking its west and east banks, becomes the premier sea-crossing in the world. The bridge is the result of five years of feasibility research and another nine years of construction. The mega cross-boundary complex officially opens to traffic at 9 am on Wednesday. Looking ahead, the bridge is expected to strengthen trade, financial collaboration, logistics and tourism among the three places. It will bring residents in Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong within a "one-hour living circle", which is expected to attract more visitors to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. A group of attendees of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Opening Ceremony take a photo before the event begins on Tuesday morning. [Photo by He Shusi/China Daily] The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. [Photo/Xinhua] ASEAN members gather for a group photo during the "New Era, New Vision" seminar in Bangkok, Thailand on Octber 22, 2018. (Photo: Zhao Yipu) Bangkok (People's Daily) Thammasat University's East Asian Studies department held a China-ASEAN seminar themed New Era, New Vision on Monday in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. Chinese Ambassador to Thailand, Lyu Jian, ASEAN Affairs Director-General, Suriya Chindawongse, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Kitti Prasirtsuk, Vice Rector of Thammasat University, and Chen Dehai, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Center were in attendance along with 200 visiting scholars and leaders from both China and ASEAN countries. During his opening address, Lyu noted how the China-ASEAN relationship has become the most successful example of cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. ASEAN members attend the "New Era, New Vision" conference in Bangkok, Thailand on October 22, 2018. (Photo: Zhao Yipu) Lyu compared Chinas ASEAN relationship to a binary star shining upon the international stage, delivering tangible benefits for two billion people, while promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond. Both recently settled on the Vision for China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership 2030 which will be presented at the ASEAN summit leaders meeting next month. Looking back, China-ASEAN relations have achieved rich results by adhering to the principles of equality, mutual respect, openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, Lyu added. The Chinese Ambassador emphasized that ever since the Belt and Road Initiative was introduced, China and ASEAN countries have expanded cooperation in all areas. China is ASEAN's first strategic partner and one of ASEAN's fastest-growing partnerships, Chindawongse said during his opening address. Next year Thailand will helm ASEAN and will focus on sustainable development, regional interconnection, cybersecurity, and disaster prevention efforts. China-ASEAN seminar "New Era, New Vision" at Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand on October 22, 2018. (Photo: Zhao Yipu) In his closing remarks, Chen said the China-ASEAN Center has emerged as a strategic partnership between the two sides. Since 2011, the China-ASEAN Center has implemented trade consensus leading to new projects in investment, education, culture, tourism, information media and other key sectors. Chen pointed out that over the course of 15 years, the relationship as contributed to regional peace, stability, and prosperity. As the weather begins to cool, many species in the northern hemisphere will begin to wind down and start preparing for hibernation. All species of ladybird in the UK hibernate - this is technically known as diapause. This is due to their life cycle, as the beetles you see now won't reproduce until next year. The adults of some species will hibernate individually, finding cracks in bark or rocks in which to hunker down for the cold winter months. When the weather then starts to warm, the beetles emerge from their diapause to mate and lay eggs. The larvae then develop, pupate and hatch as adults. Max Barclay, Senior Curator of Beetles at the Museum, says, 'There are a number of species of ladybirds that hibernate in big clusters. Ancestrally harlequin ladybirds would probably have hibernated in big clusters in caves, hollow trees and other sheltered places.' In absence of these they may well try and gain entrance to your home. The easiest way for them to do this is through the small gaps along the edges of loose-fitting windows. Discover other common UK ladybird species that often hibernate in large groups > The Senate has passed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill for third reading.The passage followed the adoption of the report by the joint Senate and House of Representatives committee on the bill, which was presented the Chairman, Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission, Senator Suleiman Nazif.President Muhammadu, Buhari had withdrawn assent to the bill three times, raising various constitutional and drafting issues.The committee had addressed the issues raised by the President in a harmonised, fourth version of the bill.President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, who said passage of the bill was almost impossible, expressed hope that the President would assent to the bill when transmitted by the National Assembly.The House of Representatives has also scheduled third reading of the bill for today. William Stuart Symington, the United States ambassador to Nigeria, says injustice and disregard for rule of law is worse than the stea... William Stuart Symington, the United States ambassador to Nigeria, says injustice and disregard for rule of law is worse than the stealing of public funds. Symington said this on Monday at the convocation lecture of the University of Ilorin, Kwara state, where he delivered a lecture on Citizen Leadership and the Link between Economic Diversity and Democratic Good Governance. The ambassador described disregard for justice and rule of law as more damning a corruption than stealing of public funds. What many consider as the great corruption is stealing of money but what to me is the great corruption is when people are deprived justice, when you do things without regard to the rule of law, Symington said. Speaking on the security crisis in Nigeria, Symington said it is the responsibility of both the government and citizens to secure the country. He said there is no clime in the world where the police alone can ensure safety, while urging Nigerians to support the security operatives. One of the most important things that I want you to leave today with is the idea that good governance can only come from Strong independent citizens, he said. So, I think the right answer is there is no person who can make Nigeria more secure. There was that time in Nigeria when security was not the job of only the soldier and the police, but every village chief and every person who lived in the town was involved. There is no police force in the whole world that keep the neighbourhood safe all by itself. If you have such a police force, I would not want to live in that neighbourhood. Every security in the world derives from the support of the people in the place that is insecure. If you will have the tenacity to change Nigeria, look around you right now and change the life of one person today. Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on Monday, after being denied bail by Lagos Court, fed 150 detainees. Fayose also ... Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on Monday, after being denied bail by Lagos Court, fed 150 detainees. Fayose also secured lawyers for some of the detainees that are in genuine need of legal representation. This was disclosed on Fayoses official Twitter page. Fayose took his Stomach Infrastructure to the EFCC office in Lagos today as he provided food for over 150 people (detainees and visitors). The highly elated detainees jointly sang the National Anthem after their stomachs were adequately serviced. Also, he has secured lawyers for some of the detainees that are in genuine need of legal representation and promised to assist those having challenges in meeting their bail conditions, the tweet read. Fayose on Monday before a Federal High Court, Lagos, pleaded not guilty to the charge of N30.8 billion fraud. He is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside his company Spotless Investment Ltd on an 11-count charge of N30.8 billion fraud. Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, consequently adjourned the case until Oct. 24 for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that he be remanded in the custody of the EFCC. According to the charge, on June 17, 2014, Fayose and Agbele were said to have taken possession of the sum of N1.2 billion for purposes of funding his gubernatorial election in Ekiti State which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of crime proceeds. Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, has absolved President Muhammadu Buhari of allegations of double standard in the crisis rocking the... Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, has absolved President Muhammadu Buhari of allegations of double standard in the crisis rocking the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Critics of the president have accused him of shielding Usman Yusuf, executive secretary of the scheme, who has been involved in different controversies since he assumed office in July 2017. Yusuf was suspended by Isaac Adewole, minister of finance, last year but reinstated six months later. Last week the NHIS board also suspended Yusuf over alleged corruption but he described the action as illegal, saying only Buhari had the power to do so. Subsequently, he returned to office under the protection of the police. Shehu said regardless of the allegations against Yusuf, the ES has prevented the usurping of public funds. He alleged that the NHIS had been ethnicised and politicised by some interest groups within and outside the agency, asking if Yusufs suspension followed due process. Did the board follow due process in suspending this gentleman? There are opinions that said `no they havent, Shehu said. Again we all have to do the right thing all of the times. I dont deny the fact that there is a lot of work to do. The fact is that the whole thing about the NHIS has been ethnicised and politicised. Even a political party was issuing a statement on matters that are unknown to it. Ill tell you one thing, as we speak now, you know that no matter whatever mistakes this gentleman may have made, and that is to be proven because I dont have the records to say yes or no, he has launched a major reform in that institution. Well, there is no double standard there either than to say that the pictures that the government is looking at many Nigerians perhaps may not be seeing those pictures. Money from the NHIS is not money belonging to government, is money taken from your salary, from my salary. If we have been enlisted, we are supposed to get treatments when we fall ill then you should ask the question in 13 years of the NHIS how many Nigerians have received the treatments. Yet you have HMOs, these vendors, taking N5 billion every month, money that is just being shared and somebody came and said, `look, this cant go on and with strong support from this administration the N5 billion has been reduced to N1.3 billion. And even at then, the administration is not satisfied. We want to see healthcare delivered to the citizens of this country. So there is a lot of work to do. The Presidency has reacted to the recent video footage showing the reappearance of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in Israel.The presidency said, if it is indeed true that Kanu has reappeared, then that the Nigerian government has been vindicated of accusations it either assassinated or kidnapped the IPOB leader.President Muhammadu Buharis special assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, made the statement in an interview on the BBC Hausa Service on Tuesday.Recall that Kanu had vanished into thin air for several months after the Nigerian Army launched an exercise code-named Operation Python Dance which saw a clash between the army and IPOB members at Kanus hometown.After the incidence, many, especially IPOB members accused the Nigerian Federal government of assassinating or kidnapping the IPOB leader.However, months later, Nnamdi Kanu reappeared in Israel where a video footage showed him to have gone to pray at the Wailing Wall.Nnamdi Kanu, thereafter, made a live broadcast through the Radio Biafra, on Sunday where he said that the argitation for the freedom of Biafra will continue.In the broadcast, Mr. Kanu also called on the IPOB supporters not to take part in elections in Nigeria.However, reacting to the claim of Kanus reappearance, the presidents aide said, If it happens to be true, the video footage showing Mr Nnamdi Kanu; the truth has been revealed about his alleged assassination against Nigerian government.He said the Nigerian government was accused of killing the IPOB leader, only for him to reappear in Israel.This fairy tale went up to United Nations General Assembly where some IPOB members staged a protest accusing Nigeria government of kidnapping and even killing of Mr. Kanu,He said now that Mr Kanu has appeared, people will know who lied between the government and those that made accusations.Shehu also said that should the IPOB leader enter the country, that his trial will definitely continue.Meanwhile, Kanu, in his broadcast on Sunday, had said that he will not return to continue his trial in Nigeria because he has no faith in the Nigerian judicial system. The Director of Strategy and Documentation of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Olisa Mbakwe on Monday announced that its leader,... The Director of Strategy and Documentation of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Olisa Mbakwe on Monday announced that its leader, Nnamdi Kanu has been sacked from the group. Mbakwe said Kanu was fired for placing more value on his dog than those murdered in the struggle for the realisation of Biafra. Speaking during Sundays broadcast from his base in Israel, Kanu mourned his dog and a few other people in his compound, who lost their lives when military men invaded the place in September 2017. Kanu had said during the broadcast, The Army of the zoo killed my dog Jack and a few other people in my compound. I am sorry for what my sureties are passing through, but I want to assure them that they will have a special place in Biafra. I shall not be honouring the court. Reacting, Mbakwe described Kanu as an insensitive and callous leader that has no value for his own followers but rather his dog, Jack whom he paid tributes to after his long disappearance from the struggle. In a statement he personally signed, Mbakwe, of IPOB, also insisted that Kanu was a traitor not worthy of any leadership position anywhere in the world. He stated that Kanu was removed for reasons which included, personalisation of the Biafran struggle and derailing from the core objectives of IPOB as a grassroots movement. The statement read: On Sunday, October 21, 2018, an individual, Mazi Nnamdi Nwanekaenyi Kanu, claiming to be the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Director General of Radio Biafra made a live broadcast that has left us perplexed, because it is unthinkable that someone will impersonate IPOB to the point of plotting to abuse the organization to hurt the interest of Biafra. The strength of the Republic of Biafra that we are struggling to actualize, is in its human resources as embodied in our versatile youths that dominate the fields of play across sectors of human endeavor; the country we have set our vision on creating is therefore not to be made up of tombstones but of people fulfilling their life missions as ordained by God. Nnamdi Kanu relinquished his position as the leader of IPOB struggle the day he deserted our members to die, when they had mobilized to stand for our belief in Biafra at his residence in Afaraukwu. Several of our members were injured and some died in that encounter and even after emerging from hiding more than one year later all Kanu could do was to desecrate their memory with his radio broadcast. Nnamdi Kanu vividly, specifically and particularly recalled his family dog, Jack, by name while he dismissed our members that died as mere statistics he only recalled them as 28 IPOB members. Even if Kanu had not deserted, there is no way we would have continued under the leadership of a man that values his family dog more than Biafrans. We are not unmindful of how Kanu struck the deal that granted him bail in the first place while abandoning our members, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawusi, Bright Chimezie Ishinwa and Chidiebere Onwudiwe to languish in jail. Instead of using his freedom to accelerate the freedom of these authentic freedom fighters, he rather went about Biafra land receiving obeisance from Biafrans like a monarch, when our dear land is completely republican. The travails of these our brothers are not over yet and might have been worsened by Kanus live broadcast, which has totally upset us. In line with the decisions earlier announced on Radio Biafra on November 17, 2017 that Mazi Ezenwachukwu Sampson Okwudili is the new director for the radio, we reaffirm that Mazi Nnamdi Nwanekaenyi Kanu remains sacked as the Director of Radio Biafra and has also been removed as the leader of IPOB since he has proven he is not a worthy leader that respects the sanctity of the lives of our members. The Government of Israel has denied knowledge of the presence of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB... The Government of Israel has denied knowledge of the presence of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in the country. The Israeli nation said it had no evidence about the sudden appearance of Kanu in the country. Kanu last weekend appeared in a video praying on the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. In the video, which surfaced online, the IPOB leader could be seen donning an Israeli outfit used for prayers while holding a book. Just yesterday, Kanu addressed his supporters from his based and declared that there will be no election in South east come 2019. However, the Israeli Government claimed that the pictures and videos showing Kanu praying at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem could be old. The Spokesperson of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Mr Emmanuel Nashon, speaking during an interactive section with some African Journalists in Jerusalem, said there was no evidence that the leader of IPOB was in their country of recent. There are no details about his (Kanu) recent visit to this country yet, Emmanuel said adding that the pictures and videos could be old ones. Speaking on their relationship with Africa, Emmanuel said Israel has been misconstrued adding that they are getting back to their old friends. Our relationship with Africa is extremely important, Emmanuel said, insisting that the continent stands to benefit more from Israel. Israel is a peaceful nation that believes in the process of the world at these changing times, Emmanuel disclosed, adding that they have different religions such as: Judaism, Christianity and Islam that live peacefully with one another. A former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reuben Abati, has opined that the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra... A former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reuben Abati, has opined that the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu may be acting out a script by resurfacing at a time when the political atmosphere in the country was gathering momentum, ahead of 2019. Abati hinted that Kanus decision to resurface from his hiding place may have a political undertone. In his latest article titled, Nnamdi Kanu as Wailing Wailer, Abati said Kanu may be a curveball being used to frustrate the Atiku-Obis ticket. The embattled IPOB leader, who has not been seen since September 2017, had last week Friday resurfaced in Jerusalem praying. However, Abati in his article wrote: Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement suddenly resurfaced in Jerusalem, Israel at the Wailing Wall, after his one-year disappearance that resulted in speculations about his whereabouts. Kanu has since issued a statement through Radio Biafra in which he denounced the Nigerian state and boasted that no Nigerian court can do anything to him. Before disappearing from sight, under the cloud of the invasive Operation Python Dance in his home state of Abia, IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu had accused the Nigerian government of trying to kill him and destroy the Biafran movement that he leads. He has now been quoted as saying: (The) Nigerian court is a kangaroo court. I did not jump bail. I left because the court failed to protect me. I shall not be honouring the court. I cannot be tried by a court I do not recognize. Nigeria cannot jail me. Whatever may be the quality of Nnamdi Kanus grievances, he must be told in clear terms that he cannot make such claims of superiority to the state as he has done. No non-Nigerian can even say that Nigerian courts are unacceptable and yet engage in acts that could have implications for Nigerias sovereignty. Kanu says he escaped during the invasion of his home by Nigerian soldiers. We have condemned that invasion its manner, style and intent. We have defended the right of indigenous peoples to ask for self-determination, under the right circumstances. But no other Nigerian, including Igbos, believes that Nnamdi Kanu is superior to the Nigerian state. He is on record as having said: I am Nnamdi Kanu, no mortal flesh can kill me. They have not given birth to that very person. Since they didnt want me to come to court, I shall come back to Biafra land If no mortal flesh can kill him, why run away then? Ple-a-se! Some other reports indicate that when Nnamdi Kanu returns, he will bring hell. I am not sure that is a correct public statement to make. I do not see many Nigerians who are looking forward to a promised hell. They are in hell already. And they are not likely to rely on the words of a man who vanished, when the Nigerian hell became too hot, but he is now bragging that he will return and lead his followers to a hotter part of hell. When and if Kanu returns, (he is probably just bluffing), he may find a smaller crowd behind him. What will he say to the many families who lost loved ones and property while he and his own family fled to safety? I owe my survival to the state of Israel, Kanu says. I want to send my solidarity to @GovAyoFayose, he purportedly added. There may be politics tied to Nnamdi Kanus return. Why now, when an Igbo man, has been named by the opposition party as Atiku Abubakars running mate? Is anyone using Nnamdi Kanu as a curveball to frustrate the Atiku-Obi ticket? Who dragged him out of whatever hole he crawled into, now to use him to play politics? However, by his conduct, and utterances, Kanu has watered down the potency of the revolution that he leads. He disappointed many. He has also failed to realise that while he was absent from the battle front, the dynamics of the revolution changed. Ralph Uwazuruike, leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), has told the Igbo to ignore ... Ralph Uwazuruike, leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), has told the Igbo to ignore the things Nnamdi Kanu, leader of Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) said on Sunday. Uwazuruike, who spoke in Owerri, Imo state on Monday, said Kanus directive to the Igbo to boycott the 2019 elections except there is a referendum, is for his selfish interest. Kanu resurfaced in Jerusalem, Israel after 13 months absence, saying he would come back to Nigeria to oversee the emergence of Biafra. I decree that there is no longer South East or South South Nigeria, it shall be known as Biafra, without referendum nothing will happen in Nigeria. IPOB will not participate in any election and that position will never change, Kanu had said. But Uwazuruike said Kanu reappeared because of the 2019 elections so as to deceive the people and mop up money for himself. He told the Igbo that Kanu was only deceiving them, adding that it is to their detriment if they do not vote. Last time, he carried a campaign that there wouldnt be election in Anambra state and what eventually happened in the end? Uwazuruike asked. Today, he has started again. He is back again after several months, because election is just by the corner, so as to deceive the people and mop up money for himself as the IPOB leader and in the name of fighting for the realisation of Biafra independence. That he ran away after a while and reappeared during the electioneering period is deceitful. The issue of no election is a constitutional matter. Kanu does not have the powers to say that election can never take place in the south-east. The truth is that in the south-east, we have only five states and what a presidential candidate, for example, only needs to win his or her election is two-thirds majority vote. If the five states out of the 36 states, including the FCT, do not vote and 31 states vote, two-thirds majority would still be gotten. The president then has the powers to appoint anybody to be in charge of the other five states who do not vote. This is, therefore, politically detrimental to Ndigbo. The senate has passed a bill amending the electoral act. The bill was passed on Tuesday after Suleiman Nazif, chairman of the comm... The senate has passed a bill amending the electoral act. The bill was passed on Tuesday after Suleiman Nazif, chairman of the committee on INEC, presented a report on the floor of the senate. In August, President Muhammadu Buhari rejected the bill because of some issues the lawmakers failed to address during revision to the bill. After addressing the concerns of the president, the bill was reintroduced and subsequently passed. Senate President Bukola Saraki had asked the committee to take note of the observations made when the bill was deliberated upon to be passed the second time. While presenting the report, Nazif said all the issues raised by the president had been captured and addressed. Clause 14 amends section 49 (4) of the act that deals with the failure of a card reader. Where a smart card reader deployed for accreditation of voters fails to function in a polling unit and a fresh card reader is not deployed three hours before the close of the election in that unit, then the election shall not hold but be rescheduled and conducted within 24 hours, provided that where the total possible votes from all the affected card readers in the units or unit does not affect the overall result in the constituency or election concerned, the report read. The lawmakers were accused of removing this clause. Clause 24 amends section 87 (13) of the act deals with the deadline for primary elections. The report said the dates of the primary polls shall not be earlier than 150 days and not later than 90 days before the date of election to the elective offices. Clause 32 amends section 140 (4) of the act that deals with the omission of name of candidate or logo of a political party. It states that if at the point of display or distribution of ballot papers, a candidate or an agent name or logo of is omitted, candidate will notify the commission and it shall rectify and fix another date not later 90 days. The bill pegged spending limits for presidential, gubernatorial, senatorial and house of reps candidates at N5 billion, N1 billion, N250 million and N150 million respectively. A high number of security operatives were on Tuesday deployed to strategic positions at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, ahead of President Muhammadu Buharis visit.The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the operatives were already at their respective positions at 6.30am.They included officers from the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Air Force, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.Also on the ground were officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps who were observed controlling the vehicular traffic within the airport and its environs.NAN reports that Buhari is expected to arrive at the Presidential Wing of the airport at and thereafter proceed to Seme Border Post in Badagry in a helicopter.The president is expected to perform the official open the new Economic Community of West African States Border Posts at Seme-Krake and Neope-Akanu in Badagry with his Republic of Benin counterpart, Patrice Talon. The Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has said that the Federal Government would soon announce the take-off of the suspended national carrier project, Nigeria Air.The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria shared the news on their unverified Twitter handle, @FAAN_Official.Their tweet read, BREAKING: Sirika Says National Carrier Project Take Off Date To Be Announced SoonStakeholders Forum Moved To Nov. 8Sirika reportedly made this known during the visit of the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Nigeria, Fahad Al Taffaq to his office on Monday.Sirika had on September 19, announced the decision of Federal Executive Council to suspend the Nigeria Air project for strategic reasons without giving further details.See FAANs tweet:BREAKING: Sirika Says National Carrier Project Take Off Date To Be Announced SoonStakeholders Forum Moved To Nov. 8https://t.co/J8wv2FBjN8 pic.twitter.com/bgRAFer9wI https://t.co/Z81lNZlgcP FAAN (@FAAN_Official) October 23, 2018 Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), says only one or two governors of the party are not... Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), says only one or two governors of the party are not comfortable with him remaining in office. Oshiomhole said this while fielding questions from state house correspondents on the plot to oust him. THISDAY had reported that 15 of the 23 governors of the APC have finalised the plot to remove him and are about forcing a national executive committee (NEC) meeting where he will be unseated. But Oshiomhole said he had over 90 percent members of the party on his side. He said the governors who were not impressed with his style fell out with him because he insisted on following due process. I need to consult a lawyer who understands legal language to decode it to my layman understanding to be able to deal with it. But the only thing I thing that I just want to clarify is that I have seen banner headlines, people are just calling me, there is crisis in APC, that my office is under threat, some APC persons are very angry and all that, he said. I just want to say that this is my finest hour. I am being encouraged by the level of participation in our primaries and of course the more open, the more the democratic process is. Most people today who are actively involved in politics that we might describe as not too young to run, the only model that they have seen was the PDP model which ran for 16 years. So understandably, the culture of opposition, the culture of cheating, the culture of power determine outcome has been so well entrenched. And what we are trying to do under my leadership of the All Progressives Congress is to work consciously to entrench the core values of progressive politics which is that the people must necessarily lead, the members should not be distant spectators, the party members should be the drivers of this process. Yes we recognise power, yes we recognise protocol but at the end of the day, power must flow from the membership when it comes to primaries and it must flow from the Nigeria people when it comes to the popular election. When I was in Edo state, I fought and I defeated the rigging machine. So, having done that I now been privileged to be chairman of All Progressives Congress, I cannot watch people who have power try to suppress those who are powerless. Somehow it has been my lot to be on the side of the oppressed whether that oppressed is a worker, whether is a senator or House of Reps, whoever you are that I think that my job is simply well cut out for me so that we uphold the rule of our party and the Electoral Act and the spirit of progressive politics and I think that I can say comfortably that about 90 per cent of APC membership are happy, it is not possible to have 100 percent. So, on the whole I am a very happy person, it has been quite challenging but I can say tough time doesnt last, but tough people will always do. And I think we have been toughened by our history of struggle. And I humbled by the amount of support we are getting from critical stakeholders. There maybe one or two governors who have issues and those issues can only be resolved democratically within the spirit, the letter and all the relevant provisions of APC Constitution, Electoral Guidelines and of course the Electoral Act. The Electoral Act is completely blind and our party rules too are completely blind to power that it is sensitive to procedures, it is sensitive to processes. The good news is that the overwhelming majority, we have about 23 governors, I think we are very much happy, I dont have issues with anyone, only one or two may have some situation that they may want to see differently but that how the world is. In one minute, what happens in Guangxi? In one minute, 184 tourists enjoy the majestic landscape of Guilin. In one minute, 71 beach-goers feel the fine quartz sand at Beihai Silver Beach. In one minute, six people explore the historic heritage of Huangyao Ancient Town. In one minute, 2,271 tourists celebrate the traditional Lunar March 3rd Carnival. In one minute, 556 bags of spicy Liuzhou rice noodles sit on tables across China and beyond, made possible via e-commerce platforms. In one minute, 133 crates of mangoes are ready to be delivered. In one minute, an embroidered ball is shipped out of Jiuzhou County. In one minute, 161.7 kg of jasmine flowers are hand-picked in Heng County, the Jasmine Capital of China. In one minute, sugar output reaches 33.4 tons during sugarcane crushing season. In one minute, 2,340 cubic meters of water flows through Detian Waterfall. In one minute, a Chinese White Dolphin swims 1,000 meters in Qinzhou Bay. In one minute, afforestation programs spread 4,491 square meters. In one minute, 4 vehicles roll off automobile production lines in Liuzhou. In one minute, 326 tons of cargo are processed at the Beibu Gulf International Port. In one minute, a Europe-bound cargo train departing from Guangxi travels 1,667 meters. In one minute, Guangxis trade volume with ASEAN countries hits 344,000 yuan. In one minute, see the beauty of extraordinary mountains. In one minute, experience the diversity of minority ethnic groups. In one minute, savor cuisine from the Zhuang ethnic minority. In one minute, solutions are provided for Guangxis green development. In one minute, the free-trade door opens wider. In one minute, experience the appeal of the land of spices. Oct. 23 marks the beginning of the Frost's Descent, also known as "Shuangjiang" in China. The Frost's Descent is the 18th of 24 solar terms in the Chinese lunar calendar. It refers to the time of year when frost starts to creep across China, dew becoming icy thanks to plummeting temperatures, as recorded in ancient Chinese books. As the last solar term in autumn, the Frost's Descent, bringing frost and freezing winds, is considered autumn's last chapter and the prelude to the coming winter. Traditional customs: The Frost's Descent, with clear autumn skies and refreshing air, is an excellent time go hiking and catch the sights from high up in the mountains. Many Chinese believe that Shuangjiang is a good time to go walking in the highlands and enjoy the beauty of nature. During this bright autumnal time, Chinese folks also enjoy chrysanthemum flowers, which blossom in late autumn and are known as the "flower of longevity." Eating persimmons during this period is also a traditional Chinese custom. An old Chinese saying goes that eating persimmons can prevent a runny nose. The Chinese think that these fruits not only keep out the cold, but also supplement the human body with necessary vitamins to fight off winter illnesses. Healthy living tips: Shuangjiang is the best time to adjust to a healthy lifestyle, which reflects the belief that this is a critical time to focus on health. Keeping warm becomes a top priority. As the climate is arid after the Frost's Descent, seasonal fruit and vegetables such as cabbage, green radishes, persimmons, and pears are good choices to keep healthy and hydrated. A trainee packs tea leaves at the vocational training center. (Photo/Huanqiu.com) Like many other cities in northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Hotan offers vocational training to residents. Western media has previously described these schools as places of horror, where locals are imprisoned. However, these labels are false. At a training center in Yutian County, Hotan City, a sign outside the center reads, "Turn people who need work into people who have the necessary skills for work." Extremist ideas previously poisoned the minds of many trainees here, and some were even coerced or lured into terrorism. This behavior breaks Criminal Law, Anti-Terrorism Law, and other relevant laws and regulations. To better adapt those affected, the local government provides free, education-oriented training sessions for people to improve their skills, as well as learn laws and Mandarin Chinese. Workers pack local specialties at the center's food factory. (Photo/Huanqiu.com) After acquiring the necessary skills and eliminating radical ideas, trainees can work in the training center's industrial park. Everyone wants to have a job, to be capable in a specific area and have a steady source of income, said a group leader of the training center's printing house. The training center has introduced a printing factory, tea factory, and shoe factory to provide jobs for the trainees. The basic monthly salary is around 1,500 yuan ($216) plus bonuses. The printing house recently completed a project that had been running since July, printing elementary school exercise books worth 3.7 million yuan, according to the group leader. Students greet their teacher at a school in Yutian County, Hotan, northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. (Photo/Huanqiu.com) Additionally, the training center has a daycare service and school for children whose parents work in the center. The school is only a few minutes away from the factory. Previously, many of the children didn't have a chance to go to school, because their parents had been influenced by religious extremism, said Luo Hongmei, chief of the Party committee of the education bureau of Yutian. Now, they are more open and smile a lot. Moreover, their personal hygiene has improved, and they perform well in their studies, said Luo, adding that these changes lay a solid foundation for their future development. At this years Horology Forum in London you were a speaker on the panel entitled When David clocks Goliath, which discussed the rise of independent watch brands in the face of the bigger and more established brands. What were your conclusions from this panel? Im not at ease with the comparison between David and Goliath. In an ecosystem there is room for cohabitation between the different players. One good example between of a win-win scenario is the SIHH and its decision to incorporate the Carre des Independants. The SIHH helped to provide an interesting environment for collectors, trade and the press. Brands both big and small have benefited from the new dynamism of these shows, but so have the smaller ones. The biggest risk I see is the watch industry taking the same path as the car industry. I recently read a report that claimed there were 350 watch brands in Switzerland. In the car industry there might be around 20 or 30 worldwide. Now, the regulatory framework is completely different, of course, but the barriers to access technology and investment are now so high that the possibilities for newcomers are very very limited. I see a risk for the watch industry because we are seeing increasing concentration, with a handful of the biggest brands representing around 80% of the industrys sales. The collective responsibility of the Swiss watch industry is to make sure that projects by smaller brands are still feasible. During the panel you made a comparison between HYT and Tesla. Can you elaborate on this? Tesla, and Space X for that matter, arrived in mature industries. They brought with them visions of something new. But Tesla is more than just a technological adventure, it actually changes peoples views on transport in general. This is extremely powerful and there is indeed a good parallel with HYT, because our project is not just technological either. Yes, we use a new technology, which we had to develop ourselves (and like Tesla, it was not without difficulty) but it is an adventure that offers a new perception of time. Tesla offers a different form of interaction with your car, HYT offers a different interaction with your watch and the notion of time in general. How have you shaped the company since taking over as CEO? Since we launched the H0 at Baselworld 2017 and the H20 this year we have seen an evolution at the brand and an adaptation of our communications strategy. The watches have evolved in a return to the very roots of the project. The idea was to be able to offer a different kind of interaction with a watch because of the fluids. HYT was born from this desire to push things forward in watchmaking history. H0 models unveiled in 2017 HYT If you look at contemporary indicators, for example on cars and even on the Apple Watch, you see more and more gauges and fewer hands. Think about your phone and your computer, any kind of duration, whether it is for battery life or downloading a file, is in the form of a progress bar. We asked ourselves why they dont use hands and we realized it is because you need to educate people to read them (see our editorial on this), because it is not intuitive. On the other hand, everyone can understand a gauge and a progress bar. The history of timekeeping started with the clepsydra, which is a water clock. It used fluids! So the idea dates back thousands of years, long before the advent of the mechanical watch movement. H20 HYT More specifically, how has the collection evolved over the same period? The H0 was deliberately designed to hide the movement from the top. It has a slick look but nevertheless has seven individual elements to the dial. You can still see the core fluidic elements but we added a large sapphire dome to show off the three-dimensional view of time that we offer thanks to the capillary and the fluids. We also removed the part that hid the central element, where the capillary emerges, which is the very essence of the watch. We have now opened this up so you can see the fluids emerging. Its something we used again on the H20 and it makes the watch more understandable. The case without lugs is also a step towards a more fluid design and also makes the watch more comfortable on the wrist, as does the pebble-shaped crystal, which also evokes the idea of having been smoothened by the passage of a liquid water. H0 X Eau Rouge and H0 Gold HYT The Skull 48.8 has a smaller case and we can see that there are still many possibilities for developing the skull further. While the H0 is now our best seller in volume and value the skull remains very successful and one of our favourite models, because it allows us to express our philosophy to the full. You can still read the hours, but because we have removed the minutes it forces you to take a step back and think about memento mori and reflect on our mortality. After all, the skull is one of the best symbols of time passing. Skull 48.8 HYT How do you see HYT developing over the coming years? We consider ourselves as a laboratory rather than a manufacture. I dont think it makes any sense to vertically integrate production of some all of our components. Take the bellows: given the volumes we need it would require huge investment. Our suppliers partners also work for NASA so they are a very good reference. Furthermore, I dont want to vertically integrate anything that is easy to do. You can find plenty of suppliers who can do machining, for example. If you visit some watch brands you just see halls full of CNC machines. You wont find any of that at HYT. But there are some key elements in our watches where we simply cannot find the expertise anywhere else. We had to develop it ourselves. We have thus become experts at fluid injection, because we have to inject our fluids into a capillary that is 10,000 times more watertight than a normal wristwatch without leaving the slightest trace of air bubbles. We also manufacture our own fluids. We dont simply buy these off the shelves. We could buy them in with a purity of 99.9%. Our main problem is the remaining 0.1% that nobody masters but which could cause us real problems. Bending the glass was also a headache. We tried many different solutions but in the end we decided it was better to invest in doing this ourselves. Can you give us some hints at what to expect at the SIHH and Baselworld next year? We will have a lot of announcements between now and Baselworld, including a couple of big ones. As in 2017 and 2018, We we will not be attending Baselworld next year, but we will nevertheless be presenting something spectacular at during this periodBasel in 2019. And we are already thinking about pushing the idea of fluidic time even further. 23/10/2018 - The academic performance gap between advantaged and disadvantaged children develops from as early as 10 years old and widens throughout students lives, according to a new OECD report. Equity in Education: Breaking down barriers to social mobility finds that, on average across OECD countries with comparable data, more than two-thirds of the achievement gap observed at age 15 and about two-thirds of the gap among 25-29 year-olds was already seen among 10-year-olds. The report finds a strong link between a schools socio-economic profile and a students performance: students who attend more socio-economically advantaged schools perform better in PISA. Yet, on average across OECD countries, 48% of disadvantaged students attended disadvantaged schools in 2015 and there has been no significant change in segregation levels in most countries over the past decade. On average across OECD countries, disadvantaged students attending advantaged schools score 78 points higher than those attending disadvantaged schools, equivalent to more than two and a half years of schooling. A schools socio-economic profile is most strongly related to performance in countries including Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Hungary, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and the Netherlands, where disadvantaged students attending advantaged schools score more than 130 points higher in science than those in disadvantaged schools. But in Finland, Norway and Poland students from all social backgrounds do well. Too little headway has been made to break down the barriers to social mobility and give all children an equal chance to succeed, said Andreas Schleicher, OECD Director for Education and Skills. More investment is needed to help disadvantaged students do better, including recognition of the critical role that teachers have to play. The report also looks at the impact of well-being on performance. It says that around one in four disadvantaged students across OECD countries are socially and emotionally resilient, meaning they are satisfied with their life, feel socially integrated at school and do not suffer from test anxiety. In Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, the Netherlands and Switzerland, the share of such students is among the largest (30% or more) but in other European countries, including Bulgaria, Italy, Montenegro, Portugal and the United Kingdom, the share is comparatively small (less than 20%). Disadvantaged students who are socially and emotionally resilient tend to do better academically. This implies that helping disadvantaged students develop positive attitudes and behaviours towards themselves and their education would also boost their academic development. Giving early access to education is key, says the report, so that children can acquire essential social and emotional skills, particularly those from disadvantaged families. Countries should also target additional resources towards disadvantaged students and schools, and reduce the concentration of disadvantaged students in schools. Teachers need more support so they can identify students needs and manage diversity in classrooms, build strong links with parents, and encourage parents to be more involved in their childs education. Teachers can also foster students well-being and create a positive learning environment for all students by emphasising the importance of persistence and by encouraging students to support each other, such as through peer-mentoring programmes. A separate OECD report, Responsive School Systems, also highlights the importance of promoting educational equity, as well as quality and efficiency. It includes analysis and recommendations on the organisation of school facilities and education services in a context of changing demand for school places and evolving student needs. Further information on Equity in Education: Breaking down barriers to social mobility, including country notes for Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Mexico, Switzerland, UK and the US, is available at: http://www.oecd.org/education/equity-in-education-9789264073234-en.htm. Responsive School Systems is available at http://www.oecd.org/education/responsive-school-systems-9789264306707-en.htm. Journalists are invited to contact Andreas Schleicher (tel. + 33 1 45 24 18 97) in the OECDs Education and Skills Directorate or the OECDs Media Division (tel. + 33 1 45 24 97 00). Working with over 100 countries, the OECD is a global policy forum that promotes policies to improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. Related Documents Following Cornerstore Caroline Incident, Brooklyn Lawmaker Introduces Bill To Protect Minors From False Accusations Elijah C. Watson Elijah Watson serves as Okayplayer's News & Culture Editor. When Following the incident where a Brooklyn woman called 911 on a 9-year-old boy and wrongly accused him of sexual assault, a Brooklyn lawmaker is introducing a bill that would punish people for making a false report against children. READ: 9-Year-Old Boy Says He Changed His Mind About Forgiving Cornerstore Caroline Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte will introduce Jeremiahs law this week to the Assembly Floor. The bill would make filing a false report against a minor under 13 years old a class E felony with the possibility of jail time, according to City and State New York. Bichotte said the bill would protect all children but the intent is to protect children of color. The bill is named after Jeremiah Harvey, the black boy who Teresa Klein (Cornerstore Caroline) falsely accused of groping her in Flatbush bodega. A situation like that with no camera, that boy, who could not even defend himself, would have probably been picked up and be detained in the juvenile system, Bichotte said. The bill goes on to state the significance of why a false report against a child shouldnt go without consequence. If it were not for the surveillance camera, Jeremiah who was with his mother, might have been arrested and detained in the Juvenile Court, the bill states. Ms. Kleins behavior echoes an ugly past in our countrys history going back to the brutal torture and murder of Emmett Till. Till, 14, Black, was falsely accused of wolf whistling at a white woman and as a result was abducted from a visiting relative, beaten and mutilated him before he was shot in thehead and body sunk in the Tallahatchie River in the Mississippi Delta. This provide a clear and tragic example of what can happen to children of color when they are presumed guilty by our society. Since the incident, Jeremiah said that he doesnt forgive Klein. However, he recently walked back on the remark and said that he did forgive her. Source: City and State New York Jerome Biard, President of Corum, notes that "Golden Bridge watches have been considered cutting-edge models since 1980. Corum goes beyond the awards and links with Menchaca Studio to create these unique pieces in honor of the cultural and artistic richness of Mexican Huichol art. Traditionally, Corum's Golden Bridge watches are characterized by their exclusive baguette movements. The Golden Bridge models, made in conjunction with Menchaca Studio, will be insignia of the sacred cosmogony of Mexico and will have an array of hand-embossed gold beads, each with unique wixaritari motifs. Golden Bridge - Menchaca Studio Corum Julio Cesar Menchaca, Co-founder of Menchaca Studio - a Mexican foundation created to rescue Huichol art and crafts - points out that "our work with Corum is an effort to rescue the culture of our native peoples through the creation of pieces of art achieved by young artisans who feel proud of their roots. In this way, we will extend the Huichol art in the Golden Bridge collection of Corum". Each of the watches of this Special Edition of Golden Bridge will have a unique design and part of the profits from the sale will be destined to the support of Mexican art and the rescue of the Huichol culture. Born in Fukuoka, Japan, this 27-year-old creative artist works under the name Marumiyan as both a freelance commercial designer and a fine artist. His style fuels works that are filled with floral elements, intense energy and bright colour. It draws on aspects of traditional Japanese culture and 1960s Art Nouveau posters. Marumiyan has created album art for over forty international musicians. He also managed the visual conception for one of the main live festivals in Japan, Minami Wheel, and has worked for brands such as Wacom, Panasonic and Docomo. Marumiyan now turns to Seikos new Astron 5X series to put his personal touch on the watch with an animated video. The new Astron 5X series is the worlds smallest and thinnest GPS solar watch. Like all its predecessors, the new Astron 5X series adjusts at the touch of a button to your time zone by connecting to the GPS satellite network and, as it takes all the energy it needs from light alone, it never needs a battery change. In other words, it is the perfect timepiece for the global traveller. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi is due to hold talks on Tuesday with visiting Prime Minister Boyko Borissov at a presidential palace in Cairo, the website of Egypt's state TV said. During the visit, Borissov is expected to discuss boosting economic partnership and trade with Egypt and address regional and international issues of mutual interst. Egypt is a key trade and economic partner for Bulgaria in the Middle East, with trade exchange between the two countries estimated at $456 million in 2015, according to Egypt's State Information Service. El-Sisi and Borissov met last month in New York on the sidelines of the 73rd UN General Assembly where they discussed means to bolster mutual cooperation. Borissov arrived in Cairo on Monday and held talks with Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly on the day. Search Keywords: Short link: South Cairo prosecutors have ordered the detention of economic expert and writer Abdel-Khalek Farouk for four days for investigation on charges of publishing false news in his recently printed then confiscated book Is Egypt Really a Poor Country. The prosecution also ordered the detention of Ibrahim El-Khatib, the owner of the printing house which printed the book, for four days on the same charges pending investigations. During questioning, the prosecution accused Farouk of possession and publishing of print material which included false news and statements via his book, which included criticism of the government's economic policy. Farouk is the author of several books on economic and social issues in Egypt and the region, and has previously served as an economic researcher in various public and private institutions. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt's Ministry of Environmental Affairs has warned that dusty winds are expected in Cairo on Wednesday. The ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that the weather will be unstable. Greater Cairo will be affected by south-western winds loaded with dust which began on Monday and Tuesday, the statement read. A Tuesday statement by Egypt's meteorological authority said that temperatures are expected to be high during the day on Wednesday in Cairo and Upper Egypt's governorates, estimated at more than 31 degrees Celsius. Night temperatures are expected to drop to 21 degrees in Cairo and Upper Egypt. Rain is forecast on Wednesday in South Sinai and in the Halayeb and Shalateen triangle in Red Sea governorate. EMA's weather forecast on Wednesday are expected to be as follow: Cairo: 33-24 Alexandria: 31-20 Nile Delta: 30-23 North Sinai: 33-22 South Sinai: 32-23 Upper Egypt: 35-20 Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry will leading a delegation to Sudan on Wednesday to attend the meetings of the Egyptian-Sudanese Higher Committee, which begin on Thursday. The committee will upcoming meetings in light of the growing relations between both countries and cooperation at all levels in recent years, read a statement by foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Hafez. "The recent meetings of the committee were crowned by a range of remarkable results in terms of enhancing cooperation between both countries, represented by the signing of many agreements on all levels including the activation of talks between countries on establishing the railway link project, as well as encouraging mutual investment in agriculture, trade, in addition to many agreements on cooperation in various fields," the statement said. The meetings will also see discussions between the foreign ministers of the two countries on ways of enhancing bilateral relations as well as coordination on files of mutual interest. The Egyptian-Sudanese Higher Committee takes place every two years. The first presidential-level meeting was held in October 2016. 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. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov have agreed to form a bilateral business forum and a joint committee to boost cooperation between the two countries, El-Sisis spokesman said on Tuesday. In a press conference held by El-Sisi and Borissov on Tuesday, the Bulgarian prime minister said that the Egyptian president is exerting all efforts to make his country safe, Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said. Borissov expressed his aspirations for the return of tourism to Egypt soon. He also mentioned the efforts exerted by Egypt to protect the rights and values of Christian minorities. In meetings, El-Sisi and Borissov discussed opportunities for boosting investments. The two sides agreed to form a joint committee headed by the two countries foreign ministers. They have also agreed to form the Bulgarian-Egyptian Business Forum, given that trade between the two countries amounts to a total of 1 billion euros a year. The two heads of state also discussed a number of issues related to the regional situation as well as ways of reaching political solutions to the crises in the region. "They agreed to intensify political consultation and coordination between the two countries in light of the increasing terror challenges in the region, Europe and the Balkans," Radys statement read. El-Sisi stressed the importance of intensive efforts by the international community to address terrorism, through a comprehensive approach that includes the military, economic and social dimensions. The two officials also discussed issues related to illegal immigration. Borissov and his delegation left Cairo after the meetings on Tuesday. Search Keywords: Short link: Darren Aronofsky's latest project is a 360 degree turn from his usual tactics of shining a horrifying fluorescent light onto the ugliest parts corners of our psyches and society. The Requiem For A Dream and Mother-director has teamed up with the Sierra Club to create an uplifting PSA urging eligible Generation Z-ers (aka 18-20 year-olds) to vote in the November 6 midterms. Among the participants are Parkland survivors David Hogg and Delaney Tarr; deaf, transgender model Chella Man ; LemonAIDS-founder Lula Cerone; indigenous environmental advocate Xiuhtezcatl Martinez; and Gavin Grimm whose fight for trans rights reached the Supreme Court with the bathroom bill. In response to 2016's stunningly low turnout for America's newest voters, Aronofsky attempts to offer young people hope for the future, and confidence that their voices matter. In the video, fifteen Generation Z activists (who were all too young to vote in 2016) share why they're voting on November 6 and urging their peers to join them. "We are working with a dynamic group of activists from all over the country, who care about an array of causes... and filmed them speaking about what issues will be most important when casting their votes next month" Aronofsky explained in a statement. "The passion these activists share about their causes is contagious. All of them are between the ages of 18-20. None of them were eligible to vote in 2016. But now they can be heard, and all of them are passionate about voting," he added. "We hope their activism inspires Generation Z to get to the polls on November 6 and speak up for the issues that are important to all of us." Record-breaking numbers of millennials and Generation Z are predicted to vote this year. A recent Harvard poll showed that nearly 40% of people 18-29 said they'd "definitely be voting" in the mid-terms, and with any luck, efforts like Aronofsky's will up that number. Register to vote here. Photo via YouTube A 22 -year-old, blonde, transgender woman is having breakfast on a Tuesday morning. On her left sits a rapist, to her right sits a bank robber and there, right across from her, a sex trafficker. Breakfast consists of oatmeal and stale bread, but on the menu it has a far more appealing name: chow. The trans woman is me, Linux, and the restaurant is an intimate cafeteria just outside Manhattan. There are six tables, each with four seats. In total there's about 20 of us. Our food is served on styrofoam lunch trays. Anything sturdier is prohibited as it could be used as a weapon. Forks and spoons are made from cheap plastic, and the napkins we use are fashioned out of the toilet paper from our cells. Welcome to Q2L, a secluded unit in Rikers Island's men's prison. Q2L is a protective custody house where they send trans girls and the men caught having sex with each other. Before I was housed here, I was in a holding cell at Rosie's, the women's prison. After 24 hours and a lengthy medical examination, I was sent here to be one of the boys. I am one of four trans girls at Q2L. Sharika is 28 years old and black. She's in jail for armed robbery and in this specific jail unit because she got into a fight at the jail where she was previously being held. I ask her if that's how she got the bruise on her cheek, but she laughs and tells me the other girl didn't get a single punch in; the mark on her cheek is a result of the separation of silicone she injected into her face a few years back in an attempt to look more "girlish." It won't be there for long though because she has lawsuit money on the way from when she did a purposeful "slip and fall" in the shower of her former housing unit at Rikers. With the money she plans to get the silicone scraped and get 780 cc's put into her chest from the infamous surgeon "Dr. Miami." "He does ALL the girls," she says. Then there's Orchid, a heavier black girl, also in jail for robbery. She speaks entirely through the verbiage of the documentary Paris Is Burning. Everything is "OVA," and "FIERCE." And everything was a read, down house boots! I've never seen Orchid's hair; she always has it wrapped in bedsheets. And she's always listening to music on her jail-provided portable radio. Her greatest talent was the ability to have full in-depth conversations while having both headphones in on full volume. That being said, when "Lucid Dreams" by Juice WRLD came on, all conversations were put on hold so that she could run around the prison screaming the words in the loudest voice possible. It's her boyfriend's favorite song. He doesn't have a cell phone, so until she's released from Rikers, their love for each other will have to be summed up in a three minute song that seems to play four times a day on Hot 97. The third girl I meet is Candy, who's in for possession of Crystal Meth. She isn't on hormones, so for now she's a 26-year-old white crossdresser. Candy was born in Ireland and her second biggest fear is being deported back to her country. Her first biggest fear is losing the love of her prissy boyfriend, Tinny. Tinny had been in Q2L with Candy for a month, but had just this morning been transferred to Rikers Brooklyn. Candy and Tinny were planning to marry once they were both free. *** On Friday, September 7, 2018, I was spending my day as I often do. I was running errands around the city shopping for the look I was about to turn at one of my favorite parties to host, Ty Sunderland's Heaven On Earth. I host nightlife events all around the world as a New York nightlife star. I received a voicemail from an NYPD Detective. He informed me that the Chanel bag I had reported stolen some time back had been found. My bag and belongings had been forcefully taken from me in a traumatizing assault on Christmas Eve in 2016. I was raped and mugged, and the attack left me bloody and beaten. That night, from my hospital bed, I spoke with a detective and filed a report. I never entertained any hope that the person would be found, so you can imagine how gagged I was to get this call informing me that the rapist had finally been apprehended that all of my belongings were found in his possession. As requested, I quickly went to the police station to speak with the detective. But as soon as I stepped foot into the precinct, I was arrested. It had all been a trick. I was taken into custody based on a felony warrant out of Miami, Florida for an event that was falsely reported a day prior. I was stuck in jail with a $90,000 bond until it came time to be extradited back to Miami to plead my case. Extradition takes 45-90 days. It didn't matter that the name on the warrant wasn't mine, or that the date of birth on the warrant wasn't mine. Yes, they literally had an incorrect name and birthday on my warrant. They thought I was almost 50 years old. I tried to explain that this all was a mistake, but nobody listens to someone they think is a criminal. "There was no shower, no bed, and only stale bread to eat [...] I created a makeshift bed with towels and the sheet I had gotten." I spent the next two days in a holding cell. There was no shower, no bed, and only stale bread to eat. I had no way to brush my teeth and the only water I could drink was sink water from the palms of my hands. They kept me in the clothes I walked into the police station wearing: short shorts, a crop top, and sandals. I didn't know tears never stopped. For some reason I thought if you kept crying for a full day, eventually your body would just give up and stop making tears. Unfortunately that's not the case, and after 48 hours straight of hysterical crying, my eyes and face were still drenched. On my Rikers island ID card there is a photo of me unable to hold back tears, next to a name and birthdate that aren't mine. In fact, the date of birth listed would make put my age at somewhere around 50, but apparently none of this mattered to anyone but me. Before being moved to Q2L I was strip searched by a group of three men, all laughing and making comments as I was forced to expose my ass and cough. I was given beige inmate clothing that looked like it was from Yeezy's newest collection, and escorted to my cell. It was like being taken from one episode of the Twilight Zone to another. The other inmates were already locked into their cells for the night. Walking down the hall, I could see their eyes as they peeked between the bars to see who the newest body was in Q2L. I sat in my cell for the first time and started to cry again. At this point I felt tears on my cheeks more than I felt water in my mouth. There was a toilet, sink, window, and metal bed frame, no mattress. The officer said he would try to get me one, but we both knew that wasn't going to happen. I created a makeshift bed with towels and the sheet I had gotten and attempted to try to sleep. Not long later the hallway lights turned on and voices began shouting: "Detox! Detox!" Immediately the other cells opened. I got up to look out of my cell's doorway to see everyone running to the gate that separated Q2L from the rest of the prison. A medic was on the other side of the gate handing out mini dixie cups to anyone who held their hands out. A few inmates would pocket whatever was being given, do a lap, and then come back to the medic for seconds. Two guys whispered and ran to the cell across the hall from mine. I watched as they crushed the pills, carved them into lines, and began snorting them. When they turned around and saw me looking I quickly ran back to my bed. The house filled up with chants and choruses of "I'm sooo high!" and "Let's do more!" I was speechless. A latino man appeared at my cell and asked me my name. I decided to stick with the false name I'd been incarcerated under. He told me his name was Tattoo. He stepped back to reveal that he was wearing a wife beater and that all of his exposed skin was covered in ink. The name fit. Tattoo went on to tell me how beautiful I was, and that I should be careful around here because the inmates on Rikers never see pretty blonde white girls like me. When I told him my age, he called me a baby. I heard men in the hallway screaming, "I call dibs on 11 cell! She's mine! Back the fuck away from her!" Tattoo told them to shut up, said something in Spanish and looked back at me. He took a glance at my empty cell, told me to give him a second, and came back with a bucket. "Goodies," he said, handing me the bucket through the cell opening. A toothbrush, toothpaste, a bar of soap, a pillow, an apple, and a fork labeled "comb!" I had struck gold. At the bottom of the bucket was one of the mini dixie cups with a few pills in it. "You never done Suboxone before?" he asked. I shook my head. "They give it to us for our heroin withdrawals. Take it, it fucks you up. I have extras," he said. I pretended to take it and told him thanks but goodnight, I was tired. Once I was alone I spit out the pill and flushed it down the toilet. For the first time in 48 hours, I felt the slightest glimmer of hope. I had made a friend. *** After my first full day I began to develop a sense of the schedule. At 5 AM we were woken by screams of "Chow!" After breakfast we'd go back to sleep until around 10 AM when we were allowed to shower. For some reason, they're always short on razors, so if you're a sister that plans on going to prison, I suggest getting your laser hair removal ASAP, or you'll risk having a beard once you're forced to go "up to 30 days without shaving privileges due to occasional shortages." After showering we'd go back to our cells and try to make our prison clothes cute and unique compared to the day before. This is when I'd give myself my daily affirmation: "If Paris Hilton could do this for 30 days so can you!" (Besides imagining Paris, the other trick I'd use to get through the day is pretending that I was a journalist who was only there to research a new book). From 12 PM - 1 PM we hung out in the rec room, talking, playing checkers and card games, listening to music, and watching TV. Lunch was at 1 PM. At 3 PM we locked into our cells while the officers switched shifts, and then at 4 PM the shifts were switched so we could get out of our cells and hang out again. 6 PM was dinner, and 8 PM was detox time, so everybody got wasted on heroin pills. Then 10 PM we were locked in our cells until the next morning. It didn't take long for me to notice what I had gotten myself into when I let Tattoo fill my cell with "goodies." I quickly found out that all the girls have one man that claims them, looks out for them, and waits on them. At first I gagged at how chivalrous the boys were. That was before I realized that you gotta fuck someone for a toothbrush. Orchid and Sharika each had their men as well; Sharika had her brother, and Orchid had Manny, a pimp and drug dealer in jail for neither. He had gotten busted burglarizing a jewelry store in Chinatown four years ago and had two years left at Q2L. His arms were covered in tattoos, all given to him in prison. He told me how he got each tattoo. "You melt down plastic you find, like chess pieces or playing cards, and then shove the melted plastic into your skin with something pointy, like a pen or a bobby pin." Fucking insanity. "At first I gagged at how chivalrous the boys were. That was before I realized that you gotta fuck someone for a toothbrush." Once Tattoo started very publicly making my life in jail easier, any guys that had been trying to claim me on my first night stopped... at least in public. I began receiving letters under my cell door from secret admirers in all different handwriting. When I showed them to Tattoo he became extremely angry and punched a wall. This was the first of many times that I caught a glimpse of a much darker side to him. He would guard my showers. At I first thought it was for my protection, later realizing it to be jealousy. At lunch one day a guy was whispering to his friend about my "pink pussy." Without hesitation, Tattoo punched him in his face and the two battled it out in the cafeteria until an officer stepped in and pepper sprayed not only them but all the other inmates there. We ran back to our cells where we spent a full hour coughing and rubbing burning tears from our eyes. For the rest of my stay at Q2L, the food and tables reeked of pepper spray. *** Although I was shocked at the cards life had dealt me this week, none of the inmates seemed surprised at all that I was incarcerated for something I didn't do. Apparently all first timers say they're innocent. What did shock them was the fact that it was my first time there. The idea that it was anybody's first time at Rikers was a foreign concept. Even officers were taken by surprise when I told them it was my first time in prison. I was the only first timer at Q2L. Everyone else was on their third, fourth, or even fifth time in jail. Some people I met had even had multiple five-year sentences in their lives (*Cough* Tattoo *Cough*). Why did they keep coming back? I asked around. Some were no longer afraid of prison. They had not only survived but thrived in a place that is supposed to be Hell on Earth. When you're no longer afraid of Hell, why not keep sinning? Others' lives were ruined by prison. They first went to jail for petty crimes, got bored or depressed and tried Suboxone from another inmate, then once they were released immediately craved heroin. A drug designed to get you off Heroin was bringing sober people to it. Most were simply not learning their lesson, but how could they? There was no one there to teach them. In my prison experience (never thought I'd ever say that!) the attempt at inmate rehabilitation was nonexistent. Convicted drug dealers lived alongside convicted burglars, and together they would make plans to do joint projects once they were both released. I did manage to smile with the inmates I met, more than a few times. The girls and I would kiki about the boys; we'd gossip like we were in high school. It made time go by faster. The most memorable happy time was one evening after dinner. In my cell we put the headphone radio at full volume and placed it inside a cup inside a bucket. The volume multiplied. Cardi B's "I Like It" came on, a favorite song of my friend group outside of jail. Orchid was dancing on my bed when Sharika screamed, "Pop the Hooch!" Manny and Tattoo ran to Manny's cell and returned with a giant plastic garbage bag full of chunky orange liquid. This was my first time learning about Hooch. Hooch is jail moonshine. At meals, inmates pocket bread, fruits, and sugar. Then they put it in a clear plastic garbage bag, fill it with water (leaving an equal part air at the top of the bag) and tie it tight with a knot on top. In three days, the fruit rots and bacteria grows. Three days after, the fruit produces alcohol to fight off the bacteria. By the seventh day, you have more than a gallon of liquor that tastes like Four Loko. For the full experience, drink it with fruit chunks. If you're "super white" like everyone called me in jail, borrow a hairnet from an inmate that works in the kitchen and drain out the solids until it's a smooth, pulp-free cocktail. I sat on my bed pretending to drink hooch as Sharika gave me cornrows, Orchid and Candy danced, and Manny and Tattoo argued in Spanish. This was my life... all for research purposes, of course. *** We got 12 minutes to call our loved ones every three hours. The minutes didn't roll over, so every three hours you made! that! call! If the call went to voicemail, you had to wait another three hours for a second chance. In order to make a phone call, an officer had to take you to a computer to set up your calling account. Since literally nobody at Rikers Island has any interest in doing their job, I didn't get my account set up until September 11, which meant I had gone 96 hours (four days) without being able to make a single phone call. This wasn't the only time officers were beyond incapable of performing their duties. The male officers were more focused on feeding me their dicks than feeding me meals, while female officers were more focused on asking if I had a dick than if I had a meal. "The situation itself revealed to me what true freedom really was." When I finally got to hear my boyfriend's voice on the phone, I broke down. For days I had been living in a separate dimension from the reality I had created for myself. I had grown so accustomed to being smack dab in the middle of NYC nightlife. Fabulosity and freedom were my default mode. I had built a support system of best friends, employers, and social media followers. I felt like I was thriving at the center of the universe. I felt unstoppable. However, being in Rikers Island managed to break me down and render me defeated like I had never been defeated before. My boyfriend told me how everyone had stopped everything to save me. My friends were getting me lawyers and pooling their life savings to pay my bond. Nightlife icons I've looked up to since childhood wrote letters to New York Courts, vouching that I was responsible and rich in benevolence that I was not a flight risk. The second time I called my boyfriend, he put me on speaker phone so that I could hear that he was with all of my friends. They had gathered at the court to attend a hearing regarding my release, to show that I was a valued member of the community. This support is entirely what kept me going. *** On Saturday, September 15, a week after my arrest, I stepped foot onto a New York City sidewalk for what felt like the first time in my life. Wearing the same shorts and crop top I was arrested in, I felt reborn. My fight was far from over. I now had 48 hours to turn myself in to Florida state. I had to drive because the ankle bracelet, which insurance required I wear, would explode on a plane. The people I love most had spent their life savings to get me out of jail. I had expenses from prison, lost wages, travel, and two separate bonds totaling up to more than $100,000. But I had newfound knowledge, compassion, appreciation, and all around love that I wouldn't have discovered had the previous week not happened. Before I was incarcerated, I had made sure that my life was the epitome of freedom. In the blink of an eye, for seemingly no reason, everything I held so close to my heart and depended on for happiness was taken away from me. The first few days, I was so gobsmacked by the severity of injustice I was enduring that I didn't see a light at the end of the tunnel. Would I be here for life? Could that actually happen? But in the end, It wasn't being released that made me feel free. It was having everything I've ever worked for and wanted taken away from me in the blink of an eye and still realizing that I could, and would, make it. It was realizing that I would live another day even under the most extreme circumstances. The situation itself revealed to me what true freedom really was. On Thursday, November 8, I am throwing a party to raise funds for both myself, and other trans women I continue to meet everyday who are victims to a correctional system that refuses to acknowledge their identity. If you cannot make it to the event, we have created a GoFundMe where you can also donate. If money is an issue, please share this story on any social media platforms you have. Anything helps we are in this together. Flyer by David Good Design From 1931 till 1954, Bergdorf Goodman was one of few places in the world where one could purchase Schiaparelli. Since the maison reopened in 2013 with an eighteen-look tribute collection by Christian Lacriox, it's remained exclusive to 21 Place Vendome, until now. For the first time in over 60 years, Schiaparelli (now helmed by Christian Lacriox alumnus Bertrand Guyon) returns to Bergdorf Goodman in a pop up space celebrating its new "pret-a-couture" line's first collection Story #1. Linda Fargo and Lucie de la Falaise : celebrate the launch of Schiaparelli at Bergdorf Goodman The label's new evergreen collection (not set to follow the distinctions of spring-summer or fall-winter) titled Story is ready-to-wear made on a smaller scale with couture techniques. The first iteration of the line, which debuted at Paris Fashion Week last month, was made in collaboration with the Man Ray Trust. "They actually met in NYC when she had not yet launched her couture house and he was hardly known," Guyon explains of the late Elsa Schiaparelli's relationship to the American expat artist based in Paris. "It is quite amazing to be able to explore something that touched her personally. She was an Italian in NYC who became close to young, up-and-coming artists who went on to shape the art world a few years later." Windows At Bergdorf Goodman Now host to the collection in a pop-up boutique on its fourth floor (also designed in partnership with the Man Ray Trust), Bergdorf Goodman's corner windows, designed by its Senior Director of Visual Presentations David Hoey, are also Story #1 themed. At the intersection of 58th Street & 5th Avenue, passersby are treated to displays featuring Man Ray's surrealist works and pieces from the new collection that take them on as motifs. Australian model Ajak Deng, Princesses Marie-Chantal and Maria Olympia of Greece, and Nicky Hilton joined Linda Fargo and Bertrand Guyon for a cocktail event to celebrate the fantastical new space complete with shocking pink accents, murals of Place Vendome, and trunk-like fixtures. See more from the soiree, below. Related | Meet Princess Olympia of Greece Ajak Deng Images Courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman & Schiaparelli At least six people were killed, including two soldiers, and 30 wounded in a car bomb blast in the northern Iraqi town of Qayyara on Tuesday, police and medical sources said. A vehicle packed with explosives was parked near a restaurant and a crowded market area in Qayyara, south of the city of Mosul, police said. Health officials and police had earlier put the death toll at four but said it could rise as some of the wounded were in a critical in condition. No group immediately claimed responsibility. Iraq's top military commander in Mosul Major-General Najim al-Jabouri accused Islamic State (IS) militants of carrying out the Qayyara attack. "We are positive the car bomb attack was carried out by Daesh [IS] terrorists and we will bring them to justice," Jabouri said. Iraq declared victory over IS militants in December, dislodging the group from all territories it held after its self-proclaimed caliphate, which extended into Syria, collapsed earlier in 2017. The group's militants have since waged a campaign of kidnapping, killing and bomb attacks targeting civilians and security forces. An interior ministry spokesman said the blast was a result of a terrorist attack by a car bomb. *This story was edited by Ahram Online. Search Keywords: Short link: EXPOSING SOME UNPLEASANT REALITIES: Removing the Candy-Coating from the Bitter Pill 10/22/18 By Kambiz Zarrabi Dwight D. Eisenhower was serving his second term as President when I set foot on the American soil for the first time in June 1956. I was a twenty-year-old high school graduate holding a student visa looking forward to attending college and receiving a degree from a prestigious university in California; I was told the streets were paved with gold there. No, I was not naive and under no illusion as to the facts of life. It was during Eisenhower's first year in office that the United States staged the coup d'etat that removed our democratically elected Prime Minister, Mosaddegh, and restated the Shah to power in Iran in 1953. I was among the pro-Mosaddegh demonstrators in the streets of Tehran, along with thousands of other high school and university students, before the Shah was forced to abdicate and leave the country. I still wear the bayonet scar after over sixty-five years. Dr. Mosaddegh's cardinal sin was to nationalize Iran's oil industry and challenge the British oil giant's monopoly and its outrageously exploitive control of Iran's economic bloodline. But we were all aware, just as the deposed Prime Minister highlighted during his trials, that it was actually the British Intelligence that had convinced the United States of the need to return the very accommodating Shah to power as, otherwise, the old man, Mosaddegh, was going to throw the oil-rich Iran into the fangs of the fearsome Soviet bear and give the communist regime access to the warm waters of the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean! Yes, the American administration was new at political intrigue, ruthless predatory behavior and hypocritical gamesmanship in the international arena right after WWII. There was no need for that at the time. A country practically unscathed during two world wars that had devastated the rest of the planet could well afford to live by its high ideals of freedom, democracy, fair play, and the promise of a good life for its citizens. The golden age of innocence was, unfortunately, short lived. Empires do what empires must do to remain empires. I remember waiting my turn at the UCLA health facility for a routine checkup when a young nurse, looking at my file, showed me her paycheck, shaking her head in disgust and complaining that taxes deducted from her salary help pave the way for the likes of me to come to America and get educated. As we walked toward the examination room I explained to her what a real bargain it actually was to buy the obedience and loyalty of an entire nation, not to mention its natural resources, for that piddling contribution taken out of her paycheck. I don't think she understood what I said! Now, let's fast forward to the present time. Those who have followed my writings know my feelings about the current Administration under President Trump. I have never found anything positive or redeeming about Mr. Trump's behavior or personality as the leader of the most powerful empire on earth. But his erratic, undiplomatic and un-presidential character has inadvertently lifted the covers off some truths and realities that have been artfully masked and hidden from public exposure for many decades. There still exists a huge segment of the population here that shares the naivete of that UCLA nurse mentioned above. Mr. Trump was voted to office, and it might happen again in 2020. As an example, here is a paragraph from an article I wrote, posted on this site on May 11, this year: The Co-Chair of "Women for Trump" organization, Amy Kremer, appearing on CNN a couple of days ago, mentioned something that prompted me to write this piece. In defending Trump's decision to back out of the Iran deal, this Southern Belle said that, to paraphrase, we have given billions of our taxpayers' dollars to Iran as a result of the nuclear agreement. The sad fact is that a huge majority of American population believes that farce. It was also sad that the CNN host, quite understandably, made no effort to correct her that those moneys were Iran's own assets frozen by the United States and not American taxpayers' moneys . This brings us to the current international uproar about the horrible murder of the Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi (pronounced Khashogh-ji or .... chi) at the Saudi embassy in Istanbul, Turkey. Unless one has just arrived on Earth from the dark side of the moon, there is little mystery regarding the turn of events, and how the process is going to unfold. Khashoggi was a harsh critic of the overgrown young Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman al Saud, who is the de-facto ruler of Saudi Arabia. Khashoggi was in Turkey for some reason and was somehow lured into the Saudi embassy, supposedly to get proper papers for marriage with his fiance who was waiting for him outside. There, he was killed by the Prince's personal guards who were waiting for him, dismembered, and taken back to Saudi Arabia with the assailants. The old King, suffering from dementia, probably knew nothing about what his son, the Crown Prince, had done. Now that the proverbial shit has hit the giant fan, some major global damage control is in order. We all know that journalists, much like high profile dissidents, as well as certain "undesirable" individuals, even scientists, are targets of assassination by regimes throughout the world; that is nothing new. This time, however, poor Khashoggi was an American resident and a journalist for an important American newspaper; and the episode took place in Turkey, which has its own axe to grind, and in view of security cameras and recording devices. Expecting emphatic denials by the Saudi authorities was not a surprise. The Crown Prince must have counted on his business partnership and friendship with the American President's son-in-law, Jared Kushner with his very important Israeli connections. He also counted on Mr. Trump's own very lucrative financial arrangements with the Saud clan, which gave the Prince the audacity to boldly embark on his vindictive action against his detractor. The President and his Secretary of State have been working hand-in-hand with the Saudis to find some venue for plausible deniability by the Saudi regime of any direct involvement or even prior knowledge of the event by those "bad rogue" elements who had carried out the assassination. The United States will demand that the Saudi regime do a thorough investigation and bring the guilty parties to justice. So, the regime that caused the crime will be investigating itself! One way or another it will all work out to everyone's satisfaction!! The mass media's outcry against the Administration's clear whitewashing of the event will be relegated to their usual Trump-bashing practice and soon forgotten. Further investigations will take place in Saudi Arabia, where the "rogue" elements will be dealt with severely! Some may even be publicly beheaded, as is the practice there, either the actual culprits or some stand-ins! Now, my purpose in expounding on this charade is to demonstrate two points: One is to expose the naked truths about our foreign policy practices, especially in the Middle East, when the candy-coating and gold-wrapping is removed, thanks to Mr. Trump's total lack of diplomatic finesse. The other is to, once again, show how Iran and its portrayal as a source of terror and instability in the region are interwoven into the unfolding scenario in order to vindicate the Saud regime and justify the continuation of the lucrative business dealings with that kingdom. How is the Saudi regime an "ally" of the United States, and also of Great Britain, for that matter? What does the term "ally" refer to here? Is a slave whose life and livelihood depend on his obedience and servitude to the master a true ally: does he have a viable choice? Perhaps the only real allies the Unites States actually has in the world are primarily Great Britain and other Anglo-Saxon countries that share in important cultural values, language and psychological profiles; and even that could well be argued against. An empire doesn't need allies; it imposes compliance and subservience. Isn't this why Iran is viewed as an adversary, a troublemaker and a rogue regime, just because it is the only country in the vitally important Middle East that has been resisting falling into the fold and giving up its independence? Some official, as I recall, wondered recently why Iran doesn't use Saudi Arabia's example and behave more like those moderate Islamic states in its neighborhood?! I don't remember, but it might have been Nicki Haley, our over-ambitious UN Ambassador. It has only been since the Khashoggi affair that the media and some members of our Congress have been pointing to the Saud regime as the funder and perpetrator of terrorism and the worst violator of human rights, etc., in the region. But when we and our true allies have been supporting the regime and providing it with tens of billions of dollars' worth of arms paid for by its oil moneys, why would we be honest enough to stop the regime's merciless massacre of the poor, starving Yemenis? As Mr. Trump says, these arms' sales are funding our military/industrial complex and providing jobs for our citizens? Mr. Trump has voiced that message several times already! After all, what's more important: human lives in areas our people know nothing about, or prosperity for our businesses and jobs for our citizens here at home? Get real, man! Beside the economic benefits of supporting an evil regime, something among many other similar actions that would legally make us complicit in international terrorism, the argument in support of maintaining this alliance with the Saudis also includes creating a barrier against Iran's supposed hegemonic schemes to dominate the entire Middle East. As we can see, Iran is playing a pivotal role in justifying our manipulation and exploitation of not just Saudi Arabia, but the entire region, something that benefits Israel to a great extent, and which could well be the real reason behind all that! Thanks to President Trump's carelessly undiplomatic vocalizing on the Khashoggi episode, the veil has been lifted from the bare realities of foreign policy formulations that had always been wrapped in deceptively pleasing colors for public consumption. I am not complaining or objecting to any of this: for the empire to remain an empire, it has to do what the empire must. Those who do not approve might consider hitching a ride on some comet and head for another world! I do understand that; while I also understand that for the empire to succeed in accomplishing its objectives, the citizenry must be properly intoxicated in the fog of necessary illusions; necessary, because without such self-redeeming delusions the human psyche cannot cope with some realities. I have often used the example of an imaginary couple who go to a very exclusive and expensive restaurant to celebrate their anniversary. The restaurant's world-famous filet mignon dinner is what they choose. But before their dinner is served, the chef comes over and proudly hands to them a pamphlet showing how the Black Angus was fed the best of feed, taken to the slaughter house, butchered, with photos of the blood and guts spilling out, and other gory details, and how the proper cuts of meat were finally prepared and masterfully cooked. Yes, that is what had to be done so that the dinner guests could enjoy that world-class meal. Bon appetite! About the author: Kambiz Zarrabi is the author of In Zarathushtra's Shadow and Necessary Illusion.He has conducted lectures and seminars on international affairs, particularly in relation to Iran, with focus on US/Iran issues. Zarrabi's latest book is Iran, Back in Context. Shiraz MP Accuses Rouhani Of Suppressing Iran's Pre-Islamic History 10/23/18 Source: Radio Farda Tomb of Cyrus the Great (map) In a fiery speech to parliament October 21, outspoken businessman and pro-reform MP Bahram Parsaei lambasted President Rouhani for suppressing Iran's pre-Islamic history. Representing the city of Shiraz, home to the 2,500 year-old ruins of Pasargadae, the capital of the Achaemenid Empire, Parsaei had proposed naming October 29 as a day in honor of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire. Parsaei accused Rouhani of shelving the proposal by referring it to the Supreme National Security Council. Though Rouhani and other Iranian leaders often tout Iran's rich pre-Islamic culture when speaking abroad, at home, celebrations of pre-Islamic culture are treated as a security threat. Marking The Cyrus Day: Thousands of Iranians converged on Pasargadae in October 2016 Dozens of the Islamic Republic's authorities, including the Prosecutor-General of Shiraz, have denounced the annual gathering at Cyrus' mausoleum as against the norms of an Islamic society. Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamadani has also lambasted people for paying homage to Cyrus, accusing them of being against Iran's Islamic Revolution.State-run Fars News Agency quoted Hamadani as saying, "I wonder how they can gather around Cyrus' tomb and chant the same slogans (about Cyrus) that we chant about our Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei)." Though not yet registered in official calendars, October 29 has long been observed by Iranians as the international day of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the first Persian Empire, who is widely believed to be the first defender of human rights in the history of mankind. His human rights charter is inscribed on a clay cylinder currently housed at the British Museum. Tomb of Cyrus the Great On October 29, 539 BC, Persian soldiers commanded by Cyrus the Great entered the city of Babylon (about 50 miles south of modern Baghdad) without encountering any resistance. The king's first order in Babylon was to release thousands of captives including people of Jewish descent. Cyrus allowed all slaves and captives to return home, rebuild their communities, and re-establish their religious practices or accompany him as free men to Iran. While many Jews returned to their homes, an unknown number of them followed Cyrus back to Iran, where they settled in places such as Isfahan, central Iran. Cyrus' mausoleum is located near city of Shiraz, 684 kilometers (425 miles) south of the capital, Tehran. However, the Islamic Republic's security forces have done their best in recent years to stop people celebrating the day. Last year, Shiraz residents received threatening text messages warning them not to assemble at the mausoleum, roads were blocked, and a heavy presence of security, intelligence, and Baseej militia forces were deployed. Nevertheless, thousands of people converged on the site to pay homage. An unknown number of people were arrested for taking part in the observance. Visiting Austria July 4, Rouhani boasted at a joint press conference with his Austrian counterpart in Vienna, "Iran has been so friendly to the Jews that Iranians even sheltered them in Babylon --- and because of that, Jewish people owe Iranians a big debt of gratitude." Referring to the comments, Parsaei accused Rouhani of "profiteering" politically from Iran's pre-Islamic history abroad while suppressing it at home. "Such great personality [Cyrus] is treated as an outsider in his own country and place of birth," lamented Parsaei. The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Akufo-Addo, has reiterated the commitment of Government to creating a safe and secure cyber society for the country. Speaking at the 2018 National Cybersecurity Awareness Month event, on Monday, 22nd October, 2018, at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), President Akufo-Addo noted that whilst his Government is putting in place measures to digitise Ghanas economy, it is also mindful of the dark side of digitisation. As we scale up e-connectivity, as part of governments digitalization agenda, we will, certainly, witness an upsurge of criminal activities, if we do not put in place precautionary measures to forestall such eventualities, he said. With 10 million Ghanaians connected to the internet, of which 4.9 million are Facebook users alone, the impact of any cyberattack on the nations e-business platforms or on mobile telephony, he said, would impact negatively on businesses and on the lives of Ghanaians. As a result, President Akufo-Addo noted that Government is increasing efforts at increasing public sensitisation, capacity building and investment in a fit-for-purpose cybersecurity infrastructure, to help make the countrys digital experience safe and secure. As part of measures to make the countrys digital experience safe, the President, later on Monday, launched the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) for the telecommunications sector to co-ordinate incident response within that sector. Also, a Security Operations Centre (SOC) has been set up at the Bank of Ghana to facilitate cybersecurity incident monitoring and cyber threat information sharing amongst players in the financial sector, the President said. He continued, The Bank of Ghana, working hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Communications and the Ghana Association of Bankers, will, this afternoon, launch a Cyber and Information Security Directive for the financial sector, in view of the persistent cyber-attacks targeted at this sector. In pursuing international co-operation engagements, as part of addressing the menace of cybercrime, President Akufo-Addo revealed that Ghana has ratified the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection (Malabo Convention), becoming the third country on the continent to do so. I have signed the Convention on Cybercrime, known as the Budapest Convention, following Cabinet approval. I am hopeful that Parliament will ratify it in its forthcoming meeting, he said. These two international treaties, the President stressed, will enhance Ghanas co-operation with other countries at the policy, technical and operational levels in dealing with cybersecurity incidents. Whilst congratulating the Minister for Communications, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, MP, and the members of the National Cyber Security Inter-Ministerial Advisory Council (NCSIAC), for the establishment of the National Cyber Security Centre, to co-ordinate cybersecurity activities in the country, he was also hopeful that the National Cyber Security Policy and Strategy (NCSPS), which is currently being revised, would be concluded before the end of the year. The revision of the strategy, he stressed, is essential to addressing the current challenges, including funding issues for Ghanas national cybersecurity development. A Safer Digital Ghana, the theme for this years event, the President noted, reflects the collective decision to secure Ghanas digital journey. We must all contribute in making the digital experience truly safe for our country and region. Large-scale awareness programmes, such as this, to inform the general public and government officials to develop a cybersecurity culture, are necessary, and would always receive the support of my Government, President Akufo-Addo assured. 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 Cameroon's President Paul Biya has won a seventh term in office in polls marred by low turnout and voter intimidation. Mr Biya, at 85 Africa's oldest head of state, was re-elected with 71.3% of the vote, according to official results. Opposition calls for a re-run of the presidential election were rejected by the Constitutional Council last week. Riot police were deployed on Sunday to the major cities of Yaounde and Douala in case of opposition protests. Cameroon's two English-speaking provinces have been hit by more than a year of violent protests and attacks by separatist rebels which have left hundreds dead. Two days before results were announced, Africa's longest-serving President Teodoro Obiang Nguema of neighbouring Equatorial Guinea congratulated Mr Biya on his win. Mr Biya's nearest challenger, Maurice Kamto of the MRC/CRM, gained just 14.2%. Across the country, only half of Cameroon's voting-age population took part in the polls. Tens of thousands of people were unable to cast their votes because of insecurity. Threats of violence made against would-be voters by rebels in the Anglophone regions reportedly deterred many from casting their ballot. Voter turnout in the country's two Anglophone regions was as low as 5%, according to the International Crisis Group. Official figures give an almost 16% turnout in the English-speaking South-West region. Witnesses have told AFP news agency they heard gunfire on Monday morning in Buea, the capital of the English-speaking South-West region. Cameroon's electoral body Elecam also reduced the overall number of polling stations across the Anglophone North-West and South-West regions, and moved some others from turbulent zones to more secure areas. Image captionInternational Crisis Group says voter turnout was as low as 5% in the country's two Anglophone regions Up to 18 petitions for the election to be re-run were lodged by opposition members at Cameroon's Constitutional Court, the body responsible for announcing the results, before the results were announced. Among those calling for a fresh vote were President Biya's two main challengers - Mr Kamto and Joshua Osih of the main opposition SDF/FSD. Mr Kamto went as far as declaring himself the winner of the polls despite producing no evidence to prove this. Election observers from the African Union reported that the polls were "generally peaceful" but added that "most parties were not represented amongst the polling personnel". The only other group to send monitors was the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), whose head urged candidates and stakeholders to do their part in preserving peace and use legal channels in any challenges to the results (in French). False claims were made on Cameroon's state-owned television that Transparency International had deployed international observers, forcing the Germany-based campaign group to issue a statement denying them. Cameroon's parliamentary and legislative elections were due to take place at the same time as the 7 October presidential elections but have been postponed to 2019. Related Topics Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video It is my sincere desire that we set the tone for Ghana and Sierra Leone to search continually for ways to co-operate, irrespective of who is at the helm of affairs of our respective countries. I have no doubt, however, that, together, the two of us can forge a new, strong partnership for cooperation between our two nations for the mutual benefit of our two peoples. These were the words of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, when he held an official lunch in honour of the President of the Republic of Sierra, His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, at Jubilee House, on Monday, 22nd October, 2018. Proposing a toast his Sierra Leonean counterpart, President Akufo-Addo noted that the historical and cultural ties between Ghana and Sierra Leone are borne largely out of trade and education, dating back two centuries. Mr. President, your presence in Ghana should spur our two nations on to develop stronger ties and explore several areas of co-operation to the mutual benefit of our two peoples, he said. Having followed, with keen interest, the structural programme being embarked upon by President Maada Bios administration, President Akufo-Addo stated that he was, particularly, happy about his Free Quality Education initiative. I urge you to stand firm and see it through, regardless of the opposition you will face. For us in Ghana, our Free Senior High School education policy, within the first two years of its implementation, has ensured that 270,000 more students, whose education would otherwise have been truncated for financial reasons, have access to secondary education, the President said. Additionally, President Akufo-Addo also lauded the Sierra Leonean Presidents initiatives in the area of agriculture, aimed at enhancing food security for the people of that country. It was also good to see Your Excellency sign the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, during the 31st African Union Summit, in Nouakchott, Mauritania. I will, respectfully, urge your Government to see to the expeditious ratification of the Agreement, so that we can quickly reach the minimum threshold of ratification by twenty-two-member states, that will enable the CFTA to come into effect, and permit our continent to take advantage of its huge market, President Akufo-Addo said. He continued, This will present great opportunities to increase intra-African trade, create jobs, enhance incomes, and put the continent onto the path of progress and prosperity. In so doing, it is equally important for us to take the necessary measures that will make our regional market of ECOWAS effective, as a sound building block for the success of the CFTA. If our regional markets work well, our continental market will work well. President Akufo-Addo also assured President Maada Bio that, in the spirit of the excellent relations between the two countries, such assistance, as within Ghanas modest means, to support the education, health, sanitation and other initiatives of his government, will be forthcoming. The details and modalities will be worked out shortly, and the commitments will be upheld, the President assured. With West Africa confronted with significant security challenges, particularly the terrorist menace that is engulfing the Sahel sector, President Akufo-Addo noted that we are required to be resolute and find, together in the region, the necessary economic, political and military means to reverse this pernicious development, and bring peace and stability to the lives of all our people in our region. He also urged President Maada Bio to work hand-in-hand with Ghana on the process of UN Reform, especially of the UN Security Council, as set out in Africas Common Position on UN Reform, based on the Ezulwini Consensus. Let us work to correct the longstanding injustice that the current structure and composition of the UN Security Council represent for the nations of Africa, President Akufo-Addo added. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Spokesperson of the John Mahama Campaign Team, James Agyenim Boateng, says the violence that ensued at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is an underlying frustration of Ghanaians caused by the government. In a statement issued on Mondays destruction of property by demonstrating students, Mr Agyenim Boateng noted that it is a reflection of the intolerance and impunity that have characterized the Akufo-Addo-led government. The events at KNUST show a deeper underlying frustration of the pent-up feelings of not just students but also the larger Ghanaian public, he stated. It is a reflection of the intolerance and impunity that have characterised governance under the present administration. Again, the general hardship unleashed by the policies of the Akufo-Addo government continues to build resentment among many sections of Ghanaians. He cited the recent hikes in petroleum prices, job losses, and the general hardship as having all brought about economic pressure on parents and guardians as well as students. The statement predicted that other agitated groups may take a cue from the students action if government does not implement measures to help alleviate the suffering that families are facing so that labour and other key stakeholder groups. On the specific issue at KNUST, Mr Agyenin Boateng asked for deep engagements between the student leaders and authorities for a speedy resolution of the issues and a quick return to normalcy on the campus. Akufo-Addos stony silence The campaign team of John Mahama chided the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for his stony silence on happenings at the university. For a President who has been quick to comment on seemingly irrelevant and innocuous happenings in the country and beyond, it is telling that he has kept a deafening silence on this serious matter. The team was also concerned about the lack of foresight on the part of the Minister of Education in charge of Tertiary Education for taking no action when the signals of an implosion were clear. Instead of the minister in charge of tertiary education moderating the then looming tensions, he hailed as a bold step the very issues that the students were unhappy about. A timely response from the government would have averted Mondays unfortunate incident. Source: 3news.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 Turkey's main nationalist party will not seek an alliance with President Tayyip Erdogan's AK Party in 2019 local elections, nationalist leader Devlet Bahceli said on Tuesday. Bahceli's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) had backed Erdogan in June 2018 presidential elections. Both parties had previously expressed their intentions to continue the alliance in 2019 local elections. Bahceli's remarks come after a disagreement with Erdogan over the MHP's call for amnesty for some convicted criminals now in prison. Search Keywords: Short link: A pressure group called Action Patriots for Justice (APJ) has issued a statement urging a continuous support for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to develop the state. This, the group said was necessary considering the "huge catastrophic deterioration of the economy left by the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) government led by Mr John Mahama". In a press statement, the Action Patriots for Justice (APJ) group said that, the NPP is the only party that has initiated concrete social interventions to reduce the hardships of citizens in the fourth republic, citing the interventions former President John Kufuor and the current President Nana Akufo Addo and Vice President Dr. Bawumia have introduced. The group also expressed the belief that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is the Achilles heel of the NDC and John Mahama even in opposition and continue to be. Below is the full statement- "BAWUMIA IS TOO HOT FOR MAHAMA AND A THORN IN THE FLESH OF THE NDC" In opposition, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was a thorn in the flesh of the NDC with his sound economic criticism and factually accurate information on the economy whilst in opposition. And now in government as the vice president, Dr Bawumia continues to be a nightmare and albatross on the neck of the NDC. His ingenuity and economical prowess, have the penchant of always exposing the lies, deceit and the propaganda machinery of the NDC. Show Ghanaians, a single social intervention program the NDC put in place to reduce the hardships on Ghanaians in your entire 8years in government and the NDC has shamefully run into hidden and are wobbling in clutches to respond because there is none to point. A simple "challenge" on performance assessment of the NDC, has become problematic, and instead of debating Bawumia intellectually on the issues he has been raising, the NDC have, as usual, resulted to insults and vilification on the person of the vice president. Isn't it weird? And this same failed and incompetent NDC, is all over the place wasting our ears and claiming to be the alternative for the NPP. Facts are sacrosanct no matter how hard one tries to twist it, and the evidence is there to show, that, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has been consistent till date. THROW BACK: The NPP came into power in the year 2000/20001. The situation then was so bad to the extent that, the fmr president, his Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor had no choice, than to succumb to external pressure and the powers that be, to declare Ghana HIPC to attract foreign aid under the circumstance. Prudent economic measures and policies put in place by president Kufuor, with Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as the then deputy governer of bank of Ghana, yielded results and reflected positively in the lives of Ghanaians. The cedi became strong, the banking sector was booming, social interventions such as: Health insurance, school feeding, free maternal care and many others have smoothly been implemented to help the ordinary Ghanaian. The NDC won the heart of Ghanaians in 2009 through their usual lies and deceit and came to power. Ghanaians thought the NDC could do more because they were expecting more and so, believed the lies of the NDC. The Mills--Mahama administration according to records, have been the worse, and the most underperformed government ever witnessed. The good foundation, former president Kufuor and the NPP laid for this country, was weakened and eventually destroyed, after the demised of president Fifi Atta Mills, when the INCOMPETENT one, John Mahama, was sworn in, as the president of this country. May his soul rest in a perfect peace. NPP took over power in 2017, 7th January, under the abled leadership of Akufo Addo--Bawumia and in less than two years, Ghanaians have seen the difference in terms of governance in the areas of Education, Jobs and development. The implementation of the Free SHS, Nabco, restoration of Teacher and Nursing training allowances, Youth in Afforestation, planting for food and jobs, Reduction of Electricity tariffs and many others, are signs of good things to come. Admittedly, times are hard but frantic effort is being taking by the Nana Addo--Bawumia government to bring the situation under control and very soon Ghanaians will see and feel the change we voted for. Action Patriots for Justice (APJ) is by this release, calling on all Ghanaians to exercise patience and rally behind the president and his vice, and with God on their side, Nana Addo--Bawumia government, shall surely deliver. The economy and the future of this country is indeed in a safe hands and brighter under NPP. This is the fear of the NDC, and so they have decided to turn the intellectual battle into personal vilification and attacks on the person of Dr Bawumia, to as it were, soil his image in other to have the justification to hang him politically. (APJ) is offering the NDC and the INCOMPETENT one, a free advice, to concentrate on solving their internal squabbles, and get a competent leader, so that, the NDC can be attractive in opposition as a party. The clear conscience of Dr. Bawumia will always vindicate him. He is a blessing and a great asset to this country. We urge Dr. Bawumia to always and constantly put the NDC in check and also put them at their proper level APJ will defend his Excellency, Nana Akufo Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia till their vision for this country come to pass. Finally, APJ wish to assure every Ghanaian, that, the sanctity of the office of the vice, president, his person and the hard won and unblemished reputation of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will be protected at all times and anytime it comes under attack. #Ghana will work Again Long Live Ghana!!! Long Live Dr Mahamudu Bawumia!!! Long Live APJ!!! SECRETARY Kwadwo Owusu #0244160707/ 0205151031 CONVENER Kwain Isaac #020 619 2775/ 024 366 4629 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 NPP Member of Parliament [MP] for the Manhyia North constituency in the Ashanti Region, Collins Owusu Amankwah has expressed his disappointment in authorities of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology [KNUST] and the university council for watching an unexpected violent demonstration unfold in the school on Monday. Even though I dont side with the students for destroying school properties, the university council should be blamed, especially the Vice-Chancellor of the school for his inconsistent decisions as far as the school is concerned, he stated. He believes the Vice-Chancellors attitude and decisions taken in recent times concerning the school was a major part of the destruction. He was speaking on UTVs Adekye Nsroma programme, Tuesday. The Member of Parliament stressed that all the three main public universities in the country (University of Ghana, Legon, KNUST and UCC) have some traditions that make them unique among the others, therefore there is no need for any authority in position to target changing those traditions, which have nothing to do with academics. Personally I am in pains because this violence was avoidable, this is because when the students started registering their grievances, they proposed a negotiation term which was not taken into consideration, and as the law says justice delayed is a justice denied, he said. He added that it will serve the Vice-Chancellor much good should he resign from his post as the students demand because his continuous stay will cause more harm and his life will also be at stake. According to him, the NPP are not attempting to sack the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST as some members of the National Democratic Congress [NDC] are speculating, but all we are saying is the best thing should be done. Source: Elizabeth Semiheva Bedi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Audio Attachment: Listen to Fred Agbenyo on Peace FM's 'kokrokoo' Aspiring NDC Communications Director, Fred Agbenyo has condemned KNUST Vice Chancellor, Professor Kwasi Obiri-Danso and the authorities of the University for taking draconian decisions against the students. Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme, Fred Agbenyo expressed disgust over Professor Obiri-Danso's refusal to heed advice, hence the action by students of Katanga Hall on the campus on Monday, October 22. Fred Agbenyo explained that the University students are grown-ups and do not want decisions and policies to be imposed on them like school children. He said if the Vice Chancellor had listened to the concerns of the students, the situation that occurred on the campus yesterday would have been avoided. Mr. Agbenyo believed the attitude of the KNUST Vice Chancellor isn't peculiar to him alone, but other University Chancellors who are equally headstrong, forgetting that they're dealing with adults on campus. Fred Agbenyo told sit-in host Nana Yaw Kesseh that the KNUST VC and authorities are turning the University into a boarding school. He spoke against the decision to turn Katanga Hall into a mixed hall. One other poor decision that Fred Agbenyo pointed out aside speaking against the imposition by Prof Obiri-Danso to transform the all-male Katanga Hall into a mixed hall, was the decision that no student should harbour a lady after 10 pm or else would have the University security officers to contend with. To him, the VC and the University authorities have suddenly forgotten the freedom they enjoyed when they were equally students and are now imposing draconian rules on the students. He asked "how does it concern the Vice Chancellor if a guy will have a lady visitor after 10 pm or even if they will both be together for the entire night?". Citing himself as an example for meeting his wife on the campus of University of Ghana, Fred Agbenyo believed the decisions by the VC are unacceptable. I think that somebody must talk to the University authorities and they too must be humble enough to listen. Its becoming just something. The way were running the University doesnt augur well. At the University level, people should be independent minded to take decisions that will help them. The best you can do is to advise them and theyre not under any obligation to take the advice because theyre grown-ups. They have to define their lives, he stated. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former President John Dramani is challenging the government to show what it has done with the GHC50 billion it has borrowed since taking over power in January 2017. Prior to the 2016 elections, the then-opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) slammed the Mahama government for borrowing a total of GHS40 billion over an eight-year period claiming it was wrong. Addressing delegates of Techiman South Constituency in Techiman on Monday as part of his tour of constituencies in the Brong Ahafo Region, Mr Mahama explained that the money borrowed by his administration was used for massive infrastructure development projects throughout the country. According to im, there are "visible signs" all over the country of roads, hospitals, schools and rural electrification projects, among many others, which were undertaken by the NDC administration. The former President said it is important that the Akufo-Addo government accounts to Ghanaians for what it has also used the GHC50 billion for. Mr Mahama asked what could have prompted the NPP government to borrow a staggering GHC50 billion in less than two years in power, even though there is nothing to show for it. So, they should tell Ghanaians what they used the GHC50 billion they have so far borrowed for. Is it for road, hospital, or school, but clearly there is nothing to show, he added. Whilst pointing out that the governments policies have brought untold hardship on Ghanaians, Mr Mahama promised to work hard to reduce the high cost of living in the country as well as provide jobs, when elected in the 2020 elections. Touching on concerns that he is addressing national issues instead of concentrating on internal NDC issues, ahead of the flagbearership race, former President Mahama said "NDC delegates are also Ghanaians who deserve to know what is happening in the country". 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 Ghana-based Gambian actress/model Princess Shyngle has released new hot pictures on social media showing off her curves and her gracile waist. Princess Shyngle who stated publicly that she has stopped exposing her body few weeks ago, and even went ahead to delete all her bikini pictures from her Instagram page, couldnt abide by her own rules and she has explained the reason for her sudden volte-face. In an exclusive interview with Peacefmonline.com, the screen goddess who is currently in Gambia said her new pictures is to celebrate black skin and to campaign against skin bleaching. I am celebrating my beautiful, dark, chocolate, black skin and encouraging black queens all over the world to be proud of their skin color and stop bleaching. So my new photo shoot is for my Say No To Bleaching campaign. According to Princess Shyngle, she will do everything she can with her body just for the world to know that black skin must be cherished. Black is beautiful and black queens should be celebrated more and be proud of their skin color. I wanted to show every inch of my black skin to showcase how gorgeous being black is, and because Im comfortable in my skin and my body I saw nothing wrong in posing with a bikini to get my message out there. I cant wear kaba and cover my gorgeous skin to do a shoot about celebrating the black skin. Asked why she declared publicly a few weeks ago that she has stopped exposing herself and her sudden u-turn, she replied; I said that at a point in my life when I was trolled a lot on the internet, the blogs, on the press and TV for showing too much skin and always revealing my body, I thought it would be a good idea to stop taking bikini pictures just to please people and make them happy. But then I realized that I can never please people, no matter what you do theyre going to troll you and talk about you as long as you are in the public eye so I just said to myself f*ck it , Im going to do me, live my life to the fullest and do whatever the heck I want as long as Im happy thats all that matters, because at the end of the day Im living my life for me and no one else. My happiness comes first. She added that she is still single but she is not searching. However, if any man wants to be with her, that person must be willing to accept her for who she is. Any man that wants to be with me has to accept me for who I am same way Im going to accept him for who he is. Im still single but Im not searching, Im single because I choose to. Im not psychologically ready to start dating yet, Im still working on myself and trying to learn how to love with all my heart. Ive hurt and disappointed a lot of guys in my past and I dont want to keep doing that. Princess Shyngle said she is currently in Gambia preparing for her next self-produced movie. Im busy writing my next film that I plan on shooting next month in Lagos, Nigeria. See her new photos below: Source: Eugene Osafo-Nkansah/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 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a meeting of the Youth Council in Toronto on Friday, October 19, 2018. Trudeau says cancelling the controversial contract to sell armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia would leave taxpayers on the hook for $1 billion.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young Saudi Arabia opened the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference on Tuesday in the capital Riyadh. The three-day conference, nicknamed Davos in the Desert, is meant to project the kingdom as a lucrative business destination and set the stage for new ventures and multi-billion dollar contracts. The Riyadh conference began amid tight security at Riyadh's Ritz-Carlton hotel, with Russian Direct Investment Fund chief Kirill Dmitriyev, the CEO of French energy giant Total Patrick Pouyanne and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, among the confirmed speakers listed by organisers for the opening day. A number of investors and international figureheads have declined to attend the event in Riyadh after the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. Saudi Arabia has vowed to conduct a transparent investigation into the case and bring those responsible to justice. *This story was edited by Ahram online Search Keywords: Short link: Saudi Arabia will hold to account those responsible of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's killing and those who failed in their duties, whoever they are, the Saudi cabinet said after a meeting chaired by King Salman on Tuesday. Saudi authorities have arrested 18 Saudi nationals and six senior government officials had already dismissed in connection to the killing of Khashoggi. Khashoggi went missing on Oct. 2 when he entered the consulate in Istanbul. Erdogan called on Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to hand the suspects in the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi killing for trial in Turkey. Search Keywords: Short link: BULAMBULI Fresh intrigues have hit the 2,828 acres of land in Bulambuli. The land is meant to resettle the Bududa mudslides survivors, however, it has been discovered that the land in question was purchased illegally. Details also emerged showing that the rightful owners of the land were not consulted during the sale of the land and that it was never advertised. The circumstances surrounding the sale of the land are further shrouded in mystery when the true owners of the land said they could not confirm the transaction, arguing it was undertaken by Simu Oil (U) Ltd, a company owned by Elgon county MP Mr Inyasio Mudimi Wamakuyu in connivance with OPM officials. OPM was outrightly accomplice in this land deal, Mr Stephen Waisi of Bukiyabi village, Bumufuni parish, in Bunambutye sub-county in Bulambuli district told PML Daily October 20. Mr Waisi says they learnt of the government move to buy the 2,828 acres of land through the newspapers and that Mr Mudimi has never engaged them and neither is he a member of their community. We are determined to fight for our land because nobody ever consulted us, OPM was duped. Nobody should even bring people here for settlement before we are compensated, let the government take these people elsewhere, said Mr Waisi. The former RDC Bulambuli Mr Nabende Wamoto said the purchase of the land was scandalous to the level that the procurement number OPM/SPLS/13-14/00100 was suspicious. And although the procurement notice was pinned on the notice board, it was removed before the mandatory 14 days at the request of MP Mudimi Womakuyu, said Mr Wamoto. This was plucked off the Bulambuli district notice board due to serious objection by the real land owners and that it came out clear that OPM was out rightly accomplice in the land deal. Mr Wamoto wants President Museveni to intervene to investigate when and from whom did MP Mudiimi buy plot 93 [about 918 acres of land] which was abnormally traded by OPM at Shs 2, 754, 000b. What criteria were used by OPM to evaluate plots 93, 94 and 10? Because some plots in the same area, same topography, same market value and less acreage were paid more than others, added Mr Wamoto. He explained that on the same bid notice for example Mr George and Christine Ochwo were paid Shs 3.8m per acre for plot 94 [about 270 acres], MS Simu Oil Company Ltd was paid 2.5 per acre for plot 10 [1312 acres and MP Mudiimi was paid Shs 3m per acre for plot 93. Mr Wamoto further wants Uganda Revenue Authority to intervene and compel the beneficiaries to pay taxes to government and that the IGG should also intervene using the leadership to compel MP Mudini to declare his wealth especially from the illegal sale of land. Mr Bernard Mujasi, the LCV chairman for Mbale also questioned the motive of re-advertising the deal, two days to the closing of the bids. He explained that the bids were closed on October 31, 2013. The first advert went out on October 18, 2013 and later, through unclear circumstances, it was re-advertised on October 28, 2013. And worst of all the Mt Elgon LCV chairpersons were not involved in this deal even when Shs 8b had been released to resettle their people. This makes this deal fictitious because why didnt they involve the leaders here?, says Mr Mujasi. He explained that the land in question is also public land that belongs to all Bamasaaba if the title belonged to Masaba cooperative union and that how then did the title change from a cooperative union for all Bamasaaba without an annual general meeting to an individual. Police intervenes On November 22, 2013, an intelligence officer attached to OPM wrote to Ms Christine Guwatudde assistant commissioner at OPM, raising several issues in the deal but the letter was ignored. In the intelligence officers caution letter to OPM titled Suspected anomalies in Procurement Department of Disaster Preparedness Management, he indicated the title for the said land was a forgery and about half of the land was a swamp. The intelligence officer proposed an independent verification team and warned OPM of future audit queries if procurement procedures were flouted. However despite this warning, Ms Guwatudde appointed a team of eight officers, including one Richard Masereje, who is presented as a consultant transaction advisor. In the same police letter to OPM, the officer also reported what he called, the fraudulent transaction to his bosses at State House but no response was given. Reports say that when police started investigations in the matter, they asked Centenary rural development bank to withhold payment to MP Mudiimi until issues of forgery and illegal land transaction were resolved but that the issue was handled by a divisional CID officer. Mr Wamoto says that the land transaction of this magnitude should have been investigated by the CID headquarters; it was left to a divisional CID officer, Mr Daniel Batter, who on October 21, 2014, wrote to manager of Centenary Bank, Entebbe Road branch to release the withheld funds to Simu Oil Company. In the letter titled Clearance of EFT payment to A/C No 3010311186 Simu Oil Company, Mr Batter cleared payment of the funds that had been blocked, pending conclusion of investigations into the alleged fraud. This is to bring to your attention that subject to our investigations inquiries vide CPS KLA GEF: 77/2014 into this matter, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions has directed that our case file be closed and the owner of the account [Simu Oil (U) Ltd] be allowed to freely operate and run their account this is therefore to direct you to comply with the directive, Mr Batter wrote. Mr Simon Wananzofu the LCV chairman for Bulambuli told PML on phone that the land in question has a lot of controversies that require to be resolved before people are moved to it. We are urgently trying to deal with a disaster as government but we are also sowing seeds for another disasater, war, if we dont resolve the conflicts surrounding the land in question, said Mr Wananzofu. He revealed that the land in question belongs to people OPM did not consult to buy but decided to buy it under MS Simu Oil Company Ltd, MP Mudiimi and Mr George and Christine Ocwo. Local leaders at Bulambuli district including councilors and the district land office insist that the land at plots 10 and 93 in Bunambutye is customarily owned by 18 clans (300 families) and that OPM officials reportedly struck the deal with Elgon county MP Mudiimi, who is accused of fraudulently obtaining the land title in the name of his family company, Simu Oil Company (U) Ltd. Fighting OPM This reporter reported in September 2014, that the owners of the land armed with clubs, machetes at Tobagony Village in Bunambutye Sub-county attacked a government team that had gone to open the land boundaries for resettlement of Bududa landslide victims. The State minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness, Mr Musa Ecweru, Ms Christine Guwatudde Kintu, assistant commissioner, Ms Rose Nakabugo and other OPM officials were forced to flee after a charged crowd attempted to lynch them. Another group says they petitioned the Commission of Inquiry into Land Matters chaired by Justice Catherine Bamugemereire [ Ref MBL/18/2017 ] to intervene in the dispute between them and Simu Oil Company (U) Ltd, a company they say allegedly forged land titles to sell their land. Mr Hakim Konyi, the secretary of the land owners, says Justice Bamugemereire has not called them to testify about the alleged fraudulent sale of their land by Elgon County MP Mudiimi, through his company Simu Oil Company (U) Ltd. Mr Waisi of Bukiyabi village, Bumufuni parish, leading other land claimants says they dragged government and OPM to court over trespass in 2016 and are still waiting for the judgment The suit was lodged before the High Court on August 28, 2016 by Musambwa & Co advocates, the lawyers to the owners of plot 93. In the suit seen by PML Daily, the applicants are seeking compensation for losses suffered during the time OPM blocked them from accessing their land and also want OPM to give them back their land. The applicants through their lawyers are also seeking for a court declaration that the OPM were duped, to stop any attempts to give it out to the mudslide victims and that the land was sold after its ownership was dubiously changed. Decision to buy land Government in late 2013 purchased 2,828 acres of land in Bunambutye sub-county; lower Bulambuli District at sh8b for the resettlement of the Mt Elgon landslide survivors. However the owners of the land led by Mr Stephen Waisi protested the purchase urging that they were never consulted and that they have never sold their land. Other Owners speak out You will not grab our land, government must get off our land, MP Mudiimi, does not have land here said Mr Mutewule Muyonga and Mr Patrick Wanyama. The duo accused the area MP Mudiimi and other businessmen for grabbing their land and selling it to OPM without their knowledge. We have even sued them in the courts of law and these people are not ashamed to come with the minister here, we shall fight for our dear land until we get it back, said Mr Wanyama OPM speaks out Mr Martin Owor, the commissioner disaster management while appearing on NBS October 18 over the recent Bududa landslides said they bought the land genuinely from the owners. We are now preparing a working plan to resettle the landslide victims on the land we bought in Bulambuli, said Mr Owor. He revealed that they have opened up roads, drawn plans for relocating the victims, have surveyed the land, landslide victims have been registered. MP Mudimi speaks out Mr Mudimi was not available for a comment yesterday. However, in an earlier interview, he denied allegations of forging the title for the land. He said Simu Oil (U) Ltd, a company where his wife is a director, sold the 1,680 acres on plot 10 to OPM but said the land title in question was issued to Masaba Cooperative Union by the Uganda Land Commission in 1971. And this land title was later transferred to my wifes company when she bought the land in 2012, you can cross check the facts, said Mr Mudimi. Whoever says the land title is forged should ask the Uganda Land Commission, which gave out the title to Bamasaba Cooperative Union in 1971. And the land is not for those who are claiming it. They are masqueraders and should be asked to produce the forged title. The claims they are talking about were investigated and cleared, Mr Mudiimi said. Related HOIMA The Hoima-born regional academic icon passed away on Monday evening . Nyendwoha graduated in 1954, from Oxford University with a Bachelor of Arts (Hon) in History. In the late 1950s, when it emerged that Uganda would be granted her independence by the British colonialists, Nyendwoha is said to have started civic education sessions in Hoima to discuss democracy and elections. For a period of three years, she served in the Uganda Legislative Council from 1958 to 1961. During this time, she tabled a private members bill on the registration of marriages. She was also engaged in womens organisations, including the Uganda Council of Women and YWCA (U). Besides serving in the education ministry as secretary to the Teaching Service Committee, Dr. Nyendwoha also worked as a teacher at Kings College Budo. Later, under Idi Amins regime, she joined Makerere University to serve in the office of the university secretary. Her time at Makerere also saw her work as clerk to the Makerere University Council. In 1976, she was transferred from the office of the University Secretary to the joint administration of the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Social Sciences, where she worked for two years. While at Makerere, she was also director of the East African Posts and Telecommunications Corporation. Related Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman toured the International investment conference in Riyadh on Tuesday, according to Reuters. The crown prince attended the Future Investment Initiative Conference with King Abdullah of Jordan. Prince Mohammed said he was satisfied with the Future Investment Initiative conference as he toured the venue. "Great, more people, more money," he told reporters. Search Keywords: Short link: An officer with the Mobile (AL) Police Department was seen in a viral social media video talking to a scared six-year-old girl who had just suffered the loss of her cousinJustin Mooneywho was killed in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting. DeCynda Brown posted the video to Facebook, capturing her daughter Ray'Ghan and Sergeant Trey Davis talking just outside of the crime scene police tape. "He just started talking to her, asked her who made her bow, what school she went to," Brown told Yahoo Lifestyle. "He got so personal with her. He kneeled down, and they were talking for 30 minutes. He was just talking to her as if he knew her. She's very shy, so the way she talked to him and for him to stop what he was doing to talk to her, it was very nice." An officer with the Wiggins (MS) Police Department and his fiance had most of their possessions burned in a fire that ripped through their home on Sunday. The department said on its Facebook page, "One of Wiggins Police Department's own, Officer Sherrill, lost everything he owned this morning when his home burned. He is a full-time officer within our department as well as a certified firefighter. We are seeking donations from the community during this time to help him get back on his feet." The department has set up fundraisers pages on Facebook and GoFundMe. The agency said it will also be accepting donations at the police department. "Thank you for your support of Officer Sherrill and our department," the Facebook post said. Officer Chris Sherrill and his fiancee Courtney Carlisle are set to be married in three weeks. A county prosecutor and a division of the state attorney general's office have ruled that Camden County, NJ, Police Officer David Stinsman was justified in fatally shooting Jose Fernandez in January 2017. According to NJ.com, Officer Stinsman and other officers were responding to a report of an armed man who had attacked his wife when he encountered Fernandez, who was armed with a handgun. Suddenly, Fernandez shot his wifeElisvel Gomezmultiple times and Stinsman subsequently shot Fernandez. Gomez suffered significant injuries, but survived. Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said in his finding that the officer's account was undisputed and shows Fernandez was trying to kill Gomez. He was justified in using deadly force to protect the woman, the children in the apartment, and the other officers. The Bothell Police Department has completed an investigation into allegations made against Bellevue Police Chief Steve Mylett, finding that there was no probable cause to show that Chief Mylett committed any crime. Image courtesy of City of Bellevue. The Bothell (WA) Police Department has completed an investigation into allegations made against Bellevue Police Chief Steve Mylett, finding that there was no probable cause to show that Chief Mylett committed any crime. In fact, the investigation found that there was no evidence that the chief even knew his accuser. "There was no substantiated evidence to prove there was ever any contact between the complainant and Mr. Mylett," the department said in a press release. Mylett had been on paid administrative leave since early August, after a woman claimed the police chief had sexually assaulted her. The woman, a 44-year-old resident of Issaquah, had claimed Mylett assaulted her two years ago in the neighboring city of Bothell after the pair had met on a fetish website for people seeking "very aggressive sex," according to Fox News. "This has been a hard time for both me and my family, and we're eager to have the investigation behind us," Chief Mylett said in a statement. "I'm eager to get back to work, serving residents and leading the outstanding women and men of the Bellevue Police Department." The Dallas (TX) Police Department recently made their case to that city's Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee that the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for missions such as search and rescue would benefit the city. According to the Dallas Morning News, Assistant Chief Paul Stokes told the committee, "People think that we're going to drop them in backyards and spy on themthat's not the purpose of this equipment," he said. Stokes said the price for the department's preferred aerial systems range from $7,500 to more than $30,000. The low-cost models work in daytime and low-light settings. The mid-range aircraft, with thermal imaging technology, cost between $10,000 and $15,000. The most expensive, highest-tech versions specifically designed for law enforcement use, can cost more than $30,000. Rosie O'Donnell, the former co-host of The Viewa daytime talk television show that sometimes painted police in less than a positive lightis reportedly engaged to marry a police officer with the Worcester (MA) Police Department. The 56-year-old O'Donnell confirmed to People Magazine on Monday her engagement to 33-year-old Elizabeth Rooney, a member of the WPD Mounted Patrol Unit. "She lives in Boston now and I live here in New York. It's been a long-distance thing. It's been great. I think she's a wonderful woman," O'Donnell said. Microsoft, Albridge and Dollar Shave honored at the 14th Annual Customer Contact West: A Frost & Sullivan Executive MindXchange SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Winners of the 2018 CC Awards gathered last night to celebrate their outstanding customer experience achievements at the 14th Annual Customer Contact West: A Frost & Sullivan Executive MindXchange in Phoenix, Ariz., at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. Winners honored at the CC Awards include: Microsoft , awarded the Big Kahuna Award in three categories: Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (The Rosie Award), Excellence in Customer Analytics (The Moneyball Award), and Excellence in Social Care (The Selfie Award). , awarded the Big Kahuna Award in three categories: Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (The Rosie Award), Excellence in Customer Analytics (The Moneyball Award), and Excellence in Social Care (The Selfie Award). Albridge , awarded the Big Kahuna Award for Excellence in Omnichannel Customer Service (The Matrix Award). , awarded the Big Kahuna Award for Excellence in Omnichannel Customer Service (The Matrix Award). Dollar Shave, awarded the Big Kahuna Award for Excellence in Web Customer Care (The Spiderman Award). By live vote among participants at the 14th Annual Customer Contact West: A Frost & Sullivan Executive MindXchange and judges of the CC Awards, two Big Kahunas were named for the Work Hard, Play Hard Award for Excellence in Company Culture. Sitel was awarded Big Kahuna among Business Process Outsourcers; Erie Insurance was awarded Big Kahuna among brands. About The CC Awards Program The CC Awards Program, made possible through the coordination of the Frost & Sullivan Customer Engagement Digital Transformation practice, Frost & Sullivan Research Insights practice and the Frost & Sullivan Customer Contact Executive MindXchange, honors companies and individual leaders that are shaping the future of customer service. Honored recipients have demonstrated achievement in one or more of five categories: Omnichannel Customer Experience, Artificial Intelligence, Web Customer Care, Social Media Customer Engagement and Customer Engagement Analytics. Companies are vetted through a rigorous two-stage evaluation process. The initial stage involves the completion of a questionnaire application. Questions posed range from customer engagement capabilities to business outcomes. Entrants are free to apply in one or more categories, provided responses are complete for each section. Qualifying companies will then progress to the second stage for evaluation by a judging panel consisting of experts from the industry and Frost & Sullivan research analysts. High achievers are celebrated and the top-scoring companies in each category are presented with The Big Kahuna award at the Annual Customer Contact West: A Frost & Sullivan Executive MindXchange in October. For more information about the CC Awards and the winners, please go to https://www.customercontactwest.com/2018/ccawards-winners. About Frost & Sullivan For over five decades, Frost & Sullivan has become world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact: Nicole Coons Marketing Vanguard E: [email protected] P: 908.603.7207 Related Links http://www.frost.com SOURCE Frost & Sullivan Britain said on Tuesday questions remained over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and only Saudi Arabia could provide answers to them, according to Reuters. "President Erdogan's statement this morning underscores the fact there remain questions which only the Saudis have the answers to," Prime Minster Theresa May's spokesman said when asked about an earlier statement by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on the killing. Saudi Arabia will hold to account those responsible of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's killing and those who failed in their duties, whoever they are, the Saudi cabinet said after a meeting chaired by King Salman on Tuesday. Search Keywords: Short link: ARLINGTON, Virginia, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Venture Global LNG, Inc. announces that the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the company's 10 MTPA Calcasieu Pass facility on the Gulf of Mexico. On August 31, 2018, FERC notified Venture Global LNG that it plans to issue a Final Order for the Calcasieu Pass facility and the associated TransCameron Pipeline no later than January 22, 2019, in line with the Notice of Revised Schedule for Environmental Review issued on May 18, 2018. The project remains on track for a Final Investment Decision and commencement of construction in early 2019 with full commercial operations expected in 2022. "FERC's issuance of the final EIS is an important milestone for our Calcasieu Pass project. With the project fully contracted for financing with binding 20-year offtake agreements with Shell, BP, Edison S.p.A., Galp, Repsol and PGNiG, we are looking forward to a Final Investment Decision and commencement of construction early next year," Co-CEOs Bob Pender and Mike Sabel jointly stated. Separately, the company's 20 MTPA Plaquemines LNG facility and associated Gator Express Pipeline expects to receive its final Environmental Impact Statement on May 3, 2019, according to the Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review issued by FERC on August 31. FERC has established a 90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline of August 1, 2019. Additionally, Venture Global announces that Jim Strohman has joined the company as a Senior Vice President and the Project Director for the Calcasieu Pass LNG export facility. Previously, Mr. Strohman spent 17 years with Dominion Energy where he most recently served as the Project Director for Dominion's Cove Point LNG facility. In that capacity, he directed the execution of the project from FEED finalization and EPC selection through to commissioning and initial project operations. Mr. Strohman is also a retired Commander of the US Navy Reserve, where he served for more than 20 years. Mr. Sabel and Mr. Pender added: "At Cove Point, Jim directed and delivered safely, on time and within budget the largest construction project to date for both Dominion and the state of Maryland, with a budget that exceeded $4 billion, more than 10,000 craft workers and 20 million total work hours. His track record of execution is a very valuable addition to our team." About Venture Global LNG Venture Global LNG is a long-term, low-cost provider of LNG to be supplied from resource rich North American natural gas basins. Venture Global LNG's liquefaction process system will employ a highly efficient and reliable suite of products supplied by GE Oil & Gas, LLC, part of Baker Hughes, a GE company (BHGE). Venture Global LNG is developing both the 10 MTPA Venture Global Calcasieu Pass facility (on an approximately 1,000-acre site located at the intersection of the Calcasieu Ship Channel and the Gulf of Mexico) and the 20 MTPA Venture Global Plaquemines LNG facility (on an approximately 630-acre site in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, 30 miles south of New Orleans on the Mississippi River). Venture Global has raised $630 million of capital to-date to support the development of its projects. More can be found at www.venturegloballng.com. Related Links http://www.venturegloballng.com SOURCE Venture Global LNG, Inc. GUWAHATI, Assam, India, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Zaloni, the leader in enterprise-grade self-service data management, today announced that it will take part in the Hon'ble Prime Minister's Townhall Meeting with IT professionals that will take place on 24 Oct 2018 at 4 PM in Delhi and across the country through video conferencing. The Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will address over 1 lakh IT professionals encouraging IT professionals to volunteer for social causes. Zaloni Technologies India Pvt. Ltd., was one among the twelve organizations chosen to present in this event and will represent the State of Assam. The interaction will focus mainly around industry-wide volunteering for social empowerment and social causes. Other participating companies across India are TCS, Infosys, Cisco Systems, Cognizant, Tech Mahindra and Persistent Systems. Mr. Sanjiv Kumar Varma, Site (Country) Leader and Kuwali Sarma, Senior Software Engineer will highlight the key company initiatives, volunteering and Zaloni's position on the idea of coordinating volunteering across the industry. Zaloni has deep experience making big data "work" at many of the world's leading companies, delivering business value at the enterprise level, creating shared data services to support the enterprise, and enabling collaborative experiences for business and technical users. The Zaloni Data Platform (ZDP) simplifies and speeds governed data lake implementation, operationalizes data management, and ensures success, particularly in hybrid environments. About Zaloni Zaloni simplifies data management for transformative business insights. We work with pioneering enterprises to modernize their data architecture and operationalize their data lakes to incorporate data into everyday business practices. The Zaloni Data Platform (ZDP) provides total control throughout the data pipeline from ingestion to analytics, with comprehensive data management, governance and self-service data preparation capabilities for IT and business users. A leader in big data for more than a decade, Zaloni's expertise is deep, spans multiple industries, and has proven invaluable to customers at many of the world's top companies. To learn more, visit www.zaloni.com. Related Links http://www.zaloni.com SOURCE Zaloni LONDON, October 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Top 20 accountancy firm Kingston Smith LLP has joined Expatland's London E-Team. The firm will provide tax and accountancy services to the London E-Team's clients. Kingston Smith is a founding member of Morison KSi. This international association provides consultancy in cross-border accounting, auditing and tax from over 85 partner offices. With deep insight into the issues facing expats, Kingston Smith is a name that inspires confidence. The Expatland Global Network is assembling E-Teams in major expat destinations. Each team brings together vetted professionals who offer essential services to expats. Through one point of contact, they can access expert advice and local insight on all aspects of moving to, and living in, a location. John Marcarian, founder of the Expatland Global Network, says, "Kingston Smith has shown unfaltering confidence in the E-Team concept. As a renowned accountancy firm with global outreach, it will be a great asset to our fast-growing London E-Team." Mike Scoltock, partner at Kingston Smith, comments, "This is an excellent opportunity for us and represents a natural fit for our highly experienced team of advisers. Expatland is building a reputation as a trusted community of expat service providers. We are looking forward to supporting E-Team's clients through our dedicated range of tax, accountancy and advisory services. We are also eager to begin working with partners, to provide holistic expat support." Richard Feakins, Expatland London E-Team leader, says, "Bringing Kingston Smith onboard is a reflection of the quality of the Expatland offering. We are delighted to welcome Mike and his team and look forward to working together to assist expats moving to London." 'Expatland' origins Expatland began as a best-selling book by John Marcarian, written in 2015. Expanding on this idea, John launched the Expatland Global Network in 2018. His aim was to support people all over the world who are looking to join the vast, dynamic expat community. E-Teams in major expat destinations will deliver vital expat services, alongside destination-specific insight. E-Team members are non-competitive and share leads, fostering business growth. Each member contributes to city-specific editions of the Expatland book. These are free-to-download and packed with locally-focused advice, tips and case studies. The Expatland Global Network is expanding rapidly. There are now E-Teams in Sydney, Melbourne, LA, Singapore, Auckland and London. Businesses interested in joining an E-Team in their city can get in touch with Expatland: http://www.expatland.com/contact/ Contact: Lloyd Gofton lloyd@liberatemedia.com +44-(0)7919-353-484 SOURCE Expatland TORONTO and NEW YORK, October 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. ("Mountain Province", the "Company") (TSX: MPVD) (NASDAQ: MPVD) today announces production results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018 ("Q3 2018") from the Gahcho Kue Diamond Mine ("GK Mine"). The Company also provides the details of its Q3 conference call which will take place on November 13th, 2018 at 11:00am EDT. Q3 2018 Production Highlights (all figures reported on a 100% basis unless otherwise stated) The plant treated 759,000 tonnes during the quarter, 8% less than the same quarter last year as a result of a planned maintenance shut down in the plant. 1,819,000 carats were recovered at an average grade of approximately 2.40 carats per tonne in Q3 2018. Q3 2018 recovered grade of 2.40 carats per tonne, was 8% higher than the same quarter last year and increases the year to date grade profile to 2.21 carats per tonne. Ore tonnes mined in Q3 2018 were 1,155,000 tonnes, or 3% higher than the same quarter last year. Q3 Production Statistics[1] 2018 Q3 2017 Q3 YOY Variance Total tonnes mined (ore and waste) 11,592,000 8,313,000 39% Ore tonnes mined 1,155,000 1,123,000 3% Ore tonnes treated 759,000 823,000 -8% Carats recovered 1,819,000 1,825,000 - Carats recovered (49% share) 891,000 894,000 - Recovered grade (carats per tonne) 2.40 2.22 8% [1] All figures reported are on 100% basis unless otherwise stated Q3 2018 Production Summary The GK Mine operations had another solid quarter with over 11.6 million tonnes of material being mined. The recovered grade also continues to outperform expectations. The head grade in Q3 2018 was 2.40 carats per tonne which is significantly higher than originally anticipated. As a result, the year to date head grade at the plant has reached 2.21 carats per tonne which is 5% higher than our full year 2018 forecast grade. A planned maintenance shut down in the plant during the quarter resulted in less ore tonnes passing through the plant in comparison to what has been achieved in previous quarters of 2018. However, daily throughput in the plant continues to be consistant with our targets for the year. At September 30 2018, the Company remains well positioned to achieve the upper end of its full year 2018 production guidance of 6.3 - 6.6 million carats recovered. Stuart Brown, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "The third quarter performance continues to follow the trend of ongoing excellent performance set by the GK Mine team, in a safe and sustainable manner. We expect this trend to continue into the last quarter of the year. The continued good performance is pleasing as the mine matures into its steady state production methodology of continuous improvement." Q3 2018 Conference Call Details The Company will release its 2018 Third Quarter results on Monday, November 12, 2018, after market close in Toronto and New York. The Company will host a conference call to discuss the results on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Conference Call Dial-In Details: Conference ID: 5565909 Date of call: 11/13/2018 Time of call: 11:00 Eastern Time Expected Duration: 60 minutes Participant Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (866) 300-0510 Participant International Dial-In Number: (636) 812-6656 Replay: Toll-Free Dial-In: (855) 859-2056 International Dial-In: (404) 537-3406 Passcode: 5565909 A replay will also be available on the Company's website. Mountain Province Diamonds is a 49% participant with De Beers Canada in the Gahcho Kue diamond mine located in Canada's Northwest Territories. Gahcho Kue is the world's largest new diamond mine, consisting of a cluster of four diamondiferous kimberlites, three of which are being developed and mined under the initial 12 year mine plan. Qualified Person The disclosure in this news release of scientific and technical information regarding Mountain Province's mineral properties has been reviewed and approved by Keyvan Salehi, P.Eng., MBA, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian and United States securities laws concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to estimated production and mine life of the project of Mountain Province; the realization of mineral reserve estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production; costs of production; the future price of diamonds; the estimation of mineral reserves and resources; the ability to manage debt; capital expenditures; the ability to obtain permits for operations; liquidity; tax rates; and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Except for statements of historical fact relating to Mountain Province, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "anticipates," "may," "can," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "targets," "intends," "likely," "will," "should," "to be", "potential" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "should" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of Mountain Province and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward-looking statements include variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in market conditions, changes in project parameters, mine sequencing; production rates; cash flow; risks relating to the availability and timeliness of permitting and governmental approvals; supply of, and demand for, diamonds; fluctuating commodity prices and currency exchange rates, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated. These factors are discussed in greater detail in Mountain Province's most recent Annual Information Form and in the most recent MD&A filed on SEDAR, which also provide additional general assumptions in connection with these statements. Mountain Province cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors and others who base themselves on forward-looking statements should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. Mountain Province believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Although Mountain Province 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 anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Mountain Province undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered as the property is developed. Further, Mountain Province may make changes to its business plans that could affect its results. The principal assets of Mountain Province are administered pursuant to a joint venture under which Mountain Province is not the operator. Mountain Province is exposed to actions taken or omissions made by the operator within its prerogative and/or determinations made by the joint venture under its terms. Such actions or omissions may impact the future performance of Mountain Province. Under its current note and revolving credit facilities Mountain Province is subject to certain limitations on its ability to pay dividends on common stock. The declaration of dividends is at the discretion of Mountain Province's Board of Directors, subject to the limitations under the Company's debt facilities, and will depend on Mountain Province's financial results, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board. Stuart Brown, President and CEO, 161 Bay Street, Suite 1410, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2S1, Phone: (416)-361-3562, E-mail: info@mountainprovince.com ; Keyvan Salehi, Investor Relations, 161 Bay Street, Suite 1410, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2S1, Phone: (416)-361-3562, E-mail: info@mountainprovince.com SOURCE Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. PRINCETON, New Jersey, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Miami International Holdings, Inc. (MIH), the parent holding company of the MIAX Options and MIAX PEARL exchanges, today announced that a Notice of the Form 1 Application for its newest options exchange, MIAX Emerald, has been published in the Federal Register by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) following MIH's formal application submission. MIAX Emerald is expected to join the MIAX Exchange Group in Q1 2019, pending SEC approval. "We are excited to have formally filed our Form 1 Application for MIAX Emerald and to have the SEC's Notice published in the Federal Register, both of which put us one step closer to launching our newest exchange," said Thomas P. Gallagher, Chairman and CEO of MIH. "MIAX Emerald will be a great addition to the MIAX Exchange Group given its specific market structure, further enabling the trading needs of our member firms to be met and the MIAX Exchange Group to expand its presence in the U.S. options market. We look forward to seeing the benefits of our newest exchange in Q1 2019, pending SEC approval." Added Barbara J. Comly, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of MIH, "We would like to thank the SEC for its assistance in connection with the application process." "We continue to see significant U.S. trading volume shift to exchanges offering a hybrid market model with pro rata allocation and maker-taker pricing," said Shelly Brown, Executive Vice President Strategic Planning and Operations of MIAX Options and MIAX PEARL. "By utilizing the MIAX Exchange Group's industry-leading technology and infrastructure, we are confident that MIAX Emerald will enable us to broaden our customer base and compete for trading volume in this specific market segment." For more information on MIAX Emerald interface specifications, please visit: https://www.miaxoptions.com/interface-specifications/emerald. MIAX Emerald pricing and testing information will be made available at a later date. For further information regarding the MIAX Exchange Group, please visit www.MIAXOptions.com or contact MIAX Trading Operations at TradingOperations@MIAXOptions.com. Corporate Communications Contact: Dominique Prunetti-Miller (609) 897-1465 dprunetti@miami-holdings.com JConnelly Media Contact: Tony Kono (973) 525-6855 tkono@jconnelly.com About MIH and the MIAX Exchange Group Miami International Holdings, Inc. (MIH) is the parent holding company of Miami International Securities Exchange, LLC (MIAX Options) and MIAX PEARL, LLC (MIAX PEARL and together with MIAX Options, the MIAX Exchange Group), two fully electronic options trading exchanges. MIAX Options currently lists and trades options on approximately 2,800 multi-listed classes. MIAX Options' unparalleled system throughput is approximately 38 million quotes per second. The average latency for a single quote on MIAX Options is approximately 17.56 microseconds for a full round trip. At the 99th and 99.9th percentiles, the latency on MIAX Options is approximately 25.69 and 57.67 microseconds, respectively. MIAX PEARL launched trading operations on February 6, 2017 and currently lists and trades options on approximately 2,800 multi-listed classes. The average latency for a single order on MIAX PEARL is approximately 24.42 microseconds for a round trip. At the 99th and 99.9th percentiles, the latency on MIAX PEARL is approximately 32.35 and 60.38 microseconds, respectively. The MIAX Exchange Group has assembled a team with deep rooted experience in developing, operating and trading on options exchanges, and its trading platforms have been developed in-house and designed from the ground up for the unique functional and performance demands of derivatives trading. MIAX Options and MIAX PEARL leverage the MIAX Exchange Group's industry-leading technology and infrastructure to provide their member firms with both traditional (MIAX Options) and maker-taker (MIAX PEARL) pricing structures. The MIAX Exchange Group's executive offices and National Operations Center are located in Princeton, New Jersey. The MIAX Exchange Group also maintains a Miami Operations Center in Miami, Florida, which contains the Miami Annual Meeting and Conference Center and the offices of MIAX Technologies and MIAX Global. In addition to MIAX PEARL and MIAX Options, MIH is the parent holding company of Miami International Technologies, LLC (MIAX Technologies), MIAX Global, LLC (MIAX Global) and MIAX Emerald, LLC (MIAX Emerald). MIAX Technologies is MIH's technology subsidiary for the sale and/or license of the trading technology developed by the MIAX Exchange Group. MIAX Global focuses on merger, acquisition and joint venture activities of MIH. MIAX Global also provides technology and other services outside of North America, with its initial concentration being on Europe and Latin America. MIAX Emerald is MIH's third options exchange and is expected to launch in Q1 2019, pending SEC approval. Disclaimer and Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities of MIH, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer; solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical or current facts of MIH, together with its subsidiaries, including MIAX Options and MIAX PEARL (collectively, the Company). Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company; the competitive position of the Company; potential growth opportunities available to the Company; the expectation with respect to securities, options and future markets and general economic conditions; the effects of competition on the Company's business; and the impact of future legislation and regulatory changes on the Company's business. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. SOURCE Miami International Holdings, Inc. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Vietnam's National Assembly on Tuesday elected ruling Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the architect of an ongoing crackdown on corruption, as the country's new president. The election was largely procedural as the party had unanimously nominated him as the only candidate for the position earlier this month. Trong, 74, became the first Vietnamese leader to hold the two titles since founding president and revolutionary Ho Chi Minh. "There won't be any immediate major changes in Vietnam's policies," said Ha Hoang Hop, a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies and a visiting senior fellow at Singapore-based ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. "Trong being voted as president is only a provisional situation, and I don't think he can do much before the presidential term expires in more than two years." Former president Tran Dai Quang died on Sept. 21 after a prolonged illness. Trong, who became party boss in 2011, has presided over a crackdown on corruption that has seen state executives and a member of the politburo face trial over allegations of financial mismanagement and embezzlement. "I will try my best to fulfil the tasks assigned by the party, the state and the people," Trong said as he took his oath of office. Hop said Trong would maintain relations with China and the United States, Vietnam's two top trading partners, but would not lean towards either. Search Keywords: Short link: Rebuilding Median By LaGuardia Kicking off construction of a project to rebuild and beautify the Ditmars Blvd medians between 78th Street and the airport (82nd Street), a press conference... Marathon 2021 Runners of all racing stripes took part in the 2021 TCS New York City Marathon on November 7. Racing categories in this, the largest marathon... Mount Sinai Queens Opening New Infusion Center The last week of October was marked by an expansion of health care capacity in the borough, as Mount Sinai Queens celebrated the opening of... The Kremlin said on Tuesday that a landmark nuclear arms treaty Washington says it wants to quit had its weak points, but that the U.S. approach of talking about leaving it without proposing a replacement was dangerous. President Vladimir Putin was due to discuss the matter in Moscow later on Tuesday with U.S. President Donald Trump's national security advisor, John Bolton. Bolton visited Moscow a day after Russia said it would be forced to respond in kind to restore the military balance with the United States if Trump followed through on his threat to quit the treaty and began developing new missiles. Signed by then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan and reformist Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty required elimination of all short- and intermediate-range land-based nuclear and conventional missiles held by both countries in Europe. Its demise could raise the prospect of a new arms race and of Europe once again hosting U.S. land-based ballistic and cruise missiles, something that would make it a target for Moscow. Gorbachev, now 87, has warned that unravelling it could have catastrophic consequences. Countries such as Poland have, however, backed Trump's move. Bolton has said he thinks the treaty is outdated because it does not cover countries such as China, Iran and North Korea which he says remain free to make intermediate-range ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. "We have this very unusual circumstance where the United States and Russia are in a bilateral treaty, whereas other countries in the world are not bound by it," Bolton told the Ekho Moskvy radio station on Monday. The RIA news agency cited a Russian diplomatic source as saying that Bolton had used a series of meetings with Russian government officials on Tuesday to complain about China's economic and military policies. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he expected Bolton to explain the U.S. stance to Putin. "Of course there are weak points (in the treaty), but tearing up the agreement without plans for anything new is what we don't welcome," Peskov told reporters on a conference call. "To first reject the document and then (talk of) ephemeral possibilities to conclude a new one is a dangerous stance." EUROPEAN ALARM Russia and the United States have long accused each other of violating the terms of the treaty, something they both deny. Trump's withdrawal announcement is causing particular concern in Europe which was the main beneficiary of the INF treaty as a result of the removal of Pershing and U.S. cruise missiles from Europe and of Soviet SS-20 missiles from the European part of the then Soviet Union. Without the treaty, some European countries fear that Washington might deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe again and that Russia might move to deploy such missiles in its European exclave of Kaliningrad which would once again turn Europe into a potential nuclear battlefield. German lawmakers, who are keenly aware that Berlin would be within strike-range of any such missiles deployed in Kaliningrad, are among those worried. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Tuesday that Germany would seek NATO's help to maintain the treaty between Russia and the United States, and was ready to take action to force Moscow to comply with the pact. Others, such as Poland, were supportive of Trump's stance. If this treaty doesnt work because it has already been broken, theres a clear question about whether or not it should be kept, said Polands Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz on Monday, according to Polish Radio. Polish President Andrzey Duda told a Berlin news conference his country had not discussed the possibility of hosting U.S. intermediate-range missiles, but said Trump's stance made "a certain amount of sense." Trumps withdrawal statement puts the rest of NATO in a difficult position however as the alliance has always sought the political high ground on the issue and NATO leaders said in July they were committed to preserving the landmark pact. Envoys from the Western military alliance are due to discuss the U.S. withdrawal plan later this week, diplomats said. Search Keywords: Short link: Sevastopol authorities seek to collect $185,000 from Ukraines mobile operator PA Images\TASS 14:39 23/10/2018 MOSCOW, October 23 (RAPSI) The Department for Land and Property Regulations of Sevastopol has filed 19 lawsuits demanding to recover over 12 million rubles (about 185,000) from the mobile provider VF Ukraine, operating under the Vodafone Ukraine brand, the Sevastopol Commercial Courts records read. In addition to the recovery of debt under a rental contract, fines and penalties, the applicant has asked the court to oblige the defendant to transfer the property under an acceptance and transfer certificate. Some of the claims have been set aside because of their incorrect execution. Vodafone Ukraine is the second-largest mobile operator in Ukraine with about 21 million users as of December 2017. The New York Times, September 8, 2018 By Rod Nordland, Ash Ngu and Fahim Abed KABUL Seventeen years into the war in Afghanistan, American officials routinely issue inflated assessments of progress that contradict what is actually happening there. More than 2,200 Americans have been killed in the Afghan conflict, and the United States has spent more than $840 billion fighting the Taliban insurgency and paying for relief and reconstruction. The war has become more expensive, in current dollars, than the Marshall Plan, which helped to rebuild Europe after World War II. That investment has created intense pressure for Americans to show the Taliban are losing and the country is improving. But since 2017, the Taliban have held more Afghan territory than at any time since the American invasion. In just one week last month, the insurgents killed 200 Afghan police officers and soldiers, overrunning two major Afghan bases and the city of Ghazni. The American military says the Afghan government effectively controls or influences 56 percent of the country. But that assessment relies on statistical sleight of hand. In many districts, the Afghan government controls only the district headquarters and military barracks, while the Taliban control the rest. On paper, Afghan security forces outnumber the Taliban by 10 to 1, or even more. But some Afghan officials estimate that a third of their soldiers and police officers are ghosts who have left or deserted without being removed from payrolls. Many others are poorly trained and unqualified. The Afghan government says it killed 13,600 insurgents and arrested 2,000 more last year nearly half the estimated 25,000 to 35,000 Taliban fighters an official United States report said were active in the country in 2017. But in January, United States officials said insurgents numbered at least 60,000, and Afghan officials recently estimated the Talibans strength at more than 77,000. With the status of the battlefield looking grim, American officials say that at least the coalition has improved Afghan living standards although often they use exaggerated claims there, too. The most blatant example may be maternal mortality, one of the most important indicators of a societys health. In 2002, American officials reported that 1,600 Afghan mothers died for every 100,000 live births, a rate comparable to Europe during the Middle Ages. By 2010, the United States Agency for International Development said the rate had improved drastically, falling to 327. Researchers noted that not since the world discovered antibiotics has any nation seen such a big improvement in maternal health. The long-running security and development challenges Afghanistan faces are factored into health researchers estimates of maternal mortality. The British and Irish Agencies Afghanistan Group cited a study indicating that 1,575 women died out of 100,000 births in 2010. Other estimates cited by the group put the figure at 885 to 1,600 of 100,000 meaning that nearly one in a hundred Afghan women will die giving birth. The rate in the United States is 24 in 100,000. USAID points to a similarly drastic improvement in life expectancy, to 63 years in 2010, up from 41 years in 2002. But the figures were adjusted to ignore a high death rate in early childhood, which skewed results. The World Health Organization, meanwhile, estimated in 2009 that Afghan life expectancy was 48 years. Even the C.I.A. does not agree with USAIDs number, estimating in 2017 that Afghans typically live to age 51. The strategic city of Ghazni in southeastern Afghanistan was overrun last month by the Taliban, who took everything but a few government facilities. The local authorities denied there was any problem, telling President Ashraf Ghani only late on the third day how serious it was, officials said. They did regain control from the insurgents, but only after six days, and at the cost of nearly 200 police officers and soldiers killed. Throughout, the American military led the chorus of denial. Rod Nordland and Fahim Abed reported from Kabul, and Ash Ngu from New York. UNAMA, September 25, 2018 July 24, 2017: Man injured in foreign forces' airstrike in Haska Mena district of Nangarhar province, eastern Afghanistan. According to the locals, the airstrike killed eight people and injured ten others. (Photo: TOLOnews.com) July 24, 2017: Man injured in foreign forces' airstrike in Haska Mena district of Nangarhar province, eastern Afghanistan. According to the locals, the airstrike killed eight people and injured ten others. (Photo: TOLOnews.com) KABUL - The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) expresses its concern about the rising number of civilian casualties from airstrikes this year in Afghanistan, with credible reports of the latest incident occurring late Saturday in Kapisa province. UNAMA received multiple, credible allegations that on 22 September, aerial ordnance impacted the home of a teacher in the Budrab area of Tagab district, Kapisa province, killing nine civilians, including four children and three women, with several others injured. All the victims from the attack were from the same family, including grandparents and children aged between two and twelve. Five of the six other family members who were injured when their home was destroyed were women and young children. The incident took place during operations conducted by Pro-Government Forces against Taliban in the area. It was not immediately clear whether the strike was carried out by international military forces or by the Afghan Air Force. UNAMA is in contact with both entities, as part of UNAMAs ongoing independent verification process to establish facts around such incidents and to advocate with parties to improve mitigation measures in future operations to prevent civilian casualties. UNAMA reminds all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations to protect civilians from harm, and holds that all parties to the conflict must strictly adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law to take all feasible measures to protect civilians. UNAMA also calls upon parties responsible for operations resulting in civilian casualties to ensure independent, impartial, transparent and effective investigations into these incidents. In the first six months of the year, UNAMA documented 353 civilian casualties (149 deaths and 204 injured) from aerial attacks, a 52 per cent increase from the same period in 2017. It is of particular concern that women and children made up more than half of all aerial attack civilian casualties. The Mission attributed 52 per cent of all civilian casualties from aerial attacks to the Afghan Air Force, 45 per cent to international military forces, and the remaining three per cent to unidentified Pro-Government Forces. Around seven per cent of all civilian casualties in the Afghan conflict in the first half of the year were attributed to air operations. The Mission repeats its earlier call for Government forces to uphold their commitment to regular review of targeting protocols and ensure mitigation measures and compensation for victims. Since the release of UNAMAs 2018 mid-year Protection of Civilians Report, the Mission has continued to record increasing numbers of civilian casualties caused by airstrikes. UNAMA, September 25, 2018 KABUL - Preliminary findings from the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) indicate that 12 civilians were killed Sunday in an airstrike in Maidan Wardak province during operations conducted by Pro-Government Forces in the area. All of the victims were women and children from the same family whose house in the village of Mullah Hafez, Jaghato district, Maidan Wardak, was destroyed by aerial ordnance late on 23 September. Ten of those killed were children whose ages ranged from 6 to 15. Eight were girls. UNAMA is currently reviewing reports of civilian casualties from a number of alleged airstrikes in other parts of the country. UNAMA continues to work to verify whether Afghan or international military forces were responsible for the civilian casualties from recent strikes. As part of its Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict mandate given to it by the UN Security Council, the Mission will continue its independent enquiries to establish additional facts around the latest incidents, sharing the findings with parties as part of advocacy efforts for improved mitigation measures in their future operations to prevent civilian casualties. UNAMA notes its strong concern with the rising numbers of civilian deaths and injuries caused by aerial operations and urges all parties to take additional measures to prevent harm to the civilian population. Approximately seven per cent of all civilian casualties in the Afghan conflict in the first half of 2018 were attributed to air operations. UNAMA recorded a 52 per cent increase in civilian casualties 353 (149 deaths and 204 injured) from aerial attacks compared to the same period in 2017. The New York Times, September 26, 2018 By Fahim Abed & Mujib Mashal KABUL, Afghanistan The number of civilians killed by Afghan and American airstrikes is rising, the United Nations said Tuesday, as the Afghan government increasingly relies on airpower in its fight against a resurgent Taliban. The United Nations mission in Afghanistan said 21 civilians were killed in two airstrikes last weekend and urged all parties to the conflict to take stronger measures to protect civilians. After the release of the United Nations statement, an airstrike on Tuesday in the Chardara district of Kunduz Province killed three more people, a 45-year-old woman and two teenage girls, according to Sher Mohammed, the husband of the woman who died. On Wednesday, angry residents carried the bodies of two of the victims to the city of Kunduz, the provincial capital, and chanted slogans against the government and American forces. They martyred three women. My son, who is a university student in economics faculty, and my daughter, Atifa, are wounded they are in a serious condition in hospital currently, said Mr. Mohammed, a teacher in the village school. They destroyed my life. More than 150 residents of Chahar Dara district in northern Kunduz were killed and 20 others wounded in an air strike by NATO-led forces on September 4, 2009. More than 150 residents of Chahar Dara district in northern Kunduz were killed and 20 others wounded in an air strike by NATO-led forces on September 4, 2009. Its ground forces stretched as they fight insurgents in about two dozen of the countrys 34 provinces, the Afghan government relies heavily on airstrikes to push back against Taliban gains. Although American forces conduct most of the strikes, the Afghan Air Force is increasingly involved, carrying out as many as two dozen strikes a day in recent weeks. The increase in the use of Afghan airpower has brought more claims of civilian casualties. In April, Afghan military helicopters bombed a Kunduz Province mosque, killing at least 70 people and wounding 30 others, according to a local official. In the first six months of the year, the United Nations mission said on Tuesday, airstrikes killed 149 people and injured 204, a 52 percent increase from the same period last year. It is of particular concern that women and children made up more than half of all aerial-attack civilian casualties, the mission said. The deadliest of the recent incidents took place on Sunday in Wardak Province, just south of Kabul, killing 12 people from the same family, according to a separate United Nations statement on Tuesday. Local residents and tribal elders said 14 people had been killed. The attack happened in the Jaghato district, and 10 of the victims were children between the ages of 6 and 15, the United Nations said. On Saturday, another attack in the Tagab district of Kapisa Province killed at least nine members of the same family and wounded six others, according to the United Nations and a resident named Kefayatullah, whose sisters house was bombed. The area is controlled by the Taliban, according to Kefayatullah, who, like most Afghans, goes by one name. I dont know that it was the Afghan forces or the foreign troops, but they killed my sister and her family, he said. The provincial authorities in both Kapisa and Wardak denied that military operations had caused any civilian casualties there, saying only large numbers of Taliban militants had been targeted. But Ghafoor Ahmad Javed, a spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of Defense, said reports of civilian casualties were being investigated in both provinces. With the Afghan and American forces working closely together and data on Afghan airstrikes often vague, it can be difficult to determine precisely who has carried out which airstrike. The United Nations mission estimated that in the first half of the year, Afghan forces were responsible for 52 percent of the civilian casualties from aerial attacks, compared with 45 percent for international military forces and 3 percent for pro-government forces. Aerial attacks accounted for 7 percent of all civilian casualties, the United Nations said. American forces in Afghanistan confirmed that they had provided air support to pro-government militia in Kapisa Province at the request of Afghan forces, but they said it was militia members who had been mistakenly injured. U.S. helicopters were present to provide the support and immediately came under fire from the local militia and returned fire in self-defense, said Cmdr. Grant Neeley, the spokesman for United States forces in Afghanistan. Six militia members were wounded, he said. As the fog of war lifted and it became clear the militia had fired in error, the wounded militia members were airlifted and they are currently receiving treatment in a U.S. hospital, he said. Regarding the aerial attack in Wardak Province, Commander Neeley said American forces had no indication of civilian casualties in the area. Fatima Faizi contributed reporting from Kabul, and Najim Rahim from Mazar-i-Sharif. RFE/RL, October 5, 2018 Afghan officials said at least four civilians were mistakenly killed when the Afghan Air Force carried out an air strike targeting Taliban militants in southern Afghanistan. Abdul Raziq, the police chief of Kandahar Province, said the Taliban had mounted an attack in the Maroof district when security forces responded with an airstrike late on October 4. Raziq said the militants "tried to flee and got mixed up with villagers at a wedding procession," leaving a child, three women, and 10 insurgents dead. Aziz Ahmad Azizi, the provincial governor's spokesman, said eight others, including a child and seven women, were wounded in the air strike. Taliban fighters often hide in civilian homes after staging attacks on government targets and use civilians as human shields to escape. Afghan officials said an investigation had been launched into the incident. According to the United Nations, at least 1,692 civilians have been killed in fighting in the first half of the year. Based on reporting by AP and Reuters CNN, October 10, 2018 By Nick Paton Walsh, Ehsan Popalzai, Masoud Popalzai & Angela Dewan 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." 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. The aftermath of an air strike on insurgents in the eastern province of Nangarhar on July 8. (Photo: CNN) The aftermath of an air strike on insurgents in the eastern province of Nangarhar on July 8. (Photo: CNN) 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. William Nordhaus believes that climate change can best be addressed by ensuring the correct pricing for polluting resources like fuel through government intervention in other words, through higher taxes on petrol and diesel. "The main recipe to alleviate climate change is to make sure governments, corporations and households face a high price on their carbon emissions. "Today it is virtually zero. If the price were higher, people would have other choices, like renewable energies. Paul Romer, meanwhile, remains a potent force among policy economists. He puts the integrity of the data you use, and the clarity of the conclusions you draw, above everything else. This is why, for example, he hit the headlines in India earlier this year - for questioning the rationale behind the World Banks revision of its Ease of Doing Business Index, a revision that incidentally or not-so-incidentally sent India 30 places higher. India has remained obsessed with cheap capital and infrastructure spending when instead the central constraint on Indian development remains the abysmal quality of Indians skills, says Mihir Sharma. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com The 2018 Nobel Memorial Prize for Economics is a landmark in the awards history: It is the 50th to be handed out. And, in some ways, it is exemplary of the Economics Nobels recent evolution towards rewarding economic theory with a direct practical and political implication. It has been awarded to two American economists, William Nordhaus and Paul Romer, fo - in the words of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences - integrating climate change and technological innovation respectively into long-run macroeconomic analysis. Romer himself argues that Nordhaus and he also share a fundamental optimism about human ability to change the direction of economic activity: Nordhaus believed and still believes that concerted international action has a hope of dealing with the negative effects of anthropogenic climate change, and Romer has sought to ensure that innovation and human capital are integrated into the programmes of both developing and developed economies. Both the laureates life-work can also be seen as running against the traditional model of development and growth that was influential in the 1950s, and still is the primary motive for much economic policy in countries such as India today. Prior to Nordhaus and Romers interventions - in the 1970s and late 1980s respectively - the study of economic growth was dominated by models developed by, among others, the 1987 Nobel laureate Robert Solow. His growth model decomposed the sources of growth, providing a relationship between the growth of the workforce and of capital available with long-run economic growth. Yet this was, in the end, a somewhat dry accounting identity. When taken to the data, it became clear that much of real growth came from a mysterious residual element that economists called total factor productivity. What increased this measure of productivity? This is where Romer came in, arguing that innovation and human capital were essential to the modelling of growth. Nordhaus contribution was even more disruptive of the Solow model, since it undermined the very notion of growth accounting itself. He viewed the concept of gross domestic product as problematic - it did not take quality changes into account. Worse, it rewarded productive activity that over-consumed finite natural resources. What would this mean in an Indian context? For example, Nordhaus would never trust double-digit growth that came alongside the improperly priced utilisation of minerals and forest land. Only once the permanent loss of those resources to the economy is properly factored in can growth be considered relevant for policy. This casts into question the entire growth accounting exercises of successive Indian governments. Did Nordhaus have an alternative? Well, yes: In the 1970s, he helped create, together with 1981 Nobel laureate James Tobin, one of the first modern attempts at an indicator of changes to a national balance sheet that included non-market commodities like forest cover. Nordhaus was thus thinking about the environment well before it was cool, starting in the early 1970s. In his later career, Nordhaus naturally became one of the leading forces arguing for a proper response to the problem of climate change. His models that integrated population growth, fossil fuel use, income growth, and global warming became the basis for most calculations of the costs and benefits of various anti-global warming interventions. Like most economists Nordhaus believes that climate change can best be addressed by ensuring the correct pricing for polluting resources like fuel through government intervention in other words, through higher taxes on petrol and diesel: The key insight of my work was to put a price on carbon in order to hold back climate change. "The main recipe to alleviate climate change is to make sure governments, corporations and households face a high price on their carbon emissions. "Today it is virtually zero. If the price were higher, people would have other choices, like renewable energies. Carbon taxes have unfortunately failed to become the norm in international discussions about climate change. This is particularly unfortunate for India. As former Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian has repeatedly argued, India has among the highest carbon taxes when normalised by per capita income in the world demonstrating an unusually active stance against pollution and greenhouse gases. While Nordhaus has warned that delayed action in introducing a high carbon price has significantly increased the eventual total costs of combating climate change, he was long an optimist that international action to preserve the biosphere remained possible. Today, however, after the farce that is the self-regulated and low targets of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the 77-year-old Nordhaus is less sanguine, writing last year that it was no longer practically feasible to keep the rise in global average temperature below two degrees Celsius. Romer, meanwhile, remains a potent force among policy economists. The development world that was once ruled by those - not just disciples of Solow but also Marxist-Leninist planners - who believed that the mobilisation of resources such as capital was central to the growth process is now dominated by those following in Romers footsteps, and focusing on technological innovation and skilling of the workforce as the real sources of sustainable growth. Again, however, India has lagged behind somewhat here. The Indian governments approach to growth enhancement has been as if Romer did not exist; we have remained obsessed with cheap capital and infrastructure spending when instead the central constraint on Indian development remains the abysmal quality of Indians skills. Romer is also a role model for economists - one recent book about the wars within economics described him as a rebellious Han Solo sort of figure. He puts the integrity of the data you use, and the clarity of the conclusions you draw, above everything else. This is why, for example, he hit the headlines in India earlier this year - for questioning the rationale behind the World Banks revision of its Ease of Doing Business Index, a revision that incidentally or not-so-incidentally sent India 30 places higher. Romer spoke out although he himself was the Banks chief economist - and eventually left the position because of it. If only more economists had the prescience of Nordhaus and the integrity of Romer. Preliminary agreement has been reached on a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump in Paris on Nov. 11, a Kremlin foreign policy aide said on Tuesday. The aide, Yuri Ushakov, told reporters that Putin and Trump's national security advisor, John Bolton, who met for talks in Moscow on Tuesday, had confirmed a preliminary agreement for the two heads of state to meet in Paris. "We plan... that our presidents will have a bilateral meeting," Ushakov said. Search Keywords: Short link: Airlines have opposed the rules that make it compulsory for them to pay compensation to passengers in case a flight is delayed by more than four hours A proposed change of rules that would have made airlines liable to pay more compensation in the case of delayed and cancelled flights as well as for missed connecting flights has been put on the back burner under pressure from airline companies. Airlines have opposed the proposed rules. It will take some time before they are finalised, said a senior aviation ministry official. The draft rules on the passenger charter were made public on May 22. Then the government had said after a public consultation of 30 days, the final rules would be notified by July 15. Even when they are finalised, they are unlikely to retain the clauses that increase the financial penalty for airlines for delay and cancellation, the official added. The Federation of Indian Airlines, the lobby group, has argued any additional commercial burden due to increased compensation will create stress for the finances of the airlines, which are reeling from the twin costs of high fuel price and a fluctuating exchange rate. The finances of airlines have been under severe stress also due to their inability to increase fares, despite a sharp increase in the cost of operations. In a recent meeting, the airlines have said that no intervention has come from the government in terms of policy to reduce the cost of doing business. "In such times, any additional input cost will be detrimental to the sector, said an airline executive present in the meeting. The airlines, it has been learnt, have opposed the rules that make it compulsory for them to pay compensation to passengers in case a flight is delayed by more than four hours. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation had proposed the compensation amount equivalent to the ticket price. Airlines, while suggesting the threshold of delay be increased to six hours in matters of compensation, have said instead of a full refund of the fare, they should be allowed to make alternative arrangements. The rules also proposed to make airlines liable to pay compensation if a passenger missed a connecting flight. Airlines have said that any form of monetary penalty for a connecting flight will make it unviable to offer connecting flights, the fares of which are often cheaper. "A particular airline should be made liable if the passenger misses a connecting flight on the same PNR, not anything else, said an executive of a low-cost airline. Another executive of a private airline said: The government is promoting low airfares as a success story, but this will not be sustainable if the cost of operations goes high owing to reasons not under the control of airlines. The expenditure of Indian airlines is higher than that of global peers due to taxation and high airport charges, he added. Civil Aviation Secretary Rajiv Nayan Choubey indicated the charter might drop all the clauses that have been opposed by the airlines. Instead, emphasis will be laid on increasing compliance with the existing rules. The charter is intended to make passengers more aware about their rights. "Collating passenger rights that are at different places into one document will not necessarily result in increased cost for airlines. "However, we will take into account the condition airlines are in, owing to increased fuel cost, and take a view on this, he said. Flyers do not agree with this. Sudhakara Reddy, president of the Air Passengers Association of India, contested this, saying the high cost of operations could not be a reason for relaxing norms. European or American regulators did not wait for a suitable time before implementing the laws. If the government waters down the draft proposal under pressure from airlines, it would be a mockery of the whole process. Image used for representation purpose only Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters JM Financial Consultants, Arpwood Capital and Alvarez & Marsal will advise the board going forward Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com The new board of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) took the first big step towards reviving the debt-ridden company by appointing two financial and transaction advisors and a restructuring advisor. Arpwood Capital and JM Financial Consultants, the appointed financial advisors, will help the board with transaction and monetisation decisions. It will help the firm in reaching valuation numbers of proposed disinvestments, including stake sales, that the new board is likely to take in the coming weeks. Alvarez & Marsal, on the other hand, will assist in maintaining strict controls on and managing liquidity on a day-to-day basis at all levels in the group, evolving a resolution plan, and management of stakeholders as regards the resolution at the time of the implementation, a statement from the company said. The firm, which specialises in turnaround management, had also been appointed by the old board, which was superseded on October 1, after the corporate affairs ministry moved the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). A Reuters report on Monday quoted a government official saying the new board would come up with a revival plan that could include selling stakes in some of its 348 group companies. The official, who declined to be named, said the revival plan could include selling big stakes, including in IL&FS Financial Services and IL&FS Energy Development, or even closing them. He said the government could also ask the National Highways Authority of India to take over some incomplete road projects and award them to others. Also, according to the official, there would not be any budgetary support from the government to bail out IL&FS, though Life Insurance Corporation, which holds 25.34 per cent in IL&FS, could pump in more money. State-owned firms own nearly 40 per cent of the company. We are confident that the new management will come up with a road map for the revival of the company, the official told Reuters on Monday. The government will not give any money from its budget. Finance Ministry spokesman D S Malik declined to comment. IL&FS had debt of over Rs 91,000 crore as of September 2018. Engaging investment banks to get an independent assessment is in keeping with good governance practices. "It will be good to have further clarity on whether they are adopting a holistic approach or are dealing with it part by part, said Ashvin Parekh, managing partner of Ashvin Parekh Advisory Services. The trouble at IL&FS began when it defaulted on Rs 1,200-crore loans to the Small Industries Development Bank of India in August and September and later spiralled into further defaults including Rs 172 crore on inter-corporate deposits, Rs 145.7 million in letters of credit and Rs 100 crore on repayments of principal and interest for a loan facility in October. As of October 7, IL&FS and its subsidiaries had defaulted on debt obligations totalling Rs 4,100 crore. A proposed rights issue for IL&FS to raise Rs 4,500 crore, decided by the previous board, devolved last Friday, creating further uncertainty for the company as it needs Rs 3,500 crore in liquidity support immediately. The issue was open from October 5 to October 19. The company has Rs 40 billion worth debt and bonds coming up for redemption in the coming weeks. After the NCLT allowed the government to take over IL&FS and reconstitute the board with the latter's nominees, the corporate affairs ministry moved another petition on October 12. The ministry asked the Mumbai Bench of the NCLT to grant the new board immunity, under Section 242 of the Companies Act, for three months against any action by regulators and authorities in case the company and its subsidiaries were to default on further debt obligations. The plea was rejected. The ministry appealed against the decision at the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), which overturned the NCLTs decision on October 15 with an interim order. The NCLAT accepted the government's plea and extended protection to IL&FS and its 348 subsidiaries. It also ordered a stay on suits filed by any party, bank or company against IL&FS and its subsidiaries. The company's bankers and lenders are also barred from exercising their right to set off their dues against current accounts and other deposits of the company (and its subsidiaries or associate companies), stated the NCLAT in its order. NCLAT will hear the case next on November 13. At present, India has 56,999 fuel outlets. Of those, only 6,276 are owned by private companies The government is planning to ease norms for the entry of more private players into fuel retailing. It has set up a committee headed by economist Kirit Parikh to review the marketing guidelines for the sector. According to multiple sources close to the development, the panel may look into facilitating the entry of multinational companies into the arena. It may consider ideas related to innovative marketing models like selling petrol and diesel through your nearest hypermarket, similar to those in the UK and France, said a person close to the development. This comes hot on the heels of Indian Oil Corporation (IndianOil) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) opting for home-delivery of diesel in some cities. According to sources, the terms of reference for the committee will include reviewing the existing architecture of private sector participation in retail marketing and identifying entry barriers for expanding retail outlets for private sector marketing companies. It may also assess the need to liberalise the existing guidelines for authorising private sector companies. Other than Parikh, the panel includes former petroleum secretary G C Chaturvedi and former IndianOil chairman M A Pathan. Ashutosh Jindal, joint secretary in charge of marketing under the petroleum ministry, will be member secretary to the panel. The panel will submit its report within two months after consultation with stakeholders. The terms of reference for the committee include specific suggestions related to marketing petrol and diesel. In 2010, a similar committee headed by Parikh had come out with the suggestion to decontrol petrol and diesel prices, which the UPA government and later the Narendra Modi government followed up on. According to sources close to the development, removing barriers may also lead to the entry of more players like French major Total SA into Indias petroleum retail segment. To enter the retail segment, companies must have a basic infrastructure investment of about Rs 2,000 crore in the domestic market or have to provide bank guarantees of an equivalent amount. Early this year, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had told Business Standard the government was considering liberalising these rules to facilitate the entry of international firms. At present, India has 56,999 fuel outlets. Of those, only 6,276 are owned by private companies, led by Nayara Energy with 4,756. The other major private companies include Reliance Industries and Shell. According to a newspaper report on October 15, major oil-marketing companies in the UK have suffered after supermarket promotions started luring more vehicle owners to forecourts of Tesco, Sainsbury, Asda and Morrison. The report added that supermarkets accounted for 45.52 per cent of fuel sales last year in the UK. Photograph: Reuters 'I don't care how accomplished you are, and I don't care about your career which has burst into pretty flames.' 'I do care about all the women you've abused and scarred and made life hell for,' says Mitali Saran. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com Dear sexual predator, I know it's wrong, but I think about you all the time. What are you wearing? I like to imagine you in your hair shirt, under your cloak of shame with a thick lining of regret. It's haawt. I'm very worried for you because the impossible has happened: Twitter is even angrier! It's the worst. Your deepest fears have come true -- the headlines have been taken over by hordes of angry, possibly hairy feminists with no sense of humour. Why can't they just relax and take a joke, right? (A good banging would help them, but they're too boring and ugly and frigid to get laid.) They should get some sense knocked into them by the more understanding ladies, the ones who talk feminism and walk bro code, who agree with you that 'Men are like that' and 'If she's going to be a tease, she's got it coming' and 'Why did it take her so long to speak up' and 'She enjoyed the perks of the attention'. Maybe they could re-educate the less understanding ladies who go on about consent in every moment and sovereignty over one's body. Your life is being firebombed, screenshot by screenshot. It's just mayhem out there -- those vindictive women are breaking every rule in the big book of patriarchy, which is their big fancy word for 'society'. Can you imagine publicly, sometimes anonymously, sharing old texts, or anecdotes about your behaviour -- totally normal man behaviour! They're being so negative. What's the fuss about a little feel or a little sexting or a little tongue or a little penetration, especially if she's awake? Some of them should be grateful that anyone is looking at them at all. Most importantly, what about due process? Isn't presumption of innocence the cornerstone of justice? Last year when women in academia compiled a list of men accused of sexually harassing or assaulting people (known as #LoSHA), many ladies came through, insisting that one can't accuse people of harassment or assault without hard evidence. (Luckily, some hard evidence works like that perfect murder weapon, the ice dagger. Hyuk, hyuk!) This year, most of them agree that the same tactics are legitimate. Talk about rocking the boat and upsetting the applecart, both of which are owned, filled, and managed by people like you. Talk about tying up the farmer and setting fire to the farm. I mean, are these law-abiding citizens, or guerrillas rejecting conventional rules of engagement on the grounds that the power equation doesn't allow for it? Instead of smacking them down, companies are double checking to see if previous complaints were properly investigated, which, by the way, makes it look as if they are aware that 'due process' doesn't work. Whose side are they on, amirite? I mean, can 500 million bros be wrong? Women used to be cute when they were angry -- now they're scary af. Star editors, journalists, celebrity consultants, actors, directors, lyricists, comedians, leading lights in the NGO sector -- is nobody safe in the world you've created and run smoothly and comfortably for so long? I'm so worried about your future. Ha ha, just kidding! I don't care what you're wearing. I don't care what you're feeling. I don't care how accomplished you are, and I don't care about your career which has burst into pretty flames. I do care about your reputation -- I hope it never recovers enough for you to forget what it looks like right now. I do care about those of your family members who are appalled by your behaviour -- you've dumped a world of pain into their lives too. And I do care about all the women you've abused and scarred and made life hell for. Do you feel bad about that? Yeah, me too. The Congress kept sheltering Quattrochi, and the BJP was more intent on shielding the Hinduja brothers. The fact is that the two roads crisscrossed, and neither the truth prevailed nor did the law take its course, says Mohan Guruswamy. Photograph: Reuben NV/ Rediff.com IMAGE: The Bofors howitzer. In 1987 soon after the Bofors story broke out, the late Ramnath Goenka persuaded me to visit Sweden to ferret out what exactly took place there. I contacted Magnus Akerlund, a producer in Radio Sweden, which first broke the story. Magnus invited me to visit Stockholm to talk to the reporters covering the story. Radio Sweden had by then quite effectively nailed the Swedish Social Democratic Party of Olaf Palme as the main beneficiary of a bunch of pay-offs made by Bofors. It was also clear that some money was paid to Indian parties. One clearly was Win Chaddha, who for over a decade was the Bofors representative in New Delhi. Another party was the Hinduja brothers. But the last one was very interesting. It led to Austria. I then proceeded to Linz in Austria to meet a man called Gan Eisenberger who had recently been fired as the marketing director of Noricum, the howitzer manufacturing arm of the giant Austrian government owned engineering company Voest Alpine, after an Austrian parliamentary committee found him guilty of flouting Austria's neutrality laws. This committee also found some money missing in the accounts pertaining to this division. It was the equivalent of Rs 25 crores to Rs 30 crores (Rs 250 million to Rs 300 million). In the late 1970s Voest Alpine purchased the design for a relatively light and rugged 155 mm howitzer from Gerald Bull, a Canadian weapons designer. Bull had designed field guns for NATO, but was soon driven out of business by US arms manufacturers. So he ended up selling designs and ideas to Saddam Hussein, then fighting a war with Iran. Saddam liked the planned 155 mm howitzer and a deal was struck for Voest Alpine to make them. The conservative party led by Kurt Waldheim, which was quite sympathetic to Iraq also, then governed Austria. (Waldheim was uncovered by the Jewish Documentation Centre of Simon Wiesenthal to be a former Nazi and driven out of office.) But before the conservatives went, 160 numbers of the Gerald Bull designed howitzers, the Noricum GHN45 were manufactured and assembled for shipment to Iraq. (Gerald Bull was killed by Mossad in Brussels in March 1990 as he had begun redesigning Scud missiles for Iraq to make them more accurate and nuclear capable. He was also putting together a supergun that could lob shells from deep within Iraq into Israel). But the Iraqi plan came to naught when Bruno Kreisky became the Austrian chancellor. Kreisky came from a prominent Vienna Jewish family and promptly scrapped the deal as it violated Austria's neutrality laws. Kreisky was also a personal friend of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and was instrumental in making the Congress party a member of the Socialist International during the Emergency, much to the chagrin of George Fernandes's German SDP friends. Chancellor Kreisky persuaded Indira Gandhi to take those 160 guns readied for the Iraqis to help him out. Indira Gandhi was obliged. The GHN45 howitzers were indeed very good and with base bleed shells had the longest reach of all howitzers available then. They were accurate, rugged and easy to maintain. They came out best in all the trials against more expensive guns. India would have benefitted greatly by entering into this deal as the Austrian government had also proposed to transfer the manufacturing technology and operations to India. They just wanted to be rid of the arms business, given the embarrassment it caused to the country. Like in all such deals a small something was also to be made to the Congress party's war chest. In 1983 this money was also made over in advance, in anticipation of the formal order. Mrs Indira Gandhi often made leader-to-leader deals of this kind. In 1970 she bought the Sukhoi7 fighter-bomber on Leonid Brezhnev's say so. The Su-7 proved a great success in 1971. Bruno Kreisky left office in 1983. In 1984 Indira Gandhi was assassinated and a new chapter began. Olaf Palme, the prime minister of Sweden, soon befriended Rajiv Gandhi. Olaf Palme too had an Indian connection. His aunt Anna Palme was the father of Rajni Palme Dutt, at one time general secretary of the Communist party of Great Britain, and a good friend of Indira Gandhi and Jyoti Basu during their UK days. Olaf Palme was a big and respected name in world affairs and had strenuously opposed the US war on Vietnam. He inspired Rajiv Gandhi to take the initiative on nuclear disarmament. The quid pro quo for facilitating Rajiv Gandhi's easy entry to the global high table was the purchase of the Bofors FH45 howitzer. Palme was also facing a re-election and his party's coffers needed topping up. The Indian howitzer order would do the trick. The donation by the Bofors Foundation at Karlskrona to the Swedish SDP is proof of this. This made the Austrians furious. Eisenberger told the parliamentary committee that the funds they wanted accounted for were paid to the Congress party and that a kinsman of the Indian prime minister had received them. The Austrian government then advised the Indian government to have this money returned and close the matter. This was the first time the new Indian prime minister heard about it. He was furious. A very powerful minister in his government was summarily sacked. Now a way was sought to set this account right. Bofors was required to close this hole. This was being arranged via a Swiss banker Francis Laffont. The route went like this. Bofors pays Laffont. Laffont pays Voest Alpine and the money already paid in India stays where it is. In all probability it was used up in the 1984 elections. Eisenberger also told me that Voest Alpine's representative in Delhi, a man called Unterweger, was Ottavio Quatrochhi's neighbor in New Delhi. Being expatriate businessmen they became good friends. As was the well-established practice then, Unterweger also cut a deal with Quattrochi. What Unterweger did not know was that Quattrochi had similar deals cut with Bofors and Sofma, the French howitzer manufacturer. When the Voest Alpine deal collapsed, Quattrochi was required to close that account, as did the Congress party. So one more pay off stream was organised by Bofors to Quattrochi to close this hole. The Quattrochi method of cutting deals with all competing suppliers is a common practice in India now. The best-suited item is chosen and it still keeps the Indian system and some palms greased. But more than that it is a way of getting money out of foreign companies for their own executives. Often more money goes to the foreigners than to the Indians. The Hinduja brothers take this to the next level. People like the Hindujas have friends in all parties and many countries. Lest we forget, it was Atal Bihari Vajpayee who wrote to then prime minister P V Narasimha Rao seeking closure of the Bofors case against the Hinduja brothers. And it was Srichand Hinduja who accompanied Brajesh Mishra to his meetings with then British PM Tony Blair and then French PM Jacques Chirac after the nuclear tests in 1998. Vajpayee and Mishra were actively canvassing for approval of the controversial proposed Hinduja power plant at Vizagapatam. The Hindujas first midwifed the Sukhoi30 deal during Narasimha Rao's days. The Russians have now become canny and have their own special Indian flunky to do the bribing and manage their share of the take as well. When I came back with my story, Goenka was not too happy with it. How could he? The person who knew most was sitting next to him (and V P Singh) plotting taking Rajiv Gandhi down. Goenka wanted to keep beating up Rajiv Gandhi. After the conspiracy with Zail Singh lapsed, Bofors became the stick to beat Rajiv Gandhi with. And Arun Shourie was his ever-willing henchman. He had replaced his brother-in-law Suman Dubey as the editor of the Indian Express. But Goenka was happy that I had linked up the connection with Quattrochi. From Quattrochi to Sonia Gandhi was an inference. The subsequent behaviour of successive governments did indicate that while there is something to hide, they were not in agreement on what to hide. The Congress kept sheltering Quattrochi, and the BJP was more intent on shielding the Hinduja brothers. The fact is that the two roads crisscrossed, and neither the truth prevailed nor did the law take its course. 'It is exceptionally important for Hindus to once again get in touch with the foundation of Hinduism.' 'Aggressive evangelists are reducing Hinduism to its lowest common denominator.' IMAGE: Lord Ayyappa devotees protest against the Supreme Court verdict on the entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala Temple. Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo Ambassador Pavan K Varma, retired diplomat, former member of Parliament and national spokesperson of the Janata Dal-United, is a scholar and among the rarest of rare politicians who can discuss Hinduism threadbare and at length. His latest book Adi Shankaracharya -- Hinduism's Greatest Thinker, examines the legacy of the 8th century Hindu seer who revived Hinduism after the rise of Buddhism and Jainism established four mutts (monasteries) across India in Dwarka (Gujarat), Jagannath Puri (Odisha), Sringeri (Karnatakaa) and Joshimath (Uttarakhand). "Hinduism as a religion cannot be separated from Hinduism as a philosophy and if you are unaware of that philosophy, you will fall prey to Hinduism as a practice as defined by these people who know nothing about Hindu philosophy," Varma tells Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf. A rationalist writing a book on Adi Shankaracharya, an icon of Hinduism -- what triggered this? There is rarely a philosophical discourse or thesis which is based on such a rational structure of thought. In other words, this is not mythology, not obscurantism, not a chauvinistic glorification of the past, but it is the exposition of one of the finest minds developing a rigorous structure of philosophical thought based on reason and logic. On the eclectic Upanishadic insight of 4,000 years ago, which is why if I am a rationalist on television today I have a direct correspondence with the rationalism that is an aspect of Hindu philosophy. Adi Shankaracharya left his widowed mother, which to many could come across as not being responsible towards her. What about the dharma to take care of his mother? What does Hinduism say about it? I think that he was torn between his duties as the only child towards his widowed mother and (spiritual urge), he did not take a unilateral decision to leave her. He waited to have her permission, as described in the book, which she gives. And this aspect of his duties to his mother has to be balanced or seen in the perspective of a very strong desire for mumutsa (yearning to find the truth and for liberation) which was a very strong intimation, if not resolve within, to become a sanyasin. He left his mother after her permission and went with the promise that he will be with her and especially at the time when she needs him and he does come when she is bedridden. In a sense, he balances what he felt to be his duty with the much stronger urge to pursue a larger quest of what is the absolute truth. In which human relations do become to some manner subordinate. To a layman, what is the Advaita doctrine and why is it so important for the Hindu way of life? Essentially, Advaita is about not the search for God, but for the search of absolute truth. Therefore, it is nothing short of remarkable that in Shankaracharya's philosophy and in the Upanishads you have a concept of what is the ultimate cosmic reality which is not confined to attributes which are familiar to the human category. It is about the entity that is Brahman, which is attributeless, which is omnipotent, which is omniscient which is a drisht (vision) unseen and beyond thought, which is pure intelligence, which is undifferentiated consciousness, which is all pervasive. Therefore, that in itself is remarkable. From that derives an entire structure of philosophical thought that if the Brahmaand (universe) is suffused by this entity called Brahman, which is pure consciousness and which by inference is bliss, an awareness which you are entitled to if you experience it through Brahm Anubhav (experience of the Absolute), then everything else follows in terms of what is this empirical world, who am I? Therefore the four Mahavakhyas of the Upanishads, Tat Vam Asi, you are that and not what you think what you are. Pragyanam Brahman, Ayam Atman Brahman and Aham Brahmasmi. On that basis you build a philosophical thought. I want to add to this what happens is that the Hindu religion is a way of life. In other words, it has no one pope, no one church, no one prescribed text, no one prescriptive ritual and no mandatory congregations. But it is a way of life, that is the strength of the religion which is why it is sanatan anadi anant (life is cyclical). Hinduism is dialogic. Hinduism is inclusive, assimilative and based on dialogue which is described as shastras, the ability to debate and listen to contrary viewpoints and to argue what you believe in. It is not evangelical that is being propagated today. Therefore, it is exceptionally important for Hindus to once again get in touch with the foundation of Hinduism. That is why I wrote this book. You have mentioned very little about the Avarna sect in your book. Why is it so? And how did this section of society remain a part of Hinduism? Why did they agree to be the lowest strata of Hinduism when Buddhism and Jainism were then gaining ground in India? In fact, it is precisely the nature of Hinduism that it could allow religions like Buddhism and Jainism, which have great areas of overlap with Hinduism, to develop as different strands of thought without necessarily any violent conflict in the evolution of such a development. It is a mythology that Adi Shankaracharya although differed with Buddhism in certain aspects. I do not believe in the hagiographical biography of Shankaracharya that he was an avatar of Shiva to destroy Buddhism. There was at best a dialogue when Buddhism was already in decline. The principle dialogue which changed the course of Hinduism was with Mandan Mishra, who believed in Karam Kand as against Adi Shankaracharya who believed in Gyan Marg and that dialogue took place through process of shastras (or debate). As regard to the lower castes, there is no doubt Hinduism in due course developed a very oppressive system where the Brahminical order prevailed. But credit must be given to Shankaracharya when he says that all are equal and all are emanations of the same Brahman. There is a famous story that he came across a Chandal in Varanasi where he says you are my guru. He negates it and says go beyond jaati and caste as they have no consequences. I am neither a believer in the varna system nor teerth. An excerpt from Pavan K Varma's book: When Adi Shankaracharya met the chandala... He was not a social reformer. He was a philosopher. He could conclude that certain rituals or exclusionist sects of Hinduism had no place in his structure of thoughts. Why was Buddhism on the decline during his time? One reason is perhaps, that there was some level of deterioration both in the intellectual calibre and practice of Buddhism in the monasteries themselves as established. Therefore, for whatever reason Buddhism having reached a certain apogee in the time of Ashoka, subsequently went through a relative decline. Shankaracharya is credited with the revival of Hinduism because he once again took Hinduism and linked it to its deep philosophical foundation beyond merely somewhat degenerated ritualism to which it had descended. He said Ishwar, Bhakti, atmasamarpan and yoga, all of them are valid if they are done without thought of reward because they prepare you for that higher knowledge which is called Paramvidya, which takes you towards Brahman or allows you to experience it. In that sense he was a great synthesiser and he revived Hinduism. It is said Zoroastrianism as a religion was not organised and therefore it could not hold its believers, especially after the battle of Qadisiyyah when Muslims defeated the Sassanid empire. Would Hinduism have gone the Zoroastrian way but for Shankaracharya? I think Adi Shankaracharya's contribution in providing for Hinduism is the rigorously reasoned philosophical foundation and of reviving once again the spirit in which Hinduism first evolved from the time of the Upanishads. The Brahma Sutras and Bhagvad Gita are the foundational text of Hinduism and that contribution can never be underestimated. The tragedy is that most Hindus are today adrift from their own philosophical underpinnings. If you ask a normally practising Hindu, who is Adi Shankaracharya, he may say, I know, but ask him when he was born, what he wrote, what are the six systems of Hindu philosophy, what is the Charvaka school? How many Upanishads are there? People don't know. These are the real treasures of Hinduism. And it is in this absence of that knowledge that we have these aggressive evangelists whose aggression is in direct correspondence with their ignorance of Hinduism. They are reducing Hinduism to its lowest common denominator. And you cannot fight them until you go back and immerse yourself into philosophical richness of Hinduism. Which language did Shankaracharya speak while convincing people to establish the four mutts? If I am not mistaken, Prakrit had taken strong root in India replacing Sanskrit at that time. I think it must have been a combination of Malayalam and Sanskrit. What is significant is that he was a travelling philosopher who did not stay in one place. He moved from Kaladi where he was born and took samadhi in Kedarnath. Sringeri one mutt, Puri another mutt, Dwarka another mutt and Joshimath and this is the civilisational map of India. And he undertook this journey not once, but thrice. I would assume that apart from local languages, Sanskrit must have been known more or less across India. Do you think these mutts helped establish some kind of organised religion, like in Islam where people look in the direction of Mecca to pray? Is that the brilliant understanding of Shankaracharya that the mutts were important to give Hindu religion a sense of direction if it had to survive in the 8th century? I feel Adi Shankaracharya was influenced by the creation in Buddhism of monasteries to train and develop the philosophical thought and practice of Buddhism. I think that must have been an influencer, which is why he thought to create institutions where some of these great learnings could be preserved in an institutional manner, not through memory but in an institutional manner. Therefore, he set up Sringeri, Dwarka, Puri and Joshimath. IMAGE: Any manner of supporting any kind of human category of hierarchy would be a direct negation of Adi Shankaracharya's postulation of Brahman, says Pavan K Varma. Photograph: Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters Why do Marxist historians say Hinduism is a Brahminical religion, that Brahminvad has captured it? I think to some extent the manner in which Hinduism has been practised, or the inequities that have been inflicted in the name of Hinduism by the relatively privileged, by the higher castes, especially against the lowest rung of the social ladder, which includes the Dalits, was definitely a condemnable development. And it is for this reason that very often Leftists or critics throw the baby out with the bath water. They say everything in Hinduism is a perpetuation only of an inequitable Brahminical order, whereas the truth is while that indeed it was present, it needs to be confronted, fought and defeated. There was equally in Hinduism an emphatic acceptance of equality. If Brahman is attributeless as in you and me or anyone, the human categories of hierarchy have no meaning. How did the caste structure in Hinduism get such a grip on the religion even though Shankaracharya spoke against it? It did because inequity, inequality and injustice continued until those who are the victims or being exploited get a voice of their own. I will give credit for all the faults that our democracy may have that these equations have begun to change because of the empowerment of democracy. One interesting thing one encounters in your book is that 'scientific nature was natural to Hinduism'. How then did blind beliefs creep into Hindu society? No religion is monolithic and it can happen that within a religion which is also a way of life there are practices that develop which don't necessarily have the sanction of the philosophy of that religion. But it reflects the human tendency to perpetuate inequity and use religion to sanctify or validate. That is the possibility. Hinduism as a religion cannot be separated from Hinduism as a philosophy and if you are unaware of that philosophy, you will fall prey to Hinduism as a practice as defined by these people who know nothing about Hindu philosophy. There was never a revolt by the castes in Hinduism. Why haven't the lower castes never violently revolted against such an oppressive regime for years? Not only did Adi Shankaracharya not validate the caste system, he spoke against it. Anyway to support the human category of hierarchy would be a direct negation of his postulation of Brahman. But why did Hindu society not change radically? This is one question all Hindus need to ask themselves. And today it is changing in some manner because of democratic empowerment. Therefore, in a state like Uttar Pradesh you had a Dalit chief minister. It comes with democracy. Have you started believing in the Mundaka Upanishad which says 'The universe comes forth from Brahman and will return to Brahman. Verily, all is Brahman'. I genuinely believe the cycle of time is beyond human imagination. In one chapter I speak of the co-relation between science and certain attributes of Brahman, be it infinity, be it intelligence, be it attributelessness, be it consciousness, be it the nature of reality (mayavad). And above all, be it the fact that in each of us there is that uncalled Atman which is the same as Brahman. All of these have been proven by science today. This has been proved in the laboratories of Harvard. The statements of Nobel Laureates, physicists, neurology and even in cosmology agree to it. If there was a big bang that started it all, then why can't there be a big crunch? And if there is a big crunch, why can't be there be a big bang again? Therefore, the cycle of time is eternal and I think that it is borne out by science. A Delhi court on Tuesday allowed the Central Bureau of Investigation to quiz in custody for seven days its Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar, who has been arrested in connection with bribery allegations involving the agencys Special Director Rakesh Asthana. IMAGE: Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar after being produced at Patiala House Court in New Delhi. CBI arrested Devendra Kumar Monday in connection with bribery allegations involving its Special Director Rakesh Asthana. Photograph: Arun Sharma/PTI Photo The court termed the offence as grave and noted that there were serious allegations about the involvement of public servants including the accused, who has been charged by the agency of being a part of an extortion racket being run in the garb of investigation. Special CBI Judge Santosh Snehi Mann remanded Kumar to the custody of CBI, which had sought 10 days of custodial interrogation alleging that it has recovered incriminating documents after raiding his office and residence. Allegations against the accused include conspiracy of extortion and bribe to give clean chit to the complaint in a case pending investigation, he said. Considering the gravity of the offence and seriousness of allegations about the involvement of public servants including accused, I am of the opinion the police custody of accused Devender Kumar is necessary for proper investigation. Accused is remanded to police custody for seven days, the judge said in the order. The order was passed after the Delhi high court had heard his petition seeking quashing of the FIR lodged against him and his senior, Rakesh Asthana, the Special CBI Director. While the high court ordered status quo on the criminal proceedings against Asthana, there was no such relief for Kumar. During the hearing before the trial court, the CBI said that Kumars custodial interrogation was necessary to unearth the criminal conspiracy hatched by the accused persons in commission of the offence and their specific roles. It said that during the searches conducted by the CBI at the office chamber and residential premises of the accused, a number of documents have been seized. The agency alleged that the accused tried to create false evidence during investigation of the other case and has refused to cooperate in the investigation. Advocate Rahul Tyagi, appearing for Kumar, said that the arrest of the accused and investigation against him in this case was in violation of the law as there was no prior approval under section 17A of the PC Act from the competent authority. However, the court rejected the contention, saying that the alleged conduct does not relate to any recommendation or decision taken by the accused in discharge of his official duties, being investigating officer of that case, because the case is still pending investigation. Therefore, prior approval under section 17A of PC Act is not attracted in the case. The newly-inserted section 17A of the PC Act makes it mandatory to have an approval from the government for carrying out any investigation into any offence alleged to have been committed by a public servant. According to the section, no police officer shall conduct an inquiry against a public servant, alleged to have indulged in corruption, without the sanction from the Centre or the state government, depending on where the public servant concerned is employed. Tyagi said that the accused was falsely implicated in the case and was a victim of the rivalry between the senior officers of the CBI. He alleged that Kumar was investigating a CBI case in which the complainant -- Satish Babu Sana -- was a suspect and names of some past and present senior officers of the CBI had also surfaced. The counsel added that arrest of the accused in the present case was motivated to stall the investigation of that case and that there was no direct allegation against the accused. During the proceedings, the agency also informed the court that it has added some fresh sections -- 384 (punishment for extortion), 388 (extortion by threat of accusation of an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life), 389 (putting person in fear of accusation of offence, in order to commit extortion), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record) -- of the IPC in its FIR. The defence counsel also moved a bail application in the case but later did not press for it. If convicted, the accused may get a maximum 10-year jail term. Kumar was arrested on Monday. The FIR in the current case was lodged on a written complaint of Sana on October 15, wherein it was alleged that the current accused, being the IO in the other case, was repeatedly calling him to the CBI office in order to harass him and compel him to pay bribe of Rs five crore for giving him clean chit in that CBI case. The complaint also said that a part of the bribe was paid by Sana. Since the temple opened at least 13 women have attempted to enter the shrine, but fallen short despite their valiant attempts. They came, they tried, but they couldnt conquer. Women in the barred (read: menstruating) age group have been forced to retreat by agitated protesters as they tried to enter the Sabarimala temple. The women were hoping to make history by entering the temple gates after the Supreme Court, on September 28, in a strongly-worded judgment, ruled that women of all ages must be allowed into Keralas Sabarimala temple ending a ban that prevented women and girls between 10 and 50 years from entering the shrine. Since the temple opening, at least 13 women have attempted the trek to the hilltop shrine starting at the Nilakkal base camp, but none of these women were successful. While some were heckled, threatened and forced down the hills, the others voluntarily aborted their trek following intimidation by protesters. IMAGE: Libi C S was among the first women to try to enter the Sabarimala temple on the day that its gates were opened. However, after being heckled, she gave up on her efforts. Photograph: Libi CS/Facebook.com A young woman named Libi C S was among the first women to try to enter the Sabarimala temple on the day that its gates were opened. Libi in a Facebook post had said that she would be try to visit the Ayyappa deity, but protesters blocked her at a bus stand in Pathanamthitta, 65 km from the temple. Madhavi, a gutsy woman from Andhra Pradesh in her 40s, tried to climb the Sabarimala hills to reach the Lord Ayyappa temple but was forced to return to Pamba, menaced by agitated male devotees. IMAGE: Police escort Madhavi and her family members after she was heckled by protesters while she was seeking entry to the Lord Ayyappa Temple on Oct 17. Photograph: PTI Photo She had decided to make the trek along with her family. However, even though she was surrounded by the police on her way to the temple, the heckling didn't stop, which forced her to abandon her plans. Delhi-based Suhasini Raj, along with her colleague, a foreign national, tried to enter the temple on the second day. They managed to go past the Pamba gateway, just before the climb to the hilltop shrine, but was stopped midway by angry protesters who formed a human wall before her. IMAGE: Police escort Suhasini Raj, a Delhi-based New York Times journalist, to Sabarimala Temple. Raj had to return mid-way after violent protests. Photograph: PTI Photo Raj said that her trek to the temple wasnt one of faith, but she was simply trying to do her job. Describing how the protesters were, she was quoted as saying, I had reached half way and then the protests grew stronger. I was hit by a stone and then we decided to return. The police had provided us all the security. Last Friday, Sabarimala temple complex witnessed high drama and tense when two women reached the hilltop with heavy police escort, but had to return before reaching the sanctum sanctorum following massive protests by Lord Ayyappa devotees. Kavitha Jakkal, a Hyderabad based reporter, reached the Valiya Nadappandhal, the queue complex located a few metres away from the holy 'pathinettam padi' (the 18 sacred steps), leading to the sanctum sanctorum. IMAGE: Kavitha Jakkal being taken to the temple after being surrounded by police men. The Sabarimala priest reportedly, locked it and she had to return mid-way. Photograph: PTI Photo Dressed in riot gear and a yellow helmet, Jakkal would have been the first from the menstruating age group to visit the Lord Ayyappa temple. Along with Jakkal was activist Rehana Fatima. She too, would have made history if it hadnt been for the angry protests by devotees, including senior citizens. IMAGE: Activist Rehana Fatima, who was along with Jakkal, close to entering the temple was later expelled from the Muslim community. Photograph: PTI Photos Fatima was expelled from the Muslim community after her attempt to enter the shrine. The activists house was also vandalised by unidentified persons while she was away trying to climb the holy hills on Friday. A case has also been registered by the police in Pathanamthitta against the activist for hurting religious sentiments. Mary Sweety, 46, from Kazhakoottam near Thiruvananthapuram, was turned away within minutes of Rehana and Kavitha beginning their trek back. She said she did not seek any police protection to complete the temple visit. I go to church, mosques and temples. And I want to see Lord Ayyappa, she told reporters. Police however escorted her to the control room where they reportedly told her they couldnt provide protection for her trek up to the temple. Six women were prevented from the entering the Sabarimala temple Sunday by a large number of devotees of Lord Ayyappa as the stand-off over entry of women of menstrual age into the famous hill shrine continued for the fifth day. IMAGE: Balamma, from Andhra Pradesh, was brought to a hospital after she complained of uneasiness. She was heckled by protesters as she tried to enter the temple. Photograph: PTI Photo Balamma, 47, identified to be from Andhra Pradesh, reached up to the Nadappandhal close to the sanctum sanctorum, but was prevented by the devotees chanting Swamiye Saranam Ayyapa while five others were stopped en route to the hills. The woman, who complained of uneasiness, was brought to a hospital. Earlier, the protesters prevented two women, in their 40s, at the foothills itself. The women were accompanied by their relatives. The police, who took the women to the safety, said the two informed them that they came to Sabarimala without knowing the customs of the temple. IMAGE: At least 13 women have tried to enter the Sabarimala temple, but they have not been successful. Photograph: PTI Photo After the women were brought Nilackal, the base camp, they gave in writing to the police that they did not want to break the centuries-old custom of the temple. On Monday, Bindu, a Dalit activist, who was proceeding to Pamba at the foothills of Sabarimala temple, was forced to retreat by agitated protesters. When the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation bus she was travelling on with police personnel was about to reach Pamba, a group of Bharatiya Janata Party workers and those opposing the entry of girls and women aged between 10 and 50 years into the temple, blocked the road and forced her to alight. She was then escorted to safety in a police jeep. -- With inputs from PTI United States President Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will meet at the G-20 summit in Argentina next month, the White House announced on Tuesday, amid an escalating trade war between the worlds two largest economies. The G-20 Summit, comprising top 20 economies of the world including India, is scheduled to take place in Buenos Aires in Argentine on November 30 and December 1. Trumps top economic advisor Larry Kudlow told reporters at the White House that the two leaders are scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit. The two presidents will meet for a bit in Buenos Aires, Argentina at the G-20, other than that, nothing I can say, he said. He, however, gave no details of the meeting. The announcement came amidst high tensions between the US and China. Responding to questions, Kudlow reiterated the common American concerns with regard to China, including Beijings unfair trade practices, cyber theft and Intellectual Property rights protection. Our asks are on the table, I would live to see them respond. Thus far they havent, he said. The anticipated meeting between Trump and Xi comes as the Trump administration is signalling that it will treat China more aggressively. Earlier this month, US Vice President Mike Pence gave an entire speech laying out the perceived failures of China to adapt to a more liberal world order, and how the administration will respond accordingly. The US imposed a tariff on steel and aluminium and other tariffs totalling about $50 billion of goods from China. Trump in September imposed tariffs on Chinese products worth about $200 billion, on top of the $50 billion already targeted. China hits back at the US with $60 billion of new tariffs, a move which further escalated the full-scale trade war between the worlds two biggest economies. Trump has threatened to slap tariffs on virtually all of Chinas exports to the United States in the tit-for-tat trade conflict. Pakistans Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that he would once again extend a hand of friendship to India after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as he believed New Delhi rebuffed his offer of talks because his country is an issue in the elections in the neighbouring country. Speaking at the high-profile Future Investment Initiative forum in Riyadh, Khan said Pakistan wants peace with all our neighbours particularly India and Afghanistan for regional peace and stability. Peace with India would help the two countries to divert their resources towards human development instead of indulging in arms race, Khan was quoted as saying by state-run Radio Pakistan. Similarly, peace in Afghanistan would help Pakistan to have an easy access to the Central Asian states for bilateral economic and trade activities, he said. Khan said he had extended a hand of friendship to India, which rebuffed the move. After assuming power in August, Khan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting a meeting between the two countries foreign ministers on the margins of the UN General Assembly in September. India accepted the proposal but, within hours of its acceptance, terrorists killed three policemen in Jammu and Kashmir, prompting New Delhi to cancel the foreign ministers meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA. He (Khan) attributed this (cancellation) to anti-Pakistan rhetoric raking in votes in India, the Express Tribune newspaper reported, citing the prime minister. Khan said he would try once again following the conclusion of the general elections in India. The general elections are due to be held in India next year. The ties between the two countries had strained after the terror attacks by Pakistan-based groups in 2016 and Indias surgical strikes inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In his victory speech after the July elections, Khan expressed his willingness to improve Pakistans ties with India and said that his government would like the leaders of the two sides to resolve all disputes, including the core issue of Kashmir, through talks. Speaking at the summit, which is the brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to attract foreign investment into the kingdom, Khan said that his government is approaching the International Monetary Fund and the friendly countries to seek loans to plug the financial gap. The three-day summit, nicknamed Davos in the desert, has been overshadowed by raging global outrage over the murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Several investors and international figureheads have cancelled their plans to attend the summit in an apparent protest against the killing of Khashoggi. IMF chief Christine Lagarde and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin have also pulled out. Khan, who attended the summit, is visiting close ally Saudi Arabia for the second time since assuming power in August. British Prime Minister Theresa May will address her Conservative Party lawmakers at a private meeting in parliament on Wednesday, her spokesman said, as she seeks to calm growing tensions over her Brexit strategy. May will appear before the party's so-called "1922 Committee" of backbenchers in parliament, where she can expect a rowdy crowd and difficult questions. How she goes down with restive lawmakers, some of whom would like to topple her, will be closely watched. She herself asked the committee's chairman if she could address the meeting, her spokesman said. Earlier, the Sun newspaper's political editor Tom Newton Dunn had posted on Twitter: "Interestingly, May was not summoned to attend tomorrow - but has herself asked to go. This must mean the Chief Whip (party organiser) is confident of pulling off a choreographed show of loyalty." With just over five months until Britain is scheduled to leave the EU, Brexit talks have stalled over a disagreement on the so-called Northern Irish "backstop", an insurance policy to ensure there will be no return to a hard border on the island of Ireland if a future trading relationship is not agreed in time. May again failed to clinch a deal at an EU summit last week and her decision to signal the possibility of extending a post-Brexit transition period, keeping Britain under EU governance with no say in it, to help end the deadlock has angered both hardline supporters of Brexit and pro-EU lawmakers. Britain's Sunday newspapers were full of anonymous attacks on her, the violent nature of which have since been condemned by even her harshest critics. One said May was entering "the killing zone", while another said May should "bring her own noose" to the 1922 committee meeting. A vote of no-confidence in May would be triggered if 48 Conservative lawmakers submit letters to the chairman of the 1922 committee to demand such a vote. The Sunday Times said 46 had now been sent, but Reuters could not verify that number. Search Keywords: Short link: Japan could soon be the second country after the US with which India has a logistics support agreement. Besides the LSA, India and Japan may also sign a maritime domain awareness agreement which would enable the two navies to share information. For example, if a Japanese P-1 maritime patrol aircraft detects a Chinese submarine in the Indian Ocean, it would pass on the information to the Indian Navy, reveals Ajai Shukla. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi, right, with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the India-Japan annual summit in Gandhinagar, September 14, 2017. Photograph: Press Information Bureau Underlining New Delhi's growing strategic stakes in the Asia-Pacific, Japan could soon be the second country after the United States with which India has a logistics support agreement. In New Delhi, on Monday, October 22, Japan's envoy to India Kenji Hiramatsu revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi's annual summit meeting next week with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe could kick off negotiations for an LSA, which would allow Indian and Japanese military units to replenish from each other's bases, with accounts to be settled later. "We are hoping to start a formal negotiation process that will enable us to sign an acquisition and cross-service agreement, a mutual logistics support agreement. It is natural that two countries, which have such a large number of exercises, should implement an LSA," Ambassador Hiramatsu said at a briefing on Modi's visit to Tokyo on October 28-29. ACSA is the traditional term for a mutual LSA, which military partners sign to share logistics. An Indo-Japanese ACSA would allow Indian warships, operating off the coast of China, to refuel and replenish supplies from Japanese military bases. Similarly, Japanese warships in the Indian Ocean could replenish at Indian bases. The only country with which India has a formal LSA is the US. In 2016, New Delhi and Washington signed the so-called Logistic Exchange Memorandum of Agreement, a custom-designed US-India LSA. Analysts said India and Singapore had an effective LSA, which had not been publicly acknowledged, but was part of a classified enhanced defence cooperation agreement the two countries signed in 2015. By replenishing from Singapore bases, the Indian Navy can operate for long durations in the South China Sea. An ACSA/LSA would visibly boost the low-key India-Japan defence relationship. At the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore in June, Modi described relations between New Delhi and Tokyo as 'a partnership of great substance and purpose that is a cornerstone of India's Act East Policy.' Besides initiating an ACSA/LSA, Ambassador Hiramatsu said India and Japan might also sign a maritime domain awareness agreement which would enable the two navies to share information about their respective areas of interest. For example, if a Japanese P-1 maritime patrol aircraft detects a Chinese submarine in the Indian Ocean, it would pass on the information to the Indian Navy. An MDA agreement puts more eyes on the job of monitoring an oceanic area of interest. "We are expecting to sign an agreement between Indian and Japanese navies on MDA and maritime security, which will enable more cooperation in this domain," Ambassador Hiramatsu said. The spadework for these agreements was done by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her visit to Japan in August. Joint training exercises, involving India's and Japan's militaries, has also been boosted. From November 1 to 14, a battalion from both armies (the Japanese called their military self -defence forces) will train together at the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School in Vairengte, Mizoram. This will be the first time the two ground forces will exercise together. In another first, Ambassador Hiramatsu revealed that Japanese air force observers would attend the upcoming Cope India exercise, which the US and Indian air forces conduct annually. For the last two years, Japan has participated in the annual Malabar naval exercise, which used to be a bilateral US-India affair, but is now trilateral with the inclusion of Japan. Recognising the Indian defence establishment's eagerness for technology partnership, Japan is also initiating the first joint military technology project with India. "In the field of defence technology cooperation, we will cooperate on building unmanned vehicles and robotics," Ambassador Hiramatsu said. Japan is keen on selling the Indian Navy its sophisticated US-2 seaplane, but the deal has remained hanging for years. "Last year, we decided to convene a meeting to discuss this very high technology, state-of-the-art aircraft. There is no doubt about the quality of the US-2. It can be used for rescue operations, transportation (and) logistics. Discussions are on, and I hope some progress will be made in this," said Ambassador Hiramatsu. While Japan has offered India 'industrial participation' in building the US-2 in India, the navy has been unable to muster funding for this expensive aircraft. Surprisingly, Tokyo has remained passive on what could be a game-changer for the India-Japan defence relationship -- a contract to co-manufacture six Japanese Soryu-class submarines for the Indian Navy. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which builds the Soryu class vessels, did not respond to an Indian request for information. Asked about this silence, Ambassador Hiramatsu responded that the Japanese government was discussing the matter internally. However, given that Tokyo was willing to supply the Soryu-class submarines to Australia (which instead selected the French DCNS Short Fin Barracuda), the reluctance to supply India the Soryu-class vessel is intriguing. Indrani's words were quick, her hand gestures quicker. She kept pointing to certain paragraphs in their consent terms. Savera R Someshwar reports from the Sheena Bora murder trial. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com Many of the main players of the day seemed slightly out of character in Courtroom 51 of the Mumbai civil and session court, where the next hearing of the Sheena Bora trial was taking place on Monday, October 22. As Witness No 20, Faisal Nisad Ahmed, director, A M Motors, was being cross examined, Accused No 4 Peter Mukerjea was writing something. At one point, he even came up to his lawyer, Shrikant Shivade, who was to cross-examine Ahmed next, for a quick, whispered, discussion. As her lawyer, Sudeep Ratnamberdutt Pasbola, continued with his 'cross', Accused No 1 Indrani Mukerjea's head was bowed. It looked like she was reading something that consumed all her attention. It is rare for Indrani to not follow a 'cross' or an examination and sometimes interject with dramatic, non-verbal commentary. Sitting at Indrani's right, at the far corner of the aaropi (accused) enclosure, Accused No 2 Sanjeev Khanna had his head down as well. Witness No 20, Ahmed, seemed to have mellowed down over a cancelled hearing (since Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi was on his way from Shirdi on October 19, the police personnel scheduled to bring the three accused to court had been assigned bandobast (security) duties) and the weekend that followed. His stance towards Pasbola was noticeably less aggressive. Had CBI Public Prosecutor Bharat Badami -- his colleague Kavita Patil has been missing for the last two hearings -- offered a suggestion or two? Or did someone else do so? Everyone was in the courtroom. Judge Jayendra Chandrasen Jagdale was in his chair, on the elongated, raised podium that included a slightly lower chair for the court stenographer. The two efficient lady clerks were seated facing the lawyers, ready to open the cloth bundles in front of them and whip out any document that was needed. Faisal Ahmed had been sworn in. The lawyers were seated at their table, facing the clerks. The little stool, used to indicate which lawyer is speaking, had been placed on the table in front of Pasbola. Accused No 1 and Accused No 2 were in the aaropi enclosure; representatives of their police escorts were seated in the row before them. Khanna's cousin and a slim, older man -- a relative or friend who has dropped by to meet Peter quite a few times -- were seated in the courtroom as well. But the proceedings could not begin. Accused No 4 was still outside, deep in conversation with his sister, Shangon Das Gupta, who shows her steadfast support for her elder brother, Pratim (Peter's given name), with her presence and advice at almost every hearing. She also brings him his favourite meals and the tea/coffee that he sips from the lid of a silver coloured flask. A slim-built police officer, with a handlebar moustache, stood at the entrance to the courtroom, with one eye on the judge's mood and the other on Peter, who his police escort had been unsuccessfully trying to get into the courtroom. At 2.51 pm, Peter walked in with an apologetic bow. And Pasbola began. "Okay Faisal, tell me, in 2009, Peter Mukerjea sold his cars before shifting to the UK, right?" Ahmed asked the question to be repeated in a tone more mellow than the one he was using on October 16. And, after the question was repeated, answered, "Yes." "After 2009, no cars (belonging to Peter Mukerjea) came to your workshop for repairs?" Pasbola asked. "That's right." "Peter sold his cars with your help?" "Not with my help." Pasbola moved on to explore Ahmed's relationship with Accused No 3-turned-approver Shyamvar Pinturam Rai. Ahmed's answers indicated that Rai only came to his office to take cars when Peter needed one, that he was "not aware" if Rai ever visited his office for any other reason and that he (Ahmed) did not remember making or keeping any kind of record about Rai's visits. Peter, meanwhile, continued to stand and write, using the stacked-up, silver-painted evidence trunks as a temporary desk. Ahmed, under Pasbola's questioning, stated he had not noted the dates on which he lent cars to Rai or the dates on which the cars were returned to his workshop. Nor did he maintain any kind of records of the dates on which Kajal Sharma, Indrani Mukerjea's then assistant, called to request a car. Ahmed was, however, familiar enough with her name to correct Judge Jagdale when he mispronounced her name as Kajol. "Kajal," on October 16 he corrected Judge Jagdale, who was dictating Ahmed's answer to the court stenographer."It's Kajal." "Do you remember the dates on which the cars were asked for?" Ahmed, who again seemed to have not heard Pasbola clearly, asked for a clarification. "How many times have you given the car to Rai?" asked the lawyer. "No, you were saying something about dates..." Ahmed corrected the lawyer. "Mr Faisal, let me ask the questions. Don't tell me what to ask." "5-6 times.... But you were saying something about dates..." Pasbola: "Don't be jumpy. On what dates have you given the car?" A question that is slightly tweaked and repeated many times. "I have not made notes of the dates... More than 5-6 times." Ahmed could not remember the make and model of the cars either. Pasbola then wanted to know if, as someone who repaired, sold and purchased cars, if Ahmed ever had an Opel Astra in his possession. Ahmed's reply had a trace of impatience. "I said that the last time I was here, that I bought the car." "Did you give it to Rai?" "I said it the last time, yes I did." "Was that the last occasion on which you gave the car to Rai?" "Yes." "After April 2012 (Sheena Bora was allegedly murdered on April 24, 2012), did you on any occasion lend a car to Peter Mukerjea?"? "No." No one -- not Badami who led him through his initial testimony; or Pasbola, who conducted the first cross; or Shivade, who followed up with his cross -- asked Ahmed how he remembered the make, model and licence plate of the last car he had lent the Mukerjeas -- a metallic grey Chevrolet Optra with the licence plate, MH01 2605, in which the murder allegedly took place -- and that it was returned after five days, when he could not remember these details about any of the other cars he had lent to them. Ahmed even remembered in his testimony on October 16 who he had sold the Optra to and the price he had sold it for (Rs 85,000 to Mr Kedar from Auto Palace). Witness No 20 was first questioned about the Chevrolet Optra in which the murder allegedly took place in August 2015 -- nearly three years and three months after Shyamvar Rai had picked it up from his office -- when police officers from the Khar police station, north west Mumbai, visited his office. So what was it that had embedded the car, and the number of days he had lent it to the Mukerjeas, in Ahmed's memory? Pasbola then wanted to know if the car had been cleaned after it was returned. "Which car?" "The car that had been given to Peter Mukerjea." "The cars are cleaned every day," said Ahmed. "They are cleaned inside and outside?" "We have a cleaner who cleans the cars every day. Yes, inside and outside." Did Ahmed, Pasbola wanted to know, "note down how many kilometres the car had been used"? According to Shyamvar Rai's testimony, which began in July 2017 and ended on January 2018: He followed Indrani's instructions, delivered via a Skype conversation on April 19, 2012, and took a recce drive on the old Pune highway from Mumbai to Lonavla and check out some isolated spots. It is not clear, however, if he drove this route in the Optra. Once Indrani arrived in Mumbai on April 23 -- the express reason why, according to Ahmed's testimony -- Kajal had called and requested a car -- Indrani and Rai travelled the same route in the Optra and stopped at a particular place in Khandala where, according to Rai, Indrani said, 'This a fit place for Mekhail'. He said he was then ordered by Indrani to drive to Pen Road in Khopoli, Raigad, where they checked out three more isolated spots. The third one, he said, met Indrani's specifications and she told him, 'Remember this place. This is a very good place for Sheena'. He was then asked to drive her back to Mumbai, where Indrani got off near Plaza theatre in Dadar, north central Mumbai. He circled the area in the car as he waited for her. She returned with two big bags that were loaded in the boot of the car. His duty as Indrani's driver began early on April 24, he said. Indrani spent some time at a beauty parlour and later shopped for two saris, three pairs of shoes, alcohol and mineral water. In the afternoon, they drove to Bandra, north west Mumbai, where they picked up Sanjeev Khanna and, after some time, Sheena Bora. Later, in a quiet Bandra lane, said Rai, the three of them strangled Sheena to death. Rai then drove Indrani to the Taj Landsend hotel, near Bandstand, Bandra, where she spent some time before being driven home in Worli, south central Mumbai. Later, she asked Rai to bring the food she ordered from a Chinese restaurant. She also asked him to pick up Sanjeev along the way. Early next morning, even before the sun had risen, Rai claimed he drove Indrani and Sanjeev to Pen Road, Raigad, where they disposed off Sheena's body. On the return trip, he dropped both Indrani and Sanjeev in Bandra, from where they told him they would take an auto to the airport. As per Indrani's instructions, said Rai, he drove the Chevrolet Optra back to Marlow, the building in Worli where Indrani and Peter stayed. On April 25, he said he followed Indrani's instructions to get the car cleaned. He took the car for "polishing" and "interiors" cleaning at Shan Auto Garage, which was recommended to him by a man named Raja. It was the first time the driver was going there. Rai brought in the car at 11 am and the work was completed in an hour. The details were noted in the garage's register. Two days after the alleged murder, Rai picked up Peter from the airport in the suspected murder vehicle. A day later, he drove Peter to the airport to pick up Indrani, who was arriving from Kolkata. After a few days, the Mukerjeas left again. A few days later, Rai got a call from Indrani saying they would not be back again and he should look for a new job. According to Ahmed's testimony on October 16, 2018, Rai picked up the Chevrolet Optra on April 22 and returned it after five days. If one looks at Rai's testimony, it was just after this period of five days that he drove Peter to the airport to pick up Indrani. And the Mukerjeas left Mumbai a few days later. Had Ahmed lent the Optra to the Mukerjeas, asking for it to be returned within a specific number of days? His testimony seemed to indicate that the cars were lent to them as per their need, for as many days as they wished, with no specific time frame ever mentioned for their return. Was a different car used for these last two trips? Pasbola's 'cross' of Ahmed continued. He wanted to know if any of Ahmed's employees had been questioned by the Khar police or the CBI. Ahmed said no. "Do you have a record or recollection of all the cars in your possession in 2012?" Pasbola asked next. "When we buy and sell the cars, we have the delivery note." "Not the delivery note," said Pasbola impatiently as he listened to the same answer he had heard, and was not happy with, on October 16. "Yes," said Ahmed. "We have records." "Did the police ask for the records?" "No." "Last time you said you had produced the delivery note to the Khar police station." "You are telling me this..." Before he could complete his statement, Badami shushed Ahmed. Pasbola then wanted to know if Ahmed was friendly with police officers. "You met the ADG (additional director general of police)," inquired Pasbola. "No, I didn't." Pasbola insisted. "What's his name?" "Never mind the name." Judge Jagdale intervened soothingly. "He may not know the designation." More "You met" and "I have not met" followed, ending with "You are lying, Mr Faisal", from Pasbola. Ahmed smiled. As a member of the Willingdon Club, "one of the most prestigious clubs in the city where many police officers and judges were members" -- which Judge Jagdale quickly refuted, saying judges were not allowed to be members -- and as the owner of A M Motors, Pasbola said Ahmed knew a lot of senior police officers and had tried to intervene on Peter's behalf. "At the insistence of these police officers, you gave a false statement." "It isn't very correct to say that." "Very correct?" Pasbola smiled. "Not correct at all." Ahmed smiled back. Accused No 2 Sanjeev Khanna's lawyers declined to 'cross'. Shrikant Shivade, Peter's lawyer, who now has the stool standing in front of him on the long lawyers's table, wants to know if Ahmed can read or speak Marathi. "Only English and Hindi." The implication -- if there are discrepancies in Ahmed's statement to the Khar police, which was recorded in Marathi, he would not know as he was dependent on the Hindi translation provided by the police. Shivade, in a voice softer than usual, wanted to know how often Peter and Ahmed interacted in a year. "Which year?" asked Ahmed. "Since you know him..." "Many times. It could be 10, 15 times. I don't count these instances." "Peter left for the UK in 2008-2009..." "I think so. I am not sure." Shivade then confirmed that a car was lent to Peter every time a request was made by Indrani's secretary Kajal. Peter was still writing, not really paying attention to his lawyer's 'cross'. "You never verified these requests with Peter?" "Before he left, he told me to give a car whenever his family required it." Shivade was patient. "You didn't verify..." "No, I didn't," says Ahmed. "Trusted it came from Peter." "Peter's personal driver is a man named Prashant Chakravarty." "Yes." "You knew him because he brought Peter to your place, to the club. He brought the car for repairs." "I know him because he came for repairs." It was a clever 'cross'; if Chakravarty was Peter's driver, and if Rai picked up the cars whenever needed, as instructed by Indrani's secretary, then maybe Peter didn't know what was happening using his name. "You didn't charge Peter for the use of these cars." "No." It was Kajal, according to Ahmed's earlier testimony, who would send a "small, unspecified" remuneration for which "no invoice was raised". "It was the first time you had ever gone to a police station to give a statement (on August 13, 2015)." "That's right." "You were aware that Indrani had been arrested in the Sheena Bora case through the news reports on print media and TV?" "Yes." "Were you called to the Santa Cruz police station?" "No. Was asked this the last time as well." Shivade again underlined that Ahmed trusted that every time Rai asked for a car, it was for Peter Mukerjea's family and there was no reason for Ahmed to verify the request. "That's right." Then came a slightly bizarre, slightly funny part of the testimony. "During your interactions with Peter, you found him to be an upright and honest man?" "There was no doubt about it that he was a nice man," said Ahmed. "You found him to be upright and honest." "He was a gentleman to deal with." "He was upright and honest." "Upright." "And honest,"insisted Shivade. "And honest." Ahmed gave in. "In 2014, you invited him for the opening ceremony of your new company." "I did call him." And the 'cross' concluded. "All ok?" Ahmed smiled, raising his hands to gesture at the lawyers. His un-witness-like exit drew a smile from the judge and almost everyone else in the room. Like at the end of every session, the accused were allowed to consult their lawyers and eat the food their families had brought for them. Peter, who is 64, had an application to make. He wanted a bed in his cell. He was sleeping on the floor and found it difficult to get up multiple times to visit the loo. According to his lawyers, he had to visit the loo at least four to five times every night. Badami said he needed time to reply. Judge Jagdale was not too happy. "Every inmate in the jail must be given the same facility. The earlier inmate was a politician holding a big post. He was given a bed." The reference here is to Chhagan Bhujbal, Maharashtra's former deputy chief minister, who is now an undertrial facing charges of corruption, embezzlement and cheating. Bhujbal obtained bail earlier this year. "Are you taking objection?" Judge Jagdale asked Badami. "I have to take instruction," said Badami placatingly. The judge then wanted to know when Badami would reply on Peter's remaining applications -- certain corrections in Mekhail Bora's testimony and for an additional monitor that would allow the lawyers to check, in real time, what was written by the stenographer so that corrections could made instantly instead of having to file an application to do so. Badami promised to file his responses by the next hearing, October 25. Indrani, busy in consultation with her divorce laywer, Edith Dey, was paying no attention. And then came yet another reason why one admires Judge Jagdale. A few months ago, Sanjeev Khanna, the quietest of the three accused -- and most compliant if you asked the police escort for the accused -- requested the judge to ensure he was treated for a skin condition he had contracted. The judge called him to the stand to check how Sanjeev's treatment was progressing. Sanjeev said he was getting adequate treatment, and was also being treated for an eye condition that required him not to strain his eyes and to use eye drops. "It is age-related. Age affects the liquid in the eye balls," he told this correspondent later as he tucked into the puffs and sandwich brought by his cousin. Sanjeev seems to spend his time in jail reading fiction; he returned a few books to his cousin and selected a few more. All three books -- Nevermore, a book from the Daniel X series and a book from the Witch and Wizard series -- were by the acclaimed author, James Patterson. Sanjeev handed the books to his guard who flipped through them and shook them, before handing it back for Sanjeev to put into his jute bag. Peter was talking his sister Shangon and lawyer Shivade. She was holding onto a bunch of keys -- it was not clear if Peter had given it to her -- but it made her slightly emotional. Peter and Indrani had requested the judge's permission to discuss the terms of their divorce, which he granted. Peter walked and sat down next to Indrani, taking off his spectacles and wiping the sweat brought on by the muggy October weather. Indrani's white salwar kameez had been rendered limp by the heat which, clearly, had not brought on any kind of lethargy. Her words were quick, her hand gestures quicker. She also kept pointing to certain paragraphs in their consent terms. Peter did seem to agree, at one point, even handing the sheaf of papers back to her. After about 10 minutes, Judge Jagdale asked them to wind up. "Mr Mukerjea," he gestured at the waiting police guard, "how long will you keep them standing?" "Two minutes," Peter requested. "Just two minutes," Indrani chimed in with a smile. The judge looked at the courtroom clock. "Exactly two minutes." Peter: "Yes, your honour." Indrani: "Thank you, your honour." In a minute, they were ready to leave. Sanjeev was already waiting outside. There was a dichotomy in Courtroom 51, brought on by the murder of an innocent life. A family -- Peter and Indrani -- were breaking up. But two families -- Sanjeev Khanna's and Peter's sister -- were holding strong, standing firmly behind the sibling who had been accused of that murder. A petition filed by Swapnil Tripathi, a final year student studying at the National Law University, Jodhpur, prompted the Supreme Court to allow live streaming of the opaque proceedings within. Ritwik Sharma reports. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI Photo A norm challenged by a 22-year-old law student resulted in the Supreme Court invoking the axiom 'sun is the best disinfectant' as it turned its gaze inward to make the judiciary more transparent. A petition filed by Swapnil Tripathi, a final year student studying for an BBA LLB at the National Law University, Jodhpur, and clubbed with a batch of pleas by a few others prompted the apex court to allow live streaming of the opaque proceedings within. Tripathi, who hails from Kanpur and has a keen interest in Constitutional law, wanted to challenge the denial of access to interns to Supreme Court proceedings on Mondays and Fridays, days marked for fresh filings. When he was interning with Supreme Court advocate Rishabh Sancheti during his third year of college, he felt that live streaming would give interns critical lessons in courtroom practices as well as make trials more transparent for litigants and the public at large. "During the course of my internship, I worked on a lot of important matters which were listed on Mondays and Fridays. As interns we have plenty of theory in law schools but we can only see for ourselves the practical aspect of how arguments are made," he says. When he suggested to Sancheti that the existing rule was against the interest of interns, the advocate advised him to contest it since he felt so strongly about it. Last December, Tripathi filed a petition after thinking about the idea for a year. Besides Tripathi, four other law students joined the cause with applications this year. The petitions included those filed by senior advocate Indira Jaising and an NGO, the Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change. On September 26, a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra (now retired) and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud ruled that initially a pilot project may be started by live streaming cases that are of constitutional and national importance, and excluding those involving juveniles, marital and sexual assault cases to protect identities. According to the Constitution, courts are supposed to be open to the public. But Tripathi, left, says, that hasn't translated to actual experience for many litigants. "I experienced it because when the case was on I had to travel from Jodhpur to Delhi each time, and I used to find out three days before the next date of hearing and had to make travel arrangements immediately." At times he couldn't reach or had to rely on seniors to inform him about the progress in the courtroom. He also met people who travelled from across the country but were unaware of what transpired in cases involving them. "Live streaming allows people to see what happens when they can't physically be present in courts. People won't be misled, as sometimes even reporting can go wrong." The Bar Council of India requires interns to work with lawyers who practise in the Supreme Court and high courts. In his petition, Tripathi argued that the prohibition violated the fundamental right of learning for interns. "I understand courts are extremely crowded with lots of lawyers, and constrained. So one of my prayers was that if you are not allowing interns inside the court, get a live streaming room within the premises." He also cited the example of the US, where the Supreme Court uploads the transcripts of all oral arguments of entire proceedings on its Web site. A month later Jaising also petitioned for live streaming of all cases. Article 145 of the Constitution allows the apex court to frame its own rules. Once it does so and paves the way for live streaming of cases, Tripathi feels, the Supreme Court is hinting at extending the practice to the lower judiciary depending on the success of the pilot. On the occasion of the celebration of the United day in 24 October, the UN conducted a series of interviews exclusively for Ahram Online. The UN day marks the anniversary of the entry of the UN chart into force in 1945. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being. The sixth interview in the series is with Country Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Randa Aboul-Hosn. How is UNDP supporting the Government of Egypt and its people? What are the key areas you focus on? UNDP is the UNs global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people and countries.On the ground in over 170 countries, with 18 offices in the Arab region, UNDP works to assist national counterparts to formulate and implement their own solutions to global, regional, and national development challenges.In 2017, we succeeded in developing our Country Programme Document (CPD) for the years 2018 to 2022, a five-year plan, that focuses on inclusive growth and innovation, climate change and environment and gender equality. The document was built on intensive consultations with the government, private sector, academia, youth, donors, and civil society. What are the Sustainable Development Goals that you focus on in Egypt? And how do you support the Government in reporting to the SDGs? Egypt presented its first Voluntary Review on the SDGs at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July 2016 and is among the 22 countries that volunteered to report on the efforts undertaken to achieve this ambitious agenda. We are currently supporting the Ministry of Planning, Monitoring and Administrative Reform (MoPMAR) in the process to submit the new report this June 2018. The Government requested UNDPs support for the SDG implementation. We, through the United Nations Resident Coordinator and the collaborative effort with the United Nations Country Team, is supporting a coherent working package that focuses on identifying SDG accelerators, interlinkages and evidence-based policy-making tools. This work is presented through the MAPS i.e. Mainstreaming, Acceleration and Policy Support. This supporting system works under the mandate of the UNPDF to provide a shared resource to engage with governments and partners on the SDGs, paying special attention to the cross-cutting elements of partnerships, data and accountability. We also work with line Ministries and private sector to support all of the SDGs as they are indivisible. In the area of Climate Change and Environment, we focus on SDGs 6, 7, 11, 13, 14 and 15. In the area of inclusive growth, it is SDGs - 1, 3, 8, 9, 10, 12, 16 and 17 and in the area of gender equality, we focus on SDG 5 and 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 16. Looking back at 2017, what do you consider as the key achievements that you were able to achieve? We are glad to report that we were able to support the Government significantly to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. I will here give some of the key achievements that we are proud of: We supported the automation of 80% of 4,000 post offices nationwide, which is now delivering modern and digitalized financial and saving services for over 22 million citizens, and 5.5 million pensioners every month. UNDP mobilized resources and expertise to support the Ministry of Water and Irrigation test soft engineering solutions covering 3.5 km of the North Coast, to counter shoreline erosion, now scaling up to additional 69 km under the Green Climate Fund. This work is expected to reduce the significant economic losses from shoreline erosion impacting the lives of 25 percent of Egyptians. 250 leading businesses from Egypt and the region convened through UNDP, the American Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation. Sustainable business strategies and solutions were on top of the agenda, with a focus on SDG driven Corporate Social Responsibility actions. You have visited UNDP projects on the ground several times. Can you share with us one of the remarkable stories that you have seen? I visited several projects in Egypts different governorates and I always like to go because I can directly see the impact on the people and the communities. I cant forget an old man whom I spoke to when I visited a small village in Qena governorate. He was very passionate and enthusiastic when he told me that he will never circumcise his daughters. He is now an advocate to end the harmful practice Female Genital Mutilation. I could see the change in his behavior from the complete opposite. We have, under the national programme for the abonnement of Female Genital Mutilation, whole villages refusing the practice and joining the initiative of #NOFGM What do you hope to achieve in 2018? I am very optimistic that in 2018 we will be able, together with the Government of Egypt and our partners and donors, to achieve results that positively influence millions of people in Egypt. We have a solid plan and we have the knowledge, network and expertise to see this as a reality. We can see positive signs that the economy is gradually improving which will be in favor of the peoples well-being and livelihoods. Search Keywords: Short link: Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Nepal Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Nepal, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1f90c.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Nepal experienced no acts of terrorism directed against U.S. or Western targets in 2017. However, Nepal did see an increase in incidents of terrorism against domestic targets, largely surrounding elections held in late 2017. The Government of Nepal attributed the majority of the attacks to the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), a Maoist faction also known as the "Netra Bikram Chand Group" or "Biplav Group" that split from the mainstream Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center) several years ago. In response to these incidents, Nepal's security organs largely directed their counterterrorism efforts against the Biplav Group, forming special teams to identify and arrest its leaders. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: Nepal experienced an increase in terrorist attacks during the year, primarily in connection with local, provincial, and national elections held around the country in April, June, September, November, and December. None of these attacks were directed against U.S. or Western targets. It was generally believed that these attacks, which resulted in one death and multiple injuries, were intended to intimidate political candidates, convince voters to stay home, and undermine the elections. The incidents initially resulted only in property damage and minor injuries, but they increased in frequency and severity later in the year. By the time elections ended in early December, more than 100 such attacks had occurred throughout Nepal, resulting in one death and numerous injuries. In the lead-up to the various phases of elections, security forces found and defused IEDs before they could explode. For example, the Nepalese Army defused an IED discovered near a voting center in Dhading district on November 25. The attacks increased in sophistication toward the end of the year, with one IED that detonated at an early December election rally held for Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba that resulted in injuries to nine people, four of them critically. On December 7, the Biplav Group publicly claimed responsibility for all of the elections-related IED attacks, but the group later retracted this statement. The Nepal Police announced on December 6 that around 600 Biplav Group cadres had been detained for anti-election activities. The attacks largely ceased as campaigning stopped in the days before the last set of polls opened on December 7. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: There were no significant legislative changes since 2016. The law enforcement organ directly responsible for counterterrorism activities is the Special Bureau of the Nepal Police. This unit consists of approximately 120 officers. The Special Bureau is supplemented by Nepal Police and Armed Police Force officers when necessary. The Nepalese Army Special Forces units are tasked with incident counterterrorism response and received training in hostage rescue, response to hijackings, and similar terrorism incidents. The Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force participated in the Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance program in courses that included Explosive Detection Canine Handlers Course (EDCHC), Combatting Domestic and Transnational Terrorism, Fraudulent Document Recognition Behavioral Analysis, and Post Blast Investigation. The EDCHC also included the granting of five explosive detection trained canines. In addition, between 300 and 500 Nepali Police, immigration, and airline personnel received a three-day training on travel document security features that included imposter recognition. Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport Nepal's only international airport does not pre-screen passengers, and landing data are not entered into any database. Physical security checks of passengers are rudimentary. There is no travel document security and the airport lacks ultraviolet lights to examine documents. The Special Bureau of the Nepal Police assigns approximately 10 personnel to the airport and approximately 15 officers to its INTERPOL office, which is located at Nepal Police headquarters. The INTERPOL office, however, has no designated personnel at Tribhuvan International Airport. INTERPOL notices are maintained in a database, but passengers are not routinely screened through this database. Security and immigration officials are generally responsive to U.S. requests for information, but often have little information to provide. Nepal shares an open border with India. The 1,000-mile border has a few checkpoints, but they lack sufficient security controls and are sometimes manned by as few as one immigration official. Most people crossing the border are neither stopped nor checked, and the crossing points can easily be circumvented to avoid scrutiny. The primary constraint preventing more robust border-control capability is a lack of resources. The security services lack the personnel, technology, databases, basic equipment, and often even electrical power to provide effective border control. Additional constraints include lack of training and widespread corruption. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Nepal belongs to the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering, a Financial Action Task Force-style regional body. While the Government of Nepal has made progress in constructing an anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime, additional work is required to develop expertise in financial crimes investigations, case management, interagency and departmental coordination, and border control. In February, the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate facilitated a workshop in Nepal attended by judges, prosecutors, and investigators and focused on terrorist financing and anti-money laundering. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): There were no significant changes since 2016. International and Regional Cooperation: The Nepal police sent three officers to the annual regional counterterrorism seminar hosted by INTERPOL. In April, Nepal engaged in a joint exercise with China focused on anti-hijacking. Nepal also engaged in a two-week joint exercise with India focused on counter-insurgency. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Morocco Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Morocco, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1f91a.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Morocco has a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy that includes vigilant security measures, regional and international cooperation, and counter-radicalization policies. In 2017, Morocco's counterterrorism efforts effectively mitigated the risk of terrorism, although the country continued to face sporadic threats, largely from small, independent terrorist cells, the majority of which claimed to be inspired by or affiliated with ISIS. During the year, authorities reported a decrease in the number of terrorist-related arrests (186) for the first time since 2013. Following the August attacks in Barcelona, Morocco assisted the Spanish investigation and promised to expand cooperation to track terrorists of Moroccan origin radicalized abroad. The government remained concerned about the threat posed by the return of Moroccan foreign terrorist fighters (estimated at approximately 1,660) and their families. Morocco participates in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and, in September, renewed its term as co-chair of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) with the Netherlands. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Morocco effectively investigates, prosecutes, and sentences defendants charged under its comprehensive counterterrorism legislation enacted in 2003 and expanded in 2015. The legislation is in line with UN Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 2178 (2014). Moroccan law enforcement units, coordinating with the Ministry of Interior, aggressively targeted and effectively dismantled terrorist cells by leveraging intelligence collection, police work, and collaboration with international partners. The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ), which reports to the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance and operates under the supervision of the public prosecutor of the Court of Appeals, is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for counterterrorism law enforcement. The General Directorate for National Security has primary responsibility for conducting border inspections at ports of entry such as Casablanca's Mohammed V Airport. Law enforcement officials and private carriers worked regularly with the United States to detect and deter individuals attempting to transit illegally and to address watchlisted or mala fide travelers. Moroccan airport authorities have excellent capabilities in detecting fraudulent documents, but lacked biometric screening capabilities. In addition, police, customs officers, and Gendarmerie Royal operate mobile and fixed checkpoints along the roads in border areas and at the entrances to major municipalities. Moroccan naval and coast guard units monitor and patrol Morocco's extensive coastal waters, including the Strait of Gibraltar, to interdict illicit traffickers. Morocco participated in a wide range of U.S.-sponsored programs to improve its technical and investigative capabilities, including financial investigation, intelligence analysis, and cybersecurity. Through the Trilateral Initiative funded by the Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance program, Morocco and the United States continued to deliver critical incident management training to African partners. In partnership with the Department of Defense and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Morocco's Royal Armed Forces are taking tangible steps to protect critical infrastructure from cyber-attacks, control and protect logistical hubs, and ensure readiness to prevent or respond to a catastrophic chemical, biological or nuclear terrorist attack. Moroccan authorities reported disrupting a number of alleged terrorist cells throughout the year, announcing that they had arrested 186 individuals and broken up nine cells planning to attack a range of targets, including public buildings and tourist sites. In March, BCIJ dismantled a 15-person cell dispersed amongst 10 cities, which planned to perpetrate attacks using explosives on soft targets and assassinate public and military officials. In August, cooperating with Spanish counterparts, Moroccan authorities arrested two suspects related to the Barcelona and Cambrils attacks, including one who was allegedly planning to attack the Spanish Embassy in Rabat. In October, BCIJ dismantled a cell linked to ISIS in Fes, arresting 11 suspects and uncovering a cache of guns, ammunition, knives, and explosive material at the alleged leader's house in Khouribga. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Morocco is a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force, a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-style regional body. Its financial intelligence unit (FIU), the Unite de Traitement du Renseignement Financier (UTRF), is a member of the Egmont Group. Morocco criminalizes money laundering and terrorist financing in accordance with international standards. Through November 2017, UTRF received 350 suspicious transaction reports. It has signed memoranda of understanding facilitating information exchange with regional FIUs, is working to update current legislation to better implement the UN Security Council ISIL (Da'esh) and al-Qa'ida sanctions regime, and is preparing a national risk assessment to inform more effective counter measures against terrorist financing. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Morocco has a comprehensive CVE strategy that prioritizes economic and human development in addition to oversight of the religious sphere and messaging. Morocco has accelerated its creation of education and employment initiatives for vulnerable youth. To counter religious extremism, Morocco promotes its moderate interpretation of the Maliki-Ashari school of Sunni Islam. The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs has developed an educational curriculum for Morocco's nearly 50,000 imams, as well as the hundreds of African and European imams studying at Morocco's international imam training center in Rabat, which expanded its capacity to 1,800 students in 2017. In Fes, Morocco hosts the Institute for African Islamic Religious Scholars, which brings together religious scholars from more than 30 African countries to promote scholarship and to counter terrorist ideology. Domestically, the royal Mohammedan League of Ulema (Rabita Mohammedia) counters radicalization to violence by producing scholarly research, ensuring conformity in educational curricula, and conducting youth outreach on religious and social topics. In the prisons, the Department of State has supported General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR) efforts to modernize prison management, develop prisoner classification tools that keep terrorists segregated from the mainstream prison population, and construct new more secure facilities. To rehabilitate returning foreign terrorist fighters, the DGAPR worked closely with National Center for Human Rights and religious leaders from Rabita Mohammedia. In August, the King pardoned 14 detainees following their renunciation of terrorist views after their successful completion of the DGAPR's rehabilitation program. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) continued to address youth marginalization in areas known for recruitment by terrorist organizations by helping youth stay in school, develop skills, and become active in their communities. In addition, USAID's Community Oriented Policing Activity provided opportunities for dialogue that has resulted in greater trust and a freer flow of information between police and communities. International and Regional Cooperation: Morocco rejoined the African Union in 2017. Morocco is a founding member of the GCTF and is a current co-chair. In 2017, Morocco was a co-chair of the GCTF Foreign Terrorist Fighters working group with the Netherlands. The United States and Morocco were co-leading the Initiative on Addressing Homegrown Terrorism in partnership with the International Institute for Justice and Rule of Law (IIJ). Morocco is a member of the Global Initiative to Counter Nuclear Terrorism and the Proliferation Security Initiative. In December, Morocco co-sponsored UN Security Council resolution 2396 on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. Morocco is an active member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League. Morocco, a Major Non-North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally, is a stable security-exporting partner that trains security, military, and law enforcement officials from sub-Saharan Africa and participates actively in the 5+5 Defense Initiative to address Mediterranean security issues. Morocco hosts the annual multilateral AFRICAN LION exercise and participates in multilateral regional training exercises, such as the maritime-focused PHOENIX EXPRESS and OBANGAME EXPRESS and the FLINTLOCK special operations exercise. Morocco is also an active member of the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership. Political disagreement between Morocco and Algeria over the status of Western Sahara remained an impediment to bilateral and regional counterterrorism cooperation in 2017. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Mexico Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Mexico, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1f92a.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Counterterrorism cooperation between Mexico and the United States remained strong in 2017. Improved information sharing regarding migrant populations constituted a major step forward. At year's end there was no credible evidence indicating that international terrorist groups have established bases in Mexico, worked with Mexican drug cartels, or sent operatives via Mexico into the United States. The U.S. southern border remains vulnerable to potential terrorist transit, although terrorist groups likely seek other means of trying to enter the United States. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: There were no changes since 2016 in Mexico's legal system as it pertains to counterterrorism, other than those described under the terrorist financing section. Mexico's southern border is porous. Under the Merida Initiative, the Mexican and U.S. governments launched several projects designed to increase border security, including the first stages of construction of a telecommunications system for law enforcement and mentoring and training for immigration officials. The two governments also collaborate to improve airport security at last departure point airports to the United States. The United States partnered with Mexico to create an information-sharing system for Mexico that will vastly improve Mexico's ability to partner with U.S. law enforcement to prevent terrorism and other illegal activity. Challenges for law enforcement and border security include corruption and insufficient inter-agency communication. Also, many prosecutors and judges have not yet mastered navigation of the new criminal justice system. Improvements in nation-wide police professionalization are occurring through the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs' program to assess, train, certify, and accredit police officers and institutions at state and federal levels. These efforts aim to improve the likelihood of criminal prosecutions and convictions. Mexican migration officials' resources were stretched thin and funding for repatriations by air was severely limited. The Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance training included two iterations of Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience, which focused on securing physical and cyber critical infrastructures against the threats of terrorism and natural disasters. The trainings additionally demonstrated methods of building proactive community partnerships, recognizing pre-attack indications through surveillance detection, and understanding the physical effects of explosives. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Mexico is a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and the Financial Action Task force of Latin America, a FATF-style regional body (FSRB). Mexico has observer or cooperating status in FSRBs: the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force and the Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures. Mexico's financial intelligence unit (FIU), Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera, is a member of the Egmont Group and proactively shares financial intelligence on shared threats with its U.S. counterpart, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Mexico recently underwent its fourth round FATF mutual evaluation. In October, Mexico's Supreme Court ruled the FIU's freezing of accounts in one specific case violated constitutional protections including due process rights. The ruling only impacted one entity's frozen accounts, but other similarly affected entities have already filed cases in Mexican federal court. Once four more cases reach the same conclusion at the Supreme Court level (or if the entire Supreme Court bench similarly rules on one case) then the initial ruling will become binding precedent. The FIU can continue to freeze accounts under the current legal framework, but that power may end soon barring a legislative fix. Given that law enforcement and judicial authorities have struggled to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, this development may hamper the government's ability to fight potential terrorist financing until a legislative or procedural fix can be implemented. Mexico was in the process in 2017 of drafting an amendment to their domestic sanctions legislation to address the Supreme Court's finding. Mexico's Finance Ministry has emphasized the ruling does not impact its authority to block accounts associated with UN sanctions, nor impact banks that voluntarily comply with the Office of Foreign Asset Control Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List. Many Mexican banks made progress in 2017 in terms of training on SDN List implementation. Mexico lacks workable asset forfeiture laws. The lower chamber of Congress passed amendments to improve the legal framework, including an effort to lower high standards for burden of proof, but the amendments remain pending with the Mexican Senate. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): There have been no changes since 2016 other than Mexico's presentation of a successfully adopted resolution at the UN Human Rights Council encouraging protection of human rights while countering terrorism. International and Regional Cooperation: Mexico participates in the Organization of American States Inter-American Committee against Terrorism and is also a member of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Mauritania Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Mauritania, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1f93a.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Mauritania was an excellent U.S. security and regional counterterrorism partner in 2017. Since 2011, when U.S. engagement with Mauritanian security forces greatly increased and Mauritanian forces defeated al-Qa'ida elements in three separate battles, Mauritania has not suffered a terrorist attack, despite continuing terrorist violence in neighboring Mali. The Government of Mauritania continued to oppose terrorism effectively, building on an approach that hinges on community outreach, improving the capacity of security forces, and securing the country's borders. The government has continued its counterterrorism cooperation with the United States and seized opportunities to participate in U.S.-sponsored training on counterterrorism tactics and techniques. Mauritania Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Services worked with the United States to track, monitor, and counter terrorist groups, which include al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), ISIS, and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) the group that formed after the Sahara Branch of al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb, al-Murabitoun, Ansar al-Dine, and the Macina Liberation Front came together in 2017. Through the support of the United States and other partners such as France, Mauritania deployed 20,000 soldiers, divided between seven military regions around the country. Despite these efforts, regions in the interior of Mauritania remained imperfectly monitored, owing to their geographic isolation from population centers and inhospitable desert conditions. AQIM elements and like-minded terrorist groups were present in the region, particularly along the southeastern border with Mali, which remained the leading terrorist threat to Mauritania in 2017. On November 6, Mauritanian press reported that AQIM released a new video in which it warned Mauritania of consequences for its cooperation with the so-called "crusaders' forces." Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Border security remained inadequate due to a standing policy that accords responsibility for different sections of the country's land borders to different formations of the security forces. Owing to their geographic isolation from population centers, hard-to-access areas of the Sahara Desert further complicated efforts to monitor and secure borders. On November 12, Mauritania declared its border with Algeria a military "Red Zone," forbidden to civilians. This decision was motivated by the increased and diverse trafficking of prohibited goods through this region. In collaboration with Mauritanian authorities, the Senegalese security forces arrested two suspected Algerian terrorists from ISIS on October 6 at the Mauritanian border crossing of Rosso. The two suspects were wanted by the Government of Algeria. The Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance program, in cooperation with host nation partner forces, provided training for 160 police officers and gendarmerie in topics including facilities protection, border security, interviewing terrorist suspects, crisis incident management, weapons of mass destruction, and border security and interdiction. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Mauritania is a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force, a Financial Action Task Force-style regional body. In 2017, Mauritania applied for membership within the Egmont Group. There were no other significant changes since 2016. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): The Mauritanian government continued to support CVE programs and offer alternatives to at-risk individuals. During 2017, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Traditional Education (MIATE) hosted a two-day regional workshop in Nouakchott to share the Mauritanian CVE experiences with representatives from the Maghreb countries and the G-5 Sahel countries. The workshop was organized in cooperation with the American Friendship Project. The MIATE collaborated with independent Islamic religious groups to counter radicalization to violence in a series of workshops in all 15 provinces. The MIATE organized an international conference on "Violence and Extremism from Sharia's Perspective," held on March 19, 2017. In coordination with two University of Nouakchott professors, a think tank, and some society leaders, the U.S. Embassy organized a two-day awareness training workshop for university students on violent extremism, how to recognize possible recruitment activities, and strategies to counter them. The southern Mauritanian city of Kiffa is a member of the Strong Cities Network. Mauritanian political and religious personalities periodically condemned ISIS's aims, methods, and activities in public statements. International and Regional Cooperation: Nouakchott serves as host to the headquarters of the G-5 Sahel, which includes Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger. Mauritania will be responsible for the western sector of the G-5 Sahel Joint Force located along the border between Mauritania and Mali. Under the auspices of the G-5 Sahel, Mauritania, the European Union, and the German Agency of International Cooperation, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime organized a meeting of experts on mechanisms and standards for information exchange within the Security Cooperation Platform of the G-5 Sahel in Nouakchott on October 24-25, 2017. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Mali Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Mali, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1f94a.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: The Government of Mali remained a willing U.S. counterterrorism partner in 2017, despite serious challenges. Widespread terrorist activity continued in Mali's largely ungoverned northern regions and in the country's center and Tri-Border Region with Burkina Faso and Niger. Slow implementation of the June 2015 peace accord between the Malian government and two coalitions of armed groups hampered the return of public services and security to the north and parts of the center. Mali continued to rely heavily on the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and French forces to help stabilize and secure the northern regions. Terrorist groups increased their attacks on all accord signatories, including former rebel groups with whom they had briefly allied. Terrorist activities also increased in number and severity in the central and southern regions. The French military's Operation Barkhane continued its integrated counterterrorism mission for the Sahel region. Cooperating with Malian forces, Operation Barkhane sought to degrade terrorist elements in northern and central Mali, particularly Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), the umbrella group that formed after the Sahara Branch of al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), al-Murabitoun, Ansar al-Dine, and the Macina Liberation Front merged to form the group. MINUSMA maintained its northern presence in 2017, particularly in the Gao, Kidal, and Timbuktu regions. It continued its work with the Malian government and various militia groups to facilitate the redeployment of government administrators and security forces to the north as part of implementing the 2016 Peace Accord. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: AQIM and JNIM continued to conduct terrorist attacks, primarily targeting Malian and international military forces. The terrorist groups launched attacks against civilians, security forces, peacekeepers, and others they reportedly perceived as not adhering to their interpretation of Islam. Attacks by terrorist groups expanded beyond the traditional conflict zone in the north to Mali's center and south. Malian Security Forces continued to suffer the largest number of casualties resulting from terrorist attacks. An estimated 138 Malian soldiers were killed in numerous incidents. Terrorist incidents included: On June 18, an attack at Le Campement Kangaba resort northeast of Bamako left nine dead including four guests, a Malian Counterterrorist Force member, and four terrorists. Three people were wounded. JNIM claimed responsibility. On October 31, an attack between Dia and Diafarabe, against a convoy of Member of Parliament and President of the High Court of Justice Abdramane Niang, caused at least six deaths, including five Malian soldiers and one civilian. JNIM claimed responsibility. On November 24, an attack against a MINUSMA convoy in Indelimane, Menaka region killed three Nigerien United Nations (UN) peacekeepers and wounded many others. JNIM claimed responsibility. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: In June, the Malian Gendarmerie Crisis Response Team, trained by the Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program, responded to the Campement Kangaba terrorist attack and aided Malian forces in killing four assailants. At least 50 people were at the hotel at the time, and the fact that more patrons were not killed is evidence of the improvement of Malian first responders at the tactical level since the November 2015 Radisson Blu Hotel attack, which killed 20 people. In 2017, ATA provided additional advanced training and mentoring to the Malian Gendarmerie Crisis Response Team. The Malian Armed Forces under the Ministry of Defense (MOD) remained the primary entities responsible for securing Mali against terrorist threats. The General Directorate of State Security under the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection (MOS) had the authority to investigate and detain persons for terrorism offenses. Combined counterterrorism missions involving law enforcement and military units lacked delineation and coordination. Although Mali has basic border security, law enforcement units lacked the capacity, training, and necessary equipment to secure Mali's porous borders, which extend approximately 4,500 miles and touch seven countries. The United States worked with Malian security forces at Bamako's Senou International Airport to expand the U.S.-funded Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System program (PISCES). The gendarmerie, which reports to both the MOD and the MOS and the national border police, which reports to the MOS both provide paramilitary support to prevent and deter criminal activity at borders. Customs officials under the Ministry of Economy and Finance monitor the flow of goods and enforce customs laws at borders and ports of entry. Mali receives INTERPOL notices, but the INTERPOL database is unavailable at some of Mali's points of entry. The UN International Organization for Migration is managing a project with the Malian Border Patrol to provide portable biometrics systems for scanning at primary border crossing areas to counter trafficking of persons, but this system lacks connection to a central database. The information is not centralized or searchable and is largely inaccessible and unusable. Exit and entry stamps used by border officials have inconsistent size and shape, which undermines efforts to authenticate travel documents. Malian passports, including diplomatic and official versions, incorporate security measures including ultraviolet features and a full-color digital photo. Unfortunately, imposters can obtain fraudulent documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, with relative ease. In 2017, the government opened 69 terrorism-related cases and detained 30 people for terrorism-related crimes. Resource constraints, a lack of training in investigative techniques, and inexperience with trying terrorism cases plagued a weak judicial system. The Malian government has never investigated, prosecuted, and sentenced any terrorists from start to finish. Mali has taken steps to improve its institutional capacity to fight terrorism, passing laws that create new terrorism-related offenses and allow for the use of special investigative techniques. This includes setting up a Special Judicial Interagency Work Group against terrorism and its equivalent for law enforcement the specialized judicial brigade and working with international partners to build the capacity of these units, including the UN Office of Drugs and Crime. Mali worked cooperatively with the United States to prevent acts of terrorism against U.S. citizens. The Malian judicial system continued its cooperation with U.S. law enforcement agencies in the investigation into the November 2015 Radisson Blu Hotel attack, which killed one U.S. citizen. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Mali is a member of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa, a Financial Action Task Force-style regional body. Mali's financial intelligence unit, the Cellule Nationale de Traitement des Informations Financieres (CENTIF-Mali), is a member of the Egmont Group. There were no significant changes since 2016. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): In June, the Government of Mali adopted a national strategy for the prevention of radicalization to violence and terrorism. The Ministry of Religious Affairs is responsible for developing and monitoring the national strategy and for working with the High Islamic Council and other religious associations to promote moderate Islam and maintain a secular state. Considerations to counter violent extremism were integrated into Mali's "Program for Accelerated Development in the Northern Regions," as was a draft decentralization policy. Mali is a Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund beneficiary country. The government launched the Integrated Central Region Security Plan in August, which aims first to secure and then re-establish government services across the Mopti region and the neighboring Segou region, which also experienced increasing insecurity. International and Regional Cooperation: Mali remained active in regional organizations and international bodies, including the Economic Community of West African States, the UN, the African Union, and the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership. Mali also participated in Global Counterterrorism Forum events. The Malian military participated in multinational border security operations under the G-5 Sahel mandate. Following a December U.S.-led Joint Combined Exchange Training event, Malian units deployed to the center sector of the G-5 Sahel Joint Force. Related Egypt asks US business delegation to invest in its social safety net programmes Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stressed the promotion of Egyptians welfare and improving living standards, executive director of the US-Egypt Business Council Steve Lutes said during an event held on the sidelines of a major US mission visit to Cairo. Speaking at the event on Tuesday, Lutes said that El-Sisi highlighted the points during a meeting in Cairo with the visiting US delegation, which is made up of senior executives of almost 50 American corporations. Lutes described the visit by the US delegation as one which reflects the bilateral relationship, underscoring the values of those companies in giving back to the society, which was the key topic discussed during Tuesdays event. The delegation includes senior representation from the United States Trade Development Agency (USTDA), the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im), as well as multilateral financial institutions. They will discuss recommendations as to how, given the support of the government, Egypt could see increased investments and face any existing challenges. Wide reforms According to an earlier statement by El-Sisis office, the visiting delegation told El-Sisi that their visit came as a support from the US business community for the economic development and stability of Egypt, as well as to discover new investment opportunities. The meeting was attended by the ministers of investment, petroleum, finance, health, agriculture, communications, and trade and industry. "The cooperation between Egypt and the US contributed to Egypt becoming at the top of the list of African countries and the second in the Middle East in trade volume with the US," presidential spokesman Bassam Rady said in statement. El-Sisi referred to the Egyptian governments efforts to carry out economic reforms and encourage foreign investments and construct new industrial zones, develop ports, as well as the progress made in the energy sector. El-Sisi also said that the government is establishing a database that would allow official institutions or private sector companies that want to invest in Egypt to have access to information. Communications Minister Amr Talaat told the delegation about the project for a unified citizen ID, as one of the important projects implemented by the government currently to achieve financial inclusion. The president stated that the government is focusing in the current period, in addition to the economy, on education and health, including the initiative to cancel patient waiting lists and the hepatitis C treatment initiative. US companies giving back The US embassys charge d'affaires Thomas Goldberger addressed the delegation, highlighting US companies striving for diversity, protecting the environment, maintaining ethical values and giving back to society. He hailed some of the leading US companies operating in Egypt, including Procter & Gamble, General Motors, Mars, Heinz, Boeing, Exxon Mobile, and, recently, Uber. According to Goldberger, these companies have made billions of dollars in investment in Egypt, while also employing thousands of Egyptians and offering thousands of others indirect job opportunities. Proctor and Gambles investments totalled half a billion dollars, with a total of 1,500 Egyptian employees and 10,000 indirect jobs, according to Goldberger. He also highlighted achievements by Uber, and other companies. This shows commitment and devotion to Egyptian people, he said, also mentioning aid agency USAIDs efforts in arranging private sector engagements. Goldberger described the relationship between governments and private sectors as strategic. Come to Egypt and I think you will be very impressed with what you see, he told the senior executives of the US companies. Representatives of Apache, MasterCard, Microsoft, PepsiCo, and Pfizer spoke at a related event on community impact, highlighting their efforts in giving back to the Egyptian community, as well as contributing to projects related to health, girls education, sports, youth development, and helping people with special needs. Search Keywords: Short link: Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Maldives Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Maldives, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1f954.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: The Government of Maldives' counterterrorism efforts concentrate on countering violent extremism and limiting the flow of foreign terrorist fighters. Marginalized Maldivians, especially those within the penal system or involved in criminal gangs, are at heightened risk of radicalization to violence, with some joining terrorist groups. On April 23, assailants stabbed to death blogger Yameed Rasheed, whom some in Maldives perceived to espouse anti-Islamic views. Maldives Police Service (MPS) arrested two Maldivians accused of conspiring with ISIS in a suicide attack plot. MPS investigated 12 cases of Maldivians intending to participate in foreign wars and charged four in two separate cases for leaving to fight in Syria. The government claims 49 radicalized Maldivians were fighting with terrorist organizations, whereas the UN and media estimated approximately 200. These incidents illustrate a pattern of Maldivians transiting through third countries to become foreign terrorist fighters. MPS reported no confirmed cases of returning foreign terrorist fighters, but it was developing strategies and procedures to monitor, assess, and take actions against any returning fighters. Social media users continued to spread radical ideologies and target moderate and secular individuals and organizations characterized as "insulting Islam." Maldives participated in the U.S. Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance program training on interview techniques and aviation security. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: On April 23, blogger Yameen Rasheed, a critic of the political establishment who had received repeated death threats for his allegedly anti-Islamic views, was found murdered with multiple stab wounds in the stairwell of his apartment building in Male. Some suggested Rasheed may have been killed for his criticism of the government, but police asserted that perpetrators believed that Rasheed had "mocked" Islam. Police arrested eight suspects and filed charges against seven. Legal proceedings, which were closed to the public, had not concluded at year's end. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: The Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) is the primary legislation for preventing and prosecuting terrorism. Maldives also continued to use the PTA to suppress criticism by detaining and prosecuting journalists, political opposition figures, and other activists. It released some, but also made new arrests during the year, including of an individual who wrote social media posts critical of President Yameen. The PTA criminalizes joining or fighting in a conflict abroad. MPS reported investigating 17 cases involving 40 Maldivians under the PTA during 2017: five with intent to commit violence in Maldives and 12 with intent to participate in a foreign war. In November, the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) charged two Maldivians for allegedly conspiring with IS to launch a suicide attack in Male. In August, the PGO charged four others with possessing improvised explosive device (IED)-related items and conspiring to commit an act threatening national security. Media reported a separate incident in November in which authorities arrested two other men for making bombs. Authorities refused to comment publicly on these reports. Maldives enacted a new Criminal Procedures Act (CPA), which introduced, codified, and harmonized the practices of the criminal justice system. The Attorney General's Office reported the CPA does not apply in terrorism cases and that the PTA outlines procedures for arrest, detention, search, and seizure in terrorism cases. MPS is responsible for counterterrorism investigations and transfers cases to the PGO for the duration of the trial. The National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) has the mandate to coordinate interagency policy on counterterrorism and countering violent extremism and to liaise with international security partners. The NCTC falls under the MNDF, with participation from MPS, customs, immigration, and other agencies. Responsibility for counterterrorism operations, including investigations, primarily rests with MPS. MNDF, including the marines and coast guard, is responsible for counterterrorism response. Information sharing between agencies remains limited. Resort security managers and diplomats were unaware of specific government plans to prevent or respond to terrorist attacks. The appointment of partisan personnel to independent institutions impedes interagency cooperation and creates distrust. Similarly, an inadequately trained judiciary unfamiliar with counterterrorism legislation impairs adequate prosecution of terrorism cases. In October, the courts acquitted three men detained in 2016 at the Turkey-Syria border and charged with attempting to travel to Syria to fight with terrorist groups. MPS did not arrest two returned Maldivians charged on suspicion of planning to travel to Syria from Kuala Lumpur. Corruption, lack of political will, and misuse of counterterrorism laws against political opponents obstruct cooperation. Maldives uses a U.S.-provided border security system, the Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES), to process passengers at Maldives' main international airport and at Male seaport. The Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance program provided Maldivian law enforcement units with training on interview techniques and aviation security best practices. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Maldives is a member of the Asia/Pacific Group (APG) on Money Laundering, a Financial Action Task Force-style regional body. Maldives has authority to criminalize money laundering and terrorist financing under the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act, although authorities have not investigated or prosecuted any cases since it became law in 2016. Authorities previously reported that individuals transferred funds through informal money transfer networks (hawala) between islands, but they did not report the extent to which these systems were employed to transfer illicit funds. Maldives introduced a new Remittance Business Regulation that prohibits conducting domestic and international money transfer activities without a Central Bank-issued license. The Central Bank's Financial Intelligence Unit was unaware of any hawala-type remittance activities in 2017, but it increased terrorist financing-related information sharing with MPS and the NCTC. MPS established an internal financial intelligence unit to collect intelligence on terrorist financing. Maldives implemented the UN Security Council ISIL (Da'esh) and al-Qa'ida sanctions regime, but it did not seize any terrorist assets in 2017. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): In November, the NCTC launched a National Strategy on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism. The NCTC identified islands prone to radicalization through a nationwide study. It intends to launch community-based programs and awareness campaigns throughout the country. The government launched national campaigns to raise awareness about religious extremism and promote moderation. The campaign targeted schools, Friday sermons, and public fora held at the Islamic Centre in Male, which is a member of the Strong Cities Network. Government actions at times led to threats of violence against secularists and activists. We refer you to the State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and Report on International Religious Freedom for 2017 for further information. International and Regional Cooperation: The NCTC, with UN support, held a regional counterterrorism conference in Maldives for 46 experts from 16 countries. In December, Maldives co-sponsored UN Security Council resolution 2396 on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. The Ministry of Tourism, with MPS and British counterterrorism experts, held a conference for more than 100 resort security managers to discuss challenges to security planning. MNDF was a member of the Global Special Operations Force network, which collaborates on common security challenges and actively supports multilateral and regional security cooperation efforts, such as global programs focused on counterterrorism and de-radicalization. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Macedonia Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Macedonia, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1f9620.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Macedonia cooperated with U.S. counterterrorism efforts and was a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Macedonia's authorities assessed that ISIS members and sympathizers maintained a presence in Macedonia. Additionally, the Ministry of Interior (MOI) and Intelligence Agency estimated that at least 150 Macedonia nationals traveled to join terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq. Of that number, 30 were killed, 40 remained there, and 80 returned home to Macedonia. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: A Joint Combined Exchange Training with U.S. Special Forces took place in January to improve Macedonia's ability to respond to terrorist incidents. Authorities at the MOI reported they developed operational plans to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks on soft targets including stadiums and hotels. The MOI International Cooperation Unit upgraded from the Mobile INTERPOL Network Database (MIND) to the Fixed INTERPOL Network Database (FIND), with assistance from partner nations, to systematically screen travelers and documents at border crossings against INTERPOL databases on terrorists, fugitives, and lost and stolen travel documents. Macedonia Border Police used INTERPOL and Europol watch lists that are regularly updated and they have biometric screening capability. The Border Police also shared and received information through alerts via the Joint Contact Centers with neighboring countries (Albania, Bulgaria, and Kosovo) and INTERPOL. Additionally, the MOI's Bureau of Public Security worked with U.S. authorities to address corruption among border officials, resource constraints, training gaps for border police officers, and issues related to border management. Macedonia engaged in one terrorist-plot disruption operation. In April, just before the Orthodox Easter observance, Macedonia's authorities, in coordination with a regional partner, detained persons of interest for questioning. No charges were filed as a result of the operation. Authorities conducted approximately four terrorism investigations into suspected terrorism-related activity of approximately 50 individuals. On November 2, the Skopje Criminal Court found 33 defendants guilty of terrorism charges and acquitted four in connection with the May 2015 armed incident in Kumanovo, which left eight police officers and 10 members of the armed group dead. The court issued life sentences to seven defendants while another 13 were sentenced to 40 years in prison. An additional 13 were sentenced to lesser terms ranging from 12 to 20 years in prison. On November 3, another defendant who had been tried separately in connection with the same 2015 incident was sentenced to life in prison. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Macedonia is a member of the Council of Europe's Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL), a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-style regional body. Macedonia's financial intelligence unit, the Financial Intelligence Office (FIO), is a member of the Egmont Group and developed new indicators for financial transactions that could be related to terrorism financing in 2017. Macedonia's anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism legal framework remains largely in compliance with international standards, especially after it incorporated the latest FATF recommendations. The government continued to address deficiencies noted in MONEYVAL's Fourth Round Evaluation Report from 2014 by drafting a new law on restrictive measures. Pending approval in parliament, the draft law will harmonize domestic legislation with United Nations Security Council resolution 1373 as well as with FATF recommendations on targeted financial sanctions related to terrorism and proliferation. Deficiencies remained in Macedonia's confiscation regime, which remains conviction-based and hinders effective freezing and confiscation of terrorist assets. Macedonia has an agency for the management of seized and forfeited assets, but it has limited capacity and activity. In 2017, Macedonia's FIO received two suspicious transaction reports for terrorist financing and has sent three reports to relevant institutions for further investigation. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): In July, the government created and appointed a 44-member National Committee for Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) and Counterterrorism (CT) as well as a National Coordinator for CT/CVE with a Deputy Coordinator for CT and a Deputy Coordinator for CVE. The government tasked the Committee and Coordinators to revise the 2017-2020 National CT Strategy and to draft a new National CVE Strategy as well as CT and CVE National Action Plans. The National CT/CVE Committee and Coordinator met for the first time in November to map out a plan to draft the National CVE Strategy and Action Plan, however, the government failed to provide funding to implement this plan. The Islamic Community of Macedonia (ICM) said that it incorporated counter narratives into Friday sermons with Muslim worshipers. The ICM also conducted one CVE training session for approximately 12 imams. Local think tanks continued to research the drivers of terrorism. The Macedonian municipalities of Aracinovo, Cair (Skopje), Gostivar, Kicevo, Kumanovo, Ohrid, Struga, and Tetovo are members of the Strong Cities Network. International and Regional Cooperation: Macedonia is a willing regional and international counterterrorism partner. Fourteen members of the National CT/CVE Committee and the National CT/CVE Coordinator and Deputies participated in a three-day U.S.-funded counterterrorism-themed regional Tabletop Exercise (TTX). During the event, which was co-organized with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, participants read through a foreign terrorist fighter scenario and discussed what the government could do during the prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation phases. Participants in the TTX included delegations from Albania and Kosovo, led by those countries' National CVE Coordinators. The Prime Minister provided opening remarks at the exercise emphasizing a whole-of-society approach to address terrorism. Macedonia's Border Police and Customs are members of the Southern Border Initiative, whose goal is to establish a cross-border working group consisting of border security agencies from Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Montenegro to combat corruption, illicit cross-border trafficking, transnational crime, and terrorism. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Malaysia Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Malaysia, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1f963.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Although Malaysia did not experience ISIS-related attacks in 2017 and the overall number of foreign terrorist fighters from Malaysia decreased, the country remained a source, transit, and, to a lesser extent, a destination country for suspected ISIS supporters. This included suspected ISIS supporters who were deported from Turkey and those planning to travel to the southern Philippines. Malaysia monitored, arrested, deported, and tried suspected ISIS supporters throughout the year. Malaysia also cooperated with the United States and others to increase border security capacity at airports and in the Sulu Sea and to counter terrorist messaging on social media. Malaysia is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: On April 4, the House of Representatives re-authorized the maximum 28-day detention-without-charge period for national security suspects contained in the 2012 Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act for another five years, or until July 2022. Opponents of the extension cited the misuse of national security legislation to arrest critics. During the year, Malaysian authorities continued to broaden INTERPOL connectivity at air, land, and sea ports of entry, but lacked legislation to authorize the collection of Advance Passenger Information. In August, police arrested eight Philippine citizens suspected of planning an attack on the closing ceremony of the Southeast Asia Games. The lead suspect was believed to be a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group and to have participated in combat operations, kidnappings for ransom, and beheadings in the Philippines prior to his arrest. Malaysian law enforcement continued to participate in the Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program. Training and equipment focused on enhancing Malaysian border security and investigative capabilities. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Malaysia is a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and of the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering, a FATF-style regional body. In its annual National Risk Assessment for 2016 (published in 2017), the National Coordination Committee to Counter Money Laundering did not consider terrorism financing to be a high risk in Malaysia. The Committee did note, however, that a small but growing number of "self-financed" terrorists have sought to raise funds through family, friends, and the internet to support their travel to Syria and Iraq to fight with ISIS. Between 2016 and April 2017, 29 terrorist finance prosecutions were brought to court and 11 convictions were secured. The increase in convictions over the previous year was due to closer public-private partnership in detecting terrorist financing-related activities in Malaysia and greater coordination within the law enforcement community. Although the general risk was low for the use of cryptocurrencies in terrorist financing, Malaysia's central bank (BNM) announced during the year that it had begun drafting a framework to regulate the exchange of cryptocurrencies to fiat currencies to ensure that all such exchange entities and their transactions were registered with the central bank. According to a 2017 regional not-for-profit sector risk assessment (unique from the National Risk Assessment) co-published by BNM, the terrorism finance risk facing not-for-profit organizations (NPOs) in Malaysia was rated medium. The report highlighted the potential for Malaysia to be used as a transit country for recruits joining terrorist groups because its porous borders were vulnerable to terrorists moving funds and other material support into neighboring countries. Malaysia was the only country commended in the regional assessment for having significant regulatory oversight, terrorist financing-focused outreach, national and international mechanisms for coordination, and regulatory powers to remove and revoke NPO-status and enforce actions against NPOs. However, the existence of four different registrars for NPOs and the absence of requirements for NPOs to register and file suspicious transaction reports created limitations to detecting and combating terrorist financing. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): The Ministry of Youth's Institute for Youth Research published a set of guidelines in 2017 to educate the public on "the dangers of radicalism and involvement in extremism." The guidelines were based on government-sponsored research on ISIS ideology. The government also announced two new counter-messaging initiatives during the year, including the King Salman Center for International Peace, a partnership with the Government of Saudi Arabia; and the ASEAN Center for Islam, Peace, and Non-Violence, a center that would be based at the Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah. The ASEAN center was not operational by the end of 2017. Police engaged in extensive community outreach activities during the year and enhanced security partnerships with communities in Eastern Sabah. International and Regional Cooperation: Malaysia continued to support counterterrorism efforts in regional and multilateral organizations and participated in numerous counterterrorism events hosted by the United Nations, the Global Counterterrorism Forum, ASEAN, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). In 2017, Malaysia hosted an ARF workshop on countering online extremism, a regional workshop on handling returning foreign terrorist fighters and ISIS External Operations, and a regional counterterrorism financing summit. In cooperation with Indonesia and the Philippines, Malaysia announced the commencement of joint maritime patrols in June to "maintain stability in the region in the face of non-traditional real threats such as piracy, kidnapping, terrorism, and other transnational crimes in regional waters." The three governments also announced the commencement of joint air patrols in October to counter the movement of violent extremists and terrorists across the borders of the three countries. Malaysia is also a member of the Saudi-led Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition. In November, Malaysian officials joined representatives from 41 other Muslim-majority states to formally launch the coalition and coordinate their counterterrorism efforts. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Libya Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Libya, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1f9713.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) proved a reliable counterterrorism partner in 2017, and worked closely with the United States to counter the spread of terrorist groups such as ISIS-Libya and al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). While Libya has made considerable progress against ISIS, including dislodging ISIS fighters from its stronghold of Sirte in 2016, terrorist groups have taken advantage of political instability and limited government presence in other parts of the country. Through coordination with the GNA, the United States conducted periodic precision airstrikes on ISIS-Libya desert camps and AQIM cells, degrading their numbers and displacing remaining elements to other areas both inside and outside Libya. Toward the end of 2017, ISIS elements were in a position to carry out only local-level operations. The GNA has also cooperated with the United States on the investigation of suspected terrorists. While Sirte had previously served as ISIS-Libya's center of governance in Libya, ISIS-Libya cells also existed in other areas of the country, including the eastern Libyan cities of Benghazi and Darnah. The eastern Libya-based "Libyan National Army" (LNA) drove groups of ISIS and other extremist fighters out of Benghazi as part of its campaign to gain control of Benghazi. The LNA, led by General Khalifa Haftar and not aligned with the GNA, has expressed the desire to rid Libya of terrorist groups. Other terrorist organizations, including AQIM, maintained a presence in Libya. These groups continued to take advantage of the political instability throughout the country, but efforts by GNA-aligned forces, international partners, and the LNA have degraded terrorist capabilities in some areas. AQIM has sought to establish a longer-term presence in Libya. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: ISIS-Libya and al-Qa'ida-aligned terrorists carried out dozens of attacks throughout 2017. Methods included suicide bombers, vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED), ambushes, kidnappings, and targeted assassinations. The following list details only a small fraction of the terrorist incidents that occurred. On August 23 in al-Jufra, ISIS fighters killed 11 individuals and injured one during an attack on a road checkpoint. The victims were either shot or beheaded. On October 4 in Misrata, two suicide bombers detonated explosives inside the Misrata Courthouse killing four civilians and injuring dozens. Authorities discovered an unexploded VBIED. ISIS claimed responsibility. On October 25 in Ajdabiya, two LNA soldiers were killed and four injured at a roadside checkpoint. One victim was burned in his car and the other beheaded. ISIS claimed responsibility. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Libya lacks a comprehensive counterterrorism law, although the Libyan penal code (under Title 2, Section 1, Chapter 1, Article 170 and Title 2, Chapter 2, Article 207) criminalizes offenses that may threaten national security, including terrorism, the promotion of terrorist acts, and the handling of money in support of such acts. Libya has ratified the African Union's (AU) Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism, which requires states to criminalize terrorist acts under their national laws. The GNA has continued to support and seek international cooperation to combat ISIS. Neither the GNA, nor factions in the east associated with the House of Representatives in Tobruk, has produced a strategy to combat the terrorist threat. The GNA conducted internal consultations to develop a counterterrorism strategy, but had not passed any legislation as of December 31, 2017. In November 2017, the Presidency Council appointed a new counterterrorism coordinator, who sits in the office of the prime minister, to coordinate among Libyan counterterrorism stakeholders and with the international community. A multitude of organizations under the GNA claimed counterterrorism responsibilities, such as the Counterterrorism Unit, the Presidential Guard, the Central Investigations Division, General Investigations Division, and the Libyan Intelligence Service. Due to the limited reach of these organizations, however, they were not effective in deterring or reducing terrorist activities beyond their localized areas of control. Libyan law enforcement personnel lacked clear mandates and the capacity to detect, deter, respond to, or investigate terrorist incidents due to continued political and security force fragmentation. There were no reported terrorism-related prosecutions in 2017. In many parts of Libya, security and law enforcement functions, including detention of terrorist elements, are provided by armed groups rather than state institutions. National police and security forces are fragmented, inadequately trained and equipped, and lack clear reporting chains and coordination mechanisms. Security and law enforcement officials, including prosecutors and judges, have been targeted in kidnappings and assassinations. Libya's military forces are similarly weak and fragmented. Formal security structures are often overmatched by non-state armed groups. The Libyan government lacked a comprehensive border management strategy and was unable to secure the country's thousands of miles of land and maritime borders, enabling the illicit flow of fuel, goods, weapons, antiquities, narcotics, migrants, and foreign terrorist fighters that pose serious security challenges to the region. Libyan border security forces were generally poorly trained and underequipped, and participated in illicit cross-border trade. Border security infrastructure has not been repaired or replaced in nearly a decade. Ongoing conflicts since 2011 have affected border security infrastructure along Libya's border with Tunisia. Security at Libya's airports is minimal, with limited document screening, use of Passenger Name Record systems, or biometric technology. Existing legislation outlining the responsibilities of various government agencies in border management is vague and often contradictory, resulting in ad hoc and poorly coordinated efforts. In November 2017, the International Organization for Migration estimated there were more than 700,000 migrants in Libya. Libya lacked the resources, manpower, and training to conduct sufficient maritime patrols to interdict or dissuade illicit maritime trafficking and irregular migration, although Italy and the European Union (EU) began training members of the Libyan Naval Coastguard to increase the effectiveness of the organization. In 2013, the Libyan Ministry of Justice signed a Declaration of Intent to facilitate law enforcement cooperation with the United States on investigations, including that of the 1988 Pan Am Flight 103 bombing. The GNA has cooperated in the investigation of terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and interests, including the September 2012 killing of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans at U.S. government facilities in Benghazi. The Department of State provided training in securing airports against the threat of terrorism, which included preventive security measures consisting of access control, passenger and cabin baggage screening, hold baggage screening, and air and mail cargo handling. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Libya is a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force, a Financial Action Task Force-style regional body. Libya is also a member of the Counter-ISIS Finance Group, a working group of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Libya adopted an Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism Decree-Law on October 24 and a regulation to implement UN Security Council resolutions related to Terrorism and the Financing of Terrorism on November 1. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): There were no significant changes since 2016. Regional and International Cooperation: Many international organizations and diplomatic missions are reestablishing a presence in Tripoli after nearly all evacuated in 2014. Many other countries and organizations maintain a permanent presence in Tunis, Tunisia, to conduct diplomacy and outreach to Libya. The political conflict and limitations on the international presence in Libya hindered counterterrorism cooperation. International assistance increased in 2017, including U.S. government-provided training on airport security and land border management. Other border security initiatives, through the EU Border Assistance Mission, the UN Development Program, and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime focused on improving policing and criminal justice functions, and counterterrorism legislation and legal frameworks. Libya is an active member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Lebanon Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Lebanon, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1f9813.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Lebanon was a committed ally in the defeat-ISIS fight during 2017, and its ground forces represented one of the most effective counterterrorism partners in the region. The United States provided security assistance and training to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), and worked with Lebanon's defense and law enforcement organizations, such as the Internal Security Forces (ISF), to build its counterterrorism capabilities. Terrorist groups operating in Lebanon included U.S. government-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations Hizballah, ISIS, Hamas, and the Abdullah Azzam Brigades. Hizballah remained the most capable terrorist organization in Lebanon, controlling areas in the Bekaa Valley, southern Lebanon, and south Beirut. Even though the Lebanese government reaffirmed its official policy of disassociation in 2017, Hizballah continued its military role in Syria in support of the Syrian regime and admitted that it has a military presence in Iraq. Lebanon's 12 Palestinian refugee camps, particularly the largest, Ain el-Helweh, remained outside the jurisdiction of local security forces and posed a security threat due to potential militant recruitment and terrorist infiltration. In 2017, the Lebanese security forces sought to impede Sunni foreign terrorist fighter flow to and from Syria and Iraq via border security and counterterrorism operations, including increased security measures at airports, border crossings, and ports to prevent the flow of ISIS and al-Nusrah Front (ANF) fighters to Syria and Iraq. In August, the Lebanese government was involved in an arrangement that led to the departure of 4,800 al-Qa'ida-affiliated Syrian fighters from Aarsal, Lebanon to Idlib, Syria, and 670 ISIS fighters from Raas Baalbek, Lebanon into Syria. Lebanese President Michael Aoun declared "victory over terrorism" following an August 2017 LAF campaign to expel ISIS militants along the Lebanese-Syrian border near Aarsal. It was the LAF's largest and most successful military operation in over a decade. Lebanon is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, and participates in all four of the Coalition's civilian working groups. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: On January 21, Lebanese security forces thwarted an attempted suicide bomber at a coffee shop in Beirut. On May 26, an ISIS-affiliated suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest, wounding several Lebanese soldiers during a raid by Lebanese soldiers in Aarsal. On June 30, five suicide bombers and a sixth militant killed one civilian and wounded seven Lebanese soldiers during a LAF raid on two Syrian refugee camps near Aarsal. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Lebanon does not have a comprehensive counterterrorism law, but several articles of Lebanon's criminal code are used to prosecute acts of terrorism. Lebanon's confessional power-sharing system and Hizballah's restriction of access to areas under its control hinders implementation of these articles. Hizballah's political power make consensus on any anti-Hizballah legislation impossible. The LAF, ISF, Directorate of General Security, and General Directorate of State Security are the primary government agencies responsible for counterterrorism. The law enforcement capacity of these agencies was overstretched due to the magnitude of terrorism-related threats. Although inter-service cooperation was inconsistent, services took steps to improve information sharing and were receptive to additional capacity building. Department of State Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) in 2017 focused on border security and building law enforcement's investigative and leadership capabilities. The Department of State also provided assistance to improve ISF capabilities through a program that includes construction of training facilities, establishment of a secure radio communications system, and the provision of vehicles and protective gear. In 2017, the Department of State's Counterterrorism Partnerships Fund program planned to build on the ATA program and provide ISF with assistance to further enhance its digital investigative capabilities. The LAF has primary responsibility for securing Lebanon's borders and worked collaboratively with other Lebanese security services to do so. Security services increased border security measures to prevent the flow of ISIS and ANF fighters to Syria and Iraq, with an emphasis on detecting counterfeit passports. The Directorate of General Security, under the Ministry of Interior, controls immigration and passport services and collects biographic data for travelers at the airport, but it does not collect biometric data at land borders. Lebanon collects and disseminates Passenger Name Record data for commercial flights, and in 2017, began collecting Advanced Passenger Information. In addition to the major military victory in August to clear ISIS militants from the Syrian-Lebanese border, the Lebanese security services disrupted multiple terrorist networks and made several high profile arrests in 2017. On April 22, the LAF killed an ISIS leader and detained 10 other suspected militants in Aarsal. On November 15, the army arrested Mustafa al-Hujeiri, a senior Sunni extremist figure and cleric involved in the 2014 kidnapping of 30 Lebanese soldiers and policemen. The United States maintained close ties with the Lebanese security services, both receiving and providing support. Several individuals on the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation's most wanted list and the Department of State's Rewards for Justice are reportedly located in Lebanon. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Lebanon is a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), a Financial Action Task Force-style regional body. The Central Bank of Lebanon's financial intelligence unit, the Special Investigation Commission (SIC), is a member of the Egmont Group. The SIC Secretary is the Vice-Chairman worldwide of the Egmont Group. Lebanon is a member of the Counter-ISIS Finance Group (CIFG), a working group of the Defeat-ISIS Coalition. The Central Bank of Lebanon and members of the Association of Lebanese Banks reasserted their commitment to fully implement the U.S. Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act (HIFPA) of 2015, in accordance with Central Bank directives. They met frequently with U.S. government officials to understand compliance and potential new auditing and reporting requirements related to the proposed 2017 amendments to HIFPA. Cooperation between the SIC and local enforcement authorities on terrorist financing cases improved in 2017. During the first nine months of 2017, the SIC received 12 terrorism and terrorism financing cases from local sources. During the same period, the SIC referred seven terrorism financing cases to the General Prosecutor. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Several government institutions and civil society organizations conducted CVE programs and messaging platforms. The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon continued to work with the prime minister's office on advancing a "National Action Plan to Prevent Violent Extremism." The LAF developed a comprehensive counter-messaging strategy that amplifies moderate voices and uses television spots, social media, billboards, and SMS texts to counter terrorist narratives. The Lebanese cities Madjal Anjar, Saida, and Tripoli are members of the Strong Cities Network. International and Regional Cooperation: Lebanon supported counterterrorism efforts in regional organizations and participated in counterterrorism finance programs as a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, and the Union of Arab Banks. In the framework of MENAFATF and the Egmont Group, Lebanon offered training to regional peers in international standards to combat terrorist financing. Lebanon voiced its commitment to fulfilling relevant UNSCRs, including 1559 (2004), 1680 (2006), and 1701 (2006). The Special Tribunal for Lebanon, an international body investigating the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, received Lebanon's annual contribution of approximately US $32.5 million in June. The LAF also partnered on security assistance initiatives with several nations, most regularly with the United Kingdom. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Kyrgyz Republic Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Kyrgyz Republic, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1f9913.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: The Kyrgyz Republic's counterterrorism efforts continue to focus on rooting out those it considered "extremists," countering the spread of "extremism," limiting the flow of Kyrgyz national foreign terrorist fighters, and preventing those returning from conflicts abroad from engaging in terrorist activities. Terrorist attacks in the country remain rare, but the August 2016 suicide bombing against the Chinese Embassy in Bishkek and a noticeable increase in reports of terrorism-related arrests in 2017 underscored the potential threat facing the country. The Kyrgyz government restricts public information on national security issues, making it very difficult to assess the efficacy of its counterterrorism operations and the true extent of the threat. The country remained vulnerable to transnational threats, especially in the remote south, where ill-defined and porous borders allowed for the relatively free movement of people and illicit goods in and out of the country. According to government statistics, approximately 800 Kyrgyz citizens have left the country to join ISIS or other terrorist groups. Most experts believe the true number is higher. Legislation, Law Enforcement and Border Security: There were two notable legislative changes in 2017. In May, the president ratified amendments to the "Law on Countering Terroristic Acts" to require the government to publish its list of banned extremist and terrorist organizations. In June, a Bishkek district court ruled to ban the Yakyn Inkar Islamic sect, bringing the total number of banned groups to 21. There were no reports in 2017 of the government using counterterrorism laws to prosecute political opponents. There have been no changes to the host country's law enforcement capacity related to counterterrorism since 2016, other than that the Ministry of Interior (MVD) 10th Department, which is the lead law enforcement agency on countering "extremism," has been renamed to the "Service for Countering Extremism and Illegal Migration." The government does not maintain a terrorist screening watch list or have biographic or biometric screening capabilities at ports of entry. Information sharing with other countries occurs rarely and usually only by request in the context of criminal investigations. The government has expressed interest in developing a program to collect and use Advance Passenger Information on commercial flights, but it is still only in the discussion phase. The State Border Service has limited capacity to adequately patrol and control the country's land border due to vast distances, rough terrain, and extremely limited resources. There was a steady stream of terrorism- and "extremism"-related arrests throughout the year, roughly on par with 2016. Beginning in April there was a noticeable shift in the pattern of reported arrests, with an increase in terrorism-related charges, involving returnees from foreign conflict zones, weapons seizures, and alleged planned attacks. This corresponded with a decrease in small-scale arrests of unarmed members of banned "religious extremist" groups, which were most prevalent in the past. In 2017, law enforcement agencies reported the successful disruption of at least seven planned terrorist attacks, and arrested almost three dozen people on terrorism-related charges, close to a third of whom were reported to be returnees from foreign conflict zones. During a particularly active period from August 29-September 22, Kyrgyz authorities reportedly broke up three separate alleged terrorist plots, during which time police killed two suspects and arrested another nine. Authorities claimed the perpetrators had links to international terrorist organizations and were planning to carry out attacks using improvised explosive devices during the October presidential elections and the August 31 Independence Day celebrations. Because of the opaque nature of the Kyrgyz government's counterterrorism operations, it is impossible to verify information about these and other incidents. Kyrgyz police units participated in the Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance program. Courses included combating domestic and transnational terrorism and border security. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: The Kyrgyz Republic is a member of the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-style regional body. During 2017, the Kyrgyz Republic underwent its mutual evaluation by the FATF; however, the outcome report from that evaluation has not been finalized at year's end. There were no significant changes to the Kyrgyz government's efforts and capacity to counter the financing of terrorism in 2017, other than the signing of three new international agreements on exchanging information related to money laundering and terrorist financing. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): In 2017, the Kyrgyz government approved its first national program and action plan on combatting terrorism and "extremism." The action plan lays out approximately three dozen tasks that relevant government agencies will implement over the next five years, in cooperation with civil society and the international community, in some cases. The bulk of the action plan is focused on a comprehensive approach to preventing "extremism." The Ministry of Education, in cooperation with the State Commission for Religious Affairs (SCRA), is in its second year of a program to develop a new curriculum for high school-aged students on moderate Islam and identifying terrorist recruitment tactics. This program was expanded to include 56 schools in 2017. The MVD and the SCRA, often in cooperation with local religious leaders, focused much of their engagement activities in 2017 on preventing radicalization amongst youth and women. Additionally, the SCRA and the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan held CVE training and religious education seminars for officers from the military and the State Border Service to reduce their vulnerability to "extremist" recruitment. In 2017, the Kyrgyz government cooperated with the United Nations, the Organization for Security Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and other international organizations and foreign governments, to facilitate CVE training and related assistance programs. In 2017, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime launched a project with the Kyrgyz Prison Service to develop strategies to manage the spread of "extremism" among prisoners and prevent radicalization. This project will provide training for prison staff, develop a prisoner classification and risk assessment tool, and help design a pilot rehabilitation program for "extremist" convicts. In 2017, the GKNB continued its public awareness campaign in the Kyrgyz press to discredit the efforts of ISIS recruiters. The SCRA also conducted activities through television and other forms of mass media to counter "extremist" narratives, with a particular focus on religious women. The Kyrgyz government organized a two-day international conference entitled "Islam in the Modern Secular State," during which the president delivered remarks calling for the harmonious coexistence of the state and religion and tolerance towards all faiths. Regional and International Cooperation: In 2017, the Kyrgyz Republic participated in counterterrorism activities and trainings organized by the OSCE, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The Kyrgyz Republic participated in five CSTO and two SCO counterterrorism exercises in 2017. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Kuwait Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Kuwait, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1f9a13.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: During 2017, the Government of Kuwait initiated new lines of effort as part of its multi-agency endeavor to foster moderation and address violent extremism. New initiatives included imam training and school outreach programs as well as a new TV channel targeting demographics thought more susceptible to radicalization to violence. Kuwait took important steps to implement the United Nations (UN) Security Council ISIL (Da'esh) and al-Qa'ida sanctions regime, and joined both the Egmont Group and the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC), a U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC) initiative announced during President Trump's May visit to Saudi Arabia. Despite continued efforts by ISIS to target Kuwait, there were no terrorist incidents in its territory in 2017. Kuwait was an active partner in post-ISIS stabilization and reconstruction efforts in Iraq. Kuwait also co-chaired and participated in numerous meetings for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. During the second U.S.-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue, held in Washington, D.C. in September, Kuwait signed a counterterrorism information-sharing arrangement aimed at deterring terrorist attacks and enhancing the bilateral security partnership with the United States. In July, the Kuwaiti Higher Authority for Communication established a new Directorate for Cybersecurity, which it tasked, inter alia, with "fighting violent extremism." Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: There were no substantial changes in counterterrorism legislation since 2016. In April, authorities in the Philippines arrested and extradited to Kuwait a 40-year old Kuwaiti ISIS foreign terrorist fighter. The Kuwaiti Public Prosecutor pressed charges of manufacturing explosives and attempting to carry out terrorist attacks in Kuwait. In June, a criminal court sentenced to life an Egyptian expatriate for the attempted murder of three U.S. military servicemen in October 2016. In the same month, the Court of Cassation (Kuwait's highest appeal's court) upheld lower court imprisonment verdicts against three ISIS members, including the group's leader in Kuwait. In June, the Court of Cassation issued appeal verdicts for the 26 suspects convicted of amassing a large cache of ammunition, weapons, and explosives at a farm near the Iraqi border in August 2015. The court commuted one of the two death sentences issued by the lower court. It increased the sentences issued by the lower court against 19 defendants and upheld the acquittals of the remaining appellants. In August, after weeks of speculation that 16 of the 19 appellants in the case had escaped to Iran, Kuwaiti authorities announced their re-arrest and remand to prison to begin serving their sentences. In September, the Court of Appeals reduced the sentence from seven to five years imprisonment of a 19-year-old Kuwaiti man convicted of plotting to bomb a Shia mosque and a police station in 2016. In October, the Public Prosecutor filed terrorism finance charges against three Syrian expatriates in Kuwait for allegedly transmitting collected charitable donations to ISIS in Syria. Also in October, the Appeals Court rejected a petition from UN-designated Kuwaiti terrorism financer Jaber al-Jalahmah to unfreeze his assets. During the course of 2017, the Ministry of Interior sent 35 of its law-enforcement personnel to the United States to complete several short-term training programs as part of Kuwait's efforts to build its counterterrorism capacity. In September, as part of the bilateral Strategic Dialogue, Kuwait and the United States expressed their intent to expand their partnership in counterterrorism, including through the creation of a security committee focused on improving the information exchange on foreign terrorist fighters. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Kuwait is a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force, a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-style regional body, and served as its president in 2017. Kuwait's Financial Intelligence Unit became a member of the Egmont Group in July 2017. Kuwait is also a member of the Defeat-ISIS Coalition's Counter-ISIS Finance Group. In October, Kuwait joined the United States and GCC member countries in announcing 13 designations under each country's respective domestic authorities of individuals and entities affiliated with AQAP and ISIS-Yemen. This was the first such cooperative measure under the newly established TFTC, which acts as an information sharing and coordinating body for the Gulf countries' terrorism financing efforts. Kuwait's National Committee on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing finalized its National Risk Assessment with the help of the World Bank at the end of 2017. The Central Bank of Kuwait implemented a "same business-day" turnaround policy for implementing new UN terrorist financing-related sanctions, which has proven difficult for local bank compliance departments to achieve. Banks are now required to monitor UN sanctions lists proactively as well those made domestically by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): In October, the Ministry of Education started implementing an eight-month program to fight "extremist ideologies" at all public schools through teacher training and student counseling programs. As part of the government's National Plan to Reinforce Moderation, the Ministry of Information launched a youth-dedicated TV channel with programming targeting audiences believed to be at higher risk of radicalization to violence. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs started a training program for imams and sent teams to social salons (diwaniyas) to engage attendees and detect the potential presence of radicalizing influencers and recruiters. The Kuwaiti government founded a dedicated bureau in the Ministry of Information to engage youth on social media platforms. The bureau has established a presence on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and SnapChat. International and Regional Cooperation: In March, Kuwait hosted and co-chaired the Defeat-ISIS Coalition's Foreign Terrorist Fighters working group. More than 100 counterterrorism experts and diplomats from more than 40 coalition partners participated. Kuwait went on to participate in nine meetings for various working groups of the Coalition in Amman, Berlin, Copenhagen, London, Rome, Vienna, and Washington, D.C., throughout the year. Additionally, Kuwait joined the International Cooperation Review Group meeting in Rome in September to explore ways to stabilize the Syrian city of Raqqa after its liberation from ISIS. Kuwait participated in two meetings for the FATF in Valencia, Spain and Buenos Aires, in addition to hosting a third one in December. In July, the Kuwaiti government announced that it would host an international donor conference for Iraq in early 2018. Kuwait is an active member of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. As a member of the GCC, Kuwait has been playing a lead role in mediating the GCC dispute between Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates over claims of Qatari support to terrorism. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Kenya Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Kenya, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1f9c11.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Kenya saw a significant increase in al-Shabaab terrorist attacks in the region bordering Somalia during 2017, particularly through improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ambushes. Kenya is a strong U.S. partner in counterterrorism investigation, prosecution, and incident response, and continued to play an important role in regional counterterrorism cooperation. The Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) continued to participate in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and supported border security and counter-IED efforts within Kenya. Kenyan security services responded to numerous terrorist incidents, while also disrupting al-Shabaab and ISIS attack planning, recruitment, and travel. Reports of human rights violations by security forces during counterterrorism operations continued, including allegations of extra-judicial killings, disappearances, and torture. We refer you to the State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and Report on International Religious Freedom for further information. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: Al-Shabaab increased its attacks against Kenyan security forces inside the country, primarily along the border with Somalia. Terrorist incidents included: On January 27, al-Shabaab fighters including Somalis and Kenyans attacked a KDF camp at Kolbio, on the Somali border, using vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs), mortars, and small arms. The KDF claimed nine Kenyan service members and 70 al-Shabaab terrorists died, while media reported at least 20 KDF soldiers had been killed. Al-Shabaab employed numerous IEDs and ambushes targeting police patrols in Kenya's northeastern counties and Lamu County. In four attacks from May 16 to 25, police reported approximately 30 security officials and civilians died, including five police officers in an attack on the Mandera County Governor. On July 8 and September 6 in attacks in Lamu County, al-Shabaab militants killed at least 13 civilians, beheading the victims. On July 13, al-Shabaab militants in Lamu County attacked the vehicle of, and attempted to abduct, the Principal Secretary of the national Ministry of Public Works, who later died. According to police and media, at least six police officers died in the ambush and subsequent rescue operation. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Kenya's government used the Prevention of Terrorism Act (amended in 2014) to aggressively investigate and prosecute terrorism, but it has fallen short in implementing initiatives to improve access to justice among terrorism suspects in 2017. In August, the government launched a National Legal Aid Action Plan but has not funded a public defender service envisioned by law. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions worked to finalize national plea-bargaining rules, which awaited publication in the Kenya Gazette at year's end. The judiciary supported a rule of law-based approach to prosecutions, applying equal legal and evidentiary standards to terrorism cases as in other criminal cases. In a January ruling, the High Court overturned five convictions for attempted terrorist travel to Somalia, as the Kenyan government had not followed legal procedures designating Somalia as a prohibited destination. Counterterrorism functions were divided among the three branches of the National Police Service the Kenya Police's paramilitary General Service Unit, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (including the investigative Anti-Terrorism Police Unit, the Bomb Disposal Unit, and the Cyber Forensics Investigative Unit), and the Administration Police (including the Rural Border Patrol Unit). The National Intelligence Service and elements of the KDF. Interagency also shared responsibility. Coordination was uneven, with improved information sharing in some cases and failure to appropriately pass threat information in others. Overall, resource constraints, insufficient training, corruption, and unclear command and control hindered effectiveness. Kenya's National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) expanded outreach to private security companies and key sectors on soft target attacks. Kenya's security agencies focused on soft target threats in major cities and tourist areas, primarily universities, shopping malls, hotels, and resorts. Terrorists exploited Kenya's sparsely populated border regions and largely uncontrolled land borders to conduct attacks and move operatives in and out of the country. The Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program trained and equipped rural Border Patrol Unit personnel in tactical ground sensor operations and border security operations. Other ATA programs included law enforcement training to respond to active shooter threats. Kenyan officials continued efforts to draft a coordinated interagency border control strategy. In April, Kenya signed an agreement with the United States to implement the Automated Targeting System-Global to facilitate sharing of Advance Passenger Information for air travelers. Kenya worked to improve aviation safety and security at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Kenya established an interagency Joint Operations Centers at several ports of entry and border crossings to promote information sharing and maintained its traveler screening partnership with the United States using the Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES) at major ports of entry. Immigration officers employed government watchlists. Watchlist screening and basic equipment at smaller ports of entry was generally lacking. The Kenyan government worked to prevent the transit of foreign terrorist fighters, including Kenyans attempting to join al-Shabaab or ISIS, and those returning from abroad. In March, police arrested three alleged ISIS travel facilitators in Malindi. In May, South Sudanese and Kenyan police cooperated in the repatriation of three Kenyans and a Somali, who were arrested in South Sudan after the Malindi group allegedly recruited them to travel to join ISIS-Libya. Kenyan security services also detected and deterred terrorist plots and responded to dozens of terrorism-related incidents. The Kenyan government or its agents continued to face allegations that they committed arbitrary and unlawful killings, particularly of known or suspected criminals, including terrorists. Court trials in terrorism cases often proceeded slowly. At the end of 2017, trials continued in the cases of four Kenyans accused of providing support for the 2013 Westgate Mall attack and of four Kenyans and one Tanzanian in connection with the 2015 Garissa University College attack. The Tanzanian defendant was found competent to stand trial in January after previously being found unfit in late 2016. The trial on explosives charges against British terrorism suspect Jermaine Grant, who was serving a nine-year sentence from a separate conviction in 2015, was pending a verdict at year's end. The Kenyan government cooperated with the United States regarding threat information and security at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, including through a dedicated General Service Unit counterterrorism response team funded by U.S. assistance. Kenya's national elections required additional resources and personnel to conduct security operations, compelling the Kenyan government to limit certain counterterrorism-related training and redeployments. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Kenya is a member of the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group, a Financial Action Task Force-style regional body. In July, the Kenyan government appointed the first permanent Director General of its financial intelligence unit, the Financial Reporting Center (FRC), since its establishment in 2012. The FRC remained hampered by a lack of essential resources and faced challenges meeting minimum staffing, physical security, and information technology requirements. The FRC also lacked an electronic reporting system for analyzing suspicious transactions. The use of unregulated informal financial mechanisms, including hawalas, continued. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Kenya's government worked in 2017 to implement its 2016 National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism, primarily through county-level action plans. Kenya's NCTC worked with county governments, security actors, and civil society to launch action plans in Kwale, Mombasa, Lamu, and Kilifi Counties. The NCTC also led Kenya's Country Support Mechanism for the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), which began awarding grants for community initiatives to counter violent extremism. Kenya is also a GCERF beneficiary country. Police in Nairobi, coastal, and northeastern counties participated in community policing, dialogues on post-traumatic stress, and early warning and early response programs. Prison officials improved their handling of terrorist offenders. Other small-scale efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate former terrorists, facilitators, and sympathizers continued, but these lacked a clear legal framework and supportive public messaging. Kenya's second-largest city, Mombasa, is an active member of the Strong Cities Network. International and Regional Cooperation: Kenya continues to host the United Nations (UN) Office in Nairobi, serving as a hub for regional coordination against transnational threats. The KDF continued its participation in the African Union Mission in Somalia, which includes military forces from Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Uganda. In December, Kenya cosponsored UN Security Council resolution 2396 on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Kazakhstan Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Kazakhstan, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1f9dc.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Kazakhstan continued to express interest in expanding counterterrorism cooperation with the United States, particularly in countering violent extremism. The government has long feared the potential return of foreign terrorist fighters from Iraq and Syria, but two domestic attacks in 2016 refocused government attention on homegrown terrorists. Despite concerns from some outside experts that the government's "law enforcement-first" approach to countering radicalism could backfire absent increased attention to other factors driving "extremism." Kazakhstan has increased restrictions on religious freedom for both minority religious groups and its Muslim-majority population, for the stated purpose of combating what it considers "extremism." Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Kazakhstan has a comprehensive counterterrorism legal framework. It is illegal for citizens to fight in foreign wars. The government takes a two-pronged approach to the few returning ISIS fighters, pursuing rehabilitation for some while arresting and prosecuting others. On July 11, the president signed a law that allows the government to deprive Kazakhstanis of citizenship if they are convicted of a range of "grave terrorism and extremism-related crimes," and for other vague crimes like causing 'grave harm to the vital interests of the state.' Law enforcement units demonstrated a strong capacity to detect, deter, and respond to terrorist incidents. The government's counterterrorism plan allowed for enhanced interagency cooperation, coordination, and information sharing, but the extent to which this actually occurred remained unknown. There were four special counterterrorism detachments under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and one under the National Security Committee (KNB), the main security and intelligence agency. Before and during EXPO 2017 in Astana, security services bolstered resources and capacity to protect soft targets. Kazakhstan's Border Guard Service (BGS), part of the KNB, uses specialized passport control equipment, allowing officers to check for fraudulent documents. BGS officers receive risk-profiling training by the U.S. Department of State to identify traffickers and terrorists, as well as K9 unit training for counterterrorism operations. In recent years, Kazakhstan has strengthened security on its southern border by adding radar systems, inspection equipment and vehicles, and specialized mobile inspection groups. The government proactively worked to prevent Kazakhstanis from traveling to fight abroad in Syria and Iraq, in keeping with UN Security Council resolution 2178 (2014). The KNB announced in October that no Kazakhstanis had left for conflict zones in 2017. Courts delivered numerous sentences for promotion of "extremism" and terrorism, and recruitment and plotting terrorist acts, although few involved allegations or threats of violence. KNB Deputy Chairman Nurgali Bilisbekov announced December 12 that security services had prevented 11 "terrorist attacks" in 2017, although he later clarified this number included plots to travel to conflict zones. While the government does not release annual statistics of counterterrorism-related arrests, media sources routinely reported on the topic. For example, press reports indicated that in November, the KNB arrested four people, alleging they had amassed weapons and had ISIS-propaganda. However, some cases the government identified as "extremism" were unrelated to terrorism, such as the six-year prison sentence handed down to an Almaty man charged only with having Arabic-language songs praising Allah on his cell phone. We refer you to the State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and Report on International Religious Freedom for 2017 for further information. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Kazakhstan belongs to the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, a Financial Action Task Force-style regional body. The government criminalizes terrorist financing in accordance with international standards and freezes and confiscates known terrorist assets without delay. The government monitors and regulates money/value transfer and other remittance services and requires the collection of data for wire transfers (i.e. requires originator and recipient name, address, and account number). Additionally, authorities routinely distributed the names of organizations listed in the UN Security Council ISIL (Da'esh) and al-Qa'ida sanctions regime to financial institutions. The Prosecutor General's Office Crime Statistics Committee reported nine terrorist financing cases were transferred to the court system, but information is not available on convictions. Kazakhstan's unregulated financial sector is relatively small. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Kazakhstan is still implementing a five-year state program on fighting religious extremism and terrorism that was adopted in 2013. This program is not the equivalent of a national CVE strategy, and the program relies heavily on the government-affiliated Spiritual Association of Muslims in Kazakhstan to promote what the government calls "traditional Islam." The Government of Kazakstan's CVE initiatives focused on preventing "radicalization," with efforts to educate and provide alternatives to youth through social programs and economic opportunities. Initiatives to build rule of law are lacking and the government has taken steps to restrict space for independent civil society groups while also funding several CVE-focused non-governmental organizations. Religious experts from the government-controlled Committee for Religious Affairs and regional offices reach out to at-risk youth directly. The government continued rehabilitation and reintegration work with individuals convicted of what the government considered "extremism"-related offenses, and their relatives, although the results of the nascent programs were still unclear. The government focused its prevention efforts on detention and prosecution of recruiters and proselytizers sharing what the government deemed "extremist" ideas. Most convicted recruiters were placed in general-regime penal colonies for three to six years. The government censors online content in an effort to reduce "extremist" messaging. Religious leaders reached out to youth via official websites such as E-Islam. Government-controlled religious experts created groups on social networks such as Facebook and VKontakte, where they posted information and answered user questions about "religious extremism." Committee for Religious Affairs officials provided training for local imams, non-governmental organizations, and the media. Regional and International Cooperation: Kazakhstan participates in counterterrorism activities within the Collective Security Treaty Organization, which has established a joint task force for preventing the propagation of terrorist and "extremist" ideas online. Kazakhstan is a member of the Community of Independent States' Anti-Terrorism Center, which hosts a data bank of banned terrorist and extremist organizations accessible to law enforcement and financial intelligence bodies of the member states. The Prosecutor General's Office and the Committee for Religious Affairs cooperated with the OSCE on countering violent extremism and terrorism workshops. In December, Kazakhstan co-sponsored UN Security Council resolution 2396 on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Jordan Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Jordan, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1f9ea.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Jordan remained a committed partner on counterterrorism and countering violent extremism in 2017. As a regional leader in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, Jordan played an important role in Coalition successes in degrading the terrorist group's territorial control and operational reach. Although Jordan experienced a decrease in terrorist activity in 2017 compared to the previous year, the country faced a continued threat posed by terrorist groups, both domestically and along its borders. Jordanian security forces thwarted several plots and apprehended numerous terrorists. Following several high-profile attacks in 2016, Jordan took important steps to improve coordination among the security services for terrorism response capabilities and prevented several terrorist attacks. Jordan remained a target for terrorist groups (including ISIS and al-Qa'ida) for several reasons, including its proximity to regional conflicts in Iraq and Syria, the state's official rejection of Salafi-Jihadi interpretations of Islam, and its membership in the Defeat-ISIS Coalition. Terrorist entities continued to express interest in attacking soft targets, such as high-profile public events, hotels, tourist sites, places of worship, restaurants, schools, and malls. In June, the Border Guard Force engaged and killed three attackers on motorcycles attempting to enter Jordan from Syria near the Rukban border camp. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: There were no significant changes since 2016 on counterterrorism legislation, law enforcement capacity, or the State Security Court (SSC). During 2017, Jordanian authorities took legal action against numerous individuals accused of terrorism under Jordanian law, including rulings on previous years' cases of terrorism. State Security Court verdicts related to terrorism are published almost daily in local media. Among the most notable cases is the conviction of several terrorists arrested in a preemptive 2016 raid on a suspected ISIS safehouse in Irbid. The operation lasted 12 hours and resulted in the death of one JAF officer and seven suspected terrorists. Some of the more prominent cases follow: On September 13, the SSC convicted 17 defendants of attempting to join terrorist organizations including ISIS and al-Nusrah Front, and promoting the ideology of a terrorist group. The sentences ranged between three and 15 year prison terms. On October 4, the SSC sentenced 11 people to hard labor ranging between three and five years for promoting terrorist ideology and attempting to join terrorist groups. The court also convicted two women of terrorist recruiting and promoting ISIS ideologies. On December 4, the SSC convicted five Syrians of aiding ISIS to carry out a 2016 car bomb attack near the Rukban border camp, which killed seven Jordanian border guards. One was sentenced to the death penalty, three to lifetime sentences of hard labor, and the fifth was cleared of terrorism-related charges, but sentenced to two years imprisonment for illegal entry and exit into the country. Four admitted receiving monthly payments from ISIS. The defendant sentenced to death filmed the attack on his mobile phone and shared the footage with ISIS. The SSC prosecuted several other individuals in 2017 for propagating ISIS ideology and affiliation with a terrorist organization. Sentences for such cases typically ranged from two- to 15-year prison terms. There were no significant changes on border security since 2016. The Jordan-Iraq border crossing at Karama/Treybil reopened on August 30, 2017. Jordan conducts official screening of travelers at Ports of Entry, including at airports, and uses biometric systems in line with international standards. Throughout 2017, Jordanian security services disrupted a number of terrorist plots in various stages of operational planning. Examples included a proposed attack at the Marka Military Airport in Amman with a suicide belt, a plot to down a U.S. aircraft at Marka with a rocket-propelled grenade, proposed attacks on a military bus and tourist sites, and plans to kidnap tourists at the Roman theater in downtown Amman. A U.S. criminal complaint was unsealed in March charging Ahlam Aref Ahmad Al-Tamimi, a Jordanian national in her mid-30s, with conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction against U.S. nationals outside the United States resulting in death. The charge is related to her participation in an August 9, 2001, suicide bomb attack at a restaurant in Jerusalem that killed 15 people, including two U.S. nationals. Four other U.S. nationals were among the approximately 122 others injured in the attack. Also unsealed was a warrant for Al-Tamimi's arrest and an affidavit in support of the criminal complaint and arrest warrant. Jordan's courts have ruled that their constitution forbids the extradition of Jordanian nationals. The Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program provided four mentors for a three-year program to support enhancing the Government of Jordan's law enforcement capabilities. One mentor was assigned to the Public Security Directorate's Criminal Investigation Department, one to its Forensics Lab, and two to its K-9 Unit. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Jordan is a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force, a Financial Action Task Force-style regional body, and is also a member of the Coalition's Counter-ISIS Finance Group. Jordan's financial intelligence unit, the Anti Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist financing Unit (AMLU Jordan), is a member of the Egmont Group. There were no significant changes in Jordan's countering the financing of terrorism regime since 2016. The number of suspicious transaction reports received by AMLU Jordan in 2017 was on track to exceed 2016, with 590 suspicious transaction reports through November 29, compared to 602 in all of 2016. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): King Abdullah II continued to promote his "Amman Message" of 2004, calling for tolerance and peace within the Islamic community and rejecting "wanton aggression and terrorism." The Jordanian government's CVE efforts included counter-messaging and religious education, awareness-raising, and rehabilitation support for former terrorists. Jordan worked with the UN Development Program to create a National Strategy on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, with the goal of establishing roles and responsibilities for government entities and promoting the involvement of non-governmental organizations, civil society, and the private sector. The Jordanian government took steps to centralize training of imams and messaging for Friday prayers in an effort to forestall what it viewed as radical versions of Islam. The Jordanian cities Karak and Zarqa are members of the Strong Cities Network. International and Regional Cooperation: Jordan is a major non-North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally and founding member of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), is part of NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue, and is a member of the Arab League and the Organization for Islamic Cooperation. Jordan co-chairs the GCTF Foreign Terrorist Fighter working group with the United States. In 2017, King Abdullah hosted international leaders for two sessions of the Aqaba Process, a forum he launched in 2015 to maintain international and regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism. These meetings focused on Southeast Asia and West Africa. Jordan hosted the meeting of the Small Group of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS on November 15. Jordan hosted and conducted training for Palestinian Authority Security Forces and Civil Defense, in addition to other police forces from around the region. Egypts social solidarity minister has asked representatives of a number of leading US companies to invest in its social safety programmes, describing the country as vibrant in terms of opportunities. In a special session held in Cairo by AmCham Egypt, the US Chamber of Commerce, and the US-Egypt Business Council on Tuesday, Minister Ghada Wali urged a visiting US business delegation to invest in programmes introduced by her ministry to curb poverty. Over 100 senior executives of almost 50 leading American companies were part of the mission to Egypt to underscore the continued commitment and unwavering support of the American business community to Egypts long-term stability and economic development; as well as to explore prospective business opportunities, according to AmCham. Some members of the delegation met earlier with Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. The delegation includes senior representation from the United States Trade Development Agency (USTDA), the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im), as well as multilateral financial institutions. They will discuss recommendations as to how, given the support of the government, Egypt could see increased investments and face any existing challenges. We need your business. We are a vibrant country, and this comes within Egypt and USs historical and strategic partnership and relationship, Wali said. She spoke to the delegation about the ministrys programmes, including an effort since 2014 to develop databases on poverty nationwide, through an index which would show how poverty is distributed across the country. According to Wali, the ministry used the collected data on the poorest governorates, which she said were in Upper Egypt, to evaluate which available programmes could be applied, developed, or supplemented. The minister pointed out that the Egyptian government has worked through its economic reform programme, embarked on in 2014, to help and safeguard the poor in Egypt. The reforms, which includes the flotation of the Egyptian pound and fuel and energy subsidy cuts, have been receiving thumbs up from international financing organisations, while critics have said the reforms negatively affect the lives of Egypts poor. In November 2016 Egypt secured a $12 billion loan from the IMF; $8 billion has reached Egyptian coffers so far. The governments reform programme had allowed more resources to go to cash-transfer programmes for 9.5 million people and had increased food subsidies for the poorest by 300 percent, according to the World Banks Jim Yong Kim this month. Egypt first launched its Takaful and Karama cash transfer programmes in 2014, when the first reduction in fuel subsidies took place. Some 2.5 million people have benefited from the programmes since their launch, up from 1.6 million, according to Wali. Takaful is an income support programme for families with children up to 18 years old that is designed to produce human development outcomes, while Karama is a social inclusion programme for people who cannot work, specifically the elderly and people with disabilities, and it is designed to provide social protection and a decent life for these groups. The conditional programmes have cost the government around EGP 23 billion to date. Seventy-two percent is spent in Upper Egypt, which is the poorest region, according to Wali. Egypt aims to reduce poverty by half by 2020 and eliminate it by 2030, as part of its sustainable development plan. According to the last report issued by CAPMAS, Egypt's poverty rate rose to 27.8 percent in 2015, compared to 25.2 percent in 2010/11. According to Wali, the ministry has established social accountability committees to ensure that only those in need receive governmental support. The minister said there were also programmes which US companies could help with, including programmes on slum elimination, school feeding, maternity health, and combating drug addiction. Around 11,000,000 students benefit from the governments school feeding programmes daily, according to Wali. She said that complex indicators help the ministry determine how to help those in need, and therefore how companies can help too. With challenges come opportunities, and with risks comes even bigger opportunities, she said in her speech. Search Keywords: Short link: Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Italy Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Italy, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1f9fa.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Italy aggressively investigated and prosecuted terrorist suspects and dismantled suspected terrorist-related cells within its borders. Authorities continued to implement counterterrorism legislation adopted in 2015 aimed at identifying and disrupting the recruitment and flow of foreign terrorist fighters. Criminal and low-level terrorist acts, such as those involving incendiary devices or small improvised explosive devices, remained a threat. Italy maintained a high level of professional cooperation with the United States and international partners in all areas, including terrorist information sharing and in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Italy was the second largest contributor of troops, after the United States, to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, as well as the Defeat ISIS Coalition's efforts to train Iraqi police and security forces in Iraq. There were approximately 1,400 personnel deployed to Iraq from Italy, including about 500 Italian troops providing site security for workers employed by Trevi, an Italian engineering firm engaged in critical repair work on the Mosul Dam. Italy continued to co-chair the Coalition's Counter-ISIS Finance working group with the United States and Saudi Arabia. Italy has identified approximately 100 foreign terrorist fighters that traveled to Iraq or Syria. Italian authorities are concerned about the risk posed by returning fighters, as well as fighters dislodged from areas formerly under ISIS control in Libya who may try to use migrant flows to reach Italy. In addition, officials are concerned that fighters returning from the Western Balkans could also pass through its territory, given the significant Balkan-origin communities in Italy. At the conclusion of the G-7 Interior Ministerial at Ischia on October 20, Italy and the United States signed an arrangement to implement a Secure Real Time Platform on data exchange to screen arriving migrants against U.S. terrorism databases. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: On May 18, a homeless man stabbed two army officers and a police officer at a train station in Milan. The man was arrested and later investigated for alleged Facebook posts expressing pro-ISIS views. The investigation was ongoing at the end of 2017. On December 7, two anarchist groups linked to the Informal Anarchist Federation and the International Revolutionary Front claimed responsibility for a rudimentary improvised explosive device that detonated in front of a Carabinieri police station in Rome. There were no injuries. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: In 2017, law enforcement took significant actions against terrorists and terrorist groups, including proactive, well-publicized disruptions, arrests, and prosecutions. The Italian government continued to make use of 2005 legislation that facilitated the detention of terrorist suspects and expedited procedures for expelling non-citizens suspected of endangering national security. As of December 12, Italy had deported 100 individuals on security grounds, up from 60 in 2016. Prominent arrests and expulsions included the following: Police arrested one Moroccan and two Tunisian members of an alleged cell in Perugia on March 23, following a Postal Police cyber investigation. The cell allegedly spread terrorist propaganda in Arabic and Italian, posting pictures and video of ISIS attacks on Facebook. On August 19, the Ministry of Interior deported one Syrian/Tunisian and two Moroccan nationals, citing national security concerns. On August 28, as part of the same action, the Ministry of Interior deported a 37-year-old Moroccan citizen for the same reason. The man had been incarcerated in an Italian prison for petty crimes. On October 7, at the request of French authorities, Italian police in Ferrara arrested Anis Hanachi, a 25 year-old Tunisian who is the brother of Ahmed Hanachi, the attacker who stabbed two women in Marseille on October 1. Investigators believe that Anis, who was a foreign terrorist fighter in Syria and Iraq between 2014 and 2016, indoctrinated his brother and instigated him to commit the attack. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Italy is a member of the Financial Action Task Force, and its financial intelligence unit is a member of the Egmont Group. Italy remained a co-lead of the Defeat ISIS Coalition's Counter-ISIS Finance Group, along with the United States and Saudi Arabia. There have been no significant changes to its policies for countering the financing of terrorism since the 2016 report. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): In February, the government reached an agreement with the Union of Islamic Communities and Organizations in Italy that involved moderate imams working in six prisons to prevent radicalization to violence among prisoners. This was one of the measures recommended by a government commission in September 2016. On July 18, the Chamber of Deputies approved a bill intended to prevent radicalization to violence. Pending final approval in the Senate, the new legislation would establish a National Center on Radicalization within the Ministry of the Interior to implement the national CVE strategy, including training of police and magistrates. International and Regional Cooperation: Italy continued to support counterterrorism efforts in regional and multilateral organizations, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Global Counterterrorism Forum. In September, Italy co-led with the United Kingdom and France a UN General Assembly high-level side event on "Preventing Terrorist Use of the Internet" focused on technology industry engagement. At the October 19-20 Ischia G-7 Interior Ministerial, Italy brought together G-7 members and private information technology and social media companies to sign a declaration of intent to monitor radicalization to violence on the internet and the use of social media as a recruitment tool by terrorists. Italy was a member of the UN Security Council in 2017 and in December co-sponsored UN Security Council resolution 2396 on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. Italy strengthened its counterterrorism capacity building efforts in Libya, focusing on coast guard cooperation, investigative training for law enforcement, and border security measures. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Israel, Golan Heights, West Bank, and Gaza Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Israel, Golan Heights, West Bank, and Gaza, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fa0a.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Israel and the Golan Heights Overview: Israel was a committed counterterrorism partner in 2017, closely coordinating with the United States on a range of counterterrorism initiatives. For instance, Israel and the United States held numerous interagency counterterrorism dialogues to discuss the broad array of threats in the region and determine areas of collaboration to address these challenges. Israel faced threats on its northern border from Lebanese Hizballah (LH) and along the north-eastern frontier from LH and other groups in Syria. Israeli security officials and politicians expressed concerns that Iran was supplying LH with advanced weapons systems and technologies as well as assisting the group in creating infrastructure that would permit it to indigenously produce rockets and missiles to threaten Israel from inside of Lebanon and Syria. Along its southern border with Egypt and Gaza, Israel faced threats from terror organizations including Hamas, Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ), and ISIS-Sinai Province. Israel continued to be concerned about Hamas and PIJ tunneling activities, and in October and December destroyed tunnels it found under the Israel-Gaza boundary. Israel suffered numerous rocket attacks originating from Gaza and the Sinai during 2017, none of which resulted in Israeli fatalities. In addition, while the number of terrorist attacks declined since 2015, Israel still experienced numerous terrorist attacks, including those committed by lone actors with no clear affiliation to terrorist organizations. The United States worked closely throughout the year with Israel to identify and develop new capabilities that meet a wide variety of requirements for countering terrorist threats, including those posed by unmanned aerial systems and underground tunnels. Through a cost-sharing bilateral relationship, both countries advanced their technical ability to defeat or mitigate the evolving capabilities of terrorists and criminal organizations. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: Israelis experienced numerous terrorist attacks in 2017 involving weapons ranging from rockets and mortars to small arms and knives. The wave of violence that began in late 2015, termed the "knife intifada," continued to decrease in 2017. Stabbing attacks by Palestinians resulted in numerous Israeli injuries and fatalities. These attacks comprised the majority of terrorist attacks inside Israel. Many perpetrators of these attacks were neutralized during their acts of terrorism. The following is a partial list of the terrorist incidents that occurred during the year: On February 10, a Palestinian from the West Bank opened fire on a group of Israeli soldiers at a bus stop in Petah Tikva. Sadeq Nasser Abu Mazen, an 18-year-old man from a village near Nablus, fled the scene after local residences attempted to apprehend him. He entered a shop and opened fire until his weapon malfunctioned. He then used a screwdriver to stab an Israeli man in the shop. Local residents subdued the gunman and Israeli authorities took him into custody. The gunman wounded at least five people in the attack. On July 14, two Israeli Druze border police officers were killed and two more wounded after three male Arab-Israeli citizens opened fire near the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif. Israeli police shot and killed the three attackers, whom authorities identified as Mohammed Ahmed Mafdal Jabrin, Mohammed Hamed Abed Eltif Jabrin, and Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed Jabrin. All were Arab citizens of Israel from the town of Umm al-Fahm, with apparent ties to the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel. In December, several rockets launched from Gaza struck inside Israel. Israeli authorities confirmed that at least two rockets hit the city of Sderot, which resulted in damage to a kindergarten and several vehicles. Another rocket fell in an open area near the city of Ashkelon, with no reported casualties or significant damage. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) responded with strikes against Hamas and PIJ positions in Gaza. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: In 2017, the Israeli government made no notable changes to the 2016 Combatting Terrorism Law, although the Knesset began action on an amendment during the year. Israeli security forces took numerous significant law enforcement actions against suspected terrorists and terrorist groups in 2017. The examples below represent only a fraction of the law enforcement actions taken throughout the year. On February 7, the Israel Security Agency (ISA) arrested Valentin Vladimir Mazalevsky, an Israeli citizen residing in Shibli, for supporting ISIS and attempting to travel to Syria to join the terrorist organization. Israeli courts convicted Mazalevsky and sentenced him to 32 months' imprisonment. On February 12, the ISA, with the assistance of the Israel National Police (INP), arrested Gaza resident Muhammad Murtaja, Gaza coordinator of a Turkish humanitarian aid organization, for attempting to provide Hamas with satellite photos to improve the precision of its rocket attacks against Israel. A subsequent investigation also uncovered Murtaja's alleged diversion of the aid organization's funds to the Hamas military wing. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Israel is an observer to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and is subject to evaluation by the Council of Europe's Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism, a FATF-style regional body. Israel's financial intelligence unit, the Israeli Money Laundering and Terror Finance Prohibition Authority, is a member of the Egmont Group. The Knesset approved a first reading of an amendment to the 2016 Combatting Terrorism Law on October 30, 2017. If passed, this amendment would transfer terrorism designation authority from the Ministers' Committee for Security to the Minister of Defense and would ensure that Israel enforces United Nations (UN) sanctions on foreign terrorist organizations and individuals until it can complete a domestic review process of the designation. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Israel's national program, "City without Violence," supported municipalities and local authorities in conducting programs to counter violence, crime, and violent extremism. Civil society supported this initiative. The Arab-Israeli media portal, "Bokra," sought to reduce tension through a social initiative using Facebook and videos featuring prominent figures who discouraged racism and violence such as sheikhs, rabbis, and priests. International and Regional Cooperation: Israel continued its counterterrorism cooperation with a range of regional and international institutions, including the UN, the Organization of American States (OAS), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In December, Israel co-sponsored UN Security Council resolution 2396 on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. Israel cooperated with numerous countries bilaterally on counterterrorism initiatives and programs of mutual benefit, in addition to those aimed at thwarting terrorist attacks and plots specifically against Israelis or Israeli interests abroad. The West Bank and Gaza Overview: The Palestinian Authority (PA) continued its counterterrorism and law enforcement efforts in the West Bank, where Hamas, PIJ, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine remained present. The PA Security Forces (PASF) constrained the ability of those organizations to conduct attacks, including through arrests of Hamas members planning attacks against Israelis. Per Oslo-era agreements, the PA exercised varying degrees of authority over the West Bank. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet arrested members of terrorist organizations operating in the West Bank. The United States assisted the PA's counterterrorism efforts by providing training, equipment, and infrastructure support to the PASF. U.S. training and support assisted in the PA's continued development of professional, self-sufficient, and capable security forces. The United States also assisted the PA with criminal justice investigations and prosecutions of terrorist financing and terrorist-related activity. Palestinians committed acts of violence and terrorism in the West Bank in 2017. The heightened period of violence from October 2015 to April 2016 decreased in 2017. However, Palestinians continued to commit stabbings, shootings, and vehicular attacks against Israelis. Israelis, including settlers, committed acts of violence, including "price tag" attacks (property crimes and violent acts by extremist Jewish individuals and groups against Palestinians) in the West Bank in 2017. Hamas maintained security control of Gaza. Several militant groups launched rocket attacks against Israel from Gaza. The primary limitation on PA counterterrorism efforts in Gaza remained Hamas' control of the area and the resulting inability of the PASF to operate there. The PA and PLO continued to provide "martyr payments" to the families of Palestinian individuals killed carrying out a terrorist act. The PA and PLO also provided payments to Palestinians in Israeli prisons, including those convicted of acts of terrorism against Israelis. Israeli government officials criticized this practice as incentivizing acts of terror. These payments and separate canteen stipends that the Israeli government allows for prisoners were first initiated by the PLO in 1965 and have continued under the PA since the Oslo Accords with Israel. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: In January, four Israeli soldiers were killed and approximately 13 others wounded when a Palestinian man used a heavy truck for a vehicular attack in Jerusalem. Soldiers and a civilian who were at the scene shot and killed the attacker. In July, a Palestinian resident of a nearby village stabbed and killed three Israeli civilians in their family home in the West Bank Israeli settlement of Halamish. Another member of the family sustained injuries. Police and IDF arrested the attacker after an off-duty soldier shot and wounded him. In September, a Palestinian man from the West Bank village of Beit Surik shot and killed an Israeli Border Police officer and two Israeli security guards outside the West Bank settlement of Har Adar, northwest of Jerusalem. Israeli security officials shot and killed the attacker at the scene. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: The PA lacked comprehensive legislation specifically tailored to counterterrorism, although existing Palestinian laws criminalize actions that constitute terrorist acts. Presidential decrees prohibit incitement to violence, illegal associations, providing financial support to terrorist groups, and acts against PLO agreements with other states (an indirect reference to the Oslo Accords with Israel). Other decrees also criminalize armed militias and assistance to such militias as well as carrying unlicensed weapons and explosives. The Palestinian parliament, the Palestinian Legislative Council, has not met since 2007 and is thus unable to pass new legislation. The Preventive Security Organization (PSO) is the key PA institution that works to prevent internal terrorist attacks and investigates security-related criminal conduct. In practice, the General Intelligence Organization also plays a critical role in this effort as does, to a lesser extent, the Military Intelligence Organization. The United States assisted the PSO and the Security Forces Justice Commission to help the PA move the prosecution of all civilian cases including those involving terrorism and security-related offenses to the exclusive jurisdiction of the civilian courts. The United States also helped enhance cooperation between security service investigators and public prosecutors. The PA advanced its forensic capabilities with the opening of the Palestinian Civil Police (PCP) forensic laboratory in November 2016 and continued its operation throughout 2017. The laboratory conducted basic manual analyses and examinations of firearm evidence, document examination, and drug and chemical analysis. The PA also augmented its ability to examine and compare unknown fingerprints with the delivery by the U.S. government of 40 fingerprint scanners, which are now used by law enforcement across the West Bank. Per the Oslo-era Accords, Israel controlled border security in the West Bank. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: The PA is a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force, a Financial Action Task Force-style regional body. The Palestinian Financial Follow-Up (FFU) Unit is the PA's financial intelligence unit. Banks file suspicious transaction reports and currency transaction reports electronically through the FFU computer system. In 2017, banks filed 118 STRs compared to 117 in 2016. The Palestinian Monetary Authority (PMA) increased regulations and restrictions on the more than 300 money changers in the West Bank. For example, the PMA increased the capital requirement from US $250,000 to US $500,000 for money changers to register with the PMA before they are allowed to operate. Additionally, the PMA imposed reporting requirements in 2017 on money changers for amounts over US $7,000. The PMA also required that money changers have US $1 million in capital before the PMA will authorize international transactions. Money changers in Gaza were licensed and regulated by Hamas. According to business contacts in Gaza, Hamas does not impose reporting requirements on Gaza-based money changers. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): The PA's Palestinian Broadcasting Company's code of conduct states it does not allow programming that encourages "violence against any person or institution on the basis of race, religion, political beliefs, or sex." Some official PA media channels, as well as social media accounts affiliated with the ruling political movement Fatah, have featured content praising or condoning acts of violence. Palestinian leaders did not always publicly condemn individual terrorist attacks nor speak out publicly against members of their institutions who advocated for violence. PA President Abbas maintained a public commitment to non-violence, however. The PA maintains control over the content of Friday sermons delivered in approximately 1,800 West Bank mosques to ensure that they do not endorse incitement to violence. Weekly, the PA Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs distributed approved themes and prohibits incitement to violence. International and Regional Cooperation: The Palestinian Authority is an active member of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. In September 2017, the "State of Palestine" acceded to INTERPOL despite Israeli objections. PA justice and security leaders continued to participate in regional conferences and meetings to combat terrorism. PASF personnel attended a variety of international training courses related to counterterrorism at training facilities in Jordan, Europe, and the United States. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Iraq Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Iraq, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fa1a.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: By the end of 2017, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), with the support of the U.S.-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, had reclaimed all of the territory that ISIS had captured in 2014 and 2015. As ISIS retreated from Mosul and other cities, its fighters used improvised explosive devices, homemade mines, and mortars to booby-trap homes, public spaces, and critical infrastructure to impede the movement of Iraq's security forces and terrorize returning residents. Despite Iraqi progress on the battlefield, ISIS maintained the capability to conduct deadly terrorist attacks. U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization Kata'ib Hizballah continued to operate in Iraq during 2017, exacerbating sectarian tensions. Along with its nefarious activities, Kata'ib Hizballah continued to combat ISIS alongside the Iraqi military, police, and other Popular Mobilization Force units during the year. Iraq expanded its cooperation with the United States and other members of the international community to counter terrorism, including taking steps to dismantle ISIS's financial activity. Iraq passed 31 resolutions aimed at stopping terrorist financing and made significant progress implementing its 2016 Anti-Money Laundering/Countering Terrorism Finance law, including establishing a committee that designated at least 30 individuals in 2017. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: According to the United Nations (UN), acts of terrorism, violence, and armed conflict with ISIS killed more than 3,000 civilians and injured more than 4,600 in 2017. ISIS's continued ability to use captured and improvised military equipment allowed it to employ sophisticated methods including the use of armored vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and chlorine gas. ISIS continued to commit atrocities involving the use of child soldiers, mass murder, and enslavement of ethnic and religious minorities, rape, forced marriage, and executing civilians, including women and children, attempting to flee its rule. As the ISF recaptured territory, ISIS killed thousands of Iraqi civilians, forcing residents to remain as human shields to discourage airstrikes and shooting those attempting to flee. ISIS continued to carry out suicide and hit-and-run attacks throughout the country, the most significant being the coordinated attack on a security checkpoint and restaurant on the outskirts of Nasariyah on September 14 that killed more than 80 Iraqis. Other prominent ISIS attacks included: On February 28, two suicide bombers detonated explosives in a market in Sadr City, Baghdad, killing at least 60 people. On June 9, a suicide bomber detonated his explosive belt at a crowded market in Musaiyab, Babylon, south of Baghdad, killing 30 people. Also on June 9, a female suicide bomber detonated her explosives belt in the market east of the city of Karbala, killing 30 people. On November 21, a powerful truck bomb exploded in Tuz Khurmatu, Kirkuk, killing at least 32 people. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Iraq improved its ability to detect and prevent terrorist threats and continued to disrupt terrorist activities, detaining, arresting, and trying thousands of suspected terrorists in 2017. A lack of centralized databases hindered its ability to track the number of terrorism suspects it detained and arrested in 2017. Iraq has multiple security, law enforcement, and intelligence organizations with overlapping responsibilities, including the Counterterrorism Service, National Security Service, Iraqi National Intelligence Service, military intelligence, and assorted Ministry of Interior units including national and local police. Lack of interagency cooperation is a vulnerability that Iraq has identified through its security sector reform program. During the campaign to liberate Iraq, many Iraqi counterterrorism and law enforcement personnel also acted as front-line soldiers, which degraded their organizations' ability to carry out their intended roles. Additionally, ISIS destroyed large portions of the law enforcement infrastructure, including prisons. Suspected terrorists are often detained in overcrowded facilities for extended periods. Iraq re-established control over its border crossings with Syria in 2017 but border security remained a critical capability gap, as the ISF has limited capability to prevent smuggling across the Iraq-Syria border. Iraq conducted biographic and biometric screening at multiple land and air ports of entry and announced plans to begin issuing biometric passports in early 2018. It shared biometric information on known and suspected terrorists and exemplars of its identity documents with the United States, INTERPOL, and other international partners. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Iraq is a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force, a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-style regional body. Iraq is under review by the FATF, due to a number of strategic deficiencies in its anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regime. Iraq has improved this regime, including issuing a set of regulations in accordance with its 2016 law, to help bolster its compliance with the FATF recommendations. In 2017, FATF postponed an evaluation on Iraq's AML/CFT regime due to uncertainty about the continued applicability of the Federal AML/CFT Law in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) following the IKR's September 2017 referendum on independence. In 2017, the Government of Iraq, including the Central Bank of Iraq, law enforcement, and the judiciary, continued to dismantle ISIS's financial activity and safeguard its financial institutions from exploitation by ISIS. Iraq enforced a national directive to prohibit financial transactions with banks and financial companies located in ISIS-controlled areas. It cut off salary payments to government employees to prevent those salaries from being "taxed" by ISIS and prohibited exchange houses and transfer companies located in ISIS-held areas and those suspected of illicit activity from accessing U.S. banknotes in the central bank's currency auctions. It also shared a list of banned exchange houses and money transfer companies with regional regulators and took judicial action against more than a dozen individuals and companies suspected of illicit financial activity. These actions ranged from business closures to the arrest of suspects. Iraq also barred ISIS financial facilitators Salim Mustafa Muhammad al Mansur and Umar al-Kubaysi, as well as al-Kubaysi's company, the Al Kawthar Money Exchange, from Iraq's financial system and froze all of their assets under Iraq's jurisdiction. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Iraq remained active in its strategic messaging to discredit ISIS and was finalizing its 2018 CVE strategy at the end of 2017. In November, it organized, planned, and held the Third International Conference to Counter ISIS Media, which focused on sharing information to combat terrorist ideology. Many foreign terrorist fighters are in Iraqi custody and Iraq has detained a large number of foreign women and children with family affiliations to ISIS fighters. Additionally, displaced Iraqis, whose extended family members are suspected of supporting ISIS, remain vulnerable to revenge attacks or retribution killings, or are denied access to services. Consequently, ISIS-affiliated families are often unwilling or unable to return to their place of origin. Iraq acknowledged that the return and reintegration of family members of suspected ISIS supporters is important to prevent future radicalization to violence. In June, Iraq signed a bilateral agreement with Saudi Arabia that aims to combat violent extremism and terrorism through means like eliminating the financing of terrorism and combating sectarian discrimination. International and Regional Cooperation: Iraq continued to work with multilateral and regional organizations including the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Arab League to support counterterrorism efforts. In May, the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee held a meeting on Iraq's counterterrorism assistance needs. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Indonesia Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Indonesia, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fa2a.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Indonesia applied sustained pressure to detect, disrupt, and degrade terrorist groups operating within its borders and deny them safe haven. ISIS-affiliated Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) and its offshoots continued to target police and other symbols of state authority. The capability of terrorist groups to launch coordinated mass casualty attacks was assessed as low, but the intent remained high. Failed plots included attempts by terrorist groups to use low-grade radioactive material for bombs and recruit female suicide bombers. Returning foreign terrorist fighters with new operational training, skills, experience, networks, and access to funding could help launch more sophisticated attacks against Indonesian government personnel or facilities, Western targets, and other soft targets and public spaces. While not a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, the Indonesian government and Muslim civil society leaders forcefully and repeatedly denounced ISIS and actively promoted a "soft approach" to countering violent extremism to complement "hard" law enforcement counterterrorism efforts. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: JAD targeted police throughout the year, including May 24, when two JAD suicide bombers fatally detonated pressure cooker bombs at a busy bus station in East Jakarta that killed three police officers and injured seven civilians. The police were the target of multiple other JAD-linked attacks, including a June 25 stabbing at a police post in North Sumatra that killed one police officer and injured another, and a June 30 stabbing at a mosque in Jakarta that injured two police officers. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Since 2002, Indonesia has successfully used a civilian-law-enforcement-led, rule-of-law-based approach to counterterrorism. Relevant legislation includes the Law on Combating Criminal Acts of Terrorism (15/2003), the Law on Prevention and Eradication of Terrorist Financing (9/2013), and the 1951 Emergency Law; and Indonesia's Criminal Code. An amendment to CT Law 15/2003, first proposed in February 2016, would strengthen provisions against foreign terrorist fighters by criminalizing extraterritorial fighting, preparatory acts, and material support for terrorism. In 2017, the Indonesian legislature continued to discuss edits to the draft amendment. The Indonesian government also passed legislation enabling the banning of groups that seek to undermine Indonesian national unity and also banned the non-violent, pro-caliphate group Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia. The elite police counterterrorism force, Detachment 88, leads counterterrorism operations and investigations. Law enforcement was increasingly able to detect, deter, and prevent most terrorist attacks. On August 18, police re-arrested JAD's Aman Abdurrahman, who was due for an early release from a nine-year sentence, and charged him for his involvement in the January 14, 2016, central Jakarta attack of a police post and a U.S.-franchise coffee shop with small arms and homemade bombs. Three Indonesian citizens and a dual national Algerian-Canadian were killed and at least 23 others were injured in the attack. Terrorism case conviction rates were high. Sentences tended to be short, with some exceptions. Recidivist JAD member Juhanda received a life sentence for an attack on a church in East Kalimantan in November 2016. Indonesia's first female would-be suicide bomber, Dian Yulia Novi, received a seven-and-a-half year sentence for her role in a December 2016 plot to attack the presidential palace. Corrections officials took steps to improve terrorist prisoner management and implemented a new risk assessment and classification tool. On August 28, Indonesia designated Pasir Putih prison on the island of Nusa Kambangan in Central Java as a specialized prison for high-risk terrorist prisoners. Border security remained a challenge for this vast archipelagic nation. Advanced Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record systems were not fully in use. Customs continued to struggle with targeting, analysis, management systems, and high-level management turnover. Police maintained a watchlist of suspected terrorists, but lines of communication and coordination among stakeholder agencies were not always clear. Immigration officials at major ports of entry had access to biographic and biometric domestic-only centralized databases. In November, Indonesia began systematic border screening against INTERPOL's Stolen and Lost Travel Document and nominals databases at three major airports. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Indonesia is a member of the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG), a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-style regional body. Indonesia's financial intelligence unit, the Indonesian Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), is a member of the Egmont Group. Indonesia's Counterterrorist Financing Law 9/2013 criminalizes money laundering and terrorist financing and authorizes terrorist asset freezing pursuant to UN Security Council resolution 1373, the UN Security Council (UNSC) ISIL (Da'esh) and al-Qa'ida sanctions regime, and the 1988 Afghanistan/Taliban sanctions regime. In February, Indonesia issued a presidential regulation to strengthen a FATF-driven risk-based approach to limit terrorism finance within the non-profit and charity sector. The APG conducted a Mutual Evaluation Review peer assessment of Indonesia's anti-money laundering/countering terrorist financing regime (AML/CFT) in November. Indonesia was removed from APG's monitoring list due to progress in its AML/CFT framework in 2017. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Government and civil society leaders promoted a moderate and tolerant practice of Islam as an alternative to terrorist teachings. They also reinforced the national ideology of Pancasila (five principles that form the philosophical foundation of the Indonesian state). The National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) began developing a national CVE action plan. A variety of civil society organizations is active in CVE programming, but there was minimal coordination with BNPT programs. In 2017, the process for a nationwide reorganization of the police began with the goal of a community-focused police service that can better identify the early warning signs of radicalization to violence. The BNPT managed de-radicalization programs for terrorist convicts. In February, it opened a de-radicalization center in Sentul, south of Jakarta. Indonesians deported from third countries for attempting to travel to Iraq and Syria were enrolled in a one-month de-radicalization program at a Ministry of Social Affairs shelter in East Jakarta. The BNPT used former terrorists for outreach campaigns and helped establish religious boarding schools for the children of former terrorists. International and Regional Cooperation: Indonesia participated in counterterrorism efforts in several international, multilateral, and regional fora, including the United Nations, the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Indonesia remained active in the ASEAN Regional Forum Inter-Sessional Meetings on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime and the APEC Counter-Terrorism working group. Indonesia was co-chair of the former GCTF Detention and Reintegration working group until September. Beginning in September, Indonesia and Australia co-chaired the GCTF Countering Violent Extremism working group. Indonesia formalized trilateral counterterrorism cooperation with Malaysia and the Philippines and co-hosted a sub-regional meeting with Australia in Manado, North Sulawesi. Indonesia continued to use the Jakarta Center for Law Enforcement Cooperation as a regional training center. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - India Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - India, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fa3a.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: The parts of India most seriously impacted by terrorism in 2017 included the state of Jammu and Kashmir, the northeast Indian states, and parts of central India in which Maoist terrorists remain active. India continued to apply sustained pressure to detect, disrupt, and degrade terrorist organizations' operations within its borders. Indian leadership expressed resolve to prevent terrorist attacks domestically and to bring to justice the perpetrators of terrorism, in cooperation with the United States and other like-minded countries. Counterterrorism cooperation between India and the United States increased in 2017. The two pledged to strengthen cooperation against terrorist threats from groups including al-Qa'ida (AQ), ISIS, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), and D-Company. During a June 2017 summit, President Trump and Prime Minister Modi directed officials to establish a new mechanism for cooperation on terrorist designations. The first meeting of the bilateral Designations Dialogue was held in December. India welcomed the U.S. State Department's June designation of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) senior leader Mohammad Yusuf Shah, also known as Syed Salahuddin, and the August designation of HM as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: On March 7, ISIS-inspired, self-radicalized terrorists attacked the BhopalUjjain passenger train at Jabri railway station in Shajapur district in Madhya Pradesh state, injuring 10 passengers. Six persons were later arrested and a key suspect was killed when the police tried to arrest him. On March 17, Maoists killed 25 security personnel in an ambush in Sukma, Chhattisgarh. On July 10, alleged LeT terrorists killed seven Hindu pilgrims near Anantnag in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. On August 27, eight security personnel were killed when two JeM terrorists snuck into Pulwama town in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and targeted buildings used by the state Police Special Operation Group. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: India made no major changes to its counterterrorism laws in 2017. The Indian government continued to address terrorism-related activities through existing statutes, including the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) (1967), the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Convention on Suppression of Terrorism Act (1993), and various state-level laws. The UAPA presumes the accused to be guilty if the prosecution can produce incriminating evidence indicating the possession of arms or explosives or the presence of fingerprints at a crime scene, regardless of whether criminal intent is demonstrated. State governments held persons without bail for extended periods before filing formal charges under the UAPA. India's state-level law enforcement agencies play a significant role detecting, deterring, and preventing acts of terrorism. These state agencies have varying degrees of capability. After the Mumbai attacks of 2008, state Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS) were created to handle rapid, first-responder duties. At the central government level, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is the lead law enforcement investigation agency. The National Security Guard (NSG) retains the mandate for nationwide response. Despite its rigorous training, NSG's rapid response capability is somewhat limited, due in part to its small staff relative to India's large size. Continued weaknesses in intelligence and information sharing negatively impacted state and central law enforcement agencies. In 2016, India and the United States signed an arrangement to exchange terrorism screening information, and the Indian Multi Agency Centre/Intelligence Bureau continued work on implementation. In an example of a significant counterterrorism law enforcement action, police arrested Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) leader Mohammad Idris from a central Kolkata hideout on March 8. Police believe Idris was involved in the July 1, 2016, Holey Artisan Bakery attack in Dhaka, Bangladesh. On November 21, local police arrested two Bangladeshi terrorists belonging to Ansarullah Bangla Team in Kolkata. The police stated the two planned to murder bloggers in Bangladesh and had come to Kolkata to buy arms. In April, an Indian court sentenced two Indian ISIS financiers to seven years in prison, in the country's first ISIS-related convictions. The two pled guilty to a criminal conspiracy to propagate ISIS ideology, recruit persons, raise funds, and facilitate the travel of those recruited to join ISIS in Syria. India detained an alleged AQIS facilitator in September. The case was pending in court at the end of 2017. India participated in the Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance program and received training in internet, dark web, mobile device, and advanced digital forensics capabilities. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: India is a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as well as two FATF-style regional bodies the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism and the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering. India's financial intelligence unit is a member of the Egmont Group. India has formed an interagency committee to conduct its National Risk Assessment in accordance with FATF guidance. Under the chairmanship of the Additional Secretary (Revenue), the committee will form several working groups to examine specific topics, e.g., financial institutions, financial inclusion, and anti-money laundering. Once complete, the committee will present the assessment to the Finance Minister for approval. India took steps to pass legislation to allow for the confiscation of assets and prosecution of individuals involved in certain third-party transactions. India also took steps to amend its laws related to recovering confiscated property. At year's end, India was in the final process of approving an amendment to bring dealers of precious metals, stones, and other high-value goods under the jurisdiction of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act from 2002. Between August 2016 and May 2017, India initiated 117 anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism investigations, filed 83 prosecution complaints, arrested 19 individuals, and secured two convictions and two property/asset confiscations. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Indian CVE programs in 2017 targeted disaffected sectors of Indian society that were at the highest risk of vulnerability for terrorist recruitment. On October 23, the Ministry of Home Affairs appointed a Special Representative to begin dialogue with all stakeholders in the state of Jammu and Kashmir to discuss issues of street violence, cross-border terrorism, and pervasive alienation, particularly among youth. Indian government officials raised concerns over the use of the internet including social media for terrorist recruiting, radicalization to violence, and fomenting inter-religious tensions. In< particular, officials expressed concern about ISIS's ability to recruit online, following incidents in which Indians were attracted to join or support the group. The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad produced four short, high-quality films to counter terrorist recruitment, which were played before movies in theaters in the state. The city of Mumbai is a founding member of the Strong Cities Network. International and Regional Cooperation: India is a founding member of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) and participated in GCTF and other UN fora on counterterrorism in 2017. India also used multilateral fora and bilateral visits to highlight terrorism concerns and their impacts. During the 2017 BRICS Summit (with Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa) and the 2017 SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) Summit, India led efforts on declarations condemning terrorism and calling for joint efforts to counter it. At the 15th ASEAN-India Summit in November in Manila, India pledged to cooperate closely with ASEAN nations to stem terrorism. India continued to increase bilateral cooperation on counterterrorism. India provided US $500,000 to the Philippines to aid the rehabilitation of inhabitants of Marawi who were affected by fighting between the Philippine military and ISIS-inspired militants. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Greece Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Greece, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fa48.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: The Greek government remained a cooperative counterterrorism partner in 2017, increasing information sharing under auspices of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program and other bilateral agreements, and making arrests of terrorism suspects. Greece experienced intermittent small-scale terrorist attacks. Greece is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: Greece experienced small-scale attacks conducted primarily by domestic terrorist organizations, which targeted government officials and property in Greece as well as European creditors. On March 14, Conspiracy of Fire Nuclei claimed responsibility for sending a number of explosive devices in mail parcels to Greek and European leaders, institutions, and multinational companies, including to the offices of German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble. The German Finance Ministry's mail department intercepted the device before it reached Minister Schaeuble. Police also attributed to the group a March 16 parcel bomb that exploded at International Monetary Fund headquarters in Paris, injuring one person. In March, Greek police intercepted eight more parcel bombs intended for EU leaders, institutions, and multinational companies. On April 19, a bomb left in a bag exploded outside the entrance to a bank situated close to two busy avenues in Athens, causing minor damage to the building but no injuries. An anonymous call to a television station provided advance warning and police evacuated the area before the bomb detonated. The far-left militant Popular Fighters Group claimed responsibility for the attack. On May 25, a bomb in an envelope exploded in the car of former Prime Minister Lucas Papademos, injuring Papademos and two others. On October 29, Greek police arrested Konstantinos Giatzoglou, a 29-year-old Greek male suspected of sending the bomb and others to European targets as part of the Conspiracy of Fire Nuclei attacks. On November 6, an unknown assailant opened fire on riot police guarding the headquarters of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement political party and fled the scene on a motorcycle with an accomplice. No one was hurt in the attack. Police matched bullet casings from the shooting to past attacks carried out by the far-left Revolutionary Solidarity group, which later claimed responsibility for the attack in an online statement. On December 22, a bomb exploded outside one of Greece's main courthouses, damaging the facade and breaking several windows but causing no injuries. Police cleared the area around the court after receiving two anonymous warning calls. The far-left militant Popular Fighters Group later claimed responsibility for the incident in an online statement. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: There were no changes to Greece's legal framework or legislation with respect to countering terrorism since 2016. On November 12, Germany notified the European Commission of temporary internal border controls on flights departing from Greece due to an increased number of passengers arriving without Schengen visas and reports of irregular travel documents. Belgium also reportedly increased checks in December for some passengers on flights from Greece but did not formally implement internal controls. Greece's national identification card remained extremely vulnerable to alteration and photo substitution; it has not incorporated certain security features, such as a digitized photo and biometrics. To mitigate this vulnerability, in 2015 police authorities instituted a system for conducting electronic checks of civil registries and national databases to confirm documents submitted as part of the application for identification cards and passports. The Greek government has committed to address this vulnerability through the introduction of a biometric national identification card. The porous nature of Greece's borders remained a concern, particularly given the challenge the refugee and migration crisis presents in Greece. Six of the individuals responsible for the 2016 attacks in Paris and Brussels passed through Greece. Greece worked with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to improve its screening of immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees entering Greece. Personnel from the Hellenic National Police (HNP) and the Hellenic Coast Guard participated in DHS-sponsored training related to border screening, interdictions, and investigations in May. The FBI trained HNP officers on counterterrorism analysis in August and December. Greek authorities took action against terrorists in high-profile arrests: On January 5, authorities arrested convicted member of the terrorist group Revolutionary Struggle, Panagiota (Paula) Roupa. Roupa was first arrested in 2010 for her role in a series of bomb attacks against political, police, and financial targets, including the 2007 rocket attack against the U.S. Embassy but was released from pre-trial custody, having served the maximum 18 months on remand. A condition of her release was to remain in the Attica region, but she absconded in 2012 and was convicted in absentia in 2013 to 50 years in prison. On October 29, authorities arrested Konstantinos Giatzoglou, the 29-year-old Greek male suspected of sending parcel bombs to European targets, including in an incident that wounded former Prime Minister Lucas Papademos in May. On November 28, authorities arrested nine Turkish nationals suspected to be members of Foreign Terrorist Organization Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front. They were charged with a number of terrorism-related offenses, including forming and joining a terrorist organization, acquisition and possession of explosive materials and bombs as an act of terrorism, illegal possession of weapons and explosives, and forgery and use of fake public documents. Over the objections of the U.S. government, the prison council of Greece's high-security prison for the first time granted convicted terrorist Dimitris Koufontinas a two-day furlough November 9-11. Koufontinas is serving 11 life sentences plus 25 years for the murder of 11 people and his leadership role in the terrorist group November 17 that targeted and assassinated members of the U.S. Mission to Greece, as well as British and Turkish diplomats, Greek politicians, and Greek citizens. Koufontinas stated to the press his intention to apply for another furlough after 60 days, as permitted by law. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Greece is a member of the Financial Action Task Force, and its financial intelligence unit, the Hellenic Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Commission (HAMLC), is a member of the Egmont Group. The Foreign Ministry's Sanctions Monitoring Unit ensured that Greece met its commitments to enforce international sanctions, including terrorism-related sanctions. The HAMLC inspected more than 2,000 suspicious transactions in 2017 but did not report evidence of terrorist financing in Greece. As described in the 2016 report, Greece freezes terrorist assets until completion of judicial proceedings and requires banks to report suspicious transactions of any kind, regardless of the type of entity (for-or not-for-profit). The Greek government directly monitors such entities if necessary. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): There were no significant changes in Greece's CVE efforts since the 2016 report. International and Regional Cooperation: Greece continued to engage on counterterrorism initiatives in international fora and participated in regional information exchange and seminars through the United Nations, the European Union, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center for Combating Trans-Border Crime, and the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Germany Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Germany, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fa54.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: In 2017, Germany significantly increased the number of its terrorism-related investigations, arrests, and prosecutions, and to a lesser extent, increased prosecutorial and law enforcement resources to handle the increased caseload. Law enforcement targeted a range of terrorist groups including violent Islamist extremists (approximately 90 percent of cases, and the greatest threat according to German officials), the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the Turkish Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP-C), and domestic left wing and right wing actors. The government increased monitoring of Gefaehrder (i.e., dangerous persons who have not been accused of crimes but have come to the attention of law enforcement), began deportations of foreign terror suspects, and actively investigated returning foreign terrorist fighters. Terrorism was a major issue for all political parties in the September national elections, and counterterrorism will continue to be a top priority. Germany is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and continued its counterterrorism cooperation with the international community. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: On July 28, a United Arab Emirates-born Palestinian refugee who had been denied asylum allegedly killed one and injured five others with a machete while shouting Allahu akhbar in a Hamburg grocery store. Reportedly radicalized shortly before the attack, the defendant was known to the police and assessed as mentally unstable rather than a security risk. The incident sparked widespread calls for stronger enforcement of deportation laws and discussion of the difficulty of identifying threats. On November 27, the Mayor of Altena in North-Rhine Westphalia was seriously injured in a knife attack. His attacker said the mayor's refugee-friendly policies were the motive for the attack. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Germany bolstered its existing counterterrorism laws with several pieces of legislation, including: expanded use of mobile license plate reading systems to assist police and border security personnel; legalization of electronic ankle bracelet monitors; implementation of European Union (EU) Directive 2016/681 concerning Passenger Name Record (PNR) data; implementation of EU regulations to strengthen EU-wide law enforcement data sharing and align data protections with Europol regulation 2016/794; authorization of online search and source telecommunication surveillance; and enhanced prosecution tools for hate crimes and online propaganda posted by terrorist organizations. In August, the Constitutional Court upheld a law permitting expedited deportations of persons on the Gefaehrder list. Counterterrorism investigations are conducted by both federal and state-level law enforcement agencies and coordinated through the Joint Counter-Terrorism Center, which is composed of 40 internal law enforcement and security agencies. The Ministry of Justice estimates there were 1,119 active terrorism investigations during January to November 2017, a sharp increase from 238 in 2016. Some cases were offshoots of refugee processing (for example, asylum seekers claiming to be threatened by violent Islamist extremists) and many will likely be dropped. Law enforcement agencies significantly expanded use of the Gefaehrder designation, used to monitor "extremists," and completed the first deportations of known terrorists. Thirty-six Gefaehrder were deported in 2017, the majority to Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Tunisia. Germany continues to participate in international efforts to enhance border security. In 2017, Germany introduced a new passport with enhanced security features, tested wider biometric collection upon entry in connection with the EU Smart Border pilot, and began preparations to introduce the EU Entry Exit System and EU Travel Information and Authorization System. It is on track to collect and analyze PNR by the May 2018 EU deadline. Significant law enforcement actions included: On October 3, Federal Police arrested a 19-year-old Syrian refugee in Schwerin (in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) on suspicion of planning an attack using bomb-making components purchased online. On November 21, six Syrian refugees were arrested in a series of coordinated raids in four states on suspicion of plotting a terrorist attack. German law significantly limits pre-trial and/or preventative detention, and the six were released two days later. Two high profile 2017 cases highlight increased sentences for terrorism convictions. Four defendants associated with the 2012 Bonn Rail Station Bombing Plot were convicted on charges that included founding and/or membership in a terrorist organization, conspiracy to commit murder, and weapons violations. The main defendant received a life sentence with no possibility of parole, which is rare in Germany. The accomplices received between nine years and nine months and 12 years, which are atypically long sentences. In a separate case, prominent Salafist preacher Sven Lau (36) received a five-and-a-half year prison term for providing support to the ISIS-connected terrorist organization, Jamwa ("Army of Emigrants and Supporters"), including providing financial aid to Jamwa's Syrian operations, recruiting foreign fighters, and providing night vision goggles obtained from German Army inventories. Germany continued to examine the December 19, 2016 Christmas Market terrorist attack, and two state parliaments (North-Rhine Westphalia and Berlin) established special parliamentary inquiry committees into law enforcement's performance in the case. Shortcomings identified by the Berlin inquiry including lack of law-enforcement coordination among different agencies and states, failure to monitor a known criminal who carried false identification papers, and poor collection of physical evidence were discussed in a press conference. A state senator called for a formal Federal Bundestag inquiry. In March, the Federal Justice Ministry appointed a temporary victims' representative and at least US $1.9 million in compensation was paid to victims and their families. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Germany is a member of the Financial Action Task Force and its financial intelligence unit (FIU) is a member of the Egmont Group. In June, Germany transferred its FIU to the Customs Office. The government adopted legislation implementing EU-Directive 2015/849 against Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing, which establishes a transparency register of beneficial owners, extends anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism laws to all goods traders, adopts the EU High Risk Third Country List, expands the list of sanctionable situations, and raises fines from a maximum of US $118,000 to US $1.18 million. Germany remained a strong advocate of the UN Security Council ISIL (Da'esh) and al-Qa'ida sanctions regime. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): In 2017, Germany expanded funding for existing CVE programs and earmarked a total of approximately 218 million (US $255 million) for programming targeting all types of violent extremism. The majority of programs are federally funded and implemented locally through non-governmental organizations. Several federal states also have CVE offices. In March, the German Cabinet announced a new 101 million (US $118 million) National Prevention Strategy against Islamist Extremism, part of the 218 million (US $255 million) total CVE funding. The program is led jointly by the Federal Interior and Family Ministries and implemented with the states, remaining federal ministries, Federal Commission for Migration, Refugees and Integration, and other stakeholders. Focusing on local communities, schools, refugee integration centers, and mosques, the program will give special attention to prevention and de-radicalization through the internet, refugee integration, and prisons. In July, the government released the inaugural report of the Federal Extremism Prevention Strategy. In 2017, local research institutions, including universities and private think tanks, began to engage in CVE-related research. As of the end of 2017, the German cities of Augsburg and Dresden were members of the Strong Cities Network. International and Regional Cooperation: In December, Germany co-sponsored UN Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 2396 on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. Besides its memberships in the EU, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Germany is also a member of the Global Counterterrorism Forum. In response to UNSCR 2309 on aviation security, the German government was funding initiatives in Egypt, Kenya, and Nigeria aimed at improving aviation security. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Georgia Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Georgia, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fa64.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Georgia, a longstanding member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, continued its strong engagement with the United States across a range of counterterrorism-related issues. It participated in numerous bilateral exercises and remained a solid U.S. security partner. In May, U.S. and Georgian leadership signed the Agreement of the United States of America and the Government of Georgia Concerning Security Measures for the Protection of Classified Information, establishing a legal foundation for bilateral intelligence sharing that will strengthen counterterrorism cooperation and enhance the Georgian military's interoperability with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Georgia continued to enhance its counterterrorism legislation in 2017. Georgia introduced legislation with a view to reform and increase management oversight of covert investigative operations and the use of electronic surveillance. The parliament adopted other amendments in 2017, including granting authority to law-enforcement bodies to request electronic communications directly from the agency conducting the surveillance and strengthening security protections for individuals involved in criminal cases. The government also implemented a new law on international protection. The law was designed to allow the government to refuse refugee, asylum, or other international protection to persons reasonably considered involved in acts of terrorism and/or have connections to terrorist organizations or groups the government deemed "extremist." Overall, the Georgian government is generally capable of detecting, deterring, and responding to terrorist incidents. The State Security Service of Georgia (SSSG) has the lead in handling terrorism-related incidents and is generally well equipped and well trained. In 2017, Georgia's law enforcement bodies signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Improving the Efficiency of Interagency Cooperation in the Law Enforcement Sphere, which provides for the creation of an Operational Headquarters on Management of Extreme Situations, in the event of a terrorist act. Georgia improved infrastructure in five land border sectors (four along the Azerbaijani border and one along the Turkish), and added four along the Turkish border. Georgia also established the Risk and Threat Assessment Unit, which operates in line with the European Common Integrated Risk Analysis Model, and signed the Tactical Memorandum with the NATO Maritime Command, promoting cooperation and information sharing between NATO and Georgia's Joint Maritime Operations Center. This makes Georgia a non-operational partner of the NATO-led Operation Sea Guardian, one of NATO's activities to counter terrorism. The government passed additional safety measures in the aviation sector as the State Program on Safeguarding Civil Aviation Security Against Acts of Unlawful Interference legislation was adopted, in conformity with the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, and standards and recommended practices established by International Civil Aviation Organization. Finally, the government approved and implemented the Joint Action Plan on the Management of Crisis Extreme Situations in the Field of Civil Aviation. On November 21-22, the SSSG's counterterrorism unit led an operation in a residential building in Tbilisi, intending to detain four suspected terrorists who opened fire on the Special Forces. One member of the terrorist group was detained, two were killed, and a fourth suspect detonated an explosive, killing himself. The Georgian government later identified one of the dead as international terrorist Akhmet Chataev. One Georgian officer was killed and four others were wounded. On December 26, following judicial authorization, the SSSG counterterrorism department launched an early-morning counterterrorism raid in Pankisi Gorge. Authorities detained four individuals based on their alleged connection to Chataev. One man was critically wounded in the raid and later died. As of late December 2017, investigations into both raids were ongoing. In July, Georgia launched an investigation and subsequent criminal proceedings against a Georgian citizen who was allegedly fighting with ISIS. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Georgia is a member of the Council of Europe's Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism, a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-style regional body. Georgia's financial intelligence unit, the Financial Monitoring Service of Georgia, is a member of the Egmont Group. Georgia's anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism legal framework remains largely in compliance with international standards, in particular with updated FATF recommendations. In late 2017, the Government of Georgia adopted the Rules of Providing Information and Filling the Illegal Income Legalization and Terrorism Financing Risk Supervisory Reports by the Commercial Banks, with the intent to improve reporting forms. Based on reports provided by Georgia's Financial Monitoring Service, the SSSG launched an investigation into a potential terrorism financing case involving a foreign citizen attempting to open an account in a local private bank who was suspected of having links with an entity operating in Syria. The investigation was ongoing at the end of 2017. Three terrorism-financing cases from 2016 remained ongoing in 2017. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): In 2017, the Georgian government continued its CVE efforts in vulnerable populations by focusing on initiatives in equality and integration, education, civic and political participation, media and access to information, gender equality, and preserving minority culture and identity. The Georgian government launched a three-month internship pilot program for ethnic minority students that included over 65 students interning in 20 state agencies and local self-government bodies. Another project initiated in 2017 was the "Young European Ambassadors" program, aimed at providing various minority target groups with information on Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations in their native languages. The Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection organized multiple cultural events in both the Pankisi Gorge and Akhaltsikhe, promoting cultural diversity through various fora. The Ministry of Internal Affairs launched a pilot program focusing on community policing in one district in Tbilisi with the hope of identifying gaps and implementing the program on a broader scale. International and Regional Cooperation: Georgia is actively engaged on counterterrorism issues at the international, regional, and bilateral levels. Georgia also cooperates closely with NATO; participates in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, including its Foreign Terrorist Fighters working group; the Council of Europe Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism, and the Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation. In December, Georgia co-sponsored UN Security Council resolution 2396 on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. In 2017, Georgia signed the Operational Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Europol, an agreement with Germany on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information, and an agreement with the European Union on Security Procedures for Exchanging and Protecting Classified Information. Separately, Georgia signed bilateral treaties focused on further law enforcement cooperation with Greece and Sweden. Georgia has similar cooperation agreements in place with 28 countries. In 2017, more than 150 representatives from the SSSG and other relevant law-enforcement agencies participated in more than 30 counterterrorism-related trainings, seminars, conferences, and capacity-building exercises organized with the support of their international partners. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Ethiopia Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Ethiopia, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fa728.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: The continuing al-Shabaab threat emanating from Somalia dominated the Government of Ethiopia's security posture and the Ethiopian National Defense Force's (ENDF) 2017 counterterrorism efforts. Ethiopia also focused its counterterrorism strategy on pursuing potential threats from armed opposition groups often based in neighboring countries. The Ethiopian Federal Police (EFP) and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shared information on counterterrorism matters pursuant to a memorandum of understanding. The Ethiopian government contributed to FBI cases related to al-Shabaab and other U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations by providing information, evidence, and access to witnesses. Ethiopia joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in 2017. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: The Government of Ethiopia uses the 2009 Anti-Terrorism Proclamation (ATP) to prosecute crimes associated with terrorist activity. Ethiopia convicted 23 individuals in 2017 for planning to conduct terrorist attacks in Ethiopia after making contact with al-Shabaab and al-Qa'ida. Ethiopia also continued to use the ATP to suppress criticism by detaining and prosecuting journalists, opposition figures including members of religious groups protesting government interference in religious affairs and other activists. The Ethiopian government released some, but arrested several others during the year. These arrests peaked under the State of Emergency the Ethiopian government imposed in October 2016 in the wake of anti-government protests and violence that resulted in tens of thousands of arrests and several hundred deaths. We refer you to the State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and Report on International Religious Freedom for further information. In late August, the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law conducted a workshop in Addis Ababa for judges handling ATP cases. Ethiopian judges are often overwhelmed with hundreds of ATP-related cases because Ethiopian prosecutors often seek to bring the highest charges for cases that they cannot resolve with plea agreements. With U.S. support, the Attorney General's Office is working on revising Ethiopia's Criminal Procedure Code to include plea agreements. The ENDF, the EFP, Ethiopian intelligence, and regional special police worked to detect and deter al-Shabaab attacks in Ethiopia. The National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), which has broad authority for intelligence, border security, and criminal investigation, is responsible for overall counterterrorism management in coordination with the ENDF and EFP. The three security organizations comprise the Ethiopian Task Force for Counterterrorism, a federal-level committee to coordinate counterterrorism efforts. The NISS facilitated some coordination with the United States to include several domestic counterterrorism cases. Border security was a persistent concern for Ethiopia, which worked to tighten border controls with Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan. Ethiopia employed the Terrorist Interdiction Program's Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES) to conduct traveler screening and watchlisting at airports and other ports of entry. Ethiopia is East Africa's only last point of departure to the United States, one of only a few on the African continent. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration continued to conduct semi-annual inspections of Ethiopia's national carrier and of Bole International Airport, including one that occurred in early December. Inspectors reported implementation of all recent enhanced security measures and that cooperation with Ethiopian aviation security officials remains strong. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Ethiopia is a member of the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group, a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-style regional body. In October, the FATF and the European Commission listed Ethiopia as one of 11 high-risk and non-cooperative jurisdictions with strategic deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regimes and recommended that any financial flows from the country be subject to additional counter checks and know-your-customer rules. Ethiopia is one of eight countries named on both the FATF and European Commission lists. Following the completion of the National Risk Assessment for money laundering and terrorism finance in early 2017, Ethiopia approved and began implementing a National Risk Mitigation Action Plan. Ethiopian law enforcement handles low-end money laundering investigations but is ill equipped to expand to larger AML/CFT investigations. Law enforcement lacks the forensic tools, human resources, and training to focus on these types of cases. In addition, the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and law enforcement did not appear to coordinate their efforts fully. The FIC processes and submits suspicious transaction reports to the police for money laundering and to the NISS for terrorist financing cases. However, there appeared to be a lack of follow-up on AML/CFT investigations. Ethiopia has made no apparent attempt to investigate and prosecute cases on suspicious or fraudulent mobile money transactions. This is especially significant since it appears that a large number of mobile money transactions occur within the Somali region of Ethiopia, an area where the Ethiopian government has concentrated much of its counterterrorism efforts. The two mobile money platforms in Ethiopia reported growth in its revenues, especially from transactions originating in rural areas, and have expressed interest in cooperating with law enforcement on investigations under certain conditions. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Ethiopia has not yet developed a CVE strategy. In 2017, the U.S. Agency for International Development provided assistance through a local Ethiopian civil society organization to undertake research on the existing potential vulnerabilities to extremism in Ethiopia. This research was conducted in communities across eight of the nine regional states as well as in Dire Dawa and Addis Ababa, cities deemed at risk of radicalization to violence and terrorist recruitment. The findings of this research were presented and validated by Ethiopian government (federal and regional state) officials and non-government interlocutors (religious leaders) in November. The government's continued restrictions on funding to civil society and non-governmental organizations under the Charities and Societies Proclamation limited the activity of non-governmental organizations, including CVE programming targeting at-risk youth and engaging communities and credible leaders. International and Regional Cooperation: There have been no significant changes since the 2016 report. The ENDF continued its participation in the African Union Mission in Somalia, which includes military forces from Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, and Uganda. Ethiopia joined the UN Security Council (UNSC) as an elected member in January 2017 and served as a vice chair of the UNSC 1373 Committee on Counterterrorism. In December, Ethiopia co-sponsored UNSC Security Council resolution 2396 on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - France Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - France, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fa73.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: France remained an important counterterrorism partner of the United States in 2017. It is a longstanding and important member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. France continued to conduct counterterrorism operations in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Mali, other parts of the Sahel region, and the Lake Chad region. The terrorist threat in France remained high and terrorists allegedly inspired by or affiliated with ISIS perpetrated multiple small-scale attacks in 2017. As first observed in 2016, the profile of realized attacks has shifted from the large-scale, externally directed plots of 2015 to more modest attacks perpetrated by solitary local actors with little, if any, direct guidance from established terrorist organizations. French law enforcement and intelligence thwarted a number of attacks in 2017 and arrested scores on terrorism-related charges, but government officials emphasized that self-radicalized lone actors using rudimentary weapons present a threat much more difficult to detect and disrupt. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: Multiple small-scale suspected terrorist attacks took place in 2017. Most targeted French security forces, although a knife attack in Marseille killed two civilians. Assailants used firearms in one attack. For example: On February 3, a 29-year-old Egyptian citizen wielding a machete was shot and seriously wounded by a French army patrol near the Louvre Museum in Paris after he attacked and lightly wounded one of the soldiers. Despite having posted several tweets indicating support for ISIS, the attacker told investigators he had no links to the group and "acted on his own will." On April 20, a 39-year-old French citizen used an automatic rifle to fire on a police van stationed on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, killing one officer and wounding two others and a tourist before being shot dead. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack. Police found a note on the attacker's body praising ISIS. On June 19, a 31-year-old French citizen deliberately rammed his car containing two gas canisters and ammunition into a convoy of gendarmerie vehicles on Champs-Elysees. The perpetrator died but caused no other casualties. He reportedly sent a letter pledging allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the organization later claimed responsibility for the attack in July. On August 9, a 36-year-old Algerian citizen drove his vehicle into a domestic military detachment patrolling a suburb west of Paris, injuring six soldiers. French authorities pressed charges for "attempted murder of security forces in connection with a terrorist enterprise," claiming the attacker "had radical beliefs and showed interest in the Islamic State group." On October 1, a Tunisian citizen stabbed two women to death at Marseille's main train station before being shot and killed by security forces. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: New counterterrorism legislation enacted October 31, 2017, replaced and codified certain aspects of the expired state of emergency that had been initiated in the wake of the November 2015 attacks in Paris and Seine-Saint-Denis. The law grants expanded powers to conduct searches, restrict and monitor the movements of suspected extremists, close religious institutions for disseminating extremist ideas, enhance security measures at public events, and expand identity checks near France's borders. The core provisions of the bill will expire at the end of 2020 unless renewed by parliament. The law also formalized France's Passenger Name Record system, as required by a 2016 European Union (EU) directive, and increased the maximum sentence for adults convicted of encouraging minors to commit a terrorist act or join a terrorist organization to 15 years in prison, among other measures. President Macron announced several security-related reforms since taking office in May. Macron reinforced and expanded the authorities of the National Intelligence Council (CNR), a DNI-like body established in 2008. President Macron appointed a former chief of domestic intelligence to head the CNR and plans to double its staff from 15 to 30 analysts and advisors. In September, the Ministries of Interior and Defense announced a reorganization of Operation Sentinelle, which includes the domestic deployment of approximately 7,000 French army personnel to bolster security at high-threat sites after the January 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris. These changes aim to make Sentinelle a more flexible and reactive force, rather than a static deterrent. In October, the interior ministry announced details of a community policing program proposed by President Macron during his presidential campaign. Also in October, France extended border controls in place since November 2015 with its Schengen neighbors for an additional six months. French authorities made multiple terrorism-related arrests and claimed to have thwarted at least 20 specific plots in 2017. France's domestic intelligence and security agency and judicial police antiterrorism unit were responsible for most significant arrests. Police discovered two plots after neighbors reported suspicious behavior to authorities. Most of the arrests involved individuals and groups with direct or indirect links to ISIS. In October, authorities arrested 10 far-right terrorists suspected of planning an attack against politicians, migrants, and mosques. In November, Abdelkader Merah, brother of the al-Qa'ida-linked terrorist Mohamed Merah, who was responsible for the 2012 Toulouse attacks, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for criminal terrorist conspiracy. Prosecutors had sought a life term. The court found that Abdelkader Merah indirectly supported the attack and contributed to his brother's radicalization, but that he was not directly responsible for the deaths. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: France is a member of the Financial Action Task Force and its financial intelligence unit is a member of the Egmont Group. There are no significant changes to the information provided on countering the financing of terrorism in the 2016 report. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): A critical senate report on France's de-radicalization efforts released in July led to greater scrutiny of the service providers contracted by the government to implement its prevention and reintegration programs. The Inter-Ministerial Committee for the Prevention of Delinquency and Radicalization refocused its efforts on disengagement, reintegration, and prevention as opposed to de-radicalization. It continues to employ multidisciplinary social service teams to provide counseling and support to individuals at risk of radicalization to violence as well as their families. In June, after all participants left the program, the Committee closed the voluntary residential Citizenship and Reintegration Center it had opened nine months earlier. President Macron called for an inter-ministerial committee to meet in December to begin designing a new comprehensive government plan to counter radicalization to violence. In November, Macron pledged additional resources for economically disadvantaged neighborhoods throughout France to address conditions that terrorists exploit for recruitment. The French cities of Bordeaux, Montreuil, Paris, and Sarcelles are members of the Strong Cities Network. International and Regional Cooperation: France is a founding member of the Global Counterterrorism Forum. Sworn in in 2013, France's Jean-Paul Laborde's tenure ended as Executive Director of the UN Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate in July. France plays a strong role on the UN Security Council ISIL (Da'esh) and al-Qa'ida Sanctions Committee. In December, France co-sponsored UN Security Council resolution 2396 on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. In September, France co-led with the United Kingdom and Italy a UN General Assembly high-level side event on "Preventing Terrorist Use of the Internet" focused on technology industry engagement. The French government undertook joint counterterrorism operations with several EU partners and played an active role in counterterrorism capacity building in other countries, particularly in the Sahel region, both bilaterally and through the EU. Hesham Tawfik said the losses of all 121 public sector companies hit a record EGP 7.5 billion in 2016/17 Egypts Minister of Public Enterprise Sector Hesham Tawfik told MPs on Tuesday in a plenary session that the government has devised a plan for reforming public sector companies within two and a half years. We are currently aiming to reform 26 companies and aim to turn them into profitable businesses within 30 months, and we chose these companies because their promising production potential, said Tawfik. Answering a number of questions directed by MPs, Tawfik said the number of companies affiliated with the ministry stands at 121. Out of these, which are working under the purview of 16 holding companies, 48 have incurred EGP 7.5 billion in losses in 2017, while others generated EGP 7.5 billion in profits, said Tawfik, adding that the number of employees in the 121 companies stand at 214,000, with 54,000 being affiliated with the spinning and weaving companies. Tawfik said an amount between EGP 2 billion and EGP 3 billion will be allocated to upgrade the giant Helwans Iron and Steel company and the Delta Steel Company. Foreign experts will come to prepare an investment study about the two companies, and we hope that at the end the two with all of their production lines working at full capacity. Tawfik said the giant Helwan Iron and Steel Company, established in 1964, is a source of pride for all Egyptians. With stiff competition from private sector companies in an open economy, the company began to stumble, but it still has promising potential, and we hope it will regain its foothold as Egypts major iron and steel company, he said. Parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Aal commented that the restructuring of public sector companies has become a necessity. The bankruptcy law was issued by parliament to tackle the problems of loss-making companies through restructuring, and if impossible, through liquidation, said the speaker, adding that we should no longer view public sector companies as a sacred cow, and all should be subject to different forms of reform in a competitive market economy. Search Keywords: Short link: Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Eritrea Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Eritrea, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fa83d.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: The Government of Eritrea continued to make regular public statements about its commitment to fighting terrorism. Eritrea also continued and broadened its support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, and it allowed military elements of the coalition to base in Eritrea. In May 2017, the United States recertified Eritrea as "not cooperating fully" with U.S. antiterrorism efforts under Section 40A of the Arms Export and Control Act, as amended. In considering this annual determination, the Department of State reviewed Eritrea's overall level of cooperation with U.S. efforts to counter terrorism, taking into account U.S. counterterrorism objectives and a realistic assessment of Eritrean capabilities. Eritrea has been subject to UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions since December 2009 due to past evidence of support for al-Shabaab and other activities that have contributed to regional instability. UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCR) 1907 (2009) and 2011 (2013) established and consolidated a two-way arms embargo on Eritrea, most recently renewed in UNSCR 2385 (2017). The sanctions regime on Eritrea also includes provisions for a travel ban and asset freeze measures with regard to individuals or entities designated by the UN Sanctions Committee for Somalia and Eritrea. At present, there are no UN listings for the sanctions regime as it relates to Eritrea. While the Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group's (SEMG) 2017 report did not find conclusive evidence that Eritrea is supporting al-Shabaab, the Government of Eritrea continued to refuse to allow the SEMG inspectors to visit Eritrea, limiting the scope of its investigations. The SEMG did not find evidence of continued Eritrean support to armed groups intent on destabilizing Ethiopia and Djibouti. Due to the Government of Eritrea's lack of transparency, there was no clear picture of the methods it used to track terrorists or safeguard its citizens. For a number of years, members of the police have refused to meet with security officials from western nations to discuss policy matters, although the United States had informal contact with some law enforcement counterparts in 2017. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: There were no significant changes since 2016. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Eritrea is not a member or observer of a Financial Action Task Force-style regional body or a member of the Egmont Group. Eritrea is a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, which has a maritime security program that focuses on building the capacity of law enforcement agencies to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): There were no significant changes since 2016. International and Regional Cooperation: In December, Eritrea co-sponsored UNSCR 2396 on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Egypt Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Egypt, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fa913.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: In 2017, Egypt suffered numerous deadly terrorist attacks. Despite efforts by President Abdel Fatah Al Sisi's government and the Egyptian Security Forces (ESF), especially in North Sinai, terrorist attacks remained persistent. ISIS affiliates, including ISIS-Sinai Province (ISIS-SP) and a distinct group calling itself Islamic State Egypt (IS Egypt), posed the most significant threat, as did groups such as Harakat Sawa'd Misr (HASM) and Liwa al-Thawra. For much of the year, these attacks primarily targeted Egyptian security personnel; however, on November 24, terrorists likely affiliated with ISIS killed more than 312 civilians at a Sufi mosque in North Sinai, resulting in the worst terrorist attack in Egypt's history. In April, the Egyptian government passed legislation facilitating the prosecution of terrorist cases. Egypt continued its efforts to combat the financing of terrorism and is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and its Counter-ISIS Finance working group. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: ISIS affiliates and other terrorist groups carried out numerous attacks throughout Egypt, particularly in the Sinai. Methods included complex assaults involving dozens of terrorists, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), vehicle-borne IEDs, ambushes, kidnappings, and targeted assassinations. The following list details only a fraction of the incidents that occurred, particularly against Egyptian civilian and military security forces. Between late January and late February, terrorists threatened and targeted Copts in North Sinai, killing at least seven people and displacing more than a hundred Coptic families. On April 9, an IS Egypt suicide bomber killed 30 people and injured at least 70 during Palm Sunday services at a Coptic Church in Tanta. In a coordinated attack on the same day, another IS Egypt suicide bomber killed 16 people and injured 66 outside Saint Mark's Church in Alexandria. On May 26, ISIS operatives killed 28 people and wounded 25 after gunmen opened fire on a bus carrying Coptic Christians near Minya. On July 7, suspected ISIS operatives detonated a car bomb at a police checkpoint and then engaged in heavy gunfire, killing 26 people and wounding more than 20 others in the village of al-Barth near Rafah. On October 16, terrorists robbed a local bank of approximately US $1 million in local currency and traded gunfire with security forces in Al Arish, North Sinai, killing seven, including three civilians. On October 20, Ansar al-Islam, a new group with assessed links to al-Qa'ida, claimed responsibility for ambushing an ESF convoy near al-Bahariya Oasis in the Western Desert, killing at least 16 police officers and injuring 15, according to official statistics. Some press reports put the number of fatalities at more than 50 police officers. On November 24, in the deadliest terrorist attack in Egypt's history, suspected ISIS-Sinai terrorists attacked a mosque in Al-Rawdah village in North Sinai, killing 312 people, including 27 children, and wounding 128. The attackers detonated explosives around the mosque when worshipers came out after Friday prayers and then engaged in gunfire. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: In April, parliament approved and the president ratified legislation eliminating some standard legal procedures and allowing for swifter prosecution in terrorism-related cases. The changes allow the detention of suspects without charge for a 14-day period, which is renewable once. Multiple media outlets and human rights groups criticized the government for using counterterrorism measures to crack down on political dissent. The National Security Sector of the Ministry of Interior (MOI) is primarily responsible for counterterrorism functions in the Nile Valley but also works with other elements of the MOI, the Egyptian General Intelligence Service, and the Egyptian Armed Forces (EAF). There appeared to be limited interagency cooperation and information sharing among the relevant Egyptian government entities in 2017. At border crossings and airports, Egyptian authorities checked for the presence of security features within travel documents. They also scanned and cross-referenced documents with criminal databases containing derogatory information. Egypt maintains a terrorist watchlist with a simple listing for Egyptian immigration officials at the ports of entry and detailed information maintained by the security services. Egypt's most significant physical border security concerns were along the borders with Gaza and Libya, although smuggling remained a problem along the border with Sudan. There have been several attacks against ESF checkpoints in Upper Egypt, likely due to smugglers or terrorist groups moving through the area. The ESF continued to maintain the de-populated, 1.5-kilometer buffer zone along the border with Gaza. Egypt maintained an increased military presence along the Libya border. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Egypt is a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force, a Financial Action Task Force-style regional body. Egypt's Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Combating Unit is a member of the Egmont Group. The Egyptian government continued to improve its legal framework for countering terrorist financing. Egypt remains vulnerable to terrorist financing because of its large, informal, cash-based economy and proximity to several terrorist organizations. The Central Bank of Egypt and the Federation of Egyptian Banks have taken steps to encourage Egyptians to enter the formal financial sector. Despite legislative efforts, exploitation of banking technologies and social media for terrorism funding also remained an issue. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Egypt's Dar Al-Iftaa, an official body that issues religious edicts, has taken the lead in CVE messaging via religious channels. Dar Al-Iftaa sends scholars to engage communities considered vulnerable to terrorist messaging. It also trains new muftis, organizes international outreach and speaking tours throughout Muslim majority countries and the West, publishes books and pamphlets to challenge the alleged religious foundations of terrorist ideology, runs rehabilitation sessions for former terrorists, and confronts terrorists in cyberspace. Dar Al-Iftaa also held an international conference in October on regulating fatwas as part of the government's efforts to improve religious discourse against terrorist ideology. On November 15, the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, in coordination with Egypt's religious institutions, issued a list of 50 religious scholars authorized to issue fatwas to curb aberrant fatwas and to counter extremist and radical ones. Al-Azhar University continued to publish short posts related to tolerance and coexistence via its online platforms and co-sponsored a series of CVE conferences. The Ministry of Islamic Endowments (Awqaf) is legally responsible for issuing guidance to which all imams throughout Egypt must adhere, including a weekly theme for Friday sermons. The Ministry also licenses all mosques in Egypt; however, many continued to operate without licenses. The Ministry has trained up to 250 female preachers as part of its outreach program to women who may be susceptible to terrorist recruitment. These preachers have teamed up with Christian nuns to promote religious dialogue. The government appoints and monitors the imams in licensed mosques and pays their salaries. In 2017, Awqaf published and translated numerous books on violent extremism and the protection of minorities, and it launched new initiatives to foster Muslim-Christian dialogue. International and Regional Cooperation: Egypt continued to participate in the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), co-chairing the Criminal Justice and Rule of Law working group through September 2017. Egypt held a UN Security Council (UNSC) seat through the end of 2017 and presided over the UNSC Counter-Terrorism Committee. It is also a member of the African Union, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Arab League. Starting in September 2017, Egypt served as the co-chair of the GCTF Capacity Building in the East Africa Region working group. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Djibouti Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Djibouti, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1faa13.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Djibouti offered a vital platform for regional counterterrorism and countering violent extremism (CVE) efforts in 2017. Since 2002, Djibouti has hosted Camp Lemonnier, the headquarters of AFRICOM's Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and the only enduring U.S. military installation in Africa. Djibouti's Armed Forces also participated in the U.S.-funded Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance program and deployed soldiers to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) campaign. Djibouti hosts the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Center of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, which serves as a regional CVE hub and resource for CVE research, development, and training. IGAD positions Djibouti as a regional leader on counterterrorism and CVE. In 2017, the Government of Djibouti hosted several conferences: A Ministry of Islamic Affairs-led conference with Muslim religious leaders from the Horn of Africa on strategies to address "extremist" messaging directed at youth; A Ministry of Justice-led conference with the international organization of La Francophonie and the Association of Francophone Prosecutors on counterterrorism prosecutions; and A Central Bank-led conference with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. As in previous years, Djiboutian government officials, particularly law enforcement and members of the High Islamic Council, worked closely to identify and address terrorist activity. Djibouti joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in 2017. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Djibouti has a legal framework for prosecuting terrorism-related crimes and can try terrorists in criminal courts using its penal code. As such, there were no significant changes on terrorism-related legislation in 2017. The Djiboutian government continued to use counterterrorism legislation to suppress criticism by detaining and prosecuting opposition figures and other activists. We refer you to the State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for further information. In 2017, the Djiboutian government made structural and judicial counterterrorism-related changes. The Minister of Justice appointed a new State Prosecutor, who reorganized the Prosecutor's office to allow deputy prosecutors to specialize in terrorism-related cases. Djibouti also passed a comprehensive refugee law and two implementing decrees to ensure refugees have freedom of movement, education, work, and access to public services, including those related to criminal justice, which were not de jure rights for refugees prior to their passage. Recognizing that refugees account for more than three percent of the population, the government's decision to provide them access to the criminal justice system serves as an effective long-term response to address the risk of any vulnerable population, including this one, to recruitment, radicalization to violence, and other terrorist-related activity. Djiboutian law enforcement entities continued to prioritize counterterrorism due to Djibouti's geographic location and an al-Shabaab attack in Djibouti City in May 2014. Djibouti maintained a system of checkpoints and conducted cordon-and-search operations within the capital, Djibouti City, and concentrated security forces at border control points to screen for potential security threats. Government officials enhanced the protection of soft targets, including hotels and grocery stores, measures first implemented after the May 2014 attack. Djiboutian law enforcement also extended vehicle searches throughout the capital in an effort coordinated through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Djibouti's law enforcement organizations include the Djiboutian National Police (DNP), the Djiboutian National Gendarmerie, the National Security Judiciary Police (NSJP), and the Djiboutian Coast Guard. In 2017, the DNP, National Gendarmerie, and NSJP received training from both the Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program and the International Law Enforcement Academy in Gaborone. ATA assistance focused on building technical capacity for improved crisis response and border security capabilities. The DNP, National Gendarmerie, and the NSJP also received training through the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation's Legal Attache office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Djibouti's law enforcement organizations routinely interacted with U.S. government counterparts and frequently sought U.S. input to identify potential terrorist suspects. Djiboutian law enforcement personnel acknowledged the difficulty of securing their land and sea borders. The DNP controls border checkpoints and Djibouti's armed forces are responsible for patrolling land borders in remote locations, with support from the Gendarme patrolling between border posts. Djibouti continued to process travelers on entry and departure at its international airport and seaport with the Personal Identification Secure Comparison Evaluation System (PISCES). While the airport and seaport remain important entry points, the vast majority of travelers cross into Djibouti by land at one of three land border points, one of which is the Loyada crossing at the Somali border, which was refurbished with U.S. funding. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: In 2017, Djibouti applied for membership to the Middle East and Northern Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF)), a Financial Action Task Force-style regional body. Its application is under consideration by MENAFATF members. The Central Bank of Djibouti houses a financial intelligence unit known as the Financial Information Service (SRF). Due to limited financial and human resources, the SRF has been unable to perform the core functions of a financial intelligence unit and has focused instead on banking supervision. The SRF referred no cases to law enforcement involving suspected terrorist financing in 2017. Djibouti's Central Bank places the responsibility for staying updated on sanctions lists with the financial institutions themselves. Many of the financial institutions operating in Djibouti have software packages that include links to UN sanctions lists, lists of designated terrorists, or terrorist entities provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control and the European Union. The Central Bank monitors compliance with these lists through routine supervision and audits of the financial institutions. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Law enforcement agencies worked with the High Islamic Council to identify and monitor activity that promoted terrorist ideology. Djibouti continued to host and provide oversight for the operation of the IGAD Center of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and has also prioritized economic growth to address the high unemployment among youth. International and Regional Cooperation: Djibouti hosts the IGAD's headquarters offices and Secretary General. The Djiboutian military continued its participation in AMISOM, which includes military forces from Burundi, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Denmark Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Denmark, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fab13.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: The Kingdom of Denmark (which includes the autonomous constituent countries of Greenland and the Faroe Islands) devoted significant assets to counterterrorism programs and initiatives to counter violent extremism, domestically and abroad. Denmark cooperates closely with the United States, the United Nations (UN), and the European Union (EU) on counterterrorism initiatives, including within the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. According to the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET), at least 145 Danish citizens and residents voluntarily left Denmark to fight in Syria and Iraq since the summer of 2012. PET remained concerned that Danish fighters returning to Denmark with terrorist training would seek to radicalize others. PET was also concerned about the potential for small groups or individuals to commit terrorist acts. Danish security agencies worked together to prevent terrorist attacks and counter ISIS's attempts to recruit foreign terrorist fighters in its territory. According to the PET-administered Center for Terror Analysis (CTA), up to 10 percent of foreign terrorist fighters from Denmark are female. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Denmark continued to use its 2006 terrorism legislation that allows information sharing between its agencies responsible for counterterrorism and foreign terrorist fighters the PET and the Danish Defense Intelligence Service (DDIS). This year the government began to implement its National Action Plan to Prevent and Counter Extremism and Radicalization, approved in October 2016. Efforts to counter terrorism are also shared among the Danish National Police, the Public Prosecution Service, and the Danish Prison and Probation Service. Danish security and law enforcement agencies share information via the CTA, which as the Danish government's intelligence fusion center constitutes the focal point for reporting from the Danish National Police, PET, DDIS, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Danish Emergency Management Agency. The Danish police and the Danish defense forces share responsibility for preventing terrorist attacks in Copenhagen and on the borders. Denmark implemented electronic passport checks at its points of entry for individuals arriving from outside of Schengen countries. Checkpoints for identity documents at Denmark's border with Germany were established in response to Sweden's decision to impose document checks at its border with Denmark in January 2016. Random checks for identity documents at many border crossings remained in place. To free up police resources for anti-gang efforts, the military supplemented the police at the borders and as security for the Jewish synagogue in Copenhagen. In May, the government banned six religious figures, who had been deemed a threat to public order due to their alleged role in promoting "hate speech," from entering the country for two years, including one U.S. citizen. Counterterrorism-related actions by law enforcement included: In March, Hamza Cakan (aka Enes Ciftci) was stripped of his Danish citizenship and sentenced to six years in prison for joining a terrorist group in Syria. He will be returned to Turkey after serving his prison term. In September, PET and the Danish police arrested and charged a man and a woman for purchasing and sending materials to support ISIS. In November, a court sentenced a 17-year-old woman to eight years' imprisonment for plotting to bomb two schools, one of which was a private Jewish school in Copenhagen. The woman was originally arrested in January 2016. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Denmark is a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Its financial intelligence unit (FIU), the Money Laundering Secretariat, is a member of the Egmont Group and cooperates closely with other Nordic FIUs. Denmark has a robust legal framework to combat the financing of terrorism. PET is the lead organization for investigation in this area. The Danish government continued anti-money laundering and counterterrorist financing initiatives in East Africa and Yemen as a part of its foreign assistance. Denmark continued its efforts to counter illicit financial flows with national banks and other financial institutions in Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon. In June, parliament passed a law to strengthen efforts to prevent the Danish financial system from being involved in money laundering and terrorist financing. The law dictates that companies and financial institutions must increase their focus on the risk associated with currency trading and conduct a risk analysis annually. According to an evaluation conducted by the FATF in August, Denmark has a legal system in place to apply targeted financial sanctions, but "implementation has technical and practical deficiencies in large part due to delays at the EU level . . . and the absence of any specific measures to freeze the assets of EU internals." In January, the Minister of Employment announced it was stopping payment of unemployment benefits to identified ISIS foreign terrorist fighters. In December, the media reported that Danish aid money may have been used to support the Nour al-Din al-Zinki extremist group through a program the government coordinated with the Free Syrian Police. The foreign minister suspended support for the program while the case is being investigated. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): The Danish Parliament continued funding its CVE Action Plan. The plan calls for a multi-level approach that includes information sharing between schools, social services agencies, municipalities, and the police. The coordination between these entities takes place in "info-houses" throughout the 12 police districts that act as storehouses of knowledge regarding radicalized behavior among youth. A national hotline was established where residents can seek advice and guidance if they know of someone on the path to terrorism. In May, the City of Aarhus and the East Jutland Police Department partnered with the Strong Cities Network (SCN) to host a three-day training event for 500 stakeholders from 50 countries. Through SCN, Denmark helped launch a prevention network in six municipalities in Jordan and Lebanon. The Danish cities of Aarhus, Copenhagen, Viborg, Guldborgsund, and Gentofte are all SCN members. In June, the government presented its new foreign and security policy strategy for 2017-2019. The strategy includes policies to block websites with terrorist propaganda and design programs to discourage continued radicalization of persons involved in gangs or showing signs of extremism. International and Regional Cooperation: The Danish government is committed to working within the UN framework, through the EU, and with other international and regional organizations. Denmark is a member of and actively participates in the GCTF, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, INTERPOL, the Bern Club, and the European Counterterrorism Center. In December 2015, voters rejected a proposition to end the country's opt-out from the EU's Justice and Home Affairs area, which would have permitted Denmark to continue to cooperate with Europol after May 2017. However, through a cooperation agreement, Denmark maintains its access to Europol's databases and will have observer status at board meetings. In December, Denmark co-sponsored UN Security Council resolution 2396 on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. Denmark also implemented programs to support national strategies to combat terrorist finance and to counter violent extremism in the Middle East, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, and Southeast Asia. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Cyprus Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Cyprus, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fac198.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: The Republic of Cyprus collaborated closely with the United States, the European Union (EU), and other countries bilaterally and multilaterally in international counterterrorism efforts in 2017. Since 1974, Cyprus has been divided de facto into the Republic of Cyprus government controlled area, composed of the southern two-thirds of the island, and the northern third not under the effective control of the Republic of Cyprus, which is administered by the Turkish Cypriots. The United Nations (UN) peacekeeping force in Cyprus patrols the UN buffer zone, also called "the Green Line," which separates the two sides. The buffer zone is largely open to civilian traffic and remains a significant route for the illicit transit of people, narcotics, and other contraband. The division of the island has impeded counterterrorism cooperation between the two communities and between the Republics of Cyprus and Turkey, which do not maintain diplomatic relations. Cyprus is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and regularly participates in the Coalition's Foreign Terrorist Fighters and Counter-ISIS Finance working groups. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: In April 2017, Cyprus signed the Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Convention for the Prevention of Terrorism. Draft laws regulating the use of surveillance of private communications by law enforcement and undercover activities by police officers were submitted to the House of Representatives. The Cyprus National Police Service increased patrols of identified soft targets and critical infrastructure. The police have proactively engaged owners and managers of soft targets and representatives of the tourist industry to raise awareness about potential terrorist threats, as well as provide specialized training to private security guards. Cyprus was preparing for implementation of the EU Directive on Passenger Name Record (PNR) data. A draft law was being finalized at year's end and the government had begun discussions on the technical implementation of the PNR directive. Cyprus also started the process to implement EU directive 2017/541 on combatting terrorism, which will require amendments to national counterterrorism laws. Cypriot officials participate in regular European Commission meetings on aviation security to ensure implementation of security measures required of all EU member states. Cyprus has also deployed new passenger screening technology that exceeds the current EU requirement. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Cyprus is a member of the Council of Europe's Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism, a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-style regional body. In July, the country enacted an amendment to its national counterterrorism laws to address recommendations by the 2015 FATF Fact Finding Initiative. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism: In addition to continuing activities cited in prior iterations of this report, Cyprus provided all secondary school directors with training on identifying radicalized behavior. The Ministry of Justice and Public Order also trained the staff of the Cyprus Youth Board. International and Regional Cooperation: There were no significant changes since the 2016 report. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Colombia Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Colombia, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fad11.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Colombia experienced a continued decrease in terrorist activity in 2017, due in large part to the November 2016 peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The UN ended the disarmament phase of its monitoring and verification mission on September 25, collecting 8,994 arms, 1.7 million rounds, and more than 40 tons of explosives. The Government of Colombia accredited roughly 11,000 ex-combatants for transition to civilian life. There were challenges implementing the peace accord, however, and a small number of dissident groups rejected the process. Reports confirmed some of these groups continued extortion and illicit activities. Peace talks between the Colombian government and the other major terrorist organization active in the country, the National Liberation Army (ELN), continued. In an effort to generate trust between parties, the government and ELN agreed to a three-month ceasefire, beginning October 1, which was the first such agreement during the 50-year conflict. ELN kidnappings, forced displacements, and attacks on the military, civilian population, and critical infrastructure dropped dramatically since October, with only one confirmed ceasefire violation. Nevertheless, ELN attacks spiked in rural and border regions prior to the ceasefire, and local communities reported ELN-related extortion and displacement continued even after the ceasefire. Overall, the number of dissident FARC and ELN individuals who were either killed or captured decreased compared to 2016, while individual desertions increased. Civilian deaths caused by terrorism continued to fall nationwide. Colombian-U.S. counterterrorism cooperation remained strong and Colombia has openly condemned ISIS and its objectives. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: Colombian government statistics showed a 40 percent decrease in terrorist incidents from 2016. This does not include incidents related to organized criminal groups. FARC dissident groups have conducted a small number of attacks on security forces and civilians.[1] Prior to the October 1 ceasefire, the ELN continued low-cost, high-impact asymmetric attacks. An explosive device was detonated June 17 in the Andino Mall in Bogota, killing three and injuring 10. The Colombian National Police (CNP) believe the People's Revolutionary Movement a relatively new violent group with ideological connections to the ELN was responsible. An investigation led to the capture of nine suspected perpetrators. Among 2017 attacks, several others were notable for their severity or press coverage: The ELN claimed responsibility for a February 19 attack in the La Macarena neighborhood in Bogota in which a police officer was killed. On September 30, three police officers were killed in Miranda, Cauca department, in an attack believed to have been conducted by FARC dissidents. In September, just before the October 1 ceasefire, the ELN carried out a series of attacks on the Cano Limon-Covenas oil pipeline in Norte de Santander and Arauca departments. In 2017, there were 45 attacks on the pipeline prior to the ceasefire. On October 25, members of the ELN claimed responsibility for killing an indigenous leader in Choco department. The ELN later acknowledged it was a ceasefire violation. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: There have been no changes to terrorism-related legislation and investigation procedures since 2016. Colombian authorities continued to operate joint police-military task forces to enhance coordination in countering terrorism. The State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs supported the U.S. Department of Justice, through its International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP), to continue to work with the Attorney General's Office and other agencies to improve standards for investigators, forensic experts, and criminal analysts. In 2017, ICITAP trained more than 160 wire communication analysts. In addition, at the request of the CNP criminal investigation unit, ICITAP began working with the National Police Cyber Center to achieve accreditation. Colombian border security remained an area of vulnerability. Law enforcement officers faced the challenge of working in areas with porous borders and difficult topography plagued by the presence of illegal armed groups and drug trafficking. The CNP lacked the personnel to enforce uniform policies for vehicle or passenger inspections at land crossings. Biometric and biographic screening was conducted only at international airports. The Colombian government uses Advance Passenger Information but does not collect Passenger Name Record data. Of its 184,000 officers, the CNP has 2,202 working on customs enforcement activities. Colombia remained a transit point for the smuggling of third-country nationals who may seek to enter the United States illegally. In 2017, economic challenges in Venezuela contributed to the migration of 660,000 Venezuelans, roughly half of whom entered Colombia illegally, according to Colombia's immigration authority. While the authority regularly detained third-country nationals who entered the country illegally, it lacked the personnel, enforcement power, and resources to respond to possible threats and repatriate migrants. There were no significant changes since 2016 in cooperation on border security, evidence sharing, and joint law enforcement operations with neighboring countries. Law enforcement cooperation between Colombia and the United States remained strong. In 2017, security forces captured or killed a number of high-value dissident FARC and ELN targets wanted for homicide, narcotics trafficking, and forced displacement. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Colombia is a member of the Financial Action Task Force of Latin America, a Financial Action Task Force-style regional body. Colombia's Financial Information and Analysis Unit is a member of the Egmont Group. There were no significant changes in countering the financing of terrorism since 2016. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): The peace accord with the FARC initiated a disarmament, demobilization, and reincorporation process that allowed 11,000 ex-combatants and militia members to disarm. The accord's reincorporation council continues to determine protocols and institutional arrangements for reincorporation of ex-combatants. The Agency for Reincorporation and Normalization (ARN), formerly the Colombian Reintegration Agency (ACR), is the implementing arm of this process. Delays in implementing the program, caused by the refusal of FARC leadership to permit members to actively and effectively participate, increased the prospects that some ex-combatants would return to engaging in criminal activities. Colombia continued to employ a modern, multi-agency approach to CVE, with a focus on encouraging individual guerrillas to demobilize. In 2017, the number of ex-combatants successfully graduating from the ARN's individual program (separate from those demobilized as a result of the accord with the FARC) reached more than 18,960. The number of FARC and ELN members who demobilized individually increased from 704 to 827. The city of Medellin is a founding member of the Strong Cities Network. International and Regional Cooperation: There have been no significant changes to Colombia's international and regional security cooperation since 2016. Colombia is a founding member of the Global Counter Terrorism Forum and continues to lead in providing security training and assistance to other countries in the region. In 2017, Colombia conducted more than 400 security trainings for thousands of non-Colombian individuals on citizen security, crime prevention and monitoring, military and police capacity building, anti-kidnapping, anti-extortion, hostage negotiation, and cyber-security. [1] The FARC remains a Foreign Terrorist Organization under the Immigration and Nationality Act. However, the Colombian government classifies FARC dissidents as criminals. While the ideological motivations of such groups and ongoing connections with demobilized FARC are unclear, we have included acts of violence by FARC dissidents in this report. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - China (Hong Kong and Macau) Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - China (Hong Kong and Macau), 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1faec.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Referring to "terrorism, separatism, and extremism" as "three evil forces" that threaten domestic stability, China continued enhancing domestic counterterrorism efforts and called for greater regional cooperation to combat terrorism. During March-April, China initiated a major security campaign in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) that targeted Uighur and other Muslim ethnic groups and was reportedly aimed at rooting out what officials describe as "separatist, extremist, and terrorist activity." The campaign included detentions widely reported to number in the thousands, along with intensified use of traditional policing measures, the deployment of high-tech surveillance and monitoring systems, the involuntary collection of DNA and other biometric data, and the closure of mosques. China's primary counterterrorism focus remained on ethnic Uighur extremists Beijing ascribes to the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM). China maintains that ETIM is responsible for much of the violence in the XUAR, despite a lack of independent information that ETIM is active in China. China's response to the threat of terrorism remained difficult to distinguish from its suppression of activities its leadership deems separatist in nature or politically subversive to the Chinese Community Party. In response to alleged separatist or subversive concerns, China intensified its security and surveillance in the XUAR, including the implementation of stricter security controls, restrictions on travel, and curbs on religious practice. There were signs that ISIS posed a threat to China and its interests abroad, and the Chinese government reported that some Chinese citizens have joined ISIS and other terrorist organizations in the Middle East. China also issued public statements warning of growing threats to Chinese nationals abroad. In March, ISIS released a half-hour video in which it pledged to attack unspecified Chinese targets. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: The Chinese government claimed its escalated security and surveillance policies reduced the number of what it considered terrorist-related incidents in the XUAR. Details about alleged terrorism-related incidents inside China were difficult to verify due to a lack of transparency and information from the Chinese authorities. China also impeded third party efforts to independently verify state media accounts, which are often the only source of reporting on incidents on Chinese territory. In addition, requests by U.S. law enforcement officials for information on terrorist incidents from Chinese officials went largely unanswered. Incidents described by the government as terrorism-related included: In February, three attackers alleged to be Uighurs detonated a homemade explosive device and killed five residents outside a government compound near Pishan County in the XUAR. In June, Islamic State's Khorasan Province executed two Chinese nationals who had been kidnapped in May in southwestern Pakistan. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: China continued to enhance surveillance and security throughout the country, sometimes citing the Counterterrorism, National Security, Counter-Espionage, and Cyber-Security laws. The 2017 Supreme People's Court report departed from past practice by not reporting the number of individuals convicted in 2016 on terrorism-related charges. Nevertheless, publicly available verdicts related to terrorism prosecutions in 2016 indicate that efforts to implement the Counterterrorism Law have focused on punishing the possession or distribution of materials that authorities deemed "fake terrorism information" or "terrorist" or "extremist" in nature. Specifically, the individuals in these cases were convicted of possessing, accessing, and distributing terrorism-related video or audio material. The implementation of the Counterterrorism Law has also focused on punishing hotels and courier services for failing to comply with "real name registration" requirements. Lawmakers in XUAR passed a regional Anti-Religious Extremism Law in March. The law prohibits advocating or propagating what it considers "extremist" thoughts and publishing, downloading, sharing, or reading articles and audio-video material containing "extremist" content. The law also criminalizes the wearing of long beards and other practices. There were also reports that authorities compelled Uighurs and other minorities to return to the locality listed on their identification documents and that authorities confiscated the passports of members of ethnic minorities and restricted them from leaving the country. Citing terrorism concerns, authorities required some vehicles in the XUAR to install mandatory satellite tracking and required all residents there to install a surveillance "app" that automatically detects "terrorist and illegal" religious videos, images, e-books, and electronic documents on smart phones. The app reportedly has the capability to remotely delete this content. The government's broad definitions of "terrorism" and "extremism" and its unclear definition of "fake terrorism information" continued to raise human rights concerns. We refer you to the State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for further information. Beyond China's borders, China pursued security and counterterrorism cooperation with countries that drew a similarly broad definition of "extremism" and raised human rights concerns. For example, Egyptian authorities arrested and deported at least 34 Chinese-nationality Uighurs in July, reportedly following a Chinese government order that Uighur students in Egypt return to China. Those Uighurs who returned were reportedly sent to re-education camps, where at least two have died. Also, Chinese authorities confirmed in December they were monitoring some international Twitter accounts allegedly linked to ETIM. In another incident, Italian authorities detained a Uighur activist with German citizenship, preventing him from delivering a scheduled speech about human rights in the XUAR. This detention was allegedly responding to an INTERPOL Red Notice. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: China is a member of the Financial Action Task Force, the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering, and the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing. Based on current law enforcement investigations, the United States is concerned that China does not adequately control terrorist financing. Chinese law enforcement claims to have limited ability to freeze funds and investigate banking transactions. Additional concerns include a lack of guidance for designated non-financial businesses and professions, underdeveloped procedures for individuals and groups who seek to be delisted from domestic sanctions, and inadequate regulations defining the rights of bona fide third parties in seizure and confiscation actions. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): China continued to implement broad campaigns in the XUAR under the rubric of countering what the Chinese government considered "extremism." The XUAR government also mandated "re-education" programs for members of ethnic minority communities and students who study overseas. The government implemented a number of other programs aimed at "stability maintenance," many of which promote cultural assimilation in the XUAR and place restrictions on the practice of Islam. For further information, please see the Department of State's Report on International Religious Freedom for 2017. Regional and International Cooperation: China continued to promote the United Nations as the primary international fora for counterterrorism while increasing its engagement in other multilateral, regional, and bilateral fora. In June, China and other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) signed the SCO Convention on Combating Extremism. In August, China participated in the 2nd High-level Military Leaders' Meeting on Quadrilateral Cooperation and Coordination Mechanism in Counterterrorism with Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan in Dushanbe, and the four parties signed agreements to coordinate counterterrorism efforts. More than 80 countries sent representatives to attend China's Forum on International Cooperation in Countering the Use of Cyberspace for Criminal and Terrorist Purposes in December. Beijing pursued the return of ethnic Uighurs and others in Malaysia and other countries to China in the name of counterterrorism cooperation, although evidence of these individuals' connection to terrorism was not made public. Hong Kong Hong Kong continued its effective security and law enforcement partnership with the United States through the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department's joint implementation of the Container Security Initiative and participation in U.S.-sponsored training in port and border security. Counterterrorism remained an operational priority for the Hong Kong Police Force. The Police Security Wing coordinates potential terrorist threat information with relevant counterterrorism units. The Police Counterterrorism Response Unit provides a strong deterrent presence. It assists police districts with counterterrorism strategy implementation and complements the tactical and professional support of existing police specialist units, such as the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau, the Special Duties Unit, the Airport Security Unit, and the VIP Protection Unit. Hong Kong is a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering, a FATF-style regional body. Hong Kong's Joint Financial Intelligence Unit is a member of the Egmont Group. Terrorist financing is a criminal offense in Hong Kong, and financial institutions are required to search continuously for terrorist financing networks. They must also screen accounts using designations lists provided by the United States under relevant authorities, as well as the UNSC ISIL (Da'esh) and al-Qa'ida and 1988 (Afghanistan/Taliban) Sanctions Committees' lists. In June, the Legislative Council passed a bill on the cross-border transportation of large quantities of currency and bearer negotiable instruments to combat terrorist financing. At year's end, the Secretary for Security had not yet designated the date when the bill would go into force. In June, Hong Kong introduced the United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures) (Amendment) Bill 2017 to update the ordinance to adequately comply with UNSC resolution 2178 (2014) on Foreign Terrorist Fighters. Filing suspicious transactions reports irrespective of transaction amounts is obligatory, but because the bill passed in June 2017 and had not gone into force, Hong Kong did not require mandatory reporting requirements for cross-border currency movements in 2017. In advance of its 2018 FATF Mutual Evaluation, the Hong Kong government in June 2017 introduced in Legislative Committee two bills to bring its regulatory regime fully in line with FATF recommendations. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Hong Kong law enforcement officers attended U.S. government-sponsored capacity-building training at the International Law Enforcement Academy on personnel and facility security, law enforcement techniques to counter terrorism, and financial investigations. Macau Macau's counterterrorism cooperation with the United States included information sharing. The Police Intervention Tactical Unit (UTIP), which falls under the Macau Public Security Police Force, is responsible for protecting important installations and dignitaries and conducting high-risk missions, such as improvised explosive device deactivation. UTIP's Special Operations Group's mission is counterterrorism operations. Macau cooperated internationally on counterterrorism efforts through INTERPOL and other security-focused organizations. Macau law enforcement officers attended U.S. government-sponsored capacity-building training at the International Law Enforcement Academy on personnel and facility security, financial and crime scene investigations, computer investigations, and evidence protection. Macau is a member of the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering, a FATF-style regional body. Macau's Financial Intelligence Office is a member of the Egmont Group. In response to FATF recommendations, the Macau government enacted a new law on the cross-boundary transportation of large quantities of currency and bearer negotiable instruments in June. The law went into effective in November. Two amended laws on anti-money laundering and counterterrorist financing, which widen the scope of identifiable criminal offences and strengthen customer due diligence measures, became effective in May. Terrorist financing is a criminal offense in Macau. Banks and other financial institutions are required to search continuously for terrorist financing networks and screen accounts using designations lists provided by the United States under relevant authorities and UNSC ISIL (Da'esh) and al-Qa'ida and 1988 (Afghanistan/Taliban) Sanctions Committees' lists. Filing suspicious transactions reports irrespective of transaction amounts is obligatory. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Chad Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Chad, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fafc.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: The Government of Chad continued to focus on counterterrorism efforts at the highest level, however, the worsening financial crisis affected its ability to meet even basic financial commitments, such as paying police and military salaries. Although financial hardships have limited the country's ability to provide external counterterrorism assistance, Chad engaged in external military operations in neighboring countries. Chad provided approximately 2,000 combat forces to the Lake Chad Region's Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which also includes Benin, Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria, but drew down some of those troops in mid-2017 to focus on other issues such as insecurity along Chad's northern border with Libya. Chad continued to host the French government's Operation Barkhane, France's integrated counterterrorism mission for the Sahel region that has partnered with forces in the Sahel to launch numerous operations to degrade terrorist groups in the region. Chad had 1,450 soldiers supporting the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali at year's end. Chad joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in 2017. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: The Government of Chad updated its Penal Code in April 2017. Penalties for lesser terrorist offenses were increased to life imprisonment. Some civil society organizations expressed concern that the law was overly restrictive, required little evidence to prosecute individuals, and could be used to curtail freedoms of expression and association. We refer you to the State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for further information. While Chadian law enforcement units displayed basic command and control capacity, the Director General of the Chadian National Police requested training in investigations, crisis response, and border security capacity. Law enforcement leadership publicly acknowledged the requirement for all law enforcement officers to respect human rights. In practice, however, there were reports the government or its agents committed arbitrary and unlawful killings, including by torture, and impunity was an issue. The Director General of the Police has improved the Chadian National Police's performance by fostering more efficient and effective communication across bureau lines. Its forensics unit has opened its files to the Regional Security Office for passage of photo and fingerprint records of suspected Boko Haram terrorists imprisoned in Chad. The Chadian government operated at a heightened level of security and has instituted screenings at border-crossings to prevent infiltration by members of Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa (ISIS-WA), and Central African militias, as well as transit of illegal arms, drugs, and other contraband. Border patrols were provided by a combination of border security officials, gendarmes, police, and military. Chad screened travelers using the U.S.-provided Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES) at major ports of entry. Chad participated in the Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program in 2017. It received ATA training in support of its Crisis Response Team and received deliveries in support of its participation in the multilateral Flintlock 2017 exercise. The U.S. Embassy's Special Programs for Embassy Augmentation and Response (SPEAR) team continued its training and development. This team is composed of Chadian National Police and Groupe Mobile d'Intervention Police and is expected to be on call to respond to emergencies at the embassy and affiliated facilities. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Chad is a member of the Task Force on Money Laundering in Central Africa, a Financial Action Task Force-style regional body. Chad's financial intelligence unit, the National Agency for Financial Investigation (ANIF), is a member of the Egmont Group. Chad criminalized terrorist financing through the 2003 adoption of an anti-money laundering/ countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) law drafted by the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa. The law allows immediate freezing and confiscation of terrorist assets and requires a variety of organizations involved in financial transactions to monitor money/value transfers and report any anomalies. The law does not appear to list non-profit organizations specifically within the list of organizations required to comply. The government also requires know-your-customer standards enforcement for both foreign and domestic transactions. ANIF, which falls under the authority of the Ministry of Finance and Budget, is tasked with ensuring public and private financial institutions in Chad implement the AML/CFT law. It investigates suspicious transactions brought to its attention by financial institutions and refers cases to the Attorney General's office in the Ministry of Justice for further action and prosecution. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): The Government of Chad adopted a national strategy and action plan to "Counter Violent Extremism and Radicalization" in December 2017. Prior to the strategy and action plan, the government used its five-year development strategy as its primary tool to prevent and counter radicalization to violence. The number of Chadians joining terrorist organizations remained low in 2017. Chadians who joined Boko Haram or ISIS-WA came primarily from the Buduma ethnic group who reside on Lake Chad islands. Separately, there was evidence that a few individuals had become radicalized to violence through propaganda accessed on social media platforms. Efforts to encourage defections and returnees among the Buduma people around Lake Chad were informal. Moderate messaging was broadcast over 12 community radio stations and one state-operated radio station under a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) project. Additionally, USAID committed to a multi-year CVE program. International and Regional Cooperation: Chad remained active in the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership. Chad is a member of the G-5 Sahel Joint Force, which also includes Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger. As a member of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, Chad participated in efforts to develop the MNJTF. Chad cooperated actively with Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria in operations to counter the threat of Boko Haram and ISIS-WA on its borders. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Cameroon Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Cameroon, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fb1a.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: In 2017, Cameroon experienced significant terrorist activity in the Far North Region. The Government of Cameroon attributed the violence to Boko Haram as opposed to ISIS-West Africa (ISIS-WA). Lake Chad region governments and media rarely make a distinction between Boko Haram and ISIS-WA and instead generally refer to both groups as Boko Haram. Boko Haram continued to regularly carry out attacks in Cameroon, primarily through the use of suicide bombers, while ISIS-WA attacked less frequently, targeting military outposts and generally refraining from killing civilians. Countering terrorist threats remained a top security priority for the Government of Cameroon. It continued its cooperation with the international community, remained a member of the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership, contributed significantly to operations of the Multinational Joint Task Force, and continued to work with the United States to improve the capacity of its security forces. The Cameroonian government began formulating a reintegration plan for former Boko Haram fighters for the first time in 2017. On October 20, four ex-terrorists who claimed to have defected from Boko Haram were allowed to return to their village in Tolkomari. Although local residents expressed skepticism, the government declared it was the state's duty to protect them and treat them with respect. Although efforts to institutionalize formal defections and reintegration policies were nascent, the government announced that a permanent location for ex-combatants in Zamai would serve as a de-radicalization and re-socialization center. Cameroon joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in 2017. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: Boko Haram continued to take advantage of weaknesses in Cameroon's border security to conduct terrorist attacks in the country's Far North Region, including suicide bombings, targeted killings, kidnappings, and raids in search of supplies. Boko Haram perpetrated multiple and indiscriminate killings against civilians Muslim and Christian alike but also against government officials and military forces. Although Cameroonian forces have become more effective at combatting Boko Haram, dozens of attacks, often suicide bombings, occurred in 2017. These included an attack in February that killed three soldiers, one in April that killed four vigilance committee members (vigilance committees are groups of ordinary residents who help protect the area from Boko Haram attacks), one in July that killed 14 people and wounded 32 others, and one in August that left 15 dead and eight abducted. In the very far northern area of the country, ISIS-WA conducted a few attacks, targeting military outposts, and generally refrained from killing civilians. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: There were no significant changes since the 2016 report. In 2017, the Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance program delivered two Explosive Incident Countermeasures trainings, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Commanders Workshop, and a mentorship program with Cameroonian EOD personnel to build Cameroon's counter-improvised explosive device capacity. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Cameroon is a member of the Task Force on Money Laundering in Central Africa (GABAC), a Financial Task Force-style regional body, and its financial intelligence unit, the National Agency for Financial Investigation, is a member of the Egmont Group. There were no significant changes since the 2016 report. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): The Government of Cameroon does not have a national CVE action plan, but officials at all levels acknowledged radicalization to violence as a significant concern and said they integrate it into their work and planning. The government partnered with faith-based organizations, such as the Council of Imams and Religious Dignitaries of Cameroon (CIDIMUC), to educate citizens on the dangers of radicalization to violence, to promote religious tolerance, and to present religion as a factor for peace. Programs furthered these objectives through targeted messaging in mosques, special prayer sessions, press releases, and through roundtable discussions and conferences bringing together people from various religious backgrounds. One of CIDIMUC's strategies has been to improve the living conditions of imams. In 2017, the U.S. Agency for International Development expanded the scope of a community resilience and peace-building program it launched in December 2015. Using a network of community radio stations, the program focused on strengthening the resilience of communities through radio programs focused on peace building, which were transmitted in 26 languages in the north and far north regions. Cameroonian cities Yaounde II, Kolofata, Kousseri, Meri/Diamare, and Mokolo are members of the Strong Cities Network. International and Regional Cooperation: There were no significant changes since the 2016 report. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Burkina Faso Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Burkina Faso, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fb2a.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Burkina Faso experienced a slow but steady increase in terrorist activity in 2017, including numerous cross-border attacks in its northernmost region bordering Mali. The Government of Burkina Faso has made numerous arrests of terrorist suspects, augmented the size of its special terrorism detachment Groupement des Forces Anti-Terroristes (GFAT) in the country's north, and joined the newly-created G-5 Sahel Joint Force to fight terrorism and criminal trafficking groups with regional neighbors Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger. In 2017, the Sahara Branch of al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb, al-Murabitoun, Ansar al-Dine, and the Macina Liberation Front came together to form Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). JNIM and other groups like Ansarul Islam and ISIS in the Greater Sahara are all known to operate in Burkina Faso. The French military's Operation Barkhane continued its integrated counterterrorism mission for the Sahel region. Cooperating with Malian forces, Barkhane sought to degrade terrorist elements in northern and central Mali, particularly JNIM. Terrorist organizations successfully recruited marginalized, poor, and historically disadvantaged Fulani inhabitants. Burkinabe security forces have been accused of torture, extrajudicial killings, burning of property, and arbitrary detention in their response to terrorism in the north. The Government of Burkina Faso has opened an investigation into these allegations, which was ongoing at year's end. We refer you to the State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and Report on International Religious Freedom for further information. The United States was in the process of implementing USAFRICOM's US $5.6 million program to build upon a previously Trans Sahara Counter Terrorism Partnership (TSCTP)-funded Gendarmerie border security program in the northern region of Burkina Faso. In 2017, the United States pledged US $30 million for the Burkinabe military to equip its security components of the G-5 Sahel Joint Force and another US $30 million for the other G-5 countries for a total of US $60 million. Additionally, TSCTP funded US $6 million in other security assistance programs to reinforce security at the airbase in Ouagadougou and equip the Gendarme Special Intervention Unit with radios, body armor, and ballistic shields. It will also make improvements to the peacekeeping training center in Loumbila. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: Approximately 50 attacks that took place mainly in Burkina Faso's northernmost region along the border with Mali were believed to be terrorist-related. Attacks have included targeted killings, kidnappings, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and attacks on security outposts, police stations, and barracks. Attacks using IEDs were witnessed for the first time in 2017 and targeted Burkinabe security forces and civilians. The deadliest attack occurred on August 17, when an IED detonated under a military vehicle patrolling the Djibo area, causing three deaths and seriously injuring two. Attacks have also targeted Burkinabe government officials, schools, and markets. On November 17, in the village of Taouremba, six heavily armed individuals on motorcycles conducted a targeted attack on a municipal councilor in the town market that resulted in the death of 10 individuals. The largest attack in Burkina Faso took place on August 13 in Ouagadougou at the Aziz Istanbul Cafe, a Turkish-owned restaurant frequented by expatriates. Two armed gunmen wounded 25 and killed approximately 19 people, including 10 Burkinabe and nine foreigners. Two of the foreigners were Kuwaiti one of whom was imam of the Kuwaiti Great Mosque, Dr. Waleed Al-Ali. Both were in Burkina Faso for a charitable mission. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: In 2017, Burkina Faso began making changes to its legal framework. In January, lawmakers created a Special Judicial Interagency working group based on best practices across the region that will have jurisdiction over terrorism-related legal cases. However, it was not fully operational by the end of 2017. Approximately 22 judicial investigations linked to attacks committed against civilians and security forces were ongoing at the end of 2017. Some of the cases started on the basis of citizen claims that someone was a terrorist or suspected of belonging to terrorist groups. Many cases stagnated while awaiting information from neighboring countries. Burkina Faso has not yet brought to trial any of the approximately 150 alleged terrorists detained in Burkina Faso's High Security Prison, opened in 2014. Burkinabe security and law enforcement officials continued to cite border security as a major area of concern. Burkina Faso's Counterterrorism Strategy, Mission de Securitization du Nord, strives to address terrorist activities along its northern border. To accomplish this, Burkina Faso operationalized and deployed a joint Army-Gendarmerie-Police counterterrorism task force known as the Groupement des Forces Anti-Terroristes (GFAT) in January 2013. This force's level has increased from 500 troops in 2016 to 1,600 troops in 2017 in an effort to counter the growing terrorist threat. Burkina Faso relies on the Terrorist Interdiction Program's Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES), and uses International Organization for Migration-provided screening equipment and software to conduct traveler screening and watchlisting. The Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance program provided workshops on cross-border security, crisis management, criminal justice procedures, and prosecution of terrorists. This included an Advanced Rural Border Patrol course and Border Unit mentorship to assist Burkina Faso in securing its borders. The United States partnered with the UN Office for Drugs and Crime for a program on Burkina Faso's legal framework to counter terrorism. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Burkina Faso is a member of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), a Financial Action Task Force-style body. Burkina Faso's financial intelligence unit (Cellule Nationale de Traitement des Informations Financieres CENTIF) tracks terrorist financing, but had not tried any cases by year's end. In 2017, the Minister of Territory Office of Public Freedoms and Associations took responsibility for terrorism financing from the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2017, CENTIF required non-profit organizations to declare their funding sources. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): The Burkinabe government launched the Sahel Emergency Plan in 2017 to strengthen the role of government, enhance community law enforcement, and generate economic opportunities in its Sahel region. Burkina Faso did not have programs to rehabilitate or reintegrate terrorists into mainstream society. The U.S. Agency for International Development's CVE programming included a regional messaging project, called Voices for Peace, which counters terrorist narratives through radio programs and social media. It also includes an effort called Partnerships for Peace to strengthen the capacity of the national government, civil society organizations, and regional organizations G-5 Sahel and the Economic Community of West African States to counter violent extremism and a research initiative to identify the conditions terrorists exploit for recruitment in local communities. Regional and International Cooperation: Burkina Faso participates in the G-5 Sahel Joint Force and provides forces to improve security along shared borders to interdict the flow of terrorist groups and criminal trafficking. Burkina Faso maintains two peacekeeping battalions in Mali as part of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Bulgaria Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Bulgaria, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fb3a.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: The United States and Bulgaria strengthened counterterrorism cooperation through the Bilateral Counterterrorism working group established in 2015. In addition, Bulgaria is in the process of completing an update to its 2015-2020 National Strategy for Countering Radicalization and Terrorism. Bulgaria is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and has repeatedly responded to requests for assistance. Bulgaria worked with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to improve its biometric screening of individuals entering and transiting the country. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Bulgaria prosecutes terrorism under several general provisions of the penal code, which has been amended multiple times since it was first enacted in 1968. In 2015, the National Assembly adopted amendments to the penal code that provide for the prosecution of individuals, including foreign terrorist fighters, who support and plan the commission of terrorist acts in Bulgaria and abroad. In 2016, the Bulgarian National Assembly approved new counterterrorism legislation, which provides a legal mechanism for a whole-of-government response to terrorist threats. The bill defines three levels of terrorist threats and four levels of response readiness. The bill also regulates the role of the military in counterterrorism activities and delineates the cooperation between the central and local governments. Amendments to the legislation provided the military with powers to search individuals, private property, check identification, enter homes in the owners' absence, and arrest or use physical force and arms if needed to prevent or manage the consequences of a terrorist act. In 2017, Bulgaria implemented new legislation directing that public buildings, including schools, transportation hubs, tourism sites and facilities, and houses of worship develop counterterrorism risk assessments and prevention and response measures in the event of a terrorist attack. The Council of Ministers provides overall guidance on counterterrorism activities, and has adopted a counterterrorism strategy and a national plan. The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) has operational units responsible for deterring, detecting, and responding to terrorist incidents, including the specialized unit for combating terrorism, security police, and special police forces, which successfully completed a multi-year training mission with a U.S. special operations liaison element. The State Agency for National Security (DANS) has intelligence-gathering units responsible for counterterrorism. DANS also houses the National Counterterrorism Center, which was designed as an interagency body during crisis incidents. Specialized law enforcement units are generally well equipped and supported with relevant training, but their focus has been primarily on Sofia, while other regional centers lack resources. In 2015, the specialized court for organized crime and its prosecutors' office received jurisdiction to prosecute and try all terrorist cases in the country. The court is working to develop expertise in handling such cases. The court is hearing the case against two suspected accomplices in the 2012 Burgas airport bombing, although procedural issues have caused multiple delays in the trial with the most recent delay occurring in November 2017. After the migrant crisis in 2014-2015 and the spate of terrorist attacks in Europe in recent years, Bulgaria tightened its border control rules and began screening all travelers at its border crossings. Within the European Union (EU), Bulgaria shares advanced passenger information appearing on the biographical data page of passports and has begun collecting and using Passenger Name Record data in air traveler screening. Based on bilateral police cooperation agreements, Bulgaria also shares this data with non-EU countries for law enforcement purposes on an as-needed basis. In October 2017, the Government of Bulgaria apprehended a dual Bulgarian-Syrian national and three accomplices for suspected ties to ISIS and for taking part in terrorist and terrorism-related activities. U.S. government agencies continued to work closely with Bulgarian counterparts through a variety of counterterrorism programs aimed at enhancing Bulgaria's capacity and capabilities. The Department of State partnered with Bulgaria to implement key programs in the areas of border security, aviation security, and interagency cooperation. Through participation in the Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program, Bulgaria received training on interviewing terrorist suspects, critical incident management, and integrating counterterrorism strategies at the national level. In 2017, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation provided a post-blast investigations course to Bulgaria's Special Counterterrorism Force and a big data analytics course to DANS. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Bulgaria belongs to the Council of Europe's Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism, a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-style regional body. Bulgaria's Financial Intelligence Directorate (FID) has primary responsibility for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) measures for all reporting entities and is a member of the Egmont Group. The Bulgarian National Bank also has a special supervision directorate to investigate banks for compliance with AML/CFT requirements. In 2016, the parliament passed amendments to the Measures against Financing of Terrorism Act, introducing direct application of United Nations (UN) lists, as well as mechanisms to increase the efficiency of Bulgaria's national list of persons subject to the anti-terrorist financing measures. Bulgaria criminalizes terrorism financing in accordance with international standards. Since there is no publicly available information on terrorist-related assets frozen or seized, it is hard to assess the effectiveness of Bulgaria's process. Thirty-one reporting entities, including banks, real estate brokers, and financial and exchange houses, are required to file regularly with FID currency transaction reports for all transactions valued at more than US $17,000. There are penalties for non-compliance (administrative sanctions), and enforcement is generally effective. Bulgaria requires the collection of know-your-customer data for wire transfers. All non-governmental organizations are obliged to report suspicious transactions. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): At the end of 2015, a new government strategy and action plan on countering radicalization to violence and terrorism was approved by the Council of Ministers. At the end of 2017, the Bulgarian government was conducting an update of this strategy with a greater emphasis on providing prevention tools and resources to frontline practitioners such as teachers and police officers. The strategy spells out mechanisms for improved cooperation with civil society, business organizations, local communities, and religious leaders. It also aims to strengthen existing government counterterrorism efforts by involving all possible agencies and by optimizing interagency coordination. The Grand Mufti of Bulgaria has been a voice of tolerance and moderation and has stressed that government efforts must complement CVE community efforts. International and Regional Cooperation: Bulgaria is a member of and active contributor to counterterrorism initiatives at the UN, the EU, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Organization for Black Sea Economic Cooperation. In December, Bulgaria co-sponsored UN Security Council resolution 2396 on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Brazil Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Brazil, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fb46.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Brazil and the United States maintained strong counterterrorism cooperation in 2017, building on collaborative efforts the previous year during the lead up to the 2016 Summer Olympics. Brazilian officials increased public attention to the issue. The Brazilian Federal Police (DPF), Brazil's lead counterterrorism agency, worked closely with the United States and other nations' law enforcement entities to assess and mitigate potential terrorist threats. The Brazilian government continued to support counterterrorism activities, which included third-country technical assistance for controlling sensitive technologies and investigating fraudulent travel documents. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: There were no major changes since 2016 in counterterrorism legislation or in the division of responsibility among agencies tasked with counterterrorism efforts. On May 4, Brazil handed down its first convictions under counterterrorism Law 13.260, sentencing eight Brazilian citizens to between five and 15 years of imprisonment for "promoting ISIS and terrorist acts" through social media. The convictions were related to 2016's Operation Hashtag, which dismantled a loose, online, pro-ISIS network prior to the Olympics, the first arrests under the law. On October 10, the DPF made its second counterterrorism arrest, taking into custody an individual with alleged online links to ISIS. Brazil shares vast international borders with 10 countries and many of its borders are porous. Irregular migration with Brazil often serving as a transit country is a problem, especially by aliens that raise terrorist concerns from areas with a potential nexus to terrorism. Brazil increased its focus on border security in 2017 as part of an overall National Public Security Plan, largely out of concerns about the growing problem of transnational organized crime. On October 30, in the border state of Acre, 20 state governors and the Ministers of Defense, Justice, Institutional Security, and Foreign Relations signed an accord to establish a National Public Security System to address border security in an integrated fashion between state and federal authorities. Brazil also increased cooperation and information sharing with neighboring nations on border issues. A new immigration law took effect in November, but aside from reaffirming the importance of border security, it did not have a specific terrorism focus. All law enforcement agencies, including those tasked with border security and counterterrorism, continued to suffer in 2017 from budget constraints caused by the deepest economic decline in Brazil's history. These effects were particularly acute at major ports of entry, including air, sea, and land borders. Brazilian authorities continued to work with other concerned nations particularly the United States to counter document fraud. Regional and international joint operations successfully disrupted a number of document vendors and facilitators, as well as related human-smuggling networks. The Department of State provided comprehensive and ongoing counterfeit and fraudulent document recognition training to airline and border police units through its Investigations Program. The Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and Customs and Border Protection have trained Brazilian airline employees on identifying fraudulent documents. The U.S.-Brazil Container Security Initiative (CSI) in Santos, which began in 2005, operated throughout 2017. The CSI was designed to increase security for container cargo shipped to the United States. Similarly, the National Civil Aviation Agency, DPF, and Brazilian Customs continued to work with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to make modifications to Brazil's National Cargo Security Program to obtain TSA recognition of commensurability for cargo security procedures, training, and operations at Brazil's international airports. The Brazilian Army continued to implement an Integrated Border Monitoring System to monitor the country's borders using a combination of personnel, cameras, sensors, and satellites. The strategic initiative is underway in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul with intention to cover the entire Brazilian border by 2021. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Brazil is a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Financial Action Task Force of Latin America, a FATF-style regional body. Its financial intelligence unit, the Council for Financial Activities Control, is a member of the Egmont Group. While it has made progress mitigating the shortcomings identified in its third round mutual evaluation report (MER) from 2010, Brazil continued work to address the remaining deficiencies, most notably its domestic designation framework. On January 31, 2017, Brazil issued two implementing regulations for Laws 13.170 and 13.260 to address gaps in its countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) regime, specifically allowing for domestic terrorism designations and facilitating international cooperation on terrorism investigations. Despite this progress, in its 14th follow-up report to the 2010 MER, FATF noted deficiencies remained with the CFT regime in terms of full compliance with FATF standards. In response to FATF's observations, Brazil committed to an action plan for addressing the remaining deficiencies. As part of the plan, the Brazilian government has drafted new legislation with a target for adoption by June 2018. Brazil's financial intelligence unit (FIU) participated in a June fact-finding mission to gather information on financial activities and illicit finance risks in the Tri-Border Area encompassing Puerto Iguazu, Argentina; Ciudad del Este, Paraguay; and Foz do Iguazu, Brazil. This was a joint project with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Argentine, Brazilian, and Paraguayan financial intelligence units, and the Argentine and Paraguayan Central Banks, and supervisory authorities. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): The Government of Brazil consistently issued statements of condemnation for terrorist acts around the world. The Senate and various government agencies, including the DPF and Ministry of Foreign Relations, also organized or participated in numerous conferences addressing international terrorism, with a particular emphasis on countering online radicalization to violence and preventing the use of the internet for terrorist purposes. International and Regional Cooperation: Brazil participated in regional counterterrorism fora, including the Organization of American States and its Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism (CICTE), the BRICS Joint Working Group on Counterterrorism (with Russia, India, China, and South Africa), and the working group on terrorism and sub-working group on financial issues of the Southern Common Market. Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay coordinated law enforcement efforts in the Tri-Border Area via their Trilateral Tri-Border Area Command. In February 2017, Brazil participated in a Practitioner's Workshop on Countering Transnational Terrorist Groups in the Tri-Border Area. The conference was hosted by the Argentine Federal Intelligence Agency with the sponsorship of the U.S. Departments of State and Justice. The two-day workshop included prosecutors, judges, law enforcement investigators, financial intelligence and sanctions officials, and intelligence officials from the region. In September, Brazil hosted an international OAS CICTE training event focused on preventing illegal and terrorist use of the internet in Sao Paulo. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Bosnia and Herzegovina Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Bosnia and Herzegovina, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fb54.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) remained a cooperative counterterrorism partner and continued to increase its counterterrorism capacity in 2017. Legislative loopholes and lenient sentencing, however, remained major challenges. Some operational domestic coordination exists, but interpersonal and interagency infighting and stovepiping undermined effective cooperation. Extremist ideology and regional nationalist extremist groups remained potential sources of terrorism in BiH, and little progress was made on rehabilitation and de-radicalization. BiH is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: BiH did not pass any major counterterrorism legislation at the national level in 2017. The sub-state entity Republika Srpska adopted a new criminal code that aligns terrorism offenses with international standards and criminalizes membership in foreign paramilitary and para-police forces. At the state level, BiH also has laws prohibiting membership in para-military and para-police organizations, but sentencing remained a major challenge. Foreign terrorist fighters frequently received sentences below the minimum prescribed by the BiH criminal code, a result of judges taking mitigating circumstances into account. If sentenced to one year or less of incarceration, a convicted terrorist may opt to pay a fine rather than serve time in custody. Although the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) proposed a draft list of amendments to strengthen foreign terrorist fighter/counterterrorism legislation in 2017, there was little political will, including in the MoJ, to secure buy-in. The amendments have been stalled since June. A proposal to remove the option for convicted foreign terrorist fighters and terrorists to pay a fine in lieu of jail time, or to secure early release (both of these amendments were included in the MoJ draft), was under consideration in parliament at the end of 2017. A member of parliament proposed increasing foreign terrorist fighter minimum sentencing from five to eight years, although this would not address the mitigating circumstances issue. A Ministry of Security working group was in the preliminary stage of developing comprehensive amendments to the criminal code on these issues, but there was little political will to proceed given an upcoming election in October 2018. The State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) is the lead law enforcement unit performing counterterrorism functions. With approximately 25 officers working on counterterrorism cases, its effectiveness is limited. In 2017, the BiH Ministry of Security proposed legislation to increase the number of counterterrorism-focused SIPA officers to approximately 50 by upgrading the relevant unit to a department. Law enforcement cooperation continued to suffer from interpersonal and institutional infighting. A BiH Prosecutor's Office-led task force met only two times in 2017, and public disagreements between the Acting Chief Prosecutor, Minister of Security, and SIPA leadership undermined strategic progress on counterterrorism initiatives. At the operational level, law enforcement and prosecutors meet and work jointly on certain cases. However, shortages of counterterrorism investigators and interagency cooperation often led to investigative disruptions and the release of suspects after a brief detention. There were no significant changes since 2016 on border security. BiH continued its efforts to disrupt terrorist activity in 2017 through arrests: On November 29, police arrested Emir Hodzic who previously served a one-year sentence for a foreign terrorist fighter conviction for possession of illegal weapons, including a rocket launcher. In June, police arrested Enes Mesic when he attempted to illegally cross the border to Serbia, where police suspected he planned to conduct a terrorist attack. Mesic had been sentenced to three years in prison two months earlier in April for terrorist activities, but was not immediately incarcerated, highlighting another problem with the BiH justice system. In addition to Mesic, six other convicted terrorists were rearrested or returned into custody after the State Court did not imprison them immediately after sentencing. BiH continued to cooperate with the United States on counterterrorism. For example, the BiH government worked with the United States on the extradition of Mirsad Kandic, an ISIS facilitator living in Sarajevo. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: BiH is a member of the Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism, a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-style regional body. BiH's financial intelligence unit, the Financial Intelligence Department, is a member of the Egmont Group. BiH completed its FATF Action Plan in September, which included making progress on customer due diligence and suspicious transaction reporting, as well as increasing regulation on financial and non-financial institutions. During the FATF plenary in October, FATF was granted an on-site visit to ensure implementation of these reforms. This is the next step in removing BiH from the FATF "grey list." For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): In 2017, the main religious communities in BiH (Catholic, Islamic, Jewish, and Orthodox) worked together through the Interreligious Council to promote tolerance and confront acts of bigotry or violence directed at any of these communities. The BiH Ministry of Security named its first state-level coordinator for international and domestic efforts to prevent violent extremism, largely in response to an increasing number of international programs and resources targeting violent extremism in BiH. Working in close partnership with the International Organization for Migration and other well-known international organizations, BiH supported efforts to strengthen resiliencies within identified at-risk communities, developed the capacity of religious leaders and civil society actors to counter expressions of intolerance, and piloted comprehensive community-led intervention procedures at the local and municipal level. The BiH cities of Bihac, Bijeljina, Doboj, Jablanica, Prijedor, Srebrenik, and Tuzla and the municipality of Centar (Sarajevo) are members of the Strong Cities Network. International and Regional Cooperation: BiH's criminal code and related legal framework are generally consistent with United Nations (UN) and European Union counterterrorism standards. The State Prosecutor's Office also works frequently with counterparts in Serbia and Montenegro. BiH is a member of the UN, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Regional Cooperation Council for Southeast Europe, and the Council of Europe. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Bangladesh Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Bangladesh, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fb6140.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Bangladesh experienced three terrorist attacks in March 2017. Since then, Bangladesh security forces have foiled dozens of plots by terrorist groups. The Government of Bangladesh continued to articulate a "zero-tolerance" policy towards terrorism and the use of its territory as a terrorist safe haven. While the Government of Bangladesh often attributed terrorist violence to local militants, al-Qa'ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and ISIS together have claimed responsibility for nearly 40 attacks in Bangladesh since 2015. Terrorist organizations used social media to spread their ideologies and solicit followers from Bangladesh. Bangladeshi militants have been featured in multiple publications, videos, and websites associated with ISIS and AQIS. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: ISIS claimed responsibility for three attacks in March. On March 17, a suspected suicide bomber snuck into a temporary facility belonging to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), a counterterrorism-focused Special Mission Unit, detonating a suicide vest, killing himself and injuring two RAB officers. On March 24, an unidentified adult male self-detonated at a police checkpoint near Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, killing only himself. On March 25, eight people were killed and more than 40 injured in two blasts during a raid on a suspected ISIS safehouse in Sylhet. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Bangladesh's criminal justice system is in the process of fully implementing the Antiterrorism Act of 2009 as amended in 2012 and 2013. Although Bangladesh's Antiterrorism Act does not outlaw recruitment and travel in the furtherance of terrorism, the broad language of the Act provides several mechanisms by which Bangladesh can implement UN Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 2178 (2014) on addressing foreign terrorist fighters. Despite lacking laws specific to foreign terrorist fighters, Bangladesh arrested suspected foreign terrorist fighters or facilitators of such fighters on other charges under existing law. Bangladesh cooperated with the United States to further strengthen control of its borders and ports of entry, as called for by UNSCR 2178 (2014). The international community remains concerned about security procedures at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, although the International Civil Aviation Organization certified this airport as 77.46 percent effective in "implementation of aviation safety standard compliance," more than 26 percentage points higher than a previous audit in 2012. Bangladesh shared law enforcement information with INTERPOL but does not have a dedicated terrorist watchlist. Bangladesh also does not have an interactive Advanced Passenger Information system. The Rapid Action Battalion and the Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, as well as other elements of the Bangladesh Police, continued a campaign of arrests and raids against suspected militants. Many suspects died in these operations, oftentimes described as the result of a "cross-fire," a euphemism for extrajudicial killings by the police. Observers also believe at least some of the raids were staged by law enforcement. In early November, a pilot with Bangladesh's Biman Airlines pled guilty to a conspiracy to crash a passenger jet into the Prime Minister's residence. The suspect's father was allegedly part of a group of terrorists that killed themselves by detonating explosives when confronted by Bangladesh security forces in early September. Throughout 2017, Bangladesh security forces claimed credit for foiling dozens of terrorist plots, many of which were reportedly in the final stages of planning. Bangladesh continued to participate in the Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance program and received counterterrorism training on building unit capacity in crisis response, evidence collection, crime scene investigation, infrastructure protection, instructional development and sustainment, as well as enhancing cyber and digital investigation capabilities. Bangladesh also received Department of Justice prosecutorial skills training and community policing support. Bangladesh is receiving assistance from the United States in developing an Alert List of militants to better screen for persons of interests at its ports of entry. The Department of Defense's PACOM Augmentation Team worked to monitor and counter terrorist messaging through television and online media, as well as in workshops with students in various cities. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Bangladesh is a member of the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering. The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) is a member of the Egmont Group. The Bangladesh central bank and the BFIU lead the government's efforts to comply with the international anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) standards and international sanctions regimes. The terrorist finance provisions of Bangladesh's Antiterrorism Act make illegal the receipt and collection of money, services, and material support where "there are reasonable grounds to believe that the same has been used or may be used for any purpose by a terrorist entity." The Act prohibits membership in and support of prohibited organizations, i.e., organizations engaged or involved in terrorist activities, including the organizations listed in the UN Security Council ISIL (Da'esh) and al-Qa'ida sanctions regime. The Bangladesh Bank also publishes lists of domestically designated and UN-sanctioned individuals and groups on its website. The Act includes a broad provision providing for mutual legal cooperation on terrorism matters with other nations and a comprehensive forfeiture provision for assets involved in terrorism activities, although there was an absence of significant terrorist financing and money laundering cases. The judicial sector is under-resourced for carrying out prosecutions and obtaining convictions in complex financial and material support cases. The Evidence and Criminal Procedure Codes date back to the nineteenth century and there is no provision for plea bargaining. Government of Bangladesh counterparts agree that the lack of a career civil service prosecution unit remains a serious problem. Civilian attorneys are appointed ad hoc to prosecute cases. There is little coordination between law enforcement and prosecutors. Consequently, the overall conviction rate is approximately 10 percent and a case can take as long as seven years from the filing of charges to sentencing. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Bangladesh organizations continued cooperative activities through the Country Support Mechanism under the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), a public-private global fund to support local, grassroots CVE efforts in at-risk communities. The Bangladeshi cities of Dhaka North, Dhaka South, and Narayanganj are members of the Strong Cities Network. The Ministry of Religious Affairs and the National Committee on Militancy, Resistance, and Prevention work with imams and religious scholars to build public awareness against terrorism. The police are engaging religious leaders to counter terrorist propaganda with appropriate scripture-based messages and engaging imams to speak to surrendered militants to explain that the Quran does not support terrorist violence. The police also are continuing community policing efforts. Law enforcement authorities are working with local universities to identify missing students and curb radicalization to violence among university students. Local research institutions, including private think tanks and both public and private universities, continued to engage in CVE-related research. However, Bangladesh's lack of a publicly available strategy to counter violent extremism hindered sustained engagement with the United States and the international community. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Belgium Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Belgium, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fb64.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Policy reforms, improved information sharing, and additional resources for counterterrorism efforts enhanced Belgian authorities' ability to investigate and prevent terrorist attacks. Belgium's complex, highly decentralized government structure continues to be a challenge for internal information sharing and cooperation. The greatest terrorism threat in Belgium comes from ISIS-inspired homegrown terrorists. The large number of Belgian foreign terrorist fighters in Syria and Iraq led to concern about attacks by returned fighters, although fewer have returned than anticipated. Belgium is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Belgium also assumed leadership of the European Union (EU) Training Mission in Mali in 2017, which aims to support and rebuild Malian armed forces to better counter local al-Qa'ida-linked terrorists. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: On June 20, soldiers shot and killed an attempted suicide bomber at Brussels Central train station after the attacker's bomb failed to detonate. There were no additional casualties. On August 25, a man with a knife attacked and injured two soldiers near Brussels' Grand Place. The attacker was shot and killed at the scene. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Belgium plays a significant role in international efforts to disrupt, prevent, detect, and punish acts of terrorism. The United States and Belgium maintained a close, cooperative counterterrorism partnership through two ongoing Joint Investigative Teams. Belgium's legal system does not permit plea agreements, which contributes to an overburdened court system. The primary actors in Belgian law enforcement are the Belgian Federal Police and its multiple counterterrorism units, the Civilian and Military Intelligence Services, Office of the Federal Prosecutor, and the Crisis Center. The interagency Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis plays an analytic threat assessment role, particularly with regard to foreign terrorist fighters, and advises the government on setting the national threat level. The Belgian National Security Council also plays a significant role in the intelligence and security structure. Belgian law enforcement and intelligence services disrupted a number of terrorist plots in 2017. In 2017, Belgium approved a constitutional amendment to extend the amount of time a terrorist suspect can be detained before being charged from 24 hours to 48 hours. Belgium also passed legislation to expand the definition of "terrorist activities," and facilitate terrorism-related deportations of legal residents. Belgium partially implemented the EU Passenger Name Record (PNR) directive into Belgian law, and has been a proponent for extending PNR to international, rail, bus, and maritime travel. In May, the federal government announced 28 security measures it plans to enact; 14 directly relate to counterterrorism. These measures were in addition to the 30 counterterrorism measures proposed by the Government of Belgium in 2015, which the government was still working to implement. Some of the new proposals included allowing the use of civilian informants, issuing stronger sentences for certain crimes, developing biometric identification, and including homegrown terrorists in the dynamic database of foreign terrorist fighters. On October 24, a Parliamentary Investigative Commission concluded an 18-month investigation into the March 22, 2016 Brussels terrorist attacks. The investigation produced three reports in 2017 on topics including assistance to victims of the attacks, Belgium's security architecture, and radicalism in Belgium. The reports contained many recommendations, including increasing funding for intelligence services, improving information sharing between agencies, and requiring imams to be trained in Belgium and to speak either Dutch or French. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Belgium is a member of the Financial Action Task Force and Belgium's financial intelligence unit, the Cellule de Traitement des Informations Financieres, is a member of the Egmont Group. On September 18, Belgium passed a law to implement EU Directive 2015/849. This Directive aims to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing, and allows for sanctions to be imposed on institutions that assist in either. This law replaces the January 1993 anti-money laundering law. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): The Parliamentary Investigative Commission's final report on radicalism suggested Islamist fundamentalism was among the key drivers of terrorism in Belgium's Muslim community. The report recommended greater federal oversight of mosques, new requirements for imam training, and increased intelligence sharing between law enforcement, immigration, and social services. Belgium's federal, regional, and local governments remained engaged in CVE efforts. In June, the regional government of Flanders approved a new action plan aimed at early detection and prevention of radicalization to violence. The plan called for additional training for front-line practitioners, establishing a network of Islamic experts to support practitioners, a telephone hotline for concerned individuals, and additional funding for community projects aimed at promoting social cohesion. The government of the French Linguistic Community created two new agencies to train front-line practitioners and provide individualized assistance for victims of terrorism. Local municipal governments began to exchange best practices on developing and managing local integrated security cells. In December, the federal government's Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis expanded access to its database of hate preachers and terrorist suspects to judicial, regional, and local partners. Prisoners charged or convicted with terrorism-related offenses are transferred to prisons with specialized sections for radicalized inmates. Although prison de-radicalization remained a priority in 2017, the Parliamentary Investigative Commission found little improvement from 2016. Radicalization to violence is a growing challenge in Belgian prisons. The Ministry of Justice is developing e-learning programs for prison staff to help address this issue in the interim. The Belgian cities of Antwerp and Vilvoorde are members of the Strong Cities Network. International and Regional Cooperation: The Parliamentary Investigative Commission's Report on Belgium's security architecture called for increased cooperation with international partners, particularly Turkey and other EU member states. Belgium participates in EU, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and Council of Europe counterterrorism efforts. Belgium is a member of the advisory board of the UN Counterterrorism Center. Belgium has also been an active proponent of Europol databases and EU-wide information sharing. As an EU member state, Belgium has contributed trainers and capacity-building expertise to EU counterterrorism assistance programs in Sahel countries, and the Belgian Federal Police provided training to counterparts in the Maghreb. From July 2016 to January 2018, Belgium led the EU training mission in Mali (EUTM) to build Malian armed forces' capacity to reduce terrorist threats. In addition to continued troops support to EUTM, Belgium provides troops and overall force command to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stability Mission in Mali. Belgium participated in all EU efforts to interdict foreign terrorist fighter travel across land and maritime borders, encouraged efforts to strengthen Schengen zone external borders, assumed a leading role in the European Strategic Communication Network (formerly the Syria Strategic Communications Advisory Team), and promoted the implementation of EU and domestic PNR systems. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Belgium's Michele Coninsx as Executive Director of the UN Counterterrorism Executive Directoratein August, with Coninsx assuming the post in November. In December, Belgium co-sponsored UN Security Council resolution 2396 on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Bahrain Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Bahrain, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fb713.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Terrorist activity in Bahrain increased in 2017. Bahraini Shia militants remained a threat to security forces and attacks in 2017 resulted in the death of four police officers. During the year, the Bahraini government made gains in detecting and containing terrorist threats from violent Bahraini Shia militants, often backed by Iran, and ISIS sympathizers. The government offered diplomatic support to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS's efforts and supported its military operations through hosting the Fifth Fleet and Naval Central Command. The closure of an independent newspaper and two opposition political societies along with government suppression of peaceful protests have combined to exacerbate political tensions, which could increase the risk of radicalization to violence. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: Suspected Bahraini Shia militants continued to instigate low-level violence against security forces using real and fake improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Bahrain regularly experienced low-level violence between Bahraini Shia youth, using Molotov cocktails and other homemade devices, and predominantly Sunni security forces in mostly-Shia villages. The most prominent attacks in 2017 included: On January 29, unidentified assailants killed an off-duty police officer in Bilad Al-Qadeem. On June 19, a Bahraini Shia militant died in Al Hajar when an IED he allegedly attempted to plant detonated. On October 1, the Shia militant group Wa'ad Allah (God's Promise Brigades), a suspected al-Ashtar Brigades affiliate, detonated an IED targeting a Ministry of Interior (MOI) checkpoint in Daih, injuring five police officers. On October 27, Shia militants detonated an IED along a major highway targeting an MOI police bus killing one officer and injuring eight others. On November 10, an oil pipeline exploded in the village of Buri. MOI officials asserted Bahraini Shia militants trained in Iran conducted the attack. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: There were no changes to counterterrorism legislation or border security procedures in 2017. In April, Bahrain approved a constitutional amendment granting military courts the right to try civilians accused of threatening state security. On December 25, military courts sentenced six Bahrainis to death and seven to seven years in prison in the first trial since the amendment was ratified. In January, Bahrain restored the Bahrain National Security Agency's (BNSA) arrest authority for suspected terrorists. BNSA lost its arrest authority after torture allegations amid unrest in 2011. In April 2017, the Bahrain Defense Force established a Counterterrorism Center combining five special operations entities in a new crisis-response mechanism. In December, those forces conducted a mock terrorist attack exercise at a Manama shopping mall. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Bahrain is a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-style regional body, and its financial intelligence unit is a member of the Egmont Group. In December, Bahrain did not issue visas for a Qatari representative to participate in MENAFATF's plenary meeting, held in Manama, likely due to Bahrain's ongoing political dispute with Qatar. Bahrain is also a member of the Defeat ISIS Coalition's Counter ISIS Finance Group and participates in the Egmont Group's Counter ISIS project. In November, a FATF evaluation team conducted an onsite visit to Bahrain to gather information for its second Mutual Evaluation Report. The team found that Bahrain has progressed in terrorism finance investigations and prosecutions. Bahrain criminalizes terrorist financing in accordance with international standards and can immediately freeze suspicious financial assets. The government obliges non-profit organizations to file suspicious transaction reports and monitors them to prevent misuse and terrorist financing. The government routinely distributes UN sanctions lists under relevant UN Security Council resolutions to financial institutions. On October 25, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs imposed sanctions on several individuals and two entities linked to ISIS and al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) for their support for or funding of terrorism, blocking their assets and banning transactions in Bahrain. These actions were announced under the newly established U.S.-Saudi Arabia co-chaired Global Terrorist Financing Targeting Center, which acts as an information sharing and coordinating body for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries' terrorism financing efforts. The potential politicization of terrorism finance and money laundering issues risks conflating legitimate prosecutions of militants with politically motivated actions against the mainstream opposition. In May, the government convicted Shia cleric Isa Qassim on money-laundering charges related to his collection of khums, alms giving unique to the Shia sect, without proper authorization. Activists and opposition-aligned clergy claimed that increased scrutiny of khums is part of a wider crackdown on the political opposition, whereas the Bahraini government has argued that some khums collections directly and indirectly support Bahraini militants. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): The Bahraini government continued its efforts to adopt a National CVE strategy in line with the UN Secretary-General's Preventing Violent Extremism Plan of Action. Additionally, numerous officials from the government, legislature, and non-governmental organizations have developed programming targeting youth and other vulnerable populations. Within the Bahraini Sunni community, a limited circle of individuals became radicalized to violence in the past several years and joined local terrorist factions or traveled to Syria and Iraq to fight with ISIS and other terrorist groups. A small number of extremist religious preachers helped radicalize these individuals. The government attempted outreach through initiatives such as the community police, which recruits Shia Bahrainis to bridge the divide between predominantly Shia villages and the mostly Sunni (and largely non-Bahraini origin) police force. The government has not published statistics on the force's composition or track record. There is no overall strategic messaging campaign to counter terrorist narratives, although government leaders often publicly speak about tolerance and reducing sectarian rhetoric. However, the government also dissolved secular opposition political group Waad and closed independent opposition-leaning newspaper Al Wasat, limiting the space for opposition voices in the country. International and Regional Cooperation: Bahrain's air, land, and sea forces participated in Saudi-led coalition operations against AQAP and Houthis in Yemen. As of November 2017, there were approximately 170 members of the Bahrain Defense Forces deployed in Yemen. Bahrain is an active member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Arab League. The Bahraini government frequently attends conferences related to multilateral counterterrorism cooperation. In December, Bahrain co-sponsored UN Security Council resolution 2396 on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Azerbaijan Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Azerbaijan, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fb813.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: In 2017, Azerbaijan was a strong counterterrorism partner to the United States. Azerbaijan's government actively worked to detect and defeat terrorist efforts to move people, money, and materials across its land and maritime borders and within the South Caucasus. Azerbaijani law enforcement and security services conducted operations to disrupt and prevent terror attacks, arrested and prosecuted suspected terrorists, and prosecuted returning Azerbaijanis who had joined terrorist groups fighting outside Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani counterterrorism cooperation significantly reduced the risk of terrorist attacks against tourist locations frequented by U.S. citizens and U.S. economic interests in Azerbaijan. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: In 2017, Azerbaijan expanded the legal definition of terrorists and terrorism. According to the amended law, "A terrorist is one who, directly or indirectly, takes part in a terrorist activity as an organizer, instigator, assistant, or actor, or one who masterminds a terrorist act or attempts to carry it out or assists an organized criminal group with carrying out terrorist acts." The law previously described a terrorist as "one who takes part in the carrying out of a terrorist activity in any way." The amended law provides that "a terrorist organization is an organization created for the purpose of carrying out terrorist acts or considering the option of terrorism probable in carrying out its activities. If a structural unit of an organization engages in terrorist activities with the permission of management, the organization is considered to be a terrorist organization." Azerbaijani law enforcement and security services have demonstrated the capacity to detect, deter, and prevent acts of terrorism in Azerbaijan's territory. Responsibility for counterterrorism is vested in several government agencies. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) is Azerbaijan's primary law enforcement agency, and its Organized Crime Unit is tasked with leading the Ministry's counterterrorism efforts. The MIA cooperates closely with the State Security Service (SSS), Azerbaijan's domestic intelligence and counterterrorism service. The SSS is responsible for identifying and preventing criminal activities by terrorist groups, and countering international terrorism and transnational crimes. The State Border Service (SBS) and State Customs Committee (SCC) jointly manage border security, and interdict terrorist efforts to move people, money, and materials including weapons of mass destruction across Azerbaijan's land and maritime borders. The SBS is responsible for defending oil platforms against terrorism. The Prosecutor General's Office is responsible for prosecuting suspects accused of terrorism, conspiracy to commit and aid terrorism, and other terrorism-related crimes. The government continued to cite "countering violent extremism" as a justification for incarcerating members of the secular and religious political opposition whom it alleges are "religious extremists." We refer you to the State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices and Report on International Religious Freedom for 2017 for further information. Azerbaijan used terrorist and criminal watchlists and biographic/biometric screening at some ports of entry. Azerbaijan's law enforcement and security services shared information among themselves, and with regional and international partners. In 2017, Azerbaijani law enforcement and security services reported preventing several potential terrorist attacks, including: On January 27, Azerbaijani SSS officers killed suspected "religious extremist" Jeyhun Ojagov. The SSS reported Ojagov had resisted arrest. On February 1, the SSS conducted a raid and killed four members of a group the SSS said was linked to terrorist organizations operating in foreign countries planning terrorist acts in Azerbaijan. On August 28, the SSS reported its officers killed terrorist suspect Yashar Javadov while trying to arrest him. The SSS reported Javadov bought weapons and explosives with funds received from a foreign terrorist organization. On October 27, the SSS detained Azerbaijani citizens Hasrat Aliyev, Emil Nasrullayev, Elshad Dadashov, and Zaur Eynalov on suspicion of fighting in Syria and Iraq. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Azerbaijan is a member of the Council of Europe's Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL), a Financial Action Task Force-style regional body. The government's Financial Monitoring Service is a member of the Egmont Group. In 2017, Azerbaijan continued implementing its "National Action Plan for 2017-2019 on combatting criminally acquired money, legalization of other properties, and financing of terrorism." On June 29, Azerbaijan's Parliament ratified the Council of Europe's Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure, and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Azerbaijan does not have a formal national CVE strategy, but state bodies such as the State Committee for Work with Religious Associations and the Caucasus Muslim Board work to prevent radicalization to violence in Azerbaijan's religious communities. The State Committee conducts informational campaigns around the country on the dangers of terrorist recruitment. In 2017, the Azerbaijani government cooperated with a U.S. government assessment of the level of risk posed by terrorist organizations and the potential for terrorist ideologies to gain ground in Azerbaijan. International and Regional Cooperation: Azerbaijan maintained membership in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and other international bodies. Azerbaijan hosted the 4th Annual World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, aimed at building societies based on equal opportunities as well as an inclusive framework of tolerance and respect for diversity. Azerbaijan also continued supporting North Atlantic Treaty Organization counterterrorism initiatives as one of the Alliance's Partnership for Peace countries. Azerbaijan continued efforts to improve Afghan security and stability by co-chairing the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process; as its co-Chair, Azerbaijan hosted senior officials' meetings and a Ministerial Conference. Azerbaijan also hosted a working group meeting that highlighted the role of narcotics traffickers in financing terrorism. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Austria Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Austria, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fb9118.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Austria continued to prioritize counterterrorism measures throughout 2017. U.S.-Austrian law enforcement cooperation remained strong. Austria's Office for State Protection and Counterterrorism (BVT) the key counterterrorism agency within the Ministry of the Interior reported ongoing radicalization to violence efforts by terrorist groups. The BVT estimated the number of Austrian foreign terrorist fighters fighting in Syria and Iraq, or wanting to travel to the conflict zone for terrorist purposes, at 300 between 2014 and 2017. During this period, authorities prevented 50 persons from leaving the country to go to conflict zones, including 22 women. Forty-four men who had traveled from Austria to Syria and Iraq are presumed dead. The BVT monitored an estimated 80 persons who had returned to Austria, and officials believed approximately 110 could still plan to return. Overall, the BVT noted that terrorist mobilization substantially declined after 2015. As of August 2017, there were 64 foreign terrorist fighters in Austrian prisons; 20 percent of them were aged 16 to 21. Austria made the fight against terrorism a key priority for its 2017 chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Austria is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and a member of the Defeat-ISIS foreign terrorist fighters and stabilization working groups. Throughout the year, the Ministries of Interior, Justice, and Foreign Affairs increased efforts to counter radicalization to violence and to address the problem of foreign terrorist fighters. Law enforcement agencies focused on intelligence gathering and investigations, as well as sharing information with international partners. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Austria has an extensive legal structure to counter terrorism. Relevant statutes criminalize training in terrorist camps abroad and allow wiretapping of individual suspects or small groups with the permission of an independent judge or ombudsman. Specific regulations prohibit the use and distribution of symbols attributable to ISIS or al-Qa'ida. Regulations allow border authorities to prevent minors from leaving Austria upon suspicion they will participate in fighting activities abroad. Authorities are allowed to withdraw citizenship from an Austrian dual national citizen who voluntarily and actively participates in fighting in a terrorism-related armed conflict. Austrian law enforcement and BVT officials routinely cooperated with U.S. law enforcement in a range of investigative areas, including joint, multilateral investigative projects and enforcement operations. Border security forces made effective use of security measures, including biographic and biometric screening capabilities at ports of entry and information sharing internally and with other European Union (EU) countries. Border security officials at ports of entry have discretion when determining which documents and passengers will be subject to screening on arrival. Austria has taken a whole-of-government approach to implementing UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) related to counterterrorism as well as Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) good practices on foreign terrorist fighters. In a series of high-profile trials in 2017, Austrian courts sentenced convicted terrorists to what were considered by local standards to be unusually long prison terms. Austria has rigorous processes in place to register and screen individuals applying for asylum, lawful residence, and citizenship. Applicants' fingerprints are checked against the EU's asylum fingerprint database (Eurodac), and in select cases, against criminal databases as well. Individuals are again screened against national and international law enforcement databases before citizenship is approved. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Austria is a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Austria's financial intelligence unit, located in the Federal Criminal Police Office, is a member of the Egmont Group. Austria has a comprehensive legislative and regulatory framework for anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). FATF approved of regulatory changes implemented in 2017, leading to a significant upgrade in Austria's AML/CFT technical compliance rating. Austria criminalizes the financing of terrorism in line with international standards and freezes terrorist assets in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions implemented through EU legislation. Austria has a national listing mechanism for terrorist financing, which is faster than the EU mechanism. Money or Value Transfer Services, dealers in precious stones and metals, real estate agents, and exchange houses are monitored and regulated in Austria. The number of terrorist financing cases successfully prosecuted in Austria has increased due to improved monitoring and prosecution capabilities. Austria implements the collection of Know Your Customer data for wire transfers through implementation of the Fourth EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive. This requires identification of clients who want to establish a business relationship with a financial institution, who perform a transaction of 15,000 euros (US $18,300) or more, or where there is suspicion of money laundering or terrorist financing. While Austria has taken measures to require closer monitoring of non-profit organizations (NPOs), they are still not required by law to file suspicious transaction reports (STRs). As a consequence, STRs from NPOs are rare. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Austria continued its CVE efforts largely in response to the foreign terrorist fighter phenomenon. In addition, the Austrian government undertook or continued several other initiatives. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Islamic Faith Community, continued its information campaign in mosques, Islamic organizations, community centers, and prisons. The initiative included education outreach to encourage Austrians to differentiate between Islam and what Austria describes as violent extremism. In an effort to counter radicalization to violence and improve integration in the newly arrived refugee population, the Integration Office within the Foreign Ministry developed an educational program focused on German language acquisition and education on Austrian values, such as equality and democratic principles. The Austrian government maintained a counseling center and a de-radicalization hotline aimed at friends and family members of potential terrorists. International and Regional Cooperation: Austria is a member of various international and regional security platforms, including the UN, EU, OSCE, the Salzburg Forum, and the Central European Initiative. Austria regularly leads law enforcement training programs with Salzburg Forum countries and the Balkan states. In its role as OSCE chairman in 2017, Austria organized an OSCE Counterterrorism Conference in May with a focus on rehabilitation, reintegration, and prevention of radicalization to violence. Austria also focused on engaging and empowering youth in preventing radicalization to violence. In December, Austria co-sponsored UNSCR 2396 on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Australia Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Australia, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fba13.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Australia strengthened counterterrorism laws, investigated and disrupted suspected terrorist plots, and maintained high levels of cooperation with U.S. and international partners. Australia played a major role in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in 2017 and was a leading contributor to coalition military support, humanitarian assistance, and efforts to disrupt foreign terrorist fighters. At the end of 2017, Australia's National Terrorist Threat Advisory System remained at "Probable." On December 20, Australia established the Home Affairs Department, its most significant domestic security and law enforcement reform in decades. Home Affairs combined the existing Department of Immigration and Border Protection with relevant elements of existing departments of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Attorney-General, Social Services, and Infrastructure and Regional Development. It also drew in the Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Federal Police, and Australia's financial intelligence agency, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC). Agencies falling under the Home Affairs portfolio will maintain their operational independence while the Department provides strategic leadership and consistent policy coordination. Australia is focused on counterterrorism threats in Southeast Asia. In October, Australia announced enhanced counterterrorism assistance to the Philippines, featuring closer intelligence-sharing, increased bilateral maritime reconnaissance, and facilitation of post-conflict rehabilitation efforts across military and civil spheres. Foreign terrorist fighters returning to Australia and the role of social media in inspiring domestic radicalization to violence were also chief concerns. Australian security agencies believe approximately 110 Australian citizens remain with terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria. Approximately 40 fighters have returned, and the government estimates between 68 and 85 Australian foreign fighter fatalities. The government is also aware of about 70 children who either traveled with their parents to or were born in ISIS-controlled areas. Since September 2014, Australian counterterrorism authorities disrupted 14 terrorism plots domestically, and have cautioned that a major terrorist event in Australia is "inevitable." The United States worked closely throughout the year with Australia to identify and develop new capabilities that meet a wide variety of requirements for countering terrorist threats. Through a cost-sharing bilateral relationship, both countries advanced their technical ability to defeat or mitigate the evolving capabilities of terrorists and criminal organizations. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: Australia experienced one terrorist-related attack and two disrupted plots. A Somali-born man, who proclaimed allegiance to ISIS and al-Qa'ida, shot one woman to death and took another hostage before police killed him in a standoff. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Australia continued to apply its comprehensive counterterrorism legislation against domestic threats and passed additional legislation to strengthen national security protections. In July, Prime Minister Turnbull announced the implementation of a new Department of Home Affairs by mid-2018, calling it "the most significant reform" in four decades. The Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet stood up a task force to manage ministerial portfolio and statutory realignments of several entities, including the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, the Attorney General's Department, and the Australian Security and Intelligence Organization. In August, the Australia-New Zealand Counterterrorism Committee released its Strategy for Protecting Crowded Places from Terrorism, drawing on expertise from the Crowded Places Advisory Group, comprising representatives from law enforcement, intelligence, and business sectors. Coordination among states and territories and between agencies is strong and cooperative. In October, Australia released its fourth National Counterterrorism Plan, outlining national, state, and territory responsibilities. Almost simultaneously, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) committed to a raft of national counterterrorism measures, including nationwide leveraging of state biometric information, expansion of the national emergency warning system, and increasing the pre-charge detention hold period to 14 days for suspected terrorists. COAG also agreed to develop new Commonwealth criminal penalties for those possessing "terrorist material" and perpetrating terrorist hoaxes, such as false online warnings of impending threats. Significant law enforcement actions in 2017 included: In February, an Australian man in New South Wales was arrested for assisting ISIS to develop laser missile technology. In July, police charged four Lebanese men in an ISIS-linked plot to bring down a commercial airliner with an improvised explosive device. In November, police arrested a Somali-Australian man for attempting to obtain an automatic rifle to kill holiday revelers in Melbourne. Australia's border security remained robust. Australia is a leader in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum (ARF), in which it raised concerns about traveler data, cargo and aviation security, developed mitigation strategies, and expanded regional information sharing on threats. Australia announced in November that Australian citizens would no longer face penalties for traveling to or remaining in Raqqa without a legitimate purpose, but emphasized that providing support to any listed terrorist organization remains a punishable offense. Approximately 219 Australian passports have been cancelled in relation to the Iraq and Syria conflict. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Australia is a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), co-chair of the Asia/Pacific Group (APG) on Money Laundering, and a member of the APG's Mutual Evaluation Working Group. Its financial intelligence agency is a member of the Egmont Group. Australia also chairs or co-chairs the Egmont Group's Information Exchange Working Group and the FATF Risks, Trends, and Methods Group. Australia remained a regional and global leader in countering terrorist financing. During the Australian fiscal year (July 1, 2016 June 30, 2017), AUSTRAC (Australian Reports and Analysis Centre) reported 3,255 exchanges of financial intelligence with international partners. AUSTRAC attributes the nearly doubling of exchanges over the previous fiscal year to terrorist finance concerns. AUSTRAC also applied rigorous detection, monitoring, and alerting to triage over 74,000 Suspicious Matter Reports, an amount comparable to the previous year. In August, AUSTRAC published a 600-page report accusing Australia's largest bank of breaching anti-money laundering and terrorist finance laws nearly 54,000 times between 2012 and 2015. On December 15, AUSTRAC expanded its regulatory probe by filing 100 new allegations against the bank, saying that the alleged breaches reflect "systematic non-compliance" stemming from at least three years of failure to report anonymous cash deposits exceeding US $7,800. On December 18, days after passing the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill 2017, to close gaps in e-currency regulation and investigatory reach, Australia announced it would also dedicate an additional US $33.7 million to help AUSTRAC strengthen its non-compliance enforcement. The following day, Australia redirected US $4.3 million retrieved from proceeds of crime to expand AUSTRAC's overseas presence from Indonesia and the Philippines to China, Malaysia, Singapore, the Middle East, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In November, Australia co-hosted the third Counterterrorism Financing Summit with Indonesia and Malaysia, attended by 445 representatives from 32 countries. Australia will assist a resultant multilateral financial intelligence exercise to jointly analyze suspicious financial activities of individuals operating outside their ordinary countries of residence. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): The Australian Attorney General's Department (AGD) remained the lead coordinator for national CVE efforts. The AGD continued to focus on four overlapping streams that build strength in diversity and social participation, target work with vulnerable communities and institutions, address online terrorist propaganda, and assist diversion and de-radicalization. Additionally, Australia is a donor to the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund. International and Regional Cooperation: Australia is a member of the United Nations, ASEAN, ARF, the Pacific Island Forum, the East Asia Summit, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Global Counterterrorism Forum, and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism. Australia is the chair of the APEC Counter-Terrorism working group for 2017-2018. Australia remains focused on counterterrorism threats in Southeast Asia and in October committed the Australian Federal Police to help rebuild Philippine counterterrorism capabilities post-Marawi with training and joint maritime patrols. Australia will also add 20 staff to its embassy in Manila. In November, Australia hosted the United States and Japan at the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue Counterterrorism Consultations. Outcomes included coordinated support to Southeast Asian countries on expanding INTERPOL connectivity and border security, and support for Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund expansion to the Philippines. In December, Australia co-sponsored UN Security Council resolution 2396 on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Argentina Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Argentina, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fbb13.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: During 2017, Argentina consolidated plans to redefine its counterterrorism strategy with a focus on its remote northern and northeastern borders, which include the Tri-Border Area where Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay meet, and where suspected terrorism financing networks operate. Robust U.S.-Argentine law enforcement and security cooperation continued in 2017. While no terrorist acts occurred in Argentina during 2017, five Argentine nationals were among the random victims of the October 31 terrorist attack perpetrated by a lone actor in New York. The UN Executive Director for the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate visited Argentina in 2017 to evaluate Argentina's legislative efforts to combat terrorism. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: In 2017, the Government of Argentina proposed changes to the penal code to reform its counterterrorism legal framework. The proposed legislation would include penal system reforms, a new approach to combating terrorism financing, and a modernization of security and intelligence capabilities. The 1994 bombing of the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association (AMIA) remained in the news and prompted a separate proposal to reform the penal code by incorporating trials in absentia as a mechanism to prosecute fugitives. In December 2017, an Argentine federal judge issued pre-trial detention orders for former Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and several former associates accused of treason for allegedly covering up Iran's involvement in the AMIA attack. Multiple security agencies maintained specialized law enforcement units that have substantial capabilities to respond to criminal activities, including terrorist incidents. The Government of Argentina established a Counter Narcotics Task Force in Salta Province composed of the four Argentine federal law enforcement agencies and provincial forces. As a result of its success, the Ministry of Security (MOS) created a second task force focused on the northeastern provinces covering the Tri-Border Area of Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. Throughout 2017, the Argentine National Directorate for Migration (DNM) improved its capacity to use Advance Passenger Information to identify known or suspected terrorists attempting to enter Argentina via commercial carrier. By deploying additional technology, personnel, and equipment, the Argentine MOS improved its law enforcement capacity at high-risk ports of entry along its northern border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of State's Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program further contributed to these efforts through the donation of contraband inspection kits to Argentine Customs officials at the Posadas, Aguas Blancas, and La Quiaca ports of entry. In June, officers from the Argentine Gendarmeria Nacional and Argentine Customs joined their Brazilian counterparts in a four-day International Border Interdiction Seminar sponsored by CBP and EXBS. Partly in support of the Preventing and Combating Serious Crime agreement signed in 2016 by the MOS and the U.S. Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, MOS and its federal security forces worked to incorporate biometric data into their fight against international terrorism and transnational crime. The MOS incorporated biometrics into its security vetting process to prevent known or suspected terrorists from exploiting its immigration system. Argentina continued its participation in courses at the International Law Enforcement Academy in San Salvador, El Salvador. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Argentina is a member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), as well as the Financial Action Task Force of Latin America, a FATF-style regional body. Argentina held the presidency of the FATF from July 2017 through the end of the year; its presidency expires June 30, 2018. Its Financial Information Unit (UIF) is a member of the Egmont Group. Recent reforms have empowered the UIF to act as the lead agency on all financial intelligence matters. In 2017, Argentine Customs fully re-established its Trade Transparency Unit in partnership with DHS, strengthening Argentina's ability to identify and disrupt trade-based money laundering, smuggling, and other transnational crimes linked to terrorist financing. The Ministry of Security and Homeland Security Investigations co-hosted the country's first-ever Transnational Financial Investigations Seminar, which was attended by 50 participants from more than a dozen Argentine law enforcement, border security, judiciary, and prosecutorial agencies involved in combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Argentina's UIF participated in a June fact-finding mission to gather information on financial activities and illicit finance risks in the Tri-Border Area encompassing Puerto Iguazu, Argentina; Ciudad del Este, Paraguay; and Foz do Iguazu, Brazil. This was a joint project with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Argentine, Brazilian, and Paraguayan financial intelligence units, and the Argentine and Paraguayan Central Banks, and supervisory authorities. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): The Government of Argentina has systematically issued statements of condemnation against major acts of terrorism. International and Regional Cooperation: The Government of Argentina and the United Nations (UN) Office of Counter-Terrorism signed a Memorandum of Understanding in which the UN pledged its support for Argentina's ongoing efforts to adjust its penal code to comply with "international standards on cyberterrorism and terrorist financing." Argentina participated in the Organization of American States Inter-American Committee against Terrorism and the Southern Common Market Special Forum on Terrorism. Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay coordinated law enforcement efforts in the Tri-Border Area via their Trilateral Tri-Border Area Command. In February 2017, Argentina hosted a Practitioner's Workshop on Countering Transnational Terrorist Groups in the Tri-Border Area. The conference was hosted by the Argentine Federal Intelligence Agency with the sponsorship of the U.S. Departments of State and Justice. The two-day workshop included prosecutors, judges, law enforcement investigators, financial intelligence/sanctions officials, and intelligence officials from the region. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Algeria Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Algeria, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fbcc.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Algeria continued significant efforts to prevent terrorist activity within its borders. Figures published by the Algerian armed forces show continued pressure on terrorist groups as indicated by the numbers of terrorists killed, captured or surrendered, as well as weapons seized and hideouts destroyed. Some analysts assess that continuing losses have substantially reduced the capacities of terrorist groups to operate within Algeria. Nevertheless, al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), AQIM-allied groups, and ISIS elements, including the Algerian affiliate locally known as Jund al-Khilafah in Algeria (JAK-A or Soldiers of the Caliphate in Algeria), remained in the country. These groups aspired to impose their interpretations of Islamic law in Algeria and to attack Algerian security services, local government targets, and Western interests. Terrorist activity in Libya, Tunisia, and Mali contributed to the overall threat. Algeria is not a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, although it observed some coalition meetings. Algeria actively supported the effort to counter ISIS in other ways, such as counter-messaging, capacity-building programs with neighboring states, and co-chairing the Global Counterterrorism Forum's (GCTF's) West Africa Capacity Building working group. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: JAK-A claimed responsibility for attacks on security forces. Within the region, AQIM continued attacks using improvised explosive devices (IEDs), bombings, false roadblocks, and ambushes. The Algerian government maintained a strict "no concessions" policy with regard to individuals or groups holding its citizens hostage. Attacks in 2017 included: In February 26, a man wearing a suicide belt attempted to enter a police station in Constantine, in eastern Algeria. Police shot his belt, causing it to explode and killing the attacker. Two police officers were injured. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement posted on the internet. On August 31, a man wearing an explosive belt blew himself up, killing two police officers, at the entrance to the Tiaret police station, about 270 kilometers southwest of Algiers. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack via its propaganda arm, the AMAQ News Agency. AQIM also claimed responsibility and denounced the ISIS claim as a lie. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: On September 29, a new law entered into effect making significant changes to Algerian criminal procedure. While increasing the number of jurors in many serious criminal cases, the amendments specify that in cases involving terrorism, trials, and appeals will be heard before judges only. The new law provides for greater prosecutorial control of judicial police, including judicial police within the armed forces. Military forces and multiple law enforcement, intelligence, and security services addressed counterterrorism, counter-intelligence, investigations, border security, and crisis response. These included under the Ministry of Interior the various branches of the Joint Staff, the National Gendarmerie, Border Guards under the Ministry of National Defense (MND), and approximately 210,000 national police, or General Directorate of National Security. Public information announcements from the MND provided timely reporting on incidents during which MND forces captured or eliminated terrorists and seized equipment, arms, ammunition caches, and drugs. Border security remained a top priority. Algerian and Tunisian customs officials continued to coordinate along their shared border. Algeria created a ditch and berm along the southern part of its border with Tunisia, deployed 3,000 additional troops to the Libyan border, and placed surveillance equipment and a concrete wall along the Moroccan border. According to media, Algeria sought to increase use of aerial surveillance technologies. The Government of Algeria closely monitored passenger manifests of inbound and outbound flights. Government officials reported that all border posts had access to INTERPOL databases. In 2017, six disciplines at the Gendarmerie's forensics laboratory were accredited to International Organization for Standardization standards, a first in the region. Algerian law enforcement agencies participated in training and exchanges offered by the U.S. government and by third countries. Algerian participants attended numerous workshops conducted under the aegis of the GCTF. A U.S.-Algeria Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty entered into force April 20, facilitating cooperation in transnational terrorism cases and other criminal matters. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Algeria is a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force, a financial action task force-style regional body. Its financial intelligence unit, known as the Financial Intelligence Processing Unit (CTRF), is a member of the Egmont Group. The CTRF regularly publishes administrative orders signed by the Minister of Finance, directing the immediate freezing and seizure of the assets of persons and entities on the United Nations (UN) sanctions list under UN Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1267 (1999) and its successor resolutions. In implementing UNSCR 2178 (2014), the Algerian Penal Code specifies liability for foreign terrorist fighters and those who support or finance them. Foreign exchange restrictions and distrust of banks push Algerians to cash transactions and informal currency-exchange markets. Media reports suggest the scale of the informal market grew, partly in response to government import limitations. Multiple fiscal initiatives by the government have failed to motivate illegal traders to formalize their businesses. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Algeria emphasized a whole-of-government CVE approach, including rehabilitation and reintegration programs for repentant terrorists. Stressing the importance of an inclusive society, the foreign ministry published a booklet on The Role of Democracy in the Fight Against Violent Extremism and Terrorism. Regulation of mosques to ensure they are "de-politicized" and "de-ideologized" is a key aspect of the Algerian approach. The foreign minister recently lauded the "crucial role" of women in CVE efforts, highlighting the mourchidates, female clerics who work with young girls, mothers, and prisoners. The Algerian government monitors mosques for possible security-related offenses and prohibits the use of mosques as public meeting places outside of regular prayer hours. Government officials publicly affirmed Algeria's Sunni Maliki tradition of Islam, which the Algerian government believes provides a moderate religious vision for the country. There have been complaints that the government imposes restrictions on other variants of Islam. International and Regional Cooperation: Algeria is an active member in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League and is a founding member of the GCTF. In 2017, the African Union (AU) named Algeria coordinator of its counterterrorism efforts. Algeria is a founding member of the Institute for International Justice and the Rule of Law and participated in counterterrorism-related projects implemented by the UN Office on Drug and Crime's Terrorism Prevention Branch. Algeria also participates in Comite d'Etat-Major Operationnel Conjoint (CEMOC), a cooperative body between Algeria, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger created to fight AQIM activities in the Sahel; and hosts CEMOC's Liaison and Fusion Center for information sharing. Algeria sits on the UN Counter-Terrorism Center's Advisory Board and hosts the headquarters AU Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL), a pan-African organization to foster police training and cooperation. Algeria hosts the AU's counterterrorism center of excellence, the African Center for the Study and Research on Terrorism. As co-chair of the GCTF's West Africa Capacity Building working group, Algeria hosted that group's plenary meeting in October 2017. On a bilateral basis, Algeria continued strong diplomatic engagement to promote regional peace and security. Algeria chaired the implementation committee for the peace accord in Mali and continued to press stakeholders to support the UN political process in Libya. Algeria also participated in various Sahel-Saharan fora to discuss development and security policies, the evolution of regional terrorism, and donor coordination. Political disagreement between Algeria and Morocco over the status of Western Sahara remained an impediment to bilateral and regional counterterrorism cooperation in 2017. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Albania Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Albania, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fbd101.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Albania was a strong supporter of counterterrorism efforts in 2017 and continued its participation in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, making significant donations of weapons and ammunition. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Albania criminalizes terrorist acts, financing of terrorism, conducting transactions with persons on United Nations (UN) sanctions lists, recruiting and training people to commit terrorist acts, incitement of terrorist acts, and establishing, leading, and participating in terrorist organizations. Albania is establishing and sustaining a port security oversight system to more fully comply with requirements under the International Maritime Organization's International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. Albanian law enforcement increased its efforts to counter potential terrorist threats. The recently expanded Albanian State Police Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) worked closely with the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ's) International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) and the Department of State's Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program to match Albanian government requirements for equipment and training with U.S. expertise and resources. As a result, the ATU developed its own plans and programs for improving equipment, training, and development, and renovated the central ATU facility. Through participation in the ATA Program, the ATU received training on interviewing terrorist suspects. Other Department of State funding provided counter-surveillance training, vehicles, intelligence analysis training, surveillance equipment, and computer workstations for investigators. Despite a scarcity of resources, the ATU also participated in several successful interdictions of known or suspected terrorists. DOJ's Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training Program, funded by the Department of State, continued to provide mentorship, assistance, and training to prosecutors, law enforcement officials, financial investigators, intelligence analysts, and judges from Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Serbia. These officials work on foreign terrorist fighter and terrorism-related cases through the Balkan Regional Counterterrorism program located in Tirana. Corruption and barriers to information sharing among government agencies, insufficient intra-agency coordination, and a poorly functioning judicial system continued to hinder Albania's law enforcement efforts at all levels. Recent constitutional and legal reforms to the judiciary are underway, beginning with the vetting of Albania's 800 judges and prosecutors for corruption, proficiency, and ties to organized crime. As of December 2017, the vetting commission and international monitoring operation began work on the first 57 personnel files. Other reforms will begin after this first group is vetted. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Albania is a member of the Council of Europe's Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL), a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-style regional body. The General Directorate for the Prevention on Money Laundering, Albania's financial intelligence unit, is a member of the Egmont Group. Albania continued to work with the FATF and MONEYVAL to address identified weaknesses in its anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism regime. As a result, Albania made major improvements to its legal framework for identifying, tracing, and freezing terrorist assets; enhanced international cooperation; extended customer due diligence; and required the filing of suspicious transaction reports and currency transaction reports. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): The Government of Albania implemented a "Schools for Safer Communities" program aimed at educating teachers throughout Albania about the risks of radicalization to violence among youth. It included processes for teachers to recommend interventions for students on the path to radicalization to violence. The Albanian cities of Cerrik, Elbasan, Librazhd, and Tirana are members of the Strong Cities Network. Regional and International Cooperation: Albania is a member of the UN, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Regional Cooperation Council for Southeast Europe, the Council of Europe, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Albanian criminal justice actors participated regularly in various regional associations, conferences, and other counterterrorism information sharing exchanges. In December, Albania co-sponsored UN Security Council resolution 2396 on returning and relocating foreign terrorist fighters. Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Afghanistan Publisher United States Department of State Publication Date 19 September 2018 Cite as United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2017 - Afghanistan, 19 September 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5bcf1fbea.html [accessed 18 November 2021] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. Overview: Afghanistan cooperates with the United States in a bilateral counterterrorism effort as part of Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS), the U.S. operation in Afghanistan. The U.S. military also works with Afghanistan to improve the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces' (ANDSF) ability to combat insurgent groups through Resolute Support (RS), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization "Train, Advise, and Assist" mission. The Taliban, the affiliated Haqqani Network (HQN), and groups claiming affiliation with the Islamic State's Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) increased high-profile terrorist attacks targeting Afghan government officials and members of the international community. Terrorist groups targeting Pakistan, such as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, exploit ungoverned spaces in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region, using them as safe havens to coordinate terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. President Ghani and the National Unity Government have strongly supported the new U.S. South Asia strategy, which was announced by President Trump in August 2017 and seeks to create conditions for a political settlement with the Taliban. The Afghan High Peace Council (HPC) effectively replaced the Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Program in 2017, agreeing with donor nations in July to a new UN Development Program-drafted action plan intended to promote reconciliation with insurgent groups. While the HPC action plan outlines a strategic approach to reintegration and implementation of peace agreements, the HPC's focus was on building the capacity of its Provincial Peace Committees and their subsequent outreach to build a national consensus for the peace process. The peace agreement signed between the Afghan government and Hizb-e Islami Gulbuddin (HIG) in September 2016 hit some roadblocks, but it has led to party leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's return to Kabul, the removal of UN sanctions against him, and peaceful reintegration of HIG supporters. The parts of the agreement that have not been fully implemented include the release of some HIG detainees, the provision of land to HIG returnees, and the disarmament of all HIG members. Afghanistan is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. 2017 Terrorist Incidents: Insurgents continued to use vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) and complex attacks involving multiple attackers wearing suicide vests to target ANDSF, Afghan government buildings, foreign governments, and soft civilian targets to include international organizations. Kabul remained a focus of high-profile attacks. The following list details a fraction of the incidents that occurred: On May 31, a VBIED on the perimeter of the international zone killed more than 150 and wounded at least 400 people. While there was no claim of responsibility, Afghanistan's intelligence service blamed the attack on HQN. On July 24, a VBIED detonated in a Kabul neighborhood whose residents were primarily of Hazara ethnicity. The explosion killed 28 and wounded 43. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which was reportedly targeting a bus carrying government employees. On August 1, ISIS-K claimed responsibility for an attack on a Shia mosque in Herat City, which left 29 civilians dead and 64 injured. On September 27, ISIS-K insurgents launched more than 30 rockets at the Hamid Karzai International Airport during Defense Secretary Mattis's visit to Kabul. During the attack, ISIS insurgents also directly targeted Camp Sullivan, a U.S. Chief of Mission facility in Kabul, with mortars and heavy weapons fire. On October 17, Taliban insurgents used VBIEDs to launch complex suicide attacks on police headquarters in Paktiya and Ghazni provinces. The attacks killed 21 police, including Provincial Chief of Police Toryalai Abdiani and 20 civilians, and wounded more than 150 police and civilians. In Ghazni, more than 30 ANDSF personnel were killed and 25 others injured. The Andar district police headquarters building was destroyed. Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: The Afghan Attorney General's Office investigates and prosecutes violations of the laws that prohibit membership in terrorist or insurgent groups, violent acts committed against the state, hostage taking, murder, and the use of explosives against military forces and state infrastructure. These laws include Crimes against the Internal and External Security of the State (1976 and 1987), Combat Against Terrorist Offences (2008), and Firearms, Ammunition, and Explosives (2005). Notable cases in 2017 included: Anas Haqqani: In 2016, the Primary and Appellate Courts sentenced him to death for terrorist acts (including recruiting and fundraising), terrorist membership, and forgery. In February, the Supreme Court remanded the case to the Appellate Court. Anas is the brother of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the operational leader of the Haqqani Network. Anas's co-accused is Hafiz Abdul Rasheed, whose case followed the same path. Abdul Saboor: The Appellate Court affirmed a 20-year sentence and murder conviction after he shot and killed two U.S. advisors at the Ministry of Interior. The case is pending Supreme Court review. Abdul Qahir Korasani: One of the earliest prominent Afghans to pledge allegiance to ISIS-K, he served as a mullah and judge for ISIS-K. Korasani used internet videos and publications to recruit and issue fatwas. He was convicted in the Primary and Appellate Courts for terrorist acts and membership. He received a sentence of 16 years in the Primary Court and 20 years in the Appellate Court. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in the Supreme Court. U.S. law enforcement assisted the Ministry of Interior, National Directorate of Security (NDS), and other Afghan authorities with disrupting and dismantling terrorist operations and prosecuting terrorist suspects. Specialized police units known as Crisis Response Units (CRUs) for Afghanistan's major cities continued to thwart attacks. For example, CRU-222 responded swiftly during the March 2017 Kabul hospital attack, clearing all eight floors of the hospital after entering from both the roof and ground. This same unit responded and killed the attackers during Secretary Mattis' visit and President Ghani aims to double the number of these units. Twenty-five checkpoints have been established around the international zone, and the Afghan government is standing up a new unit with sole responsibility for security of an expanded perimeter. The new unit will replace a patchwork of police, military, and private security contractors that report to MoI or MoD through different chains of command in order to establish a unity of effort with IZ security. Afghan civilian security forces continued to participate in the Department of State's Anti-Terrorism Assistance program, receiving capacity-building training and mentorship in specialized counterterrorism-related skillsets such as crisis response, methods of entry, and response to active shooter. Afghanistan continued to face significant challenges in protecting the country's borders, particularly in the border regions with Pakistan. Afghan and Pakistani officials have agreed in principle to create a mechanism for communication between forces on each side of the border. The means for implementation was still under discussion at the end of 2017. Afghanistan continued to process traveler arrivals and departures at major points of entry using a U.S.-provided border security system, the Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES), which has been successfully integrated with INTERPOL's I-24/7 system. Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Afghanistan is a member of the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering, a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-style regional body. In June, FATF removed Afghanistan from the list of "jurisdictions with strategic deficiencies" (the "grey list"). Despite technical compliance, insufficient cooperation and lack of capacity still hamper terrorist finance investigations. Afghanistan's financial intelligence unit, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Center of Afghanistan (FinTRACA), distributes UN sanctions lists under the 1267 and 1988 sanctions regimes to financial institutions via a circular and a link on FinTRACA's website. As of October 31, FinTRACA revoked 49 business licenses and imposed US $42,000 in fines on money service businesses for failure to comply with anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism laws. For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Countering Violent Extremism (CVE): Five thousand out of 160,000 mosques are registered with the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Education. Many mosques and associated religious schools (madrassas) are unregistered and operate independently of the government. The government estimated 370,000 students attend independent madrassas. Regional and International Cooperation: Other multilateral fora include an Afghanistan-Pakistan-China trilateral on border security and counterterrorism as well as a C5+Russia+Afghanistan forum, which includes the security chiefs of the five Central Asian states, Russia, and Afghanistan. Afghanistan is also an observer state within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which revived the long-dormant SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group to focus on enhanced security and counterterrorism. The final quarter of 2021 is on its way and theres so much positivity about the rapid growth of the... Sykes Enterprises Inc. (SYKE), Monday said it has agreed to buy Symphony Ventures Ltd for 52 million pounds in cash. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in London, Symphony is offers RPA consulting, implementation, hosting and managed services. Symphony holds partnerships with RPA software vendors, including Automation Anywhere, Blue Prism, NICE, Thoughtonomy, and UiPath. CEO Chuck Sykes said, "The acquisition of Symphony is another significant step in building our company's capabilities to succeed as the digital revolution continues to transform our clients' businesses, their customer service needs, and by extension, the customer support industry." Sykes intends to fund the acquisition through a combination of cash on hand and the company's credit facility. The purchase price is about 2.0x 2019 projected revenues. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close on or about November 1, 2018. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News A park in Gainesville, Florida was renamed after Tom Petty, in memory of the iconic rock star who played there as a boy. Petty's family and friends attended the renaming ceremony held on Saturday, which marked the Heartbreakers band leader's 68th birthday. Tom Petty, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, was born in the city on October 20, 1950. "My brother and I grew up in this park. We played as kids. My cousin reminded me the other day of my remark that it was a sanctuary, and it really was," Tom's brother Bruce Petty recalled their childhood days. "It was a place for us to escape and be kids and have fun. The fact that we are doing this today and the part that we played in it makes it so much more special," he added. Petty's daughter Adria Petty also addressed the crowd. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Entertainment News The demand for cryptocurrency and blockchain-related jobs increased significantly in the U.S. despite the regulatory uncertainty and price volatility, according to recruiting and employer-review website Glassdoor. A published study, based on a large sample of online U.S. job postings from Glassdoor, showed 1,775 blockchain-related job openings in August 2018, a 300 percent increase from 446 job listings in August last year. The demand in these jobs has well outpaced the 200 percent increase in the value of cryptocurrencies since August 2017. The companies are hiring primarily for technical roles, requiring engineering experience and coding skills. In these, software engineer was the most common blockchain job open on Glassdoor, accounting for 19 percent of all blockchain job listings. This is followed by more specialized roles like front-end engineer to architect. Business roles are well-represented with analyst relations manager being the second-most common job posting, followed by product manager, risk analyst, and marketing manager. As per the analysis, the U.S. financial and tech capitals, New York City and San Francisco, respectively, represent a disproportionate share of blockchain-related jobs at 24 percent and 21 percent of total job openings. Majority of hiring employers are startups looking to expand rapidly. ConsenSys has over 200 related job listings, while Coinbase, Figure and Kraken also offer jobs. Further, IBM is tied with ConsenSys in the number of blockchain-related job openings. Other large consulting or professional services firms like Accenture and KPMG and technology companies like Oracle are also expanding their blockchain teams. The study noted that there is a notable absence of major technology companies like Facebook, Google, and Apple. According to Glassdoor's August 2018 Local Pay Report, the median salary for blockchain-related job openings was 61.8 percent over the U.S. median salary. Among international metros outside U.S., London topped the list with 189 blockchain-related job openings, followed by Singapore, Toronto and Hong Kong. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News President Donald Trump said Monday the U.S. will build up its nuclear arsenal to put pressure on Russia, which he claims is not adhering to an arms control treaty. Trump made the comments two days after announcing his decision to pull the U.S. out of the decades-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty amid claims Russia violated the deal. Dismissing Trump's allegations, the Kremlin argued that the U.S. is in violation of the treaty, while Russia remains committed to it. A Kremlin spokesman warned that the U.S. President's decision will force Russia to take measures on ensuring its own security. The landmark agreement, which was signed in 1987 by the then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan and his Soviet counterpart Mikhail Gorbachev, forced both the powers to eliminate ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between approximately 300 and 3,400 miles. The deal offered a blanket of protection to the United States' European allies and marked a watershed agreement between two nations at the center of the arms race during the Cold War. Replying to a question at the White House on Monday, Trump said, "Until people come to their senses, we will build it up." Asked if that was a threat to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump replied, "It's a threat to whoever you want. And it includes China, and it includes Russia, and it includes anybody else that wants to play that game." Republican Senator Jim Risch, R-Idaho, supported the move, but Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., warned that withdrawing from the INF treaty would be a strategic mistake that would weaken the United States' national security and the security of key allies. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News The Swiss stock market got off to a weak start Tuesday and remained stuck in a sideways pattern throughout the session. The market ended the session with a substantial loss. Weakness in global equity contributed to the negative mood among investors, as well as concerns over Italy. The Italian budget was rejected by the European Commission and was granted three weeks time to submit a revised plan. The Swiss Market Index decreased by 1.11 percent Tuesday and finished at 8,767.15. The Swiss Leader Index dropped 2.03 percent and the Swiss Performance Index lost 1.46 percent. Sika was among the weakest performing stocks of the session, falling 3.8 percent. Lonza also surrendered 3.5 percent. The index heavyweights all finished with slight losses. Roche decreased 0.5 percent, while Nestle and Novartis surrendered 0.3 percent each. Schindler sank 8.6 percent after reporting disappointing third quarter results. Julius Baer dropped 2.3 percent, Credit Suisse declined 2.1 percent and UBS lost 2 percent. Swiss Re fell 2.6 percent, Zurich Insurance weakened by 2.3 percent and Swiss Life surrendered 1.8 percent. Swatch Group forfeited 2 percent and rival Richemont lost 1.5 percent. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Shares of Logitech International SA (LOGI) are seeing substantial weakness in afternoon trading on Tuesday, with the computer accessories maker plunging by 9.8 percent. Earlier in the session, Logitech hit its lowest intraday level in nine months. The steep drop by Logitech comes even though the company reported strong fiscal second quarter earnings growth on record sales. The company's results exceeded analyst estimates on both the top and bottom lines. Investors seem disappointed that Logitech maintained rather than boosting its full-year earnings and sales guidance. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Democratic Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum is holding on to a lead over former Republican Congressman Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., in Florida's gubernatorial race, according to the results of a Quinnipiac University poll released on Tuesday. Fifty-two percent of likely Florida voters said they would vote for Gillum if the election were held today compared to the 46 percent that would vote for DeSantis. Gillum's six-point lead in the latest survey is narrower than the 54 percent to 45 percent advantage shown by a poll conducted last month. The poll showed Gillum benefits from big leads among women, black, Hispanic, and independent voters, while majorities of men and white voters support DeSantis. "Looking inside the numbers of the governor's race between Mayor Andrew Gillum and former U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, we see shining examples of the problems Republicans face this year, not just in Florida, but around the country," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. "The GOP has faced strong opposition from women and other anti-Trump voters," he added. "These defections have hurt GOP candidates around the country and made it difficult to attract the numbers of independent voters that are often major players in successful campaigns." Only 2 percent of likely Florida voters remain undecided and just 4 percent of those who named a candidate said they might change their mind before Election Day. The poll showed Gillum with a positive 50 percent to 38 percent favorability rating among likely Florida voters, while DeSantis gets a split 43 percent to 43 percent favorability rating. The Quinnipiac survey of 1,161 likely Florida voters was conducted October 17th through 21st and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News India on Monday described as "deeply regrettable" Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's remarks on Twitter in which he condemned "the new cycle of killings of innocent Kashmiris" in Jammu and Kahsmir. The remarks made by Pakistan's Prime Minister in his tweet today (Monday) are deeply regrettable," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in response to queries from the media. "Instead of making comments on India's internal affairs, Pakistan leadership should look inwards and address its own issues," Kumar said. "Pakistan would serve the interest of the people of the region by taking credible action against all kind of support to terrorism and terror infrastructure from all territories under its control rather than supporting and glorifying terrorists and terror activities against India and its other neighbours." Kumar also said Pakistan's "deceitful stand on dialogue, while supporting terror and violence, stands exposed to the whole world". Khan in a tweet earlier in the day said: "Strongly condemn the new cycle of killings of innocent Kashmiris... by Indian security forces. It is time India realise it must move to resolve the Kashmir dispute through dialogue in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people." His remarks came after seven civilians were killed in an explosion in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Sunday shortly after a gunfight that had left three militants dead. Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and in the defence and security sector will be high on the agenda when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe will hold their annual bilateral summit this month, Japanese Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu said on Friday. Modi will be visiting Japan on October 28-29 in what will be his third visit for the annual bilateral summit. India is the only country with which Japan holds an annual bilateral summit while India holds a similar summit with Russia too. Speaking at a briefing organised by the think-tank Brookings India here, Hiramatsu referred to Modi's statement that Japan is the cornerstone of India's Act East Policy. He recalled the joint statement issued following last year's annual bilateral summit in India which called for a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. "I am sure in the (upcoming) meeting, the two leaders will discuss the region in more concrete terms," Hiramatsu said. Last year, a quad comprising India, Japan, the US and Australia was revived that seeks to work for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. "The quad had a second meeting in June this year and the process is steadily growing," the Ambassador said. He also said that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) regional bloc has to play a central role in the Indo-Pacific region, a view that India also holds. Regarding cooperation in the defence and security sector, Hiramatsu said that India and Japan, along with the US, regularly hold the Malabar naval exercise. "From November 1 to 14, the ground-based defence forces of Japan and the Indian Army will hold a joint exercise in Mizoram that will also include counter-terrorism exercise," he said. He also that the air defence forces of Japan and the Indian Air Force too will also hold a join exercise soon. Stating that India has shown interest in Japanese submarines, he said that talks are going on for this though there has been no outcome as yet. "We are also discussing a Japanese high tech amphibian aircraft also and I hope there will be progress made in this regard (during the summit)," Hiramatsu said. He also indicated that a mutual logistics support agreement might be signed following the summit. On the strong trade and investment relationship between the two countries, he said that Japan is the largest investor in the infrastructure sector in India. "We will continue with our Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) programme in India," Hiramatsu said. "Last year, the highest financial aid was provided under the ODA." Stating that Japan is working on key connectivity projects in northeastern India, the Ambassador said that work is on on national highways in the states of Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram. "Another road is being developed connecting the Assam-Bhutan border with the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border," he stated. He also said that India offers a lot of business opportunities to Japanese companies. "Prime Minister Abe says a strong India is in Japan's best interest," Hiramatsu said. Regarding the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), he said that Indian is an important partner for Japan during the discussions going on for this. RCEP is a proposed free trade agreement between the 10 Asean member states and the six states with which this regional bloc has existing free trade agreements - Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. The rift in the top in CBI took a serious turn on Monday when a Deputy Superintendent of Police was arrested for alleged falsification of records in the bribery allegations against Special Director Rakesh Asthana as Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepped in amid the fracas between the top two officials. The PMO summoned CBI Director Alok Verma and Asthana in an apparent bid to put a lid on the open war between the two officials, who had levelled bribery allegations against each other. There was no official word on what the officials discussed with the higher-ups in the Prime Minister's office, but it is understood that the two officials have been told to make amends as the image of the organisation has taken a beating in the public eye, a point opposition parties made in their criticism. During the day, the agency arrested its Deputy Superintendent Devendra Kumar, who was earlier the investigation officer in a case involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi, on a charge of "falsification of records". Kumar's arrest comes a day after the agency registered an FIR against Asthana and several others for allegedly accepting bribes to settle a case of meat exporter Moin Qureshi, who is facing multiple cases of money laundering and corruption. The CBI has alleged that bribes were given at least five times between December, 2017 and October this year. "Kumar, who has been the investigation officer in the Qureshi case, has been arrested on the allegation of falsification of records," the agency said in a statement. It said Kumar had fabricated the statement of Sathish Sana, a witness in the Quershi case, showing he recorded the statement on Septemebr 26, 2018 in Delhi. "However, investigation revealed that Sana was was not in Delhi on September 26. He was in Hyderabad on that day and joined the investigation only on October 1, 2018," it added. The CBI said "It was found that Kumar had fabricated the statement as an after-thought to corroborate the baseless allegations made by Asthana against CBI director to CVC." An CBI official said that Sana's statement was recorded on October 3. He said the agency was also probing the role of other officers of the CBI Special Investigation team (SIT) then supervising the Qureshi case. The official said the agency during the searches at Kumar's residence and his office at the agency's headquarters in south Delhi's Lodhi road. The CBI seized eight mobile phones, one iPad and documents pertaining to Qureshi case. The statement said the role of Kumar became suspect as the fabricated statement signed by Kumar on September 26 quoted Sana as saying that during June 2018, he had discussed his case with one of his old friends C.M. Ramesh, a Rajya Sabha member who assured him of that he would take tp the concerned Director. "Subsequently, when met with Ramesh, he told that he had met CBI Director personally regarding my case and examination by CBI. Ramesh also informed that I will not be called by again in this case. Since from June onwards, Iwas not called by CBI. I was under the impression that investigation against me is completed," the statement said. The official further said that during investigation it was revealed that Sana was detained on September 25 at Hyderabad International Airport. Asthana, a 1984 batch Indian Police Service officer of Gujarat cadre, is accused of accepting a bribe of Rs 2 crore from a businessman who was under probe in the Qureshi case in order to "wreck" the investigation. The case was being examined by a special investigation team (SIT) headed by Asthana. When asked about did the agency take permission from the government under section 17 (A) of Prevention of Corruption Act while filing a case against Asthana, the official replied that as the matter of bribery was not related to policy making, the agency can register a case. Asked about the allegations pertaining to CBI Additional Director A.K. Sharma's family having shell companies in partnership with undesirable contact men (UCM), the official said that he has no comments to offer as CVC was already looking into those charges. Asthana had mentioned about it in his August complaint to CVC, the official said. According to CBI sources, Manoj Prasad who was also arrested on October 16, had met Chetan Sandesara in London. He said, however, the CBI has no information when and where this meeting took place in London. Chetan along with his brother Nitin Sandesara are promoters of Sterling Biotech which had duped banks to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore. They are being investifgated by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate. File photo Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said that the country's security services have evidence that dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder was a planned affair. He made the remarks while speaking at a parliamentary group meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) here, reports Hurriyet Daily News. "Turkish security services have evidence that the murder was a planned affair. Turkey and the world will only be satisfied when all the planners and perpetrators are held to account," the President said. "Other countries must participate in the investigation." Erdogan claimed that Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a critic of Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, first came to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on September 28 to get his marriage documents. The "roadmap" to kill Khashoggi started with this visit. He said that a day before Khashoggi disappeared on October 2, a group of three Saudis landed in Istanbul and went to the consulate while another team visited the Belgrad Forest near the city and the neighbouring Yalova province. "On October 2, another group came and this 15-member team went to the consulate and removed the hard disks of security cameras there. Khashoggi's went inside that afternoon and never appeared again while his fiancee waited outside," Erdogan said. It was later found that 15 Saudis including intelligence officers and forensics experts came to Turkey ahead of Khashoggi's visit. "I spoke to (Saudi) King Salman on October 14 and formed a joint investigation team. This is how our officials could enter the consulate and the consul's residence... Seventeen days after the killing, Saudi Arabia admitted that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate. "We held another phone call and they told us that 18 Saudis, including people from the 15-member team we exposed, were arrested in Saudi Arabia," he added. The President said that information and evidence show that Khashoggi fell victim to a brutal murder. "We have strong evidence that the killing was intentional, not accidental. Now we expect them to punish all those who played a part in the murder." For such a small country, the amount of deaths reported by the Police on a weekly basis including crime-related deaths - is quite high. Its disturbing. So much so you cannot help but ask the question; what is happening in Samoa today? You see gone are the days where these incidents were a rarity. Go back say twenty years ago, a suspicious death would probably come around once every three months, sometimes much longer. Ten years ago, it became a bit more regular but still probably once a month. But not any more. In the recent past, weve seen a terrifying increase in the number of vile crimes, which truly puzzles the mind. Why has this happened? How did we get to where we are today in Samoa? And is there a solution? Can we turn things around? The Polices weekly media report this week is scary; it is evidence of the concern we are raising today. Lets have a quick look. The first item on the report says that on 16 October 2018 at around 6pm, the Police was informed by the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital about a dead body from Solosolo. Circumstances reveals that the deceased left his house for the plantation on Monday October 15, 2018 around 1:00 pm and did not return thereafter, the report reads. The village members and the deceased family searched for him but could not find him. On Tuesday morning 16 October 2018, the search continued and the deceased body was found in the east side of the Solosolo River. Due to visible signs of injuries on the deceased mans body a postmortem is schedule to confirm the cause of death. On the other side of Upolu during the same week, another dead body was reported to the Police. This time the body was that of a 32-year-old male from Vailoa Faleata and Aleisa. Preliminary investigation indicates that the deceased and his brother in law were drinking alcohol on Saturday night. Sometimes during the night the deceased and the defendant got into an argument, the Police report reads. As a result of the argument the deceased was assaulted and he fell. The attending doctor confirms visible injuries on his head. The Police say a male of Matautu Lefaga has been charged with murder. Now perhaps the biggest shock of the week and possibly the saddest - has come with the last item on the Police report confirming the death of the Chief Executive Officer of the Unit Trust of Samoa, Sau Justina Sau-Lam. Found dead on Sunday morning, the Police are investigating how she died. The statement says the Police are not ruling out foul play. The unexpected death of Sau comes as a massive shock to this country. She was a shining star in the corporate world, the woman who had been the driving force behind what is arguably one of the Governments most profitable arms, U.T.O.S. But she was more than that. Away from her role at U.T.O.S, she was a mother who was known for always being positive and willing to contribute to the improvement of others. She also held many different roles in the community including key roles in the Marist Education system. There is absolutely no doubt that Samoa has lost a great leader. Today, it is undeniable that these are clearly very sad and distressing times for all the families involved in the matters highlighted above. The concern is that we continue to see these incidents happening week in and week out. Alcohol, violence and anger are always and often factors. Why are people so angry in Samoa today? Why has it become so much easier for one Samoan to kill another? We need to ask some tough questions of ourselves. See, our leaders talk so much about progress on these shores; the high rises in Apia, the flashlights and what have you. Looking at whats happening today, can we honestly look ourselves in the mirror and call it progress? Let us be reminded that people are dying from crime-related incidents just about every day; our crime statistics have shot through the roof. In some cases, its almost like people are not scared to commit crime. We have men who bash up their wives and stab them in public as if its no big deal? Rape, incest and sexual crimes have become so commonplace? When you scratch a bit deeper, you will also find that deep beneath the facade there is a huge sense of sadness and bitterness. There is a lot to be said about the poor standard of living among some people, there is poverty, hardship, deteriorating state of morals, values and the slow death of our culture. This is not progress. Far from it. The signs are there, that there is something terribly amiss, in the make up of this country today. Where do we go from here? What can we do? Write and share your thoughts with us! Have a safe Wednesday Samoa, God bless! The $2.60 million water bill the Samoa Water Authority (S.W.A.) had requested to be written off includes debts incurred by Government Ministries, senior Government officials, schools, churches and businesses. Including in the write off list are bills allegedly incurred by the S.W.A. Board Chairman Matataualiitia Afa Lesa, and the Associate Minister for Revenue and Prisons and Correction Services, Lenatai Victor Tamapua among others. Their outstanding bills were highlighted in records provided by the Samoa Water Authority C.E.O, Seugamaalii Jammie Saena, which was part of correspondence dated 22 May 2018 to the Parliamentary Infrastructure Sector Committee. Matataualiitia has a bill of $2,210 and Lenatai $3,880.25 The Samoa Observer contacted Matataualiitia at his Accounting office in Apia three times for comment. But an office staff, who refused to give his name, referred the newspaper to the Samoa Water Authority. The old man said to call the Samoa Water Authority about the bills, he said. Seugamaalii has not responded to emails sent to her while the Assistant Chief Executive Officer and Acting C.E.O. Tafeamaalii Philip Kerslake refused to comment when contacted last week. This newspaper was able to get through to Lenatai, who explained that while the account is under his name, the bill was incurred by a couple who lived on his land in Lalovaea. I have already gone to the Water Authority to sort it out, he said in an interview with this newspaper. Last week, the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi brushed off concerns about the move by the Samoa Water Authority to write-off the outstanding water bills, saying the practice is not new. He said the policy to write-off water bills has been in place since the beginning of the Samoa Government, but the authority to accept or write-off the bills ultimately rests with the Parliament. According to the list, water bills incurred by private and public schools amount to $16,736.81, churches $27,380.09, Government ministries and corporations $39,159.63, businesses and organisations $68,113.75 and individuals $2.45 million. The Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure has an outstanding of $5,732 and while $6,953.94 is the bill for public toilets overseen by the Accident Compensation Corporation. The outstanding bills documentation also makes reference to a Samoan Land (1st restaurant) that has a $6,539.80 outstanding. The Ministry of Agricultures outstanding is $1,153.88, Ofisa Faigafaiva $2,000, Ministry of Communication $4.282 and the Post Office $5,689.29 in arrears. For educational institutions, the Lalomanu Education Department owes $2,394.80, Fatuvalu Junior High $2,366.41, Methodist preschool $1,438.50, Saanapu Tai Pre School $1,956.60, Primary Schools of Sapapalii $1,434.49 and Vailima $300, Sapapalii Primary School #2 $1,794 and Vaimauga Junior Secondary school #2 $5,030. For the churches, the Catholic Church (#36746) owes $1,003.50 but the list does not specify which village. Another Catholic Church (#30184) owes $1,089, Methodist Church ($25170) $1,656.50, Kingdom of God (#18893) $1,783.50, E.F.K.S. 2 (#34205) $1,965.70, Methodist Church (34089) $3,250 and Samoa Independent S.D.A. Church (#19143) and E.F.K.S. Atinae (#21426). The list further states that C.C.C. Church (#21338) owes $2,288.50 and Jehovahs Witness (#10312) $540 and Samoa Christian Church (#31419) $420. In terms of businesses, P.L.T. Consultants owes $12,160 followed by Samoa Tropical $11, 994 and Petroleum Product Supplies $9,071.76. Womens Committee owes (#24405) $6,036.10 while another Womens Committee (#25179) $3,768.62 in total. Moatoga Beach Resort owes $2,016.67 and Shaw Construction $2,256.02 in total. Other businesses included in the list is the Town Hall (#29541), MMAL Tech Limited $1,353.39 and Aggie Greys Hotel Limited (#26003) $2,360. Others include Ace Reminders $5,890, Bluesky Samoa $858.83, Falanik Bourne water bill of $736 and Apia Businesses Machines $366.81 in total. A concerned member of the community, Rudy Bartley, has raised concerns at a District Court decision which freed two men of reckless driving charges. The decision by District Court Judge Alalatoa Rosella Viane recently discharged Orlando Keil and Scott Levi without conviction, in relation to reckless driving charges laid against them. Mr. Bartley told the Samoa Observer that he was shocked and disappointed with the ruling by the Court. Im shocked, disappointed and very concerned in terms of what message does this ruling give to other people who are doing this thing. What message does this ruling give to me its not a good message, he said. Mr. Bartley said while the Judge had already made a ruling on the matter, he said as a concerned member of the community, he is questioning the message that the ruling sends out to boy racers. I am just worried about the consequences and the precedence. What will this tell the other boy racers? To me personally, this will tell them that they have a license to do it just as long as you have some sort of reason to do it then thats okay, which unfortunately to me this is not right. Mr. Bartley said he was hoping that the Courts ruling on the matter will set a good precedence. What precedence thats been set right now. When the matter came up earlier this year, the Prime Minister on his weekly programme, said publicly that this is not acceptable especially on public roads because its endangering the public safety and they were doing it on public road." Even the Police Commissioner said this sort of thing was not acceptable and now the ruling for this matter is out. I mean to me personally, its okay if they had built their own roads and do what they do in front of their own homes, then thats okay they can do whatever in their own compound thats okay, he added. The Courts decision could have implications for road users going forward, as Mr. Bartley said he fears boy racers will return to the roads. I have a feeling this weekend will not be as quiet as last weekends and the last couple of months because for sure some of them will think that its okay now because of the outcome of this, he said. The National University of Samoas School of Medicine has added a doctor with background in forensic pathology to its teaching ranks. According to the University, Samoa does not have a medical doctor with the pathology background that the newly recruited doctor has. The Universitys Office of the Vice Chancellor and President yesterday advised of the appointment of Dr. Embiruka Osborne Nyandiva as a senior lecturer at the School of Medicine under the Faculty of Health Sciences. Born in Kenya, Dr. Nyandiva is a medical by profession specializing in pathology, oncology and forensic medicine and holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Degree, an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Forensic Medicine, and a Master Degree in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology. He has also competed his PhD in Molecular Pathology and Oncology this year and in September 2016 was awarded a Fellow of Royal College of Pathologist in the UK. Dr. Nyandivas appointment fills a number of teaching gaps for both the preclinical and clinical phases of the NUS medical curriculum, stated NUS media release. His vast knowledge and skills set in pathology and forensic medicine would be equally beneficial for medical students, in both preclinical and clinical years of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.) programme. Dr. Nyandivas appointment comes timely with the agenda N.U.S. has placed for the medical realm within the University, a plan well applauded by the new appointee himself. Dr. Nyandiva said there were many factors that create a great learning environment in his field and accreditation and facilities are part of that. There are many factors that go into creating a great learning environment for my particular field. Accreditation, facilities and the learning environment are all part of that. N.U.S has all these needed parts to succeed, it is my job to ensure that the standard of graduates that come out of N.U.S. are competent and ready to perform, he said. Dr. Nyandiva says N.U.S. still could be better and chooses to applaud the move to further push the envelope in making N.U.S. a prestigious location for medical education in particular. Its Samoas uniqueness, which makes the island so special for Gordon and Denise Myer from Auckland, New Zealand. One year ago, the couple set food on the island for the first time, and last Sunday makes it their third visit. Their daughter in law, Aunouska Myer, lives here and this gives the couple a reason to stay and enjoy Samoa. The lovely thing about Samoa is there are a lot of little things and spots such as for snorkeling or beaches that only the locals know about. I reckon normal tourists probably will miss, Gordon told the Dear Tourist team. There are lot attractions to see in Samoa and at beaches you are mainly the only one, which is unusual. The beaches here are probably not seen anywhere else like this. Denise added: The charming thing about Samoa is that there arent a lot of tourists. The culture and people are just beautiful, its lovely. Because of the large Samoa community in Auckland, the couple has some form of understanding of the local culture. A lot of Samoans left to support their families from New Zealand and some arent as fortunate to have the opportunity to come back to Samoa that often, he said. They enjoyed staying in the fale, and theyve enjoyed the authentic experience. I think you need to love the water to enjoy the resorts here. If you are not into water activities then you may find it a bit quiet. I dont know what the night life is like, Denise said. Gordon added: When staying in the fale it is beautiful, waking up to the sound of the ocean and having the water just right in front of you and a whole beach for yourself. You can just lay and you dont need anything like television the stars are right there from horizon to horizon. You can just think about life and how lucky you are, you feel connected to the nature. Looking into the future and the possible changes, Gordon said: I guess the reality of the world is that tourism is becoming more and more important, especially to small nations like Samoa. You need to improve tourism infrastructure and create jobs etc. The very reason tourists come to Samoa now is because of its non-touristic charming. With tourism, the values change, he said. Gordon and Denise leave for their home in two weeks time. BEIJING (AP) "Both ignorant and malicious" was how the official China Daily newspaper recently described comments by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, offering a stinging insight into the current bitter tone of discourse between the countries. The White House's move to expand Washington's dispute with Beijing beyond trade and technology and into accusations of political meddling has sunk relations between the world's two largest economies to the lowest level since the Cold War. A major speech by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Oct. 4 was the clearest, highest-level sign that U.S. strategy was turning from engagement to confrontation. Pence accused China of interfering in the midterm elections to undermine President Donald Trump's tough trade policies against Beijing, warned other countries to be wary of Beijing's "debt diplomacy" and denounced China's actions in the South China Sea. "What the Russians are doing pales in comparison to what China is doing across this country," Pence told an audience at the Hudson Institute think tank in Washington. Both sides are trading increasingly sharp accusations over human rights and global hegemony, exposing an ideological divide that pits the two on a path of confrontation with no clear resolution in sight. While a military clash has not been ruled out, American-based analysts envision a continuing push-and-pull for dominance between Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, China's most dominant and repressive leader since Mao Zedong. Xi's aggressive foreign policy and authoritarian ways have altered views of China across the board. "What has happened is a sea change in U.S. perceptions of China," said June Teufel Dreyer, an expert on Chinese politics who teaches political science at the University of Miami. While Chinese officials privately say they're concerned about the sharp deterioration in ties, especially given the massive links between the two in trade, immigration and education, it appears Beijing is more than willing to go toe-to-toe under the new circumstances. Increasingly, the perception that as China grew more prosperous it would fall in line with global values and international law has been exploded. Into that breach has come hardening U.S. rhetoric toward Beijing and actions to counter, deter or defy China's moves in the international sector, particularly its "Belt and Road" trade and infrastructure initiative that seeks to expand Beijing's economic and political footprint from Cambodia to Cairo. Trump's first national security strategy, released last year, also labeled China a "revisionist power" alongside Russia. Beijing's outrage at Pompeo, meanwhile, was prompted by his recent warnings to Latin American countries about the dangers of accepting Chinese infrastructure loans that are a key aspect of Xi's signature foreign policy project. "U.S.-China relations have deteriorated to their worst point" since the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests in Beijing that were crushed by the Chinese military, said Michael Kovrig, senior adviser for Northeast Asia at the International Crisis Group. "It may not be a clash of civilizations, but it is a long-festering conflict of national, political and economic interest and systems that has reached a point of rupture," Kovrig said. Xi has abandoned the strategy laid out by reformist leader Deng Xiaoping that China should bide its time and refrain from advertising its ambitions to become a world power. Instead, he has been accused of overreach by promoting China's drive to become a global technology leader by 2025, including by compelling foreign companies to hand over their know-how, and pushing Chinese-financed energy and transportation projects that leave target countries with unsustainable debt. On the military front, a Chinese destroyer last month maneuvered perilously close to the USS Decatur in the South China Sea. The Chinese also denied a request for a U.S. Navy ship to visit Hong Kong and rejects U.S. concerns over its policies toward other countries. "The U.S. simply aims to drive a wedge between China and relevant countries with those remarks," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Monday. "It is meaningless and futile." The tart rhetoric is evident on both sides. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said in a speech last week that China's government "is engaged in the persecution of religious and ethnic minorities that is straight out of George Orwell," referencing the internment of Muslims in the country's northwest in political reeducation camps. This month, the United States went further by threatening to pull out of the Universal Postal Union because it says the treaty allows China to ship packages to the U.S. at discounted rates at the expense of American businesses. Underlying the estrangement is the sense that Beijing lacks reciprocity, taking advantage of open markets and free societies to extend its interests, while denying the same benefits to companies, governments and individuals over which it has influence. "My bottom line view is that Xi Jinping very much overplayed his hand taking advantage of the restrained and moderate (former President Barack) Obama," said Robert Sutter, a China expert at George Washington University. "Now he has an enormous American series of challenges to deal with, with no easy solutions." While Chinese companies often backed by easy credit from state banks have been snapping up foreign assets, Beijing restricts such foreign purchases in key sectors such as energy, transport and telecommunications. Although China has loosened some joint-venture demands, including in the auto industry, that may be too little too late. China is "not very willing to constrain itself under rules that it feels were forced upon it," said Dean Cheng, senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation in Washington. "This includes the international trading system, which is dominated by the U.S." Still, attempts to contain China along the lines laid out during the Cold War would be "difficult, if not impossible," given the broad range of contacts across political, economic and personal spheres, Cheng said. The U.S. has also reinforced ties with Taiwan claimed by China as its own territory building an impressive new de facto embassy there, approving a major sale of military parts and services, and authorizing companies to help the self-governing island democracy build submarines to defend itself from China's threats to use force to bring it under Beijing's control. The tensions are underscored by political uncertainties in both countries. Trump faces a referendum of sorts on his policies in next month's midterm elections, while Xi has come under rare criticism at home since he forced through a constitutional amendment in March to allow him to lead indefinitely. Xi is also beset by a slowing economy, made worse by U.S. tariffs that threaten the jobs of millions of Chinese workers. While China has retaliated with its own tariffs on U.S. goods, the loss of American markets will likely be a major drag on growth. All such factors appear to speak poorly for any immediate resolution to the frictions. Michael Mazza, a foreign policy expert at the conservative American Enterprise Institute think tank in Washington, said "competition will remain the norm" between the two countries unless China is willing to make significant changes in its domestic, economic and foreign policies. "At this point, there is little reason to suspect that such a shift is in the offing," Mazza said. Qpex Biopharma, a local startup spun out of leftover antibiotics research at The Medicines Company, launched Monday with $33 million in new funding to tackle dangerous drug-resistant infections. The financing round was led by Menlo Park venture capitalists New Enterprise Associates and comes on top of $32 million in government grants earned in 2016. The money is a testament to the growing need to fight infections brought on by superbugs now resistant to existing antibiotics a major focus of U.S. health officials in recent years. Qpex has a new name and fresh funds, but San Diego has seen this team before. The company is chock full of researchers from Rempex, a local antibiotics maker acquired by The Medicines Company in 2013. At the time of the deal, Rempexs research was led by Michael Dudley, who eventually joined The Medicines Company as chief scientific officer. There, he oversaw the New Jersey companys infectious disease unit, which churned out three FDA-approved antibiotics in recent years. But last November, The Medicines Company decided to withdraw from the antibiotics field, breaking off its infectious disease unit and selling it in parts. The three approved and market-ready drugs were sold to Melinta Pharmaceuticals in 2017 for $270 million. It turns out, however, there was still some early stage research left on the table at The Medicines Company. Its this early stage work not yet tested in humans that Qpex snatched up to form its antibiotics portfolio. Advertisement The tipping point with superbugs has been their ability to produce enzymes that can enable bacteria to degrade a class of compounds called beta lactamase, a useful group of compounds for treating infections, Dudley said. With bacteria being able to inactivate those compounds, it has put us in a world of hurt. One approach is to develop a new class of antibiotics that the bugs dont recognize, but thats a difficult and lengthy process. A different approach is to develop drugs that inhibit those enzymes that break down beta lactamase. The drug can then be used in combination with existing antibiotics to boost their efficacy, Dudley said. This is how The Medicines Company drug Vabomere works, Dudley said. That antibiotic was approved last year to treat urinary tract infections and Qpex hopes to build on that success. Qpexs pipeline of antibiotics are tweaked to work a little better against mutations, Dudley said, and might be able to be taken as a pill. Thats a big improvement from existing medications, which are given intravenously. But the science is still very early, and Qpex doesnt yet know if their drugs will work in humans. Some of the Rempex team departed for Melinta, Dudley said, but 20 remaining employees have signed on board with Qpex to see where this research will take them. In addition to New Enterprise Associates, the funding round was also supported by Adams Street Partners, LYZZ Capital, Hatteras Venture Partners and Stanford University Draper Fund. Carol Gallagher, a partner at New Enterprise, said they see great potential in Qpex and looks forward to working with Dudley and his team as they progress their portfolio of drug candidates into the clinic. Business brittany.meiling@sduniontribune.com 619-293-1286 Twitter: @BrittanyMeiling Credit scores are about to get a tweak that might help those with weaker credit. Fair Isaac Corp., the company behind the widely used FICO score, announced Monday that it will begin testing a new type of credit score next year with credit reporting agency Experian and technology company Finicity. The new UltraFICO score requires consumers to agree to share added personal information, such as data from their personal checking, savings or money market accounts. The extra information is intended to provide a more in-depth picture of how they use their money and build on traditional information for credit scores, which are based largely on payment history. These scores are used to help evaluate creditworthiness for credit cards, loans and more. Advertisement UltraFICO might improve the credit scores of many Americans, particularly those with weak credit or limited credit history. And it would provide a broader base of customers for banks to lend to. The companies estimate that 79 million Americans have subprime credit scores, which it puts at 680 or below on a scale of 300 to 850. And 53 million Americans do not have enough data to generate a FICO score. The companies did not disclose how many lenders and others will be participating in the trial. Medicares basic, original Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) cover obvious things you expect from health insurance: hospital stays, appointments with your doctor when youre sick, ambulance services, flu shots. But the governments health care program for Americans 65 or older also pays for many things that might surprise you. If youre on Medicare or are approaching that time of your life, youll want to be aware of these 10 Medicare benefits that enrollees often dont know about. Annual wellness visits Advertisement Medicare covers whats called an annual wellness visit with your doctor, who will take routine measurements, such as your height, weight, blood pressure, and review your medical history. Youll fill out a Health Risk Assessment questionnaire to identify risk factors so you and your doctor can work on keeping you healthy. Medicare says the appointments also can include detection of any cognitive impairment. That means your physician will be on alert for signs of Alzheimers or similar ailments. Obesity counseling Obesity causes many illnesses and can make frail older bodies much weaker. Diabetes and heart disease rates skyrocket for those who are overweight or obese. Joint and bone diseases are easier to manage at healthy weight levels. If you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) reading of 30 or more, Medicare will cover face-to-face counseling sessions aimed at helping you bring your weight down to a healthier level. Help to quit smoking If youre a smoker, Medicare can help you kick the habit. Letting go can be tough, especially if youve been a lifetime smoker. To help you break your nicotine addiction, Medicare will pay for eight in-person counseling sessions per year. But note that Medicares drug coverage will not pay for stop-smoking products sold over the counter at drugstores, such as nicotine patches, lozenges and gum. Some hearing exams Original Medicare usually wont pay for hearing aids or routine hearing tests. But it may cover a hearing exam if your doctor says its medically necessary. Hearing is related to balance. When a senior is having balance issues, a physician may want to check the ears to see if theres an inner ear problem requiring medical treatment. Hospice care Hospice care comprises a host of treatments at the end of a persons life. Medicare will pay for a long list of hospice services, including nursing care, and grief and loss counseling for the patient and family. Hospice coverage applies when a Medicare recipient has been given six months or less to live and has agreed to forgo further attempts at a cure. Medicare wont cover room and board for hospice care in a private home or nursing home, but it may pay for a short-term stay at a hospice facility. Counseling for alcohol problems The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence recently reported that widowers over age 75 have the highest rate of alcoholism in the U.S. Much like smoking, alcohol abuse can have seriously negative effects on the wellness of an older person. Medicare provides alcohol misuse screening and treatment free of charge. It covers one screening each year and up to four brief counseling sessions if the reviewing physician believes a patient needs help. Disease screenings Medicare covers screenings for numerous diseases as part of its preventive services. It will pay for testing to detect: HIV and other STDs; diabetes; glaucoma; breast and cervical cancer; colon and prostate cancer; and heart disease. Patients with histories of smoking can get an annual lung cancer screening, and Medicare also covers annual screenings for depression and other behavioral health issues that are a concern for seniors. Special footwear for diabetes One of the least-known Medicare benefits is its allowance for specialized shoes for people with diabetes. The disease can cause poor or abnormal circulation in the feet, and a lack of proper treatment can result in the need for amputation. Another risk is diabetic neuropathy, which can damage nerve endings in the feet. Diabetic footwear helps regulate circulation and reduce the danger of neuropathy. Medicare will pay for the shoes if theyre prescribed and provided by a podiatrist or other qualified health professional. Wheelchairs and scooters Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are important tools to help those with debilitating conditions lead normal lives. Medicare will pick up the cost under certain circumstances. The wheelchair or scooter must be considered medically necessary. Your doctor would need to certify that you are unable to walk without difficulty. The physician would be required to write a prescription for the vehicle or wheelchair after giving you an exam. A walk-in bathtub A walk-in tub can help those with joint problems or other issues that make climbing into a traditional bathtub difficult or impossible. Medicare may help with the cost of a walk-in tub, even though the tubs are not on the list of durable medical equipment that Medicare will cover, which includes wheelchairs, oxygen equipment and hospital beds. In order for you to obtain coverage, your doctor would have to attest that a walk-in tub is an absolute medical necessity. Medicare wouldnt provide assistance upfront after you buy the tub, you would submit the bill for possible reimbursement. Doug Whiteman is editor-in-chief at MoneyWise.com MoneyWise.com has a free retirement eBook you can download, filled with useful tips and information. Chef and food writer Yotam Ottolenghi will make an appearance at Chino Farm on Saturday, Oct. 27, to sign copies of his new cookbook, Ottolenghi Simple. The Israeli-born chef has had a major influence on Mediterranean and vegetarian cooking trends. He is based in London, where he is co-owner of a group of restaurants. As a food writer, he is author of six other cookbooks, writes the New Vegetarian column for the Guardian newspaper in the U.K. and is a frequent contributor to The New York Times Food section. The book signing, sponsored by the Good Earth / Great Chefs series, will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the gourmet farm stand, located at 6123 Calzada del Bosque in Rancho Santa Fe. The event is free; the cookbook, priced at $35, can be preordered online at www.goodearthgreatchefs.com and can be picked up at the event or during regular farm hours; www.chinofamilyfarm.com. Ottolenghi also will be the guest of honor at a sold-out brunch event Sunday, Oct. 28, at Leichtag Commons in Encinitas. October 23, 2007 The San Diego Union-Tribune 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. Tuesday, October 23, 2007 In October 2007 fueled by unrelenting Santa Ana winds five major wildfires raged across San Diego County prompting one of the largest mass evacuations in state history. The 2007 firestorms ultimately killed 10 people, destroyed 1,738 homes, charred roughly 370,000 acres and forced more than half a million people to flee their homes. Here are the first few paragraphs of the story: 300,000 FLEE FIRES Blazes march toward coast; hundreds of homes destroyed in county `Probably the worst fire this county has ever had,' county sheriff says By Jeff McDonald and Liz Neely, Staff Writers Wildfires raced unchecked across San Diego County for the second straight day yesterday, forcing nearly 300,000 people about 10 percent of the region's population to flee their homes. The enormity of the crisis forced county officials to grapple with the unthinkable just four years after enduring the biggest wildfire in California history. "It's probably the worst fire this county has ever had well worse than the Cedar fire," said Sheriff Bill Kolender, referring to the effects from the Witch Creek fire, one of two major brush fires ravaging the county. The blazes have killed one person and injured about three dozen others,according to hospital officials countywide. At least 13 firefighters were injured, and three remained in critical condition last night. High winds and low humidity are expected to persist at least through today, meaning more damage is likely. "I no longer own a suit," said Jeff Mangum, an attorney from Poway who gathered up photos, important papers and a change of clothes before his home burned to the ground. "I have absolutely no idea where I'll be living." Firefighters scrambled to control up to eight separate fires at one point yesterday, and disaster officials worried the two largest blazes could burn all the way to the ocean. The coastal cities of Del Mar and Solana Beach both received mandatory evacuation orders late yesterday. The Witch Creek fire started near Ramona on Sunday, then jumped Interstate 15 yesterday morning and spurred evacuations from Scripps Ranch to Solana Beach. By 7:30 p.m., it had burned at least 500 houses and 100 commercial properties as part of its 145,000-acre spread. Residential areas of Poway, Rancho Bernardo and Escondido all suffered significant damage. Multimillion-dollar estates were burning in Rancho Santa Fe through last night. Firefighters said none of the blaze was contained. Read the full story. 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. Five people were arrested late Monday on suspicion of using a paintball gun to shoot an undercover police officer in South Los Angeles. Undercover officers with the Los Angeles Police Department had pulled over a vehicle on Hoover Street and Manchester Avenue shortly after 11 p.m. when an SUV drove by and shot a paintball gun out the window. A female officer was struck, LAPD Officer Greg Kraft said. OnScene.TV reported the officer was working a prostitution sting and was shot in the face with the paintball pellets, but police could not confirm that information. Officers pulled over the vehicle nearby and held the occupants at gunpoint as they exited the SUV. Five people were taken into custody on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Kraft said. Their names were not immediately released. Advertisement hannah.fry@latimes.com Twitter: @Hannahnfry If you want to experience perfect love, you reportedly can beat the odds in San Diego. So concludes a regional survey of couples in committed relationships commissioned by eHarmony, an online matchmaking service that seeks to find out what makes relationships tick. Its nationwide relationship survey of 2,500 people by Harris Interactive last February showed 10 percent of respondents cited perfect relationships. That figure jumped by 30 percent in a follow-up survey of 250 San Diegans. An eHarmony survey found that couples who engaged in weekly screaming matches were actually more likely to characterize themselves as perfectly happy than couples who have polite disagreements. Go figure. (Perhaps making up afterward factored in.) (Courtesy of eHarmony survey) Advertisement We were surprised at the number who are perfectly happy, concludes Jeannie Assimos, chief of advice for eHarmony. There is something really special about that region. Yes, the San Diego area, with its warm climate, beaches and sunshine, was credited with creating warmer relationships. Couples in San Diego are not only making their relationships a priority, says eHarmony CEO Grant Langston, but also foster a strong sense of self through taking up hobbies, spending time with their friends and enjoying all that San Diego has to offer. But one cant overlook Fifi and Fido. People happiest in their relationships were also devoted pet owners (59 percent), willing to take their pets with them when they go out. (Perhaps being in the dog house isnt so bad, after all.) When it came to being simply happy, rather than perfectly happy in a relationship, San Diego couples were more in sync with the national average. Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) reported being happy. They also were found to be more romantic than the national average enjoying date nights and simple gestures of fondness, such as holding hands, light kissing and saying I love you every day. The online survey, while clearly not a definitive study, does underscore what we San Diegans already know this is a great place to live. You dont have to shovel snow, keep a fold-up umbrella at your fingertips or slather yourself with mosquito repellent and confine yourself to air-conditioned rooms each summer. What could be more romantic than that? An editor looks at the Twitter feed of Josh Billinson showing the painting by Andy Thomas entitled, The Republican Club, beside a screenshot of the painting seen in the White House during a 60 Minutes interview with President Trump that aired Oct. 14. (MARO SIRANOSIAN / AFP/Getty Images) White House art: Some astute viewers of a 60 Minutes interview with Trump that aired Oct. 14 noticed an artwork on the wall during his White House chat with Lesley Stahl. Liberal pundits and art critics were quick to lampoon the piece that depicts a casual gathering of past Republican presidents, including Ronald Reagan, both Bushes, Gerald Ford, Dwight Eisenhower, Teddy Roosevelt, Abe Lincoln and a smiling, trimmer version of President Donald Trump. Missouri artist Andy Thomas first created The Republican Club painting, minus Trump, in 2008. The image has been likened to a presidential version of the kitschy painting of dogs playing poker. Thomas subsequently painted past Democratic U.S. presidents in a similar setting. Turns out, the print in the White House has a local connection. The Daily Beast contacted the artist to get the back story and Thomas informed them that Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, took the print to Trump. Issa isnt running for re-election and was nominated by Trump to head the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. Thomas said Trump had even called to compliment him, saying he had rarely seen paintings of himself that he liked, but this was an exception. Issa, whose office has confirmed he delivered the print to the White House, is playing to each side of the aisle. He reportedly has both the GOP and Democratic versions hanging in his office. diane.bell@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1518 Twitter: @dianebellSD Facebook: dianebell.news A former La Jolla Country Day School teacher pleaded not guilty Tuesday to felony charges involving a sexual relationship with an underage student. Jonathan Sammartino, 35, out of jail on bond, appeared in San Diego Superior Court with his attorney, Gene Iredale. Iredale entered the not guilty plea for his client, who is charged with one count of having unlawful sex with a minor more than three years his junior, oral copulation and sexual penetration with a foreign object. The girl was 17 at the time and he was 33, according to an arrest warrant filed by San Diego police. Advertisement Each felony count carries a three-year maximum sentence. Judge Maureen Hallahan allowed Sammartino to remain out of jail until his preliminary hearing, set for Nov. 5 to determine whether there is enough evidence to hold him for trial. Sammartino is the son of U.S. District Court Judge Janis Sammartino. The complaint alleges he committed the first act between June and September in 2016 and the second two acts between April and September that year. The span covered time when the girl was a senior at La Jolla Country Day and after her graduation. According to the arrest warrant, Sammartino met the girl on several occasions to engage in sexual activity at his home and in his car. The girl told a friend about the encounters in 2016 and in July this year she filed a police report from Northern California, where she attends college, the warrant said. She told police Sammartino did not use force or fear to persuade her to having sex with him. Sammartino was arrested last month in San Jose, where he had just taken a job teaching psychology at The Harker School, an elite college prep school for preschool through high school. He has been suspended with pay pending the outcome of the criminal case, Iredale said out of court on Tuesday. Iredale said his client is very concerned about the allegations against him and that he has an impeccable record as a teacher. According to his LinkedIn profile, Sammartino taught at La Jolla Country Day from 2012 to 2016, then taught at the French American International School in San Francisco. His online biography also says he worked as a lecturer at UC San Diego from 2011 to 2016. Iredale said that in 2015, Sammartino suffered significant brain damage when he took a spill on his bicycle and landed on his head in La Jolla. He was in a coma for a time, and is still recovering his full memory, the lawyer said. pauline.repard@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @pdrepard A psychiatrist who practiced for decades in offices in San Diego, East County and the South Bay pleaded guilty Monday to a felony charge of having sexual contact with seven female patients during office visits and a misdemeanor count of sexual battery for groping an eighth woman. Leon Fajerman, 75, who practiced in El Cajon, San Diego and Chula Vista, will be ordered to serve 365 days in custody, though a judge will consider alternatives to actual jail time, according to a spokeswoman for the San Diego County District Attorneys Office. San Diego Superior Court Judge Francis Devaney will also require Fajerman to register as a sex offender, place him on felony probation and order him to pay restitution to his victims. According to documents filed with the Medical Board of California last year, seven female patients and the mother of a child Fajerman was treating accused him of inappropriate sexual acts including forcible kissing, groping and unprotected sex. Advertisement Fajerman had been a licensed physician in California since November 1978, according to state records.His psychiatrists license was temporarily suspended last September when the medical board filed accusations against him, and he voluntarily surrendered his medical license in May when he was arrested. According to documents filed with the medical board, the patients accused him of the misconduct between the fall of 2016 and the summer of 2017. One woman said Fajerman exposed her breast and kissed it, but later admitted his behavior had been a mistake, according to documents filed by the Medical Board. Then, at a later appointment, the woman requested a prescription for pain medication. Fajerman allegedly told the woman his prescription book was at a different office and said she could follow him there. Soon after entering his office, Fajerman undressed her, groped her body and had unprotected sex with her, according to the Medical Board documents. When she asked him to stop, Fajerman said he was going to give her the medication she requested, the documents read. Another woman said instead of handing her an appointment card, Fajerman put the card and his hand inside the top of her dress before groping and kissing her, according to the Medical Board documents. Another woman said Fajerman, who had already touched her inappropriately during one of their appointments, showed up at her house and tried to persuade her to come to his private office to have sex, the state documents read. When she refused, he sped away in anger. Many of the women several who had been his patients for years described being surprised and scared by Fajermans actions. In some cases, Fajerman would allegedly commit the innaproprate acts and apologize, only to repeat the behavior at a subsequent appointment. Fajerman pleaded guilty to felony sexual exploitation by a psychotherapist and misdemeanor sexual battery. Hes set to be sentenced in January in Superior Court in Chula Vista. City News Service contributed to this report. Twitter: @Alex_Riggins (619) 293-1710 alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com There are 61 Medicare plans to choose from in San Diego County this year, and thats 11 more than were available during open enrollment last year. Recently-released listings show six new Medicare Advantage plans and five more prescription drug plans on offer across the region. That means anyone age 65 or older is sure to be deluged with colorful direct mail pieces touting the benefits of choosing new coverage for 2019. It can be quite overwhelming. Judith Wenker, 74, has become used to all of these colorful entreaties, but so far, she has stuck with original Medicare even though doing so means she must pay for a separate prescription drug and Medigap plans. Those plans cover the holes that have existed in the nations largest health insurance plan since President Lyndon Johnson signed it into law in 1965. Advertisement Recently, shes wondered about some of the benefits in Medicare Advantage plans, those run by third-party insurance companies or medical providers. Many offer certain perks, such as free silver sneaker gym memberships, that look pretty good. But it seems like a lot of work, even for a woman who spent a career as a corporate lawyer, to sift through all the fine print and be sure she truly understands the differences. Ive never really understood why a person would choose one versus the other, Wenker said. So Ive just stayed with what Ive got. Its worked well so far. Its a common sentiment this time of year, and one that David Weil, director of San Diegos Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program, has heard more times than he can count. Choosing between Medicare Advantage and original Medicare is ultimately, he noted, a choice about choice. Original Medicare allows the greatest flexibility in choosing a provider, but it doesnt cover prescription drugs, and it doesnt pay your whole doctors bill. So those, like Wenkel, who want to keep their right to choose doctors, are advised to buy a supplemental insurance plan and a prescription drug plan. Both come with their own monthly premiums and can end up costing hundreds more per month than an Advantage plan. In exchange for your agreement to use their pre-arranged list of doctors and medical facilities, Advantage plans generally include built-in prescription drug coverage and gap coverage at a much cheaper price. Weil said whether youre Original or Advantage, now is the time to take a look around, even if doing so in a local market with so many options seems downright daunting. We encourage everyone to do it every year. There could be some minor change to your current plans formulary for a drug you take, or another plan might cover that same drug at a higher level of reimbursement. There could be a change to the group of doctors that a plan covers. This is the one opportunity you have each year to get off on the right foot, Weil said. Lucky for you, theres plenty of help to be had. If youre computer savvy, you can visit medicare.gov, plug in your specific parameters, and get a customized list of options for your specific market. Theyll even take into account every medication youre currently taking, providing cost information based on the formularies listed for each plan. There is also plenty of in-person help available. HICAP offers free Medicare consultations, as do the regions myriad health insurance brokers. Brokers operate on commission, so you dont have to pay a fee for their advice. And, 2019 offers a little more leeway for those who decide to try a different Advantage plan next year. A new rule provides a three-month grace period January, February and March of 2019 if you dont like the advantage plan you picked during open enrollment. Sometimes, people end up feeling trapped from a bad decision, and now they will have this extra safety net that allows them to sort of bail out and make a different selection, Weil said. We do see a lot of people in those first few months of the new year who realize they made a poor choice or didnt do their due diligence. This flexibility has actually been available in a more limited form for several years now. Weil said because Kaiser Permanentes plans are rated five stars by Medicare, any beneficiary has been allowed to switch from any other Medicare Advantage plan to a Kaiser plan even without the new grace period. So, will this extra bit of wiggle room entice Wenker to dip her toe in the Advantage pool this year? Probably not. I do have friends who have Kaiser, and theyre happy with it, but I just feel like I would rather have private doctors who are not part of an HMO system, Wenker said. Here are a few additional key Medicare changes for 2019: The donut hole. Technically called the coverage gap, this term refers to a period when a Medicare beneficiary must pay the full cost of a prescription drug after they exhaust their plans initial coverage, but before Medicares catastrophic coverage program kicks in. In 2019, that gap will be eliminated for all name-brand drugs, but the gap wont close for generics until 2020. Home health care aides. Medicare Advantage plans will have the flexibility to cover home health aides if they are deemed medically necessary. Various types of lifestyle support will also be available to Advantage plans, allowing payments for meals delivered to the home, transportation to a doctors office, bathroom grab bars or other home safety improvements, even window air conditioners. Weil said exactly how plans will handle this new set of benefits remains a bit murky. The details probably wont solidify until next year. Specialty plans. There are a greater number of plans catering to patients with specific medical needs, such as Alzheimers disease and dementia, heart disease and diabetes than ever before. If you have any of these conditions, it makes sense to check them out. How will you ever make sense of all of these options? Visit medicare.gov which has a new plan wizard this year. It allows you to tailor what you see to your specific circumstances. You can enter every drug youre taking and get a custom list of plan options. Not interested in taking the annual open enrollment journey by computer? Call San Diego Countys Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program at (858) 565-8772. Live in Imperial County? Theyve got a special number just for you: (760) 353-0223. HICAP offers free consultations to seniors who need help navigating Medicares twists and turns. Health Playlist On Now Video: Why aren't Americans getting flu shots? 0:37 On Now Video: Leaders urge public to help extinguish hepatitis outbreak On Now San Diego starts cleansing sidewalks, streets to combat hepatitis A On Now Video: Scripps to shutter its hospice service On Now Video: Scripps La Jolla hospitals nab top local spot in annual hospital rankings On Now Video: Does a parent's Alzheimer's doom their children? On Now Video: Vaccine can prevent human papillomavirus, which can cause cancer 0:31 On Now 23 local doctors have already faced state discipline in 2017 0:48 On Now EpiPen recall expands On Now Kids can add years to your life paul.sisson@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1850 Twitter: @paulsisson You have seven months to enroll. That period extends from three months before your birth month to three months after. So, if you were born on Aug. 7, 1953, for example, your enrollment window opened on May 1 and will close on Nov. 30. Medicare is not free. If you or your spouse have worked for at least a decade, you qualify for free hospital coverage, but outpatient medical services, from doctor visits to lab tests, come with a current monthly premium of $134 per person. This premium is usually automatically deducted from your Social Security check if you receive one. You must choose. There are two basic ways to receive your Medicare benefits: Original and Advantage. Original Medicare allows you to see pretty much any doctor you want, but comes with deductibles and co-insurance percentages that many find too high. Medicare Advantage plans have private companies administer your Medicare benefit. These plans often have a small or no copays and lower deductibles than Original Medicare, but they do require members to use a specified list of contracted doctors, hospitals and other providers. Its expensive to ignore. If youre healthy, you might be tempted to skip Part B coverage, the part that covers services like doctor visits, and avoid monthly premiums. The government assesses a 10 percent premium penalty for each year you go without Part B coverage beyond your 65th birthday. There are also penalties if you go without prescription drug coverage. Advertisement Consider the drugs. Original Medicare coverage does not pay for prescription drugs, meaning youll pay out-of-pocket for all of your medications unless you purchase a separate Part D plan, which will have its own monthly premium. Medicare Advantage plans usually include prescription drug programs. Know your exposure. Original Medicare covers only 80 percent of a persons medical bills. So, a week in the hospital could end up emptying your bank account unless youre relatively rich. Most mitigate this risk by buying supplemental insurance, often called Medigap insurance, which covers that 20 percent and, usually, other associated deductibles. Medicare Advantage plans, while they often charge lower monthly premiums, all have specific deductibles, co-pays and coinsurance amounts that you must make sure you understand in order to know how much you could end up paying each year. Dont forget your doctor. If you are considering a Medicare Advantage plan and you like the doctor youre currently seeing, make sure he or she participates in that program. A good way to start is to ask prospective doctors which plans they accept. Its doubly important to do this if youre currently receiving treatment for a specific illness, and this advice applies not just to primary care physicians but also to specialists. David Weil, program manager of San Diegos Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program, fact checked this list. Health Playlist On Now Video: Why aren't Americans getting flu shots? 0:37 On Now Video: Leaders urge public to help extinguish hepatitis outbreak On Now San Diego starts cleansing sidewalks, streets to combat hepatitis A On Now Video: Scripps to shutter its hospice service On Now Video: Scripps La Jolla hospitals nab top local spot in annual hospital rankings On Now Video: Does a parent's Alzheimer's doom their children? On Now Video: Vaccine can prevent human papillomavirus, which can cause cancer 0:31 On Now 23 local doctors have already faced state discipline in 2017 0:48 On Now EpiPen recall expands On Now Kids can add years to your life paul.sisson@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1850 Twitter: @paulsisson Union members started a three-day protest at UC San Diego medical campuses in La Jolla and Hillcrest Tuesday, rallying around concerns that their employer intends to outsource their jobs. The university says the number of represented jobs has actually grown over the last five years. It was the second such protest in six months for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 as the union tries to broker a new labor agreement alongside members of the University Professional and Technical Employees, which is joining picketers in solidarity for the duration of the three-day strike. Though the strike forced the university to shift scheduling for some elective procedures at its two main medical centers into next week, a university spokeswoman said in an email that critical emergency, trauma and burn services have continued to operate at their normal capacities. Strikes occurred at all five major UC medical campuses across the state Tuesday. At UCSD, nearly 300 temporary workers were brought in to fill various medical and service roles including lab technicians, discharge planners, respiratory technicians, food service workers, custodians, vocational nurses, maintenance workers and landscapers. In all, AFSCME and UPTE represent more than 4,000 UCSD employees. Advertisement Outsourcing was the most common word on picket signs Tuesday, but the two sides of this protest have very different ideas about the extent to which the University of California relies on outside contractors who usually dont receive the same generous benefits as university employees. Shannon Mora, a hospital unit service coordinator at UCSD Jacobs Medical Center, said she and many of her fellow union members are very worried about having their jobs outsourced despite a statement from the university Monday that the number of UC employees AFSCME is eligible to represent has increased by nearly 4,000 workers statewide over the last five years. The fact remains, she said, that rank-and-file workers are noticing outsourcing more often, and they want to get ahead of the trend. We dont want to move any further toward outsourcing of jobs in the UC system, Mora said. These people out here today, they have families and children that they want to have a future for. Wages are another significant sticking point between the two sides. UC recently gave union members a 2 percent raise even though negotiations are stalled. Thats far below the 6 percent increase the union seeks. Jacobs social worker Margaret Sheridan said the reason the union still does not have a contract is because members who make less than doctors, nurses and administrators have a more urgent need for a raise. The idea is to negotiate and find a reasonable medium, and we havent perceived any movement or willingness to negotiate, Sheridan said. I feel like its not really a negotiation. The people at the top, theyre getting a 2 percent raise; theyre offering us a 2 percent raise, but for them, 2 percent is, like, $20,000. The strike is scheduled to continue throughout the UC system on Wednesday and Thursday. Correction: A previous version of this story misattributed concern over rent increases to Margaret Sheridan. We apologize. Health Playlist On Now Video: Why aren't Americans getting flu shots? 0:37 On Now Video: Leaders urge public to help extinguish hepatitis outbreak On Now San Diego starts cleansing sidewalks, streets to combat hepatitis A On Now Video: Scripps to shutter its hospice service On Now Video: Scripps La Jolla hospitals nab top local spot in annual hospital rankings On Now Video: Does a parent's Alzheimer's doom their children? On Now Video: Vaccine can prevent human papillomavirus, which can cause cancer 0:31 On Now 23 local doctors have already faced state discipline in 2017 0:48 On Now EpiPen recall expands On Now Kids can add years to your life paul.sisson@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1850 Twitter: @paulsisson Less than six months after picketing in front of University of California hospitals, union workers plan to pursue another statewide three-day strike starting at 7 a.m. Tuesday. Jacqueline Carr, a spokeswoman for UC San Diego Health, said Monday afternoon that while the strike has not required rescheduling elective procedures already on the books, schedulers stopped adding new operations to the docket last week. More than 250 temporary replacement workers have been brought in to handle the duties of those who will be walking picket lines Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 represents more than 15,000 UC service workers, including more than 4,000 working at UC San Diego facilities. Those workers have many job descriptions from respiratory therapists and phlebotomists to groundskeepers and custodians. Advertisement The union has cited outsourcing concerns as its main reason for striking. This is about job security. What good is a wage if the job is outsourced tomorrow? said John de los Angeles, an AFSCME representative. The union has publicly decried outsourcing since August 2017 when a state audit report found that, in two of 31 service contracts examined, outside contracting displaced university employees and that nine contracts covered services that university employees might have been able to perform. Workers have rejected university claims that outsourcing rules have been tightened. On Monday, the University of California Office of the President issued a statement that said the UC system has actually added 3,656 directly-employed workers eligible for AFSCME representation over the last five years. De los Angeles said he could not verify that number or comment on whether the bargaining unit has grown as outsourcing concerns have been voiced. As in any contract negotiation, wage increases are also on the table. In a statement released Monday, the university said that the union seeks an 8 percent annual wage increase which it adds is nearly triple what other UC employees have received. De los Angeles said that statement is inaccurate. He said the requested wage increase is closer to 6 percent. But the university has countered that all represented employees are paid wages at or above market for comparable jobs. A university spokesperson subsequently said by email that the universitys 8 percent estimate includes 2 percent annual step pay increases that employees receive automatically. Average annual salaries range from $101,951 per year for respiratory therapists to $39,219 for food service workers, the university said. The university also provides health and retirement benefits. UC has already moved forward with a 2 percent across-the-board raise for all represented employees, a move that is 1 percentage point less than its offer during contract negotiation, according to the UC statement. In May, university nurses were also among those who walked the picket lines in front of all university medical centers. However, the systems 14,000 nurses signed a five-year contract in September that provides annual raises of 3 percent. Health Playlist On Now Video: Why aren't Americans getting flu shots? 0:37 On Now Video: Leaders urge public to help extinguish hepatitis outbreak On Now San Diego starts cleansing sidewalks, streets to combat hepatitis A On Now Video: Scripps to shutter its hospice service On Now Video: Scripps La Jolla hospitals nab top local spot in annual hospital rankings On Now Video: Does a parent's Alzheimer's doom their children? On Now Video: Vaccine can prevent human papillomavirus, which can cause cancer 0:31 On Now 23 local doctors have already faced state discipline in 2017 0:48 On Now EpiPen recall expands On Now Kids can add years to your life paul.sisson@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1850 Twitter: @paulsisson The regions first housing project made from shipping containers could open as soon as April, providing homes for 21 formerly homeless veterans and possibly paving the way for hundreds of new affordable and median-priced homes in the near future. The units are planned for a vacant lot at 2941 Imperial Ave. in Logan Heights and the project is proposed by developers Michael Copley, Jr. and Doug Holmes, partners in the real estate company Makana Properties, LLC. Its just kind of a cool factor that that I think a lot of people will like, Copley said about the container project. Its a popular topic right now. While the first project will bring only 21 units to the city, Copley said it could demonstrate a way to build new homes much faster and for much less money than conventional housing. If other developers follow their lead, that could mean thousands of more units, fewer homeless people on the street and fewer homes crowded with roommates, freeing up more vacancies for families. Advertisement While the project would be a first for San Diego County, two similar projects exist in Southern California. In South Los Angeles, Flyaway Homes recently completed a nine-unit complex that uses shipping containers. In Orange County, Potters Lane by American Family Housing used shipping containers for a 16-unit project. In San Diego, each 320-square-foot unit would have its own patio, kitchen and bathroom. While the units will be built from metal shipping containers, they will be insulated and have interior drywalls. . When you walk in, these things are solid, Copley said. You dont hear your neighbors. You dont hear people walking around. Of the 21 units planned for Imperial Avenue, one will be for a household classified as very-low income, 10 will be for households making 80 percent of the area media income and the remaining 10 will be priced at market-rate. While its core would be a new shipping container, each unit in a complex proposed for Logan Heights would look like a regular home inside and including a kitchen, bathroom and patio. (Courtesy Makana Properties, LLC.) Besides money from investors, part of the financing will come from a new state pilot program created by Assembly Bill 1637, which allows housing authorities in San Diego and Santa Clara County to make loans for construction projects that include units specifically for middle-income households. The bill was introduced by Assemblyman Todd Gloria, D-San Diego, and signed last year by Gov. Jerry Brown. While conventional housing projects may spend nine months in the permitting process followed by nine to 12 months in construction, projects made from shipping containers are much faster. Rather than cutting wood and building frames for a building on a lot, a shipping container complex is created by converting the containers into housing units off-site and then setting them into place with a crane. Copley said he acquired the Imperial Avenue property in April, and the project could be ready for move-in next April. He already is in the local permitting process, while the shipping container provider will receive permits from the state. A lot of things done quickly are not done well, said San Diego Housing Commission President and CEO Rick Gentry. But if its done quickly and is a lasting benefit to the community, then its worth doing. Affordable housing units often take $350,000 to $400,000 a unit to build, while the Imperial Avenue project will cost $140,000 a unit, Copley said. He and Holmes plan to rent exclusively to formerly homeless veterans who use Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers. Ive rented to them before and had good experiences, Copley said. Im trying to prove a model that you dont need big government funding and expensive apartment buildings to capture profitable income and house ex-homeless people at the same time. The project also will contain commercial space that Copley said would be available for public meetings rooms. Copley said that if he had the financing, he could build 500 similar units in the next three years. If 10 other builders followed the lead, shipping containers could make a significant impact in answering the areas housing needs, he said. A Housing Commission report released last year found the city must produce 17,000 units a year to keep up with growth and 24,000 a year to catch up with the existing shortfall. The most the city has ever produced in a year is 6,400 units. 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 District of Columbia Atty. Gen. Karl Racine said Tuesday that his office has launched an investigation into sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of Washington, the latest in a string of state-level law enforcement officials now probing the Catholic Churchs handling of abuse complaints. The investigation, announced by Racine at a regularly scheduled breakfast among Washingtons elected officials, will bring scrutiny to Catholic leaders who have come under intense criticism in recent months. Washingtons archbishop, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, resigned this month amid uproar over a Pennsylvania grand jury report that depicted systemic abuse across the states Catholic Church, including in Pittsburgh, where he had previously been a bishop. Wuerls Washington predecessor, former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, was removed from ministry in June following allegations that he had sexually abused a teenager decades ago while serving as a priest in New York. Advertisement Racine has limited power to prosecute crimes in the District of Columbia, where felony cases are handled by the U.S. attorneys office. However, he is opening the investigation under his authority to enforce a Washington law governing nonprofit groups, as well as a law on the mandated reporting of sexual abuse. District of Columbia statutes allow the attorney general to subpoena documents and seek penalties against a nonprofit up to and including dissolving it if the group has exceeded or abused and is continuing to exceed or abuse the authority conferred upon it by law or if it has continued to act contrary to its nonprofit purposes. Violation of the districts mandated reporting requirements is a misdemeanor. According to the law, nonprofits are required to work for a public purpose, Racine said Tuesday. If they are in fact covering up child sex abuse, that is clearly not in the public interest. Racines approach enables him to respond to what he has described as intense public pressure for an investigation into the churchs handling of abuse allegations against Washington clergy. During an August appearance on the Kojo Nnamdi Show on radio station WAMU, Racine said his offices phones were burning up with calls urging him to examine those allegations. His office has set up a new online portal for victims to report abuse by Washington clergy, which can be found at www.ReportClergyAbuseto DCOAG.com, in addition to a hotline at 202-252-7008. On Monday, the office of the districts U.S. attorney, Jessie K. Liu, said it has created a hotline and an email address for survivors of child sexual abuse by clergy of any faith. Its striking for a city official to open a probe of the D.C. archdiocese. Before this summer, the archdiocese which includes Catholics in the District of Columbia and its Maryland suburbs had seemed to have escaped the worst of the abuse crisis. McCarrick was one of the countrys most outspoken church leaders about fighting abuse when scandals erupted in the early 2000s in Boston and was an author of a zero-tolerance approach toward priests who abused. Cardinal James Hickey was also considered a leader, and the archdiocese was one of the first in the 1980s to have a policy for church employees accused of abusing youth. Washingtons archdiocese is considered one of the countrys most important U.S. seats for the church. Its the base of the U.S. government, as well as key Catholic institutions such as the bishops conference and the Vatican Embassy. It includes 655,000 Catholics and 93 Catholic schools some of the healthiest numbers in the northeastern quadrant of the country, where the Catholic Church has been shrinking for decades. The archdiocese is the largest nongovernmental provider of social services in the region, according to the archdiocese. It has more than 2,500 programs including those for the homeless, migrating and unemployed and those in need of free healthcare or legal aid. According to the website bishopaccountability.org, which tracks abuse accusations and cases, there are 13 states now running statewide probes of the Catholic Church, a historic high. In the early 2000s New Hampshire and Massachusetts investigated the church, as did Rockville Center, N.Y., said Marci Hamilton, a lawyer and advocate for abuse survivors. Maryland Atty. Gen.l Brian Frosh announced late last month that he is investigating the abuse of children in the Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore. Bishop William Lori said his archdiocese is cooperating with a state investigation that is underway. Based on my conversations with people throughout the Archdiocese ... it is clear that we are a church in crisis and that crisis is one of trust. It is my hope and prayer that this independent review and other acts of transparency by the Archdiocese will bring about greater trust in the Church among those who are understandably skeptical about the Churchs handling of allegations of abuse, Lori wrote in a letter to his priests. In Virginia, leaders of the Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, an advocacy-support group, are pressing Atty. Gen. Mark Herring to meet with their group and hear their argument for a Pennsylvania-like probe, SNAP leader Becky Ianni said Monday night. Herrings office did not return an immediate request for comment to the Post, but sent an email written to Richmond SNAP leader Dorothy Klammer to say officials could not comment as to whether an investigation is ongoing or not. We encourage any survivors of sexual abuse to reach out to our office or their local law enforcement or Commonwealths Attorneys office, so they can connect with resources and support, said the Constituent Services email to Klammer. A new report identifies 263 Catholic clergy in the Bay Area who are accused of sexual misconduct. The report, published Tuesday by the law firm Jeff Anderson & Associates, reveals 135 accused offenders in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, 95 accused offenders in the Diocese of Oakland, and 33 accused offenders in the Diocese of San Jose. The 65-page report includes background information, photographs, and assignment histories on each named clergy member. This report is intended to raise awareness about the important issue of clerical sexual abuse, provide the public with vital information including assignment histories, and provide awareness to survivors, it reads. ZHUHAI, China China has opened the worlds longest sea-crossing bridge linking Hong Kong to the mainland in a feat of engineering that carries major economic and political significance. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the ceremony in the city of Zhuhai to cut the ribbon on the 55-kilometer (34-mile)-long bridge linking it to the semi-autonomous regions of Hong Kong and Macau. The $20 billion bridge took almost a decade to build. It includes an undersea tunnel allowing ships to pass through the Pearl River delta, the heart of Chinas crucial manufacturing sector. Its opening will cut travel time across the delta from several hours to just 30 minutes. It also forms a physical link between the mainland and the Asian financial hub, which was handed over from British to Chinese control in 1997. A Florida man accused of groping a woman during a Southwest flight from Houston to New Mexico invoked President Trump in his defense, telling authorities the President of the United States says its OK to grab women by their private parts, according to an FBI complaint. Bruce Alexander, 49, was arrested and charged with abusive sexual contact for touching a passengers breast without their permission when his plane touched down at Albuquerque International Sunspot on Sunday. A female passenger seated behind Alexander said she fell asleep about 15 minutes after takeoff, but awoke when she felt movement on the right side of her sweater. She initially brushed it off as a mistake, but the man persisted. He touched her no less than three times, she told officers, recalling that each time she saw a hand that had thick fingers, were hairy and dirty fingernails. Advertisement Witnesses aboard the flight did not see Alexander touch the unidentified passenger, but they did hear her order him to stop, according to the complaint, filed on Monday. The female passenger discussed the incident with a flight attendant, who moved her to a different seat. The man was detained by officers when the plane landed. Once Alexander was inside a police vehicle he told authorities the President does not have a problem with grabbing women, authorities say echoing Trumps comments on the notorious Access Hollywood tape, which resurfaced weeks ahead of the 2016 Presidential election. You know, Im automatically attracted to beautiful I just start kissing them, Trump told Access Hollywood host Billy Bush in 2005. Its like a magnet. Just kiss. I dont even wait. And when youre a star they let you do it. You can do anything. Grabem by the p---y. You can do anything. When Alexander was questioned he told police he did not recall touching a woman, only boarding the plane, ordering a soda and returning the empty cup to a flight attendant. He told authorities he slept for most of the New Mexico-bound flight. He remains in federal custody pending a preliminary and detention hearing both slated for Tuesday, according to a news release form the U.S. attorneys office in New Mexico. Hes facing a maximum penalty of two years in jail and a fine up to $250,000. Its a Titanic find. NASA photographed a near-perfect rectangular iceberg in Antarctica last week, which looked more like a smooth skating rink than a block of ice. The icebergs sharp angles and flat surface indicate that it probably recently calved from the ice shelf, NASA ICE said Wednesday on Twitter. The tweet explained the iceberg can be seen floating among sea ice just off of the Larsen C ice shelf. Advertisement The unusual looking iceberg is called a tabular iceberg, and its photo was taken for NASAs Operation IceBridge, which documents Earths polar ice to better understand connections between polar regions and the global climate system. It studies yearly changes in thickness of sea ice, glaciers and ice sheets. According to the National Snow & Ice Data Center, ice shelves are permanent floating sheets of ice that connect to a land mass. From yesterday's #IceBridge flight: A tabular iceberg can be seen on the right, floating among sea ice just off of the Larsen C ice shelf. The iceberg's sharp angles and flat surface indicate that it probably recently calved from the ice shelf. pic.twitter.com/XhgTrf642Z NASA ICE (@NASA_ICE) October 17, 2018 So, heres the deal, Kelly Brunt, an ice scientist with NASA, told Live Science. We get two types of icebergs: We get the type that everyone can envision in their head that sank the Titanic, and they look like prisms or triangles at the surface and you know they have a crazy subsurface. And then you have what are called tabular icebergs. Brunt explained that tabular icebergs which are usually wide, flat, and long are created when ice shelves split. As for the size of the iceberg NASA photographed, Brunt said its possibly more than a mile across but it hasnt been measured yet. Its precisely cut corners show that it hasnt been around that long, because the sharp edges would become round from exposure to wind and waves. The tabular iceberg appears to be floating, but its unknown how much of it lies below. Brunt said the iceberg could be unstable and break if someone were to walk on it. WASHINGTON Sandra Day OConnor, the first woman on the Supreme Court, has stepped back from public life. For more than a decade after leaving the court in 2006, OConnor kept up an active schedule: serving as a visiting federal appeals court judge, speaking on issues she cared about and founding her own education organization. But the 88-year-old, for more than two decades often the deciding vote in important cases, is now fully retired. She made her last public appearances over two years ago. This summer she turned over an office she had kept at the Supreme Court to the courts most recently retired justice, Anthony Kennedy. Her son Jay OConnor said in a recent telephone interview with The Associated Press that his mother, like many who reach their upper 80s, began to have challenges with her short-term memory. That made some public events more difficult. Hip issues have meant she now primarily uses a wheelchair. And she now stays close to her home in Phoenix, he said. Advertisement When she hit about 86 years old she decided that it was time to slow things down, that shed accomplished most of what she set out to do in her post-retirement years, that she was getting older physically and her memory was starting to be more challenging, so the time came to dial back her public life, said Jay OConnor. His mother is no longer doing interviews. Over about the past year, Jay OConnor and his brother Brian cleared out OConnors Supreme Court office and went through hundreds of boxes of files and other items she had in the buildings basement. A gavel used at her 1981 confirmation hearing, her Presidential Medal of Freedom and T-shirts made annually by an exercise class she started at the high court are among the items OConnor has now donated to the courts collection, the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian. This April 15, 2015 photo released by Seneca Women shows Justice Sandra Day OConnor at the Seneca Women Global Leadership Forum at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington. (Kevin Wolf / AP) OConnor was a state court judge before being unanimously confirmed to the Supreme Court at 51. She had graduated third in her class from Stanford Law School and was the first woman to lead the Arizona state senate. On the Supreme Court, her votes were key in cases about abortion, affirmative action and campaign finance as well as the Bush v. Gore decision effectively settling the 2000 election in George W. Bushs favor. She was 75 when she announced her retirement from the court in 2005. It was a decision influenced by the decline in the health of her husband, John OConnor III, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. Her departure was a moment not unlike Kennedys retirement this summer. The fellow Reagan appointees were moderate conservatives who often held the key vote in high-profile cases. OConnors retirement and replacement by Justice Samuel Alito shifted the court right, making Kennedys vote the often-pivotal one. Kennedys replacement by Justice Brett Kavanaugh is expected to shift the court right again. For her part, OConnor wasnt always delighted with the courts more conservative direction after she left. Asked at a 2009 event how she felt about the court retreating from or undoing rulings she was instrumental in shaping, she responded: What would you feel? Id be a little bit disappointed. If you think youve been helpful, and then its dismantled, you think, Oh, dear. But life goes on. Its not always positive. After the courts 2010 Citizens United ruling allowing corporations to spend freely on elections for Congress and president, she told an audience: Gosh, I step away for a couple of years and theres no telling whats going to happen. Still, that year she told an interviewer that she didnt regret for one minute retiring when she did. OConnor found other ways to make a mark off the court. In 2009, the same year her husband died, she founded the group iCivics, which promotes civic education in schools through free, educational online games. OConnor has called it the most important work Ive ever done. Last year, the groups 19 games were played by 5 million students. Even as she was championing iCivics, OConnor was working on other projects. She wrote a childrens book and a book about the history of the court. She served as a visiting appeals court judge, participating in more than 175 cases on appeals courts nationwide. And she campaigned to persuade states that judges should be appointed, not elected, to preserve judicial independence. One of the last times OConnor made public comments was in 2016, after Justice Antonin Scalias death. Interviewed by an Arizona television station, OConnor was asked what she thought about Republican senators argument that the conservative justices seat should be filled not by President Barack Obama but his successor because the vacancy happened in a presidential election year. She said she disagreed. I think we need somebody there, now, to do the job, and lets get on with it, she said, a recommendation Republicans didnt heed, holding the seat open until President Donald Trump could choose Scalias successor, Neil Gorsuch. Though OConnor has stepped back from public life, the courts other retired justices have varying degrees of public presence. David Souter, 79, lives in New Hampshire but rarely speaks publicly. Kennedy, 82, has already started making post-retirement appearances. Florida resident John Paul Stevens is still making appearances at 98. Three women now serve on the Supreme Court, a development OConnor approved of. Its all right to be the first to do something, but I didnt want to be the last woman on the Supreme Court, she said in 2012. A Florence County sheriffs deputy shot during an ambush in South Carolina succumbed to her injuries, making her the second officer to die as a result of the standoff earlier this month. Farrah Turner, a Florence County Sheriffs investigator, died Monday night from injuries sustained from the Oct. 3 incident. Shed spent nearly three weeks in critical condition and doctors were forced to amputate both of her feet before she passed away, according to a statement shared by the family. Farrah was the ultimate professional, excelling at everything she did, Sheriff Kenney Boone said in a release. She dedicated her life to serving the victims of the worst crimes imaginable. Please pray for Farrahs family, our FCSO family and our community as we mourn her loss. Turner was one of seven cops shot in a bid to serve a search warrant earlier this month at a home in the Vintage Place community, an upscale neighborhood located off Hoffmeyer Road. Theyd been seeking an interview with 28-year-old Seth Hopkins, who is a suspect in a case involving criminal sexual conduct with a minor, when his adopted father opened fire. Advertisement Seth (left) and Frederick Hopkins (right) (Richland County Jail via AP, File) Florence police department veteran Terrence Carraway, 52, was also killed in the shooting. Officer Scot Williamson remains in critical condition, according to WSB-TV, and two deputies, Sarah Miller and Arie Davis, were released from the hospital over the weekend. Hopkins was arrested and charged with a second degree criminal sexual conduct charge shortly after the shootout. He was hit with a second charge criminal sexual conduct with a minor in the first degree on Oct. 12 and authorities believe there could be additional victims. His father, Frederick Hopkins Jr., was also arrested and charged with murder as well as six counts of attempted murder one count for each officer shot. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott on Tuesday announced that one of the attempted murder charges has been upgraded to murder in light of Turners death. We are heartbroken tonight to lose another officer as a result of the horrific shooting in Florence, South Carolina Gov. Henry McCaster tweeted, adding that flags will be flown at half-staff in Turners memory. Please join me and Peggy in praying for her family and loved ones through this difficult hour. Prosecutors want the Ryan Gosling movie All Good Things to be considered evidence as they prosecute Robert Durst for the murder of his best friend, a motion filed Tuesday said. The 2010 movie by director Andrew Jarecki depicts a fictionalized version of Dursts life and was warmly received by the millionaire real estate scion even though it clearly portrays him as a cold-blooded killer, prosecutors said in their paperwork. According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney, the flick pulled no punches in suggesting Goslings lead character murdered his wife in New York, his best friend in California and his neighbor in Texas. Prosecutors argue any trier of fact in the case judge or jury should be allowed to watch the movie and also consider Dursts positive reaction to it before deciding anything related to the 2000 execution-style murder of his best friend Susan Berman. Advertisement Ryan Gosling in ALL GOOD THINGS, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. (/ Photo Credit: James Hamilton) After reading the script and watching this movie, defendant did not sue the production company for slander, nor did he object to how the movie portrayed him. Instead, he contacted the director and expressed how much he had enjoyed the film and agreed to sit for a series of interviews, including the DVD commentary for the movie, the motion filed Tuesday states. When Defendant was asked on camera about his feelings about a film which had alleged that he had murdered three people and a dog, he responded, not with denials, but by stating, I felt the movie was very, very, very close in much of the ways about what, pretty much, happened, the motion claims. Deputy District Attorney John Lewin wrote the new motion, claiming Durst, through his admissions, adopted the truth of the allegations presented in the movie. Accordingly, the trier of fact must be allowed to watch the movie to properly evaluate exactly what defendant has adopted, he wrote. Without viewing the movie, as defendant was doing while he made many of these admissions, it is impossible to understand and appreciate what he was admitting to and the context under which such admissions took place, Lewin wrote. Durst, 75, was arrested on the Berman murder warrant in New Orleans on March 14, 2015 the day before the dramatic finale of HBOs The Jinx, the six-part docuseries also from Jarecki that chronicled his life. In the final episode, Durst went into a bathroom still wearing his microphone and muttered an alleged confession to himself, unaware he was still being recorded. What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course, he said into the hot mic. Durst has pleaded not guilty to Bermans murder. His lawyers also claim he has no idea what happened to his first wife, Kathleen McCormack Durst, who disappeared in 1982 and is presumed dead. Kathleen Durst, Robert Durst.photo: courtesy of HBO (/ Courtesy of HBO) Prosecutors claim Durst killed Berman to keep her from speaking to New York authorities about Kathleen. Durst previously admitted killing and dismembering his neighbor Morris Black in Texas in 2001. He was acquitted on self-defense grounds. Her engagement frayed, so she helped another couple tie the knot instead. Former bride-to-be Kolbie Sanders, 24, took to Facebook early last week to say she had called off her own nuptials at the Belle Vue Wedding and Event Venue in Tyler, Texas, and wanted to donate her reservation and $3,500 venue fee to make someone elses dream come true instead. I have 24 hours to find the couple and they would need to be ready to get married on the date that my venue is booked for which is this Saturday, October 20th! she wrote in the post that was shared more than 4,400 times. She ended up choosing bride Halie Hipsher, 22, and her now-husband, Matt Jones, for the generous gift after reading their story and adding Hipshers name to a random drawing with 45 entries. Advertisement She pulled Hipshers name out of a plastic bowl during a Facebook livestream on Oct. 15. Sanders said about seven people had nominated Hipsher, so she was thrilled with the random selection. In an interview with ABCs Good Morning America, Sanders said Hipshers grandfather Edwin Truett Hipsher is fighting Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She said Hipsher was worried he might not be able to walk her down the aisle if she and Jones stuck with a previous plan to marry next year. Hipsher told GMA she had a good feeling about her chances early on. From the minute I entered, I had a gut feeling telling me, You better start planning now, Hipsher told GMA in a statement. I didnt want to get my hopes up completely, so I waited until she announced, Hipsher said. Throwing together everything on short notice was difficult but worked out. Walking down the aisle was breathtaking, and I wouldnt want to change one second of the day because it is all I [couldve] dreamed of and more, she said. Sanders said she hopes her generous act will inspire others. This was natural to me, I didnt have to think about it, she told GMA. Im really glad that she won. Her reaction definitely made all of this worth it. Police are asking for the publics help to find an 88-year-old man diagnosed with dementia, among other ailments, who went missing from his La Jolla home. E. Fay Rippon was last seen about 5 p.m. Monday at his home on Camino Del Oro, according to the San Diego Police Department. He drove away in a gray 2003 Mini Cooper with a black roof, chrome rims and a handicapped placard in the window. His family told police he may be attempting to drive to Monrovia,where he used to have an office, although he is medically restricted from driving. E. Fay Rippon (Courtesy of San Diego Police Department) Advertisement In addition to dementia, Rippon has Alzheimers disease, diabetes and hypertension, police said. He is without the medications he depends on to treat those ailments. He is also without money, credit cards or a cell phone, police said. Rippon is white, 6 feet 1 inches tall and 180 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black and white button down shirt with vertical stripes and light blue jeans. Anyone with information on his whereabouts was asked to call San Diego police at (619) 531-2000. Twitter: @karenkucher (619) 293-1350 karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com A juvenile burglary suspect was arrested Monday afternoon after police said he viciously attacked an elderly man who walked in on him during the burglary inside an Otay Mesa home. It happened around 2:15 p.m. at a property with two homes on Powderhorn Drive, just north of Palm Avenue and just west of Interstate 805, according to San Diego police Sgt. Jesse Ochoa. The 81-year-old victim walked out of his home on the property, checked the mail and then went into the second home to drop off mail for his son who lives in that home, Ochoa told OnScene TV and other reporters at the scene. It looks like he interrupted a burglary in progress, Ochoa said. He was assaulted inside the residence; pretty significant injuries to his face and the back of his head. Advertisement The victims wife called 911, and the victim was conscious and breathing when police and medics arrived, Ochoa said. While medics took the victim for treatment at UCSD Medical Center, where he was admitted in stable condition, patrol officers searched the area for the suspect. Officers found a person who matched the suspect, based on the victims description, Ochoa said. They took him into custody after a short foot pursuit. The juvenile suspect, whose name and age were not disclosed, broke through a fence while trying to elude police, Ochoa said. Police said he was in possession of a wallet from the victims home when he was taken into custody. The teen suspect was expected to face assault, burglary, elder abuse and other charges, according to Ochoa. The incident marked the second time in three days that a burglary suspect beat up a homeowner when confronted during the alleged crime. A 43-year-old man was arrested early Saturday morning in Encinitas after injuring a homeowner during an alleged theft of copper wire. Alerted by a surveillance system, the 62-year-old homeowner had gone outside with a shotgun to confront the suspected burglar. While the homeowner was walking the suspect toward the front of his yard, the intruder grabbed the barrel of the shotgun, which fired into the air during an ensuing struggle, sheriffs officials said. The suspect managed to wrestle the gun away, punched the victim several times in the face, breaking his nose, and began choking him with the barrel of the shotgun until the victims son arrived and used a stun gun to subdue the man. The victims 19-year-old son and 58-year-old wife then used a belt to restrain the intruder until deputies arrived, sheriffs officials said. Twitter: @Alex_Riggins (619) 293-1710 alex.riggins@sduniontribune.com UPDATES: 11:55 p.m.: This article was updated with background on a similar event Saturday in Encinitas. This article was originally published at 11 p.m. Ron DeSantis lives by an easy kindergarten rule: keep your promises. Thats enough for the Republican Florida gubernatorial candidate to say President Trump is a role model for children, he said Monday. We all have our faults and what-not, DeSantis told CBS News Monday. Even his worst critics would say he is someone who is determined to keep his word. DeSantis made waves with a campaign ad that showed him reading Trumps Art of The Deal to son Mason and teaching daughter Madison to say make America great again. Another clip features him building the wall with childrens blocks. Advertisement During a debate with his Democratic opponent, Andrew Gillum, Sunday night, DeSantis said he and his wife were just poking a little fun at ourselves with the ad. I dont actually read The Art of the Deal to my son, Mason, DeSantis said. He then quickly pivoted to talking about Trumps decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Every politician for the last 25 years has promised that on the campaign trail. Once in office, they didnt do it, DeSantis said. Donald Trump promised it and he followed through with it. To me, when you give your word and you follow through with it as an elected official, that is the model that were supposed to do...To me, that was true leadership. President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis during a rally Tuesday, July 31, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris OMeara) (Chris OMeara / AP) Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee, drew laughs when he asked moderator Jake Tapper to repeat the question because he was confused by DeSantis answer. Donald Trump is weak, and he performs as all weak people do, Gillum said during the debate. They become bullies. Trump endorsed DeSantis during the primary against opponent Adam Putnam, the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, and spoke at a rally on his behalf in late July, but the two have recently split over the Puerto Rican death toll after Hurricane Maria, Trump has no public plans to visit to Florida ahead of the midterm elections. A deaf and blind 91-year old California woman has been found alive in a desert by a quad rider over the weekend, but her 87-year old husband, who had suffered with dementia, wasnt so fortunate. His body was recovered by authorities Saturday night. The Los Angeles County Sheriff first asked for the publics help in its search for Keith and Pauline Davis Oct. 16 after being alerted that the elderly couple from Palmdale was missing. They posted notices on Facebook and Twitter stating the pair had last been seen at 6 p.m. last Tuesday. An ATV rider passing through the Adelanto desert discovered the couples unattended Ford Fusion Saturday afternoon and notified authorities, according to the San Bernadino Sun. The pair reportedly used the car for short trips to the grocery store. Advertisement #LASD Seeks @ Risk Missing, Keith Davis & Pauline Davis, L/S 10/16/18, 6pm, 38000 blk Sage Tree St, Palmdale. Keith suffers dementia & Pauline suffers hearing & vision loss. Any info contact 323-890-5500 or anon 800-222-TIPS(8477) https://t.co/i1hx8FMVNB pic.twitter.com/Jz3MuaG2yd LA County Sheriff's (@LASDHQ) October 17, 2018 More than three hours later, police rescued Pauline Davis before recovering the mans body a short time later. The couples daughter, Lori Davis, told NBC4 her parents werent capable of going very far. Dad holds onto her and they walk very slowly, she said. Theyre like children. Lori had also expressed concern because her mother did not have her medication on her at the time of her disappearance. The couples car had no GPS. Authorities are reportedly trying to figure out how the Davises wound up in a desert 45 miles from their home. The San Diego Union-Tribune recently e-mailed questions to the candidates running for state constitutional offices in the Nov. 6 election. Former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary Eleni Kounalakis faces fellow Democrat, State Sen. Ed Hernandez, for the office of lieutenant governor. Here are the questions and responses from Hernandez. Union-Tribune: Often when California elects new lieutenant governors, they promise to be a different, more active, higher-profile lieutenant governor, only to more or less disappear. Will you make this claim, if elected? If so, how would you follow through? HERNANDEZ: I believe the Lieutenant Governors Office is more than ceremonial and can make a profound difference it just requires leadership and the experience to know how to get the job done. I have learned from my time in the California State Legislature that relationships are an effective tool for advancing priorities. The lieutenant governor is the president of the Senate and has a unique relationship with the governor. I have experience advancing bold and historic policies through the Legislature over my 12 years serving as a legislator. I have developed relationships with colleagues whom I can work together with to advance those priorities. The lieutenant governor also serves on a variety of boards and commissions including the UC Regents, CSU Board of Trustees, as well as chairing the State Lands Commission and California Commission for Economic Development. If elected as the next lieutenant governor of California, Ill come into office with the experience to use these positions to advance initiatives on lowering the cost of higher education, renewable energy, workforce development, and so much more. Again, it takes a working knowledge of state government and the relationships to move those ideas forward, and my experience makes me the only candidate in this race who can be ready from day one to do the job. Union-Tribune: Among the most important responsibilities the lieutenant governor has is serving on the University of California Board of Regents. UC President Janet Napolitano was rebuked by regents for her offices extensive interference in a state audit. Should she have been fired? What can regents do better? HERNANDEZ: I am committed to using my positions as a voting and vocal member of the UC Board of Regents and the CSU Board of Trustees to make higher education more affordable and accessible for all Californians. I authored SCA 14, a proposed Constitutional Amendment that would have changed the makeup of the UC Board of Regents and make it more accountable to students, faculty, and the broader educational community, while diluting some of the power of the UC president. I did this, in part, as a reaction to the findings of that audit. We need to ensure that the governance of the UC Regents is in touch with the challenges that everyday students and families face. That means changing the culture and ensuring leadership reflects the diverse demographics of our state. As lt. governor, I would work to empower education stakeholders at all levels and give them a voice within our CSU and UC systems. In light of recent audits, I believe both Chancellor White and President Napolitano can do more to increase transparency. If I am elected lt. governor, both offices should be prepared to be held accountable. We have to do more to lower skyrocketing costs for students, and this goes beyond just tuition. Students in California are struggling with the costs of housing, books, food, and other basic needs. Union-Tribune: Another important responsibility is serving on the California State University Board of Trustees, which can be overshadowed by the UC system but is also important. What CSU issues are you interested in? HERNANDEZ: Some of the most critical issues facing the CSU system are affordability, homelessness, food insecurity, and overall underfunding by the state. I plan to utilize my platform at the CSU and UC systems, along with my unique relationships with fellow legislators, to be a vocal advocate for students across our education systems. As a proud CSU graduate, I know the importance that it plays in providing access to a quality higher education. CSU helped me get to where I am today. However, I know the challenges students face as a single parent I worked 35 hour weeks, while attending school as a Cal Grant recipient just to make ends meet. As a state legislator, I fought to reduce the financial burden on students and families. I advocated for full funding to the CSU and UC systems to ensure no tuition increases and rejected any proposed tuition increases. I will continue working to ensure our public universities are accessible and affordable for all students, especially those from underserved and underrepresented communities. A bold policy agenda is necessary to make our higher education system our top priority. We must return to the dream of affordable higher education established in the California Master Plan for Higher Education. That means reforming the Master Plan of the 1960s to build an education system that serves the workforce of the future. Union-Tribune: In recent decades, few lieutenant governors have had strong relationships with governors in California. Do you expect to try to change that? Or is that not an important goal? HERNANDEZ: I think an important component of being an effective lieutenant governor is having a strong working relationship with the governor and the Legislature. Absent these relationships, I believe it becomes much more difficult to make bold change become reality. As a state legislator, I built and maintained strong relationships with fellow legislators, the current governor, and many community advocates. These relationships were instrumental in making my bold policy visions become a reality and improving the quality of lives for Californians. I will bring 12 years of effective governing experience and relationships to the lt. governors office. It will allow me to begin championing Californias issues from day one, to fight for our working families, our students, our environment, and our health care. Union-Tribune: In many states, lieutenant governors have been given specific management responsibilities to make their jobs more meaningful. In Indiana, for example, the lieutenant governor serves as secretary of agriculture and oversees six state agencies. Is it time for California to take a similar approach? If so, how? HERNANDEZ: While there are those who believe the lieutenant governor has limited power, I believe this office provides a unique and instrumental pulpit from which to enact change, but it must be used effectively. I am open to expanding the roles of lt. governor beyond its current primary duties as president of the Senate, a member of the UC Regents and the CSU Board of Trustees, and chair of the State Lands Commission and California Commission for Economic Development. Significantly altering the roles of a statewide constitutional officer would require engaging numerous stakeholders to determine how to appropriately encompass more duties. As a health care provider and former chair of the Senate Health Committee, Ive worked with stakeholders, community activists and health care leaders to make profound improvements in our health care system. I believe the work isnt done and theres more to do. I would like to work collaboratively with the governor to engage on further health care matters, including reducing overall healthcare costs and addressing the provider shortage in California. The San Diego Union-Tribune recently e-mailed questions to the candidates running for state constitutional offices in the Nov. 6 election. Former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary Eleni Kounalakis faces fellow Democrat, State Sen. Ed Hernandez, for the office of lieutenant governor. Here are the questions and responses from Kounalakis. Union-Tribune: Often when California elects new lieutenant governors, they promise to be a different, more active, higher-profile lieutenant governor, only to more or less disappear. Will you make this claim, if elected? If so, how would you follow through? KOUNALAKIS: I am a businesswoman, former United States ambassador, author, mother, and tireless campaigner. When I launched my campaign last year, I pledged to visit all 58 counties in this state. I have spent time listening to thousands of Californians community leaders, businesspeople, students and families from all walks of life. Every constitutional office in California must be used to tackle the challenges facing our state, and if elected thats what Ill do. If elected lt. governor, Id be a member of the CSU Trustees and UC Regents. I will be particularly focused on public higher education, and how to make it more affordable for students by operating more efficiently, and with greater support from the states general fund. I would also serve as a member of the State Land Commission, where Id work to protect the California coastline from expanded offshore drilling. Finally, I would serve as chair of the Commission for Economic Development. As a businesswoman, and current chair of the California Advisory Council for International Trade and Investment, I know that Californias economy is booming. But we must do more to ensure that business stays in California, and that our workforce is better able to afford to live here. Ill fight for an economy that works for everyone, strengthens our middle class and helps keeps the American Dream alive. Union-Tribune: Among the most important responsibilities the lieutenant governor has is serving on the University of California Board of Regents. UC President Janet Napolitano was rebuked by regents for her offices extensive interference in a state audit. Should she have been fired? What can regents do better? KOUNALAKIS: The circumstances surrounding last years audit of the UC Presidents office are deeply concerning. Interference in such an important process alone is unacceptable, and that the audit revealed substantial unaccounted for funds is even worse. I know Janet Napolitano personally, as we served together. While I cannot say if she should have been fired, the incident revealed several chronic problems which I would focus on if I have the opportunity to serve as a regent. The reporting of finances of the UC system, and each individual campus lack transparency and are murky and inconsistent. Researchers at prominent non-profit think tanks regularly raise this as a major reason they cannot analyze spending at the UC. This must change. Adequate data collection in other areas of UC operations is also necessary to ensure proper oversight. If elected, I would put my expertise as a UC Berkeley MBA to work, and commit members of the lieutenant governors staff to bring financial information and other important data into the public domain. Taxpayers, and students who invest heavily in the cost of their education, deserve no less. Union-Tribune: Another important responsibility is serving on the California State University Board of Trustees, which can be overshadowed by the UC system but is also important. What CSU issues are you interested in? KOUNALAKIS: The issues I am most concerned about at the CSU have to do with capacity. Last year, the CSU system turned away 32,000 qualified applicants. To meet the needs of Californias changing economy, we need at least a million more workers with postsecondary degrees by 2030. Turning students away from the CSU is a lost opportunity. In order to accommodate more students, we must look at several things. First, only about 18 percent of CSU students graduate in 4 years. Most students require 5, 6 or even longer to graduate. There are many reasons for this, including challenges with college preparedness. But the fact is, by shortening time to graduate, more students can be accommodated in the system. This must be a priority. Second, in order to add capacity the state must commit additional funds to expand facilities, and address deferred maintenance. I visited over a dozen CSU and UCs during my campaign, and the condition of the facilities is a serious problem. I support a greater allocation from the general fund to invest in public higher education in California. I also hope to use my expertise from 18 years working in the housing industry to help build more affordable housing on college campuses. Finally, I believe that when a community is serious about building a new campus, as is the case in the city of Stockton, we should undertake feasibility analysis and not dismiss proposals as too difficult. Union-Tribune: In recent decades, few lieutenant governors have had strong relationships with governors in California. Do you expect to try to change that? Or is that not an important goal? KOUNALAKIS: It is an unfortunate reality that few lieutenant governors have had strong working relationships with the governor. It is a top priority to me to try to change this. My training at UC Berkeley business school was all about teamwork, and I used that training to lead a successful business, and a well-functioning U.S. Embassy. California is facing many challenges, from income inequality, growing poverty, a rapidly transforming economy, and the rising cost of healthcare, housing and higher education. There is plenty of work to go around, and I hope to work collaboratively with the next governor and the Legislature to tackle these challenges. My grandmother in Greece never learned to read, or write. She let my father come to the United States at age 14, to work in the fields of California as a farmworker. The first in my family to graduate from a four-year university, I grew up with the values of hard work, education and determination. I continue to practice these values, and as both a leader and a mother, hope to work with the next governor to build a better, stronger California. Union-Tribune: In many states, lieutenant governors have been given specific management responsibilities to make their jobs more meaningful. In Indiana, for example, the lieutenant governor serves as secretary of agriculture and oversees six state agencies. Is it time for California to take a similar approach? If so, how? KOUNALAKIS: Californias lieutenant governor chairs the Commission for Economic Development, serves on the UC Board of Regents and the CSU Board of Trustees, and is one of three members of the State Lands Commission. Serving on these boards, I hope to advance the goals of making public higher education more affordable to California students, and protecting Californias sensitive environment. It is often said that the lieutenant governors office is a "bully pulpit." I hope to bring my expertise in foreign policy, diplomacy and in international trade and investment to this office. It is an uncommon profile, and one that can be helpful in growing Californias economy and international ties. I also hope to use my 18 years in the housing industry to help solve one of California's most intractable problems. Source: The Telegraph Article appears on British newspaper The Daily Telegraph A quote believed to be attributable to Mark Twain goes like this: A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes. This time round, a US politician bragged about rebuilding China in front of the whole world against international common sense. The public must be told the truth as soon as possible. The truth is, no one in the world has the capability to rebuild China, a country of 1.4 billion people. The Chinese people have the right to pursue a better life, like every other country and people. To this end, China has resolved to seek a development path and a social system that suit it. After 40 years of reform and opening-up since 1978, China has, through relentless exploration, blazed a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics based on its national conditions. This is the path that has led to profound changes, tremendous prosperity in China and better life for its people. China's development achievements are not a handout from others but the results of decades of hard work from the Chinese people. No one can claim the credit but the people of China. The Chinese people are best positioned to judge whether this path is successful in improving their life. China's path is also one of mutually-beneficial cooperation with other countries, which has created huge opportunities for the rest of the world. The Chinese people will not be swayed from this path, nor can anyone stop them from marching forward. China's reforms will continue on all fronts and its opening-up will continue to expand. While improving the life of its own people, China stands ready to share the benefits of development with the world rather than to challenge or replace anybody. The Western traditional belief of power politics, that a strong country is bound to seek hegemony and thus China is bound to challenge and replace the US leadership, has led to the current escalation of trade disputes between the two countries. But this is a big miscomprehension of China's development intentions, because China is pursuing a path of peaceful development untrodden by the established powers. Historically, China had been one of the most powerful countries in the world for centuries but never colonized or invaded any other country. Nor has the People's Republic of China started a single war or conflict over the past 69 years since its founding. Today, peace, development and win-win cooperation are the trend of the times. As the world's largest developing country, China takes as its ultimate goal to provide a better life for its people rather than challenge or replace the leadership of others, and works for harmony and stability at home as well as a peaceful and tranquil environment overseas. These are the rationale for China's pursuit of peaceful development. It is time for the US to shake off the shackles of outdated ideas of invasion, expansion, hegemony and bullying, and come round and appreciates China's win-win cooperation with the world. China's approach to cooperation with other countries is characterized by honoring commitments and upholding justice. It is not self-gain at the expense of other countries, but it nonetheless entails a firm safeguard of sovereignty, security and right to development. In the recent trade disputes triggered by the US, China had no other choice but to take necessary countermeasures. Personal experience tells me that in China-US relations, cooperation is the only right thing to do. The two had better work with each other than against each other. That is why China has responded to the US concerns over trade with the utmost patience and sincerity, and has insisted on addressing the disputes through dialogue and consultation. By contrast, the US has frequently gone back on its word, ignored good advice and showed an obvious lack of sincerity for equal-footed negotiation and consultation, hence, the escalation of the situation. Inevitably, an increasing number of industries and regions in the US are feeling the strain of the tariff measures and making their voices heard. It is absurd and against common sense to blame this on so-called China's interference in US domestic affairs and midterm elections. As early as the 1950s, China proposed the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, one of which is non-interference in other countries' internal affairs. Since then, China has all along sought friendly ties with other countries on the basis of these principles. While the US interference has left a global trail of troubles, notably in the Middle East, China has never interfered in the internal affairs of anyone. On the contrary, China is committed to safeguarding the common interests of mankind, promoting world peace, contributing to global development and upholding the international order, and never retracts from its pledges made to international conventions or applies double standards. As a founding member of the UN and a permanent member of its Security Council, China has been actively engaged in the current international system by joining almost all major inter-governmental organizations and signing more than 300 international conventions. China is the second largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget and the largest contributor among the P5 of peacekeeping personnel. For 10 consecutive years, China has carried out escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia, ensuring the safe passage of more than 6,000 merchant ships from various countries, including the US and the UK. With regard to the international development agenda, China has provided close to 400 billion yuan (57.7 billion US dollars) of aid to more than 160 countries and international organizations. China has also actively helped other developing countries to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by setting up mechanisms such as the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund, the China-UK Peace and Development Fund and the South-South Climate Change Fund. US actions, however, have been exactly the opposite: willfully undermining established rules of multilateralism and free trade, making groundless accusations against the win-win economic cooperation and trade between China and other developing countries and playing them off against one another, and frequently imposing sanctions on other countries through long-arm jurisdiction. On top of all these is cherry-picking international laws and agreements that serve US interests. Such double standards have damaged US international credibility even in the eyes of many European countries, including the UK. Where light inches forward, darkness retreats. As promoters and beneficiaries of globalization, both China and the UK are against unilateralism and protectionism. The two countries should join hands with the international community to firmly safeguard the world economic order and multilateral trade regime, uphold international justice, and urge the US to reject the zero-sum game and stop bullying. This is the way forward to safeguard the common interests of mankind and ensure peace and prosperity in the world. Disclaimer: This article was originally produced and published by The Telegraph. View the original article at The Telegraph. The killing of Saudi Arabian dissident and Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi on Oct. 2 at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, is an outrageous event that should trigger a full and independent United Nations investigation as well as a probe by the U.S. government. There are reasons to be cynical about the U.S.-Saudi relationship and to see Khashoggis murder as part of a continuum of bad Saudi behavior that has long been overlooked by U.S. leaders because of the importance of the Washington-Riyadh relationship. In Yemen, for example, a Saudi-led coalition is credibly accused of war crimes that have killed thousands of civilians. But at a time when democracy seems in retreat in parts of the world, allowing a powerful nation to kill a prominent critic without consequence is a horrible idea. Yet a proper U.S. government response to Khashoggis murder isnt just about holding the Saudis to account. It would also be a healthy counterpoint to President Donald Trumps campaign to fan hatred of the media and to his recent joking about a congressmans assault on a reporter. Many conservatives believe Trump will get bad coverage no matter what he does. But Trumps rhetoric could turn this animus into something awful. If his administration undertook far-reaching efforts to hold the Saudis responsible for the killing of a critical journalist, that would send a welcome message. Twitter: @sdutIdeas Advertisement Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion St. Bartholomews Episcopal Church has announced a partnership with Feeding San Diego to offer fresh food distribution in Poway. Staring Sunday, the food distribution will be held at 2 p.m. every Sunday at the church,16275 Pomerado Road. We are excited to work with Feeding San Diego to offer fresh food distribution in our community, said Lisa Oakes, Feeding San Diego coordinator at St. Bartholomews. So many people face food insecurity in Poway. No one should have to choose between paying bills and feeding your family. The 2018 Meal Gap data provided by Feeding San Diego identifies Poway as a region that is not adequately addressing the hunger issues facing its residents. With guidance from Feeding San Diego, St. Bartholomews will rescue fresh food from local grocery stores each week to distribute on Sundays to people in need. We love that Feeding San Diego offers healthy food with dignity to everyone who is struggling with hunger - families, seniors, immigrants, employed or underemployed, said the Rev. Mark McKone-Sweet, rector at St. Bartholomews. There are no forms to fill out or income requirements. People will just come to our church and get free food. This is a perfect community service alignment for St. Bartholomews where we practice all are welcome, no exceptions. Email: editor@pomeradonews.com Locals are being asked to donate food or money to help other area families who are financially struggling this Thanksgiving. Donations of food, grocery gift cards and money are needed by Wednesday, Nov. 7. All contributions are tax-deductible. They can come from individuals or groups. The Rancho Bernardo-based Friends & Family Community Connection will likely help at least 919 local families the number of recipients last year by providing them with a complete Thanksgiving meal the recipients can cook at home, according to Becky Palenske, FFCCs director of family support. Each year the all-volunteer organization has set a new record for families it assists at Thanksgiving. She said the charitable program is especially popular because it lets recipients prepare and eat their holiday meal at home versus most other Thanksgiving meal programs that have recipients go to a place where a prepared meal is served to them. Because recipients receive a gift card for fresh foods they can purchase a turkey or other item, such as a ham or fish, if that is their preference. Palenske said the gift cards are just as important a donation as the food items. Some families dont prefer turkey because it is not their custom or their holiday routine, Palenske said. What is great about our project is that were the only game in town where we help by providing food they can cook at home and we do not assume that our traditional Thanksgiving food is (theirs). We give them a choice and (the other food items) supplement. They can use them that day or later. The recipients mostly live within the Poway Unified School District boundaries of Poway, Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch, Rancho Penasquitos, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Sabre Springs and Del Sur. Palenske said most recipients are recommended through the school district, local churches and programs in subsidized housing areas that FFCC works with for its weekly food distribution program. She said FFCC is starting to receive more requests to help senior citizens with food because their fixed income is no longer covering all expenses due to rent increases every year or two. If (someone) is concerned about a family and wants to contact us we would consider referrals (for Thanksgiving food boxes) from the community, Palenske said. She can be reached at 858-538-2492 or ffccsdlocal@gmail.com. Donors have several options. They may contribute just a few non-perishable items or grocery gift cards in $20 or $25 amounts. The preference is for Vons and Stater Bros. since those are the stores the recipients often live closest to and transportation to other stores is sometimes an issue, Palenske said. Donors are also welcome to donate a complete meal or money so FFCC can purchase the gift cards and meal ingredients. To make a monetary donation, send a check written to FFCC with Thanksgiving Food Box Project on the memo line to FFCC c/o Becky Palenske, 12382 Pathos Lane, San Diego, CA 92129. Online donations via PayPal can be made at ffccsd.org. For those purchasing food, a meal consists of canned cranberry sauce, canned corn, stuffing, corn bread mix, canned sweet potatoes or yams, canned green beans, gravy (canned, jar or mix), aluminum foil, a small bottle of cooking oil and a grocery store gift card so the recipient can purchase a turkey, ham or other entree plus fresh ingredients. She said the least-donated items are the gift cards, cooking oil, corn bread and canned yams, perhaps because they are the more expensive items on the list. To complete the boxes FFCC uses the cash donations to purchase the needed items. Because FFCC has limited storage space, those contributing food need to contact Palenske at 858-538-2492 or ffccsdlocal@gmail.com to make drop-off arrangements. If groups are going to make this one of their charitable projects, she requests they contact her first so she can give them collection guidelines for a successful food drive. email: rbnews@pomeradonews.com 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. GUANGZHOU, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- A maritime drill jointly held by China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was launched Monday in the city of Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong province. The seven-day drill will be divided into three parts, including activities at port and on shore, maritime military exercises and a conclusion. During the maritime military exercises, participants will perform missions including search, rescue, and disaster relief. The joint drill is the first of its kind held between China and ASEAN countries and is important in expanding exchange and cooperation between China and ASEAN armed forces, said Yuan Yubai, commander of the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, at the opening ceremony of the drill. New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/22/2018 -- A Recent Study On The Automotive Parking Sensors Market Applies Both Primary And Secondary Research Techniques To Accumulate Vital Statistics About The Competitive Business Landscape Of The Automotive Parking Sensors Market For The Forecast Period 2018 - 2025. The Latest Market Intelligence Report Provides Business Owners, Stakeholders And Field Marketing Executives' Critical Insights About The Opportunities As Well As Strengths To Help Keep Up With The Dramatic Shift In The Consumer Behavior And Consumption Power. The Study Methodologies Used To Examine The Automotive Parking Sensors Market For The Forecast Period, 2025 - 2018 Further Classifies The Industry By Type, Geography, End-Use And End-User To Add More Precision And Bring To Light Factors Responsible For Augmenting Business Development. Based On The Automotive Parking Sensors Industrial Chain, This Report Mainly Elaborate The Definition, Types, Applications And Major Players Of Automotive Parking Sensors Market In Details. Deep Analysis About Market Status (2018-2025), Enterprise Competition Pattern, Advantages And Disadvantages Of Enterprise Products, Industry Development Trends (2018-2025), Regional Industrial Layout Characteristics And Macroeconomic Policies, Industrial Policy Has Also Be Included. From Raw Materials To Downstream Buyers Of This Industry Will Be Analyzed Scientifically, The Feature Of Product Circulation And Sales Channel Will Be Presented As Well. In A Word, This Report Will Help You To Establish A Panorama Of Industrial Development And Characteristics Of The Automotive Parking Sensors Market. Request Sample Copy Of This Report@ Https://Www.Marketexpertz.Com/Sample-Enquiry-Form/ 21446 Major Players In Automotive Parking Sensors Are: Parking Dynamics, Bosch, Proxel, Nippon Audiotronix, Valeo, Nxp Semiconductors, Murata Manufacturing, Texas Instruments, Denso, Black Cat Security To Offer Granularity, The Study Accurately Screens Through And Validates Various Information Pertaining To This Business Vertical Including The Important Definitions, Product Types, And Application. The Research Further Looks Into Other Critical Factors Such As Investment Feasibility, Estimated Return On Investment, Supply Chain Management, Consumption Power, Product Pricing And Import And Export Status To Enable Business Owners To Reach The Right Conclusion For Successful Returns. Data On Core Competencies To The Prominent Market Players And Market Opportunities Are Presented Through Self Make An Inquiry For Purchasing This Report@ Https://Www.Marketexpertz.Com/Make-Enquiry-Form/ 21446 Major Regions Play Vital Role In Automotive Parking Sensors Are: - North America - Europe - China - Japan - Middle East & Africa - Others The Latest Report On The Automotive Parking Sensors Market Closely Surveys, Examines And Offers Vital Statistics On The Automotive Parking Sensors Market For The Forecast Period 2018 - 2025. This Market Intelligence Assessment Report Weighs Up On The Potential Region That Reserves Greater Opportunities For This Industry. Importantly, Subject Matter Experts Have Taken Into Account Every Critical Aspect Right From The Market Size, Share, And Growth To The Dramatic Shift In The Consumer Behaviour And Their Growing Spending Capacity. The Industry Assessment Study Depicts A Perfectly Clear Picture Of Both The Past And The Future Trends To Offer The Stakeholders, Business Owners, And Marketing Executives An Opportunity To Zero In On An Effective Marketing Strategy And Boost Sales. Most Important Types Of Women High Visibility Pants Products Covered In This Report Are: Electromagnetic Ultrasonic The Market Intelligence Study For The Automotive Parking Sensors Market Further Provides An Inside-Out Overview Of Necessary Aspects Associated With The Product Classification, Important Definitions, Major Orders And Other Industry-Centric Parameters. An Underlying Part Of The Study Also Maps The Important Factors Associated With The Recent Events Such As Mergers And Acquisition, Collaboration And New Product Launches. In Addition, The Research Lays Down A Robust Groundwork For Obtaining A Vast Amount Of Information That Potential Customers Can Use To Increase Their Profits And Reduce Costs. The Inclusion Of Data On Market Segmentation By Type, Application, And Geography Offer Clarity Presents An Analytical Picture Of, What Manufacturers Are Aiming For. Most Widely Used Downstream Fields Of Charge-Coupled Devices (Codes Covered In This Report Are: Aftermarket OEMs There Are 13 Chapters To Thoroughly Display The Automotive Parking Sensors Market. This Report Included The Analysis Of Market Overview, Market Characteristics, Industry Chain, Competition Landscape, Historical And Future Data By Types, Applications And Regions. Chapter 1: Automotive Parking Sensors Market Overview, Product Overview, Market Segmentation, Market Overview Of Regions, Market Dynamics, Limitations, Opportunities And Industry News And Policies. Chapter 2: Automotive Parking Sensors Industry Chain Analysis, Upstream Raw Material Suppliers, Major Players, Production Process Analysis, Cost Analysis, Market Channels And Major Downstream Buyers. Chapter 3: Value Analysis, Production, Growth Rate And Price Analysis By Type Of Epoxy Adhesives. Chapter 4: Downstream Characteristics, Consumption And Market Share By Application Of Epoxy Adhesives. Continue... Table Of Content: 1 Automotive Parking Sensors Introduction And Market Overview 1.1 Objectives Of The Study 1.2 Definition Of Car Headlight 1.3 Automotive Parking Sensors Market Scope And Market Size Estimation 1.3.1 Market Concentration Ratio And Market Maturity Analysis 1.3.2 Global Automotive Parking Sensors Value And Growth Rate From 2018-2025 1.4 Market Segmentation 1.4.1 Types Of Car Headlight 1.4.2 Applications Of Car Headlight 1.4.3 Research Regions Continue... Buy Report@ Https://Www.Marketexpertz.Com/Checkout-Form/21446 The Research Provides Answers To The Following Key Questions: - What Is The Estimated Growth Rate Of The Market For The Forecast Period 2018 - 2025? What Will Be The Market Size During The Estimated Period? - What Are The Key Driving Forces Responsible For Shaping The Fate Of The Automotive Parking Sensors During The Forecast Period? - Who Are The Major Market Vendors And What Are The Winning Strategies That Have Helped Them Occupy A Strong Foothold In The Wave Power Generation Equipment Market? - What Are The Prominent Market Trends Influencing The Development Of The Automotive Parking Sensors Across Different Regions? - What Are The Major Threats And Challenges Likely To Act As A Barrier In The Growth Of The Women High Visibility Pants Market? - What Are The Major Opportunities The Market Leaders Can Rely On To Gain Success And Profitability? Read The Full Report@ Https://Www.Marketexpertz.Com/Industry-Overview/Automotive-Parking-Sensors-Market About MarketExpertz Planning to invest in market intelligence Products Or Offerings On The Web? Then Marketexpertz Has Just The Thing For You - Reports From Over 500 Prominent Publishers And Updates On Our Collection Daily To Empower Companies And Individuals Catch-Up With The Vital Insights On Industries Operating Across Different Geography, Trends, Share, Size And Growth Rate. There's More To What We Offer To Our Customers. With Marketexpertz You Have The Choice To Tap Into The Specialized Services Without Any Additional Charges. Contact Us: John Watson Head Of Business Development Market Expertz | Web: Www.Marketexpertz.Com Direct Line: +1-800-819-3052 E-Mail: Sales@Marketexpertz.Com News: Www.Marketexpertz.Com/Market-News Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/23/2018 -- Baby food is sold through a large network of retail outlets, like pharmacies, supermarkets, discount stores, and other food outlets. The majority of sales are now conducted through supermarkets and discounters, which hold a share of 61% in 2017. Pharmacies are also important and accounted for 37% of sales by 2017, although their share has been undermined in recent years by the advance of supermarkets and the launch of Shufersals own-label milk, as well as by discount stores. To comprehend recent trends and factors influencing growth of baby food sector in Israel, Market Research Hub (MRH) has included a report titled "The Baby Food Sector in Israel, 2018" to its repository. In current price terms, retail sales are therefore expected to rise by 2023. Further, increasing birth rate has boosted the growth of baby food sector in Israel. Baby Food Sector in Israel: Scope of the Report Analysis of these factors such as drivers, restraints, trends and opportunities that have been influencing baby food sector in Israel have been propounded in this report. Various macro- and microeconomic facets that have wide influence on the baby food sector in Israel have been inked in this report. Opportunities for leading players as well as new entrants have included in the report. Such data included in the report makes it most-creditable and go-to forecast of baby food sector in Israel. Request For Sample Report: https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1918221 To meet the insights and forecast included in the report, systematic and authentic approach have been taken. The report delivers unified understanding of performance of the baby food sector in Israel. The report has been segmented in a proper way to clearly understand the report. The segmentation has been commenced with executive summary and ending with competitive landscape. This will help readers, clients and market players to understand unbiased actionable intelligence propounded in this report. Explanation of the market segments with respect to each region based on volume and value have made this report unique. Baby Food Sector in Israel: Research Methodology The research study is specially based on the comprehensive study of various market areas, which have been considered for the derivation of future prospects and market size. Primary and secondary research have been carried out to reach vital insights mentioned in the report. Studies and surveys of leading players and analysis delivered by seasoned market analysts have been carried out under primary research. Detailed study of industry database, paid sources and trade journals have been propounded in the secondary research. Analysis of each segment of the market on the basis of value and volume with respect to each region have been included in the report, which is complementary to the insights mentioned in the report. The approach taken for the generation of the report is likely to help clients and readers with most conceivable and valid forecast of baby food sector in Israel. Browse Full Report with TOC- https://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/the-baby-food-sector-in-israel-2018-report.html Baby Food Sector in Israel: Competitive Landscape The competitive section included at the end of the report delivers information related to the leading market players. Analysis of prominent players operating in the Israel market with respect to each segment of the report has been included in this report. Forecast of some factors such as product developments, product innovations, SWOT analysis, merger & acquisition have been included in this section. Innovations, developments and strategies of prominent players operating in the Israel market have been included in this section. New entrants in the Israel market can be beneficial with the insights mentioned in the final section. Enquire about this Report- https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=enquiry&repid=1918221 About Market Research Hub Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRH's expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps. MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients. Contact Us 90 State Street, Albany, NY 12207, United States Toll Free : 800-998-4852 (US-Canada) Email : press@marketresearchhub.com Website : https://www.marketresearchhub.com/ Read Industry News at - https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/22/2018 -- Domestic heating appliance is a device or system which is used to produce heat to accomplish various tasks. It also acts as a combustion appliance and having heat generation capacity up to 50 kW. Several domestic heating appliances includes heater, condensing boiler, heat spreader, hot water storage tank, fan heater, geysers, electric Iron, furnace, stoves, oil burner, radiator, space heater, solar water heater, immersion rods and wood-burning stove. Domestic heating appliances are used for both residential and commercial purposes. Global domestic heating appliances market is segmented into electric storage heating radiators, soil heating, non-electric heaters and electric heating resistors. Among various segment soil heating and electric storage heating radiators together hold the largest market share and accounts more than 40.0% share in domestic heating appliances market. Growing economy in developing country is one of the key factors for the growth of domestic heating appliances market. The demand of high efficient, energy saving and safety domestic heating appliance is growing more in the market. This demand is seen more in urban market especially in high-tier cities as compared to rural area or low tier cities. Desire to live a comfort and luxurious life among individual is one of the key factor due to which, individual leads to invest more over domestic appliance including heating appliances. This helps in the growth of domestic heating market in all across the globe. Large investment over research and development on various domestic heating appliances and introduction of new and innovative technology in the market further helps in the growth of domestic heating appliances. Product upgrading is also one of the important factors for healthy growth of domestic heating appliances market. Request for Report Sample : https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3708 Asia pacific is one of the prominent markets for growth of domestic heating appliances. Growing housed hold income level of individual leads more investment over domestic appliances including heating appliance. Asia Pacific is expected to witness fastest growth rates in domestic heating appliances market during forecasted period 2014- 2020. Nations such as China, Japan and India hold the largest market share in domestic heating appliances market in Asia Pacific region. Japan is the second largest market of domestic heating appliance after China. Large population base in Asia Pacific offers huge market potential for growth in domestic heating appliances market. Asia pacific holds the largest market share in domestic heating appliances market. Tanzania, Jordan, Bolivia and Philippines are some of the fastest growing market for domestic heating appliances. These nations are expected to grow in double digit during forecasted period in global domestic heating appliances market. In North America, the U.S. holds the largest market share for domestic heating appliances. Germany accounts the largest market size for domestic heating appliances in European region. The global domestic heating appliances market is expected to grow in a single digit growth rate during forecasted period 2014- 2020. Some of the major companies operating in global domestic heating appliances market are Clatronic GmbH Severin Elektrogerate GmbH, Sunbeam, Glen Dimplex, Ariston Thermo UK Ltd, Bajaj Electricals Ltd, Baxi Heating UK Ltd, Bosch Thermotechnology Ltd, Danfoss Randall Ltd, Honeywell Control Systems Ltd, Ideal Boilers Ltd, Quinn Radiators Ltd, Rettig Ltd, Vaillant Ltd and Vokera Ltd Request for Report TOC : https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/3708 Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/23/2018 -- There are different types of hormones deployed in the global plant growth regulators market. Among those, cytokinins are leading with respect to revenue generation. This is because of their increasing usage as key phytohormones for bringing about cell division in the plant roots and shoots, alongside bettering dormancy, fruiting, cell enlargement, and flowering. Besides, cytokinins are much in demand in different industrial sectors such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and biomedicines. Geographically, Europe is a key region in the global plant growth regulator market where large tracts of land are devoted to organic farming. Plant growth regulators have sought extensive adoption in the modification of plant physiological processes that include regulating the plant metabolism and inhibiting or stimulating enzyme systems. Plant growth regulators also seek robust demand for the regulation of cotton metabolism. Growth in the textile industry across countries such as Turkey, Germany, Bulgaria, India, and China, is anticipated to create high demand for cotton, thereby driving adoption of plant growth regulators. Request For Report Brochure For Latest Industry Insights @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1314 Rising Need to Protect Crops Drives Uptake of Plant Growth Regulators Plant growth regulators find application in modifying physiological processes in plants. Those include metabolism or stimulation or control of enzyme systems. The global plant growth regulator market is seeing rising demand because of the pressing need to protect crops in the face of rising demand for food worldwide. Elaborates the lead analyst of the TMR report, "In order to protect crops and also lessen production costs, farmers all over the world are increasingly adopting new methods involving the use of organic farming and agrochemicals. This is providing a good boost to the global plant growth regulators market which helps to increase the profitability in organic farming." Transparency Market Research's report on the global plant growth regulators market finds that it would attain a value of US$ 3,000 Mn revenue by the end of 2026. Obtain Report Details @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/plant-growth-regulators.html Cotton Industry Major Demand Driver The cotton industry is one of the major drivers of the global plant growth regulators market since the products find usage in regulating cotton metabolism. "A burgeoning textile industry in nations of Germany, Turkey, India, Bulgaria, and China is driving up demand for cotton, thereby benefitting the plant growth regulators market," adds our in-house expert. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/23/2018 -- Market Research Hub (MRH) has included a new research report titled "Romania Power Market Outlook to 2030, Update 2018 - Market Trends, Regulations, and Competitive Landscape", to its broad online repository that focuses on the overall power market spread out across Romania. This assessment targets the entire market structure and delivers historical and forecasted numbers based on capacity, consumption and generation up to 2030. The analysis starts with the executive summary followed by macroeconomic factors, supply security together with different opportunities and challenges faced by the Romania power market. Furthermore, readers can access information associated to market regulatory structure, competitive landscape, import and export trends and power projects focusing at various stages of the supply chain. In addition, precise knowledge related to degree of competition and future potential is actively available in this smart research study. Request For Sample Report: https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1918218 The analysis offers exact statistics for installed capacity, consumption and power generation from 2000 to 2017, which are further forecasted for the next 13 years until 2030. In the later sections of the report, readers can acquire data linked to break-up by technology, including hydro, renewable, thermal and nuclear. Also, insights connected to leading current and upcoming projects is also part of the report that cannot be ignored. Investors and new market participants can make good use of this assessment since it offers the comfort of decision-making on the basis of strong historic and forecast data. As the report proceeds, readers can easily get to learn about information on grid interconnectivity, distribution and transmission infrastructure along with power exports and imports. It is followed by policy and regulatory framework that governs the Romania power market. Finally, the research study drops light on the top market participants which are studied in terms of market share analysis and SWOT analysis. This section of the report delivers information such as business development avenues associated to market participants along with identification of their key strengths and weaknesses. In addition, response to competitors' business structure, prospects and strategy are also mentioned in this report. Some of the major players included in the report are S.C. Hidroelectrica, S.C. Termoelectrica, and OMV AG. Each of these companies from the Romania power market is examined based on company overview and business description. In the end, the presence of tables and figures adds to the usefulness of this research, since pictorial and statistical representation of data reaches out more clearly to the readers. Browse Full Report with TOC- https://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/romania-power-market-outlook-to-2030-update-2018-market-trends-regulations-and-competitive-landscape-report.html About Market Research Hub Market Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports and analysis. MRH's expansive collection of market research reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps. MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients. Contact Us 90 State Street, Albany, NY 12207, United States Toll Free : 800-998-4852 (US-Canada) Email : press@marketresearchhub.com Website : https://www.marketresearchhub.com/ Read Industry News at - https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ The 8th Beijing Xiangshan Forum will be held at the Beijing International Convention Center from Wednesday to Friday, and a senior officer of the People's Liberation Army said on Monday that the scale and level of the foreign delegations are unprecedented. The China Association for Military Science (CAMS) and China Institute for International Strategic Studies (CIISS) will co-host the forum with the theme, "Building a New Type of Security Partnership of Equality, Mutual Trust and Win-Win Cooperation," according to the forum's website. The first forum was held in 2006. Major General Pi Mingyong, the forum's secretary-general, told a press conference in Beijing on Monday that "there are more than 500 representatives from 74 countries, and international organizations have already confirmed attendance, including about 50 vice-ministerial and higher-level officials. This shows that the scale and level of the participation of foreign delegations have hit new heights." The topics to be discussed include "New ideas for and new approaches to international security governance," "Terrorism threats and countermeasures," "Reality and vision of maritime security cooperation," and "Challenges to and cooperation of UN peacekeeping," the forum's website said. The topic "Artificial intelligence and evolution of modern warfare" will also be included. Canal Fulton, OH -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/23/2018 -- Serviscapes has added gravel services to its long list of lawn care and landscaping services. The company has even added a "Gravel Services" section on its website where it has listed the following services; gravel pit hauler, install gravel driveways, install gravel beds, and specialize in gravel walkways and patios. Serviscapes has expanded its lawn care and landscaping services by introducing gravel services. The company has added a "Gravel Services" section on its website where it has specified the various types of gravel services that it will be offering to residential and commercial landscaping clients in its home city of Canal Futon, Ohio. Serviscapes will be offering gravel hauling services in gravel pits. The company notes that it's hard to find a good gravel hauler. According to the company's website, its landscaping technicians have ample experience providing this service. Serviscapes will also be installing gravel driveways. The company acknowledges the fact that gravel driveways are a very popular choice for homeowners. Apparently, gravel driveways are affordable, effective, and easy to maintain. Residential and commercial landscaping clients who wish to install gravel driveways can call Serviscapes for consultation and a quote. Serviscapes will now handle the installation of gravel beds. The company states that a gravel bed is a simple, effective, and affordable way to foster plant growth and improve the landscape. The company is accepting calls from all clients who wish to install gravel beds on their properties. And last but not least, Serviscapes will be specializing in the installation of gravel walkways and patios. Again the company observes that gravel walkways and patios are also popular choices for homeowners. Gravel blends in well with its natural surroundings, and gives the landscape a pastoral look that many homeowners crave. Gravel is also comfortable to walk on. More information on choosing a lawn service to handle lawn care and landscaping can be found at http://serviscapes.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-lawn-service/. About Serviscapes Serviscapes is a lawn care and landscaping company operating in Canal Fulton, Ohio. The company started humbly with just one truck and a mower. Over the years, Serviscapes has grown to become one of Northeast Ohio's largest and most successful landscaping companies. Despite its tremendous growth, the company has never lost its humility or its commitment to its customers. Serviscapes prides itself on being reliable, professional, and affordable. The company offers many lawn care and landscaping services including mowing, lawn cleanup, hedge trimming, plant pruning, tree services, excavation services, mulch services, and all types of landscaping services. The lawn services company can also be seen at http://ezlocal.com/oh/canal-fulton/lawn-care-service/097920624. Name: Serviscapes LLC Contact: Curt White Address: Manchester Rd. Canal Fulton, Ohio 44614 Phone: +1-330-641-0704 Email: serviscapeslandscaping@gmail.com Website: http://serviscapes.com/ San Francisco, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/23/2018 -- Global Sheet Molding Compound and Bulk Molding Compound Market: Snapshot The global market for sheet molding compound and bulk molding compound is expected to advance with the launch of superior quality, lightweight, and more durable bulk molding and sheet molding compounds. By virtue of their higher line throughputs and lower production costs, these compounds are increasingly preferred by several leading manufacturers. As an augmenting number of advanced automobiles and luxury brands are deploying sheet molding compound (SMC) components, the market for sheet molding compound and bulk molding compound promises significant growth opportunities. Request Sample Copy of the Report @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=674 For instance, the Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster features a light-weight boot-lid that is made from SMC. Similarly, the 2018 Lexus LC 500 deploys glass sheet molding compound to curb weight. The inner panels of the trunk and doors of the vehicle are made using CRFP sheet molding compound. Several prominent market players have set their eyes on global presence, for which they have been expanding their capacities through new production facilities in new regions. For instance, in March 2017, Jushi Group Ltd. announced its plans to set up a production facility in Suez, Egypt by the second half of 2017. It has also been ramping up its product portfolio with the addition of SMC Class A and BMC chopped strands. Another leading firm, A. Schulman, Inc. announced in October 2016 its intention to expand its compounding capacity via the addition of a new sheet molding compound production site in Germany. Another new inventory facility, situated in Slovenia, will cater to the demands of its European customer base. Global Sheet Molding Compound and Bulk Molding Compound Market: Overview Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) is a ready-to-mold, glass fiber protected polymer matrix composite material that finds use in different modern applications. This is because it can be molded into complex shapes. Bulk Molding Compound (BMC), on the other hand, is an amalgamation of cut glass strands and resin that is supplied in bulks or logs. BMC is suitable for either compression or injection molding. Some of the end-use industries utilizing SMCs and BMCs are electrical, automotive, transportation, aerospace, construction, marine, and consumer industries. Request TOC of the Report @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=674 Raw materials used in manufacturing SMC and BMC are resins and fibers. Depending upon the type of fiber, the market can be segmented into glass fiber and carbon fiber. Currently, glass fiber is widely used in the global sheet molding compound and bulk molding compound market. Depending upon the resin type, the market can be segmented into polyester, vinyl ester, and others. The glass fiber is the dominating segment in the global sheet-molding compound and bulk-molding compound market. A report by TMR Research conveys essential information about the global market for sheet molding compound and bulk molding compound, which are also known as thermoset compounds. It furnishes a granular analysis of the various factors promoting or hindering the market's growth in the near future and also provides information on the important players in the market. Global Sheet Molding Compound and Bulk Molding Compound Market: Drivers and Trends Sheet molding compound and bulk molding compounds are lightweight yet strong. They are fire, corrosion, and stain resistant and exhibit excellent electrical insulation. As a result of so many unique perceived benefits, SMC and BMC are being preferred over traditional materials such as steel, iron, and aluminum. They are being increasingly utilized in the burgeoning automotive sector. Sheet molding compounds, for example, are used in bonnets, hoods, front ends, decklids, and spoilers in automobiles. Bulk molding compounds too are used in various automotive parts, namely valve covers, ignition parts, and headlight liners. In the years to come, the growing urbanization worldwide, leading to the swift sale of vehicles, especially fuel-efficient vehicles, will drive the market substantially. Other factors benefitting the global sheet molding compound and bulk molding compound market are the increasing automation, integration of the complete value chain of the process industries, and rapid technological progress. Global Sheet Molding Compound and Bulk Molding Compound Market: Regional Outlook At present, Asia Pacific holds a sway over the global sheet molding compound and bulk molding compound market on account of the robust demand for automobiles and rapid industrialization in the region. The same factors are slated to propel the market further in the near future. In fact, Asia Pacific, powered by China, is slated to outpace all other major geographic segments in terms of growth rate in the years ahead. Presence of a copious number of electrical and automobile manufacturers, which is a result of lesser raw material prices, has made China a key player in the Asia Pacific region. It is both a leading producer and consumer of SMC and BMC in the region. Read Comprehensive Overview of Report @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sheet-molding-compound-bulk-molding-compound-market Europe trails Asia Pacific in the global sheet molding compound and bulk molding compound market. It is followed by North America, which is propelled by the U.S. the main contributor to its growth. Companies Mentioned in Report To present an in-depth assessment of the competition prevailing in the global sheet molding compound and bulk molding compound market, the report profiles companies such as Menzolit GmbH, IDI Composite International, Showa Denko K.K., Citadel Plastics Holding Inc., Continental Structural Plastics Inc., Polynt S.P.A, Core Molding Technologies Inc., and Royal Tencate. About TMR Research TMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in today's supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients' conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends. A striking new species of leaf warbler has been discovered in the forests of the Indonesian island of Rote by an international team of researchers. The discovery is outlined in the journal Scientific Reports. Named the Rote leaf warbler (Phylloscopus rotiensis), the new bird species is endemic to Rote Island, the province of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, where it inhabits intact primary deciduous forest as well as secondary forest. Rote Island is a dry monsoon island with an area of 1,200 km2. It is around 7.5 miles (12 km) off the coast of Timor, and about 310 miles (500 km) northwest of Australia, the ornithologists said. The island is also the site where a bird species new to science, the Rote myzomela (Myzomela irianawidodoae), was recently discovered. The presence of a leaf-warbler of unknown identity on Rote was first noted in December 2004 by Charles Darwin Universitys Dr. Colin Trainor. In July 2009, Belgian birdwatchers Philippe Verbelen and Veerle Dossche made detailed observations and obtained a series of photographs of the bird. Alarm bells went off when we realized how strikingly different the bill shape and the coloration of the Rote bird were compared to all other leaf-warblers, Verbelen explained. The Rote leaf warbler is a small songbird, measuring 4 inches (10.3 cm) in total length and weighing 7.5 g. It has a wingspan of 6.1 inches (15.5 cm) and a tail that is about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) long. The new species is part of a large group of Asian warblers but is unique among them due to its unusually long bill (about 0.6 inches, or 1.6 cm), said team member Dr. Nathaniel Ng, a researcher in the Department of Biological Sciences at the National University of Singapore (NUS). This odd bill shape is likely an adaptation to Rotes dry landscapes, given that most other Asian leaf-warblers live in humid forest. The scientific description of the Rote leaf warbler was partly aided by an analysis of genome-wide data collected through next-generation sequencing. This may well be the first time to the best of our knowledge that a new bird species has been described partly on the basis of genome-wide DNA data, said team member Elize Ng, also from the NUS Department of Biological Sciences. This work would not have been possible without the partnership with the Indonesian Institute of Science, and in particular, with Dr. Dewi Prawiradilaga, said team leader Dr. Frank Rheindt, also from the NUS Department of Biological Sciences. Due to Rote Islands long history of intensive agricultural use, there is little forest habitat on the island with the exception of two forest areas. We propose that the Rote leaf warbler be given an IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) categorization of Vulnerable under criteria B1 and B2 of the 2001 IUCN red list criteria, the researchers said. _____ Nathaniel S.R. Ng et al. 2018. A striking new species of leaf warbler from the Lesser Sundas as uncovered through morphology and genomics. Scientific Reports 8, article number: 15646; doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-34101-7 General Xu Qiliang, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen in Beijing on Monday. [Photo/Agencies] Visit by defense minister to Beijing expected to increase strategic trust The Chinese and German militaries will deepen cooperation, communication and coordination in efforts to jointly safeguard regional and global peace and security, senior military officials said on Monday. General Xu Qiliang, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, said in a meeting with German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen on Monday that friendly Sino-German relations go back a long time. Von der Leyen is the first German defense minister to visit China since 2010. Experts said von der Leyen's visit will increase strategic trust between the two countries, and the two militaries can work together to curb cybersecurity threats, piracy and other global issues. Xu said President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have maintained frequent and constructive communication in recent years, pushing the Sino-German comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to new heights. The Chinese military is willing to work with its German counterparts to develop military-to-military relations based on long-term strategic goals and planning, Xu said. China will also deepen cooperation to improve bilateral military ties, enhance coordination with Germany on international and multilateral programs, and jointly maintain regional and world peace and security, Xu added. Von der Leyen said Sino-German military relations are a key component of bilateral ties, and Germany attaches great importance to developing these ties. Germany is also committed to developing the strategic cooperative partnership with China to jointly contribute to world peace and security, she added. The German side will further deepen exchanges across various levels between the two militaries, and strengthen cooperation in peacekeeping, medical support, military research and other fields, she said. On Monday afternoon, State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe met with von der Leyen and said Sino-German military relations serve as a prime model for China's military relations with other European countries. China is willing to deepen practical cooperation, enhance interaction and exchanges under multilateral frameworks, and push Sino-German military relation to new heights, Wei said. Von der Leyen said China and Germany both uphold multilateralism and rule-based international order. Germany is willing to expand military cooperation with China, thus enriching the strategic cooperative partnership with new substance. Zheng Chunrong, director of the Institute of German Studies at Tongji University in Shanghai, said von der Leyen's visit can send a positive signal to the European Union that China is willing to work with its member nations to jointly improve capabilities in tackling global issues, such as cybersecurity threats and maritime piracy. "The German military is very capable in medical logistics, postwar reconstruction, and managing civic emergencies and conflictsall fields China can learn much from," he said. However, past military cooperation between Chinese and European militaries was primarily information exchanges due to lack of mutual political trust. "Von der Leyen's visit will increase mutual understanding and trust, which is beneficial to finding a breakthrough in exploring concrete means to deepen China-European military relations," he said. A drill is conducted in the joint staff department of the "Peace and Friendship 2018" joint military drill. (Photo by Li Xiaobo) MALAYSIA, Oct. 23 (ChinaMil) The "Peace and Friendship 2018" joint military drill, involving China, Malaysia and Thailand, is in progress. The coordinators from China, Malaysia and Thailand pointed out that the composite group exercises have consolidated pragmatic exchange and cooperation among the three countries, and are of great significance to strengthening their military responses to regional security threats and to maintain peace. Major General Li Weiya, exercise coordinator from China, noted, "Peacekeeping operations and compulsory peace operations" are the focus of this joint drill. This year, the composite forces of the three countries will focus on how to face and deal with potential regional crises in order to maintain regional peace and stability. Major General Li Weiya said, "When a conflict cannot be resolved by peaceful means, we would use armed forces to jointly implement an operation under the UN authorization. We would resort to force to achieve the goal of an imposed cessation of hostilities, and ultimately contribute to peace and stability." Compared to the "Peace and Friendship 2016" joint military drill, this year's joint military drill has expanded in terms of the number of subjects and the size of the forces involved. Humanitarian rescue operations have become joint compulsory peace operations. The coordinator from Malaysian side said that the use of force for compulsory peace operations is often more than peacekeeping operations because it requires sending troops to maintain regional order and stability, with the unanimous approval of the countries concerned. He declared, "We have a good relationship with China. The Chinese PLA has accumulated experience in military drills and extensive professional knowledge. We can learn a great deal through the joint drill with China and Thailand. It is a great opportunity." Thailand has participated in the past "Peace and Friendship" series of military exercises as an observer. This year, Thailand sent a coordinator and command departments for the combat planning and commanding drills, as a participating country for the first time. The coordinator of the Thai side noted that, through the exchange of tactics, experience and culture, the three countries will be able to cooperate better when implementing UN-led joint operations. He affirmed that this is an exchange of experience, tactics and combat. There are also discussions and exchanges on other aspects of the drill, which benefit Thailand, China and Malaysia. Chinese Major General Li Weiya added, The two key issues in addressing regional crises are counterterrorism and compulsory peace operations. Regional crises may occur that are difficult to handle. It would also be difficult to instantly plan, direct and act in conjunction with other countries. Therefore, this 'Peace and Friendship 2018' joint military drill, where the three armed forces work together to jointly plan and prepare, are of great significance." Li observes, "In our joint actions with the forces of these countries, we are mainly seeking common ground while putting aside differences. In this way, we can jointly pursue our own interests and common interests. The three countries must reach agreement from strategy to combat to resolve any issue." Officers from the participating countries interact in the joint staff department during the "Peace and Friendship 2018" joint military drill. (Photo by Li Xiaobo) U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he was still not satisfied with what he has heard from Saudi Arabia about the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but did not want to lose investment from Riyadh. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, disappeared three weeks ago after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain documents for his upcoming marriage. Riyadh initially denied knowledge of his fate before saying he was killed in a fight in the consulate, a reaction greeted skeptically by several Western governments, straining relations with the world's biggest oil exporter. "I am not satisfied with what I've heard," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I don't want to lose all that investment that's been made in our country. But we're going to get to the bottom of it." Trump made similar comments Saturday about being unsatisfied with the Saudi response to the killing. Trump on Monday said he spoke with the crown prince and that there are Americans in Saudi Arabia and U.S. intelligence officers in Turkey working on the Khashoggi case who are returning Monday night or Tuesday. 'We are excited to reach this important milestone and look forward to working with government and the people of the Bahamas to create new economic opportunities while preserving the natural beauty of Lighthouse Point,' said Jeff Vahle, president of Disney Cruise Line. Three new ships by 2023 With three new ships on the way that will nearly double the size of its business over the next five years, Disney seeks to expand calls in the Bahamas, where it already operates private island Castaway Cay and visits Nassau. The land at Lighthouse Point is privately owned, not government-held, and has been on the market for some time. 'We are grateful for the warm welcome and support we have received from so many in Eleuthera and look forward to further developing relationships that will endure for many years to come,' Vahle continued. 'In the short term, we are focused on reaching an agreement that is mutually beneficial for the Bahamas and our company, as well as moving forward with an environmental impact assessment and environmental management plan. 'Our team also looks forward to working with local artists, historians and others as we ensure that the stories and culture of the Bahamas shine through when Disney guests and Bahamians alike visit this special place,' Vahle added. The National Economic Council's green light follows numerous community meetings, including a town hall discussion led by Prime Minister Hubert Minnis earlier this month. Disney had considered other sites, such as Egg Island off Eleuthera, where it withdrew following an environmental impact assessment. Environmental groups and a coalition called One Eleuthera Foundation had campaigned for alternatives to having the 700-acre Lighthouse Point become a cruise development. Government cites economic development 'The government of the Bahamas, having taken into consideration the views of the majority of the people of Central and South Eleuthera, is satisfied that it has made the best decision in the interest of the Bahamian people, a sustainable future for the people of Central and South Eleuthera and the economic development of the country,' the Cabinet Office said in a statement. Negotiations will now begin on a heads of agreement, or letter of intent, detailing the scope of the project and the obligations of Disney Cruise Line's Island Development Ltd. and of the Bahamas government. This will lead to a presentation before Parliament. Low-density uses, conservation aspects Disney has stated its intent to develop approximately only 20% of the Lighthouse Point property, much of it for low-density uses like beach chairs, umbrellas and small support structures for restrooms, shopping and dining. The line said it will give more than 170 acres of what is currently privately owned land to the government for conservation and will preserve the more than 100 acres of salt ponds on the property. The creation of an education-focused eco center for cruise visitors and the community, particularly children, is a possibility. Open-trestle pier and little, if any, dredging Disney said it has no plans to develop the southernmost point of the property or to allow passengers there. For the areas the line does intend to develop, it is focusing on sustainable design and building practices including the use of solar power, a stilt-type design for walkways and structures that would have a smaller impact than traditional development and the construction of an open-trestle pier that would have a much smaller footprint and impact on ocean currents than a traditional pier design and would require little, if any, dredging. Job creation Disney projects the development will create 120 to 150 jobs specifically related to operating the destination, plus hundreds of indirect jobs through construction, tours and vendor sales. Other elements of the project include the integration of Bahamian cultural and artistic expression into the site's design and experiences, and partnership with the community to develop training and professional development programs. Disney began sailing to the Bahamas in 1998, and many of its cruises visit Nassau and Castaway Cay, its private island just west of Great Abaco. That 1,000-acre site is on long-term lease from the Bahamian government, and only a small fraction of the cay has been developed. It was cruising's first private island to have a dock. Bahamas, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Panama, Bimco, Intercargo and Intercargo have co-sponsored and submitted paper to the IMOs Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 73) meeting proposing an experience-building phase (EBP) The proposal has created controversy although the parties say it is intended as an institutionalized data gathering measure and does not delay the implementation or enforcement of the sulphur cap. Asked in its third quarter results call about the possibility of an EBP Scorpio Bulkers, COO, Cameron Mackay said: Now different constituents of the IMO obviously have their own agendas. So I would say much towards disappointment Intertanko and some of the larger flag states dont really represent our interest either in the short term or the long term. Id call them more apologists for your typical small undercapitalized shipowner who obviously seeks a delay, doesnt have the capital to install a scrubber, he was quoted as saying a transcript published by Seeking Alpha. Scorpio has made a significant investment in scrubbers to comply with the sulphur cap announcing plans last week to install 56 exhaust gas cleaning units to its owned and leased ultramaxes and kamsarmaxes at between $1.5m to $2.2m per unit. On reported moves by US President Trump to withdraw the US from the sulphur cap he said: Trump, I think most people believe, is looking to high gasoline prices with some sort of interest in talking them down. Of course the US could withdraw from the regulation but that doesnt change what happens in the rest of the world and furthermore there is some debate over whether that change is what happens in the states and their own local courts. "When she hit about 86 years old she decided that it was time to slow things down, that she'd accomplished most of what she set out to do in her post-retirement years, that she was getting older physically and her memory was starting to be more challenging, so the time came to dial back her public life," said Jay O'Connor. His mother is no longer doing interviews. Her son Jay O'Connor said in a recent telephone interview with the Associated Press that his mother, like many who reach their upper 80s, began to have challenges with her short-term memory. That made some public events more difficult. Hip issues have meant she now primarily uses a wheelchair. And she now stays close to her home in Phoenix, he said. This summer she turned over an office she had kept at the Supreme Court to the court's most recently retired justice, Anthony Kennedy. For more than a decade after leaving the court in 2006, O'Connor kept up an active schedule: serving as a visiting federal appeals court judge, speaking on issues she cared about and founding her own education organization. But the 88-year-old, for more than two decades often the deciding vote in important cases, is now fully retired. She made her last public appearances over two years ago. Over about the past year, Jay O'Connor and his brother Brian cleared out O'Connor's Supreme Court office and went through hundreds of boxes of files and other items she had in the building's basement. A gavel used at her 1981 confirmation hearing, her Presidential Medal of Freedom and T-shirts made annually by an exercise class she started at the high court are among the items O'Connor has now donated to the court's collection, the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian. O'Connor was a state court judge before being unanimously confirmed to the Supreme Court at 51. She had graduated third in her class from Stanford Law School and was the first woman to lead the Arizona state senate. On the Supreme Court, her votes were key in cases about abortion, affirmative action and campaign finance as well as the Bush v. Gore decision effectively settling the 2000 election in George W. Bush's favor. She was 75 when she announced her retirement from the court in 2005. It was a decision influenced by the decline in the health of her husband, John O'Connor III, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Her departure was a moment not unlike Kennedy's retirement this summer. The fellow Reagan appointees were moderate conservatives who often held the key vote in high-profile cases. O'Connor's retirement and replacement by Justice Samuel Alito shifted the court right, making Kennedy's vote the often-pivotal one. Kennedy's replacement by Justice Brett Kavanaugh is expected to shift the court right again. For her part, O'Connor wasn't always delighted with the court's more conservative direction after she left. Asked at a 2009 event how she felt about the court retreating from or undoing rulings she was instrumental in shaping, she responded: "What would you feel? I'd be a little bit disappointed. If you think you've been helpful, and then it's dismantled, you think, 'Oh, dear.' But life goes on. It's not always positive." After the court's 2010 Citizens United ruling allowing corporations to spend freely on elections for Congress and president, she told an audience: "Gosh, I step away for a couple of years and there's no telling what's going to happen." Still, that year she told an interviewer that she didn't "regret for one minute" retiring when she did. O'Connor found other ways to make a mark off the court. In 2009, the same year her husband died, she founded the group iCivics, which promotes civic education in schools through free, educational online games. O'Connor has called it "the most important work I've ever done." Last year, the group's 19 games were played by 5 million students. Even as she was championing iCivics, O'Connor was working on other projects. She wrote a children's book and a book about the history of the court. She served as a visiting appeals court judge, participating in more than 175 cases on appeals courts nationwide. And she campaigned to persuade states that judges should be appointed, not elected, to preserve judicial independence. One of the last times O'Connor made public comments was in 2016, after Justice Antonin Scalia's death. Interviewed by an Arizona television station, O'Connor was asked what she thought about Republican senators' argument that the conservative justice's seat should be filled not by President Barack Obama but his successor because the vacancy happened in a presidential election year. She said she disagreed. "I think we need somebody there, now, to do the job, and let's get on with it," she said, a recommendation Republicans didn't heed, holding the seat open until President Donald Trump could choose Scalia's successor, Neil Gorsuch. Though O'Connor has stepped back from public life, the court's other retired justices have varying degrees of public presence. David Souter, 79, lives in New Hampshire but rarely speaks publicly. Kennedy, 82, has already started making post-retirement appearances. Florida resident John Paul Stevens is still making appearances at 98. Three women now serve on the Supreme Court, a development O'Connor approved of. "It's all right to be the first to do something, but I didn't want to be the last woman on the Supreme Court," she said in 2012. Pilides took up the role in March when the Shipping Deputy Ministry was carved out of the Ministry of Transport to provide more focus on shipping and maritime, which is considered a key area of Cyprus economy. With a constitutional limit on the number of Ministries Cyprus can have Shipping became the first Deputy Ministry. In an interview with Seatrade Maritime News, Pilides explains: This is the first deputy ministry in existence in Cyprus, theres going to be one for tourism in January (next year). So we have a double responsibility, the first one is to become more efficient and more effective, and the second is to set the right systems, methodology and model whereby future Deputy Ministries can learn from us. Over the last six months a lot of work has been done in restructuring what was previously The Department of Merchant Shipping with a model that covers coastal services, the Registry, integrated maritime policy and the competitiveness. Read more: Cyprus launches standalone Deputy Shipping Ministry It is noticeable that when speaking about the Deputy Ministrys role Pilides talks about its clients in the shipping industry underscoring its remit to the commercial industry, but she also stresses its commitment to quality and enforcement of regulation, and playing an international role in shaping those regulations. We are the regulator, very clearly so, and also responsible for the tax system and competitiveness. Its important to understand the needs of the client, because its important to protect shipping globally as a sustainable sector. Its the backbone of international trade. In growing the maritime cluster an emphasis is put on quality and there is a clear pride in this. Quality is something we focus on very much, more so than quantity. We want to have a quality registry, we want our clients to be happy and we also want to complete the Cyprus shipping cluster, she explains. The country has around 200 companies under its Tonnage Tax scheme employing some 5,000 onshore marine specialists. Pilides cites the Tonnage Tax as unique in Europe as it allows not just shipowners, but also charterers and managers to enter the system. The sophistication of the cluster covering not just shipowners and managers but all the related services is something that is seen as important with the presence of financiers, insurers and brokers. With the uncertainties in the UK over Brexit Cyprus has attracted both the London P&I Club and the UK Defense Club. Read more: London P&I Club sets up in Cyprus as Brexit insurance Because of Brexit weve had quite a few concerned clients about their UK-flagged vessels not being part of the EU, there are a lot of question marks arising. We are trying to provide solutions as and where necessary, she says. The Deputy Minister sees Cyprus as providing both a relatively low cost place to do business and vibrant maritime cluster with a strong talent pool. I think its important to our clients that there are other shipping companies based in Cyprus, it is tried tested, there is a human talent pool. It is very solid. Cyprus is putting a major emphasis on education and training in the maritime sector to attract young people to join the industry both on and offshore. Blue growth is very essential to the economy, we have three maritime academies in Cyprus, which are accredited by the Ministry, and we offer grants and scholarships to young people, so were really keen to promote careers at sea. Meanwhile the islands five private and three public universities offer programmes related to the onshore aspects of a career in shipping. The beauty of shipping is that whether youre good at sciences or arts there is something that everyone can do in shipping and is very rewarding. We find we have a very passionate bunch of people in shipping, Pilides states. Cyprus now ranks as the 11th largest merchant fleet worldwide and the third largest in the European Union. It flags over 1,000 oceangoing vessels of a total gross tonnage exceeding 23.9m dwt. More than 3,500 vessels are currently managed from Cyprus with a total net tonnage of around 50m dwt. Statement of Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon on the Makati court decision on Trillanes case The rule of law has prevailed and will always prevail. I am relieved by the decision of RTC Judge Andres Soriano rejecting the attempts of the administration to harass opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes. Soriano's decision reinforces our belief that at the end of the day the rule of law will prevail and no amount of underhanded legal maneuvering will be rewarded by an independent judiciary. The resolution of this case will definitely help restore the perception of stability in our courts. Statement of Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon House Speaker Arroyo's plan to withdraw from IPU House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should mind her own and we will mind our own. I oppose the proposal of Arroyo that we withdraw from the IPU just because this global body of parliamentarians expressed its concern over the political persecution of our fellow Senators Leila de Lima and Sorry Trillanes. Arroyo's proposal is despairing, defeatist and will be seen by the world as a tacit admission that indeed critical lawmakers are being persecuted under the Duterte administration. It is folly for Speaker Arroyo to suggest that the IPU should be punished for performing its mandate to protect fellow members of the legislature from abusive and over-reaching tendencies of certain officials of the executive. I speak as a former chairman of the IPU Committee on Human Rights of Parliamentarians. The respect for human rights, not only of Members of Parliament, but of ordinary citizens, is a basic pillar of democracy. We must all do our share to uphold civil and human rights as well as the rule of law, both here and abroad. Press Release October 23, 2018 Dispatch from Crame No. 410: Sen. Leila M. de Lima's statement on the RTC-Makati's junking of the Government's Motion for the Arrest of Sen. Trillanes 10/23/18 I welcome with guarded optimism the order of RTC Makati Judge Andres Soriano denying the government's motion for the arrest of Sen. Sonny Trillanes. Nowadays, it is difficult for the judiciary to defy the wishes of the government, especially if pressure is coming directly from Duterte's personal interest to have Trillanes arrested and silenced. This act of independence from pressure exerted by Malacanang is thus a breath of fresh air coming from the judiciary. I consider this development as a positive act of independence of the judiciary. We must recognize small victories against Duterte's tyranny, and this is definitely one of them. Having said this, I would still caution against letting our guard down. While Judge Soriano's ruling kept Sen. Trillanes a free man, the portion which upheld the power of the President to nullify a grant of amnesty and affirmed the constitutionality of Proclamation 572 needs re-examination. Any proposition supportive of the power of the President to unilaterally revoke an amnesty granted by a previous president would be dangerous. We must continue to be vigilant to ensure that the decision of the Makati RTC is not reversed on appeal. The efforts of Duterte and the DOJ to put Sen. Trillanes behind bars do not end here. They will continue to move heaven and earth to get what Duterte wants, even if this means doubling their efforts to pressure the judiciary all the way up to the Supreme Court. Press Release October 23, 2018 Drilon: SC bound by factual findings of Makati RTC on Trillanes Former Justice Secretary and current Senate Minority leader Franklin M. Drilon said on Tuesday that the Supreme Court can no longer disturb the factual findings by the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 on the case of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, citing the jurisprudence that the "Supreme Court is not a trier of facts." "Well-settled is the rule that the Supreme Court is not a trier of fact. The Supreme Court cannot assume the role of trier of facts which, by law and jurisprudence, belongs to the lower courts," Drilon said. The case of Sen. Trillanes is undeniably a question of fact, Drilon emphasized. "Factual findings of the lower courts are entitled to great weight and respect on appeal, and in fact accorded finality when supported by substantial evidence on the record, as stated in the case of Xentrex Motors, Inc. v. Court of Appeals (353 Phil. 258, 262 1998) and in a long line of other cases," the former justice secretary said. In the case of Senator Trillanes, he said, the lower court has affirmed the fact that Trillanes validly complied with the requirements for his amnesty application. "I do not see how this finding can be disturbed by the Supreme Court especially considering that the original decision of Makati RTC Branch 148 attained finality seven years ago," Drilon stressed. It is a well-entrenched ruling that factual findings of the lower courts are given the highest degree of respect and great weight by appellate tribunals because they are in a better position to examine the real evidence and observe the demeanor of witnesses. It is clear from Judge Soriano's decision that he carefully considered the testimonies of the witnesses, taking pains to detail the significant portions of their statements which led the Judge to his decision. Hence, Drilon believes the Supreme Court will be hard-pressed to overturn the ruling of Makati RTC Branch 148. "Any petition or appeal must then fail," said Drilon. Earlier, Drilon hailed the Makati RTC Branch 148's decision dismissing the administration's case against Trillanes, saying "the rule of law has prevailed and will always prevail." "I am relieved by the decision of RTC Judge Andres Soriano rejecting the attempts of the administration to harass opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes," Drilon said. "Soriano's decision reinforces our belief that at the end of the day the rule of law will prevail and no amount of underhanded legal maneuvering will be rewarded by an independent judiciary. The resolution of this case will definitely help restore the perception of stability in our courts," Drilon said. Press Release October 23, 2018 Hontiveros on the proposal to withdraw PH membership in IPU A PROPOSAL STRAIGHT OUT OF THE PARIAH STATE PLAYBOOK *Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on the proposal to withdraw Philippine membership in the IPU The proposal to withdraw Philippine membership in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) borrows a page from the old pariah state playbook. It is a fake assertion of sovereignty to defend the country's culture of killing and impunity. It is also a virtual admission of guilt on the part of the Duterte government. It only confirms the IPU's serious concerns about our country's worsening human rights record. If this goes on, the way it's going, the Philippines will soon run out of intergovernmental bodies that it can be part of. First, we withdrew our membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC). Now, this. What's next, we withdraw membership from the International Labor Organization (ILO), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) or even the United Nations (UN)? President Rodrigo Duterte cannot withdraw our country from the world. The Philippines is part of a global community joined by the shared respect for democracy, human rights and dignity. We cannot use our country's sovereignty to mask the appalling climate of killing and impunity in the nation. We have an obligation to subject our public policies and even our leaders to international scrutiny, in the same way that we may hold accountable the actions of other nation-states. On Speaker Arroyo's Recommendation of withdrawal from the IPU More at: https://pinglacson.net/2018/10/23/on-speaker-arroyos-recommendation-of-withdrawal-from-the-ipu/ First, Speaker Arroyo's recommendation is based on the wrong premise. The IPU has yet to act on its Human Rights Committee's recommendation to the IPU Governing Council. Having said that, it is premature, if at all, to denounce the IPU as a whole, much less withdraw membership from the body. Second, by withdrawing, it would imply that the Philippine Senate acknowledges the political persecution of opposition senators. Contrarily, the recent resolution of Sen. Trillanes' coup d'etat case by the Makati RTC Branch 148 is proof enough that the judicial process works in our country, and that the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary from the executive and legislative is evident and clear. Third, it is the Senate, not the House of Representatives, that is a member of the IPU, so I'm not sure where Speaker GMA is coming from. Press Release October 23, 2018 Koko says he can seek reelection, adds he never consulted Topacio Senate Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship Committee Chairperson Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III on Tuesday welcomed the filing of a disqualification case against him by notorious lawyer Ferdinand Topacio at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), saying that this development "will pave the way for this issue to be settled, so we can focus on the issues that really matter to our people." The PDP Laban President denied, however, that he had ever consulted Topacio about the legal issues involving his reelection bid, stressing that he would never solicit the views of a lawyer "better known for starting personal squabbles than winning legal battles." "There is no truth to Atty. Topacio's statement that I consulted him about the legal issues surrounding my candidacy. I have never asked Atty. Topacio for any legal opinion in my entire life. There is a very short list of election lawyers I would consult regarding this matter, and he is not on it," added the senator from Mindanao. Topacio is known for feuding with public officials, colleagues in the legal community, and members of the media. The controversial lawyer, known for being an admiriter of Nazi dictator and mass murderer Adolf Hitler, has clashed with former Presidential Management Staff Undersecretary Karen Jimeno, former Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, radio host Mo Twister, and Inquirer columnist Mon Tulfo. Pimentel also disputed the legal arguments raised by Topacio against his reelection bid and said that the Constitution did not bar him from running the May 2019 midterm polls. "The Constitution, the law, and jurisprudence are on my side. Well-regarded legal minds known for their expertise in election law have likewise chimed in; they agree with my position: I can run for reelection." In a forum earlier this month, respected election lawyer Atty. Romulo Macalintal, who is running for a Senate seat with the opposition, said that Pimentel's first years as a senator should not be counted. According to Macalintal it is "clear in the Constitution" that the term of office of a senator shall be six years. "In order to be counted, there should be no gap in the service... if you don't complete the six years not of your doing, you can run again," he said. In August 2011, Miguel Zubiri resigned from the Senate amid the poll protest case filed against him by Pimentel in connection with the results of the 2007 senatorial race. Pimentel replaced Zubiri and continued the latter's unfinished term. "As a senatorial candidate, Atty. Macalintal could stand to benefit from my disqualification, but he has consistently argued that I can run," stressed the senator. Former COMELEC Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal was likewise asked online during the first day of filing if Pimentel was eligible for reelection. Using his personal Twitter account, Larrazabal answered, "yes he is." Pimentel explained that a reading of Topacio's petition was indicative of the "shallowness of his arguments." "The two cases he is citing (1) Aratea v. Comelec, GR No. 195229, Oct. 2012, and (2) Latasa v. Comelec, GR No. 167591, May 2007, are even inapplicable to my situation. In the Aratea Case, the candidate really served three consecutive terms and was even disqualified by a final judgment in a criminal case," said the 1990 Bar topnotcher. "In the Latasa Case, the three-term municipal mayor ran again for a fourth term when the municipality became a city." Pimentel said that his lawyers are ready to answer the petition of Topacio and ask for its summary dismissal "as the Constitution and the Law, Jurisprudence, and the basic concept of Fairness all support our position that I can still run again for Senator in the May 2019 elections." The Kremlin spokesman said that if the United States goes on to develop new missiles, then Russia would be forced to respond in kind. He said Russian officials want to get more information about the U.S. plans regarding the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in their talks with Bolton. "It is the United States that is eroding the foundations and main elements of this pact" with its missile defense systems and use of drones," Peskov said. Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the U.S. decision "will make the world more dangerous." He rebuffed the U.S. claim that Russia had violated terms of the agreement that bans the U.S. and Russia from building, testing, and stockpiling ground-launched nuclear missiles with a range from 500 to 5,000 km. Bolton discussed the fate of the three-decade-old treaty in Moscow with Russian Security Council chief Nikolai Patrushev ahead of a meeting with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Bolton is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev signed the deal with the late U.S. president, Ronald Reagan, at the White House in 1987. "Do they really not understand in Washington what this could lead to?" Russia's Interfax news agency quoted Gorbachev as saying. "Washington's desire to turn back politics cannot be supported. Not only Russia, but all those who cherish the world, especially a world without nuclear weapons, must declare this." Without specifying how Russia violated the treaty, Trump Saturday appeared to say Moscow will not get away with it. "Russia has violated the agreement. They have been violating it for many years. And we're not going to let them violate a nuclear agreement and go out and do weapons and we are not allowed to," he said. U.S. officials going back to the Obama administration have accused Russia of deliberately deploying a land-based cruise missile to pose a threat to NATO. Russia has denied violating the INF agreement and says U.S. missile defense systems are a violation. Defense advocates in Washington say the INF treaty keeps the U.S. from developing a new generation of weapons in a world that faces new global security challenges. Trump said, "We'll have to develop those weapons, unless Russia comes to us and China comes to us and they all come to us and say let's really get smart and let's none of us develop those weapons, but if Russia's doing it and if China's doing it, and we're adhering to the agreement, that's unacceptable." China is not part of the INF agreement. Beatrice Fihn, the executive director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons -- the coalition that won the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize -- said, "By declaring he will leave the INF Treaty, President Trump has shown himself to be a demolition man who has no ability to build real security. Instead, by blowing up nuclear treaties, he is taking the U.S. down a trillion-dollar road to a new nuclear arms race." Dmitry Oreshkin, an independent Russian political analyst, told the Associated Press, "We are slowly slipping back to the situation of Cold War, as it was at the end of the Soviet Union, with quite similar consequences, but now it could be worse because Putin belongs to a generation that had no war under its belt. These people aren't as much fearful of a war as people of [former Soviet leader Leonid] Brezhnev's epoch. They think if they threaten the West properly, it gets scared." Press Release October 23, 2018 Recommendation, not resolution: IPU 'inquiry' into De Lima, Trillanes cases not yet official A supposed "inquiry" by the Inter-Parliamentary Union into the alleged political persecution of Senators Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes IV is still in the recommendation stage and is thus not binding for now. The Senate majority bloc stressed this on Monday as they noted the "inquiry" and related actions are mere recommendations by the IPU's Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, and has not reached the plenary for adoption. Some legislators who attended the 139th IPU conference in Geneva earlier this month as part of the Philippine delegation also scored some of the committee's recommendations for bordering on undue interference in the Philippines' internal affairs. "The supposed 'IPU-adopted resolutions,' at least at this time, are mere recommendations of the IPU's Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians to the Governing Council of the IPU, which has yet to forward the same to the plenary for adoption by the member parliamentarians," Sen. Panfilo Lacson said. "We believe we should correct the inaccuracies in the interpretation by Sen. de Lima's camp of the facts, deliberate or otherwise" Lacson, one of the three senators who attended this year's IPU assembly. [https://www.facebook.com/notes/leila-de-lima/ipu-sends-requests-to-visit-de-lima-trillanes/2290970031133539/] Speaking for and on behalf of the Senate majority bloc, Lacson cited a document from the IPU website showing the human rights committee's decision was to "recommend" that the IPU governing council reiterate its call for de Lima's release and to "abandon the legal proceedings against her." The human rights committee's recommendations to the governing council also included asking the Philippine Supreme Court to grant de Lima occasional "legislative furlough" and to hold an urgent follow-up visit by the IPU human rights committee to the Philippines to look into the cases of de Lima and Trillanes. Another recommendation was for de Lima's colleagues in the Philippine Senate to "act in solidarity" with her. [https://www.ipu.org/download/5645] On the other hand, a check of the IPU's news archives did not indicate the international body had adopted these recommendations. [https://www.ipu.org/news/press-releases/2018-10/ipu139-assembly-gives-voice-mps-silenced-home] "Perhaps the IPU's human rights committee should be reminded that the Philippines is a sovereign state with a working judicial process, and a Constitution that decrees the separation of powers for the executive, legislative and judicial branches," Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III. "Its recommendation to interfere in our judicial process by calling for the abandoning of legal proceedings against Sen. de Lima and an 'occasional legislative furlough' for her; and for us, her colleagues in the Senate, to 'act in solidarity' with her, smack of arrogance and temerity," he added. Sotto admitted that initially, he was inclined to concur with the idea. "But after due consultation with my colleagues, I reconsidered my position on the matter. With all due respect to my fellow parliamentarians, I'm just wondering, how on earth can they think they can meddle with a member-country's judicial process?" Sotto asked. The New Zealand Shareholders' Association will vote against the $434 million sale of PGG Wrightson's seeds division to a Danish cooperative. The retail investor lobby says the mostly cash offer from DLF Seeds is attractive at face value, with a $292 million capital return attached. However, that short-term gain will shrink Wrightson to less than half its current size and leave it holding businesses inferior to the grains and seeds division. "It seems to us that if shareholders accept DLFs offer, they will potentially lose in the long run unless PGW can pull a rabbit out of the hat and grow the rump business," the Shareholders' Association said. The investor lobby group will vote its proxies against the resolution at next week's combined annual and special meeting. It said raising capital to fund organic growth was an obvious alternative to selling its most valuable business. Agria Corp took control of Wrightson in 2011, having taken a cornerstone shareholding in 2009 to recapitalise the rural services firm in the aborted merger with Silver Fern Farms. An independent valuation by KordaMentha found the DLF offer was fair to minority shareholders. Wrightson's board, chaired by Agria's Alan Lai, recommended investors support the transaction as the best option to emerge from the firm's strategic review. If shareholders opt to reject the transaction, that may prompt Agria and the board to take a broader view of the interests of all shareholders, the NZ Shareholders' Association said. The transaction also needs Commerce Commission and Overseas Investment Office approvals, which aren't a given. As well as the risk the transaction could leave Wrightson "a shadow of its former self" NZSA chief executive Michael Midgley said there may also be concern as to whether the sale would be in the broader strategic interest of New Zealand. Similar arguments were mounted when Agria mounted its partial takeover in 2011, however, no local investors were willing to match that price. While the latest review of the Overseas Investment Act will likely allow ministerial discretion to reject transactions based on national interests, no specific power currently exists. The NZ Shareholders' Association will also vote against re-appointing Agria's Kean Seng U, saying he's acted in Agria's interests rather than those of Wrightson. It will support independent director Ronald Seah's appointment. Wrightson shares were unchanged at 60 cents. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Turners Automotive Group Limited (NZX: TRA) delivers 24% increase in HY22 earnings AFT Pharmaceuticals Limited (NZX: AFT) reaffirms guidance and progresses growth plan 18th November 2021 Morning Report Blis Technologies Limited (NZX: BLT) Challenging market conditions in US impact half year result EROAD Limited (NZX: ERD) NZ Commerce Commission Clears Coretex Acquisition NZME Limited (NZX: NZM) Digital acceleration delivering on NZME's 2023 strategy Vital Healthcare Property Trust (NZX: VHP) Announces First Quarter Results Geneva Finance Limited (NZX: GFL) NZX RESPONSE Geneva Finance Limited (NZX: GFL) Public Censure of Geneva Finance Limited Plexure Group Limited (NZX: PX1) Plexure transformation, interim results and growth The Reserve Bank wants more focus on material regulatory breaches by lenders to sharpen up its light-handed supervision of the sector. The central bank decided to review whether a materiality threshold would be useful after a review of the attestation regime for directors suggested the status quo was diverting directors' time away from more important issues. Under the current rules, a bank that doesn't comply with the conditions of registration has to publish a description of any breach in that period. However, the regulator proposes introducing a threshold on publishing the breaches. The RBNZ largely wants to retain the status quo on banks reporting those breaches to it. The central bank said the benefits of the materiality threshold for publication would ensure readers of disclosure information don't have to wade through trivial infractions, which also means banks can focus on issues that really matter. "The purpose of financial regulation is to better align the private incentives on bank management with the public good, given the failure of the market to deliver that alignment," the RBNZ said in a consultation paper. However, that threshold would remove the certainty that all breaches are disclosed for what's a "thinly-resourced" and "non-intrusive" prudential regime that relies on market discipline. The consultation closes on Dec. 14. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. 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Related News: Turners Automotive Group Limited (NZX: TRA) delivers 24% increase in HY22 earnings AFT Pharmaceuticals Limited (NZX: AFT) reaffirms guidance and progresses growth plan 18th November 2021 Morning Report Blis Technologies Limited (NZX: BLT) Challenging market conditions in US impact half year result EROAD Limited (NZX: ERD) NZ Commerce Commission Clears Coretex Acquisition NZME Limited (NZX: NZM) Digital acceleration delivering on NZME's 2023 strategy Vital Healthcare Property Trust (NZX: VHP) Announces First Quarter Results Geneva Finance Limited (NZX: GFL) NZX RESPONSE Geneva Finance Limited (NZX: GFL) Public Censure of Geneva Finance Limited Plexure Group Limited (NZX: PX1) Plexure transformation, interim results and growth Infratil has hired Gresham Partners to advise it on the potential sale of its controlling stake in Perth Energy. The infrastructure investor says the strategic review now underway will consider any options including sale that will maximise value for stakeholders. It is expected to take six months. The proposed sale is the latest as the Wellington-based investor looks to reduce the complexity of its portfolio and recycle capital out of peripheral assets into faster-growing sectors and geographies. The firm has also been reviewing the future of its NZ Bus business. Infratil shares rose 0.4 percent to $3.45. They have gained almost 4 percent this year. Perth Energy supplies power and gas to about 2,500 business customers in Western Australia and also operates a 120 MW gas or diesel-fired power station at Kwinana. Infratil has been an investor since 2007. Perth has struggled since the merger of state-owned Verve Energy and Synergy in 2014 changed the shape of the market there. It was caught with high-priced purchase arrangements and a lack of wholesale hedging options and contributed a $14.1 million operating loss for the March 2017 year. Infratil replaced the management and halved that loss in the latest March year. In August it said it expected positive earnings from Perth in the current financial year. The firms generation arm continued to provide valuable peaking capacity and would benefit from the removal of some coal-fired generation there, Infratil told investors at the firms annual meeting. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. 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Related News: Turners Automotive Group Limited (NZX: TRA) delivers 24% increase in HY22 earnings AFT Pharmaceuticals Limited (NZX: AFT) reaffirms guidance and progresses growth plan 18th November 2021 Morning Report Blis Technologies Limited (NZX: BLT) Challenging market conditions in US impact half year result EROAD Limited (NZX: ERD) NZ Commerce Commission Clears Coretex Acquisition NZME Limited (NZX: NZM) Digital acceleration delivering on NZME's 2023 strategy Vital Healthcare Property Trust (NZX: VHP) Announces First Quarter Results Geneva Finance Limited (NZX: GFL) NZX RESPONSE Geneva Finance Limited (NZX: GFL) Public Censure of Geneva Finance Limited Plexure Group Limited (NZX: PX1) Plexure transformation, interim results and growth Michael Hill International has adjusted its marketing strategy for the remainder of the financial year after alternative promotions didn't bring enough customers through the door. The retailer restructured its business this year, quitting the US and exiting its Emma & Roe sub-brand to focus on high-margin sales and make better use of other sales channels, such as online. It also slashed the amount and level of discounting and the frequency of price-based event days as people were deferring purchases to take advantage of those events. The move had a larger impact on sales than anticipated and the firm posted an 8.8 percent decline in first-quarter sales. Same-store sales were down 11 percent and a "poor" result, chair Emma Hill said in speech notes for the annual general meeting. Chief executive Phil Taylor acknowledged the strategy hadn't attracted customers into the stores but said the move away from heavy discounting remains "the right strategy for Michael Hill." "We have now moved to adjust our promotional activity for the balance of the financial year," he said. Hill said that management has implemented a "range of initiatives" to ensure strong performance during the key Christmas trading period. "We are in the mid-market and are up against strong discounting in all markets," Taylor said. "As such we will continue to have great offers and competitive pricing so our stores can continue to compete on a day to day basis," He reiterated that the company needs to "back away from overly aggressive discounting and pricing" but acknowledged it was a difficult balance to achieve. "We will continue to assess the impact as each month goes by and adjust our activity and pricing accordingly," he said. The company said it remains committed to expanding the Michael Hill brand in Australia, Canada and New Zealand. It plans to open a minimum of 10 new stores this year across the three markets, subject to site availability. It said its gross margin return on investment in inventory lifted to $1.48 during the year to June 30, from $1.42 the year before. The company is "targeting further improvement" in the current financial year. The shares lifted 4.2 percent to 75 cents. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: Turners Automotive Group Limited (NZX: TRA) delivers 24% increase in HY22 earnings AFT Pharmaceuticals Limited (NZX: AFT) reaffirms guidance and progresses growth plan 18th November 2021 Morning Report Blis Technologies Limited (NZX: BLT) Challenging market conditions in US impact half year result EROAD Limited (NZX: ERD) NZ Commerce Commission Clears Coretex Acquisition NZME Limited (NZX: NZM) Digital acceleration delivering on NZME's 2023 strategy Vital Healthcare Property Trust (NZX: VHP) Announces First Quarter Results Geneva Finance Limited (NZX: GFL) NZX RESPONSE Geneva Finance Limited (NZX: GFL) Public Censure of Geneva Finance Limited Plexure Group Limited (NZX: PX1) Plexure transformation, interim results and growth The Munich Regional Court has found Fisher & Paykel Healthcare breached a patent held by rival ResMed. The court ruled the patent was infringed by two of F&P Healthcare's masks. The decision, the latest in the wide-ranging dispute between the two firms, can be appealed to the Higher Regional Court Munich, and will also be deemed invalid if an earlier appeal to the European Patent Office is upheld. "While we are disappointed with todays outcome, this decision will not impact the sale or supply of our current Simplus and Eson 2 masks to our customers in Germany, F&P managing director Lewis Gradon said in a statement. Furthermore, we continue to anticipate our earlier challenge to the validity of this patent with the EPO. Since 2016 the companies have been locked in litigation spanning the US, UK, Europe, New Zealand and Australia. ResMed welcomed the ruling, saying it's exploring all options available to it over F&P Healthcare's continuing sales of the disputed headgear in Germany. "We will continue to defend our intellectual property here and wherever necessary to ensure that patients worldwide continue to receive the high-quality care they deserve," ResMed global general counsel David Pendarvis said. Complaints over two other patents asserted by ResMed in Germany have been stayed pending F&P Healthcare's challenges to their validity. F&P Healthcare shares fell 3.8 percent to $13.50, the lowest since June. Separately, F&P Healthcare has hired Lyndal York as chief financial officer from March. She's currently CFO at ASX-listed nappy and tissue maker Asaleo Care. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. 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Related News: Turners Automotive Group Limited (NZX: TRA) delivers 24% increase in HY22 earnings AFT Pharmaceuticals Limited (NZX: AFT) reaffirms guidance and progresses growth plan 18th November 2021 Morning Report Blis Technologies Limited (NZX: BLT) Challenging market conditions in US impact half year result EROAD Limited (NZX: ERD) NZ Commerce Commission Clears Coretex Acquisition NZME Limited (NZX: NZM) Digital acceleration delivering on NZME's 2023 strategy Vital Healthcare Property Trust (NZX: VHP) Announces First Quarter Results Geneva Finance Limited (NZX: GFL) NZX RESPONSE Geneva Finance Limited (NZX: GFL) Public Censure of Geneva Finance Limited Plexure Group Limited (NZX: PX1) Plexure transformation, interim results and growth According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the environmentally friendly vehicle operates on a 56-km route twice a day after the southeastern city signed a memorandum of understanding with Hyundai and the local operator of the bus. Korea's first regularly scheduled hydrogen-powered bus began carrying passengers in Ulsan on Monday. Under the MOU, the number of vehicles and charging stations in the area will be gradually expanded. The ministry aims to have 30 hydrogen-fueled buses running on regular routes in major cities on a pilot basis next year. Amritsar : Amid a blame-game over the Amritsar tragedy, a case was filed in a Bihar court on Monday holding organisers of the Dussehra event and chief guest Navjot Kaur Sidhu responsible for mowing down of several revellers by a passing train, while the National Human Rights Commission served notices to the Railways and the Punjab government. Congress MP Sunil Jakhar and Punjab minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, however, came forward in defence of Sidhu and sought to put the blame on the Railways for the tragic incident in which nearly 60 people, including migrants from Bihar, died while watching the Dussehra celebrations from across the tracks on Friday evening. A similar petition was filed by an advocate on Monday in the Punjab and Haryana high court, seeking a probe by the Central Bureau Investigation or a special investigation team into the accident. Dinesh Kumar Dakoria, the petitioner, too has blamed the event organisers for the tragedy. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, who has gone to Israel, reviewed the situation through video-conference with the state government officials and asked them to expedite the process of providing relief and compensation to the families of those dead and to the injured. People angry over the train accident had pelted stones and clashed with security personnel on Sunday. They sat on the railway tracks, where the accident happened, and protested. They were later removed by authorities. During the review meeting, the officials also told Singh that all victims, except one, had been identified. Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, meanwhile, returned from the United States, with officials attributing the delay in his return to non-availability of tickets and problem of connecting flights. Goyal, who had gone to the US for an award ceremony, had said soon after the incident that he was cancelling all his engagements there to immediately return to India. On his arrival, Goyal was briefed about the latest developments regarding the incident. Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission issued notices to the Railways and the Punjab government, observing that it cannot be called a sane act for people to sit on railway tracks, but the negligence on the part of the district authorities is apparent as well in this bizarre and horrific incident. While it is rare for such a large number of revellers getting mowed down by a train in a single incident, nearly 50,000 people have lost their lives between 2015 and 2017 on railway tracks after being hit by trains, according to official data from the Indian Railways. Detailed reports have been sought from the states chief secretary and from the chairman of the Railway Board in four weeks, an NHRC spokesperson said. It seems that the local authorities and the organisers did not properly manage the crowd, gathered to watch the Dussehra celebrations. It was the responsibility of the State to provide proper safety and protection to the citizens during the event, the NHRC said while taking suo motu cognisance of media reports about the incident. The railway authorities have stated that they cannot be blamed, as they were not informed about the event, while Punjab government has ordered a magisterial probe. In distant Muzaffarpur, Bihar, a complaint case was filed in a court against Navjot Kaur Sidhu, seeking registration of a case against her. The complaint claimed that Sidhu and organisers of the Dussehra event were solely responsible for the tragedy and the court should order a trial against her. The case was filed by a social activist in a Chief Judicial Magistrates court, which fixed November 3 as the date of hearing. The complainant contended that a large crowd had gathered there due to Sidhus presence and her emotive speech led to a surge in the crowd that spilled over to the railway track. Besides, all the security personnel present at the venue were engaged in providing safety and security to Kaur, instead of controlling the crowd, members of which mere mowed down by a train near the Joda Phatak, when they were watching the burning of a Ravan effigy while standing on the railway tracks, the complaint said. Hashmi alleged that Kaur, who was a doctor by profession, instead of helping the victims, fled the scene and made a false alibi that she was not present at the site when the accident occurred. The footage of the incident shown on television had hurt him deeply, the complainant said, while praying for initiating a case against Kaur under Indian Penal Code sections 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class), 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) among others. If held guilty, the accused could be sent to jail for three months to two years. Amid calls from opposition parties Akali Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party for action against the Sidhu couple, Congress MP Partap Singh Bajwa sought government job for family member of each victim who lost life in the incident. Punjab minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, however, defended Kaur, saying she was not at fault and blamed the railway gateman for the incident. He also rubbished the Shiromani Akali Dals demand of removing her husband Sidhu from the cabinet over the incident. Earlier, Sidhu had also targeted the Railways, asking how a clean chit was given to the loco-pilot of the train within one day. Defending his wife, the Congress leader had said as soon as she got to know about the accident, she went to the hospital to visit the injured. South and North Korean officials on Monday agreed to cooperate in fighting tree diseases and modernizing 10 tree nurseries in the North. But North Korea expressed discontent at the results of the talks. Kim Song-jun, a senior forestry official who led the North Korean delegation, said, "I have become confident that we must remain as firm as pine trees against external and adverse forces in order to achieve the results we want." Expressing what he said was his personal views, Kim said, "If talks continue in this manner, we can't expect much from forestry cooperation talks the South proposes." Snowden, 35, opened up about his life in exile while participating via video conference at an event organised by the Management Center Innsbruck in Austria. : Former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden says he does not feel safe living in Russia but does not regret becoming a whistleblower. Sowden has lived in Moscow since 2013, after leaking thousands of classified documents detailing the NSA's domestic surveillance and eavesdropping program targeting foreign nationals and Americans alike. "Russia is not my home; Russia is my place of exile," Snowden told the audience, adding, "The United States will always be my first priority." He continued: "As for the future in Russia and what will happen there, I can't say I'm safe. I don't know." But Snowden added that he never had an expectation of safety and it did not factor into his decision-making. "I didn't come forward to be safe," Snowden said. "If I wanted safety, I'd be sitting in Hawaii right now, making a lot of money, spying on everyone." On June 5, 2013, The Guardian in Britain published the first story based on Snowden's leaks, revealing that a secret court order was allowing the US government to get Verizon to share the phone records of millions of Americans. Syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise among young Koreans as social mores change. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the spread is due to increasing promiscuity among people in their 20s and 30s as people tend to marry later. Cases of syphilis surged almost threefold from 776 in 2013 to 2,138 last year. Syphilis is transmitted via ulcers that form on the genitalia and causes fevers, headaches and eventually damage to the internal organs. It can be cured with antibiotics. People in their 20s accounted for 37 percent of all syphilis infections last year with 787, up from 258 in 2013. Data from the military shows that the number of conscripts who tested positive for syphilis rose from 38 in 2013 to 201 in 2017. The CDC said it educates new conscripts on prevention and early detection of sexually transmitted diseases. Over the same period, the number of syphilis cases among people in their 30s rose from 186 to 499 and among people in their 40s from 138 to 322. Among the over-60s it also rose from just eight to 116. Total cases of sexually transmitted diseases rose from 10,640 in 2013 to 27,277 last year. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that it would hear on November 13 the petitions challenging its Sabarimala verdict allowing women of all age groups entry into the temple. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul told lawyer Mathews J Nedumpara that it has already passed an order with regard to listing of petitions on November 13. China voices 'concern' as US warships sail through Taiwan Strait Beijing, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2018 China said Tuesday it has expressed concern to the United States over what it considered an affront to its sovereignty after two US warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait. The move adds to increasingly fraught relations between the two countries, which have clashed over a number of issues, including trade, Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea and human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Monday was the second time in the space of three months that American warships had conducted so-called "freedom of navigation" exercises in the Taiwan Strait, a 180-kilometre wide stretch of water separating the Chinese mainland and the self-ruled democratic island. Beijing "expressed its concern to the US side" as "the Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity", Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular news briefing. Hua said Beijing urged Washington to "scrupulously abide by the one-China principle" and "carefully handle the Taiwan-related issues in an appropriate manner". China still sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified, despite the two sides being ruled separately since the end of a civil war on the mainland in 1949. Colonel Rob Manning from the US Department of Defense told reporters that the USS Curtis Wilbur and USS Antietam conducted a routine transit to demonstrate US commitment "to a free and open Indo-Pacific." Multiple Chinese warships shadowed the two US vessels during the transit, following at a safe distance, American defence officials told CNN. Beijing recently conducted a series of military manoeuvres, including a live fire exercise in the Taiwan Strait in April, declaring its willingness to confront Taiwan's "independence forces." Washington remains Taipei's most powerful unofficial ally and its main arms supplier despite switching diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979. The Trump administration has sought closer ties to the island, announcing plans last month to sell it $330 million spare parts for several aircraft including the F-16 fighter and the C-130 cargo plane. Taiwan's premier William Lai said during a parliamentary session Tuesday that Taiwan respected the US right of passage in international waters and recognised "the various efforts of the US in maintaining peace in the Asia-Pacific Region". Taiwan's defence ministry had said in an earlier statement that the military was "closely monitoring the US warships during their passage". 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(0x7f3fdd14e9b0)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdd5bfaa8)', '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(0x7f3fdd14e9b0)') 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(0x7f3fdd5bfaa8)') 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(0x7f3fdd157800)') 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(0x7f3fdd5bfaa8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdd5bfaa8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdcc775f0)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdd5821c8)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdd5821c8)') 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(0x7f3fdd6a9818)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdd6ac0d8)', '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(0x7f3fdd6a9818)') 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(0x7f3fdd6ac0d8)') 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(0x7f3fdd6a6910)') 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(0x7f3fdd6ac0d8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdd6ac0d8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdcc78110)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdd578330)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdd578330)') 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(0x7f3fddb39c20)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fe1f30a68)', '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(0x7f3fddb39c20)') 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(0x7f3fe1f30a68)') 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(0x7f3fddbdfe08)') 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(0x7f3fe1f30a68)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fe1f30a68)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdcc775f0)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fe21792d0)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fe21792d0)') 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(0x7f3fdd62bb98)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdd06f3b0)', '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(0x7f3fdd62bb98)') 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(0x7f3fdd06f3b0)') 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(0x7f3fdd628620)') 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(0x7f3fdd06f3b0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdd06f3b0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fdd077178)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdd608a40)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fdd608a40)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 Art Academy of Cincinnati when it was part of the Cincinnati Art Museum. Art Academy of Cincinnati The Art Academy of Cincinnati (AAC) has a long, enduring legacy that doesnt always appear in the most likely of places. Rookwood Pottery, Columbia Records, the National Park Service, Play-Doh, the White House, and Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, Kentucky, have all benefitted from the work of Academy alumni. This coming weekend, on the cusp of its 150th anniversary, the Art Academy of Cincinnati is releasing a self-published book that traces its story from 1869 to the present day. In AAC150: Make Art, Make a Difference, the AAC enlists the talents of local writer, historian and Cincinnati Enquirer archivist Jeff Suess, and Envoi designer Steve Weinstein. The resulting 150-page publication appears to tap into every dimension of the schools community alumni, faculty, and local partners In order to capture high-quality images, artwork, anecdotes, and insights. In addition to serving up a visual feast, AAC150 lays out a detailed, chronological narrative. Emerging in 1869 as the UC McMicken School of Design, the schools earliest mission was to support local industry through design and decorative arts classes for blue-collar workers. Then came its shift toward the fine arts while attached to the Art Museum in Eden Park. While in this location, it absorbed influences from the European art scene (Munich in particular); saw the rise of commercial art and advertising in the post war years; trained many a war veteran on the G.I. Bill including Charley Harper and John Ruthven and ushered in the 21st century. Then came its present-day Over-the-Rhine era. Long before Final Fridays, there were art walks. And long before Over-the-Rhine was attracting cultural visitors or any visitors at all the Art Academy left behind its hilltop perch and descended into a precarious urban neighborhood that had yet to rise and was still defined by the riots in 2001. In 2005, the school established its independent campus in two adjacent warehouses, one of which was owned by the Art Museum for storage space and, at the time, partially occupied by BarrelHouse Brewing. The two industrial buildings now LEED-certified and adjoined by a sky-lit atrium stand on the block of Jackson and Vine, with six stories of art studios, classrooms, and office space. The school took a hit in the process of this transition, but here it is more than 10 years later, modeling the ever-evolving journey of a work in progress, this time at the epicenter of some seismic neighborhood shifts that have yielded, practically overnight, a burgeoning urban arts scene. its present-day incarnation, the school is small, agile, and a trans-disciplinary independent college, encouraging fluidity between majors and mediums. And while its BFA degrees are defined by the studio arts design, illustration, painting and drawing, photography, print media, sculpture, creative writing, art history, and film/video/audio the school also emphasizes the liberal arts to nurture critical thinking, writing, and historical research. With a healthy respect, even reverence, for the unknown and its latent possibilities, the Art Academy is bent on leaving space for experimentation, cross-pollination, and curiosity beyond a defined specialization. The results are indeed less than predictable. While one graduate might move to Indiana and establish an independent studio in his garage (illustrator/animator Chris Sickels, 1996), another might be called upon to help navigate post-civil war reconstruction in Mogadishu, Somalia, or to help re-think refugee camp design in Kenya (Mitchell Sipus, 2004). Anything is possible, it seems. Marketing director Amanda Parker-Wolery says that the overarching goal and one that sets the school apart from others is to nurture divergent thinking that can navigate less predictable outcomes and pathways. And to guide students toward their unique voice and capacity to do influential, visionary work in all contexts. Because the AAC believes the world needs it on every scale. The Art Academy of Cincinnati is throwing its book release party for AAC150 on October 27th, 6-9pm, at Rookwood Pottery, 1920 Race St. President Moon Jae-in has told his staff not to worry that his hopes for a visit to Seoul by North Korea leader Kim Jong-un are being delayed. Moon had hoped that Kim would visit before the end of the year and the U.S. and North Korea formally declare an end to the Korean War before Kim's visit. But a second U.S.-North Korea summit will probably not happen until January, and it is unclear if and when such a declaration will be made, so Kim's Seoul visit may have to wait. Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said Monday, "We hope that a second U.S.-North Korea summit will happen smoothly and Kim will visit Seoul as scheduled too." He claimed a news report saying there will be no North Korea-U.S. summit before January simply "quoted an anonymous U.S. administration official, which is hardly a definite statement. Currently, there are various discussions about the next U.S.-North Korea summit, and we need to wait and see." "If the war is declared officially over ahead of Kim's visit to Seoul, his visit will be more meaningful and the two Koreas can have more profound dialogue and reach more consensus," he added. The ministry on Monday said some officials have now applied. The ministry is looking for three section chiefs to start work at the embassy early next year, but nobody applied and the ministry had to announce the vacancy again. The Foreign Ministry has failed to fill several vacancies at the embassy in Tokyo because nobody applied, leading to a fresh round of recruitment. Some pundits are worried about a drain of Japan experts at the ministry as relations between the neighbors remain chilled. The Tokyo embassy was once a favorite posting for Korean diplomats, but its popularity has dropped significantly since the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011 as well as deteriorating bilateral relations. A former diplomat said, "Many diplomats believe the job will be hard work but they won't get any praise or rewards because it involves so many intractable issues" such as Japan's wartime mobilization of Korean sex slaves and its repeated claims to Korea's Dokdo islets. But the problem is not limited to Japan, and the ministry blames a general staff shortage. The ministry said there were also not enough applicants for vacancies at the embassy in China and missions in the EU during the first half of this year and at the OECD recently. "This is due to the lack of possible replacements as headquarters is short of staff because some are on paternity or maternity leave and for other reasons," a ministry official said. Macron urges Apple chief to boost investment in France Paris, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2018 French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday urged Apple's chief executive Tim Cook to invest more in his country, even as Paris pursues a new EU tax on the revenues of technology giants. Macron called for Apple to go beyond a mere marketing presence in France and finance projects with higher added value, his office said. Macron also discussed Apple's revenue-sharing policies with app developers, in the wake of a French anti-fraud investigation over allegations the company had abused its dominant market position. Paris hopes that a European initiative known as "Platform to business" will allow for increased revenue sharing between US tech giants and European start-ups. Macron also invited Cook to attend the next French-sponsored "Tech for Good" summit, a bid to encourage major players to help support educational and environmental initiatives. Their meeting came as French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire appealed to the European Parliament to make a "clear, direct and strong decision" on taxing digital economy giants. France is leading the charge for a minimum tax rate for companies such as Apple, Google and Amazon to be applied on their revenues throughout the European Union. The goal is to stop companies from shifting declaring their revenues in EU member states with the most lenient tax rules, even if they generate the bulk of their sales elsewhere in the bloc. "How can we accept that millions of European consumers freely hand over their data without a tax being passed?" Le Maire asked deputies gathered in Strasbourg, eastern France. But such a measure will need the unanimous backing of all 28 EU members, and Germany and other countries remain wary of a tax which could inflame trans-Atlantic tensions. Berlin in particular worries that Washington could see the digital tax as an attack on Silicon Valley's giants, and retaliate with tariffs on German auto imports, as has been threatened by President Donald Trump. "I understand such fears, but have heard no rational, factual or convincing arguments to speak against this tax," Le Maire said. bur/fc/js/jh APPLE INC. AMAZON.COM U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said last week that he hopes to meet his North Korean counterpart "in the next week and a half or so" and added the two sides are "working on finding dates and times and places that will work" for U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to meet again. In other words, the U.S. has decided to hold the next summit even though North Korea continues to reject working-level talks to discuss the scrapping of its nuclear weapons. North Korea must first provide an inventory of all its nuclear facilities and materials and discuss how to verify it and scrap them. But it simply refuses to do so. When the U.S. special representative for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, visited Pyongyang with Pompeo early this month, his North Korean counterpart Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui was not even in town, probably intentionally. Biegun said he sent an invitation to Choe to meet as soon as possible, but the North has yet to respond. Instead, the North is focusing only on another summit with Trump. Kim realized his goal of sitting face-to-face as an equal with the U.S. leader at their first bilateral summit in May. But the meeting was ill-prepared and cost the U.S. a valuable bargaining chip in nuclear negotiations when Trump rashly announced he would halt joint military exercises with South Korea. Kim continued to stall by sending Trump a personal letter through Pompeo. With the second summit with the U.S., it wants to stage another show as it did in Singapore earlier this year, pledging commitment to denuclearization efforts that are nothing more than tricks to deceive the world and trying to get international sanctions lifted in return. If it is successful in this ploy, it will never be persuaded to scrap its nuclear weapons. In this situation, the South Korean government should act as a steadying force, focusing efforts on denuclearization and making sure the sanctions are strictly enforced. Instead, it is calling for easing the sanctions. A high-ranking Cheong Wa Dae official said Monday, "We are actually helping the U.S. The U.S. will not be able to criticize us." The presidential office here needs to take a close look at what is really happening. US security chief, Russians in tough talks over nuclear treaty Moscow, Oct 22 (AFP) Oct 22, 2018 Donald Trump's national security advisor John Bolton insisted at meetings with top Russian officials Monday that Moscow has been violating a Cold War-era nuclear treaty the US president wants to abandon. Bolton, who is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin Tuesday, also implied the three-decade-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) could not be salvaged. He was visiting Russia after Trump sparked concern globally at the weekend by saying he wanted to jettison the pact which bans intermediate-range nuclear and conventional missiles. Signed in 1987 by then US president Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader, the INF resolved a crisis over Soviet nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles targeting Western capitals. On Monday, Bolton discussed the fate of the treaty with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and spent "nearly five hours" in talks with Russian Security Council chief Nikolai Patrushev, a spokesman for the council told AFP. Speaking after his meeting with Patrushev, Bolton said the Russians had insisted that Moscow did not violate the treaty. "The position was very firmly announced by Russia that they did not believe that they were breaching the INF treaty. In fact they said: 'You are breaching the INF treaty'," Bolton said in an interview with Kommersant, a Russian broadsheet. "You can't bring somebody into compliance who does not think they are in breach," he said, adding the treaty seems to have run its course. "We don't think that withdrawal from the treaty is what causes the problem. We think it's what Russia has been doing in violation of the treaty that's the problem." Bolton said Washington did not want to be the only country bound by the treaty and cited a "very real" threat from China. - 'More questions than answers' - Russia has warned that abandoning the agreement would be a major blow to global security. Moscow was ready to work with the United States to salvage the agreement, the Russian Security Council said after the meeting between Patrushev and Bolton. The two men also discussed a possible extension by five years of the New START arms control treaty, which expires in 2021, the Security Council said. Bolton told Kommersant that Washington wanted to "resolve the INF issue first". The Russian foreign ministry released a picture of Lavrov talking to a grinning Bolton, and said the two men discussed bilateral cooperation, the fight against terror, and "maintaining strategic stability". Trump on Saturday claimed Russia had violated the treaty for "many years". "And we're not going to let them violate a nuclear agreement and go out and do weapons (while) we're not allowed to," he said. Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected claims that Moscow has violated the pact, instead accusing Washington of doing so, and called Bolton's upcoming meeting with Putin important. "There are more questions than answers," he told journalists. - EU, China concerned - Trump's announcement has raised global concerns, with the European Commission urging the United States and Russia to pursue talks to preserve the treaty and China calling on Washington to "think twice". "The US and the Russian Federation need to remain in a constructive dialogue to preserve this treaty and ensure it is fully and verifiably implemented," said Maja Kocijancic, the EU spokeswoman for foreign affairs and security policy. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said a unilateral withdrawal from the treaty "will have a multitude of negative effects." Bolton, however, said Britain, Japan, and a number of other countries supported the US position. Analysts have warned that the latest rift between Moscow and Washington could have lamentable consequences, dragging Russia into a new arms race. Putin last week raised eyebrows by saying Russians would "go to heaven" in the event of nuclear war and that Moscow would not use nuclear weapons first. "The aggressor will have to understand that retaliation is inevitable, that it will be destroyed and that we, as victims of aggression, as martyrs, will go to heaven," he said. "They will simply croak because they won't even have time to repent." The Trump administration has complained of Moscow's deployment of Novator 9M729 missiles, which Washington says fall under the treaty's ban on missiles that can travel distances of between 310 and 3,400 miles (500 and 5,500 kilometres). US-Russia ties are under deep strain over accusations Moscow meddled in the 2016 US presidential election. The two states are also at odds over Russian support for Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria's civil war, and the conflict in Ukraine. Putin and Trump will both be in Paris on November 11 to attend commemorations marking 100 years since the end of World War I. US nuclear treaty ultimatum about China as much as Russia Washington, Oct 22 (AFP) Oct 22, 2018 By announcing its intent to withdraw from a decades-old nuclear weapons treaty, the United States is targeting Russia, which it says violated the bilateral deal -- but also China, which is developing arms that are banned under it. Beijing is not a signatory to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), so it's Russia that has been singled out for violating the accord, signed in 1987 by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. At issue is Moscow's new 9M729 ground-based missile system, which Washington says has a reach that exceeds 500 kilometers (300 miles) -- a claim the Kremlin denies. "Russia has not unfortunately honored the agreement, so we're going to terminate the agreement and we're going to pull out," US President Donald Trump said Saturday at a campaign rally in Nevada. Trump did not say whether a new treaty could be negotiated, but he has repeatedly in recent days pointed the finger of blame at both Moscow and Beijing, saying the US would develop its own weapons until they stop. "Until people come to their senses, we will build it up," Trump told reporters Monday at the White House, referring to the US arsenal. "It's a threat to whoever you want. And it includes China and it includes Russia and it includes anybody else that wants to play that game." - 'Pressing' situation - For several years, Washington has accused Russia of violating the INF Treaty, which banned an entire class of nuclear and conventional missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers (310-3,400 miles). The accord helped end a crisis begun in the 1980s with the deployment of Soviet SS-20 nuclear warheads targeting Western capitals. US National Security Advisor John Bolton was dispatched to Moscow for emergency talks, where he said there would be wider consultations with "other" participants. He told Moscow's Echo radio that "friends" in Europe and Asia could be involved. For John Lee, a senior fellow at the conservative Hudson Institute think tank who specializes in defense strategy, "the situation vis-a-vis China, uninhibited by any agreement, is very different and far more pressing" than that of Russia. - Mattis 'completely' in line with Trump - In recent years, China has developed "land-based intermediate missiles (capable of carrying conventional and nuclear payloads)," Lee said in a column published Monday on CNN's website. About 95 percent of the missiles available to the Chinese People's Liberation Army Rocket Force would violate the INF Treaty if Beijing were a signatory, Lee charges. On the issue, the White House and the Pentagon are on the same wavelength. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis "is completely aligned with the president and he's in close contact with the president on this," said Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning. In its latest Nuclear Posture Review published in February 2018, the Pentagon said: "In the nuclear context, the most significant Russian violation involves a system banned" by the INF Treaty. But the document also refers to missiles developed by China, which has in recent years sought to assert its military supremacy in Asia. At the start of October, Mattis put Russia on notice that its continued alleged violation of the arms treaty would not be ignored. "Russia must return to compliance with the INF Treaty or the US will need to respond to its cavalier disregard for the treaty's specific limits," Mattis said after a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels. "Make no mistake -- the current situation with Russia in blatant violation of this treaty is untenable." In a sign that the Pentagon was preparing for an INF withdrawal for months, the new Missile Defense Review -- US policy on ballistic missiles -- has not yet been published, despite its expected arrival in early 2018. For months, the Defense Department has repeatedly said the policy document will be available "in a few weeks." When asked about the MDR, Manning said he had no precise publication date to announced, but he highlighted that "all factors will be taken into account before the Missile Defense Review is released." US pullout from nuclear treaty with Russia also targets China: Trump Washington, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2018 President Donald Trump said Monday that his decision to withdraw from a decades-old atomic accord with Russia was also driven by a need to respond to China's nuclear build-up. "Until people come to their senses, we will build it up," Trump told reporters Monday at the White House, referring to the US nuclear arsenal. "It's a threat to whoever you want. And it includes China. And it includes Russia. And it includes anybody else that wants to play that game." Beijing is not a signatory to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). China for its part Monday called on the United States to "think twice" about its decision to ditch a Cold War-era nuclear weapons treaty with Russia. "It needs to be emphasized that it is completely wrong to bring up China when talking about withdrawal from the treaty," said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying. The landmark treaty was signed by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev and led to nearly 2,700 short- and medium-range missiles being eliminated. It put an end to a mini-arms race in the 1980s triggered by the Soviet Union's deployment of SS-20 nuclear missiles targeting Western European capitals. Trump says US ready to bolster nuclear arsenal after vowing treaty pullout Washington, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2018 President Donald Trump said Monday the United States is ready to build up its nuclear arsenal after announcing it is abandoning a Cold War-era nuclear treaty, as Russia warned the withdrawal could cripple global security. Trump sparked concern globally at the weekend by saying he wanted to jettison the three-decade-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed former US president Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader. In explaining his decision, Trump told reporters in Washington that Russia had "not adhered to the spirit of that agreement or to the agreement itself." "Until people come to their senses, we will build it up," he said, referring to America's nuclear stockpile. "This should have been done years ago." "It's a threat to whoever you want. And it includes China. And it includes Russia," the US president continued. "And it includes anybody else who wants to play that game. You can't do that. You can't play that game." "Until they get smart, there's going to be nobody that's going to be even close to us." - Blow to security - Russia however has warned that abandoning the agreement would be a major blow to global security. Moscow was ready to work with the United States to salvage the agreement, the Russian Security Council said after a meeting between its chief Nikolai Patrushev and US National Security Advisor John Bolton. Bolton, who is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin Tuesday, was visiting Moscow in the wake of Trump's announcement Saturday that he wants to do away with the pact that bans intermediate-range nuclear and conventional missiles. Signed in 1987, the INF resolved a crisis over Soviet nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles targeting Western capitals. On Monday, Bolton discussed the fate of the treaty with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and spent "nearly five hours" in talks with Russian Security Council chief Nikolai Patrushev, a spokesman for the council told AFP. Speaking after his meeting with Patrushev, Bolton said the Russians had insisted that Moscow did not violate the treaty. "The position was very firmly announced by Russia that they did not believe that they were breaching the INF treaty. In fact they said: 'You are breaching the INF treaty,'" Bolton said in an interview with Kommersant, a Russian broadsheet. "You can't bring somebody into compliance who does not think they are in breach," he said, adding the treaty seems to have run its course. The two men also discussed a possible extension by five years of the New START arms control treaty, which expires in 2021, the Security Council said. Bolton told Kommersant that Washington wanted to "resolve the INF issue first." The Russian foreign ministry released a picture of Lavrov talking to a grinning Bolton, and said the two men discussed bilateral cooperation, the fight against terror, and "maintaining strategic stability." Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected claims that Moscow has violated the pact, instead accusing Washington of doing so, and called Bolton's upcoming meeting with Putin important. "There are more questions than answers," he told journalists. - EU, China concerned - Trump's announcement has raised global concerns, with the European Commission urging the United States and Russia to pursue talks to preserve the treaty and China calling on Washington to "think twice." "The US and the Russian Federation need to remain in a constructive dialogue to preserve this treaty and ensure it is fully and verifiably implemented," said Maja Kocijancic, the EU spokeswoman for foreign affairs and security policy. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said a unilateral withdrawal from the treaty "will have a multitude of negative effects." Bolton, however, said Britain, Japan, and a number of other countries supported the US position. Analysts have warned that the latest rift between Moscow and Washington could have lamentable consequences, dragging Russia into a new arms race. Putin last week raised eyebrows by saying Russians would "go to heaven" in the event of nuclear war and that Moscow would not use nuclear weapons first. "The aggressor will have to understand that retaliation is inevitable, that it will be destroyed and that we, as victims of aggression, as martyrs, will go to heaven," he said. "They will simply croak because they won't even have time to repent." The Trump administration has complained of Moscow's deployment of Novator 9M729 missiles, which Washington says fall under the treaty's ban on missiles that can travel distances of between 310 and 3,400 miles (500 and 5,500 kilometers). US-Russia ties are under deep strain over accusations Moscow meddled in the 2016 US presidential election. The two states are also at odds over Russian support for Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria's civil war, and the conflict in Ukraine. Putin and Trump will both be in Paris on November 11 to attend commemorations marking 100 years since the end of World War I. NATO to show military muscle in massive Norway exercises Oslo, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2018 Some 50,000 troops will kick off NATO's biggest military exercises since the Cold War on Thursday in Norway, a massive show of force that has already rankled neighbouring Russia. Trident Juncture 18, which runs until November 7, is aimed at training the Alliance to mobilise quickly to defend an ally under attack. The head of NATO's Allied Joint Force Command, US Navy Admiral James Foggo, said the exercise was intended to "show NATO is capable to defend against any adversary. Not a particular country, anyone." Russia, which carried out its biggest ever military exercises in September in the Far East, has not been officially identified as the intended adversary, but it is on everyone's minds after the 2014 Ukraine crisis. "Russia doesn't represent a direct military threat to Norway," Norwegian Defence Minister Frank Bakke-Jensen told AFP. "But in a security situation as complicated as we have today... an incident elsewhere could very well heighten tensions in the North and we want to prepare the Alliance in order to avoid any unfortunate incidents," he added. The exercises come after President Donald Trump has repeatedly complained that other NATO members do not contribute enough money to the 69-year-old alliance, although Defense Secretary Jim Mattis reassured allies of America's "iron-clad" commitment earlier this month. - 'Sabre-rattling' - While the exercises will take place at a respectful distance from Norway's 198-kilometre (123-mile) border with Russia in the Arctic, Moscow has expressed anger over the manoeuvres. Russia was already touchy over the fact that -- independently of Trident Juncture 18 -- the United States and Britain have been increasing their troop presence in the Scandinavian country to acclimatise them to combat in the chilly Arctic. And tensions between Moscow and Washington have flared in recent days after Trump announced he was abandoning a Cold War-era nuclear treaty, a move which Russia warned could cripple global security. When at full strength, 700 US Marines will be on rotation on Norwegian soil. "The main NATO countries are increasing their military presence in the region, near Russia's borders," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, slamming "the sabre-rattling". "Such irresponsible actions are bound to lead to a destabilisation of the political situation in the North, to heighten tensions," she said, vowing Moscow would "take the necessary retaliatory measures to ensure its security." Under President Vladimir Putin, the Russian army has already beefed up considerably in the Arctic. Military air bases have been built or refurbished, and new radar and anti-aircraft missile systems have been installed. In addition, the backbone of the Russian navy, the Northern Fleet, is due to receive five new warships, five support vessels, and 15 aircraft by the end of the year, according to Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. - Military 'choreography' - "Russia's military strength has pretty much returned to what it was during the Cold War," Francois Heibsbourg of France's Foundation for Strategic Research (FRS) told AFP. "In a way, NATO is also in the process of returning to what it was." "It's a pretty mechanical engagement," a "return to a kind of choreography", he said. But Trident Juncture 18 is "in no way destabilising," he added. The exercises, involving NATO's 29 members plus Sweden and Finland, are nonetheless imposing, with substantial means deployed. The 50,000 troops will be backed by 10,000 vehicles, 250 aircraft and 60 ships, including a US aircraft carrier. "The core exercise area is 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) from the Russian border, and air operations could take place up to 500 kilometres away from the border," Norwegian Lieutenant General Rune Jakobsen said. "There should not be any reason for the Russians to get scared or see this as anything other than a defensive exercise." Two Russian and two Belarus military observers have been invited to watch the manoeuvres. The British contingent hit the road for five days to travel to the exercises. "It demonstrates ... to our NATO allies that we're prepared to move across Europe when needed and to show that we have the capability to do so," Major Stuart Lavery told AFPTV. Kathmandu, October 23 Qatari Police have arrested Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Middle-east Coordinator, RK Sharma, on Tuesday. NRNA Spokesperson Bhusan Ghimire confirmed the arrest. The reason for Sharmas arrest has not been disclosed, he added. He speculated that Sharma could have been held for staging a play on the issue of exploitation of Nepali labourers at a programme in Doha recently. RSS Endless trucks to dirty laundry: NATO exercises big in every way Oslo, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2018 NATO's biggest military exercises since the end of the Cold War, dubbed Trident Juncture 18, take place in Norway from October 25 to November 7 in what will be a massive display of strength. - Show of force - Around 50,000 troops from 31 countries -- NATO's 29 member states plus Sweden and Finland -- will take part in the manoeuvres organised in central Norway for the land exercises, in the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea for the maritime operations, and in Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish airspace. That is about 10,000 more soldiers than in the Strong Resolve exercises in Poland in 2002, which brought together Alliance members and 11 partner states. No fewer than 10,000 vehicles will take part in the manoeuvres. Lined up end-to-end, the queue would measure 92 kilometres (57 miles), according to the Norwegian army. Some 250 aircraft and 60 ships will also be involved, including the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. More than 20,000 land forces will take part, as well as 24,000 navy personnel including US Marines, 3,500 air force personnel, around 1,000 logistics specialists and 1,300 personnel from a range of NATO Commands. The top five contributing nations are the United States, Germany, Norway, Britain and Sweden, in that order. - Logistical headache - Housing, feeding and supporting so many troops requires considerable logistics. The Norwegian army has installed 35,000 extra beds. Some 1.8 million meals and 4.6 million bottles of water will be handed out, and almost 676 tonnes of dirty laundry will have to be washed. Proving that it's not always easy to be fully prepared, the Dutch army forgot to buy warm clothing for its 1,000 soldiers taking part in the exercises, Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported. When it suddenly remembered that Norway could get nippy in late October, it was too late to issue a tender offer for the necessary items. Instead, it has given each soldier a little sum to buy their own. US warships sail through Taiwan Strait Washington, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2018 Two US warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Monday, a military spokesman said, in a move bound to aggravate China amid heightened tensions with Beijing. The USS Curtis Wilbur and USS Antietam conducted a routine transit to demonstrate US commitment "to a free and open Indo-Pacific," Colonel Rob Manning told reporters. It was the second time in the space of three months that American warships had conducted so-called "freedom of navigation" exercises in the 180 kilometer wide stretch of water. Multiple Chinese warships shadowed the two US vessels during the transit, following at a safe distance, defense officials told CNN. China still sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified, despite the two sides being ruled separately since the end of a civil war on the mainland in 1949. Beijing recently conducted a series of military manoeuvers, including a live fire exercise in the Taiwan Strait in April, declaring its willingness to confront Taiwan's "independence forces." Washington remains Taipei's most powerful unofficial ally and its main arms supplier despite switching diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979. The Trump administration has sought closer ties to the island, announcing plans last month to sell it $330 million spare parts for several aircraft including the F-16 fighter and the C-130 cargo plane. Taiwan's premier William Lai said during a parliamentary session Tuesday that Taiwan respected the US right of passage in international waters and recognised "the various efforts of the US in maintaining peace in the Asia-Pacific Region". Taiwan's defense ministry had said in an earlier statement that the military was "closely monitoring the US warships during their passage". Bolton, in Russia for nuclear talks, meets defence minister Moscow, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2018 US National Security Advisor John Bolton met Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu Tuesday during a visit to Moscow, after President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw from a nuclear arms treaty. "Today, there are a large number of problems in the world that we could solve through joint efforts," Shoigu said in comments carried by the RIA Novosti agency. He mentioned "strategic questions linked to nuclear deterrence as well as to the solution of major, long-running conflicts." The minister said the first summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin this summer had shown ties between the two countries were gradually being reestablished. Bolton for his part said he had been sent to Moscow with the task of "deepening and strengthening" dialogue with Russia, in comments translated into Russian. Bolton is expected to meet with Putin later Tuesday. Trump sparked concern globally at the weekend by saying he wanted to jettison the three-decade-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed by former US president Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader. Signed in 1987, the INF resolved a crisis over Soviet nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles targeting Western capitals. In Moscow on Monday, Bolton said the pact seemed to have run its course, accusing Russia of violating the treaty. Russia rejects the claims and accuses Washington of violations. US-Russia ties are under deep strain over accusations Moscow meddled in the 2016 US presidential election. The two states are also at odds over Russian support for Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria's civil war, and the conflict in Ukraine. Kathmandu, October 23 Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ishwor Pokhrel is to attend the eighth Beijing Xiangshan Forum, which is to take place in the Chinese capital from Wednesday to Friday. Pokhrel, who left Kathmandu on Tuesday, was invited to China by his counterpart, will return to Kathmandu after week. The minister will talk about Nepals contribution to peace-keeping missions under the UN flag and its future challenges, the ministers press coordinator Lokendra KC informed. KC informed that during the course of the visit, Nepal and China are to sign a 150 million yuan deal to provide disaster management assistance to the Nepali Army. Defence ministers from more than 15 countries and heads of armed forces of 40 countries are expected to attend the forum. 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. English22/10/2018 SRNA News Roundup /I/ - October 22, 2018 REPUBLIKA SRPSKA BANJALUKA - Veljko Lazic, deputy head of the Association of Families of Captured and Fallen Veterans and Missing Civilians of Republika Srpska, says he expects the new Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina to support the restructuring of the BiH Missing Persons Institute. BANJALUKA - The Health Insurance Fund of Republika Srpska has started funding four new innovative drugs for the treatment of metastatic melanoma, including the most up-to-date immune-oncology therapy for treating lung cancer. BIJELJINA - The Agency for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises in Bijeljina has announced a call for granting BAM10,000 to self-employed entrepreneurs who started their business this year. RIBNIK - Around 50 per cent of the residents of Ribnik, that is 3,082 of the 6,270 registered as voters, voted on Sunday in favour of or against the replacement of Mayor Radenko Banjac of the Socialist Party, the committee carrying out the mayoral recall procedure told Srna. NOVI GRAD - A total of 105 people, including 92 adults and 13 minors, qualify for personal disability allowance in Novi Grad. BANJALUKA - Ljubisa Savanovic, an actor of the National Theatre of Republika Srpska, was awarded Best Actor of the Evening at the 27th Days of Zoran Radmilovic Festival in Zajecar, Serbia. BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA SARAJEVO - BiH Presidency Chair Bakir Izetbegovic prevented the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States on sharing the data related to security checks with respect to terrorism, claims the Dnevni Avaz daily. SARAJEVO - Bosnia and Herzegovina exported goods worth BAM8.809 billion in the period January-September, which is 8.8 per cent more than in the same period of 2017, while it imported BAM14.487 billion worth of goods, that is 6.9 per cent more than last year. BANJALUKA - HDZ leader Dragan Covic said he had agreed with SNSD leader Milorad Dodik in Banjaluka to form a programme coalition as soon as possible. FEDERATION OF BiH DRVAR - A road reconstruction and asphalting project worth around BAM420,000 is implemented in Drvar, Mayor Goran Broceta told Srna. SARAJEVO - "Dreka pamtivijeka," the first book of poetry by the young Sarajevo poet Marko Bacanovic, has made the short list for the Aleksa Santic literary award conferred by the Serbian Cultural Society Prosvjeta from Mostar. SERBIA BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will host a reception for the womens national volleyball team on Monday, which will be attended by the President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik too, the Serbian presidents press office announced. REGION BELGRADE - Gideon Greif, Chief historian and researcher of the Shem Olam Holocaust Institute, says Jasenovac was similar to other concentration camps by the fact that inside those camps it was not enough to just kill victims, but also torture and humiliate them before they died, and that Ustashas enjoyed torturing their victims. /end/ds English22/10/2018 KOJIC: DEADLINE FOR APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS WILL BE OBSERVED BANJALUKA, October 22 /SRNA/ - Milorad Kojic, head of the Centre for Research of War, War Crimes and Search for the Missing of Republika Srpska, told Srna on Monday the 90-day deadline for the appointment of members of commissions to investigate the suffering in Srebrenica and Sarajevo in order to establish the truth about the war will be observed. "All the deadlines we have had, which are related to these two commissions, have been observed and I believe they will be observed for the appointment of members. So far, we have proposed the criteria for the appointment of members of commissions and their work methodology, said Kojic. He recalled that on October 11, the Government of Republika Srpska approved the proposed criteria and institutions from which members would be appointed to the commission to investigate the suffering of all peoples in the Srebrenica region in the period 1992-1995 and the commission to investigate the suffering of Serbs in Sarajevo in the period 1991-1995. "A total of 16 institutions will suggest candidates to the commissions, including the National Assembly and Government of Republika Srpska, Centre for Research of War, War Crimes and Search for the Missing, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the School of Law, added Kojic. On August 14, the National Assembly rejected a report of the Srebrenica Commission regarding the events that occurred in and around Srebrenica between July 10 and July 19, 1995 and asked the Government to annul it and instead form two independent international commissions to establish the truth - about the suffering of all peoples in Srebrenica and about the suffering of Serbs in Sarajevo. /end/ds English22/10/2018 SRNA News Roundup /II/ - October 22, 2018 REPUBLIKA SRPSKA BANJALUKA - Prime Minister of Republika Srpska Zeljka Cvijanovic will inform the ministers about changes in the Cabinet at a meeting on Monday, the Governments press office reported in a press release. BANJALUKA - Republika Srpska Police Director Darko Culum told Srna on Monday the initiative of the Directorate for the Coordination of Police Agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina for connecting the operational centres of all police agencies in the country through radio link is a transfer of competences and that the Srpska Ministry of Internal Affairs will not accept that. BANJALUKA - Milorad Kojic, head of the Centre for Research of War, War Crimes and Search for the Missing of Republika Srpska, told Srna on Monday the 90-day deadline for the appointment of members of commissions to investigate the suffering in Srebrenica and Sarajevo in order to establish the truth about the war will be observed. MRKONJIC GRAD - A commemoration was held in the village of Baraci outside Mrkonjic Grad on Monday in memory of 22 killed and four missing veterans of the defence and homeland war from the Baraci area. BIJELJINA - The enterprise Patriot in Bijeljina, which employs disabled persons and is prominent in the whole Republika Srpska, currently has 22 workers, its director Dusan Markovic told Srna. ISTOCNO SARAJEVO - The University of Istocno Sarajevo will present more than 50 of its publications at the 63rd International Book Fair in Belgrade, the educational institution reported on Monday. BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA BANJALUKA - Nikola Perisic, a member of the Board of Directors of the BiH Missing Persons Institute, hopes the new Council of Ministers will support accelerating the search for missing persons in Bosnia and Herzegovina. SARAJEVO - The BiH Court has not confirmed an indictment against Atif Dudakovic and 16 other commanders and members of the 5th Corps of the so-called Army of BiH yet, and the deadline for making the decision expires on Thursday. FEDERATION OF BiH SARAJEVO - A group of around 200 migrants was prevented from crossing the border between BiH and Croatia at the Maljevac border crossing in Velika Kladusa on Monday, the BiH Border Police confirmed to Srna. SARAJEVO - Djordje Radanovic, head of the committee for the protection of Serb property in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, told Srna the committee opposes the relocation of migrants from Bihac to all-Serb villages where, according to the 2013 census, 40 Serb returnees now live. LIVNO - Around 20 migrants from Syria, Palestine and Iran were detected in the Livno Canton over the past ten days, Ivica Vrdoljak, spokesperson of the cantons Ministry of Internal Affairs, told Srna. SERBIA BELGRADE - Russian Ambassador in Belgrade Alexander Chepurin met with the Serbian actor Milos Bikovic to tell him that he was awarded a Russian national decoration - the Medal of Pushkin. BELGRADE - Republika Srpskas ninth appearance at the International Book Fair in Belgrade began on Monday with a formal programme stressing the importance of the participation of the Srpska publishers in the famous cultural event which aims to preserve the Serbian script, language, culture and tradition. BELGRADE - Dragoljub Jovanovic, one of the few pupils who survived the mass execution in Kragujevac in October 1941, passed away at the age of 94, reported the historian Dejan Ristic. WORLD MOSCOW - The USs withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty will make the world a more dangerous place, the Kremlin said. /end/ds Against the backdrop of a challenging summer for suckler producers and uncertainty about what the new year will bring, commercial buyers were still out in force. Underpinning a remarkably vibrant trade this reflects just how high confidence in the breeds fit in the market place is. With a clearance rate of 83%, a packed ring saw 118 bulls sold, five more than in the corresponding sale last year, to an average of 5,611.36. In a sale that was dominated by commercial types, thirteen bulls made five figures or more, with 29 in all making 7,000gns or above. Highlighting the depth of trade coming from the commercial side of the business half of the bulls forward sold for between 4,000 and 9,500gns. Commenting on the sale BLCS Chief Executive Iain Kerr said; There has been a strong demand for Limousin bulls throughout 2018, and it was great to see it continue at the Societys October sale at Carlisle. An increased number of bulls sold and a clearance rate higher than last year provides yet more evidence of the breeds position as the go-to for commercial buyers. Yet again, a notable feature of the day was the emphasis buyers were putting on bulls that had strong calving figures, and, there was also attention being paid to the health status of bulls for sale. There is clear demand from buyers for as much information as they can get when investing in their businesses; through its plan of investment the Society and its members are committed to providing it. He added Beef producers are looking for easy calving, easy care cattle that are feed efficient and produce a high-end suckled calf with tremendous carcase attributes. The Limousin breed is synonyms with all these characteristics and thats whats driving the continued and increased demand around the UK. The audience had to wait until late in the sale for the top priced bull to emerge from the super cohort of junior bulls. Leading the way at 17,000gns was Pabo Niro from Anglesey breeders Peredur and Llyr Hughes. This July 2017 born bull by Netherhall Jackpot and out of Pabo Icemaden had stood as Reserve Junior Champion and Reserve Overall Champion in the pre-sale show on the previous day under the eye of Judge Mr Adam Watson of the Saunders herd, Brampton, Cumbria. Alongside his stablemate and full brother Pabo Netherhall they had stood as Limousin Pairs Champions at the Royal Welsh Show back in the summer. The winning bid was made bid was made by Gary Bell for his enterprise at Haas Side Farms on the outskirts of Lockerbie where he focuses on producing top-quality commercial cattle. Limousins tick all the boxes for first generation farmer Gary; of his purchase he said; I am always looking for style and quality, and I see it right here in Niro. Its my second purchase from the Hughes family having previously bought the Lodge Hamlet son Pabo Mr Muscle from them. I believe in making relationships with breeders and I have every confidence that Niro will go onto feature strongly in my ambition to produce top quality calves. He went onto say While calving ease is vital to me when I am buying bulls, I am also looking for the carcase elements of length, top-lines and tight bellies. I am always spoilt for choice with the modern Limousin, but today Niro was a stand out for me, he is exactly what I wanted, I am excited to get him home It was a very successful day for the Hughes family having achieved 8,000gns for Pabo Netherhall, who was in the ring immediately before Niro. July 2017 born, Netherhall had stood as Reserve Overall Male in the Limousin judging at the Royal Welsh Show and stood second in his class in the pre-sale show at Carlisle to his brother. He made his way home with Messrs Williams, Holyhead, Gwynedd. Selling at 16,000gns was Huntershall Nutcracker, a stylish, correct, well-muscled bull from Stephen Nixon, Wigton, Cumbria. Born April 2017 he is a Plumtree Fantastic son out of a home-bred Rossignol daughter Huntershall Josie. Taking him home was the Harryman family who purchased him for their Keskadale Limousin herd at Keswick, Cumbria. At 14,000gns came another junior bull, this time in the shape of Goldies Northstar from Bruce Goldie, Mouswald, Dumfries and Galloways. A class winner the day earlier, this May 2017 born bull came to Carlisle with a fantastic combination of calving and beef value figures, visual appeal and pedigree. Northstar is sired by Goldies Juggler and out of Goldies Gracious who is a full sister to Goldies Comet and Goldfinger and maternal sister to Goldies Jackpot. Purchasing him in a shared arrangement was two Aberdeenshire based breeders, Messrs Patterson and Messrs Morrison. Not far behind in the price rankings at 13,000gns came the first bull into the ring, Dinmore Jollygood from Redpath Farms, Kelso, Roxburghshire. Bred by Paul Dawes at Kipperknowle Farm, Dinmore Manor, Hereford this four-year-old bull has had a great show career including Overall Champion successes at both the Border Union and Berwickshire County Shows over the last three years. By the well-known Wilodge Tonka out of Dinmore Gaiety, whos breeding goes back to Haltcliffe Vermont and Ronick Hawk, Jollygood is an easy calver whos progeny is described as showing great potential. Taking him home was the Booth family who run the Sevengun Limousin herd at Hardwick Hall Farm, Aston, Sheffield. More than 700 farmers and industry professionals attended the event, which showcased the innovation and achievements of British farmers across the agricultural industry. Organised by AgriBriefing, parent company of Farmers Guardian, Dairy Farmer and Arable Farming, the 14 awards welcomed entries from across farmings core sectors including beef, arable, machinery, agricultural students and diversification. Sophie Throup, Morrisons agriculture manager, says: Morrisons is pleased to once again sponsor the British Farming Awards and help celebrate some of the great work British farmers do. Our customers tell us year in, year out, buying British and supporting British farmers is as important to them as it is to us. As British farmings biggest supermarket customer, we value the 3,500 farmers and growers we deal with directly and know that by working together, we can build long-term business sustainability through strong and enduring relationships. Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture Kicking off the evening was the presentation for the Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture Award, given to Mary Mead co-founder of Yeo Valley. As the biggest organic brand in the UK, nine million homes buy at least one Yeo Valley dairy product including milk, yogurts, creme fraiche and butter. With a career spanning more than 60 years, Mary Mead moved to Holt Farm in Blagdon, Somerset, with husband Roger in 1961. The farm then had just 35 cows. Their entrepreneurial spirit launched the award winning brand from scratch and following the passing of Roger, Mary continued to lead the family-run unit alongside her son, Tim. Today the business runs 450 pedigree cows across two units spanning 1,400 acres and employs more than 1,700 people. Recognised for their product quality, innovation and sustainable farming practises, the company have been awarded two Queens Award for Enterprise for the revolutionary way it works with its farming suppliers, encouraging them to turn organic and giving them long-term fair trade contracts. On receiving her award ahead of the night as she was unable to attend, Mary Mead said: Thank you so much for this award, and Id like to accept it on behalf of all women in farming." Farmers Guardian Farming Hero The winner of this years Farmers Guardian Farming Hero award is Dr Jude Capper, a leading independent Livestock Sustainability Consultant. Passionate about the role of animal agriculture in sustainable food production, her current research and knowledge exchange work communicates the global importance of livestock production, while also improving the understanding and knowledge of stakeholders within food production from farmers and retailers to policy-makers and consumers. Dr Capper also launched a successful social media campaign earlier this year to promote the role of UK dairy farmers and dairy products following a growing backlash from animal activists who present misleading messages to the public. #Februdairy galvanised British dairy farmers and others within the industry to share their positive and sustainable farming practices with the wider general public to dispel the negative food production myths hitting headlines. On receiving her award, Dr Capper said: I am so excited, humbled and overwhelmed to be receiving this award. I would like to accept it on behalf of all the wonderful farmers, industry professionals and supporters who help promote our fabulous industry every single day. It is an absolute pleasure to share our values and explain what we do to the rest of the world. I hope this award will keep pushing us all to do more to tell the amazing story of British agriculture. After the magnitude 7.6 earthquake rattled Nepal on April 25, 2015, security personnel and locals spent weeks in rescuing the injured. The rescue work could not gather pace because they did not have a birdseye view of far-flung areas. Engineer Darpan Pudasaini, who was developing robots to meet various practical needs, was aware that drones could make the rescue works quicker. I felt helpless because I did not have the equipment, nor the team to use my knowledge, he says. However, the incident triggered a business idea in Pudasaini to establish DroNepal, one of the countrys pioneering drone companies with a mission to promote the use of drones in development works, including post-disaster management. Bid to correct flawed development Pudasaini says his company was born out of Engineering Adda, a loose network of robotics he co-founded with classmate Milan Karki in 2013. Students of Pokhara Universitys Nepal Engineering College, Pudasaini and Karki had convinced some government and nongovernment agencies as well as UN bodies to use robots in their day-to-day functioning. While working for Engineering Adda, we developed a keen interest in drones as its use would not be restricted to a single field. Consequently, our team acquired knowledge and skills to build drones on our own, Pudasaini shares his early plan, But, we soon realised that we could not survive on building these machines as its users are few in the country. Therefore, we changed our focus to its diverse use. In the first two years of its life, DroNepal has concentrated its efforts on using drones for surveys for infrastructure development projects. Pudasaini claims many development projects of the country are flawed because surveys which guide the construction works are inaccurate. Our countrys terrain is quite rough, and it hinders accurate surveys, he clarifies, Inaccurate surveys lead to construction errors. We can correct such errors by using drones in engineering survey works. Initially, the company engaged itself in the survey of various hydropower projects. The company has so far completed eight hydro projects while two others are ongoing. It has signed contracts with three more hydro projects. The second benefit of drone surveying, after accuracy, is speed, according to Pudasaini. Engineers walk for surveys, but drones fly, he says, It also helps projects control costs. Motivating local governments to go high-tech After the completing of local level elections across the country in 2017, the company has been pushing local governments to use drones in development planning and implementation. Because local governments are at the forefront of development works, the company believes that their engagement in the use of modern technologies can bring a significant change in Nepals development landscape. Therefore, it has been offering voluntary service to various local agencies. We approached Gokarneshwar Municipality in Kathmandu with an offer of doing the whole urban planning for free. Once they agreed, Biratnagar Metropolitan City in Morang district contacted us to work with them, a happy Pudasaini shares, We are doing a small project in Waling of Syangja district as well. Though the service it has been offering at some places is voluntary now, it would be financially beneficial for the company in the long run as the company can charge its clients for its equipment and services later, hopes the team. However, motivating government officials to adopt new technologies has been a big challenge today. More often than not, they do not understand why drones are better than human engineers for surveying. It takes some weeks, even months, to get the idea endorsed. Drone school on the cards Another challenge the company has faced is human resource crunch. While government officials are not friendly with the technology, engineering workforce available in the market is also not much familiar in processing data collected by drones. But, as the use of these machines is most likely to go up in the future, Nepal also needs more skilled human resources. Therefore, DroNepal is planning to establish a drone school in Kathmandu soon, which is expected to conduct training programmes in a bid to produce a variety of human resources. Our new project will establish a connection between students and industries, Pudasaini explains, Primarily, it will provide technical training for manufacturing, maintenance and operation of drones. At the same time, it will spread awareness among stakeholders and public about advantages of using the drone technology in various sectors. The entrepreneur claims that the school will kick off its operation within the next three months. Ever-expanding business The drone school is only one part of the projects the company is planning to launch soon. Our scope is wide. We are launching a partnership with the Department of Environment to use drones for the monitoring of air quality in Kathmandu, Pudasaini shares, The Armed Police Force is exploring if it can use drones for patrolling and we are a consultant for the Force. All the plans Pudasaini mentions suggest the company has an impressive business potential for the future. You dont need to wait for the future. The potential has already been proved, he says, Four of usI, Milan, Upendra Oli and Prabin Lamsallaunched the business two years ago by investing around Rs 400,000 and it returned in the very first year. Last year, the company topped an international drone competition to win software and hardware support worth USD 8,000 and it has become its valuable asset now. Pudasaini hopes the business will boom in upcoming years. Till 2010, the one and only owner of drones in the world was the US Army. In a span of eight years, these machines have arrived at every nook and cranny across the world, he says, adding, Further, Nepal is the best place to expand the industry. Thanks to its geographic variation, experiments conducted in Nepal can be applied to most parts of the world. Therefore, it can also attract foreign investors. Photos: DroNepal TO VIEW MORE NEWS STORY, PLEASE CLICK ON NEWS TAB ON MAIN MENU BAR Kathmandu, October 23 The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has submitted an objection letter to the Embassy of Saudi Arabia to protest the alleged murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khasoggi. Journalist Khasoggi, who was based in the USA, served as an adviser to top Saudi officials but later fell out of favour with the government. He was recently killed inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. However, Saudi authorities have dismissed the accusations as lies. According to FNJ general secretary Ramesh Bista, they submitted the objection letter at the embassy demanding fair and free investigation into the incident. Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money. Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists. Major Nepali and English broadsheet dailies published from Kathmandu on Tuesday have given priority to a host of issues. The introduction of a provincial police law in Province has drawn controversy as the federal government has said it is against sentiments of the constitution. Some newspapers have given the top priority to this issue. Meanwhile, decisions of a two-day Secretariat meeting of the ruling Nepal Communist Party have also been featured on the front pages of major newspapers with priority. Some other issues from political, sociocultural and financial issues have also been made it to the broadsheet front pages today. Important Province 2 govt adamant on police recruitment Naya Patrika and Nagarik have published reports about the growing conflict between the Province 2 government and the federal government over the implementation of new provincial police law. The federal government is not happy with Janakpur for introducing the police act before the new federal police law is formulated, according to Naya Patrika. However, the provinces Minister for Internal Affairs and Law, Gyanendra Kumar Yadav, has told Nagarik that his government would not stay silent if Kathmandu blocks the plan. NCP assures Mahav Nepal not to repeat mistake The Secretariat meeting of ruling Nepal Communist Party did not revoke its earlier decision about appointment of provincial chiefs as demanded by senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal, according to newspaper reports. However, the partys two chairmenKP Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahalconceded their mistake in selection of the officials and assured that it would not repeat, according to Naya Patrika and The Himalayan Times. Ignored Nepal Army purchasing American arms worth Rs 1 billion The Nepal Army is purchasing around 5,000 American rifles this year by spending around Rs 1 billion, according to a brief story in Annapurna Post. The national military organisation says the weapons will be used by personnel to be deployed in United Nations peacekeeping missions. Nepal is the fifth biggest contributor to peacekeeping missions of the global agency. Passive constitutional bench troubles stakeholders Stakeholders have expressed concerns over the passivity of constitutional bench at the Supreme Court, Nagarik reports in a snippet. The report quotes senior advocate Purna Man Shakya to argue that the bench has turned into a failure; hence it has to be dissolved. Shakya has suggested that a separate constitutional court be established to deal with serious constitutional and judicial disputes. KMC to hand over Sisdole landfill site to federal government Repeatedly failing to properly manage Kathmandus major garbage dumping site in Sisdole of neighbouring Nuwakot district, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City is preparing to hand over the responsibility to the federal government, according to Nepal Samacharpatra. KMC Executive Officer Yadav Koirala has told the paper that the Ministry of Urban Development will be responsible for the management of site whereas the Department of Roads to repair the road connecting Kathmandu with the place. Suspended officials yet to furnish clarification over Pant murder The Himalayan Times reports in its lead story that two suspended police officialsSP Dilli Raj Bista and Inspector Jagadish Bhattahave not responded to the Ministry of Home Affairs letters seeking clarification from them within 24 hours. The Ministry had issued the letters to them on Sunday as a preparation to sack them for their mishandling of the case related to murder and rape of Nirmala Pant in Kanchanpur in July. Govt staff still in festive mood The Dashain holidays, as per the government calendar, ended on Sunday. However, hundreds of government offices including ministers at Singha Darbar, the countrys main administrative building, did not see the attendance of most of staff on Monday as well, according to a report in The Kathmandu Post. Offices outside Singhadarbar also recorded low attendance of staff yesterday, the report adds. Interesting Nepal, Thailand reviving aviation deal Nepal and Thailand had signed an agreement on cooperation in aviation services in 1971. The agreement was ineffective of late for the want of timely revision. Now, the two countries are planning to revive the agreement after 47 years, reports Karobar in a three column story. The two countries are scheduled to hold a meeting in the first week of November to finalise the deal, according to the report. Kathmandu, October 23 Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Matrika Prasad Yadav met Roberto Azevedo, Director General (DG) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Monday in Geneva, Switzerland. A number of trade-related issues ranging from challenges of a multilateral trading system, state of trade negotiations at the WTO and the issues and concerns of LDCs, in general, were discussed during the meeting, said Nepals mission to the UN in Geneva. The minister, who is in Geneva to attend the World Investment Forum (WIF) 2018, appreciated the Director Generals supportive role to LDCs. He asked the WTO to provide continued technical support to Nepal in enhancing trade-related capacity. Referring to the global trade tension and impasse at the WTO negotiations, the Azevedo underscored the need for support of all members as every country has to suffer from WTOs systemic failure. The DG also wished successful completion of second trade policy review of Nepal which is taking place in December this year. Located in Shanghais Lujiazui financial district, the House of Beautiful brand centre showcases all aspects of the Aston Martin experience, bringing together the companys products, experiences and brand collaborations. The impressive facility includes vehicle displays, space for entertaining and a lounge area for guests to relax. Situated within the MIFA 1862 Art Centre, the House of Beautiful will host design master classes, photography exhibitions and other exclusive events. The venue is part of the luxury marques 620 million trade and investment programme in China. The five-year plan, was announced by Aston Martin President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr Andy Palmer during a visit to China by a UK business delegation accompanying British Prime Minister Theresa May earlier this year Speaking at the opening of the global brand centre in Shanghai, Aston Martin Lagondas Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman said: The House of Beautiful mixes local culture, art, and shopping delivering a truly luxurious experience. The new brand centre is part of an investment plan to strengthen our brand visibility to increase sales performance, which will further improve Aston Martins market share in this key market. This reflects our confidence in the Aston Martin brand and the attractiveness of the Chinese market which was our fastest growing region in 2017. The interior of the House of Beautiful has been designed by Aston Martins Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman and his team. Using the best materials and finishes, they have created an environment that enhances the cars on display. Sold in May of 2017 to an American entrepreneur, the YXT 24 is an innovative support vessel. She has been designed to have extensive storage space and strength to carry particular equipment and tenders, including the owners personal Land Rover Defender, which will enable them to explore land as well as sea. It has been a pleasure to work with this client, says Filippo Rossi, Sales and Marketing Manager at Lynx Yachts. His passion for yachting and for the sea is infectious. He knows exactly how he wants to use his YXT and this has helped us to adapt the vessel for him. At Lynx Yachts, we are committed to detail and quality. Everything we do is centred on the user experience, meaning that this fantastic yacht is completely tailor-made to suit the needs and wishes of her owner. We are really proud of the result of this project; it shows the true flexibility of the YXT platform and the levels of customisation we can achieve. Shadow vessels are becoming increasingly popular with superyacht owners according to Lynx Yachts, and the sector is broadening continuously with the likes of Damen already having produced upwards of 11 support vessels and Echo Yachts, which produced 51m support vessel Charley for superyacht White Rabbit, which has a tender storage capacity for a fleet of up to ten watercrafts including five tenders. The rising trend in superyacht support vessels has been keenly anticipated by Lynx Yachts with the newly launched YXT, and we look forward to seeing innovative new approaches in this genre from the industry. Drama indie Kudos and The Royal Court Theatre have jointly launched a new writing fellowship to support emerging writing talent for both theatre and television. Three writers will each be offered a 10,000 bursary, funded by Kudos, to enable them to focus purely on their writing for six months. During this time they will have the opportunity to be supported by The Royal Court Theatre and Kudos. The fellowships are specifically aimed at writers already establishing a writing career, but who perceive barriers in getting their work developed and produced in theatre and television because of class, disability, education, ethnicity, gender identity, geography or any other barrier. Martin Haines, Chief Operating Officer, Kudos said of the launch; Television drama is booming and the demand for British scripted television has never been greater. To continue to connect with audiences and to deliver distinctive work, we need to nurture writing talent, surface untold stories and bring new and diverse stories to the fore. This fellowship is particularly exciting as it allows writers to take part in both theatre and television projects and allows us to begin relationships with writers we may not ordinarily have met. The three 10,000 bursaries will support writers for a period of six months from January 2019. During this time, they will be able to challenge and take part in the work of the Royal Court and Kudos. There will also be opportunities to see productions, meet other leading writers in theatre and television and have ongoing artistic conversations with staff at both organisations. Diederick Santer, Chief Executive Officer Kudos said; Im pleased that the writers on this scheme get access to and time with the teams at both the Royal Court and Kudos. Great emerging writers, and two best-in-class creative organisations we will all be learning loads from each other. Applicants need to submit a theatre script and additional supporting information including details on why this opportunity would be life changing by 16th November 2018. All entries will be considered by a team of readers at the Royal Court who will create a longlist. These will then be read by a member of the Royal Courts artistic team who will shortlist ten writers. This shortlist will be read by the Royal Court and Kudos teams and each writer will meet with key members of both organisations including Vicky Featherstone (Artistic Director, Royal Court Theatre) and Sarah Stack (Head of Development, Kudos). The final three writers, considered most likely to make a significant contribution to theatre, TV and the cultural life of the UK and beyond, will then be selected. Writer Stacey Gregg said; Starting out as a writer is daunting for anyone, but the extra anxiety of being away from home and without a financial safety net can mean the difference between taking that risk or opportunity you might otherwise pass on. This bursary buys time and head space to get that draft written, to take meetings, to stop worrying about the next train fare, allowing you to build the connections and understanding of an industry that might otherwise remain behind a veil. Writer Dennis Kelly said; We often talk of the barriers that writers who are starting out encounter, but for many of us there are things to be overcome before we even start putting pen to paper. Whilst our theatre is in great shape, and theres some fantastic work out there thats genuinely pushing back boundaries, I do worry that if I were I to be starting out today I wouldnt see myself reflected on our stage and Id think thats not the place for me. This isnt about rejecting the work of today, but if we want to ensure a plurality of voices we need to make a real and concerted effort to address the socio-economic hurdles that make potential playwrights self-select and edit themselves out of the story of our theatre. This bursary is certainly a step in the right direction its something that will make a very real difference to three people who are out there right now, wondering whether they should continue. Writer Jack Thorne said; "I think every writer thinks their generation has it the hardest, that the generation before had chances or opportunities that they lacked, but Ive got to say I think right now at a time when we need new writing the most breaking into the arts" feels like an impossible task, particularly if youre not able to be supported by the bank of Mum and Dad. I was lucky, my brother let me stay cheaply at his place in Croydon and I was able to get some teaching work, but even with that I got very good at knowing when the different supermarkets marked down their foods for the day. When I look at writing for theatre and TV yes, I realise Im part of the problem here I do find the names Im see become depressingly familiar. Thats the reason why these Kudos scholarships are so important for writers not only who see barriers entering the profession, but barriers writing a little at all. These fellowships will bring vital new voices to the fore and let them sing whatever songs they want." Share this story Drought cripples crucial German waterways Cologne, Germany, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2018 The docks are eerily quiet at Cologne's main port on the mighty River Rhine, with hundreds of containers piled up and awaiting their journey north on one of Europe's busiest commercial arteries. Months of scarce rainfall and hot sunny weather drove water levels on the Rhine to a record low, forcing ship operators to suspend services to keep vessels from running aground. "We haven't had any new ships in Cologne since last week -- they stop in Duisburg" 80 kilometres (50 miles) north, Oliver Grossmann, head of shipping company CTS, told AFP. He said that under normal conditions, "three or four" of his big vessels would stop each day in the city known for its Gothic cathedral. The few barges still chugging along the river have had to drastically reduce their cargo to stay afloat. Sitting in his office overlooking the mountain of containers, Grossman said rail links can only fill part of the gap as long as river transport is paralysed because of a lack of infrastructure and train engineers. - 'Need intense, widespread rainfall' - At the entrance to the port of Duisburg, a small tower houses a Rhine measuring station. On its roof are two LED panels reading 1.55 meters (5.09 feet). "This is the lowest level ever measured here," said Jan Boehme, a hydrologist with the Water and Shipping Authority. Torrid temperatures throughout the summer and only rare rainfall have transformed Germany's waterways and created a crisis unseen since the start of record keeping in 1881. The previous low water record set in Cologne in 2003 of 81 centimeters (32 inches) was shattered last Friday when the level dipped to just 77 centimeters, the water authorities said. All along the Rhine, the situation looks similarly dire. "Since July, the water levels have been lower than we normally see in this season," Boehme said, noting that in October it usually fluctuates between three and four metres. Although the link is not proven beyond a doubt, German authorities say the extreme dry weather matches the models of climate change drawn up by scientists. The Rhine is hardly the only major waterway affected, with levels on the Elbe leading to Hamburg also dangerously low. "This drought phase is exceptionally long," Boehme said. "For water levels to rise again we would need a lot of rain -- a little shower won't do it. We need extended, intense, widespread rainfall." - Bicycles, bomb resurface - The drying-up of large swathes of the Rhine marks a heavy blow to the German economy. In 2017, 186 million tonnes of goods were transported between Basel in Switzerland and the German-Dutch border -- amounting to around half of European river shipping, according to the Strasbourg-based Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine. But since the dry spell began, industrial giant Thyssenkrupp has had to cut back production at its Duisburg plant "because a sufficient supply of raw material cannot be assured", a company spokesman said. Chemicals giant BASF said it had "adapted" production due to "limited deliveries" to its Ludwigshafen factory, also on the Rhine. Energy group RWE is struggling to supply its Hamm power plant with coal. Meanwhile in Cologne, despite mild autumn weather, services on tourist boats and ferries has ground to a near standstill. The sinking of water levels has dramatically altered a picturesque stretch of the German landscape, exposing all manner of wrecks and detritus on the banks and under bridges. Abandoned and long-submerged bicycles have resurfaced by the hundreds. More threateningly, a 50-kilo (110-pound) World War II bomb emerged in the dried-out riverbed and had to be gingerly defused. ys/dlc/fz/bmm BASF THYSSENKRUPP Another Japan firm admits falsifying data for quake shock absorbers Tokyo, Oct 23 (AFP) Oct 23, 2018 A Japanese company supplying equipment to protect buildings from earthquakes has admitted falsifying data, authorities said Tuesday, a week after a Tokyo-based firm revealed a similar fraud. Kawakin Holdings' oil damper unit altered data for products installed at 93 education facilities, government buildings and offices, the land ministry said. "I deeply apologise for causing great concerns and trouble," Kawakin president Shinkichi Suzuki told reporters. The ministry has instructed the company to immediately change affected parts and to investigate why the data manipulation happened. The company will disclose the names of the buildings once owners agree to do so. The admission comes after Tokyo-based parts maker KYB and its unit Kayaba System Machinery announced it had falsified oil dampers data used in nearly 1,000 buildings across Japan. Local media reported they may include the Tokyo Skytree -- one of the world's tallest buildings at 634 metres (2,080 feet) -- as well as the Tokyo local government's headquarters. The authorities however stressed there was no immediate safety risk. So-called oil dampers -- or shock absorbers -- are part of a complex system fitted in many Japanese buildings as part of the country's earthquake preparedness. They are meant to function in tandem with systems built into the foundations to isolate the effects of quakes. The earthquake systems allow big buildings to sway slightly as they absorb some seismic waves, but if they sway too much or too little, they could suffer damage. Japan sits at the junction of four tectonic plates and experiences a number of relatively violent quakes every year. Rigid building codes and strict enforcement mean even strong tremors often do little damage. But dozens of people died after a powerful 6.6-magnitude quake hit northern region of Hokkaido early last month, triggering landslides and collapsing houses. The data fraud is the latest in a string of quality-control and governance scandals to hit major Japanese businesses in recent years. In July, Nissan admitted data on exhaust emissions and fuel economy had been deliberately altered, after it was forced to recall some 1.2 million vehicles over a separate data control problem. An affiliate of Japanese electronics giant Hitachi has admitted falsifying data for 60,000 industrial batteries, while the head of Kobe Steel was forced to resign after the steelmaker submitted false strength and quality data for products shipped to hundreds of clients. Activists and public health professionals took to the stage during the opening plenary of the Research for HIV Prevention (HIVR4P) conference yesterday to challenge U.S. government research agencies and demand support for short-acting, user-controlled methods for HIV prevention. The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soon to announce its funding for prevention research, which will indicate the priorities for HIV prevention research for the next several years. Just before Tony Fauci, M.D., director of the NIH's National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) took the stage to deliver his address to the crowd, several dozen people filed on the stage with signs that read: "Whose choice, our choice?" and "Dear NIAID, Fund Microbicides NOW!" Just before speaking, Jim Pickett, chair of International Rectal Microbicides Advocates (IRMA), stepped to the mic and asked the audience whether he could take just two minutes of their time, and he began to speak from a prepared statement. "We are here because previous calls to ensure that NIAID and USAID continue to support research on microbicides that are short-acting and user-controlled have been totally ignored, given the vast majority of feedback they themselves solicited last year," said Pickett. IRMA, along with the AVAC, released a report earlier this month that developed out of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to analyze public comments given to NIAID about funding priorities for HIV prevention. Their report found that 79% of comments expressed a desire to see prevention research support a range of options to hopefully come to market, including microbicides. Advocates told TheBody in March 2018 that they feared NIAID was going to drop its support for microbicide trials, a point Pickett reiterated on stage. "NIAID is about to issue its funding opportunity announcement (FOA) that will indicate priorities for the next HIV prevention network," he told the HIVR4P audience. "They have a chance to clarify that they respect what women, gay men and other men who have sex with men, researchers, and other stakeholders have been demanding: choices that aren't all long acting or systemic. We are here to ensure that research serves the people with products they want, not simply what those in power want to develop." According to AVAC, in 2016 total global investment in microbicide research and development came to $167 million, of which $97 million came from the NIH -- nearly 60% of the total. Advocates worry that any reduction in support from NIH for research for products such as rectal douches or lubricants with a preventative drug would greatly challenge the development of products they see as having the potential to be just as effective in preventing HIV as daily pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in pill form and some of the other more systemic options in development (such as long-acting injectables). "We have been preaching that one size does not fit all in HIV prevention for quite some time, said Lilian Benjamin Mwakyosi, M.D., a young physician and advocate from Tanzania. "It is high time that we invest in the options that people desire, which include microbicides and other non-systemic options." I spoke to Carl Dieffenbach, Ph.D., director of the Division of AIDS within NIAID, at the conclusion of the plenary session to get his response to the activists' requests. He said that although he couldn't speak to the specifics of the upcoming FOA until it is made public, nothing has changed in his approach to HIV research at the Institute. "Nothing has been taken out of the pipeline, and we continue to support all types of microbicide research from systemic to short acting," he said. "But we're not going to take things forward that don't have a level of efficacy. You need to have biological plausibility. At the same time, if we're going to truly impact the epidemic, there has to be somebody that is willing to advance that product through an appropriate clinical program." FRANCISCO LEONG/AFP/Getty Images Everybodys been buzzing about the Dutch state visit to the United Kingdom, which kicks off later today, but on Monday, we had more state visit jewels in a different corner of the continent. FRANCISCO LEONG/AFP/Getty Images King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians are currently guests of the Portuguese government. They were received yesterday by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in Lisbon. FRANCISCO LEONG/AFP/Getty Images Mathilde wore her diamond and pearl drop wedding earrings for the welcome ceremony and various engagements in the city. She also had a miniature version of the ribbon of the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator, which she received during this visit. FRANCISCO LEONG/AFP/Getty Images She also wore her diamond and sapphire ring and her usual watch and gold bracelet combination. Belgian Royal Palace On Monday evening, Philippe and Mathilde attended a state banquet at the Palace of Ajuda. Mathilde added diamonds to her hair, ears, and wrist for the occasion. She also wore the sash, star, and collar of the Order of Henry the Navigator. The tiara was one of her wedding gifts nearly two decades ago: the Brabant Laurel Wreath Tiara. (Learn more about its history here!) She also wore a pair of her diamond fringe earrings. We were also treated to a bonus tiara! The Duchess of Braganza, wife of the Portuguese pretender, wore the Braganza Floral Necklace Tiara for the banquet. (You can read more about it here!) CHRISTOPHER FURLONG/AFP/Getty Images The visitors have officially arrived! Today marks the start of the first Dutch state visit to the United Kingdom since 1982, and King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were welcomed to Britain with all the usual pomp and circumstance. TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images The day began at the Dutch Ambassadors Residence in London, where the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall greeted the royal couple and escorted them to the official welcome ceremony. TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images The occasion gave us a view of Camillas very formal curtsey to Queen Maxima. Although Charles and Camilla are senior to the Dutch royals in terms of age, they still rank below them, hence the deferential greeting. TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images The two couples took a moment to pose in front of portraits of King William III and Queen Mary II, Britains monarchs from the House of Orange. William and Mary were the first owners of the fabulous Stuart Diamond, which Im hoping comes out to play later this evening! Christopher Furlong/Getty Images After the official welcome by Charles and Camilla, the four royals traveled to Horse Guards Parade, where Queen Elizabeth II was waiting with representatives of the military and the government. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Both King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima greeted Queen Elizabeth II warmly, something which required a little maneuvering on the part of the tall Dutch royals. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images The royals watched a ceremonial welcome presentation before King Willem-Alexander and Prince Charles reviewed the troops. Peter Nicholls WPA Pool/Getty Images And then a carriage procession ferried the royals to Buckingham Palace, where Wax n Max will be staying during their two-day visit. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images All three of the royal ladies brought along substantial jewels for the start of the state visit. Queen Elizabeth II highlighted the vivid purple color of her outfit by wearing one of her amethyst floral brooches with her usual daytime pearls. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Heres another look at the brooch, which is one of a pair of nearly identical floral brooches. Tolga Akmen WPA Pool/Getty Images Queen Maxima wore pieces from her collection of jewels set with pink gems, coordinating with her head-to-toe blush pink ensemble. Tolga Akmen WPA Pool/Getty Images Her jewelry for the morning events includes modern earrings and a classic brooch with a pendant drop. Tolga Akmen WPA Pool/Getty Images We also got a glimpse of the ring that matches the brooch, plus her double floral bangle. Queen Maxima wears the jewels in 2013 (Bart Maat Pool/Getty Images) We recently saw Maxima wear the earrings, brooch, and ring during the Willemsorde ceremony. (Weve got jewelry close-ups in our post from that event!) But the brooch, bracelet, and ring have even more significance. Maxima wore the three pieces with a different pair of earrings in 2013 during her mother-in-laws abdication ceremony the moment that made her Queen of the Netherlands. Tolga Akmen WPA Pool/Getty Images Camilla reached for familiar pieces for the mornings events, wearing her pearl choker necklace with the round diamond clasp and her usual pearl drop earrings. She sensibly decided not to wear a brooch, which would have distracted from the beautiful embroidery on her coat. PETER NICHOLLS/AFP/Getty Images After the official welcome was finished, the royals had lunch at Buckingham Palace and then viewed a selection of historical items from the Royal Collection. Now, we wait for the glitter of tonights state banquet! Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Michelle Winowatan (The Jakarta Post) New York Tue, October 23, 2018 15:34 1122 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308778e8eba 3 Opinion human-rights,human-rights-abuse,#2019PresidentialElection,2019-presidential-election,minority-rights,Prabowo-Subianto-Sandiaga-Uno,Joko-Widodo-Maruf-Amin Free The upcoming presidential election is looking bleak for the human rights camp. After the two presidential candidates announced their running mates last month, it became clear that none of the candidates will prioritize, let alone defend rights for all Indonesians. Which leaves those who deeply care about freedom and justice with a tough decision when the time to cast their ballot comes. Who to vote for, if we decide to vote at all? Lets weigh in our options. In the 2014 election, the now-incumbent President Joko Jokowi Widodo was the clear choice for human rights advocates for two reasons. First, he was branded as a clean politician, a fresh face in Indonesian politics who could bring progress for the country. Second, rights advocate would die before they vote for Jokowis opponent at the time, Prabowo Subianto, a New Order ex-general with a questionable human rights track record. Jokowi did not have a strong human rights stance in his previous campaign nor did he make a meaningful stride to resolve past rights abuses or improve rights commitment during his presidency. He showed small gestures such as making a statement in defense of the rights of the LGBT community, loosening journalist access restriction to Papua, and hosting a meeting with victims of past rights abuses. None of these translated into meaningful actions to improve human rights in the country, but at the very least, it showed his intention of not making it worse. That is until Jokowi shocked his progressive base by announcing Maruf Amin as his running mate. As the chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Maruf played a role in advocating many discriminatory policies. He played a key role in lobbying for the religious harmony regulation which led to restrictions of religious freedom for minorities. Under his leadership, MUI issued fatwas declaring Ahmadi Muslims as deviant, which led to the government banning the Ahmadi Muslims from proselytization apart from calling for the criminalization of homosexual activities. He contributed to putting former Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Purnama, a Chinese-descent Christian, in jail after issuing a declaration that Ahok conducted blasphemy against Islam. Many of Jokowis supporters interpret his picking Maruf as a political strategy to secure conservative Muslim voters to ensure his re-election. Others are more skeptical, as it signals Jokowis unwillingness to spend his political capital on the human rights cause. Prabowo, on the other hand, decided to give his presidential candidacy another try. He is still trying to convince the populace that his military strongman brand will make Indonesia better. The son-in-law of former autocratic president Soeharto, he was dishonorably discharged for his involvement in the abduction and torture of pro-democracy activists in 1998. He was also accused of ordering the mass killing of hundreds of East Timorese in the 1980s. For human rights groups, Prabowo is a clear threat to democracy and the rule of law. His running mate is Sandiaga Uno, a businessman and former deputy to Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan. It is still fresh in our minds how they ran on a racialist agenda, swaying voters to choose a leader based on religion and ethnicity. Both Prabowo and Sandiagas track records should be warning signs of what could happen if they were elected to the most powerful office in the country. So what should human rights advocates do come election 2019? Whether we decide to vote or not, we should be bracing for more assaults on freedom and justice. The issue of human rights in Indonesia has always been treated like the step kid compared to other issues such as the economy, jobs, welfare, and infrastructure development, among others. Today, it has become more like a plague that each candidate avoids for fear of either losing voters or losing face. Clearly we cannot rely on the government to fight for our rights. Therefore, civil society needs to consolidate and step up their game, by getting more involved in direct advocacy. In addition to keeping up the work at the grassroots level, activists should allocate more resources in lobbying for pro-human rights legislation, preventing anti-rights bills from being passed, and overturning anti-rights laws. Rights groups should send a message that whoever becomes Indonesias next president, should be aware that resistance against discriminatory and abusive policies will continue to grow. *** The writer is an advocate for human rights and social justice. A Fulbright awardee at New York University, she co-produces and co-hosts a podcast that talks about identity and politics in Indonesia called KentangPanas. 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 Nate Lanxon and Thomas Seal (Bloomberg) Tue, October 23, 2018 07:04 1122 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308778cbf12 2 Science & Tech Alibaba,Britain,cloud,technology,data-center Free The cloud-computing arm of Chinese retail giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. opened its first data centers in the UK, with two sites operational in London. The expansion is "driven by the rapidly growing customer demand," a spokesman for the company told Bloomberg. "The United Kingdom is one of the fastest-growing European markets for Alibaba Cloud." Cloud-computing companies have been opening data centers across Europe -- including in the U.K. -- despite the looming uncertainty of Britains future relationship with the European Union. The drive is fueled in part by government demands: National authorities have increasingly moved computing functions into the cloud, but for regulatory and security purposes theyre often required to hold data within their national borders. Started in 2009, Alibaba Cloud has expanded beyond China in a direct challenge to Amazon Web Services, the e-commerce giants division that dominates cloud computing. Alibaba Cloud is now the fourth-biggest global provider of cloud infrastructure and related services, behind Amazon.com Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Alphabet Inc.s Google, according to a June report by Synergy Research Group. Read also: Jack Ma's Alibaba: E-commerce, film and food delivery The Hangzhou, China-based company put its first European data center in Frankfurt, in partnership with Vodafone Group Plc in 2016, allowing the mobile carrier to resell Alibaba Cloud services such as data storage and analytics. Bloomberg reported in July that the Chinese company had been in talks with BT Group Plc about a cloud services partnership in a move to challenge Amazons presence in Europe. A spokesman for Alibaba Cloud declined to comment on its partner for the U.K. launch. "In line with our Germany data center strategy, we always look for the best-in-market partner for key deployments and this is no different," he said. The continent has become key to Alibaba Clouds success outside China, with prospects in the U.S. made murky by President Donald Trumps America First agenda. Alibaba pulled back in the U.S. just as tensions with China have escalated under Trump. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 23, 2018 15:49 1122 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308778ea35e 1 Art & Culture Raden-Saleh,Christies,Christies-HongKong-autumn-auctions Free Christies auction house is set to hold a Jakarta preview of its Hong Kong Autumn Auctions 2018, which is scheduled for Nov. 23-28 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The preview program is to be held Oct. 25 to 26 in the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Jakarta, and is to include discussions and a fashion show. A highlight of the coming auction in Hong Kong is a rare work by Raden Saleh, dubbed the "epitome of the Indonesian Modern Art movement". The painting, Mail Station at the Bottom of Mount Megamendung, is said to be one of the most important pieces left in private hands. Part of a Singapore National Gallery exhibition on Nov. 16, 2017-Mar. 11, 2018, the Raden Saleh painting is to be excluded from the Jakarta preview. Guests can instead view a reproduction of the work and meet Dr. Werner Kraus, author of Raden Saleh: The Beginning of Modern Indonesian Painting. Aside from the Raden Saleh reproduction, the Jakarta preview is to showcase Asian 20th century and contemporary art, Chinese paintings, jewelry and jadeite, handbags and timepieces, including 80 watches from the vintage Rolex Asylum collection. Christies Jakarta is also hosting renowned watch expert Eric Tortella to present his "Private Blue Book Talk" to provide valuable insight on luxury watches. Having witnessed strong buying demand in the first half of the year, we are encouraged to see this continued enthusiasm extend into the second half of the year, as we offer exceptionally rare and culturally significant masterpieces in once-in-a-lifetime sales," said Christies Asia president Rebecca Wei in a press release. "By offering the very best works from artists around the world, the status of Hong Kong as a global art epicenter becomes ever more demonstrable, she said. Read also: Raden Saleh painting hammered at Rp 119.9 billion Raden Salehs Mail Station is expected to generate a bid of US$1.8 million to $2.6 million at the autumn auction. Other items Christies plans to auction in November include Vincent Van Goghs Coin de Jardin avec Papillons (Nov. 11 in New York) and the largest and finest vivid pink diamond, "The Pink Legacy" (Nov. 13 in Geneva). (mut) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 23, 2018 16:00 1122 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308778ea96c 4 Entertainment #CrazyRichSurabayan,social-media,Twitter,novel,film,Crazy-Rich-Asians Free The popularity of Hollywood film Crazy Rich Asians did not go unnoticed in Indonesia, with the film inspiring commentaries on the nation's own upper class society, including on Twitter through the hashtag #CrazyRichSurabayan. Online buzz has not only talked about the success of the film adaptation of the novel by Singaporean writer Kevin Kwan, but has also included jokes, including funny stories from the East Java capital. The stories about #CrazyRichSurabayan were first started by Judith Tirza, via her Twitter account @btari_durga. Judith, who is a kindergarten teacher, did not expect her tweets to attract so much attention, Tempo.co reported. Under the hashtag, Judith shared funny stories about her experiences as a teacher of students from wealthy families. "The children I taught were rich, but they were always humble," Judith said, as quoted by Tempo.co. Read also: Twitter users reveal life of '#CrazyRichSurabayan' With the stories tweeted with the hashtag going viral, production house Falcon Pictures expressed interest in adapting #CrazyRichSurabayan to the big screen. "There are many funny and interesting stories in #CrazyRichSurabayan that we believe would be even more interesting if shown on screen. That's why we are interested in adapting #CrazyRichSurabayan into a film," said Frederica, who was also the producer behind comedy Warkop DKI Reborn, the highest grossing Indonesian movie of all time. As with Crazy Rich Asians, which was adapted from a novel, Falcon is also set to produce a novel titled #CrazyRichSurabayan first before the film is produced. The novel will be written from a personal perspective. "The contents of the book will not merely discuss the wealth of crazy rich Surabayans, but also touch upon stories of the innocence of the children. Like any other children, they are pure and adorable, which can inspire many things," Frederica said. The #CrazyRichSurabayan novel, which will tell the story of Judith and her students, will be released by the end of the year, with the film slated to begin production at the start of 2019. #CrazyRichSurabayan will tell the story of a teacher who learns a lot from her little students, who are adorable and sometimes amusing, but most importantly very rich. (liz/wng) Residents and visitors in Batu city were in for a treat, as chefs of hotels, restaurants and culinary school students created a smorgasbord of food for the Batu Street Food Festival. All food at the festival was offered at highly reasonable prices, within a range of Rp 5,000 (less than 50 US cents) to Rp 20,000. Batu Street Food Festival was held on Oct. 20 to 21 in the front yard of Among Tani townhall. More than 100 types of Indonesian foods were provided by 33 hotels, three restaurants, and three hospitality vocational schools from all over Greater Malang in this festival, said Titik S. Ariyanto, a representative of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI) Batu chapter on Saturday. Titik went on to say that the annual event held by PHRI Batu, the Indonesian Chef Association (ICA) of Greater Malang and the Batu city tourism office aimed to introduce and promote Indonesian food to the community. Among the Indonesian foods offered were pecel (vegetable salad with rice and peanut sauce), garang asem(chicken or meat cooked in coconut milk and spices), cotoMakassar (Makassar style aromatic soup),rawon(black nut soup) and fresh juice. Some chefs and culinary students also showcased their latest creations, such as baguette rendang (baguette filled with meat stewed in coconut milk and spices) and banana blossom hotdog. Titik said the event, held for the second time, had seen an increase in visitors and earnings. This event has drawn around 2000 visitors with a transaction value of Rp 100 million last year, and this year it has surpassed the target of 8,000 visitors with a transaction value of over Rp 300 million, Titik told The Jakarta Post, hoping that the festival could return next year with a more interesting concept. Read also: Surakarta festival to highlight heritage cuisine, palace kitchen tour Eka Febrianti, a Batu resident, said she was happy to attend the event. My family and I were able to enjoy food we rarely eat at very good prices, she said. However, Eka was disappointed that a lot of foods had sold-out ,especially on the first day. She suggests that participating hotels and restaurants better anticipate visitor numbers next time. (mut) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) New York, United States Tue, October 23, 2018 13:01 1122 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308778e2d1b 2 Science & Tech Elon-Musk,tesla,united-states,hyperloop,los-angeles,technology,transport,Science Free Elon Musk's Hyperloop ultra high-speed transport system will be unveiled in Los Angeles in early December with free test rides to the public, the entrepreneur announced. "The first tunnel is almost done," Musk said on Twitter late Sunday night. "Opens Dec 10." Responding to comments on Twitter, Musk said there would be an opening event that night and "free rides for the public next day." Musk's venture, "The Boring Company", has been pushing the underground system as a futuristic concept that could radically speed transport within and between cities. In another tweeted response, Musk said the test tunnel has a top speed of 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers). Supporters of the technology have discussed a vision where a trip between Los Angeles and San Francisco might take 30 minutes instead of five or six hours. A hyperloop is a shuttle pod that travels on magnetic rails, somewhat like a train, but which runs in a tube with little or no air. In theory, hyperloops could allow travel faster than the speed of sound. In a presentation in Los Angeles in May, Musk said vehicles could reach downtown LA from its international airport in under 10 minutes, with a long-term objective of reaching over 300 miles an hour. Hyperloop is one of Musk's envelope-pushing ventures, along with SpaceX and Tesla Motors. Shares of Tesla have fallen more than 30 percent since August 7, when he infamously tweeted that he had funding lined up to take Tesla private. Read also: First hyperloop passenger capsule unveiled He subsequently paid a $20 million fine to settle after the US Securities and Exchange Commission accused the entrepreneur of fraud. Another visionary entrepreneur, Richard Branson, who like Musk also is involved in space travel, is backing a Virgin Hyperloop One which has been testing in Nevada and opened a research center in southern Spain. Virgin Hyperloop One confirmed on Monday that Branson is stepping down from its board of directors, saying the company "needs a more hands-on chairman". Branson's seat on the board will go to another Virgin Group executive. No mention was made of a decision last week by Branson to suspend two directorships linked to tourism projects in Saudi Arabia following the unexplained disappearance in Turkey of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In a statement last week, Branson said also that his Virgin group would suspend discussions with Saudi Arabia over proposed investment in Virgin Galactic, which is set to carry out its first space flight within weeks. "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. Several startups have also taken to pursuing the hyperloop idea after its feasibility was shared publicly in a white paper released by Musk about five years ago. Canadian company Transpod is working to begin testing the system in France. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Roberto Cortijo (Agence France-Presse) Ruinas de Chan Chan, Peru Tue, October 23, 2018 22:04 1121 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308778f7936 2 Art & Culture Peru,Colombia,archeology,statue,mythology Free Archeologists in Peru have found 20 800-year-old wooden statues in the largest pre-Columbian site in the Americas, Culture Minister Patricia Balbuena and researchers revealed on Monday. The statues, all but one of which were in a good condition, were found in the Chan Chan archeological site: a city that was once the capital of the Chimu Kingdom and pre-dated the Inca Empire. Located close to the north Peruvian modern city of Trujillo, Can Chan was comprised of 10 citadels, or walled palaces, in its six kilometer squared (2.3 square miles) center of a wider city that measured 20 square kilometers. Each statue measures 70-centimeters (27.5 inches) in height and they were aligned in niches in the wall of a ceremonial corridor decorated with high mud reliefs in a thousand-year-old building. The corridor where they were found, buried in earth, was only discovered in June in the Utzh An or Great Chimu palace. "It's an important discovery for its age and the quality of its decoration," said Balbuena while visiting the site. Read also: Germany returns priceless gold mask to Peru The statues, discovered in September, are black with beige clay masks and "would be the oldest sculptures known to date in Chan Chan," said archeologist Arturo Paredes, who is leading the dig. Each sculpture is standing with a circular object on its back, perhaps a shield. The corridor is decorated with squares, like a chessboard, and waves in high relief, while there are also images of the "lunar animal," a mythical symbol common in pre-Hispanic cultures along the north Peruvian coast, according to archeologist Henry Gayoso. The Chimu culture flourished between 900 and 1450 AD on the northern coast of Peru and at its apogee, Chan Chan, which means resplendent sun, had 30,000 inhabitants. Only 14 square kilometers of the original complex remains but even that is under threat from the climate, looting and residential encroachment. It attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world every year. Some 500 people, including 50 archeologists are working on investigative and preservation projects in Chan Chan, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 23, 2018 07:31 1122 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308778cd353 1 City boy,death,North-Jakarta,Penjaringan-North-Jakarta,park,car,asphyxiation Free Police have interrogated five witnesses in connection with the death of a toddler, identified only as R, who was found trapped in a locked car in North Jakarta. Were still investigating if there was any negligence in this case, Penjaringan Police crime unit chief Comr. Mustakim said on Monday. But, based on our preliminary investigation, we havent found any negligence or intention to leave R trapped in the car. Car owner Afandi Arfandi found Rs body lying on the backseat of his car, which was parked 200 meters from the boys house in Muara Baru, North Jakarta, on Saturday. According to Afandi, the last person to use his car was his brother-in-law, Ruslan, on Friday. They suspect that Ruslan forgot to lock the car, which gave R the chance to sneak in and accidentally lock the doors. The boys mother, Leha, said R had been missing since Friday. Some of his friends said he had been seen watching a monkey show near his house. Family and neighbors searched for R as far as Senen in Central Jakarta, because Rs family thought he might have followed the monkey group. Mustakim said Afandi, his wife, Ruslan, Rs parents and another person who saw the boy watching the monkey show had been questioned as witnesses in the case. While conducting the investigation, were still looking for witnesses at the scene. There were probably kids around the scene or kids who played with him Mustakim said as quoted by kompas.com. (srz) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anuj Chopra (Agence France-Presse) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Tue, October 23, 2018 07:07 1122 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308778ccb5c 2 Business #SaudiArabia,#investment,Saudi-Arabia,investment,Conference,journalist,murder Free Saudi Arabia scrambled Monday to prepare for an investment summit after a string of cancellations from global business titans, with Turkey's threat to reveal the "naked truth" over critic Jamal Khashoggi's murder casting a fresh shadow. Starting on Tuesday, the three-day Future Investment Initiative (FII) was meant to project the historically insular petro-state as a lucrative business destination as it seeks to diversify and set the stage for new ventures and multi-billion dollar contracts. But the summit, nicknamed "Davos in the desert", has been overshadowed by growing global outrage over the murder of Khashoggi inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. The chief executive of German industrial conglomerate Siemens Joe Kaeser was the latest among dozens of global executives to withdraw from the summit, hosted by the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund. "It's the cleanest decision but not the most courageous one," Kaeser wrote in a post on social network LinkedIn of his choice not to attend FII. "For now, the truth must be found and justice must be served." Ministers from the United States, Britain and France, which have huge defence deals at stake with Saudi Arabia, have already pulled out of the summit. Corporate honchos from JP Morgan to carmaker Ford and ride-hailing app Uber, as well as media powerhouses like Bloomberg, CNN and the Financial Times have also scrapped plans to attend. Organisers have taken down a list of speakers from its website and on Monday refused to confirm the number of attendees. One government source said the list of speakers and moderators was not yet finalised as many continued to drop out at a "rapid pace". - 'Dip in international confidence' - This year's summit contrasts last year's inaugural FII -- a star-studded event at Riyadh's glittering Ritz-Carlton hotel, where Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was lionised as a visionary as he wowed investors with talking robots and plans for a futuristic mega-city. The prince, widely known as MBS, faces what the risk consultancy Eurasia Group calls "an acute public relations crisis" over Khashoggi's murder. After over two weeks of vehement denials, Saudi Arabia has now admitted Khashoggi was killed in the consulate. Turkey could cast a fresh pall on the already downgraded summit after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to reveal the "naked truth" about the case on Tuesday. In the past weeks, Turkish media and officials speaking to international media have said audio recordings prove Khashoggi was tortured before being decapitated although no concrete evidence of their existence have emerged. "The Saudi leadership can walk away with an event that neither fails or succeeds," said Ayham Kamel, head of Middle East and North Africa at Eurasia Group. "But in a few months, the most important impact on the country will still be a dip in international confidence in the economic reform programme," he told Bloomberg News. - Investor uncertainty - But many Western firms have too much at stake to abandon the Arab world's biggest economy, and some are preparing to send lower-level executives to the summit. Senior investment bankers from HSBC and Credit Suisse are planning to attend the conference even though their chief executives have cancelled their attendance, Bloomberg News reported. Companies from China and Russia have shown little interest in withdrawing from the event, an organiser said. Although several Western leaders like International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin have pulled out, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan will attend the forum as Islamabad continues to seek funding to plug its deteriorating finances. But a wider Western boycott of the conference suggests rising political risks in Saudi Arabia that could cast a shadow over foreign direct investment, which a UN body said plunged last year to a 14-year low. "Despite talk of reform, FDI inflows into Saudi have stayed low and the (Khashoggi) scandal will only increase investor uncertainty," said research firm Capital Economics. For now, the kingdom's finances appear well cushioned by a recent spike in oil prices, now over $80 (70 euros) per barrel, which analysts say has reduced the urgency for outside funding. Khashoggi's killing fits a pattern of a recent crackdown on dissent in the kingdom, with Prince Mohammed, King Salman's son and the de facto ruler, arresting clerics, business high-fliers and women activists. Further stoking investor anxiety, the kingdom is embroiled in an expensive war in Yemen and is leading an embargo against Qatar. Riyadh has also engaged in diplomatic disputes with Germany and Canada that threatened business ties. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Sydney, Australia Tue, October 23, 2018 09:49 1122 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308778db3e7 2 World #Australia,#Myanmar,Australia,sanctions,Myanmar Free Australia's government on Tuesday unveiled sanctions against five officers in Myanmar's powerful military who are accused of overseeing barbaric violence against members of the Rohingya ethnic group. Following similar actions by the United States and the European Union, Australia announced it would freeze the assets of officers including a Lieutenant General who commanded a special operations group believed to be behind atrocities. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the officers -- Aung Kyaw Zaw, Maung Maung Soe, Aung Aung, Than Oo and Khin Maung Soe were "responsible for human rights violations committed by units under their command". The five, some of whom are since believed to have stepped down from their posts, will also be banned from travelling to Australia. Around 700,000 Rohingya have been driven from their homes in Rakhine state, in southwest Myanmar, since 2016. The campaign has been marked by numerous extrajudicial killings, mass rape and the burning of villages by security forces. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin A. Kurniawan Ulung (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 23 2018 Eye for detail: A Basoeki Abdullah Museum guide explains details of one of the late maestros paintings to visitors. World-renowned painter Basoeki Abdullah left masterpieces that still inspire todays generation of artists. The Basoeki Abdullah Museum in South Jakarta was where the Indonesian maestro painter was murdered on Nov. 5, 1993. 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 (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 23 2018 The immigration authorities have extended their ban on former Depok mayor Nur Mahmudi Ismail traveling abroad, to assist the polices ongoing investigation into a graft case in which he is implicated. Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Argo Yuwono said the police had submitted on Oct. 18 a letter to the Immigration Directorate General to extend the ban, which would have expired on Monday. He will be banned from traveling abroad for the next six months, Argo said on Monday 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 News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 23, 2018 14:51 1122 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308778e7165 4 Business tourism,Indonesia,Thailand,Arief-Yahya Free Tourism Minister Arief Yahya says growth in the Indonesian tourist industry may surpass that of Thailand within the next five years. We can beat 'Amazing Thailand' and 'Malaysia Truly Asia' , Arief said in a discussion at the State Secretariat in Jakarta on Tuesday as reported by kompas.com, arguing that in 2014, Indonesia ranked 70th in the world tourist Industry, but jumped to the 20th spot in 2017. We can dream of beating Thailand within about five years. Indonesia welcomed some 14 million foreign tourists in 2017, with contribution to the state revenue at around US$15.2 billion, while Thailand welcomed 35 million foreign tourists in the same year with contribution to the countrys state revenue at $45 billion. Meanwhile, Indonesia aims to welcome 17 million foreign tourists in 2018, with contribution to the state revenue to reach some $17 billion. So we project that in 2019, the tourist sector will contribute $20 billion, Arief said. Indonesia was declared as having the ninth-fastest growing tourist sector in the world in 2017, the third-fastest growing in Asia and fastest-growing in Southeast Asia. The tourist sector grew 22 percent in 2017, higher than the 6.4 percent average growth of global tourism and 7 percent average growth in the ASEAN tourist industry. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 23, 2018 13:55 1122 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308778e4535 1 City transjakarta,busway,traffic-accident,jakarta Free A motorcyclist who trespassed into a Transjakarta bus lane died in an accident on Monday night in the Harmoni intersection, Central Jakarta. According to the Jakarta Police's traffic management center Twitter account, @TMCPoldaMetro, the accident occurred at 6:39 p.m. Transjakarta spokesman Wibowo said that the bus, PPD 258, had just allowed passengers to board at Harmoni central bus shelter and was heading to Grogol shelter in West Jakarta as its final destination. As the bus was heading to Pecenongan shelter, a motorcycle entered the busway from the bus' left side. The motorcyclist hit the bus' rear tire, which then caused him to fall and crash into the busway's concrete barrier. "Soon after it happened, our staff members rushed the motorcyclist to a hospital, but he died on the way," Wibowo said as quoted by kompas.com. (vla) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Karina M. Tehusijarana (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 23, 2018 15:01 1122 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308778e82db 1 National HTI,Banser,MUI Free The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has called on the people who burned a black flag bearing an Islamic creed in Arabic to apologize for their action. "The MUI is concerned and regrets the burning of the flag with the tauhid text, as it has caused an uproar among the Islamic faithful," MUI secretary-general Anwar Abbas told a press conference at its Central Jakarta headquarters on Tuesday. "The MUI requests that the perpetrators apologize and openly admit their mistake to the Islamic faithful," he said. The tauhid, or tawhid, is the core of the Islamic faith and expresses the belief in Allah as the one and only God. The flag-burning incident occurred on Monday during the National Santri (Islamic students) Day celebrations in Garut, West Java, when an unidentified individual raised a black flag bearing the tauhid. Read also: Suspected HTI flag burning sparks controversy among Muslims Several men, alleged to be members of the Barisan Ansor Serbaguna (Banser) youth wing of the largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), took down the flag and burned it, apparently because they thought it was the flag of the banned Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI). A video of the flag burning went viral and drew outrage from many Muslims, who deemed it an insult to Islam. Police have detained and interrogated three people in connection with the incident, but none have been charged with a crime. MUI deputy chairman Zainut Tauhid said the council would leave it to the police to determine whether the burned flag indeed represented the HTI. "As it was already agreed that the flags of certain mass organizations were not allowed at that event and then the [HTI] flag suddenly appeared, this means that certain parties are trying to take advantage of the situation for their own interests," he said. (swd) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 23, 2018 11:33 1122 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308778e0755 1 Politics #politics,#election,#Indonesia,opposition,criticism,subdistrict,fund,president,election Free The governments plan to disburse funds to subdistricts across the country has been met with criticism from the opposition, which says such funds are political ahead of the 2019 general election. The fund would be disbursed to every subdistrict across the country, including ones located in cities. It will be allocated from the 2019 state budget (APBN) through the General Allocation Funds (DAU) scheme. It wasnt included in the 2019 state budget bill before. Why do they suddenly want the fund to be included in the bill without any proper regulation, months prior to the presidential election? Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) senior politician Hidayat Nur Wahid said on Monday, as quoted by kompas.com. We demand the government issue the regulation pertaining to the funds first. Without any regulation, it will become corruption. Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko has dismissed such concerns. Local leaders are expected to work more flexibly with the fund. Thats the rationale behind such a plan; there are no politics, he said as quoted by Kompas TV. The plan for the disbursement arose after hearing a number of complaints from residents regarding operational funds at the subdistrict level. The amount allocated [to subdistricts] will be different compared to village funds, as the size of subdistrict areas tends to be smaller compared to villages, Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo said a statement on Saturday. In a separate statement, President Joko Jokowi Widodo said the amount of the funds disbursed would be stipulated in a revision of Government Regulation No. 17/2018 on district regulation, the amount of which ranges between 4 to 5 percent of the regional budget (APBD). The revision, Jokowi added, would also act as an operational guideline regulating the usage and monitoring of the fund. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani has approved the suggestion and said the total amount of the subdistrict fund would be Rp 3 trillion (US$197 million), as reported by kontan.co.id. The number, the minister said, would be taken from the total village fund of Rp 73 trillion. As the Home Ministry stated there are 8,545 subdistricts across the country to date, each will receive around Rp 350 million. Roy Salam, a researcher from the Indonesia Budget Center (IBC), said he lauded the fund for urging the citizens' participation, as the fund was intended for citizen empowerment activities at the subdistrict level, as had been discussed in regional development planning forums (musrenbang). He, however, highlighted the challenge of managing the funds transparently and accountably, as most regencies' and cities APBDs had yet to be transparent. Regional administrations tend not to publish documents related to the APBD. Its OK to allocate the fund from the APBN, although it might need strict preconditions [persyaratan ketat]. For example, the fund will be given to subdistricts that already have a budget transparency system and published APBD documents for, at least, the last two fiscal years, Roy said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan Tue, October 23, 2018 18:44 1122 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308778f3805 1 National AIDS,HIV-AIDS,HIV-positive-children,Samosir-Island,discrimination Free Three HIV-positive orphans face the threat of being driven out of Samosir regency, North Sumatra, by residents who fear they may get infected with the virus. Ahmad Ramadhan, head of the North Sumatra chapter of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Prevention Commission (KPA), said the ultimatum had been made on Oct. 19 by the Nainggolan community, which had given the children all of whom are under the age of 12 seven days to leave the regency. If the children refuse to leave, the community will force them out using their own methods. This is inhumane, Ahmad told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday. The three children, who are currently under the care of the Batak Christian Protestant Church (HKBP) AIDS Committee, are originally from Balige in Toba Samosir regency. They moved to Samosir earlier this year. Ahmad lamented the residents warning, particularly because they had accepted two HIV-positive children from North Tapanuli last year. Why cant they accept [the three children] this year? he said. HKBP AIDS Committee executive secretary Berlina Sibagariang also regretted the communitys refusal, saying that the three children were currently under immense pressure. They are not allowed to go to school and now face expulsion from Samosir, Berlina said, adding that the committee was working to assist the three children and lobby the local community so they could remain on the island. After mediation involving school management, the local community and the Samosir regency administration, it was suggested that the children be homeschooled. Berlina disagreed, however, saying that homeschooling would only further isolate them. We dont have the right to prevent them from going to school. How can we do that to orphans? she said. (kuk/swd) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 23, 2018 16:28 1122 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308778ebc7c 1 National setya-novanto,KPK,Febri-Diansyah Free Graft convict Setya Novanto has paid another installment of a total of US$7.3 million in restitution in the e-ID graft case, Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) spokesman Febri Diansyah has said. The KPK prosecutors have transferred the payment amounting Rp 862 million [US$56,561] from Setya Novantos bank account to the antigraft bodys account, Febri said on Tuesday. The Jakarta Corruption Court in April found Setya guilty in the multitrillion rupiah graft case pertaining to e-ID procurement, which resulted in Rp 2.3 trillion in state losses. The politician was sentenced to 15 years behind bars, forced to pay Rp 500 million in fines as well as $7.3 million in restitution fees. Setya later told the KPK through a formal letter he would pay the restitution fees in installments. The former House of Representatives speaker has, so far, paid Rp 6.15 billion and $100,000 to the antigraft body some of the money, amounting Rp 5 billion, was paid to the KPK when his trial was still ongoing. Febri said the KPK had collected information regarding the sale of one of Setyas houses as told by his wife. In September, Setyas wife told the KPK that the commission would accept the money from the sale as an installment of the restitution fees. The KPK estimated the houses value at around Rp 13 billion. (swd) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 23, 2018 13:34 1122 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308778e39da 1 National HTI,Banser Free A video depicting members of the civilian security unit under the Nahdlatul Ulama's Ansor youth wing (Banser) burning what is believed to be a Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) flag has sparked controversy among Muslims. In the two-minute video that went viral on Monday, individuals wearing Banser uniforms were seen taking out a black flag bearing the Islamic creed printed in Arabic during a rally while the other set the flag on fire. Dozens of other people wearing the same uniform were watching over the burning. When the fire started engulfing the flag, members started singing the Banser marching song. The incident occurred during a National Santri Day rally in Garut, West Java, on Monday. Indonesian netizens were outraged by the video, saying the flag burning was a blasphemous act. Will Banser members that burned the tauhid flag utter La Illaha Illallah [syahadah] upon their death, while they burned the sentence when alive? Twitter user @CakKhum tweeted on Monday, while sharing the video. West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil was among the first officials to respond to the video. The governor tweeted on his Twitter account @ridwankamil on Monday that he regretted the incident. They were supposed to burn the symbol of an organization that had been banned by the government, but in my opinion, [the act] triggered a different interpretation. Lets express our views in an acceptable manner. Our nation needs that, he said on Monday. Ridwan referred to the governments decision to ban HTI, an Islamic organization accused of promoting the establishment of a caliphate that contradicted Pancasila, last year. Ridwans statement was echoed by Zainut Tauhid Saad, the deputy chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), who said Banser should be more aware of what it was committing to avoid triggering conflict among Muslims. He also urged people not be provoked by the video. It shouldnt be exaggerated because it might trigger further misunderstanding, he said, as quoted by Antara. The Garut Police have apprehended and questioned three people for their alleged involvement in the flag burning. Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Budi Satria Wiguna said the police were also looking for another individual who allegedly brought the flag to the rally. We suspect it was an HTI flag, although we need to investigate it further, Budi said as quoted by kompas.com. NU youth wing GP Ansor chairman Yaqut Cholil Coumas said he was collecting more information from officials of the wings Garut chapter regarding the incident. He added that GP Ansor would punish the implicated members if they were found guilty. [The punishment] will depend on the level of the wrongdoing. However, we dont have the full story of the incident yet, Yaqut said as quoted by tempo.co. (swd) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 23 2018 Two teenagers in Depok, West Java, were forced to sleep next to a grave after they were caught wearing mukena (head-to-toe womans prayer gowns), which made them look like ghosts, to scare residents. The neighborhood unit head in Sukamaju subdistrict, Arsyad, said the punishment was meant to stop the teenagers from doing it again. Although their aim was to have fun, the incident had caused uneasiness in the neighborhood, he added. A video of them looking like pocong (shrouded ghosts) while sleeping next to the graves went viral on social media, including on Instagram handle @ics_infocegatansolo on Sunday. 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 Winny Tang (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 23, 2018 09:24 1122 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308778d7a3f 1 Business Tiga-Pilar-Sejahtera-Food,shareholders-meeting,reshuffle Free Food producer Tiga Pilar Sejahtera (TPS) Food in an extraordinary shareholders meeting organized by the companys commissioners in Jakarta on Monday decided to appoint new directors and commissioners. The meeting, which had 56.46 percent of shareholders in attendance, agreed to appoint Hengky Koestanto as TPS Foods new president director, replacing Joko Mogoginta. This is a follow-up of the annual general meeting of shareholders (RUPS) held on July 27, 2018. Shareholders agreed to appoint the new president director, Hengky Koestanto, said Michael Hadylaya, TPS Foods corporate secretary on Monday in Jakarta. Shareholders had chosen Charlie Dhungga as the new independent director and Yulie Sudargo as the chief commissioner and independent commissioner, while Jaka Prasetya remained as the firms commissioner. Hengky was the son of Priyo Hadisusanto, founder of TPS Food, and also the sibling of former president director, Joko Mogoginta. TPS Food had conducted an RUPS on July 27. However, the meeting turned chaotic as conflicts rose between commissioners, directors, as well as shareholders. Joko Mogoginta walked out of the meeting room, accusing the commissioners of a hostile takeover of the company. The conflicts inside TPS Food a popular company that sells rice and iconic processed snack Taro become more intense since alleged in fraud mid-2017 was raised during the meeting. At that time, a factory owned by TPS Foods subsidiary, PT Indo Beras Unggul (IBU), was raided by authorities following the alleged fraud. PT IBU was found guilty of selling rice with lower quality than what was stated on the sacks of premium rice in the market. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 23, 2018 17:35 1122 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308778ef750 4 News Banyuwangi,tourism,Ijen-crater,travel,Tourism-Ministry,Wonderful-Indonesia Free Twenty-one bloggers and influencers from South America and Europe explored Banyuwangi on Oct. 19 to 23, a trip overseen by the Foreign Ministry in a bid to promote Indonesian tourism. Also participating in the trip were tour operators and journalists from the South American region and Western Europe, as reported by tempo.co. "There are those from Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Greece, Portugal, Spain and Belgium," said Darianto Harsono, the ministry's sub directorate III head at the American II directorate. Darianto said the ministry had chosen Banyuwangi for the region's rapid tourism development. "We also scheduled a tour operator meeting with tourist industry players in Banyuwangi to open up opportunities for good cooperation between them," Darianto said. Read also: Ten must-visit places in Banyuwangi The group also attended the Gandrung Sewu Festival, a performance involving 1,200 dancers on the edges of Boom Beach overlooking the Bali Strait. "The Gandrung Sewu Festival is amazing. It's beautiful," said Jose Sergio, manager of Volta Ao Mundomagazine, the largest travel magazine in Portugal. Sergio said the Gandrung Sewu Festival was very special as it featured thousands of dancers in beautiful bright red-colored costumes. Coupled with an epic narrative and views of the strait and Bali, he added that it made the show even more fascinating. Throughout the trip, the group visited, among others places, the famous Ijen crater, as well as Bangsring Underwater, Red Island and Alas Puro National Park. (liz/kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, October 23, 2018 16:33 1122 882ab4bc56dbda08a069b308778ec740 1 News wedding,India,Indian-wedding,startup,tourists,travel,tourism Free Weddings should be considered an exclusive and special event, meant for family and friends -- which is why gate-crashing one could be considered unsavory. However, since Indian weddings have become such a popular target for uninvited guests, a new Indian startup has decided to cash in on the phenomenon by selling admission tickets to traditional Indian weddings to tourists. As reported by Travel+Leisure, Join My Wedding allows Indian couples who are open to the idea of pocketing some extra cash and new friends. Experiencing all the cultural elements at once, meaningfully connecting with the locals in India, thats a huge motivating factor for the travelers, said Join My Wedding CEO Orsi Parkanyi as quoted by CNBC. Read also: Indonesia takes a bite out of food waste one wedding at a time The service is said to link hosts and guests prior to the main event, so that when the wedding comes, the bride and groom wont be suddenly accepting complete strangers into their sacred circle. Its a safe experience, Parkanyi added. You attend an event with hundreds of people, youre a distinguished guest, people look after you." The startup has sold tickets to more than 100 weddings across India thus far. Ticket prices also depend on what kind of event you have decided to attend, and these events can be for a single day or two to three days. Single-day attendance tends to price around US$150, while two to three day events tend to price around $250. (acr/kes) Michael Moore is back with his latest documentary Fahrenheit 11/9, which tackles the great question on everyones lips: How the fuck did this happen? Yet even more importantly, Moore asks: What can be done to fix it? The National Student spoke with the legendary documentary-filmmaker about his latest work. Theres nothing to indicate that Trump wont get a second term at this point. The Democratic party is an inept organisation that doesnt know how to run campaigns or candidates, or just how to run people who are beloved by Americans. So, you can hope it wont happen, but hope, as the movie points out, is not a method. When youre in ninth grade in the US, youre shown a 20-minute documentary in sex ed called hope is not a method thats about where were at. Despite presenting a very optimistic view of the American youth and the future they may bring for the country, Moore nonetheless states that I havent felt any hope for some time the film was made with a lot of despair that people are feeling, and the realisation that [Trump] cant be beaten. Its just starting to dawn on people. Ive been trying to tell people since before he was elected that he was going to beat us, and everyone would laugh at me thinking I was making a joke, you know. People are starting to realise what Ive said from the beginning, which is that hes outsmarted all of us. And that hes smarter than us, and that part of his performance art is coming off as such a dumbass, and hes anything but. Despite many media outlets still playing Trump off as darkly comedic relief (think of the way his Tweets are presented in the news), and many people still believing him dangerous only in his stupidity, Michael Moore emphasises that Trump is in fact dangerously brilliant. How he got Brett Kavanaugh through is just a piece of his genius, and smart people keep asking How did that happen? They still havent figured him out yet. And theyve had a lot of time! Hes been around New York for forty years doing the same shtick, and the press never took him seriously; they always took him as a joke and as tabloid fodder, front-page of the Rupert Murdoch papers, that kind of stuff. Thats who Trump was, and weve never paid any attention to what hes actually been doing, which is screwing people. Despite Moores clear wariness of the word hope, however, in terms of what I hope for politically, thats based on what happens in the election in November. I hope that people will come and vote, even in a country where the largest political party is the non-voter party. And what does he think will come of the midterms? You cant predict the midterms," he explains. "There could be such a tsunami of women and young people that could show up to vote, that its going to crush them like theyve never been crushed before he says in the middle of a prayer or what Steve Bannon says, that they're (the Republicans) going to win by one or two seats, because everyone on the Democrats side is already popping the champagne corks and saying that this ones in the bag, like they did with Hillary. So for the next few weeks, if everyones not out there knocking on doors and getting people out to vote, then Trump will remain in power. Though permission was not given to have the meeting filmed, and it therefore could not be included in the documentary, Michael Moore interviewed former White House Chief Strategist and former executive chairman of Breitbart News, Steve Bannon. I asked him how he did it, Moore recounts, how he pulled this off, and he said that The difference between our side and your side, is that we go for a head wound, and your side has pillow fights, and I just looked at him and I thought, Wow the truth of that is immense. Yet regardless of the outcome of the midterms, Moore is still of the view that whats going to happen between 2018 and 2020 is that Trump is going to continue to wreck the country, and then if they can do enough voter suppression and more gerrymandering, and other things to lessen the vote, so that the white male vote remains the dominant vote - even though white men are the minority in the country - then theyll have their way. And that despite the fact that almost 70% of Americans now are either female, people of colour, or young people, thats the country, not old white guys. Asked about the increasing polarisation of politics and parties in America, Moore vehemently replies: Polarisation is good. I am the polar opposite to someone who believes they can tell women what to do with their reproductive organs; I am the polar opposite of that, I want the polarisation. I want them defeated, and thankfully, 60% percent of the American public agree with me on nearly all the issues, and so that gives me some comfort. But the people who believe climate change isnt real, I am the polar opposite; the people who believe we should be locking up people because theyve been caught with marijuana, I am the polar opposite. So I am all for that division, and Im for victory on our side, if we ever get up and organise ourselves the way that we should. Though Fahrenheit 11/9 does not address it, Michael Moore was also happy to discuss the effects of Brexit on the UK. I was here in the UK in the week before Brexit with my last film, and after a week here travelling, I could see that Brexit was going to win, even if the polls didnt show it. To me, if you just talk to people - like actual people, not in the bubble that were in - people were not necessarily happy about the idea of leaving the European Union, but they loved the idea that the elites hated it, and that this could be their Molotov cocktail to throw into the system that has not done them well. So you think of all the Americans and Brits in the last twenty years whose lives havent gotten better, and Brexit became a way to really stick it to [those in power], and Trump was the same thing The people where Im from didnt like Trump, but Trump represented the bomb that they could throw into a system that hadnt served them well, and thats exactly what they did! I think this movie is so relevant to what youre dealing with here, and frankly, just in the last few years here, each time Ive come here, I go home feeling bad about the United Kingdom. First of all, its not much of a Kingdom anymore, lets just be honest. And there isnt much thats great about Britain anymore, either. The way that the UK seems to constantly want to emulate the United States, and most recently with dismantling bit by bit your National Health Service, its just the saddest thing to see that youre allowing capitalism to essentially run the government, and not the people. Which is so ironic, that of all places this is where it would happen because this country provided a refuge for people who were trying to think things out a little differently, and trying to make sure that the wealthy and the uber-rich wouldnt run the show. So many of these ideas were born here, were fought for here, percolated here. What happened? And to end on an even more despairing, but likely realistic note, Moore echoes Bannon's sentiment, that the Democrats certainly dont have anybody thats going to beat Trump in 2020. To win, you have to think how they think. They run popular people, they run people that people like and that theyve seen on TV, you know. We need to run Oprah. Michelle Obama would win, people like that. But to run a politician and win, that wont happen now. Fahrenheit 11/9 is out now, distributed by Vertigo Releasing. This month, thousands of magazine were distributed on UK campuses. I was sent to Edinburgh Napier University and the University of Edinburgh to follow some contributors and capture the smile of our readers. All photos by Gianluca Chincoli for The National Student Click below to see more: A Newcastle student died after taking part in a boozy bar crawl where a round in one venue included 100 triple vodkas, an inquest has heard. Edward Farmer was on an initiation style bar crawl organised by the Agricultural Society but died in hospital after being found unconscious in a hallway. The 20 year old had five times the legal drink-drive limit of alcohol in his blood a post-mortem examination found. Mr Farmer, originally from Leicester, was taking part in an event which saw students apple bobbing in urine and alcohol, having their heads shaved and drinking out of a pig's head. Photo: Pexels While providing evidence at the inquest on Monday (October 22), witness and intensive care consultant Dr Peter Benjamin Messer was asked whether he thought the outcome would have been different had Mr Farmer arrived at the hospital earlier. Had he come into hospital prior to that (cardiac) arrest my opinion is the outcome would have been different, he said. A Facebook invitation for the event told students to bring a 70cl bottle of hard spirits, some money, a Metro ticket, swimming goggles, a Kinder Egg and some lubrication, Coroner Karen Dilks told the inquest. While all members of the Agricultural Society were invited to the social, the event was primarily aimed at initiating first year students into the society through a series of pranks throughout the night. James Carr, who was the chairman of the university's Agricultural Society and a second-year student at the time, was also called as a witness yesterday (October 22). If a student didnt want to drink he wouldnt have been forced, Carr told the inquest. Explaining some of the planned activities for the night, he went on to say: the plan was for them (first year students) to crawl to the garage, have their heads shaved and take shots of vodka from a pigs head, as had happened to us the previous year. Initiation ceremonies often include a series of 'pranks' that first year students are required to do as part of being welcomed into a team, however, theyve been banned by many universities - including Newcastle - due to the humiliating and degrading pranks as well as the high intake of alcohol that is usually drunk. On their website the University of Newcastle state: Initiation ceremonies encourage the following negative behaviours: forcing participants to behave in a way that might reasonably be perceived as humiliating, demeaning or degrading; forcing participants to drink excessive amounts of alcohol or to take other substances (illegal or otherwise); inciting participants to behave in a way that would bring the University into disrepute It is also made clear that anyone found to have organised or participated in an initiation ritual will be subject to disciplinary action. Yesterday, Mr Carr explained he first became aware Mr Farmer was not in a very good state on the Metro home, he was then taken to a house on Sanderson Road where he was placed in the hallway. As Mr Carr could hear him snoring audibly loudly he assumed the 20 year old was sleeping, however, the snoring was likely to have been a sign he was seriously unwell and would indicate partial obstruction of the airways, the inquest heard. At 4.30 am Mr Carr was woken by another student, he discovered Mr Farmer unresponsive in the hallway and subsequently drove the student to the Royal Victoria Infirmary. Speaking at the inquest today (October 23) via video link, witness Guy Barker, who was a second year student at the time, said: It was an organised night out when youre encouraged to drink a lot and eat various things- foul tasting things like pots of mustard. He also told the inquest how there was apple bobbing in urine and alcohol. The inquest continues. 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 Two Brownstown residents were sentenced to 10 and six years in prison, respectively, after conducting a multimillion dollar scheme to defraud Medicare for health services that were never provided. Between 2009 and 2017, Hafiz Tahir, 49, and Tasneem Tahir, 44, routinely submitted false and fraudulent Medicare claims and paid illegal kickbacks for the referral of beneficiaries to home health agencies they owned, officials said. Hafiz Tahir was sentenced to 10 years and owes a money judgment of more than $5.5 million, whereas Tasneem Tahir was sentenced to six years and owes a money judgment of more than $2.5 million. The Tahirs also were directed to forfeit several other items to the United States government: $226,000 in a Lebanese bank, two pieces of real property and cash in lieu of two vehicles. The men each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks. Two other co-conspirators Emma King, 69, of Detroit and Antonio Kho, 72, of Oak Park also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. An alleged third Hoda Sabbagh, 54, of Milford remains a fugitive. U.S. District Judge Marianne Battani ordered the defendants to pay restitution of more than $14 million combined. Members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Rebecca Yuan of the U.S. Department of Justice Fraud Section. The DOJ Criminal Divisions Fraud Section runs the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which operates in 12 cities across the country. Since its creation in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force has charged almost 4,000 defendants who, together, have fraudulently billed the Medicare program for more than $14 billion. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. MBABANE Linda Nxumalo is the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ETA. The Master of Science (M.Sc.) holder in leadership, change management and credit from Leeds Metropolitan University will assume her new role at the beginning of November 2018 for the next three years. Chairperson of the Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) Board of Directors Nomsa Mabila confirmed that Nxumalo had emerged victorious in the recruitment exercise undertaken by KPMG. On behalf of the ETA Board, I am pleased to confirm that Linda Nxumalo has been appointed as CEO after an intense recruitment exercise, briefly said Mabila. Substantive Nxumalo takes over from acting CEO Gcinithemba Fakudze, who had been leading the organisation, albeit on an acting basis, after substantive CEO Eric Masekos contract expired about six months ago. Asked what made Nxumalo to be a cut above the rest of candidates, whom she did not want to disclose, Mabila said the incoming CEO boasts of vast experience, both in the corporate and tourism industry. With the experience she brings from both the dynamic corporate world and private sector, we are confident as a Board that Nxumalo will turn the organisation around to improve Eswatinis tourism industry, said Mabila. Nxumalo has served as Board chairperson for the Eswatini National Trust Commission (ENTC) since 2014. Reputable She has also served a number of corporate organisations, such as MTN Swaziland, Shell Oil Swaziland - currently called Galp Energia, Swaziland Milling, Farm Chemicals and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy on a part time basis, among other reputable institutions. Nxumalo joins ETA from the Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC), where she served as Head of Business Development, Marketing and Sales for the National Contact Centre, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EPTC, reporting to the Managing Director (MD) Petros Dlamini. Her primary role was to acquire new business for the newly-established contact centre. EZULWINI For the new senators-elect and appointed members, the requirement that they should declare their assets should be revisited. In true cultural language, the new senators-elect and appointed members have decried the law which stipulates that they should declare their assets, stating that it was not favourable. This was during the first workshop where the new legislators got to introduce themselves among each other and were further taught some of the basics of their duties and Standing Orders. Enlightening them about the declaration of assets was one Newman Mamba from the Commission on Human Rights and Public Administration/Integrity, who first circulated the forms which the members were expected to fill in. As he explained in detail the type of assets that were to be declared, Appointed Senator Prince Hlangabeza requested for some clarification. Chickens The prince said he did not understand why there was a need for them to declare assets such as cattle, goats, chickens and immovable property, including a homestead. According to Section 241 (1) of the Constitution of Swaziland Act No.1 of 2005, legislators have to declare assets, including immovable property, motor vehicles, livestock, estimated value of household goods and other valuables like jewellery, investments, businesses and liabilities. Prince Hlangabeza said in the cultural way of life, people grew up in homes and eventually got married. In the end, the house is under my name. There is a dog in that home, which can be under my name but in the truest sense, it is owned by my son. There could be a pig at the home which is under me but it actually belongs to my daughter, he said. He mentioned that there was a need for clarity on how exactly such assets should be declared. In jest, he mentioned that when the police arrived to investigate, they would be told that the home belonged to him, which meant that even the assets were under his name when in fact it they belonged to his sons and daughters or the whole family. If you ask me to declare I will tell you that I have nothing because everything belongs to my household. The assets belong to my children. Angiyiva lentfo yakho lena (I do not get it), he said. Sharing the same sentiments was appointed Senator Vuka Moi Moi Masilela, who made it clear that he was going to lobby Parliament to halt the whole process of declaring assets. culture According to Masilela, even when the 10th Parliament took office, there was an issue with the process. The prince is right. In our culture, some of us are installed as heirs in the community. So you cannot boast that the assets there are yours. But in this law you want us to do that. Go back and tell those who sent you that let us halt this until it is properly clarified, Masilela said. In his view, it was obvious that those who passed the law must have used the British laws and did not consider the cultural side of the Kingdom of Eswatini. Another concern regarding the declaration was raised by apppointed Senator Princess Ntfombiyenkhosi who said it should not focus on those in high ranking positions only but also the subordinates. In her view, it was those in lower positions who were usually implicated in cases of corruption and made an example of accountants. Chief Mvimbi also seconded the view by his colleagues saying some Eswatini homesteads and chiefdoms had livestock, which were offered by citizens as part of the kukhonta system, which meant that such assets were held in trust for the nation by His Majesty King Mswati III. My wives, cows and goats should not be included here. You can put the money but not my traditional houses like boguca, nemalonto. It does not make sense, said the chief. Addressing the issue, Mamba explained that it was the Constitution of Eswatini that provided for politicians to declare and said if there were concerns, it was their duty to address them and amend it. We follow the Constitution so if there is a need to correct some of the clauses, I guess Parliament will work on that. For now we have to stick to what is stipulated, Mamba said. By Trend The discussion of the protocol on cooperation in combating the illegal harvesting of biological resources (poaching) in the Caspian Sea will be held in Ashgabat on Oct. 23-25, the Turkmen government said in a statement. The event will be attended by authorized delegations from Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. The previous meetings dedicated to this topic were held in the Turkmen capital in 2016 and 2017. The parties spoke in favor of monitoring of the biological resources and the marine environment of the Caspian basin. The Caspian Sea is the largest inland water reservoir in the world, which is not connected with the World Ocean, and has the climate-forming significance. It is unique in that it has a variety of relict flora and fauna, including the world's largest herd of sturgeons. The exhibition opens its doors on November 30 and is scheduled to run for four months, until March 31 In unique tribute to Leonardo da Vinci taking place in Athens, three separate exhibitions on the iconic Renaissance man will be merged into one for the first time to create a rich audiovisual experience that transports visitors through space and time, allowing them to discover the life and work of the artist, polymath and inventor who laid the foundations for some of the most important inventions in human history, ANA reports. Organised by the production company "Lavris" - which also organised the highly successful interactive show "Van Gogh Alive - The Experience" attended by more than 200,000 visitors - in cooperation with Grande Exhibitions, the "Leonardo Da Vinci - 500 Years of Genius" exhibition will take place at the site of the Old OSY Train Depot in Gazi, central Athens. A special audiovisual experience set up with the assistance of the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Rome, the Lumiere Technology Institute in Paris, as well as specialists from Italy and France, the "Leonardo da Vinci 500 years of Genius" exhibition honours Leonardo da Vinci 500 years after his death, demonstrating the complete range of his achievements. 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: Alison restrepo quiroga License: CC-BY-SA The government of Jamaica has established The Global Centre for Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management, a first-of-its-kind resource based in the Caribbean at The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. Led by Jamaicas Tourism Minister, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, The Centres mission is to carry out policy-relevant research and analysis on destination preparedness, management, and recovery from disruptions or crises that impact tourism and threaten economies and livelihoods globally. The Global Tourism Resilience Centre announced that Dr. Taleb Rifai, former Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will serve as Chairman of the Board. Dr. Rifai has an extensive background in international and national public service, the private sector and academia. He served as Secretary-General of the UNWTO from 2010-2017, where his focus was Travel and Tourism's contributions and responsibilities in a rapidly changing global scene. Jamaicas Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett will serve as co-chair. Ms. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, the President of Malta, has given her full support of Centre, with further discussions of her role as Honorary President of the Centre to be held in Malta on October 28, between Min. Bartlett and Dr. Rifai. Additionally, HRH Prince Sultan Bin Salman, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, a man who commands tremendous respect from the International tourism community has pledged his commitment to fully support the Centre. While not being able himself to join the board, due to time constraints, he is to name a representative from the Commission to the Centres Board. Other Board members of the Centre include: Dr. Mario Hardy, Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Mr. Brett Tollman, Chief Executive Officer, The Travel Corporation Mr. Lee Miles, Professor of Crisis and Disaster Management, University of Bournemouth, United Kingdom Ambassador Dho Young-shim, Chairman, UNWTO Sustainable Tourism Eliminating Poverty Initiative (ST-EP) Mr. Ryoichi Ma up tsuyama, President, Japan National Tourism Organization Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies Mr. Earl Jarret, Chief Executive Officer, Jamaica National Group The mission of the Global Tourism Resilience & Crisis Management Centre is to carry out policy-relevant research and analysis on destination preparedness, management, and recovery from disruptions or crises that impact tourism and threaten economies and livelihoods globally. The Centre, which will be sited at the UWI Mona Campus, will be formally launched during the Caribbean Marketplace Expo in Montego Bay, from January 29-31, 2019. Read more at ftnnews.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 Spain's national minister of industry, trade and tourism, Reyes Maroto, has given an estimate of 81.2 million foreign tourists for 2018, which would be a fall of 0.8%. In the final quarter of the year, the expectation is that Spain will receive 15.3 million visitors, a drop of 2.2%. The figures are, however, "very positive", while foreign tourist spending is calculated to show a 2.8% increase for the whole year. Between October and December, the rise will be 3.4%, forecasts suggest. For Maroto, there is now a "normalisation" of tourism flows and "an increase in the quality of tourists". Definitive number have yet to be made available to include September, but up to August there was a 2.8% increase in foreign tourist numbers (57.3 million) and the same percentage rise for spending. The Balearics and Catalonia have both experienced slight drops in tourist numbers. In Catalonia, Maroto attributes this to the political instability. The Balearics are a different case, and she notes that her ministry is working with the Balearic government on a tourism model of quality over more quantity. The Balearics, she adds, have "limited space". Commenting on the floods in Majorca, Maroto noted yesterday that they will not affect the final number of tourists this year. Read more at majorcadailybulletin.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 KPMG, a leading provider of audit, tax and advisory services, said it will be hosting a seminar in Bahrain to showcase the key highlights of the kingdom's VAT law and its implications on businesses across the main economic sectors. KPMG in Bahrain, a leading provider of audit, tax and advisory services, is set to host a seminar to showcase the key highlights of the soon-to-be-introduced VAT law and its implications on businesses across the main economic sectors. A member firm of KPMG international, the company was established in 1968 as the first national accounting and auditing firm, and has grown to be one of the largest professional services firms in the country. The half-day event will be held under the theme 60 days to VAT: what to do and what maybe not? on October 30, at the Gulf Hotel in capital Manama. This month, the government published the VAT decree law No 48 in the official gazette after winning approval from both the Shura Council and Parliament for introduction on January 1, 2019, said a statement from KPMG in Bahrain. Once implemented, businesses within an annual supplies threshold of BD37,700 ($100,000) will need to administer, record, assess and report VAT obligations as well as VAT refund entitlements for their business transactions inside and outside of Bahrain, and submit them to National Bureau for Gulf Taxation within specific timeframes, it added. Being 60 days away from the big change, companies need to fully understand the VAT law and make the necessary changes to comply with the new tax regulations, said KPMG in its statement. During the event, tax experts will explain companies how they can be VAT-ready mainly on the basis of lessons learnt from the other GCC VAT implementing countries, it added.-TradeArabia News Service The 20th edition of Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (Wetex 2018) opened in Dubai along with the third edition of Dubai Solar Show featuring more than 2,100 exhibitors from 53 countries at these exhibitions. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and President of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), inaugurated the events held in conjunction with the fifth World Green Economy Summit. He was accompanied by Matar Humaid Al Tayer, the chairman of Dewa, which is organising the exhibition under the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Both events will be held until October 25 over a 78,413-sq-m area at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre in conjunction with the fifth World Green Economy Summit. The theme is 'At the forefront of sustainability, and under the umbrella of the 5th Green Week. Following the inauguration, Sheikh Hamdan toured the exhibition along with other officials where they got a briefing on various innovations, solutions and new products in key sectors such as energy and water desalination, green technologies, clean and renewable energy, environmental sustainability, and oil and gas. He also visited the Dewa stand, which has a scale model of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. The solar parks capacity is expected to reach 5,000 MW by 2030, with investments of up to Dh50 billion ($13.6 billion). Upon completion, the solar park will help reduce over 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually. He was also briefed on the model of the pumped storage hydroelectric power station, the first of its kind in the Arabian Gulf that uses water stored in the Hatta Dam to generate up to 250 MW, the 400-MW pumped hydro storage island in the Arabian Gulf, with 2,500 MWh of storage capacity and a model of the region's first solar-driven hydrogen electrolysis facility at Dewa, in co-operation with Siemens, Dewas outdoor testing facilities at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai. Dewa stand also displays a smart grid station (SGS) model, a modular concept that connects smart grids to smart buildings. The utility is exploring the concept of SGSs, which connect smart buildings to each other to share information, to help improve energy and water efficiency and make optimal use of renewable energy within a smart city. In addition to the 40 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD), sea water reverse osmosis (SWRO)-based desalination plant, the third phase of the 590 MW K-Station at Jebel Ali, and Dewas latest innovations and technologies in smart transformation, smart services and the continuous development of its operations, are also on display. said the statement from Dewa. The Dubai utility's projects and initiatives include a GPS-guided autonomous bus, the Ma'rifa Collaboration Platform, Dewa smart applications, and Rammas, its virtual employee that answers customer queries in both English and Arabic on its smart app, website, Facebook and Amazon Alexas system and Google's Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform, in addition to Ebtikari, which encourages inventors and innovators from all over the world to send their innovations and ideas. The Afkari portal allows Dewas staff to present their innovative ideas and vote on the best ideas, similar to social media sites. The firm is also demonstrating its MORO Data Hub, a world-class data centre that offers services and managed business solutions to public and private companies in the UAE and the region, and a model of its Future Centre for Customer Happiness with its smart self-service booths, which aims to simplify transactions for customers. At Wetex 2018, Dewa is also presenting the Solar Decathlon Middle East 2018 (SDME 2018), a global competition to design, build, and operate sustainable, cost- and-energy-efficient models of solar-powered homes, which will take place at the Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park at Seih Al Dahal in Dubai. A total of 15 teams representing 28 universities from 11 countries around the world are taking part. Dubai is hosting the first and second competitions through a partnership between the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy and Dewa with the US Department of Energy. The second competition will happen in 2020 in conjunction with Expo 2020 in Dubai. Dewa also presented its Al Namoos service, which has been especially developed to provide consultants and contractors with electricity connections of up to 150 kilowatts (kW) in one step within 7 days. Also on display are its smart initiatives to promote sustainable development. These include Shams Dubai, which was created to encourage customers to connect solar power in buildings by installing photovoltaic panels to produce electricity, with the surplus exported to Dewas grid. To date, the Dubai utility has connected its grid to 1,177 solar systems placed on the roofs of buildings in Dubai, including residential, commercial and industrial facilities, with a total capacity of 54.7MW. Dewa said it aims to increase this in the future to reach all buildings in the emirate by 2030. The Green Charger initiatives install electric vehicle charging stations to encourage people to buy environmentally-friendly cars. Sheikh Hamdan later visited the Enoc, Acwa Power from Saudi Arabia, Siemens, ABB, Masdar, Empower, the stands of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, the Sustainable City, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Emirates Global Aluminium, the World Green Economy Summit, Ducab, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority and many others. He also visited a number of national and international pavilions including the Italy pavilion and the China pavilion, which hosts the largest number of companies working in water, energy and environment.-TradeArabia News Service Saudi Aramco has signed 15 strategic and commercial collaborations valued at more than $34 billion with 15 partner companies from eight countries at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The memoranda of understanding (MoUs) reflect both Saudi Aramcos and the Kingdoms international partnership strategies and the determination to diversify the economy, enhance the domestic investment environment and boost employment opportunities. The MoUs support Saudi Aramcos forward-looking strategy across business units, including downstream, offshore, and engineering. It engages with companies representing eight countries including major businesses in France, China, the US, Japan, the UAE, the UK, South Korea and India. A number of these MoUs will enhance the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (iktva) program, Saudi Aramcos flagships initiative to improve the domestic supply chain, its operations and its employment potential, through greater commercial engagement with Saudi businesses. Iktvas localization objective is to achieve 70 per cent of locally supplied goods and services by 2021. In the area of job creation, Saudi Aramco has proactively pursued opportunities to pilot the high value job creation in the Kingdom, increasing opportunities for Saudi citizens over the next 10-15 years with anchor projects, including the King Salman International Complex for Maritime Industries and Service in Ras Al Khair which will generate in the region of 30,000 direct and 50,000 indirect jobs. The MoUs and commercial collaborations signed are: MoU with Total to launch engineering studies to build petrochemical complex in Jubail, KSA MoU with Total regarding the potential establishment of a retail service station network MoU with Hyundai Heavy Industries regarding potential HHI investments in King Salman International Maritime Complex for Industries and Services at Ras Al Khair MoU with Baker Hughes GE MoU with Schlumberger MoU with Halliburton MoU with Oilfield Supply Center MoU with Flex-Steel to invest in RTP reinforced thermoplastic pipe facility MoU with NPCC (National Petroleum Construction Company, UAE) to invest in a fully integrated fabrication yard and marine base MoU with SeAH Changwon Integrated Specialty Steel Co. Limited to invest in localization of engineering steel MoU with GumPro (India) to invest in drilling chemicals facility MoU with Acwa Power (KSA) and Air Product (USA) regarding the Jazan Refinery gasification power project MoU with Sumitomo (Japan) regarding potential investments to upgrading PetroRabigh Refinery MoU with Norinco (China) regarding potential investments in refining and chemicals projects MoU with NOV (USA) to invest in manufacturing and repair of onshore rigs and equipment The Future Investment Initiative is an ideal platform to attract international investments and to capitalize on emerging new opportunities that are fast emerging with Vision 2030. Saudi Aramco is playing a pivotal role, alongside many national stakeholders, in enabling new industrial and business partnerships in the Kingdom thanks to its position as a global energy powerhouse, and as reflected in our major investments and partnerships globally, not only in core oil and gas and downstream, but also in pursuing advanced technologies and energy-related value adding activities. Saudi Arabias infrastructure, both physical and digital, has witnessed an extraordinary advancement. This is integral to todays advanced industrial activities. It attracts investors and enhances the fundamental competitiveness of the Saudi economy. TradeArabia News Service Bahrain-based Cityview Real Estate Development Company has begun the official handover of units at its Cityview residential tower in the Seef District of the kingdom. The Cityview building comprises 88 apartments offering amenities such as a gym, health club, and swimming pool dedicated to the residents. The project, which was put on hold in 2011, is 51 per cent owned by Ithmaar Holding, an investment firm listed on the Bahrain Bourse, Boursa Kuwait and Dubai Financial Market, through one of its subsidiaries. Announcing its formal inauguration, Cityview chairman Abdulhakeem Al Mutawa, said he was pleased that, despite several complex challenges, the project was successfully completed in August and was now being handed over to its residents. The Cityview tower's completion makes it the only project of its kind in Bahrain whose problem was resolved internally after Ithmaar Bank, one of the shareholders, provided the necessary financing. Present at the inauguration ceremony were representatives of Ithmaar Bank and Cityview as well as Ithmaar Development Company (IDC), which represents Ithmaar Group, Dheya Tawfiqi Engineering Consultancy Bureau (DTEB) as the project consultant, Poullaides Construction Company (PCC) as the main contractor and Ithmaar Banks Home Finance team. While announcing the project's completion in August, Al Mutawa had said the achievement, which remains unique in Bahrain, was made possible by Ithmaar Banks determination to see the project through, and a demonstration of the potential that can be realised when everyone pulls in the same direction. The building is now fully operational with all utilities functional after having received all municipal and authority approvals, said an excited Al Mutawa. In fact, with the de-snagging works completed, and the testing and commissioning successful, we are handing over the building to Olive VFM (a wholly owned subsidiary of Ithmaar Holding), the appointed facility management team who will be welcoming the first residents, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Hundreds of philanthropists, welfare activists, technology experts and government officials will converge in Bahrain for the third annual Charity Technology Innovation Conference and Exhibition next week. Themed Adopting Technology in Humanitarian Work, the event is being held under the patronage of Labour and Social Development Minister Jameel Bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, on October 28 and 29 at the conference hall at the Gulf Hotel. The event will allow officials of welfare and humanitarian organisations, IT companies and academics from around the world to discuss the latest technologies that can better serve the field of philanthropy. Speaking to Trade Arabia, organising committee chairman Ahmed Bu Hazza said: The conference will witness eight sessions, where 40 speakers will discuss modern technologies that enable financial sustainability, promote charitable and endowment sectors, streamline information and communication, and aid people with disabilities. He added the event facilitates dialogue between technology companies and humanitarian organisations and activists. Over 20 exhibiting international technology companies from across the Arab world and beyond will showcase the latest technologies that can contribute to enhancing the infrastructure and technological development in the field of humanitarian work. Some of the many topics that will be discussed include Digital Social Innovation, Crowdfunding, Role of Fintech in promoting charitable work, Use of technology to challenge disability, Channels to promote charitable culture, Artificial Intelligence, Leveraging Media to further social work, etc. The speakers include Mohamed Omar Solan, faculty member at King Saud University; Abdulrahman Al Turkit, human rights activist and photographer; Yousuf Sultan, CEO at Ethis Ventures, Dr Jassim Haji, a leading IT expert, and others. In addition, there will be workshops and panel discussions regarding endowments, role of media and people with disabilities. Bu Hazza said the conference will discuss the future of endowment finance through the use of blockchain technology. Light will also be shed on the use of 3D in marketing humanitarian work and the internet of things. Also in the technology and innovation session, speakers will attempt to contribute to the methods of promoting initiatives aimed at enabling the disabled to benefit from modern technological advancements so that their lives can be made easier, enjoyable and more efficient. This will streamline their integration into society and allow them to develop themselves so they can actively contribute to public life and developmental works, concluded Bu Hazza. Expo 2020 has been a catalyst for development and growth in UAE, across all sectors. As the country continues to accelerate post Covid, the construction and infrastructure industries are set to enter a new phase of transformation in 2022, said an expert. Al Ghaith Holdings has decided to rebrand its hospitality product Gloria Hotel to Two Seasons Hotel & Apartments, under the management of Two Seasons Hotel Management. The company described the move as a mutual decision reached amicably between Al Ghaith Holdings and Gloria Hotel Management. The decision to change the brand from Gloria Hotel to Two Seasons Hotel & Apartments will become effective from January 2019. Two Seasons Hotel & Apartments boasts 1,010 rooms and suites, in a prime location directly opposite to Dubai Internet City metro station. The new brand will still be an alcohol-free property but applying BYO system. The creation of our home-grown brand and the upgrading of our current property will certainly enhance our guest interaction, by offering personalised service and quality standard to our customers," said Freddy Farid, managing director of Two Seasons Hotel Management. Two Seasons Management Company is planning to launch new hotels in Dubai and Morocco in the coming two years which will include Hotel Deluxe Apartments, Beach Resort and Lifestyle Boutique Hotel. - TradeArabia News Service | By Jena Frick To protect and serve is the creed followed by police officers on the job every day. On Oct. 17, officers from the University of Maryland, Baltimore Police Force (UMBPF) took the latter part of that creed literally. Armed with aprons and hair nets, half a dozen officers along with police Chief Alice Cary, MS, spent the evening serving dinner to residents at the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge of Baltimore. It is amazing that the UMBPF officers are coming in to embrace our family, said Karen Seaberry, manager of the Hope Lodge facility in Baltimore. Theyve always made us a part of the community. They protect us, they serve us, and now its great to see them come in and interact with some of our guests. Hazel Lewis (left), a corporal for the UMB Police Force, serves drinks to guests at the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge of Baltimore during dinner. (View a video below.) Hope Lodge provides a home away from home for patients battling cancer from all around the world. There are 31 Hope Lodge facilities across the United States including Puerto Rico and Hawaii and the mid-Atlantic facility is located on the University of Maryland, Baltimores campus on West Lexington Street. Hope Lodge provides housing and hospital transportation for its residents free of charge but does not always have the means to provide meals. Cpl. Hazel Lewis discovered this after meeting a cancer patient who was staying at Hope Lodge. Lewis was providing her with a police escort from her treatment at the Maryland Proton Treatment Center. Out of curiosity I asked her what she was eating tonight, Lewis explained. She said she didnt know because Hope Lodge doesnt necessarily provide dinner every night. Meals usually come from volunteers or through donations, and I said, Wow I never knew that. That was all it took for Lewis to begin looking for ways to help. She rallied UMBPF officers to donate money, so they could cater and serve a hot meal to the Hope Lodge residents. Her fellow officers were more than happy to pitch in and volunteer. (View a photo gallery.) I was all for giving support, Pfc. Ronald Nicholson said. I think its a great idea and a good way to give back to the community and show our love and support as police officers. Lewis, Nicholson, and Cary along with Deputy Chief Thomas Leone, Assistant Chief Dameon Carter, Detective William Epperson and security guard Evelyn Greenhill served up a dinner of baked chicken, mac and cheese, rice, and greens with a bundt cake for dessert. They also prepared and delivered plates of food to patients who were too sick to come out of their rooms for dinner. Chief Cary expressed her excitement to see her officers engaging the community in such a heartfelt way, and she commended Lewis for taking the initiative to coordinate this act of service. Hazel has a great heart. Shes full of compassion, not just at Hope Lodge but everywhere else on campus, Cary said. Im hoping this will be the start of a new tradition, and its all because of Hazel Lewis and her outreach. This dinner is only the first course of a new relationship between the UMBPF and Hope Lodge of Baltimore. Lewis says she hopes to make Hope Lodge dinners a monthly event for her department. I think this is just the beginning! Lewis exclaimed. Hope Lodge is right on our campus. Its right next door to us, so why not give back? Lewis act of selflessness will be crucial for residents of the facility as the holiday season approaches, as many guests will not be able to spend time with their families. Seaberry is encouraging people to follow Lewis lead and donate their time by putting on events or activities at Hope Lodge to create a jovial atmosphere throughout the holiday season. Shes also asking the community to check out Hope Lodge of Baltimores Amazon Wishlist, which has a list of suggested gifts and supplies people can donate through Amazon.com. For more information on how you can volunteer or donate to Hope Lodge of Baltimore, visit the American Cancer Society website or call the facility directly at 410-547-2522. Outside the white and blue building where immigration formalities are carried out, Venezuelan families camp under trees or wherever they can find some shade. There are groups of people everywhere, sitting around their piled up belongings, holdall bags and suitcases. Big white tents function as clinics, nurseries, vaccination centres and information points. Adults and children eat and sleep in the open air or in the corridors, while they wait to apply for asylum in Peru. Since August 2018, Tumbes, a hot and dusty border town in Peru's arid northern coast, has seen the arrival of tens of thousands of destitute Venezuelan refugees and migrants. Currently, some 2,000 cross from Ecuador every day. UNHCR's Special Envoy, Angelina Jolie, was there this week, in order to witness the humanitarian situation, during an official visit to Peru on behalf of UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, who visited Tumbes himself earlier this month. See also: Temporary residency permits a lifeline for Venezuelans in Peru Peru is one of the countries most affected by the surge in Venezuelan refugees and migrants in the last three years the largest movement of people in Latin Americas recent history. "I heard stories of people dying because of a lack of medical care and medicine." In Tumbes, Jolie visited the Daughters of Saint Anne, who have turned their convent into a soup kitchen, where hundreds of women, children and men can have at least one hot meal a day. She also visited the binational border post and a shelter for Venezuelan refugees and migrants in the Peruvian capital, Lima. She spoke to many refugees who told her about the reasons why they had to flee Venezuela. See also: UNHCR chief calls for regional response to Venezuelan refugee and migrant crisis "I heard stories of people dying because of a lack of medical care and medicine: cancer patients whose chemotherapy was abruptly stopped, diabetes sufferers without access to insulin, children without basic antibiotics, people starving, and tragic accounts of violence and persecution," Jolie told journalists at a press conference in Lima. During her time in Peru, the UNHCR Special Envoy met the country's President, Martin Vizcarra, as well as representatives of the Government and organizations contributing to the humanitarian response. "It is crucial to reinforce the rule of law, respect for human rights, international protection and asylum systems." "I told President Vizcarra how much UNHCR appreciates the steps Peru has taken, to help Venezuelans have legal status and access to basic services," Jolie said. "And we discussed the regional efforts being carried out in the Quito process, which is a first step towards a regional solution. We also spoke about what more the international community can and should be doing to support Peru and its neighbours." Dancing to survive: Angelina Jolie visits Venezuelan refugee breakdancers in Peru (Regina De La Portilla, William Spindler, producers/ Roberto Villanueva, Camera Editor) She also met young Venezuelans, including a breakdance group that works to inspire young people and create ties with the local community through dance and culture. She visited projects providing protection and assistance to asylum-seekers, refugees and host families, and observed Perus generous response to Venezuelan refugees and migrants. "At a time when fundamental principles are being questioned, it is more important than ever that we have the systems and resources in place to identify people with genuine refugee and asylum claims, and to make sure that they have the support that they need," the Special Envoy said. "It is crucial to reinforce the rule of law, respect for human rights, international protection and asylum systems." The Special Envoy focuses on major displacement crises, representing UNHCR and the High Commissioner at the diplomatic level. The Special Envoy Jolie last visited Latin America in 2012, for a mission to Ecuador, her third visit to meet Colombian refugees in the region. UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie (right) and Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Nestor Popolizio during a press conference in Lima, Peru on October 23, 2018. UNHCR / Santiago Escobar-Jaramillo Buenos dias, I am very grateful to President Vizcarra for receiving me this morning, and for the talks we have just had. Thank you Minister Popolizo very much for your work and for your words. I have come to Peru to witness the humanitarian situation for those fleeing Venezuela. I spent the last two days in Lima and at the border in Tumbes, where thousands of Venezuelans are entering on a daily basis. This region is facing one of the largest mass migrations in its history. The crisis is all the more shocking for being predictable and preventable. Every Venezuelan I met described the situation in their country as desperate. I heard stories of people dying because of a lack of medical care and medicine: cancer patients whose chemotherapy was abruptly stopped, diabetes sufferers without access to insulin, children without basic antibiotics, people starving, and tragic accounts of violence and persecution. None of the Venezuelans I met want charity. They want an opportunity to help themselves. I met a man who, until a few months ago, was a lawyer in Venezuela. He now is grateful for a small job in a t-shirt factory. Like many others, his only aim is to be able to send a few dollars home so his children can eat. The message that I heard consistently was, we didnt want to leave, we had to leave. After having spoken to so many people, it is clear to me that this is not movement by choice. The Venezuelans I met did not go north to the US, but traveled south to Peru. Many have gone to Colombia and Ecuador, also very generous countries at this crucial time. As in nearly every displacement crisis, the countries that have fewer resources are being asked to do the most. I want to thank the people of Peru for their generous and resilient response to this difficult situation. I told President Vizcarra how much UNHCR appreciates the steps Peru has taken, to help Venezuelans have legal status and access to basic services. And we discussed the regional efforts being carried out in the Quito process, which is a first step towards a regional solution. We also spoke about what more the international community can and should be doing to support Peru and its neighbors. The number of people displaced worldwide continues to increase, it now stands at 68.5 million people. One person is forcibly displaced every two seconds as a result of conflict or persecution. There is justified public concern about this unprecedented movement of people across borders internationally. And a perception that the distinction between refugees and economic migrants, enshrined in international law, is being blurred. Whereas economic migrants choose to move, often for very understandable reasons, refugees face an immediate threat to life and cannot return home safely and their protection becomes a shared international responsibility. At a time when fundamental principles are being questioned, it is more important than ever that we have the systems and resources in place to identify people with genuine refugee and asylum claims, and to make sure that they have the support that they need. It is crucial to reinforce the rule of law, respect for human rights, international protection and asylum systems. This applies as much to the situation in Mexico, where UNHCR is reinforcing its presence in the south, encouraging people to register and apply through legal means, where they can define their reasons for seeking asylum. Most of all, wherever we live, we need our governments to do more to address the conflict and insecurity that is creating refugees, so that people can return to their countries. In my experience the vast majority of refugees want to do just that: they want to return home. I have been deeply touched by the dignity and strength of the Venezuelan refugees I have met on this visit, and by the warmth and generosity of the Peruvian people. Thank you very much for welcoming me to your beautiful country. Tu causa es mi causa. JCEC to strengthen India & Czech economic cooperation held at Prague New Delhi, Oct 23 (UNI) The eleventh session of India Czech Republic Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation (JCEC) was held on October 22-23, 2018 at Prague, stated the release of Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Indian delegation was led by Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution, C. R. Chaudhary while Marta Novakova, Minister of Industry & Trade of Czech Republic led the Czech side. The deliberations were marked with the mutual desire to further expand and strengthen relations between the two countries in the economic field. Mr Chaudhary said that Indias growth story and Czech technological expertise and manufacturing prowess make two natural partners. He said that economies of both the countries have significant complementarity which can be leveraged for mutually beneficial cooperation. He also held a meeting with Martin Tlapa, Deputy Minister, Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic and discussed various issues including direct flight, long term study visa, strengthening of mutual Trade and investment relations. Technical meeting of 11th session of India-Czech Republic Joint Economic Commission was held simultaneously at Prague. A protocol was subsequently signed by Mr Chaudhary and Ms. Novakova. The Czech side stressed that the Czech Government continues to rank India among the priority countries for promotion of mutual commercial, investment and economic activities and stated that Czech companies are interested to cooperate with Indian partners within the framework of the Make in India programme. Both sides welcomed the opening of the new Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic in Bengaluru and expressed the hope that the process of the establishment of the Honorary Consulate of the Czech Republic in Chennai would be completed soon. Both the nations agreed that the recent growth of global protectionism had negatively affected many countries and concerted effort is required for a positive outlook for the future. Both sides shared the view that solutions should be sought for closer economic cooperation as well as for promotion of multilateral and inter-regional trade. Stressing on the importance of a rule-based multilateral trading system embodied in WTO both sides expressed concern over the current protectionist and anti-globalist tendencies that threaten free trade. The two countries reviewed developments in their bilateral trade since the 10th Session of the Joint Commission held in New Delhi in January 2015 and welcomed the increasing trend in the volume of trade. They appreciated a record level of trade exchange in 2017 and noted that this exchange was almost balanced. However, the Joint Commission expressed the opinion that the level of trade does not fully reflect the existing potential and should be further realised. The Indian side noted that as per the Indian statistics, bilateral trade between India and Czech Republic crossed USD 1 billion in 2016-17. Czechoslovakia is preparing a project called Czech Industrial Cluster (CIC) near Bengaluru. The CIC will comprise administrative and production units and will serve as a hub for Czech companies that intend to settle down in India. The CIC may also serve as a base of inter-academic cooperation between both the countries. The Czech side would appreciate support and cooperation of Indian authorities during creating CIC units and in setting of conditions for Czech investors coming to CIC. Both sides observed that tourism was an important area having great potential for increased interaction. Stating that both countries offer excellent opportunities for excursion tours as well as for group tourism, the sides appreciated contacts between both national tourism authorities and joint promotion of tourism. The Czech side noted that arrivals of Indian tourist to the Czech Republic constantly grew up and in 2017, number of tourists from India reached almost 100 thousand people. The number of Czech tourists to India grew up as well last year, though this number is more modest approximately 13 thousand people. Both sides shared the view that establishing direct flights between India and the Czech Republic would create favourable conditions for mutual tourism development. The two sides reaffirmed their support to finalizing an ambitious and balanced Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) between India and the EU. The Czech side noted that India is one of the most important partners for the EU and liberalization of our markets would be beneficial in the long term for both sides. It is also vital to set the binding rules that may govern our trade relations and deepen the co-operation in the economic area. The India side stated that India is committed to an early and balanced outcome of India-EU BTIA negotiations of which investment is an important track. It is important to resume negotiations at the earliest and without pre-conditions. Any FTA has to be balanced and mutually beneficial. India has been sensitive to EUs concerns and has gone an extra mile to be accommodative. UNI DJK SY 1903 Macedonia vote on constitutional amendments carried out with violations, says Russian foreign ministry Moscow, Oct 23 (UNI) Voting in Macedonia's parliament on constitutional amendments that will allow the country to join NATO is a violation of all norms of law and morality, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Russian foreign ministry said "We consider what happened [voting in Macedonia's parliament on constitutional amendments] as a flagrant violation of all norms - both from the point of view of the law and in the moral sense", reports TASS . The ministry noted that voting was organized "in accordance with the canons of modern European democracy." "Eight votes that were necessary to secure a qualified majority were ensured by the means of blackmailing, threats and bribing opposition parliament members. Three of them, purely by chance, were released from arrest on that same day. Two others, who had open cases investigated by special prosecutors, were promised freedom. Others received corrupt financial offers in exchange for 'the right vote'. Parliament members were locked in their rooms, their cell phones were seized - this is very much in line with the spirit of European democratic practice," the foreign ministry added. New Delhi/Tehran, Oct 23 (UNI) The first trilateral meeting between India, Afghanistan and Iran of the Coordination Council of the Chabahar Agreement took place on Monday in Tehran. "Detailed discussions were held between the three sides on full operationalisation of the trilateral Agreement for international transit and transport through Chabahar Port. All sides shared the view that full operationalisation of trilateral Chabahar initiative will promote connectivity and economic development of Afghanistan and the region," an MEA statement said here. The Indian delegation was led by T S Tirumurti, Secretary (Economic Relations). The Afghan and Iran delegations were led by respective Deputy Ministers of Transport. It was decided to constitute a Follow-up committee that would hold its first meeting within two months in Chabahar Port, Iran. "It would, inter alia, discuss and aim to finalise protocol to harmonise transit, roads, customs, consular matters that was shared by the Indian side at the meeting for making the route attractive, decrease logistic costs and pave the way for smooth implementation of the Trilateral Chabahar Agreement," the release said. It was decided to hold the next meeting of the Coordination Council in the first half of 2019 in India, the MEA statement said. UNI DEVN AR 2011 Pharmac 2018 to be held in Ahmedabad from Oct 25 to 27 Ahmedabad, Oct 22 (UNI) The ninth edition of Pharmac India, the pharma sector expo will be held in Ahmedabad from October 25 to 27. Addressing a press conference here on monday, Chirag Doshi Chairman of the Phrmac exhibition committee, said that large international industry delegations from various countries including South East Asia and Africa would participate in the event (Pharmac 2018) to be held at the state of the art The Arena by TransStadia in Ahmedabad, India. The three day event will be showcasing an exhaustive array of Pharma machinery and Engineering, Formulation, Bulk Drugs, veterinary drugs, Additives and Intermediaries, Pharma Ancillaries, Refrigeration, Maintenance and safety equipment etc, he stated. 'Nearly 100 exhibitors would showcase their strength,' he said adding that with the tax incentives in hilly states expiring during 2017 to 2020 and the impact of GST on the industry reducing over the last one year, Gujarat pharma industry is seeing a booming growth as its share in the Indian pharma sector is likely to grow to 40 per cent from existing 33 per cent. The Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration has approved construction of 155 new phrama units in the state after implementation of GST. Over 30 more are expanding,' Doshi said adding that of around 8000 pharma unit in the country, 3300 were in Gujarat alone. He said that Indian pharma market accounts for around 20 per cent of the global market according to volume and 1.5 per cent in terms of value and is valued at Rs 1.11 trillion for FY 2016-17. It is predicted to be 6 largest market globally in size by 2020.To a query Doshi said that the fall of rupee against dollar has impacted the industry in India negatively as it was largely dependent on import of API and other ingredients. The increase in prices of API in China has also hit Industry. On the occasion, Dr Milan Satia, Member Executive Committee of the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association, said that drugs worth an estimated $137 billion are scheduled to go off-patent in US and Europe over the next 5 years and India is poised to take advantage of the resulting generic opportunity. He said that the new global rules have posed a challenge for the pharma units of MSME sector due to compliance issues and in the coming times it would be resolved. Dr. Satia also informed that the clinical trial of medicines in the country was again seeing a rise after steep fall a few years ago due to stricter regulatory mechanism. Now that the pharma industry and clinical research organizations have realigned their structures in response to new directives,the business in this field is likely to go up to $1.2 billions from existing $750 million by 2020. UNI RAJ ASN RJ 1927 Putin orders sanctions against Ukraine Moscow, Oct 23 (UNI) Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday ordering the government to compile a list of Ukrainian individuals and legal entities practicing "unfriendly actions" against Russia. The Kremlins website on Monday reported the signing of the presidential decree, which said the measures were being considered in response to unfriendly actions of Ukraine. The government was ordered to determine the lists of individuals and legal entities in respect of which special economic measures are applied, and identify special economic measures applicable to individuals and legal entities", reports Press TV. The decree was signed "in response to unfriendly actions of Ukraine contradicting international law" and "the imposition of restrictive measures against Russian citizens and legal entities," without specifying them. Serbia not to join NATO: Gojkovic Moscow, Oct 23 (UNI) Serbia will not join NATO,considering the bomb attack on Yugoslavia in 1999, said President of the National Assembly of Serbia Maja Gojkovic on Tuesday. "Amid the difficult geo-political conditions of instability, the Serbian parliament made the decision on military neutrality. Serbia has no wish nor intention to accede to NATO. Our history regarding this union is too difficult to think about it at all. Still, Serbia remains open for cooperation, and the policy of military neutrality makes it possible to actively cooperate will all partners in the region and beyond it in the interests of stability," Gojkovic sateted in her speech in the State Duma, reported the TASS. According to a poll conducted earlier, around 62 per cent of citizens did not forgive NATO for the bomb attack on Yugoslavia in 1999 and about 68 per cent believe that cooperation with NATO will turn out to be useful in the future. Taliban chief killed among 21 in Afghanistan Kabul, Oct 23 (UNI) As many as 21 militants including the military operational chief of the Taliban outfit, Mullah Mansoor was killed in northern Afghanistan's Kunduz province, an army Spokesperson in the northern region Ghulam Hazrat Karimi said. "Mullah Mansoor, the military operational chief of Taliban in Kunduz province and deputy to shadow district governor of Imam Sahib district are among the 21 rebels who have been killed in crackdown against Taliban since Sunday night," Karimi told Xinhua on Monday. As many as 30 militants have been injured and the Taliban fighters have been expelled from several villages in Imam Sahib district , the Spokesperson added. Two Militants Killed, 16 Arrested in Turkey security operations Ankara, Oct 22 (UNI) Two gunmen were killed and 16 others were arrested in security operations across Turkey in seven days, Turkish Interior Ministry announced. The ministry said in a statement, "On the outcome of anti-terrorism security operations conducted throughout Turkey this week, that the security forces carried out 2829 operations, resulting in the arrest of 956 people on charges of terrorism and association with PKK, ISIS, and Gulen", reported Qatar News Agency. It pointed out that the operations led to the destruction of the hideout of the gunmen and the confiscation of 19 heavy weapons, 17 grenades and 1747 miscellaneous ammunition. Published: October 23, 2018 UT Writes Series Continues with Reading by Daniel Wollenberg Nov. 1 On Thursday, Nov. 1, The University of Tampa will host a reading and reception featuring Daniel Wollenberg, assistant professor of English. The program, which is the second reading of the Universitys UT Writes lecture series, begins at 6 p.m. in the Macdonald-Kelce Library, AV Room 2. It is free and open to the public; refreshments will be served. Wollenberg will read from his book Medieval Imagery in Todays Politics, which examines the political uses of the Middle Ages and questions why it continues to play such a prominent role in politics and history today. Wollenberg teaches The Medieval Vision, British Literature I, World Literature Writing I and First-Year Writing at UT. He specializes in how the Middle Ages have affected contemporary problems such as nationalism, identity and ethnicity, and collective memory. Wollenbergs current work studies the engagements in medieval imagery and political communication. He has published two articles in Post Medieval, which both study the connections between the Middle Ages, contemporary fringe and mainstream political writing. Wollenberg also wrote an article that examines the Danes in Middle English romance and chronicles, which was published in Northern Studies. The event is sponsored by The Friends of the Macdonald-Kelce Library. For more information, contact Leslie Vega, reference instruction librarian, at lvega@ut.edu or (813) 257-3244. (Oct. 23, 2018) The Bexar County Commissioners Court today unanimously approved a resolution to support UTSAs Downtown Campus expansion initiative, including the transfer of a parcel of land to house a future building for the UTSA College of Business. The agreement advances collaboration between UTSA, the City of San Antonio and Bexar County and positions the university as an integral partner in the development of San Antonios urban core. The land transfer consists of 2.6 acres of property on Dolorosa St. between S. Santa Rosa Ave. and South Flores St. for construction of a new building to house the UTSA College of Business, which is currently located on the Main Campus. The county property conjoins two parcels of land that the San Antonio City Council unanimously voted to transfer to UTSA last week. They will be the sites for the National Security Collaboration Center (NSCC) and the proposed School of Data Science (SDS). We are immensely grateful to Judge Wolff, Commissioner Elizondo and all the Bexar County Commissioners for supporting the expansion of UTSAs Downtown Campus, said UTSA President Taylor Eighmy. The entire endeavor is a model for how government, education and industry can all work together to maximize economic opportunity and drive our mutual goals forward. Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff credits Eighmy for turning around the future of the Downtown Campus. This development is going to make a dramatic difference on the synergy that will occur in central city, said Wolff. Most importantly, its going to be a beacon to a lot of students that may live in the inner city, east, west, south, who will see this great opportunity that attending college is attainable. County Commissioner Tommy Calvert called the partnership a valuable opportunity for various levels of government to work together on projects such as affordable student housing. Its exciting to bring students downtown, to contribute to the vitality of the urban core, said Calvert. UTSA College of Business Dean Wm. Gerry Sanders and Jerry Geyer, chair of the San Pedro Creek Citizens Advisory Committee, demonstrated their support for the land transfer before the Court. Its wonderful to have an education organization back into our historic community, said Geyer. UTSA will be a wonderful addition to the progress taking place along San Pedro Creek. In addition to the land, last month, UTSA received a $70 million commitment from the UT System Board of Regents for construction of the NSCC and SDS and a $15 million gift from San Antonio business leader Graham Weston to support the SDS. Site planning and design for the proposed School of Data Science and National Security Collaboration Center will begin immediately, with construction expected to start next fall. The project should be completed in time for the Fall 2021 academic year. Construction of the new College of Business will begin in 2020. Additionally, UTSA and the City are actively exploring the joint development and management of the former Continental Hotel on West Commerce St. as housing for faculty and other urban professionals. The project will involve the renovation of the existing hotel and construction of a new building on the hotels former parking lot. UTSA is also making plans for a new mixed-use residential facility called Cattlemans Square Residential Tower that will stand on the northeast corner of the Downtown Campus current footprint. Collectively, these projects and partnerships will help UTSA fulfill its phased,10-year approach to accelerating the development of its Downtown Campus as a destination for producing highly skilled professionals in big data and analytics, advancing economic development in the urban core and creating prosperity for San Antonio. UW Mechanical Engineering Trio Conducts Research Through Fellowship UW Department of Mechanical Engineering graduate students Matthew Brown (left) and Marcus Brown set up for combustion research in a UW engineering lab. (UW Photo) Three individuals from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wyoming made the most of an opportunity from the U.S. Air Force to further research into combustion measurement. Erica Belmont, an assistant professor in mechanical engineering, and two students took part in the U.S. Air Force Summer Faculty Fellowship Program (SFFP) from June through August at Wright Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio. The program, administered by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, funded Belmont and UW mechanical engineering graduate student Matthew Brown for the summer. They were joined by graduate student Marcus Brown, who received a different source of Air Force funding to participate. The Browns are twin brothers from Hastings, Neb. Spending a summer conducting research at the Air Force Research Laboratory was a wonderful opportunity for me, as I was able to work with internationally renowned researchers and observe several interesting experiments, Marcus Brown says. Over the summer, I learned many different experimental techniques, including particle imaging velocimetry and planar laser-induced fluorescence, which can both help characterize flames. It was Belmonts third time researching at Wright Patterson Air Force Base and the second time shes been funded by the SFFP to conduct summer research. It was the first instance in which Belmont was able to involve UW graduate students in the project. Belmonts research areas at UW include combustion, solid fuels (coal, biomass), alternative fuels and renewable energy. Working in the lab with some of the best researchers in the country was incredibly useful, Matthew Brown adds. Their expertise and willingness to lend a hand allowed us to develop experimental techniques quickly, thus allowing us to collect vast amounts of important data. The objectives of the SFFP include enhancement of research interests and capabilities of faculty in the U.S. academic community, and to elevate awareness in the U.S. academic community of Air Force research needs and foster continued research at their respective institutions. Belmont says the latest research conducted this summer continued an ongoing collaboration shes had with researchers at Wright Patterson Air Force Base for several years. The UW trio used various laser diagnostic and other optical techniques to characterize a low-pressure flame facility. The purpose of the facility is to allow for measurement of flame-burning speed, which is a fundamental property of combustible mixtures, Belmont says. The ability to measure flame speeds can aid in the characterization of newly developed fuels, such as bioderived fuels. In the process of conducting research at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, we learned new techniques that we plan to implement at UW. WIHR Director Finalists to Give Presentations at UW Finalists for the position of director of the Wyoming Institute for Humanities Research (WIHR) at the University of Wyoming have been identified, and they are scheduled to give public presentations at UW Monday, Oct. 29. All presentations will take place in Room 123 of the College of Business. The candidates are Sarah Strauss, a professor in the Department of Anthropology; Michael Harkin, a professor in the Department of Anthropology; and Scott Henkel, an associate professor in the Department of English and in African American and Diaspora Studies. Strauss is scheduled to give her public presentation from 1-1:45 p.m. Her presentation will be streamed online at https://uwyo.zoom.us/j/880348541. To join by phone, dial 1-669-900-6833. The meeting ID is 880 348 541#. To learn more about Stauss, go here. Harkins public presentation will be from 2:30-3:15 p.m. His presentation will be streamed online at https://uwyo.zoom.us/j/527964489. To join by phone, dial 1-669-900-6833. The meeting ID is 527 964 489#. To learn more about Harkin, go here. Henkels public presentation will be from 4-4:45 p.m. His presentation will be streamed online at https://uwyo.zoom.us/j/108253794. To join by phone, dial 1-669-900-6833. The meeting ID is 108 253 794#. To learn more about Henkel, go here. To provide feedback on the candidates, go to https://goo.gl/forms/I7fyin4PH9G4T1Wn2. WIHR promotes, supports and showcases humanities scholarship across UW and throughout the state. In addition to sponsoring invited speakers, events, discussion groups and fellows, WIHR supports the individual and collaborative research projects of UW faculty members and professional staff. Students from Lew Muckle Elementary School on St. Croix ride on board Big Beards Adventure boat on the way to Buck Island Reef National Monument through the Ticket to Ride Program. Joint statement by Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian of France and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas of Germany: The violent death of Jamal Khashoggi, within the premises of the Saudi Consulate General in Istanbul had been feared for many days but its confirmation still comes as a shock. Nothing can justify this killing and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms. Defending freedom of expression and a free press are key priorities for Germany, the United Kingdom and France. The threatening, attacking or killing of journalists, under any circumstances, is unacceptable and of utmost concern to our three nations. Our thoughts are today with Mr Khashoggis family, his fiancee, and his friends - who have worried about him for weeks, and to whom we extend our most heartfelt condolences. We take note of the Saudi statement which gives their preliminary findings. Yet there remains an urgent need for clarification of exactly what happened on October 2nd beyond the hypotheses that have been raised so far in the Saudi investigation, which need to be backed by facts to be considered credible. We thus stress that more efforts are needed and expected towards establishing the truth in a comprehensive, transparent and credible manner. We will ultimately make our judgement based on the credibility of the further explanation we receive about what happened and our confidence that such a shameful event cannot and will not ever be repeated. We therefore ask for the investigation to be carried out thoroughly until responsibilities are clearly established and that there is proper accountability and due process for any crimes committed. We will stay in close contact with our Saudi partners in that regard. The quality and significance of the relationship we have with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also rests with the respect we have for the norms and values to which the Saudi authorities and us are jointly committed under international law. Garcia at EU Parliament in Strasbourg on Brexit Business The Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia is in Strasbourg for a series of Brexit-related meetings at the European Parliament. This continues the Governments intense schedule of engagements in view of the continuing discussions for the United Kingdom and Gibraltar to leave the European Union. This schedule has led the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister to once again split up in order to cover more ground. The Chief Minister Fabian Picardo was scheduled to give evidence today before the European Union Committee of the House of Lords. Dr Garcia will be addressing a working meeting of the Green and EFA Brexit group on the subject of Gibraltar and Brexit. This will be followed by questions from MEPs. The Greens and EFA group comprise 52 Members of the European Parliament from 18 countries and 5 regions. The event came about at the request of the group through Gibraltars Green MEP Molly Scott-Cato. The Deputy Chief Minister has taken advantage of the visit to meet other key figures in Strasbourg as we prepare to leave the European Union. This includes a number of members of the influential cross-party Brexit Steering Group of MEPs. Commenting on the visit, the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia said: It is important to recall that any agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union will require the consent of the European Parliament as part of the Article 50 process. This means that it is important to ensure that MEPs are kept informed of on-going developments as these relate to Gibraltar. Minister for Equality Announces Gender Pay Gap Survey The Ministry for Equality has announced that this year, for the first time, a Gender Pay Gap Survey will accompany the Employment Survey. The Employment Survey is currently being delivered to all employers in the private sector, and, in its current format, shows that a gender overall earnings gap exists in Gibraltar. The Ministry have explained that the way in which data is collected has been changed so as to ascertain figures in greater detail. Employers with 20 employees or more are asked to complete the Gender Pay Gap survey. This is essential in order to establish the local gender pay gap and in order to develop strategies to reduce it. The Gender Pay Gap survey, which is a key part of the Ministry for Equality's Gender Equality Strategy, aims to ensure that women have access to the same opportunities in the workplace and that womens overall lifetime earnings do not lag behind their male counterparts earnings. Minister for Equality, the Hon. Samantha Sacramento, MP, said, The Gender Pay Gap survey is an important innovation and a major and necessary step forward in establishing baseline data with regard to womens earnings. It will also elucidate the current role and experience of women in the local workforce highlighting areas of vertical and horizontal segregation. The existence of a gender pay gap means that women will earn less than men in their lifetime due to lack of opportunity as opposed to lack of ability and this needs to be addressed Jazzelle Zanaughtti (@uglyworldwide). Photo: Whitney Mallett Never in my life have I been so proud to be called a thot, raved Jazzelle Zanaughtti, better known as @uglyworldwide, parading into the spotlight at gallery Gavin Brown Enterprises uptown space to accept the award for Best Art Thot on the night of October 21. Zanaughtti, serving dark magic realness in a goth corset and Hogwarts-chic glasses, also snatched the prize for Baddest Boss Bitch at the first-ever Family Awards and Lesbian Ball, a celebration of New Yorks queer underground. It was coordinated in conjunction with the end of a series of screenings of Leilah Weinraubs documentary about the evolution of an early-aughts L.A. lesbian-strip-club scene, Shakedown. We wanted to give life to everybody who usually doesnt get an award, said Robot MoonJuice, who organized the event together with Weinraub and Aya Brown. First, awards were given based on online voting from a preselected list of nominees. Winners included Princess Nokia for Community Leader of the Year; @patiasfantasyworld for Best Finsta; Mazurbate for Best Stylist; Dese Escobar for Nightlife It Girl and Laina Berry for Who Carries the Most. After the formalities concluded came the party: Overhead lights turned on and a runway formed for a raucous ball a la Pose or Paris Is Burning complete with voguing, prancing purebred pets, and some debate over whether one qualified for the bundle category whilst wearing a weave. Princess Nokia voguing with the House of Mofongo. Photo: Whitney Mallett The concept for the awards originated in fashion, explained Weinraub, whose resume includes being CEO of the label Hood By Air. We did a really good job awakening the concept of fashion shows in New York, and then when we went on hiatus, I thought the fashion shows should evolve into an awards ceremony. The coolest people at those fashion shows were always our friends anyways. While the first half of the evening celebrated the girls whose cool is already certified, the ball portion of the night was open for anyone to compete in categories like Best Couple and Lesbian with Nails. One of the nights freshest faces was Alexis @getherhelp who won Best Bundle with a game-changing shirt made out of hair extensions. The halter top, which she designed herself, was actually braided into her hairdo. You never seen someones shirt grown out they head period! she wrote on Instagram, captioning a photo featuring the hirsute ensemble. Alexis @getherhelp won Best Bundle. Photo: Whitney Mallett Some of the nights most unpredictable moments turned out to be the most heartwarming. Nightlife maven Ladyfag pulled an Adele choosing to share her award for Best Mother with fellow nominee and fashion designer Raul Lopez, bringing him up onstage with her. And Princess Nokia organized a surprise award, recognizing MoonJuice with the honor of Best Father, introducing him with a stirring speech that acknowledged his pivotal impact on her life, beginning with their meeting as teenagers at Union Square. He has given me a lot of cunt so I could go out into the world and storm! MoonJuice, who also won Best Party for his regular fete Fightclub, told me he met a lot of people involved in Sundays celebration about a decade ago at Union Square including the events MC-musician Ian Isiah. It was definitely the center of culture when we were 16. You went to the steps. You served a look. You came with a cute crew. You had to sit next to someone and so you said whats up and all of a sudden there was this spiderweb of kids, MoonJuice recalled. Weve all grown up together. Robot MoonJuice competing with a four-legged friend in Whos That Pokemoncategory. Photo: Whitney Mallett And in growing up, this communitys seen a lot of success. Hood By Air won the CFDA in 2015. Art-Thot nominee Raul de Nieves broke out of last years Whitney Biennial (Shakedown was shown as part of its film series, too.) Princess Nokias an internationally touring recording artist with a recent campaign for Margiela under her belt. And each and every one of them is clearly invested in uplifting the next generation of the queer underground and in showing gratitude to the members of the community who helped them get where they are. Family is not the people you are born into, its the people you make along the way, declared Nokia, emphasizing the concept of chosen family at the core of the evenings festivities. Ladyfag championed the same values, albeit with a different mental image. Until Im in a wheelchair, she promised, I will provide milk for as much of this city as I can. This week on Love & Hip Hop: Metropolitan Los Angeles, Moniece and A.D. break up via text. I can relate to the pain Moniece feels because recently a man I was not even dating texted me to confirm we werent dating. It was embarrassing and confusing (mostly because I didnt have his name stored in my phone). Its not easy for Moniece to bring people in and out of her sons life, and explaining why A.D. is gone truly breaks Monieces heart. I find this all dizzying because last episode A.D. showed up for the first time in episodes to tell Lil Fizz how much he loved taking care of Kam. Maybe A.D. actually loves Moniece and is breaking up with her to help Moniece produce a good storyline. Sometimes love hurts, but we need it to make our plots better. I am so upset at Mona Scott-Young for making me think about The Man I Shall Not Mention. How is Teairras ex-boyfriend posting an Instagram Live berating her anything short of abusive? Anyone looking at this video to prove a point about Teairras hypocrisy is sort of missing the point. This episode, we get the return of Not Sade whose hair is the only lovely thing about her. Shes mad because polyamorous husband is handling his business with Teairra on social media. Im mad because these people are on my television screen. It feels like were adding The Man I Shall Not Mention to the cast, because we honestly see more of him than Nikki Mudarris. Satans son explains that he keeps dealing with Teairra because it hurts her legal case against him. He believes hes a mastermind, but if he was even remotely intelligent, he know would not say these thoughts aloud or on camera. But of course not, because hes an idiot. On the other side of town RoccStar meets up with Teairra to talk about her ex troubles. It is my belief that RoccStar is not physically capable of speaking below a yell. His voice is at 12 decibels even when hes talking to friends. I know this is his first season on Love & Hip Hop: Los Angeles and Surrounding Counties but someone needs to tell him the mic and the boom are able to pick up his inside voice. But I digress. I am shocked by this conversation between RoccStar and Teairra. Here, I thought this man hated all women, but apparently he is cool with some. In fact, RoccStar makes a good point that the ladies of this show actively ignored, which is that Teairras ex is using her to drop her legal case. Whereas Brooke, Moniece, Paris, and Nikki abandoned Teirra in her time of need, RoccStar is committed to defending her. I can support that. Even if his personality makes me want to run into a rusted sword. In some dimly lit combination restaurant/coffeehouse/bar/closet, Marcus forbids Brooke from seeing RoccStar. What is there to say about this Now I know I promised to stop thinking so deeply about Love & Hip Hop: The Valley and All Adjacent Suburbs but this scene brings up complicated dynamics on masculinity. Marcus believes that because Brooke is his fiancee, he has ownership of her time and behavior. Brooke rejects this premise because she doesnt like to be controlled. Marcus is completely wrong, although the problem is Brooke really shouldnt hang out with a man that has made enemies with her fiance. But, this has to be Brookes choice. Marcus drawing this line and taking agency away from Brooke is a recipe for disaster in their marriage. Not to mention, Brooke is working with RoccStar professionally. (Its worth noting that this work came to her because she hopped on Monieces record as she was being escorted by an ambulance but its still work nonetheless.) Sometimes, you have to work with people you hate, thats why its not called fun. Now if Brooke was a bigger artist, she would be able to choose which producers she worked with. But, Brooke hasnt had a hit since Paris Hilton had a Sidekick, so Brooke has to take what producers come to her. I dont know what she should do, but I am 100 percent sure she is going to enrage Marcus. And maybe thats what he deserves for telling her what to do. Shun Love and Amber Diamond meet to get pedicures. Recently, Shun stopped managing her daughter to develop a closer relationship with her. Im sure thats a positive for their connection, but honestly Amber needed that representation. She hasnt been on the show in a while, and somehow her mother has usurped her role. Thats probably because nothing is really going on with Amber Diamond except that Marcus Black slid into her DMs. Now, why would this man who is soon to be married like naked photos of a woman on Instagram? Its pretty audacious considering Marcus just got finished dictating to Brooke who she cant fraternize with. Speaking of, Brooke meets RoccStar in the studio to tell him she cant work with him anymore. It takes absolutely no convincing for her to abandon this idea in favor of recording a song with the producer. Her logic is that if the song is good, maybe Marcus wont care about her conspiring with his enemy. Hmm These two are not getting married, are they? If these are the issues at the beginning of their relationship, I cant imagine they walk down the aisle. RoccStar informs Brooke that hed love for her to co-host an event with Teairra Mari in honor of his album L.O.V.E. (Loss of Valuable Energy). I dont know what it is about RoccStar today but I dont hate him this episode. Usually he makes me want to rip the flesh off my skin, but tonight, I find myself just lowering the volume slightly. This is progress. A.D. meets at Lil Fizzs house to try to negotiate having a relationship with Kam despite breaking up with Kams mother and not dating Lil Fizz. Im unclear why she thinks shes entitled to any of this childs time. If she wants to hang out with a child she should adopt one or volunteer at the YMCA! Otherwise, she has to respect boundaries. Moniece gets to the apartment to have one last argument with A.D. The two women exchange hurtful digs at each other, with A.D. saying that the worst thing about her is that she clearly chooses the wrong women to date. Wow. That would hurt my feelings. I will be sure to use this line next time a man breaks up with me when I wasnt dating him in the first place. Ultimately, Moniece resolves to not have A.D. around her son, because its her son. Im still not sure what A.D. was hoping to accomplish. But, I appreciate Lil Fizz eating ice cream as the two women go back and forth, almost as much as I appreciate him supporting Moniece. The ladies are at RoccStars album release party and the mood is anything but L.O.V.E. Teairra and Brooke see each other, they exchange a little shade, and keep it moving. Amber and Teairra see each other, they exchange a little support, and keep it moving. The event is fine until Not Sade shows up for no apparent reason to defend her no-good lowdown dirty husband. Brooke and Bridget act as Greek chorus, sounding off on Teairra and Not Sades rebuttals. Nothing is ultimately accomplished but we do get Teairra reiterating that shes not going to fight over a man shes not with. Good for her! Also, props to Not Sade for doing her best to audition for Love and Hip Hop: Dallas. Teairra has been called into her lawyers office to explain what is going on with this revenge-porn case. Her lawyer, Walter, saw the Instagram Live drama, and now hes having doubts about representing Teairra. To see Teairras legal case in jeopardy because of her poor decisions makes me sad. I want her to stop dating the devil, but she has to want this for herself. Walter warns that the Bloom firm will pull out of the case if she meets up with her ex again. As a writer I can spot this foreshadowing from a mile away; she is definitely going to make this mistake again. We finally get to the RoccStar vs. Lucifer showdown in Teairras honor and wow this is the most anticlimactic thing I have ever seen in my life. RoccStar yells at Teairras ex for bullying women. And Teairras ex insults RoccStars ridiculous red sweatsuit. Truly is nothing accomplished but the speakers of my TV getting blown out. Until next time! A page from Saga. Photo: Courtesy of Image Comics / Fiona Staples, Fonografiks The comics industry owes a debt of gratitude to Fiona Staples. The artist joined up with famed writer Brian K. Vaughan in the early part of this decade to create one of the most effective gateway drugs for comics novices ever printed: the ongoing Image Comics series Saga. Vaughan is the first to admit that this sci-fi/fantasy epic relies heavily on the arresting visuals of Staples, especially her covers and the astounding first pages she produces for every issue. The ninth collected volume of the story was released earlier this month, and we got in touch with Staples to talk about the series origins. Not only did she open up with us, she was also kind enough to provide us with sketches for that first issue and an early version of the first page, which we named as one of the 100 most influential comics pages in North American history. You can read our written conversation and see the artwork below. How did you and Brian first encounter one another, and how did that lead to the creation of Saga? Brian had seen some of my previous work, and just emailed me one day in 2011 when he was ready to pitch Saga! Wed never met before, but it immediately felt like an easy and exciting partnership. What were your guiding philosophies in coming up with the character designs and overall visual feel for the series? The world of Saga is about as broad as reality itself, so pretty much anything goes. Alongside the rocket ships and magic swords, there are smartphones and ATMs. My approach is to keep everything vaguely based in reality, so when we have a new planet or creature theyre usually inspired by animals and earthly locations. Brian first conceived this universe when he was a school-aged kid, so I want to keep that feeling of humor and whimsy. How long did it take you to hammer out what you wanted Saga to look like? I spent a little while doing concept art before getting the script for No. 1, but once we jumped in, there was no longer time to do much preliminary work! Almost everything since then has just been designed on the page. Slide to view before and after comparison Do you remember what the scripts description of that first page was? I dont need to remember because I can paste it right here! Page One, SPLASH We open tight on a PROFILE SHOT of the right side of a panicked young womans face. Were so close that her head fills almost the entire page. This is ALANA, our heroine. Shes probably only in her early 20s, but her face is world- weary. Shes seen a hell of a lot in her years. Right now, Alana is SWEATING profusely; her face is slick. Her short-cropped, multi-colored hair is even more of a mess than usual. At the moment, Alana is a little heavier than she normally likes to be, but it lends a friendly softness to her face. At first glance, Alana might appear to be an attractive human woman but eventually, you notice the STRANGE THINGS jutting out from between her shoulder blades, strange things we can see only a glimpse of in this close-up. More on them shortly. For now, all that matters is the fact that Alana seems terribly WORRIED about something. Her expression should be a mixture of horror and embarrassment. 1) Handwritten Narration: This is how an idea becomes real. 2) Alana: Am I shitting? 3) Alana: It feels like Im shitting! What did you physically use to draw that first page? What was your work space like? I used an iMac and a Cintiq tablet, and my work space was a table in my old apartment. Digital art doesnt demand a lot of space. How did you approach drawing that first page? Did you model it on anything? Were there lots of drafts? Just the one thumbnail sketch! This was an important page, being our opening, but it was also one out of 44 in our oversized first issue. I was more worried about tackling the space garage and big fight scene that the next few pages held. How arduous a process was it to draw the first issue? It was pretty slow going because we were seeing all the characters, tech, and settings for the first time, so they all had to be designed. I remember being worried that Id make a poor design choice and be stuck drawing something I hated for another 20 issues. Was it your decision to hand-letter Hazels narration? And is that just your normal handwriting style, or something you concocted for the comic? That was Brians suggestion, and it is my naturally childlike handwriting! How do you think your overall style has evolved since the first issue? I think my inking has gotten a bit more refined, and the angles on people a bit softer. Ive added new painting programs and brushes to my digital art arsenal, and generally improved my workflow to get a more polished-looking page in the same amount of time. Do you ever revisit the first issue? If so, what do you think of it? Or learn from it? I often have to look through old issues for reference, and its always slightly hard on the eyes! If anything, Ive learned that its okay for the look of the comic to evolve over time, and if I want to make any stylistic changes to improve the art, probably no one will notice or care. My fear of being nailed down to a bad design decision that I made years ago was for nothing. Its never too late to fix stuff. Photo: Twentieth Century Fox So youre about to see the new Suspiria, a remake of the Dario Argento classic from 1977 by director Luca Guadagnino. The setting is the Helena Markos Dance Company in Berlin, and the subject is Susie Bannion (Dakota Johnson), a young woman who arrives there and quickly becomes a point of interest for the coven of witches that run it. In the original film, that information is saved until later in the story, but the new Suspiria pretty much opens with it. The trailer for the film even teases the great force hovering over and above and inside the Markos Company, as we see in a frantic journal entry that reads: Bigger than everything and more important. The three mothers that have always been there. As we look at the page, Dr. Josef Klemperer (Tilda Swinton as Lutz Ebersdorf) lists off the names, Three Mothers, three gods, three devils. Mother Tenebrarum, Mother Lachrymarum, and Mother Suspiriorum. Darkness, tears, and sighs. If youre not a way-back Suspiria fan, you might not know that its the first in a string of films called the Three Mothers Trilogy directed by Argento. The second two are Inferno from 1980 and The Mother of Tears from 2007, and the filmmaker based his concept for the movies on an excerpt from the book Suspiria De Profundis by Thomas De Quincey. In an essay called Levana and Our Ladies of Sorrow De Quincey wrote, I want a term expressing the mighty abstractions that incarnate themselves in all individual sufferings of mans heart; and I wish to have these abstractions presented as impersonations, that is, as clothed with human attributes of life, and with functions pointing to flesh. Let us call them, therefore, Our Ladies of Sorrow. These ladies called Mother Tenebrarum, Mother Lachrymarum, and Mother Suspiriorum became Argentos Three Mothers, and they are the foundation for each the films in his trilogy. Suspiria, as the title suggests, concerns the third name in that order. But to get the fullest understanding of who these elusive and extremely powerful witches are, its most helpful to start with Inferno. Mater Tenebrarum, Our Lady of Darkness What did De Quincey say? She is the defier of God. She also is the mother of lunacies, and the suggestress of suicides. Deep lie the roots of her power; but narrow is the nation that she rules. For she can approach only those in whom a profound nature has been upheaved by central convulsions; in whom the heart trembles and the brain rocks under conspiracies of tempest from without and tempest from within. What did Argento do? Inferno opens with a prologue that puts the entire Trilogy in context. A voice-over reads a passage from a book called The Three Mothers by an architect and alchemist named E. Varelli, and it gives us a good 30,000-foot view: I dont know what price I shall have to pay for breaking what we alchemists call Silentium. The life experience of our colleague should teach us not to upset laymen by imposing our knowledge upon them. I, Varelli, an architect living in London, met the Three Mothers and designed and built for them three dwelling places. One in Rome, one in New York, and a third in Freiburg, Germany. I failed to discover until too late that from those three locations the Three Mothers rule the world with sorrow, tears, and darkness. Mater Suspiriorum, the Mother of Sighs and the oldest of the three, lives in Freiburg. Mater Lachrymarum, the Mother of Tears and the most beautiful of the sisters, holds rule in Rome. Mater Tenebrarum, the Mother of Darkness, who is the youngest and cruelest of the three, controls New York. And I built their horrible houses the repositories of all their filthy secrets. Those so-called mothers are actually wicked stepmothers, incapable of creating life. Suspiria is the most famous, but Inferno is arguably the most beautiful of the three, and Argentos contemporary Mario Bava, the giallo icon, helped with some of the visuals for the film. Its set in the New York faction of the Three Mothers empire, and takes place in the building where Tenebrarum lives. She is the youngest and cruelest of the three, which makes sense with the whole suggestress of suicides bit, and Inferno even features a cameo by one of her sisters in witchcraft, Mater Lachrymarum. So lets jump to the end and talk about her next. Mater Lachrymarum, Our Lady of Tears What did De Quincey say? She it is that night and day raves and moans, calling for vanished faces. What did Argento do? The strongest and most beautiful of the Mothers was featured in Mother of Tears, which starred Darios daughter, Asia Argento, as the descendant of a white witch who fought against and weakened Mater Suspiriorum to a shell of her former self prior to the events of Suspiria. (Suspiriorums depleted state is an important element of original film, and also a key component of the remake.) The Mothers ability to influence the world around them is displayed most prominently here, with violence spreading across Rome as Lachrymarum, the mightiest of the witches, grows more powerful. In Suspiria de Profundis she is the oldest of the trio, but in Tears she is the middle one, and this movie also gives some details on the origin story of the witches when Udo Kiers Father Johannes explains, More than a thousand years ago witchcraft was birthed by the shores of the Black Sea by three sisters. For years they roamed the Earth bringing death and destruction wherever they went. So in the parlance of our times, theyre kind of like three Supremes. And now we arrive at our current concern, Mater Suspiriorum. Mater Suspiriorum, Our Lady of Sighs What did De Quincey say? Her eyes, if they were ever seen, would be neither sweet nor subtle; no man could read their story; they would be found filled with perishing dreams, and with wrecks of forgotten delirium. What did Argento do? De Quinceys idea of Mater Suspiriorum was definitely a more charitable one than Argentos, but delirium and perishing dreams does line up. As Alexander H. Japp wrote in his edited collection of De Quinceys work, The master-idea of the Suspiria is the power which lies in suffering, in agony unuttered and unutterable, to develop the intellect and the spirit of man; to open these to the ineffable conceptions of the infinite, and to some discernment, otherwise impossible, of the beneficent might that lies in pain and sorrow. And that sounds a lot more like what is going on at the Helena Markos Dance Company, where there is a hell of a lot of unuttered agony, suffering, and beneficent might that the coven would have you believe lies in pain and sorrow. Profundis described Suspiriorum as the second Mother, but in Argentos trilogy she is the oldest and wisest of the witches. And what about Mother Markos? Helena Markos is present in the 1977 film as well as the new one, but we wont say any more on that, because the story has varied in some key ways. But for backstory purposes: In the original film she was a Greek immigrant who founded the Tanz Akademie in Freiburg, Germany, in 1895, and eventually faked her own death to throw off suspicion that she might be a witch. She of course maintained control of it in secret, and in both the new and remade versions, exists as a kind of shadow leader of the coven. In that peek at a journal we get in the new Suspiria trailer, we also see this written down: Today there is only her, one of them and at the same time not Mother Markos, a shadow over my story. Guess youll have to go see the new movie to find out what that means! This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Association for University Presses annual University Press Week, and member presses are celebrating how we have evolved over the past decade. The story of UW Presss evolution can be seen through the following ten books published in the last ten years. No-No Boy (2014. First edition published [] SANDTON, South Africa Hundreds of experts from across the globe are charting a course toward increased respect for intellectual property (IP) and a better understanding of how cooperation amplifies the role of IP in widespread development. The Respect for IP Growing from the Tip of Africa Conference, which opened October 23, fosters policy dialogue and serves as an incubator of ideas for some 400 participants from some 70 countries, including government ministers, policymakers, judges and senior enforcement officials, as well as representatives from international governmental and non-governmental organizations and businesses. The objectives: What can be done to overcome an incomplete public understanding of intellectual property? How can cooperation both at the national and international level ensure that the benefits of IP as a tool for development are fully realized, while countering IP infringements in an effective and balanced way? The conference is co-organized by South Africas Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), together with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). It is taking place from October 23-25, 2018 in Sandton, South Africa. In remarks for the Conference, Adv. Rory Voller, Commissioner, CIPC said: The objectives of this conference are fully aligned with the current priorities of South Africa. In this context, CIPC plays a key role in stimulating innovation and creativity and in reducing regulatory burden, especially as it affects small businesses. Weaving respect for IP into the fibre of the South African society would greatly contribute to the desired economic development. Mr. Francis Gurry, Director General, WIPO, said: International cooperation is vital in promoting respect at the national and local levels. Thats why the World Intellectual Property Organization is proud to co-host this International Conference Respect for IP Growing from the Tip of Africa. The international intellectual property system can only realize its fundamental rationale of stimulating creativity and innovation, and hence drive development, in an environment that nurtures respect for IP. Building such respect is a common objective of WIPO Member States and international cooperation in this area is one of the Organizations strategic goals. Mr. Roberto Azevedo, Director-General, WTO, said: The international trading system and the IP system are vitally important for economic and social welfare, and form integral elements of national and regional development strategies. In times when the world is more interconnected than ever and global value chains have assumed such an important place in development strategies, joint and multidisciplinary efforts are essential to take advantage of the opportunities provided by international trade. We therefore see this conference as an ideal opportunity to foster collaboration among stakeholders in order to deal with current challenges of adequately and effectively protecting and enforcing IP rights. Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General, WCO, said: This Conference provides an ideal platform for sharing views and ideas as well as improving understanding, at the political and policy-making level, of the serious consequences of counterfeiting and piracy and the challenges faced by rights holders and enforcement authorities when fighting IP infringements. In many countries, effective IP protection by Customs and other law enforcement agencies still requires more efficient procedures, greater awareness and political support. Mr. Jurgen Stock, Secretary General, INTERPOL, said: Illicit markets continue to grow, generating millions in profits for the criminal groups which endanger the health and safety of citizens worldwide. It is only through a coordinated global effort, involving all stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, that we can hope to stop this potentially lethal tide. This conference is an excellent opportunity to forge such partnerships and jointly address and combat the problem of counterfeiting and piracy. By bringing together a wide range of stakeholders, the Conference will create opportunities for collaborations and strengthen existing partnerships to build respect for IP. Discussions will cover a broad spectrum of topics linked to the overarching theme from the economic value of IP and its public interest rationale to specific challenges facing different actors involved in IP enforcement and options for their effective handling. Topics include: Session 1 - The Value of IP for Economic Growth, Small Businesses, Investment, Job Creation and Development Session 2 - Placing the Public Interest at the Heart of IP Enforcement Session 3 - IP as a Priority for a Safer World Session 4 - Respect for IP Through Collaborative Enforcement Session 5 - Trade in a Borderless World: The Contribution of IP Rights to Development Session 6 - Regional Alliances: Agents of Growth and Champions of Effective IP Systems Session 7 - Reconciling Territoriality in Cross border IP Disputes Session 8 - Harnessing the Potential of Multilateralism: Capacity Building Through Intergovernmental Actors Press Contacts Sizwile Makhubu, CIPC +27 722361047 SMakhubu@cipc.co.za Edward Harris, WIPO +41 79 777 28 99 Edward.harris@wipo.int Laure Tempier, WCO +32 474 3333 58 Laure.tempier@wcoomd.org About CIPC CIPC is the Companies and IP regulator in South Africa with a mandate, among others, to register companies, business rescue practitioners, corporate names, trademarks, copyright in films, patents and designs. As a regulator CIPC further maintains IP data, and publishes an electronic monthly Patent Journal covering all 4 IP domains. CIPC further regulates governance of and disclosure by companies, accredits dispute resolution agents, and educates and informs the public about Company and IP laws. It also accredits collecting societies in respect of music royalties, and regulates the governance, conduct and disclosure of such collecting societies; as well as conducting and co-ordinating search and seizure operations in relation to IP enforcement. About WIPO The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the global forum for IP policy, services, information and cooperation. A specialized agency of the United Nations, WIPO assists its 191 member states in developing a balanced international IP legal framework to meet society's evolving needs. It provides business services for obtaining IP rights in multiple countries and resolving disputes. It delivers capacity-building programs to help developing countries benefit from using IP. It also offers free access to unique knowledge banks of IP information. About INTERPOL INTERPOLs role is to enable police in our 192 member countries to work together to fight transnational crime and make the world a safer place. We maintain global databases containing police information on criminals and crime, and we provide operational and forensic support, analysis services and training. These policing capabilities are delivered worldwide and support three global programmes: counter-terrorism, cybercrime, and organized and emerging crime. About WCO The World Customs Organization (WCO), with its 182 Members around the globe responsible for processing approximately 98% of world trade, is the only intergovernmental organization uniquely focused on Customs matters. The WCO contributes to efforts to combat the illegal trade in counterfeit and pirated goods by raising awareness of this issue among Customs officers and providing them with the requisite technical assistance. The WCO also leads discussions to identify applicable solutions, while adopting a holistic approach that concentrates on examining the phenomenon and the enforcement chain as a whole in order to enhance cooperation and enforcement capabilities, including through the use of IT tools and new technologies. About WTO The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the worlds trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible. At their June 2018 sessions, the WCO Policy Commission and Council approved the setting up of a Working Group on the Comprehensive Review of the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures (as amended), recognizing the need to ensure it remained the blueprint for modern and efficient Customs procedures in the 21st Century. The process of the comprehensive review of this WCO flagship instrument, widely known as the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC), was launched recently, at the First Meeting of the newly established Working Group - WGRKC. The WGRKC will be looking at the legal text of the RKC Body, General Annex and Specific Annexes, as well as the non-binding Guidelines to the Annexes of the RKC, and will explore various options on a number of horizontal issues, such as future proofing the Convention and introducing a robust mechanism for implementation monitoring. The First Meeting of the WGRKC in September 2018 gathered over 70 delegates representing around 50 WCO Members and launched the strategic discussions on the key issues related to the comprehensive review of the RKC. The WGRKC agreed that the WCO should leverage on the excellent partnership relations with other international organizations, regional organizations, industry associations, the private sector, development partners and academia, to ensure an all-inclusive approach to the comprehensive review of the RKC. In this regard, on 9 November 2018, the WCO is organizing a Global Conference on the Comprehensive Review of the RKC, which will bring together Member Customs administrations and a wide range of external stakeholders. During the Conference, Customs administrations will share national and regional experiences on the implementation of the RKC to enable a strategic discussion on a future mechanism for implementation monitoring coupled with tailor-made capacity building support. In dialogue sessions, stakeholders and Members will discuss the growing use of technologies and the resulting evolution of the trade and logistics environment. The Conference will further deliberate on the development of a Customs of the future model and the avenues to maintain the RKC as the WCO flagship Convention. Please visit the event webpage of the Global Conference on the Comprehensive Review of the RKC for the latest information about the agenda, speakers, registration and other issues. To obtain registration credentials please contact the WCO RKC team at facilitation@wcoomd.org. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit By West Kentucky Star Staff Oct. 22, 2018 | 09:12 PM | MCCRACKEN COUNTY A Monday afternoon fire at a residence in the 2400 block of Pool Road has turned deadly.According to the McCracken County Sheriff's Department, a call was made to dispatch at 3:45 pm. McCracken County Deputy Tom Starks was the first on the scene, and was able to evacuate two people from the home, as it was engulfed in flames.Both the Hendron and Reidland-Farley Fire Departments were called to fight the blaze.The two occupants of the home, along with Deputy Starks, were taken to local hospitals for treatment of injuries. Deputy Starks was treated and released, and one of the occupants was treated for non-life threatening injuries.However, 69-year-old Bonnie Fields, of Paducah, passed away from her injuries, at approximately 5:37 pm.The cause of the fire is not known at this time. The incident is still under investigation. 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. 22, 2018 | METROPOLIS By West Kentucky Star Staff Oct. 22, 2018 | 04:06 PM | METROPOLIS A Massac County man was sentenced Monday to 17 years in prison for the offense of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child. Twenty-eight-year-old David I. Rogers, pleaded guilty to the offense in the middle of his jury trial in August, and has been in the Massac County Detention Center awaiting sentencing. Judge Joseph Leberman presided over the trial and sentencing. Massac County States Attorney Patrick Windhorst represented the People during the trial and sentencing. Rogers was represented by Mark Hunter. The case was investigated by the Massac County Sheriffs Department. I want to commend the victim for her strength and courage coming forward and testifying during the trial, Windhorst said. I also want to thank Chad Kaylor and the sheriffs department for their quality investigation. Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child is a Class X felony and carried a possible penalty of 6 to 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Under Illinois Truth-In-Sentencing Law, Rogers will be required to serve 85% of his sentence. He will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from custody. Advertisement By Mike Cooper, West Kentucky Star Staff Oct. 22, 2018 | MAYFIELD By Mike Cooper, West Kentucky Star Staff Oct. 22, 2018 | 10:07 PM | MAYFIELD Three major projects were announced for Graves County at its Fiscal Court meeting on Monday. An announcement was made by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet that funding for the Bethel Church Road bridge in Northern Graves County has been approved by the Bevin Administration. The Bethel Church Road bridge has been out for five years. The bridge connects Graves County to Carlisle County, and will eliminate a five mile detour when completed. The Court also passed a resolution to enter in to an agreement with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to construct a bridge and approaches on Byrd Road. The Byrd Road bridge has been out for one year. Judge Executive Jesse Perry commented about the bridges, "it's such a blessing that Frankfort acknowledges the need." He also said that he was very proud of these projects, as both are much needed infrastructure. David Keene, Vice President of Community Partnerships for Sullivan University in Louisville, announced that they would be opening a learning center in Mayfield, which will bring a post-secondary institution to Graves County. This will be Sullivan's third learning center in Kentucky, outside of their main campus in Louisville. The other two are located in Louisa (Lawrence County), and Carlisle (Nicholas County). The Sullivan University Mayfield Center for Learning will be located at 1102 Paris Road, Unit 15A, in Mayfield. It will not only provide education opportunities, but also professional skills training and programs for workers and employers. "Sullivan is not just filling a gap," Judge Perry said, "but also planting a seed for many years to come so that now, and in the future, our community will have more options for an accessible, affordable higher education." In other business, the court approved a proclamation of Homemakers Week in Graves County, approved the appointment of Tommy Powell to the Graves County Library Board of Trustees for a four year term beginning on November 1st, approved the advertising for bids on a fire and smoke alarm detection system for the Courthouse Annex, approved three other resolutions, approved claims presented by the County Treasurer, approved the September financial statement, 1st Quarter Fiscal Court report, 3rd Quarter County Clerk report, and five Graves County Jail reports. Because of Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, there will only be one Fiscal Court meeting in November, which will be on November 19th. Murray State Spirit Night with the Memphis Grizzlies set for December 11 Wits and Perot Museum launch virtual reality app of Dinaledi cave Free virtual reality experience provides global access to the Dinaledi caves to researchers, students and amateur explorers. Ever wondered what its like to delve deep within a South African cave to discover and recover some of the most famous ancient human fossils in scientific history? The opportunity is now at your fingertips and its free via the Apple App Store and Google Play! Internationally renowned paleoanthropologist Professor Lee Berger from Wits, in partnership with the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, Texas today announced a world-first virtual reality (VR) app to view bones that are shaking up our family tree. Berger who recently dominated world science headlines with his discovery of Homo naledi, a new species of human relative was joined by Perot Museum CEO Dr. Linda Silver and Perot Museum research scientist and Director of the Center for the Exploration of the Human Journey Dr. Becca Peixotto fora Facebook Live news conference watched by journalists and academics from across the world. The free app, which is optimized for Google cardboard but compatible with any headset, allows people all over the globe to virtually tour the cave that very few people including underground astronaut Dr. Peixotto have visited in person (due to the extremely narrow, 8-inch chute through which it is accessed). As I would never be able to actually get into the Dinaledi Chamber, one of the most exciting things for me, personally, is that through the Dinaledi app I can actually see and experience what it is like to be in the Chamber where these wonderful discoveries were made, says Berger. And, even more exciting, I can share this first-time experience with young fossil hunters from all over the world. The Museum collaborated with Wits University to initially create this experience, which was brought to fruition by Dallas creative-technology company Groove Jones, for the Museums newly transformed Being Human Hall. However, they also wanted to extend the VR journey beyond the walls of the Museum. Thanks to an app with narration in six languages from some of the actual explorers and scientists from Bergers Rising Star expedition, viewers can explore and even virtually hold fossils from the remote cave. The translated experiences are available on the app in English, American and European Spanish, and the African languages of isiZulu, Setswana and Sesotho. Its important for young people, from the U.S., South Africa and around the world, to see themselves as the next generation of scientists through innovative, multilingual experiences like this, said Peixotto. I hope that allowing fellow researchers to virtually examine this important fossil site in a different way may lead to exciting, new insights. Todays unveiling comes just six months after the Perot Museum announced its new Center for the Exploration of the Human Journey. In April 2018, the Museum named Peixotto as director and formed a partnership with Berger to serve as the Centers Distinguished Science Advisor. Weeks later, the Museums Being Human Hallreopened to rave reviews, featuring the popular VR experience of the Dinaledi Chamber (which has since been translated into Spanish by one of the Dinaledi team scientists). In August, the Museum and Wits University, a widely respected public university known for its research achievements, signed a Memorandum of Understanding that launched a dynamic relationship for future international collaborations. Additionally, as part of the Museums In the Field research initiative, Peixotto will return to South Africa Oct. 25-Nov. 18. She and the team, including four new underground astronauts will return to the Rising Star Cave system with plans to excavate a known fossil area in the Dinaledi Chamber and explore other parts of the cave. Giving real time updates on their expedition, the team may also spend time in the lab with the collection of more than 2,000 H. naledi fossils and revisit a large mass offossils and sediment extracted earlier this year that potentially contains several dozen remains. To further expand learning opportunities, the Perot Museum is planning numerous outreach programs for students in North Texas and beyond as well as collaborating with National Geographic Explorer Classroom programs for and with students across the U.S., Canada and parts of Europe. The Museum will also collaborate with Berger and Wits University on a major traveling exhibition for fall 2019 that explores the study of human origins and the dynamic research of Bergers and Peixottos team on H. naledi. The exhibition will invite visitors to celebrate emerging scientific discoveries, experience the thrill of discovering, understand the possibility within scientific analysis, and imagine the future of technologys impact on science. This virtual reality app and our partnership with Wits University is just the beginning. It demonstrates our desire to communicate in an innovative, engaging way that reduces barriers and makes science exploration universally accessible and exciting, said Silver. It also represents our commitment to work with international colleagues to advance our collective understanding of the world. The free-to-download app for Android and iOS devices can be found by searching for Dinaledi in the Google Play and Apple App Store. Learn more about the cave exploration experience at perotmuseum.org/DinalediVR. TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI)- Voters are being asked to decide whether the state should have a balanced budget. The measure has already passed through two separate sessions. Now, it needs a simple majority vote to go into the Indiana Constitution. The Indiana State Teachers Association took a stance on Monday. "ISTA opposes the amendment and urges voters to vote no," said the group on its website. "Efforts behind the amendment are more posturing for political purposes. It is too simplistic to try to equate government accounting with household accounting, especially when essential services for Hoosiers are at stake. Besides, the Indiana General Assembly already takes ample precautions to secure responsible and balanced budgets." On Monday, News 18 reported about how some people were claiming this amendment would hurt pensions. ISTA addressed those concerns. "Inaccurate information is circulating on social media on how the ballot initiative impacts pensions," said ISTA. "Regardless of the outcome, the balanced budget amendment will have no impact on pre-funded public pension funds." If you would like to learn more about why state lawmakers passed this amendment, click on our story from Monday. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)- Got legal questions? Then get them answered! Wabash Valley Volunteer Attorneys and the Indiana Bar Foundation are hosting "Talk to a Lawyer Day." The program offers free legal assistance for low-income individuals as a part of pro-bono week. Anyone can attend and ask general questions about the legal system or even personal cases. Tim Peterson, Chief Plan Administrator for Wabash Valley Volunteer Attorneys, said the goal of the program is to make people more aware of their rights. "A lot of people don't really understand what their rights are under the law. They may think that they have no rights under the law," Peterson said. Peterson also told News 18 it's best for people to come to the event with simple questions for the lawyers. "Like, 'Do I need a will?' 'Can I get my criminal record expunged?' 'How do I get a hardship drivers license?' 'What do I do to get my visitation back?' Things of that nature." Talk to a Lawyer Day will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Crawfordsville District Public Library. There will be an additional session on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ivy Tech Lafayette campus. Peterson said if you do plan to ask questions based upon a proceeding you are a part of, to bring any documents pertaining to that proceeding as well as a driving record and identification card. 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 180m health funding boost will ultimately help provide better services for patients in Wrexham & across Wales This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Oct 23rd, 2018 Plans to deliver a seamless health and social care system, which supports people to live healthy and independent lives, will receive a 180m funding boost next year Welsh Government Ministers announced today in a move welcomed by Wrexhams AM. Today Health and Social Services Secretary, Vaughan Gething and Minister for Children, Older People and Social Care, Huw Irranca-Davies set out their spending priorities for 2019-20. Earlier this year, the Welsh Government published A Healthier Wales, the long-term plan for health and social care in Wales. The Welsh Government have said: As part of the process of transforming the health and social care system, the Welsh Government wants everyone to have access to a single integrated package of health and social care when they need it. This may be delivered by several different services, according to peoples needs. Health and Social Services Secretary Vaughan Gething said: In Wales, weve set out a clear vision to transform the health and care system. People will receive a single integrated package of support for health and social care tailored to their needs and preferences. The 180m package of investment were confirming today for health and social care in Wales represents a significant additional investment next year. It will be targeted across the health and social care system, to reflect the integrated approach we are promoting towards the development of seamless models of care. A package of 130m funding in 2019-20 will help to deliver the single integrated package of support and will be available to health and social care regional partnerships throughout Wales. The funding will be allocated across three main areas: 50m of revenue funding for the Integrated Care Fund, which aims to reduce pressure on the hospital and social care system by helping to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions, inappropriate admissions to residential care, and delayed hospital discharges 30m to be allocated through the regional partnership boards these are shared decision-making bodies between health boards and local authorities. Regional partnership boards will play a leading role in the delivery of A Healthier Wales 50m for the Transformation Fund, which will be allocated to programmes endorsed by regional partnership boards, to take forward the development and implementation of new models of care. Ministers have also confirmed local authority social care services will receive 50m next year 20m will be provided as part of the local government revenue support grant and a further 30m as a specific grant from the health and social services budget. Locally we asked Wrexhams Assembly Member Lesley Griffiths about the extra cash. She welcomed the Welsh Government announcement saying: This substantial additional investment is part of a long-term strategy to transform the way care is delivered and to ensure it is sustainable for future generations. Better integrating health and social care services will help reduce reliance on hospitals and deliver care closer to home. It will also support the dedicated frontline NHS staff who work tirelessly under pressurised circumstances and ultimately help provide better services for patients in Wrexham and across Wales. With Wrexham Councils cuts being something we have been writing about a fair bit, and the context from them being based around a choice by Welsh Government, we asked I have previously stated the Welsh Government has prioritised health spending in its latest Draft Budget and I do not think it should apologise for that. People are fully aware we live in challenging financial times due to the Tory UK Governments ideological pursuit of austerity. In recent years, the Welsh Budget has been slashed meaning difficult decisions have had to be made. The Welsh Government has shielded local authorities from the worst effects of austerity but after nine long years and with further cuts in the pipeline, the task is becoming ever more demanding. Increasing spending on public services will only occur when the Tories in Westminster end their failed policy of austerity and I would urge the Tory / Independent Councillors that run Wrexham Council to lobby their UK Government colleagues to truly end austerity and offer Wales fair funding. With only two weeks until Election Day, November 6, early voting has already begun in many states to select 435 members of the House of Representatives, 35 state governors and 36 US senators, as well as thousands of members of state legislatures. The Democrats and Republicans are raising and spending a record amount, more than $5 billion, to carry out mudslinging attacks on each other and promote the illusion that voters have a real choice between these two equally right-wing parties controlled by the corporations and the wealthy. The election campaign has unfolded under conditions of deepening alienation of the population from both big-business parties. Party leaders and media pundits express the hope that the turnout at the polls in the midterm election could rise to the level of 50 percent of those eligible to vote. Put the other way round, at least half the population will vote for neither party, under conditions where Trump, the Democratic Party, and the Republican Party are all under waterfar more disapprove than approve, according to the pollsand Congress as an institution has an approval rating of barely ten percent. No amount of attack ads and media propaganda can alter the reality that both parties uphold the profit system, defend the interests of the super-rich, and regard the working people, the vast majority of the population, with a combination of fear and contempt. The Republican Party, led by President Trump, is campaigning on a program of undisguised racism directed at immigrants, rejection of even the mildest domestic reform proposal as socialism, and militaristic bluster. Trump chose campaign rallies last week as occasions to make a series of belligerent threats: to send troops to the US-Mexico border, to tear up the Intermediate Nuclear Forces treaty with Russia, to step up trade war with China. The Democratic Party has retreated steadily over the past two years before Trumps ultra-right barrage, offering only token opposition to such measures as the persecution of immigrants, the $1.5 trillion tax cut for the wealthy, and the installation of two far-right justices on the Supreme Court. They have embraced Trumps policies of militarism and economic warfare, joining in the near-unanimous passage of a record $716 billion military budget, and applauding his trade war measures against China and other countries. The Democrats have even sought to outflank the Trump administration from the right, demanding an even more aggressive foreign policy in regards to Russia, using the Mueller investigation and bogus allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election to justify censorship of the Internet and sweeping attacks on democratic rights. Spearheading this campaign is an influx of at least 30 candidates for congressional seats drawn from the ranks of the CIA, the Pentagon, the State Department and National Security Council. Behind the strident denunciations and recriminations between the two capitalist parties, however, preparations are well under way for a new stage of bipartisan collaboration against the working class once the election is safely past. Current polls suggest that the Democratic Party will emerge in control of the House of Representatives, which requires a net gain of 23 seats, while the Republican Party will retain control of the US Senate. When Congress reconvenes in January, Washington will likely return to divided government, with the two parties negotiating a bipartisan policy whose outlines are beginning to emerge. Statements last week by Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell suggest the most important features of such a bipartisan regime. McConnell responded October 16 to reports of a sharp increase in the federal budget deficit by demanding significant cuts in social spending. He rejected suggestions that either the enormous tax cut for business and the wealthy, passed in December 2017, or the record military spending approved during the summer, were in any way responsible for the deficit. Its very disturbing, and its driven by the three big entitlement programs that are very popular: Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid, McConnell said in an interview with Bloomberg. President Trump, speaking at a campaign rally October 20, announced that he was tearing up the Intermediate Nuclear Force treaty with Russia, setting the stage for a new arms race, as part of an increasingly confrontational policy. Referring to intermediate-range missiles, which would allow the US to target Russia from bases in Europe, and to target China from Japan, South Korea and Australia, Trump said, Well have to develop those weapons. Were going to terminate the agreement and were going to pull out. These two comments suggest the outlines of the bipartisan policy that would be put into effect after the elections: Trump and the Republicans will carry out the more aggressive anti-Russian policy demanded by the Democrats; the Democrats will join forces in the enactment of a bipartisan onslaught against social benefits, to make working people and the retired pay the price of military escalation. Until Election Day, of course, most Democrats have seized on McConnells comment on the need to cut entitlement programs as the occasion to issue demagogic statements presenting themselves as diehard defenders of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. But one prominent Democrat, Phil Bredesen, the former governor of Tennessee who is now seeking a Senate seat, declared, I think there should be no pressure to do anything to reduce benefits from Social Security in any way whatsoever, but called health care benefits (Medicare and Medicaid) more complicated, adding that it was necessary to manage the cost of these programs. McConnell acknowledged in his statement last week that the popular opposition to cuts in the entitlement programs made them politically difficult. Theres been a bipartisan reluctance to tackle entitlement changes because of the popularity of those programs, he said. The Senate Republican leader added that these programs could only be cut with the cooperation of the congressional Democrats, which might even be facilitated by the Democrats winning control of the House of Representatives. I think its pretty safe to say that entitlement changes, which is the real driver of the debt by any objective standard, may well be difficult if not impossible to achieve when you have unified government, he told Bloomberg. The two newspapers that serve as the main voices for the Democratic Party wing of the ruling class, the Washington Post and the New York Times, signaled their support for this deal-in-the-making, each newspaper addressing one side in the impending trade-off. The Post published an editorial October 18 expressing concern over the budget deficit and criticizing Trump for having opposed entitlement reform during the 2016 presidential campaign and embracing fiscal populism instead. Structural causes of the federal governments long-term debt problems, Social Security and Medicare, remained unaddressed, in keeping with Mr. Trumps repudiation of the GOPs previous support for reform of entitlements, the newspaper complained. The editorial was aligned completely with the comments of McConnell, although it made no mention of the Senate leader. The Times conveyed its views in an editorial headlined, Candidates Who Can Help Take Back the House, endorsing six Democratic candidates for Congress in the New York and New Jersey area, including two candidates from a military-intelligence background, part of the cohort of 30 CIA Democrats identified and profiled by the World Socialist Web Site. The editorial begins with an invocation of todays frightening moment when, supposedly, A foreign government methodically exploits divisions that President Trump deepens, stirring fear of immigrants and Muslims, resentment of women and hatred against African-Americans. In other words, the Times portrays the social divisions in America as the result of Russian interference, not as the product of the deepening social inequality produced by the workings of the capitalist system. Eight thousand poorly paid, mostly women workers are due to strike October 23 and 24 in a long-running dispute with Glasgow City Council (GCC) and its care services agency, Cordia. The strike, the largest strike for equal pay since the 1970 Equal Pay Act, follows 98 percent and 99 percent majority votes by members of the Unison and GMB trade unions. The workers are seeking millions of pounds in wages, bonuses and overtime payments dating as far back as 2005. Todays action follows a decade in which GCC, at the behest of the Labour Party and now the Scottish National Party, has delayed making the payments due to workers as both parties made cuts. The workers include school support staff, cleaners, catering workers and carers, who have for years been paid less than male workers doing comparable work. In all, as many as 14,000 are affected. Equal pay legislation was passed in Britain following a 1968 strike at carmaker Fords huge plant in Dagenham, Essex. Ford re-graded 187 women who sewed car seats as unskilled, despite grading men doing comparable work as semi-skilled. In 1980, the Conservative government legislated for competitive tendering to be introduced into public sector contracts, to transform vital services into revenue streams for private capital. This began decades of assaults on the pay, terms and conditions of all public sector workers. Workers in catering and support services were particularly hit by pay cuts. By the 1990s, thousands of pay discrimination cases were reaching the courts. Between 1997 and 1999 local authorities throughout the UK reached single status agreements with the trade unions, requiring job evaluation exercises to ensure men and women were paid the same rate for similar work. In response, local authorities of all political stripes sought cost neutral solutionsa euphemism for cutting other, often male workers wages, while selling off public assets or cutting services. In Leeds in 2009, 600 male city council cleansing workers struck against pay cuts of up to 6,000 annually, imposed under the pretext of pay equalisation. Refuse collectors who failed to sign a new contract involving pay cuts agreed by the unionsafter they isolated their strikewere threatened with the sack. Those remaining faced huge productivity increases. By 2007, the 32 local authorities in Scotland admitted they faced outlays of up to 560 million in equal pay claims. Across Britain the figure was around 5 billionan indication of the level of underpayment involved. The Glasgow dispute stems from a 2007 re-grading known as the Workforce Pay and Benefits Review (WPBR). The exercise, ostensibly aimed at addressing pay inequalities, instead introduced new ones that have been disputed ever since. A bonus protection system, agreed by the trade unions, operated for three years after the 2007 agreement. Scotlands Court of Session ruled against WPBR last year on the basis that the system was discriminatory. WPBR also introduced core and non-core pay rates, in which non-core rates included extra points for working conditions in jobs predominantly done by men. This was also outlawed in the Court of Session because WPBR made it impossible to compare core and non-core jobs. Following the court decisions, GCC, since 2017 controlled by the SNP, dropped its legal struggle and since January said it was pursuing negotiation not litigation. The result has been the same. GCC under SNP leader Susan Aitken, has decided to impose yet another grading scheme, while the women, who have already been denied pay increases for years, continue to wait for promised compensation. How much GCC owes its staff is disputed. The city council has not made clear how it intends to raise the huge sums involved, which some estimates put as high as 1 billion. GCCs entire annual budget this year amounts to around 2.25 billion. It faces a financial shortfall of 129 million over the next three years, even after slashing over 102 million from its spending over the last two years. Glasgow is host to some of the most deprived areas in Britain, with its public services in decline for years. In 2010, GCC employed over 24,000 workers, with only 19,440 employed today. The Labour Party and the SNP are busy blaming each other for the present crisiswith the SNP citing Labours bitter legacy and Labour blaming the SNP for not honouring its pledges. Both are enemies of the working class. Given the filthy role of local councils, the Labour Party, SNP, and unions nationally, no worker should believe that the GCC under either party will respond to the women workers legitimate and long delayed claims other than by slashing male workers wages and conditions, in a policy of divide and rule, and by further destroying vitally needed social services. Longstanding pay inequalities can only be overcome by fighting to defend all workers pay and conditions against the employers so that pay is raised to a universal standard rather than lowered. Such a struggle is inconceivable without a rank-and-file rebellion against the trade union apparatus, which functions as an arm of corporate and local authority management. Since 2016 the unions have faced rebellions by doctors, lecturers and health workers against the sell-outs carried out by the union bureaucracy. Under these conditions, they have called this weeks action to placate anger but also to encourage internecine competition between workers instead of a unified struggle against the GCC. They are assisted by the proponents of identity politics, presenting the fundamental issue as discrimination against women or other minorities by a collective group of privileged males. Union and non-union workers, agency and full-time staff, male and female workers, young and old, must be united in rank-and-file committees encompassing not just the workforce struggling for decent jobs, wages and working conditions for all but also the communities that depend on the vital social services carried out by council workers. This would cut the ground from under the medias lying campaign blaming care workers for endangering lives and supposedly targeting vulnerable users who are the other victims of GCC cuts. This fight must be based on the socialist strategy, advanced by the Socialist Equality Party, for the reorganisation of society to meet social need not corporate profit. Thousands of people attended funerals and memorial services in recent days for the victims of a mass shooting that took place in Crimea, Russia last Wednesday. More burials in towns across the country are expected this week, as families from as far away as the Ural Mountains mourn their loss. Just before noon on October 17, Vladislav Roslyakov opened fired at the Kerch Polytechnical College, killing 21 people and injuring 73. The fourth-year student, aged 18, began his rampage in the colleges cafeteria, where he detonated a homemade bomb, according to some reports. He then made his way through the building, shooting bystanders at random before turning his gun on himself. Among the dead were five staff members of the college. The other fatalities were students at the vocational institution, which offers training in a variety of applied sciences. Of the students killed, a majority were under the age of 18. A special team of pediatric surgeons from Saint Petersburg was dispatched to nearby hospitals to help treat the youngest among the injured. Doctors are dealing with shrapnel wounds as well as gunshot wounds as a result of the explosive device apparently set off during the attack. There is some speculation, based on video evidence, that Roslyakov had an accomplice. A copy of surveillance camera footage was recently posted on Vesti.ru, but has since been taken down, after objections to making it public. Public officials have announced that families of the dead will receive 1 million rubles, just over $15,000. Those of the injured will get half that amount. Kerch, the site of the tragedy, is a port city of just under 150,000 on the far eastern edge of Crimea. In addition to attracting tourists to its ancient ruins and nearby beaches along the Black and Azov seas, Kerch is home to fishing, metallurgical, iron and shipbuilding enterprises. A newly opened bridge connects Kerch and all of Crimea to Russias mainland. The Crimean peninsula, formerly a part of Ukraine, became a region of Russia in 2014 after a popular referendum held in the aftermath of a far-right coup in Kiev. In opposition to the anti-Russian government installed in Ukraine with the support of the US and Germany, in March 2014 Crimeas populationoverwhelmingly Russian-speakingvoted to become a part of their eastern neighbor. While the Kremlin has sought to make much of the social and economic improvements made in Crimea in the aftermath of Russias takeover, wages still remain well below the national average and much of the population struggles to pay for basic necessities. Roslyakovs motives are unknown. He was, by all accounts, a quiet and socially isolated young man. In 2016, he stopped using his social media accounts but continued to have an internet presence using a number of pseudonyms. According to press reports, Roslyakov followed sites that promoted Nazis and violence and viewed material on executions and bomb-making. He had a gun permit and purchased his weapon legally, although Russia has relatively tight gun laws and widespread gun violence is uncommon. Prior to carrying out the attack, Roslyakov destroyed his personal effects in a fire, including his clothes, laptop and cell phone. Investigators are currently working to retrieve information from his electronic devices. There is some speculation, based on what he was wearing at the time of the shooting and the videos he watched online, that Roslyakov modeled himself after the Columbine massacre killers. In 1999, two seniors at Columbine High School in Colorado murdered 12 people in one of the first mass school shootings in the US. Dozens more such horrific events have taken place at schools in the US since. The Kremlin blamed Western influences for the crime, with Russian President Vladimir Putin declaring that one could see in the event the effects of globalization and social networks. The Russian authorities, which preside over a society with extreme levels of social inequality and widespread feelings of despair, are incapable of providing any sort of honest account, much less an explanation, of what kind of reality might drive an individual to such psychopathic levels of violence. Instead, they seek to use the tragedy as a means to crack down on the internet and promote Russian nationalism by implying that what happened is the product of a Western culture they oppose. In Ukraine there has been an effort to blame Russian influence for Roslyakovs murder spree. One pro-Kiev human rights group declared that it was a product of the militarization of everyday life in the region, which they insist was illegally invaded and seized by Moscow. The idea, however, that such pro-Ukrainian forces are concerned about mass violence is absurd. The government in Kiev is under the control of far-right politicians who allow murderous gangs of Nazi sympathizers to rage around the country. A strike by orchestra musicians at the Lyric Opera of Chicago that began October 9 ended five days later, October 13, with musicians voting to ratify a new agreement presented by the Chicago Federation of Musicians that contained a number of managements concession demands. The musicians struck over managements attempts to reduce the size of the orchestra by five positions, shorten the performance season, reduce pay by eight percent and eliminate radio programming. According to the union, at the initial stage of talks managements proposed pay cut was as high as 43 percent. The final agreement includes reductions in the workforce and a shorter season. The Lyric Opera proposed to cut the full-time orchestra from 74 to 69 musicians while the final agreement sets the number at 70. The main opera season will be cut from 24 to 22 weeks, as per the original proposal, but there are five additional weeks for performances of The Ring Cycle by Richard Wagner. The musicians will receive a 5.6 percent increase in weekly salary under terms of the three-year contact, but with fewer weeks of work, the real increase is much lower. In a further concession, musicians will receive only eight weeks of family medical leave; four weeks less than the typical 12 weeks of family leave. Kathleen Brauer, a Lyric Opera Orchestra violinist and representative, told the Chicago Tribune that Its not as large of a decrease in pay as we had feared, and that there are small, small gains in this. The cuts being carried out by the Lyric Opera are part of a broader cultural regression, which has seen orchestras, museums and other institutions starved for funds. The reported declining public interest in opera is connected to decades of attacks on public education, which have seen art and music programs eliminated from many schools. As the strike began, Lyric Opera officials emailed subscribers a sanctimonious and contemptuous statement declaring, all of us at Lyric are deeply saddened by this harmful decision, and share a goal of resuming our season as quickly as possible. In fact, the strike by musicians was a courageous stand in defense of culture against attempts by management to degrade the quality of a world-renowned institution. It was the first strike in 50 years for the Lyric Opera orchestra and ties into a militant mood by workers in other industries opposing cuts to their living standards. Chicago Lyric Opera musicians play a significant role in the cultural life of the city and are responsible for civic development and the introduction of high-quality classical music to millions of people in the city of Chicago and throughout the world. For cultural gems like the Chicago Lyric Opera to continue to exist and flourish, they need skilled, talented performers and musicians and a wide audience with roots in youth. But under capitalism, nearly every cultural institution is forced to be utterly reliant on private and corporate donations. The slashing of public education, particularly musical education and other arts that do not fall under the general trend of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) learning has led to abysmal cultural education for young people, eroding both the pool of youthful talent and audiences. If management was able to impose major cuts, it was because the musicians struggle remained isolated, with the major union federations in the city leaving them to battle alone. The defense of art and culture, like every social advance, is a critical question facing the working class. Public access to free, high quality art and culture is a social right. It is incompatible with an economic system where all of societys resources are subordinated to production for private profit. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has callously rejected the request of three of the 13 Maruti Suzuki workers jailed for life that they be released on bail pending the outcome of the appeal of their frame-up convictions. High Court Judge A.B. Chaudhary curtly dismissed the workers bail application when it came before him on Friday, October 12. He would not even deign to listen to arguments in favour of the bail request. Appearing on behalf of Sandeep Dhillon, Suresh Dhul and Dhanraj Bhambhi, Senior Advocate Rebecca Johnone of Indias best-known civil rights lawyerssought to present some of the mountain of evidence demonstrating that the workers are victims of a state vendetta. But the judge would have none of that. There is incontrovertible proof that police colluded with Maruti Suzuki management and fabricated evidence against the workers, and no evidence whatsoever ties them to the mysterious fire that erupted on July 18, 2012, in the midst of a management-provoked factory-floor altercation, that resulted in the death from smoke inhalation of a company manager. Yet Judge Chaudhry shut John down before she had even begun. Without batting an eyelash, he then declared bail was being denied the three workers, who have already spent more than six years in prison. The Maruti Suzuki 13 have been targeted for exemplary punishment by Indias ruling elite. This is because they led a struggle at the Japanese-owned automakers Manesar, Haryana car assembly plant against poverty wages, sweatshop conditions, and precarious contract-labour. This fight became a focal point for worker resistance across the Gurgaon-Manesar industrial belt, a huge industrial agglomeration on the outskirts of Indias capital and largest city, Delhi Twelve of the 13 were members of the Working Committee or executive of the Maruti Suzuki Workers Union (MSWU). Workers at the Manesar plant established the MSWU through a series of militant strikes and plant occupations in 2011-12 that were mounted in rebellion against a government-recognized, pro-company stooge union. Just four months after being forced to grant recognition to the MSWU, Maruti Suzuki, working in close concert with the police and the Congress Party-led Haryana state government, struck back. The company and state seized on the events of July 18, 2012 to arrest hundreds of MSWU militants and fire 2,400 workers, virtually the entire plant workforce. The WSWS has provided a detailed exposure of the frame-up as part of the International Committee of the Fourth Internationals campaign to mobilize workers in India and around the world in defence of the Maruti Suzuki workers (see: The frame-up of the Maruti Suzuki workersPart 1: A travesty of justice). Both the police investigation and the workers trial, which began with 148 workers facing murder and numerous other grave criminal charges, were a travesty of justice from beginning to end. The police and prosecution repeatedly changed key elements of their narrative of the case, including what car parts workers allegedly used as weapons during the factory-floor altercation. Defense lawyers showed that police systematically failed to carry out the most rudimentary forensic tests, such as brushing for fingerprints, on what they claimed were key pieces of evidence. The trial judge, Judge Rajinder Pal Goyal, repeatedly mangled the law to shift the onus of proof from the state to the workers, and himself supplied arguments and scenarios to try to paper over holes and inconsistencies in the prosecution case. The judge arbitrarily prevented all workers who were witness to the events of July 18, 2012 and had not been accused of any wrongdoing from testifying, on the grounds that they would either be biased in favour of the MSWU or intimidated by its supporters. After the defence showed that police had arrested 89 workers on the basis of company-supplied lists and then found Maruti-Suzuki labour contractors to bear witness against them, Judge Goyal was forced to exonerate them. He was also forced to dismiss all charges against a further 28 workers whom not a single prosecution witness could correctly identify. But he did so with the aim of sustaining the legal vendetta against the principal accusedthe leaders of the Maruti Suzuki Workers Union. Thus, in his judgment, Goyal insisted the fact that police had fabricated evidence, and done so on the orders of the inspector in charge of the investigation, in no way compromised or even called into question other police evidence. Prosecutors and judges involved in legal proceedings concerning the victimized Maruti Suzuki workers have stated repeatedly and bluntly that an example must be made of them so as to reassure investors. In arguing for the 13 to be sentenced to death by hanging at their March 2017 sentence hearing, special prosecutor Anurag Hooda declared, Our industrial growth has dipped, FDI [Foreign Direct Investment] has dried up. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is calling for Make in India, but such incidents are a stain on our image. In rejecting the three workers bail application earlier this month, Judge Chaudhary similarly cited the problems such unrest causes to the entire industry. Three days later, Indian media widely distributed a Reuters report expressing concern that labour unrest is on the rise in Gurgaon-Manesar and Indias other major auto manufacturing center, located in Oragadam-Sriperumbudur, southwest of Chennai, the capital and metropolis of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Currently thousands of workers are on strike at Yamaha India Motors, Royal Enfield, and Myoung Shin Automotive plants in Oragadam-Sriperumbudur for higher wages and to win recognition of newly-organized unions in the area, known as the Detroit of India or Asia. Like the Maruti Suzuki workers, the Tamil Nadu autoworkers are facing a joint assault by the companies, the police, courts and government. At the companies behest, and with the courts sanction, police have broken up worker occupations and protests and are preventing them from picketing the strike-bound plants. Among workers in the Gurgaon-Manesar industrial belt there is widespread recognition that the Maruti Suzuki workers are class-war prisoners, and great sympathy for them and the 2,400 workers the company purged from its workforce. But the Stalinist-led unions, the CITU and AITUC, and the respective parties with which they are affiliatedthe Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India or CPI have systematically isolated the victimized Maruti Suzuki workers and now treat them like the Brahmins did the pariahs. For weeks the Stalinist press did not even report on the convictions and life sentences meted out to the 13. The CITU is ostensibly leading the current strikes in Tamil Nadu, but as WSWS reporters have discovered by speaking to the strikers, the Stalinist union officials have left them utterly ignorant of the frame-up of the Maruti Suzuki workers, let alone sought to explain to them what it demonstrates about class relations in India and the role of the courts, police and the political establishment. As the WSWS has previously explained, The Stalinists fear the militant example of the Maruti Suzuki workers. Above all they recognize that any campaign to mobilize the working class in their defence would cut across their attempts to forge a political alliance with the big business Congress Party for the 2019 national elections and to promote the courts and other state institutions as democratic bulwarks against (Indias) Hindu supremacist BJP government. The refusal of the Stalinists and the other unions to lift a finger in defence of the Maruti Suzuki workers has emboldened the ruling elite. Haryanas state government, now led by the BJP, has petitioned the courts to set aside their life sentences and order them to be hanged. It is also seeking the retrial of the 117 workers Judge Goyal was forced to declare exonerated, after they spent two-and-a-half years in jail. Workers in India and around the world must come to the defence of the Maruti Suzuki workers. By challenging sweatshop exploitation, these heroic workers were striking a blow for workers not just in India, but around the world. Their defence is a vital first step in forging the international unity of the working class that is needed to fight global capital. With the California governors race entering its final two weeks, recent polling shows Democratic candidate Gavin Newsom with a commanding lead over his Republican opponent, John Cox. A poll released by USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times on Wednesday found Newsom leading Cox by 54 percent to 31 percent among likely voters. The two held their first and only debate last week, a radio broadcast which aired for only one hour. The winner will assume office on January 7, 2019 replacing Democrat Jerry Brown, the only four-term governor in state history, including eight years from 1975 to 1983, followed much later by his current eight-year tenure, which began in January 2011. Newsom has been Browns lieutenant governor for the past eight years, after a career in San Francisco city politics as a member of the board of supervisors and then mayor. The 63-year-old Cox, by contrast, has never held elected office, spending most of his life as a financial and legal adviser in the Chicago area, while hosting right-wing radio talk shows. The main value of his campaign for the Republican Party was to avoid having two Democrats on the November ballot under Californias jungle primary format, as is the case in the contest for the US Senate seat. Congressional Republican leaders and the Trump White House were concerned that the absence of a Republican statewide candidate for either governor or senator might depress Republican turnout and cost several incumbent House members their seats. Cox succeeded in placing second in the June primary, ensuring a spot on the November ballot, after which the Republican Party effectively abandoned his campaign to the obscurity it deserves. The prospective landslide victory for Newsom is not a demonstration of great personal popularity. It is doubtful that most Californians could pick him out of a line-up, let alone say what he stands for politically. It is an expression of traditional Democratic loyalties in the state, and even more of the deep and abiding hatred of the Trump administration. More than two-thirds of likely voters in the most recent poll expressed strong disapproval of Trump, and most said this was a major driver in their vote for governor as well. Newsom is not, however, an accidental beneficiary of the popular revulsion against Trump. The US ruling elite proceeds quite carefully in the selection of the chief administrator of the most populous US state, with the fifth largest economy in the world, larger than that of Great Britain. Gavin Newsom is the product of a selection process in which some of the wealthiest families in the entire country have been involved from his earliest engagement in politics. As documented by the Los Angeles Times, using campaign finance records, Newsom has long been bankrolled by eight of San Franciscos first families, who raised millions for the future governor from the time he first sought elective office at the local level in San Francisco. These include the Gettys, heirs to the Getty oil fortune, the Fishers, who founded the Gap clothing store empire and the KIPP Foundationa leading sponsor of charter schoolsand the Pritzkers, the West Coast branch of the family that owns the Hyatt chain of hotels. The Chicago branch of the Pritzkers groomed Barack Obama like the San Francisco branch sponsored Newsom. They count among their numbers a former US commerce secretary, Penny Pritzker, and J.B. Pritzker, the current Democratic candidate for governor of Illinois. Billionaire George Marcus, founder of Marcus and Millichap, one of the largest real estate companies in the country, donated $172,000 to Newsom when the latter was beginning his political career. Marcus and Millichap closed nearly 9,000 real estate transactions valued at $42.3 billion in 2016 alone. George Marcus until recently held a position at the University of California Board of Regents, the governing body of the University of California campus system. Last year, reports emerged that the board of regents, headed by former Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, used school funds to host lavish dinners and parties while at the same time advocating tuition and fee increases for UC students. Marcus net worth currently stands at $1.3 billion according to Forbes magazine. Also among Newsoms benefactors was Susie Tompkins Buell, co-founder of the Esprit and North Face clothing brands. In addition to donating more than $70,000 to Newsom, Buell is a close friend of Bill and Hillary Clinton and a top fundraiser for the latters 2016 presidential campaign in the San Francisco Bay area. Some Clinton cronies describe Buell as Hillarys soul mate. In 2016, Buell donated $500,000 to the law firm of lawyer Lisa Bloom, daughter of celebrity attorney Gloria Allred, who represented women who came forward with sexual harassment and assault claims against then presidential candidate Donald Trump. Newsoms closest relationship was with the Getty family. His father Bill Newsom was instrumental in managing the financial affairs of the Gettys and had personally delivered the ransom money to Italy in the infamous kidnapping of J. Paul Gettys grandson in early 1973. Gordon Getty, son of the founder J. Paul Getty, treated Gavin Newsom like a son, taking him on African safaris, ski vacations, and otherwise introducing him to a world of fabulous wealth and privilege. Newsoms father Bill opened a winery in partnership with Gordon Getty and restaurants with Billy Getty, Gordons son. A political mentor of Newsom, former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, described the relationship between the future governor and his wealthy benefactors in an interview with the Los Angeles Times : He came from their world, and thats why they embraced him without hesitancy and over and above everybody else. They didnt need to interview him. They knew what he stood for. If nothing else, such support demonstrates a nexus between the state and the ultra-wealthy so intimate that the dividing line between the two entirely ceases to exist. Newsom is supported not simply by people with a lot of money, but by people who use such massive wealth to decide who gets to run for political office, what policies they will enact, who gets to serve on which boards and in which boardrooms and how the capitalist state in general can be used to make them richer. Newsom will not only dutifully serve their interests upon reaching the governors office, he will be more than happy to do so as he himself is cut from the same cloth. These are, after all, the families whom the would-be governor once referred to as the DNA of San Francisco. There is also a historical significance to support from such ruling-class families. Far from its present-day image of liberalism and tolerance, San Francisco has a long history of major class battles, going back to the general strike sparked by longshoremen in 1934, in which the capitalist elite resorted to deadly violence against the working class. This, in fact, is the real DNA of San Francisco and California politics, and this history will emerge even more openly in the coming period, and likely while Newsom holds the governorship. Despite his carefully cultivated image as a liberal, based mostly on his identification with the issue of gay marriage, Newsom has always described himself as a fiscal watchdog, famously sponsoring the Care Not Cash ballot initiative which drastically reduced cash aid for the homeless in exchange for a minimal level of drug treatment, behavioral and other services. His tenure in the mayors office coincided with further gentrification of the city, with median rent in the city increasing to the highest level of any city in the world, currently standing at $3,500 per month. For his current run for governor, Newsom has said that while he doesnt support the death penalty on moral grounds, he and his advisers are currently in the process of reviewing several legal challenges to the states death penalty proceedings according to which the process should become more streamlined. When asked recently on the campaign trail if he still opposed the death penalty, Newsom responded, Im not prepared to answer that question but Im preparing myself to answer that question. The California gubernatorial election arises in the midst of an immense growth of the class struggle internationally which is beginning to find expression within the state of California itself. The state of California is the largest in the country by population, with some 38 million people living within its borders. It is also home to a massive and increasingly restive working class. More than 330,000 registered nurses work there, and have been engaged in protests and one-day strikes on a nearly constant basis. More than 266,000 public school teachers also work in the state, with the possibility of a strike by more than 36,000 teachers in the city of Los Angeles on the horizondelayed by the union until after the election in order not to disrupt the coronation of Newsom as governor. While the various trade unions operating across the state have been heretofore able to keep expressions of working class opposition isolated, that period is rapidly drawing to a close. As the unions, which have almost unanimously supported Newsoms run for governor, find themselves unable to sufficiently contain the growth of working class struggle, responsibility for suppressing the class struggle will depend ever more openly on the direct violence of the state. There can be no doubt that a Newsom administration will wholeheartedly embrace this role. It was, after all, the current Democratic governor, Jerry Brown, who joined forces with Trump by dispatching California National Guard troops to the border with Mexico. Some of Newsoms most recent campaign advertisements revolve around the slogan of renewing the California dream. In them, Newsom promises to provide quality pre-natal care for all expectant mothers, after-school programs and meaningful job training and work opportunities for all high school and college graduates. Newsom has also advocated a single payer health care model for the state, knowing full well that such a measure would have no chance of passing the state legislature. Reformist hot air from a capitalist politician sponsored by the wealthiest families in the state, combined with the preparations for violent attacks on workers rightsthat is the essence of the Newsom campaign and the Democratic Party as a whole. The massive caravan of immigrants that left San Pedro de Sula, Honduras for the United States on October 13 has attracted widespread attention and support among tens of millions of workers and impoverished people across Latin America. What began as a small group of several hundred immigrants traveling together for security and safety has expanded into a 7,000-person transcontinental political demonstration for equality and democratic rights. Each day, millions tune in as Mexican, Central American and US Spanish-language news stations carry live reports from the caravan, tracking its path as it winds its way through southern Mexico, where local residents greet the migrants with delegations carrying food, water, clothing and other necessities. The caravan participants view themselves not as downtrodden victims but as confident representatives of the working class. In the face of threats from US President Donald Trump and violent attacks by Mexican and Guatemalan police, their chants of migrants are not criminals, we are international workers! resonate in a region decimated by poverty, violence and corruption. The conditions in Central Americas Northern Triangle from which these workers are fleeing are all, at their root, the product of the horrific crimes committed by American imperialism across the region for over a century. In Guatemala, the US orchestrated a coup against democratically elected Jacobo Arbenz in 1954, installed the dictator Castillo Armas and set the stage for a 36-year civil war lasting from 1960 to 1996. In the early 1980s, the US-backed dictatorship of Efrain Rios Montt carried out widespread mass murder of workers and poor villagers, including a calculated genocide against the Mayan indigenous population that left tens of thousands dead. The residents of neighboring El Salvador endured the horrors of civil war from 1979 to 1992, which left nearly 100,000 dead. The US military, employing scorched earth tactics it had perfected in Vietnam, directed the El Salvadoran government as it murdered dissidents like Archbishop Oscar Romero and conducted atrocities like the massacre at Sumpul River, where troops killed 600 villagers wading across to escape into Honduras. Honduras has historically served as the US launching pad for mass murder across the region. Throughout the 1980s, the US trained paramilitary contra forces in the country and deployed them to ransack Nicaragua after the revolution that overthrew the US-backed dictatorship of Somoza in 1979. Imperialism has acted to secure the profits of American corporations like the United Fruit Company through the suppression of strikes and rebellions among workers and poor peasants across the region. The total casualties are in the millions. As former US general Smedley Butler put it, I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. Though the names of the corporations have changed, the domination of American imperialism has only intensified. The hated Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez is in power because his predecessor, Porfirio Lobo Sosa, was installed in the wake of a coup backed by the Obama administration that ousted democratically elected president Manuel Zelaya in 2009. In 2014, Honduran environmental activist Berta Caceres denounced then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for her personal role in orchestrating the coup. The US-backed government murdered Caceres in March 2016. With this history, Central America remains the worlds most unequal region, and Honduras its most unequal country. Sixty-eight percent of Hondurans live in poverty and 44 percent live in extreme poverty. US President Donald Trump has promised he will use the military to bar the demonstrating workers from entering the US, indicating his readiness to massacre the immigrants should they attempt to walk across the border as they have done in both Guatemala and Mexico. The Democratic Party has deliberately ignored these dangerous preparations. In a press release Saturday, Democratic congressional leaders Charles Schumer and Nancy Pelosi said Trump was desperate to change the subject from health care to immigration and refused to respond to Trumps fascistic threats. Bernie Sanders did not even mention Trumps pledge to seal the border and deploy the military in a 30-minute stump speech for Democratic Senate candidate Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin yesterday. Compared to the Democrats hysterical fury over allegations of sexual misconduct, their silence on the fate of impoverished immigrantsincluding many women escaping domestic violence, rape and sexual slaverybetrays the reactionary character of the #MeToo campaign. This silence is compounded by the self-proclaimed socialist organizations that operate within the Democratic Party. The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have not mentioned Trumps recent attack on immigrants on their web page, and neither the DSA-aligned Jacobin magazine nor the International Socialist Organizations Socialist Worker has any article on immigration on their front page. This is only the latest evidence that these nationalist, pro-capitalist organizations have nothing to do with socialism. It is urgent that workers of all nationalities recognize in this caravan a friendly regiment of class allies. Under capitalism, the lives of billions of workers are totally subordinated to the profits of the major banks and corporations. Like dirt in a gust of wind, wars, depressions or changes in wages and commodity prices thrust millions of workers from their homes, uprooting them from their families and their cultures and forcing them to seek safety in far-flung corners of the world. Despite the immense danger posed to immigrants, however, the process of mass immigration and the caravan in particular have revolutionary implications. The working class is proving de facto by marching across national barriers that the de jure division of the world into nation-states under capitalism is incompatible with the aspirations and material needs of billions of workers. By marching across borders, the caravan is proving that the laws making immigration illegal are as much a block on the progress of humanity as were the laws legalizing the purchase and sale of human beings as slaves. In a 1913 essay titled Capitalism and Workers Immigration, Vladimir Lenin explained: There can be no doubt that dire poverty alone compels people to abandon their native land, and that the capitalists exploit the immigrant workers in the most shameless manner. But only reactionaries can shut their eyes to the progressive significance of this modern migration of nations Capitalism is drawing the masses of the working people of the whole world [into the class struggle], breaking down the musty, fusty habits of local life, breaking down national barriers and prejudices, uniting workers from all countries in huge factories and mines in America, Germany and so forth American workers must come to the defense of their brothers and sisters from the south. The Socialist Equality Party demands: Safe passage and legal entry for all caravan participants into the United States Abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the dismantling of the militarized border region Immediate liberation of all immigrants detained in the United States The provision of jobs, homes, health care and educational opportunities to the caravan participants and all immigrants A multi-trillion-dollar program to rebuild Central America, to be paid for by expropriating the wealth of American billionaires The right of all workers to safely travel across the world without fear of harassment This comment was written as part of the coverage of the 2018 Berlinale, the Berlin International Film Festival, in February 2018. The film has now opened in Germany, Austria and the US. Written and directed by Ruth Beckermann The Waldheim Waltz (Waldheims Walzer) by veteran Austrian filmmaker Ruth Beckermannscreened at the Berlin film festival in early 2018 and as well at the recent New York film festivalis an important and timely film. The documentary deals with right-wing politician Kurt Waldheims campaign for Austrian president in 1985-86. The Waldheim Waltz The events surrounding his campaign and subsequent election in June 1986 played a major role in uncovering the real role played by Austrias ruling elite in the Second World War. In 1938, shortly after the German annexation of Austria and prior to the war, Waldheim joined the National Socialist German Students League, affiliated with the Nazi Party. He later became a member of the SA (Nazi Brownshirts) Mounted Corps. During the war, Waldheim served on the staff of German Army Group E, which specialized in brutal anti-partisan operations in Greece and Yugoslavia from 1942 to 1945. In this capacity, as early as March 1943, he became part of the German military administration in Thessaloniki. Army Group E was involved in the deportation of the citys Jewish population to destruction in concentration camps. At that time, Jews constituted a third of the total population of the city. Remaining silent on his activities at that time, Waldheim was able to pursue a successful political career after the war. He was Austrias foreign minister from 1968 to 1970, general secretary of the United Nations from 1972 to 1981 and Austrian president from 1986 to 1992. Waldheims lies and obfuscations regarding his past were symptomatic of the response of the entire Austrian elite. Film poster As Ruth Beckermann points out in the interview below, after World War II Austrian authorities claimed the country had merely been a victim of Hitler, and emphasis was continually placed on the number of Austrian casualties in the war (including all the Austrian citizens who had fought alongside the Nazis). This version of history effectively blotted out the countrys role in the Holocaust. It was the Austrian establishments big lie. The truth about Waldheims role in the war emerged from research undertaken by the World Jewish Congress (WJC), based in America. As a young woman, Ruth Beckermann was a member of the initially small group of activists in Austria who politically intervened and recorded Waldheims election campaign. Beckermanns own video footage from that time of meetings for and protests against Waldheim is combined with carefully selected recordings of testimony by members of the WJC, television interviews with Waldheim and many others involved in the campaign. In the increasingly heated atmosphere of the election campaign, supporters of Waldheim fiercely defended their candidate and became increasingly hostile to those, including Beckermann herself, calling upon him to address his wartime collaboration with the Nazis. The aggressive reaction by Waldheim supporters also included openly anti-Semitic jibes and threats. In 1996, Beckermann released her film East of War (Jense its des Krieges) dealing with a related subjectthe 1995 German Wehrmacht Army Exhibition (Wehrmachtsausstellung), the first such event in postwar Germany to deal with the crimes committed in World War II by the German army. The exhibition travelled to 33 German and Austrian cities and attracted some 800,000 visitors. In that documentary, Beckermann interviewed visitors to the exhibition who either had experienced or were involved in Nazi war crimes. She noted in her film journal at that time, Looked through the film material so far. Here they are again, the men that I filmed during the Waldheim campaign ten years ago. Now, more than 30 years later, Beckermanns new film assumes burning importance under conditions where the ultra-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) now governs the country in alliance with the conservative Austrian Peoples Party (OVP). I spoke to Ruth Beckermann in Berlin: Stefan Steinberg: Could you explain the significance of your film about Kurt Waldheim in relation to Austrias postwar history? Ruth Beckermann: Following World War II, Austria claimed it had been a victim of Hitler. It was the countrys big lie. Part of this lie was masking the role played by Austria in the oppression of the Jews. I remember as a small child a neighbour showing me a menorah, the traditional Jewish candle holder. He said it had been given to him, but I knew even at that young age it was obviously part of the property stolen from Jews who had been sent to the camps. Such things were common knowledge in Austria after the war, but nobody said a thing. The Waldheim affair was the first time all this came to the surface. It had an enormous impact. Kurt Waldheim in The Waldheim Waltz There had been rumours before about Waldheims past, for example in the 1960s, but the publicity surrounding his presidential campaign in 1986 made it possible to conduct an important debate about his role, and the role of Austria under the Nazis. It also revealed the extent to which anti-Semitism still prevailed. The timing of the affair was significant; 1986 also marked the beginning of the political ascendancy of Jorg Haider [1950-2008], leader of the fascist Freedom Party. It appears the gradual eclipsing of one right-winger, Waldheim, opened up opportunities for another. The difference is that Haider openly acknowledged Austrias role in the war, while Waldheim sought to cover it up. When he was no longer able to deny the allegations made against him, Waldheim responded in the well-known manner, i.e., that he had only been doing his duty. [In an interview with the ORF national television network in March 1986, Waldheim claimed, I did nothing during the war that was not also done by hundreds of thousands of Austrians, that was my duty as a soldier.Steinberg]. For Waldheim, this was true. His family had deep roots in the Austrian Peoples Party [actually, its predecessor, the Christian Social Party] before the war. If Waldheim wanted to make a political career in the party then he had to accommodate to the Nazis. Stefan Steinberg: In the film we witness the extraordinary statement in defence of Waldheim by the Social Democratic [SPO] leader and one-time Austrian chancellor Fred Sinowatz. Ruth Beckermann: If you examine the political parties and main institutions, the police, the army, the judiciary, there was a broad continuity in terms of personnel from the period of the war, and that included the SPO. That explains why the Social Democrats provided political cover for those conservatives who contended that Waldheims service in an SA cavalry unit didnt make him a Nazi. When confronted with the charge of Waldheims collaboration, [Alfred] Sinowatz [Austrian chancellor, 1983 to 1986] declared on television, Waldheim wasnt a Nazi, only his horse was. Stefan Steinberg: What was the role of the US in the Waldheim affair? Ruth Beckermann: Washington sought to use the Waldheim affair to undermine the United Nations. It was a period of decolonisation. Nations had freed themselves from their old colonial rulers and could express themselves for the first time at the United Nations. The PLO [Palestine Liberation Organization] was active at the time. Under these conditions, the US administration sought to use the case of Waldheim to undermine and discredit the UN as a whole. In 1987, the US Justice Department announced it was putting Waldheim on a watchlist, meaning that he could not enter the US. Stefan Steinberg: Your film is very relevant to the current situation, where the current Austrian government is a coalition of the OVP and the far-right Freedom Party. Leading German newspapers have been supportive of the new coalition, arguing that the Freedom Party is now mainstream. Ruth Beckermann: The Freedom Party is not mainstream. Its not true. It is the extreme right. At the start of the year one of the ministers in the new government, Interior Minister Herbert Kickl, went so far as to say he wanted refugees and asylum seekers to concentrate at one place. He said they should be concentrated into special centres. [This was seen as a reference to concentration camps.] At the time of the first Austrian government involving the Freedom Party, in 2000, there was broad condemnation of the party led by Haider, including from the European Union. Now nobody says anything. Viktor Orban [far-right Hungarian prime minister] has been to Vienna to meet up and make plans with the new government. The Freedom Party has taken over key ministries and is developing politics for the future. It is a dangerous situation. The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature. Latin America Mexican professors strike over unpaid salaries, benefits The General Representative Council (CGR) of the Autonomous University of Morelos State Independent Academics Union (SITAUAEM) decided on the night of October 17 to continue the strike that began September 22 over unpaid salaries. A meeting of union reps with university, state and federal officials had been planned for October 17, but was canceled. The state government owes the university, UAEM, over 140 million pesos (US$7,250,000). SITAUAEM spokespeople say that until there is a tangible guarantee that the funds are in the UAEM coffers they will remain on strike. Meanwhile, at the Autonomous University of Zacatecas (UAZ), 3,000 professors struck on October 18 to demand the payment of benefits of around 42 million pesos (US$2.2 million) owed since September. In addition to that amount, the UAZ Academic Personnel Syndicate (Spauaz) stated that the university will owe 320 million pesos (US$16.6 million) for salaries, bonuses and benefits for November and December, but that the general debt at UAZ, including state workers social security and tax administration service, has grown to 2 billion pesos (US$103.6 million). The Spauaz president, Pedro Martinez Arteaga, accused the UAZ rector, Otto Granados Roldan, of turning a blind eye to the crisis and leaving it as a time bomb for the incoming government to deal with. Swearing that we dont want to go on strike and have the government leave us hanging, as it is doing in the University of Morelos, he said, we have another strategy: bring a criminal complaint against Granados Roldan. Protest by dismissed Guyanese sugar workers over severance pay Former sugar workers demonstrated outside the parliament building in Georgetown, Guyana, October 18. The workers, who had been made redundant in 2016 as part of a government-planned phase-out of the state sugar industry, protested delays in severance payments. At the parliament meeting, Finance Minister Winston Jordan tabled a sum of 2.45 billion Guyanese dollars (US$11,707,700) to be paid to remaining unpaid workers, claiming that it represented the balance owed to the workers. Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) and opposition politicians disputed this, claiming that it does not cover workers from one plantation, the Wales estate. They also say that paying the severance amount in two installments violates Guyanese labor law. Seven thousand workers were supposed to have been paid in full by December 29, 2017, but the government has delayed. Uruguayan bus drivers strike for 24 hours over wage demand Interdepartmental bus drivers in Uruguay stopped work on October 19 to demand that the government call negotiations over wages. The drivers are members of the Unott transport workers union. Unott had petitioned the government to hold a salary council to negotiate wage improvements, which was rebuffed. The union issued a statement that declared its solidarity with workers for CITA and CUT, two of the nations main transportation companies. It also denounced recent layoffs that it claims are used purely and exclusively to distort and affect negotiations. Argentine bus drivers end partial strike over wages after ten days After 10 days of partial national strike action between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., members of Argentinas UTA bus drivers union returned to work. During the partial walkout, representatives of UTA and the Argentine Automotor Passenger Transportation Federation (Fatap) held meetings at the Ministry of Labor over a 5.7 percent shift differential that had been agreed on, but was not complied with in some provinces. UTA claimed success in the agreement and said that Fatap had agreed to across-the-board parity of the 5.7 percent and no retaliation or discounting of wages against striking drivers. Fatap stated that in order to grant the pay raise, it would put pressure on municipal governments to raise fares and continue subsidies. Argentine teachers to hold one-day strike over education budget Teachers in Argentina will hold a 24-hour strike and mobilization on October 24 to press for a larger education budget in 2019. The strike was called by the Ctera teachers federation and also has the support of the Sadop private school teachers union. The emphasis of the one-day walkout will be on the upcoming debate in the national congress over the education budget proposed by the administration of Mauricio Macri. A Sadop communique declared the strike call was a repudiation of the adjustment model that affects health, education and work in Argentina. That model is connected to the demands of the International Monetary Fund for cuts in social services in return for the loan that it agreed to with the Macri government. The budget sent by the government marks the cutting of the funds destined to education and culture, since in real terms, it is 10 percent less than that of 2018. The statement further demanded the urgent convening of federal education parity talks to resolve the salary situation, the putting into place of the National Plan of Teacher Training, improvement of socio-educational programs and the immediate convening of the Negotiating Commission of Private Education that the Executive refuses to call. Chilean bus drivers strike to demand better working conditions Drivers for the Chilean public transportation company SUBUS, which operates 56 routes in the Santiago area, began an indefinite strike October 16 to demand improvements in their working conditions. Three unions represent over 1,200 striking workers, who are demanding wage raises as well. The company and the Labor Minister have reacted to the walkout by bringing in scabs and accusing the striking workers of vandalism. A union official told reporters, We were just beginning the meeting, and finally we touched on some points of the collective negotiation, but then the company began to verbally assault us, [saying] that we were delinquents and vandals, so that in those conditions we cant continue negotiations, thus lamentably we cant continue the meeting. The United States Kentucky workers strike cement supplier Some 50 workers at Allied Ready Mix in Butchertown, Kentucky have been on strike since October 8 over company demands for cuts in wages and vacation time, along with increases in healthcare costs. Members of Teamsters Local 89, representing cement truck drivers, loaders, dispatchers and mechanics, are opposed in particular to a 5 percent hike in healthcare premiums bringing the overall portion of workers costs to 25 percent. This company wants to teach and preach that were all a family, that were all about taking care of each other. striker Jonathan James told WHAS-TV. Its bull crap. Another worker told the Louisville Courier Journal that workers put in ungodly hours, involving rotating shifts. In 2012, Allied Ready Mix management filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy and with the cooperation of the Teamsters imposed cuts in wages and benefits to help the company recover. Canada Nurses strike in northern Ontario Public health nurses at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit went on strike October 16 after rejecting the employers final offer in mediated talks that concluded last Monday. The 58 nurses affected, members of the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA), have been working without a contract for nearly two years. Union negotiators cite wages and staffing levels as the main issues in dispute. The union wants to bring rates in line with other public health nurses in Ontario, saying their members are the lowest paid in the province. Public health officials say that some services have been suspended or delayed as a result of the strike, which they say cannot be resolved through arbitration due to existing labor laws. BC steelworkers start rotating strikes After having been given legal notice that they are in a legal strike position as of October 3 the United Steelworkers union (USW) began the first of a series of rotating strikes last week at facilities of the Council of Northern Interior Forest Industry Relations (CONIFER), in northern British Columbia. Calling it step two of their job actions following an overtime ban for their 1,500 members earlier in the month, union leaders announced that there is no intention to strike at this time. USW negotiators have nevertheless said that CONIFER continues to demand deep concessions in a new deal on a range of issues including overtime work, holidays, and health and welfare payments. Their last contract expired in June of this year after which over 90 percent of members voted in favor of strike action. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Florida State University hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Infant and Toddler Development Center. While the facility opened in August of 2017, it's been renovated to include a new wing. This new wing is the final piece of construction of the 15,000 Square Foot Facility. In attendance Monday was FSU President John Thrasher, Vice President of Student Affairs Amy Hect and a few FSU student-parents excited about the opening. Shannon Staten, FSU executive director of Child Care Early Learning Programs: "We had quallity teachers and quality programs, but we didn't have a quality facility. So we needed to provide an environment that would help support the work we were trying to do in the classroom." The state-of-the-art facility is designed to care for the children of FSU students, faculty and staff. There is a waiting list, but any FSU parent interested can apply online or in person. For more information, visit Housing.FSU.edu. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL/The News Service of Florida) - Former Vice President Joe Biden was scheduled to be in Tallahassee, campaigning with Senator Bill Nelson. But he didn't show up at his initial location. Leaving crowds of students waiting for hours. WTXL confirmed early Tuesday morning that the former Vice President was scheduled to make a stop at the Sweet Shop. We posted an article online announcing the visit and scheduled a reporter to be there. After students waited and waited, pictures started to appear on social media of the two at a different location. The Senator's Office confirmed the change of venue, saying it was a result of our story posted online. It was a disappointment to several students who wanted a glimpse of the Vice President and the Senator. Biden and Nelson were at Redeye coffee Tuesday morning, meeting with dozens of, mostly young voters. Biden heaped praise on Nelson who has spent almost 18 years in the Senate, but is facing a tough challenge from Scott. Biden praised Nelson for voting in favor of the Affordable Care Act which has been a frequent target of Republicans. Biden says the Democrats' key to winning in two weeks is to get like-minded people to show up and vote. For many of you, its your first vote. But, I tell you, whether you are your age or youre my age, this is an election that is bigger than politics," said Biden. Following their stop in Tallahassee, Biden and Nelson were headed to Orlando for a larger rally later Tuesday. According to the state Division of Elections, well over one million votes have already been cast ahead of the Nov. 6 general election. 1.04 million Floridians have voted by mail and another 118,000 citizens have used early voting locations. As of Tuesday morning, 504,000 Republicans had voted, while just shy of 450,000 Democrats had cast ballots. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 01:46:20|Editor: yan Video Player Close ZAGREB, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Former Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader was sentenced on Monday to 2.5 years in prison for war profiteering and ordered to return to the state budget 3.6 million Croatian kuna (about 550,000 U.S. dollars). Sanader was convicted because the court found that in the 1990s he received as the deputy foreign minister from the Austrian Hypo Bank a commission of 3.6 million kuna and helped the bank secure a privileged position on the Croatian market. The Austrian bank was then offering loans to Croatia in order for the war-torn country to buy diplomatic buildings overseas. Judge Jasna Galesic said in the explanation of the verdict that the bribe was used for personal gain and declined the claims of the dependant lawyers that a statute of limitations had started. The court deemed it as war profiteering because the case happened during the war when the major part of the budget was used for the country's defense. Sanader still has the right to appeal to the Supreme Court. Sanader's lawyers have announced that they will appeal, although the former Prime Minister will not go to jail because he has been in jail in Austria and Croatia on two occasions for more than 2.5 years. Four more court proceedings are under way against Sanader, including the accusation that he had asked public companies to finance Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) when he was the president of the party. Sanader served as Prime Minister for two terms from 2003 to 2009. At the end of the second term he resigned without explaining the reasons. He was involved in multiple corruption cases. He was arrested in late 2010 in Austria and was extradited to Croatia in July 2011. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 02:06:24|Editor: yan Video Player Close TUNIS, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Tunisian navy on Monday intercepted 18 illegal Algerian migrants on a fishing boat, off the northwestern coast, the Defense Ministry said on Monday. The 18 illegal migrants, aged between 19 and 38, were intercepted while sailing to a Italian coast, about 15 km off Tabarka in Jendouba province in northwestern Tunisia. The migrants confessed that they sailed Sunday night from the coast of Annaba, in northeastern corner of Algeria close to Tunisia, to Italy's Lampedusa island in the Mediterranean Sea. These migrants were transferred to the port of Tabarka, where they were handed over to the National Guard to complete the legal proceedings. File Photo: A boy plays in front of UNAMID peacekeepers standing guard as a delegation of Ambassadors of European Union to Sudan visits a women development program center funded by World Food Programme (WFP) at Shagra village in North Darfur Oct. 18, 2012. (Xinhua/REUTERS) UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- The head of the African Union/United Nations (AU/UN) peacekeeping mission in Sudan's Darfur region said Monday that the hybrid mission is undergoing reconfiguration and drawdown before a final exit. The mission, known by its acronym as UNAMID, together with the UN Country Team in Sudan, is in the process of finalizing the concept of the state liaison functions, which will facilitate collaboration for the mission's transition and eventual exit, said Jeremiah Mamabolo, who is also AU/UN joint special representative for Darfur. The mission is in the process of relocating its headquarters from El Fasher to Zalingei, and his office to Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan, he told the UN Security Council. UNAMID is on course to reduce the military component by 3,265 personnel by December 2018 and another 1,420 personnel by June 30, 2019, said Mamabolo via a video link from Johannesburg, South Africa. The military component will continue to maintain its presence in the redefined area of responsibility in the greater Jebel Marra area, focusing on traditional peacekeeping functions while maintaining the flexibility to respond in the rest of Darfur when the situation demands, he said. The police component will maintain an overall strength of 2,500 personnel, said Mamabolo. The abolishment of 1,184 civilian personnel positions by the first half of 2019 is being finalized, he said. The Security Council will be considering realistic and achievable exit benchmarks in accordance with UNAMID's redefined priorities of protecting civilians, monitoring and reporting of human rights and the facilitation of humanitarian assistance; mediation of inter-communal conflict, other local conflict and measures to address root causes; and mediation between the Sudanese government and rebel movements, he noted. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 02:46:33|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Elon Musk, founder and CEO of The Boring Company, announced that the first tunnel of a proposed underground transportation network across Los Angeles County would open in December. "The first tunnel is almost done," Musk tweeted on Sunday. "Opens Dec 10." The transportation network will be launched on the evening of Dec. 10, and offer free rides for the public the next day at speeds up to 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour), according to Musk, also CEO of U.S. leading electric auto maker Tesla and private spaceflight company SpaceX. "Loop is a high-speed underground public transportation system in which passengers are transported on autonomous electric skates traveling at 125-150 miles per hour. Electric skates will carry between 8 and 16 passengers (mass transit), or a single passenger vehicle," the infrastructure and tunnel construction company says on its website. The electric skates are faster than conventional subway cars, and are autonomous vehicles. Loop is an "express" public transit system - through the use of a main artery with side tunnels for entry and exit. Passengers travel directly to their destinations without stopping, says the company. Workers have been building the tunnel for more than a year. Large pods ran through tunnels from Long Beach to Los Angeles International Airport, all the way to Sherman Oaks. In June, the company won a bid to build a high-speed transport connection from Chicago's O'Hare airport to the city's downtown area. The project would cut the trip from Chicago downtown to the airport to 12 minutes from a typical 45 minutes on mass transit, and is expected to be operational within three years. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 03:11:39|Editor: yan Video Player Close TIRANA, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Altin Hazizaj, director of the Center for the Protection of Children's Rights, Monday called on the Albanian government to raise the measures against child trafficking, while commenting on a Europol report, which mentioned the Albanian-speaking child trafficking networks. According to Europol report on child trafficking for the period 2015-2017, several criminal groups composed of Albanian-speaking suspects had trafficked minors into the EU for their labour and sexual exploitation. And in most of the cases, the victims' families were involved in the trafficking process to different extents, sometimes knowingly or sometimes being unaware of the risks of exploitation hidden behind a smuggling service. Hazizaj underlined that children in Albania are being used both for sexual and economic exploitation purposes. Hazizaj called on the government to tackle the problem from the root cause and take it seriously. "Let's take a serious look at why Albania continues to be a source of trafficking. Police and the Interior Ministry need to look at child trafficking as part of the war against international drug trafficking and so on. The government has a duty to allocate sufficient financial resources for victim services," stated Harizaj. File Photo: Turkish police prepare to search the Saudi Arabia's Consul General's residence in Istanbul, Turkey, on Oct. 17, 2018. A Turkish team entered the residence of the Saudi consul general in Istanbul to seek further evidence over the disappearance of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. (Xinhua/He Canling) UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for thorough investigation into the circumstances of the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "The secretary-general stresses the need for a prompt, thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Khashoggi's death and full accountability for those responsible," said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the secretary-general, at a regular news briefing. The UN issued a statement over the weekend, saying that its chief was "deeply troubled" by the confirmation of the death of Khashoggi. The secretary-general also extended his condolences to Khashoggi's family and friends. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on Sunday called the killing of Khashoggi a "huge and grave mistake," while insisting on the innocence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi Public Prosecution announced on Friday the death of the Saudi journalist amid growing pressure from some Western countries on the kingdom to explain the disappearance of the missing journalist following a visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 to complete paperwork for an upcoming marriage. ABSTRACT Forest carbon monitoring and reporting are critical for informing global climate change assessment. The regional estimates of forest carbon attached greater attention, to assess the role of forest in carbon mitigation. Here using field inventory, we examined the carbon sink and mitigation potential of monospecific Deodar forest in the Kumrat valley, of Hindu Kush Himalaya, Region of Pakistan, at a different elevation. The elevation of monospecific Deodar forest ranges from 2300 to 2700 m (a.s.l). We divided the forest into three elevation classes (that is 2300 - 2400 m (EI) 2400 - 2500 m (EII) and 2500 - 2700 m (EIII) a.s.l respectively). In each elevation class, we laid out 09 sample plots (33*33 m2) for measuring carbon values in living tree biomass (LT), soil (SC), litter, dead wood, cone (LDWC) and understory vegetation (USV). Our results showed that the carbon density at EI was 432.37 277.96 MgC1, while the carbon density at EII and EIII was 668.35 323.94 and 1016.79 542.99 MgC1 respectively. Our finding revealed that the carbon mitigation potential of the forest increases with increasing elevation. Among the different elevation classes, EIII stored significantly higher carbon due to the dominance of mature, old age, larger trees, and the minimum anthropogenic disturbance, whereas EI stored statistically lower carbon because of maximum anthropogenic disturbance, which resulted in the removal of mature and over-mature trees. Furthermore, our correlation analysis between tree height and carbon stock and basal area and LT carbon, underlines that the basal area is the stronger predictor of LT carbon estimation than height. Overall our results highlight that deodar forest stored 716.94 462.06 MgCha1. However, the rehabilitation, preservation and sustainable management of disturb forest located at a lower elevation could considerably improve carbon mitigation potential. Keywords: Deodar Forest, Elevation, Carbon Sinks, Mitigation Potential 1. Introduction The increased emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) since the industrial revolution significantly influenced the global environment. The growing concern of environmental changes because of climate change, the problem of carbon balance, the major GHG, is important and the removal of carbon and their storage in different terrestrial ecosystems for cutting down the increased level of carbon dioxide are required (Ardo & Olsson, 2004) . Forests are the major component of the carbon cycle and the global distribution of carbon in forests plays an important role in the carbon cycle (Zhang et al., 2013) . Forests are extremely important in balancing of the carbon cycle by absorbing 2.9 0.8 PgC each year (Le Quere et al., 2009; Calfapietra et al., 2015) . Forests cover over 4 billion ha area of Earth Planet and the recent estimate of store carbon in world forest is 861 66 PgC (Pan et al., 2011; Wani et al., 2014, 2015) . However, other estimated carbon indicates that store carbon is in the range of 450 - 650 Pg in biomass and 1500 - 2400 Pg in soil and dead organic matter (Batjes, 1996; Prentice et al., 2001; IPCC, 2013) . Forestland has the ability to store and sink more carbon; forestland can hold 20 to 50 times more carbon (Houghton & Hackler, 1995) . The woody and long living nature of the forest make them more attractive tools for the stabilization and reduction of GHGs (Sharma & Rai, 2007; Sharma et al., 2011) . Forest carbon measurement and their management are critical for informing climate change (Kramer et al., 2015) . The measurement of forest biomass carbon is required to understand the dynamics of carbon in forest and for making the decision to manage forest resources for climate change (Esser, 1984; Johnson & Kern, 2002; Malhi et al., 2004) . In the recent climate, change scenario and their mitigation concern at national and international level, carbon management through forest attached greater value (FAO, 2010) . To address the challenge of global climate change the IPCC and UNFCC are working at the regional and international level. The Kyoto Protocol (1997) of the UNFCC is working to coupe the issue of climate change (Wani et al., 2012) . The KP recognized that different terrestrial ecosystems forests, grassland, and wetland can potentially store and sequester carbon from the atmosphere and can therefore slow down the increased concentration of carbon dioxide (Ardo & Olsson, 2004) . The KP ranked the forestland as an important carbon sink, and included the sustainable management of forest in the second commitment period (2013-2020). The Durban Climate Change Conference also set rules for the emission reduction related to forestry and agroforestry activities (Calfapietra et al., 2015) . The UNFCC and The KP give direction and guidelines for the measurement of carbon in the forest. To comply with the UNFCC and KP member countries periodically measure carbon in their forest ecosystems. Pakistan is the member of the KP and UNFCC. The country has diverse ecology, forest types (Champion et al., 1963 ) . The northern areas (NA) of Pakistan comprise of Hindu Kush, Karakorum, and Himalaya Ranges are the home of the forest. The estimates of forest carbon, a data gap in the northern part of Pakistan, are required in the present scenario of carbon management. The area is mostly dominated by the coniferous forest. Deodar (Cedrus deodara) the national tree of Pakistan is a long-living woody tree reaches up to the age of 500 to 700 years distributed at a range of 2000 m to 3000 m (Moinuddin et al., 2009; Khan et al., 2013) . The tree is one of the most important dominant species of the region showing dynamics in stand structure and growing stock attributes, Moinuddin et al. (2010, 2011) . Although the ecology regarding the species composition, stand structure and population dynamics has been worked out but, the carbon storage and mitigation services of the deodar community have been not studied yet. Taking the consideration in mind here, we conducted the present study to investigate the carbon mitigation potential of the tree. The research aimed to figure out the growing stocks attributes and biomass carbon of deodar forest at a different elevation. In this research, we developed regression models and guidelines for study the relation of stem density and diameter, stand basal area and stand volume. We also studied the relation of stand basal area and height with biomass carbon. We show that the stand basal area is a strong predictor of biomass carbon than stand height. It is expected that the present work would not only provide information regarding the current status and carbon dynamics but will also be helpful in the managing of forest for carbon and future carbon dynamics trend of deodar community in the region. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1. Study Area The study area lies in Hindu Kush range, rich in forest resources. The area is dominated by the coniferous forest. The major coniferous species of the area are Cedrus deodara (Deodar), Pinus wallichiana (Kail), Abies pindrow (Fir), Picea smithiana (Spruce) and Taxus bacata. Among the broad-leaved, the common species include Juglans regia, Quercus incana, Aesculus indica, Poplus caspica, Parrotia jacquemontians, and Alnus Nitida. Deodar is found in the area as a single dominant species or form association with Kail, Fir, and spruce. The geographic location of the area is 3531'.46''N to 3532'.91''N and 7106'.18''4E to 7214'.98''E. The elevation of the area ranges from 2100 m to 6000 m. The deodar dominant community located at an elevation of 2300 to 2700 m. The average rainfall is in the range of 800 - 1200 mm. Temperature ranges from 0.10C to 25C. Diorites, norities, schist are the major types of rocks. The soil pH is 5.83 to 6.22. The mean soil bulk density is 1.03 gmcm1. The soil organic matter ranges from 3.12% to 4.77%. 2.2. Research Design and Field Measurement We used stratified random sampling. The stratification was based on elevation. We divided the area of deodar community into three elevation classes (EI = 2300 - 2400 m, EII = 2400 - 2500 m, and EIII = 2500 - 2700 m). In each class, we take ten sample plots randomly in 2014-15. The size of each sample plot was 0.1 ha. Overall 30 sample plots were taken. The elevation and geographic location of each plot were measured by using GPS. In each plot stem, density (ha1) was measured. We used a caliper and Abneys level for tree height (m) and diameter (cm) measurement. Trees less than 6 cm diameter were not considered for enumeration. Local volume table also used for data computation. For understorey vegetation, litter, dead wood, and cones biomass measurement sample plots of 2 m2 were laid in each plot of 0.1 ha. For soil carbon in each elevation class, we collected the soil samples at the depth of, 0 to 15 cm and 15 to 30 cm. 2.3. Biomass Carbon Estimation We calculated the stem volume (m3ha1) from DBH and Tree height using (Philip, 1994) . Stem biomass (tha1) was measured from stem volume (m3ha1) and wood density (kg1m3) and then converted into total tree biomass (tha1) by using BEF (Haripriya, 2000; Fang et al., 2002; IPCC, 2003; Teobaldelli et al., 2009) . The biomass of understory vegetation (UnSV) was measured by collecting the vegetation destructively from each subplot. The fresh weight (kg) was calculated and samples of one 1 Kg were brought to the laboratory and were dry for 48 hours at 72C and their dry weight was calculated for biomass measurement. The deadwood litter and cone were also collected in each subplot for and their dry weight was measured from biomass calculation. For assessing the carbon content in each biomass component, we converted the biomass into carbon using a carbon-measuring fraction (0.5) following Equation (1) (IPCC, 2003; Sharma et al., 2010; Ahmad & Nizami, 2015; Adnan et al., 2015; Ahmad et al., 2018; Manan et al., 2018) Carbon ( t ha 1 ) = Biomass ( t ha 1 ) Carbon % ( 0.5 ) (1) For soil carbon (SC) measurement soil samples were collected using soil auger and core with a known volume of 104 cm3 (height = 5.12 cm and diameter = 5.1 cm). The collected samples were analyzed by using Walkley and Black (1934) method. The percent organic matter was measured and form organic matter percentage we measured carbon content (%). For the measurement of soil carbon in tha1 we calculated the soil bulk density (gmcm3) and using Equation (2), carbon in tha1 was calculated (Pearson et al., 2008; Nizami, 2012; Ahmad et al., 2018) . Soilcarbon ( t ha 1 ) = SOC ( % ) SoilBD ( gm cm 3 ) Soildepth ( cm ) (2) 2.4. Statistical Analysis Std deviation (SD), and Std Error were worked out. Regression models were developed to study the relationship between tree diameter (cm) and stem density ha1 using Sigma Plot V 12.5. Similarly, the relationship between stand basal area (m2ha1) and stem volume (m3ha1) and stand basal area (m2ha1) and total tree biomass (tha1) was worked out (Sigma Plot V 12.5). The regression model for carbon stock (tha1) estimation based on mean height (ha1) and mean basal area (ha1) were also developed using Sigma Plot V 12.5. 3. Results 3.1. Growing Stock Characteristics Stem density varied from 203 107 to 271 48 treesha1 with a mean value of 237 48 treesha1. Details of tree distribution in respective diameter classes are given in Table 1. It can be seen from the table that in EI and EII about 66% to 70% trees are found in lower and middle diameter classes while in EIII about 40% trees are found in same diameter classes and the rest of trees are distributed in the upper diameter classes. Overall in deodar community about 40% - 50% of trees occurred in the diameter classes from 66 to 178 cm. The present study outlines that the tree distribution pattern is uneven at a different elevation (Table 1). The uneven distribution of trees can be linked with different factors like forest management operations, grazing problem and local people excess to the forest and forest classification into different working circles. The forest of the study area is managed under the selection system; the forest department carries logging operation under the selection system. The forest located at lower elevation received more logging and wood removal (only snags and fallen trees are removed) operations as compared to a higher elevation. Similarly, the local people have certain rights in the forest like grazing and fuelwood and timber collection, so due to easy excess, the forests located at lower elevation are the first choices. Forest located on higher elevation was designated as a protection forest for the watershed, and therefore received minimum logging and wood removal operation that resulted in the occurrences of more mature and over-mature trees (Table 1). The ban on green felling since 1992 also resulted in a comparatively more number of the trees in upper diameter classes. In comparison the mean value of stem density in the present study falls within the ranges reported by (Moinuddin et al., 2011) from deodar community at different altitudes from Pakistan. However, the current value of stem density gives lower estimates from the reported value of tree density from the Himalaya region of Kashmir and western India by (Wani et al., 2015) . The reason of more density may be the presences of small diameter trees and the absences of large diameter trees. The author reported trees of 10 - 110 cm diameter while in the present study we recorded trees up to diameter 178 cm. The presence of larger diameter trees resulted in a higher value of the basal area (Table 2). The basal area in the ELIII (2500 - 2700 m) was the highest among all elevation classes. Similarly, the stem volume was also maximum at altitude 2500 - 7000 m. The basal area (m2ha1) and tree height (m) depend on tree diameter; forest having trees of larger diameter produces more value of basal Table 1. Percent stem density distribution pattern in respective diameter classes (cm). Table 2. Growing stock and biomass in respective elevation. area and height (Nizami, 2012; Adnan et al., 2015) . Furthermore, the volume (m3ha1) of a stand is the function of stand basal area (m2ha1), higher the value of basal area higher will be the volume (Philips, 1994; Sajjad et al., 2016) . The relationship of stand basal area and stand volume has been presented in Figure 1. The value of R2 (0.99) in Table 3, depicted a highly positive correlation of basal area with stand volume. The presences of smaller diameter trees in lower elevation resulted in a minimum value of height basal area and volume as compared to forest community located at middle and higher altitude. Overall our results of tree height and basal area are consistent with the results of (Champion et al., 1963; Sheikh, 1993; Moinuddin et al., 2011) . 3.2. Biomass Along the elevation, the highest value of USVB was recorded at EIII fallowed by EII. The UVB was maximum in the ELI due to presences of more woody shrubs. The DWCLB of ELI and ELII was recorded high as compare to ELIII due to more woody debris and cone on the forest floor. Growing stock volume based estimation of forest biomass is a reliable source and a major predictor of the above-ground biomass (Hame et al., 1992; Shavidenko et al., 2007; Somogyi et al., 2008) . The biomass measurement in a forest determines the ability of forest for sink and source of carbon (Brown et al., 1999) . The forest biomass measurement is also needed for predicting the change of carbon in different carbon pool, Figure 1. Relationship b/w tree Basal area (m2ha1) and Tree volume m3ha1 (R2 = 0.99, P 0.0001). Table 3. Regressions equations for growing stock parameters, biomass and carbon stock. (Esser, 1984) . The biomass in a forest can be in measured two ways. To convert measured growing stock volume, to biomass by using basic wood density and BEF and to estimates biomass directly from growing stock volume and BECF without using wood density (IPCC, 2003; IPCC, 2006; Tolnnay, 2011) . In the present study, we convert the growing stock volume to biomass using BEF. The USV biomass was higher at the elevation 2500-2700 which are similar to the study of (Sharma et al., 2011) who reported the highest biomass at the same altitude as India. The value of UnSV and DWCL biomass (Table 2) was more in ELI. At ELI more woody shrubs like Indigofera wallichiana, Berberislycium, Berberisfrakraian, and Rosa webbiana were found with other forbs and grasses like Caltha alba, Rumuxdentatus, Artemisia vulgaris Bergenia ciliate Cthe ynodondacttylon, Agropyrondentatum, A. Canaliculatum and Poe spp. The occurrences of more woody shrubs and dense UnSV resulted in more value of UnSV and DWCL biomass. 3.3. Biomass Carbon The value of carbon density was assessed in USVB, UnSVB, and DWCL Biomass and in Soil. Details of total carbon are given in Table 4. It can be seen from the table that among different elevation, there is significant variation in carbon density. EIII significantly store more carbon comparable to EII and EI. The UpSV in ELIII hold more carbon than EI and EII. In the EIII, the occurrences of more number of trees in higher diameter classes as compare to EII and ELIII resulted in more value of basal area and carbon. The biomass carbon of the UnSV was higher in the ELI because of dense understory vegetation. The occurrence of more woody shrubs in the lower elevation also resulted in more UnSV biomass carbon. Similarly, in ELI, DWCL carbon and soil carbon was also higher as compare EII and EIII .On the forest floor at a lower elevation; there was more dead wood in the form of woody debris, small branches and twigs, which may be the reason of more dead wood, and litter carbon. Similarly, in the lower elevation, some area have been also affected by dieback that developed a slightly more wood debris and cone on the forest floor which resulted in more DWLC biomass carbon. The recorded SOC was also greater in the lower elevation as compared to higher elevation due to the presence of more organic matter in the top soil as a result of more woody debris on the forest floor. The forest located at higher elevation also has slightly more soil erosion because of more sloppy nature that also resulted to low soil carbon. In comparison, we reported higher biomass carbon from the reported value of the (Sharma et al., 2011) . The biomass carbon (th1) in a forest is the function of basal area (m2ha1) with an increase in the basal area of the tree the value of biomass carbon increases (Nizami, 2012; Adnan et al., 2014) . In the current study, we developed the relationship between basal area and biomass carbon (Figure 2, Table 3). The value of R2 (0.99) support the arguments of the functional relation of basal area and biomass carbon. In the present study, we also developed the relationship between the mean height (m) and total carbon (tha1). Figure 3 describes the functional relation between tree mean height and biomass carbon the value R2 = 0.60 (Table 3) give a slight week functional relation of mean tree height (ha1) with biomass carbon as compare to the relation of the basal area with total tree biomass carbon. It can be concluded from our present results that the basal area of the stand is a strong predictor of biomass carbon than mean tree height. Soil carbon is an integral part of the forest ecosystem and major carbon pool. The results of our study of soil carbon give lower value from the reported value of various authors (Gupta & Sharma, 2011) that reported soil carbon in the range of 120.35 25 tha1 to 145 tha1 under deodar forest community from the Himalaya ranges of India. We attributed the lower estimates to various factors like grazing, fuelwood collection and soil erosion problems. The forest of the area is protected forest with different rights like grazing, timber, and fuelwood collection for domestic purposes. The trampling effect of the animal can cause soil compaction that would result in the low amount of carbon in soil. The Table 4. Carbon density in each pool. Figure 2. Relationship b/w tree basal area (m2ha1) and Carbon stock (tha1) (R2 = 0.99, P 0.0001). soil in a forest has organic and inorganic carbon, the organic carbon that is the important component of soil stored in the soil organic matter. The organic matter in a soil is the function of residence time (Luo et al., 2001) . The residence time is variable in the forest carbon pools (Gaudinski et al., 2000) . Litter and fine roots have short residence time while the dead wood has long residence time (Calfapietra et al., 2015) . The residence time of the dead wood varies in a forest depending on climate conditions and forest types (Barbati et al., 2007) . The forest management operation greatly affected the amount of dead wood in a forest due to the removal of a snag and coarse woody debris (Calfapietra et al., 2015) . Similar situation exist in the studded forest the removal of the dead and dry wood (snags) by the forest department and local community resulted in low amount of dead wood and woody debris on the forest floor that resulted in low SOM content and soil organic carbon. One of the reasons of lower soil carbon is the location and topography of the deodar community, the deodar community, particularly in the higher elevation, occurred on sloppy terrines that causing more soil erosion that decreases SOM in topsoil. Figure 3. Relationship b/w tree mean height (m) and Carbon stock (tha1) (R2 = 0.60, P 0.0001). Mature forest with fully stocked and old age have a significant amount of carbon (Sharma et al., 2011) . The natural old growth forest holds the potentially higher amount of carbon (Smithwick et al., 2002) . The higher carbon stock of the mature and old forest are linked with higher tree layer biomass with long living nature and time-dependent carbon accumulation (Law et al., 2001; Pregitzer & Euskrichen, 2004; Fredeen et al., 2005; Zhang et al., 2012) . The deodar community of the study area consisting of old age tree up to 600 years (Khan et al., 2013) with larger diameter reaches up to 178 cm. The presence of old age, mature and larger trees resulted in the higher amount of carbon (716.94 462) as compare to other deodar forest located in the Himalaya ranges of India and Kashmir. However, the results of our study are consistent with the results of (Zhang et al., 2012) who reported 632 tha1 carbon from the mature fir forest. Our results also support the arguments that mature old forest can stored from 200 to 500 to 1900 tha1 carbon (Geoff Craggs, 2016) . The control of deforestation and the promotion of planted forest have been suggested for global warming reduction (Bala et al., 2007) . The mitigation of elevated carbon dioxide can be effectively reduced through plantation (Watson, 2000) . However, the conservation of the natural and old age forest with a large amount of carbon is the effective way to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere and to mitigate the climate change. Mature forest continuously accumulates a significant amount of carbon (Zhang et al., 2013) . The finding of the present study confirmed that the deodar forest community consisting of old age trees acts as a potential carbon sink having the highest carbon mitigation ability across the Himalaya range of the Subcontinent. The results indicated that the deodar community had the stronger capacity to sequester and hold carbon in the present climate change context. The conservation of the forest based on responsive carbon management approaches will be the effective means to sequester and store atmospheric carbon in the recent climate change context. Conflicts of Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper. Cite this paper Ahmad, A., Amir, M., Mannan, A., Saeed, S., Shah, S., Ullah, S., Uddin, R., & Liu, Q. (2018). The Carbon Sinks and Mitigation Potential of Deodar (Cedrus deodara) Forest Ecosystem at Different Altitude in Kumrat Valley, Pakistan. Open Journal of Forestry, 8, 553-566. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojf.2018.84034 References Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 03:26:45|Editor: yan Video Player Close NAIROBI, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan authorities on Monday arrested a Vietnamese national at the main airport in Nairobi for illegal possession of wildlife products that included eight lion canine teeth, three lion claws and two warthog teeth. Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said in a statement its canine unit nabbed the Vietnamese national as he cleared his luggage at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) enroute to Bangkok. "The illegal wildlife products were sealed inside a Thermos Flask, wrapped with foiled paper in checked-in luggage, in the hope it would pass undetected by KWS sniffer dogs that are part of the canine unit stationed at the airport, specifically to detect contraband wildlife products on illegal transit," said KWS Kenya wildlife agency said the suspect, Truong Trung Hieu was on transit from Liberia aboard the East African country's national carrier heading to Bangkok when he was arrested. "The foreigner was booked at JKIA police station, awaiting arraignment in court tomorrow (Tuesday) when the courts will have found an interpreter," said KWS. Kenya has lately intensified the war against illegal trafficking of wildlife products through its ports of entry using state of the art detection equipment and trained canine. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 03:31:48|Editor: yan Video Player Close MADRID, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Spain will include the programming of robots and the use of drones as a way of introducing students to the challenges of the future, according to a communique published by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport on Monday. "The objective of school will be to initiate the students to the world of programming robots, which work in an attractive way with content linked to mechanic and electronics," said the document. The Spanish government wants to use the subject to be available to students between the ages of 16-18 and to those taking Professional Formation courses, which are open to students of all ages, to strengthen learning in the field of technology. The communique says students will use a "robot simulator" in order to learn the "python programming language for items such as drones, automatic Formula 1 cars or robots, such as the PiBot." The program will be introduced in the 2018-19 academic year, with the aim of "offering open educational resources, training, and technological solutions, which help teachers incorporate these abilities in the classroom." The initiative sees Spain follow the roadmap of the European Commission, which considers understanding digital technology to be "a fundamental ability for the XXI century." The ministry also explains that its most recent investigations show that incorporating experiences such as programming and robotics in the first years of school can have a positive effect in motivating girls in subjects such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 03:41:52|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close LONDON, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May said Monday that Britain and the European Union (EU) have agreed to 95 percent of a post-Brexit relationship agreement. Addressing MPs in the House of Commons, May said people are understandably worried that Britain could get stuck in a backstop arrangement designed to be temporary on the issues still remaining to be resolved. Outlining steps still needed to be taken, May said Britain must be able to leave the EU at will, not be locked into any arrangement "against our will". The major remaining unresolved issue is the future of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. "There is one real sticking point left and a considerable one which is how to guarantee no return to a hard border in Ireland," said May. May has ruled out any solution that would keep Northern Ireland having to follow EU rules, or a border along the Irish Sea that would see Northern Ireland cut off from the rest of Britain. May said Britain has proposed a legally binding joint UK-EU joint customs territory to help break impasse. She told MPs that in a substantial shift in their position the EU is now actively working with Britain on the proposal. May said she has not committed Britain to extending the Implementation Period, adding: "I do not want to extend the Implementation Period and I do not believe that extending it will be necessary." "By far the best outcome for the UK, for Ireland and for the EU -- is that our future relationship is agreed and in place by 1st January 2021," she added. Vince Cable, leader of the minority Liberal Democrats asked May about reports that the government is carrying out contingency planning for a second referendum. The prime minister replied: "No, that is not correct. The government does not support a second referendum." Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labor Party told MPs that May had traveled last week to the meeting in Brussels of the 27 leaders of EU member states "to beg for an extension" of the transition period due to end in December 2020. As May shook her head to deny the claim, Corbyn said her Conservative government is "terminally incompetent, hamstring by its own division". May told MPs that as she travelled around the county people who voted either leave or remain had told her "to get on with it" and leave the EU. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 04:06:56|Editor: yan Video Player Close YAOUNDE, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Cameroonian President-elect Paul Biya expressed gratitude to Cameroonians on Monday after he achieved an overwhelming victory by winning 71.28 percent of the votes. "Dear compatriots in Cameroon and the diaspora, thank you for your renewed and large confidence. Let us now join in taking up, together, the challenges that confront us in ensuring a more united, stable and prosperous Cameroon." Biya tweeted hours after the Constitutional Council declared him winner of the poll. The candidate of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) Maurice Kamto came second with 14.23 percent of votes, while Joshua Osih of the main opposition Social Democratic Front (SDF) collected only 3.35 percent. The official results saw a major shake-up in Cameroon's opposition, said Michael Nyugap, professor of political science of the University of Douala. "This means that he (Maurice Kamto) is the emerging leader of the Cameroon opposition," Nyugap told Xinhua. Nine candidates competed in the Oct. 7 election. The official statistics show that nearly 3.6 million of the 6.7 million registered voters cast their ballots, making a turnout of 53.85 percent, compared with 65.82 percent in 2011 and 82.83 percent in 2004. The turnout was low in the English-speaking zone, which is the SDF's base, where less than 10 percent of registered voters cast their ballots, amid threats from armed secessionists to disrupt the polls. For two years, the English-speaking minority, representing 20 percent of the national population, have protested against what they described as marginalization and "francization". Armed clashes between Cameroonian security forces and separatists, now considered by the government as terrorists, have caused heavy casualties. Many were displaced. Biya, 85, has been in office since 1982. In the next seven years, he will continue "the decentralization in a united and indivisible Cameroon," according to his 10-point campaign program. On Oct. 19, the Constitutional Council rejected the last of 18 post-election petitions demanding the cancellation of the poll. The Constitutional Council's president, Clement Atangana, said the election was "free, transparent, peaceful, and credible." Cameroon's ruling party, Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM), held ceremonies in the capital Yaounde and commercial metropolis Douala to celebrate Biya's "resounding victory". "Our candidate is the champion once again. We are here to celebrate a well-deserved victory and call on Cameroonians to stand behind Paul Biya even more as he moves the country towards an emerging nation," Serge Eloundou, an official of the CPDM told Xinhua in Yaounde. There was heavy deployment of troops in major cities of the country as the celebrations continued, local residents told Xinhua. According to the electoral code, Biya is expected to take oath of office in no more than 15 days. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 05:17:16|Editor: yan Video Player Close ANKARA, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- A fatal road accident that has killed 22 migrants in western Turkey, including children, highlights human tragedy despite an EU-Turkish deal with the aim to deter illegal immigration. The truck carrying migrants on a highway near Izmir airport swerved off the road on Oct. 14, and plunged into a river channel. The migrants, who had inflatable dinghies with them, were reportedly heading to the coast with an attempt to reach Greece's Samos island. Turkish authorities detained five people linked to the deadly accident, including three suspected Syrian smugglers who took thousands of U.S. dollars from migrants to arrange logistics. Two weeks ago, eight migrants were found drowned in another district of Izmir when their boat, also bound for the Greek island, capsized. The 26 others who are still missing are believed to have died. On the opposite shores of the Aegean Sea, 11 migrants were killed in an accident last week. According to the International Organization for Migration, 28 percent of illegal crossings to Europe occurred in the Aegean Sea and 152 migrants have lost their lives since the start of 2018. Turkey officially hosts more than 4 million migrants, including 3.5 million Syrians and 500,000 Iraqis. Only a fraction of them are living in specially build camps, while a majority are scattered around Turkish cities. In 2015, about a million migrants crossed from Turkey into Greece, mostly using the Aegean Sea which separates the two countries, a crisis which forced a deal between Ankara and the EU in early 2016 to stem such flow. Authorities, whoever, have reported an increase in the number of crossings from the Turkish land border in recent months. Greek officials reported this week a breach in the border with 200 migrants crossing the Evros river with low water level, an unusually large number in a single morning. "It's not that we are unhappy here, but Europe is still the light at the end of the tunnel," said Hafez, 28, an unregistered Syrian refugee living for nearly three years in Istanbul. The Syrian man who spoke in broken Turkish, declined to give his surname for fear of repercussions from Turkish authorities. He said he did not personally took an ill-fated adventure in the Aegean to reach Greece, but his two cousins did and ultimately failed. "Luckily, they were saved by the (Turkish coast guard) when their boat nearly capsized and were brought back to Turkey, but it could have gotten really, really serious because we heard stories," he said. Migrants, of other nationalities such as Afghanistan and African countries, were desperately seeking to cross the Turkish-Greece land border, Hafez added. In fact, Greece is currently facing a serious surge in the arrival of undocumented migrants in the Evros region, an entry point for migrants trying to illegally enter the country form Turkey. The migrant arrivals have roughly doubled since 2017, according to the Greek government, blaming Turkey for not doing enough in order to ensure approval of EU payments. The EU-Turkey deal foresees 6 billion euros (6.9 billion U.S. dollars) payments to Ankara to be used in projects for migrants. Ankara, however, is accusing Brussels of being slow to approve these projects. In his rejection to the Greek accusations, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu told reporters this week that a total of 205,000 illegal immigrants were held in Turkey, mostly Afghan, Pakistani, Syrian and Iraqi nationals, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. He insisted on a "successful migration policy" by Turkey, saying the detention of migrants crossing to Greece rose significantly over the last five years. Nevertheless, some undeterred migrants are still visible nearly every day on Turkish coasts in the close proximity of Greece, the main gateway to Europe from Turkey, with the Turkish Coast Guard in hot pursuit, especially along the wide coastline of western Turkey. E Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 06:37:33|Editor: yan Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Google-owned YouTube Monday announced an investment of 20 million U.S. dollars in educational content and creators to expand its initiative to support people across the world in sharing knowledge and pursuing learning on the platform. YouTube said it is creating a new Learning Fund program to support creators who make some of the best learning content on YouTube, the world's largest video-sharing site, with videos covering a wide range of topics from career skills, like interviewing and resume building, to computer science, like coding for game development and JavaScript basics. The company said it has completed the first round of investment to fund some of the most successful channels on the platform, such as TED-Ed, which is dedicated to educational Ted Talks, and brothers Hank and John Green's Crash Course. YouTube has pledged investment to support EduTubers through the Learning Fund and plans to fund content from independent creators, traditional news sources and educational organizations to broaden its content offering. The company also said it will partner with third-party studios and networks such as Goodwill and Year Up to create videos that teach career skills. Its major partners include leading online learning platforms, like edX, a non-profit offering courses from the world's best universities and institutions, and OpenClassrooms, an education platform based in France. The Google subsidiary held YouTube EduCon conferences in California, Mexico, and Brazil to connect EduTubers with new resources in 2018. In a further push for its global education efforts for next year, YouTube said it plans to expand YouTube EduCon to Europe and Asia, starting with India in December and the UK in February 2019. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 06:42:34|Editor: yan Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. leading media streaming service Netflix Inc. announced Monday it will borrow another 2 billion U.S. dollars in new debt to fund original shows and content. Netflix said it intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for "general corporate purposes, which may include content acquisitions, production and development, capital expenditures, investments, working capital and potential acquisitions and strategic transactions." This is the second time that the California-based streaming firm to tap the debt market this year, which adds its long-term liabilities to more than 30 billion dollars. Netflix is investing heavily in content to ramp up its battles for subscribers against its rivals such as Apple and Amazon. The company has burned about 1.7 billion dollars in cash in the most recent quarter, and it expects to burn through 3 billion dollars this year. Netflix reported 8.34 billion dollars in long-term debt by the end of September this year, increasing 71 percent from 4.89 billion dollars in the previous year. Netflix witnessed a rapid growth in the number of subscribers for the third quarter of 2018, with 7 million new streaming customers added for the period, including 1.09 million in the United States. With a total of 130 million users in 190 countries and regions across the world, Netflix is expected to net 9.4 million new subscribers by the end of 2018, with the United States being its largest market. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 06:57:36|Editor: ZD Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Mexico has stepped up its lobbying against U.S. tariffs on imported Mexican steel before signing a trade agreement with its northern neighbor, a government source said on Monday. Mexico wants the U.S. to scrap the tariffs prior to signing a three-way free trade deal USMCA at the end of November with the United States and Canada to replace the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Rogelio Garza, deputy minister of Industry and Trade at the Ministry of Economy, told steel industry representatives the government may have "good news" soon. "We are working with our counterparts to move very, very quickly," Garza said at the opening of a congress of the National Steel Chamber (Canacero). In June, the U.S. imposed a 25 percent tariff on imported steel and a 10 percent tariff on imported aluminum from Mexico, Canada and the European Union, among other regions. U.S President Donald Trump's administration cited national security concerns to justify the tariffs, invoking the 1962 Trade Expansion Act. Meanwhile, Canada has said it will impose tariffs on some imported steel products starting Oct. 25, while it studies the potential impact on its national industry. "As a trade partner to both the United States and Canada, Mexico should not be subject to these measures," said Garza, adding the government was confident both countries will drop the tariffs before the USMCA is finalized. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 10:13:03|Editor: mym Video Player Close SINGAPORE, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- BOC Aviation Limited, a leading global aircraft operating leasing company headquartered in Singapore, announced on Tuesday that it delivered the third of five new Airbus A321NEO aircraft to Chinese carrier Sichuan Airlines. BOC Aviation said that all the five aircraft are from its existing order book. The first two were delivered in recent two months, and the remaining two will be delivered by the end of 2019. "The deliveries to Sichuan Airlines mark a number of milestones for BOC Aviation," said the company's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Robert Martin. "They are the first to our new customer Sichuan Airlines and they are our first A321NEO aircraft to be delivered from our order book." Martin said BOC Aviation is delighted to support the growth of one of China's leading regional airlines with aircraft that are among the world's most cost-effective and technologically advanced. BOC Aviation, a member of Bank of China Group, has a fleet of 499 aircraft owned, managed and on order. Its owned and managed fleet was leased to 89 airlines worldwide in 34 countries and regions as at Sept. 30, 2018. Sichuan Airlines is a full service carrier with more than 270 routes carrying nearly 30 million passengers annually. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 10:18:04|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been calling on Central American leaders to cooperate with the world organization in handling more than 7,000 migrant caravan people heading toward the Mexico-U.S. border, a UN spokesman said on Monday. "The secretary-general has been in touch with different leaders over the weekend," Farhan Haq, Guterres' deputy spokesman, told reporters at a regular briefing. "The thing he has been stressing is the need for the leaders to be working with the International Organization for Migration, IOM, and the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR," said Haq. "He believes that the situation needs to be dealt with in line with international law and with full respect for countries' rights to manage their own borders," he said. "The states in the region need to cooperate on resolving the situation. At this point both IOM and UNHCR are dealing with different countries on the ground to assist in this matter," he said. The spokesman noted that 7,233 people are marching toward the Mexico-U.S. border. When asked about the threat from U.S. President Donald Trump to close the southern border of the United States, Haq replied: "Obviously we believe that there needs to be full respect for countries' rights to manage their own borders. At the same time the situation needs to be dealt with in line with international law and the states in the region need to cooperate on resolving the situation." Haq said those were the ground rules to deal with this matter. He said the UN refugee agency already has sent reinforcements to bolster its capacity in Mexico and the number is expected to increase in the following days. Published reports said the migrants are fleeing widespread violence, poverty and corruption in Honduras through Guatemala and Mexico to the U.S. border. What is unusual about this trek of thousands of men, women and children is that it largely began spontaneously by word of mouth as opposed to Trump's accusations it was funded by members of the Democratic Party and was largely made up of criminals. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 10:38:08|Editor: mym Video Player Close BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- When German scientists were conducting micro-gravity experiments on China's recoverable satellite in the 1980s, Chinese space engineer Tang Bochang was busy solving technical problems, while carefully keeping Chinese secrets. Tang joined the China Academy of Space Technology in 1970, the same year China launched its first satellite. He has participated in the development of returnable satellites, with China's first successful launch in 1975. Soon after, China started to open its space missions to the outside world in the wake of its reform and opening up. "At that time, only the United States, the Soviet Union and China had mastered the technology of returnable satellites, and the International Space Station was yet to be built. So both France and Germany asked to use China's returnable satellite to carry out experiments," Tang recalled. "They were curious about China's space technology, but also kept their secrets from us," he said. In delicate circumstances, China and Western countries began collaboration. Despite their respective concerns, cooperation gave each side more opportunities for space exploration. COOPERATION ACROSS TIME AND SPACE In the early 1980s, China aimed to develop transmission-type remote sensing satellites to obtain real-time satellite images. At that time, China was still relatively backward and hoped to collaborate with other countries to develop such kinds of satellite. But the United States and Europe, which had mastered the technology, were reluctant. Eventually, China found a partner: Brazil, also a developing country. In 1988, the two countries signed an agreement to jointly develop the China-Brazil earth resource satellite. They shared the cost, and separately developed its systems. Both sides had advantages and were highly complementary. Ma Shijun, former head of the project, recalled the biggest obstacle to cooperation was language. Engineers often had to gesture with dictionaries in hand. The distance between the two countries also made it difficult. "But the technicians got along well, giving full play to their own advantages. We learned international practice in satellite development, and the technicians broadened their perspectives," Ma said. "Both sides reviewed the documents and reports, which was a double check, reducing the possibility of mistakes." In 1999, the first China-Brazil earth resource satellite was successfully launched, giving each country their first transmission-type remote sensing satellite. It was rated one of the top 10 scientific and technological advances of the year in China. It was the first satellite jointly developed by China and another country, and set a good example for cooperation among developing countries in the field of space technology, and was praised as a model of "South-South cooperation". The cooperation has lasted 30 years. The two countries have sent four satellites into space. The resolution of the images has gradually improved. Data from the China-Brazil earth resource satellites are provided to developing countries for free. The satellites have also helped monitor disasters such as forest fires in Australia, floods in Pakistan, and an earthquake and tsunami in Japan. JOINING TO PROBE SPACE In 2005, China's two space science satellites joined with the satellites of the European Space Agency to complete the world's first joint, synchronous six-point exploration of the earth's space, obtaining important data. It was the first science satellite cooperation between China and Europe. Like renowned space projects such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the Spirit and Opportunity Mars rovers, this project was awarded by the International Academy of Astronautics. With its growing economic and technological strength, China has become a big and important space player, encouraging more countries to take part in its space programs. Scientists from China and other countries are working together to probe the universe. One of the detectors on China's Dark Matter Particle Explorer, launched in 2015, was jointly developed by scientists from China, Switzerland and Italy. China's space lab Tiangong-2, launched in 2016, carries a gamma ray polarization detector developed by scientists from China, Switzerland and Poland. China and Italy have developed a satellite to observe earthquake-related electromagnetic information. A satellite developed by China and France will be sent into space soon to study ocean winds, waves and climate change. The two countries are also working on an astronomical satellite. A Sino-European joint mission, the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE), will be launched in 2021. The enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry (eXTP) satellite to explore still mysterious celestial bodies, such as black holes and neutron stars, which China plans to launch by 2025, has drawn scientists from more than 20 countries, including Italy, Germany, Britain and France. China's Chang'e-4 lunar probe, set to be launched in December this year and expected to become the first probe to soft-land on the far side of the moon, carries detectors from Germany and Sweden. China is welcoming other space agencies to participate in its follow-up lunar exploration programs and jointly build a research station on the moon. Yu Dengyun, deputy chief designer of China's lunar exploration program, said international cooperation has become common in space exploration, as the costs, challenges and risks of any space project are huge. "If we can pool global wisdom and share the risks and costs, we can achieve the goal of space exploration faster, which benefits everyone," Yu said. LEARNING TO COEXIST China announced in May that it would welcome all member states of the United Nations to cooperate in and jointly utilize its future space station, which is expected to be built around 2022. "The China Space Station (CSS) belongs not only to China, but also to the world," said Shi Zhongjun, China's Ambassador to UN and other international organizations in Vienna. "Through the vehicle of the CSS, we would like to build a model of sincere mutual beneficial cooperation among countries in the peaceful exploration and use of outer space." Guided by the idea of a shared future for mankind, the CSS will be a home that is inclusive and open, a home of peace and good will, and a home of cooperation for mutual benefit, he said. Simonetta Di Pippo, director of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, welcomed the move as China stands ready to share its "state-of-the-art space program." Li Guoping, a spokesman for China National Space Administration, said international cooperation and exchanges are necessary to explore outer space. For instance, international consultations are needed to allocate satellite frequencies and orbital resources, as well as formulate outer space traffic rules. China is advancing construction of an "information corridor" for countries along the Belt and Road, and a remote-sensing satellite constellation for the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), Li said. The earth is a grain of dust in the universe. Many astronauts and astronomers have expressed the view that those who see our blue planet from space have a deeper understanding that humans must learn how to coexist on it. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 10:58:18|Editor: mym Video Player Close VARGINHA, Brazil, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's second-largest coffee producing cooperative will get its first chance to promote products to Chinese consumers, thanks to China's first ever import expo. The cooperative, called Minasul, is planning a business expansion in the lead up to the China International Import Expo (CIIE) to be held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10. That strategy includes establishing a toehold in China to better market products to even the rest of East Asia. "We want to set up an office in China that would also serve as a hub for other countries in the region, similar to the one we already have in Europe," Minasul's head of new business development, Luis Henrique Albinati, told Xinhua. The cooperative, which gathers more than 7,000 producers in the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, wants to first learn about China, including consumer preferences and channels for doing business. Albinati and Minasul's head of international relations, Maria Claudia Lucinda Porto, have signed on for a three-day course given by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba at its headquarters in Hangzhou. Minasul is one of the 87 Brazilian businesses invited by Brazil's export and investment promotion agency Apex, to take part in the Shanghai expo. While Minasul hopes to find Chinese buyers, it also has another goal -- to find Chinese partners interested in investing in technologies to improve coffee production. "There are solutions that still need development and we think the Chinese can be our partners in this process, which would benefit not just Minasul members, but coffee producers throughout Brazil," said Albinati. The cooperative produces both regular and gourmet coffee products, which are classified by the California-based Coffee Quality Institute, based on multiple factors, from aroma to level of acidity. To qualify as gourmet, coffee needs to rate a minimum of 80 points on a scale of 0 to 100. According to Porto, the internationally recognized rating system makes it easier for buyers and sellers to reach a deal, by providing a "common language for the entire world of coffee, no matter what language you speak." Brazil is the world's biggest coffee producers and exporters, with 50 percent of its production concentrated in Minas Gerais. The South American country also supplies a third of the world's gourmet coffee. This year the sector is expected to harvest 60 million 60-kilo sacks of coffee beans, setting a national record. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 11:43:25|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close CANBERRA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- A cruise ship dumped 27,000 liters of food waste and grey water into the Great Barrier Reef in August, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has found. Senator Larissa Waters told a Senate hearing on Monday night that she had seen a copy of the as yet unpublished AMSA report on the incident, which said that the Pacific Explorer, a vessel operated by P&O Cruises Australia, dumped the waste on Aug. 26. The report said that the food waste was being held in the vessel's galley due to its food waste tanks being at capacity. The waste being held in the galley tank was discharged by engineers in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, a heavily protected area of the coral reef. AMSA was made aware of the incident on Aug. 27 but the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) was not alerted until Sept. 4. "We were advised by AMSA that there had been a spill and that they were taking action with respect to that particular spill," Simon Banks, GBRMPA general manager of reef protection, told the hearing. Waters questioned why the spill had not been made public sooner and expressed concerns that the Pacific Explorer has been leased for use during November's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Papua New Guinea (PNG). "The public have a right to know about pollution breaches in our Great Barrier Reef and the government should be upfront about such incidents," she said. "Unless the ship has shown its procedures are now watertight, and have paid to clean up any damage it has caused, it's not appropriate be used in the upcoming APEC CEO summit. "The Australian government should have advised the PNG government not to lease the vessel given it is under investigation by AMSA for breaching pollution control rules." Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 12:13:31|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The number of Zika virus outbreak cases has reached 120 in western Indian state of Rajasthan, with more people been diagnosed with the infection over the past 48 hours, the state's health chief has said. "Till now, 120 people have been tested positive for Zika virus in the state, 105 of them have been treated," Rajasthan's Health Minister Kalicharan Saraf told the media here on Monday evening. The Indian Health Ministry has already sent a special team to the state and set up a control room at National Centre for Disease Control to undertake regular monitoring of the situation in Rajasthan and take necessary measures. Zika virus disease is spread by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes. Its symptoms include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, and headache. This is the third Zika virus outbreak in India since January 2017. The first outbreak of Zika was reported in India in January 2017 in western state of Gujarat, while the second outbreak was reported in the southern state of Tamil Nadu in July 2017. Both outbreaks were contained. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 12:48:37|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that he was not satisfied with Saudi Arabia's explanation for the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "I am not satisfied with what I've heard," Trump told reporters at the White House before leaving for a rally in the state of Texas. "We have people over in Saudi Arabia now. We have top intelligence people in Turkey. And we're going to see what we have," Trump added. It has been reported that CIA Director Gina Haspel left for Turkey on Monday, as the world is expecting a speech by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in which the Turkish leader said he would reveal the "naked truth" about the incident. Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post, has been missing since he entered the Saudi consulate in Turkey's Istanbul on Oct. 2. The Saudi authorities said Saturday that Khashoggi had died in a "brawl" in its consulate. In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir called the killing "a rogue operation," saying that "this was an operation where individuals ended up exceeding the authorities and responsibilities they had. They made the mistake when whey killed Jamal Khashoggi in the consulate and they tried to cover up for it." After releasing the results of its initial investigations, the Saudi Public Prosecution also announced that 18 people were arrested over their alleged connections to the killing. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 13:08:41|Editor: mmm Video Player Close U.S. President Donald Trump addresses a rally in Houston, the United States, on Oct. 22, 2018. (Xinhua/Song Qiong) HOUSTON, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said here late Monday that the country needs to build a wall fast to protect its borders from Central American migrants. During the "Make America Great Again" rally at Toyota center in downtown Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States, Trump told a crowd of nearly 180,000 that the caravan of migrants heading towards the United States is "assault on our country" and that "we need a wall built fast." Earlier on the day, Trump said Washington will begin cutting off or reducing aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, citing migrant caravans heading to the U.S. border. Trump's Houston rally is his latest campaign appearance leading to the mid-term elections set on Nov. 6. He will go to Wisconsin, North Carolina and Illinois to galvanize more supporter for the Republicans. Over the weekend, thousands of migrants, mostly from Honduras, have swarmed into Mexico after passing the Guatemalan border. Media reported that Mexican police watched the procession with vigilance but did not disturb the migrants' journey. Official data showed that the Trump administration has sharply slashed aid to the three countries in Central America, projecting some 40-percent plunge in aid in the 2019 financial year compared with that of 2016. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 13:08:41|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad will make an official visit to Thailand on Wednesday to push forward bilateral ties and the peace process in Southern Thailand that Malaysia has facilitated. The visit is a part of a series of foreign trips after Mahathir assumed office in May, Malaysia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. Mahathir is expected to meet his counterpart Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha during the two-day visit, which will provide an opportunity for both leaders to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries, the statement said. The visit is also expected to add momentum to the Southern Thailand peace dialogue process where Malaysia has served as facilitator for the peace talks between the Thai government and the militants. It would also allow Malaysia to highlight the government's current policies and its stand particularly on issues of mutual concern, and provide an opportunity to exchange views on regional and global issues of common interest, the statement added. Malaysia's total trade with Thailand in 2017 recorded a significant growth of 18.43 percent amounting to 98.69 billion ringgit (23 billion U.S. dollars) from 86.46 billion ringgit (20 billion U.S. dollars) in 2016, as Thailand is Malaysia's fifth largest trading partner and the second largest among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries after Singapore. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 13:13:42|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close ATHENS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of thousands of spiders have covered a northeastern Greek lake in an enormous web that stretches about 1 km and blankets surrounding vegetation along the coast, media reported. The spooky scene in Lake Vistonida is the masterpiece of stretch spiders, also known as Tetragnatha, as unseasonably warm weather provided ideal conditions for the spiders to feed, mate and reproduce, according to The Independent. A rise in the mosquito population around the warm and humid lake also provided an abundant food source for the swarming spiders, the British online newspaper said. It was not clear whether authorities would intervene to clear the web. Experts have reassured locals that the spiders are not dangerous and would soon die off, with the web degenerating naturally. The cobweb-covered lake, a natural decoration just in time for Halloween, is not the first time that spiders have gone on a rampage in the country. A similar occurrence happened last month in western Greece when spiders spun a 300-meter long web on the side of a lagoon in the town of Aitoliko. Town-engulfing spider webs have also been reported in Australia in May 2015 when residents of Goulburn in New South Wales awoke to find their town shrouded in eerie, silken webs, while millions of tiny spiders rained down from above. The event made headlines across the world then. Scientists explained that the eye-popping event in Australia is a way certain types of arachnids migrate and poses no danger to people. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 13:23:46|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Some 50,000 people died in India after being mowed down by trains while crossing tracks between 2015 and 2017, state-owned Indian Railways has revealed. The Indian Railways has recently released the date in the wake of the deaths of as many as 61 people who were hit by a train in the northern state of Punjab's Amritsar city Friday while watching the celebrations of the Hindu festival of Dussehra from railway tracks. As many as 49,790 deaths happened because people were hit by trains on tracks from 2015 to 2017, according to the railways data. A senior official said Tuesday the Indian Railways has been time and again taking several measures to curb the deaths on railway tracks. "From imposing fine on people coming on railway tracks to putting an end to all unmanned level crossings, all steps are being taken," he added. The Indian Railways is one of the world's largest train networks, criss-crossing the country from north to south. It operates more than 9,000 passenger trains and carries nearly 23 million passengers every day. This vast public enterprise can be referred to as a semi-state. It runs schools, hospitals, has it own police force and construction companies, and has 1.3 million people on its payroll, making it the seventh biggest employer in the world. However, train disasters are common in India as much of the colonial-era rail infrastructure is out of date. In 2015, the Indian government pledged 137 billion U.S. dollars over five years to modernize and expand the railways. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 13:33:49|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Supreme Court of Pakistan was informed that transactions of more than 100 billion rupees (about 0.77 billion U.S. dollars) have been carried out through 107 fake bank accounts, local media reported Tuesday. According to the reports, a three-member bench of the country's top court resumed the hearing of its suo-motu case regarding an investigation into money-laundering and fake bank accounts on Monday. The joint investigation team of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has submitted a report to the apex court, revealing that the transactions of 47 billion rupees (about 0.36 billion U.S. dollars) have been done through fake bank accounts and 54 billion rupees (about 0.41 billion U.S. dollars) were transferred through the fictitious accounts of 36 companies. Several fictitious accounts at some private banks were opened in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and illegal transactions worth billions of rupees were made through these account, according to investigation conducted by the investigation team. The FIA has been investigating 32 people in the case, the reports added. Earlier this month, the Pakistani Interior Ministry barred 95 persons suspected to be involved in the case from leaving the country. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 13:38:50|Editor: mym Video Player Close by Xinhua writers Jin Jing, Gu Zhenqiu LONDON, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- When growing up, like many boys, Stephen Perry, Chairman of Britain's 48 Group Club, had a father with a momentous impact on him. "My father was a very powerful man," said grey-haired Stephen, 70, flipping through the precious collections of faded photos and media clips of his late father Jack Perry, known as one of the icebreakers of UK-China trade ties. "Even when I was very young, I knew my father was different," said Stephen who took over the helm in 1993 as head of the 48 Group Club, a business association founded by his father in 1950s to help bridge relations between China and Britain. Stephen had always wondered whether he could be as strong as his father. The challenge he faces now is no less daunting than in his father's time. That is to help remove the prejudice against China and unfreeze what he calls the "culture deficit" between China and the Western world. FOLLOW FATHER'S STEPS In 1954, Jack Perry, the founder of London Export Corporation, led a group of 48 British businessmen on a historic trade mission to Beijing and helped deliver one of the first modern-day trade links with China, effectively breaking the U.S.-led Western embargo on the newly founded Asian country. Stephen was then only six years old. The 48 men were the precursors of the 48 Group Club. The trip became known as the "Icebreaking Mission," and the club members were called "icebreakers." "I grew up with a Chinese background," said Stephen, "My father believed China would return. I believe it too." In 1972, Stephen landed in Shanghai for his first trip to China, during which his father and he helped seal the first trade deal between America and China, for selling U.S. products including polyester, agricultural chemicals and cotton. During the visit, Stephen noticed large stretches of rice paddy fields, hard-working Chinese peasants and lack of cars on streets and roads between cities. "When I look back to that first visit in 1972, I could see that the people wanted something more. It wasn't that they were saying it. It was the sense that China had the power to do something," Stephen said. In 1972, then U.S. President Richard Nixon made the historic visit to China, a move that thawed the China-U.S. relations. It was the year when China and Britain established diplomatic ties. It was also the year when Stephen made his lifetime decision to dedicate himself, like his father, to improving UK-China trade relations. The big moment came six years later when China announced its reform and opening-up. Stephen had since been trying hard to figure out what it meant for China and the world. He watched the development in China carefully and went to libraries to dig up historical documents. "It took me up to seven, eight years to understand how transformational reform and opening-up was," he said. "People talk about miracles. If you think that the industrial revolution in Britain took 150 to 200 years, China did it in 40 years from a standing start. It's an absolutely breathtaking economic miracle," he added. ICEBREAKING IN NEW ERA Today, more than six decades after the "Icebreaking Mission," the 48 Group Club continues its efforts to promote positive UK-China relations. The Club now has over 600 British and Chinese members, including senior executives from corporate organizations, high-level politicians, diplomats, academics and people focusing on cultural relations. Stephen said the club has a vital role in helping reduce the "cultural deficit" between China and the Western world. The club organizes meetings on a regular basis on UK-China relations and its efforts span across Britain, Europe and the United States. Stephen goes often on TV and newspapers to express his understanding of China and his vision of the world with the benefit of China's growth. Even right in a golden-era of UK-China relations, Stephen believes that huge potentials of cooperation between the two countries are yet to tap, and prejudice and misunderstanding still exist, especially on the British side. "For the British to understand China, for the British to understand the opportunities, and how to manage the challenges of China, that is all the ice breaking, It's not changed since 1950s. Those problem existed, and then they exist today," Stephen said. The core challenge that China faces is "the changing world order" particularly with a wave of rising protectionism unleashed by the United States, said Stephen. The U.S. government, which sees China only as a threat and competitor, fails to realize that China's growth brings huge opportunities, he said. "We have to do a lot of communication to leaders of companies, leaders of politics, leaders of academics, media to understand what China is, and remove the prejudices. It will take time," said Stephen. "I don't think China will seek to be the world's dominant power, as if it is, it will have to operate in a way, which to my observation, is not consistent with how Chinese think or live. The basic core values of China are very well pronounced, very well known over 3,000 years," he added. In 2008, a new network named The Young Icebreakers was established to act as a bridge between Chinese and British young professionals. Jack Perry, Stephen's eldest son who bears his grandfather's name, was one of the founding chairmen. It will take decades and generations to fill the "culture deficit" between the West and China, now the world's second largest economy, Stephen said. "The greatest challenge of the ice breakers in the next phase is to help the world understand China, and also, I think they help China understand the world," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 14:03:55|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close SEOUL, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's government on Tuesday approved the Pyongyang Declaration, which was signed in the third summit in Pyongyang in September between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). It was deliberated and approved during the cabinet meeting, chaired by President Moon who would sign and ratify the declaration. Under the Pyongyang Declaration, the two sides agreed to end hostile relations, increase cooperation and exchanges and denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. The cabinet also approved the comprehensive military agreement, which was signed by defense chiefs of the two Koreas during the Pyongyang summit. Under the military agreement, the two Koreas agreed to stop all hostile acts in border areas by setting up a buffer zone along the heavily-armed border. The approvals came as the Ministry of Government Legislation allegedly ruled that the Pyongyang Declaration does not require a parliamentary ratification. As the Pyongyang Declaration was mostly about ways to implement the Panmunjom Declaration, which Moon and Kim signed in their first summit in April in the border village of Panmunjom, the Pyongyang Declaration does not require the parliamentary ratification, according to the ministry. The Panmunjom Declaration was currently in the parliamentary ratification process. Moon said during the cabinet meeting that the improved inter-Korean relations and the eased military tensions can spur the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula more easily. He noted that the ratification would help protect people's lives and secure safety, while getting rid of risk factors on the peninsula and eventually benefitting the South Korean economy. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 15:04:03|Editor: mmm Video Player Close KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Afghan forces in crackdown against Taliban outfit have killed 15 militants in the northern Kunduz and Badakhshan provinces Since Monday, army spokesman in the northern region Ghulam Hazrat Karimi said Tuesday. The government forces backed by fighting aircrafts, according to the official, struck Taliban hideouts in Imam Sahib district of Kunduz province Monday night, killing and injuring over a dozen insurgents. Fighting aircrafts also targeted Taliban hideouts in Noor Dara area of Ragisthan district, Badakhshan province early Tuesday and perished a few insurgnets. "A total of 15 Taliban rebels have been confirmed dead and 10 others injured in strikes against the rebels in Imam Sahib and Ragisthan districts," Karimi told Xinhua. Mawlawi Shafiqullah, commander of Taliban fighters in Imam Sahib district in Kunduz province, is also among those killed in the strikes, the official said. Taliban militants have yet to make comment. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 15:49:15|Editor: mmm Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- In what could be best described as a relief for festival revelers but discomfort to environment lovers, India's apex court on Tuesday refused to impose a blanket ban on bursting crackers and allowed use of firecrackers within permitted decibel limits and emission norms. The verdict from the Supreme Court of India assumes significance as it came just two weeks ahead of the festival of lights "Diwali", one of the biggest festivals celebrated across India with much revelry. The court verdict came in response to a plea seeking a ban on manufacturing and sale of firecrackers across the country to curb air pollution. Bursting of crackers forms an integral part of the festivities, besides putting up colourful lights and exchanging of sweets among friends, relatives and neighbours. In its order the court banned the online sale of firecrackers and put a stay on e-commerce portals from selling them. It said only "low polluting" green crackers which are within permitted decibel limits and emission norms will be allowed. The court said only "green firecrackers" (which are less polluting) will be allowed to be sold by authorized and licensed vendors. Imposing timing restrictions on burning firecrackers on Diwali, the court said that people will be allowed to burn crackers between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Diwali. Also, on New Year and Christmas the timing would be from 11:45 p.m. to 00:15 a.m. Every year during the winter, the air quality in Delhi worsens to alarming levels, turning the city into a gas chamber. Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, along with firecrackers during Diwali, vehicular pollution and construction activities are the primary reasons for this. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded the overall air quality index (AQI) of Delhi at 272 on Monday evening. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor, and 401 and 500 "severe". Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 15:59:19|Editor: mmm Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed and some 20 others wounded Tuesday in a car bomb explosion in a town in south of Mosul, the capital of Iraq's northern province of Nineveh, the Iraqi military said. The blast took place in the morning when a booby-trapped car went off at a popular market in the town of Qayyara, some 50 km south of Mosul, the Iraqi Army Colonel Rayadh al-Juboury in the town told Xinhua. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 15:59:20|Editor: mmm Video Player Close KABUL, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- A leading official of the Afghan central bank has been killed following a terrorist attack in eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar, a statement said Tuesday. Ataullah Nang, deputy procurement manager of Da Afghanistan Bank, was killed in the attack which occurred in Kot district of the province on Saturday, Da Afghanistan Bank, the country's central bank, said in a statement. The statement did not provide details. The province, 120 km east of Kabul, has been the scene of heavy clashes between security forces, Taliban and Islamic State (IS) fighters since early this year. The 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 this year, according to the figures released by the United Nations mission in the country. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 16:14:25|Editor: mmm Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia has launched a campaign to increase national awareness on the importance of savings and the level of financial literacy, local media reported on Tuesday, citing the country's central bank. The campaign is part of the activities held in the country on the occasion of the World Savings Day, which is celebrated every year on Oct. 31 across the world, the Bank of Mongolia said in a statement. Under the two-week campaign starting Monday, several related activities will be organized across the country by the central bank in cooperation with commercial banks. According to data released by the National Statistics Office of Mongolia, only 27 percent of Mongolia's total population have any savings, and 83 percent of those who have savings only have less than a million Mongolian Tugriks (less than 390 U.S. dollars) in their accounts. Mongolia started marking the World Savings Day across the country since last year. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 16:24:30|Editor: mmm Video Player Close by Farid Behbud KABUL, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least 28 people have been reportedly killed and 83 others wounded following consecutive violent incidents during the long-delayed Afghan parliamentary elections held over the weekend. Balloting started on Saturday as the Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC) initially planned to hold the polls in one day, but the IEC officials extended the voting to Sunday as scores of polling centers were not open or running on Saturday after long delays due to militants' attacks, irregularities, and a low attendance of election workers. Afghan Minister of Interior Affairs Wais Ahmad Barmak confirmed that 192 out of 1,800 attacks and explosions planned by Taliban militants occurred throughout the country, killing 28 people, including 11 security officials, and injuring 83 others, including 19 security personnel in the first day of the process. However, some unconfirmed sources said that 67 people were killed and 126 others wounded in election-related violence, blasts and clashes across the country. Media expert and analyst Mir Ahmad Shah blamed security sectors for their incompetency and being unprofessional in tightening security of the election under such sensitive conditions. "They had already received the information about what would happen during the process, in the wake of the Taliban threat to disturb the process," Shah, who spent more than 40 years as a media professional and is now working for the state-run Kabul Times daily, told Xinhua. Growing Taliban threats and technical problems, mostly from the election commission officials' failure to properly use the biometric verification machines contributed to the extension of the process to another day, observers said. The elections covered 32 out of the country's 34 provinces. Voting in Kandahar and Ghazni provinces has been postponed due to security reasons. Taliban militants had earlier threatened to sabotage the Afghan parliamentary elections and warned that their fighters have been instructed to create impediments to the process. But they promised to minimize civilian harms during the raids. Election-related violence killed up to 10 parliamentary hopefuls. In the latest incident carried out by the Taliban, a prominent candidate, Abdul Jabar Qahraman and three of his supporters were killed in southern Helmand province. The war in Afghanistan, Mir Ahmad Shah believed, was not only a domestic issue, but an intelligence war imposed on Afghanistan. "So, there was a need to take preventative measures to foil any enemy plots aiming at sabotaging the process, as security organs announced the deployment of more than 54,000 troops to ensure election security," he said. Ensuring transparency at the polls has also been a major task for the IEC and the Election Complaints Commission (ECC), the Afghan electoral watchdog, as the international community hoped that the Oct. 20 elections would be an improvement from the fraud-tainted 2014 presidential election. However, allegations of fraud and complaints over irregularities were reported and thousands of complaints were filed by voters and ECC members from the 4,576 polling centers across the country. More than 2,500 candidates are contesting for the 249-seat Wolesi Jirga or the lower house of parliament. Most of the candidates stood independently as the country does not have many regular and standard political parties. Nearly 9 million voters, out of 12 million eligible Afghans, were registered to take part in the process and elect their lawmakers for a five-year term. However, just over 4 million Afghans, with 33 percent of them being women, cast their ballots during the two-day elections due to Taliban intimidation and security threats, according to IEC officials. Preliminary results will be announced on Nov. 10 and the final results are expected to be released on Dec. 20, according to the IEC timetable. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 16:29:30|Editor: mmm Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army has identified the positions of the extremist groups and the locations of their hidden heavy weapons in the demilitarized zone in northern Syria, a pro-government newspaper reported Tuesday. The move is prepared for any possible showdown should the rebels fail to abide by the recent Russian-Turkish deal to evacuate the buffer zone, the report said. Following a process of "continuous observation," the Syrian forces succeeded in tracking down the redeployment of the extremist groups and their heavy weapons in the demilitarized zone, said al-Watan newspaper. This comes after the terror-designated militant groups such as the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front and its umbrella the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham as well as likeminded rebel groups rejected to withdraw from the demilitarized zone as planned by Russia and Turkey. Those groups also hid heavy weapons, which were supposed to be fully pulled out of the zone by Oct. 15. The planned demilitarized zone stretches from the northeastern countryside of Latakia province to the northern countryside of the province of Hama and western countryside of Latakia as well as areas in the countryside of Idlib province in northwestern Syria. The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is considered as the most powerful among the rebel groups in Idlib province, the last major rebel stronghold in Syria. Activists have recently said that the terror-designated groups, which were supposed to leave the demilitarized zone, control 70 percent of the zone. Al-Watan said that the rebels' breaches to the deal had helped the army to identify the locations of the heavy weapons and the rebels. It said rocket launchers are hidden in trenches dug in parts of the zone. The paper also said that Syrian intelligence members inside the ranks of the rebels as well as locals are helping the army. The bank of targets in the demilitarized zone is being updated on daily basis in case of any decision to eliminate the terrorist groups in that area, said al-Watan. Citing sources, the newspaper said the army is capable of defeating the rebels in the demilitarized zone at any given time. Meanwhile, sources close to the Turkey-backed rebels, which have already started withdrawing heavy weapons, were cited by al-Watan as saying that the next phase will witness more pressure by Turkey on the rebels to fully withdraw their heavy weapons. In a previous report, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said the first step of the demilitarized zone deal has been largely implemented in terms of withdrawing the rebels' heavy weapons. The UK-based watchdog group, however, noted that some rebel groups, which also rejected to withdraw their fighters, hid their heavy weapons, mainly in the mountains of the northeastern countryside of Latakia province. A day earlier, Syria's deputy foreign minister said that Turkey must live up to its commitments to push extremist groups to withdraw from the demilitarized zone. Faisal Mekdad said it's the responsibility of Turkey to push the rebels to commit to the demilitarized zone deal that was established between Turkey and Russia in September in Russian resort city of Sochi. The official said the Syrian government is confident that Turkey can implement its part of the deal because "the terrorist groups take orders from Turkey." The deal for imposing a demilitarized zone was reached in September between the leaders of Turkey and Russia, aiming at averting Idlib province from a wide-scale offensive by the Syrian army. The Syrian government has welcomed the deal but noted that it was only temporary. Turkey's task in the deal is to persuade the rebel groups in Idlib to abide by the plan as Ankara enjoys sway over the militants there. On Oct. 15, Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said that there should be more time to judge the success or failure of the deal and that the Syrian army is standing by around Idlib should the rebels fail to abide by the plan. The Syrian government officials repeatedly said that the demilitarized zone should end after Idlib and the surrounding rebel-held areas return under the government control. Throughout the crisis, Idlib has emerged as the major destination and stronghold of the Syrian rebels fleeing other parts of the country after deals or surrender. Idlib is now in a state of severe lawlessness characterized by assassinations, explosions and infighting. Idlib is of strategic significance as it shares a border area with Turkey in the north and neighbors the coastal province of Latakia, the hometown of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Notably, the namesake capital city of Idlib lies close to the international road linking the capital Damascus with the northern province of Aleppo. Idlib is home to around 3.5 million people, including those who evacuated after the surrender of rebels in other Syrian areas. Muallem said in his Monday remarks that the government prioritized resolving the situation in Idlib through reconciliation to spare the lives of people in Idlib. However, the minister noted that the Syrian Army cannot stand indifferent about the situation in Idlib if it wasn't resolved as up to 50,000 rebels are believed to be positioned there. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 16:34:32|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close SHANGHAI, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE) will bring new momentum for foreign enterprises to enter the Chinese market, said Jan Wahlberg, consul general of Finland in Shanghai. "I'm quite impressed by the idea of the CIIE," Wahlberg said in a recent interview with Xinhua. "This expo is a good sign of welcoming foreign companies to do business or invest in China." Finland will send a large delegation consisting of representatives from 91 companies to Shanghai next month, and plans to promote industries such as new energies, natural resources, water treatment and tourism services through the platform, said Wahlberg. "CIIE is not only about signing deals, it's about a bigger platform, where we are together to promote the common prosperity of the world economy and trade," Wahlberg said. "Finland feels very proud of its identity as an innovative country with good education and a high-level of technology," the consul general added. For example, Metsa Group, a leading firm in bio-economy that utilizes renewable wood from sustainably managed northern European forests, will show visitors the forestry and production operations via VR facilities. Biofore, a concept biofuel vehicle co-designed by Finnish company UPM and Helsinki University, will also be showcased at the Finnish national pavilion during the expo. In addition, eight Finnish companies will have their booths in the commercial exhibition area, including Nokia, which has nearly 20,000 employees in China. China is the sixth largest export market for Finland and its fourth largest import source. Finland has also become an increasingly popular destination for Chinese investments, especially in innovative areas. Wahlberg believed that as China's economy shifts from being export-driven to more balanced and innovative, the trade and investment ties between China and European countries will become stronger. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 16:34:33|Editor: mmm Video Player Close The Orchestra stages a closing concert of China Now Music Festival at Carnegie Hall in New York, the United States, on Oct. 22, 2018. The inaugural season of the China Now Music Festival was held from Friday to Monday in New York with the theme "Facing the Past, Looking to the Future: Chinese Composers in the 21st Century." This year's festival consisted of three concerts and a panel discussion. (Xinhua/Li Rui) NEW YORK, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- A concert featuring world premiere compositions by a group of distinguished Chinese composers was held here at the Carnegie Hall on Monday. Six pieces of new work of Chinese composers such as "The Landscape of the Northern Country" and "Scented Forest" were played at the concert. All the composers are faculty members of China's Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) in Beijing, which is dubbed as the cradle of 21st-century Chinese composers. The concert attracted hundreds of music fans. Anjuri Jain, a tourist from India, said it provided her with a rare opportunity to appreciate live show of melodies written by Chinese musicians. "It is amazing. Besides Chinese food and kungfu movie star Jackie Chan, I had limited knowledge about China. But now I learnt the charm of Chinese music," Jain told Xinhua. Alice, a New York resident and an ardent fan of Chinese culture, said she was curious about Chinese symphony and the concert offered music to her ears. The event was part of the 2018 China Now Music Festival presented by the U.S.-China Music Institute of Bard College Conservatory of Music in collaboration with the CCOM. It is dedicated to promoting an understanding and appreciation of music from contemporary China through an annual series of concerts and academic activities, according to the institute director Jindong Cai. China Now Music Festival is inspired by the richness and vitality of music in contemporary Chinese society. "With China Now, we hope to bring people and cultures from East and West together through music," said Cai. "Chinese composers are talented and with great imaginations. We hope to continue work and communicate with Chinese composers with music," Robert Martin, director of Bard Conservatory of Music, told Xinhua. The inaugural season of the China Now Music Festival was held from Friday to Monday in New York with the theme "Facing the Past, Looking to the Future: Chinese Composers in the 21st Century." This year's festival consisted of three concerts and a penal discussion. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 16:39:34|Editor: mmm Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia should make more efforts to diversify its mining-dependent economy, World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General Roberto Azevedo has said. Azevedo made the remarks Monday when meeting with Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga at the organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the Mongolian president's press office said in a statement on Tuesday. Battulga is in Geneva to attend the World Investment Forum on Oct. 22-26. "It is important for Mongolia to diversify its mining-dependent economy. The landlocked country should make more efforts to promote the economic diversification," Azevedo said. He expressed his willingness to visit Mongolia next year in order to expand bilateral cooperation between the WTO and Mongolia. Since its accession to the WTO in 1997, Mongolia has been able to strengthen its trade relations with the rest of the world with favorable conditions and use multilateral mechanisms to solve any trade-related issues, according to the Mongolian president's press office. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 16:44:36|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese prosecutors have filed indictments against three former senior officials in separate cases, said the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) Tuesday. Ji Xiangqi, former vice governor of Shandong Province, was accused of bribery and embezzlement, said the SPP. The indictment said Ji had taken advantage of his posts to seek benefits for others, accept a huge amount of money and gifts in return, and illegally possess a large number of public assets. In two other cases, Liu Qiang, former vice governor of Liaoning Province, was indicted on charges of taking bribes and disrupting the election, while Li Yihuang, former vice governor of Jiangxi Province, was charged with bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of public funds and abuse of power. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 17:24:49|Editor: mmm Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed and some 40 others wounded Tuesday in a car bomb explosion in a town in south of Mosul, the capital of Iraq's northern province of Nineveh, the Iraqi military said. The blast took place in the morning when a booby-trapped car went off at a popular market in the town of Qayyara, some 50 km south of Mosul, the Iraqi Army Colonel Rayadh al-Juboury in the town told Xinhua. The huge explosion destroyed several nearby shops and many outdoor stalls, along with damaging nearby civilian cars, Juboury said. The latest security and medical reports put the death toll of the blast at seven, including two soldiers, while some 40 people were wounded, he added. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State (IS) militant group, in most cases, has been responsible for such attacks, targeting areas where crowds of people gather, including markets, cafes and mosques across Iraq. Many of Iraqi cities, including the capital Baghdad, have been witnessing tangible improvement in security after the Iraqi security forces managed to regain control of IS strongholds across the country late in 2017. However, small groups and individuals of IS militants melted in urban areas or regrouped in deserts and rugged areas in many areas in Iraq looking for safe havens. They are still capable of carrying out attacks from time to time against the security forces and civilians despite operations from time to time to hunt them down. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 17:39:52|Editor: mmm Video Player Close ROME, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Cinema lovers, young and old, flocked Monday to hear legendary American director Martin Scorsese talk about films at a sold-out event at the Rome Film Festival, where he was hailed by two standing ovations. People stood in line for hours before packing a 1,133-seat hall to experience first-hand the director of seminal films such as Mean Streets, Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, and Goodfellas, to name just a few. The Oscar-winning director, who turns 77 in November and whose grandparents emigrated from Sicily to New York in 1910, showed sequences from nine Italian films that influenced him as a young man, then regaled the public with his thoughts on how Italian Neorealism "changed his life." "When I was five years old we had a little TV, and the Neorealist films were shown," Scorsese recalled. "Here was this other world, that was created on celluloid, but they didn't seem like films to me. We existed with these films, they were a part of our life, and were spoken about as if they were imminently real, in New York at that moment," he said. Scorsese explained that he grew up in a tough neighborhood in New York, and that when he first saw Pasolini's 1961 drama Accattone, which starred non-professional actors playing petty criminals and the working poor "it was a shock, because I understood the people, I knew them (from my own life)." Italian Neorealist cinema "gave me another aspect of what film could be," Scorsese said. For example, he said, Roberto Rossellini's way of "stripping away to the essentials cleared my way to make Raging Bull and King of Comedy, and I always go back to that way of thinking." Scorsese also said that Michelangelo Antonioni "taught me that composition is narrative. He takes the usual narrative forms -- plot, narrative -- and then takes them away. Like Ingmar Bergman did with Persona, he redefined cinematic language." He said that watching Antonioni's 1960 movie L'Avventura (The Adventure) over and over taught him "to see and experience cinema differently." The enigmatic tale about a young woman whose best friend mysteriously disappears during a boating trip in the Mediterranean made actress Monica Vitti an international star. Scorsese also praised Luchino Visconti's 1963 film The Leopard, starring Claudia Cardinale, Burt Lancaster and Alain Delon, which he described as "a major influence on Raging Bull." "What we have here is a film that has a deliberately meditative and very firm pace combined with very lush frames," said Scorsese, adding that he was struck by "how the music matches the actual movement of the actors in the frame." After the talk, celebrated Italian director Paolo Taviani gave Scorsese a Lifetime Achievement award, and the two masters, who are also old friends, hugged each other to cheers and thunderous applause from the audience. The Rome Film Festival runs through Oct. 28. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 17:39:53|Editor: mmm Video Player Close MADRID, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- When Atletico Madrid travel to Borussia Dortmund in Champions League on Wednesday night, the main danger they face will be Spain international striker Paco Alcacer. Alcacer joined Dortmund on loan from FC Barcelona over the summer after struggling to adapt to Barca's style of play, but has had no problems fitting into German club. For a player who likes to run into space and hit the ball early, Barca's more patient build-up left him frustrated, but he is thriving with a side that gets the ball forward quickly. Alcacer has played only 127 minutes in four games for Dortmund in the Bundesliga, but has scored seven goals, only three less than the ten league goals he netted in two campaigns with Barca. The Spaniard averages a goal every 18 minutes in the competition (currently the best goals to minutes ratio in Europe by a long way) and also has a goal in the Champions League. That form earned him a return to the Spain national team squad for the last round of international matches and Alcacer returned after over two years in the wilderness with two goals in the 4-1 win away to Wales. Although he was a substitute in Spain's 3-2 home defeat to England four days later and had to watch as the English raced into a 3-0 first half lead, the striker then came on and pulled Spain back into things with his first touch as he scored a glancing header from a corner. "It is a very important game for us," he said of Atletico game recently and although Alcacer is a slight doubt for Wednesday's game after suffering a muscle problem against Stuttgart at the weekend. If he is fit, there is no doubt who the Atletico Madrid defenders will have to keep an eye on. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 17:44:54|Editor: mmm Video Player Close Photo taken with mobile phone shows a burning vehicle at the accident site in southwest Pakistan's Mastung on Oct. 23, 2018. At least seven people were killed when a van carrying smuggled petrol hit into a truck in Mastung district of Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Tuesday morning, local reports said. (Xinhua/Stringer) ISLAMABAD, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed when a van carrying smuggled petrol hit into a truck in Mastung district of Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Tuesday morning, local reports said. The collision triggered fire in the van, burning all seven people onboard to death, Samaa News reported. Police said the driver was hiding smuggled petrol in a make-shift tank in the van, and they have cordoned off the area to probe into the incident. Three vehicles parked near the accident site also caught fire. The blaze disrupted road traffic for three hours. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 18:00:00|Editor: mmm Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday announced his intention to withdraw his country from the decades-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty because "Russia has violated the agreements." The Russian Foreign Ministry and the State Duma (the Lower House of the Federal Assembly) slashed back respectively on Sunday, denouncing such allegations and vowing to response with military, technological and other means necessary should Washington insist on pulling out willfully. The INF Treaty, formally Treaty Between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Elimination of Their Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles, is an arms control agreement signed on Dec. 8, 1987 by then U.S. President Ronald Reagan and then USSR General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev in Washington. The deal marked the first-ever pact reached by Washington and Moscow on nuclear disarmament and a major step forward in restricting arms race. However, Washington's withdrawal would put the whole world in an arms control crisis, State Duma International Affairs Committee Chairperson Leonid Slutsky said on Sunday. The landmark treaty, which came into force in 1988, obliged both countries to eliminate ground-launched cruise and ballistic missiles within three years' time, and not to test, deploy or possess these weapons in the future. The stipulation covers short-range missiles (500 to 1,000 km) and medium-range missiles (1,000 to 5,500 km), including conventional and nuclear warhead missiles as well as ground-based launchers. To ensure the implementation of the treaty, both parties are allowed to conduct on-site inspections. According to the inspections, as of the beginning of 2001, Russia and three other CIS countries destroyed 889 medium-range missiles and 587 launchers, 957 medium- and short-range missiles and 238 launchers while the United States, 677 medium-range missiles and 288 launchers, 169 medium- and short-range missiles and one launching device. In recent years, Washington and Moscow have been involved in several rounds of finger-pointing on this issue. As early as 2014, U.S. media reported that Moscow violated the treaty with 9M729 ground-base cruise missiles, which had a range of less than 5,500 km. In December 2017, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov accused Washington of violating the treaty, arguing that the missile defense system in Romania -- also scheduled for deployment in Poland this year -- could launch Tomahawk medium-range missiles apart from interceptor missiles. White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders said in March 2018 that Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement on the development of missile forces confirmed that Russia had been developing "destabilizing weapons systems for over a decade, in direct violation of its treaty obligations." Sergei Ryzhkov, head of the Russian Defense Ministry's Nuclear Risk Reduction Center, pointed out in May 2018 that Washington produced a series of target missiles. The missiles' tactical and technical characteristics, especially the flight range, belong to the class of short-range and medium-range missiles, Ryzhkov said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 18:05:02|Editor: mmm Video Player Close CHENGDU, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- A robot can not only assist with surgery nowadays, but also help with the process of dispensing medicine for chemotherapy. A robot nurse employed to prescribe medicine for chemotherapy has started its career in Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, sources at the hospital said Tuesday. It is the first robot used for automatically dispensing medicine from prescriptions for chemotherapy in central and western China. Previously, such types of robots have been employed only in hospitals in Shanghai and Shenzhen. Most chemotherapy drugs are poisonous and can take a toll on one's health, according to Chen Tao, head nurse at the oncology department of the hospital. Nurses who are in charge of writing prescriptions for chemotherapy used to wear protective suits to do the work and it usually took several hours, Chen said. "Now, the robot nurse can complete the whole process automatically. We do not have to worry about our own health and have more time to take care of patients," Chen said. After a doctor's prescription, a pharmacist will review the prescription and stick labels with QR codes on different medicines. Then, these medicines will be sent to an intelligent dispensing room, where another pharmacist will use the robot's equipment to scan the codes before the robot starts its work. "The pharmacist only spends around 20 seconds to help the robot start the dispensing process. It will take just a few dozens of seconds for a robot to make a prescription," said Tong Rongsheng, director of the pharmaceutical department at the hospital. With the robot's assistance, the process of dispensing chemotherapy medicine has become more accurate while the health risks and exposure to medical workers have been reduced, according to Tong. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 18:10:04|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close A train carrying 30 carriages of mechanical equipment, auto parts and daily necessities is seen at a logistics center in Lanzhou, northwest China's Gansu Province, Oct. 23, 2018. A new rail and road cargo service was launched Tuesday, linking Lanzhou with Islamabad in Pakistan. The first train left the logistics center Tuesday morning, bound for Kashgar in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The goods will then be transported to Islamabad by a highway. This was the second freight train service launched by Gansu to south Asia. (Xinhua/Li Jie) LANZHOU, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- A new rail and road cargo service was launched Tuesday, linking Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, with Islamabad in Pakistan. The first train carrying 30 carriages of mechanical equipment, auto parts and daily necessities left a logistics center Tuesday morning in Lanzhou, bound for Kashgar in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The goods will then be transported to Islamabad by a highway. According to Luo Zhe, deputy director with the management committee of the International Land Port of Gansu (Lanzhou), the 4,500-km trip will take 13 days, around 15 days less than the traditional sea route. This was the second freight train service launched by Gansu to south Asia. In 2016, a rail and road cargo service opened between Lanzhou and Kathmandu, Nepal. "I hope the new rail and road cargo service can set a good example for cooperation between China and Pakistan and encourage more countries and regions to join the Belt and Road Initiative," Luo said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 18:10:06|Editor: mmm Video Player Close BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday said it has expressed concern to the United States after two American warships passed through the Taiwan Strait. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the comments at a daily news briefing. "China has closely followed the passing of U.S. warships through the Taiwan Strait and monitored the whole process," said Hua. She said the Taiwan issue concerns the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China and is the most important and sensitive issue in the China-U.S. relationship. "We urge the U.S. to strictly abide by the three China-U.S. joint communiques and properly handle Taiwan-related issues so as to avoid impairing bilateral relations as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Hua said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 18:15:06|Editor: mmm Video Player Close ACCRA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Authorities ordered the closure of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana's second largest city of Kumasi, 280 km north of the capital late Monday, local media has reported. The decision coming on the heels of violent protests which rocked the campus of the school on Monday is aimed at restoring sanity while the government took steps to mediate in the impasse. Protest by students on the campus on Monday over what they thought was the high-handedness of authorities in dealing with students turned violent with properties including motorbikes, motor-vehicles, school structures among others vandalized by the rampaging students. This happened after around ten students who were part of a vigil being kept by students on Friday night were arrested by the police. However, the Students Representative Council described the action by the authorities as repressive and so organized the Monday protests. Hundreds of police personnel drawn from all over the region were deployed on the campus to restore calm. The Regional Security Council took the decision late Monday to close down the school indefinitely after a meeting with school management. The Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah who announced the decision to the media added that there was a dusk-to-dawn curfew between the hours of 6.00 pm and 6.00 am imposed on the school, starting late Monday. All students except foreign students were given up to noon on Tuesday to vacate the school premises. In this file photo taken on December 15, 2014, general manager of Alarab TV, Jamal Khashoggi, looks on during a press conference in the Bahraini capital Manama. (AFP photo) ANKARA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was "planned." "All information and evidence revealed till now have showed that Khashoggi was a victim of a brutal killing," Erdogan said at the ruling Justice and Development Party's parliamentary group meeting. "Saudi consulate cameras were removed, all footage was deleted from hard drives. Camera footage shows that Khashoggi did not leave the consulate," he said. Erdogan described the killing of Khashoggi as "a political murder," adding that a neutral and fair committee should be established to conduct the investigation. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 18:30:17|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close by Peter Mertz DENVER, the United States, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- American farmers have a long, cold winter to digest their options, but corn seeds may fill their fallow fields when spring planting begins. Sales of soybeans to China in 2018 are already down 24.6 percent, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistics released last week. In 2017, the world's most populous nation imported 34 million tons of U.S. soybeans, followed far behind by the EU with 4.3 million tons, Mexico with 3.6 million tons, and Indonesia with 2.3 million tons. Exports to China may never be as bountiful. "If markets and the relative prices of soybeans to corn remained as they are today, it's likely that we could see more acres shift from what was seeded in soybeans in 2018 to being seeded in corn in 2019," said Montana State University (MSU) economist Anton Bekkerman. With soy prices dropping to decade lows, industry insiders told Xinhua that despite double dips in the closely-connected soy and corn sectors, America's heartland may see cornstalks skyrocket in 2019. Most farmers across the country oppose the trade war started by the United States with China, and view the Trump administration's 12 billion U.S. dollar bailout as a band aid on an industry getting blasted by billions in lost revenues, with future profits in jeopardy. An Iowa State University study last month said Hawkeye farmers alone would lose 2.2 billion dollars from the trade war, with corn and soybeans dominating field crop output. "We're getting hit on both ends by the trade war," Montana farmer Matt Flikkema told Xinhua. "Not only are the prices of our crops dropping but we're also paying more for equipment due to the tariff on steel and aluminum." Wheat, corn and soy prices have fallen across the board since the trade war began early this year; soy fell more than 12 percent in recent weeks. STAGNANT SOY In 2017, China, the world's largest soybean customer, bought 12.3 billion dollars worth of the 21.5 billion dollars soy export market, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). China imposed a retaliatory, 25 percent import tax on American soybeans in July in response to U.S. tariffs on 34 billion dollars worth of China products. "The situation for soy farmers doesn't look very promising," Bekkerman said Monday, as a prolonged trade war is expected. Industry insiders told Xinhua that China cannot wait, needing grains for its livestock needs, and is inking deals with Brazilian farmers and seeking other international players to replace the lost American import. "At this juncture of deepening trade tensions, it is unlikely that private traders in China would seek to buy U.S. origin soybeans," JPMorgan analysts said earlier this month. Even worse, in America's heartland, soy storage facilities are overflowing with soy that has nowhere to go. "The problem is that the loss of China's market has fractured the U.S. export supply chain for grains and oilseeds," Vincent Smith, a 30-year agro-economics professor at MSU, told Xinhua, stressing that the "lack of access to China's markets is causing delays in moving soybeans." Last week, Nancy Johnson, executive director of the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association, said in a statement that 236 million bushels of soy are sitting on the shelf, with no buyer in sight. Ironically, good weather has exacerbated the excess. In August, the USDA predicted that soy, corn and wheat harvests would reach record yields in 2018, due primarily to favorable growing conditions. In the next few months, U.S. soy farmers will become more and more desperate to empty their vaults, industry insiders told Xinhua. CORN TIME Four U.S. states produce over 1 billion bushels of corn: Iowa, followed by Illinois, Nebraska and Minnesota, according to the USDA. "Iowa has led the nation for years in growing corn," Iowa-raised farmer Ben Vandermolen told Xinhua. America grows and exports more "maize" than any other country in the world, producing 337 million tons in 2017, followed by China with 224 million tons, Brazil with 83 million tons, and India with 42 million tons, according to Worldatlas.com. Corn is used in a variety of products that include penicillin, whiskey, ethanol, sugar, corn silk and starch, with livestock feed and ethanol accounting for more than half of its use, according to the USDA. Besides corn and soy, wheat is also one of America's top three export crops worth of 100 billion dollars in annual revenue, and when one commodity is affected, the others are too, economists told Xinhua. "For wheat markets, the biggest 'spillover' is that the corn and soybean markets are likely creating a bit of a price ceiling," Bekkerman said, again underscoring China's outreach to other markets to fill its grain needs. DISINFORMATION Recent messages and information from the White House have farmers stunned. Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that "soybeans are going up," and "we've had very little hurt," causing consternation in farming circles. The U.S. president has consistently blamed "terrible trade deals" as the cause of falling farm revenue, a fact refuted by both farmers and economists. "Trump's link between trade deals and falling prices is misplaced," said Politifact, a nonprofit project operated by the Poynter Institute in Florida, noting that soybean prices have fallen since 2012 and the main driver has been weather, like drought. "Lower supply led to higher prices. Good weather followed, which boosted yields and pushed prices down," it noted. Both Smith and Bekkerman, leading agro-economists, agree that "fair, free trade" is the blueprint for a "win-win" outcome for both countries. "We need a trade deal with China," Smith said. "Not only is this foolish tit-for-tat exchange going nowhere, but it is hurting the American farmer across the board." American farmers believe officials in Beijing are moving demand to South America and away from the United States, a trend that could be permanent. "It takes a great deal of time to establish, develop, and maintain these trade relationships," Bekkerman said, adding "they may not come back." Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 18:30:17|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close HARARE, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Illegal foreign currency dealers on Tuesday literally deserted the streets in Harare's Central Business District, as the government continues warning that it will deal severely with offenders. The parallel market rate of the U.S. dollar to the bond dollar also fell drastically from around 350 percent on Friday to 150 percent Monday, but dealers said the situation continued to be volatile while prices of basic commodities continued to soar. A tour by Xinhua in the CBD showed that most of the dealers who used to throng Sam Nujoma Street and the First Street Mall were nowhere to be seen, while just a few brave ones whispered to potential buyers that they were open for business. A honey vendor said while the illegal dealers were not visible, they were still around but remained wary of the authorities. "Just like me, they disappear at the first sight of trouble and remain underground until they feel that it is safe to continue with their business." Some dealers have also masked their activities by remaining on the streets purporting to be buying old Zimbabwe dollar notes but they quickly admit that they also trade the foreign currency. One dealer along Sam Nujoma Street said it had become dangerous to operate openly and had devised new ways to evade arrest by pretending to be only interested in the old notes. The government in Sept. 2017 passed a new law against illegal foreign currency dealing that enables the state to jail offenders for up to 10 years and authorizes the police to seize the cash being transacted. The regulations also impose several other penalties including the freezing of funds, if the illegal deals are conducted through banks, while the courts may impose fines of three times the value of the currency confiscated. Prior to the Sept. 2017 regulations, the Banking Act only allowed the central bank to impose penalties on offenders. The dealers quickly disappeared from the streets, only to reappear when they realized that law enforcement agencies were not descending heavily upon them. Since then, business has been flourishing on the black market from where companies are said to have been sourcing foreign currency because local banks have not been able to provide it. It is also suspected that top politicians and some business people are behind the illegal activities. Two weeks ago, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared war on the black market saying that it was a threat to national security. "A great threat to our bid to stimulate productive activity in the economy comes by way of non-productive, speculative activities operating below the radar but involving millions in precious foreign currency and bond notes. "These nefarious activities thrive on different electronic platforms. New measures will be pursued to stop such malpractices," he said then. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 19:35:31|Editor: mmm Video Player Close Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech during the parliamentary group meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party in Ankara, Turkey, on Oct. 23, 2018. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was "planned." (Xinhua/Mustafa Kaya) ANKARA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was "planned." "All information and evidence revealed till now have showed that Khashoggi was a victim of a brutal killing," Erdogan said at the ruling Justice and Development Party's parliamentary group meeting. The murder was "planned" days in advance according to a "roadmap" set up by Saudis, he noted. Saudi teams made explorations in the forest near Istanbul and the northwestern province of Yalova before murdering Khashoggi, according to the Turkish president. "Saudi consulate cameras were removed, all footage was deleted from hard drives. Camera footage shows that Khashoggi did not leave the consulate," he said. The body of Khashoggi has not been found yet. Turkey demands Saudi Arabia reveal the identity of the "local cooperator" who purportedly took the body, Erdogan stated. During his speech, Erdogan said that the Saudi government formally admitted the killing of Khashoggi 17 days after his murder. "The murder took place inside the Saudi consulate but it should not be forgotten that it took place on Turkish soil. The Vienna Convention does not allow the investigation of such murders to be prevented by diplomatic immunity," Erdogan said, adding that he also expects the convention to be reviewed after this incident. Erdogan described the killing of Khashoggi as "a political murder," adding that a neutral and fair committee should be established to conduct the investigation. He also expressed confidence that Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is cooperating with the investigation, stressing that he doesn't doubt the king's sincerity. The Turkish leader called on the Saudi leadership to allow 18 suspects detained there in this case to be tried in Istanbul. Khashoggi, journalist and columnist for The Washington Post, has been missing since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. A joint Turkish-Saudi team completed an investigation into the case on Thursday after searching the residence of the consul general as well as the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The kingdom claimed early Saturday that Khashoggi died in a brawl in its consulate, but did not give any explanation on the cause of his death. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech during the parliamentary group meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party in Ankara, Turkey, on Oct. 23, 2018. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was "planned." (Xinhua/Mustafa Kaya) Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 19:55:36|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- A lawmaker on Tuesday said that Prime Minister-designate Adel Abdul-Mahdi, who is forming Iraq's new cabinet, is under great pressure over candidates of the security ministries. Ayman al-Shimary, from Saairon parliamentary bloc, which is backed by the prominent Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, told reporters in Baghdad that the "security ministries became a controversial issue among the political parties. Each bloc wants its candidate to be named for one of those ministries." Shimary said Sadr previously warned that those sensitive ministries should be run by experienced, qualified and independent mininster, who are far from the influence of the political parties. "Mahdi has been under pressure by the political parties over the posts of National Security president as well as the ministers of defense and interior," Shimary added. He said that his Saairon bloc had given up its share of posts in Mahdi's cabinet list in order to give Mahdi freedom to choose his cabinet members, adding that if there is no way but to choose candidate from the leading parties, then those who will run security ministries must resign from their parties. Last week, Mahdi's office said in a statement that the prime minister-designate will submit his cabinet list and ministerial program this week. On Oct. 2, the Iraqi parliament elected Barham Salih as president of Iraq, who later named Mahdi as prime minister-designate and tasked him with forming the new government for the next four years. Mahdi has since been busy with tough negotiations with different political blocs in parliament over the members of his cabinet. According to the Iraqi constitution, the prime minister-designate has 30 days to form a cabinet and present it to parliament for approval. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 19:55:37|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's sesame export to China represented close to 70 percent of the country's total export of the product, the Ethiopian Pulses, Oilseeds and Spices Processors-Exporters Association (EPOSPEA) revealed on Tuesday. Haile Berhe, President of EPOSPEA, told Xinhua that China's sesame market has become the major destination for Ethiopian producers and exporters amid an increasing demand for Ethiopian-produced sesame among Chinese buyers. "With the growing trend of sesame export to China, it has become very difficult to imagine the export of sesame without the Chinese market in it," Berhe said. Sesame, together with coffee, is considered as one of Ethiopia's top export commodities as well as the backbone of Ethiopia's economy. The Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources recently announced that sesame production during the current Ethiopian 2018-2019 fiscal year that started on July 9 would surpass 350,000 tons. The ministry further estimated the east African country's revenue from the export of sesame to reach some 500 million U.S. dollars during the current fiscal year. China takes the most significant share of Ethiopia's export of sesame seed with close to 70 percent of the country's export destined to China on average over the past decade, according to the EPOSPEA. The EPOSPEA, which was established in 1998 with the objective of building the capacity of its more than 130 active members in the global market, also aspires to maintain and further strengthen its members' approval among Chinese counterparts. According to Berhe, the first China International Import Expo (CIIE), scheduled to be held from Nov. 5 to 10 in Shanghai, China, would help Ethiopian exporters to maintain their stronghold in Chinese sesame market, eventually helping them to further penetrate the vast Chinese market. "Our association, with more than 130 active members, highly promotes our members to participate in the CIIE as well as other trade fairs and expos so as to assess opportunities that are available in linking up with our Chinese counterparts." he added. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 20:15:42|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese customs authorities reported on Tuesday they had detected the first case of imported Zika virus this year in a man who had recently traveled to the Maldives. The tourist showed symptoms including a fever and rash when arriving at Baiyun International Airport on Oct. 19 in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC). Alarmed customs staff arranged a medical examination and found him Zika-positive two days later, the GAC said in an online announcement without identifying the patient, who was later quarantined at a local hospital. Zika, a mosquito-borne virus, can cause symptoms like fever, rashes and arthralgia, and in rare cases it can be lethal. It has also been linked to brain abnormalities in unborn babies and the paralyzing Guillain-Barre syndrome. The GAC has urged people to protect themselves from Zika when traveling abroad and called for voluntary reports if travelers begin experiencing typical symptoms of the virus. It has also vowed to step up efforts to ensure early detection. China reported a total of 26 cases of imported Zika virus in 2016 and 2017. It has recorded no local spread of the disease. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 20:20:43|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close KUNMING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- About 44 tonnes of narcotics were seized in the first nine months of the year, according to the National Narcotics Control Commission on Tuesday. From January to September, police detained about 94,000 suspects in 78,000 drug-related cases, the commission said at a drug rehabilitation meeting held in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province. The country has seen positive changes in narcotics control with drug production contained, cross-border traffic severely blown and illegal production and distribution of precursor chemicals under control, the commission said. Community correction programs for drug addicts also made progress, it also said. About 1.88 million former drug users have not relapsed for three years since rehabilitation, up 12.9 percent year on year. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 20:20:43|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory message to Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC), on his election as president. In the message, Xi said China and Vietnam are friendly neighbors and important partners with long-lasting traditional friendship. Recalling the mutual visits of Xi and Trong to each other's country last year, Xi said they reached a range of important consensus on developing the relations between two states and the communist parties of two countries under the new circumstance. The sustainable sound development of bilateral ties, increasingly close exchanges of experience in governing the parties and states, and deepening practical cooperation in all fields have brought tangible benefits to the people of both countries, Xi said. Xi said he attaches great importance to China-Vietnam ties. Following the principle of "long-term stability, future-oriented, good-neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation" and in the spirit of "good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners," Xi said he is willing to work with Trong to take the chance of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation to enhance the political leadership of bilateral ties and promote the comprehensive strategic cooperation to a new high. Trong, born in 1944, holds a PhD in politics with specific field of party construction. He was elected CPVCC general secretary in 2011, and re-elected general secretary in 2016. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 20:25:44|Editor: mmm Video Player Close SINGAPORE, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Singapore Branch (ICBC Singapore) launched 1.25 billion yuan worth of three-year offshore RMB bonds and made the bonds listed on the Singapore Exchange on Tuesday, according to a statement. The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Development Bank of Singapore, E.SUN Commercial Bank (Hong Kong), Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation, Standard Chartered Bank and SinoPac Securities (Asia) were the joint underwriters and bookrunners for the issuance. ICBC Singapore said the bonds were the largest single tranche Lion City Bond in Singapore for 2018, and were priced inside the curve with comparables in the secondary markets. Upon the deal announcement, the order book was soon oversubscribed by financial institutions, fund managers, insurance companies and private banks in the region. "The issuance demonstrated the continued confidence of international investors in the China's economic outlook," said Zhou Aimin, deputy general manager of ICBC Singapore. "It also shows the internationalization of the RMB is on a steady trajectory." ICBC Singapore is the first RMB clearing bank outside China authorized by the People's Bank of China, and it is also ICBC's offshore RMB clearing center with the highest RMB clearing volume. Zhou said the branch, as one of the key overseas funding centers and offshore RMB trading hubs of the ICBC group, would continue its efforts to promote RMB internationalization, leveraging ICBC' strength in offering international and integrated financial services. "We strive to provide comprehensive and integrated financial services to support the Belt and Road Initiative and China-Singapore economic and trade cooperation," he added. "As China's economy continues to grow rapidly, we are honored to partner and collaborate with ICBC's Debt Capital Markets team to jointly play a key role in the financial collaboration and information exchange between the two countries," said Chew Sutat, executive vice president of Singapore Exchange Limited. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 20:25:44|Editor: mmm Video Player Close ROME, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Mediterranea Saving Humans, a new Italian humanitarian group, said here on Monday that they sent a migrant-rescue ship to the Mediterranean to monitor the waters between Italy, Libya and Malta and rescue migrants if needed. Mediterranea Saving Humans launched the first Italian-flagged rescue vessel called Mare Jonio on Oct. 3, the anniversary date of a 2013 migrant shipwreck off Italy's Lampedusa island in which close to 400 men, women and children died. The group insisted on sending the vessel though there is a strong public sentiment of anti-immigration and disagreement with the action from the Italian government. "It is estimated that an average of eight migrants die in the Mediterranean every day, making it the most dangerous border in the world to cross," said Mare Jonio shipowner Alessandro Metz. "So we decided to get our own ship to monitor and denounce what is happening, and if necessary, to rescue people," Metz said. The Central Mediterranea route are usually taken by people fleeing wars and famines in Africa and the Middle East. The vessel can safely hold up to 130 people if necessary, according to Metz. Mare Jonio recently completed its first mission earlier this month, in which it played an important role in a rescue of 70 migrants at sea. The ship will take off for its second monitoring mission in the central Mediterranean next week. A total of 21,785 migrants and asylum seekers have reached Italy by sea so far this year, according to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR). An estimated 1,834 have died in the attempt as of Oct. 22, according to UNHCR. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 20:37:20|Editor: mmm Video Player Close A priest of the ancient Samaritan community holds up a Torah scroll during a traditional pilgrimage celebrating the Sukkot, the Feast of the Tabernacles, in Mount Gerizim near the West Bank city of Nablus, on Oct. 23, 2018. Sukkot is a festive holiday in which booths are built to remember the dwellings in which the Hebrews had to live during their travel through the desert. (Xinhua/Ayman Nobani) Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 20:30:45|Editor: mmm Video Player Close BERLIN, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Six German states have formed a new "Alliance of Steel States" in a joint bid to defend the future prospects of the century-old industry, German media reported on Tuesday. Saarland, North Rhine-Westphalia, Brandenburg, Lower Saxony, Bremen and Hamburg make up the six states that have joined. The charter of the alliance was signed by regional government representatives during Germany's first National Steel Summit, which drew 2,500 guests, including senior policy makers and industry executives, in the western city of Saarbruecken, according to Berliner Morgenpost. The conference was convened by the German Steel Federation lobby group, the metalworkers' trade union IG Metall, and local steel producers under the motto "Strengthen steel. Secure the future". Saarland's economy minister Anke Rehlinger said the goal of the summit was to join forces to preserve a strong steel producing location for the future in Germany and Europe. Rehlinger argued that past experience had showed that achieving this goal required a "more coordinated and strategic approach" than the one currently adopted by the German steel producing states. For the SPD politician, the large number of visitors recorded at the summit demonstrated the importance of the steel industry in Germany, as well as underscoring that many employees were concerned about the challenges it faced. German Steel Federation president Hans Juergen Kerkhoff described steel as the basis for internationally-oriented value chains. "Like a seismograph, steel feels how global developments also determine regional perspectives," Kerkhoff said. By uniting in the Steel Alliance, however, the industry would now be able to speak with an "effective and loud voice" in Brussels and Berlin. A key demand made by the alliance at its foundational meeting was for the industry to be treated fairly in the context of the European Union's (EU) market for emissions certificates and the research and innovation strategy of the bloc. The charter emphasizes that steel would remain an indispensable resource in a world with lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In order for steel to meet its potential to play a significant part in the transition to a greener economy, more grants and incentives were needed under the framework of the EU's next multi-year research program when the ongoing "Horizon 2020" scheme ends. In particular, Brussels was urged to offer its assistance in the development of new technologies and processes with a smaller emissions footprint such as hydrogen-powered steel production. IG Metall president Joerg Hofmann warned that steel producers were confronted with far-reaching structural changes which could only be managed successfully with innovation and the help of policy makers. He consequently welcomed the establishment of the alliance as an important step to improve the outlook of the sector and its 85,000 employees in Germany. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 20:35:47|Editor: mmm Video Player Close Officials of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the UN Development Program (UNDP) pose for a group photo after signing an administrative arrangement in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Oct. 23, 2018. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the UN Development Program (UNDP) signed an administrative arrangement Tuesday to promote sustainable management of community development in the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) in the southern part of Bangladesh. (Xinhua) DHAKA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the UN Development Program (UNDP) signed an administrative arrangement Tuesday to promote sustainable management of community development in the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) in the southern part of Bangladesh. ADB Country Director Manmohan Parkash and UNDP Bangladesh Country Director Sudipto Mukerjee signed the document in Dhaka. Under the arrangement, ADB said in a statement that it will provide 471,000 U.S. dollars to UNDP to implement the technical assistance project entitled "Sustainable Management of Community Development for Chittagong Hill Tracts." "The technical assistance project will increase the capacity of village level institutions in planning for local development and service delivery," said Parkash. "Building on UNDP's strong presence in the CHT region, the technical assistance project will also help sustain ADB's interventions; and promote community participation in repair, maintenance, planning, and public asset management." The ADB said since 2003 it has been supporting development in CHT region, which is home to 11 tribes. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 20:40:48|Editor: mmm Video Player Close ANKARA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Tuesday summoned the Greek ambassador Petros Mavroidis over territorial waters disputes, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. The move came after former Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, who resigned on Oct. 17, said Greece was ready to extend its territorial waters from six miles to 12 miles in the Ionian Sea. Last week, Turkish navy stopped a Greek frigate from interfering with a Turkish research vessel operating in the eastern Mediterranean. French Total energy company, in association with Italy's ENI, began a drilling for natural gas in the Cypriot exclusive economic zone in July despite Turkish objections, according to Greek Cypriot officials. Turkey, Greece and the internationally recognized Greek Cypriot government have overlapping claims for jurisdiction of offshore oil and gas research in the eastern Mediterranean. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 20:45:48|Editor: mmm Video Player Close LONDON, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced Tuesday the biggest ever building program that will see more than 11,000 affordable social homes built in the British capital. The program, costing nearly 1.4 billion U.S. dollars, will be City Hall's first-ever imitative dedicated to homebuilding by local councils across London with rents fixed at lower social rent levels. Announcing the four-year plan, Khan said the national government needs to do far more to fix the housing crisis across Britain. Khan has agreed allocations for 11,154 new council homes at social rent levels across London and a further 3,570 other homes, including those for London Living Rent. So-called council houses once saw town and city councils building homes for low rents, aimed mainly at working class families. According to City Hall, council homebuilding fell to nearly zero in the 1990s with the ambitions of many councils held back by a lack of resources and rigid limits on their powers and borrowing. To help councils in London boost their homebuilding plans, Khan is offering councils more funding to kick start a building revolution in the capital. Today's plans will see councils in London increase their building rates over the next four years to a total estimated at five times greater than over the previous four years. Khan, said: "London's housing crisis is hugely complex and has been decades in the making. There is no simple fix, but council housing is the most important part of the solution." Khan said a government decision to allow councils to borrow for house building programs does not go far enough. He said: "We need at least four times the amount of money we currently get from the government for new social and affordable homes, and we need far greater powers to step in and buy land for new council housing." The City Hall report cites the housing crisis in areas like the London Borough of Newham where the council has 27,000 families on its housing waiting list. Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz, said: "This funding will kick-start our ambitious housing program which will see the construction of more than 1,000 quality homes across 40 sites in Newham." According to Fiaz, Newham residents are at the forefront of the housing crisis. "Too many families are desperately in need of a sustainable home they can genuinely afford. We have over 27,000 households on our housing waiting list and more than 4,800 households in temporary accommodation." Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 20:45:48|Editor: mmm Video Player Close ISLAMABAD, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Over 100 billion rupees (about 0.77 billion U.S. dollars) have been laundered out of Pakistan through 107 fake bank accounts, a joint investigation team of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has informed the Supreme Court of Pakistan. A three-member bench of the country's top court headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar resumed a hearing of a case regarding an investigation into money-laundering and fake bank accounts on Monday. Transactions of 47 billion rupees (about 0.36 billion U.S. dollars) have been done through fake bank accounts and 54 billion rupees (about 0.41 billion U.S. dollars) were transferred through the fictitious accounts of 36 companies, Ahsaan Sadiq, head of the investigation team, while submitting the report, told the bench. "Some 600 companies and individuals are associated with the scam. We are trying to reach the real beneficiary of these fake accounts," Sadiq said, adding that "the matter is far more complex than fake accounts." He said billions of rupees were laundered through fake accounts in the name of individuals like rickshaw drivers and vendors who do not know about the existence of accounts in their names. They are tracing and investigating over 500 such bank accounts across the country, the official added. One such account holder, Muhammad Rasheed, a poor rickshaw driver and resident of the country's southern port city of Karachi, has been summoned by the investigation team recently as transactions of 3 billion rupees (about 2.3 million U.S. dollars) had been made in his name from a private bank account. "I was completely unaware of the transactions made through my account and got to know about it after officials of the FIA summoned me. We live in a rented place in a poor locality of the city. I work hard to make both ends meet. I can not even imagine such a big amount," he told local media after recording his statement with the officials recently. The FIA on Tuesday also claimed that the mastermind behind the fake bank accounts that were used to launder over the 0.77 billion U.S. dollars out of the country has been arrested. The mastermind, Aslam Masood, was arrested by the Interpol from Saudi Arabia, local TV channel Geo News quoted sources within the FIA. Currently, the investigation team of FIA has been investigating 32 people in the case, and on its request the Pakistani Interior Ministry has barred 95 individuals suspected to be involved in the case from leaving the country. These developments came at a time when Pakistan is struggling to get out of the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Pakistan was formally added to the grey list in June over its non-compliance with international best practices against money laundering and counter-terror financing. Economic analysts in the country believe that the loopholes in the banking system have a lot to do with the action taken by FATF. Earlier in September, Pakistan's Finance Minister Asad Umar told the Senate that the government is committed to addressing the deficiencies in anti-money laundering system. "The government is taking steps to overcome the deficiencies identified by the FATF," said the minister, adding that the National Executive Committee will review the action plan in order to handle the deficiencies related to currency smuggling and alleged terror financing by banned outfits in Pakistan. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 20:50:49|Editor: mmm Video Player Close ABUJA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Nine people were killed in an accident early Tuesday in Nigeria's Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the busiest inter-state route in the country. The local road safety police confirmed five others sustained serious injuries following the incident which involved a truck and a bus. Clement Oladele, a commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, told reporters that the accident was caused by speeding. Oladele said the bus driver lost control and collided with the stationary truck on the 127-kilometer-long expressway. The injured victims were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, he said, adding the remains of the dead victims were also deposited at a government-owned morgue. The Lagos-Ibadan expressway connecting Ibadan, the capital of Nigeria's southwestern state of Oyo and the commercial hub Lagos, is also the major route to the northern, southern and eastern parts of Nigeria. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 20:50:49|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, announces the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge at an opening ceremony in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Oct. 23, 2018. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) ZHUHAI, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge at a launch ceremony in the city of Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, on Tuesday morning. On behalf of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, expressed sincere thanks and warm greetings to those who participated in the design, building, and management of the bridge. Han Zheng, vice premier and member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, addressed the opening ceremony, which was held at a hall of the Zhuhai Port. The 55-km bridge, situated in the waters of Lingdingyang of Pearl River Estuary, connects the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), Zhuhai and the Macao SAR. The bridge is the first of its kind for Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao to jointly build a supergiant sea-crossing traffic project under the principle of "one country, two systems." At 9:30 a.m., Xi was greeted at the hall by a standing ovation amid joyful music. After watching a video on the building of the bridge, Li Xi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, Carrie Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong SAR, Chui Sai On, chief executive of the Macao SAR, and Han Zheng delivered speeches respectively. At about 10 a.m., Xi walked up to the podium and announced the opening of the bridge. After the ceremony, Xi rode in a vehicle to tour and inspect the bridge. During the inspection, Xi ascended on a platform to overlook the bridge at the east artificial island, which is a key part of the bridge. The bridge is a national project. "You participated in the design, building, and maintenance of the bridge, gave full play to your talents and wisdom, and accomplished the tasks with good quality and quantity," Xi said, adding that he is proud of such achievements. Praising builders of the bridge for breaking a number of world records, Xi said they demonstrate the nation's spirit of striving to overcome any difficulties, the national strength, the innovative ability, and the aspiration to be the world's best. "With the bridge, we have further enhanced our confidence in the path, theory, system, and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics," Xi said. The bridge should not only be structurally sound but also well managed, in a bid to contribute to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, he said. The bridge will help improve personnel and trade exchanges among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, benefit the development of the area, and enhance the comprehensive competitiveness of the Pearl River Delta, Han said. He stressed that the bridge is important for supporting Hong Kong and Macao in integrating their own development into the overall development of the country, and fully advancing mutually beneficial cooperation among the mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao. The construction of the bridge began on Dec. 15, 2009, and its main structure was completed on July 7, 2017. The bridge will officially open to traffic at 9 a.m. on Oct. 24. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 20:55:51|Editor: mmm Video Player Close BAGHDAD, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi parliament speaker condemned a deadly car bomb attack near the northern city of Mosul on Tuesday. "The repeated terrorist attacks in the liberated areas require a quick response to enhance intelligence efforts, and renew the security plans to ensure the protection of people and strengthen stability in these areas," Mohammed al-Halbousi said in a statement released by his office. Halbousi also called for strengthening local police force and other security services, and urged the residents to support security forces. Earlier in the day, an army source said a booby-trapped car went off at a popular market in the town of Qayyara, some 50 km south of Mosul, leaving seven killed and some 40 others wounded. The huge explosion also destroyed several nearby shops, civilian cars and many outdoor stalls, the Iraqi Army Colonel Rayadh al-Juboury told Xinhua. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State (IS) militant group, in most cases, launched such attacks in crowded areas, including markets, cafes and mosques across Iraq. The outgoing Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi formally declared liberation of Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, from the IS in July 2017 after nearly nine months of fierce fighting to dislodge the extremist militants from their last major stronghold in Iraq. Large parts of Iraq's northern province of Nineveh, including the capital Mosul, fell under IS control in June 2014, when government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 20:55:52|Editor: mmm Video Player Close KATHMANDU, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Ishwar Pokhrel will be attending the eighth Beijing Xiangshan Forum to be held on Oct. 24-26, an aide to the deputy prime minister said on Tuesday. Lokendra KC, press adviser to the deputy prime minister, said that the deputy prime minister left for China on Tuesday to attend the forum. The forum is going to witness more than 500 representatives from 67 countries and seven organizations from around the world. This year's forum is themed "Building a new type of security partnership of equality, mutual trust and win-win cooperation." Formerly known as the Xiangshan Forum, the event was first launched in 2006 and aims to promote exchanges and cooperation among defense authorities, armed forces, international organizations and scholars. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 21:05:54|Editor: mmm Video Player Close Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli launches the Made-in-China electric vehicles at the inaugural ceremony in Lalitpur, Nepal, Oct. 23, 2018. Nepal is approaching an electric future by launching the Made-in-China electric buses for the first time in the country. Amid a special function organized in Lalitpur on Tuesday, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated the battery-operated buses, which have been developed by the Chinese company BYD. (Xinhua/Sunil Sharma) KATHMANDU, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Nepal is approaching an electric future by launching the Made-in-China electric buses for the first time in the country. Amid a special function organized in Lalitpur on Tuesday, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated the battery-operated buses, which have been developed by the Chinese company BYD. The formation of electric bus fleet has been regarded as a major milestone for the South Asian country for moving towards a green economy. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the prime minister said the electric buses are symbolic indication of the direction that Nepal is taking towards clean energy. "The conversion of public transport to domestically-produced electricity will displace the expensive imported gasoline and diesel. I believe the conversion to electric mobility will have a significant positive impact on environment and health of the public," Oli said. Mentioning that the country is going to be self-reliant in hydropower with the next few years, he said that the government aims to ensure that at least 20 percent of the overall vehicles will run on electric power by 2020. "Our overall national goal is to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products by 50 percent or even more by the year 2050," Oli said. In the initial phase, five electric buses will be plying on streets of the capital city. Then the electric bus fleet will be operated in Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha, after the construction of the international airport is completed in the region some 10 months later. The vehicles have been financed by the Asian Development Bank and handed over to Lumbini Development Trust. In Kathmandu, the electric buses will be operated under Sajha Yatayat cooperative company. On the occasion, the Nepalese government also launched the "National Plan of Action for Electric Mobility," which mainly focused on the promotion of electric vehicles in the country through different strategies and financing mechanisms. The step has been regarded as a landmark also for Nepal's tourism, as the electric bus fleet will significantly reduce air pollution. Kathmandu valley has been facing severe air pollution in the past few years especially due to smoke emission from the growing number of vehicles. "The government is committed to operating electric vehicles in the major world heritage sites in the near future," Nepali Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari said. Zhang Fan, the economic and commercial counsellor of the Chinese Embassy, said the step will contribute to the new energy development in Nepal and will strengthen collaboration between Nepal and China in the renewable energy sector. After the inauguration, the prime minister himself took a ride in a newly launched electric bus from the event venue to his official workplace Singhadurbar. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 21:15:55|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers on Tuesday reviewed a draft law on international criminal judicial assistance during panel discussions at the ongoing bi-monthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee. According to the draft law, if a suspect is a citizen of a receiving country and if their acts constitute a crime in both countries, they can be transferred home for criminal punishment. The Ministry of Justice will shoulder corresponding responsibilities when dealing with cases related to transferring and managing offenders, the draft reads. Considering what China has achieved in its efforts to repatriate criminals in recent years, the law will play an important role, said Yang Zhen, a member of the NPC Standing Committee, during panel discussions, adding proviso clauses such as "under no conditions should China's sovereignty and laws be infringed" should be added. Zhang Sujun, another lawmaker, said he recommends putting the draft law to a vote during the five-day session, on the grounds that criminal judicial assistance could not only help China in bringing home criminals, but also could help catch notorious criminals from other countries. Enditem China's top legislature on Monday reviewed draft revisions to the law on international criminal judicial assistance, with a special chapter on the transfer and management of offenders added. The draft was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), which began its bimonthly legislative session Monday, for a second reading. With a growing demand for the transfer and management of offenders between China and other countries, it is necessary to make special regulations for better international cooperation, said Zhou Guangquan, vice chairman of the NPC's Constitution and Law Committee. Zhou said the revisions are based on China's experience in criminal judicial assistance cooperation with certain countries and regions. The Ministry of judicial will shoulder corresponding responsibilities when dealing with cases related to transferring and managing offenders, the draft said. If an offender is a citizen of a receiving country and if their acts constitute a crime in both countries, they can be transferred home for criminal punishment, read the draft law. Such a transfer can only be made with the permission of the two countries and the offender in question, the draft law stated. Without the authorization of Chinese authorities, agencies, organizations and individuals within the Chinese territory are not allowed to provide foreign countries with evidence, materials and assistance as stipulated in this law, it said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 21:41:01|Editor: mmm Video Player Close BEIRUT, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Tuesday slammed Israel for trying to "stir up" tension in southern Lebanon by making "false" accusations that Hezbollah holds secret missiles near Lebanon's Rafic Hariri International Airport. "We have proved that Israeli's accusations are false. These accusations aim at stirring up tension in southern Lebanon," the Presidency's website cited Aoun as saying. "Everybody has noticed that Israeli warplanes violate Lebanon's airspace on a continuous basis," the president added. On Oct. 1, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Hezbollah stockpiled missiles at three different sites near Rafic Hariri International Airport in the south of the capital Beirut. This prompted caretaker Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil to lead a tour of foreign envoys and journalists to two of the three sites pinpointed by Israel. Aoun made the remarks during his meeting with Stefano Del Col, head of mission and force commmander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), at Baabda Palace. Aoun praised the UNIFIL's role in southern Lebanon and its cooperation with the Lebanese army. Del Col said he has been discussing with the United Nations Secretariat about the Israeli violations of Lebanon's sovereignty. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 21:46:04|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close SYDNEY, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Ten Chinese-Australian youths from public and private sectors have become the recipients of the 2018 Golden Wattle Awards, which celebrate outstanding achievements and contributions to the community. The winners, in fields ranging from public services, arts and sports, academia to business, received the biennial accolade in a ceremony at the University of Sydney in the New South Wales (NSW) state capital at weekend. The 10 winners of the 2018 awards are: Li Jing, director at international development at South Australia state's Department of Trade, Tourism and Investment; Maggie Jiang, associate professor in international studies and director at the Confucius Institute, University of Western Australia; Dan Yang, partner/head of China practice (Australia) for law firm Ashurst; Yu Tao, professor of civil engineering and head of postgraduate studies, University of Wollongong; Nancy Jian, CEO of Chemist Warehouse China division; Livia Wang, founder and director of Access Marketing and Communications; Eric Gao, founder and CEO of BMY Group; Renee Zhao, partner at accounting and advisory firm ShineWing Australia; Francesca Hung, Miss Universe Australia 2018/19; and Jason Phu, lecturer at the University of New South Wales, art and design. The founder of the awards, Forest Gan, who is also president of the Australia-China Youth Business Council (ACYBC), said at the event that "no matter where we come, we all have one dream: push for friendship between Australia and China through generations." Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison sent a congratulatory message to the event, lauding the many Chinese-Australian contributions to the country and the development of bilateral relations between the two countries. The passion, courage and leadership of those recognized by the awards help fuel Australia's economic growth and competitiveness in a fast-changing world, he said. The Golden Wattle Awards, named after Australia's national flower, is supported by the Australia-China Parliamentary Friendship Group and given to Australian citizens or permanent residents under 40 years old with Chinese heritage. "We thrive in our respective fields and shine ... We admire, complement and support each other to succeed as a group," said award winner Li. "All these are not possible without the Golden Wattle Awards which bring us together, encourage us to make our contributions more visible and build a stronger Chinese community in Australia." Zhao dedicated her award to the people who migrated to Australia recently or generations ago, carrying "the raw passion of bridging the Australian and Chinese business cultures and economies." Luminaries who attended the ceremony included the NSW Minister for Finance, Services and Property, Victor Dominello; and Craig Laundy, member of Australian federal parliament. Laundy also chaired the panel for the awards. The winners were chosen from a list of 20 nominees through a process that lasted half a year, including more than 200,000 online votes as well as specialist reviews and recommendations. Award organizers also held a charity auction at the event to raise funds to help farmers affected by one of the state's worst droughts this year. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 22:01:08|Editor: mmm Video Player Close BEIRUT, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- French Ambassador to Lebanon Bruno Foucher on Tuesday urged Lebanon to form a new "active" government very soon, the National News Agency (NNA) reported. "We want to stand by Lebanon but to be able to do so, we need an active government that is assuming its role and we hope that it will be formed very soon," Foucher was quoted as saying. Foucher's remarks came during a ceremony held at the Residence des Pins in memory of the 58 French soldiers who were killed in the Drakkar building bombing in Beirut on Oct. 23, 1983. Foucher paid tribute to the 58 French soldiers who "honorably lost their lives to serve peace in Lebanon." The ambassador also reaffirmed France's full commitment to establishing a free, sovereign, united and peaceful Lebanon capable of facing current economic and security challenges. Lebanon has failed to form a government since the parliamentary elections in May, due to the rifts among rival parties over the share of cabinet posts. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 22:01:09|Editor: mmm Video Player Close JUBA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan government on Tuesday confirmed main opposition leader Riek Machar will participate in peace day celebrations as a good gesture for cherishing reconciliation and unity. Tut Kew Galuak, chairman of the organizing committee, said all the opposition leaders that signed the revitalized peace agreement in Ethiopia are coming on Oct. 30 to attend the festivities for the national celebration of achieving peace deal. "The president and the government are ready to host the event and demonstrate to the region and the world that Juba is committed to bringing lasting, durable peace to the people," he said. President Salva Kiir and Machar, leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Army-in-opposition (SPLA-IO), inked the final peace deal mediated by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an east African bloc. South Sudan's conflict has now entered its fifth year since it erupted in 2013 after forces loyal to Kiir and his former deputy Machar engaged in combat. The 2015 peace agreement to end the violence was again violated in July 2016 when the 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. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 22:26:13|Editor: mmm Video Player Close SANAA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- An airstrike carried out by the Saudi-led coalition wounded two beekeepers and destroyed 50 beehives in Yemen's northwestern province of Hajjah on Tuesday, a local official said Tuesday. "The coalition airstrike targeted a vehicle carrying beehives near a mountainous forest in Bani Hasan area of Abs district this morning, badly injuring the two beekeepers and destroying 50 beehives along with the vehicle," Abdullah Shuayb, a member of Abs local council, told Xinhua by phone. Yemen's honey, known for its purity and health benefits, has been hailed as among the best in the world. However, the country's civil war has badly paralyzed its traditional honey business. Earlier this month, a coalition airstrike killed five beekeepers in a bee yard in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, according to local sources. Saudi Arabia is leading an Arab military coalition that intervened in Yemen in March 2015 to support the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after the Houthi rebels forced him into exile. The Yemeni civil war has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced nearly 3 million others. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 22:41:17|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Photo taken on Oct. 11, 2018 shows a Nova Vita vineyard in Lobethal, Australia. To winemaker Mark Kozned, the upcoming China International Import Expo is probably the most significant expo this year, where he expected to establish more relationships with customers in the Chinese market. (Xinhua/Pan Xiangyue) by Bai Xu, Pan Xiangyue ADELAIDE, Australia, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- To winemaker Mark Kozned, the upcoming China International Import Expo is probably the most significant expo this year, where he expected to establish more relationships with customers in the Chinese market. "The potential of the Chinese market is unlike any other market in the world," he said. "The growth potential is enormous." Kozned is managing director of Nova Vita, a wine group in Adelaide hills of South Australia. South Australia produces more than 60 percent of wine in Australia. While Australia is home to around 5,000 wine producers, South Australia would account for 1,500 to 2,000. In comparison, Nova Vita, which means "new life" in Latin, is a young enterprise, set up in 1999. "It was set up by my wife and I," Kozned said. "I studied in the wine industry after coming back for 15 years in the finance industry when I worked in Melbourne, Sydney, New York and London." In fact, the Kozned family has a long tradition of growing grapes and making wines. Before migrating to Australia after World War II, the family grew grapes in the Caucasus grape growing region in south Russia, which is famed for producing quality wines. Their wines were sold throughout Russia as well as used by the Orthodox church. So the man decided to pick up the lost tradition. Their business started with one vineyard, which has now grown to three vineyards covering 85 hectares. They now produce about 2 million bottles of wine per annum. His first visit to China was in 2012, as a result of going on a trade mission with the South Australian government. They visited Qingdao in east China's Shandong province, a sister city of Adelaide, and then the economic hub of Shanghai. Biggest achievement of that visit was his first customer from Qingdao who ordered 300 cases of Shiraz. Kozned's door was then open to the Chinese market. "I think the Chinese market is fantastic," he said, noting that in 2012, about 100 million Australian dollars (about 71 million U.S. dollars) of Australian wines were sold to China including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This year Australia expects to export wines worth of 1.2 billion Australian dollars to China. "If you look at our overall business, we have wine sales of 2.2 million Australian dollars a year, of that China would account for around 40 percent of our turnover," he said. "This year we expect to export more than 10 containers of wine to China, with a sales volume of more than 800,000 Australian dollars. So it is a very significant market to us, mostly of premium wine." Over the years, he observed that, with the rise of people's living standard in China, demand of Chinese customers is changing. "During my first visit, most of the inquiries are about entry-level wine, what I call everyday drinking wine about three (Australian) dollars a bottle," he recalled. "Now most of the inquiries are about wine that is mid-level, something you can have at home with dinner or with good friends, or for premium wine which people tend to use for gift-giving especially around Mid-Autumn festival or the Chinese New Year." Now over 90 percent of the Nova Vita wines sold to China are mid-level or premium wines. "If you go to Shanghai or Beijing, you see wine bars and good restaurants have a mix of foreign wines. More and more foreign wines. That shows what is happening in the market," Kozned said. However, Chinese customers have different palate for wines from the West. "They like what I call fuller-bodied wines, which are riper, more aromatic with more alcohol and richer of fruit," he said. "When I first started selling into China, the only product I have is the Firebird range of wines," he added. "We developed the GK range for the export market, largely for the Chinese market. The GK range is much riper style." Since 2012, Kozned has travelled to China for at least 25 times. "I have been to 10 different expos throughout China," he said. "This expo is very important because it is endorsed by the national government ... Big important Chinese businesses are going there." He said he would like to establish more relationships with customers in the market they had never been exposed to before. "Chinese customers need to be you have to be friends and then you listen," he said. "I meet them in Australia, I host them in Australia, I go to there, learn about their business, and then we do business. So that is creating that kind of relationship. This expo creates the ability to meet new customers and form relationships." This year Nova Vita is going to introduce what they call a "super-premium Shiraz" for the expo. "It is a really high-end wine," he said. "It is a blend of traditional Adelaide hills Shiraz incorporated with some Barossa valley Shiraz." He hoped that he could see an improvement of the Sino-Australia relationship as well. One thing Kozned would like to say to his Chinese customers is that in 20 or 30 years of time, he hoped that their children would still be drinking wines made by his children. "I hope our relationship could be long-lasting," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 22:46:19|Editor: yan Video Player Close MADRID, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish National Police force confirmed on Tuesday that they have detained two suspected jihadists in the provinces of Valencia and Alicante, eastern Spain. The police said the suspects, men aged 55 and 58, are of Syrian origin, who were arrested in the towns of Alaquas, Valencia and Cocentaina of Alicante, with one thought to be a member of the Islamic State (Daesh) and the other, Al-Qaida. The police explained in a communique that the "detainees showed a high level of radicalization and acted as important sources of information, spreading the doctrine of the jihadist groups, Daesh and Al-Qaida" and both had hundreds of online followers. The communique adds that one of those arrested had "superior status" in Daesh's information structure and formed part of a group of messengers especially chosen to carry out propaganda work. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 22:46:20|Editor: yan Video Player Close GAZA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Interior in Gaza Strip, run by Islamic Hamas movement, on Tuesday dismissed a special report of Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Hamas arrests and torture as lacking accuracy. Eyad al Bozzom, the ministry's spokesman, said in an emailed press statement that "the recent HRW report which accused Hamas of practicing arrests and torture is a report that lacks accuracy." "This report really contradicts with reality on the ground," said al Bozzom, referring to the HRW report which accused both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA) of practicing torture in their prisons against the prisoners. Al Bozzom clarified that, several months ago, HRW asked Hamas to brief it with reports related to arrests in Gaza, and Hamas provided detailed information about the real situation in Gaza. "Unfortunately, we found out that their report has totally ignored the accurate data we provided to the organization and published inaccurate information that contradict with reality," he said. The HRW 149-page report, which was titled "Two Authorities, One Way, Zero Dissent," said there are arbitrary arrest and torture under the PA and Hamas. The report, which was a result of a two-year investigation of 86 cases and interviews with 147 people, evaluated "patterns of arrest and detention conditions" in the West Bank and the Gaza strip. Adnan Dameri, spokesman of the PA security authorities in the West Bank, told reporters that the report "is highly biased and it is full of mistaken information." He denied that any of the HRW representatives has contacted it to get accurate information on the incidents. Dameri stressed that the state of Palestine "has signed all international laws and conventions that ban human rights abuses and torture and is committed to enforce them." File Photo: People cross a pedestrian bridge at the international border port in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, Jan. 28, 2017. (Xinhua/REUTERS) by Xinhua writer Gao Lu LAREDO, the United States, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Though the bustling border metropolis may not be the first city of the United States that comes to people's mind regarding global trade, Laredo, a city with a population of about 250,000 in southern U.S. state of Texas, is a veritable international trading giant. Laredo owns the busiest inland port along the U.S. southern border, which is also the second busiest port overall in the country, trailing only the Port of Los Angeles, California. China is the city's second largest trading partner, with neighbouring Mexico the first. China's trade volume with Laredo increased 5.23 percent to 4.02 billion U.S. dollars in 2017. MORE TRADE WITH CHINA Olivia Varela, president and CEO of Laredo Economic Development Corporation, told Xinhua in a recent interview that China is one of the major trading partners of Laredo with the top trading commodities being electronics, textiles and automotive parts. "One of our major trading partners is China, last year with a five percent increase in trade coming in from China into the United States through this port of entry. So we considered China one of our strongest trading partners that is critical to this region," Varela said. Varela's comments were echoed by Mayor of Laredo Pete Saenz who seems like an energetic and enthusiastic salesman when pitching Laredo as a business-friendly city. According to Saenz, there is a small Chinese community in Laredo, mainly in restaurants and other service businesses. More Chinese investment and businesses are highly welcomed in the city. "Chinese are known for your innovation, ingenuity. You can basically do so many things. You can add value to whatever commerce we have coming from Mexico into the United States and vice versa," Saenz said. Talking about the advantages of Laredo, Saenz said that logistics, distribution and abundant natural resources of energy and water make the city competitive for Chinese investors. "So we have the necessary ingredients to provide anyone willing to do light manufacturing or even heavy manufacturing," he said, adding that "Laredo has land that can be provided as an incentive." With the ongoing trade friction between the United States and China, both Varela and Saenz said they haven't seen negative impact on trade figures. Varela expressed the hope that those issues could be resolved as soon as possible. "We fully expect that once all of these issues are resolved, we will have a much strong relationship and anything that is currently being put on hold will just continue to move forward. We have a very positive outlook for once this is all resolved that we're going to see probably a much more significant growth than that five percent in our trade," she said. Saenz believes that by continuing and expanding trade with China, Laredo can set a good example to the world. "We will continue doing business as we have for years and years. And let's be a showcase to the world that we've got to focus on what we do best and we've done it." The mayor also told Xinhua that he and other Laredo officials had met with representatives of the Chinese city of Suzhou, a major trade and economic center in eastern China. Although discussions between the two cities are in the early stages, Saenz said officials from the two cities are working on developing a relationship. "So come to see the border and see if it suits your needs and if it doesn't, we'll talk and we'll make it suit your needs," Saenz said. "Just give us the opportunity to demonstrate our willingness and our capacity and our resources that we have to provide to any investor that is willing to do business in Laredo, Texas." BUILDING CULTURAL BRIDGES Trade is not the only bridge that links the U.S. border city with the world's second largest economy. Over the years, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) in Laredo has sent over 100 students to China to cultivate better understanding of different cultures and establish a global vision for future leaders. Triana Gonzalez Valdez, director of the Office of International Engagement at TAMIU, explained to Xinhua that the university has different types of exchange programs with Peking University, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics in Chengdu and City University of Hong Kong. Each year, more than 30 students from TAMIU are sent to China through various exchange programs ranging from summer camps to one-year courses. At the same time, Chinese students from those partner universities are also sent to TAMIU to spend a certain period of time. Valdez said exchange programs with China are very popular among the students. Amazed by China's rich culture and history, students always have "tremendously positive" feedbacks when they return from China. "Students are fascinated with the Chinese culture and Chinese language. And a lot of them go for a semester and decided to stay for a longer period of time or decide to go back in teaching English in China," she said. "They grow so much personally. They become more independent. They become more sensitive to other cultures, more aware of diversity and other cultural, social and political issues around the world. So when they come back, they are more globally aware of what's going on in the world," Valdez said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 23:16:29|Editor: yan Video Player Close by Maria Spiliopoulou ATHENS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Greece has the right to extend its territorial waters under international law without negotiations with third parties, Greek Foreign Ministry spokesperson Alexandros Gennimatas said on Tuesday, according to an e-mailed statement. During a handover ceremony at the Greek Foreign Ministry on Oct. 20, former Greek foreign minister Nikos Kotzias, who resigned last week, said Greece was ready to extend its territorial waters from six miles to 12 miles in the Ionian Sea. On Tuesday the Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned the Greek ambassador Petros Mavroidis over territorial waters disputes, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. However, the Greek Foreign Ministry said in a press release that "The extension of the coastal zone is a legal sovereign right of Greece, according to the international law, which can not be disputed." Athens added in the press release that "interpretations of the international law and threats of violence by Turkey" do not contribute to good neighborly relations. The two neighboring countries are at odds over sea borders for decades. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 23:36:36|Editor: yan Video Player Close MADRID, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The anti-drugs unit of the Spanish National Police force (Udyco) on Tuesday reported a joint operation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) leading to the seizure of 1,400 kg of cocaine and the arrest of 10 people. The seizure and arrests were made after members of a Spanish special operations unit boarded a tugboat in the Atlantic Ocean around 1,000 nautical miles off the Canary Islands. The tugboat "Breath" arrived at the Spanish naval base of Las Palmas on the island of Gran Canaria on Tuesday, escorted by the Spanish naval vessel which took part in the operation. Seven of those arrested were Turkish, while the others are a Georgian, a Ukrainian and a Bulgarian. Udyco believes the boat was probably heading for a European (and possibly a Spanish) port with the aim of unloading the cocaine and then distributing it through the continent. "We are talking about a Turkish organization," explained Udyco chief Santo Bernal, adding that it was "the third operation we have carried out" against Turkish gangs. The operation means Spanish authorities have now seized almost 15,000 kg of cocaine on the high seas in 2018 and that "we are managing to stop drugs being landed in Spanish ports". The police report that the tugboat had been tracked in an operation by the DEA and Spanish National Police for "several months." The boat had originally sailed from Turkey to the coast of South America, where it had taken on 40 packets of cocaine, each containing 30 kg of the drug in an offshore operation. When the boat was boarded by Spanish authorities, they found the drugs stored on deck, ready to be thrown into the sea by the smugglers in the event of possible capture. "This is turning into an important year in the battle against drug smuggling by sea routes," said Elena Manez, the Spanish government delegate in the Canary Islands. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 23:41:38|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Belongings of passengers are seen beside rail track after stampede at the Santragachi railway station in India's eastern city of Kolkata on Oct. 23, 2018. At least two people died and around 14 were injured when a stampede took place at the Santragachi railway station on Tuesday evening. (Xinhua/Stringer) NEW DELHI, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least two people died and around 14 were injured when a stampede took place at the Santragachi railway station in India's eastern city of Kolkata on Tuesday evening. According to local media reports, the stampede took place at the over-bridge connecting two railway platforms at the Santragachi railway station, when a train arrived at a different platform than where it was expected, and people ran in a bid to board it. Kolkata is the capital city of India's eastern state of West Bengal. State Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee visited the spot where the stampede took place and took stock of the situation. The injured were admitted in a local hospital, where at least three were discharged after medical care, a railway official in Kolkata told Xinhua. Relief and rescue work is being carried out, and further details of the incident are awaited. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 23:41:39|Editor: yan Video Player Close MOSCOW, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Economic sanctions to be imposed on Ukraine in accordance with a decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin will affect hundreds of individuals and companies, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Tuesday. "There will be many well known persons," Medvedev told reporters, according to a footage shown by the Russia 24 TV channel. The sanctions will include the blocking of assets of certain Ukrainian citizens in Russia, banning exports of their capitals from Russia and suspending imports of certain Ukrainian goods to Russia, Medvedev said. Ukrainian companies, controlled by citizens to be sanctioned, will also be subject for restrictions, Medvedev added. He recalled that Russia continued to be the main trade partner of Ukraine in spite of various sanctions imposed by Kiev. "In the shortest possible time these documents will be put on my table and I will sign them," Medvedev said. On Monday, Putin signed a decree ordering the government to compile a list of Ukrainian individuals and legal entities practicing "unfriendly actions" against Russia and to determine economic sanctions to be applied to the individuals and entities on the list. Relations between Kiev and Moscow have been deteriorating since early 2014 over Crimea and armed conflicts in eastern Ukraine. Kiev has imposed a series of sanctions against Russia since then. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-23 23:46:40|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech during the parliamentary group meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party in Ankara, Turkey, on Oct. 23, 2018. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was "planned." (Xinhua/Mustafa Kaya) ANKARA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was the victim of a premeditated "brutal murder," while demanding that the Saudi suspects be tried in Turkey. "Whitewashing such barbarity will of course injure and wound the conscience of all humanity," the Turkish leader said in a much-anticipated speech to the lawmakers in Ankara. Detailing the events that both led up to and followed the 59-year-old Khashoggi's disappearance after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, Erdogan said there were strong signs that "the incident was not a momentary issue or a momentary result of something that happened on site, but the result of a planned operation." Erdogan confirmed that a body double of the slain journalist was used as a decoy after what he called a "political assassination." He also asked about the whereabouts of the body of Khashoggi, a columnist for the U.S. newspaper The Washington Post and a strong critic of the Saudi government. The Turkish president made no mention of any audio or video recordings reported by Turkish media in the days following the writer's disappearance, containing reportedly gruesome details of his killing and possible dismembering of his body by a Saudi hit squad. Erdogan said that prior to the journalist's killing, a number of individuals had visited the nearby city of Yalova and the Belgrad Forest in Istanbul where searches for Khashoggi's body have been conducted. Erdogan said that the CCTV hard disk had also been removed from the Saudi consulate prior to Khashoggi's visit on Oct. 2. The Turkish leader called on the Saudi leadership to allow the suspects detained in this case to be tried in Istanbul. Saudi government has arrested 18 suspects related to the case. Erdogan also called for an independent committee to be set up to look into the case, adding that he was confident about Saudi King Salman's sincerely and full cooperation. He, however, did not mention Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, widely seen as the most powerful figure in the oil-rich kingdom. "Everyone involved in this murder, from juniors to seniors, from bottom to the top must be brought to justice," Erdogan insisted, adding that "everyone, including the accomplices in foreign territories must be held accountable." Saudi Arabia has confirmed the death of Khashoggi inside its consulate, saying he was killed as the result of a "fistfight" and "chokehold." Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate on Oct. 2. to collect documents for his upcoming marriage to his Turkish fiancee. He has not been seen since. After releasing the results of its initial investigations, the Saudi Public Prosecution announced that 18 people were arrested over their alleged connection to the killing of Khashoggi. U.S. President Donald Trump sent Central Intelligence Agency Director Gina Haspel to Turkey on Monday. She was expected to meet with Turkish officials on Tuesday amid skepticism from Washington about the investigation results released by the Saudi government whose officials have made contradictory statements on the case. "I an not satisfied with what I heard," Trump told reporters at the White House Monday afternoon. Erdogan's address coincided with the start of the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh on Tuesday, which has been overshadowed by the Khashoggi case, with dozens of government and business leaders pulling out. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 00:01:45|Editor: yan Video Player Close RIYADH, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia's King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met on Tuesday two family members of the slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Al Arabiya reported. The king, accompanied by the crown prince, met Khashoggi's brother Sahl bin Ahmed Khashoggi and his son Salah Jamal Khashoggi at the royal palace. The Saudi king and crown prince expressed their "deepest condolences" to the family and relatives of Jamal Khashoggi, while the Khashoggis thanked the royals for their condolences, the report said. Meanwhile, the Saudi cabinet held a meeting Tuesday chaired by King Salman, vowing to hold accountable those responsible for Khashoggi's killing and those who failed to fulfil their duties, the Al Arabiya reported. Measures have been taken by the kingdom to uncover the truth and hold accountable all those behind the killing, whoever might are, the state-run Saudi Press Agency quoted a cabinet statement as saying. The king issued an order on Saturday to reorganize the General Intelligence Presidency, the primary intelligence agency of the kingdom, following the killing of Khashoggi. He dismissed the deputy head of the intelligence agency and an advisor of the Royal Court, and terminated the services of three senior intelligence officers. Eighteen Saudis were also arrested in connection with Khashoggi's death. Khashoggi, a columnist for U.S. newspaper The Washington Post and a strong critic of the Saudi government, has been missing since his entry to the Saudi consulate in Turkey's Istanbul on Oct. 2. The kingdom said early Saturday that Khashoggi had died in a "brawl" in its consulate, without explaining the cause of his death. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 00:11:52|Editor: yan Video Player Close SANAA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- A court controlled by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the capital Sanaa on Tuesday sentenced a man to death for allegedly spying for Saudi Arabia, rebel-controlled Saba news agency reported. The defendant, a Yemeni Sunni Muslim who is a member of the opposition Islah party (Yemen's local branch of Muslim Brotherhood), was detained in 2015 on charges of "espionage for Saudi Arabia," a Houthi official who attended the closed-door trial told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. The agency did not identify the defendant, and the Houthi official also refused to give the name of the accused for fears of reprisals. Tuesday's ruling was the latest in a series of closed-door trials of political opponents held by the Houthis. Islah party, one of the country's largest political parties, joined the Saudi-led coalition's military campaign in 2015 in a major fight with the Houthis, whom Saudi Arabia accused of receiving support from Iran, the kingdom's main regional foe. Saudi Arabia is leading an Arab military coalition that intervened in Yemen in March 2015 upon a formal request from Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after the Houthi rebels forced him and his internationally-recognized government into exile. The Yemeni civil war has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced nearly 3 million others. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 00:16:54|Editor: yan Video Player Close DUBAI, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The number of Russian tourists travelling to the six Arab countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will surge by 125 percent in 2023, a study said Tuesday. The number of Russian tourists visiting the GCC countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman, is expected to reach 2.1 million in 2023 from 933,000 in 2018, according to a report published by Colliers International and commissioned by the annual Arabian Travel Market Fair. Russia's economic ties with the GCC have been strengthened in recent years due to the introduction of new airline routes, loosened visa regulations for Russian nationals, oil price recovery and the stabilization of the Russian currency rouble, said the report. Russia has maintained one of the top 10 tourist source markets for the UAE, with 530,000 Russian visitors entering the Gulf country in 2017, a 121-percent increase from the previous year. The UAE introduced the policy of visa on arrival for Russians in 2017 in order to attract Russian tourists. Dubai's major air carrier Emirates Airline this year expanded its services to Russia, including running a third daily flight to Moscow and flying a A380 airplane to the Russian city of Saint Petersburg. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 00:16:55|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian sesame producers and exporters are interested in augmenting their share in the Chinese sesame market amid a growing demand from Chinese consumers. Speaking to Xinhua, Haile Berhe, President of the Ethiopian Pulses, Oilseeds and Spices Processors-Exporters Association (EPOSPEA), said that export to China currently constitutes close to 70 percent of the east African country's total export of the product to the global market. "China's sesame market has become the major destination for Ethiopian producers and exporters as the demand for Ethiopian produced sesame among Chinese buyers also increased," Berhe said. "With the growing trend of sesame export to China, it has become very difficult to imagine the export of sesame without the Chinese market in it," Berhe said. Sesame, together with coffee, considered as one of Ethiopia's top export commodity as well as the backbone of Ethiopia's economy. The Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources recently announced that sesame production during the current Ethiopian 2018-2019 fiscal year that started on July 9 to hit 350,000 tonnes. The ministry further estimated the east African country's revenue from the export of sesame to reach some 500 million U.S. dollars during the current fiscal year. The EPOSPEA, which was established in 1998 with the objective of building the capacity of its more than 130 active members in the global market, also aspires to maintain and further strengthen its members' approval among Chinese counterparts. According to Berhe, the first China International Import Expo (CIIE), scheduled to be held from Nov. 5 to 10 in Shanghai, China, would help Ethiopian exporters to maintain their stronghold in Chinese sesame market, eventually helping them to further penetrate the vast market. "Our association, with more than 130 active members, highly promotes our members to participate in the CIIE as well as other trade fairs and expos so as to assess opportunities that are available in linking up with our Chinese counterparts," he added. The country, during the previous Ethiopian 2017-2018 fiscal year that ended on July 8, has already exported about 245 million U.S. dollars of goods to China, according to the Ethiopian Ministry of Trade. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 00:16:57|Editor: yan Video Player Close NAIROBI, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- African governments are urged to implement affirmative action policies to ensure the youthful population is at the center of the continent's quest for economic progress alongside social and political renewal. Kenya in conjunction with multilateral partners is hosting the three-day Africa Youth Conference in Nairobi whose theme is prioritizing investments in African youth within the post-2015 Agenda. Margaret Kobia, Cabinet Secretary for Youth and Gender Affairs, told delegates, including policymakers and campaigners, that policy incentives coupled with life-long learning and access to capital were key to ensure the young generation is part of Africa's socio-economic transformation. "Africa is grappling with a youth bulge that should be harnessed to make a positive contribution to the continent's envisaged growth and transformation agenda," Kobia remarked. "We must scale up best practices to ensure the youth have gainful employment, skills and seed capital required to make them self-reliant and resilient," she added. The 2018 Africa Youth Conference sought to spotlight strategic areas that the continent's youthful population can be actively engaged to promote economic growth, peace, stability and environmental sustainability. Kobia said that greater participation of the youth is key to modernizing and enhancing the competitiveness of African economies in the era of globalization. "Our governments should create an enabling environment for the youth to participate in the digital economy that is unleashing the next wave of prosperity in the continent," said Kobia. Multilateral institutions have rallied behind concerted efforts by African countries to tackle youth unemployment, skills deficit and social exclusion that poses existential threat to the continent's stability and progress. Izeduwa Derex-Briggs, the Eastern and Southern Africa Region Director for UN Women, said that competence-based learning, mentorship and easy access to start-up capital is key to ensuring African youth contribute optimally to the continent's growth agenda. "African youth are resilient and can be drivers of change if they have access to requisite skills, technologies, innovations and mentorship,"said Derex-Briggs, adding that growth of social enterprises in Africa is being fueled by the youth. The International Labor Organization says that 3 in every 5 unemployed people in Sub-Saharan Africa are youth hence exposing them to poverty and social ills like crime, drug abuse and radicalization. Mildred Nzau, a Kenyan youth advocate, said that robust public private partnerships could offer solution to skills and funding gaps that limit the capacity of African youth to realize their potential. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 00:21:58|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, attends panel discussions during a bimonthly session of the 13th NPC Standing Committee in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 23, 2018. Panel discussions were held to review a draft amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law, draft revisions to the People's Courts Organic Law and the People's Procuratorates Organic Law, and etc.. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Lawmakers on Tuesday called for expansion of the scope of a proposed criminal default judgment mechanism during panel discussions at the ongoing session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee. Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, participated in the discussion. According to a draft amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law, a trial of default can proceed in corruption-related criminal cases, as well as in serious cases endangering state security and terrorist activities that have been examined and approved by the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) and need to be judged in a timely manner. "The scope is too narrow and should be expanded to cover other serious crimes including drug-related offenses and telecom fraud," said Li Wei, a member of the NPC Standing Committee, adding that the special requirements of default judgment must be met to safeguard the rights of the defendants. Peng Bo, another lawmaker, also highlighted the need to charge suspects who have fled overseas in drug-related and fraud-related cases. During the discussion, lawmakers also called for improvements in legal aid for defendants and compensation of mental health damages for victims in criminal proceedings. They also agreed that the draft revisions to the organic laws of the people's courts and the people's procuratorates are in line with the requirement of the judicial reform, and are ready to be voted upon during this week's session. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 00:21:58|Editor: Chengcheng Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- A test on kids' poop may tell whether they are tempting to become overweight, since a study published on Tuesday in the journal mBio showed that evaluating the gut microbiota of infants could help identify their risks of obesity in coming years. The study revealed that gut microbiota composition at two years of life is associated with body mass index (BMI) at age 12. The BMI at age two was not significantly higher in children who later became overweight or obese, indicating that gut microbiota composition may be the earliest warning sign for detecting obesity. "Our study provides more evidence that the gut microbiota might be playing a role in later obesity," said the paper's lead author Maggie Stanislawski, a research associate at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The researchers analyzed data from 165 infants who had BMI measured at 12 years. They recruited moms and infants in the hospital at the time of delivery. At 12 years of age, 20 percent of the 165 children in the study cohort were overweight or obese. They compared the BMI at age 12 with gut microbiota samples from six time points throughout their childhood, at day four, day ten, one month, four months, one year, and two years. Then, they performed RNA gene sequencing on the gut microbiota samples. "We looked at whether there were specific taxa that were predictive of later BMI at each time point," said Stanislawski. The researchers found qualitative differences in the composition of children's gut microbiota at day ten and at two years that were associated with BMI at age 12. The study also found that some gut microbes that are generally thought to be healthy in both children and adults were associated with higher childhood BMI. "This highlighted that we did not fully understand the dynamics of the gut colonization process." Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 01:12:17|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Afghan farmers work at a potato farm in Bamyan province, central Afghanistan, Oct. 23, 2018. The picturesque Bamiyan province with its beautiful landscape has been a popular tourist destination in the conflict-ridden Afghanistan over the past decades, and growing potatoes in recent years has added to Bamiyan's natural charm. (Xinhua/Noor Azizi) BAMIYAN, Afghanistan, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The picturesque Bamiyan province with its beautiful landscape has been a popular tourist destination in the conflict-ridden Afghanistan over the past decades, and growing potatoes in recent years has added to Bamiyan's natural charm. "Growing potatoes in the central Bamiyan province has become the source of income for the more than 60,000 farmers here," Abdul Wahab Mohammadi, director of the agriculture department in the provincial capital of Bamiyan city, told Xinhua recently. The mountainous Bamiyan, according to its dwellers, is a natural prison, a reference to its geographical location which is surrounded by mountains and rocky hilltops. Regarded as the safest province in the insurgency-plagued Afghanistan's 34 provinces, the mountainous and naturally isolated Bamiyan has also been among the poorest provinces since the collapse of the Taliban regime in late 2001. The region has arable lands, streams, pastures and plateaus, suitable for growing potatoes and animal husbandry. At present, farmers in Bamiyan grow about 20 to 25 tons of potatoes from one hectare of land, Mohammad said, adding if the farmers are supported by better seeds, research and fertilizer, they can harvest up to 60 to 65 tons of potatoes per hectare. "Farmers in Bamiyan are expected to harvest 340,000 to 350,000 tons of potatoes this year, although the drought has affected the potato cultivation," Mohammadi said. "Potato plantations have changed our living conditions over the past 10 years," Bamyan resident Mohammad Karim told Xinhua. Bamiyan has a cold climate, Karim said, which is not suitable for growing rice or wheat, but it's suitable for growing potatoes. Presently, the price of one sir (7 kg) of potatoes is about 80 afghani (1.06 U.S. dollar) at the local market, another Bamiyan resident Ghulam Ali told Xinhua. He harvested about 750 sir (5,250 kg) of potatoes, and is hopeful to earn about 800 U.S. dollars at his doorstep this year. While the insurgency-battered country produces much of the world's opium, Bamiyan remains poppy-free over the past decade and half. To encourage potato cultivation and find market for the product, the provincial administration has been holding "Potato blossom Agricultural festival" annually to put on display a variety of potatoes and potato products. Popular for its quality and taste, Bamiyan potatoes are not only sold to other Afghan provinces but also exported to neighboring Pakistan and Tajikistan, Mohammadi said with pride. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 01:17:20|Editor: yan Video Player Close HELSINKI, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The reputation of Finland as a country where the impact of snow flurries to air travel is minimal got hit on Tuesday in an incident safety report. The Finnish Safety Investigation Authority concluded that the landing of a Bombardier CR900 on a slushy runway in Turku, western Finland in October 2017 could have to a major aviation accident. The crew of four and 88 passengers were not injured. A Bombardier CR900 aircraft arriving from Stockholm rotated 196 degrees counterclockwise during the landing and came to a halt 160 meters from the runway. The City Jet crew transmitted Mayday when the aircraft was skidding on the runway. The investigation found out that at the time of the incident the runway was covered by a slush over 10 mm deep. Winds were high and gusting. Thickness of the slush had been on the increase, but the information about the condition of the runway had not reached the aircraft nor had the runway been cleared. The Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Finnish aviation authority reviews its runway maintenance and response procedures. Turku airport also needs a better way to alert emergency services. The report includes suggestions to Transport Canada to improve information that Bomardier gives to operators. The Finnish authority recommends that the Irish aircraft authority oversees the methods used by City Jet for performance calculations under difficult conditions. Turku airport is a regional airport, but has international scheduled and charter flights. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 01:22:20|Editor: mym Video Player Close by Naim-Ul-Karim DHAKA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE) has been a big boon to revitalize the world economy, Bangladeshi experts said on Tuesday. Experts here believed the mega expo in Shanghai is the most significant event which China has so far arranged because it demonstrates China's renewed determination to open its door wider for trade and investment amid the rise of protectionism. They said the CIIE, to be held in Shanghai on Nov. 5-10, will open up enormous commercial opportunities fro participants from about 130 countries and regions, many of which have joined the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative. The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative, proposed in 2013, aims to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road. Munshi Faiz Ahmad, chairman of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), said this is a clear manifestation of Beijing's commitment to holding out its arms open wide to the world. "This expo is a significant move from the end of top Chinese leadership to facilitate countries and regions all over the world to bolster economic and trade cooperation," said the BIISS chairman. He said this will surely help promote global trade and world economic growth in order to advance the development of an open world economy. Citing a report released by the Chinese government, Ahmad said China had lifted more than 700 million people out of poverty through 40 years of reform and opening-up. Against this backdrop, the expo in Shanghai is aimed at firmly supporting trade liberalization and economic globalization and actively opening the Chinese market to the world. Ahmad said he saw domestic consumption as the most important driver of the Chinese economy, as suggested by the supply-side reforms, adding that the Chinese economy has also "shifted from quantity to quality with a sharp rise in the number of middle-income Chinese." "China acts timely to support the countries facing economic hurdles in the face of an increasing protectionist tendency," said the expert. Experts here said China is sincere in its efforts to build the expo into a world-class one so as to promote world economy and global trade as well as to achieve common prosperity. Khandaker Golam Moazzem, research director of Bangladesh's Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), told Xinhua that traditional Chinese trade fairs emphasized on what Chinese firms could sell to the global markets. But for the first time, he said, a special event is organized to tout foreign companies selling to China. The researcher from Bangladesh's leading think tank said the CIIE, for the participants, is not merely an opportunity to have more market in China but also elsewhere in the world. He said the expo will be a platform for countries like Bangladesh to seek new untapped opportunities in commerce by establishing trade links with many countries and regions along the Belt and Road routes. Undoubtedly, he said, opportunities lie for all countries to revitalize their economies. If the expo meets its goal as set by China, Moazzem said, all the countries of the world, especially those which joined the Belt and Road Initiative, will yield maximum benefits for their people. "So far we understand this (event) will emerge as an alternative to the current (trade) platforms of the world." Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 02:02:33|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, on Tuesday thanked the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia for the contribution of 70 million U.S. dollars as monthly cash stipends to teachers across Yemen. "More than 135,000 Yemeni teachers have not received their salaries in more than two years," said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore in a press release. "Classrooms are where children feel some semblance of normalcy in their lives and a place to prepare themselves for their future lives. The stipends will help teachers stay in classrooms." Education has been one of the biggest casualties of the war in Yemen, said Fore, who visited Yemen in June this year. "We urge the warring parties to end this conflict and allow children to resume their childhood. Peace is the only solution." Yemen has been in civil war in the past three years, pitting Houthi rebels and forces loyal to the government of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. Saudi Arabia leads an Arab military coalition that tries to reinstate the Hadi government. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 02:07:34|Editor: yan Video Player Close ZAGREB, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Over 1,000 workers from the "3. Maj" shipyard briefly blocked traffic on Tuesday in Croatia's port city Rijeka where they were striking over unpaid salaries. "3. Maj" workers laid down their tools on Monday afternoon after their colleagues in Uljanik shipyard of Pula started the third strike this year several hours earlier. Both shipyards belong to Uljanik Group, the biggest shipbuilder of the southeastern European country. Uljanik is in financial problems and the management is trying to restructure the company. After the last strike in September, clients have terminated a few shipbuilding contracts worth millions of euros. The strike in Pula continued on Tuesday. Workers are demanding their unpaid salaries for September and asking the management to resign. Union leaders of "3. Maj" are calling creditors, suppliers, and co-operatives to unblock the company's account for a day to avoid bankruptcy. The company's bank account had been frozen for 60 days on Tuesday. If it is blocked uninterruptedly for 61 days, one of the conditions for bankruptcy would be triggered. Finance Minister Zdravko Maric said on Tuesday that it is still too early to conclude how much the crisis in Uljanik will affect the state's budget. "We were on the good track to end the year with a surplus. This creates pressure on the budget but it will not jeopardize the stability of public finances," Maric said in a televised media briefing. The state guarantees issued to the Uljanik Group that should be paid by the end of this year are worth at least 2.5 billion kuna (about 400 million U.S. dollars), Maric said. Shipbuilding industry shares up to ten percent of Croatian employment and two percent of the country's GDP. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 03:12:53|Editor: yan Video Player Close LJUBLJANA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Slovenian national Housing Fund is planning to build 800 non-profit apartments intended primarily for vulnerable groups, the Slovenian Press Agency STA reported on Tuesday. The investment is planned to be partially financed with a 50-million-euro loan (57.3 million U.S. dollars) from the Council of Europe Development Bank. The Slovenian government endorsed the plan on Tuesday, said the STA. The loan will be intended for the construction of 800 apartments for people who can afford renting an apartment under the market conditions. In addition to apartment buildings and parking lots, the Housing Fund will also be able to finance with the loan the construction of utility infrastructure and access roads. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 03:17:55|Editor: mym Video Player Close Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa (3rd R) inspects the guard of honor in Lusaka, Zambia, on Oct. 23, 2018. Zambia and Zimbabwe on Tuesday signed four bilateral agreements aimed at boosting cooperation between the two neighboring countries. (Xinhua/ZANIS) LUSAKA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Zambia and Zimbabwe on Tuesday signed four bilateral agreements aimed at boosting cooperation between the two neighboring countries. The agreements were signed following the visit by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangangwa who is in Zambia to grace the country's 54th independence anniversary. The four agreements include one about the cooperation on the establishment and implementation of a one-stop border post at Victoria Falls, one on cooperation on the management and preservation of Zimbabwe liberation war grave sites and one on cultural exchange, according to Zambia's Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji. He told reporters after the signing ceremony held at State House that the fourth agreement is on gender equity and equality and women empowerment, adding that the signing of the agreements was due to a joint permanent commission existing between the two countries. The Zimbabwean leader arrived at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, the Zambian capital on Tuesday afternoon and was received by his host President Edgar Lungu. According to a program released by the foreign affairs ministry, the Zimbabwean leader later paid a courtesy call on first Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 03:17:57|Editor: yan Video Player Close BRATISLAVA, Oct.23 (Xinhua) -- The reduction of the value-added tax (VAT) to 10 percent on accommodation services will support the development in regions and increase employment. Slovak parliamentary chair leader Andrej Danko stressed in a statement on Tuesday. The parliamentary plenum approved an amendment to the VAT Act, which reduces the tax on accommodation services to 10 percent since January 2019. "It will be again a systemic and targeted support for domestic tourism as well as the spa industry," pointed out Danko. The Slovak Hotels and Restaurants Association (AHRS) welcomes the decision. "The VAT reduction comes literally at the last minute as tourism would start to stagnate without such support, due to constantly increasing costs and visitors' pressure concerning the quality of services," expressed AHRS general manager Marek Harbulak. According to Harbulak, accommodation services are labour-intensive, while salaries in this segment are among the lowest in the Slovak economy in the long term. This was caused by a high tax burden, according to the association. "The experience from European countries confirms that lower VAT strengthens job creation, salary growth and brings new investments not only in the hotel industry but also in other tourism services. We believe that in a short time we'll convince MPs about the need to reduce VAT on food services," added Harbulak. File Photo: Taliban militants stand handcuffed after being captured by Afghan security force members in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, Sept. 1, 2018. (Xinhua/Sayed Mominzadah) WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Treasury announced on Tuesday that it has imposed sanctions on eight individuals, including two associated with Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps -- Qods Force (IRGC-QF), in an effort to hit Afghanistan's Taliban militants. The Treasury accused the designated Taliban members of engaging in suicide attacks and other activities in Afghanistan and blamed the Iranians for providing financial and material support for the Taliban. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin claimed in a statement that Iran was "exploiting Afghanistan to further their destabilizing behavior." Mnuchin is on a week-long trip to the Middle East with talks on combating terrorist financing and looming Iran sanctions. Also on Tuesday, the other member nations of the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC), all U.S. Gulf allies, also imposed Taliban-related sanctions. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain announced Tuesday to add Iran's IRGC to the list of terror-related individuals and organizations, Saudi Press Agency reported. Washington has intensified its sanctions against Iranian entities and individuals after President Donald Trump's decision to exit the Iran nuclear deal in May, a move that has been widely criticized by the international community. New U.S. sanctions on Iran's oil exports are set to kick in on Nov. 4. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said his country will manage to abort anti-Iran sanctions by the United States, Press TV reported on Monday. The TFTC, including the United States, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, was formed in May 2017 and inaugurated by the Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Trump on the sidelines of the Arab-Islamic-American Summit last year. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 03:48:07|Editor: yan Video Player Close DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of passengers in Tanzania intending to travel to and from Dar es Salaam in mainland and Zanzibar were left stranded on Tuesday following the cancellation of marine transport services owing to strong winds and waves in the Indian Ocean. The leading service provider, Azam Marine and Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries company, announced the suspension of the services until further notice, much to the consternation of many would-be passengers, including tourists. The travel firm said in a statement that it would resume the services only after being given the green light by the Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) and marine transport regulatory authorities. Japhet Loisimaye, Director General of the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation, said an average of 4,500 passengers travel by boat between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar on a daily basis. According to Loisimaye, Azam Marine and Kilimanjaro Fast Ferries company alone served around 4,000 passengers, while the remaining 500 used boats operated by other companies. Samwel Mbuya, TMA's Manager of Weather Forecasting Services, confirmed that the strong winds and waves were likely to continue until Wednesday at the earliest. Mbuya said periodic winds exceeding 40 kilometers per hour will persist over parts of Tanga, Coast, Dar es Salaam, Lindi and Mtwara regions. Last week, TMA issued an alert over impending heavy rains in some parts of the east African nation starting from the second week of November. Agnes Kijazi, TMA Director General, said the imminent heavy rains were expected to hit western, central, southern western, southern highlands and southern coast. "Disaster management authorities are advised to prepare a contingency plan as well as budget necessary to cater for any negative impacts that the rains might cause," Kijazi told a news conference in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam. Kijazi also urged health authorities to take relevant precautions because there was a possibility of an outbreak of epidemic diseases during the period. Fourteen people were killed by torrential rains and flooding in Dar es Salaam in April last year. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 03:58:10|Editor: yan Video Player Close MOGADISHU, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Somali government said Tuesday it is implementing a raft of measures aimed at revamping the information and communication technology (ICT) sector which was affected by more than two decades of civil war. Abdi Ashur, Minister of Post, Telecom and Technology, told an ICT forum in Mogadishu that the government is also supporting reforms that create a level playing field for all in the sector to speed up its development. "Some of you have one, two or three SIM cards and mobile phones because our telecom operators are not interconnected. As a government, we are committed that this time next year, you will be able to make calls throughout Somalia with just one SIM card," Ashur said during the official opening of the Mogadishu Tech Summit. He said his ministry is undertaking a number of measures aimed at developing the sector, including drafting policies, developing e-government strategy and government portal, promoting tech innovation, and promoting ICT literacy. Ashur noted that the world has made the largest number of tech advancements in the past 30 years than any time before, at a time when Somalia has been dealing with security challenges. However, he said, there is hope when the country's young generation are now thinking about technology. The forum which was organized by iRise Tech Hub came barely a week after Mogadishu hosted the Somali Network Operators Group conference. Ashur said that he is impressed by the increasing awareness in the public about the role of technology in daily lives as evidenced by the growing number of tech-related events in the country. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 04:13:14|Editor: yan Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-led coalition has killed as many as 3,222 civilians since its operations started in Syria in 2014, a war monitor reported Tuesday. A total of 768 children and 562 women were among those killed by the strikes of the U.S.-led coalition in the northern provinces of Hasakah, Raqqa, Aleppo, Idlib and the eastern province of Deir al-Zour, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The latest attacks by the U.S. coalition were reported on Saturday when the state news agency SANA said 63 civilians had been killed within 24 hours as a result of the U.S.-led strikes on areas controlled by the Islamic State (IS) in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour. The coalition has entered the battles in Syria against the IS in 2014, with the government questioning the intention of the U.S. and branding its intervention as illegal as it happened without the consent of the Syrian administration. The Syrian Foreign Ministry has recently urged the UN to conduct an international investigation into the "crimes" of the U.S.-led coalition. Its latest calls came after the Syrian government repeatedly urged the international community to dissolve the U.S. coalition. The coalition has been supporting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in their fight against the IS on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River in the eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour. The attacks focused on the last IS-held pocket, with the SDF making progress in the current battle that has started over a month ago to eradicate the IS from that oil-rich region near the Iraqi border. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 04:13:15|Editor: yan Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Libya's UN-backed prime minister, Fayez Serraj, on Tuesday approved the new security arrangements in the capital Tripoli, which focus on forming joint police and army forces to secure the city. "The head of the Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord on Tuesday adopted the security plan to secure Tripoli, which has been developed by the Security Arrangements Committee," prime minister's information office said in a statement. "The security arrangements aim to ensure the security of people, as well as private and public properties, and to establish public order based on regular security and police forces working according to professional standards, while taking all necessary security, military and civilian measures," the statement explained. The new security plan will be implemented in coordination with the UN Support Mission in Libya, the statement added. During a meeting with military and field commanders of the city of Misurata, some 250 km east of Tripoli, the UN envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, on Tuesday said the UN Support Mission plans to replace the armed groups in Tripoli with a joint force. "We're trying to replace the armed groups in Tripoli with a joint force. The capital is for all Libyans, so every Libyan must be able to access it in safety," Salame said. Tripoli witnessed weeks of violent clashes between forces allied with the Government and other armed groups in Tripoli in August, causing hundreds of casualties, before the Ministry of Interior announced a cease-fire agreement between the rival parties that ended the violence. The agreement required the warring parties not to attack public or private properties and to refrain them from inciting violence. It also stipulated that a joint military force will be formed to secure southern Tripoli, while withdrawal of armed groups from conflict areas should be overseen by the tribal mediators. Libya has been suffering insecurity and escalating violence since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 04:38:23|Editor: yan Video Player Close LUSAKA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Zambia has been admitted as a member of the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, finance ministry said on Tuesday. The admission to the international network, which combats money laundering, the financing of terrorism and corruption, follows the endorsement made by heads of global financial intelligence units during the 25th plenary sessions in Australia. The finance ministry said for the last four years, Zambia's application to become a member as required by the global Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Standards has been under rigorous assessment and has now yielded positive results. Minister of Finance Margaret Mwanakatwe said the development was a positive milestone for the country, attributing the move to the state sponsored fight against financial crimes. "Admittance to the Egmont Group is also expected to improve investor confidence in Zambia's financial system," she said. She added that Zambia's membership to the Egmont Group becomes an addition to the positive attributes that international rating agencies look out for in assigning a sovereign credit rating to a country. The role of the Egmont Group is to provide a forum for Financial Intelligence Units around the world. Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC) workers count ballots during parliamentary elections at a polling center in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, on Oct. 21, 2018. (Xinhua/Rahmine) UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Tuesday welcomed the holding of parliamentary elections in Afghanistan, and stressed that Saturday's elections under difficult security conditions constituted an important moment in the country's democratic development. The members of the Security Council commended the participation and courage of Afghans, including the engagement of Afghan women in the elections both as voters and candidates, and reiterated their continued support for the government and people of Afghanistan in their efforts to develop sustainable democratic institutions, said the council in a press statement. The council members reiterated the important role of the Afghan electoral institutions and called on these institutions to redouble efforts to ensure the integrity, neutrality and transparency of the electoral process, including with regard to the detection and prevention of fraud and the observation of the tabulation and announcement of results. The members of the Security Council noted that voting in Kandahar was postponed due to recent security incidents, and emphasized the importance of having this voting take place, said the statement. The council members called on all stakeholders to engage with the electoral institutions and processes with patience and respect, to continue to refrain from civil disorder and any acts that incite imminent violence or lead to instability, and to channel complaints through the established institutional mechanisms in line with Afghanistan's electoral laws and Constitution. The council members condemned in the strongest terms the actions of those who attempted to disrupt the elections, such as attacks against civilians and electoral officials. They emphasized that violence in any form, or the threat of violence, intended to disrupt the elections and the democratic process in Afghanistan is unacceptable and that perpetrators of such acts must be held to account and brought to justice. A malnourished child is seen at a hospital in Hajjah province, Yemen, Oct. 1, 2018. (Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed) UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- The top UN humanitarian official on Tuesday warned of "a clear and present danger" of an imminent famine in war-torn Yemen. "So, just to be clear, my assessment, my advice to you, is that there is now a clear and present danger of an imminent and great big famine engulfing Yemen -- much bigger than anything any professional in this field has encountered during their working lives," UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock told the Security Council. Revised assessment put the total number of people facing pre-famine conditions -- those who are entirely reliant on external aid for survival -- at 14 million, or half the total population of the country, said Lowcock. "In my update for you last month I said that an additional 3.5 million people are likely to become severely food insecure in the months ahead, added to the 8 million we are already reaching each month through the UN coordinated response effort. A total of 11 million. That's what I said on Sept. 21. We now think that estimate was wrong," said Lowcock, who is also the world body's emergency relief coordinator. The dire situation is mainly due to fierce fighting in Hudaydah and the collapse of the domestic economy, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 05:08:31|Editor: mym Video Player Close KAMPALA, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday launched the first phase of a 620 million U.S. dollar Chinese industrial project in the eastern part of the African country. The project dubbed, Uganda-China Free Zone of International Industrial Cooperation, undertaken by the Dongsong Energy Group, will manufacture glass, steel and organic-fertilizers, creating about 3,000 jobs at peak when completed in 2020. Museveni said the project will reduce the amount of money spent on importing some of the products that are now going to be produced locally. Museveni hailed China for encouraging both private and state enterprises to invest in Africa. Zheng Zhuqiang, Chinese ambassador to Uganda, said the project was the biggest private investment in Uganda and would bring in high tax revenue. He thanked Museveni for the support to the China-Uganda bilateral investments. According to the Ugandan government, the project will be a key component in the economic and trade cooperation between China and Uganda. The project located in Tororo district at the border of Uganda and Kenya will also benefit neighboring countries like Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 05:08:33|Editor: yan Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Syria's Foreign Minister said Tuesday that the Syrian government is paying great attention to the return of the Syrian refugees and is exerting great efforts to provide them with a dignified life, according to state news agency SANA. Walid al-Muallem made the remarks during his meeting with the visiting Executive Director of the World Food Program (WFP), David Beasley, in which both sides discussed means to improve the humanitarian situation of the Syrians who have been affected by the Syrian war, according to SANA. His remarks come just days after President Bashar al-Assad stated that the return of the Syrian refugees to their homes is a priority to the Syrian government. In recent months, several batches of thousands of refugees have returned from Lebanon to their homes in the northern countryside of the capital Damascus. Mireille Girard, the representative for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Lebanon, said Sunday that 88 percent of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon want to return to their homeland. Over one million Syrian refugees are registered with the UNHCR in Lebanon, while Lebanon's government estimated the actual number of Syrians in the country to be 1.5 million. Russia has drafted a strategy and presented it to the Lebanese authorities, which aims at securing the return of 890,000 refugees to Syria from Lebanon. Syria's border with Jordan is opened recently after three years of closure. Jordan hosts 1.4 million Syrian refugees. Out of an estimated pre-war 22-million population in Syria in 2016, 13.5 million were identified by the United Nations as in need of humanitarian assistance, with more than 6 million forced into internal displacement, and about 5 million fleeing abroad. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 05:48:46|Editor: yan Video Player Close AMMAN, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Jordan and Germany on Tuesday signed an assistance agreement worth 462 million euros (530 million U.S. dollars) to support development projects in Jordan. The agreement consists of soft loans, technical assistance and grants, Jordanian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Mary Kawar said in a statement. The assistance seeks to support projects in fields of water, education and other key sectors, she said. Voicing appreciation for Germany, the minister said the assistance will also support Syrian refugees and host communities. She added that Germany is one of the main supporters for Jordan in various sectors. The minister highlighted Jordan's development plans and efforts to overcome challenges it is going through. At the signing ceremony, German officials voiced support for Jordan and pledged continue support to the country. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 06:28:55|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close LISBON, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese and Belgian universities signed Tuesday in Lisbon agreements on student and teacher exchange agreements as part of the ongoing visit to Portugal of the Belgian King Philippe. At a ceremony in Lisbon, around 18 protocols were signed, bringing together 36 Portuguese and Belgian entities. The protocols involve areas ranging from agriculture to education, from real estate to beverages, and encompassed such entities as the Portuguese Air Force, the Oceano Forum, companies and universities, among them the Catholic University of Porto and the New University of Lisbon. With the growing existence of European networks involving universities, these institutions collaborate not only in research activities but also in the exchange of students and teachers, Portuguese Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education Manuel Heitor told Portuguese Lusa News Agency. As more and more "future generations of European citizens" are being formed, the protocols signed go to this end and are the result of months of work, he said. The minister said that in recent years there has been "a growing collaboration in the exchange of students," and the signing of the protocols is "an important step" for the exchange of teachers and for the award of joint academic degrees. Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde started a three-day visit to Portugal on Monday, aiming to fulfil a program of political meetings as well as cultural and economic initiatives in Lisbon and Porto. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 06:28:57|Editor: yan Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. ride-hailing company Lyft Inc. has acquired a London-based augmented reality (AR) startup Blue Vision Labs to enhance its ambitious self-driving strategy, Blue Vision co-founder and CEO Peter Ondruska said Tuesday. Blue Vision's all tech and team members will join Lyft's Level 5 autonomous car division to build technology for Lyft's self-driving efforts, Ondruska said in a statement. "Blue Vision Labs is joining forces with Lyft in their mission to revolutionize transportation, via a full technology, team, and product acquisition of Blue Vision Labs," he said. The London-based AR company uses smart phone cameras to capture street-level images and build collaborative, interactive AR layers. Ondruska said his company's AR cloud technology can "connect ridesharing passengers with their drivers by overlaying the car's position onto the rider's smartphone screen in augmented reality." He noted that the technology could be further advanced at a much greater scale after Blue Vision joins Lyft. Media reports said San Francisco-based Lyft bought the British startup for about 72 million U.S. dollars, with an addition 30 million dollars to be paid after certain milestones are hit in the future. There was no word of confirmation from Lyft. Ondruska disclosed that its previous investors included Google Ventures, Accel, Horizons Ventures and other angel investors. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 06:49:03|Editor: mym Video Player Close United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock speaks to journalists on the humanitarian situation in Yemen at the UN headquarters in New York, on Oct. 23, 2018. Mark Lowcock on Tuesday demanded a humanitarian cease-fire in Yemen to avert an imminent famine. (Xinhua/Li Muzi) UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock on Tuesday demanded a humanitarian cease-fire in Yemen to avert an imminent famine. Lowcock, who warned of "a clear and present danger of an imminent and great big famine engulfing Yemen," asked the UN Security Council for help with regard to the humanitarian cease-fire and other measures. Briefing the council, he warned that Yemen, three years into civil war, will see a famine "much bigger than anything any professional in this (humanitarian) field has encountered during their working lives." He asked for Security Council support in five areas. First, a cessation of hostilities in and around all the infrastructure and facilities on which the aid operations and commercial importers rely. "A humanitarian cease-fire would reflect the obligations of the parties to the conflict to uphold international humanitarian law and to do everything possible to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance," he told the council. Second, protection of the supply of food and essential goods across the country. Humanitarian and commercial imports must flow into all ports and onwards to their final destinations. This means lifting planned and existing restrictions on imports and keeping the main transport routes open and safe. Third, a larger and faster injection of foreign exchange into the Yemeni economy through the Central Bank, along with expediting credit for traders, and payment of pensioners and civil servants. Fourth, increased funding and support for the humanitarian operation. Given projected increases in needs, aid agencies need additional resources now to start scaling up relief efforts. Some 14 million Yemenis, nearly half of the total population, may soon need urgent food aid for survival, Lowcock told the Security Council. The UN humanitarian workers and partners are currently helping 8 million Yemenis every month. Fifth, with so many lives at stake, the belligerents should engage fully and openly with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths to end the conflict, said Lowcock. Source: Xinhua| 2018-10-24 06:49:04|Editor: yan Video Player Close CAIRO, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Sichuan Airlines operated its first flight to Cairo International Airport on Tuesday with 222 Chinese tourists on board, marking its maiden flight to Africa. The flight will run twice per week on Tuesday and Friday in A330 Series plane. According to Egyptian statistics, China has become the fourth largest exporter of tourists to Egypt since the beginning of 2017. Egypt has been announced as the fastest growing tourist destination in terms of year-on-year increase of visitors, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization's 2018 report on global travel and tourism. The annual report showed that Egypt welcomed about 8.5 million tourists during 2017, up by 55.1 percent compared with the same period of the previous year. Stiri pe aceeasi tema - The interim Minister of Energy, Virgil Popescu, declared on Wednesday that the draft for approval of the Emergency Ordinance on compensating the increase in energy prices offers protection for almost 15 million Romanians, who will pay the same price like last year, agerpres reports. "Today we have - The Ambassador of the United Mexican States to Romania, Guillermo Ordorica Robles, proposed the establishment of a Romanian-Mexican business council, given that there are currently two honorary consuls in Romania, respectively in Cluj and Timisoara, and a third consul will be identified for the Constanta - A reusit la Transylvania Open prima victorie din circuitul WTA (Grand Slamurile tin de ITF), iar la finalul zilei a avut doar cuvinte de bucurie. Emma Raducanu a tinut sa multumeasca Romaniei pentru tot printr-o postare pe retelele sociale. Alaturi de o fotografie in care se poate - The Prime Minister-designate Nicolae Ciuca sent on Tuesday, to the leaders of parliamentary parties, a document where he proposes a political truce through which a minority Government could be supported for a limited amount of time, the chairman of PNL (National Liberal Party) Florin Citu, announced. - Prime Minister-designate Dacian Ciolos stated, on Tuesday, in a press conference at the Parliament, that the last data referring to the pandemic shows "a massive failure of the Romanian state", agerpres reports. "I would like to send condolences to all families that lost someone dear today. It's - Head of the Emergency Management Department (DSU) Raed Arafat said on Friday that 92-93% of people who died from SARS-COV2 infection in Romania were unvaccinated, with the percentages remaining stable over the past few weeks. "Unfortunately, today we had a record number of deaths. Today's figures - The leader of the USR PLUS (Save Romania Union, Freedom, Unity, Solidarity Party) Deputies, Ionut Mosteanu, said on Tuesday that he sent a request to the presidents of the two chambers of Parliament to convene a plenary sitting to debate on the motion of censure, while mentioning that the only two - Former Justice Minister Stelian Ion said on Tuesday that the myth spreading in the public space about his alleged proposal to remove the Romanian President from the appointment of chief prosecutors is "fake news." "I want to bust another circulating myth that is fake news: the proposal I have UPDATE Minora din Gherla, disparuta. ATI VAZUT-O? UPDATE 1 Minora a fost depistata de politisti in cursul zilei de marti, pe raza localitatii Floresti. Aceasta a declarat ca nu a fost victima vreunei infractiuni pe durata plecarii. Politia a fost sesizata cu privire la faptul ca la data de 15 noiembrie, in jurul orei 08.00, FARCAS [citeste mai departe] Stiri pe aceeasi tema - Romania's Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu had a meeting in Washington DC on Tuesday with US Secretary of Homeland Security (SOHS) Alejandro Mayorkas, to discuss the inclusion of Romania in the Visa Waiver Program and the steps to be taken to achieve the goal, agerpres reports. According to the Romanian - The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, believes that "American military presence in the region needs to be increased, for both troops, as well as equipment, not just in Romania, but also in the southern part of the Eastern flank". On a visit to Washington, the head of the Romanian - Afirmatiile au fost facute de ministrul roman de externe, marti, 9 noiembrie, la dialogul Security and Cooperation in the Black Sea, organizat de Atlantic Council of the United States, a informat Agerpres . Ministrul Afacerilor Externe, Bogdan Aurescu, este de parere ca este important sa avem o abordare - The interim Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, had a work meeting on Tuesday, with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Nicolae Popescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, during which the special relation, of strategic partnership, between the two countries, - Romanian officials are concerned that scenes of overflowing Italian hospitals during the initial weeks of the pandemic are becoming the reality in Romania, according to Bloomberg. Amid persistent hesitancy at getting jabs, the nations 19 million people are the second-least-vaccinated in the European - Prime Minister Florin Citu said that it will not be possible for an interim government to adopt the decision approving "exactly the final form of the PNRR [National Recovery and Resilience Plan]", noting that, in Wednesday's Cabinet meeting, he presented a calendar on the pieces of legislation that - Minister Bogdan Aurescu said on Friday that a coordinated European action is a priority in order to achieve evacuating Afghani citizens who have ties with the EU states and European citizens stuck in Afghanistan, informing that Romania managed to evacuate all Romanian citizens (49) who expressed - Prime Minister Florin Citu had a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Denys Shmyhal, in Kiev on Monday, in which context he reiterated Romania's readiness to advance bilateral cooperation and voiced Romania's desire to ensure respect for the rights of persons belonging to the Romanian minority. Baia Mare: Un tanar si-a agresat matusa si i-a furat telefonul Miercuri, 17 noiembrie, la ora 15.11, politistii din Baia Mare au fost sesizati cu privire la faptul ca o femeie este agresata de nepotul sau. La fata locului, politistii au identificat victima ca fiind o femeie de 67 de ani, care a relatat politistilor faptul ca, [citeste mai departe] JetPay Inc., an Allentown-based payment processing and hiring software company, has agreed to be acquired by NCR Corp., an Atlanta company that makes payment equipment and ATMs, for $184 million, or $5.05 a share. The sale price is triple JetPay's recent market value, but below the $6 a share JetPay was valued at in its initial public stock offering in 2012. JetPay investors including Flexpoint Ford and JetPay chairman Larry Stone have agreed to support the deal, which was announced Monday. Bipin Shah founded JetPay after raising at least $179 million from investors including Jonathan Lubert of Philadelphia-based JL Squared and New York banks to purchase Allentown-based AD Computer Corp. and Payroll Tax Filing Services Inc. and Jet Pay LLC of Dallas, among others, and combine them into a "one-stop" payments company. Shah developed the MAC Card debit and payment system for the former CoreStates Financial Corp. (now First Data Corp.'s BuyPass), and also started Genpass (now part of US Bank) and Gensar (Chase Paymentech). JetPay was previously based in Berwyn. (The earlier version of this item included Electronic Merchant Systems among companies JetPay acquired. However, vice president Merrell Sheehan advises that this deal was not consummated and Electronic Merchant Services remains a private company.) The King of Prussia mall has added Christian Louboutin, the iconic French designer brand behind the red-sole shoes, and Kendra Scott, the Austin-based fashion and lifestyle brand, in time for holiday season shopping, the mall announced in a statement. The Christian Louboutin store, which is expected before the end of the year, will be the brand's first Pennsylvania location. Shoppers can find it between Neiman Marcus and Macy's. The Kendra Scott location, which opened in late September, is near Macy's and The Gap and in the new expansion corridor. "Having these new, exciting names open in time for the holiday shopping season will certainly be another compelling reason to visit the property," mall manager Bob Hart said in a release. The logo for Amazon is displayed on a screen at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York. Read more Amazon pitched its facial-recognition system in the summer to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials as a way for the agency to target or identify immigrants, a move that could shove the tech giant further into a growing debate over the industry's work with the government. At the June meeting in Silicon Valley, revealed in emails as part of a Freedom of Information Act request by the advocacy group Project on Government Oversight, officials from ICE and Amazon Web Services talked about implementing the tech giant's Rekognition face-scanning platform to assist with Homeland Security investigations. An Amazon Web Service official specializing in federal sales contracts, whose name was redacted in the emails, wrote that the conversation involved "predictive analytics" and "Rekognition Video tagging/analysis" that could possibly allow ICE to identify people's faces from afar a type of technology that immigration officials have voiced interest in for its potential enforcement use on the southern border. "We are ready and willing to support the vital [Homeland Security Investigations] mission," the Amazon official wrote. Officials from Amazon and ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Amazon has marketed the technology to police departments as a way to target and identify criminals, and it is deployed for officers' use in Oregon and Florida. Civil rights and privacy advocates worry that the unproven technology's expansion could have a chilling effect on public protests or embolden government and police efforts to supercharge mass surveillance. The meeting could inspire new unrest among Amazon workers who have urged the $850 billion company to reject work that could be used for government surveillance. Hundreds of anonymous Amazon workers wrote CEO Jeff Bezos a letter roughly one week after the meeting, saying, "We refuse to build the platform that powers ICE, and we refuse to contribute to tools that violate human rights." It will also further fuel a Silicon Valley culture clash between corporate leaders pursuing lucrative government contracts and the company's rank-and-file workers, many of whom have voiced outrage over ICE's separation of migrant parents and children at the Mexican border. Microsoft, a tech giant building facial-recognition tools that compete with Amazon's, came under fire in the summer for the potential work it could do as part of a major ICE contract. Google has also faced internal resistance over its contributions to Project Maven, a Defense Department initiative that would allow AI to identify objects in battlefield drone video. Amazon has a number of government contracts and is believed to be the lead contender to win the Pentagon's $10 billion cloud-computing contract, known as JEDI (Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure). The company also operates a private cloud service for top-secret intelligence used by the CIA. The agency's deputy director for science and technology, Dawn Meyerriecks, characterized the Amazon-CIA bond during a panel last month outside Washington as a "closer partnership than I've ever seen in my career." Bezos has donated money to fund college scholarships for undocumented immigrant students, but he has also publicly supported the tech industry's contributions to national-security efforts and other government work. "If big tech companies are going to turn their backs on the Department of Defense, we are in big trouble," Bezos said at a Wired magazine event last week. Asked about immigration, he added, "I'd let them in if it were me. I like 'em, I want all of them in. But this is a great country and it does need to be defended." ICE has portrayed facial recognition and other artificial-intelligence software as potentially powerful tools in their pursuit of ways to clamp down on illegal immigration. ICE officials told tech-industry contractors last year they wanted an "extreme vetting" system that could automatically mine the social media of foreign visitors to assess whether they might commit criminal or terrorist acts. Amazon unveiled Rekognition in 2016 as a way to analyze images and detect faces on a massive scale. Its first marketing materials focused on the softer side of the technology, including its ability to look at a dog's face and recognize it's a golden retriever. But the technology's growing role in the business of criminal justice and investigation has faced growing scrutiny from civil rights groups and Democratic lawmakers worried over its possible use in surveillance efforts that could threaten public privacy and civil rights. The technology has also been found to perform less accurately among people of color, sparking fears of misidentification. Rekognition, for instance, incorrectly matched the faces of 28 members of Congress with those of people arrested for a crime during a test in the summer by the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California. Amazon has said the test's methodology was flawed. Some in the tech industry have called for broader regulation of facial-recognition systems, and only a few states govern the technology's appropriate use. Microsoft president Brad Smith wrote a blog post in July challenging lawmakers to form a bipartisan commission to set standards that could prevent the system's misuse and abuse "by private companies and public authorities alike." "We know from history that new and powerful surveillance tools left unchecked in the hands of the state have been used to target people who have done nothing wrong," an anonymous Amazon employee wrote last week. "We can sell dangerous surveillance systems to police or we can stand up for what's right. We can't do both." At the Outrage, fashion speaks truth to power. The Old City boutique celebrating its first anniversary in Philadelphia this month is 3,200 square feet of unapologetically, amazing feminist merch rooted in issues that speak to all women: rich, poor, gay, trans, and women of all colors. There are soft Ts and cozy sweats sprayed with the phrases: "Families Belong Together" and "Believe Women." Sporty tops are splashed with the first names of modern-day freedom fighters: Michelle (Obama), Kamala (Harris), Elizabeth (Warren), and Ruth (Bader Ginsburg). These are strategically placed next to the candles decorated with solemn faces of the old guard: Harriet Tubman, Frida Kahlo, and Margaret Sanger. Pins warn: Respect my existence or expect my resistance. Nestled in the back of the Outrage is an olive drawstring jacket purposely similar to the one first lady Melania Trump famously wore to visit immigrant children who had been separated from their parents that informed us she really didn't give a hoot. Instead, this jacket reads: "November Is Coming" a quote from trans activist Charlotte Clymer. Next to that is an off-the-shoulder white T with the image of a black woman sporting a massive Afro. Printed underneath is the word Resist. I bought one. Fashion and speaking truth to power go hand in hand: Afros; wearing red, white, and blue; baggy jeans and hoodies; white sheets; Make America Great Again hats. These things optically telegraph messages that are emotional and spiritual as much as they are political. One of the reasons I balk at the notion that fashion is no more than a frivolity indulged in by women of means is that one would be hard-pressed to find a movement that has changed the lives of American women that hasn't been marked, if not defined, by style evolution. Discarding corsets, eschewing bras, cutting hair into a swanky bob, even wearing sneakers to work were all sartorial shifts that coincided with increased freedom for women. These days, however, feminist fashion has moved from wearing mini-skirts through which women explored their sexual power in the 1960s to choosing an ethically made T-shirt with the words She persisted stamped across the bosom. And the difference between then and now, said Martha Lucy, deputy director of research interpretation and education at the Barnes, is that the face of today's fashionable feminist is more diverse, or what scholars describe as intersectional. Think about it: During the early 20th century, only women of privilege freed themselves from corsets because they were the only ones who could afford them in the first place. But in 2018, most people including women of color and men can and do wear soft T-shirts and plush hoodies. "With these T-shirts with messages and logos, you can point to a clear feminist message, and it's accessible," said Lucy. The Outrage is at the center of modern feminism and this intersectionality simply because here all issues are women's issues and, most important, all women are represented. A pink hat scrawled with the words Viva la Vulva, espousing the idea that women should be able to make reproductive decisions, matters as much as a pin reminding us to take care of the planet because "There Is No Planet B." T-shirts celebrating yesteryear's female scientists, like chemist Marie Curie and Hidden Figures mathematician Katherine Johnson, are a part of the science collection because, darn it, women can excel in the sciences and math. Rebecca Lee Funk launched the Outrage two years ago in response to then-presidential candidate Donald Trump's controversial suggestion that it was OK to grab women by their private parts. Shortly after Trump's inauguration, she was still outraged, so she opened a pop-up turned permanent retail space to raise money for the 2017 Women's March in D.C. Last year, Funk, who grew up in Happy Valley, Pa., opened the Old City locale. Prices range from knickknacks like rainbow pens and pencils for under $10 to a $60 hoodie. In the two years since, after she pays her staff, her bills, and herself, Funk has been able to donate tens of thousands of dollars to nonprofits such as Planned Parenthood, the Women's March and Families Belong Together. "Originally, we envisioned ourselves just as a feminist business," said Funk, 33, who now lives in Washington with her husband a former Obama staffer and their 18-month-old son. "But now we are a feminist business that's about the protest." Speaking of protest, Funk was in the news a little over a month ago as one of 70 protesters arrested outside Justice Brett Kavanaugh's Senate Judiciary hearings. A few days after Christine Blasey Ford testified that Kavanaugh sexually harassed her while she was in high school, the Outrage released a T-shirt featuring a pencil sketch of Blasey Ford. "There is a cognitive dissonance that when people see a super-tall skinny white woman that she's nice. I'm here to weaponize that all day long," Funk said. Funk works with a team of five who help her design the T-shirts, mugs, and hoodies. Most of the items are manufactured in the United States. But if the garments aren't manufactured Stateside, they are made a WRAP-certified factory, meaning the conditions have been deemed, safe, lawful, and ethical by the Virginia nonprofit. "You can't run a feminist company on the backs of women in developing countries," Funk said. Just last week, Funk moved from the original 1,300-square-foot space in D.C. to one more than twice the size that features a dedicated place for community activism. "People needed a place to come, to sit and to cry," she said. She has her eye on opening in spots like Asheville, N.C., or Austin, Texas, pockets of blue in seas of red. Funk is grateful for the success, but she adds that in a perfect world, there would be no need for the Outrage. Still, she added, the fashion work she does will be important until "there is no need to wear a signal that says, 'I'm not a racist. I'm not a sexist. I'm not homophobic. Or I'm not misogynistic.' " The Outrage is at 321 Arch St; 215-515-3578. The website is www.the-outrage.com/ Gov. Wolf claims credit for Pa. gains. Not everyone thinks he deserves it. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) Read more A recent op-ed pitched to newspapers statewide by a Lancaster County Republican lawmaker caught my eye for a couple of reasons. It argues that Democratic Gov. Wolf, while seeking reelection, takes credit for stuff that (despite its often-useless self) the GOP legislature did. Here's a sample. "The main accomplishments of the last four years have been driven by Republicans: eliminating a deficit of more than $2 billion WITHOUT raising income or sales taxes, investing in the Rainy-Day Fund for the first time in a decade, restructuring the public pension system, authorizing wine and beer sales in grocery and convenience stores and much more." It notes that the legislature increased school funding (Wolf's big thing) each year, including in three budgets Wolf allowed to become law without his signature. All true. And interesting, in a politically wonky sort of way. And, yes, there's still a pension problem. Still structural fiscal ills. Wolf wanted more for education. And more taxes. And governors, of course, grab credit for positive things and get blamed for negative things. Such is life. But the piece interested me because of its author. Rep. Bryan Cutler is not some far-right anti-Wolf fringer. He's not coordinating with Republican Scott Wagner's effort to unseat Wolf. He's a sensible guy who began his career as an X-ray tech (maybe he can see through things) at Lancaster Regional Medical Center, became a lawyer, won a House seat in 2006 (at age 31), was unopposed in four subsequent elections, was reelected in 2016 with 74 percent of the vote, and is running now against an opponent he beat last cycle. Also, Cutler, hardly a statewide name, is House majority whip and likely next majority leader, assuming the House stays GOP for the 2019-20 session, which is probable, but these days, who knows? (Majority Leader Dave Reed is leaving the legislature for the private sector.) Plus, Cutler has a "good relationship" with Wolf. Worked with Wolf to pass Cutler-sponsored bipartisan bills expanding job opportunities for those with disabilities and toughening lobbyist disclosure laws. Worked with Wolf on bipartisan efforts to replace election of statewide judges with a system of merit selection. Cutler even says that Wolf should highlight positives and that things are "legitimately better today that two and three years ago." So, why'd he write the piece? For the "unsung soldiers" his fellow lawmakers. "It's about the institution," he says. "I think it's important that the members be recognized for their work and leadership on issues. Nothing gets to the governor's desk unless it starts in the legislature." (The piece got picked up by about a dozen, mostly smaller, newspapers. You can find it on Cutler's website, www.repcutler.com, by clicking "latest news" and then "press releases.") Couple things. Too few lawmakers ever think about the institution. Too few pols disagree as Cutler does with Wolf on taxes, spending, and more without rancor. So, oft-disagreeing (and oft-disagreeable) House and Senate GOP caucuses should take note. Also, Wolf's campaign argues that when Wolf took office the state was a mess. Big deficit. Big school-funding problem. Liquor and pension reforms going nowhere. And so on. That's true. A (sort of) deficit fix, more school funding, some liquor and pension reforms all took place on Wolf's watch. And whoever thought staid Pennsylvania would legalize medical marijuana? Plus, the Mercatus Center at George Mason University just published its annual rankings of states' fiscal standings. Pennsylvania ranks 35th. Not great, granted. But last year, it ranked 45th. So, that's something. Wolf never got revenue levels he sought through proposed but legislatively rejected taxes. But he set a tone as governor not taking a salary, instituting a gift ban, fighting gerrymandering that calls for accountability in public office. His reelection effort somewhat taints that tone. Refusal to face Wagner in a real debate (the Alex Trebek thing doesn't count) diminishes the electoral process. But taking credit for state improvements when you're the person charged with running the state seems to me fair game. And Wolf last week at a bill-signing praised the legislature, saying it has done "some really amazing things." Cutler, too, is right to note legislative achievements. As bad as Harrisburg can be, some good things get done, even if incrementally. And partisan wrangling (when civil) over who's most responsible for positive change is fine. Especially if it leads to enacting more positive change. His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, spiritual leader of the Amadi Muslim Community, was in Philadelphia last Friday to inaugurate the Baitul Aafyat mosque in North Philadelphia.. Read more During its inauguration Friday night, the gleaming Bait-ul-Aafiyat mosque in North Philly lived up to its name: It's Arabic for "house of security," and there was plenty of that. My Uber driver could get no closer than a block from the three-story, $8 million mosque at 1215 W. Glenwood Ave. because police had blocked off the street. Everyone entering the mosque's gated, four-acre grounds had to pass through a security tent equipped with airport-style metal detectors. As I did, one guard questioned another about my two-inch-long nail clipper, but waved me in. I guess I wasn't much of a threat. The security including three snipers on the mosque's roof was worthy of a head of state, or a pope. Attending the mosque's dedication ceremonies was Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the spiritual leader, or khalifa, of an estimated 30 million Ahmadi Muslims in more than 200 nations. About 20,000 live in the United States, 600 of them in Philadelphia. Each time the Khalifa moved, several black-clad security people moved with him. During prayers, when everyone else bowed their heads, they did not, fastening their eyes on the crowd. After clearing security, I was greeted by Ahmadiyya Muslim Community U.S.A. media coordinator Ramlah Malhi-Saifi, who declined to shake hands. For "modesty," she explained, Ahmadi women have physical contact only with males to whom they are related. The Ahmadis are "the largest sect of Islam unified under a single leader," I was told by national spokesman Qasim Rashid, a Virginia lawyer of Pakistani descent and the author of The Wrong Kind of Muslim. Ahmadis are notable for their tolerant and liberal beliefs, spelled out in a 28-minute address by the khalifa at an interfaith dinner in the white-walled basement assembly room of the 21,400-square-foot mosque. His overarching theme was love, brotherhood, and service to humanity. From this mosque, he said, "only a message of love, affection, and brotherhood will come forth." He thanked guests for coming to see what Islam is "rather than accepting what the media says about Islam." The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, he said, rejects terrorism in any form, believes in loyalty to the nation, separation of mosque and state, freedom of religion, and equal rights for all people and genders. Before he spoke to the several hundred dinner guests Muslims, Christians, Jews, government and city leaders, neighbors the khalifa had a private meet-and-greet in an upstairs office with Mayor Kenney and U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, in whose district the mosque stands. Then the media was admitted for a brief Q&A. We were requested to address him as Your Holiness or Khalifa, and were advised that although we could take pictures, "he doesn't do selfies." The khalifa, 68, who makes his home in London, comes across as a serious man in a seriously white turban and a black tunic with a ballpoint pen clipped to the pocket. The handsome turban has no religious significance, it's just a style he likes. Philadelphia was among five U.S. cities he visited on this tour, and the soft-spoken khalifa fielded a couple of questions about Ahmadi beliefs and challenges facing Islam. Knowing it was his first visit to Philadelphia, I was more curious about the culinary than the theological. I asked him if anyone had introduced him to any local Philadelphia cuisine. He said he had not been informed about that and asked what I had in mind. "The cheesesteak," I replied, to light laughter from some reporters. Media coordinator Malhi-Saifi later informed me that the khalifa's chef found a recipe for cheesesteaks and whipped up a couple of them Saturday night for the khalifa and his wife, Amtul Sabooh Ahmad, and they "really liked them." Malhi-Saifi said she was not told whether the couple had them wit'. Honduran migrants walking toward the U.S. depart Chiquimula, Guatemala, last Wednesday. The group of some 2,000 Honduran migrants hopes to reach the United States despite President Trump's threat to cut off aid to Central American countries that don't stop them. Read more They always say that everything is bigger down in Texas. Apparently that goes for the lies. When President Trump the Yankee who puts the hat in the phrase "all hat and no cattle" flew to the Lone Star State on Monday night to campaign for " Lyin' Beautiful Ted" Cruz for re-election to the U.S. Senate, he fed his crowd at Houston's Toyota Center whopper after whopper. And they gobbled it up. Some of the 45th president's blatant falsehoods were tired like the 50,000 people Trump claimed were outside the arena unable to get in (maybe 2,000 to 3,000, tops, according to police) but much of it was hot-wired to raise the blood pressure of his right-wing base both on the arena floor and watching on TV. Untold thousands of unauthorized immigrants ("We've got so many people voting illegally in this country, it's a disgrace") are casting ballots for Democrats something that even the most ardent conservative has never proved because it isn't happening. A caravan of several thousand Honduran migrants headed north through Mexico toward the United States isn't the result of rampant crime and poverty, Trump insisted, but of "Democrat laws and activist Democrat judges." The president did leave at home some of biggest lies of the last lie-filled week, like the one where Democrats are promising migrants brand-new luxury cars or, even more bizarrely, that folks are rioting in California "to get out of their sanctuary cities." (Huh?) And yet there was one terrifying moment Monday night when Trump made it clear there is no bottom that he will go to any depth to stir up hatred and anxiety in order to keep just enough Republicans left Capitol Hill to save him from impeachment, or at least to launch an uncivil war to keep his enemies at bay. "A globalist is a person who wants the globe to do well frankly, not caring about our country so much," Trump told the Texans, reaching for a word that's long been a favorite of those who believe there's an international conspiracy led by Jews. "And you know what, we can't have that. You know what I am? I'm a nationalist. Use that word." Thousands of dangerous extreme right-wingers, from Nuremberg to Charlottesville, have flown the banner of "nationalism" but never before with a presidential seal of approval. And the crowd went wild, chanting, "USA! USA!" To steal a phrase from the 76ers' over-caffeinated marketing department, welcome to the moment. Those of us who've been warning for more than three years that Trump is the avatar of a uniquely American brand of neo-fascism have also argued that any descent into tyranny would come much like the famous analogy of the frog in boiling water, that you'll barely notice the rising heat from day to day until it's unbearable and too late. Is it me, or is getting really hot in here? Over the last couple of weeks ever since the fight to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh proved that a credible allegation of teen sexual assault wasn't so much a bad thing as a trigger to stir up white male voter rage the White House has thrown open its Pandora's box of lies as well as insane proposals that might tear America apart at the seams but will also drive up Republican turnout on November 6 by a point or two, which is the only thing that matters to Team Trump. I'm old enough to remember when a super-controversial policy move was the kind of thing an administration would keep under wraps until after an election. Not so in 2018, when a leak to the New York Times (a call that almost surely was coming from inside the house the White House) revealed a Trump administration memo to redefine gender throughout the federal government to eliminate the very concept of "transgender" an erasure of as many as 1.4 million Americans that carries echoes of the erasure of well, do I really need to spell it out? What happened next is exactly what all the president's minions wanted: Outrage. Protests by transgender Americans and their allies flooded the streets of Manhattan within hours of the Times report and moved to the gates of the White House on Monday generating hours of TV video of furious LGBTQ activists that will be surely be shown in a repeated loop on the Fox News Channel, thus raising the blood pressure of 71-year white grandpas who'll now be certain to leave their couch at 6 a.m. on November 6 to prevent an alliance of men in drag and Honduran refugees from assuming full power. To hold his right-wing base together and drive them to the polls, Trump's weaponry includes such diverse elements as fear. Actually, that's pretty much the only element he's got fear and so he is turning up the volume to deafening levels. This is hardly a new political tactic remember the "ebola scare" of 2014 that vanished from the headlines as soon as a GOP midterm landslide was in the books? but the president is taking this to new depths, with his unfounded accusation that "unknown Middle Easterners" have infiltrated the migrant caravan or that Democrats are behind the whole thing. A former Trump adviser named Barry Bennett told the Washington Post that the Central American caravan is in fact "a political gift" to the Republican Party, adding: "I wish they were carrying heroin. I wish we'd thought of it. It speaks to our dearth of creativity, unfortunately." But what Team Trump has accomplished by lumping the women who flooded the Senate corridors and elevators in a desperate bid to stop Kavanaugh to other protests against the president's intentionally divisive moves and calling it all "a Democratic mob" has been creative enough, apparently. Trump and his amplifiers on Fox News have scared the living bejesus out of Republican voters, especially the older ones most inclined to vote in midterm elections. Carol Shields, 75, told the New York Times that she was terrified that immigrant gangs wouldn't stop at the border but keep going all the way to her northern Minnesota, where they might break into lake homes. "What's to stop them?" Shields, a retired accountant. told the Times. "We have a lot of people who live on lakes in the summer and winter someplace else. When they come back in the spring, their house would be occupied." Where does the president even get this strategy? Maybe from his good friends, the Russians. Last week, the Justice Department indicted a Russian aide to one of that country's billionaire Putin-crony oligarchs for using social media to, again, meddle in an American election this time, the looming 2018 midterms. The indictment accused Elena Alekseevna Khusyaynova of running a shadowy network to "create and amplify divisive social and political content" on Facebook and elsewhere, with posts about racism and mass shootings. If you've followed this wing of the so-called Trump-Russia scandal closely, you know that the St. Petersburg-based trolls almost never overtly persuade Americans to vote for Donald Trump, their preferred candidate. Their posts about topics like Black Lives Matter are meant to do two things: To make conservatives really mad and anxious so they'll vote, or to make core Democrats like African-Americans or college students so discouraged they'll stay home. But in 2018, the Russians don't really need to be so active. Trump is doing their divisive dirty work for them, from the presidential podium. It didn't used to be this way. American campaigns could be vicious (ask Thomas Jefferson) or dishonest (although not the easy-disprovable Big Lie we see today) but the president's job was always to stay above the fray, to be a uniter, not a divider and offer high-minded talk about the American Dream. Yet thought leaders, going back to the Founding Fathers, warned that some day a demagogue might plow through the guardrails of democracy, and win votes by appealing to fear itself. Donald Trump was their nightmare. But we, the electorate, have surely helped Trump with what's most often called (with a lack of political correctness) our tribalism. As the author of a new book called Uncivil Agreement: How Politics Became Our Identity, University of Maryland political scientist Lilliana Mason, spells out, "our conflicts are largely over who we think we are rather than over reasoned differences of opinion." In other words, the sorting of the parties that took place after the civil rights battles of the 1960s as the GOP became uniformly conservative and Democrats became solidly liberal meant that party ID, and deep distrust of the other party, became core to our overall identity. That deep psychology is what Trump is tapping into when he blames Democrats for the caravan, however irrationally. And it seems to be working. Before Kavanaugh and the president's war on truth and national unity, the pollsters and the pundits agreed that Democratic voters were pumped up for November and Republicans were deflated. Today, Democrats may still be fuming mad over the Supreme Court fight, but their enthusiasm had already nearly maxed out. GOP voters, however, are catching up. A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll finds that 72 percent of Democrats have a high enthusiasm for the midterms, an all-time record. In a normal year, that would spell a Democratic landslide but this is not a normal year. In the aftermath of Trump's fear-mongering offensive, 68 percent of GOP voters are also highly enthusiastic, a record for their party. The result is the epic long lines for early voting that you've been seeing in Texas, North Carolina and elsewhere. Trump's presidency has achieved what was long thought impossible: He has made Americans fiercely passionate about a midterm election. And all it took, we now know, is an open, public embrace of "nationalism." But this is nothing to kid about. No matter what happens on November 6, the temptation for Trump to keep turning up the gas underneath America's frog pot is going to be too great. The Kavanaugh caper, combined with any uptick for the GOP on Election Day, may convince the president he can get away with shutting down Robert Mueller's probe of election skulduggery and alleged cover-ups. Or, amping up phony crises on the southern border or with North Korea or elsewhere may lose its luster and cause Trump to launch a real one. Having crushed the notion of objective truth and unleashed the full fury of white nationalism, POTUS 45 may want to see what happens when he turns the heat all the way to "high." And when he does, we'll be thoroughly cooked. It won't take kids on a rocket-fueled flight through the solar system or a fantastic voyage inside the human body, but to educators in the Downingtown Area School District, their brand-new, tricked-out science class on wheels is nevertheless something of a magic school bus. "I'm a real-life Ms. Frizzle," said teacher Brittany Schwab, referring to the Lily Tomlin-voiced teacher and driver in the 1990s Magic School Bus cartoon. That will be the likely frame of reference for many parents when they see the white-and-blue bus retrofitted with sleek counters and computer screens, and loaded up with Legos, iPads, and all kinds of high-tech doo-dads that will teach kids coding, robotics, and other science skills. Slated for an official ribbon-cutting on Thursday, the 40-foot Mobile Innovation Lab will visit all 10 elementary schools in the Chester County district during the school year a novel way to introduce Downingtown kids to state-of-the-art experiments in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) without building new classrooms. On a recent afternoon outside East Ward Elementary, Schwab showed off what the lab on wheels can do to an eager group of fourth graders who filed in and sat down in the wide, carpeted center aisle. That day's excursion of the mind did involve a certain brand of magic Model Magic clay and MaKey MaKeys, which are electronic wiring tools, to teach the students how to make and program their own Pac-Man controller. Schwab who'd been a third-grade teacher at East Ward before taking over the lab this fall called the project "a big push" to jump-start intensive science learning in the highly rated, 12,000-student district that also boasts the innovative Downingtown STEM Academy, one of the top schools in the state. "A lot of the buildings don't have the space," said Schwab, quite possibly the only school teacher in Pennsylvania who had to prepare for the new school year by getting her commercial driver's license. "And if we were to buy all of the instructional resources, that would cost so much money." That said, launching what district officials believe is the Keystone State's first learning lab on wheels was neither cheap nor easy. The $350,000 cost of converting what had been a 72-seat school bus donated by the Krapf Bus Co. into a vehicle for innovation was covered by the Downingtown Educational Foundation and by individual donors who were solicited by the nonprofit group, according to chief academic officer Matt Friedman. Last year, Friedman and other district officials traveled to Baltimore to check out Maryland's decade-old Bio Lab project, which travels to schools around that state, and then worked with a Downingtown company that customizes RVs the EL Carpenter Repair Co. to give the inside of their donated vehicle a complete makeover. "The reason we wanted a bus is that our 10 elementary schools are all different sizes, and we wanted to focus on equity," Friedman explained. "We wanted everyone to have access to the same curriculum. Not all of our schools have the space for a lab." The Mobile Innovation Lab will be driven from school to school for two stints at each school a year, which will run from one week to 10 days. Unlike its Maryland forerunner, which helps teach biology, the Downingtown project focuses more on tech-oriented topics like programming computers and robotics that schools increasingly are teaching to younger kids. For Schwab, the challenge over the summer aside from learning to navigate Chester County traffic in the wheeled behemoth was developing curriculums for kids from kindergarten to fifth grade to make the best use of an array of learning tools, like pocket-size coding robots called Ozobots or the 65-inch touchscreen on the bus exterior that can be used to teach outdoors on a nice day. She said first graders, for example, will be working with Legos and small motors to build fans, and then write the computer programs to run them. "It's amazing," said Schwab, describing how the students write codes that can run the fans at variable speeds. The fourth graders from East Ward who last week filed onto the Mobile Learning Lab which was parked next to the school playground first received a brief lecture from Schwab reminding them to apply what she called the habits of the mind, such as persistence, communication, and reliance on basic facts, to their experiment. After she demonstrated each step of the project, the kids broke into groups of three to connect four different-color wires with alligator clips from the MaKey MaKey circuits to Model Magic disks that acted as control buttons to manipulate their Pac-Mans right or left, up and down, in the existential quest to avoid getting eaten. It was a fun introduction into electricity and engineering know-how that school districts increasingly see as the work skills needed by today's students. For Friedman, the new bus places his district on that road map, he said, "ahead of the curve." Props master Jay Duckworth in his workshop. He created his toothy friend, he says, "to show what happens when you have to make a shrunken head out of a zombie." Read more "My big mission is to spread the word about props," says self-dubbed "proptologist" Jay Duckworth. "If you're a great prop-master, no one should be able to see what you've done. So no one realizes. And I want people to know." This guy does it all. He was/is the props master for Hamilton, has worked on amazing shows like Fun Home, and done a ton of TV. He's also in residence as props master at New York's Public Theatre. "For Mother of the Maid," now on stage at the Public, "I had to teach Glenn Close how to knit," he says. Duckworth will be at the Museum of the American Revolution from 3-8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 23, to talk about challenges he and his team faced in creating props for Hamilton. He'll also give demonstrations. It's part of their "History After Hours: Tricked Out" Halloween season series. If you go, ask Jay to tell the story about "Burn." In that song, Eliza Hamilton, hurt by her husband's affair, sets fire to their letters. "The problem was how to have a real fire without burning the stage down," Duckworth says. "We researched all these different weights and textures of paper and the actual kinds of paper they would have used at that time. I needed paper that would burn up in two minutes and nine seconds, the length of the song." An ingenious coal scuttle with a false front was involved. He speaks about "doubling up on the desks," designing two-desks-in-one that function as first Hamilton's desk and then Washington's. When you go to see Hamilton in Philly when it comes to the Forrest Theater in August 2019, keep an eye out for a certain pile of bricks. "We wanted bricks scattered around the set to make it look like a city under construction, a new nation," he says, "and I brought in this pile of bricks, but we hadn't done anything with them yet. But designer David Korins said to keep them just like that, a pile of bricks. It was an honest-to-God genius idea. And now every production of Hamilton has a foam cast of exactly that pile of bricks, on that exact place on stage." Asked what he's most proud of, he starts to choke up. "I'm proud that Hamilton gave a voice to, and opened theater to, a whole new generation. It's exciting to see kids now excited about theater, see people of color seeing themselves on stage. I've worked with Sondheim, I've worked with Arthur Laurents, I've worked with Terrence McNally, and the day we first workshopped Hamilton, I was crying my eyes out. I said: 'I've never been in a room where I knew we were changing history.' " Duckworth is heading to the museum ahead of their new exhibit, Hamilton Was Here: Rising Up in Revolutionary Philadelphia, which runs from October 27, 2018 March 17. There's plastic in the poop. A team of scientists say they have found tiny plastic particles in human stools from a global sampling and every sample tested positive. "This is the first study of its kind, and confirms what we have long suspected, that plastics ultimately reach the human gut," said lead researcher Philipp Schwabl, a physician scientist at the Medical University of Vienna. The small study, conducted by the University of Vienna with Environment Agency Austria, was presented Monday at the annual United European Gastroenterology conference. "Of particular concern is what this means to us, and especially patients with gastrointestinal diseases," Schwabl said. "While the highest plastic concentrations in animal studies have been found in the gut, the smallest microplastic particles are capable of entering the bloodstream, lymphatic system, and may even reach the liver. Now that we have first evidence for microplastics inside humans, we need further research to understand what this means for human health." To conduct the study, researchers monitored the stools of a group of eight participants from Finland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Austria. They detected particles of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene-terephthalate (PET), and others. In all, nine types of plastic were found in the stool samples. The researchers found an average of 20 microplastic particles per 10 grams of stool. Though the study was limited, the research suggests plastics could be widespread throughout the human food chain. Microplastics are defined as tiny particles, less than 5mm (13/64 of an inch). The particles come from a variety of products, as well as from plastics that break down in the environment and find their way into waterways. Up to nine different plastics, sized between 50 and 500 micrometres, were found in the stool. The scientists said microplastics may impact human health, starting in the gastrointestinal tract, and could affect the immune response in the gut, either through an accumulation of the plastics or by transmitting toxins contained in them. The researchers could not identify precisely where the plastics came from. Each study participant kept a food diary in the week leading up to his or her stool sampling. The diaries showed the participants were exposed to plastics in various ways: by eating food that had been wrapped in plastic or by drinking from plastic bottles. None were vegetarians. Six had eaten fish. "This study is brilliant and ingenious," chemist and microplastics expert Shari Mason of the State University of New York at Fredonia told NPR. Mason was not involved in the study, but she said the scientists confirmed "what so many of us suspected we're ingesting these plastics." Plastics are increasingly viewed as a global problem. The researchers said that plastics production is growing each year, and that 2 percent to 5 percent of all plastics produced end up in the oceans, where they are eaten by sea animals with potential to enter the human food chain. Microplastics have been detected in tuna, lobster, and shrimp. Earlier this year, a team of scientists working with Orb, a nonprofit journalism organization, found that a single bottle of water can contain dozens or even thousands of tiny plastic particles. Tests on more than 250 bottles showed almost all had contamination from microplastic particles that included PP, PET and nylon. A few bottles showed no presence of plastics. In all, scientists working with the publication found plastic in 93 percent of the samples. Since Airbnb became a popular platform for travelers to rent homes or rooms, cities and states have expanded taxes to cash in on the business of home-sharing. How much of an impact have those taxes had in Pennsylvania? Airbnb says it has collected and remitted more than $21.1 million since the company began collecting taxes on Pennsylvania bookings. The platform has 14,200 active hosts in Pennsylvania who rent their homes or spare rooms, Airbnb said, and in the last year 855,500 guests rented in the state through Airbnb. Under a law that went into effect on Oct. 1, New Jersey soon will tax Airbnb, and the company estimates its bookings will generate more than $10 million per year in state and local taxes. As for Pennsylvania, the total includes $12.1 million for the state, which has charged its 6 percent sales tax on Airbnb since July 2016. Philadelphia has received $7.6 million from Airbnb since July 2015, when the city began taxing bookings. Airbnb renters in the city pay a 1 percent city sales tax in addition to the state tax, and an 8.5 percent hotel levy. Philadelphia legalized and began taxing Airbnb a few months before Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia; officials cited home rentals during the papal visit as an important reason to pass a law regarding short-term rentals. It is difficult to determine how much new revenue Airbnb has raised in taxes; proponents of taxing home-sharing services say that they cut into the hotel business because visitors would otherwise stay in hotel rooms. While expanding taxes to include Airbnb and other online bookings is often seen as a way to level the playing field between hotels and home-sharing platforms, the sales and hotel taxes reported by Airbnb appear to be a drop in the bucket compared with the city's and state's total revenues from the lodging industry. Philadelphia has collected more than $125 million in hotel taxes in the last two fiscal years, according to the city's comprehensive annual financial reports. Airbnb's reported revenue accounts for less than 10 percent of that amount. Figures weren't available for the 2017-18 fiscal year, but Pennsylvania collected nearly $208 million in hotel taxes in 2016-17, alone, according to the state's Department of Revenue. Airbnb, nonetheless, boasts of its collections as a means of raising additional revenue for state and local governments. The company has generally supported state and local efforts to apply taxes to rentals. "We're proud of the partnerships we've forged in Pennsylvania, and hope to continue working cooperatively to ensure home sharing can continue to benefit every corner of the Keystone State," Josh Meltzer, head of Northeast public policy for Airbnb, said in a news release announcing the tax figures. In New Jersey, the law that took effect Oct. 1 affects all short-term rentals. While its supporters touted it as a tax on Airbnb and similar booking websites, Jersey Shore homeowners who rent through websites or word-of-mouth business have expressed concerns. Airbnb is not yet collecting taxes on bookings in New Jersey; a spokeswoman for Airbnb said the company is still working out details with the state's Department of the Treasury. Pennsylvania lawmakers, meanwhile, recently passed another expansion of the state's levies on hotel bookings. The state House and Senate last week both voted in favor of a bill that would require online travel companies, such as Expedia and Travelocity, to collect state and local sales and hotel taxes. It is now awaiting Gov. Wolf's signature. By requiring booking platforms to collect the tax, consumers would have to pay taxes on the full amount of the room, including fees charged by the website. That adjustment could raise an additional $10.8 million in the current fiscal year if the law goes into effect in December, and $23.8 million in the fiscal year beginning in July 2019, according to a fiscal note attached to the bill. Waiting for a press conference, clergy sexual abuse victims gather in the Capitol late Wednesday night October 17, 2018, after the state Senate rejected a measure that would have allowed lawsuits against perpetrators and institutions such as the Catholic Church. Read more HARRISBURG The emotionally charged debate in the state Capitol over a bill to help victims of alleged clergy sex abuse has officially become a campaign issue. Democrats on Wednesday will begin airing the first television ad knocking moderate Republican senators from the Philadelphia suburbs several facing tough reelection battles for the GOP-controlled chamber's failure last week to vote on a measure endorsed by Gov. Wolf, top law enforcement officials, the House of Representatives, and victim advocates. Among other changes, the legislation would have temporarily allowed older victims of clergy abuse to sue their alleged abusers and the institutions that may have covered up the crimes. "They call it a window to justice," a woman's voice intones on the ad, paid for by the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee, the election arm of Senate Democrats. "But Republicans in the Senate? They just walked away. No vote. No debate. No justice." "If Senate Republicans won't stand with victims, how can we expect them to vote for us?" the woman asks, urging voters to "change the Senate" by voting for Democrats. The ad's photo array singles out eight senators, including five from the Philadelphia suburbs: Sens. Thomas McGarrigle (R., Delaware); Tommy Tomlinson (R., Bucks); John Rafferty (R., Montgomery); Bob Mensch (R., Montgomery); and Stewart Greenleaf (R., Montgomery). It also takes aim at Sen. Pat Browne, a Republican from the Lehigh Valley, as well as the Senate's top two leaders: Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R., Jefferson) and Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R., Centre). >> VOTERS GUIDE: View candidates in the 2018 midterm election based on your address, or browse all the action in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware Scarnati has become the face of opposition in the capital to opening a so-called two-year window in the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims, which currently bars civil suits by victims who are over 30. He and a number of other Republicans say a window would have violated the remedies clause of the state Constitution, which has been interpreted by some legal scholars as prohibiting even a temporary chance for people to bring otherwise time-barred legal claims. But with the exception of Greenleaf, Republican senators from the Philadelphia suburbs including McGarrigle, Tomlinson and Mensch have broken with party leaders to publicly state their support for a window in recent weeks. In fact, landing their support was considered critical for victims and their advocates who were pushing for a window. Rafferty has said for years that he believes a two-year window is the best remedy for child sexual-abuse victims who are too old under the statute to sue. Even so, the Senate left the Capitol last week after private talks on a window collapsed. It was the last scheduled voting day of the legislature's two-year session. Any legislation that doesn't get approved before the session ends on Nov. 30 must be reintroduced and start the legislative approval process from scratch when the new session begins next year. In a statement Tuesday, Scarnati, who heads the Senate Republican campaign committee, said he found it "curious" that Republican senators who support a window were being targeted. "I have seen a lot of campaigns over my years but this might be a first calling out an opponent for taking a position that the other side actually agrees with," Scarnati wrote. "This reinforces my belief that for Democrats, this issue is more about winning campaigns than true concern for the victims of child sexual abuse." The new ad is landing at a politically vulnerable time for legislators in the southeastern part of the state. Rafferty, McGarrigle, Tomlinson, and Mensch are all running for reelection, facing tough races in a highly charged election year that some pundits believe could be a wave year for Democrats. (Greenleaf is retiring, but his son, who shares his name, is running for the seat.) Democrats in Pennsylvania have zeroed in on the Philadelphia suburbs, believing districts there hold the best chance for picking up seats in the Senate. Republicans in the chamber not only hold a majority, but up until recently a super-majority meaning they had enough votes to overturn a veto by the governor. >> SIGN UP: Get daily text messages on key issues leading up to the election Republican Senate leaders, too, are in highly competitive races. Corman is fielding a challenge from Democrat Ezra Nanes, who has been hammering Corman on the issue for weeks. Corman has refused to publicly state his position on a window, and during last week's voting session, rebuffed reporters who tried to ask him. The ad will run on digital platforms in Corman's district, but not on television. It will air on TV in Browne's district, however. Browne is being challenged by Democrat Mark Pinsley, and the two men have been locked in a fierce race that has included the senator recently pulling a campaign ad that erroneously claimed that Pinsley had failed to pay taxes on his business. Pinsley has sued Browne and his campaign for defamation. The ad will also run on digital platforms in a hotly contested state Senate race outside Pittsburgh for the seat of outgoing Sen. Randy Vulakovich, where Democrat Lindsey Williams is facing off with Republican Jeremy Shaffer. Pa. state Rep. Vanessa Brown will face trial nearly four years after being criminally charged. AP FILE PHOTO Read more HARRISBURG Prosecutors called it "a textbook case of public corruption": State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown (D., Phila.) was offered envelopes stuffed with cash in exchange for official favors and pocketed it. Brown's defense lawyer offered a different take: Law enforcement officials entrapped her and used a deeply troubled con man to do so. Those were the sides presented during opening arguments Tuesday before the jury of seven women and five men at Brown's public corruption trial in the Dauphin County Courthouse. The five-term state lawmaker is facing bribery and other charges resulting from a high-profile sting investigation led by the state Attorney General's Office. She is the only defendant in the long-running case who is fighting the charges. The trial, expected to continue all week, will feature video and audio recordings made by the sting's undercover operative, Tyron B. Ali. Ali, long an elusive figure in the case, is expected to take the stand later in the week. On Tuesday, First Assistant District Attorney Michael A. Sprow told jurors that Brown accepted a total of $4,000 in 2011 from Ali, who during the investigation posed as a lobbyist and showered her and others with cash and gifts. Sprow said Brown admitted her guilt before a grand jury that heard evidence in the case, acknowledging that she knew what she did was improper. "This is a textbook case of public corruption," Sprow told jurors, later adding: "It was clear that in conversations that Mr. Ali had with the defendant that this relationship was a two-way street. "He wasn't just giving her money to give her money for no reason." Sprow said. "He made it clear that he expected her to support his clients' causes. And the two of them would discuss specific pieces of legislation, and Mr. Ali would tell her how she needed to vote on those particular issues and the defendant agreed to do that." Defense lawyer Patrick A. Casey painted a scathing picture of Ali whom he called "a con man" and said the government deployed him to lure Brown to do something she did not intend to do. Ali, he told jurors, had been charged in a massive fraud case before agreeing to wear a recording device and cooperate with state prosecutors, and was hell-bent on getting "a scalp on the wall" to fulfill his end of the bargain. "This is the person who the government signed up to try to work undercover," said Casey, a Scranton attorney. Casey said that Ali offered Brown cash at their first meeting and that she turned it down, telling him that she has operated "by the book from the start." At that point, Casey argued, the government should have walked away. "The government offered Vanessa Lowery Brown the opportunity to commit a crime" during that first meeting, said Casey. "It should have been stopped when she said no and returned that money." The sting case dates to 2010, when Ali, hoping to win favorable treatment after his arrest in an unrelated fraud case, agreed to wear a wire for the state Attorney General's Office and tape public officials as he made his rounds in Philadelphia and Harrisburg. The investigation was run by former state prosecutor Frank Fina, who had carved out a niche pursuing big public-corruption cases. In March 2014, the Inquirer reported that former Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane secretly shut down the investigation after taking office in 2013. The sting case was resurrected by former Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams, who filed charges against Brown and five others in late 2014 and early 2015. Five have pleaded guilty or no contest and their cases have been closed. Of those, three were sitting Democratic House members from Philadelphia who resigned from office as part of pleas that allowed them to keep their government pensions. Brown is running unopposed for reelection next month. Chrissy Houlahan (left), Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district, walks with campaign volunteer Dylan Ward, 17, a senior at Conestoga High School, while canvassing in Malvern. Read more Two years ago, when Democrat Chrissy Houlahan began running for Congress, people told the military veteran and former high school teacher to stay away from one topic: Gun control. "There was a caution to me that it wasn't a quote-unquote winning issue," she recalled. But she ignored the advice. And since she announced her candidacy, a rash of mass shootings, including the one in February in Parkland, Fla., have rocked the country. Supporting major gun-control policies, she has been endorsed by gun-safety groups and is favored to win a newly redrawn seat that in its last configuration has been long held by Republicans. The shift Houlahan noticed in the Sixth District, which now covers Chester County and part of Berks County suddenly there was "permission to talk" about gun issues, she said is one that activists say is echoed nationwide. Gun control, once considered a third rail in American politics, has emerged as a prominent issue in races across the country, particularly in several key congressional districts. The prospects for passing gun-control bills in Congress would improve immensely if Democrats capture the 23 seats they need to flip the House which some polls suggest they might do and gun-control platforms might improve their prospects. For many Republicans, gun rights remain a strong issue but a lower-profile one this time than in elections past. The National Rifle Association has spent more than $6 million so far, according to public records significantly less than its double-digit spends in past elections and than the $20 million shelled out for the midterms by Everytown for Gun Safety. The latest Gallup Poll showed that more than 60 percent of Americans favor stricter gun control. It's "one of the most defining issues for Democrats running for Congress and to retake the House this cycle," said Peter Ambler, executive director of the Giffords organization. In Bucks County, Democrat Scott Wallace campaigned with the father of a Parkland victim. State Rep. Madeleine Dean, seeking a House seat in Montgomery County, released an ad Monday touting her efforts to promote anti-violence bills at the state level. In Dauphin County, House candidate George Scott burned a rifle in a primary campaign ad. In conservative-leaning western Pennsylvania, Democratic Rep. Conor Lamb, who both held a rifle and promoted background checks in his first campaign ads, is endorsed for reelection by gun-control groups. A poll conducted for Giffords said that in some races, talking about gun control helped Democrats increase their leads. And both the Brady Campaign and CeaseFire PA said more candidates than ever have sought their endorsements this cycle. Across the country, Democrats have intensified their efforts to embrace an issue that was once taboo. They have aired substantially more ads mentioning guns than Republicans, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis, indicating the party is banking on the issue to mobilize voters. One of the most hotly contested House races pits Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock, a Republican backed by the NRA, against Democrat Jennifer Wexton, who's been vocal on gun control and was the subject of Giffords' first political ad of the year a $1 million buy. Running for Congress in Georgia is Lucy McBath, who began working for gun control after her teenage son, Jordan Davis, was shot in 2012 by a man who said Davis' music was too loud. Guns have likewise become an issue in some gubernatorial races, such as in Nevada, Florida, and Georgia. >> VOTERS GUIDE: View candidates in the 2018 midterm election based on your address, or browse all the action in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware "There's no question 2018 is stacking up as the year candidates are running on gun safety in order to win elections," said John Feinblatt, executive director of Everytown for Gun Safety. "Candidates know that this is mobilizing voters." Some gun-rights candidates have remained outspoken, from Georgia gubernatorial hopeful Brian Kemp to Montanan Senate candidate Matt Rosendale to Rep. Keith Rothfus, vying for Pennsylvania's new 17th District seat against Lamb. "The NRA supports me because I support the Second Amendment," Rothfus said in an Oct. 16 debate with Lamb in western Pennsylvania. "Before we start to criminalize the behavior of responsible, law-abiding citizens, we want to make sure that a law will have an impact." In addition to spending, other signs point to gun control being the louder side this year: The NRA removed its long-noted archive of candidate grades from its website. Houlahan's opponent, Greg McCauley (who supports several of the gun-control measures Houlahan does while also supporting concealed carry reciprocity and opposing an assault weapons ban), took a pro-gun section off his web page early in the campaign. In 2014 and 2016, more gun-rights advertisements appeared than gun-control ads; now, that trend has reversed, according to a USA Today data analysis. >> SIGN UP: Get daily text messages on key issues leading up to the election And a few Republicans, including Bucks County Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, who has been endorsed by the three major gun-control groups, are breaking ranks on the issue something advocates say is also a sign of change. "You are seeing more candidates at the margin like Fitzpatrick who will come out and be champions of the cause," said Kris Brown, co-president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. "I think this election cycle is a proof point that more will be doing that in the future." Even in Pennsylvania, where a stark divide on guns continues, the state legislature this month passed a bill that tightened rules requiring convicted domestic abusers to relinquish their weapons the first gun-control bill passed in the state in years. About half the states passed some form of gun control after Parkland. Washington state has an initiative on November's ballot that would give it some of the most stringent laws in the country. Even if a majority of gun-control supporters is elected to the House, there's no guarantee legislation passed there would be approved by the Senate and signed by President Trump. And a strong partisan divide remains on the issue, according to Pew research released last week. In that survey, only 18 percent of Americans said they'd expressed opinions about guns on social media in the last year and 3 percent said they'd attended a rally or protest about the issue. Still, that survey said 57 percent of Americans support stricter gun laws, up 5 percent from last year. Advocates say progress in the midterms is a critical step on a longer road. Just getting a vote in the House on background checks, which hasn't happened in more than a decade, would be "monumental," Brown said. (Last week, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) said passing a bill for universal background checks would be among the Democrats' first priorities.) Many credit the activism by Parkland students for being the catalyst needed to cement gun control as a voter priority. Classmates of the 17 people killed have spoken out, encouraged young people to vote, and kept the issue in the news, advocates say, bolstering the work they began after the December 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. "We'll know by Nov. 7 whether it really has changed or not," Brown said, "and I think we'll wake up and find that it has." ISTANBUL President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was a "planned" and "brutal" murder and called on Saudi Arabia to extradite 18 suspects to Turkey to face justice for the crime. His comments, during a speech to his ruling party in Ankara, the Turkish capital, contradicted Saudi accounts that Khashoggi was killed when an argument escalated into a fistfight. Erdogan urged the Saudi authorities to reveal whether senior officials had been involved in planning the killing, suggesting Turkey was unsatisfied with the explanations that Saudi authorities had so far provided. "Covering up this kind of savagery will hurt the conscience of all humanity," he said. "Saudi Arabia took an important step by accepting the murder. After this, we expect them to reveal those responsible for this matter." "We have information that the murder is not instant, but planned," he said. Since Khashoggi's death three weeks ago after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the governments of Saudi Arabia and Turkey have offered sharply differing versions of what happened to him. The Saudi story has shifted dramatically over time, from assertions he walked out of the consulate unharmed to finally acknowledging Khashoggi had been killed, allegedly in a fistfight that involved "rogue" Saudi agents. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Tuesday that the kingdom was committed to a "comprehensive investigation" into the journalist's death and had dispatched a team to Turkey. But Turkish officials, from the start, have said Khashoggi was killed in a premeditated fashion by a team of Saudi operatives who were dispatched to Istanbul from Riyadh, the Saudi capital, and that his body was later dismembered. Over the past three weeks, Turkish officials have dribbled out details of their investigation to the news media that are intended to bolster their case as well as to force a confession and possibly other concessions from the Saudi leadership, analysts said. Speaking in Indonesia on Tuesday, Jubeir said that the Saudi investigators had "uncovered evidence of a murder." He also vowed to put mechanisms in place that would prevent similar incidents in future, without expanding upon what those would be. Khashoggi, a contributor to The Washington Post who had written columns critical of the Saudi leadership over the last year, had gone to the consulate on the afternoon of Oct. 2 to obtain documents that would allow him to remarry. His death has cast a harsh light on the rule of the Saudi Arabia's young crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, who has eased social restrictions at home while pursuing an unrelenting crackdown on rivals and critics, imprisoning hundreds. Mohammed has also tried to lure exiled dissidents like Khashoggi, who lived in Virginia, back to Saudi Arabia, Khashoggi's friends and other exiles said. Shortly after Erdogan takes the stage in Ankara, Mohammed is expected to make his own appearance in Riyadh, opening a landmark investment conference intended to signal afresh that the kingdom is open for business. But while the guest list for last year's bonanza read like a who's-who of the global business elite, the run-up to Tuesday's event has been marred by pull-outs from a stream of Western investors and politicians, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and International Monetary Fund chair Christine Lagarde. Tuesday's audience is expected to be dominated instead by representatives Middle Eastern, Asian and Russian companies, suggesting that the Western boycott may have a limited impact on Saudi economic prospects. The Khashoggi case has also embarrassed the Trump administration, which regards the crown prince as one of its closest Arab allies and Saudi Arabia as a cornerstone of a U.S. strategy to counter Iran. CIA Director Gina Haspel headed to Turkey Monday, where she is expected to assess the strength of the evidence that Turkish officials have been drip-feeding the media for weeks. A stream of Turkish video leaks that surfaced on Monday appeared to depict the Saudis trying to cover their tracks after Khashoggi's death, including images said to be of men at the consulate burning documents and a body double wearing Khashoggi's clothes, to make it appear the journalist had walked out of the consulate as the Saudis claimed. The leaks also seemed intended to whip up a sense of anticipation ahead of the speech by Erdogan, who has chided the Saudis in recent weeks for not cooperating with the Turkish investigation but stopped short of blaming the Saudi government for Khashoggi's death. On Sunday, in a preview of his speech, Erdogan said he would explain the episode "in a very different way," the semiofficial Anadolu news agency reported. "The incident will be revealed entirely," he said. The Washington Post's Louisa Loveluck in Beirut contributed to this report. Fire at Muslim school in Bristol Township was started by three male students at school, police said. Read more Police on Tuesday said three boys who attend a Muslim school in Bucks County were responsible for a fire there Monday afternoon. Bristol Township police said the fire at the United American Muslim Association school in the 5200 block of Emilie Road was caused by three boys, ages 10 to 14. The fire, which started in a second-floor storage room filled with boxes of paper towels, was reported around 4:30 p.m. and required a response by several fire companies and the Levittown-Fairless Hills Rescue Squad. No one was injured in the blaze, which was declared an arson by the Bristol Township Fire Marshal's Office. The Philadelphia office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said on Monday that it was joining the investigation. Detectives determined that it was not a hate crime, nor was there any malicious intent against the school, Bristol Township police said in a statement. The investigation was ongoing and the Bucks County District Attorney's Office was reviewing the case for possible charges. The building was formerly the home of Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary School. Republican lieutenant governor candidate Jeff Bartos, a Montgomery County real estate executive, has said Pennsylvania needs a pro-growth businessman as governor to revive the state: former State Sen. Scott Wagner. Bartos, who had been active in party politics but had never run for public office before, was looking at a possible run in 2017, against U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. when Wagner recruited him to run for lieutenant governor in the Republican primary. After winning in May, Bartos joined Wagner's gubernatorial campaign as his running mate. In the weeks leading up to the November election, county party organizations are holding dinner events around the commonwealth. In the past two weeks Bartos spoke at Fall Dinners in Carbon, Northampton, Perry, Lycoming, and Juniata Counties. On Monday, October 15, he attended two in one night: Berks and Lancaster County's events (the next day he was at the York County GOP Fall Dinner). An average of gubernatorial polling compiled by Real Clear Politics shows Governor Tom Wolf and John Fetterman with a comfortable 16.8 point lead. President Trump speaks Monday during a campaign rally for Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in Houston. EVAN VUCCI / AP Read more WASHINGTON President Trump has signaled in recent days that his closing pitch in this year's midterm elections is based on fear. But while the presidential imprint adds to the weight of that message, warnings about dangerous outsiders, often with racially loaded images or language, have been coursing through key congressional races for weeks, including contests in the Philadelphia area. In tight races in Bucks County and South Jersey, Republicans are running ads linking two Democratic House candidates to convicted cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal. In one of those races, a GOP TV ad assailed Democrat Andy Kim as "not one of us" and a separate flier with a font styled like one from a stereotypical Asian take-out menu said there was "something fishy" about him. Kim, who grew up in South Jersey, is Korean American. Elsewhere in the country, Republican ads have painted Democrats as terrorist sympathizers one ad blared that a "Palestinian-Mexican millenial Democrat" is trying to "infiltrate" Congress. And the GOP candidate for governor in Florida has warned not to "monkey up" the strong economy by electing his Democratic opponent, who is black. That was all before a caravan of some 7,000 Central American migrants moving toward the United States. became a focus for Trump. Without evidence, he warned the group is made up of violent gang members and "unknown Middle Easterners." "Voters are motivated by fear and they're also motivated by anger," Trump ally Newt Gingrich told the Washington Post. That's an old, but reliable, political truism. It's one reason why Republicans turned out in 2010, when Democrats held power and were pushing the Affordable Care Act, and why Democrats may have the advantage this year, in reaction to Trump. >> VOTERS GUIDE: View candidates in the 2018 midterm election based on your address, or browse all the action in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware Republicans have fewer reasons to be angry. They have been winning, and relatively few voters show up just to say "things are great, keep it up." But the caravan, and dark warnings about terrorists, crime and "mobs" of liberal protesters, are aimed to counteract the Democratic intensity seen in many key races. Some of Trump's recent statements have no grounding in evidence. Asked to explain his warnings about Middle Easterners Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Tuesday there's "no proof of anything but there could very well could be." "This is one of his most dishonest weeks in political life," tweeted Toronto Star reporter Daniel Dale, who has fact-checked Trump throughout his presidency. "He's lying about so many different things at once, and in big ways not exaggerating or stretching, completely making stuff up." The liberal Huffington Post has a running list that includes racially charged claims in nearly two dozen campaigns. Others are based on wisp-thin connections. U.S. Rep. Tom MacArthur (R., N.J.) has tried to tie Kim to Abu-Jamal because of a link to a book list posted on the Facebook page of a non-profit group Kim founded. The link, posted by a volunteer, not Kim, went to a separate site that listed more than 100 titles called "the Library of Resistance." Abu-Jamal's book was among them. Another Abu-Jamal-based attack, against Democratic candidate Scott Wallace, of Bucks County, was pulled because it lacked factual support. >> SIGN UP: Get daily text messages on key issues leading up to the election In California, meanwhile, the GOP attack on the "Palestinian-Mexican" Democrat targets Ammar Campa-Najjar, whose grandfather had a role in planning the assassination of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympic Games, the New York Times reported. Campa-Najjar is a Christian who grew up in a Mexican American community and has distanced himself from that part of his family, the Times wrote. Attack ads that push the boundaries and elicit fear, of course, are not new. But Trump has made loose accusations and racial tension central parts of his presidency, opening the door for others to follow. "What Trump brought to the party has been so embraced that this is a Republican Party issue now, it is no longer just a Donald Trump issue," David Jolly, a former Republican congressman from Florida, told CNN Tuesday. He has left the party. "The dog whistles of bigotry have been put away," tweeted U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D., Calif.). "Now they're using trumpets." His tweet referred to the ads assailing Kim. MacArthur, in response, noted that he didn't level the attack (it came from another Republican group) and that he has adopted two children from South Korea. "I don't want your apology, but you sure can apologize to my children," MacArthur tweeted to Schiff. Democrats have centered their closing arguments on health care and protections for people with pre-existing conditions, though Republicans have accused some, including Sen. Bob Casey (D., Pa.), of darkly painting GOP motives and exaggerating the threat. Democrats point to the reality that Republicans have voted numerous times to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which includes protections for people with pre-existing conditions, or to weaken those protections. Republicans, meanwhile, have been open about their strategy: As polls suggest independents and "soft" Republicans are uneasy with Trump, they hope to make Democratic candidates unacceptable alternatives. What's unusual this year is that Trump and Republicans have a potentially positive message. They say the economy, jobs and wages are surging. But they're not emphasizing that argument in ads. A Wesleyan Media Project report last week found that from Sept. 18 to Oct. 15, Republicans ads talked about taxes less often than they did in 2008, 2010 or 2012. That's likely because the GOP tax plan, their signature legislative achievement, has fallen flat in public opinion polls. So the final weeks of the campaign feature talk about cop killers, gang members and dark warnings about migrants. When Dorcas Bates Reilly, a supervisor in the Campbell Soup Co. test kitchen in Camden, came up with a green bean casserole in 1955, she had no idea it would make culinary history. She wanted to create a quick dish combining two ingredients that most American families had on hand at that time green beans and Campbell's cream of mushroom soup. The Green Bean Bake, as it was first called, was tweaked by Mrs. Reilly and her team of recipe inventors into a popular comfort food. And more than a half-century later, the casserole, with its topping of crispy French-fried onions, is expected to appear on the Thanksgiving tables of more than 20 million Americans this year, the soup company said in a tribute to the inventor. Mrs. Reilly, 92, of Haddonfield, a recipe developer in the home economics department at Campbell starting in 1949 and the mother of two, died Monday, Oct. 15, of Alzheimer's disease at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden. "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dorcas Reilly, the creator of one of the most beloved American recipes, the Green Bean Casserole," the company said. "Dorcas was an incredible woman whose legacy will live on for years to come. She will be missed by her Campbell colleagues and all those who were impacted by her creativity and generous spirit." Her son, Thomas B. Reilly, said his mother's achievement as inventor of the casserole didn't resonate until 2002, when Campbell donated the original recipe card to the National Inventors Hall of Fame, where Thomas A. Edison's light bulb is also displayed. On Nov. 19, 2002, Mrs. Reilly was recognized as the inventor of the recipe but not inducted into the hall of fame, according to Nicky Thomson, a Campbell spokeswoman. Mrs. Reilly's husband, Thomas H. Reilly, accompanied her to the event, and Campbell officials also attended. At the time, the hall of fame museum was in Akron, Ohio. It is now in Alexandria, Va. "She was extremely humble about the whole thing," her son said. "As a kid growing up, we never really discussed it. It didn't become a talking point until the recipe was put in the Inventors Hall of Fame. "I think she was surprised," he said. "I think she was even more surprised at how much of a big deal it became. She was not a flashy person. She didn't bask in the limelight. She just went in and did her job every day, like most blue-collar people." She also came up with a tomato soup cake, a sloppy Joe dish made with tomato soup, and a tuna noodle casserole. "But she was best known as grandmother of the Green Bean Casserole," her husband said. In 1959, Mrs. Reilly and her husband married. She left the company in 1961 to become a mother, but returned in 1981 as the manager of Campbell's Kitchen, which develops and tests recipes using Campbell products. She remained there until retiring in 1988. Born to Dorcas Lillian Webb and Frederick Bates in Woodbury, Mrs. Reilly grew up in Glassboro and Camden. She graduated from Camden High School in 1944 and earned a bachelor's degree in home economics from the Drexel Institute of Technology, now Drexel University, in June 1947. Campbell's started putting Mrs. Reilly's recipe on the labels of the firm's cream of mushroom soup in 1960, and the cans flew off the shelves, especially around holiday time, Drexel said in a 2017 tribute on its website. The Green Bean Casserole evolved into a classic because the original recipe could be tailored by cooks to their families' likes and dislikes. "My niece loves to top off the casserole with extra French-fried onions," Cindy Ayers, former head of Campbell's Kitchen, told a Drexel interviewer. "Each family has its own way of preparing Green Bean Casserole, and it's the personal touch that makes the dish a lasting holiday tradition." The ingredients include cream of mushroom soup, four cups of cut cooked green beans, cup milk, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, a dash black pepper, and a can of French-fried onions. Preparation time for mixing the ingredients is 10 minutes, and baking time at 350 degrees in a greased casserole dish is 30. Detailed instructions on how to make the casserole can be found here. Mrs. Reilly was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, Order of the Eastern Star, and Daughters of the American Revolution, and was active in numerous choral and theatrical groups. In addition to her husband and son, she is survived by a daughter, Dorcas R. Tarbell; four grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews. A visitation from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, will be followed by an 11 a.m. celebration of life at Haddonfield First Presbyterian Church, 20 Kings Highway E., Haddonfield, N.J. 08033. Burial is private. Memorial donations may be made to the Haddonfield First Presbyterian Church Music Ministry at the address above. Left to right: Andy Kim and Jeff Van Drew, who both secured the Inquirer Editorial Board's endorsement in the 2018 midterm election. Read more If the so-called blue wave is going to give Democrats control of the House, it's going to have to wash over two Republican Jersey Shore congressional districts. In the Second District, which spans Cape May to Camden counties, Democratic Sen. Jeff Van Drew, 65, of Dennis, is running against former Atlantic County Freeholder Seth Grossman, 69, of Atlantic City, to replace retiring Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R., N.J.). His own worst enemy, Grossman called diversity a "bunch of crap," Kwanzaa "phony," and Islam a "cancer." The Republican Party won't support him, and neither will we. Van Drew is a welcome contrast. His impressive command of issues comes from more than 25 years of serving the district, first as municipal leader and eventually as a state senator, since 2008. His moderate tendencies reflect the right-leaning district. For example, he authored a bill that would hamstring offshore oil drillers and supports alternative energy. But he supported a natural gas pipeline, which would run through the ecologically-fragile Pinelands forest. Although the National Rifle Association gave Van Drew a $1,000 campaign contribution in 2008 and he supports the right to bear arms, he favors universal background checks, limiting civilian ownership of military weapons, and taking guns away from people who pose a danger to themselves or others. The Inquirer enthusiastically endorses Jeff Van Drew for his deep understanding of local and national issues and his ability to work with Republicans in a professional, bipartisan way. In the Third District, which covers most of Burlington and Ocean counties, incumbent Republican Rep. Tom MacArthur, 58, of Toms River, is running for a third term against Democrat Andy Kim, 36, of Bordentown. In Congress, MacArthur has walked a moderate path, helping storm victims, and supporting gun safety and humane immigration policies. For that and more, we endorsed him in his first primary and both general elections. But MacArthur lost his way in Washington. He helped move a bill repealing the Affordable Care Act, which was fortunately killed in the Senate. And, he was the only congressman from the state to support President Trump's lopsided tax plan, which helped the wealthy at the expense of government services. These acts infuriated many in the district, who are now supporting Kim, a Rhodes Scholar who worked for the State Department. But Kim has exaggerated his resume a little saying he "served" in Afghanistan, which implies military service, when he was an advisor and not a member of the military. It's not stolen valor, but it is a nuance Kim would be wise to respect. As a member of Congress, he promises that he won't accept corporate political donations and promises daily disclosure of all meetings and votes. He would require health insurers to cover preexisting conditions and prohibit them from charging older people extra. He is pro-choice, pro-environment, and wants to give tax credits to businesses for hiring workers at decent salaries. In short, he would be a reliable Democratic vote. He should also serve Republican interests in the district. The Inquirer endorses Andy Kim because he has a strong background in foreign policy and cares about the health and finances of people in the Third District. Hear full audio from our endorsement meetings with the NJ2 candidates: GUWAHATI: At least 46 organisations in Assam are holding a 12-hour statewide bandh against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 on Tuesday. The protesters put up blockades on rail tracks to disrupt train services across the state. Police said that they had to forcefully evict protestors who were sitting on the tracks. Demonstrators also burnt tyres on roads in various places of the state. Police are closely monitoring public transport vehicles to ensure law and order is maintained in the state. Security personnel are providing escorts to public transport vehicles to ensure transport services functioned normally during the bandh. The 46 outfits which have called for a bandh include the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP). They are protesting against the Centre's bid to pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, in the Winter Session of Parliament. Shops remain closed in Guwahati as a 12-hour statewide bandh has been called by over 40 organisations in Assam against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 pic.twitter.com/vcRHA7uGi1 ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2018 Political parties, including the Congress and the AIUDF, have extended their support to the bandh in the interest of Assam and its indigenous people. All district magistrates and superintendents of police had been instructed by the BJP government in the state to take measures to maintain public utility services in view of the bandh call. Government said that necessary measures were being taken to thwart the bandh call in view of the judgement of the Gauhati High Court. The deputy commissioners of respective districts had issued orders that all government officials should attend to their duties. Assam: #Visuals from Guwahati as a 12-hour statewide bandh has been called by over 40 organisations against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 pic.twitter.com/EmLx8kIPYA ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2018 It also said that shops, business establishments, educational institutions should remain open and transport facilities should function normally. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014. State Finance and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said on Monday that the Gauhati High Court had ruled that calling a bandh was an illegal act and so the statewide bandh called by 46 organisations on Tuesday cannot be allowed as it will amount to contempt of court. KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi said this was the first time that they had called a bandh and they would not call it off as the very "existence of Assamese and their identity was at stake by the Bill". Hyderabad: An Election Commission team arrived in Hyderabad on Monday on a three-day visit to review poll preparedness in Telangana. The 11-member team, led by Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat, met representatives of nine recognised political parties. Two representatives from each party were given 19 minutes to voice their views. The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), opposition Congress, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and other parties made their submissions before the team. The Congress party raised the issue of alleged discrepancies in voter list. Its leader M. Shashidhar Reddy told the CEC that names of many voters were missing from the revised list. BJP`s N. Indrasena Reddy complained about bogus voters, especially in Hyderabad. He told the EC team that no action was taken despite repeated complaints in this regard. CPI`s Chada Venkat Reddy urged the EC to take measures to effectively curb the money power in elections. After hearing the political parties, the EC team met Telangana`s Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar and senior police officials to review the poll preparedness. The team is scheduled to meet all the electoral officers and Superintendents of police of all the districts on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the election panel will hold meetings with senior officials of Income Tax Department, Railways, Airport and various banks. The elections to the 119-member Telangana assembly are scheduled to be held on December 7. The assembly polls were originally scheduled to be held along with Lok Sabha elections next year, but the TRS government decided to go in for early elections by dissolving the Assembly. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati will begin the party's campaign from October 25 for upcoming assembly polls in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana. She will be holding 26 rallies in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The party is yet to finalise her plan for the campaigning in Telangana. Mayawati will begin BSP's campaign from Rajasthan where she will address two rallies each on October 25, 26 and on November 2. She will hold 12 public meetings in Madhya Pradesh starting from November 2. In Chhattisgarh, she will be holding six rallies. The first rally will be held on November 4, and public meetings will be held on 16 and 17 November. As Hindus including myself celebrated Vijayadasami last week, protests were raging against the entry of women into the Sabarimala temple to Lord Ayyappa in Kerala following the Supreme Court verdict that ended restrictions on the entry of females between the age of 10 and 50, approximating to the span when women have menstrual periods. While I struggled to make sense of the judgment and the protests, I stumbled on an insightful tweet from Cas Mudde, one of the world's finest political scientists, that said, "Main difference in freedom of religion in France and United States: In the US the main aim is to keep the state out of religion. In France, the main aim is to keep religion out of the state. Says a lot about the state's priorities..." Main difference in freedom of religion in France and United States: In the US the main aim is to keep the state out of religion. In France the main aim is to keep religion out of the state. Says a lot about the state's priorities... Cas Mudde ? (@CasMudde) October 19, 2018 My view is that India is a bit like France and a bit like the US. On the one hand, we have laws against cow slaughter that essentially enforce Hindu beliefs in a multi-religious society, implying a religious intervention in state laws. On the other hand, we have had the Supreme Court verdict declaring women and men as equals in entering the Sabarimala shrine that involves a clear state intervention in matters of religion. If secularism means the separation of religion from state, we seem to be failing on both counts. But I believe there is a case for state and religion to co-engage to the extent possible to make the country a better place. In that sense, as review petitions pile up before the Supreme Court seeking the restoration of status quo on the ban of women in the Sabarimala temple, I do not take a simplistic view that women should be banned or that they should be allowed into the Sabarimala temple. This is because every religion, be it Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam or Christianity, has essentially three layers: the spiritual, the mystical and the social. It is important to understand the philosophy and principles underlying religious beliefs and not just practices, customs and rituals, for us to arrive at a truly fair middle ground where religion and state can co-exist in harmony. Some commentators believe that "Law is above faith" but that goes against the spirit of the Constitution that is democratic in character and in which the Right to Worship and Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression are essential features. We also have now the Supreme Court recognising the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right. It is possible to recognise a pilgrimage as an act of collective worship based on common beliefs that need a collective right to privacy in ordained places. A shrine need not be a public property in the sense of a municipal park or a highway to have equal rights to access. In fact, the Supreme Court's privacy ruling also notes that "personal choices governing a way of life are intrinsic to privacy." A religious tradition may be included in that category. However, it is important to examine principles underlying belief systems. Just as the police have a right to break into a party where banned drugs may be used, the law has the right to examine privacy and worship to the extent that it sees the nature of the engagement as constitutionally legitimate. This is where I believe the Supreme Court should have an amicus curiae (friend of the court) that has advisory expertise in religious philosophy so that the honourable judges are guided well on the principles underlying the Sabarimala pilgrimage. It is important here to understand the three aspects of any religious order. If the Oxford dictionary definition of religion is taken, religion is "the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods" as also "a particular system of faith and worship". Here the spirituality comes from a belief in a supreme being and some noble human values underlying it, such as brotherhood, love, devotion or kindness. That seems common to most leading religions unless we count some rare, controversial faiths. The social aspect of religion involves material things such as ownership of property, historic practices stemming out of pragmatism and plain habits that may have their roots in ecology or lifestyles. In between the spiritual and social aspects lie the mystical. The Oxford dictionary defines it as "having a spiritual symbolic or allegorical significance that transcends human understanding". Close to this is the esoteric, defined as "intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialised knowledge or interest." On the one hand, we can say that in old times, given the arduous trek, pilgrimages were undertaken primarily by men and hence a ban on women can be dismissed as historical and no longer relevant. Manu S Pillai likens the current standoff to the temple entry movement that led to the Maharaja of Travancore allowing Dalits into Hindu shrines in Kerala in 1936 after fierce religious arguments. But Dalit entry seems to have had more to do with an attempt to quell social unrest based on caste discrimination rather than any faith in mystical arguments. The Supreme Court would do well now to give Hindu groups a fair hearing by invoking experts in esoteric philosophy who also carry credibility not just as scholars but also as practitioners. Modern historians only observe facts and not the underlying principles and tenets (siddhanthas). The court should use its own sense to separate the esoteric and the mystical aspects from the social and give them some space under a right to privacy and worship. Lord Ayyappa is a special deity who is said to have been born as per an esoteric legend to Lord Shiva as a male and Lord Vishnu taking the temporary form of a "Mohini" (alluring woman) to charm demons (asuras) in order to defeat them. Such a legend involves a deep esoteric meaning on sexuality that can be related closely to the vow of celibacy that pilgrims to Sabarimala undertake during their pilgrimage. The common link has to be explored systematically in terms of the siddhanthas for the court to see if there is room for a private right to worship. On the other hand, we can interpret the vow of celibacy as an aspect of self-control that men must exercise over their sexuality. The presence of women, in this case, is more to do with the defeat of the demons within the pilgrims who can be charmed or deceived by woman power. In this case, male pilgrims will be enriched by a higher degree of self-control. Let respected Hindu philosophers become amicus curiae to the Supreme Court to help judges decide on the matter keeping equally in mind the right to private esoterica and gender equality in the public sphere. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) Mumbai: Real-life husband-wife duo Ajay Devgn and Kajol are all set to team up for a film after a hiatus of ten years. The talented actress has started shooting for Ajay's ambitious project 'Taanaji -The Unsung Warrior', a film that features Saif Ali Khan in a negative role. According to a report in After Hrs, Kajol will essay the character of Taanaji's wife in the film. "Kajol has begun shooting in Mumbai from yesterday. When she was approached for the film, she felt its the perfect script for her, since she already has a strong Marathi base," After Hrs quoted a source as saying. Kajol speaks Marathi fluently because the language happens to be her mother-tongue. And hence she would be able to pull off the character with ease and elan. Saif will play Udaybhan Rathod, fort-keeper under Jai Singh I, the Mughal Army Chief while Ajay will essay the titular role in the film directed by Om Raut. Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior will Saif and Ajay's fourth film together. The two actors have worked in Kachche Dhaage (1999), LOC Kargil (2003) and Omkara (2006). The film will reportedly narrate the events that led to the Battle of Sinhagad and the war itself. The battle took place on the night of February 4, 1670, at the fort of Sinhagad near the city of Pune. New Delhi: Ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra says Indian fashion designers are today seen in a different light in the world, with many of them showcasing and presenting their collections at international fashion shows. Malhotra has been in the industry for about 28 years as a costume designer and has owned the Manish Malhotra label for 13 years. In these almost three decades, he has seen changes in the fashion industry. "Like every other industry, the times of rapid change call for a different way of doing things in fashion as well, and the fashion industry in India has definitely gone through transformations. "People are becoming vocal with their opinions on craftsmanship and the designs we showcase or the national and international influencers we dress," Malhotra told IANS in an email interview. "Indian fashion designers are today seen in a different light in the world with many of us showcasing and presenting at fashion shows across the globe. My addition to the Academy Awards as a jury member is a testament of our work." He feels the consumer landscape is truly changing, thanks to social media. "Luxury is today as much about the experience or the story as it is about the product. I see many people dressing according to their personality and owning up to their aesthetics. There is a lot more individuality, with a great mix of style and fashion. However, I continue to see a lot of global influences in fashion," he pointed out. He also believes that the conservative mindset surrounding "accepted" fashion no longer exists. "The fashion industry in India has evolved tastefully, especially in the last decade. If you ask me what is coming back, it is bell-bottoms. It has been a classic style and we have seen a surge of it on the ramp and in real life. Fashion is about knowing what works for you and how you carry it with confidence." The designer to stars like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kajol and Katrina Kaif likes to enjoy spreading his knowledge to people who are eager to learn and indulge themselves in fashion. And so, he started his online fashion design course this year. "I feel that if my experience can benefit the designers of the future then why not share it with them. Currently, I do not have any plans to set up a fashion institute, but would also not rule out that option completely," he said. As a designer, he is always enthusiastic about stepping outside his comfort zone to explore newer frontiers of design. "Collaborations are always exciting, even if they are outside the realm of clothes. For instance, my collaboration with ALCHYMI by Hindware has been a great experience for me. "While creating this collection, I started with my love for modern and chic designs with clean lines, which is reflected in the creations for ALCHYMI bathroom suites. Together, we curated bathrooms suites that are unique in colour and shapes such as black and earthen brown, which are not just contemporary, but also in line with my own design philosophy. "Combining textures such as marble finish with ceramics or having an aroma slot in your basins and water closets to enhance your experience in the bath space, working on ALCHYMI has helped me challenge my own notions of fashion and design." Malhotra, who visited 'Jiyo! Live It!' -- an exhibit-cum-outreach programme by The Asian Heritage Foundation in Delhi -- earlier this month, has also collaborated with wine brand Chandon to create two limited edition bottles for Chandon Brut. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special director Rakesh Asthana has argued before the Delhi High Court that any investigation against him without proper permission will be illegal. Appearing for Asthana before the court, senior advocate Amarendra Sharan told the court that it was a case of illegal registration of FIR against the CBI special director. This is a case of illegal registration of FIR against CBI Special Director based on a statement of an accused. The person whose arrest was recommended by Asthana has now been made a complainant and based of his complaint, the FIR has been filed, Asthanas lawyer told the court. The matter has been posted by the court for Monday, October 29, when CBI director Alok Verma has to respond to the allegations levelled by Rakesh Asthana . The Delhi High Court said that no action could be taken against him till the next hearing. The Delhi High Court further said that all electronic records, including mobile phones and laptops, of the accused need to be preserved. According to Bar & Bench, Sharan submitted before the court that the provisions of law prescribe that it is necessary to seek permission before initiating an inquiry against a serving officer, adding that the matter is of great urgency. Earlier on Tuesday, Asthana moved the Delhi High Court against the lodging of FIR against him in an alleged bribery case. With the war within CBI out in the open, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepped in on Monday, summoning the two officials, Rakesh Asthana and Alok Verma, to the PMO. The officers were reportedly asked to make amends as the reputation of the agency was hit because of the feud. On Monday, the CBI also arrested its Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar after conducting raids at his office and residence. Kumar, who was earlier the investigation officer in a case involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi, was arrested on a charge of "falsification of records". The agency registered an FIR against Asthana and several others for allegedly accepting bribes to settle a case of meat exporter Moin Qureshi, who is facing multiple cases of money laundering and corruption. The CBI has alleged that bribes were given at least five times between December, 2017 and October this year. Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Smriti Irani has issued a clarification after controversy over her remark on entry of women in temples. Taking to microblogging site Twitter, the minister alleged that a propaganda had been launched, using her as a bait. Smriti pointed that even she was not allowed to enter a fire temple to pray despite being married to a practising Zoroastrian. She said that she had never objected to the same, citing that other Parsi or non Parsi menstruating women never go to fire temple irrespective of their age. In a chain of tweets, the Union minister said, Since many people are talking about my comments let me comment on my comment. As a practising Hindu married to a practising Zoroastrian I am not allowed to enter a fire temple to pray. Since many people are talking about my comments let me comment on my comment. As a practising Hindu married to a practising Zoroastrian I am not allowed to enter a fire temple to pray. Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) October 23, 2018 I respect that stand by the Zoroastrian community / priests and do not approach any court for a right to pray as a mother of 2 Zoroastrian children. Similarly Parsi or non Parsi menstruating women irrespective of age DO NOT go to a Fire Temple. Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) October 23, 2018 I respect that stand by Zoroastrian community / priests and do not approach any court for a right to pray as a mother of 2 Zoroastrian children. Similarly Parsi or non Parsi menstruating women irrespective of age DO NOT go to a Fire Temple, she said. Hitting out at her critics, Smriti alleged that her remark was being used for the sake of propaganda. She tweeted, These are 2 factual statements. Rest of the propaganda / agenda being launched using me as bait is well just that ... bait. As far as those who jump the gun regarding women visiting friends place with a sanitary napkin dipped in menstrual blood I am yet to find a person who takes a blood soaked napkin to offer to any one let alone a friend. Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) October 23, 2018 But what fascinates me though does not surprise me is that as a woman I am not free to have my own point of view. As long as I conform to the liberal point of view Im acceptable. How Liberal is that ?? Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) October 23, 2018 As far as those who jump the gun regarding women visiting friends place with a sanitary napkin dipped in menstrual blood I am yet to find a person who takes a blood soaked napkin to offer to any one let alone a friend. But what fascinates me though does not surprise me is that as a woman I am not free to have my own point of view. As long as I conform to the liberal point of view Im acceptable. How Liberal is that ?? Speaking at an event earlier, the minister had said that the right to pray does not mean the right to desecrate. Referring to the Supreme Court verdict on the issue, she had said, "I am nobody to speak against the Supreme Court verdict as I am a serving cabinet minister. But just plain common sense is that would you carry a napkin seeped with menstrual blood and walk into a friend's house. You would not. And would you think it is respectful to do the same when you walk into the house of god? That is the difference. I have the right to pray, but no right to desecrate. That is the difference that we need to recognise and respect." NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan will hold DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) level talks on Tuesday during the Indian side will lodge a strong protest over the recent killing of its jawans in a Border Action Team (BAT) attack near the Line of Control and increased infiltration bids by terrorists. "During the hotline talk between the DGMOs, the Indian Army will strongly condemn the barbaric act of Pakistan Army," an official based in South Block, which houses the Ministry of Defence, said. The top officials from both the sides will hold talks around 11 AM using the existing mechanism of hotline communication. Indian Army and Pakistan Army to hold DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) level talks today; Indian Army to raise issues of infiltration bids, actions of Border Action Team (BAT),& use of Pakistan&Pakistan Occupied Kashmir territory for propagating terrorist activities ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2018 The sector commanders of the two armies had earlier met in Poonch on October 21 during which India issued a stern warning to Pakistan against sending terrorists to the Indian soil. Today's DGMO-level meeting assumes significance as it comes in the wake of the recent attack on an Army patrol party along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Sunderbani sector in which three soldiers and two Pakistani intruders were killed and one Indian soldier was critically injured. Since the DGMO talks on May 29, 2018, which was held at the behest of Pakistan, the Army has been maintaining utmost restraint to uphold the ceasefire along the LoC. Since May, at least seven infiltration bids by the Pakistan Army have been foiled by the Indian Army, which also resulted in the killing of 23 terrorists. Earlier this month, Major General Asif Ghafoor, spokesperson of the Pakistan militarys Inter-Services Public Relations, had threatened the Indian Army with 10 surgical strikes" in response to one such attack by India. Ghafoor was quoted as saying to Radio Pakistan, If India dares to launch a surgical strike in Pakistan, it will face 10 surgical strikes in response. However, in response, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh claimed the Indian Army is fully prepared. "When required, any challenging task can be undertaken. It doesn't matter what statements are being made from what quarter," Singh said. Army, last month, celebrated the second anniversary of its surgical strike on terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). However, the Army maintained that according to intelligence inputs, there is no change in terrorist infrastructure across the LoC in PoK, hence several attempts of infiltration by Pakistan-trained terrorists. (With Agency inputs) New Delhi: An Air Vistara flight from Kochi had to abort landing twice on Tuesday morning after the Air Traffic Control (ATC) informed that there was a dead bird on the runway at Delhi's IGI Airport. The Vistara flight UK-882 had to go-around (abort landing) twice after warning messages from ATC in Delhi, reported news agency ANI. It is only in its third attempt that permission was granted for landing because the dead bird - the reason for the first two denials - had been removed. There is a risk of plane tyres bursting if it is in high speed during takeoff or landing and hits debris, including dead birds on the runway. As a safety precaution, ATCs around the world usually deny takeoff and landings when a dead bird or any other debri is spotted on the runway. An incident similar to the one on Tuesday occurred in 2016 when an Air India flight bound for Dubai from Delhi was aborted for the same reason. In the same year, Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport had to be shut for 90 minutes for the same reason. Kochi: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday pinned the blame on the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) for chaos and protests outside the Sabarimala Temple and held it responsible for preventing the women in the age group of 10-50 from entering the holy shrine. Vijayan, while maintaining that the state government did its best to implement the Supreme Court order which allowed women of all ages to enter the holy shrine, said that the RSS turned the temple into a ''war zone'' during the brief period the famed Lord Ayappa temple was opened for the pilgrims. ''Kerala government made it clear in front of the Supreme Court that it will implement the verdict. The government arranged all facilities. Neither the government nor the police tried to block the devotees. The RSS tried to make Sabarimala Temple a war zone,'' Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan told ANI. Kerala government made it clear in front of the Supreme Court that it will implement the verdict. The govt arranged all facilities. Neither govt nor the police tried to block the devotees. RSS tried to make #SabarimalaTemple a war zone: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan pic.twitter.com/L0nK6GUrRl ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2018 ''Protesters tried to check vehicles, attacked women devotees and media persons. It was the first time in the history of Kerala that this type of attitude was shown towards the media,'' the CM said. Vijayan, however, said that there was no law and order failure at the Sabarimala Temple. The remarks from Vijayan came hours after the sanctum sanctorum of the famed temple was closed around 10 PM on Monday the day that saw five women making an unsuccessful effort to pray at the hill temple, where tradition had barred women aged between 10 and 50. Since Wednesday, Kerala had been on the boil after the temple opened for its customary monthly pujas, the first time after the September 28 verdict by the top court which overturned a centuries-old practice that barred women of menstrual age from entering the hill temple. Celibate deity Lord Ayyappa is worshipped at the Sabarimala temple where the last pilgrim went up the hill around 7 PM on Monday. None of the dozens of women who tried to have a darshan in the last five days succeeded in entering the temple for prayers as thousands of devotees were determined not to allow them. The police appeared most relieved for the time being as they had a tough time in trying to implement the apex court`s orders in the face of strong protests which at times turned violent. Te revered Hindu temple is set to open again on November 17. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Tuesday set November 13 as the date for hearing a large number of petitions seeking a review of the top court verdict that allowed entry of women of all ages in Sabarimala Temple. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice SK Kaul had considered the submissions of lawyer Mathews J Nedumpara on Monday that his petition seeking review of the constitutional bench judgement be listed for urgent hearing. Nedumpara was mentioning the petition filed by National Ayyappa Devotees Association. A five-judge constitution bench by a ratio of 4:1 had held that women of all age groups should be allowed entry inside Kerala's Sabarimala Temple. The court had on October 9 declined an urgent hearing on Nedumpara's plea which had contended that the five-judge Constitution bench verdict lifting the ban was "absolutely untenable and irrational". The bench had said that the review petitions could only be taken up after the Dussehra vacation, adding that in any case, it will be heard in chamber and not in open court. The petition filed by Shylaja Vijayan, president, National Ayyappa Devotees Association through Nedumpara, had submitted that, "Faith cannot be judged by scientific or rationale reasons or logic". (With Agency Inputs) NEW DELHI: The brief pilgrimage season in Kerala's revered Sabarimala temple failed to make history as women in the 10-50 age group were stopped from entering the holy shrine despite the Supreme Court order allowing women of all ages to pray at the Lord Ayyaappa temple. The sanctum sacrosanct of the famed temple closed at 10 PM on Monday, the day that saw five women making an unsuccessful effort to pray at the hill temple, where tradition had barred women aged between 10 and 50. Since Wednesday, Kerala had been on the boil after the temple opened for its customary monthly pujas, the first time after the September 28 verdict by the top court which overturned a centuries-old practice that barred women of menstrual age from entering the hill temple. Celibate deity Lord Ayyappa is worshipped at the Sabarimala temple where the last pilgrim went up the hill around 7 PM on Monday. None of the dozen women who tried to have a darshan in the last five days succeeded in entering the temple for prayers as thousands of devotees were determined not to allow them. The police appeared most relieved for the time being as they had a tough time in trying to implement the apex court`s orders in the face of strong protests which at times turned violent. Given the present situation, they may have a tougher time when the temple again opens for its annual two-month-long pilgrimage season which begins on November 17. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is set to decide on Tuesday as to when the petitions, seeking review of its landmark but controversial Sabarimala verdict allowing entry of women of all age groups into the temple, will be listed for hearing. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice SK Kaul considered the submissions of lawyer Mathews J Nedumpara on Monday that his petition seeking review of the constitutional bench judgement be listed for urgent hearing. "We know that there are 19 review petitions pending. By tomorrow (Tuesday) we will decide," the bench said. Nedumpara was mentioning the petition filed by National Ayyappa Devotees Association. A five-judge constitution bench by a ratio of 4:1 had held that women of all age groups should be allowed entry inside Kerala's Sabarimala Temple. The court had on October 9 declined an urgent hearing on Nedumpara's plea which had contended that the five-judge Constitution bench verdict lifting the ban was "absolutely untenable and irrational". The bench had said that the review petitions could only be taken up after the Dussehra vacation, adding that in any case, it will be heard in chamber and not in open court. The petition filed by Shylaja Vijayan, president, National Ayyappa Devotees Association through Nedumpara, had submitted that, "Faith cannot be judged by scientific or rationale reasons or logic". (With Agency Inputs) Kolkata: In a bid to further strengthen security for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the state has decided to construct two watchtowers inside at her official residence on Harish Chatterjee Street, Kolkata. The towers will be constructed for an estimated amount of Rs 74 lakh over 90 days. However, the state police have vehemently denied this and claims that no such watchtowers are being erected. Zee News accessed a document, issued by the Public Works Department of West Bengal government, inviting tenders to construct the two watchtowers at the Chief Ministers residence. The notification WBPWD/SENABC/NieT-16 (2nd call)/2018-19, dated October 13 2018, states, Government of West Bengal invites e-tender for the work detailed in the table below. Construction of 2 (two) nos watch towers in the residence of Honble Chief Minister, West Bengal at 30B, Harish Chatterjee Street, Kolkata - 27 during 2018-19 under PWD Alipore Division. The estimated amount being Rs. 74,02,780. Dismissing reports of the construction of the watchtowers, the West Bengal Police tweeted from its official Twitter handle, Misinformation is being spread by some persons and media with vested interest stating that watchtowers in residence of Honble Chief Minister of West Bengal are being erected. This is totally motivated and there is no such decision. Misinformation is being spread by some persons nd media with vested interest stating that watchtowers in residence of Honble Chief Minister West Bengal are being erected. This is totally motivated and there is no such decision. West Bengal Police (@WBPolice) October 22, 2018 Earlier this year, in an exclusive interview to Zee 24 Ghanta, Mamta claimed that some political parties are trying to get her assassinated. A particular party has given supari (contract) to kill me. The people who are trying to kill me have also carried out recce of my house. Police has asked to me to change the house. Earlier, too, I have been tried to be killed," said the 63-year-old chief of Trinamool Congress. She added that her information is reliable and that certain Intelligence Bureau officials have asked her to shift to a government bungalow immediately. Mamata still lives in a single-storey house, which has been her home before becoming the state chief minister. Mumbai: Actor and former 'Bigg Boss' contestant Ajaz Khan was arrested by the Anti-Narcotics Cell of Navi Mumbai Police for allegedly possessing a banned drug, an official said Tuesday. He was arrested from a hotel in CBD Belapur in neighbouring Navi Mumbai, police said. "Based on specific information, the 35-year-old actor was arrested from the room of a hotel in Belapur. Khan, a resident of Andheri sububrb in Mumbai, was possessing tablets of 'Ecstasy', a narcotic drug," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), Tushar Doshi, said. Khan will be produced before a court, he said. In 2016, Khan was arrested for sending obscene photos and abusive messages to a 36-year-old hair stylist. He was later released on bail by a court in Borivli. Lima: It was her first official activity on Monday as the filmmaker launched her three-day mission to evaluate the needs of the Venezuelan refugees 'and observe Peru`s generous response', the UN High Commissioner of Refugees said in a statement. Jolie went to working-class San Juan de Lurigancho neighbourhood here to visit the Sin Fronteras (Without Borders) shelter, which opened more than a year ago to provide lodging and food for Venezuelans fleeing economic crisis in their homeland, Efe news reported. Videos posted on social media showed Jolie chatting with the migrants. Peru has received 4,56,000 Venezuelans in the past 18 months, second only to Colombia. New Delhi: Ever since actress Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar of sexual harassment on the sets of 'Horn Ok Please', several women have come forward and shared their ordeal publically. Recently, reports were that Sushant Singh Rajput has been accused of sexual misconduct by his 'Kizie Aur Manny' co-star Sanjana Sanghi. Following this, Sushant had shared screenshots of their SMS conversation and called it a "smear campaign". The tweets containing the conversation were captioned as, "I feel sad to reveal personal information but it seems that there is no other way to state what was, in the midst of this curated and well-timed smear campaign. From the first till the last day of the shoot, this is what happened on the set with Sanjana. Now, the debutant actress herself has issued a statement on Twitter saying that all those rumours were baseless and that no such incident has taken place with her. Taking to Twitter, Sanjana shared a post that reads, On returning from a long trip to the US yesterday, I read several baseless and unfounded stories with respect to misconduct and misbehaviour on the sets of our film Kizie Aur Manny. I'd like to clarify that no such incident took place with me. Let's put an end to these conjectures,. Meanwhile, popular casting director Mukesh Chhabra, who was supposed to direct the film has also be named in the MeToo wave. Mukesh was suspended by Fox Star Studios after the claims. The official handle of Fox Star Hindi issued a statement on Twitter which read "As a responsible organisation, Star India takes any allegation of sexual harassment of women at workplace very seriously. Hence, Fox Star Studios has suspended the services of Mukesh Chhabra, director of our film `Kizie Aur Manny`, which is under production, till the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of M/s Mukesh Chhabra Casting Company concludes its inquiry into the allegations against him," New Delhi: The phrase "women oriented" maybe a popular word in cinema now but actor Renuka Shahane says television, for one, has always been a medium dominated by female actors - whether the content is progressive or regressive. The 52-year-old actor, who led shows such as "Mrs Madhuri Dixit" and "Kora Kagaz" in the 1990s, says with the arrival of daily soaps, she decided to lay low. "Whether it is progressive or regressive, TV has always been a women's medium. Most of the heroes and heroines of the small screen have been women. In that sense, I have done much more TV than films. In the '80s and '90s films, women were not given meaty roles except a Sridevi once in a while. "I have been privileged to get really good stuff when television was in its Golden Age. Then, I kind of took a backseat at the right time when the daily soaps took over and it changed the profile of television totally. It's still women oriented. But I look out for roles that are progressive, which is a rarity on TV," Shahane told PTI in a telephonic interview. The actor, who became a household name after 1994 release "Hum Aapke Hain Koun!", says she took a sabbatical after she gave birth to her first son, Shauryaman in early 2000s as she always wanted to be around for her children. Shahane is married to fellow actor Ashutosh Rana and the couple shares another son, Satyendra. "I was very clear about being a hands-on mother. I wanted to do that for a long time. I enjoyed seeing them growing up. And I wasn't missing work much anyway as the content that was being made did not excite me much. So I didn't feel like going out of my way to work," she says. Now that they are grown up, the actor is stepping out and reclaiming her place. The actor currently stars in the second season of Dice Media's webseries "What the Folks", which explores how modern-day families grow together despite their differences. She believes the digital space has emerged as a great platform today. "It has opened a whole new world. You can relate with the content that was being done in the '90s on TV, but of course, in a modern context because things in the digital sphere are always on par with what is going on globally," she says. "What the Folks" first installment saw Nikhil (Veer Rajwant Singh) caught in a bittersweet relationship with his wife Anita's (Eisha Chopra) parents, when he moves in with them for a few days. Season two, which is currently streaming on YouTube, introduces Nikhil's parents - played by Shahane and Shishir Sharma. Shahane describes her character Vandana as a modern working woman who is unlike TV's stereotyped mother-in-law. "Vandana doesn't have the typical saas-like expectations from both her son and daughter-in-law. She has a great sense of humour and has a sane head on her shoulders. "She shares a very warm and casual relationship with them. She is more like a buddy to them in a family that believes in communicating with each other." Shahane says it would be "condescending" to say that daily show format has pushed TV back. "A daily soap has its own benefits and it has given a lot of popularity and glamour to so many actors, actresses and the people behind the camera. So I don't want to put down any of that. It is just that there's no variety of content. It's okay if you have regressive content but if you only have regressive content, then it is hammered 24-hours a day and it doesn't make an impact on the society." She says channels need to be a lot more responsible than what they are today. "They should subsidise some shows which are progressive. They might not work, which is okay but I feel in the days of Doordarshan or even in the beginning of the satellite TV, that was an important part of the bouquet, a term the channels used that they would cater to different sections of the society. And now strangely, what we see is the same kind of shows with different actors." Shahane adds like real life, things in reel life also move in a cyclical fashion. "Since they are daily soaps, you can't work on them with the same amount of passion and detailing. But then you see a sea of change in the kind of films that are being made. I think whenever TV falls a bit short, films take control and if films aren't giving that kind of content, television does. As a society, we do benefit at the end of the day." Pakistan's economy is in utter shambles with the country's Prime Minister currently in Saudi Arabia to seek financial assistance. Imran Khan would follow up the visit to Riyadh with a trip to Malaysia and then to China - a country which has funded several projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. And it is CPEC that is being suspected as the reason for the financial woes of Pakistan. Attempting to mount a strong defence of CPEC, China has refuted charges that Pakistan's current economic state is due to these projects. Dawn reported that Professor Son Hongqi, advisor to the President on Pakistan Affairs, has said that blaming CPEC is uncalled for and that it in fact is what would bolster Pakistani economy in the years to come. "Loan repayments for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects will start in the financial year 2023-24 when economic growth rate of Pakistan will be much higher than present," he was quoted as saying at a conference on CPEC in China's Xuzhou. "What will China gain from energy projects given priority in the first phase of CPEC as per desire of Islamabad other than helping our all-weather friend to overcome the electricity deficiency badly hitting its economy." Hongqi also said that CPEC projects in Pakistan would involve more locals than ever before, which in turn would bolster the country's economy. The defence of CPEC was, perhaps, necessiated from the fact that there is a rising voice in Pakistan against it. Many have questioned the loans taken from China and asked the terms for their repayment. Even the United States has said that the current state of Pakistani economy is a result of loans it has taken from Beijing and has made it clear that it won't allow any bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which would be used by Islamabad to repay Chinese debt. WASHINGTON/ISTANBUL: US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he was still not satisfied with what he has heard from Saudi Arabia about the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey, but did not want to lose investment from Riyadh. Trump spoke with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of the world`s top oil exporter, on Sunday. He told reporters on Monday that he has teams in Saudi Arabia and Turkey working on the case and would know more about it after they returned to Washington on Monday night or Tuesday. CIA Director Gina Haspel was travelling to Turkey on Monday to work on the Khashoggi investigation, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. "I am not satisfied with what I`ve heard," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I don`t want to lose all that investment that`s been made in our country. But we`re going to get to the bottom of it." He later told USA Today that he believed the death was a "plot gone awry." Trump has expressed reluctance to punish the Saudis economically, citing the kingdom`s multibillion-dollar purchases of US military equipment and investments in US companies. Prince Mohammed met in Riyadh with US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and discussed "the importance of the Saudi-U.S. strategic partnership," Saudi state media said. Mnuchin`s spokesman said on Twitter the two discussed the Khashoggi investigation as well as Iran sanctions and Saudi economic issues. Mnuchin cancelled his speaking engagement at a high-profile Saudi investment conference on Tuesday, as did two dozen other top speakers. Hundreds of bankers and company executives were still expected to attend the Future Investment Initiative, which aims to help the country curb its economic dependence on oil exports. But Khashoggi`s killing has tarnished an event that last year attracted global business elites and won the moniker "Davos in the Desert." Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of Prince Mohammed who lived in the United States, disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 to obtain documents for his upcoming marriage. Saudi Arabia initially denied knowledge of his fate before saying he had been killed in a fight in the consulate, an explanation that drew scepticism from several Western governments. Following the global outrage prompted by the journalist`s disappearance, Trump`s comments have varied from playing down Riyadh`s role to warning of possible economic sanctions. He has repeatedly highlighted the kingdom`s importance as a U.S. ally and said Prince Mohammed was a strong and passionate leader. For Saudi Arabia`s allies, the question will be whether they believe that Prince Mohammed, who has painted himself as a reformer, has any culpability. King Salman, 82, has handed the day-to-day running of Saudi Arabia to the 33-year-old prince. `WORLD IS WATCHING` Turkish officials suspect Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the consulate by Saudi agents. Turkish sources say authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the killing of the 59-year-old. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has said he will release information about the investigation in a speech on Tuesday. Earlier on Monday, Trump`s son-in-law, White House adviser Jared Kushner, said in an interview on CNN that he had urged the crown prince to be transparent about Khashoggi and told him "the world is watching" Riyadh`s account of the journalist`s disappearance. Kushner has cultivated a personal relationship with Prince Mohammed and urged Trump to act with caution to avoid upsetting a critical strategic and economic relationship, a senior administration official said. Several countries, including Germany, Britain, France and Turkey, have pressed Saudi Arabia to provide all the facts. Chancellor Angela Merkel said Berlin would not export arms to the kingdom while uncertainty over Khashoggi`s fate persisted. Omer Celik, the spokesman for Erdogan`s AK Party, said that the truth of the case would eventually come out. "We are facing a situation that has been monstrously planned and later tried to be covered up," he told reporters. "It is a complicated murder." SHIFTING STORIES On Sunday, Saudi Arabia`s foreign minister, Adel al-Jubeir, said Khashoggi had died in a rogue operation. But some of his comments did not match previous statements from Riyadh, marking yet another shift in the official story. Jubeir said the Saudis did not know how Khashoggi had died. That contradicted the public prosecutor`s statement a day earlier that Khashoggi died after a fistfight with people who met him inside the consulate. It also contradicted two Saudi officials` comments to Reuters that it was a chokehold that killed him. A Saudi official has said that a member of the team dressed in Khashoggi`s clothes to make it appear as if he had left the consulate. Support for that strand of the account appeared to come from footage aired by CNN showing a man dressed as Khashoggi walking around Istanbul. CNN described the images as law enforcement surveillance footage. On Saturday, Saudi state media said King Salman had fired five officials over the killing carried out by a 15-man hit team, including Saud al-Qahtani, a top aide who ran social media for Prince Mohammed. According to two intelligence sources, Qahtani ran Khashoggi`s killing by giving orders over Skype. In Moscow, US national security adviser John Bolton said talks were continuing with the Saudis about the incident. "We want to get the truth, and not just talk. First of all, we need to know why he died. Who killed him? We want to get the full lowdown," Russian radio station Ekho Moskvy quoted Bolton as saying during a visit to Moscow. Islamabad: Pakistan will launch an aggressive campaign against India to highlight its concerns over the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) after New Delhi failed to let Pakistani officials visit two hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir, a media report said on Tuesday. Pakistan's Commissioner on Permanent Indus Water Commission Syed Mehr Ali Shah said the Indian water commissioner had promised on the conclusion of the August 29-30 annual meeting to arrange a visit to the 1,000MW Pakal Dul and 48MW Lower Kalnai in Jammu and Kashmir in the last week of September. But the visit was delayed to October 7-12 due to local government elections in Jammu and Kashmir, he said. Shah alleged that the Indian side did not honour its revised schedule as well, saying Panchayat elections were being held in the state after 20 years. Shah said he wrote a letter of disappointment and then talked to his counterpart a few days ago on phone and based on that discussion he did not expect a visit soon, Dawn newspaper reported. "We do not foresee an inspection visit of (the two projects being executed by India over) the Chenab River in the near future based on my telephonic discussions with my Indian counterpart," Shah said. Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda said he did not want to go into a threatening mode, but would launch an aggressive campaign at home and abroad as India had seriously violated the 1960 treaty to Pakistan's disadvantage. Without explaining, the minister said he would trap India to its own bluff card because the matter also pertained to Pakistan's security and he was in the process of consultations with stakeholders to resolve the challenges with India on a war footing. India and Pakistan signed the Indus Waters Treaty in 1960 after nine years of negotiations, with the World Bank being a signatory. The water commissioners of Pakistan and India are required to meet twice a year and arrange technical visits to projects' sites and critical river headworks. The treaty sets out a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between the two countries regarding their use of the rivers. However, there have been disagreements and differences between India and Pakistan over the treaty. Islamabad: Saudi Arabia has agreed to give Pakistan $3 billion in foreign currency support for a year and allow it to defer payments for oil imports to help stave off a current account crisis, Pakistan`s government said on Tuesday. The agreement came as new Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan attended a Saudi investment conference that has been boycotted by several other leaders over the death of a dissident Saudi writer at the country`s consulate in Istanbul. Khan had said before departing that his country is "desperate" to shore up its foreign currency reserves, which are at a four-year low, equivalent to less than two months` imports and barely enough to make its debt repayments through the rest of the year. Pakistan Finance Minister Asad Umar earlier this month requested talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the country`s second bailout in five years. An IMF team is due to visit Pakistan to open negotiations on November 7. Khan had however sought to avoid going to the IMF and still wants to at least reduce the size of any bailout by appealing to "friendly countries" for bilateral financial support. Khan had visited Saudi Arabia last month in his first overseas trip since taking office in August, but that trip failed to produce any significant assistance, despite Pakistani media reports of agreements on deferred oil payments. Pakistan`s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday night announced the latest visit had met with success. "It was agreed Saudi Arabia will place a deposit of USD 3 Billion for a period of one year as balance of payment support," the minister said in a statement. "It was also agreed that a one year deferred payment facility for import of oil, up to USD 3 Billion, will be provided by Saudi Arabia. This arrangement will be in place for three years, which will be reviewed thereafter." Khan is scheduled to visit China next week. Open source Poland is one of the most popular countries among Ukrainian labor migrants. Almost half of Ukrainians, who came to Poland, are working there illegally, so they are not protected at all. An average Ukrainian worker, no matter whether he has a working visa to Poland or a contract, as a rule, has no opportunity to protect his rights and himself, Vitaliy Makhinko, head of the Labor Solidarity trade union, claimed. Instead of earning money, people are often left with no means of livelihood, and they cannot go back to Ukraine. "We are now dealing with the case of a guy who was invited to Poland by his longtime acquaintance. He worked in a suburb of Warsaw for Uber taxi. The guy came by non-visa travel regime (for 90 days). He worked for 2 months. He was provided with housing and a car. He was told that he owed 1,500 zlotys. They took his passport from him and told him to work. As a result, he does not have a passport now, and he cannot return to Ukraine, while his stay permit expires. The embassy told that it might issue him a special document to bring him home, but he needed to pay money for it, and he did not have any money. He had no place to live and had to spend the night in a car. Now he has been provided with housing and the International Organization for Migration has bought the products for him. We have initiated a call to the police, Makhinko told. Despite the fact that the trade union was forced to close its hotlines in Poland (there were so many requests that employees were not able to help everyone), people still find contacts, and up to a dozen appeals are recorded every day. First of all, those who joined the union in Ukraine receive help before leaving for Poland. According to Makhinko, one of the most common violations is that Polish employers do not pay the last salary to a person. The most horrible situation is observed in agriculture sphere. The members of our union are not engaged in such jobs, and we do not advise anyone. In most cases, people have to live in villages in terrible conditions. Often they are forced to live in barracks, where dozens of people have one shower, and outdoor cesspool toilet. And, for example, if you are engaged in a strawberry harvest and it starts to rain, and you sit doing nothing, spending the money you've already earned." There are almost no companies in Poland that normally work with Ukrainians (only two Polish trade unions deal with the issues of Ukrainian labor migrants mentioned Labor Solidarity and Labor Imitative or Inicjatywa Pracownicza Ed.). The majority of Poles who hire Ukrainians have their own coordinators. We call them supervisors. And you know, Ukrainians sometimes, are ruder with our compatriots than the Poles," the head of the Labor Solidarity claims. If a person is indignant or complaining about something, they can simply throw him or her on the street. Tens of thousands of labor migrants from Ukraine are facing this problem. In the near future, Labor Solidarity union will raise this issue. You are not a person, you are a shadow To find a job in those European countries where wages and living standards are higher than in Poland, the labor migrant needs special education and knowledge of English. Far from all of the workers living in it can boast of this. For this reason, their fate is the illegal helpless life. Norway is not Poland. Here, like in Finland, Holland, Belgium, high-paying jobs require qualifications confirming education, English knowledge. Several thousand Ukrainians officially work in Norway. Those who do not have education, does not want to learn the language, can only rely on illegal employment or seasonal work. There are a lot of such people in Norway. Mostly they work on construction sites or farms (getting 10-12 euros per hour) ", said Denys Voronenkov, an expert on labor migration to Norway. At the same time, the phenomenon of Ukrainian illegal immigrants in Norway is a really very large-scale phenomenon, and they have a very hard time. According to the expert, even if you think that you are legally employed, the local labor inspectorate might not think so. The expert says that employers who hire illegal workers for work are often underpaid. I dont know the stories so that they dont pay at all, but underpayment stories are all very usual. In Norway, a working week is 37.5 hours. 5 days for 7.5 hours (half-hour break is not paid). As a result, it is 156 hours per month. So, often the employer concludes an agreement with the workers, for example, for 3,000 euros for 156 hours, and he has to work for 200 hours, but for the same money. A person who initially agreed to work for 2500 euros per month (for 156 hours) asked me to help, but in reality, he worked all 250 hours. But, despite 100 hours of overtime, he received all the same 2,500 euros, not a cent more. I would advise Ukrainians who work abroad to keep their time sheet, Denys Voronenkov suggests. Revenge is one of the things the offended labor migrant can do. For example, he can call the labor inspectorate. Fines in Norway are very high and can reach tens of thousands of euros. But! After such a call, an illegal labor migrant will be deported with a ban on entry into the countries of the Schengen zone. Many employers in the EU do not like Ukrainians because they can run away. At the same time, unscrupulous employers do not mind to make good money on visitors. On the other hand, when working in Norway you can be sure that you will not be settled in a barrack, as in Poland. Employment agencies try to benefit from the Ukrainians, who want to get a job abroad, so labor migrant needs to be prepared for it. "As a rule, they charge at least 500-2000 euros for their services and then disappear or return the money. You need to be very careful. Contact only those agencies that have a license. Never send them money using Western Union or Money Gram: as a rule, in 95% of cases, it is fool's bargain, Voronenkov warns. Russian prison instead of labor migration Despite the large-scale flow of illegal labor migrants from Ukraine to the EU countries, quite a few people are still leaving for Russia. Unlike the EU, there is no language barrier and problems with understanding the local mentality here, and labor migrant does not need to prove his education. Highly qualified and educated personnel from Ukraine are highly demanded in Russia. Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union is now working on the issue of those Ukrainians, who, having gone to work in Russia, were imprisoned. Lawyer Yevgeny Chekarev, the lawyer at the Center for Strategic Affairs of the Ukrainian Helsinki Union for Human Rights, told 112.ua that since the second half of 2013 until recently, Russian advertising with a high salary appear in almost all large Ukrainian cities. "People were offered courier jobs. Those who agreed to work were given money so that they could go to Moscow, and there they were given the task to rent an apartment in a Russian city - Krasnodar, Smolensk, Arkhangelsk or Siberia. They received tasks to deliver the goods to a certain point. After a while, people understood that they were, in fact, transporting drugs. They called the employer and said that they refused to do this job. These kinds of drugs are prohibited in Ukraine and in the Russian Federation. After the call, people were found by the police and put behind the bars. They faced from 4 to 20 years of imprisonment for such activities. Real terms range from 3.5 years to 20. Now, many of them are serving their sentences. Russian judges did not take into account their arguments that they were recruited and they became victims of human trafficking," Eugene Chekarev, a lawyer at Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union claimed, specifying that currently 273 names of people who became trapped in such a scheme is known. These are those who asked for help from the Helsinki Human Rights Union. But, according to unconfirmed reports, there are at least 2,000 such people, said the lawyer. Chekarev added that a part of the recruiters who were located in Ukraine (4 people), a criminal case has been already opened. The investigation and the materials have been submitted to Russian Solomensky court. Also, another criminal case is investigated by Ukraines National Police. If these recruiters are held criminally liable in Ukraine, this may facilitate the proof of the fact that people have become victims of trafficking. "Both the Russian Federation and Ukraine ratified the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. That is, Russia and Ukraine can exchange their convicts. To do this, they can apply to the Ministry of Justice of Russia or Ukraine. At the moment we know about 32 persons who were transferred and about 15 persons whom the Russian courts refused to transfer. The fate of the rest is now under consideration," the lawyer specified. He also noted that "there is a problem." "In accordance with the procedure after a person requests a transfer, the court of Ukraine shall recognize the sentence of the Russian court. The Ukrainian court must qualify the crime committed under the Criminal Code of Ukraine and impose a punishment in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine. Then the decision is passed to Russia, after which the Russian court recognizes the decision of the court of Ukraine. But the limits of the sentences in Ukraine and Russia are different. Therefore, there are cases when the court of Ukraine passes a softer punishment than the Russian court does. For example, Russia gave 15 years, and Ukraine sentenced to some 12 years. And in such cases, the Russian courts deny transferring the convicts, referring to the fact that the sentence was reduced unfairly. It is very important that the Ukrainian courts take this moment into account," Chekarev summarized. * * * Almost all the experts with whom 112.ua spoke, agreed that the safest way to find work is to do it in Ukraine, where a citizen at least has the opportunities and tools to defend his rights. Yes, finding a high-paying job in the country is not that easy today. But for those who are ready to work on themselves, master new specialties, get an education, the doors of large domestic companies will be always opened. And even less money is sometimes better than living in a street of a European city without a shelter and passport, living in constant fear of deportation, with a feeling that you are not a person, but a shadow. Read the original text at 112.ua. Today, on October 23, Russian occupation troops have not performed attacks yet October 22, 12 attacks performed in Donbas combat zone, Minsk-banned weapons were applied. No casualties among the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported, the Joint Forces Operation HQ informed on Facebook. The enemy was conducting adjusted fire from grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns, and small arms. Armed Forces soldiers gave an adequate response. Russian occupation troops fired at our positions near Shchastya, Krymske, Zolote, Pisky, Marinka, Taramchuk, Berezove, Novotroitske, Chermalyk, and Lebedynske. The defense work of our troops near Shchastya came under fire from automatic and mounted grenade launchers within almost three hours. And most of all, the enemy attacked positions near Marinka and Lebedynske, the HQ reported. No casualties among the Joint Forces Operation reported. According to Ukraine's intelligence, three occupants were eliminated and two more wounded over the past 24 hours. Today, on October 23, Russian occupation troops have not performed attacks yet. Related video: In the process of announcing the US Justice Departments July 2018 indictment of a dozen Russian military intelligence officers for hacking Democrats computers and publishing the contents, US deputy attorney general Rod J Rosenstein noted that: What impact they may have had [on the 2016 presidential election] is a matter of speculation. I disagree. While the case will never be iron-clad, one can plausibly determine how these Kremlin-tied saboteurs changed the contest that put real estate developer Donald J Trump in the White House. Doing so entails two steps. The first requires documenting the ways in which the Russian cyber-theft of more than 150,000 emails and documents affected key players, bolstered or undercut the electoral strategies of the major party contenders, legitimized central Republican attacks, and altered the media and debate agendas. The second involves asking how these changes in the balance of messaging and the media agenda compare to those whose effects have been documented in past campaigns. My starting premise is that the tranche by tranche posting first through Guccifer 2 and DCLeaks and then by WikiLeaks of content hacked by Russian operatives transformed reporters and media outlets, in the words of the Pulitzer prize-winning reporting team at the New York Times, into a de facto instrument of Russian intelligence. Searching for scoops and supposed scandals in the firehose of Russian hacked content, reporters downplayed Russiarelated information that disadvantaged the Republicans, infused the media agenda with anti-Clinton news, and decontextualized hacked content in ways problematic for the Democrats. At the same time, the Clinton campaign, according to an Associated Press investigation, was profoundly destabilized by the sudden exposures that regularly radiated from every hacked inbox. Among these disruptions was the resignation of Democratic National Committee chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz in the face of hacked evidence of a bias by some DNC staffers against Clintons opponent during the primaries, Senator Bernie Sanders. Additionally, after a stolen email suggested that she had shared an anticipated line of Town Hall questioning with the Clinton campaign in the primaries, CNN fired the partys most visible Democratic woman of color, long-time CNN commentator Donna Brazile. The July 2018 indictments by special counsel Robert Mueller confirmed that WikiLeaks timed the release of hacked content from the Democratic National Committee to thwart Clintons efforts to consolidate the support of Sanders voters. How much BAD JUDGMENT was on display by the people in DNC in writing those really dumb e-mails, using even religion against Bernie! tweeted Trump on 25 July. He was referring to an email titled No shit that mulled over the prospect of unmasking Sanders as an atheist. My Southern Baptist peeps would draw a big difference between a Jew and an atheist, it read in part. According to web scholars Yochai Benkler, Robert Faris and Hal Roberts, that purloined piece was the most widely shared email from the DNC dump coverage that was quite prominent when measured by media inlinks. Likewise Russian-hacked content worked in Trumps favor with white Evangelical Protestants and conservative Catholics, the latter a key voting block in Philadelphia, Detroit, and Milwaukee large cities within the three closely decided states that gave the mercurial tycoon the votes that spelled an electoral college victory. In a hacked email exchange released by WikiLeaks, Clinton communications director Jennifer Palmieri, who is herself Catholic, seemed dismissive of both evangelical Christians and conservative Catholic Republicans. Emails reveal top Clinton aide mocked evangelicals and Catholics read a headline in the evangelical publication Christianity Today. A half million member conservative group called CatholicVote demanded Palmieris resignation. In a similar vein, hacked content helped Trump legitimize three key accusations: the general election was being rigged by the Democrats, the mainstream media could not be trusted because it was in league with Clinton, and the former first ladys own campaign team questioned her fitness for office. On the first front, by using content released by WikiLeaks to allege that Clinton had not won the primaries fair and square, the Republican nominee contended that the only way he wouldnt win by massive landslides would be if the election was rigged. Moreover, he and his allies used the revelation about Brazile to underscore their claim that the mainstream media were in the tank for Clinton. Likewise, in their last debate, Trump responded to a Clinton attack on his qualifications by citing WikiLeaks to say that her campaign chairman John Podesta said some horrible things about you and boy was he right. When the Access Hollywood tape threatened to sink the Trump candidacy, the medias use of hacked content buoyed it. On 7 October 2016, two days before the second presidential debate, the lewd admissions memorialized on that hot mic recording prompted pundits to wonder whether Trump was confessing to sexual assault. As highly placed Republicans considered whether to move vice presidential nominee Mike Pence to the top of the ticket, a revelation found in Bob Woodwards Fear, Russian hacking disseminated on WikiLeaks saved the day for Trump by redirecting the media agenda. Displaced in the process was the announcement earlier that day by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Department of Homeland Security that the Russians were behind the hacking of the Democratic accounts. By posting segments of speeches Hillary Clinton delivered behind closed doors, WikiLeaks and Julian Assange shifted the media focus from Trumps proclivities and the reasons the Russians might be happy to see him win, to an examination of the vulnerabilities of both major party nominees. Accordingly, Trump champion and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani argued on influential Sunday interview shows on 9 October that Trumps bragging about his celebrity entitlement and Clintons hacked closed-door remarks each revealed flawed candidates. In the days that followed, reporters exhausted their interest in Trumps boast that he kissed attractive women without their consent and could get away with anything including grabbing their genitals. By contrast, a Google Trends search confirms that successive disclosures from WikiLeaks garnered attention throughout the last month of the campaign. From 3 October to 20 October, a period after Trumps poor and Clintons strong performance in the first debate and before FBI director James Comeys re-opening of the Clinton server investigation on 28 October, our Annenberg surveys show a significant drop in perceptions that Clinton was qualified to be president. A likely explanation is a news agenda filled with scandal-framed press coverage of the hacked content posted on WikiLeaks. In the same month, the moderators in the last two general election debates transformed hacked content into questions hostile to Clintons candidacy and consistent with persistent Republican attacks. At issue in the second debate on 9 October were rambling thoughts the former secretary of state expressed in a closed-door talk to the National Multifamily Housing Council. In it, she cited Abraham Lincolns actions as an illustration of the need to balance the public and private efforts that are necessary to be successful politically, and noted that the then popular Steven Spielberg film showed Lincoln doing just that: You just have to sort of figure out how to getting back to that word, balance how to balance the public and the private efforts that are necessary to be successful, politically, and thats not just a comment about today [and then 120 words about Lincoln]. But if everybodys watching, you know, all of the back-room discussions and the deals, you know, then people get a little nervous, to say the least. So, you need both a public and a private position. Citing only the last sentence from that segment, in front of an audience of 66.5 million viewers, debate moderator Martha Raddatz asked: Is it acceptable for a politician to be two-faced? Stolen material was stripped from its context as well in the final debate on 19 October when, before more than 71.6 million viewers, moderator Chris Wallace truncated a key sentence of Clintons from the same hacked tranche to claim: Weve learned from WikiLeaks, that you said this. And I want to quote, My dream is a hemispheric common market with open trade and open borders. Had the Russians not published the hacked Democratic material with WikiLeaks help, neither debate question could have drawn legitimacy from Clintons own privately spoken words. For Trump, open borders signaled unrestricted trade as well as immigrants and refugees streaming in to wreck havoc on innocent citizens. Throughout the campaign, the Democratic nominee had rejected Trumps allegation that she favored any such thing. The words she spoke in private did not diverge from that public position. Missing in Wallaces question was the rest of the original sentence, which in its entirety read: My dream is a hemispheric common market, with open trade and open borders, some time in the future with energy that is as green and sustainable as we can get it, powering growth and opportunity for every person in the hemisphere. When Trump tied the statement to immigration and Clinton stated that it was instead about energy, he accused her of lying. Importantly, our surveys show that viewers of either of these two debates were more likely than non-viewers to report a difference between Clintons public and private sentiments, an assessment consistent with the one presupposed by both the moderators and Trumps use of the hacked content in those two encounters. These negative post-debate perceptions predicted a reduced likelihood that a respondent would envisage voting for the Democratic nominee. It is now clearer than ever that, abetted by Assanges WikiLeaks and by harried US reporters, the Russian cyber-theft and release of tens of thousands of Democratic emails and documents bolstered the electoral strategy of Trump and undercut Clintons, legitimized central Republican attacks and altered the media and debate agendas. In past campaigns, smaller changes than these in the media agenda moved more than the 78,000 votes that in 2016 decided the electoral college. It is therefore very likely that without Russian interventions, Donald J Trump would not be the USs 45th president. That is a reality with which our democracy in general and our press in particular have yet to fully contend. Read the original text here. As relations between the United States and the Soviet Union began to improve in the 1980s, that risk was reduced. High-profile summits were the stages for negotiations to agree cuts to nuclear stockpiles It was arguably the greatest achievement of the late Cold War years: a warming diplomatic relationship which made possible the treaties which ended decades of nuclear stand-off between East and West. Since the end of World War II left Europe divided between Communism and Capitalism, the fear that ideological enmity might lead -- by accident or design -- to nuclear confrontation made policy-makers and populations alike nervous. As relations between the United States and the Soviet Union began to improve in the 1980s, that risk was reduced. High-profile summits were the stages for negotiations to agree cuts to nuclear stockpiles. As a TV news producer on his first international assignment, I was in Moscow in the summer of 1991 when President George W. Bush held successful talks with the Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev. Four years earlier, Mr Gorbachev had signed another agreement with another President: Ronald Reagan. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), as it was known, banned short-range and intermediate-range missiles which the USA and the USSR had based in the countries which were their respective European allies. Now President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will be pulling out of the treaty. Mr Trump accuses Russia of having breached its terms, a charge that Russia denies. Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, has responded by saying that Mr Trump's decision, "can make the world more dangerous." He further warned that Moscow might find it necessary, 'to restore the balance' -- in other words, go ahead and develop new weapons. The move comes as President Trump's National Security Advisor, John Bolton, is in Moscow for talks. These were already arranged, but, according to the BBC, Mr Bolton's schedule will now include an additional meeting: with President Vladimir Putin. Even if the end of the Cold War did mean that the chance of nuclear confrontation was reduced, military actions and policies have tended to lie at the heart of diplomatic rows between Washington and Moscow since the end of the Soviet Union. U.S plans for a missile defence shield -- parts of which were to be based in Poland and the Czech Republic -- provoked strong opposition from Moscow before the project was scrapped in 2009 by President Barack Obama. In a sense, the INF treaty is a relic of its time -- negotiated between two Cold War enemies in a very different world. As a number of commentators have pointed out, China -- growing in economic power, military might, and diplomatic ambition -- is not a signatory. Still, in a world where relations between the big powers are not easy to predict, there are many observers who feel that it would be better to keep the INF than to abandon it. Writing in The Times of London, the author and Russia commentator Edward Lucas -- a staunch critic of the current Russian administration -- called Mr Trump's decision "a particularly big mistake". For all President Trump and President Putin seemed to have a warm personal rapport when they met in Finland in July, Mr Trump's presidency has been marked by a number of serious rows with Russia -- resulting in diplomatic expulsions; sanctions; and even criminal charges over alleged conspiracy to meddle in U.S. elections. A further confrontation over nuclear weapons does not bode well. Mikhail Gorbachev, one of the signatories of the pact the future of which is now in doubt, has criticized Mr Trump's announcement as not coming "from a great mind". Those Russian leaders currently in office will perhaps be more diplomatic both in public and in private. A generation of may now have grown up with no memory of the Cold War -- but the continent which was divided by the superpowers is looking on. As Maja Kocijancic, European Union spokeswoman on foreign and security policy put it, in remarks reported by Reuters, "The world doesn't need a new arms race." Read the original text here. Donald Trump's move to leave the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia is viewed as a grave mistake for the U.S. policy in terms of the development of the new generation of nuclear weaponry. This is mentioned in the commentary that appeared on Reuters. Trump's withdrawal 'eliminates whatever curbs may be left on the development and deployment of a whole new generation of lethal and more readily deployable nuclear arms. Gone will be any restraints on Russian President Vladimir Putin from modernizing and updating his nuclear arsenal, thereby reviving the nuclear arms race at a time when a new round of nuclear forces in North Korea and Iran threaten the world and new missile technologies are proliferating', reads the article. 'Trumps withdrawal from the INF treaty can only send chills up the spines of the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as Ukraine and Georgia, all former Soviet republics which Putin would love to reel back into some newly constituted Russian empire. Europeans who will suddenly find themselves within range of the weapons previously banned by the treaty can only be equally concerned', the story goes on. The outlet describes the U.S. president's move as 'a terrible, potentially lethal idea'. 'Trump needs to find a way to reel in these nations to such an agreement, not just arbitrarily pull out and torpedo it. U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton is currently on a visit to Moscow, where he formally told his Russian counterpart of Trumps plans on Monday. A diplomat who has rarely seen a treaty he does not want to scuttle or a battle he is not prepared to fight, Bolton is unlikely to consider any discussion with Russia of the sort that launched the INF accord three decades ago. Yet that sort of deft and intelligent diplomacy may be the only real route to security in this increasingly unstable world we live in', the story concludes. The course of action of Constantinople Patriarchate was called unorthodox Catholic Open source The Russian Orthodox Church is not obliged to obey the decision made by Ecumenical Patriarchate. Igor Yakimchuk, the Secretary of Foreign Relations Department of Moscow Patriarchate, claimed as RBK reported. The Orthodox Universal cathedral does not provide special privileges for Constantinople Patriarchate. Despite the honor privileges, which do not provide any power authority outside this church. Consequently, neither the Russian Orthodox Church nor any other has a need to obey the decisions of Constantinople, he claimed. Moreover, Yakimchuk emphasized that the current decision of Patriarch Bartholomew considered as unorthodox Catholic by the Russian Orthodox Church. Russian Church does not agree with such approach. It violates the purity of the Orthodox faith, he claimed. On October 11, the Synod lifted the anathema from Filaret, the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate, and Makariy, the Primate of Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. Filaret stated that a united Jubilee Bishops' Council would take place soon to create a unified Ukrainian local church. In addition, the Ecumenical Patriarchate recognized Russias Orthodox Church annexation of Kyiv metropole in 1686. Later the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) decided to completely cease the Eucharistic relations with the Patriarchate of Constantinople. However, Constantinople claimed that it will not to cease ties with Russian Orthodox Church. As is known, the Ecumenical Patriarchate decided to grant the autocephaly for Ukraine's Orthodox Church. The respective document appeared on the official website of the Patriarchate. This outraged the Russian Orthodox Church, which already promised 'a tough and decisive response.' Related video: Tatyana Moskalkova might be prohibited to enter Ukraine for violating the regulations of entering occupied Crimea Russian Ombudswoman Tatyana Moskalkova might be prohibited to enter Ukraine again, as Ukraines Ombudswoman Lyudmyla Denisova wrote on Facebook. Russian Ombudswoman arrived in Kerch today, violating the regulations of crossing the Ukrainian border again. For this, she was prohibited to enter Ukraine. The President of Ukraine lifted this restrictions to implement the agreements with the Russian President on mutual and simultaneous visits of prisoners. This violation might lead to another ban to enter Ukraine and question mutual visits, she wrote. Also, Denisova informed that she appealed to Moskalkova with an offer of mutual visits to Kerch due to the incident on October 17. The entire country and I personally are ready to provide any assistance to the victims of the terrorist attack and their families. I appealed to the Russian Ombudswoman and expressed my readiness to visit Russia-annexed Crimea with her to implement our humanitarian mission. No reply has been made yet, she noted. The Russian PM commented on the most recent order to introduce the sanctions against Ukraine's politicians who 'hurt the interests of the Russian Federation' Russia will soon impose sanctions against Ukraine as ordered by President Putin. Prime Minister of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev said that as quoted by TASS news agency. According to Medvedev, there are currently several editions of the respective document. The decree foresees that sanctions will be implemented against those who 'hurt the interests of the Russian Federation', as he put it. Medvedev added that the restrictions include blocking the Russia-based assets and the ban of importing the assets. The Russian Prime Minister also stated that neither the presidential order nor the governmental decree will concern the entire Ukrainian nation. 'It is absolutely unacceptable. On the contrary, we are filled with the most friendly feelings to the Ukrainian people. But separate citizens...commit actions aimed at doing damage to our country, and they are on that list,' he said. Earlier, Trump stated the U.S. abandons the Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia The U.S. leader Donald Trump stated America intended to build up its arsenal of nuclear weapons to pressure Russia and China as Reuters reported. Speaking to reporters, Trump repeated his contention that Russia was not abiding by the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which he has threatened to abandon, the news agency reads. The treaty was signed in 1987 by Mikhail Gorbachev, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and the then U.S. President Ronald Reagan. The treaty bans the parties from producing nuclear ballistic and cruise missiles of a land-base with a range of 500-5500 m and their testing and deployment. Hospitals, kindergartens, and schools to be provided with a heat in the first place Open source A heating season started in the number of Ukrainian cities today, October 22. Houses in Lviv, Odesa, Ternopil, and Dnipro are being supplied with the heat. The heat supply system is ready to work. Owing to the quality improvement works and upgrades of the heat supply facilities, the heat supply to houses will be restored soon, and the temperature of the heat carrier will be adjusted according to the outdoor temperature. In the 2018-2019 heating season, Lvivteploenergo municipal services enterprise will supply heat to more than 1600 residential houses, 198 educational institutions (schools and kindergartens), and 46 medical facilities (hospitals, polyclinics). Zaliznychneteploenerho, heat supply enterprise, to supply heat to 524 residential houses, 42 educational institutions, and 6 medical facilities, reports the press office of Lviv City Council. The heat supply systems to be turned on gradually, starting from health-care facilities, schools, and kindergartens. All boiler houses, which belong to TGO (Heat supply facility of the city of Odesa), are prepared to their work in winter. All four boiler houses, which are under maintenance are ready for work. The systems to be turned on gradually: hospitals, kindergartens, and schools to be provided with the heat in the first place, Odesa City Council reports. The press office of Ternopil City Council reports on the launch of the heating system. Due to the decrease in average daily outside air temperature, allow the utilities of heating networks and enterprises, boiler houses which provide heat supply to residential buildings and social facilities of the city, from October 22, to start the heating season for the population and other consumers, as well as for medical institutions, schools and preschool institutions of Ternopil, reads the message. Earlier, the heating season has started in Kharkiv. Also, the heat supply systems were launched in Kyiv. On October 19, the airline opened two new directions: Kyiv-Rome and Kyiv-Milan Open source Ernest Airlines, an Italian low-cost airline, plans to launch the new flight from Kyiv to Genoa in March 2019. The press office of the Kyiv International Airport (Zhuliany) reports. It is noted that on October 19, 2018, Ernest Airlines opened two flights from the capitals airport: Kyiv-Rome and Kyiv-Milan. Both flights will be operated three times a week: on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The cost of a ticket to Rome starts from 39 euros, and from 49 euros to Milan (Malpensa). Consequently, the planes of Ernest Airlines Company that fly from Kyiv to Italy have five directions: Rome, Milan (Bergamo), Milan (Malpensa), Naples, and Bologna. In addition, regional manager of the airline David Strin announced the opening of another Italian direction from Kyiv to Genoa in March 2019. Ernest Airlines started flying from Kyiv International Airport in December 2017. Ernest currently operates 15 flights a week from Kyiv to Italy. Reportedly, on October 17, Brussels Airlines operated their first flight from Brussels to Boryspil International Airport. He called Ukraine brotherly people for the Russians once more The order of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the imposing of the sanctions against Ukraine as the respond to the restrictive measures imposed by it against the citizens and legal persons will not concern Ukrainian people. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson of Putin claimed this as Interfax reported. President Putin repeatedly said: We do not consider the Ukrainian our vis-a-vis in the restrictions. They are and will be the brotherly people for the Russians, excluding the unfortunate representatives of this nation who are mired in the nationalist and ultranationalist attitudes, Peskov claimed. Specifying the information whether the sanctions will concern all Ukrainian citizens or they will be targeted, Peskov said: President Putin repeatedly said that the Ukrainian citizens suffer from the policy held by the government, from the opportunistic actions in which the citizens of Ukraine were drawn at the south-east of the country. At the same time, he claimed that Russian can impose any mirror sanctions against Ukraine. Ukraine assumes measures against the economy, legal persons, individuals, so we cannot exclude any of these measures, Peskov said. He reminded that the government will work out the proper list of the sanctions according to the order of Putin. As we reported Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree on imposing sanctions against Ukraine in response to Ukraines restrictive measures against the Russian citizens and legal entities. Having signed the document, Putin commissioned the Russian Federation to define Ukrainian individuals against who the sactions would be introduced. In addition, he ordered, to take other measures necessary for the realization of the real order. Also, Russia has to determine the measures that will be taken against the citizens and legal entities. The order enters into force as it is signed. The sanctions can be lifted if Ukraine adopts a similar decision. Earlier, the EU Council had extended sections against Russia for the illicit annexation of Crimea. Later, Montenegro, Albania, Norway, Ukraine, and Georgia have joined the sanctions. The sanctions include the import bans for EU of the goods produced in Crimea and Sevastopol, service connected with tourism in Crimea and Sevastopol for the transport, telecommunication and energy sectors along with the oil and gas industry and mining industry. Related video: The concert will be held on June 22, 2019 at the Kyiv International Exhibition Center Open source One of the most famous shows in the world - a new program A State of Trance 900: Lifting You Higher of the famous Dutch DJ Armin Van Buuren will take place at the Kyiv International Exhibition Center on June 22, 2019. A new program is a concert embodiment of the DJ radio show, which runs on radio stations in 84 countries of the world and gathers more than 40 million listeners each week. The show in Kyiv will be a part of the world tour that will start in February 2019 in the hometown of musician Utrecht (the Netherlands). Armin Van Buuren, as well as other representatives of the genre will present their DJ sets at the Kyiv International Exhibition Center. Their names will be announced later. Armin Van Buuren is one of the most famous and titled DJs and producers in the world of electronic music. In his career, he has five times become the best DJ of the world according to DJ Mag Top 100 DJs rating, and has not left the Top 5 over the past 17 years. In addition, he was awarded with numerous awards and titles, including 14 DJ Awards, 45 International Dance Music Awards, 2 International Golden Gnome Awards and dozens of others. The solo show of Armin Van Buuren Only was presented more than 100 times on five continents in 68 countries of the world, including in Ukraine. In 2012, the show A State of Trance 550 in Kyiv has garnered more than 15 thousand spectators. As it was reported earlier, American actor and politician Arnold Schwarzenegger visited Kyiv on October 13. American actor and politician arrived in Kyiv to participate in the Olerom Forum One business forum, which will be held at the Palats Sportu. Robot Sophia also participated in the forum. The 64th Eurovision Song Contest will be taking place at the Expo Tel Aviv (International Convention Center) in Israel on Tuesday 14, Thursday 16 and Saturday 18 May 2019. The leaders of 112 Ukraine and NewsOne TV channels met with the acting Vice President of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala and told in detail about the pressure of Ukrainian politicians on freedom of expression in form of the scandalous voting to impose sanctions on 112 Ukraine and NewsOne TV channels. Speaking to a Finnish politician, the leaders of national mass media acquainted her with the political situation in Ukraine and talked about the pressure on freedom of speech in Ukraine and the obstructions of the work of journalists of 112 Ukraine and NewsOne TV channels. During a meeting with the leaders of 112 Ukraine and NewsOne, the MEP assured that she would personally monitor all court proceedings and events around these TV channels and raise this issue directly with the head of the European Parliament-Ukraine Friendship Group and with her colleagues from the Green League faction of Finland. Ms. Hautala emphasized that European deputies should jointly defend the principles of freedom of speech in each country. According to her, in addition to the political ways, the whole arsenal of legal instruments should be used by TV channels in the struggle for the right to speak, and European politicians will actively monitor litigation in all instances. As it was 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)'. Thirteen European parliamentarians appeal to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to revoke the decision on imposing sanctions on 112 Ukraine and NewsOne TV channels. The leaders of 112 Ukraine and NewsOne channels arrived in Brussels personally to talk to the parliamentarians and get their support. The issue of freedom of speech in Ukraine is raised at the international conferences, forums and in the offices of European parliamentarians. The deputies carefully study the situation regarding sanctions against Ukrainian broadcasters, and sign the petition. He demanded $1,600 from the company as the payoff from the cost of the food purchased for the border guards October 20, in the zone of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) in Donbas, the head of the Food Department of the support regiment of Lysychansk border unit was caught in bribery in the sum $1,600, the press service of the Prosecutor Generals Office (GPU) reported. According to the GPU, an official demanded from the representative of the company money as the payoff from the cost of the food purchased for the border guards of Lysychansk border unit. Right after he got $1,600, the military border guard was detained. He was reported about suspicious in the commitment of the crime provided by the Criminal Code of Ukraine, taking bribes in the extremely large sum by an official occupying especially high position. The appeal on the choosing of the restrictive measure in the form of the detention was filed to the court. Earlier the Security Service of Ukraine seized over $200 thousand from the judge Artur Yemelyanov, who is suspected of funding separatism. According to the news agency, when in office, Yemelyanov took a bribe to influence the decision-making process in the court. Also, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine claimed that it exposed the Prosecutor of Department for Supervision of Compliance with Laws in Criminal Procedure and Coordination of Law Enforcement Activities of the Prosecutor Generals office on the bribe of $15,000. Nadia Savchenko states the doctors do not recommend her to have the surgeries at the remand center Open source MP Nadia Savchenko suspected in the preparation of the terrorist acts in the parliament claimed that she needs two surgeries on the knee as Ukrayinska Pravda reported. I really need two surgeries, it is an old injury, sustained during the army years, on the knee. One is for meniscus and another is one for torn cruciate ligament, Savchenko claimed. She said that she has the inflammation due to the lack of the movement in the remand center. According to Savchenko, the doctors do not recommend her to have the surgeries at the remand center as the rehabilitation will last from six up to nine months. Now, the doctors recommended her to use the simulators. I do not have a possibility to set the fitness equipment, which will even not fit my cell. Possibly, I will endure pain, she said. On October 23, the court should consider the appeal of the prosecutors office on the extension of the detention of Savchenko. However, a few lawyers of the MP did not come to the court and she asked to postpone the session. On September 4, the court extended arrest of Savchenko until October 30. Reportedly, Savchenko underwent a polygraph test. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claimed that the psychological forensic examination with the use of the polygraph of MP Nadiya Savchenko has confirmed her intentions of the coup d'etat, particularly the commitment of the terrorist act in the governmental quarter and the Ukrainian Parliament. Shevchenkivskyi District Court decided on preventive measures for Nadiya Savchenko, Ukrainian peoples deputy detention on custody for two months till May 20, 2018, without a right for bailment. During her speech, she declared a hunger strike. She also noted that she wasnt going to escape Ukraine. Later, Appeal Court enhanced Savchenkos detention until July 14. On July 13, her detention was extended and she declared an indefinite hunger strike. Nadiya Savcheko, MP is suspected of organizing a terrorist act in the Ukrainian Parliament and in the government district of Kyiv. Yuriy Lutsenko, Prosecutor General claimed that he has proof that Savchenko planned an armed coup d'etat, which would have brought to mass civilian casualties. In particular, according to the information of Prosecutor General's office, she planned to shell Kyiv with a grenade launcher. Furthermore, she together with early detained Volodymyr Ruban are suspected of an organization of assassination of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. Car accident took place in Kyiv downtown, 18 cars collided, as 112 Ukraine correspondent reports. A huge traffic jam occurred as a result of the crash. As the correspondent says, the car accident involving 18 cars occurred today in the morning. According to the witnesses, a lorry crane did not stop while the other cars drew up at the light. The lorry pressed the cars with its weight, the reporter said. One woman got injured, she was hospitalized. In their turn, National Police reported that 17 cars were damaged as a result of the accident. One person sustained minor injuries. In the morning, the police was informed about a large-scale car accident. Patrol police units and specialized investigation teams arrived on the spot, the message says. The law enforcers are talking to the driver of the lorry now. The man said that breaks went out. This information will be checked within the investigation, the police officers stated. Open source No criminal liability for the Crimeans for illegal crossing of Ukraines border by the Kerch Bridge or peninsula airports closed by Kyiv, as Oleg Slobodyan, Deputy Head of Ukraines State Border Guard Service, said on air of Radio Krym.Realii. The citizens who leave or enter Crimea illegally will be responsible for the article 204-2, which is administrative responsibility, as usual. Russian documents issued on the occupied territory does not have any legal status for us and there are no legal reasons for considering them as a basis to cross the border of the occupied territories. Crimean are the citizens of Ukraine for us. They could cross the border through the closed checkpoints, yet they leave the peninsula through official checkpoints. In this case, they will be brought to the administrative proceeding. Speaking of the criminal one, there is an article which provides it, only in the case of commission such actions to damage Ukraines interests, he noted. Slobodyan said that the law, which Ukraines Parliament has adopted recently, concerns cases when the foreigners visit annexed Crimea illegally. If they are prohibited from entering Ukraine after this, yet they still try to, they will be detained and this is a criminal liability for sure. On October 19, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law which provides criminal responsibility for illegal crossing of Ukraines state border. 243 peoples deputies voted "for." The President Poroshenko has to sign the law. The president thanked for the pray and support of the strivings of the Ukrainians President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko congratulated Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the 27th anniversary of the enthronement as the Ukrainian leader reported on Facebook. His Holiness Bartholomew, the Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, and Ecumenical Patriarch celebrates the 27th anniversary of the enthronement today. I am deeply grateful to His Holiness for the pray and support of the strivings of the Ukrainian nation!, Poroshenko wrote. The president wished the patriarch many and well-intentioned years of the service. Earlier Poroshenko also congratulated Patriarch Filaret, the incumbent Head of Ukraine's Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchate on of the 23rd anniversary the enthronement. On October 11, the Synod lifted the anathema from Filaret, the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate, and Makariy, the Primate of Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. Filaret stated that a united Jubilee Bishops' Council would take place soon to create a unified Ukrainian local church. In addition, the Ecumenical Patriarchate recognized Russias Orthodox Church annexation of Kyiv metropole in 1686. Related video: According to Klimkin, Russia will use all possible range of the leverage Before the presidential and parliamentarian elections in 2019 in Ukraine, Russia will use all possible range of the leverage to destabilize the country. Pavlo Klimkin, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine claimed this during the joint press conference with Polish college as Interfax-Ukraine reported. Before the elections, both presidential and parliamentarian next year, Russia will do everything to destabilize Ukraine, he said. Also, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister added that at the moment, Russia deliberately tries to destabilize the situation in the Sea of Azov. As we reported Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree on imposing sanctions against Ukraine in response to Ukraines restrictive measures against the Russian citizens and legal entities. Having signed the document, Putin commissioned the Russian Federation to define those Ukrainian individuals against who the sanctions would be introduced. In addition, he ordered, to take other measures necessary for the realization of the real order. Also, Russia has to determine the measures that will be taken against the citizens and legal entities. The order enters into force as it is signed. The sanctions can be lifted if Ukraine adopts a similar decision Russias Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev claimed that the sanctions against Ukraine would concern hundreds of people. Related video: John Bolton, National Security Advisor of the United States, arrived in Moscow with a working visit due to the U.S. withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty John Bolton, National Security Advisor of the United States, and Sergei Lavrov, Russias Foreign Minister, had a meeting in Moscow, as the press office of Russian Foreign Ministry reported. They shared opinions on current international issues, including Syria and Afghanistan, the situation in Ukraine and on the Korean peninsula, the message says. It was also noted that the officials discussed the settlement of the regional conflicts, effective struggle with terrorism, and maintenance of strategic stability. Bolton arrived in Moscow with a working visit due to the U.S. withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. The treaty was signed in 1987 by Mikhail Gorbachev, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and the then U.S. President Ronald Reagan. The treaty bans the parties from producing nuclear ballistic and cruise missiles of a land-base with a range of 500-5500 m and their testing and deployment. A hybrid form of yoga that combines traditional yoga postures with modern yoga moves and a silk hammock. Pre-registration required. Please note: Aerial Yoga at the Yoga Art Space studio requires pre-registration through our website at www.YogaArtSpace.com/calendar. If no one registers for a class, the class may be cancelled between 6-12 hours prior to the class start time. Though this event is shown as a regular, weekly class each week on the Alabi calendar, there are occasionally times when the class will be cancelled in advance such as for certain holidays. All updates and cancellations are on the studio calendar at www.YogaArtSpace.com/calendar. What is Aerial yoga? Aerial Yoga is a hybrid form of yoga that combines traditional yoga postures infused with modern yoga moves and an silk fabric hammock. Do I need Previous Yoga Experience? No previous yoga experience is not necessary to enjoy an Aerial yoga class. In fact it can be easier than normal yoga! The silk hammock acts like a support whenever you require it, almost like having your own personal yoga teacher giving you assistance throughout the entire yoga class! Another advantage of having the support of the hammock is that 90% of students are able to complete more challenging poses, such as handstands! Can Everybody do Aerial Yoga? Yes and no. Students who have had a previous injury can find Aerial yoga much easier to participate in then normal yoga. This is due to the the weight being evenly distributed between your body, the hammock and the earth. People who suffer any of following contraindications are advised NOT to participate in an Aerial yoga class: if you have had recent surgery of any sort, if you suffer glaucoma, if you are pregnant, if you suffer a heart condition (including very high or low blow pressure), if you get vertigo, if you have had a recent stroke or a hernia, if you have osteoporosis or any bone weakness, if you have carpal tunnel syndrome, or if you have had botox in the last six hours. What Should I Wear? All jewellery items must be removed before participating, a t-shirt must be worn to cover the armpit area and leggings are advised to avoid the silk rubbing on the skin and creating irritation. Please have clean feet or, alternatively, bring a pair of socks with you. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Premier Health Group (CSE: PHGI, OTCQB: PHGRF, Frankfurt: 6PH) (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 the Company's common shares traded on the OTC Markets Group Inc.'s OTCQB Venture Market in the United States, under the symbol "PHGRF", are Depository Trust Company ("DTC") eligible, effective October 22, 2018. DTC is a subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation and manages the electronic clearing and settlement of share transactions for publicly-traded companies. The OTCQB Venture Market is for early-stage and developing U.S. and international companies that must be current in their reporting and undergo an annual verification and management certification process. DTC eligibility allows Premier Health shares to be more easily and economically transferred between brokerage accounts electronically within the United States. DTC is the largest securities depository in the world, providing clearing and settlement efficiencies for brokers, as well as various other services. In addition to the OTCQB, shares of Premier Health continue to trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange. 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. 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 WISeKey's WISeAuthentic celebrates 10 Years of Protecting the Watch Industry Geneva - WISeKey International Holding Ltd ("WISeKey"), (SIX: WIHN) a cybersecurity IoT platform company, today celebrates the 10th anniversary of WISeAuthentic, its digital solution that tracks and protects any item of value, reduces counterfeiting and fraud through a trusted platform using digital identity and BlockChain technology. Of note, this week WISeAuthentic was featured in the Swiss Watch Magazine WorldTempus: - A brief history of digital authentication in the watch industry (http://en.worldtempus.com/article/watches/innovation-and-technology/authentication-a-brief-history-of-digital-authentication-in-the-watch-industry-26588.html ). WISeKey has been a pioneer in digital luxury product authentication since 2008. WISeKey's expertise in designing NFC secure chips, combined with WISeAuthentic's platform for the identification, authentication, tracking and direct marketing of goods, provides customer-fit solutions for brand protection. Through the WISeKey's WISeAuthentic platform, now available for both Apple iOS11 and Android phones, brands have the ability of directly reaching out to the vast majority of their end-customers thus increasing the effectiveness of their marketing / communication efforts, while the intuitive features of the application, provide customers with the ability of authenticating and securing their valuable goods and data with ease. The WISeAuthentic platform BlockChain technology fully reinforces the 2008 WISeKey original patent, "method and apparatus for digital authentication of valuable goods," which covers an invention related to the use of strong digital identification and authentication methods (provided by WISeKey in cooperation with OISTE.ORG), allowing objects connected to the Internet to be authenticated and monitored in real-time via trusted clouds. A full description of the patent is available at http://goo.gl/ozgOQm . Earlier this year, WISeKey's WISeAuthentic BlockChain platform was selected by Favre-Leuba to authenticate and protect its luxury watches and their owners (https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/09/24/1574619/0/en/Favre-Leuba-Selects-WISekey-s-cutting-edge-WISeAuthentic-Blockchain-platform-to-protect-its-luxury-timepieces.html). WISeAuthentic BlockChain, which is a method for digital certification of authenticity of a physical object provides brands with the ability of: issuing a storage device comprising of a digital certificate of authenticity checking, when required, the validity of the digital certificate of authenticity modifying, when required, the status of validity of the digital certificate of authenticity. The WISeAuthentic Blockchain platform integrates the WISeKey Semiconductors tags based on the company's VaultIC154 NFC secure element. These tags, when placed on any product and tapped by an NFC phone, securely authenticate and track the product much like an embedded ePassport and confirm the identity of the product on the BlockChain ledger. "WISeKey has long been recognized as a leader in providing luxury and other product manufacturers with reliable means to protect their brands against counterfeiting," said Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO of WISeKey. "With the addition of the WISeAuthentic BlockChain platform, we can now provide our clients with a powerful and unified way to shield their brands from the harmful effects of counterfeiting, while providing enhanced visibility into their end-consumers." The BlockChain Advantage While most people consider BlockChain technologies as a vital component in securing cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, the cryptography and security inherent in the BlockChain system can be utilized for storing information, making transactions and performing functions for web-based services that demand high security requirements for an impenetrable global reach. Favre-Leuba's implementation of WISeAuthentic BlockChain technologies ensures the company's database, its watches and the warranty system are protected by the highest level of security and encryption available today whilst providing full transparency and traceability to the stakeholders involved, including Favre-Leuba's authorized retailers and its trusted customers. About WISeKey: WISeKey (SIX Swiss Exchange: WIHN) is a leading global cybersecurity company currently deploying via a Virtual Platform large scale digital identity ecosystem. WISeKey's Swiss based cryptographic RoT ("RoT") and IoT Microchips provides secure authentication and identification, in both physical and virtual environments, for the Internet of Things, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence. The WISeKey RoT serves as a common trust anchor to ensure the integrity of online transactions among objects and between objects and people. For more information, visit www.wisekey.com. To receive WISeKey's latest news, subscribe to our Newsletter or visit the WISeKey Investors Corner. Press and investor contacts: WISeKey International Holding Ltd Company Contact: Carlos Moreira Chairman & CEO Tel: +41 22 594 3000 info@wisekey.com WISeKey Investor Relations (US) Contact: Lena Cati The Equity Group Inc. Tel: +1 212 836-9611 lcati@equityny.com Disclaimer: This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus within the meaning of the listing rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey. English French NEWS RELEASE REGULATED INFORMATION INTERIM TRADING UPDATE Product and Service revenue up 29% year-on-year IRVINE, CA, and HERSTAL, BELGIUM - 07:00 CEST, October 23, 2018 - MDxHealth SA ("MDxHealth, or the "Company"), (Euronext: MDXH.BR), today issued its business update for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. "MDxHealth continued to make good progress in the third quarter of 2018, with product and services revenue growth of 29%, supported by sustained double-digit growth in overall testing volumes and driven by optimizing payor contract compliance and increasing reimbursement coverage" said Dr. Jan Groen, Chief Executive Officer of MDxHealth. "Our efforts to expand the use of SelectMDx in active surveillance and primary care settings are on track, significantly enlarging the overall potential market for the product." Financial highlights Product and service revenue of $23.4 million, up 29% from $18.2 million for the first nine months of 2017 Total revenue of $24 million, compared to normalized total revenue of $18.4 million during the same period in 2017 ConfirmMDx contributed $20.4 million to product and service revenue, up 25% from a year earlier SelectMDx revenue of $1.7 million, up 43% from $1.2 million from a year earlier EBITDA of $(20.3) million compared to $(6.2) million in the first nine months of 2017 Cash collections on products of $20.6 million, up 25% from $16.5 million for the first nine months of 2017 Cash of $32.7 million at September 30, 2018, following successful completion of $44 million (36M) fundraise in March 2018 Operational highlights Total global patient test volume of 27,911, up 20% from 23,393 during the first nine months of 2017 Ten new payor contracts awarded in Q3, seven for ConfirmMDx and three for SelectMDx now totalling 104 ConfirmMDx ConfirmMDx patient test volume grew to almost 15,500 in the first nine months of 2018, an increase of 3% compared to the same period last year Seven new US payor contracts for ConfirmMDx, now totaling 78 Three new positive medical policies Positive final local coverage decision (LCD, July 2018) providing nationwide access in US to ConfirmMDx for all men covered by Medicare SelectMDx Continued strong growth for SelectMDx with total global test volume of nearly 12,500 in the first nine months of 2018 versus 8,336 in the same period last year, representing an increase of 49%, including tests for clinical experience and payor adoption in Europe SelectMDx US patient test volume up 35% to almost 8,500 compared to 6,292 in the same period of 2017 Three new US payor contracts in Q3, bringing the total to 26 One US and four EU member state cost-effectiveness studies of SelectMDx, modelling the impact of utilising the test prior to prostate biopsy on health outcomes and healthcare costs, published in The Journal of Urology, 2018 and journal Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases, 2018 Recent SelectMDx clinical studies have indicated that a digital rectal examination, currently required to obtain a qualified urine sample, might be avoided. This will allow the company to bring the SelectMDx test into primary care, potentially quadrupling the available market for SelectMDx Completed the enrollment of a US clinical validation study for SelectMDx of 655 patients on 1 October 2018. First data expected by the end of the first quarter of 2019 Completion of a SelectMDx US clinical utility study with 418 patients, study data accepted for publication Summary of patient test volume by product Territory Products 9 months ending 30/9/2018 9 months ending 30/9/2017 YoY Volume % billable Volume % billable % Change U.S. ConfirmMDx 15,468 99% 15,029 98% 3% SelectMDx 8,468 92% 6,292 97% 35% EU SelectMDx 3,976 48% 2,072 42% 92% U.S. + EU Total 27,911 23,393 20% Financial review Key non-audited consolidated financial information As of or for the nine months ended September 30 In $ '000 2018 2017 Change %Change Product and service revenue 23,413 18,174 5,239 29% Royalties and patent income 567 12,295 (11,728) -95% Total Revenue1 23,980 30,469 (6,489) -21% Gross profit 15,116 23,049 (7,933) -34% Operating expenses (37,660) (30,471) (7,189) -24% EBITDA (profit/(loss) (20,322) (6,242) (14,080) -226% Net loss (22,842) (7,426) (15,416) -208% Number of outstanding shares 59,939,289 49,949,408 9,989,881 20% Earnings per share basic ($) (0.38) (0.15) (0.23) -153% Cash and cash equivalents 32,734 22,969 9,765 43% 1 2017 included $12.1 million one-time revenue from the sale of patents to Exact Sciences Total revenue for the nine months ended September 30 was $24 million compared to normalized total revenue of $18.4 million during the same period in 2017. Including the one-time $12.1 million revenue from the sale of patents to Exact Sciences, total revenue for the nine months of 2017 amounted to $30.5 million. Product and services revenue of $23.4 million rose 29% compared to $18.2 million in the same period last year. Revenue from ConfirmMDx and SelectMDx amounted to $22.1 million an increase of 26% from $17.6 million a year earlier. Revenue from ConfirmMDx represented 92% of product revenue. Product revenue from SelectMDx grew 43% to $1.7 million reflecting consistent growth of patient test volumes of 35% in the US and 92% in Europe, where the billable rate increased to 48% compared to 39% during the first six months of 2018. Operating expenses for the first nine months amounted to $37.7 million, an increase of $7.2 million, largely related to the expansion of the Company's commercial operations, including the build-out of the US sales force, and increased amortization charges on internally developed intangible assets. Outlook With SelectMDx and ConfirmMDx being the drivers of testing volume growth, the Company predicts that both solutions will continue to increase market share in the mid-to-longer term. We expect a significant increase in our SelectMDx test volume in the US after the completion and planned publication of one of our large clinical validation studies in Q1 2019. This study and other clinical studies are key for the inclusion of SelectMDx in the US clinical guidelines, a driver of sales and payor coverage. The Company remains on course to achieve growth in product and services revenue, although more challenging visibility in the latter part of the year makes it harder to predict whether the rate of growth will exceed that of the previous year. About MDxHealth MDxHealth is a multinational healthcare company that provides actionable molecular diagnostic information to personalize the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The company's tests are based on proprietary genetic, epigenetic (methylation) and other molecular technologies and assist physicians with the diagnosis of urologic cancers, prognosis of recurrence risk, and prediction of response to a specific therapy. The Company's European headquarters are in Herstal, Belgium, with laboratory operations in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, and US headquarters and laboratory operations based in Irvine, California. For more information, visit mdxhealth.com and follow us on social media at: twitter.com/mdxhealth, facebook.com/mdxhealth and linkedin.com/company/mdxhealth. For more information: MDxHealth Dr. Jan Groen, CEO US: +1 949 812 6979 BE: +32 4 364 20 70 info@mdxhealth.com Jean-Marc Roelandt, CFO BE: +32 (0) 4 364 20 70 NL: +31 (0) 88 327 2727 IR@mdxhealth.com Consilium Strategic Communications Amber Fennell, Chris Welsh & Hendrik Thys UK: +44 20 3709 5701 mdxhealth@consilium-comms.com LifeSpring LifeSciences Communication, Leon Melens NL: +31 6 538 16 427 lmelens@lifespring.nl *The SelectMDx IVD PCR kit is not available in all geographies and/or may not be approved for all uses discussed in this press release. It is currently not available for use in the United States. This press release contains forward-looking statements and estimates with respect to the anticipated future performance of MDxHealth and the market in which it operates. Such statements and estimates are based on assumptions and assessments of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which were deemed reasonable but may not prove to be correct. Actual events are difficult to predict, may depend upon factors that are beyond the company's control, and may turn out to be materially different. MDxHealth expressly disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements in this release to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based unless required by law or regulation. This press release does not constitute an offer or invitation for the sale or purchase of securities or assets of MDxHealth in any jurisdiction. No securities of MDxHealth may be offered or sold within the United States without registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or in compliance with an exemption therefrom, and in accordance with any applicable U.S. securities laws. NOTE: The MDxHealth logo, MDxHealth, ConfirmMDx, SelectMDx, AssureMDx, PredictMDx, MonitorMDx, InformMDx and UrNCollect are trademarks or registered trademarks of MDxHealth SA. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners. English German As Chief Commercial Officer Simon Jose will join the Idorsia Executive Committee Simon's first priority will be to establish a commercial organization Allschwil, Switzerland - October 23, 2018 Idorsia Ltd (SIX: IDIA) today announced that Simon Jose will join the company as Chief Commercial Officer on December 1, 2018. Mr. Jose will also be a member of the Idorsia Executive Committee. Jean-Paul Clozel, M.D. and Chief Executive Officer of Idorsia commented: "I am very pleased and honored that Simon Jose has joined the team at Idorsia. Simon will be key to realizing the full potential of our assets and making strategic decisions on how to commercialize them. Simon brings a wealth of experience and broad expertise covering the General Practitioner market as well as specialty care. He also brings the necessary understanding of the US environment. I look forward to working with Simon as he creates and builds our commercial organization to deliver our innovative therapies to patients." Simon Jose commented: "I was attracted to Idorsia by the quality and breadth of the pipeline. It has great potential across a number of different medical settings, which from a commercial perspective, is incredibly exciting and challenging. As I have learned more about Idorsia and the people working there, it is clear that the pipeline is borne from a focus on quality science and a commitment to patients, two attributes which personally drive me. I have been struck by the enthusiasm and passion I have experienced at Idorsia and relish the opportunity to build a successful commercial organization from the ground up." About Simon Jose Simon Jose is a British national with over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including 7 years in the US. In that time, he has held various commercial roles of growing responsibility, gaining experience in sales, managing and launching multi-billion dollar products, developing global strategies, and working with R&D to develop competitive pipelines. In 2008, Simon was appointed as General Manager of GSK's home market in the UK. In 2012, Simon was appointed President of Stiefel, a global specialty dermatology company recently acquired by GSK. In this role Simon led the Global Executive Team, managing an organization of 3'000 people, through a period of significant change. From 2015 and immediately prior to Idorsia, Simon was the Senior Vice President, Head Global Franchises & Platforms at GSK where he led combined commercial and medical teams for Respiratory, Immuno-Inflammation, Oncology, and Infectious Diseases. Notes to the editor About Idorsia Idorsia Ltd is reaching out for more - We have more ideas, we see more opportunities and we want to help more patients. In order to achieve this, we will develop Idorsia into one of Europe's leading biopharmaceutical companies, with a strong scientific core. Headquartered in Switzerland - a biotech-hub of Europe - Idorsia is specialized in the discovery and development of small molecules, to transform the horizon of therapeutic options. Idorsia has a broad portfolio of innovative drugs in the pipeline, an experienced team, a fully-functional research center, and a strong balance sheet - the ideal constellation to bringing R&D efforts to business success. Idorsia was listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker symbol: IDIA) in June 2017 and has over 700 highly qualified specialists dedicated to realizing our ambitious targets. For further information, please contact Andrew C. Weiss Senior Vice President, Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Hegenheimermattweg 91, CH-4123 Allschwil +41 (0) 58 844 10 10 www.idorsia.com The above information contains certain "forward-looking statements", relating to the company's business, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "estimates", "believes", "expects", "may", "are expected to", "will", "will continue", "should", "would be", "seeks", "pending" or "anticipates" or similar expressions, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Such statements include descriptions of the company's investment and research and development programs and anticipated expenditures in connection therewith, descriptions of new products expected to be introduced by the company and anticipated customer demand for such products and products in the company's existing portfolio. Such statements reflect the current views of the company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. English German Allschwil, Switzerland - 23 October 2018 Idorsia Ltd (SIX: IDIA) today announced its financial results for the first nine months of 2018. Jean-Paul Clozel, MD and Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Idorsia continues to move full steam ahead, following the key strategic priorities we set out on 'day 1'. We have moved our assets forward into Phase 3 and now, as announced this morning, with the addition of Simon Jose to our team, we are building our commercial capabilities to maximize the value of those assets. This progress, together with the advances I can see with our drug discovery efforts and the early stage pipeline, make me more confident than ever that Idorsia is on the path to success." Key figures US GAAP operating results in 9M 2018: loss of CHF 271 million Non-GAAP* operating results 9M 2018: loss of CHF 247 million US GAAP operating expenses 9M 2018: CHF 290 million Non-GAAP operating expenses 9M 2018: CHF 266 million CHF 505 million raised in July 2018 through issuance of new registered shares and senior unsecured convertible bonds Unchanged guidance for 2018: Non-GAAP operating expenses of around CHF 390 million At the end of the September 2018, Idorsia's liquidity (including cash, cash equivalents, short- and long-term deposits) amounted to CHF 1,351 million. Nine months 2018 Third Quarter 2018 (in CHF millions, except EPS) US GAAP Non-GAAP US GAAP Non-GAAP Revenues 20 20 7 7 Operating expenses (290) (266) (122) (114) Operating income (loss) (271) (247) (115) (107) Net income (loss) (278) (249) (119) (109) Basic EPS (2.27) (2.03) (0.92) (0.84) Basic number of shares (weighted average) 122.7 122.7 129.6 129.6 Diluted EPS (2.27) (2.03) (0.92) (0.84) Diluted number of shares (weighted average) 122.7 122.7 129.6 129.6 *Idorsia measures, reports and issues guidance on non-GAAP operating performance. Idorsia believes that these non-GAAP financial measurements more accurately reflect the underlying business performance and therefore provide useful supplementary information to investors. These non-GAAP measures are reported in addition to, not as a substitute for, US GAAP financial performance. Financial results For the first nine months of 2018, US GAAP operating loss amounted to CHF 271 million and non-GAAP operating loss amounted to CHF 247 million. US GAAP operating loss was based on revenues of CHF 20 million, non-GAAP R&D expenses of CHF 227 million, non-GAAP G&A expenses of CHF 39 million, depreciation and amortization of CHF 14 million, and share-based compensation of CHF 10 million. The US GAAP net loss amounted to CHF 278 million resulting in a net loss per share of CHF 2.27. Issuance of new registered shares In July 2018, Idorsia placed 11,912,000 new registered shares of CHF 0.05 par value each at CHF 25.62 per new share (the "Offer Shares") with gross proceeds of CHF 305 million. The Offer Shares, corresponding to approximately 10% of Idorsia's currently issued share capital, were issued from Idorsia's existing authorized share capital and ranked pari passu with the existing shares. The listing and the admission to trading of the Offer Shares according to the International Reporting Standard of the SIX Swiss Exchange was effective on July 13, 2018. Issuance of senior unsecured convertible bonds In July 2018, Idorsia placed CHF 200 million of senior unsecured convertible bonds (the "Bonds"), due 2024. The Bonds have a maturity of 6 years and are convertible into 5.9 million registered shares of Idorsia, sourced from existing listed conditional share capital, on or after August 27, 2018. The Bonds have a coupon of 0.75%, subject to Swiss withholding tax, and a conversion price of CHF 33.95, corresponding to a conversion premium of 32.5% above the book-building price of the Offer Shares. Holders of the Bonds who convert their Bonds will receive Idorsia shares with a par value of CHF 0.05 per Idorsia share. Idorsia will be entitled to redeem the Bonds at their principal amount (plus accrued interest) in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Bonds at any time (i) on or after August 7, 2022, if the price of an Idorsia share is equal to or exceeds 150% of the then prevailing conversion price over a certain period or (ii) if less than 15% of the aggregate principal amount of the Bonds remains outstanding. The Bonds, unless previously converted or repurchased and cancelled, will be redeemed at 100% of their principal amount. Andre C. Muller, Chief Financial Officer, commented: "We already reported the cash raise of half a billion Swiss francs with the mid-year review, and now we see how the additional cash has strengthened our balance sheet. With the current liquidity, I am confident that we can develop our late-stage pipeline through to completion, and together with Simon Jose we will make strategic decisions on how to commercialize them." Liquidity and indebtedness (in CHF millions) Sept 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018 Liquidity Cash and cash equivalents 671 615 549 Short-term deposits 132 85 217 Long-term deposits 548 250 250 Total liquidity* 1,351 949 1,016 Indebtedness Convertible loan 370 368 367 Convertible bond 198 - - Other financial debt - - - Total indebtedness 569 368 367 *rounding differences may occur Clinical Development Pipeline Idorsia has a diversified and balanced clinical development pipeline covering multiple therapeutic areas, including CNS, cardiovascular and immunological disorders, as well as orphan diseases. Site initiation and patient enrollment continues for three of Idorsia's Phase 3 clinical programs: aprocitentan for resistant hypertension management, nemorexant for the treatment of insomnia, and lucerastat for the treatment of Fabry disease. Preparation for the Phase 3 study with clazosentan for the prevention of clinical deterioration due to vasospasm-related delayed cerebral ischemia following subarachnoid hemorrhage is on-track for enrollment to commence before the end of 2018. For the market registration studies with clazosentan in Japan, 160 patients have been enrolled into each of two Japanese studies. Based on a lower than anticipated number of events, Idorsia has decided to increase the number of patients recruited into each study. Recruitment is now expected to last into 2019. The company will provide further information with the Full Year financial reporting in February 2019. Details of the Phase 3 programs can be found in a series of investor webcasts published on the corporate website. Compound Mechanism of Action Target Indication Status Aprocitentan* Dual endothelin receptor antagonist Resistant hypertension management Phase 3 Clazosentan** Endothelin receptor antagonist Vasospasm associated with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) Advancing to Phase 3 Lucerastat Glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor Fabry disease Phase 3 Nemorexant Dual orexin receptor antagonist Insomnia Phase 3 Cenerimod S1P 1 receptor modulator Systemic lupus erythematosus Phase 2 Vamorolone*** Dissociative steroid Duchenne muscular dystrophy Phase 2 ACT-246475 P2Y12 receptor antagonist Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) Phase 2 ACT-774312 CRTH2 receptor antagonist Nasal polyposis Advancing to Phase 2 ACT-519276 GBA2/GCS inhibitor Orphan CNS diseases Phase 1 ACT-539313 Selective orexin 1 receptor antagonist Anxiety Phase 1 ACT-709478 T-type calcium channel blocker Epilepsy Phase 1 * In collaboration with Janssen Biotech to jointly develop and solely commercialize aprocitentan worldwide ** Market registration trials are being conducted in Japan *** Idorsia has exclusive option to worldwide rights to ReveraGen's Vamorolone. Results Day Center Investor community: To make your job easier, we provide all relevant documentation via the Results Day Center on our corporate website: www.idorsia.com/results-day-center. Upcoming Financial Updates Full-Year 2018 Financial Results reporting on February 7, 2019 First Quarter 2019 Financial Results reporting on April 18, 2019 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on May 3, 2019 Half-Year 2019 Financial Results reporting on July 23, 2019 Notes to the editor About Idorsia Idorsia Ltd is reaching out for more - We have more ideas, we see more opportunities and we want to help more patients. In order to achieve this, we will develop Idorsia into one of Europe's leading biopharmaceutical companies, with a strong scientific core. Headquartered in Switzerland - a biotech-hub of Europe - Idorsia is specialized in the discovery and development of small molecules, to transform the horizon of therapeutic options. Idorsia has a broad portfolio of innovative drugs in the pipeline, an experienced team, a fully-functional research center, and a strong balance sheet - the ideal constellation to bringing R&D efforts to business success. Idorsia was listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker symbol: IDIA) in June 2017 and has over 700 highly qualified specialists dedicated to realizing our ambitious targets. For further information, please contact Andrew C. Weiss Senior Vice President, Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Hegenheimermattweg 91, CH-4123 Allschwil +41 (0) 58 844 10 10 www.idorsia.com The above information contains certain "forward-looking statements", relating to the company's business, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "estimates", "believes", "expects", "may", "are expected to", "will", "will continue", "should", "would be", "seeks", "pending" or "anticipates" or similar expressions, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Such statements include descriptions of the company's investment and research and development programs and anticipated expenditures in connection therewith, descriptions of new products expected to be introduced by the company and anticipated customer demand for such products and products in the company's existing portfolio. Such statements reflect the current views of the company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Receiving the internationally recognized certification will help organizations and particularly federal agencies assess the security and assurance of Skybox solutions SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skybox Security , a global leader in cybersecurity management, has received Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation (Common Criteria or CC) certification for Skybox Security Suite. Skybox is honored to receive the high-standard certification, demonstrating our commitment to top-tier products and delivering premium solutions to our customers. The Common Criteria certification is an important milestone for the Skybox product, said Skybox Security Vice President of R&D and CTO Ron Davidson. It also enables us to provide cybersecurity solutions in the federal space, which not only requires the CC stamp of approval, but also has an acute need for the attack surface visibility and situational intelligence Skybox delivers. The Skybox Security Suite encompasses five modules and an attack surface visualization feature built for enterprise-scale and federal-grade deployments: Skybox Vulnerability Control: Use knowledge of your network, assets, vulnerabilities and the latest threat intelligence to proactively address risk and eliminate security weaknesses Skybox Threat Manager: Correlate threat intelligence with your network context to know what assets are at stake and where to begin response Skybox Firewall Assurance: Bring your entire firewall estate into one view and continuously monitor compliance and performance Skybox Network Assurance: Illuminate on-prem, multi-cloud and operational technology networks, as well as complex security zones and compliance violations all while improving connectivity and security Skybox Change Manager: Automate the entire firewall change management process and assess security risks and compliance violations before changes go live Skybox Horizon: Understand your entire hybrid network and your biggest risks at a glance in our intuitive and interactive attack surface visualization model, and track risk reduction progress over time To view the CC certification for the Skybox Security Suite, click here . Common Criteria is a set of cybersecurity standards recognized around the globe and used by public and private sector organizations to assess security solutions, procure them and use them without the need for additional security evaluation. Products are rigorously evaluated by licensed laboratories and judged based on how they adhere to a set of high and consistent standards. Those that pass receive the CC certification are recognized by all signatories of the Common Criteria Recognition Agreement, currently numbering 28 countries. About Skybox Security Skybox provides the industrys broadest cybersecurity management platform to address security challenges within large, complex networks. By integrating with 120 networking and security technologies, the Skybox Security Suite gives comprehensive attack surface visibility and the context needed for informed action. Our analytics, automation and intelligence improve the efficiency and performance of security operations in vulnerability and threat management and firewall and security policy management for the worlds largest organizations. 2018 Skybox Security, Inc. All rights reserved. Skybox Security and the Skybox Security logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Skybox Security, Inc., in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Product specifications subject to change at any time without prior notice. CONTACT INFORMATION Skybox Security Victoria Schmidt Victoria.schmidt@skyboxsecurity.com OneChocolate for Skybox Security United Kingdom: Daniel Couzens +44 (0)20 7437 0227 | DanielC@onechocolatecomms.co.uk Germany: Melanie Grasser +49 (0)89 3888 920 10 | MelanieG@onechocolatecomms.de According to the artist, they also discussed what the international community should and can do to support Peru and its neighboring countries concerning this matter. "I have been deeply touched by the dignity and strength of the Venezuelan refugees I have met on this visit and by the warmth and generosity of the Peruvian people," she expressed According to the Academy Award winner, this region is facing one of the largest mass migrations in its history , adding the crisis is all the more shocking for being predictable and preventable. "None of the Venezuelans I met want charity. They want an opportunity to help themselves," she stated. "Tu causa es mi causa (Your cause is my cause)," Jolie concluded in Spanish. Remarks were made during a press conference at the Government Palace, where she was joined by Foreign Affairs Minister Nestor Popolizio (END) FHG/CCR/DTK/MVB United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Special Envoy Angelina Jolie on Tuesday expressed her gratitude to the Peruvian people for their solidarity with Venezuelan immigrants and their response to this cause.Published: 10/23/2018 "New growth engines have been found , but they're very few for now. () More engines must be implemented," he told Andina news agency. Likewise, the aquaculture sector will be boosted through legislative powers , in addition to the efforts currently being undertaken to strengthen the forestry segment. be replicated in the aquaculture sector," the Moody's representative expressed. "There are many other sectors in which we can identify engines and promote them through special labor regimes, as was done in the exports sector . It is important that this boostreplicated in the aquaculture sector," the Moody's representative expressed. Tourism Furthermore, Reusche indicated tourism is another growth engine that has been turned on, although it requires greater infrastructure to achieve a significant dynamism. Long-term vision The economist also stated the Government must create a long-term vision in their policies aimed at leaving a significant legacy that will contribute to achieving sustainable development "The current administration has the opportunity to implement economic reforms that can leave a very strong legacy (...)," Reusche concluded. (END) RGP/JJN/DTK/MVB Moody's Investors Service Vice-President Jaime Reusche affirmed Peru is finding new economic growth engines in the tourism and agro-export sectors.Published: 10/23/2018 El presidente @MartinVizcarraC sostuvo un dialogo con la enviada especial del Alto Comisionado de la @ACNURamericas, Angelina Jolie, sobre la situacion de los refugiados y migrantes venezolanos. Conoce mas aqui: https://t.co/2jzrtw4J1O pic.twitter.com/47OHIOyV70 15:09 | New York (U.S.), Oct. 23. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said the goal of the campaign was ending impunity in violations of these rights, amid international anger over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. and Tunisia, An initial meeting at UN headquarters brought together fifteen countries, including Greece, Russia, Pakistan, Peru, ItalyTunisia, IFJ Head Anthony Bellanger said. His Brussels-based organization represents 600,000 journalists in 134 countries. The effort comes at a dramatic moment with the case of Khashoggi, who was murdered October 2 in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The case has underscored the difficulties many journalists face, with threats of harassment, assault or even death. Organizers of the campaign hold that it is not possible to wait for the next murder without doing anything: worldwide 82 journalists were confirmed killed last year, with only one in ten deaths investigated. "The best tribute we can pay to the victims is to unrelentingly mobilize and work tirelessly to lift the shadow of impunity which has been over journalism for far too long," Bellanger said. The campaign aims to mobilize several countries to take the effort to the United Nations General Assembly, the only authority that can start the process leading to adoption of an international convention. (END) AFP/DTK/MVB A journalists' rights group on Monday launched a campaign at the United Nations seeking a convention to protect media workers' rights worldwide.Published: 10/23/2018 Google on Wednesday launched the first developer preview of Android P, the next major iteration of its operating system meant to succeed Android 8.1 Oreo. While the final, stable build of the software is likely to include a wide variety of features that still havent been announced, the initial experimental version of Android P already reveals many new functionalities users can expect from Googles new take on a contemporary mobile experience, provided app developers opt to utilize them. Possibly the most controversial addition is the new lineup of display cutout APIs meant to help developers create Android implementations for devices with screen notches akin to those seen on the Apple iPhone X and the recently announced ASUS ZenFone 5. The tools will allow software creators to easily identify non-functional areas of targeted device displays and program their user interfaces around them. Programming such interfaces doesnt require a testing unit with a physical notch as the first developer preview of Android P is capable of simulating such a design cue. To do so, enable the systems Developer options and locate the Drawing section on the following menu where youll find a corresponding functionality that will allow you to create a digital notch and adjust its size by pixels. Android P is also coming with a broad range of notification improvements, as well as new functionalities meant to enhance the operating systems notification management, particularly quick replies introduced with API level 24 that debuted with Android 7.0 Nougat. All messaging notifications can now include images, which is a feature that some apps such as WhatsApp have already been supporting independently for some time now, though native integration should make it much more widely available. Android P also allows developers to easily integrate saving notification replies as drafts and provides them with a new class that can be leveraged for quickly identifying notification participants with avatars and uniform resource identifiers. Messaging notifications in Android P can also natively determine whether particular chats are of a one-on-one or group variety and label them accordingly, whereas messaging notification actions such as replies, deletes, and full-screen toggles can now be given semantic meaning. The latter point has yet to be elaborated upon but likely has implications for machine learning and general artificial intelligence applications. Finally, Googles suggested replies service is also being integrated into Androids native Smart Reply functionality and will hence be available to third-party developers. Advertisement The initial developer preview of Android P introduces indoor positioning support utilizing the Wi-Fi Round-Trip-Time (RTT) protocol which leverages specific hardware to track a compatible device in a closed area based on its distance to various Wi-Fi access points. Apps with a permission to track hosts location can take advantage of the functionality, with the solution itself working even if the device isnt connected to any Wi-Fi access point. The method still isnt two-way and doesnt allow devices like routers to read the determined position of a compatible smartphone or tablet so as to ensure a certain level of privacy, the Alphabet-owned tech giant said. Wi-Fi RTT tracking requires at least three separate APs and is accurate within one to two meters (3.23 feet) on average, according to the Android P team. While Google is expected to demonstrate the capabilities of the technology in the near future, the company is already predicting a wide variety of possible applications ranging from simple location service improvements to highly accurate voice controls, such as the ability to tell your phone to unlock this door when youre standing near it. Augmented reality is another field that could benefit from Wi-Fi RTT tracking, whereas the hardware requirements of the solution indicate it will likely find the most usage in environments equipped with mesh networks. Multi-camera support is now part of the package, allowing apps to access viewfinders or streams of two or more physical sensors. Google claims the ability to separate streams at an OS level should allow developers to deliver better bokeh-generating software, more seamless zoom functionalities, and various other features meant to enhance the mobile photography experience theyre striving to create. Support for stitched streams is also included, both in the sense that Android P can display a feed that switches between different sources based on some logical operators or literally show a fused image, with that functionality being yet another technology that may encourage developers to experiment with mobile cameras more aggressively going forward. Android P finally offers native support for display flashes that can be used for illuminating selfies and can provide third-party apps with optical image stabilization timestamps to accelerate their own optimization efforts. System-level compatibility with USB and UVC cameras is also included but will be hardware-dependent, i.e. not available on all smartphones and tablets. Android P is being positioned to improve on the Notification Channels introduced by Android 8.0 Oreo with the goal of allowing users to granularly control the priority of their notifications based not just on their app of origin but also their type. Google is now primarily seeking to streamline existing functionalities instead of adding entirely new ones, with one such change coming in the form of an ability to block channel groups. E.g. while Android 8.0 Oreo allowed you to block all promotional notifications, you had to tell it to do so for each app individually, whereas that problem may now be eliminated unless many developers of your regularly used apps insist on custom channels or completely ignore the functionality. Apps will now also be able to determine the current channel group settings that affect them so that they dont waste resources on attempting to send notifications guaranteed to get blocked. This two-way communication is being further deepened with the introduction of broadcast intent types meant to notify apps of blocked channels and provide them with data to alter their behavior. Advertisement Google introduced new tools for decoding images and drawing WebP and GIF animations that developers can leverage in order to make user interfaces of their apps more seamless. Android P debuts support for the High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF) meant to optimize still images more aggressively but without major trade-offs on select devices. The company is encouraging developers to give the specification a go as it could significantly reduce the size of image-heavy apps, regardless of whether theyre pre-loaded with imagery or designed to download it on the go. The systems media backend has also been ennobled with the addition of the High Dynamic Range (HDR) VP9 Profile 2 which will enable HDR streams on YouTube, Google Play Movies, Netflix, and other services on devices whose displays support the standard. A new media player and additional media metric infused in certain classes are now also part of the package, as are improvements to the MediaDRM class meant to make the anti-piracy solution more effective. The JobScheduler tool should be better at managing network loads on Android P, whereas the Neural Networks API from Android 8.1 Oreo now supports nine new operations, including a Squeeze function that appears to be solely targeting pressure-sensitive frames such as the ones found inside the HTC U11, Pixel 2, and the Pixel 2 XL. Oreos autofill framework is also getting more versatile and may soon be fully embraced by Google itself, with some of its popular apps like Chrome still using the legacy solution relying on Androids Accessibility Services over half a year after Oreo hit the stable channel. Support for system backup encryption tied to a client-side secret is included in Android P, as is a unified fingerprint authentication dialog and a new prompt meant to verify user intent in regards to completing highly sensitive transactions. Tracking individual apps windows in scenarios when multiple redraws are occurring should also be easier in Android P, courtesy of one newly included API which provides developers with a native service for detecting new titles in panes, disappearing panes, and other such phenomena that were previously much harder to track. Googles first experimental build of Android P includes several Convenience Actions meant to serve as development tools for creating apps that can take screenshots and lock devices without resorting to system workarounds, as well as manage tooltip text prompts. Many new Accessibility services have also been included, with the new OS being capable of providing more detailed information about its section titles, in addition to coming with support for more streamlined heading-based and group navigation actions. The first developer preview of Android P can presently be manually flashed onto the Pixel and Pixel 2-series smartphones; developers and enthusiasts interested in giving it a go can obtain all of the necessary files to do so by referring to the banner below. Google is likely to debut the second preview build of the mobile OS at its annual I/O developer conference which is scheduled to start on May 8 in its hometown of Mountain View, California. In short: The Google Pixel 3 officially launched yesterday in a number of countries, including the US where it is being sold at Google Store, Best Buy and Verizon. We found out that the units being sold at Best Buy are actually SIM locked to Verizon. And now we are finding out that some pre-orders are not being delivered just yet. Some users got a delivery estimate of October 18 when they put in their order, the day the device was announced (October 9). But the devices havent shipped yet. According to Verizons customer service on Twitter, the device is quite popular and expects all pre-orders to ship by the end of October. Backorders isnt a huge surprise when it comes to the Pixel 3, but end of October isnt too bad, seeing as there is less than two weeks left in October right now. Its also good to see that the Pixel 3 is pretty popular, at least over at Verizon. Googles Pixel 3 was announced on October 9, and has been getting a ton of hype ever since. Its not hard to see why either. It has a great camera, great build quality, the latest version of Android and a smooth experience. Not to mention the fact that it does have a pure Google experience on-board. Google outfitted the Pixel 3 with a 5.5-inch display and the Pixel 3 XL with a much larger 6.3-inch display, both of which are sporting Snapdragon 845 chipsets, 4GB of RAM with 64GB or 128GB of storage. The Google Pixel 3 costs $799 and the Pixel 3 XL costs $929 (only at Verizon, Google sells it for $899). Verizon has also been offering a buy one, get one free promotion on the Google Pixel 3, which could be a culprit to the delay in pre-orders shipping out. With more and more people picking up two devices instead of one. But of course, that is what Verizon (and more importantly Google) want to have happen. More sales is always better than less sales. But that could be why pre-orders are being backordered right now from Verizon. Its unfortunate, but that is part of the smartphone world these days. Background: The Google Pixel and even going back to the Nexus line have never been super popular. But they were always out of stock or backordered, simply because Google didnt order enough of them to be made ahead of time. But since the Google Pixel launched in 2016, Google has been working to make the device appeal to more users, rather than just the nerds that were buying the Nexus smartphones. And it appears to have done that. With the Pixel 2, it was estimated that around four million units were sold, and that was back in March of this year. Obviously that doesnt hold a candle to what Samsung and Apple sell, but that is a big jump from the Nexus just a few years earlier. And of course, having Verizon on-board as not only the only carrier selling it, but also marketing the device, has really helped Google sell many more than it ever would have under the Nexus brand. And now with the Pixel 3, we can see that it is a pretty popular device. Advertisement What is a bit odd here is that the Pixel 3 pre-orders all shipped out on time from Google Store and Project Fi, the only ones being backordered are from Verizon. This might mean that Google decided to hold more off for their store as the unlocked model, versus the Verizon model that is available on Verizons website and in-store. Its tough to say what is going on here, but it is good to see that the Pixel 3 is still selling pretty well, though Google will still never announce any sales figures for its smartphones. So any numbers will come from firms like IDC. Verizon did also offer some pre-order bonuses with the Pixel 3, so it is also possible that it got more pre-orders than expected because of that. For instance, on the first day of pre-orders, those that pre-ordered in the Verizon app could get the Pixel Stand for free with their new Pixel 3. Which is a $79 value, and definitely worth taking advantage of. Impact: Google, in recent years, has been underpromising and over-delivering when it comes to shipping times. Typically they will tell you the device will ship on a specific week, and then it would ship out a little early or even on time. Which has people pretty excited. Its much better than being the opposite way, where users are being told their device will ship out on a specific week and then it ships out after that time-frame. Google has indeed gotten better with fulfilling backordered orders in recent years, so hopefully Google is faster about getting these devices into pre-orderers hands this time around. Many may wonder why the Pixel 3 is so popular this year, and theres a good reason why. The camera on the Google Pixel 2 series last year. It was heralded as the best smartphone camera for most of the year, and even now, a year after launch, many still say its better than the newer smartphones launching right now. Pixel 3 doesnt use a whole bunch of lenses to get great images, it instead uses software to do so. Allowing users to take some mindblowing images without having to adjust any settings. And that is why the Pixel 3 is so popular. Because users want a smartphone that has a fantastic camera, and Google has that. Not only that, but more and more users are looking for a smartphone that has the pure Google experience and also get updates pretty quickly. Especially after seeing how slow some of these smartphone makers can be with updating their phones. Verizon hopes to get all of the pre-ordered Google Pixel 3s out before the end of the month. So if you havent ordered one yet, and dont want to wait long, it might be better to head to a Verizon or Best Buy store to get one, or purchase it from the Google Store. In short: Google is shutting down the consumer version of Google+ because the social media network isnt worth maintaining, the company said Monday. The decision stems from Project Strobe, an internal effort started earlier this year with the goal of reviewing third-party developer access to Android and Google Account data. In a prepared statement, the firm said its review confirmed what it was already aware of Google+ failed to capture a significant number of users and developers, so it consequently isnt worth keeping afloat. Besides low usage, Google+ engagement rates are also defeating, with 90-percent of all sessions lasting for under five seconds, according to Alphabets subsidiary. Google+ will be gradually discontinued over the next ten months, with the service being scheduled to completely shut down in late August of 2019. The company was careful to frame the decision as only affecting the consumer version of Google+, suggesting the data-tying component of the platform will continue to live on as an enterprise feature under the same name. The company described Google+ APIs and their consumer privacy controls as challenging to develop and maintain. To illustrate the point, it disclosed a bug that potentially compromised profiles of up to 500,000 Google+ users. The bug was found in the Google People APIs in March and while it was patched momentarily, the company did not publicly report it at the time, likely fearing public backlash after witnessing what Facebook was going through at the time with its Cambridge Analytica debacle. The bug allowed developers of up to 438 apps to access private profile fields of users and public profile fields of their friends who shared their public data via the APIs. That information included names, ages, genders, occupations, email addresses, and other static data one could have chosen to share with some of their Google+ circles. Google has no evidence any developer was aware of the bug or abused it but due to the fact it only keeps two-week logs of the said APIs data (which it describes as a privacy-focused decision), it cannot say that with certainty. The bug was in effect since the introduction of the said APIs in 2015 until this spring. Advertisement Background: Launched on June 28, 2011, Google+ was originally envisioned as a Facebook rival but later revamped into the center of Googles online ecosystem that tied various services such as Gmail and YouTube together, often to user annoyance. The social media network underwent a major redesign in late November of 2015, which ended up being its final refresh that Google described as a way to make the platform more intuitive to use. While Google did not label the People API bug as the main reason for discontinuing Google+, its decision to eventually disclose the major privacy vulnerability comes mere days after CEO Sundar Pichai met with stateside legislators in order to discuss numerous concerns, including digital privacy. The discontinuation of Google+ leaves YouTube as Googles only major social media effort and one that the company previously tried to tie with its failed social media network by requiring Google+ profiles from all YouTube users over a two-year period ending in October of 2016. Impact: Given the apparent lack of Google+ users, the fact that the platform is now being sunset likely wont affect many people, though tech enthusiasts remain one of its most avid users and the demographic that will be hit the hardest by the new development. Many tech communities, including the AndroidHeadlines one, are still active on Google+ on a daily basis but given the companys Monday announcement, it appears those were all just an outlier. Googles Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are quite possibly the most leaked smartphones ever, so when the company finally got around to officially announcing them earlier today, it had few surprises up its sleeve. Top Shot and some camera features such as Playground (the new AR Stickers) look really neat but generally speaking, the launch was a bit underwhelming for tech enthusiasts, despite the fact that the Pixel 3 line utilizes the best consumer-grade artificial intelligence Google ever created. And while the only major visual difference compared to last years Pixel 2 series is highly polarizing, coming in the form of a sizable display notch on the Pixel 3 XL, the new handsets handle much differently by virtue of the fact that they ditch the metal rear plate for an all-glass design with aluminum edges. As a result, Qi-based fast (10W) wireless charging is part of the package but the smartphones are slightly more slippery than their predecessors and it stands to reason they will break much more easily. In other words, only the bravest users will avoid slapping a case on their Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL units and probably regret doing so. On the bright side, the back panels of the newly unveiled handsets do look rather nice, even if Not Pink is the only interesting color this time around, and its actually impressive how the all-glass build is actually less slippery than something like the Galaxy S9 and can even feel like the powdered metal finish of last years phones. Advertisement The rear-mounted fingerprint scanner remains super-easy to reach, as was the case with the Pixel 2, and Android 9 Pie gestures work as well as they do on all previous additions to the Pixel family. Multitasking didnt appear to be an issue during our limited time with the two handsets but it remains to be seen how the phablets will handle switching between a variety of demanding tools in the near future when apps become even more power-hungry because as things stand right now, asking $1,000 for a phone with 4GB of RAM is a tough ask from tech enthusiasts, though those dont appear to be Googles target demographic anyway. Still, the Pixel 3 RAM management is extremely aggressive as our limited testing suggested opening the Camera app kills pretty much everything else running in the background, most likely due to the fact that Googles high-tech AI needs all the computational power it can get. Speaking of imaging, the rear camera still produces excellent results with natural colors that are akin to those generated by the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL but our first impression is that Huaweis P20 Pro still has it beat and even the Galaxy Note 9 may be doing a better job in low-light conditions (which we werent able to test). All things considered, its hard to shake away the feeling that despite Googles AI magic, the companys philosophy of blending hardware and software appears to have left the former rather crippled. While the lack of the 3.5mm headphone jack is last years news, the display notch on the Pixel 3 XL is truly hard to ignore, especially given how it results in a laughably oversized status bar thatll hardly ever be used to its full potential. So, while the Pixel 3 XL certainly delivers more screen in a similar form factor, it pretty much wastes most of that extra space created around its front-facing sensors. Back to the good stuff: the dual front-facing stereo speakers are now much louder, the display is possibly the best weve ever seen (and scientists agree), and the vibration motors are now close to LG levels of stellar, with all of those positives being massive improvements compared to last year. In overall, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are the only smartphones offering a truly premium experience of the latest Android build and the only HMD may eventually deliver a Nokia-branded alternative to them. That should be enough to make them a popular choice among all Google fans, though the average consumer and tech enthusiasts who dont feel a particular affection for Alphabets subsidiary may not be as convinced. Advertisement While theres no doubt Google delivered its best mobile devices yet, its hard to think of the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL as serious contenders for the title of the best smartphone of the year, which is something their predecessors certainly were, especially if you ask us. Even in this largely iterative year for handsets, other OEMs such as Samsung and Huawei have been doing more innovative stuff and while their software may not be as good as Googles, its not far behind, and the same cant be said for Googles hardware relative to what the market already has to offer. English German Simplify monitoring and troubleshooting with rich application performance insights and distributed transaction tracing AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SolarWinds (NYSE:SWI), a leading provider of powerful and affordable IT management software, today announced the release of the new Application Performance Monitor (APM) powered by AppOptics. SolarWinds APM leverages the application monitoring capabilities of AppOptics, the companys SaaS-delivered service, to extend the application monitoring capabilities of SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor (SAM), to provide in-depth, code-level monitoring of custom applications. The new solution is designed to deliver deeper performance insights and distributed transaction tracing capabilities across applications hosted in or across on-premise, hybrid IT, and cloud environments. With APM powered by AppOptics, technology professionals can incorporate traditional monitoring capabilities with tracingpolled and observed metrics can now work together to provide meaningful, actionable insights, said Christoph Pfister, executive vice president of products, SolarWinds. This solution is the latest example of our continued commitment to technology professionalsdesigning products that integrate with and broaden the capabilities of their toolset, when they are ready to do so. By combining our deep community connection with our comprehensive product portfolio, we believe that we are uniquely able to deliver integrated solutions designed to meet the individual needs of IT operations, DevOps, and business teams, bringing these users together to deliver the best application performance for the business. Unified Application Performance Monitoring, Visualization, and Troubleshooting Designed to deliver end-to-end visibility down to the transaction level, APM can help users prove where and when end-user experiences do not meet intended-for service levels through performance information for each element of a request, providing insight into the root cause of performance bottlenecks. APM collects metrics on application performance and detailed distributed transaction traces, which can help IT operations and application support teams centrally monitor a variety of conditions and metricssuch as web response times across IIS-based application front-ends and tracing the path of requests through the entire application, across remote procedure calls (RPC), database queries, and more. Web response-time heat maps and service transaction views are additional features designed to help users quickly gain insight into application performanceidentifying both problems and opportunities in a single view. For greater detail, users can drill into transaction trace information to identify the root cause of the problema slow database query, unresponsive REST-API service, or application design fault. The ability to correlate network and server performance with application performance data may also reduce the mean time to repair. With an integrated portfolio of products based on the SolarWinds Orion Platform, technology professionals can pivot between application metrics, traces, infrastructure metrics, and data across their custom and off-the-shelf applications more easily. Modern application management is an essential part of enterprise digital transformation, whether those applications are hosted in the cloud or developed in-house, said Brandon Butler, senior research analyst, International Data Corporation (IDC). But, organizations do not always have the detailed instrumentation necessary to ensure the health and performance of critical applications. SolarWinds APM goes beyond simple up/down monitoring with application response tracking, distributed transaction traces, custom metrics, among other features. Solutions like these help IT professionals and application support teams easily and quickly understand application operations and how issues like slow database or API calls are impacting performance. Pricing and Availability SolarWinds APM powered by AppOptics is available immediately, with pricing starting at $2,995 USD*. SolarWinds APM powered by AppOptics is also available bundled with SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor. For more information, including a free 30-day trial, visit the SolarWinds website or call 866.530.8100. *Prices as of October 23, 2018, in US dollars. Pricing may vary based upon the jurisdiction and applicable currency. Please contact a local SolarWinds sales representative to find pricing specific to your jurisdiction. Additional Resources Connect with SolarWinds #SWIproduct About SolarWinds SolarWinds (NYSE: SWI) is a leading provider of powerful and affordable IT infrastructure management software. Our products give organizations worldwide, regardless of type, size or IT infrastructure complexity, the power to monitor and manage the performance of their IT environments, whether on-premise, in the cloud, or in hybrid models. We continuously engage with all types of technology professionalsIT operations professionals, DevOps professionals, and managed service providers (MSPs)to understand the challenges they face maintaining high-performing and highly available IT infrastructures. The insights we gain from engaging with them, in places like our THWACK online community, allow us to build products that solve well-understood IT management challenges in ways that technology professionals want them solved. This focus on the user and commitment to excellence in end-to-end hybrid IT performance management has established SolarWinds as a worldwide leader in network management software and MSP solutions. Learn more today at www.solarwinds.com . The SolarWinds, SolarWinds & Design, Orion, and THWACK trademarks are the exclusive property of SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC or its affiliates, are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and may be registered or pending registration in other countries. All other SolarWinds trademarks, service marks, and logos may be common law marks or are registered or pending registration. All other trademarks mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only and are trademarks of (and may be registered trademarks of) their respective companies. 2018 SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. All rights reserved. MEDIA CONTACTS: Nicole Fachet Text100 Phone: +1-212-871-3950 NicoleF@text100.com Jenne Barbour SolarWinds Phone: +1-512-498-6804 pr@solarwinds.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5bdda32f-84a3-4423-a545-d621ab26ca9b HMD Global has just taken the wraps off of its newest smartphone, the Nokia 7.1. This marks the highest-end Nokia smartphone to make its way to the US, so far. But is it worth the $349 price tag? Is it enough to compete with the other competitive, mid-range smartphones like the Moto G6, Honor 8X, and even some that are a bit more expensive like the OnePlus 6. Well, there is a lot to like about the Nokia 7.1, and as always, this is not a perfect smartphone so there are some things to dislike here. So lets go over the good, the bad and the ugly of the new Nokia 7.1. The Good Advertisement The Nokia 7.1 comes in at a very competitive price point of $349 and does come unlocked. It is GSM-unlocked, so that it will work on AT&T and T-Mobile here in the US. Thats a pretty impressive price for what you are getting with the Nokia 7.1. Not just in terms of hardware and specs, but also in terms of the software experience. For $349, there are plenty of other smartphones out there that will likely leave a bad taste in many peoples mouth, but with Nokia sticking with stock Android, that wont be an issue. On top of the impressive price point, HMD Global is also starting pre-orders tomorrow (the day after Nokia 7.1 was announced). That is a good thing for sure, especially with all of these smartphones being announced in October, HMD Global and other OEMs cant afford to wait weeks for pre-orders to open up. The Nokia 7.1 will start shipping on October 28. Speaking of software, the Nokia 7.1 is still an Android One device. This should come as no surprise, given the fact that HMD Global announced at MWC back in February that all of its smartphones would be either Android One or Android Go devices. Essentially, these are pure Google smartphones. This means lightweight software, which will perform really well on that Snapdragon 636 chipset, as well as fast updates something that HMD Global has already excelled pretty well at and it also means that enthusiasts are going to love the software experience. The only real change that HMD Global makes in terms of software, to its smartphones, is in the camera. Typically, when a phone is priced at around $349, you dont expect the hardware to be top notch no pun intended here. But with the Nokia 7.1, you are getting a beautifully designed smartphone made of glass and metal. HMD Global is using different metal finishes here that come together seamlessly, the company was looking to make the Nokia 7.1 feel like a piece of jewelry or a high-end timepiece in your hand, and it does honestly feel like one. The phone comes in two colors gloss steel and gloss midnight blue the gloss steel is definitely the more interesting of the two, with colors we dont typically see on smartphones. HMD Global has also used 2.5D glass on the back of the Nokia 7.1, which allows the phone to feel better in the hand, and it is less likely to slip out of your hand since this is still a glass smartphone. Advertisement The Bad The Nokia 7.1 is launching with Android 8.1 Oreo. For an Android One device, this is going to cause a lot of uproar from potential customers. But HMD Global has stated that it will be rolling out Android 9 Pie before the end of November. So within a month of this being available, Android Pie will be available for it, which is impressive. It still would have been better for this to launch with Android 9 Pie, but that might have been out of HMD Globals hands. Seeing as OEMs need binaries from Qualcomm to support their processors, and HMD Global is using a Snapdragon 600-series chipset here instead of the high-end Snapdragon 800-series, it is further down on the list of support for Qualcomm. Advertisement Yes, there is a notch on the Nokia 7.1. That is going to turn some people off, but its not going to keep HMD Global or other manufacturers from utilizing the notch. Manufacturers continue to tell AndroidHeadlines that the reason for using a notch is to give users more screen without increasing the size of the device. While that extra screen is not all that helpful, and it does make the phone look somewhat ugly, at least the Nokia 7.1s notch is smaller than the Pixel 3 XLs notch according to leaks at least. While the Nokia 7.1 is going to be available unlocked, it is only supporting AT&T and T-Mobile in the States. That is pretty common, however, since HMD Global is using the Snapdragon 636 chipset, it could actually support bands for all four carriers. But the likely reason for Nokia not using CDMA bands here is certification. The Nokia 7.1 would need to be certified by Sprint and Verizon, and those certification tests arent cheap at all. So while unfortunate, its not a surprise that HMD Global is sticking with supporting GSM carriers only with the Nokia 7.1. Advertisement The Ugly The Snapdragon 636 chipset is being used on the Nokia 7.1, while its actually a really good chipset, many would prefer something higher-end, like the Snapdragon 710. Obviously HMD Global was looking for two things in using the Snapdragon 636 over other Qualcomm chipsets, and that was component price and battery life. The Snapdragon 636 is much cheaper for HMD Global to buy from Qualcomm than a Snapdragon 710 or 845, which allows them to keep the price of Nokia 7.1 lower. Battery life is also a hallmark feature of the Snapdragon 600-series chipsets, without affecting performance. Which is why we are seeing the 600-series used a whole lot more these days. The Snapdragon 636 itself has been used quite a bit recently, with HTC U12 Life and Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro both sporting that chipset. Theres no water or dust resistance on the Nokia 7.1. Now yes, it can handle splashes of water, which just about every smartphone can do, its not IP68 certified like most smartphones these days. This omission is likely another corner that HMD Global cut so that it could keep the price low on the Nokia 7.1. But in 2018, its something that people come to expect on smartphones even inexpensive smartphones like the Nokia 7.1. Advertisement Conclusion The Nokia 7.1 is actually pretty impressive for its price point. If you havent read our hands-on of the device just yet, its definitely worth a read. Theres a whole lot to like about the Nokia 7.1, and not that much to dislike when you factor in the $349 price here. Sure it would be nice to have a Quad HD+ display, more RAM, more storage, a bigger battery, but at $349, these specs are more than acceptable, especially with this build. Ever since relaunching the Nokia smartphone brand globally some 18 months ago, HMD Global has been evasive when asked about its stateside ambitions. The company remains careful in its approach to the United States, a market that it sees as highly competitive, as one of its officials recently explained to AndroidHeadlines. Still, this year marked the return of Nokia smartphones to the U.S. and two of those stand out in particular the Nokia 6.1 and Nokia 7.1. Starting at $229 and $349, respectively, these devices not only offer amazing value for money but serve as proof that you dont need to spend top dollar to get a handset that feels like a truly premium product. While HMD remains adamant its still going slowly with the U.S. and isnt planning to start firing on all cylinders anytime soon, the Nokia 6.1 and Nokia 7.1 already do a great job at reintroducing the brand to American consumers as theyre the perfect epitome of what the new brand is all about delivering a pure, contemporary Android experience powered by above-average hardware contained within a body that looks much more expensive than it actually is. In other words, the new Nokia devices are an excellent choice for both budget-conscious consumers and enthusiasts interested in running stock Android on their daily driver but without fiddling with custom ROMs or paying a premium to do so. As it turns out, both the Nokia 6.1 and Nokia 7.1 do a fantastic job at communicating that fact. Whats more, HMD managed to get these devices picked up by both B&H and Best Buy, one of the largest electronics retailers in the country. Naturally, its also selling them via Amazon (or will, in the Nokia 7.1s case), with all available variants being unlocked and offering GSM support, meaning you can use them on AT&T and T-Mobile, as well as all MVNOs leveraging their network infrastructure. While the lack of CDMA compatibility is a big miss, not a lot of great mid-rangers you can buy unlocked in the country offer it so while certainly a shortcoming, its not one we can be too critical about. Advertisement On the other hand, what not a lot of phones in general offer are firm pledges of software support, yet thats precisely where the new Nokia mid-rangers excel; being part of Googles Android One program, the devices come with a promise of two major operating system upgrades and at least three years worth of monthly security patches. In other words, thats more than everyone bar Apple and Samsung are offering, and the latter only attaches that guarantee to its more expensive smartphones and has issues with delivering on it. Not HMD though; despite having limited resources relative to some of its rivals, the Finnish firm remains on top of all new firmware revisions Google pushes out and is always among the first if not the first to deploy them to its handsets such as the Nokia 6.1. And anyone who cares about security and staying up to date with the latest software will certainly be impressed with the fact that both of those are achievable without spending close to a $1,000 on a new handset every year. Between the launch of the Nokia 7.1 and the new Nokia True Wireless Earbuds, it appears HMD is also moving to diversify its stateside brand, so coupled with increased exposure thanks to additional marketing investments and the fact that most major retailers in the country will be carrying its phones, the company appears to be on course to mark a rather successful U.S. return. Not bad for a quiet approach in its first year on the (American) market, right? The only thing that this stateside return of the Nokia brand is now missing is a carrier partnership that would truly push those devices to the average consumer. If youre skeptical about how much a carrier deal means to manufacturers in the U.S., just watch OnePlus explode after T-Mobile starts selling the OnePlus 6T this fall. Advertisement All things considered, HMD did almost everything right with Nokias its return to the American smartphone market and while were still waiting for a flagship such as the Nokia 8 Sirocco to launch stateside (Nokia 9 has been rumored as coming soon for some time now), the company says thats by design and its hard to blame it for being careful; the U.S. remains the worlds largest market for high-end smartphones where the level of saturation and competition is nothing short of intimidating to new players. Still, HMD is doing amazingly so far, gradually introducing new devices that offer fantastic value for money, are built like they cost twice as much, and deliver a pure Android experience with a guarantee of years of software updates. The market will hopefully recognize and reward this consumer-friendly approach to doing business because whatever happens, we definitely want to see more from HMD moving forward. 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. BEIJING, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. China doesnt produce plastic rice, a Chinese foreign ministry official told news media representatives of Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries, ARMENPRESS correspondent reports from Beijing. Rice made out of plastic is expensive, if you would sell plastic at the price of rice I would buy it all, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Zhang Hanhui said. He said that these kinds of rumors are aimed at damaging the reputation of China. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. US President Donald Trump on Monday questioned the account Saudi officials have given him about the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi but said he still believed it was a plot gone awry. In an exclusive interview with USA TODAY, he indicated he would oppose efforts to cease arms sales to the kingdom in response. There are many other potential penalties, he said, saying he would be guided by consultations with key members of Congress in settling on the appropriate response, USA TODAY reports. In characterizing the Khashoggi incident as a "plot gone awry," Trump indicated that he thought the journalist wasnt deliberately lured into the consulate to be murdered. Trump said he had talked on the phone with both Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and that more details about what happened inside the Saudi Consulate in Turkey would be known within a day or two. He says he is not involved nor is the king, Trump said of the Saudi crown prince, declining to answer whether he believed his denials. If their involvement was proven, I would be very upset about it. Well have to see. He called the killing of Khashoggi, a journalist and columnist for The Washington Post, foolish and stupid. Earlier Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggis son, Salah, to express their condolences, the Saudi Press Agency said late on Sunday, Reuters reports. Saudi Arabia has said that Khashoggi, a prominent journalist and critic of Saudi rulers, died in a fight inside its Istanbul consulate - after two weeks of denials that it had anything to do with his disappearance. Saudi Arabia on Sunday called the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at its Istanbul consulate a huge and grave mistake. After two weeks denying any involvement in the 59-year-olds disappearance, Saudi Arabia on Saturday said Khashoggi, a critic of the crown prince, died during a fight in the building. An hour later, another Saudi official attributed the death to a chokehold. Nothing can justify this killing and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms, Germany, Britain and France said in their joint statement. There remains an urgent need for clarification of exactly what happened ... beyond the hypotheses that have been raised so far in the Saudi investigation, which need to be backed by facts to be considered credible. The White House said late on Sunday that U.S. President Donald Trump had spoken to French President Emmanuel Macron and the two had discussed a range of issues including circumstances surrounding Khashoggis death. Reflecting international skepticism over its account, a senior Saudi government official laid out a new version that contradicts previous explanations. The latest account includes details on how 15 Saudis sent to confront Khashoggi had threatened him with being drugged and kidnapped and killed him in a chokehold when he resisted. A member of the team dressed in Khashoggis clothes to make it appear as if he had left the consulate. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. A suspicious package targeting billionaire investor and philanthropist George Soros was rendered safe in Bedford, New York on Monday, a law enforcement source told CNN. The Bedford Police say they received a call reporting a suspicious package found in a mailbox. The package appeared to be an explosive device, police said. An employee had opened the parcel and then phoned police. The case has been turned over to the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force. Authorities in Bedford, N.Y. which includes the hamlet of Katonah, where the residence is located said an extensive investigation commenced," also involving the Westchester County Police Department, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to the Washington Post. The FBIs New York office said in a tweet late Monday that it was conducting an investigation, and that there was no threat to public safety. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, who is in Switzerland on a working visit, attended the opening ceremony of the 10th World Investment Forum 2018 in the UN headquarters in Geneva. The Forum is organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). This year it is held under the Investments for Sustainable Development slogan, the Presidential Office told Armenpress. Before the launch of the Forum, the Armenian President had a brief talk with President of Switzerland Alain Berset, whom he also met recently in Yerevan within the framework of the 17th Summit of the International Organization of La Francophonie. The opening ceremony of the Forum was attended by high-ranking officials from Switzerland, UNCTAD members states, world business community, investors and representatives of international organizations. The World Investment Forum is one of the leading international and representative forums dedicated to investments and sustainable development during which the global challenges in the investment field and the ways to overcome them in the current era of globalization and industrialization are being discussed. This year more than 4000 representatives from 160 countries, including leaders of multiple transnational corporations from different states, influential investment funds, major companies are participating in the Forum. The opening of the Forum was followed by the UN investment promotion award ceremony which was also attended by President Sarkissian. Those companies, which recorded excellent results in the implementation of the UN sustainable development goals, in particular in fighting poverty, ensuring quality education and health, flight against climate change, have received awards. The Armenian President handed over an award to the Indian Invest India agency. Thereafter, President Sarkissian visited the Armenian pavilion opened at the Investment Camp of the World Investment Forum. Armenias investment environment, attractiveness and competitive advantages, as well as tourism opportunities were presented in the pavilion. The President got acquainted with the materials in the pavilion and talked to visitors. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, who is in Switzerland on a working visit, together with his spouse Nune Sarkissian visited Franck Muller headquarters where they met with CEO of the Franck Muller Group, famous Swiss-Armenian businessman and philanthropist Vartan Sirmakes, the Presidential Office told Armenpress. The Armenian President toured the companys different divisions, visited the center for exhibitions and events, got acquainted with the companys ambitious development programs. President Sarkissian highly valued Vartan Sirmakess investment in Armenias economy development process, in particular, his programs being implemented in Armenia and Artsakh. In his turn the Swiss-Armenian businessman said he and his sons are ready to expand their participation in Armenias and Artsakhs development via different programs. President Armen Sarkissian said during his foreign trips he considers his duty to always talk about Armenia and considered making Armenia an attractive country for investors as a priority task. We must be able to build stable and predictable country where it will be possible to plan long-term programs and successfully implement them, the Armenian President said, attaching importance to the active connection of the Diasporas youth to the homeland, their engagement in Armenias development programs. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Tsarukyan faction MP Michael Melkumyan has called on the parliamentary majority to re-introduce the Electoral Code amendment bill and adopt it. Any political force is capable of carrying out political activities, including to boycott, but the situation in the country is such that today the foundation for Armenias future development is laid, he said today in parliament, adding that state interests should be above inner-party issues. I am urging the political majority of parliament to definitely take this step in order for us to have a new electoral code, he said. On October 22, the Armenian parliament failed to pass the bill package of Electoral Code amendments. 56 Members of Parliament voted in favor of adopting the bill, and three voted against. 63 votes were required for the bill to be adopted. Most of the Republican Party (HHK) faction MPs did not attend the voting in an apparent boycott. Only 59 MPs were in attendance and even if theoretically all wouldve voted in favor the bill still would fail to pass. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The cooperation of industrial capacities of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will allow Armenia to restore its leading positions in the production of complex devices and computing equipment which existed during the Soviet times, Sergei Glazyev advisor to the President of Russia, said during the Eurasian Week International Forum 2018 in Yerevan, reports Armenpress. Asked how he assesses Armenias opportunities to be involved in the EAEU common industrial cooperation chain, the Russian official expressed his satisfaction that the issues on technological development, industrial cooperation in the EAEU are finally being discussed. By creating a common market between our countries, now we need to take care of the fact that our goods must be included in that market. The talk is not only about food products, but about the technological goods with high added value. In this sense Armenia is considered a highly developed state of the post-Soviet space where the base of equipment, computing technique production, hard, high technological machine-building has been formed for decades, he said. Sergei Glazyev said Armenian companies are actively cooperating with Rostec corporation. The large market of the Eurasian Union, where Armenia has many traditional partners in terms of production cooperation, I believe, will provide great opportunities for the growth of the Armenian economy, he noted. The Russian presidential advisor stated that during the Forum there was also a talk about the industry development foundation, the Eurasian Development Bank is operating, but it is necessary to greatly increase the capacity of these institutions, make them more varied since the more such foundations are, the better. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rupert Resources Ltd (Rupert or the Company) (TSX-V:RUP) (FSE:R05) announces results for the second quarter ending August 31, 2018 and provides operating highlights for the period at the Companys projects in Finland. During the six months ended August 31, 2018, the Company spent $2,894,015 (six months ended August 31, 2017 - $4,283,844) on exploration and evaluation activities. As at August 31, 2018, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $3,720,820. James Withall, Chief Executive of Rupert Resources, said, "Rupert achieved a number of key milestones through the quarter, the most important being the completion of a new geological interpretation for the Pahtavaara Project. This has confirmed the potential for significant gold and base metals mineralisation on Ruperts licence area in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt and has provided us with a number of new areas of interest. These targets are being followed up with base of till drilling ahead of a new diamond drilling campaign which we expect to commence by the end of the year. Operating Highlights Pahtavaara, Northern Finland Geology and Exploration On July 30, 2018, Rupert published a new geological interpretation for Pahtavaara and the surrounding land package. The new interpretation, combined with historical data will provide the basis for ongoing exploration for gold and base metals. Over the summer fieldwork season, six student geologists mapped and sampled outcrops over the entire Rupert licence area with 947 samples collected including 133 from outcrop. Rupert has also commenced base of till BOT drilling at a number of near mine areas (all within 5km of the Pahatavaara mill) with the intention of generating a number of new drilling targets. The BOT drilling will continue over the rest of the year, when the campaign will be expanded to include new distal targets generated by the summer fieldwork and new UAV magnetic survey data that was gathered in 2018. At the Pahtavaara mine, the geology team is continuing with their programme to increase confidence in, and potentially expand the resource through to selective re-logging and assay portions of the >100km of unsampled diamond drill core. This work has been augmented by underground channel sampling of the ramp and existing underground development where there is evidence of previously unrecognised mineralisation in multiple areas. Central Finland properties On September 11, 2018, Rupert announced the results of its 2018 drill program at Hirsikangas. The program comprised 1,318m in ten diamond drill holes and targeted areas close to the historic resource estimate, including one hole under the main deposit, four holes to extend a known parallel or offset structure and a further five holes along the strike of the defined mineralisation to identify further parallel or offset structures to the east, testing a resistivity high. Eight out of ten drill holes intersected the target structures. Fieldwork comprising geological mapping and sampling of boulder, outcrop, soil and heavy minerals will continue on the property until the onset of winter. Gold Centre Property, Ontario and Surf Inlet Property, British Columbia A new database of all historic data for Ruperts two Canadian properties has been compiled and an assessment will be made of prior planned work programs for the project. Financial Highlights Ruperts net loss totaled $1,169,927 for the three months ended August 31, 2018, with basic and diluted loss per share of $0.01. This compares with a net loss of $1,572,792 with basic and diluted loss per share of $0.02 for the three months ended August 31, 2017. No revenue was recorded in either period. The net loss decreased by $402,865 due to the following: Share-based payments decreased by $492,624 as a result of the stock options vested. General and administrative expenses increased to $574,484, which was $55,360 higher than the comparable period primarily due to increases in salaries and benefits of $8,191, office and sundry of $72,220, and professional fees of $72,923. The increase was offset by decreases in travel of $72,073, transfer agent cost of $11,413 and consulting fees of $21,415 Accretion & interest expense of $310,277 was incurred as a result of the convertible debentures, as compared to $274,291 for the three months ended August 31, 2017. All references to currency in this press release are in Canadian dollars. Management changes On June 25, 2018, Mr. Gunnar Nilsson assumed the role of non-Executive Chairman of the Company, replacing Mr. Brian Hinchcliffe, who was the Executive Chairman until that date. Mr. Nilsson was previously a Director of NARL. Prior to this, Mr. Nilsson held senior roles at Johnson & Johnson and Svenska Cellulosa/Molnlycke before retiring to act as a private investor. Mr. Nilsson has over 30 years experience of developing and operating businesses in Europe and through joint venture companies outside Europe. On July 30, 2018, Dr. Charlotte Seabrook joined the Company as Group Exploration Manager. Prior to joining Rupert, Dr. Seabrook was District Geologist for Newcrest in West Africa. She has 13 years experience in geology and mining having completed her PhD at the University of Witwatersrand and holds an MSc Mineral Resources (Cum laude) from the University of Wales (Cardiff) and is based in Finland. About Rupert Rupert is a Canadian based gold exploration and development company that is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol RUP. The Company owns the Pahtavaara gold mine, mill, and exploration permits and concessions located in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt in Northern Finland (Pahtavaara). Pahtavaara has an Inferred mineral resource at a 1.5 g/t Au cut off grade of 4.6 Mt at a grade of 3.2 g/t Au (474 koz) (see the technical report entitled NI 43-101 Technical Report: Pahtavaara Project, Finland with an effective date of April 16, 2018, prepared by Brian Wolfe, Principal Consultant, International Resource Solutions Pty Ltd., an independent qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). The Company also holds a 100% interest in two properties in Central Finland - Hirsikangas and Osikonmaki; the Gold Centre property, which consists of mineral claims located in the Balmer Township, Red Lake, Ontario; and the Surf Inlet Property in British Columbia. Review by Qualified Person, Quality Control and Reports In compliance with National Instrument 43-101, Mr. Mike Sutton, P.Geo. is the Qualified Person who supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release. For further information, please contact: James Withall Chief Executive Officer jwithall@rupertresources.com Thomas Credland Head of Corporate Development & Investor Relations tcredland@rupertresources.com Rupert Resources Ltd 82 Richmond Street East, Suite 203, Toronto, Ontario M5C 1P1 Tel: +1 416-304-9004 Web: http://rupertresources.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. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements This press release contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements, including the completion of the proposed Transaction, deadlines, regulatory approvals, business activities and operating performance of the Company. The words may, would, could, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made, and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other known and unknown factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the general risks of the mining industry, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's annual Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended February 28, 2018 available at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The Eurasian Week International Forum provides perfect opportunity for active contacts, Ara Abrahamyan Chairman of the Union of Armenians of Russia, said on the sidelines of the Forum in Yerevan, reports Armenpress. He said the Forum provides an opportunity to have contacts, for instance, with one of the major companies Rostec, which has more than a million employees. The Forum enables to establish direct dialogue with them, and all necessary mechanisms are created for that purpose, he added. Ara Abrahamyan said they have an office in Yerevan where he is ready to host business representatives at any moment. Moreover, during these years we have implemented many programs, organized meetings with different organizations, ministries and agencies which enabled to establish ties and contacts not only with the EAEU member states, but also other countries. For instance, we are cooperating with a Chinese fund, the budget of which is more than 70 billion Euros, he said, adding that there are great opportunities, its just necessary to be more active. Ara Abrahamyan said the Forum must have a great place in the business life of Armenia, as well as Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus. As an Armenian, I assure you that it is necessary to cooperate more frequently, be organized in actions in order to feel the effectiveness of the work, he added. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Cybersecurity is one of the fields where the United States and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) can cooperate, US President Donald Trumps private lawyer, informal advisor on cybersecurity matters, former Mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani said during the Eurasian Week International Forum in Yerevan, Armenpress reports. He said in case of a small country like Armenia its much easier to reach 90-95% security in the field of cybersecurity. As a key step it is necessary to analyze all cyber-crimes, choose those which are really dangerous and focus on them. Its necessary to create an internal mechanism to discover the invasions, he said. Cyber-protection has no secrets, and if I present how one needs to be protected, it would mean that I do not give a chance to kidnap information from me. I dont see risks on sharing information in cybersecurity field. If one of the countries has a very good solution for cyber-protection, why not to share with you?, the US official said. He said there is no magic thing that you can do to make the communication in cyberspace 100% secure. I doubt that there will be a development of science that will achieve that 100% security level, he added. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The Tsarukyan faction of parliament will remain committed to the signed memorandum and will not vote during the election of prime minister in parliament, Tsarukyan faction MP Naira Zohrabyan told reporters. The nomination of the prime minister is a formal nomination. We will not vote and we will allow the political agenda under which a prime minister isnt elected and the parliament gets dissolved and we head for early elections, to be served. We will remain committed to the signed memorandum, she said. She said that she believes that Republicans wont nominate a candidate for prime minister in case of being guided by sober reasoning, but at the same time she said that nothing is ruled out in politics. She expressed hope that force majeure situations wont take place. The Yelk faction of the Armenian parliament has decided to nominate incumbent acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for the first round of election of prime minister due October 24, Yelk faction MP Gevorg Gorgisyan told reporters. The nomination is a technicality as lawmakers are expected to deliberately fail to elect a prime minister in order to pave the way for eventual dissolution of parliament. As a result of consultations with lawyers we decided to make a nomination for prime minister, he said. He said that the decision has been made in order to ensure the legal part of the election. The deadline for nominations is 18:00 today. Earlier acting PM Nikol Pashinyan said that he doesnt rule out being nominated formally in the first round in a pre-arranged non-election scenario. If in fact everything goes as expected, another round of election will take place in a week, and if this round also fails to elect a PM, the parliament will be dissolved. Pashinyan tendered a technical resignation October 16 in order to trigger the process of disbanding the parliament and holding early elections. Pashinyan took office after massive protests in April forced president-turned PM Serzh Sargsyan to resign. But Sargsyans Republican Party (HHK) still has most seats in parliament. Since taking office, PM Nikol Pashinyan has numerously said that the incumbent parliament doesnt represent the people and that early elections should take place as soon as possible. Below is an excerpt from Article 149 of the Constitution of Armenia on Election and Appointment of the Prime Minister: In case the Prime Minister submits a resignation or in other cases of the office of the Prime Minister becoming vacant, the factions of the National Assembly shall be entitled to nominate candidates for Prime Minister within a period of seven days after accepting the resignation of the Government. The National Assembly shall elect the Prime Minister by majority of votes of the total number of Deputies [Members of Parliament]. In case Prime Minister is not elected, a new election of Prime Minister shall be held seven days after voting, wherein the candidates for Prime Minister nominated by at least one third of the total number of Deputies shall be entitled to participate. In case Prime Minister is not elected by majority of votes of the total number of Deputies, the National Assembly shall be dissolved by virtue of law. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian had a working meeting today in Geneva, Switzerland with executives from Vertex Venture Holdings (Singapore), Swiss Sustainable Finance (Switzerland) and Siemens Financial Services (Germany). The purpose of the visit was to brief the executives on Armenias investment arena and prospects of cooperation in different sectors, according to Sarkissians office. Issues related to mutually beneficial cooperation were discussed, the presidents office said in a press release. Possibilities of introducing their experience in our country, as well as implementing projects with Armenian companies were touched upon, Sarkissians office said. An agreement was reached to visit Armenia and carry out discussions with the government on cooperation, according to Sarkissians office. President Sargsyan noted that Armenia, being a member of the EEU, can act as a very important link between EU-EEU countries, especially when all required conditions for this exist, the presidents office said. During the meeting with Siemens Financial Services executives, it was noted that Armenia can be a bridge towards Eurasian markets as a member of the EEU, the presidential office said. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. A special session of parliament will be convened October 29 to once again debate the Electoral Code amendments bill package. 35 Members of Parliament have joined a petition calling for the extraordinary session to take place, Tsarukyan faction MP Naira Zohrabyan told reporters. Zohrabyan initiated the petition. Many others wanted [to join], but since the 27 signatures were sufficient, we already submitted the initiative of myself, Alen Simonyan, Lena Nazaryan, Gevorg Petrosyan and Vahe Enfiajyan with 35 signatures. This means that we will have a special session on Monday, she said. She expressed hope that Republicans wont obstruct the process. She said that certain technical changes will be made in the bill, but that the key clauses will be maintained. Yesterday the Armenian parliament failed to pass the bill package of Electoral Code amendments. 56 Members of Parliament voted in favor of adopting the bill, and three voted against. 63 votes were required for the bill to be adopted. Most of the Republican Party (HHK) faction MPs did not attend the voting in an apparent boycott. Only 59 MPs were in attendance and even if theoretically all wouldve voted in favor the bill still would fail to pass. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Russia doesnt need conflicts in the region, and the existing conflicts should be settled peacefully, Sergei Glazyev advisor to the President of Russia, told reporters in Yerevan, reports Armenpress. The conflicts should be solved peacefully, through discussions and compromise. Russia doesnt need conflict in the region. Russia attaches importance to the stable development in the region, Sergei Glazyev said. The Russian presidential advisor stated that the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is open to everyone, and if many post-Soviet states are included in the Union, there will be less conflicts. In his turn Chairman of the Union of Armenians of Russia Ara Abrahamyan said the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries are interested in the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The Eurasian Week International Forum 2019 will be held in Kyrgyzstan, Veronika Nikishina - Member of the Board, Minister for Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), said during the Eurasian Week Forum 2018 in Yerevan, adding that the next Forum will focus on agriculture, reports Armenpress. There is no final decision yet on this matter, but most probably that will be the topic, she said, adding that every year the Forum will be held in one of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). As for the Yerevan Forum, the EEC minister highlighted the exhibition which is being held within the frames of the Forum, where six important sectors have been presented, and the number of participants exceeded 100. We can state that we were not mistaken in the selection of the sectors. We wished the business to be in the focus of the Forum, she added. Veronika Nikishina also talked about the mobile app which enabled the Forum participants to more easily organize meetings and receive necessary information. 500 people downloaded the app, she said. The first Eurasian Week Forum was held in Moscow in 2016, the second one in Astana in 2017 and the third one is being held in Armenia. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Acting foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan held a meeting today with OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Desir, the foreign ministry said. The sides highly appreciated the close and productive cooperation that has developed between Desirs office and relevant Armenian bodies and the governments actions on safeguarding media freedom and freedom of speech in the country. They emphasized that this visit is a good chance to get first hand information on the latest changes that took place in Armenia and to outline the actions for more productive use of the partnership potential within the framework of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media office. Touching upon the latest domestic political developments in detail, Mnatsakanyan reiterated the Armenian governments commitment to continue the reforms aimed at strengthening democracy. The Acting FM noted that specific issues are at the basis of the broad mandate given by the people: combating corruption, strengthening rule of law and justice and ensuring equal conditions in the social and economic areas. Both sides highlighted cooperation between Armenia and international organizations on this path. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The common space of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) enables the businessmen of the member states to exercise their export potential, Marat Birimzhan - Deputy Chairman of the Management Board at Kazakh Invest, told ARMENPRESS correspondent within the framework of the Eurasian Week International Forum in Yerevan. The more opportunities we open for the business, as well as the expansion of partnership, the sooner we will liberalize our legislations. The more we increase the partnership within the Union, the better we will use the export potential of both the EAEU and each of its member states, he said. Asked what he will propose to the Armenian businessmen, he said: I suggest to be active participants of dialogue with the public administration bodies in terms of feedback, concrete proposals and initiatives. Unfortunately, here there is no active dialogue between the business and businessmen, he said, calling on the public authorities to further engage the businessmen in the discussions on legislative amendments and reforms. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Kazahkstans Almaty will host the 13th session of the CSTO Military Committee chaired by Lt. general Murat Maykeev, Chief of the General Staff of Kazakhstans Armed Forces and First Deputy Minister of Defense. The October 26 session will focus on development of military cooperation between CSTO member states. Chiefs of General Staff of CSTO member countries will take part in the session, CSTO said in a press release. CSTO Joint Staff chief and deputy Secretary General Piotr Tikhonovsky will also be in attendance. CSTO Joint Chief of Staff Anatoly Sidorov will brief on the main directions of developing cooperation and the procedure of organizing air defense in the Central Asian territory. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan PHOENIX, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioCorRx Inc. (OTCQB: BICX ) (the "Company") is a developer and provider of advanced solutions in the treatment of alcohol and opioid addictions. President, CEO, and Director of BioCorRx Inc, Brady Granier talked with Stock Days Everett Jolly about exciting developments at the company. Jolly asked for a general explanation of what it is that BioCorRx Inc. does to help fight addiction. We do several things in the space, explained Granier. We have a behavioral program that was developed by addiction experts that includes cognitive behavioral therapy. This helps people move ahead once they are in therapy. He went on to explain how the companys naltrexone implant is specifically formulated with completely biodegradable pellets that are typically inserted just beneath the skin in the lower abdominal area. The behavioral program and the naltrexone implant are combined with peer support to make up their multi-pronged program to help combat substance use disorder. Jolly then asked Granier for an update on the grant submitted to The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) for BICX102. BICX102 is the Companys sustained release naltrexone implant for the treatment of alcohol and opioid use disorders. Granier explained that the company received a Just-In-Time (JIT) request from NIDA earlier in the month, which they believe is a good sign. Were in the process of compiling information they requested, he said. He then went on to explain that they expect to know the outcome sometime around mid-November. Jolly then turned the conversation to a recent letter of intent with VDM Biochemicals, Inc. Under the agreement, BioCorRx has the right of first refusal to acquire up to a 49% ownership stake in VDM-001. VDM-001 may represent an effective alternative to naloxone in the overdose reversal market. Granier explained that they need to ultimately validate the product once a definitive agreement is reached. He went on to say they need to do their own studies on the product and if it works as VDM Biochemicals, Inc. claims, Granier believes it could be a promising product. To hear more about what BioCorRx Inc. has to offer listen to the full podcast here: https://upticknewswire.com/featured-interview-ceo-brady-granier-of-biocorrx-inc-otcqb-bicx-3/ About BioCorRx BioCorRx Inc. (OTCQB: BICX) is an addiction treatment company offering a unique approach to the treatment of substance abuse addiction. The BioCorRx Recovery Program, a non-addictive, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program, consists of two main components. The first component of the program consists of an outpatient implant procedure performed by a licensed physician. The implant delivers the non-addictive medicine, naltrexone, an opioid antagonist that can significantly reduce physical cravings for alcohol and opioids. The second component of the program developed by BioCorRx Inc. is a one-on-one counseling program specifically tailored for the treatment of alcoholism and other substance abuse addictions for those receiving long-term naltrexone treatment. The Company also has an R&D subsidiary, BioCorRx Pharmaceuticals, which is currently developing injectable and implantable naltrexone products for potential future regulatory approval. For more information on BICX, visit www.BioCorRx.com . Contact: BioCorRx Inc. investors@BioCorRx.com 714-462-4880 Investor Relations: Crescendo Communications, LLC (212) 671-1020 x304 bicx@crescendo-ir.com Safe Harbor Statement The information in this release includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "estimate," "become," "plan," "will," and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties. Although the Company believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. About Uptick Newswire and the Stock Day Podcast Founded in 2013, Uptick Newswire is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and OTC companies, providing transparency and clarification of under-valued, under-sold Micro-Cap stocks of the market. Uptick provides companies with customized solutions to their news distribution in both national and international media outlets. Uptick is the sole producer of its Stock Day Podcast, which is the number one radio show of its kind in America. The Uptick Network Stock Day Podcast is an extension of Uptick Newswire, which recently launched its Video Interview Studio located in Phoenix, Arizona. Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of Stock Day, and Uptick Newswire encourages listeners to visit the companys message board at https://investorshangout.com/ SOURCE: Uptick Newswire https://upticknewswire.com/ YEREVAN, 23 OCTOBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 23 October, USD exchange rate up by 0.22 drams to 484.35 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 0.67 drams to 556.13 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.01 drams to 7.42 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 1.31 drams to 629.32 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price down by 77.74 drams to 19033.92 drams. Silver price up by 0.41 drams to 227.82 drams. Platinum price down by 71.95 drams to 12924.94 drams. YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. The Office of President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian has issued a statement over the constitutional law on amendments in the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly of Armenia, adopted in an extraordinary session on October 2. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office, the statement runs as follows, Starting from the first day in office, President Armen Sarkissian imported a new culture when implementing his duties each step should be directed at the implementation of a specific goal and be based on the principle of rule of law. The statement notes that this approach is applied also for signing any law, be it a new law or amendments in an already-existing law. When signing them the President and his staff analyze if there are any constitutional-legal problems and to what extent the new law or the amendments foster the solution of a specific goal and if the possible reactions have been taken into account. All the laws should be in conformity with the Constitution and serve their goals, reads the statement. Referring to the law on amendments in the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly of Armenia adopted in an extraordinary session on October 2, the statement notes that it became a reason of various comments and discussions. The disagreement of a large part of the public over the law was recorded. Faithful to his approach, President Sarkissian instructed his staff to study the international experience on this issue more deeply, as well as the amendments to the Law and their justification. The study of the amendments to the law, as well as the current edition of the law on the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly shows that there are some obvious constitutional-legal problems, reads the statement, adding that President Sarkissian has decided to apply to the Constitutional Court to question the constitutionality of amendments in the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly of Armenia. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, OCTOBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is the only member state of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) with land border with Iran and is an important bridge for the relations between Iran and the EAEU, ARMENPRESS reports Veronika Nikishina, Member of the Board, Minister for Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission said at the press conference summarizing the Eurasian week. Armenia is a very important bridge for the practical implementation of our agreements with Iran, she said, adding that each EAEU member state has a non-formal obligation to coordinate some directions of negotiations. Armenia was the one to coordinate talks with Iran and they had rather successful and prompt completion, the EEC Minister said. Veronika Nikishina emphasized the fact that Armenia has now expressed readiness to coordinate talks with Egypt. We hope that those talks will also be a success, she said. Nikishina referred to the concerns over the entry of Vietnam to the EAEU market, noting that trade turnover with that country has increased by 35% with export increasing by 40%. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan While he rejected independence as coming too early for a young country where rural people still lived much as their ancestors had done, he nonetheless contributed to the successful emergence of a new nation. He gave up his chance to be prime minister in 1975 to quell strong undercurrents of secessionist sentiment from the Papuan and New Guinea Islands region so PNG could emerge as a united country. He is remembered as a charismatic nationalist whose magnetism was able to unite PNG on the path to democracy. THE late Sir Tei Abal transcended being cast out as an orphan to rise to the top echelons of power in Papua New Guinea. As the wheel of history turned, 18 years after Sir Teis death, his son Sam Abal was hand-picked by Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare to stand in as prime minister before Somare left for prolonged medical treatment in Singapore. Tei Abal was born sometime between 1929 and 1931 to Abal Monape and a wife who is unknown. She is believed to have succumbed to starvation as a result of a devastating frost that left the Laiagam valley barren of crops. Abal Monope was a Temaga tribesman from Mapumanda village in Laiagam. Tei Abal was raised in the same village until he was about seven when the famine struck. In search of food, father and son later fled Laiagam through the Lakale trade route into the Lai Valley of Wabag. But as they tried to settle in Wabag, Piao tribesmen murdered Abal Monope near where the present day Sir Tei Abal Secondary School stands. Yakale tribesmen collected his body and buried him in their village of Keas. But young Tei was left to fend for himself. He soon realised it was dangerous to live in Wabag because survival meant stealing and he would certainly be killed if he was caught. Fear drove the young boy, by now aged about 10, east to Wapenamanda. He eventually settled in the rich Tsak Valley among generous tribesman who looked after him and groomed him into a smart young man. By this time, missionaries and government patrols were infiltrating Enga and a man named Timone, from Irelya in Wabag, who worked as an interpreter, observed that Tei had an alert and inquisitive mind. Timone brought Tei to Wabag Patrol Post. On 12 July 1947 Tei Abal was recruited as an orderly at the newly established Wabag aid post. He learned fast and showed a natural ability to lead, swiftly attaining supervisory roles. In the course of his duties, he carried out one of the biggest immunisation programs ever undertaken in Enga. He walked for months through rough terrain and along dangerous trails to reach every corner of the district. In 1954, Tei married Nael (now Lady Abal), the daughter of a tribal leader from Pawas village. When Lady Naels father was killed in battle, Tei assumed leadership responsibilities and quickly established himself among the Kaialu clan of the Awain tribe near Wabag town. Soon his influence reached all parts of Enga. The first national elections in 1964 saw him elected to the new House of Assembly. He worked tirelessly to establish aid posts, schools, roads and bridges throughout Enga. In 1968, the Wabag Local Government Council resolved to return Tei Abal unopposed to the second House of Assembly it happened and Tei made history in PNG politics as the first person to be elected unopposed after a mere council resolution. Tei now began to figure prominently in national politics. He was appointed Under-Secretary for Labour and served on various committees appointed by the Australian colonial administration. Administrator David Hay in particular had high regard for this illiterate leader from Wabag. Tei Abal was appointed to the Constitutional Planning Committee which was tasked with writing the national constitution or Mama Loa. It was at about this time that he co-founded the Compass Party which later changed its name to United Party and was chosen as its first leader. Now the entire Highlands region looked up to him as their leader. The third general elections in 1972 saw Tei winning in a landslide. PNG now acquired self- government and he was appointed Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. He knew that the majority of the people, particularly his highlands people, were not ready for early independence. The highlands were still underdeveloped and the distribution of wealth and jobs throughout PNG was unequal. Between 1972 and 1975 there was a rush towards independence. Tei Abal fought hard to unite PNG while opposing early independence. He came to St Pauls Lutheran High School in Enga when I was there in 1973 and told staff and students that PNG had to experience self-government for a while before going it alone. At the time, he said Sir Michael Somares Pangu Party was trying to accomplish the impossible. He graphically compared it as someone trying to chew sugarcane and sweet potato at the same time. Wanpela man ino inap kaikai kaukau waintaim suka. Under the United Partys slogan United We Stand, Divided We Fall, Tei made sure his party was accepted not only by his highlands people but throughout PNG. Party membership swelled and it became the biggest single party. His push to hold back independence failed but Tei Abal seemed destined to become the first prime minister. But when independence came in 1975, to the disappointment of his party members, Sir Tei offered the prime ministership to Sir John Guise for the sake of national unity. As it turned out, Guise didnt get the job. Sir Michael Somare formed a coalition government and became the first prime minister. The United Party remnants moved into opposition and Mathias Toliman became their leader. Tei Abal was awarded the CBE. Upon the sudden death of Mr Toliman in 1976, Tei took over the opposition leadership and, in the same year, he was knighted. Now Sir Tei, he moved to establish Enga as a separate province and declared Wabag as its headquarters. Sir Teis years of hard work took its toll in 1979 when he suffered his first stroke whilst attending a Cabinet meeting in Madang. He was rushed to Goroka Base Hospital and survived. But his health continued to fail. In 1980, he suffered a second stroke which left the right side of his body paralysed. Despite his ill health, he remained Minister for Public Utilities and Leader of the United Party. But his health continued to deteriorate, he could did not speak well and he became frail. The once great orator was reduced to a shell. Despite that, he again nominated for the 1982 national elections. This time he lost. His condition continued to worsen but his tough highlands body kept him alive. By 1991, Sir Tei was completely immobilised and doctors explained to him there was nothing more they could do. In October 1993, Sir Tei was brought home to Keas village to be looked after by his family, relatives and friends. At 5pm on 14 March 1994 after such a long struggle - he breathed his last. The pioneer politician who had spent the better part of his life fighting for national unity had died. He left behind his wife, three sons and two daughters. The state funeral was attended by thousands of people who stood around the freshly dug grave and watched the pioneer politician laid to rest just a couple of meters away from his late father, Abal Monape. Women are an important stakeholder in peace building on Bougainville, Dr Momis said. It was through your joint efforts with our leaders, ex-combatants and government that peace was initially attained. Bougainville president John Momis congratulated the women of Bougainville during five days of celebrating their social contribution to the autonomous province last week. In more recent times these roles have been redefined to include peacemaker, to mark their contributions to the post-civil war Bougainville peace process. BUKA - The traditional roles of Bougainvillean women have been as custodians of the land and providers of the safety net within the community. Momis - 'Through women's joint efforts peace in Bougainville was attained and maintained' I once again call upon your resilience and unwavering support to continue to play a vital role in preparing our people before the referendum [on Bougainvilles political future] is held next year. I am of the firm belief that our people will not fail but before that happens we must work hard for it to happen, he said. Dr Momis told the women that Bougainville must meet international best practice standards on human rights, due processes and democracy. He reminded the women that the referendum is a privilege that only Bougainville has in Papua New Guinea. This means we are a highly favoured people presented with a rare opportunity to decide our own destiny, he said. Dr Momis also revealed that the Bougainville government was embarking on preparatory work leading to the referendum and post referendum period. The Department of Bougainville Peace Agreement Implementation is working tirelessly to ensure that we have a smooth transition and that our progress is within the parameters of the peace agreement, he said. He said the people of Bougainville are committed to collaborating with the Papua New Guinea government in implementing the referendum in a democratic manner. Dr Momis reinforced that the process of self-determination is within the parameters of the PNG Constitution and is not in contravention of any laws of the country despite what some people may presume. He said Bougainville has earned this right after the national government declared war on its own citizens in a civil war that saw the loss of more than 20,000 lives. Scammers are posing as charities. Images: Getty The 31 October tax return deadline is also the deadline for the army of scammers looking to defraud Australians. Between July and August, nearly $190,000 was paid to scammers the Australian Tax Office (ATO) has revealed. Also read: Aussie petrol prices at a 10-year high where to next? But theres one particularly appalling scam currently doing the rounds, and its preying on Aussies generosity. Australians are very generous, donating billions each year to thousands of different charities. Unfortunately scammers are increasingly using peoples generosity against them by setting up fake charities to fleece them, the deputy chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Delia Rickard said. This is a particularly appalling scam as beyond just stealing money from unsuspecting victims, the scammers also take money meant for legitimate charities. Donations are the lifeblood that supports charities and their ability to help people in need. Also read: Is this proof Australia is in the next stage of the property cycle? This week is Charity Fraud Awareness Week and the ACCCs Scamwatch unit is warning Australians to be on the lookout for these scams. What does the scam look like? Losses from charity scams have steadily increased over the last four years, with scammers using a range of different approaches. For example, scammers may pretend to be charity collectors or may set up fake websites which look similar to real charities. Fake charity approaches occur all year round and often take the form of a response to real disasters or emergencies, such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes and bushfires. Also read: Why the price of Australias most expensive Ford Falcon just doubled The ACCC has seen horrific examples of charity scammers taking advantage of high profile tragedies like the Black Saturday bushfires and following last years Bourke Street tragedy. Weve also seen some recent examples of charity scammers using the current drought to rip off people, Rickard said. Story continues The scammers have no shame. If theyre not creating fake charities, they will impersonate real ones like the Red Cross, RSPCA, or Rural Fire Service. Thats bad. How can I protect myself? A good tip is to check the charity is legitimate by looking up their credentials on the publicly available Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) website. Charities do employ door-knockers and street collectors, but Aussie donors shouldnt be shy about asking for identification and follow-up questions about how the money will be used. If you have any doubts about who they are, do not pay, go the charitys legitimate website and pay through there. Rickard said. Also read: 4 money-saving tips for your next business trip abroad Also, avoid any arrangement with a stranger that asks for up-front payment via money order, wire transfer, international funds transfer, pre-loaded card or electronic currency, like Bitcoin. Legitimate charities dont solicit donations in this way. Scammers favourite time of year Its peak season for the army of scammers, tax communications director at H&R Block, Mark Chapman said. Tax scams can take many forms and new ones emerge all the time. The latest involves the fraudsters initiating a three-way telephone conversation between the scammer, the victim, and another scammer impersonating the victims tax agent, he added. Scammers posing as the ATO are also stinging Aussies by sending through emails asking victims to click on a link to access further details about a debt or refund. That one click can lead to disaster, allowing the scammers to access your computer system and potentially hold you or your business to ransom, Chapman said. Fake phone calls continue to proliferate, with rude, aggressive callers claiming to be from the ATO threatening taxpayers with arrest and even jail if they fail to pay non-existent tax debts, often by unconventional means such as iTunes vouchers. Also read: EU wont accept Mays plan to break Brexit deadlock, says Verhofstadt If you think youve been targeted, you should hang up if the scammers are operating over the phone and avoid clicking any suspicious links. Its also a good idea to forward the email to ReportEmailFraud@ato.gov.au and call the ATO to check the contact is genuine, Chapman added. The finest snipers in the US military, as well as local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, have been battling it out this past week against teams from across the US and around the world in the annual International Sniper Competition. The Army's 75th Ranger Regiment came in first, the Colorado Army National Guard took second, and Sweden's 17th Wing Air Force Rangers came in third. Thirty sniper teams ran toward their equipment at the opening of the 18th annual International Sniper Competition on Oct. 15, 2018 Sniper teams from across the globe travelled to Fort Benning, Georgia to compete in the 2018 International Sniper Competition from Oct 14 - 16, 2018. The purpose of this yearly competition is to identify the best sniper team from across a wide range of agencies and organisations, including the US military, international militaries, and local, state and federal law enforcement, the US Army said. Teams must, according to the Army, complete "a gauntlet of rigorous physical, mental and endurance events that test the range of sniper skills that include, but are not limited to, long range marksmanship, observation, reconnaissance and reporting abilities, and abilities to move with stealth and concealment." Snipers play a critical role in combat, with missions including "precision fires on enemy personnel and equipment, intelligence gathering, counter-sniper operations, infiltration and overwatch of [named areas of interest], occupation of and operations in support by fire positions, ballistic interdiction of IEDs, and disruption of enemy operations." Source: US Army The International Sniper Competition, while it is a contest, also focuses on interoperability. "Working together in this venue is a great way for us to share ideas, build rapport and train our forces," Brig. Gen. David M. Hodne, the U.S. Army Infantry School commandant, said at the closing ceremony, "After all, the purpose of the International Sniper Competition is to improve our collective lethality." Story continues Source: Fort Benning Public Affairs Office Hodne noted that snipers are decidedly different from other soldiers. "There something special about a sniper," he explained. "Snipers are disciplined, physically fit, and emotionally stable," Hodne added. "They know how to concentrate under enormous pressure, and under fire. They have good, common sense. They know how to read terrain and weather conditions. They are silent and stealthy experts in camouflage. They are alert. And they understand the importance of initiative." Staff Sgts. Brandon Kelley and Jonathan Roque with the Army's 75th Ranger Regiment scored the most points during the multi-day competition. "Some teams, this is their Super Bowl; this is what they train for," Kelley explained, "For us, this is an additional evaluation where we are before we go overseas and do our job. And its treated as such." "We take it as an additional training opportunity," Roque added. "We take full advantage of it." US Army teams dominated the competition. One surprising result: the US Coast Guard's Special Missions Training Detachment edged out the US Marine Corps' Scout Sniper instructors. The US Navy put on a show of force on China's doorstep Monday, sending two warships through the tense Taiwan Strait. The destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur and cruiser USS Antietam were shadowed by Chinese naval vessels as they transited the strait. This rare move comes at a time of heightened tensions between the two military powers and is likely to anger Beijing despite it being within the bounds of international law. Two US Navy warships have sailed through the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence said in a statement Monday. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur and Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Antietam traversed the strait Monday, US Pacific Fleet confirmed to Business Insider. The US Navy conducted a similar operation in July, sending the destroyers USS Mustin and USS Benfold through the tense waterway. The pair of US Navy warships conducted "a routine Taiwan Strait transit in accordance with international law," Pacific Fleet spokesperson Lt. j.g. Rachel McMarr told BI, adding that the purpose of the mission was to demonstrate "the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific" and to remind others that "the US Navy will continue to fly, sail, and operate anywhere international law allows." The latest move comes at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing, which have been fighting over a variety of issues ranging from trade to territorial disputes. China, concerned that US military actions around Taiwan will embolden pro-independence factions on the self-ruled island, has bolstered its military presence in the area this past year. The Chinese military has sailed its aircraft carrier and accompanying escort ships through the Taiwan Strait and conducted "encirclement" exercises involving fighters, bombers and other military assets throughout the year. Beijing perceives Taiwan as a breakaway province and has threatened to take military action if Taiwan attempts to declare independence. The US Navy's latest challenge to China comes just a few weeks after a showdown in the South China Sea, in which a Chinese destroyer nearly collided with a US Navy warship during an "unsafe" encounter following a routine freedom-of-navigation operation near the contested Spratly Islands. That incident followed a string of US Air Force bomber flights through the disputed East and South China Seas, flights Beijing characterised as "provocative." Chinese warships shadowed the US Navy ships through the Taiwan Strait Monday, but the Chinese ships remained at a safe distance. A young Melbourne couple have been left badly injured after they were involved in a horrific motorbike crash while holidaying in Bali. Matt Davis and Courtney Mills were lucky to escape with their lives following the incident earlier this month. While Ms Mills was out of hospital in the days after the crash, her partner had to undergo surgery for his various injuries, with local doctors telling him they may need to surgically release the air trapped in his skull. Doctors in Australia advised Mr Davis to avoid the second surgery due to its high risk, however the severity of his injuries meant he wasnt able to fly home until the air reduced. Two weeks after the crash, Mr Davis is now back on home soil after doctors cleared him to fly home but remains in hospital awaiting further surgery. Courtney Mills and Matt Davis were badly injured in a motorbike crash in Bali earlier this month. Image: GoFundMe Mr Davis is expected to require further surgery after returning to Melbourne. Image: GoFundMe Ms Williams told Yahoo7 News that while his treatment will be substantially easier, more comfortable and more affordable now that he is back home, Mr Davis still has a long road to recovery. His face and head are still very sore but doctors cant assess how to proceed until the swelling in his head goes down, she said. Ms Williams set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the couples hospital costs. As many of you would know, biking accidents in Bali are not covered by travel insurance and the costs incurred by Matt to date are huge, she wrote when setting up the page. She said Mr Davis, who was initially reluctant to have a GoFundMe page set up to help him, has already received $17,000 of the $35,000 raised which will be used to pay for his medical bills. October 31, 2008 marked the birth of bitcoin. Ten years on, the world's first cryptocurrency is at the forefront of a complex financial system viewed warily by markets and investors. From its first evocation amid a global financial crisis, in a white paper written by Satoshi Nakamoto, an unknown pseudonym, bitcoin conveyed a political vision. The "abstract" set out in the paper for bitcoin, currently worth about $6,400 per unit from a starting point of virtually zero, was for "a purely peer-to-peer version of electronic cash (that) would allow online payments to be sent directly from one party to another without going through a financial institution." A decade on, this continues to be carried out via a decentralised registry system known as a blockchain. Such ambition for a cryptocurrency was fuelled by the bankruptcy of US investment bank Lehman Brothers in September 2008, an event that discredited the traditional system of "a small elite of bankers... (that) establishes monetary rules imposed on everybody", according to Pierre Noizat, founder of the first French bitcoin exchange in 2011. Following its creation, bitcoin evolved for several years away from the public eye, grabbing the attention for the most part of geeks and criminals -- the latter seeing it as a way to launder money. After bitcoin surpassed $1,000 for the first time in 2013, it began to attract the attention of financial institutions. The European Central Bank compared it to a Ponzi scheme, but Ben Bernanke, then head of the US Federal Reserve, hailed its potential. - A turbulent childhood - In early 2014, the cryptocurrency faced its biggest crisis to date, with the hacking of the Mt. Gox platform, where about 80 percent of all bitcoins were traded. The result was a collapse in their value, leading to predictions of the virtual currency's death. It took until early 2017 for bitcoin's price to fully recover. That marked the start of a "turning point" according to Noizat, as the controversial cryptocurrency then rocketed to more than $19,500 by the end of the year according to Bloomberg data. That meant bitcoin had a total capitalisation of more than $300 billion, according to the specialised website Coinmarketcap. By January 2018 the value of all cryptocurrencies exceeded $800 billion, before the bubble burst. The concept of a digital currency has progressed substantially thanks to bitcoin, cryptocurrency analyst Bob McDowall told AFP, pointing to the creation of 2,000 rivals. "It becomes more than a technological, economic innovation. It almost becomes a religion for some people," he noted. According to Anthony Lesoismier, co-founder of investment fund Swissborg which offers portfolios based on blockchain, "the real revolution has been on a philosophical level". But for economist Nouriel Roubini, decentralisation in crypto is a myth. "It is a system more centralised than North Korea. Miners are centralised, exchanges are centralised, developers are centralised dictators," Roubini tweeted. If the initial idea was for bitcoin to facilitate payments, a majority of observers recognise that it is used above all as a store of value or as a speculative instrument owing to volatility in its value. "You need 20 years for this kind of... technology to take hold completely," said Noizat, who is banking on faster transaction speeds for bitcoin. As it stands, about five to ten bitcoin transactions can be processed per second compared with several thousand for Visa cards. Looking ahead, US market regulators are considering applications for bitcoin-based exchange-traded funds, which if approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission would see the virtual currency become part of a financial system it set out to bypass. "We must cross some bridges in the short term" to generate the general public's interest and trust, said Lesoismier, who described himself as both an "idealist" and "realist". A shop in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv shows a visual representation of the digital cryptocurrency Bitcoin, now 10 years-old A technician inspects the backside of bitcoin mining at Bitfarms in Saint Hyacinthe, Quebec WASHINGTON D.C., Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd) announced that Andreas Schleicher, the Director for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), will be speaking at the 2018 National Summit on Education Reform on Friday, December 7 in Washington, D.C. ExcelinEds flagship event brings together educators from across the country and internationally to discuss ideas on how to improve education equity for all children. Educators and schools across the globe are improving their practices to better prepare students to lead and succeed in a fast-changing world. However, some countries are rising far above the pack in this endeavor, while others like the United States seem to be at a standstill. For the past 20 years, Schleicher has worked to identify the education policies that improve learning and outcomes for students across the globe. During his keynote presentation, Schleicher will share insights on which countries are increasing student success, what they are doing, how they are evolving and how the U.S. can learn from their examples to drive changes that benefit our students and school systems. One of Schleichers observations during his collaboration with education leaders around the world is that the best education systems look outward; they look closely and continuously at successful practices and apply them consciously, Claire Voorhees, ExcelinEd National Director of Policy, said. Throughout the National Summit, policymakers will be encouraged to follow this advicenot only to the best education systems in the world but also across state boundaries. In his role at OECD, Schleicher oversees the development and analysis of benchmarks on the performance of education systems. He also developed the international PISA exam and is the author of World Class: How to Build a 21st-Century School System. During the 2018 National Summit on Education Reform, ExcelinEd and Governor Jeb Bush will host more than 1,000 legislators, state superintendents, policymakers and thought leaders working to build a brighter future for our nations families. The packed two-day event will feature notable keynote speakers and in-depth strategy sessions on evolving laws, new trends, successful policies and the latest innovations that are transforming education for the 21st century. #EIE18 is the only conference of its kind to feature a broad range of quality, innovation and opportunity policies that prioritize student success. Visit the National Summit website for details on this year's event and to register. Follow @ExcelinEd on Twitter for the latest news and updates, and use #EIE18 to join the National Summit conversation. Attachment From northern Syria, Muslim convert Sufyan is imploring his native Germany to take him back, having been captured years after joining the Islamic State group's so-called "caliphate". His beard neatly buzzed, Sufyan is one of hundreds of foreigners held by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in war-torn Syria, accused of fighting for IS. The 36-year-old insists he was not a fighter, but a misguided civilian making orthopaedic shoes and prosthetics in IS territory. "I am not Jihadi John, I am not Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, I am not Adnani," said Sufyan, listing IS's infamous British executioner, its elusive chief, and its now-dead spokesman. "I just made limbs," added the pale-skinned Sufyan, who refused to give his real name and said he was from Stuttgart in southwest Germany. He was selected to speak to AFP by the YPG, who detained him around a year ago and were present during the interview. They have refused to try accused foreign fighters in their custody, urging Western countries to take them back. Some foreign governments have agreed to do so, but most are reluctant. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces are holding several alleged German IS members, including Mohammad Haydar Zammar, a Syrian-born German national accused of helping plan the September 11 attacks. Berlin is not known to have repatriated anyone, but Sufyan hopes he, his Syrian wife and their son can start afresh in Germany. "People make mistakes and I was naive," he said, dressed in a yellow hoody with a side zip, cargo pants, and black beanie. "I just want to go back to my old life." - 'I didn't fight' - Speaking in near-fluent English peppered with Arabic words, Sufyan recounts his winding journey to what he thought would be a pious life under Islamic rule. In 2014, IS declared a "caliphate" across large parts of Syria and neighbouring Iraq. The following year, Sufyan travelled across Europe and Turkey, finally crossing into Syria in March 2015, four years into the Syrian war. Once inside, he says, IS shuffled him among safe houses for weeks alongside Australians, Central Asians, and Russians. He was given one month of military training and assigned to a battalion, but claims he never fought. "I didn't fight and I didn't kill anyone," he said. "I never killed any person in my life." Instead, Sufyan was hired at a hospital in IS's de facto Syrian capital Raqa, using his 12 years' experience as an orthopaedic shoemaker. "They teach me over there prosthetics. Until I came to YPG, I was doing this job... making prosthetic and orthopaedic shoes," he said. In 2016, he married a Syrian woman from northwest Idlib, and they had a son. They stayed in Raqa until YPG-led forces surrounded the northern city in 2017, forcing them to flee to the IS-held eastern town of Mayadeen. Sufyan took up the same work there until Mayadeen came under attack, this time by the Russia-backed Syrian regime. He said he had grown embittered towards IS by then and decided to pay a smuggler to bring him and his family to a YPG checkpoint. "I was not ready to kill someone or to die, so I decided to go out," said Sufyan. "Everyone was running away." - 'New start'? - A year later, Sufyan lives separated from his wife and son, who are detained in a Kurdish-run camp. He desperately wants to be reunited with his family. Kurdish authorities say they have in their custody around 900 male foreign IS members, 550 women and around 1,200 children from 44 countries. According to a European Parliament report in May, Germany estimates there are 290 children with claims to German citizenship in Iraq and Syria. "If I can come back to Germany and if Germany want to punish me, I will accept this, to stay in prison," Sufyan told AFP. "I hope it will not be a long sentence, because I miss already my wife and my son," he said. He hopes to study or open his own business in his homeland, for which he has renewed appreciation since meeting Syrians who "see Germany as something like a paradise on earth". "I know Germany is a country with a lot of 'rahma' with a lot of people. I expect that Germany will have also 'rahma' with me," he said, using the Arabic word for "mercy". Sufyan has written to his parents in Germany, who replied and also sent a letter and money to his wife. Included in his parents' reply was a picture of a bicycle, which has kept Sufyan's hopes of returning home alive. "My brain says, why will my mother and my father buy a bicycle for my son if he is in Syria? I hope I can go back to my country and make a new start." Sufyan, a 36-year-old German held by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) after he joined the Islamic State (IS) group, gives an interview to AFP on September 23, 2018 Islamic State convert Sufyan says he did not fight for the jihadists, but instead worked in IS-held hospitals on prosthetics after he entered Syria in 2015 Sufyan lives separated from his wife and son, who are detained in a Kurdish-run camp Islamic State recruit Sufyan said he would be prepared to serve prison time in his home country Germany, rather than remain in detention in Syrian Kurdish territory Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe makes a rare trip to China this week hoping improved relations will lead to new economic partnerships, as the two countries come under US pressure on trade. The visit is the first by a Japanese premier since 2011 and is part of a years-long process of repairing ties in the wake of a disastrous falling-out in 2012, when Tokyo "nationalised" disputed islands claimed by Beijing. The incident prompted anti-Japanese riots in China, and kicked off a frosty spell that has only gradually and recently begun to thaw. Since an awkward 2014 encounter between Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a summit, there have been ministerial visits by both sides and a softening of rhetoric. But Abe's trip will be a test of how far the two countries have come, and the need for progress is all the more urgent as US President Donald Trump levies tariffs and rattles sabres on trade with both China and Japan. "The trade war with the US seems like it's helping bring them together a bit," said Kristin Vekasi, assistant professor of political science at the University of Maine, and an expert on Japan-China ties. "In that sense, they're actually on the same side... and if Japan leans away from the US because of decreased economic opportunities, there's a potential for closer ties with China," she told AFP. - Complementary economies - The two leaders are likely to focus on a range of potential deals, including joint investments in infrastructure in regional nations including Indonesia and the Philippines. Abe has signalled some interest in China's massive "Belt and Road Initiative", which funds major infrastructure work, but experts said a concrete deal on Japanese participation was unlikely for now. Both sides are keen to improve economic cooperation, with Japanese business eager for increased access to China's massive market, and Beijing interested in Japanese technology and corporate knowhow. "Japan and China have really nicely complementary economies, and they can benefit hugely from having closer trade and investment ties," said Vekasi. "They'll try and bring home some economic tangibles. That's generally where they've been able to successfully cooperate in the past." The two leaders may find less common ground outside of the economic realm, with tensions lingering over territorial issues. Just days before Abe's trip, Tokyo lodged an official complaint after Chinese ships cruised around the disputed islands that Tokyo calls the Senkaku and Beijing labels the Diaoyu islands. And in September, Japan carried out its first submarine drills in the disputed South China Sea. Japan does not border the South China Sea but has expressed concern about Chinese military activity there. - Panda diplomacy? - Abe and Xi are likely to simply avoid those thornier issues, said Kazuyuki Suwa, a professor of political science at the University of Shizuoka. "Neither side will make any compromises... They will say what they need to say, and won't likely agree to go beyond that," he told AFP. "The relationship is a mixture of cooperation and confrontation, and that will stay the same." Much of the meeting will be about optics, with both men looking for the symbolic boost that the summit will provide. Abe will also be hoping to extract a pledge that China will make good on plans for Xi to pay a reciprocal visit to Japan next year. If he succeeds, "that itself should be called one of the major achievements of this trip," Suwa said. And there may be other diplomatic tools at the ready as well. When Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang visited Japan earlier this year, he announced a gift of a pair of rare wild crested ibises, which arrived this month. Japanese media have reported Abe is hoping that his visit will produce a bigger bonanza in the form of some panda diplomacy, with zoos in Sendai and Kobe apparently angling for new additions. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and China's President Xi Jinping have previously only met on the sidelines of summits Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and China's President Xi Jinping both attended the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in September Syria's Kurds are holding hundreds of alleged foreign fighters from the Islamic State group, but say they will not try them and have urged their home countries to repatriate them. Here is what we know: - Hundreds in jail - Kurdish forces who have been fighting IS in Syria with backing from the US-led coalition say they hold around 900 of the organisation's foreign jihadists from 44 countries. The most infamous captives include Alexanda Amon Kotey and El Shafee el-Sheikh, two survivors of the IS kidnapping quartet dubbed "The Beatles" due to their British accents. The group was notorious for videotaping beheadings. Among the detained French jihadists is Adrien Guihal, who is said to have claimed a truck-ramming attack in the French city of Nice that killed 86 people in 2016. 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. Many of the detainees do not have identity papers, Omar says. "Some of the women have four children, each from a different father and each father from a different country," he says. - No trials - Since 2014, IS has lost most of a cross-border proto-state they once held in Syria and neighbouring Iraq to various offensives. Iraq has sentenced dozens of foreigners to death or life in jail over belonging to the extremist group. But the Kurdish authorities in northeastern Syria have repeatedly said they will not try any foreign fighters. "We try the local Syrian IS mercenaries, but we won't try the foreigners," Omar said. "There are too many of them. It's a heavy burden we can't carry on our own," he said. "We don't have any laws for capital punishment... If we did try them and their jail sentence ended, then where would they go?" he asked. The Kurds were trying to exert "pressure on the international community and countries that have nationals in our region," Omar said. "We are trying by all means for those countries to take back their nationals." - 'Political considerations' - Russia, Indonesia, and Sudan have agreed to take some nationals back, Omar said, and these have been mostly women and children. But overall, Western countries, reeling from deadly attacks claimed by IS on home soil, have been reluctant. On Tuesday, Pentagon Joint Chiefs chairman Joe Dunford said the delay in repatriating the foreign captives home for prosecution was due to "political considerations and inconsistent legal frameworks". Concerns included "how we identify, prosecute, deradicalise and reintegrate foreign fighters", he said. Two Americans -- a man and a woman -- were transferred back to the United States in July to be tried. France has insisted any French adults held by Kurdish authorities should be tried where they are, so long as they face a "fair trial". Britain has reportedly stripped Kotey and Sheikh of their citizenship, and made no efforts to repatriate them. American media reported in August that the US administration was considering sending them to Guantanamo Bay. - Talks? - Omar says the Kurds "have been in touch with the Danish, Dutch and Canadian governments", but so far without results. "After advancing past many stages, the Canadian government halted everything," he said. Canadian official Stefano Maron however told AFP that "any information on an understanding towards repatriating Canadian citizens from Syria was unfounded". Beyond those three countries, the Kurds appear to be showing more leniency with two key member states of the anti-IS coalition. In recent months, the Kurds have selected and brought out several captives for interviews with the international media. But a Kurdish military commander told AFP an agreement had been reached so "no French or American IS fighters were brought out in front of the media to avoid pressure" on both governments, he said. The commander, who asked to remain anonymous, did not however give more details. A file picture taken on February 13, 2018 shows a prisoner suspected of collaborating with the Islamic State group in the custody of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) at Rmelan in northeastern Syria A woman walks with a child at a camp for people linked to the Islamic State group in the village of Malikiya in northern Syria near the border with Turkey on September 29, 2018 Kurdish foreign affairs official Abdel Karim Omar, seen here during an interview with AFP on September 24, 2018, says his US-backed administation will not try any of the hundreds of foreign jihadists in its custody A mother sits with her children in a tent at a Kurdish-run camp for people linked to the Islamic State group in the northern Syrian village of Ain Iss on February 15, 2018 Kanye West made a five-figure donation Monday to a little-known candidate running to become the mayor of his hometown Chicago, days after she was endorsed by fellow hip hop star Chance the Rapper. Kanye gave $73,540 to the campaign of Amara Enyia, who wants to be the first black woman to lead America's third largest city. The amount is the exact figure state election officials fined Enyia's campaign for a technical violation connected to an unsuccessful 2015 mayoral run. "The Amara Enyia campaign thanks Chicago native Kanye West for his generous action," the campaign said in a short statement. "The $73,540 debt to the Illinois State Board of Elections has been paid in full." Chance, who is also a Chicago native and an outspoken activist in the city, last week endorsed Enyia -- immediately raising her profile among a crowded field of contenders that includes a former Obama White House chief of staff. Current mayor Rahm Emanuel last month announced he would not run for a third term in the February 26 election. "I wanted to be behind the person that I believe can make a change," Chance told a news conference on Tuesday last week. When asked if he would financially support Enyia, he joked: "I haven't yet, but we'll see. I've got a lot of money." Enyia is the head of a business group in one of the city's economically-struggling southern neighborhoods, where gun violence, the drug trade and poverty have contributed to a skyrocketing murder rate. US rapper Kanye West, pictured meeting President Donald Trump in the White House on October 11, 2018, is backing a candidate vying to be the first black woman to run Chicago Lebanon's premier-designate Saad Hariri threw his support behind Saudi Arabia Tuesday as it faces outrage over the murder of Saudi journalist and government critic Jamal Khashoggi at its Istanbul consulate. Hariri's comments came less than a year after he resigned in mysterious circumstances in a televised address from the Saudi capital, sparking rumours he was being held there against his will. "The measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the case of journalist Jamal Khashoggi... come within the framework that serves the path of justice and the disclosure of the whole truth," a statement from his office quoted him as saying. On Tuesday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir pledged a "thorough and complete" investigation into Khashoggi's murder. A tough critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Khashoggi disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to collect paperwork for his marriage. A few days later, a Turkish government source said police believed he was murdered by a team sent to Istanbul, and on October 17, a Turkish newspaper said he was tortured and decapitated inside the consulate. The case has tarnished the image of the crown prince, and caused policymakers and business titans to cancel their plannned attendance at a key investment forum that opened in Riyadh on Tuesday. Hariri said the directives of "King Salman bin Abdulaziz would put things in the right direction and contribute to respond to the malicious campaigns targeting the kingdom", the statement said. Turkey has said the murder of Khashoggi was "savagely planned", and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to reveal what he has said was the "naked truth" about the killing later Tuesday. Saudi Arabia has long been a key ally of Hariri, while Riyadh's regional foe Iran backs Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah. But in November last year, Hariri announced he was stepping down in a televised address from the Saudi capital, causing observers to speculate he was being held against his will. After French mediation, he rescinded his resignation the following month, and Saudi Arabia has denied intimidating Hariri into quitting his post. Hariri was named premier for a third term in May after Lebanon's first parliamentary elections in nine years, but has since struggled to form a cabinet. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri (L) seen here with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) at a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron on April 16, 2018 has backed the kingdom over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi In an unremarkable warehouse down a back alley in central London, thousands of paintings, prints and drawings are lined up in racks, awaiting distribution around the world in a British display of "soft power". The Government Art Collection comprises around 14,000 mostly British pieces amassed over the last 200 years, and displayed in consular buildings, residences and government offices around the world. It includes portraits by Lucian Freud and a John Constable housed in Downing Street, Barbara Hepworth screenprints on the walls of the embassy in Bahrain, as well as a Damien Hirst and a William Hogarth displayed in Washington. "Works of art can act as ice breakers, conversation starters, as well as just showing the great creativity there is in Britain," director Penny Johnson told AFP. Some are personal choices of the ambassador involved, others reflect the location. Bridget Riley used the colours of ancient Egyptian painters for her 1982 work "Reflection", and it now hangs in the British embassy in Cairo. At any one time, around two-thirds of the collection is on display in more than 150 cities -- some in better condition than others. Extreme heat and bugs are one peril in far-flung missions, and curators submit paintings and pictures to a "tropicalisation process", in which the back is lined with silver tape. Some hazards are domestic -- an ambassador recently returned a delicate installation to London, fearing it would not survive in his home with three young children. Other works fall foul of diplomatic tensions. Protesters who stormed the British embassy in Tehran in 2011 in response to sanctions over the nuclear dispute slashed some of the paintings inside, Johnson said. The embassy reopened in 2015 and full relations restored the year after, but the artwork was only returned a few months ago. "The portrait of Queen Victoria is currently being restored and we are hoping that everything will return to Tehran in December," she said. - Calling card to the world - The collection is government funded, and has a budget of 855,000 (960,000 euros, $1.1 million) this year to cover acquisitions, conservation, framing, transport and installation. But donations help it keep up to date by investing in new artists. The collection last month announced a new commission for 10 works by 10 artists over the next decade, funded by a 500,000 donation from philanthropists Sybil Robson Orr and Matthew Orr. The first TenTen artist is Turner Prize-shortlisted artist Hurvin Anderson, who created the stencil print "Still Life with Artificial Flowers", inspired by a vase belonging to his Jamaican mother. One of the limited edition prints has already been earmarked for the Paris embassy, which has about 17,000 visitors a year, providing a perfect platform to showcase British talent. "Art and culture is one of our great calling cards to the world," said junior arts minister Michael Ellis at the launch of the new project. The collection "is part of our soft power footprint around the world", he said. Britain ranked number one in this year's Soft Power Index, which highlighted its cultural, sporting, creative, financial and technological influence in the world. However, the report -- compiled by Portland Communications -- warned uncertainty over Britain's exit from the European Union next year has thrown many of these strengths into jeopardy. "Continued investment in the institutions and vehicles that export British soft power will only become more vital as Brexit is completed," it said. The Government Art Collection comprises around 14,000 mostly British pieces amassed over the last 200 years At any one time, around two-thirds of the collection is on display in consular buildings, residences and government offices in more than 150 cities around the world The collection is government funded, and has a budget of 855,000 this year to cover acquisitions, conservation, framing, transport and installation Some artworks are personal choices of the ambassador involved, others reflect the location they will be sent to An unlucky motorist has been killed after a huge boulder fell from the top of a cliff and landed on the roof of his car. Erick Castenada, 36, was driving home from work when the huge rock landed on the roof directly above his head, killing him instantly. It happened on a road near the city of Villa Nueva, in central Guatemala, where he lived. Photographs taken at the scene show the boulder had completely crushed the roof above the drivers seat of the Honda car. Mr Castenada had been driving back home from his job at the Agriculture Ministry and had been set to take part in a sporting event. The boulder crushed the car (pictured). Source: CEN/Australscope The rockfall had been caused by heavy rain storms in the area, police spokeswoman Dalia Santos said. Firefighters were called to the scene to remove the boulder from the car but Mr Castenada was already dead. The incident has sparked severe traffic congestion in the area as the road had to be closed to make way for emergency vehicles. It comes after a giant boulder crashed onto a highway in Ohio, US in February. The boulder fell off a cliff top (pictured). Source: CEN/Australscope With Australscope A man has been found dead and another unconscious at a property in Sydneys south. Police were called to an Engadine property on Tuesday afternoon after reports of concern for a persons welfare. When they arrived, police found a deceased 21-year-old man and an unconscious 17-year-old. NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the men at the scene, before the teenager was taken to St George Hospital in a serious but stable condition. A man has been found dead and another unconscious at a property in Sydneys south on Tuesday. Source: File/AAP Police are investigating whether the 21-year-old man died from a suspected drug overdose. Officers seized a number of items from the home, which will undergo forensic analysis. Police have been told the men had been involved in a crash about 2.30am on Tuesday, in which a VW Amarok utility crashed into the fence of a house on Kingswood Road, Engadine. Police have begun an investigation and a report will be prepared for the Coroner. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page. A female government minister has revealed how she received rape threats after complaining about a Queensland billboard that promoted guns as a Christmas present. The large billboard, from firearms retailer Gun World Australia, showed a woman clad in a Santa outfit clutching a gun with the slogan, Santa knows what you really want for Christmas. Queensland Environment Minister, Leanne Enoch, protested about the advertisement in November last year, three weeks before the 2017 state election, and initiated a petition to take down the billboard. My first reaction to it was one of horror, Ms Enoch told ABCs Four Corners program. This is really diminishing the value, the importance of, the responsibility of, gun ownership. After posting the petition to remove the billboard, Ms Enoch received a barrage of threats. Let someone break into your house and rape and kill you, one social media user said. The Gun World Australia billboard (pictured) stirred controversy ahead of the 2017 Queensland elections. Source: Facebook/Gun World Australia Ms Enoch, who was Queenslands Small Business Minister at the time of the petition, wrote about the attention grabbing advertisement, which was located at the corner of Algester and Beaudesert Roads, south west of Brisbane. Gun safety is a serious matter and I dont think this billboard has a place in our community, Ms Enoch wrote on Facebook in November 2017. Thats why Im calling for it to be removed immediately. Thank you to everyone who signed my petition. The post attracted over 3,000 comments, the ABC reported. Gun World Australia urged supporters to vote against Labor Gun World Australia responded by posting a photo of their fantastic billboard and urging people to vote against Labor in the November Queensland state elections. Gun safety is a serious matter and on November 25 is your chance to send a message to Queensland Labor, Gun World Australia posted on Facebook on November 11, 2017. #PutLaborLast. Following this, Ms Enoch received vicious threats of sexual violence. Queensland Environment Minister Leanne Enoch. Source: AAP Someone shoot this bitch, one social media user posted. Story continues Remember that while being raped, another wrote. Ms Enoch, who was Queenslands Small Business Minister at the time of the petition, was also criticised by the Shooting Industry Foundation Australia (SIFA). It is outrageous that a small business which serves a legal, open and ethical market should be targeted by a QLD Labor MP, SIFA said in a November 22 press release. It is outrageous that in her petition the Labor Minister called for a complete ban of firearms for any use, including Olympic sports, agriculture, feral pest control, stock protection and accessible, inclusive recreation. Some 50,000 troops will kick off NATO's biggest military exercises since the Cold War on Thursday in Norway, a massive show of force that has already rankled neighbouring Russia. Trident Juncture 18, which runs until November 7, is aimed at training the Alliance to mobilise quickly to defend an ally under attack. The head of NATO's Allied Joint Force Command, US Navy Admiral James Foggo, said the exercise was intended to "show NATO is capable to defend against any adversary. Not a particular country, anyone." Russia, which carried out its biggest ever military exercises in September in the Far East, has not been officially identified as the intended adversary, but it is on everyone's minds after the 2014 Ukraine crisis. "Russia doesn't represent a direct military threat to Norway," Norwegian Defence Minister Frank Bakke-Jensen told AFP. "But in a security situation as complicated as we have today... an incident elsewhere could very well heighten tensions in the North and we want to prepare the Alliance in order to avoid any unfortunate incidents," he added. The exercises come after President Donald Trump has repeatedly complained that other NATO members do not contribute enough money to the 69-year-old alliance, although Defense Secretary Jim Mattis reassured allies of America's "iron-clad" commitment earlier this month. - 'Sabre-rattling' - While the exercises will take place at a respectful distance from Norway's 198-kilometre (123-mile) border with Russia in the Arctic, Moscow has expressed anger over the manoeuvres. Russia was already touchy over the fact that -- independently of Trident Juncture 18 -- the United States and Britain have been increasing their troop presence in the Scandinavian country to acclimatise them to combat in the chilly Arctic. And tensions between Moscow and Washington have flared in recent days after Trump announced he was abandoning a Cold War-era nuclear treaty, a move which Russia warned could cripple global security. When at full strength, 700 US Marines will be on rotation on Norwegian soil. "The main NATO countries are increasing their military presence in the region, near Russia's borders," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, slamming "the sabre-rattling". "Such irresponsible actions are bound to lead to a destabilisation of the political situation in the North, to heighten tensions," she said, vowing Moscow would "take the necessary retaliatory measures to ensure its security." Under President Vladimir Putin, the Russian army has already beefed up considerably in the Arctic. Military air bases have been built or refurbished, and new radar and anti-aircraft missile systems have been installed. In addition, the backbone of the Russian navy, the Northern Fleet, is due to receive five new warships, five support vessels, and 15 aircraft by the end of the year, according to Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. - Military 'choreography' - "Russia's military strength has pretty much returned to what it was during the Cold War," Francois Heibsbourg of France's Foundation for Strategic Research (FRS) told AFP. "In a way, NATO is also in the process of returning to what it was." "It's a pretty mechanical engagement," a "return to a kind of choreography", he said. But Trident Juncture 18 is "in no way destabilising," he added. The exercises, involving NATO's 29 members plus Sweden and Finland, are nonetheless imposing, with substantial means deployed. The 50,000 troops will be backed by 10,000 vehicles, 250 aircraft and 60 ships, including a US aircraft carrier. "The core exercise area is 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) from the Russian border, and air operations could take place up to 500 kilometres away from the border," Norwegian Lieutenant General Rune Jakobsen said. "There should not be any reason for the Russians to get scared or see this as anything other than a defensive exercise." Two Russian and two Belarus military observers have been invited to watch the manoeuvres. The British contingent hit the road for five days to travel to the exercises. "It demonstrates ... to our NATO allies that we're prepared to move across Europe when needed and to show that we have the capability to do so," Major Stuart Lavery told AFPTV. Dutch soldiers depart with a KDC-10 tank and transport device from The Netherlands to participate in the NATO exercise Trident Juncture 18, which will take place in Norway from October 25 to November 7 Angry parents are taking legal action after nurses allegedly left their newborn baby resting against a heater where she was so badly burned she almost died. The baby girl Zeynep was left fighting for her life in intensive care for 18 days after staff were accused of laying her against an electric heater at a hospital in Konya province, central Turkey. Staff allegedly ignored the babys screams, thinking that she was simply crying. Zeynep has finally been released from hospital and allowed to return home, but her family is furious. I want the ones in charge to be punished, father Abdullah Ergun said. A nurse had realised what happened and informed the doctor, but despite that the doctor had told her I know what I am doing, and you should mind your own business. Baby Zeynep (pictured) suffered horrific burns. Source: CEN/Australscope He said that when he turned up at the hospital after hearing about the injury, the dean of the medical facility told him you may lose your child, be prepared for the worst. The family said that the hospital staff had not even admitted what had happened, and handed over the badly burned baby to her aunt. The aunt noticed a severe rash and damaged skin on the tiny childs back and the baby was rushed to the intensive care unit after medics examined her. The family claims Zeynep has been left with horrific scars that are unlikely to heal, in spite of plastic surgery and want compensation for emotional distress. After they burnt my child they took her from me, I couldnt see her for three days, she stayed 18 days in intensive care, Mother Ozlem Ergun said. I couldnt breastfeed my child. The Ergun family (pictured) is furious after their baby was burnt in a Turkish hospital. Source: CEN/Australscope She was crying constantly from the pain and couldnt have my milk. We were at her side but we couldnt do much more than constantly move her onto her side so she was not lying on the burns. As well as a civil case the family also complained to police, who confirmed there is a criminal investigation against the Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Medicine Faculty Hospital where the mother gave birth to her third child. Hospital management has declined to comment while the investigation is ongoing. With Australscope The death of a 19-year-old woman who was studying law should have been avoided and there were gaps in mental health services in the Northern Territory, her parents say. An inquest has begun into Sabrina Di Lembos death, after she took her own life the night before she was due to go to the Darwin Cup with friends in August, last year. Two Darwin doctors have been criticised at a coronial inquest over the care they provided to her. Ms Di Lembo had won two scholarships and was achieving high marks at university but began suffering depression and anxiety including regular daily panic attacks ahead of her exams in May 2017. Sabrina was just a normal 19-year-old girl just striving to do well in life, her mother Lidia said alongside her husband Michael outside Darwin local court on Tuesday. Sabrina Di Lembo (pictured) was 19 when she died. Source: Facebook/Remembering Sabrina Di Lembo She was very happy to be such a high achiever, we were so proud of her. What happened to her was out of the blue, it really just rocked her world and turned our world upside down as well with what happened in the end. We hope it (the inquest) provides an opportunity for changes to be made (to) ensure the safety of young people with mental health issues in the future and make sure no other family has to have a similar experience. Counsel assisting the coroner Kelvin Currie questioned GPs Dr Kara Britz and Dr Bernard Westley from Darwins Tristar Clinic about a lack of medical notes on Ms Di Lembo despite numerous consultations. Communication between a psychologist she saw and her doctors was only via email. Dr Britz told the inquest she preferred a more informal approach with patients than ticking boxes. She prescribed 37.5mg of the antidepressant efexor, which was half the standard amount, which Ms Di Lembo later stopped taking before her death. The parents of Sabrina Di Lembo, Lidia and Michael Di Lembo (pictured). Source: AAP Her colleague Dr Bernard Westley discouraged Ms Di Lembo from seeing a specialist, saying if you have got $700 an hour I can give you the name of a psychiatrist in Palmerston. She was engaging resources, appeared stable, had protective, supportive mechanisms in place and a clear treatment plan, Dr Westley said. The NT has Australias highest rate of suicide. For support and information about suicide prevention, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. Peru President Martin Vizcarra vetoed on Monday a law that would have spared disgraced former leader Alberto Fujimori from prison, confining criminals over 65 suffering from serious or chronic illnesses to house arrest. The law, passed by a Congress dominated by Fujimori's former party, Popular Force, would have allowed the 80-year-old to avoid being sent back to prison once he leaves hospital, where he is being treated for heart problems. Fujimori is serving a 25-year sentence for crimes against humanity and corruption. He was granted a presidential pardon -- by Vizcarra's predecessor -- on humanitarian grounds in December, but that was revoked by a court earlier this month. Fujimori was 12 years into a sentence handed down for ordering two massacres by death squads in 1991 and 1992, leaving 25 people dead, when pardoned last year. Vizcarra told journalists that before such a law could be passed, it would need to be "debated in depth to avoid" benefitting "incarcerated people who are a danger to society." He also described it as "unconstitutional." His veto is largely symbolic, though, as Congress has the power to approve any law through insistence, by holding a second vote two weeks later at which point the bill would be automatically passed. The bill was passed in Congress on October 11 thanks to the large majority enjoyed by the Popular Force, now led by Fujimori's daughter Keiko. It was criticized by human rights groups, though, with Amnesty International saying it was a blow to "the families of victims of grave violations of human rights." Conscious of such criticisms, Popular Force legislator Ursula Letona said her party would look to resolve the impasse in discussions with the government. Keiko Fujimori, who is herself trying to avoid prison -- accused of benefitting from millions of dollars in campaign bribes -- said it would be up to legislators to decide whether or not to consider Vizcarra's observations or push ahead with the bill. Alberto Fujimori has said that sending him back to prison would be a "death sentence." Peru President Martin Vizcarra described the law as "unconstitutional" and used his power of veto to block it. Police are appealing for the publics help in four key areas as their investigation continues into the death of 24-year-old Cairns woman Toyah Cordingley, whose body was found on a remote stretch of Wangetti Beach on Monday. Ms Cordingley was reported missing on Sunday evening after driving with her dog to the beach for a walk just after 2pm and failing to return home. Her body was found on Monday, approximately 800 metres from where she had parked her car, while her dog was found unharmed nearby. Toyah Cordingley was found on Monday with a murder investigation continuing and police pleading for clues. Image: Facebook/Toyah Cordingley Detectives want to speak with anyone who interacted with Ms Cordingley at Rustys Markets in Cairns on Sunday afternoon. Ms Cordingley was at the markets between midday and 1pm, before driving to Wangetti Beach. Police are also asking for anyone with dashcam footage recorded on Sunday between 12 noon and 7pm on on the Captain Cook Highway between Smithfield and Port Douglas, to hand it in to a local police station. They are also interested in talking to anyone who regularly uses Wangetti Beach, especially anyone who has footage of the northern or southern car parks at Wangetti Beach. Ms Cordingley, whose large dog was found uninjured on Monday, would have been easily noticeable on what was traditionally a quiet stretch of sand, police said. Image: Facebook/Toyah Cordingley The southern carpark is approximately four kilometres south of The Wrecks lookout and the northern carpark is approximately 600 metres south of The Wrecks, Detective Inspector Sonia Smith said. Det Insp Smith also appealed to any friends or colleagues who had not yet spoken to police to come forward with any information they may have about Ms Cordingleys movements in the week before her death. We have had a number of members of the community [come forward] and we thank them for coming forward, she said. At the moment, we have in excess of 23 Crime Stoppers files of people who have come forward. A forensic search of the southern area of Wangetti Beach is likely to continue into Wednesday, with SES teams called in along with police divers from Brisbane, who are searching for any personal items belonging to the victim. The 24-year-old has been described as a the most beautiful, loving soul. Image: Facebook/Toyah Cordingley While the official cause of death is not yet known, police said they were open to all lines of inquiry, with nothing ruled in or out. Story continues On Monday police said they were treating her death as a potentially sexually-related murder. If were dealing with a potentially sexually related murder, which commonsensically we may be, we may well be dealing with a male, Detective Senior Sergeant Ed Kinbacher said. Police believe Toyah Cordingley was walking her dogs along the beach when she was murdered. Source: Facebook It may well be the case this young woman has run into a stranger or potentially a person known to her, and circumstances have unfolded that have led to her death. So its critical that anyone who was there come forward and let us know because I think that, at the end of the day, will provide us with the leads we potentially need to solve this matter. Anyone with information relating to Ms Cordingleys death should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the online reporting page. The European Union on Tuesday warned Romania to respect EU democratic values before it assumes the bloc's rotating presidency in January, or risk undermining its bid to join Europe's passport-free zone. The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, has expressed concern about changes to Romania's penal code recently pushed through by the ruling Social Democratic Party which its critics say are unconstitutional. During a debate in the European Parliament with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned Romania not to undermine its bid to join Europe's passport-free Schengen zone. "I hope Romania joins the Schengen zone, but it must not mortgage that by turning away from the (European) principles on rule of law," Juncker said during debate in the European Parliament. "I hope in Romania there is a consensus for the fight against corruption, otherwise the European Commission will have trouble with its recommendations and getting them adopted unanimously," he added. To become a member of the Schengen zone, Romania needs a recommendation from the Commission and unanimous support from the other 27 EU member countries. Romania's and neighbouring Bulgaria's bid to join the Schengen zone have been blocked since 2007. During its tenure of the six-month presidency from January 1, Juncker suggested, Romania's recommendations on other subjects may also face trouble. Several members of the European Parliament took Iohannis to task over what they see is the damage to the rule of law in Romania caused by the judicial reforms. - 'Systemic threat' - Guy Verhofstadt, the leader of the ALDE liberal group in the parliament, also warned that the weakening of the penal code undermined the fight against corruption. Verhofstadt urged Romania not to "follow the example" of Poland and Hungary for which EU bodies have launched actions that could lead to unprecedented sanctions for allegedly posing a "systemic threat" to the rule of law. EU Commission vice president Frans Timmermans has repeatedly expressed his "concern" about some of Romania's judicial changes and asked clarification from Prime Minister Dancila in a letter sent earlier this month. In June, 12 western countries warned that some of Romania's judicial reforms could "impede cooperation (with Romania) in international law enforcement." Prosecutors have had some success in the clamping down on corruption in Romania, one of the EU's most graft-ridden country, but the government accuses them of overstepping their power. After winning elections in late 2016, the Social Democrat-led government attempted to water down anti-corruption legislation, but abandoned the plans in face of the biggest wave of protests since the collapse of communism in 1989. The Schengen area is one of the pillars of the European project, enshrining the fundamental right to free movement. Twenty-two EU countries, plus non-EU Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein are part of Schengen. The six EU countries that do not participate are Britain, Ireland, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus and Croatia. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (l) welcomed Romanian President Klaus Iohannis but warned that his country must respect European values A concerted Russian hacking and online disinformation campaign in 2016 sought to tip the US presidential election toward Donald Trump. Two weeks ahead of midterm congressional elections, Moscow's operatives are at it again. The shutdown of thousands of Russian-controlled accounts by Twitter and Facebook -- plus the indictments of 14 people from Russia's notorious troll farm the Internet Research Agency -- have blunted but by no means halted their efforts to influence US politics. #MAGA -- Trump's rallying call to "Make America Great Again" -- remains the top hashtag among 18,000 tweets pumped out daily by hundreds of Russia-backed and allied Twitter accounts monitored by Hamilton 68, a tracking operation of the Alliance for Securing Democracy in Washington. The leading linked website this week? A Republican voter registration page. "After the election in 2016, there was a lot of talk about whether the Russians will be back in 2018," said Suzanne Spaulding, senior advisor on the Homeland Security Program of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "We now know: they never left." On Friday, the US Justice Department announced criminal conspiracy charges against the Internet Research Agency clerk who manages the tens of millions of dollars the outfit spends on information operations in the United States and Europe. The charges documented typical social media postings on IRA accounts that purported to be American and were mainly aimed at fanning the flames of political anger. "Just a friendly reminder to get involved in the 2018 Midterms," said a tweet posted earlier this year by @johncopper16, which prosecutors say was an identity created by the IRA. "They hate you. They hate your morals.... They hate the Police. They hate the Military. They hate YOUR President." Such divisive messages could influence the November 6 vote. While the presidency is not up for grabs, control of Congress is, making voter turnout in specific individual races important. - 'Campaign to undermine democracy' - That is not what has US experts worried the most, however. "The biggest concern is really about undermining public confidence in the credibility of the outcome of the election," said Spaulding. "It is really a broader campaign to undermine democracy." In 2016, according to US intelligence, Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw a concerted effort to disrupt the election and turn voters away from Hillary Clinton in order to help Trump's campaign. This included hackers of the GRU military intelligence body breaking into the computers and communications of Clinton's campaign to steal documents that were later leaked to embarrass her. Separately, the IRA ran a huge, innovative disinformation campaign on social media that stoked anger, confusion and divisions, and was also aimed at boosting Trump. On Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and elsewhere, they created online identities and groups, gathered followings, endorsing, cross-posting and sharing fake news stories and angry messages, to great effect. That continued after the election, until a year ago when Twitter shut down hundreds of accounts that it identified as part of Russia's political meddling. New accounts sprung up, many of them automated bots. Rather than creating content, they amplified the huge amount of divisive material already out there, said Bret Schafer, who oversees the Hamilton 68 website. "Now the people sitting at the IRA in St Petersburg, they don't even have to create this stuff. It's created for them." - Retweeting angry Americans - One example, said Ben Nimmo, who runs the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab, was the intense, two-week online battle over Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in September. The massive amount of false reports and virulent personal attacks across social media came largely from American accounts, he said. The Russians needed only stir the pot by retweeting and reposting them, which can be done with bots. "There is a huge amount of angry Americans on both sides. They are more than capable of generating massive traffic on their own," he said. After Twitter launched a second sweep of fake accounts several weeks ago, the volume of Russian activity has fallen sharply, noted Nimmo. The platform closed thousands that were Russian-run and had been responsible for some nine million tweets, including those mentioned in Friday's criminal complaint. Since then, Nimmo said, "they have definitely been trying harder to hide their tracks." It's not clear, however, whether they are making a concerted "third wave" effort at the moment. Two weeks before the election, the Hamilton 68 site shows Moscow has not given up, even if the intensity of its activity has waned. This week, the top 10 themes and linked articles in the accounts it monitors were strongly pro-Trump, pro-Republican: they highlighted Trump's most recent rally, the alleged threat of a migrant caravan in Mexico, and a hashtag newly favored by Trump, #jobsnotmobs. James Lewis, a Russia and cyber expert at CSIS, thinks the Russians are honing their skills for the next presidential race, rather than attempting to impact the current election cycle. "They may be saving their best tricks for 2020, he said. Twitter and Facebook have shut down thousands of Russian-controlled accounts The US Department of Justice has announced criminal conspiracy charges against the Internet Research Agency clerk who manages the tens of millions of dollars it spends on information operations inthe United States and Europe The confirmation of US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, pictured in September 2018, generated a huge amount of divisive online comment Rebecca Witzofsky, a 20-year-old deaf student at Gallaudet University in Washington, and her hearing friend Nikolas Carapellatti wanted to get a coffee. But on Tuesday, Witzofsky finally didn't have to struggle to make her order understood. US coffee giant Starbucks opened its first "signing store" in the United States in northeast Washington near the campus of Gallaudet, the world's only university with an entire curriculum designed to accommodate the deaf and hard-of-hearing. At the store, all staff -- most of them deaf or hard-of-hearing themselves -- are required to communicate with customers using sign language. The cafe is modeled after a store that opened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2016. At first glance, it doesn't look any different from a regular Starbucks, seen on seemingly every other street corner in the US capital. Employees wearing black shirts and green aprons emblazoned with the company logo scurry behind the counter to serve hot drinks, cold drinks and pastries to an eager clientele. But despite the crowd -- perhaps unusually big for mid-morning on a Tuesday -- the cafe enjoyed a surprising calm, probably because most conversations were held in silence. For Witzofsky, it was a revelation. "It gives deaf people space off-campus, a place to come to and socialize, eat food with other deaf people and meet other deaf people as well, and the deaf employees," she told AFP. "When I go to a normal Starbucks, I either talk and hope they can hear me and understand, or I show them my order on my phone," she explained. "Here, your name appears on a screen, which I really, really like, because when they call my order I don't have to try to hear it -- it's right on the screen." - 'Sign of the week' - The store has other specific features designed to embrace and celebrate deaf culture -- one is the "sign of the week." Right now, it's for coffee: two closed fists, one on top of the other, rotating in a move that brings to mind a coffee grinder. There are also special mugs for sale with designs by a deaf artist, and a transcription of how to sign the logo of the store. Starbucks says the initiative is aimed at bringing diverse communities together. It comes six months after the arrest of two black men in a Philadelphia store that sparked accusations of racism. The opening got a boost from the presence of Oscar-winning deaf actress Marlee Matlin. Seated on an outside patio with their coffees, retired couple Albert and Peggy Hlibok said they had come to the store to "intermingle with the hearing world." "I think it's a wonderful opportunity for all of us," said Peggy, with the help of an interpreter. "It will teach people not to be afraid to communicate with deaf people. They can see it's just part of who we are, part of our lives, part of the diversity of life." Students Nikolas Carapellatti and Rebecca Witzofsky (R) at the opening of the first Starbucks "signing store" in the United States -- in the capital Washington People sign with each other as they stand in line at the first US Starbucks "signing store" Starbucks is written in sign language on an umbrella outside the new "signing store" in Washington Donald Trump wishes to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin when the two visit Paris on November 11 for World War I commemorations, the US president's National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Tuesday. "I think President Trump will look forward to seeing you in Paris on the sidelines of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Armistice," Bolton told Putin in televised remarks as the two met for talks in Moscow. Putin said: "It would be useful to continue a direct dialogue with the president of the United States... for example in Paris, if the American side is interested. "It is possible and necessary to find points of convergence," Putin said, adding that trade between the two countries had actually grown despite sanctions. Both leaders will be in Paris for the November 11 World War I commemorations, which 60 heads of state and government are expected to attend. Trump and Putin held their first bilateral summit in Helsinki in July, after which the US president came under strong criticism at home for adopting a very conciliatory tone with his Russian counterpart. "It was for me a meeting that was useful and sometimes quite tough. But finally it was constructive," said Putin of the Helsinki meeting. "Honestly speaking, we are sometimes surprised to see that the United States sometimes takes absolutely unjustified measures against Russia which we can't call friendly," he said. "We hardly strike back... but this continues again and again." Bolton met Monday with several senior Russian officials before his talks with Putin. His visit comes after Trump announced that the United States would pull out of the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed by president Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader. US President Donald Trump (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands ahead a meeting in Helsinki, on July 16, 2018 English French TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC) today announced mutual fund net sales and net assets for September 2018. The combined assets of Canadas mutual fund industry totalled $1.52 trillion. Assets decreased by $13.3 billion or 0.9% compared to August 2018. The mutual fund industry recorded net redemptions of $1.5 billion and year-to-date net sales of $14.0 billion. Sales Highlights: Long-term fund net redemptions were $1.4 billion in September and year-to-date net sales were $13.1 billion. Year-to-date long-term fund net sales were 66.3% lower than year-to-date, 2017. Balanced fund net redemptions were $349 million in September and year-to-date net sales were $7.2 billion. Year-to-date balanced fund net sales were 66.8% lower than year-to-date, 2017. Equity fund net redemptions were $277 million in September and year-to-date net sales were $4.3 billion. Year-to-date equity fund net sales were 21.3% lower than year-to-date, 2017. Bond fund net redemptions were $1.0 billion in September and year-to-date net redemptions were $741 million. Year-to-date bond fund net sales were 107.5% lower than year-to-date, 2017. Money market fund net redemptions were $168 million in September and year-to-date net sales were $821 million. Year-to-date money market fund net sales were 345% higher than year-to-date, 2017. Net Sales ($ Millions) Asset Class September 2018 August 2018 September 2017 YTD 2018 YTD 2017 Long-term Funds Balanced* -349 146 247 7,154 21,568 Equity -277 -24 595 4,325 5,495 Bond -1,022 -405 755 -741 9,827 Specialty 266 325 142 2,412 2,084 Total Long-term Funds -1,382 43 1,739 13,149 38,974 Total Money Market Funds -168 257 -98 821 -335 Total Industry -1,550 299 1,641 13,970 38,640 Net Assets ($ Billions) Asset Class September 2018 August 2018 September 2017 December 2017 Long-term Funds Balanced* 780.9 788.2 741.9 766.1 Equity 512.2 516.4 462.5 484.3 Bond 186.6 188.3 186.1 187.7 Specialty 17.4 17.2 13.3 14.7 Total Long-term Funds 1,497.1 1,510.1 1,403.8 1,452.8 Total Money Market Funds 25.4 25.5 24.0 24.2 Total Industry 1,522.4 1,535.7 1,427.7 1,477.1 * Balanced funds include funds that invest in a mix of stocks and bonds as well as funds that invest in a mix of separate stand-alone funds. IFIC makes every effort to verify the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information; however, IFIC does not guarantee, warrant, represent or undertake that the information provided is correct, accurate or current. About IFIC The Investment Funds Institute of Canada is the voice of Canadas investment funds industry. IFIC brings together 150 organizations, including fund managers, distributors and industry service organizations, to foster a strong, stable investment sector where investors can realize their financial goals. By connecting Canadas savers to Canadas economy, our industry contributes significantly to Canadian economic growth and job creation. The organization is proud to have served Canadas investment funds industry and its investors for more than 50 years. To learn more about IFIC, please visit www.ific.ca . For more information please contact: Lisa Hall Senior Manager, Communications and Public Affairs lhall@ific.ca 416-309-2317 The outgoing UN envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, will arrive in Damascus on Wednesday for a visit aimed at convincing the government to accept the creation of a committee to draft a post-war constitution, the world body said. De Mistura, who announced last week that he would step down from his post at the end of November, is expected to stay for a "couple of days" in the Syrian capital, deputy UN spokesman Farhan Haq said Tuesday. Haq did not say who the envoy would meet, and if that list would include Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Syrian authorities invited De Mistura to visit, the spokesman said. Under intense pressure from Western countries, who accuse Damascus of stonewalling, the UN envoy will try to ease the concerns of the Syrian government as to the make-up of the constitutional committee -- which has been in the cards for months. The West wants De Mistura to get Damascus to agree to convene the committee as soon as possible to revive the political process aimed at ending Syria's devastating war, now in its eighth year. The new constitution is seen as a stepping stone to staging elections in Syria, where more than 360,000 people have been killed since war erupted in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. The uprising has since morphed into a complex conflict with myriad armed groups, some of whom are foreign-backed. The UN-backed political process has suffered in the face of parallel efforts led by Russia, Turkey and Iran, and as the Syrian military has progressively regained control of most of the country. The constitutional committee is expected to include 150 members: 50 chosen by Damascus, 50 chosen by the opposition and 50 chosen by De Mistura. The Syria government is objecting to the UN-led effort to include civil society representatives, religious and tribal leaders, experts and women on the panel, De Mistura has said. Fifteen people would be chosen from the three factions on the committee to draft the new constitution, according to the UN plan. The 71-year-old De Mistura, who is the UN's third Syria envoy in six years, says he is leaving the post for "purely personal reasons," wanting to spend more time with family after four difficult years of work. His successor has not yet been named. The Italian-Swedish diplomat's predecessors include former UN secretary general Kofi Annan and veteran Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi. The UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, will be in Damascus on Wednesday for a "couple of days" for meetings with Syrian government officials US Vice President Mike Pence vowed Tuesday to press Saudi Arabia for answers over journalist Jamal Khashoggi's "brutal murder" after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the killing inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate was meticulously planned. "The world is watching. The American people want answers and we will demand that those answers are forthcoming," Pence told an event at The Washington Post, where Khashoggi was a contributing opinion writer. Erdogan, in his most extensive public remarks since Khashoggi's disappearance upon entering the consulate on October 2, called on Saudi Arabia to extradite suspects to Turkey to face justice over the writer's death. "The word from President Erdogan this morning that this brutal murder was premeditated, pre-planned days in advance flies in the face of earlier assertions that had been made by the Saudi regime," Pence said. "It underscores the determination of our administration to find out what happened," he said. The strongly worded remarks come after days of mixed messages by President Donald Trump, who has vowed punishment but also ruled out major actions such as stopping arms sales to Saudi Arabia, a longstanding US ally. Pence, whose administration routinely criticizes the media, called Khashoggi's death "an assault on a free and independent press, and our administration is determined to use all means at our disposal to get to the bottom of it." "We're going to demand that those responsible are held accountable and once we have all the facts President Trump will make the decision based upon the values of the American people and our vital national interests," he said. US Vice President Mike Pence, pictured in Washington on October 4, 2018, called on Saudi Arabia to extradite suspects to Turkey to face justice over Jamal Khashoggi's death President Donald Trump said Monday that his decision to withdraw from a decades-old atomic accord with Russia was also driven by a need to respond to China's nuclear build-up. "Until people come to their senses, we will build it up," Trump told reporters Monday at the White House, referring to the US nuclear arsenal. "It's a threat to whoever you want. And it includes China. And it includes Russia. And it includes anybody else that wants to play that game." Beijing is not a signatory to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). China for its part Monday called on the United States to "think twice" about its decision to ditch a Cold War-era nuclear weapons treaty with Russia. "It needs to be emphasized that it is completely wrong to bring up China when talking about withdrawal from the treaty," said Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying. The landmark treaty was signed by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev and led to nearly 2,700 short- and medium-range missiles being eliminated. It put an end to a mini-arms race in the 1980s triggered by the Soviet Union's deployment of SS-20 nuclear missiles targeting Western European capitals. "Until people come to their senses, we will build it up," Trump told reporters Monday at the White House, referring to the US nuclear arsenal China said Tuesday it has expressed concern to the United States over what it considered an affront to its sovereignty after two US warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait. The move adds to increasingly fraught relations between the two countries, which have clashed over a number of issues, including trade, Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea and human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Monday was the second time in the space of three months that American warships had conducted so-called "freedom of navigation" exercises in the Taiwan Strait, a 180-kilometre wide stretch of water separating the Chinese mainland and the self-ruled democratic island. Beijing "expressed its concern to the US side" as "the Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity", Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular news briefing. Hua said Beijing urged Washington to "scrupulously abide by the one-China principle" and "carefully handle the Taiwan-related issues in an appropriate manner". China still sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified, despite the two sides being ruled separately since the end of a civil war on the mainland in 1949. Colonel Rob Manning from the US Department of Defense told reporters that the USS Curtis Wilbur and USS Antietam conducted a routine transit to demonstrate US commitment "to a free and open Indo-Pacific." Multiple Chinese warships shadowed the two US vessels during the transit, following at a safe distance, American defence officials told CNN. Beijing recently conducted a series of military manoeuvres, including a live fire exercise in the Taiwan Strait in April, declaring its willingness to confront Taiwan's "independence forces." Washington remains Taipei's most powerful unofficial ally and its main arms supplier despite switching diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979. The Trump administration has sought closer ties to the island, announcing plans last month to sell it $330 million spare parts for several aircraft including the F-16 fighter and the C-130 cargo plane. Taiwan's premier William Lai said during a parliamentary session Tuesday that Taiwan respected the US right of passage in international waters and recognised "the various efforts of the US in maintaining peace in the Asia-Pacific Region". Taiwan's defence ministry had said in an earlier statement that the military was "closely monitoring the US warships during their passage". The USS Curtis Wilbur and USS Antietam (pictured) conducted a routine transit through the Taiwan Strait to demonstrate US commitment "to a free and open Indo-Pacific," the US military said Law enforcement unions in central New York are once again supporting U.S. Rep. John Katko in the 24th Congressional District race. Katko, R-Camillus, held a press conference Monday at the Police Memorial inside Syracuse's Forman Park to announce the endorsements. The groups backing his re-election bid include the Syracuse Police Benevolent Association, the Onondaga County Deputy Sheriff's Police Association, the City of Oswego Police Union, the Upstate Police Benevolent Association and the National Association of Police Organizations. Auburn Police Local 195, the union representing the city's police force, also endorsed Katko in the 24th district race. Joe Villano, president of Auburn Police Local 195, cited Katko's experience as one reason why the union endorsed him again. The labor group, like many of the police unions at Monday's press conference, supported Katko in 2016. "With his law enforcement background, Mr. Katko has always made it a priority to keep our communities safe," Villano said. "We look forward to thriving under Mr. Katko's leadership for years to come." Before being elected to Congress in 2014, Katko was a federal prosecutor. He served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Northern District of New York, which includes the Syracuse area. He resigned from the post to run for Congress four years ago. During his time as a federal prosecutor, Katko worked with several local police agencies. He spearheaded the gang violence task force in Syracuse, which he said allowed him to address a top priority: curbing violence. "Now, in Congress, I'm fighting to ensure funding is available to keep these types of programs in place," he said. "I'm also prioritizing efforts to combat the heroin and synthetic drug epidemic plaguing our community, and pushing national security reforms through Congress to keep our country safe. Katko added, "Our local law enforcement and first responders put their own lives on the line each day and I am proud to fight for their interests in Congress." The 24th district race pits Katko, who is seeking a third term in Congress, against Democratic challenger Dana Balter. The election is Tuesday, Nov. 6. Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Democratic congressional candidate Dana Balter's campaign fired back at Republican U.S. Rep. John Katko after a new television commercial was released over the weekend that they say took the challenger's words out of context. The ad features Deanna Axe, a central New York mother whose daughter died of a heroin overdose. The commercial claims Balter, D-Syracuse, is "unsure about tougher penalties for career drug dealers." Katko's campaign cited Balter's comments during a Facebook Live interview with Syracuse.com. Balter was asked about the "mass incarceration problem" and whether she supports harsher penalties for drug dealers. Katko's ad focused on one part of her answer that she didn't know if the penalties for drug dealers "need to be harsher than they are right now." The first half of her response was, "I do support harsh penalties for drug dealers. I don't know that they necessarily need to be harsher than they are right now. I think part of the mass incarceration problem is not about how we prosecute and punish drug dealers, it's about how we prosecute and punish drug users. And we have extraordinary numbers of people in prison for nonviolent drug offenses. That is what I think we need to change to deal with the mass incarceration problem ..." Balter's campaign believes it's the latest example of Katko's campaign taking the Democratic candidate's words out of context or misquoting her. Balter's first ad of the general election campaign criticized Katko for misusing her words in a TV commercial. In that case, Katko's campaign used Balter's comments during a podcast interview against her. Balter was asked about how to pay for a Medicare-for-all system. She told the host that it would be funded by increasing the Medicare payroll tax. Katko's commercial quotes Balter saying, "Um, well, you would have an increase in taxes." But it not only didn't include the full context of her remarks, it used the incorrect word. Her actual statement was, "While you would have an increase in taxes, you would no longer have out-of-pocket medical expenses." Balter's team also accused Republicans of "tasteless" photo editing after a mailer was sent to voters in the 24th Congressional District. The mailer shows Balter standing next to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Balter is holding a sign that reads, "You will have to pay a tax." The sign in the mailer isn't real. The original photo shows Balter holding a sign supporting Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her in 1982. Balter's campaign said the edited photo not only disrespects women who report sexual assaults, it disrespects voters "by manipulating the truth." Balter is challenging Katko in the 24th district race. There has been several ads aired by both campaigns and outside groups. On Tuesday, the Democratic-aligned House Majority PAC and the National Republican Congressional Committee released new commercials in the Syracuse media market. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6. Love 0 Funny 4 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 6 Bob Antonacci netted more law enforcement support in the 50th state Senate District race. Antonacci, a Republican, has been endorsed by the Onondaga County Sheriff's Captains Association. The group mentioned his past work with the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office and his time as county comptroller. Antonacci has served as Onondaga County comptroller since 2008. "Your support of public safety, and especially the efforts of the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, has always been outstanding," said Michael Pellizzari, president of the Onondaga County Sheriff's Captains Association. "We look forward to working with you on the state level as you bring your exemplary service to the residents of the 50th district." Other law enforcement organizations have endorsed Antonacci in the central New York state Senate race. The groups include the Police Benevolent Association of New York State and the Onondaga County Deputy Sheriffs' Association. Antonacci's Democratic opponent, John Mannion, won the support of Auburn Police Local 195, the union representing the city's police officers. With the Onondaga County Sheriff's Captains Association supporting his campaign, Antonacci called it an "important endorsement." "Keeping our families safe is paramount to all that we do, and I will continue to partner with the men and women of law enforcement to do everything possible to achieve that goal," he said. "These heroes are there day in and day out to protect us from harm, and we need to have their backs. When I get to the state Senate, I will be a strong voice for the law enforcement community in Albany." Antonacci and Mannion are vying to succeed retiring state Sen. John DeFrancisco, who is retiring after more than 25 years of service. The 50th Senate District includes parts of Cayuga and Onondaga counties. The district encompasses a portion of Syracuse and most of Auburn. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Is your child safe from lead poisoning? Many of us would say, "Of course they are safe! My child isnt exposed to lead." But can we really be sure? It is important to educate ourselves, our community and our health care providers. Lead poisoning in children is a problem in Cayuga County! Why? The answer is simple: Because we have older houses, and older houses contain lead-based paint. Individuals living in older homes need to be aware as to whether it contains lead-based paint or not. If your older home is in Cayuga County, there is a good chance your home has lead-based paint somewhere in it. In fact, 80 percent of Cayuga County homes were built before 1978. In the city of Auburn, that number jumps to 95 percent. The year 1978 was when lead was banned from being put in household paints. So chances are your older home has lead paint in it, unless it has been completely gutted. Now, does that mean all lead-based paint is a health hazard to you and your family? No, it is not. Lead-based paint only becomes a hazard when it is not intact, meaning it is peeling, chipping, flaking or even in the form of dust. Maybe your older home is really well-maintained, but older homes can settle, and that is when lead dust can appear. Oftentimes, families start a renovation project looking to make improvements, and during the process of knocking down walls and sanding surfaces, a child can become poisoned. Today, childhood lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among young children, yet approximately half a million U.S. children have blood lead levels above 5 micrograms per deciliter, the reference level at which Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends public health actions be initiated. No safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect growth and development in young children. Their IQ, ability to pay attention and academic achievement can be impacted by lead poisoning. Children with elevated lead levels have behavior and learning problems (such as hyperactivity), slowed growth, hearing problems and aggressive patterns of behavior. Unfortunately, the effects of lead exposure cannot be corrected. Children younger than 6 are most at risk of lead poisoning. Young children spend a lot of time on the floor. They like to put hands, toys and other things in their mouths. This raises their chances of swallowing lead dust and paint chips. Also, a child's growing body more easily takes in lead than an adults. Children are also at greater risk because their brains are growing quickly, and lead can hurt the brain's growth. Even a small amount of lead can harm a young, growing child. A child with lead poisoning will not usually look or feel sick, which is why testing is so crucial. New York state public health law and regulations require health care providers to: Test all children at age 1 and again at age 2 with a blood lead test. Assess all children ages 6 months to 6 years at every well child visit for risk of lead exposure (using specific risk assessment questions) and obtain a blood lead test if there is a positive response to any of the questions. Provide guidance to all parents of children less than 6 years old as part of routine care. Having your child tested at 1 and 2 years of age is extremely important, but remember that children and adults can be exposed at any point in their lives and if something has changed (your family moved or your family renovated your home), get tested for lead poisoning! Lead poisoning can affect pregnant women, too. Especially if the woman was poisoned as a child. This is because lead is stored in the bones and soft tissues of the body. A pregnancy causes many physical changes to a womans body, including causing lead that was once stored in bones to be found in the womans blood. The lead can be passed to the unborn baby and can impact the pregnancy. Lead can also cause a baby to be born too small or too early. Even a small amount of lead in your baby can cause problems with growth, behavior and ability to learn. Pregnant women routinely have blood drawn throughout their pregnancy, and we need to make sure women and their OB/GYN are discussing their risks for lead poisoning. Remember: Living in an older home is a risk factor. And with the large percentage of Cayuga County homes being older, all women should request their doctor run a lead test. Did you know that the Cayuga County Health Department can test your child for lead poisoning? We use a small device that will give you results in three minutes. The best part about our test is that we just prick your childs finger to collect a small amount of blood. If your doctor does not test in the office, there is no need to go to a lab for the initial screen. You can call the health department at (315) 253-1560 for an appointment. Deanna Ryan, M.S., is a senior public health educator with the Cayuga County Health Department. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SODUS, N.Y. (AP) Police searched Tuesday for a man who fatally shot another man and a woman in an upstate New York town that in the past year also lost two teenagers to violence and a mother and her baby to suspected foul play. The Wayne County Sheriff's Office said the shooting happened around 2 p.m. Monday outside a home in Sodus, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of Rochester. A witness told police a man walked up to a car and shot and killed the female driver, and then shot and killed a man nearby. Deputies said the man was spotted running through the backyard of a home near the shooting scene wearing a dark hoodie and a green hat. Police on Tuesday identified the victims as Amber Washburn, 24, and Joshua Niles, 28. Authorities said they lived at the home where the shooting occurred but didn't release details of their relationship. State troopers and sheriff's deputies from neighboring counties joined local police in searching for the killer Tuesday, with a state police helicopter providing assistance. Local schools were closed as a precaution. The fatal double shooting was the latest calamity to hit Sodus, a town of about 8,000 on Lake Ontario's southern shore. In spring 2017, it suffered some of the worst damage from flooding that officials blamed on unusually heavy rains. Some lakeside residents and business owners blamed the flooding on a U.S.-Canada commission that regulates lake water levels. Last November, a 17-year-old Sodus girl was stabbed to death by her 19-year-old ex-boyfriend. The next month, a 17-year-old boy from Sodus was stabbed to death by two other teens in a nearby village. In May, an 18-year-old woman's body was found on a Sodus farm a week after she and her 1-year-old son were reported missing. Last week, police said they found the boy's skeletal remains scattered around a shallow grave discovered near where his mother's body was found. The investigation into their deaths continues. Authorities said the woman's boyfriend has admitted to burying her but said he didn't kill her. He has been charged with evidence tampering. No one has been charged in the deaths of the mother and son, but police said the boyfriend is the only suspect. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 3 English French German LONDON, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mr. George Matharu, President of Elite Capital & Co. Limited (ECC), announced today that the success of being in the Global Banking & Finance Review Magazines 2018 Awards List was the result of enormous effort and teamwork within the company since it was founded in 2012. These Awards were established to reward excellence and recognize best practice and innovation across the Worldwide business community. Global Banking & Finance Review celebrate those who have attained the peak of achievement in terms of distinction and market influence. The list mirrors the nominations, suggestions and contributions of the readership and analyses new trends to uncover the best and the brightest pioneers in business today. This is recognition of ECCs drive to design solutions for clients after they have exhausted traditional funding sources and methods. Elite Capital & Co. Limited is a private limited company that provides project related services including Management, Consultancy and Funding, particularly for large infrastructure and commercial projects. George Matharu, in his statement, praised the support of Dr. Faisal Khazaal, Chairman of the Board of Directors, who boosted the engine of the Elite Capital & Co. Limited over the past years; Dr. Khazaal is responsible for the development of the fruitful business strategies with the customers on a local, international and the governmental level by using his relationships and influence that he has gained over time being the Chairman of the parent company Deals Secure Group Holding Company (DSGH) since its founding in 1995. Elite Capital & Co. Limited has made strategic alliances with several organizations and companies which have given them access to international markets in Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle East and GCC region. This has given ECC a substantial foundation of clients to build on, in addition to access to the markets that are most in need of the products and services they offer. The aim of ECC is to facilitate the commencement and completion of Infrastructure projects, stimulate economy, create employment and combat poverty. Our services are suitable for all types of Infrastructure Projects in either Greenfield (Pre Operations Stage) or Brownfield (Operations Stage) including but not limited to Sea Ports, Airports, Railway, Bridges, Roads and Highways, Water and Sanitation Utilities, Energy, Communications, Hospitals, Schools and Social Infrastructure etc. This includes other projects or activities that impact positively on the relevant countrys basic infrastructure including the manufacturing of components used in infrastructure (such as cement and steel) and infrastructure associated with mining and agribusiness, Mr. George Matharu, President and CEO of Elite Capital & Co. Limited, said. Projects accepted by Elite Capital & Co. Limited are primarily executed on an EPC+F basis, which is Engineering, Procurement and Construction plus Finance. ECCs services depend on four types of Funding Collateral. 1. Commercial Bank Instruments; Bank Guarantees, Bonds, Medium Term Notes, or other Bank Debt Instruments issued by banks rated B+ or better, but this can be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 2. Sovereign Guarantee; Elite Capital & Co. Limited is able to facilitate funding for Government and Infrastructure Projects against a Sovereign Guarantee subject to the Sovereign Guarantee being ratified by the relevant authorities and departments, namely the Central Bank and Ministry of Finance in the respective countries. In some cases the Sovereign Guarantee may need to be confirmed by a Commercial Bank. 3. Resource Guarantee; The option is available to fund projects against a Resource Guarantee such as an Oil Guarantee or any other significant and valuable minerals or resources that the country has may also be considered. 4. Promissory Notes; Corporate Promissory Notes endorsed by a commercial bank can be useful if the project has bankable assets that can be used for leverage financing. Mr. George Matharu concluded his statement by saying, the award from Global Banking & Finance Review would serve to enforce the companys current business relationships, and help to foster relationships with new or prospective clients. Elite Capital & Co. Limited Contact Details Elite Capital & Co. Limited 33 St. James Square London, SW1Y4JS United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0) 203 709 5060 Facsimile: +44 (0) 203 709 5061 SWIFT Code: ELCTGB21 Website ec.uk.com Global Banking & Finance Review Website Website globalbankingandfinance.com Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman on the Supreme Court, announced Tuesday that she has the beginning stages of dementia, "probably Alzheimer's disease," and plans to withdraw from public life. For the second time in a year, the widely used educational research database EBSCO, which serves schools and libraries throughout the country, has become the target of a right-wing activist group accusing the company of secretly sneaking porn into their massive collection of millions of online articles and books, used for scholarly research into a vast range of topics. Last year, it was the National Center on Sexual Exploitationa recent rebranding of the 56-year-old group Morality in Mediawhich named EBSCO to its Dirty Dozen, claiming rather cryptically that EBSCO brings the dark world of XXX to Americas elementary, middle, and high school children. Then on October 10 of this year, a conservative public interest law firm known as the Thomas More Society filed a lawsuit against EBSCO as well as against the Colorado Library Consortium, which the Thomas More firm decsribes as a tax-supported nonprofit corporation that knowingly brokers EBSCOs pornographic databases to schools and libraries throughout Colorado. What, exactly, is this secret cache of porn hidden among the vast collection of commercial and academic publications covering every conceivable topic? The Thomas More Society is not entirely specific about that. But it does claim that EBSC searches turned up, a full-text e-book titled Pornography in America: A Reference Handbook, which contained live url links to a company hosting video pornography and promoting the pornography industry. The law firm also listed a summer reading list for children contained many erotic and BDSM (bondage, discipline, sadomasochism) stories, which could be located through as innocent a search as romance, and an allegedly teen website that advises children to use saran wrap to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Heres the thing: EBSCO aggregates stuff other people publish, wrote Barbara Fister on the Inside Higher Education site. They put it into different bundles for libraries to choose from. Theres a process for deciding what goes into these bundles and a process for complaining about whats in them. There is no plot on the part of EBSCO to corrupt youth any more than librarians, defending peoples freedom to read, are forcing porn on anyone. James LaRue of the American Library Associations Office of Intellectual Freedom also responded to the NCOSE attack on EBSCO in 2017. NCOSE accuses libraries and periodical indexers of crimes.Yet it ignores the well-documented sexual abuse in religious organiza-tions, such as the Catholic Churchs abuse of young boys, or the estimated quarter-of-a-million child marriages that take place in the United States every year, LaRuse wrote. The Massachusetts-based EBSCO itself also responded to the repeated attacks on its database. EBSCO does not include pornographic titles in its databases, embed pornographic content in its databases, or receive revenue for advertising from any organization, said the companys spokesperson Kathleen McEvoy, in a email to Inside Higher Education. We are appalled by the tenor of allegations related to our intent and the inaccuracies of statements clearly made in absence of factual information. Photo by HazelGHC / Wikimedia Commons SAN FRANCISCOWeed-centric adult studio and website XBlaze is celebrating the recent countrywide legalization of cannabis in Canada, and finding that its citizens are in the process of celebrating as well. The company, the worlds first and only adult website that offers its users cash rewards to watch porn, has noted a significant uptick in its daily average visits since the landmark event October 17, with hundreds of searches per minute, including terms such as 420 Porn, 420 Girls, Blazed Porn, Weed Porn, Stoner Chicks and XBlaze' originating from Canada. The Canadians have completely embraced their countrys legalization by consuming not only more marijuana, but also more marijuana-related porn,! said XBlaze CEO Jeff Dillon. It has only been a few days but so far we have found that searches, streaming and downloads from the Great White North have jumped considerably. Nice work, Canada! Dillon also noted that the top Canadian cities XBlaze saw significant traffic bumps from included Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton and Halifax, Nova Scotia-based traffic jumped 340 percent! The fully gamified site, which encourages user participation with fifty levels of playing rounds, blends its 420-friendly attitude with a host of hot performances from the industrys top stars, creating a "lifestyle porn" destination unlike any other. Weve gotten a lot of love from our Canadian online visitors, but we had no idea that interest would blow up so quickly, and we are so grateful to be noticed, added Dillon. This shows us just how incredibly popular weed really is, and even more so when you legalize it. I cant imagine the numbers when the U.S. legalization follows suit. Its mind-blowing. To learn more about XBlaze, visit xblaze.com. XBlaze is currently a content partner with AdultCentro, ArchAngel, Pervout, Analized, Ballwonder, Bad Daddy POV, HookUp HotShot, Spizoo and Trans500, with more participating sites to be announced this year. Fans can look for the launch of two sister websites later this year: xblazetoys.com novelties store and xblazin.com smoke shop/accessories store, which will connect to the XBlaze rewards feature as well. 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 wide 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.. As Election Day approaches, you will continue to hear a great deal about hot-button issues that candidates believe may either swing your vote or motivate you to cast it. But few will be as consequential as an issue you probably won't hear about in 2018 but will matter a lot in 2019: upgrading the grid that delivers electricity to your home.Duke Energy, the Charlotte-based utility that either generates power for or delivers it to most of North Carolina, proposed a $13 billion plan last year to transform the grid. Of that amount, $4.9 billion will be used to bury existing power lines, $3.5 billion will go to hardening distribution equipment, $2.2 billion will modernize the power lines themselves, and $1.2 billion will modernize the system's capacity to react quickly to outages and inefficiencies.The remaining $1.2 will improve Duke Energy's data analytics, communications, and metering technologies, including the installation of "smart meters" to provide Duke and its customers with real-time information about power usage.With so many North Carolinians having lost their electricity during Florence and Michael, in some cases for many days, you would think that the idea of burying lines, hardening substations, and increasing the resiliency of the power grid would be popular ideas. And you would be right - in theory.But in practice, all goods are "good" at some price and not-so-good at some (higher) price.Preston Howard, president of the North Carolina Manufacturers Association, recently told the Charlotte Business Journal In other words, while burying power lines may be a wise and standard practice for new residential, industrial, and commercial development, spending billions of dollars to bury lines serving existing customers is not necessarily cost-effective. Nor is it necessarily cost-ineffective.It is partly a math problem: you have to compare the cost of burying the lines against the probability of outages over the ensuing decades and the costs that those outages impose. But it is also a legal problem: whose responsibility is it to pay for burying the lines? Both Duke Energy shareholders and customers would presumably receive whatever net benefits there would be in the long run. What is the likely relative proportions of the benefit? Are those the proper proportions of legal responsibility for the cost?The line-burial component of the $13 billion plan is probably its most controversial. But a broad coalition of skeptics, extending from business groups to environmental activists, has other concerns, as well. The North Carolina Utilities Commission has already ruled that it lacks the authority to approve the series of rate hikes that Duke Energy requested to finance the modernization of the grid - rate hikes that over the course of the next decade would have raised the average electric bill for residential customers by 25 percent, or roughly $26 a month per household.That wasn't an explicit rejection of the plan, mind you. It was a recognition that the General Assembly will have to be involved if North Carolina's power grid is going to get such a sweeping upgrade.I think state lawmakers will, indeed, take some action on this issue during the 2019 session. I suspect the original plan will be scaled down significantly. At the same time, however, it will be hard to argue against the concept of making the system more efficient, more resilient (against both storms and intentional attack by foreign adversaries or terrorists), and more accommodating to consumers with differing preferences with regard to both production and usage.The distribution of electricity, at least, is not a competitive market. Private, municipal, and cooperative utilities enjoy exclusive franchises in their respective territories. At present, there is no alternative to a regulatory system that requires government to make complex decisions with the best information available.North Carolinians have billions of dollars at stake in the outcome. This week, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., in preparation for a 2020 presidential run, decided to fight back against President Trump's brutal nickname for her: Pocahontas. Trump, you'll recall, labeled her Pocahontas because for years, she has claimed Native American ancestry. Not only that, she claimed repeatedly that her mother's Native American ancestry drove her parents to elope after her father's family refused to welcome her mother with open arms thanks to their bigotry. As it turns out, Warren could never provide any evidence of Native American ancestry - even though she spent years labeling herself Native American while at the University of Pennsylvania Law School as well as Harvard Law School.On Monday, Warren decided she'd had enough. She released a video of her family members discussing her claims of Native American background. "Native communities have faced discrimination, neglect and violence for generations," Warren intoned.She accompanied that video with her supposed proof of Native American background: an analysis by professor Carlos Bustamante of Stanford University in which he explains that it is possible that Warren had a Native American ancestor anywhere from six to 10 generations ago. That would have made her anywhere from 1/64 to 1/1,024 Native American. The study was based not on Native American DNA but on Mexican, Peruvian and Colombian DNA.In fact, not even Cherokees were happy with Warren. In a stunning rebuke, the Cherokee Nation released a statement saying, "Senator Warren is undermining tribal interests with her continued claims of tribal heritage," and that Warren's DNA testAll of this should have been foreseeable by anyone with half a brain. Falsely claiming you are Native American for years is bad enough. But releasing a study demonstrating that you are 99.9 percent white - and then claiming that such a study justifies your false claims? What made Warren, an intelligent human being, think such a thing?Only one simple fact: Warren knows, as everyone in politics knows, that the media will cover for nearly any instance of leftist political manipulation. They'll cover for Warren fibbing about her ancestry. They'll cover for Texas Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke driving drunk, plowing into a truck and then attempting to flee the scene of the crime. They'll cover for Arizona Senate candidate Rep. Krysten Sinema saying that she didn't care if Americans joined the Taliban (CNN's headline: "Krysten Sinema's Anti-War Activist Past Under Scrutiny as She Runs for Senate"). Democrats have the enviable advantage of being able to trot out nearly any story and be given credibility by most of the mainstream media.Non-Democrats, however, see this game. And every time the media simply parrot Democratic talking points on issues like Warren's ancestry, they undercut their credibility. Large media institutions have done more than anyone, including President Trump, to destroy their reputations with the American people. Their pathetic behavior over the past few weeks, in the approach to the 2018 elections, shows that they're doubling down on stupid. Charlotte, N.C., Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WINGS for Kids, a leader and expert in social emotional learning (SEL) in the afterschool field, has launched their newest afterschool program at Thomasboro Academy in Charlotte. The site is funded by a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, a federal program that provides out-of-school time academic enrichment activities in schools in low-income communities. We are thrilled to launch our newest afterschool program at Thomasboro Academy and continue our important work in Charlotte helping more kids build social emotional skills to help them succeed in school and thrive in life, said Bridget Laird, CEO of WINGS. With more than 20 years of experience in SEL in afterschool, WINGS is excited to start our fourth year in Charlotte and continue supporting all students soar to success through a program that we know makes a difference. WINGS incorporates a comprehensive, evidence-based SEL curriculum into a fresh and fun daily afterschool program. Led by college-age mentors, called WINGS Leaders, the program uses extracurricular activities, games, academics, and small group discussions as opportunities for kids to learn and develop social emotional skills, such as responsible decision-making, empathy, and self-management. Students attend the program at no cost for three hours per day, five days a week during the school year, and receive a snack, dinner, and help with homework, as well as bus transportation home. There is a deep connection between the social emotional skills WINGS kids learn during the afterschool program and how it influences their behavior in the classroom. External evaluations, including a recent randomized control trial (RCT) study, show that WINGS kids have better behavior, are more likely to exhibit empathy, show improved executive function, and have stronger self-management skills than kids in the same classrooms who do not participate in WINGS. The afterschool program at Thomasboro is WINGS second site in Charlotte; the organizations program at Bruns Academy was launched in 2015. Both programs are led by college students from local universities, including UNC Charlotte, Queens University of Charlotte, and Johnson C. Smith University. Together, the two programs will serve nearly 300 Charlotte students. WINGS currently serves more than 1,700 kids in California, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina through direct-service and partnership models. The organization also provides SEL-focused trainings and workshops for educators, and recently launched a pilot district-wide professional development program for elementary classroom teachers in Laurens, S.C. To learn more about WINGS for Kids and the positive impact of SEL, please visit their website. About WINGS for Kids WINGS for Kids is a nonprofit education program that equips at-risk kids with the skills they need to succeed in school, stay in school, and thrive in life. WINGS evidence-based approach combines a comprehensive social emotional learning curriculum, engaging afterschool programming, and high-quality training and professional development for practitioners and adults. As a result, the program fosters the mindset, skills, and confidence children need to behave well, make good decisions, and build healthy relationships. ### NAPANEE, Ontario, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VIVO Cannabis Inc. (TSXV: VIVO, OTCQX: VVCIF) (VIVO or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has agreed to make a $5 million strategic investment in National Access Cannabis Corp. (TSXV: META) (NAC), and commited to invest an additional $5 million contingent on attainment of a growth-related milestone and the satisfaction of certain other conditions precedent. NAC intends to use the proceeds of the investment, and additional recent and proposed financings, to advance the roll out of its retail cannabis operations across Canada. NACs vision is to be one of the largest adult-use retailers in Canada, with over 200 locations providing safe and responsible access to legal cannabis in Canadian private retail markets, subject to licensing and regulatory approvals. VIVO sees great benefit in investing in and establishing strong relationships with leading recreational retail players in Canada, as represented by our two previously announced strategic investments and partnerships in the sector earlier this year. We believe that the retail side of the industry has great potential and with our strong cash position, we chose to make another strategic investment in a leading cannabis retailer, stated Barry Fishman, CEO of VIVO. NACs retail brands (META and Newleaf) are aligned with our philosophy of delivering top quality products through a premium and engaged customer experience. They are well-positioned to be a dominant player in the Canadian retail landscape. VIVO looks forward to working with the NAC team to provide Canadian adult-use consumers access to our premium portfolio of brands, including FIRESIDE, Lumina and Canna Farms. The two main factors needed in creating growth in the legal adult-use industry are convenient access and demanded products, stated Mark Goliger, CEO of NAC. NAC will play a dominant role in providing safe and responsible legal access points across Canada, via an expected footprint of 200+ stores across five private retail provinces. We are very happy to have an investor and partner in VIVO who has developed premium quality products and compelling brands. We trust that as an investor in NAC, VIVO will impart some of the strategy, creativity and expertise that they put into their consumer brands to enable enhanced market potential for our retail store brands, META Cannabis Supply Co. and NewLeaf Cannabis. VIVO Strategic Investment VIVO has agreed to participate in private placements of NAC common shares for an aggregate amount of up to $10 million, which, subject to satisfaction of certain terms and conditions precedent, will be completed in two tranches. Under the initial tranche, VIVO has agreed to acquire NAC common shares for an aggregate purchase price of $5 million. Closing of the initial tranche is expected to occur on October 26, 2018. If before October 26, 2019, NAC is granted approval to open an aggregate of 50 cannabis retail locations from applicable regulatory authorities in Canada, NAC may deliver a written notice to VIVO requiring VIVO to purchase and subscribe for $5 million of additional NAC common shares at a price per share equal to the 15 day volume weighted average trading price of the NAC common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV) for the last 15 trading days of the calendar month immediately preceding the date of the notice, or if such trading price is lower than the maximum permitted discount for the second tranche of the LP Financing, the maximum permitted discount for the issuance of the Common Shares under TSXV policies. About VIVO Cannabis VIVO, based in Napanee, Ontario, is recognized for trusted, high-quality products and services. It holds production and sales licences from Health Canada and operates world-class indoor cultivation facilities with proprietary plant-growing technology. VIVO has a collection of premium brands targeting unique customer segments, including Beacon Medical, FIRESIDE, Canna Farms and Lumina. In August 2018, VIVO acquired Canna Farms Limited, a premium cannabis company based in Hope, British Columbia. Canna Farms was B.C.s first Licensed Producer and has many years of craft cultivation experience and expertise, as well as a significant patient base and positive cash flow. VIVO is significantly expanding its production capacity and pursuing partnership and product development opportunities domestically, as well as in select international markets, including Germany and Australia. In addition, VIVO also operates Harvest Medicine, a patient-centric and highly scalable network of specialty medical cannabis clinics. Harvest Medicine provides best-in-class education and support to over 22,000 patients in its clinics and via its free telemedicine platform. VIVO has a healthy balance sheet and is well-positioned to accelerate the growth of its business, in Canada and internationally. About National Access Cannabis NAC is a best practices leader in delivering secure, safe, and responsible access to legal cannabis in Canada. Through its Canada-wide network of medical cannabis clinics, partner pharmacies, NAC Bio's clinical research division, NewLeaf Cannabis and Meta Cannabis Supply Co. recreational cannabis retail stores, NAC enables patients and the public to gain knowledge and access to Canada's network of authorized Licensed Producers of cannabis. NAC is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol (TSXV: META). ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Barry Fishman (CEO and Director) 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. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Statements Hitachi Content Intelligence: Data Transformation And Exploration Solution Read this brief overview of Hitachis Content Intelligence engine to learn how it offers highly available, extensible, and secure data discovery and integration that scales with your data and need. Hitachi Vantara Special Edition Intelligent Data Governance Access this Intelligent Data Governance for Dummies guide to learn how you can elevate your data governance efforts to the next level and ensure that your data is compliant, accurate, clearly defined and labeled, available for collaboration, and more. 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With a focus on Kentucky, correspondent Martin Smith starts off by visiting the 2018 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and making a $100 bet (to win) on a horse with a name tailor-made for the topic: Promises Fulfilled. Although the horse started strong, Promises Fulfilled finished 15th in a field of 20 in the Derby last May. That gives Smith a metaphor for his report on the complex topic of public pensions. This is a story about gambling and making bad bets, the correspondent says. Its about having your retirement that you thought was secure go south. What follows in The Pension Gamble, airing Oct. 23 at 10 p.m. Eastern (Check local listings), is a detailed look into Kentuckys retirement systems, which have long offered traditional defined-benefit retirement plans to the states teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other public employees and was doing well with keeping well-funded for its obligations until the 2008 recession. Randy Wieck, a high school history teacher in Louisville, tells Frontline about the basic deal underlying the teachers pension plan, known as Teachers Retirement System Kentucky. One of the reasons we accept the low salary is that we wont have to despair for our retirement, Wieck says. That there will be some form of a safety net for us when we get too old to trundle into the classroom. Its a promise. But as many teachers and other public employees across the country are learning, they increasingly have placed their bets on a horse called Promises Unfilfilled. Frontline delves into management issues and controversies involving the Kentucky Retirement Systems, which oversees the pension plans for public employees besides teachers, as well as recent political battles in the state. As Education Weeks Daarel Burnette II and Madeline Will reported last spring , Kentuckys pension crisis has sparked teacher walkouts, lawsuits, and raucous protests at the state capitol in Frankfort. Kentuckys teachers retirement system was cited by Standard & Poors last year as the worst-funded in the nation, Barnette and Will reported. The state is $14.5 billion short of what it will need to cover the retirement costs for its 71,000 current teachers and 51,000 retirees over the next 30 years. Frontline interviews Republican Gov. Matt Bevin, who has bolstered state payments into the system but is still a target of criticism by teachers for backing plans to move new teachers out of the defined-benefit pension plan into more of a hybrid cash-balance plan, which is more of a mix of a defined-benefit plan and 401(K)-type retirement savings plan. The state legislature adopted such a plan last spring that affects teachers hired beyond the start of 2019 and requiring school districts to contribute 2 percent of teacher salaries to their pension plans. Im trying to save a system that needs to be saved, Bevin says in the episode. With interviews with lawmakers, finance experts, other teachers, and Kentucky reporters who have covered the pension systems woes for years, as well as colorful footage of teacher protests and confrontations with legislators, Frontline makes the complex topic of public pension woes pretty lively. Yahoo! JAPAN Yahoo! JAPAN Facebook Inc said Monday it has removed 68 Facebook pages and 43 user accounts linked to a shady Brazilian marketing group, Raposo Fernandes Associados (RFA), for violating the social media network's misrepresentation and spam policies. Both Facebook and its WhatsApp sister/subsidiary company are under fire for enabling similarly sketchy disinformation campaigns in Brazil that appear to be reaching their collective goal: electing Brazil's version of Donald Trump. There's coverage of today's Facebook news in Brazil's Folha. Facebook again does too little, too late. The damage Bolsonaro will do may only be matched with what Trump and Republicans in the U.S. intend to do. Reuters: The newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo said the group was the main network of support for far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro on the internet. Bolsonaro is expected to win a runoff on Sunday in Brazil's most polarized election in a generation in which social media has become the main battleground between the candidates. Facebook said RFA created pages using fake accounts or multiple accounts with the same names and posted massive amounts of clickbait intended to direct people to third-party websites. "Our decision to remove these pages was based on the behavior of these actors including using fake accounts and repeatedly posting spam rather than on the type of content they were posting," Facebook said in a statement. And on the WhatsApp election disinformation debacle in Brazil: They're coming for your health insurance, your guns, your Social Security, they're giving illegal immigrants free cars, and they love terrorists. "False, false, false, false, false, false, false," says Daniel Dale of The Star, writing about Trump's midterms strategy of lying his damn fool ass off. Trump appears to be working to retain power by doubling down on a "well-worn tactic that helped him win the presidency in 2016: a blizzard of fear-mongering and lies, many of them about darker-skinned foreigners." Trump is doing a rally with Ted Cruz in Houston. Tweets in this thread. Daniel Dale (@ddale8) October 22, 2018 Pres Trump calls the caravan of migrants heading for the US southern border, "an assault on our country." He says the caravan contains "some very bad people," but doesn't cite evidence. He tells his rally, "we need a wall built fast. We have to protect our borders." pic.twitter.com/TvgjhtygWH Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 23, 2018 Excerpt: Trump has been a serial liar about just about everything for his entire tenure in office, but he has rarely before deployed so many complete fabrications about so many important subjects at the same time. His most frequent and significant recent whoppers have centred on immigration, the issue about which his base has been most excited, and health care, the issue polls suggest is most important to the Democratic base. Trump escalated his immigration dishonesty on Monday morning. Seizing on a groundless claim from a host on his favourite Fox News morning show, he tweeted that "criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in" to a caravan of Latino migrants that began in Honduras. Reporters travelling with the caravan have seen no Middle Easterners, but the tweet was a way to get voters thinking about the supposed dangers of both Latino criminals and Muslim terrorists, Trump's two favourite subjects of suspicion in 2016. If you are a journalist reporting on Trump's caravan fearmongering without centering the fact that he's fabricating the narrative, you are misleading your audience and serving as a megaphone for a campaign of demogoguery. That's what happened during the 2014 Ebola scare. Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) October 22, 2018 Trump wants the "fake news to finally investigate @HillaryClinton." Crowd loves it. I don't really get it. He won, right? Domenico Montanaro (@DomenicoNPR) October 23, 2018 Falsehood? Or straight up lie? Is there ANY report about these riots? https://t.co/wMw76xZIzn S.V. Date (@svdate) October 23, 2018 Donald Trump just said there were 50,000 people waiting outside his Houston rally waiting to get in. Here's Houston's police chief stating there are 3,000 people outside. https://t.co/0NnRJGYuYh Jason Le Miere (@JasonLeMiere) October 23, 2018 [via] On Monday 12 members of Nevada Republican candidate for Governor Adam Laxalt's family published an op-ed denouncing his credentials, his record, and his connection to Nevada. Via the Reno Gazette: All of these shortcomings come down to a lack of real, authentic connection to our state, and a failure to understand what is important to real Nevadans. We are a state driven by a modern economy and a diverse population, and we take deep pride in our rich, complicated history. Nevadans value their independence and their ability to share in the beauties of our wild state, while still respecting each other's autonomy. If Adam is elected governor, these values will be put in danger. Public lands will become less accessible for hunters and fishers and backpackers. Adam's positions on health care and reproductive rights would limit how Nevadans care for their bodies, or be free from government interference in relationships as sacred and personal as marriage. Adam wants to repeal hundreds of millions of dollars of education funding, even though he knows full well that Nevada is ranked 49th in the nation for pre-K-12 education. If he responds to this column at all, it will probably be to say that he hardly knows the people writing this column. And in many ways that would be true. We never had a chance to get to know him, really he spent his life in Washington, D.C., while we lived in Northern Nevada and grew up in public schools and on public lands. He moved to Nevada in 2013 so that he could lean on the reputation of a family that he hardly knew while tapping into support by donors who had no interest in our state or its people. It's worth saying that this column isn't about politics. We would be proud to have a Laxalt running for office on Nov. 6, regardless of whether they were Republican or Democrat or independent, so long as we believed that they would be good for Nevada. We're writing because we care about Nevada and because we know the truth about this candidate. We think that you should, too. The American right spent generations lauding the "free enterprise" spirit of "cutting red tape," contrasting its private sector ethos with the stodgy, Stalinist ways of the USSR, where bureaucrats weaponize forms and other paperwork to oppress the citizenry. But anyone who's dealt with the US private sector knows how much big business loves its forms, from the clickthrough agreements that sign your life away every time you turn around to the waivers you have to sign to rent a car, check into a hotel, or enroll your kid in gymnastics class (I took my family for belated flu shots at CVS last night and the paperwork took more than 30 minutes). David Graeber's Utopia of Rules makes this point with savage force. So much of this fetishization of forms boils down to the libertarian love affair with the "contract" and the idea that the state's true legitimate purpose is enforcing contracts. The natural progression here is that if you have the bargaining power to force people to sign abusive contracts, then every time you do so, you are helping the market's invisible hand to sort the galty "job creators" from the "takers" and ensuring that the "takers" get their due in the form of shitty, confiscatory contracts. Note that taking steps to improve your bargaining position is only a valid course of action for the rich: if workers band together through collective bargaining, that is (for some reason) and illegitimate action that "distorts markets." (Remember when Wells Fargo forged 2,000,000 Americans' signatures to open fake accounts, then argued that the fine-print over those forged signatures that waived the right to sue for fraud was enforceable?) And no one loves abusive form-filling more than right-wing, "business friendly" governments, like the Trump administration, which made headlines recently by forcing a 5 year old Honduran girl to sign an English-language form waiving her asylum rights. The right's fetishization of "law and order" means that once you've signed a legal form, the form is legal, regardless of whether you're five years old, or speak the language in which the form was written. It's straight out of a Bukowski poem: "Look," he told me, "all those little children dying in the trees."v And I said, "What?" He said, "look." And I went to the window and sure enough, there they were hanging in the trees, dead and dying. And I said, "What does it mean?" He said, "I don't know it's authorized." The absolute deference to contracts encourages companies to simply mandate that their customers or employees sign forms waiving as many of their rights as possible. So we get arbitration agreements, which specify that if the company wrongs you, you can't take them to court even if they egregiously violated the law. Instead, you have to accept the binding decision of a private arbitrator. We also get "class action waivers": You forfeit your right to participate in a class action lawsuit. Oh, and for employees, non-compete agreements: You agree that if you leave the company, you won't go to work for a rival company meaning that you won't get another job in your field. It's obvious why these contracts have no legitimacy: There's a gigantic power imbalance between the entity offering the contract and the person agreeing to it. If I have to work, and all of the employers want me to forfeit all of my rights as a condition of working, then unless I want to go without work I have to forfeit my rights. Which means I don't really have any rights at all! We on the left understand that the libertarian notion of "consent" is often a fiction. Contracts aren't negotiated by parties of equal bargaining power. But there's this weird notion, not uniquely American but definitely particularly strong here, that the form is all that matters. If a confused old person gets bamboozled into signing away their life savings, well, they signed. If a poor person signs a layaway contract, making far more in installment payments than the item is actually worth, but then misses a payment, if the contract says the item can be repossessed, well, the person should have been more responsible. If your insurance contract contains a clause you didn't know about, which renders the whole policy worthless in exactly the sort of situation you thought you were insuring yourself against, well, why didn't you read the contract more closely? The Cult of the Form [Nathan J Robinson/Current Affairs] Sean A. Sykes Jr. pleaded guilty this week to having possessed marijuana, heroin and cocaine with the intent to sell and of using a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime. It's a win for the Kansas City district attorney who, in 2017, charged 25-year-old Sykes with possession of drugs with intent to sell and of being a felon in possession of three firearms. Did I mention that two of the three guns were stolen? I think it's safe to say that Sykes is enthusiastic about his career. Anyway, on to the good stuff. Last year, when Sykes was being questioned by the cops for these crimes, his gas, presumably due to his nerves being shot after being arrested, was so bad that the investigating officer was forced to evacuate the interrogation room for fear of being overwhelmed by farts. From the Kansas City Star: On Sept. 1, Sykes was in a car that police searched and found a backpack that contained various drugs and two handguns. One of the guns, a .357 Magnum, had been reported stolen out of a car in Independence a few days earlier, according to the documents. In his report about the interview, the detective wrote that when asked about his address, "Mr. Sykes leaned to one side of his chair and released a loud fart before answering with the address." "Mr. Sykes continued to be flatulent and I ended the interview," the detective wrote. Charges were not filed at that time. Then on Nov. 5, police pulled over a car driven by Sykes. According to the allegations in court documents, police found marijuana and crack cocaine inside the vehicle. They also found a .38-caliber revolver that had been reported stolen from Overland Park. Never doubt that there are still wonders to be found in our world. Image: by Arran Holloway from Sheffield, UK P1000588, CC BY-SA 2.0, Link Enables Integration of Formal Results, Coverage with any Simulator or Verification Planning Tool MUNICH, Germany and SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OneSpin Solutions today announced PortableCoverage, the first formal verification solution to integrate with all major simulators, coverage databases and viewers, and chip design verification planning tools, enabling users to choose the vendor or multiple vendors of their choice. Simulation and formal verification are essential to our chip design verification strategy, says Thomas Klotz, verification expert at Bosch Sensortec. We need to continually assess overall verification progress in order to determine next steps and measure progress against our schedule. OneSpins PortableCoverage provides us with that capability in an open verification flow so we can use best-in-class tools from multiple vendors. Introducing PortableCoverage Formal verification is now a part of the mainstream flow and used by many verification engineers, so it must be integrated with simulation-based tools, remarks Dr. Raik Brinkmann, OneSpin Solutions president and chief executive officer (CEO). Engineers need robust, flexible flows to quickly address new requirements. OneSpins PortableCoverage provides the freedom to seamlessly integrate formal into efficient, future-proof verification flows. PortableCoverage enables the integration of formal and simulation for a precise, quantitative verification assessment and a comprehensive view of verification progress. This minimizes overlap between formal and simulation work, reducing overall verification effort. PortableCoverage integrates formal and simulation coverage metrics in the coverage database for a unified view of coverage status. Two new formal apps, the Verification Coverage Integration (VCI) App and the Coverage Closure Accelerator (CCA) App, make this possible. Once the VCI App adds OneSpins Quantify coverage metrics into the users coverage database, the coverage viewer shows the integrated formal and simulation metrics, providing a unified view of coverage status. The CCA App identifies unreachable coverage points and provides them to the simulator, accelerating coverage closure while eliminating wasted effort trying to hit unreachable coverage points. PortableCoverage also includes OneSpins Verification Planning Integration (VPI) App that annotates formal results from OneSpins tools into the verification plan. The integrated formal and simulation results provide a comprehensive view of the verification plan. It also ensures engineers meet stringent safety standards by providing a link that tracks verification results back to design specification. The Quantify App uses formal model-based mutation coverage for an accurate assessment of assertion quality and completeness. Coverage data can be integrated with traditional structural coverage metrics. All of OneSpins apps leverage formal verification technology provided by the OneSpin 360 DV-Inspect and OneSpin 360 DV-Verify products. PortableCoverage is shipping now. Pricing is available upon request. More information about PortableCoverage can be found at: http://bit.ly/2PO0Ezt The first public presentation of PortableCoverage will be showcased Wednesday and Thursday, October 24 and 25, during DVCon Europe in Booth #402 at the Holiday Inn Munich City Centre in Munich, Germany. Exhibits are open Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. About OneSpin Solutions OneSpin Solutions has emerged as a leader in formal verification through a range of advanced electronic design automation (EDA) solutions for digital integrated circuits. Headquartered in Munich, Germany, OneSpin enables users to address design challenges in areas where reliability really counts: safety-critical verification, SystemC/C++ high-level synthesis (HLS) code analysis and FPGA equivalence checking. OneSpins advanced formal verification platform and dedication to getting it right the first time have fueled dramatic growth over the past five years as the company forges partnerships with leading electronics suppliers to pursue design perfection. OneSpin: Making Electronics Reliable. Engage with OneSpin at: Website: www.OneSpin.com Twitter: @OneSpinSolution LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onespin-solutions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OneSpinSolutions OneSpin, OneSpin Solutions and the OneSpin logo are trademarks of OneSpin Solutions GmbH. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. For more information, contact: Nanette Collins Public Relations for OneSpin (617) 437-1822 nanette@nvc.com The latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has proven a sumbitch to contain. Since this latest "oh shit" moment in the history of this infectious outbreak started on August 1st, the brave healthcare professionals and epidemiologists throwing their shoulders into the problem have reported 200 total cases of the disease, 117 confirmed Ebola-related deaths and 35 deaths that are probably related to the illness. This latest outbreak, the 10th to have cropped up in Congo since 1976, is proving more difficult, logistically, than past outbreaks have been. The epicenter of the outbreak is in North Kivu Province: chockablock with danger as government forces, local militias and regional warlords get their violence on. This makes getting folks in the region to the care that they need and, just as vital, containing the disease, far more difficult than it already is. From The New York Times: Congolese rebels have killed 15 civilians and abducted a dozen children in an attack in the center of the latest outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus, Congo's military said Sunday. The violence threatened to again force the suspension of efforts to contain the virus. Congo's health ministry has reported "numerous aggressions" in the new outbreak against health workers, who have described hearing gunshots daily. Many are operating under the armed escort of United Nations peacekeepers or Congolese security forces, and ending work by sundown to lower the risk of attack. The World Health Organization hasn't classified the outbreak as a world health emergency, yet. But the conditions are perfect for the current Ebola flareup to become an absolute containment clusterfuck. War keeps populations moving as they work to avoid the violence. Displaced people mingle in areas where they may not have in the past from population centers to refugee camps: anywhere they can shelter from the horrors that drove them from their homes. Given that an individual can carry Ebola for weeks without knowing or showing any symptoms, it's already difficult to know who to segregate from the population without having the potentially infected roaming around. Add to this the threat of violence at every turn and you've got the makings of a disaster. Image via the U.S. Department of Defense I posted some pre-release interviews with Peter Bebergal about his latest book, Strange Frequencies: The Extraordinary Story of the Technological Quest for the Supernatural. The book examines the frequent use of science and technology in pursuit of the otherworldly. In Strange Frequencies, Peter gets up close and hands on with such tinfoil fun stuff as ghost boxes, spirit radios, EVP recordings, spirit photography, brain toys, and more. In the following excerpt, reprinted from Strange Frequencies and used with permission from TarcherPerigree/Penguin, Random House, Peter delves into the history of the "ghost box" and sets out to try and build one of his own. Fear and Soldering In 1995, the October issue of Popular Electronics offered the article "Ghost Voices: Exploring the Mysteries of Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP)," and laid out a few methods for modifying radios to be able to answer whether "the dead are trying to break through the veil between the worlds." Various techniques are presented: a simple tape recorder with a microphone in a quiet room might record answers to questions that can be heard on playback (tried it, no luck); a circuit to build a small radio much like the Tesla radio I built; tuning a radio between stations and recording the static; and a white noise generator schematic to use instead of a radio to be sure stray transmissions are not being picked up. The tone of the piece is playful but not skeptical. The author takes no position, but Popular Electronics was written for the amateur hobbyist, and if any audience would be interested in such an article, it would certainly be this magazine's readers. After the article was published, the magazine was overwhelmed with letters, and in the 1996 February edition, the editors published a number of examples. They range from rational insight ("The 'voices of the dead' theme is simply an example of the phenomenon known to engineers as audio rectification"), outrage ("This is indeed a low point for the . . . magazine"), and cautious belief ("I think that the EVP is something that can't be explained away"). But the letter from C.W. from Lee's Summit, Missouri, is the most revealing. The writer concurs that electronic hobbyists are "different from others because . . . we are curious about physical phenomena. We seek to know more and more about the physical nature of our universe. The article provides us with a means to delve into another aspect of our universe, namely the spiritual." Rather than amaze the editors with their experiments, the letter instead issues a stern warning. "Do not communicate with the dead," C.W. writes, "for it is written in Deuteronomy 18:1012: 'There shall not be found among you anyone that . . . useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter of familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer." It's no surprise that a letter to the editor in an electronics hobby magazine would illuminate the tension at the heart of both the occult and the inventive spirit. The occult, understood to be a set of spiritual and magical practices that are often at odds with normative religious customs, rarely aligns with the mainstream American ideal of the individual as a frontiersman, exploring the limits of what is possible in an effort to build and expand outward into the antipodes. Technology is also often at odds with religious values as well because similarly it places too much power in the hands of the human being, leaving little room for God. But, unlike the occult, technological innovation more readily can be understood as being a gift from God, a measure of salvation and the perfection of the soul. When we combine technology with the spiritual even when outside of accepted religious practice, the edges begin to blur. It becomes a realm not accepted by either religious traditionalist or scientists. The hobbyist, with a DIY engine in their heart, has always propelled these kinds of activities forward. Frank Sumption, a ham radio enthusiast, was one of the many readers of the Popular Electronics article, and had always harbored an interest in the paranormal. He tried some of the experiments, and according to his friend Tim Woolworth-author of the blog ITC Voices-Frank wasn't impressed with the results. But in 2000, Frank tried again, this time going outside of the projects offered in the magazine. Spirits, according to EVP experimenters, cannot communicate in a vacuum. Bound, in some uncategorical way, by the laws of physics, spirits require a carrier of some kind to transmit their voices into our world. When a digital FM radio is set to scan, it "locks" as soon as it receives a strong frequency. Frank discovered that by modifying a radio so that it never locks on a station, the resulting effect is a constant stream of noise, bits of music, voices, and static. This raw material, Sumption claimed, could be used by spirits to form words. "It's been my experience that if one supplies something that the spirits/ entities can use to make voices out of," he wrote, "'they' will speak." The hacked radios came to be affectionately known within the EVP community as "Frank Boxes." Sumption's experiments would take a strange turn. First, he became increasingly irritated by the people claiming to be ghost hunters. He started to assert that the voices he was receiving might be alien in nature. In an email correspondence with the writer Karen Stollznow, Sumption explained that the entities he spoke with believed that he was a missing intergalactic royal lady who they called the "purple princess." His boxes also became more sophisticated, and he eventually created a version with a small CRT screen in an attempt to pick up images of the entities he was in communication with. Sumption's original ghost box has since been modified by others using the most recent electronic hobbyist technologies, such as microcontrollers-small programmable devices that allow simple circuits to be easily hacked together and improved upon without having to change the primary circuit. Computer programming has essentially altered the basic design of the spirit radio in such a way that a once purely analog device-little more than a coil picking up stray frequencies (and possibly a disembodied soul) has become a digital node in the vast, and seemingly infinite, cyberspace. Software code is shared; EVP samples are uploaded to YouTube. The devices themselves are hooked up to personal computers, creating a virtual web of receivers drawing down these noises. My experiences with computer- based applications led me to become distrustful of methods whose designs are hidden. But it was not only that these digital ghost boxes could be fraudulent; they don't allow for the inventive experimental character of something like Frank Sumption's boxes. The supernatural imagination demands a special kind of activation, one that often requires breaking radios and making them do something they weren't intended to do but are more than capable of doing. EVP hobbyists are particularly fond of RadioShack digital radios for their ease of opening and rewiring, but they are unfortunately no longer produced. Trying to procure one was daunting. I scoured Goodwill and other local thrift shops but was unable to find one that was included on various EVP "hackable" lists. A search on eBay returned only a few hits, most of which were upward of a hundred dollars. One that had been "prehacked" started at $225. Most listings don't promise that the buyer will actually hear spirits, but a recent listing confided that "At the cemetery or at my house it was getting great replies," and linked to a website with video evidence of the radio in use. I was intent on building one myself, and so I patiently checked eBay listings until I finally procured a RadioShack model 12589 "Extreme-Range AM/FM Weather Radio" in working condition. Its only flaw was a broken antenna, which was easily replaced. There was something satisfying about it being a RadioShack radio. The company once had a reputation for being hobbyist friendly, and I myself have a long history with them. My first electronics kit was their "150 in 1 Project Kit," and the first thing I ever soldered was a small multitester from their line of kits known as ArcherKit. I also worked for RadioShack in my early twenties when the stores were still the goto shop for electronic tinkerers. I had grown up in and around RadioShacks, and there would be nothing more natural than taking a screwdriver to the case screws of one of their radios, opening it up, and mucking around with the circuit. I was in unfamiliar territory making a ghost box, but with an intimately familiar map. America has some of the weakest anti-pregnancy-discrimination rules in the world (the federal statute says that companies only have to give pregnant people lighter duties if they make similar accommodations for those "similar in their ability or inability to work); and this has produced an epidemic of workplace miscarriages among women who have frequently begged their supervisors for lighter duties, even presenting doctor's written notes with their pleas. Warehousing and logistics companies are among the worst offenders: Verizon/Nike/Disney contractor New Breed Logistics (a division of the $12 billion XPO Logistics) one worker quit New Breed/XPO after her supervisor told her she should have an abortion if she didn't feel she could perform her usual duties during her pregnancy. Other egregious offenders include grocery stores like Albertons (which demoted a woman who was forced to work until she miscarried). The New York Times reports on documented incidents of supervisors requiring pregnant women to work until they miscarried in "a hospital, a post office, an airport, a grocery store, a prison, a fire department, a restaurant, a pharmaceutical company and several hotels." Legal movement to protect pregnant women from workplace conditions that induce miscarriages has been stalled by "anti-regulation" Republicans like Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee. The intransigence to protect the pregnancies of willing mothers is especially terrible given the brutal stance of the right on abortion: on the one hand, women who want babies are not allowed to keep them, while women who became pregnant by accident, or through rape, or whose health is threatened by their pregnancies are required to give birth to babies they don't want or can't safely deliver. That same month, Ceeadria Walker joined XPO. The pay was decent, about $12 an hour, an upgrade from her last job at a car-parts warehouse. At first, she didn't mind the frequent 12-hour shifts. But she learned she was pregnant in June 2018 and started feeling nauseated and dizzy at the end of the long days. Ms. Walker said she gave her supervisor a doctor's note saying she should reduce the number of hours on her feet to avoid hurting herself or endangering her pregnancy. "They looked at it like it was nothing," she said. There were days when XPO let her work in the "pit," dealing with the paperwork for orders, but she said she spent most of July on the conveyor-belt line hoisting 45-pound boxes. Ms. Walker toyed with leaving. But, she said, "I couldn't just quit my job." She was near the end of her first trimester and needed money. She planned to name the baby, her first child, after her boyfriend Octavia for a girl, Octavius for a boy. By the end of her shift on Aug. 4, Ms. Walker said she had handled hundreds of Verizon boxes. When she woke up bleeding at 6 a.m. the next day, her mother drove her to the doctor. Miscarrying at Work: The Physical Toll of Pregnancy Discrimination [Jessica Silver-Greenberg and Natalie Kitroeff/New York Times] (Thanks, Fipi Lele!) Police arrested Bruce Michael Alexander for groping a sleeping woman seated in front of him on a Southwest flight from Texas to New Mexico. In the police car, Alexander reportedly told police that "the president of the United States says it's OK to grab women by their private parts." From USA Today: The woman said she felt Alexander's hand move from behind her and grab her right breast. She said she fell asleep about 20 minutes into the flight and not long after, she felt him touch her but assumed it was an accident, according to court documents. About 30 minutes later, she said she felt Alexander's hand grab the back of her arm and grope around her ribs and then her breast. The woman then stood up and told Alexander she did not understand how he could think that was OK and he needed to stop. In their 'No Tech For ICE' report, Mijente details how firms like Amazon, Microsoft, and Palantir plan to profit from the detention and deportations of migrants. "Technology companies are working with ICE to increase arrests, detentions, and deportations. Mijente, Immigrant Defense Project, and NIPNLG worked with Empower LLC to create this report exposing how tech is fueling the current deportation crisis. Learn more and join us to demand #notechforICE." The groups are urging technology workers to "Tell your execs you won't build tools that enable mass deportation & human rights abuses, sign our petition, and connect with us to find out how you can hold your companies accountable." A [PDF of the report is here.] OUT TODAY Our report details how firms like @Amazon @Microsoft @Palantir profit from detention & deportations. We show how tech lobbying > massive gov. contracts > storing biometric data on millions & providing tech for deportations #NoTechForICEhttps://t.co/MGGTECRzSt Mijente (@ConMijente) October 23, 2018 .@Amazon is *far ahead* of any other tech company in storing sensitive datait has 204 FEDRamp authorizations, compared to Microsoft's 150, Oracle's 34, Salesforce's 31, & Google's 27. It & other tech co's gave $250K to Congress, then won contracts to privatize gov data storage. pic.twitter.com/Sj2FIVzZ1j Mijente (@ConMijente) October 23, 2018 They're part of a new #CloudIndustrialComplex that lobbies legislators in Washington, DC to prioritize cloud storage for sensitive data, resulting in a huge migration of sensitive data to private cloud firms like Amazon, which get multi-million contracts to store the data. Mijente (@ConMijente) October 23, 2018 These authorizations mean more & more sensitive personal data lives on @AWSCloud servers; @Amazon now hosts backups of all DHS biometric info230M unique identities, including 36.5M faces & 2.8M irises. Much of this data is used to track, hunt, detain, & deport immigrants. pic.twitter.com/VWIoECLoF0 Mijente (@ConMijente) October 23, 2018 .@Amazon also hosts @Palantir's programs for ICE, designed *specifically* to target, detain & deport immigrants. Agents collect mass data (school info, finances, addresses, phone #s, etc.), build profiles of immigrants, & use them to find & deport those living in our country. Mijente (@ConMijente) October 23, 2018 This surveillance data is dystopian, but also flawed. Agents can pinpoint immigrants' locations, but they don't always get it right. This year, ICE killed two parents of six in a car crash after mistakenly surveilling the wrong couple outside their home. https://t.co/jAGx965X5F Mijente (@ConMijente) October 23, 2018 And it's not just happening within U.S. border for the first time this report reveals DHS's biometric data sharing between the Mexico government and the U.S. government.#NoTechForICE pic.twitter.com/HsjZMhMQAp Mijente (@ConMijente) October 23, 2018 We need an end to this use of software. There is no reason why any firm should support ICE's mission. Read the report. Delve into the massive connections between Silicon Valley & Washington, DC. See how big tech is helping Trump's deportation machine. Mijente (@ConMijente) October 23, 2018 Tech workers: Tell your execs you won't build tools that enable mass deportation & human rights abuses. Sign our petition below, & connect with us to find out how you can hold your companies accountable. https://t.co/MGGTECRzSt#NoTechForICE#TechWontBuiltIt Mijente (@ConMijente) October 23, 2018 Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard has called on the outdoor industry to join him in backing politicians who believe in preserving public lands; his company has now backed Montana Democratic Senate incumbent Jon Tester (facing a Trumpian challenge from Republican Matt Rosendale, who espouses the cultlike belief that the Constitution bans the federal government from owning land, a belief that was spread by Cliven Bundy and a group of racist Mormon extremists) and Nevada Democratic Congressional incumbent Jacky Rosen with a 97 percent approval rating from the League of Conservation Voters. Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario says the outdoor industry should lead a political movement as well-organized and effective as the NRA, but aimed at protecting public lands. Both conservative and liberal voters disapprove of Trump's record on public lands, making it a rare bipartisan issue. With the momentum of the past two years, this almost seems an inevitable step for Patagonia. The company's current CEO, Rose Marcario, has said she'd like to see the outdoor industry become a political force like the NRA. "We cannot give up an inch of protected land on our watch," Marcario told Streep. "Not an inch." That campaign kicked off most publicly when Patagonia forced a decision on the governor of Utah: either come out against President Trump's plan to shrink Bears Ears National Monument, or Patagonia, REI, and the North Face would use their clout to move the Outdoor Retailer show and the $45 million it bestowed on the state's economy each year. Now the show's home is Denver. And after Trump signed an executive order that cleaved Bears Ears by 1.35 million acres, Patagonia sued. Its homepage, in black and white, read bluntly, "The President Stole Your Land." That led the House Natural Resources Committee, chaired by Utah Representative Rob Bishop, who harped loudest for the resize, to tweet a mockingly similar image that read, also in black and white, "Patagonia Is Lying to You." Chouinard and Marcario had their confrontation, weenies be damned. Patagonia Endorses Tester and Rosen [J. Weston Phippen/Outside] (via Naked Capitalism) My name is Kelsey Juliana and I'm suing the United States government for causing and accelerating the climate change crisis. I'm 22 years old and I've been a climate advocate for more than half of my life. The constitution guarantees all Americans the right to life, liberty, and property. But how is anyone supposed to live a life of freedom amid a climate crisis? My own government is violating my constitutional rights by its ongoing and deliberate actions that cause climate change and it's not right. I, along with 20 other young people from around the country, filed a lawsuit against the federal government in 2015, called Juliana v. United States. We're not asking for money. Instead, we're asking the Court to order the government to develop and implement a National Climate Recovery Plan based on the best available science. This plan should end the reign of fossil fuels and quickly decarbonize our atmosphere so that we can stabilize our climate system before it's too late. The longer we go without climate recovery, the more we risk allowing our climate to spiral completely out of control. All of the expert witnesses in our lawsuit say that we are currentlyalreadyin the "danger zone" and an "emergency situation" with only 1C of planetary heating. Allowing the planet to heat up any more is not safe for our species, as well as so many others. And according to the Trump administration's most recent environmental impact statement, the planet could heat as much as 7F before the end of this century. We cannot allow this to happen because we simply will not survive. We originally filed our lawsuit against the Obama administration. That administration tried to have the case dismissed, but the judge ruled in our favor and found that we should be allowed to go to trial. In 2017, the Trump administration inherited the lawsuit and it has done everything in its power, employing every conceivable tactic, to deny my fellow plaintiffs and me our right to present our case in court. This administration is so fiercely attempting to silence our voices. At this point, every level of the federal judiciarythe U.S. District Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Courthas denied the Trump administration's efforts to have the case thrown out. Yet it will not halt its efforts to avoid standard legal procedures and confront us, the nation's youth, in court. Just last week the Trump administration asked the United States Supreme Court to again circumvent the ordinary procedures of federal litigation and stop our case from going to trial. Our trial is officially scheduled to begin on October 29, 2018 in Eugene, Oregon, but it is currently on hold while the Supreme Court considers the Trump administration's new request. What we're asking for could change everything. My fellow plaintiffs and I want you with us as we fight for our right to be heard at trial to confront the United States government for knowingly violating our constitutional rights. Supporters will hold rallies in every state around the country on October 29, so if you can't be with us in Eugene, find your local rally here. Get regular updates by following @youthvgov on social media. You can learn more about this case and get regular trial updates by tuning in to the No Ordinary Lawsuit podcast here. Lastly, if you have the means, click here to make a donation to Our Children's Trust, the nonprofit organization that supports our lawsuit and many others like it around the country. If you're a citizen of South Korea, you're expected to obey the laws of that country even when you aren't in the country. That means any South Korean citizen who smokes perfectly legal pot in Canada could return home and receive a five year prison sentence. From Korea Times: Yoon Se-jin, head of the Narcotics Crime Investigation Division at Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency, warned earlier this week that smoking pot is treated as a serious offense here and Korean smokers, subject to the laws of their country, could face up to five years in prison. "Weed smokers will be punished according to the Korean law, even if they did so in countries where smoking marijuana is legal. There won't be an exception," he said. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today said the United States will revoke entry visas for the Saudi men accused of torturing and assassinating Washington Post contributing journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. It's the first punishment of any kind by the Trump administration over what Turkey's government is now describing as the "planned" and "brutal" murder of the Saudi journalist. From the Washington Post, a paper to which Khashoggi was a contributing writer: Pompeo said he is also working with the Treasury Department on whether to impose other sanctions against those responsible for the journalist's death. "These penalties will not be the last word on this matter from the United States," Pompeo said during a briefing at the State Department. "We will continue to explore additional measures to hold those responsible accountable." The State Department said the penalties would affect 21 Saudis. Most already have visas, and their documents are being revoked. Some who do not have visas are now ineligible for them, officials said. The Trump administration has lagged behind the international community in criticizing the Saudi government for the killing of the journalist, but has started expressing frustration with Riyadh's shifting accounts of what happened after Khashoggi entered the consulate on Oct. 2. "The coverup was the worst in the history of coverups," President Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's president, also today called on Saudi Arabia to extradite 18 suspects to Turkey to face justice proceedings over Khashoggi's death, and the ensuing coverup. BREAKING: Pompeo just announced the US is revoking visas for the Saudi agents accused of killing journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. This is the Trump admin's first concrete step to punish Saudi Arabia for Khashoggi's death John Hudson (@John_Hudson) October 23, 2018 U.S. has identified some Saudis suspected to have been involved in Jamal Khashoggi's killing, Pompeo says, and they include members of the intelligence services, the foreign ministry, and the royal court. State Dept is working to revoke visas & possibly apply Magnitsky sanctions. Andrew Desiderio (@desiderioDC) October 23, 2018 News: Pompeo says US is revoking visas for some Saudi officials identified as responsible for #Khashoggi killing, and looking into using Global Magnitsky Act sanctions Josh Lederman (@JoshNBCNews) October 23, 2018 Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says "the U.S. has identified at least some of the individuals responsible, including those in the intelligence services, the royal court, the foreign ministry and other Saudi ministries, that we suspect to have been involved in Khashoggi's death." NPR (@NPR) October 23, 2018 Pompeo says the administration is continuing to investigate the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Has ID'd some Saudi suspects. Issuing some penalties now, including visa restrictions. Not the last word, he says. Considering economic sanctions. Shane Harris (@shaneharris) October 23, 2018 Non-Profit Organization Taps Veteran CPO as Technical Advisor for Orthotic and Prosthetic Matters MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Michael Leach, Certified Prosthetist-Orthotist and Prosthetic Product Manager at Orthomerica, has been appointed as the Certified Prosthetist-Orthotist (CPO) Advisor of Project Lolo . As the CPO Advisor, Michael will contribute his expertise to advance Project Lolos impact, advise its Board of Directors on technical orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) matters and support the development of unique, informative content. Joining this cause is an honor and I look forward to collaborating with Project Lolos team, said Michael Leach. I am purpose-driven to see people achieve their fullest potential, which aligns directly with Project Lolos cause and efforts in Promoting Limitless Lives for those in the pediatric community with differing physical abilities Project Lolo is a global, non-profit organization headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota dedicated to helping provide access to orthopedic medical care, orthopedic and assistive mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, crutches and prosthetic limbs to children. Project Lolo was founded in 2017 under the assertion that no child should ever be denied their right to life, healthcare, education or dignity because of their differing orthopedic abilities. Leslie Pitt Schneider, Founder and President of Project Lolo, said, Michaels high regard for quality patient care combined with his extensive O&P experience is extraordinarily impressive. We are delighted to welcome him to our team and recognize the excellent resource he will be for Project Lolos mission. Michael Leach brings over forty years of professional Prosthetist and Orthotist experience to the organization. Currently a Prosthetic Product Manager for worldwide design, development and fabrication leader of customizable orthotic/prosthetic solutions, Orthomerica, Michael also formerly contributed to the success of other leading O&P and rehabilitative care firms, Ottobock and Hanger, Inc. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Washington and a Master of Science degree from Indiana University Bloomington. He recognizes the life-changing impact orthopedic medical care and assistive devices make for those with differing abilities and recognizes the significant impact Project Lolos efforts will have on the pediatric community. Michael Leach resides in Salt Lake City, Utah with his family. For more information on Project Lolo, its mission and fundraising efforts, please visit Project Lolos website or email contactus@projectlolo.org . About Project Lolo Project Lolo is a global, non-profit organization that advocates for children to live limitlessly. It helps children gain equal standing in life, with fundraising efforts to ensure children have access to orthopedic medical care, orthopedic and assistive mobility devices such as wheelchairs, crutches and prostheses. Learn more at projectlolo.org and follow Project Lolo on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn and Twitter . Media Contact Marisa Schroeder, Project Lolo Marketing Director (844) 224-5656 Ext. 2 mediainquiries@projectlolo.org A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c5339485-d62d-4400-8992-41444e146d6f - EFF leader Julius Malema once again called for unity in Africa - Malema wants the entire continent to have one currency, one language and ultimately, one leader - He suggested Swahili as the shared African language PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see Briefly news on your News Feed! Julius Malema is known to support the idea of Africa united against the rest of the world. He is passionate about 'decolonising' Africa and he wants that to happen as soon as possible. Malema recently visited Rwanda during the 5th Pan-African Parliament. There he spoke about the importance of a united continent. The EFF leader feels that Africa should have one currency, one language and one leadership. In addition, Malema said it is important that there is a judicial system that acts against corruption in Africa. He is convinced corruption is the main reason Africa remains underdeveloped. We need to ensure we come up with one binding legislature for all African countries to ensure that they comply with anti-corruption programmes. PAY ATTENTION: Save mobile data with FreeBasics: Briefly is now available on the app According to a report by The Citizen, Malema also feels that free trade agreements in Africa is a good way to unite the continent. Earlier this year, Malema spoke up about his wish to have Africa united under one language. He wants all Africans to Swahili and 'decolonise' themselves by doing away with English, as reported on by Briefly.co.za. READ ALSO: Limpopo premier Mathabatha admits that voice in love recording is his How do you feel about Malema's ideas? Let us know on our Facebook page and we could be sharing your thoughts and views. Watch the silly MTV Video Music Award: Jennifer Lopez And A New Dress and head over to Briefly South Africa's YouTube channel for more awesome videos. 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 Doctors employed by the Zimbabwe government led by the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) have joined teachers in demanding to be paid their salaries in United States dollars to cushion themselves from rampaging inflation. At the same time, the doctors have implored government to declare the situation in the health sector a state of emergency to enable it to see aid from international partners.The ZHDA national executive delivered the health ministry a petition stating their demands Monday.The association will meet Health Minister and Child Care minister Obadiah Moyo later this week."It is our duty to present these issues advocating on behalf of our patients, our members and the entire health sector," said the ZHDA in a statement Monday.According to the association, the demands are not new, but the situation has been made even more urgent by the country's deteriorating economic situation."The Collective Bargaining Agreement on the 2nd March 2018 states that our salaries are paid in US dollars," reads the petition."As of this month our members were paid in RTGS and cannot access basic goods and commodities, let alone travel to work. We implore the government to pay salaries in US dollars as previously agreed."Furthermore we request non-monetary incentives such as fuel to be available to our members and the civil service at government prescribed rates, most hospitals have fuel tanks." Opinion / Columnist When the MDC Alliance under the leadership of Nelson Chamisa realised that the 30 July elections were proving to be a tall order for them, they decided to hatch a plan to discredit the whole election as a flawed process. This explains why Chamisa become infamous for uttering the saboteur's mantra, "ndinozvidira jecha" This was a warning of the violence that he was planning to unleash upon realising that the electoral tide was not in his favour.On Tuesday, 31 July before the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) had announced any election result, MDC Alliance principal, Tendai Biti illegally pre-empted the poll results by claiming that Chamisa had won. In his own words, Biti said, "The results show beyond reasonable doubt that we have won this election and that the next President of Zimbabwe is Advocate Nelson Chamisa. These results were extrapolated from V11 forms that, in some cases, were posted outside polling stations and in some cases handed over to our candidates' agents in compliance with the law. We now hope that ZEC will follow its Constitutional and legal obligation defined in the Electoral Act of formally announcing the result that is consistent with what we have gathered through our own parallel voter tabulation process".What Biti did was in direct contravention of the Electoral Act 66A, which makes it an offence for anyone other than a designated election official to announce election results. This was part of the planned provocation for the authorities to act so that in the end the Alliance would cry foul and play victim.The events of 1 August point to a well co-ordinated programme by the MDC Alliance to unleash political violence. Posting on Twitter journalist, Maynard Manyowa testified that, "At 11:00 some 200 to 300 people protested peacefully yet unlawfully. They cooperated with police, didn't block traffic and went their way. They returned later with sticks, stones, bricks and hosepipes. They threw bricks at the police and us. I got one at the back. Today my camera filmed things that should never happen in my country. People were paid to start something today (and) fed with alcohol and drugs. We were beaten and stoned together with the police. Cars, property and infrastructure were vandalized in the name of protest".As the seven-member Commission of Inquiry was carrying out hearings last week, Biti and former ZANU PF Harare Provincial Youth League Chairmen, Jimu Kunaka, who left the party owing to his factional activities, were fingered as the force behind the incident.There was also a disturbing event where protestors defiantly chased an anti-riot police vehicle. This was unheard of and also points out to Chamisa's determination to fight law enforcement personnel and Government in general.Chamisa's determined effort to cripple the economy was also evident. To achieve this, he ordered his foot soldiers to burn and loot vendors' wares indiscriminately. This was a high level of economic sabotage. Destroying goods belonging to people who were eking out an honest living amid difficult times, was a cardinal sin, especially given his claims that the same people voted for him.As if that was not enough damage, his hooligans proceeded to ZANU PF national and Harare Provincial headquarters were they destroyed ZANU PF bill boards, torched motor vehicles and committed other acts of vandalism. A bus, belonging to a party member, which was parked at ZANU PF Harare provincial offices was also burnt.After dealing with those on the ground, Chamisa's hired guns proceeded to the Rainbow Towers Hotel which housed the ZEC National Command Centre and demanded the release of the Presidential election results even before the stipulated five days set to announce poll results had lapsed. One wonders why he wanted ZEC to release the results before proper and meticulous verification had been carried out.Biti who had been vocal charging that he was prepared to die for his vote made an attempt to escape into Zambia to seek political asylum. He understood the gravity of his case and the role that he played during the 1 August disturbances. He became aware that his illegal activities would catch up with him, hence the ineffectual attempt to secure refuge in Zambia.When the Commission of Inquiry started hearings at a local hotel last week, there was deafening silence from Chamisa. I hope it has since dawned on him that his role in mobilising and urging youths to engage in violence on 1 August will also haunt and hound him.The long and short of it is that Chamisa realised that he could not scratch the necessary votes to land the Presidency, hence, the employment of dirty tactics to create conditions for a re-run could be conducted, but alas Zimbabweans refused to be used to rubber stamp such a move.Even to this day Chamisa continues talking about the elections two months after the Chief Justice Luke Malaba led nine-member Constitutional Court declared that, indeed, President Emmerson Mnangagwa was the winner of the 30 July plebiscite.When President Mnangagwa was inaugurated on 26 August 2018, Chamisa stubbornly maintained he won despite failing to before that assertion in court. The people of Zimbabwe clearly spoke regarding whom they wanted to lead them, ED Mnangagwa and no amount of tantrums or press conferences by Chamisa and crew is ever going to change that undeniable fact. By Aislinn Laing SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile's Court of Appeal has ordered the office of Santiago's Archbishop to pay $450 million pesos ($650,000) to three men who alleged they were sexually abused for decades by Chilean priest Fernando Karadima, a local newspaper reported on Sunday. Citing a copy of a leaked judgment, La Tercera said the three judges who heard the case on Thursday found in favor of an appeal for "moral damages" against the church for allegedly covering up the crimes. The case was previously rejected by a lower court for lack of evidence. Reuters could not independently confirm the report. The Santiago Archbishopric, which could appeal to Chile's Supreme Court, said it was considering "what steps to take." If confirmed by the court on Monday, it would be the first damages order to have been leveled against Chile's powerful Roman Catholic Church for a scandal of sex abuse and cover-up that prompted Pope Francis to apologize to its faithful. Legal experts have said it could pave the way for more claims amid a new climate of discovery which has seen hundreds of people come forward to allege they were abused and criminal prosecutors launch scores of new investigations. In a statement hailing the reported verdict, claimants James Hamilton, Jose Andres Murillo and Juan Carlos Cruz - who were invited to Rome earlier this year to tell the Pope about their alleged abuse - said it was the culmination of a "journey that was long and painful, but worth it". "We are witnessing an important cultural shift, in which the abuses of the powerful are beginning to be seen as unacceptable, and Justice is confirming that," they said. Their lawyer, Juan Pablo Hermosilla, told Reuters they believed the report was credible but added: "I don't have official confirmation yet." Karadima worked for the Santiago Archbishopric as a parish priest in the wealthy suburb of El Bosque for 21 years between 1985 to 2006. Now 88 and living in a nursing home in the capital, Karadima has always denied accusations of abuse. He was never charged by civilian authorities because the statute of limitations on such crimes had expired. He was found guilty of sexual abuse in a Vatican investigation in 2011, and last month was defrocked by the Pope. Hermosilla said that since the case was rejected by a lower court, new evidence had emerged including an email written in 2009 from a former archbishop, Cardinal Francisco Errazuriz, to the then papal nuncio that was read to the court on Thursday. In the email, Errazuriz described the trio of accusers as "aggressive" and said he was closing the case against Karadima. In a statement responding to the report of a verdict, the Santiago Archbishopric said it did not know the court's ruling, but that it would have to study it and recent developments in the case before deciding how to act. "We must analyze the situation, together with the ruling, to resolve what steps to take," the archbishopric's statement said. (Reporting by Aislinn Laing; Editing by Daniel Wallis) By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea imported at least $640 million worth of luxury goods from China last year, in defiance of U.N. sanctions outlawing such trade over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, a South Korean lawmaker said on Monday. The United States has urged strict implementation of sanctions as part of a "maximum pressure" campaign which Washington has credited with bringing impoverished North Korea to the negotiating table. But there have been signs the campaign has been losing steam since North Korea suspended nuclear and missile tests and leader Kim Jong Un vowed steps towards denuclearization at a U.S.-North Korean summit in June - and as China and Russia called for relaxed sanctions. "Kim has bought lavish items from China and other places like a seaplane for not only his own family, and also expensive musical instruments, high-quality TVs, sedans, liquor, watches and fur as gifts for the elites who prop up his regime," opposition lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun said in a statement. "With the growing loophole, Kim would be able to near his goal of neutralizing sanctions soon without giving up the nuclear weapons." Last year, North Korea spent at least $640 million on luxury goods from China, according to Yoon. China does not provide breakdowns of its customs figures. Yoon compiled data based on a list of banned items crafted by Seoul in line with a 2009 U.N. resolution. Beijing's customs agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Beijing has said it strictly abides by international sanctions against North Korea. The 2017 luxury trade volume was down from the 2014 peak of $800 million, but was only a 3.8 percent drop from $666.4 million in 2016, according to Yoon. The luxury items accounted for 17.8 percent of North Korea's entire imports from China last year which totaled $3.7 billion, Yoon said. Purchases of electronic products such as high-end TVs made up for more than half of the total transactions, worth $340 million, followed by cars with $204 million and liquors with $35 million. China's trade with North Korea from January to August this year tumbled 57.8 percent from the year-earlier figure to $1.51 billion, China's customs agency said last month. But Yoon's analysis also shows North Korea funneled more than $4 billion into luxury shopping in China since Kim took power at the end of 2011. Yoon accused China of loosening enforcement of sanctions, and criticized South Korea's recent request for U.N. and U.S. exemptions to restart inter-Korean economic cooperation. When asked on Monday about the possibility of discord with the United States over sanctions, a senior official at South Korea's presidential office said the two countries would "eventually be on the same path" towards denuclearization though there might be a "procedural difference". Last week, Singapore charged a citizen, a North Korean and three companies with supplying prohibited luxury items to North Korea. The charges involve hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of perfumes, wines and watches, court documents seen by Reuters show. (Additional reporting by Stella Qiu in BEIJING; Editing by Nick Macfie) Insights dashboards reveal business impact of fraud, operational metrics, and opportunities for greater efficiency SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sift Science , the leading provider of fraud prevention and risk management solutions using real-time machine learning (ML), has today announced Sift Insights , a new reporting suite built into the Sift Science Digital Trust Platform. Available immediately, Sift Insights empowers fraud operations teams and business leaders with a full view of how fraud and abuse impact top-line revenue, customer experience, and operational efficiency. Using Sift Insights dashboards, fraud teams can monitor operations in real time or generate historical reports to understand the volume and accuracy of fraud decisions. Having such insight available allows merchants, marketplaces and online communities to deploy resources more effectively, and to lower overall fraud rates. Accurate and comprehensive measurement is integral to understanding business health. The 2017 Merchant Risk Council (MRC) Global Fraud Survey found that 68 percent of MRC members rate improving fraud analytics as one of their top three priorities. Yet nearly four in 10 (38 percent) organizations do not track any metrics beyond chargeback rate, according to the 2018 CNP Fraud Operations Study. Additionally, according to a report from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, 39 percent reported that no performance metrics are used to evaluate their investigation teams ( ACFE, 2017 ). Sift Insights gives me the ability to make smarter day-to-day decisions, said Pascual Artero, Chargeback Supervisor, Mercari, Inc. At a glance, I can easily see how my team is tracking against our KPIs and make real-time adjustments as needed. When I want to dive deeper or review with leadership, built-in reporting helps me measure exactly how Sift is helping grow our business, reduce fraud, and keep our marketplace safe. Companies using Sift Insights have access to exportable reports, data visualizations, and other tools to see fraud and chargeback rates over time, abuse and block rates for user accounts, and more. Sift Insights makes fraud operations more effective by revealing the nuances of fraudulent and abusive behavior. For example, Sifts 10 Fraud Myths Report , also released today, reveals hidden fraud trends that impact businesses and the operational costs involved. Businesses know they need to measure fraud and implement abuse prevention tactics, but they often lack visibility into fraudsters' behavior and performance of their fraud teams, said Jason Tan, CEO and Co-Founder, Sift Science. Fraud managers want to know a range of data points -- everything from when fraud is happening, how fraud trends change over time and how they can best allocate budget and resources. With Sift Insights, organizations now have access to the insights needed to fight fraud and resolve operational challenges in their entirety. Real-time analytics with Sift Insights capture the impact of fraud on business and team performance so fraud managers can: Gain the full picture of fraud - Understand the total impact of fraud with centralized information about all the fraud the company is facing. - Understand the total impact of fraud with centralized information about all the fraud the company is facing. Optimize operations - Make smarter decisions and build better rules using built-in reports on analyst performance and business logic. - Make smarter decisions and build better rules using built-in reports on analyst performance and business logic. Empower the team with knowledge - Export reports to customize analysis, and tune fraud-fighting efforts based on team KPIs. For more information on Sift Insights or to schedule a demo, visit LINK . About Sift Science Sift Science is a machine learning company that fuels business growth by empowering the worlds leading businesses to drive risk-free user experiences. Sift dynamically prevents fraud and abuse by combining industry leading technology and expertise, a global data network and long-term customer partnership. Global brands such as Twitter, Airbnb, Yelp!, Shutterstock, Jet.com, Indeed and Wayfair rely on the Sift Science Digital Trust Platform for access to a global network of fraud data, 16,000+ fraud signals, and our unique ability to detect and prevent fraud in real time. Sift is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Visit us at sift.com and follow us on Twitter @SiftScience. Still images taken from two different CCTV videos and obtained by Turkish security sources claim to show Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi as he arrives at Saudi Arabia's Consulate and another man allegedly wearing Khashoggi's clothes while walking in Istanbul, Turkey October 2, 2018. Reuters TV/via REUTERS By Jeff Mason and Gulsen Solaker WASHINGTON/ANKARA (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Tuesday Saudi authorities staged the "worst cover-up ever" in the killing of prominent journalist Jamal Khashoggi this month, as the United States vowed to revoke the visas of some of those believed to be responsible. Trump spoke hours after Turkey's president, Tayyip Erdogan, dismissed Saudi efforts to blame Khashoggi's death on rogue operatives. Erdogan urged Riyadh to search "from top to bottom" to uncover those behind Khashoggi's death in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, an incident that has sparked global outrage and strained relations between Riyadh and Washington. For Saudi Arabias allies, the question will be whether they believe that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has painted himself as a reformer, has any culpability. Trump said the killing and subsequent cover-up by Saudi Arabia were "a total fiasco." "There should have never been an execution or a cover-up, because it should have never happened," Trump told reporters. He said he had spoken on Monday with the crown prince who denied having anything to do with Khashoggi's killing. Earlier, Trump said the Khashoggi matter was handled badly by Saudi officials. "Bad deal, should have never been thought of. Somebody really messed up. And they had the worst cover-up ever," Trump told reporters at the White House. Khashoggi, a critic of the crown prince, was a U.S. resident and Washington Post columnist. Trump's comments in recent days have ranged from threatening Saudi Arabia with "very severe" consequences and mentioning possible economic sanctions, to more conciliatory remarks highlighting the country's role as a U.S. ally against Iran and Islamist militants, as well as a major purchaser of U.S. arms. Trump did not give his views on who was ultimately responsible. But Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States had identified some of the Saudi government and security officials it believed were involved in Khashoggi's murder and would take appropriate actions including revoking U.S. visas. Story continues The U.S. State Department said 21 Saudis would have their visas revoked or be made ineligible for U.S. visas. Another official said the vast majority of the group had U.S. visas. "As we continue to develop our understanding of the individuals that were responsible for this, not only those who executed it but those who were connected to it, the world should know that we intend to hold those individuals accountable when we develop this fact set," Pompeo told reporters. Pompeo also said the State Department was looking into whether sanctions could be applicable for those found to be involved. "These penalties will not be the last word on this matter from the United States," Pompeo said, although he emphasized as have other senior U.S. officials, the importance of the U.S.-Saudi relationship. "Neither the president nor I are happy with this situation." The Saudi Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment on the U.S. measures. As the crisis unfolded over the past three weeks, Saudi Arabia changed its tune on Khashoggi. Riyadh initially denied knowledge of Khashoggi's fate before saying on Saturday he was killed in a fight in the consulate, an account met with skepticism from several Western governments, straining their relations with the world's biggest oil exporter. Saudi Arabia has detained 18 people and dismissed five senior government officials as part of an investigation into Khashoggi's death. One of those fired includes Saud al-Qahtani, a top aide who ran social media for Prince Mohammed. According to two intelligence sources, Qahtani ran Khashoggi's killing by giving orders over Skype. Turkish security sources say that when Khashoggi entered the consulate, he was seized by 15 Saudi intelligence operatives who had flown in on two jets just hours before. Graphic on Khashoggi killing: https://tmsnrt.rs/2JdjuNH Saudi royal family: https://tmsnrt.rs/2CzrEyJ ERDOGAN VOW Erdogan on Tuesday stopped short of mentioning the crown prince who some U.S. lawmakers suspect ordered the killing. "The Saudi administration has taken an important step by admitting to the murder. From now on, we expect them to uncover all those responsible for this matter from top to bottom and make them face the necessary punishments," Erdogan said in a speech in parliament. "From the person who gave the order, to the person who carried it out, they must all be brought to account," Turkey's president said. Turkish sources have said that authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the killing. Erdogan made no reference to any audio recording. A Saudi Cabinet meeting chaired by King Salman said Riyadh would hold to account those responsible for the killing and those who failed in their duties, whoever they were. Turkish investigators searched a Saudi consulate vehicle in Istanbul that contained two suitcases and other items, according to broadcaster CNN Turk. It was not clear what was in the suitcases. 'BRUTAL MURDER' Trump said he would work with the U.S. Congress to determine the U.S. response to the Khashoggi matter. "In terms of what we ultimately do, I'm going to leave it very much - in conjunction with me - up to Congress," Trump said, adding he would like a bipartisan recommendation. CIA Director Gina Haspel, in Turkey to investigate the death of Khashoggi, has sought to hear the purported audio recording of his torture and murder, four sources familiar with her mission told Reuters on Tuesday. A host of Western executives and governments have pulled out of a high-profile Saudi investment summit that started on Tuesday because of the Khashoggi affair. Erdogan said the killing was planned from when Khashoggi, 59, first went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Sept. 28 to obtain documents necessary for his marriage. He was told he would need to return later to collect the documents. A day before Khashoggi's death, agents arrived from overseas and began to scout locations, including the Belgrad Forest near Istanbul and the city of Yalova to its south, Erdogan said. Police have searched both areas for evidence of Khashoggi's remains, Reuters has reported. On the day Khashoggi arrived for his appointment and was later killed, the hard disk in the consulate's camera system was removed, Erdogan said. "Covering up a savage murder like this will only hurt the human conscience. We expect the same sensitivity from all parties, primarily the Saudi Arabian leadership," he said. "We have strong signs that the murder was the result of a planned operation, not a spontaneous development." (Reporting by Jeff Mason in Washington and Gulsen Solaker in Ankara; Additional reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu in Ankara, Ezgi Erkoyun, Daren Butler, Ali Kucukgocmen and Sarah Dadouch in Istanbul and Jonathan Landay and Susan Heavey in Washington; Writing by Alistair Bell; Editing by Yara Bayoumy, Will Dunham and Peter Cooney) Residents in a central New Brunswick village are seeking an apology from officials who allowed a "straight pride" flag to be raised in the centre of town. The appearance of the flag, which was taken down after almost a full day, was met with outrage from some residents, but the man who helped raise it says it wasn't meant to hurt the LBGT community of Chipman, a village of some 1,100 people, about 60 kilometres east of Fredericton. Chipman resident Glenn Bishop and 11 others met over the past few months to find ways to show support for straight people. "We are not against the gay pride people at all," Bishop said. "I'm not against gay people; anybody's sexual preference is their choice." Hadeel Ibrahim/CBC Bishop told CBC News he went to the mayor about two months ago and asked to fly the flag. "He said, 'Sure we represent all groups of people,' and I agree with that," said Bishop. The flag which depicts interlinked male and female symbols on a background of black and white horizontal lines has been raised by some conservative groups in the U.S. in response to gay pride events. Less than half an hour after it was taken down, Bishop arrived and asked "Who took down my flag?" Hadeel Ibrahim/CBC Members of the LGBT community who were standing there said, "We did," and an altercation ensued. Bishop argued that he never meant to offend anyone and that they were being "sensitive." Others said he didn't understand how the flag makes light of the struggle of being gay or non-binary. "You're against them by putting the flag up," area resident Mat Miller told Bishop. "There's no such thing as straight pride." Miller said he's happy to see the flag is down, but he still expects an apology from the mayor and council. Mayor Carson Atkinson has not yet responded to a request for comment from CBC News. 'Privilege and anti-minorities' The village council said Sunday's flag raising was meant as a show of support to "all groups in our municipality and to respect everyone's right to freedom of speech." Story continues "No harm or hate was intended in any way as we pride ourselves on Chipman being a diverse and vibrant community," the council said in a statement. "This flag distraction is a lesson for us and for other rural communities such as our own." The unanimous decision to raise the flag followed the village's first raising of an LGBT pride flag in June, the council said. Council said the backlash included "personal attacks and threats" against councillors. 'It's scary in this day' When Margaret Clark first saw pictures on Facebook of the flag waving in the heart of the village, she said she felt as if she'd been kicked in the stomach. "It's just like they created a time machine and they put us back 10 years," said Clark, who lives in nearby Minto. "To put up a straight pride flag is almost like putting up a swastika. It's scary in this day and age it's 2018." 'It crushes my heart, because I love my son just as much as they love their kids.' - Margaret Clark, Minto resident Clark called the flag a "symbol of hatred" and said it reminded her of when her son Chad Kelly, 34, was teased at Minto High School for being gay. In high school, he was even punched in the face for being gay and came home with a black eye. In Grade 11, the teen was bullied so much that he moved to Prince Edward Island, where he finished high school. Clark said her son came out to her about two years later. Today, he lives in Munich, Germany, with his husband and works as a client manager at Louis Vuitton. He has never returned to Minto, near Grand Lake. "It crushes my heart, because I love my son just as much as they love their kids," she said of the people who put up the flag. Although she feels most people in the area support the LGBT community, Clark said there are a few who don't. "It represents hatred . 'We're going to show them that us white, straight people are better,'" she said of the flag-raisers. Submitted 'Atrocity waving in the wind' Justin Fudge is gay and has lived in Chipman for more than eight years. On Sunday, he felt personally attacked by the straight pride flag that was raised in the community. "We've push so hard to get the Pride flag raised in this little village, with a very small LGBTQ community, and all of a sudden this atrocity is waving in the wind," said the local hair stylist. As a sign of protest, he drove around the community with a giant Pride flag that he attached to the antenna of his car. Now, he hopes council will apologize for putting the flag up in the first place. "I want to make it known that I wasn't putting up with that today," he said. Top News Millennials in America are "leading the charge" against the traditional Christian belief in "absolute moral truths", according to new research. TBC Bank Group PLC (TBC PLC) announces that its subsidiary, JSC TBC Bank ("TBC Bank"), has signed a loan agreement in the amount of GEL 103 million with FMO, the Netherlands Development Finance Company. The five year loan facility will be used primarily to finance young entrepreneurs running micro, small and medium size enterprises in Georgia, as well as young retail customers requiring mortgage loans. The local currency funding will be obtained by FMO through a public placement of bonds on the Georgian Stock Exchange. We are proud to have built such a successful relationship with FMO, TBC Banks long-standing partner. We started our partnership in 2006 and during these 12 years, FMO has provided more than USD 350 million in MSME and mortgage loan financing, as well as local currency and subordinated loans. Local currency funding is of great importance for the Georgian financial sector as it allows us to supply financing for the increasingly high demand in local currently loans and enables us to further strengthen the Banks leading position in the MSME segment. In addition, a public placement of bonds will further support local capital market development in Georgia. This transaction reflects both institutions commitment to continued cooperation and we look forward to more years of productive partnership. commented Vakhtang Butskhrikidze, CEO of TBC Bank. FMOs Chief Executive Officer, Peter van Mierlo commented: FMO is proud to continue its long-standing and successful relationship with TBC Bank in Georgia. This new transaction will enable TBC to reduce inequality and support financial inclusion, particularly among young entrepreneurs as they will now have access to financial services. This is an important contribution to stimulating job creation in Georgia." For further enquiries, please contact: Director of International Media and Investor Relations Zoltan Szalai ir@tbcbank.com.ge or Head of Investor Relations Anna Romelashvili ir@tbcbank.com.ge About FMO FMO (the Netherlands Development Finance Company) supports sustainable private sector growth in developing and emerging markets, focusing on three sectors that have high development impact: financial institutions, energy, and agribusiness, food & water. With an investment portfolio of EUR 9.2 billion, FMO is one of the largest European bilateral private sector development banks. For more information, please visit www.fmo.nl. About TBC Bank Group PLC (TBC PLC) TBC PLC is a public limited company registered in England and Wales that was incorporated in February 2016. TBC PLC became the parent company of JSC TBC Bank ("TBC Bank") on 10 August 2016. TBC PLC is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol TBCG. TBC Bank, together with its subsidiaries, is the leading universal banking group in Georgia, with a total market share of 38.3% of loans and 39.5% of non-banking deposits as at 30 June 2018, according to the data published by the National Bank of Georgia. TUESDAY, Oct. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- With flu season imminent, U.S. health officials urge everyone 6 months and older to get a flu shot. Already, one unvaccinated child in Florida has died from flu, the officials warned. Not many cases have been reported so far, so it's too soon to know if this year's strains will be as severe as last season's, said Lynnette Brammer, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "The states that have reported to us have minimal influenza activity," said Brammer, head of the CDC's domestic influenza surveillance. "The viruses we are seeing are a mixed bag. We have H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A strains, and two influenza B strains have been detected." Flu seasons aren't predictable, which is why you shouldn't skip your annual flu shot, added another infectious-disease expert, Dr. Lisa Maragakis. The mild flu season in the Southern Hemisphere, which is just winding down, provides clues to what this year's flu season might look like, explained Maragakis, senior director of infection prevention at Johns Hopkins Health System in Baltimore. "It's cautiously good news that it might be a milder season than we saw last year -- so fingers crossed," said Maragakis. Still, even when activity overall is low, people still get influenza, Brammer said. "And influenza can have really tragic consequences. Even people that are healthy and young can get influenza and it can, in rare cases, lead to death," she added. Last year, 80,000 people in the United States died from flu -- a record high, Brammer said. The deaths included 183 children, most of whom were unvaccinated. Because last year's vaccine wasn't a good match to the predominant H3N2 virus, the vaccine has been tweaked, Brammer said. This year's four-strain vaccine includes H1N1 and H3N2 plus the two influenza B strains. The three-strain vaccine has just one B strain, Brammer said. It's critical that mothers of children under 6 months get vaccinated, because their babies can't, Brammer said. Others at highest risk for flu complications, particularly pneumonia, are young children, older people and those with chronic medical conditions, she said. Getting vaccinated protects others. It's the best way to safeguard yourself, your loved ones and coworkers, Brammer said. But myths still persist. A recent survey by Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Florida found that a third of parents with children under 18 think the shot won't work. And more than half believe you can get the flu from the vaccine. Both beliefs are wrong, Brammer said. Vaccination is the best protection regardless of age. You can't get the flu from a flu shot because the viruses in the vaccine are dead, she said. They trigger your immune system to make antibodies against the flu, but can't give you influenza. Although the nasal spray vaccine uses a live virus, it has been altered so you can't get flu from it, Brammer said. However, this vaccine is not for everyone, and you should check with your doctor first. October is the best time to get vaccinated, because it takes 10 days to two weeks for the vaccine to become fully effective. You'll be protected by the time flu season is in full swing, Maragakis said. What else can you do to boost protection? Wash your hands often, cover your coughs and sneezes, and avoid getting close to someone who is ill, Maragakis said. If the flu does strike, your doctor can prescribe antiviral drugs that will shorten the time you're sick, she said. These medicines work best if taken when symptoms start. In addition, stay out of work, so you don't infect others, Brammer said. More information For more on flu, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MONTREAL and PLANO, Texas, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pivotal Payments, a leading provider of technology-driven global payment processing solutions, announces that beginning today, the company will operate under the new brand name of Nuvei. The rebrand reinforces the companys dedication to its partners, creating the first-ever community of payment experts. Nuveis fully-supported payment solutions, capabilities and people form the backbone of its fintech network, with the goal of promoting and advancing its partners success. "Our ability to connect and collaborate with our partners makes us who we are. Its our commitment to their success that makes us valuable," said Philip Fayer, chairman and CEO of Nuvei. "The relationships we build and the way in which we continuously surpass ourselves to support and serve our partners are paramount. They fuel our brand." While other solutions providers sell function, Nuveis network presents better business opportunities, propelling its partners further, faster. The company offers single-platform access to omni-channel payments, integrated solutions and a robust payment facilitation platform. Partners also benefit from direct connectivity into the worlds largest and most lucrative markets, all backed by the companys deep level of expertise. "It starts with a vision-driven team. Thanks to our individual and collective ability to build and nurture relationships with our partners, our capacity for client care and responsiveness is second to none," said Mark Pyke, president of Nuvei. "Attentiveness and support are what we do best, and what separates us from competitors. Thats what were all about; prosperity through collaboration." The rebrand also merges the companys corporate arm with its GlobalOnePay division. The integration of both teams better meets the business strategic needs, delivering greater value, cost synergies and a powerful, combined technology stack. The business model is built on enhancing the company's ability to provide a payment technology network where each and every employee contributes to the growth of its partners. Nuvei counts over 400 employees, 1,500 partners and services more than 50,000 merchants. In 2017, the company entered into a strategic investment agreement with private equity firm Novacap and Canadian pension fund manager Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ). The move furthered its advancement of fintech solutions and expansion into new markets. The company's new website www.nuvei.com includes information on Nuveis partner programs, solutions and benefits of joining its network. ABOUT NUVEIWe are Nuvei, the first-ever community of payment experts. We provide fully-supported payment solutions designed to promote and advance our partners' success. We work with ISOs, ISVs, payment facilitators, developers, and eCommerce platforms, supporting them with the technology, expertise, and customer service they need to stand out. Backed by our full-service, globally connected platform, our vision is to build a network in which our partners can truly thrive. Our goal is to create bigger and better payment opportunities for all, paving the way to great partnerships. Learn more at www.nuvei.com Attachment The Druzhba 2018 (Friendship 2018) joint bilateral military exercise between Pakistan and Russian special forces has begun in Pakistan. This exercise will be organized in north-western hill region in Nowshera district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa of Pakistan. The two week long joint military exercise is aimed at bolstering and building military cooperation between the two countries Druzhba military exercise Druzhba military exercise between Russia and Pakistan was started in 2016. Druzba is Russian word, which means friendship. Its first edition was held in October, 2016 at Army High Altitude School in Rattu, northern Pakistan. The second edition was held in Russia at Minralney Vody in North Caucasus at an altitude of 2,300 meters above sea level. Druzhba 2018 This will be the third joint military drill between both countries under the bilateral training cooperation agreement. In this edition of exercise, servicemen from two countries armed forces will perform tasks at altitude of 1,400 meters above the sea level. Over 70 soldiers from Russias southern military district are participating. It will also involve experience sharing and develop coordination in carrying out practice combat tasks in a mountainous environment, including operations against illegal armed groups. Russia-Pakistan Defence ties The relation between Russia and Pakistan has become strong in the past few years and has moved apart from their past bitter Cold War hostilities. One of the main reasons for this is tough attitude of US with Pakistan, which has led Pakistan to lean towards Russia and China. Pakistan is also keen to strengthen defense relations with Russia. Russia also started selling weapons to Pakistan. It has sold four Mi-35M fighters and cargo helicopters to Pakistan. UN-backed fund Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved US $43.4 million for enhancing climate resilience for millions of people living in Indias coastal communities as part of its efforts to combat extreme impacts of climate change. The grant is part of more than US $1 billion approved by 21st meeting of GCF Board held in Bahrains capital Manama for 19 new projects to help developing countries tackle climate change. Key Facts This GCF funded multi-dimensional project in India will focus on selected vulnerable areas of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha states. It will help to enhance resilience and adaptability and also lead to emissions reduction while providing support to local communities for their livelihoods. This project will be supported through United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project activities will focus on restoration and conservation of over 15,000 hectares of mangroves, coral reefs, seagrasses and saltmarshes. Communities, including local youth, will be trained to work with scientists in monitoring ecosystem health and coastal ecology. The innovative project will create online decision-support tool available via mobile phone for use by government officers, academic institutions, community members and scientists for strengthening climate risk-informed coastal management and infrastructure planning. The project will also build local knowledge of climate change and the associated risks via training and public education programmes. Significance of project It will help communities to establish more climate-resilient livelihoods, thus contribute to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 will be absorbed through restored ecosystems. It will also have considerable long-term environmental benefits including healthier ecosystems, better biodiversity conservation and improved buffering against climate change-driven extreme weather. It will be also essential step for India in reaching its goals outlined in Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Background Indias coastal areas are quite vulnerable to climate change. Its coastline is expected to be among regions most affected by climate change globally. Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea are both predicted to be subject to extreme climate variability, with extreme weather events and frequency and intensity of cyclones projected to increase, particularly on eastern coastline. India has about 6,740 km2 of mangroves, including some of largest mangrove forests in the world. Mangrove cover along Indias coastline has decreased by 50% in some areas, largely because of human pressures, including alteration of flow of freshwater from upstream. Sea-level rise is predicted to result in further reductions. India and China have signed agreement on internal security cooperation. It is first such agreement to be signed between the two countries. The agreement was signed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Chinas State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi in New Delhi. Key Facts The agreement on internal security cooperation aims to strengthen and consolidate assistance in counter-terrorism, organised crimes, drug control, human trafficking and exchange of information, marking a new beginning between the two countries. It covers areas of intelligence sharing, exchange programme, sharing of best practices, cooperation in disaster mitigation besides others. First high-level meeting The agreement followed first high-level meeting on bilateral security cooperation co-chaired by Rajnath Singh and Zhao. During this meeting, two sides discussed counter-terrorism cooperation and welcomed increased cooperation between the two countries in the area of security during the meeting. Zhao was heading delegation of over 30 Chinese diplomats during his visit to India from October 21 to 25, 2018. As Chinas State Councilor and Minister of Public Security, responsible for day-to-day law enforcement in China and commands about 19 lakh personnel. While, Indias Rajnath Singh is the head of eight central armed police forces with a combined strength of about 10 lakh personnel. A British Airways passenger claims his dream holiday to Jamaica was ruined when he sat down in his business class seat to find it was drenched in urine.Andy Vicary, 52, was excited to settle down beside his wife with a glass of champagne for his 10-hour flight to Kingston.But feeling damp underneath him, he stood up and realised his seat was saturated with urine, which ruined his 150 Armani trousers.Mr Vicary, of Gloucester, was forced to move several seats away from his wife for the rest of the long-haul flight.He is now planning to take British Airways to a small claims court, saying the incident wrecked his 5,000 dream holiday.Branding the ordeal 'disappointing and disgusting', he said: 'We were on board the plane and made our way to our seats and so I sat down with a glass of Champagne and thought this is brilliant.'Then I noticed that the pillow that I was sat on was a little damp and I stood up and then so were my trousers.'I turned the pillow over and you could see that the pillow and the entire seat was saturated in urine.'The cabin crew tried to take the seat cover off and it was disgusting as it had soaked right though.'I had to move seats and I was not able to sit with my wife for the flight which was really disappointing as well.'The cabin crew put my trousers in a plastic bag, but I was not able to wash them on holiday as there are no clothes washing facilities, so when I got back I just had to throw them in the bin.'We travelled to the resort in Kingston and quite a few of the people that were on the flight with us were also staying at the resort.'The whole holiday I had people coming up to me to ask me questions about what had happened.'Mr Vicary was given 40,000 air miles by British Airways as an apology.He added: 'The lady at British Airways who dealt with the complaint was very nice and everything but I really do not think that they were right to offer me air miles.'For me, it just didn't seem enough to compensate what had happened.'But as CEDR [Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution] were then dealing with the complaint from then on, they eventually deemed British Airways had offered a sufficient amount of compensation.'The adjudicator stated as much as Mr Vicary found the situation distressing and uncomfortable, they deemed the offer to be fair from British Airways.A British Airways spokesman said: 'We apologised to Mr Vicary, moved him to another seat and offered him and his wife enough Avios for an upgrade to business class the next time they fly with us.'The independent dispute adjudicator CEDR found that we acted fairly and reasonably in this case and dismissed the claim against us.'But Mr Vicary is still looking to get the compensation that he feels he deserves.He said: 'The decision was just wrong. I walked past the courts the other day and I am going to take this to the small claims court to see if anything else can be done.' The Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC said on Monday that some its most valuable artifacts, which were believed to be part of the Dead Sea Scrolls, are fake.German scholars who conducted tests on the 16 fragments in the museum's collection discovered that five of these have characteristics that are not consistent with ancient origins.Jeffrey Kloha, the museum's chief curatorial officer, said that the findings nonetheless provided an opportunity to educate to educate the public on the importance of verifying the authenticity of rare biblical artifacts."The museum continues to support and encourage research on these objects and others in its collection both to inform the public about leading-edge research methods and ensure our exhibits are presenting the most accurate and updated information," Kloha said in a statement.The fragments have been on display at the museum since it opened last November along with over 3,000 other artifacts that include the first edition of the King James Bible and a page taken from the Gutenberg Bible.Academics conducting a research funded by the museum two years ago first raised the question of the scroll's authenticity.The museum then sent the fragments to the German material research institute Bundesanstalt fur Materialforschung und-prufung in April last year for an analysis of the sediment layers and the ink.The findings further raised suspicions about the authenticity of the five fragments.Scholars believe that forgers write on top or ancient scraps of leathers and papyrus to make the scrolls appear authentic. The authenticity of the items, however, can be verified when the ink is tested.Some scholars thinks that as many as 70 forged fragments have circulated the market over the past 16 years.Steve Green, the evangelical founder and chairman of the museum, would not reveal how much his family spent for the 16 Dead Sea Scrolls in the museum's collection but according to scholars, small fragments with little text can cost millions in the antiquities market.The museum said that it will no longer display the five artifacts, and will replace them with three other pieces. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan says there were strong signs Jamal Khashoggi's killing was planned and attempts to blame it on intelligence operatives - Riyadh has suggested it was a rogue operation - 'will not satisfy us'.In a speech to parliament, Erdogan did not mention Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who some US politicians suspect ordered the killing.But he said Turkey would not complete its investigation into Khashoggi's death until all questions were answered.He said Khashoggi was killed in a 'savage way'.Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of the crown prince, the kingdom's de facto ruler, disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to obtain documents for his upcoming marriage.Turkish officials suspect Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the consulate by Saudi agents. Turkish sources said authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the killing of the 59-year-old.Riyadh initially denied knowledge of his fate before saying he was killed in a fight in the consulate, a reaction greeted sceptically by several Western governments, straining relations with the world's biggest oil exporter.Following the global outrage prompted by the journalist's disappearance, US President Donald Trump's comments have varied from playing down Riyadh's role to warning of possible economic sanctions.Trump has also repeatedly highlighted the kingdom's importance as a US ally and said Prince Mohammed was a strong and passionate leader.For Saudi Arabia's allies, the question will be whether they believe that Prince Mohammed, who has painted himself as a reformer, has any culpability.King Salman, 82, has handed the day-to-day running of Saudi Arabia to the 33-year-old prince. Former defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon has taken a 75,000 a year job advising a major investor in Saudi Arabia, it emerged today.Sir Michael is earning a staggering 788 an hour working eight hours a month for Investcorp's advisory board.The company describes itself as 'one of the largest managers of private equity investments in Saudi Arabia'.The job, which started on September 24, will raise further questions about the closeness of British politicians to Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey.The details were revealed today by BuzzFeed News after they were published on Sir Michael's House of Commons register of interests.Investcorp is based in Bahrain and Sir Michael will bring it 'new perspectives' the firm said.Mohammed Alardhi, Executive Chairman of Investcorp, said: 'Our International Advisory Board consists of some of the best minds around the world providing us with guidance on emerging business and policy issues globally.'We are delighted to add Sir Michael to our International Advisory Board. His business expertise and experience in both the private and public sector will be invaluable to continuing our growth trajectory.'Sir Michael, said: 'I am pleased to be joining the International Advisory Board at Investcorp.'Investcorp has established itself as a leader in the global alternative investment sector, and I believe that its commitment to expanding its global footprint and broadening its product offering will catalyze future growth.'I look forward to contributing to the business as it continues to evolve into a bigger, more diversified alternative investment firm.'Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine told BuzzFeed News, which uncovered Sir Michael's job, that the former minister should consider his position.She said: 'Following the murky nature of the Khashoggi murder, Michael Fallon should question his deeply uncomfortable connection to Saudi Arabia.'Saudi Arabia's appalling disregard for human rights must be called out.'As a former defence secretary, Mr Fallon must be aware of how important it is that we now unite as a country and make it clear to the Saudi regime that its murderous actions will not be tolerated.'Saudi Arabia is a nation 'in crisis', the country's energy minister told an international investment conference on Tuesday, following global outrage over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told the Future Investment Initiative, which opened in Riyadh today, that 'these are difficult days' for Saudi Arabia, calling Khashoggi's killing 'abhorrent'.However, despite his comments - and a wave of cancellations from high-ranking Western political figures and business titans - Saudi Arabia said it is expected to sign deals worth more than $50 billion on the opening day of the conference alone.The Future Investment Initiative forum is the brainchild of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aimed at drawing more foreign investment into the kingdom and to help create desperately needed jobs for its youthful population.But the summit, dubbed 'Davos in the desert' has been overshadowed by growing global outrage over the murder of Khashoggi inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul earlier this month.Dozens of executives - from bankers JP Morgan to carmaker Ford and ride-hailing app Uber - scrapped plans to attend, prompting organisers to take down a list of speakers from its website.In further embarrassment to the regime, the summit's website was infiltrated by hackers accusing the regime of financing terrorism on Monday.Hackers edited the event's poster to show the kingdom's powerful crown prince as an ISIS executioner wielding a bloody sword with Khashoggi kneeling before him.The hackers wrote underneath the image: 'For the sake of security of children worldwide, we urge all countries to put sanction [sic] on the Saudi regime.''The regime, aligned with the United States, must be kept responsible for its barbaric and inhuman action, such as killing its own citizen Jamal Khashoggi and thousands of innocent people in Yemen.'The medieval Saudi regime is one of the sources for #Terrorism_Financing in the world.'The hackers also published what they purport is a list of 'a thousand terrorists and spies of the Saudi Arabia regime who perform malicious activities around the world' - complete with their phone numbers and email addresses.The summit's website has since been taken down.The forum last year proved to be a glitzy affair that drew more international business attention to the kingdom, however despite the luxurious setting at the five-star Ritz-Carlton hotel, this year's event will forever be linked to the brutal murder of Khashoggi.Read more: Michael Fallon Is Being Paid 788 An Hour By 'One Of The Most Active Investors In Saudi Arabia' English French Rueil Malmaison, 23 October 2018, 5.45pm CET Quarterly information at 30 September 2018 Strong revenue growth, up 7.7% to 31.4 billion in the first nine months of 2018, including a 9.5% increase in the third quarter Concessions revenue up 5.6%, buoyant passenger numbers at VINCI Airports and robust traffic at VINCI Autoroutes Contracting revenue up 8.4%, with growth in all three business lines (VINCI Energies, Eurovia and VINCI Construction); sustained activity in the third quarter (organic growth of 4.9%) VINCI Immobilier revenue up 4.3% Good commercial momentum, with increases in order intake (up 5% at end-September) and order book (up 7%) VINCI is entering the final quarter of 2018 with confidence and confirms its full-year forecasts Consolidated revenue First nine months 2018/2017 change (in millions) 2018 2017 Actual Like-for-like Concessions 5,619 5,318 +5.6% +4.8% VINCI Autoroutes 4,202 4,058 +3.6% +3.6% VINCI Airports 1,200 1,068 +12.3% +10.0% Other concessions 217 192 +12.7% +1.3% Contracting 25,571 23,595 +8.4% +3.1% VINCI Energies 8,976 7,674 +17.0% +4.3% Eurovia 6,454 5,873 +9.9% +8.2% VINCI Construction 10,141 10,048 +0.9% -0.7% VINCI Immobilier 614 589 +4.3% +2.9% Eliminations and adjustments (364) (319) VINCI Group total* 31,440 29,183 +7.7% +3.3% of which: France 18,062 17,232 +4.8% +4.1% International 13,378 11,951 +11.9% +2.3% Europe excl. France 8,383 7,375 +13.7% +3.9% International excl. Europe 4,995 4,576 +9.2% -0.5% Order intake (in billions) 28.4 26.9 5% Order book** (in billions) 32.8 30.6 7% Net financial debt** (in billions) (16.1) (14.6) -1.5 * Excluding concession subsidiaries' revenue from works done by non-Group companies (see glossary). ** Period-end. I. Business activity in the first nine months of 2018: key consolidated figures VINCI had a strong third quarter, with consolidated revenue of 11.7 billion, up 9.5% on an actual basis and up 4.3% like-for-like compared with the third quarter of 2017. Business activity remained buoyant in Concessions (up 4.7%) and accelerated in Contracting (up 11.0% on an actual basis and 4.9% like-for-like). Consolidated revenue in the first nine months of 2018 came to 31.4 billion, up 7.7% on an actual basis compared with the year-earlier period or 3.3% like-for-like, with changes in the consolidation scope having a 5.5% positive effect and exchange-rate movements a 1.1% negative effect. In France (57% of the total), revenue was 18.1 billion, up 4.8% on an actual basis or 4.1% like-for-like, reflecting the good momentum in Contracting's business activities. Outside France (43% of the total), revenue was 13.4 billion, up 11.9% on an actual basis or 2.3% like-for-like. Changes in scope boosted revenue by 12.2%. Currency movements had a 2.6% negative impact on revenue because of the euro's rise against certain currencies. Order intake in the Contracting business in the first nine months of 2018 totalled 28.4 billion, 5% more than in the first nine months of 2017. It increased by 21% outside France in the first nine months but fell 8% in France, due in particular to a high base for comparison after some major contract wins relating to the Grand Paris Express project in 2017. The order book at 30 September 2018 amounted to 32.8 billion, up 7% year-on-year, and represents over 11 months of average business activity in the Contracting business. II. Revenue by business line (figures at end-September 2018) CONCESSIONS: 5,619 million (up 5.6% actual; up 4.8% like-for-like) VINCI Autoroutes: 4,202 million (up 3.6% both actual and like-for-like) Traffic levels continued to grow at a good pace. Traffic on the intercity networks rose 1.4% in the third quarter of 2018, with growth of 1.3% for light vehicles and 2.7% for heavy vehicles. In the first nine months of 2018, traffic levels grew 1.9% (1.7% for light vehicles and 3.3% for heavy vehicles). VINCI Airports: 1,200 million (up 12.3% actual; up 10.0% like-for-like) Revenue for the first nine months of the year benefited from the integration of Salvador airport in Brazil on 1 January 2018 and the Airports Worldwide portfolio at the end of August 2018. The growth momentum in the VINCI Airports network's passenger numbers continued in the third quarter of 2018, rising 6% excluding Japan, which was affected by exceptional weather conditions. Over the first nine months of 2018, they increased 8% (excluding Japan). Passenger numbers were up in most of VINCI Airports' facilities and exceeded 180 million on a rolling 12-month basis to end-September 2018. Other concessions: 217 million (up 12.7% actual, up 1.3% like-for-like) Peruvian company Lamsac, concessionaire of the Lima ring road, contributed 66 million to VINCI Highways' revenue. Since the opening of Section 2 in June, traffic levels have been rising more quickly than expected. CONTRACTING: 25,571 million (up 8.4% actual, up 3.1% like-for-like) VINCI Energies: 8,976 million (up 17.0% actual, up 4.3% like-for-like) In France (47% of the total) , revenue was 4,195 million, up 5.1% on an actual basis or up 4.3% like-for-like. Each business area (building/services sector, infrastructure, industry and ICT) posted firm growth during the period. In the third quarter, organic growth was almost 4%. Outside France (53% of the total) , revenue was 4,781 million, up 30% on an actual basis or up 4.4% like-for-like. The main scope effects during the period relate to acquisitions made in 2017, particularly in Northern Europe, and those made in 2018 (mainly PrimeLine in the United States and Wah Loon Engineering in Singapore). Those transactions contributed more than 1 billion of additional revenue in the first nine months of 2018. In geographical terms, business levels were buoyant in most of VINCI Energies' markets, and particularly in Germany, Switzerland, Scandinavia and West Africa. Order intake was up 18% at VINCI Energies. The order book at 30 September 2018 amounted to 8.6 billion, up 20% over 12 months. It represents almost nine months of VINCI Energies' average business activity. Eurovia: 6,454 million (up 9.9% actual; up 8.2% like-for-like) In France (57% of the total) , consolidated revenue was 3,666 million, up 10.4% on an actual basis or up 9.4% like-for-like. After several years of recession, the recovery in traditional roadworks markets that started in 2017 is confirming in 2018. Outside France (43% of the total) , consolidated revenue was 2,787 million, up 9.2% on an actual basis or up 6.7% like-for-like. Business levels rose in the German and UK markets after a tough start to the year caused by poor weather conditions. They remained strong in Central Europe (Poland and the Czech Republic), Canada and Chile. Order intake rose 10% at Eurovia. The order book at 30 September 2018 amounted to 6.5 billion, up 7% over 12 months, and represents nine months of Eurovia's average business activity. VINCI Construction: 10,141 million (up 0.9% actual; down 0.7% like-for-like) In France (53% of the total ), revenue was 5,380 million, up 1.8% like-for-like. This increase confirms the strength of the building and public works market, particularly in the Paris region. Outside France (47% of the total) , revenue was 4,761 million, down 1.1% on an actual basis or 3.4% like-for-like. Revenue grew in Central Europe, Asia and Oceania, but declined in Africa, the United Kingdom and business areas related to the oil and gas industry. Business levels at VINCI Construction Grands Projets were down due to the completion of several large projects. Order intake fell 6% at VINCI Construction, because of a more selective approach to taking on new business and a high base for comparison after it won some large contracts relating to the Grand Paris Express project in 2017. The order book at 30 September 2018 amounted to 17.7 billion, up 2% over 12 months, and represents more than 15 months of VINCI Construction's average business activity. VINCI Immobilier: 614 million (up 4.3% actual; up 2.9% like-for-like) VINCI Immobilier's consolidated revenue increased 4%. In the residential segment, reserved revenue rose 4.5% despite stability in the number of reservations (4,225 housing units). The subsidiary Ovelia, managing seniors residences, was consolidated in January 2018. III. 2018 guidance confirmed The Group is confident going into the final part of 2018. Strong performance in the first nine months of the year confirms the previously announced trends. In full-year 2018, VINCI expects to see growth in revenue, operating income and net income. In Concessions , traffic growth at VINCI Autoroutes is expected to be similar to that seen in 2017 provided that fuel prices do not rise further. VINCI Airports' passenger numbers should continue growing in 2018, although at a slower pace than in 2017 because of the high base for comparison. , traffic growth at VINCI Autoroutes is expected to be similar to that seen in 2017 provided that fuel prices do not rise further. VINCI Airports' passenger numbers should continue growing in 2018, although at a slower pace than in 2017 because of the high base for comparison. In Contracting, business levels are expected to continue growing in all business lines, driven by favorable French economy and international development, and Ebit margin should improve further. IV. Financial position Consolidated net financial debt at 30 September 2018 amounted to 16.1 billion, up 1.5 billion over 12 months. The increase was mainly due to financial investments made by the Group. At 30 September 2018, VINCI had total liquidity of 10.5 billion, consisting of 4.5 billion of net cash managed and 6.0 billion of unused credit facilities due to expire in 2021. In mid-September, VINCI - rated A- by Standard & Poor's and A3 by Moody's - placed 1.75 billion of bonds with investors, i.e. 0.75 billion of bonds maturing in September 2025, with a coupon of 1.00% and 1 billion of bonds maturing in September 2030, with a coupon of 1.75%. This bond, the largest ever issued by the Group, confirms that investors are confident in VINCI's credit quality. V. Third-quarter highlights Developments in Concessions On 29 August 2018, VINCI Airports completed the acquisition of Airports Worldwide, which manages eight airports in the United Kingdom, the United States, Costa Rica and Sweden: two under freehold, two under concession and four under full management contracts. Motorway investment plan: decrees were published for Cofiroute in late August 2018 but are still pending for ASF and Escota. A total of 385 million will be invested for this plan. The works will be financed jointly by the local authorities concerned and VINCI Autoroutes, in return for additional tariff increases between 2019 and 2021. International expansion in Contracting On 20 August 2018, Eurovia signed an agreement to acquire the Asphalt Plants and Paving business of Lane Construction in the United States, which operates in 10 states on the East Coast and Texas. The acquisition remains subject to approval by the US authorities. VINCI Immobilier, offering extended in French growth regions On 10 September 2018, VINCI Immobilier announced that it was in exclusive talks to acquire URBAT Promotion, a specialist homebuilder operating in the south of France. The transaction is subject to the signature of final agreements between the parties. Innovation In October 2018, Eurovia, working with VINCI Autoroutes, built the world's first 100% recycled road, consisting of a 1 km section of the A10 motorway in the Gironde departement. Eurovia is testing new types of asphalt for the Paris municipality with the aim of reducing sound pollution and combating urban heat islands. The Group will comment on its revenue and business activities in the period ended 30 September 2018 in a conference call to be held in English today (Tuesday 23 October 2018) at 18.15 Paris time. To take part, please dial one of the following numbers from 18.05 In French: +33 (0)1 72 72 74 03 - PIN: 89250494# In English: +44 (0)20 7194 3759 - PIN: 89250494# Playback number (available within two hours): In French: +33 (0)1 70 71 01 60 - PIN: 418795913# In English: +44 (0)20 3364 5147 - PIN: 418795913# ********** Diary 6 November 2018 2018 interim dividend ex-date 8 November 2018 Payment of 2018 interim dividend (0.75 per share) 20-21 November 2018 Eurovia Investor Day in Marseille 6 February 2019 Publication of full-year 2018 results before stock market opening ********** INVESTOR RELATIONS Gregoire Thibault Tel: +33 (0)1 47 16 45 07 gregoire.thibault@vinci.com Alexandra Bournazel Tel: +33 (0)1 47 16 33 46 alexandra.bournazel@vinci.com PRESS CONTACT Paul-Alexis Bouquet Tel: +33 (0)1 47 16 31 82 media.relations@vinci.com About VINCI VINCI is a global player in concessions and contracting, employing more than 190,000 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 APPENDICES APPENDIX A: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CONSOLIDATED REVENUE Consolidated revenue* in the first nine months of the year - Breakdown by region and business line Nine months to 30 Sept. Nine months to 30 Sept. 2018/2017 change (in millions) 2018 2017 Actual Like-for-like FRANCE Concessions 4,543 4,377 +3.8% +3.8% VINCI Autoroutes 4,202 4,058 +3.6% +3.6% VINCI Airports 260 243 +6.8% +6.8% Other concessions** 81 76 +6.6% +6.6% Contracting 13,241 12,546 +5.5% +4.6% VINCI Energies 4,195 3,993 +5.1% +4.3% Eurovia 3,666 3,321 +10.4% +9.4% VINCI Construction 5,380 5,232 +2.8% +1.8% VINCI Immobilier 611 587 +4.1% +2.7% Eliminations and adjustments (334) (278) Total France 18,062 17,232 +4.8% +4.1% INTERNATIONAL Concessions 1,076 941 +14.3% +9.4% VINCI Airports 940 825 +13.9% +11.0% Other concessions** 135 116 +16.8% -2.5% Contracting 12,330 11,049 +11.6% +1.6% VINCI Energies 4,781 3,682 +29.9% +4.4% Eurovia 2,787 2,552 +9.2% +6.7% VINCI Construction 4,761 4,816 -1.1% -3.4% Eliminations, adjustments and other (27) (39) Total International 13,378 11,951 +11.9% +2.3% * Excluding concession subsidiaries' revenue from works done by companies outside the Group. ** Including VINCI Highways, VINCI Railways and VINCI Stadium. Consolidated revenue for the third quarter Third quarter Third quarter 2018/2017 change (in millions) 2018 2017 Actual Like-for-like Concessions* 2,193 2,095 +4.7% +3.2% VINCI Autoroutes 1,659 1,605 +3.4% +3.4% VINCI Airports 458 404 +13.5% +8.6% Other concessions** 75 86 -12.3% -25.9% Contracting 9,427 8,491 +11.0% +4.9% VINCI Energies 3,120 2,613 +19.4% +6.2% Eurovia 2,728 2,379 +14.7% +11.0% VINCI Construction 3,579 3,498 +2.3% -0.3% VINCI Immobilier 221 201 +10.2% +8.6% Eliminations and adjustments (159) (117) Total revenue* 11,682 10,670 +9.5% +4.3% of which: France 6,582 6,258 +5.2% +4.6% International 5,100 4,412 +15.6% +3.9% * Excluding concession subsidiaries' revenue from works done by companies outside the Group. ** Including VINCI Highways, VINCI Railways and VINCI Stadium. APPENDIX B: CONTRACTING ORDER BOOK AND ORDER INTAKE At 30 September Change At Change Order book (in billions) 2018 2017 over 12 months 31 Dec. 2017 vs. 31 Dec 2017 VINCI Energies 8.6 7.1 +20% 6.7 +27% Eurovia 6.5 6.1 +7% 5.7 +15% VINCI Construction 17.7 17.4 +2% 16.9 +5% Total Contracting 32.8 30.6 +7% 29.3 +12% of which: France 15.6 16.0 -3% 15.5 +0% International 17.2 14.6 +18% 13.8 +25% Europe excl. France 9.4 8.2 +14% 7.6 +23% Rest of the world 7.9 6.4 +24% 6.1 +28% Order intake At 30 September (in billions) 2018 2017 Change 2018/2017 VINCI Energies 10.3 8.7 +18% Eurovia 7.1 6.5 +10% VINCI Construction 11.0 11.7 -6% Total Contracting 28.4 26.9 +5% of which: France 13.5 14.7 -8% International 14.9 12.3 +21% APPENDIX C: VINCI AUTOROUTES AND VINCI AIRPORTS INDICATORS VINCI Autoroutes revenue Nine months to 30 Sept. 2018 VINCI Autoroutes Of which: ASF Escota Cofiroute Arcour Total traffic - intercity network +1.9% +2.1% +1.1% +1.9% +6.1% Price effects +1.7% +1.6% +1.5% +1.6% +7.3% A86 Duplex +0.1% +0.2% Toll revenue (in millions) 4,128 2,392 589 1,096 50 2018/17 change +3.7% +3.7% +2.6% +3.7% +13.4% Revenue (in millions) 4,202 2,439 598 1,111 51 2018/17 change +3.6% +3.6% +2.6% +3.6% +13.3% Traffic on motorway concessions* Third quarter Nine months to 30 Sept. (millions of km travelled) 2018 Change 2018 Change VINCI Autoroutes 16,660 +1.4% 40,529 +1.9% Light vehicles 14,950 +1.3% 35,211 +1.7% Heavy vehicles 1,710 +2.7% 5,318 +3.3% of which: ASF 10,572 +1.4% 25,366 +2.1% Light vehicles 9,444 +1.2% 21,842 +1.9% Heavy vehicles 1,127 +2.5% 3,524 +3.2% Escota 2,187 +0.8% 5,673 +1.1% Light vehicles 2,022 +0.7% 5,164 +1.0% Heavy vehicles 165 +1.9% 510 +2.2% Cofiroute (intercity network) 3,786 +1.9% 9,221 +1.9% Light vehicles 3,380 +1.7% 7,972 +1.6% Heavy vehicles 405 +3.2% 1,249 +3.7% Arcour 115 +4.6% 269 +6.1% Light vehicles 103 +3.4% 233 +4.5% Heavy vehicles 12 +15.4% 36 +18.5% * Excluding A86 duplex VINCI Airports' passenger traffic1 (in thousands of passengers) Third quarter Nine months to 30 Sept. Rolling 12-month period 2018 2018/2017 change 2018 2018/2017 change 2018 2018/2017 change Portugal (ANA) of which Lisbon 17,262 8,532 +4.2% +6.5% 42,891 22,235 +7.0% +10.3% 54,596 28,755 +8.1% +11.6% France of which ADL 5,474 3,166 +8.2% +5.9% 14,582 8,412 +9.0% +6.9% 18,554 10,833 +9.2% +6.8% Cambodia (Cambodia Airports) 2,444 +16.4% 7,644 +21.3% 10,128 +21.9% United States 2,376 +8.8% 7,094 +9.8% 9,402 +10.6% Brazil 2,007 +3.0% 5,865 +3.6% 7,867 +4.5% United Kingdom 1,951 +12.2% 4,822 +5.8% 6,111 +4.7% Dominican Republic 1,243 -0.4% 3,819 -2.7% 5,016 -1.9% Sweden 664 -1.6% 1,703 +4.4% 2,185 +5.6% Total fully consolidated subsidiaries 33,422 +6.0% 88,421 +7.8% 113,859 +8.6% Kansai, Japan (40%) 11,570 -7.0% 35,726 +3.1% 47,686 +4.9% Santiago, Chile (40%) 5,773 +6.2% 17,093 +9.2% 22,862 +10.3% Liberia, Costa Rica (45%) 205 +4.5% 888 +2.1% 1,107 +0.1% Rennes-Dinard, France (49%) 311 +13.7% 745 +12.5% 929 +12.2% Total equity-accounted subsidiaries 17,860 -2.6% 54,451 +5.0% 72,583 +6.5% Total VINCI Airports 51,281 +2.8% 142,872 +6.7% 186,443 +7.8% 1 Data at 100%, irrespective of percentage held. 2 2018 and 2017 data include full-year airport passenger numbers. APPENDIX D: GLOSSARY Concession subsidiaries' revenue from works done by non-Group companies : this indicator relates to construction work done by concession companies as programme manager on behalf of concession grantors. Consideration for that work is recognised as an intangible asset or financial asset depending on the accounting model applied to the concession contract, in accordance with IFRIC 12 "Service Concession Arrangements". It excludes work done by Contracting business lines. Like-for-like revenue growth : this indicator measures the change in revenue at constant scope and exchange rates. Constant scope: the scope effect is neutralised by: removing from year N revenue from companies that joined the Group in year N; removing from year N-1 revenue from companies that left the Group in years N-1 and N; including the full-year revenue of companies joining the Group in year N-1. Constant exchange rates: the currency effect is neutralised by applying exchange rates in year N to foreign currency revenue in year N-1. Net financial surplus/debt : the reconciliation between this indicator and balance sheet items is detailed in the notes to the Group's consolidated financial statements. It corresponds to the difference between financial assets and financial debt. If the assets outweigh the liabilities, the balance represents a net financial surplus, and if the liabilities outweigh the assets, the balance represents net financial debt. Financial debt includes bonds and other borrowings and financial debt (including finance lease transactions and liabilities relating to financial instruments). Financial assets include cash and cash equivalents and assets relating to derivative instruments. Order book : the order book in the Contracting business (VINCI Energies, Eurovia, VINCI Construction) represents the volume of business yet to be carried out on projects where the contract is in force (in particular after service orders have been obtained or after conditions precedent have been met) and financed. Order intake : in the Contracting business lines (VINCI Energies, Eurovia, VINCI Construction), a new order is recorded when the contract has been not only signed but is also in force (for example, after the service order has been obtained or after conditions precedent have been met) and when the project's financing is in place. The amount recorded in order intake corresponds to the contractual revenue. VINCI Airports passenger traffic : this is the number of passengers who have travelled on commercial flights from a VINCI Airports airport during a given period. VINCI Autoroutes motorway traffic : this is the number of kilometres travelled by light and heavy vehicles on the motorway network managed by VINCI Autoroutes during a given period. Concession and PPP (public-private partnership) contracts : public-private partnerships are forms of long-term public-sector contracts through which a public authority calls upon a private-sector partner to design, build, finance, operate and maintain a facility or item of public infrastructure and/or manage a service. In France, a distinction is drawn between concessions (for works or services) and partnership contracts. Outside France, there are categories of public contracts - known by a variety of names - with characteristics similar to those of the French concession and partnership contracts. In a concession, the concession-holder receives a toll (or other form of remuneration) directly from users of the infrastructure or service, on terms defined in the contract with the public-sector authority that granted the concession. The concession-holder therefore bears "traffic level risk" related to the use of the infrastructure. In a partnership contract, the private partner is paid by the public authority, the amount being tied to performance targets, regardless of the infrastructure's level of usage. The private partner therefore bears no traffic level risk. India: Coastal communities to get USD 43 million to boost climate resilience October 23,2018 | Source: The Economic Times A UN-backed fund has approved USD 43.4 million for enhancing climate resilience for millions of people living in India's coastal communities in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha as part of its efforts to combat extreme impacts of climate change. The grant is a part of more than USD 1 billion approved by the Green Climate Fund for 19 new projects to help developing countries tackle climate change. The new project will be supported through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and is an essential step for India in reaching its goals outlined in the Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 21st meeting of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board ended Sunday in Bahrain's capital Manama, approving over one billion dollars of new projects and programmes to support climate action in developing countries, and formally launching its first replenishment, a statement from the fund said. "India's coastal areas are quite vulnerable to climate change and this project focuses on selected vulnerable areas of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha states," said Ravi S Prasad, Joint Secretary, Climate Change, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, said. The new project, with the GCF assistance, will not only help enhance resilience and adaptability, but also lead to emissions reduction while providing support to local communities for their livelihoods," Prasad said. The 19 new projects amount to a total investment from GCF of USD 1,038 million, and including co-financing the projects will channel over USD 4,244 million of climate finance for low-emission, climate-resilient development. At the end of the four day meeting, the Board decided to launch the process for the Green Climate Fund's first formal replenishment, marking a key moment in the development of the world's largest dedicated fund for climate action. Funding approved at the meeting in Manama includes projects linked to geothermal energy in Indonesia and greener cities in Europe and the Middle East. Under the project, over 1.7 million people are expected to directly benefit from livelihoods support, with another 10 million indirectly benefitting from improved shoreline protection, the UNDP said in a statement. In reaching the Sustainable Development Goals for gender equality and reduced inequalities, the project is focused on providing tangible benefits for women, female-headed households, young people and the elderly, and members of Scheduled Castes and Tribes. Over 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 will be sequestered through restored ecosystems over the next 30 years. The Government of India will finance an additional USD 86.8 million toward the new project to mainstream and accelerate the impacts of the Green Climate Fund grant, the statement said. To protect life on land and below water as outlined in the 2030 Agenda, project activities will focus on the restoration and conservation of over 15,000 hectares of mangroves, coral reefs, seagrasses and saltmarshes. Communities, including local youth, will be trained to work with scientists in monitoring ecosystem health and coastal ecology, the UNDP statement said. "In addition to helping communities establish more climate-resilient livelihoods, this multi-dimensional project will contribute to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions - over 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 will be absorbed through restored ecosystems," said Francine Pickup, Country Director at UNDP India. "It will also have considerable long-term environmental benefits including healthier ecosystems, better biodiversity conservation and improved buffering against climate change-driven extreme weather," Pickup said. To strengthen climate risk-informed coastal management and infrastructure planning, the innovative project will create an online decision-support tool available via mobile phone for use by government officers, academic institutions, community members and scientists. The project will also build local knowledge of climate change and the associated risks via training and public education programmes. India's coastline is expected to be among the regions most affected by climate change globally. The Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea are both predicted to be subject to extreme climate variability, with the frequency and intensity of cyclones and extreme weather events projected to increase, particularly on the eastern coastline, the statement said. According to a report from the World Bank, an increase in global mean surface temperatures of 2C will make India's monsoon highly unpredictable, while a 4C increase would result in an extremely wet monsoon (which currently has a chance of occurring only once in 100 years) occurring every 10 years by the end of the century. India has about 6,740 km2 of mangroves, including some of the largest mangrove forests in the world. Mangrove cover along India's coastline has decreased by 50 per cent in some areas, largely because of human pressures, including alteration of flow of freshwater from upstream. Sea-level rise is predicted to result in further reductions, it added. Kerala: Villages vanish in this coastal district of Kerala as they succumb to sand mining by Haritha John October 23,2018 | Source: Mongabay The coastline between Chavara and Alappad in Kollam district of Kerala, has a decades-long story of peoples battle for survival against mining companies. On a journey through this coastal belt, one can spot abandoned houses, temples, schools and many more buildings where people once lived. Red coloured ponds and dried up mangrove forests are another painful sight on this coastline. This stretch in Kerala is where the extensive mineral beach sand mining has been happening since the 1960s. The abandoned buildings are the remains of peoples failed agitations and indefinite strikes. One by one the villages in the area are vanishing from the map of Kerala. A village named Panmana has turned in to a heap of sand and an abandoned temple stands around which thousands of fishermen once lived. In Alappad panchayat, activists estimate that more than 6,000 fishermen families have vacated over the years due to beach erosion, drinking water scarcity and lack of fish availability. Sooner or later the panchayat will also be turned in to a sand bund, remaining residents say. Kovilthottam, another village on the coastline, also has only 50 families left. In 2010 almost all indigenous communities were evicted from Kovilthottam region in Chavara, promising that they will be allowed to rehabilitate back in their own land after completing the mining within three years. Even eight years after those evictions, no rehabilitation has occurred, more than 500 families are homeless, said Robin an activist in the locality. The remaining families in this 23 kilometres stretch of coastal region (Kollam Neendakara to Kayamkulam) are under the threat of eviction; for last some years they are expecting a massive coastal erosion that can engulf their villages. Most of the people have been forced to leave their houses, even without any compensation from the authorities or the mining companies. Now, starting November 2018, the remaining people in Alappad and nearby areas will begin an indefinite strike against mining companies planning to extend their projects. Mineral sand mining in Kollam The presence of the minerals ilmenite, rutile, zircon, monazite, leucoxene (brown ilmenite), sillimanite and garnet in coastal sand dunes of Kollam was discovered in 1920s. Two public sector companies, Indian Rare Earth (IRE) which comes under central government and Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML), a company under the state government have been mining since 1968. Though by 1995 many foreign companies had tried mining in the coastal area, continuous protest from the public and activists forced them to drop the projects. IRE and KMML still continue to do extensive mining in the area irrespective of peoples protest. Since the companies have got clearances from respective departments of state government as well favourable orders from the High Court of Kerala, the opposition voices are silenced. There is no data on people who were evicted without any compensation for their loss and no enquiry about polluted drinking water sources of this coastal belt. Though activists quote the numbers of families vacated from the region, there is no official data on it. Loss of drinking water, fish stock depletion and erosion In Chittoor region near Chavara there are open ponds which have been used by companies for dumping chemical waste. It has been years since the residents there stopped using these drinking water sources. After repeated agitations the companies started providing drinking water to the residents in Chavara region, but not regularly. Once in a while the companies distribute drinking water, otherwise I have to stand on a queue for long time to get water from the public tap. The tap is far from my house and have to walk all the distance with pots of water, said 78-year old Mary, who lives in Chavara. She recalls how drinking water and other resources were abundant in the area once. We used to get fresh well water. Moreover, the fish availability was abundant here. Now what we have is water scarcity and poverty. Though it is painful, I want to leave this place where I was born and brought up. But where will I go. If the companies give a good compensation I will move somewhere, she added. Massive coastal erosion is another effect of the mining. The worst nightmare for the remaining residents in the area is of the sea engulfing their habitat. According to litho map of the area, in 1955 the Alappad villages area was 89.5 kilometres square. Now it is just 8 kilometres square. So we are sure that our village will be sooner or later vanish, but we continue our agitation for neighboring areas like Onattukara, Upper Kuutanad, Arattupuzha etc, which are in Alappuzha district. They have submitted their proposal to extend their mining which will lead to the destruction of coastal region of two districts Kollam and Alappuzha, Sreekumar KC, environmental activist and resident of Alappad told Mongabay-India. Benjamin, a resident of Chavara, pointed at the huge mining digs around his house and said, How long we can stay here. We will have to leave like others, but where should we go without satisfactory compensation? All the indigenous communities have been wiped out here. In some areas of Alappad one can spot two parallel roads in the sea shore, one is partially broken. The latest road is the fourth or fifth one constructed, as each time coastal erosion happens they construct another road, Sreekumar said. He also pointed at a study done by National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) where it is shown that how shoreline has occupied the land from 1968 to 2017. The map shown in the study clearly shows the extension of coastal erosion, he added. Sreekumar said that from Panmana towards north, the coastal region was the habitat of sea turtles. That was area where they laid eggs. Now they have disappeared. Apart from that this was an area where we get high quality prawns in Kerala. With this massive mining and coastal erosion, all these are just memories for us, he recalled. Unnikrishnan, a panchayat ward member of Alappad recalled that many of the houses were not in the sea shore few years back and now all of them are close to sea. The houses you see here were one or two kilometres away from the sea. Now they are hardly 400 to 500 metres away. Fish availability is another issue. Prawns, shell fish and various other small fish were available here in abundance, but now fishermen are forced to leave here due to poverty, he said. Janets family is one among the 50 families remaining in Kovilthottam near Chavara. We cant bear the pain of leaving our home and whatever we earned. But how can we live here without job, without water and under constant threat of coastal erosion. Anytime our house will be under the sea, she said. Robin, the resident from Chavara, said that the mining companies had earlier promised jobs and rehabilitation to the locals who quit their traditional occupation (fishing). But they still havent received anything promised by the companies. Prominent environment activist and writer C.R. Neelakandan reminds that Alappad was the worst affected coastal area when the 2004 tsunami hit Kerala. The shoreline difference is almost seven kilometres over the years in that area. The sea had occupied land at a width of seven kilometres. The state government has notified that people in the area need not pay the land tax. That means there is no land existing there, it is under water now, he said. He also pointed that there is a backwater there, which was identified as national waterway. But soon sea will evade these backwaters too and we will lose that waterway, he said by adding that irrespective of all this loss, India has not benefitted much from this mining. Monazite and ilmenite are the main extracts from this mining. The full processing of these minerals doesnt happen in India. We export rutile mineral. So the main profit is for foreign companies, so technically our country does not benefit much, he said. He said that none of the issues in this particular region was studied by agencies. There were three communities living in this area, all of them were wiped out. In Panmana almost 700 hectares of land were lost, he pointed. He also talked about the necessity of a strong protest against these companies extending their mining projects to Arattupuzha in Alappuzha district. What happened in Chavara, Alappad and Panmana will be repeated in Alappuzha too, at least that should be prevented now, he added. Alappad activist K.C. Sreekumar meanwhile said a proper study is needed in the area. Government and other institutions should conduct a proper study in this area, rather than giving blatant clearances for mining. They should survey the coastal erosion, enquire what happened to the people who left here, what happened to the fishing community and why the water sources here got polluted. Everything should be studied properly, so that we could save remaining villages at least, he said. Writer-activist C.R. Neelakandan also emphasised the need for a study. There can be radioactive emissions through these unscientific mining and many health hazards can be an after effect. No environmental studies have been done yet over the pollution and hazards of this mining, he said. - Villages along coastal Kerala are disappearing as land is devoured by mining activities. - Activists call for a study of the area and the impact of mining on the people and environment, before giving clearances to mining companies. - The coastal sand dunes in Kollam district are rich in minerals ilmenite, rutile, zircon, monazite, leucoxene (brown ilmenite), sillimanite and garnet. Many of these minerals are mined for export. Iran Human Rights; October 22, 2018: A prisoner was executed on a murder charge at Sirjan Central Prison last Thursday. Sirjan is a city and the capital of Sirjan County in the Iranian province of Kerman. According to HRANA, on the morning of October 18, 2018, a prisoner was hanged at Sirjan Prison. He is identified as Hassan Nosratabadi, 37. Hassan killed a person while trying to rob a home two years ago. He was sentenced to qisas (retribution in kind) and the execution was carried out at Sirjan prison. The Iranian media outlets have not published news related to the aforementioned execution so far. According to Iran Human Rights annual report on the death penalty, 240 of the 517 execution sentences in 2017 were implemented due to murder charges. There is a lack of a classification of murder by degree in Iran which results in issuing a death sentence for any kind of murder regardless of intensity and intent. | 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's state TV is reporting that the Supreme Court has upheld the death sentences for two individuals convicted of financial crimes. Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejehi said Monday that the two were convicted of "spreading corruption on earth," a term used for crimes punishable by death in the Islamic Republic. Iranian authorities have identified them as Vahid Mazloumin and Mohammad Esmail Ghasemi, whom local media dubbed the "Sultan of Coins" after he was arrested after hoarding two tons of gold coins in an attempt to manipulate the local currency. Iranians have stocked up on gold coins and other safe-haven investments as the local currency has plummeted in recent months. Iran has meanwhile set up special courts as part of a campaign against financial crimes. The death penalty in Iran is most often carried out by hanging. Other counties that impose the death penalty for corruption or fraud include China, North Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Morocco. | 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 Day one of alleged hitman Kristopher Love's capital murder trial began Monday with witnesses who know the woman accused of ordering him to make a kill testifying on behalf of the state. Two people who jealous ex-girlfriend Brenda Delgado approached to carry out a hit on her former boyfriend's new love took to the stand against her in court, admitting she offered them money and a new car to kill Kendra Hatcher. Texas dentist Kendra Hatcher was allegedly shot in the head by Kristopher Love, 33, in the Dallas garage of her apartment block on September 2, 2015. Police say Delgado, 34, ordered her murder and one of the people who took to the stand on the first day of trial was a family member of Delgado. The witness accounts detailed how Delgado inquired about her ex Ricardo Paniagua being murdered, reports NBCDFW.com. 'She said she wanted me to hit [Hatcher] with a bat,' Moses Martinez said. 'And that's when I told her I didn't want to do that, hurt somebody innocent.' Jennifer Escobar said Delgado 'had so many ways' to 'follow around Hatcher and basically eliminate her'. Lead prosecutor Kevin Brooks said how 'after [Paniagua] broke it off with Brenda, she could not let go. You'll see evidence that Brenda started following him'. Paniagua claimed that after he ended their two-and-a-half year relationship in February 2015, she tracked his movements and stalked anyone he dated. 'I would go running at the Katy Trail and sometimes when I was running she would be running the opposite direction,' Paniagua claimed. Brooks says Delgado then quickly came to the decision she wanted Kendra killed after she could see that relationship was progressing. Delgado, who is both a US and Mexican citizen, is accused of hiring Love to commit the deadly act. Police also say Delgado convinced friend, Chrystal Cortes, to drive the getaway car. Delgado was arrested by Mexican authorities in April after fleeing there after initial interviews. She arrived back in the US earlier this month. At the time Dallas Morning News reported she was likely to be escorted by marshals on the flight before being taken straight to the Dallas County Jail. She is unlikely to face the death penalty as a condition of her extradition, because Mexico is opposed to capital punishment. Day 2 continues Tuesday. Delgado will have her own trial at a later date. Dallas County has not sent anyone to death row since 2013. | 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 According to neighbours, the groom, his father and brother were rounded up and taken to a park nearby and tonsured. (Photo: ANI | Twitter) Lucknow: Fed up of being harassed over dowry demand, the brides family tonsured the groom, his father and brother on Sunday in Lucknow. The police had to step in to control the protests in Kurramnagar. The grooms family had been increasing their demands every day for the last one week, said the brides father. Brides father is a vegetable vendor. According to ANI news agency, brides grandmother said, "They made these demands five days before the wedding. He refused to marry the girl after we said we can't meet his demands. Don't know who tonsured his head." Lucknow: Groom's head tonsured allegedly because he refused to marry the bride, demanding motorcycle&gold chain y'day;bride's grandmother says, "they made these demands 5 days before wedding. He refused to marry after we said we can't fulfil them.Don't know who tonsured his head" pic.twitter.com/VVAkUtnTi7 ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 22, 2018 According to a report, the groom demanded a motorcycle as dowry but he didnt like the particular brand he was given and wanted something else. Later, brides father apparently agreed to give him the motorcycle of his choice but brides family lost control when he demanded a gold necklace on the wedding day. According to neighbours, the groom, his father and brother were rounded up and taken to a park nearby and tonsured. The members of the bride's family told news agency ANI that the groom and his relatives were drunk and had misbehaved with them. 46 organisations have called the 12-hour bandh to protest against the Centre's bid to pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, in the Winter Session of Parliament. (Photo: Twitter | ANI) Guwahati: Protesters on Tuesday tried to put up blockades on railway tracks and disrupt train services across Assam as part of the 12-hour state-wide bandh called by 46 organisations against the Citizenship Bill. Police officials said that the demonstrators, who were trying to prevent train movement by squatting on tracks, were being evicted. Demonstrators also burnt tyres on roads in various places of the state. Police escorts were being provided to public transport vehicles to ensure transport services functioned normally during the bandh. The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) and 44 other organisations have called the 12-hour bandh to protest against the Centre's bid to pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, in the Winter Session of Parliament. Political parties, including the Congress and the AIUDF, have extended their support to the bandh in the interest of Assam and its indigenous people. All district magistrates and superintendents of police had been instructed by the BJP government in the state to take measures to maintain public utility services in view of the bandh call. A government communique in this regard had said that necessary pre-emptive and preventive measures to thwart the bandh call must be taken in view of the judgement of the Gauhati High Court. The deputy commissioners of respective districts had issued orders that all government officials should attend to their duties. It also said that shops, business establishments, educational institutions should remain open and transport facilities should function normally. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014. State Finance and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said on Monday that the Gauhati High Court had ruled that calling a bandh was an illegal act and so the statewide bandh called by 46 organisations on Tuesday cannot be allowed as it will amount to contempt of court. KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi said this was the first time that they had called a bandh and they would not call it off as the very "existence of Assamese and their identity was at stake by the Bill". The ICH is offering Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and Nilavembu Neeru for the wellness of children. DC Chennai: With dengue cases reported across the state, the directorate of school education has issued guidelines with detailed steps that need to be taken to prevent the viral fever on school campuses. In circular to chief educational officers on Monday, V.C.Rameswaramurugan, director of school education has urged school headmasters to create awareness about dengue and other viral fevers in prayer meetings. The headmasters should make sure that rainwater is not stagnated in the school campuses and there are no plastic wastes and old tyres which could be a breeding ground for mosquitoes, he said in the circular. Students should be informed that aedes aegypti, the mosquito which spreads dengue fever is breeding on stagnated fresh water and it bites only during the day, the circular added. The circular also instructed headmasters to close the overhead water tanks, septic tanks and wells inside the schools besides spraying mosquito repellants if the schools had any open sewage. The students should be advised to go to nearby hospitals for further screening if there are any symptoms of viral fever, Mr Rameswaramurugan said. English French APRIL Sales at end September 2018 - Reported growth of 8.5% to 748.8m, in line with expectations Sales growth of 7.3% like-for-like Strengthened brokerage commissions, up 4.1% in reported figures and 2.0% like-for-like, to 399.3m, driven by both divisions Sharp increase in insurance premiums, up 13.9% (as reported and like-for-like) to 349.5m The APRIL group reported sales of 748.8m for the first nine months of 2018, up 8.5% as reported compared to the previous year. Following this announcement, APRIL CEO Emmanuel Morandini made the following comments: "Nine-month sales growth is in line with our expectations for the year and confirms the sustainability of the group's business momentum. Organic growth in commissions accelerated in both Health & Personal Protection and Property & Casualty, while the early 2018 slowdown in loan insurance is now behind us. Growth has also been driven by strong performances from the main four acquisitions made in 2017 and 2018, which have helped us to pursue our strategy of exporting the group's expertise and expanding our footprint in key markets. Thanks to these excellent performances and the hard work put in by all our teams, we now target the upper end of our current EBIT growth target of 6 to 10% and continue the transformation of our group to evolve towards a more open, multi-brand model." Group (IFRS - m) 9M 2018 9M 2017 Change Change LFL Sales 748.8 690.4 +8.5% +7.3% Brokerage commissions and fees 399.3 383.5 +4.1% +2.0% Insurance premiums 349.5 306.8 +13.9% +13.9% Reported brokerage commissions rose 4.1% compared to the first nine months of 2017. This includes 5.3% growth in Health & Personal Protection commissions, boosted by the acquisitions made in 2017 and 2018 (Public Broker, Benecaid and La Centrale de Financement), and 2.0% growth in Property & Casualty commissions. Both divisions contributed to the 13.9% increase in insurance premiums, with Health & Personal Protection up 13.6% and Property & Casualty up 14.3%. Conversion from reported sales to like-for-like sales 2017 to 2018 sales progression - m Sales at 30/09/2017 690.4 Impact of exchange rate fluctuations -4.1 Acquisitions +12.3 Disposals -0.3 Like-for-like sales at 30/09/2017 698.2 Growth in brokerage commissions and fees +7.9 Growth in insurance premiums +42.7 Sales at 30/09/2018 748.8 Like-for-like sales offset a 4.1m negative impact of exchange rate fluctuations, mainly affecting the Property & Casualty business in the United States and Canada and both divisions in Brazil. Like-for-like sales also include a +11.9m net change in consolidation mainly arising from the consolidation of Public Broker in May 2017, Benecaid in April 2018 and La Centrale de Financement in September 2018, all three businesses incorporated into the Health and Personal Protection division, and Pont Grup in October 2017 in the Property & Casualty division. LIKE-FOR-LIKE SALES BY DIVISION IFRS - m 9M 2018 9M 2017 Change 9M 2017 LFL Change LFL Health & Personal Protection 462.3 425.0 +8.8% 431.8 +7.0% Commissions and fees 259.0 246.0 +5.3% 252.8 +2.4% Insurance premiums 203.3 179.0 +13.6% 179.0 +13.6% Property & Casualty 288.4 267.4 +7.9% 268.3 +7.5% Commissions and fees 141.6 138.9 +2.0% 139.9 +1.2% Insurance premiums 146.8 128.4 +14.3% 128.4 +14.3% Inter-division eliminations -1.8 -2.0 +7.1% -2.0 +7.1% Sales 748.8 690.4 +8.5% 698.2 +7.3% Changes in like-for-like sales by type of revenues are as follows: Brokerage commissions in Health & Personal Protection amounted to 259.0m, up 2.4% compared to the first nine months of 2017. The individual Health & Personal Protection and expatriate health insurance businesses continued to grow. A flat trend was seen in group Health & Personal Protection and loan insurance portfolios. Property & Casualty commissions came to 141.6m, up 1.2% compared to last year. Wholesale brokerage posted strong performances, particularly in car, two-wheeled and sailing insurance and the professional range. This improvement was curbed by a slowdown in travel insurance and assistance, particularly in the United States, and property insurance in Canada. Health & Personal Protection insurance premiums rose 13.6% to 203.3m, mainly due to net growth in individual (seniors and self-employed) and group Health & Personal Protection portfolios. Property & Casualty insurance premiums continue to rise (up 14.3% to 146.8m), driven by the expansion of corporate and affinity member operations in a highly-reinsured risk-carrying model. Outlook APRIL's overall performance for the first nine months of the year remains in line with group expectations. APRIL is also continuing its refocusing and transformation efforts towards a more open, multi-brand model via transactions such as the acquisition of La Centrale de Financement, the full impact of which will be felt in 2019. Accordingly, the group now expects current EBIT growth in the upper end of a 6 to 10% range compared to 2017.. Emmanuel Maillet, Group CFO, will be holding a conference call for financial analysts, investors and the press this evening at 6.00 p.m. (French time), during which these matters will be discussed in greater detail. Dial-in details: France: +33 (0)1 76 70 07 94 Switzerland: +41 (0) 31 580 00 59 UK: +44 (0)844 5718 892 Please dial in a few minutes beforehand, in order to register, and give the following reference number: 9737 439. Appendix Quarterly sales UPCOMING RELEASES 2018 full-year sales: 29 January 2019 after market close 2018 full-year results: 6 March 2019 after market close CONTACTS Analysts and investors Guillaume Cerezo: +33 (0)4 72 36 49 31 / +33 (0)6 20 26 06 24 - guillaume.cerezo@april.com Press relations Samantha Druon: +33 (0)7 64 01 74 35 - samantha.druon@insign.fr This release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assessments or assumptions that were reasonable at the date of the release, and which may change or be altered due to, in particular, random events or uncertainties and risks relating to the economic, financial, regulatory and competitive environment, the risks set out in the 2017 Registration Document and any risks that are unknown or non-material to date that may subsequently occur. The Company undertakes to publish or disclose any adjustments or updates to this information as part of the periodic and permanent information obligation to which all listed companies are subject. About APRIL In 2018, APRIL-the international insurance services group and leading wholesale broker in France-will be celebrating its 30th anniversary. And at 30 years young, APRIL still has many more years to offer to simplify the lives of its customers and partners-be they individuals, professionals or businesses-in the 31 countries where the group operates. On their behalf, APRIL's 3,800 employees design, manage and distribute specialist insurance solutions (health and personal protection, mortgage, property and casualty, mobility and legal protection) as well as insurance services, capitalising on its experience to make insurance easier and more accessible to as many customers as possible. Listed on Euronext Paris (Compartment B), the group posted sales of 928.4m in 2017. Full regulated information is available on our website at www.april.com (Investors section). APPENDIX: QUARTERLY SALES IFRS - m 2018 2017 Change 2017 LFL Change LFL Q1 240.6 227.7 +5.7% 228.2 +5.4% Q2 251.4 230.0 +9.3% 231.6 +8.6% Q3 256.8 232.7 +10.4% 238.4 +7.7% Q4 - 238.1 - - - Total - 928.4 - - - Vietnamese companies are struggling to sell their products to ASEAN member countries despite the abolition of tariffs within the bloc. Analysts blame this on their lack of market information and poor understanding of consumer needs among other factors. With the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) three years ago, members had to reduce over 90 percent of their tariff lines to zero percent, though Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar were allowed until 2018 to do so. Yet Vietnams intra-ASEAN exports accounted for only 11 percent last year while this number for other members averaged 24 percent even in 2016, Nguyen Thi Tue Anh, deputy head of the Central Institute of Economic Management (CIEM), said at a recent conference. Anh said besides Vietnamese enterprises lack of market information, they have also failed to adequately differentiate their products from those of competitors within the bloc. A spokesperson for a business based in southern Soc Trang Province said his company, which produces dried fish and other fisheries products, wants to take its products to the ASEAN market but does not know how. Saigon Times newspaper quoted him as saying that there are many factors such as package design, marketing and market research, and it does not know where to begin since all are equally important. Ha Xuan Anh, chairman of HCMC-based textile maker Son Viet, said his companys products undergarments - are sold at many modern retail outlets. But for the last 10 years it has sought to sell to Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, and has been unable to do so. He explained that though the quality of his companys products is competitive, Vietnamese brands remain unknown in these markets. It only sells in markets with less competitive products such as Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. Pham Thiet Hoa, director of the HCMC Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), also blamed the weaknesses of Vietnamese enterprises for their inability to export, listing lack of product diversification, failure to closely liaise with authorities responsible for foreign affairs, and poor marketing. ITPC said small companies entering a new market alone would find it very difficult to identify foreign business partners and distribution chains. Hoa said it is therefore necessary for trade envoys to work with their counterparts in foreign markets to bridge this gap. Participating in fairs, exhibitions and trade promotion programmes in target markets enables companies to assess the competitiveness of local rivals, he said. Despite the free trade environment, each country in the bloc has differences in culture, religion and consumer preferences, and businesses need to understand them before venturing into those countries, he said. "Enterprises should also carefully study the technical barriers and legal regulations to avoid losses. Hoi Ans most famous landmark spans a canal that has become a stinking sewer. The bridge, spanning some 18 meters across a small canal that runs into the Thu Bon River, has suffered serious deterioration in recent years even after seven restorations. Many poles and beams supporting the structure have rotted and cracked and some have been replaced with iron ones, officials said. Now, it is losing more charm to polluted wastewater and the stench the canal emits. Old houses are reflected in the dirty water. Le Quang Trung, a Hoi An official, said the canal has been polluted for over a decade, but no measures have been taken to deal with it comprehensively. The wastewater discharged by households, hotels and restaurants in Minh An, Cam Pho and Tan An wards go directly into the canal, exacerbated the pollution, Trung said. Under the bridge, piles of stinking black sludge have undermined its image and deterred many tourists from returning there, officials say. Built by Japanese traders in the 17th century, the bridge is an icon of Hoi An in central Vietnam. But many foreign tourists now stop very briefly at the bridge, take some pictures and leave immediately. On hot, sunny days, many visitors prefer to avoid the bridge because of the stench from the canal. The nearby Hoai River is also filled with piles of trash, mainly paper lanterns released by local residents and tourists during the lantern releasing festival held on the 14th day of each lunar month. Plastic bags with trash get stuck before flowing through the canal under the Pagoda Bridge. In 2015, the Vietnamese government signed an agreement with Japan to build a modern wastewater treatment facility in the area near the bridge. The Japanese government offered non-refundable aid of VND240 billion ($10.2 million) for the project while local government spent VND48 billion on land clearance in the Cam Pho Ward. The facility was to begin operations last year, but missed the deadline and is expected to be completed this November. The lantern festival has become a major cultural feature in Hoi An, boosting local tourism. However, local authorities are now planning to restrict the ritual in a bid to minimize river pollution. Four Chinese jailed in Vietnam for stealing with fake ATM cards Four Chinese stand trial in Ha Long for stealing money with fake ATM cards on October 22. Photo by VnExpress/Quang Khai Four Chinese men were handed down jail sentences in Ha Long Monday for using fake credit cards to withdraw money illegally. The Quang Ninh Province People's Court in northern Vietnam sentenced Feng Yu He to five and a half years, Li Dan Yang to five years and Zheng Ren Xian and Wang Tao to four and a half years each. Zheng was caught red-handed by the police on February 22 while using a fake card at an ATM in Ha Long, home to the world-famous bay and not far from the Chinese border. Officers found him in possession of 29 fake ATM cards, and 323 yuan ($46) and VND57.2 million ($2,440) in cash. Based on information he gave them, they apprehended Feng, Li and Wang as they were about to leave the country through the border gate, around four hours drive from Ha Long. The investigators found the gang had installed equipment at local ATM booths to steal customers' data, before making the fake cards. The total amount of money they had stolen was not available. Elsewhere, on Sunday, police in Lao Cai in north-west Vietnam detained another alleged ATM thief, Tang Cam Bang, 34, of Jiangxi Province, China, for questioning. Bang allegedly used fake ATM cards to withdraw money at several locations in the province. The police found 102 ATM cards and VND250 million ($10,665) in cash in his possession. The fourth industrial revolution is just a notion, not a magic wand, and businesses need to keep running constantly to survive. Dinh Hong Ky, vice chairman of Saigon Association of Construction and Building Materials. I recently visited a company in Bologna city in Italy and was impressed with what I saw: They have created an app for designing and manufacturing building materials using artificial intelligence and big data. Users can find information about building materials from brands around the world and use it to create their own interior design. Thus, for the first time, a lay person can do the job of a professional interior designer, thanks to this app. I admired their work and so asked them how they came up with such a product. They told me they built and updated it over several years as information technology progressed rapidly. And so I eagerly began to discuss industry 4.0, big data, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, cloud computing and digitization, only to find out to my surprise that they know nothing about those trends. They just did what they have always done and kept learning from the new things. Thanks to running an export business, I have the chance to meet with business people from various countries. What has astonished me is that every time we used the term fourth industrial revolution, companies from the U.S., Britain, France, and Italy did not understand what we meant. When I explained to them about the opportunities and challenges, they said they did not pay too much attention to the revolution, and that information technology has been changing nonstop over the past 20 years and they just keep up with the latest trends as much as they can. But in Vietnam, I hear the term industry 4.0 almost every day. For more than a year now from the central government to local governments and businesses, people have constantly been talking about the fourth industrial revolution. Before a flight I read the news and saw the jury asking a contestant at a beauty pageant a question about industry 4.0. When I landed I received an email from the Party unit of HCMCs Binh Thanh District inviting businesses to a conference titled Industry 4.0: opportunities and challenges. It seems like every section of Vietnamese society has jumped on the bandwagon, eager to embrace industry 4.0, assuming that the revolution has broken out around the world. But I think what we actually need now is concrete action. A worker holds a metal frame at an assembly plant that produces smartphone in Hanoi, Vietnam, July 5, 2017. Photo by Reuters/Kham For instance, a simple task would be to create a better business environment and provide practical support to companies and startups so that they can persist instead of giving up halfway. Many Vietnamese startups have chosen Singapore as their base instead of their home nation. Singapore has created a friendly business environment with rational tax policies and administrative procedures. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in 2015 launched a $225-million initiative to help financial firms set up innovation labs and to fund infrastructure to deliver financial technology (fintech) services. And it is not just Singapore: other Southeast Asian countries too have specific policies designed to help their businesses make good use of new technologies. But in Vietnam, it is very difficult to see such action from the government. On the other hand, the apparent obsession with industry 4.0 has made many people look at it like some kind of panacea. At a Microsoft forum recently, I saw a company promise to undergo a digital transformation and claim its motto was change or die. I also run a company and I think digitization is good but it does not mean digitization automatically guarantees success for a company. The first and foremost mission of a company is to cope with the fierce competition in the market and make profits to remain a going concern. A firm looking to digitize should already be professional with capable staff and known in the market for making good and competitive products. Of hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese firms that are struggling to survive now, how many can survive and grow? Excessive propaganda and hasty conclusions about the industrial revolution will probably cause confusion and instability in the business community. There will be small firms with limited resources, but a change or die mindset means they would not hesitate to spend large sums on the race to equip themselves with new technologies, which is not always necessary. We should not hype any revolution because our life neither stays the same forever nor turns upside down in the blink of an eye. If mobile phones were a luxury for Vietnamese just a few years ago, it is a common sight now to see street vendors using smartphones, and nobody touted an industrial revolution when this change occurred. In recent times there have been many conferences and seminars on e-governance and smart cities. I cannot tell if the industrial revolution has indeed taken place, but what I know for sure is that Teslas self-driving car can never travel on the jammed and flooded streets of HCMC, and computer engineers will always be afraid to work in Vietnam for fear of unsafe food. There is no 4.0 revolution in education to ensure children in mountainous and remote areas do not drop out of school or have to swim past streams, climb up cliffs and wade through mud to reach school, or in healthcare to ensure each patient has their own bed and do not have to share it with others. Improving the quality of life for everyone each and every day should be the primary goal of the authorities. When you can specify the development goal then 4.0 or 5.0 is simply a name. *Dinh Hong Ky is a business person and vice chairman of the Saigon Association of Construction and Building Materials. Opinions expressed here are his own. The motorbike of the foreign couple is seriously damaged after a road crash in Ha Giang Province Monday. Photo courtesy of Ha Giang Police A French woman and a Spanish man were killed in a road accident in Ha Giang Province on Monday. The accident happened at around 4:30 p.m. when a truck trailer traveling on National Highway 2 from Ha Giang to Tuyen Quang collided with a motorbike driven by the two foreigners in the opposite direction. The accident took place at a T-junction in Vi Xuyen District, around eight kilometers from downtown Ha Giang, local authorities said Tuesday. The tourists suffered serious injuries and were taken to a local hospital. Pena Laigesia Alvaro, 30, died on the way to hospital while the woman, Moreaux Ophelie, 32, succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. The truck driver has been identified as 46-year-old Pham Van Nhuan but no information has been released about his state of health, local media reported. The bodies of the victims are being kept at the provincial hospital. We are working with the embassies to notify the next of kin, said Nguyen Duc Manh, an official with Ha Giangs Department of Transport. The accident is being investigated. Road crashes are a leading cause of deaths in Vietnam, killing almost one person every hour. A total of more than 9,000 traffic accidents occurred in the first half of this year, killing nearly 4,100 people and injuring over 7,000, according to the National Traffic Safety Committee. Ha Giang, a neighbor of the famous Sa Pa and itself known for capivating hills and mountain passes, lies around 240 kilometers (150 miles) to northwest of Hanoi. In November last year, a Spanish traveler died after driving his motorbike off a cliff in Ha Giang. Lion canine teeth and lion claws were seized as custom authorities in Kenya detained a Vietnamese man on Monday. Photo by Reuters/Kham A Vietnamese national was detained at Kenyas Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Monday for illegal possession of wildlife products. Truong Trung Hieu was transiting en route from Liberia to Bangkok when customs authorities spotted him acting suspiciously, The Star (Kenya) newspaper reported. They searched his luggage and found eight lion canine teeth and three claws and two warthog teeth inside a thermos flask. Sniffer dogs had detected them, police said. He is being held at the airport's police station pending an investigation. The arrest comes on the heels of the 70th meeting of the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) where Kenya was taken off a list of countries of global trafficking concern, referred to as the gang of eight, which now includes Tanzania, Uganda, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, China and Thailand, the newspaper said. Vietnamese parents of LGBT children are helping the healing process by creating safe spaces for sharing painful, poignant stories. There is a popular perception, justified to an extent, that parents and families are the main stumbling blocks for members of the LGBTQI community in terms of their coming out and finding acceptance in mainstream society. An attempt to change this is being made by Vietnamese parents whove confronted their own demons in dealing with their childrens different sexual orientations. At a public talk show last month, such parents shared some real life stories of LGBTQI+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and intersex) people, highlighting social prejudices that affect all stakeholders. One of the main organizers of the event was PFLAG, the first community of its kind in Vietnam. PFLAG stands for "Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays". It was not a crowded gathering, but the stories it elicited were overwhelmingly touching. Mother Chau, a prominent figure in PFLAG community, who has a gay son, was the first to share the story of a lesbian she met at a restaurant she used to work. PFLAG member Chau shares an LGBT case she helped with. Sititng next to her is another PFLAG member, Thang (left). Thang and Chau are both familiar parent faces in the LGBT community. Photo by Sen Family honor and marriages of convenience Because of her sexual orientation, the woman no longer lived with her family. The problem wasnt her parents - it was her grandmother who would reprimand her harshly. The grandmothers last words, just before she died, set the tone for the rest of this womans life: "She has to get a husband." To appease her relatives and maintain the "family honor," the young woman returned home for a wedding with a paid groom, who was told of the situation. He was fully compensated for his participation in the face-saving marriage, but it did not stop him from getting drunk and raping his lesbian wife one day. The rape not only traumatized the woman to the extent of requiring prolonged medication, it also made her pregnant. She gave birth to a "slow child" as a result of all the medicines shed taken to deal with her mental trauma. Chau was almost in tears as she narrated the story. "This is a wake-up call for parents out there," she said. A healthy woman gave up her way of life and true self to fulfill a death wish, with tragic results. "Is this the price one must pay for family honor?" Chau asked all listeners. "Because the pregnancy was helping the woman recover her mental health, abortion was not recommended. Now she is doing much better and is no longer heavily dependent on medication. Her child now goes to school," Chau added. The accidental father claimed that the contractual nature of their "marriage" meant he had no responsibility towards his victim and child. The family did not press charges. It might have been love that motivated the family to coerce the woman into the accepted mold of gender norms, but that love was a recipe for disasters, Chau said. "Now we see love resurrected with healing power in this story, as the rape victim and her child are now living in the caring, affectionate arms of a woman." No sex life Mother Yen Ly, president of PFLAG Vietnam, shared another story of suffering and healing. A man in his late 30s, a resident of the central Thanh Hoa Province where traditional prejudices against gay people still hold strong, was married and had a teenage daughter, but his life was hell. The couple had no sex life because he was gay. "Every night I would try to find work somewhere to do and only come back home when my wife is asleep. It was a glimpse of hell every time I crossed our bed," he told Ly. He finally decided to put everything on the table, literally, with a letter of confession to his wife. This is not something any heterosexual married woman expects to experience. She was heartbroken, and his parents were furious. Coming out of the closet created an immense distance between him and his family. Following Lys advice, the man invited his parents to different workshops organized by PFLAG for parents of LGBT children. Gradually they came out of their hate and prejudice to welcome their son for who he was. The man is now happily divorced and his daughter visits him frequently. Unheard of Huynh Minh Thao, aka Sas Ri, director of communications and services of ICS the first LGBT rights organization in Vietnam, said "loveless marriages benefit neither our society nor the relationship." He reckoned that the root cause for this happening was Vietnamese parents fear that their LGBT children were destined to live a tough life without a life partner that could bear them children. "Getting married, bearing offspring and being taken care of by them is the most favored normal way of living. The idea of LGBT individuals having a healthy, happy life outside of this model is unheard of, for a lot of parents," Thao said. Still a mans world A panel guest - a media expert who requested anonymity, said gender disparity was another problem that rears its ugly head in LGBT issues, and that the victim was not always the person with a different sexual orientation. He shared the story of a highly respected teacher in a small city, who is also a government official in the local educational department. Everything about the teachers life goes according to the book a Vietnamese middle-aged man, secure career, dedicated wife and kids. There is just one caveat: he likes men. Unlike the previous story, this man has not bothered to keep his orientation from his immediate family. He has built a private room in his house where only he and his lovers are allowed. "The room is fully equipped and super romantic," said the expert. However, this does not mean his wife and children are free from living a lie because they cannot utter a word to anyone, given the status he has in society. For the same reason, divorce is out of the question. Outwardly, the wife is going through the life of a normal, traditional Vietnamese woman devoted to her husband, whose happiness comes before hers. But her real life suffering has no outlet. In this case, it was the straight spouse, the wife and a mother, who has been victimized and needed help, the guest noted. Teddy, a guest advises others on coming out successfully. Sitting next to him is his mother, Dinh Thi Yen Ly, president of PFLAG. It took Ly five years to accept her son's sexual identity and mend their relationship. Sitting across them are another mother-LGBT son pair whove also been through their own journey towards understanding one another. Photo by Sen A strategic coming out One of the most asked questions in the LGBT community is: "How do I come out safely?" And it was raised again at the event. Teddy, a university lecturer at the Ho Chi Minh University of Technology, recommended a strategic approach. He said: "You need to calculate all the risks. If you want your parents to understand you, make sure you are also willing to understand them. ICS director Thao elaborated on this. She said there was no blanket solution that fits every family, but the some steps can be useful. "First of all, know thyself. LGBT members need to know who they are, what they need, and essentially equip themselves with relevant LGBT knowledge. "The second step involves finding an ally in the family, who has an open and receptive mind. Last, but not the least, team up with that person to find other family members who can sympathize with your situation." Thao advised: "Every family is different, but having an ally means you will be protected to an extent, especially when that person has a big influence in the family." Everyone attending the event agreed that more time and effort was needed to raise understanding and empathy so that the sad stories narrated would, in the future, become an anomaly in the country. That is the mission that ICS and PFLAG Vietnam have set for themselves. While ICS works towards LGBTI+ community empowerment, social change, and law advocacy, as well as providing consultation and legal aid, PFLAG devotes its resources to similar initiatives and organizes safe platforms for LGBT discussions. Parents are scared, too A key aspect of the LGBT experience highlighted at the talk show was the parents plight. Chau said that it is always difficult for parents to keep up with their children, who shift from one milestone of growth to another. In the case of different sexual orientation, "you should help your parents confront the naysayers and enrich their LGBT knowledge," she told a teenager. She said it was fear and ignorance that made some parents strive hard to protect family honor for the sake of outsiders while "attacking their own children." The events host said he felt parents of LGBTQI+ chide their children not because they do not love them, but because they are deeply offended by outsiders mocking of their loved ones for their unorthodox sexual orientations. They want to change that, "but sometimes they direct their anger at the wrong person - their own children. "Even you need time to accept and welcome yourself, how can parents instantly accept you" an event organizer asked. "When you are becoming more cognizant of the fact that you are different, think about your parents. Have you ever considered your parents perspective? That they are scared too because they are different for having a gay child?" Washington, D.C. and New York, NY, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Next week CityLab Detroit, the preeminent global cities summit organized by the Aspen Institute, The Atlantic, and Bloomberg Philanthropies to address the most urgent urban issues, will be held in Detroit from October 28-30. This is the first time the sixth annual event will take place in a heartland cityprior summits were hosted by Paris, Miami, London, Los Angeles, and New Yorkand will draw inspiration from the people and issues unique to the region. Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City from 2002-2013 and founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies, will announce the winners of the U.S. Mayors Challenge during the opening remarks at this years event. The Mayors Challenge is a yearlong competition that challenged city leaders to uncover and test bold, inventive ideas to confront the toughest problems faced by cities. The winning cities will receive support to begin implementation on potentially breakthrough solutions to homelessness, the opioid crisis, mobility, climate change, and economic opportunity. Limited media credentials are available for CityLab, and must be arranged in advance. Full details and a schedule are available. For more information, please contact Anna Bross (anna@theatlantic.com). CityLab was founded on the principle that the most important innovation is happening at the local level and that global impact can be achieved when cities share solutions. CityLab Detroit will be attended by dozens of mayors from the U.S. and cities around the world, along with the leading city innovators, business leaders, urban experts, artists, and activists. Featured speakers and sessions include: Mary Barra, CEO & Chairman of General Motors, interviewed by David Bradley , Chairman of Atlantic Media. CEO & Chairman of General Motors, interviewed by , Chairman of Atlantic Media. Hannah Beachler , production designer of films like Black Panther and Moonlight, on telling the story of a city in film. , production designer of films like Black Panther and Moonlight, on telling the story of a city in film. Remarks from Michael R. Bloomberg , three-term mayor of New York City, entrepreneur and philanthropist. , three-term mayor of New York City, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Mayors Mike Duggan of Detroit ; Jenny Durkan of Seattle; and Melvin Carter of St. Paul, on what cities are doing to build inclusive economies. of Detroit of Seattle; and of St. Paul, on what cities are doing to build inclusive economies. A look at the global techno movement born in Detroit, and the inspiration a musician can draw from a city, with producer and recording artist Kevin Saunderson . . A conversation on how universities can work together to create equal access to higher education, with Ana Mari Cauce of the University of Washington, Mark Schlissel of the University of Michigan, and Mary Schmidt Campbell of Spelman College. of the University of Washington, of the University of Michigan, and of Spelman College. President Kersti Kaljulaid of the Republic of Estonia, which is the most digital government in the world. of the Republic of Estonia, which is the most digital government in the world. Maurice Cox , director of Planning & Development Department for the city of Detroit, on reinventing a city. , director of Planning & Development Department for the city of Detroit, on reinventing a city. A session on how cities are making space for mobility, with former CEO of Zipcar Robin Chase and Scott Kubly, chief programs officer at Limebike. CityLab Detroit will take place at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. CityLab attendees will also tour a number of sites in Detroit, including Eastern Market, the Real-Time Crime Center, The Tiny Homes Neighborhood and the Empowerment Plan, art installation Mirage Detroit, and Michigan Central Station. ### CITYLAB DETROIT 2018 DETAILS: What: CityLab Detroit: A partnership between the Aspen Institute, The Atlantic, and Bloomberg Philanthropies, CityLab is the preeminent meeting of city leaders and the top minds in urbanism and city planning, economics, education, art and architecture, community development, and businessconvened with the goal of creating scalable solutions to major challenges faced by cities everywhere. Where: Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, 400 Renaissance Drive When: October 28-30, 2018 Social Media: Follow along on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook with #CityLab2018, @AtlanticLIVE and @AspenInstitute, @BloombergDotOrg Mayors Attending: Domestic: Birmingham, Alabama; Anchorage, Alaska; Long Beach, California; San Jose, California; Stockton, California; Hartford, Connecticut; Fort Collins, Colorado; Atlanta, Georgia; Gary, Indiana; South Bend, Indiana; Baltimore, Maryland; Detroit, Michigan; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Lansing, Michigan; Minneapolis, Minnesota; New Rochelle, New York; St. Paul, Minnesota; St. Louis, Missouri; Henderson, Nevada; Camden, New Jersey; Paterson, New Jersey; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Charlotte, North Carolina; Durham, North Carolina; Akron, Ohio; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Memphis, Tennessee; Georgetown, Texas; Tacoma, Washington; Seattle, Washington; Huntington, West Virginia; Cheyenne, Wyoming. International: Santiago, Chile; Athens, Greece; Palermo, Italy; Braga, Portugal; Sintra, Portugal; Utrecht, Netherlands. About the Aspen Institute The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Marylands Eastern Shore. It also has offices in New York City and an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org. About The Atlantic Founded in 1857 and today one of the fastest growing media platforms in the industry, The Atlantic has throughout its history championed the power of big ideas and continues to shape global debate across print, digital, events, video, and audio platforms. With its award-winning digital presence TheAtlantic.com and CityLab.com on cities around the world, The Atlantic is a multimedia forum on the most critical issues of our timesfrom politics, global, and the economy, to technology, arts, and culture. Bob Cohn is president of The Atlantic and Jeffrey Goldberg is editor in chief. Emerson Collective is majority owner; Atlantic Media is the minority operating owner of The Atlantic. About Bloomberg Philanthropies Bloomberg Philanthropies works in over 480 cities in more than 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloombergs charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2017, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $702 million. For more information, please visit www.bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter. The Vinh Trung noodle soup stands apart from the rest the rice and the broth make it deliciously different. The Vinh Trung rice noodle soup is named after a commune in Tinh Bien District, southern An Giang Province. The noodle is flat and small, unlike the large ones in other parts of Vietnam. Commune residents believe the mother of this dish was a Khmer woman named Neang Oanh Na, who created it decades ago to cater to her own fondness for the taste of the Neang Nhen rice. Her first version of the dish was a crayfish soup, which was later embellished with beef, chicken, pork, and shrimp, if the consumer requested it. The broth of this dish, made with steamed fish, pig bones, chicken bones and shrimp has an incredible aroma. What makes the noodle very popular and special is that locally sourced, fresh meat complements every bowl. While the livestock farms are just around the corner in the Bay Nui area (Seven Mountains), shrimp comes from the Mekong River. Neang Oanh Nas aromatic noodles enticed many villagers to learn the recipe, and it developed into a regional specialty. On the way from downtown Tinh Bien District towards Cambodian border, a host of Khmer rice noodle soup restaurants distract visitors from their destination with irresistible fragrance. One particularly popular and enchanting place is the My Tien restaurant with its busy kitchen and cabinet full of meat. The 43-year-old woman who it is named after has been running this story since 1998 and piling on customers who return for more. She said her Vinh Trung noodle soup draws gourmets from near and far. "We serve locals and travelers from other regions. There are foreigners from time to time as well, Tien said. Each bowl is a meat feast - pork chops, beef cakes, snakehead fish, shrimp and vegetables. The star of the dish is the beef meatball, which when cut in half reveals a pinkish brown color. The order of placing the ingredients is also different from other noodle soups. The cook places the rice noodle at the bottom of bowl, follows it up with all kinds of meat and pours the broth at the very end with a pinch of scallions. The meat has no other dressing than Vietnamese fish sauce, adding maximum flavor to the soup. Thach, My Tiens son and chief assistant, said his parents do not hire employees other than family members. "On busy days, we would ask our cousins to come and help, The restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. A special order which comes with all toppings costs VND30,000 ($1.30) while a bowl with a single topping costs VND20,000 ($0.85). Quang, a resident who lives near the restaurant, explained its popularity: "The noodle soup here is so tasty. I usually have it for breakfast, then after work if Im too lazy to cook I will come here for another bowl. I dont need anything else. A Central American migrant, part of a caravan trying to reach the U.S, is pictured as he waits to open the gate on the bridge that connects Mexico and Guatemala in Ciudad Hidalgo, Mexico, October 21, 2018. Photo by Reuters/Edgard Garrido A U.S.-bound caravan of mostly Honduran migrants whom President Donald Trump has declared unwelcome, crowded into the Mexican border city of Tapachula on Sunday. These people set up impromptu camps in public spaces under a heavy rain. Members of the caravan, exhausted from the hours-long trek on foot from the Guatemalan border, mostly ignored police offers to board buses heading to a migrant shelter because of suspicions they might be deported instead. The migrants have defied threats by Trump that he will close the U.S.-Mexico border if the caravan advances, as well as warnings from the Mexican government that they risk deportation if they cannot justify seeking asylum in Mexico. On Sunday, Trump said on Twitter that full efforts are being made to stop the onslaught of illegal aliens, arguing that the migrants must apply for asylum in Mexico before attempting to petition U.S. authorities. In southern Mexico, police in riot gear shadowed the caravans arrival along a southern highway, but did not impede their journey. Among the throngs hiking into the center of the city was Roger Pineda, a 16-year-old Honduran. I just want to find some food and a place to sleep, he said, explaining he joined the caravan last week with five family members and a group of friends from the violent city of San Pedro Sula. I hope Trump allows us to make it to the other side, he said. In Guatemala, local media reported that around 1,000 migrants were traveling north en route to the Mexican border. A large column of people marched under a burning sun Sunday as a military helicopter circled low overhead. Many migrants said they were fleeing a toxic mix of violence, poverty and corruption in Central America. Most said they felt safer advancing in a large group. Were going to make it, were going to keep moving so long as they dont stop us, said Honduran Jaffe Borjas, 17, marching alongside a childhood friend at the head of the column that stretched far down the highway to the horizon. Along the route north to Tapachula, about 25 miles (40 km) northwest of the border, some broke into song. If you send us back, we will return! a large crowd shouted in unison. We are not criminals, we are workers! Extremely dangerous conditions' Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador supported the caravan and promised to provide people with work permits in a speech to supporters in Tuxtla-Gutierrez, about 180 miles (290 km) north of Tapachula. I want to tell them they can count on us, said Lopez Obrador, who will take office in December, to a smattering of applause. He reiterated that is seeking Trumps support to help fund a development plan that could alleviate poverty in Central America and southern Mexico. Since the convoy formed last weekend, Trump has threatened to halt aid to Honduras and Guatemala, and potentially close the U.S. border with Mexico with the help of the military if the migrants march is not stopped. Mexicos government has said throughout the past week that it would register the migrants and process requests for asylum. Those attempting to skip the process would face deportation, but the size of the caravan will test Mexico, which has sought help from the United Nations to manage the issue. More than 3,400 Hondurans migrants had been returned to their home country over the past 48 hours by Sunday afternoon, according to a migrant assistance body led by the wife of Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, Ana Garcia de Hernandez. Were urging people against migrating in an unlawful way and putting your children in extremely dangerous conditions, Garcia de Hernandez said in a statement. The Honduran government has also blamed the political opposition back home for encouraging the exodus of migrants. Mexican immigration authorities said they had allowed some 1,028 migrants through the official border crossing in Ciudad Hidalgo near the bridge spanning the Suchiate River over the past three days. The slow pace prompted thousands to cross the river illegally by raft or swimming to the shore. BNP Paribas, Citi, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan have been named as lead managers. Ukraine has mandated banks for its first long-dated international bond issue since last year's stand-off with the International Monetary Fund, which halted a $17.5 billion bail-out package. BNP Paribas, Citi, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan have been named as lead managers on the deal, which will be a 10-year, dollar-denominated bond, The Financial Times said. Ukraine may also sell five-year paper, depending on investors' appetite, it said. Read alsoUkraine, IMF reach staff level agreement on new Stand-By Arrangement The move comes just two days after the IMF agreed a new $3.9 billion assistance package with Ukraine, after the country's government took the politically unpopular decision of meeting a key condition of the fund by raising household gas tariffs. It is the first long-dated dollar debt since Ukraine raised $2.5 billion from investors last November; that was its first dollar bond since Russia's annexation of the Crimea in 2014. Ukrainian ministers including Oksana Markarova, the acting finance minister, will hold a series of meetings with investors this week in preparation for the bond sale, which will take place "subject to market conditions" according to one of the banks involved. The new Stand-By Arrangement will replace the Extended Fund Facility. Anders Aslund, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C., says a new deal between Ukraine and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) unlocks US$8 billion in additional government borrowing. "Ukraine has substantial debt service coming due in 2019-2020 and it would need some $7 billion in external financing during this period. The IMF agreement should solve it all. The IMF itself will probably disburse $2 billion at the end of this year. With IMF approval, the European Union and the World Bank are likely to provide $2 billion, and the government can sell eurobonds for an additional $2 billion at an admittedly high yield of some 9 percent. In addition, several state corporations are likely to sell eurobonds or borrow by other means. Thus, $8 billion or so of additional government borrowing is probable," Aslund wrote. Read alsoUkraine to repay about US$5.5 bln in debt obligations in 2019-2020 According to him, given that Ukraine's public debt has shrunk to 62 percent of GDP, the additional public debt raises no concerns, while the central bank reserves of only $16.6 billion at the end of September corresponded to only 2.9 months of imports and were worrisome. "Now the reserves should arouse no concern until the end of 2019," Aslund said. As was reported, the IMF and the Ukrainian authorities earlier reached agreement on economic policies for a new 14-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) worth US$3.9 billion, which is to be approved by the IMF's Executive Board. The new SBA will replace the arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), approved in March 2015 and set to expire in March 2019. Board consideration is expected later in the year following parliamentary approval of a Ukrainian government budget for 2019 consistent with IMF recommendations and an increase in household gas and heating tariffs to reflect market developments while continuing to protect low-income households. PM Groysman rules out further increase in gas prices for households Gas tariffs will depend on prices of imported gas, the prime minister said. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter EU informs PM Groysman about concerns over Ukrenergo Ukrenergo's corporatization is one of the conditions for Ukraine to receive the European Union's macro-financial assistance. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Ukrainian winemakers ready to give up names 'champagne' and 'cognac' France requires that the names "champagne" and "cognac" be changed, as these are the names of geographical locations on its territory. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter What do you think about our new website? Share your opinion Russian President Vladimir Putin signed off a decree on special economic measures to be taken in response to Ukrainian sanctions earlier imposed against the Russian Federation. Indeed, Russia is able to introduce restrictions that are sensitive to Ukraine, even more sensitive than whatever Russia has already done before all those trade wars and previous sanctions. First, despite the sharp drop in the volume of bilateral trade, Russia remains Ukraine's largest trading partner (if compared with other individual countries rather than associations like the EU). In January-August 2018, Ukraine exported to Russia goods worth $ 2.448 billion, and imported goods worth $5.094 billion. It is important that Russia has always been the main consumer of Ukrainian industrial products, including high-tech. This means that, of all countries, it is Russia that is able to impose sanctions most painful for Ukraine. And it is precisely the loss of the Russian markets that would be the hardest to compensate for. It is known that as a result of the restrictions imposed on trade, losses are always incurred by both parties. Therefore, restrictions are usually introduced gradually, while the country implements its import substitution policy. However, in the current situation, when political considerations come to the fore, especially in connection with the desire to influence the course and outcome of the presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine, Russia could go for drastically limiting the supply of goods critical for Ukraine. In general, there are several areas most sensitive for Ukraine. For example, Russia is already proceeding and will proceed on the path of reducing (possibly completely halting) gas transit via Ukraine. Gas transit services provided Ukraine with annual revenues of up to $3 billion. Without these revenues, Ukraine will face catastrophic problems with the balance of payments, and the real threat will be a deep devaluation of the hryvnia and an actual default. For example, Russia is already proceeding and will proceed on the path of reducing (possibly completely halting) gas transit via Ukraine At the end of 2019, the transit contract between Gazprom and Naftogaz will expire, while the construction of Nord Stream-2 and Turk Stream will be completed. In this sense, the threat of Ukraine losing all gas transit volumes is becoming quite real. Ukraine is also dependent on the supply of Russian nuclear fuel. It is yet hard to say whether Russia will resort to any measures related to nuclear fuel. Ukraine is completing the tests of U.S.-made fuel by Westinghouse, and it is possible that substitution is possible here. And if there is a replacement, then such sanctions for Ukraine will not be so sensitive. In addition, the winter is coming, and Ukraine traditionally buys in Russia large amounts of thermal coal, including hard coals of anthracite group. Restricting coal supplies could put our thermal power plants in a difficult position and cause major disruptions in the Ukrainian economy. Then there is a number of other areas. In particular, Russia still buys a significant part of Ukrainian products. For example, restrictions may be imposed on the supply of metal products, including pipes. Secondly, as is well known, Russia remains the largest investor in the Ukrainian economy. Therefore, the sanctions associated with the restriction of these investments will also be very sensitive for Ukraine. Restricting coal supplies could put our thermal power plants in a difficult position and cause major disruptions in the Ukrainian economy We still have several large Ukrainian banks operating with Russian capital. It is possible to move towards reducing their operations, up to the complete liquidation of these banks. It is worth noting that Putins decree implies the introduction of targeted sanctions against legal entities and individuals. Therefore, it is possible that some restrictions will be imposed related to the investments of Ukrainian oligarchs in Russia. It is also possible that Ukraine's accounts and other assets will be blocked in Russia. Many are discussing the possibility of Russia imposing restrictions on the use of Ukrainian labor. After all, a fairly large number of Ukrainian citizens work in Russia (according to various estimates, it's up to 3 million people). I don't think that this will happen though, because Russia is experiencing a great shortage of manpower, and will hardly refuse to use the Ukrainians, because this would greatly affect not only Ukraine, but also Russia itself. In addition, it is believed that Ukrainians working in Russia are more loyal to Russia. In general, further deterioration of relations between Ukraine and Russia and the curtailment of economic relations are likely to lead to a further decline in the living standards of Ukrainians and will have a negative impact on the Ukrainian internal political situation. Viktor Suslov is an Honored Economist of Ukraine, ex-Minister of Economy Russia reveals essence of sanctions against Ukraine The Russian prime minister believes that Ukrainians who will be targeted "harm" Russian interests through their activities. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter RICHMOND, Va., Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Power Distribution, Inc. (PDI) , a pioneer of innovative power transformation, power distribution, and intelligent power monitoring solutions for mission-critical operations, today announced that the company has selected the DCD Colo+Cloud show as an opportune venue to fulfill contractors and data center managers inquiries for intelligent overhead power busway information. Meeting this need in Dallas, TX, on Oct. 30th, the company will display and discuss its PowerWave 2 Bus System (Booth #25) At PDI, we recognize that data center power requirements are aggressively evolving. Based on customer research and industry demand, our engineering team reinvented the overhead busway with the innovative CouplerTek providing the industrys most efficient connections between bus runs while remaining under critical loadswithout the need for preventative maintenance, said Alan Turner, Vice President of Sales at PDI. We are proud to deliver an overhead busway system that continues to draw such positive attention and we're eager to continue our power conversations with leaders who are responsible for building and maintaining global mission-critical facilities. PDIs award-winning design allows a coupler to be installed in just a few minuteswithout the use of specialized tools. And, its design allows tap off boxes to be installed directly next to itshrinking the unusable bus to 3.75 inches. In addition, the integrated channel for the companys patented branch-circuit monitoring system, offers real-time power metrics for voltage, current, kilowatt hours and a host of other power data. Cant make the show? Visit http://bit.ly/PDIBusway to learn more about the industry's top busway system. Follow and engage with PDI via: LinkedIn Twitter Facebook About Power Distribution, Inc. (PDI) Power Distribution, Inc. (PDI) is a pioneer of innovative power transformation, power distribution, and intelligent power monitoring solutions for mission-critical operations. The company leverages their ISO standards-based manufacturing facilities in Virginia and California, as well as partner and customer collaborations, to create the broadest range of award-winning solutions in the industry. Through the PDI and ONYX brand names, these industry leading solutions are sought after by data center, industrial and other mission-critical facilities and backed by continued global service and support. The net result: One company to provide and to service the end-to-end power needs of a 24x7 connected world. For more information, please visit www.pdicorp.com . For more information, contact: Jackie Abramian BridgeView Marketing (for PDI, Inc.) 603-570-7533 Jackie@bridgeviewmarketing.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c58cb49c-3ba9-4b94-8d81-467022d915bd Ukraine's anti-corruption watchdog probing massive embezzlement from state bank: MP in focus The funds were embezzled through abuse of position, forgery of documents, and their use in conspiracy with bank officials. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Asanko Gold Inc. (Asanko or the Company) (TSX, NYSE American: AKG) is pleased to announce the launch of the Asanko Women in Mining Botae Pa Initiative at the Asanko Gold Mine (AGM) in Ghana, West Africa. The AGM is a 50:50 joint venture (JV) with Gold Fields Ltd (JSE, NYSE: GFI) which is managed and operated by Asanko. Literally translated from the Ghanaian Akan language to mean Good Purpose, the Botae Pa Initiative is dedicated to the empowerment and furtherance of women at the Asanko Gold Mine and its catchment communities. This Initiative has been the brainchild of the Asanko Women in Mining Chapter and is being funded 50:50 by the mine and its contractors. The Botae Pa Initiatives projects will be focused on achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls by promoting the mining sector to women as an exciting career choice, focusing on the needs of women and girls in the local communities in the areas of education, health, access to finance and business, and supporting the professional development of Asankos women through mentoring and networking programs. The Botae Pa Initiative builds on Asankos existing corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs and meets the globally recognized United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #5 Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. To date, Asankos CSR programs, under the umbrella of The Asanko Opportunity Cycle, have focused on education, health, access to capital and financial literacy, vocational training and assisting local businesses. Commenting on the launch, Peter Breese, President & CEO, said, Gender diversity isnt just a buzzword of the moment, it makes good business sense to have a workforce that is made up of the best male and female talent out there. "Its important that we continue to develop and promote the women within our business, as well as the girls in our local communities, as they are the next generation of leaders and decision makers and the Botae Pa Initiative provides a dedicated platform to fulfil this. "CSR is key to Asankos business and its long-term viability as a successful gold producer in Ghana. Over the past decade, we have built up a strong social license to operate and have been recognized for our award-winning CSR projects. The Botae Pa Initiative will complement these ongoing programs as well as deliver on our commitment to the UNs SDG #5. I congratulate the Asanko Women in Mining Chapter for setting up this Initiative. Alongside the Botae Pa Initiative, Asanko also has a formal Women in Mining Charter outlining its commitment to gender diversity and empowerment, as well as a number of female-friendly policies designed to increase the number of women at the Asanko Gold Mine, which currently stands at approximately 10% for 2018 and is above the national average of 7% in the mining industry in Ghana. Amongst these policies are: prioritizing female applicants for vacant roles, provision of site accommodation for all women on the mine, maternity leave extended from 14 to 16 weeks and the provision of site accommodation and meals for all nursing mothers and their nannies. Enquiries: For further information please visit: www.asanko.com , email: info@asanko.com or contact: Alex Buck Manager, Investor and Media Relations Toll-Free (N.America): 1-855-246-7341 Telephone: +44-7932-740-452 Email: alex.buck@asanko.com About Asanko Gold Inc. Asankos vision is to become a mid-tier gold mining company that maximizes value for all its stakeholders. The Companys flagship project, located in Ghana, West Africa, is the jointly owned Asanko Gold Mine with Gold Fields Ltd, which Asanko manages and operates. Asanko is managed by highly skilled and successful technical, operational and financial professionals. The Company is strongly committed to the highest standards for environmental management, social responsibility, and health and safety for its employees and neighbouring communities. Neither Toronto Stock Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Armenian President attends opening of World Investment Forum 2018 in Geneva President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian, who is in Switzerland on a working visit, attended the opening ceremony of the 10th World Investment Forum 2018 in the UN headquarters in Geneva. The Forum is organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). This year it is held under the Investments for Sustainable Development slogan, the Presidential Office reports. Before the launch of the Forum, the Armenian President had a brief talk with President of Switzerland Alain Berset, whom he also met recently in Yerevan within the framework of the 17th Summit of the International Organization of La Francophonie. The opening ceremony of the Forum was attended by high-ranking officials from Switzerland, UNCTAD members states, world business community, investors and representatives of international organizations. The World Investment Forum is one of the leading international and representative forums dedicated to investments and sustainable development during which the global challenges in the investment field and the ways to overcome them in the current era of globalization and industrialization are being discussed. This year more than 4000 representatives from 160 countries, including leaders of multiple transnational corporations from different states, influential investment funds, major companies are participating in the Forum. The opening of the Forum was followed by the UN investment promotion award ceremony which was also attended by President Sarkissian. Those companies, which recorded excellent results in the implementation of the UN sustainable development goals, in particular in fighting poverty, ensuring quality education and health, flight against climate change, have received awards. The Armenian President handed over an award to the Indian Invest India agency. Thereafter, President Sarkissian visited the Armenian pavilion opened at the Investment Camp of the World Investment Forum. Armenias investment environment, attractiveness and competitive advantages, as well as tourism opportunities were presented in the pavilion. The President got acquainted with the materials in the pavilion and talked to visitors. Statement nn the ongoing Aggression by Azerbaijan against the Republic of Armenia "We condemn any attempts at borderisation, as observed since the incursion of Azerbaijani troops into Armenian territory on 12 May" Joint statement The United States is deeply concerned about reports of intensive fighting today between Armenia and Azerbaijan.ANTONY J. BLINKEN Statement of the MFA of Armenia Google Ad Ookla has awarded Ucom with The fastest fixedline network in Armenia award UCOM keeps on supporting the 42 YEREVAN programming school Recognizing the One-Year Anniversary of the Ceasefire Declaration Between Armenia and Azerbaijan They should not be positioned near civilian communities neither in Armenia nor in Artsakh Humanitarian and human rights protection needed following the 2020 outbreak of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh Galaxy Group of Companies expands its activities in Belarus: a new TIME and Pandora store launched I think its a good moment to invest in Armenia. Head of Markets at Symbiotics Vincent Lehner Ameriabank has Raised USD 17.5M Tier 2 Capital UNIGHT TO UNITE. UCOM CELEBRATED ITS REBIRTH Ameriabank and HSBC Armenia to provide their customers access to each others ATMs without additional fees Ameriabank. 62.5% Growth in Taxes YOY Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans have provided 300 million AMD to overcome the infertility in Armenia Google Ad UCOM has officially launched the sale of IPHONE 13 Six servicemen were wounded by the attack of the Azerbaijani armed forces in Artsakh, two of them in critical condition S&P Improved the Outlook on Ameriabank to Positive Ararat Mirzoyan to visit to Minsk Foreign Minister of India visits the Memorial of Armenian Genocide 1217 new cases Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group At UCOM only: Tv sets at 10% discount + 1 month free UMIX package + 4k tv channel Ameriabanks Special Offer for New Clients of Hrazdan Branch "Fall forward": Gurgen Khachatryan, the Co-Founder of the Galaxy Group of Companies, addressed a message to young people in Armenia UCOM hosted interns of Russian CBOSS corporation for a month The 20-episode Bloody bet thriller to be broadcast on Ucom's Armenia Premium TV channel Zhanna Alexanyan: Suicide attempts in army are always questionable Today, the president of Journalists for Human Rights NGO Zhanna Alexanyan informed that from January to September, 34 cases of death of servicemen were registered in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia. "These data are not official, they are data of different NGOs. Border incidents are included in these deaths." According to Zhanna Alexanyan, during the velvet revolution and after that, deaths of soldiers have been described as suicides. There were eight cases. "Suicide attempts are always questionable. I know that Nikol Pashinyan is very interested in the army, but I notice the rights of the soldiers in the army are not the priority for the current government. I am very surprised they [rights] are not in the center of attention of the current authorities," Alexanyan said. Armenian President: Armenia can be highly important link between EU-EEU countries Armenian President Armen Sarkissian had a working meeting today in Geneva, Switzerland with executives from Vertex Venture Holdings (Singapore), Swiss Sustainable Finance (Switzerland) and Siemens Financial Services (Germany). The purpose of the visit was to brief the executives on Armenias investment arena and prospects of cooperation in different sectors, according to Sarkissians office. Issues related to mutually beneficial cooperation were discussed, the presidents office said in a press release. Possibilities of introducing their experience in our country, as well as implementing projects with Armenian companies were touched upon, Sarkissians office said. An agreement was reached to visit Armenia and carry out discussions with the government on cooperation, according to Sarkissians office. President Sargsyan noted that Armenia, being a member of the EEU, can act as a very important link between EU-EEU countries, especially when all required conditions for this exist, the presidents office said. During the meeting with Siemens Financial Services executives, it was noted that Armenia can be a bridge towards Eurasian markets as a member of the EEU, the presidential office said. Statement nn the ongoing Aggression by Azerbaijan against the Republic of Armenia "We condemn any attempts at borderisation, as observed since the incursion of Azerbaijani troops into Armenian territory on 12 May" Joint statement The United States is deeply concerned about reports of intensive fighting today between Armenia and Azerbaijan.ANTONY J. BLINKEN Statement of the MFA of Armenia Ookla has awarded Ucom with The fastest fixedline network in Armenia award UCOM keeps on supporting the 42 YEREVAN programming school Recognizing the One-Year Anniversary of the Ceasefire Declaration Between Armenia and Azerbaijan They should not be positioned near civilian communities neither in Armenia nor in Artsakh Humanitarian and human rights protection needed following the 2020 outbreak of hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh Galaxy Group of Companies expands its activities in Belarus: a new TIME and Pandora store launched I think its a good moment to invest in Armenia. Head of Markets at Symbiotics Vincent Lehner Ameriabank has Raised USD 17.5M Tier 2 Capital UNIGHT TO UNITE. UCOM CELEBRATED ITS REBIRTH Ameriabank and HSBC Armenia to provide their customers access to each others ATMs without additional fees Ameriabank. 62.5% Growth in Taxes YOY Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans have provided 300 million AMD to overcome the infertility in Armenia Google Ad UCOM has officially launched the sale of IPHONE 13 Six servicemen were wounded by the attack of the Azerbaijani armed forces in Artsakh, two of them in critical condition S&P Improved the Outlook on Ameriabank to Positive Ararat Mirzoyan to visit to Minsk Foreign Minister of India visits the Memorial of Armenian Genocide 1217 new cases Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group At UCOM only: Tv sets at 10% discount + 1 month free UMIX package + 4k tv channel Ameriabanks Special Offer for New Clients of Hrazdan Branch "Fall forward": Gurgen Khachatryan, the Co-Founder of the Galaxy Group of Companies, addressed a message to young people in Armenia UCOM hosted interns of Russian CBOSS corporation for a month The 20-episode Bloody bet thriller to be broadcast on Ucom's Armenia Premium TV channel Acting FM receives OSCE Representative on Freedom of Media (video) Acting foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan held a meeting today with OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Desir, the foreign ministry said. The sides highly appreciated the close and productive cooperation that has developed between Desirs office and relevant Armenian bodies and the governments actions on safeguarding media freedom and freedom of speech in the country. They emphasized that this visit is a good chance to get first hand information on the latest changes that took place in Armenia and to outline the actions for more productive use of the partnership potential within the framework of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media office. Touching upon the latest domestic political developments in detail, Mnatsakanyan reiterated the Armenian governments commitment to continue the reforms aimed at strengthening democracy. The Acting FM noted that specific issues are at the basis of the broad mandate given by the people: combating corruption, strengthening rule of law and justice and ensuring equal conditions in the social and economic areas. Both sides highlighted cooperation between Armenia and international organizations on this path. One-year highlights include: Over 15,000 companies have signed up for Kuebix TMS and joined the shipping community Kuebix Community Load Match launched as a new community service to enable users to find and book much needed truckload capacity MAYNARD, Mass., Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kuebix , creator of a transportation management system that delivers true freight intelligence, today celebrates the one-year anniversary of Kuebix Free Shipper , the industrys first free multimodal TMS that offers unlimited rating, booking and tracking of TL, LTL and parcel freight. At this one-year milestone, over 15,000 companies have signed up with Kuebix TMS (Free Shipper, Business Pro and Enterprise) and joined Kuebixs shipping community. The company has since launched Kuebix Community Load Match to empower members of its growing logistics community to find and book truckload rates. The goal of Kuebix Free Shipper is to provide all shippers the ability to rate, book and track their freight directly with their carriers, said Dan Clark, Founder and President of Kuebix. By making basic transportation management free, Kuebix has been able to bring thousands of shippers together into one community, and the opportunities for collaboration within Kuebixs logistics community are endless! Since the unprecedented adoption of Kuebix Free Shipper and resulting expansion of the Global Logistics Community , Kuebix has launched its first service built exclusively for members. The service, called Kuebix Community Load Match, helps shippers find and book truckload rates on the spot market to help them overcome the capacity crunch. Constraints in the industry like the capacity crunch and driver shortage make getting product from point A to point B more difficult, not to mention more expensive, said Clark. By bringing shippers, carriers and suppliers together through one TMS, we can discover new opportunities for efficiencies and savings. Our team has a number of programs that we will be announcing to Kuebix users in the near future that promise to be extremely beneficial to our growing logistics community. Kuebix is set to announce new partnerships and programs, which will bring additional value to the Global Logistics Community in the months ahead. Watch the Kuebix Free Shipper video. About Kuebix Kuebix TMS is a transportation management system (TMS) with Freight Intelligence that enables companies to take advantage of supply chain opportunities through visibility, control and the use of predictive analytics. Kuebix is democratizing the rating, booking and tracking of freight with its free TMS, Kuebix Free Shipper, which can be ready to use in minutes. Shippers looking for advanced functionality, analytics, and multiple users/locations can upgrade to Kuebix Business Pro and Kuebix Enterprise and then seamlessly add Premier Applications and Integrations as they need. Kuebix also offers unique Managed Service Programs to businesses looking to partially or fully outsource their transportation operations. For more information visit: www.kuebix.com . Media Contacts: President Sarkissian does not sign law and applies to Constitutional Court to question constitutionality of amendments in Rules of Procedure The Office of President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian has issued a statement over the constitutional law on amendments in the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly of Armenia, adopted in an extraordinary session on October 2. The press service of the Armenian Presidents Office reports, the statement runs as follows, Starting from the first day in office, President Armen Sarkissian imported a new culture when implementing his duties each step should be directed at the implementation of a specific goal and be based on the principle of rule of law. The statement notes that this approach is applied also for signing any law, be it a new law or amendments in an already-existing law. When signing them the President and his staff analyze if there are any constitutional-legal problems and to what extent the new law or the amendments foster the solution of a specific goal and if the possible reactions have been taken into account. All the laws should be in conformity with the Constitution and serve their goals, reads the statement. Referring to the law on amendments in the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly of Armenia adopted in an extraordinary session on October 2, the statement notes that it became a reason of various comments and discussions. The disagreement of a large part of the public over the law was recorded. Faithful to his approach, President Sarkissian instructed his staff to study the international experience on this issue more deeply, as well as the amendments to the Law and their justification. The study of the amendments to the law, as well as the current edition of the law on the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly shows that there are some obvious constitutional-legal problems, reads the statement, adding that President Sarkissian has decided to apply to the Constitutional Court to question the constitutionality of amendments in the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly of Armenia. The new program from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will make it easier for Ukraine to get access funding in the amount of $8 billion and will allow it maintaining quiet a stable hryvnia exchange rate in 2019, Anders Aslund, an analyst from the American center of Atlantic Council, believes. Ukraine is now likely to receive $2 billion from the IMF, $2 billion from the EU and the World Bank, the Ukrainian government is likely to place eurobonds for another $2 billion, as well as state-owned companies are likely to place eurobonds for another $2 billion or more, Aslund said in an interview with Voice of America. The analyst noted that the new IMF program will allow increasing currency reserves of the central bank, which now amount to about $16.6 billion, which is the "absolute minimum." "The reserves will grow to about $25 billion. This will be sufficient for the next year for Ukraine, when elections are held," the expert said. The Candidate Countries Montenegro and Albania, and the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, align themselves with Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, the Council of the European Union said on Monday. "The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it," it says. As reported, the Council's decision to prolong the restrictive measures over actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine for another six months came into effect after an official publication in the EU Official Journal on September 14, 2018. Sanctions affect 155 individuals and 44 organizations. Individual sanctions include the freezing of assets of individuals and legal entities in the European Union, as well as a ban on travel to EU countries. AXA Group (France) has announced the sale of 100% of AXA Insurance and AXA Life Insurance to Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Fairfax, Canada), the group said in a press release. According to the report, 50% of AXA Insurance belongs to UkrSibbank. Fairfax, headquartered in Toronto (Canada), is a financial services holding company that through a network of its own companies provides investment management, property and liability insurance, and reinsurance. In February 2015, Fairfax announced the purchase of 100% in QBE Ukraine insurance company, later renaming the company as Colonnade Ukraine. Fairfax as of the end of 2017 owned 28.06% of Astarta Holding N.V. (the Netherlands), the holding company of Astarta agro-industrial holding. AXA Insurance (Kyiv) is the leading insurance company in Ukraine. For the first half of 2018 it collected more than UAH 915.6 million of gross insurance premiums, which is 14% more than in the same period of 2017. The total amount of insurance payments for this period amounted to UAH 455 million, which is 17% more than in 2017. AXA Insurance belongs to AXA Group (France), represented in the Ukrainian insurance market since 2007. The company has more than 780 employees and 1,220 agents throughout Ukraine. AXA Life Insurance was registered in July 2013. The Kyivsky district court in Odesa has dismissed without hearing on the merits a lawsuit filed by Ihor Kolomoisky, with which he tried to block cooperation among the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), the Finance Ministry, and PrivatBank with Ukrainian and international companies involved in the financial investigation into the activities of former co-owners of the bank. A statement on the NBU's website reads that, following a session on October 18, the court decided that Kolomoisky had filed a lawsuit misusing his procedural rights and attempting to delay the court proceedings. The National Bank considers the court's decision to be fair, establishing the rule of law, and preventing the misuse of procedural norms. "The law has to be one and for all, and this decision is a testament to that. We believe it is not acceptable to create obstacles to the investigation into the events that led to a multi-billion loss of capital at PrivatBank, which resulted in unjustified additional expenditures for the nation," Viktor Hryhorchuk, head of the NBU's claims & lawsuits department, was quoted as saying in the statement. As was reported earlier, following a suggestion by the NBU and former shareholders of PrivatBank, among whom the biggest were Ihor Kolomoisky and Hennadiy Boholiubov at that time, on December 18, 2016 the Ukrainian government decided to nationalize that largest banking institution on the Ukrainian market. In early 2018, the international company Kroll that had conducted a forensic audit of PrivatBank confirmed that the bank had been involved in large-scale and well-coordinated fraud activities that led to a financial loss of at least $5.5 billion for the period of at least ten years prior to its nationalization. According to the information from the NBU, as of July 1, 2018, PrivatBank ranked first in terms of net worth (UAH 265.936 billion) among 83 banks operating in Ukraine. Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Fairfax, Canada), which announced the acquisition of 100% of shares in AXA Insurance, does not plan to merge it with its insurance company Colonnade Ukraine, operating on the Ukrainian market, First Vice President of AXA Insurance Andriy Peretiazhko said at a press conference on Tuesday. He said that Fairfax is a decentralized structure in which each of its companies operates under its own brand. In addition, the operation strategy of the financial group implies full confidence in the management of subsidiaries, minimal interference in their work, the main result of which is profitability. AXA Insurance Board Chairman Philippe Wautelet said that before the completion of the deal, which requires permits from the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine and the National Commission for Financial Service Markets Regulation, the company will operated under the same name AXA Insurance. In addition, according to the agreement with AXA Group, the company can operate under this brand within two months after the change of the owner. The conference participants said that they do not have information about the new name of the company. They expressed confidence that the deal will be finalized and the company will be rebranded next year. Wautelet said that the main reason of leaving the Ukrainian market by AXA was the change of the group's strategy approved two years ago with the arrival of the new CEO and his team. It proposed the focus on large markets and exit from small markets, aiming at optimization of expenses. The conference participants did not specify the cost of the deal and the size of investment by AXA Group in Ukrainian subsidiaries over the entire period of operation in the country. They said that given the devaluation of the hryvnia, investment was not returned. They said that AXA Group holds 50% in AXA Insurance and UkrSibbank another 50%. The shareholder in AXA Life Insurance is AXA Insurance. A Ukrainian delegation headed by acting Finance Minister of Ukraine Oksana Markarova starts a road show for the country's eurobonds, which will commence from London and New York, Markarova has said. "Our small TeamUkraine, consisting of the Finance Ministry, Economic Development and Trade Ministry and the NBU [National Bank of Ukraine] divided in London and the smaller Team A is leaving for New York. The flight and several tense working days are ahead," she wrote on her Facebook page late on Monday. She said that the delegation in London will be head by Government Commissioner on Debt Issues Yuriy Butsa. JSC Ukrtransnafta on Monday evening completed pumping last tonnes of its oil from storage facilities of Naftokhimik Prykarpattia (Nadvirna oil refinery), First Deputy CEO Andriy Pasishnyk has told Interfax-Ukraine. According to him, it was the last of the three refineries, which since April 2014 had stored 385,500 tonnes of the company's crude oil, after it was pumped out of the Ukrtransnafta oil pipelines in the spring of 2014. "The oil was returned only after the quality and quantity was confirmed by the independent international survey companies Inspectorate and Saybolt," he said. The rate for storage of oil, according to the settlement agreements approved by the courts, was UAH 3.08 per tonne (including VAT) instead of UAH 9.6 per tonne (including VAT), which the court tried to collect from Ukrtransnafta. Pasishnyk said that part of the returned oil in the amount of 194,700 tonnes was sold at the exchange trading at the market price by decision of the shareholder. At the same time, the management of the company sent a proposal to sell more than the above-mentioned 194,700 tonnes for approval to the supervisory board of NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy. Naftokhimik Prykarpattia claimed in court for the collection of UAH 514.212 million for storage, Ukrtransnafta paid for UAH 348.103 million, Ukrtatnafta's debt is UAH 2.198 billion and the company paid UAH 519.019 million, Galychyna oil refinery - UAH 175.756 million and UAH 48.069 million respectively. In addition, in the amicable agreements signed, the oil refineries confirmed the absence of claims to Ukrtransnafta for the recovery of court costs. "Instead of claims filed by Ukrtransnafta with three refineries for UAH 2.888 billion, UAH 9.915 billion was actually paid, according to court rulings. The difference between claims of the refineries and actually paid funds is UAH 1.973 billion," Pasishnyk said. The countersanctions against Ukraine that President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian government to elaborate will be endorsed shortly, and relevant resolutions have been drafted, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said. "Proposals in fulfillment of this order will be prepared very soon. I already have drafts of several government resolutions. They will impose sanctions on persons who harm the Russian Federation," Medvedev said in Kaliningrad on Tuesday in response to a question from Interfax. The countermeasures against Ukraine will not harm average Ukrainians, Medvedev said. "Neither the order nor the government resolutions will apply to Ukrainians as a whole. This cannot happen; we feel absolutely amicable towards the people of Ukraine," Medvedev said when asked whether the countersanctions will affect average Ukrainians. At the same time, "certain citizens who are damaging Russia's interests and acting to the detriment of our country will fall under these resolutions," Medvedev said. The chemical plant manufacturing titanium dioxide, which is a subsidiary of Titanium Investment LLC in the town of Armyansk in the northern part of Crimea, has been given permission to resume operation after it was halted in early September due to a release of harmful emissions into the air from its acid holding basin. "Employees of Rosprirodnadzor [the Russian Federal Service for the Monitoring of the Use of Natural Resources] on October 20 participated in the procedure to re-start the production facilities of the Titanium Investments plant," the press service of its Crimean department announced in a statement on October 22. Earlier, the Armyansk subsidiary of Titanium Investments LLC developed a roadmap to clean up the territory affected by air emissions around the plant and restore the production facilities into operation so that the negative impact on the environment could be minimized. The environmental situation in Armyansk deteriorated in late August. As a result, local residents started to complain on social networks about the acidic smell in the air, sore throats, skin rashes, and yellow film resembling rust covering metal objects. Leaves on the trees turned yellow and fell down ahead of time. People cited evaporation from the acid holding basin of Titanium Investments' subsidiary as one of the reasons for the emissions. The authorities in Crimea announced that the maximum exposure limit of sulfur dioxide was exceeded in the early hours of September 4 and halted production at the chemical plant. From September 8 to 9 all the eight furnaces at the plant were brought to a halt. The state of emergency in Armyansk and nearby villages was called off on September 23. A criminal investigation followed to investigate the violation of the rules of the use of environmentally hazardous substances and waste. Waste from the production facilities of the plant has been dumped into the water settling basis since 1970s. The area of the technical basin is 42 square km. It can store up to 30 million cubic meters of water. The acid holding basin became shallow earlier this summer because of hot weather. Titanium Investments LLC (Moscow) was registered in June 2014. In summer of that year the facilities of the Crimean Titan plant (Armyansk, Crimea) were handed over to it on a long-term lease. According to the information from the analytical system SPARK-Interfax, Titanium Investments LLC is owned by Cyprus-based Letan Investments Limited. The company is also known as the founder of the Austrian holding company Group DF International GmbH that belongs to Ukrainian businessman Dmytro Firtash. Two events held in downtown Vancouver will showcase growing opportunities for Vancouver tech businesses and talent in Calgary VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mayor Naheed Nenshi of Calgary will visit Vancouver on October 25, 2018 to attend two events aimed at attracting technology talent and employers to Calgary. The Digital Transformation Showcase will feature market opportunities for Vancouver companies in Calgary while the Calgary Is Hiring Tech Talent Job Fair will link Calgary technology companies with local talent. Tickets for both events are currently available and free for both businesses and job-seekers. Its an exciting time for businesses coming to Calgary right now, said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. Were a city that thinks big and embraces innovation. Our growing technology and innovation sector gives businesses who are looking to scale an opportunity to work among some of the worlds best entrepreneurs, realizing compelling cost-savings, while offering employees a chance to see for themselves why there is no better place to be. Both events aim to raise awareness of the growing opportunities in Calgary, which boasts the highest head office concentration per capita in Canada and was recently named North Americas most livable city by the Economist Intelligence Unit. Of the 23 cities in North America reviewed by Boston Consulting, Calgary ranked second, after only Toronto, for business-friendly environment. Calgary is well poised to capitalize on the rapid pace of change that defines the technology industry, said Robyn Bews, Vice President of Business Development at Calgary Economic Development. We have a lot to offer businesses who align on our values of inclusivity, collaboration and community spirit. Our established economic strategy is designed to attract top talent and drive innovative business growth to foster a thriving business environment. The events are part of a larger business development strategy headed by Calgary Economic Development, which includes the launch of a $100 million investment fund (the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund) created to foster growth in targeted sectors of Calgarys economy. ABOUT THE EVENTS Digital Transformation Showcase What: A showcase of market opportunities for technology companies to provide solutions for key industry leaders in Calgary such as Agriview, Alberta Health Services, ATB, ATCO, Bison Transport, and Canadian Natural Resources Where: Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue (580 West Hastings Street, Vancouver) When: Thursday, October 25, 1:00pm 4:30pm PDT A showcase of market opportunities for technology companies to provide solutions for key industry leaders in Calgary such as Agriview, Alberta Health Services, ATB, ATCO, Bison Transport, and Canadian Natural Resources Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue (580 West Hastings Street, Vancouver) Thursday, October 25, 1:00pm 4:30pm PDT Calgary is Hiring Tech Talent Job Fair What: A meet-and-greet style job fair for tech workers to meet some of Calgarys fastest growing tech companies, including Ambyint, ATB, Attabotics, atVenu, Benevity, Clio, GuildOne, Koridor, Plankk, ReWatt Power, Solium, Sure Fuel and Zerokey. Where: Spaces Gastown (151 West Hastings Street, Vancouver) When: Thursday, October 25, 5:00pm 8:00pm PDT For more information, please visit www.calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com . Ukraine's Energy and Coal Industry Ministry on Monday held a meeting with representatives of international financial institutions (IFIs) to discuss corporatization of state-owned enterprises (SOE), in particular, National Energy Company Ukrenergo. According to the press service of the ministry, Energy and Coal Industry Minister Ihor Nasalyk, his deputy Mykhailo Blyzniuk, heads of the structural units of the ministry, and acting Head of the parliamentary committee for the fuel and energy complex Oleksandr Dombrovsky, and representatives of the EBRD, the EIB, USAID, the Office of the U.S. Department of Energy at the Embassy in Ukraine, the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine and the Energy Community took part in the meeting. At the same time, according to a report on the Ukrenergo's website, the enterprise's representatives were not invited to this meeting. "Despite the fact that Ukrenergo was not invited to this meeting, we cannot but note positive changes in the process of corporate governance reform and express hope for further constructive cooperation with the ministry, agreeing the terms of contracts of the members of the supervisory board for the full launch of its work," the company said. According to the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry, Nasalyk said at the meeting that the ministry made efforts to ensure that the creation of supervisory boards was as transparent and understandable as possible. He also pointed out the need to intensify the process of corporatization of state-owned enterprises and their separation from the structures of the ministry. At the same time, the minister pointed to "shortcomings in the corporatization process, among them is the postponement of the stocktaking and discrepancies in the property appraisal documents provided, which caused the negative conclusions of the commission on the reorganization of Ukrenergo. At the same time, Ukrenergo insists that the documents submitted to the reorganization commission are valid, and were sent within the deadlines specified by the legislation and agreed by the responsible authorities. In particular, the results of the stocktaking were agreed by the commission and approved by the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry, the appraisal report was drawn up by an independent appraiser and reviewed by the State Property Fund of Ukraine (SPF), and the transfer balance sheet prepared by the company was approved by an independent auditor. Verkhovna Rada Human Rights Commissioner Liudmyla Denisova has said that her Russian counterpart Tatyana Moskalkova arrived in Russian-occupied Crimea on Tuesday, once again violating the rules for crossing the Ukrainian border, which could result in a new ban on her entry into Ukraine and will threaten the mutual visits by Ukrainian and Russian ombudsmen to citizens of the two countries held in pretrial detention facilities or prisons. "The Russian ombudsman arrived today in Kerch, once again violating the rules for crossing the Ukrainian border. For such actions she was banned to enter Ukraine. Restrictions were lifted by the president of Ukraine to fulfill agreements with the president of the Russian Federation on reciprocal and simultaneous visits to prisoners. Violation of the legislation of Ukraine by the Russian ombudsman may lead to a new ban on her entry into Ukraine and threaten mutual visits," Denisova wrote on her Facebook page on Tuesday. She also recalled that due to the terrorist attack at the Polytechnic College in Kerch on October 17, in which dozens of students and school personnel were killed and injured, she turned to her Russian colleague and expressed her readiness to make a joint visit to "Russian-annexed Crimea and fulfill our humanitarian mission." "I received no answer," Denisova said, adding that all of Ukraine and she personally are ready to provide any support to the victims of the terrorist attack and their families. "Ukraine mourns with Crimea. Each of us is concerned about the tragic events that occurred on October 17, because Crimea is Ukraine. And their loss is our common grief," she said. She also recalled that the Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea had opened criminal proceedings on counts of a terrorist attack. "Law enforcement officers are carrying out a detailed investigation into the tragic events at the Kerch Polytechnic College, which will allow Ukraine to have the results of its objective investigation," Denisova wrote. Leader of the Civil Position Party Anatoliy Hrytsenko has met with British Ambassador to Ukraine Judith Goff and discussed ways to bring Ukraine out of the crisis, improving relations between the countries, as well as with the EU and NATO. "Today I've met with Judith Gough, the British ambassador to Ukraine. In the context of the presidential election, we discussed ways to bring Ukraine out of the crisis, to establish productive relations between our countries on a bilateral basis, separately with NATO and the European Union. The conversation was interesting, sincere and trustful. The translation is not needed, either literally or figuratively," he wrote on his Facebook page on Monday evening. Ukrainian MP Ihor Lutsenko (Batkivschyna faction) and a number of leaders of environmental public organizations declare the ongoing cutting down of primary forests in the Ukrainian Carpathians and sabotaging the implementation of the law on protection of primary forests passed in 2017. "The situation is quite complicated. There is sabotage of the legislation that exists. Questions arise, first of all, to the Cabinet of Ministers ... The process of destruction of the Ukrainian forests, including primary forests, continues, despite the fact that there is a law," he said at a press conference at the Interfax-Ukraine agency in Kyiv on Monday. In turn, Project Manager at the project for saving the Carpathian primeval forests of the Ukrainian Bird Protection Society Olha Yaremchenko explained: "Primary forests are unique remnants of natural indigenous forests that have not been cut down yet. Ukraine is one of the few countries where primary forests remain, and they are located in the Carpathians ... Being resistant to diseases, they formed an environmental safety framework in the Carpathians. They are more resistant to windfalls, more effectively restrain water, soil, and prevent mudslides." According to her, trees of large age categories have been preserved in such forests, and because of the imperfection of the national legislation, they fall under the category to be harvested. "Primary forests are hewed down quite actively. There are up to 80,000 hectares of those areas that have been identified in the Carpathians, as our studies showed in 2014. Then, the third part of 17,000 hectares from the area that we identified, turned out to be cut down during three years ... There are certain legal conditions that ripe and perennial forests must be removed. And primary forests fall under such a category," she noted. In turn, Director of Kyiv Ecoethics Center Volodymyr Boreiko recalled that in the summer of 2017, the president adopted and signed the law "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on the Protection of Primary Forests" in accordance with the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians, where cutting down of primary forests in various reserves are regulated. "On the last day of November 2017, the relevant amendments to the bylaws were to be developed. There are two main bylaws - Sanitary regulations in the forests of Ukraine and the Rules for improving the qualitative composition of forests," Boreiko explained. However, according to him, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is delaying the implementation of the norms of the law. "Ihor Lutsenko and the Kyiv Ecological and Cultural Center filed a lawsuit with the District Administrative Court of Kyiv. There will be the first meeting on October 29 where we will confront the Cabinet," the activist informed. As reported, in 2017, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko signed the law "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on the Protection of Primary Forests, in accordance with the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians." The document defines the concepts of "natural forests," "primary forests," "quasi-primary forests" and establishes a special legal regime for their conservation and protection. The law, in particular, prohibits all types of clearance, construction of buildings, laying of tracks, cattle grazing, and passage of vehicles (except public roads and the forest guard service). The document introduces administrative responsibility for violation of the requirements for the protection of natural forests, primary forests, and quasi-primary forests. The corresponding changes were made to the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses, the Forest Code of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine "On the Natural Reserve Fund." In addition, the law amended the Criminal Code of Ukraine on increasing responsibility for the illegal clearance of trees or shrubs in forests, protective and other forest plantations, in reserves or in territories and facilities of the natural reserve fund. JFO HQ reports 12 enemy attacks with no casualties in Donbas in past 24 hours Russian-led forces have mounted 12 attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas in the last 24 hours, with no casualties reported, the press centre of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) has reported. "Russian invaders, without using weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements, opened fire on the positions of our troops 12 times ... There are no casualties among the JFO troops," the JFO staff said on Facebook on Tuesday morning. Russian occupation forces opened aimed fire from grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns and small arms to attack our defenders. "In almost half of the cases, our troops responded with adequate fire," the staff said. The attacks were observed in the vicinity of Shchastia, Krymske, Zolote, Pisky, Maryinka, Taramchuk, Berezove, Novotroyitske, Chermalyk, and Lebedynske, it said. A fortified position of our troops near Shchastia came under fire from automatic and mounted grenade launchers. The attack lasted for almost three hours. However, the enemy most often attacked our soldiers near Maryinka and Lebedynske. According to Ukrainian intelligence, three militants were killed and two wounded during the day. "There have yet been no attacks on Ukrainian positions since the beginning of the day," the press center said. Commander of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Lieutenant-General Serhiy Nayev has held a working meeting with the U.S. delegation led by the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch as part of their visit to the JFO area. "The United States of America is a reliable ally and a consistent partner of Ukraine in resisting Russian aggression," Nayev said at the meeting, the JFO reported on Facebook on Tuesday. He voiced a number of figures: for example, since the beginning of the operation [end of April 2018], 58 attacks on settlements and one shelling of a site were recorded, as a result of which five civilians were killed and 10 injured. According to Nayev, over the past month, the number of civilians killed or injured as a result of the operation of explosive devices on the territory outside Ukraine's control has increased - five civilians were killed by enemy mines, three of them children, another one boy was injured. The JFO commander also informed the American delegation that since the beginning of the operation five Russian UAVs of the Orlan-10 type were destroyed (shot down). Ukraine's Finance Ministry has recruited such international financial institutions as BNP Paribas, J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs and Citi to arrange a series of meetings with investors and contracted Rothschild as a financial advisor within the framework of the issuance of new Eurobonds. A statement on the ministry's website reads that the investors meetings will take place in London on 23 and 24 October, in New York on 23 October, and in Boston on 24 October. Upon completion of the meetings, Ukraine is going to issue Eurobonds denominated in U.S. dollars under Rule 144A (for qualifying American investors) and Reg S (for non-American investors.) As was reported earlier, Ukraine retains its plans to obtain almost $2 billion in international loans in 2018, which had been planned for the first half of the year. One of the options is to issue Eurobonds, Ukraine's acting Finance Minister Oksana Markarova said in a statement the previous week. In September 2017, Ukraine issued 15-year Eurobonds to the tune of $3 billion with a yield of 7.375%. The issuance was arranged by BNP Paribas, Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan. Together with issuing a new batch of Eurobonds, Ukraine's Finance Ministry repurchased Eurobonds that were to be redeemed in 2019 and 2020 to the tune of $1.576 billion. Last year's deal was the first one for Ukraine to place Eurobonds on the international market since 2013. From 2014 to 2016, Ukraine placed $1 billion worth of 5-year Eurobonds every year. Since the repayment of the bonds had been guaranteed by the United States, Ukraine managed to take loans at record-breaking rates. Illegal armed groups have not opened fire on the positions of the Ukrainian military in the area of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) since Tuesday midnight, the Defense Ministry of Ukraine has reported. "Since Tuesday midnight until 11:00, the enemy has refrained from fire provocations. There are no casualties in the ranks of the JFO. The situation is generally under control of the Ukrainian units," it said. The Shelf-Yug, a vessel coming from Russian-occupied Crimea under the Ukrainian flag and with forged documents of the Shipping Register of Ukraine, has been detained in the port of Burgas (Bulgaria), reads a report posted on Tuesday on the Black Sea Security website (flot2017.com), with reference to data from the Information Resistance-Crimea group. The report notes that the vessel is owned by a Russian female citizen, but in order to bypass European and Ukrainian sanctions it continued to use the Ukrainian flag received before Russia's annexation of the peninsula. However, it has not been under the technical supervision of the Shipping Register of Ukraine since 2011, but has sailed to Russian-occupied Crimea with forged ship documents. According to the data of automatic identification systems, in September this year the vessel was serviced in the closed sea port of Yalta, where it also entered under the flag of Ukraine. The Shelf-Yug also entered the Yalta port on July 3, 2018 by providing copies of ship documents that, according to the Shipping Register of Ukraine, are not in the databases and, apparently, they have numerous signs of fakes. The issue concerns the registration card of the Shipping Register of Ukraine dated January 22, 2018, the classification certificate of the Shipping Register of Ukraine and the certificate of the Shipping Register of Ukraine on the suitability of a small vessel for navigation, which were allegedly issued on January 5, 2017 in Kherson, all signed by the same inspector. "We see an example of an attempt, on the one hand, to discredit the Shipping Register of Ukraine, and on the other, to drive a wedge between us and Western partners, presenting the alleged visits of 'Ukrainian ships' to the closed ports of Crimea under forged documents," the Information Resistance-Crimea group said. Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has said that regional airports in Ukraine should be developed, as the role of the country in the European aviation market has grown. "Ukraine is becoming an important player in the European air transport market. In this context, it is important to strengthen the role of the Boryspil airport as a regional hub and work together with international partners on the development of regional airports," the government's press service reported, citing Groysman speaking at a special government meeting devoted to the situation in the aviation industry. According to the report, for the nine months ending September 2018 the year-over-year growth was 15.5%, and by the end of the year, the absolute figure of passenger traffic is expected to be about 20 million passengers. According to the prime minister, today a third of the air traffic is transit passengers, who choose Kyiv as the place of transfer. "At the same time, the development of regional airports is important. Odesa, Lviv, Kharkiv, Kherson - passenger traffic is also growing there. We need to make a global program for their development. I will offer specific projects for the development of airports to international partners," Groysman said. Chicago, IL, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zacks Investment Research, a leading provider of investment-related data, research, and commentary, has partnered with StockTwits, the largest social platform for investors and traders, to launch Zacks Five Stocks in Focus premium subscription Room. 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Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacksresearch Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch/ (https://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp/?ALERT=PR&ADID=PR_AB_PFP) Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ZacksInvestmentNews The Justice Ministry of Ukraine and state-owned enterprise (SOE) National Information Systems (NAIS) will receive technical assistance from the OpenOwnership group for further technical improvement of the unified public register of companies, individual entrepreneurs and nongovernmental organizations, according to a posting on the government's website. "Together, we will introduce changes that will allow integrating data from the Ukrainian beneficiaries register into the global register of beneficial owners [OpenOwnership register] by 2020," Justice Minister Pavlo Petrenko wrote on his Facebook page after signing a partnership agreement between the Justice Ministry, NAIS and a representative of the OpenOwnership management team in Copenhagen. According to him, the "pilot" technical assistance program of OpenOwnership will ensure cooperation in transferring data on real owners of companies from the national register to the global register of beneficial owners, as well as preparing the necessary legislation for this. Petrenko also announced the signing of data exchange protocols between NAIS and OpenOwnership in the near future. "The focus will be on strengthening the sanctions against the head of a legal entity for failure to provide information about the ultimate beneficiary," he said. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has received credentials from the newly appointed ambassadors of the State of Israel, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Belgium, and the Republic of Iceland, according to a report posted on the official website of the head of the Ukrainian state on Tuesday. Poroshenko and Israeli Ambassador Joel Lion paid special attention to the deepening of bilateral trade and economic cooperation, in particular, the signing in the near future of the agreement on a free trade area between the governments of Ukraine and Israel. The parties also discussed cooperation within the UN and other international organizations. Poroshenko and Ambassador of Qatar Hadi Al Hajri emphasized the importance of launching the work in November of the joint intergovernmental commission on economic, trade and technical cooperation. The parties stressed the importance of speedy ratification of bilateral agreements on the promotion and mutual protection of investments, as well as the avoidance of double taxation. Poroshenko and Belgian Ambassador Alex Lenaerts expressed the need to strengthen the political dialogue and noted the importance of strengthening cooperation within the UN, given Belgium's membership in the Security Council in 2019-2020. The head of state thanked Belgium for practical assistance in the context of overcoming the consequences of Russian aggression. During a conversation with Ambassador of Iceland Arni Thor Sigurdsson the president noted the importance of enhancing trade and economic cooperation between the countries and thanked the Government of Iceland for solidarity in the issue of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as for a clear sanctions policy. Militants violated the ceasefire in Donbas four times on Tuesday, killing a Ukrainian serviceman, the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) headquarters has said. "The enemy fired from grenade launchers, large-caliber machineguns and small arms near Stanytsia Luhanska, Maryinka, Starohnativka and Hnutove," the JFO HQ said in a report on its Facebook page on Tuesday. The report notes that in all cases, the Joint Forces took adequate measures and the situation in the JFO area remains under control. LONDON, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Iran said on Tuesday it had arrested 15 militants planning attacks on Shi'ite Muslims making an annual pilgrimage to Iraq. Hundreds of thousands of Iranians travel to the Iraqi city of Kerbala each year for the ritual of Arbaeen, which marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad, Imam Hussein. Iran's Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi, visiting the Iran-Iraq border area, was quoted by state television as saying that "three terrorist groups that wanted to target Arbaeen mourners were arrested." Tasnim news agency quoted Alavi as saying the arrests took place in southwestern Khuzestan province in recent days, and 15 people were arrested. "The detainees confessed that they wanted to carry out suicide attacks to kill the pilgrims," Alavi said. He gave no indication when the attacks were due to take place, but the culmination of the pilgrimage this year falls at the end of October. Shi'ites are considered apostates by hardline Sunni Islamist insurgents in Iraq. Armed Sunni groups in Iran have also increased attacks on military and civilian targets in recent months. Iran stepped up security in border areas after five gunmen killed 25 people at a military parade in the city of Ahvaz, in Khuzestan province, in September. Islamic State militants and an Iranian ethnic Arab opposition movement claimed responsibility for the attack, but neither claim provided convincing evidence. At least 10 Iranian security personnel including Revolutionary Guards were kidnapped on the border with Pakistan last week. A Sunni separatist group said it had seized them as revenge for the oppression of Sunni Muslims. The charge against five detained environmentalists has been changed from "espionage" to "Corruption on Earth" after the examining magistrate received a letter from the Iranian Army, one of the former lawyers of the accused cited Tehran Prosecutor-General as saying. Speaking to Radio Farda on Sunday, October 21, veteran lawyer, Mohammad Hossein Aghasi said that he has found out by chance that the army letter came via the Islamic Republic's Supreme National Security Council. Based on the Islamic Penal Code, corruption on earth is punishable by death. Eight environmentalists, Niloufar Bayani, Houman Jokar, Sepideh Kashani, Amir Hossein Khaleqi, AbdolReza Kouhpayeh, Taher Qadirian, Sam Rajabi and Iranian-American dual citizen Morad Tahbaz have been held in temporary custody by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps' Intelligence Organization since last January. Iranian-Canadian founder of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation, Professor Kavous Seyyed-Emami, who was detained alongside the eight ecologists, mysteriously died last January in Tehran's infamous prison, Evin. The authorities maintain that Seyyed-Emami committed suicide behind bars, an allegation categorically denied by the environmentalist's relatives. Mohammad Hossein Aghasi who represented three of the detained environmentalists, Houman Jokar, Taher Qadirian and Sam Rajabi, was recently rejected by the Islamic Republic's judiciary and replaced by two assigned Public Counsels. Based on a controversial clause in Iran's Article 48 of Criminal Procedure Act, the lawyers representing suspects in preliminary stages of security related cases should be appointed by the Islamic Republic's judiciary. The clause has been dismissed by several legal experts and attorneys as "unfair" and "against the country's Constitution". In his interview with Radio Farda, Aghasi admitted that he is unaware of the content of the Iranian Army's letter, but speculated that it could be a response to the Prosecutor-General's enquiry which has led to changing the charge against the accused. In such cases, as a rule, Aghasi suggested, "The prosecutor and the Examining Magistrate differ over the charges, but, in the environmentalists' case, the Examining Magistrate has accepted the Prosecutor's opinion and changed the charge from espionage to Corruption on Earth." Several websites, including Kalemeh, have listed the accused as Niloufar Bayani, Houman Jokar, Sepideh Kashani, Taher Qadirian and Morad Tahbaz. Judicial authorities earlier insisted on the charge of "espionage" and "rendering classified information on sensitive facilities to foreign intelligence services". But now the new charge can carry the death penalty. According to Article 228 of the new Islamic Penal Code adopted in 2013, corruption on earth is defined as: Any person who extensively commits felony against the...people, offenses against internal or international security of the state, spreading lies, disruption of the economic system of the state, arson and destruction of properties, distribution of poisonous and bacterial and dangerous materials, and establishment of, or aiding and abetting in, places of corruption and prostitutionshall be considered as corrupt on earth and shall be sentenced to death. However, "The new charges against the detained environmentalists have not yet been officially announced", Aghasi cited the head of Department of Environment (DoE), Isa Kalantari as saying. The Islamic Republic's Intelligence Ministry has repeatedly insisted that there is no evidence of espionage by the environmentalists, who were arrested by the IRGC. In the meantime, social media posts on October 22 have referred to the mysterious murder of a prominent environmentalist, Farshid Hakki. The managing director of "Economic Reviews" monthly magazine, Abdolreza Davari has tweeted, "The news was shocking. Sadly, legal expert, economist and scientific advisor of the Economic Reviews, Dr. Farshid Hakki was murdered in a tragic way." Reportedly, Hakki was stabbed to death near his house in Tehran and his body burnt by the murderer(s). A day later, the Tehran police chief claimed that according to the coroner, Dr. Hakki set himself on fire. The office of the coroner has denied making such a determination. Dr. Haki was a human rights activist, opposing child labor and member of environmental campaign "Supporting Kind Zagros" or the "Sound of Water footsteps". In an open letter, Davari has called upon the Islamic Republic's authorities to investigate Dr. Hakki's mysterious murder. Iran's First Vice-President Es'haq Jahangiri has come under fire from both traditional media and social media users after he said on October 21 that he was not consulted about the cabinet reshuffle and the nomination of new ministers by President Hassan Rouhani. To make a point about his lack of power and influence within the administration, Jahangiri said that he even lacked the authority to hire or fire his own secretary. "A Superman Who Is Good for Nothing," was the largest headline on the front-page of one Iranian newspaper on Monday with a picture of Jahangiri. Another front-page headline told him "Please Go Home!," and yet another paper exclaimed, "Do You Remember Your Promises, Mr Jahangiri?" Media commentators on Monday opined that another vice president, Mohamad Baqer Nobakht and Rouhani's Chief of Staff Mahmoud Vaezi had an active part in nominating the new ministers while Jahangiri was effectively left out of the decision-making process. The nomination of new ministers mark deep rooted differences between Nobakht and Jahangiri. Both of these officials have tried to control Iran's ailing economy by placing their aides and allies in charge, to no avail. The background and career record of three of the nominees as reported by Iranian media, indicates that Nobakht continues to have the upper hand in the rivalry that has its roots deep in the history of Iran's two major centrist political parties, The Executives of Construction (where Jahangiri comes from) and the Moderation and Development Party, which is Vaezi and Nobakht's power base. In the meantime, social media were bubbling with criticism of Jahangiri and suggestions that he should resign. Sohail Jannesari, an active voice on social media tweeted that Jahangiri should either resign or Rouhani should replace him with someone else. Mohammad Padash, another active user lashed out at Jahangiri, saying "If you did not have authority, you must have had some dignity." Prominent reformist commentator Abbas Abdi wrote on his Telegram page: "He should have left in the summer of 2017. It is too late now." Tehran MP Elias Hazrati told Tasnim news agency that the comment was a sign that Jahangiri was going to resign. Later the leader of the Executives of Construction Party, where Jahangiri is a member, ruled out Jahangiri's resignation. However, he added: "I would have resigned if I were him," adding that Jahangiri's absence would be a big loss for the Rouhani administration. Outspoken reformist commentator Mojtaba Vahedi in a tweet characterized Jahangiri as a "charlatan," adding that Jahangiri is disclosing the hypocrisy of his partners while he is not willing to leave them. Others on social media have pointed out that Rouhani saw Jahangiri and other reformists as his allies in the two previous rounds of presidential elections, but he no longer needs them as he changed his course and embraced the hardliners who have the upper hand in Iran. Meanwhile, IRGC-linked news agency Fars quoted hardline figures as having said, "Why Jahangiri is still working with the administration if he feels powerless?" Jahangiri, who usually supported Rouhani's policies, said in March that he had been "advised to keep silent" about differences within in the government, but warned "I can always restart the engine when I deem it necessary." It appears that with his latest remarks, Jahangiri who has always been a target for attacks by Iran's hardliners because of his support for Rouhani, has made himself new enemies within the camp he belongs to. In a fiery speech to parliament October 21, outspoken businessman and pro-reform MP Bahram Parsaei lambasted President Rouhani for suppressing Irans pre-Islamic history. Representing the city of Shiraz, home to the 2,500 year-old ruins of Pasargadae, the capital of the Achaemenid Empire, Parsaei had proposed naming October 29 as a day in honor of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire. Parsaei accused Rouhani of shelving the proposal by referring it to the Supreme National Security Council. Though Rouhani and other Iranian leaders often tout Irans rich pre-Islamic culture when speaking abroad, at home, celebrations of pre-Islamic culture are treated as a security threat. Dozens of the Islamic Republic's authorities, including the Prosecutor-General of Shiraz, have denounced the annual gathering at Cyrus' mausoleum as against the norms of an Islamic society. Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamadani has also lambasted people for paying homage to Cyrus, accusing them of being against Irans Islamic Revolution.State-run Fars News Agency quoted Hamadani as saying, I wonder how they can gather around Cyrus tomb and chant the same slogans (about Cyrus) that we chant about our Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei). Though not yet registered in official calendars, October 29 has long been observed by Iranians as the international day of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the first Persian Empire, who is widely believed to be the first defender of human rights in the history of mankind. His human rights charter is inscribed on a clay cylinder currently housed at the British Museum. On October 29, 539 BC, Persian soldiers commanded by Cyrus the Great entered the city of Babylon (about 50 miles south of modern Baghdad) without encountering any resistance. The kings first order in Babylon was to release thousands of captives including people of Jewish descent. Cyrus allowed all slaves and captives to return home, rebuild their communities, and re-establish their religious practices or accompany him as free men to Iran. While many Jews returned to their homes, an unknown number of them followed Cyrus back to Iran, where they settled in places such as Isfahan, central Iran. Cyrus' mausoleum is located near city of Shiraz, 684 kilometers (425 miles) south of the capital, Tehran. However, the Islamic Republic's security forces have done their best in recent years to stop people celebrating the day. Last year, Shiraz residents received threatening text messages warning them not to assemble at the mausoleum, roads were blocked, and a heavy presence of security, intelligence, and Baseej militia forces were deployed. Nevertheless, thousands of people converged on the site to pay homage. An unknown number of people were arrested for taking part in the observance. Visiting Austria July 4, Rouhani boasted at a joint press conference with his Austrian counterpart in Vienna, "Iran has been so friendly to the Jews that Iranians even sheltered them in Babylon --- and because of that, Jewish people owe Iranians a big debt of gratitude." Referring to the comments, Parsaei accused Rouhani of profiteering politically from Irans pre-Islamic history abroad while suppressing it at home. "Such great personality [Cyrus] is treated as an outsider in his own country and place of birth, lamented Parsaei. WASHINGTON, Oct 23 (Reuters) The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions targeting Afghanistan's Taliban insurgency on Tuesday, designating eight people including two Iranians linked to Tehran's Revolutionary Guards' Quds force, according to the department's website. The individuals, which include two Pakistanis and four Afghanis, were identified as global terrorists by the Treasury Department, an action that allows the U.S. government to freeze property or interest in property under American jurisdiction. The sanctions target Taliban members, who are involved in suicide attacks and other lethal activities, as well as Iranians who provide material and financial support, Treasury said in a statement. Irans provision of military training, financing, and weapons to the Taliban is yet another example of Tehrans blatant regional meddling and support for terrorism. The United States and our partners will not tolerate the Iranian regime exploiting Afghanistan to further their destabilizing behavior. The new sanctions follow a spate of violence in Afghanistan that preceded the country's parliamentary elections last week. On Thursday, U.S. Army Brigadier General Jeffrey Smiley, was confirmed as one of two Americans wounded an attack that killed the police chief of the southern Afghan province of Kandahar. The attack, which was claimed by the Taliban, was a devastating blow to the government, decapitating the security command of one of Afghanistans most strategically important provinces and demonstrating the insurgents ability to strike even top leaders. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Tim Ahmann and Marguerita Choy) Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 29 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Oct. 23. 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.23 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Azerbaijan is ready to continue substantive negotiations aimed at beginning the process of phased settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said in an interview with RIA Novosti. Moreover, if you follow the recent negotiations, you will notice that namely Baku has repeatedly voiced the position on the need to promote a responsible dialogue aimed at ending the occupation of Azerbaijani territories, creation of conditions for the safe and decent return of IDPs, including representatives of the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh, to their homes, followed by ensuring broad rights of self-government for the population of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, consisting of its Armenian and Azerbaijani communities, said Mammadyarov. The foreign minister noted that the conversation at the highest level held between President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the last CIS summit in Dushanbe is a good example of Azerbaijans readiness for meaningful dialogue. Alas, the change of power and the political turbulence observed so far in Yerevan have slowed down the process to a certain extent, Mammadyarov said. We hope that the Armenian leadership will soon be able to demonstrate political will to continue the negotiation process within the existing format and based on a well-known agenda. Further, Mammadyarov noted that Azerbaijan pursues a balanced foreign policy. In this regard, we are developing an active bilateral dialogue and mutually beneficial equal cooperation with all the member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, of course, with the exception of Armenia, which continues to carry out military aggression against Azerbaijan by occupying the internationally recognized territories of my country, where it conducted bloody and total ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijani population, said Mammadyarov. 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:@Lyaman_Zeyn Industry leaders and state officials convene for discussions to help establish Tennessee as a leading state in blockchain and other emerging technologies NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Tennessee Blockchain Summit convenes today, bringing together business leaders and officials from across the state to help define Tennessees strategy for blockchain technology and develop an action plan to strengthen the blockchain community in Tennessee. The event, held at the offices of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, is an effort to establish Tennessee as a home for thought leaders, developers, and adapters of blockchain and emerging technologies. A new website, www.TokenizeTN.com , was also launched today to encourage community involvement and leadership to drive adoption and education of distributed ledger technologies in Tennessee. It has resources on existing blockchain efforts in the state and information on how to get involved. The blockchain community will grow and thrive in an environment with open communication and collaboration, said Kristen Johns , a partner in the Intellectual Property Practice Group at Waller , a leading national law firm with headquarters in Nashville. This Summit brings together blockchain and industry leaders to define an action plan for establishing Tennessee as a leader in driving adoption of promising technologies, such as blockchain, and making the state a preferred place to grow technology-based businesses. In March, the Tennessee State Legislature and the governor passed two bills that support blockchain development in the state. The bills recognize the legal authority to use blockchain technology and smart contracts in conducting electronic transactions and protects ownership rights of certain information secured by blockchain technology. The blockchain community in the state continues to grow at a rapid pace, and we want to enable collaboration to make Tennessee open for business in blockchain, Johns stated. To foster the adoption and evolution of blockchain and other related technologies in Tennessee, the summit brings together more than 30 people representing business, economic development and government from across the state. The participants, all of whom are investing in, developing or governing blockchain technologies, will address the states strategy for blockchain technology in connection with business and enterprise needs and opportunities, legislation, and use cases for adoption in the private and public sectors across a range of industries. Blockchain and decentralized technologies have the potential to provide solutions for emerging economic, social and political operating systems, said David Perry, Product Strategist at ConsenSys . According to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development , Tennessee is a prime location for attracting and retaining emerging technology companies due to the states favorable tax and regulatory environment. Tennessee is excited about the current and future impacts blockchain will have on the global economy, said Bob Rolfe, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. We are home to a number of companies that are making significant investments in blockchain development including AllianceBernstein, HCA, FedEx and FreightWaves, which announced a $4 million expansion in Chattanooga earlier this month. Tennessees balanced budget, proactive and efficient government, and low tax burden provide an ideal environment for these companies to build on this growing technology. The event is co-sponsored by Waller, a leading provider of legal services to the healthcare, financial services, retail and hospitality industries, and ConsenSys, a venture production studio focused on solutions powered by decentralized technology. To learn more and contribute to the blockchain community in Tennessee, please visit www.TokenizeTN.com . About Waller With more than 230 attorneys in Austin, Birmingham, Chattanooga, Memphis and Nashville, Waller assists clients in complex transactional, regulatory and litigation matters. The firm has built a national reputation for its work in healthcare, financial services, retail and hospitality, and has extensive experience in manufacturing, real estate, technology and other industries. For more information, please visit www.wallerlaw.com . About ConsenSys Founded in 2014, ConsenSys is a global formation of technologists and entrepreneurs working to enable a decentralized world. ConsenSys aims to improve current services and concepts as well as building new ways in which we engage with technology and others. For more information, please visit: www.consensys.net . Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 Trend: The First Deputy Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan - Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Colonel General Najmeddin Sadikov left for Tel Aviv on October 23 by the invitation of the Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Gadi Eisenkot, the Defense Ministrys press service reported Oct. 23. During the official visit, Colonel-General Sadikov will meet with the Israeli defense minister, the Chief of the General Staff and other officials, and will also visit a number of defense industry enterprises. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 By Leman Zeynalova - Trend: The first meeting of the working group on the status of the Caspian Sea is planned to be held in November 2018 in Baku, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said in an interview with RIA Novosti. "In order to effectively implement the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea and review cooperation on the Caspian Sea, the heads of state at the Summit in Aktau decided to establish a working group at the level of deputy foreign ministers - plenipotentiaries of the Caspian states. There are plans to hold the first meeting of this group in Baku in November 2018," Mammadyarov said. The minister also noted that the heads of state instructed to begin coordinating a five-sided agreement on the method of establishing direct baselines in the Caspian Sea to determine the territorial waters of coastal countries. This issue will be the main agenda in the new stage of negotiations in a five-sided format, Mammadyarov added. He underlined that signing the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea was a truly historic event, marking the goodwill of the five coastal states. "The main significance of this document for Azerbaijan is that it defines the sovereign and exclusive rights of coastal states to use the rich natural resources of the sea. Thus, the Convention ensures the consistency and safety of various projects in the oil and gas industry, as well as the implementation of other economic activities at sea," the minister said. In addition, Mammadyarov noted the Convention determines territorial waters and fishing zones, which are subject to sovereignty and exclusive rights of coastal states. "The freedom and safety of navigation is ensured, which plays an exceptional role in the development of trade in the Caspian Sea and the economies of our countries," he added. "Regarding ratification, we hope the signatory countries will be able to carry out the necessary domestic procedures in the near future," Mammadyarov said. On Aug. 12, the heads of five Caspian states signed the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea at the 5th Summit of the Heads of Caspian States in Aktau - a historic document for the region, work on which has been carried out for two decades, since 1996. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 Trend: Baku will host the 6th Baku International Humanitarian Forum on October 25-26 to be attended by authoritative persons, head of the international relations and innovation development department of Azerbaijans Culture Ministry Vasif Eyvazzade said at a press conference Oct. 23. He stressed that as part of the current forum on the theme of Shaping a New World and a New Humanity: Creativity and Human Development, quite interesting plenary and working sessions will be held. Eyvazzade reminded that authoritative individuals, politicians, scientists, representatives of international organizations, state and government officials participated in humanitarian forums held so far in Azerbaijan. He noted that as part of the forum, Azerbaijans Economy Ministry will hold an international conference on sustainable development. This conference will be organized as one of the main platforms of the forum, during which discussion of interesting topics is planned, he said. Eyvazzade stressed that the 6th Baku International Humanitarian Forum should also be perceived as support of the Azerbaijani state for the development of human capital. Over 580 people from 97 countries will take part in the forum. The traditional Baku International Humanitarian Forum, which has been held in Azerbaijan for several years, is among the most representative and authoritative forums and platforms in the world. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend: In recent months, Azerbaijan's State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons has registered 13 people as missing, the State Commission said in a message on Oct. 23. These Azerbaijani citizens went missing in the course of intensive military operations in 1992-1993. Presently, 3888 people are registered with the State Commission as missing. Upon completion of work to clarify the list of persons missing as a result of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the State Commission is working to clarify the list of released hostages and persons held captive. The number of hostages released so far is 1480 people. 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. 23 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan thanked the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in connection with the construction of the Star refinery, the Turkish media reported citing Erdogan's speech at a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party in the country's parliament. "I am grateful to my brother, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for the construction of the Star refinery, which was opened on October 19," Erdogan said. Erdogan noted that Star refinery is an important project for Turkey, as it will provide 25 percent of the country's demand for petroleum products. The opening ceremony of the Star oil refinery took place on October 19 in Izmir, Turkey, with the participation of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The total refining capacity of the refinery will be 10 million tons, and Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR is the main supplier of crude for the refinery. The refinery will significantly reduce the dependence of Turkey on imports of petrochemical products. The refinery worth $6.3 billion, built by SOCAR in the Aliaga District of Izmir, will produce 1.6 million tons of naphtha, 1.6 million tons of aviation fuel, 4.8 million tons of low-sulfur diesel, 700,000 tons of petroleum coke, 420,000 tons of mixed xylene and 160,000 tons of sulfur. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 Trend: The crews of infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) of Azerbaijan are conducting combat firing according to the 2018 combat training plan, approved by the Minister of Defense. "The main purpose of the training held at day and night time is to improve the combat skills of the IFV crews," the Ministry of Defense said in a message on Oct. 23. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 Trend: First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has attended the inauguration of a new building of a special school No. 11, constructed on the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Narimanov District, Baku. School principal Shahzade Isgandarova informed First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva of the conditions created here. The old building of school was constructed in 1897. First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the school and viewed conditions created here. The three-story school occupies an area of more than 4,000 square meters. The school has 21 classrooms, a doctors room, a gym, a conference hall, a canteen and a library. The 250-seat school enrolls 788 students who are served by 289 teachers. Children in need of special care study at this school. Extensive landscaping and reconstruction work was carried out, and a green area was created in the yard of the school. First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva wished the school staff success in their activities. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 Trend: First Deputy Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Najmeddin Sadikhov met with Minister of Defense of Israel Avigdor Lieberman in Tel Aviv. The sides discussed regional security, military, military-technical cooperation between the two countries, as well as other issues of mutual interest. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 Trend: The French Ambassador to Azerbaijan has been summoned to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, the Ministry said in a message Oct. 23. An official protest was expressed to the ambassador in connection with the actions of a number of French representatives affecting the interests of Azerbaijan, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, including regarding the recent illegal visits to the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan by the mayor of French city of Saint-Etienne and the head of Arnouville municipality. Legal and political assessments were given to such steps of representatives of France, the government of which urged to hold effective measures to curb the activity of individuals and legal entities of that country directed against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. The ambassador was handed an official note of Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry. 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. 23 Trend: Azerbaijans state Azer Turk Bank, in order to help meet the needs of its customers, offers a new loan product on the most favorable terms. According to the press service of the Bank, Azer Turk Bank has decided to offer its salary card holders the advance credit line. Cardholders, can get a credit line for up to 500 AZN by paying one-time 8% commission of the borrowed amount. The credit line is provided for a one-year period and is paid from the funds received on the salary card account without charging the interest. More information is available at www.azerturkbank.az , the Banks corporate pages at social networks, WhatsApp (055) 777 09 45 or at (012) 945 Call Center. Toronto, Ontario, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Franchise Holdings International Inc., (OTCQB: FNHI) (FHI or the Corporation) Worksport Ltd.s parent company, has proudly submitted its Non-Offering Prospectus (NOP) to the Ontario Securities Commission to apply for a Canadian Stock Exchange besides the current OTCQB listing. Filing the Corporations NOP occurs so that it can attempt to qualify as a Ontario reporting issuer. Becoming a reporting issuer, a mandatory regulatory requirement, enables the Corporations regulatory clearance in listing its common shares on a Canadian Stock Exchange. Should the OSC approve FHIs NOP, and grant FHI clearance in becoming an issuer, FHI will then immediately apply to list its common shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE). We are very optimistic that FHI could obtain reporting issuer status before the end of Q4 2018, with a CSE listing occurring in early Q1 2019, FHI CEO and director Steven Rossi stated. Management also strongly feels that obtaining a CSE listing will provide prospective Canadian-based investors increased transparency. It also affords our existing Canadian investors increased liquidity by being dual listed on a Canadian Stock Exchange. A CSE listing perfectly complements our existing OTCQB status. It is the next logical step in building both Worksport Ltd. and FHI into world-class companies for shareholders. About Worksport Ltd Worksport Ltd., a fully owned subsidiary of Franchise Holdings International. Inc., is an innovative manufacturer of high quality, functional, and aggressively priced tonneau/truck bed covers for light trucks like the F150, Sierra, Silverado, Canyon, RAM, and Ford F-Series. For more information please visit www.worksport.com About Franchise Holdings International Listed on the OTCQB Market under the trading symbol FNHI and currently in the process of a dual listing on a Canadian Stock Exchange, Franchise Holdings Internationals strategy is to acquire business in the fastest growing business segments and to create shareholder value in the process. Once a business of interest is acquired, our mission is to further develop and accelerate the growth for all of our acquired subsidiaries. Currently the Corporation has one fully owned subsidiary, Worksport Ltd. Forward-Looking Statements This document may contain forward-looking statements, relating to Franchise Holdings International Inc. operations or to the environment in which it operates, which are based on Franchise Holdings International Inc. operations, estimates, forecasts and projections. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, and/or are beyond Franchise Holdings Internationals Inc.s control. A number of important factors could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Consequently, readers should not place any undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Franchise Holdings International Inc. disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. No Stock Exchange or Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information please contact: Tehran, Iran, Oct.23 Trend: Unfortunately, Iran's approach is against international connectivity, and the country can achieve its goals by relying on domestic resources, an Iranian advisor for finance and investment Payman Molavi told Trend. "If we look closely, we will find that between the years of 1962 and 1969, during Mr. Alikhanis ministry, Iran's economy was in a flourishing state and was actually in a much interconnected relation to the international economy, especially in the industrial areas and was beginning to export products to the world, he said. Molavi added that since 1972, with an increase in the oil revenues, somehow Irans economy lost its connection to the international economy. "And after the revolution, it faced the sanctions that effectively put Iran's economy on the brink of the global economy, although this situation was improved during Hashemis and Khatamis governments, he said. We dont see a plan to expand international economic relations in Iran, he said. "Unfortunately, there is no major strategy or plan to communicate and cooperate with the international community." "There are no steps taken towards being included in international organizations or regional and global treaties. For example, we can, in addition to the ECO, form an economic pact with Turkey, Azerbaijan and Pakistan, which has large population, he proposed. Molavi went on to say that this problem, of course, is not specific to Iran and it is also seen in other countries in the region. "The Gulf Cooperation Council only includes countries in the Persian Gulf or Turkeys policies were west-oriented, although it has taken steps towards Russia and China recently, he said. Referring to the international relationship with economic growth, Molavi said that unfortunately, there is no agenda for international cooperation in Iran, however the Islamic Republic may be able to solve problems by relying on its own resources. "But one must know that without international cooperation and without macroeconomic markets, economic growth would be limited. Several reports also emphasize and suggest that the requirements for a growth of 8 percent in the economy are interacting with the global markets from the United States and Russia to Brazil and China," he noted. "In our country, most economic approaches are import-oriented rather than export-oriented, and the reason for this - weakness of the country's industrial sector, thanks to sanctions, and lack of international exchange and it can easily be deduced from the business environment of the country," he said. He then spoke about Iran's GDP. Iran's gross GDP is about $425 billion, and the country's population is 80 million, so if we take into account the efficiency of a moderate EU country like Spain, we should've had the GDP at nearly $1200 billion, said Molavi. "The reason for that is our lack of international connections," he said. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Oct. 23 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: A meeting of the Turkmen-Japanese Committee for Economic Cooperation and a joint business forum are underway in Tokyo, the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan (UIET) said in a message. At the talks, the parties considered the issues of expanding cooperation in the field of investments and construction of high-tech plants, interaction between the business circles. Japan is one of the reliable partners of Turkmenistan in the implementation of projects using advanced high-performance and environmentally friendly technologies, innovative developments and know-how, the report said. Japan implemented such projects as the construction of complexes for the production of urea in the Balkan province, polyethylene and polypropylene production complexes in Kiyanly settlement, as well as a plant for the production of gasoline from natural gas in the Ahal province. Earlier it was reported that President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at a recent meeting noted the importance of expanding partnership with Japan Bank for International Cooperation - JBIC and addressed a number of specific instructions to the leadership of the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 Trend: In the third quarter of 2018, Azerbaijans Xalq Bank OJSC demonstrated a stable growth in terms of the main financial indicators, the bank said in a message. Compared to the beginning of 2018, the banks assets grew 7.02 percent or 127.365 million manats and amounted to 1.941 billion manats. The total capital in the first nine months of this year increased by 12.910 million manats or 5 percent and amounted to 271.181 million manats. Compared to the same period in 2017, there was an increase in interest income by 9.72 percent and a decrease in interest expenses by 11.6 percent, which resulted in the growth of net interest income by 17.38 percent. Over the nine months, the banks net interest income amounted to 65.634 million manats. Xalq Bank completed the third quarter of 2018 with a profit of 17,959 million manats, which is 36.84 percent more than the figure for the same period of 2017. The results of the financial and economic activities of Xalq Bank for 2018 once again confirm the leading position of the bank in the banking sector of Azerbaijan. Xalq Bank began operating in Azerbaijan in 2004. Presently, the bank provides clients with a full range of banking services through 29 branches with 605 employees, being one of the biggest banks in Azerbaijan. (1.7 AZN = 1 USD on Oct. 23) Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 By Taleh Mursagulov - Trend: Comprehensive work is being carried out in Azerbaijan on the development of entrepreneurship and the creation of a competitive market environment, the Deputy Economy Minister of Azerbaijan Niyazi Safarov said at the opening of the BakuBuild exhibition on Oct. 23. According to the deputy minister, Azerbaijan has created favorable conditions for investment, as well as for the development of entrepreneurship. "Azerbaijan has increased investment in the non-oil sector. Presently, the country already provides itself with building materials and Azerbaijani companies will be represented at the BakuBuild exhibition under the brand Made in Azerbaijan," Safarov said. Hundreds of modern industrial enterprises have now been established according to the strategic roadmap and as a result, the share of local goods in the local market has increased, the deputy minister added. "Special attention should be paid to the events organized with an aim to develop entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is carrying out fundamental reforms in the development of entrepreneurship," Safarov said "Support mechanisms significantly accelerate the development of entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan and as a result, investments in the development of the non-oil sector have increased significantly," he added. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 Trend: The US intends to raise the level of trade and investment cooperation with Uzbekistan, Uzbek media reported citing Chairman of the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce Carolyn Lamm as saying during an Uzbek-American business forum. "Yesterday, we learned a very important fact that the Russians signed more agreements [than the US]. We decided that we could make more agreements to increase the level of investment and trade. Our memorandums with Uzbekistan are only the beginning, we are only moving forward," she said. According to Lamm, American companies are ready to invest over $9 billion in projects in Uzbekistan. At the same time, following the visit of Vladimir Putin, Uzbekistan and Russia signed 785 bilateral agreements and memorandums totaling $27.1 billion. In January-September 2018, Uzbekistan and the US almost doubled their bilateral trade to $332 million. Currently, 210 enterprises with the participation of US companies are successfully operating in Uzbekistan. Since the beginning of 2018, 25 enterprises have been created with the participation of American capital. The total US investments and loans attracted to the economy of Uzbekistan for the period of 1998-2017 exceeded $1 billion. Tehran, Iran, Oct. 23 Trend: Iran and Oman signed a cooperation agreement to enhance their ties in a range of areas, including politics and economy. The agreement was signed in Tehran at the end of a meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Deputy Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman Mohammed bin Awadh Al Hassan on Tuesday. The two officials called for closer ties between the two nations in the fields of culture, economy and politics at the 6th session of Iran-Oman strategic consultation committee, which was held on Monday and Tuesday in the Iranian capital. Iran and Oman have developed strong political relations in recent years, with their top officials making regular reciprocal visits. Oman has played a positive role in nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries and hosted several rounds of the talks. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 Trend: In January-September 2018, investment commitments under 192 contracts worth a total of 274.1 billion soums and $4.3 million were fully fulfilled in Uzbekistan, the State Committee of Uzbekistan for Assistance to Privatized Enterprises and Development of Competition (the State Competition Committee) said in a report. According to the information, more than 7,334 new jobs were created during the reporting period. Lemon International LLC fulfilled investment commitments worth 8.4 billion soums to create textile production and opened 120 new jobs. Bektemir Metall Konstruksiyalari LLC made 129.5 billion soums worth of investments in the production of galvanized lighting poles. At the same time, 255 new jobs were created. As of Oct. 1, 2018, monitoring is conducted on 1,078 contracts for a total amount of 2,939.2 billion soums and $542.0 million, including 17 contracts concluded with foreign investors. The total amount of fulfilled investment obligations under these contracts amounted to 1.3 trillion soums and $168.8 million . More than 8,775 jobs were created. (8226.10 soums = 1 USD on Oct. 23) Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend: Azerbaijans state budget expenditure is projected at 840.8 million manats for 2019, which is 116.9 million manats, or 16.1 percent more compared to 2018, reads the draft state budget for 2019. The main reason for the increase in expenditures for 2019 is this years increase in salaries of employees of companies and organizations financed by the state budget, and the increase in the amount of certain social benefits and pensions, the increase in expenses for the purchase of food in preschool institutions, and the increase in expenses in travel, defense expenditures, payment to translators, specialists and experts. Thus, 238.4 million manats of local expenditures or 28.4 percent will be directed to expenditures in education (expenditures for financing preschool institutions), 231.5 million manats or 27.5 percent will be directed to expenditures in healthcare, 230.9 million manats or 27.5 percent will be directed for housing and utility expenses. This is while 110 million manats or 13.1 percent will be allocated for the maintenance of executive bodies, 8.6 million manats or one percent will be allocated for expenses in the fields of culture, art, information, physical culture and for expenses not related to other categories, while 21.4 million manats or 2.5 percent will be directed to other expenses. The upper limit of the state budget deficit in 2019 is provided in the amount of 1,862.6 million manats. Its financing will be carried out at the expense of the balance on the single treasury account, foreign loans and privatization receipts. (1.7 manats = 1 USD on Oct. 23) Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 By Taleh Mursagulov - Trend: The Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) and Columbia Shipmanagement LT. will create a joint venture, the ASCO said in a message Oct. 23. In this regard, ASCO Chairman Rauf Valiyev and Chairman of the Board of Columbia Shipmanagement Ltd. Heinrich Schuller signed a memorandum of understanding. It is noted that the parties agreed to continue negotiations on the creation of a joint venture and the development of the necessary technical and economic documents. Thus, the company will create a solid basis for the exchange of experience on the operation of large tankers in international waters, training of seafarers and ASCO employees, as well as the participation of ships in new international projects, the company said. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Oct. 23 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: The European Union has shown great interest in the construction of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline and the supply of Turkmen natural gas to the European market, the state news agency Turkmen Dovlet Khabarlary reported Oct. 23. This issue was raised during the recent negotiations in Brussels. The sides discussed the issues of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the EU in the energy sector, modernization of the legal framework of the partnership, implementation of the project of construction of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline, the message says. The delegation of Turkmenistan was represented by Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, who held a series of meetings, in particular with the Vice-President of the European Commission for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic, as well as a working meeting with representatives of the Directorate-General for Energy of the European Commission and others. The topics of further improvement of the principles of activity of the Caspian Development Corporation (CDC), the continuation of the negotiations of the working group on the implementation of this energy project, including economic, environmental and commercial issues were touched upon. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was briefed on the results of the trip the day before during the telephone conference. The participants in the negotiations from the European Union expressed their readiness to help attract investment in the implementation of this important energy project, which, as the head of state noted, meets not only national objectives, but also aims to strengthen the energy security of the continent. Thanks to the adoption of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, the necessary legal framework has been created for laying a gas pipeline across the Caspian Sea. Now, only the consent of the project parties and an environmental impact assessment that meets the strict requirements of international standards are needed for the realization of this project, said the article. The Trans-Caspian gas pipeline project provides for the supply of Turkmen energy resources to the European market in the amount of 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually for at least 30 years with its transfer at the Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea. Turkmenistan has all the opportunities to implement major energy projects, both in this direction and in other vectors, the message said.. The necessary infrastructure including the East-West domestic gas pipeline, which provides for reverse gas transfers from eastern Turkmenistan to the western regions and back, have been created in the country for this purpose. The negotiations on the delivery of Turkmen gas to Europe have been conducted since 2011. The Southern Gas Corridor, which includes the Trans-Caspian project, remains a priority for the EU. In May 2015, the Ashgabat Declaration on Energy was signed by the Ministers of Energy of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Maros Sefcovic. The project of laying a 300-kilometer gas pipeline along the bottom of the Caspian sea to the shores of Azerbaijan, as noted earlier by the parties concerned, is optimal for the delivery of Turkmen resources to the European market. Further, the Turkmen fuel can be delivered to Turkey, which borders with European countries. The Trans-Caspian gas pipeline could become part of several large-scale projects, including AGRI and TANAP, in which Azerbaijan and Turkey are participating. LEE COUNTY, Va., Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lee County, Virginia, and the City of Norton, Virginia, represented by Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP, Kaufman & Canoles, P.C., and The Cicala Law Firm PLLC today initiated legal action against opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) for their role in creating the public health emergency caused by the overuse of prescription opioids. Lee County and Norton filed the lawsuits in state court against more than 15 opioid manufacturers, distributors, and PBMs including pharmaceutical titans Purdue Pharma, McKesson and CVS Caremark. The lawsuits allege that each defendant has contributed to the opioid crisis in Southwest Virginia drug manufacturers make the opioids and mispresent the truth about their benefits and addiction risks; wholesale distributors ignore their responsibilities to report and stop suspicious orders; and PBMs leverage their role as middlemen to increase the flow of opioids into the marketplace. Lee County and Norton have alleged violations of statutory and common law public nuisance, the Virginia Consumer Protection Act, fraud, common law conspiracy, negligence, and unjust enrichment. The defendants include manufacturers Purdue Pharma, Abbott Laboratories, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals; Teva Pharmaceuticals, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Cephalon, Inc., Barr Laboratories, Inc., Actavis Pharma, Watson Laboratories, Inc., Allergan PLC, and Insys Therapeutics; distributors AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp., Cardinal Health Inc., and McKesson Corp.; and PBMs Express Scripts, Inc., Caremark/CVS Health; United Health Group Inc., and OptumRx, Inc. It is widely believed that Lee County and its surrounding area with its high concentration of dangerous coal mining and logging jobs was among the first targets of defendants nationwide scheme to push the dispensing of opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. The resulting and foreseeable wave of opioid-addiction in Lee County and Norton has been devastating. The rate of overdose deaths in Lee County has steadily risen from 8 to 9.9 deaths per 100,000 in 1999 to 28 to 29.9 deaths per 100,000 in 2016. In Norton, the rate has climbed from 6 to 7.9 deaths per 100,000 people in 1999 to over 30 deaths per year per 100,000 people in 2016. For nearly a decade, babies born in Lee County have been 6-13 times more likely to be born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) than babies born elsewhere in the Commonwealth, and babies in Norton have similarly been far more likely to be born with NAS than babies born elsewhere in Virginia. In 2014, more than 7% of all babies born in Lee County were born addicted to opioids. Additionally, the reported rate of Hepatitis C a viral condition that can be spread through opioid injection far outpaces statewide averages in Lee County, peaking in 2012 at more than sixteen times higher than the statewide rate. Predictably, the influx of opioids into Lee County and Norton has also caused an unprecedented spike in crime, strains on law enforcement and courts, and a dramatic uptick in the need for foster and other child-placement services. Lee County and Norton have been forced to spend substantial and precious public monies to address all of the harms caused by the scourge of opioids that was intentionally unleashed in Southwest Virginia. The lawsuit aims to recover such costs and, critically, to abate the flow of these dangerous drugs into our communities. We are pleased to represent Lee County and Norton as they seek to hold the defendants accountable for their reprehensible actions and recover the funds the community has spent to address the impact of the opioid crisis. The citizens of Lee County and Norton deserve justice for the harms inflicted upon them by the defendants and our respective firms are proud to take on this fight on their behalf, said Kevin H. Sharp of Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP. Joanne Cicala added, The opioid epidemic is not accidental. It is not a natural disaster. It is a man-made crisis. And worse the companies that did this were not just seeking to build market share they knew they were creating addicts. No local government wants to have to file a lawsuit. Local governments have enough to do already, providing services to the public on tight budgets. But this man-made crisis is costing Lee County, Norton, and communities like it dearly and so Lee County and Norton must respond. Those responsible for this epidemic those who profited from it must be held accountable for its costs. About Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP is a public interest class-action litigation law firm with offices in New York, Washington, D.C., Nashville, Baltimore, San Francisco, and San Diego. Our attorneys have graduated from the nations top law schools, clerked for judges throughout the United States, and amassed extensive experience litigating and trying cases that have earned over one billion dollars for our clients. The Firm specializes in civil rights and general public interest cases, representing plaintiffs with claims of employment discrimination, labor and wage violations, predatory lending, consumer fraud, and whistleblowing, among other claims. Along with a focus on class actions, the Firm also represents individuals and has achieved extraordinary success in the representation of executives and attorneys in employment disputes. For more information go to www.sanfordheisler.com or call (202) 499-5200 or email ksharp@sanfordheisler.com. For the latest news, visit our newsroom or follow us on Twitter at @sanfordheisler. About Kaufman & Canoles, P.C. Tracing its roots to 1919, Kaufman & Canoles has a long-standing history of representing local governments and municipalities throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia with a variety of legal needs. With 8 offices in Virginia, the firm is known for its rich history, highly-respected attorneys, business connections, and a deep commitment to improving the communities it serves. For more information, visit www.kaufcan.com. About The Cicala Law Firm PLLC The Cicala Law Firm PLLC is a plaintiffs civil litigation firm with particular expertise in prosecuting commercial, consumer and health care fraud matters on behalf of individuals, businesses and governmental clients. It maintains a diverse, experienced and nimble team comprised of attorneys, analysts, health care and IT professionals. The firm is committed to taking advantage of cutting edge technology to identity claims and particularize damages, including through data mining. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct.23 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Austrian integrated oil and gas company OMV Group is closely monitoring the situation in Iran, the company told Trend answering the question whether it plans any engagement in the country. We are monitoring the situation very closely, nevertheless OMV has no projects (neither active nor planned) in the Iran at the moment, said the company. As for the global plans, the company said OMV Upstream will continue to focus its portfolio on four core regions (CEE with Austria and Romania, North Sea, Russia, and Middle East & Africa) plus one development region. Portfolio growth with sustainable reserve replacement is being pursued with the development of projects in selected regions (such as the Middle East and Russia). Australasia [a region of Oceania, comprises Australia, New Zealand, neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean and, sometimes, the island of New Guinea] is to be developed into a core region in order to unlock the growth potential of the rapidly growing Asian market, said the company. In Downstream Oil, OMV said it will further strengthen its competitive position in Europe. Building on our strong expertise as one of the leading European refiners, we strive to export our successful European refining and petrochemical business model to international growth markets. In Downstream Gas, we will become the leading integrated supplier with a strong market presence from Northwest to Southeast Europe, said the Austrian company. In April 2001, OMV started its activities in Iran as operator of the Mehr exploration block. With operational and HSSE excellence, OMV Iran drilled three exploration wells in the Mehr Block, the first one leading to a successful discovery in 2005. In January 2016, OMV announced Iran as one of its main development regions in its global portfolio. In May 2016, the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and OMV signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concerning the evaluation of five oil fields in the West of Karoun area, for potential future development. At the same time, OMV also signed a Joint Study Agreement with NIOC Exploration Directorate for study of potential prospectivity of the Fars Area (on and offshore). However, in June 2018 OMV said it plans to cease its operations in Iran amid growing signs that the United States is preparing to re-impose sanctions against the country. OMV Chief Executive Rainer Seele said that his company planned to conclude a seismic studies project in Iran but would not pursue projects further. --- Follow the author on Twitter:@Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 By Huseyn Veliyev - Trend: Belarus 24, the international satellite TV channel of Belarus, has become available from the Azerbaijani satellite Azerspace/Africasat 1a, the Flysat portal, which publishes tables of satellite frequencies, reported Oct. 23. Belarus 24 is available in open DVB-S2/8PSK broadcast at a frequency of 11053 MHz (speed: 15000, polarization: V, FEC: 2/3). Belarus 24 broadcasts in Belarusian and Russian languages. Its coverage area includes more than 100 countries on four continents. The TV channel is a part of the National State TV and Radio Company of Belarus, which also includes Belarus 1, Belarus 2, Belarus 3, Belarus 4, Belarus 5, NTV Belarus, as well as the First National Channel of Belarus Radio, "Culture" radio channel, "Belarus", Capital, Radius FM radio stations. The total number of television and radio channels broadcast via the Azerbaijani satellite exceeds 100. The Azerspace/Africasat-1a satellite is located in the orbital position at 46 degrees east longitude. It is designed to provide broadcasting services, create multiservice VSAT networks, and provide government communications. The service area of Azerspace/Africasat-1a includes the countries of Europe, Caucasus, Central Asia, Middle East and Africa.\ --- Follow the author on Twitter: @h_veliyev Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 Trend: Azercells Barama Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, distinguished for its successful projects towards the development of entrepreneurship and facilitation of business environment in our country, cooperates with a number of global organizations, agencies, and Non-Governmental Organizations to improve the innovative environment. The Center has signed a memorandum with High Technologies Park operating under the Ministry of Communication and High Technologies with the view to contribute to the development of innovative economy, the establishment of a knowledge-based economy, support of intellectual business and improvement of competitiveness in the economy, particularly ICT sector. The memorandum encompasses the experience exchange in scientific-technical and academic fields, organization of the training to improve qualifications of counterparts, and development of joint projects through cooperation towards scientific-technical innovations. Moreover, motivating young personnel and supporting startups for specialist preparation are among the main targets of the cooperation. The memorandum also entails expanding the integration of people and institutes of High Technologies sector in the field of education based on the best international standards, exploring the opportunities to establish laboratories, using the existing laboratories and personnel capacity jointly, and providing the students with resources and options in joint programs, such as internet access. Notably, High Technologies Park was established upon the Presidential Decree dated November 5, 2012, to secure sustainable development and economic competitiveness, expand information and communication technologies fields based on modern knowledge and technological achievements, and carry out research and establish modern complex for the development of new technologies. Barama Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center started its operation in 2009 in Azerbaijan to foster business innovation and support the projects and startups in the field of information to build their businesses. The center is supported by PASHA Bank, one of the country's leading companies since 2015. The leader of the mobile communication industry, the largest taxpayer and the biggest investor of the non-oil sector of Azerbaijan Azercell Telecom LLC was founded in 1996. With 48 percent share of Azerbaijans mobile telecom market Azercells network covers 80 percent of the territory (excluding 20 percent of the occupied territories) and 99.8 percent of population of the country. Currently, 4.5 million subscribers choose Azercell services. Azercell has pioneered an important number of innovations in Azerbaijan, including GSM technology, advance payment system, mobile internet services, Metro coverage, 24/7 call centre service, 7 day/week Front Office service, M2M services, one-stop-shopping approach Azercell Express offices, mobile customer services, Online Customer Care and Social Media Customer Care services, mobile e-signature service ASAN Imza etc. Azercell deployed first 4G LTE services in Azerbaijan in 2012. According to the results of mobile network quality and wireless coverage mapping surveys by international systems, Azercells network demonstrated the best results among the mobile operators of Azerbaijan. Azercell is the only company in Azerbaijan and CIS region which has been awarded Gold Certificate of International Investors in People Standard. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Oct. 23 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: The discussion of the protocol on cooperation in combating the illegal harvesting of biological resources (poaching) in the Caspian Sea will be held in Ashgabat on Oct. 23-25, the Turkmen government said in a statement. The event will be attended by authorized delegations from Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. The previous meetings dedicated to this topic were held in the Turkmen capital in 2016 and 2017. The parties spoke in favor of monitoring of the biological resources and the marine environment of the Caspian basin. The Caspian Sea is the largest inland water reservoir in the world, which is not connected with the World Ocean, and has the climate-forming significance. It is unique in that it has a variety of relict flora and fauna, including the world's largest herd of sturgeons. Developing international economic cooperation, boosting private sector potentials, reinforcing tourism and promoting free zones are Iran's policy, vice-president for parliamentary affairs said, IRNA reports. Hossein-Ali Amiri made the remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of the 10th 'Kish 2018 Invex' presenting Iran's Investment Opportunities and Exhibition of Banking, Insurance and Privatization. 'Everyone in the Islamic Republic of Iran agrees with maintaining constructive interaction with the world, attracting investment, taking advantage of private sector's potentials, boosting social capitals, removing production impediments, preserving national security and minimizing the effects of sanctions,' he said. He referred to increasing production, developing entrepreneurship, reinforcing knowledge-based companies, paying more attention to tourism and developing especial and free zones as the policies adopted by Iranian government in line with promoting domestic and foreign trade and investment. Integration, empathy, common understanding among government officials , economic activists and people together with strategic position, technical knowledge and defense power are the most important factors for maintaining national security, Amiri added. Pointing to Iranian government's support for entrepreneurs, investors and innovators in economic and scientific fields, he underlined the importance of the presence of the economic operators, and ideologists in economic arena. Iranian Interior Minister highlighted the current stable economic conditions of the country and urged domestic media to continue the current supportive trend in their news dissemination, IRNA reports. Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli made the remarks in the fourth State Economic Information and Advertising Board meeting held. The removal of possible contradictory regulations and the latest topics on the countrys economic conditions were discussed during the meeing. The minister urged media outlets to reflect the real economic conditions of the country and combat the antagonist medias mainstreaming by attracting people to maintain the current stable condition. The draft of information policies of the board consisting of 15 articles was also approved in the meeting. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: The development of regional transit system between Afghanistan, Iran and India through implementation of Chabahar agreement is one of the main goals of Afghanistan, the country's Deputy Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Emamuddin Mohammad Verimach said. He made the remarks at the meeting of coordination committee for implementation of Chabahar agreement signed between Iran, India and Afghanistan, held in Tehran city, Mehr news agency reported. He noted that cooperation between the three countries in the area of economy leads to sustainable development of the countries and increase in number of new jobs. Taking into account the priority Sustainable Development Goals regulated and announced to the world countries by the UNO, the signing of the Chabahar agreement can give impetus to cooperation and create conditions for development of the countries. Verimach also noted that during the recent 16 years, economic relations of Afghanistan were mostly maintained with regional countries. From geographical point of view, Afghanistan is considered as one of the central continental countries not having an access to the sea. Afghanistan hopes that by signing this agreement it will be able to play the role of bridge between the countries. We need development of relevant legal framework for implementation of this agreement. Just for this reason, Afghanistan together with Iran and India is interested in cooperating within this agreement, he said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: Irans Markazi Province has great opportunities in industry, agriculture and various services, and Ghana welcomes expansion of trade relations with Iran and this region, a representative of Ghanas Embassy in Iran said at a meeting with economic activists in the Markazi Province. The representative said Ghanas economic and trade relations with Iran need to be strengthened. "Ghana needs agricultural potential of Iran, mainly of the Markazi Province, because only 20 percent of Ghanas land is used for agriculture purposes." In Ghana, agriculture faces a major problem in cold seasons, the representative noted. It is possible to strengthen relations with the agriculture engineers of the Markazi Province and to direct modern technologies to this sphere. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 By Elnur Baghishov - Trend: Iran's Vice President and Head of the Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi visited Isfahan nuclear facility on Oct. 22 night to get acquainted with the latest achievements of the Nuclear Reactors Fuel Company (SUREH) and the implementation of the companys current projects, the AEOI website reported. He got acquainted with the work carried out at the nuclear facility based on instructions of Irans supreme leader and president. As part of the visit, Salehi familiarized himself with the process of fuel preparation for the Arak Heavy Water Production Plants re-engineered reactor and inspected UF6 and UF4 production units, which started operating with the permission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in May. Tehran, Iran, Oct. 23 Trend: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is attending a parliamentary session to brief lawmakers on the countrys accession to Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) standards set by the FATF (Financial Action Task Force). The closed session is being held on Tuesday with Zarif and Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Abbas Araqchi in attendance. The diplomats and lawmakers will exchange views about the CFT bill and Irans accession to it before the second round of US sanctions against Tehran kick in, Tasnim reported on October 23. Back on October 7, the Iranian Parliament approved a bill on the countrys accession to the CFT treaty. According to the Financial Action Task Force, Iran had until October to complete reforms that would bring it into line with global norms or face consequences that could further deter investors from the country. To fulfill FATF requirements, President Hassan Rouhanis administration has proposed four bills to the parliament for approval, two of which are still undecided, including the Palermo Convention. On June 10, the Iranian parliament passed a law allowing the country to join the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), but has decided to put on hold debates on accession to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for two months. Irans parliament had in May adopted new amendments proposed by the government to the countrys Anti-Money Laundering (AML) law as part of efforts to improve connections to the international banking and trade system. Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) involves investigating, analyzing, deterring and preventing sources of funding for activities intended to achieve political, religious or ideological goals through violence and the threat of violence against civilians. The FATF on Friday gave Iran four months to implement its commitments after a meeting of its members in Paris. The international body announced it would continue suspending counter-measures, which can go as far as limiting or even banning transactions with a country. TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For the fourth consecutive year, Bonnefield has achieved an A rating from the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (UN-PRI) assessment. Bonnefield was the first farmland company in Canada to formalize its commitment to responsible investing by becoming a signatory of the UN-PRI. It has maintained an A rating ever since. Responsible investing is core to the Bonnefield business model, said Tom Eisenhauer, Bonnefields president. Through our farmland lease solutions we work with some of Canadas most progressive farm families who farm sustainability and profitably for the long term, all characteristics that favour strong returns for investors. The UN-PRI is a network of global investors committed to working together to put principles of responsible investing into practice. Signatories follow a set of six principles that protect the environment, benefit society, and promote sound governance through integrity and transparent reporting. As part of their commitment, signatories agree to an annual assessment of these principles. About Bonnefield Bonnefield is Canadas foremost provider of land-lease financing for farmers, dedicated to preserving farmland for farming across Canada. We partner with progressive, growth-oriented Canadian farmers to provide farmland leasing solutions to help them grow, reduce debt and finance retirement and succession. Bonnefield and its farmland funds are 100% Canadian owned and controlled. Our investors are Canadian individuals and institutional investors who are committed to the long-term future of Canadian agriculture. www.bonnefield.com The two-days international meetings forum of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has been opened in Tbilisi by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Mamuka Bakhtadze, Agenda reports. The forum delegates have discussed the development perspectives of business and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tourism. While delivering his keynote speech at the meeting Minister of Economy, Giorgi Kobulia has emphasised the importance of tourism sector for Georgian economy. Every year the number of tourists coming to Georgia is twice as much as the total population of the country and with this number we are ahead of several european countries, he said. He has also described the plans of the Georgian government aimed at improvement of the service quality in the hospitality sector, development of the tourist infrastructure and increase of the number of direct flights to the country. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Ottawa is ready to halt a $13 billion arms deal with Riyadh if it concludes the weapons have been misused, Press TV reported "We strongly demand and expect that Canadian exports are used in a way that fully respects human rights," Trudeau said in the Parliament on Monday. "We have frozen export permits before when we had concerns about their potential misuse and we will not hesitate to do so again," he added. Canada has been exporting arms to Saudi Arabia based on a 2014 contract, which is worth up to $13 billion. The contact, won by the Canadian unit of US weapons maker General Dynamics Corp, allows Canada to supply Saudis with light-armored vehicles. The Canadian PM condemned the journalists death and said Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland had been talking to allies to discuss the next steps. Back on Saturday, Freeland had noted that the Saudi explanations on the death of Khashoggi at its consulate in Istanbul lacked credibility and consistency. "There are very important questions about the entire relationship with Saudi Arabia that need to be asked," she told reporters on Monday. Chinese leader Xi Jinping opened one of the worlds longest bridges on Tuesday, during a tour to southern China that is seen by some as an opportunity for Beijing to reaffirm its commitment to economic liberalization, Reuters reports. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge is made up of nearly 35-km (22-mile) bridge and road sections and a 6.7 km (4-mile) tunnel, and has been dubbed the longest bridge-cum-tunnel sea crossing in the world. It will link the financial hub of Hong Kong to the relatively less developed western reaches of the Pearl River Delta in Guangdong province, as well as the former Portuguese colony and gambling hub of Macau. Xi said nothing during the inauguration of the bridge on Tuesday morning other than to declare it officially open to a burst of fireworks projected onto a screen behind him. A cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the U.S. terminal of Sabine Pass operated by Cheniere Energy is due to arrive in China on Nov. 11, Refinitiv Eikon shipping data showed on Tuesday, Reuters reports. This is the first cargo of U.S. LNG scheduled to arrive in China, according to the data, after the country imposed a 10 percent tariff on U.S. LNG as of Sept. 24, as part of a wider trade war with the United States. The cargo is being shipped aboard the Ribera Duero Knutsen tanker, which is on charter to Spains Naturgy. British Prime Minister Theresa May believes she can get a Brexit deal that will win the support of parliament, her spokesman said on Tuesday, brushing aside questions about a possible leadership challenge, Reuters reports. The PM has always said that she believes that we will be able to secure a deal which all members of parliament will be able to support, the spokesman told reporters. Asked whether May was concerned about any possible vote of confidence against her, the spokesman said: The PM is focussed on getting a deal. Google Maps now offers recommended routes for bicycle riders throughout the country, Globes reports. Google Maps launched its bicycle feature in Israel this week. Up to now, Israelis users of the navigation app were able to obtain routes for travel by car, on foot, or by public transport and taxi. Now, bicycle riders will also be able to find the most efficient routes to their destinations. The feature is available throughout Israel, after previously being launched in major cities around the world, among them New York, Paris, London, and Berlin. To operate the feature, the user needs to input a destination address and tap the bicycle rider icon. According to Google, the feature will then find the shortest route based on existing bike paths, with a minimum of hills, and avoiding dangerous roads as much as possible. The company said that the Tel Aviv, Rishon Lezion and Jerusalem municipalities had cooperated with it to improve the feature's navigation quality by providing updates on bike paths in their jurisdictions. Google calls on other municipalities to do likewise, in order to make bike paths accessible to more riders and improve the navigational directions provided to them. A NATO soldier was killed and two service members wounded after an Afghan soldier turned his weapon and fired against them on Monday, the NATO-led coalition said, Xinhua reported. "A Resolute Support service member was killed in Herat province today," Resolute Support Public Affairs said in a statement. The initial reports indicated that the attack was committed by a member of the Afghan security forces, the statement added. Local media reported that the shooter was arrested by the coalition troops. "Further details will be shared after the appropriate national authorities have followed their processes for releasing information," the statement added. Japans government downgraded its assessment of exports for the first time in two months amid signs of a slowing in shipments due to the trade war between the United States and China, Reuters reports. Japanese exports are flat, the Cabinet Office said in its monthly economic report for October, which marked a downgrade from the previous months assessment that the recovery in exports was stalling. In the report for October, released on Tuesday, the government left unchanged its overall assessment that the economy is recovering at a moderate pace. We expect exports to recover, but we need to pay attention to how trade friction is affecting the global economy, the Cabinet Office said in the report. Chinas third quarter economic growth slowed to its weakest pace since the global financial crisis, and missed expectations, as a years-long campaign to tackle debt risks and the trade war with the United States began to bite, data last week showed. Washington and Beijing have slapped tit-for-tat tariffs on each other in recent months, and plans for bilateral trade talks to resolve the dispute have stalled. Japan is at risk because it exports to China much manufacturing equipment and electronic parts, which are used to make finished goods for the United States and other markets. The Cabinet Office flagged a recent slowdown in shipments of gear that Chinese companies use to make smartphones, which suggests demand for these gadgets could be waning. The government left unchanged its assessment that consumer spending is recovering, but expressed concern about a recent earthquake in the northern island of Hokkaido and severe flooding in western Japan. The report said capital expenditure is rising, a view unchanged from September. The government also left unchanged its assessment that industrial output is gradually rising. Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev and US National Security Adviser John Bolton discussed in Moscow the Iran nuclear deal and situation in Syria and Afghanistan, as well as the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula, IRNA reports. 'Nikolai Patrushev and John Bolton touched upon issues of further development of the situation around the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear program, discussed the situation in Syria and Afghanistan, as well as the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula,' the Russian Security Council said in a statement. The sides also discussed extending the New START treaty by five years after 2021. The Russian Security Council said Patrushev and Bolton substantively discussed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), the Open Skies Treaty, the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the Convention on the Prohibition of Biological and Toxin Weapons. In addition, both sides voiced a number of initiatives, the implementation of which could contribute to creating an atmosphere of trust and strengthening cooperation between Moscow and Washington. The statement said the Patrushev-Bolton meeting was an important step to implement agreements reached during the talks between Russian and US presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in Helsinki. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Handa Mining Corporation ("Handa Mining" or the "Company") (TSX-V: HAND) is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of the Mejillones Phosphate Project (Mejillones or the "Project") in Chile from Buccaneer Holdings Limited ("BHL"), (see announcements on August 28, 2018 and January 31, 2018). Handa issued 5,000,000 common shares (the "Shares") at a deemed price of $0.065 per share, as consideration for the acquisition of the Project, which are subject to a hold period of 18 months. Additional common shares and cash payments may be made to BHL, subject to certain milestones. For further information on the Project and the consideration, please refer to the Company's news release dated January 28, 2018 and the new company website. Mejillones Phosphate Project The Project consists of three exploration and eight exploitation concessions which cover a contiguous area of approximately 8,200 hectares situated south of the town and deep-water port of Mejillones approximately 60km north of Antofagasta in Chile. Handa has acquired a 100% interest in the Project. Commenting on the Acquisition Jan Nelson, CEO, said: The acquisition of the Mejillones Project is a significant milestone in the process of delivering Handas revived strategy. The Company has transitioned from early stage exploration in Africa and is now focused on developing near-term production assets that will deliver cash flow in order to transform the company into a producer. The Mejillones Project provides for such an opportunity in a world where increased population and the pressure to feed the world makes the mining of phosphate, to be utilized as fertilizer, one of the key commodities for a developing world. In parallel, the Board continues to identify similar opportunities which are cash generative." Financing The Company is also pleased to announce the closing of its second and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement financing (the Financing), by the issuance of 6,200,000 Units at $0.05 per unit for proceeds of $310,000.00. A total of $700,000 was raised in this Financing (see announcement of October 2, 2018). All Units issued in the first and second tranche of the Financing, consist of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (Warrant), whereby each Warrant, (subject to acceleration provisions), entitles the holder thereof to acquire one additional common share of the Company for a total period of 24 months, at a price of $0.075 per share for the first six months following the date of issuance and at a price of $0.10 per share for the subsequent 18 months from the date of issuance. The expiry date of each Warrant is subject to acceleration such that if the volume weighted average price of the Companys common shares is equal to or above $0.25 for a period of 20 consecutive trading days (the Triggering Event). In such event, the Company may accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants to the date that is 30 days following the date on which it sends notice to all Warrant holders of the new expiry date (the Notice Date). The Company shall also issue a news release on the Notice Date and provide notice of the early expiration date within 10 calendar days of the Triggering Event. The securities issued pursuant to closing of the second tranche of the Financing are subject to a hold period under applicable securities laws, which will expire February 17, 2019, being four months plus one day from the date of closing of the second tranche of the Financing. About Handa Mining Corporation Handa Mining Corporation (TSX-V: HAND) is a mining and development company that is developing the Mejillones Phosphate Project in Chile in order to bring the Project into production and generate cash flow. As part of its revitalized strategy, the Company is also pursuing Joint Venture opportunities it order to gain further exposure to surface mining opportunities which are very close to or in production. For further information, contact: Jan Nelson Chief Executive Officer Handa Mining Corporation Tel: (604) 428-7050 Email: jan@handamining.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. The Russian Foreign Ministry delegation has arrived in Pyongyang to hold negotiations with representatives for the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), TASS reports. "A delegation of the Department of International Organizations of the Russian Foreign Ministry led by Deputy Director Mikael Agasandian arrived here on Monday," the KCNA reported. According to the agency, the visit of the Russian diplomats to Pyongyang will last until Friday. A number of meetings with management representatives for the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs are to be held during the visit. Constant contacts between Russia and the United States on Syria are the only positive example of their bilateral cooperation, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday, TASS reports. "We maintain contacts [with the US] on the hotbeds of tension," Shoigu said. "This certainly refers to Syria, where we actually work constantly and keep our relations with US colleagues on track." The minister stressed that so far this has been the only example of efficient cooperation between the US and Russia "which allows to prevent serious incidents in the air on Syrias territory." "As for the rest, we need a more active dialogue," Shoigu noted. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has stated that Russia and the US could jointly address strategic issues of nuclear deterrence and regulate major long-standing conflicts, TASS reports. "Today there is a great number of problems in the world that could be tackled through joint efforts. It concerns both strategic issues of nuclear deterrence and, naturally, issues of the settlement of major long-standing conflicts," he said at negotiations with US National Security Advisor John Bolton. The minister noted that the Russian and American military are supporting contacts in the most difficult areas. "It definitely concerns Syria, where we are constantly working and uphold our relations with the American colleagues through constant contacts," Shoigu explained. He highlighted that it may serve as "the only positive example" of effective cooperation, which enables Russia and the US "to prevent serious incidents on Syrian territory and in the airspace above it." "We need a more active dialogue for all the rest," the defense minister noted. "I think that today we have a chance to discuss these issues." Earlier in the day, US National Security Adviser Bolton told Vladimir Putin that US President Donald Trump would like to meet with Putin on the sidelines of the upcoming international meeting in Paris, Sputnik reported. Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold fully-fledged talks with US President Donald Trump on November 11 during his upcoming trip to Paris, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said Tuesday. "During the consultations between [US National Security Adviser John] Bolton with representatives of our foreign policy and military-political team, a preliminary agreement was reached on the possibility of a contact between two presidents in Paris at the events in connection with the centenary of the First World War, and our president confirmed this agreement during his conversation with Bolton," Ushakov told reporters. Ushakov added that the meeting had been scheduled for November 11 and it would be a fully-fledged and "well-prepared" event. The aide further noted that Moscow hopes that Trump will receive Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev at the White House during his visit to the US. "The Putin-Bolton meeting was held with a view that when our Security Council Secretary Mister Patrushev attends consultations in Washington, he will enjoy a highest-level reception in the White House," Ushakov told reporters after the meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and US National Security Adviser John Bolton. The aide's comments come following the meeting between Putin and Bolton during which Putin said that it would be useful to continue the dialogue with his US counterpart Donald Trump. In addition, the officials discussed the possibility of exchanging views on strategic issues and disarmament. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Today, the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency, Gina Haspel, is expected to arrive in Turkey to investigate the death of the Saudi journalist Jemal Khashoggi, the Turkish media reported Oct. 23. It is reported that during the visit to Turkey, Haspel will meet with Turkish officials. Other details of the visit are not reported. On October 2, Khashoggi, known for his critical statements about the policy of Riyadh, disappeared when he visited the consulate general of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul, where he came to obtain documents for registration of a marriage with a Turkish citizen. A few days later, the Turkish police launched an investigation into the disappearance case. On October 20, the Saudi authorities reported that Khashoggi was killed as a result of a conflict in the consulate general. The Attorney General of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Saud al-Muadjib, said 18 nationals of the country are under investigation, whose identities have not been revealed. He also spoke about the dismissal of the adviser to the crown prince, General Ahmed al-Assiri, who held a high position in the intelligence services of the kingdom, and the adviser to the Royal Court in the rank of minister Saud al-Qahtani. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: The investigation into the murder of Saudi reporter Jamal Khashoggi is underway in Turkey, the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, the Turkish media reported Oct. 23. Cavusoglu said but even the fact that Saudi Arabia finally admitted that reporter Jamal Khashoggi was killed is very important. He noted that if additional international investigation is required, Turkey is ready to provide assistance in this. Cavusoglu also said that so far Turkey has not disclosed the details of the investigation, as well as any information received on this issue. On October 2, Khashoggi, known for his critical statements about the policy of Riyadh, disappeared when he visited the consulate general of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul, where he came to obtain documents for registration of a marriage with a Turkish citizen. A few days later, the Turkish police launched an investigation into the disappearance case. On October 20, the Saudi authorities reported that Khashoggi was killed as a result of a conflict in the consulate general. The Attorney General of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Saud al-Muadjib, said 18 nationals of the country are under investigation, whose identities have not been revealed. He also spoke about the dismissal of the adviser to the crown prince, General Ahmed al-Assiri, who held a high position in the intelligence services of the kingdom, and the adviser to the Royal Court in the rank of minister Saud al-Qahtani. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 Trend: The municipality of the Turkish province of Tekirdag has announced an open tender for the purchase of consulting services as part of the construction of a regional branch of the Bar of Attorneys in the province. Local and foreign companies can take part in the tender. The tender procedure will be held at 10:30 (GMT + 3) on November 12, 2018. Applications and proposals from interested parties are accepted at the following address: Ertugrul Mah.Hasansekerozu Sok.No:5 Suleymanpasa/Tekirdag. For more information, please contact the tender organizers at [email protected]. Phone: (+90 282) 261 13 23, Fax: (+90 282) 261 13 23. The cost of participation in the tender is 600 Turkish liras. The official exchange rate for October 23 is 5.6582 TL / USD. Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: The leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Devlet Bahceli, has announced the termination of the alliance with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) during the municipal elections to be held in March 2019, the Turkish media reported Oct. 23. Bahceli noted that the MHP does not need an alliance with the party, which looks down upon their offer of amnesty for the prisoners. During the municipal election to be held in 2019, the MHP will independently participate in the election, Bahceli said. Earlier, the MHP made a proposal for an amnesty, which the ruling AKP party did not appreciate. On April 17 of this year, Bahceli took the initiative to hold early parliamentary and presidential election in Turkey. Bahceli offered to hold early election on August 26 of this year. The next day, President Erdogan, following a meeting with Bahceli, said that early parliamentary election is necessary for Turkey, and it will be held on June 24, 2018. This statement by Erdogan was a surprise for political parties in Turkey. Erdogan also said that the early election in Turkey is a cautionary step directed against the forces that intend to destabilize the country. In turn, on April 20, the Turkish parliament approved a new date for the early election. Some 386 deputies out of 537 voted in favor of holding early parliamentary and presidential election, the date of election was scheduled for June 24, 2018. According to the report of the Central Election Commission of Turkey (YSK), Erdogan gained 52.59 percent of the votes in the presidential election, Muharrem Ince from the Republican Peoples Party (CHP) gained 30.64 percent of the votes, Meral Aksener from the Good Party (Iyi Parti) - 7.29 percent, Selahattin Demirtas from the Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) 8.4 percent, Temel Karamollaoglu from the Felicity Party (Saadet Partisi) - 0.89 percent and Dogu Perincek from the Patriotic Party (Vatan Partisi) - 0.2 percent. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: The murderers of Saudi reporter Jamal Khashoggi must be convicted in Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, Turkish media reported Oct. 23. Although Khashoggi was killed in the consulate general of Saudi Arabia, the crime was committed in Turkey, which makes Ankara pay more attention to this, he said. Considering that Khashoggi was brutally murdered, Saudi Arabia must do everything possible to find and punish the criminals, Erdogan said. The authorities of Saudi Arabia claim that the body of the killed reporter was handed over to someone in Turkey, Erdogan noted. If Saudi Arabia claims that the body of Khashoggi was handed over to someone, that persons name should be revealed, Erdogan said. On Oct. 2, Khashoggi, known for his criticism of the policy of Riyadh, disappeared when he visited the consulate general of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul, where he came to obtain documents for registration of marriage with a Turkish citizen. A few days later, the Turkish police launched an investigation into the disappearance case. On Oct. 20, the Saudi authorities reported that Khashoggi was killed as a result of a conflict in the consulate general. The Attorney General of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Saud al-Muadjib said 18 nationals of the country are under investigation, whose identities have not been revealed. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 23 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed the fact of the termination of the alliance with the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) in the upcoming municipal election in 2019, the Turkish media reported Oct. 23. Erdogan noted that if the leader of MHP Devlet Bahceli does not consider necessary to maintain the alliance during the municipal election, then, consequently, there is no need for it. The head of state noted that the Justice and Development Party will independently participate in the municipal election to be held in March 2019. The leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Devlet Bahceli has announced the termination of the alliance with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) during the municipal election to be held in March 2019. Bahceli noted that the MHP does not need an alliance with the party, which looks down upon their offer of amnesty for the prisoners. During the municipal election to be held in 2019, the MHP will independently participate in the election, Bahceli said. Earlier, the MHP made a proposal for an amnesty, which dissatisfied the ruling AKP party. On April 17 of this year, Bahceli took the initiative to hold early parliamentary and presidential election in Turkey. Bahceli offered to hold early election on August 26 of this year. The next day, President Erdogan, following a meeting with Bahceli, said that early parliamentary election is necessary for Turkey, and it will be held on June 24, 2018. This statement by Erdogan was a surprise for political parties in Turkey. Erdogan also said that the early election in Turkey is a cautionary step directed against the forces that intend to destabilize the country. In turn, on April 20, the Turkish parliament approved a new date for the early election. Some 386 deputies out of 537 voted in favor of holding early parliamentary and presidential election, the date of election was scheduled for June 24, 2018. According to the report of the Central Election Commission of Turkey (YSK), Erdogan gained 52.59 percent of the votes in the presidential election, Muharrem Ince from the Republican Peoples Party (CHP) gained 30.64 percent of the votes, Meral Aksener from the Good Party (Iyi Parti) - 7.29 percent, Selahattin Demirtas from the Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) 8.4 percent, Temel Karamollaoglu from the Felicity Party (Saadet Partisi) - 0.89 percent and Dogu Perincek from the Patriotic Party (Vatan Partisi) - 0.2 percent. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Mexico City, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mexico City, October 23, 2018. On October 16, Aeromexico customers traveling in Clase Premier started to enjoy an exclusive menu designed by Elena Reygadas, considered one of the most prestigious chefs in Mexico. This menu is only available on flights to Europe, including the Madrid, Paris, London, and Amsterdam routes, departing from Mexico City. The menu will be redesigned on a quarterly basis and according to the four seasons of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter), in order to continue offering differentiated services to our passengers. The meals are produced in Chef Elena Reygadas kitchens, following the Restaurant in the Sky concept, an initiative that was born as part of the Delta Air Lines service standardization process that consists of bringing the restaurant on board. Aeromexico customers now have the option to choose between four lunch or dinner options, plus three breakfast choices. Lunch or Dinner Cheeses Rosemary bread St. Maure, Camembert, Oatcakes, Tomato and fennel-seed spread Entree Hummus, Cauliflowers, Carrots, and Chia tostadas. Arugula, Parmesan and Baked Tomatoes. Main Course a. Braised Short Rib with Potatoes, and Leeks b. Spinach, Tomato, and Ricotta Lasagna c. Roasted Vegetables, Barley, and Red Curry d. Corned Beef Sandwich Dessert Chocolate and Hazelnut mousse Pain depices Snacks Stuffed Focaccia, Hazelnut biscotti Breakfast Pulque Bread, Conchas (mexican Sweet Bread) Seasonal Fruit, Yogurt, and Granola a. Tomato and Goat Cheese Quiche b. Smoked salmon, avocado puree, and multi-seed bread c. Baked oatmeal with almond milk. Antonio Fernandez, VP Product Design and Service Standards at Aeromexico, spoke about the new menu and said: It is a pleasure to be able to work with one of the most famous chefs in Mexico. Elena uses organic products that are locally grown in Mexico, so all of the raw materials used in her cooking processes are of the highest quality. The chef is keenly focused on the diners well-being. She looks after all of the elements that are used to create her dishes so our passengers will enjoy an enhanced experience that will improve their perception of the service offered by Aeromexico, added the director. Aeromexicos implementation of this type of initiatives confirms the carriers commitment to staying at the forefront of the industry by offering passengers innovative customer experiences. An explosive device was found on Monday in a mailbox at the Westchester County home of George Soros, the billionaire philanthropist who is a favorite target of right-wing groups, the authorities said, The New York Times reported. A law enforcement official confirmed that the device was found near Mr. Soross home. It did not explode on its own, and bomb squad technicians proactively detonated it, the official said. Federal and state law enforcement officials responded to the scene in Katonah, N.Y., a hamlet in the upscale town of Bedford in northern Westchester, after the Bedford Police Department received a call about a suspicious package at about 3:45 p.m. An employee of the residence opened the package, revealing what appeared to be an explosive device, the police said in a statement. The employee placed the package in a wooded area and called the Bedford police. Mr. Soros was not home at the time. The police said they had turned the case over to the F.B.I., which did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In a tweet late Monday night, the bureaus New York office said it was conducting an investigation at and around a residence in Bedford and that there was no threat to public safety. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives did not respond to a request for comment. Mr. Soros, who was born in Hungary, made his fortune running a hedge fund and is now a full-time philanthropist and political activist. He donates frequently to Democratic candidates and progressive causes and has given at least $18 billion to his Open Society Foundations to promote democracy and human rights around the world. His activism has made him a villain to conservative groups and the target of anti-Semitic smears. Roseanne Barr called him a Nazi in an infamous tweetstorm, and just this month, Representative Matt Gaetz, Republican of Florida, falsely speculated that Mr. Soros had funded a caravan of migrants moving north toward Mexico. There is no evidence that Mr. Soros paid thousands of migrants to storm the border. Nor is there evidence that Democrats support the effort, as President Trump has said. Mr. Soros became a major political donor in the United States during George W. Bushs presidency. He spent millions backing John Kerrys unsuccessful bid to deny Mr. Bush a second term, was an early backer of Barack Obamas 2008 presidential campaign and contributed more than $25 million to Hillary Clinton and other Democratic candidates and causes during the 2016 election cycle. Though Mr. Soross name has become a trigger for a subset of Republicans and conservatives, he has said that his main goal as a political activist was to see a return to bipartisanship. He has said it was the extremism of the Republican Party that had prompted him to become a major Democratic donor, but also said he is opposed to the extreme left. I dont particularly want to be a Democrat, he said. Bedford is about 50 miles north of Manhattan and has been home to many well-to-do city transplants, including Martha Stewart, Glenn Close and Ralph Lauren. Katonah, where Mr. Soros has a home, is known for its cultural offerings, including the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts and the Katonah Museum of Art. The town is known for its insularity and lack of gossip, which allows for well-known residents to fly under the radar. They look to Bedford as to being protective of their privacy, John Stockbridge, Bedfords historian, said in a phone interview. Mr. Stockbridge said that the town has largely avoided drama or violent scares. Ive been here for 35 years and I dont remember any incident like what youre talking about, he said. KYODO NEWS - Oct 23, 2018 - 11:26 | World, All Japan's Inpex Corp. said Tuesday that the first shipment of liquefied natural gas produced at its project in northern Australia departed for Japan late Monday evening. The first Japanese-operated LNG project abroad, Ichthys began production at a gas field off the northwestern coast of Australia in July and is expected to gradually increase its annual output to roughly 8.9 million tons of LNG, 70 percent of which is intended for Japanese users. [Photo courtesy of Inpex] The company's 300-meter-long purpose-built LNG tanker carrying the first shipment left a gas liquefaction plant in Darwin for the Inpex-operated Naoetsu LNG terminal in Niigata Prefecture. Seiya Ito, the company's president director in Australia, said in a statement that the first cargo shipment marks an "historic moment" for Inpex, Japan and Australia. Ichthys was originally slated to commence production by 2016 but faced multiple delays. The project's first shipment of ultra-light crude oil came earlier this month. Shipment of liquefied petroleum gas is also scheduled to start later this year. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to visit the project when he travels to Darwin in November. According to the Australian government, Australia is the second largest LNG exporter in the world, currently selling almost 80 million tons of LNG per year. Japan is the largest importer of Australian LNG, accounting for roughly 80 percent of sales, according the Reserve Bank of Australia. Minister V Abdurahiman called upon Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya Scindia and said the Centre has given a favourable response to state's requests. St. Louis largest grocery chain approves Apple Rush sparkling juices TITUSVILLE, Fla., Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Apple Rush Company, Inc. (OTC:pink APRU ) announces the approval of Schnucks grocery founded in 1939 with its 105 stores as a retailer in the Metro St. Louis market. Schnucks is one of the largest privately held companies in the country, located in Missouri with stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Grey Eagle Distributors will be servicing the account for Apple Rush Company, Inc. A sampling program and retail support with advertising included is in the partnership. Tony Torgerud said, We secured Schnucks grocery during our meetings in St. Louis with Peter and Philip Busch, and Dave Peacock, CEO of Schnucks, this past May with the assistance of Peter D. Perkins of Perkins Development, LLC. Schnucks is the largest grocery retailer in Missouri and gaining their support was critical to our Midwest launch. We are getting products set up currently in their systems and will announce the number of stores and locations in a future release. About the Apple Rush Co., Inc. The Apple Rush Company, Inc. through its subsidiary APRU, LLC is a distributor of Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) products under the trademarked Apple Rush and other labels. The Apple Rush brand has over 40 years of existence in the natural beverage industry. For more information please see www.applerush.com. About APRU, LLC: APRU, LLC focuses on the development and sale of all-natural Apple Rush sparkling juices. The Company is also engaging in development of premium hemp extracts that contain a broad range of cannabinoids and natural hemp derivatives and other active ingredients such as our exclusive agathos active, kratom, kava, blue lotus, and ginseng. Our broad-spectrum cannabinoid initiative includes infused products of not just CBD isolate, but which will include CBD, CBDV, CBG, CBC, CBN, CBDA, CBGA etc. (up to a 100 different cannabinoids). For more information, please go to http://www.aprullc.com. About Schnucks: Schnucks is a privately owned company with over 100 stores throughout the five stare area of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Safe Harbor Act: Forward-Looking Statements are included within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, products and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations, including words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "will," and similar expressions are forward-looking statements and involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements. We are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investor relations Contact: Tony Torgerud 888-741-3777 ext. 2 VMware Placed Furthest for Completeness of Vision within this inaugural Gartner Magic Quadrant comprised of 20 vendors PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW), a leading innovator in enterprise software, today announced that it has been recognized, as a Leader in the inaugural Gartner Magic Quadrant for WAN Edge Infrastructure (1) . The report, profiling 20 vendors, recognized VMware as a Leader in both ability to execute and completeness of vision, and VMwares position was placed furthest for completeness of vision. Download a complimentary copy of the 2018 Gartner Magic Quadrant here . VeloCloud, now part of VMware, began with the idea of transforming branch networking. With VMware NSX SD-WAN, customers are finally able to rethink their WAN, adopting a software-defined approach that supports better connectivity, lower costs, increased efficiency, and the ability to execute technology initiatives that the networks of yesterday were unable to sustain, said Sanjay Uppal, vice president and general manager, VeloCloud Business Unit, VMware. We believe this recognition validates VMwares vision of the Virtual Cloud Network for delivering pervasive connectivity and intrinsic security to applications, data and users wherever they are located, and further solidifies VMware as a leader in driving the evolution towards software-based networking. VMware NSX SD-WAN by VeloCloud enables simple, agile and more secure branch connectivity. NSX SD-WAN combines the economics and flexibility of a real-time network overlay with the deployment speed, scale and automation of cloud-delivered services. With NSX SD-WAN, organizations of all sizes and in any industry can support application growth, network agility, and simplified branch implementations, and optimize access to cloud data centers and SaaS applications. NSX SD-WAN is available as a service or as an on-premises software solution directly from VMware or from a network of service providers worldwide. NSX SD-WAN is a powerful branch and edge connectivity platform that helps enterprises connect any location across a heterogeneous, complex network with zero-touch deployment. The NSX SD-WAN platform enables partners to use the extensible NSX SD-WAN Technology Partner SD-WAN API (orchestration, control & data) and SDK, along with the NSX SD-WAN VNF framework, to seamlessly integrate best-in-class services and solutions for security, advanced analytics and even AI capabilities. NSX SD-WAN supports direct integration with AWS, Check Point, Forcepoint, Fortinet, Google Cloud Platform, IBM Security, Microsoft Azure and Office365, Palo Alto Networks, Symantec, Zscaler, and more. Additionally, as massive amounts of compute power is deployed in factories and farms, homes and automobiles, oil rigs and cruise ships, these disparate islands of data at the edge must be connected. NSX SD-WAN delivers this connectivity in a simple and powerful way while enabling the branch and edge to operate in a more cloud and as a service way. About the Virtual Cloud Network The Virtual Cloud Network is VMwares vision for empowering customers to create a digital business fabric for connecting and protecting applications, data, and users across the entire network in a hyper-distributed world, With a Virtual Cloud Network, customers can create an end-to-end software-based network architecture that delivers services to applications and data at global scale from edge to edge, with consistent, pervasive connectivity and intrinsic security for apps and data independent of underlying physical infrastructure or location. NSX SD-WAN provides a common operating environment that extends the Virtual Cloud Network across branch, cloud and telco environments. With the VMware NSX portfolio, customers can deliver consistent networking and security across private data centers, AWS, Azure, and IBM Cloud, and with advanced support for traditional and modern application frameworks. Customer and Partner Commentary At Hall and Prior, were leading the way in delivering high-quality aged care across Australia, said Dan Beeston, IT Manager for Hall & Prior Aged Care. Our ability to connect and protect our key applications and a range of users across our environment is critical to our success. Macquarie Telecom SD-WAN powered by VMware has delivered a network thats fast and reliable. This enables us to connect carers and residents seamlessly throughout the day and keep business operations running smoothly and uninterrupted, while better securing sensitive information. Businesses today rely on the cloud to power critical applications and communications tools, and an increasing number of organizations rely on public broadband to do so, said Sanjay Srinivasan, chief architect at Vonage. In partnership with VeloCloud, now part of VMware, Vonage pioneered the application of SD-WAN as an important element of optimizing user experience and business value when adopting unified communications as a service (UCaaS). Were able to offer our Vonage SmartWAN service, powered by NSX SD-WAN by VeloCloud, integrated with our core service, allowing us to deliver MPLS like QoS, uptime and SLAs over public broadband, including LTE. This is a testament to the power of the NSX SD-WAN solution. Coevolve has deployed next-generation networks based on VeloCloud, now part of VMware, for our clients sites across 55 countries worldwide, said Tim Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer, Coevolve. The underlying foundation for these networks is cloud-delivered SD-WAN and a software-based Virtual Cloud Network architecture that provides agile networks for global applications. VMware is empowering our customers with a rich and proven portfolio of virtual cloud networking solutions, and we believe VMware is well positioned as a next-generation leader in networking. Additional Resources (1) Source: Gartner, Inc., Magic Quadrant for WAN Edge Infrastructure, Joe Skorupa, Andrew Lerner, Christian Canales, Mike Toussaint, et al., October 18, 2018. Gartner Disclaimer Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. About VMware VMware software powers the worlds complex digital infrastructure. The companys compute, cloud, mobility, networking and security offerings provide a dynamic and efficient digital foundation to over 500,000 customers globally, aided by an ecosystem of 75,000 partners. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, this year VMware celebrates twenty years of breakthrough innovation benefiting business and society. For more information, please visit https://www.vmware.com/company.html . VMware, NSX, NSX SD-WAN, and VeloCloud are registered trademarks or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions. This article may contain hyperlinks to non-VMware websites that are created and maintained by third parties who are solely responsible for the content on such websites. Media Contacts: Roger T. Fortier VMware Global Communications Phone: 650-427-2410 rfortier@vmware.com Foreign leaders congratulate President Nguyen Phu Trong Leaders of China, Laos, Cuba, and Russia have cabled congratulatory messages to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong on his October 23 election as the State President of Vietnam for the remainder of the 2016-2021 tenure. President Nguyen Phu Trong receives a flower bouquet from National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan after the election General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping said in his message that Vietnam and China are friendly neighbours and important partners of each other. Sharing long-standing traditional friendship, bilateral ties have grown fruitfully in an effective manner, bringing practical benefits for people in both countries, he wrote. The Chinese leader highlighted the importance that China attaches to developing Vietnam-China relations and his willingness to work with Party General Secretary and President Trong in pushing the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to new heights. General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith also sent his message of congratulations to Trong, underlining that the election to such an important post showed the belief and high accreditation of the Vietnamese Party, Government, and people towards the outstanding leadership role performed by the Party chief so far. The Lao official said he is confident that under Trongs leadership in his new post, Vietnam will continue obtaining more significant achievements and the Vietnam-Laos friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation will be further enhanced. Similar messages were cabled to the new President of Vietnam by First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee Raul Castro Ruz, and President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez. The Cuban leaders wished Trong success in his new post and affirmed their determination to strengthen bilateral friendship and cooperation with Vietnam. Russian President Vladimir Putin was also amongst the celebratory senders. His message wrote that the result of the Vietnam National Assembly (NA)s vote demonstrated the new Presidents high reputation during his years of serving at different high-ranking Government and State posts. It also reflected an acknowledgement of the officials contributions to Vietnams socio-economic development and the enhancement of its external diplomatic position. Putin also highlighted the constructive talks between him and Trong in Sochi, Russia last September and expressed his belief in the fortification of the Vietnam-Russia strategic cooperation. The Russian President wished his Vietnamese peer good health and success in undertaking the role of State leader. The 14th NA on October 23 elected Nguyen Phu Trong as President of Vietnam. After the results of the vote were announced, the new President had a swearing-in ceremony at the NA hall, vowing to stay absolutely loyal to the nation, people, and the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and to exert every effort to complete all missions assigned by the Party, State, and people. Indias President, communists congratulate new President of Vietnam Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and leaders of two communist parties of the country have congratulated General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong on his election as President of Vietnam. In his message, President Kovind affirmed that India attaches utmost importance to the friendship with Vietnam. He said the two countries share many common interests and also have profound sense of responsibility for and big opportunities to help promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. He expressed his belief that his visit to Vietnam this November will further consolidate the countries political trust and comprehensive strategic partnership for the sake of the two nations. The Indian President offered his best wishes to Party General Secretary and President Trong. [Infographics: Biography of Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong] General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Sitaram Yechury also offered congratulations to President Trong. Yechury wished Trong and the CPV more successes with their leadership of Vietnam on the path to peace, prosperity and development. He added that his party hopes under the leadership of Party General Secretary and President Trong, Vietnam will keep making progress in building socialism, and relations between the two parties, states and nations will be strengthened. In his congratulatory message, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said Trongs election is an important event that reflects the Vietnamese peoples will, aspiration and trust in the CPVs leadership. The Indian party voiced its belief that under the leadership of General Secretary and President Trong, Vietnam will see even stronger development and play an important role in the maintenance of peace and stability in the world. Additionally, the two parties relations and the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and India will be enhanced, Reddy added. VNA SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Weinstein International Foundation , a non-profit organization dedicated to making mediation available and accessible worldwide, will gather in Tbilisi and Kakheti, Georgia for an inaugural, three-day conference October 26 - 28, 2018. The Foundations leadership and Senior Fellows from across the mid-Asia and East European regions are participating to share dispute resolution best practices and promote the application of mediation to conflicts in their communities. The conference discussions will be led by Weinstein International Foundation Founder Hon. Daniel Weinstein (Ret.) of JAMS and members of the Foundations Board of Directors: David Carden, former U.S. Ambassador to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN); Leonardo DUrso, CEO and co-founder of ADR Center, Italy; Bruce A. Edwards, a professional international mediator and mediation educator; and Jay Welsh, former executive vice president and general counsel of JAMS. The goals of the conference are 1) to strengthen Fellows mediation practices in their own countries; 2) to enhance collaboration among the Fellows by providing training and opportunity for educational exchange; and 3) to explore how Fellows can help mediate public interest disputes in their communities, such as conflicts involving natural resources, migration, land use, environmental and gender issues. It is anticipated that the conference participants will meet with local officials in exploring how to assist in managing these kinds of disputes. Prior to the Foundations formal launch, Senior Fellows and Board Members met in Singapore and in Rome. Additional regional conferences are planned in Latin America and Africa in 2019. In a world of increasing international tensions and limited resources, there is an urgent imperative to manage the conflicts arising from these global challenges. The impetus for the regional conferences is to further enhance the Senior Fellows capacity to mediate these public interest disputes in their communities, both locally and across borders. About Weinstein International Foundation Headquartered in San Francisco, the Weinstein International Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to making mediation available and accessible worldwide. Through its global network of ADR-trained professionals, the group promotes mediation education and training while helping communities manage local, regional and cross-border disputes in the public interest. Contact: Traci Stuart / Michael Panelli Blattel Communications 415.413.4522 / 415.413.4527 traci@blattel.com / mpanelli@blattel.com Women in India who spend more time fetching water, use a shared latrine, and endure harassment from others are more apt to give birth to a pre-term or low-birthweight baby, according to a new study from the University of Iowa. The findings by researchers in the University of Iowa College of Public Health came from a study that examines the complex relationships between water and sanitation access and social conditions on birth outcomes among women in India. Globally, preterm birth (PTB) and low infant birth weight (LBW) are leading causes of maternal and child illnesses and death. In low-income countries, the challenges women face to meet their basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) needs may be a major contributor to adverse health outcomes. "Many homes in low-income countries have no private drinking water source. Women and girls are tasked with fetching water from outside the home, which can be physically stressful," says Kelly Baker, assistant professor of occupational and environmental health, who co-authored the study. "In addition, homes often lack private toilet facilities, meaning women must use shared or public latrines or manage their sanitation needs in open spaces." The lack of water and sanitation in the home forces women to navigate challenging, and sometimes personally threatening, social and environmental public conditions to collect water and to find a safe, private place to defecate, bathe, or manage menstruation, leading to psychosocial stress. "Determining whether WASH-related stress--both physical and psychosocial--affects birth outcomes for women in low- and middle-income countries is critical for understanding whether the global prevalence of preterm birth and low infant birth weight could be reduced by improving the social and environmental conditions in which pregnant women seek clean water and proper sanitation," says study co-author William Story, assistant professor of community and behavioral health. For the study, the researchers used data from the India Human Development Survey. The survey asked women about their drinking water source, walking time to that source, time spent fetching water, sanitation (toilet) access, harassment of women and girls, local crime, whether community problems are solved collectively or individually, the amount of conflict within the community, as well as education, household wealth, and other characteristics. The researchers examined the effect of pre-birth WASH and social conditions on self-reported PTB status and LBW status for 7,926 women who gave birth between 2004/2005 and 2011/2012. Of these women, 14.9 percent experienced premature birth and 15.5 percent delivered a low birth weight baby. The study found that increased time daily spent fetching household water increased women's risk of delivering a low birth weight baby. Open defecation and using a shared latrine within a woman's building or compound were also associated with higher odds of low birth weight and preterm birth, respectively, compared to having a private household toilet. Harassment of women and girls in the community also was associated with both low birth weight and preterm birth. The data also showed a possible association of local crime with low birth weight. "This study contributes to the limited evidence related to environmental causes of PTB and LBW by demonstrating that lack of household WASH infrastructure and social factors, like crime and harassment of women and girls, are risk factors for adverse birth outcomes in women in low- and middle-income countries," the researchers write. "Additionally, the findings suggest that gender norms that sanction harassment of women and girls and place the burden of household water fetching on women are key determinants of vulnerability to PTB and LBW among Indian women." Interventions that reduce domestic responsibilities related to water and sanitation and that change social norms related to gender-based harassment may reduce rates of PTB and LBW in India, the authors note. ### Additional contributors to the study include Evan Walser-Kuntz and Bridget Zimmerman from the UI Department of Biostatistics. The study was funded by a pilot grant from the University of Iowa College of Public Health. Funding for the original IHDS study was provided to the University of Maryland and the National Council of Applied Economic Research, New Delhi, by the National Institutes of Health. It was published online in PLOS ONE in October 2018. Through Jan. 23, 2022 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum 212 N. Sixth St., Springfield Downtown Special Music Events Open during normal museum hours. From Muddy Waters to REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick to Earth Wind and Fire and Chance the Rapper, the Land of Lincoln has produced some of the most highly celebrated music in rock history. Musicians, legendary radio stations, and musical gear have shaped the sonic history of Illinois and the world.This exhibit will showcase the achievements and contributions of Illinois finest in music. Written by award-winning author, documentary-producer and former Chicago Sun-Times Columnist and Critic, Dave Hoekstra.And you just might see an Illinois musician performing or being interviewed by a visiting radio personality or podcasterState 217-558-8844 Beware of the Dead Cat Bounce: 5 Safe Stocks for Now Headwinds ranging from the recent rise in benchmark bond yield, US-China trade tensions to uncertainty surrounding midterm elections have resulted in neck-snapping stock market volatility in October. The stock markets comeback last week was a short one. After all, headwinds ranging from the recent rise in benchmark bond yield, US-China trade tensions to uncertainty surrounding midterm elections have resulted in neck-snapping volatility this month. With markets experiencing a pullback, investing in stocks that provide brilliant risk-adjusted returns seems well thought-out. Is it a Rebound or a Dead Cat Bounce? October is living up to its notorious reputation of being a volatile month for the equity market. Last weeks rebound is surely a dead cat bounce a period of temporary recovery from a prolonged decline. The S&P 500 has declined around 5% so far this month, with the broader index trading below its 200-day moving average as stocks continue to struggle. Needless to say market analysts consider moving averages as a dividing line of bullish and bearish momentum of an asset. Chief market technician at MKM Partners, JC OHara added that while the S&P 500 index is just minus 5.5% off the Sept. 20 high, the average S&P 500 stocks is off minus 17% from its 52-week high, and this shows just how much selling has already occurred. At the same time, market volatility continues to remain elevated, with the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) near the 20 mark. Market pundits view VIX below 12 as low and near 20 as high. Whats Affecting the Markets? Minutes from the Federal Reserves September meeting confirmed that the central bank is most likely to continue hiking benchmark lending rates at a gradual pace this year and beyond, which sent bond yields rising. This, in turn, rattled the equity market. After all, rapidly rising bond yields will result in steeper borrowing costs, which in turn will squeeze the profit margins of U.S. corporates. Fed officials confirmed that a promising economic outlook backed their decision to raise rates. The labor market is in excellent shape, with unemployment rate at a 49-year low, while the economy is widely expected to grow around 3% in the final two quarters of the year. Story continues Strained relationship between the United States and China has also spooked investors. U.S. tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese products applied last month at a rate of 10% are expected to increase to 25% by the end of this year. Tariffs are widely expected to have an adverse effect on corporate profits, with about 30 companies already mentioning its negative impact during earnings call so far, per Bank of Americas Savita Subramanian. At the same time, killing of a Saudi journalist, Italian budget fears and Trumps unpredictable actions ahead of midterm elections are not going down well with investors. Talking about elections, investors should brace for more volatility. In the last 11 midterm election years since 1974, the S&P 500 traded flat only to rally once political uncertainty waned, per The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. GS. In fact, in those years, stock market volatility averaged 15% compared with the median of 12% in all years. 5 of the Best Safe Stocks to Buy Given the near-term bearishness, investors should build a strategy on low-risk assets and a combination of parameters that leads to better returns. The best way to go about doing this is by creating a portfolio of low-beta stocks, which are inherently less volatile than the markets they trade in. In this case, a low beta ranges from 0 to 1. These stocks are also dividend payers. Dividend paying stocks boast immense financial strength and are immune to market vagaries. Such stocks reflect solid financial structure, healthy underlying fundamentals and better quality business. We have, thus, selected five such stocks that flaunt a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy). Target Corporation TGT operates as a general merchandise retailer in the United States. The company has a Zacks Rank #2 and a beta of 0.7. The company has a dividend yield of 3.1%, while its five-year average dividend yield is 8.8%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings rose 0.2% in the last 60 days. The companys expected earnings growth for the current quarter and year are 20.9% and 14.2%, respectively. Fastenal Company FAST engages in the wholesale distribution of industrial and construction supplies in the United States and internationally. The company has a Zacks Rank #2 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a dividend yield of 3.1%, while its five-year average dividend yield is 9.5%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings rose 0.8% in the last 60 days. The companys expected earnings growth for the current quarter and year are 33.3% and 33.2%, respectively. DSW Inc. DSW operates as a branded footwear and accessories retailer in the United States. The company has a Zacks Rank #1 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a dividend yield of 3.9%, while its five-year average dividend yield is 8.8%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings rose 6.8% in the last 60 days. The companys expected earnings growth for the current quarter and year are 13.3% and 13.8%, respectively. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Broadcom Inc. AVGO designs, develops, and supplies a range of semiconductor devices. The company has a Zacks Rank #2 and a beta of 0.9. The company has a dividend yield of 3.1%, while its five-year average dividend yield is 55.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings rose 2.6% in the last 60 days. The companys expected earnings growth for the current quarter and year are 22% and 28.3%, respectively. Community Trust Bancorp, Inc. CTBI provides commercial and personal banking services. The company has a Zacks Rank #2 and a beta of 0.54. The company has a dividend yield of 3.2%, while its five-year average dividend yield is 3.6%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year earnings rose 1.6% in the last 60 days. The companys expected earnings growth for the current quarter and year are 19.4% and 16.8%, respectively. Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%. And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. See Them Free>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Community Trust Bancorp, Inc. (CTBI) : Free Stock Analysis Report Fastenal Company (FAST) : Free Stock Analysis Report Broadcom Limited (AVGO) : Free Stock Analysis Report The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS) : Free Stock Analysis Report DSW Inc. (DSW) : Free Stock Analysis Report Target Corporation (TGT) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Todays announcement by the government of Ontario repealing the majority of Bill 148 steals basic rights from Ontario workers. Fords plan cuts wages, makes it easier to fire workers in precarious work, eliminates paid sick days, makes it more difficult to join and keep a union, and cancels fairer scheduling laws. This announcement means a real-dollar wage cut for minimum wage employees, the elimination of two paid sick days, fairer scheduling and equal pay rules that would have ensured workers are paid the same for doing the same work. We have always known that Doug Ford is no friend to workers, and with todays announcement he has proven himself to be an enemy. The laws that were updated in Bill 148 provide basic workplace rights, rights that made life easier for Ontario families. Now, the government of this province is making it more difficult to get by, said Ontario Federation of Labour President Chris Buckley. Big corporations will get all the benefit of these changes, not Ontarians. Not the people who are struggling to make ends meet on two or three or four jobs. Todays announcement only continues Doug Fords path of destruction in Ontario. He has cut funding for health care, cancelled plans for new hospitals, and cut rates of social assistance. Now hes coming after working Ontarians, giving employers laws that support taking advantage of workers. Its disgusting. Today, Doug Ford is sending a message to the people of Ontario. Far from bringing in a new era of decency for working people, the Ford regime is making it absolutely clear that its primary interest will be lining the pockets of corporate elites, said Coordinator of the Workers Action Center Pam Frache. Todays message is clear: help is NOT on its way for the millions of Ontarians who need paid sick days, fair scheduling, equal pay and especially a $15 minimum wage. Millions of workers voted for Ford because they believed him when he said he would stand up for the little guy, said Frache. Today, Ford has betrayed the voters of Ontario and they will not soon forget. The Ontario Federation of Labour, the Workers Action Centre and all the community and labour partners across Ontario who comprise the Fight for $15 and Fairness, call on the government to reverse this shameful action, which comes on the heels of the largest coordinated Day of Action in a decade in defense of decent work laws and the $15 minimum wage. Thousands of Ontarians delivered the message that they want the Ontario government to keep decent work laws and the January 1 increase to a $15 minimum wage in actions across the province. Doug Ford is not governing for the people, hes governing for big corporations. The government has just told 1.7 million workers that they are about to lose the nearly $2,000 annually they would have gained from a $15 minimum wage. Perhaps the most meanspirited is the fact that the government has said they will freeze the minimum wage for two years. This is a real-dollar wage cut, that will make life harder for millions," said Frache. Whats more, removing equal pay for equal work provisions will increase the gender pay gap in this province where women make 30 per cent less than men on average. That gap is increased for women workers, Workers of Colour, Indigenous workers, and workers with a disability. This is a slap in the face for millions of workers in this province. This fight isnt over, said Buckley. Workers across this province came together on the 15 of October to say hands off decent work laws. You can be sure that the labour movement and community are going to be sending a very clear message to this government thats its time to listen to the people instead of caving in to big corporations, said Buckley. Negative predictions from right-wing think-tanks like the Fraser Institute about the higher minimum wage have proven false. Ontarios job numbers have been outperforming the rest of the country. According to the August Labour Force Survey by Statistics Canada, Ontarios average weekly hours of work increased from 36.3% in August 2017 to 36.5% in August 2018 better than the national average. In fact, total hours worked in Ontario rose by 3.3 per cent from January to August, after Bill 148 came into effect. The Fight for $15 and Fairness is a growing movement of workers committed to fighting for decent work, and includes students, faculty, labour groups, health providers, anti-poverty activists and faith leaders. To learn more, visit: www.15andFairness.org. The Ontario Federation of Labour represents 54 unions and one million workers in Ontario. For information, visit www.OFL.ca and follow @OFLabour on Facebook and Twitter . To arrange interviews or for further information, please contact: Nil Sendil Communications Coordinator, Fight for $15 & Fairness info@15andfairness.org l 647-710-5795 Meagan Perry Director of Communications, Ontario Federation of Labour mperry@ofl.ca l 416-894-3456 cope343 FILE - In this Wednesday, Sept., 14, 2011 file photo, Inventor James Dyson launches the Dyson DC41 Ball vacuum and the Dyson Hot heater fan on in New York. Dyson, the British company best known for innovative vacuum cleaners, has said on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018 it will build its electric car in Singapore. The company says the bespoke manufacturing facility is due for completion in 2020 and is part of a 2.5 billion pound ($3.2 billion) investment in new technology globally. (AP Photo/Rob Bennett, file) LONDON (AP) Dyson, the British company best known for vacuum cleaners and prized hair dryers, said Tuesday it will build its new electric car in Singapore as it joins the increasingly crowded race to create the next generation of clean vehicles. The bespoke manufacturing facility is due for completion in 2020 and is part of a 2.5 billion pound ($3.2 billion) investment in new technology globally. Dyson did not say what kind of a car it hoped to produce, or how many a year. But it is set to at least try to get a foothold in the electric car industry, where visionaries like Elon Musk at Tesla have struggled to translate ideas into profits. Other car makers also are ramping up their investments in electric cars, but there's no clear front-runner in the field, said David Bailey, a professor of industrial strategy at Aston Business School. Bailey guessed that Dyson would shoot for a premium product aiming at Tesla, BMW or Jaguar. Given Tesla's challenges, it is likely to not be simple particularly since Dyson doesn't have the infrastructure other carmakers do, he said. "I do think they underestimate the scale of the challenge," he said. The location in Singapore would put Dyson close to the big and growing Chinese market, where carmakers are increasingly focusing sales. The country is preparing a big shift to electric cars to fight its heavy levels of pollution and to modernize the economy. But tapping the Chinese market can be difficult. Tesla signed an agreement to secure land in Shanghai for its first factory outside the United States only last week. BMW took a majority stake in its China joint venture earlier this month. General Motors Co., Volkswagen AG and Nissan Motor Corp. are also pouring billions into making electric vehicles in China "Dyson is one of the new players in a profoundly changed market," Bailey said. "The race is on." The choice of Singapore, meanwhile, will raise eyebrows in Britain, which was hoping Dyson would invest more as the country prepares to exit the European Union. Story continues "The decision of where to make our car is complex, based on supply chains, access to markets, and the availability of the expertise that will help us achieve our ambitions ... ," Dyson CEO Jim Rowan said in writing to the company's staff. "Our existing footprint and team in Singapore, combined with the nation's significant advanced manufacturing expertise, made it a frontrunner." Billionaire founder James Dyson has been a prominent advocate of Britain's departure from the EU. His critics immediately suggested the company's decision was hypocritical, given that the U.K. is destined to leave the 28-nation bloc and market of 500 million in the coming year. "It's hardly a vote of confidence in global Britain," said Ian Murray, a Labour Party lawmaker and supporter of an organization fighting to keep Britain in the EU. "When even someone who claims there will be a resurgence in British manufacturing after Brexit isn't prepared to put his money where his mouth is, it raises serious questions about the future of our economy and the impact on jobs and livelihoods as a result of Brexit." Automakers such as Ford, Nissan and Toyota have expressed concern about the potential impact of Brexit on their operations without a deal. Britain's car industry, which employs 814,000 people, relies on manufacturing techniques in which cars are assembled, not forged in a single place. Critics fear such "just in time" manufacturing techniques will be endangered by new border rules and tariffs on parts as they cross borders to be inserted into cars. But Dyson doesn't have the same issues as other carmakers, as its manufacturing facilities are in Asia. Though it has research and development facilities in the U.K., where it employs some 4,800 people, it makes nothing in the country. Guy Verhofstadt arrives at Downing Stree for talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May in September (Getty) European Parliament Brexit chief Guy Verhofstadt has rejected Theresa Mays proposals to get a Brexit deal over the line, saying they breach her commitments over the Irish border. The prime minister set out a four point plan in Parliament on Monday designed to break the impasse in negotiations caused by a disagreement over the backstop solution to avoiding a hard border in Ireland. She told MPs that a UK-wide customs union with the EU or an extension of the implementation period would be acceptable but only if the UK could not be kept in either arrangement indefinitely. That was immediately rejected by Verhofstadt, who restated the EUs long standing position that any backstop must function unless and until a permanent solution is in place. And, speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, he suggested that UK is now rowing back on the commitment to the backstop made by May in December. Everybody thought, and we thought, that there was a previous commitment to have such a backstop. [Now] our British counterparts have said that there has to be time limited. But we all know that a time limited backstop is not a backstop. That is not the definition of a backstop is that its not time limited. May told MPs that the Withdrawal Agreement was 95% complete and said the difficulties over the backstop should not be allowed to scupper a deal. Let us remember that all of these steps are about insurance policies that no-one in the UK or the EU wants or expects to use, she said. So we cannot let this become the barrier to reaching the future partnership we all want to see. Verhofstadt, who said he believes a deal is actually 90% complete, agreed a lot has been achieved in recent weeks, citing resolutions to issues over Gibraltar and Cyprus. MORE: Barnier warns Brexit deal could still be sunk by Irish border issue But he insisted that the EU wont blink over the backstop at the final moment. The European Parliament and the EU 27 have been clear on this from the start: without a real backstop for us we dont see a possibility to have a withdrawal agreement, he told a meeting of the parliaments constitutional affairs committee. Story continues And the fact that we are very close to a deal doesnt actually change anything in this regard 90% is fantastic. I never got 90% at school, I have to tell you. But its clear that for us there is only a viable Withdrawal Agreement if theres 100% and what is still missing is this important issue on the backstop. Despite the disagreement, the coordinator of the European Parliaments Brexit steering group said he remained optimistic. Verhofstadt told MEPs: The chief negotiator of the EU, Michel barrier, nevertheless remains confident we can make progress in the coming weeks and that there is also more time needed to do so Im personally still of the opinion that its possible to find this agreement as it is I think not in the interest of the EU and certainly not of the UK to fall into a no deal scenario. The Belgian liberal MEP, who is meeting Home Secretary Sajid Javid regularly, said he is also pushing for improvements on citizens rights after Brexit and may bring forward a resolution on the issue in the coming weeks. He declared himself unhappy with an expectation that EU citizens who were living in the UK before Brexit will have to pay to gain settled status. Its not their choice that there is a Brexit so we dont see how this is justified how these citizens should be charged, he said. On UK citizens living in the EU, he said he wanted to ensure they would be able to move to other EU27 countries after Brexit. Over the last few days, share prices of major marijuana stocks have plummeted to their worst in the trailing eight months. This free fall commenced following the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in Canada on Oct 17. Legalization Considered a Boon for the Industry Notably, legalization has long been considered a boon for the marijuana industry. Canada has become the first major world economy and the second country after Uruguay to legalize recreational use of marijuana. In the United States, nine states and Washington, D.C., have currently legalized recreational marijuana, while 29 states have legalized medical weed. Medical use of marijuana has been legal in Canada since 2001. Effective Oct 17, Canadians can legally buy and consume marijuana. Growing legalization of recreational or medical marijuana is likely to bolster investors confidence in this industry. Extremely Volatile Industry Recent plunge in share prices of marijuana stocks is a result of market concerns regarding retailers facing supply shortages in the early days of legalization. Per a recent report by BNN Bloomberg, the pot industry in Canada is struggling with shortages as provincial and private-sector retailers struggle to keep up with the strong demand for recreational cannabis in the country. Marijuana industry is considered as extremely volatile. Most of these companies are in their early stages of development and characterized as risky one for investors. However, this industry had been providing fabulous returns to investors in 2018 before the legalization in Canada. Since the industry is in its nascent stage, even a minor negative may become the cause of major stock price fluctuations. The news of supply shortages results in panic selling as investors look to offload risky stocks. According to some industry experts, 5-10% share price volatility daily should not be considered as unnatural for this industry. On Oct 22, shares of major marijuana companies such as Tilray Inc. TLRY, Cronos Group Inc. CRON, Canopy Growth Corp. CGC and GW Pharmaceuticals plc GWPH tumbled 15.6%, 12.3%, 11.2% and 2.1%, respectively. Cronos Group and GW Pharmaceuticals carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. The chart below depicts price performance of four marijuana stocks in the last three months. Story continues Strong Market Potential Research firm Euromonitor has estimated that the American market for legal marijuana products will reach $20 billion by 2020 from mere $5.4 billion in 2015. According to the Arcview Market Research, the U.S. legal cannabis market is expected to reach $11 billion in consumer spending in 2018, expanding further to $23 billion by 2022. Research firm Cowen projected that the market size of U.S. legal cannabis industry will reach $75 billion in by 2030, surpassing the carbonated soft drink market in 2017. Many beverage giants have decided to invest in cannabis. The Coca-Cola Co. KO is in talks with Canadas Aurora Cannabis to develop cannabidiol infused beverages. Recently, Constellation Brands STZ raised its stake to 38% in Canopy Growth after investing $4 billion in the company. Bottom Line Marijuana industry has strong potential especially after legalization for recreational and medicinal use. However, extremely volatile nature of this industry remains a primary concern. Consequently, investors should be careful about timing and selection of stocks within this industry. Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%. And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. See Them Free>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Constellation Brands Inc (STZ) : Free Stock Analysis Report Coca-Cola Company (The) (KO) : Free Stock Analysis Report GW Pharmaceuticals PLC (GWPH) : Free Stock Analysis Report Canopy Growth Corporation (CGC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Tilray, Inc. (TLRY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Cronos Group Inc. (CRON) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Belleville, Illinois, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As part of Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, Allsup Employment Services, a nationwide Employment Network, released a new infographic on returning to work after receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The infographic includes a variety of important information and describes the Social Security Administrations (SSA) Ticket to Work program thats available to all beneficiaries. Participation in this SSA work incentive program has grown steadily in recent years, increasing 37% since 2015 as more SSDI recipients learn about the program and the services available for returning to work. Tens of thousands of individuals across the nation have been able to return to work with new or former employers with free assistance from SSA-approved Employment Networks (ENs) like Allsup Employment Services. There has never been a better time to try returning to work if you are medically able, said Paula Morgan, Return to Work Case Manager at Allsup Employment Services. The Ticket to Work program is the best route for those who want to test their ability to work without jeopardizing their healthcare coverage and hard-earned benefits. Allsup Employment Services found that individuals are five times more likely to respond to outreach about the program if they learn about it when first applying for SSDI benefits. With the unemployment rate for people with disabilities at 7.3%, there is still a long way to go to achieve parity with the 3.4% unemployment rate for those without disabilities. To assist individuals in returning to work, the Ticket to Work program offers features like a Trial Work Period, during which beneficiaries can test their ability to work and still qualify for disability benefits. Ticket to Work also provides an extended period of Medicare eligibility, expedited reinstatement of benefits should an individuals medical condition worsen and warrant resumption of SSDI coverage, and incentives for impairment-related work expenses. The program also provides access to Employment Networks (ENs) like Allsup Employment Services, which is a subsidiary of Allsup. Allsup has helped more than 300,000 people to receive their SSDI benefits. The online tool empower by Allsup combines an SSDI assessment for eligibility and Social Security disability application support, along with return to work guidance for those who may medically recover. Allsup has a 53% success rate at the application level, compared to the national average of 34%. Learn more about returning to work with SSDI, or how to apply for disability benefits at TrueHelp.com. ABOUT ALLSUP Allsup and its subsidiaries provide nationwide Social Security disability, veterans disability appeal, return to work, exchange plan and Medicare services for individuals, their employers and insurance carriers. Allsup professionals deliver specialized services supporting people with disabilities and seniors so they may lead lives that are as financially secure and as healthy as possible. Founded in 1984, the company is based in Belleville, Illinois, near St. Louis. Learn more at TrueHelp.com and @Allsup or download a free PDF of Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance: Getting It Right The First Time. Attachment MEXICO CITY, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Monday told the chair of Banco Santander, Spain's biggest bank, that his government will create a safe environment for banks, aimed at encouraging foreign investment. The leftist, set to take office Dec. 1, has repeatedly sought to reassure investors that his policies will not threaten business or the economy. "The domestic banks, the foreign banks, will have security during our government, because we need the investment," he said in a video posted to Twitter, in which he stands next to Santander Executive Chair Ana Botin. Santander, whose local unit is listed on Mexico's stock exchange, committed to invest 15 billion pesos ($773 million) in Mexico between 2017 and 2019, making it among the group's largest investments worldwide. Botin said she met with Santander clients on Monday and that the bank plans to keep investing in Mexico. "We fully trust that the incoming government will keep supporting development in Mexico, and can count on Santander," she said in the video posted to Twitter. ($1 = 19.4040 Mexican pesos) (Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Michael Perry) By Taiga Uranaka and Ami Miyazaki TOKYO, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Philip Morris International Inc will sell cheaper versions of its IQOS "heat not burn" products in Japan from Tuesday and introduce new upgraded products next month to expand market share, its chief executive said. As regular e-cigarettes with nicotine-laced liquid are effectively banned in Japan, the country has become the main market for "heat not burn" (HNB) products, which emit less smoke and smell less than conventional cigarettes. Philip Morris, maker of Marlboro cigarettes, was first to start selling HNB products in Japan in 2014, but it faces heated competition from British American Tobacco and Japan Tobacco Inc and its market share has stagnated in recent quarters after rapid growth last year. The companies cut prices of heating devices earlier this year. Philip Morris currently sells a pack of 20 HeatSticks, tobacco rolls used with IQOS devices, at 500 yen ($4.43). CEO Andre Calantzopoulos told Reuters that from Tuesday a new "HEETS" line priced at 470 yen a pack will be available. "Clearly, for some people, spending 30 yen more, 40 yen more per day is expensive," he said in an interview in Tokyo on Monday. In mid-November, the company will also release upgraded versions of its "IQOS 3" and "IQOS 3 MULTI" devices. Calantzopoulos said the existing versions will still be available at current prices. "We want to cater to the entire population. From a pricing perspective, that will help product perception," Calantzopoulos said. Philip Morris, the world's largest publicly traded tobacco company, has seen weaker-than-expected growth in IQOS recently, after building a leading position in the global HNB market. Japan accounts for about 85 percent of the $6.3 billion HNB market, according to Euromonitor. Philip Morris says IQOS has a 15.5 percent share in Japan's overall tobacco market, including conventional cigarettes, but market share has stabilised. "I think it's natural in any category that you have slowdowns," Calantzopoulos said. "We have people who adopted earlier and people who are more conservative," he said. Story continues Philip Morris has also made a marketing application to the FDA for IQOS, which would allow the company to sell it with a claim of reduced risk. PMI was spun off from Altria Group Inc, nearly a decade ago, and Altria will commercialise IQOS in the United States. Calantzopoulos said the companies would not wait for reduced risk claim approval to launch the product, as separately, permission for commercialisation would come "hopefully before the end of the year." He said Altria was "ready to launch whenever they get (commercialisation) approval." A Reuters report in December identified shortcomings in the training and professionalism of some of the lead investigators in the clinical trials submitted to the FDA by Philip Morris. On Monday, Philip Morris drew accusations of hypocrisy after using a four-page newspaper advertisement to urge smokers to quit cigarettes. ($1 = 112.8400 yen) (Reporting by Taiga Uranaka; Editing by Susan Fenton) Saudi Arabia is the biggest military importer in the world, spending $7.6bn last year to bring in a range of military equipment and services, according to data from IHS Markit. Heres an overview of the top companies that have supplied military equipment and services to Saudi Arabia over the past five years, based on IHS figures. Most are American and European multinational firms. Boeing (BA) The American aerospace company has been among the top military suppliers to Saudi Arabia over the past several years, with annual exports exceeding $1bn in each of the past four years. The company has delivered about $5.6bn in arms to the kingdom over five years. Boeing is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and has a market capitalisation of about $200bn. General Dynamics (GD) The aerospace and defence company boasted the top military deliveries to Saudi Arabia in 2017, according to IHS data. Over the past five years, the value of its exports to the kingdom reached $4.5bn. General Dynamics is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and has a market capitalisation of about $56bn. Raytheon (RTN) The New York-listed company, with a market capitalisation of $55bn, has built a business relationship with Saudi Arabia over the past 50 years. Sales over the past five years have exceeded $3.5bn. BAE Systems (BA.L) Eurofighter Lockheed Martin (LMT) Textron (TXT) Norinco KNDS Thales Airbus (AIR.PA) Pilatus Hensoldt General Electric (GE) MBDA Saudis military purchases have come under scrutiny in recent days after the nation admitted that Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi embassy in Istanbul, Turkey. German chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday vowed to halt German arms exports to Saudi Arabia until the case is cleared up. But Germany exports far less to Saudi Arabia than the US, Canada and the UK. Germany delivered just under $300m in military goods and services to Saudi Arabia last year, a figure dwarfed by the $4.1bn that the US sent to Saudi over the same period. Canada and the UK each delivered more than $1bn in military exports to the kingdom last year. Story continues Saudi Arabia spends billions each year on military imports. Photo: Abdullah Al-Qadry/Getty Images Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday that it would be very hard to scrap an arms deal with Riyadh. The 2014 agreement for light armoured vehicles, signed by Canadas previous government and General Dynamics, was written in such a way that taxpayers would have to pay a large amount of money to end it, he said. With files from Reuters Lineup includes newest EliteBook the worlds smallest and lightest 14-inch business convertible; the most powerful Spectre convertible; and robust new security features News Highlights HP Spectre x360 lineup features stunning new design including a bold new poseidon blue color and includes HPs first notebooks with privacy camera kill switch. HP Spectre x360 13 delivers the worlds longest battery life in a quad-core convertible 1 and gigabit-class 4G LTE. delivers the worlds longest battery life in a quad-core convertible and gigabit-class 4G LTE. HP Spectre x360 15 is worlds most powerful Spectre convertible laptop. is worlds most powerful Spectre convertible laptop. HP EliteBook x360 1040 G5 is worlds smallest and lightest 14-inch business convertible 2 and worlds first business convertible with gigabit-class 4G LTE 3 . is worlds smallest and lightest 14-inch business convertible and worlds first business convertible with gigabit-class 4G LTE . HP EliteDisplay E243d Docking Monitor is worlds first docking display with a privacy webcam 4 , and uses a single USB-C connection for video, data and power 5 . is worlds first docking display with a privacy webcam , and uses a single USB-C connection for video, data and power . HP USB Fingerprint Mouse enables quick and secure device login with one touch that integrates with Windows Hello6. PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HP Inc. today launched a bold lineup of new devices that deliver the ultimate combination of premium design, leading security, and enhanced performance. HPs latest Spectre and Elite innovations were created to take PC experiences to the next level by enabling creativity, connectivity and confidence throughout the day. There is a growing desire for personal computing devices that enable new experiences and are built for busy, on-the-go lifestyles. This is especially true for customers looking to purchase a premium device, as 45 percent spend a significant amount of time using their laptop outside of the home, and laptops remain a critical everyday tool for 82 percent of millennials7. Traditional boundaries between personal and professional lives are blurring. People want technology that seamlessly adapts to the way they live and work, as well as devices that allow them to express who they are as individuals, said Alex Cho, president, Personal Systems, HP Inc. Our latest Spectre and Elite innovations deliver an unmistakable sense of style, while also setting new standards for performance, connectivity, and security. From the worlds longest battery life in a quad-core convertible to the worlds smallest and lightest business convertible, HP continues to raise the bar for innovation that enables amazing new PC experiences. The Intersection of Bold Design and Performance The beautifully redesigned HP Spectre x360 13 and HP Spectre x360 15 join the HP Spectre Folio available later this month to create a portfolio of new premium products that deliver superb design, security, performance. Craftmanship and detail are immediately apparent in each device. Available in stunning dark ash silver with copper luxe accents and the all-new poseidon blue with pale brass accents, the devices feature a gorgeous gem cut design that can only be achieved with aluminum CNC machining. Functional design is equally important, which is why the angled USB-C port is now placed in the faceted edge on the right side of the device for better cable management, and the dual chamfer design makes the lid easier to lift from three sides. The unique design of the speaker pattern is purposeful, with each hole micro-drilled for better acoustic transparency to deliver an amazing audio experience by Bang & Olufsen. The new Spectre lineup is also equipped with leading security features. A privacy camera kill switch allows the user to electrically turn off the webcam when not in use. It comes equipped with optional HP Sure View8, an integrated privacy screen to help users avoid prying eyes in public areas. The devices are built to deliver an Always-On, Always-Connected PC experience. This includes long-lasting battery life, with up to 22.5 hours in the Spectre x360 13 a 37 percent increase versus the previous generation and up to 17.5 hours in the Spectre x360 159. The optional gigabit-class 4G LTE on the 13-inch device10 and ultra-fast Wi-Fi11 with up to 1 gigabit download speeds12 on both devices ensure connectivity from almost anywhere. Connected modern standby13 ensures emails, calendars, and contacts are always up-to-date, and a wake-on fingerprint reader and wake-on voices enables full log-on almost instantaneously. Both the Spectre x360 13 and Spectre x360 15 are designed for performance that matches each individual's needs. HP Command Center is a proprietary solution with up to four modes to help customers optimize system performance, fan speeds, and thermal performance based on what applications are being used; change the fan speed to be quieter when watching a movie or adjust for more power to better handle demanding applications like photo editing. While the Spectre x360 13 is designed for an on-the-go lifestyle with up to the latest 8th Gen Intel Core processors, the Spectre x360 15 is the most powerful Spectre convertible laptop to date14, delivering up to 20 percent more performance versus the previous generation. Ideal for those who immerse themselves in content creation, the 15-inch convertible features a new thermal design, up to the latest six-core 8th Gen Intel Core processors, and the optional NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti with Max Q design. In addition, the Spectre x360 15 offers various display options, including an optional 4K touch display15 or up to 650-nit FHD display16 one of the brightest consumer panels in the industry and up to two Thunderbolt 3 ports support dual 5K displays. Celebrating 10 Years of Elite Design and Innovation Building on the heritage of the HP Elite Portfolio, the new HP EliteBook x360 1040 G5 is an artfully crafted 14-inch diagonal convertible in a 13-inch form factor. Designed with a unibody CNC aluminum chassis17 and an anodized finish, the device turns heads and is designed to pass rigorous MIL-STD testing18. Mobility for premium customers is a must, which is why the device features up to 17 hours of battery life19, gigabit-class 4G LTE20, the optional HP Outdoor Viewable Display with an anti-glare screen and up to 700-nit display, and optional HP Sure View21 that works great indoors and outdoors. Regardless of whether a user is at their office desk or in the coffee shop, security threats are everywhere and a major factor in the PC purchasing process. The EliteBook x360 1040 and all Elite devices are the worlds most secure and manageable PCs22 with HPs hardware enforced security and unique features such as HP Sure Start Gen 423, the worlds only self-healing BIOS, and HP Sure Recover with Embedded Reimaging24, which enables customers to restore their PC to a working state in minutes. In an always-connected world, the EliteBook x360 1040 offers optional gigabit-class 4G LTE, 8th Gen Intel Core processors, up to 32 GB of memory, and up to 2 TB of storage25 ensuring that the device is up for any small or large task. Personalizing PCs has never been easier. An HP partnership with Zazzle enables users to create decorative high-quality, laser cut notebook skins for HP Elite notebooks. Businesses can easily display their own brand to customers, while individuals can design their own skin to show off their unique style. Additionally, HP has two new solutions designed with security in mind to simplify connections and maximize productivity in the office. The new HP EliteDisplay E243d Docking Monitor offers a simpler and cleaner alternative to dock-and-monitor solutions with a single USB-A cable or single power-enabled USB-C cable for data and video, as well a pop-up privacy webcam. The new HP USB Fingerprint Mouse is perfect for users with dedicated PCs to unlock their Windows 10 PC with a single touch, allowing for secure biometric authentication that IT can deploy for access control to devices. Pricing and Availability26 The HP Spectre x360 13 is expected to be available in November at HP.com for a starting price of $1,149.99. The device is expected to be available at Best Buy stores in December. The HP Spectre x360 15 is expected to be available in November at HP.com for a starting price of $1,389.99. The device is expected to be available at Best Buy stores in December. The HP EliteBook x360 1040 is expected to be available at the end of October at HP.com for a starting price of $1,499. The HP USB Fingerprint Mouse is expected to be available in December at HP.com for a starting price of $49. The HP EliteDisplay E243d Docking Monitor is expected to be available in December at HP.com for a starting price of $329. Custom laser cut skins for the HP EliteBook 1000 series are available now at www.zazzle.com/hpelite for a starting price of $19.95. 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 Up to 22.5 hours requires laptop configured with Intel Core i5-8265U processor with Intel Graphics 620, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 13.3 diagonal FHD (1920x1080) 1W display, Windows 10 Home RS4. Windows 10 MM14 battery life will vary depending on various factors including product model, configuration, loaded applications, features, use, wireless functionality, and power management settings. The maximum capacity of the battery will naturally decrease with time and usage. See www.bapco.com for additional details. 2 Based on the latest 8th Gen Intel based 14 business convertibles as of October 2018 with Intel Core i U series processor, Windows Pro OS, vPro and a convertible non-detachable design. Thinnest at the hinge and smallest based on volume. 3 Based on the 8th Gen Intel based business convertibles with Intel Core i U series processor, Windows Pro OS, vPro and a convertible non-detachable design offering optional gigabit-class 4G LTE as of October 2018. Gigabit-class 4G LTE module is optional and must be configured at the factory. The full utilization of this modules functionality is dependent on network providers technical ability to support this network and speed. Backwards compatible to HSPA 3G technologies. Module requires activation and separately purchased service contract. Check with service provider for coverage and availability in your area. Connection, upload and download speeds will vary due to network, location, environment, network conditions, and other factors. 4G LTE not available on all products, in all regions. 4 Based on HP's internal analysis of docking displays with an RJ-45 port, power delivery scheme, and additional ports, including both a USB-A and USB-C video support as of May 1, 2018. 5 Video over USB-C requires a PC with USB-C DisplayPort Alt mode or Thunderbolt. Power up to 65 Watts. Refer to Power Output in product QuickSpecs for exact specifications, PC must be compatible with the display's power output. 6 Connected PC requires Windows 10 and Windows Hello. 7 Internal HP Research based on insights from 800 participants, 2017. 8 HP Sure View integrated privacy screen functions in landscape orientation. Optional available on select FHD Sure View panels. 9 Windows 10/ MM14 battery life will vary depending on various factors including product model, configuration, loaded applications, features, use, wireless functionality, and power management settings. The maximum capacity of the battery will naturally decrease with time and usage. See www.bapco.com for additional details. 10 Module designed for up to 1 Gbps download speeds as carriers deploy 5 carrier aggregation and 100Mhz channel bandwidth, requires activation and separately purchased service contract. Check with service provider for coverage and availability in your area. Connection speeds will vary due to location, environment, network conditions, and other factors. 4G LTE not available in all regions. 11 Wi-Fi supporting gigabit speeds is achievable when transferring files between two devices connected to the same router. Requires a wireless router, sold separately, that supports 160MHz channels. 12 Wireless access point and Internet service required and sold separately. Availability of public wireless access points limited. 13 System in Connected Modern Standby mode wireless on. Standby time will vary depending on various factors including battery, network configuration, individual usage pattern and configuration. The maximum capacity of the battery will naturally decrease with time and usage. 14 Based on PC Mark 8 Home Accelerated benchmark as of 10/23/2018. 15 4K content required to view full 4K images. 16 Full high-definition (FHD) content required to view FHD images. 17 CNC aluminum unibody chassis refers to the display cover and keyboard deck each constructed from a single block of aluminum. 18 MIL STD 810G testing is pending and is not intended to demonstrate fitness for U.S. Department of Defense contract requirements or for military use. Test results are not a guarantee of future performance under these test conditions. Any accidental damage requires an optional HP Accidental Damage Protection Care Pack. 19 Windows 10 MM14 battery life will vary depending on various factors including product model, configuration, loaded applications, features, use, wireless functionality, and power management settings. The maximum capacity of the battery will naturally decrease with time and usage. See www.bapco.com for additional details. 20 Gigabit-class 4G LTE module is optional and must be configured at the factory. Module designed for up to 1 Gbps download speeds as carriers deploy 5 carrier aggregation and 100Mhz channel bandwidth, requires activation and separately purchased service contract. Backwards compatible to HSPA 3G technologies. Check with service provider for coverage and availability in your area. Connection, upload and download speeds will vary due to network, location, environment, network conditions, and other factors. 4G LTE not available on all products, in all regions. Gigabit-class 4G LTE module planned to be available in Paraguay, US, India, Ukraine and Canada in November 2018 and South Africa in January 2019. Rest of world availability at launch. 21 HP Sure View integrated privacy screen is an optional feature that must be configured at purchase and functions in landscape orientation. 22 Based on HPs unique and comprehensive security capabilities at no additional cost and HPs Manageability Integration Kits management of every aspect of a PC including hardware, BIOS and software management using Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager among vendors with 1M annual unit sales on HP Elite PCs with 7th Gen and higher Intel Processors, Intel integrated graphics, and Intel WLAN. 23 HP Sure Start Gen4 is available on HP Elite and HP Pro 600 products equipped with 8th generation Intel or AMD processors. 24 HP Sure Recover with Embedded Reimaging is an optional feature that must be configured at purchase and is available on select HP Elite PCs. Not available on platforms with multiple internal storage drives, Intel Optane. You must back up important files, data, photos, videos, etc. before use to avoid loss of data. HP Sure Recover with Embedded Recovery planned to be available on select configurations starting in December 2018. 25 For storage drives, GB = a billion bytes. TB = a trillion bytes. Actual formatted capacity is less. Up to 35GB of disk is reserved for system recovery software. 26 Pricing from HP.com, subject to change without notice. See Best Buy for pricing details. Edward F Crawford, an Ohio businessman, has grandparents from Co Cork and is a big donor to the Republican Party. Photo: Reuters Donald Trumps administration announced on Monday night the nomination of Edward F Crawford, an 80-year-old billionaire from Ohio, as the new US ambassador to Ireland. The move comes more than a month after his potential nomination was approved by the Irish government and more than 20 months since the post was vacated. READ MORE: Trump set to make billionaire his US ambassador to Ireland Crawford, a self-styled serial entrepreneur, led Trumps fundraising efforts in Ohio ahead of the 2016 presidential election, calling the candidate a positive leader who would help the country get back on track. Earlier this year, Crawford stood down as chairman and CEO of Park Ohio Holdings (PKOH), a supply chain management outsourcing company with annual sales in excess of $1.4bn (1bn). He currently serves as chairman and CEO of The Edward Crawford Group, according to the White House statement that announced his appointment. The long period of vacancy of the post was cited as a key issue for Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar to raise when he met Trump in Washington for St Patricks Day in March. Like most US ambassadors to Ireland, Crawford has Irish roots: two grandparents emigrated from County Cork. In 2014, when he received the Person of the Year award from the Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland, he was described as someone committed to a balanced life of commercial activity, civic responsibility, and political action. The White House statement notes that Crawford has received several awards for business and entrepreneurship, including the Ernst & Young Northeast Ohio Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the Northeast Ohio Business Hall of Fame Entrepreneurial Award. Crawford will appear before the US senates foreign relations committee for a confirmation hearing. If approved there, a full vote on his nomination will happen on the floor of the full senate. HONG KONG, Oct 23 (Reuters) - UBS allows all its staff to travel "freely in and out" of China and it is business as usual there, the Swiss bank said, after authorities there last week asked one of its bankers to delay her departure from Beijing to meet with local officials. That move by the Chinese authorities led to UBS asking its wealth management staff to reconsider their travel plans to China, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters Saturday. "UBS would like to confirm that we allow all our staff to travel freely in and out of the country and it is business as usual for us in China," the bank said in a statement issued to Reuters. "UBS has had a strong franchise in China for 30 years and remains fully committed to further developing our business on the mainland." (Reporting by Jennifer Hughes and Sumeet Chatterjee) The UN-backed Green Climate Fund has pledged $1 billion in new projects and programs for developing countries. The commitment is in prelude to the UN climate talks in December, where member nations will discuss implementing the Paris Agreement, the legally binding document 195 nations signed in 2015, committing them to limiting global warming by reducing emissions. The 19 new projects approved over the four-day meeting in Bahrain (which ended Sunday) include investing in renewable energy in Tonga, transforming financial systems in Africa and South America, and enhancing climate resilience in Indias coastal communities. Other projects address water resources, food security, and electricity grids in developing countries around the world. One disputed project focuses on the freshwater sources of the hosting country, Bahrain, the Associated Press reports. Environmentalists argued Bahrain should pay for freshwater cleanup using some of the vast amounts of money it has made from oil and gas, but the GCF, the worlds largest climate change fund, approved the project despite the controversy. GCF also made plans to raise more funds, an important move since U.S. President Donald Trump pulled out of the Paris Agreement last year, denying an additional $2 billion pledged under the Obama administration. We are in a much better place going into these crunch climate talks in December, Joe Thwaites, an associate in the World Resources Institutes Sustainable Finance Center, told the CBC. Continued GCF support for developing countries is a key component of success in the international negotiations. The announcement of GCFs new projects comes just weeks after the release of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes special report, which outlines the drastic changes the world must undergo before 2030 to stop global warming from reaching more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Achieving that goal would prevent the worst effects of climate change, including the elimination of coral reefs, severe heatwaves, famine, and detrimentally high sea levels. DENVER, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- China, both the top producer and consumer of pork, has been stricken with African Swine Fever in 10 provinces all while being involved in a deepening trade war with the U.S. The Chinese have taken action, by culling almost 50,000 hogs in an effort to prevent spreading the virus, a small fraction of Chinese hog production. According to a new report from CoBanks Knowledge Exchange Division, the threat of a more widespread virus and disturbance in the worlds pork supply chain due to trade disruptions is expected to drive prices higher with potential benefits for the global protein sector. Chinas hog prices have climbed 25 percent since July and the escalating trade dispute with the U.S. has limited Chinas import options. In addition to the import restrictions, CoBank estimates that more than 70 percent of Chinas hog production is being affected by the larger quarantine and hog movement restrictions in China. African Swine Fever in China may be the event that helps bring U.S. pork supply and demand back into balance for years to come, said Will Sawyer, lead animal protein economist with CoBanks Knowledge Exchange Division. In the past, when pork prices have increased, the Chinese consumer has switched to chicken as their main source of animal protein. However, since 2014, Chinas poultry sector has struggled with negative publicity. In 2016, when hog prices climbed to all-time highs, chicken prices barely budged, said Will Sawyer. Consumer switching is always a possibility during price shocks, but with human fatalities and other food safety risks in China, we think consumers will continue to demand pork, which will be met by imports rather than domestic Chinese production. However, these increased imports will come at increased cost as the Chinese source pork from the European Union and Canada, said Sawyer. The real opportunity here is for U.S. producers is to capitalize on reduced global competition in pork, said Sawyer. Pork producers could potentially climb back to breakeven and maybe to positive territory next year, but it will largely depend on how the ASF story unfolds in China. To see a brief video synopsis of the report, click here. To read the full report, visit cobank.com. About CoBank CoBank is a $131 billion cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 70,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country. CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore. For more information about CoBank, visit the bank's website at cobank.com. The army has formally handed over a former Taliban stronghold to police and civilian administrative control in the northwestern Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This weeks transfer of authority comes 11 years after the army first moved into the scenic Swat Valley in 2007 to take on a Taliban rebellion. But it remains unclear how much influence Pakistans powerful military will wield over the region, once a tourist haven but where thousands have been killed and millions displaced in terrorist attacks and military operations. Officials are upbeat about restoring peace to the predominantly Pashtun-populated Swat Valley, where a former chairlift operator used fiery sermons over an illegal FM station to provoke a Taliban insurgency that sent alarm bells ringing in Islamabad and the West. The people of Swat together with army, police, and security agencies rendered tremendous sacrifices and proved they cannot be defeated by terrorism, Mahmood Khan, the chief minister or most senior elected civilian official in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, told a military ceremony marking the handover. Khan said the Pakistani Army achieved a remarkable feat in defeating terrorism. The people of Swat are grateful. The Pakistani Army not only forced the militants to flee but it contributed enormously to the welfare and development of Swat, he said. We have achieved complete peace in Swat, and our civilian institutions are completely ready to protect Swat. To beef up security in the alpine region, the government has increased its police presence. Syed Ashfaq Anwar, head of police in Swat, says they are now ready to face all security challenges. We are not only determined to uphold peace in the region but will try to prevent any future unrest, he told Radio Mashaal. The Taliban emerged in Swat in 2005, when Mullah Fazlullah used his firebrand sermons on an illegal FM radio station to call for jihad. By 2007, he had forged an alliance with powerful Taliban factions in the nearby Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) to form the Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan. This made his organization part of the wider militant movement fighting against the Pakistani military. By 2009, Fazlullah had established a parallel authority in Swat, where his supporters frequently killed opponents and imposed harsh punishments in the name of imposing the Islamic law, Shari'a. His atrocities provoked public anger. After botched peace agreements and small-scale military operations, the civilian governments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad asked the military to go after the militants in full force. The Rah-e Rast offensive that began in May 2009 temporarily displaced more than 2 million Swat residents but forced Fazlullah and his supporters to flee into neighboring Afghanistan, where he was killed in a U.S. drone strike in June. Mukhtiar Khan Yousafzai, a leader of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, campaigned for years to compel the Pakistani Army to hand back Swats control to civilian authorities. The army was here for a long time. If theyd stayed any longer, it would have been even more controversial, he told Radio Mashaal. We are grateful that the army fulfilled its responsibilities here by facilitating the return of peace -- something our people demanded. The military and civilian authorities, however, have refrained from commenting on the internment centers and covert jails where the army reportedly imprisons suspected militants. Last month, Khyber Pakhtunkhwas government granted some land to the army to build a permanent military garrison to fend off future security threats. But there is some opposition to the move in Swat. Yousafzai says that Swat residents already have little inhabitable land. A large part of Swats more than 5,000 square kilometers is covered by forests, glaciers, snowy peaks, whitewater rivers, and lakes. Yousafzai says the army should build a garrison in neighboring Malakand district, which is strategically located as a gateway to Swat and the neighboring districts of Dir, Shangla, Buner, and Chitral. We have very little arable land. A garrison in Swat will cause a grave loss to Swats economy and culture, he said. Abubakar Siddique wrote this story based on Niaz Ahmad Khan's reporting from Swat, Pakistan. A seven-country group set up to combat the international financing of terrorists has blacklisted nine individuals associated with Afghanistans Taliban, including two Iranian military officers and several men accused of facilitating Iranian support to bolster the terrorist group. The announcementby the U.S. Treasury Department on October 23 says the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) blacklisted the individuals in order to expose and disrupt [the] Talibanand their Iranian sponsors that seek to undermine the security of the Afghan government. Other TFTC member countries joining the action include Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement on October 23 that the blacklist targets Taliban members who are involved in suicide attacks, and other lethal activities. We are also targeting key Iranian sponsors providing financial and material support to the Taliban, Mnuchin said. Irans provision of military training, financing, and weapons to the Taliban is yet another example of Tehrans blatant regional meddling and support for terrorism. Mnuchin said Irans support to the Taliban epitomizes the regimes utter disregard for fundamental international norms. The assets of those on the blacklist are to be frozen in the United States and the six Gulf states that are members of the TFTC. Two officers of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps's Quds Force -- Muhammad Ebrahim Owhadi and Esmail Razavi -- were designated on the list. Six senior members of the Afghan Taliban on the blacklist are Abdullah Samad Faroqui, Mohammad Daoud Muzzamil, Abdul Rahim Manan, Naim Barich, Sadr Ibrahim, and Hafiz Majid. Businessman Abdul Aziz, described by the U.S. Treasury Department as a Pakistan-based narcotics trafficker, was blacklisted on allegations of setting up international firms to carry out illegal smuggling operations that finance the Pakistan-based Taliban -- including the Quetta-based leadership of Afghan Taliban known as the Quetta Shura. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain on October 23 added Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and senior officers from its Quds Force to their lists of people and organizations suspected of involvement in terrorism. Saudi security services said Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force, was on the list together with Quds Force officers Hamed Abdollahi and Abdul Reza Shahlai. In 2011, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the three amid allegations that Soleimani, Abdollahi, and Shahlai were linked to a failed plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia's former ambassador to the United States, Adel Al-Jubeir. Jubeir is now the Saudi Arabias foreign minister. Iran at the time dismissed the accusations as false and demanded an apology from Washington. The terrorist listing of the three IRGC officers is separate from the blacklisting of nine individuals on October 23 by the United States and six Gulf countries in the TFTC. Col. Ron Fitch, then Fort Carson Garrison Commander, and his wife Jennifer enjoy the 40th anniversary celebration of TESSA in this file photo from September 2017. Photo by Linda Navarro Alexis Stephens and Christian Parsons have taken their tiny home across 27 states while working on a documentary about the tiny-home movement. MUST CREDIT: Photo courtesy Tiny House Expedition The Russians have come, and Colorado Springs is a bit shaken after learning that a Putin-directed military intelligence operation purloined data from a local nonprofit. For decades, Colorado Springs was on the lookout for Soviet spies. But when the Cold War ended, locals lightened up. With federal indictments this month against Russian hackers who targeted the Springs-based U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, leaders say it may be time for a new Red Scare. This is a real wake-up call, Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers warned after speaking at the National Cyber Symposium at the Broadmoor last week. Just think of all the information there is to steal in Colorado Springs. The mayor is right about Colorado Springs being a ripe target. With some of the nations most prominent nonprofits, 200 aerospace and defense firms, five military bases along with Americas leading commands for space, continental defense and missile defense, a well-planned hack here could cause national chaos. Its alarming enough that Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and his National Guard boss, Maj. Gen. Michael Loh, are taking notice. It brought it closer to home here in Colorado, explained retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Jay Lindell, who heads military programs for Colorados Office of Economic Development and International Trade, of the Russian hack. Russian hackers started work on the anti-doping agency after Russian athletes were banned from the 2016 games after accusations of a state-sponsored campaign to gain an illegal edge in competition. The attack on the anti-doping agency, outlined in a grand jury indictment, sought to gain emails and other data that Russia could use against American athletes and agencies along with the International Olympic Committee to sow chaos and build sympathy for its cause. In many instances, the stolen information was publicized as part of a related influence and disinformation campaign designed to undermine the legitimate interests of the victims, further Russian interests, retaliate against Russian detractors and sway public opinion in Russias favor, federal prosecutors wrote. Hack no surprise While the Russian hack on the Colorado Springs nonprofit may be new to most in the Pikes Peak region, it is no surprise to intelligence experts. The former CIA and National Security Agency boss, retired Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden said in an exclusive interview with The Gazette that hacking is an outgrowth of Russian tactics that have been on display for a decade or more. The Russians, he said, are hacking their way back to the superpower status they lost at the end of the Cold War. For Russia, this is particularly important because they dont have many tools of influence, he said. Building fleets of ships, clouds of military jets and massive armies is tremendously expensive. With $69 billion in annual defense spending, Russia has just a tenth of Americas Pentagon budget to flex its military muscles, but hacking is cheap. Just seven hackers pulled off the anti-doping agency hack, and federal prosecutors say theyre the same bunch that stole emails from the Democratic National Committee to influence the 2016 election. Hayden said the Russians have shown they can use a handful of troops to pull off what an army could not accomplish. The Russians have used that as an arm of their military services, he said. Russias use of cyberattacks on enemies and rivals goes back at least to a 2007 strike on Estonia amid a diplomatic spat. Estonian officials say the Russians took down financial and government systems while also hitting their countrys media. Russian neighbor Georgia saw the use of cyberwarfare alongside ground troops during a brief 2008 conflict. Hackers disrupted Georgian communications networks and took down government and media servers. It was the first recorded instance of a cyberwar accompanying ground troops in battle. The most notorious Russian operation, though, may be the attacks on the 2016 American election that combined email hacking, online propaganda and targeted use of social media to sow discord and damage the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. But Colorado has long been in the crosshairs for Russia. Their military intelligence arm was tied to a 1996 hacking operation called Baby Doe that hit the Colorado School of Mines. Becoming tough target The attack on the U.S. Anti- Doping Agency in Colorado Springs also came in 2016, just as Colorado took an unprecedented step to protect the states businesses, nonprofits and government agencies from cyber threats. Even as Russian hackers gained access to thousands of anti-doping agency emails and records, leaders were setting up the National Cybersecurity Center in Colorado Springs. The goal of the center is to raise awareness of cyber dangers and to share tactics and techniques to thwart hackers across the public and private sectors. This isnt something thats going to get solved by one branch of the military or one agency of government, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper said Monday during a stop at the centers annual Cyber Symposium, that drew hundreds of security experts from around the country. Vance Brown, who heads the center, said the only way hackers can be stopped is if entire communities take steps to defend themselves. Thats what we have here, he said. Another factor that makes the Pikes Peak region more prepared to take on hackers is a Pentagon mandate. The Pentagon pumps more than $18 billion into the local economy each year, feeding those 200 aerospace and defense contractors that call the area home. And, as of Dec. 31, each of those contractors was required to have adequate security on its computer systems according to a new Pentagon rule. They are also required to report hacking attempts to the Defense Department, which shares the information so contractors have the latest intelligence on threats. Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams, whose agency just earned top national honors for election security, said incidents including the Russian military hack targeting Colorado Springs, have local governments, businesses and nonprofits on the lookout for hackers. The things you saw with the election and the anti-doping agency show that you have to have the skills and be prepared to respond, Williams said. No national plan vs. hacking While businesses and nonprofits may be ready to repel hordes of Russian hackers, the federal government is apparently still weighing how to respond. For years, politicians, generals, experts and activists have argued about how the military, intelligence agencies and other national interests should react to hacking. Getting a federal response plan in place is crucial, Hayden said, because no matter how well-prepared an entity may be to defend its computer networks, it will never have the resources that Russias military hacking arm can deploy, Hayden said. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency shouldnt have to square off against a nation-state, he said. The Russians unleashed a litany of hacking techniques against the anti-doping agency, court papers show. Malware-laden emails, called spear-fishing, were sent. Phony websites were established to target the agencys workers. Hackers prowled the network with sophisticated surveillance and spies stalked anti-doping agency officials in Brazil with a phony Wi-Fi system in a bid to penetrate their computers. While the United States has issued sanctions and criminal charges against hackers and issued calls for better cyber defense, America has yet to turn loose its own tremendous hacking power in response to an attack. At the Heritage Foundation, a Washington think-tank, cybersecurity expert Klon Kitchen said America hasnt figured out how its computer powers should be used. It is not a matter of whether the United States has the capacity, we can effect our will in cyberspace, he said. What this comes down to is a question of political will and coherent strategy and doctrine. In 2010, the U.S. reportedly carried out one of the most audacious operations in the history of hacking to slow the Iranian nuclear program. Using a virus called Stuxnet, agents from the National Security Agency were able to destroy uranium refining equipment with just a few lines of programming code. Hayden, who served as head of the National Security Agency and later led the CIA under President George W. Bush, would neither confirm nor deny the American role in Stuxnet. All I can say is, whoever did it, they were very good, Hayden said with a smile. But despite several Russian provocations, U.S. leaders havent unleashed internet warfare. Hayden said while the Trump administration has pondered counterattacks, those plans have been quickly shelved. I thought their automatic rejection was a bit too automatic, he said. Instead, the administration has relied on sanctions and other diplomatic tools. In Colorado, National Guard boss Loh said deterrence could be a key tool in fending off future attacks. We need to do whatever we have to hold them accountable, he said. But triggering an online fight could be worse for the United States than its enemies, Kitchen warned. America has become a nation with a smartphone in every pocket. No other nation is so tied to life online. We are vulnerable, he explained. But in the absence of a stronger response, Russia shows no signs of slowing its military hacking programs. It is reasonable to conclude that Russia feels emboldened to take these kinds of actions, Kitchen said. If we want to change that calculus, then we have to change the calculus. Contact Tom Roeder: 636-0240 The Russians have come, and Colorado Springs is a bit shaken after a Putin-directed military intelligence operation purloined data from a local non-profit. For decades, Colorado Springs was on the lookout for Soviet spies. But when the Cold War ended, locals lightened up. With federal indictments this month against Russian hackers who targeted the Springs-based U.S. Anti-doping Agency, leaders say It may be high time for a new Red Scare. Austin, TX, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Wednesday evening, October 17, the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC.org) hosted a black-tie banquet to honor its corporate members, certified minority business enterprises (MBEs), and network leaders for exceptional accomplishments in promoting minority supplier development. The Gala, sponsored by Northrop Grumman, marked the culmination of NMSDCs annual Conference and Business Opportunity Exchange, held this year at the Austin Convention Center in Texas. The Conferences Corporate Co-Chairs were Dell, Toyota and Wells Fargo; the first-ever Corporate Plus Co-Chair was ACRO Service Corporation; the MBE Co-Chair was Ongweoweh; and the Platinum Sponsor was Vista Equity Partners. At the start of the Gala, the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council, one of 23 regional councils of the NMSDC, was honored as Regional Council of the Year. The Harriet R. Michel Chairmans Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to the work and progress of NMSDC in the past year, went to Casilda Del Valle, NMSDCs Vice President for Finance and Administration, who has worked at NMSDC for 40 years; and to Louis Green, outgoing Interim President of NMSDC. Supplier of the Year awards were presented in four classes. In Class I, for businesses with up to $1 million annual revenue, Stellar Consulting Solutions was recognized. Supplier of the Year for Class II, with $1 million to $5 million in annual revenue, was Athena Engineering. Recognized in Class III ($5 million to $10 million annual revenue) was Premiere Building Maintenance Corporation. And the honoree for Class IV ($10 million and above in annual revenue) was Hal Hays Construction. Corporations of the Year honors were also presented, in five classes. The Class I honoree ($1 billion to $10 billion in revenue) was EQT. In Class II ($11 billion to $50 billion revenue), Merck was recognized, and the Class III award ($50 billion to $100 billion revenue) went to Comcast NBCUniversal. There was no award in Class IV this year, but for Class V ($151 billion and above in revenue) the Corporation of the Year honor was presented to AT&T. Corporations honored as Top Category Performers were: Bank of America (Financial); Walmart and FCA (Tier II); Toyota (Development); and CVS Health and The Coca-Cola Company (Innovation). At the end of the presentations, Master of Ceremonies Chuck Nice introduced the final speaker of the evening, NMSDC President and CEO Adrienne Trimble, who reflected on the nearly 50 years of achievement by the NMSDC, transforming the relationship between minority suppliers and corporate America. She revealed that for next year, the NMSDCs annual Conference and Business Opportunity Exchange would be held in Atlanta, with newly-announced Corporate Co-Chairs AT&T, Coca-Cola and UPS. In wrapping up, Ms. Trimble acknowledged the efforts of the NMSDC national staff, and thanked NMSDC Chair Joe Hinrichs and the Board members for entrusting to her the leadership of NMSDC. Conference highlights included: MetLife-supported Emerging Young Entrepreneurs programs intensive workshop; U.S. Department of Commerces Minority Business Development Agency, kicking off its annual National Minority Enterprise Development Week; NFL star and real estate entrepreneur Emmitt Smith speaking at the Conferences Opening Breakfast; Wells Fargos announcement of its sponsorship of NMSDCs CEO Academy program; The Business Opportunity Exchange, a unique, national trade fair with more than 700 booths showcasing corporations and minority business enterprises looking to connect and extend their business dealings with one another; NMSDCs Corporate Plus programfeaturing some of its most successful corporate members, including Fortune 500 MasTec and the nations largest producer of natural gas, EQT. About NMSDC The NMSDC advances business opportunities for certified minority business enterprises (MBEs) and connects them to corporate members. One of the countrys leading corporate membership organizations, NMSDC was chartered in 1972 to provide increased procurement and business opportunities for minority businesses of all sizes. The NMSDC network includes a National Office in New York and 23 affiliate regional councils across the country. The network also includes five international partner organizations located in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, China and South Africa. To meet the growing need for supplier diversity, NMSDC matches its more than 12,000 certified minority-owned businesses to our network of more than 1,750 corporate members who wish to purchase their products, services and solutions. NMSDC, a unique and specialized player in the field of minority business enterprise, is proud of its unwavering commitment to advance Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American suppliers in a globalized corporate supply chain. For more information, visit www.NMSDC.org. # # # The flavor of a flipped 5th Congressional District apparently is pecans and peaches. If youre free Wednesday, you might get a taste. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, co-founders of Ben & Jerrys Ice Cream, unveiled Rocky Mountain Rose on Monday. They crafted the custom flavor for Stephany Rose Spaulding, the Democrat vying to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn. Cohen and Greenfield teamed last month with MoveOn.Org, a national political nonprofit, to solicit flavor suggestions for seven Democratic congressional candidates across the country, including Spaulding. Now Spauldings flavor and its title are settled, the pair announced in a television ad that will air this week on CNN, MSNBC and Comedy Central, said Edward Erikson, a consultant who works with Cohen. This election is too important to sit out, so were helping out the best way we know how Cohen says in the ad. By cranking up the old ice-cream freezer and making a flavor for Stephany Rose Spaulding: Rocky Mountain Rose, Greenfield adds. Other candidates getting custom flavors would represent Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, California and Kansas. If elected, Spaulding would be the first Democrat, first woman and first African American to hold the historically conservative 5th District seat. Shes a pastor and a teacher whose motto is to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God, Cohen said of Spaulding in the ad. But Cohen isnt only pitching in to Spauldings campaign from afar. He's also looking to give local folks a taste of his new creation. At 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, he'll start scooping free ice cream and rallying support for Spaulding at 24 E. Rio Grande St. Anyone who remembers what it was like the last time Nancy Pelosi was speaker of the House knows just how important it is to make sure she neve Noah Devolve, second from left, and members of the Courage Classic bicycling team display a check for more than $67,000 raised for Childrens Hospital Colorado. Photo courtesy of Melissa Devolve Chicago, IL., Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CHICAGO, October 23, 2018 Guaranteed Rate, an industry leader in technological innovation, tops the list of the Best Mortgage Lenders of 2018, according to U.S. News and World Report. The Chicago-based retail mortgage lender was named the Best Lender for Online Service with its groundbreaking advances to make the mortgage experience fast, simple and secure with its digital platform. Being named the best online mortgage company aligns directly with our mission to improve and simplify the entire homebuying process, said Guaranteed Rate Founder and CEO Victor Ciardelli. We are thrilled to receive national recognition for our game-changing technology that was built with the borrower experience in mind. US News & World Report recommended the Guaranteed Rate mortgage process as best for borrowers who: Want to complete most of the mortgage process online Want help figuring out the right product for their situation Want access to a variety of home loan options According to the published report, almost all of Guaranteed Rates mortgage process can be completed online, including application and loan documentation. Borrowers can speak with a loan officer over the phone or in a branch office to evaluate their financial needs and find the right mortgage product if they prefer. Guaranteed Rate, which reports funding nearly $12 Billion in loan volume for the first half of 2018, has been in business since 2000. The company offers conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo loans and ARMs. The report praises Guaranteed Rate for its extensive online mortgage process, its online application and loan documentation capabilities and the ability to review and electronically sign documents, which cuts time down to a 10-minute closing appointment. We could not gain such industry recognition without our team of incredible loan officers and the agents they work with, Ciardelli said. No other digital mortgage lender has developed such a simple and seamless platform that empowers loan originators to efficiently serve clients and referral partners. Referral agents have recently given Guaranteed Rates industry-leading technology high marks as well. The company was named this month as the Agents Choice for Lender of the Year for 2018 by Chicago Agent magazine. Guaranteed Rate continuously invests in innovative technology products to improve the process for loan officers, borrowers and referral partners. To learn more about the Companys Red Arrow Technology, visit www.rate.com. About Guaranteed Rate Companies Guaranteed Rate is one of the largest retail mortgage lenders in the United States. Headquartered in Chicago, the Company has approximately 210 offices across the U.S. and Washington, D.C., and is licensed in all 50 states. Since its founding in 2000, Guaranteed Rate has helped hundreds of thousands of homeowners with home purchase loans and refinances and funded nearly $19 billion in loans in 2017 alone. The Company has cemented itself as the Home Purchase Experts by introducing innovative technology, such as the world's first Digital Mortgage, by offering low rates within an easy-to-understand mortgage process and by delivering unparalleled customer service. In 2017, Guaranteed Rate launched Guaranteed Rate Affinity, LLC, a mortgage origination joint venture between Guaranteed Rate, Inc. and Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in residential real estate franchising and brokerage. Guaranteed Rate won an American Business Award for its Digital Mortgage technology in 2016, ranked No. 1 in Scotsman Guide's Top Mortgage Lenders 2016, was chosen as Top Lender 2016 and 2017 by Chicago Agent magazine, made the Chicago Tribune's Top Workplaces list seven of the past eight years, and was named Best Overall Online Lender and Best Lender for FHA Refinance by NerdWallet in 2018. Visit rate.com for more information. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avrupa Minerals Ltd. (AVU:TSXV) ) (AVPMF:USOTC) (8AM:Frankfurt) is pleased to announce that it will complete a financing of $1.5 million to fund the drilling program at the Alvalade copper-zinc-lead VMS Project in Portugal and for general working capital. Drill Program at Alvalade Avrupa recently announced a 2,500 to 3,000-meter drill program to expand currently known mineralized areas and to determine the potential size of the mineralization found to date at its Alvalade VMS Project in Portugals Iberian Pyrite Belt. Most of the financing proceeds will be used for this drilling program, and positive results will determine the next steps for the program at Alvalade. Financing Terms Avrupa plans to issue 30 million Units at $0.05 per Unit. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant that will allow the holder to buy an additional share from the closing date for a 36 month period at a price of $0.10 each. Avrupa will have a provision to accelerate the exercise of the warrants if the common shares close at a price of $0.20 or greater for a period of 20 consecutive trading days. Insiders may be participating in this non-brokered offering, and Avrupa may also pay finders fees to qualified finders. Avrupa Minerals Ltd. is a growth-oriented junior exploration and development company directed to discovery of mineral deposits, using a prospect generator model. The Company holds one 100%-owned, self-funded flagship project, the Alvalade VMS Project. Avrupa focuses its project generation work in politically stable and prospective regions of Europe, including Portugal, Kosovo, and Germany. For additional information, contact Avrupa Minerals Ltd. at 1-604-687-3520 or visit our website at www.avrupaminerals.com . On behalf of the Board, Paul W. Kuhn Paul W. Kuhn, President & Director This news release was prepared by Company management, who take full responsibility for its content. Paul W. Kuhn, President and CEO of Avrupa Minerals, a Licensed Professional Geologist and a Registered Member of the Society of Mining Engineers, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. He has reviewed the technical disclosure in this release. Mr. Kuhn, the QP, has not only reviewed, but prepared and supervised the preparation or approval of the scientific and technical content in the news release. 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. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ICC International Cannabis Corp. (CSE: WRLD)(FWB: 8K51)(OTC: KNHBF) ("ICC" or the Company) is pleased to announce it has acquired Polannabis Holdings (Polannabis). Polannabis, through its subsidiary, controls a Polish hemp processing and extraction licence. The licence permits the extraction and manufacturing of Cannabinoid (CBD) derived products from hemp. Polannabis has access to over 850 acres of premium hemp crops; estimated to produce up to 6,800 tons of material for CBD extraction. UNIVERSITY RESEARCH COLLABORATION Polannabis boasts an existing extraction and manufacturing facility, equipped with a proprietary Hydrocarbon extraction technologies. Polannabis operations are currently producing CBD isolates, distillates, bulk oils, paste and tinctures. Through its agreement with Maria Curie-Sklodowska University (MCSU), one of the largest universities in Poland, Polannabis has established superior post-processing separation protocols and testing procedures. The strategic, research and operational joint-venture with MCSU, located in Lublin, Poland, provides product testing, analytical services, as well as process and product development support. EXISTING PRODUCT OFFTAKE AGREEMENT Polannabis brings a highly experienced roster of engineering, scientific, logistics, marketing and sales personnel, as well as existing sales agreements in various European Union (EU) member countries. Polannabis has secured a monthly off-take agreement for 100 kilos of 99.9% CBD isolate. The off-take agreement will be initiated immediately upon the completion of its planned capacity and processing expansion. ICCs immediate investment in Polannabis will increase its CBD extraction capacity to an initial run-rate of over 2,400,000 grams per year, prior to the Phase II build out which will begin in 2019. TURNKEY DESIGN/BUILD CONTRACT ICC has engaged Sababa Sciences (Sababa), an Israeli based cannabis company to design, build and oversee the expansion of Polannabis Polish assets. Sababas team has extensive experience in cannabinoid extraction, organic cultivation, product development and medical research. Poland is the sixth most populous EU member state and collectively with Greece will function as ICCs flagship European hemp cultivation and extraction hub. The EU has over 500 million potential consumers, affording ICC with a unique opportunity to service this high growth marketplace. The acquisition of Polannabis provides ICC with immediate revenue generation and the ability to leverage its European distribution network. ICC has an exclusive agreement with Cosmos Holdings (Cosmos), a European based pharmaceutical distributor, to procure and distribute medical cannabis products and all cannabis derivatives for clients of Cosmos in approved countries within its distribution network of 110 clients. Cosmos distribution network represents approximately 35,000 pharmacies across 16 countries. Eugene Beukman, chief executive officer and director of ICC, stated: ICCs strategic acquisition of Polannabis plants yet another ICC flag in the EU. Polannabis brings a highly skilled workforce, proprietary extraction methodologies, as well as existing revenue generating supply contracts. The Company has acquired a world-class CBD extraction operation and looks forward to execution upon its Polish expansion plans with the assistance of Israeli based Sababa Sciences. In connection with the transaction, ICC will fund the current business for initial development and European expansion with a capital infusion, as well as make payments of CAD $2.5m and will issue 26,515,151 shares. A contingent consideration of up to CAD $2.5 million in cash to founding principals may be paid based on Polannabis achieving CAD $25 million in EBITDA by 2021. ICC plans to invest an additional CAD $2 million. A finders fee is payable on the transaction. ON BEHALF OF THE ICC INTERNATIONAL CANNABIS CORP BOARD OF DIRECTORS Michael Martinz Michael Martinz President, Director info@intlcannabiscorp.com THE CSE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASE. Notice Regarding Forward Looking Information: This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or information that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. This information is only a prediction. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking information throughout this news release. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to: political changes in Canada and internationally, future legislative and regulatory developments involving cannabis in Canada and internationally, the Companys ability to secure distribution channels in international jurisdictions, competition and other risks affecting the Company in particular and the cannabis industry generally. The forward-looking information contained in this release is expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements and is made as of the date of this release. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward- looking information to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise. English Estonian The three quarters of this year have earned AS LHV Group a net profit of EUR 6.2 million. The banks profit shaped to EUR 4.4 million and the asset managements to EUR 2.1 million. The return on equity belonging to LHVs shareholders was 15.9% in Q3. Compared to Q2 of 2018 the consolidated profit declined by EUR 3.9 million. The reason for this was that Q2 results included the sale income of share in Mokilizingas and a larger income from advising an institutional banking transaction. Compared to Q3 2017, the groups net profit increased by EUR 0.7 million. Loan impairments were made in the amount of EUR 1.9 million in Q3 and the payment of advance income tax amounted to EUR 0.5 million. The groups consolidated net loan portfolio grew by EUR 35 million (+5%; +EUR 11 million in Q2) and reached EUR 812 million. Consolidated deposits increased by EUR 95 million (+6%; -EUR 183 million in Q2) to EUR 1,638 million. And at that the deposits related to payment intermediates increased by EUR 41 million. During Q3 the volume of funds managed by LHV rose by EUR 37 million (+3%; +EUR 40 million in Q2) and reached EUR 1,204 million. In the 9 months of 2018, AS LHV Group posted a consolidated net profit of EUR 20.5 million: the bank earned EUR 13.1 million and the asset management EUR 4.9 million. In comparison with 2017, the 9 month net profit this year was EUR 5.1 million higher. Comments by Madis Toomsalu, CEO of LHV Group: "In terms of growing activity of customers, but also the activities of LHV itself, the third quarter was significantly strong. Our business is growing. Over the three quarters of the year, more than 20,000 new customers joined LHV Bank. Several activity indicators, including salary receipts, number of customers with assets and payments, use of cards, acceptance of card payments and number of new investment contracts reached record levels in Q3. The groups quarterly profit of EUR 6.2 million was positively influenced by income related to transaction advisory services in the amount of EUR 0.7 million and negatively by specific allowances of EUR 1.2 million. The credit portfolio remains strong, and together with growing volumes, interest income is also increasing, all be it the allowance related to one client has influences this years profit. Out of the activities of the bank I would emphasise the launch of Youth Bank offer in the end of August. In addition to young people, our new micro investment offer is also targeted to all other clients, who are looking to start investing and saving without much effort. The launch of micro investment brought an exponential growth of new investment contracts. As a major change, we implemented e-identification at the end of the quarter, which enables one to open a bank account without leaving home. To improve the financing structure of LHV Bank, we concluded an agreement with the leading European deposit marketplace platform Raisin that now enables the bank to accept new deposits both from the German and Austrian market. When it comes to our financial intermediates business line, we are concentrating on finding new partnerships and developing our service portfolio. The interest of financial service providers in banking services is strong and the number of new clients is expanding continuously. The total volume of funds managed by LHV grew by EUR 37 million over the quarter, however at the same time the number of active clients of the 2nd pillar decreased by 300. During the quarter, we focussed more on the long-term strategy of LHV. According to this, our home market is Estonia, where we focus on offering the best banking service and best performance pension funds. We want to address a growing number of clients, who care about increasing the share of Estonian capital in the offering of local financial services. We try to run our business in a way that the ever increasing efficiency is reflected in the declining cost/income ratio and the shareholders are guaranteed a 20% rate of return before taxes. On the other hand, we are also looking for business on foreign markets and have become a company exporting financial services. We have made a very strong start in the UK business line, where our activity has already yielded profit. In terms of long-term economic outlook, the biggest concern is the variance of speed in different European regions and overregulation causing stagnation. According to the basics of the market economy, there is no income without risk; accordingly, progressive banning of risk-taking and bureaucratisation also decreases potential development and income. The concern will only get worse, if development in the US and China appears to be faster than that of in Europe. Focussing on a period of a couple of years, the main scenario is still growth of the economy in the Eurozone by a couple of percentage points a year. LHVs growth trends are also supported by the Estonian business environment. The credit market has remained strong. As the main risks, we could point out high dependence on the external environment, rather low private sector investments and labour shortage." Income statement, EURt Q3-2018 Q2-2018 9 months 2018 9 months 2017 Net interest income 9 455 9 408 27 861 22 175 Net fee and commission income 6 147 7 215 18 952 15 612 Net gains from financial assets 91 335 338 1 400 Other income 755 3 768 -149 Total revenue 16 447 16 961 47 919 39 038 Staff costs -3 779 -3 938 -11 463 -9 486 Office rent and expenses -430 -193 -1 294 -1 070 IT expenses -549 -507 -1 572 -1 215 Marketing expenses -522 -385 -1 424 -2 654 Other operating expenses -2 638 -2 751 -7 618 -5 788 Total operating expenses -7 918 -7 774 -23 371 -20 213 EBIT 8 529 9 187 24 548 18 825 Earnings before impairment losses 8 529 9 187 24 548 18 825 Impairment losses on loans and advances -1 858 -1 596 -4 337 -3 050 Income tax -501 -631 -3 070 -951 Net profit for the reporting period from continued operations 6 170 6 960 17 141 14 824 Profit/-loss from discontinued operations 0 3080 3 324 561 Net profit 6 170 10 040 20 465 15 385 Profit attributable to non-controlling interest 455 515 1 277 1 468 Profit attributable to share holders of the parent 5 714 9 525 19 188 13 917 Balance sheet, EURt September 2018 June 2018 September 2017 Cash and cash equivalents 965 494 879 204 696 392 Financial assets 48 829 54 084 61 583 Loans granted 822 696 785 663 663 941 Loan impairments -10 745 -9 116 -8 409 Receivables from customers 7 372 6 495 8 745 Other assets 23 776 23 450 12 933 Total assets 1 857 421 1 739 780 1 435 184 Demand deposits 1 513 113 1 427 569 1 144 114 Term deposits 124 476 115 212 124 036 Loans received 12 289 6 000 16 Loans received and deposits from customers 1 649 877 1 548 781 1 268 166 Other liabilities 26 024 16 660 15 214 Subordinated loans 30 900 30 900 30 900 Total liabilities 1 706 802 1 596 341 1 314 279 Equity 150 620 143 439 120 905 Minority interest 3 447 2 992 6 787 Total liabilities and equity 1 857 421 1 739 780 1 435 184 Reports of AS LHV Group are available at https://investor.lhv.ee/en/reports/. To present the interim results LHV will hold an investor meeting, that will take place on 23 October 2018 6.00 p.m. in LHV Tallinn client office (Tartu mnt 2, CityPlaza building, 1st floor). The presentation will be made in Estonian. All participants please register at https://fp.lhv.ee/academy/517. The investor meeting will be live streamed on LHVs Facebook page www.facebook.com/LHVPank/. LHV Group is the largest domestic financial group and capital provider in Estonia. LHV Group's key subsidiaries are AS LHV Pank and AS LHV Varahaldus. LHV employs about 380 people and about 154,000 customers use LHVs banking services. Pension funds managed by LHV have about 178,000 customers. Attachments Estimados amigos, Les doy cordialmente la bienvenida a este Blog informativo con articulos, analisis y comentarios de publicaciones especializadas y especialmente seleccionadas, principalmente sobre temas economicos, financieros y politicos de actualidad, que esperamos y deseamos, sean de su maximo interes, utilidad y conveniencia. Pensamos que solo comprendiendo cabalmente el presente, es que podemos proyectarnos acertadamente hacia el futuro. Gonzalo Raffo de Lavalle Las convicciones son mas peligrosos enemigos de la verdad que las mentiras. Quien no lo ha dado todo no ha dado nada. Helenio Herrera History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce. Karl Marx If you know the other and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. Sun Tzu We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity. Paulo Coelho TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via OTC PR WIRE -- USA Real Estate Holding Company (OTC PINK: USTC), a diversified public holding company, announced today that it has signed the final agreement to acquire Green Pharma Colombia S.A. Green Pharma Colombia S.A. will merge into USTC as a wholly owned subsidiary. Under the terms of this Agreement, the Company will issue 25M common shares to Green Pharma Colombia S.A. We are extremely pleased to complete this transaction as the Company advances its position into the cannabidiol (CBD) sector. The Company plans to build sustainable long-term shareholder value as this market continues to grow, stated by Sabahat Ullah, Director of USTC. He further added, The Company has appointed Paula Andrea Victoria Valencia from Green Pharma Colombia S.A. to its Board. Shes a professional in Business Administration with emphasis in Banking and Finance from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, with more than 15 years of experience in the planning, organization, direction and control of organizational administrative processes in the areas of finance, treasury, payroll and human management, different economic sectors through labor linkage in companies such as AVIANCA SA and Finesa Seguros Ltda. About Green Pharma Colombia: The company Green Pharma Colombia S.A. is dedicated to the cultivation and extraction of cannabis oil, as well as the production of tinctures, creams and beauty products (shampoo, creams for skin relief) with different concentrations of CBD and THC. The company only grows the best strains with the highest quality standards, which assures us to be as consistent as possible from batch to batch in order to produce replicable results for patients. For more information visit: www.pharmagreen.co About USA Real Estate Holding Company: USA Real Estate Holding Company (OTC PINK: USTC) is a public holding company that is motivated in expanding its asset & revenue base through acquisition for the purpose of increasing shareholder value by diversifying as a multi-faceted Company. For more information visit: www.usarealesatetholding.com FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release includes various "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 represent the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events. Statements containing expressions such as "believes," "anticipates," "intends," or "expects," used in the Company's press releases and in Disclosure Statements and Reports filed with the Over the Counter Markets through the OTC Disclosure and News Service are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes its expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurances that actual results will not differ materially from expected results. The Company cautions that these and similar statements included in this report are further qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. For further information contact: Public Relations Email: info@usarealestateholding.com SOURCE: USA Real Estate Holding Company Shorter Path to XRx-008 Marketing Approval CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XORTX Therapeutics Inc. ("XORTX" or the Company) (CSE:XRX; OTCQB:XRTXF), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies to treat progressive kidney disease (PKD), is pleased to announce that the Companys clinical development plan has been reviewed and accelerated. This major revision to the Companys original clinical development plan was acceptable to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) subsequent to XORTXs submission of its pre-Investigational new drug (IND) information package and the Companys in-person meeting held September 20, 2018 to discuss the comprehensive development plan. Discussions with the FDA ranged across developmental topics including manufacturing, formulation, non-clinical study plans and clinical development strategy for XRx-008, including: Review of XORTXs proposed chemistry, manufacturing and formulation was confirmed by the FDA as acceptable with no material changes; The proposed non-clinical development proposal was reviewed and confirmed the importance of characterizing the scale of increased bioavailability of XRx-008 in advance of clinical study initiation; The proposed clinical development program for XRx-008, as a therapy for patients with PKD was outlined by the XORTX team and was composed of separate phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials, followed by marketing application (NDA). Discussion and exploration with the FDA suggested a substantially shorter path to marketing approval for XRx-008 for ADPKD; and The outcome of the pre-IND meeting is an accelerated clinical development plan composed of a study to characterize bioavailability XRx-008 in man, then a single, pivotal phase 2/3 clinical trial which would be eligible for special protocol assessment (SPA see further information below). Dr. Allen Davidoff, XORTXs CEO stated, We are very pleased with the positive meeting we had with the FDA that clarified that XORTX can simplify and accelerate its clinical study plan. The Company has now defined four clear steps to develop XRx-008 for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease patients (ADPKD): (i) manufacture clinical study ready drug for our upcoming clinical trials; (ii) file the IND and characterize the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of XRx-008 in humans; (iii) complete the orphan drug designation (ODD) process for this program (see further information below); and, (iv) complete a pivotal phase 2/3 clinical trial. XORTX will seek a special protocol assessment (SPA) for this pivotal study. This accelerated clinical development plan substantially decreases the time and cost to bring this therapy to patients with PKD. Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) is one optional type of agreement submission that is available to sponsors, such as XORTX, for pivotal phase 3 trials. Through the SPA process, the sponsor and the FDA negotiate the design of a clinical trial that will support an efficacy claim for marketing approval. One advantage of the SPA is that, if an agreement is reached, XORTX would then have clarity in writing of the endpoints that must be achieved to support marketing approval. Orphan Drug programs in the United States are programs for the treatment of rare disease which were passed into law in 1983 to facilitate development of orphan drugs drugs for rare diseases such as ADPKD, Huntingtons disease, ALS and muscular dystrophy. These rare diseases typically have fewer than 200,000 patients living in the US and due to small patient numbers would not be considered economically feasible without government programs to support their economic viability. ODD does not indicate that the therapeutic is either safe and effective or legal to manufacture and market in the United States. That process is handled through other offices in the FDA, however an ODD designation would qualify XORTX for a number of benefits from the US federal government, such as reduced taxes and grants to fund future clinical trial work a potentially substantial non-dilutive funding benefit to shareholders. Similar programs for rare diseases exist in European Union, Japan and other countries. Orphan drugs generally follow the same regulatory development path as any other pharmaceutical product, in which testing focuses on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, dosing, stability, safety and efficacy, however, some statistical burdens are lessened in an effort to maintain development momentum. As a result of world wide support for the development of therapeutic solutions to disease, orphan programs are some of the most successful, time and cost effective programs to develop. For more information on ODD program fundamentals, see: www.optum.com/resources/library/world-of-orphan-drugs.html For more information on the robust market for Orphan Drug programs globally, see: http://info.evaluategroup.com/rs/607-YGS-364/images/EPOD17.pdf About XORTX Therapeutics Inc. XORTX Therapeutics Inc. is a BioPharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies to treat progressive kidney disease. XORTX has lead programs to develop treatments for progressive kidney disease due to diabetes, diabetic nephropathy and polycystic kidney disease. Secondary programs focus on developing therapies for health consequences that accompany pre-diabetes, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Additional information on XORTX Therapeutics is available at www.xortx.com . For further information, please contact: Allen Davidoff, CEO adavidoff@xortx.com or +1 403 455 7727 or Erik Matthews, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations erik@xortx.com or +1 747 203 5240 The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This news release includes forward looking statements that are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward looking statements, including without limitation any statements concerning the Company's intentions, plans, estimates, beliefs or expectations regarding the future. Although the Company believes that any such intentions, plans, estimates, beliefs and expectations in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such intentions, plans, beliefs and expectations will prove to be accurate. The Company cautions readers that all forward looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the Company's future operations and business prospects, are based on assumptions none of which can be assured, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward looking statements. Readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements. Any forward looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual events or results could or do differ from those projected in the forward looking statements. The Company assumes no obligations to update any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. EDMONTON, Alberta, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The historic launch of a new industry in Canada on October 17, 2018 has resulted in an unprecedented number of requests from shareholders, investors, analysts and the media for information as to the results of operations for our retail cannabis business and initial trends. In normal course Alcanna Inc. (Alcanna or the Company) (TSX: CLIQ) does not disclose financial or operational results outside traditional quarterly reporting cycles. However, in these unique circumstances an exception will be made to provide disclosure to all market participants. In the first five days of legal cannabis sales, from legalization day Wednesday October 17th until close of business Sunday October 21st, Alcannas five NOVA Cannabis brand stores realized combined revenues of approximately $1.3 million. Given that all five stores experienced line-ups from opening at 10 a.m. until closing at 10 p.m. each of the 5 days, and thus were operating at essentially full capacity, results per store were relatively consistent at all locations. Basket size (the average dollar amount of each transaction) was 2-3 times that of an average Liquor Depot. Over the five days Alcanna processed approximately 17,000 separate transactions and sold approximately 68,000 individual SKUs. Sales were heavily weighted towards dried cannabis flower, with strains high in THC being the most popular. These figures are truly impressive, said James Burns, CEO of Alcanna Inc. But we certainly need to put them in perspective since they are reflective of both the novelty of legalization finally happening and the very limited number of retail outlets that were able to get open for October 17th. Alcannas experience in controlled-substance retail and financial strength enabled us to have sufficient inventory on hand to last right through opening weekend. It is a positive start to the long road of getting the black market out of cannabis. ABOUT ALCANNA INC. Alcanna is one of the largest private sector retailers of alcohol in North America and the largest in Canada owning and operating 228 locations in Alberta, B.C. and Alaska. With revenues in excess of $600 million per year, Alcanna processes over 20 million individual retail transactions of beverage alcohol. As of October 17, 2018 Alcanna, opened the first five of its new retail cannabis stores under the Nova Cannabis brand in the Province of Alberta. Alcanna's common shares and convertible subordinated debentures trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols "CLIQ" and "CLIQ.DB", respectively. Additional information about Alcanna Inc. is available at www.sedar.com and the Companys website at www.alcanna.com. Further information about NOVA Cannabis can be found on our consumer website at www.novacannabisstore.com. For further information James Burns Chief Executive Officer Alcanna Inc. (587) 460-1026 CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- THAILAND Onshore Concession L53 ( Pan Orient Energy (Siam) Ltd., in which Pan Orient has 50.01% ownership ) Pan Orient Energy Corp. (Pan Orient or the Company) (POE TSXV) is pleased to announce that the L53-DD1 exploration well encountered an interpreted, combined 26 meters of net oil pay within three separate sandstone reservoirs between a true vertical depth of 960 to 1,125 meters. This interpretation was based on conventional open hole wire line logs and hydrocarbon indications observed while drilling and confirmed with post drill pressure data and oil samples brought to surface from each of the zones. The oil is estimated to be approximately 28 degree API gravity. The sandstone reservoirs are interpreted to be high quality based on wireline log interpretation and high mobility observed while acquiring the pressure data and oil samples across each zone. Current plans are to immediately appraise the L53-DD1 discovery with the L53-DD2 well that will commence drilling within the next five days targeting the deepest two of the three reservoirs, in a position substantially up dip of the discovery well and be drilled from the same well pad. The L53-DD1 discovery will not commence production until the completion of the L53-DD2 appraisal well due to limited well pad space. During the drilling of L53-DD2, Government of Thailand approval will be sought for a 90 day production test of both wells. L53-DD1 is a deviated exploration well drilled to a measured depth of 1,373 meters (1,323 meters true vertical depth) located in the northern most portion of the Concession L53 exploration reserve area, approximately 28 kilometers north of any existing producing wells within Concession L53 and approximately 5 kilometers south of the PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited operated U-Thong oil field located in the adjacent concession. The L53-DD1 exploration well will fulfill the US$600,000 minimum annual exploration expenditure that is required to retain the approximately 214 square kilometers of exploration reserve area, which is all the remaining area of the original Concession 53, outside of existing four production licenses. The go forward Concession L53 activities will include the drilling of the L53-DD2 appraisal well, applications for 90 day production tests for both L53-DD1 & L53-DD2, compilation and submission of a production license (PL) area application that will encompass the discovery area and generation of the technical information to be provided to the Companys reserve evaluators for inclusion of the L53-DD1 discovery into the year-end 2018 independent reserves evaluation. Past experience has typically seen PL government approval within three to five months of submission, at which time long term (not subject to 90 day production test) production can commence. In addition, work is currently underway utilizing the L53-DD1 well results to better define the hydrocarbon potential in the immediate vicinity of the L53-DD1 oil discovery that would form the basis for any potential future exploration drilling in the area. Pan Orient is a Calgary, Alberta based oil and gas exploration and production company with operations currently located onshore Thailand, Indonesia and in Western Canada. This press release contains forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by the terminology used, such as "expect", "believe", "estimate", "should", "anticipate" and "potential" or other similar wording. Forward-looking information in this press release includes references, express or implied, to drilling plans in Thailand and regulatory approvals. By its very nature, the forward-looking information contained in this press release requires Pan Orient and its management to make assumptions that may not materialize or that may not be accurate. In addition, the forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the control of Pan Orient, which could cause actual results, expectations, achievements or performance to differ materially. Although Pan Orient believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no assurances that those expectations will prove to be correct. Pan Orient undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. 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 FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Pan Orient Energy Corp. Jeff Chisholm, President and CEO (located in Bangkok, Thailand) Email: jeff@panorient.ca - or - Bill Ostlund, Vice President Finance and CFO Telephone: (403) 294-1770 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RedZone Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: REZ, Frankfurt: REZ, OTC: REZZF) (the Company or RedZone) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an option agreement with LRH Resources Ltd. (LRH), a private exploration company, to acquire up to 90% of the North West Leinster Lithium Property in the Republic of Ireland. LRH has applied for and has received an exploration licence which will allow us to begin work almost immediately. RedZone can, after funding an agreed amount of due diligence exploration work, exercise three options to enter a joint venture agreement and acquire up to 90% of the of the North-West Leinster Lithium (NWL) project on the terms summarized below. The NWL Property is comprised of 13 exploration licences, totalling 529 sq. km (52,900 hectares) and is located approximately 35km southwest of Dublin. The project is centred on similar geology to that which hosts International Lithium Companys (ILC) Avalonia Project, approximately 60km to the south. The Avalonia project is focussing on anomalous lithium bearing pegmatites and aplites that occur along the eastern and southern margin of the Devonian Caledonide granites, where they are in structural contact with Lower Palaeozoic meta-sediments. Ganfeng Lithium Co., one of the worlds leading lithium producers established in China in 2000 and listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange since 2010, has agreed to spend $10 million to earn 79% of ILCs Avalonia project. ILC are currently drilling on the property and have returned intersections of up to 2.23% Li 2 O over 23 metres (Source: ILC Corporate Presentation Oct 2018). Stream sediment sampling results on the NWL Property to date are plotted on the map below along with similar data reported for the ILC property: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/09bb1304-9bb6-4861-bbf9-fe3ec1570579 At the NWL property, regional stream sediment surveys (Geological Survey of Ireland) show anomalous Li in the target area with samples ranging from 9 to 501 ppm; supporting observations from regional soil sampling (TEAGASC the Agriculture and Food Development Authority) which revealed values ranging from 42 to 166 ppm Li in the same area. Subsequent reconnaissance prospecting by LRH has confirmed the presence of pegmatites and aplites as boulder float. The samples returned anomalous lithium values in the northern and north-western part of the massif with grab samples returning results ranging from 50 to 7680 ppm Li (1.66% Li 2 O equivalent) and 3030 ppm Li (0.65% Li 2 O). Note that these grab samples are not necessarily representative of the mineralization hosted on the property. The initial due diligence program is designed to conduct limited reconnaissance prospecting and geochemical sampling in drainages where the higher lithium values were identified. This work is being conducted to verify lithium anomalies and establish the geological setting of lithium mineralization. These surveys will then be followed-up with detailed prospecting, geological mapping and geochemical sampling (soil, deep overburden, stream sediment) that will guide further work if warranted. RedZone can, after a 10,000 payment and funding a minimum of 40,000 due diligence expense over an 18-month period, exercise three options (the Options) to acquire up to 90% of the of the NWL Property as follows: Redzone can earn a 51% interest in NWL by spending 1,000,000 within two years of the signing of a definitive option agreement giving effect to the Options (the Commencement Date); RedZone shall also make a payment to LRH of either in either (i) cash or (ii) subject to receipt of the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange or such other applicable stock exchange, a combination of a minimum of 10% in cash and the balance in common shares of RedZone at the applicable market price; within 14 business days of the Commencement Date; RedZone can earn a further 24% interest (for a cumulative 75% interest in total) in NWL by spending a further 2,000,000 within 5 years of the Commencement Date and paying LRH 200,000 (at the option of RedZone, in either (i) cash or (ii) subject to receipt of the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange or such other applicable stock exchange, a combination of a minimum of 10% in cash and the balance in common shares of RedZone at the applicable market price; and RedZone can earn a further 15% interest in NWL by completing a preliminary economic assessment and by paying LRH 500,000 in either (a) cash or (b) subject to receipt of the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange or such other applicable stock exchange, a combination of a minimum of 10% in cash and the balance in common shares of RedZone at the applicable market price. Upon RedZone earning its 51% interest in the NWL, a joint venture shall be formed between RedZone and LRH. Should LRHs interest be diluted below 10%, its interest shall convert to a 2% gross proceeds royalty (the GPR). RedZone shall have a buy-back right for a specified period on 1% of LRHs 2% GPR by paying LRH 1,000,000 in either (i) cash or (ii) subject to receipt of the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange or such other applicable exchange, a combination of a minimum of 10% in cash and the balance in common shares of RedZone at the applicable market price. The option agreement remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. RedZone may extend the required time frame to complete any earn in period for up to an additional 24 months, by making a cash payment to LRH of 250,000 per 12 months and maintaining a minimum expenditure of 250,000 per 12 months. Michael Murphy, President and CEO, says, "This project fits well with our strategy of acquiring early exploration properties for metals that make up the battery supply chain and we have structured the transaction on terms that mean the cash component is modest until we are more certain of the propertys economic viability." All scientific and technical information in this press release has been prepared under the supervision of Cameron Bell, P. Geo. a consultant and Director of RedZone, and a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. About RedZone Resources RedZone Resources is a mineral exploration company with a focus on metals that make up and support the rapid evolution to battery power. RedZones common shares are listed on the TSX-V: REZ, on the Frankfurt exchange: REZ, and on the OTC: REZZF. RedZone currently has three projects 1) Fortner-Boyd Lithium project in Arizona, 2) North-West Leinster Lithium property in Ireland and 3) a 55% stake in the Peru based Lara copper property, which has over 10,000 meters of drilling. More information about the Company is available on its issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or at www.RedZoneResources.ca . For further information please contact: Michael Murphy, President and Chief Executive Officer E: michael.murphy@redzoneresources.ca Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy and/or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Statements Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to the potential for gold and/or lithium at any of the Companys properties, the prospective nature of any claims comprising the Companys property interests, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory approvals, uncertainty of sample results, timing and results of future exploration, and the availability of financing. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Notable education as a service company collaborates with leading university to enlighten students about opportunities for a tech-based education SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. and GRAND FORKS, N.D., Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Woz U , Steve Wozniaks education as a service company that transforms how individuals are educated with personalized, tech-based career training, announced today a partnership with the University of North Dakota . The agreement offers tech-based education courses for career-minded students to prepare for in-demand technology professions. The collaboration between Woz U and the University of North Dakota exemplifies the importance of education opportunities available to students that want to enter the technology workforce with less debt. Students seeking to enhance their knowledge for a technology-based career will have access to Woz Us leading Full-Stack Web Development, Cyber Security and Data Science programs via the partnership. The affiliation between the University of North Dakota and Woz U enriches the education prospects for a growing number of students, says Chris Coleman, president of Woz U. Our programs enable students to advance their computing aptitudes and become workforce ready for the tech industry. Students enrolled in the programs benefit from personalized coursework to cultivate computer-based skills, along with current industry best practices, to establish a career in the technology field. The association of Woz U and University of North Dakota immerses students in an EdTech ecosystem designed for learners to quickly gain career-centric proficiency to utilize in the workforce. Woz U is progressing career-based academia with its technology courses, said Lynette Krenelka, Executive Director of the Teaching Transformation and Development Academy and Director of the Office of Extended Learning, University of North Dakota. Graduates of the Full-Stack Web Development, Cyber Security and Data Science courses receive a Woz U and University of North Dakota certificate of completion in their enrolled program. This partnership elevates our offerings available to students seeking curricula that will advance their professional development skills to go into the tech industry, said Jeff Holm, Vice Provost for Online Education and Strategic Planning, University of North Dakota. For more information about the programs available as part of the Woz U and University of North Dakota partnership, visit woz-u.com/und . About Woz U Steve Wozniaks Woz U transforms how individuals are educated with personalized, tech-based career training. Woz Us modernized approach to career education empowers learners to achieve the professional development skills needed to enter or transition into high-demand positions within the technology industry. Woz U operates entities to transform the way innovators of tomorrow are educated. Through Woz Us Education as a Service (EaaS) model, Woz U provides a variety of services, and a proprietary online educational delivery system with customized technology courses enabling the companys educational partners to quickly empower their students to become workforce ready. In addition, Woz U provides its business partners with an agile system to upskill their teams and augment their learning and development offerings, giving their employees access to top quality courses. Through Woz Us Arizona approved school, Woz U works with students to close the technology skills gap and graduate with less debt. Woz U graduates receive access to Woz for Life, a lifetime resource to remain current on the latest course offerings to advance their technology education along their career pathway. With this innovative approach, Woz U enriches technology-based education initiatives. Learn more at woz-u.com . About University of North Dakota The University of North Dakota is the chief opportunity engine for North Dakota and UND students. Founded in 1883, six years before North Dakota was granted statehood, UND is among the nations premier regional public research universities and is at an exciting point in its 135-year history. Classified as a Doctoral University: Higher Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, UND is characterized by a solid foundation of the liberal arts, high quality students and faculty, a diverse curriculum, a widely recognized program of graduate education and research, law and medical schools praised for quality and innovation, rich cultural resources, and an outstanding record of alumni support. Its major academic divisions include Arts and Sciences, Aerospace Sciences, Business and Public Administration, Education and Human Development, Engineering and Mines, Nursing and Professional Disciplines, Medicine and Health Sciences, Law, Extended Learning and the School of Graduate Studies. Long a provider of distance education, UND is developing a robust online presence. Learn more at www.und.edu . Media Contacts: TallGrass Public Relations for Woz U Richard Krueger richard.krueger@tallgrasspr.com 908-420-0512 Dallas, Texas, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Astro Aerospace Ltd. (the Company or Astro) (OTCQB: ASDN) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, announces that effective __Monday Oct 22, 2018, the British Columbia Securities Commission confirmed that it removed the cease trade order originally imposed on the Company on September 7, 2010 as a result of the Company becoming compliant by filing the outstanding financial statements and management discussion and analysis for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, and for the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018. Bruce Bent states we would like to than the BCSC for their cooperation in removing this cease trade order in Canada. This will now allow Canadian investors access to participate in our common stock through their respective brokers. About Astro Aerospace Ltd. The Company is a developer of self-piloted and autonomous, manned and unmanned, eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing) aerial vehicles. The Company intends to provide the market with a mainstream mode of everyday, aerial transportation for both humans and cargo. Astro currently has a working prototype and is making engineering and mechanical improvements to it. The British Columbia Securities Commission originally applied the cease trade order to the Company on September 7, 2010. During this time, the Company was named Lux Energy Corp. On September 6, 2011, the Company terminated its registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission by filing a Form 15-15D. On September 16, 2011, the Company changed its name to Sunbelt International Inc. On January 31, 2014, the Company changed its name to Nevcor Business Solutions, Inc. On July 3, 2014, the Company was purchased by Lawrence and Loreen Calarco and changed its name to CPSM, Inc. On March 14, 2018, MAAB Global Limited, which is 100% owned by Bruce Bent, acquired controlling interest in the Company and changed its name to Astro Aerospace Ltd. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain statements that may constitute forward-looking information under applicable securities laws. All statements, other than those of historical fact, which address activities, events, outcomes, results, developments, performance or achievements that Astro anticipates or expects may or will occur in the future (in whole or in part) should be considered forward-looking information. Such information may involve, but is not limited to, comments with respect to strategies, expectations, planned operations and future actions of the Company. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" (or other variations of the forgoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and operating plans, strategies or beliefs as of the date of this news release, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Astro to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors may be based on information currently available to Astro, including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources, and are based on management's current expectations or beliefs regarding future growth, results of operations, future capital (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof) and expenditures. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Filing Statement any information released or received with respect to the reverse take-over may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. The British Columbia Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press 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 jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Salt Lake City, UT, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evernym announced today a new collaboration with fellow blockchain identity experts, China-headquartered Ontology and the US-headquartered Sovrin Foundation. This new partnership will work together to conceive and ensure international standards and interoperability across the globe when it comes to decentralized digital identity. In todays online world, we do not own our digital identity. We borrow this identity from different organizations, provided we adhere to specific conditions. In other words, compromises. In exchange, our behaviors are tracked and regularly sold to advertisers. Sensitive and personal information is stored in large data silos, creating treasure chests which are attractive to malicious attackers. The result is a system of broken trust for consumers and fraud-related expenses, topping $4 trillion each year for organizations. By bringing blockchain-based digital identity solutions to market, every person, organization and connected device on the planet stand to personally benefit. The Sovrin Network is a blockchain ledger built for the sole purpose of enabling a new global public utility called Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI). Evernym designed and developed the initial code for the Sovrin Network before donating it to the nonprofit Sovrin Foundation. Evernym builds decentralized digital identity solutions for real world business, consumer and humanitarian use cases. Ontology, a high-performance public blockchain project and a distributed trust collaboration platform, is seen by Evernym as a strategic partner and a true expert in the effort to establish global standards, such as interoperability. The real problem in cyberspace is that we dont actually have an identity. At best, one is lent to us, but there is almost always someone in between and in control. In real life, we carry identity credentials that work everywhere and were working with Ontology and the Sovrin Foundation to make the same thing possible in cyberspace, said Timothy Ruff, Evernym CEO. Evernym will work with Ontology and the Sovrin Foundation to coordinate development around the use of decentralized identifiers (DIDs) for Verifiable Credentials (VCs), as well as Zero Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs). Evernym and the Sovrin Foundation are contributing to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) in the creation of this new type of internet-wide digital identity standard. Today the Sovrin Network uses DIDs for both secure, off-ledger network connections as well as anchoring identity to the public ledger. Speaking to the partnership, Daniel Wen, Director of Business Development of Ontology, said, After meeting with the Sovrin and Evernym teams, we realized we have the same vision of developing DIDs and bringing trust to the internet. Our collaboration will ensure the highest standards of self-sovereign identity and we are excited to work together as a leading consortium in the industry. Sovrin CTO Nathan George added: Digital identity is a global problem that requires a global, interoperable solution. The Sovrin Foundation is delighted to be collaborating with Evernym and Ontology on the development of the open-source Hyperledger Indy codebase. This mutually beneficial effort will help drive the development of self-sovereign identity forward and ultimately supports Sovrins mission of creating a system for identity for all. ### About Self Sovereign Identity (SSI) Self-sovereign identity enables people, organizations and things to securely and privately store and control their own identity data, and to connect directly with other people, organizations and things. About Evernym Founded in 2013, Evernym develops software solutions that leverage cryptography and blockchain technology to establish trust in the interaction of people, organizations and things. Learn more about Evernym and its self-sovereign identity solutions at evernym.com. About Ontology Ontology is a new, high-performance public multi-chain project and a distributed trust collaboration platform. Ontology provides common modules on the underlying infrastructure for different kinds of distributed scenarios, such as those for the distributed digital identity framework, distributed data exchange protocol, and so on. Ontology is committed to building an open-source and collaborative distributed trust ecosystem and will continue to develop new common modules. For more visit Ont.io. About the Sovrin Foundation The Sovrin Foundation is a nonprofit organization established to administer the Trust Framework governing the Sovrin Network, a public service utility, enabling self-sovereign identity on the internet. The Sovrin Network is operated by independent Stewards and uses the power of a distributed ledger for giving every person, organization and thing the ability to own and control their own permanent digital identity. For more visit Sovrin.org. Phoenix, AZ, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arizona Science Center continues to bring its mission to engage and inspire individuals through STEM to a national scale. Earlier this month, it officially received a $750,000 award from NASA to launch a new three-year project, The Moon and Beyond: An Immersive Game for STEM Learning in Museums and Planetariums, that will help advance the nations STEM education and workforce pipeline. The project, which will reach science centers and museums across the country over the next several years, will engage individuals in authentic science learning experiences related to human exploration beyond our low-earth orbitand help build their 21st century skill-set. We are incredibly excited to partner with NASA to launch a national project that can inspire and engage visitors of all ages in the wonders of space exploration, said Chevy Humphrey, Hazel A. Hare President and CEO of Arizona Science Center. Through this initiative, we are eager to chart the next frontier of informal science learning and lead a collective of museums and science centers in the effort to spark increased engagement in STEM. This work directly supports the Presidential Committee on STEM Educations strategic directions to not only increase and sustain youth and public engagement with STEMbut also to support groups that are historically underrepresented in these fields. Moon and Beyond will primarily serve families with children from fourth to eighth grade, the years when interest in STEM traditionally drops off, and place a particular focus on engaging those underserved groups. Over the course of the initiative, Arizona Science Center will partner with Arizona State University and members of the National Informal STEM Education Network, including the Boston-based Museum of Science and Science Museum of Minnesota, to expand the reach of the project across the United States. The organizations will work together to develop strategies that encourage local collaborations, which can help promote increased, community-wide engagement in STEM. Through Moon and Beyond, Arizona Science Center will also equip informal educators and museum volunteers with the tools to develop and lead these high-quality science learning experiences, building the capacity of STEM education initiatives across the country. This project serves as an important step in positioning our nations future STEM workforce for success, said Sethuraman Panchanathan, Executive Vice President of ASU Knowledge Enterprise and Chief Research and Innovation Officer at Arizona State University. We are proud of our partnership with Arizona Science Center and look forward to increasing access to engaging, hands-on STEM learning experiences here in Arizona and across the country. Arizona Science Center will work directly with program staff at NASA over the next three years to evaluate the projects impactand determine how it supports a broader goal to enhance the nations STEM education and workforce pipeline. #### About Arizona Science Center The mission of Arizona Science Center is to inspire, educate and engage curious minds through science. The Center, located at 600 E. Washington Street in downtown Phoenix, features more than 300 hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, the state-of-the-art Dorrance Planetarium and the five-story Irene P. Flinn Giant Screen Theater. CREATE at Arizona Science Center, adjacent to the main building, is the newest addition. This 6,500 square-foot community makerspace provides workshops, including 3D printing, laser cutting, woodworking and sewing. The Center offers programs for all ages, including Camp Innovation, Teen Science Scene, Professional Development and Learning for Educators, and adults night out: Science with a Twist. For further details, please visit azscience.org Mon, 11/15 (9am ET): How to Pace yourself during the GMAT Test? | Timing and Pacing Strategies from GMAT Expert Using modern radio-carbon techniques, fossils unearthed from the ruins of the Mohenjodaro-Harappa civilization can be accurately dated with near zero chances of error. A. Using modern radio-carbon techniques, fossils unearthed from the ruins of the Mohenjodaro-Harappa civilization can be accurately dated with near zero chances of error.B. Fossils unearthed from the ruins of the Mohenjodaro-Harappa civilization can be accurately dated, using modern radio-carbon techniques with near zero chances of error.C. Dating fossils unearthed from the ruins of Mohenjodaro-Harappa civilization accurately, scientists can use modern radio-carbon techniques.D. Using modern radio-carbon techniques, fossils unearthed from the ruins of Mohenjodaro-Harappa civilization can be accurately dated by a scientist with near zero chances of error.E. Using modern radio-carbon technique, scientists can date fossils unearthed from the ruins of Mohenjodaro-Harappa civilization accurately with near zero chances of error.What do you think about this question? Is it really sub 600 level?Thanks!_________________ warriorsquared wrote: I was down to B vs. C, but C seemed pretty obvious. The previous posts didn't quite bring this out, so I am adding my explanation. B - Polygraph tests should not be used by employers in the consideration of job applicants. This one is tempting, but you MUST keep in mind what the passage is talking about. Is it polygraph tests resuts? NO! It is inconclusive polygraph tests results. I myself miss questions in strengthen/weaken when I lose sight of small details in the conclusion (polygraphs vs. inconclusive polygraphs). It's easy to miss that distinction, which is why you're being tested on it. For this question, Catching that distinction is the key for eliminating B. What if the polygraph tests are conclusive, and say that the applicant sucks or that he's telling the truth? The passage offers no thoughts on that. The author's focus is only on inconclusive tests C - An inconclusive polygraph test result is sometimes unfairly held against the examinee. C is tricky - it involves bringing in a very small assumption (the assumption being that inconclusive polygraph tests are unfair). Since inference questions are supposed to stick extremely close to the text, I get nervous when I require assumptions on inference questions. Still, this is a small assumption, and everything looked right, and I was down to B vs. C. I felt like the unfairness aspect is a small leap given the author's tone in the passage. I felt like this leap is much smaller than the leap of riding off an entire polygraph test. FYI - the author's tone is indicated by phrases like "this is no reflection on the examinee", and "nevertheless". So, I chose C. Hope that makes sense. Hi,Your explanation for option B is awesome.However, in option C, either you haven't stated what you want to state or you are slightly mistaken. We don't need the assumption "Inconclusive polygraph tests are unfair". The only thing we can say within the context is that we need to assume "The current use of inconclusive polygraph tests is sometimes unfair". However, this assumption, if I expand the meaning of current use, is close to no-assumption.Currently, sometimes people whom we don't know anything about (since inconclusive polygraph tests don't tells us anything) are denied job just because the test failed to tell anything about them. Now, isn't this unfair, in common sense? Are you fair to that person by denying him the job even though you don't know anything about the person?So, the only assumption you need in option C is "Denying a person job without knowing anything about the person is unfair". Now, one may choose to call it assumption or one use of the word "unfair".AEL Horizon caught up with eight experts in Reykjavik, Iceland, at the 6th edition of the Arctic Circle assembly, held between 19 and 21 October. The event brought together scientists, government officials, activists, business people, indigenous leaders and students to discuss a range of Arctic issues from climate change to sustainable development to security. We asked them what, in their views, are the most important challenges we face. 1. People who live in the Arctic risk losing their voice if we dont cooperate internationally - Dr Kirsi Latola, University of the Arctic, European Polar Board and University of Oulu, Finland What worries me a lot are how (people in the Arctic will) get on with their everyday lives, when all these new pressures come from all around the world. Its about climate change and globalisation. Very often the smaller voice gets pushed (down) under these bigger (economic) interests. The research (priorities) therefore have to come from people in the Arctic. There has to be a link to the real needs and problems that people face in the Arctic and they need to get their voice heard. What is essential is the co-production of knowledge, which means that researchers first meet communities, build trust, get to know them and they tell you what you should study. This is not happening as it should although (the issue) is more on the table. I think that (improving international scientific cooperation) is (also) the key to everything. By pooling resources and expertise you can gain much more (such as sharing data and minimising scientists footprint in remote communities). Dr Latola was involved in the EU-PolarNet white papers, which sought nearly 600 responses from people in the Arctic about their needs to shape research priorities. 2. Climate change is not gradual significant changes can happen in just decades - Prof. Marit-Solveig Seidenkrantz, Aarhus University, Denmark What I worry most about is probably (Arctic) sea ice, as it has a major impact on the global heat distribution and ocean circulation. We dont really know what the long-term factors are. As a geologist, I would say its very important to know what happened in the past to know whether the present changes are unprecedented. They likely are, but unfortunately, we still have very little information on sea ice in the past. Temperature has generally been the focus, but it is more and more clear that other aspects of the climate system are just as important, or more so. Another thing that I think is very important in climate (studies) is precipitation, as it impacts the lives of many people. When it comes to Arctic and global climate tipping points, I think its become more and more clear to us that climate change is not actually gradual. Sometimes it seems gradual but, in most cases, the system reaches a point during the shift in climate where it moves from one state to another state fairly quickly. The geological records show that this change can happen within decades. And that is certainly scary, because it means that it is something that in principle can happen in our lifetimes. 3. Unlike CO2, we have no sinks for methane emissions - Dr Lise Lotte Srensen, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Denmark I measure the release or the uptake of greenhouse gases over natural surfaces in the Arctic. And methane emissions are a really important (issue) because methane is a stronger greenhouse gas than CO2. I think this is (an overlooked issue) as compared to CO2. Methane acts exactly in the same way as CO2. It captures, or you can say, absorbs, shortwave radiation which comes from solar radiation and releases it again as heat long wave radiation. And that's what CO2 does. Methane is just a stronger release of heat. As the soils in the high Arctic are heating up and the permafrost is disappearing, methane is being released. Its possible to create sinks for CO2 (natural environments that can absorb the gas), but for methane, the sink is OH (hydroxyl) radicals in the atmosphere which is not something we create well, we create it by polluting. Trees, water, take up CO2, but they dont take up methane. We dont have any methane sinks, so you have to turn it into something else, such as CO2. 4. There are high rates of suicide among local populations - Dr Pelle Tejsner, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Denmark I keep returning to the same place, Qeqertarsuaq, on Disko Island in Greenland and Ive done that for ten years. My fieldwork, my PhD, was on how local hunters and fishermen (Greenlandic Inuit) adapt to disappearing ice because they rely on ice a lot in the wintertime to go hunting for seals, whales, and subsistence. Ten, 20 years ago, a good ice season lasted maybe three or four months. Now, in the bad years, its one or two weeks or just days. A tragic development in Qeqertarsuaq (and other Arctic communities) is the high rates of suicide. It's an overlooked area. I am still working on an explanation, but we can tell from talking to people that young men (in particular) and women are trapped between the old hunting way of life and the very rapid transitions that have taken place. We are losing a big part of the next generation to this phenomenon. If you want to do research in the Arctic, when you formulate a research project I think its important to contact local communities and to get them involved from the beginning. Its still two parallel worlds in a way theres the science being done in the Arctic and then theres the reality of living in the Arctic. The two of them need to of find ways of linking up much more appropriately in the future. 5. Indigenous activities are constrained by ill-thought-out regulations - Dr Stanislav Ksenofontov,International Arctic Science Committee (In my PhD) I looked at the social-ecological systems in Arctic Yakutia in northeast Siberia, the biggest region in Russia. This region has a lot of indigenous communities such as the Evenk, Eveny, and Sakha. What I was doing is (looking at) how these communities are affected by climate change and by social-political transformations during and after the Soviet regime. Indigenous communities are resilient and adaptive thanks to indigenous knowledge. They always consume sustainably. They know when the fish spawn or the reindeer and fish migrate. But they are (now) constrained by regulations on fishing or hunting which were introduced without considering (local) knowledge. Since they are highly dependent on natural resources, food security is challenged, traditional practices are affected. I think the most important issue in Arctic science, and in general, is considering indigenous knowledge in decision-making (processes) and integrating it into science. Scientific records might differ from the indigenous knowledge, and it is very important to include it. It should be considered as credible. 6. We dont know enough about how different climate change elements interact - Dr Simon Walmsley, World Wildlife Fund In terms of the science, one of the issues that I think a lot about is the synergistic effects, the cumulative impacts. For instance, if you have rising temperatures how does that impact with acidification? I dont think we know yet. This could affect things a whole lot more. I often think that the urgencys there on climate change but theres more that we dont know about. Therefore we should deal with all these things on a much more precautionary level, which governments arent doing yet. If you look at the nationally derived contributions under Paris (the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change), even if theyre met, wed still fall short of the 1.5C scenario (for limiting global warming) which for the Arctic is essential because it means different levels of temperature, higher temperature. I think we have to just realise that were now adapting for a changing Arctic, but not let go of the climate debate and whats happening elsewhere, because, you know, what happens in the Arctic impacts what happens to the rest of the world. I think this is the continuing message and the point is to wake up to that. Sea-level rise, effects on climate, temperature, its all kind of Polar-Arctic based. Clockwise from top left: Dr Kirsi Latola, Prof. Marit-Solveig Seidenkrantz, Dr Lise Lotte Srensen and Dr Pelle Tejsner. Image credit - Annette Ekin 7. Were entering an era where its difficult to predict consequences - Ingibjorg Jonsdottir, University of Iceland Ive been looking at farmers diaries, historical records from people going into the Arctic a few hundred years ago and data from the meteorological institutes, established in the mid-19th century. Then in the last 40 years there has been very good satellite coverage of the Arctic. It's very important to have the different data sources overlap for comparison so that you can be pretty sure that what you're looking at is a real change rather than just more accurate observations with time. And by looking at the sea ice history its becoming quite clear that the sea ice extent has been dramatically decreasing. One of the reasons why sea ice is so important is because it has been covering such a huge area and it changes the radiation budget. So it's a kind of downward spiral once it disappears because then instead of having the white surface that is reflecting most of the suns energy, it gets absorbed in the ocean and enhances warming. Were seeing changes in the last few years that we haven't seen before changes in fisheries, weather and climate, livelihoods, not just in Iceland but in different places. Its also this concern that we are going into an era (where) were having a very hard time predicting what the real consequences will be. 8. Climate action isnt moving quickly enough - Marianne Kroglund, Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme, Arctic Council The changes that we see in the Arctic have global implications. The longer we delay mitigation actions, the higher risk we will see for humans, natural and managed ecosystems. What I think will be very important now is to start looking into the solution space and realise that there are available actions that will lower future risks. But we need to get to know them and to get familiar with the various solutions so that we dare take the necessary steps in that direction. I think the push needs to come from governments. Making that transition into a low-emission and a climate-resilient economy is challenging. And I really think we need to accept that there will be losers among the more energy intensive economies or industries. The temperature change in the Arctic is predicted to be four to five degrees warmer toward 2050. That is irrespective of emission pathway because there's so much heat and energy stored in the system. So the effect of emission cuts today, we can only see that after 2050. In the short term, we therefore need to adapt because this will have huge implications for people, resources and ecosystems. As told to Annette Ekin. If you liked this article, please consider sharing it on social media. As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ The Iranian regime is known for using disinformation campaigns and it is how it tries to change public perception about the Iranian regime and the Iranian Resistance. Jawad Zarif, the Iranian foreign minister, one month ago, asked the CEO of Twitter to close the account of the Mojahedin in Albania. A few weeks later, Twitter announced that 1.1 million tweets had been sent out by the clerical regime in a case of coordinated abuse. The committee also revealed that Channel 4 in the United Kingdom had modified a report from the police in Albania with regards to the Mojahedin residing there. Its report indicated that the security forces in Albania are concerned about the PMOI and claim that it is trying to build a government within the government. Channel 4 spoke with a former head of the Albanian Intelligence Agency who said that the PMOI is an organisation that is very strict that will kill any members that violate their own laws. Ylli Zyla has links to an Albanian citizen that has been to Iran on a number of occasions at the invitation of the Iranian regimes embassy in Tirana. The Iranian regime is clearly trying to portray the Mojahedin as malign and wants to detract from the regimes foiled plot that was revealed by the Prime Minister of Albania after which regime agents were arrested. Channel 4 showed a report that it said was from the Albania police. Channel 4 added a letterhead and manipulated the header. Furthermore, the NCRI said; Regarding the content of the report, a police official said that police reports never used terms such as Islamic Marxist, and thus it is a trick to deceive public opinion against the Mojahedin, as the lies contained in it are not the position of the government and the police of Albania. The NCRI was able to conclude that the police report is completely out of line with standard Albanian police reports and is fake. The NCRI also mentioned the case of Gholam Hossein Mohammadnia who was appointed to the Iranian regimes embassy in the Albania capital at the time of the Mojahedins transfer from Camp Liberty / Ashraf. He is a veteran intelligence office of the Iranian regime. The NCRI said: The plot to bomb the Iranians large gathering in Villepinte on June 30 this year (2018) clearly showed that the diplomats of the clerical regime were the religious Gestapo murderers who were heavily involved in terrorist acts against the Iranian resistance. At the same time as the Iranian regimes diplomat was extradited from Germany to Belgium, who is being prosecuted for participation and providing explosives for bombing, the French government announced that the Iranian Intelligence ministry had issued the order. It has called for the trial and punishment, or at least expulsion, of regime intelligence agents from Albania. Ask a Reporter is an occasional series about civic engagement in and around the city. Do you have a question about how you can make a difference in your neighborhood, city or state? What about voting, the elections or navigating civic life in New York? Ask us! We want to help you get involved by answering your questions. Q: What do Community Boards do? A: Community boards share the local point of view on new proposals and policies with city officials. Thats really their most important role in civic life. Jeremy Laufer, District Manager of Brooklyn Community Board 7 in Sunset Park and Windsor Terrace put it this way: Community Boards can amplify the voice of a community. One city-wide policy solution doesnt always work for every neighborhood, and community boards ensure that the local experiences of their constituents are a factor in the decision-making process. Theres no better way to learn what community boards do than to attend a meeting. So I attended the latest meeting of Bronx Community Board 6, which encompasses Bathgate, Belmont, East Tremont and West Farms. It ran about three hours. Board members, public servants and their constituents - about 65 people in total - sat under the flourescent lights of the Saint Barnabas Hospital auditorium amid the rustling of pamphlets and handouts promoting community events ranging from a celebration of Italian-American heritage to screenings for lead poisoning. Board members heard comments from the community, civic leaders and local government employees. The resounding message was this: Whatever issues you have, we are here to help. Community Board meetings can be long and dense, but are often illuminating for constituents. Theyre an opportunity to learn how the patchwork of government offices, bureaucratic agencies and essential service providers in the community operate in concert with one another. Its a good way to find out what theyre doing to serve you and your neighbors. Community boards are the most local form of government, said John Sanchez, the boards full-time District Manager. He added that most New Yorkers probably dont know what community boards do. I didnt know about community boards until I was in college, Sanchez said. His awakening came in a class at New York University called The Politics of New York taught by longtime local newsman, Errol Louis. So what do community boards do? Sanchez, who has held his position for two years, says the function of a community board is threefold. We weigh in on land use decisions, help constituents with their concerns and plan community events. The Mayors Community Affairs Unit breaks down the duties of community boards this way: Dealing with land use and zoning issues. Community boards have an important advisory role and must be consulted on the placement of most municipal facilities in the community. Applications for a change in or variance from the zoning resolution must come before the board for review, and the board's position is considered in the final determination. Assessing the needs of their own neighborhoods. Community boards assess the needs of their community members and meet with City agencies to make recommendations in the City's budget process. Addressing other community concerns. Any issue that affects part or all of a community, from a traffic problem to deteriorating housing, is a proper concern of community boards. Community boards are not powerful, said Jeremy Laufer, who has been the district manager of his board for 18 years. We can make recommendations, but none of it is set in stone. We are advisory only. Let me say that again: we are advisory only, said Terri Cude, Chairperson of Manhattan Community Board 2, which covers a large part of Lower Manhattan. The boards are made up of a maximum of 50 volunteers, who are appointed by the Borough President and the City Council members representing the district. Anyone 16 and older can seek an appointment to a community board where they live, work or have a significant interest (thats right, you dont actually have to live in the community) by picking up an application at that boards office. District managers and community associates are paid staff of the community board. They plan meetings and organize constituent outreach efforts like block parties, toy giveaways and park cleanups. Aside from making recommendations on applications for land use re-zoning, boards also weigh in on the the approval of liquor licenses. Still, the bulk of what community boards choose to do is largely up to them, which is to say, its largely up to the members of the community who show up to the their meetings. Some boards are more active than others, Laufer said. It depends on how much additional work the board members want to do. Sanchez, Laufer and Cude all serve on very active Community Boards. Boards across the city have offered college scholarships, commissioned studies on early childhood education and secured more social services for the elderly, among other things. Funding for these projects comes from budget requests to city agencies or other relevant public entities. The whole idea is community board, Cude said. Our recommendations are always based on public input. Sanchez said participation from the community is critically important. All of our meetings are open to the public, whether youre a board member or not. He also said that service on a board, or even just attending a meeting or two, is a good way to get started in local politics. As it stands, there are no term limits for serving on a community board. Our oldest community member, Doris, is almost 90, she has 50 years of service and nothing gets past her. She is a land use maven, Cude said. But longtime service on community boards might soon be a thing of the past. Next months election will see a ballot measure that, if approved, would limit board members tenure to four consecutive two-year terms. Four of five borough presidents have said that term limits would make community boards weaker, specifically in matters relating to rezoning, the New York Daily News reported. In a letter to the Mayors Charter Review Commission, the borough presidentsDemocrats Gale Brewer of Manhattan, Ruben Diaz Jr. of the Bronx and Melinda Katz of Queens, and Republican James Oddo of Staten Islandwarned that term limits would force a mandatory brain drain on our community boards that could only weaken their ability to serve as advocates for neighborhood concerns in the development process. The measure would also require borough presidents to make more diverse appointments to community boards. Loading... The report entitled Iran Doubles Down on Terror and Turmoil provides insight into how the Iranian regime moves terrorists across the region and into Europe and the positions they put the operatives into abroad. The Iranian regime has agents all over Europe and the Middle East, including in Iraq, Albania and Austria, and its foreign embassies are often where terrorist operations are planned and coordinated. The Iranian regime is also known to put diplomats into embassies across the world so that it can keep an eye on the opposition groups in the host country. They are also there to meddle in the political affairs of the country. The NCRIs report states: The mullahs regime has funnelled billions of dollars to finance its belligerent war agenda in the Middle East while the majority of Irans people are living in poverty. As the regimes officials have conceded, if the regime fails to inflame wars outside Irans borders, it would have to fight for survival within Irans borders. This is because external conflicts draw attention away from domestic crises. The report also draws attention to the widespread corruption in Iran that is evident at all levels of leadership. It explains that militiamen are paid to wage war on Irans behalf and it gives details about its malign acts across the region. The notorious Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Quds Force branch control tens of thousands of troops in Syria alone where Iran has been interfering since the beginning of the civil war. Iran has been fuelling the conflict in Syria and has been responsible for a large number of civilian deaths. Earlier this year, it was reported that an Iranian intelligence officer was behind a foiled terrorist plot in Europe. Assadolah Assadi, a high-ranking diplomat in the Iranian embassy in Vienna, is a member of Irans Ministry of Intelligence (MOIS). He recruited a Belgian couple of Iranian descent and provided them with explosives and a detonator. He instructed them to detonate the device in Paris when the Iranian oppositions Free Iran gathering was taking place. It is now thought that foreign governments are taking the threat seriously and that measures are being put in place to combat Irans espionage network. Furthermore, officials in the United States, the Middle East and Europe have reason to believe that Iran is putting contingency plans into place so that it can strike enemies in the case of conflict. Iran is the number one state sponsor of terrorism and thanks to the NCRI we are now becoming more and more aware of how it is able to operate abroad. The Iranian regime puts its own corrupt people in high places abroad, using official positions to carry out terrorist operations. A Bronx bodega owner will reportedly not be charged for killing a man during what police say was an attempted robbery. Daniel Meeks, 32, was not armed when he allegedly got into a fight with Chen on Sunday night at Chen's store, J Market, in the Soundview section of the Bronx. Police say that Meeks "demanded money and tried to jump over the counter." Chen used a .357 Magnum revolver, which he apparently had a license for, and shot Meeks in the head. He then called the police. Meeks was taken to Jacobi Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Post detailed his criminal history, which included an arrest last week for petit larceny. According to Times, Meeks's mother said "that her son had been dealing with bipolar disorder since he was 13." Chen, 43, only told the NY Times, "I am very tired. I dont want to talk about it." Residents were split on whether the shooting was justified. One told CBS 2, "Its bad enough we live a cruel world, theres no need to be shooting people," while another supported the bodega owner, "I tip my cap to him. He did what he had to do. He was protecting his business. And if he had family working in there with him, then yes, he was protecting his family." Another resident, Miguel Rosario, who shops at the J Market, told the Post, "I feel bad for the owners... They are just very hard-working people. They also own the Chinese restaurant on this block... [Chen] does a lot for the neighborhood. Hes really into the community board." From now until Election Day, The Brian Lehrer Show is hosting a series called 30 Issues in 30 Days. The idea is to dive deep on one issue a day to give voters a sense of what candidates are saying about the policies that affect their lives. This week the series is looking at how Democrats would try to change policy if they won Congress. Todays issue: Ethics Reform. By and large, the Democrats' campaign strategy leading up to the midterms has been about focusing on kitchen table issues, namely health care, and ignoring the GOP pachyderm stomping around the room. You cannot just run against Donald Trump, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a February speech in Kentucky, a warning and a direct rebuke of Hillary Clinton, who did not ignore the elephant but threw salty peanuts at it in the form of name-callinga tactic that led to predictable (but largely unpredicted) results. The lesson: stay away from Trumps personal flaws, stay on policy. But what about when Trump, just being Trump, is the policy? Trumps refusal to release his tax returns, refusal to divest from his businesses, and brazen nepotism has shattered ethics norms that most previous presidents dutifully followed. With those realities, the Democrats have allowed themselves to get a little personal with their formal ethics reform proposal, which takes aim at the president, and which they plan to introduce if they take Congress. How exactly has Trump changed ethics norms? Forty years ago this very week, in response to the Watergate scandal, Congress passed the Ethics in Government Act, which created the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) and a new mechanism for regulating ethics in the executive branch. According to Walter Shaub, former director of the Office of Government Ethics (he resigned in 2017 out of protest against Trump), "The program worked pretty well for the better part of forty years," and enjoyed bipartisan support. "OGE always had a soft powerit had the White House backing it and it had the threat of going public." The threat of public disclosure was often enough to keep presidents in line, and follow the office's directives. But with the advent of Trump, that model changed. "The Trump administration pretty much declared war on [OGE], and going public produced no effect because the president's supporters were going to support him no matter what he did." And that change has had real consequences. According to Shaub, People are underestimating the extent to which conflicts of interest may be fueling policy decisions. They dont realize how dangerous that really is. The very latest example: the presidents reaction to the killing of journalist Jamal Ahmad Khashoggi We have a prime example of the president going soft on a murderous regime that tortured and killed a Virginia resident who worked for one of the nation's top newspapers. We have to wonder whether that approach was influenced by a conflict of interest, because The Saudi Government is spending a great deal of money on Trumps hotels. Why does this matter in November? If Democrats take the House, ethics reform is top of mind for many candidates, even more than health care. Think of Trumps conflicts of interest as a pre-existing condition. If the public gives Democrats control of Congress in the upcoming midterm elections, our first order of business will be to address the serious ethical lapses in our political system and pass a comprehensive suite of anti-corruption reforms that make elected officials behave in Washington, said Congressman John Sarbanes, who chairs the Democracy Reform Task Force, to WNYC. Among those policies would be legally requiring presidential candidates to release their tax returns, and expanding the power of the Office of Government Ethics. The legislation would also tighten lobbying laws, bribery laws, and mandate that former lobbyists cant become Cabinet officials in agencies that have purview over industries that previously employed them. Walter Shaub, who is now the Senior Advisor at the watchdog group CREW, has his own proposals for ethics reform which go further. But whatever the reforms may be, he warns they will only work if Congress starts taking its job seriously. Congress has wholly abdicated its responsibility to conduct oversight over the executive branch, and has gone to the lengths of covering for him by attacking investigators. You can have laws on the books but they're nothing but words on the page if you don't have the political will to enforce them. For more on Ethics Reform, listen to Brian Lehrer's segment right here: Loading... - AlDub fans got to see their idols once more in the recently concluded AlDub Nation Homecoming - The fans got to spend some precious and memorable times with Maine and Alden - It was truly an event worth treasuring PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see When you love something, you wish that it would be like that forever. Like when Rivermaya still had Bamboo or when NKOTB were still together, the thought of them leaving is heartbreaking for the fans. When serious and loyal AlDub fans start noticing that their favorite love team is starting to receive separate projects, just like a scene in the Parent Trap, they just had to do something about it. PAY ATTENTION: Using free basics app to access internet for free? Now you can read And they did just that. At a recent AlDub Nation (ADN) Homecoming held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay, AlDub fans got to see their favorite Kapuso stars together again. The event, though, did not just allow fans to meet their idols, but to connect with fellow AlDub fans, POPULAR: Read more news about Maine Mendoza! Read more Both Maine and Alden were so touched at what their beloved ADN did and they made sure that the entire time they were all together was time well spent. Of course, the netizens had nothing to say but good things about the reunion. Aldub is a history in local showbiz gatherings Pinakilig ang buong Pilipinas at buong mundo. Aldub forever AlDub first came to be thanks to the creative team behind Juan for All, All for Juan, a segment in Eat Bulaga. Because of AlDubs fame and the format of the show, a genre called Kalyeserye was formed. Due to AlDubs wholesome demeanor, it gathered so much buzz that big brands like Coke and McDonalds got them as endorsers. In a previous report by , AlDub conquers Italy. Kpop in public: Today we will try to repeat the dance moves of MOMOLAND girls from their famous music video "BAAM". But, of course, we will do it in very unusual places like a subway, a market, and right on the streets of the Philippines. This prank will make your day! link - on Source: Kami.com.ph - Shamcey Supsup just posted a video of her walking in a mall while discreetly breatfeeding her baby girl - The 32-year old former Binibining Pilipinas winner received supportive comments and praise for what she did - Even with two babies, she is still as radiant as ever PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see Shamcey Supsup resurfaced because of a video circulating online of her walking in the mall while what seems to be her discreetly nursing her baby. What made this post particularly interesting is how she seems to have mastered the act. Walking around with baby in tow. If you werent paying attention, you wouldnt have noticed that she was actually breastfeeding. PAY ATTENTION: Using free basics app to access internet for free? Now you can read What added to the cuteness of the whole situation was the reaction of the netizens giving her praise for pulling it off so smoothly and we have to agree. No sight of struggle anywhere. Its just as if she was walking around wearing a poncho. Pasimple lang si mommy @supsupshamcey oh pero May tinago as loob si baby girl Naexperience ko yung ganyan.. Pero para kay baby gagawin natin lahat.. Hahaha. Ganyang ganyan din ako dati. Pero nung mas lumaki at bumigat na si bunso, di ko na keri. Hahahah These are the kind of posts and comments that could brighten up anyones day. Did it brighten up your day? Leave a comment below. It sure brighten up our day. Shamcey Supsup was the Philippines bet for Miss Universe in 2011. She was 3rd runner up in said pageant. She is married to Lloyd Lee and the couple got married in 2013. In a previous report by , Shamcey Supsup shared plans on how to raise her second baby. Kpop in public: Today we will try to repeat the dance moves of MOMOLAND girls from their famous music video "BAAM". But, of course, we will do it in very unusual places like a subway, a market, and right on the streets of the Philippines. This prank will make your day! - on Source: Kami.com.ph - Kapamilya celebrity Ria Atayde released some words about being in a dating status - A lot of netizens claimed that the post of Ria was about Maine Mendoza and Arjo Atayde - Recently, the two celebrities were spotted hanging out with each other PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Kapamilya actress Ria Atayde recently posted few words on her Twitter account that netizens described as a hint to the real status between her brother Arjo Atayde and Kapuso star Maine Mendoza. KAMI learned that Arjo and Maine are currently the subjects of public interest as some dating photos of them circulated online. Without mentioning any name, Ria expressed that people have the right to date anyone only if they are not presently in a relationship. She also explained that a person must be happy and supportive if he or she sees people who are currently on the dating stage. At the end of her post, the actress cleared that the words she said on social media are just her mere opinion. If a guy and girl are both single, they should be able to date whoever they want, she wrote. And a genuine sign of support is if you let them, if you accept it and if you become happy for them even if they dont go for the person youre rooting for. Just my two cents, she added. Because of Rias tweet, netizens could not help but react to the words of the Kapamilya celebrity and even mentioned the rights of Maine and Arjo to date each other. Some social media users also showed their support to Yaya Dub by saying that it is the right time for her to find someone who will love her to the fullest. Here are some of the netizens comments: Exactly! They are both single, they are both adults who can decide for themselves, wala silang inaagrabyado o inaapakang tao, wala silang ginagawang masama. They can freely go out & date. Matagal kong pinangarap to para kay maine... Yung may tao na kaya syang ipaglaban at ipagtanggol, yung hnd hahayaan na bastusin lang sya at titingnan lang na durugin sya. PAY ATTENTION: Using free basics app to access internet for free? Now you can read KAMI news there too. Use the search option to find us. Read KAMI news while saving your data! I love Menggay so kung saan sya masaya ay suportahan nalang. And if ever man,si Arjo ang pinaka ok sa nali-link sa kanya now kasi mukhang mabait at single din.Huwag nating diktahan si Menggay sa kung sino dapat i date nya. Personal and Private life na nya yun. Spread Love not War. Korek Single sila WALA SILANG PAKEALAM sa private life ni Maine at Happiness nya good kc nag enjoy sya six days a week work sya she deserves to hang out with friends. In a previous article by , actress Sheena Halili also released a brave statement about the leaked dating pictures of Arjo and Maine. Ria, Maria Sophia Ocampo Atayde in real life, was born on March 23, 1992. She is a Filipina TV personality who is also the daughter of veteran actress Sylvia Sanchez. She already starred in several films including The Hows of Us and Can We Still Be Friends? Many of you had asked us to shoot The Nun prank and we did it! So, today we are proud to present you an extraordinary lady, Scary Nun! In this episode, she is going to roam the streets of the Philippines and scare innocent people to death! (Laughs evilly) on HumanMeter! Source: Kami.com.ph On Tuesday, President Trump offered his endorsement, by way of Twitter, for Rep. John Faso, a freshman lawmaker representing a pivotal district in upstate New York. "Strong on Crime, Borders and our 2nd Amendment, John is respected by all," the president declared. "Vote for John." The endorsement comes a day after a Spectrum News/Siena College poll found that the race is essentially a toss-up, with Faso leading his Democratic opponent Antonio Delgado by just one point. Barnburner. Nail biter. Photo finish. Pick your phrase and buckle up because this race is going right down to the wire," said Sienna College pollster Steven Greenberg, noting that each candidate has overwhelming support from their own party, with independents essentially split down the middle. Congressman John Faso of New York has worked hard and smart. Strong on Crime, Borders and our 2nd Amendment, John is respected by all. Vote for John. He has my complete and total Endorsement! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 23, 2018 The sprawling districtlocated in the Hudson Valley and Catskills regionsvoted for Obama by 6 points in 2012, before decisively flipping for Trump in the last election. It is 84 percent white and notably older than a standard New York district, with a median household income hovering slightly above the national average. Immigration ranks as the top concern for Faso voters, according to a Monmouth poll released last month, despite the fact that less than 7 percent of the district's population was born outside the United States. Like Democrats across the country, Delgado voters say they are primarily concerned with health care. The challenger, a Harvard-educated attorney and former Rhodes Scholar, has made the issue a centerpiece of his campaign, repeatedly knocking Faso over his support for the failed GOP health care bill. On the whole, Faso has voted in line with President Trump's position nearly 90 percent of the time. Though Delgado has stopped short of endorsing single-payer, he's touted his support for a public-option allowing people under 65 to opt into Medicare, along with legislation to lower deductibles and premiums. "Were the only developed country in the world without some form of universal health care," he said during a debate last week, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. Delgado has also directed attention to a secret recording from last year that showed Faso pleading with fellow GOP lawmakers not to include a provision defunding Planned Parenthood in the bill because it was a "political minefield." Republicans ultimately kept the controversial amendment in the bill, and Faso voted for it anyway. While Faso was once considered a leading voice of moderate Republicans, observers say that he's embraced a Trump-style campaign of white racial resentment. Earlier this summer, Faso was widely accused of race-baiting, after he released a statement condemning Delgado's brief foray into rap music as "troubling and inconsistent with the views of the people of the 19th District and America." Campaign ads released by Faso's allies in the National Republican Congressional Committee were even less subtle. In one, present day photos of Delgado are interspersed with images from a music video he released in 2006, which took aim at poverty, the war in Iraq, and racism. Our own local tabloid has also seized on the image of Delgado as an urban delinquent, as has celebrated SUNY New Paltz professor Gerald Benjamin, who questioned whether someone who made rap music (not "real music") could accurately reflect the views of "people like us." As a strategy, thinly-veiled racism seems to be fairly effective in mobilizing an older, whiter electorate, experts say. "The ads play up this idea of the carpetbagger New York City liberalit's an old trope that works upstate," Gina Keel, an associate professor of political science at SUNY Oneonta, told Gothamist. The fact that Faso was born in Long Island and attended a private school in Queens, while Delgado actually grew up in the region, is not relevant, Keel noted, because "clearly the underlying thing is the issue of race." "When you have a district that's something like 85 percent white, they're trying to use that to divide people," she added. (Faso did not respond to repeated requests for comment; a spokesperson for the Delgado campaign said the campaign was only doing media located within the district). As for whether or not Trump's endorsement will give Faso much of a boost in next month's contest, both pollsters and political scientists say it's hard to know for certain. Most basically, the race will hinge on Democrats vastly improving turnout compared to the last midtermsan outcome that some feel confident about, following a "remarkable" jump in turnout in the primaries. Still, that's far from certain. "Everyone seems to believe that turnout is going to be higher this year than four years ago," noted Greenberg. "This is a district that in terms of enrollment is dead evenif you're anti-Trump, you'll be voting for Delgado. If you're pro, you'll be voting for Faso. Right now, it's a 50/50 coin toss." Loading... An explosive device was reportedly recovered at the Westchester County home of George Soros, the billionaire investor and favorite boogyman of far-right conspiracists in the White House and elsewhere. The New York Times reports that the explosive was found in Soros's mailbox outside his home in Katonah, a small hamlet of Bedford, about 50 miles north of New York City. The device was retrieved from the mailbox by a staffer, who informed the Bedford Police Department about the suspicious package at about 3:45 p.m. on Monday, according to authorities. Federal and state police then "proactively detonated" the bomb, and the FBI announced an investigation into the area surrounding the residence. On Tuesday, the Associated Press reported that a law enforcement official had confirmed that "the components were there for an explosive device" and it was "not a hoax device." Soros was reportedly not home when the package was discovered. While Soros has long been an exaggerated target for the right, the attacks against the 88-year-old Hungarian Holocaust survivor have seemed to intensify under a president who frequently engages and spreads Soros-linked conspiracy theories. During a campaign rally just last week, Trump riffed on a Florida Congressman's lie that Soros is bankrolling a caravan of migrants, telling a crowd in Montana, "A lot of money has been passing to people...It didn't just happen." Earlier this month, Trump smeared the sexual assault survivors who confronted Republican senators over their support for Brett Kavanaugh's nomination as "elevator screamers" who were "paid for by Soros." I believe Soros is backing all the protests financially.He I believe he likes sowing the seeds of hate and discontent. Jack Scotti (@JackScotti4) October 5, 2018 Elsewhere in the fever swamps, the conservative party's rank-and-file supporters have eagerly made the short jump to explicit anti-semitism and threats of violence, often echoing the language of Infowarsa White House-credentialed media outletwhich dubbed Soros a leader of the "Jewish mafia." Already, the conspiracy website is asking whether the explosive might be part of a "false flag" operation to blame "patriots" ahead of the midterms. If Trump don't stop the invasion#Invaders must go to the following address: pic.twitter.com/nmQYseWoiv nivese (@nivese) October 22, 2018 Thank You! Past time to clamp down on these Domestic Terrorists. Know they are active in W.Europe as well. Soros created & Obama organizes. pic.twitter.com/ub05iQGz0l LV Deplorable (@chillinginLV) July 12, 2018 Soros, a former hedge fund manager, has given at least $18 billion to democracy and human rights efforts worldwide, according to the Times. He has said that he is opposed to the "extreme left," and that the stated goal of his activism is a "return to bipartisanship." Despite this, plenty of mainstream Republicans have also seized on the specter of Soros. While campaigning in 2016, GOP Rep. John Faso, whose district lies just north of Bedford, blasted Zephyr Teachout's supposed "ties to billionaire leftist George Soros and his complex web of left wing interest groups." (Faso did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether he regrets the language.) "Language is powerful. As leaders with platforms, spreading mistruths with the goal of generating suspicion or hate towards individuals or groups is profoundly irresponsible," said Congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a tweet. "We must take up the mantle of establishing peace. That happens with the positive presence of justice." UPDATE: Federal investigators are describing the device as a pipe bomb, which they say was about six inches long and filled with explosive powder, according to the Times. Law enforcement officials believe the pipe bomb was not transported through the Post Office, and was likely hand-delivered to the mailbox. FBI agents are currently canvassing the area for surveillance cameras. They say that the would-be bomber's motivation is still unclear. Havis pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1). He had a lengthy criminal record. The district court concluded that his 20-year-old state conviction for selling or delivering cocaine was a controlled substance offense under the Guidelines and increased his base offense level. Havis objected, arguing that delivering cocaine does not qualify as a controlled substance offense and that it was unclear whether his state conviction was for delivery or sale. The district court rejected this argument, citing the Sixth Circuits prior holding that any violation of the Tennessee statute at issue is a controlled substance offense. The Sixth Circuit affirmed, applying the categorical approach: the court did not examine the facts of Haviss actual misconduct but relied on the elements of drug delivery under Tennessee law. The courts precedential interpretation of the Guideliness definition of controlled substance offense included attempts to commit the offense. The court acknowledged that the precedential opinions reliance on commentary to the Guidelines was problematic, but concluded that it was bound by precedent and rejected an argument that the Tennessee statute was overbroad. Tuesday, October 23, 2018 A complaint filed by the Illinois Administrator At all times alleged in this complaint, the Illinois Compiled Statutes, specifically Chapter 720, Sections 401(d) and 407(b)(2), respectively, prohibited the knowing delivery of a controlled substance that contained salts, isomers, salts of isomers, or an analog or derivative thereof of 3, 4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine, and additionally prohibited the delivery of such substances within 1,000 feet of a school. Violation of Chapter 720, Section 401(d) was a Class 2 felony, while violation of Section 407(b)(2) amounted to a Class 1 felony. 3, 4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine is a synthetic drug that acts as a stimulant and a hallucinogen, producing an energizing effect, distortions in time and perception and enhanced enjoyment from sensory experiences, while also increasing self-awareness and feelings of empathy. It is sometimes referred to as "MDMA," "X," "Ecstacy" or "Molly." On or before September 6, 2016, Respondent knowingly came into possession of capsules containing 3, 4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine that he determined to sell. In order to establish contact with potential purchasers of the drug, Respondent placed an advertisement on Craigslist that stated, "Anyone seen Molly or my friend X-Ray" [sic]. That advertisement was later seen by undercover officers of the Narcotics Division of the Chicago Police Department, who contacted Respondent and arranged to meet with him near the intersection of Rosemont and Lakewood in Chicago. On September 8, 2016, Respondent met with a Chicago Police Department undercover office, and delivered three capsules containing 3, 4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine to the officer in exchange for the payment of $75 in what, unbeknownst to Respondent, were marked bills of United States currency. After the capsules and currency exchanged hands, Respondent left the car in which the transaction took place, where he was arrested and the marked bills and capsules were confiscated and inventoried. The transaction described...above, took place within 1,000 feet of Northside Catholic Academy, which is located at 6216 North Glenwood in Chicago. The Cook County States Attorneys Office later indicted Respondent and charged him with delivery of a controlled substance. In 2018, following Respondents participation in a special veterans court diversion program, the States Attorneys Office nolle prossed the charges against Respondent, and the Hon. William Hooks dismissed the criminal case against him. (Mike Frisch) https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2018/10/a-complaint-filed-by-the-illinois-administrator-at-all-times-alleged-in-this-complaint-the-illinois-compiled-statutes-spec.html Tuesday, October 23, 2018 The Ohio Supreme Court has decided an unauthorized practice matter described by Dan Trevas A Columbus landlord and property manager engaged in the unauthorized practice of law while seeking to evict tenants and obtain money owed to trusts, businesses, and individuals, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled today. The Supreme Court accepted a consent decree between John Ross and the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA), which complained to the Board on the Unauthorized Practice of Law about Ross legal actions. In Ohio, non-attorneys cannot represent other property owners, or even the businesses they own, when evicting tenants or seeking unpaid rent and bills in court proceedings. In a per curiam opinion, the Court stated that Ross filed 171 complaints in courts, each constituting a separate occurrence of the unauthorized practice of law, between January 2013 and May 2015. He stopped the practice once he received a letter from the OSBA notifying him of the allegations. The Court fined Ross $2,500 and required that he take no action to collect any financial judgment he received. The opinion noted that Ross has not attempted to collect any of the money judgments. Chief Justice Maureen OConnor and Justices Terrence ODonnell, Judith L. French, Patrick F. Fischer, R. Patrick DeWine, and Mary DeGenaro joined the opinion. Justice Sharon L. Kennedy concurred in judgment. Property Manager Connected to Ownership Ross acted as a property manager on behalf of trusts and limited liability companies (LLCs), in which he had significant legal or financial interests. He also managed property in which he did not have a stake in the real estate. As the property manager, Ross stated that he thought he was acting within his legal rights by filing the eviction cases. Ross indicated that most of the trustees of the trusts were family members, and that he did not charge a fee for the work. He did not advertise or offer his service to the public, and did not hold himself out to be an attorney. Conduct Violates Rules The opinion noted that R.C. 4705.01 provides that a person who is not a party concerned with a case cannot commence, conduct, or defend any action or proceeding unless the person has been admitted to the bar by order of the Supreme Court in compliance with its prescribed and published rules. The unauthorized practice of law is rendering legal services for another without being admitted to practice law. Citing several prior Court opinions, the justices noted that non-attorneys cannot file eviction cases, known as forcible entry and detainer, or file complaints seeking to recover unpaid rent and other money damages on behalf of a property owner. Non-attorneys also cannot represent trusts or LLCs in legal matters. The opinion noted that once Ross was informed he was not authorized to file the complaints as a representative of the entities or individuals, he stopped taking action on the matters. The Court not only prevented Ross from collecting on any judgment he won, but also required that he file the necessary motions and notices to vacate and dismiss all pending cases regarding money judgments. He also agreed to pay a $2,500 fine. The Court noted that none of the real-estate-owning entities Ross represented were harmed by his representation and that most of the tenants in the cases were evicted. Several of the money claims made in those cases were dismissed either by agreement among the parties or Ross failure to pursue the money. 2018-0782. Ohio State Bar Assn. v. Ross, Slip Opinion No. 2018-Ohio-4247. https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/legal_profession/2018/10/the-ohio-supreme-court-a-columbus-landlord-and-property-manager-engaged-in-the-unauthorized-practice-of-law-while-seeking-to.html Non-native species present threats to natural environments across the world by pushing out native organisms. Their presence can seriously damage ecosystems that provide clean water, food and other important resources to many living things. Destructive, non-native species are called invasive species. Scientists have long struggled to find ways to slow or stop them. But American researchers have discovered that some invasive species can also have a good effect on the environment. One of them is Phragmites, a tall, fast-growing grass. This plant is thought to have first appeared in Europe in the early 19th century. Phragmites is not native to the United States. But it now is very common along the U.S. East Coast and can be found in wetlands across North America. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the fast spread of Phragmites in the 20th century was likely caused by several things. They include the building of railroads and major expressways that affected natural habitat. There was also widespread development along the coast. A rich supply of minerals in coastal waters likely also drove plant growth. Researchers found in a new study that one major benefit of invasive species is that they can eat up carbon dioxide. Scientists have blamed the gas for being a major cause of rising temperatures on Earths surface. The study found that coastal ecosystems generally store more blue carbon when they are overtaken by invasive species. Blue carbon is a kind of carbon stored in oceans and coastal ecosystems. The research showed that coastal ecosystems that had been overtaken by invasive species had about 40 percent more carbon than native habitats. Christina Simkanin helped to prepare a report on the study. Simkanin is a biologist at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Maryland. She says the findings were somewhat surprising. I think because non-native species are often thought of as being negative so often, and they do have detrimental impacts. But in this case, they seem to be storing carbon quicker. She added that Phragmites and some other non-native species keep increasing the carbon they take in because the plants grow and spread so quickly. Simkanin says the issue can be complex when different kinds of invasive species are involved. While she does not believe it is a good idea to let invasive invaders take control, she thinks finding a solution is not always simple. Such decisions are not likely to get any easier in the future. Smithsonian research shows that Phragmites will keep outcompeting native species as temperatures and carbon dioxide levels rise. Im Bryan Lynn. Steve Baragona reported this story for VOA News. Bryan Lynn adapted his report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story species n. a group of plants or animals that share similar characteristics ecosystem n. all the plants, animals and people living in an area considered their environment habitat n. the natural surroundings in which a plant or animal usually lives benefit n. a good or helpful result or effect negative adj. not having enthusiasm or positive opinions about something detrimental adj. causing harm or damage impact n. a major influence or effect CNN television has reported about a new video linked to the disappearance and suspected killing of Jamal Khashoggi. The video appears to show a man wearing Khashoggis clothes leaving Saudi diplomatic offices on October 2 with another person. CNN said Turkish law enforcement cameras recorded the video. CNN said the video suggests someone was pretending to be Khashoggi, possibly to hide the killing. Turkish state-run broadcaster TRT also reported that a man wearing Khashoggis clothes left the consulate building. Jamal Khashoggi entered the consulate on October 2nd and has not been seen in public since. Saudi Arabian officials have changed their explanation about Khashoggis disappearance several times. At first, the Saudi government said that he left the consulate in Istanbul and that officials did not know where he was. Then, it said that Khashoggi died in a fight inside the consulate. Most recently, they have said that Khoshoggi choked to death while being prevented from leaving the consulate to call for help. Turkish leader warns of more details Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he will give details of the case in a speech to parliament on Tuesday. He told supporters in Istanbul Sunday, "We are looking for justice here and that the truth would be told. In addition, Erdogan spoke to American President Donald Trump by telephone on Sunday. Turkish state-run media said the two agreed that the Khashoggi case needed to be cleared up. Turkish officials say they have sound recordings and video evidence of Khashoggi being tortured and killed inside the Saudi consulate. On Sunday, Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said that Khashoggi died in, what he called, a rogue operation. Al-Jubeir offered sympathies to Khashoggis family. He said that any attempt to cover up wrongdoing was unacceptable in any government. The foreign minister also denied reports that powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was involved. Saudi Arabia says Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed his sympathy to Khashoggis son on Monday. They spoke by telephone. Saudi Arabia also says it has dismissed five officials linked to the suspected death and have arrested 18 others. It says an investigation is being carried out. News reports have said 15 Saudi agents were involved in the operation. Some people question how a team of 15 Saudi agents could travel to Istanbul without the crown princes knowledge. Some U.S. lawmakers, including members of the presidents Republican Party, have expressed concern about the apparent killing. They are demanding punishment for Saudi Arabia. President Trump has said Saudi Arabia could be punished. But, he has said he is unwilling to cancel a $110-billion arms deal reached last year with the Kingdom. Khashoggis family has links to the Saudi Royal family. His father was a Turk who served as the personal doctor to King Abdulaziz Al Saud the founder of Saudi Arabia. Khashoggi has been a reporter since the 1980s. Most recently, he wrote opinion pieces for the Washington Post newspaper. Khashoggi has been critical of the Saudi government and has called for democratic reforms in countries across the Middle East. Khashoggi was at the consulate to get documents linked to his planned marriage to Turkish citizen Hatice Cengiz. She stood near the door of the consulate for hours waiting for him. When he did not appear, she reported his disappearance. Im Mario Ritter. And Im Caty Weaver. VOA Newss Ken Bredemeier, AP and Reuters reported this story. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story journalist n. the activity or job of collecting, writing, and editing news stories for newspapers, magazines, television or radio body double n. a person who takes an actors place in a movie or television show; a person who takes the place of someone else choke v. to cause someone to stop breathing by squeezing the throat rogue adj. something that is different from others usually in a dangerous or harmful way condolences n. expressions of sympathy and sadness usually at the death of a family member or friend We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. A large group of mostly Honduran migrants has crossed Guatemala and is entering Mexico in an effort to reach the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump has warned the group not to seek to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. On Sunday, the group [that] some are calling a caravan, arrived at the Mexican border city of Tapachula and set up small camps under heavy rain. People in the caravan walked for hours from the Guatemalan border. They did not listen to police offers to take buses to a shelter because they were afraid they would be expelled from the country. The migrants have continued to walk despite warnings from Mexico. The government has said the migrants will be expelled if they cannot justify seeking asylum in Mexico. On Sunday, Trump said on Twitter that full efforts are being made to stop the caravan. He said migrants must ask for asylum in Mexico before seeking entry into the U.S. In southern Mexico, police with riot equipment followed the large group but did not try to stop it. Roger Pineda, a 16-year-old Honduran, was in the caravan. He said, I just want to find some food and a place to sleep. He said he joined the group last week with five family members and a group of friends from the violent city of San Pedro Sula. He added, I hope Trump allows us to make it to the other side. In Guatemala, local media reported that about 1,000 migrants were traveling north to the Mexican border. A large group of people marched Sunday as a military helicopter circled overhead. Many migrants said they were fleeing violence, poverty and corruption in Central America. Most said they felt safer walking in a large group. Were going to make it, were going to keep moving so long as they dont stop us, said 17-year-old Honduran Jaffe Borjas. He was walking with a childhood friend at the head of the group that stretched far down the highway. Traveling in dangerous conditions Reuters news service reports that Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has supported the caravan. He promised to provide people with work permits in a speech to supporters in Tuxtla-Gutierrez, about 290 km north of Tapachula. I want to tell them they can count on us, he added. The Mexican president-elect will take office in December. He also said that he is seeking Trumps support for a development plan that could reduce poverty in Central America and southern Mexico. Trump has threatened to stop aid to Honduras and Guatemala if those countries do not stop migrants from crossing their borders. He also has said he would close the U.S.-Mexico border with the help of the military if the caravan is not stopped. Mexicos government has said during the past week that it would register the migrants and process requests for asylum. Those who do not register would be deported, it said. However, the large size of the caravan will test Mexico. The country has asked for help from the United Nations to deal with the issue. The wife of Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, Ana Garcia de Hernandez, leads a migrant aid group. Her group said that more than 3,400 Honduran migrants had been returned to their home country recently. She said in a statement: Were urging people against migrating in an unlawful way and putting your children in extremely dangerous conditions. The Honduran government has also blamed the political opposition for encouraging people to leave. Mexican immigration officials said they had allowed about 1,028 migrants through the official border crossing in Ciudad Hidalgo over the past three days. Im Jonathan Evans. Reuters reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. The editor was Ashley Thompson. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story caravan n.a group of people or animals traveling together on a long journey despite prep.without being prevented by something childhood n. the time in a life before adulthood encourage v. to make someone more determined, hopeful, or confident A Proud Boys member who prosecutors said helped start a street fight between the group and protesters has been arrested, along with two more alleged members of the group. Maxwell Hare, 26, charged at protesters and threw the first punch, triggering an unrelenting and savage attack by 10 Proud Boys on four anti-fascist protesters, Assistant District Attorney Jamie Kleidman said Monday night at Hares arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court. After repeatedly striking one protester, Hare started kicking and swinging at another individual, Kleidman added. When others tried to pull this defendant away from the Antifa members he was attacking, he broke free and ran back over to continue his vicious assault. This defendant was the most violent attacker of the Proud Boys and their associates, and it was all captured by video, Kleidman said. Hare surrendered to the NYPD Monday and was charged with riot and attempted gang assault in the first degree, according to the criminal complaint against him. He was released on $35,000 bond by Judge Ann Thompson. Douglas Lennan (William Miller / Pool) Suspects Irvin Antillon and Douglas Lennan also surrendered Monday. Lennan, 40, was charged with attempted third degree assault, and released on $3,500 bond. Antillion was charged with riot and attempted assault, and held in lieu of $3,502 bail (he had two open warrants for which he was given a bail of $1 each). Antillon, a 41-year-old Queens resident, appears to be the member of a primarily Latino skinhead crew Battalion 49 who was interviewed by VICE in 2012. Identified by VICE only by his first name, Irvin, he went on to attend the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville as a member of the Proud Boys-affiliated group the Fraternal Order of Alt-Knights, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Attorneys for the trio said they acted only in self-defense. Ronald Hart, who represented Hare and Lennan, said it was the Antifa group that started this, and called the encounter a case of clear self defense. Antifa members, Hart said, went out looking for a fight, they caused the fight and the ruckus. Similarly, Antillions attorney, Joanne Dwyer, said he acted only in defense of self as well defense of others in this case. Irvin Antillion (Jefferson Seigel / Pool) That brings the total number of Proud Boys arrested thus far to five, including John Kinsman, a World Trade Center steel inspector who was arrested Friday and held overnight before being released Saturday on $15,000 bail; and Geoffrey Young, a roofer who was released on his own recognizance Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, the NYPD confirmed to Gothamist that it is conducting a broad criminal inquiry into the Proud Boys organization. The group, which is exclusively male, believes in the supremacy of Western culture and seeks to turn back the clock to a pre-feminist social order. Prosecutors have called the Proud Boys a far-right organization; they are labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The fight between Proud Boys and anti-fascist protesters occurred after Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes spoke at the Metropolitan Republican Club on October 12th. When the event was over, McInnes departed by car while the remaining Proud Boys and associates left on foot, directed by NYPD officers to walk south on the east side of Park Avenue. Meanwhile, six protesters evaded policewho were trying to keep the two groups separatedand circled the block onto 82nd Street, in an attempt to intercept the Proud Boys who were marching down Park Avenue, prosecutors have said. When Hare and other Proud Boys saw the protesters, they moved down 82nd Street to confront them, at first walking then charging, Kleidman said. Video taken by independent video-journalist Sandi Bachom captures the charge, which begins with a Proud Boy yelling "Ready?! Proud Boys!" There are four degrees of Proud Boy membership, McInnes, the Proud Boy leader, has said. To reach the fourth and final level, a Proud Boy must get into "a major fight for the cause," McInnes told Metro in 2017. "You get beat up, kick the crap out of an antifa," and possibly get arrested, he said. Proud Boys who win fights are celebrated in a section of the groups online magazine, and cheered with a slogan: They fucked around. They found out. (JB Nicholas) Turkeys president says Saudi officials plotted for days to kill reporter Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabias diplomatic offices in Istanbul. On Tuesday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke to Turkeys parliament about the incident believed to have happened on October 2. Erdogan refused to accept Saudi Arabias explanation that the Saudi journalist was accidentally killed. Erdogan also demanded that the Saudis tell him the names of every person involved. Erdogan said he wants Saudi Arabia to send 18 suspects to Turkey for a trial. The Saudi government has arrested 18 men in connection to the killing and said it is carrying out an investigation. Saudi Arabia has described the suspects as rogue operators. But reports have linked Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the killing. To blame such an incident onsecurity and intelligence members would not satisfy us or the international community, Erdogan said in a speech to parliament. The Turkish president said Saudi Arabia admitted to the killing. He said he expects the 18 will be brought to justice. He used the word murder 15 times in his speech to parliament. The Associated Press reports that a U.S. official, who refused to be identified by name, said CIA director Gina Haspel is in Turkey to discuss the case. U.S. President Donald Trump also has said he is not satisfied with the explanations from Saudi Arabia about the death. Khashoggi was a writer for the Washington Post newspaper and a critic of the Saudi government. Erdogan did not blame Crown Prince Mohammed by name in his speech. However, he kept pressure on the Saudi government with his demands for the Saudi suspects. Calling Khashoggi the victim of a savage murder, Erdogan said that ignoring the murder would hurt the human conscience. Erdogan said 15 Saudi officials arrived in the country before Khashoggis death. He also said a man wore Khashoggis clothes and walked out of the diplomatic office, possibly as a decoy. We are seeking answers. Who did these people get their orders from to go (to Turkey)? Erdogan asked. International attention increased after Saudi Arabia said on Saturday that Khashoggi died in a fight. The case has shocked people around the world. At a government meeting Tuesday, King Salman again said that Saudi Arabia would hold those responsible for Khashoggis death accountable. The state-run Saudi Press Agency reported his comments. Saudi Arabia said it has arrested suspects and dismissed several important intelligence officials. Critics believe the arrests were a way to cover up the responsibility of Crown Prince Mohammed. Saudi Arabias foreign minister said Tuesday the investigation into the killing of Khashoggi would produce the truth about what happened. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said, while visiting Indonesia, that rules will be put in place so that something like this can never happen again. Khashoggi was at the Saudi diplomatic office to get documents linked to his planned marriage to Turkish citizen Hatice Cengiz. Im Susan Shand. The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted this story for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story journalist n. one who reports the news for print, TV, radio or the internet rogue adj. something or someone that is different from others in usually a dangerous or harmful way savage adj. very cruel or violent conscience n. the part of the mind that makes you aware of your actions as being either morally right or wrong decoy n. a person or thing that attracts people's attention so they will not notice someone or something else accountable adj. required to explain actions or decisions to someone China has opened the worlds longest sea-crossing bridge and tunnel. The structure links Hong Kong and Chinas industrial Pearl River Delta area. Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge open on Tuesday. The bridge is actually both a bridge and tunnel system that involves man-made islands. The combined length of the project is nearly 40 kilometers, depending on the starting point used. The sea bridge took almost 10 years to build. It cost the Chinese government an estimated $20 billion. The project was expected to be completed in 2016, but building problems and extra costs delayed the opening. The tunnel section of the system is designed to permit ocean-going ships to enter the Pearl River. The new link will reduce travel time between Hong Kong and the Pearl River area from several hours to about 30 minutes. The Pearl River area in Guangdong province has been a center of economic development in China for 40 years. The bridge also links Hong Kong and the mainland to another former colony, Macau, which is famous for its casinos. The bridge is a symbolic link between Hong Kong and mainland China. Britain handed over control of the Hong Kong to mainland China in 1997. But the two sides agreed that the territory would continue to have its own legal and economic system for 50 years. The so-called one country, two systems agreement is to last until 2047. The completion of the project also has political importance for Xis administration. Mainland China has opposed protests and expressions of civil liberties that are guaranteed under Hong Kong law. The completion of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge follows the opening of a new high-speed rail line linking Hong Kong and the mainland. Claudio Mo is a Hong Kong politician. She told the Associated Press that the bridge is mostly of political importance. She said, Its not exactly necessary, because Hong Kong is connected to mainland China in every way already, by land, by air, by sea. Media reports say the bridge will also use high-technology devices, including a facial-recognition system used to find especially sleepy drivers. Rules on the use of the bridge are still being considered. Reuters reports that private vehicles will need special permits to use the bridge. The completion comes as China faces increasing pressure from the United States over trade issues. The administration of President Donald Trump has placed import taxes on over $250 billion worth of trade with China. China has answered with its own import taxes. The United States and Europe argue that China continues to place unfair barriers to trade on foreign companies, even though it is a party to international trade agreements. China also faces sharp changes in its stock markets, heavy public debt and a slowing economy. Im Mario Ritter. Mario Ritter adapted this story for VOA Learning English from AP and Reuters stories. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story tunnel n. a passage that goes underground casino n. a building or room that has games of gambling symbolic adj. something that expresses and idea or quality beyond itself The Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are the first Google-branded smartphones to support wireless charging since the Nexus 5 was released in 2013. But if youre looking for a charger that works best with these new phones theres something you need to keep in mind. Like most phones that can charge without wires, the Pixel 3 series phones support the Qi wireless charging standard. They also support 10W fast charging. But they do not support 10W Qi chargers. Ars Technica reports that Google developed its own 10W fast wireless charging technology, and that means if you want fast charging youll need to buy a device thats been certified specifically for use with Googles phones. Right now that means you can either spend $79 on a Google Pixel Stand or wait a little while for the upcoming Belkin Boost Up 10W wireless charging pad, which will sell for $60. If those prices seem a bit steep, you can use just about any Qi wireless charging pad. You just wont get any more than 5W of charging power, even if you have a Qi charger that supports 7.5W or 10W charging. So you can pay an arm and a leg or wait a little longer for your phone to charge. Or you could just plug it in, I suppose. The Pixel 3 comes with an 18W wired charger. Anyway, thats where things stand right now. The situation could change in the future. Google says its working with accessory markers to certify additional wireless chargers, so cheaper options may be on the horizon. But its a little annoying that after most phone makers have agreed on a single unified standard for wireless charging, Google has gone and fragmented things a bit so that you cant necessarily buy a cheap fast charger that works with Samsung and Apple phones and expect it to work with a Pixel phone. Share this article: Share this: Facebook Twitter Reddit Pocket Tumblr Pinterest LinkedIn Email The beleaguered North Shore development that would have brought a 630-foot observation wheelthe worlds largest, its builders said to great fanfare six years ago has come to an end, its developers said On Tuesday, a spokesperson for The New York Wheel said in a statement that the dream of building a world class attraction in Staten Island will unfortunately not come to fruition. The Wheel's death was first reported by the Staten Island Advance; $450 million has already been invested in the project, which had an estimated price tag of $1 billion. The tourist attraction had been on the ropes for some time, plagued by escalating costs and a lawsuit with a former contractor. The final nail in the coffin came when Mayor Bill de Blasio said last month the city would not help financially shore up the project. Hear Rachel Holliday Smith discuss the Wheel's misfortune on WNYC New York City Economic Development Corporation spokesperson Stephanie Baez said in a statement that the Wheel was an ambitious venture and that the city is committed to working with the community and local stakeholders to determine potential uses for the Wheel site. The Wheels ground pedestals are all that were built of the attraction on the North Shore development site, and large parts of the wheel are in storage in Brooklyn, according to a report by NY1; they will be auctioned off at the end of the month. The Wheels developer has also built a commuter parking garage on the site. In a statement, Staten Island Borough President James Oddo said he is working to ensure no commuters will be affected and working with the city to resolve expeditiously all of the what now? questions. "This is disappointing news because I believed the Wheel would be a net plus for our borough. There are plenty of recriminations that will fester, he said. Chinas attempts to find new investors for Anbang Insurance Group Co. are gathering pace, as Cerberus Capital Management LP to Swiss Re AG size up the embattled insurer and its overseas operations. Cerberus and Swiss Re are among parties that have held preliminary discussions about buying a stake in Anbang, people with knowledge of the matter said. Temasek Holdings Pte has separately held on-and-off talks over the past several months about investing in Anbang and some of its assets, Bloomberg News reported last week. New York-based Cerberus has also discussed the possibility of acquiring some of Anbangs overseas holdings in Europe and the rest of Asia, one of the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. Chinese officials have been gauging Swiss Res interest in Anbangs foreign assets as well, the people said. Any deal would add to the USD454.5 billion of acquisitions involving Chinese companies announced this year, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Anbang owns Antwerp-based insurer Fidea, Dutch insurer Vivat and Belgian lender Nagelmackers. It also holds a controlling stake in South Koreas Tongyang Life Insurance Co. and has a portfolio of luxury hotel properties. Officials have been seeking strategic investors both at home and abroad to take stakes in Anbang since China temporarily seized the acquisitive insurer earlier this year and sentenced its former chairman to prison. A body thats owned by some of Chinas biggest insurance firms is also considering an investment, people with knowledge of the matter said last week. The companies havent decided whether to proceed, and Chinese authorities have also approached other potential investors, according to the people. Temasek, the Singapore state investment firm, is not currently in any active negotiations, people with knowledge of the matter said last week. Representatives for Cerberus and Swiss Re said the firms have no comment, while Chinas insurance and banking regulator didnt immediately reply to a request for comment. A representative for Anbang said the company doesnt comment on market speculation. China said Anbangs former chairman masterminded a multibillion-dollar fraud and used unauthorized sales of investment-type policies to prop up the companys capital. Authorities have indicated fresh investors will eventually replace an industry security fund that injected 60.8 billion yuan ($8.8 billion) of capital into Anbang in April to keep the Beijing-based insurer as a private business as opposed to a state- owned one. While Chinas life-insurance market is already the worlds second largest, the potential for further expansion is huge considering the nations still-low insurance penetration rates. Anbang and its affiliates also hold a wide range of financial licenses, from property insurance to banking, asset management and leasing, and theyre very valuable, particularly because such permits are getting more difficult and time consuming to obtain. Swiss Re, the countrys biggest reinsurer, said in May it would continue to welcome an anchor investor after Masayoshi Sons SoftBank Group Corp. ended its pursuit of a stake. The two firms had been discussing a strategic cooperation amid a wave of consolidation in the industry driven by rapid technological change and sluggish growth in insurance premiums. Zurich-based Swiss Re is also exploring an initial public offering for its U.K. closed-book business dubbed ReAssure next year, it said in August, as it looks for more third-party capital for the unit. Bloomberg A Macau airline project is seeking USD45 million in funding ahead of the 2020 expiration of Air Macaus 25-year franchise agreement, which it hopes to contest. Led by aviation executive Joseph Said, 888 Macau Airlines intends to use the funding to establish itself as a hybrid carrier in the region, flying to destinations in India, Thailand and the Philippines. The airline also wants to try its hand at the insurmountable Macau-Lisbon route, which has bested at least two other airlines in recent history. It proposes a stopover at a Hellenic beach destination in either Greece or Cyprus, just a handful of hours away from the Portuguese capital, and with plenty of attractions of its own to offer. An air link to Lisbon carries politically-important implications for Macau, as the government is striving to develop the territory into a platform for trade and co-operation with Portuguese-speaking countries. Portuguese national carrier TAP Air Portugal previously operated the route with a stopover in Thailand, but it was discontinued approximately one year prior to handover. More recently, in August 2018, Beijing Capital Airlines suspended its Macau-Beijing-Lisbon route after just one year, citing operational reasons. When asked about the difficulties other airlines have faced in keeping the Macau-Lisbon route afloat, Said responded: Airlines lose money because either they dont market properly or the price analysis was incorrect. For example, the TAP route was structured in the wrong way, he said. According to the companys website, 888 Macau Airlines strategy will be to work closely with the local tourism industry, including hotel and casino operators, as well as travel agencies. Macau needs a new airline that can work with casinos and travel operators, the airline executive told the Times. Nobody is working with the five-star casinos in Macau. We need to bring new destinations to Macau. For example, the casinos are always chasing new markets but many flights [in South Asia] currently go via Shenzhen or Hong Kong. The idea came about in 2013, but it didnt have the right timing because Viva Macau was still in the back of peoples minds, added Said, who was formerly a senior manager at the failed airline. Said says that 888 Macau Airlines will avoid the mistakes Viva Macau made, in that it will be a Macau airline for the Macau people. To this end, Said is looking for local partners to help advance the project. A local investor gives you an advantage. I dont want it to be a foreign investment. I want it to be a Macau airline serving the people of Macau and the Pearl Delta [Greater Bay Area], he said. Said estimates that it would take approximately 12 months to commence short-haul flights from Macau, providing that the company is able to secure the $45 million it seeks. This timeline includes the opening of an office in Macau, as well as the acquisition of an air operators certificate. It would put 888 Macau Airlines in a position to either contest the renewal of the 25-year monopoly franchise held by Air Macau or be a part of a sub-concession agreement with them. I want to be in a front position by 2020, when the skies open, the airline executive told the Times. And we can be the second airline in Macau, he continued, adding whether we get the concession or not, we will work with the other airlines like Air Macau. China called on the U.S. to reconsider pulling out of a three-decade-old arms control treaty with Russia, saying the move would generate multiple negative effects. President Donald Trump said over the weekend he planned to pull out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, known as INT, claiming that Moscow had breached the agreement on intermediate-range conventional and nuclear weapons. The New York Times reported the move was in part to enable the U.S. to counter a Chinese arms buildup in the Pacific. I want to stress that it is completely wrong to use China as an excuse for pulling out of the treaty, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters yesterday in Beijing. We hope relevant countries can cherish the hard-won achievements over the years, prudently and properly handle issues related to the treaty through dialogue and consultation, and think twice about withdrawing from the treaty. Without the restrictions of the 1987 treaty, China has had a free hand developing and deploying intermediate-range nuclear missiles of its own, including missiles designed to take out U.S. aircraft carriers patrolling the waters of the Western Pacific. Exiting the accord would free the U.S. to deploy new weapons in the Indo-Pacific to respond to Chinas attempt to erode its post-World War II dominance. China hasnt signed the agreement and has been producing mid-range missiles and so-called carrier killers to asymmetrically increase the costs of an American-led naval containment strategy, said Stephen Nagy, a senior associate professor at the International Christian University in Tokyo. The U.S. is likely withdrawing to send a message to Beijing that the U.S. can and will produce mid-range nuclear weapons that can erode away Chinas existing asymmetric advantage. The prospect of a U.S. weapons buildup would underscore concern in Beijing that the U.S. is intent on thwarting Chinas rise, be it via a trade war or a systematic program of military containment. Since Trumps election U.S.-China relations have deteriorated on virtually every front, from trade to cyber-security to geopolitical flash points like Taiwan and the South China Sea. Under the 1987 agreement, the U.S. and the former Soviet Union committed to eliminate all ground-based nuclear and conventional missiles with a range between 500 to 5,550 kilometers (310 to 3,420 miles). Chinas collection of intermediate missiles including the recently developed DF-26s form the backbone of its offensive capabilities in the Asia Pacific and are designed to hit targets along the strategic first and second island chains, according to Zhang Baohui, director of the Centre for Asian Pacific Studies at Lingnan University in Hong Kong. The first island chain is a string of archipelagos stretching from Japan, past Taiwan to the Philippines all U.S. security partners. The second island chain runs southward past Guam toward Papua New Guinea. Guam hosts a major U.S. naval base for the Pacific Ocean. A China factor in the U.S. decision to withdraw from the treaty is highly plausible, Zhang said. It is China, not Russia, that is possessing an ever-increasing number of medium and intermediate range missiles. As it would take time to build new nuclear-tipped missiles, the U.S. was preparing to modify existing weapons, including its non-nuclear Tomahawk missiles, and was likely to deploy them first in Asia, the New York Times reported, citing officials who have been briefed on the issue. The weapons may be based in Japan, or at the U.S. naval base in Guam where it would face little political opposition, the Times reported. China would have little choice but to spend more on the military read less on the economy or come to the negotiating table to come to an agreement about mid-range systems, said Nagy. This would have the effect of removing their existing anti-access area denial strategy. David Tweed, Bloomberg The Transport Bureau (DSAT) reported that the number of car accidents recorded on the Amizade Bridge decreased in 2017. According to the DSAT, in 2017 a total of 481 cases were registered, representing a decrease of 30 percent year-on-year. A bigger drop was reported at the conjunction area of the bridge and the Macau Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, the number of accidents occurring in this particular area dropped by over 50 percent in 2017. These accidents were mostly related to improper safe distances between vehicles, unsafe lane changing, and, in some cases, wet roads. 4 men involved in group fight charged with assault Four mainland residents were transferred to the prosecution authority after a group fight in front of a casino in Cotai. The fight, which took place on Friday night, involved more than 10 people who belonged to two different groups. Later, police officers spotted the four men inside a hotel, having seized six bamboo sticks and one cleaver. In August, an online video which went viral showed a group fight at Av. Cidade Nova. In May, a group of more than 10 men were also recorded fighting nearby an integrated resort in Cotai. No Macau locals injured in Taiwan train accident The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) is paying close attention to the train derailment in Taiwan, China. The GGCT is maintaining close contact with the Macao Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan for further developments. From the information provided by the Macao Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan, at the present moment there are no Macau residents on the list of injured. Up until now, The GGCT has not received any requests for information or assistance. As of 5 a.m. yesterday, the train derailment has caused 18 deaths and 187 injuries (24 people sustained serious injuries). AL committee to follow up seven issues in new session The Legislative Assemblys (AL) Public Financial Matters Follow-up Committee will address seven issues during the upcoming AL session, the committee announced yesterday. The seven issues are: the 2017 government budget implementation; new budget law; procurement law; public capital investment; Guangdong-Macau co-operative development fund; industrial and commercial development fund; and, government subsidies for public transportation. The committee will also follow up on the Viva Macau case during this session. Currently, the committee is waiting for the Commission Against Corruptions investigation report. The chairman of the committee, Mak Soi Kun, said that the committee might not be able to follow up on all seven issues in 2018. Investigators reportedly believe that the gruesome murder of an Upper West Side woman may have been perpetrated by a neighbor who gained entry to her apartment and cut her throat. Just before 5 a.m. on Sunday, police arrived at 70-year-old Susan Trott's apartment on West End Avenue, following up on a call from a coworker who worried about Trott's well-being after a few days of silence. There, authorities found a trail of blood leading from the living room to the bedroom, where Trott lay face-up on the floor, her throat slashed. Police saw no signs of forced entry, and the apartment itself hadn't been robbed orbloody mess asidedisturbed. Further, according to the NY Times, no visitors to Trott's apartment had signed in, and security footage didn't surface any persons of interest. Investigators now believe, as the NYPD Chief of Detectives Dermont Shea said at a news conference Monday, "that all the pieces of that puzzle are in that building." According to CBS New York, as of Monday afternoon, authorities were focusing their efforts on a woman who lives in the building, although the nature of that woman's relationship to Trott remains unclear. Still, Shea told reporters on Tuesday that police had "executed a search warrant at a separate apartment within that building and recovered some items of evidence relating to the homicide," according to the NY Daily News. "We are well aware of where they are," he added. "We have not had extensive conversations with the person of interestbut we will at some point." #Exclusive #Nypd officers are called to a luxury #building today. Its the same place #Susantrott was murdered. Coming up at 5, new developments in the case and what this team did at the building that may have ties to the #killing. @ABC7NY pic.twitter.com/gOH1AwLzeK Kemberly Richardson (@kemrichardson7) October 22, 2018 The Times suggests that Trott may have had strained relationships with some of her neighbors, clashing on issues like whether or not they should let their dogs chase squirrels. An avid animal lover, Trott reportedly made a habit of scattering bird feed outside her building. Not all the residents seemed to appreciate that effort. "She would throw bird seeds literally everywhere," Ruth Chiamulera, who lives in an apartment two floors below Trott's, told the Times. "It attracted lots of pigeons, but it also attracted lots of rats. That caused another problem. People were not happy with her." Still, Chiamulera noted, the idea that they had a killer in their midst seemed to shock most residents. "I think that's going to really freak people out," she added. "I pretty much assumed it was someone she allowed into the building." Others who knew Trottan advertising freelancer and copywriterdescribed her more fondly. "It's like my mother has died," Eric Boscia, Trott's partner at the marketing firm Code Modern, told the Times on Sunday. "She was the greatest, most generous, kindest person I've ever known." Another former colleague, Martha Wetterhall Thomas, described her as "gutsy," recalling the time Trott chased down and tackled a man who snatched her purse. "She wasn't big, but she was a tornado kind of person." This story is still developing, and we will continue to update as we learn more. A court in the Maldives freed an opposition leader yesterday, setting aside a lower courts conviction for bribery. The High Court, in hearing an appeal by Qasim Ibrahim, said there were procedural violations by the Criminal Court in convicting him. Ibrahim, a political party leader and businessman owning a chain of tourist resorts, was sentenced to more than three years in prison last year after he joined forces with the opposition in trying to unseat President Yameen Abdul Gayoom. He was accused of offering to fund re-election campaigns of government lawmakers in return for voting for an opposition-sponsored no-faith motion against the parliamentary speaker. Ibrahim was among many opposition politicians, former allies and officials jailed by Yameens administration after trials criticized for being politically motivated and for alleged due process violations. Ibrahim was ill at the time of his conviction and went into exile in Germany following heart surgery in Singapore and only returned home earlier this month after Yameens presidential election defeat. Opposition alliance candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih defeated Yameen in the Sept. 23 presidential election. Yameen challenged the result in the Supreme Court, citing alleged vote rigging, malpractice and corruption. But the top court dismissed his petition Sunday. Since Yameens election defeat, the court also freed former strongman and Yameens half brother Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who was imprisoned for not cooperating with police investigating an alleged plot to overthrow the government. Former Vice President Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, who was Yameens running mate in the 2013 election and later fell out with the president, also returned home from exile after the election. Mohamed Nasheed, the first democratically elected president of the Maldives, is scheduled to return on Nov. 1 despite a pending 13-year prison term. The Maldives became a multiparty democracy in 2008 after decades of autocratic rule. But Yameen has rolled back many of the democratic gains since being elected in 2013. AP In recent months, the Trump administration has repeatedly put off the release of its long-awaited Mideast peace plan. Now, the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the hands of Saudi agents may put the plan into a deep freeze. Saudi Arabias powerful crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, was meant to be the linchpin of the plan, providing key diplomatic cover to both Israelis and Palestinians. But with the Saudi princes credibility facing serious questions following Khashoggis death, President Donald Trump may soon have to rethink his Mideast strategy. It definitely complicates their plans to release their proposal, if indeed they have one, said Dan Shapiro, who served as President Barack Obamas ambassador to Israel. Trump took office promising a new approach to peace making between Israel and the Palestinians. Criticizing decades of failure by his predecessors, he named a Mideast team headed by his son- in-law and adviser Jared Kushner. The team has deep ties to Israel and the West Bank settler movement. The Trump administration notably refused to endorse the establishment of a Palestinian state, distancing itself from the two-state solution favored by the international community for more than two decades. Instead, Kushners team turned to the Saudis, hoping that the kingdoms deep pockets and prestige in the Arab world could somehow help bring the Israelis and Palestinians together. Kushner struck up a special relationship with the crown prince, portraying him as a swashbuckling force, a leader who could help modernize a troubled region. Last year, Kushner paid a secret visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss his strategy for Israel and the Palestinians. But long before the current crisis over Khashoggis death, the peace plan ran into in trouble. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was invited to Saudi Arabia twice last year to talk to Prince Mohammed about the emerging American proposal. Palestinian officials say that in briefings with the Saudis, Abbas raised objections after concluding the plan would fall far short of his goal of establishing an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. Aides say Abbas believes the Americans want to keep him quiet by attracting large sums of money from Gulf Arab investors to develop the Palestinian economy. With the Palestinian front quiet, the United States could then proceed with the broader aim of creating an Israeli-Saudi alliance to serve as a regional counterweight to Iran. In the meantime, his relations with the Americans have deteriorated. Abbas severed ties with the White House after the U.S. recognized Jerusalem as Israels capital last December and then moved its embassy to the holy city. Relations worsened as the U.S. cut hundreds of millions of dollars of direct and indirect aid to the Palestinians. Amid this backdrop, Abbas has already said he will not accept the White House initiative, arguing that Trump is unfairly biased in favor of Israel. At the same time, Prince Mohammeds credibility has taken a beating with a series of questionable decisions in recent months. He has pushed for an unsuccessful blockade of Qatar, led a bloody and unpopular war in neighboring Yemen and abruptly cut off ties with Canada after its foreign minister criticized Saudi Arabia. AP A Philippine court yesterday rejected a petition by President Rodrigo Dutertes administration to have his fiercest critic in the Senate arrested, in a legal setback for Duterte that the senator called a victory for democracy. Regional Trial Court Judge Andres Bartolome Soriano denied the governments petition to have opposition Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV arrested after Duterte voided his 2011 amnesty for his role in past mutinies as a former navy officer. Soriano debunked Dutertes premise that Trillanes never formally applied for amnesty and acknowledged guilt for his role in the failed coup attempts. The rule of law won and democracy won, a beaming Trillanes told a news conference at the Senate, adding that he was prepared to be arrested. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, however, suggested the government would appeal and added that Soriano did not declare Dutertes signed order that voided Trillanes amnesty unconstitutional. Nobody has to claim total victory, Guevarra said. This is not the end of it. Last month, another court upheld Dutertes petition and ordered Trillanes arrested for a similar rebellion charge on which he was allowed to post bail. That contradicted the ruling by Soriano, who handled a separate, nonbailable coup charge against Trillanes. Known for expletives-laced outbursts against his critics and political rivals, Duterte has long expressed anger against Trillanes, who has accused him of large-scale corruption, involvement in illegal drugs and extrajudicial killings in an anti-drug crackdown that has left nearly 5,000 suspects dead since he took office in 2016. Duterte has denied the allegations. Trillanes, 47, was jailed for more than seven years for involvement in at least three military uprisings, including a 2003 mutiny against then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo when he and other young officers rigged part of a shopping center in the Makati financial district with bombs and took over an upscale residential building. After being amnestied under Dutertes predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, Trillanes successfully petitioned the two Philippine courts to dismiss rebellion and coup cases, allowing him to later run for a Senate seat. Critics say Dutertes move violates the constitutional guarantee against double jeopardy, or holding a person to answer twice for the same offense. Duterte said he voided Trillanes amnesty because the senator had failed to file a formal amnesty request and acknowledge guilt. Trillanes strongly denied the presidents claims and provided news reports and defense department documents to counter them. The Department of Justice has asked two courts to issue warrants for Trillanes arrest and resume criminal proceedings against him. One of the courts backed Dutertes bid last month and issued the arrest warrant for a bailable rebellion charge. Soriano, however, ruled differently, saying in his 33-page decision, Well established is the doctrine that a final and executory judgment shall be immutable. Aside from the rebellion and coup-related charges in the two courts, Duterte has also ordered the military to resume a separate inquiry into the senators role in past mutinies. It was not immediately clear what the military would do with Dutertes order, but early this month, the military chief, Gen. Carlito Galvez, told a defense budget hearing at the Senate that Trillanes formally applied for amnesty based on an amnesty officers account, contradicting the reason given by Duterte for revoking the senators amnesty. Human Rights Watch has said the attempt to jail Trillanes is part of the persecution of critics of the Duterte administration, the latest in the relentless campaign to silence those who dared to challenge the presidents murderous drug war. Under Duterte, another opposition senator has been jailed on illegal drug charges, a Supreme Court chief justice has been ousted by fellow judges and foreign critics, including an Australian nun, have been barred from entering the Philippines or threatened with deportation. Jim Gomez, Manila, AP Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Hungary to demand an end to Soviet rule. There are believed to have been many casualties in a day which started as a peaceful rally, and ended with running battles between police and demonstrators in which shots are said to have been fired. The demonstrators are demanding that the former Prime Minister, Imre Nagy, be returned to power. Mr Nagy was dismissed last year for his liberal policies, but has since been rehabilitated and was re-admitted to the Hungarian Workers Party this month. Other demands include free elections, freedom of the press, and a withdrawal of Soviet troops. The uprising began as a rally in central Budapest, to express solidarity with Polish demonstrators who have recently succeeded in getting their deposed liberal leader, Wladyslaw Gomulka, returned to power. The gathering turned into a mass demonstration for a similar Hungarian declaration of independence from Moscows control. As more and more people joined the demonstration, the First Secretary of the Hungarian Communist Party, Erno Gero, made an unscheduled radio announcement, describing as lies and rumours reports that Hungary wanted to loosen its ties with the Soviet Union. Mr Gero is known for his hardline views, and tensions in Hungary have been high since he was appointed in July. Immediately after the broadcast, the crowd marched on the broadcasting station. The gathering was peaceful at first, but the crowd became restless and tried to force their way in. They were driven back by security forces with tear gas and responded by throwing stones at the windows. One group drove a heavy lorry at the front door in an attempt to break it open. The incident marked the start of an escalation of violence. A running battle began to clear the crowd away from the building, while clashes between demonstrators and armed police broke out elsewhere in the city. When the crowds refused to disperse despite police opening fire on them, Mr Gero ordered Soviet tanks onto the streets. The demonstrators, however, are showing no signs of giving up their protest, which is continuing into the night. Courtesy BBC News In context The Hungarian Communist Party met the same night in emergency session and re-instated Imre Nagy as prime minister. Soviet tanks were still on the streets, however, and the uprising continued. On 25 October, tanks opened fire on a crowd in Parliament Square at point-blank range. Hundreds died and were wounded, and the Communist Party was so shocked by the incident that it sacked Erno Gero, replacing him with Janos Kadar. Soviet troops began pulling out of the Hungarian capital on 30 October. Mr Nagy formed a government which was dedicated to lifting the shackles of Soviet communism. By 4 November, the Soviet leader, Nikita Khrushchev, sent in the tanks in a ruthless crackdown in which thousands died and another 200,000 fled the country. Imre Nagy took refuge in the Yugoslav embassy but was abducted by Soviet agents. He was executed in 1958 after a secret trial in Budapest in which he was accused of high treason. In 1989, he was officially rehabilitated and reburied with full honours. Hungary remained under Soviet control until the collapse of communism in 1989. A top U.S. energy official said yesterday that Asia is the center of growth in energy demand and offers a great opportunity to expand American liquefied natural gas exports. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette told reporters in Tokyo that the U.S. is working with Japan and others to build facilities for U.S. LNG exports and improve their energy security. Japan is the worlds biggest importer of LNG. The world is right here in Asia, Brouillette said. Demand for LNG is very, very high here. There is an enormous amount of opportunities not only for U.S. businesses but also for Japanese businesses as well as other Asian businesses. Countries trying to move away from fossil fuel and coal are turning to LNG as a cleaner option. Brouillette said he is not concerned about the impact of the U.S. trade dispute with China on the American LNG business given the sharp increase of Chinese demand in recent years. Brouillette was in Japan to attend an international LNG conference and meet industry and government officials. The U.S. doesnt require what are known as destination charges, which creates an economic opportunity to buy the gas at lower costs and sell it on the open market, Brouillette said. Japan is the worlds biggest importer of LNG, consuming one-third of global production. Its LNG consumption soared after nuclear plants were closed following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko, speaking at the LNG Producer-Consumer Conference in Nagoya, in central Japan, promised to expand Japans support for projects jointly sponsored by private enterprise and the government to supply LNG and build infrastructure in Asia. He said Japan is seeking to create a 50 million ton LNG market in the region and is already cooperating with the U.S. An increase in American LNG exports to Japan and other Asian countries is expected to reduce the U.S. trade deficit. That could also promote Japans exports of LNG infrastructure, experts say. AP (HealthDay)Accepting a liver from an older liver donor (OLD) is associated with long-term survival benefit, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Surgeons, held from Oct. 21 to 25 in Boston. Christine E. Haugen, M.D., from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and colleagues identified 42,533 adult liver transplantation candidates offered OLDs that were eventually transplanted in another recipient. Patients were followed from date of offer until death or the end of the study. The researchers found that 48.8 percent of candidates who declined an OLD had died or were removed from the waitlist after five years. Compared with candidates who declined OLDs, the risk for mortality was lower for candidates who accepted OLDs within 90 days post-decision (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.61) and beyond 90 days post-decision (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.39). OLD acceptance correlated with a decreased risk for mortality beyond 90 days for candidates with a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score of 10 to 24 or 25 to 34 (adjusted hazard ratios, 0.44 and 0.46, respectively). OLD acceptance also correlated with a reduced risk for mortality within the first 90 days for candidates with a MELD score of 35 to 40 (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.22). "In our study, we demonstrate that if you get an offer from an older donor, you should probably consider accepting the organ, because there is now a demonstrated survival benefit in doing so," Haugen said in a statement. Explore further Low sodium levels increases liver transplant survival benefit in the sickest patients Copyright 2018 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Credit: CC0 Public Domain A new study by University of Miami psychology researchers of anonymous interactions suggests that humans switch off their automatic inclination to share in dealings with strangers. Would you tip your waitress if you knew you'd never return to her restaurant? Probably, because that's how most of us are socialized. But what if you knew the waitress would never know if you left a tip? Without the incentive of her approval, would you still be generous? Researchers in the University of Miami's Evolution and Human Behavior Laboratory who set out to answer that question found that we humans, who learned long ago to instinctively be generous and fair to others, can quickly unlearn that cooperative behavior when encountering strangers if we know we won't benefit from our actions. Lead author William H.B. McAuliffe, a Ph.D. candidate in psychology, and senior author Michael E. McCullough, professor of psychology, say their study published October 22 in the journal Nature Human Behavior, supports the theory that our ingrained cooperative spirit is a remnant of our evolutionary past. When we lived in small groups, we knew every person in our social circleor someone who knew themand we never knew who we might need to help us. Over time, we automatized the decision to be kind out of self-interest. "We are actually walking around with Stone Age minds," said McCullough, director of the lab in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology. "Our minds still think how we treat everyone we meet could have consequencesthat everyone we run across and are either mean to or nice to will somehow pay us back. We have a natural karma built into us because our minds have evolved into thinking that what goes around really does come around." But their study, "Experience with anonymous interactions reduces intuitive cooperation," shows that the "cognitive shortcut" we have built into our brains to be generous or fair can be easily switched off if we learn there won't be any payback, either positive or negative. The researchers demonstrated this point by exposing 200 volunteers to a social environment devoid of any incentive or punishment for how they treated others, and tracking how their behavior changed over time. The volunteers, who came to the laboratory in small groups on two separate occasions about a month apart, were asked to play three games that required them to make decisions about investing money and sharing the windfalls with others in the room, and eventually with a charity. But, sitting at consoles with headphones, the participants did not interact with each other. They made all their decisions and collected all their winnings anonymously and privately. During the first round, the study showed, participants behaved predictably: Acting on habits shaped by their everyday experiences, they split windfalls with strangers fairly and shared about half their earnings with charity. But on their return visit about a month later, they weren't as generous, sharing, on average, about 20 percent less. "After acclimating to the situation, they realized this was extraordinarily different from the situations they find themselves in everyday life," McAuliffe said. "They realized, 'What I do doesn't really matter. It has no social consequences. Nobody is going to pat me on the back if I am generous. No one is going to think I'm stingy if I'm not.' So, when they come back, they don't act on that cognitive shortcut because they've learned that the same rules don't apply." McCullough, who has devoted his career to shedding light on human behavior by examining our evolutionary past, said the study could explain why big-city dwellers have a reputation for being more hurried and less friendly to strangers than small-town folk. "I think what this study says isn't that generosity towards strangers is part of what humans evolved into, but instead that we evolved in a world where there really weren't strangers," McCullough said. "We knew everybody. They knew us, and if we didn't know everybody directly, we knew somebody they knew, so if we were bad to someone they could say, 'That is a terrible person.' Now we live in cities with millions of people and you can legitimately encounter a stranger and say 'I'll never see that person againand get away with treating them poorly.' That's less so in small towns, where almost everybody does know everybody." "Timing cells" illuminate in a mouse's brain when the animal is at rest. Credit: Daniel Dombeck/Northwestern University Are you taking your time when feeding your pet? Fluffy and Fido are on to youand they can tell when you are dawdling. A new study from Northwestern University has found some of the clearest evidence yet that animals can judge time. By examining the brain's medial entorhinal cortex, the researchers discovered a previously unknown set of neurons that turn on like a clock when an animal is waiting. "Does your dog know that it took you twice as long to get its food as it took yesterday? There wasn't a good answer for that before," said Daniel Dombeck, who led the study. "This is one of the most convincing experiments to show that animals really do have an explicit representation of time in their brains when they are challenged to measure a time interval." The research was published online this week in the journal Nature Neuroscience. Dombeck is an associate professor of neurobiology in Northwestern's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. When planning the study, Dombeck's team focused on the medial entorhinal cortex, an area located in the brain's temporal lobe that is associated with memory and navigation. Because that part of the brain encodes spatial information in episodic memories, Dombeck hypothesized that the area could also be responsible for encoding time. "Timing cells" light up as neurons fire when the animal is at rest and time elapses. Credit: Daniel Dombeck/Northwestern University "Every memory is a bit different," said James Heys, a postdoctoral fellow in Dombeck's laboratory. "But there are two central features to all episodic memories: space and time. They always happen in a particular environment and are always structured in time." To test their hypothesis, Dombeck and Heys set up an experiment called the virtual "door stop" task. In the experiment, a mouse runs on a physical treadmill in a virtual reality environment. The mouse learns to run down a hallway to a door that is located about halfway down the track. After six seconds, the door opens, allowing the mouse to continue down the hallway to receive its reward. After running several training sessions, researchers made the door invisible in the virtual reality scene. In the new scenario, the mouse still knew where the now-invisible "door" was located based on the floor's changing textures. And it still waited six seconds at the "door" before abruptly racing down the track to collect its reward. "The important point here is that the mouse doesn't know when the door is open or closed because it's invisible," said Heys, the paper's first author. "The only way he can solve this task efficiently is by using his brain's internal sense of time." By using virtual reality, Dombeck and his team can neatly control potentially influencing factors, such as the sound of the door opening. "We wouldn't be able to make the door completely invisible in a real environment," Dombeck said. "The animal could touch it, hear it, smell it or sense it in some way. They wouldn't have to judge time; they would just sense when the door opened. In virtual reality, we can take away all sensory cues." Mice in the experiment are trained on a virtual reality environment that has a visible door. Then, they run the course where the door is made invisible. The only way they can solve the task is by using their internal sense of time. Credit: Daniel Dombeck/Northwestern University But Dombeck and his team did more than watch the mice complete the door stop task over and over again. They took the experiment one step further by imaging the mice's brain activity. Using two-photon microscopy, which allows advanced, high-resolution imaging of the brain, Dombeck and Heys watched the mice's neurons fire. "As the animals run along the track and get to the invisible door, we see the cells firing that control spatial encoding," Dombeck said. "Then, when the animal stops at the door, we see those cells turned off and a new set of cells turn on. This was a big surprise and a new discovery." Dombeck noted these "timing cells" did not fire during active runningonly during rest. "Not only are the cells active during rest," he said, "but they actually encode how much time the animal has been resting." The implication of the work expands well beyond your impatient pooch. Now that researchers have found these new time-encoding neurons, they can study how neurodegenerative diseases might affect this set of cells. "Patients with Alzheimer's disease notably forget when things happened in time," Heys said. "Perhaps this is because they are losing some of the basic functions of the entorhinal cortex, which is one of the first brain regions affected by the disease." "So this could lead to new early-detection tests for Alzheimer's," Dombeck added. "We could start asking people to judge how much time has elapsed or ask them to navigate a virtual reality environmentessentially having a human do a 'door stop' task." Explore further How we know where we are More information: James G. Heys et al, Evidence for a subcircuit in medial entorhinal cortex representing elapsed time during immobility, Nature Neuroscience (2018). Journal information: Nature Neuroscience James G. Heys et al, Evidence for a subcircuit in medial entorhinal cortex representing elapsed time during immobility,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-018-0252-8 "County lines" is a term used by the police to describe a growing practice among criminal gangs: when demand for drugs fails to meet the supply in major cities, gangs travel to remote rural areas, market towns or coastal locations in search of new customers. The process referred to as "going cunch" (country) or "going OT" (out there) by those involved has initiated ugly forms of exploitation. Children as young as 12 are hired as "runners" to transport and sell illicit drugs, while the homes of vulnerable adults are occupied without permission to create a base to sell from a practice also known as "cuckooing". Tackling county lines is now a national priority: the government has launched a new 3.6m National County Lines Coordination Centre, made up of experts from the National Crime Agency. The centre aims to measure the threat of county lines, focus resources on the most serious offenders and work closely with partners in health, welfare and education to reduce the harms associated with the practice. For our latest research, published in the International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, we spoke with members of organised crime groups, police, staff on youth offending teams and young people aged between 14 and 17 involved in drugs gangs in Glasgow, Scotland and Merseyside, England, to find out what leads them to get involved in this practice, and how it affects their lives. A costly mistake. Credit: Shutterstock Working the lines Before gangs started using the county lines model, class A drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine were typically supplied in remote areas by user-dealers who would sell to locals from their own supply. Competition in these areas was low, and violence was kept to a minimum. But in recent years, gangs have been using experience gained in the big cities to enter into smaller, satellite areas with high demand, good profit margins and low police presence. They are leveraging violent reputations earned in the big cities to intimidate and dominate existing players in the illegal drugs market. Police in picturesque county towns such as Shrewsbury (a town of about 70,000 people close to the Welsh border in Western England) are now dealing with turf wars and homicides. During our research, we found that one of the root causes of this problem is how normal it is among teenagers to use cannabis and the monetary cost of this. Young people in our study began smoking weed recreationally with their friends as young as 13. Perhaps more significant than the psychological and physical effects of cannabis use, which are heightened around the time of puberty, was the fact that weed cost money that these adolescents did not have. The majority of county lines workers we interviewed in Merseyside owed money to a drug dealer. They accrued debt by having their drugs "on tick" a slang term for a "buy now, pay later" scheme. When they failed to pay, the indebted were forced into working for their dealers. Working the lines meant being deployed anywhere at any time, answering the phone without delay when their masters (or clients) called, and leaving their post only to meet paying customers. A user-dealers flat is taken over by teenage drug runners. Source, Author provided Debt bondage wasn't the only way people ended up working the lines. Some of our interviewees in Glasgow entered the trade by their own volition. They were willing to travel and simply asked known drug dealers for a job. Owing to boredom, poverty and a sense of hopelessness about their legitimate job prospects, these young people felt they had no choice but to sell drugs. The experiences of young people who had made a choice (albeit a constrained one) to "go country" didn't fully concur with the horror stories about the practice portrayed by the media. During their interviews, some young people recalled their experiences as "funny", especially when they spoke of the exploitative relationships they had formed with vulnerable drug users. Young interviewees in both cities recounted how drug users would be "terrored" or intimidated to pass the time between waiting for the phone to ring and completing drug sales. Young people would entertain themselves by getting users to perform sex acts, eat from ashtrays and "shit off the floor" or undergo "challenges" in exchange for "free" drugs. Removing root causes Our findings expose a paradox at the heart of county lines the exploited and the exploiters are often one and the same. Drug dealers, drug runners and drug users form a hierarchical structure, with the most vulnerable the users at the bottom. Drug runners look down on drug addicts to make themselves feel better about their own station. County lines expose that drug prohibition is not working: current laws neither effectively prevent young people from selling drugs, nor protect the most vulnerable in society from consuming them. Positive initiatives such as the National County Lines Coordination Centre are necessary for sharing intelligence between police and social service providers, but constrained by the folly of existing drug policy. Our research highlights that a criminal justice approach based on tough enforcement and recovering the proceeds of crime is not enough to dissuade dealers from dealing. Unless we tackle demand for illicit drugs, and the root causes of gang culture namely social and economic marginalisation county lines will continue to be drawn. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. (HealthDay)A diagnostic strategy based on pretest clinical probability assessment, high-sensitivity D-dimer testing, bilateral lower-limb compression ultrasonography (CUS), and computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) can safely rule out pulmonary embolism (PE) in pregnant women, according to a study published online Oct. 23 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Marc Righini, M.D., from Geneva University Hospitals, and colleagues conducted a prospective diagnostic management outcome study involving pretest clinical probability assessment, high-sensitivity D-dimer testing, bilateral lower-limb CUS, and CTPA. A total of 441 pregnant women with clinically suspected PE from 11 centers in France and Switzerland were assessed for eligibility, and 395 were included in the study. The researchers found that PE was diagnosed in 28 women (7.1 percent; proximal deep venous thrombosis found on ultrasound, positive CTPA, and high probability ventilation/perfusion [V/Q] scan) and was excluded in 367 women (clinical probability and negative D-dimer result, negative CTPA result, normal or low-probability V/Q scan, and other reasons). During follow-up, 22 women received extended anticoagulation, mainly for previous venous thromboembolic disease. After exclusion of PE on the basis of negative results on the diagnostic work-up, the rate of symptomatic venous thromboembolic events was 0.0 percent among untreated women. "Future research should focus on increasing the yield of noninvasive testing, such as by developing a specific clinical decision rule for suspected PE during pregnancy or using pregnancy-adapted D-dimer cut-off values," the authors write. Several authors disclosed financial ties to the biopharmaceutical industries. Copyright 2018 HealthDay. All rights reserved. John Franchak and his 3-month-old son. Credit: J. Franchak, UC Riverside. A developmental psychologist at the University of California, Riverside, has completed a study that is the first to measure how often infants spend time in different body positions over the first year of life. The study, published in the journal Infancy, aims to understand how the physical context of infants' everyday experiencesin particular, how much time they spend in different body positionschanges over the course of the first year and how these changes are predicted by infants' developing motor skills. "I was surprised to find that 3-month-olds are held almost half of their waking days" said John Franchak, an assistant professor of psychology, who performed the study. "Twelve-month-olds are held much less frequently and spend most of their time on the ground. How often infants play, crawl, walk, or sit changes how they interact with objects and changes, too, the physical way in which they interact with other people." Specifically, Franchak found that sitting, upright, and prone (belly towards the ground regardless of contact with the ground) accounted for less than 7 percent of the 3-month-old infant's day. By 12 months, these positions accounted for 62 percent of the infant's day. The cross-sectional study sought to understand what a 12-month-old learns and how this learning differs from that of, say, a 3-month-old infant, based on their everyday experiences. Toward that end, the study tested separate groups of 3-month-olds, 6-month-olds, 9-month-olds, and babies that were a year old. It used data acquired for 95 babies from across the United States. The study used an innovative approach to acquire this data: the infants' caregivers were sent text messages five times a day for a week to inquire on what the baby was doing at that moment. The caregivers electronically reported infant body positions immediately thereafter in brief one-minute surveys. They also reported infants' locationwhether the infants were on the floor or up on a raised surfaceand the onset of sitting, crawling, and walking. The study is the first to use this method, called ecological momentary assessment, to measure infants' behaviors. Learning to walk is linked with improved language ability. Credit: J. Franchak, UC Riverside. "We have plenty of data on what babies do in the lab, where we measure their development by doing some assigned task," Franchak said. "What we don't know is what drives that development, what happens in the days, hours, and minutes they are at home, where they experience a number of things that lets them learn. Until this study, we didn't know how often babies sit, crawl, and stand in everyday life, outside the lab. The ecological momentary assessment the study used offers a better sense of infants' actual lives versus a slice of life in the lab, and gives a more realistic distribution of their different types of body positions and experiences. Understanding these differences allows us to build better theories about how infants develop and learn from the world." Franchak explained that body positions change dramatically over the first year of life, and much of that change results from infants acquiring new motor skills. Typically, babies begin to sit around 6 months of age, crawl at around 8 months, stand around 11 months, and walk when they are a year old. It is important to study infant body position, he said, because changes in how babies interact with the world change their opportunities for learning. Learning to sit is linked with better object perception. Learning to walk is linked with improved language ability. "The amount of time infants spend in different positions shapes their visual and manual activityimpacting perceptual, cognitive, and social developmentand reflects opportunities to practice and develop motor skills," Franchak said. "For example, infants rarely see faces while playing on the ground in sitting, upright, and prone positions, but see faces more often when held or sitting off the ground as in a high chair. "Further, infants who can sit independently at 6 months spend more time sitting in daily life. This allows them to manipulate objects more frequently and receive nearly twice as much opportunity to experience the richer visual-manual exploration of objects than prone or supine infants," he added. "Learning to walk changes social interactions with caregivers and predicts improvement in infants' spatial cognition." Franchak cautioned that caregivers play an important role in influencing the study's results. The study's youngest infants are entirely dependent on caregivers to change their body position. For older infants, choosing to sit or stand is often an option only if their caregivers provide the opportunity. "I can't say enough about how much caregivers are doing in determining what positions their babies are in," he said. "Caregivers act in response to how they perceive their children. When they see their babies have acquired certain skills, they take action accordingly to accommodate these skills. Caregivers and their babies then negotiate constantly on how best to proceed thereafter." Explore further Infants are more likely to learn when with a peer More information: John M. Franchak. Changing Opportunities for Learning in Everyday Life: Infant Body Position Over the First Year, Infancy (2018). John M. Franchak. Changing Opportunities for Learning in Everyday Life: Infant Body Position Over the First Year,(2018). DOI: 10.1111/infa.12272 Unequal career opportunities: women are often disadvantaged at work, possibly also because they often shy away from competition more often than men. With the help of priming, a psychological method, this gender difference can be offset. Credit: Fotolia Women are still disadvantaged in society, particularly professionally. They are frequently paid less than men and find it more difficult to have a successful career. One reason for this may be the fact that women are observed to shy away from competition more often than men. In one experiment, scientists have now demonstrated that this difference can be overcome using "priming." With this simple psychological technique, personal experiences are retrieved in the memory. Priming is an approach used in psychology, with which people are placed in a certain situation, as a result of which their decision-making behaviour can change. If, for example, bank employees are asked how long they work at a bank, what tasks they have, and so on, then they are primed to the role of banker. If you ask the same bank employees about their hobbies, they are primed to their leisure role. More recent studies show that this priming can lead to very different decisions. Matthias Sutter, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods, together with colleagues from the University of Innsbruck, has applied this approach in order to prepare test subjects for a competitive situation. "In our case, we used priming in order to present a portion of the test subjects with a situation in which they exerted influence," Sutter explains. "As a comparison, we arranged for the other portion to imagine a situation in which they were dependent on others." A third group of participants remained neutral, and was therefore not primed. In a test with over 400 test subjects, the scientists compared the behaviour of the three sub-groups when it came to thinking about a competitive situation. The different priming situations did indeed lead to different decisions being taken by men and women. In the neutral group, the following gender-typical pattern emerged: 40 percent of men, but only 14 percent of women, decided to enter into competition with others. When primed to a dependency situation, the test subjects largely reached the same decisions. However, this did not apply to the participants who imagined a situation in which they exerted influence: the most significant changes were observed in relation to the behaviour of the men. Only 28 percent, in other words significantly fewer of them, chose the competitive situation. Among women, this priming had the opposite effect, albeit to a lesser degree. Somewhat more of them than in the neutral group, 20 percent, decided to enter into competition with others. The scientists explain this divergent effect by claiming that the memory of an influential situation enables all individuals to arrive at a realistic assessment of their own abilities. While in some cases, this increases self-assurance among women, it keeps men back from overestimating themselves and subjecting themselves to increased risk. In this way, priming leads to situations in which men and women become more similar in their competitive behaviour. Former studies had shown that the way in which competitive situations are handled is a key factor when it comes to the disadvantage to women in professional life. According to the research team, the psychological method could be applied in the education system and in professional training. Explore further Not buying it: Marketing messages may not work in uncommon situations More information: Loukas Balafoutas et al. Closing the gender gap in competitiveness through priming, Nature Communications (2018). Journal information: Nature Communications Loukas Balafoutas et al. Closing the gender gap in competitiveness through priming,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06896-6 A child's blood pressure could indicate cognition problems into adulthood, according to a new study suggesting the cardiovascular connection to cognitive decline could begin much earlier in life than previously believed. The findings may provide a window into the roots of dementia, for which high blood pressure is considered a risk factor. "We wondered is there perhaps some signal early in life that tells us high blood pressure is bad for you throughout your entire life?" said Dr. Arfan Ikram, lead author of the Dutch study published Oct. 23 in the Journal of the American Heart Association. It looked at a group of 5,853 children and 5,187 adults. The average age was about 6 among the kids and 62 for adults. Researchers assessed each participant's blood pressure and arterial stiffness, which is the loss of elasticity in arteries and often considered a sign of aging, vascular disease or both. They also examined cognitive function for both groups. The children were given a set of non-verbal assessments of their abstract reasoning and spatial visualization skills. The results were converted to an IQ score. Adults took five cognition tests that measured a broader range of aptitudes ranging from memory to mental dexterity. The condition of blood vessels played a role in the results for both groupsbut in different ways. Among adults, greater arterial stiffness and higher blood pressure were associated with lower cognition. In children, higher diastolic blood pressurethe bottom number in a blood pressure readingwas linked with lower IQ scores. But Ikram cautioned this association was a subtle one. "This doesn't mean we now need to start doing some kind of intervention at that age," said Ikram, chair of the epidemiology department at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. "What the findings really mean is that we can say, 'Hey, the origins of when blood pressure might start affecting the brain lies really early in life.' " The American Heart Association recommends children have their blood pressure checked once a year. For adults, the recommendation is at least once every two years if blood pressure is normal and more often if it's above normal. Ikram said parents and adults in general should make prevention a priority. "For instance, you can make sure blood pressure doesn't increase through lifestyle interventions, especially regular physical activity or reduced salt intake," he said. "We really need to make sure such things start early in life and not when people are, say, 40 or 50 years of age and thinking, 'I need to make sure my health is maintained, because I'm starting to suffer from various ailments.' " About 50 million people worldwide have dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases each year, according to the World Health Organization. Past studies have found links to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular risks. Most related research focuses on older adults, although some emerging studies include data on middle-aged patients, said Angela Jefferson, a neurology professor and director of the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. "The inclusion of a younger population of children taken together with the middle-aged adults offers interesting information about how blood pressure and arterial health relate to brain health," said Jefferson, who was not involved in the study. The use of different cognition tests for the two study groups makes it a little difficult to compare the results exactly, she said. But "because children's brains continue to develop until the late teens, we use different tests to assess their cognitive health." What's more significant is tracking the "precise timing of when aging and disease affect the body's arterial blood supply" and the impact that has on the brain, Jefferson said. "If we can pinpoint the window of intervention, we can make a stronger effort to improve cardiovascular health and reduce complications on brain health, cognition and presumably dementia," she said. Explore further Long-running study identifies modifiable dementia risk factor in older adults Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. If you have questions or comments about this story, please email editor@heart.org. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Increasing the calorie intake for an intensive care patient does not improve their chances of survival, according to a new Australian study. Presented on Monday afternoon at the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) congress in Paris, the study involved almost 4000 patients across 46 intensive care units (ICUs) in Australia and New Zealand. The study was led by the University of Adelaide and the Royal Adelaide and The Queen Elizabeth hospitals in South Australia. Optimal calorie delivery during critical illness is uncertain and patients typically receive only 50-60 per cent of recommended requirements. The research team conducted a multicenter, double-blind, randomised trial in mechanically ventilated adults comparing energy-dense (1.5 kcal/ml) with routine (1.0 kcal/ml) enteral nutrition at a dose of 1 ml per kg ideal body weight per hour, commencing at or within 12 hours of the initiation of nutrition support and continuing for up to 28 days while in the ICU. All patients were fed using liquid through a tube into their stomach, as per normal practice. There were 3957 patients included in the analysis (1.5 kcal/ml group, 1971 patients; 1.0 kcal/ml group, 1986). The volume of nutrition delivered was similar; however, patients assigned to 1.5 kcal/ml received a mean 1863 kcal/day vs. 1262 kcal/day in the 1.0 kcal/ml group (mean difference 601 kcal/day). By day 90, 523 of 1948 patients (26.8 percent) assigned to the 1.5 kcal/ml group had died vs. 505 of 1966 patients (25.7 percent) in the 1.0 kcal/ml group, hence there was no difference between the groups in terms of survival. Results were similar for seven pre-defined subgroups. Increased calorie delivery did not affect survival time, receipt of organ support, number of days alive and out of the ICU and hospital or free of organ support, or the incidence of infective complications or adverse events. This is the first study in the ICU population to successfully deliver guideline-recommended calories by the enteral route. Led by Professor Marianne Chapman, Royal Adelaide Hospital and University of Adelaide, the authors challenged the current guidelines. "Existing guidelines recommend an energy intake of 25-30 kcal/kg/day, to match expenditure similar to that provided in the increased calorie group in our study," the authors stated. "Our findings do not support this recommendation. "Increasing energy intake with the administration of energy-dense enteral nutrition did not affect survival in critically ill adults." The next stage in the research is to analyse data of functional outcomes in the surviving patients at six months. "It is possible that increased calorie delivery does not improve survival but does improve recovery," the authors concluded. "We await this analysis with interest and thus cannot make comments about changes in recommendations until we have seen these results." Explore further Nut intake reduces HbA1c among adults with T2DM Provided by The Lead Credit: Northern Arizona University There is a Bermuda triangle of sorts for college womenthe convergence of several factors that can be a detriment to their educational careers. And the points on that triangle are alarmingly common. Sean Gregory, an assistant professor of politics and international affairs and director of the new Interdisciplinary Health program at Northern Arizona University, recently completed a study that found an association between the use of hormonal birth control among college women, increased risk of depression or mood disorders and increased risks for academic performance issues. These risks were elevated among younger women initiating hormonal contraception therapy, such as those who were 18 or 19 years oldjust as they leave home and take on new responsibilities in college. Add to that the mental health crisis already happening on college campuses across the country and the increasing number of women who are enrolling in college and graduate school, and there may be a problem. But, Gregory is quick to add, this isn't bad news. Rather, it's an opportunity for women to talk to their health care providers about this potential risk and how they can weigh the risks and benefits of treatment. "The point I was trying to make was not that hormonal contraception is bad, and not even that the family planning benefit needs to be vetted against the risk of depressive symptoms," he said. "I simply was saying that nowhere in the literature do we find recommendations for joint decision-making between clinicians and their patients concerning hormonal contraception, or any discussion of how to communicate the risks of depression or mood disorders, even though it's the No. 1 reason women discontinue hormonal birth control." The study, published in Psychiatry Research, used National College Health Association data collected from 350 universities throughout the United States (including NAU). Gregory looked at women who use hormonal contraception, their age, reports of depression and anxiety and several measures of academic performance. What he found was that use of hormonal birth control increased a woman's risk of reporting depression or related symptoms, and the younger a woman initiated hormonal contraception, the greater risk she had of developing these symptomsan increase in risk by several percentage points, in fact. What followed the increased risk of depressive symptoms for college-age women was a greater likelihood of experiencing academic performance issues. "You put all those together, you see that hormonal contraception is likely a risk factor for academic issues, and the risks seem to be associated with depression or mood disorders that are a known side effect of hormonal contraception," he said. "The idea is if the pathway really is associated with depression, attending to the depressive symptoms may be a way to get ahead of the academic performance issue." This is not an indictment of hormonal birth control. For women who want to take control of their family planning, birth control does the job quite effectively, and he suspects many women, if they weighed the risks and benefits, would still choose to use these types of birth control. What he hopes comes from this study, and others like it, is a recognition of the increased risk of depression among women using hormonal birth control, so clinicians can discuss it with their patients and make a plan to identify and treat depression or related symptoms if they arise. Therapy, medication and other treatment options all can help mitigate the symptoms of depression. In addition to raising awareness, the study raised another question in Gregory's mindthat of health equity and why women carry the burden of preventing pregnancy. Two years ago, two contemporaneous findings were published: a study in JAMA Psychiatry using data from Denmark found that hormonal birth control increased the risk of depression, and a trial for male hormonal birth control was discontinued early because subjects reported higher than expected levels of depression and mood disorders, the same symptoms that are part of the status quo for women taking birth control. "I think there's a real health equity issue here," Gregory said. "In addition to the historical burden of family planning placed on women, we owe women the same level of information and joint decision-making concerning the risks and benefits of any treatment, and certainly those where there is an associated behavioral health risk." Future research questions may include whether the different types of hormonal contraceptionbirth control pills, intrauterine devices, shots, etc.carry different levels of risk for depressive symptoms. More importantly, Gregory said, his work in this regard includes collaborating with Campus Health Services to ensure college students have access to this type of care; discussing ways to re-engineer college campuses and programs to decrease the risk to mental and behavioral health of all students; and keeping better tabs on mental well-being and community health. Explore further Study reveals no link between hormonal birth control and depression More information: Sean T. Gregory et al. Hormonal Contraception, depression, and Academic Performance among females attending college in the United States, Psychiatry Research (2018). Sean T. Gregory et al. Hormonal Contraception, depression, and Academic Performance among females attending college in the United States,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.09.029 Charlotte Wessel Skovlund et al. Association of Hormonal Contraception With Depression, JAMA Psychiatry (2016). DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.2387 Journal information: Psychiatry Research , JAMA Psychiatry Julie Lopez, 21, has been tested regularly for sexually transmitted diseases since she was a teenager. But when Lopez first asked her primary care doctor about screening, he reacted with surprise, she said. "He said people don't usually ask. But I did," said Lopez, a college student in Pasadena, Calif. "It's really important." Lopez usually goes to Planned Parenthood instead for the tests because "they ask the questions that need to be asked," she said. As rates of sexually transmitted infections steadily rise nationwide, public health officials and experts say primary care doctors need to step up screening and treatment. "We know that doctors are not doing enough screening for STDs," said David Harvey, executive director at the National Coalition of STD Directors. The failure to screen routinely "is leading to an explosion in STD rates," he said, adding that cutbacks in funding and a lack of patient awareness about the risks make it worse. The federal government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has set guidelines for annual screening for sexually active individuals. Among them: women under 25 should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia, and men who have sex with men should get tested for syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea. However, testing does not always happen as recommended. For example, only about half of sexually active women ages 16 to 24 with private health plans or Medicaid were screened for chlamydia in 2015. The rate was slightly better in California. Nationally, reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are at an all-time high, CDC data show. In one year, from 2016 to 2017, nationwide rates of chlamydia rose by 7 percent, gonorrhea by 19 percent and syphilis by 11 percent. Rates of congenital syphilis, which passes from mother to baby during pregnancy or delivery, increased by 44 percent during that time. Nearly one-third of the congenital syphilis cases are from California. The state also saw a record number of STDs last year: more than 300,000 cases of gonorrhea, chlamydia and early syphilis among adults. Because sexually transmitted infections are often asymptomatic, screening is essential. Untreated STDs can lead to serious health problems, such as chronic pain, infertility or even death. "Providers and primary care providers play a crucial role in combating these rising STD rates," said Dr. Laura Bachmann, chief medical officer for the CDC division of STD prevention. "If providers don't ask the questions and don't apply the screening recommendations, the majority of STDs will be missed." State governments don't have enough money to combat the rising number of cases, in part because federal STD funding for them has remained stagnant, Harvey said. Last year, he said, $152.3 million in federal funding was appropriated for prevention, the same as eight years earlier. Experts cite several reasons primary care physicians don't routinely diagnose and treat STDs. They may worry that they won't be compensated for providing STD services, or they may not be familiar with the most up-to-date recommendations about testing and treatment. For example, the CDC in 2015 updated the medications it recommends to treat gonorrhea. Perhaps most commonly, many family physicians are reluctant to discuss sexual health with their patients. One study showed that one-third of adolescents had annual visits that didn't include any discussion about sexuality. "We're in this situation with health care providers and patientseach waiting for the other to start (the conversation)," said Dr. Edward Hook, professor at the University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Medicine. "Doctors worry if they ask patients about their sexual history that it will somehow be offensive to them." Dr. Michael Munger, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, said he remembers that his conversations around sexual health were uncomfortable at first. "There are a lot of challenging conversations you can have with patients," he said. "But this is important. If we don't do it, who will?" Rob Nolan, a writer from Los Angeles, said he gets tested every six months, but he prefers to do so at the Los Angeles LGBT Center rather than during visits with his regular doctor, who rarely asks about sexual health. Nolan, who said he has had experience with STDs, considers the clinic's staff to be more knowledgeable about sexual health than those at a regular doctor's office. "They just seem specialized in it," he said. "And there is zero shame when you are in the clinic." Physicians also may have other, more immediate health issues to address during the short time they have with patients. Taking a sexual history and talking about sexual health falls to the bottom of many doctors' priorities, said Dr. Leo Moore, acting medical director of the division of HIV and STD programs for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Julia Brewer, a nurse practitioner at Northeast Community Clinic in Hawthorne, Calif., said she screens for STDs as a regular part of women's health exams. But she said her colleagues frequently refer cases to her rather than having the conversations themselves. "The family providers are overwhelmed with diabetes and high blood pressure," she said. Sexual health, she said, can end up being an "afterthought." The L.A. County public health department, which identified STDs as a key priority for the next five years, recently sent representatives to doctors' offices to teach providers how to address sexually transmitted infections. They distributed information detailing screening recommendations, sample sexual history questions and treatment guidelines. The Los Angeles County Medical Association also plans to get the word out to doctors through social media and other efforts. "It's an epidemic and we have to treat it that way," said CEO Gustavo Friederichsen. "Doctors have to feel a sense of urgency." Dr. Heidi Bauer, who heads the California Department of Public Health's STD control branch, said the state also is trying to educate doctors so they will screen more routinely. The department provides both in-person and online training for doctors to learn about STDs, and publishes downloadable information with current guidelines. At the same time, Bauer urged the federal government to make its screening recommendations more comprehensive. Outside of pregnancy, for example, there are no recommendations for routine syphilis screening for women. "We are seeing this huge re-emergence of syphilis," she said. "We haven't been testing and syphilis is very challenging to diagnose." The CDC plans to review the recommendations in the next year, Bachmann said. Explore further In US, sexuallly transmitted infections hit new highs 2018 Kaiser Health News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Credit: copyright American Heart Association We make judgements quite rationally or "by the gut." Not only experience and relevant information play an important role, but also our preferences. A study by the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research in Cologne shows how the reward system in the brain conveys judgements affected by one's own desires. "In complex, confusing situations, we run the risk of making a biased judgement as soon as we prefer one conclusion over another," explains Bojana Kuzmanovic, a scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research in Cologne. In her work, she investigated how people's judgment is influenced by their wishful thinking. In the study, volunteers were asked to estimate the average and personal risk of different negative events. They then learned the actual average risk and were able to adjust their own risk estimates accordingly. If the actual average risks were desirable (i.e. lower than initially estimated by the respondents), they were considered more than undesirable statistics. Using an example, Kuzmanovic explains the phenomenon as follows: "By ignoring unpleasant information, we avoid drawing threatening conclusions. For example, we could neglect federal statistics, which indicate a higher risk of heart attack, because we think we have a particularly healthy lifestyle. Desires activate reward system During the survey the scientists recorded their brain activity using magnetic resonance tomography. They found that preferred judgements activate brain regions that otherwise react particularly strongly to rewards such as food or money. In addition, the scientists were able to show for the first time that the reward system in turn influenced other brain regions that are involved in conclusion processes. The stronger this neuronal influence was, the stronger the judgements of the study participants were determined by their wishes. So, our desires and preferences influence our judgment without us consciously realizing it. The same brain systems that reinforce our efforts to maximize rewards such as food and money would also reinforce specific strategies for constructing judgements. Marc Tittgemeyer, who led the study, adds: "The influence of preferences is independent of expertise. We can benefit from this pleasant self-strengthening effect as long as our judgements do not have serious consequences. However, when making important decisions, we should be aware of our tendency to distort judgement and apply strategies to increase objectivity." Next, the researchers will investigate whether these and other reward-dependent behaviours are different in patients with metabolic diseases than in healthy individuals. Reward dependent brain circuits are closely linked to homeostatic circuits that regulate energy demand and metabolism based on saturation and hunger signals. Thus, if homeostatic networks are altered by disease, this could also affect reward-dependent brain areas and lead to more impulsive behaviour, for example. Explore further How the brain biases beliefs More information: Bojana Kuzmanovic et al, Influence of vmPFC on dmPFC Predicts Valence-Guided Belief Formation, The Journal of Neuroscience (2018). Journal information: Journal of Neuroscience Bojana Kuzmanovic et al, Influence of vmPFC on dmPFC Predicts Valence-Guided Belief Formation,(2018). DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0266-18.2018 OCTAVIO JONES | Times Florida Gubernatorial Democratic Andrew Gillum gives a speech to a packed crowd during the Florida Democratic Party rally held at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida on Monday, October 22, 2018. Undercover FBI agents were the ones who gave Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum a ticket to the Broadway show Hamilton during a trip to New York City in 2016, according to a trove of records given to the ethics commission and released to the public today. Text messages between Gillum and former lobbyist Adam Corey, who arranged outings with undercover agents looking into city corruption, were among more than 100 pages of records Corey gave the ethics commission, which is investigating trips to Costa Rica and New York that Gillum took in 2016. Corey's lawyer, Chris Kise, released the records today, just two weeks before the election, because the state ethics commission issued a subpoena for the records just last week. The text messages show that, contrary to what his campaign has said, Gillum knew the tickets came from "Mike Miller," who was an FBI agent posing as a developer looking into city corruption. "Mike Miller and the crew have tickets for us for Hamilton tonight at 8 p.m.," Corey texted Gillum on Aug. 10, 2016. "Awesome news about Hamilton," Gillum replied, according to the records. The texts appear to refute what Gillum's campaign said just days after his unlikely win in the Democratic primary for Florida governor. The campaign said in a Sept. 4 press release that Gillum's brother, Marcus, gave him the ticket. "After the trip, Mayor Gillum learned Marcus Gillum had obtained that ticket in a swap with Adam Corey for a concert ticket," the campaign said. Gillum's campaign repeated today that the ticket came from his brother. "These records vindicate and add more evidence that at every turn I was paying my own way or was with my family, for all trips, including picking up tickets from my brother, Marcus, who was with a group of his own friends," Gillum said in a statement. "But this isn't about a Broadway show, it's about a sideshow, because Ron DeSantis and his associates have no vision, no healthcare plan, and are running the most false, negative campaign in Florida history. Floridians deserve better." Questions about Gillum's trip to New York have dogged the candidate since the primary, with his Republican opponent, former Congressman Ron DeSantis, repeatedly linking Gillum to the FBI probe. During Sunday's debate, DeSantis asked Gillum about the tickets. "Did you pay for the Hamilton tickets?" DeSantis asked. Gillum avoided directly answering the question. "First of all, I am a grown man," Gillum replied. "My wife and I take vacations and we pay for our own vacations ... I don't take free trips from anybody. I'm a hard-working person, I know that may not fit your description of what you think people like me do, but I've worked hard for everything that I've gotten in my life." Gillum and Corey have known each other since college, and the two were friends until last year, when Gillum said he wasn't speaking to him any more. Kise said Corey was issued a subpoena for records on Oct. 15. The ethics complaint was filed against Gillum in June, and Gillum met with investigators in early September. Kise wrote that Corey was releasing the records today because they were going to become public anyway. "As reflected by those records, no criminal activity took place," Kise wrote. "Mr. Corey seeks, as he has sought in the past, to remove himself from the center of rampant and untoward speculation. Hopefully, disclosure of the actual facts will now permit him to do so, and to move forward with his life and career." This is a breaking story. Check back for updates. Times/Herald staff writer Steve Contorno contributed to this report. @alextdaugherty House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy likes Donald Trump so much he once sorted through a bag of Starburst candy to pick out the cherry and strawberry flavored square-shaped fruit chewsTrumps favorite flavorsto present the president with a personalized gift. McCarthy, a California congressman who wants to lead Republicans in the House of Representatives after the November election, has voiced explicit support for funding Trumps proposed Mexico border wall and sponsored a bill called the Build the Wall, Enforce the Law Act of 2018. Hes also raising money for Miami congressional candidate Maria Elvira Salazar, a Republican running in a majority Hispanic district Trump lost by nearly 20 percentage points. Salazar is set to host a fundraiser with McCarthy on Wednesday, according to an invitation obtained by the Miami Herald. The lunchtime gathering at the Riviera Country Club in Coral Gables lists a $10,000 in fundraising for host status and $5,000 in fundraising for co-host status. Salazar, a former TV journalist, has won over national Republicans after making the race to replace retiring Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen against Democrat Donna Shalala competitive. The prospect of a Salazar victory has led to outside groups investing in the race after previously considering it unwinnable and has drawn the attention of Republicans like McCarthy who can raise money. It also brings a Republican to South Florida who has pledged to support Trumps request for Congress to fund a border wall, something the GOP has not done during Trumps first term despite a unified majority in the House and Senate. As Speaker, McCarthy would have the power to force votes on spending bills that could include Trumps border wall. Salazars campaign did not respond when asked if McCarthys visit means that she will vote for him to lead House Republicans if elected. More here. @benbwieder @alextdaugherty A political action committee launched by parents of Parkland students is scaling back its 2018 midterm plans in the wake of disappointing fund raising totals. The group, Families vs. Assault Rifles, was launched in May by Jeffrey Kasky and Sergio Rozenblat, the parents of students who survived the February 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The pair worked with Matt Gohd, the groups California-based executive director, who said he was inspired by the shooting to become more involved politically. I have a teenage daughter, I wanted to feel like I had done everything I could to make sure this didnt happen again, Gohd said. At its launch, Gohd, a long-time Democratic donor who has worked at numerous investment firms, told the Miami Herald it had an ambitious goal: to raise $10 million and act as a counterweight to the National Rifle Association, one of the most powerful and successful politcal activist groups in the country. It planned to target politicians who opposed gun safety regulations. So far, its only raised $230,000 much of which came soon after the group was first launched. From July through the end of September, the group took in less than $30,000 and had only $13,000 left in the bank.. None of us had a grasp of how difficult this would be, Gohd said. We needed more resources, more people. The group is currently regrouping, Gohd said, as it considers its next steps, with a thought to greater activity in the 2020 presidential election cycle. I would say it was idealistic of us to think that we could get something through at this point, Gohd said. More here. 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Berne, NY A Berne man who was arrested last week in relation to a sex-abuse investigation has been charged with additional crimes, including rape, after further investigation, police say. John E. McIntyre, 31, was charged on Thursday with one count of second-degree rape, a felony, for having sex with a 13-year-old girl, according to a report from the Albany County Sheriffs Office. McIntyre, who lives at 1755 Helderberg Trail, is a Level 2 registered sex offender; the state sets three levels with Level 2 representing a moderate risk of repeat offense. Sheriffs Chief Deputy William Rice told The Enterprise on Thursday that the victim gave testimony and provided evidence on Wednesday. McIntyre was also charged with an additional count of failing to register an email account. McIntyre had been arrested and sent to jail on Oct. 12 after he was initially charged with two counts of failing to register social-media accounts that he used to communicate with the girl, as well as one count each of forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child, both misdemeanors. Due to McIntyres previous conviction of failing to register an address change in 2015, he is in violation of the Sex Offender Registration Act, making his three additional counts of failing to register felonies. McIntyre had applied for bail, and was granted a $10,000 bail charge Thursday morning in Albany County Court, which he then posted, said Rice. He was arraigned in Berne Town Court on the new charges on Thursday and brought back to Albany Countys jail without bail. A preliminary hearing has been set in Berne Town Court for Monday night, but Rice expects that the case will be moved to Albany County Court should McIntyre apply for bail again and have either the same bail or a new amount charged. McIntyre had been convicted in 2006 for sexual contact with an 8-year-old two years before while living in Cohoes. He moved to the town of Knox in 2007 before eventually moving to 1755 Helderberg Trail in Berne, across from the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Elementary School and adjacent to the Berne Public Library. Samsung Pay officially launched in South Africa in August, offering Absa and Standard Bank clients the ability to use their smartphones to make card purchases. What sets it apart from other mobile payment apps is its support for card payment terminals that are already installed at shops and restaurants around the world. The card machine also doesnt necessarily need to support contactless tap-and-go payments for Samsung Pay to work. For payment terminals without the near field communications (NFC) technology used in contactless cards, Samsung has a technology it calls Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST). MST allows devices which support Samsung Pay to create a magnetic field which mimics the swipe of a bank card on a card terminal. As this requires special hardware in the device, the following smartphones currently support Samsung Pay: Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ Samsung Galaxy Note8 Samsung Galaxy Note9 Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) Samsung Galaxy A8 Setting up Samsung Pay To set up Samsung Pay, you must first download the app from the Google Play store. When you launch the app for the first time, it will need to connect the Internet to download a set of files from Samsung. After Samsung Pay is installed and updated, it will guide you through the set-up process: Configure security specify a PIN or password, and choose whether to use your fingerprint or iris as an alternative method to authenticate payments. Add a card by scanning it via NFC, or with the phones camera. Fill in any required information not populated with the scan, such as your CVV number. Enter the one-time PIN sent by your bank to activate the card. Once your card has been added and activated, you can start using Samsung Pay to make payments. MyBroadband editor-at-large Jan Vermeulen details how to set up Samsung Pay in the video below. The Federal Office for Information Security in Germany (BSI) has announced that Huawei will open an information security lab in Bonn, Reuters reported. Among the functions of the lab will be to enable source reviews, which the report stated was a step aimed at gaining the confidence of the German regulator ahead of the countrys auction of radio frequency spectrum for 5G. These source code reviews will include examinations of the software running on Huaweis telecommunications network equipment. Reviewers will look for back doors which could secretly allow access to intelligence agencies. Australia has banned Huawei from providing its 5G equipment to networks in the country, while the United States has prevented the Chinese company from participating in certain government contracts, citing concerns over national security. However, Huawei maintains that no inspection has ever found any back doors in its gear. Up to $6 billion for affordable housing is on the line in November as California voters prepare to weigh in on two statewide bonds that could fund tens of thousands of new homes in the Bay Area and beyond potentially making a dent in the housing shortage. City officials, nonprofits and developers say theyre counting on Proposition 1, which would provide $4 billion for affordable housing construction and home loans, and Proposition 2, which would authorize $2 billion to build housing for people with mental illness, to help them fill the dire need for cheaper alternatives to the Bay Areas exorbitantly priced homes and apartments. Together, the bonds represent a major effort to address a statewide housing crisis that has pushed the cost of buying or renting a home out of reach of all but the highest earners and forced many workers to live far from job hubs. If Prop. 1 succeeds, it would be the first statewide general housing bond passed since voters authorized a $2.9 billion bond in 2006. That money is all gone. And in 2012, the state dissolved its redevelopment agencies, eliminating another major source of affordable housing funding. We have to do something, or else theres going to be some horrible consequences, said state Sen. Jim Beall, D-San Jose, who wrote the legislation that placed Prop. 1 on the ballot. If passed, the measures would fund a variety of state housing initiatives money would go toward building and renovating multifamily rental units for families making 60 percent or less of the area median income, for example, and to help low and moderate-income home buyers make down payments on their first home. But opponents worry about the cost of funding the measures. Prop. 1 would create debt that ultimately would be paid back by taxpayers adding to the existing $83 billion in bonds the state already is paying off. Prop. 2 would divert funds previously earmarked for mental health services. Many people with severe mental illness are not able to live safely on their own, said Gigi Crowder, executive director of NAMI Contra Costa. If they are placed in housing without receiving intensive treatment, they could hurt themselves or end up back on the streets. Over time, they lose the housing and thats sad, but its true, she said. San Jose officials say the bonds could help move the city closer to its ambitious goal of building 10,000 affordable homes by 2022. The city has the money to build about half of those units and would need another $600 million to fund the rest, said Rachel VanderVeen, deputy director of the San Jose Housing Department. Prop. 1 and 2 wouldnt completely fill that gap San Jose won just $127 million from the 2006 housing bond but it would be a start, VanderVeen said. San Jose also has a local housing bond on the ballot, dubbed Measure V, which would raise $450 million for affordable housing. In San Francisco, the city needs funding for about 900 affordable housing units that are set to be built through 2025. It would take an estimated $272 million to build them all, according to the San Francisco Mayors Office of Housing and Community Development. If the state bonds pass, youre going to see a very definite increase in production, not only here, but across the whole state, said Geoffrey Morgan, president and CEO of San Jose-based nonprofit affordable housing developer First Community Housing. If approved by a majority of voters, Prop. 1 would authorize $3 billion in bonds to build affordable multifamily housing, housing in urban areas near public transit, and farm worker housing, and provide loans and grants for low and moderate-income home buyers. The measure also would provide an additional $1 billion to help veterans buy homes. The bond would help fund up to 30,000 multifamily and 7,500 farm worker homes, according to the Secretary of States voter guide. Money spent under Prop. 1 eventually would have to be repaid with interest. State officials estimate it would cost taxpayers $5.9 billion to pay off the $3 billion bond or about one-tenth of 1 percent of the states general fund budget. The $1 billion in veteran assistance would be repaid by the veterans themselves. Prop. 2 would allow the state to borrow up to $2 billion to build and rehabilitate housing for the mentally ill who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The state would repay the money by diverting funds raised by the 2004 Mental Health Services Act, which increased the income tax for those earning more than $1 million to fund county mental health programs. More than 134,000 people are homeless in California, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Developments 2017 point-in-time count. As many as a third are living with an untreated mental illness, according to a pro-Prop. 2 report by the presidents of Mental Health America of California and the California Police Chiefs Association, and a former member of the National Advisory Mental Health Council of the National Institute of Mental Health. Some mental health workers oppose taking money from mental health services and putting it toward housing. While Prop. 2 promises to build supportive housing, which would provide residents with medical care, case managers, job training and other services, Crowder of NAMI Contra Costa argues it likely wont be enough to help the severely mentally ill safely stay in their homes. We do not feel hopeful that once the housing is built, that those with severe mental illness will benefit greatly from the housing, she said. Prop. 1 and Prop. 2 have garnered a great deal of support so far. The only voice opposing Prop. 1 in the Secretary of States official voter guide is attorney Gary Wesley, who often argues against statewide ballot measures that have no other organized opposition. I think theyll pass, said David Garcia, policy director for the UC Berkeley Terner Center for Housing Innovation, because they really have a broad group of supporters that really understand that need for more resources to address the housing and homelessness crisis. BERKELEY Workers will strike at several locations throughout the state, including UC Berkeley and the UCSF Medical Center Parnassus campus in San Francisco. The picket line at UC Berkeley will be at Bancroft Way and Telegraph Avenue near Sproul Hall. UC Berkeley officials do not expect the strike to be majorly disruptive, said spokeswoman Janet Gilmore. No classes will be canceled; food options in the dorms and bus services may be limited, though, she said. At the UCSF Medical Center, though, thousands of appointments have had to be rescheduled, including infusions and surgeries, said UCSF spokeswoman Elizabeth Fernandez. The emergency department will remain open, she said. Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees are striking to protest the universitys practice of outsourcing jobs to contract companies, according to a news release from the union. Additionally, the news release said, workers are protesting the universitys recently imposing employment terms that flatten wages, raise healthcare premiums and lift the retirement age. Union officials say they believe those terms could lead current employees to leave and for more outsourcing to occur. Workers at UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospital Oakland will not be striking, union officials confirmed. Some union employees will continue to work during the strike, and some employees will be ready to respond if the universitys contingency plans fail, according to a news release from the union. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees spokesman John De Los Angeles said the university has refused to acknowledge the negative impacts of outsourcing on low-wage jobs, he said. Tens of thousands of workers throughout the state are expected to participate in the strike. What good is a raise if our job is outsourced tomorrow? De Los Angeles said. University of California spokeswoman Claire Doan told the Bay Area News Group that the union is demanding too much. It wants an 8 percent annual wage increase, which is nearly triple what other UC employees have received, she said. UC cannot justify to taxpayers or the rest of the university workforce this excessive wage increase, especially for a group already earning at or above market rates, Doan said. This is the unions second strike this year the first was in May and involved about 53,000 employees. Union leaders are throwing a tantrum for the second time in five months, putting their agenda above the needs of patients, students and the public, Doan said. It is unfortunate that AFSCME leaders still have yet to glean a simple lesson from their May demonstration: their combative stance is harmful and ineffective. When Napa husband and wife Alex and Leslie Myers couldnt find the right child care center for their son, the couple decided to make a bold business move by opening their very own preschool. More than a year later, their dream was realized. Little Ivy Preschool officially opened in August at 2201 Pine St. in Napa. Little Ivy is licensed for 45 children, ages 2 through 5. The preschool and child care center does not require children to be potty-trained. For now, only one of the schools two classrooms is open. We have a handful of available spaces remaining in that classroom, Alex said. Once that classroom has been filled we will take a wait list, and we expect to open into the second classroom around the new year. The school offers a full-day program from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with families having the option to enroll in two days, three days, or five days of care per week. Little Ivy currently does not offer a shorter, half-day option, but it does allow families to sign up for extended care from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Little Ivy is located on the Napa Christian School campus but is not affiliated with the Christian school. The preschool is, however, able to use the mini-farm on the shared campus. Alex said Little Ivy will maintain at least an eight-to-one student-to-faculty ratio. Right now, those ratios are even stronger, which results in even better individual student attention from teachers, he said. During the school day, between learning activities, children are provided two snacks, which are all organic and vegetarian, Alex said. Each child brings their own lunch to school. The Goldilocks situation After Alex and Leslie Myers son, Ford, was born in March 2017, the couple began to evaluate child care options in Napa. They are pregnant with baby number 2. While they discovered many quality child care centers offering a wide variety of philosophies, sizes, styles, and costs Alex described the search as a Goldilocks-situation. We couldnt find one that was just right for us, he said. Around that same time, we found out that my cousin, Nickolas Simone, and his significant other, Michelle, were expecting a baby, Alex said. So the three of us Leslie, myself, and my cousin began working together on plans to open our own preschool, on the premise that our own kids would eventually enroll. Wanting more than just a daycare option, the family and business partners sought to create the environment they envisioned for their own children a clean, safe preschool that offered a rich and fulfilling experience that prepared children for kindergarten. After six months of searching, the Myers saw an online posting from Napa Christian School looking to lease a building on their campus that is set apart from the main campus buildings. From that time, we continued to develop our own education about preschool, and we are still learning, Alex said. I dont think well ever stop learning about early childhood education because we have grown so passionate about it. Little Ivy leadership The director of Little Ivy is Samantha Sollestre known as Miss Sam on campus. Sollestre holds a masters degree in human development, with an emphasis on early childhood development. I love how dynamic the development is within this age group and how excited they are to learn, Sollestre said. Prior to Little Ivy, Sollestre taught in preschools in Michigan and Ohio, and most recently was the lead Pre-kindergarten teacher at a school in Sonoma, Alex said. We wanted a director with a lot of excitement and enthusiasm for building her own curriculum, and a true passion for helping educate young children, he said. Under Sollestres guidance, Myers said the preschool has developed a structured-play based curriculum, which draws from several different early childhood education philosophies including Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio-Emilia and pure play-based child care. The interests of the children truly determine their play and learning each day, and teachers adapt to find teachable moments within that play, Sollestre said. Recently, the children completed a leaf stamping project that involved going on a walk to collect leaves. During the walk, the children learned about shapes and colors and why the leaves were falling from the trees, Sollestre said. The children were engaged throughout the entire activity, and it became a fun learning experience rather than a simple art project, she said. Teachers at Little Ivy also encourage positive attitudes and incorporate daily life lessons from Emily Posts The Guide to Good Manners for Kids. Its more than just saying please and thank you and learning to be polite, Sollestre said. We are including things like table etiquette, such as placing napkins in your lap and creating placemats, so that the children can learn where different utensils go. We believe that a focus on manners and kindness at this age is significant for the social development of young children. The three owners of Little Ivy Preschool Alex and Leslie Myers, and Alexs cousin, Nickolas Simone are all business people and active in Napa. Myers, a Vintage High School graduate, is a shareholder of the law firm Myers & Associates, LLP, a three-attorney firm practicing business and real estate law in Napa. He manages the firms real estate practice and represents many local small business clients. His wife, Leslie Myers, originally from Orlando, Florida, is a senior associate attorney with Napa law firm, Coombs & Dunlap, where she practices family law. Simone, a Napa native, is a top performing real estate agent specializing in luxury homes with Sothebys International Realty. Little Ivy has been a true labor of love since my wife Leslie and I first considered the idea of operating a child care center, Alex Myers said. It is really the definition of a family business the owners are all family, we created it for families and for our own children, and we serve families. For details about Little Ivy Preschool, visit littleivynapa.com, or call 707-955-5695. The city of St. Helena held its second annual community potluck Oct. 18 in Lyman Park. This years event honored volunteers who serve on the citys boards and commissions. Local residents and businesses contributed food, desserts, wine and beer, including free Mad Fritz on tap. Tim Foley wants to strengthen ties between the St. Helena Police Department and the community during his 12-month tenure as interim police chief. Community engagement will be Foleys top priority, he told a handful of people who attended a meet-and-greet Thursday at the Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company. Part of that is empowering residents to share the responsibility for policing their own neighborhoods, he said. That means keeping their eyes and ears open for anything unusual and calling the police if something is amiss. People say they dont want to bother officers with a little thing, Foley said. But that little thing might actually be a big thing. He proposed more face-to-face interaction between residents and police, with officers attending neighborhood meetings in peoples homes and interacting with students at school. Among the people who stopped by the coffee shop to chat with him were Superintendent Marylou Wilson, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Mary Allen and high school Principal Ben Scinto. Foley also will spend the next year investigating the possible consolidation of services agencies. He said outsourcing St. Helenas police services to the county sheriffs office is probably off the table at this point, but he wants to look at whether some support services could be shared with the Calistoga Police Department to increase efficiency. However, any changes would need to have broad community support and continue to provide the level of service the community wants, he said. A 33-year veteran of the San Francisco Police Department, Foley recalled three times when San Francisco voters rejected proposals to consolidate precincts, preferring to keep their neighborhood police stations. That overwhelmingly trumps economic considerations, he said. Community engagement comes naturally to Foley, who actually teaches a class on it for a small consulting agency. For part of his time in San Francisco, Foley worked in the Tenderloin, a nine-block area home to 5,000 parolees and 5,000 sex offenders. Once after leaving a meeting, he made four felony arrests just on his way back to his precinct. Foley specialized in officer training and said he always tried to get the community more involved in their policing. Thats something Ive been involved with my whole career, he said. He spent his last years before retirement as police chief in Nevada City, a small town not unlike St. Helena. For part of his tenure he reported to Mark Prestwich, who was then city manager in Nevada City. When St. Helena Police Chief Bill Imboden resigned in September to become police chief in Hercules, Prestwich asked Foley to take over as interim chief while the city evaluates its options for a permanent police chief. A Napa Valley College employee has played a role in drafting the language in a bill that will require comprehensive LGBT training for 90,000 law enforcement employees throughout the state regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. Napa Valley Colleges LGBT Studies program coordinator Greg Miraglia worked on the recently signed AB 2504 at the request of San Jose Assemblyman Evan Low. Its important because of the pervasive homophobia that exists in the law enforcement profession, said Miraglia, who consulted with Equality California and the San Jose Police Department before writing the landmark legislation. Miraglia is also helping Napa Valley College show the way on implementing the additional training for its police force regarding sexual orientation and gender identity, the college said in a news release. NVCs Criminal Justice Training Center has already developed curriculum and an online course certified by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. The LGBT Awareness for Law Enforcement course is the second LGBT online training provided for professionals by Napa Valley College. The online training for implementing the new law is currently being tested by the Albany Police Department, before being made available statewide starting in January 2019. In addition, Napa Valley Colleges criminal justice training center staff is working with the San Jose Police Department to produce a training conference that will focus on training the trainers. Conference attendees will receive a training package with course outlines, lesson plans, and activities to meet requirements of the new law. The LGBT Awareness For Law Enforcement course is the second LGBT online training provided for professionals by Napa Valley College. In addition to an online training course, a version for face-to-face training is also certified and available. 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. SAN FRANCISCO -- A 25-year-old man has been arrested for punching and seriously injuring a man who had approached his vehicle and mistook it for a ride-hailing service car near downtown San Francisco in September, police said Tuesday. On Sept. 8, Jiacheng Fang allegedly attacked the victim as he was waiting for a ride-hailing service car on the corner of First and Howard streets, according to police. The victim approached the car and Fang got out and allegedly punched him, causing the victim to fall to the ground and suffer life-threatening injuries, according to police. Police had put out a news release late last month with details about the case and eventually identified Fang as the suspect. On Oct. 16, investigators went to San Jose where they arrested Fang in connection with the assault. YOUNTVILLE All creatures great and small, weve got them all! Carol Fink genially proclaimed and then proceeded, with gentle words and a hawks feather dipped in holy water, to give her blessings to a 6-foot-tall camel, a tiny guinea pig and dozens of furry friends in between. Yountvilles Veterans Memorial Park played host Sunday afternoon to the towns 20th annual Blessing of the Animals, a local highlight during a month marked by animal-honoring events inspired by the Catholic feast of St. Francis of Assisi. And leading the way was Fink, who has offered blessings to pets and domestic animals and even stuffed toys and photographs of beloved animals since 2000. Before an audience that included numerous dogs, a few cats, a horse and others, Fink a Cleveland rabbis granddaughter who raised her adopted Costa Rican daughter as a Catholic urged her two-legged witnesses to understand what their animal friends could teach them. We ask for a better understanding as we learn from our animal companions their wisdom, their innocence, their loyalty and above all their ability to not judge humans unkindly, she said as the ceremonys co-minister. Let us accept their pure beauty, their ability to live in the moment, and may we accept the perfection of each and every masterpiece. Among those receiving Finks greetings was Freddy, a Bactrian camel whose twin humps made him as tall as his owner Rob Lyon, who with his wife Robin operates The Lyon Ranch in Sonoma. One of several therapy animals hosted by the Lyons, Freddy tours various childrens hospice centers, senior homes, mental hospitals and other facilities. As the caramel-furred camel charmed onlookers with dog-like back rolls onto the park lawn, Robin Lyon recalled the ways Freddy had touched others as he himself was soon to be blessed. If someones not responding, especially with dementia or Alzheimers patients, something just clicks, she said of the camels encounters at senior homes. Im not sure what it is, but it starts something going. There was one (patient) who saw him and said Thats the ugliest goddam horse Ive ever seen but he talked, and the nurses were so excited that he talked. Meanwhile, Margie Mohler arrived at the park to give a head start on life to Lurline, a year-old golden retriever who would be blessed for the first time but the third dog her owner had taken for a blessing. My dogs never miss one, said Mohler, a Yountville resident and Town Council member. The blessing worked with the others they lived to almost 13 each. I guess there must be something in the water, she quipped with a smile. For others at the Yountville blessing, it was an occasion to remember how the bonds with their animal friends formed. The puff of black around the back of Maria Binchets neck was no fur wrap but Nicely-Nicely, the Yountville womans 6-year-old Siberian cat. Before learning to walk on a leash, shake hands, do half-backflips and charm the neighborhood like a politician, as his owner put it, Nicely-Nicely was just another animal in a Rohnert Park shelter awaiting a home, Binchet recalled. He had immediate personality, played with a ball, showed affection, she said. It was a leap of faith but I adopted him, and he just blossomed. The emotional links tying some residents to their pets have kept some owners returning for the blessing year after year, and the Sunday ceremonys co-minister Lynn Macfarland described the 2017 event held just two weeks after wildfires erupted in the North Bay as the strongest evidence of its meaning. It was a spiritual moment, Macfarland, a Sonoma resident, remembered of the post-fire ceremony. You do it because youre moved to do it, and to give people hope and a sense of peace (when) people are desperate for any sense of well-being. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The caravan of Central American migrants moving through Mexico toward the U.S. border has bloomed to more than 7,000 people. Here's why the ca Nowhere has talk of an impending blue wave sweeping Democrats into Congress and Republicans out been louder and more constant this fall than in California, where the GOP held only 14 of the states 53 House seats even before election season began. But as the vote proceeds by mail this month and nears a climax in polling booths, one thing seems likely: Democrats will not dominate quite as strongly here as theyve hoped. Yes, they do have the advantage that this mid-term election is largely a referendum on Donald Trumps popularity as President. But no, Democrats probably wont flip seven seats here half the GOP total as theyve often said might be a key factor in gaining control of Congress lower house. Example: Even though Democrats have often touted the approximately 40 percent Latino residency in Devin Nunes 22nd District, it has been several cycles since his vote total was under 68 percent of all those cast. Even now, with reams of national publicity over his questionable conduct as a Trump acolyte while chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, the often-authoritative Cook Report still rates the 22nd a solid Republican district. This despite the very recent revelation by Vanity Fair magazine that Nunes, who often says hes a Tulare-area dairy farmer, and his family long ago moved their operation to Iowa. Only an uncle still has a local dairy farm, the magazine reported. So this seat, once considered a decent possibility for the Democrats, will likely stay red. Probably, so will Tom McClintocks 4th district in the Sierra Nevada foothills east and southeast of Sacramento, despite his getting his first taste in many years of serious Democratic opposition. But there almost certainly will be some Democratic pickups, as several Republican-held seats are now rated tossups or leaning Democratic. One that leans Democratic is the 49th district in north San Diego County and south Orange County. There Democrat Mike Levin has led Republican Diane Harkey by a 10-point margin for the seat long held by the GOPs Darrell Issa, currently listed as the richest man in Congress due to his car alarm fortune. Another seat looking promising for Democrats is the coastal Orange County district long dominated by Republican Dana Rohrabacher, sometimes called Vladimir Putins favorite congressman because of his frequent Russophile remarks. Recent data showed Democrat Harley Rouda either even or leading narrowly over Rohrabacher. Democrat Katie Porter also appears to have a decent shot at beating Republican Mimi Walters in another Orange County district, the 45th, where Walters took 59 percent of the vote two years ago. A Walters loss would be a major turnaround attributable almost completely to Walters strong backing of Trump. Democrat Katie Hills attempt to unseat Republican Steve Knight in the 25th District, centered on Santa Clarita, also is rated a tossup in most polls. Knight won only narrowly two years ago, and appears vulnerable. So does Republican Jeff Denham in the 10th District, centered on Modesto. Like Nunes district, the 10th has a large Latino populace, but Denham drew just 52 percent of the vote last time out, far behind Nunes 2016 performance. Democrats will spend more than $4 million trying to take over this district. But they are not doing as well in the 39th District in northern Orange County and some parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. Long held by the retiring Republican Ed Royce, now chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, this district was considered ripe for plucking by the Democrats, but that partys candidate, Gil Cisneros, trailed Republican Young Kim by about 4 percentage points in one recent poll. If Democrats win all the races now leaning their way, but lose any of those that appear to be tossups right now, theres a good chance they may not take over the House, which comes with investigative powers many of them are salivating to use against Trump, just as the GOP used them to hound former President Barack Obama. The bottom line: There will likely be something of a blue wave when the results start pouring in on Election Night, but anyone claiming it will be of tsunami size may prove to have been carried away. Thomas D. Elias writes the syndicated California Focus column. He is author of the book, The Burzynski Breakthrough: The Most Promising Cancer Treatment and the Governments Campaign to Squelch It. Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi said that given the geographical proximity of Assam and other north-eastern states with South East Asia, the region can be increasingly used as a launch pad of the countrys growing economic ties with ASEAN and BBN countries. Inaugurating a two-day North East MSME Start Up Expo and Summit Advantage North East-Invest Assam organized by MSME Development Forum at ITA Centre at Machkhowa in Guwahati on Monday, Prof Mukhi said, MSMEs are considered world wide as prime movers of growth. The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector is a critical component of Indias growth story, making significant contributions to GDP, employment and exports. The total contribution of MSMEs to the GDP is around 38 per cent with around 95 per cent of all industrial units form a part of this sector. Generously endowed with vast stretches of fertile land, rich expanse of forests and substantial mineral and hydrocarbon deposits, Indias Northeast is potentially one of the richest geographical areas of the country. The potential of the MSME sector not only provides employment opportunities at a lower capital cost but also assist in the industrialization of rural and backward areas, the Governor said. The Governor also observed that acknowledged as the Gateway to South East Asian Countries, Guwahati occupies the centre for the success of the Governments Act East Policy. He further said that the government has placed a special emphasis on the development of MSMEs in Assam to bring in economic prosperity to the region and use their contribution to propel nations GDP. Prof Mukhi also said that about 98 per cent of the regions borders constitute Indias international boundaries; that the country shares with China, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar. Given its strategic location, the region can be developed as a base for Indias growing economic links not only with the ASEAN but also with neighbouring countries, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. NEWS.am daily digest: 18.11.21 Ex-ruling party official: Incumbent authorities created deliberately organized chaos in Armenia Armenia Prosecutor General's Office to examine news about 6 Azeri servicemen captured and then secretly returned Dollar goes up in Armenia Armenia MOD planning training camps for reservists Sergey Lavrov, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office to discuss assistance to resolve situation in Karabakh High-tech industry minister receives Chinese recipient of Armenia State Prize for global contributions to IT sector Eurasian Intergovernmental Council's narrow-format session kicks off in Yerevan Pashinyan views Eurasian integration as one of Armenia's priorities Two Armenian citizens found in Afghanistan Armenian health ministry gets $ 2.5 million to fight COVID-19 OSCE Chairperson-in-Office has telephone conversation with Jeyhun Bayramov Deceased Armenian soldier Taron Sahakyan's brother refutes news that he was captured and tortured to death Armenia seeks to develop cooperation in food safety within EEU Armenia Ombudsman, UNICEF Representative discuss problems with right of children of borderline villages to education Armenia allocates AMD 462 mln for 4 subvention programs ahead of local self-government elections Major incidents not recorded in Armenia's border zones as of 2 p.m., operative situation is under army's control Armenia parliament approves several legislative amendments PMs discuss prospects for development of Armenia-Kyrgyzstan collaboration Turkish Nationalist Movement Party gifts Erdogan a map of Turkic World, with a part of Russia 'seized' Man, 49, found dead inside truck near Armenia village sand mine Armenia emergency ministry uses off-road vehicles to provide for needs of Syunik Province border villages, says minister There is investment activeness in Syunik Province, says Armenia economy minister Russia PM arrives in Yerevan Minister on Armenia economic growth: We are from optimistic realist to optimist Armenia President, Singapore deputy PM discuss avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation Ombudsman: Armenophobia, propaganda of enmity have reached extremist fascism in Azerbaijan (VIDEO) Russia peacekeepers carry out round-the-clock monitoring of ceasefire in Karabakh 1 more person dies of coronavirus in Artsakh Armenia premier: There is no Syunik Province settlement that is under blockade Office of Armenia commissioner for diaspora, SADA Global Delivery Center sign memorandum of cooperation Armenia government approves 2021-2026 action plan Armenia PM: Russia MOD made proposals on preparatory phase of border delimitation with Azerbaijan 1,019 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Senator calls for end to US military aid to Azerbaijan Armenia is elected to UNESCO Executive Board Whose body is brought from Baku to Yerevan by Russian Southern Military District deputy commander? Armenia MOD: Azerbaijan opened random fire at some directions of Tavush Province late Wednesday evening World oil prices still dropping Newspaper: Armenia has set task to change its foreign policy vector, Russia analysts say Newspaper: Coronavirus death statistics in Armenia are incomplete Armenian immigrant couple in California sentenced to prison for $20M fraud EEU countries PMs to arrive in Yerevan for intergovernmental council meeting Armenian army commander: Azerbaijan wants corridor, leader of Armenia gave consent to that, but refused later Armenia FM holds phone conversations with Russian counterpart, Karen Donfried and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office MTS launches inspection of its 'daughter' operations in Armenia upon request of U.S. Armenia MOD: Defense minister receives Rustam Muradov, who brought body of deceased Armenian soldier to Yerevan Taliban call on US Congress to ease sanctions and unfreeze Afghanistan's assets Armenia PM: The meaning of being captured and the circumstances of captivity need to be investigated Moscow, Ankara agree to not release details about joint manufacturing of S-400s OSCE Chairperson-in-Office welcomes ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan after Russian mediation Armenia Ombudsman discusses Armenian captives' issue with acting Head of ICRC Delegation Armenia PM refutes possibility of giving order 'to not open fire' when it comes to homeland defense Armenian PM tries to clarify situation regarding use of names "Eyvazli" and "Chayzami" IAEA Director General to visit Iran Armenia PM: Our goal is to sign a peace treaty Rustam Muradov brings body of one Armenian serviceman Reuters: UAE's high-ranking delegation to visit Tehran soon James Langevin: Azerbaijani government again unleashed a volley of unprovoked violence against Armenia Ambassador to the Holy See: Armenia calls on its international partners to condemn Azerbaijan's actions Armenia President provides Singapore PM with information about Azerbaijan's aggressive actions Armenia PM: Trilateral task force's work is not interrupted Armenia Police's Educational Complex has new head Jackie Speier: We're witnessing Aliyev's attempted land grab in real time Mass media: Rustam Muradov bringing bodies of Armenian soldiers to Yerevan Yerevan to host subsequent session of Eurasian Intergovernmental Council Earthquake hits Turkey Zakharova on possibility of enforcing Armenia-Russia Treaty, says consultations are being held NEWS.am 17.11.21 digest: Latest on Armenia-Azerbaijan border situation European People's Party issues statement on recent hostilities on Armenian-Azerbaijani border Opposition 'Armenia' Alliance MP: Resistance movement will help get rid of this catastrophe, namely authorities soon Armenia PM explains why he appointed new defense minister Opposition MPs remind Armenia PM about treason, get into dispute with ruling party deputies Armenian PM: There are territories of Soviet Azerbaijan that are under Armenia's control Armenia ruling party MP Andranik Kocharyan continues to talk about creation of professional army Armenia and Russia Security Councils' Secretaries discuss regional security issues Armenia Security Council Secretary: Azerbaijan fails to maintain ceasefire and isn't implementing reached agreements Cavusoglu blames Armenia 'for terrorist attack against Azerbaijan' Opposition 'Armenia' Alliance: Authorities' goal is to stay in power through ongoing concessions Armenia PM: Our proposals are in effect, including proposal for start of delimitation and demarcation Resident of Armenia's Shaki village panic when they hear the Azerbaijanis' gunshots Armenia ruling party MP: Enemy can't achieve any success in Syunik Province Armenia PM and ministers answering MPs' questions (LIVE) Ambassador: Armenia Security Council Secretary will probably have separate meeting with Nikolai Patrushev Armenia health minister: Kapan and Goris will have additional SUVs for paramedics Armen Sarkissian presents situation on Armenia's borders at Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore Armenia FM: International community reaction to Azerbaijans provocative, aggressive actions was not targeted, proper Armenia Prosecutor General receives Egypt Ambassador Council of Europe Secretary General concerned about tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan Armenian Assembly of America: Russian-brokered ceasefire is not enough Armenia Security Council secretary: Yerevan expects diplomatic, military assistance from Moscow Turkey and US hold talks on defense and security issues Peskov: Moscow calls for restraint to parties to conflict on Armenia-Azerbaijan border CSTO chief: There is still tension on line of contact between Armenian, Azerbaijani sides Kremlin: All parties consent is necessary for contact between Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan leaders Russia deputy FM, EU representative discuss situation on Armenia-Azerbaijan border Armenia health minister: We are at reduction phase of Covid cases 2 more persons die of coronavirus in Artsakh Biden bans members of the Nicaraguan government from entering US 168.am: Ex-commander of Russia peacekeepers in Karabakh is urgently sent to Armenia YEREVAN. A newborn has died on October 20, at a hospital in Armenias capital city of Yerevan. Police informed about the aforementioned to Armenian News-NEWS.am. The dead babys uncle called Armenian News-NEWS.am and said the physician who was administrating over the delivery of this newborn is the one at fault for this death. We blame the doctor because she didnt provide necessary assistance in time, she didnt perform a c-section, and then she took the child out by damaging, he noted, in particular. The man added that, initially, the mother of this newborn was not to undergo a c-section. But when the woman had felt ill during delivery, she had asked the said physician to perform a c-section, but the doctor had disregarded her request. The physician in question told Armenian News-NEWS.am that she could not respond to any questions at this time. The Investigative Committee informed that a criminal case has been launched into the incident. According to preliminary autopsy, the newborn had died of a brain injury. In a highly meticulous manner, Maureen Raymo can describe Earths ancient climate as if she experienced it firsthand. Theres no magic to her amazingly accurate account, just solid evidence in the form of deep-sea sediment cores that contain microfossil remains of plankton from millions of years ago. By analyzing such primordial matter, Raymo, a paleoceanographer and geologist at Columbia Universitys Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, is able to determine atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and global temperatures from millennia ago, giving us not only a record of the climate of yesterday but also a look at what awaits our world of tomorrow. It is a future fraught with global warming and rising sea levels. Its been scientists in my field in concert with climate modelers who have been sounding the alarm on global warming for the past 30 years at least, said Raymo. We understand the important role C02 plays in controlling mean global temperatures and, therefore, the amount of ice at the poles and the height of the seas. The first woman ever to win the Geological Society of Londons prestigious Wollaston Medal in the awards 187-year history, Raymo will put climate change on center stage at the University of Miami next month when she visits the institution as a UM Distinguished Presidential Scholar, giving two in-depth talks on a much-debated issue she says the U.S. isnt doing enough to address. Two decades ago we paid more attention to climate change than we do now, and that has nothing to do with science but everything to do with government policy, said Raymo, alluding to the Trump administrations decision last year to pull the U.S. out of the Paris climate accord. Were one of the few nations in the world thats not onboard with helping to solve a problem we singularly had the biggest hand in creating. A member of the National Academy of Sciences, Raymo will present two lectures that will be free and open to the UM community: Climate and Sea Level Rise: What Can You Do About It? on Tuesday, November 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Ungar Building, room 230, on the Coral Gables campus; and Climate, C02, and Sea Level: Past is Prologue on Friday, November 16 from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science auditorium, with a reception to follow. Raymo will participate in a series of scientific roundtables on topics ranging from atmospheric dust to ancient shorelines to women in the geosciences. We also have a field trip planned to see local geological formations, an ancient sea level record right under our feet, said Amy Clement, a Rosenstiel School professor of atmospheric sciences. Clement, who leads a climate modeling research group, and Raymo studied at the same academic program at Columbia University in which looking at past climates was seen as absolutely essential to understanding where we are and where we are headed, said the UM researcher. Raymos scheduled visit to UM will not be her first to the institution. Last year, she spoke at the Universitys Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science as part of its Sea Secrets lecture series, lecturing on natural climate variability and its relevance to current global warming. Dr. Maureen Raymo is one of the sharpest minds of our generation whose work on past climate and its variation provides a lens through which we can examine contemporary climate change, said Sam Purkis, professor and chair of the Rosenstiel Schools Department of Marine Geosciences, which will host the renowned researcher. Maureens visit to UM will catalyze ongoing work by our faculty, staff, and students on all aspects of climate change, including sea level rise, and raise the caliber of the institute in this arena. Raymo grew up watching legendary French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau on TV, and it became her dream to explore the world by land and sea. She studied geology at Brown University and earned her Ph.D. from Columbia. While still in her 20s, she devised the so-called Uplift-Weathering Hypothesis, which ties global cooling and the onset of the ice ages to a drawdown in atmospheric CO2 caused by the uplift of the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau. In addition to publishing fundamental work on the stratigraphy and chronology of the recent geologic epochs, Raymo has also proposed hypotheses explaining the patterns of ice sheet variability observed over the last few million years and developed new ways of studying past sea level change. Most recently her research group has focused on the reconstruction of sea level and ice volume during past warm climate intervals with the goal of improving predictions of future sea level rise in response to global warming. She directs the Lamont-Doherty Core Repository, the worlds largest collection of deep-sea sediment cores. Sea level change is the area of research I spend most of my time studying, said Raymo, who was raised in Easton, Massachusetts, by a father who taught college physics and a mother who taught children with learning disabilities. I love talking to people about the science of global warming and the science of polar ice sheets and sea level from the perspective of all the amazing knowledge weve acquired about our planet. With the Earth of today being 1 degree centigrade hotter than pre-industrial levels because of climate change (which is enough to melt 28 to 44 percent of glaciers worldwide, according to a new report by the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), it is critically important, she said, that students in all academic fields have a basic understanding of the science and history of climate and global warming. There are very few businesses and organizations and very few directions in which theyll go where theyre not going to have to address the issue of sustainability and climate change. Even if theyre managing hedge funds, their stockholders are going to want to know how their funds are impacting global sustainability. She calls Florida ground zero for sea level rise. Florida is facing some really serious challenges, said Raymo. Its not an exaggeration to say that the future viability of the southern half of the state is at stake. People need to educate themselves and start working at the local level to address this problem. And it is addressable. All the technology we need to solve the global warming problem is in hand. 'Amaq Reports 32 IED Attacks and Suicide Bombing Inflicting 370 Casualties on Election Day in Afghanistan Nigerian songstress Waje has berated the sorts of questions being asked her on interviews. In a recent rant on Instagram the Kpolongo crooner mentioned the type of questions she is tired of answering when quizzed by show hosts and the likes. Waje said questions about being a single mother is a no no for her. She insisted that she is over it and she doesnt remember what it feels to be s single mother anymore. She suggested questions thrown at her should revolve around her music. Read through her rants on Instagram. Home | News | General | Nigerias gas infrastructure developmentll drive diversification Chevron By Michael Eboh The Chairman/Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), Mr. Jeff Ewing, has called for the development of Nigerias gas infrastructure, stating that it would help in the drive for the diversification of the economy and boost the countrys export revenue. Specifically, Ewing, who was represented by Director, Downstream Gas, Mr. Sanjay Narasimhalu, at the 11th edition of the Nigerian Gas Association Conference and Exhibition, stated that the enhancement of gas handling infrastructure in Nigeria will help boost domestic gas utilisation and development of additional regional/export gas markets. Chevron nig He added: Gas infrastructure development will support gas to power initiatives, especially as the power sector is undeniably one area that could drive sustained diversification in the Nigerian economy, and strong vital gas infrastructure and reliable operations is a great enabler to this transformation. Unfortunately, the overall gas-to-power value chain is highly integrated, but currently suboptimal and investor confidence remains low. Ewing further stated that the opportunities for investment in the gas sector in Nigeria are enormous and include transitioning Nigeria from an oil-based economy to a more integrated oil and gas economy, while also ending routine gas flaring. 2019: Okagbare mobilizes for Atiku in Norway Other opportunities he noted include the deliberate exploration for non-associated gas to support the Nigeria Gas Master Plan, with a focus on high liquid yield non-associated gas resources to optimise the gas development project economics and the growth of new industries made possible from the abundant resources and competitively priced gas supply. However, he advised that to enable a viable gas industry in Nigeria, efforts should be geared towards supporting and enabling willing buyer willing seller gas pricing model; privatization of the various value chain sectors and the use industry standards, technology/instrumentation and processes to monitor and manage gas flows and gas quality. He also said it was crucial to develop and communicate strategy for legacy payments for gas sold to the domestic power market, while efforts should also trend towards driving initiatives in effective utilisation of the nations abundant gas for achieving the goal of energy security. He stressed that it is crucial to enact fiscal terms that encourage the development of small to mid-sized assets/reservoirs as well as non-associated gas fields, as well as the establishment of a competitive deepwater gas fiscal framework. Ewing disclosed that the Chevron Nigeria had contributed immensely to the Federal Governments gas master plan through the various gas projects it has embarked on, adding that the company is the highest contributor of high quality gas to the domestic market in Nigeria since 2015. He said: Through investments in gathering and processing of associated gas, routine flaring has been reduced by over 90 per cent from 2008 to 2017 in CNLs operations. We appreciate the talents in the industry, the workforce that make things happen. Without a committed and well-trained workforce, the achievements in the industry will not be possible. Chevron has a long commitment to Nigeria. CNL is optimistic about the future of oil and gas business in Nigeria. We have been making significant investments in the country for over 50 years and expect to do so for many more years to come. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Kaduna crises: Rumour causing more deaths than guns Bishop Kaduna Most Rev. Mathew Ndagoso, the Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, on Monday appealed to people of Kaduna Some burnt cars during the crisis that took place at Kasuwan Magani town in Kajuru Local Government area of Kaduna state Tuesday. Photos Olu Aja State to shun rumour mongering and acts fuelling crisis in the state. Ndagoso said in a statement in Kaduna while reacting to recent violence in the state, that residents must learn to accommodate each other and settle their differences amicably. As members of one nation, we must seek ways of understanding, of building bridges to one another based on a solid foundation of truth. I am not oblivious of the pain that has been caused by the loss of loved ones, both Christian and Muslim. At the same time, I ask that all reflect on the reality that violence only begets more violence. This suffering has gone on for too long and we beg that it be stopped for the common good. Why Govt imposed 24-hour curfew on Kaduna Spokesman He thanked the state government and security agents for their quick intervention in bringing the situation under control. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kaduna State Government on Sunday imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna metropolis and environs following violent clashes in parts of the metropolis. The violence erupted four days after 55 people were killed in Kasuwan Magani, Kajuru Local Government Area of the state.(NAN) President removes top officials linked to corruption scandal CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Obaseki charges Police Command to root out criminal gangs in Edo commends Police for crime reduction Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has applauded the Edo State Police Command led by Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, over the reduction in cult clashes, armed robbery and kidnapping incidents across the state. Obaseki Obaseki said, I commend the Police Command for stepping up its operations against cult groups, armed robbers and kidnappers, who have been terrorising innocent citizens in the state. The governors commendation is coming on the heels of arraignment by the Edo State Police Command of 72 armed robbery, cultism and kidnapping suspects, who have been terrorising Benin metropolis in the past few weeks. It is evident to all that the synergy between the state government and the Police hierarchy is yielding results. I not only commend the command for the effort to dislodge the cult groups, I charge them to dig deeper and cut-off the roots of the miscreants, ensuring that safety returns to our streets, he stressed. He said it is important to rid the state of criminals to consolidate on the gains to support the growth of businesses and engender economic prosperity for our people. Obaseki urged the State Police Command to sustain the onslaught against all criminal gangs, noting, Much as the Police has done a good job, we are not oblivious of the fact that more needs to be done to secure lives and property in the state. So, I charge the Police to redouble their effort, adopt innovative techniques and deploy more tactical manoeuvres to dislodge these criminals. He advised the police command to work with sister security agencies operating in the state to rid Edo of criminal elements. Breaking the backbone of cultism, armed robbery and kidnapping will ensure Edo is free from the vicious cycle of vices perpetuated by members of these groups who do not mean well for us in the state. He assured that the state government will continue to do all that is necessary to make the state safe and conducive for social and economic activities. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Party members demand exit of Edo PDP Chair By Alemma Aliu BENINA pro-democracy group, Rainbow Caucus, yesterday, called on Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, to step down as chairman of the party, noting that the position should be zoned to Edo South Senatorial District. PDP Logo Speaking to newsmen in Benin City after a meeting, President of the group, Mr. Okharedia Ihinmekpen said the state stands on a tripod which includes Edo North, Edo Central, and Edo South. What Ive learned about this club is to fight Lopetegui He said the chairmanship position of the party has remained in the North since 2009. His words: Before 2009, the chairmanship position of the party was in Edo Central. The position was occupied at one time by late Chief Samson Ekhabafe who was from Edo North. After he died in 2009, Chief Dan Orbih from Edo North became the chairman. Since 2009 when he started leading the party, we have been experiencing misfortune. PDP tasks Buhari on suspended NHIS boss While it is true you dont change a winning team, you dont also retain a losing team all the time. Next years election is going to be a serious election where issues on the economy, security, and corruption will be exhaustively dealt with. The PDP needs a serious team to make a full impact in the election. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Edo Assembly candidate flays move to exclude Auchi Division By Abdulwahab Abdulah A HOUSE of Assembly candidate in Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State, Mr. Dada Abubakar, has dismissed the insinuations that Auchi Divison cannot produce a House of Assembly member, having produced the LGA Chairman and a serving commissioner. Reps Abubakar, who said this while addressing his supporters said it was wrong for some elected officials to say that Auchi would not produce a candidate. Man, wife accused of killing parents, hiding bodies in garage wall His words: Auchi community willingly supported the Agbede Community to win the House of Assembly elections for eight years. Auchi is now urging the incumbent to drop a third term ambition for the Ward in the spirit of zoning. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Kaduna crisis: Rumour causing more deaths than guns Catholic Bishop By Ben Agande, with agency report THE Catholic Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Ndogoso, yesterday, appealed to people of the state to shun rumour-mongering and acts fuelling crisis in the state. Boko Haram kills 2, burns villages after looting food supplies Crisis in Kaduna Ndogoso said in a statement in Kaduna while reacting to recent violence in the state, that residents must learn to accommodate each other and settle differences amicably. Senate makes U-turn, confirms Kaduna nominee as NPC commissioner He said: As members of one nation, we must seek ways of understanding, of building bridges to one another based on a solid foundation of truth. I am not oblivious of the pain that has been caused by the loss of loved ones, both Christians and Muslims. At the same time, I ask that all reflect on the reality that violence only begets more violence. This suffering has gone on for too long and we beg that it be stopped for the common good. He thanked the state government and security agents for their quick intervention in bringing the situation under control. Streets deserted as security operatives enforce 24-hour curfew Meanwhile, a strict enforcement of the 24 hours curfew imposed by the Kaduna State government, yesterday, forced major streets in the city to be deserted as residents remained indoors. The curfew, imposed Sunday after series of incidences in the city that threatened lives and property, has, however, failed to lessen tension as there were reports in some areas that men in military camouflage uniforms killed some civilians in the Narayi area of the state. A journalist with Abuja-based Leadership newspapers, Isaiah Benjamin, who lives in the Narayi area of the city warned journalists through the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, WhatsApp platform to be wary of their movement because of the alleged killings. Important notice: I wish to appeal to colleagues to be cautious of their movement today (Monday). In spite of the curfew, silent killings are still being reported. Three persons were killed in Narayi during the night. Please, lets apply wisdom in the coverage of the situation to avoid being victims. May God help us, Benjamin wrote Apart from the alleged night killings, reports from Sabon-Tasha, in the southern part of the state, to Kawo in the northern part, indicated that the streets were devoid of the usual vehicular or human traffic. 23 killed, 17 injured SEMA Meanwhile, Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, has disclosed that 23 persons were killed and 17 injured in various parts of Kaduna metropolis during the violence that took place on Sunday. Executive Secretary, SEMA, Ben Kure, disclosed this, yesterday, during an assessment tour of affected areas. According to him, no society can progress without peace, which is an essential ingredient of development and harmonious coexistence. The executive secretary commiserated with the injured, while extending condolences to the families of the bereaved. He said the state government was committed to providing security for all and ensuring conducive environment for all to live peacefully. Kure thanked the State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, for his unflinching support to the agency. After touring Kaduna metropolis, the SEMA boss also visited Kasuwan Magani, where 55 persons were reportedly killed on Thursday, to present relief materials to the affected families. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | IGP denies rejecting promotion of DIGs By Kingsley Omonobi AbujaThe Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has denied rejecting the recent promotion of three Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to the rank of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, DIG. Police arrest suspected attackers of Lagos lawyer IGP Idris K. Ibrahim, The Police Service Commission, PSC, approved the promotion of three AIGs on Wednesday. Breaking: Again, Elrufai imposes 24 hours curfew in Kaduna town A statement by the Police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, yesterday in Abuja, said contrary to media reports, there was no tension in the police force. The force wishes to categorically reject the story as untrue and unfounded. There is no tension in the Police and the Inspector-General of Police did not reject DIGs promotion as alleged, he said. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Khashoggi's death: CIA boss set to travel to Turkey for more findings - CIA director, Gina Haspel is set to travel to Turkey to uncover mystery behind Khashoggi's death - Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi emirate disappeared upon arriving Saudi consulate in Turkey - President Donald Trump's inability to believe in Saudi's investigation may push for more findings Following the alleged killing and dismemberment of Jamal Khashoggi, a United states (US) based Saudi journalist and critic of the Saudi crowned prince, the CIA director, Gina Haspel is traveling to Turkey to address the investigation into the death of the journalist. In a report available in CNN, Haspel's travel comes following a new skepticism from President Donald Trump about the investigation results from Saudi officials on Friday, October 19, that Khashoggi was killed in an argument turned fistfight at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Legit.ng gathers that President Trump of US has earlier expressed dissatisfaction in Saudi reports, saying that "I am not satisfied with what I heard." This has prompted the intelligence agency of the US to make more findings as regards the death of Khashoggi. READ ALSO: Fix this mess - Buhari orders Oshiomhole as APC crisis deepens Expressing his dissatisfaction with the Saudi report, the US president was reported to have said that: "We have tremendously talented people that do this very well. They're coming back tonight and tomorrow and I will know very soon." Although, Haspel's travel to Istanbul has not been officially announced, source claimed the CIA boss would travel to uncover the mystery behind Khasoggi's disappearance and death, adding that pressure has been mounted on President Trump by US lawmakers to press the story to the point of truth. PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news update Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that following the disappearance of United States-based Saudi Jamal Khashoggi, a source had claimed to have heard a recording capturing the moment the journalist was dragged into a study and surgically dismembered. Khashoggi was said to have visited the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on Tuesday, October 2, to pick up paperwork he needed to get married. His murderers allegedly listened to music on their headphones while surgically dismembering his body. Which country would you leave Nigeria for? on Legit.ng TV [embedded content] Source: Legit.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Nigerian mission reacts to burning, looting of Nigerian shops in S/Africa - The consul general of Nigeria in Johannesburg, South Africa, Godwin Adama, has condemned looting of Nigerian shops in the country - Adams said 10 shops owned by Nigerians were razed in the attack launched by youths on Nigerians living Johannesburg - He, however, vowed that those involved in such attacks would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law The Nigerian Mission in South Africa on Monday, October 22, condemned the renewed xenophobic attack on Nigerians in that country. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that consul general of Nigeria in Johannesburg, South Africa, Godwin Adama, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja. Adams declared that 10 shops owned by Nigerians were razed in the attack launched by youths on Nigerians living Johannesburg. READ ALSO: Leave politics for politicians - PDP chieftain tells Father Mbaka According to him, ''On October 21, a group of South African youths mobilized to attack Nigerians in the mainly black neighborhoods of Hilbrow and Berea in Johannesburg. ''The youths who earlier carried placards to demonstrate against crime and drug.s regrouped in the night to attack and loot shops of Nigerians, burning about 10. Although no life was lost, the damage to Nigerian shops and properties is grave. ''We condemn such attacks; we call on authorities to arrest and try any citizen, including Nigerians, who run foul of the law. Also, those involved in such attacks should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. PAY ATTENTION:Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! ''We are also appealing for restraint to avoid further attacks while we also condemn activities of Nigerians involved in the drug business which is done in public glare in the areas. ''The youth believed that police is not doing much to discourage the drug trade and are taking laws into their hands which is condemnable.'' He said the ongoing judicial trial of a Nigerian pastor, Timothy Omotoso, accused of rap.ing minors in his church might have also added to public outcry of emotions against Nigerians. He said the unnecessary public trial in media of the pastor had whipped up serious emotions and condemnation on the issue. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that Nigerias ambassador to South Africa, Alhaji Ahmed Ibeto, announced his defection from the ruling APC under which he secured the appointment from President Buhari. Ibeto reportedly arrived Nigeria from Pretoria, South Africa, on Sunday, July 29, and in the morning of Monday, July 30, he handed over his letter of resignation at the external affairs ministry. The report however said it could not confirm if Ibeto saw President Muhammadu Buhari before returning to Minna, the capital of Niger state. Nigeria News: Is the Nigerian PVC Really Powerful? | Legit.ng TV: [embedded content] Source: Legit.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Police Service Commission gives reason for rejecting IGP's nominee for DIG - Police Service Commission has condemned reports suggesting a rancour between the commission and the Police Force - The commission said it wished to state that there is no tension in the Nigeria Police Force The Police Service Commission has reacted to reports of brewing tension between the commission and the inspector general of police, Ibrahim Idris over the nomination of Abdul Iyaji for the post of Deputy Inspector General of Police. The commission explained why it rejected AIG Abdul Iyaji, who was recommended by the Idris, for elevation to DIG. A statement by the spokesperson of the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, said the commission wished to state that there is no tension in the Nigeria Police Force. Ani explained that there is only a new wave of hope as the commission moves to sanitize the Force and return it to the path of rectitude. He said: "The new Management has since assumption of office insisted on working strictly with laid down rules and regulations guiding its Constitutional mandate of Appointment, Promotion and Discipline in the Nigeria Police Force. This procedure was observed in the promotion of three Assistant Inspectors General of Police to Deputy Inspectors General. READ ALSO: Call Father Mbaka to order - PDP chieftain tells Catholic church Before the recent promotions, the Nigeria Police Force had four DIGs representing four geo-political zones. They are Maigari Dikko, from Katsina, representing the North West; Joshak Habila, from Plateau State, representing the North Central; Emmanuel T. Inyang, from Akwa Ibom State, representing South South; and Agboola Oshodi-Glover, from Lagos, representing South West. The Commission considered the recommendations of the IGP of three AIGs for promotion to DIGs. They were Mohammed Sani Usman from Bauchi, representing North East; Peace Ibekwe-Abdallah, from Anambra, representing the South East and Abdul Salami Iyaji from Kogi, representing the north central. At the time of the recommendation, Musa Katsina Mohammed was the most senior AIG in the Nigeria Police Force but was curiously not recommended. The Commission in its wisdom and satisfying the necessary and relevant requirements approved the recommendations of Sani Usman to take the place of the North East and Ibekwe-Abdallah for the South East. It rejected the recommendation of Iyaji and in his place promoted the most senior AIG, Kastsina Mohammed from the northwest," Ani said. READ ALSO: DSS speaks on Nnamdi Kanu's escape, issues strong warning It is instructive to note that all the geo-political zones are currently fully represented in the DIG cadre in the Nigeria Police Force and the remaining vacant slot was ceded to the most senior AIG. It is further instructive to note that the IGP is also from Niger state, and invariably also representing the North Central. No Geopolitical Zone is therefore left out in the promotion The commission wishes to state that it is under no obligation to wholly approve all recommendations from the IGP for appointments, promotions or discipline. Such powers wholly reside according to the Law with the Police Service Commission. The current Commission is determined to commit itself to the letters of the Constitution and the Act in the discharge of its responsibilities, since it is by so doing that justice and equity will always be done to the entirety of officers and men of the Nigeria Police. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app It will ensure as earlier stated that all promotions in the Nigeria Police Force from assumption of office of this management are based strictly on merit, seniority, availability of vacancies, even spread and attendance/successful completion of relevant courses," the statement said. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Nigeria Police Force has explained why IGP Ibrahim Idris was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, department of operations, Habila Joshak, at the Senate on Thursday, April 26. The Senate had earlier summoned the IGP over the ordeal of Senator Dino Melaye who was arrested by the police. The IGP who is on an official visit to Bauchi state delegated Joshak to represent him at the Senate. The Senate, however, failed to grant the DIG audience and insisted that the IGP must show up himself. Lagos Police Commissioner Parades Suspected Criminals (Nigeria News) | Legit.ng TV [embedded content] Source: Legit.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | The several systems of government practised in Nigeria all the way from the pre-colonial era Every country is essentially known to be headed and overseen by a governing authority made of a set of ruling parties whose end is promote the happiness and peace of the citizens. To make this happen, to ensure that anarchy does not become the order of the day, several nations constantly look to adopting a good system of government. Nigeria is no exception. Right from 1960 when the country gained her independence, several systems of government have been practised. Most often, the governmental institutions put in place are usually swapped and changed every each time the constitution is changed. Some times, though, the Nigerian polis has found itself practising a particular system of governance by a sheer incidence. For instance, upon emerging free from the shackles of colonialism, the country who is now 58 years old held on to the tenets of British rule and administration. It was not until 1963 when Nigeria became a federal republic that a switch to the American system of government was made. But then, even in the middle of all these turns taken between all these adopted systems of governance, Nigeria had their own thing going for them. READ ALSO: 7 notable moments in the history of Nigeria In light of this, the importance of knowing all the various types of government practised in the Nigeria of the past and the country as we know it now cannot be overstretched. Thus, this compilation will do well for those who are enthusiastic about reaching into the political depths of this great nation. 1. Monarchical system of government This inadvertently has been the way of ruling people in the country from the beginning of times even before the name Nigeria came to be adopted or British colonialism swarmed the country in the late 19th century. The old Nigeria was divided into various ethnic groups and geographical partings, and for every of these places, there was usually a head to rule. These rulers who were mostly males were usually succeeded by their first male sons or another successor from a family that had earlier been determined to rule. For one, the Oyo empire was ruled by the Alaafin of Oyo. Later on, there was the Olu of Ibadan. Kingdoms like Benin, , Kanem-Bornu and Sokoto were also ruled by men who successively hand over powers to their sons. This is not without saying that these monarchical set ups were authoritarian in nature. There were also political structures that performed checks, balances and other legislative roles to the monarch. The Sokoto caliphate, for instance, was split into emirates. The Emirs were loosely subordinate to the overall Sultan of Sokoto even though they could act as independent rulers sometimes. For instance, apart from the chiefs and assistants the Alaafin of Oyo had, he was also usually checked by a group of seven powerful men called the Oyo Mesi. These people prevented the king from being an autocratic ruler, and if he did anything outside the laid down rules, he was usually forced to kill themselves. Although the monarchical rule is still practiced in some states, it is rarely pronounced as it used to be. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News on Legit.ng News 2. Acephalous political system It must needs be mentioned that not every state or community in the pre-colonial era practised the monarchical system of government. A good example is the Eastern part of Nigeria. Back when there were no colonial rulers imposed on them, the people in the East were ruled and governed by what was called the acephalous political system. What this meant that they subscibed to a leaderless or chiefless political system. By way of saying, people from those areas rarely had a king or someone who headed them literally. Rather, each large family was seen as a political unit. Heading every household is a family head who is usually the oldest man in the family. This person who held what was called the Ofo was responsible for making decisions regarding the family. When a matter has to do with the entire village, the family heads for each household organise a council of elders meeting and they discuss the issue and decide on it directly with a leader amidst them called Okpara heading the proceedings. Also, the entire village can also be allowed to have a say. This is usually called direct democracy. Another political type amongst these Eastern people is by means of what is called Ozo title. This title which was usually expensive to obtain gave someone the prerogative to be amongst a politically motivated group that made decisions. 3. Parliamentary system of government It might not necessarily be known by many Nigerians but even when Nigeria gained independence, the country still went on to adopt the system of government practised by the colonial Britain. This system or type of government was called the parliamentary system of government. By means of this, there is usually a prime minister and a ceremonial president. In the case of Britain, Theresa May is currently the prime minister and Queen Elizabeth acts as a ceremonial head. Nigeria in following this pattern made Nnamdi Azikwe the ceremonial president while Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the prime minister. This coalition was made due to the coming together of two parties. Also, rather than have elected representatives in a federal or state House of Assembly, people were appointed to be decision makers within a cabinet. 4. Military system of government It was not until 1963 that Nigeria became free from the dominance of the British. When this happened, the country decided to adopt a system of government where there will be elected heads; presidents and governors alike. This pattern was adopted based on the popular American system of government coined from Abraham Lincoln's democracy. The newly adopted democratic, presidential type of governance produced the first president who was Nnamdi Azikwe. However, in between the First, second and third republic, another 'system' of government - the military rule - happened one too many times. In this case, officers and generals in the Army took over from the civilian rulers. This they supposedly did to stop corruption and foster nation building. Howeverm what eventually happens is a dictatorial rule that was largely subversive. The first coup d'etat happened in January 1966 and it gave rise to the leadership of Late Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi. He was later overthrown by Late General Yakubu Gowon. Other military heads include Late Brigadier (later General) Murtala Mohammed, Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida and Late Sani Abacha. PAY ATTENTION: Get your daily relationship tips and advice on Africa Love Aid group 5. Federal (democratic, presidential) system of government Presently, Nigeria practices the federal system. In this regard, the president is both the head of state and government, and there are three arms and tiers of rules by which the country is ruled. President Muhammadu Buhari is currently the federal head of state and government. An election bound to be held in the year 2019 will unveil the new president. However, a popular man said that the government even in its best state is a necessary evil, and in its worst state, it is an intolerable one. It is thus no surprise that whatever system of government has been practiced, many Nigerians still are not satisfied with the way the country is being ruled and the one word they cry for is 'change'. Top 5 facts you didn't know about the Hausa people | Legit.ng TV [embedded content] Source: Legit.ng CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | News | General | Focus more on research- Buhari advises Nigerian Universities President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Universities and other higher institutions of learning in the country to focus attention more on research and development. President Buhari Buhari made the call in Ilorin on Tuesday in an address delivered on his behalf at the 34th Convocation ceremony of the University of Ilorin. The President was represented by the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Abdulrasheed Abubakar, while his speech was delivered Mr Noel, Director, Quality Assurance at the Commission. 2019 elections: Former SSS boss calls for independence of security agencies According to Buhari, no nation can be developed without research and innovation. He also advised universities to shift attention from quest for academic to research that could add value to the growth and development of the country. Buhari commended the university authority for coming up with 15 patents out of which six were done by its Vice-Chancellor. Buhari also advised NUC to examine the content of education in Nigeria, with a view to redesigning it to focus more on Science and Technology. He also tasked NUC to include Entrepreneurial Education in the curriculum of universities to make graduates job creators and not job seekers. The president added that no nation could provide government jobs for all its graduates, hence the need for graduates to look inward. Buhari admonished Nigerian youths not to be used as agents of destruction, violence and other social vices as the 2019 general elections draw nearer. Ignore media attacks on Kachikwu, Anioma youths tell Buhari He promised that his administration would continue to ensure that appropriate measures were be put in place for Nigerian youths to develop their potential to the fullest. Buhari explained that the development of the country was on Nigerian youths, hence the need for collaborative efforts to savage the country. He also promised that his government would continue to ensure a conducive atmosphere to engage the youth on productive and meaningful ventures toward sustaining the nation economy. Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara said the state government would continue to support the institution to promote university education in the country. Ahmed added that the University remained one of the first choices of students seeking higher education in the country. Newsmen report that more than 12,108 students graduated at the occasion with 103 of them making first class and 2,553 in second class upper. According t o the Senate of the university, 5,750 made second class lower, 1,660 in third class, 36 made pass, and also graduated 1,287 Masters and 236 Phds. NAN CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General Home | World | Africa | Chamisa now willing to engage Mnangagwa MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa has resolved to engage President Emmerson Mnangagwa for a political dialogue to resolve the economic crisis engulfing Zimbabwe. Addressing a press conference at his party headquarters in Harare on Tuesday, Chamisa said he was now willing to discuss with Mnangagwa on the formation of a Transitional Authority to run the country. "The only way forward is for a political dialogue with ZANU PF and it is not about the creation of another Government of National Unity (GNU), but we need to have a Transitional Authority which mechanisms we can discuss. This idea of a Transitional Authority was started with the late party leader Morgan Tsvangirai, along with other war veteran leaders, including Christopher Mutsvangwa, as way of getting former President Robert Mugabe out of office," he said. "The Transitional Authority must be a compromise as we don't want a repeat of GNU; we have experience now, once beaten twice shy. This political dialogue will discuss political legitimacy which has to be resolved. This will help to end the problems we are facing in the country," he said. ZANU PF secretary for Information and Publicity, Simon Khaya Moyo, said the party leadership had no time to discuss with Chamisa on the Transitional Authority matters. "We are focusing on improving our economy as we don't have a political crisis in the country. The elections are over and President Mnangagwa was given the mandate in the elections to be the leader of the country," he said. Chamisa said his party was going ahead with the 19th anniversary of the MDC, scheduled for Gwanzura Stadium this Saturday despite the ban on the rally by the police due to a cholera outbreak. "Political gatherings and meetings are taking place organised by ZANU PF and we also have soccer matches happening and the police have not banned those. We intend to approach the court to be granted the right to hold our celebrations if the police try to stop us," he said. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: Africa Home | World | Africa | Mnangagwa flies out to Zambia President Emmerson Mnangagwa has arrived in Lusaka, Zambia for the country's 54th independence anniversary. He was received at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport by his Zambian counterpart Mr Edgar Lungu. Zimbabwe's ambassador to Zambia Mrs Getrude Takawira was also in the receiving party. After the sounding of the Zimbabwe national anthem and a 21-gun salute, President Mnangagwa went on to inspect a guard of honour mounted by the Zambian presidential guard, after which there was the Zambian national anthem. President Mnangagwa is expected to witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two sides following the Joint Permanent Commission. Ministers Joram Gumbo, Joel Biggie Matiza and Sithembiso Nyoni, who travelled ahead of the president's delegation for the Zimbabwe-Zambia Joint Permanent Commission, were also at hand to greet the President on arrival at the Airport. President Mnangagwa left Harare earlier in the afternoon today. Zambia got its independence on the 24th October 1964 under Kenneth Kaunda who had split from ANC Zambia of Harry Kumbula. Initially Kaunda was secretary general of ANC Zambia and he formed United National Independence Party (UNIP). He was deputised by Simon Kapepe, who had moved out with him from ANC Zambia with others like Harry Mundiya, Phainas Bulawayo the Winbner brothers to mention but a few. Kenneth Kaunda and Kamuzu Banda of Malawi were the main agitators against the Federation of Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland which culminated in the end of the federation in 1963 and by July the following year Malawi got its independence and in October the same year Zambia also attained its freedom, leaving Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, which was to declare UDI in 1965. Zambia has some special place in the life of President Mnangagwa. He joined his father Sekuru Mafidhi in Zambia at the tender age of 12 in 1955 in Mumbwa. It was in Zambia that young Emmerson became active in politics and joined UNIP Youth League and goes to the Copperbelt as Organising Secretary. He later returned to Lusaka to be the UNIP Youth League Secretary General under the leadership of former Zambian ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Dingiswayo Banda who was the president. President Mnangagwa's other links with Zambia relate to his university education where he attended University of Zambia where he attained his law degree. It was at the University of Zambia where he met current President Edgar Lungu and several other members of the Zambian judiciary. It was in Zambia in a law firm owned by former Chief Justice of Zimbabwe Enock Dumbutshena that President Mnangagwa worked where he defended some members of the High Command who had been implicated in the death of first Zanu chairman Hebert Chitepo. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: Africa California-based space company testing a mini propulsion system for planetary microsat missions An American space technology company is almost ready to release a new propulsion system that could one day be installed on most spacecraft. The improved thrusters will be small enough to mount on microsatellites, yet powerful enough to propel larger space probes on interplanetary missions away from Earth, an article in Space.com stated. The system was jointly developed by California-based companies Stellar Exploration and Malin Space Science Systems. Stellar is currently performing qualification tests on the thrusters at its San Luis Obispo facility. Many space companies are working on refining existing thrusters or developing the next generation of propulsion systems. What sets the Stellar-Malin-developed system apart from the rest, explained Space Exploration Engineering (SEE) president Mike Loucks, is its stupendous output. The new thrusters are powered by hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide fuel. When fitted aboard a 12-unit cube satellite that weighs 56 lbs (28 kg), a single thruster can propel the tiny spacecraft to speeds of 2 km per second. (Related: NASA appoints planetary protection officer to act as an intermediary between humans and extraterrestrial life.) New thrusters will boost microsatellites out of the kiddy pool orbits SEE is not connected with the Stellar-Malin project. It is, however, a company that specializes in missions that take place near the Moon, in lunar space, and in deep space. So Loucks knows his thruster tech. The miniaturized bi-prop system Stellar has developed suddenly allows cubesats to take on the missions normally associated with much larger and more expensive spacecraft, he explained in an email interview with Space.com. None of the currently marketed propulsion systems for cubesats are even in the same ballpark. Often called cubesats, cube satellites are small spacecraft that are cheap to build and easy to fit within the limited cargo space and lift capacity of rockets. However, their size and weight constrains their equipment and payload. As a result, their thrusters are much smaller and weaker than their bigger counterparts. They also have much smaller fuel tanks. These physical limitations force cubesats to operate very close to Earth in what some expert call the kiddy pool of space operations. Stellars new thrusters can move cubesats out of their comfort zone and send them further from the planet, the traditional playground of bigger spacecraft. Microsatellites will be able to climb out of geostationary transfer orbits to higher geostationary orbits. They can even achieve a Molniya orbit, a highly elliptical polar orbit that requires a lot of thrust to reach. A cubesat might hitch a ride on the Psyche mission and be dropped off at Mars NASA provided the funding for Stellar Explorations new thrusters. The space agencys Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration program provides support for this and other technologies that let small spacecraft take on the science missions. For the maiden flight of its thruster, Stellar suggests that the system be fitted on a cubesat that will carried aboard NASAs 2022 interplanetary mission to the Psyche asteroid. The mission, which is named after its target, will fly past Mars on its way to the asteroid belt. While Psyche could drop the cubesat off at Mars, the tiny space probe will still need powerful thrusters if it wants to enter a stable orbit around the Red Planet. We are looking for other potential applications, remarked Tomas Svitek, the president of Stellar Exploration. He believes the companys new propulsion system can be used on other platforms aside from cube satellites. An array of such thrusters could be fitted aboard a small lander to help it touch down softly on the surface of the moon or Mars. If you want to keep following the latest developments in space technology, visit Space.news. Sources include: Space.com JPL.NASA.gov Makaveli Linden Bitcoin investor murder Norway The Oslo police department has released the name and photograph of the suspect that they believe is behind the grisly murder of Heikki Bjrklund Paltto, the 24-year-old cryptocurrency investor who was murdered last week shortly after completing a sizeable cash-for-bitcoin trade. According to Norwegian news outlet Verdens Gang, police have charged 20-year-old Swedish citizen Makaveli Linden with the murder, which occurred last Monday in Oslos upscale Majorstuen neighborhood. Per earlier reports, investigators believe the perpetrator snuck through Palttos window last Monday morning, intending to rob the unoccupied apartment. However, a fight ensued upon discovering the victim was in the bedroom, and police allege that Linden stabbed Paltto more than 20 times. Initially, local media reported that police believed the crime was directly connected to Palttos cryptocurrency dealings. According to friends, the young man had made more than a million kroner from his investments, despite the current bear market. It also appeared that he had sold a large number of bitcoins shortly before the murder. He was storing the proceeds, which he had discussed using to purchase his own apartment, at his current shared residence. However, police inspector Grete Lien Metlid now says that the theory that Paltto was a random victim is becoming stronger. Linden, a resident of Uppsala, Sweden, had accumulated quite a rap sheet, despite his young age. However, in the past, he had primarily been sentenced for minor offenses such as robbery, threats, and drug abuse. The suspect, who is currently on the run, is the subject of an international manhunt conducted by Interpol. Investigators believe that he returned to Sweden following the murder but that he is no longer in the country. Featured Image from local police/VG The post Norway Bitcoin Investor Murder: Suspect on the Run, Wanted by Interpol appeared first on CCN. No horse in this race, and he seems like a dirt bag, but I wouldnt be shocked if Ric let alone his daughter has tossed off a few racially insensitive statements. And unless the cops saved it cause of who it was, after this man years that footage is long gone. Reply Thread Link ... Like, beyond stunned. Reply Parent Thread Link yeah he just announced it live on RAW. I don't watch wrestling anymore(hate the politics of the owners) but my family still does and when I walked to the living room I noticed wrestlers were crying and I said there is not way they are acting. Reply Parent Thread Link Just saw on tv and its so heartbreaking. Reply Parent Thread Link Oh my God. Reply Parent Thread Link holy shit WHAT Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i'm actually crying. i really hope he kicks it's ass. Reply Parent Thread Link Holy shit. Wow. Wow Reply Parent Thread Link I hope he does I really do but if hes been fighting 11 years and now needs to step away to fight it, he wont beat it. I will gladly be wrong and wish him the best but I dont have a good feeling. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link oh my god Reply Parent Thread Link holy crap ...... :\ Reply Parent Thread Link igthft but something finally put him over. that aside, i hope the big dog makes a big recovery. this sucks. Reply Parent Thread Link I hope he makes it through this Reply Parent Thread Link Shiiiit, I hope he'll be okay My friend's gonna be devastated :( Reply Parent Thread Expand Link oh boy Reply Parent Thread Link He was on the football team at Georgia Tech when I went. I remember scoping out the football and baseball team rosters after I got accepted and thinking he was hot. I've had a soft spot for him since then, though I've never watched any wrestling. Reply Parent Thread Link I wonder if the Universe will still boo the hell out of Roman now when he returns from his very real battle. Oh, and it wouldn't surprise me if Charlotte Flair said racist things. Entitled white people, etc. Edit: That does NOT excuse the ex-husbands actions in any way, shape or form. Edited at 2018-10-23 12:19 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link speaking of wwe.. I have already had an emotional as fuck day today and I am losing it right now over Roman, Reply Thread Link all the hugs bb Reply Parent Thread Link Thanks bb. My shit is small potatoes and this whole Roman thing puts everything in perspective. :) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Honestly, Im such a Charlotte Flair stan that if the racist tirade turned out to be true, I would be absolutely gutted and probably would have to take some serious time away from watching wrestling. There were rumors of her donating to Tr*mps campaign that were debunked but as with anything, trust no one (especially since WWE is basically in bed with Tr*mp and other wrestlers have already exposed themselves to be his supporters). Reply Thread Link I'm not sure that they should have opened RAW with the Roman news... I'm shook, and I'm at home. I can't imagine the way that news just SHOOK the fans in attendance to the core. Reply Thread Link Isn't that the standard practice though? Didn't Daniel Bryan make his retirement at the top of Raw too? I think it is so he doesn't have to be in knots any longer over waiting to make the announcement. I get what you are saying though. It definitely will shift the mood of everything. Reply Parent Thread Link If memory serves, D-Bry waited until the end of the episode, because they had the whole "we're going to continue this retirement shindig immediately following RAW on the Network" and it was still live at that point and the only way it could have been live is if it was at the end. The super cynical part of me wonders if this is a ploy by WWE to help remove any of the antipathy that the crowd has for Crown Jewel, since it still hasn't been said that it's NOT going to be in Saudi Arabia. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i'm still kind of new to the wrestling world but it really wouldn't surprise me if she was racist. something about her has always rubbed me the wrong way. Reply Thread Link I wouldnt be surprised if Charlotte has said something racist. Her Dad is Ric Flair. However, her ex husband is confirmed a fucking abuser so take his ass back to court and bleed him dry Flairs. Reply Thread Link Amen, BB!!! We're of the same mind. Reply Parent Thread Link Oh shit. Its your girl!!! Reply Parent Thread Link right? his defense is "char is the abuser bc she said something terrible years ago to someone that isn't even me" what the fuck disgusting, he's probably a racist himself Reply Parent Thread Link after this roman thing, they need to pull the saudi show. cena and daniel bryan already dont wanna do it. like aint no body gonna care. save that shit for later. Reply Thread Link I mean, even before the Roman thing... they needed to pull the show from Saudi Arabia. Reply Parent Thread Link Have they made comments about not wanting to do it? Reply Parent Thread Link i read that multiple people have spoken about not wanting to go but the two of them are the first time im seeing actual names attached. they havent said anything publicly and i cant imagine they would unless something forced their hand. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i can't even watch the rest of raw right now, i'm way to emotional about roman :( Reply Thread Link Cena has one foot out the door and now Roman is gone. Who is Vince going to push now? Reply Thread Link Zack Ryder!!!! *cough* *cough* Reply Parent Thread Link Guess itll depend on how over Chelsea Green goes I guess! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I loved when he came out with his nerdy Jersey Shore wannabe ass. Long Island Iced Z! Reply Parent Thread Link I would love for it to be Seth or Dean, but Seth is making the IC relevant and that can't be discredited. It will probably end up being Braun. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Seth or Braun would be the best choice. Reply Parent Thread Link Honestly? I can see Vince pushing Drew McIntyre. Reply Parent Thread Link feeling devastated for roman and feeling like charlotte being racist is very unsurprising/her ex is probably still very much an abuser and this call out a year after the fact proves it Reply Thread Link MY QUEEN!!!!! Reply Thread Link Yeeeeee singles match too! Reply Parent Thread Link *bawls the happy tears* Did you see my comments in the FFAs that I got ringside tickets to the Rumble? And, depending on how long HBK's un-retirement sticks around, there's a chance he might be at the Rumble, too! So I would get to see my #1 (Sasha) and #2 (HBK) favorite wrestlers of all time!!!! Of course, I'm also going to quit WWE after the Rumble if they continue to support Saudi Arabia... BUT... you know, focus on the happy. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link wow Reply Thread Link I know this isn't Owen Hart levels bad, but I legit feel bad for the talent that has to perform now. The fans don't like Roman, for reasons that are both valid and bandwagon-y (not to mention, based on the news, utterly superficial at this point), but I'm sure the talent has a connection with him and they're probably super gutted. I wonder if this puts the brakes on the Shield breakup angle, too. Reply Thread Link Saudi Arabian companies could negotiate investment deals worth some US$50 billion in oil, gas, metals, and infrastructure during and after the Future Investment Initiative that opened today in Riyadh, Reuters reports citing an unnamed source. Of the total, US$30 billion will be deals signed by state energy giant Aramco, Reuters said in an update later in the day. Despite several high-profile pullouts from the event following the disappearance of Saudi dissident and government critic Jamal Khashoggi, particularly from the banking industry, a lot of energy industry executives did attend the conference, including Totals CEO Patrick Pouyanne as well as the CEOs of Baker Hughes and Schlumberger, Lorenzo Simonelli and Paal Kibsgaard, and senior representatives of other commodity players, including trading giant Trafigura. Trafigura, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, and Schlumberger are among the companies expected to seal investment deals with Saudi Arabian businesses, although some of these have already been announced, such as the partnership of Total and Aramco on a multibillion-dollar petrochemical complex in Saudi Arabia. Bloomberg, meanwhile, quoted its own sources, also unnamed, as saying there will also be deals with Chinese and South Korean companies. The report notes that most of these deals are either already announced ventures or further stages in already existing partnerships with just a few being brand new agreements. Whats more, Bloombergs Archana Narayanan and Javier Blas point out that some of the deals, to be signed officially during the three-day event, will only be preliminary agreementsmemorandums of understandingrather than anything binding. Riyadh is under a lot of pressure amid the media frenzy over the now confirmed killing of Saudi dissident and government critic Jamal Khashoggi, and according to Bloomberg, the spectacular signing ceremonies will be part of efforts to salvage the event, which was initiated by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmanthe object of much of Khashoggis criticism. The affair even caused sparks to fly between Riyadh and Washington with U.S. lawmakers insisting on a stern response to the killing and a Riyadh official promising a proportionate response, before things cooled off. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Although Russia hit a post-Soviet record in its oil production last month, it doesnt plan to raise output to 12 million bpd by the end of 2018, or in the near term, because this wouldnt fit Moscows economic development plans, Energy Minister Alexander Novak told Russian news agency TASS on Tuesday. In September, Russias oil production reached 11.36 million bpda record high for the post-Soviet eraafter OPEC and its Russia-led non-OPEC allies agreed in June to relax compliance rates with the cuts to 100 percent from the previous over-compliance. The respective leaders of the OPEC and non-OPEC nations part of the dealSaudi Arabia and Russiahave been interpreting the eased compliance as adding a total of 1 million bpd to the market. Russia has already reversed its entire 300,000-bpd cut that was pledged as part of the initial deal and has been adding production in recent months. This month, Russias oil production is around 150,000 bpd higher than its October 2016 levelthe baseline for the OPEC+ production cut deal, Novak told TASS today. Currently, Russia is pumping 150,000 bpd above the October 2016 level, so in total, the country has increased production by 450,000 bpd since May, Novak said. Related: Chinas Oil Addiction Is Its Main Weakness As A Superpower The minister, however, refrained from forecasts about Russias production in November, when the U.S. sanctions on Iran snap back. Russia will be monitoring the situation and will plan according to the market conditions, Novak said. The OPEC+ nations are struggling to fully deliver on the oil production increase of 1 million bpd promised in June, Reuters reported last week, quoting an internal OPEC document that it has seen. Saudi Arabia put the most extra barrels on the market, boosting its production by 524,000 bpd in September compared to May. However, Irans production slumped by 376,000 bpd in September from May, Venezuelas output plunged by 189,000 bpd, and Angola saw its production drop by 17,000 bpd between May and September. The non-OPEC partners in the deal have increased their combined production by 296,000 bpd since May. Russia boosted production by 389,000 bpd, but part of that increase was offset by declines in Kazakhstan, Mexico, and Malaysia, according to the document. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Despite the almost unprecedented divisive nature of Donald J. Trumps presidency, he is chalking up some impressive foreign policy victories, including finally bringing Beijing to task over its decades long unfair trade practices, stealing of intellectual property rights, and rampant mercantilism that has given its state-run companies unfair trade advantages and as a result seen Western funds transform China to an emerging world power alongside the U.S. Now, it looks as if Trumps recent tirade against Americas European allies over its geopolitically troubling reliance on Russian gas supply may also be bearing fruit. On Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that earlier this month German Chancellor Angela Merkel offered government support to efforts to open up Germany to U.S. gas, in what the report called a key concession to President Trump as he tries to loosen Russias grip on Europes largest energy market. German concession Over breakfast earlier this month, Merkel told a small group of German lawmakers that the government had made a decision to co-finance the construction of a $576 million liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in northern Germany, people familiar with the development said. The project had been postponed for at least a decade due to lack of government support, according to reports, but is now being thrust to the center of European-U.S. geopolitics. Though media outlets will mostly spin the development, this is nonetheless a geopolitical and diplomatic win for Trump who lambasted Germany in June over its Nordstream 2 pipeline deal with Russia. In a televised meeting with reporters and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg before a NATO summit in Brussels, Trump said at the time it was very inappropriate that the U.S. was paying for European defense against Russia while Germany, the biggest European economy, was supporting gas deals with Moscow. Both the tone and openness of Trumps remarks brought scathing rebukes both at home and among EU allies, including most media outlets. However, at the end of the day, it appears that the president made a fair assessment of the situation. Russia, for its part, vehemently denies any nefarious motives over its gas supply contacts with its European customers, though Moscows actions in the past dictate otherwise. Related: Russias Oil Output Wont Go Much Higher Moscow also claims that the Nordstream 2 gas pipeline is a purely commercial venture. The $11 billion gas pipeline will stretch some 759 miles (1,222 km), running on the bed of the Baltic Sea from Russian gas fields to Germany, bypassing existing land routes over Ukraine, Poland and Belarus. It would double the existing Nord Stream pipelines current annual capacity of 55 bcm and is expected to become operational by the end of next year. Russia, who stands the most to lose not only in terms of regional hegemony, but economically as well, if Germany pushes through with plans to now build as many as three LNG terminals, always points out that Russian pipeline gas is cheaper and will remain cheaper for decades compared to U.S. LNG imports. While that assessment is correct, what Moscow is missing, or at least not admitting, is a necessary German acquiescence to Washington. Not only does the EUs largest economy need to stay out of Trumps anti-trade cross hairs, it still needs American leadership in both NATO and in Europe as well. Russian advantages Without U.S. leadership in Europe, a vacuum would open that Moscow would try to fill, most likely by more gas supply agreements. However, Russias gas monopoly in both Germany and in Europe will largely remain intact for several reasons. First, Russian energy giant Gazprom, which has control over Russias network of pipelines to Europe, supplies close to 40 percent of Europes gas needs. Related: Oil Majors Win Big In New NAFTA Deal Second, Russia's gas exports to Europe rose 8.1 percent last year to a record level of 193.9 bcm, even amid concerns over Russias cyber espionage allegations, and its activities in Syria, the Ukraine and other places. Moreover, Russian gas is indeed as cheap as the country claims and will remain that way for decades. Using a Henry Hub gas price of $2.85/MMBtu as a base, Gazprom recently estimated that adding processing and transportation costs, the price of U.S.-sourced LNG in Europe would reach $6/MMBtu or higher a steep markup. Henry Hub gas prices are currently trading at $3.151/MMBtu. Over the last 52-week period U.S. gas has traded between $2.64/MMBtu and $3.82/MMBtu. Russian gas sells for around $5/MMBtu in European markets and could even trade at lower prices in the future as Gazprom removes the commoditys oil price indexation. By Tim Daiss for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: President Donald Trumps election shook the foundations of Americas alliance with two of its most important allies and trading partners: Canada and Mexico. His campaign promise to build a wall on the southern border of the U.S. and his tense relationship with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, made renegotiating NAFTA a particularly difficult task. The U.S. had a clear advantage in negotiations due to its economic and political significance on the global stage. Trumps preference for bilateral instead of multilateral deals increased pressure on the NAFTA signatories. Therefore, when Mexico signed a revised NAFTA or USMCA, Canada had no choice but to follow suit. Big oil, however, seems to be the real winner in this geopolitical battle. The proportionality clause dies a silent death NAFTA was signed in 1994 when the U.S. was still very much dependent on foreign oil and global warming wasnt as big of a topic as it currently. From an American point of view, realizing a steady flow of energy was an important part of the agreement. The so-called proportionality clause, part of NAFTAs article 605, prohibited restrictions that would cut shipments of Canadian oil below their three-year average. Negotiators back in 1994 pushed for the clause after Canada approved a national energy program that prioritized domestic supply over exports, according to former Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Derek Burney. Washington insisted on the provision due to its heavy dependence on foreign oil. Preference was given to Canadian oil, from a neighbor and ally, instead of overseas which could be interrupted or halted as it was during the oil embargo of 1973. However, North American trade has significantly changed since 1994, a change that has influenced negotiations concerning the USMCA deal. The shale revolution has unlocked vast quantities of oil and gas, making the U.S. energy independent for the first time in decades. The proportionality clause, therefore, has become superfluous. The shackles on Canadas energy industry have been loosened right at the moment when production is set to rise even further. Big Oils big win Despite the end of the proportionality clause, a level of cross-border dependence has remained. Oil produced in Albertas oil sands is attractive to Gulf refiners that are built to process heavier crude oil. Due to crashing Venezuelan production as a consequence of political and financial problems, dependency on Canadian oil is still present. Fracked U.S. oil is lighter and sweeter than other oils a fact that refiners are still struggling to adjust to. Related: Russias Oil Output Wont Go Much Higher Although President Trump vowed to bring jobs back to the U.S., an obvious winner under the new agreement has been Big Oil. The investor-state dispute settlement process of NAFTA gave multinationals in some sectors the right to override domestic laws and regulations. USMCA limits those rights with one important exception: U.S. oil and gas companies. Investments made by American energy companies are protected against threats such as nationalization and tougher environmental safeguards. American oil and gas companies have achieved another big win domestically. USMCA contains a provision that requires the U.S. government to automatically approve all gas exports to Mexico. This overrules previous rights of American regulators to limit exports in the name of the public interest. Mike Sommers, chief of the American Petroleum Institute said: "We urge Congress to approve the deal Retaining a trade agreement for North America will help ensure the U.S. energy revolution continues into the future". Many wins, the environment loses Despite Trumps unorthodox style of politics and negotiations, he has delivered some of his campaign promises. A renegotiated NAFTA was a high priority, he achieved it. Improving what Trump called unfair competition due to low wages in some countries, has also been a stated aim of the President. With all the flurry and praising by Mexican, Canadian, and American leaders that the new deal is beneficial to all involved, one quickly forgets the big loser in this context: the environment. Also, this is one of Trump achievements thus far in his Presidency: he was a climate change denier (until recently) and strongly supported the American fossil fuel industry. U.S. energy firms are now allowed to act unimpeded while also retaining certain rights concerning support against a change of heart in the government. This comes at a time when most of the world is investing heavily in alternative energy sources. North America risks being left behind in the next great energy revolution with leadership on this topic coming from China and the EU. By Vanand Meliksetian for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: A natural gas pipeline explosion that occurred earlier this month near the city of Prince George will reduce supply to British Columbia by between 20 and 50 percent this winter, the gas distribution company said in a statement. FortisBC said that although it had planned on having the ruptured pipe up and running by mid-November, it will not be able to fill it to capacity. At best, it would operate at 80 percent of capacity for the winter. To compensate, FortisBC said it was in talks with TransCanada to increase the flow along the Southern Crossing pipeline from Alberta. At the same time, the company said, it was working with industrial gas consumers to optimize their consumption. In its update, the company appealed to household consumers to also try and optimize their consumption of the fuel during peak demand season. The Enbridge-operated pipeline that exploded in early October is what FortisBC uses to transport as much as 85 percent of the natural gas it supplies to customers in British Columbia. The blast led to the evacuation of 100 people and forced the residents of British Columbia and the state of Washington to cut their gas consumption. At the time, FortisBC announced as many as 700,000 customers faced a temporary lack of access to natural gas because of the explosion. Thats more than two-thirds of the companys customer base. Now that the inconvenience for gas consumers is set for a considerable extension, chances are that the anti-pipeline sentiment in the province, which became notorious for its opposition to the Trans Mountain expansion project, will deepen as the necessary cutbacks highlight consumers dependence on the pipeline network. Yet at the same time B.C. has just become the proud home of Canadas first-ever LNG production and export project, LNG Canada, which received its final investment decision earlier this month. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Private hire taxi business Adison Lee and British self-driving software specialist Oxbotica said on Monday that they struck a strategic alliance aiming to deploy and operate self-driving services in London by 2021. Under the deal, Adison Lee and Oxbotica will collaborate on the development, deployment, and operation of autonomous vehicles to provide customers self-driving services in the UKs capital by 2021. The two companies will collaborate to create detailed digital maps of more than 250,000 miles of public roads in and around London. These maps will record the position of every kerb, road sign, landmark, and traffic light in preparation for the deployment of autonomous cars, they said. Addison Lee aims to use its brand to offer affordable, ride-shared services to passengers currently underserved by existing driven transport modes, as well as explore opportunities to provide corporate shuttles, airport, and campus-based services, the company said. Urban transport will change beyond recognition in the next 10 years with the introduction of self-driving services, and we intend to be at the very forefront of this change by acting now, Andy Boland, CEO of Addison Lee Group, said. Graeme Smith, CEO of Oxbotica, said in the joint statement: This represents a huge leap towards bringing autonomous vehicles into mainstream use on the streets of London, and eventually in cities across the United Kingdom and beyond. The UKs Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond told the BBC in November last year that the goal was to have fully driverless cars without a safety attendant on board by 2021. Some would say thats a bold move, but we have to embrace these technologies if we want the UK to lead the next industrial revolution, Hammond told the BBC last year. Ride-hailing app Uber is also planning self-driving cars sometime in the future, but its autonomous business suffered a setback in March this year after one of the self-driving cars killed a pedestrian in Arizona. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Totals chief executive Patrick Pouyanne has gone against the predominant sentiment in the business world and will attend the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh unlike a number of prominent company CEOs who pulled out in the wake of the Jamal Khashoggi disappearance and subsequent developments such as the confirmation of his death at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. In a statement published on the companys website, Pouyanne said, Total has never been in favor of sanctions and isolation for example, against Russia, Iran or Qatar and nor do we support boycotts. The CEO added, I have made this point clear on many occasions on behalf of Total and we have consistently maintained that stance. Besides Totals principal position on sanctions and boycotts, however, Pouyanne also noted the long-standing relationship between Total and Aramco, and more specifically the recent announcement of a joint petrochemicals project. The US$9-billion complex will have an ethylene production capacity of 1.5 million tons annually as well as a petrochemicals unit. Aramco and Total will shoulder US$5 billion of the investments needed with plans to have the facility operational by 2024. Pouyannes position is certainly pragmatic and it stands in stark contrast to the positions of several high-ranking executives who began pulling out of the conference soon after the news broke that Jamal Khashoggia critic of Crown prince Mohammed bin Salmandisappeared in Istanbul. Among those that canceled their trips to Riyadh were the chief executives of JPMorgan, HSBC, Blackrock, Siemens, and Uber, as well as U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund. Other energy industry executives have, however, followed Pouyannes example. Earlier today, Livesquawk tweeted from the conference that a number of deals were expected to be signed by Thursday with companies including Schlumberger, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, and Trafigura. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The European Commission on Tuesday rejected Italy's draft 2019 budget, the first time the EU executive has ever sent a member state back to the drawing board over spending plans. Charging Rome with "openly and consciously" flouting pledges made, the Commission gave Italy's populist government three weeks to present a new plan to curb spending in line with the rules. "Today for the first time the commission is required to ask a euro area country to revise its draft budgetary plan," Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis told a press conference. Despite its "regret", he said, the executive arm of the 28-nation European Union saw "no alternative" than to ask Rome for a new draft as clarifications it sent Monday failed to dissipate concerns member countries raised in July. "The Italian government is openly and consciously going against commitments made," Dombrovskis said. "Europe is built on cooperation," he said. "If trust is eroded all member states take damage. Our union takes damage." Italy's far-right Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini insisted Italy stood by its budget, warning Brussels was only angering Italians even more and eroding faith in the bloc. Sitting next to Dombrovskis, European Economics Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said the "ball is not touching the line, it is far from the line". If Italy fails to comply with the Commission's request, he warned, it could face disciplinary action. This could lead to fines of 0.2 percent of its GDP, or 3.4 billion euros, based on 2017 figures. Italy's government says it will stick to a deficit of 2.4 percent of annual economic output next year, which would be triple the amount forecast by the previous government and approach the EU limit of 3.0 percent. In turn, it would aggravate Italy's already huge debt mountain, at some 130 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), way above the EU's 60-percent ceiling and second only to Greece's in Europe. - 'Not get into a panic' - Dombrovskis said last year Italy's debt represented an average burden of 37,000 euros per inhabitant and it spent about the same amount to service its debt as it did on education. "Experience has shown ...that higher fiscal deficits and debt do not bring lasting growth. Exessive debt makes your economy more vulnerable to future crisis," he said. But the coalition government of the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and anti-immigrant League has said it would reduce total debt to 126.5 percent in 2021. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told journalists on Monday that the budget is designed to spur growth and avoid a recession. In its four-page letter to the Commission, Italy's government admitted its budget was "not in line with the norms of the stability and growth pact" governing EU member state public finances. "It was a difficult decision but necessary given the delay in achieving pre-crisis GDP levels and the dramatic economic situation of the most disadvantaged in Italian society," the letter said. The eurozone's bailout fund director, Klaus Regling, said shortly before the announcement there was no need to panic over Italy's high-spending plans. "The (Italian) fiscal plans are not in compliance with the legal framework, but Italy is not the next Greece," the German head of the European Stability Mechanism said. "One should not get into a panic," Regling said, adding Italy has not lost its ability to compete, and a large part of its debt is financed internally. He said there was "very, very limited risk" of contagion to other countries. When the euro area was formed in 1999 and the euro currency introduced in 2002, Italy was among the 11 original members -- of the 15 EU member states that existed at the time. In the years following the 2007-2008 financial crisis, the commission has set stricter limits on spending and gained more power to enforce them. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe makes a rare trip to China this week hoping improved relations will lead to new economic partnerships, as the two countries come under US pressure on trade. The visit is the first by a Japanese premier since 2011 and is part of a years-long process of repairing ties in the wake of a disastrous falling-out in 2012, when Tokyo "nationalised" disputed islands claimed by Beijing. The incident prompted anti-Japanese riots in China, and kicked off a frosty spell that has only gradually and recently begun to thaw. Since an awkward 2014 encounter between Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a summit, there have been ministerial visits by both sides and a softening of rhetoric. But Abe's trip will be a test of how far the two countries have come, and the need for progress is all the more urgent as US President Donald Trump levies tariffs and rattles sabres on trade with both China and Japan. "The trade war with the US seems like it's helping bring them together a bit," said Kristin Vekasi, assistant professor of political science at the University of Maine, and an expert on Japan-China ties. "In that sense, they're actually on the same side... and if Japan leans away from the US because of decreased economic opportunities, there's a potential for closer ties with China," she told AFP. - Complementary economies - The two leaders are likely to focus on a range of potential deals, including joint investments in infrastructure in regional nations including Indonesia and the Philippines. Abe has signalled some interest in China's massive "Belt and Road Initiative", which funds major infrastructure work, but experts said a concrete deal on Japanese participation was unlikely for now. Both sides are keen to improve economic cooperation, with Japanese business eager for increased access to China's massive market, and Beijing interested in Japanese technology and corporate knowhow. "Japan and China have really nicely complementary economies, and they can benefit hugely from having closer trade and investment ties," said Vekasi. "They'll try and bring home some economic tangibles. That's generally where they've been able to successfully cooperate in the past." The two leaders may find less common ground outside of the economic realm, with tensions lingering over territorial issues. Just days before Abe's trip, Tokyo lodged an official complaint after Chinese ships cruised around the disputed islands that Tokyo calls the Senkaku and Beijing labels the Diaoyu islands. And in September, Japan carried out its first submarine drills in the disputed South China Sea. Japan does not border the South China Sea but has expressed concern about Chinese military activity there. - Panda diplomacy? - Abe and Xi are likely to simply avoid those thornier issues, said Kazuyuki Suwa, a professor of political science at the University of Shizuoka. "Neither side will make any compromises... They will say what they need to say, and won't likely agree to go beyond that," he told AFP. "The relationship is a mixture of cooperation and confrontation, and that will stay the same." Much of the meeting will be about optics, with both men looking for the symbolic boost that the summit will provide. Abe will also be hoping to extract a pledge that China will make good on plans for Xi to pay a reciprocal visit to Japan next year. If he succeeds, "that itself should be called one of the major achievements of this trip," Suwa said. And there may be other diplomatic tools at the ready as well. When Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang visited Japan earlier this year, he announced a gift of a pair of rare wild crested ibises, which arrived this month. Japanese media have reported Abe is hoping that his visit will produce a bigger bonanza in the form of some panda diplomacy, with zoos in Sendai and Kobe apparently angling for new additions. Turkish police crime scene investigators, looking for possible clues into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, walk toward an underground car park, where authorities Monday found a vehicle belonging to the Saudi consulate, in Istanbul, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. Saudi officials murdered Khashoggi in their Istanbul consulate after plotting his death for days, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday, contradicting Saudi Arabia's explanation that the writer was accidentally killed. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- The Latest on the killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi (all times local): 2 a.m. U.S. President Donald Trump says he will be briefed Wednesday afternoon by U.S. officials looking into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi Arabian agents. After tomorrow, Trump says, "We'll know pretty much everything there is to know." He calls the killing of Khashoggi "a total fiasco" and says Saudi Arabia never should have thought about killing the dissident Washington Post contributor. Trump says, "Once they thought about it, everything else they did was bad too." Trump is repeating the denials by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that he knew of the plot before it was carried out. __ 11:55 p.m. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the Trump administration is revoking the visas of some Saudi officials implicated in the death of writer Jamal Khashoggi. Pompeo announced the step at a State Department news conference Tuesday. Vice President Mike Pence said earlier that Khashoggi's death at Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, "will not go without an American response." The visa revocations are the first punitive measures taken by the administration against the Saudis since Khashoggi disappeared after entering the consulate on Oct. 2. Visa records are considered confidential and Pompeo did not say which or how many Saudi officials would have their visas revoked. Saudi authorities have detained 18 people in connection with Khashoggi's death, which officials say was accidental despite Turkish allegations that Khashoggi was intentionally killed. ___ 11:15 p.m. President Donald Trump is criticizing the Saudi operation that killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi, calling it one of the "worst cover-ups in the history of cover-ups." Trump tells reporters in the Oval Office that he's expecting a full report on the killing soon. But he says, "They had a very bad original concept" and it was "carried out poorly." Story continues He calls the events after Khashoggi's death "the worst cover-up ever." Saudi Arabia has claimed Khashoggi, a writer for The Washington Post who wrote critically about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, died accidentally in a brawl at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. But Turkish officials say a 15-men team tortured, killed and dismembered the writer and say Saudi officials had planned the killing for days. ___ 10:50 p.m. Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri is scheduled to speak at a high-profile investment conference in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. Hariri's appearance, announced Tuesday, was not previously listed on the agenda, and comes as Saudi Arabia is under mounting pressure over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi officials in Istanbul earlier this month. Hariri, a dual Lebanese-Saudi citizen, resigned from his post last year during a visit to Saudi Arabia in a speech that many Lebanese suspected was given under duress. Hariri later returned to Lebanon and his post following French mediation. He has visited Saudi Arabia and has met with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman since then. Several Western business leaders and officials withdrew from the Saudi conference after Khashoggi's killing, the circumstances of which remain under dispute. ___ 10 p.m. The widow of former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko, who died from radioactive poisoning in 2006, says the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi should be a wake-up call about the deadly behavior of authoritarian states. Marina Litvinenko says her husband's murder may have led some governments to think "it's just so easy to kill people" without provoking a strong response. Alexander Litvinenko, a Russian agent turned Kremlin critic, died in November 2006 after drinking tea laced with polonium-210 at a London hotel. Britain says he was murdered by Russian intelligence, likely with the approval of President Vladimir Putin. Marina Litvinenko said the death of Khashoggi and the poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal in England were evidence that her husband's death had not deterred governments from seeking to silence their critics. She said "it's very important to react (to) any kind of behavior and crime. Because if you will make nothing happen today, you will just be not sure what might happen tomorrow." ___ 8:15 p.m. The United Nations says Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stands by his earlier call for an independent and transparent investigation into the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq reiterated Tuesday that the secretary-general can initiate an investigation if key parties request it or if there is a legislative mandate from a U.N. body. Saudi Arabia said early Saturday that Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post, was killed during a "fistfight" in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. an explanation many countries have questioned. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an interview with state-run Anadolu Agency on Tuesday that "If a request for an international investigation is made ... we would cooperate." Haq said that did not constitute a formal request from Turkey's government, which Guterres would need to consider authorizing an international investigation. ___ 7:30 p.m. Turkish state media say investigators found three suitcases, a laptop computer and clothing inside a car belonging to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. State television TRT reported that Turkish crime scene investigators inspected the vehicle on Tuesday for possible evidence in the slaying of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Authorities discovered the car at an underground garage on Monday. Saudi Arabia has said Khashoggi was killed in a fistfight that broke out inside the consulate. Turkey says he was the victim of a planned killing. Turkish authorities have not found the journalist's body. ___ 7:10 p.m. Foreign ministers from the G-7 group of industrialized nations say the explanations offered for the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi leave many questions unanswered and those responsible for the death must be held to account. A joint statement from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, along with the European Union, condemned Khashoggi's slaying in the "strongest possible terms." They called Saudi Arabia's confirmation of the writer's death inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul a first step toward full transparency and accountability. The statement issued Tuesday reiterated the need for a thorough, credible and prompt investigation done with the full collaboration of Turkish authorities. The G-7 ministers say Khashoggi's killing demonstrates the need to project journalists and to reaffirm the right to free expression. ___ 6:45 p.m. The European Union's top diplomat says the bloc is working with the group of seven most industrialized nations to coordinate a response to the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Tuesday that "the European Union's reaction from now on will depend on the next steps that will be taken by the Saudi authorities." Mogherini told EU lawmakers that foreign ministers are working with their G7 counterparts on "further steps and statements to be taken together." She did not go into detail about those steps. She called on the Saudi's "to provide all the information they have about the case and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice." Lawmakers described Saudi explanations about Khashoggi's death as a "cover-up and a "white-wash." ___ 6:30 p.m. Turkish officials say President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has promised family members of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi that Turkey would do all it can "to shed light on the murder." The officials said Erdogan on Tuesday called Khashoggi's son, Abdullah, to express his condolences, and also spoke with other members of his family. Erdogan told family members that he was "deeply saddened" by his death and that Turkey would follow up the incident. The officials provided the information on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Saudi Arabia has said the journalist, a critic of the Saudi royal family, was killed in a fistfight. Erdogan said earlier Tuesday that he was the victim of a "savage murder" that was planned days ahead. ___ 6:15 p.m. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence says the death of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi "will not go without an American response." Pence said CIA Director Gina Haspel is in Turkey reviewing the facts of what Pence called a "brutal murder." He offered condolences to Khashoggi's family. Speaking Tuesday in Washington at an event hosted by The Washington Post, Pence would not elaborate on what a possible U.S. response would be. Khashoggi, a Post contributor, lived in Virginia. Asked if the U.S. would sanction members of Saudi Arabia's royal family if they were found to have been complicit, Pence said that's a decision for President Donald Trump. He says Trump will make a decision that reflects the values and national security interests of the nation and will "make sure the world knows the truth." ___ 6 p.m. Lawmakers in Spain have rejected proposals to halt arms exports to Saudi Arabia after a debate. Conservative and ruling Socialist lawmakers argued Tuesday that jobs in the defense industry needed to be protected. They rejected non-binding proposals by far-left and smaller parties calling for a weapon export freeze. The pro-business Citizens party abstained. Spain chose last month not to risk a $2.1 billion contract for five navy frigates in a job-hungry region when it went ahead with a bomb shipment to Saudi Arabia that members of Pedro Sanchez's Socialist government had tried to stop. The prime minister is expected to brief lawmakers on the issue on Wednesday. Western countries have been rethinking their dealings with the Gulf kingdom amid international uproar over the killing of dissident Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul earlier this month. ___ 5:30 p.m. Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have received the family of killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi and expressed their condolences. The royals received the journalist's son, Salah, and his brother, Sahel, at the Yamama Palace in Riyadh on Tuesday. A friend of the Khashoggi family told The Associated Press that Salah has been under a travel ban since last year. The individual spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisal. Prince Mohammed has come under mounting pressure, with critics suspecting he ordered the high-profile operation or at least knew about it. Saudi authorities say they have arrested 18 suspects and dismissed senior officials. The prince appeared briefly at an afternoon panel Tuesday alongside Jordan's King Abdullah II, but made no public remarks. --By Aya Batrawy in Riyadh __ 4:40 p.m. The leaders of Sweden and Denmark are reacting after Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saudi Arabia murdered Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi after plotting his death. Stefan Lofven, Sweden's acting prime minister, says "it seems very credible that something terrible has happened there, something horrible." However, Lofven refrained from commenting further pending more facts, Sweden's TT news agency reported. In neighboring Denmark, Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen is summoning the Saudi ambassador and said the meeting would be held "as soon as possible." He said, "there are still a lot of unclear questions and I believe it is fair to give the ambassador the possibility to explain himself." Samuelsen had earlier said there would be no official Danish participation in an investment conference in Saudi Arabia as "a natural consequence of the actual situation." ____ 3:15 p.m. A U.S. official says CIA Director Gina Haspel is in Turkey to review the case of slain Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi. The official was not authorized to discuss the trip and spoke only on condition of anonymity. Haspel's visit Tuesday comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was not satisfied with Saudi Arabia's explanation of Khashoggi's death three weeks ago in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. Saudi Arabia said he was killed in a fistfight, but Turkish officials said the 59-year-old Washington Post columnist was attacked and killed by a 15-man Saudi team. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he wants Saudi Arabia to allow 18 suspects that it detained for the journalist's killing to be tried in Turkish courts. ____ By Deb Riechmann in Washington, D.C. ____ 1 p.m. Turkey's president has urged Saudi Arabia to reveal who ordered the "savage murder" of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul, and said the 18 Saudis suspected of carrying it out should be tried in Turkish courts. Addressing lawmakers of his ruling party in Parliament Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says all those responsible for the killing must be punished regardless of rank from the person who ordered his death to those who carried out the killing. He asked: "where is the body of Jamal Khashoggi?" For the first time, Erdogan also confirmed that a body double of Khashoggi was used as a decoy after he was killed. Erdogan's speech came as skepticism intensified about Saudi Arabia's account that he died accidentally in its consulate in Istanbul. ___ 12:40 p.m. Turkey's president says Saudi officials started planning to murder Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi days before his death in Saudi Arabia's Istanbul consulate. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that the Saudi officials began plotting against Khashoggi in late September, days ahead of his disappearance after he entered the consulate on Oct. 2. Erdogan's comments contradicted Saudi accounts that Khashoggi died accidentally in a "fistfight" in the consulate. ____ 12:25 p.m. Saudi Arabia says organizers will be signing deals worth $50 billion at the start of a major economic forum in Riyadh. The Future Investment Initiative forum, which began on Tuesday, is the brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It's aimed at drawing more foreign investment into the kingdom and to help create desperately needed jobs for its youthful population. The deals will be in manufacturing, transportation and other fields. Prince Mohammed was not immediately at the forum when it started. The forum last year proved to be a glitzy affair that drew more international business attention to the kingdom. This year's event meanwhile has seen business leaders drop out over Khashoggi's Oct. 2 slaying. ___ 11:10 a.m. A high-profile economic forum in Saudi Arabia has begun in Riyadh, the kingdom's first major event on the world stage since the killing of writer Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. The Future Investment Initiative forum, which began on Tuesday, is the brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It's aimed at drawing more foreign investment into the kingdom and to help create desperately needed jobs for its youthful population. Prince Mohammed was not immediately at the forum when it started. The forum last year proved to be a glitzy affair that drew more international business attention to the kingdom. This year's event meanwhile has seen many top business leaders and officials drop out over Khashoggi's Oct. 2 slaying. ____ 10:35 a.m. Turkey's foreign minister says his country would cooperate with international bodies if they were to launch an independent probe into the killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi. In an interview with state-run Anadolu Agency, Mevlut Cavusoglu also said Tuesday that Turkey has not shared evidence concerning his death at the Saudi consulate with any country but added that there may have been "an exchange of views between intelligence organizations." Saudi Arabia has said Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi royal family, was killed Oct. 2 in a "fistfight" with officials sent to encourage him to return to the kingdom. Turkish media and officials say the 59-year-old Washington Post columnist was killed and dismembered by a 15-man Saudi hit squad. Cavusoglu said: "If a request for an international investigation is made ... we would cooperate." ____ 10:20 a.m. The Turkish president is expected to announce details Tuesday of his country's investigation into the killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, as skepticism intensified about Saudi Arabia's account that he died accidentally in its consulate in Istanbul. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he will "go into detail" about a case that has shocked the world and raised suspicions that a Saudi hit squad planned Khashoggi's killing after he walked into the consulate on Oct. 2, and then attempted to cover it up. Top Turkish officials have said Turkey would clarify exactly what happened to Khashoggi and a stream of leaks to national and international media has increased pressure on Saudi Arabia, which is hosting a glitzy investment conference this week that many dignitaries have decided to skip because of the scandal. " A NON-STOP flight between two countries is seen to perk up trade and tourism of both.This is what Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Rafael Harpaz wants for Israel and the Philippines.In an interview A NON-STOP flight between two countries is seen to perk up trade and tourism of both. This is what Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Rafael Harpaz wants for Israel and the Philippines. In an interview yesterday, Harpaz said that while they keep an eye on the Philippines, the presence of a direct flight would maximize the potentials of both countries in people-to-people exchanges and trade relations. According to Harpaz, both countries are eyeing to establish a direct flight by next year. If this happens, this would make travel to the Holy Land a lot more accessible. He also expects a boost in trade activities. Reports said that Philippine Airlines will soon open a direct flight between Manila and Tel Aviv in Israel by this year or in 2019. With this planned direct connection, flight time will be cut short to only 10 hours. At present, Filipinos who travel to Israel pass through Thailand, Hong Kong, Turkey and Jordan. Harpaz pointed out that tourism is an important pillar to maintain the long-standing relationship of Israel and the Philippines. Israel maintains a close relationship with the Philippines after it opened its doors to the Jews during the time of the Holocaust. According to the Embassy of Israel in the Philippines, some 23,500 Filipinos traveled to Israel in 2017, up by 61 percent from the 14,600 tourists who visited Israel in 2016. At present, Philippine passport holders can enjoy visa-free access to Israel up to 90 days. The ambassador said most Filipinos who come to Israel are part of pilgrim tours. Meanwhile, Israeli tourist arrivals to the Philippines grew by 98 percent from a mere 8,776 in 2014 to 17,446 in 2017. Harpaz yesterday met with the officials of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI). The ambassador also met with Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena and Mandaue City Mayor Luigi Quisumbing. The ambassadors visit to Cebu is part of Israels friendly gesture to also build ties with the different provinces in the country, following the recent state visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to Israel, where both countries signed 21 deals which could translate to 790 additional jobs for Filipinos. Story continues Recently, Duterte signed a seven-year oil exploration deal with an Israeli firm to develop the countrys own energy sources. Ratio Petroleum can now explore Area 4, which covers 416,000 hectares across the East Palawan Basin, for potential oil and gas resources. If successful, this would lessen the countrys dependency on oil importation. I hope this will give the Philippines more blessings, said Harpaz. Besides oil exploration, both countries could work together in the areas of agriculture, innovation and technology, cybersecurity, tourism and manufacturing. Israel could also be a potential destination for Filipinos who want to seek work abroad, especially caregivers. The Ambassador noted that there are some 30,000 Filipino caregivers who are currently employed in Israel. They are also eyeing the possibility of opening Israels hotel industry to Filipino workers. Moreover, dried mangoes, coconut oil and semiconductors are some of the Philippine products that are in demand in Israel. In 2016, Israel ranked 37th as the Philippines trading partner (out of 226 partners), 36th export market (out of 213 markets) and 36th import supplier (out of 207 suppliers). The countrys exports to Israel grew by 23.60 percent from US$46.23 million in 2015 to $57.14 million in 2016 while Philippine imports expanded by 27.32 percent from $103.99 million in 2015 to $132.40 million in 2016. Harpaz said mounting direct flights would help both countries achieve a balanced trade. Top 10 Philippine products exported to Israel are electronics, chemicals, marine products, processed food, garments, machinery or transport equipment, furniture, carrageenan, giftware and construction materials. The country imports products from Israel such as electronics, industrial manufactures, chemicals, machinery or transport equipment, processed food, flowers, yarns and twine, natural oils/fats and waxes and construction materials. CCCI signed a sisterhood agreement with the Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ICCP) last year. The two chambers agreed to undertake efforts to promote better relations, exchange information on chamber management and developments and important public and private opportunities in both countries, explore ways of promoting trade and industrial cooperation and facilitate joint ventures between Cebu and Israel, and to exchange delegations and organize joint meetings to promote the development of commercial exchange. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected Tuesday to reveal what he has said is the "naked truth" about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul -- a killing Ankara has said was "savagely planned". His speech comes as US President Donald Trump said he was "not satisfied" with Riyadh's explanation of the Washington Post contributor's death in a case has tarnished the image of powerful Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. A tough critic of the Saudi Crown Prince, Khashoggi, 59, disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to collect a document for his upcoming marriage. A few days later, a Turkish government source said police believed he was murdered by a team sent to Istanbul, and on October 17, a Turkish newspaper said he was tortured and decapitated inside the consulate. After more than two weeks of near silence, Saudi Arabia admitted on Saturday that Khashoggi was killed in an altercation at the consular office -- an explanation rejected by friends and foes alike. Trump, who had said he found Riyadh's initial explanations credible, told reporters at the White House Monday: "I am not satisfied with what I have heard" since then, and expected to know more "very soon". US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin meanwhile met the Crown Prince behind closed doors in Riyadh for talks while CIA Director Gina Haspel headed for Turkey, although details of her trip were not immediately clear. White House advisor and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner said he had urged Prince Mohammed to be "fully transparent" stressing that "the world is watching". The case has shone the spotlight on the Crown Prince, who was credited with spearheading a reform drive but is now accused of having ordered Khashoggi's murder -- a claim Riyadh denies. And as further details of the killing continued to seep out, CNN broadcast images showing a Saudi official playing a body double for Khashoggi, wearing the journalist's clothes, exiting the consulate. - 'Enemy of Turkey' - Omer Celik, spokesman of Erdogan's ruling party, said the killing "was planned in an extremely savage manner," and that "there has been a lot of effort to whitewash this". An Erdogan adviser, Yasin Aktay, wrote in the Yeni Safak daily that Riyadh's version of events "feels like our intelligence is being mocked". The security official heading a team of 15 Saudis allegedly sent to Istanbul, called the head of Prince Mohammed's office, Bader al-Asaker, "four times after the murder", the adviser added. Abdulkadir Selvi, whose Hurriyet newspaper columns are closely watched for indications of Erdogan's thinking, wrote that Khashoggi was slowly strangled to death before a Saudi forensic specialist cut his body into 15 pieces while listening to music. "We cannot close this file until the crown prince is brought to account and removed from his post," said Selvi. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, a smooth former envoy to Washington, appeared on Fox News Sunday to blame a "rogue operation" by individuals who "exceeded their responsibilities" and then "tried to cover up for it". With Khashoggi's remains still missing, Turkish police have found an abandoned car belonging to the Saudi consulate in an underground car park in the Sultangazi district of Istanbul, state media said. Erdogan has stopped short of directly pointing the finger at Riyadh. Analysts say he preferred to authorise the leak of incriminating information to pro-government media to put pressure on the kingdom. He has twice held telephone talks with King Salman on the crisis, interpreted by some as sidelining the ageing monarch's son Prince Mohammed. - 'Justice must be served' - The timing of the controversy could not be worse for the crown prince as he prepares to host a key investment summit Tuesday, overshadowed by big name cancellations. Dozens of executives from bankers Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan to ride-hailing app Uber to Western leaders like International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde have pulled out of the three-day Future Investment Initiative (FII), dubbed "Davos in the desert". The chief executive of German industrial conglomerate Siemens Joe Kaeser was the latest to cancel, saying "for now, the truth must be found and justice must be served". Petrol giant Total's head Patrick Pouyanne, however, said he will attend the meeting as "empty chair politics" do not advance human rights. Meanwhile German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Berlin would not export arms to Riyadh "in the current situation," despite Germany's approval last month of 416 million euros' ($480 million) worth of arms exports in 2018. burs/jah/jta A lack of affordable housing is linked with many health problems, including asthma, stress and alcoholism. Penn State researchers found that while some Americans may be less aware of this link, there may be ways to communicate this connection in a way that resonates with those groups. The researchers found that high-income citizens and conservatives were less likely to acknowledge the link between housing affordability and health than people in lower income brackets or other political affiliations. These groups were also more responsive to the themes of "personal responsibility" and "stability and security." Selena Ortiz, assistant professor of health policy and administration, said she hopes these insightsrecently published in the journal SSMPopulation Healthcan help improve communications about health and housing affordability. "If there's a way we can use those themes and incorporate them into communications, maybe our message can resonate with those groups more," Ortiz said. "If we can talk about improving housing affordability in terms of allowing someone to secure a healthy, stable life, while also not discounting this theme of personal responsibility, maybe that could help." Ortiz says that while the term "affordable housing crisis" makes it sound like this is a new problem, the issue has been around for decades. She said that currently, a worker making minimum wage is unable to spend less than 30 percent of their income on rent or a mortgage anywhere in the U.S. Additionally, an estimated 12 million American households pay more than 50 percent of their income on housing. The researchers said that people living in unaffordable housing are at risk for many negative health outcomes, both physically and mentally. Unsafe living conditions could put them at risk for lead or asbestos poisoning, while also placing them at a higher risk for drug or alcohol abuse and stress from the threat of eviction. "There's real consequences, including having to worry every single month about how are you going to scrape the money together to pay for your rent or mortgage," Ortiz said. "The fear and act of eviction is also pretty powerful. And with children who go through that, there could be effects that linger throughout their liveswhich we just don't know about yet." To investigate how Americans feel about the link between health and housing affordability, the researchers used data from 400 adults who were members of the Survey Sampling International online research panel, which is representative of the U.S. in terms of gender, age, race, income and educational levels. The participants were asked questions about their income and political affiliation, along with whether they agreed that the cost and affordability of housing was related to a person's health. They also answered an open-ended question about how and why housing affordability matters. After analyzing the data, the researchers found that overall, most of the participants agreed that housing affordability was linked to health. About 83 percent of Democrats, 65 percent of Independents and 61 percent of Republicans agreed with the connection. About 43 percent of respondents in the highest income bracket agreed, contrasted with 70 percent in the lower income groups. Ortiz said that while the participants largely agreed to the first question of whether housing affordability matters to health, when asked an open-ended question about why housing affordability matters, health rarely came up. "Even in this short survey, the concept of health wasn't very salient," Ortiz said. "It just goes to show that we need to be very explicit and very forthcoming in our messaging about this link again and again and again, because it doesn't stick in our minds." The groups that were less likely to agree that housing affordability was linked with health were also more likely to talk about "personal responsibility" and "security and stability" when asked why housing affordability matters. "If we know these groups value these themes, maybe we can fold them into our communications in a way that doesn't discount these beliefs," Ortiz said. "Is there a way, for example, to not discount personal responsibility while also explaining that you can still have an individual that's working 40 hours plus and they still can't afford their home and provide for their family? How do we emphasize that affordable housing enables individuals to exercise their own agency to secure a better life for them and their families?" Ortiz said she hopes her research can help bring Americans together to agree on housing policies that can make affordable housing a possibility for everyone. "This isn't an issue of people not working hard enough," Ortiz said. "These are real families and individuals who are struggling, and it has severe public health consequences, not just for them but for us as a society. We have to continue to talk about it and be creative about how we communicate about it." Explore further Negative perception of social housing is outdated, say researchers More information: Selena E. Ortiz et al, Building the case for housing policy: Understanding public beliefs about housing affordability as a key social determinant of health, SSM - Population Health (2018). Selena E. Ortiz et al, Building the case for housing policy: Understanding public beliefs about housing affordability as a key social determinant of health,(2018). DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2018.08.008 Credit: CC0 Public Domain In the largest metagenomics study of production animals to date, the Technical University of Denmark has found more antimicrobial resistance in pigs than in broiler chickens, but a greater diversity of resistance genes in broilers. Treating animals with antimicrobials can cause bacteria to become resistant, and these resistant bacteria can spread to humans through the food chain and close contact with animals. Solid data that show where, what type and how much antimicrobial resistance exists are necessary to combat resistant bacteria in the animals and to evaluate the effect of political initiatives aimed at limiting the presence of antimicrobial resistance. This is why Denmark has monitored the presence of antimicrobial resistance and the use of antimicrobials in production animals and humans for more than 20 years through the DANMAP monitoring programme. However, the current monitoring methods only show the tip of the iceberg, because they are based on isolating and growing specific disease-causing microorganisms and determining the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance specifically in those organisms. New methods produce enormous datasets Metagenomic sequencing on the other hand can provide a much more detailed picture of the extent of resistance, because this method maps out all of the DNA material in a sample and not just in selected organisms. As such, researchers can detect resistance in organisms, which they were unaware existed. Researchers from the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, led the largest metagenomics study of production animals to date where theyalong with other European researchershave mapped out the extent and type of resistance that is present in European pigs and broiler chickens. The researchers used the DTU supercomputer Computerome to analyze the DNA sequences from faeces samples collected from more than 9,000 pigs and broilers on 359 farms in nine European countries. This resulted in the sequencing of more than 5,000 billion DNA nucleotides, which is equivalent to more than 1,500 human genomes. Both well-known and surprising results "As seen in previous studies of individual bacterial species, we have found a correlation between consumption and resistance. As such, we unsurprisingly found less resistance in Danish and Dutch farms, where farmers use lower amounts of antimicrobials than in the seven other countries," Postdoc Patrick Munk from the National Food Institute says. "However, it was a surprise that while we found more resistance in pigs than broilers, there was greater diversity in the resistant genes in the broilers. We also saw large differences in the resistance profiles between countries, which are due to differences in antimicrobial use, differences in the bacterial composition and perhaps other unknown factors," he adds. The researchers have also been able to use the study results to determine the spread of selected, problematic resistance genes such as mcr-1, which causes resistance to the antimicrobial colistin. The analysis shows that mcr-1 is most frequently found in Bulgarian and Italian broilers. Metagenomic studies show lots of potential Unlike traditional analytical methods, raw data from metagenomics studies can be reused in the future to examine other problems. As researchers detect more resistance genes, this will allow them to recycle raw data from old metagenomic sequencing studies to find out how these genes have emerged and spread. "A digital archive of metagenomic data from production animals has great value and we therefore recommend that resistance monitoring methods based on metagenomic sequencing be introduced in addition to existing routine resistance monitoring," Patrick Munk says. The study was conducted in cooperation with colleagues from the EU-funded project EFFORT. The results are described in further detail in a scientific article in the journal Nature Microbiology: "Abundance and diversity of the faecal resistome in slaughter pigs and broilers in nine European countries." For the study, samples were collected from Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain. Explore further Salmonella and Campylobacter show significant levels of resistance to common antimicrobials in humans and animals More information: Abundance and diversity of the faecal resistome in slaughter pigs and broilers in nine European countries, Nature Microbiology (2018). Journal information: Nature Microbiology Abundance and diversity of the faecal resistome in slaughter pigs and broilers in nine European countries,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41564-018-0192-9 The objects used in this research Credit: University of Exeter Do animalslike humansdivide the world into things that move and things that don't? Are they surprised if an apparently inanimate object jumps to life? Yesaccording to scientists at the universities of Exeter and Cambridge. The researchers tested how jackdaws responded to moving birds, moving snakes and moving sticksand found they were most cautious of the moving sticks. The study, using remote-controlled objects placed in jackdaws' nests, will help scientists understand how birds perceive potential threats. "Although as humans we see the divide between animate an inanimate objects as an intuitive one, we've had very little evidence that wild animals also see the world this way," said lead author Dr. Alison Greggor, formerly of the University of Cambridge and now at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. "Laboratory studies have shown that human infants and a few other species discriminate between animate and inanimate objects. "This ability is assumed to have evolved to support social interactions, but its role for wild animals has never been examined. "Our work extends the potential function of this ability beyond the social realm. It might therefore be a more common ability than previously thought." By placing remote-controlled objects in jackdaws' nests, the researchers tested how the birds assessed possible threats to their offspring. Jackdaws were startled by any movement, producing alarm calls, but they delayed longest in entering their nest box after encountering an "inanimate" object that moved (ie the remote controlled stick). This suggests they recognised the movement as unexpected and delayed entering the nest in order to gather more information about the situation. Dr. Alex Thornton, of the Centre for Ecology and Conversation on the University of Exeter's Penryn Campus in Cornwall, added: "There is still a great deal we do not understand about some of our common bird species. "Dedicated field experiments, such as ours, can yield insights into their minds, revealing more about how they understand the world." The paper, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, is entitled: "Wild jackdaws are wary of objects that violate expectations of animacy." Explore further Angry birds: Size of jackdaw mobs depends on who calls warning More information: Wild jackdaws are wary of objects that violate expectations of animacy, Royal Society Open Science, rsos.royalsocietypublishing.or /10.1098/rsos.181070 Journal information: Royal Society Open Science Wild jackdaws are wary of objects that violate expectations of animacy, Credit: CC0 Public Domain Scientists at the Center for Infection and Immunity (CII) in the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health have developed the first diagnostic platform that can simultaneously screen for all known human pathogenic bacteria as well as markers for virulence and antibiotic resistance. A study in the journal mBio provides details on the performance of the BacCapSeq platform. "Once approved for clinical use, BacCapSeq will give physicians a powerful tool to quickly and precisely screen for all known pathogenic bacteria, including those that cause sepsis, the third leading cause of death in the United States," says first author Orchid M. Allicock, Ph.D., a post-doctoral researcher at CII. "This platform is 1,000 times more sensitive than traditional unbiased testing, at a level comparable to tests that screen one bacterium at a time." Currently, the most common method used to test for sepsis can take as long as three days, and even longer to provide information on antibiotic resistance. While physicians wait for a result, they usually prescribe broad spectrum antibiotics, a practice that contributes to the growth of antibiotic resistance. BacCapSeq provides results in 70 hours, but the researchers believe that the platform will become faster with advances in computing power. Each year, antibiotic-resistant infections claim 100,000 lives in the United States, and 700,000 globally, with the highest burden in the developing world, according to World Economic Forum estimates. The direct annual impact of antibiotic resistance in the U.S. is $20-35 billion with an additional $35 billion in lost productivity, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Absent an effective response to limit further growth in antimicrobial resistance, the challenge will continue to increase. The World Bank issued a report in 2017 projecting an impact on the GDP between $1.1 trillion and $3.4 trillion. BacCapSeq contains 4.2 million genetic probes used to detect the signature DNA of all 307 pathogenic bacteria, as well as biomarkers for antibiotic resistance and virulence. Each probe binds to a corresponding sequence; when a particular bacterium and biomarker is present in a sample, a magnetic process "pulls out" its unique sequences, which can then be used to identify the bacterium and its characteristics. To date, even the most advanced multiplexed polymerase chain reaction systems are only able to screen for up to 19 pathogenic bacteria, and none can assess virulence and antimicrobial resistance. In the study, the researchers assess the performance of BacCapSeq in several ways: using nucleic acid from blood spiked with DNA from several different bacteria, blood spiked with bacterial cells, blood culture samples, and blood samples from patients with unexplained sepsis. In each case, the platform performance exceeded traditional methods, sometimes detecting infections that were missed by the alternative method. In one case, the test implicated the bacterium Gardnerella vaginalis, which is only rarely associated with significant disease, as the cause of unexplained sepsis in an individual with HIV/AIDS. BacCapSeq is a complement to VirCapSeq, a similar test developed at CII that screens for all known human viral infections. Recent published studies have reported on that test's performance in Tanzania and Uganda. A test for differential diagnosis of fungal infections is in development. "Microbiological intelligence must be an integral component of precision medicine,"says W. Ian Lipkin, MD, director of CII and the John Snow Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia Public Health. "Accurate, early differential diagnosis of infectious diseases and knowledge of drug sensitivity profiles will reduce mortality, morbidity, and health care costs." Explore further Pinpointing mutations that cause bacterial antibiotic resistance Synthesized nano-scale particles demonstrated unique reactivity in the studied catalytic transformation Credit: Ananikov V. P Scientists from Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry of Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow imaged an organic chemical reaction with an electron microscope and recorded the transformation in real time. The team from the laboratory of Prof. Ananikov applied combined nano-scale and molecular-scale approaches to the study of chemical transformation in a catalytic cross-coupling reaction. The study is published in Nature Communications. Electron microscopy is a unique method to study the structure of matter, providing images of small objects with magnifications up to the level of individual atoms by probing the samples with an electron beam. The key feature of this method is providing an image of the object that is straightforward to analyze. However, that advantage has so far been used to study solid objects exclusively. This is due to the harsh conditions inside an electron microscope, in particular, the extremely low pressure in the specimen chamber, which can reach one billionth that of atmospheric pressure. Thus, only solid nonvolatile samples can survive. But the majority of chemical processes occur in a liquid medium and the challenge for the electron microscopy is in situ monitoring of the chemical transformations. The interest in using electron microscopy to observe chemical reactions in liquid media has led to the emergence of methods to preserve samples in their native state, even in high vacuum. Researchers at Zelinsky Institute used special capsules protecting samples from the high vacuum. The chemical processes inside these capsules were observed through a thin window that was transparent to the electron beam. "This is a very powerful tool that the chemists are just beginning to use. The range of reactions that can be studied in this way is still narrow, but that's what inspires the scientists in the catalysis community," said Dr. Kashin, one of the co-authors of this study. The object of the study was the cross-coupling reaction of carbon-sulfur bond formation. The desired products were synthesized from nickel thiolates, which represent the nano-structured reagents composed of nickel atoms and organosulfur moieties. The reaction was carried out in a liquid medium, using soluble palladium complex as catalyst. As a result, the scientists have demonstrated the possibilities of new types of reagents with ordered micro- and nanostructures in organic synthesis. Electron microscopy has made it possible to trace the evolution of reagent particles during a chemical reaction. "We have successfully observed the organic catalytic reaction in a liquid medium inside the electron microscope, which opens new opportunities for the vast field of chemistry. The combination of electron microscopy with mass spectrometry observations, kinetic measurements using gas chromatography, and X-ray spectroscopy studies using the source of synchrotron radiation allowed us to establish the reaction mechanism and to determine the effect of the reagents properties at different levels of structural organization on their behavior under reaction conditions," commented Dr. Kashin. An extensive study of the reaction from the mechanistic point of view was supplemented with a demonstration of the possibility of its practical application for the synthesis of organic sulfur-containing substances. The reaction turned out to be applicable for a wide range of substrates, with the products obtained in high yields of up to 99 percent. "The results may serve as a new stimulus for advanced research at the intersection of organic chemistry and nanoscience. Undoubtedly, the observation of complex chemical transformations by using electron microscopy in solution will become an inalienable part in the study of dynamic processes in organic chemistry and catalysis, whereas video recordings of chemical reactions will soon become a routine tool in the arsenal of chemists," said Prof. Ananikov. "Generalized application of this approach will help to study characteristics of each individual reaction in detail, which will enormously facilitate the improvement of currently available technologies for production of medicines, agrochemicals, functional materials and other practically useful substances." More information: Alexey S. Kashin et al, Exploring the performance of nanostructured reagents with organic-group-defined morphology in cross-coupling reaction, Nature Communications (2018). Journal information: Nature Communications Alexey S. Kashin et al, Exploring the performance of nanostructured reagents with organic-group-defined morphology in cross-coupling reaction,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05350-x Provided by AKSON Russian Science Communication Association Credit: Mick Lissone/public domain Scientists expect climate change influences the geographical distribution of microbes in the soil, but few studies have dug deeply into that relationship. A study published this week in mSystems suggests the connection can drag across decades. After sequencing soil samples from North American and the Tibetan plateau, and comparing those to historical climate records, an international team of researchers found that today's mix of soil bacteria is strongly influenced by the climate of 50 years ago. "The past climate can better predict bacteria distribution than today's climate," says biostatistician Katherine Pollard, senior author of the study and Director of the Gladstone Institute of Data Science & Biotechnology in San Francisco, California. Previous studies have shown a lag in plants and animals, in which organisms take years or decades to adjust to the changing climate, but this study is the first to show such a legacy effect for soil-based prokaryotes. "We found these surprisingly long lags in how the distribution of microbes responds to shifts in the climate and the environment," says microbial ecologist and study leader Joshua Ladau, who worked on the study while at Gladstone. Assuming the relationship between climate and soil microbes isn't changing, he says, it can be used to predict the future. "If climate change were to stop today, what would happen to the microbial distribution if it has time to catch up?" Ladau asks. "What have we already signed up for?" To find out, he and his collaborators designed a statistical model built on the relationship they observed and plugged in the current climate conditions. The model predicts that as soil microbes adjust to today's climate over the next few decades, their diversity will increase over the next half-century across most of the Tibetan Plateau and northern North America. Those findings, says Ladau, are connected to the idea of extinction debt, which has been widely studied in macroorganisms like plants and animals, but not in microbial systems. "Extinction debt" describes a scenario in which an organism lives in a place where it can no longer persist, but may take years or decades to disappear. The study didn't begin with a focus on climate change. Microbiologist Haiyan Chu, senior author on the study, together with his graduate student Yu Shi, both at the Chinese Academy of Science's Institute of Soil Science in Nanjing, had sequenced 180 soil samples from 60 sites on the Tibetan plateau. They reached out to Pollard, at Gladstone, to work on a descriptive analysis of the microbes from different parts of the region. Ladau, then a postdoctoral researcher in Pollard's lab, became curious about the climate connection to those samples, and analyzed global maps of climate records dating back to 1950. The researchers obtained North American samples for comparison. The researchers are taking a similar approach to other microbial communities, including marine microorganisms. Ladau says he'd also like to look at soil samples and climate records from further back in time to see "How far back can we push these things?" he asks. "Decades? Hundreds of years? Millions?" Explore further Study shows effects of climate warming in tallgrass prairie ecosystem Credit: CC0 Public Domain What if strangers are using one of your child's toys to spy on them? In the new world of connected toys, truth can be spookier than fiction. You may have noticed the growing adoption of smart speakers and wearables. These connected devices swap our privacy for convenience. These devices make up what's called the internet of things or IoT. The IoT is a fancy way of describing the ever-growing number of objects that are talking to each other. And they're collecting all sorts of information about us and the world around us. The more we use them, the more it seems we're OK with these devices watching us. But what happens when these devices are used to watch our children? A team of researchers at Edith Cowan University has begun a 3-year research project investigating just that. The internet of toys The team, led by Dr. Donell Holloway, is looking at what parents and children understand about connected devices like Hello Barbie and My Friend Cayla. Both are part of a growing trend of connected toys, which make up a subset of the internet of things, appropriately called the internet of toys. Just like other IoT devices, these toys work by collecting and sharing data about the people using them. In this case, children. This data can include voice files of conversations a child has with their toys. It can also include demographic information such as a child's birthday or even a child's location. Professor Lelia Green, who is on the ECU team with Donell, told me, "[Children] love playing with technology, but they are too young to realise the implications of data and data privacy. Parents haven't really had a chance to think about [the implications of] this. They accept a lot of privacy implications with their daily mobile phone use and maybe don't think this is substantially different." Saying hello to connected doll Hello Barbie. Credit: CNET Unlike adults, who may be more conscious of what they share when using connected devices, Lelia told me, "Children are very confiding and trusting when talking about their life to their toys." An "illegal espionage apparatus" Parents may be surprised to know that this information can be used for marketing purposes or even product placement. For example, a 'smart' doll may need to be connected to a parent's phone to work. Suddenly, their phone is lit up with ads for things the child talked to their doll about. Since privacy regulations vary widely from country to country, it's hard for parents to know how safe their children's information actually is. Further, since these devices can (and have) been hacked, there are also some very real safety risks for children. German regulators at the country's Federal Network Agency even described My Friend Cayla an "illegal espionage apparatus" that must be destroyed. Australia vs the EU As the reaction from the Germans suggests, the European Union takes privacy quite seriously. As Lelia described to me, "In Australia, the discussion has been far less wide ranging and robust, and consumers here have less protection [than the EU]." For this reason, Donell and her team will be looking at eight Australian families and nine European families. This way, they can see how and why privacy cultures may differ across different countries. All participant families will receive a Cozmo connected toy. The children participating in the study will be asked to share their thoughts and experiences using the toy. This will help the researchers to understand what children experience and think with regards to their privacy while using these toys. The team aims to complete their research by 2021, which is when they will begin publishing their findings. As Australian regulators are move to increase privacy protections, this research could provide some much needed insight. This article first appeared on Particle, a science news website based at Scitech, Perth, Australia. Read the original article. Facebook, which has launched a "War Room" to guard against US election interference, says it will provide regular reports on who is behind political ads seen on the social media network and Instagram Facebook on Tuesday released the first of what it promised will be routine reports showing who is behind US political ads seen at the social network or its Instagram service. An Ad Archive Report launched online at facebook.com/ads/archive/report" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/ads/archive/report provided information including numbers of ads and how much money was spent. It featured tools for searching the archive for specific advertisers, along with links to ads purchased. "We're introducing the Ad Archive Report for ads in the US related to politics and issues of national importance," Facebook product manager Arti Kulkarni said in a blog post. "This report will help you more easily find information such as the total number of ads and spend in the archive; searchable tables to find exact spend by advertiser; as well as top keywords searched." The report showed that just shy of $256.4 million was spent on nearly 1.7 million politically-oriented ads archived since May of this year. The top spender was listed as a Beto for Texas organization promoting Democratic congressman Beto O'Rourke in a challenge to incumbent Republican Senator Ted Cruz in Texas. The group was reported to have spent $5.4 million on 6,024 ads. The second biggest spender, paying $3.1 million for 50,148 ads, was the Trump Make America Great Again Committee, according to the report. The Ad Archive report will be updated weekly, Kulkarni said. The report was part of an effort by Facebook to prevent the social network from being used to deceive or divide voters during elections, as was the case in the 2016 vote that put President Donald Trump in the White House. Facebook recently launched a "War Room" at its headquarters in Silicon Valley to act as a nerve center for the fight against misinformation and manipulation of the largest social network by foreign actors trying to influence elections in the United States and elsewhere. "Our job is to detect ... anyone trying to manipulate the public debate," Nathaniel Gleicher, a former White House cybersecurity policy director for the National Security Council who is now heading Facebook's cybersecurity policy, said when AFP visited the war room last week. "We work to find and remove these actors." The war room was activated just weeks ahead of the US vote, amid persistent fears of manipulation by Russia and other state entities, or efforts to polarize or inflame tensions. The war room is part of stepped up security announced by Facebook that will be adding some 20,000 employees. Facebook has also put artificial intelligence to work detecting inauthentic or manipulative activity. Explore further Facebook purges 251 accounts to thwart deception 2018 AFP In this April 12, 2016 file photo, David Marcus, Facebook Vice President of Messaging Products, watches a display showing new features of Messenger during the keynote address at the F8 Facebook Developer Conference in San Francisco. On Tuesday, Facebook is announcing a redesign of its Messenger app with the stated goal of making it more simple to use. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) When Facebook bought Instagram for $1 billion in 2012, it seemed like a big gamble for an unproven little app. Six years later, that little appalong with Messenger and WhatsAppare serving as Facebook's safety net for a future that could find its flagship service on the sidelines. Sure, Facebook reigns in social media today, and this is not likely to change soon. Still, amid the company's seemingly endless troubles over elections meddling, misinformation, privacy lapses, hacking and hate speech, the idea that Facebook may not always be on top has begun to take hold. "Facebook could collapse," said David Kirkpatrick, who wrote a 2010 book on Facebook's early history. In an interview, he said the elections manipulations issue "could get so terrifying that advertisers could start to back away. That's nowhere near happening now, but it could happen." That is, as Facebook stops being a virtual watercooler for friendly conversation, but a lair for trolls and misinformationadvertisers might find the service too dangerous to showcase laundry detergent and shoes. For now, Facebook is a social and advertising powerhouse. It has 2.23 billion users, a number that's still growing at a healthy pace outside of the U.S. Wall Street analysts project Facebook's 2018 revenue will top $55 billion. While the company doesn't break out revenue among its apps, eMarketer estimates that Instagram will bring in 16 percent of Facebook's advertising revenue this year and 25 percent by 2020. (The research firm does not have estimates for Messenger ads, which are still new and nascent, and WhatsApp, which doesn't have ads yet.) In this April 12, 2016, file photo, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg talks about the company's 10-year roadmap during the keynote address at the F8 Facebook Developer Conference in San Francisco. Instagram along with Messenger and WhatsApp are serving as the social media giant's insurance policy for a future that might not be dominated by its flagship service. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File) "It really speaks to the fact that advertisers love Instagram," eMarketer analyst Debra Aho Williamson said. "It has the appeal of being a generally positive environment." In fact, Instagram is becoming the top social media service for many brands to interact with consumers, said Yuval Ben-Itzhak, CEO of the social media marketing firm Socialbakers. So even though these companies are reaching a smaller audience than Facebook, these people are "engaging," or interacting, a lot more with the advertisers, he said. Facebook is working hard to ensure that Messenger and later, WhatsApp, become viable businesses as well. On Tuesday, Facebook announced plans to make its Messenger app simpler and easier to use. But the redesign also makes it clear that messages from businessesand adsare becoming increasingly important. Such messages are now front and center alongside messages with friends and other individuals. The new Messenger features a "dark mode" that lets people switch to white text on a black background. It has fewer "tabs"or words and icons to tap to get to different sections in the app. The previous version had nine, including "messages," ''active" to show ongoing conversations, "groups," ''games" and a "discover" icon to find bots to chat with for everything from the weather to horoscopes to shopping. The new version has just three: "chats," ''people" and "discover" to connect with businesses, follow the news or play games. This Feb. 19, 2014, file photo, shows WhatsApp and Facebook app icons on a smartphone in New York. Instagram along with Messenger and WhatsApp are serving as the social media giant's insurance policy for a future that might not be dominated by its flagship service. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File) Stan Chudnovsky, head of product for messaging at Facebook, said the primary intent wasn't to elevate messaging with businesses. But he said that "when people spend more and more time communicating with each other on a platform, inevitably that is where businesses need to be. It's almost like print happened and then businesses needed to be on print." Facebook, of course, is working hard to nudge people and businesses in this direction, convincing them that chatting on Messenger is more efficient than, say, emailing, callingor tweeting atan airline, a clothing store or even your bank. One thing Facebook has always understood is the importance of human connections and interaction. Chudnovsky considers one-on-one communications a "basic human need." Considering that people use Messenger, and not the main Facebook service, for such interactions, does this mean Messenger is more important than Facebook? "We don't take a position on what is more important," Chudnovsky said. In this June 20, 2013 file photo, a journalist makes a video of the Instagram logo using the new video feature at Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, Calif. Facebook bought Instagram for $1 billion back in 2012. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File) Still, considering that people no longer need a Facebook account to use Messenger, maybe some day it will be. After all, people (especially younger ones) are using Facebook less frequently, even as they flock to Instagram and its messaging services. A Pew Research Center study recently found that just over half of teens use Facebook, while 72 percent use Instagram. "The idea has always been not to replace Facebook, but to add to it," said Nate Elliott, head of the market research firm Nineteen Insights. "But now that Facebook's reputation has taken a beating, I'm sure that they see it as a very nice insurance policy." 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The Rote Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus rotiensis was newly described by a joint research team from NUS and the Indonesian Institute of Science. Credit: Philippe Verbelen A joint research team from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Indonesian Institute of Science has described an unusual new songbird species. The bird was named the Rote Leaf-Warbler Phylloscopus rotiensis after the island of Rote where it is found. The discovery was published in the journal Scientific Reports on 23 October 2018. Rote Island is a dry monsoon island with an area of 1,200 square kilometres in eastern Indonesia. It is around 12 kilometres off the coast of Timor, and about 500 kilometres northwest of Australia. The island is also the site where a bird species new to science, the Rote Myzomela Myzomela irianawidodoae, was recently discovered, and the findings were published in the journal Treubiaon 31 December 2017. The presence of a leaf-warbler of unknown identity on Rote was first noted in December 2004 by Dr. Colin Trainor from Charles Darwin University, Australia. In July 2009, Mr Philippe Verbelen and Ms Veerle Dossche, two Belgian birdwatchers, made detailed observations and obtained a series of photographs of the bird. "Alarm bells went off when we realised how strikingly different the bill shape and the colouration of the Rote bird were compared to all other leaf-warblers," remembered Mr Verbelen. "The new species is part of a large group of Asian warblers but is unique among them due to its unusually long bill," said Dr. Nathaniel Ng, who was involved in the description of the bird during his Ph.D. candidature at the Department of Biological Sciences at the NUS Faculty of Science. Credit: National University of Singapore He added, "This odd bill shape is likely an adaptation to Rote's dry landscapes, given that most other Asian leaf-warblers live in humid forest." The scientific description was partly aided by comparisons using genome-wide data collected through Next-Generation Sequencing. "This may well be the first time to the best of our knowledge that a new bird species has been described partly on the basis of genome-wide DNA data," added Miss Elize Ng, a researcher with the Avian Evolution Lab (AEL) under the NUS Department of Biological Sciences. "This work would not have been possible without the partnership with the Indonesian Institute of Science, and in particular, with Dr. Dewi Prawiradilaga," said Assistant Professor Frank Rheindt, the leader of the study and Head of the AEL under the NUS Department of Biological Sciences. Each year, about five to 10 new bird species are described worldwide. The fact that this bird is the second novel species described from Rote in the last 12 months highlights the island's conservation value. Rote's natural landscapes are under grave threat, with a burgeoning human population exerting ever-increasing pressures on its monsoon woodland and savannah. These factors prompted the research team to propose the bird to be formally classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as vulnerable. Explore further Limestone leaf warbler: New bird species discovered More information: A Colourful New Species of Myzomela Honeyeater from Rote Island in eastern Indonesia. Treubia. 44; 77-100 A Colourful New Species of Myzomela Honeyeater from Rote Island in eastern Indonesia. Treubia. 44; 77-100 Nathaniel. S. R. Ng et al. A striking new species of leaf warbler from the Lesser Sundas as uncovered through morphology and genomics, Scientific Reports (2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34101-7 Journal information: Scientific Reports Credit: CC0 Public Domain How well are immigrants integrating in the United States? Are they doing better or worse than in Germany or France? Under what conditions have immigrants most successfully integrated into their host societies? Despite great advances in social science, the answers to these important questions remain contested. There are now over 250 million international migrants throughout the world. Each has a unique story and many face deep challenges not only to establish a new home, but also to build a new life once they arrive. Policymakers throughout the world have grappled with how best to integrate newly arrived immigrants to ensure that the economic and societal benefits of immigration become a reality. And they are doing so without clear guidelines as to what policies work best. A key challenge to date for policymakers and service providers is that there is no common approach to measuring immigrant integration. As academics have offered vigorous debate on the meaning of 'integration' and used varied definitions and measures in hundreds of studies, it would be nearly impossible to generate systematic knowledge to assess and improve immigrant integration because the benchmark is constantly being moved. What's learned from one study or evaluation of a policy is of little systematic value, relative to another study, because the concept of 'integration' keeps changing. Overcoming this barrier is not insurmountable. Just as researchers have created widely accepted measures of country wealth (GDP) and mental health (the Kessler-6) to build cumulative knowledge, there is an opportunity to generate systematic and pragmatic information about immigrant integration as well. Researchers at the Immigration Policy Lab at Stanford University and ETH Zurich developed a new pragmatic survey tool to measure immigrant integration. The IPL Integration Index provides researchers, policymakers, and service providers with quick and easy to implement survey modules to measure various dimensions of integration. The measure is available in a 12-item short form (IPL-12) and 24-item long form (IPL-24). Integration: A multidimensional concept Academic researchers have offered varied definitions of integration and most would likely agree that integration is a complex concept and cannot be measured by a single question. Therefore, the IPL team focused on developing a pragmatic survey tool that would be capable of capturing integration's various dimensions. The IPL-12/24 includes six key dimensions of integration: psychological, economic, political, social, linguistic, and navigational. To develop questions for each dimension the researchers applied seven criteria to potential questions in reviewing a multitude of surveys. The criteria for questions include, for instance, directionality so that higher values are associated with higher-levels of integration, and inclusivity so that the question could be answered by all adult immigrants and host country natives to avoid issues of missing data. Using multidimensionality and the criteria as a guide, the team tested over 200 questions through almost 4,000 interviews. Creating a valid survey tool After exhaustive testing to select a final set of questions, is there a way to determine if the IPL-12/24 accurately measures integration? Since researchers can't exactly take out a ruler to determine how close or distant the index is to capturing levels of integration, there are a number of ways to assess the validity of the index. "What you hope to demonstrate in testing the validity of the index is that it shows higher-levels of integration where you would expect, such as naturalized citizens having higher-levels of integration than recently-arrived immigrants," said Niklas Harder, a postdoctoral fellow and co-author of the study. The results from a wide range of empirical tests strongly suggest that the IPL-12/24 is capable of differentiating between levels of integration across groups of immigrants and tracks well with commonly used predictors of integration (e.g., citizenship, language of the home country, and length of stay in host country). For example, IPL researchers computed the index for four sample populations, each with a declining expectation of immigration successat one extreme, a sample of computer savvy and wealthy immigrants who were fluent in English; at the other extreme, a class of recently arrived immigrants who were enrolled in an English as a Second Language class. As expected, the overall integration index declines with less exposure to the host country. The declining integration scores, in conjunction with other tests, gave the researchers confidence in the validity of the measure. A pragmatic tool to inform policy The goal of the project is to create a survey tool that government agencies, nonprofit service providers, and academic researchers could all use to build more knowledge about integration that is comparable. In turn, this can inform policy development and 2Immigrant Residency and Level of Integration programmatic innovation to support the integration of immigrants. To be sure, the designers of the IPL-12/24 recognize that this index does not capture all aspects of integration. Their goal was to develop a tool that can provide a core measure of integration to generate cumulative knowledge. Other researchers are invited to add and build upon it to enhance its validity as a general measure. "If we want to improve our understanding of what affects integration, we need a common starting point," said David Laitin, faculty co-director of the Immigration Policy Lab. The IPL-12/24 website facilitates widespread adoption. On it, the index is publicly available in a variety of languages and formats for use in multiple countries. "The hope of the Immigration Policy Lab," as articulated by David Laitin, "is that the dissemination of this research tool will help policy makers learn about the relative merits of their integration policies in a way that will benefit both immigrants and the communities in which they settle." Explore further A new method measures the integration or segregation of immigrants based on their tweets Credit: CC0 Public Domain A team of researchers from The University of Western Australia and two Canadian universities has applied a first-of-its-kind technique that measures the long-term life cycle of sulphur, helping to explain the preferential location of high-value mineral deposits at the edges of ancient continents. The study, published today in Nature Communications, charts the life cycle of sulphur over hundreds of millions of years, from its origins as a volcanic gas emitted into the primordial atmosphere and oceans, and all the way throughout its journey across the earth's deep crust. Sulphur plays a critical role in a variety of fundamental earth processes as it regulates the global climate, is essential to the living cell, and is the primary molecule necessary to transport and concentrate precious metals such as gold and platinum. The team, which included researchers from Canada's Universite Laval and McGill University, initially set out to better understand the behaviour of sulphur in the ancient earth. During the process the researchers were able to create a technique using sophisticated technology based at UWA that could help explorers identify new mineral-rich provinces in Australia and around the world. Co-author Associate Professor Marco Fiorentini, from UWA's School of Earth Sciences, said that the largest and richest deposits of precious metals in Australia and on Earth were generally associated with large concentrations of sulphur-rich minerals. "By understanding how and where sulphur is stored researchers can make predictions about the location of mineral deposits," Professor Fiorentini said. "Just as a medical dye may be used to unveil the intricate pathways of the inner human body, we have developed a technique to illuminate the cryptic pathway of sulphur through the crust of our planet more than two billion years ago." The technique presents a new way to engage with the minerals industry, helping them to explore vast areas of the planet that may host valuable resources. Explore further Subduction zones reveal sulphur cycle and mineral potential More information: Crystal LaFlamme et al. Atmospheric sulfur is recycled to the crystalline continental crust during supercontinent formation, Nature Communications (2018). Journal information: Nature Communications Crystal LaFlamme et al. Atmospheric sulfur is recycled to the crystalline continental crust during supercontinent formation,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06691-3 Macron is trying to get Apple to invest more in France French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday urged Apple's chief executive Tim Cook to invest more in his country, even as Paris pursues a new EU tax on the revenues of technology giants. Macron called for Apple to go beyond a mere marketing presence in France and finance projects with higher added value, his office said. Macron also discussed Apple's revenue-sharing policies with app developers, in the wake of a French anti-fraud investigation over allegations the company had abused its dominant market position. Paris hopes that a European initiative known as "Platform to business" will allow for increased revenue sharing between US tech giants and European start-ups. Macron also invited Cook to attend the next French-sponsored "Tech for Good" summit, a bid to encourage major players to help support educational and environmental initiatives. Their meeting came as French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire appealed to the European Parliament to make a "clear, direct and strong decision" on taxing digital economy giants. France is leading the charge for a minimum tax rate for companies such as Apple, Google and Amazon to be applied on their revenues throughout the European Union. The goal is to stop companies from shifting declaring their revenues in EU member states with the most lenient tax rules, even if they generate the bulk of their sales elsewhere in the bloc. "How can we accept that millions of European consumers freely hand over their data without a tax being passed?" Le Maire asked deputies gathered in Strasbourg, eastern France. But such a measure will need the unanimous backing of all 28 EU members, and Germany and other countries remain wary of a tax which could inflame trans-Atlantic tensions. Berlin in particular worries that Washington could see the digital tax as an attack on Silicon Valley's giants, and retaliate with tariffs on German auto imports, as has been threatened by President Donald Trump. "I understand such fears, but have heard no rational, factual or convincing arguments to speak against this tax," Le Maire said. 2018 AFP This photo shows circles on a graphene sheet where the sheet is draped over an array of round posts, creating stresses that will cause these discs to separate from the sheet. The gray bar across the sheet is liquid being used to lift the discs from the surface. Credit: Felice Frankel Tiny robots no bigger than a cell could be mass-produced using a new method developed by researchers at MIT. The microscopic devices, which the team calls "syncells" (short for synthetic cells), might eventually be used to monitor conditions inside an oil or gas pipeline, or to search out disease while floating through the bloodstream. The key to making such tiny devices in large quantities lies in a method the team developed for controlling the natural fracturing process of atomically-thin, brittle materials, directing the fracture lines so that they produce miniscule pockets of a predictable size and shape. Embedded inside these pockets are electronic circuits and materials that can collect, record, and output data. The novel process, called "autoperforation," is described in a paper published today in the journal Nature Materials, by MIT Professor Michael Strano, postdoc Pingwei Liu, graduate student Albert Liu, and eight others at MIT. The system uses a two-dimensional form of carbon called graphene, which forms the outer structure of the tiny syncells. One layer of the material is laid down on a surface, then tiny dots of a polymer material, containing the electronics for the devices, are deposited by a sophisticated laboratory version of an inkjet printer. Then, a second layer of graphene is laid on top. Controlled fracturing People think of graphene, an ultrathin but extremely strong material, as being "floppy," but it is actually brittle, Strano explains. But rather than considering that brittleness a problem, the team figured out that it could be used to their advantage. "We discovered that you can use the brittleness," says Strano, who is the Carbon P. Dubbs Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT. "It's counterintuitive. Before this work, if you told me you could fracture a material to control its shape at the nanoscale, I would have been incredulous." But the new system does just that. It controls the fracturing process so that rather than generating random shards of material, like the remains of a broken window, it produces pieces of uniform shape and size. "What we discovered is that you can impose a strain field to cause the fracture to be guided, and you can use that for controlled fabrication," Strano says. When the top layer of graphene is placed over the array of polymer dots, which form round pillar shapes, the places where the graphene drapes over the round edges of the pillars form lines of high strain in the material. As Albert Liu describes it, "imagine a tablecloth falling slowly down onto the surface of a circular table. One can very easily visualize the developing circular strain toward the table edges, and that's very much analogous to what happens when a flat sheet of graphene folds around these printed polymer pillars." As a result, the fractures are concentrated right along those boundaries, Strano says. "And then something pretty amazing happens: The graphene will completely fracture, but the fracture will be guided around the periphery of the pillar." The result is a neat, round piece of graphene that looks as if it had been cleanly cut out by a microscopic hole punch. Because there are two layers of graphene, above and below the polymer pillars, the two resulting disks adhere at their edges to form something like a tiny pita bread pocket, with the polymer sealed inside. "And the advantage here is that this is essentially a single step," in contrast to many complex clean-room steps needed by other processes to try to make microscopic robotic devices, Strano says. The researchers have also shown that other two-dimensional materials in addition to graphene, such as molybdenum disulfide and hexagonal boronitride, work just as well. Cell-like robots Ranging in size from that of a human red blood cell, about 10 micrometers across, up to about 10 times that size, these tiny objects "start to look and behave like a living biological cell. In fact, under a microscope, you could probably convince most people that it is a cell," Strano says. This work follows up on earlier research by Strano and his students on developing syncells that could gather information about the chemistry or other properties of their surroundings using sensors on their surface, and store the information for later retrieval, for example injecting a swarm of such particles in one end of a pipeline and retrieving them at the other to gain data about conditions inside it. While the new syncells do not yet have as many capabilities as the earlier ones, those were assembled individually, whereas this work demonstrates a way of easily mass-producing such devices. Apart from the syncells' potential uses for industrial or biomedical monitoring, the way the tiny devices are made is itself an innovation with great potential, according to Albert Liu. "This general procedure of using controlled fracture as a production method can be extended across many length scales," he says. "[It could potentially be used with] essentially any 2-D materials of choice, in principle allowing future researchers to tailor these atomically thin surfaces into any desired shape or form for applications in other disciplines." This is, Albert Liu says, "one of the only ways available right now to produce stand-alone integrated microelectronics on a large scale" that can function as independent, free-floating devices. Depending on the nature of the electronics inside, the devices could be provided with capabilities for movement, detection of various chemicals or other parameters, and memory storage. There are a wide range of potential new applications for such cell-sized robotic devices, says Strano, who details many such possible uses in a book he co-authored with Shawn Walsh, an expert at Army Research Laboratories, on the subject, called "Robotic Systems and Autonomous Platforms," which is being published this month by Elsevier Press. As a demonstration, the team "wrote" the letters M, I, and T into a memory array within a syncell, which stores the information as varying levels of electrical conductivity. This information can then be "read" using an electrical probe, showing that the material can function as a form of electronic memory into which data can be written, read, and erased at will. It can also retain the data without the need for power, allowing information to be collected at a later time. The researchers have demonstrated that the particles are stable over a period of months even when floating around in water, which is a harsh solvent for electronics, according to Strano. "I think it opens up a whole new toolkit for micro- and nanofabrication," he says. Explore further Cell-sized robots can sense their environment More information: Pingwei Liu et al, Autoperforation of 2D materials for generating two-terminal memristive Janus particles, Nature Materials (2018). Journal information: Nature Materials Pingwei Liu et al, Autoperforation of 2D materials for generating two-terminal memristive Janus particles,(2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41563-018-0197-z Mapping Mexicos land cover. Credit: contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (201618) processed by ESACCI Land Cover Project/UC Louvain/Brockmann Consult As part of a scientific collaboration with the Mexican Space Agency and other Mexican scientific public entities, ESA has combined images from the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission to produce a detailed view of the different types of vegetation growing across the entire country. The high-resolution land-cover map combines images captured by Copernicus Sentinel-2 between 2016 and 2018. Sentinel-2 is a two-satellite constellation built for the EU's Copernicus environmental monitoring programme. Each identical satellite carries a multispectral imager that can distinguish different types of vegetation and crops. It can also be used to determine numerous plant indices such as the amount of chlorophyll and water in leaves to monitor changes in plant health and growth. The mission has a myriad of uses, one of which is to provide information to map land cover so that changes in the way land is being used can be monitored. Thanks to this Copernicus mission and to ESA's Climate Change Initiative Land Cover project, Mexico's land cover has been mapped at a resolution of 10 m. Land-cover mapping breaks down the different types of material on Earth's surface, such as water bodies, different forms of agriculture, forests, grasslands and artificial surfaces. This information is important for understanding changes in land use, modelling climate change, conserving biodiversity and managing natural resources. This is a valuable source for scientific studies and practical applications alike. Daniela Jurado from Mexico's National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity said, "Having access to such a detailed map is not only useful for scientific research such as understanding fluxes associated with the carbon cycle, but also for managing our natural resources and for conserving biodiversity." "It is also important for land-use management and for monitoring urban expansion." Alejandra Aurelia Lopez Caloca, from the Center for Research in Geospatial Information Sciences added, "Indeed, this new map reveals a lot about our country. It is very helpful for studying the growth of cities and how rural areas are transitioned into urban environments. In addition, it is going to be a real help to understand where bodies of water are highly dependent on precipitation and to pinpoint those areas that are at risk of flooding. "The new map allows us to identify the status land cover, specifically the agricultural kind so this will really help us understand how our land is being farmed." ESA has been coordinating global land cover maps since 2002 through its GlobCover and Climate Change Initiative Land Cover projects at a resolution of 300 m. But with the Copernicus Sentinel-2 pair now in orbit, land cover can be mapped at a resolution of 10 m. Explore further Image: African land cover These figures from the new Science Advances paper show how antibodies link together to lock malaria's circumsporozoite protein into a spiral conformation. Credit: Wilson/Ward labs, Scripps Research Scientists investigating how the human immune system defends against malaria have uncovered a rare phenomenon: antibodies working together to bind to a vulnerable spot on the parasite. The new research, published recently in Science Advances, shows that antibodies working together can result in a protein on the parasite's cell surface locking it into a spiral conformation, like a wide corkscrew, blocking the parasite from starting its life cycle in the human host and, hence, protecting against infection. "The first images were quite remarkable and gave us our first insights into how the extended surface peptide could be recognized," says Andrew Ward, Ph.D., a Scripps Research professor and corresponding author of the study. "CryoEM was uniquely suited to solving this structure and opens up the door to solve others like it. To help make an effective vaccine, we need to understand the right mode of recognition of this typically flexible peptide by antibodies." The study is part of an international effort to improve upon the most advanced malaria vaccine, called RTS,S, that has been in clinical trials. The candidate vaccine is currently about 25 to 50 percent effective depending on the vaccine regimen, but with hundreds of thousands of people still dying of malaria each year, researchers are looking for ways to redesign or reformulate vaccines. To do this, scientists on the California campus of Scripps Research are investigating the antibodies that the human body produces when given the RTS,S vaccine. They are especially interested in antibodies that bind to the malaria parasite early in its life cycle and protect against infectionand whether these antibodies mimic those produced by natural infection. "If you can block that first stage in humans, you can block the entire life cycle of the parasite," says Jonathan Torres, research assistant at Scripps Research and co-first author of the study. These protective antibodies are known to bind to malaria's circumsporozoite protein, the most abundant protein on the surface of the parasite, but no one has been able to get a clear look at how they do it. Understanding how these antibodies do their jobs may help guide the design of malaria vaccines that can spark the same antibody response. This technique is called rational vaccine design. Using an imaging technique called cryo-electron microscopy (EM), the scientists got the first images of an antibody bound to the circumsporozoite protein. Study co-first author David Oyen, Ph.D., a research associate at Scripps Research, says he was surprised by what the cryo-EM structures revealed. The protein's shape has always been hard to picture because of a large low-complexity region in the center of the protein consisting of many four amino acid repeats that give the protein a floppy, flexible shape. Oyen thought antibodies would bind to this area "like beads on a string." Instead, the cryo-EM structures showed the repeat region of the circumsporozoite protein locked into a spiral structure, with 11 antibody fragments (Fab311) jutting out from their binding sites, which consist of two repeats, and radiating tangentially from the elongated spiral. Even more surprising, the spiral stability is imparted by the contacts between the antibodies. "It's as if they link arms together to form a stronger complex," says Oyen. As far as the scientists are aware, this is the first time the three-dimensional structure of the repeat region of the circumsporozoite protein has been elucidated, thanks to the stabilizing inter-antibody contacts. "It's only because of the multiple sequence repeats on this protein that these inter-antibody contacts are possible," Oyen says. "This structure is very excitingthe four amino-acid repeat sequence by itself had been experimentally found many years ago to form a beta-turn and the multiple repeats predicted to helical-type structures, but this structure is very different from those as it is a very wide and very elongated corkscrew like a grand spiral staircase," says Ian Wilson, DPhil, Hansen Professor of Structural Biology at Scripps Research, chair of the Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology and co-corresponding author of the study. The antibody shown with the circumsporozoite protein in this study is just one of many that the team plans to image with cryo-EM. They hope to compare structures to see if protective antibodies share any features. Some might have inter-antibody contacts, some might not. "We want to make the malaria vaccine as good as possible," Oyen says. "And we're hoping we can use these cryo-EM structures to design new or improved vaccine candidates." More information: David Oyen et al, Cryo-EM structure of P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein with a vaccine-elicited antibody is stabilized by somatically mutated inter-Fab contacts, Science Advances (2018). Journal information: Science Advances David Oyen et al, Cryo-EM structure of P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein with a vaccine-elicited antibody is stabilized by somatically mutated inter-Fab contacts,(2018). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aau8529 2016 state rankings by ease of vote. Credit: Northern Illinois University Wide variations among the 50 states when it comes to the ease of casting a ballot are impacting the quality of democracy in the United States, a new study shows. Forget voter fraud. States are influencing who votes by making it easier or harder to cast a ballot, and that's likely shaping election results, said study lead author Scot Schraufnagel, chair of the Department of Political Science at Northern Illinois University. He worked on the study with co-authors Michael J. Pomante II and Quan Li. Pomante II earned his doctorate from NIU in 2016 and works as a professor at Jacksonville University in Florida, while Li is a professor at Wuhan University in China. They created a "Cost of Voting Index"using what is described in the study as "the largest assemblage of state election laws"to rank each state according to the time and effort it took to vote in each presidential election year from 1996 through 2016. They analyzed the impact of 33 different variables dealing with registration and voting laws, with differences in registration deadlines carrying the most weight. Oregon took top honors for making it easy on voters in 2016followed by Colorado, California, North Dakota and Iowa. Illinois was tied for 12th overall with Minnesota. Voters in 2016 faced the most inconveniences on the way to the ballot box in Mississippifollowed by Virginia, Tennessee, Indiana and Texas. While the rankings themselvesas well as several significant changes in ranks through the yearsare telling, there's an underlying message in the study, published online ahead of print in Election Law Journal: Rules, Politics, and Policy. As an open access research study, it is available for free to the public. "The ballot box is the central democratic institution," Schraufnagel said. "Voting and elections are key to democracy. One of the things that define the competency of an electoral system and the legitimacy of governing institutions is the ease in which you can vote. Credit: Northern Illinois University "The study does give us some very substantive findings that we can report about the effect on voter turnout. But we created this index with the idea in mind that it's going to have a lot of interest for reasons beyond voter turnout because it helps to define an electoral climate, which might influence whether people are willing to run for public office or who is willing to run for office. There also are implications for civil rights. We know, anecdotally, states with larger African-American populations have higher 'cost of voting' values." Improving the ease to vote nationwide potentially could bump presidential election turnout from an average of about 55 percent to more than 65 percent, Schraufnagel said. What seems to have generally evolved is a push by some liberal states to make it easier to vote, he said, while some conservative states have made it harder. Washington jumped from a rank as the 46th most difficult state to vote in during the 1996 presidential election to a rank of 11th in 2016. Among those states changing in rank the most during that timeframe, West Virginia, California, Louisiana and Connecticut also moved up in rank when it came to the ease of casting a ballot. On the flip side, Tennessee had the largest dropranking 10th during the 1996 election and dipping to 48th in 2016. Other states dropping in rank in that timeframe included New Hampshire, Texas, Wyoming and Kansas. Illinois moved 21 places from 1996 to 2016from a rank of 33rd to 12th, mainly because of its same-day and online registration options, absentee and early voting offerings, as well as its voter identification law, which does not require voters to present a form of photo ID at the polls unless they did not provide proof of identity at registration. With registration deadlines as a main factor, the index also looked at voter-registration restrictions, voter ID laws, early and mail-in voting and automatic voter registration, among other characteristics largely shaped by states and lower courts. Credit: Northern Illinois University Perhaps surprising to some, polling hours aren't a huge factor, Schraufnagel said. "Particularly, since 2008, there has been a flurry of new laws which change the relative cost of voting in each state," the study states. "Some changes, such as mail-in voting, have reduced costs while others, like registration drive restrictions and more stringent voter identification laws, have increased the 'cost' of voting." National voting standards make sense, Schraufnagel said, adding other countries make voting much easier. Automatic voter registration is the norm in much of Europe and Latin America. In South Korea, Election Day is a national holidaya suggestion in a 2001 National Commission on Federal Election Reform study by former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford on how to increase voter turnout in the U.S. "For now, we can safely argue that if states desire higher citizen participation rates in elections, a reasonable place to start would be a same-day voter registration policy," the new study states. "Beyond voter registration considerations, early voting polling stations and mail-in voting will, on average, increase citizen participation in elections." The benefits of making it easier to vote outweigh any potential risk of voter fraud, Schraufnagel said. "Studies show voter fraud has never been widespread and is largely a figment of people's imaginations," he said. "There have been people who voted fraudulently, but the volume is so minimal that, if it has made a difference, it's in some obscure relatively inconsequential election. Voter fraud is just not an important issue. The big picture is about the quality of our democracy moving forward." Explore further Technology revolutionizes voter registration for 2016 More information: Quan Li et al, Cost of Voting in the American States, Election Law Journal: Rules, Politics, and Policy (2018). Quan Li et al, Cost of Voting in the American States,(2018). DOI: 10.1089/elj.2017.0478 Apple CEO Tim Cook has taken the unusual step of going on the record to deny a news story, and is further asking the news agency that published it for a retraction. Bloomberg News reported earlier this month that servers from San Jose-based Supermicrowhich were used by many big tech companies including Apple and Amazonwere implanted with Chinese surveillance chips, and that there is an ongoing FBI investigation into the matter. Apple, Amazon and Supermicro have all denied the report, and any knowledge of a government investigation. Thursday night, Cook told BuzzFeed News: "There is no truth in their story about Apple. They need to do that right thing and retract it." Bloomberg News has not returned a request for comment Friday, and neither has Supermicro. An Apple spokesman said Friday that the company would have no additional comment. It is the first time the company has publicly called for a news story to be retracted. Cook was adamant and detailed in his denials to BuzzFeed: "We turned the company upside down. Email searches, data center records, financial records, shipment records. We really forensically whipped through the company to dig very deep and each time we came back to the same conclusion: This did not happen." Lawmakers are of course asking questions about the matterwhich would be a grave national security concern if trueand Apple's chief of information security recently answered them. "If any of the reported details cited above were true, we would have every interesteconomic, regulatory, and ethicalto be forthcoming about it," wrote George Stathakopoulos in an Oct. 8 letter to Sens. John Thune, R-S.D., and Ben Nelson, D-Neb., on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Reps. Greg Walden, R-Ore., and Frank Pallone, D-N.J., on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Thursday, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats told news site CyberScoop that he has seen no evidence of the Chinese tampering with motherboards made by Supermicro. "We've seen no evidence of that, but we're not taking anything for granted," he told the publication. After Bloomberg's initial story, it reported a few days later that a U.S. telecom company had found evidence of hacked Supermicro hardware. Supermicro denied that, too. Explore further China used tiny chips on US computers to steal secrets: report 2018 The Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. From the lack of methane sinks to the high suicide rates of indigenous populations, Arctic researchers are studying a range of issues. Credit: Image credit - NASA, licensed under CC0 Horizon caught up with eight experts in Reykjavik, Iceland, at the 6th edition of the Arctic Circle assembly, held between 19 and 21 October. The event brought together scientists, government officials, activists, business people, indigenous leaders and students to discuss a range of Arctic issues from climate change to sustainable development to security. We asked them what, in their views, are the most important challenges we face. 1. People who live in the Arctic risk losing their voice if we don't cooperate internationally - Dr Kirsi Latola, University of the Arctic, European Polar Board and University of Oulu, Finland What worries me a lot are how (people in the Arctic will) get on with their everyday lives, when all these new pressures come from all around the world. It's about climate change and globalisation. Very often the smaller voice gets pushed (down) under these bigger (economic) interests. The research (priorities) therefore have to come from people in the Arctic. There has to be a link to the real needs and problems that people face in the Arctic and they need to get their voice heard. What is essential is the co-production of knowledge, which means that researchers first meet communities, build trust, get to know them and they tell you what you should study. This is not happening as it should although (the issue) is more on the table. I think that (improving international scientific cooperation) is (also) the key to everything. By pooling resources and expertise you can gain much more (such as sharing data and minimising scientists' footprint in remote communities). Dr Latola was involved in the EU-PolarNet white papers, which sought nearly 600 responses from people in the Arctic about their needs to shape research priorities. 2. Climate change is not gradual significant changes can happen in just decades - Prof. Marit-Solveig Seidenkrantz, Aarhus University, Denmark What I worry most about is probably (Arctic) sea ice, as it has a major impact on the global heat distribution and ocean circulation. We don't really know what the long-term factors are. As a geologist, I would say it's very important to know what happened in the past to know whether the present changes are unprecedented. They likely are, but unfortunately, we still have very little information on sea ice in the past. Temperature has generally been the focus, but it is more and more clear that other aspects of the climate system are just as important, or more so. Another thing that I think is very important in climate (studies) is precipitation, as it impacts the lives of many people. When it comes to Arctic and global climate tipping points, I think it's become more and more clear to us that climate change is not actually gradual. Sometimes it seems gradual but, in most cases, the system reaches a point during the shift in climate where it moves from one state to another state fairly quickly. The geological records show that this change can happen within decades. And that is certainly scary, because it means that it is something that in principle can happen in our lifetimes. 3. Unlike CO2, we have no sinks for methane emissions - Dr Lise Lotte Srensen, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Denmark Clockwise from top left: Dr Kirsi Latola, Prof. Marit-Solveig Seidenkrantz, Dr Lise Lotte Srensen and Dr Pelle Tejsner. Credit: Image credit - Annette Ekin I measure the release or the uptake of greenhouse gases over natural surfaces in the Arctic. And methane emissions are a really important (issue) because methane is a stronger greenhouse gas than CO2. I think this is (an overlooked issue) as compared to CO2. Methane acts exactly in the same way as CO2. It captures, or you can say, absorbs, shortwave radiation which comes from solar radiation and releases it again as heat long wave radiation. And that's what CO2 does. Methane is just a stronger release of heat. As the soils in the high Arctic are heating up and the permafrost is disappearing, methane is being released. It's possible to create sinks for CO2 (natural environments that can absorb the gas), but for methane, the sink is OH (hydroxyl) radicals in the atmosphere which is not something we create well, we create it by polluting. Trees, water, take up CO2, but they don't take up methane. We don't have any methane sinks, so you have to turn it into something else, such as CO2. 4. There are high rates of suicide among local populations - Dr Pelle Tejsner, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Denmark I keep returning to the same place, Qeqertarsuaq, on Disko Island in Greenland and I've done that for ten years. My fieldwork, my PhD, was on how local hunters and fishermen (Greenlandic Inuit) adapt to disappearing ice because they rely on ice a lot in the wintertime to go hunting for seals, whales, and subsistence. Ten, 20 years ago, a good ice season lasted maybe three or four months. Now, in the bad years, it's one or two weeks or just days. A tragic development in Qeqertarsuaq is the high rates of suicide. It's an overlooked area. I am still working on an explanation, but we can tell from talking to people that young men and women are trapped between the old hunting way of life and the very rapid transitions that have taken place. We are losing a big part of the next generation to this phenomenon. If you want to do research in the Arctic, when you formulate a research project I think it's important to contact local communities and to get them involved from the beginning. It's still two parallel worlds in a way there's the science being done in the Arctic and then there's the reality of living in the Arctic. The two of them need to of find ways of linking up much more appropriately in the future. 5. Indigenous activities are constrained by ill-thought-out regulations - Dr Stanislav Ksenofontov, International Arctic Science Committee (In my PhD) I looked at the social-ecological systems in Arctic Yakutia in northeast Siberia, the biggest region in Russia. This region has a lot of indigenous communities such as the Evenk, Eveny, and Sakha. What I was doing is (looking at) how these communities are affected by climate change and by social-political transformations during and after the Soviet regime. Indigenous communities are resilient and adaptive thanks to indigenous knowledge. They always consume sustainably. They know when the fish spawn or the reindeer and fish migrate. But they are (now) constrained by regulations on fishing or hunting which were introduced without considering (local) knowledge. Since they are highly dependent on natural resources, food security is challenged, traditional practices are affected. I think the most important issue in Arctic science, and in general, is considering indigenous knowledge in decision-making (processes) and integrating it into science. Scientific records might differ from the indigenous knowledge, and it is very important to include it. It should be considered as credible. 6. We don't know enough about how different climate change elements interact Clockwise from top left: Dr Stanislav Ksenofontov, Dr Simon Walmsley, Marianne Kroglund and Ingibjorg Jonsdottir. Credit: Image credit - Annette Ekin - Dr Simon Walmsley, World Wildlife Fund In terms of the science, one of the issues that I think a lot about is the synergistic effects, the cumulative impacts. For instance, if you have rising temperatures how does that impact with acidification? I don't think we know yet. This could affect things a whole lot more. I often think that the urgency's there on climate change but there's more that we don't know about. Therefore we should deal with all these things on a much more precautionary level, which governments aren't doing yet. If you look at the nationally derived contributions under Paris (the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change), even if they're met, we'd still fall short of the 1.5C scenario (for limiting global warming) which for the Arctic is essential because it means different levels of temperature, higher temperature. I think we have to just realise that we're now adapting for a changing Arctic, but not let go of the climate debate and what's happening elsewhere, because, you know, what happens in the Arctic impacts what happens to the rest of the world. I think this is the continuing message and the point is to wake up to that. Sea-level rise, effects on climate, temperature, it's all kind of Polar-Arctic based. 7. We're entering an era where it's difficult to predict consequences - Ingibjorg Jonsdottir, University of Iceland I've been looking at farmers' diaries, historical records from people going into the Arctic a few hundred years ago and data from the meteorological institutes, established in the mid-19th century. Then in the last 40 years there has been very good satellite coverage of the Arctic. It's very important to have the different data sources overlap for comparison so that you can be pretty sure that what you're looking at is a real change rather than just more accurate observations with time. And by looking at the sea ice history it's becoming quite clear that the sea ice extent has been dramatically decreasing. One of the reasons why sea ice is so important is because it has been covering such a huge area and it changes the radiation budget. So it's a kind of downward spiral once it disappears because then instead of having the white surface that is reflecting most of the sun's energy, it gets absorbed in the ocean and enhances warming. We're seeing changes in the last few years that we haven't seen before changes in fisheries, weather and climate, livelihoods, not just in Iceland but in different places. It's also this concern that we are going into an era (where) we're having a very hard time predicting what the real consequences will be. 8. Climate action isn't moving quickly enough - Marianne Kroglund, Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme, Arctic Council The changes that we see in the Arctic have global implications. The longer we delay mitigation actions, the higher risk we will see for humans, natural and managed ecosystems. What I think will be very important now is to start looking into the solution space and realise that there are available actions that will lower future risks. But we need to get to know them and to get familiar with the various solutions so that we dare take the necessary steps in that direction. I think the push needs to come from governments. Making that transition into a low-emission and a climate-resilient economy is challenging. And I really think we need to accept that there will be losers among the more energy intensive economies or industries. The temperature change in the Arctic is predicted to be four to five degrees warmer toward 2050. That is irrespective of emission pathway because there's so much heat and energy stored in the system. So the effect of emission cuts today, we can only see that after 2050. In the short term, we therefore need to adapt because this will have huge implications for people, resources and ecosystems. As told to Annette Ekin. More information: Horizon brings you the latest news and features about thought-provoking science and innovative research projects funded by the EU. Our articles are written by independent science journalists and are designed to appeal to both scientists and non-scientists alike. We mix stories on the latest EU-funded research with interviews with leading scientists, all written in a clear, accessible style. Each month we also take an in-depth look at a particular area of research, from 3D printing to Europes obesity epidemic. Our content is updated daily and access is free. Horizon is published in English, on behalf of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, and by ICF Mostra, a division of ICF International. Provided by Horizon: The EU Research & Innovation Magazine Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, Presents Updated Results for Bifunctional Immunotherapy M7824 at ESMO 2018 Congress Details Category: Antibodies Published on Tuesday, 23 October 2018 11:06 Hits: 1054 The information contained is not intended for distribution in the UK ESMO Abstract #M7824 (TGF -trap/anti-PD-L1): 10480, 1463P, 757P, 643P, 642P, 661P, 1931P - New data include first disclosure of results for M7824 in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, biliary tract cancer and esophageal cancers - Updated data also being presented include non-small cell lung cancer and gastric cancer - M7824 is a bifunctional immunotherapy designed to bring together transforming growth factor- and anti-PD-L1 mechanisms DARMSTADT, Germany I October 22, 2018 I Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, the vibrant science and technology company which operates its healthcare business in the U.S. and Canada as EMD Serono, today announced new and updated results from expansion cohorts of two ongoing M7824 Phase I clinical trials (NCT02517398 and NCT02699515) at the ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology) 2018 Congress in Munich, October. New data presented include the first presentation of results for M7824 in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), biliary tract cancer (BTC) and esophageal cancers (esophageal squamous cell carcinoma [ESCC] and esophageal adenocarcinoma [EAC]). In addition, updated data for M7824 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and gastric cancer add to the growing evidence for M7824's clinical anti-tumor activity in a number of challenging cancers. "We are excited to share encouraging updated and new data for M7824, including four additional difficult-to-treat cancers," said Luciano Rossetti, Executive Vice President, Head of Global Research & Development for the Biopharma business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. "The results we've seen to date will enable us to target those tumors and settings with the highest potential to impact people living with cancer, as we move into the next stage of our development program with this bifunctional immunotherapy." New data from an ongoing Phase I expansion cohort (32 patients, NCT02517398) showed signs of promising early clinical activity in patients with refractory metastatic second-line SCCHN, especially in HPV-positive SCCHN patients. As presented during the Proffered Paper Head and Neck cancers session, the overall response rate (ORR) was 15.6%, with a numerically higher ORR in HPV-positive patients (36.4%, 4/11 patients experienced a partial response), with two additional delayed responses resulting in a 54.5% clinical response rate for the HPV-positive population. At ASCO 2018, data from the dose escalation cohort of a Phase I, open-label study in advanced HPV-associated cancers (including SCCHN) were presented in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, which showed that M7824 delivered an ORR of 41.7% in HPV-positive tumors. These new data from the SCCHN expansion cohort add to the evidence of encouraging activity in HPV-positive tumors. A total of 11 patients (34.4%) experienced Grade 3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) and no Grade 4 or 5 TRAEs were seen. The most common TRAEs were rash (18.8%), asthenia (15.6%), pruritus (15.6%), hypothyroidism (15.6%), increased alanine aminotransferase (12.5%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (12.5%) and skin neoplasm (12.5%). Updated results (now with longer follow-up and independent review committee [IRC] assessed data) from an ongoing Phase I trial (NCT02517398) in patients with previously treated, advanced NSCLC, demonstrated an ORR of 37.0% (10/27 patients) and progression free survival of 9.5 months in patients with PD-L1+ tumors (1%). In patients with high PD-L1+ expressing tumors (cut-off of 80% using the 73-10 assay; 80% cut-off with 73-10 assay is most comparable to 50% cut-off with the 22C3 test based on internal comparability studies), ORR was 85.7% (6/7 patients). Grade 3 TRAEs occurred in 23 patients (28.8%) and Grade 4 TRAEs occurred in 2 patients (2.5%): hypokalemia and decreased blood magnesium and increased amylase and lipase levels. The most common TRAEs were pruritus (21.3%), maculopapular rash (18.8%), decreased appetite (12.5%), asthenia (11.3%) and rash (10.0%). New data from an ongoing expansion cohort (NCT02699515) in Asian patients with BTC who had progressed after platinum-based first-line treatment, demonstrated clinical activity with M7824 treatment. The ORR among the total of 30 patients was 20%, as assessed by IRC. Responses were observed across all PD-L1 levels and duration of response ranged from 8.3 months to 13.9+ months. Grade 3 or higher TRAEs were experienced by 10 patients (33.3%). The most common TRAEs were rash (10%) and lipase increase (10%). Three deaths due to adverse events were reported: one due to septic shock (bacteremia, etiology unknown) and two due to interstitial lung disease (ILD; reported term: interstitial pneumonitis). Both patients with ILD were Japanese, which is consistent with the higher incidence of drug-induced ILD observed among Japanese patients compared with the non-Japanese population.1 Three additional posters featuring new data from two cohorts of ongoing Phase I studies in patients with ESCC and advanced EAC (studies NCT02699515 and NCT02517398 respectively) and updated data in gastric cancer (NCT02699515) were also presented. These data provide further indications of the potential of M7824 in cancers with significant unmet needs. To date more than 650 patients with various types of solid tumors have been treated across the program with M7824. The safety profile is consistent with that observed with other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Previously described rash/skin lesions (keratoacanthomas, SCC, hyperkeratosis) associated with transforming growth factor- (TGF-) inhibiting therapies have also been observed. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, has recently initiated a trial to investigate M7824 compared with pembrolizumab as a first-line treatment in patients with PD-L1 expressing advanced NSCLC. The multicenter, randomized, open-label, controlled study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of M7824 versus pembrolizumab as monotherapy treatment. M7824 is an investigational bifunctional immunotherapy that brings together a TGF trap and 'fuses' it with the anti-PD-L1 mechanism. Designed to simultaneously block the two immunosuppressive pathways, M7824 is thought to control tumor growth by potentially restoring and enhancing anti-tumor responses. M7824 is an important part of a novel combination approach that seeks to harness the power of the immune system and address the tremendously complex nature of difficult-to-treat tumors. Notes to Editors Accepted abstracts supported by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany slated for presentation are listed below. In addition, a number of investigator-sponsored studies were accepted (not listed). Title Lead Author Abstract # Presentation Date / Time (CEST) Location M7824 (TGF -trap/anti-PD-L1) Proffered Paper Session M7824 (MSB0011359C), a bifunctional fusion protein targeting PD-L1 and TGF-, in patients (pts) with advanced SCCHN: results from a phase 1 cohort BC Cho 1048O Mon, Oct 22, 2:45 4:15 PM (3:00 PM lecture time) ICM, Room 14B Poster Sessions Updated results of M7824 (MSB0011359C), a bifunctional fusion protein targeting TGF- and PD-L1, in second-line (2L) NSCLC L Paz-Ares 1463P Sat, Oct 20, 12:30 1:30 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub Assessment of PD1/PD-L1 colocalization in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using brightfield double labeling and quantitative digital image analysis T Mrowiec 1931P Sun, Oct 21, 12:45 1:45 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub M7824 (MSB0011359C), a bifunctional fusion protein targeting PD-L1 and TGF-, in Asian patients with pretreated biliary tract cancer: preliminary results from a phase 1 trial C Yoo 757P Sun, Oct 21, 12:45 1:45 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub M7824 (MSB0011359C), a bifunctional fusion protein targeting PD-L1 and TGF-, in patients with post-platinum esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC): preliminary results from a phase 1 cohort B Tan 643P Sun, Oct 21, 12:45 1:45 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub Phase 1 study results from an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cohort treated with M7824 (MSB0011359C), a bifunctional fusion protein targeting transforming growth factor (TGF-) and PD-L1 CC Lin 642P Sun, Oct 21, 12:45 1:45 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub Updated results from a phase 1 trial of M7824 (MSB0011359C), a bifunctional fusion protein targeting PD-L1 and TGF-, in patients with pretreated recurrent or refractory gastric cancer YJ Bang 661P Sun, Oct 21, 12:45 1.45 PM Hall A3 Poster Area Networking Hub About M7824 M7824 is an investigational bifunctional immunotherapy that is designed to bring together a TGF- trap and 'fuse' it with the anti-PD-L1 mechanism. M7824 is designed to simultaneously block the two immunosuppressive pathways targeting both pathways aims to control tumor growth by potentially restoring and enhancing anti-tumor responses. M7824 is currently in Phase I studies for solid tumors. About Biliary Tract Cancer (BTC) BTC is a collective term for a group of rare and aggressive gastrointestinal cancers, made up of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCC), extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCC), and gallbladder carcinoma (GBC).2,3,4 Surgery is the only curative treatment, but most patients present with advanced disease and therefore have a limited survival.4 Approximately 140,000 cases of BTC are estimated to occur annually world-wide.5 However, incidence of BTC varies in different parts of the world: the incidence of cholangiocarcinomas is rising in the Western world, with reports of up to 2 in 100,000. By contrast, in Asian countries, the incidence is much higher.3 GBC also has an incidence of 2 in 100,000, but is much more prevalent in parts of South America.3 Collectively these cancers present late in the majority of patients and long-term outcomes for resectable patients are poor with median survival in the advanced setting less than 1 year.4,6,7,8 All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, Press Releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, Website. Please go to www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service. About Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Almost 53,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life - from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2017, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of 15.3 billion in 66 countries. Founded in 1668, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany holds the global rights to the "Merck" name and brand except in the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials. References Hanaoka M et al, eds. Drug-Induced Lung Injury. Singapore: Springer; 2017. https://www.springer.com/us/book/9789811044656 Blair A B et al. Immunotherapy as a treatment for biliary tract cancers: A review of approaches with an eye to the future. Current Problems in Cancer (2017) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2017.10.004 Goldstein D et al. New molecular and immunotherapeutic approaches in biliary cancer. ESMO Open (2017). Published online 2017 Mar 27. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1136%2Fesmoopen-2016-000152 Jain A et al. Molecular profiling of biliary tract cancer: a target rich disease. Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology (2016) 7(5): 797803. https://dx.doi.org/10.21037%2Fjgo.2016.09.01 Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. The Lancet 2015;385(9963):117171. GBD. Mortality and causes of death collaborators. global, regional, and national age-sex specific all-cause and cause-specific mortality for 240 causes of death, 1990-2013: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2013. Lancet 2013;2015:11771 Marcano-Bonilla et al. Biliary tract cancers: epidemiology, molecular pathogenesis and genetic risk associations. Chin Clin Oncol 2016;5:61. no 5. http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/cco.2016.10.09 Hezel AF et al. Genetics of biliary tract cancers and emerging targeted therapies. J Clin Oncol 2010;28:353140. http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/JCO.2009.27.4787 SOURCE: Merck KGaA Ad Investing Trends Oxford Mining Titan Swears This 350,000 Acre Canadian Property Could Become One Of The Most Valuable Why? Because it contains one of the world's largest helium pockets. That's important because the world's helium supply is running dangerously low. And prices have already skyrocketed 160% in the past few years Only one digit has changed. But it may have profound consequences, sending the country closer to junk status. Meanwhile, Rome and Brussels clash over budget plans. Will that duel benefit or harm the yellow metal? Only One Notch Above Being Junk Italian drama continues. On Friday, Moodys, one of the most significant rating agencies in the world, downgraded the Italian credit rating from Baa2 to Baa3. It means that Italys local and foreign-currency bonds are now only one notch above junk territory. The move was not surprising, as well as the reasons behind this decision: A material weakening in Italy's fiscal strength, with the government targeting higher budget deficits for the coming years than Moody's previously assumed. The negative implications for medium-term growth of the stalling of plans for structural economic and fiscal reforms. According to Moodys, higher fiscal deficits in coming years imply that Italys public debt will not start trending down, but it will rather remain close to the current 130 percent of GDP a very high level (see the chart below), which makes the country vulnerable to future negative shocks. (Click to enlarge) Chart 1: Italys public debt to GDP from 1988 to 2017. On a more positive note, both sides struck more conciliatory tones. Although the Economy Minister Giovanni Tria defended Italys 2019 budget which hikes the deficit to 2.4 percent of GDP, he promised not to inflate its deficit any further in the years ahead. And Italys Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte dismissed any suggestion that Italy might have to abandon the euro or leave the European Union. Related: How The Worlds Most Bearish Fund Will Play The Next Crash And Moodys kept the outlook at stable, which calmed investors. As one can see on the chart below, the yield on 10-year Italian government bonds dropped yesterday. (Click to enlarge) Chart 2: Yields on Italys 10-year Government Bonds from January 2017 to October 2018. However, Italian bond yields remain elevated, which feeds through to the nations banks. As they are the biggest holders of the government debt (owning about 28 percent of Italys public debt), the fall in bond prices (i.e. the rise in yields) undermines the value of their capital. Indeed, the UniCredit shares have lost more than around 30 per cent of their value in a year, while Italian bank shares sank in general (tracked by the Boost FTSE MIB Banks ETP) to the lowest level since early 2017, as the next chart shows. (Click to enlarge) Chart 3: The Boost FTSE MIB Banks ETP since early 2017. Implications for Gold The current turmoil in Italy clearly shows that the global financial crisis and the resulting banking crisis in the Eurozone have not ended yet. European banks, and Italian in particular, are still fragile. Although the Italys governments expansionary fiscal policy may support the GDP growth in the near-term, the downside risks for the Italian economy are mounting. Its true that the banking sector has seen a visible improvement since the Great Recession. However, if the bond yields remain elevated, there might be a renewed banking crisis. Related: Supply Issues Weigh On Pot Stocks As Canada Goes Legal It could help gold, especially given the current positive sentiment. But the problems in the EU should drag the euro and support the greenback (both euro and gold rose before the EU decision on Italys budget), which would limit any potential rise in the safe-haven demand for gold. One thing is certain. Although we hear more conciliatory tones from both sides, the Italys budget dispute is not over yet. So it will be a hot week, both for Italy and gold: today, Brussels will decide next steps on Italys budget, while the ECB will hold its monetary policy meeting on Thursday. Finally, Standard & Poors, another leading credit rating agency, will update its view on Italy this Friday. Stay tuned! By Arkadiusz Sieron for Safehaven.com More Top Reads From Safehaven.com: Cryptocurrency M&A activity has reached a record high as prices remain depressed, according to JMP Securities Satya Bajpai. As the cryptocurrency market continues to struggle to break free from bear territory, opportunists are looking at the slump as their chance to catch a deal. Blockchain and crypto M&A deals have surged this year, climbing from 47 in October 2017 to 115 currently. And according to JMP, it could reach as high as 145 by the end of 2018. (Click to enlarge) Though JMP wasnt able to pin an exact figure on the average transaction involved in these M&A deals, the securities firm noted that the majority of the deals were relatively small, with most carrying a price tag of less than $100 million. Head of the blockchain and digital assets investment banking at JMP, Satya Bajpai, noted, "You're seeing a mispricing of assets," adding, "Even for great businesses, the value of the token remains correlated to bitcoin, which can create an ideal opportunity for strategic acquirers." Bajpai also explained the complexity of the space, from valuations to the sheer speed at which the industry is moving. "As soon as a company becomes interesting, they get bought the deal size may still remain small, but the number of deals will increase because that's the most viable and fastest way to grow in this environment." Coinbase leads the charge While the number of deals continues to rise, Coinbase may be the most notable company taking advantage of the opportunity to grow its portfolio. Related: Stocks Mixed On Italy Turmoil, China Rebound Following in the footsteps of its largest investor, Digital Currency Group, Coinbase has been on somewhat of a tear this year. Out of its 10 total acquisitions, 8 of them came this year, including the especially noteworthy buyout of Keystone Capital, positioning Coinbase as an officially regulated broker. In addition to Keystone, Coinbase also swallowed up Earn.com and decentralized exchange, Paradox, harnessing both the technology behind these platforms and the personnel to propel forward in its endeavors. Crypto companies are going head to head with Big Banks While Coinbases acquisition of Keystone Capital was especially noteworthy, other strategic acquisitions from the likes of Lightyear Corp. (the commercial arm of the Stellar Development Foundation), Circle and Binance show that the industry is beginning to get serious about the business side of things. As the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry has grown, many are no longer looking to compete against one another, but against the already-established finance giants such as ICE, JPMorgan, and Goldman Sachs, and because of that, M&A activity will likely continue to soar. By Michael Kern via Crypto Insider More Top Reads From Safehaven.com: Following moves by the authorities in Beijing to boost confidence in the equities market, Chinese stocks on Monday saw their biggest gains in nearly three years, surging some 4 percent, despite slowing economic growth. Most importantly, mainland Chinas benchmark gauge, the Shanghai Composite Index, closed Monday 4.1 percent higher, recording its biggest day gain in two and a half years, while the benchmark Hong Kong Hang Seng Index gained 2.3 percent for its biggest jump in a month. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index gained 2.6 percent, and the tech-focused Shenzhen Composite Index and Component Index gained nearly 5 percent each. So is the Chinese stock route over, despite a trade war that continues to intensify and indications that the economy is slowing? And is this the bottom? For today, yesand its all because of some well-timed policy dropping by Chinese officials. One of the biggest saviors of the day is talk of tax cuts and bailout funds for listed companies struggling to make ends meet. First off, Beijing has unveiled a new plan to cut personal income taxes, citing third-quarter GDP data that shows, as Bloomberg puts it economic growth slowed to the slowest since 2009 at 6.5%. Speaking to Caixin, a Chinese financial magazine, Peoples Bank of China (PBOC) policy advisor Ma Jun said that next years tax cuts and fee reductions could reach or surpass 1 percent of GDP, Reuters reported Monday. Tax reductions for this year should already exceed 1.3 trillion yuan, without hints of even more to come. Related: Supply Issues Weigh On Pot Stocks As Canada Goes Legal In fact, next years tax cuts could outdo Trumps, Ma reportedly said. But its more than just a hint that sent markets surging Monday. On Saturday, Beijing went as far as to publish a draft version of its plan for tax deductions. The stock market rally was also bolstered by Chinese President Xi Jingpings statement of support for the private sector in an open letter to Chinese entrepreneurs over the weekend. Not only did he lavish high praise on the private sector, but he also made it clear that the Beijing has confidence in capitalismwhich, in turn, boosts investor confidence. And that support isnt just paying lip service to the private sector: In fact, the chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Liu Shiyu, delivered a speech Monday detailing measures by Beijing that would support share buy-backs, facilitate M&A approvals and bond transfers, and encourage private equity investment in stocks. The regulatory commission also noted that it would the gap period from three years to six months for companies that plan to restructure to list again if their first IPO application is rejected, reports the South China Morning Post, noting that this is likely to result in more back door listings. Related: Chinese E-Commerce Giant Eyes Aggressive Expansion For investors in Chinas massive tech sector, Liu also suggested new policies designed to support private equity investment specifically in technology. Alibaba (BABA), Chinas premier e-commerce giant, had gained over $4 on the NYSE by 10:30 Monday morning EST, after losing some 17 percent since the beginning of the year over trade war concerns: By Michael Kern for Safehaven.com More Top Reads From Safehaven.com: This report was compiled by Lisa Andre. You can reach her at landre@leecentralcoastnews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LAndreSYVNews Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Education Reporter Mathew Burciaga is a Santa Maria Times reporter who covers education, agriculture and public safety. Prior to joining the Times, Mathew ran a 114-year-old community newspaper in Wyoming. He owns more than 40 pairs of crazy socks from across the globe. Having role models is crucial to getting more women into science, according to Margaret Hamburg, the president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). It is vital for the advancement of science that there is an environment that helps women be engaged, she said in an interview on the sidelines of Foro Cilac, a science policy conference in Panama City, Panama, on 22 October. Hamburg, who was elected AAAS president in 2016, spoke to SciDev.Net about gender, science diplomacy and Americas role in fostering global collaboration. It can be difficult in many countries for women to reach senior positions in science. What needs to change? This is a discussion that we are deeply involved in and deeply committed to, because we have to make sure that science is inclusive. It benefits greatly from diversity of all kinds, and women have a lot of offer in the domain of science as well as so many other professional disciplines. We have to make sure that there is an environment that fosters the engagement of girls, in terms of the early education in science, technology, engineering and maths drawing them to a career in science. And then we want to make sure that they dont get lost along the way as they move from their early years of education into college and university, and then into their professional lives. This is a problem that we all have to work on together. All countries are facing this challenge in different ways, but it is one that really matters to the future.in terms of enabling all individuals to realise their full potential, but it really matters to the advancement of science and, frankly, to peace and prosperity around the world. What would you say to a young woman wondering how to get to where you are today? Role models really do matter. It is valuable to be able to look at someone and say: Someday I could do that too. So, it is a combination of having role models and pathways for people to move forward. Certainly, as I have advanced in my career and I have been very fortunate in terms of the opportunities that I have had I see that one of my responsibilities as a senior women in science is to reach out and do mentoring. I recognise that we have to be nurturing that next generation. If done in the right way, science can have a huge impact across societies globally. The AAAS has been very active in science diplomacy. Where is this having an impact here in Latin America? I think it has been very important here in terms of areas where there are shared concerns, but where there may not be the capacity and the levels of collaboration needed to address them. Turning to my own area of expertise, health: an example that I was directly involved in was threat of an emerging pandemic flu in Mexico. And it was really the fact that Mexico stepped right up to the plate and said: We have this problem that raises a lot of concerns. We need to work with you, the United States, and with other countries in the region to mobilise as quickly as possible to understand the nature and scope of the problem that is potentially before us. That enabled an appropriate and rapid response that matters when you have a pandemic threat. Too often in the past there have been examples where countries have not come forward and where problems have festered and worsened, making response more difficult. So, I think the working relationships between science and public health experts served as the foundation for the rapid mobilisation of governments in a critical moment in time. Video courtesy of UNESCO How can science diplomacy help against Ebola? Its crucial, because Ebola is a very serious disease. It is a disease that can spread in devastating ways; not only can spread in terms of the actual health risk, but it also creates enormous instability, uncertainty and fear. That can spread very quickly far beyond the actual dimensions of the disease threat itself. And so, again, this collaboration between both scientists to scientist and government to government is crucial. Openness, trust, sharing of information and accepting the potential downsides of openness because you are confident that you are going to get collaboration with other countries as a result and not being treated like a pariah are absolutely essential. In fact, those kinds of disease risks have huge impacts that go beyond the health impact the destabilisation of countries, the diminishment of trust and confidence in government, and the impact on economies. Every nation benefits in that kind of a setting by opening up and being collaborative. But, it doesnt just happen out of nowhere and the building of relationships and the development of this kind of scientific diplomacy foundations is key. What role does the AAAS play in this? The AAAS, as the largest scientific membership organisation in the world, cuts across disciplines of science sectors and boundaries. Even though it is the American Association for the Advancement of Science, in fact is an international organisation with an international membership. It really creates a venue for people to come together to talk about and address important issues that are shared. The AAAS also can provide critical leadership. It is a trusted voice, a source of information and evidence that needs to be brought to bear on the most important problems before us, all of our individual nations, but us a global community as well. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. The Japanese government ordered Facebook to improve the protection of users personal information following the recent data breaches that exposed data from millions of people. At the end of September, Facebook admitted that attackers exploited a vulnerability in the View As feature that allowed them to steal Facebook access tokens of 50 Million Users. A couple of weeks ago, the social network giant announced that hackers accessed data of 29 Million users, a number that is less than initially thought of 50 million. According to the company, the vulnerability is the result of the chaining of three flaws affecting the View As feature and Facebooks video uploader. Facebook clarified that the version of the video uploader interface affected by the flaw was introduced in July 2017. On Monday, Japans Personal Information Protection Commission ordered a further investigation of the data breach and asked the company to implement preventive security measures. This is the first time that the commission has issued warnings to the social network giant after it has conducted an investigation along with British authorities. According to government spokesman Yoshihide Suga, Facebook told Japanese authorities that the recent data breach also included Japanese users. The commission also ordered the company to improve communication with users being more transparent of the way it manages their data and promptly responding to request for deleting accounts. Another incident involving the company that affected up to 100,000 Japanese users was the Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal that affected 87 Million users. It is the first time that the commission, which investigated the data leak with British authorities, has issued warnings to Facebook, an official told AFP. Facebook added to be committed to promptly inform users if the platform was inappropriately used and cooperate with the commission and other countries regulators on its website. Pierluigi Paganini ( Security Affairs social network, cybersecurity) Share this... Linkedin Share this: Twitter Print LinkedIn Facebook More Tumblr Pocket Share On Interesting reflections on modern clemency realities | Main | Michigan Supreme Court declares plea agreement provision barring pursuit of public office unenforceable as against public policy A couple of week ago, I flagged here an interesting and intricate drug sentencing initiative headed for the November 2018 ballot here in Ohio. As of earlier this week, the "Neighborhood Safety, Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation" amendment (in full at this link) officially qualified for the fall ballot as Issue 1. And, as reported in this local article headlined "Cordray, Holder support diversion of drug offenders from prison," this proposal is already receiving high-profile support: Ohio no longer can afford both in terms of money and lives to imprison low-level drug offenders who instead should be diverted to addiction treatment, says Democratic gubernatorial candidate Richard Cordray. We need to be tough on violent criminals, but mass incarceration of drug addicts who should be in treatment is unwise, it wastes too much money and it wastes a lot of lives in Ohio, Cordray said. The former Ohio attorney general was joined by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to discuss criminal justice reform at a Thursday campaign event at the Downtown YWCA. The Democrat who served under former President Barack Obama spoke out against warehousing minor criminal offenders, saying governors and state attorneys general must steer new policy courses. Holder chided Republican President Donald Trump and his U.S. attorney, Jeff Sessions, for going back to the bad, old days of unthinking (criminal) sentences for non-violent offenders who deserve another chance. Cordray underlined his strong support for state Issue 1 on the Nov. 6 ballot that would reclassify low-level felony drug use and possession charges to first-degree misdemeanors punishable by only six months in jail, with the goal of diverting offenders to drug treatment. It also would potentially allow the release of all current such offenders from state prisons. I believe It will set the way toward a policy of being smart on crime in the future, smart on how we use taxpayers dollars, smart on how we build peoples potential to be productive citizens in our society, Cordray said. Holder and Cordray agreed such a sentencing reform would be neither easier nor cheap in the short run, but provide savings and resuscitate more Ohioans from drugs and failed lives in the long run. Comment is being sought from the gubernatorial campaign of Republican Mike DeWine, Ohios attorney general, whether he supports or opposes the statewide ballot issue. The administration of Republican Gov. John Kasich is spending up to $58 million over two years to divert a flood of non-violent felony offenders, many convicted of drug possession amid the opioid crisis, from state prisons to local programs. Many counties, however, are not accepting the money, saying it would not cover all local costs. More than a fourth of state inmates are non-violent drug offenders.... A Republican National Committee spokeswoman lambasted the pair. Richard Cordrays decision to fund-raise with disgraced former Attorney General Eric Holder proves just how swampy and out-of-touch he is with Ohioans. You can tell a lot about a person based on the company they keep, and if Cordray chooses Eric Holder as an ally, then Ohioans ought to be wary and steer clear of Richard Cordray, said Mandi Merritt. Another effective examination of ups and down of federal clemency (and the persistence of hope) in modern times | Main | I do not think Prez Trump meant this tweet as a compliment to the Attorneys General, but it kinda is September 10, 2018 Events and resources covering Ohio sentencing and prison reform ballot initiative known now as Issue 1 A few months ago, I flagged here the interesting and intricate drug sentencing and prison reform initiative headed for the November 2018 ballot here in Ohio. Originally called the "Neighborhood Safety, Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Amendment," the initiative now is just known within Ohio as Issue 1. With early voting in Ohio now just a month away and Election Day 2018 not much more than 50 days away, the new Drug Enforcement and Policy Center (DEPC) at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law has a lot of Issue 1 programming about to begin and has a lot of resources already assembled on its website. This Thursday, September 13 at 12noon, starts a series five public panels under the title Ballot Insights. Registration for these panels is available at this link, where you can also find more details on scheduled speakers and on which aspects of the Issue 1 will be the focus for particular panels (e.g., a first panel in October is focused on the Issue 1 provisions expanding "earned time credit" for Ohio prisoners to reduce their sentences through rehabilitative programming; a second panel in October looks at how to ensure any increased funding for drug treatment is utilized effectively). I have the pleasure of moderating the first Issue 1 panel this coming Thursday, which is titled simply "Neighborhood Safety, Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Amendment: Step in the Right Direction." This panel will include a leading proponent of Issue 1 (Steven JohnsonGrove of the Ohio Justice & Policy Center), a leading opponent of Issue 1 (Louis Tobin of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association), and a leading Ohio criminal justice reform expert (Daniel Dew of The Buckeye Institute). The bios of the presenters are detailed at this link. In addition to all the panels, DEPC has also created a Resources Page for Issue 1, which includes links to the ballot language, position statements from various groups and select media coverage. DEPC is also building out a Commentary Page on Issue 1 for publishing original commentary that the Center has solicited. (A pair of public health scholars submitted this first commentary for publication on the DEPC site.) Prior related posts: September 10, 2018 at 10:58 AM | Permalink Comments Post a comment Justice Sotomayor issues cert statement discussing "deeply troubling concern" with solitary confinement | Main | Justice Kavanaugh joins the ACCA fray in his first set of SCOTUS arguments October 9, 2018 Despite fear-mongering opposition ads, drug sentencing and prison reform initiative polling strong in Ohio I have blogged here and elsewhere about the interesting and intricate drug sentencing and prison reform initiative on the November 2018 ballot here in Ohio. Originally called the "Neighborhood Safety, Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Amendment," the initiative now is just known within Ohio as Issue 1. The Drug Enforcement and Policy Center (DEPC) at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law has been hosting public panels about Issue 1 under the title Ballot Insights, and has created a Resources Page for Issue 1 and a Commentary Page on Issue 1. I have not previously noted here the notable fear-mongering about Issue 1 that has emerged in recent months focused particularly on its effort to reduce drug possession offenses to misdemeanors and to allow prisoners to earn more time off their prison sentences. In late August, Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor wrote a public letter warning of catastrophic consequences" for Ohio if Issue 1 passes, and last week Gubernatorial candidate Mike DeWine began running a campaign ad involving local sheriffs stating "If youre not scared [by Issue 1], you should be." Lots of other judges and prosecutors and law enforcement official have used similar language their advocacy against Issue 1. But, perhaps signalling just how strong the public supports significant drug sentencing and prison reform, the first big public poll on Issue 1 was released today and it shows the initiative with a nearly 18 point lead. Here is a basic report on this poll: A criminal justice reform question on the Ohio statewide ballot has support from nearly 48 percent of likely voters while 30.5 percent oppose it and 21.7 percent arent sure how theyll vote on the matter, according to a new poll released Tuesday by Baldwin Wallace University Community Research Institute.... The Baldwin Wallace poll, which was conducted Sept. 28 to Oct. 8, shows DeWine has 39.7 percent, Cordray 37.1 percent, Libertarian Travis Irvine has 4.3 percent, Ohio Green Party candidate Constance Gadell-Newton has 3.4 percent and 15.4 percent of voters are undecided. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent. Notably, the full poll results indicate women voters favor Issue 1 by a 22 point margin (49 to 27) and Democrats favor Issue 1 by a 35 point margin (57 to 22). Assuming this poll numbers are solid, this results suggest to be that Issue 1 is quickly likely to pass if it turns out that women and/or Democrats end up being those especially motivated to show up to vote this November. Prior related posts: UPDATE : Another (smaller) poll was released on October 10 concerning Issue 1, and it showed a much closer contest. This press article provides these details: Ohio voters support a constitutional amendment to reduce penalties for some drug crimes and make other criminal justice reforms, according to a new poll released on the first day of early voting. Issue 1 has the support of 43 percent of likely midterm voters surveyed in a Suffolk University/Enquirer poll; 38 percent oppose the measure. Nearly one in five said they had not yet decided how to vote.... The poll surveyed 500 likely Ohio voters by landline and cell phone from Oct. 4 to 8. The poll has a margin of error of 4.4 percentage points.... Issue 1 backers didnt intend for the measure to become partisan but it has become a dividing line in the race for governor. Democrat Rich Cordray supports it as a way to reduce overcrowded prisons and funnel more money toward drug addiction treatment. His Republican opponent, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, has said Issue 1 will allow drug dealers to avoid prison time and lead to more drug overdose deaths. Among likely Cordray voters, 53 percent said they also support Issue 1 compared to only 33 percent of DeWine voters. October 9, 2018 at 06:05 PM | Permalink Comments It would seem that the Chief Justice's "public letter" is barely skirting the Canons of Judicial Ethics. Posted by: Fat Bastard | Oct 10, 2018 1:47:50 PM In hindsight -- now we know it failed. Anecdotally, progressives who voted against it did so because the bill was poorly written, not because they don't want reform. There was also much confusion sown by PACs and other campaigns. Posted by: Anne | May 29, 2020 11:54:40 PM Post a comment Terrific discussions of guideline commentary and agency issues in the Sixth Circuit (while a defendant loses appeal again) | Main | Another big accounting of the big failings of the global drug war October 23, 2018 Should a state judge be campaigning against a state criminal justice reform initiative when talking to potential jurors?!?!? I have been more than a bit troubled by the fact that Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor has been serving for months as the campaigner-in-chief against an interesting and intricate drug sentencing and prison reform initiative on the November 2018 ballot here in Ohio. Originally called the "Neighborhood Safety, Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Amendment," the initiative now is just known within Ohio as Issue 1 (and the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center at OSU has been hosting public panels about Issue 1 under the title Ballot Insights, and has created a Resources Page for Issue 1 and a Commentary Page on Issue 1). One of my concerns has been that her visible role has put her in lock-step with advocacy by Ohio's prosecutors, and also seemingly has made many Ohio state judges feel comfortable speaking out against Issue 1 while making it hard for other state judges to feel comfortable speaking out for Issue 1. Whatever one thinking about a judge or justice discussing their views on a ballot initiative in public, I am especially troubled by this story out of Cleveland that prompts the question in the title of this post. The piece is headlined "Cuyahoga County judge politicks against Issue 1 to potential jurors inside courthouse," and here are the details: A Cuyahoga County judge who is a vocal critic of a sentencing reform initiative on the ballot for the Nov. 6 election has taken his opposition to residents forced to show up for jury duty at the Justice Center. Multiple times in recent weeks, Common Pleas Court Judge David Matia has used the time usually reserved for a judge to welcome the hundreds of potential jurors to their mandatory civic duty to instead deliver a spiel in which he explicitly urged them to vote against Issue 1. Administrative and Presiding Judge John J. Russo does not object to Matia's actions, which Matia insisted in a Monday phone interview did not violate any judicial ethics rules. Judges are allowed to take public stances on issues that "directly affect the administration of justice," and it is up to a particular judge to determine when and where it is appropriate to make those comments, according to a 2002 advisory opinion by the Ohio Supreme Court's Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline. "Whether it's a group of jurors or a bingo hall, it doesn't matter," Matia said. "The opportunity to educate the public should not be ignored by members of the judiciary." But Matia's choice to deliver the message as part of the regular duties of his seat on the bench -- to a group of people with no choice to leave -- raises serious ethical questions, a legal expert said. "He's got a right to announce his views," Charles Geyh, a law professor at Indiana University, told cleveland.com. "What I don't like is he is using his judicial office as a vehicle for addressing a captive audience. That's where he's abusing the prestige of his judicial office."... Matia said he has spoken to potential jurors three times. He said he has done so in addition to the judge on the schedule twice, and spoke on Wednesday in place of the judge who was supposed to address the room when that judge did not show up. He said he hit the usual talking points he hits when he speaks in public about the issue, and urged a "no" vote. "It's not a political issue," he said. "This is a matter directly affecting the administration of justice, and frankly it's our duty to educate the public on this issue and how it will affect the administration of justice." Russo said in a statement through a spokesman that he "was made aware that his colleague has been speaking to jurors" about the measure. "Judge Matia is an elected Cuyahoga County official and is speaking to constituents about an issue that impacts the administration of justice in the state," Russo said in the statement. Rick Dove, director of the court's Board of Professional Conduct, said this situation is not explicitly spelled out in any judicial ethics rules, or addressed in any advisory opinions. Dove pointed to the 2002 opinion, which came in response to a complaint filed over a judge's public endorsement of a proposed constitutional amendment that dealt with expanding the use of drug treatment in sentencing.... The board wrote that judges could address certain legal issues that affect the administration of justice, and that it was not inappropriate for judges to do so in newspaper editorials, radio and TV ads, public forums and other mediums. "No rule within the Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct, provides a list of appropriate forums for judicial speech," the board wrote. "A judge must exercise his or her discretion regarding appropriate forums for speaking to the public regarding the law, the legal system, and the administration of justice." But Matia's advocacy did not occur at a forum or a public meeting where people came voluntarily to hear thoughts about the issue. It came inside the courthouse, to a group of people who had been summoned to perform a mandatory government duty. Matia carried the authority of being a judge inside the courthouse and acted within the scope of his judicial office when he took the stance, all to an audience who was not free to leave, Geyh argued. "He seems to be exploiting his role as judge to create this opportunity to vent his ideological point of view with respect to this view of legislation," Geyh said. Matia called his advocacy at the courthouse "a non-issue, ethics wise." He sent a copy of the 2002 opinion to cleveland.com Monday in a text message after the phone interview for this story. "Just remember to vote no on [Issue] 1," Matia wrote, adding a smiley-face emoticon. I am squarely with Professor Geyh on this one, and I have concerns about Judge Matia's actions that go beyond the specifics of talking about Issue 1 to a captive audience inside a courthouse. At least some of these prospective jurors are going to be asked to participate in cases that might involve applications of the laws and policies that are the subject-matter of Issue 1, and I worry about how the judge's comments may be impacting the jury pool beyond how the judge has become a campaigner for a partisan position in the courthouse. Prior related posts: October 23, 2018 at 12:51 PM | Permalink Comments "He's got a right to announce his views," Charles Geyh, a law professor at Indiana University, told cleveland.com. "What I don't like is he is using his judicial office as a vehicle for addressing a captive audience. That's where he's abusing the prestige of his judicial office."... That's true but not the major problem. The problem is that he is abusing the POWER of his office because his audience is CAPTIVE. True enough, that also diminishes the prestige of the judiciary but the real problem is abuse of power. Posted by: Daniel | Oct 23, 2018 3:00:13 PM A judge taking part in a political campaign is fine but here he was doing so on the job and I somehow doubt that political activity is any part of the job description. The people are paying for him to perform a particular job and while performing their job any political actor needs to stay within the bounds of what the people are paying for. Posted by: Soronel Haetir | Oct 24, 2018 2:51:21 PM Post a comment "Larry Krasners Campaign to End Mass Incarceration" | Main | "Connecting the Disconnected: Communication Technologies for the Incarcerated" October 22, 2018 Two notable commentaries in support of FIRST STEP Act from inside the Beltway The Washington Examiner and The Washington Times are both right-leaning papers, which only adds to the import of these two recent commentaries in these publications: "Our cruel and inhumane prison system is so close to reform" by Mark Vargas. An excerpt: Thanks to former President Bill Clinton, the 1994 crime bill created an America that was less compassionate, less forgiving, at times inhumane, and sent many nonviolent, first-time offenders away to prison for a very long time. At the time, supporters of the Clinton crime bill argued that such measures would reduce crimes and keep our streets and neighborhoods safer. But in the end, the legislation only accelerated mass incarceration, stripped inmates of their dignity, and created the false narrative that everyone in prison was evil and a danger to society. It is why the NAACP in 1993 referred to the legislation as a crime against the American people. But thanks to the leadership of President Trump, the discussion about prison and sentencing reform is back on the table. In a recent poll conducted by the University of Maryland, a majority of the country support the idea of criminal justice reform as well. For Attorney General Jeff Sessions and others to make the argument that prison reform will make our country less safe exposes their ignorance and how out of touch they are. As creatures of the swamp, they care more about maintaining power than making a difference. Sessions' comments show just how political the Justice Department has become under his leadership. "Justice demands passage of First Step bill to rehabilitate lives" by Rebecca Hagelin. An excerpt: Ill never forget the heart-wrenching scene from my visit to the womens prison. I sat in silence. For the first time, I pondered the unintended consequences of lengthy mandatory prison sentences for drug offenses. Dont get me wrong: Im a conservative, and Im tough on crime. I just realize that locking up moms and dads for years for nonviolent drug offenses has an unending ripple effect, doing more damage to society than good. Under current federal laws, many nonviolent drug offenses have mandatory sentences of two decades. The full scope of the consequences of such lengthy sentences unfolds every day in families across the country. The tiny girl who threw her arms around her mommy is an adult by now, and I often wonder if her mom has returned home yet. Sadly incredibly our federal prison system treats such inmates as the forgotten men and women. In so doing, their children have become forgotten too. With little or no vocational training, drug rehabilitation programs or opportunities to receive education, these inmates eventually return to society estranged from their families and devoid of hope. The result? Within just three years 40 percent will commit another crime, many falling victim to their untreated addiction, and end up back behind bars. Its a vicious cycle that wreaks personal and societal havoc in neighborhoods and families across the country. We must face the fact that our federal prison system is failing our citizens, and come to grips with the reality that the opioid epidemic will not be solved by maintaining the status quo. Thank God, President Trump is committed to effective prison reform and combatting the drug crisis. Through his leadership and the hard work of Jared Kushner, the prison reform First Step Act passed the House of Representatives in May with overwhelming bipartisan support. This much-needed legislation now contains modest, commonsense sentencing reform initiatives added by crime reduction advocates on the Senate Judiciary Committee. October 22, 2018 at 11:46 PM | Permalink Comments Is Pres Trump really committed to reducing incarceration? Actions speak, talk is just cheap political dribble. He appointed Sessions as AUSA and directed him to prosecute the highest level charge and Chieve guideline sentences plus enhancements. The stats show avg sentence has increased lot nd so hS nbr of cases. So why hasnt Trump removed him, if hes committed to reduceing sentences and the nbr in prison? Posted by: MidWestGuy | Oct 24, 2018 8:31:44 AM Post a comment SINGAPORE (Oct 22): It must be exhausting for officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to have to constantly correct statements in Malaysia. For instance, they had to disabuse Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian this past week of what he thought will be discussed during his visit to Singapore on Oct 27. Osman reportedly said the construction of the crooked bridge would be on the table. Other items he said would be on the agenda were the price at which Singapore buys raw water from Malaysia, as well as bilateral development and investments. In a statement, MFA said the coming meeting does not have the mandate to discuss the 1962 Water Agreement, nor did Singapore receive any official word to discuss the crooked bridge. However, Malaysian government officials are now also feeling the need to correct statements in Singapore. On Oct 7, The Sunday Times reported that Malaysia faces a looming interest payment of US$50.3 million ($69.47 million) to Abu Dhabi in connection with the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal. It suggested that a full settlement of the payment would set a dangerous precedent, as it would amount to an explicit recognition by the Pakatan Harapan government of the liabilities and commitments it inherited from the previous government on all 1MDB-related matters. On the other hand, failure to honour the interest payment would trigger a default on the Abu Dhabi debt estimated at US$3.5 billion, and crystallise cross-defaults on other 1MDB-related debt amounting to more than US$2 billion. That would have negative consequences for Malaysias credit rating and weigh on its currency. Then, on Oct 14, The Sunday Times reported that a statement to the London Stock Exchange showed that Malaysia owes Abu Dhabi US$6.9 billion. The report stated that the revelation had sent shock waves through the Malaysian government, as this is twice what the government says it owes Abu Dhabi. The announcement to the London Stock Exchange relates to a plan by Abu Dhabis state-owned International Petroleum Investment Co (IPIC) on Oct 1 to transfer specic liabilities and nancial commitments related to multibillion-dollar bonds issued by 1MDB to its parent entity, Mubadala Development Co PJSC. IPIC shareholders are set to vote on the corporate restructuring at end-October. Story continues Tony Pua, political secretary of Malaysias finance minister Lim Guan Eng, denied The Sunday Times report that Malaysia now owes Abu Dhabi US$6.9 billion in a statement on Oct 15. He also took issue with the slant of the Oct 7 report. Im stunned by the ST reporting standards when both the writer and its editors failed to read and understand the legal-financial statement by IPIC, Pua said. He went on to grumble about several previous 1MDB-related reports that he said were inaccurate. On Oct 17, Warren Fernandez, editor of The Straits Times, said the paper stood by its reporter and the reports filed, as these were based on documents and information from highly placed and reliable sources. The reporter Leslie Lopez also responded to Pua, stating that Malaysian government lawyers remain in the dark about the settlement agreement between 1MDB and Abu Dhabi because they are unable to source documentation related to the deal. The following day, Mubadala also contradicted the Straits Times report, stating that the bonds have no connection with 1MDB. Meanwhile, Malaysias finance minister Lim told reporters his government has no intention of defaulting on 1MDB-related debt obligations, and that the government is working towards some lofty goals. We want to join the community of civilised countries, where we respect accountability, transparency, and uphold integrity, so that Malaysia will be free from corruption. So, perhaps the Malaysian government shouldnt distract itself with the crooked bridge and the price of raw water supplied to Singapore. And, it would help if newspapers on both sides of the Causeway get their facts right, and ensure that their stories are even-handed. This story appears in The Edge Singapore (Issue 853, week of Oct 22) which is on sale now. Subscribe here A British woman suspected of murdering her husband on a Malaysian resort island was remanded in custody for another week Tuesday to give police time to complete their investigation. Samantha Jones, 51, was detained Thursday after her husband John William Jones, 62, was found with a stab wound to his chest on the floor of his house on Langkawi. The couple had lived for the past 11 years on the jungle-clad island in northwest Malaysia, which attracts millions of tourists to its beaches every year. At a court appearance Tuesday, a magistrate ordered that her remand be extended until October 30, local police chief Mohamad Iqbal Ibrahim told AFP. He added that the police investigation was nearly complete and he expected Jones to be charged soon. Jones is suspected of having killed her husband after an argument, according to police. A bloodstained, 30-centimetre (12-inch) knife was found on the floor of their bedroom following her arrest. Under current laws, she would be sentenced to death by hanging if found guilty of murder -- which carries a mandatory death sentence in Malaysia. However, the government recently pledged to abolish the death penalty for all crimes. Lawmakers still have to approve the changes. Local media is reporting that inside sources have revealed that former prime minister Najib Razak will face fresh charges this week to add to a growing list of corruption woes stemming from accusations of fund misappropriation from the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund. New Straits Times is reporting that the prosecution is looking to hold Najib liable in last years debt settlement between 1MDB and International Petroleum Investment Co (IPIC), the Abu Dhabi wealth fund. According to sources from within the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), prior to the new government taking power, Najib and his administration authorized using taxpayer money to settle the debt. Allegedly, this was done without approval of even the cabinet. The payment came as a result of a failure for 1MDB to settle a bond remittance to IPIC due back in 2016. Najib later reached a settlement in 2017, using the Finance Ministry where he was also the minister, to repay US$1.2 billion to the Abu Dhabi fund over a US$6.5 billion claim they made. As chairman of 1MDBs board of advisers up to May 2016, when it was dissolved and its responsibilities transferred to the Finance Ministry, much of wealth funds actions fall on Najibs shoulders. New Straits Times reports exclusively that these charges will be related to criminal breach of trust. Najib has been summoned to MACC headquarters in Putrajaya twice over the 1MDB and IPIC dealings: He was quizzed for six hours on October 16, and again, two days later. It is understood that it is now up to the Attorney-Generals Chambers to file charges against Najib. If the accusations do indeed prove to be true, the former prime ministers charges will creep from the current 32 to nearly 40. The post New charges for Najib? Reports he will face at least four more this week appeared first on Coconuts. China and North Korea are officially examining each others legal systems regarding trade and foreign investments a sign of further accelerating economic cooperation at the border regions. Lawyers from the two countries have attended seminars designed to improve their understanding of economic, trade and investment laws. Last week, senior representatives of Beijing law firm Deheng Group were in Pyongyang for a seminar with North Koreas Foreign Economic Law Consultation a legal service agency run by the foreign trade ministry. The week before, a similar seminar took place in Beijings Jinglun Hotel between Deheng Group and North Koreas Koryo law firm, to enhance the legal systems of the two countries. A legal professional close to Deheng Group said China and North Korea were preparing to revive stalled cooperative border projects to boost the regions economies. Legal issues must be closely reviewed and examined before any major projects can proceed It is a sign that China-North Korean economic cooperation will be further strengthened, the source said. Executive vice-chairman Hu Ming and partner Li Guangxing, of Deheng Group attended the Pyongyang seminar where lawyers from both sides reviewed their domestic laws on special economic zones, international trade, and international arbitration for foreign investments. Entrepreneurs from China and officials from the North Korean chamber of commerce also took part, according to a statement from the law firm, which added the two sides signed a cooperation framework agreement. It did not elaborate. In August, Chinas northeastern border province of Liaoning proposed the establishment of a special economic zone in Dandong, once the hub for about 70 per cent of cross-border trade with North Korea. At the same time, the rust-belt province also began a push for a new road between Dandong and Pyongyang through Sinuiju, North Koreas gateway city. Story continues Other projects might also now be reanimated, including the special economic zones established by China on Hwanggumpyong and Wihwa islands in the Yalu River. Plans to develop them were originally announced in 2011, but the project was virtually halted when Kim Jong-uns uncle, Jang Song-thaek who led the North Korean side of the programme was executed for treason in 2013. Observers said China might be seeking to make the most of the recent mood for rapprochement on the Korean peninsula by reviving these economic projects to boost the fortunes of one of its poorest regions. Northeast China the three provinces of Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang was once one of the most well-off regions in the country, rich in oil and coal and with a thriving heavy industrial economic base. Last year, the three provinces together accounted for a mere 6.7 per cent of total GDP, according to the International Monetary Fund, despite Beijings efforts over the past decade to boost their economies. To boost the regional economy, China must enhance its economic cooperation with North Korea, Gu Gab-woo, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said, noting the move would attract extensive foreign investment throughout the border regions. Reviving border economic projects, such as development in the bilateral special economic zones, would provide a solution to the Chinese northeast region, Gu said. The Changjitu Project in Jilin province was Beijings first borderland development plan, started in 2010. Its goal was to connect Changchun City, Jilin City and the Tumen River, setting up the region as a development and opening-up pilot zone in an attempt to transform the area into an international logistics hub for neighbouring countries North Korea, Japan and Russia. A high-speed 359km (223-mile) rail link connecting the major cities of Jilin started operating in 2015, with prospects of extending the line to the Korean peninsula via the North Korean city of Rajin. But, once again, the plan was not realised, as Beijing backed United Nations sanctions on North Korea which were implemented last year. As a result, the 1,400km border with at least 16 security checkpoints throughout Liaoning and Jilin provinces, which have long served as de facto free-trade zones lost their economic vigour. The number of businesspeople from South Korea and Japan also fell. Some border town residents in China are hoping for the revival of economic cooperation with North Korea. In Yanji, seat of the Korean autonomous prefecture in Jilin, resident Liu Wei said: Revival of the bilateral economic projects in the border areas and, ultimately, economic reform in North Korea would enhance the economy of the Chinese northeastern region. This article China and North Korea aim to clear legal hurdles to revive border regions with joint economic plans first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. Colombian authorities have arrested eight soldiers over the murder of a farmer earlier this year, one of thousands of such cases involving security forces under investigation in the conflict-worn South American country. The soldiers are accused of killing the campesino and wounding a second civilian on March 8 in Arauquita, in the northeastern Arauca region, the public prosecutor's office announced Tuesday. The killing was "unrelated to a confrontation," prosecutors said, but gave no details why the civilians were attacked. The arrested men will be charged with "aggravated homicide and attempted aggravated homicide," the prosecutor's office said. Colombia's military has long been accused of indiscriminately killing civilians in remote areas and presenting them as guerrillas killed in combat -- so called "false positive" killings. Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the prosecutor's office is investigating "some 3,600 alleged unlawful killings from 2002 to 2008," with 961 security force members convicted. "The military often abducted victims...and killed them, placed weapons on their bodies, and reported them as enemy combatants killed in action," HRW said in its annual report. Though there had been a decrease in such killings since 2009, "credible reports of some new cases continue to emerge." Former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas, National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels and drug-trafficking gangs are involved in a battle for control of smuggling routes near the Venezuelan border in Arauca. Colombia -- the world's largest producer of cocaine -- is slowly emerging from five decades of conflict between the government and FARC. Peace talks with the country's last rebel group, the ELN, have been suspended since August. Prince Harry sipped on the narcotic drink kava at a traditional welcoming ceremony in Fiji Tuesday as the island nation gave the British royal and his pregnant wife Meghan the biggest greeting so far on their Oceania tour. After more than a week in Australia, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex began a four-day swing through Fiji and Tonga, arriving to huge crowds in the Fijian capital Suva. About 15,000 people, many holding union flags and pictures of the royal couple, packed into Albert Park in downtown Suva for the ceremony led by elders in grass skirts. They presented Harry with a large sperm whale tooth known as a tabua, a symbol of prestige in Fijian culture. He was then given a cup of kava from a communal bowl, with the sixth in line to the British throne appearing slightly apprehensive as he looked at Meghan and his entourage. He drew cheers from the crowd through when he gave the traditional toast "bula" and downed the concoction in one, clapping himself after he was done. The mildly intoxicating drink -- made from the root of a relative of the pepper plant -- is commonly described as tasting like muddy water, and leaves the face feeling slightly numb. "Thank you Mr President and you the people of Fiji for the warm welcome you've given us here today," he said. "The Duchess and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible over the next two days." - Zika precautions - Fiji, a former British colony, became independent in 1970 at a ceremony in the same Albert Park venue that was attended by Harry's father Prince Charles. Earlier, thousands of people lined the route as the royal motorcade made its way into Suva, with the couple's progress broadcast on live television to the archipelago's population of 920,000. Harry wore medals from his own military service as he inspected a Fijian honour guard of soldiers wearing the distinctive sulu, a kilt-like white skirt with a zig-zag hem. Meghan followed medical advice to cover up and minimise the risk of Zika infection, donning a long-sleeved white dress with a matching hat. The news of Meghan's pregnancy had sparked fears among royal watchers about exposure to Zika virus, which is officially listed as a risk in Fiji and Tonga. Zika can cause congenital deformities in unborn babies but there have been no cases in either country this year and Kensington Palace said Harry and Meghan decided to proceed with the trip after consulting doctors. Experts say the risk of infection is low if travellers in Zika-prone areas wear insect repellent, as well as loose, light coloured clothing and stay indoors where possible. The royal visit is taking place during an election campaign, and Harry and Meghan were due to meet leaders from all political parties at a state dinner later Tuesday. The royals will travel to Tonga on Thursday before returning briefly to Australia then wrapping up the tour with a visit to New Zealand. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in North Korea Tomas Ojea Quintana attends a news conference at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland June 7, 2018. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - A United Nations investigator voiced concern about human rights being sidelined during U.S. and South Korean talks with North Korea over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, warning on Tuesday: look at what happened in Myanmar. Tomas Ojea Quintana is the U.N. special rapporteur on North Korea, who reports on the rights situation to the U.N. General Assembly and the Geneva-based Human Rights Council. He held a similar role on Myanmar from 2008 to 2014 as the country began a transition to democracy from decades of harsh military rule. A year after the transition began in 2011, Quintana said he raised concerns about the Myanmar military committing crimes against humanity and called for a commission of inquiry. The Myanmar military has denied such accusations. "The international community couldn't reach a decision in this respect - they were endorsing the transition, putting aside human rights, and now somehow we see the consequences," he said. A Myanmar military crackdown in Rakhine state last year against Rohingya Muslims drove some 700,000 of the largely stateless minority over the border into Bangladesh. A U.N. inquiry into the crisis accused Myanmar's military of genocide. [nL8N1VI1RY] The crackdown followed attacks by Rohingya militants on security posts. Myanmar has denied committing atrocities against the Rohingya, saying its military carried out justifiable actions against militants. Quintana said that while the situations in Myanmar and North Korea were not completely the same "at some point we shouldn't undermine ... the principles of human rights because sooner or later it will come back." He said he strongly supported the rapprochement with Pyongyang and summits by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, but it was not clear if human rights had even been discussed. "The human rights situation at the moment has not changed on the ground in North Korea despite this important progress on security, peace and prosperity," Quintana told reporters, adding that what was needed now is "a signal from North Korea that they will discuss human rights at some point." Story continues Japan and the European Union are again drafting an annual General Assembly resolution that traditionally condemns North Korea human rights abuses. North Korea has repeatedly rejected accusations of rights abuses. North Korea's U.N. mission said in a statement on Monday that the General Assembly resolution politicizes human rights. "The human rights issue is found in Western countries where the misanthropy and abnormal way of life are rampant," the statement said. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Jonathan Oatis) Malaysia's opposition leader said Tuesday a quake-tsunami that killed thousands in neighbouring Indonesia was "punishment from Allah" for the activities of gay people, sparking a storm of criticism. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who heads a party which lost power in Muslim-majority Malaysia at historic elections in May, made the remarks in parliament as he warned about the growing influence of the country's gay community. It was the latest sign of a backlash against homosexuals in Malaysia. In recent months officials -- including the prime minister -- have spoken out against gay rights and two lesbians were caned for breaking Islamic laws that forbid same-sex relations. Ahmad Zahid, a former deputy former premier who is now facing jail after being arrested for corruption, said that "in Palu, where there was recently an earthquake and tsunami, it was said that there were more than 1,000 (people) involved in such (LGBT) activities. "As a result, the whole area was crushed. This is punishment from Allah." The 7.5-magnitude quake and subsequent tsunami smashed into the coastal city of Palu, on Sulawesi island, on September 28. More than 2,000 bodies have since been recovered and there are fears that 5,000 more could be buried beneath the ruins in several hit-hard neighbourhoods. Ahmad Zahid's remarks sparked widespread criticism, and he was accused of making populist comments to save his own skin. Pang Khee Teik, a leading gay rights activist, told AFP that the comments were "proof that every time a politician is in trouble, LGBT people get blamed. "Next time you hear a politician say that LGBT people are causing natural disaster, please remember that it's because his career is about to be swallowed up by the earth." There was a flood of anger on social media, with one Facebook user slamming Ahmad Zahid for his "stupid and irresponsible statement". Last week the 65-year-old was hit with 45 charges in a $26 million corruption case. He is accused of crimes that include accepting bribes to award government contracts and money-laundering. pl-sr/mtp Facebook South Korea has warned its citizens against smoking marijuana in Canada, telling them that even though the country legalised weed last week, using it there was still an offence under Seoul's own laws. Consumption, possession or sale of illegal substances are criminal offences under South Korea's tough drugs legislation. Last Wednesday, Canada became the world's first major economy to fully legalise cannabis, including for recreational use, sparking celebrations as the nation embarked on the controversial policy experiment. But South Korea's criminal laws apply both territorially and personally, officials said, meaning that its citizens would still face punishment for smoking weed even if they did so in Canada. "South Korean individuals who use marijuana (including purchase, possession and transport) -- even in regions where such acts are legal -- are violating the law and will be punished accordingly," the South Korean embassy in Canada tweeted last week. "So please beware," it said. In South Korea, prominent figures or celebrities have often made headlines for smoking marijuana at home or abroad, with offences in foreign countries revealed by tip-offs to police. Some spent years in jail during the 1970s or 80s when the country was under military rule, but in recent years many were merely fined or given suspended terms. The South Korea is not the only country that punishes people for foreign narcotics use. In Singapore, which has some of the toughest drugs laws in the world, citizens and permanent residents face up to 10 years in prison if found to have consumed illegal substances outside the city-state. Random urine checks are carried out at Changi Airport and other entry points. The exchange is a strategic move by Binance to build-out its fiat services as the service is currently best-suited for coin-to-coin trading Binance, a blockchain company that runs one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, announced today it has raised investment from Vertex Ventures to open a crypto-to-fiat exchange in Singapore. The goal is to launch the exchange by the end of 2018. The amount of money invested in the company was undisclosed. It was facilitated via the Vertex China, Vertex India and Vertex Southeast Asia offices. Besides the exchange, Binance is also hoping to build other fiat-crypto gateways in Singapore. Gateways refer to tools that makes it easier for new people get into the crypto economy. At the moment, Binance gets most of its business from crypto-to-crypto exchanges and the Singapore move is a clear decision to try and build-out its fiat services. Binance plans to allow customers to trade Singapore dollars to cryptos. Binance is an extremely young company about 14 months old but has grown into a giant on the exchange market, with some reports saying the company facilitates US$1 billion a day in trade volume. However, it has not been entirely smooth sailing for the company. The New York Attorney General accused the company of operating unlawfully in the US state. After a crypto crackdown in Hong Kong the companys birthplace Binance has officially become a Malta-based company. Also Read: An overview of Vietnams venture capital industry Binance does not call itself an exchange rather referring to a blockchain ecosystem which it says includes the exchange, labs, a launchpad, information, an academy service, a trust wallet, and the Blockchain Charity Foundation. The Blockchain Charity Foundation wants to integrate blockchain technology into charitable donations. We look forward to building up the blockchain ecosystem and working with all stakeholders in Singapore to support continued innovation in the local fintech space, said Wei Zhou, the CFO at Binance, in a statement. Story continues Also Read: Key challenges and opportunities in Malaysias e-commerce scene Vertex is the venture capital arm of the Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek. The post After landing Vertex investment, Binance to launch crypto exchange in Singapore appeared first on e27. Last months deadly earthquake and tsunami in Palu, Indonesia, claimed more than 2,000 lives and displaced nearly 90,000 people. In some cities, bodies are still being discovered. Today, Malaysian opposition leader Zahid Hamidi explained why: Gods anger with Indonesias LGBTQ+ community. Speaking to fellow parliamentarians during Question Time, the disgraced UMNO leader, currently facing 45 corruption-related criminal charges, said the quake that struck the neighboring archipelago nation was divine punishment that Malaysians also face if they dont forsake their sinful ways. If we look at the situation in Malaysia, we are concerned over the incident of the earthquake and tsunami in Palu, Indonesia, recently, where it is believed more than 1,000 of them were involved in [LGBTQ+] activities, he said. But the whole area was destroyed as part of Gods punishment. I would like to ask, as part of Malaysian Islamic Development Departments (Jakim) task, (for them) to implement the Mukhayyam outreach program to help the LGBT community, and other steps taken by government agencies and other states, and to state the effectiveness of such program so we can avoid similar punishment from God, including those who clearly reject the LGBT. Yep, just when you thought that roping in your 9-year-old daughter to spit hate on your behalf was the newly lowered bar, the leader of Malaysias opposition has somehow managed to go even lower, using a tragedy of almost unfathomable proportions for political gain. Somewhere, the ghost of Jerry Falwell is smiling. Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa, minister in the Prime Ministers Department, responded that while the LGBTQ+ community may be a social problem (sigh), the government doesnt believe its quite reached wrath of God levels yet. In the issue of LGBT, although it is a problem here, it is still under control. I dont think that it is as simple as that that if we do something, we will earn Gods wrath, he said. Story continues What we need to do right now is to find ways to address the problem. So what exactly does addressing the problem entail? Something pretty troubling actually. Since 2011, the Islamic affairs agency Jakim has run a program called mukhayyam, an initiative that reaches out to the LGBTQ+ community via religious leaders, offering voluntary treatment and recovery programs to curb what they see as an infectious issue. And so we find ourselves, dear reader, at an impasse: Forced to pick between an individual who seems to not possess a basic understanding of geological science and is willing to thousands of deaths to score political points and another guy who believes you can reverse sexual identity, were gonna opt out of this false dilemma and wait for option C. Meanwhile, Zahid maybe next Question Time you could address the litany of corruption charges youre facing. Were all just a little more curious about that. The post Malaysian opposition leader blames Indonesian LGBTQ+ community for causing earthquake appeared first on Coconuts. Some 50,000 troops will kick off NATO's biggest military exercises since the Cold War on Thursday in Norway, a massive show of force that has already rankled neighbouring Russia. Trident Juncture 18, which runs until November 7, is aimed at training the Alliance to mobilise quickly to defend an ally under attack. The head of NATO's Allied Joint Force Command, US Navy Admiral James Foggo, said the exercise was intended to "show NATO is capable to defend against any adversary. Not a particular country, anyone." Russia, which carried out its biggest ever military exercises in September in the Far East, has not been officially identified as the intended adversary, but it is on everyone's minds after the 2014 Ukraine crisis. "Russia doesn't represent a direct military threat to Norway," Norwegian Defence Minister Frank Bakke-Jensen told AFP. "But in a security situation as complicated as we have today... an incident elsewhere could very well heighten tensions in the North and we want to prepare the Alliance in order to avoid any unfortunate incidents," he added. The exercises come after President Donald Trump has repeatedly complained that other NATO members do not contribute enough money to the 69-year-old alliance, although Defense Secretary Jim Mattis reassured allies of America's "iron-clad" commitment earlier this month. - 'Sabre-rattling' - While the exercises will take place at a respectful distance from Norway's 198-kilometre (123-mile) border with Russia in the Arctic, Moscow has expressed anger over the manoeuvres. Russia was already touchy over the fact that -- independently of Trident Juncture 18 -- the United States and Britain have been increasing their troop presence in the Scandinavian country to acclimatise them to combat in the chilly Arctic. And tensions between Moscow and Washington have flared in recent days after Trump announced he was abandoning a Cold War-era nuclear treaty, a move which Russia warned could cripple global security. When at full strength, 700 US Marines will be on rotation on Norwegian soil. "The main NATO countries are increasing their military presence in the region, near Russia's borders," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, slamming "the sabre-rattling". "Such irresponsible actions are bound to lead to a destabilisation of the political situation in the North, to heighten tensions," she said, vowing Moscow would "take the necessary retaliatory measures to ensure its security." Under President Vladimir Putin, the Russian army has already beefed up considerably in the Arctic. Military air bases have been built or refurbished, and new radar and anti-aircraft missile systems have been installed. In addition, the backbone of the Russian navy, the Northern Fleet, is due to receive five new warships, five support vessels, and 15 aircraft by the end of the year, according to Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. - Military 'choreography' - "Russia's military strength has pretty much returned to what it was during the Cold War," Francois Heibsbourg of France's Foundation for Strategic Research (FRS) told AFP. "In a way, NATO is also in the process of returning to what it was." "It's a pretty mechanical engagement," a "return to a kind of choreography", he said. But Trident Juncture 18 is "in no way destabilising," he added. The exercises, involving NATO's 29 members plus Sweden and Finland, are nonetheless imposing, with substantial means deployed. The 50,000 troops will be backed by 10,000 vehicles, 250 aircraft and 60 ships, including a US aircraft carrier. "The core exercise area is 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) from the Russian border, and air operations could take place up to 500 kilometres away from the border," Norwegian Lieutenant General Rune Jakobsen said. "There should not be any reason for the Russians to get scared or see this as anything other than a defensive exercise." Two Russian and two Belarus military observers have been invited to watch the manoeuvres. The British contingent hit the road for five days to travel to the exercises. "It demonstrates ... to our NATO allies that we're prepared to move across Europe when needed and to show that we have the capability to do so," Major Stuart Lavery told AFPTV. The Titanic II will trace the originals planned route from England to New York (Picture Blue Star Line) A replica of the Titanic will set sail in 2022 and will trace the same route as the original liner, which sank in 1912. It will carry 2,400 passengers and 900 crew, and has the same layout and interiors as the original, but with updated safety features and navigation. The $500 million (385m) project by Blue Star Line stalled for several years due to a financial dispute, but will now go ahead with the two-week maiden voyage scheduled for 2022. The original Titanic sank on April 15 1912 after striking an iceberg and both the ships architect and its captain were among 1,500 people who died in the disaster. It will have the same layout as the original (Blue Star Line) The replica has been built by an Australian company, Blue Star Line. Chairman Clive Palmer said, The ship will follow the original journey, carrying passengers from Southampton to New York, but she will also circumnavigate the globe, inspiring and enchanting people while attracting unrivalled attention, intrigue and mystery in every port she visits. Palmer began the project in 2012, but work on the liner was suspended in 2015 due to a financial dispute over royalties. Titanic II Will Set Sail in 2022 on Same Route as First The company said, Now those matters have been resolved, work has recommenced to build and operate Titanic ll. The company said that design work and wave testing was already complete, but did not confirm a date for the build. Australian mining billionaire Clive Palmer said when he announced the project, In 1912 the Titanic was the ship of dreams. For over a century Titanics legend has been powered by mystery, intrigue and respect for all she stood for. Millions have dreamt of sailing on her, seeing her in port and experiencing her unique majesty. Titanic II will be the ship where those dreams come true. Members of Iran's Revolutionary Guards march during a military parade to commemorate the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war in Tehran September 22, 2007. REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl/File Photo DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday that it and Bahrain had added Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps and senior officers from its Quds Force to their lists of people and organisations suspected of involvement in terrorism. Tehran quickly responded that the move was intended to "distract the world and the region from the killing of Jamal Khashoggi", the journalist whose disappearance after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul has provoked international outrage. The Saudi state news agency SPA quoted a statement from the security services as saying Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force, and the force's Hamed Abdollahi and Abdul Reza Shahlai had been included on the terrorism list. The U.S. Treasury Department alleged in 2011 that Soleimani, Abdollahi and Shahlai were linked to a plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia's former ambassador to the United States, Adel Al-Jubeir, and imposed sanctions on them. Iran at the time dismissed the accusations as false and demanded an apology from Washington. The Quds Force is the branch of the Revolutionary Guards that operates abroad. "Saudi Arabia is in a quagmire it cannot easily come out of," Iran's Mehr news agency quoted Brigadier-General Esmail Kowsari, the Revolutionary Guards deputy security chief, as saying on Tuesday. "Saudi rulers are trying to distract the world and the region from the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi journalist, in their consulate in Turkey," he added. They should know that this crime cannot be washed away easily or by these methods. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday dismissed Saudi Arabia's explanations of Khashoggi's death and demanded it punish those responsible, no matter how highly placed. In Washington on Tuesday, the U.S. Treasury targeted Afghanistan's Taliban insurgency with sanctions against eight individuals who were designated global terrorists, including two linked to the Quds Force named as Mohammad Ebrahim Owhadi and Esma'il Razavi. Story continues The Taliban-related sanctions were also imposed by the seven members of the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC), a U.S.-Gulf initiative to stem finance to militant groups. The centre was established in May 2017 during U.S. President Donald Trump's trip to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia and the United States co-chair the group and Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are also members. The Trump administration aims to create a security and political alliance with the Sunni Gulf Arab states to counter Shi'ite Iran's influence in the region, especially in Syria and Iraq. Trump withdrew in May from a nuclear deal with Iran that lifted most international sanctions on Tehran in exchange for curbs on its atomic programme. Trump said the deal did not address Iran's ballistic missile programme, its nuclear activities beyond 2025 or its role in regional conflicts. Saudi Arabia welcomed Trump's decision and said it would work with the United States to address Iran's support of militant groups in the region and its ballistic missile programme, run by the Revolutionary Guards. (Reporting by Tuqa Khalid and Bozorgmehr Sharafedin; Editing by Andrew Roche) Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince appeared Tuesday at a glitzy investment forum boycotted by a host of global business leaders, as the petro-state admitted it is facing a "crisis" after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman smiled and took selfies with cheering delegates during his 15-minute appearance on the opening day of the three-day Future Investment Initiative (FII), which is aiming to project the historically insular Gulf kingdom as a lucrative business destination. The conference, nicknamed "Davos in the desert", has been overshadowed by the outcry over the murder of Khashoggi inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul on October 2, with a string of leading international investors pulling out over the case. But Saudi organisers sought to portray it was business as usual, announcing 12 "mega deals" worth more than $50 billion in oil, gas, infrastructure and other sectors. They sought to rally around Prince Mohammed, the king's powerful son whose reform credentials have been tarnished by the scandal despite repeated denials he had any involvement in the killing. After his brief appearance on the opening day, Saudi media said the crown prince would take part in a panel at the conference on Wednesday. But Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih acknowledged "these are difficult days". "We are going through a crisis," Falih said in his speech. Falih said the murder of Khashoggi was regrettable, adding that "nobody in the kingdom can justify it". In further efforts to diffuse the crisis, Saudi Arabia's cabinet said his killers would be held accountable "no matter who they may be". The comments came as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded to know who gave the order for Khashoggi's killing in his country and the whereabouts of the slain journalist's corpse. - Tight security - The Riyadh conference opened amid tight security at Riyadh's Ritz-Carlton hotel, with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Russian Direct Investment Fund chief Kirill Dmitriyev headlining. Khan's government announced later Tuesday in a statement from Islamabad that Saudi Arabia had pledged $3 billion to Pakistan as it battles a balance of payments crisis, as well as to defer another $3 billion in payments for oil imports. Falih heaped praise on the CEO of French energy giant Total, Patrick Pouyanne, for standing by Saudi Arabia in this difficult period. "We see what partnership means when you have difficult times," Pouyanne responded as he shared the stage with Falih. "This is when you really strengthen a partnership." Dozens of delegates walked a red carpet into the vast conference venue at the Ritz-Carlton, with a cathedral-like lobby, frescoed ceilings and glittering chandeliers. But as the day progressed, the crowds thinned in the main auditorium even as Prince Mohammed sat in the front alongside Jordan's King Abdullah II and billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who was detained in the hotel last year along with other elites in what authorities called a crackdown on corruption. Organisers frequently changed the agenda of the event in a sign speakers were dropping out. SoftBank Group's chief executive Masayoshi Son -- who maintains close relations with the crown prince -- cancelled his speech, Bloomberg reported. A long list of investors and international policymakers have already declined to show up in Riyadh in apparent protest against the Khashoggi killing. Siemens chief executive Joe Kaeser, corporate chiefs from JP Morgan, Ford and Uber, and media powerhouses like CNN and the Financial Times all scrapped plans to attend. Ministers from Britain and France and the United States, which have huge defence deals at stake with Saudi Arabia, have stayed away. A wider Western boycott of the conference suggests rising political risks in Saudi Arabia that could hit foreign direct investment, which already plunged to a 14-year low last year, according to a UN body. And in a fresh setback, the forum's website went down on Monday after an apparent cyberattack. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. It was back up with reduced content as the conference progressed. - 'PR crisis' - This year's conference contrasts with last year's inaugural FII -- a star-studded event at which Prince Mohammed was lionised as a visionary by speakers. But many Western firms have too much at stake to abandon the Arab world's biggest economy, and some have decided to send lower-level executives. "The West is still interested in the business opportunity that Saudi offers," said Tony Chan, president of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, who attended the forum. "The no-shows have to be reconciled with that fact. As business shifts from West to East, those companies have to find a balance between maintaining a good PR image and their business considerations." Companies from China and Russia have shown little interest in withdrawing from the event, an organiser said. "The high profile withdrawal of so many American CEOs from the conference certainly presents opportunities for Asian and Russian companies to make a splash," Ellen Wald, author of the book "Saudi Inc.", told AFP. The crown prince, widely known by his initials MBS, faces what the risk consultancy Eurasia Group has called "an acute public relations crisis" over Khashoggi's murder. SCDF Staff Sergeant Muhammad Nur Fatwa Mahmood. PHOTO: Yahoo News Singapore A staff sergeant with the Singapore Civil Defence Force was on Tuesday (23 October) sentenced to more than one year in jail over the drowning of a full-time national serviceman. Muhammad Nur Fatwa Mahmood, 34, was jailed 12 months for causing 22-year-old Corporal Kok Yuen Chins death by a rash act not amounting to culpable homicide at Tuas View Fire Station. Fatwa, a hazardous materials specialist, also received another four weeks jail for abetting a colleague in the obstruction of justice by asking him to delete a video recording. Fatwa will begin his sentence on Wednesday. Four other SCDF officers have also been charged over the incident and their cases are pending. Warrant Officer 1 Mohamed Farid Mohamed Saleh, 34, was charged with abetting a rash act that resulted in death. He is alleged to have instigated Fatwa by telling him to push Kok into a pump well. Lieutenant Kenneth Chong Chee Boon, 37, was charged with abetting a group of men to commit a rash act that caused grievous hurt by omitting to prevent them from pressuring Kok to enter the well. Chong was the commander of the rotation (ROTA 3) to which the men involved were attached. Senior Warrant Officer 1 Nazhan Mohamed Nazi, 40, the deputy commander of ROTA 3, was similarly charged with abetting a rash act that caused grievous hurt. Staff Sergeant Adighazali Suhaimi, 32, was charged for intentionally obstructing the course of justice by allegedly deleting a video from his phone of Kok being pushed into the well. The full details of the case were revealed in court on Tuesday. At about 8.30pm on 13 May, ROTA 3 officers gathered at the watch room on the ground floor of Tuas View Fire Station to celebrate Koks impending Operationally Ready Date in three days time; 13 May was his last day of duty. The officers presented him with a plaque and a cake. The kolam ORD ritual At about 9.05pm, Fatwa suggested that Kok partake in an ORD ritual of entering the pump well, or kolam, despite it being a form of ragging explicitly prohibited in SCDF; there were anti-ragging posters displayed around the fire station. Story continues Other officers then started shouting, kolam, kolam, but Kok waved his hands to signal that he did not wish to partake in the ritual and said, Dont want, dont want. However, Fatwa lifted Kok by his armpits. Two other officers then lifted Koks legs and the trio carried Kok towards the pump well, about 20m away from the watch room. The well was used for training as an open water source for fire engines, and had a depth of about 12m, with an internal diameter of about 1.8m. The water level at the time was about 11m. Later, Adighazali and another officer took over from Fatwa and carried Koks upper body. While struggling as he was being carried to the well, Kok kept saying, Jangan encik, jangan, which meant Dont encik, dont, with encik referring to his superiors. Everyone went out of the watch room except for ROTA 3s commander Chong. He looked out of the window and saw the group near the pump well. He shouted at them, No filming, before looking away. Kok was hesitant when told by a sergeant to remove his shirt, belt, boots and personal belongings but eventually complied. ROTA 3s deputy commander Nazhan told Kok to jump closer to the ledge, and reminded the others not to take any photos or videos. He then left and went to his office. The group then cheered and egged Kok on as he stood at the edge of the well. He looked worried and hesitated for 12 seconds. Farid told Kok to sit at the edge and he complied. Kok looked scared as he remained seated for 43 seconds. Farid then told Fatwa to push Kok and he did so forcefully on the back with his right hand. Kok fell straight into the water without surfacing for air. He did not know how to swim. Shortly after, a few officers including Fatwa jumped into the well described by Deputy Public Prosecutor Kumaresan Gohulabalan as a dark abyss in a bid to find Kok, to no avail. The firefighters then used a fire engine to pump the water out of the pump well. Kok was found 36 minutes after falling into the well, at 9.43pm. Paramedics tried to resuscitate him, to no avail. The police received a call about the drowning at 10.58pm. Koks family met Fatwa The incident was captured on closed-circuit television cameras in the station. Adighazali had also recorded part of the incident on his mobile phone, capturing the moment Kok was pushed into the well. At about 11.25pm he told Fatwa about the video. After viewing it, Fatwa told Adighazali, delete, delete. The technology crime forensics branch of the polices criminal investigation department later recovered the deleted video. Outside the courtroom after he was sentenced, Fatwa, who cried in the dock, went up to Koks family to apologise. Im sorry, he said tearfully as he held Koks fathers hand. Kok Meng Hwa, 56, a construction worker remained silent as he, too, cried. Koks paternal aunt told Fatwa in between sobs, You shouldnt have played this game. Speaking to reporters later, Koks father said no matter the sentence meted out, his son would not be coming back. He added that his son would not want his friends to get a harsh sentence. Kok is also survived by his mother, an older sister who is 25 and a younger brother who is 21. In the wake of the incident, the SCDF said it would decommission pump wells at all fire stations, following the recommendations of a Board of Inquiry. For causing death by a rash act, Fatwa could have been jailed for up to five years and fined. For abetting to obstruct the course of justice, he could have been jailed for up to seven years and fined. Related stories 5 SCDF personnel charged over NSFs drowning death SCDF NSF drowns after falling into fire stations pump well; 2 regulars arrested PHOTO of Pyramids of Giza, Egypt: Getty Images The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday (23 October) urged Singaporeans to carefully consider their travel plans to Egypt as the country is still under a state of emergency. First declared in April 2017, the state of emergency in Egypt will be extended by another three months from 15 October 2018, possibly resulting in additional security checks and restrictions, the MFA said in a travel advisory. The MFA noted that Egypt launched security operations in the Sinai Peninsula and in other areas in February this year, and such operations are ongoing. Singaporeans visiting Egypt are reminded to remain vigilant and take precautions, including monitoring local news closely, observing instructions from local authorities, being vigilant during religious festivals, and avoiding public disturbances and large crowds. They should purchase comprehensive travel and medical insurance and be familiar with their coverage, the MFA said. Any travel to the Western Desert and Sinai Peninsula should be avoided apart from flying to the Sharm El-Sheikh resort area. Singaporeans who are visiting Egypt are strongly encouraged to e-Register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at http://eregister.mfa.gov.sg and those staying in Egypt for more than a month should notify the Singapore Embassy in Cairo. Those who need consular assistance in Egypt can contact the Singapore Embassy in Cairo or the MFA Duty Office (24 hours) at: Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Cairo 40 Adnan Omar Sedky Street (Former Babel Street) Dokki 11511, Cairo, Egypt Telephone: +202-3749-0468, 3749-5045 Duty Officer Telephone: +20-109-8064-130 (24-hours) Email: singemb_cai@mfa.sg Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duty Office (24-hours) Tanglin, Singapore 248163 Telephone: +65 6379 8800 / 8855 Email: mfa_duty_officer@mfa.gov.sg Other Singapore stories: SCDF officer jailed over drowning of NSF Kok Yuen Chin $9,000 worth of illegal health products seized by HSA Man who assaulted Jurong MP Tan Wu Meng during MPS jailed 3 months Two injured, five-car pile-up in two separate accidents on TPE Silhouettes of laptop users are seen next to a screen projection of binary code are seen in this picture illustration taken March 28, 2018. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration By Sonam Rai (Reuters) - Computer hardware maker Super Micro Computer Inc said on Monday it would review its motherboards for any proof of malicious chips as alleged in a recent media report. "Despite the lack of any proof that a malicious hardware chip exists, we are undertaking a complicated and time-consuming review to further address the article," the server and storage manufacturer said in a letter to its customers, dated Oct. 18. Shares of the San Jose, California-based company rose 4.3 percent to $14.70 on Monday. A Bloomberg report on Oct. 4 cited 17 unidentified sources from intelligence agencies and businesses that claimed Chinese spies had placed computer chips inside equipment used by about 30 companies, including Apple Inc and Amazon.com Inc and multiple U.S. government agencies, which would give Beijing secret access to internal networks. Super Micro denied the allegations made in the report. The company said the design complexity makes it practically impossible to insert a functional, unauthorized component onto a motherboard without it being caught by the checks in its manufacturing and assembly process. It is entirely plausible that a malicious chip can be placed on a motherboard but it will be at a very high cost, and the risk of detection increases with every such chip in the field, said Jake Williams, a former National Security Agency analyst and founder of the cyber security firm Rendition Infosec. "This technique would only be used for high value targets that couldn't be easily compromised via another attack vector," Williams said. The Bloomberg report also said Apple in 2015 had found malicious chips on Super Micro motherboards and added that Amazon uncovered such chips the same year while examining servers made by Elemental Technologies, which Amazon eventually acquired. Both Apple and Amazon have denied the allegations. Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook told online news website BuzzFeed on Friday that Bloomberg should retract the story. Story continues Amazon Web Services CEO Andy Jassy also joined Cook in asking Bloomberg to retract the report. "Bloomberg story is wrong about Amazon, too ... Reporters got played or took liberties. Bloomberg should retract," Jassy said in a tweet on Monday. Bloomberg had previously said it stood by its report and was confident of its reporting, which was conducted for more than a year. Security experts as well as the U.S. and U.K. authorities have said they had no knowledge of the attacks. (Reporting by Sonam Rai in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur and Anil D'Silva) The United States said Tuesday it was revoking visas of Saudis involved in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as President Donald Trump ridiculed the kingdom's response as "one of the worst cover-ups" in history. The move came as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Khashoggi's killing inside the Saudis' Istanbul consulate had been meticulously planned, in a speech that overshadowed a long-planned investment forum in Riyadh. Saudi leaders have denied involvement in the killing, pushing responsibility down the chain of command. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman "strongly said that he had nothing to do with this, this was at a lower level," US President Donald Trump said, adding he had spoken Monday to the prince and his father King Salman. Trump said the Saudis had a "very bad original concept" in killing the 59-year-old Saudi insider-turned-critic. "It was carried out poorly and the cover-up was one of the worst in the history of cover-ups," Trump said. "It was a total fiasco," he later added. "I'm saying they should have never thought about it. Once they thought about it, everything else they did was bad too ... It should have never happened." Faced with mounting calls for tough measures by US lawmakers across the political spectrum, the State Department said it had identified 21 Saudis whose visas would either be revoked or who would be ineligible for future visas. "These penalties will not be the last word on this matter from the United States," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters. "We are making very clear that the United States does not tolerate this kind of action to silence Mr. Khashoggi, a journalist, through violence," he said. The top US diplomat said the Saudi suspects came from "the intelligence services, the royal court, the foreign ministry and other Saudi ministries." Pompeo added the United States was also looking into whether to take action under a law named after Sergei Magnitsky, the anti-corruption accountant who died in Russian custody, that would impose financial sanctions on individuals behind Khashoggi's death. The initial US action against the Saudis came three weeks after Khashoggi, self-exiled to suburban Washington, vanished in the consulate and following contradictory statements by Trump, who has ruled out major steps such as cutting arms sales to the major defense partner. - 'Brutal murder' - Vice President Mike Pence, in an appearance at The Washington Post, where Khashoggi was a contributing opinion writer, denounced the "brutal murder." He added Erdogan's account -- the most substantive remarks on the case by the Turkish leader -- "flies in the face" of the Saudis' earlier assertions. Saudi Arabia -- whose ambitious crown prince has been amassing power -- initially claimed Khashoggi left freely after visiting the consulate, where he was completing paperwork for his upcoming marriage. But as pressure grew, Saudi state media changed the story and said Khashoggi died when an argument descended into a fistfight, an account that was swiftly denounced overseas even if Trump initially said he found it credible. Erdogan said that a 15-person team came from Riyadh to kill Khashoggi, carrying out reconnaissance outside Istanbul and deactivating security cameras at the consulate. He said 18 suspects detained by Saudi Arabia should be extradited to Istanbul to face trial and called for an investigation into those with "even the slightest link" to the case. The Turkish leader did not mention some of the most striking claims that appeared in the Turkish press in recent days, notably that Khashoggi's body was cut up into multiple pieces, and that there is an audio recording of the murder. However, he did confirm a Saudi official played the role of body double for Khashoggi, wearing the journalist's clothes upon leaving the consulate to pretend to be the dead man. The whereabouts of Khashoggi's corpse remain unknown. Turkish police were searching an abandoned car belonging to the Saudi consulate in an underground car park in the Sultangazi district of Istanbul. - 'Many questions unanswered' - Jana Jabbour, a professor at Sciences Po university in Paris, said the fact Erdogan did not opt for sharper rhetoric against Riyadh suggested the two nations were talking behind the scenes. "Erdogan's very moderate speech shows that a deal has been reached," she told AFP. But allies remained alarmed. The Group of Seven industrial nations said in a joint statement that the killing left "many questions unanswered." Denmark also summoned the Saudi ambassador over the case. The murder has shone the spotlight on the Mohammed bin Salman, who was credited with a reform drive in the kingdom, but is now accused of ordering Khashoggi's killing. A key investment summit, dubbed "Davos in the desert," was overshadowed by big-name cancellations as it kicked off in Riyadh. Dozens of executives, including from banks Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan and ride-hailing app Uber pulled out of the three-day Future Investment Initiative. Saudi organizers sought to portray it was business as usual, announcing 12 "mega deals" worth more than $50 billion in oil, gas, infrastructure and other sectors. But Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih acknowledged "we are going through a crisis." burs-wat/mdl/ska A special envoy urged the UN Security Council on Monday to consider "stern action" against rebel chief Abdul Wahid Nur for resisting efforts to bring peace to Sudan's troubled Darfur region. Jeremiah Kingsley Mamabolo, the special representative of the United Nations and African Union in Darfur, noted that there were still confrontations between rebels and government forces in the mountainous Jebel Marra region despite a "relatively calm and peaceful" security situation elsewhere. He said he informed the Security Council that "all efforts to bring the leader of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), Abdul Wahid Nur, into the peace process have so far failed." "I urged the council to consider stern action against the SLA leader because from all accounts, he prefers belligerence and armed struggle to cessation of hostilities and a political process. It is highly unlikely that he would change this position any time soon," Mamabolo said. A diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity after a close door consultations of the 15-member Security Council, said several countries had spoken of the need to impose sanctions on Nur. Nur, who was born in the Jebel Marra but has long lived in exile in Paris, heads the Sudan Liberation Movement that has been battling President Omar al-Bashir's regime since 2003. An insurgency began in Darfur in 2003, as ethnic rebels rose up against Sudan's government, accusing it of marginalizing them. Khartoum responded by using militias to crack down on rebels and since then, insurgent groups have fragmented, with fighting punctuated by periods of relative calm. The United Nations says that over the years the conflict has killed about 300,000 people and displaced more than 2.5 million, with many having set up home over the last decade and half in sprawling semi-permanent camps. With the overall fall in violence in Darfur, a joint peacekeeping mission between the UN and the African Union, known as UNAMID, has been reducing its troops, which currently stand at about 8,700. Plans are to cut them to 4,050 by June 2019, with mission itself terminated by the end of 2020, under pressure from the United States to cut back on expenses. A US-led, four-nation coalition could play a useful security role in Asia particularly as a bulwark against Chinas rising power but should not be expanded, students, businesspeople and officials in 10 Asean countries have said, according to in a new survey. The report written by Huong Le Thu, a senior analyst from Canberra-based Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said there was near consensus among the 276 people surveyed that the Quad, or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, should not seek to enlarge its membership beyond the United States, Japan, India and Australia. But the institute also said that Southeast Asian perceptions of the Quad were diverse and there was no such thing as one Asean view of the grouping. The Quad was formed in November last year to patrol and exert influence on waterways in the Indian and Pacific oceans and the East and South China seas. Watch: US and China military leaders meet for South China Sea talks In its survey, the institute canvassed university students; officials from government agencies, the military, academia and think tanks; as well as businesspeople and members of the media in countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). More than half of respondents agreed that the Quad was an anti-China bulwark and supported the idea of it having a useful role in regional security. Greatest support for the grouping was found among respondents from Vietnam and the Philippines, two of the biggest challengers to Chinas territorial claims in the South China Sea. Indonesian respondents were most sceptical and Singaporeans the least enthusiastic about the US-led coalition. The shrinking Quad: how the alliance is going nowhere as Japan and India court China Overall, 32 per cent of respondents welcomed the Quad and said it would make their countries safer while 31 per cent said it could raise tensions in the region but would not affect their countries. Nearly 70 per cent said the Quad was expected to enforce a rules-based order, such as a 2016 Hague tribunal ruling that rejected almost all of Chinas claims to the South China Sea, through which billions of dollars of international trade passes each year. Story continues And nearly 70 per cent respondents said the Quad would grow if China continued its assertiveness in the region, especially its maritime push. The institute said the survey showed there was a significant need for Southeast Asia to have functional enforcement mechanisms and that was where the Quad could make its biggest contribution. The grouping of the four like-minded democracies was first mooted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007, but Beijing protested, saying the defence partnership was aimed at stifling Chinas growth. The idea made a sudden comeback when senior officials from the four nations met in Manila on November 11 on the sidelines of regional summits during US President Donald Trumps maiden tour to East Asia. How fear and paranoia about Chinas rise breathed new life into the Quad at Aseans expense Observers said the revival of the concept highlighted deep suspicion and unease among Chinas neighbours over Chinese President Xi Jinpings ambitions for regional dominance. It also underscored growing regional competition between Beijing and Washington, they said. Analysts said the Quad meeting was not a coincidence given that Trump appeared keen to promote his Indo-Pacific concept as the cornerstone of his Asia strategy and worked hard to strengthen ties with its allies and partners, including India and Vietnam, to counterbalance China. This article US-led Quad coalition a useful anti-China bulwark in Asia say people in 10 Asean countries first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2018. More from South China Morning Post: By Ayman al-Warfalli SHAHAT, Libya (Reuters) - Graffiti covers the ruins of Cyrene in eastern Libya, a city founded by Greeks more than 2,600 years ago that once attracted tourists but is now neglected and the target of vandals. Insecurity and looting has hit Libya's archaeological sites in the chaos and fighting that has followed the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, as rival groups struggle to consolidate control of the country. Libya is home to five of UNESCO's World Heritage sites, listed for their outstanding universal value. The sites include the ruins of the Roman city of Leptis Magna and Sabratha, which is famous for its amphitheatre. There are also prehistoric rock carvings in the Akakous mountains deep in the southern Sahara desert near the border with Algeria. In the east, tourists once trekked to Cyrene, a site founded by Greeks and later expanded by Romans, nestled in the mountains some 200 km (124 miles) east of Benghazi. But with foreign tourists gone and the sites visited only by Libyan families on weekend trips, locals have seized land at the sites and vandals have even smeared graffiti on columns and walls. That presents a challenge to local authorities trying to protect the ruins located in the small community of Shahat. "In Cyrene, instead of speaking to one owner, now we speak to 50 with different backgrounds," said Ahmad Hussein, the head of the antiquities department of a parallel administration in charge of eastern Libya. "Some of the owners have built houses on these sites," he said. The challenge is worsened by a law in 2013 that allowed people to reclaim land confiscated under Gaddafi. Some people took that literally and annexed what they felt they deserved. Hussein wants to hold those who seized land accountable. TWO GOVERNMENTS, FEW VISITORS The effort to preserve ruins is further hampered by the fact that Libya has two governments. One administration backed by the United Nations sits in Tripoli, while the east has a parallel government. Story continues In a rare positive sign, Hussein said that about 1,700 artifacts had been returned since 2011 after they were looted inside the country. Many other items are smuggled abroad though. Leptis Magna in northwestern Libya has been able to escape vandalism thanks to local history fans and relative security at its location near the city of Misrata. Sabratha has been repeatedly hit by fighting between rival factions and UNESCO last year issued an appeal to protect the site. The site received no help. In the capital Tripoli, a lone director is trying to preserve some 18 Roman graves, dating back some 1,700 years which were found in 1958 in the western suburb of Janzour. "There is no support for this site," said al-Amari Ramadan Mabrouk, director of the Janzour antiquities office. Libyan families come occasionally but otherwise spiders and dust cover the graves. "I cannot give a number for tourists who visit Libya ... but I can say that, before 2011, tourism was popular in Libya," he said. (Additional reporting by Hani Amara; Writing by Ahmed Elumami and Ulf Laessing; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg) Veteran Hong Kong television actor Benz Hui (third from left, in white shirt) posing for a photo with Yishun GRC MP Lee Bee Wah (centre) in a Facebook post on 21 October, 2018. PHOTO: Facebook/Lee Bee Wah He is a familiar face in classic Hong Kong television drama serials and movies. Now, veteran actor Benz Hui could become a familiar sighting around the Yishun neighbourhood. Yishun GRC MP Lee Bee Wah put up a Facebook post on Sunday (21 October) with a photo of her among nine residents in her constituency. And among them was 69-year-old Hui, who has appeared in many supporting roles in Hong Kong TV serials in the 1980s, such as The Legend of the Condor Heroes, The Return of the Condor Heroes and The Duke of Mount Deer. Lee wrote in her post, Guess which Hong Kong TVB star will be our resident soon?? She told The Straits Times that she was near Huis home near a private housing estate in her constituency when she met him. He and his family were very friendly during the meeting, she added. The Facebook post garnered positive comments from netizens, with many recognising Hui from their favourite Hong Kong TV dramas. Some are surprised by the fact that Hui has a home in Yishun. For example, Facebook user Ivan Loh wrote, Wow! Is this for real? Hui, whose full name is Hui Shiu-hung, has had a long acting career which began in 1970. The name Benz was apparently given to him as he was the first actor at the now-defunct ATV channel to drive a Mercedes-Benz car to work. He has featured in many notable supporting roles, and received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in the Hong Kong Film Awards in 2000 for his role as an inspector in Running Out of Time, which starred Andy Lau and Lau Ching Wan. He met his wife in Singapore while working here in the 1980s. The couples daughter was born in Singapore before the family moved back to Hong Kong. In an interview last year with Shin Min Daily News, Hui said that he has homes in Hong Kong and Singapore, and his family frequently flies between both cities, visiting Singapore whenever they have the time. Other Singapore stories: LTA swipes back at IKEA, defends cost of its bus stop benches Blu Jaz Cafe to continue with live acts while awaiting appeals board decision Freelance arts professionals in Singapore to get support from new resource centre Vietnam lawmakers on Tuesday elected as president Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, the only candidate on the ballot, making him the most powerful man in the country where consensus leadership has traditionally kept strongman rule in check. Trong was ushered into his new role as head-of-state with 99.8 percent of the vote from Vietnam's rubber stamp parliament members a month after the former president died from a prolonged illness. Though the president's role is seen as largely ceremonial, 74-year-old Trong will maintain his position as party head -- the first person to hold both roles since revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh in the late 1960s. His new position was cemented in a tightly orchestrated swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday after an overwhelming vote from 477 lawmakers, with only one vote against, according to the government's website. "I, president of Vietnam, vow to be completely loyal to the nation, people and constitution," Trong said at the ceremony, speaking beneath a large bust of Ho Chi Minh. "This is a very huge honour, while at the same time, a very heavy responsibility for me," he added, acknowledging his advanced age. His election comes as no surprise after the Communist Party's Central Committee put his name forward as the only contender last month following the death of Tran Dai Quang, a former police chief who had been president since 2016. Trong's dual role in two of the so-called "four-pillar" top leadership positions allows him to yield a huge amount of power in the government whose inner workings are often shielded from the public. The two other "pillars" are the prime minister and National Assembly chair. His appointment is not likely to shake up politics in the one-party state, though observers have said it will eliminate any potential opposition to an anti-corruption campaign that he has spearheaded since his re-election as party chief in 2016. The campaign has seen dozens of top officials, executives and bankers put behind bars, many seen as Trong's political foes because of their perceived alliance to former prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung who was sidelined in the last leadership shuffle two years ago. - 'Politically unassailable' - Some say the campaign likely allowed Trong to secure the top job as president, an unlikely and rare move. "Trong did this because he is currently in a politically unassailable position," Zachary Abuza, a professor at the National War College in Washington, told AFP. "(He) has effectively used 'anti-corruption' to purge rivals within the party," he added. Trong's time in office has also coincided with a crackdown on dissidents, with more than 55 jailed this year alone, according to an AFP tally, that rights groups say shows no sign of abating. The US ambassador to Vietnam congratulated Trong on the post Tuesday, celebrating cosying ties between the former war enemies who are both seeking to counter China's rising military and economic might. "We look forward to continuing to work closely with President Trong on further strengthening and expanding the US-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership," ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink said in a statement. In addition to running the powerful Communist Party, as president Trong will now be in charge of welcoming foreign delegates and travelling abroad as the public face of the administration. The white-haired longtime party member has a carefully guarded reputation as a committed apparatchik, and is also a member of the powerful politburo. WeChat Pay to roll out at over 600 Singapore retail outlets The service will be available from November 1 Last week, Singapores largest cashless payment provider, NETS, announced it has teamed up with Tencent to let NETSPay users transact at terminals that accept the Chinese giants e-payment platform, WeChat Pay. This would allow NETSPay users to easily make purchases while travelling in China, where WeChat Pay is ubiquitous. Today, NETS is bringing this partnership closer to home. Through a deal with Singapores oldest retail group, Dairy Farm Singapore Group (DFSG), it is integrating WeChat Pay into its uPOS terminals installed at over 600 Cold Storage, Giant, 7-Eleven and Guardian stores island-wide. The service will officially go live on November 1, but it is already piloted at the 7-Eleven and Guardian stores at Changi International Airport as well as key tourist destinations in the Orchard and Chinatown districts. In September, WeChat Pay also announced a collaboration with Singapore shopping malls Bugis Junction and Bugis+ to integrate its e-payments platform at participating retail outlets. Also Read: Tencent supports Malaysias cashless society by launching WeChat Pay MY To use WeChat Pay for payments, users simply need to scan the NETS QR code on the NETS uPOS terminal. This partnership will allow retailers to better cater to the growing number of Chinese tourists in Singapore. According to the Singapore Tourism Board, visitors from China increased by almost 13 per cent per cent, from 2.8 million in 2016 to 3.2 million in 2017. More customers are adopting cashless payments, thanks to easier and faster payment transactions with the uPOS terminal plus the convenience of the wide array of payment options to choose from across our Cold Storage, Giant, 7-Eleven and Guardian stores, said Dairy Farm Singapores Regional Finance Director, Tom van der Lee. Cold Storage alone has seen cashless payment increase by 6 per cent and at Guardian by 3 per cent since Dairy Farm Singapore installed 1,800 unified NETS POS terminals in 2017, he added. WeChat Pay currently has over 900 monthly active users. The post WeChat Pay to roll out at over 600 Singapore retail outlets appeared first on e27. Lawsuits Close in on Hawaiis Largest Carbon Credit Scheme by Andrew Walden Some greenwash is thicker than others. When a couple of penny-stock touts , one of whom is listed in the Panama Papers Offshore Leaks Database , start selling timber futures and carbon credits in Hawaii, the greenwash is thicker than most. Behind all the greenwash, a raft of lawsuits quietly working their way through Hawaii courts harkens back to Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods (HLH) co-owners Jeff Dunster and Darrell Foxs pump-n-dump days hustling wanna-be stock traders with tales of glorious riches awaiting them in the OTC shell-company listings. And a 2015 audit challenges representations made in HLHs timber futures prospectus. Dunster is one of a handful of Hawaii residents showing up in the 2016 Panama Papers Offshore Leaks database. According to the leaked data posted online by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), Dunster owns or owned as many as five formerly-secret trusts registered in the Cook Islandstagged by the New York Times as A Paradise of Untouchable Assets . Other Cook Island trusts show up in 1990s litigation in Oregon Federal Court involving Dunster, Fox, and Waihee-connected lawyer Gary V Dubinwho is now facing disbarment proceedings in Hawaii. How thick is it? If youve got $15,499 burning a hole in your pocket, HLH claims it can turn it into $217,488 or $285,519 , or $321,117 . Modelled after tree-farm schemes common in Costa Rica in the 1980s and 1990s, Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods (HLH), Hawaiis largest carbon credit scheme, is a Certified B-Corporation , joining a new class of companies that use the power of business to help to resolve social environmental and economic problems, leading a global movement to redefine success in business. Cashing in since 2010 , Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods sprawls across 1,011 acres of leased Kukaiau Ranch land on the Big Island at Paauilo. Dunster speaks of additional carbon credit plantings planned for Kahua Ranch near Kamuela, and Oahus Gunstock Ranch in Laie . HLH owns none of the land it is planting on. Contacted by Hawaii Free Press , Dunster refused to answer two key questions: 1) When do you expect the earliest investors in HLH timber futures will begin to be paid ? 2) Do you have a performance bond, trust fund or other method to ensure that lease payments at Kukaiau Ranch are made for the full 60 year term of the land lease? In a 2009 internet discussion , Fox explains: My wife and I followed a tree farm in Central America for over a decade. We even spent a month down there looking at similar operations. It isn't for everyone, but if I had invested in those guys I wouldn't have to listen to my wife say I told you so. An HLH Plan Book published in 2012 explains, It has taken Jeffrey Dunster, Darrell Fox, and the rest of the HLH team more than 10 years to research, plan, and establish the company. The Costa-Rica-based Tico Times in 2012 investigated one of the countrys few remaining schemes in an article entitled Investors: Wheres Our Money . This is a question HLH investors may soon be asking. HLH Projections to investors show timber sales revenues beginning to flow based on sales of lumber cut from eight-year-old koa trees. This creates a sense of urgency for Tiffany Potter whose Washington, DC-based Slipstream Consulting, August 10, 2015, sued Dunster and his associated entities in Hawaii federal court. Potter argues her name was listed on SEC documents as an HLH corporate officer without her permission. Potter also alleges the HLH companies ripped her off for thousands of dollars in residuals due after she made key introductions which allowed HLH to launch its carbon credit business. Potters suit claims HLHs troubles began in 2013 and 2014 when it stopped paying a 3.5% residual owed her on carbon credit deals made with her assistance. According to the lawsuit, thanks to Potter, (HLH) has been listed on the Gold Standard Registry and verified to produce 10,000 carbon credits, or 10,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, for 40 years. HLH is also being sued by Kukaiau Ranch . The ranch-owning De Luz family filed suit February 14, 2017 to evict Dunster and his companies for non-payment of rent on four Paauilo houses adjacent to the ranch land. HLH is represented in various Big Island courts by David Louie, former Abercrombie administration Attorney General, whose hourly rate and travel costs quickly add up to more than the monthly rent on the ranch houses. The house leases are separate from the primary ranch land lease. The 2012 HLH Plan Book explains, As a company, HLH has a simple product range that is presented to the public in two completely different waysOne as an investment opportunity and the other as a pseudo non-profit. The nonprofit Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative , with Dunster as Executive Director, is carrying a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Guidestar. HLRI scooped up a $130,000 Grant in Aid from the 2017 Legislative session. Meanwhile, HLH benefits from Enterprise Zone GE Tax exemptions , a 15-year USDA Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program ( CREP ) subsidy, and other state and federal grants. HLH boasts plenty of warm fuzzy Internet hype , the de rigueur fluff-piece from Pacific Business News , and 70 legacy partners including five Hawaii resorts, helicopter tour operators , developers, and even a funeral home--who include carbon credits as part of their sales packages. Additionally HLH names 300 legacy charities to whom donors send a $30 contribution when ponying up $90 for a fully tax deductible legacy tree, and 400 legacy members who have planted a tree in the last year. HLH even gave the Hawaii Diabetes Association a newly planted 100-tree lotwhich an HLH news release says is worth the alleged 20-year harvest value of $285,519generating a juicy tax deduction. Of the first 20,000 seedlings planted none of them forked. Dunster, 2012 (This 2018 photo from HLH twitter feed shows a former Miss Hawaii posing with an HLH koa tree clearly forking out into multiple trunks at about the 6-foot level.) If a carbon credit falls in the woods and no one is around to hear, does it make a sound? HLH, LLC is a vendor of unregistered securities under Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rule 506 . By selling only to accredited investors, HLH avoids a SEC requirement that investors be given, financial statements, which in some cases may need to be certified or audited by an accountant. Dunster Beats the Rap Asked about the numerous complaints filed against him and his associated with the DCCA Securities Enforcement Branch, Dunster replies: They were filed years agono one knows who filed them-- and the results were that there were no violations. So-- in essence, you are asking me to comment on nothing. William Nhieu, DCCA Communications Officer, was a little more forthcoming. According to DCCA information provided by Nhieu, neither Dunster nor Fox is registered with the DCCA to sell securities in Hawaiibut they have filed four Notices of Exempt Offering of Securities with DCCA SEB since 2015. Nhieu explains Dunster, Fox and Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods, Inc beat the rap a combined seven times: Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods, Inc. 1 complaint filed with SEB. Allegations were misrepresentations and omissions of material facts. Case was closed on October 4, 2013 because evidence gathered did not support a violation of the laws. Darrell D. Fox 1 complaint filed with SEB. Allegations were unregistered broker-dealer, unregistered securities salesperson, unregistered securities, and fraud. Case was closed on April 6, 2006 because evidence gathered did not support a violation of the laws. Jeffrey Alan Dunster 5 complaints filed with SEB Complaint filed, but closed on January 1, 2003. No other information was found for this case. Allegations were unregistered broker-dealer, unregistered securities salesperson, unregistered securities, and fraud. Case was closed on April 5, 2006 because evidence gathered did not support a violation of the laws. Allegations were unregistered broker-dealer, unregistered securities salesperson, unregistered securities, and fraud. Case was closed on April 6, 2006 because evidence gathered did not support a violation of the laws. Allegations were misrepresentations and omissions of material facts. Case was closed on October 4, 2013 because evidence gathered did not support a violation of the laws. Allegation was fraud. Case was closed on August 29, 2013 because evidence gathered did not support a violation of the laws. The DCCA complaints came prior to a 2015 audit of HLH by the Rainforest Alliance which certified HLH for Gold Standard designationdramatically boosting carbon credit sales in exchange for a cut of the action going to the Swiss-based Gold Standard organization. The Rainforest Audit also created a paper trail which contradicts many of the representations made to HLH timber investors. Prospectus vs Audit HLHs timber projections -in essence a prospectus for investors--are contradicted by the information provided to the 2015 Rainforest audit. Confusing? Consider that more failed timber growthtrees that fork out instead of growing one trunk tall and straightmeans lower timber values and less tree cutting and therefore more carbon credits to sell. Here are some key examples: 1) Koa Speak with Forked Tongue? No Fork: Of the first 20,000 seedlings planted, Dunster said, none of them forked. Environment Hawaii, March, 2012 No Fork: Much of our data (on koas behavior as a plantation tree) comes from the performance of Acacia mangium a very closely related tree from the same genus. HLH Co. Projections Fork: The auditor notes Koas relatively poor growth form compared to Acacia mangium. Audit of HLH pg 6 Fork: The assumed proportion of sawlogs in the final harvests has been revised downward. This approach, though less conservative, (Editors Note: Less Conservative means more carbon credits to sell and less usable lumber production.) is also more accurate as it is based on actual observations of tree form in 12 inventory plots at the planting site and projections made on the actual future density of 4m sawlogs. The auditor observed during the field audit that the original assumption of sawlog density was likely overestimated based on the somewhat frequent occurrence of poorly formed koa. Audit of HLH pg 7 2) Koa Price Growth: 1000% -- 2000% -- or Nothing? 120%? -- even by the most ultra-conservative estimates, koa prices rise (sic) more than 120% in the past 5 years Jeff Dunster, HLH Newsletter, October, 2014 or is it 1000%? -- The rate of increase in tropical hardwood prices has averaged 13% per year since records started being kept in 1972. To remain conservative, we have based our estimates on the more conservative value of the 6-7% annual price increase that has been documented for lumber in general by the forest industry over the last 100 years. In the case of tropical hardwoods, this is very conservative. The limited range of koa was a major consideration. Demand and limited supply has resulted in a price increase of almost 1000% in just the last 10 years. HLH Co. Projections or is it 2000%? -- The price of Koa has risen more than 1000% in the last ten years and more than 2000% in the last twenty years. LegacyTrees.org (an HLH website) or is it 1%? -- The developer has made several corrections and updates to the investment comparison analysis in response to this CAR. This includes An increase in the assumed stumpage price for Koa of 1% per year, as compared to the 0% annual increase originally submitted in the first version of the analysis. Audit of HLH pg 7 3) Will $53 Sustain HLH for 150 Years? Sustain for 150 years? -- the annual revenue generated from the sale of carbon is enough to maintain the company three times over. In other words, this 50-year project will sustain HLH for the next 150 years. Along with carbon sales, the proceeds of the lumber collected from any dead trees after year 25 is enough to sustain this forest indefinitely. DBEDT, May 23, 2017 Only worth $53? -- under the most plausible scenario that the Net Present Value ( NPV ) of the project activity is $53.00. -- Audit of HLH pg 8 Negative net worth? -- The NPV of the Native restoration/timber production forestry scenario is --$1,113,331. This unprofitable result is reasonable given that the majority of the planting area is dedicated to conservation forestry that generates no meaningful income. -- Audit of HLH pg 41 Environment-Hawaii in 2012 points out : Estimates of the volume of lumber taken from HLH stands at the end of the 25-year investment cycle were more than an order of magnitude more than what we observe on a neighboring ranch, said J.B. Friday, a University of Hawaii extension service forester and one of the authors of several studies on koa growth trends. The most recent figure I published was 7,000 board feet per acre And they [HLH] project 77,900 board feet per acre. In a biographical sketch posted on the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative website, Dunster describes his stock-brokerage days : When I was too young to know any better, I became a stock broker, and later, a partner in a brokerage firm with offices stretching from Honolulu to Dusseldorf. After retiring from the securities business in 1990, I began a small Mergers & Acquisitions consulting company with my longtime friend and business partner, Darrell Fox. Over the years, we have had the privilege of consulting for more than two dozen companies worldwide and from many diverse industries. Our expertise in the inner workings of public companies even allowed us the privilege of heading two large shareholder actions in which we successfully removed entrenched corrupt management and restored fiscal controls back to the shareholders. Not quite. According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Dunster worked in the late 1980s for three Honolulu penny stock brokeragesall subsequently expelled from FINRA. As a result, Dunster was suspended by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) August 7, 1989, and then lost his securities licenses, July 17, 1990, when he failed to pay $75,000 in fines. Dunster and Fox were involved 2001-02 in two shareholder actions Seedling Technologies Corporation v. Komatsu Investments, LTD and Stocktrans Inc v. Dunster represented in Portland Federal Court by lawyer Dubin . The litigation began with a lawsuit filed by penny stock shell company Seedling Technologies against several of Dunsters Cook Islands corporations and Synergistic Connections, Inc , a Delaware corporation owned by Fox. At dispute, the penny-stock touting agreement Dunster and Fox were supposed to implement on behalf of Seedling. The litigation ended after Seedling became insolvent and stopped responding to the Court. Cooked Up or Big in Japan? Synergistic would later pop up as co-owner of two HLH-related corporations before Fox shed the shell in favor of his current Hawaii-registered vehicle, the Japanese-eponymous for-profit corporation, Kitsune Sangha, Inc . When the Panama Papers became worldwide news in 2016, the real Komatsu Group in Japan issued a news release explaining it had no connection at all to one of Dunsters Cook Island companies, Komatsu Investments Limited . Lawyer Dubin also represented Dunster, 1997-98, in the second of three Dunster divorces. Then, just as Dunsters third divorce went to trial in 2007, one of Dunsters Cook Island trusts, Coelho Way Corp , sold Dunsters $4M Nuuanu home for $1,000 to Nuu Corporation , a Nevada corporation owned by then-Dubin Law Firm attorney Long Vu . A few days later , Nuu Corp re-sold the home for $1,000 to another Nevada corporation, Greentree Properties, LLC , whose sole listed Managing Member is Dubin. One year later, Dunsters JV Recovery LLC received ownership of a Mililani condominium as part of a scheme which eventually cost Dubin his mortgage license. Current records indicate Dunster still lives in the Nuuanu home. Several of his companies are registered at his home address. According to Oahu TMK records, Dubins Greentree still holds titleencumbered by $2.5M in mortgages--and owes property taxes totaling $67,463 for 2017 and 2018. Bizarrely, neither Dunster nor Fox has ever made a Hawaii campaign contribution, according to the Hawaii CSC database . ---30--- Background: The New York Times has a solution to incidents where white people call 911 to report black people for crimes such as sleeping, campaigning for public office, hanging out at the pool, grilling, and sitting in a Starbucks, to name just a few. A video created by Taige Jensen and Jenn Lyon advertises a new hotline where black operators can soothe white peoples fears about their neighbor walking around in his own yard or seeing a person of color on a boat. Want to avoid becoming the next Permit Patty? Id like to introduce you to a radical new produce that will save you all the headache of being filmed and outed as a racist douche, says host Niecy Nash in her introduction for 1-844-WYT-FEAR. Advertisement Obviously, the hotline is satirical, but the problem of white bystanders calling the police to report babysitting while black and other mundane activities is very real. The video, which doubles as an advertisement for the Times email tipline for reporting racist harassment, even features Darren Martin, the former Obama aide who was profiled while moving into a new building in New York City. But what happens if you actually call 1-844-WYT-FEAR? We are here to address your urgent concerns about black or brown people living their life near you, an automated operator assures callers. Please listen to the following options before making your selection. If you are indeed white and feeling scared about a black or brown person in your proximity, press One. Warning: If hearing Spanish is triggering for you, please protect your ears now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you do press One, the operator informs you (over some light jazz) that your fears about being around people who have a different skin color is minimal compared to black and brown Americans fears of police violence. Youre then given a range of menu options to report everything from a child selling water to a black firefighter doing his job, and no matter your selection, youll receive the same response: You dont know her namethats kind of the pointbut youve surely read about the life and times of a certain mystery woman. She also goes by mystery girl and mystery blonde or mystery brunette, depending on how shes wearing her hair that day. Though her identity is cloaked in secret, she tends to keep busy. This year alone, shes been at the center of a social media love story turned cautionary tale in privacy; spotted wearing an orange dress at the royal wedding; accused of having an affair with Keith Urban; spied on the arm of a former Australian Bachelor star; photographed canoodling with the likes of Patrick Schwarzenegger, Nick Jonas, and Timothee Chalamet; and detected on some strange Texas surveillance-camera footage ringing doorbells in desperation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All that led up to last week, when the U.K.s Daily Mail caught a glimpseahem, PICTURE EXCLUSIVEof our gal with Liam Payne, who became famous as a member of the boy band One Direction. The tabloid claimed to have observed Payne in the act of moving on from his split with his pop-star ex Cheryl: He was at a hotel with an overnight bag and a female companion, another alias for mystery woman. But Payne himself begged to differ. The woman, he wrote on Twitter, was not a romantic partner but his employee. My team is full of talented, smart professional women, he wrote. I find it wrong that they are reduced to being linked to me romantically in the press just for simply standing next to me. Isnt it time we treat women with a bit more respect? Advertisement https://t.co/pK43KBQVJV My team is full of talented, smart professional women. I find it wrong that they are reduced to being linked to me romantically in the press just for simply standing next to me. Isnt it time we treat women with a bit more respect? Liam (@LiamPayne) October 21, 2018 So far the press have done this with every female member of my staff its demeaning some are in relationships and it complicates there work environment when they do this to them ... I think it stops here Liam (@LiamPayne) October 21, 2018 Advertisement Advertisement Paynes condemnation of the newspaper received widespread attention on Twitter and in the press, inspiring U.K.-based womens-interest site the Pool to decree that tabloids need to get over mystery girls. When someone is labeled a mystery woman, the article argues, she is reduced to only one defining feature (other than occasionally her hair colour) and that is her relationship to the man. The piece suggests such tongue-wagging terminology erases everything else about these women. Tabloids love a mystery man or woman for no other reason than that its exciting when a famous person cavorts with a nonfamous one. Paynes argument would be a pretty good one if it werent for one little thing, the existence of the one creature on Earth sexy and daring and captivating enough to rival the mystery woman: the mystery man. And he too has been busy lately. Per the Daily Mail, Jennifer Garner chatted with him while her son was getting a haircut over the weekend, with some speculating that the Camping star may be getting ready to date again. He will have a role this season on TVs This Is Us. In early October, he had a major PDA weekend with reality star Bethenny Frankel. Actress Alice Eve shared a passionate kiss with him during an emotional outing in Los Angeles a few days ago. (The Daily Mails lust for information about this man is such that the paper is soliciting tips: Do you know Alices companion? Contact tips@dailymail.co.uk, it asks.) And that was all just this month! Advertisement Advertisement Are tabloids more likely to single out mystery women than they are mystery men, or are mystery women subject to more scrutiny than their male counterparts? Without any formal data, its hard to say. Of the two terms, mystery man has appeared more frequently in Google Books, according to a Google Ngram (though there are also the girl and hair-color variations to consider). Mystery man, but not mystery woman, has a place in the Oxford English Dictionary, defined as A man about whom little or nothing is known; an enigmatic or secretive man. Its earliest citation is James Joyces Ulysses, from 1922, and a little before then, it also started appearing in newspapers: A 1920 New York Times article discusses a mystery woman who jumped a $500 bail bond, a good reminder the terms just as frequently come up in the context of crime as they do in tabloid love stories. Advertisement Advertisement But Paynes outrage isnt completely misplaced. Hes not wrong to assert that tabloids are often completely retrograde and sexist, and the Daily Mail is among the worst offenders. Its also fairly dumb to assume romantic intentions of all man-woman combinations in the vicinity of each other. That said, I dont see any evidence that these news sources downgrade smart, capable women with minds of their own into mystery women any more than they relegate distinct and one-in-3-billion men into anonymous mystery men. Like the delicate issue of whether its acceptable to call someone a wife in a headline, which Ruth Graham adjudicated for Slate, this is more an issue of the erasure of boring nonfamous people than anything else. Advertisement Advertisement Maybe tabloids love a mystery man or woman for no other reason than because its exciting when a famous person cavorts with a nonfamous one. One of them with one of us? No way! (Its also fun when famous smooches famous, dont get me wrongboth are crucial narrative arcs in the celebrity playbook.) Calling someone a mystery man or woman is also a journalistic crutch, a way of covering up a publications lack of information about a celebrity snogger. Rather than admitting that a celebrity has kissed someone, and we dont know whom, well have to get back to you on that, the word mystery wraps a story up into an enticing little package: The celebrity has kissed a mystery person. This is a mystery now! And almost every time, readers are all too happy to play detective. Two weeks out from Election Day, most major nonpartisan handicappers and number-crunching forecasters agree that Democrats will likely retake the Housedespite a host of structural disadvantages working against themwhile Republicans will probably hold on to the Senate, thanks in large part to a historically favorable set of contests. Nothing is assured, of course, but thats where the best available evidence pointsand has been pointing for some time. The gubernatorial landscape, however, defies such simple summationnot for a lack of polling or predictions, but for a lack of an easy metric. The difference between Democrats winning 22 House seats and winning 23, for instance, is the size of the speakers gavel. But there isnt that kind of national tipping point for the governors races. No aggregate outcomesuch as either party winning a majority of the open seatscan have a greater effect than the sum of its parts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, we can say this: Democrats are poised to win a number of marquee governors races this year, many of which will have national implications. More than a dozen Democratic candidates have a credible chance of replacing a Republican governor, a list that includes states that were central to Donald Trumps Electoral College victory and races where the Republican nominee is a Trump acolyte, an established political heavyweight, or both. One major reason why Democrats seeking governorships are running downhill is that they simply have far more room to do so: 26 of the 33 gubernatorial seats currently controlled by Republicans are up in the midterms, compared to just 9 of Democrats 16 seats. (The missing state: Alaska, where independent Gov. Bill Walker recently abandoned his bid for reelection.) But the picture only looks brighter for Democrats the more you zoom in. Advertisement Consider the Midwest: At least seven gubernatorial seats have a legitimate chance of flipping from red to blue this fall, including three of the regions most populous states: Illinois, where J. B. Pritzker is the odds-on favorite to unseat Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner; Michigan, where Gretchen Whitmer has a sizeable lead on Republican Bill Schuette to replace the states term-limited Republican governor, Rick Snyder; and Wisconsin, where Democrat Tony Evers is running slightly ahead of Gov. Scott Walker, who among governors, has been the lefts white whale for nearly a decade. Advertisement Or look to the South, where rising Democratic stars have a shot to replace term-limited Republican governors in the regions two most populous states: Florida, where Andrew Gillum has begun to pull away from Ron DeSantis in the polls, and in Georgia, where Stacey Abrams is within striking distance of Brian Kemp. The fact that Gillum and Abrams are proud progressives looking to make history as their states first black governors while DeSantis and Kemp are Trump-tastic would only make those wins sweeter for the left. Advertisement Advertisement The list doesnt end there, either. The Cook Political Report currently rates 12 of the 26 Republican-held governors seats up this year as tossups or better for Democrats, including Michigan and New Mexico, where Cook gives them the advantage. (A 13th state, Oklahoma, leans Republican but is still seen as competitive.) Meanwhile, Democrats are protecting just two seats rated as tossups, Connecticut and Oregon, while five others now appear more or less safe, including Pennsylvania and Minnesota, which both looked far dicier for the Dems at the start of the year. It would take a miracle for Democrats to sweep all those states, of coursetheyre called tossups for a reasonbut FiveThirtyEights classic model has them on pace to hold 24.1 governors mansions when all is said and done, a net gain of roughly eight seats from where they now stand. No, 24 is not a majority of 50, but the size of each state matters (unlike in a certain upper chamber of Congress), and according to the site, those 24.1 seats represent nearly 60 percent of the U.S. population. Even if there are a few surprises on Nov. 6, a majority of Americans will most likely be living in a state with a Democratic governor once the incoming class is sworn in. Theres also this: 30 of the 36 governors elected this fallincluding all 13 in the GOP-held races Cook currently believes to be competitivewill be involved in redrawing their states congressional map following the 2020 census, a process that happens every 10 years. Each one of those contests that Democrats win this year, then, will make life that much easier for the party in the House come 2022 and beyond. Put another way, the next midterm battle for control of the lower chamber is already under way. Slates expanded voting rights coverage is made possible by the support of Slate Plus members and readers like you. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump threatened prosecutions against nonexistent voter fraud, a message likely aimed at intimidating voters and stopping some from voting. With Trumps heightened rhetoric and a seemingly increasing number of stories about voter suppression around the country, it is worth asking: Has voter suppression actually gotten worse in the 2018 midterm election season? Or are we just hearing about it more thanks to the hyperpolarized political environment? The truth depends on which state you are talking about. Advertisement In many parts of the U.S., even in many Republican states, registering to vote and voting is becoming easier. But in some key Republican states, Supreme Court decisions have allowed states to put up new hurdles for voting. Just ask Native Americans in North Dakota, black voters in Georgia, or Latinos in Dodge City, Kansas. Whether or not these hurdles actually affect election outcomes, they are outrageous, unjustified, and a drain on state resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In some ways we are really talking about two Americas. In one part of America, voting is getting easier. Many blue states, and even some red ones, have moved to adopt automatic voter registration. Many red and purple states have much more generous periods of early voting than blue states; early in-person voting started Oct. 10 in Ohio, yet does not exist at all in New York. And both red and blue states have moved to adopt online voter registration, which is a convenience for voters and avoids errors in data entry. Other bipartisan reforms include the sharing of information across states through the ERIC database to avoid duplicate voter registrations. Advertisement That is all good news, and it is often ignored in the fight over voter fraud and voter suppression. Such actions deserve praise and support as election officials and legislatures do their jobs to ensure that all eligible voters can easily cast a ballot that will be fairly counted. Whether or not these hurdles actually affect election outcomes, they are outrageous, unjustified, and a drain on state resources. But theres the other part of America too. Theres North Dakota, which changed its voter identification law after the razor-thin election of Sen. Heidi Heitkamp in 2012 to make it harder for Native American voters living on reservations and lacking a residential street address to be able to vote. Theres Georgia, where Secretary of State (and current gubernatorial candidate) Brian Kemp has been holding for administrative review up to 53,000 voter registration cards for failing to have an exact match (like a missing hyphen) between the official record of a persons name and the name appearing on the registration card. And theres Dodge City, Kansas, a Latino-majority city with only a single polling place for 27,000 peoplea polling place that was recently moved out of town and a mile from public transportation for the 2018 midterm elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How have these jurisdictions been able to get away with this? To a large extent, we can blame the Supreme Court for failing to offer strong protections for the right to vote in the last decade. In 2008, the Supreme Court in Crawford v. Marion County Election Board upheld Indianas strict voter identification law against a challenge which argued that the law violated the 14th Amendments equal protection clause. In 2013, the court in Shelby County v. Holder struck down a key part of the Voting Rights Act, which required states with a history of discrimination in voting (mainly in the South, including Georgia) to get federal approval before making changes to voting rules. Before Shelby County, those states could not move or close a polling place without showing that the change would not make protected minority voters worse off. Now self-interested officials in those states can actand, in the case of Georgia, are actingwith impunity. Advertisement Since Crawford and Shelby County, and especially since the election of the first black president in 2008, things have gotten much worse. A recent Vice report found that in the years following the Shelby decision, jurisdictions once subject to federal supervision shut down, on average, almost 20 percent more polling stations per capita than jurisdictions in the rest of the country. There are now 10 percent more people per polling place in the formerly-supervised areas than in the rest of the country. Advertisement Kansas was not subject to federal oversight, so when the state closes polling places or takes other actions that can disenfranchise voters, it takes a lot of legal resources to try to make things right again. Voter protection groups have been spread very thin, as Kristen Clarke of the National Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law told me in a recent episode of the Election Law Blog podcast. Advertisement Advertisement Or take voter ID laws. More states have passed ever stricter voter identification laws. Although courts have required some states to make changes to their laws to ensure that burdened voters are not fully disenfranchised, this softening is only a partial measure. Consider the situation in North Dakota. The state, which is the only one without voter registration, recently tightened its rules for producing proof of identification in order to be able to vote. One must show election officials proof of a residential street address. This law burdens Native American voters on tribal lands, who often do not have street addresses. A federal district court put the law on hold as discriminatory, but an appeals court reversed that ruling and the Supreme Court refused to step in. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, dissenting for herself and Justice Elena Kagan, believed the law would likely cause voter confusion, although she noted that the unchallenged portion of the injunction permitting the use of more informal supplemental documents somewhat lessens this concern for about 18,000 North Dakota voters who could be disenfranchised, including more than 2,000 Native American voters. Advertisement Advertisement In the surviving portion of the district courts injunction is a ruling that allows tribal authorities to create tribal identifications with residential addresses for use in voting. At least one of the tribes plans to station representatives at all polling places, ready to print tribal identification cards on the spot. North Dakota Secretary of State Al Jaeger has been noncommittal about how the state would treat such a plan. And what about those 53,000 would-be voters70 percent of whom are blackwhose registration cards are now in the pending file at the Georgia secretary of states office? Those voters, if they are aware of it, can go to their polling place with a voter ID that is a substantial match with the voter registration information on file. The question of how substantial match will be determined, though, will vary from polling place to polling place depending on the decision of a deputized registrar trained by Kemps office, causing the potential for confusion and racial bias. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, in Dodge City, a motivated organizer could run buses on Election Day to take voters outside the city limits to help them exercise their franchise. Is anyone going to step up to do this? Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, its possible to claim that these voters are not literally disenfranchised because if they go over the right hurdles, they will be able to cast a ballot. But in order to exercise that franchise, they have to be aware that they have that rightand not stay home because they think they arent registered, or cant vote, or wont have transportation to the pollsand they have to jump through the precise right hoops. All of this is being done to stop a phantom amount of voter fraud. Ive been pointing out for the better part of this decade that voter identification fraud is virtually nonexistent. The evidence that voter fraud is a major problem has not gotten any stronger. A federal court strongly rejected a claim of mass noncitizen voting after a full trial in Kansas in a suit involving fraudulent fraud squad team captain Kris Kobach, the Kansas secretary of state and candidate for Kansas governor. The federal district court considering the residential address requirement in North Dakota concluded that although the theoretical possibility of voter fraud exists with every election nationwide, the record before the Court has revealed no evidence of voter fraud in the past, and no evidence of voter fraud in 2016. The state did not even contest this finding in the appeal that it wonit didnt have to. Advertisement Advertisement Given the workarounds to these voting hurdles and the vagaries of turnout, we cannot say whether these laws will swing Heidi Heitkamps re-election chances in North Dakota or help Brian Kemp or Kris Kobach win office. Sure, Democrats want to focus on that point, because they care who wins. Advertisement But the focus on outcomes obscures a fundamental point. These laws are always unacceptable, whether or not they swing elections. If the state is going to put a hurdle in front of voters who wish to cast a ballot, it should offer a good reason for doing so. Thanks to the Supreme Court, the states are not really even trying to offer those reasons anymore. Its outrageous, and it deserves everyones condemnation. It takes resources away from campaigning and get-out-the-vote efforts. It undermines the equality and dignity of each voter. One day, maybe we wont have two Americas, but a single America, where every eligible voter will be able to easily register and cast a ballot that will be fairly and accurately counted. One might have expected we would have had that by 2018. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Saudi Arabia of attempting to hide the premeditated murder in the the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the countrys consulate in Istanbul, calling in a Tuesday speech for the country to extradite the suspects to Turkey to face justice. In a speech to his party in Ankara, Erdogan capped more than two weeks of carefully planned leaks about the killing, countering the Saudi line and putting international pressure on Saudi authorities to drop their shifting explanations for Khashoggis death and come clean about the killing. Advertisement Khashoggi, a vocal critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who had been working in the United States and writing for the Washington Post, was killed on Oct. 2 when he went to the Saudi consulate to pick up some paperwork. Saudi officials initially maintained that he had left the consulate safely, but finally, on Friday, they admitted that he had been killed there, though in what they described as an accidental killing from a brawl with rogue Saudi agents inside the consulate. On Monday, Turkish officials leaked photos of a Saudi official dressed in Khashoggis clothes, walking around Istanbul after Khashoggis death. Saudi officials confronted with the images confirmed that he was acting as a body double, with the purpose of bolstering their initial claim. The evidence pointed to a cover-up, at least, and hinted at premeditation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saudi Arabia has said 18 officials were under investigation for the killing. Erdogan in his speech Tuesday said that officials who arrived in Istanbul before the alleged murder included generals, and he encouraged the Saudis to reveal any senior officials involved in the killing, according to the New York Times. It is clear that this savage murder did not happen at the drop of a dime but was a planned affair, he said. Erdogan, in his speech, presented a timeline of the killing with new details, though he left out some of the more grisly allegations about Khashoggis dismemberment. He described careful preparations for a murder, including a team of Saudis visiting rural areas around the city, where Turkish officials later focused their search for Khashoggis body, for reconnaissance. Advertisement Erdogan acknowledged that the killing occurred at the consulate, making it technically Saudi Arabian land, but he said that international agreements about consules cannot allow the investigation of this murder to be concealed behind the armor of immunity. Khashoggis killing has drawn international attention to the ways in which the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has cracked down on rivals and dissidents. Khashoggi had been a critic of the crown prince, who has portrayed himself as a social reformer, for his imprisonment of political rivals and other abuses. Advertisement The killing has also drawn attention to the countrys close relationship with the United States, where the Trump administration, like other past administrations, has considered Saudi Arabia to be a key participant in its strategy for dealing with Iran. CIA Director Gina Haspel on Monday flew to Turkey, where she was expected to assess the Turkish evidence surrounding for its claims about the Khashoggi killing. President Trump and other American officials have sent mixed messages in their response to the killing, at times defending the Saudiswith some Republicans conducting a whispering campaign against Khashoggiand at times condemning the clear lies coming from the Saudi rulers. On Monday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin met with the crown prince, indicating that even in the midst of the international outcry over Crown Prince Mohammeds connections to the murder of a dissident, the White House intends to keep its close ties with the Saudi leader. A special prosecutor said Tuesday that he will not file criminal charges against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill over allegations he drunkenly groped four women, including an Indiana lawmaker, at a party, because it would be too difficult to prove his intentions, according to the Indianapolis Star. The prosecutor, Daniel Sigler, said that even though he found the witnesses to be credible and believed the women, he did not believe he could prove Hills intent. I investigated: Did a crime occur there and could it be proven? Sigler said, according to the Star. I decided that there was no crime that could be proven. Advertisement According to the women, Hill groped them at a party in March at a bar in Indianapolis. Democratic Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon described Hill sliding his hand down her back and grabbing her buttocks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hill, a first-term Republican, has denied any wrongdoing, saying that it was possible he touched the women but that it would have been incidental. According to the Associated Press, Sigler had considered bringing misdemeanor battery charges, but he ultimately decided that he could not prove Hills intent was rude, insolent or angry, as would be required by a battery charge, and he said that the circumstances surrounding the incident made it too difficult to get to the truth. It was in a bar, he said, according to the AP. It was in the early morning hours. Free alcohol was being served and flowing. In a report released by Indiana Inspector General Lori Torres, her office found multiple eyewitnesses who had called Hills behavior inappropriate and observed unwanted touching. After Siglers announcement, the four women indicated they would file civil suits against Hill, as well as against the attorney generals office and the state. A 49-year-old Florida man named Bruce Michael Alexander allegedly groped a woman twice on a flight from Houston to Albuquerque on Sunday afternoon and then justified his assault to federal agents by arguing that the president of the United States says its OK to grab women by their private parts. According to the criminal complaint filed in a New Mexico district court, the victim said she had fallen asleep on the flight and felt a touch on her sweater around her bra line from Alexander, who was sitting behind her. The woman, who is not named in the complaint, initially assumed it was a mistake. Around half an hour later, she felt Alexander slowly and attentively grope her again. At this point, she asked to change seats, and the Southwest Airlines flight attendants requested that law enforcement meet them when the plane landed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alexander denied committing the assault when interviewed by law enforcement, but officers noticed that he had thick fingers that appeared to be hairy and dirty fingernails, which matched the description that the victim had given them. Later, while handcuffed in a police vehicle, Alexander made the comment about the president. In October 2016, during the presidential campaign, the Washington Post famously obtained a behind-the-scenes tape of Donald Trump on a 2005 appearance on Access Hollywood saying, Just kiss. I dont even wait. And when youre a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab em by the py. Alexander made an initial appearance in federal court on Monday on charges of abusive sexual contact. If convicted, he could face up to two years in prison. While flight attendants are usually equipped to handle straightforward violent assault, airlines have struggled to set policies and adequately train staff for mid-air sexual assault, Slate found in 2016. The FBI reported in June that sexual assaults on planes are rising at an alarming rate. The bureaus investigations into such incidents rose 66 percent from 2014 to 2017. Despite nearly every high profile Western business or political figure dropping out, along with nearly all of the media sponsors, the Future Investment Initiative started in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia today, with the host, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman looking chummy with King Abdullah of Jordan and Saudi Arabia signing a bunch of deals with multinational energy companies. Two visionary leaders. HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomes HM King Abdullah II of Jordan, to #FII2018 pic.twitter.com/fAdxnqnuS0 Future Investment (@FIIKSA) October 23, 2018 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reason everyone from JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon to Dealbook editor Andrew Ross Sorkin to Uber chief Dara Khosrowshahi dropped out was the killing of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi embassy in Istanbul earlier this month. The killing was mentioned early in the day in Riyadh; according to the Associated Press, Saudi energy minister Khalid al-Falih sait it was abhorrent and nobody in the kingdom can justify it or explain it. From the leadership on down, were very upset at what has happened. One of Saudi Arabias most important partners in its drive to modernize and open up its economy, SoftBank chief executive Masayoshi Son, cancelled his speech at the conference just before it begun, according to the Wall Street Journal. Saudi Arabia is the biggest outside investor in SoftBanks Vision Fund, an almost $100 billion money pool used to take big stakes in companies like WeWork and Uber. Advertisement Crown Prince bin Salman started the conference, which nearly everyone called Davos in the Desert (to the annoyance of the real Davos), to show that Saudi Arabia could host and make deals with high profile international companies that werent the energy and infrastructure giants theyve dealt with for decades. But Arab News reported that some nearly $50 billion worth of deals were signed on the first day of the conference, including projects with Trafigura, Total, Hyundai, Norinco, Schlumberger, Halliburton and Baker Hughes. Trafigura is a metals and energy trading firm; Total is a French oil and gas company, Schlumberger, Halliburton, and Baker Hughes, are all energy services companies, while Norinco is a Chinese arms manufacturer. Not exactly the diverse group the Saudis were hoping for. Advertisement "We see what partnership means when you have difficult times. This is when you really strengthen a partnership." @PPouyanne, CEO @Total, speaking #FII2018 pic.twitter.com/eNFpKs90ru Future Investment (@FIIKSA) October 23, 2018 With nearly all of the Western CEOs cancelling their attendance, whats left has been multinational energy and energy services companies, and Saudi Arabias allies from the Arab and Muslim world, along with a fleet of Russian businessmen. The AP reported directors of the Saudi, Russian and United Arab Emirates sovereign wealth funds took part in the opening panel. Pakistans Prime Minister Imran Khan headlined another session, with Jordans King Abdullah II expected to speak at the forum on Wednesday. This piece was originally published on Just Security, an online forum for analysis of U.S. national security law and policy. A lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan alleges defamation by two Kremlin-controlled television stations, both widely available in the United States, in their coverage of the infamous poisoning of Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko in the U.K. 12 years ago. But the litigation has a much larger aim: to highlight the scope and danger of Russian propaganda today. The case, Alex Goldfarb v. Channel One Russia and RT America, contends that the two channels maligned the plaintiff, a retired professor of microbiology and human rights activist. The complaint cites repeated broadcasts of false accusations in March and April this year that it was Goldfarb who had killed Litvinenko, who was his close friend. They also suggested Goldfarb even murdered his own wife. A formal British inquiry had concluded beyond a reasonable doubt in 2016 that two Russian former KGB agents poisoned Litvinenko with radioactive polonium-210. The well-publicized inquiry also found a strong probability that the murder was committed at the behest of the Russian government and probably on the personal orders of Vladimir Putin. As for Goldfarbs wife, she died of cancer in 2010. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The broadcasts at issue occurred in the aftermath of the latest poisoning of Russian expats in Britainthat of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, on March 4 in Salisbury, England. Suspicion immediately fell on the Kremlin, especially in light of the previous high-profile poisoning of Litvinenko 12 years earlier. Goldfarb says the timing of the broadcasts hearkening to a 12-year-old case was no coincidence. The aim of it is, of course, to distance the Russian government [from culpability] by saying that both poisonings have nothing to do with Russia, Goldfarb told an audience during a Sept. 11 event at the Atlantic Council in D.C. The broadcasts also accused him of being an agent of the CIA. Goldfarb, a naturalized U.S. citizen living in New Jersey, moved to the United States 40 years ago. He once worked with Russian dissident Andrei Sakharov. He also served as an adviser to Hungarian-American philanthropist George Soros in the 1990s and as director of the billionaires projects in Russia advancing open society during the turbulent transition from Communist rule after the breakup of the Soviet Union. (Full disclosure: Soros Open Society Foundations provides support to Just Security.) Advertisement Advertisement Lyrissa Lidsky, dean of the University of Missouri School of Law and Judge C.A. Leedy professor of law, said Goldfarbs suit is the kind that, whether he expects to win or not, at least makes a public statement that he is being subjected to a campaign of lies. Such claims tend to be long and drawn out, requiring more than a little fortitude on the part of the plaintiff. And collecting on any favorable judgment is likely to be difficult because, though both television channels appear to have some U.S. assets, they are based in Russia. Advertisement A suit like this is often about making the public pronouncement, because it is so hard to take it to the point where you a) win, and then b) collect, Lidsky said in an interview with Just Security. Still, it can serve as a symbolic shot across the bow to dissuade the channels from repeating the falsehoods and for informing the broader public about a campaign of propaganda. Advertisement This lawsuit is a bold strike, in a way, against Putin and his government, Lidsky said. Even though it seems like its about one individual and his problem, this suit seems to have a wider goal or purpose in striking back against the Russian propaganda campaign. Advertisement Litvinenkos widow, Marina Litvinenko, who lives in Britain, is backing Goldfarb in the suit. For almost 10 years, she said, we tried to get justice for my husband. She thought that had been accomplished in 2016 with the report of the U.K. inquiry. We brought all information to the public. It was absolutely clear who killed my husband, she said, sitting alongside Goldfarb and his attorney, Bertrand Randy Sellier of the Manhattan-based firm Rottenberg Lipman Rich, at the Atlantic Council event. And now they try to use the case of Alexander Litvinenko to destroy the future case of Yulia and Sergei Skripal. Advertisement The complaint focuses on four programs broadcast by Russian Channel One in March and April and a separate broadcast by RT America around the same time. And it makes clear the breadth of their potential audience reach and influence. Even though it seems like its about one individual and his problem, this suit seems to have a wider goal or purpose in striking back against the Russian propaganda campaign. Lyrissa Lidsky Defendants published the statements at issue with actual knowledge that they were false; at a minimum, they acted with reckless disregard of the falsity of those statements, according to the suit. The false statements published by Defendants accusing Dr. Goldfarb of murder constitute libel on its face, and have caused him significant actual damages. Advertisement In addition to the intent of holding the channels accountable for the damage the false allegations have done to his reputation, the suit says Goldfarb is bringing the action to deter the dissemination of false narratives fabricated by master propagandists deceitfully posing as journalists. Advertisement Advertisement The defendants havent responded formally. When the suit was filed in September, RT told the Guardian that it was reviewing a letter from Goldfarbs representative, and Channel One didnt respond to comment. Channel One is legally an independent company, but the Russian government owns 51 percent, with much of the remainder owned by Roman Abramovich and Yuri Kovalchuk, both close friends of Putin. It receives revenue from advertising, including from U.S. and other Western conglomerates doing business in Russia. RT is financed by the Kremlin and was cited in a January 2017 U.S. intelligence report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. An annex in the report dating to Dec. 2012 describes RT as a key element of a Kremlin-directed campaign to undermine faith in the US Government and fuel political protest. The 2017 report contributed to the U.S. Justice Departments decision last year to require RT and a sister channel to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act as proxies for the Russian government. Advertisement Channel One is widely available on American cable and satellite television services, and Goldfarbs suit cites its boast on its website that it is the most widely distributed Russian-language channel reaching over 250 million TV viewers around the world. And RT America says it has a total weekly audience of 100 million viewers in 47 of the 100+ countries where RT broadcasts. Advertisement Advertisement Channel One transacts significant business within the State of New York, according to the suit. Its Russian-language programs are streamed to tens of thousands of paid cable, satellite and IPTV subscribers in New York through major distributors, including Spectrum, DirecTV, Optimum and Xfinity. The channel also maintains an office in New York. RT distributes English language programming to tens of thousands of paid subscribers in New York through Spectrum and also maintains a bureau and a correspondent in New York, the suit states. Advertisement Advertisement This is something that is happening in the United States on cable television programs that are available to hundreds of thousands of people here, Sellier said at the Atlantic Council. I think we can see in this case some real echoes of what is going on with Russian propagandathe attempts to disrupt democracy not only in our country but all over the world. Litvinenko was a former officer of the Federal Security Service, known by its Russian acronym FSB and the successor agency to the Soviet Unions KGB. After joining other FSB officers in 1998 in publicly revealing what they said was corruption and criminal behavior at the top of the agency, he was arrested and jailed for about a year before being released. He and his wife and their 6-year-old son fled to the U.K. in 2000, with Goldfarbs help. The U.K. granted them asylum in 2001. Litvinenko also had been an associate of Boris Berezovsky, a Russian oligarch turned anti-Putin activist who also gained asylum in Britain in 2003. Advertisement Advertisement Litvinenko soon wrote two books accusing the FSB of corruption and of staging a series of apartment bombings in Russia that killed 300 people. Putin had blamed the bombings on Chechen separatists and soon after invaded Chechnya. Litvinenko claimed the FSB had staged the bombings to strengthen Putins position to win the March 2000 presidential election. In 2003, Litvinenko began working as a consultant for British security and business intelligence companies, according to the suit. He became a consultant to MI6, the British Secret Service, and was assigned to help Spanish law enforcement investigate the Russian mafia in Spain. During this work, Litvinenko uncovered connections between Russian gangsters and members of Putins inner circle, the suit states. Upon information and belief, Litvinenkos discoveries were the immediate motive for his murder by Russian operatives. Advertisement Advertisement In Nov. 2006, Litvinenko fell ill and was hospitalized after drinking tea in a hotel bar with the two former KGB agentsturned-businessmen, Andrey Lugovoy and Dmitri Kovtun. He died later that month. The inquiry, led by retired judge Sir Robert Owen, concluded to a criminal standard, meaning beyond a reasonable doubt, that Andrey Lugovoy and Dmitri Kovtun poisoned Litvinenko. Owen rejected alternative explanations floated by the suspects or others. Advertisement Owen went further. Taking full account of all the evidence and analysis available to me, I find that the FSB operation to kill Mr. Litvinenko was probably approved by FSB Director Mr. [Nikolai] Patrushev and also by President Putin, Owen wrote. By the time the report was released, Lugovoy had received a commendation from Putin and had become a member of the Russian Parliament. The British government has long sought the extradition and arrest of both suspects. Yet early this year, Channel One and RT America both revived alternative narratives for Litvinenkos death. Goldfarbs complaint outlines the litany of allegations that Russian outlets had trotted out over the years. When the Skripal poisoning occurred in March, it started again. The defendants broadcast these falsehoods knowing full well that they had been debunked in the UK Inquiry, Goldfarbs suit argues. The fact that these lies have been revived, repackaged and broadcast years later as part of a well-orchestrated propaganda campaign evidences the Defendants malice. Marina Litvinenko said she felt taking the case to court was the right thing to do because we dont have [any] other power to prevent Russian propaganda. More From Just Security: What Would National Security Oversight Look Like in a Democratic House? The Torture of Forcibly Separating Children From Their Parents This post is part of Outward, Slates home for coverage of LGBTQ life, thought, and culture. Read more here. Trans activist Mara Keisling pointed at the White House on Monday afternoon, addressing a crowd of a few hundred demonstrators gathered in protest of a Trump administration draft memo that would define gender under Title IX as a permanent category determined at birth through genetics and genitalia. That building right there is our White House. This is our government, said Keisling, the executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality. These are our laws. We are protected as transgender people by these laws they are trying to cut us out of. And they cannot make the laws go away. Advertisement Trust in traditional modes of political and legal recourse was high among advocates who took the mic at the protest, many of whom will likely contribute to eventual efforts to challenge the directive in court if it ever takes effect. An attorney from Lambda Legal, Sasha Buchert, led the crowd in a call and response about their next steps: Are you ready to organize? Yes! Are you ready to sue the bastards? Yes! Are you ready to vote? Yes! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When she stepped up to speak, Sunu Chandy, the legal director of the National Womens Law Center, said shed already told Roger Severino the official behind the memo and Chandys former boss at the Department of Health and Human Servicesthat excluding trans people from protections against sex discrimination would be against the law. The circuit courts are far ahead of this, Chandy said. They have said you cant create a line between discriminating against a trans person, an LGBT person, or a woman who wants to wear pants, who doesnt wear makeup. Discrimination based on how we present ourselves is sex discrimination. Advertisement But Micah, a 19-year-old nonbinary person who drove to the protest from Hanover, Virginia, doesnt trust the courts to protect their rights. You can sue and sue and sue, and theyll just make a new law, they said, echoing concerns many LGBTQ activists have raised as Trump has filled federal courts with conservative judges. The sign Micah held read, More than two genders exist. Peaceful revolution does not. Micah came to the demonstration with their friend from childhood, Grey, a 19-year-old trans man. When Grey first saw friends posting on Facebook about the Trump administration memo this weekend, he didnt believe it. Then I checked the sources and saw it was coming from the New York Times, he said. Then it was just fear. Grey said hed had to leave a previous job due to anti-trans harassment; now, he and Micah wonder if theyll spend their entire lives in fear of losing a job or a home because of their gender identities. Neither Micah nor Grey have the support of their families, but both say they have a lot of friends and have found a strong network of community members in PFLAG. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You never think when youre a kid that youre going to be fighting for your survival and your existence, Micah said. But thats kind of how its been working out. Fear for trans health and lives weighed heavy on the minds of protest speakers and attendees, even as the prevailing mood remained upbeat. Masen Davis, the CEO of Freedom for All Americans, told the crowd that, as a white trans man who passes as cisgender, it has been unique in the last 24 hours to be reminded of the feelings of fear that consumed him when he came out in Missouri 21 years ago. Cecilia Cano, a 62-year-old mother of a trans man, said she senses that the Trump administration has caused her son to relive some of the fears he had when he first came out in high school. Those fears gave way to cautious optimism when the Obama administration made some progress on trans rightsprogress the Trump administrations proposed move would undo. Advertisement Cano took the afternoon off from work to be at the protest in place of her son, who lives out of state. She worries that, even if legal challenges or a future Democratic president thwarts or reverses any Trump administration infringement on trans rights, significant damage will have already be done. Im an elementary school teacher, and I know there are children right now who are questioning, or they know they are [transgender], and just to hear these hateful messages is painful for them, she said. Just the idea that somebody is thinking about taking away your rightskind of erasing you as a human being, calling you a freak or whatever. That in itself, that hurts. Not so long ago, Micah was one of those kids. In high school, they took a course called Contemporary Issues that required students to talk through topics of political import. When trans rights came up, Micah volunteered to do a presentation for the class. Then, they had to participate in a debate over their own right to bathroom access, health care, and anti-discrimination protections. Though they werent out as nonbinary to very many people, they were very out to themselves, and they found the experience humiliatingnot unlike waking up to a federal memo denying their identity and existence. Im not a debate. I shouldnt be a debate, Micah said. Weve got our visibility. Now we need change. Listen to What Next: Get More What Next Slate Plus members get extended, ad-free versions of our podcastsand much more. Sign up today. Join Slate Plus Subscribe to What Next Copy this link and add it in your podcast app. copy link copied! For detailed instructions, see our Slate Plus podcasts page. Listen to What Next via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Stitcher, Overcast, Google Play, or iHeart. Slate senior editor Josh Keating explains why Turkey has seized on the disappearance of a foreign journalist to stick it to Saudi Arabia. And Slate writer Aymann Ismail reconsiders going on hajj. Well be piloting What Next in public for the next several weeks. Tell us what you think: whatnext@slate.com. Follow us on Instagram for updates on the show, our weekend reading lists, and a picture of a young Aymann Ismail going on baby Hajj. Podcast production by Mary Wilson and Jayson De Leon. Engineering by Terence Bernardo. On Sunday, the New York Times reported it had obtained a memo revealing that the Department of Health and Human Services may move to define gender in binary male-female terms based solely on ones genitalia at birth. The Obama administration, acknowledging the approximately 1.4 million transgender people living in America, had previously revised federal programs in keeping with the medical fact that gender identity is distinct from the sex a person is assigned at birth. The proposed changes would most immediately apply to Title IX, a civil rights law that prohibits gender discrimination in education programs, and effectively erase protections forand even recognition oftransgender people under federal law. Advertisement It remains to be seen, however, if these proposals will actually be enacted. Neither the Department of Health and Human Services nor the Department of Education have commented publically on the memo. While the plans outlined in Sundays news are undoubtedly worrisome for transgender people and their allies, its important to remember that leaked memos dont always come to fruition and that there are many ways that recommendations are stopped from becoming reality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, the Trump administration has a somewhat spotty record of executing the plans espoused in draft memos that have been leaked to the press. For example, in early 2017, journalists got ahold of a draft executive order that would have rolled back a variety of Obama-era protections for LGBTQ people in federal workplaces and at adoption agencies. LGBTQ groups were alarmed at the prospect and advocated strongly against it. According to Politico, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump led a campaign to scuttle the plans, and the White House eventually issued a statement distancing itself from the draft. The White House also claimed that the order had no chance of reaching the presidents desk, regardless of his daughter and son-in-laws supposed pushback. Advertisement The path from memo to concrete policy is long and winding, and its worth considering the obstacles that a proposal would have to surmount to be adopted. In some cases, the memos likely become public because an insider (or insiders) want to encourage the public to advocate against the recommendation. In other cases, the leak could be a trial balloon from the administration, a way to check the reaction before implementing a policy change. Leaked memos are, in essence, a projection of what could happen if no one bothers to stop it. Advertisement The courts have also stepped in to undercut decisions originally detailed in these leaked documents. In October 2017, Buzzfeed and a number of other news outlets obtained a memo from Attorney General Jeff Sessions reversing federal Title VII protections against transgender discrimination in the workplace. A federal appeals court ruled this March, however, that a Michigan funeral home did not have the right under Title VII to fire an employee for her decision to transition from male to female, directly contradicting Sessionss position. The decision currently only applies to Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee, though it could eventually have wider implications. Lawyers for the funeral home and sixteen states are asking the Supreme Court to take up the case, which could determine whether this interpretation of Title VII is valid on a national level. Advertisement Advertisement To be sure, the Trump administration has seen fewer hurdles in following through on other draft memos, and the plans they describe in many cases could still come to fruition. In August 2017, for instance, the New York Times reported on a memo indicating that the Justice Department was looking to recruit lawyers to investigate universities for proof of anti-white bias as a result of affirmative action. The department later responded to the report by claiming that it would be looking into a complaint of discrimination against Asian Americans in college admissions. The DOJ subsequently launched an investigation into Yale Universitys admissions and issued an amicus brief in support of Asian American plaintiffs who are currently suing Harvard. The courts could still impede this assault on affirmative actionthe case against Harvard has yet to be decidedbut the administrations efforts have thus far received little resistance from the judicial branch. Advertisement Advertisement In June, Vox secured another memo drafted by Sessions for a plan to overhaul U.S. asylum policy. The attorney general, according to the memo, would recommend changes that would penalize Central Americans who do not seek asylum in Mexico, make it virtually impossible for victims of gang or domestic violence to receive asylum, withhold asylum from anyone arrested for entering the U.S. illegally, and generally harden the asylum system. The proposals could still change and have not yet been posted to the Federal Register, where the public can submit comments, but nothing in the initial reporting suggests that there has been any internal pushback. These leaked documents are useful for revealing the general direction of policymaking and how administration officials think about certain hot-button issues . But they often lack the context or predictive power for us to determine how policies will necessarily play out. The recommendations and plans contained within these memos are rarely set in stone. There is often still room for the courts and advocates to stop them. A century ago, the Spanish flu swept across the globe, wreaking such devastation that it earned itself the haunting title of one of the deadliest disease outbreaks in recorded history. All said, the pandemic is estimated to have infected 500 million people (one-third of what was then the worlds population) and killed at least 50 million of them. Weve learned a lot since then, but so have the diseases that threaten us. To try to understand what has changed since 1918, and whether were really prepared (or preparing) for the next pandemic, I spoke by phone with Sonia Shah, a science journalist and the author of Pandemic: Tracking Contagions From Cholera to Ebola and Beyond. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Advertisement Mia Armstrong: 2018 marks 100 years since the Spanish flu, and obviously in those 100 years, weve seen other flu pandemics, weve seen other troubling outbreaksEbola, Zika, cholera. At the same time, weve also had a lot that has changed in our ability to detect and treat these sorts of diseases. Given all that, are we more or less vulnerable than we were in 1918? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sonia Shah: Im not sure I can answer more or less. I mean, we have more threats today, right? So over the past 50 years, weve had over 300 infectious pathogens that have either sort of newly emerged or re-emerged into places where weve never seen them before. We have new kinds of influenza, we have viruses like Zikawhich has been around for a few decades but is now popping up in places where its never been seen beforeWest Nile virus, Ebola, tickborne diseases, drug-resistant bacteria. These are all relatively new pathogens that weve seen just in the last few decades. We have a lot more pathogens we have to worry about, and thats because of the way we live now. Advertisement About 60 percent of the new pathogens were seeing today originate in the bodies of animals. [When you] put humans and wildlife into novel intimate contact, it creates sort of a bridge where the microbes that live in their bodies can come over into our bodies, where they can become pathogenic, and Ebolas an example of that. Human invasion of wild habitats continues as our cities grow, as our industrial activities expand, etc. Were creating new opportunities for these pathogens to amplify. Around half of the human population [live] within cities now. By 2030 or so, the majority of people will live in cities, and theyre not going be nice tidy cities like Washington, D.C. Theyre going to be cities like Freetown and Monrovia in West Africa. Were going to have a couple billion people living in slums. Advertisement We have a lot more pathogens we have to worry about, and thats because of the way we live now. What can go wrong when people are living in those types of conditions? So, when were crowding people together like that in places where theres not a lot of infrastructure, we create opportunities for these pathogens to spread from one person to the other. And we saw with Ebola in 2014, that already is creating opportunities for what mightve been a small outbreak in the past to become a major regional epidemic. Before 2014, we had Ebola outbreaks since at least the 70s and probably even before that unrecognized, but it had never gotten into a place with more than a few hundred thousand people. But within weeks of breaking out in the Guinea forest region in 2014, Ebola spread to three capital cities with a combined population of like 3 million people. Advertisement Advertisement And its not just humans that are crowding. We also are crowding all of our livestock together, which is an undernoticed risk factor. We have more livestock today than in the last 10,000 years of domestication until 1960 combined. A greater and greater proportion of them live in sort of the animal equivalent of a slum, which is factory farms, where you have like millions of individuals crowded really close together. That means theyre breathing on each other more, theyre touching each other more, theyre being exposed to each others waste more. All of that creates opportunities for pathogens to spread between them. Advertisement Beyond the ways we live, and our animals live, are there other things were doing that make us more vulnerable? Advertisement Since 1918, of course, were traveling around, right? Were bringing all this stuff everywhere we go. So you have an outbreak in some little town, in some remote area. Well, it doesnt take very long for someone to pick that up, get on an airplane, and carry it around to a dozen countries at once. The other thing that I find particularly alarming is the rise in xenophobia, and we saw this from the beginning with pandemics in the 18th and 19th centuriesthat cholera would break out, and people, instead of looking for the true cause, which was really kind of hiding in plain sight, people blamed the Irish, people blamed the Muslims, people blamed poor people, they blamed alcoholics, and that kind of scapegoating really prevented people from actually adequately addressing the epidemic. It forces people to go underground so theyre ashamed. They dont want to seek out help, and so youre letting that pathogen spread unimpeded. Advertisement That kind of scapegoating is really dangerous. I think that its related to the growing number of outbreaks we do have now. I dont think its unrelated. We have the growing threat of emerging pathogens. We also have this growing phenomenon of xenophobia where you see in the EU and the U.S., migrants, refugees are facing closed borders. Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, since 1918, all of the ways in which were connected that make us more vulnerable to epidemics spreading between us also gives us a lot of strength, right? Because pathogens can spread really quickly, but information can also spread really quickly, and information is our biggest weapon against these things. If we know how a pathogen spreads, if we know its mode of transmission, then we can change our behavior. Advertisement As you say, thats a lot of factors that could, put together, create some massive problems. Are we doing enough to prepare for future outbreaks? I mean, the thing is, once we have a pandemic, its already too late. What we really need to do is stanch outbreaks before they start to spread, so its not so much [asking] Do we have enough hospital beds? once we have a major pandemic underway. Thats an important question, but by that time, were already going have a huge mortality, morbidity, all those things are going be pretty substantial because weve already allowed the epidemic to spread into a pandemic. So what we need [is] surveillance, and we need to change our behaviors in a way that doesnt allow pathogens to spread in the first place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What kinds of key behaviors do we need to change? Well, we dont know. I mean, theres microbes all over the world, right? And theres a huge number of them that we just dont even know theyre out there. So how do we find out which ones we need to stanch? Some microbes are going to be spreading around, and its fine. Theyre not going to cause any problem. But some of them could become pathogenic. How do we predict that? How do we know where to go to find those hotspots? Advertisement Thats something we can figure out now. We know what the conditions are that allow microbes to turn pathogenic. What are the opportunities that allow that to happen? Theres places where theres a lot of crowding of people, a lot of slums, a lot factory farming, a lot of invasion of wildlife habitat, a lot of people coming and going like through the airport. Advertisement So you can look at all of those risk factors and figure out, well, where are the hotspots where its most likely that a pandemic-causing pathogen would emerge? We have this map of the world, and we know where the hotspots are, and so in those places we should be doing active surveillance. Advertisement What we do right now is passive surveillance. So, [we] wait for an outbreak to happen and then, Oh! Theres a cluster of cases in some hospital somewhere. Maybe its an outbreak. Lets go see. Well, by then, the pathogen has already started to spread. People are already starting to infect other people, and thats why you have a cluster of cases showing up at a hospital that you can see, and you can detect that. Advertisement But by then, arguably, our response is linear. Meanwhile, the pathogens already starting to spread exponentially, so theres a certain disconnect. But if we surveil in hotspots for pathogens, microbes that might be turning into pathogens, and if we alter the conditions that allow them to do that, then we can prevent them from spreading in the first place. So we kind of cut off the curve before it starts to grow. Disease surveillance has improved a lot, but at the same time, there are the existence of these kind of data deserts around the world, particularly in developing countries where theres not good data. Is there any way to kind of address those sorts of data deserts? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a lot of surveillance in places where its easy for us to do surveillance, but we dont have a lot in the places where its hard to do it. This goes back to the role of international cooperation and trust: The erosion of that is a huge, huge obstacle, and we need to engage in the global economy and in international relations that build trust between nations so that we can do this work. And not every country has the capacity to do it, but we do, and we should be able to send our people and our resources into places so that we can build up that surveillance capacity. And thats something that I feel like were going in the wrong direction with the current administrations attitude toward international relations. Advertisement What are the biggest barriers to establishing that trust and cooperation? Right now, we have political leaders who are actively undermining trust in our institutions, actively undermining trust in science. The overriding fear I have today is about the breakdown in trust in our news media, that we have leaders who are actively undermining public trust in our information-gathering sources, and in our scientific leaders, and our scientific agencies. Advertisement Beyond all the other things that kind atomize us and make us distrust each other, at least we should have leadership that is saying, Yes, trust your public health authorities. Yes, trust your reputable news sources. Because when an epidemic happens, thats exactly what were going to need. Were going to need information we can trust from people who know what theyre talking about. Advertisement A lot of your work has looked at past outbreaks in order to predict and inform what may happen in the future and how we should respond to that. So if you had to crystallize a couple of key things that you think we can learn from the past that we should use as were moving into the future, what would those things be? Advertisement We prevent outbreaks every day by doing things like protecting the safety of our water, the cleanliness of our air, ensuring that our schools are safe, our workplaces are safe. The tragedy of public health is when its successful, nobody notices. Their greatest success is nothing happens. But we need to really make that obvious because I think today in the current climate, that kind of work is becoming very much marginalized, and its so important. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tragedy of public health is when its successful, nobody notices. In the larger picture, we need to do things like changing the underlying conditions that cause pandemics in the first place. We can do things like restore wild habitats so that the microbes that live inside animals stay inside animals instead of crossing over into our bodies and adapting to our bodies. We can do things like protect the health for the most vulnerable people among us. They are the people who are on the front lines of new diseases. So whether thats animals who live in factory farms or refugees who are being deprived of asylum, or people who live in slums, anyone else whose health is being damaged by being deprived of their human rightsour health depends on their good health. We cant escape all infections. Having infectious diseases and living with microbes is part of living on this planetand really, microbes were here first. Outbreaks are inevitable, as [epidemiologist] Larry Brilliant put it, but pandemics are really optional. Tips for the top 10 events in the capital between October 26 and November 4, plus regular services in different languages, training, temporary exhibitions and highlights of the year. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled These tips are prepared in cooperation with Eventland. Download the app and see what's going on around you wherever you are (Android, iOS). Top 10 CONCERT: Bratislava Mozart Festival 2018; Starts: Oct 26, 28 SWAP: SWAP at Satori Stage; Starts: Oct 27, 13:00 SPORT: Raciansky cross AUTUMN 2018; Starts: Oct 28, 10:00 PARTY: Silent disco; Starts: Oct 29, 19:30 THEATRE: The Polish Dance Theatre: The harvest; Starts: Oct 30, 20:00 PARTY: Halloween in the Luna Bar; Starts: Oct 31, 20:00 PARTY: Refresher Halloween Party; Starts: Oct 31, 21:00 PARTY: Dia de los Muertos; Starts: Oct 31, 21:00 PARTY: Biggest Halloween Party in Bratislava; Starts: Oct 31, 22:00 CONCERT: Tom Odell; Starts: Nov 4, 20:00 Religious Services for non-Slovak speakers Galleries in Bratislava: Temporary exhibitions Training in English Highlights of the year (selection of events for which it's advisable to obtain tickets early) Top 10 Bratislava Mozart Festival 2018 Primacialny palac, Primacialne nam., Old Town, Bratislava, Friday, Sunday, October 26, 28 The Bratislava Mozart Festival 2018 will this year present exceptional concerts in Bratislava. More info at: https://www.bratislavamozartfestival.sk/. 26.10. - Friday - 19:00 - Cathedral of St. Martin Mozart: Requiem - opening concert Soloists of the Salzburg Concert Society, Orchestra 1756, Chorus XVII, conductor: Marian Lejava 28.10. - Sunday - 19:00 - Mirror Hall of the Primacialny palac Musica Slovaca et Bohemica - exceptional concert # 100 years Solamente naturali: artistic director - Milos Valent, violin - Lotz Trio, Robert Sebesta - clarinet, Marianna Gelenekyova - soprano 11.11 - Sunday - 19:00 - Mirror Hall of the Primacialny palac Mozart in Paris - final concert BAMF 2018 Georgia Browne (AU) - flute, Reinhild Waldek (AT) - harp BAMF Orchestra - Art Direction: Martyna Pastuszka (PL) violin video //www.youtube.com/embed/sPlhKP0nZII SWAP at Satori Stage Satori Stage, Mickiewiczova, Bratislava, Saturday, October 27, 13:00 And it's here! Our next SWAP at SATORI STAGE. SWAP will be on Saturday, October 27 from 13.00 to 18.00. Come and revive your wardrobe and give a dress that you no longer wear to somebody else. What is SWAP? SWAP is a mutual exchange - clothing, experience, opinions. SWAP is a place for anyone who wants to get rid of clothes SWAP is an ecological solution for getting "new" things. SWAP is a quick satisfactory way to revive the wardrobe. SWAP is a social event with added entertainment. How does it work? SWAP is focused on changing clothing, handbags, shoes and accessories. Bring fine clothing into common circulation and you can take away whatever you find that you need or are looking for. Admission: 5. More info at: www.facebook.com. Raciansky cross AUTUMN 2018 Amfiteater Raca, Knizkova dolina, Raca, Sunday, October 28, 10:00 Forest run through the Small Carpathian Mountains with two tracks with a length of 15 km and 9 km. Children's bees are also ready. Come for some exercise and enjoy a pleasant atmosphere. Admission: 7-12. More info at: www.facebook.com. Illustrative Stock Photo (Source: Henrich Misovic, TASR) Silent disco Stara trznica, Namestie SNP, Bratislava-Old Town, Monday, October 29, 19:30 No amplifiers or speakers! Music will be transmitted exclusively via wireless headphones. Two DJs will play simultaneously on two different channels, which visitors can choose from, according to their own taste and mood. Let's dance. Admission is free. More info at: www.facebook.com. The Polish Dance Theatre: The harvest A4 - Zero Space, Karpatska 2, Bratislava, Tuesday, October 30, 20:00 The performance focuses on the exploration of the ceremonies and rituals associated with the harvest and cycles of agricultural labor, nature and human life. The basic story line of the performance is based on the return of the Odyssey according to Homer's epos, as well as the return of Odysseus by Stanisaw Wyspianski. The artists of the Polish Dance Theater and their visiting host will explore variants of the story line - in motion and speech. Admission: 7-10. More info at: https://www.a4.sk/en/program/2018-10-30-20-00 video //www.youtube.com/embed/P1wZ-tZRLH4 Halloween in the Luna Bar Rajska 2, Bratislava, Wednesday, October 31, 20:00 Entertainment at the Luna Bar during Halloween evening will be unforgettable - traditional oldies not to be missed and the place will be decorated with blood and cobwebs. Arriving in masks will, as always, be rewarded. More info at: https://www.facebook.com/events/493369507710453. Illustrative Stock Photo (Source: AP/TASR) Refresher Halloween Party Atelier Babylon, Namestie SNP, Old Town, Bratislava, Wednesday, October 31, 21:00 Focus on hip-hop, rap and trap! The main program will be Pil C, followed by other interesting artists. You have not seen anything like this Halloween! Admission: 10 - 20. Illustrative Stock Photo (Source: AP/SITA) Dia de los Muertos Karpatska 2, Bratislava, Wednesday, October 31, 21:00 A colorful Latin-American music festival celebrating the Mexican holiday of the dead. Bright flowers, ornate skulls, skeletons, and especially great music inherently belong to the glorious celebration of death. Dive into Mexican traditions and enjoy the great bands of Mezcla Orquesta and Mariachi Espuelas. DJs Danny Alvez, Mario Lopez, Tropicalist and El Rey will make the best of the hot rhythms. The festival will be accompanied by delicious food, demonstrations of temperamental dances with La Marquesa, face painting and photo opportunities. You will not forget this evening! Admission: 12. Illustrative Stock Photo (Source: AP/SITA) Biggest Halloween event in Bratislava Unique, Stare Grunty, Karlova Ves, Bratislava, Wednesday, October 31, 22:00 The biggest Halloween event in Bratislava, this time in the style of the horror film, The Nun. This event is not recommended for those of a weaker disposition. You will be greeted by creepy staff, a real coffin for morbid selfies, a real vest, a welcome drink, a special guest from My Speech and other interesting surprises. Admission: 5 (pay at the event). More info: www.facebook.com. Illustrative Stock Photo (Source: Jan Kroslak, Sme) Tom Odell HANT arena, Trnavska cesta 29, Sunday, November 4, 20:00 Tom Odell returns after a year to Slovakia. The British singer and pianist will introduce his new album on tour which should be released in time for his concert, but his greatest hits can also be heard at this performance. Admission: 29 - 59. More info: predpredaj.zoznam.sk video //www.youtube.com/embed/MwpMEbgC7DA Do you want to know more? Download Eventland's app and see what is going on around you wherever you are (Android, iOS). TRAINING: Pilates in English; Starts: Every Monday evening, 20:30 TRAINING: Yoga in English on Thursdays; Starts: Every Thursday, 18:30 TRAINING: Yoga in English at Indian Embassy; Starts: Monday to Friday, 11:00, 16:00 TRAINING: Pilates in English The class is in English, suitable for men and women, beginners and advanced, Slovaks and foreigners. The venue is equipped with Pilates requisites, a shower and a kitchen. (you do not need to bring a mat). Andreas classes are a mix of Pilates exercises for a strong core and and flexible body, and also Yoga exercises for stretching the stiff muscles caused by a sedentary lifestyle. Her classes end with the all-important relaxation of Body and Mind. She also uses highly qualitative etheric oils (doTerra) during the class. Refreshments, tea, fruits are included in the price. Starts: Every Monday evening, 20:30; Open Mind centrum, Mickiewiczova 2. Admission: 8 (one-time charge). More info: www.internationals.sk. TRAINING: Yoga in English on Thursdays - You need to make reservation via yoga@internationals.sk. This is a beginners & intermediate class and you do not need any pre-knowledge. We will practice Dynamic Flow yoga. Take a look on one of our sessions: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalsBratislava/videos/1604953649521444/ Tea, water, fruit, showers are available to use for free. In this classes we are going to perform exercises that will make us stronger, more flexible, obtain balance and have fun while doing it. Starts: Thursday 18:30; Open Mind Centrum, Mickiewiczova 2. Admission: 8 (one-time charge) or 59 for a 10 session ticket you can use within 12 weeks. More info: www.internationals.sk. TRAINING: Yoga in English at Indian Embassy - The Embassy of India in Bratislava is happy to announce the commencement of Yoga classes. The classes will be conducted by Ms. Jaiwanti, Yoga Teacher. The classes will cover Asanas, Pranayama, Meditation and Relaxation techniques. People interested in joining the Yoga Classes are requested to fill in the attached Registration Form. The Registration Form may then be sent to email: eindia.iccr@mail.telekom.sk. For any clarification/further information, you may contact Ms. Jaiwanti at Tel: +421-2-5296 2916/7/8 or email: eindia.iccr@mail.telekom.sk. Admission is free. Starts: Monday to Friday, 11:00, 16:00 Dunajska 4, Bratislava. More info: www.indianembassy.sk Illustrative Stock Photo (Source: AP/SITA) SLOVAK NATIONAL GALLERY The eights; Open: Tue Wed 10:00 18:00, Thur 12:00 20:00, Fri Sun 10:00 18:00 until Dec 31, 2018 DANUBIANA 50 Years Later...; Open: Tue Sun 10:00 18:00 until November 11 All Over Again; Open: Tue Sun 10:00 18:00 until November 11 5th International Triennale Of Textile Art; Open: Tue Sun 10:00 18:00 from September 8 until November 11 TEMPORARY EXHIBITION IN SLOVAK NATIONAL GALLERY: The eights - The exhibition project The Eights is unconventionally conceived for the atrium as a series of small exhibitions for the anniversaries of the eights: February 1948, August 1968 and October 1918. The basis of the exhibition is a long, 3-meter high wall - "gallery noticeboard" - on which the visual collages will be rotated according to the anniversaries. The results will be a draft or materialised Pinterest board, a reminder of socialist "noticeboard culture". The collages will consist of artistic materials of various types (paintings, photographs, documents), primarily from the collections of the SNG. The final layout, the conflict of the artworks next to each other, their juxtaposition will speak about the nature of the historical event. Open: Tue Wed 10:00 18:00, Thur 12:00 20:00, Fri Sun 10:00 18:00 until Dec 31, 2018. More info: www.sng.sk TEMPORARY EXHIBITION IN DANUBIANA 50 Years Later... - Muz s odhalenou hrudou pred okupacnym tankom (The Bare-chested Man in front of the Occupiers Tank) the photograph by Ladislav Bielik from the first day of the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact troops on August 21, 1968, circulated across the globe. It became an iconic image bringing a deep and permanent legacy about the threat of injustice and violence committed by those in power. This photograph and Bieliks other 186 shots of these events still carry the power of utterance, fifty years later. They are not only a visual reminder of this dramatic period in our history, or a means to stir up emotions. For us they represent a deeper and permanent meaning, the legacy of a lived experience which strengthens and helps to enhance ones sensitivity and response to any threat to freedom and independence. Open: Tue Sun 10:00 18:00 until November 11, Vodne dielo Cunovo. More info: www.danubiana.sk. All Over Again - Jan Tapak is one of the most distinctive figures of the generation of sculptors which entered the Slovak art scene in the early 1990s. He attracted attention with his spontaneous creativity and perfect technical preparedness, as well as his unique orientation of the content of his works in which he succeeded in transferring things and matters from the ancient past to the present times, to combine hundred year old traditions and the philosophy of modern man and to include the authenticity of his own country in the timeless context of distant cultures and civilizations. Open: Tue Sun 10:00 18:00 until November 11, Vodne dielo Cunovo. More info: www.danubiana.sk. 5th International Triennale Of Textile Art - Textile Art of Today is an international exhibition project which presents contemporary textile design. It differs from other textile exhibitions in the fact that it has been installed five times in important galleries allowing visitors from the V4 European countries (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary) to see it. Furthermore, the project is being carried out under the auspices of the ministers of culture of the V4 countries. The Textile Art of Today project strives to present textile as a modern and dynamic discipline transcending the limits of the classical perception of textile art. Since the establishment of the event, an international jury awarded it the prestigious Bozena Augustinova Grand Prix, the award named after the significant Czechoslovak artist. Open: Tue Sun 10:00 18:00 until November 11, Vodne dielo Cunovo. More info: www.danubiana.sk. Religious Services for non-Slovak speakers SERVICE: Apostolic Church; Starts: Sundays, 9:30, Bratislava City Church, Trnavske myto 1, English SERVICE: Gods Service Church (Bozie sluzby); Starts: Sundays 9:30, Mondays 17:00, Maly kostol, Panenska street, English SERVICE: Brotherhood Church (Cirkev bratska); Starts: Sundays 10:00, Cukrova 4, English MASS: The Church of Saint Ladislav; Starts: Sundays 11:00, Spitalska, English MASS: Church of St. John of Matha; Starts: Sundays 9:00 Latin MASS: St. Martins Cathedral; Starts: Sundays 7:45 German, 9:00 Latin MASS: Church of the Merciful Brothers; Starts: Sundays 11:30 Italian SERVICE: Small Evangelical Church; Starts: Sundays 10:00 English, 11:30 German, Panenska Street (entrance from Lycejna Street) SERVICE: Citylight Church, Starts: Sundays 10:00 English, Namestie 1.maja 1 SERVICE: Bratislava International Fellowship, Starts: Sundays 10:00 English, Trnavske myto 1, (Istropolis) SERVICE: International Baptist Church; Starts: Sundays 10:00 English, Sulovska 2 JEWISH SERVICE: Synagogue on Heydukova Street; Starts: Friday evening (before twilight), Saturday morning (usually at 9:00), and during feasts, Hebrew Highlights of the year CONCERT: Nightwish Decades; Starts: November 13 CONCERT: Gregory Porter; Starts: November 15, 19:00 CONCERT: Editors; Starts: November 26, 19:30 CONCERT: Glenn Miller Orchestra; Starts: January 15, 19:00 CONCERT: Steven Wilson: To the Bone Tour 2019; Starts: February 10, 20:00 CONCERT: Nicki Minaj & Future; Starts: February 22, 2019, 19:30 EVENT: Lord of the Dance; Starts: Mar 1, 20:00 CONCERT: Eros Ramazzotti; Starts: Oct 5, 2019 CONCERT: Nightwish Decades - Finnish legend Nightwish celebrate 20 years on stage and with an exceptional program, visit Slovakia. The biggest hits and unprecedented feature-length megashow breaks out on November 13, 2018 at the Incheba Expo Arena in Bratislava. The concert, which will also celebrate the 4th Birthday of Radio Antena Rock, will also present a special guest whose name still remains a mystery. Starts: November 13, Incheba Expo Arena, Viedenska cesta, Bratislava. Admission: 34 - 61.5. More info: listocheck.sk. CONCERT: Gregory Porter American singer sensation and twice Grammy award winner Gregory Porter is coming to Slovakia as part of the City Sounds festival. He is one of the most deeply felt jazz singers and composers of his generation. He returns to the stage with his last studio album Nat King Cole&Me from 2017 which he recorded with a 70-member bowed orchestra. Starts: November 15, 19:00, ISTROPOLIS, Trnavske myto 1, Bratislava. Admission: 35 - 65. More info: www.ticketportal.sk. CONCERT: Editors British band Editors returns to Slovakia after eight years with new songs and new energy. Starts: November 26, 19:30, Refinery Gallery, Bratislava. Admission: 39. More info: www.ticketportal.sk/Event/EDITORS?idp=168054. CONCERT: Glenn Miller Orchestra - The original American Glenn Miller Orchestra was founded in the thirties of the last century. Founder Glenn Miller is considered one of the greatest shining stars of the American jazz scene for more than 35 years. Glenn's career lasted only five years, but this time was long enough for Glenn Miller to become a leading personality of the world's most popular swing orchestra, which remains under the name of "Glenn Miller Orchestra". Dutch conductor and keyboardist Wil Salden has been conducting the orchestra for several decades. You can enjoy his amazing talent and work live on January 15, 2019 in Bratislava. They will play favourites such as Sunrise Serenade, Moonlight Serenade, Moon Love, Over The Rainbow, Blue Orchids, Careless, When You Wish Onon, and Imagination. Starts: January 15, 19:00, Istropolis, Trnavske myto 1. Admission: 45-59. CONCERT: Nicki Minaj & Future World hip-hop icons Nicki Minaj and Future have their first shared tour, NickiHndrxx. The show is great for those who love hip-hop and mainstream music. The several award-winning musicians are well-known for their hits that reach top places in the music rankings. Together, they will bring an unforgettable show to the stage. Starts: February 22, 2019, 19:30, Ondrej Nepelas Winter Arena, Odbojarov 9, Bratislava. Admission: 69-109. More info: www.ticketportal.sk. CONCERT: Steven Wilson: To the Bone Tour 2019 - Steven Wilson, composer, musician, producer and leading personality of contemporary progressive rock, will perform for the first time in Slovakia. His successful show, To the Bone enriched by Porcupine Tree, will be presented on February 10, 2019 in the Bratislava refinery gallery. Steven Wilson has published more than fifty albums over his thirty-year career. The current, To the Bone, is his most successful record. After being released in August last year, he reached third place in the UK Album Chart, 2nd in Germany, and even in August 2017 his was among the 10 best-selling albums in Europe. To the great pleasure of intelligent progressive rock fans, Steven Wilson continues his successful worldwide tour To the Bone in 2019. Starts: February 10, 20:00, Refinery Gallery, Vlcie hrdlo, Bratislava. Admission: 39.5 - 50.5. More info: https://listocheck.sk/en/detail/steven-wilson. EVENT: Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games The Famous Lord of the Dance returns to Slovakia to perform in front of our public. Their last visit in 2017 was rewarded with record audiences. A brand new dancing performance, great visual technology, sound, beautiful costumes, new music by composer Gerard Fahy and 40 talented young artists from around the world are the core of Dangerous Games. Starts: Mar 1, 20:00, Viedenska cesta 3-9, Incheba arena. Admission: 23-78. More info: www.ticketportal.sk. CONCERT: Eros Ramazzotti Italian pop-rock star Eros Ramazzotti has announced his world tour and also a new studio album. Slovaks can also look forward to well-known songs such as Fuoco nel fuoco and Piu bella cosa, LAurora, Un altra te, Dove c e musica, Se bastasse una canzone. Starts: Oct 5, 2019, Ondrej Nepelas Winter Stadium. Admission: 39-79. More info: www.ticketportal.sk. Peter Toth denies the claims of the daily which cites "sources from the environment of criminal prosecution". News: Receive favorite authors articles by email. Try the new feature and turn on the subscription. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled One and a half years prior to the murder of investigative reporter Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova in February 2018, controversial businessman Marian Kocner had five journalists followed. Dennik N cited sources from the environment of the criminal prosecution services who leaked information to the daily about the police interrogation of former journalist-turned-spy Peter Toth. Toth turned to the police on his own initiative days after four people were arrested and charged with the murder and admitted that he worked for Kocner. In reaction to the Dennik N article, Toth denied the police have a testimony with his name and signature on it in the murder investigation file. Toth and Kocner The two men had cooperated in the past and Toth called Kocner his friend. According to Dennik N, Toth told the investigators that he followed five journalists one and a half years before the murders: Kuciak and his boss, head of Aktuality.sk investigative news desk Marek Vagovic, Sme reporter Adam Valcek, Dennik N reporter Monika Todova and Tyzden weekly Editor-in-Chief Stefan Hrib. He admitted that he followed more people but did not name them. Toth admitted that he took pictures, videos, and wrote analyses about the people he followed, Dennik N wrote. Toth also told the police that Kocner wanted compromising material for a defamation campaign against the journalists and paid him thousands of euros for the job. Kocner did start his own show on Facebook shortly before he was arrested and taken into custody in June. He published a video on Facebook that contained sensitive personal information about Sme reporter Adam Valcek. Following people is a crime under Slovak law. Toth worked for the Sme daily in the 1990s but was forced to leave his post when it transpired that he simultaneously worked for the secret service. In 2003 he was appointed head of the counter-intelligence service. He was later forced to leave that post as well. Read also: Peter Toth went from journalist to spy Delayed testimony Toth did not contact the police until October 5, according to Dennik N - eight months after the murders. According to the daily, he insisted that he asked Kocner about the murders and when the latter told him he had nothing to do with it, Toth was satisfied with the answer. "Often I only learned that he was invovled in some businesses, financial transactions and such from the media. I never discussed such things with him, I never had any business with him, I never was part of any of his business," Toth told the Sme daily on October 4. Toth now claims he believes Kocner might have been involved in the murder as Alena Zs. is one of the people charged. In addition another suspect, Zoltan A., who is cooperating with the police, pointed at Kocner as the man who ordered the murder. Read also: Read also: When they found out whom they killed, they asked for more money Read more In the weeks that followed her arrest, media reports have linked Alena Zs. and Kocner multiple times. Originally she was reported to have been his Italian interpreter. Later the father of her daughter said the girl would call Kocner godfather even though he was not. The fact remains, based on the Specialised Criminal Court documents from the hearing of Alena Zs., that she received regular "allowances" from Kocner, at first 2,000 a month, then later 1,400 a month. Toth told the police that before Kocner was taken into custody in a promissory notes case earlier this year, he asked Toth to communicate with Alena Zs. to get from her the reports from a fortune teller that Kocner used to frequent, Dennik N wrote. The daily also alleges that Toth gathered from the communication between Alena Zs. and Kocner that they were lovers. No comment from Toth Toth declined to comment for Dennik N about his testimony. "I have no statement, I do not care about what Dennik N wrote," Toth told the Sme daily at first. Later he denied the information published by Dennik N for the omediach.com media news website and accused the daily of lying and using "the language of the 1950s". "I do not know what is in the investigation file but there is certainly no testimony with my name and my signature on it," Toth told omediach.com. Previously, on October 5, he published a statement on his website datel.sk in which he first revealed his doubts about Kocner and noted that "if the suspicions around him were confirmed, it would necessarily mean the end of our friendship" and "a huge disappointment". After bakeries have failed to agree with retail chains upon fair prices, they are no longer willing to bake for them during holidays. News: Receive favorite authors articles by email. Try the new feature and turn on the subscription. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Many bakeries are no longer willing to produce bakery products during holidays, as they have been unable to reach an agreement on prices with some foreign retail chains in Slovakia. Despite rising costs, the retail chains have refused an increase in purchase prices for baked goods and are even trying to reduce them. As a consequence, baking is becoming particularly unprofitable for bakeries during holidays and weekends. They are unable to force employees to come to work on such days and pay them their legal entitlements. As of this May, either new wage surcharges were introduced or existing ones were extended. Now employees receive special surcharges for working nights, holidays and weekends. Next week, two holidays will fall on working days. On Tuesday, October 30, Slovakia will mark the launch of the first Czechoslovakia and Thursday, November 1, is All Saints Day. Based on the recently changed legislation, shops in Slovakia will be closed on these two days. Bakers are also concerned by an expected increase in the price of flour and other inputs. If bakers fail to mirror their costs in their prices, they may make fundamental decisions, said Tatiana Lopuchova, head of the Association of Bakers, Confectioners, and Pasta Producers, as cited by the SITA newswire. Several signals, which the association has received, indicate that Slovak bakers refuse to submit to the pressure from some retail chains, said Lopuchova. They warn that if an agreement about a price increase is not reached in a matter of weeks, bakers will halt production of bread and pastry during the Christmas holiday. Read also: Read also: The most problematic change: work surcharges Read more The interruption of supplies will not involve Slovak retail networks clustered in the Association of Trade as these have always reached a fair agreement with bakers. The Association of Bakers, Confectioners, and Pasta Producers cannot recall a similar situation arising over the last 10 years. Over the last 10 years the situation of bakers has been worsening, but bakers have never indicated such a serious decision as an interruption of supplies, said Lopuchova. Hvalur, the first festival of Icelandic music in central Europe, will present established Icelandic musicians as well as rising stars. News: Receive favorite authors articles by email. Try the new feature and turn on the subscription. Hugar will be one of Icelandic formations that will perform at Hvalur, festival of Icelandic music. (Source: Courtesy of Hvalur) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled The Icelandic world hvalur means whale in English. The voice of these animals has the ability to travel thousands of miles, creating a whale song. For Laura Loviskova and Regina Ulejova it is a synonym for strength, beauty, and togetherness. This is why they named the Icelandic music festival after this intelligent mammal. The festival will take place on October 24 and 25 in the music club Atelier Babylon in Bratislava. video //www.youtube.com/embed/2gX8dvhpIc8 Hvalur, festival of Icelandic music Oct 23-24, Atelier Babylon, SNP Square 14 The festival will be preceded by a screening of the documentary film Reykjavik Revisited, shot by Juraj Kusnierik along with Juraj Kovacik at the Artforum bookstore on Kozia Street on October 23, at 19:00. The film contains many of Kusnieriks interviews with people who create the music of Iceland. This is the title of the book Kusnierik wrote about Icelandic music in 2011. a hosted discussion with members of the bands Sykur and CeaseTone as well as singer and composer Sunna Fridjons will be held on Thursday, October 24, at 17:00 at the Martinus bookstore at Obchodna 26 tickets cost 15 and 20 for Wednesday and Thursday, respectively; a festival pass costs 30, tickets are available at tootoot.fm the film screening and the discussion will be free the festival website is in Slovak and English The whale song, which is an intelligent way of communication and pleasant to listen to, is a metaphor for us meaning that physical distance means nothing in music, said Regina Ulejova, one of the organising duo. Even though we do not understand the Icelandic language, the Icelandic musicians who will come to Bratislava will carry us over through their music to Iceland. Another dimension of the festival is that whales are an endangered species and the music we are bringing in not commercial, but alternative is also an endangered kind of art. While Iceland has only about 350,000 citizens, almost every Icelander plays a musical instrument either as an amateur or professional musician. Another typical feature of Icelandic musicians is that they perform in several bands simultaneously. Iceland is really an island of music. Its part of their culture, said Loviskova, adding that music is widely supported by the state. When you are a musician you are respected in the society. The Icelandic queen of music is Bjorg, recalled Loviskova. She pursues the combination of various music and artistic styles, maintains a high level and is an inspiration for many local musicians. Icelandic music differs from the music of other countries with its originality and variety of genres and styles, said Loviskova. They are not afraid of stepping into lesser known waters and risking a bit in the sense that by what they are doing they are expressing their emotions, ideas and messages, regardless of the commercial success of their music. Falling in love with Iceland The state railway company ZSSK will start the regular operation of two novelties in November. News: Receive favorite authors articles by email. Try the new feature and turn on the subscription. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled The Zeleznicna Spolocnost Slovensko (ZSSK) state railway company will launch the operation of an innovative sales system and the first phase of the mobile application We Go by Train for the purchase of travel documents. The mobile app will be available from November 6, while passengers will be able to use the dual operation of the online shop from November 13, said ZSSKs spokesperson Tomas Kovac, as reported by the Pravda daily. New website in the pipeline The company is preparing a new website for passengers. I firmly believe that the We Go by Train app, along with the new online sale of travel documents, will considerably simplify online shopping, ZSSK CEO Filip Hlubocky told Pravda. The mobile app is in the first phase of operation, while the online shop will offer a dual functioning: both the new internet shop and the original version will be available. What are the advantages? The online sale of tickets, seat reservations and other documents increased almost 50 percent in the first three quarters of 2018, Kovac told the TASR newswire. The ZSSK mobile app has already had a trial operation, with evaluations from passengers, while more than three-thirds of them gave the app four or five stars out of five. Another novelty to be launched soon is the new Zssk.sk website, since the current one does not fulfil the technology criteria anymore. The switch to a new modern editorial system will provide a primarily higher level of the websites security, and the modernisation will offer the possibility to fully use the website on all devices, head of the digitalisation and development of systems in ZSSK, Milan Hric, said for TASR. These steps should speed up the flow of information for customers, decrease the rate of flaws and bring fresh, updated information on train delays, intuitive control of the site, localisation services, etc., he added. The new website is slated to be ready in the first quarter of 2019, TASR wrote. Local residents are anxious to vote and are proving it by going to the polls early. The public-service TV broadcaster features three personalities in its trailers, one of them being the head of WWII fascist Slovak state, Jozef Tiso. News: Receive favorite authors articles by email. Try the new feature and turn on the subscription. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled The public-service TV broadcaster RTVS presents its new project The Greatest Slovak with a question: War-time criminal, or hero? In one of the three trailers, we see a photo of Jozef Tiso, president of the World-War-II Slovak state, who was later executed for crimes against humanity and is responsible for the deportation of Jews to concentration camps, the Sme daily wrote on October 23. The Greatest Slovak will be a nationwide inquiry of the TV broadcaster asking who has been the most important Slovak personage. The voting will come in two rounds. What the project is about From November 1, people will be able to vote through text messages, opting for whomever they prefer. Beginning next year, an RTVS gala evening will reveal a hundred names that appear the most frequently in the inquiry. Then, RTVS will shoot documentaries on the first ten of them, which will then be broadcast for several months. The name of the greatest Slovak will be announced by TV after another vote, on May 1, 2019. Controversial celebrity When presenting its project, RTVS showed three trailers: apart from Jozef Tiso, empress Maria Theresa and communist reformer of the Prague Spring, Alexander Dubcek, have been featured. If TV broadcasts these videos in the upcoming months, it is questionable whether this will not incite viewers whom to vote for, according to Sme. Defending the concept We are aware of the fact that in our society, Tisos name resonates strongly, RTVS programme director Marek Tapak said at a press conference. This person will probably appear in the inquiry; we dont want to avert our eyes, and we dont want to push him into the foreground, either, he argued when asked why RTVS chose Tiso for the trailer. I hope it will not slip to Tiso, director of the project, Peter Nunez who previously prepared the successful show Zem Spieva (Land Sings) for RTVS said. Personally, I am a cross-breed who grew up in a small town, and now I live in Bratislava. I believe we are a developed society that has no prejudices. Just as I saw a hundred documentaries about Hitler, I believe we can also bear a documentary about Tiso. Documentaries about ten personalities will be broadcast together with a discussion. Each of them will get one defender who will try to stress their positive features. Experts that discuss the importance of the due personage will be invited as well. The two RTVS gala evenings introducing the first hundred outstanding Slovaks and then the winner will be hosted by Adela Vinczeova. She told a press conference, as quoted by Sme: No need to screen each other who should decide on the relevance of personalities. We should be able to tolerate various historical personages, so that we can better handle our chaotic times. The projects initiators then name personalities they would pick themselves: M.R. Stefanik, Ludovit Stur, Anton Srholec, Juro Janosik and athlete Matej Toth. Slovaks can also vote for living personalities. Imported format RTVS brought the programme from abroad. In 2002, BBC chose The Greatest Briton and had an inquiry that followed the same course. Winston Churchill won, followed by 19th century railway designer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and Princess Diane. The Czech version from 2015 was comical: a mock fictitious genial personality, called Jara Cimrman, almost won originally; then, TV got scared, changed rules and excluded fictitious characters. Ultimately, King Charles IV won. Specialty coffee is booming in the Randstad, as the Dutch call the conurbation of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht. But what about outside this urban quadrumvirate? Yes, beyond these metropolises, there lies a coffee universe. And in the more rural, less-tourist-traipsed countrys north, there is an undeniable Polaris: Black & Bloom. Located in the province and same-named city of Groningen, the cafe has been shining bright since summer 2012. Locals know it. The rest of the world should, too. The individual behind it is barista, roaster, and Specialty Coffee Association technical and sensory judge Gerben Engelkes. His first name means strong as a bear with a spear in Frisian. It is fitting; Engelkes is unshy about sharing emotions and is given to bold statements about what he likes and what he does not like. He has competed in four Dutch Brewers Cups, the last being in 2016, when he placed fourth, proudly using coffee Black & Bloom had recently begun roasting. That same year, Dutch trade publication Misset Horeca awarded Black & Bloom first place on its annual Koffie Top 100. This year, Engelkes is a head juror for the ranking body. He acknowledges that the list is sometimes derided by specialty coffee industry colleagues; one common criticism is that venuesor their more moneyed sponsors, often commercial roastersmust apply to be assessed and the applications carry a fee. Lots of people say, You sold your soul. I say, No, I just want to improve coffee quality in the Netherlands, says Engelkes. It was meant to be a list to make entrepreneurs aware that coffee is their business card and they should improve in making better-quality coffee in HORECA [food service], in general. The jurys scope is not specialty, he emphasizes, but coffee-serving establishments overall, in a bar, for instance, on the corner. On an old street near neighborhood of the University of Groningen, Black & Bloom seats only 25. Though neat and meticulously furnished, it feels comfy, not cramped. There is a place for everything, including a two-group Synesso MVP Hydra and four grinders: a Victoria Arduino Mythos One, an Anfim Super Caimano, a Mahlkonig EK 43, and a Mazzer Mini. Referring to Black & Blooms menu, two espressos and two filters are the magic number, says Engelkes, because you cannot keep [more than that] fresh. To prepare the latter, he favors the Kalita Wave because of the flat bed immersion. For coffee cocktails, he uses a Kyoto-style cold-brewed elixir and fruit syrups from the 130-year-old Groningen liqueur-makers Hoog Houdt. Tempting cakes have the look and feel of North America and the taste of the Netherlandsso [theyre] not overly sweet, says Engelkes, who bakes them himself, though can easily take up confectionary consultation with his wife, a pro pastry chef. She comes from the northern province of Drenthe, where her parents had an asparagus farm. In fact, for both spouses, food has been a family enterprise. Engelkes parents once ran Vonks Automatiek, a snack bar in his hometown of Winschoten that was passed down from his grandfather. There, Engelkes witnessed an artisanal approach to quickly consumed everyday treatsthe croquettes, among other deep-fried staples, were made by hand. Engelkes cosmopolitan outlook and signet-ringed flair for presentation seem influenced by a period in his early 20s, when he was employed as a hotel operational manager in Salzburg, Austria. Later, he returned to the Netherlands and managed a small hotel in the seaport city of Delfzijl. That was no dream job, though it awakened him to local demands. Especially on Sundays, we had 10 kilos of coffee going through easily on a fully automatic machine, he recalls observing on his hotel shifts. So I said, Lets do something different than that. I want to be the best coffee place in Delfzijl. Engelkes did not open the best coffee place there, but eventuallyafter barista training, owning two franchises of Coffee United, and working a merch stand at World of Coffee 2012 in Viennadid so in Groningen. Black & Bloom is set to hold the title. This past May, the shops Giesen W6A moved into a new roastery, allowing for an increase in weekly output beyond the previous 45 to 60 kilos. That, in turn, will let Engelkes expand wholesale andplanned for this falllaunch a subscription service. He would do well to ship coffee to other provinces (not least adjacent Friesland, where the city of Leeuwarden was designated a 2018 European Capital of Culture) and, really, anywhere else on Earth wanting a taste of the Dutch north. Karina Hof is a Sprudge staff writer based in Amsterdam. Read more Karina Hof on Sprudge. Tuesday morning harness trainer Chris Lancaster had just finished jogging Lady Neigh Neigh, one of the favourites in Fridays $22,500 second division of the Jim Rogers Memorial, when a loose horse collided with the stable star inside Lancasters shed row at Northlands Park. I had just taken off the jog cart and then bang, the loose horse ran into her, said Lancaster. Fortunately she didnt get hurt but it scared me pretty good. My first thought was Ive never had a two-year-old filly with that much talent and then this happens. But, like I said, she seems just fine. I jogged her (Wednesday) morning and she seemed full of herself. Just like she always is. Owned by Lancaster and Chris Lambie, Lady Neigh Neigh demonstrated her ability when she convincingly won her division of the $22,500 Emerald stakes at Balzacs Century Downs going wire-to-wire and cruising home by three-and-a-half lengths. Shes very gifted and that race showed it, Lancaster said of the good-looking bay filly with a big white blaze that leads to a snip. Shes got a crazy amount of reach. Her stride is flawless and effortless. Lady Neigh Neigh hasnt won since taking the Aug. 6 Emerald but dont let that fool you. She looked like she was going to duplicate her Emerald performance in her next start, the Aug. 25 ASHA Filly stake. But when she was again alone and on top, Lady Neigh Neigh suddenly broke stride and took herself out of the race. She just got a little scared and excited and made a little break, said Lancaster. Then, in her race after that -- a conditioned pace on Sept. 28 at Northlands -- Lady Neigh Neigh had a different excuse when she finished seventh as the even-money favourite. The second quarter went real slow, Lancaster said of a fraction that went in a dawdling 32 seconds with Lady Neigh Neigh boxed in with nowhere to go. The excuses continued one race later when she finished fourth on Oct. 12. It was a real sloppy track -- the first time she had ever raced in that kind of conditions. She just didnt handle it. But Im expecting a big race from her on Friday. She should be real tough in there, said Lancaster, who drew a favourable post three while the filly that Lancaster expects to pose her biggest threat -- Keith Clarks Western Summit -- ended up with the outside seventh post. I give Western Summit the utmost respect, said Lancaster. Keith is a pronounced trainer of young horses; Im sure he will have her right on top of her game. On paper it also looks like Lady Neigh Neigh drew into the easier of the two divisions of the Jim Rogers with Maxsamian and Gin Twist ending up in the first division along with another horse trained by Lancaster, Rockin Mystery. Maxsamian, winner of both her division of the Aug. 18 Starlet -- by four-and-a-half lengths -- and the ASHA Filly, also finished second when asked to come from well behind in her division of the Emerald. Gin Twist, meanwhile, won her division of the Starlet by four-and-a-half lengths as well, and lost her division of the ASHA Filly by a head. In her most recent outing, the Sept. 21 Starburst, Gin Twist, who is prone to putting in steps, broke stride before the start of the race an still finished a quick-closing third as the odds-on favourite. I think I got the right shake and avoided those two heavy hitters, said Lancaster, who is quite a story himself. After working for the likes of Brandon Campbell, Jamie Gray, Kelly Hoerdt, and for the last three years, Rod Hennessy, Lancaster has only been on his own since the start of the current harness meet at Northlands. To say that hes gotten off to a great start would be a huge understatement especially given that just last Friday he sent out the winners of three races at Northlands. First he won with favourite Yourlipstogodsears, who triumphed in a photo, then he won with Lissoy in another photo finish and then he capped off the nightcap with Gray Zee, who made a three-wide move to win by a length. Like Lady Neigh Neigh, Yourlipstogodsears and Lissoy are both owned by Lancaster and Lambie while Gray Zee is owned by David Lamont and Donna Wyse. Hes a very good worker. He deserves the break he is getting, commented Hennessy, who made sure to mention that Lancaster was also instrumental in the development of Cheddar Jack, who won last weekends Western Canada Pacing Derby. Hes very dedicated. He wants to work and learn things. It was just time for him to go on his own, said Hennessy. Hes done a great job with Lady Neigh Neigh. Lancaster, 27, comes by his training sagacity naturally. My dad is a farrier at Fraser Downs. My grandfather was a trainer and a farrier down east and my great grandmother was a horse trainer in Ottawa at Rideau Carleton. I was born into it, said Lancaster, who was born in Calgary, grew up in B.C. and now lives in Airdrie, just eight minutes from Century Downs. My mom, who is a nurse, didnt want me to get into the horse racing business. She wanted me to go to college. Im one of three children. My sister is a nurse and my brother is a heavy-duty operator. Im the only one who wanted to stay with horse racing. My mom had a strict rule. She insisted that I get my high school diploma first. When I turned 18 I jumped on the first plane out of B.C. and went to Grande Prairie and started working with Brandon (Campbell)." I groomed horses for Brandon that summer. Then I worked for Kelly Hoerdt for a year and a half, Jamie Gray for two years and then Rod Hennessy the last three years. I always loved horses and Ive also always loved the thrill of horse racing. Ive been very fortunate to work for the trainers I have and Im fortunate to have great owners like Chris Lambie, who is also from Airdrie. Lambie, Lancaster said, is very new to the business. He and his wife, Cara, have been breeding Hanoverians for the last 20 years and just last year they decided they wanted to take their knowledge of Hanoverians to Standardbreds, said Lancaster, who has eight horses for the Lambies, four of which, like Lady Neigh Neigh, are racing. We bought Lady Neigh Neigh out of a sale last October at London, Ontario. Chris, Cara and I picked her out of a video catalogue. We liked what we saw -- she had great movement and seemed to have a great personality, Lancaster said of the daughter of Bettors Delight, a horse who, in just two years of racing, won $2.6 million with victories coming in races like the Little Brown Jug and the Breeders Crown. We got an agent to bid on her and got her for $16,000. Its a fun time for all of us. STOCK REPORT - On Saturday afternoon Northlands will feature two divisions of the Horizon Pace for two-year-old colts and geldings. Crackle N Burn and Bad Moon Rising are the favourites in the first division. A homebred owned and trained by Rod Starkewski, Crackle N Burn won his division of the Rising Star by 11 lengths, and a division of the ASHA Colt by six; Bad Moon Rising took the other division of the Rising Star by three-and-a-half lengths. The second division is headed by Outlawgrabbingears, who has won his last four races including a division of the Lonestar by six lengths and a track-record setting performance of the Century Stake at Century Downs in 1:55.2; I Ama Rocket, who took another division of the Lonestar by three-and-a-half lengths and who lost by a nose and a neck to Outlawgrabbingears in the Rising Star and the ASHA Colt and Chase Me Forever, who exits a win in a third division of the Lonestar. To view entries for the Saturday card of harness racing at Northlands Park, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Northlands Park. (Courtesy Curtis Stock/thehorses.com) Tuesday, October 23, 2018 ABA Journal, Thomas Jefferson School of Law Wins California Accreditation: The State Bar of Californias Committee of Bar Examiners voted Friday to approve state accreditation for Thomas Jefferson School of Law, an ABA-accredited institution that has been on probation since November 2017. The vote was 8-7, with one committee member abstaining. https://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2018/10/thomas-jefferson-law-school-receives-california-accreditation-in-case-it-loses-aba-accreditation.html My names Will Capers. For almost nine years, Ive blogged on various topics. I blogged as Blaque Ink first, and as Brotha Wolf second. The latter had a mu... 2 years ago Prince Harry sipped on the narcotic drink kava at a traditional welcoming ceremony in Fiji Tuesday as the island nation gave the British royal and his pregnant wife Meghan the biggest greeting so far on their Oceania tour. After more than a week in Australia, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex began a four-day swing through Fiji and Tonga, arriving to huge crowds in the Fijian capital Suva. About 15,000 people, many holding union flags and pictures of the royal couple, packed into Albert Park in downtown Suva for the ceremony led by elders in grass skirts. They presented Harry with a large sperm whale tooth known as a tabua, a symbol of prestige in Fijian culture. He was then given a cup of kava from a communal bowl, with the sixth in line to the British throne appearing slightly apprehensive as he looked at Meghan and his entourage. He drew cheers from the crowd through when he gave the traditional toast "bula" and downed the concoction in one, clapping himself after he was done. The mildly intoxicating drink -- made from the root of a relative of the pepper plant -- is commonly described as tasting like muddy water, and leaves the face feeling slightly numb. "Thank you Mr President and you the people of Fiji for the warm welcome you've given us here today," he said. "The Duchess and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible over the next two days." - Zika precautions - Prince Harry wore medals from his own military service / AFP Fiji, a former British colony, became independent in 1970 at a ceremony in the same Albert Park venue that was attended by Harry's father Prince Charles. Earlier, thousands of people lined the route as the royal motorcade made its way into Suva, with the couple's progress broadcast on live television to the archipelago's population of 920,000. Harry wore medals from his own military service as he inspected a Fijian honour guard of soldiers wearing the distinctive sulu, a kilt-like white skirt with a zig-zag hem. Meghan followed medical advice to cover up and minimise the risk of Zika infection, donning a long-sleeved white dress with a matching hat. The news of Meghan's pregnancy had sparked fears among royal watchers about exposure to Zika virus, which is officially listed as a risk in Fiji and Tonga. Zika can cause congenital deformities in unborn babies but there have been no cases in either country this year and Kensington Palace said Harry and Meghan decided to proceed with the trip after consulting doctors. Experts say the risk of infection is low if travellers in Zika-prone areas wear insect repellent, as well as loose, light coloured clothing and stay indoors where possible. The royal visit is taking place during an election campaign, and Harry and Meghan were due to meet leaders from all political parties at a state dinner later Tuesday. The royals will travel to Tonga on Thursday before returning briefly to Australia then wrapping up the tour with a visit to New Zealand. Mountain Shadows in Wayanad is just the place for a dreamy vacation Land investors and speculators put money in backpacks so they can conduct transactions in cash any time on Phu Quoc Island, where the highest land fever in a decade is going on. A number of costly projects are being developed on the island, which is a district administered by the southern province of Kien Giang, where land prices are skyrocketing and investors are flocking to purchase land pieces. Phu Quoc has been planned for an exclusive economic zone by 2020 in a proposal approved by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. The government has created exclusive mechanisms for Phu Quoc, and the island is also enjoying the highest-ever preferential treatments to have its traffic, infrastructure and energy systems developed up to its potential. The island, now a popular destination for retreats with its white-sand beaches and high-quality seafood, is thus attracting increasing investment from resort and realty developers and many other investors as it transforms from a resort island into an economic hub. And land investors are interested in the island, too. The price of a land plot on Phu Quoc now ranges from VND2 billion (US$91,870) to VND40 billion ($1.84 million) and even VND200 billion ($9.19 million), depending on how close it is to the beach. If you do not accept the price quoted today, it will be much higher when you come back in only a few days, Nguyen Van Trai, a broker, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. Trai is an investor-turned-broker, who now possesses six pieces of land on the island whose prices are up to seven times higher than what he paid to purchase them years ago. I bought a land plot for VND2.1 billion in 2013 and now people are willing to pay VND17 billion [$780,891] for it, but I still dont accept, he said. Trai said all land plots on sale on Phu Quoc have valid papers, and buyers can feel free to check with local authorities before placing a deposit. Transactions are made at major cafes in the town of Duong Dong, where buyers keep dozens of billions of dong in backpacks to pay in cash. The owner of one cafe revealed that many of the land buyers are from Hanoi. There is even a Hanoi village in Duong To Commune, where a number of land plots and resorts are owned by people from the Vietnamese capital. Le Quang Minh, head of Phu Quocs natural resources and environment bureau, said most of the land buyers are speculators, who purchase and resell the land plots to earn profits. I asked a buyer from Hanoi how she could have so much money to buy land [on Phu Quoc], and she said she had sold her land pieces in the capital to seek profit here, Minh told Tuoi Tre. Many spend dozens of billions of dong on the land and do nothing but wait for a chance to resell, which indicates that land on Phu Quoc is being speculated. The land mania on Phu Quoc is a surprise to local authorities. The Phu Quoc administration recently auctioned a 3,000-square-meter land plot, and was shocked to see the hefty prices investors were willing to bid. In 2013 no buyers were interested in that piece of land, despite a cheap price of only VND11 million ($500) a square meter. Two years later, investors bid more than VND30 million ($1,378) per square meter. The districts tax collection from realty transactions has thus also soared. We used to get only VND1.5 billion [$68,902] per month from property transfer taxes, but the figure is now VND10.5 billion [$482,315], said Doan Van Duc, head of the Phu Quoc taxation agency. His agency received nearly 4,500 tax declarations for real estate transactions in the first half of this year. The land plots that now cost dozens of millions of dong are in fact quoted at only VND8 million ($367) per square meter, according to the price list approved by the Phu Quoc administration. But the price has been sent to VND15-20 million, Duc said. The official attributed the demand for land purchases to the governments plan to turn the island into an economic hub, and several projects of high-profile developers such as Vingroup. The market has already peaked and the risk of a bubble is extremely high, he warned. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A young student in south-central Vietnam has developed his collection of exotic animals from different species over the past four years as novel pets in the country, a decision that his family initially opposed but Internet users recently welcomed. Nguyen Nhat Tan, a twelfth grader at Khanh Hoa Provinces Tran Binh Trong High School, adores all creatures he keeps, including reptiles like a South American iguana, Bengal monitor, leopard and gecko, snake; eight-legged animals such as Tarantulas spiders; and South Americas Argentine wide-mouthed frog. Tan said reptiles hold a charm over him because the cold-blooded animals look very cool. Nguyen Nhat Tan in his provided photo. The boy can spend hours observing his pets catch prey as they can show their greatest attraction and skillful at that time. Tan began keeping strange beings around four years ago, when he bought a green water dragon, which is an diurnal reptile commonly found in trees along shores of freshwater bodies, and an elongated tortoise an animal that needs various foods even in captivity. His collection has over 12 species. The boy recently posted photos of it on social media in hopes of making others know they are many types of pets besides dogs and cats, and changing their perception of the animals he is keeping. Im really glad to get positive reactions from the online community, he said. Many think replies are scary, but they look lovely to me. They wont attack us if we dont harm them. Attacking is a form of defense only. At first his parents disapproved of the sons new hobby but later grew to develop a liking for his creatures. My mom and dad even help me clean the pets cages. My family has become closer thanks to reptiles. Injuries, which are an ordinary occurrence to Tan, range from scratches on the fingers sometimes involving bleeding, to painful swellings. My hand hurt a lot, but I didnt suddenly pull it back because I feared the pet would have a problem, the student recalled of the first encounters with a spider he had bought. Thats why I kept my hand in place, though I was bleeding. Only after a while did the spider release its fangs. Luckily, his animals produce venom of low toxicity that poses no threat to human life. The boy said he purchased each at a very cheap price of no more than VND2 million ($86) and cannot afford more expensive creatures as he is a student. Keeping foreign animals, especially reptiles and arachnids, is gaining popularity in Vietnam in recent years, although the number of hobbyists remains modest. Here are photos of Tans collection: Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! While more and more murals have appeared on walls across Hanois many streets and alleys, the community and art insiders have expressed concern over the trend, warning that there is only a thin line between an artwork and a disaster. It all started when the Hanoi Ceramic Mosaic Mural, or Hanoi Ceramic Road, was first introduced along the walls of the Hong (Red) River dyke system in the Vietnamese capital in 2010. Ever since, more and more streets and walls in Hanoi have been decorated with murals. The wall paintings can feature anything, from flowers and plants, animals, to landscapes and messages calling for environmental protection or birth control. Some simply feature lines of a popular poem. They can be seen in small alleyways in residential areas, for example, Alley 78 on Duy Tan Street, Alley 136 on Ho Tung Mau Street, the public space near Lang Pagoda, Alley 68 on Yen Phu Street, or on the wall of Phu Thuong High School in Tay Ho District. The mural trend has even spread to rural villages surrounding the heart of Hanoi, such as Dong Khe Hamlet of Dan Phuong Village in Dan Phuong District. However, painters, architects, administrators and members of the public have begun to worry about these colorful walls. A mural wall in Phung Hung Street in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi is seen in this photo. Photo: Tuoi Tre Concerns According to painter Nguyen Ba Kien, murals in just a few places in Hanoi are graded as beautiful, while those in other venues look unsightly. Even wall paintings by artists are unlikely to be immune to criticism from the community, with the latest instance being the murals painted on the walls along Phan Dinh Phung Street in Ba Dinh District. Done by professional painters at the request of Phan Dinh Phung High School, these frescoes have the idea of redrawing Hanoi from ancient to modern times. However, the project would only displease the lovers of this beautiful old street. A mural wall in Phung Hung Street in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi is seen in this photo. Photo: Tuoi Tre Writer Pham Ngoc Tien, who wrote many works about Hanoi, analyzed that the wall is not far from the Northern Gate of the Hanoi Old Citadel, an ancient vestige that needs to be only surrounded by an airy space reflecting the colors of time. Redecorating it with a modern color palette [of the murals] is not in line with the elegant, calm beauty of the street, Tien said. A mural wall in Phung Hung Street in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi is seen in this photo. Photo: Tuoi Tre According to artist Tran Khanh Chuong, chairman of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association and chairman of the Hanoi Street Decoration Council, the recent flourishing of murals has inevitably led many to think that in the Vietnamese capital, where there are walls, there are murals. Most of these wall paintings bear no specific content or ideas as the creators appear to have randomly drawn them the way they want, Chuong said. A mural wall in Phung Hung Street in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi is seen in this photo. Photo: Tuoi Tre Visual artist Nguyen The Son, who has just returned from a mural art festival in the U.S, said that he finds the fresco paintings in Vietnam are far from what he enjoyed at the American event as they are not really what murals are supposed to be. Motorbikes are parked along a mural wall in Phung Hung Street in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre Artist Nguyen Duc Binh said that the murals in several places in Hanoi were spontaneously made without professional people involved. He worries that if this trend continues, the threat of visual pollution and pulling back the esthetic tastes of the community can be inevitable. A mural wall in Phung Hung Street in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi is seen in this photo. Photo: Tuoi Tre Echoing Binhs opinion, Chuong said mural projects must be done with care, clear planning and strict management. As Hanoi is developing at a fast pace, with many crowded places and narrow streets, what and where to draw murals should be taken into account in order to make the city more dazzling. Therefore, the participation of people with expertise and managers to control the content of not only large mural projects but also the small fresco paintings in the streets and villages should be emphasized, To Van Dong, director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, suggested. Tourists take photos next to a mural wall in Phung Hung Street in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre A mural wall in Phung Hung Street in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi is seen in this photo. Photo: Tuoi Tre Tourists take photos next to a mural wall in Phung Hung Street in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre A couple pose for their wedding photos next to a mural wall in Phung Hung Street in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre A mural wall in Phung Hung Street in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi is seen in this photo. Photo: Tuoi Tre A mural wall in Phung Hung Street in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi is seen in this photo. Photo: Tuoi Tre A mural wall in Ao Dai Lane, Duc Thang Ward, Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi is seen in this photo. Photo: Tuoi Tre A mural wall in Dong Khe Hamlet of Dan Phuong Village in Dan Phuong District, Hanoi is seen in this photo. Photo: Tuoi Tre A mural wall in Ao Dai Lane, Duc Thang Ward, Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi is seen in this photo. Photo: Tuoi Tre A mural wall in Phan Dinh Phung Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi is seen in this photo. Photo: Tuoi Tre Parents walk their baby along a mural wall in Dong Khe Hamlet of Dan Phuong Village in Dan Phuong District, Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre A young girl poses for a photo along a mural wall on Phan Dinh Phung Street in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre A man sits next to a mural wall on Phung Hung Street in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre A mural wall in Dong Khe Hamlet of Dan Phuong Village in Dan Phuong District, Hanoi is seen in this photo. Photo: Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Check out todays leading news stories: Politics -- Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc presented a report on national socio-economic situations in 2018 and the socio-economic development plan for 2019 during the first day of the National Assemblys sixth session in Hanoi on Monday. Society -- Another victim has been in a coma and has poor prognosis after a drunk female driver crashed her BMW into a group of motorcycles stopping at the Hang Xanh Intersection in Binh Thanh District in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday night. The accident already killed one and injured four other people. -- Residents have been able to return to the Carina Plaza Apartment Complex in District 8, Ho Chi Minh City, about seven months after a deadly fire killed 13 people and burned down hundreds of motorbikes. -- A man and his father were killed after a flashflood was brought about by heavy rain in the northern province of Ha Giang on Sunday night. Multiple houses were damaged and washed away by floods in neighboring Lao Cai Province. -- The Peoples Court in the south-central province of Binh Dinh on Monday sentenced nine people to a total of 81 years in prison for destroying over 64 hectares of forest from July 2015 to August 2017. They were also required to pay VND4.8 billion (US$204,950) in compensation. -- Police in the southern province of Tay Ninh have broken up an illegal ring that attempted to smuggle four kilograms of drugs from Cambodia and arrested three people, including one Cambodia national. -- More than ten people were injured after a 29-seater passenger bus was hit by a truck traveling in the opposite direction in the northern province of Son La on Monday morning. Business -- Coffee prices in Vietnam have increased by VND8,000 ($0.34) to approximately VND39,000 ($1.67) per kilogram, according to Do Ha Nam, vice-president of the Vietnam Coffee - Cocoa Association. -- The Peoples Committee in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap has planned to spend VND146 billion ($6.2 million) on a project to produce high-quality pangasius fish. Sports -- Vietnam lost 1-2 to Australia at the AFC U-19 Championships in Indonesia on Monday evening, thus eliminated from the competition regardless of their last group-stage game with South Korea. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Nine people have been sentenced to a total of 81 years in prison for destroying more than 64 hectares of forest in the south-central Vietnamese province of Binh Dinh. The provincial Peoples Court began the trial regarding the deforestation in An Hung Commune, An Lao District on Monday. The nine defendants belonged to three separate groups who were responsible for cutting down trees in an over 64 hectare area of a local forest. About 25.9 hectares was protection forest, which is used to mitigate the effects of erosion and landslides, while the rest belonged to a production forest. According to the indictment, the three groups committed their illegal acts from July 2015 to August 2017. The first group was led by Le Van Thiet, 56, general director of Thuong Thao JSC based in the provincial capital of Quy Nhon. Thiet directed Nguyen Van Ri, one of his senior employees, to hire people for the clearance of 37.5 hectares within the forest, resulting in damage worth over VND1.9 billion (US$81,098). A section of the forest in An Hung Commune is destroyed by the defendants. Photo: Tuoi Tre Thiet was sentenced to 12 years, while Ri was slapped with a 11-year jail term. Phan De, a resident in Hoai Nhon District, was put behind bars for seven years for being involved in Thiets team. The second group included Vo Dan, Le Hong Duc, Le Xuan Hau, and Nguyen Nguyen Thuc, who damaged nearly 17.8 hectares of forest. They were sentenced to eight to ten years in prison. Van Ngoc Trien and Nguyen Cu, who destroyed nearly seven hectares, were both slapped with an eight-year term. The nine defendants were also required to pay a combined VND4.8 billion ($204,897) to compensate for the damage. This is considered the largest-scale deforestation case in Binh Dinh. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc previously ordered harsh punishment upon those responsible. Four local forest protection officers are being reviewed for their oversight that led to such serious consequences. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A Vietnamese woman has been fined VND750,000 (US$32) for throwing a shoe during a meeting between voters in District 2, Ho Chi Minh City and lawmakers, police said on Monday. Legislators representing constituents in District 2, including Ho Chi Minh City Party chief Nguyen Thien Nhan and chairwoman of the municipal Peoples Council Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam, held a meeting with voters on Saturday. A woman, identified as local resident Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong, caused a chaotic scene at the meeting when she hurled a shoe at the stage, where the lawmakers were seated. Speaking with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, Duong said she had done so on the spur of the moment, as she became impatient waiting for her turn to grill the legislators. Duong owns two land plots in the Thu Thiem neighborhood in District 2, where there are ongoing disputes between the developer of an urban area project and residents regarding site clearance and compensation for relocated families. Duong said she became angry during the meeting after hearing others talk about their issues with the controversy-plagued project, prompting her to lose control and throw a shoe. The shoe didnt hit anyone but Duong was still subject to the fine as her action had constituted a civil violation, said Le Van Tuan, police chief of Binh Trung Tay Ward in District 2, where the meeting was held. Duong would have been subject to a civil penalty of between VND500,000 ($21) and VND1 million ($42) for throwing objects at another person or their assets, according to a government decree. Police summoned the shoe thrower to hand her a penalty of VND750,000 ($32) on Tuesday, Tuan said. Officers in Binh Trung Tay Ward kept Duongs shoe as evidence and said they would return the item to its owner once she pays her fine. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Tidelands, the very first Australian Netflix original series will premiere in mid December (unlike other co-productions this one is entirely commissioned & funded by Netflix). The eight-part series produced by Brisbanes Hoodlum, follows Cal McTeer, played by Charlotte Best (Home & Away, Puberty Blues), a young woman who returns home to the small fishing village of Orphelin Bay after ten years in juvenile detention then jail. However, Orphelin Bay is shrouded in mysteries. When the body of a local fisherman washes ashore, the towns clandestine relationship with drug smuggling is suddenly on public display. Cal must uncover the towns well-hidden secrets, while investigating a commune of outcasts who live in a hidden pocket of the bay a group of sexy and dangerous half-Siren / half-human Tidelanders. Elsa Pataky (Fast and the Furious) stars as the mysterious and alluring Adrielle Cuthbert, the leader of the Tidelanders who will go to any length to protect her tribe of people. The series also stars Australian actors Aaron Jakubenko (Spartacus: War of the Damned) as Cals misguided and secretive brother Augie, and Peter OBrien (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) as Augies faithful deckhand. Brazilian actor Marco Pigossi (Caras e Bocas) features as Dylan. New Zealand actor Mattias Inwood (Will) is the Senior Constable who also has a secret to uncover with Cal. Madeleine Madden (Mystery Road), Caroline Brazier (Rake), Dalip Sondhi (Secret City) also feature. Executive producers are Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield (Secret & Lies, Harrow) and it is written by creator Stephen M. Irwin (Secrets & Lies) and Leigh McGrath. Tidelands was filmed exclusively in Queensland and supported by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland. Friday December 14 on Netflix. Animal Planet will debut new factual series Vet Gone Wild starring Dr. Chris Brown in November. In the series he travels through to exotic locations in Australia, Asia, South Pacific and Africa attending to wildlife. Dr Chris Brown takes us on a wild adventure around the world as he helps save and treat some of the most exotic and endangered animals in need of medical attention in the new series, Vet Gone Wild. The wonder vet is connected to a global network of veterinarians and animal advocates who request his expertise to give care to an incredibly diverse range of species and no matter the location or the animal, Dr Chris goes above and beyond in the call of duty. Whether its by boat or on foot, by motorcycle or plane, he travels to the most remote and exotic locations to help those that need him the most. In the premiere episode, Dr Chris sets out to help some of the most infamous Australian animals. Off the Queensland coast lies Magnetic Island where he meets Ali Bee a vet from Magnetic Island Koala Hospital who rescues and rehabilitates injured, sick and orphan koalas. Dr Chris helps check that a koala, named Betty, doesnt have a deadly disease that has been affecting koalas on the mainland. He then ventures deep into The Outback to provide veterinary care in a remote Aboriginal town being overrun by dogs and visits a kangaroo sanctuary to treat a young kangaroo with an infection. Throughout the series, Dr Chris travels to all corners of the globe, operating on endangered rhinos in Africa, rescuing dogs from the meat trade in south east Asia and tagging the notorious and dangerous bull sharks for vital research in Fiji. He also frees fur seals trapped in fishing line on Phillip Island, helps Tasmanian Devils suffering from a rare and contagious form of cancer, treats orphaned sloths in Costa Rica, heads on an undercover mission to relocate twenty-one endangered Pangolins to a secluded forest in Vietnam, and much more. There is no animal too big or too small that Dr Chris wont help. Saturdays from 10 November at 7:30pm on Animal Planet. WA-based production company Electric Pictures (Aussie Gold Hunters, Drain The Oceans, 100 Days to Victory) has appointed Thierry Bled, as Head of Development. Thierry was most recently an Executive Producer for Discovery and previously Commissioning Editor for the ABC Childrens. Originally from the United States, he has over 20 years experience as a director, producer, and executive producer with credits including Aussie Gold Hunters, Outback Opal Hunters, Railroad Australia, Bushwhacked!, Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, Top Chef, and Project Runway across Discovery, National Geographic, ABC, SBS, Viacom, and NBC Universal. Electric Pictures CEO Andrew Ogilvie: I look forward to working with Thierry. He is joining the company at a very important time in its history. In recent years we have embraced new genres of programming, and have considerably increased our production capacity. We are now poised for further growth, and I am sure Thierry will make a major contribution towards this aim. When Amandla Stenberg was preparing for her role in the movie adaptation of Angie Thomas YA novel The Hate U Give, she compared the book to her own diary. Having grown up in an American black neighbourhood and having attended a mostly white school, she could instantly identify with her character in the film adaptation. As noted by Just Jared, Stenberg looked stunning, wearing a striking black gown on the red carpet in London as she arrived at the film's premiere on Saturday 20 October at the 2018 BFI London Film Festival with the films director, George Tillman The Hate U Give novel and film adaptation Amandla Stenberg sounds like she was the perfect actress for her role as Starr Carter in The Hate U Give. Stenberg told NPR that she devoured the novel, but said it became a strange and spiritual thing as she felt like she was reading her own diary. Ive never seen so many white people crying before." https://t.co/Nd3kmrsRwt Teen Vogue (@TeenVogue) October 18, 2018 Stenberg explained that like Carter, she had grown up in a predominantly black neighbourhood, but the school she attended was predominantly white. At the age of 10, Amandla started attending the school, which was right across town, adding that she was one of only four black girls in her grade. She said she had a parallel experience with her character in the film. Stenberg went on to say that she had become familiar with being isolated in her ethnicity, finding it difficult to fully be herself. She said she wanted to fit into the culture, which was privileged and white, so she had to learn to adapt to this alternative environment. Stenberg explained that Starr Carter, her character in the film also had to learn a code to fit in, something like flipping a switch in her brain when surrounded by her classmates. However, the character is proud of her background. Amandla said her character loves her blackness. Black person shot by white police officer Thomas, the author of the novel, told NPR that the fatal shooting of a young African-American man, Oscar Grant, in Oakland, California, by a white transit officer in 2009 had inspired her to write the novel. Thomas noted that while Grant had been unarmed when shot, the media had focused more on his criminal record than how he was shot and unjustly lost his life. In the film, a white police officer pulls Starr and a childhood friend Khalil over, mistaking a hairbrush for a weapon the officer shoots 17-year-old Khalil dead. This led to Starr being the only witness to her friends killing and she wants the officer to be charged for what he did but is scared to speak out about the incident. While she is afraid to come forward, Starrs father had taught his children to stand up and be heard. Following the Black Panthers Ten-Point programme he had raised them to help end police brutality and the murder of black people by police by working for justice. Stenberg said that the black culture is beautiful, in that they give their children power when naming them. She explained that the name Amandla means power in the South African languages Xhosa and Zulu. She said her mother intentionally gave her that name, as they recognise that the world out there is tough, so they give children particular names to use as superpowers. The Hate U Give Is the Role Amandla Stenberg Was Meant to Play https://t.co/ndU3u2AS85 ELLE Magazine (US) (@ELLEmagazine) October 20, 2018 That particular notion is mentioned in the title of the original novel and the film. The name The Hate U Give is part of the lyrics of Tupac Shakurs song Thug Life. According to Amandla, the love people give is more powerful than the hate. Dyson says its planned electric car will be built at a new manufacturing facility in Singapore and not in Britain. The UK technology firm, founded by the Brexit-supporting entrepreneur and inventor Sir James Dyson, said its decision reflected the international nature of its business, including its supply chain despite high operating costs. Its statement made no mention of the UK's decision to leave the EU. Chief (Taiwan OTC: 3345.TWO - news) executive Jim Rowan confirmed the location of the factory just over a year after Dyson, best-known for its bag-less vacuum cleaners, announced its 2bn plan to build an electric car . It promised to be a tough challenge; taking on the production might of the world's established car manufacturers at a time when the wider UK automotive sector is gripped by fear over the potential impact of Brexit. Lib Dem leader and former business secretary Sir Vince Cable took aim at Dyson's decision to choose Singapore. He said: "It's strange Brexiteer James Dyson has so little faith in the prospect of the UK leaving the EU that he is manufacturing his electric cars in Asia. "It's not as if Singapore is even a low cost location, but this is a sign of the spectre that Brexit has cast over the UK's business environment." Dyson currently employs 1,100 people in Singapore where it already makes electric motors. Mr Rowan said of the new factory: "We will begin construction in December and it will be completed in 2020, meeting our project timeline." Production of the vehicles is scheduled to start in 2021 and was said, by Dyson, to be "on track". The technology continues to be developed by scientists at a site near to its UK headquarters in Wiltshire. The test track will also be accommodated at Hullavington Airfield, which employs 400 staff working on the 2bn project alone. Dyson said it was still not in a position to release any imagery of, or commentary on, its first planned vehicle - keeping details firmly under wraps at this stage. Story continues In his email to staff to confirm the board's decision, Mr Rowan said: "Dyson's growing automotive team is making excellent progress from the state-of-the-art hangars at Hullavington Airfield in Wiltshire where we are investing 200m. "Clearly we now need to move quickly towards manufacturing and assembly. "The decision of where to make our car is complex, based on supply chains, access to markets, and the availability of the expertise that will help us achieve our ambitions." By Axel Bugge and Sergio Goncalves LISBON (Reuters) - Eurogroup head Mario Centeno said on Monday the latest messages from Rome and the European Commission over Italy's 2019 budget are "very positive" and he expects agreement to be reached on the blueprint. "That is what I expect," Centeno told Reuters in an interview, referring to the likelihood of such an agreement. Italy told the commission on Monday it would stick to its contested 2019 budget plans in defiance of European Union fiscal rules, but promised not to inflate its deficit any further in the years ahead. Centeno said the response, which followed the commission's warning letter to Rome last week, was "constructive". Italy's government, comprised of the right-wing League and anti-establishment 5-Star Movement, has alarmed investors with its spending plans, sending its bond yields sharply higher in the past few months. Centeno said all euro zone countries need to stick to the rules of belonging to the euro zone. "We obviously have processes running in every country with their democratic dynamics, which have to conform to the rules of belonging to the euro area," Centeno said. "We cannot be complacent about this, but we also don't need to be dramatic." He pointed to his own Socialist government in Portugal as an example of an administration that won the confidence of markets and investors after it made clear it intended to stick to European budget rules after coming to power in 2015. Portugal's Socialist government has won praise for cutting its budget deficit and delivering strong growth after the country's 2010-14 debt crisis. Some investors were initially skeptical about the government, not least because it relies in parliament on support from two far-left parties. Portugal's 2019 budget forecasts a reduction in the budget deficit to 0.2 percent of GDP from 0.7 percent in 2018. Centeno, who took over as head of the powerful Eurogroup of euro zone finance ministers this year, said the euro zone was now "much more robust, resilient and resistant" after far-reaching reforms in the past few years. Story continues "I would be very surprised if one (Italian) budget caused drama within the euro zone and that its institutions were unable to manage this without big problems," he said. He said growth remained robust in the euro zone, despite risks to economic activity in the past few years from general elections in Germany and France, as well as the Brexit vote. "They (uncertainties) have not materialised in a significant slowdown in global economic activity," he said. He said he remained "confident" that a deal on Brexit will be struck between London and Brussels and would not speculate about the possibility of failure. (Reporting By Axel Bugge; Editing by Toby Chopra) LONDON (Reuters) - The United States cannot stop Iranian oil exports by imposing sanctions on Tehran, Iran's oil minister said on Tuesday, warning that such restrictions will ensure the market remains volatile. Washington plans new sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector from Nov. 4 with the aim of stopping the country's involvement in conflicts in Syria and Iraq, and bringing Tehran to the negotiating table over its ballistic missile programme. "As long as America targets Iran, one of the biggest crude producers, with sanctions, the volatility in the oil market will continue," Tasnim news agency quoted Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh as saying. "Iranian oil exports cannot be stopped," Zanganeh said. Zanganeh reiterated his Monday remarks that Iranian oil output cannot be replaced by that of other oil-producing countries if Tehran is hit by U.S. sanctions. Zanganeh said in an interview on the state television: "We will spare no effort to resist the cruel U.S. sanctions against the Islamic Republic." Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also said "the animosity of the current U.S. government towards Iran and the Iranians is unprecedented," but added that Washington would fail to achieve its goals. Rouhani was quoted by Tasnim news agency as saying: "Iran will smoothly overcome the problems Americans have created in recent months." Nov. 4, is also the anniversary of the 1979 seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran, when Iranian students in coordination with radical clerics took 90 hostages and held 52 of them captive for more than a year. Iran celebrates the occasion every year as tens of thousands march in rallies across the country and chant slogans against the United States. "The U.S. government is trying to turn the Nov. 4 into a bitter day for Iranian nation so they suffer, but it will fail," Rouhani was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, in an interview with Reuters on Sunday, dismissed concerns that oil prices could rise, saying the market had already factored in the supply losses. Story continues Iran's regional rival, U.S. ally Saudi Arabia, says Riyadh has the capacity to increase output to 12 million barrels per day (bpd) from the current 10.7 million bpd. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said on Tuesday it would continue to meet customer demand for crude despite looming U.S. sanctions that are expected to reduce oil exports from Iran. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, of which Saudi Arabia and Iran are members, agreed in June to boost supply to make up for the expected disruption to Iranian exports. (Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin; Editing by Dale Hudson and David Evans) Online fashion retailer Asos has appointed Mathew Dunn as its new finance chief. Mr Dunn, most recently chief financial officer of drinks firm Britvic, will take up his role in the spring of 2019. He replaces Helen Ashton, who notified the groups board of her desire to move on from her current role earlier this year. Asos chief executive Nick Beighton (Asos/PA) Asos chief executive Nick Beighton said Im looking forward to working with Mathew. He brings us a totally relevant mix of operational experience together with a history of implementing and overseeing finance systems at an international level. Mr Dunn said: Im very much looking forward to working with the Asos team. Im motivated by their ambitious plans to realise the significant potential still ahead for the company. The news comes a week after Asos reported another year of double-digit sales and profit growth despite ongoing investment in increasing capacity. Group revenues climbed 26% to 2.42 billion in the year to the end of August. Retail sales were up 26% to 2.36 billion, supported by growth of more than 20% in both the UK and international markets. A woman browses the Asos website (Tim Goode/PA) This marked the groups third consecutive year of sales growth in excess of 20%. Meanwhile, pre-tax profits were broadly in line with market expectations, coming in 28% higher than last year at 102 million. SOFIA (Reuters) - Bulgarian authorities raided a print shop on Monday that was making counterfeit cash, and seized fake euro and dollar bills worth more than $14.3 million, the interior ministry said on Monday. Special forces for combating organized crime stormed a basement in hotel in the Black Sea resort of Sunny Beach and seized some 100-euro and 500-euro notes and 50-dollar bills, the ministry said. "From the print shop and from different hideouts, over 11 million fake euros and over $1.7 million were seized, some stockpiled ready and some unfinished," the statement said. The raid at the print shop, the biggest to be discovered for 11 years, as well as some other 30 sites in the Balkan country, followed a 10-month investigation supported by Europol and U.S. intelligence. The print shop had sophisticated presses making very high quality bills, prosecutors overseeing the operation said, adding that four people were arrested. (Reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova; Editing by Robin Pomeroy) See Also: ANKARA, Turkey (AP) The Latest on the killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi (all times local): 2 a.m. U.S. President Donald Trump says he will be briefed Wednesday afternoon by U.S. officials looking into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi Arabian agents. After tomorrow, Trump says, "We'll know pretty much everything there is to know." He calls the killing of Khashoggi "a total fiasco" and says Saudi Arabia never should have thought about killing the dissident Washington Post contributor. Trump says, "Once they thought about it, everything else they did was bad too." Trump is repeating the denials by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that he knew of the plot before it was carried out. __ 11:55 p.m. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the Trump administration is revoking the visas of some Saudi officials implicated in the death of writer Jamal Khashoggi. Pompeo announced the step at a State Department news conference Tuesday. Vice President Mike Pence said earlier that Khashoggi's death at Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, "will not go without an American response." The visa revocations are the first punitive measures taken by the administration against the Saudis since Khashoggi disappeared after entering the consulate on Oct. 2. Visa records are considered confidential and Pompeo did not say which or how many Saudi officials would have their visas revoked. Saudi authorities have detained 18 people in connection with Khashoggi's death, which officials say was accidental despite Turkish allegations that Khashoggi was intentionally killed. ___ 11:15 p.m. President Donald Trump is criticizing the Saudi operation that killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi, calling it one of the "worst cover-ups in the history of cover-ups." Trump tells reporters in the Oval Office that he's expecting a full report on the killing soon. But he says, "They had a very bad original concept" and it was "carried out poorly." Story continues He calls the events after Khashoggi's death "the worst cover-up ever." Saudi Arabia has claimed Khashoggi, a writer for The Washington Post who wrote critically about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, died accidentally in a brawl at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. But Turkish officials say a 15-men team tortured, killed and dismembered the writer and say Saudi officials had planned the killing for days. ___ 10:50 p.m. Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri is scheduled to speak at a high-profile investment conference in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. Hariri's appearance, announced Tuesday, was not previously listed on the agenda, and comes as Saudi Arabia is under mounting pressure over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi officials in Istanbul earlier this month. Hariri, a dual Lebanese-Saudi citizen, resigned from his post last year during a visit to Saudi Arabia in a speech that many Lebanese suspected was given under duress. Hariri later returned to Lebanon and his post following French mediation. He has visited Saudi Arabia and has met with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman since then. Several Western business leaders and officials withdrew from the Saudi conference after Khashoggi's killing, the circumstances of which remain under dispute. ___ 10 p.m. The widow of former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko, who died from radioactive poisoning in 2006, says the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi should be a wake-up call about the deadly behavior of authoritarian states. Marina Litvinenko says her husband's murder may have led some governments to think "it's just so easy to kill people" without provoking a strong response. Alexander Litvinenko, a Russian agent turned Kremlin critic, died in November 2006 after drinking tea laced with polonium-210 at a London hotel. Britain says he was murdered by Russian intelligence, likely with the approval of President Vladimir Putin. Marina Litvinenko said the death of Khashoggi and the poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal in England were evidence that her husband's death had not deterred governments from seeking to silence their critics. She said "it's very important to react (to) any kind of behavior and crime. Because if you will make nothing happen today, you will just be not sure what might happen tomorrow." ___ 8:15 p.m. The United Nations says Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stands by his earlier call for an independent and transparent investigation into the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq reiterated Tuesday that the secretary-general can initiate an investigation if key parties request it or if there is a legislative mandate from a U.N. body. Saudi Arabia said early Saturday that Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post, was killed during a "fistfight" in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. an explanation many countries have questioned. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an interview with state-run Anadolu Agency on Tuesday that "If a request for an international investigation is made ... we would cooperate." Haq said that did not constitute a formal request from Turkey's government, which Guterres would need to consider authorizing an international investigation. ___ 7:30 p.m. Turkish state media say investigators found three suitcases, a laptop computer and clothing inside a car belonging to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. State television TRT reported that Turkish crime scene investigators inspected the vehicle on Tuesday for possible evidence in the slaying of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Authorities discovered the car at an underground garage on Monday. Saudi Arabia has said Khashoggi was killed in a fistfight that broke out inside the consulate. Turkey says he was the victim of a planned killing. Turkish authorities have not found the journalist's body. ___ 7:10 p.m. Foreign ministers from the G-7 group of industrialized nations say the explanations offered for the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi leave many questions unanswered and those responsible for the death must be held to account. A joint statement from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, along with the European Union, condemned Khashoggi's slaying in the "strongest possible terms." They called Saudi Arabia's confirmation of the writer's death inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul a first step toward full transparency and accountability. The statement issued Tuesday reiterated the need for a thorough, credible and prompt investigation done with the full collaboration of Turkish authorities. The G-7 ministers say Khashoggi's killing demonstrates the need to project journalists and to reaffirm the right to free expression. ___ 6:45 p.m. The European Union's top diplomat says the bloc is working with the group of seven most industrialized nations to coordinate a response to the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Tuesday that "the European Union's reaction from now on will depend on the next steps that will be taken by the Saudi authorities." Mogherini told EU lawmakers that foreign ministers are working with their G7 counterparts on "further steps and statements to be taken together." She did not go into detail about those steps. She called on the Saudi's "to provide all the information they have about the case and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice." Lawmakers described Saudi explanations about Khashoggi's death as a "cover-up and a "white-wash." ___ 6:30 p.m. Turkish officials say President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has promised family members of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi that Turkey would do all it can "to shed light on the murder." The officials said Erdogan on Tuesday called Khashoggi's son, Abdullah, to express his condolences, and also spoke with other members of his family. Erdogan told family members that he was "deeply saddened" by his death and that Turkey would follow up the incident. The officials provided the information on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Saudi Arabia has said the journalist, a critic of the Saudi royal family, was killed in a fistfight. Erdogan said earlier Tuesday that he was the victim of a "savage murder" that was planned days ahead. ___ 6:15 p.m. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence says the death of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi "will not go without an American response." Pence said CIA Director Gina Haspel is in Turkey reviewing the facts of what Pence called a "brutal murder." He offered condolences to Khashoggi's family. Speaking Tuesday in Washington at an event hosted by The Washington Post, Pence would not elaborate on what a possible U.S. response would be. Khashoggi, a Post contributor, lived in Virginia. Asked if the U.S. would sanction members of Saudi Arabia's royal family if they were found to have been complicit, Pence said that's a decision for President Donald Trump. He says Trump will make a decision that reflects the values and national security interests of the nation and will "make sure the world knows the truth." ___ 6 p.m. Lawmakers in Spain have rejected proposals to halt arms exports to Saudi Arabia after a debate. Conservative and ruling Socialist lawmakers argued Tuesday that jobs in the defense industry needed to be protected. They rejected non-binding proposals by far-left and smaller parties calling for a weapon export freeze. The pro-business Citizens party abstained. Spain chose last month not to risk a $2.1 billion contract for five navy frigates in a job-hungry region when it went ahead with a bomb shipment to Saudi Arabia that members of Pedro Sanchez's Socialist government had tried to stop. The prime minister is expected to brief lawmakers on the issue on Wednesday. Western countries have been rethinking their dealings with the Gulf kingdom amid international uproar over the killing of dissident Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul earlier this month. ___ 5:30 p.m. Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have received the family of killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi and expressed their condolences. The royals received the journalist's son, Salah, and his brother, Sahel, at the Yamama Palace in Riyadh on Tuesday. A friend of the Khashoggi family told The Associated Press that Salah has been under a travel ban since last year. The individual spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisal. Prince Mohammed has come under mounting pressure, with critics suspecting he ordered the high-profile operation or at least knew about it. Saudi authorities say they have arrested 18 suspects and dismissed senior officials. The prince appeared briefly at an afternoon panel Tuesday alongside Jordan's King Abdullah II, but made no public remarks. --By Aya Batrawy in Riyadh __ 4:40 p.m. The leaders of Sweden and Denmark are reacting after Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saudi Arabia murdered Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi after plotting his death. Stefan Lofven, Sweden's acting prime minister, says "it seems very credible that something terrible has happened there, something horrible." However, Lofven refrained from commenting further pending more facts, Sweden's TT news agency reported. In neighboring Denmark, Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen is summoning the Saudi ambassador and said the meeting would be held "as soon as possible." He said, "there are still a lot of unclear questions and I believe it is fair to give the ambassador the possibility to explain himself." Samuelsen had earlier said there would be no official Danish participation in an investment conference in Saudi Arabia as "a natural consequence of the actual situation." ____ 3:15 p.m. A U.S. official says CIA Director Gina Haspel is in Turkey to review the case of slain Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi. The official was not authorized to discuss the trip and spoke only on condition of anonymity. Haspel's visit Tuesday comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said he was not satisfied with Saudi Arabia's explanation of Khashoggi's death three weeks ago in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. Saudi Arabia said he was killed in a fistfight, but Turkish officials said the 59-year-old Washington Post columnist was attacked and killed by a 15-man Saudi team. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he wants Saudi Arabia to allow 18 suspects that it detained for the journalist's killing to be tried in Turkish courts. ____ By Deb Riechmann in Washington, D.C. ____ 1 p.m. Turkey's president has urged Saudi Arabia to reveal who ordered the "savage murder" of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul, and said the 18 Saudis suspected of carrying it out should be tried in Turkish courts. Addressing lawmakers of his ruling party in Parliament Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says all those responsible for the killing must be punished regardless of rank from the person who ordered his death to those who carried out the killing. He asked: "where is the body of Jamal Khashoggi?" For the first time, Erdogan also confirmed that a body double of Khashoggi was used as a decoy after he was killed. Erdogan's speech came as skepticism intensified about Saudi Arabia's account that he died accidentally in its consulate in Istanbul. ___ 12:40 p.m. Turkey's president says Saudi officials started planning to murder Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi days before his death in Saudi Arabia's Istanbul consulate. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that the Saudi officials began plotting against Khashoggi in late September, days ahead of his disappearance after he entered the consulate on Oct. 2. Erdogan's comments contradicted Saudi accounts that Khashoggi died accidentally in a "fistfight" in the consulate. ____ 12:25 p.m. Saudi Arabia says organizers will be signing deals worth $50 billion at the start of a major economic forum in Riyadh. The Future Investment Initiative forum, which began on Tuesday, is the brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It's aimed at drawing more foreign investment into the kingdom and to help create desperately needed jobs for its youthful population. The deals will be in manufacturing, transportation and other fields. Prince Mohammed was not immediately at the forum when it started. The forum last year proved to be a glitzy affair that drew more international business attention to the kingdom. This year's event meanwhile has seen business leaders drop out over Khashoggi's Oct. 2 slaying. ___ 11:10 a.m. A high-profile economic forum in Saudi Arabia has begun in Riyadh, the kingdom's first major event on the world stage since the killing of writer Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. The Future Investment Initiative forum, which began on Tuesday, is the brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It's aimed at drawing more foreign investment into the kingdom and to help create desperately needed jobs for its youthful population. Prince Mohammed was not immediately at the forum when it started. The forum last year proved to be a glitzy affair that drew more international business attention to the kingdom. This year's event meanwhile has seen many top business leaders and officials drop out over Khashoggi's Oct. 2 slaying. ____ 10:35 a.m. Turkey's foreign minister says his country would cooperate with international bodies if they were to launch an independent probe into the killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi. In an interview with state-run Anadolu Agency, Mevlut Cavusoglu also said Tuesday that Turkey has not shared evidence concerning his death at the Saudi consulate with any country but added that there may have been "an exchange of views between intelligence organizations." Saudi Arabia has said Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi royal family, was killed Oct. 2 in a "fistfight" with officials sent to encourage him to return to the kingdom. Turkish media and officials say the 59-year-old Washington Post columnist was killed and dismembered by a 15-man Saudi hit squad. Cavusoglu said: "If a request for an international investigation is made ... we would cooperate." ____ 10:20 a.m. The Turkish president is expected to announce details Tuesday of his country's investigation into the killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, as skepticism intensified about Saudi Arabia's account that he died accidentally in its consulate in Istanbul. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he will "go into detail" about a case that has shocked the world and raised suspicions that a Saudi hit squad planned Khashoggi's killing after he walked into the consulate on Oct. 2, and then attempted to cover it up. Top Turkish officials have said Turkey would clarify exactly what happened to Khashoggi and a stream of leaks to national and international media has increased pressure on Saudi Arabia, which is hosting a glitzy investment conference this week that many dignitaries have decided to skip because of the scandal. " Morrisons says it will appeal a decision that leaves it facing a "vast" compensation bill for a data leak. The supermarket chain lost an appeal against a ruling that found it partly liable for the data breach, which saw sensitive details about staff posted on the web. The case goes back to 2014, when a senior auditor at the supermarket's Bradford headquarters, Andrew Skelton, leaked the payroll data of around 100,000 employees. He posted the workers' names, addresses, bank account details and salaries online and sent them to newspapers. Skelton was jailed in 2015 for eight years. Some 5,518 of those employees went to court, seeking compensation for the distress caused and arguing that the breach had exposed them to possible identity theft and financial loss. They said that Morrisons was responsible for breaches of privacy, confidence and data protection laws, but Morrisons disagreed, saying it was not vicariously liable for the criminal misuse of data. In December, the High Court found in favour of the employees and Morrisons took the case to the Court of Appeal. On Monday, appeal court judges backed the lower court's ruling, saying Morrisons was "vicariously liable for the torts committed by Mr Skelton against the claimants". Nick McAleenan, partner at JMW Solicitors, who represents the employees, said the judgement was a "wake-up call for business" and had provided "reassurance to the many millions of people in this country whose own data is held by their employer". He added that staff had been "obliged to hand over sensitive personal information and had every right to expect it to remain confidential". Morrisons said it would appeal to the Supreme Court, adding that it was not aware of anyone having suffered "direct financial loss" as a result of Skelton's crimes. A spokesman said: "Morrisons has not been blamed by the courts for the way it protected colleagues' data but they have found that we are responsible for the actions of that former employee, even though his criminal actions were targeted at the company and our colleagues. Story continues "Morrisons worked to get the data taken down quickly, provide protection for those colleagues and reassure them that they would not be financially disadvantaged." During the appeal court hearing, Anya Proops QC, for Morrisons, had told judges that, if the High Court decision was allowed to stand, the company would be exposed to "compensation claims on a potentially vast scale". She (Munich: SOQ.MU - news) said Skelton had leaked the employees' data "as an act of vengeance and specifically in order to damage Morrisons' interests". Many commentators saw the judgement as tough, with Rohan Massey, European head of privacy and cybersecurity at Ropes & Gray saying he would be surprised if the Supreme Court did not hear Morrisons' appeal. He added: "The Court of Appeal's suggestion that data controllers mitigate against the 'potentially ruinous' costs of data breach claims by taking out insurance may come as little comfort to businesses for whom the reputational costs and organisational disruption of such incidents can be just as costly." Nicola Cain, media and data enforcement and disputes partner at RPC (NYSE: RES - news) , added: "Even (Taiwan OTC: 6436.TWO - news) if businesses have appropriate controls in place, there is very little further they can do to prevent a disgruntled employee from breaking the law and misusing personal data, meaning many businesses viewed the High Court's ruling, which has now been affirmed by the Court of Appeal, as very harsh indeed." Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander touched down in the UK on Monday for the first official visit by the Dutch royal family in 35 years. The couple are being hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace for two days, and have a pretty jam-packed schedule as they try to make the most of their time here. On Tuesday, the couple travelled to Horses Guard Parade where the Queen officially welcomed them. They then joined Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall for a State Carriage procession along the mall to Buckingham Palace. maxima-pink-dress Maxima looked amazing in this fully-coordinated look Maxima was dressed up for the special occasion, wearing a gorgeous blush pink coat dress featuring a utility-style collar and a matching waist belt, which she accessorised with a pair of nude courts, pale pink gloves and a sparkling box clutch bag. Jewellery-wise, the 47-year-old decided to go for a pair of teardrop-shaped earrings, a diamond brooch and a silver multi-string bracelet. She wore her blonde hair in an elegant chignon, accessorised with a hairband made from the same fabric as her dress, and went for a natural makeup look with subtle smokey eyes and glossy lips. maxima-prince-charles Later today, the King and Queen will enjoy afternoon tea with Charles and Camilla at Clarence House before meeting with Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. In the evening a grand state banquet will be hosted in their honour at Buckingham Palace, and both the Queen and Willem-Alexander will make speeches. It's going to be a spectacular evening and the two will be reunited with their friends, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. READ MORE: The Queen welcomes Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander on state visit live updates On Wednesday, the Dutch royals have a busy day planned. After attending a breakfast given by the Lord Mayor and the City of London Corporation at Mansion House, they'll dash off to HMS Belfast where their Majesties will meet with representatives and veterans from both the UK and Netherlands Armed Forces, before watching an on-the-water capability demonstration. Later in the day, the King and Queen will then travel to south London community project Pop Brixton, and if that's not enough, they'll also be visiting No. 10 Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister, Theresa May. Loading the player... WATCH: Jumpsuits a right royal trend SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea said on Monday a project to develop a fighter jet with Indonesia was on track, and it will negotiate a way for Indonesia to pay its contribution, of which about $200 million is unpaid. Indonesia and South Korea agreed in 2014 to develop the "KF-X" fighter jet. The project is estimated to be worth about $7.9 billion, and Indonesia had agreed to pay 20 percent of the development costs, but a senior Indonesia official said on Friday it was seeking "lighter" financial terms. South Korea's arms procurement agency Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) told a press briefing the project was on track. "During the South Korea-Indonesia summit in September, it was agreed to continue developing the KF-X," the spokesman said. "About the contribution, we plan to negotiate additionally." The spokesman confirmed that Indonesia's unpaid contribution was about 230 billion won ($203.14 million), from between the second half of 2017 and the first half of 2018. Indonesia's request on the financial terms of the deal comes as it is trying to support the rupiah, which is trading near a 20-year-low, and to reduce the use of foreign exchange reserves. (Reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Robert Birsel) See Also: FILE PHOTO: One of the six black rhinos due to be relocated to Chad is seen in an enclosure at Addo Elephant National Park, near Addo FILE PHOTO: One of the six black rhinos due to be relocated to Chad is seen in an enclosure at Addo Elephant National Park, near Addo, South Africa, May 2, 2018. Picture taken May 2 2018. REUTERS/Sisipho Skweyiya/File Photo N'DJAMENA (Reuters) - Two of six critically endangered black rhinos relocated to Chad in May have died, Zakouma National Park's management said, undermining efforts to restore their population in Chad after a nearly 50-year absence. Before the transfer of the six rhinos from South Africa in May, the species had not been seen in Chad since 1972, mostly as a result of rampant poaching. Across their habitat in southern, eastern and central Africa, poaching drove the black rhinos to near extinction. Their numbers fell by 98 percent between 1960 and 1998, but have doubled since then to about 5,400 due to conservation efforts. In a statement over the weekend, African Parks, a non-profit organisation that runs Zakouma, said the carcasses of one male and one female rhino were discovered in separate locations in the park on Oct. 15. It said the rhinos were not poached but that the exact cause of death was not yet known. Gilles Desesquelles, an African Parks representative, said a virus could be to blame. The relocation of the rhinos from South Africa was intended to safeguard the species by expanding its geographic distribution, restore Zakouma's ecosystem and boost tourism to the 3,049 square-kilometre park. Zakouma says it has mostly eliminated poaching since the end of a series of rebellions in Chad in 2009 and its famed elephant population -- 95 percent of which was poached between 2002-2010 -- is on the rise again. (Reporting By Madjiasra Nako; Writing by Aaron Ross; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg) A sign for Blacklion village is seen on the Belcoo and Blacklion Bridge which served as a hard border between the border towns of Blacklion (Rep. of Ireland) and Belcoo (Northern Ireland) until 1998 is seen from Belcoo, Northern Ireland, July 4, 2016. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne LONDON (Reuters) - Britain cannot accept Northern Ireland being in a separate customs territory from the rest of the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman said on Tuesday. Brexit talks have stalled over a disagreement on the so-called Northern Irish backstop, an insurance policy to ensure there will be no return to a hard border on the island of Ireland if a future trading relationship is not agreed in time. Reuters reported on Monday the EU could look to "anchor" a reference in the legally binding Withdrawal Agreement to Britain's proposal to keep the whole of the United Kingdom in a customs partnership with the EU. Asked whether Britain would be prepared to accept the Northern Ireland backstop if there were a link to a future treaty agreement on a UK-wide arrangement, the spokesman said: "Any circumstance in which Northern Ireland could be in a separate customs territory to the UK is unacceptable." (Reporting by Kylie MacLellan; editing by Stephen Addison) FILE PHOTO: A pair of hippos swim in the waters of St Lucia estuary, South Africa, April 12, 2006. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/File Photo Thomson Reuters LUSAKA (Reuters) - Zambia has revived plans it suspended two years ago after protests by animal rights activists for the controlled slaughter of up to 2,000 hippos over the next five years, its tourism minister said on Monday. Charles Banda said the hippo population could not be supported by the water levels in the Luangwa river where most of the animals are located, while moving them elsewhere in the southern African country would be too costly. The government had therefore decided to proceed with the plan to control the hippo population in eastern Zambia, the tourism minister said. "The South Luangwa National Park has a population of more than 13,000 hippos but the area is only ideal for 5,000 hippos," Banda said, adding that the ecosystem would be threatened. "Moving the hippos to other water bodies would be very expensive. At the moment the only option we have is to do the culling." British wildlife charity Born Free led the campaign against the culling in June 2016 describing it as trophy hunting. On Monday, Born Free said on its website Zambia had failed to provide robust, scientific evidence demonstrating that there is an overpopulation of hippos in the Luangwa river. "Scientific evidence suggests that culling hippos stimulates breeding and ends up increasing the population, potentially establishing a vicious cycle of death and destruction," it said. Born Free had said in 2016 the scientific rationale for killing up to 2,000 hippos when their population in the entire southern Africa stood at 80,000 hippos was questionable. (Reporting by Chris Mfula; Editing by James Macharia) See Also: Oconee scholarship recipients thanked the community for bolstering their dreams of a college education at the fifth annual Oconeefest scholarship fundraiser Oct. 18 at the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Oconee Campus. The event raised more than $16,000 for scholarships for Oconee County students attending any UNG campus, including more than $3,500 from a live auction that was held for the first time. Michelle Correll, a staff associate in the Office of Student Involvement, received the $1,000 scholarship in 2016. The 2017 UNG graduate said the scholarship helped her graduate without debt. She was a first-generation, non-traditional, low-income student who worked as a student assistant in the same office where she now works. "Everything in my background said that I was not good enough to attend college," Correll said. "Receiving the Oconee scholarship presented the ultimate challenge to my perception, a challenge that altered the course of my life." Paige Holden, a freshman business management major who received an Oconee scholarship in spring 2018, recounted losing everything in a fire seven years ago. While that wiped out much of the money her family had saved for her college expenses, Holden was intrigued by UNG's "outstanding, affordable nursing program" and its military support. She wants to be a nurse in the Air Force. "You helped a girl that lost everything one night seven years ago be able to go to school like she never lost anything, but gained everything," Holden told the scholarship donors. "You gave me, a dreaming pre-nursing student, the chance to go to college at the one place I fell in love with, so I can later give back to the community in a few years and hopefully the country as a nurse in the Air Force." Dr. Cyndee Perdue Moore, executive director, also thanked the community for backing UNG's Oconee Campus. "Your support means everything to us," Moore said. Correll expressed gratitude for how her scholarship made her feel included. "My experience illustrates the ways UNG scholarship funds provide for students who may have fallen outside the parameters of the traditional student experience," Correll said. Holden said the scholarships help students chase their dreams. "Thank you for giving your country's next generation of leaders a chance to learn," Holden said. "Thank you for the full support and assurance for just giving us a chance to achieve what we were meant to do." After hearing the two Oconee scholarship recipients' stories of overcoming obstacles, Dr. Richard Oates, vice president of the Gainesville Campus, said "that's what it's all about." "Thank you for trusting us with your most precious resource: your sons and daughters from Oconee County," Oates said. Ryan Hawk, senior vice president of business development for presenting sponsor Peach State Federal Credit Union, said his company is glad to be able to help students pursue their education. Peach State has been a part of Oconeefest since its inception, and Hawk announced the credit union is extending its support through 2020. "We've been here since the beginning," Hawk said. "It's great to see what it's grown into." The presenting sponsors for Oconeefest were Peach State Federal Credit Union and Bulldog 93.3-FM; platinum sponsors were Georgia Power and Piedmont Athens Regional; gold sponsors were AmeriPride, Georgia United Credit Union, Oconee State Bank, River Mill, Rotary Club of Oconee County, and UNG Real Estate Foundation; silver sponsors were BankSouth and Nebraska Book Company; and friends sponsors were Owen & Exley; North Oconee Rotary Club; Ronda Holloway, CPA; Resource Accounting; and Terrapin Beer. Extra Special People's " Joyristas " served coffee at the event, courtesy of W&A Engineering. The Tallinn Architecture Biennale 2019, which takes place from September 11th November 3rd, 2019 has presented its Installation Programme Competition Huts and Habitats, which offers emerging architectural talents the opportunity to design and build an experimental wooden structure in the heart of Tallinn. The open two-stage competition (first stage submission deadline is November 2nd, 2018, and second stage submissions are due by January 30th, 2019) challenges participants to develop creative designs for a temporary outdoor installation in front of the Museum of Estonian Architecture, housed in one of Tallinns most outstanding examples of industrial architecture. The site consists of a lively pedestrian green area along one of the busiest streets, connecting the two sides of Tallinn: the harbour and the city centre. "The TAB Installation Programme Competition invites emerging architects and designers to design a kind of modern day primitive hut: an opportunity to research fundamental aspects of architecture. This encompasses its tectonic system and related production chain with its social consequences, but also aspects of living and dwelling and ultimately of course, its digestion by the public," said Gilles Retsin, Curator of the Installation Programme Competition. TAB 2017 Winner Gilles Retsin. Image courtesy of Gilles Retsin Through the concept of the hut, the Installation Programme Competition aligns with TAB 2019s main theme Beauty Matters: The Resurgence of Beauty. In fact, the topic of beauty is approached through the notion of tectonics and material organisation: the primordial composition of architecture. The installation therefore, should not be perceived as merely a small house or cabin, but more as a physical manifestation of a construction system. At the same time, it should work as an autonomous and vibrant public space that requires no disclaimer in order to be appreciated by visitors and passersby. "Beauty is not a singular idea but its plurality prevails. It is the creative role of the architect to bring profound new architectural beauties to cities, substituting alienation with widening the palate of our emotional involvement, celebrating authentically pluralism. She suggests that each architect who participates in the competition should take a personal stance while designing the contemporary primitive hut politically, culturally, socially, economically and ecologically intuition is richer than logic (as explains Gerd Gigerenzer, a psychologist and behavioural expert), and the driving force of architectural design is imagination," said TAB 2019 Head Curator Dr. Yael Reisner. TAB 2015 installation Body Building by Sille Pihlak and Siim Tuksam. Image Tonu Tunnel In order to promote synergy between emerging talents and industry, participants are encouraged to consider new technologies and design strategies in relation to Estonias rich history of timber construction, dating back to the turn of the 20th century. With new materials and manufacturing technologies changing the way it has been traditionally used, timber is now referred to as the steel of the 21th century. The Jury panel is composed of: Philippe Block (ETH Zurich, NCCR Switzerland), Areti Markopoulou (IAAC Barcelona) and Mihkel Tuur (KTA Estonia). Prizes include: 1st prize 15,000 budget for construction, TAB 2019 Symposium participation, published in TAB 2019 book, TAB2019 PASS 2nd and 3rd prize TAB 2019 Symposium participation, published in TAB 2019 book, TAB 2019 PASS The winner and all Second Stage participants will be exhibited at the TAB Installation Programme exhibition and published on TAB 2019 website. Top image: TAB 2017 Installation by Gilles Retsin Architecture Tonu Tunnel > via TAB 2019 Hearing aids Several innovations have been added to hearing aids over the past few years, ranging from Bluetooth connectivity (to clearly hear sound from televisions and smartphones) and longer-lasting and rechargeable batteries (that are easier to charge up, too) to support for apps that let you personalize settings on a nearby smartphone (such as adjusting volume, tweaking sound amplification or toying with noise reduction, based on your environment). Some of todays hearing aids also collect GPS location info provided by a nearby smartphone to detect when youre in a specific environment, such as your home, and will automatically launch preset sound preferences. Well soon see hearing aids with integrated smart assistants like Apple's Siri, Amazons Alexa and Google Assistant without requiring a nearby smartphone. Youll first say a wake word, followed by a question or command, and as with smartphones and smart speakers with similar technology, the wearer will then hear a humanlike voice tell you answers to your queries. Or what about an integrated activity tracker? Starkey Hearing Technologies new Livio AI (above) hearing aids have Fitbit-like sensors inside to track steps taken, distance traveled, time spent exercising and estimated calories burned. While Starkey won't confirm a date, these hearing aids soon will be able to detect if the wearer has fallen and can call 911 or notify a loved one. Even more impressive are hearing aids that can instantly translate one language into another. Livio AI, for instance, can translate between 27 languages, courtesy of a companion smartphone app called Thrive. This allows you to talk to someone whose mother tongue is, say, Spanish, but you'll hear what theyre saying in English in near-real time. This could come in very handy between a caregiver and someone being cared for, for example, so nothing is lost in translation. The next-generation hearing aid is also said to calculate and display brain health info on the Thrive app (iOS and Android), based on active listening, social engagement and other variables. As a hearing aid manufacturer, Starkey says it does not set the price of hearing aids, but rather independent dispensers set their own prices (typically $2000 to $3000 per aid), which often includes service, maintenance and warranties. Smart lenses While capable of augmenting the world around you with digital information superimposed on top, high-tech eyewear such as Google Glass and Microsoft HoloLens hasnt quite caught on with the masses, but the industry is already looking ahead to smart contact lenses. A team of South Korean researchers from the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) and Sungkyunkwan University has published its work about soft lenses that can measure and monitor glucose levels in tears. You could imagine this technology being incredibly useful for those living with diabetes in order to help monitor their blood sugar. And it could be a race to see who will be first to market a contact lens for people with diabetes, as Google announced it was developing this in 2014 not to mention a similar project announced by a team at Indianas Purdue University this past summer. The applications go well beyond diabetes, as smart lenses embedded with sensors may also be able to monitor other biomarkers such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Tell us a little about your girlfriends. My oldest friend is from grade school. Her name is Toi. As you get older, you forget youre getting older but you look at your friendships and say, Oh my gosh, Ive known you for 49 years! She remembers my funny stories and I remember hers. We can tell each other anything. When The Chew came along, I turned to my good girlfriend, Verlette, my most intuitive girlfriend. Shes the one who, when Im struggling through something, I can call her and ask, What is my lesson here? And I said, Oh my gosh, what am I supposed to do with this platform? She said, Authenticity. You are supposed to have this platform, and your platform is authenticity. Your lesson is to be yourself. Thats easier said than done when youre on television. How has your style evolved over the years? Ive always worn what I wanted, and Ive always liked colors and prints. On The Chew, the stylist helped me find my style; the clothes came in, I got to pick and choose what I wanted to wear. I tend to like mixed prints. And I like to shop in my closet, to go in and put together something new that Ive never worn before. I think people think they cant do it, but start with a printed top stripes, polka dots. Then choose a floral scarf. Its very little commitment. And where did the glasses come from? I didnt always wear my glasses; I wore contacts for a while. On Top Chef, I said, Im not going to wear contacts any more its easier to just grab my glasses, and glasses just became my thing. Theyre my face art. I started becoming more deliberate in choosing them, and now I have 50 pairs, not including the ones I cant use because the prescriptions are out of date. I choose them based on what Im wearing, and I travel with at least six pairs at any given time. Tell us a little about your latest cookbook, Carla Halls Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration. This is my most personal cookbook Ive done. I have grown so much as a chef, sort of found what Im passionate about. [This book is me,] telling my ancestral story through food. It takes readers on a tour through the South, seeing the South through a fresh set of eyes, looking at soul food as my ancestors legacy. [When planning it, I asked myself,] If my grandmothers came over from Africa, how would they be eating? The soul foods people know fried chicken, smothered pork chops, mac and cheese those are celebration foods. People didnt eat like that every day. What we know from Sanford's IRS filing: nearly $5B in 2020 earnings 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. Theres a new way to become a cop in New Mexico. Central New Mexico Community College announced on Monday that it is launching the CNM Law Enforcement Academy next year. The inaugural class will head to the Albuquerque Police Department after graduation. Growing the ranks of the Albuquerque Police Department is a priority for Mayor Tim Kellers administration. Albuquerque police has about 880 officers. Ten years ago, there were 1,100 officers but, over the past six years, the number dwindled to a low of 831. As a community college, we are here to support the educational and workforce needs of our community, CNM President Katharine Winograd said. The 17-week academy will be available to officers who have already been hired by a police agency. In APDs case, the academy will be an alternative to the six-month academy that Albuquerque police use to train their own officers. After graduating from CNM, APDs cadets will have to take another 11-week training course at Albuquerque police before they are ready to hit the streets. Winograd said that Rio Rancho, the Village of Corrales, Los Lunas, Moriarty, and the Pueblos of Laguna and Isleta police departments also plan on using the CNM academy, as do sheriffs offices in Sandoval, Valencia and Torrance counties, and the 2nd Judicial District Attorneys Office. Those departments can hire cadets for a CNM academy that starts next fall. Keller said the academy at CNM will allow the department to recruit people who might not otherwise be interested in law enforcement, and also give police a chance to recruit people who are born and raised in Albuquerque. We want folks who know New Mexico, who have family here, who are born and raised here, he said. Matt Thomas, a program director of criminal justice at CNM, said cadets who graduate the academy will earn 32 college credits. Albuquerque police in most cases requires officers to eventually obtain at least 60 college credits. Deputy Chief Harold Medina said that cadets in the CNM academy will already be city employees and will be paid while they are in the academy. He said the city will also pay for the cadets tuition, though the details of how much that will cost are still being negotiated. Medina said relying on CNM to teach some of APDs cadets the core law enforcement courses that are required of all police officers throughout the state will give Albuquerque polices training academy time to focus on giving current officers the training that is required as part of a settlement between the city and the Department of Justice, which is aimed at correcting a pattern of excessive force within APD that the DOJ announced it had found in 2014. It kind of gives us a little bit of breathing room to get some training done that we want to get done in house with our current officers, he said. SAN DIEGO The woke have become a joke. The Left is devouring itself. It happened when #MeToo collided with #BlackLivesMatter. The collision of hashtags caught on video and now viewed by more than 6 million people occurred on a street corner in Brooklyn, N.Y., in front of a convenience store. A white woman, Teresa Klein, 53, accused an African-American boy, 9, of groping her. Klein yelled she had been sexually assaulted, and the boy was the offender. When the boys mother yelled back at Klein, our victim did what a lot of white people do when dealing with black people: She called 911. Apparently, thats a thing. When in doubt, call the cops. Police removed two black men from a Philadelphia Starbucks as they waited to begin a business meeting. An African-American graduate student at Yale University who fell asleep in the common room of a dormitory was questioned by police after a fellow student reported her. In California, an African-American girl, 8, was turned in for selling water outside her apartment building without a permit. Liberals and conservatives are always saying that we need to be colorblind. Hows that working out? White people are weaponizing law enforcement against black people, for perceived offenses big and small. Heres how Kleins emergency call went: I was just sexually assaulted by a child, Klein told the dispatcher. In the background, the traumatized boy was crying hysterically. Meanwhile, our victim kept saying: Im calling the police! Im calling the police! Through it all, the boys mother appeared to be caught between anger and disbelief. The son grabbed my ass and she decided to yell at me, Klein told the 911 operator, referring to the boys mother. The message of the Brett Kavanaugh hearings, and the dramatic testimony of Christine Blasey Ford, is that women who claim to be victims of sexual assault must always be believed. Always. I believed Ford. I also believed Kavanaugh. I think each was giving us their truth, as they knew it. Im ashamed at how slow men have been to figure out how widespread the problem is. We have to take sexual assault against women more seriously. Media creeps, Im looking at you. We have now learned that there have been plenty of instances where a reporter, editor, anchor, or commentator takes advantage of his fame and then has the gall to go before the camera and sit in judgment over accused individuals like Kavanaugh. Still, Im not all-in on the idea that every woman should be believed. Its difficult to be a Hispanic or African-American male, knowing, how often weve been wrongly accused of crimes we didnt commit, especially those of a sexual nature, to go along with the idea that everything a woman says is true. For those who insist women dont make this stuff up or imagine assaults that never occurred, does that include Klein? If so, you might want to rethink that. What does all this have to do with hashtags? A lot of women are on edge in the #MeToo era. After years of not reporting sexual assaults, some now have a hair-trigger for anything that comes close. This is also the #BlackLivesMatter era, and African-Americans are also on edge. They helped spread the video showing what Klein had done. No one is going to put up with anything from anyone anymore. Klein has since returned to the store to view security-camera footage. What brushed up against her was the boys backpack. According to the footage, the boy didnt touch her. No harm, no foul. Klein acknowledged as much to reporters, before looking into a camera and apologizing publicly to the boy. Young man, I dont know your name, she said. But Im sorry. What a mess. Are we enlightened yet? (c) 2018, The Washington Post Writers Group. After getting elected, judges are required to go before voters for retention. This year 18 of Albuquerques Metro Court judges are up for retention. Any who fail to get a yes from 57 percent of those voting on their retention will be out of a job. The state Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission evaluates judges. This year the commission is recommending voters not retain Judges Edward Benavidez, Michelle Castillo Dowler, Kenny Montoya and Linda Rogers. While we respect JPEC, we disagree after interviewing JPEC and the judges and looking at their records. The Journal recommends retaining Benavidez, Castillo Dowler, Montoya and Rogers, as well as the other judges, so they can continue their important work to keep Albuquerque safe. Judge Edward Benavidez Benavidez has served as Metropolitan Court chief judge since May of 2017, overseeing the courts $27 million budget and 300 employees. And he has presided over DWI Recovery Court for the last four years. Of the 335 offenders who graduated from the program, only 13 have re-offended, an astonishing success rate and proof this program is making a difference. And hes juggled these duties while presiding over regular cases. In surveys, 82 percent of court staff and 77 percent of resource staff (police officers) recommended Benavidez be retained. But only 51 percent of attorneys surveyed recommended retention. Benavidez, who has been a Metro Court judge for 10 years, says he ran afoul of defense attorneys and JPEC in part because he still sets bonds for defendants he feels are a danger or flight risk. He has a 94 percent affirmation rate on appeal while also maintaining the highest case clearance rate in Metro Court. Judge Michelle Castillo Dowler Castillo Dowler has served as a Metro Court judge since January 2012. In addition to maintaining a full caseload and handling felony first appearances, Castillo Dowler was instrumental in preparing the court for preliminary hearings. Metro Court began handling preliminary hearings in January; judges say the court was ready because of her efforts. Of those surveyed, 81 percent of police and other resource staff said Castillo Dowler should be retained; 58 percent of court staff and 55 percent of attorneys recommended retention. Castillo Dowler, a former prosecutor, admits she gets frustrated when proceedings should run more efficiently and can be direct when she catches errors. She has largely been upheld on appeal and has a high case clearance rate. Judge Kenny Montoya Montoya, a former adjutant general of the N.M. National Guard, has been a Metro Court judge for four years. He presides over the Outreach Specialty Court, which tries to get homeless defendants on the right path, and hes helping with the new substance use and treatment options program. Of those surveyed about whether Montoya should be retained, 88 percent of court staff, more than 80 percent of police officers and resource staff and 63 percent of attorneys said he should. Still, JPEC says attorneys give him lower ratings in exercising sound legal reasoning and being knowledgeable regarding law and rules of procedure and evidence. Like Benavidez, Montoya says defense attorneys arent happy with him because he makes some defendants post bond, particularly if evidence shows theyre a danger. Judge Linda Rogers Rogers has been a Metro Court judge since 2006, from 2010-2017 she presided over Mental Health Court and shes currently presiding judge of competency court. While 71 percent of attorneys and 68 percent of court staff surveyed said Rogers should be retained, only 43 percent of resource staff police officers said she should be retained. Rogers suspects officers gave her low ratings because she tends to dismiss cases without prejudice meaning they can be re-filed if the officer fails to show up to court and doesnt call with a reason. She says shes only following the rules. Again, the Journal recommends voters keep Benavidez, Castillo Dowler, Montoya and Rogers on the bench, as well as the other Metro Court judges up for retention: Henry Alaniz, Rosie Lazcano Allred, Vidalia Chavez, Rosemary Cosgrove-Aguilar, Maria Dominguez, Sandra Engel, Yvette Gonzales, Jill Martinez, Daniel Ramczyk, Christine Eve Rodriguez, Frank Sedillo, Renee Torres, Victor Valdez and Courtney Bryn Weaks. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. A think tank named for the late Sen. John McCain is launching an ad campaign emphasizing the importance of human rights, encouraging Americans to vote and calling for a new generation of mavericks to uphold the late Arizona Republicans legacy. The ad, which will run online in five markets across the country, is part of the first major initiative by the McCain Institute for International Leadership since the senators death from brain cancer in August. The minute-long, black-and-white spot makes no mention of President Donald Trump, with whom McCain frequently tangled on foreign policy and other issues. Yet it in some ways offers a veiled rebuke of the president: It highlights the faces of a diverse country and includes audio of McCain stressing the importance of truth against falsehood in remarks he delivered at the 2017 Munich Security Conference. A spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance cannot be paralyzed by fear, McCain can be heard saying in the ad. We cannot give up on ourselves and on each other. We stand for truth against falsehood, freedom against tyranny, right against injustice, hope against despair. McCain was a particularly fierce critic of Trumps cozy relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as of his questioning of U.S. obligations under the NATO alliance. The video concludes by urging viewers to defend the dignity of all people and vote in next months midterm elections although it makes no mention of either political party. The ad was directed by Jesse Dylan, musician Bob Dylans son, who directed Will.I.Ams viral Yes We Can video in support of Barack Obama in 2008. Mark Salter, McCains longtime aide and writing partner, said the idea for the ad campaign was born this spring, while the senator was still alive. The projects goal, he said, is to encourage Americans to get engaged with politics, petition their government and make human rights a priority. I thought Johns voice was one of the most influential, potent voices for the dignity of human beings wherever they live that we had, Salter said. I think now, why Im supportive and encouraged about what the institutes doing here, is that theyre trying to create a collective voice thats bigger than any one persons voice. The timing of the videos release in the midst of an international outcry over the killing of Washington Post contributing columnist Jamal Khashoggi is a coincidence, Salter said, although he noted that McCain probably would have been among the loudest voices demanding accountability from Saudi Arabia for the journalists death. It was the first time really on a public policy issue since he passed away where I said, Boy, I think I know what he wouldve said, Salter said. I think he wouldve been pretty strong and pretty vociferous. The McCain Institute, which was launched in 2012, is based in Washington and run through Arizona State University. McCains widow, Cindy McCain, was recently elected chair of the organizations board. Former U.S. ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker, the institutes executive director, said the center launched a research project and found that many Americans, particularly young people, dont really have a clear idea of what human rights are. The ad, which will run online in the Austin, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Nashville and Phoenix media markets, is part of a two-year campaign to try to boost civic engagement regardless of party, he said. We very much dont view it as about Trump or about individual politicians or policies in any way; were trying to get above that, said Volker, who is also the Trump administrations part-time special envoy for Ukraine. Its very easy to not like Trump and then to blame everything on him. Thats not a constructive way to think about this. In a video message accompanying the ads release, Cindy McCain says that her husband always believed in the need for people to speak out and serve causes greater than ourselves. The initiative will also feature a website with a Maverick Pledge as well as a large Mavericks Needed banner on the side of a building on ASUs Tempe, Arizona, campus. Sarah Barazza doesnt have health insurance, but money was the last thing on her mind as she and her 15-month-old son raced to the hospital in an ambulance last year. The toddlers airway had become swollen from croup, and he struggled to breathe. Wow, Im so grateful I dont have to worry about finances, the Plainfield woman said. Im just focused on taking care of my child. Her son Moises recovered. The familys out-of-pocket cost for the episode? Nothing. The Barazza family belongs to a health care-sharing ministry, a religious nonprofit in which members pay for one anothers health care needs. Compared with traditional health insurance premiums, ministries monthly member costs are often much lower. But unlike traditional insurance, members must often commit to religious principles. The ministries generally wont pay for services that dont align with those principles, such as abortion and substance abuse treatment, and they often limit coverage of pre-existing conditions and prescriptions. Despite those differences, people in Illinois and elsewhere are turning to the ministries amid frustrations over the costs of traditional health insurance and Obamacares mandate that everyone buy insurance or pay a penalty. Ministry members are exempt from that mandate, which will end after this year. The ministries are another way many people are thinking outside the box, trying to find creative solutions to pay for their health care needs without spending sometimes large amounts on health insurance. Its hard to say exactly how many people take part in the ministries, but the IRS estimates that, in 2016, more than 330,000 people claimed exemptions to the health insurance mandate because they were members of a health care-sharing ministry. More than 20,000 people in Illinois are members of three of the larger Christian ministries, some of which have been around for decades. But experts, and the ministries themselves, caution that theyre not the same as health insurance and theyre not right for everyone. No one regulates health care-sharing ministries, and theyre not subject to the same standards and requirements as health insurance, such as those meant to ensure prompt payments and financial solvency. Theyre not insurance, said Karen Pollitz, a senior fellow with the Kaiser Family Foundation. Theres no contract. This is just a group of people who say God wants us to pay for each others medical bills, and then they either will or wont send money. The uncertainty isnt stopping people from choosing ministries over traditional health insurance. Michael and Sarah Johnson, of Carol Stream, joined Samaritan Ministries about five years ago after Michael decided to change careers and went back to school to become a pastor, at which point he no longer could get insurance through an employer. Getting coverage through Samaritan was cheaper than buying health insurance, allowing the couple to save for a house down payment and not go further into debt. They pay a little more than $500 a month for Samaritan. That money goes straight to other members most months, with Samaritan telling the Johnsons where to send their checks. When it comes to their own medical needs, the Johnsons generally pay for services and incidents that cost less than $300 out of pocket. Samaritan also doesnt cover their preventative care. But as relatively healthy people in their 30s, they estimate theyre saving thousands of dollars a year over what it would cost to pay for traditional plans premiums and deductibles. At first, you think, Is this really going to work? Will people actually send us money, or are we going to be left high and dry? Sarah said. So far, it has worked. When Sarah gave birth to the couples second child in 2014, Samaritan members sent them about $18,000 to pay for the cesarean birth, the cost after discounts from providers. Many of the checks, from Samaritan members across the country, came with prayers and notes with well wishes. Samaritans religious foundations also appeal to the couple. Like other members, when they joined, they had to sign documents agreeing not to smoke, drink excessively or use drugs. They also had to promise to go to church regularly and be faithful in their marriage. Their pastor had to affirm to the ministry that they were active in their faith community. With Samaritan, were not supporting things we have a moral objection to, Michael said. Samaritan, based in Peoria, has about 80,000 member families nationwide, including about 4,500 to 4,600 families in Illinois. Members often get self-pay discounts that doctors offer to people without insurance. Other large ministries operate similarly, though each has its own rules and payment structures. Some ministries have networks of doctors so patients can get discounts on services. Another ministry, Florida-based Medi-Share, asks members to pay an annual household portion of their medical expenses before kicking in money similar to a deductible in traditional insurance. That portion can range from $1,000 to $10,500, depending on how much members contribute, or share with others, each month. Another large ministry, Liberty HealthShare, has about 98,000 families across the country, including about 2,526 households in Illinois. Members pay $199 to $579 a month, depending on which program they choose, and their age and family size. They pay $2,250 a year for medical expenses before Liberty members will start sharing costs. Unlike some ministries, Liberty, which is affiliated with the Mennonite faith, doesnt require members to be part of a church community. Members are, however, asked to agree to a set of shared Christian beliefs, including that everyone has a right to worship the God of the Bible in his or her own way and that it is our spiritual duty to God and our ethical duty to others to maintain a healthy lifestyle, among other points. It really arises out of the Mennonite belief system and world view that essentially believes were called to assist others who are in need without necessarily confinement or restriction as to who that aid or assistance goes to, said Dale Bellis, founder and chairman of Liberty, based in Canton, Ohio. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Dubbed a rising star just a few years ago, Monica Youngblood is fighting against a possible early twilight to her political career. The Albuquerque Republican, a three-term incumbent lawmaker, was convicted of aggravated drunken driving last month after being arrested in May at a sobriety checkpoint. Although she denied drinking, Youngblood refused to submit to a breath test and police said she performed poorly on field sobriety tests. She was ultimately sentenced to one day in jail and a year of probation. Youngblood, 42, a real estate agent, has ignored calls for her to resign and is now locked in a tough re-election bid in House District 68 against Democrat Karen Bash, 72, a retired faith leader making her first run for elected office. Although Youngblood declined to do a phone interview, she told the Journal in an email that she does not believe her DWI conviction would affect her ability to get legislation passed and advocate for public safety issues. She also said she has learned from her mistakes. Of course, I regret this situation every single day and have said from the very beginning I most regret not taking the breathalyzer. Ive been held accountable for that decision and have accepted the consequences, said Youngblood, who also recently sent a letter to district residents asking for their forgiveness. She also said DWI convictions havent prevented Democrats from running for office and holding leadership posts an apparent reference to Senate Majority Whip Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, who pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated in 1999 and was sentenced as a first-time offender. However, Youngbloods legal troubles have given Democrats hope of a November upset. Several pro-Democratic political committees have sent out hard-hitting mailers targeting Youngblood. One even featured a pair of handcuffs, while accusing the incumbent of trying to be above the law. Bash has largely steered clear of the issue, though she said in a social media post last month that Youngblood failed to take advantage of the many alternatives to driving while intoxicated, and sought to use her status as a legislator to avoid arrest. She said that would be her only comment on the issue. In a Monday interview, Bash cited crime and education-related issues as her top priorities if she is elected. Specifically, she said she would push to hire more teachers and law enforcement officers, while limiting standardized test time for public school students. A self-described political junkie, she moved to New Mexico from Iowa several years ago with her husband and ran a bed-and-breakfast in Albuquerque before selling the business and eventually deciding to run for the Legislature. Its an uphill battle, but I think we have a good message and can pull this off, she said. For her part, Youngblood said she would focus on bills dealing with child abuse and pretrial release if she is elected to a fourth term. She also said she has not decided whether she would reintroduce a proposal to bring back New Mexicos death penalty for certain violent crimes. The House District 68 seat encompasses a swath of Northwest Albuquerque, including the Paradise Hills neighborhood. Registered Democrats narrowly outnumber Republicans in the district, though Youngblood was unopposed in winning re-election in 2014 and 2016. Q-and-As online: To find out these candidates positions on key issues, go to ABQJournal.com/election2018. The site also includes links to Journal stories on statewide, legislative and county-level races, district maps, key election dates and other voter resources. It will be updated regularly with new candidate profiles, stories and other information. With Breaking Bad as the backdrop, Republican Steve Pearce is airing a television ad that links his Democratic opponent, Michelle Lujan Grisham, to a convicted drug dealer a connection Lujan Grisham supporters say is outlandish. Pearces ad features two photos of Lujan Grisham posing with Jerry Padilla Sr., a convicted heroin dealer who was released from federal prison in 1994. His sons headed Los Padillas street gang. In one photo, the two are smiling, and Padilla appears to be wearing a campaign sticker touting Lujan Grishams candidacy. The Lujan Grisham campaign said Monday that she has no connection to Padilla and that she routinely takes pictures with people at public events, as other candidates do. Her campaign organized a news conference Monday featuring a current and former law enforcement officers who spoke on her behalf including former State Police Chief Robert Shilling and ex-Public Safety Secretary Darren White, both of whom served under Republican governors. Jeremy Romero, a retired police officer who now uses a wheelchair after an on-duty crash, said the Padilla and Lujan Grisham picture isnt evidence of a meaningful connection between them. Candidates dont ask for someones ID before taking photos, he said. When I see the attack ads, when I see the slanderous remarks coming from the Republican Party, its hurtful, Romero said, because Michelle has been a champion in my corner since Day One. Pearces running mate, Michelle Garcia Holmes, a retired police detective, held her own news conference after Lujan Grishams supporters held theirs. She said that 21 sheriffs including five Democrats had endorsed Pearce and that the ads are truthful. The ads are accurate period, Garcia Holmes told reporters. These are the facts. Pearce and Lujan Grisham both of whom are giving up seats in Congress to run for governor are trading blows as they enter the last two weeks of the campaign. A Journal Poll from mid-September showed Lujan Grisham with a lead of 7 percentage points, though the race has turned much more negative since then. Pearces new Breaking Bad ad, at a cost of $235,000, is in heavy rotation statewide on cable and network stations, a campaign spokesman said. Breaking Bad isnt show business, the narrator says. Its reality, and Michelle Lujan Grisham is part of the problem. White, the former Cabinet secretary for public safety, said Monday that Lujan Grisham has a comprehensive approach to tackling crime, which is why he and others are supporting her. Breaking Bad, of course, is the television show about a high school teachers evolution into a drug kingpin. FARMINGTON Guides designed to provide information to Native American voters about the general election in New Mexico were released earlier this month by the Secretary of States Office. The guides were developed for elections in the 12 counties in the state that have federally recognized tribes, according to an Oct. 9 press release from the Secretary of States Office. Each guide contains information pertaining to the county about registering to vote, voting in person on Election Day, voter identification and early and absentee voting. There is also information about state and county candidates, proposed amendments to the state Constitution and bond questions. The guides are available in locations in San Juan, Bernalillo, Cibola, Luna, McKinley, Otero, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, Santa Fe, Socorro, Taos and Valencia counties. The guide was produced by the New Mexico League of Women Voters and the Native American Voting Task Force, an entity formed by New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver in April 2017 to increase voter participation among Native Americans. Hello! Weve got complete midterm election coverage right here. Lets begin! These guides will provide greater access to election information to our tribal communities, which leads to more participation in the democratic process among Native Americans. The Native American Voting Task Force has identified ways to increase participation in elections within Native American voting precincts and these guides are an important tool in that endeavor, Toulouse Oliver said in the release. Alex Curtas, the communications director for the Secretary of States office, said in an email on Friday that the distribution process started last week. The guides will be available in San Juan County at chapter houses in Beclabito, Burnham, Crystal, Gadiiahi, Huerfano, Lake Valley, Nageezi, Naschitti, Newcomb, Nenahnezad, Sanostee, Sheep Springs and Two Grey Hills. Other locations are the San Juan County Clerks Office in Aztec and the Phil L. Thomas Performing Arts Center in Shiprock. Curtas said the guide will be available on election day on Nov. 6 at the voting convenience center at the Central Consolidated School District business office in Shiprock. Copies of the guide for each of the 12 counties are available at the New Mexico Secretary of States Native American Voting Task Force webpage. Noel Lyn Smith covers the Navajo Nation for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505-564-4636 or by email at nsmith@daily-times.com. 2018 The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.) Visit The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.) at www.daily-times.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. BISMARCK, N.D. The fourth of seven people charged with federal crimes stemming from protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline in North Dakota has been sentenced to a year and four months in prison. Twenty-two-year-old Dion Ortiz, who is from the San Felipe Pueblo reservation in New Mexico, was indicted with several others in February 2017 for a fire set on a country road bridge in October 2016. The Bismarck Tribune reports that Ortiz reached a deal with prosecutors under which he pleaded guilty to civil disorder and the government dropped a more serious charge of using fire to commit a federal felony. Ortiz was given credit for time served and could be released from prison in April. ___ Information from: Bismarck Tribune, http://www.bismarcktribune.com WASHINGTON Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday that the death of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi will not go without an American response and that the CIA director was in Turkey to review evidence in the case. Pence declined to discuss what punitive action the U.S. might take in response to the death of the Washington Post columnist and critic of the Saudi kingdom, who died Oct. 2 at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Saudi Arabia has said he was killed in a fistfight at the consulate. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogans claim earlier Tuesday, Pence said, that this brutal murder was premediated pre-planned days in advance flies in the face of earlier assertions that have been made by the Saudi regime. This brutal murder of a journalist, of an innocent man or a dissent will not go without an American response Pence said, adding that there probably would be an international response as well. Asked if the U.S. would sanction members of Saudi Arabias royal family if they were found to have been complicit, Pence said thats a decision for President Donald Trump. He says the president will make a decision that reflects the values and national security interests of the nation and will also make sure the world knows the truth. Pence, who spoke in Washington at an event hosted by The Washington Post, said whatever U.S. response the president decides to make will keep in mind the importance of U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia an alliance that he noted has been in existence since shortly after World War II. He declined to say whether he had seen any intelligence that linked the Saudi crown prince to the killing. I know that when the CIA director returns, she will be briefing the president, myself and our entire team on what the Turks have assembled, Pence said about CIA Director Gina Haspels trip to Turkey. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who pulled out of attending an investment conference in Riyadh, met with Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman separately before the forum, according to Saudi state television. Trump spoke Sunday with the crown prince, who is the son of Saudi King Salman. He says he is not involved nor is the king, Trump told USA Today in an interview aboard Air Force One Monday en route to a political rally in Texas. The newspaper said Trump declined to say whether he believed the crown princes denials. If their involvement was proven, Trump said: I would be very upset about it. Well have to see. Members of Congress and former government officials have accused Riyadh of trying to cover up the truth behind Khashoggis death or hide any evidence that the kingdom, particularly the crown prince, authorized it. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who has been trying to coax Trump into ending arms sales to Saudi Arabia, said Monday that its laughable to believe the crown prince was not involved in Khashoggis death. Trump said any U.S. response should not involve scrapping billions of dollars in arms sales, which would hurt U.S. defense industries and eliminate U.S. jobs. I dont want to lose all of that investment thats being made in our country, he said. Whatever the U.S. response, U.S. ties with its Gulf ally have hit rough waters. The Khashoggi affair also has threatened to upend the relationship of Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner with the crown prince. The two men both in their 30s, both trusted aides of older, familial leaders struck a bond last spring and consulted with one another frequently in private calls in the months that followed. The crown prince, who is known in diplomatic circles as MBS, has drawn some praise in the West for his moves to modernize the kingdom and criticism for his governments arrests of rivals and critics. Trump now plays down the relationship, saying the crown prince and Kushner are just two young guys. But their back-channel relationship unnerved many in the Trump administration and Washington foreign policy establishment who feared that the White House was betting too big on the crown prince. Kushner on Monday fended off criticism that the Trump administration was giving Saudi Arabia cover. He said administration officials have their eyes wide open. Were getting facts in from multiple places and once those facts come in, the secretary of state will work with our national security team to help us determine what we want to believe, what we think is credible and what we think is not credible, Kushner told CNN. Even Trump, however, acknowledges that Kushners work on trying to craft peace between Israel and the Palestinians has been set back by Khashoggis death. There are a lot of setbacks. This is a setback for that, Trump told The Washington Post in a weekend phone interview. Bruce Riedel, a former Middle East specialist for the CIA and National Security Council, said the Trump administration desperately wants the Istanbul affair to go away and the MBS-Jared bromance obscured. An administration official who regularly deals with Kushner pushed back against claims that Kushner and the crown prince are joined at the hip. The official was not authorized to discuss the relationship and spoke only on condition of anonymity. The official said Kushner like other members of the administration, including Trump believes Saudi Arabia should suffer some sort of consequence, but said Kushner also believes the U.S.-Saudi relationship shouldnt be blown up because of the Khashoggi matter. ___ Associated Press writers Jonathan Lemire in New York and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report. CARLSBAD A hearing on the U.S. Department of Energys request to the state to change how the volume of nuclear waste stored underground at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant is calculated is underway. Representatives of the DOE and WIPPs managing and operating contractor Nuclear Waste Partnership LLC, New Mexico Environment Department and those opposed to the proposed changes gave opening statements and witnesses were called to testify Tuesday morning at Carlsbads New Mexico State University campus. The matter before you I like to refer to as the tale of the two volumes, said DOE attorney Michael Woodward. Its a single-issue permit modification request and it really should be a very straightforward matter. The changes would mean waste volume would be calculated using the innermost containers, generally 55-gallon drums. Currently, the volume of overpack containers is included. WIPP officials say by current standards, the underground is half full. If the permit modification request is approved, it will only be considered one-third full. The New Mexico Environment Department, which will ultimately decide to approve or deny the Permit Modification Request, expressed support for most of the proposed changes in its brief opening statement. However, NMED counsel Jennifer Hower said the department is requesting language specifying the allowable volume designated under the federal Land Withdrawal Act of 6.2 million cubic feet be kept in the permit, which the DOE and NWP have proposed removing. After opening statements, former NWP employee and current consultant Bob Kehrman took the witness stand. Lindsay Lovejoy Jr., an attorney for the Albuquerque-based Southwest Research and Information Center, spent much of his time cross-examining Kehrman on the 20 years of precedent dictating how waste volume has been counted. Lovejoy also probed Kehrman for possible ulterior motives for the change. It just seems to me that theres some waste you want to put in the WIPP that you havent disclosed. Is that true? Lovejoy asked. Kehrman declined to answer, but emphasized the current permit modification does not include requests for other waste streams or types of waste. Some expressed confusion as to why the change is being pitched as a clarification of the existing volume language. I dont agree that its a clarification. Its a redefinition, said Norbert Rempe, a retired WIPP geologist who attended Tuesdays proceedings. Im not opposed to changing (how volume is calculated) but Im somewhat critical of the way its being done. I think it should be done in a more honest fashion in describing it as what it really is: either for the first time defining or redefining how they calculate the volume. Members of the Carlsbad community, including Mayor Dale Janway and city councilors, spoke out in support of the modification request. In my perception, this request is not an attempt to increase capacity, said Russell Hardy, a Carlsbad resident and director of the Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring and Research Center that provides civilian oversight of WIPP. This permit request is simply an attempt to more efficiently use the resources we have with limited space available to continue to remove defense-related waste from the DOE complex. The hearing continues today. Copyright 2018 Albuquerque Journal It looks like Gov. Susana Martinezs consumer choice option when it comes to occupational licensing will not give consumers much of a choice after all. That provision, part of a larger order the governor issued mandating broad reforms, first needs approval from lawmakers. The same holds true for a section of the order seeking to make it easier for out-of-state professionals to practice in New Mexico, according to information submitted to the Governors Office by the Department of Regulation and Licensing in August. The order, issued Oct. 3, required the states boards and commissions to promulgate rules or policies to accomplish the governors changes. Some of the changes can be done without the Legislature, including licensing fee reductions. But the reason legislative approval is needed for others is that all of the occupations and trades targeted by the executive order from barbers and surveyors to architects and funeral directors are covered by state law. Executive orders are sufficient to mandate changes in regulation, but not to change law. That means lawmakers would have to approve one of the biggest changes in the order the consumer choice provision, which would allow professionals in non-medical-related fields to practice without a license as long as they got a customers signed consent. The exception is for interior designers, who already have authority under state law to practice without a license as long as they let their customers know. Easing reciprocity rules so that professionals in other states could more easily set up shop in New Mexico also would first need a change in numerous board and committee state laws, according to the information submitted by the regulation department. Still, Martinez spokesman Ben Cloutier said the order would create a blueprint for New Mexicos Legislature as well as governors and legislators across the country to move forward on legislation that will create greater access to jobs and economic opportunity. The order was developed with the help of the Institute for Justice, a libertarian group based in Arlington, Va., that has pushed a similar move in other states, according to a senior legislative counsel for the institute. Provisions that do not require legislative approval, according to the Governors Office, are those that would slash licensing fees, update websites so information on licensing is concise and easily visible to applicants; add a check box on applications for military personnel and their families; establish a list of crimes or classifications of crimes to be considered in a licensing request and waive fees for New Mexico families enrolled in state assistance programs. Those items will immediately begin the process of removing unnecessary and burdensome regulatory requirements, Cloutier said. The head of the Regulation and Licensing Department says that he supports deregulation as long as it doesnt affect public health and safety and that his staff will work with boards to recommend legislative changes. Superintendent Mike Unthank said the executive order gives us an opportunity to go to each independent board and see what can be deregulated. In fact, he said, his department and the boards it serves began several years ago to revamp requirements deemed no longer necessary. For example, the department and the Construction Industries Commission dropped a licensing requirement for painters, workers laying ceramic tile and fencing contractors erecting walls under a certain height because there were no safety concerns for those jobs, Unthank said. At the same time, other professions are pushing to make state licensing a requirement. Naturopaths, who use traditional healing methods, want to be licensed so they can treat Medicaid and Medicare patients, Unthank said. The United States, along with seven Middle Eastern partners, including Saudi Arabia, slapped sanctions Tuesday on nine individuals supporting the Taliban regime at a joint meeting in Riyadh. Several people sanctioned have ties to Iran, the Treasury Department said. Business figures Continents and regions Jamal Khashoggi Middle East Middle East and North Africa Misc people Riyadh Saudi Arabia Steven Mnuchin Counterterrorism International relations and national security National security Terrorism Terrorism and counter-terrorism Unrest, conflicts and war Embargoes and sanctions International relations Iran North America The Americas United States Misc organizations Taliban Government and public administration Government bodies and offices Government departments and authorities Government organizations - US Public finance Public finance agencies and treasuries Treasury departments US Department of the Treasury US federal departments and agencies US federal government Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin met with top Saudi leaders and other counterparts from the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait during a visit to the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center, where they unanimously agreed to increase pressure on any persons providing support to the Iranian regime. "The United States and our partners will not tolerate the Iranian regime exploiting Afghanistan to further their destabilizing behavior," Mnuchin said in a statement released after the gathering. "Iran's support to the Taliban stands in stark violation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions and epitomizes the regime's utter disregard for fundamental international norms." Tuesday's actions represent the third coordinated effort by the eight-member coalition since the center opened in May 2017. Treasury said the US government would continue to impose punitive measures until there is a negotiated peace settlement in Afghanistan. Mnuchin has come under pressure during his six-country trip amid furious international pressure over the presumed murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the hands of Saudi agents. The secretary bowed out of a separate high-profile conference hosted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as top banking and finance executives reneged on their previous commitments to participate over deep concerns of Khashoggi's disappearance. Still, the Treasury Department maintained as late as Monday that the secretary's stop in Riyadh, which included a visit to the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center, was necessary in preparation of Iranian sanctions that are set to kick in on November 4. Last year, the US government opened the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center in Saudi Arabia to share information about combating terrorism financing, which the secretary has pledged to visit once a year. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are also members of the group. Tuesday's gathering of US and Middle Eastern leaders comes on the heels of meeting between Mnuchin and Mohammed bin Salman on Monday. A photograph of the meeting between Mnuchin and the crown prince was posted on Twitter by the Saudi foreign ministry. The Treasury Department did not release its own photo of the Mnuchin-Prince Mohammed meeting in Riyadh, but did post photographs of his meetings with other top leaders in Israel and Jordan. Tony Sayegh, Treasury Department spokesman, said Monday that Mnuchin and the crown prince discussed combating terrorism financing, implementing sanctions on Iran and the Khashoggi investigation. Mnuchin's trip to Riyadh follows Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's trip two weeks earlier to meet with the crown prince. Questions over Khashoggi The Saudi regime is under increasing pressure to provide an explanation for Khashoggi's disappearance. On Tuesday, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Khashoggi died as a result of a brutal premeditated murder, rejecting Saudi Arabia's claim that the journalist was killed accidentally. The Washington Post columnist was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, the day a Saudi hit squad allegedly arrived at the consulate. The Saudis on Friday said his death was an accident and say they continue to investigate President Donald Trump said Monday he remains unhappy with the official Saudi explanation, but reiterated that he doesn't want to suspend relations between the two countries, including a multibillion-dollar arms deal inked last year. While the President has tried to refrain from spoiling economic ties with the Saudi government in recent days he's offered fresh skepticism over an evolving explanation for Khashoggi's death. He told reporters on Monday he wasn't pleased with Riyadh's versions of events and that he was eagerly awaiting further details. "I am not satisfied with what I heard," Trump told reporters at the White House, echoing concerns the President has aired mostly in private. He has suggested that Saudi officials, including the crown prince, have not been fully transparent in explaining what happened to the dissident journalist and which officials were involved. On Friday, Saudi Arabia offered an official account alleging the death came after an altercation inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The kingdom said Khashoggi died after a fistfight with a team of officials who were working to secure his return to Saudi Arabia. They said a full report on the kingdom's intelligence services would come in a month. Mnuchin told reporters on Sunday that it would be "premature" to discuss whether the United States would impose sanctions on the Saudi government in response to the Khashoggi's death. CHICO, Calif.- Chico Police arrested a man last night after he hit several parked cars while driving under the influence. On Tuesday around 2:30 a.m. Chico Police Officers were dispatched to the area of W. 5th Street and Chestnut Street. They had received multiple reports of a vehicle colliding into parked vehicles. The callers described the driver attempting to free his car from the cars he had hit and stumbling about the street during his attempts, appearing to be intoxicated. When officers arrived on the scene, they realized that the car had already left the scene. A Butte County Sheriffs Deputy later saw the same car driving in the area of Joshua Tree and E. Lassen Avenue. The car had sustained damage to the front end due to the collision. Officers responded to the scene when they learned about the car and approached the driver, Ryan Argueta, and his passenger, Salvador Argueta. Salvador was injured during the collision and was treated at Enloe Hospital. Ryan was given field sobriety tests and was determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol. He was then arrested and later transported to Butte County Jail. Ryan was charged with Driving Under the Influence and causing injury as well as leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in injury. CHICO, Calif. - The Rotary Club of Oroville is gearing up for "Purple Pinky Night Out" on Wednesday, Oct. 24 to raise money for the effort to eradicate Polio from around the world. Wednesday is also World Polio Day. Since 1985 Rotary International has contributed more than $1.7 billion dollars and countless volunteer hours to tackle the disease through the mass evacuation of children, more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries. In 1985 there were 350,000 polio cases worldwide and this year there have been just 13. Polio is a paralyzing and potentially fatal disease. It can strike any age but mainly affects children under five. One way volunteers used to identify which children had been vaccinated was to paint the fingernail on their pinky finger purple. So, in Oroville, people are being encouraged to do the same on Wednesday to promote awareness. Several Salons have collection containers for donations through Friday. Every $1 donated will be matched by Rotary District 5180. Plus, the bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will donate $2 for every $1 donated. Participating salons include Supercuts, 2110 Salon, Angelina and the Hairman, Live Wise, Great Clips, The Color Room, Pink Cheeks Tanning Salon and Express Yourself Salon and Spa. Wednesday night from 6 - 9 p.m. a number of Oroville restaurants and businesses will have Rotary volunteers as staff to also help raise money. Participating restaurants include Applebee's, Smart & Final, Food Maxx, Lakeside Market, Round Table Pizza and Purple Line Winery. For more infrormation about donating visit www,.myrotary.org. And for more information about World Polio Day visit www.endpolio.com. WASHINGTON - Local leaders from California, Hawaii and Alaska gathered in Washington, DC on Tuesday for the White House State Leadership Conference. At the beginning of the conference, Les Baugh of the Shasta County Board of Supervisors thanked President Trump for the federal aid that the area received for Carr Fire relief. Other topics discussed in the meeting included immigration, border security and the opioid crisis. President Trump praised many county officials for their partnership with the federal government on these issues. Additionally, the President blamed California for failing to prevent its own wildfires and for the money that it is costing the government. A full account of President Trump's remarks is in the video. Havas Group has promoted Anita Nayyar to CEO of Havas Media Southeast (SEA) Asia on the back of an accelerated growth strategy in the region. This is in addition to her role as CEO of Havas Media India. In this newly created role, Nayyars expertise will enable brands in India to expand their footprint to SEA and facilitate cross fertilisation of clients. Nayyar will work closely with regional and local leadership in SEA to drive new business and local client strategy with a sharpened focus on driving growth leveraging Havas Groups integrated abilities. Nayyar will report to Vishnu Mohan, Chairman & CEO of Havas Group, India & Southeast Asia. The appointment is effective immediately. Nayyar joined Havas in 2007 as CEO of Havas Media India. Under her leadership, Havas Media in India has grown exponentially and expanded its offerings as an integrated communications group encompassing traditional, digital, mobile, performance marketing and out-of-home, among others. Her 30+years in the industry has seen her passionately manage a mega portfolio of brands across sectors. A prominent speaker, moderator, panellist and judge at all major events and awards year on year, her views and opinions have been sought after by both Indian and international media. Vishnu Mohan, Chairman & CEO, Havas Group, India & Southeast Asia, remarked, The Southeast (SEA) Asia region has enjoyed remarkable economic progress in recent years, especially the ASEAN countries capitalising on urbanisation, and technology. There is a tremendous opportunity for brands in India to tap into the regions growth story and Anitas experience is an asset that will help us move ahead in that direction. Anitas determination and passion is a testament to Havas Group Indias success and growth over the years and I am confident that her elevation will enhance the value-proposition of our established SEA media operations. Commenting on her promotion, Anita Nayyar said, The ASEAN markets and the overall SEA region is a pivotal market of the future for brands across a range of verticals and the possibilities for growth are endless. As Havas Group continues to build on its integrated model and new organisational structure, Im excited to take on the new challenge andreinforce our commitment to creative excellence and smart media accountability to create new opportunities to boost Havas Media SEAs growth and momentum. Business Television India (BTVI), Indias Premier English Business News Channel, has teamed up with AutoX Magazine, Indias fastest growing automotive publication and portal, to launch the The AutoX Show a weekly, consumer centric show on automobiles that will provide a comprehensive insight into the auto industry by featuring the latest product offering as well as providing a perspective on the overall industry. Announcing the tie-up, Mr. Siddharth Zarabi, Executive Editor, BTVI said, we are extremely pleased to announce the tie-up with the AutoX magazine. The partnership will bring together the television and digital platform strength of BTVI, Indias fastest growing business television channel. I have known Dhruv Behl for years, and am convinced that he, along with his team at Comnet Publishers, bring a deep understanding and unparalleled expertise to the automotive show space. Among Indias largest industrial sectors, automobile manufacturing is also a shining example of Make-In-India. Together with AutoX magazine, we aim to create magic for our viewers with a made-in and made-for Indian viewers viewing experience on television and in the online space. Talking about this collaboration, Mr. Dhruv Behl, Publisher and Editor, said, we celebrate our 12th anniversary in November this year, and I can think of no better way to underline this milestone than by joining hands with BTVI to launch The AutoX Show. My team and I live and breathe the latest cars and bikes, and we cant wait to put BTVIs viewers in the drivers seat of the most exciting industry in the country. Adding to that, Anuj Katiyar, Head of Marketing, Research & Branded Content, BTVI said, auto related shows are extremely popular with business news viewers and it has reflected in viewership trends of our previous auto offering. The collaboration with AutoX allows us to combine BTVIs television might with AutoX magazines print and digital forte to offer superior content to our combined viewers across all three platforms. We are extremely positive and confident about the content and the response it shall have from not only the auto enthusiasts, but also other viewers who would come on the channel just for this show. BTVI has always had very successful auto offerings and we are now making it even bigger and better by collaborating with AutoX magazine. Our television expertise along with the deep understanding of the auto sector of the team will make for a great ride for our viewers. The show will premiere on 10th November at 11 AM on BTVI. It will be repeated on Sunday 9.30 AM and 6.30 PM every week. Chai Pe Charcha, a pioneer in the hospitality industry, has handed over its digital media mandate to sunSTRATEGIC, a leading content marketing and digital agency, headquartered in Mumbai. This was won after a multi-agency pitch. As part of the mandate, sunSTRATEGIC will manage their entire social media marketing duties, including social media management, digital engagement, digital video production, strategy while managing its digital content. The agency will be working towards building a brand culture pan India with relevant and interactive content. The focus will be on promoting the brand as a hygienic tapri, making it unique and different from its competitors. Chai Pe Charchas ambitious plans include expanding to 100 franchisees by 2020. As a brand, they are looking to bring back the concept of enjoyable charcha or light- hearted conversations that were once synonymous with tea-time. sunSTRATEGIC will play a key role in establishing these concepts with the power of content. Mr. Anil Kohli, Founder, Chai Pe Charcha, an O.K. Hospitality LLP venture, says, Our growth plans involve building and strengthening our digital presence through strategic insights and unique solutions. We were impressed by sunSTRATEGICs fresh and quirky ideas for a young brand like ours. With this partnership, we are looking forward to increase our visibility and achieve our business goals. We are excited to work with the brand and re-create tapri moments for every age group. Chai Pe Charcha is a constantly evolving brand, growing by leaps and bounds, and we are delighted to partner with them to create fun and nostalgic campaigns that will engage with the audience, shares Sherina Kapany, Founder, sunSTRATEGIC. With the theme Iss Diwali, Har Dil Bola Tere Naam Ki Coca-Cola, the new Diwali campaign of Coca-Cola India inspires consumers to make this Diwali special for someone. The campaign has a joyful message,that the happiness we derive from moments of genuine human connection will always continue to transcend any differences we may perceive. Coca-Cola has launched a new TV commercial which has been created on the core message of connecting cultures, featuring actor Ayushmann Khurrana and actress Anupriya Goenka. The TVC opens in a porch area of a South Indian house where a North Indian boy is seen leaving the house while talking to his mother on phone. The boy is seen reminiscing about the times he celebrated Diwali back home. His neighbour, a South Indian lady happens to overhear the conversation and starts thinking about it. Upon his return in the evening, the boy witnesses the porch beautifully decorated with diyas and rangoli with Shubh Deepawali adorning the entrance of neighbours home. The boy is elated when he sees the neighbours family standing at the door, as he realizes that the family made all these efforts to make his festival special. Overwhelmed with joy, the boy asks the family if he could do anything to thank them, to which the lady suggests he can share his Coca-Cola with them. The boy smiles and pours Coca-Cola for everyone and starts enjoying the festival. Shrenik Dasani, Vice President- Sparkling Category, Coca-Cola India said, Diwali is a special time of the year which we seek to celebrate at home, with those we love and consider our own people. Sometimes though, we find ourselves away from home and while we celebrate, we are always thinking about that feeling of being among our own people our family, friends and those who share our cultural background. With this in mind, Coca-Colas Diwali campaign brings to audiences a message of sharing and celebrating moments of joyful human connection. It gives a festive call to take that small step and make someones Diwali more special, so that they are among their own people no matter where they happen to be! Prasoon Joshi, Chairman Asia Pacific, CEO & CCO India, McCann Worldgroup said, India is a beautifully diverse country and specially when it comes to festivals, we have a lot to celebrate and share. This campaign is trying to suggest that lets know each others festivals better and celebrate them together for a more united and connected world. The multi-faceted campaign includes a number of consumer touch points, including multi-city social media marketing activations like #ShareAWish, where consumers can share their customised Diwali wishes on Coca-Cola Indias social media channels and Journey in their own languages through greetings, GIFs and voice messages. These messages will also be displayed through outdoor marketing along with the name of the well-wishers. Coca-Cola has also extended the range of festival special gift packs to offer excellent gifting option for consumers. This year, the gift packs will be available in - 4 X 500ml PET, 4 X 600ml PET, 6 X 300ml Cans, 4 X 180ml Cans, 4 X 300ml Cans in an attractive new design with gold motifs. IPG Mediabrands leading media agency Initiative has appointed Alok Sinha as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) in line with the agencys transformational vision merging legacy with new-age dynamism. In his new role Sinha will be driving Initiatives strategic planning nationally and will be working collaboratively with all clients of the agency, including Amazon, Reckitt Benckiser, Bajaj Auto, Dish TV, Too Yumm, Anchor Electricals, and Carlsberg, to name a few. Sinha moves from Ogilvy & Mather, where he headed strategy for the northern region as President Planning. Alok comes with multifaceted experience which is rare to find research, consumer insight, tools, media strategy and account planning in a creative agency. His coming on board is a demonstration of our commitment to raising Initiatives strategy, tools and product to a whole new level. I am delighted to have him on board, said Shashi Sinha, CEO, IPG Mediabrands. Armed with a bachelors degree in Physics and an MBA in Marketing, Sinha began his career as a trainee with Lintas (now Lowe) in Mumbai with their research wing, Pathfinders. He then moved to the Gallup Organization, where he managed to transform its smallest revenue client into its biggest. Seeking a more well-rounded exposure, Sinha then moved to the creative side and joined Ogilvy & Mather as a planner, where he worked on brands like IBM, Unilever and Vodafone. His stint in Ogilvy was followed by a long period in media agencies, including Carat and Mindshare, in multiple roles ranging from Communication Planning & Business Development to Strategy and Tools & Process both in India and the Asia Pacific region. Talking about his association with Initiative, he said, I am back to Media where my heart belongs. Initiative is in a process of transformation and I am thrilled to be part of this change. Product of the Year (POY), the worlds largest consumer-voted award for product innovation, has partnered with omnichannel experts PointNine Lintas to design its communication strategy. After ten successful years of celebrating the best innovations in consumer products and services, Product of the Year(POY), the worlds largest consumer voted award for product innovation is back with its invigorated eleventh edition. The latest edition is bigger and better with exciting categories and a stronger selection process. Established 30 years ago in France, POY currently operates in over 40 countries with an effort to guide consumers to the best products in their market and reward manufacturers for quality and innovation. The awards are backed by the votes of a large consumer base. PointNine Lintas will work closely with the Product of the Year team to chart out the communication roadmap across traditional and digital channels for the coming months. Speaking about the association with PointNine Lintas, Raj Arora, CEO of Product of the Year India, said, We are proud to partner with PointNine Lintas as our agency of choice. They bring to the table a holistic and refreshing approach, and we are confident that together we will exceed expectations this season. Vikas Mehta of PointNine Lintas said, Being a brand for brands, Product of the Year (POTY) is a very interesting win for us. Raj and his team have put in a lot of hard work over the past ten years in bringing the platform this far. Coming in as their agency in the eleventh year, the priority for us is to help the platform leap into its next stage of evolution into becoming one of Indias most prestigious. Theres been a natural meeting of minds in our discussions so far, about the future of these awards and I would like to see this relationship grow into a deeper partnership. With an array of renowned brands in India and globally, such as Pantene, Nerolac, Ariel, Max Bupa, Nestle and McCain on its winners roster, Product of the Year India has become a very powerful and impactful label within a short span of 10 years. Entries for POY 2019 are now open which will entitle the winners to use the POY 2019 title from 1st April, 2019 to 31st March, 2020 (one year). Times Bridge, the global investments and partnerships arm of The Times Group, Indias oldest and largest media company, and South China Morning Post (SCMP), a leading global news media company that has reported on China and Asia for more than a century, today announced a strategic partnership. As a part of this alliance, select content from SCMP will be published on Times of India's digital, mobile and web platforms and Times of India will be SCMPs primary partner in India for content syndication. This partnership will be the first of its kind between SCMP and any media company in India. The unique alliance will give Times of Indias readers access to international news from China and Hong Kong. India has the world's second largest English-speaking population and a rapidly expanding internet user base, which is expected to reach 850 million by 2022.This partnership, is a bold step towards the growing base of Times of Indias digital platforms, which has a significant number of monthly readers across web and mobile. SCMP is undergoing a significant transformation as it expands from being Hong Kongs paper of record to a global media company. It has added three digital media platforms to its portfolio Abacus, Inkstone and Goldthread and entered into partnerships with key media around the globe. This partnership also bolsters SCMPs recent expansion in the Southeast Asia region, which includes new hires and its first China Conference outside of Hong Kong, to be held in Kuala Lumpur this October. Margot Ling, GM, Greater China, Times Bridge, said, It brings us immense pleasure to be a part of this unique alliance. In this era of connected worlds, Indian readers are always on the lookout for news from across the globe, and this partnership will enable them to easily access content from Greater China, due to Times of Indias high reach. As an independent, English newspaper reporting on China, India is a natural market for SCMP, noted Gary Liu, CEO, SCMP. In our increasingly interconnected world, this partnership will give Times of India readers further insight into China and will continue to expand SCMPs global reach. Puneet Gupt, COO News, Times Internet, said, As the leading digital news platform in India, Times of India is dedicated to bringing both local and global insights to its readers. This strategic partnership with SCMP creates a gateway for our readers to understand more about Greater China via our digital platforms. In spring 1903, more than a thousand men were at work on the final stages of the Spier Falls hydropower project. A large number of skilled Italian masons and stoneworkers were housed in a shantytown on the Warren County (north) side of the river. Most of the remaining work was on the Saratoga County (south) side, which they accessed by a temporary bridge. But the company feared that the high waters of springtime had made the bridge unsafe. To avert a potential catastrophe, they destroyed it with dynamite. After that, crossing the river was achieved about a half-mile downstream from the dam, where a cable-controlled scow, 30 feet long and 13 feet wide, served as a ferry. Past loads had included two debris-filled trucks on one trip, and about 150 men on another, so it was considered safe. On Friday, March 6, all crossings were completed without issue except for one in the evening, when a young Italian boy known as Cigarette because he seemed to smoke nonstop became scared for some reason and fell overboard, but was rescued. At six oclock the next morning, men lined up for the ride, but due to high-water conditions, ferry operator Arthur Crannel allowed only about 75 men aboard for the crossing. Because the craft was controlled by cables, it held its position against the fast current, causing water to splash against the upstream side of the boat. Fearing an accident was about to happen, the same youth, Cigarette, reached precariously for one of the control ropes. Witnesses on shore and aboard the ferry saw several other passengers move towards him, presumably to prevent a repeat of the dunking he received the night before. Instead, the sudden shift of their weight caused the upstream side to dip, allowing the scow to fill with water, which dipped the craft deeper and sent its human cargo into the river. In the chaotic moments that followed, the scow, relieved of its load and still held by the cable, righted itself, allowing many men to grip the sides until it reached the landing. Those who hadnt boarded began rushing downstream to help rescue several victims. Others in the water made it to shore on their own. On the south side of the river, teams of horses carried men to sites downstream where it was believed some victims might be found. Unfortunately, hats, coats, and lunch pails were retrieved, but nothing else. It wasnt until late afternoon, about nine hours after the accident, that the body of Fred Ferran, a crew foreman, was recovered from a logjam about two miles below the dam. Near that same location, Pasquale Cafarellis remains were found. Later, the body of another Italian, said to be Cigarette, was recovered. The only non-Italian among the missing was stone mason Frank Kennedy. The effort to recover more victims was hampered by high water, floating logs, and general debris carried by the fast current. But that wasnt the only problem facing survivors and the company, who strongly disagreed over how many men had perished. The company announced that four men had drowned, but said fears of greater loss were allayed when others who were reported missing eventually came ashore within two miles below the dam. Newspapers in dozens of states published that story, but others reported that the Italians claimed nearly 20 men had drowned. The dispute continued for some time until company records, using the employee-identification numbers, confirmed that 19 men had died, 18 of them Italians. While the search continued, so did the suffering. The body of Fred Ferran, the first to be recovered, was taken to the home of his mother-in-law in Warrensburg on Sunday, March 8, in anticipation of the funeral. His wife, Blanche, was shaken beyond words, but her mother provided comfort and convinced Blanche to take a nap, for she hadnt slept since the accident. Rising in the early afternoon, she spent several minutes with Freds body, then walked past family members to the woodshed and shot herself, dying within the hour. A note contained her final wishes. To My Family: I have done all I could for dear Fred. Now it seems that I must go with him. We were so happy together that I cannot live on without him. As a last request of mine, lay us together with Alfreds baby. I am sure he would want it so, as I could not be buried in the Catholic cemetery. [She had been divorced earlier.] We loved each other so dearly that we must go together. He said to me many times that if I went, he would go, too. Now that God took him first, I must go with him. Forgive me in this for it is better so. Blanche Ferran There was also a postscript: Have a priest or minister, but in any case take us together. Bury us in the same coffin. Blanches mother complied with her wishes, arranging a double funeral held in a church so packed that the crowd spilled outside. She and Fred were buried in the same grave. While the search went on for more remains, the Italian consul in Albany visited Spier Dam to assess what had happened. He then hired an attorney to investigate further and determine if the company might be liable to the surviving relatives for civil penalties. Downstream five miles from the falls was a boom at Big Bay containing several thousand logs. (The site of Big Bay is skirted today by the Northway just to the east.) For victims possibly caught beneath the boom, any bodies raised to the surface by decomposition gases would soon sink again, making their discovery very unlikely. Also within that five-mile span were many pieces of trees and other debris swept downstream by the spring melt. Any of those obstructions might keep a sunken body hidden from view. Some successes were reported by searchers who refused to give up. In late April, one victim was found at Big Bay. In late May, putrefaction apparently acted on the remains of others who had drowned. Over the course of about a week, several badly decomposed bodies were found floating in the river. There are no clear records of loss or recovery. Various sources claimed that 17 or 19 workers were lost, and about ten bodies were recovered before the search was discontinued. For a couple of days during the third week of August, after the gates of the Spier Falls Dam were closed, the riverbed was nearly dry in some places. Many men took the opportunity to search for victims, but none were found. In May 1904, the National Leaflet, published monthly by the National Protective Society, a Detroit-based insurance organization that tracked accidents from coast to coast, said that 19 people perished in the ferry accident at Spier Falls. We also know that at least ten other people, seven of them Italians, died in accidents during construction of the dam. And it would be hard to argue against Blanche Ferrans inclusion among the projects victims. While we can only speculate how many lives the dam has saved via flood control, we do know that at least 29 were lost during the construction phase. Had the large depression in the Hudsons bed not been an issue, the project would have been completed in fall 1902, precluding the terrible ferry accident of spring 1903. 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. Both U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry and National Nuclear Security Administration chief Lisa Gordon-Hagerty attended and participated in a Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility summit with the president last week, according to U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C. "Oh, yeah, she was there," Wilson said of Gordon-Hagerty. "So she was there and so was Secretary Perry." Wilson, a fervent fan of the now-canceled MOX project, was one of several South Carolina officials including U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster and S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson who were also at that meeting. All are Republicans. First wave of MOX layoff notifications expected in November, message says The first chunk of Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility employees to be laid off will likely receive a heads up next month, according to a bu During the forward-looking MOX meeting, President Donald Trump was "listening to all sides," Joe Wilson said Tuesday following a speech to the Aiken Republican Club. "As always, the president, he actually pays attention," the congressman said. "Rick and Lisa gave their point, and then the governor, and then both U.S. senators, and then finally the congressperson got to make comments," he continued, referencing himself in third person. "And we respectfully disagreed with the views, what was presented." U.S. Office of Management and Budget representatives were present at the MOX meeting, too. Mick Mulvaney, a South Carolina political veteran and the current OMB director, was not, according to Joe Wilson. Mulvaney was critical of MOX during a conference with South Carolina leaders in September, according to a handful of those who attended. MOX is an incomplete facility, located at the Savannah River Site, designed to turn weapons-grade plutonium into fuel for commercial reactors. Both Perry and Gordon-Hagerty have repeatedly argued against the MOX project and its completion. On May 10, Perry submitted a MOX-killing waiver to congressional defense committees. On Oct. 10, the NNSA, a semiautonomous U.S. Department of Energy agency, terminated the MOX contract in its entirety. Both Perry and Gordon-Hagerty have expressed support for dilute-and-dispose, another plutonium disposition method, which involves mixing plutonium with inert material for burial offsite. Budget chief Mick Mulvaney critical of MOX during White House conference U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who strongly supports the project, has described the MOX process as "taking a sword and South Carolina's MOX-hopeful have repeatedly called into question if not fully ridiculed the dilute-and-dispose approach. Joe Wilson said Graham, during the White House meeting, made it "emphatically clear" dilute-and-dispose would prove troublesome. In respective statements issued after the Oct. 18 White House get-together, Graham, Scott and Joe Wilson thanked the president for his time and attention. Scott described the conversation as "very productive," noting the president was "certainly open to our comments." Joe Wilson described it as "productive." Multiple inquiries submitted to the NNSA about meeting attendance have not been returned. Under condemnations and threats of boycott from Egyptian film directors and intellectuals, the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), the oldest film festival in the Middle East, has backpedaled from an earlier decision to pay homage to French film director Claude Lelouch during its 40th edition next month. The cancellation comes after several artists and intellectuals protested the festival's decision to give the Faten Hamama Honorary Award to the French director, on the grounds that he is "a supporter of Israel" and called the country his homeland during a visit in 2016. Lelouch, whose film A Man and A Woman won the Palme dOr in Cannes in 1966, comes from a Jewish-Algerian family. A source at the festival who requested anonymity told Al-Monitor that the honoring of Lelouch had been canceled, even though it has not been "officially announced" yet. Ahmed Shawky, the assistant artistic director at CIFF, told Al-Monitor that the festival has already taken "a decision," but he gave no date for the official statement. Shawky insisted on not revealing the decision until the release of the statement. However, several newspapers quoted CIFF President Mohamed Hefzy and artistic director Youssef Cherif Rizkallah as saying that the festival would cancel the ceremony during the festival's opening Nov. 20. Initially, the festival organizers had been reluctant to cancel the decision. We should not consider every director or artist who has visited Israel to be an enemy of the Arabs. If we act like this, we would remain isolated, Hefzy told Al-Ahram newspaper Oct. 10. CIFF's advisory committee released a statement Oct. 17 asking the public to send any documentation that shows the political position of Lelouch against the Palestinians. This development spread the rumors that the festival may cancel the invitation if there is substantial evidence of the French directors support for Israel. The controversy reached its peak last week, after several filmmakers and intellectuals including cinematographer Saeed Shimi, actress Fardous Abdel Hamid and film director Mohamed Fadel denounced the festivals invitation to Lelouch and urged the organizers to cancel the homage to the French director. They said Lelouch backed Israel on different occasions, not just on his last trip in 2016. Although Egypt and Israel signed a peace treaty in 1979 that included a complete withdrawal by Israel from the Sinai Peninsula, mutual recognition, ending the state of war and normalization of relations, state-run unions and institutions, including the Egyptian Federation of the Artistic Unions, still refuse to normalize relations with Israel. In addition, the Egyptian public regard Israel as the enemy." On Oct. 17, a number of filmmakers, writers and intellectuals posted a statement on Facebook blaming the festival for planning to honor Lelouch, who adores the Zionist entity. They described it as a violation of the Egyptian Federation of the Artistic Unions stance that rejects all forms of normalization with the Zionist enemy and its devotees. The statement continued that Lelouch, 80, has said in the past that he considers Israel his homeland, and that the French director had cooperated in November 1990 with the Israeli army during its occupation of Lebanon. Different political views are normal among people and artists. But it is normal also for me as an Arab to demand the cancellation of honoring someone who went to Israel and announced his ultimate support to what [the country] does to the Palestinian people, said Malek Khouri, professor of film studies and former director of the Film Program at the American University in Cairo and one of the signatories of the statement. We wonder why the organizers did not choose another famous figure rather than Lelouch, Khouri told Al-Monitor. We dont say that we should only invite people who support the Palestinian issue. But why do we choose a person whose support of Israel creates so many question marks for the Egyptians? He added that the organizers had not done their homework of researching Lelouch's past sufficiently. Khouri was among those who urged disinviting Lelouch. I think there will not be any international response if the invitation is canceled. On the contrary, the cancellation would be greatly welcomed by the Egyptians, Arab countries and even Western countries, because there are many global campaigns that call for boycotting Israel in artistic, social and political activities, Khouri noted. Not everyone agrees with that, however. In any situation you may meet Israelis not only supporters [of the Palestinian issue] so you will have to decide whether to withdraw from a competition or to compete with them. In a large international film festival like the Cannes Film Festival we usually participate with a film and so does Israel. Do we not take part and let them have that platform? Egyptian film critic and writer Magda Khairallah told Al-Monitor. She said that canceling the honoring of Lelouch makes CIFF look inconsistent. Support of Israel is a contested issue in the Egyptian cinema. In 2010, Egypt's Cinema Syndicate accused actor Khaled Nabawy of "normalizing ties with Israel" when he starred in the film "Fair Game" alongside Israeli actress Liraz Charhi. The actor was criticized by syndicate officials after embracing Charhi on the red carpet during the film's premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. In 2008, actor Amr Waked was criticized for taking on the role of Saddam Hussein's son-in-law in the BBC mini-series House of Saddam. Israeli actor Igal Naor played Saddam. However, El Gouna Film Festival, which took place in September, honored actor Sylvester Stallone with a Lifetime Achievement Award, even though he is known to be pro-Israel and attended in 2014 an annual event in support of the Israeli army. The festival's decision did not result in a public outcry on the contrary, Stallones visit to Egypt was celebrated. Im against these double standards. Normalization with Israel has become a loose term, Khairallah said. The Cairo International Film Festival, which takes place on Nov. 20- 29, is expected to host 107 feature and documentary films from different countries, including Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Jordan, Libya, Iraq and Tunisia. This year, the festival features a special section titled Arab Female Directors in order to celebrate the works of eight female directors from Egypt, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan commanded a global audience from Ankara today, addressing for the first time in detail the circumstances surrounding the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. But the Turkish leader stopped short of accusing any of the kingdoms leaders by name. Erdogan, who had riveted the world with pledges to reveal the truth in all its nakedness today, asserted that Khashoggi had been killed in a savage premeditated murder. We have strong evidence in our hands that shows the murder wasnt accidental but was instead the outcome of a planned operation, Erdogan told members of his ruling Justice and Development Party in a parliamentary address that was broadcast live and translated simultaneously into Arabic and English. Erdogan went on to describe in detail information that had for the most part already been steadily leaked by Turkish officials to the media since the Washington Post columnists disappearance on Oct. 2: that a team of 15 Saudi security officials had flown into Istanbul to carry out the murder and the ensuing coverup. Erdogan said he wanted the perpetrators, who Saudi officials say have been detained, to be tried in a Turkish court of law. However, dashing expectations, Erdogan made no mention of a much touted audio tape that Turkish officials say proves how Khashoggi was murdered. Its origin is a source of unremitting speculation that Turkey had planted spies inside the Saudi Consulate. Analysts say that Erdogans speech makes it clear that Turkey will continue to apply pressure on the Saudis in a dramatic escalation in the existing regional Sunni power struggle pitting Erdogan and fellow Muslim Brotherhood-oriented leaders, notably the emir of Qatar, against a bloc of Saudi-led powers that includes the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. The former draws its power from the people through elections, however flawed, said Behlul Ozkan, a professor of international relations at Istanbuls Marmara University. The latter bloc rules autocratically and feels deeply threatened by the Turkish model, he told Al-Monitor. The rivalry between the blocs burst into the open when Egyptian strongman Abdel Fatthah el-Sisi toppled the democratically elected pro-Muslim Brotherhood President Mohammed Morsi in 2013. The establishment of a Turkish military base in Qatar and its recent rapprochement with another Gulf sheikdom, Kuwait, marks the first time since 1916, when the Ottomans ruled over much of the Middle East, that Turkey has reached into the Gulf, which the Saudis see as their own backyard, Ozkan noted. Erdogan remains convinced that the United Arab Emirates own Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed called MBZ for short helped bankroll the failed July 2016 coup to overthrow him. Erdogan sees this as payback time. He is thinking, They thought they could get rid of me, well they couldnt, said Omer Taspinar, a professor who lectures on the Middle East at the National Defense University. He added of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is commonly called MBS, MBZ is MBS intellectual mentor. Still, Erdogan has refrained from openly confronting the Saudis and was at pains to paint Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud in a positive light. The kings sincerity about wanting to get to the bottom of Khashoggis death was not under question. More critically, Erdogan did not unveil a smoking gun that directly implicates the kings designated successor. The crown prince is widely believed to have ordered Khashoggis death. This leaves MBS wondering what further evidence Turkey actually possesses, Taspinar told Al-Monitor. By creating the impression it has more incriminating material (and it may well not), Turkey hopes to create time and momentum for MBS enemies inside the kingdom to topple him. Khashoggis Turkish connections went beyond his emotional entanglement with fiancee Hatice Cengiz, a Turkish researcher on Oman with close ties to pro-Muslim Brotherhood circles in Turkey. Khashoggi, a vocal critic of the crown prince, was part of a Qatari- and Turkish-backed effort to mobilize opposition against him, Taspinar said. The crown prince was bracing for this moment, and the mass arrests of fellow princes in November last year was a pre-emptive bid to nip any palace coups in the bud. Though his father continues to stick by him, his alleged role in the columnists death may have been a step too far. Erdogans address came as CIA director Gina Haspel arrived in Ankara, reportedly to examine Turkeys evidence. Her arrival is meant to signal that the Trump administration takes the charges that are being indirectly leveled against the Saudi crown prince, President Donald Trumps favorite Arab royal, seriously. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin's meeting with the crown prince on the eve of a conference to present his vision for the future of the kingdom, a summit that has been shunned by global business and political leaders, has raised many eyebrows. Indeed, Haspel's assignation with Turkish intelligence czar Hakan Fidan could be the CIAs way of upending the White Houses attempts to shield MBS, Ozkan speculated. There is a lot of maneuvering going on, but in terms of media messaging, Turkey incontestably has the upper hand. As part of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchins visit to Saudi Arabia, the United States and its Gulf allies announced new sanctions implicating Iran today. The latest round of sanctions target seven members of the Afghan Taliban as well as two of their alleged accomplices inside Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Irans provision of military training, financing and weapons to the Taliban is yet another example of Tehrans blatant regional meddling and support for terrorism, Mnuchin said in a statement. The United States and our partners will not tolerate the Iranian regime exploiting Afghanistan to further their destabilizing behavior. IRGC officer Mohammad Ebrahim Owhadi stands accused of providing weapons to Afghan government opponents. His colleague Esmail Razavi allegedly oversaw a base in Iran tasked with providing training, intelligence and arms to Taliban forces. Why it matters: This is the third batch of sanctions implemented by the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center, a joint US-Gulf venture established last year as part of President Donald Trumps trip to Saudi Arabia. Although Mnuchin pulled out of todays high-profile Saudi investment conference following the international uproar over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the Treasury secretary did attend an anti-terrorism financing summit in Riyadh. The Trump administration relies on Riyadh to pursue its hard-line Iran strategy and other Middle East policies. Allies of convenience: Ahmad Majidyar, a fellow at the Middle East Institute, writes that Tehran supports the Taliban to hinder the construction of Afghan dams, which Iran fears could exacerbate its water shortages. Iran also seeks to undermine the US military presence in Afghanistan. Whats next: Following Trumps withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, the United States is set to impose its most sweeping round of sanctions on Tehran early next month. The sanctions will force foreign companies to reduce their Iranian oil imports or risk banishment from the US financial system. Know more: Congressional correspondent Bryant Harris has the low-down on how Mnuchins trip to Saudi Arabia allows Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to save face. And Al-Monitor contributor Barbara Slavin has a good read on how Khashoggis death undercuts Trumps broader Iran strategy. -Bryant Harris Iran's First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, who is said to be representing the Reformist camp in President Hassan Rouhani's administration, could be one step closer to resignation. The speculation gained momentum after Jahangiri broke his silence about his hands being tied. "To this moment, I havent had the power to dismiss my secretary let alone a minister," he said during a ceremony in Tehran Oct. 21. The comment triggered "a massive quake" in Iran's political scene, raising the question as to what forced Jahangiri to "pour his heart out." According to the Reformist daily Arman, Jahangiri is rarely approached for consultation on important decisions; rather, it is another inner circle surrounding Rouhani that has the say and remains "reluctant to see Jahangiri play a role." "If I was in his position where I had no authority to fire a secretary, I would not have continued to stay in the Cabinet one more day," said Gholam-Hossein Karbaschi, an influential figure among Iran's pragmatists who is being blamed for indirectly crippling Jahangiri's powers. He denied, however, any knowledge about Jahangiri's potential departure. Yet Elias Hazrati, a leading Reformist parliamentarian, noted that the pace of events signaled Jahangiri's resignation. In an Instagram post Oct. 22, Jahangiri defended the performance of Rouhani's first-term administration (2013-17), where he apparently enjoyed greater influence. "We managed to restore stability to the country's economy and shift the international balance [in favor of Iran]. I still stand for all those achievements." He made no mention of the current administration's (2017-) record. Jahan Sanat, a daily that routinely criticizes the Rouhani government, also wrote on the resignation rumors, saying "Jahangiri has set off the alarms of departure." The paper referred to a recent meeting between Rouhani and Iran's top economists, where Jahangiri "was not let in" interpreting it as Jahangiri's shrinking authority. The editorial accused a "triangle" within the administration of isolating Jahangiri. The key figure in that triangle is Mahmoud Vaezi, the chief of staff, believed to be behind the major appointments and replacements. The paper then insisted that with "such a reduced position," it's high time that Jahangiri stepped down. On the other hand, hard-line news agency Mashregh cast doubt on the possibility of Jahangiri's farewell. Citing analysis about his role in a key but failed government strategy aimed at containing Iran's troubled currency market in April, Mashregh suggested that Jahangiri's complaint was contradictory. On social media, some argued that Jahangiri would be better off resigning to avoid further humiliation. "Although it's very late, he ought to leave this administration of hypocrisy today." There were also loud voices in his defense and against the president. One user wrote, "Rouhani must explain what is going on in his administration. How long is his close circle going to continue the horse-ride alone?!" If Jahangiri's discontent suggested cracks among Iran's Reformists, another revelation the day after his Oct. 21 remarks marked even more serious differences on a larger scale inside the ruling elite. For years, institutions run by Iran's supreme leader have been blamed for exercising excessive authority and infringing upon the powers of sitting administrations. On this, Ezzatollah Zarghami, a conservative politician and former head of the state broadcaster, spilled the beans with a key revelation. "Some gentlemen had proposed that some institutions, such as those under the auspices of the supreme leader, take hold of the country's management," a request that Zarghami said was rejected by the supreme leader. That probably happened during a certain period last summer when hard-liners openly exerted pressure on Rouhani to step down. Among them, Yahya Rahim Safavi, a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) who now serves as a military adviser to the supreme leader, was more than frank. "Sometimes it seems that without the government [of President Rouhani], the country will enjoy a better management," said Safavi, while a group of parliamentarians also turned up the heat by raising the debate on disqualifying Rouhani. Now, with the Jahangiri factor added to the equation, the question of who is doing what and who calls the shots in Iran's top management has once again come to the fore. At a time when Rouhani is being squeezed over several vacant ministerial positions in his Cabinet, the departure of Jahangiri is probably the last thing he needs. KARBALA, Iraq Two recent attacks have killed four members of the Iraqi army at or near the Akkas gas field near the Iraqi border town of Qaim. An Oct. 11 attack on the gas field allegedly conducted by the Islamic State (IS) resulted in the death of at least two Iraqi army officers. Akkas was retaken from IS almost a year ago. On Oct. 16, a freshly planted IED on a road near the gas field killed one more officer and a soldier and injured two others while Al-Monitor was in Qaim. The Akkas gas field is one of the largest in Iraq. After the field was retaken from IS, it was placed under the control of a Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) militia, Kataib Hezbollah (Hezbollah Brigades). Recently, however, it was transferred to Iraqi army control. The western Anbar commander for the PMUs, Qassim Musleh, told Al-Monitor in an interview in his office in the Karbala shrine complex Oct. 11, This [attack] only happened because they took it away from us and gave it to the army, which is under the Americans. Musleh, who is also head of the Tufuf Brigade, added, The army is weak. It cant control anything. Local security sources contacted by Al-Monitor in Qaim claimed that non-local PMUs were actually behind the attack. The sources said the move was in retaliation for cutting the route used by PMU fighters to bring supplies into Syria, and to prevent investment during a crucial period for the region. Anbar, Iraqs westernmost and largest province, is overwhelmingly Sunni, while the non-local PMUs are mostly Shiite. The long-standing reluctance of the army to admit that non-local PMUs are still active in the area, including in Qaim, has given way to quiet admission. This Al-Monitor correspondent was the only Western journalist to accompany Iraqi troops on the operations to liberate both Qaim and Rawa, the last major IS-held cities in the country, late last year, and has repeatedly reported about the continued presence of non-local PMUs in the area. Local Sunni PMUs, including the Aaly al-Furat Brigade and Kataib al-Hamza, work more closely with the Iraqi army. Aaly al-Furat was trained by Danish special forces and equipped by the United States. During the Oct. 11 interview in the Karbala shrine complex, Musleh told Al-Monitor, The time has come for a fatwa against America. A fatwa issued in June 2014 by Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, resulted in the formation of the volunteer PMU forces, some of which were later incorporated into Iraqi security forces and now receive government salaries. The fatwa came after IS had made major gains in the country. Musleh saw a grand conspiracy behind the security changes at Qaim. The Americans want the Iraqi army to have control of the road between Iraq and Syria because if the PMUs do, they wont be able to control us and they wont be able to move the terrorists across the border, Musleh said, insinuating when not explicitly stating repeatedly throughout the interview that the United States created and continues to support IS in order to to control the country. An incident in late September led to a much lower profile for Danish special forces in western Anbar, if not their withdrawal. Sources whom Al-Monitor had contacted before about the Danes' presence in the area were reluctant to discuss the matter and whether or not any Danish troops remain there. Musleh said Danish forces shot at the PMU headquarters in Qaim and spoke of the United States as the enemy throughout the entire interview, barely mentioning IS at all except to claim that the Americans were supporting it. America and the [Iraqi] government didnt allow us to advance for months sometimes in areas that would have taken only a few days [to clear out], he said. The government and US forces agreed to stop the PMUs, he added, indicating that there was a concerted effort to reduce and downplay the role the PMUs had in saving the country. The PMU brigade commander said he had never heard of the Razaza checkpoint incident in which hundreds of men from Anbar reportedly disappeared at the hands of the non-local PMUs there. Mohammed al-Halbusi, the former governor of Anbar who was recently elected speaker of the parliament, told Al-Monitor in two previous interviews that he believed the men were being held in Jurf al-Sakr, in the Babil region bordering Anbar and Karbala, by Kataib Hezbollah. Kataib Hezbollah has taken part in many battles alongside the Tufuf Brigades and the two groups are considered closely linked. Musleh made some easily disputed claims throughout the interview, such as that the city of Rawa had been liberated before Qaim. He said he had called the Karbala mosque before the Friday prayers to make the announcement that we had retaken the last IS-held city in Iraq when the border city was entered. When the PMUs entered Abu Kamal just across the border in Syria, he added, grinning, that was the final blow to the US. Musleh also claimed to have helped the people in Qaim more than the government. As an example, he said that he had sent a retired gynecologist to the city and her daughter, who is a dentist and that he is paying for all their needs. When Al-Monitor visited the city early this year there had not been a single gynecologist or obstetrician at the one functioning hospital. By June one had been sent from Baghdad who came for 10 days every month. The deputy director of the Qaim hospital, Dr. Abd al-Jabbar, confirmed that a retired female doctor originally from Qaim was being financially supported by Musleh in exchange for being unofficially on call for emergency cases when no other doctor was around. He added that all the security forces were helping the hospital a great deal but that Musleh had personally been especially helpful, including by hauling rubble from the destroyed areas of the hospital away. Whether this was an attempt to gain support among a distrusting population in an area crucial for supply lines into Syria or done as a religious duty is up for debate. Western aid organizations also continue to help the city. On Oct. 18, BTselem director Hagai El-Ad addressed the UN Security Council about the situation of the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. You are a citizen of the State of Israel who is serving our enemies, Israels Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon lashed out at El-Ad after his UN speech. They are using you against us. IDF soldiers guard you, and you came here to defame them. Shame on you. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the speech by the director of El-Ad as a disgrace. Opposition Knesset member Yair Lapid, head of the centrist Yesh Atid party, tweeted, BTselems speech at the UNSC was a predictable mix of lies, distortions and propaganda. El-Ad responded to the condemnations with an op-ed in Haaretz, writing that the real disgrace was continuing to oppress and kill the Palestinians. And its disgrace to lead Israelis farther and farther down this slope. Israeli human rights organizations, BTselem among them, are used to almost daily attacks against them. Their leaders, activists and researchers devote themselves to the important tasks they undertake despite the personal toll it often exacts. They are dubbed radical left with left having long ago become a dirty word in Israel traitors, collaborators with the enemy and Israel haters. Some suffer physical violence; others face calls for their citizenship to be revoked. Still, they keep going despite the burning hatred they experience, believing it their duty to show Israelis what they would rather not see the injustice of 51 years of Israeli occupation. This time, however, El-Ads Security Council speech came in for criticism from several different directions, some of his colleagues included. Quite a few Israeli human rights groups are unhappy with his decision to accept an invitation by Bolivia, a non-permanent Security Council member, and deliver his controversial speech to the international body. El-Ad caused damage to all the human rights organizations, not just to BTselem, a top activist in one of the largest organizations told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. El-Ads speech has no historical value, according to this activist, and would certainly not promote any peace process or bring about an end to the occupation. But everyone is suffering and will suffer the shock wave of hatred (from the Israeli public), he added with concern. No member of the human rights groups has publicly attacked El-Ad over his speech, and the criticism is only heard behind closed doors so as not to exacerbate the damage. Speaking out against BTselem is like shooting inside an armored personnel carrier, another human rights activist told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, explaining that the anger stems from the content of El-Ads speech in which he appeared to be calling on members of the Security Council to impose sanctions on Israel. El-Ads critics are also angry that he failed to consult with other organizations before accepting the Bolivian invitation. Ambassador Danon was right to attack him, reminding him that Bolivia itself tramples human rights while he had come at its invitation to criticize Israeli democracy, the activist said. He did not consult anyone, even though all the organizations usually cooperate and often act under the same umbrella, another senior official at one of the organizations told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. Now we have to take the flak. His organization, he added, would not have picked this timing and this venue to deliver a speech against the occupation. Even had it chosen to do so, it would have used a different tone. The tone of the things El-Ad said did not convey the sense that he was motivated by worry about his homeland and his love for it, although there is no doubt of his sincere concern. For example, he accused Israel of killing Palestinians on the Gaza border without directing any responsibility toward other players in the arena, such as (Palestinian President Mahmoud) Abbas and Hamas. Israeli human rights organizations have long debated whether they should focus their activity inside Israel or take it abroad, wondering whether the task of convincing the Israeli public is doomed to failure and that therefore the brunt of the activity should be directed at the international community in order for it to force Israel into reaching an agreement with the Palestinians. For now, many organizations have decided to act in tandem domestically and abroad to present to the world the injustices of the occupation being led by the right-wing government, but to do so judiciously and responsibly so as not to alienate the Israeli public. After all, these organizations aim to show Israelis the implications and threat of the occupation to Israels future. No one in the human rights organizations seems as presumptuous as to think they can change the ideological perceptions of right-wing activists and settlers. Nonetheless, BTselem, Breaking the Silence, Yesh Din, Physicians for Human Rights and other groups believe a broad segment of the public can still be shocked and influenced by video clips, photographs, data and stories documenting the evils of the occupation. They point to exposure of the Elor Azaria incident (where an IDF soldier shot a wounded Palestinian assailant), the evacuation of the illegal settlement of Amona and destruction of illegally built housing for seminary students in the settlement of Beit-El as cases in point. Had it not been for the organizations activities in highlighting the theft of Palestinian lands and the humiliation of Palestinians at army roadblocks, the Israeli public would have treated the complex reality spawned by the military occupation the way successive Israeli governments portrayed it. For example, the BTselem documentation project of recent years through cameras handed out to Palestinians under occupation is one of the most important it has conducted, because one can hardly argue with photographs and video footage. One video showing a terrified Palestinian family as Israeli soldiers carry out a search of its home in the middle of the night is far more effective than El-Ads Jaccuse at the UN. A BTselem volunteer was the one who filmed Elor Azaria shooting the terrorist as he lay unmoving on a street in the town of Hebron. When the video went online it generated an international storm and no one doubted that BTselem had done its job faithfully. BTselem is a uniquely important organization, and it would be regrettable if the next clip filmed in the occupied territories by one of its volunteers or by any other human rights activists fails to stir up shock and anger because of one unimportant speech at the UN Security Council. BTselem spokesperson Amit Gilutz told Al-Monitor in response: The occupation is being conducted above the heads of the Palestinians. After all, they do not take part in the democratic process in Israel. The very thought that Israeli politicians can keep making decisions for them is distorted. BTselem is committed to continue acting against the occupation both in Israel and abroad, and certainly at the UN Security Council, the most important international forum. A breakthrough in the Cabinet formation process in Lebanon remains elusive despite recent indications that a power sharing formula might be imminent. While the major obstacle to forming the government is primarily linked to inter- and intra-sectarian rivalries, the impact of foreign powers remains a fixture of Lebanese politics. Al-Monitor has confirmed that the Donald Trump administration has privately informed Lebanese officials that giving Hezbollah the Health Ministry is a red line, but has also left the door open regarding what punitive measures the US government might take. Hezbollah is expected to have three seats in the next Lebanese government, one of which might be allocated to Jamal al-Taqsh, who is a general surgeon at Al-Rasoul al-Aazam Hospital in Hezbollahs stronghold in the Dahiyeh area of Beirut. Hezbollah has been under pressure from its base to become proactive in governance and its secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah, pledged in the last electoral campaign to make the issue of reform a top priority. The Shiite group's officials argue that the Health Ministry is an opportunity to offer their model of governance, which has not been the case with the ministries Hezbollah has held so far. The view inside the Trump administration is that Iran is trying to expand its power in Lebanon in retaliation for the reimposed US sanctions and that Hezbollah will use the Health Ministry to bypass US restrictions on its funding activities. Hence, if US allies in Lebanon do not prevent Hezbollah from taking this ministry, the subtle message from Washington is that the United States might no longer make a distinction between the Lebanese government and Hezbollah as it has done in the past decade. The first time Hezbollah entered the Lebanese government was during the first Cabinet of Prime Minister Fouad al-Siniora in July 2005, few months after the assassination of Rafik Hariri and the subsequent withdrawal of Syrian regime forces from Lebanon. This move was a symbolic shift in how Hezbollah saw the need to directly fill the void left by the waning influence of the Syrian regime in Lebanon, a shift that reached its peak in 2008 when Hezbollah turned its weapons against Lebanese political rivals amid Saudi-Iranian regional tensions. Since 2005, Hezbollah had two ministries in each of the successive governments, including the energy, agriculture and industrial ministries (the latter currently held by Minister Hussein al-Hajj Hassan). Hezbollah typically has given what would have been its third seat to Shiite members of smaller pro-Syrian-regime political parties, but wanted this time to claim the three seats to appease growing grievances in Shiite areas of Bekaa province about how government services are mostly going to south Lebanon and the Amal movement. In assessing whats at stake for the United States if Hezbollah is given the Health Ministry, there are two critical questions to ask. The first relates to how significant the Health Ministry is. The 2018 Lebanese budget shows that the Lebanese state spends $480 million on the health sector, compared with $1.8 billion for the defense sector. The Health Ministrys budget is 3% of the overall national budget. Former Health Minister Mohammed Jawad Khalifeh, who is close to the Amal movement, told Al-Monitor that the bulk of Health Ministry expenses are for hospitals (70% private and 30% public), noting that all these services are primarily funded by the Lebanese government. Khalifeh said that several Lebanese political parties have run the ministry and the health system has continued to have the same modus operandi. A key element of the country's health industry is the Lebanese medicine market, estimated to be around $1.4 billion, of which 90% is imported from Western medical companies. An official in the Iranian Health Ministry has reportedly showed willingness for the Islamic Republic to replace US medicine exports if Washington takes punitive measures against the Lebanese health sector. The official was quoted as saying Sept. 17, The medicine market is second in importance after the weapons market. The second critical question is how the United States might react if Hezbollah takes over the Health Ministry. Washington has ratcheted up pressure on Hezbollah in recent weeks with anti-Hezbollah measures by the Justice Department, the Treasury Department and the Senate. Despite the strong message the Trump administration officials are conveying, an overreaction from Washington might harm US interests in the long term. A total US boycott on assistance to Lebanon if a Hezbollah member led the Health Ministry seems unlikely, but the Trump administration might constrain this ministers ability to perform his job. US allies in Lebanon are not likely to lead the political battle of preventing Hezbollah from taking the Health Ministry. Lebanese leaders are expected to come up with the same formula previously adopted. For each Lebanese minister, there is an acting minister who can substitute; hence, the acting minister can sign agreements with international or Western entities that prefer not to directly deal with Hezbollah. If the United States stopped the export of its medicine, Lebanon would most likely focus on importing from the European market unless Hezbollah approves Iran's long-pending offer to export medicine to Lebanon. US policy has long weighed the option of punishing Lebanese official institutions to increase the pressure on Hezbollah. However, the prevailing approach in Washington has traditionally been to preserve both Lebanese state institutions and US assistance to them as leverage. The current approach of the Trump administration is that no money can be given to allies whose interests are not aligned with the United States. However, the White House is facing challenges in translating this approach into actual policy. The Trump administration is hinting that the United States might reconsider its relations with the Lebanese government if Hezbollah is given the Health Ministry. While more sanctions might be imposed on the Shiite group and any direct or indirect assistance to the Health Ministry might be suspended, a total boycott or a freeze of US assistance to the Lebanese armed forces seems unlikely. The Trump administration is intentionally remaining ambiguous on what its reaction might be. An area where US officials might take punitive measures against the Health Ministry is by cutting health assistance for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, a move that might face an international backlash. Moreover, the United States must walk a fine line in its approach. Until now, the narrative about the Lebanese Cabinet formation process has been revolving around the power and sectarian distribution among Lebanese leaders. If the United States publicly threatens to take punitive measures, the narrative might change to how Washington is intervening in Lebanese politics. US and European Union differences on how to deal with Hezbollah predate the Trump administration and are expected to continue. French European officials are pushing for a swift Cabinet formation, even if it includes Hezbollah participation, while the United States is arguing that concerned parties should have a second thought about this issue. Major influential powers in Lebanon can pressure their Lebanese allies to form a unity government since the gap in the Cabinet negotiations has significantly narrowed. However, regional dynamics are fluid and might change in the coming weeks, which could alter the calculus of Lebanese leaders. On Nov. 4, the second wave of US biting sanctions on Iran will take effect, primarily targeting Iranian oil exports. The United States and Saudi Arabia seem keen to veto the French and Iranian push for a Lebanese national unity government to be swiftly formed. The impact of the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on US-Saudi relations is worrying their allies in Lebanon and might leave the United States less motivated to sanction the next Cabinet of Prime Minister Saad Hariri. The US opposition to giving Hezbollah the Health Ministry has been muted, and was privately conveyed, not publicly, giving the impression that the Trump administration might want to have the flexibility of changing course. Hezbollah itself has not been grandstanding by publicly defying US policy on this issue. Neither the United States nor Iran have an interest in triggering a crisis in Lebanese politics. The White House, however, might be tempted to take limited measures that are not likely to alter the fundamentals of US policy in Lebanon. GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is moving toward dissolving the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in a legally questionable step. The amended Palestinian Basic Law of 2003 does not grant the president or any official Palestinian committee the power to dissolve the PLC. Abbas move would remove any remaining authority and power Hamas has in the PLC, where it won the majority of seats in the last parliamentary elections in 2006. Such a move would further deepen the Palestinian division between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Fatahs Revolutionary Council led by Abbas issued a statement Oct. 14 after the council had been convening over three consecutive days in Ramallah. In the statement, the Revolutionary Council called on the PLO's Palestinian Central Council (PCC), which is also led by Abbas, to dissolve the PLC and prepare for general elections in the Palestinian territories within a year. The PLC acts as a parliament that is elected during general elections. It is considered one of the institutions of the Palestinian Authority (PA). The PCC is one of the PLOs institutions that was behind the decision to create the PA in 1993. The PCC is in charge of monitoring the PLOs Executive Committee that is responsible for implementing the decision of the Palestinian National Council (PNC). The PNC is considered the parliament of the PLO. The PCC also follows up on the work of PLO institutions and submits its resolutions to the Executive Committee for implementation. The PCC members are chosen during elections among the PNC members. The Basic Law and its 2003 amendments does not grant the PCC or any other party or person the right to dissolve the PLC. Article 113 of the law states, The Palestinian Legislative Council may not be dissolved or its work hindered during a state of emergency, nor shall the provisions of this title be suspended. The Revolutionary Councils statement, published by the official news agency Wafa, added, The PCC founded the Palestinian National Authority on Oct. 16, 1991. The PLO worked responsibly when dealing with the PAs work and institutions, monitored the elections in 1996 and 2006, and accepted the results with a positive attitude. It continued, Yet what Hamas did on July 14, 2007, as they took over Gaza contradicts with our patriotic morals and the ethics of our work. By doing so, Hamas paralyzed the work of the PLC that lost its capacity to exercise its legislative and monitoring roles. In fact, the PLC was no longer active. Hamas won in the last Palestinian general elections held on Jan. 26, 2006. The party won 76 out of 132 seats in the PLC while Fatah only won 43 seats. Since the military takeover of Hamas on Gaza in 2007, the PLC was paralyzed as the PA stopped the PLC from convening in the West Bank. Meanwhile, several parliamentary blocs boycotted the PLC sessions that have continued to be held in Gaza. Mohsen Abu Ramadan, independent member of the PCC, told Al-Monitor, The PCC created the PA, so it has the right to dissolve the PLC that is considered one of the PAs institutions. For me, a body that has the right to establish a council also has the right to dissolve it. He clarified that the PCC will add the recommendation of Fatahs Revolutionary Council to its agenda for its scheduled meeting at the end of October. Ramadan believes that the PCC will decide on dissolving the PLC because Fatah the largest organization of the PLO parties has the majority of votes in the PCC. Abu Ramadan said that a great number of members of the PCC support the dissolution of the PLC. This would annul any remaining legitimacy for Hamas in Gaza. The members believe that this would help them confront US President Donald Trumps 'deal of the century,' which aims to separate the Gaza Strip from the West Bank. First deputy speaker of the PLC Ahmad Bahar said in a press statement Oct. 14 that the decisions made by Abbas on the PLC have no constitutional or legal worth. The council rules itself and Abbas is an usurper of authority [the PA]. Noteworthy is that Abbas term ended in 2009 and there has been no presidential elections since then. Yahya Moussa, a PLC member from Hamas Change and Reform bloc, told Al-Monitor, We refuse the PCCs and Abbas decision to dissolve the PLC because both parties are not competent to do so. He considered that Abbas attempts to dissolve the PLC are very dangerous because it undermines the main Palestinian system, destroys democracy in the country and accentuates the state of internal divisions. Moussa added, We are ready for the new general elections right this second with a Palestinian consensus and international guarantees to respect the results. However, any decision to dissolve the PLC preceding the general elections will stand in the way of us having a unified electoral experience. He said, Abbas whose movement Fatah lost in the last Palestinian general elections wants to dissolve the PLC to isolate Hamas from the political scene and diminish its popularity before any elections. And this, we will not allow. Salah Abdul Ati, an expert in Palestinian law and Gaza director of the Palestinian Center for Policy Research and Strategic Studies - Masarat, told Al-Monitor, There is no Palestinian law that allows the PCC or any body to dissolve the PLC. This council [PLC] was chosen in popular general elections and could only be dissolved in the same way. According to Abdul Ati, new elections should be held to establish a new PLC and dissolve the current one. The PLCs term is considered to have ended in 2010 since its four-year term ended after the last Palestinian general elections in 2006. No new elections were held because of the rift between the authorities in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank in 2007. Abdul Ati referred to Article 47 bis of the Basic Law and its 2005 amendments that stated, The term of the current Legislative Council shall terminate when the members of the new elected Council take the constitutional oath. He noted that there is one exception allowing the dissolution of the PLC that is an agreement between the parliamentary blocs within this council to dissolve it. This exception, however, is not stipulated in the law, and is a consensual matter among the various Palestinian parties. Political analyst and journalist at the Palestinian Al-Ayyam newspaper Talal Awkal told Al-Monitor, The decision Abbas has made to dissolve the PLC is part of the political bickering between Hamas and Fatah. It is also related to arrangements for the post-Abbas period, in case of death. He explained, According to the Palestinian Basic law, the speaker of the PLC [Hamas leader Aziz Duwaik] takes over for 60 days while waiting for the new elections [in case the presidency becomes vacant]. This is why Abbas and his movement are trying to make this option unavailable for Hamas through dissolving the PLC. Awkal explained that the decision to dissolve the PLC through the PCC will eventually lead to chaos and power struggle. As for Abu Ramadan, he finds that the best solution to this legal controversy on dissolving the PLC is for the PCC to call for general elections without dissolving the PLC. Otherwise, greater Palestinian divisions are guaranteed. ALEPPO, Syria The Northern Brigade, affiliated with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in Afrin, was able to free 9-year-old Ahmad Taher Mostafa on Oct. 16, one day after a gang kidnapped him after his grandmother dropped him off at the private Al-Asdiqa School in Afrin. Maysara Abdullah, a military leader in the Northern Brigade, told Al-Monitor, The kidnappers took Mostafa away Oct. 15, and they contacted his parents, asking for a ransom of $50,000 in return for his release. The father reported the incident to the FSA, and the security office of the Northern Brigade investigated the kidnapping and pursued the gang. They found its location on the outskirts of Afrin, raided the place, freed the child and arrested the gang members. Abdullah added, The security office of the Northern Brigade handed over the kidnappers to the military police in Afrin to conduct the necessary investigations, then to refer them to the FSA judiciary to be punished for their crime. The investigations with the military police are still underway, but sources told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that the kidnappers previously fought in the FSA; after their dismissal they formed a gang to kidnap people in return for ransoms. In the past month, a number of civilians have been kidnapped from Afrin, in northwestern Aleppo province, though there are no official statistics. Afrin citizens accuse the FSA and police of not doing enough to defend residents against gangs. Ibrahim Kawwas, who owns a grocery store in Afrin, told Al-Monitor, Security chaos is rising in Afrin, and kidnappers stalk civilians, especially the rich, to kidnap them, then ask for a ransom from relatives for their release. We can no longer go out at night and walk in the streets on Afrins outskirts. The situation is worrying. The kidnappers claim to be affiliated with the FSA so they can pass through the [FSA] checkpoints freely. Kawwas added, The FSA factions are fully responsible for the security chaos in Afrin and for the presence of kidnappers. We no longer feel our kids are safe to go to school. The FSA and police must take responsibility and stop this chaos. Our life is intolerable amid the lack of security. On March, the Turkish military and the Turkish-backed FSA seized Afrin from the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG), which is under the umbrella of the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The Northern Brigade arrested a group of four kidnappers Oct. 10, saying they belonged to the SDF and had kidnapped dozens of people in Afrin. Shortly before their arrest, they were preparing to kidnap a trader and ask for a $50,000 ransom, according to the brigade. Also on Oct. 10, the security battalion affiliated with the FSAs 3rd Legion in Afrin raided a hideout used by another kidnapping gang and released 11 civilians whom armed men had abducted to force their parents to pay a ransom. Thaer Fahed, a military leader in the FSA-affiliated Ahrar al-Sharqia in Afrin, told Al-Monitor, Kidnapping of civilians in Afrin has been on the rise, and anonymous gangs have been financially extorting the parents of the victims. Some of these criminals work for the SDF to stir chaos in the city, while others are affiliated with the FSA. Some are even civilians who went rogue and formed kidnapping gangs to make money. The FSA controls Afrin and the SDF is positioned south of Afrin in Tel Rifaat and Abyan, and in towns on the front lines with Afrin. Some residents say SDF members often enter Afrin as part of smuggling operations and hide in Afrin suburbs in the woods. They reportedly conduct assassinations and target FSA members and leaders. Fahed added, Within Ahrar al-Sharqia, we increased our security checkpoints in Afrin and its suburbs as of October to arrest these gangs and obstruct them. We arrested many members, some of whom admitted to belonging to the SDF or the FSA. We handed them over to the military police for investigation and prosecution for their crimes against civilians. Haidar Sayad, an officer in the military police affiliated with the FSA in Afrin, told Al-Monitor, The military police in Afrin are deploying huge efforts in coordination with the FSA to curb kidnappings, and has indeed arrested many people accused of kidnapping civilians for a ransom. We promise Afrin citizens to cleanse the area of kidnappers and restore stability soon. Al-Monitor was unable to reach former captives whose parents paid ransoms and fear retaliation from those gangs if they speak out. RAQQA, Syria Hagid "the minesweeper" put on his black latex gloves and placed his work kit on a piece of collapsed ceiling. Flashlight stuck between his teeth, he illuminated the mine he just discovered behind flowerpots in a stairwell. The building, once part of the Euphrates University, is no more than a wreck the result of a gruesome, four-month-long battle. The second floor crashed on the first. Hagid cut a wire and raised the neutralized mine with both hands to take a look at it. A nongovernmental organization was supposed to have completely cleaned the building, the Raqqa native told Al-Monitor. In what was for three years the largest stronghold of the Islamic State (IS) in Syria, mine-disposal experts feel overwhelmed. The jihadis, known for producing sophisticated explosive devices on an industrial scale, booby-trapped every corner of Raqqa. In the first months following the reconquest of the city on Oct. 17, 2017, by the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic forces (SDF), an average of 10 civilians a day were killed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs), representatives of the Raqqa Civil Council (RCC), doctors and soldiers told Al-Monitor. One year on, jihadis still spill blood in the streets of Raqqa. Perhaps even more dangerous than yesterday's mines are the bombs of today. For several months, sleeping cells presumably linked to IS have been conducting a spate of deadly operations against the SDF, the new occupants of Raqqa. A bomb hidden in a trash bin exploded Sept. 19 when a police car passed by, killing two people, a RCC staff member, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons, told Al-Monitor. Raqqa is dangerous, sleeping cells are everywhere. Hagid looks for mines at a building once part of the Euphrates University, Oct. 10, 2018. (photo by Al-Monitor/Charles Thiefaine) A dozen people were killed by these shadow fighters between mid-August and late September, Abdullah al-Aryan, an official at RCC, told Al-Monitor. While the SDF, largely made up of Kurdish fighters from the People's Protection Units, are currently leading the assault on the last IS pocket in the Deir ez-Zor region, security services believe that the attacks carried out by IS fighters in Raqqa are intended to destabilize the reconquered areas and divert the attention of the US-backed troops. In late September, local forces dismantled the largest cell ever discovered since the liberation. Civilians alerted us that a black flag was flying over a building. We went first to make sure the place was not booby-trapped. As soon as we arrived somebody shot at us with a machine gun, Hagid said. The team of mine-disposal experts, surprised and underarmed, decided to pull back and wait for the arrival of the armed forces. The clashes resulted in the death of all IS fighters, security sources told Al-Monitor. Assault rifles, IEDs and a car bomb were found in the building. We did not expect to come across such a large, well-armed group, Hagid noted. We knew there were small cells, individuals, but we never thought we would find a network that big. It will not be the last attack. On Oct. 9, parked on the side of a downtown road, a booby-trapped motorcycle exploded at the passage of a coalition convoy, local officials said. Triggered too late, the blast caused no casualties, but the recurrence of the attacks and their sophistication cloaked Raqqa in fear. Some security officials now firmly believe in the involvement of Bashar al-Assad's regime in the recent wave of attacks. The regime is trying to destabilize the area so that the coalition and our forces cannot control it in order to open the way for their return, Mahmoud Youssef, a Kurdish administrator of Raqqa's internal security forces, told Al-Monitor. In February, a video announced the creation by supporters of the Syrian regime of a new group called the Popular Resistance in the Eastern Region, also called the Popular Resistance in Raqqa. The group said it aims at fighting American troops and their local allies. Since then, political graffiti has appeared on the walls of the city, threatening local authorities. Six months ago people wrote, 'We are here.' Who are they? Its complicated, Iskandar Mohammed Issa, a spokesman for the internal security forces, told Al-Monitor. The city has also seen in recent months growing tensions between the majority Arab residents and SDF forces dominated by Kurdish personnel that spilled into sporadic protests. The protests, quelled by force, called for the SDFs eviction from the city, Reuters reported in June. The streets buzz with the rhythm of horns and generators fuelling reconstruction sites. A loud sound suddenly silences Raqqa. A lethal rain of debris hits a building facade, and a column of thick black smoke rises above dismembered buildings. "Probably a car bomb," calmy guessed a passerby, without even taking a look at the site of the explosion. The car of a mine-disposal expert had exploded with its passengers, killing two people. For once, the authorities believe in an accident: The vehicle was loaded with IEDs. Hagid lost two colleagues. He has not returned to his base since the funeral. "The whole team is devastated, but we will continue our work, he said. It is a duty." Lets say you only have $2. And youre hungry. What are you going to buy? Barb Struempler, a nutritionist at Auburn, makes the case. You can buy two apples, or a bag of potato chips," Struempler said. "Most people are going to buy the chips. Fat makes your body feel satisfied. Until it doesnt. But this example may illustrate a growing problem for Alabama, even as the state enjoys better economic times. Did the Great Recession which saw more than 10 percent of the states available work force unemployed at one time - make Alabamians fatter? A growing amount of research both nationally and internationally suggests that may be the case. Just last month a study identified Alabama as one of seven states where the adult obesity rate is at or above 35 percent. The state currently ranks fifth in obesity nationally. I think its an idea thats hard to demonstrate, but intuitively, it makes sense, said Mike Greene, an assistant professor of nutrition at Auburn University. Theres several possible reasons why, and the economy is one thats getting talked about. Though there doesnt appear to be any direct research on Alabamas obesity problem with regard to the economy, there have been recent studies that linked the economic downturn of the last decade with bulging waistlines nationally. On the surface, it may not make sense. How can lean economic times - layoffs, smaller paychecks, cutting back, scarcity make us fatter? But its the kind of dynamic that anybody can understand. Youre worried. Will you make it to your next paycheck? How long will your job hold up? To relieve those kinds of thoughts, people gravitate to comfort food and sometimes indulge in binge eating. And it could also be a simple issue of dollars and cents, Greene said. Many parts of rural Alabama are considered food deserts places without local grocery stores, with less variety and more access to cheap, fatty food. Plus, when people start looking for ways to cut back, inexpensive, less healthy food is a quick fix. The problem can compound itself as the pounds pile up. Youre getting larger. You get depressed. You eat. Repeat. Almost anybody can identify with that, Struempler said. Any stress, somebody sick in your family, for example, youre going to eat beyond fullness. You may have more time to exercise, but you dont have the ambition. When youre personally stressed, you just have to work harder. High obesity is not a problem thats exclusive to Alabama. According to the Trust for Americas Health, one-third of American adults and one in six children are now obese. Half of the states 25 have obesity rates above 30 percent. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found in a study two years ago that the number of children considered overweight in California surged 12 percent in 2009, the year the Great Recessions effects peaked. Significantly for Alabama, obesity rates are higher nationally among adults without a college education or with annual incomes below $15,000. Looking at Alabamas numbers, the state burst past 30 percent about the time of the stock market crash in 2008. It now stands at more than 36 percent. A look at Michigan, which saw the auto bailout and the collapse of its manufacturing in the recession, hit 30 percent in 2010. The obesity correlation isnt just an American problem either. A City University of London study this year states that being impacted by the Great Recession increased a persons chance of being obese in the UK, as well as suffering from diabetes and mental health issues. Stress has an effect on eating, on how we deal with weight loss, and even cognitive ability. As Greene observed, research already shows a link between diabetes and Alzheimers Disease. However, not everybody agrees there is a link between obesity and economic stress. And the effects of the recession only partially covers a larger issue obesity rates have been going up steadily since 1990. Remember when we said half of the states have obesity rates above 30 percent? In 2000, none of the states had a rate over 25 percent. That also doesnt explain why the rate has continued to rise nationally through generally better economic times, and in Alabama as well. Even if the causes of obesity go deeper than just bad economic news, money stress probably doesnt improve matters. Obesity is now starting to be seen as a problem internationally, Greene said. St. Clair County automotive supplier Eissmann Group Automotive has completed a $14.5 million expansion of the auto suppliers Pell City campus. The project, the companys fifth expansion, is adding 200 workers to the companys St. Clair County workforce. The German company Eissmann specializes in car interiors, built-to-print trim components, shifter modules and other parts for automakers including Audi, Jeep, Tesla, Porsche and Volkswagen. Eissmann is now St. Clair Countys largest home-based employer, according to the Alabama Department of Commerce. Starting out with 85 employees, the operation had 650 workers at the time this expansion was announced two years ago, From the first investment Eissmann Automotive made in Pell City, the community and elected officials have made us feel welcomed and supported, Claudia Eissmann, chair of the Advisory Council of Eissmann Automotive Deutschland GmbH, said today. Our facility has grown within the community and we look forward to continuing to work with the City of Pell City, the St. Clair County Commission, and the Economic Development Council for many years to come. St. Clair County Commission Chairman Paul Manning called Eissmann is a "tremendous community partner and we look forward to growing with them in the future. Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said the state would continue to help the company grow. Great companies like Eissmann have come into the picture as a result of this footprint that we have established as an automotive powerhouse in Alabama, he said. Eissmann brings with it a rich history, high-quality products, and a commitment to doing the job right and to meeting their customers stringent standards. Birmingham-based Regions Financial Corporation today announced its earnings for the third quarter. The company reported net income available to common shareholders from continuing operations of $354 million, a 20 percent increase compared to the third quarter of 2017. Earnings per diluted share from continuing operations were $0.32, a 28 percent increase. Total revenue grew six percent while pre-tax pre-provision income grew two percent over the prior year. Adjusted pre-tax pre-provision income increased 15 percent. The company also reported an after-tax gain of $196 million from the sale of its Regions Insurance subsidiary. In April, the company announced it was selling its Regions Insurance subsidiary to BB&T Insurance Holdings, the fifth largest insurance broker in the U.S. and internationally. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. With respect to our financial performance, Regions continues to execute on its strategic plan, John Turner, president and CEO, said. We produced solid revenues this quarter as we grew loans while maintaining credit discipline and operating more efficiently. These results demonstrate our commitment to continuous improvement and show that our investments in technology and talent are building a stronger company that benefits all stakeholders. Turner said the aftermath of Hurricanes Michael and Florence present challenges to the Southeast. Last week, Regions Bank announced it was donating $100,000 to support recovery efforts in three states, including Alabama, following Hurricane Michael. Theres nothing more important than helping our customers, neighbors and associates during the aftermath of these hurricanes, and I appreciate the responsiveness of our teams who worked quickly to provide resources and restore essential financial services in hard-hit areas. We are assessing the longterm impacts of these events and will continue to work closely with our customers to address their disaster recovery needs. A DeKalb County sheriffs deputy and a Henagar police officer are under investigation after shooting a suspect in the arms after he fired multiple shots at lawmen during a pursuit Friday night, officials said. DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris has requested the Alabama State Bureau of Investigations to investigate the shooting. The DeKalb County deputy is on paid administrative leave, Harris said. The suspect, Jackson County man Jeremy Barnett has been charged with two counts of attempted murder in the incident, officials said. Henagar police were dispatched to DeKalb County 85 on a report of a person driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The officer found the vehicle, which Harris said was all over the road, and attempted a traffic stop. The officer approached the vehicle but Barnett, sped off, officials said. The pursuit continued onto DeKalb County 131, where a DeKalb County sheriffs deputy joined the pursuit, he said. Harris said the Henagar officer attempted a pit maneuver to stop the pursuit and disable the suspect vehicle. He said Barnett then got out of the vehicle and began firing shots at both the deputy and the officer, striking the drivers side door of the Henagar officers patrol car four to five times. Both the Henagar officer and sheriffs deputy returned fire on Barnett, striking him in the arms, Harris said. He was taken to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee for treatment. On the scene that night Henagar Chief Randall Smith and I discussed that because they were in the County when shots were fired we would use the SBI to investigate this case, Harris said. Both officers did an outstanding job standing up in the line of fire and returning fire. We are fortunate that neither one of them was injured. This is a good shoot and I am positive that the SBI will come back and clear both officers. Barnett was being held in the DeKalb County Jail without bail set. Further details about the investigation were not immediately available. Gov. Kay Ivey has outpaced all her challengers in campaign fundraising since she announced her candidacy last year and that trend has continued in the month of October in the race against her Democratic challenger, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, thanks partly to a $50,000 contribution from the Business Council of Alabamas political action committee. Ivey has raised $362,000 in October, bringing her campaign total to $6.65 million since she started raising money in August 2017. Maddox has raised $207,000 in October, bringing his total to $2.3 million. Iveys campaign has spent a total of $6.41 million and reported $289,000 cash on hand for the final two weeks of the campaign. Maddoxs campaign has spent $2.18 million and reported $167,000 cash on hand for the home stretch. The election is Nov. 6. The candidates filed their latest weekly reports today. The Maddox campaign has reported more than 600 contributions in October, about three times as many as Ivey reported. But Ivey has received more large contributions. Ivey has reported 16 contributions of $10,000 or more in October. She got $50,000 from the BCAs Progress PAC; $25,000 each from the Automobile Dealers Association of Alabama PAC and Phillip McWane of Birmingham; $20,000 from ACULAC PAC of Birmingham; and $15,000 each from Alabama Development PAC and Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood. Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, Democratic candidate for governor, talks to students at Huntingdon College on Oct. 15, 2018. Maddoxs largest contributions were $15,000 from Greenetrack; $10,000 from T PAC in Montgomery, which is chaired by lobbyist John Teague; and $9,500 each from Free Enterprise PAC and Mainstream PAC in Montgomery, both chaired by lobbyist Darby Coleman. An oil spill that has been quietly leaking millions of barrels into the Gulf of Mexico has gone unplugged for so long that it now verges on becoming one of the worst offshore disasters in U.S. history. Between 300 and 700 barrels of oil per day have been spewing from a site 12 miles off the Louisiana coast since 2004, when an oil-production platform owned by Taylor Energy sank in a mudslide triggered by Hurricane Ivan. Many of the wells have not been capped, and federal officials estimate that the spill could continue through this century. With no fix in sight, the Taylor offshore spill is threatening to overtake BP's Deepwater Horizon disaster as the largest ever. As oil continues to spoil the Gulf, the Trump administration is proposing the largest expansion of leases for the oil and gas industry, with the potential to open nearly the entire outer continental shelf to offshore drilling. That includes the Atlantic coast, where drilling hasn't happened in more than a century and where hurricanes hit with double the regularity of the Gulf. Expansion plans come despite fears that the offshore oil industry is poorly regulated and that the planet needs to decrease fossil fuels to combat climate change, as well as the knowledge that 14 years after Ivan took down Taylor's platform, the broken wells are releasing so much oil that researchers needed respirators to study the damage. "I don't think people know that we have this ocean in the United States that's filled with industry," said Scott Eustis, an ecologist for the Gulf Restoration Network, as his six-seat plane circled the spill site on a flyover last summer. On the horizon, a forest of oil platforms rose up from the Gulf's waters, and all that is left of the doomed Taylor platform are rainbow-colored oil slicks that are often visible for miles. He cannot imagine similar development in the Atlantic, where the majority of coastal state governors, lawmakers, attorneys general and residents have aligned against the administration's proposal. The Taylor Energy spill is largely unknown outside Louisiana because of the company's effort to keep it secret in the hopes of protecting its reputation and proprietary information about its operations, according to a lawsuit that eventually forced the company to reveal its cleanup plan. The spill was hidden for six years before environmental watchdog groups stumbled on oil slicks while monitoring the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster a few miles north of the Taylor site in 2010. The Interior Department is fighting an effort by Taylor Energy to walk away from the disaster. The company sued Interior in federal court, seeking the return of about $450 million left in a trust it established with the government to fund its work to recover part of the wreckage and locate wells buried under 100 feet of muck. Taylor Energy declined to comment. The company has argued that there's no evidence to prove any of the wells are leaking. Last month, the Justice Department submitted an independent analysis showing that the spill was much larger than the one-to-55 barrels per day that the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center (NRC) claimed, using data supplied by the oil company. The author of the analysis, Oscar Garcia-Pineda, a geoscience consultant who specializes in remote sensing of oil spills, said there were several instances when the NRC reported low estimates on the same days he was finding heavy layers of oil in the field. "There is abundant evidence that supports the fact that these reports from NRC are incorrect," Garcia-Pineda wrote. Later he said: "My conclusion is that NRC reports are not reliable." In an era of climate change and warmer open waters, the storms are becoming more frequent and violent. Starting with Ivan in 2004, several hurricanes battered or destroyed more than 150 platforms in just four years. On average, 330,000 gallons of crude are spilled each year in Louisiana from offshore platforms and onshore oil tanks, according to a state agency that monitors them. The Gulf is one of the richest and most productive oil and gas regions in the world, expected to yield more than 600 million barrels this year alone, nearly 20 percent of the total U.S. oil production. Another 40 billion barrels rest underground, waiting to be recovered, government analysts say. About 2,000 platforms stand in the waters off the Bayou State. Nearly 2,000 others are off the coasts of its neighbors, Texas and Mississippi. On top of that are nearly 50,000 miles of active and inactive pipelines carrying oil and minerals to the shore. And the costs are high. Scott Eustis of the Gulf Restoration Network views the Gulf of Mexico during a flight out of New Orleans on July 21, 2018. MUST CREDIT: Washington Post photo by Bonnie Jo MountThe Washington Post For every 1,000 wells in state and federal waters, there's an average of 20 uncontrolled releases of oil - or blowouts - every year. A fire erupts offshore every three days, on average, and hundreds of workers are injured annually. BP has paid or set aside $66 billion for fines, legal settlements and cleanup of the 168 million-gallon spill - a sum that the oil giant could, painfully, afford. But many companies with Gulf leases and drilling operations are small, financially at-risk and hard-pressed to pay for an accident approaching that scale. One of them was Taylor Energy. - - - Taylor Energy was a giant in New Orleans. Owned by Patrick Taylor, a magnate and philanthropist who launched an ambitious college scholarship program for low-income students, it was once the only individually owned company to explore for and produce oil in the Gulf of Mexico, according to his namesake foundation. Taylor made what was arguably his most ambitious transaction in 1995, when he took over an oil-production platform once operated by BP. Standing in more than 450 feet of water, it was about 40 stories tall. Its legs were pile-driven into the muddy ocean floor and funnels were attached to 28 drilled oil wells. At its peak, the oil company helped make Taylor and his wife, Phyllis, the richest couple in the Big Easy. That investment was obliterated on Sept. 15, 2004, when Hurricane Ivan unleashed 145 mph winds and waves that topped 70 feet as it roared into the Gulf. Deep underwater, the Category 4 storm shook loose tons of mud and buckled the platform. The avalanche sank the colossal structure and knocked it "170 meters down slope of its original location," researcher Sarah Josephine Harrison wrote in a postmortem of the incident. More than 620 barrels of crude oil stacked on its deck came tumbling down with it. The sleeves that conducted oil from its wells were mangled and ripped away. A mixture of steel and leaking oil was buried in 150 feet of mud. Less than two months after the storm, Patrick F. Taylor died of a heart infection at 67, leaving a fortune for philanthropy and a massive cleanup bill. Taylor Energy reported the spill to the Coast Guard, which monitored the site for more than half a decade without making the public fully aware of the mess it was seeing. Four years after the leak started, in July 2008, the Coast Guard informed the company that the spill had been deemed "a continuous, unsecured crude oil discharge" that posed "a significant threat to the environment," according to a lawsuit between Taylor Energy and its insurer. Taylor Energy made a deal with federal officials to establish a $666 million trust to stop the spill. It would be a delicate, risky operation. Taylor and the contractors it hired were asked to somehow locate wells in a nearly impenetrable grave of mud and debris, then cap them. Failing that, it could create a device to contain the leak. But they were forbidden from boring or drilling through the muck for fear that they would strike a pipe or well, risking the kind of catastrophe on the scale of the BP disaster a few miles south. That precaution slowed the pace of the salvage operation. "We had no idea that any of that was going on," said Marylee Orr, executive director of the Louisiana Environmental Action Network. Taylor Energy spent a fortune to pluck the deck of the platform from the ocean and plug about a third of the wells. It built a kind of shield to keep the crude from rising. But no matter what it did, the oil kept leaking. - - - In 2010, six years after the oil leak started, scientists studying the BP spill realized something was amiss with the oil slicks they were seeing. "We were flying to monitor the BP disaster and we kept seeing these slicks, but they were nowhere near the BP spill," said Cynthia Sarthou, executive director of the Gulf Restoration Network, which monitors the water from boats and planes. Satellite images confirmed the oddity. "It was there all the time, longer than the BP spill," said John Amos, founder and president of Sky Truth, a nonprofit organization that tracks pollution. Under the Oil Pollution Act, companies are obligated to report hazardous spills to the NRC, which maintains a database of chemical pollution. No law compels the companies or the federal government to raise public awareness, but the Clean Water Act clearly calls for citizen involvement. Environmentalists took Taylor Energy to court. In their lawsuit, the conservationists called the agreement between Taylor Energy and the federal government a secret deal "that was inconsistent with national policy." That policy, they argued, was made clear in the Clean Water Act, which mandates "public participation in the . . . enforcement of any regulation." Citizen participation, the act says, "shall be provided for, encouraged and assisted." Taylor Energy and the Coast Guard - which is part of a Unified Command of federal agencies that includes the Interior Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency - did not live up to the policy. In fact, the public wasn't made aware of the spill even after a private firm tested fish in the area and submitted an assessment to Taylor Energy in 2009 that said "there is an acceptable risk to humans if fish from the . . . area are consumed." "Taylor has failed to provide the public with information regarding the pace and extent of the oil leaks and Taylor's efforts to control the leaks," the lawsuit said. It would take another three years before the government revealed an even deeper truth. Taylor Energy had been playing down the severity of the spill. An Associated Press investigation in 2015 determined that it was about 20 times worse than the company had reported. Taylor Energy had argued that the leak was two gallons per day; the Coast Guard finally said it was 84 gallons or more, and was almost certainly coming from any of 16 wells. "There's a fine for not reporting, but none for underreporting," Amos said. "If it's only three gallons a day, who cares, that's a trivial problem." - - - Nearly a decade after the oil platform went down, the government determined that the actual level of oil leaking into the Gulf was between one and 55 barrels per day. Now, the new estimate dwarfs that: up to 700 barrels per day. Each barrel contains 42 gallons. Despite that finding, NOAA is still in the early stages of a resource assessment of marine life that could explain the impact of the Taylor Energy spill, and is more than three years behind a deadline to issue a biological determination of the BP spill's impact on marine life. In July, Earthjustice, a nonprofit legal organization that represents conservation groups, sued NOAA for failing to produce a timely study. Like Eustis, Amos said Atlantic coast residents should be wary. But in that region, where beaches and tourism enrich nearly every state, distrust over offshore leasing and drilling is bipartisan. Governors, state lawmakers and attorneys general lashed out at the administration's proposal. New Jersey passed a law that forbids oil and infrastructure in state waters three miles from shore, crippling any effort to run pipelines from platforms to the shore. Other states passed similar laws. In the Carolinas, where Hurricane Florence's winds topped 150 mph and produced a monster 83-foot wave as it neared landfall, governors who represent both political parties implored Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to rethink the plan. Meanwhile, in the Gulf, Taylor Energy was down to a single employee - its president, William Pecue. At a 2016 public forum in Baton Rouge, Pecue made the case for allowing the company to walk away from its obligation to clean up the mess. Taylor Energy had been sold to a joint venture of South Korean companies in 2008, the same year it started the $666 million trust. A third of the money had been spent on cleanup, and only a third of the leaking wells had been fixed. But Pecue wanted to recover $450 million, arguing the spill could not be contained. "I can affirmatively say that we do believe this was an act of God under the legal definition," Pecue said. In other words, Taylor Energy had no control over the hurricane. But Ivan was no freak storm. An aerial image of an oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico, taken on April 28, 2018. MUST CREDIT: Handout photo by Oscar Garcia-Pineda, Water Mapping, LLCHanbout It was one of more than 600 that have been tracked in the Gulf since records were kept in the mid-1800s, according to NOAA. Fourteen years after the Taylor spill, and 10 years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster, the federal government still doesn't know the spills' full impact on marine life. And there is no economic analysis showing the value of the oil flowing into the sea and potential royalties lost to taxpayers. Activists also want an analysis to determine if oil is ruining marshland and making its way to beaches. "Even though oil did not reach a lot of these beaches [during the BP spill], the fact that the public heard about it, it killed the beach economy for quite some time," Sarthou said. "You don't want to go to a beach with tar balls or oil washing up." At the time, Sarthou was unaware that Garcia-Pineda was conducting a study in the Gulf that would show the spill was far worse than imagined - up to 10 times worse than what the federal government was reporting. As the saga in the Gulf plays out, wary officials on the Atlantic coast are anxiously watching President Donald Trump's proposal to offer federal offshore leases. It would take at least a decade for Atlantic drilling to start. The industry would first want to conduct seismic testing to determine the amount of oil and gas in the ground. Depending on the results, companies would bid for the leases. Interior has yet to approve seismic testing, which some studies say harms marine life, including large mammals such as dolphins and whales. Oil and gas representatives say energy development off that coast could provide South Carolina with $2.7 billion in annual economic growth, 35,000 jobs and potentially lower heating costs for residents struggling to pay their bills. During a federal informational hearing in South Carolina to explain the Trump administration's plan in February, Mark Harmon, the director of a state unit of the American Petroleum Institute, stressed that point. "Ultimately, it means the potential for jobs and reinvestment in the community," he said. Once the oil industry gains a foothold in a region, it's game over, said Chris Eaton, an Earthjustice attorney. A major part of the economy starts to change as jobs with pay approaching $100,000 transform a tourism market to oil. If it gets going, that train isnt going to stop, he said. Lets talk about whats happening in the Gulf before we move into the Atlantic. The University of Alabama suspended Stephen Black, who is the founder of an AmeriCorps program and teaches at the University of Alabama, after he admitted to sending inappropriate text messages to an AmeriCorps member. Stephen Black has been placed on leave pending further evaluation of the situation arising from his prior role at Impact America, a UA spokesperson told AL.com. Black, the grandson of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black, practiced law at Maynard, Cooper an Gale and was the Democratic candidate for Treasurer in 2002. He teaches three honors courses at UA and heads the Center for Ethics & Social Responsibility, which according to the CESR website, seeks to assist students in developing a distinct definition of moral and civic maturity. Black founded Impact America, an AmeriCorps program that connects recent college graduates with community outreach opportunities. He has since stepped down. In a resignation letter obtained by AL.com, a 24-year-old former AmeriCorps member said Black initiated a romantic relationship with her, which she declined. Black admitted to exchanging inappropriate messages with the woman, according to a report from CBS News Radio, calling it the worst professional mistake Ive ever made, but denied the messages were sexual harassment. When asked by AL.com about Blacks status today, a UA spokesperson said, The matter is being evaluated by the Universitys Title IX Office. AL.com reached out to Black, but has not received a response. Charlotte Boles, another former Impact Alabama employee said Black sent multiple sexually explicit text messages to the woman. I have since informed him multiple times (even in writing) that this kind of attention from him had isolated me from my co-workers and put an enormous strain on me as I tried to distance myself from him emotionally while still carrying out my responsibilities to him as my boss, the resignation letter stated. In spite of this, Stephen has continued to conduct himself in a way that has placed the burden of preventing the lines of professionalism being crossed entirely with me. In a statement to AL.com Impact America confirmed Blacks inappropriate comments and unwanted attention, toward the AmeriCorps member. According to the statement, after the allegations were brought to light, Impacts board of advisors removed Black as president and hired a human resources director. "There is no tolerance at Impact for any behavior that makes a team member feel uncomfortable. This experience, however, tells us that we have work to do to better reinforce that imperative. We have learned much as an organization, and we are committed to taking all actions necessary to ensure a safe, fulfilling and rewarding workplace for all. CBS News Radio investigated complaints about AmeriCorps programs dating back to 2013. Complaints ranged from poor management to sexual harassment. The allegations were included in a report by the agencys Inspector General, first reported on by CBS News Radio. Six former Alabama Supreme Court justices, including three Republicans, signed a letter on Monday endorsing Democratic Judge Bob Vance in the race for chief justice. The former justices, including two former chief justices, urged voters to pick Vance over Republican Associate Justice Tom Parker in the Nov. 6 election. Parker is a current member of the court. The former justices called Vance, a circuit judge in Jefferson County for the past 16 years, the most qualified for the position and said he would be a chief justice "of whom we could all be proud." He is clearly the most qualified candidate for this high office, the letter read. Bob also has judicial temperament and the legal acumen required to decide cases on their merit. He knows that politics has no place in legal decisions. The three Republicans who signed the letter are former Chief Justice Drayton Nabers, former Associate Justice Tom Woodall and former Acting Chief Justice Gorman Houston. The Democrats signing the letter are former Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb and former associate justices John England and Mark Kennedy. The Parker campaign did not immediately respond to the endorsement letter. Vance received a similar endorsement in 2012 when he unsuccessfully ran for chief justice against Republican Roy Moore, for whom Parker once worked. Moore was twice stripped of chief justice duties after an ethics panel said he defied, or urged defiance of, federal court orders regarding same-sex marriage and the display of the Ten Commandments. In a campaign ad, Vance has contended Parker will be "another Roy Moore" if elected to head the state court system. Parker was elected to the Supreme Court in 2004. He won the GOP nomination this year after defeating Chief Justice Lyn Stuart with a campaign that appealed to social conservatives and emphasized his hope of one day overturning U.S. Supreme Court decisions such as the one that legalized abortion. The city of Uniontown could lose out on a $27 million federal grant to repair its failing sewage system if Gov. Kay Ivey does not commit to a $3 million state match, said U.S. Sen. Doug Jones and Walt Maddox, the Tuscaloosa mayor who is challenging Ivey in this years governors race. Jones and Maddox called a press conference in Uniontown Tuesday to ask Ivey to commit the roughly 10 percent match to fix the citys sewer system, which is in constant disrepair, and is described as continually overflowing into the streets and via Freetown Creek to the Alabama River. Senator Richard Shelby, Senator Doug Jones, Congresswoman Terri Sewell, working in a bipartisan effort have secured nearly $30 million through the America Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, Maddox said. In a time and season, where often bipartisanship gets lost or cannot be accomplished, we should be proud that our delegation in Alabama has been able to reach across party lines and find a solution for the people of Uniontown. However, Maddox said, that money could evaporate if the state declines to commit its portion of the funds. In recent weeks, Governor Ivey and her administration has indicated that they're not interested in funding this match for Uniontown, Maddox said. This is shameful and tragic. Ivey, appearing before the Birmingham Kiwanis Club Tuesday, said her hands were tied because she did not receive a funding request from officials in Uniontown. There is a process by which communities all over the state make applications, and they have not chosen to follow that, Ivey said. I have not been contacted by any person from Uniontown or if anybody made an application for state monies. And certainly I want better for our people, but you have to remember they have a history of receiving large amounts of public funds to deal with these problems and have very little to show for results. So I think we need to consider a long-term, very prudent plan to address this situation. Ivey said she met with Shelby and Sewell about the project, but hasnt received an eligible request from Uniontown officials. I understand the nature of [Shelbys and Sewells request] but at the same time its a large, large project about $13,500 per resident, Ivey said. Thats huge, and so you want to be sure that the funding goes and gets good, long-lasting results. Uniontown has been plagued by chronic wastewater treatment issues for decades, and the first round of federal funding, a $4.8 million grant did not fully address the problems. The proposed project would involve repairing the citys porous collection, which allows rainwater to infiltrate sewer pipes, completely flooding the system after even minor rain events. Those huge volumes of water completely overwhelm the treatment lagoons and sprayfield, sending untreated or partially treated wastewater flowing over the sides of crumbling earthen dams into Freetown Creek. In addition to the collection leaks, the heavy clay soil around Uniontown does not allow the treated wastewater to percolate back into the dirt, as it is meant to, turning the sprayfield into a pond that is constantly overflowing. Under the proposed project, the citys wastewater would be piped to Demopolis, about 18 miles away, and treated at that citys wastewater treatment plant, which is large enough to handle the extra volume. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is finalizing a grant to cover 75 percent of the estimated $31 million needed for that project, about $23 million. Chris Beeker, state director of the USDAs Rural Development Office, said Monday night that the USDA was working with other federal agencies to secure the remaining 25 percent of the funds. The Delta Regional Authority, a federal entity which receives its funding from Congress, has committed about $3 million to meet half the 25 percent match. Beeker said Monday the USDA was still trying to lock down commitments for the remaining portion. Beeker did not immediately respond to questions about whether the grants would be in jeopardy if the state did not cover a share of the costs. At the press conference Tuesday, at Uniontowns R.C. Hatch High School, Jones said the amount of federal funding available to Uniontown was a rare opportunity that the state could miss out on. It is not often when the federal government can come up with close to $30 million to put in a project in rural America, Jones said. He said the grant would be a life-changing opportunity for Uniontown, one of the poorest communities in the state. Where are the people in Uniontown going to get $30 million to do it? Where's that going to come from? Maddox said the situation was especially tragic because the state has awarded $27 million in grants through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) for projects like walking trails and bathhouses while ignoring the plight of Uniontowns residents. I'm sure those projects have merit, but do they have more merit than a sewage lagoon overflowing tens of thousands of gallons of half-treated sewage into a creek, into Gees Bend and ultimately the Alabama River? Maddox said. I don't think so. Lance LeFleur, director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, first said the city was in line for a significant federal grant Friday at an Alabama Environmental Management Commission meeting. ADEM has been pursuing enforcement actions against the city for years due to continuous overflows of the citys sewage lagoons. LeFleur said ADEMs options for enforcement had run out after years of urging the city to address the situation. You absolutely cannot shut down a wastewater treatment plant, LeFleur said. You can shut down a steel mill, you can shut down a chemical plant, but you cant shut down a wastewater facility without giving the people another option. LeFleur said the citys sewer lines were in such bad shape that in several places, engineers couldnt even thread a camera through the lines to inspect the severity of the damage. LeFleur said the local community simply did not have the resources to address the problem. They are an impoverished community, LeFleur said. When you dont have enough money to buy food, youre not worried about routine maintenance on your house. This is years of that coming home to roost. *AL.com reporter Howard Koplowitz contributed to this report. A woman flying from Houston to Albuquerque on Sunday had just settled into her seat and fallen asleep when she was awoken by an unwanted touch - a hand from behind her grabbing the right side of her breast. And the man authorities say is responsible allegedly cited President Donald Trump's past lewd language about women. Federal prosecutors allege the hand belonged to 49-year-old Bruce Michael Alexander from Tampa, Florida, another passenger on the Southwest Airlines flight, who reportedly told authorities after being arrested Sunday that "the President of the United States says it's ok to grab women by their private parts," according to a criminal complaint. Alexander was charged Monday with abusive sexual contact, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Mexico. The charge carries a maximum penalty of two years in jail and a $250,000 fine. A lawyer representing Alexander could not be reached for comment late Monday. It all began about 15 to 20 minutes after Southwest Airlines Flight 5421 left Houston on Sunday. The woman, identified in the complaint only as C.W., said she was asleep in her window seat when "she felt her clothes move" and fingers start touching her from behind "on her right side at and around her 'bra line'." Though she initially assumed "the touching was an accident," it happened again about 30 minutes later. The hand, described by the woman as having hairy "thick fingers" and "dirty finger nails," was more persistent this time, according to the complaint. "C.W. felt fingers slowly grab the back of her arm, squeezing above the elbow," the complaint said. Then, "slowly and 'attentively'" the hand groped her right side "at and around her ribs and 'bra line'." The second incident prompted the woman to confront the passenger seated in the window seat directly behind her, whom authorities identified as Alexander. According to the complaint, she told him "she didn't know why he thought it was ok [to touch her] and he needed to stop." The woman, who asked to be moved to another seat and was relocated to the back of the plane for the rest of the flight, told investigators Alexander was a "total stranger." A spokesperson from the airline told The Washington Post in an emailed statement that customer service supervisors and local law enforcement were "requested" to meet the flight "upon arrival ... due to reports of a Customer's alleged inappropriate behavior onboard." Alexander was arrested by the FBI at Albuquerque International Sunport and was being transported by authorities when he invoked President Trump's words, likely referencing the 2005 Access Hollywood tape that captured the president speaking lewdly about women and bragging that when you're famous "you can do anything," including grabbing women by their genitals. Trump's words have been parroted by other people accused of unsavory acts in recent months. In June, a white woman who accosted a Hispanic man and his mother while they were doing yard work was caught in a now-viral video calling the pair "animals" and "rapists." The president has referred to undocumented immigrants as "animals," and in at least two separate instances, has claimed Mexico sends "rapists" to the U.S. More recently, Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino, a Philadelphia mob boss, reiterated Trump's opinion that the use of "flippers" - people who help prosecutors by turning on others for less jail time - "almost ought to be illegal." Merlino was sentenced to two years in federal prison for illegal betting Wednesday and prosecutors, as with many organized crime trials, relied on informants to make their case, the Guardian reported. As he was leaving the courthouse, Merlino said Trump "was right" and flippers need to be outlawed, according to the Guardian. In a written statement to federal agents, Alexander said he was asleep for most of the flight and had not been drinking alcohol or taking any sleep aids. He "could not specifically recall getting into his backpack," which was stowed under the seat in front of him, according to the complaint. Alexander told agents he did remember a woman he was seated behind speaking to him during the flight and then moving seats, but could not describe her. Alexander's hands, however, matched the description given by the woman, authorities said. This is not the only recent instance of unwanted contact between passengers on a Southwest Airlines flight. Just last week, a Texas man flying from Los Angeles to Dallas allegedly did not stop touching the woman seated next to him and attempted to engage her in an unwanted game of "footsies," according to a criminal complaint. After the woman moved seats, the man went "from zero to sixty in nano-seconds" and started yelling at flight attendants, forcing the plane to be diverted to Albuquerque where he was arrested. The Southwest spokesperson told The Post the airline is "continuously reviewing and updating our training as necessary," but declined to share any specifics. Alexander made his initial court appearance Monday and will remain in federal custody pending a preliminary hearing and detention hearing, both of which are scheduled for Tuesday, according to the news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office. Why? Why are thousands of people traversing 2,500-miles from their homes in Honduras through Guatemala and Mexico towards our border? Why are they walking, most of them, but also riding, carrying their children and, when necessary, wading through waters while holding all they own in the world above their heads? Why are they doing all this to reach the United States? Why are they enduring so muchto come here? Images of the caravan of migrants now flooding our social media timelines and television airwaves are stunning. Some, frankly, are heart-wrenching. Nearly a mile of humanity, moving slowly but steadily. Masses overwhelming efforts at the Mexican border to process some, sleeping in public places, then waking and resuming their purposeful strides northward. Men, women, and children exhibiting boundless stick-to-itiveness, determination beyond measure, and a grit almost all Americans can admire. The expressions on their faces are purposeful and determined; yet their eyes, at least some of them, also reveal fatigue and fear. And uncertainty. Yet they still walk. Why? I want to ask each of them what drove them to leave all they knew behind and trek so many miles towards something they do not know. These caravans are not new, I just learned. A group called Pueblo Sin Fronteras has been staging them for almost two decades, ostensibly to call attention the wrenching poverty and dangerous waves of crime that promulgate the region. On its website, the group describes itself as a collective of friends who decided to be in permanent solidarity with displaced peoples. In April 2017, a smaller caravan left Honduras and made its way through Mexico to the U.S., where the participants tried to claim asylum. Some were processed and accepted; others were not. And it all happened without a peepor tweet That all changed earlier this year when Fox & Friends aired a story about a small migrant army marching toward the United States. Uh-oh. (Heres the truth.) You-know-who saw it (of course) and did what he doesignite fear and political divisiveness. We have horrible, horrible and very unsafe laws in the United States, Donald Trump told reporters at the time. We are preparing for the military to secure our border between Mexico and the United States. Now, as a band of humanity treads northwardno matter their reasonTrump is in overdrive, replete with inappropriate capitalization, a plethora of misspellings and more unfounded assertions (read: lies). Criminal and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in, he tweeted, without even a shred of proof. Every time you see a Caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, into our Country illegally, think of and blame the Democrats for not giving us the votes to change our pathetic Immigration Laws, the president also tweeted. I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Emergy, he railed, tweeting the short, I can only presume, for emergency. Sadly, it looks like Mexicos Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in. I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Emergy. Must change laws! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2018 Well, its not a national emergyno more than it was when 12 million immigrants from European nations who landed on our shores before and throughout the existence of Ellis Island. In its first year, after opening in 1892, nearly 450,000 immigrants from European nations were processed at Ellis Island as welcomed on our shores. In the first five years, 1.5 million immigrants from European nations were reportedly processed and welcomed. But now, the president is trying to stir those who still root his every pathetic lie by invoking a fear of these people not from European nations who are trekkingstep by step, with grit and unyielding perseverancetowards our border. And by making their journey a political issue, childishly timed in the weeks before midterms which are every day turning into a referendum on his lunacy. Every time you see a Caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, into our Country illegally, think of and blame the Democrats for not giving us the votes to change our pathetic Immigration Laws! Remember the Midterms! So unfair to those who come in legally. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2018 Thankfully, I dont think it will work. Oh, some still mindlessly defend him in the increasingly overwhelming face of his intentionswhich are not meant for the good us, as a nation, but for him (as a narcissist) and Republicans (many of whom now no doubt regret hitching their star to him). But it wont work. Because most Americans, no matter upon which side of the aisle they cast their political lot, are related to someone who traversed hundreds, if not thousands of miles to reach our shores. Probably someone from a European nation. Probably someone who came here with little more than what they could carry and yet made a way. Why? For many of the same reasons, I suspect, the multitude of Central Americans is marching towards our borderfor something they cannot see. For the hope of better. Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. Thats what it reads on a plaque inside the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, that beacon of opportunity for millions of immigrants from European nations. That is America. We didnt send troops to reign might and hatred upon them. We did not condescendingly label them as someone who will break into your homeor worse. And we did not blame other AmericansAmericans of another political partyfor their determination, their intention and their grit in leaving their homeland to seek opportunity on our shores. That isnt America. Instead of soldiers, send saviors to our southern bordermen and women trained to process the throngs to determine whom among them should be granted asylum from their circumstances, whom should enter yearning to breathe free. Why we might ask them. Does it really matter? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was a planned and brutal murder and called on Saudi Arabia to extradite 18 suspects to Turkey to face justice for the crime. Erdogan's highly anticipated comments, during a speech to his ruling party in Ankara, the Turkish capital, contradicted Saudi accounts that Khashoggi was killed when an argument inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul escalated into a fistfight. The Turkish leader did not directly accuse the Saudi leadership of involvement in the killing but strongly indicated that the Saudi investigation, which has resulted in the arrests of 18 people so far, has not yet reached high enough into the kingdom's ruling circles. "It will not satisfy the public by just pinning this kind of matter on a few security and intelligence officers," he said. "Covering up this kind of savagery will hurt the conscience of all humanity." "Saudi Arabia took an important step by accepting the murder. After this, we expect them to reveal those responsible for this matter. We have information that the murder is not instant, but planned," he said. While Erdogan did not address the most explosive allegations that have surfaced during the investigation - notably that Khashoggi was dismembered after he was killed -- the president provided the most detailed timeline yet of the days and hours leading up the murder on Oct. 2. He said a team of Saudi agents who were dispatched to Istanbul had carefully prepared for Khashoggi's death. The Saudi team that plotted the murder was first alerted, Erdogan said, after Khashoggi visited the consulate on Friday, Sept. 28. "Planning and the work of a road map starts here," the president said. Beginning three days later, on Oct. 1, teams of Saudi agents begin arriving in Istanbul, with one team visiting wooded areas in and around Istanbul "for reconnaissance," Erdogan said, referring to areas that Turkish police later focused on as they searched for Khashoggi's body. After another team arrives at the Istanbul consulate, "the hard disk on the consulate camera is removed," he added. The Saudi team consisted of "intelligence, security and forensic workers," Erdogan said. Khashoggi entered the mission at around 1:14 p.m. on Oct. 2. When he had not emerged a few hours later, his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who was waiting for him outside, alerted authorities, and an investigation was started, Erdogan said. Camera footage showed that Khashoggi had never left, he added. Erdogan highlighted attempts by the Saudis to obstruct or cover up the killing, including a ruse involving a Saudi agent who was dressed like Khashoggi and captured on camera exiting the consulate. "Why did 15 people gather in Istanbul the day of the murder? Who did these people receive orders from?" he asked. "Why was the consulate opened not immediately but days later for investigation? When the murder was obvious, why were inconsistent explanations given?" "Why is the corpse still not found?" Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Tuesday that the kingdom was committed to a "comprehensive investigation" into the journalist's death and has dispatched a team to Turkey. Speaking in Indonesia on Tuesday, Jubeir said the Saudi investigators had "uncovered evidence of a murder." He also vowed to put mechanisms in place that would prevent similar incidents in future, without expanding upon what those would be. Khashoggi, a contributor to The Washington Post who had written columns critical of the Saudi leadership over the last year, went to the consulate on the afternoon of Oct. 2 to obtain documents that would allow him to remarry. His death has cast a harsh light on the rule of the Saudi Arabia's young crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, who has eased social restrictions at home while pursuing an unrelenting crackdown on rivals and critics, imprisoning hundreds. Mohammed has also tried to lure exiled dissidents such as Khashoggi, who lived in Virginia, back to Saudi Arabia, Khashoggi's friends and other exiles have said. In Riyadh on Tuesday, Saudi authorities opened a landmark investment conference intended to signal afresh that the kingdom is open for business. But while the guest list for last year's conference read like a who's who of the global business elite, the run-up to Tuesday's event has been marred by pullouts from a stream of Western investors and politicians, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde. Tuesday's audience is expected to be dominated instead by representatives of Middle Eastern, Asian and Russian companies, suggesting that the Western boycott may have a limited impact on Saudi economic prospects. The Khashoggi case has also embarrassed the Trump administration, which regards the crown prince as one of its closest Arab allies and Saudi Arabia as a cornerstone of a U.S. strategy to counter Iran. On Monday, CIA Director Gina Haspel headed to Turkey, where she is expected to assess the strength of the evidence that Turkish officials have been drip-feeding the media for weeks. A stream of Turkish video leaks that surfaced Monday appeared to depict the Saudis trying to cover their tracks after Khashoggi's death, including images said to be of men at the consulate burning documents and a body double wearing Khashoggi's clothes, to make it appear the journalist had walked out of the consulate as the Saudis claimed. The leaks also seemed intended to whip up a sense of anticipation ahead of the speech by Erdogan, who has chided the Saudis in recent weeks for not cooperating with the Turkish investigation but stopped short of blaming the Saudi government for Khashoggi's death. On Sunday, in a preview of his speech, Erdogan said he would explain the episode "in a very different way," the semiofficial Anadolu news agency reported. The incident will be revealed entirely, he said. Authorities are searching for a missing from an assisted living facility in east Alabama, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Officials said 41-year-old Harold David Brown was last seen on Sunday walking east on Jackson Trace Road in Lincoln. He may be suffering from a condition that may impair his judgment, ALEA said. He was last seen wearing a royal blue hoodie and dark gray sweatpants. Brown is a white male with brown eyes. He recently changed his hair color to blonde, officials said. He stands 5-feet-8-inches tall and weighs 210 pounds. ALEA has issued a MISSING SENIOR ALERT. If you know the whereabouts of or have recently seen Harold David BROWN described here, immediately call 911. If you have other information about this missing person, contact the Lincoln Police Department at (205) 761-1556. pic.twitter.com/4wfNTZY5j1 AL Missing Person Alerts (@AMBERAlert_AL) October 22, 2018 Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact the Lincoln Police Department at 205-761-1556. The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office has been awarded a grant for nearly three-quarters of a million dollars to better be able to help victims and their families. The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Victims of Crime awarded a $702,000 grant that will be used to expand the sheriffs office Victims Services Unit, which was first launched under Sheriff Mike Hale. The three-year grant will be used to add three more positions. The revised unit will be comprised of a Victim Assistance Lead Advocate, a Coordinated Community Response Team Coordinator, and two Victim Advocates that will establish a collaborative partnership with One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center to serve the broader needs and rights of crime victims in Jefferson County. Weve been spread so thin and its bothersome that we havent been able to be everywhere, said Wanda Miller, the sheriffs Victims Assistance Coordinator. This will make a big difference. The Victims Services Unit provides a wide array of services. They respond to the emotional, psychological and physical needs of crime victims, and offer them referrals to other community resources to help them meet those needs. They help them adjust to life after victimization and help them as a case winds its way through the criminal justice system. They help arrange everything from emergency transportation to court proceedings to short-term childcare services and sometimes even help victims secure temporary housing and security measures. Often, Miller said, they help domestic violence victims obtain protection from abuse order. Last year alone, they responded to 3,000 domestic violence incidents in addition to the other victims of violent crime. Additionally, the sheriffs office will train personnel about trauma and the effects of trauma on victims of crime. "The deputies are really engaged in helping people, Miller said. They really care. With the grant, the sheriffs office also will lead other law enforcement agencies in Jefferson County in the implementation of victim-centered best practices and making these best practices a priority within these agencies. We established a victims assistance unit shortly after taking office my first term and it has been an invaluable resource to aid crime victims navigating through our legal system, the sheriff said. This award is a monumental step in protecting and preserving the rights of victims and their families. I am proud of the work done to this point and excited about the potential to better serve crime victims that this grant will provide. A 39-year-old Birmingham man has been indicted on a half-dozen felony charges in a May attack on a young woman who was ordered to undress, raped in the passenger seat of her own vehicle and stabbed multiple times before she was able to escape in downtown Birmingham and run for help. A Jefferson County grand jury on Friday issued six indictments against 39-year-old Courtney Karrone Austin, according to court records made public Tuesday. He is charged in a May 23 assault that left a 23-year-old Jefferson County woman with a punctured lung and other knife wounds to the neck, leg, and hand. Austin, initially arrested by Birmingham police on May 24, is indicted on charges of first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, first-degree robbery, and attempted murder. He also is indicted on third-degree robbery and third-degree escape after authorities say he stole a UAB employees vehicle while he was escaping from police custody at the hospital in June. According to previous court testimony and records, Austin and the victim worked together in catering and hospitality for a Birmingham area company where Austin was a prep cook and dishwasher. Police have previously said they were not in a relationship together. On that Wednesday night, the victim had gone willingly with Austin to a residence somewhere in north Birmingham to buy Lortab, Birmingham police Det. Jennifer Moore testified at a June preliminary hearing. There was some dispute about what Austin had sold the woman, so she met up with him again. It was then Austin got in her vehicle and drove her to an unknown apartment complex where he pulled to rear of the complex next to a heavily-wooded area. At that point, Moore testified, Austin order the woman "to get (expletive) naked.'' The woman removed her clothes and Austin climbed into the passenger seat where he had forcible sexual intercourse with her. Next, the detective said, Austin asked for a cigarette and then pulled out a knife and started stabbing the victim. "She said she wasn't going to die in this car, that she was going to fight for her life,'' Moore testified. The victim used her foot to sound the car horn. He pushed her back into the passenger seat and drove off. When they got to the U.S. 31 overpass on Carraway Boulevard, the victim said she saw a passing car and bailed from the vehicle to try to get help. She was not able to stop the passing vehicle, but she was able to run away, eventually coming to the Park Place apartments on 24th Street North. She knocked on multiple doors but still got no help. Her cell phone was still in her vehicle. A lookout bulletin was issued for the victim's vehicle. At one point, Birmingham police spotted the vehicle and got into a pursuit with Austin. They chased him through Gate City but lost him. That was about 6 a.m. The Birmingham Police Departments Crime Reduction Team then went in search of Austin. They later found him at his home on Glascow Avenue. Officers made forced entry into the home and found Austin hiding in a bedroom closet. He was not armed, and investigators have not recovered a knife in connection with the attack. Austin was booked into the Jefferson County Jail with bonds totaling $420,000. On Saturday, June 16, he escaped custody. Jefferson County sheriff's Chief Deputy Randy Christian said Austin was taken to the hospital on June 11 after he claimed to have swallowed a razor blade. An X-ray at the hospital did show an object in his system. He was guarded and restrained with leg irons and handcuffs while hospitalized, Christian said, but a hospital staff member asked that the restraints be removed for Austin to shower that Saturday night. A deputy was stationed outside the shower door, heard a bump and looked in to see Austin ascending through the ceiling. He was recaptured by Birmingham police the following day in the 3400 block of 29th Avenue North. North Precinct officers and the department's tracking dogs caught him. Officers said he was found in what they described as a crack house, and Austin refused to exit the home. A tracking dog went into the house, and Austin was bitten. He was taken back to a hospital where he received stitches, and then released into the custody of deputies. Austin was convicted in 2008 of felony burglary and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was moved from the Jefferson County Jail to the Alabama Department of Corrections on Aug. 21 to serve the remainder of the 2008 sentence. A trial date on his new charges has not yet been set. Birminghams trendy Avondale neighborhood is booming and growing up in the process while holding to its gritty working-class past. Home prices in south Avondale near the renovated city park and the 41st Street commercial corridor have nearly doubled in five years. Families are flocking to the neighborhood for its walkable streets, restaurants and short commute to downtown Birmingham. We knew it was up and coming when we moved in, said attorney Stephen Parsley. He and his wife, Margaret, bought a three-bed, two-bath Tudor-style home in south Avondale three years ago. They have an 18-month-old child. We didnt know how much it would boom. We would have been more eager to move in if we knew how much it would grow. In three short years, the number of restaurants in the commercial corridor has doubled, he said. Thats only the beginning, developers say. Avondale is transitioning between a hip, nightlife spot into a more self-sustaining community, said Payne Baker, owner of Cahaba Realty and Management, who redeveloped the Avondale Mills Shopping Center on Fourth Avenue South, which is home to Tropicaleo Puerto Rican restaurant and Mountain High Outfitters. The neighborhood is unique because it has all of the components to be self-sustaining: residential, retail, nightlife, office, warehouse and industrial, he said. Even more retail shops are moving into the neighborhood with the addition of the glass front 400 41st Street building in the commercial corridor of Avondale. Other retail is in the works. And, as sale prices for single-family homes continue to soar, developers are looking to bring more townhouses and apartments to the growing area. The East and North Avondale neighborhoods have been slower to revive, but its happening now. Ram Tool moved its headquarters and 125 employees to the Hill Building at the Continental Gin. Triton Stone, Cahaba Brewing, and Labcorp are also located there. The University of Alabama at Birmingham has moved some operations and about 700 employees to North Avondale. Another expansion there may be in the works. Residential, office and retail development are also coming to the First Avenue North corridor. Plans are also in the works to connect Avondale with downtown Birmingham through an expansion of the Jones Valley Trail a paved walking lane parallel to First Avenue South. Company town to dining destination Avondale was formed as a company town around Avondale Mills just east of Birmingham in 1887. It was incorporated into the city in 1910. Eventually, the city divided the town into three neighborhoods: South Avondale (and Forest Park), East Avondale and North Avondale. Just a decade ago much of the neighborhoods now popular commercial corridor along 41st Street was blighted and abandoned. Many residents, not to mention tourists, avoided the area due to its reputation for crime, drug use and prostitution. What changed? In 2010, developer Coby Lake and brewmaster Craig Shaw announced plans to open Birminghams second brewery, Avondales first, in a century-old, long-vacant building on 41st Street. According to their research, the building, which still houses Avondale Brewing Co. (now owned by Good People Brewing) dates to 1885 and has been a bank, a fire station and a saloon in the 1980s. The city of Birmingham overhauled historic Avondale Park, reopening in early 2011, with new landscaping, walkways, playground areas for children and easier access to the pavilions. Avondales dining boom began around 2012 with the opening of 41st Street Pub & Aircraft Sales and Saws Soul Kitchen. They were soon followed by restaurants like Post Office Pies, Hotbox at Parkside and Melt. Later, Saturn concert venue and Satellite coffee shop opened then came Fancys on 5th oyster and burger bar. In its April 2013 issue, Southern Living magazine called Avondale one of Birmingham's hippest places to live and visit." Family friendly but still edgy Avondales growth over the last five years has been exponential, said Paget Pizitz, who opened Melt restaurant with Harriet Reis in 2014. I think it has become a little city inside of itself, she said. The restauranteur, who has invested blood, sweat and tears in Avondale over the last several years, said she wouldnt have lived in Avondale seven or eight years ago due to the visible crime, trash on the streets and dilapidated structures. She lived in Mountain Brooks English Village when she and Reis took a big leap of faith and opened Melt in Avondale four years ago. At that time, it was just us. There wasnt anything around us, Pizitz said. She just knew, though, that Avondale would take off. The sense of pride has always been really phenomenal, she said. Pizitz went on to open Fancys on Fifth with Reis in 2016. She moved to Avondale and also opened the Marble Ring, Zeldas Lounge and Hot Diggity Dogs. Now, Pizitz said theres more police presence, more street lighting, more businesses and more people, which is curtailing crime in Avondale. Its just a very cool, eclectic neighborhood, she said. Walking down Avondale you forget where you are in a good way. When Charley Duggan started buying, fixing up and renting out 100-year-old homes in the neighborhood more than 20 years ago, south Avondale was a ghost town, he said. Now, hes building an upscale 10-home development along one of the neighborhoods major thoroughfares Fifth Avenue South. Homes prices there start at $339,000. Bruce Lanier, an architect and founder of MakeBHM, said Avondale was sketchy when he opened his former architecture firm on Third Avenue in around 2009. We got broken into three times right after we moved in and all our computers stolen, he said. A year later, I was sitting there with my door open at 11 p.m. and listening to music coming from the brewery. Lanier marvels at how fast the transformation occurred. It is always going to have grit, he said. It was a mill town back in the day. Those things have echoes that carry on over time. More is on the way for Avondale. Streetscapes Construction is expected to start in late 2019 on a redesigned and more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly 41st Street between First and Fifth Avenue South, according to the city of Birmingham. The redesigned complete street will include bike lanes, landscaping and lighting, said Michael Eddington, chief civil engineer for the city. Sidewalks will also be widened to make room for gathering and outdoor dining space. Improved street parking and storm water management and flood mitigation are also part of the plan. Eddington said the project is currently in the design phase. Jones Valley Trail Building momentum for the expansion of the Jones Valley Trail from 32nd Street South in Lakeview to 41st Street in Avondale has been a priority for the Freshwater Land Trust throughout 2018, said Mary Beth Brown, communications director for the group. The Rotary Trail runs from 20th Street South to 24th Street and the Jones Valley Trail continues the route to 32nd Street. We probably get the most requests for that trail extension, she said. It is a popular one. Freshwater Land Trust is working with the city of Birmingham on accessing rights of way and potential routes for the trail extension, Brown said. They are also working with property owners on First Avenue South. We are making progress in terms of where the ideal trail route will be, and its a matter of landowner engagement and securing the funding for building a trail, she said. Big business UAB moved about 700 administrative employees to the former AmSouth operations center in North Avondale in 2016. It was an effort to free up space for outpatient clinics on the UAB Medicine campus in Southside Birmingham, according to the university. More UAB employees could also be moving to North Avondale in the near future. The UAB Health System purchased additional property in the neighborhood for a potential logistics center. UABs investment in North Avondale is helping to rebuild the employment base in an area that has historically been important for job growth in the city, said David Fleming, REV Birmingham CEO and President. UABs move brings in more people and proves the need for continued infrastructure improvements and business growth in the historic neighborhood district. As Avondale real estate continues to skyrocket, the trendy neighborhood will soon see more townhouses and apartments to help meet the demand for more affordable housing near downtown Birmingham. Avondale is in need of low-to-mid-income apartments, said John Boone, whose company Orchestra Partners has developed residential, office and retail projects in downtown and Five Points South. There are a bunch of old low-rise apartments in Avondale, he said. But, theres nothing new. Theres plenty of people who cant buy a home because they cant afford a down payment, he said. They cant afford $1,500 month for downtown rent, but they can pay $700 to $1,100 a month. In 2013, the median sale price for a home in Avondale was $137,000. In 2018, that figure has jumped to $265,000. Developer Payne Baker, of Cahaba Realty and Management, is planning to build about 20 condominiums on about an acre of property he owns adjacent to Cahaba Brewing. He doesnt yet know if they will be available to buy or lease. Former industrial property along First Avenue North between 39th Street North and 41st Street North is now being redeveloped into rental lofts instead of office space due to market demand, according to developer Cushman & Wakefield/EGS Commercial Real Estate. Developer Adam Eason said they arent moving forward with Avondale Works as a 70,000-square-foot office campus, which was first announced in 2016. We decided there was a higher and better use for the property, he said. He said the project will include about 40 rental lofts each about 1,500 square feet. Its going to be totally different, Eason said. There will be nothing else like it. Real estate agent Blake Seay and developer Jud Dawson are preparing to renovate four single-story townhouses about a block from Avondales popular 41st Street commercial corridor. The brick structures are adjacent to the railroad tracks and were built circa-1900 as residences for Avondale Mill workers. Dubbed Avondale Station for the neighborhoods industrial origins, the townhouses will be listed for sale starting at $319,900. Each will feature two bedrooms and two and half bathrooms, exposed interior brick, hardwood floors, open-concept living and dining rooms and security features like cameras and keyless entry. While that may seem pricey, its still less expensive for comparable homes in places like Mountain Brook and Homewood. These four townhouses on 42nd Street South in south Avondale are being renovated and will be for sale before the end of 2018. Avondale Station As home prices continue to increase in Avondale, Seay said Avondale Station will bring more affordable housing close to downtown. We are keeping prices lower than Homewood and Forest Park, he said. Seay said the townhouses will keep their industrial edge. All the exterior brick has been cleaned and the woodwork stained, he said. The breezeways between the townhouses will be opened with security gates added to allow for a walkway between the residences, he said. Seay said renovations have only just begun on the townhouses common space, which includes an outdoor kitchen, fire pit and seating, but interest from potential buyers is already strong. Our phones have been blowing up like crazy with people asking about it, he said. Our real estate agents have a list of people to call back once we go live with it. Seay said he hopes the townhouses will be on the market before the end of the year. The townhouses were previously owned by Avondale Brewery co-founder Coby Lake who attempted to have the property rezoned to allow for mixed-use residential, office and retail space. The Birmingham City Council denied his request in April causing Lake to sell. City Councilor Steven Hoyt called the request spot zoning. When you do that the community loses its character, he said. David Roberson, the former Drummond Company VP of Government Affairs, and Joel Gilbert, former Balch & Bingham partner, were sentenced Tuesday for their convictions on six criminal charges each relating to a scheme intended to stop expansion of a toxic cleanup site in Jefferson County by the Environmental Protection Agency. Roberson and Gilbert were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Abdul Kallon. Gilbert was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by a supervised release period of two years. Roberson was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. Each were ordered to pay a $25,000 fine, and ordered to complete 100 hours per year of community service while on supervised release. Kallon also ruled that Gilbert provided false testimony on a material matter in relation to his testimony about how he did not intend that Oliver Robinson use his official office as a state legislator as part of their contract. Gilbert spoke at his hearing, which began at 9 a.m., and apologized to his family, friends, and to Roberson. Gilbert said the past year and a half was extremely difficult, but maintained that he did not have any criminal intent in [his] actions. Gilbert said looking back, he knows there are things he could have done differently and he takes full responsibility for that. But, Gilbert said, he adamantly and vehemently denies there were any health risks to north Birmingham or Tarrant residents because of ABC Coke or Drummond. I am tasked now with rebuilding my life, regaining my reputation, and explaining this to my children, Gilbert said. Four people spoke on behalf of Gilbert and about his character. His younger brother talked about idolizing Gilbert for his entire life, and how involved a father Gilbert is to his two young children. He also said Gilbert has been a pillar of their family and has always acted selflessly to help those in need. He called Gilbert ethical, admirable, and genuine. Two friends said Gilbert has sound judgement and has good character, and would help anyone in need. A former co-worker said Gilbert always wanted to be a good lawyer for his clients and wanted to be with his family whenever possible. During Robersons hearing, which began at 1 p.m. and lasted over four hours, Kallon said he agrees Roberson is less culpable in the incident than Gilbert and that a departure from the sentencing guidelines was warranted. While the scheme was a serious crime, Kallon said, the letters and character witnesses gave him a full picture of Roberson and his life. The judge said he was blown away by the testimony regarding Robersons treatment of his daughter when she came out as gay, and by his relationship with his youngest son who has autism spectrum disorder. Kallon said, "Its clear hes the stable force at this point in [Robersons sons] life. Before announcing the sentence, Kallon said he was moved by Robersons treatment of immigrants, as referenced by several letters and a restaurant manager who said Roberson has let immigrant employees stay at his beach house because they werent able to take their families on vacation. Im sensitive to that because I am an immigrant as well, he said. I think we can learn a lot about a person through their conduct," he said. Brett Bloomston, Henry Asbill, and David Bouchard represented Roberson. The court received more than 150 letters of support for Roberson and 12 people spoke during the hearing about his character. Each described Roberson as a kind, genuine, ethical, calm, honest, and truthful person who is dedicated to his family. Many said Roberson was in this situation because of his reliance on Balch lawyers to do the right thing. Roberson also spoke, thanking his family and friends for their support. I may have been naive, I may have been too trusting [but] I am innocent of all charges brought against me, Roberson said. He said he trusted Gilbert and the Balch team to make sure everything they were doing was ethical, and also said he never saw the contract with Robinsons nonprofit foundation. I never thought we were bribing Oliver Robinson, he said. I trusted Joel [Gilbert]. Roberson said his family is his world and he would never do anything to jeopardize his relationship with them. He asked the judge for an acquittal or a new trial, but said if that wasnt possible, he would ask to remain on bond during his appeal. Kallon said he will allow extra time before giving Roberson a turn-in date to prison to allow for him to attend therapy with his family, so they can learn to cope with the sentence. He has yet to rule whether Roberson or Gilbert can remain free on bond while going through the appeals process. Assistant U.S. Attorneys George Martin, Robin Beardsley Mark, and John Ward prosecuted the case. In sentencing documents filed before the hearing, they asked Gilbert to be sentenced to more than eight years in prison, fined $250,000, and ordered to three years of supervised release. The government also asked that as a special condition of supervised release, Gilbert be ordered to perform 250 hours of community service in the north Birmingham community every year. They originally asked Roberson be sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison, but following testimony at the sentencing hearing, prosecutors lowered their request to four years in prison. They also asked that Roberson be fined $250,000 and given three years of supervised release. Gilberts lawyers Jack Sharman, Brandon Essig, and Jeffrey Doss, asked for a sentence of one year and one day in prison and a supervised release term of one to three years, with the first six months served under home confinement. His lawyers also requested Gilbert complete 200 court-ordered hours of community service. Robersons attorneys asked for a sentence without prison time. Each man was convicted of six criminal charges-- conspiracy, bribery, three counts of honest services wire fraud, and money laundering-- after a trial in July. According to prosecutors, Roberson and Gilbert bribed Robinson to oppose the EPAs Superfund expansion from north Birmingham into Tarrant and the plans to put the listing on the groups National Priorities List. If Drummond was found responsible for the polluted soil in the Superfund site, the company would have had to pay for the expensive cleanup. Prosecutors said Gilbert and Roberson formed a contract through Balch with Robinsons nonprofit organization, The Oliver Robinson Foundation, to pressure state officials to oppose the EPA, to meet with EPA representatives, and vote on a joint resolution in the legislature to denounce the expansion and NPL proposal. The trial lasted four weeks. Robinson, who testified for the government, pleaded guilty to several charges and was sentenced last month to two years and nine months in prison. He will begin serving prison time in November. Less than a month from Alabamas general election, one neck-and-neck race has caught the eye of state politicos. If there is a chance for a Democrat to take over a Republican seat, this is it, said Angi Stalnaker, a longtime GOP strategist. I think it will definitely be the race to watch in the (Alabama) Senate. Up for grabs is the Alabama Senate District 6 race in north Alabama, which pits incumbent Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia, against State Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, D-Red Bay. Morrow is a Democrat and former community college professor whos fought to arm teachers. Stutts is a Republican and obstetrician/gynecologist who was quickly embroiled in a controversy of his own making his first year in the State House. Its a Groundhog Day scenario for Stutts, who won the seat in 2014 over a veteran Democrat by a razor-thin margin. He beat longtime incumbent Sen. Roger Bedford by just 70 votes. I do expect it to be a fairly close race, said Stutts of this years race. He blames Bedford. My predecessor influenced how the district was drawn, so its a district thats drawn to be fairly balanced, Democrat and Republican. That makes for a very close race. The two politicians march into November having amassed nearly identical war chests. As of Oct. 15, Morrow raised $279,041 in cash contributions, compared with Stutts $271,210. Im fiscally conservative so we have tried to run a tight budget on our campaign, Stutts said. As an overall principle, I think campaigns are too expensive. Morrow has bet his political future on this race. By running for State Senate, hes giving up the House seat hes held since 1990. Were going to win, Morrow said. Thats how close it is. Follow the money The Stutts/Morrow race is the only contested senate race in Alabama that isnt lopsided in terms of the amount of money raised. Morrow is also the only challenger whos raised cash in the six figures. Stutts biggest financial backers are Realtors, timber interests and doctors. Alabama Realtors contributed $30,000 in the past two months; the Alabama Forestry Association gave $25,000 in September; and the Medical Association for the State of Alabama gave $25,000 since the summer. In the past few months, Morrows received $15,000 from an education-related political action committee called EDUPAC, and $16,100 from the Alabama Farmers Federations FARM PAC. The Alabama Optometric Association gave him $15,000. He got $10,000 each from the Alabama Builders PAC the Alabama Trucking Association PAC, and AVOTE, the Alabama Education Association PAC. But by far, Morrows biggest financial backer is himself. Hes loaned his campaign $250,000 since July. Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, D-Red Bay, is running against Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia, for the Alabama Senate District 6 seat. Morrow sits in the top 10 among candidates in any statewide race, in monetary expenditures. As of Oct. 15, hes spent $387,047, compared with Stutts $263,367. I dont equate how much money you spend to how many votes you get, Morrow said, when asked about his campaign fundraising. I have a better message than my opponent and thats whats going to lead me across the victory line. Checkered past Three months after his election in 2014, Stutts introduced one of his first pieces of legislation. It would have repealed a state law requiring insurers to cover hospital stays for new mothers at least 48 hours after delivering babies. What Stutts didnt disclose to the public or the bills co-sponsors was that the law he wanted to repeal was named for his patient, Rose Church, who had died in his care. Churchs husband had also sued Stutts for malpractice after her death. Stutts later withdrew the bill and denied it had any connection to Church or her death. He found himself, probably more than other freshmen senators, in the center of more controversial positions, said Stalnaker. Morrow is best known in recent years as one of the most persistent critics of former Gov. Robert Bentley and his former political adviser and paramour Rebekah Mason. (Morrow) sort of led the charge from the Democrat side, joining with Rep. Ed Henry on the Republican side, to remove Gov. Bentley, said Stalnaker. Thats something a lot of people in his district appreciate. Morrow hadnt shied away from the spotlight. He filed an ethics complaint against Mason in 2016, alleging she used her romantic relationship with Bentley to persuade him to veto a pair of Morrows bills that would have allowed Franklin County educators to be armed. It was dismissed last year by the Alabama Ethics Commission. Last year, Morrow held a news conference on the floor of the House after Bentleys resignation, calling for the Alabama House to condemn Masons selfish, manipulative actions. Medicaid and the lottery Stutts calls himself the conservative choice in the race. During his tenure in the Senate, he said, hes been proud of responsible state budgeting, historically low unemployment rates, and passing the largest education budget in years, which included a pay raise for teachers, in 2016. If elected, he wants to reform the Medicaid system, including how doctors are reimbursed by Medicaid and how state funds are allocated to physicians and hospitals in rural areas. About 13 percent of physicians across the state accept Medicaid patients, he said. Thats a small minority. There are so many things that could be fixed in the Medicaid system. We need to be efficient, using dollars wisely and controlling abuse in the system. Morrow said he chose to run because he didnt like Stutts voting record on public schools and the Retirement Systems of Alabama. Morrow wants Alabamians to vote on the lottery. I think $330 million per year leaves our state and goes to Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida to support their (lottery) programs, he said. To me, the fiscally conservative approach would be, lets capture that $330 million before we raise taxes. He distances himself from party leaders on both sides. I think both parties are disgusting, Morrow said. Do I want people like Robert Bentley and Mike Hubbard make me want to be Republican? I dont think so. Do Joe Reed and Nancy Worley make me want to be Democrat? No. Im a lobbyist for House District 18 and will become a lobbyist for Senate District 6. National politics invade local Energy among Democrats nationally may extend to state legislative races, said Dr. Richard Fording, professor of political science at the University of Alabama. At the state legislative level, there are a handful, maybe four or five, of seats that the Republicans won by fewer than 500 votes in 2014, said Fording. I would expect that the Democrats will have a turnout advantage again as they did in the 2017 special election and this may be enough for them to pick off a few state legislative seats. This year, 33 Republicans are running unopposed in 105 state races. Thats significantly fewer, said Fording, than the 47 Republicans who ran unopposed in 2014. National politics dont often move Alabama politics in any significant way, said Stalnaker. But this year is different, particularly in the wake of the hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. I have never seen numbers move like theyve moved, she said. The Kavanaugh situation, the protests and rhetoric have...really invigorated voters to go to the right. If Stutts wins and beats Johnny Mack Morrow, that will be the result of a national movement, not a local movement. Alabamas U.S. senators joined six of their colleagues Monday to press the Commerce Department to be firm with a Vietnamese catfish exporter accused of selling filets below market value a practice known as dumping that harms the bottom lines of Americas catfish farmers. Alabama is the countrys second-largest catfish producer, according to the Alabama Farmers Federation. About 6,135 pounds of catfish per acre of catfish farmland are produced a year in the state, mostly in the western part of the Black Belt. U.S. Sens. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., and Doug Jones, D-Ala., were among eight senators who wrote to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, urging a Commerce Department Agency to not cut any more slack for Vietnamese exporter Hung Vuong Group (HVG) after the Vietnamese Embassy intervened on HVGs behalf. Amid allegations that HVG dumped catfish filets into the U.S. market, the Commerce Department initially rejected a questionnaire sent by the company in response to the allegations because the questionnaire was incomplete and late. But the department reversed its decision after the Vietnamese Embassy stepped in, allowing HVG to resubmit the questionnaire. We are troubled by this series of events, as in recent years Commerce has consistently found significant dumping by Vietnamese fish fillet exporters, and has determined repeatedly that many exporters have been uncooperative in responding to the Departments questionnaires, the senators wrote. The decision by Commerce to consent to a Vietnamese Embassy officials request to allow uncooperative Vietnamese parties to impede your Departments proceeding with further delays will have a catastrophic effect on the domestic industry. Our catfish farmers rely on strong enforcement of U.S. antidumping laws to ensure they can compete on a level playing field. With Commerce Department officials expected to travel soon to Vietnam to investigate the dispute, the senators told Ross to urge the officials to conduct this verification rigorously, and not tolerate further delays or obstruction from HVG or other Vietnamese officials. Vietnamese respondents or any other parties that fail to comply with requests for timely and accurate information, do not deserve more favorable treatment than U.S. catfish producers, the senators wrote to Ross. We hope your department will remain committed to strong implementation of U.S. antidumping laws, and that procedural rules will be applied to all parties in an impartial manner. Eritrean and Ethiopian traders hope to profit from peace but thousands of Eritreans flee seeking safety and stability. Adi Quala, Eritrea and Rama, Ethiopia Teklehaimanot Tesfazigi is 103 years old and has witnessed Eritreas many stages, from the Italian colonial period to the British administration, which ended in 1951, when Eritrea joined Ethiopia in a federation. Then there was the Eritrean War of Independence that ended in May 1991, followed by a bloody two-year border war with Ethiopia from 1998 to 2000 and a subsequent cold-war period between them. Despite a peace deal signed in Algiers in December 2000, putting an to end to the border war that is estimated to have killed 70,000 from both sides, the two countries remained in a state of bitter enmity along their 1100km border. That hostility ended in July this year, with Ethiopia and Eritrea signing a peace declaration enabling air services to resume, phone lines to reopen, and the restoration of diplomatic missions. Their common border reopened on September 11. Tesfazigi lives in the picturesque and quiet Eritrean city of Adi Quala, 30km north of the Ethiopian border. But the centenarian had once lived in Ethiopia and owned two hotels and a natural gum processing business there, which he had to leave behind at the outbreak of the Ethiopia-Eritrea border conflict. He was made to return to Eritrea as part of a forced population exchange between the two countries that saw hundreds of thousands from both sides deported. The war and the subsequent cold war between the two nations has cost me dearly. Teklehaimanot Tesfazigi, 103-year-old Eritrean Now he spends his days greeting mainly Ethiopian customers at his small hotel, Tourist, in Adi Quala city. He says he is hopeful about business after the common border resolution. The war and the subsequent cold war between the two nations has cost me dearly, he told Al Jazeera. I used to employ more than 2,000 people in Ethiopia before the outbreak of the war. When I returned to run my hotel business in Adi Quala, we had a chronic shortage, which closed the business for a long time. Kibreab Tewolde manages the Messebo Cement factory in Ethiopias Mekelle city, the capital of Tigray regional state, which borders Eritrea. He hopes Eritrean ports can facilitate renewed business ties between the two nations. Landlocked Ethiopia used to depend mainly on the Eritrean ports of Massawa and Assab for its foreign trade, but conflict led Ethiopia to shift its foreign trade to neighbouring Djibouti. Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, centre, between Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, right, and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, after the peace agreement on December 12, 2000, in Algiers [AP Photo] Tewolde said Messebo has found a lucrative market in Eritrea for its cement products, and he hopes to expand the factorys customer base internationally using the Massawa port. The distance from Mekelle to Massawa port is about half that of the distance from Mekelle to Djibouti port, he told Al Jazeera. With the reopening of the Eritrean border, we can cut transportation costs for the estimated 25,000 tonnes of coal we import monthly to fire up our cement plant as well as make it profitable to export our products to the global market. Tewolde says the two countries lost significant opportunities over the past two decades and hopes they keep their promises this time around. Around 10,000 Eritreans arrive in Ethiopia While the reopening has seen business boom in border towns in both countries, the number of migrants and refugees from Eritrea to Ethiopia has grown, with many citing Eritreas struggling economy, continuing indefinite conscription and political repression. After the 1998-2000 border war, Ethiopia expanded its economy, while Eritreas economy stagnated as the government said it needed to divert resources and human power to fight off a potential invasion from its much larger neighbour. According to the UNHCR, between September 12 and October 13, 9,905 Eritreans arrived in Ethiopia, the majority of whom claimed to be attempting to reunite with family. I will return when there are meaningful changes in Eritrea. Until then I will live in my second homeland. Hadas Reda*, Eritrean migrant Eritrean migrant Hadas Reda (not her real name), a mother of five, fled to Ethiopia two weeks after the border between the two countries was re-opened. Clutching her 18-month-old baby, Reda told Al Jazeera she fled her village near Asmara, the Eritrean capital, by foot. It took her an entire day to walk to Ethiopia. My husband, a soldier, had already defected to Ethiopia a year ago, leaving me and my children to struggle and live off a half hectare of land given to me by Eritrean state, said Reda, who now lives in the Ethiopian border town of Rama. I came to Ethiopia because I struggled economically and I wanted to meet up with my husband. I will return when there are meaningful changes in Eritrea. Until then I will live in my second homeland, said Reda, noting the common ethnic heritage of people on both sides of the border. Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed attend the inauguration ceremony of Embassy of Eritrea in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on July 16, 2018 [Minasse Wondimu Hailu/Anadolu] The streets of Rama city are full of new Eritrean refugees who register at Red Cross and UNHCR centres before relocating to refugee camps or moving to other parts of Ethiopia to live with friends or relatives. Zenebe Berhane, a Rama city administration spokesman, confirmed the rise but said economic gains may reverse the refugee flow. Before the war, Rama city had strong economic, political and social relations with Eritrea, he told Al Jazeera. But with the outbreak of war, the city suffered a business downturn, farmers nearby were not able to farm their fields for fear of conflict. Now, construction materials, cement and food items are being sold to Eritrean buyers as Eritreans sell clothes and electronics to Ethiopians. Already, a 60km asphalt road from Adwa city to the Ethiopian edge of the two countries border is being hurried up. Ethiopia has completed a study to use the Eritrean port of Massawa and there are tentative plans to build a university on the two countries borders with help from both governments, said Zenebe. For now at least, many Ethiopians and Eritreans, despite mutual wariness, have high hopes for the diplomatic thaw to continue. Pucallpa, Peru Sailing upriver in pitch dark, the Eduardo II reaches a dangerous impasse. The ships massive propellers thrust in reverse as it nearly runs aground. A hail of jungle brush and insects crash onto the ships deck as the crew anchors at the rivers edge until dawn. There are nights when you cant see the sandbars in front of you. We stop when visibility is too low, says Captain Gadiel Guedez, who freights cargo and passengers between the sweltering ports of Pucallpa and Iquitos in Perus central Amazon, a 990km journey up the Ucayali River. Despite decades of experience navigating the rivers of Perus Amazon from the helm of his rusty cargo ship, shallow banks often prevent him from hauling cargo day and night, year-round. A standard three-day journey between ports can take up to a week during the Amazons summer months when rivers are lowest. But a massive infrastructure operation along the Amazon River and its major tributaries will soon deepen and widen points along these rivers to improve navigability for large vessels, allowing constant sailing. National authorities have championed the Amazon Waterway Project as a silver bullet to the Amazons chronic underdevelopment. But indigenous groups, fearing threats to food security, safety, and the vitality of their rivers, have met the project with deep scepticism. These mega-projects are not implemented for our indigenous brothers travelling by humble canoe. They are made to facilitate large companies, says Robert Guimaraes, president of FECONAU, an indigenous group representing tribes along the Ucayali River basin, a main tributary of the Amazon River. Indigenous leader Robert Guimaraes (centre) calls the waterway project a threat to native food security [Neil Giardino/Al Jazeera] The waterway is part of a larger transnational infrastructure strategy to link Perus Pacific port of Callao, north of the capital, Lima, to the Atlantic Ocean in Brazil through an integrated network of highways, river ways, and telecommunications systems. With an investment of over $95m, the Amazon Waterway will ensure 56-metre wide and 1.8-metre deep shipping lanes for cargo vessels along Perus Amazon, Ucayali, Huallaga, and Maranon Rivers. Linking the major Amazonian port cities of Iquitos, Pucallpa and Yurimaguas, the project will span territory home to 424 native communities belonging to 14 ethnicities. National authorities claim the waterway, which will be equipped with a river level measurement system, will reduce the risk of accidents, bring down the cost of travel and transport of goods and boost regional economies. Set to commence in 2020, the project will require the dredging of sand and logs along roughly 2,500km of the river to create deeper and faster-moving channels for cargo ships transporting everything from automobiles to food supplies. The waterway is expected to be operational by 2022. Our farms are at risk But FECONAU says villagers fear the removal of large tree trunks and rocks where fish gather and lay eggs will reduce variety and quantity of their main food source. They also worry a faster current will capsize their canoes and increase flooding of riverbanks, where tribes plant seasonal crops like cassava. {articleGUID} Our farms are at risk. This could threaten our food. This could be fatal, Guimares says. Regional authorities in the Amazon province of Ucayali say low water levels during dry season cause dangerous bottlenecks in rivers, which create delays in transport and limit the regions economic potential. With more than 6,000km of navigable waterways in Perus Amazon, river transportation accounts for over 90 percent of passenger and cargo transport including shipping of commodities like gas and timber. Rivers are the only highways in the Amazon. Without this waterway well never be able to take advantage of nighttime transport, says Jose Llontop, President of the Ucayali Department of Industry in Pucallpa. These mega-projects are not implemented for our indigenous brothers travelling by humble canoe. They are made to facilitate large companies. Robert Guimaraes, president of FECONAU Situated on the muddy banks of the Ucayali River, Pucallpa is 12-hour drive from Lima along one of the only highways leading into Perus vast inland jungle. The city is a gateway to the Amazon, with a connection to the countrys largest Amazon port of Iquitos reachable only by air or river to the north. Llontop says the waterway would be a godsend to the Ucayali region, linking it to goods produced on the coast, facilitating transport of gas and timber up the Amazon River and opening up the resource-rich province to foreign markets. This project will bring investment in from North America and Europe, which will benefit the entire region, including native communities, Llontop says. But indigenous groups representing 12 federations and hundreds of communities in the Ucayali region remain leery of the project and the states promises of direct economic benefit. Native communities dont trust the state, with only their own economic interests in mind, says Alejandro Chino Mori, a legal advisor for indigenous group ORAU in Ucayali province. Bribing indigenous communities? Mori says indigenous groups are not against development, but that they need guarantees projects like these will not harm [their] way of life. {articleGUID} Peruvian law requires the consultation of indigenous peoples on infrastructure projects that could affect their lands. After indigenous resistance to the waterway led to its suspension in 2015, the state deployed translators and technical teams to over 300 native villages to allay concerns about the project. FECONAU says the Ministry of Transportation, which held the legally mandated public forums, presented overly technical information and ultimately bribed communities into approving the project in late 2015. The state very strategically offered road, lighting, and social projects in some communities to pacify them and buy their approval, Guimaraes says. Gregory Garcia Wong, director of Aquatic Transport, a regional transport ministry in Loreto Province, rejected the notion that native communities were bribed for their support. There is a lot of misinformation in native communities. Many state entities are currently at the table listening to demands of communities that might be affected by this project, he says. By offering community projects, the state was able to evade questions about the environmental impacts of the waterway, says Diego Saavedra, of DAR, an environmental rights advocacy group in the Amazon. In reality, it is the states obligation to provide basic services anyway. Now, two and a half years later, the technical details are still unclear and they havent initiated a single community project, he tells Al Jazeera. Garcia Wong insists projects were under way. State-funded projects like roads require planning. Theyre not immediately put into action. Just like the waterway itself, they require studies before execution, he says. As natives, we have a spiritual bond with our rivers and forests. So you can't misrepresent a project that will dredge our rivers and change their natural courses. Robert Guimaraes, president of FECONAU In 2017, the state awarded the waterway concession to Chinese hydropower corporation Sinohydro, one of Chinas largest state-owned companies, in cooperation with Peruvian construction firm Casa Contratistas. The Peruvian state has ensured native communities that dredging will not begin until environmental impact studies have concluded and a citizens participation plan has been implemented. But indigenous groups have cited irregularities and lack of communication from Sino-Peruvian technical teams working on the waterway. The technical documents weve seen from the corporation have a lot of blank spaces in them. They dont know the territory and they still dont know how the rivers will respond to these changes, Saavedra says. Supporters of the project say concerns about catastrophic changes to the regions rivers are overblown. The state, they stress, has identified only 13 points along these rivers where depth is too shallow for large ships. {articleGUID} Dredging wont even amount to three percent of all of the length of the waterway, says Juan Carlos Paz, a transportation consultant who worked on the project for over a decade within Perus Ministry of Transport. According to Paz, the waterway would provide access to food, clean water and education to the most economically depressed region in the country. This project is exactly what is needed to bring development and connectivity to these citizens, he says. But Guimaraes of FECONAU, who belongs to the Shipibo-Konibo tribe, stressed that rivers of the Amazon are not just a means of navigation. As natives, we have a spiritual bond with our rivers and forests. So you cant misrepresent a project that will dredge our rivers and change their natural courses, he says. Gadiel Guedez, captain of the Eduardo II, has sailed the Amazons rivers for decades [Neil Giardino/Al Jazeera] Despite the obvious benefits the Amazon Waterway would likely bring to his own livelihood, Eduardo IIs Captain Gadiel Guedez also remains sceptical of man-made changes to the Amazons wild and meandering rivers. Humans can attempt to change Mother Nature, but she does what she wants. You shouldnt mess with nature, but respect it, Guedez says. China appears to be operating with the mistaken assumption that it can be pro-Palestine and pro-Israel at once. Chinas Vice President Wang Qishan arrived in Israel on Monday for a four-day visit to head the fourth China-Israel Innovation Committee. He is the highest-ranking Chinese official to visit Israel in nearly two decades. In April 2000, the former president of China, Jiang Zemin was the first Chinese leader to ever visit Israel, touring the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum and paying diplomatic dues to his Israeli counterparts. Then, he spoke of Chinas intentions to cement the bond between the two countries. Wang Qishans visit, however, is different. The bond between Beijing and Tel Aviv is much stronger now than it was then, as expressed in sheer numbers. Soon after the two countries exchanged diplomatic missions in 1992, trade figures began increasing. The size of Chinese investments in Israel also grew exponentially, from $50m in the early 1990s to a whopping $16.5bn according to 2016 estimates. On this visit, Qishan is joined by Jack Ma, founder of Chinas top e-commerce firm, Alibaba. Ma was also in Israel in May to prepare the ground for the ongoing summit, which is expected to yield massive new investments. Much of these investments will be focused on technology, which makes the nature of the China-Israel relationship different from that which bonded Beijing with Arab countries for decades. Chinas total trade with Arab countries is also massive, estimated at $171bn. However, the nature of the exchange is different if compared with that between China and Israel. China is a main client for Israels IT industry, while its trade with Arab countries is mostly focused on selling cheaper consumer goods and, as of late, military hardware. Enter Belt and Road Initiative Chinas vice presidents visit to Israel comes at the heels of accelerated efforts by Beijing to promote its mammoth trillion-dollar economic project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China hopes that its grand plan will help it open massive new opportunities across the world and eventually guarantee its dominance in various regions that rotated, since World War II, within an American sphere of influence. BRI aims to connect Asia, Africa, and Europe through a belt of overland routes and a maritime road of sea lanes. The China-US competition is heating up. Washington wants to hold on its global dominance for as long as possible while Beijing is eagerly working to supplant the USs superpower status, first in Asia, then in Africa and the Middle East. In Africa, China has pumped massive amounts of cash that is being spent mostly on economic development projects. The Chinese strategy in achieving its objectives is quite clear: unlike the USs disproportionate investments in military power, China is keen on winning its coveted status, at least for the time being, using soft power only. The Middle East, however, is far richer and thus more strategic and contested than any other region in the world. Rife with conflicts and distinct political camps, it is likely to derail Chinas soft power strategy sooner rather than later. While Chinese foreign policy managed to survive the polarizing war in Syria through engaging all sides and playing second to Russias leading role at the UN Security Council, the Israeli occupation of Palestine is a whole different political challenge. Chinas Balancing Act For years, China has maintained a consistent position in support of the Palestinian people, calling for an end to the Israeli occupation and for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. However, Beijings firm position regarding the rights of Palestinians, seems as of little consequence to its relationship with Israel, as joint technological ventures, trade and investments continue to grow unhindered. Chinas foreign policymakers operate with the mistaken assumption that their country can be pro-Palestine and pro-Israel at once, criticizing the occupation, yet sustaining it; calling on Israel to respect international law while at the same time empowering Israel, however unwittingly, in its ongoing violations of Palestinian human rights. With the Palestinian struggle for freedom and human rights is capturing international attention through the rise of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, more and more countries are under pressure to articulate a clear stance on the Israeli occupation and apartheid. For China to enter the fray with an indecisive and self-serving strategy is not just morally objectionable, but strategically unsustainable as well. The Palestinian and Arab peoples are hardly interested in swapping American military dominance with Chinese economic hegemony that does little to change or, at least challenge, the prevailing status quo. As it stands, Chinas Belt and Road Initiative is largely devoid of any political substance, despite the fact that the Middle East will play a vital role in this 21st century Silk Road that has the potential to revolutionise the geopolitical world order completely. In fact, the Middle East region has been described as the place where the Belt joins the Road. Chinas growing investments and strategic ties to Israel are predicated on both countries keen interest in technological innovation, as well as on the so-called Red-Med Railway, a regional network of sea and rail infrastructure aimed at connecting China with Europe via Asia and the Middle East. Additionally, the railway would also link the two Israeli ports of Eilat and Ashdod. News of Chinas plan to manage the Israeli port of Haifa has already raised the ire of the US and its European allies. Times have changed, indeed. Whereas in the past, Washington ordered Tel Aviv to immediately cease exchanging American military technology with China, forcing it to cancel the sale of the Phalcon airborne early-warning system, it is now watching as Israeli and Chinese leaders are managing the dawn of a new political era that for the first time doesnt include Washington. Alexander B Pevzner, founding director of the Chinese Media Center (CMC) is one of the many enthusiastic supporters of what he calls the systematic dialogue between Israel and China. He told The Diplomat that Israels stability is the exception in the turbulent Middle East. It seems that the oft-repeated cliche of Israel being the only democracy in the Middle East, is being slightly adjusted to meet the expectations of a fledgeling superpower, which is merely interested in technology, trade and investments. Israeli leaders want China and its investors to think of Israel as the only stable economy in the Middle East. And BRI, according to Pevzner is the new game in town. Israel seeking new partners Although ties between Washington and Tel Aviv are stronger than ever, Israeli leaders are aware of a vastly changing political landscape. The USs own political turmoil and the global power realignment, which is on full display in the Middle East, indicate that a new era is, indeed in the making. The last global realignment took place immediately following WWII. As Europe and much of Asia stood in ruins, a revitalised American economy pulled the world out of desolation through the Marshall Plan and other initiatives. It was then that the US established itself as the pater familias, a patronizing figure on the international arena, enforcing its rules and protection as if a loving, but authoritative father. Israel understands that Chinas ultimate motive is to change that long-prevailing reality. Tel Aviv, therefore, aims to secure for itself a strong position whereby it continues to harvest aid and support from its traditional western allies, while slowly cementing its relationship with Beijing. China, on the other hand, has been experimenting with more pronounced political strategies in the region. In 2013, it produced the four-point plan to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict. In 2017 it pushed its plan in earnest, using the Palestine-Israel peace symposium as a platform to articulate a clearer Chinese foreign policy. In fact, last years symposium was the first to be sponsored by the administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Chinas peace plan a mere reiteration of the long-standing UN position on the issue received little international attention. That, however, may change in the future as Chinas role in the Middle East continues to grow. China and Palestine Beijings position on Palestine, at least officially, has always been consistent. Back in the 1960s, China was the first non-Arab country to enter into diplomatic relations with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Beijing has long endorsed the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian State, within the 1967 boundaries and with East Jerusalem as its capital. After the 2006 parliamentary elections in the Occupied Territories, unlike the US, the Chinese government refused to label Hamas a terrorist organisation and defended the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. It went even further. To the fury of Israel, Beijing defined Hamas as the chosen representative of the Palestinian people. While Chinas official political discourse on Israel and Palestine remained consistent, a dual strategy was being formulated after the announcement of the BRI. It was then that China felt the need to offer its own mediation through the four-point peace plan and refrain from supporting one side against the other. From a Chinese perspective, the political stance in favour of a Palestinian State does not preclude the economic ties with Israel, Diego Angelo Bertozzi, author of The Belt and Road Initiative, told us. The same Chinese logic applies to the rest of the region. Chinas thriving trade relations with Syria and Iran do not preclude the deepening relations with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, insofar as Beijing aims to establish itself as an equidistant and stabilizing world power, according to Bertozzi. For now, China is maybe able to walk that fine line. But what would happen in the case of outright conflict, especially if the US and Chinas trade wars morphed into a limited or large-scale military confrontation? Israel then is likely to side with the US, and Chinas technological secrets and access to Israeli ports might be used against it. Sadly, while Beijing and Tel Aviv labour to strike the needed balance between foreign policies and economic interests, China finds itself under no particular obligation to side with a well-defined Arab position on Palestine, simply because the latter doesnt exist. The political division of Arab countries, the wars in Syria, Yemen and elsewhere have pushed Palestine down from being a top Arab priority into some strange bargain involving regional peace as part of Trumps so-called Deal of the Century. This painful reality has weakened Palestines position in China, which, at least for now, values its relationship with Israel at a much higher level than its historical bond with Palestine and the Palestinian people. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the Myanmar officers were responsible for human rights violations. Australias government on Tuesday unveiled sanctions against five officers in Myanmars powerful military who are accused of overseeing barbaric violence against the Rohingya. Following similar actions by the United States and the European Union, Australia announced it would freeze the assets of officers including a lieutenant general who commanded a special operations group believed to be behind atrocities. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the officers Aung Kyaw Zaw, Maung Maung Soe, Aung Aung, Than Oo, and Khin Maung Soe were responsible for human rights violations committed by units under their command. The five, some of whom are since believed to have stepped down from their posts, will also be banned from travelling to Australia. About 700,000 Rohingya have been driven from their homes in Rakhine state, in southwest Myanmar, since 2016. The military campaign has been marked by numerous extrajudicial killings, mass rape, and the burning of villages by security forces. Rohingya terrorists A recent UN report accused Myanmars military of genocidal intent and called for its commander-in-chief and the five generals to be prosecuted under international law. Myanmar has denied the allegations in the report, blaming Rohingya terrorists for most accounts of atrocities. Australia previously provided training for Myanmars army and refrained from imposing sanctions, until Tuesday. Financial dealings with the Myanmar military officers can now attract penalties of $1.2m for companies and 10 years in jail for individuals. Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay did not pick up a call seeking comment. Italian populist government leaders say they will not bow to pressure after EU rejects spending plans for 2019. Brussels has rejected Italys draft budget for 2019, setting up a standoff with the populist government in Rome. Saying the budget brazenly broke European Union (EU) rules on public spending, the European Commission on Tuesday asked Italy to submit a new draft within three weeks or face disciplinary action. The bloc is concerned that markets could lose trust in debt-laden Italy, potentially provoking a new crisis in the eurozone. The Italian government wants to spend more on welfare, infrastructure and reduce the retirement age. It has planned to finance this through more borrowing. Italian debt stands at around 130 percent of the countrys gross domestic product (GDP), far above the EUs ceiling of 60 percent, and second only to crisis-hit Greece. It is the first time that the commission has rejected a budget presented by a eurozone member since it attained the power to do so amid the 2013 sovereign debt crisis. The Italian government is openly and consciously going against the commitments it made, European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis told a news conference. Following the announcement, yields of Italian government bonds surged. Rome will now have to submit a fresh budget that would cut the countrys structural deficit by 0.6 percent of GDP, rather than increase the deficit by 0.8 percent, the commission said. If Italy fails to comply, the EU could impose fines of up to 0.2 percent of GDP, or 3.4bn euros ($3.9bn), based on 2017 figures. Luigi Di Maio, one of Italys two deputy prime ministers, responded to the rejection by calling for respect for Italians. This is the first Italian budget that the EU doesnt like. Im not surprised. This is the first Italian budget that was written in Rome and not in Brussels, he said on Facebook. Italys far-right Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who is also an interior minister, said the government was in the right and warned that Brussels was angering Italians and eroding faith in the EU. No one will take one euro from this budget, he said. Speaking on Monday, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the draft budget is designed to create growth and avoid a recession. The commission is concerned that Italys growth assumptions are overly positive, making the debt reduction plan questionable. Experience has shown time and again that higher fiscal deficits and debt do not bring lasting growth. And excessive debt makes your economy more vulnerable to future crisis, said Dombrovskis. Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge seen as crucial for Chinas Silicon Valley, but some worry about its political impact. An earlier version estimated the bridge costing $2.2bn. The correct figure is $20.2bn. This has been amended. Hong Kong President Xi Jinping opened the long-delayed and over-budget Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge on Tuesday, billed as a major step forward in Chinas plan to turn the Pearl River Delta into a technology hub to rival Silicon Valley. But critics worry the 55km-long bridge connecting the mainland city of Zhuhai with the semi-autonomous territories of Hong Kong and Macau is as much about politics as it is business. It is a grand political gesture uniting Hong Kong, Macau and the mainland, said veteran Hong Kong-based analyst Philip Bowring, adding the areas existing transport links are more than sufficient. It is certainly not a commercial gesture, that is for sure. China is stepping up initiatives to increase trade across the region and at home the opening of the mega-bridge comes a month after a new high-speed rail link started carrying passengers from Hong Kong to the mainland. The government in Beijing and authorities in Hong Kong and Macau, which have funded the bridge together, say it will meet the demand of both freight and passenger traffic, and boost economic development within the cities of the Greater Bay Area, which are home to an estimated 69 million people. The bridge will facilitate personnel exchange, and bring strategic significance for the development of both Hong Kong and the Bay Area, Frank Chan Fan, Hong Kongs secretary for transport and housing, said in a statement. The challenge is to make sure that the separate systems of Hong Kong and China are preserved as the two countries implement institutional reforms, said Jiang Lin, an economics professor at Sun Yat-sen University. It will be a dilemma because the boundary between the countries does blur with developments like the bridge and the high-speed rail. The worlds factory The Greater Bay Area, first mooted in 2017, is supposed to turn the region from a global manufacturing hub into a centre for innovation in science and technology. Although concerns are growing about a China-US trade war, a survey from KPMG China, HSBC and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce released earlier this month found businesses broadly supportive of the Bay Area plan, although 68 percent were concerned about regulatory ambiguity. Policy coordination and the movement of capital were also seen as challenges among the executives surveyed. Kow Ping, CEO of Hong Kong medical start-up Wellbeing Digital, is among those who see the bridge as a step forward for both Hong Kong and the wider region. In general, a lot of the manufacturing for the world happens in Guangdong, and the commerce happens in Hong Kong, Kow told Al Jazeera. I think anything that connects consumers, manufacturers, and the docks is a positive thing. If this bridge will do that more efficiently, then there will be benefits. Wellbeing Digital, which started business in 2013 in Hong Kongs Science Park , now holds 28 patents and has filed for 52. Hong Kong can leverage Shenzhen or Guangdong much better than other places, he said. You can create a prototype very rapidly and have what you are working towards in your hands. Then, you can start testing right away and get it out there sooner, and that speed is really important with healthcare IoT [Internet of Things]. The bridge will shorten the driving time from Hong Kong International Airport to Zhuhai from four hours to just 45 minutes, as well as halving the commuting time between the ports. Bus services along the six-lane highway are also expected to offer a more frequent service than the Hong Kong-Macau ferry. Construction on the bridge started nine years ago, and the project was supposed to be completed by 2016. The delays related to road construction in Hong Kong and the territorys environmental standards have helped inflate costs. The last estimate of $20.2bn was released in January. Environmental impact In Tai O, a traditional fishing village in Hong Kong, tourists head out into the bay in the hope of catching a glimpse of rare Chinese White Dolphin. Cars on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge during its testing phase [Bobby Yip/Reuters] But the scale of the project, which skirts around Hong Kongs international airport and involves three cable sea bridges, one undersea tunnel, and two artificial islands, has raised concern about the bridges impact on the delicate ecosystems of the Pearl River Delta. Day-trippers are guaranteed a sighting of the worlds longest sea bridge, but the dolphins are increasingly hard to find. North Lantau, where the bridge connects, is the main natural habitat for these dolphins, said Roy Tam Hoi Pong, who heads the Hong Kong environmental group Green Sense. The data is very clear, the number of Chinese White Dolphins has declined significantly around North Lantau, and they have not recovered, said Tam. The dolphins do not re-adapt after such significant disruptions to their sonar and their habitat. Indifference Tuesdays opening has taken many by surprise. Transport operators in Hong Kong expected to have about two months to prepare and were taken aback to discover last week it would be open to the public starting Wednesday. The South China Morning Post, citing a government source, said the late notice was a security precaution. Xi opened the bridge on a site near Zhuhai, and was not expected to travel to either Hong Kong or Macau. In recent weeks, Chinas promise of one country, two systems in Hong Kong has come under increasing strain. Earlier this month the Hong Kong National Party, which promoted independence from China, was outlawed and the president of the Foreign Correspondents Club denied a visa after chairing a discussion with the partys leader there. Hong Kong authorities have not revealed their reasons for denying the visa. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo recently urged Hong Kongs young people to consider taking advantage of closer ties to set up home in other cheaper parts of the Greater Bay Area. But a recent report by a pro-Beijing group, the Hong Kong Youth Power Association, found more than half of 878 people interviewed would not consider such a move. Hong Kong people are indifferent to this bridge, said Hoi Pong. The governments agreed to build the bridge, but they did not consult Hong Kong people. If they had, I think we would have said we prefer the ferry to spending billions on a bridge. Trump sparks global concern saying he plans to jettison the 30-year old INF treaty signed by Reagan and Gorbachev. President Donald Trump said the United States is ready to bolster its nuclear arsenal after announcing it is abandoning a Cold War-era nuclear treaty, as Russia warned the withdrawal could cripple global security. Trump sparked concern globally by saying he wanted to jettison the three-decade-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed former US president Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader. In explaining his decision, Trump told reporters in Washington that Russia had not adhered to the spirit of that agreement or to the agreement itself. Until people come to their senses, we will build it up, he said, referring to the countrys nuclear stockpile. This should have been done years ago. Its a threat to whoever you want. And it includes China. And it includes Russia, the US president continued. And it includes anybody else who wants to play that game. You cant do that. You cant play that game. Until they get smart, theres going to be nobody thats going to be even close to us. Blow to security Russia, however, has warned abandoning the agreement would be a major blow to global security. Moscow was ready to work with the United States to salvage the agreement, the Russian Security Council said after a meeting between its chief Nikolai Patrushev and US National Security Adviser John Bolton. Bolton, who is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, was visiting Moscow in the wake of Trumps announcement Saturday that he wants to do away with the pact, which bans intermediate-range nuclear and conventional missiles. Signed in 1987, the INF resolved a crisis over Soviet nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles targeting Western capitals. Putins spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected claims that Moscow has violated the pact, instead accusing Washington of doing so, and called Boltons upcoming meeting with Putin important. There are more questions than answers, he told journalists. Think twice Trumps announcement has raised global concerns, with the European Commission urging the US and Russia to pursue talks to preserve the treaty, and China calling on Washington to think twice. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said a unilateral withdrawal from the treaty will have a multitude of negative effects. Analysts warn the latest rift between Moscow and Washington could have lamentable consequences, dragging Russia into a new arms race. Putin last week raised eyebrows by saying Russians would go to heaven in the event of nuclear war and that Moscow would not use nuclear weapons first. The aggressor will have to understand that retaliation is inevitable, that it will be destroyed and that we, as victims of aggression, as martyrs, will go to heaven, he said. Putin and Trump will both be in Paris, France on November 11 to attend commemorations marking 100 years since the end of World War I. Rights groups warn government responses to Central American migrants, refugees going to US may violate international law Agua Caliente, Guatemala/Honduras It was the middle of the night when Kenia Sanchez set out. The border was closed, so sticking to the highway was not an option. Sanchez, her partner and their baby daughter left Ocotepeque, Honduras on foot at 2am and arrived at the migrant shelter over the border in Esquipulas, Guatemala, shortly before mid-day on Monday. There was no way through. We went into the bush, Sanchez told Al Jazeera, her blistered feet resting atop worn shoes. We passed through forest. We crossed rivers. Sanchez, 30, and her family are among several groups of Hondurans attempting to make their way north, following in the footsteps of thousands of migrants and refugees who have made the trek over the past week. Most say they are fleeing unemployment and violence, but some told Al Jazeera they are fleeing political persecution and other targeted threats. The initial wave, dubbed a migrant caravan, now has more than 5,000 participants and is making its way through southern Mexico. Honduran migrants hike through the forest after crossing the Lempa river, on the border between Honduras and Guatemala, to join a caravan trying to reach the US [Jorge Cabrera/Reuters] US President Donald Trump ramped up his threats against Central American countries on Monday, tweeting the US would begin cutting or substantially reducing aid to the region. He also said that had put the US military and Border Patrol on alert. Amid the threats, the governments of Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico fortified parts of their borders, deployed police and military forces and held or returned migrants and refugees. Some of these measures violate international law or risk doing so, according to human rights groups and international agencies. Trumps calls are illegal Trump on Sunday tweeted that people should first seek asylum in Mexico, and if they fail to do that, the U.S. will turn them away. The courts are asking the U.S. to do things that are not doable! he said. {articleGUID} But there is no obligation to first apply for asylum in Mexico, legal experts and human rights organisations point out, and requiring Central Americans to do so would violate international law. Congress adopted the Refugee Act of 1980 to bring the United States into line with its obligations to protect refugees under international law, Human Rights First, a US-based group, wrote in a statement Monday debunking several of Trumps tweets about the migrant caravan. The United States is obliged to provide protection to people fleeing persecution, including asylum seekers. These individuals are entitled to a screening interview to determine whether they have a credible fear of persecution, the group wrote. Honduran migrants wait to be attended to by Mexican migration authorities on a bridge that stretches over the Suchiate River, connecting Guatemala and Mexico, in Tecun Uman, Guatemala [Oliver de Ros/AP Photo] For those who do plan on applying for asylum in Mexico, Amnesty International says they are essentially being detained in areas that authorities describe as a shelter. More than 1,000 people have already done so, Madeleine Penman, a researcher on Mexico for Amnesty based in Mexico City, told Al Jazeera via telephone. At this stage, theyre applying a regime of mandatory detention to [those] who even ask for asylum, she said. So they have made available a shelter for members of the caravan. However, the reality of the shelter is that it is functioning as a detention centre. Once people are inside, the only ways they can get out are deportation or a stay of weeks or months, Penman added. The Mexican government has shown itself as routinely violating international law in the past by returning every year thousands of people who could be at risk of their lives in countries such as Honduras, she said. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto issued a statement on Friday, declaring that, like any other sovereign country, Mexico does not permit, nor will it permit, entry into its territory in an irregular manner, and much less in a violent manner, referring to the initial caravan group Friday, when thousands pushed past fences, resulting in a clash with police, who used tear gas on the crowd. Members of the caravan may request entry according to the manners established by our laws and international law, Pena Nieto said. The Mexican National Immigration Institute did not respond to Al Jazeeras repeated requests for comment. Borders blocked In Guatemala, caravan participants have been stopped by police checkpoints. {articleGUID} Suspected migrants and refugees are asked to show a slip of paper granting permission to enter from Guatemalan immigration authorities. Many do not have the official document as Guatemalas immigration control centre at the Agua Caliente border cross was shut down last Tuesday, reopened Thursday, and has since been shut down. Hondurans who cannot produce the small document are transported back to the Honduran side of the border, where police prevent their exit from the country, more than a dozen migrants, refugees, police officers and local taxi drivers confirmed to Al Jazeera. The Honduran government announced on Saturday that its immigration control point at the Agua Caliente border crossing would be closed until further notice. The measure was due to a crisis provoked by sectors outside of national interests, the Honduran National Immigration Institute said in a statement. Days prior to the immigration control point shutdown, Honduran police blocked the way out for those looking to flee, using force to prevent their exit. Honduras immigrants stand in front of Honduran police officers blocking the access to the Agua Caliente border with Guatemala as they try to join a migrant caravan heading to the US [Jorge Cabrera/Reuters] On both sides of the border, there has been a heavy presence of security forces as Honduran police stop migrants and refugees from crossing into Guatemala. Guatemalan soldiers were also in the area, as were US-donated Jeep J8 vehicles belonging to a border region task force. On the Honduran side, members of the US-trained TIGRES and Rurales special police forces stood with riot gear across the road, checking the identification of pedestrians who were let through because they were Guatemalan locals heading home. A handful of Honduran soldiers were also in the vicinity. According to a general of the Honduran police force, there were about 200 police and special forces resting nearby. {articleGUID} Additional forces were sent following the incident Saturday when hundreds of people, as well as a semi-trailer, pushed through police lines after being forbidden to leave their country. This blocking of the border between Honduras and Guatemala is completely unprecedented and violates international law, Penman told Al Jazeera. Honduran migrants show their identification to an official near to the Agua Caliente border, hoping to cross into Guatemala and join a caravan trying to reach the US [Jorge Cabrera/Reuters] UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was in touch with different leaders in the region over the weekend, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq said at a daily press briefing on Monday. The thing [Guterres] has been stressing is the need for the leaders to work with the International Organization for Migration, the IOM, and the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR. He believes that this situation needs to be dealt with in line with international law and with full respect for countries rights to manage their own borders, Haq said. Article 13 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to freedom of movement and also states that everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, noted Penman. {articleGUID} Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua make up the C4 region and have border, immigration and customs agreements. Citizens of the four countries are supposed to have freedom of movement within the region using their national identification cards, with no passport or visa requirements. Honduras cannot act as a closed country at the moment. Guatemala cannot undertake the unlawful return of people whose lives are at risk, Penman said. Al Jazeera contacted the spokesman for the Guatemalan Ministry of the Interior, which governs the national police force, as well as the presidential spokesman, but neither responded to requests for comment by the time of publication. Al Jazeera also attempted to reach Honduran officials, but they were not immediately available for comment. Humanitarian responses needed Humanitarian, human rights and solidarity responses are needed from the Central American and Mexican governments, according to Penman. We do not need these governments to be intimidated by Trump at this time. We also call on US Congress to block the unlawful decisions that Trump may make, she said. But more than 5,000km by road from Washington, DC, migrants and refugees like Kenia Sanchez face the consequences of US pressure on Central American governments to shut the caravan down. We do not need these governments to be intimidated by Trump at this time. We also call on US Congress to block the unlawful decisions that Trump may make. Madeleine Penman, Amnesty International At the Casa del Migrante Jose shelter in Esquipulas, Sanchez rested her feet, nursing her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter. She and her family had no choice but to leave their home in the Olancho department in eastern Honduras, she said. Sometimes we do not eat. There is no work, she said, adding that her partner has been threatened by criminal gang members when he has visited his relatives in the capital. Faced with a border shutdown, Sanchez and her family have one day of walking down. There are police and immigration checkpoints along the road heading north, so, for now, they plan to wait for more Hondurans to come join them before setting off again. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned the systematic arbitrary arrests and torture carried out by the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the occupied West Bank and Hamas in Gaza. In a report published on Tuesday, the international rights group demanded the Palestinian governments hold those responsible to account and also called on donors to the Palestinian authorities to suspend aid to the agencies implicated in abuses until action is taken. The findings of the report were rejected by the PA and Hamas as inaccurate and biased. Titled, Two Authorities, One Way, Zero Dissent: Arbitrary Arrest and Torture under the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, the 149-page document evaluated patterns of arrest and detention conditions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The report is the result of a two-year investigation of 86 cases and interviews with 147 people who were mostly ex-detainees, family members, lawyers and NGO officials. The PA and Hamas use detention to punish critics and deter them and others from further activism, the report stated. In detention, security forces routinely taunt, threaten, beat, and force detainees into painful stress positions for hours at a time. The rights group also found that Palestinian authorities often use expansive interpretations of broad laws that criminalise insulting higher authorities, or inciting sectarian strife, or harming the revolutionary unity, in order to detain critics for days or weeks, only to release most of them without referring them to trial, but often leaving charges outstanding. Both Palestinian authorities arrested individuals for their political activism on university campuses, taking part in demonstrations and for activity on social media, the report said. The PA in the West Bank operates under an invasive Israeli military occupation while Hamas-controlled Gaza has been under a joint Israeli-Egyptian military and economic blockade since 2007. Hamas vs Fatah: Mutual arrests The report said the Fatah-controlled PA in Ramallah often arrests activists who are politically affiliated with Hamas in the West Bank, while Hamas arrests Fatah activists in Gaza. In one case, the PA arrested Osama al-Nabrisi at least 15 times after he finished serving a 12-year prison sentence in an Israeli prison in 2014. On one occasion, he was detained just two days after his release, due his association with Hamas activists while in Israeli prison. In another case, Hamas-controlled police in Gaza arrested the former PA preventive security officer Abdel Basset Amoom in 2017, for his involvement in a protest about electricity cuts. The report detailed several cases of independent Palestinian journalists and political activists who were arrested, detained and subjected to abuses without proper arrest warrants for several days. In some of the cases, the courts acquitted the individuals deeming their arrests illegal, while others who were arrested over social media posts were ordered to pay huge fines after making a plea deal with prosecutors. Palestinian Authority response Brigadier General Adnan Dameri, the spokesman for the PA security forces in the West Bank, told Al Jazeera that the HRW report is full of erroneous information and highly biased. The state of Palestine has signed all international laws and conventions that ban human rights abuses and torture and is committed to enforce them General Adnan Dameri, PA security forces spokesman No one from the HRW ever contacted us to get accurate information from us on the incidents they allegedly said constitute human rights violations, he said. The state of Palestine has signed all international laws and conventions that ban human rights abuses and torture and is committed to enforce them, he added. HRW said that it had met the PA intelligence services in Ramallah and that it was unable to meet Hamas representatives in Gaza after Israel denied its official permits. Dameri acknowledged that incidents of human rights abuses may have taken place in PA facilities, but those cases were not systematic nor sanctioned by the government. Abuses did take place, but they were committed by individual officers acting on their own, not based on government policy, he said. We are not Switzerland, but we are doing everything we can to uphold our laws and prevent human rights violations should they take place by individual officers, he said People criticise the government here all the time. We dont arrest people for mere criticism unless a crime is committed such as hate speech and there must be an arrest warrant for that, he added. Hamas response Eyad al-Bozom, the spokesman for the Hamas Palestinian Ministry of Interior and Security Forces in Gaza, told Al Jazeera that he received an inquiry from HRW in March asking for details about alleged human rights abuses committed by Hamass police organization. He told Al Jazeera that he sent HRW a detailed response explaining all the cases they inquired about, but the group never considered them when they issued their report. All of our law enforcement facilities have been and still are open to inspections by Palestinian and international human rights organizations Eyad al-Bozom, spokesman for Palestinian security forces in Gaza He said he also sent HRW a new memorandum recently, demanding an explanation from the organisation over allegations of abuses committed by the police in Gaza. We never got a response or any communication from them, he said. Al-Bozom stressed that the Gaza police force is committed to upholding Palestinian laws that ban human rights abuses and torture. All of our law enforcement facilities have been and still are open to inspection to Palestinian and international human rights organizations, he said. Al-Bozom also acknowledged that human rights abuses were committed by individual officers acting on their own, but never on government orders. He said from 2014 to 2016, the Gaza police received 314 complaints of human rights violations committed by individual police officers, which were investigated fully. He said 90 cases were proven while 224 were not. The offending officers were either fired or punished according to police regulations, he added. People criticise the government or Hamas here all the time, we dont arrest people for that, he said A report issued by the Ramallah-based Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR), documented a total of 23 cases of human rights violations in the West Bank and Gaza during the month of September. Of those cases, 12 were documented in the West Bank and involved PA security forces, while 11 cases were recorded in Gaza, involving Hamas-controlled police forces. Hani al-Masri, a Ramallah-based political analyst, said human rights violations and illegal arrests were common. Al-Masri told Al Jazeera that Hamas and the PA often detain each others operatives, as well as independent journalists and citizens. He said both Palestinian groups govern the areas under their control with an authoritarian bent. Follow Ali Younes on Twitter: @ali_reports The government plans to make it easier for Hindus, Buddhists and Christians to get citizenship while excluding Muslims. Guwahati, India Fresh unrest simmers in parts of the northeast Indian state of Assam following a shutdown on Tuesday in protest against proposed changes to a controversial citizenship law that purportedly aims to differentiate between immigrants on the basis of religion. The ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government plans to amend the citizenship law to make it easier for Hindus, Buddhists and Christians from neighbouring countries to gain Indian citizenship. Activists and opposition leaders say the bill discriminates against Muslims and violates the secular constitution of India. Binod Doley, a businessman, said the proposed amended is a threat to the people of Assam [Abdul Gani/Al Jazeera] Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), a regional ally of the BJP, is also opposing the government move to change the citizenship law. India is a secular country and nothing which is based on religion, caste and creed should be appreciated. We have already raised the issue at the highest level and if need arises, we are ready to step down from the government, AGP chief Atul Bora told Al Jazeera. The government move has stoked tensions within the indigenous communities and Assamese-speaking residents of the state, who fear the amended law will help undocumented Hindu immigrants from Bangladesh get citizenship. This comes months after a Supreme Court-monitored body released a draft list of citizens that effectively stripped some four million people of their citizenship. Shut down Shops and businesses remained shut in Guwahati city in response to Assam Bandh a 12-hour shutdown called by 46 different political and social organisations, including the influential Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, a farmers advocacy group. At a press conference in Guwahati, Akhil Gogoi, adviser at KMSS, charged the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of engaging in religious politics over citizenship. We are opposing the bill which is dangerous for the state. We will not allow that to happen. Illegal citizens cant be differentiated on the lines of religion. All the sections of Assamese people have spontaneously supported the strike, said Gogoi. Though the BJP-ruled Assam government issued orders for offices and schools to remain open, the roads were deserted and commercial establishments were shuttered. Shops and businesses remained shut in capital Guwahati in response to Assam Bandh [Abdul Gani/Al Jazeera] Tuesdays shutdown came ahead of the winter session of Indian parliament when the proposed Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 will be debated. Political and student groups in Assam state, which has a long history of agitation against undocumented immigrants, have accused the BJP of helping Hindu Bangladeshis settle in the state. Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), a students body which also participated in Tuesdays shutdown, warned their agitation will continue if the planned law is not scrapped. The BJP has failed to fulfil its promises and now, they are conspiring to settle the Hindu Bangladeshi people here by amending the Citizenship Bill. This is very unfortunate, said Palash Changmai, general secretary of AJYCP. Calls to the BJP, which rules both at the centre as well as in the state, were not answered by the time of publication. According to a recent report by Hindustan Times newspaper, only 100,000 people left off the draft citizenship list have submitted claims as part of the revaluation exercise that concludes on November 28. The National Register of Citizens (NRC) which has been tasked with identifying undocumented immigrants however, has not revealed details of those excluded. {articleGUID} Many of those left off the list are believed to be minority Bengali-speaking Muslims, who form over one-third of Assams nearly 32 million population. Opposition parties and activists say Modis government seems to be denying citizenship to Muslims while making way for Hindu immigrants as part of its pro-Hindu agenda. You cant give citizenship based on religion, its unconstitutional. Both Bengali speaking Hindus and Muslims have suffered in this anti-foreigner hate, Aman Wadud, a human rights lawyer in Guwahati, told Al Jazeera. But the BJP is trying to drive out Indian Muslim citizens in the name of religion and preparing to grant citizenship to Hindus who came to India, he said. To make it to the citizenship list, residents in Assam had to provide documents proving that they or their family lived in the country before March 24, 1971 the year Bangladesh seceded from Pakistan. A large number of Bengali-speaking Hindus have not made it to to the citizens list. Thats why the BJP is trying to open the gates for Bengali Hindus through this amended law. Is the citizenship test meant only for Muslims? asked Wadud. Decades-old conflict Assam has been rocked by protests over undocumented immigration from Bangladesh for decades. In February 1983, more than 2,000 Bengali-speaking people were killed in Nellie in central Assam. In recent years, hundreds of people have been thrown in detention camps in the border state. {articleGUID} Critics say the ruling right-wing BJP is trying to turn an issue of undocumented immigrants into an issue of Hindu vs Muslim. Speaking at public rallies in the western state of Rajasthan last month, ruling BJP party chief Amit Shah described alleged Bangladeshi migrants as termites. Prime Minister Modis BJP party came to power in Assam two years ago on the promise to act against undocumented immigrants. On Tuesday, Binod Doley, a businessman, who travelled around 400km from Charaideo to attend a protest rally in Guwahati, said the proposed amended citizenship law is a threat to the people of Assam. We are worried about the future. The BJP after coming to power showed a different colour and now we are in danger. We wont let the BJP play politics with religion, Doley told Al Jazeera. At least six killed in the blast that targeted a crowded market area in the northern Iraqi town of Qayyara. At least six people have been killed and 30 others wounded in a car bomb blast south of Mosul, police and medical sources said. A vehicle packed with explosives was parked near a restaurant and a crowded market area in the northern Iraqi town of Qayyara, police said on Tuesday. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Iraqs top military commander in Mosul Major-General Najim al-Jabouri accused ISIL of carrying out the Qayyara attack. We are positive the car bomb attack was carried out by Daesh terrorists and we will bring them to justice, Jabouri said, using a derogatory name for ISIL. An interior ministry spokesman said the blast was a result of a terrorist attack by a car bomb. {articleGUID} Iraq declared victory over Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) in December, dislodging the group from all territories it held after its self-proclaimed caliphate, which also composed part of Syria, collapsed earlier in 2017. The groups fighters have since waged a campaign of kidnapping, killing and bomb attacks targeting civilians and security forces. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has addressed the countrys parliament about the investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Here is an English translation of Tuesdays speech. The original comments were in Turkish: At this point in our group meeting, I want to make a comprehensive evaluation of the Khashoggi investigation, after it has been confirmed that he was killed. Id like to firstly offer my condolences to the late Khashoggi, his family, friends, the people of Saudi Arabia, where he is from and the media world. First, lets quickly refresh our memories. Khashoggi first goes to the Saudi Arabian consulate at 11:50 on September 28, Friday for procedures relating to marriage. It is understood that this visit is then passed on to the team planning the murder. Therefore, a planning period for a roadmap begins. Some consulate workers rushing back to their country shows there were preparations there. {articleGUID} On October 1 at 16:30, so the Monday, one day before the murder, a three-person team arrives in Istanbul on a commercial flight and goes to the hotel first, later the consulate. Meanwhile, another team from the consulate is carrying out exploratory searches in the Belgrad Forest and Yalova. On October 2 at 01:45, a second three-man team again arrives in Istanbul in a commercial flight and goes to the hotel. A third 9-person team, including generals, arrives via private jet and goes to a different hotel. In total, a team made up of 15 people arrived separately between 09:50 and 11:00 to meet at the consulate. Firstly the hard-disk in the camera system at the consulate was ripped out and Khashoggi is then called at 11:50 to confirm his appointment. At 13:08 on the same day, Khashoggi, who returned from London to Istanbul, arrives at the consulate building on foot. His fiancee is with him. And after this, nothing was heard from him again. At 17:50, his fiancee told our official authorities that Khashoggi was kidnapped at the consulate building or something bad happened to him. Upon this, the Istanbul security officials and police start an inspection. The investigation deepens After looking into the camera records filming the area, it becomes clear that Khashoggi never left the consulate building. According to the Vienna agreement which was debated they have diplomatic immunity. (EU foreign policy chief Federica) Mogherini had some comments on this the other day as well, and I believe the Vienna agreement will most likely be put to the table. In the first stage, there were no procedures that could be done on the consulate and consular workers. Then, while our intelligence and security officials are looking into the situation, the chief prosecutors office and delegated deputy prosecutor launch an investigation as well. As the investigation deepens, very interesting details are obtained. Firstly, it is seen that on the eve of the murder, 15 Saudi security, intelligence, forensic experts arrived in Turkey. Of these, six left our country at 18:20 on October 2, and seven at 22:50 with private jets. After midnight, a man who was trying to resemble Khashoggi with his glasses, clothes and beard as well as another person with him, depart for Riyadh via a commercial flight. On the day of the event, the consulate workers are put in one room with the excuse that there is a supervision and residence personnel are given days off for the same reason. In their statement on October 4, the Saudi leadership initially fully rejects any claims that Khashoggi was killed. Erdogan called for the Saudi suspects to be tried in a Turkish court [Ali Unal/ AP Photo] In fact, on October 6, the consul general invites a Reuters correspondent inside and opens and closes cupboards, electrical panels and doors in a careless manner, trying to defend himself. Meanwhile, our intelligence and security officials and prosecutors are deepening their investigation and attempting to uncover new evidence and documents. Our foreign ministry constantly discussed this issue with its counterparts and engaged in the sharing of information. Afterwards, there were talks with the 11-person Saudi delegation coming to our country on October 11. The topic being kept on the agenda by ourselves and the global media then led to the statement from Saudi authorities to allow our search of the consulate building. First, there are some questions that we must ask and seek answers to. This happens in Istanbul, so we are responsible and as those responsible, we have the right to question it. As the cloud slowly lifts, other countries also started taking action. At every opportunity, we said we would not remain silent and that we would take every step required by our conscience and the law. Phone call with King Salman In order to not unjustly condemn anyone, we waited for the results of the investigation. At our first phone call with King Salman on October 14, I explained the situation to him in accordance with the findings at hand. In this phone call, we agreed to form a joint working group and they started working. Upon the Kings orders, teams tied to the prosecutors and police entered the consulate to carry out searches. While the consul general did not allow this previously, I voiced some things about his incompetence to the first delegation that came, and also to the king. As a result of this, one day after our talk, the consul general was relieved of his duty and returned to his country. On October 18, there were inspections at the consulate once again. On 19 October, 17 days after the murder, Saudi Arabia officially accepted Khashoggi was murdered. In the statement made by the leadership, they said Khashoggi was killed during a fight at the consulate. On the same day, I had another call with Salman during late hours. He told me 18 people had been arrested so far in the investigation following the acknowledgement of the killing. It is seen that the names being arrested match those found by our intelligence and security officials. Therefore, these 15 people, plus the other three who are already working at the consulate. These developments are important for the official acceptance of the killing. On October 21, I also held a comprehensive phone call with US President Trump and agreed to enlighten all aspects of this issue. {articleGUID} As Turkey, we carried out and managed this whole process in accordance with international law and a state mentality. Despite this, our country is being subjected to extensive campaigns to smear and corner our country and change our direction by various media organs. We know with what goal these campaigns are being carried out and by whom. It appears these attacks against our countrys reputation have not and will not prevent our attempts to uncover the truth. Firstly, this murder might have been carried out in the consulate building, which counts as Saudi Arabian territory. However, it should not be forgotten that this is within Turkish borders. Moreover, the Vienna agreement and other international laws all object to questioning about such a vicious murder being hidden through diplomatic immunity. We will, of course, investigate and inspect this murder within our borders and do everything necessary. On the other hand, the fact that Jamal Khashoggi is an internationally renowned journalist, aside from his Saudi identity, also puts an international responsibility on us. Turkey, as the representative of the worlds common conscious along with its own sovereignty, is following up this issue. A planned operation The findings and evidence so far show Khashoggi was the victim of a vicious murder. Covering up a savage murder like this will only hurt the human conscience. We expect the same sensitivity from all parties, primarily the Saudi Arabian leadership. The Saudi administration has actually taken an important step by admitting to the murder. From now on, we expect them to uncover all those responsible for this matter from top to bottom and make them face the necessary punishments in front of the law. We have strong signs that the murder was the result of a planned operation, not a spontaneous development. In light of the current information, these questions continue to pose questions for everyone. Why have these 15 people, involved in the incident, met in Istanbul on the day of the murder? We are seeking answers to this. Who are these people receiving orders from? Why has the consulate been opened to investigation days after the murder rather than immediately after? Why have so many inconsistent statements been made while the murder was so clear? Why has the body of someone who was accepted as killed not been found yet? And, if the claim that the body was given to a local collaborator is true, then I ask: Who is this local collaborator? This local collaborator isnt being mentioned by an ordinary person, Saudi Arabias officials say this. Therefore, you are obliged to reveal this local collaborator. You will reveal him. Without these questions being answered, nobody should think the issue will be closed. Intelligence and security institutions have evidence showing the murder was certainly planned. Once the evaluation of this information is completed, they will find their place in the dossiers of the prosecutors investigation. Pinning such a case on some intelligence and security members will not satisfy us and the international community. The conscience of humanity will only be satisfied once everybody is called into account, from those who gave the orders, to those who carried them out. Personally, I do not doubt the sincerity of King Salman. It is very important for such a critical investigation to be carried out by objective, fair teams with no relations to the murder. Since this is a political murder, then any other culprits and accomplices in other countries, if there are any, must be included in the investigation as well. I believe this is what is required in international law, in Islamic law and in Saudi law. As Turkey, we will follow this issue until the end. We will make sure our laws and international laws are implemented. In fact, I am also making a call from here today. This call is to the Saudi Arabian King and leadership: Where the event occurred is Istanbul. Therefore, these 15+3 people the 18 that were arrested should be tried in Istanbul. That is my proposal. Of course, the decision is theirs, but this is my proposal and demand since this is where the event took place. That is why this is important. The government says it has arrested a man in connection with the killing of ex-senior intelligence officer in Madaba. Jordans former counterterrorism chief General Habis Hanayneh has been shot dead outside his home, according to medical and security sources. Hanayneh was killed around 7pm (16:00 GMT) on Tuesday in the city of Madaba, around 30km southwest of the capital, Amman. The 56-year-old, also known as Abu Haytham, died from three gunshot wounds to the chest and was pronounced dead on arrival at al-Nadim hospital, doctor Ibrahim Owais told Al Jazeera. The assailant has been arrested, according to a statement issued by the spokesman of Jordans public security department. The murderer confessed to his crime, saying he had planned it a while ago, believing that Hanayneh was behind his arrest in Russia in 2005, and caused him trouble at his work, the spokesman said in a statement. A senior Jordanian intelligence officer and a former senior CIA officer who still has ties to Jordan confirmed Hanaynehs death. The senior Jordanian intelligence officer, who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity, said he had known and worked with Hanayneh for decades and that his death was a tragic loss to Jordan and the counterterrorism community around the world. A former CIA analyst, who had worked with Hanayneh in the past and did not wish to be identified for this report, told Al Jazeera that Hanayneh was an extremely smart intelligence officer and that he really understood the underpinning of why individuals join extremist groups. Hanayneh retired from Jordans General Directorate of Intelligence (GID) about a year ago, said the senior Jordanian intelligence officer. This is the first time in recent memory where a high-ranking Jordanian intelligence officer was killed either on active duty or in retirement. Follow Ali Younes on Twitter: @ali_reports Turkish president says the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was planned by Saudi officials days in advance. Turkey, Istanbul Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdoms consulate in Istanbul was planned by Saudi officials days in advance. Addressing legislators from his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) on Tuesday, Erdogan detailed Khashoggis disappearance and murder but stopped short of accusing Saudi royals of the savage killing that has caused global outrage. On September 28, Khashoggi arrived at the Saudi Arabian consulate for him to sort out his wedding paperwork, Erdogan said during the speech in the Turkish parliament in the capital, Ankara. It seems that at that time they [Saudi Arabian officials] started to plan a roadmap for his murder. He added that some Saudi officials left Turkey and travelled to Saudi Arabia, indicating they planned the murder. Khashoggi, 59, a Washington Post columnist and critic of the powerful Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate on October 2. Until Tuesdays speech, Erdogan had remained largely silent on the case, although unnamed Turkish officials have leaked information about the murder, including information about a 15-member Saudi assassination team who flew into Istanbul on two chartered planes. In the wake of intense global pressure, Saudi Arabia admitted last week that Khashoggi was killed inside its Istanbul consulate on October 2 as a result of a fistfight during an interrogation. Saudi authorities arrested 18 people in connection with the killing and fired top security officials considered close to bin Salman. Erdogan called the killing a political murder, adding that international investigators should be included in the probe. The Turkish leader went on to call the killing savage, adding that Ankara would continue its investigation until all questions have been answered. Why did they [the Saudi team] come to Istanbul, on instruction by whom? Erdogan asked, adding that Saudi Arabia should make clear why it did not let investigators into the consulate until days later. Where is the body? Galip Dalay, visiting scholar at the University of Oxford, stressed the significance of Erdogans speech. The most important thing is that Erdogan confirmed everything we sort of heard through other channels, he told Al Jazeera. However, now its no longer attributed to unnamed Turkish officials, but its the president of Turkey who has confirmed what has happened, Dalay said. Erdogan also demanded answers on what happened to Khashoggis body, mentioning reports that a local cooperator allegedly disposed of it. Where is the body? There are claims his body has been given to a local person, but who is this local person? Erdogan asked. Nobody is allowed to think this case will come to an end without answering all these questions, he added. The Turkish president also said Saudi Arabia was taking the right steps by working with Ankara on the investigation and carrying out the 18 arrests. Dalay, who is also a non-resident fellow at Brookings Institution Doha, underlined Erdogans distinction in his speech between King Salman and his son, bin Salman. Everything that Erdogan provided pointed towards MBS, without naming the crown prince specifically, said Dalay, adding that the Turkish president was clearly trying to prevent a full-blown crisis between Ankara and Riyadh. On Sunday, speaking in an exclusive interview with Fox News, Saudi Arabias Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Khashoggis killing inside the consulate was a terrible tragedy and that MBS had nothing to do with it. Taha Ozhan, research director at the Ankara Institute, told Al Jazeera that he thought Erdogan was taking the right steps. The Saudis know very well what Turkey knows, and what Erdogan has been doing is the right thing, namely asking the Saudis for full cooperation in this case. Amnesty says 52 people died in 2017 in pre-trial custody as thousands of others faced appalling conditions. At least 52 people died in Madagascars prisons last year while awaiting trial due to appalling prison conditions, according to Amnesty International. In a report published on Tuesday, the global rights group also said that thousands of people who have not been found guilty of any crime were subject to life-threatening prison conditions, including severe overcrowding and poor hygiene, as well as lack of food and medical care. The main causes of death were respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases, Amnesty said, citing prison authorities. The report was based on visits to nine prisons where more than 11,000 people had been placed in pre-trial detention, the group said. Many of those being held for extended periods without trial were accused of petty, nonviolent crimes, said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty Internationals regional director for Southern Africa. The poorest, including women and children, with the least recourse to legal help, are those who suffer the most, she added. Such unjustified, excessive and prolonged pre-trial detention violates international and domestic law, and amounts to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, Amnesty said. Pre-trial detainees were subject to life-threatening conditions including severe overcrowding and inadequate food and medical care, said Amnesty [Richard Burton/ Amnesty International] Madagascars Ministry of Justice, in a September letter to Amnesty, said it was aware of the problem. The ministry blamed population growth and an increase in crime rates for severe overcrowding and said it has stepped up its efforts with new laws and policies to improve conditions. Under Madagascars national laws, adults can be held for up to five years and six months without trial and children up to 33 months. Amnesty said Madagascars prisons hold more people who have not been tried than those found guilty. As of October 2017, 55 percent of the total prison population were pre-trial detainees, the report said. One man said he has been in pre-trial custody for three and a half years because he was accused of stealing a cow. Describing conditions at a prison in Maintirano, west Madagascar, he told Amnesty: Forty-two of us sleep in the same room but there is no room to sleep, I sleep on the floor. A lot of people get sick. Some cough, some shiver, some get very cold. And people fight about food because there isnt enough I really want a trial because I really suffer here. Women and children were disproportionately affected by some of the prison conditions, the report said. For example, pregnant women and women with babies do not have access to appropriate healthcare, and children do not have access to education, the group said. The main reason for long pre-trial detentions in the African country was limited and infrequent court sessions for criminal cases, it added. The trading ship, previously only seen in an intact state on the side of ancient Greek pottery, was dated back to 400BC. An ancient Greek trading ship dating back more than 2,400 years has been found intact at the bottom of the Black Sea off the Bulgarian coast, according to researchers, who hailed it as the worlds oldest known shipwreck. The ship, which is lying on its side with its mast and rudders intact, was dated back to 400BC a time when the Black Sea was a trading hub filled with Greek colonies. A small piece of the vessel has been carbon dated and it is confirmed as the oldest intact shipwreck known to mankind, the British-led Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project said in a statement on Tuesday. This type of ship has previously only been seen in an intact state on the side of ancient Greek pottery such as the Siren Vase held by the British Museum. The team, which includes British, Bulgarian, Swedish, US and Greek marine archaeologists and maritime scientists, said the vessel was found at a depth of more than 2km. The water at that depth is oxygen-free, meaning that organic material can be preserved for thousands of years. A ship, surviving intact, from the Classical world, lying in over two kilometres of water, is something I would never have believed possible, said Professor Jon Adams from the University of Southampton in southern England, the projects main investigator. This will change our understanding of shipbuilding and seafaring in the ancient world, he said. Helen Farr, a project team member, added: We have bits of shipwreck which are earlier but this one really looks intact. The project as a whole was actually looking at sea level change and the flooding of the Black Sea region and the shipwrecks are a happy by-product of that, she told BBC radio. The Greek vessel is one of more than 60 shipwrecks identified by the project, including Roman ships and a 17th-century Cossack raiding fleet. In addition to dozens of shipwrecks, they found the remains of an early Bronze Age settlement underwater near the former shore of the Black Sea. During the three-year project, researchers used specialised remote deep-water camera systems previously used in offshore oil and gas exploration to map the sea floor. A documentary on the project will open on Tuesday at the British Museum. The UN Human Rights Committee calls on France to review its 2010 law banning women from covering their faces in public. The United Nations Human Rights Council has said Frances face veil ban is a violation of womens rights, as it called for a review of the sweeping legislation. In a landmark ruling on Tuesday, the body found that the French law, passed in 2010, violated the rights of two French women, who were fined in 2012 for concealing their faces in public. They had filed a complaint in 2016. The Committee found that the general criminal ban on the wearing of the niqab in public introduced by the French law disproportionately harmed the petitioners right to manifest their religious beliefs, and that France had not adequately explained why it was necessary to prohibit this clothing, the UN experts said in a statement. The ban, rather than protecting fully-veiled women, could have the opposite effect of confining them to their homes, impeding their access to public services and marginalising them, the statement added. {articleGUID} According to the non-binding ruling, the French government has 180 days to report back to the UN committee, which has asked for compensation for the two petitioners. France adopted the controversial law in 2010 under President Nicolas Sarkozy, who at the time said the all-enshrouding veil was not welcome. [The full veil] hurts the dignity of women and is not acceptable in French society, he said. In its statement, the committee said it was not persuaded by Frances claim that a ban on face covering was necessary and proportionate from a security standpoint or for attaining the goal of living together in society. Meanwhile, Yuval Shany, committee chairman, stressed that the decisions are not directed against the notion of secularity, nor are they an endorsement of a custom which many on the Committee, including myself, regard as a form of oppression of women. Controversial debate France was the first European country to ban the veil in public places with a law that took effect in 2011 and was upheld by the European Court of Human Rights in 2014. Women can be fined up to 150 euros ($170) for failing to abide by it. Other European countries have also followed suit with similar legislation in Denmark, Belgium, Austria, the Netherlands, Bulgaria and parts of Switzerland. There has been a real debate ever since this legislation was passed about the secular traditions inside France; that there needs to be social cohesion, said Al Jazeeras David Chater, reporting from the French capital, Paris. This debate continues, its a very controversial area, he said. There was also anger among Muslim women in Europe last year when the European Court of Justice ruled that employers are entitled to ban staff from wearing visible religious symbols. US security advisers meeting with Russias leader comes days after Trump voiced plan to end major arms control treaty. John Bolton, the US national security adviser, has met with Russian President Vladimir Putinin Moscow. Speaking at a news conference after the talks on Tuesday, Bolton said Washington wanted to withdraw from a key nuclear weapons control treaty with Russia since it was confident Moscow had violated it. He also said that the danger to Europe was not the prospective US pull out from the 31-year-old Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty but the threat is the Russian missiles already deployed. Bolton also pointed at Chinas massive intermediate-range capability as another key concern. The treaty was outmoded and being violated by other countries, he said. Under that view, exactly one country was restrained by the INF the United States. On his part, Putin said Russia was sometimes surprised by what he said were unprovoked actions taken by the United States against Moscow. {articleGUID} He also poked fun at the official seal of the US, which includes a bald eagle holding a bundle of 13 arrows in one talon and an olive branch with 13 olives in another. I have a question: Has your eagle picked all the olives and only has arrows left? Putin asked with a laugh. But while underlining the differences between Russia and the US, Putin also emphasised the need to maintain a dialogue, saying he would be ready to meet with US President Donald Trump in Paris during centenary commemorations next month marking the end of World War I. Bolton said he believed Trump would look forward to it, adding that it was important for Moscow and Washington to focus on areas where there was a possibility of mutual cooperation. Hopefully, I will have some answers for you, he said. But I didnt bring any more olives. Thats what I thought, Putin quipped. Boltons earlier talks The meeting on Tuesday followed discussions between Bolton and top Russian officials, including Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, in which the national security adviser laid out Trump s issues with. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, said Moscow did not want the US to end the INF treaty as there were no prospects for a substitute agreement. Ruining the treaty in a situation where even hints at concluding a new one do not exist is something that we do not welcome, he said in comments carried by state news agency TASS. Quitting the agreement first and then discussing the hypothetical, ephemeral possibility of concluding a new treaty is a pretty risky stance, Peskov was quoted as saying. Nuclear weapons deal The INF treaty was signed in December 1987 by the then-US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. It resolved a crisis that had begun in the 1980s with the deployment of Soviet SS-20 nuclear-tipped, intermediate-range ballistic missiles targeting Western capitals. By signing the agreement, Washington and Moscow swore off of possessing, producing or test-flying any ground-launched cruise missiles with a range between 500 and 5,500km. Lonnie Swartz is charged with manslaughter in the 2012 fatal cross-border shooting of 16-year-old Jose Rodriguez. Nogales, Mexico The street corner where 16-year-old Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez was shot dead by a US Border Patrol agent six years ago has turned into a shrine. Every 10th of the month, one or more family members visit the corner to replace the dried-out flowers with fresh ones and light a candle at the cross that marks the spot. Its on a street called Calle Internacional, next to a dilapidated house where the paint is crumbling off the walls. On the other side of the street is a small cliff some eight metres high, out of which the metal border fence towers over the line that divides Mexico and the United States. The homes of Nogales, Arizona can be seen through the poles, clearly better maintained than on the Mexican side of the border. Taide Elena, Rodriguezs grandmother, points up at the fence. Look how high up ground on that side of the border is. Up there is where the Border Patrol was when he shot my grandson, who was standing down here. Rodriguez was hit at least 10 times, mostly from behind. According to Border Patrol, the shooting by agent Lonnie Swartz was self-defence. People were allegedly throwing rocks over the border, which sometimes happens to distract Border Patrol guards from drug smugglers climbing over the fence. Jose Antonio was on his way home, which is a few blocks from here. Some other people were throwing rocks and he just happened to walk by, Elena tells Al Jazeera. Taide Elena, 68, stands next to the cross where her grandson was killed. [Eline van Nes/Al Jazeera] The grainy videos that exist show Swartz arriving at the scene, stepping out of his car and starting to shoot quickly afterwards. According to the testimony of other Border Patrol agents present, Swartz did not consult them before shooting his weapon. Swartz shot 12 bullets, reloaded and then shot some more. Court records show there are several reports describing between 14 and 30 shots fired. Rodriguez was unarmed. He was hit at least twice when he was lying on the ground, according to prosecutors, who said Rodriguez was still alive at that point. Although Elena has told the story many times, she starts crying as she describes the moment she learned from the prosecutors that Rodriguez crawled on the ground with 10 bullet holes in his body. He wanted to go around the corner, she says with her eyes filling up with tears and her voice breaking. He wanted to go home. In April, Swartz was acquitted in US federal court of second-degree murder. But the jury got stuck on charges of voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, for which Swartz will be retried in a case beginning on Tuesday. No constitutional rights as a Mexican Although the case of Rodriguez doesnt stand by itself there are at least six other cases known of Mexicans who have been killed by shots fired over the border experts explain that this is a particularly important case, for the fact that there is a court case at all. Jose Raul Cuen Zojo, the uncle of slain Jose Rodriguez, holds up a protest sign for Border Patrol agents passing by in the car to read [Eline van Nes/Al Jazeera] According to US law, parents who are foreign nationals are not allowed to sue through the American court system when the victim is on foreign soil when killed, as was judged by the Supreme Court in the case of the parents of Sergio Hernandez, a Mexican teen who was killed by Border Patrol in 2010. Justices in the case questioned how allowing parents of victims in Mexico to sue would be any different from allowing the family of a victim of a US drone strike to file a complaint. The Mexican government cant do anything either. In the case of Hernandez, the Mexican government filed charges, but the US government refuses to extradite the Border Patrol agent to Mexico, rendering it effectively powerless. In the case of Rodriguez, however, US prosecutors have brought charges against the Border Patrol agent. Additionally, a US federal appeals court has also allowed for Rodriguezs mother to sue Swartz in a civil case. In August, the court ruled that Rodriguezs citizenship is irrelevant in this case, stating that it would be bizarre if border agent Swartz would be granted immunity only because the boy he shot was not a US citizen. If Swartz is found guilty of manslaughter or if Rodriguezs mother wins the civil suit, an important precedent would be set for other cases of cross-border violence by US agents. Lee Gelernt, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) who represents Rodriguezs mother, told Al Jazeera that this case has extraordinary significance, not only because of the grave injustice but because it raises the critically important question of when the United States Constitution applies across the border. Standing at the cross, Elena stresses this importance and explains why she feels the need to fight so hard for this case. Apparently now Border Patrol is free to just shoot whomever they like over the border, she says. At least 97 deaths by Border Patrol At a protest in Nogales, Arizona earlier this year, Ana Maria Vazquez, a volunteer for the organisation Victims of Border Patrol and good friend of the Rodriguez family, had put up banners with drawings of people who died at the hands of Border Patrol. {articleGUID} She points out one of them, 16-year-old Cruz Velazquez Acevedo, who was caught trying to go through customs with a bottle of apple juice laced with methamphetamine in 2013. Video of the incident appears to show the officials making him drink from the bottle. Three hours later, Velazquez died convulsing and screaming. Customs and Border Protection told US media last year that the officers were not disciplined for the incident. The US settled with the family in 2017. A mural of Jose Rodriguez was painted right underneath where the Border Patrol agent shot through the wall. [Eline van Nes/Al Jazeera] Vazquez pointed to another person drawn on the banner, a pregnant woman. Twenty-eight-year-old Rubia Mabel Morales Alfaro was kicked by Border Patrol when apprehended trying to cross the border without proper documents close to San Diego last January, according to her statement. The woman called out that she was pregnant when she got kicked, to which the Border Patrol official allegedly replied, Thats your problem. Morales Alfaro later miscarried while in a US immigration detention centre. At the time, Border Patrol told local media it had no knowledge of the incident. There are many more cases like these on my banner, said Vazquez, who is a displaced Colombian living in Mexico. She started drawing the banner when she heard about the case of Rodriguez and started adding other cases to it. Soon enough she needed a second banner. We dont even know the names of some of the people I drew here. Some cases are very unclear because the incident happened somewhere deep in the desert. Some died because Border Patrol didnt arrange medical help soon enough. {articleGUID} According to Vazquez, Rodriguezs family is special because of the fact that they keep fighting for justice. Most people just give up and try to forget, saddened by their loss and frustrated by the difficulty of demanding at least a hearing, she said. Research by The Guardian showed that at least 97 people have died in encounters with US Border Patrol. Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzales, a 20-year-old indigenous Guatemalan, who was shot dead by a Customs Border Police agent earlier this year is number 98. Border Patrol press spokesperson Carlos Diaz would not comment on individual cases but told Al Jazeera in an email that Border Patrol is trained in emergency medicine and CPR. The US Border Patrol rescued nearly 3,000 individuals in Fiscal Year 2017 who were in distress, trapped with no means of escape, or who found themselves lost along the Southern Border, he said. What changed are the people Back in Mexico, along the fence on the US side where Swartz was standing when shooting down at Rodriguez, is a white and green Border Patrol car. {articleGUID} According to Border Patrol, its agents are permitted to defend themselves when rocks are thrown, a situation they say they found themselves in more often in the past years. In a report, released late last year, US Customs and Border Protection said that there was 73 percent spike in incidents of rock throwing in fiscal year 2017. These numbers have been contested, however, with some pointing to the way the incidents are measured. One encounter in Texas, for instance, was measured as 126 separate assaults. What if a Mexican official had fired into the US, killing a US citizen. This would have been an international crisis. Taide Elena, Jose Anotonio Elena Rodriguez's grandmother On the other side of the border, by the cross, Rodriguezs grandmother Elena says the killing of her grandson fits into an overall change happening at the border. Having lived in Nogales more than 40 years, of which 20 were on the US side, she has witnessed this change. What used to be a simple barbed wire division has turned into a fence with constant surveillance. She also says the attitudes of those who patrol the border have changed, especially since 9/11. What changed are the people. Some are still very friendly, but some newcomers are openly racist. I have had it happened that they dont want me to give the passport in their hands [and] put on the table, she says. Another one interrogated me aggressively about my citizenship, even though she could simply see that Im an American citizen. She wonders what would have happened if all this would have been the other way around. What if a Mexican official had fired into the US, killing a US citizen. This would have been an international crisis. MBS says he is satisfied with Riyadh conference despite boycott by politicians and businesses over Khashoggi killing. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has briefly attended a high-profile economic forum in Riyadh that was boycotted by global business chiefs and politicians after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Many in the audience of over 2,000 clapped or cheered as the prince, the kingdoms de facto ruler, entered the main hall on Tuesday, smiling as he sat down next to Jordans King Abdullah II. The 33-year-old arrived at the forum late in the day after attending a meeting at which his father, King Salman, received members of Khashoggis family, including the journalists son Salah. MBS said he was satisfied with the Future Investment Initiative as he toured the venue. {articleGUID} Great, more people, more money, the crown prince told reporters. He left shortly afterwards, without delivering a speech. Organisers said he is expected to participate in a panel on Wednesday. Reputational risks The three-day conference, a brainchild of MBS, is the kingdoms first major event since Khashoggis killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. Critics of the crown prince suspect he ordered the killing, or at least had knowledge of it a claim denied by Saudi officials. The Saudi cabinet has promised to hold to account those who were responsible for Khashoggis death and those who failed in their duties in the case that has provoked an international furore and strained ties between Riyadh and its international allies. Khashoggi, a critic of MBS, vanished after he entered Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul on October 2. After first denying any involvement in his disappearance, Riyadh said on Saturday Khashoggi died during a fight in the consulate. Later, a Saudi official attributed the death to a chokehold. As the furore grew, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and senior ministers from Britain and France pulled out of the event along with chief executives or chairmen of about a dozen big financial firms, such as JP Morgan Chase and HSBC, and International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, who also withdrew from the event, said the firm was awaiting the full facts on Khashoggis case before deciding whether that would affect Saudi involvement in the ride-hailing service. Henry Hall, associate director at Critical Resource, a resource-focused advisory firm in the UK, said Khashoggis killing presents significant reputational risks for Western companies doing business with Saudi Arabia. But the decision not to attend the conference is separate to the decision on investing in Saudi Arabia in the longer term, he told Al Jazeera. There are huge economic opportunities in Saudi Arabia and companies will weigh reputational risks with those opportunities. In the long term, many firms were likely to follow the lead of international governments, particularly the US, he said. Worth supporting Despite the high-profile withdrawals, the conference, nicknamed Davos in the desert, opened amid tight security at Riyadhs Ritz-Carlton hotel, with Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitriyev and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan headlining. Saudi organisers sought to portray it was business as usual, announcing 12 mega deals worth more than $50bn in oil, gas, infrastructure and other sectors. {articleGUID} At the opening of the conference, Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih acknowledged these are difficult days. We are going through a crisis, al-Falih said in his speech. Calling Khashoggis murder regrettable, he said: nobody in the kingdom can justify it. He also heaped praise on the CEO of French energy giant Total, Patrick Pouyanne, for standing by Saudi Arabia. We see what partnership means when you have difficult times, Pouyanne responded as he shared the stage with al-Falih. This is when you really strengthen a partnership. Several other Western banks and other companies, fearful of losing business such as fees from arranging deals for Saudi Arabias $250bn wealth fund, sent lower-level executives even as their top people stayed away. Meanwhile, Dmitriev, the head of Russias Direct Investment Fund, said Khashoggis killing needed to be investigated and the culprits punished, but that the Saudi drive for economic and social reform could not be ignored. Saudi Arabias reforms are important and they are worth supporting, he told Reuters news agency. Top executives of Asian firms have also been hesitant to pull out, so the participation of Chinese and Japanese institutions may help Riyadh claim the three-day conference as a success. I think this conference will open the gateways to Asian and Russian investment in the Saudi economy regardless, irrespective if the crisis gets resolved or not, Ayham Kamel of Eurasia Group told The Associated Press. Dubbed Davos in the Desert, the event has been overshadowed by Riyadhs admission to dissident journalists killing. Saudi Arabia has brushed off an outcry over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and went forward with an investment conference boycotted by Western political figures, leading international bankers and A-list executives. The three-day conference a brainchild of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is under intense scrutiny over Khashoggis killing, kicked off on Tuesday. Future Investment Initiative (FII), dubbed Davos in the Desert, is being held in the capital Riyadh as part of bin Salmans much-touted Vision 2030 and is intended to attract foreign investments in the kingdom heavily dependent on oil revenues. {articleGUID} Analysts say the lofty vision for the Saudi economy largely rests on the countrys ability to attract foreign direct investment and create enough jobs for the next generation of young Saudis who will be entering the work market in the coming years. According to management consultancy firm McKinsey and Co, Riyadh needs to invest some four trillion dollars to create 6 million new jobs for Saudis by 2030. Thats almost three times as many jobs as Saudi Arabia created in the decade leading up to 2013, when oil prices soared. But with Saudi authorities admitting to the killing of Khashoggi, the summit has been overshadowed by a number of high-profile attendees dropping out. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and senior ministers from Britain and France pulled out of the event along with chief executives or chairmen of about a dozen big financial firms such as JP Morgan Chase and HSBC, and International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde. SoftBank Group Corp Chief Executive Masayoshi Son has also cancelled a speaking engagement at the conference but could still attend, the Wall Street Journal said on Tuesday, citing a conference representative. Nearly half of the more than $93bn raised last year to create SoftBanks Vision Fund came from Saudi Arabia. Many Western banks and other companies, fearful of losing business such as fees from arranging deals for Saudi Arabias $250bn sovereign wealth fund, sent lower-level executives even as their top people stayed away. Acute public relations crisis This years conference contrasts with last years inaugural FII where the crown prince was hailed as a visionary, wowing investors with talking robots and plans for a futuristic mega-city. {articleGUID} Crown Prince bin Salman, widely known as MBS, faces what the risk consultancy Eurasia Group has called an acute public relations crisis over Khashoggi killing. {articleGUID} After more than two weeks of vehement denials, Saudi Arabia last week admitted Khashoggi was killed in the consulate. In the past weeks, Turkish media and officials speaking to international media have said audio recordings prove Khashoggi was tortured before being decapitated although no concrete evidence of their existence has emerged. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Tuesday the killing of a critic must never happen again, as he pledged a thorough and complete investigation into the journalists murder. Khashoggis killing fits a pattern of a recent crackdown on dissent in the kingdom, with MBS, King Salmans son and the de facto ruler, arresting Muslim leaders, business high-fliers and womens rights activists. Further stoking investor anxiety, the kingdom is embroiled in a devastating war in Yemen and is leading an embargo against neighbouring Qatar. Riyadh has also engaged in diplomatic disputes with Germany and Canada that have threatened business ties. With the midterm elections just two weeks away, the US president and some within his party have escalated the attacks. Washington, DC From the outset of Mondays campaign rally for US Senator Ted Cruz, US President Donald Trump received a warm welcome from thousands of mostly red-clad Republicans gathered in Houstons Toyota Center. The audience had applauded throughout the speech delivered by Cruz, who is facing off against Democratic challenger Beto ORourke in a closely-watched race in the November 6 midterm elections. But when Trump took the podium and his speech took an even sharper rightward turn, the crowd erupted in boisterous applause and chants of USA! On Monday, after addressing unemployment and taxes, among other topics, Trump declared himself nationalist who is fending off corrupt, power-hungry globalists. Were putting America first it hasnt happened in a lot of decades, he declared, adding: Were taking care of ourselves for a change, folks. {articleGUID} He continued by accusing Democrats of being globalists who want the globe to do well [by] frankly not caring about our country so much. You know, they have a word. It sort of became old-fashioned. Its called a nationalist, he continued. And I say really, were not supposed to use that word. You know what I am? I am a nationalist. Use that word. Trump used the term, nationalist, again on Tuesday, defending the recently agreed-upon trade deal with Mexico and Canada. With midterm elections less than two weeks away, Mondays rally was the latest in a pattern of Trump and Republican candidates nationwide employing increasingly aggressive campaign rhetoric. In races from California to New Jersey, Republican candidates, campaign ads and mailers have accused Democratic opponents of advocating open borders and supporting terrorism. Conspiracy theory In North America and Europe, far-right and ultra-nationalist groups have routinely disparaged their political opponents as globalists, a term that researchers and experts describe as a dog-whistle with thinly-veiled anti-Semitic undertones. While some right-wing politicians and commentators use globalism interchangeably with globalisation, the term now refers more commonly to a far-right conspiracy theory that alleges that the world is controlled by a shadowy group of economic elites. Monday was not the first time Trump employed the phrase. In March, the president prompted a tide of criticism when he referred to his outgoing top economic adviser, Gary Cohn, as a globalist. He may be a globalist, but I still like him, Trump said at Cohns final cabinet meeting, continuing, Hes seriously a globalist. Theres no question. Never underestimate the power of anti-Semitism in this, Shane Burley, author of Fascism Today, told Al Jazeera. I dont think Trump is making an open reference to Jews, but the logic of anti-Semitism is informing rhetoric. The alt-right, a loosely knit coalition of neo-Nazis and white nationalists, surged during Trumps presidential campaign and following his victory in November 2016. But alt-right groups found themselves marginalised after differing with many of the presidents policies and facing public backlash after the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville in August 2017. Burley said the movements lasting influence can be seen in the Republican Partys open embrace of far-right talking points, including globalism and conspiracy theories blaming Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros for everything from migration to anti-Trump protests. If we think about parts of the Trump base, that rhetoric works very well with them, Burley said. Escalation In recent weeks, Trump has intensified accusations that Democrats are radical leftists who incite mobs, claimed protesters are paid and repeatedly attacked a US-bound caravan of migrants. Some Republican incumbents and hopefuls across the country have followed suit, and right-wing Super PACS have aired a slew of televised campaign ads attempting to link their Democratic opponents to terrorism. Others have ostensibly targeted non-white candidates for their heritage, such as Republican congressman Duncan Hunters attack ad claiming that his Palestinian-Mexican-American opponent, Ammar Campa-Najjar, is a national security threat. Although the 29-year-old Campa-Najjar is a Christian, Hunters ad alleged that the progressive House hopeful was trying to infiltrate Congress and is supported by the Muslim Brotherhood. And in New York, another attack ad targeted African American Democratic House candidate Antonio Delgado for his former career as a rapper. Paid for by the Congressional Leadership Fund, the ad accused Delgado of lacing his raps with extremist attacks on American values. {articleGUID} On Monday, the civil rights group Muslim Advocates published a pre-election report documenting a sharp uptick in anti-Muslim sentiment among political candidates in 2017 and 2018. Heidi Beirich, the head of the Southern Poverty Law Centers Intelligence Project, explained that Trump has been escalating pretty egregiously the tenor of midterm election rhetoric. Youd have to be a fool not to know that Trump is trying to use race as a way to gin up his supporters, she told Al Jazeera. There are large sections of this election marked by racism, anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant efforts. In some ways, Trumps win in 2016 unleashed this kind of extremism into our system. Hurricane Willa and tropical storm Vicente approaching western Mexican coast, with landfalls just hours apart. Mexicos Pacific coast will be pounded on Tuesday by two storms headed its way, each with its distinct characteristics. The larger of the two storms is Hurricane Willa, currently about 300km southwest of Mazatlan in Mexico, with winds touching 230kph. Initially labelled a Category 5 storm, Willa weakened slightly and is now a Category 4 but still extremely dangerous, storm. Before making landfall later on Tuesday, it is expected to further weaken to a Category 3 or a strong Category 2 storm. But the US National Hurricane Centre has warned Willa was still likely to bring life-threatening storm surge, wind and rainfall to parts of west-central and southwestern Mexico. Willa grew out of an Atlantic tropical wave on October 14, organising into an area of low pressure southeast of the Yucatan Peninsula. After several days of meandering over Belize, it moved into the Pacific on October 17 and reached peak intensity five days later. Flooding rainfall is forecast between Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta with expected totals of up to 250mm even in areas inland. In the coming days, Willa is likely to weaken rapidly, but the moisture will continue to head northeast and spread into the southern United States. Texas will be particularly vulnerable to additional rain after experiencing widespread flooding last week. Hurricane Willa is the 22nd storm in the eastern Pacifics this year, and the third to reach category 5 intensity. Vicente The other storm, Vicente, formed off the southern coast of Guatemala last weekend and continues to track northwest, parallel to the coastline. In doing so, many areas stretching from southern Guatemala to Oaxaca state in Mexico have seen exceptional flooding. Torrential rainfall caused the Valle Nacional river to burst its banks close to the town of Chiltepic in Oaxaca. At least 11 people are believed to have been killed by the flooding, while many homes across the region were submerged and only accessible by boats. Vicente is expected to weaken in the coming hours and make a landfall on Tuesday morning along the coast of Michoacan in Mexico. As the remnants of the storm move inland, it will continue to bring flooding rains, along with the possibility of mudslides and landslides, through late Friday. Multiple Chinese warships shadowed the two US vessels during the transit in a move certain to anger Beijing. Two American warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait in a move bound to aggravate China amid heightened tensions with Beijing. The USS Curtis Wilbur and USS Antietam conducted a routine transit on Monday to demonstrate US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, Commander Nate Christensen, deputy spokesman for US Pacific Fleet, said in a statement. The US Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows, he said. Multiple Chinese warships shadowed the two US vessels during the transit, following at a safe distance. There was no immediate comment from China. The voyage risks further heightening tensions with China, but will likely be viewed in self-ruled Taiwan as a sign of support by President Donald Trumps government, amid growing friction between Taipei and Beijing. It was the second time in three months US warships have conducted so-called freedom of navigation exercises in the 180km-wide stretch of water. {articleGUID} Taiwans defence ministry confirmed the transit saying US ships routinely passed the international waters of the Taiwan Strait. Independence forces China sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified, despite the two sides being ruled separately since the end of a civil war on the mainland in 1949. Beijing recently conducted a series of military manoeuvres, including a live fire exercise in the Taiwan Strait in April, declaring its willingness to confront Taiwans independence forces. Washington remains Taipeis most powerful unofficial ally and its main arms supplier despite switching diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979. The Pentagon says Washington has sold Taiwan more than $15bn in weaponry since 2010. The Trump administration has sought closer ties to the island, announcing plans last month to sell it $330m in spare parts for several aircraft including the F-16 fighter and the C-130 cargo plane. Taiwans premier William Lai said during a parliamentary session on Tuesday that Taiwan respected the USs right of passage in international waters and recognised the various efforts of the US in maintaining peace in the Asia-Pacific region. Taiwans defence ministry said in an earlier statement the military was closely monitoring the US warships during their passage. Taiwan is only one of a growing number of flashpoints in the US-China relationship, which also include a bitter trade war, American sanctions, and Chinas increasingly muscular military posture in the South China Sea. The "West and Islam have been mortal enemies since the latter's birth some fourteen centuries ago," warns Islam scholar Raymond Ibrahim in his recent book Sword and Scimitar: Fourteen Centuries of War between Islam and the West. His extensive analysis bears out the apt title of this volume, whose documented history is equally ill remembered and yet vital for modern Westerners. Ibrahim begins by elucidating the disturbing conceptual core of Islam and its seventh-century Arab prophet, Muhammad. "The appeal of Muhammad's message lay in its compatibility with the tribal mores of his society," Ibrahim notes. For seventh-century Arabs and later tribal peoples, chiefly Turks and Tatars, who also found natural appeal in Islam the tribe was what humanity is to modern people: to be part of it was to be treated humanely; to be outside of it was to be treated inhumanely. Accordingly, Islam "deified tribalism, causing it to outlive its setting and spill into the modern era." Islamic doctrines like al-wala' wa al-bara' ("loyalty and enmity") created an umma faith community or "'Super Tribe' that transcends racial, national, and linguistic barriers." Not surprisingly, the Arabic umma "is etymologically related to 'mother' (umm) to one's closest kin." Ibrahim "records a variety of Muslims across time and space behaving exactly like the Islamic State and for the same reasons" namely, Islam's promotion of warfare against non-Muslims. Islam's deity "incites his followers to war on the promise of booty, both animate and inanimate so much so that an entire sura, or chapter of the Koran, 'al-Anfal,' is named after and dedicated to the spoils of war." Jihadists following Islamic canons thus "'use' or 'loan' their lives as part of a 'bargain' or 'transaction' whereby Allah forgives all sins and showers them with celestial delights." Ibrahim examines how Islamic afterlife doctrines beckon the faith's battlefield martyrs. Islam's celestial pleasures include houris or "supernatural, celestial women ... created by Allah for the express purpose of gratifying his favorites in perpetuity." "That Islamic scriptures portray paradise in decidedly carnal terms" reflects the "primitivism of Muhammad's society." As Ibrahim notes, being on jihad's receiving end was hardly divine. Khalid bin al-Walid, the "Sword of Allah" from Islam's founding seventh-century epoch, "looms large in the Arab histories of the early Muslim conquests and is still seen today as the jihadi par excellence." Yet Islamic histories record that jihadists like him "were little more than mass-killing psychotics and rapists." Similarly, Ibrahim observes that Ottoman sultan Bayezid I (reigned 1389-1402), "like many other Muslim leaders before and after him, was at once pious and depraved, with no apparent conflict between the twain." This devout depravity includes the various forms of slavery that have existed throughout Islamic history like the Ottoman devshirme. Ibrahim quotes one modern historian to the effect that "jihad looks uncomfortably like a giant slave trade.'" Non-Muslims will find baffling Ibrahim's observation that Islamic doctrines claimed to sanctify imperialistic horror as holy: In Arabic and other Muslim languages, the historic Islamic conquests are never referred to as 'conquests' but rather as futuh 'openings' for the light of Islam to enter[.] ... [E]very land ever invaded and/or seized by Muslims was done 'altruistically' to bring Islam to wayward infidels. Such "altruism" devastated historic Christendom, Ibrahim notes. What people today call the "West" in Europe "is actually the westernmost remnant of what was a much more extensive civilizational block that Islam permanently severed." Due to Islamic conquests spreading out from the Arabian Peninsula following Muhammad's death in 632, by 700: ... all ancient Christian lands between Greater Syria to the east and Mauretania (Morocco) to the west approximately 3,700 miles were forever conquered by Islam. Put differently, two-thirds (or 65 percent) of Christendom's original territory including three of the five most important centers of Christianity Jerusalem, Antioch, and Alexandria were permanently swallowed up by Islam and thoroughly Arabized. Ibrahim highlights Islamic depredation of the Mediterranean, which "for centuries had been the world's greatest economic highway uniting East and West, first in the classical civilization of Rome, and then in Christendom." Subsequently this "Muslim Lake" became the "hunting ground for pirates and slavers." Particularly "[a]fter the "conquest of Egypt, the importation of papyrus into Europe terminated almost overnight, causing literacy rates to drop back to their levels in pre-Roman times." Contrary to "widespread and entrenched myths concerning the purported tolerance and enlightenment" in places like Islamic Spain, Ibrahim documents longstanding Christian resistance to Islamic aggression. He dispenses with the "distorted and demonized version of" the Crusades, which responded to Islamic conquest of, and oppression in, the Holy Land. "Despite popular depictions of crusaders as prototypical European imperialists cynically exploiting faith, recent scholarship has proven the opposite," he notes. "Great lords of vast estates," Ibrahim observes, "parted with their wealth and possessions upon taking the cross" as Crusaders. This sacrifice reflects an inconvenient truth for politically correct pieties: Shocking as it may seem, love not of the modern, sentimental variety, but a medieval, muscular one, characterized by Christian altruism, agape was the primary driving force behind the crusades. Ibrahim is not shy about sacrificing progressive sacred cows about Islam. He particularly notes that violent and vice-filled Islamic biographies of Muhammad have "especially scandalized Christians" historically. "Indeed, for people who find any criticism of Islam 'Islamophobic,' the sheer amount and vitriolic content of more than a millennium of Western writings on Muhammad may beggar belief." Ibrahim warns that his research presents no mere academic discussion or ancient history. Modern Muslim men assaulting Western women in Europe and elsewhere often "are drawing on a long tradition of seeing pale infidels as the epitome of promiscuity." In sum: Muslims still venerate their heritage and religion which commands jihad against infidels whereas the West has learned to despise its heritage and religion, causing it to become an unwitting ally of the jihad. Against such induced historical amnesia Ibrahim performs a valuable service. Contrary to postmodern trends in Western society, Muslim behavior shows that not all believe that God is dead, history has ended, and everything is relative. Christians, with their long histories of fighting against, and suffering under, Islam should be at the forefront of offering critical, loving truths about this faith. See also: How War with Islam Shaped and Defined Us Population Connection (formerly Zero Population Growth) proclaims that ever since the group's founding "[t]he Western Hemisphere as a whole is now below [population] replacement rate." When they formed in 1968, "only four nations were at or below replacement rate fertility today there are nearly a hundred such nations." To cement the direction of progressive solutions for the earth, one letter to the editor took issue with the fact that "some of [the] authors talk about 'slowing down population growth.' We have to talk about ending population growth. If all we want to accomplish is slowing down population growth, then we're just debating whether to go over the cliff running or to go over the cliff walking.'" It would appear that human extinction is the ultimate goal. The group is outspoken about Trump's "trying to cancel all funds for bilateral international family planning assistance" while they maintain that in the U.S., Trump "and his congressional accomplices attack [their] friends at Planned Parenthood day and night. And from Neil Gorsuch to district and appellate judges, Trump schemes to shove [the] courts to the far right for decades to come." As such, Population Connection is hosting hundreds of college student activists to raise the alarm and be "an unapologetic voice for population stabilization." Too bad that Population Connection completely ignores the Project Veritas expose depicting Planned Parenthood engaging in the illegal and immoral act of selling baby parts. Thus, given their ideological bent, President John Seager and his group would herald Europe's ongoing demographic suicide. Moreover, it is vital to keep in mind that progressives do not mourn the death of Western values. It is integral to the progressive/leftist game plan. Giulio Meotti writes that it is estimated that there "will be a reduction of about 25 percent in the Greek population by 2050. Even more worrying is the forecast of the country's statistical agency (Elstat), according to which by 2080 the population of the country could fall to 7.2 million." Moreover, "births in public hospitals have dropped by 30 percent and Greece has become a world leader in abortion." Only Italy has a higher percentage of older people. Furthermore, "[i]t is no coincidence that the three European countries considered at risk of default in the present period -- Italy, Greece and Portugal -- are also those most overwhelmed by the demographic winter." Peter Kotecki at Business Insider explains that "[a]ll around the world, countries are seeing dwindling birth rates and rising life expectancy. Aging populations are leading to greater spending on healthcare and pensions, but the number of people working and paying taxes is steadily decreasing. As a result, these countries are at risk of becoming 'demographic time bombs,' signifying a crisis of too few working people. Demographers say countries need fertility rates of 2.2 children per woman to maintain a stable population, but many nations' birth rates, such as those of South Korea and the United States, have fallen below 2." The US birth rate has remained below 'replacement level' since the 1970s, which means not enough children are being born to keep the population at a steady level. In Spain there are more deaths than births each year and some towns are already nearly abandoned. It is vital to realize that Spain is "a demographically dying country and a land of great investments for Saudis and other emirs" -- all of whom are ultimately concerned with establishing a global caliphate -- hence the population increase in 2017 in Spain resulting from Muslim migrant arrivals. And while "[t]he number of immigrants to Italy rose last year and the number of Italians leaving the country decreased neither trend is reversing Italy's path toward a demographic time bomb." Then there is Bulgaria, whose population is shrinking faster than any other nation in the world. Bulgaria's fertility rate is only 1.46 children per woman. In 2017 Bulgaria's deputy labor minister, Sultanka Petrova, stated: The decline in the active population is a social and economic bomb that will explode unless we take adequate measures. Latvia's population is steadily dropping, and many citizens are leaving the country to look for jobs in other parts of the European Union. Some South Koreans cite a lack of financial stability as one of the main reasons they are not having children. In order to stem the decline, the "South Korean government has offered cash incentives to people who have more than one child, as the fertility rate currently sits at 1.26 children per woman -- too low to maintain a stable population. " Likewise, the Japanese government is offering cash incentives in an effort to encourage women to have children. Researchers are worried about a demographic time bomb in Japan, where the lowest-ever number of births was recorded in 2017. Japan has "one of the highest life expectancies in the world, leading it to face a steep decline at one end of the lifecycle and a boom at the other. Similarly, the proportion of the working age population is falling, which constitutes a significant challenge for the economy." In fact, "[e]conomic concerns are one of the most frequently cited reasons for Japanese people to get married later in life or remain single. Women who need, or want, to work face difficulties in combining employment and child rearing, due to the limited availability of childcare services, unfavourable employment practices, and a lack of flexible working conditions." The United Kingdom's birth rate has fallen to its lowest level in a dozen years. At 0.83, Singapore has the lowest fertility rate in the world, but economists say the effects of a demographic time bomb can still be reversed by recruiting immigrant workers. China's fertility rate keeps dropping despite the government's 2016 decision to allow families to have two children instead of one (a policy that had been in place since 1979), so local authorities are taking steps to encourage more childbirth. While the importation of foreign-born migrants may show an increase in actual population numbers, how will it affect the fabric of a country's culture if said migrants do not assimilate. One need only look at Europe and see that Western values, language, and culture are being effaced. In addition, the effects of population decline include: serious labor shortage and fewer qualified participants for the workforce. a strain on mental health as "witnessing a region's population loss can have a significant impact on the wills and spirits of those few who are left behind." threats to a competitive spirit in business. an increase in angry young men as a decline in population "often causes gender inequalities." a "brain-drain" in rural towns as depopulation results in the migration of people from rural regions to more urban ones. disproportionate aging which "burdens most of the work on the strata of society least capable of completing it; increasing the welfare state and causing great strain on the governments trying to meet the needs of the aged. a vulnerable situation where countries with suicidal demographic numbers leave themselves open for any foreign invasion. Despite the aforementioned adverse issues, John Seager of Population Connection strongly disagrees with many practitioners of the 'dismal science' when it comes to the impact of lower birth rates. He asserts that "no one need worry about slower (or better yet, zero) population growth. In a world plagued with all manner of shortages (clean air, fresh water, food, common sense), we face no people shortage." Despite recent declines in family size, the United States population continues to grow by about 3 million a year, due in large part to the fact that nearly half of all pregnancies are unplanned. But what about those few places with slow or no population growth, or even (as with Japan) actual decline? Not to be simplistic, but there is a clear answer that works everywhere: Invest in people. That means providing great schools along with top-notch health care facilities. It also means removing barriers both physical and attitudinal that often prevent gainful employment on the part of older workers or those facing physical or mental challenges or those who are trying to fulfill family responsibilities as caregivers. These approaches increase per capita productivity, which can be even more important as population growth slows. While there is no magic wand that will solve all the worlds problems, reducing population growth by smashing barriers to all reproductive health services is a great place to start. Counting on unplanned pregnancies negates their own ultimate desires to ensure that no births occur in the first place. Moreover, such vague generalizations obfuscate the actual reality of too low a birth rate in many parts of the world. Why is death or the end of potential life such an anathema to leftists? In 2016, John Seager and Lee S. Polansky wrote The Good Crisis: How Population Stabilization Can Foster a Healthy U.S. Economy. They emphatically continue to maintain that "no one need worry about slower (or better yet, zero) population growth." And if they are wrong, it will be too late for many countries. Eileen can be reached at middlemarch18@gmail.com If we learned anything from the Kavanaugh smear and the endless Russia collusion investigation, its that just as Islam is a political system masquerading as a religion, Democratic Party ideals are a religion masquerading as a political system. What they tried to do to Kavanaugh in declaring him a rapist with an absolute lack of evidence, has shown Americans that they do not care who gets hurt in their pursuit of power. How many male voters thought, That could be me. How many women voters thought, That could be my husband; that could be my son. Yet Kavanaugh is merely the most egregious of their missteps. Almost everything the Democrats have done since January 20, 2017, has only served to hurt their chances for the blue wave. They took what up until recently seemed to be a sure-thing election sweeping Democrats into control of the House and the Senate and threw it away. With Kavanaugh, the unhinged protests, and now, all the violence the left perpetrates on a daily basis -- the only thing they have accomplished with their bad behavior is to take Robert Mueller and his witch hunt off the front pages and make it impossible for him to release any report or announce more indictments of foreigners or tertiary Trump associates before election day. The people will see that for what it would be, a purely political stunt to hurt the president and Republicans. Announcing that their plans, should they win control of the House, would be to impeach Trump and Kavanaugh is another faux pas. Americans like fair play. The investigation of Trump has been going on for two years and they have nothing. Its kind of like Al Gores strategy in 2000: We count until I win! They want to investigate Trump until they find any crime they can use to impeach him or better yet, jail him. And like Kavanaugh, it doesnt even have to be true, as long as it works. I think most Americans realize that had they been the subject of a prosecutor with an unlimited budget, they would have long ago been on the nightly news in cuffs with their coat over their head being led into the police station. Now we have the 5,000-person caravan quickly approaching our border. It may be just me, but the ploy seems to have Democratic fingerprints all over it. There is broad support in America for secure borders. This is not going to help the Democrats on November 6. It will seem to many that the Democrats are advocating invasion. Just for good measure, throw in Elizabeth Damn it, I am an Indian Warrens idiocy and a question comes to mind. Have the Democrats accomplished anything in the runup to the midterms that have helped their chances? Of course, Trump baited her when he called her Pocahontas. But that was some time ago; she didnt have to bite so hard on the hook and she could have waited until after the midterm elections. Not since Gary Hart took a picture with a young woman, not his wife, sitting on his lap on a yacht ironically named Monkey Business has a leading Democrat hurt the chances of winning the nomination as Elizabeth Warren did with the release of her DNA test proving she was between 1/64 and 1/1024 likely to have an ancestor of South American or Mexican Indian heritage. Yet, its not just her that will suffer. Citizens may look at her claim and think, If this is all the Democrats have, why should I vote for them? Its better to remain silent and have people think you are an idiot than to speak and remove all doubt. Elizabeth Warren removed all doubt while co-opting the entire Democrat/media propaganda machine for precious days before November 6, making it about herself and her lies. It has been said that President Donald Trump is a buffoon, that he is a loudmouth from Queens with little impulse control. But everything Trump does can be seen in a different light if one only bothers to look. Much of what the president says on Twitter and during political rallies can be interpreted as deliberate and designed to control the conversation. The problem with Republicans has always been they have no fight in them and make no attempt to control what people are discussing in the media -- and by media, I do not just mean the mainstream media -- I mean all media including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Republicans have always been reactive, not proactive. President Trump has sure changed that, hasnt he? For the first time in my memory it is a Republican dictating the national discussion. He says something on Twitter or at a rally, then he steps back and watches as the mainstream media, FB, Twitter, Instagram, strangers on line at Whole Foods (Thank you, come again) lose their collective minds in horror about the insensitivity. Trump is a fighter and hes shown Republicans that while losing with honor may make you feel good for a day, winning ugly will make you feel good for a lifetime. Trump has Democrats playing his game and its not a good look for them. David Gelernter wrote in the Wall Street Journal that all the Democrats have is their hatred of Trump and many people may see that as a hatred of the country as well. Not that every leftist hates America. But the leftists I know do hate Mr. Trumps vulgarity, his unwillingness to walk away from a fight, his bluntness, his certainty that America is exceptional, his mistrust of intellectuals, his love of simple ideas that work, and his refusal to believe that men and women are interchangeable. Worst of all, he has no ideology except getting the job done. His goals are to do the task before him, not be pushed around, and otherwise to enjoy life. In short, he is a typical American -- except exaggerated, because he has no constraints to cramp his style except the ones he himself invents. These are all unforced errors on the Democrats' part, and lets face it, its hard to get illegal aliens and the dead eager to vote Democratic when Democrats act like at best, a bunch of bumbling idiots or at worst, traitors. You can bet that the Democrats didn't want to hear this. An analysis of early voting patterns in seven states shows that Republican enthusiasm is putting a damper on the Democrats' dream of a wave election. NBCNews: Republican-affiliated voters have outpaced Democratic-affiliated voters in early voting in seven closely watched states, according to data provided by TargetSmart and independently analyzed by the NBC News Data Analytics Lab. GOP-affiliated voters have surpassed Democratic-affiliated ones in early voting in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Montana, Tennessee and Texas, the data showed. Only in Nevada have Democratic-affiliated voters exceeded Republican-affiliated voters so far in early voting, according to the data. Six of those states feature close races for the Senate. Districts in Georgia, Florida, and Texas are pivotal to the Democrats' plans to take over the House. The latest data suggests robust enthusiasm among early Republican voters that could put a dent in Democratic hopes for a "blue wave" in next month's midterm elections. Republicans typically dominate early voting by absentee ballots, while Democrats tend to have the advantage with in-person early voting. So, for example, the entire early voting picture in Florida, which has yet to begin in-person voting, is incomplete. The Republican surge is especially noticeable in Arizona, Florida, and Indiana: In Arizona where two members of the House, Democrat Kyrsten Sinema and Republican Martha McSally, are in a neck-and-neck contest to fill retiring Republican Jeff Flake's Senate seat 44 percent of early voters had a Republican affiliation, compared to 33 percent who had a Democratic affiliation. Twenty-three percent of early voters were not affiliated with either major party, and thus grouped as "other" in NBC News' partisan analysis. In Florida where Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson is running for re-election in a tight race against Republican Gov. Rick Scott 44 percent of early voters had a Republican affiliation, versus 38 percent who had a Democratic affiliation and 18 percent who were not affiliated with either party. In Indiana where Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly is facing a re-election challenge from Republican businessman Mike Braun 51 percent of early voters had a Republican affiliation, compared with 39 percent who had a Democratic affiliation and 10 percent who were not affiliated with either party. Democrats are enthused as well, but the notion that Republicans are so disheartened that they won't vote appears to have gone by the boards. The election is still two weeks away, and there's a potential storm brewing on the border, with thousands of people making their way through Mexico, vowing to crash the U.S. border. This may be a boost for Republicans if, as expected, the president stands firm. There could also be surprises in local races, like the news that Georgia's Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Stacey Abrams, helped burn a state flag in 1992. With so many races so close, it won't take much to tip a contest one way or another. But the early voting by Republicans will probably force Democrats to walk back their predictions of a sweep and to tone down expectations of a "blue wave." Connecticut Democrats' evasive campaigns are an insult to voters. Let's put this bluntly: the 2018 elections are as close as we will ever get to a referendum on Democratic economic policy in Connecticut. Voters are right to want answers. In spite of a economic and job boom across the country, Connecticut's "death spiral" is accelerating. Taxes keep going up, jobs are disappearing, and property values are in the tank. Connecticut's budget deficit in 2020 will be $1.9 billion; in 2021, it will be about $2.5 billion. Those are just pick-up notes to more staggering problems, as more taxpayers move out of the state and the death spiral accelerates. Connecticut's mess is Democrats' to explain: they have controlled the state budget process for 38 of the last 40 years. Governor Malloy, now hovering around 20% approval, has held office for the last eight (and he made certain his stench would linger for a long time). Further, among Connecticut's all-Democrat delegation in Washington, those defending seats have held office an aggregate total of 72 years, including both the U.S. House and this year's contested U.S. Senate race. If Democrat incumbents want to convince voters they can now fix Connecticut's unprecedented crisis, they ought to at least explain what they've been doing all these years. But Democrats are mostly avoiding their own records and, in large part, the voters. The single most ruinous expense for Connecticut is public-sector union pensions. As a candidate, Ned Lamont has scripted an arms-length gap between himself and Governor Malloy. But, setting aside the talking points, Lamont sounds a lot like Malloy when it comes to spending on unions. That is, he promises nothing and talks only vaguely about any fix or "reform." (As others have pointed out, Lamont is careful to avoid the term "concession" since it would alienate the union masters, whose enthusiastic support he needs on Election Day.) If this sounds familiar to Connecticut voters, it should. It is Malloy II. Nailing down Lamont's "plan" to rein in union spending is like nailing Jell-O to a tree. Whatever Lamont's recently professed beliefs about unions and beleaguered Connecticut taxpayers, his loyalty plainly lies with the former. That's a big problem for taxpayers, because when Lamont strays from his campaign script, he talks about tax increases, tolls, and new taxes as much as Bubba Gump talks about shrimp recipes. Then again, the governor's seat is open, so at least Lamont must participate in debates with the Republican candidate, Bob Stefanowski. The same cannot be said about Connecticut's all-Democrat delegation in Washington. These Democrats' approach to the 2018 elections in Connecticut is one befitting a king, not elected members of U.S. Congress. Here are some statistics Democrats won't talk about: The four Democrat incumbents in Congress in contested races (3 House, 1 Senate) are so confident about their 64-year track record in Washington that they have agreed to a total of four debates. Rep. Jim Himes (CT-4) is a poster boy for the Democrats' cynical approach. When Himes was a challenger in 2008, he famously demanded ten debates and, according to the New York Times, got seven. Now, after ten years in office, Himes has agreed to just three debates in a district that includes an exceptionally diverse range of 17 communities between Bridgeport and Greenwich and about 40% percent non-affiliated voters. Voters interested in Matthew Corey, the Navy veteran and business-owner running a spirited campaign for U.S. Senate against Chris Murphy, will get just one opportunity to see Corey debate Murphy. Voters interested in the Senate race fare better than voters in districts occupied by Rep. John Larson (CT-1), a 20-year incumbent, and Rosa DeLauro (CT-2; 28 years). Neither has agreed to a single debate. The spirit and purpose of local debates are for politicians incumbents and multi-term incumbents in particular to explain and defend their ideas to grassroots voters. Without this opportunity to hear from incumbents and challengers, individual voters place a distant second to special interests and big-money donors. In other words, debates are the best way to put individual voters ahead of special interests. Democrats in Connecticut also seem to need a reminder that voters and the interests they represent are dynamic and diverse. Their districts have seen thousands of new constituents and newly registered voters in recent years (with 18- to 25-year-olds in the lead). Statewide, unaffiliated non-affiliated voters outnumber both Republicans and Democrats both in totals and in new registrations. Don't voters and taxpayers deserve debates? Democrats' message is clear: they want to avoid us. They are attending to special interests and big money donors, they are enjoying the spoils of incumbency, and it's safer to avoid the voters. This is a disgrace. Democrats' approach puts Connecticut Democrats in league with the incumbent New York governor, Andrew Cuomo. Even the New York Post asked last week why Cuomo has not agreed to a single debate. The Post asked the right question: "What does Andrew Cuomo fear?" The same question should be directed to Connecticut Democrats. Bill Lalor is chair of the Wilton (Connecticut) Republican Town Committee. There was a debate Sunday night at a synagogue between the incumbent congressman from the 8th District in Pennsylvania (with redistricting, soon to be the 1st District), Republican Brian Fitzpatrick, and his challenger, Democrat Scott Wallace. At one point, the debate became rather heated, and Wallace shocked those present in the house of worship by cussing out his opponent. He used an expletive and dropped an F-bomb, perhaps forgetting where he was. Or maybe not. WBCB: 'Ironically, there was a later question about the need for civility in politics,' Fitzpatrick told WBCB. 'Well, a good start is to not use vulgarities in the sanctuary of a synagogue in the middle of a congressional debate.' Both candidates were standing on the synagogue's 'bimah,' an elevated platform used for reading the Torah during services, when Wallace used the expletive. Fitzpatrick was 'stunned' Wallace made the comment. In addition to Fitzpatrick, people in the synagogue and the moderator took exception with Wallace's obscenity. 'You'll have to ask Scott Wallace what his motivations were,' Fitzpatrick said. 'My sense is he was frustrated because I was cross examining him on the ad he's running, which is a false ad based on my position on pre-existing conditions. I was asking him a series of questions on what bill he was referring to, had he read it, and he came out with this expletive.' Wallace has accused Fitzpatrick of voting to take healthcare coverage away from people with pre-existing conditions, even running television advertisements on the issue. However an article published in the Washington Post's Fact Checker states the advertisements are more than misleading. In other words, Fitzpatrick called out his opponent for lying, and he responded by using a barnyard epithet. During a debate. In a synagogue. What makes this little campaign sidelight even more interesting is that the article never mentions the party affiliation of either candidate. I knew Fitzpatrick because he's a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, but the casual reader would never know that Wallace is a Democrat. I guess the writer, Rick Rickman ("Proud WBCB news director and afternoon News Anchor!"), didn't think it important enough to mention. Or maybe too important. Georgia Democratic candidate for governor Stacey Abrams admitted that while she was a college student in 1992, she took part in a protest where the state flag of Georgia at the time was burned. That flag featured the stars and bars of the Confederate battle flag, which was removed the next year by the last Democratic governor in the state, Roy Barnes. Washington Times: The Abrams campaign defended the candidate's actions in a Monday statement, quoted by the New York Times, that said she had engaged in a "permitted, peaceful protest against the Confederate emblem in the flag." ... The statement also said Ms. Abrams was on the right side of history. "During Stacey Abrams' college years, Georgia was at a crossroads, struggling with how to overcome racially divisive issues, including symbols of the Confederacy, the sharpest of which was the inclusion of the Confederate emblem in the Georgia state flag," the statement said. "This conversation was sweeping across Georgia as numerous organizations, prominent leaders, and students engaged in the ultimately successful effort to change the flag." Ms. Abrams has called for removing a giant monument on Stone Mountain featuring granite carvings of Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson and Jefferson Davis, citing its ties to the 1910s revival of the Ku Klux Klan. She has accordingly been criticized by Secretary of State Brian Kemp, her Republican rival for the governorship. Mr. Kemp has said the state cannot "attempt to rewrite" the past, and would protect Stone Mountain from "the radical left." Ms. Abrams and Mr. Kemp will face off in a debate Tuesday. Burning any flag for any reason is not conducive to dialogue. It is a radical act and while many, like Abrams, believed that the stars and bars are a symbol of racism, it is also, for millions of Americans, a symbol of heritage. There is nothing wrong with believing that the Confederate battle flag is a symbol of racism. But symbols are often interpreted differently, depending on the eye of the beholder. I personally find that battle flag a hurtful symbol that needs to be retired. But I know that many disagree, and I freely acknowledge that disagreement and respect their beliefs. By burning the flag, Abrams did not grant those who disagree with her any respect at all. I think all Georgians, white and black, should take that into consideration when casting their vote for governor. If there were any doubts in anyone's mind of lingering animosity between Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, Trump laid those fears to rest last night as he and the Texas senator appeared on the same stage in Houston. The bruising, nasty primary fight in the 2016 presidential race forgotten, Trump effusively praised Cruz, calling him "a man who has become a really good friend." ABCNews: "Nobody has helped me more" than Cruz, Trump proclaimed, heaping praise on the Republican senator as he embarks on the home stretch of his unexpectedly competitive reelection race against upstart Democratic Congressman Beto O'Rourke. The once icy relationship between Senator Cruz and the president has thawed considerably since the tumult of the 2016 election, when the two battled it out for the Republican nomination. Since conceding to Trump and dropping out of the race, Cruz has aligned himself firmly behind the president as a reliable vote in the Senate. President Trump responded in kind, thanking Cruz for his legislative support. "Thanks to Ted, we now have a brand new member of the United States Supreme Court, Justice Brett Kavanaugh," Trump said. Despite his best efforts on Monday, Trump's chummy relationship with Cruz may not be as iron-clad as the president suggests. Asked by ABC News over the weekend whether he considers Trump a friend or a foe, Cruz refrained from hanging his hat on the former. "He's the president," Cruz told ABC News' Paula Faris in an interview that aired on "This Week" Sunday. "I work with the president in delivering on our promises." The president made his presence felt in this heated race long before Air Force One touched down in the Lone Star State Monday evening, bashing O'Rourke on Twitter last week as a "total lightweight" and a "flake." On Monday, Trump targeted O'Rourke again, calling him "a stone-cold phony." O'Rourke is all of that, and more. But the symbolic embrace the two former rivals shared on the stage in Houston means for more to Cruz's chances of victory than Trump's name-calling. O'Rourke may have raised a ton of money, and national Democrats might be in love with him, but facts are facts: Texas is still a heavily Republican state, and O'Rourke needs a divided GOP to win. That's not going to happen now. With Republicans surging across the country, Cruz is looking more and more like a big winner. While there hasn't been a new poll in almost two weeks, the RealClear average margin for the incumbent is 7 points. Trump's visit did nothing to hurt that margin. Who's financing the Honduras migrant caravan of illegal immigrants, with as many as 10,000 snaking their way into illegally entering the U.S.? Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas has a sensible suggestion for finding out: using the RICO statutes. According to the Washington Examiner, citing Fox News, Gohmert said: We have got to have the DOJ investigate where the funding is coming from to send these thousands and thousands of people to the U.S. ... You can use RICO to go after them. The question, which the incurious media show no sign of wanting to answer, is worth asking, given the expense the taxpayers will be saddled with as thousands of them openly climb over border fences, dare border officials to fire on them to stop them, worm their way in through asylum legal maneuvering, or put up big sob stories with photos of mothers and crying children as a means to get in and get the benefit packages. It's a certainty that quite a few will get in, unless President Trump can be genuinely effective at stopping them, and right now that's not a certainty. Who is it? Is it Soros, the hedge fund leftist billionaire of chaos who vowed to shell out $500 million for migrants a few years back? Democrats, the same people who had tens of millions to pay for a fake dossier in a bid to win an election and who have lately been struggling to win the Latino vote? Or is it, as I suspect, Chavista Venezuelan oil money, given the Chavistas' stated desire to flood America with indigent migrants (which has been around as a threat ever since Hugo Chavez taunted the U.S. over is border in the 2000s) as a means of spreading its revolution northward? The Chavista ties of the caravan's front-group organizers, Pueblo Sin Fronteras, as well as its known Chavez-supporting Honduran ringleaders, are rather obvious. We know someone's financing it, because migrants are leaving vast troves of trash as they move through Mexico, presumably because they are climbing aboard pre-arranged and paid for trucks to travel. Trucks are expensive: SOMETHING IS NOT ADDING UP #Caravan If this caravan has a couple of thousand miles to go why did they leave all this stuff they would need to survive? Do you see that hefty stroller? What parent would leave that and make the choice to carry their kid 2000 miles? They wouldn't!! pic.twitter.com/JobkzHnoxH Lori Ann (@Lori1981Ann1) October 22, 2018 We know they're not exactly poor, either. Throwing away $389 strollers is one thing, as is the idea of actually being able to buy one: Here's another, a claimed $1,000 stroller: wonder where she got that $1000 stroller. Same place they all got their cell phones I guess. They hate our president, but hey, we got free stuff and that's what they want. #invasion #illegalinvasion #BUILDTHEWALL #SendThemBack https://t.co/zSR9mPyTId EJmichaels (@ejmichaels74) October 22, 2018 Expensive strollers, yes, but what's even more expensive are the costs all of these migrants and their children will incur for the U.S. educating them, feeding them, housing them, medicating them, lawyering them, policing them, jailing them, and everything else migrants get in their vast benefit packages once in, legally or not. Gavin Newsom, currently running for governor of California, vows to give them free health care, which has got to be a magnet. They also, as Mickey Kaus has repeatedly noted, drive down wages for the poorest Americans. Their remittances, meanwhile, leave American cities underdeveloped as all capital flows out, and the serve to prop up the corrupt governments of the countries they left behind, providing them a cash source that the IMF has warned tends to underdevelop those countries and triggers more treks north. So yes, the taxpaying public absolutely has an interest in knowing who wants to destroy our rule of law and make our borders meaningless, an act of meddling if there ever was any, and who wants to foist huge benefit packages on the foreign invaders coming to the U.S. illegally, courtesy of the U.S. taxpayer. Louis Gohmert is on to something, and his call should be taken seriously. President Obama is at it again, repeating phony "narratives" about himself and trying to claim credit for President Trump's successes. Here he was, speaking to Democrats in Nevada: "So when you hear all this talk about economic miracles right now, remember who started it," he said to thunderous applause and a standing ovation. He never even liked a good economy, let alone wanted one, back in the days when he was in the White House. U.S. economic growth, such as happened on his watch, was weak and anemic, never breaching the 3% level, and grew despite, not because of, his economic policies. The recession he got elected on was over before he even got started, and all he did was make things worse, cutting eight years off America's cumulative economic growth and leaving a generation of college graduates living in their moms' basements. Fact is, he neither stated interest in nor actually ever did anything to create a good economy. To him, a good economy was created by stimulus spending and bureaucrat-hiring, along with some centrally planned winner-picking in the utterly unsustainable "green jobs" category. Most of all, it was tax hikes. He's still out there with his claims, actually attributing the Trump boom we see now to his...tax hikes. I'm not kidding: During the Monday rally, Obama said economic growth during his presidency could partially be attributed to his administration "making sure the wealthiest Americans, folks like me, paid their fair share of taxes." It's the only thing in fact that he cites for the current economic boom, as if Trump's tax cuts, regulatory cuts, and leaping-for-joy stock market on the news of his election really did nothing to initiate the mega-boom. Obama's economic record, by contrast, is a sorry one. He started by undercutting rule of law by stiffing General Motors' bondholders in favor of the United Auto Workers in contravention to written and established contract law, something that cut interest from investors in investing. He tried to put Big Oil, creator of the fracking boom that was the forerunner of the Great Trump Boom, out of business, a federal judge actually rebuking him as a lawbreaker as he tried to ban offshore drilling. He tried to put coal an industry utterly necessary for the creation of his vaunted "green energy" through its role in the creation of electricity for solar transmission lines and all those electrical car plug-in stations in the grave. He delayed free trade agreements with vital allies to please his union buddies, and when he finally did, not all of them he signed onto were particularly free trade pacts. He tried to put the U.S. under the purview of United Nations-style bureaucrats with his signature of the Paris climate accord, weighting down business with regulations further. He gave his Environmental Protection Agency free rein to regulate up the wazoo. Its tens of thousands of bureaucrat-empowering regulations are still being hosed out by President Trump. He hiked taxes as much as he could, calling it a matter of having the rich pay their "fair share" as he determined it. He loaded business with gargantuan costs of health care mandates, including Obamacare, which, again, benefited bureaucrats and campaign contributors but squashed private enterprise. And he never, ever, ever spoke of a need to create a good economy, not once, nor did he ever bring up cutting taxes except when he was trying to sell some tax hike that would have harmed far more people. And heck, he told every business out there, every risk-taker, every start-up, that "you didn't build that." Only government could build things, he argued, citing the interstate highway system, which was hardly a government project. He was an amazing insult to private enterprise. Not surprisingly, his own attorney general, Eric Holder, once said he loathed any job in the private sector. Now we have President Trump, applying President Reagan's tried-and-true recipe for prosperity of tax cuts and deregulation, easiest and least-secret formula in the world, and soaring in the polls for its works-every-time-you-try-it result and here's Obama again, suddenly foisting himself in the spotlight, and now trying to claim credit, despite still not understanding how it's done. He hasn't a clue about how prosperity is created and is mistaking the natural bounce-back of business after a recession with his own genius. For raising taxes. Spare us this. It's the spectacle of a revolting ignorance coupled with Obama's giant ego. Only a midterm rebuke is going to send this delusional socialist the appropriate message he deserves. Memo to Obama: You didn't build that. Speaking to a sparse crowd in Las Vegas, President Obama attempted to rouse Democrats for midterms with epithets against President Trump. According to Buzzfeed: He denounced Trumps attempts to pressure the FBI and Department of Justice to target political foes. That is not how America works. That is how some tin-pot dictatorship works, he said. He's quite the guy to talk. What it looks like is a former president bitter with regrets at President Trump's success, and now resorting to tired dictator cliches as a means of bringing back his own good times. Tin-pot dictator? How very presidential of him to say so. We all remember of how he ran things as president in charge of the Justice Department when he blithely excused the Internal Revenue Service's targeting of Tea Party dissidents for political purposes, their lies about it, and then their destruction of evidence. In that case, he claimed there was not a "smidgen" of evidence of wrongdoing, while allowing all of the obviously guilty perpetrators to walk off with six-figure retirement pensions, the better to buy their silence. We all know about how he knew that his Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, was operating an off-the-books illegal private server for the purpose of evading Freedom of Information Act inquiries from curious reporters, because we know he sent some pseudonymous emails to its address. We also know that he worked with his corrupt Attorney General, Loretta Lynch, to assure Bill Clinton in a fakely staged "chance" tarmac meeting that the fix was in on the FBI investigation of his wife's illegal server. We know he knew about foreign cash rolling in to the Clinton Foundation in what internal emails admitted was a pay-to-play set-up. Naturally, no one was punished. We know there was a coverup with the Fast-and-Furious gunrunning scandal, rather redolent of the gunrunning scandals that were last seen in Argentina. We also know there was a coverup of emails around the Benghazi scandal, where a U.S. ambassador was killed at a U.S. consular post abroad and a phony effort to blame it on a video to keep the fact that the ambassador was sending warnings of terrorist trouble and asking for extra help had gone ignored. So many incidents, and so redolent of what real tin-pot dictatorships, anxious to get their way by "any means necessary," really do. All one can ask in such an instance is why 'tin-pot dictatorship' is what comes to mind to Obama. Takes one to know one. And more to the point, it brings to mind to the rest of us the reality that Trump was elected as the only means of ending the Obama slide. Trump was a fighter, and too much tin-pot dictator-style stuff was going on, threatening to turn the U.S. into another Bolivia. Amazing the nerve it takes to call Trump a 'tin-pot' dictator with that record. Goes to show how shameless the ex-president really is. No wonder he attracted such a tiny crowd. As television screens fill up with images of the 7,000- to 10,000-strong Honduran migrant army snaking its way up through the belly of Mexico, and President Trump issues warnings that they not cross into the U.S., one group of people, well known for otherwise enjoying grandstanding, has been weirdly silent: Democrats. Fox News has certainly noticed: Democrats appear to be remaining silent on the issue of the caravan of thousands of immigrants on the march from Central America and unwilling to get into a public debate with President Trump since the midterms are just weeks away. Where's Sen. Chuck Schumer to weep some blubbery tears for the migrants? Where's House minority leader Nancy Pelosi to fill us in on the state of their souls? Where's the phony rhetoric from ex-president Obama about unskilled, illiterate, and non-English-speaking aliens being an "asset" to our country instead of a drain on its finances? Where's Sen. Bernie Sanders advising us they'll be great socialist voters? Where's Hillary Clinton to tell us they "are citizens" or something of that sort? Where's Rep. Luis Gutierrez to blame America for the whole thing? Where's Kamala Harris with her love for the cameras? Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. This draws me to think they might just be running scared. The nonstop coverage of the migrant march, run by a Chavista socialist group called Pueblo Sin Fronteras, (which features lots of links to the Venezuelan-financed Chavista press) and which has drawn huge panoramic camera shots across the nation's television sets of an army of migrants marching to the U.S. and its vast benefit packages, simply cannot be a good thing for them ahead of the midterms. It's already well known that migrant visuals of the Middle East's vast hordes overtaking Europe strongly affected 2014's midterms, flipping both the House and Senate to the Republicans. It seems to be a rare case of where the press's interests and the Democrats' interests don't coincide. The migrant march photos, such as this screen grab from Fox News: ...are great for television ratings, and Fox News in particular seems to be scarfing them up. Democrats, by contrast, and some of their more sycophantic stations, not so much. They are instead attempting to change the money topic to the Saudi killing of Saudi citizen and Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi, a topic that doesn't really concern America, as well as their "Medicare for All" campaign promise. Sorry, doesn't quite grab attention the way a visual of a vast invading army of military-aged young men heading to our homeland in what the president calls a "national security" issue does. That's about as bad for their electoral prospects as anything, given that they are trying to persuade us they're reasonable moderates and denying that they're a mob. The photos of the migrant hordes has got to have them running scared. I've seen this pattern in all the ads being run by Democrats in California for the local races here. Democrats are refusing to talk about any immigration topic here, despite this being the elephant in the room regarding California's financial footing and despite their flood of ads addressing everything else, particularly global warming and saving the planet. The visuals remind voters of just what they are promising to midwife more of. Investor's Business Daily has another take on the topic, and it's a well written editorial, suggesting that Democrats are silent because they actually like this sort of thing: What's truly sad is that the increasingly far-left Democratic Party can't bring itself to say anything meaningful about or even to criticize the illegal horde approaching our border. Why say anything? A border clash, they feel, will be bad for the GOP. But it's also bad for America. Democrats, in the heat of their election campaigns, often insist "we're not for open borders," or words to that effect. Yet, everything they do, from sanctuary cities to demonizing ICE to likening those who oppose illegal immigration to Nazis, suggests they want open borders. And why shouldn't they? The people in the caravan, once in the U.S., will mostly occupy the fringes of society. If past immigration is any guide, they'll be poor and overwhelmingly dependent on welfare. A study based on 2012 Census data found that 51% of all immigrants, legal and illegal, relied on one or more welfare programs. That compares to 30% for the native-born population. As the the [sic] architects of our welfare system, Democrats have the most to gain from open borders and the new Democratic votes that would bring. As such, their repeated insistence they don't support open borders rings hollow. Maybe so. But I smell fear in that silence, too the fear of dozens and dozens of visuals of invading hordes and nothing being done about it, with the full knowledge that it scares voters and obscures the "Mister Moderate" image they have been trying to convince us of. Either way, they're being silent and should be forced to let us know what they really think. If the press won't ask, the voters must. No matter which way it is, it won't be good for their electoral prospects at this midterm. History repeats itself. Those who do not take its lessons must learn them all over again, and painfully. The current tumult facing President Trump is vastly more complex than the headlines suggest, and the consequences of failing to heed the lessons of the past will bring us the same degree of pain and risk as were heaped upon the United States during the tenure of President Franklin Roosevelt in the 1930s and '40s. The Pacific War 1941-1945, by John Costello, might more aptly be titled with the years 1841-1945, because it grippingly traces the roots of that war to the complex and convoluted factors that produced it. Economics and profiteering, statesmanship and politics, military courage and careerist cowardice all played roles in the weaving of a fabric that eventually unraveled into worldwide tragedy. Here is an excerpt: The President's State of the Union message in January 1936 was full of gloom. Japan had walked out of the Naval Limitation talks; Italian troops were marching through Ethiopia and the Nazis had assassinated the Austrian Chancellor, prompting Roosevelt's warning[.] ... [H]e was asking Congress for the biggest naval appropriations in history for "prudent" self-defense. A storm of opposition was organized by isolationists and pacifists. A million signatures were collected by the People's Mandate to End War; 50,000 veterans staged a "March for Peace" in front of the White House; and children organized a classroom strike to demand "schools, not battleships. (p. 50) President Trump must navigate the nation through waters no less treacherous than those that led to Pearl Harbor and the nuclear bombing of Japan. We are in a world where terrorist nations are arming with nuclear weapons at our expense! Armies of foreigners are marching toward our borders, demanding access not only to our land, but to our treasury and its generous programs of welfare. Undoubtedly, hundreds of American citizens will be killed, raped, or otherwise traumatized by the worst of these aliens, who will themselves be protected by sanctuary cities. Insanity on a massive scale has seized the minds of something like half the population. It boggles the mind as to how anyone could manage an entire nation during such an era. We can be grateful that the president's mind is not easily boggled. He has seen clearly through the smokescreens with which the left is obscuring the dangers. In the 1930s, there were those who clearly predicted the onset of the Second World War. Harold B. Rugg wrote about it in 1932, and before him, there were numerous statesmen and generals who grimly warned that if preparations were not made, thousands would needlessly die. Today, we are being warned that if we do not secure our borders, make citizenship mean something, and restore patriotic devotion, then we will literally lose our nation. Many scoff at such warnings, but too many of the scoffers look forward with fondness to the day when America will collapse and socialist authoritarians will rule our lives. "Schools, not battleships" sounds so sensible and moral. While those words were being spoken, the Imperial Japanese Navy was on its way to our shores. Millions were soon to die. * "Most Popular Intellectual Property Law Blawg" of all time according to Justia rankings , November 2021. * "Most Popular Copyright Blawg" of all time according to Justia rankings , November 2021. * PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the World Intellectual Property Review's "Influential Women in IP" of 2020. * PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2018. * IPKat founder and Blogmeister Emeritus Jeremy Phillips listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2005, 2011, 2013, and 2014. * Recommended by the European Patent Office as reading material for candidates for the European Qualifying Examinations, 2013. * Listed as "Top Legal Blog" in The Times Online, March 2011. 2010 ABA Journal 100. * One of the only two non-US blogs listed in the Blawg100. * Court Reporter Top Copyright Blog award winner, November 2010. * Number 1 in the 2010 Top Copyright Blog list compiled by the Copyright Litigation Blog, July 2010. * Selected by the United States Library of Congress for inclusion in its historic collections of Internet materials related to Legal Blawgs as of 2010. * Top Patent Blog poll 2009: 3rd out of 50 in the "Favourite Patent Blog" poll and 2nd out of 50 in the "Most-read" poll. Blog of the Year, 20 August 2008. * ComputerWeekly IT Law and Governance, 20 August 2008. Modern life is full of conveniences but few things are as convenient as sliced bread. Just think about it. To make a sandwich all you need to do is open a bag and remove the required number of pre-cut slices. No need to take out the whole loaf, find a knife and saw into it resulting in uneven slices and broken edges. Its almost funny that it took humans more than two thousand years to figure that out. Now imagine someone trying to take away this great invention. The United States Government attempted to do that in 1943. The Second World War was in full swing, and America, like most Allied countries, was trying to conserve resources for the war effort. Food was one of them. An ad for sliced bread by the Continental Baking Company, one of first bakeries to sell pre-sliced bread. The War Food Administration was created exactly for this purposeto oversee the production and distribution of food to meet war and essential civilian needs. Its most important job was to prevent food wastage. Claude R. Wickard was at that time the head of the Administration, as well as the Secretary of Agriculture. He got this great ideaban sliced bread because it was making Americans eat more. The Greatest Invention Sliced bread was invented by Otto Frederick Rohwedder, an ophthalmologist turned jeweler who owned three jewelry stores in St. Joseph, Missouri. It was perhaps while selling earrings and necklaces to women, Rohwedder overheard housewives discussing the burdensome and tiresome job of slicing bread. As early as 1912, Rohwedder had a prototype ready but he had trouble deciding on the thickness of the slices. So Rohwedder put together a brief questionnaire and placed it as an ad in several large newspapers. Over the course of a few months, more than 30,000 housewives responded with their choice of slice thickness. Four years later, Rohwedder sold his jewelry business and with the funds set up a workshop in an abandoned warehouse to manufacture his machine. Unfortunately, in 1917, a fire broke out at the workshop and destroyed his prototype along with hundreds of blueprints and thousands of hours of dedicated effort. The fire set Rohwedder back by at least 10 years, but eventually, in 1928, Rohwedder had a fully working machine ready that not only sliced the bread but wrapped it up as well. Rohwedders original patent illustrations. A bread slicing machine at Chillicothe Baking Company. To this day Chillicothe calls itself the home of sliced bread. The Chillicothe Baking Company of Chillicothe, Missouri, was the first to use Rohwedders bread slicing machine. Within weeks, bread sales shot through the roof. Americans were eating bread like never before. Within five years, nearly every reputable bakery in the country had bread slicing machines installed in its production room, and 80% of the bread produced in America was sliced. Eat Less Bread In an effort to conserve food, Britain had launched a campaign during the First World War encouraging people to eat less bread and use home-grown or substitute ingredients in their baking. Authorities advised people to eat slowly and only when they were absolutely hungry, and not to feed stray dogs. In order to suppress bread consumption even more, the Ministry of Food banned the sale of newly baked bread and ordered that bread should be at least 12 hours old when it was sold. The idea was that stale bread would be less appetizing, and so people would eat less of it. British propaganda posters during World War 1. Perhaps Claude R. Wickard felt uncomfortable telling people to ration a staple food item like bread, so he came up with an excuse for his ban of sliced bread. When the ban took effect on January 18, 1943, The New York Times published the official explanationthe ready-sliced loaf must have a heavier wrapping than an unsliced one if it is not to dry out." This heavier wrapping would require the paper to be waxed, Wickard explained and since America was focused on defeating the enemy, the country had better things to do than wax paper. And since bread wrapped without this heavy wax-paper would dry out more quickly, housewives would likely throw away the stale slices leading to wastage of wheat. While wheat conservation made sense, the US, at that time, had a huge reserve of grainthanks to a great cropthat would have lasted for two years even if no new wheat was harvested over that span. If wheat conservation didnt appear to be the rationale behind the ban, then perhaps it was the conservation of metal. The electric bread slicing machines were made of steel and many companies which manufactured metal goods had their operations suspended during the war, so that the precious raw materials could be used to manufacture tanks and artillery instead. However, new bread slicing machines were rarely being produced and any benefit gained from saving metal by suspending manufacture or repairing of bread slicing machines would have been marginal. Besides, the ban could have been directed towards the machines instead of their product. Whatever might have been the reason, the ban was poorly thought out, and didnt last long. The outcry over the lack of sliced bread, a product Americans could just not live without, was tremendous. One distraught housewife wrote a letter of protest to the New York Times. I should like to let you see how important sliced bread is to the morale and saneness of a household. My husband and four children are all in a rush before, during and after breakfast. Without ready-sliced bread I must do the slicing for toast two pieces for each one thats ten. For their lunches I must cut by hand at least twenty slices, for two sandwiches apiece. Afterward I make my own toast. Twenty-two slices of bread to be cut in a hurry. They look less appetizing than the bakers neat, even pieces. Havent the bakers already their bread-slicing machines and for thousands of loaves? Finally, on March 8, 1943, the ban was lifted. In a statement issued to the public, the War Production Board confessed that savings are not as much as we expected, and that there was sufficient wax paper in the hands of baker to wrap sliced bread for four months. Sources: Archival Ramblings / Priceonomics / Wikipedia / Culinary Lore In the early 1960s, movie director David Lean was scouting for locations to shoot his upcoming movie Lawrence of Arabia when he learned about Ouarzazate. This large desert town, nestled at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains, in southern Morocco had exotic scenery, clear skies and friendly locals, providing an attractive location for movies involving ancient, desert-based story lines. Lean eventually shot most part of the movie in Spain, but many key scenes were also shot in Jordan and in Ouarzazate, such as the massacre of the Turkish Army in the town of Tafas. Over the last fifty years, countless movies and TV series have been shot in Morocco, and in Ouarzazate in particular. These include The Man Who Would Be King (1975), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Black Hawk Down (2001), Alexander (2004), Babel (2006), The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010), 13 Hours (2016), and part of the TV series Game of Thrones and Prison Break, just to name a few. The fake gas station used in the movie The Hills Have Eyes (2006) now lying abandoned near the Moroccan town of Agadir. Photo credit: Gilbert Sopakuwa/Flickr Since 1983, the Atlas Film Corporation Studios located on the outskirts of town have been handling these productions. The Michael Douglas classic The Jewel of the Nile was their first film. Logistically, [Ouarzazate is] very good, Amine Tazi, general manager at Atlas & CLA Studios told CNN in 2015. Everything is very close by. Hotels are close by. People are very movie friendly and very efficient. Beyond the beautiful natural backdrops, Tazi's studios offer filmmakers dozens of fake options such as Styrofoam Egyptian temples and plaster-cast Tibetan Palaces. Even National Geographic used one of his sets to film the mini-series Killing Jesus. Many of these sets were constructed in the desert far from the town and the studio, and after shooting was over, the crew simply packed up their gear and left. The crumbling sets depicting exotic Roman temples and places are now a huge draw for tourists and movie buffs the world over. Morocco is also one of the safest countries in the Middle-East. Morocco is one of the countries that goes out of its way to welcome film makers, Tony Reeves, writer of the Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations, told CNN. Technical crews in Morocco are well sought after -- builders, painters, extras, electrical resources. Although foreign movies contribute significantly to Ouarzazates economy, its not fair to assume that abandoned movie sets are the only thing to see here. Ouarzazate is a beautiful city with a UNESCO World Heritage Site nearbythe fortified village of Ait Benhaddou which itself appeared in some two dozen movies. The city of Ouarzazate. Photo credit: Valdiney Pimenta/Flickr Two Egyptian statues stand at the Atlas Corporation Studios film studio in Ouarzazate. Photo credit: Yelo Jura / Shutterstock.com The fake gas station used in the movie The Hills Have Eyes (2006). Photo credit: orientalizing/Flickr Photo credit: Tomasz Dunn/Flickr Photo credit: Ronald Woan/Flickr Photo credit: Ronald Woan/Flickr Photo credit: Ronald Woan/Flickr Photo credit: Ronald Woan/Flickr Replica of a Buddhist monastery in Atlas Film Studios where film "Little Buddha" was filmed. Photo credit: Lukiyanova Natalia frenta / Shutterstock.com Replica of Cleopatras palace at Atlas Film Studios. Photo credit: Elzbieta Sekowska / Shutterstock.com The interior of an Egyptian temple at Atlas Film Studios. Photo credit: Elzbieta Sekowska / Shutterstock.com Photo credit: dmitrieval / Shutterstock.com Photo credit: Laurens Hoddenbagh / Shutterstock.com The fortress or Kasbah of Taourirt, Ouarzazate. Photo credit: cheesewz/Flickr Tourist crossing a stream on camelback at Ait Benhaddou, near Ouarzazate. Photo credit: Kent MacElwee/Flickr Posted on: October 23, 2018 2:54 PM [Anglican Journal, by Tali Folkins] Almost two years to the day after being elected bishop of the diocese of Algoma, Anne Germond has been installed as metropolitan of the ecclesiastical province of Ontario. Germond, who was elected on the first ballot at a provincial synod in Ottawa on 10 October, was installed as metropolitan senior bishop of the province at Ottawas Christ Church Cathedral the following evening. As metropolitan, Germond will become the third woman in the Anglican Communion to have the title archbishop, and the second in Canada after Archbishop Melissa Skelton, who was made metropolitan of the ecclesiastical province of British Columbia and Yukon last May. She will serve as president of the provinces synod and its House of Bishops, chair of its provincial council and bishop of the diocese of Moosonee, while remaining bishop of the diocese of Algoma. Germond succeeds Archbishop Colin Johnson, who is also bishop of Toronto and Moosonee. Johnson announced this September his intention to retire as bishop at the end of 2018, and to step down as metropolitan at this months synod. Im still feeling a little overwhelmed by what seems to be such a huge responsibility that has been given to me by the church, Germond said in an interview a few hours before her installation ceremony. And Im feeling so honoured to be elected to this position. There are so many wonderful excellent bishops in the provincial house and Im a very new bishop . . . so I feel very undeserving of the honour. Germond was elected bishop of the diocese of Algoma on 14 October 2016. She said her first priority as metropolitan would be to call the people of the ecclesiastical province to ponder their identity as children of God, and the centrality of Christ in the church. Were not a people who gather around the archbishop, or who gather around a priest we gather around Christ, and we gather around Christs gospel, she said. I really want us to think about that, and what that looks like as a province, because Christ is our unity and I think that alone will draw us closer together as a people. Germond said she also wanted to prioritise relationship-building. She said she admired Johnson and Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, for being especially engaging and inviting conversation, and aspired to follow their example. But she also wanted, she said, to foster the growth of relationships among the dioceses in the province. I think there tends to be in our church generally a lot of siloing . . . so I think as an ecclesiastical province we need to and its already happening start to look beyond the geographical boundaries of our own dioceses and how we might be much more in relationship with each other. Where there are theological differences between Anglicans in the province, Germond said, she wanted to encourage a spaciousness in their conversations with one another a sense of mutual consideration that would allow them to continue to think of each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. She also, she said, hoped to celebrate and encourage the ministries being undertaken by the dioceses and congregations in the province that are changing lives in our communities work with refugees and homeless people, for example. The church is no longer just a building, its no longer just a machine for baptism and weddings and funerals, but its really becoming a place where lives are transformed, she said. I think more and more the church needs to find its voice again. Its already happening, and Im excited to be part of it. The ecclesiastical province of Ontario covers most of the territory of the political province plus part of western Quebec. It includes the dioceses of Algoma, Huron, Moosonee, Niagara, Ontario, Ottawa and Toronto. The Supreme Courts ruling on who is supposed to pay mortgage tax. These days Carlos Lesmes, the president of Spains Supreme Court, is the face that illustrates the shambolic mess that bogs down consumers, public notaries and banks over who is meant to pay mortgage tax in Spain. Last Thursday the Supreme Court ruled that it is down to the banks, but the same court got cold feet only twenty-four hours later. Justice Lesmes is ultimately responsible for the sorry state the Supreme Court is in, a court whose complete loss of credibility has spilled over the entire justice system. Readers should note that banks have lost a total market cap value of 8.2 billion since last Thursday. To make matters worse, the matter has been put off until November 5. Experts are still gobsmacked: once the consequences of its ruling became apparent, the court reversed its decision, which constitutes undoubtedly a full-on confession of the pressure exercised by financial lobbies. The result of that is plain to see. Yesterday ARA reporters asked banks what procedure they were following when signing a mortgage contract with a client and the situation couldnt be more confusing. One Caixa branch had interpreted the situation to their clients advantage, while a BBVA branch had frozen all mortgage operations until a definitive ruling is handed down. As for Banc de Sabadell, an employee at one branch indicated that it was business as usual. In other words, until there is a definitive decision on November 5, clients will continue to foot the tax bill. This was echoed by Caixa dEnginyers. It is outrageous that those who brag about legal security should end up with egg all over their faces in front of banks, consumers and the law itself. A number of voices within the Spanish judiciary have already asked Mr Lesmes to step down. A top police officer insults left-wing and Catalan politicians We did get a resignation this morning: Police Commissioner Daniel Rodriguez Lopez, the highest-ranking official in Spains National Police in Navarre has quit after eldiario.es revealed that he used an anonymous Twitter account to insult left-wing and Catalan politicians while he praised failed coup leader Antonio Tejero and the leader of Vox, a Spanish far-right party. The Twitter account in question was managed from the Commissioners official mobile phone, which he used to insult Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, the Basque Nationalist Party (PBN) and Esquerra MP Gabriel Rufian, whom he wished to see gored by a bull in the Sanfermines run. Cant we call that a rotten state within the State? Isnt it a feeling of impunity or even the certainty that hed get away with it that drove the highest-ranking police officer in a region to behave like a lout? A Catalan photojournalist is assaulted Unfortunately, this state whose behaviour exhibits traces of the Franco regime is very much alive. Readers will recall the case of Jordi Borras, the Catalan photojournalist who according to eyewitness accounts was assaulted by a Spanish Police officer in plain clothes last July. The policeman recognised Mr Borras, walked up to him and shouted Long live Spain! and Long live Franco!, as he punched him in the face several times. Local residents who witnessed the attack tried to stop the assailant, who flashed his police badge. As he was trying to get away, he dropped a switchblade knife he was carrying. It later transpired that he is an officer with the Provincial Intelligence Branch, working for the Prefectura Superior de Policia in Catalonia. It turns out that a Barcelona court of law has indicted both Mr Borras and his alleged attacker, who are expected to appear in court next Monday, effectively making no distinction between the victim and the attacker. What have we learnt about this police officer in all these months? Nothing. He has been protected by the State, which has chosen to look the other way and present the incident as a street brawl when, according to eyewitnesses, it was a Franco-cheering policeman who assaulted a journalist. Here we are three different stories with a common denominator: the opacity and impunity with which the state powers go about things in Spain. Freedom for all the political prisoners, for those facing charges, for the Catalan exiles. Eleven countries participated in the event including Germany, France, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Namibia, Pakistan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkmenistan and Turkey. Representatives of many airlines and aviation handling companies from the 11 countries heard from experts about the latest developments and enhancements of Hitits solutions, the new organisational structure of the company, and cutting-edge trends of the industry. In the opening remarks of the conference Nevra Onursal Karaagac, CMO of Hitit, said: We are here today to shed light on the future of the airline industry with all our business partners to discuss the new trends and challenges. The competition is very big. No matter what type of an airline you are, full service - legacy, low cost, or hybrid you still need to find ways to generate more revenue. At Hitit, we are producing high-tech solutions that will enable each of our business partners to profit from the demanding competition conditions, and we continue with our R & D projects to update our solution suite according to the latest trends. Ancillaries are very important, however targeting the right product to the right traveller is equally, if not more critical. We know the coming years will be even more focused on big data, personalisation and of course mobile. Thats why at Hitit we are focusing on each and every part of these. Hitits technology brand Crane offers PSS, accounting and operations solutions. We are a one-stop-shop for our user community. We believe that the seamless connection between the systems help the airlines operate smoothly. We expand our offerings according to the demands of the travel industry. In 2017 we processed approximately 65 million passengers through our PSS system. Our DCS solution is currently used in about 210 airports. Approximately 70,000 agencies use our system to sell your tickets. Erdinc Ugurlu, vice president of Pegasus Airlines; Kashif Rana, chief systems officer of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA); Mohamed Achraf Badreddine, product director of Nouvelair, all made presentations about the different issues in the aviation sector, from the point of view of the airline companies. In addition to the airline presentations, some industry experts talked about the remarkable effects of blockchain technology on the aviation sector, how PSS enhancements can bring further success in revenue management strategies, the biggest impact for airline cargo, and what we can expect in airport technology. At the end of the conference, a panel regarding the digital transformation in the aviation industry was held and moderated by Semra Kandemir, chief product strategy officer of Hitit. Baris Findik, CIO of Pegasus Airlines; Kashif Rana from PIA; and Hakan Unlu, Consultant at Hitit all discussed the latest developments of cryptocurrencies or crypto techniques for airlines, e-gates technology in the airports, various airport operations, and retail strategies for a positive passenger experience. Background [translates to 'wing' in English] in class 32 (Beers; mineral and aerated waters and other non-alcoholic drinks; fruit drinks and fruit juices; syrups and other preparations for the preparation of drinks) and class 33 (Alcoholic drinks except beers). On 24 September 1997 Asolo filed an application for registration of a European Union trade mark for the word sign FLUGELin class 32 (Beers; mineral and aerated waters and other non-alcoholic drinks; fruit drinks and fruit juices; syrups and other preparations for the preparation of drinks) and class 33 (Alcoholic drinks except beers). On 5 December 2011, Red Bull filed an application for a declaration of invalidity based on two earlier marks: 'VERLEIHT FLUGEL' [gives wings] , and 'RED BULL VERLEIHT FLUUUGEL' registered for energy drinks in class 32, in Austria. Asolo's Appeal Similarity between alcoholic drinks and energy drinks Victory Sip to Asolo Image: Christine Majul Appeals Energy drinks and alcoholic drinks might be consumed together, but does that make them similar goods for the purposes of establishing likelihood of confusion in trade mark infringement? This was considered by the Court of Justice of the European Union earlier this month in an appeal involving Red Bull and Asolo Red Bull successfully contested the mark- the Cancellation Division found that in light of the repute of their earlier mark, a link could be made in the mind of the public between the two marks, which could take unfair advantage of the earlier mark.Asolo filed an appeal against the Cancellation Division decision in January 2015, which was dismissed by the Fifth Board of Appeal of EUIPO on 17 November 2016. This is the contested decision in the present case. Asolo appealed on two grounds; that the Board of Appeal had incorrectly determined certain evidence inadmissible in relation to acquiescence and had wrongly determined that the signs could be similar in relation to their goods, as a result of the similarity between alcoholic drinks and energy drinks. In relation to inadmissible evidence the Court stated that the Board of Appeal rightly upheld the Cancellation Divisions decision on whether the applicant had adduced evidence of Red Bulls actual knowledge of the use of the contested mark in Austria. and rejected the Asolos argument.The second plea, related to likelihood of confusion, which requires similarity between both the marks at issue and the class of goods or services to which the mark is registered.Asolo argued that there was no likelihood of confusion between the signs because the goods are not similar; specifically that energy drinks are not similar to alcoholic drinks. As such, the Board of Appeal had wrongly considered a connection between the goods, on the basis that they might be mixed. Asolo brought the argument home by pointing out that Red Bull packaged their product with a warning: do not mix with alcohol and marketed it as a drink that gives energy and alertness - the opposite effect of consuming alcoholic drinks. For example, they argued, a consumer wishing to remain alert, such as a driver, would not consider substituting an alcoholic drink for a non-alcoholic energy drink.Red Bull, however, argued that the products were similar since both could be described as party drinks, and are consumed by the same consumers, at the same locations, are interchangeable and in competition with each other, can be mixed, have a very similar stimulating and energising nature, and can be made by the same undertakings. The only thing that differentiates them is the presence of alcohol.The Court noted that a large number of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are mixed, consumed, or marketed together, but that such products are not similar purely on that basis. So, an alcoholic drink and an energy drink are not similar merely because they can be mixed, consumed or marketed together, given that the nature, intended purpose, and use of those goods differ, based on the presence - or absence - of alcohol in their composition.The Court recognised that the German, and thereby the Austrian, public is used to and aware of the distinction between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and would make that distinction when comparing the Red Bull and Asolo marks.Despite the fact that previous case law acknowledged a low degree of similarity between alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks, the Court held that was not enough to challenge the points made by Asolo. Thus, the second plea was upheld and the contested decision annulled (where the Board of Appeal had found that there was a likelihood of confusion between the signs at issue as regards the goods in Class 33 covered by the contested mark and the energy drinks in Class 32 covered by the earlier mark.) EUIPO and Red Bull to bear, in addition to their own costs, those incurred by Asolo.ThreeCheers to that, Prost! As a factory authorised service center for Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Jet Aviations maintenance center in Dubai supports the full line of Gulfstream large cabin business jets. The facility recently delivered two C-Checks on Gulfstream GV aircraft that were carried out at the same time. The 192-month C-Check is a heavy inspection that requires the majority of the aircraft's components to be inspected. To take advantage of the downtime, both C-Checks on the GV deliveries were combined with a number of service bulletins, including double engine changes and minor refurbishments, with rather extensive maintenance structural corrosion repairs on one of the aircraft. Undertaking two projects of this magnitude at once is a considerable undertaking that requires great skill and organisation, said Hardy Butschi, Jet Aviations vice president of regional operations in the Middle East and general manager of Dubai. Thousands of man-hours were dedicated to completing the two projects in a timely manner to both customers great satisfaction. Customers appreciate our experience, expertise and flexibility with large inspections and regularly take the opportunity to combine scheduled maintenance with other service offerings, said Butschi. Combining scheduled inspections with other service offerings is our way of delivering the highest benefit to our customers. On 18 October, ten years after it declared independence from Serbia, Kosovo started to implement the creation of an army. The parliament passed three bills laying the groundwork for transforming the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) an emergency force trained to respond to disasters into a 5,000-strong regular army with 3,000 reservists. The ethnic Serb minority and Serbia itself qualify this a clear threat to peace from the ethnic Albanian-led government. Security force of Kosovo. Will it be transformed into a regular army ? (Picture source: Youtube) More than 4,000 KFOR troops are currently deployed in the territory whose independence is recognised by more than 110 countries, but not by Serbia which still considers it to be its southern province. The move is aimed at avoiding the need for a constitutional change to legally establish armed forces, a move that would require a two-thirds majority of both ethnic Albanian and the 20 non-Albanian MPs, half of whom are ethnic Serbs. Serb MPs have blocked any such initiative in the past, as reported by Euractiv. In Belgrade, Serbian Defence Minister Aleksandar Vulin warned that There could be no other armed force in Kosovo except KFOR as long as the UN Security Council 1244 resolution (that ended the war in 1999) was in place, Vulin said. NATO has made clear that it would prefer the KSF to be transformed into a regular army via constitutional changes. 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. Colin Biggers & Paisley (CBP) has continued its string of hires this month, this time bolstering its insurance practice with the appointment of a special counsel. Philip Atkin has joined the firms insurance team in Melbourne, making the move from fellow national firm Moray & Agnew, where he rose to special counsel. He brings to the firm extensive experience in managing building and construction disputes for clients that include managing building and construction disputes professional indemnity insurers, builders warranty insurers, builders, engineers, architects, building owners and property developers. The phrase pro bono is problematic to the world outside the legal profession according to a leading legal charity. The Bar Pro Bono Unit, a charity which connects people with free legal help from barristers in England & Wales, says that the name it has used for more than 20 years speaks only to one audience the Bar. Thats why it has changed its name this week to Advocate; with the strapline finding free legal help from barristers replacing the previously clunky The pro bono charity of the Bar. Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) and King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) have lent their legal expertise as an Australian engineering services giant funds a billion-dollar acquisition in the US. HSF confirmed to Australasian Lawyer that they advised WorleyParsons on the companys $2.9bn pro rata accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer (ANREO) of new ordinary shares to existing shareholders. KWM acted for the joint lead managers of the raising, which is intended to help fund the Sydney-based companys $4.6bn acquisition of the energy, resources, and chemicals business of US-based Jacobs Engineering. You don't apply for the bridging visa, it is automatically granted when you lodge a valid visa application while you are in Australia on a substantive visa. Since you have lodged the 309/100 visa which is an offshore visa, you don't get a bridging visa. You would need to apply for another visa such as a new visitor visa. If your current visitor visa does not have a "No Further Stay" condition on it, you may be able to apply for a new visitor visa while you are here and then you would get a bridging visa automatically once you lodge the application. It's not a guarantee that a new visitor visa would be granted though. An Eligible New Zealand Citizen (ENZC) is a person who is defined as a protected SCV holder under the Social Security Act 1991. Protected SCV holders are those who arrived in Australia on a New Zealand passport and were: in Australia on 26 February 2001 in Australia for 12 months in the 2 years immediately before this date assessed as protected SCV holders before 26 February 2004. To properly mark the occasion, the carmaker summoned all of the plants over 3,000 workers to take part in drive tests on a makeshift off-road course in the parking lot of the facility.Ford chose to celebrate the start of production in this manner as a way to emphasize the rebirth of both the facility itself, after an $850 million investment, and that of the Ranger model following an eight years absence from American soil.We have been waiting for this day for a long time, said Michigan Assembly Plant Manager Erik Williams. The Ranger is back home in the U.S., and our employees at Michigan Assembly Plant are thrilled to be able to build it for our customers.Aimed at todays midsize truck buyer who blends city living with off-the-grid adventure, the new Ranger will be offered with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine and the 10-speed automatic transmission also used in the Mustang.With prices starting from $25,395 including shipping, the model will be offered with Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Information System with class-exclusive trailer coverage, and SYNC 3 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.FordPass Connect, pre-collision assist, Wi-Fi hotspot with 4G LTE high-speed Internet connectivity, and buttons on the steering wheel also come as standard.When fully equipped, the model offers according to Ford best-in-class payload (1,860 pounds ) - a very desirable trait when talking about a pickup truck.Unfortunately for the Americans, a more high-performance version of the Ranger, the Raptor (2.0-liter EcoBlue bi-turbo diesel, packing 210 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque), will not be making it States-side. The first tunnel is almost done Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 22 octombrie 2018 Having already unleashed his machines on the ground with the Teslas and in orbit with SpaceX, the subterranean adventure for Elon Musk is about to begin. Over the weekend, the billionaire announced on Twitter, the Dark Souls of social media as he describes it, that the Boring Companys first tunnel is almost done and will open on December 10.So, what does exactly open means? No one really knows for sure.Officially, the tunnel which starts in SpaceXs parking lot in Hawthorne and will link up with the Los Angeles International Airport is supposed to be used by high-speed pods carrying people to the airport in as little as 8 minutes.Back in August, Musk said that when ready travelers will have to pay even as low as one dollar per trip but, for the first months of operations, all rides will be free.The only problem is that, even if the tunnel is ready, the pods are not and we venture to say that neither is the linear induction motors or whatever technology will be needed to propel the pods through the partially vacuumed tube.So, for now, open means that it will be available probably only for pedestrians and cyclists, if they are into traveling by foot or bike through unknown, probably dark tunnels.The portion of the tunnel to open in December is about two miles long, running mostly under 120th Street. The Boring company does not say whether theres an exit at the other end. Hyperloop , this subway 2.0 of sorts, is supposed to revolutionize urban transportation. The idea popped into the public eye in 2013, when Elon Musk published what became known as the Hyperloop Alpha paper, a 58-page document describing the hows and whys of a high-speed underground system.The proposed system would make the nearly six-hour trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco last only 35 minutes. On October 29, Toyota Thailand will be launching the 2019 Camry, which could presumably be the same model which we will soon be getting in the Philippines. From the looks of it though, it will look very similar to the model offered in the US and Japan which adapts the brand's new 'Keen Look' design. After officially making its debut in the US and then Japan last year, the all-new Toyota Camry will soon be making its way to the Southeast Asian region, based on a teaser by Toyota Motor Thailand. From the teaser image seen on Toyota Thailand's website, it appears that the Asian-spec Camry will not be with the sport version, which is equipped with a more aggressive bumper. Instead, we will likely be getting the standard Camry which features a wide air intake running the length of the bumper coupled with slim headlights and a bolder grill. Together with its sleeker look, the all-new Camry looks lower compared to the previous model thanks to its sloping coupe roofline. At the rear, there are slim wraparound taillights along with downward sweeping lines on the bumper to further compliment the Camry's overall design. It then rides on Toyota's new modular platform called TNGA-K. No details have yet been released regarding the Thailand-spec Camry's powertrain. The U.S. version Camry is available with a new 3.5-liter V6, a 2.5-liter inline-four and a hybrid 2.5-liter Dyanmic Force engine with VVT-iE. The non-hybrid models are paired to a new 8-speed direct shift automatic transmission while the hybrid engine uses a continuous variable transmission (CVT). Our friends over at Headlight Magazine mention that a 2.0-liter D4-S engine with a 6-speed could also be offered. With Thailand soon launching the all-new Camry, it won't be too long before Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) launches the Camry. At the moment, there is no word as to when that is or what engine options will be offered to the Philppine market. Under the new safety campaign, Grab is set to introduce new product enhancements that are aimed at raising safety standards not just for their patrons, but to their driver partners as well. From features that can track each of their location/s in real-time, to telematics that can monitor a drivers fatigue and condition, Grab is looking to make every ride a safe journey for everyone. One of the key features that will be rolled out by the company in Q4 of 2018 is the 'driver selfie' authentication. With it, driver-partners will have to verify their profiles onto the app in order to accept jobs and bookings. Failing to verify their profiles with the system will not allow them to accept any type of jobs. Apart from that, driver-partners can also contact Grab Security in an event they are in imminent danger. There's also the driver fatigue monitoring system that checks up on the driver's amount of hours logged in, rest between shifts, total number of bookings, and age & profile as such. Besides keeping their driver-partners safe, Grab will also be introducing other safety features for their riders. One of which will be the Share-My-Ride function. In a nutshell, this will allower riders' to share their real-time location to their relatives or loved ones while in transit in a Grab vehicle. Apart from the new security features, Grab also partnered with PNP-HPG in conducting several training seminars for their drivers. Part of the companys Grab Academy roadmap, PNP-HPG will train drivers in basic road safety, anti-carnapping, anti-highway robbery, as well as other anti-criminal seminars and training. Drivers can also aid the PNP-HPG by sending real-time information of an accident or criminal activity by way of a dedicated text reporting system. The company is also working alongside the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Land Transportation & Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in preventing the delivery or transportation of illicit packages that may contain illegal drugs. Additional safety training from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will also be given to drivers. The PRC will provide first aid training to all Grab drivers while all Grab vehicles will come with first aid kits which can be used by the driver or passenger in times of emergencies. Safety in the TNVS industry should be a collaborative effort between transport network companies, government agencies, driver-partners, and passengers. We are delighted to have everyones support and commitment today in providing a safer everyday for our fellow Filipinos, said Brian Cu, Grab Philippines Country Head. After almost 25 years of representing Zenith Aircraft Company, Roger Dubbert is one of the most recognized customer service individuals in the kit aircraft business. Like most of the people working for these relatively small producers of homebuilt aircraft designs, Dubbert wears many hats, shifting roles as needed among the flight line, front office, and shop. We visited with him at the Mexico, Missouri, plant, where the company has been producing Chris Heintzs designs since 1992. I never know exactly what Ill be doing when I come to work each day, said Dubbert. Last week we hosted a delegation of builders from Japan, who were looking at the STOL CH 701 kit as a way to fly in the highly restricted Japanese airspace. While we were talking, he took time to field questions from a builder, a kit buyer, and various Zenith employees. I joined Zenith in 1993, right after I had graduated from Central Missouri State University [now the University of Central Missouri] with my degree in aviation technology, Dubbert related, working in the small shop we occupied at the time. Back then, he said, there was one drill press, one band saw and one bending brake, and the Zenith kits were largely unfinished metal sheets and parts. Now we use CNC manufacturing extensively to make the kits, and they are much easier and quicker to build. A native of the local area and possessed of an aviation interest, Dubbert was a perfect fit for Zenith. Like most kit aircraft company employees, he filled in at various jobs, as needed. He built his own STOL CH 701 airplane in 1998, which has served as a venerable demonstrator as the companys offerings have grown. At this point, it has 2000 hours of demonstration time on its airframe, and it continues to be used as a factory demo plane, in part to showcase the durability of the Sky Jeep, as it is often called. Dubberts flying is largely oriented toward familiarization flights with prospective builders and providing some transition training. Although not a CFI, he is intimately acquainted with the right-hand seat, having given an estimated 10,000 demo flights over the years. Dubbert still enjoys taking enthusiasts up on demo flights and showing them the capabilities of the various Zenith designs. He has performed first flights of newly completed planes as well. Dubbert was officially recognized last year at the companys 25th annual Open Hangar Days celebration for his 10,000th demo flight. Some of his more interesting flights involved checking out EAA employees at Oshkosh so they could fly the CH 750 Cruzer, including famed copilot Jeff Skiles, who did the first flight of the One Week Wonder airplane that was built during AirVenture 2014. He also flew with Kazakhstan cosmonaut Toktar Aubakirov, who was hired to evaluate using a Zenith STOL CH 801 for agricultural applications (crop spraying) in his home country. Asked about the changes he had seen during a quarter century in the kit aircraft industry, Dubbert said the level of completion and maturity of todays kits is a giant leap ahead of where he began. Todays kits are much more advanced, requiring fewer tools, skills, and time to successfully put together. This has made aircraft homebuilding accessible and feasible to a wider audience. Todays builders often have no prior aviation or mechanical experience. In the early times of ferrying planes to airshows, it wasnt unusual for a minor malfunction forward of the firewall, involving something like an exhaust or a bracket, to require an unplanned stop for repairs. Reliability has increased to the point that todays trips are routine, making them a lot less experimental, thanks to product development and better quality components, especially modern engines and accessories. While Zenith still sells plans and parts to support scratch building, the great majority of its business is made up of supplying kits (prebuilt parts and components), allowing builders to get into the air quickly. Matched-hole assembly and CNC-produced parts make the job of putting an airplane together much easier than in the old days, and available quickbuild kits jump-start the building process. While the number of customers served by Zenith continues to increase, the volume of technical support questions doesnt seem to have increased, mainly because of more detailed assembly instructions and drawings (blueprints), and a higher quality kit, despite the fact that kit manufacturers now reach a broader spectrum of the population (also known as inexperienced first-time builders). We invite and encourage all our customers, especially first-time builders, to call if and when they have questions, explains Dubbert. These inquiries help the company develop more detailed assembly manuals, in turn leading to fewer repeat questions. Zenith ships an average of one kit per workday, so the phone calls and factory visits keep coming. With Zenith president Sebastien Heintz, Dubbert also co-leads the monthly workshops at the Zenith factory, guiding first-time kit builders in the assembly of their own rudder tail kit, helping them understand the blueprints and instructions, the tools and materials, and showing them how to assemble their very first airplane component. While at the factory for the workshop, every willing participant is taken up for a demo flight by Dubbert. My relationship with our customers really only starts with the demo flight and the kit sale, explains Dubbert. I look forward to continuing to work with customers as they complete their Zeniths and start flying their new creations. Dubbert also maintains the fleet of Zenith demonstrator aircraft , currently made up of a Zenith CH 650, a STOL CH 750 and CH 750 Cruzer and his STOL CH 701 (as well as the new SAMEX aircraft ). Not only building but also maintaining the aircraft gives Dubbert the knowledge and experience to professionally support the growing number of Zenith builders and owners. Dubbert flies his personal Luscombe 8A in his spare time, as a change of pace, and recently transitioned into the SAMEX retro kit design Zenith has added to its line. His varied duties will continue, as he enjoys working in a constantly changing industry. Adam Burch, Vans Aircraft Factory Pilot In talking with Adam Burch, factory pilot and marketing person for Vans Aircraft in Oregon, we had the impression he felt extremely lucky to have gotten a job with Vans, doing exactly what he wanted to dodrawing and flying airplanes. A graduate of the University of Northern Colorado, Burch joined Vans in 2011, after a stint at Adam Aircraft (no relation) in Denver. A self-self-taught CAD user, hes also an extremely talented digital artist. His work can be seen and purchased online at http://tinyurl.com/h6pwyqc. Youll be amazed at his abilities. Burchs roles at Vans have varied from drafting to engineering to flight test to marketing. As a small company, he says, we have to step in wherever were needed, and we all wear many hats. As he puts it, he just said yes to everything he was asked to do, and he showed a willingness to adapt to different positions in the company. So, with his Private Pilot license already in hand, he was checked out in N666RV, the venerable company RV-6A, under the tutelage of Mike Seager. Burch also learned a lot from the late Joe Blank, to whom he owes a huge debt. His latest flight review was accomplished in the RV-14A; he was only the 6th pilot to get to fly it. Burch now has 750 hours, of which 550 have been accumulated at Vans, where he helps with relatively simple flight testing of engineering changes, like flying speed boxes or checking oil cooler mods. Half of Vans small engineering section is made up of pilots; nobody is just a pilot, he stresses. Because Burch is able to talk in non-technical terms with interested persons, he also took over some marketing tasks, allowing him to attend airshows with Vans and answer questions from curious buyers and builders. Burch has also gotten to ferry airplanes back and forth to the shows, and hes grateful for the no-pressure company flying policy at Vans, which he terms the most ethical company he knows. If the weather is uncomfortable, he reports, Vans employees are under no pressure to keep pushing on; theyre told to just sit down and wait it out, however long it takes. Vans is a very safety conscious company, he says. Another thing Burch loves about working for Vans is that it gives him a chance to help make flying achievable, which just so happens to be the Vans motto. Joe Norris, Chief Flight Instructor at Sonex Aircraft When company pilot Joe Norris joined Sonex Aircraft in early 2013, he was tasked with setting up the T-Flight in-house transition training program for individuals wanting to fly a Sonex airplane for the first time. Sonex is probably the only kit manufacturer offering its own transition program, rather than supporting training through outside contractors. To do this requires a LODA (letter of deviation authority) from the FAA, since the Experimental/Amateur-Built regulations prohibit flight training, but Norris succeeded in obtaining such authorization, and over 200 pilots have participated since 2013. Who utilizes T-Flight? Norris says there are three categories of individuals participating in the program. Primarily, T-Flight is a flight and ground training program for Sonex builders who are about to complete their project and make the first flight, but have no experience flying a Sonex. The goal is to make them comfortable with the airplane before they make that first flight and to satisfy any insurance requirements. Other transition-training customers include buyers of a used Sonex and persons who are interested in building a Sonex but want to take a half-hour of dual to see what the airplane is like before committing. 0)] Norris previously worked for the EAA in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, right across the airport from Sonex, and he holds CFI ratings for both airplanes and helicopters, as well as being an A&P with Inspection Authorization. His duties are, like most employees at kit aircraft companies, very flexible; he runs the T-Flight transition-training program, he answers technical questions about engines, and he does flight testing in the piston-powered Sonex airplanes. Recently, hes been busy expanding the flight envelope with the new B-model versions of the Sonex line, which offer increased cockpit room and panel space. He reports that no deterioration of performance has thus far been found with the bigger airframe. Growing up on a farm, Norris naturally gravitated to technical skills like welding and fabrication, and he worked for a time with a helicopter operator, where he honed his rotor-flying skills. He still helps EAA with the vintage Bell 47 helicopters seen flying over AirVenture, and he is a board member at the Vintage Aircraft Association. His homebuilt aircraft background included building a Sonerai II, so it was natural for him to gravitate toward the later Sonex airplanes. He never knows what the day will bring in his multiple roles at Sonex Aircraft, but if theres T-Flight training on the schedule, he knows hell be flying. Update: After this story was written, it was announced that Joe has returned to EAA as flight training manager for the organizations Sport Pilot Academy program. This article originally appeared in the June2017 issue ofKitplanesmagazine. For more great content like this,subscribe toKitplanes! 14-yr-old boy injured in Sunsari acid attack A 14-year-old boy was critically injured in an acid attack in Sunsari on Monday. Jair Bolsonaro, the far-right candidate for Brazils presidency, is heading into this weekends runoff elections with a 14-point lead over his competitor, Fernando Haddad, after garnering a 46% plurality in the first round three weeks ago. Although Bolsonaro has drawn comparisons to a wide range of populist figures, including President Trump, he may have the most in common with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The big picture: The two come from different ideological backgrounds Bolsonaro a conservative former army captain, Duterte a professed socialist and champion of some liberal social programs. But they share an authoritarian, populist style that promises tough action, simple solutions to complex problems, and a strongmans determination to fight crime and right the economy ignoring democratic norms if needed. The background: Brazil and the Philippines were both autocracies in the mid-1980s. But Duterte and Bolsonaro emerged in relatively abnormal circumstances in their countries modern histories, capitalizing on weak political parties and positioning themselves as outsiders who can bring radical change when elites and democracy itself have lost public trust. In the Philippines, despite strong growth under Dutertes predecessor, inequality remained high and state institutions fragile or nonexistent, infuriating working- and middle-class Filipinos. despite strong growth under Dutertes predecessor, inequality remained high and state institutions fragile or nonexistent, infuriating working- and middle-class Filipinos. In Brazil, a massive spike in violent crime Both men have appealed to citizens with promises of extreme responses to crime and corruption and, in Dutertes case, action: Duterte has waged a war on drugs , condoning widespread extrajudicial killings of drug traffickers, drug users and many people without any drug connection at all. , condoning widespread extrajudicial killings of drug traffickers, drug users and many people without any drug connection at all. Bolsonaro has pledged to give the Brazilian police, already some of the most militarized in South America, freer rein to shoot at suspects and has at least hinted at approving Duterte-style killings while waxing nostalgic about Brazils dictatorship. More than leaders in Poland and Hungary, Bolsonaro and Duterte thrive on brutal and misogynistic rhetoric, such as rape jokes, and remain largely invulnerable to public outrage against norm-breaking. Whats next: Like Duterte, Bolsonaro will probably try to assume vast power from day one if he wins. And since scandal and offensive rhetoric fail to dent his public image, his opponents will have all the more trouble combating him. Joshua Kurlantzick is Senior Fellow for Southeast Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations. Go deeper: This piece first appeared in earlier form as "Bolsonaro Ascendant" (I and II) at cfr.org. CIA Director Gina Haspel flew to Turkey Monday, a day before Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to release the results of its investigation into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, sources told Reuters and the Washington Post. Why it matters: Earlier Monday, President Trump said that he is "not satisfied" with how Saudi Arabia has handled the Khashoggi controversy, and that he has "top intelligence people" in both Turkey and Saudi Arabia working to bring back more concrete answers. Haspel's visit shows the seniority of the type of officials the U.S. has dispatched to deal with the issue. President Trump's trade war with China won't bring back the jobs lost from the trade deficit with China, according to Robert Scott, a senior economist at the left-leaning Economic Policy Institute, whose work Trump cited on the campaign trail and during his presidency. Expand chart Chart: Economic Policy Institute; Chris Canipe/Axios Why it matters: Here's an example of the trade debate's complexity. Some economists who agree with Trump that unfair trade has hurt U.S. workers don't think his tariff response will reverse the damage. U.S. jobs have been impacted, Scott says in a new report, because "imports from China have soared while exports to China have increased much less. In some regions of the U.S., the manufacturing sector is not growing as much as it could if new factories were opening and existing plants were hiring more workers, thanks to more production of goods in China, not the U.S. China has to stop weakening the yuan, which makes Chinese exports less expensive for U.S. consumers, Scott told Axios. (In a recent report, the Treasury Department did not call out China as a currency manipulator, despite Trump's repeated accusations.) Trump campaigned on the promise to bring manufacturing jobs back. Considering jobs in this sector have been on the upswing, he may claim some success. But Scott told Axios that tariffs, which could potentially raise costs for factories, won't be the reason for total revival of the industry. The other side: Mark Perry, a scholar at conservative think tank American Enterprise Institute, says factory jobs have been declining since the 1940s, way before China entered the WTO, and technology is to blame, not trade. "Those factory jobs aint ever comin back, no matter what Trump does," Perry said. Go deeper: Dyson has selected Singapore as the location for a factory to build electric vehicles, and plans to begin producing them by 2021, according to multiple reports. Why it matters: The company's multibillion dollar foray into EVs is a sign of the growing competitiveness in the sector. EVs remain a tiny portion of worldwide vehicle sales but are growing significantly. "The British maker of vacuums and hand dryers said Tuesday that it had selected the city because of its manufacturing expertise, skilled workforce and proximity to high-growth markets in Asia. Construction work will begin in December," per CNN. Singapore appears to make sense for Dyson for other reasons, as it already has facilities there for building motors. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech to the Turkish Parliament on Tuesday that Saudi officials planned the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi days before his death in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, and called for the suspects to be tried in Istanbul. Why it matters: This was the first time the Turkish government laid out the details of the Khashoggi case in an official capacity, following weeks of leaks by anonymous Turkish intelligence officials to U.S. and international media. Details presented by Erdogan: On Oct. 1, a team of three people landed in Istanbul and visited the Saudi consulate, while a second team did "background work" exploring Istanbul's Belgrad Forest and the city of Yalova. On Oct. 2, two more teams one that included Saudi generals landed in Istanbul and stayed in separate hotels. In total, 15 people met at the Saudi consulate to wait for Khashoggi and destroyed the consulate's CCTV hard drive in anticipation of his arrival. After Khashoggi's death, the 15 suspects including one who was dressed in a beard and glasses to resemble Khashoggi left the country. The consul general also left the country after the investigation was opened. Though the murder was committed at the consulate, which is considered Saudi sovereign land, it occurred within the borders of Turkey. Therefore, Erdogan argued that diplomatic immunity should be waived and the suspects tried in Istanbul. The big question, per Erdogan: Where is Jamal Khashoggi's body? Go deeper: In an expected but unprecedented step, the European Commission has rejected the budget proposal put forth by Italy's populist government, Bloomberg reports. Why it matters: Italy's budget proposal included tax cuts and a guaranteed "citizens income" for the poor, and would have raised its annual budget deficit to 2.4% of GDP. Italy's debt is already the second-highest in Europe, and its plans to boost spending have sparked investor fears and prompted Moody's Investors Service to downgrade the country's debt to one level above junk. The big picture: The European Commission asks all EU member states to submit budgets that keep their annual deficits below 3%. While Italy's proposal meets that limit, its overall debt currently sits at a sky-high 130% of GDP. Italy now has three weeks to revise its plans and submit a new proposal, but Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has reportedly said the government has no "Plan B" for fiscal spending, per Bloomberg. What to watch: The budget rift between Italy and Brussels will likely fuel even stronger feelings of discontent in one of the most Euroskeptic countries in the EU. The website for Saudi Arabia's Future Investment Initiative scheduled to kick off Tuesday was no longer accessible Monday morning after it was apparently hacked and altered to feature images and messages accusing the Saudi government of financing terrorism and murdering journalist Jamal Khashoggi, per the Financial Times. The big picture: Dozens of sponsors, speakers and companies have pulled out of "Davos in the Desert" over the revelation that journalist Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and the subsequent Saudi response. National Security Adviser John Bolton reiterated to his Russian counterpart today in Moscow that the U.S. is pulling out of an arms control treaty signed in 1987 by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, Axios' Jonathan Swan reports. The big picture: Trump isn't just walking away from a landmark of the last Cold War, he's looking ahead to the next one. One of the key arguments for withdrawing from the treaty is that the U.S. will need every tool at its disposal to confront the military rise of China. The backdrop: The Obama administration first accused Russia in 2014 of violating the treaty which bans ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers after the test of a prohibited cruise missile. The Trump administration announced last year that instead of returning to compliance under U.S. pressure, Russia had begun deploying the missile. The Obama administration first accused Russia in 2014 of violating the treaty which bans ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers after the test of a prohibited cruise missile. The Trump administration announced last year that instead of returning to compliance under U.S. pressure, Russia had begun deploying the missile. After Trump told reporters "we're going to terminate the agreement" on Saturday, the Kremlin accusedTrump of a reckless step that "will make the world more dangerous." Gorbachev has also spoken out against the move: Do they really not understand in Washington what this can lead to? Gorbachev to the Interfax news agency Steven Pifer of the Brookings Institution argues for Axios Expert Voices that Trump has made a mistake and "it is not evident that the administration tried hard to save the treaty, perhaps because Bolton has long favored ditching it." His argument against: "Withdrawal entails significant costs for U.S. and Western security. Russia will be free to deploy without constraint the 9M729 and other land-based intermediate-range missiles, for which the U.S. military currently has no counterpart." "The decision has already sparked controversy within NATO, with officials in Berlin, Rome and Paris criticizing Trumps announcement. Finally, absent a strong public case regarding the Russian violation that information is highly classified Washington will widely be seen as responsible for the INF Treatys demise." Matthew Kroenig of the Atlantic Council contends that while consulting with allies and staging a formal policy rollout would have been more effective, Trump has ultimately made the right decision. His argument for: "Why be single-handedly constrained by an agreement that Russia has no intention of complying with?" Kroenig says as great power competition with China heats up, ground-based missiles positioned in Asia perhaps in Japan or Australia will be cheaper and more effective than the alternatives. If you agree that "the rise of China is the major threat of the 21st century," he says, this is the logical step. What to watch: Kroenig says because it takes 7-10 years to develop a new missile system, steps like adapting sea-launch missiles for use on shore might be needed. "It doesn't look great to say, 'we're pulling out of this treaty. Wait for an update from us in 10 years,'" he says. Israeli government officials believe French President Emmanuel Macron will propose his own Middle East peace initiative if President Trump doesn't release his plan in the first few weeks after the November midterm election. Why it matters: Israeli Foreign Ministry Political Director Alon Ushpiz made that prediction during a closed-door, classified hearing of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, 2 Knesset members who attended the hearing told me. Trump said a few weeks ago he would release the plan in 24 months meaning between the end of the midterms and the end of 2018. The backstory: In the last year, the White House had several tentative dates for releasing the plan, but until now Trump's peace team led by Jared Kushner had decided the timing was still not right. Israeli officials and French diplomats told me that in late August, Macron instructed the Foreign Ministry in Paris to start thinking about ideas for a new diplomatic initiative on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Macron told his aides he doesn't want to let the issue disappear from the international agenda. Ushpiz also warned that there could be big changes ahead for Israel in the U.S. midterm elections if the Democrats win the House. According to the Knesset members who attended the hearing, Ushpiz hinted that a Democratic victory is possible, which would change the political realities in Washington for Israel: "Things are not going to be like they used to. There will be consequences for Israel. The reality we knew since Trump assumed office is not going to continue after the midterms, and we need to prepare for that." who attended the hearing, Ushpiz hinted that a Democratic victory is possible, which would change the political realities in Washington for Israel: "Things are not going to be like they used to. There will be consequences for Israel. The reality we knew since Trump assumed office is not going to continue after the midterms, and we need to prepare for that." Ushpiz also said Israel is losing support in more and more Jewish communities in the U.S. and among progressives and the LGBTQ community. He added: "We have the evangelicals, but with all the rest we are not in good shape." Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon told me: "Some of the details in this story are not accurate, but we can't elaborate on classified briefings." Good morning! LA readers Join Axios' Ina Fried, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative's David Plouffe, and a lineup of local leaders Thursday for a conversation on California's housing crisis. They'll be discussing the crisis' economic impact and potential affordable housing solutions. RSVP here. Good listen: Axios' Amy Harder joined our Pro Rata podcast to chat about Washington State's ballot fight over carbon taxes. Listen here and read her latest column here. Onto music. At this moment in 1976, Stevie Wonder was atop the Billboard album charts with "Songs in the Key of Life," so one of those tracks brings us into the news... 2 injured in Dharan clash Two persons were injured in a clash between two groups over organisingthe Dashain fete in Dharan, Sunsari on Tuesday. Despite seeing some positive signs in polling and enthusiasm after Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation, Republicans' behavior in the last few weeks shows how nervous they are about keeping control of the House. Between the lines: The lack of confidence is showing up in where GOP groups arent spending money and how the Republican blame game is unfolding between President Trump and GOP operatives all in anticipation of possibly losing the House. The best example is the party's conflicting signals over Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock. The Republican Party's campaign arm, the National Republican Congressional Committee, is still spending to save her. But the main Republican super PAC, the Congressional Leadership Fund, disagrees with that strategy and isn't spending there. A national GOP strategist close to the White House told me Comstock "is dead on arrival" and that money could be spent elsewhere to "possibly win six seats in other districts around the country." close to the White House told me Comstock "is dead on arrival" and that money could be spent elsewhere to "possibly win six seats in other districts around the country." Last week, a national GOP operative pointed to how much money Democrats have spent in Nevada's 3rd and 4th districts both open House seats rated as "lean Democratic" by the Cook Political Report. The next day, the NRCC pulled its $1.2 million ad campaign in support of the GOP candidate in the 4th district. Trump is already setting the stage for a loss: At a rally last week, he said he's not to blame if Republicans lose the House and claimed to the AP that he'll "handle it very well" if Democrats win and move forward on impeachment and investigations against him. he said he's not to blame if Republicans lose the House and claimed to the AP that he'll "handle it very well" if Democrats win and move forward on impeachment and investigations against him. Another Republican operative working closely with a number of congressional races around the country said "the president, him being undisciplined, and his low approval" are to blame if the GOP loses the House. The math doesn't look totally detrimental for Republicans, who could keep their losses to within the historical average of around 30 seats but a loss is a loss. Cook Political Report's Dave Wasserman told me: "In my view, Democrats have a 70-75% chance of retaking the House, with the most likely outcome in the 25-35 seat range." Democrats need just 23 to win the House. told me: "In my view, Democrats have a 70-75% chance of retaking the House, with the most likely outcome in the 25-35 seat range." Democrats need just 23 to win the House. The GOP source close to the White House said two months ago it looked like Republicans were poised to lose 50-60 House seats. Although things look better for them now, the source said, "Today, I think its going to be somewhere between 20 and 35 seats that Republicans will lose." close to the White House said two months ago it looked like Republicans were poised to lose 50-60 House seats. Although things look better for them now, the source said, "Today, I think its going to be somewhere between 20 and 35 seats that Republicans will lose." A Republican pollster who's familiar with congressional races around the country texted: "Dems have a net gain of 12 or so in hand. 30-35 additional seats still in play. GOP needs to win vast majority of those, which is certainly possible, just tough to do." The other side: It's still possible that Republicans could hold onto the House, though it probably wouldn't be by much. The GOP is feeling better about picking up an open seat in Minnesota's 8th district after Democrats pulled some of their spending from this race, and they're seeing similar trends in California, Florida and Nebraska. GOP strategist Michael Steel cites the 2016 election which Trump was supposed to lose as a word of caution for assuming GOP fortunes in 2018. I havent seen people inside the beltway as convinced and certain about an electoral outcome since the day before Hillary Clinton won the presidency, he said. The bottom line: Republicans haven't totally conceded the House, but their actions suggest they're bracing for a long night on Nov. 6. Go deeper: Glued to a 2,400-year-old script, the U.S. and China seem to be on the same war-bound path that great powers have taken since Sparta fought upstart Athens. The bottom line: The U.S. has slapped increasing tariffs on Beijing, cordoned off U.S. tech, and jailed a Chinese spy, while Beijing has continued to build its military footprint in the disputed South China Sea, demanded tech secrets from Western companies, and more. Driving the news: A year ago, Harvard professor Graham Allison ignited a global debate by suggesting that the U.S. and China are not acting out, or even necessarily making their own decisions. Instead, he said that with their brinksmanship, they are succumbing to an inexorable, invisible force prodding them to almost inevitable war. Allison calls this the "Thucydides Trap," after the Athenian general-historian. For five centuries, he wrote in "Destined for War" (now out in paperback), that war has almost always resulted when a rising nation challenges the existing great power. Thus, he said, if history holds, the U.S. and China appeared headed toward war. history holds, the U.S. and China appeared headed toward war. Over the weekend, I asked him for an update specifically whether the danger of the two going to war seems to have risen. I asked him for an update specifically whether the danger of the two going to war seems to have risen. "Yes," he responded. The chance of war is still less than 50%, but "is real and much more likely than is generally recognized." "If Thucydides were watching, hed likely say all parties almost seem to be competing to show who can best exemplify the role as rising power, ruling power, and provocateur." Graham Allison The big picture: The elevated U.S.-China tension is a primary thread running through this period of unusual geopolitical turbulence, in which a populist wave is challenging institutions and accords that make up the "liberal world order." In an Oct. 4 speech, Vice President Mike Pence all but declared a new cold war, accusing China of interference in the midterms in a campaign for regime change to elect "a different American president." Vice President Mike Pence all but declared a new cold war, accusing China of interference in the midterms in a campaign for regime change to elect "a different American president." Cyber experts tell Axios that they have detected no Chinese meddling in the midterms so far. that they have detected no Chinese meddling in the midterms so far. But Pence's invoking of the claim underlines the administration's belief that China is the main strategic threat to the U.S. Chinese President Xi Jinping himself has rejected Allison's theory: In 2015, when Allison was first floating the idea in journals, Xi suggested that nations could blunder into war but that there is no force driving them that direction. "There is no such thing as the so-called Thucydides Trap in the world," Xi said. "But should major countries time and again make the mistakes of strategic miscalculation, they might create such traps for themselves." Richard McGregor, a long-time China hand with the Lowy Institute, said that he finds more current relevance in another Thucydides maxim that while it is dangerous to build an empire, it is even more dangerous to renounce it. "Thats where we are in Asia, with many regional countries worried about Americas commitment to the region; and equally fearful of a China which is not only in no position to take the U.S.s place, but is not trusted to do so either." McGregor tells Axios Why it matters: Almost no one expects trade alone to lead to armed U.S.-Chinese conflict. Rather, the biggest danger, Allison says, is that as the slaying of Archduke Franz Ferdinand triggered WWI the two countries will be pulled into conflict by miscalculation involving a third party, such as Taiwan. "What happens is that a third-party provocation, an accident, becomes a trigger to which one of the two feels obliged to respond. and they find themselves in a war that neither wanted." Graham Allison While speaking about the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, President Trump said Tuesday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was "pretty rough" on Saudi Arabia and that Riyadh's handling of the matter was "one of the worst in the history of cover-ups" reports Reuters. "They had a very bad original concept. It was carried out poorly, and the cover-up was one of the worst in the history of cover-ups. Very simple. Bad deal, should have never been thought of." The details: Earlier Tuesday, Erdogan dismissed Saudi Arabias efforts to blame Khashoggi's death on rogue operatives and claimed it was a planned, "savage killing." Trump explained he wants to see the facts first, though it's a "bad situation," and has sent CIA director Gina Haspel to Turkey to assist with the investigation. The Armenian parliament will again debate next week a package of major amendments to the Electoral Code drafted by the government. Under Armenias constitution, the amendments have to be backed by at least 63 members of the 105-member National Assembly. Only 56 parliament deputies voted for them on Monday. The government bill, if passed, could somewhat influence the outcome of snap parliamentary elections expected in December. It would, among other things, change the existing legal mechanism for distributing parliament seats which many believe favored Serzh Sarkisians Republican Party (HHK) in the last parliamentary elections held in April 2017. The bill was not passed primarily because of opposition from the HHK. The party led by former President Serzh Sarkisian said that lawmakers could not have properly examined it because it was sent to them by the government just a few days ago. Pashinian and representatives of other parliamentary forces denounced the HHKs stance as sabotage. The parliaments HHK-affiliated speaker Ara Babloyan rejected the criticism, saying that his party acted in good faith. Lawmakers supporting the proposed changes collected on Tuesday enough signatures to force another debate and vote. An extraordinary sitting of the parliament with the same agenda -- amendments to the Electoral Code -- will be convened on Monday, one of them, Naira Zohrabian, told reporters. The draft amendments are backed by Gagik Tsarukians Prosperous Armenia Party, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) and the Yelk alliance. The three forces control 47 parliament seats between them, meaning that they need the backing of independent deputies as well as dissident members of the HHKs parliamentary faction. In the 2017 elections, Armenians voted for not only parties and blocs as a whole but also their individual candidates running in a dozen nationwide constituencies. The individual races greatly helped the HHK to score a landslide victory at the time. President Armen Sarkissian has asked Armenias Constitutional Court to rule on the legality of a controversial bill that sparked angry street protests in Yerevan early this month. The bill hastily passed by the National Assembly on October 2 might complicate the parliaments dissolution and the holding of fresh general elections sought by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. It took the form of amendments to the parliament statutes. Pashinian accused the former ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) and two other parliamentary forces of hatching a counterrevolutionary conspiracy against his minority government. Responding to his appeal, thousands of his supporters rallied outside the parliament building immediately after the passage of the bill. Pashinian held talks with parliament majority leaders in the following hours. He told the angry crowd afterwards that he received assurances that they will not hamper his efforts to force the elections in December. Under the Armenian constitution, such polls can be held only if the prime minister resigns and the parliament fails to replace him or her within two weeks. Some observers had suggested earlier that after Pashinians tactical resignation his supporters will blockade the parliament to prevent it from electing another premier during the two-week period. The controversial bill would effectively extend that period indefinitely. Sarkissians office said on Tuesday that he has decided not to sign the bill into law because he sees apparent legal-constitutional problems emanating from it. The president will therefore ask the Constitutional Court to determine whether the bill conforms to the constitution, the office announced in a statement. The statement said that Sarkissians decision is based on a thorough examination conducted by the presidential staff. The court is extremely unlikely to hand down a ruling on the appeal before the parliaments dissolution widely expected to occur on October 31. The National Assembly on Tuesday refused to appoint a human rights lawyer highly critical of Armenias former governments as a new member of the Constitutional Court. The lawyer, Vahe Grigorian, was nominated for the vacant position by President Armen Sarkissian. Grigorian needed at least 63 votes in order to get elected in secret ballot. Only 30 members of the 105-seat parliament voted for him. Grigorian has a long history of human rights advocacy. He has also cooperated with opposition groups that challenged former Presidents Serzh Sarkisian and Robert Kocharian. In particular, Grigorian represented Levon Ter-Petrosian and his Armenian National Congress party in Constitutional Court hearings on their appeals against official results of a 2008 presidential elections and parliamentary elections held in 2012 and 2017. The court refused to annul the election results. The 2008 ballot was followed by a violent breakup of anti-government demonstrations staged in Yerevan by the Ter-Petrosian-led opposition. Eight protesters and two police personnel died as a result. Grigorian represents relatives of the killed protesters at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Speaking in the parliament before the vote, Grigorian said that frequent ECHR rulings against the Armenian state have testified to widespread human rights abuses in the country. I believe that the Constitutional Court can change this situation, he said. At the same time, in my view the Constitutional Court is in need of a profound transformation. The British-educated lawyer also said that the court is the only state institution that can hold the Armenian government and parliament in check. Citing Armenias recent transition to a parliamentary system of government, he argued that the executive and legislative branches will now be controlled by a single political force. By Trend Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 29 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Oct. 23. 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 Trend The 2nd youth exhibition Through the eyes of students: Environmental problems and ways of addressing them has been held at Baku Crystal Hall. Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder and head of IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Action) Public Union Leyla Aliyeva, Minister of Youth and Sport Azad Rahimov, officials, MPs, foreign ambassadors in Azerbaijan attended the exhibition. Organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sport, the exhibition aimed to encourage youth interest in and raise awareness of environment-related issues, support their creative potential and stimulate social initiative. Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva and Minister of Youth and Sport Azad Rahimov viewed works showcased at the exhibition. On display at the exhibition were nearly 200 handiworks by young people aged between 14 and 29. The event also featured a ceremony to award winners of the exhibition. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova A photo exhibition of Andrey Glazkov "Baku streets" opened at Nur Art House Gallery on October 19. Through his work, the photographer presents his view on the City of Winds. The exhibition features more than 30 works of the Russian photographer, Trend Life reported. Addressing the event, the project curator Vadim Mansurov spoke about the creative activity of Andrey Glazkov, who was born in Pyatigorsk, but has been living and working in Los Angeles for many years. His works are characterized by fragmentation and extraordinary focus. The works of the photographer have repeatedly won at various international competitions. Photographer has traveled to many countries in search of inspiration and images. At the beginning of summer, he arrived in Baku and visited Azerbaijan and visited various parts of the city. Andrey Glazkov walked many kilometers to take these photographs. This is how his collection of photographs, dedicated to Azerbaijan, appeared. By the way, one of the works has already been published in the prestigious network Leica photo gallery. Director of NUR ART House gallery, chairman of the Azerbaijan Carpet makers, professor at the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts, honored cultural worker Royq Tagiyeva noted the unique view of the photographer. "I dont ask people to pose for me on the street. All shots should be spontaneous," said Glazkov. "If I shoot people, its more than just a face. This is a situation. This is a story. This is a moment, and a person is part of it, but not the only participant in the frame," the photographer said. "Three years ago I first came to this city, it sunk into my soul so much that I fell in love with it at first sight. Then I decided that I would definitely return to this city and take a series of photos," he said. The Russian photographer has gathered a large number of photos that he plan to combine into one book called "Baku - the City of Two Worlds". Media partners of the event are Azernews.az, Trend.az, Day.az, Milli.az --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova An international conference "Journey from modern Azerbaijan to the Historical State of the Shirvanshahs" solemnly opened in Baku on October 23. About 15 foreign guests from 30 countries attended the conference ,organized by the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve Department and the National Academy of Sciences, Azertag reported. Azerbaijan's Minister of Culture Abulfas Garayev said that holding of the conference is a great step towards understanding the statehood. Historically, Azerbaijan has maintained its independence. Shirvanshahs have developed their own state in Asia and Europe in a geographical area. Modern Azerbaijan is always sensitive to its history and culture. During the reign of the great national leader Heydar Aliyev, Icherisheher was included in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List. Shirvanshahs Palace Complex is included in UNESCO World Heritage List thanks to the support of First Vice-President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva. President of the National Academy of Sciences, academician Akif Alizade spoke about the importance of the conference. The academician said that the creativity of Azerbaijani writers, who lived and worked in ancient and medieval times, is widely investigated by local scholars. "Ancient centers of civilization in Azerbaijan have historic traditions of statehood. There were well-known countries in the world such as the Ak Koyunlu, the Kara Koyunlu, Safavids and Shirvanshahs. The state of Shirvanshahs was recognized as the one possessing all statehood traditions and attributes. This state, which always preserved its territorial integrity, has played a central role in the life of poets and scholars. During Shirvanshahs, great cultural samples were created in Baku, Shamakhi and Derbent. President Ilham Aliyev instructed to reconstruct the Shirvanshahs Palace. Today, President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva take great care of science. Thanks to Mehriban Aliyeva, the Shirvanshahs palace was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List," said the academician. Asgar Alakbarov, the head of the Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve, informed the participants about the history of the Shirvanshahs state. He stressed said that architectural monuments and literary works created during that period occupy a special place among the perfect examples of the world heritage. "Together with the National Academy of Sciences we have initiated a conference on the history of Shirvanshahs. President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva supported this initiative and gave relevant instructions on holding the conference at the highest level. I think that it shows the high value given by the leadership of our country to the historical heritage of our people," he added. Lectures on the history, architecture, archeology, ethnography, literature, epigraphy and philosophy of the state of Shirvanshahs are organized within the framework of the conference. An exhibition "Shirvanshahs' Heritage in the World's Museums" will also take place as part of the event. The exhibition will be held at the Palace of the Shirvanshahs on October 23-24 for conference participants. Baku residents and city's guests have a chance to view rare exhibits, which are stored in various museums of the world on October 25. The exposition is based on exhibits presented by the Istanbul Museum. It also features samples of ceramic tiles from the Pir Hussein Chapel brought from the National Museum of Georgia. "Shirvanshahs' Heritage in the World's Museums" exhibition will remain open to visitors until January 23, 2019, from 9:00 to 20:00. The Old City is a unique town within the city of Baku with its own infrastructure and residential communities. The fortress is located in the center of Baku along the coast of the Caspian Sea. If you simply look into the heart of the Old City, you will be amazed by the pearl of the country's architecture - the Shirvanshahs Palace. Construction of the Palace of Shirvanshahs, which was held in the period of 13th-16th centuries, has been associated with the transfer of Shirvanshahs' capital from Shamakhi to Baku, famous for its harbor. The Palace forms a complex, consisting of the residential building of Shirvanshahs, the second residential building (for servants), Divankhana, tomb, palace mosque built in 1441, the remains of the destroyed Key Gubad mosque, Murad's gates, hamam (bath) and mausoleum of famous scientist Seyid Yahya Bakuvi. The palace complex was declared a museum in 1964, and taken under state protection. A unique architectural and cultural ensemble along with the Old City and the Maiden Tower, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000. The pearl of Azerbaijan's architecture and culture, Icherisheher, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower, was awarded UNESCO's status of enhanced protection in 2013. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 firms apply to make IPOs worth Rs4.66b A total of 21 companies have sought approval from the Securities Board of Nepal (Sebon) to make initial public offerings (IPOs) worth Rs4.66 billion. Among the applicants are 15 hydropower companies, four microfinance, one merchant bank and one investment company. By Laman Ismayilova Spectacular evening of Azerbaijani music was held at the Rotunda Jazz Club on October 22 as part of Baku International Jazz Festival. Young talented jazzmen - pianist Nurlan Abdullazade, Afghan Rasul and Elvin Bashirov together with his band delighted the audience with great music. The evening featured improvisations of popular jazz hits and original compositions. The concert was met with great interest. The evening continued jam-session, Trend Life reported. Notably, French jazz trio "Initiatives" also brilliantly performed at Baku International Jazz Festival. The concert took place at the Rotunda Jazz Club on October 20 with the support of the French Embassy in Azerbaijan and the Institut Francais Azerbaidjan. The musicians held a press conference before the concert. French Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Aurelia Bouchez, highly appreciated the Baku Jazz Festival and said that such events have a positive effect on the development and strengthening of cultural ties between the countries. "France and Azerbaijan are cooperating in many areas, in particular, in the sphere of culture and art. Todays evening is an example. Our musicians come to this grand festival from year to year, show their skills. I want to thank the festival organizers for this musical holiday, which they present to us every year. I want to note that, in turn, Azerbaijani musicians also come on tour to France and enjoy great success," the ambassador added. The Baku Jazz Festival is a forum and musical festival including education (seminars, master classes), competition ("Best Jazz Performer"), a "Kids jazz day", art and photo exhibitions, jam sessions and jazz concerts with the participation of best performers of the world of jazz. It has become a member of the Europe Jazz Network, which brings together 115 members from 34 countries. Each year the festival prepares programs of great interest and diversity. The festival features extensive and diverse program. Martin Salemi Trio (Belgium) will perform at the Rotunda Jazz Club on October 24. Helge Lien Trio (Norway) will delight you with their fascinating music at the Rotunda Jazz Club on October 25. A concert of Michael Pipoquinha (Brazil) await jazz lovers at the Rotunda Jazz Club on October 26. Belgian Ruben Hein trio will perform at Rotunda Jazz Club on October 27. The final concert will be held at the International Mugham Center. Famous U.S. musicians Gregoire Maret and Christie Dashiell will perform at International Mugham Center on October 28. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov Armenias hopes for the support of the United States failed, as the ambassador of this country expressed the view that the current status quo in the issue of Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh conflict is unacceptable. The settlement of the Karabakh problem without the return of certain occupied territories is impossible, said the U.S Ambassador to Yerevan Richard Mills in his statement made a shocking effect in Armenia. It also put Yerevan face to face with a harsh reality: the position of the U.S is unequivocal and categorical - no matter how much Armenia tries to keep the status quo so desired for it in the imitation of negotiations, the occupied lands will have to be returned. For an occupant country, this is a diplomatic and political defeat, and sooner or later, Armenia will have to admit this fact. Armenian Foreign Ministry clearly did not expect such a straightforward statement. Therefore, the Ministry had to mumble something unintelligible about the repeatedly emphasized position of Armenia regarding the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which is reflected in the program of the country's government. Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan did not find anything better than to get off with a banal phrase: "We clearly presented our position, and I think there will be no changes." Probably, realizing that something had to be said to the crowd, the people's hero on the upcoming elections timidly described Millss statement as the outgoing message of the outgoing ambassador. Pashinyan should bear in mind that any ambassador in any of his statements expresses exclusively the position of his state, and the duration of his stay in the country of accreditation is absolutely irrelevant. This is about the definition of the "outgoing message of the outgoing ambassador." In addition, this outgoing ambassador represents one of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries, whose messages should be heeded. And this message was extremely straight and clear: settlement is impossible without the return of certain occupied territories, and this is the "harsh reality" for Armenia. If the Armenian people want a peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, then, they should agree with the only possible and correct way, which offers Azerbaijan. Baku guarantees the security of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh, self-government, the implementation of investment projects by Azerbaijan, and peaceful interaction between the two peoples. But all this is possible only under the condition of liberation of the occupied territories, because the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is not and cannot be the subject of negotiations. One may wonder, if Pashinyan headed for the destruction of all that was associated with the previous regime, wouldn't it be better for him to prepare the Armenian people for the need to return the occupied territories as a top priority? Because only in this way he can save his people from the position of a hostage to the conflict and lead them to the bright future that he promised. This is actually what the "outgoing" Ambassador Mills said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Azerbaijan strongly condemns the visit of the mayor of the French city of Saint-Etienne to the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan (MFA) said in a message on Oct. 22. "This step taken by the local authority of France in a breach of norms and principles of international law, the Azerbaijani legislation, as well as the as the national legislation of France serves to promoting the illegal separatist regime created by Armenia in the occupied Azerbaijani territories. The mayor of the city of Saint-Etienne is accompanied during this illegal visit by Francois Rochebloine, a person notoriously known for his bias position against Azerbaijan and acting under influence of the Armenian lobby in France." "We refer to the Circular on the legal framework of 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, and recall that the local authorities are prohibited from interacting in any form, including concluding agreements, carrying out visits and holding joint actions with the separatist authorities of territorial entities which have not been recognized by France. In this regard we underline that the allegedly signed Friendship Statement during this illegal visit does not have any legal basis," the MFA message reads. "Such illegal steps of the local authorities of France seriously undermine the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, where France is represented, to find a solution to the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict via negotiations, and the image of France as a mediator. We call on the Government of France to take necessary measures to restraint its local authorities from any actions serving the strengthening of the current situation of status quo created as a result of the occupation of the Azerbaijani territories and urge them to unconditionally implement the provisions of its legislation," the message further reads. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the name of the French citizen Gael Perdriau will be included to the list of the persons whose entry to the Republic of Azerbaijan is denied for conducting the illegal visit to the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in violation of the Azerbaijani legislation. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov Azerbaijan's State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons has registered 13 people as missing in recent months. These Azerbaijani citizens went missing in the course of intensive military operations in 1992-1993. To this day, 3,888 people are registered with the State Commission as missing. Upon completion of work to clarify the list of persons missing as a result of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the State Commission is working to clarify the list of released hostages and persons held captive. The number of hostages released so far is 1,480 people. 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. As a result of Armenia's armed invasion into Azerbaijan's legal territory, the two neighboring countries have remained locked in a bitter territorial dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which Armenia-backed separatists seized from Azerbaijan in a bloody war in the early 1990s. 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. Despite Baku's best efforts, peace in the occupied lands remains a mirage in the distance as Armenia refuses to comply with international law. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The First Deputy Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan - Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Colonel General Najmeddin Sadikov left for Tel Aviv on October 23 by the invitation of the Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Gadi Eisenkot, the Defense Ministrys press service reported Oct. 23. During the official visit, Colonel-General Sadikov will meet with the Israeli defense minister, the Chief of the General Staff and other officials, and will also visit a number of defense industry enterprises. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan thanked the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in connection with the construction of the Star refinery, the Turkish media reported citing Erdogan's speech at a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party in the country's parliament. "I am grateful to my brother, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for the construction of the Star refinery, which was opened on October 19," Erdogan said. Erdogan noted that Star refinery is an important project for Turkey, as it will provide 25 percent of the country's demand for petroleum products. The opening ceremony of the Star oil refinery took place on October 19 in Izmir, Turkey, with the participation of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The total refining capacity of the refinery will be 10 million tons, and Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR is the main supplier of crude for the refinery. The refinery will significantly reduce the dependence of Turkey on imports of petrochemical products. The refinery worth $6.3 billion, built by SOCAR in the Aliaga District of Izmir, will produce 1.6 million tons of naphtha, 1.6 million tons of aviation fuel, 4.8 million tons of low-sulfur diesel, 700,000 tons of petroleum coke, 420,000 tons of mixed xylene and 160,000 tons of sulfur. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Narmina Mammadova The first meeting of the working group on the status of the Caspian Sea is scheduled to be held in Baku in November of this year, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said on October 23. As is known, in order to effectively implement the Convention [on the legal status of the Caspian Sea] and the review of cooperation in the Caspian Sea, the heads of state at the Summit in Aktau decided to establish a working group at the level of deputy foreign ministers - plenipotentiaries of the Caspian states. There are plans to hold the first meeting of this group in Baku this November," he said. In addition, the minister noted that the heads of states commissioned, as a matter of priority, to begin agreeing on a five-sided agreement on the method of establishing direct baselines in the Caspian Sea in order to determine the territorial waters of coastal countries. This issue will be the main agenda of the new stage of negotiations in a five-sided format, Mammadyarov added. He noted that the signing of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea was a truly historic event, marking the goodwill of the five coastal states. The main significance of this document for our country is that it defines the sovereign and exclusive rights of coastal states to use the rich natural resources of the sea. Thus, the Convention ensures the consistency and safety of the implementation of various projects in the field of the oil and gas industry, as well as the implementation of other economic activities on the sea," the minister said. In addition, Mammadyarov noted that the Convention establishes territorial waters and fishing zones, which are subject to sovereignty and exclusive rights of coastal states. The freedom and safety of navigation is ensured, which plays an exceptional role in terms of the development of trade in the Caspian Sea and the economies of our countries, he added. Regarding ratification, we hope that the signatory countries will be able to carry out the necessary domestic procedures in the near future, the minister pointed out. On August 12, the Kazakh city of Aktau hosted a ceremony of signing documents on the legal status of the Caspian Sea at the 5th summit of heads of the Caspian states. As a result of the summit, the Caspian Sea gained a special, unique status -- it was declared neither lake nor sea. According to the Convention, the surface is to be treated as a sea, with states granted jurisdiction over 15 nautical miles of water from their coasts and fishing rights over an additional ten miles. However, the seabed and its deposits are not allocated in precise form. The delineation of the seabed, which is almost completely an oil and gas basin, is yet to be defined. This division is left to countries to agree on a bilateral basis. The convention also permits the construction of pipelines, which only require the approval of the countries whose seabed they pass, subject to environmental provisions, and forbids non-Caspian countries from deploying military vessels in the water. Work on the document has been going on since 1996, and the draft convention was finally agreed upon within the framework of the meeting of foreign ministers of the Caspian states in Moscow on December 4-5, 2017. The legal status of the Caspian Sea has remained unsolved during more than two decades, preventing development and exploitation of its disputable oil and gas fields and creating obstacles to the realization of major projects. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The crews of infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) of Azerbaijan are conducting combat firing according to the 2018 combat training plan, approved by the Minister of Defense. "The main purpose of the training held at day and night time is to improve the combat skills of the IFV crews," the Ministry of Defense said in a message on Oct. 23. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Some 400 million kilowatt hours of electricity worth $17 million have been exported from Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan, Podrobno.uz quoted Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Industry, Energy and Subsoil Use of Kyrgyzstan Aytmamat Kadyrbaev as saying. First Deputy Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Kubatbek Boronov said in January-September 2018, the emergency cases in electricity supply decreased by 11 percent compared to 2017. "To date, the electricity worth $17 million has been exported to Uzbekistan. Last year, 754 million kilowatt hours were planned to be exported, but 765 million kilowatt hours were actually exported. According to our calculations, it was planned to export 500 million kilowatt hours, but at a figure of 467 million kilowatt hours, the export was suspended," he said. He also said that all reconstruction and repair work at Bishkek's Central Heating and Power Plant has been performed by 58 percent; the work will be completed by November 1. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov Representatives of the European Union expressed willingness to help attract investment in the construction of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline at the talks with the delegation of Turkmenistan in Brussels. "The EU showed great interest in building the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline and supplying Turkmen natural gas to the European market. The EU negotiators expressed their readiness to help attract investment in the implementation of this important energy project," Meredov said at the meeting. After hearing the report, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted that, thanks to the adoption of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, the necessary legal basis for laying the gas pipeline was eliminated. He also stressed that the gas pipeline project provides for the supply of Turkmen natural gas to the European market in the amount of 30 billion cubic meters annually for at least 30 years. The negotiations on the delivery of Turkmen gas to Europe have been conducted since 2011. In May 2015, the Ashgabat Declaration on energy was signed by the ministers of energy of Azerbaijan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic. The project to lay a 300-kilometer gas pipeline along the bottom of the Caspian Sea to the shores of Azerbaijan is optimal for the delivery of Turkmen resources to the European market. The Turkmen fuel can be transported further and delivered to Turkey, which borders European countries. The Trans-Caspian gas pipeline could become a part of several large-scale projects, including AGRI (Azerbaijan-Georgia-Romania Interconnector), and TANAP, the participants of which are Azerbaijan and Turkey. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz At governments seat, festive mood has yet to wear off Two days after the end of Dashain holidays, hundreds of government offices including ministries at Singha Durbar, the countrys main administrative building, and departments still seem to be in festive mood. Hundreds of civil servants have yet to report to office, affecting service delivery. By Trend The Russian Foreign Ministry delegation has arrived in Pyongyang to hold negotiations with representatives for the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), TASS reports. "A delegation of the Department of International Organizations of the Russian Foreign Ministry led by Deputy Director Mikael Agasandian arrived here on Monday," the KCNA reported. According to the agency, the visit of the Russian diplomats to Pyongyang will last until Friday. A number of meetings with management representatives for the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs are to be held during the visit. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Boy, 12, rapes girl, 3, in Kanchanpur Police in Kanchanpur have detained a 12-year-old boy after he raped a three-year-old girl in Bhimdutta Municipality-12 on Sunday evening. Child murder suspect held near Nepal-India border A police team from Bhantabari Border Police Post in Koshi Rural Municipality, Sunsari, has arrested a suspect behind the abduction and murder of nine-month-old Sonalika Chaudhary in Mahottari district on August 27. An explosive device was found Monday in a mailbox at the New York residence of George Soros, the liberal philanthropist and target of far-right, nationalist groups, according to authorities. The Bedford Police Department said a suspicious package was discovered Monday afternoon by an "employee of the residence." Police didn't specify who owned the home, but town records show that it is co-owned by Soros Fund Management LLC, a family office operated by Soros. Inside the package was what appeared to be an explosive device, police said. The employee placed the material in a wooded area and notified authorities at 3:45 p.m. Monday. Authorities in Bedford - which includes the hamlet of Katonah, where the residence is located - said the case has been turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Joint Terrorism Task Force. The Bureau's New York office said in a tweet late Monday that it was conducting an investigation, and that there was no threat to public safety. The Open Society Foundations, the philanthropic organization run by Soros, didn't immediately return a request for comment. The Times of Israel reported that Soros, a billionaire hedge fund manager and prominent donor to Democratic and other causes, was not home at the time. The 88-year-old Holocaust survivor has funneled much of his fortune into liberal projects around the world, including in his native Hungary, which has taken an illiberal, nationalist turn under Prime Minister Viktor Orban. After he won reelection in April, Orban wasted no time in pushing a "Stop Soros" bill designed to crack down on nongovernmental organizations, think tanks and other liberal institutions. Justified in the name of deterring illegal immigration, it was passed in June. The Hungarian government's attack on Soros, which relies on anti-Semitic tropes, has fed into a conspiracy theory that casts the Jewish philanthropist as the director of a global cabal intent on flooding the West with migrants and undermining national sovereignty. Soros has become the archrival invoked by autocrats and far-right activists around the world. President Donald Trump bought into the conspiracy theory this month when he tweeted that protesters opposing the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court were "paid for by Soros and others." It was a claim also made by Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and by Rudy Giuliani, a lawyer for Trump. Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, retweeted a message calling Soros the "anti-Christ." "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Abraham Lincoln's famous line, which he drew from scripture in 1858 as a contest took shape over the future of the Union, bears repeating ahead of a contest of a different sort, one waged in voting booths rather than on a bloody battlefield. Families are again divided. Of course, they often are; home life is messy. That these divisions are being aired as a method of political persuasion, however, is a measure of the contention marking American life as the midterm elections approach. The latest domestic volley came Monday, when 12 family members of Adam Laxalt, the Republican candidate for governor in Nevada, published an op-ed in the Reno Gazette-Journal urging the state's voters to reject their own kin. They based their appeal not just on their relative's public positions but also on his personal character. They accused him of "phoniness" and "self-serving political purposes." "The decision to write this column has not been an easy one for us," wrote the candidate's family members, a group that includes a family medicine physician, an educator, a lawyer, a mental health therapist and an artist. "We are writing as members of the Laxalt family who have spent our lives in Nevada, and feel compelled to protect our family name from being leveraged and exploited by Adam Laxalt, the Republican candidate for governor." Laxalt, Nevada's attorney general, enjoys a slim polling lead in his race against Democrat Steve Sisolak, a businessman and county commissioner. The op-ed was the latest proof that family loyalty is losing out to political difference. The bitter, take-no-prisoners approach was distilled in a video advertisement last month in which six people endorsed David Brill, a Democratic congressional candidate in Arizona, only to reveal at the end of the spot that they were siblings of the opposing candidate, incumbent Republican Rep. Paul A. Gosar. Parker Briden, a spokesman for Laxalt, said in a statement to The Washington Post that the candidate "has a large family and some distant relatives are lifelong liberal activists, donors and operatives." He added: "Adam's record of protecting Nevada seniors, veterans, and women is far more in line with Nevada's values than Steve Sisolak's support for raising property taxes, his doubling of student tuition and his pattern of pay-to-play politics - for which he was called corrupt by a judge." The judge in question, Robert Jones of Federal District Court, scolded Sisolak and his fellow Clark County commissioners in 2010 for their handling of a road-widening project, accusing them of acting "corruptly," a charge that Sisolak said was a mischaracterization. The column in the Gazette-Journal - by an aunt and cousins, among other relatives - anticipated the campaign's riposte, arguing that it "would be true" for Laxalt to claim he "hardly knows the people writing this article." "We never had a chance to get to know him, really - he spent his life in Washington, D.C., while we lived in Northern Nevada and grew up in public schools and on public lands," they wrote. More for you Trump says Californians are 'rioting' because of sanctuary cities In a campaign video, Laxalt speaks about being raised by a single mother, Michelle Laxalt, a Washington lobbyist who has appeared at campaign events with her son. Born in Reno, Nevada, and raised in the nation's capital, Laxalt, 40, describes himself as a "fourth-generation native Nevadan." He is also a Navy veteran. But his family members accused him of being less attuned to "Nevada's values" than to "those of his out-of-state donors." He is the grandson of Reagan confidant Paul Laxalt, who served as both governor of Nevada and as a U.S. senator and died in August. The column hits Laxalt hardest for his stance on immigration. As attorney general, he opposed former president Barack Obama's deportation deferral program, and, under President Donald Trump, he has supported the administration's efforts to penalize sanctuary cities. His family members said Laxalt's position was at odds with his own family's history. Laxalt is the great-grandson of Basque immigrants who ventured to the U.S. in 1900. In his campaign launch, the candidate spoke of his great-grandfather, "who came from the Basque country to the hills of the Sierra Nevada and went on to be a sheep herder and rancher." "In the face of Nevada's history as a state made of newcomers, including our own immigrant forbears, he has advocated against immigrants as well as against businesses and individuals who have moved here from other states," the column states. At the same time, the authors accused Laxalt of exploiting his Basque heritage by holding an annual fundraiser billed as a "Basque Fry." This year's event featured Kellyanne Conway, counselor to Trump; Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., the Trump acolyte and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee; and Dana Loesch, a spokeswoman for the National Rifle Association. In jeans, work books and a shirt monogrammed with his campaign logo, Laxalt aimed "to project an image of authenticity, of a deep family tie to Nevada and its history," his family members observed. "But it's all fake, all props paid for by someone else." The event was put on by the Morning in Nevada PAC, whose donors include the NRA. His family members also took aim at Laxalt's career as a lawyer and attorney general. They pointed to a performance evaluation that described Laxalt as a "train wreck." They said his time in statewide office "has been little more than a four-year publicity tour for his current campaign for governor." He describes his tenure differently, saying that he has used his role as attorney general to "protect those who most need protecting" and citing his efforts to reduce the sexual assault kit backlog. There is scarcely an issue on which his family members spared him - from health care to public land to education. But most of all they impugned his character and intentions, writing of his "self-serving political purposes" and "servitude to donors." They claimed not to be motivated by partisanship, saying they would be "proud" to have a family member, Democrat or Republican, running for office, "so long as we believed that they would be good for Nevada." The column is narrowly focused on Laxalt, not mentioning his opponent. But its individual authors have previously spoken out in support of Sisolak, as well as donated to his campaign - endorsements that the Democratic candidate has publicized on social media. The Republican's aunt, Kevin Marie Laxalt, a professor at Great Basin College in Elko, Nevada, appeared earlier this month in an ad for Sisolak. Meanwhile, the candidate's cousin, Monique Laxalt, said she and others felt "an obligation to speak out ... lest there be any misunderstanding that because he carries our family name, he represents our family's values." Sisolak's most recent campaign finance disclosure shows that members of the Laxalt family have donated hundreds of dollars to his campaign. Steve Sisolak tweeted "Thank you, Dr. Kevin Marie Laxalt, for standing behind my plan to put Nevada families first. #NVGov" Retired Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who became the first female justice in 1981 and then one of the court's most influential members, announced Tuesday that she suffers from dementia and is "no longer able to participate in public life." In a letter released by her family, O'Connor, 88, said she wanted to "be open about these changes, and while I am still able, share some personal thoughts." She added: "How fortunate I feel to be an American and to have been presented with the remarkable opportunities available to the citizens of our country. As a young cowgirl from the Arizona desert, I never could have imagined that one day I would become the first woman justice on the U.S. Supreme Court." O'Connor was nominated to the court by President Ronald Reagan, who was fulfilling a campaign pledge to name the first female justice. She served for a quarter-century, leaving to take care of her husband, John, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Since leaving the court, she heard cases in courts of appeals around the country, and promoted the teaching of civics to students. The nonprofit she founded, iCivics, has created 19 games and hundreds of digital lesson plans, on topics such as how to run a presidential campaign to how local governments work. According to the foundation, its games were played more than 5 million times last year by K-12 students in school. O'Connor has been in poor health in recent years. As are other retired justices, she is entitled to hire a clerk, but she last hired one for the term that began in October 2015. The timing of the announcement seems to have come partly because of changes at the court. Her son Jay O'Connor told the Associated Press that over the past year the family has cleared out her chambers at the court and went through hundreds of boxes of files and other items she had in the building's basement. Among the items donated to the court, the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian: A gavel used at her 1981 confirmation hearing, her Presidential Medal of Freedom and T-shirts made annually by an exercise class she started at the high court. Newly retired Justice Anthony M. Kennedy is moving into her chambers, opening up a series of office changes to create space for Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh. O'Connor, who was born in El Paso, Texas, lives near her home in Phoenix. One of her last interviews was in 2016, after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. She said she did not agree with the strategy of Republican senators to keep the post open until after the presidential election. In her letter Tuesday, O'Connor said she hoped others would take the lead in promoting civics and that she would be watching from the sidelines. "I feel so strongly about the topic because I've seen first-hand how vital it is for all citizens to understand our Constitution and unique system of government, and participate actively in their communities," she wrote. O'Connor's departure from the court marked a moment much like the present one. She was seen as a moderate conservative, with a pragmatic approach that often made her the pivotal member. She was replaced by Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., who was more conservative and moved the court to the right. The court likely faces a similar move with conservative Kavanaugh replacing the more moderate Kennedy. O'Connor was not always happy with the way the court changed after she left. Interviewed in front of an audience in 2009, she said: "What would you feel? I'd be a little bit disappointed. If you think you've been helpful, and then it's dismantled, you think, 'Oh, dear.' But life goes on. It's not always positive." O'Connor was enthused, however, about seeing three women on the court. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. in an accompanying statement called O'Connor a trailblazer. "Justice O'Connor is of course a towering figure in the history of the United States and indeed the world," he wrote. "She broke down barriers for women in the legal profession to the betterment of that profession and the country as a whole. She serves as a role model not only for girls and women, but for all those committed to equal justice under law." He said he was not suprised that she used the occasion "to think of our country first, and to urge an increased commitment to civics education, a cause to which she devoted so much of her time and indomitable energy." Robert Egge, Alzheimer's Association chief public policy officer, said O'Connor had been active with his association as well. "Driven by her own experience carrying for her husband as he battled dementia, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor channeled this passion into her work as a critical member of the Alzheimer's Study Group," Egge said in a statement. "She played an important role in making Alzheimer's the national priority it is today." There are now four retired Supreme Court justices. Besides O'Connor and Kennedy, 82, Justice David H. Souter, 79, continues to hear cases on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit in Boston, and Justice John Paul Stevens, 98, gives speeches and writes books. Curfew lifted in Krishnanagar till 12pm today Curfew imposed by the District Administration Office in Krishnanagar of Kapilvastu from 5:00 pm on Monday has been lifted from 6am to 12pm on Tuesday. Curfew lifted in Krishnanagar The KapilvastuDistrict Administration Office lifted curfew in Krishnanagarfrom Tuesday morning. Normal life in the bordering town is gradually limping back to normalcy. CMS is responding to a data breach involving the unauthorized access of the files of 75,000 people. Here are the key details to know: 1. The Federally Facilitated Exchanges direct enrollment pathway of HealthCare.gov website was affected. 2. CMS began the investigation of the breach Oct. 13, declaring a breach had occurred Oct. 16. CMS disabled the direct enrollment pathway for all agents and brokers out of an "abundance of caution.". 3. CMS is working to restore the direct enrollment pathway for agents and brokers. 4. "Our number one priority is the safety and security of the Americans we serve. We will continue to work around the clock to help those potentially impacted and ensure the protection of consumer information," said CMS Administrator Seema Verma in a release. "I want to make clear to the public that HealthCare.gov and the Marketplace Call Center are still available, and open enrollment will not be negatively impacted." Gittleson Zuppas Medical Realty is seeking a lessee for the Bethesda, Md.-based Bedford Building, a medical facility with an outpatient surgery center. Here are three details: 1. At more than 400,000 square feet, the building has multiple built-out medical suites available. 2. The facility features full-service radiology, an onsite pharmacy and lab drawing services. 3. It is located near Bethesda-based Suburban Hospital and Shady Grove Hospital in Rockville, Md. Many of the struggles facing hospitals and health systems are worse for community hospitals that often resort to drastic measures to keep their doors open, according to the North Bay Business Journal. Jan Emerson-Shea, vice president of external affairs for the California Hospital Association, called the financial situation of most community hospitals "precarious at best," partially because of low reimbursement rates from government payers, such as those made via her state's MediCal Medicaid program. "There's a host of challenges that all hospitals face, but particularly these small, independent hospitals," said Ms. Emerson-Shea. "Some of these hospitals file bankruptcy, some shut altogether, some are able to go to local voters, and some affiliate with larger healthcare systems that have the ability to keep them open and provide them access to capital." Sonoma (Calif.) Valley Hospital, a 75-bed facility, has been busy this year making moves to stay afloat. his year the hospital closed its obstetrics unit, finalized an affiliation agreement with the University of California San Francisco Health and transferred ownership of its home healthcare service to Hospice by the Bay, a UCSF affiliate. "It's become clear that a community hospital can no longer try to be all things to all people, but must refocus on essential community needs," said Kelly Mather, president and CEO of Sonoma Valley Hospital. "We're all facing the same issues." Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare plans to close Sister Emmanuel Hospital, a Miami-based long-term care hospital, in December, according to the South Florida Business Journal. HCA will lay off 97 employees when it shuts down Sister Emmanuel Hospital, but some of the employees could transfer to other HCA facilities. "There are a number of open positions within our affiliated facilities in the area, and we believe most of our affected employees will find employment opportunities," Sister Emmanuel Hospital said in a letter accompanying its Oct. 3 Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice. Sister Emmanuel Hospital had a 90.1 percent occupancy rate in 2017 and recorded a $152,210 profit on net revenue of $12.1 million, according to the South Florida Business Journal, which cited information from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. More articles on healthcare finance: Louisiana hospital files for bankruptcy, blames ex-administrator for financial crisis Private equity pushes into healthcare: 8 latest deals Billionaire pledges to fight pharma's 'abusive' pricing In mid-September, more than a dozen executives, vice presidents and executive and senior directors of revenue cycle gathered in Chicago to discuss the evolving nature of the hospital and health system revenue cycle and how they are responding to its challenges, disruptions and priorities. The conversation, part of Becker's Hospital Review 4th Annual Health IT + Revenue Cycle Conference, was made possible by Allscripts, a leader in healthcare information technology solutions that advance clinical, financial and operational results. Ajit Sett, vice president of Sunrise Solutions Management with Allscripts, and Lyman Sornberger, chief strategy office with patient financial wellness company Capio Partners, led the hour-long roundtable discussion, which was equipped with polling technology through which roundtable participants selected responses and answered several questions via open field. During the discussion, Mr. Sett and Mr. Sornberger analyzed the poll results in real time. What follows is a condensed summary of the discussion and polling that took place. The top RCM challenges, disruptions and priorities facing healthcare executives The majority of respondents (64 percent) said healthcare consumerism has been the most significant disruptor in the industry. The second largest pool of respondents (18 percent) selected value-based care and new payment models. Collectively, 20 percent of respondents either selected the rise of retail clinics, pharmacies and urgent care (5 percent); telehealth (5 percent); government-mandated quality reporting (5 percent); or M&A transactions in the revenue cycle segment of the industry (5 percent) as the most significant disruptor. Consumerism is casting a broad shadow across revenue cycle leaders' strategy, as it emerged in responses several times throughout the live poll. For instance, 79 percent of respondents identified the increased adoption of high deductible health plans a major tenet of consumerism as patients are responsible for a greater portion of payment as the most concerning change in patient coverage as the ACA is pared down. Speaking of governmental regulations, most revenue cycle leaders (67 percent) said consumerism is what worries them most about the new governmental requirement to publish chargemasters. That is nearly three times as many people who cited operations (21 percent) as the largest concern related to chargemasters. Specific to the revenue cycle, 74 percent of respondents said growth in clinical denials and patient receivables has been the most significant disruptor to their organizations' revenue cycle operations. And when it comes to the most important revenue cycle function, 67 percent of respondents recognized collecting revenue as the No. 1 function in their organizations; 25 percent of respondents chose capturing revenue and 8 percent chose generating revenue as their top priority. Where outsourcing lies within hospitals' RCM strategy Despite the considerable amount of precedence health systems are placing on revenue collection, participants displayed caution in regards to outsourcing RCM functions. Ninety-three percent of respondents said they outsource 0 to 25 percent of their revenue cycle; zero participants outsource 51 percent or more. What's more: 42 percent of respondents said they are not interested in outsourcing any one part of the revenue cycle to a partner. Revenue cycle leaders are likely to look away from outsourcing when they feel their organization is able to manage the revenue cycle from end to end autonomously. "If you've got health systems with infrastructure in place and tools to do it, why would you outsource?" asked the senior director of patient financial services with a nonprofit integrated health system in the Midwest. "I think that's a reason a lot of organizations need to outsource because they don't have those capabilities." If they had to consider outsourcing, more than half (56 percent) of respondents said they were least likely to move patient access to an outside party. Interesting enough, this is the same function the majority of respondents (72 percent) ranked as their most urgent concern. In short: The function revenue cycle leaders are most anxious about is the same function they are least likely to consider outsourcing. Some participants said they're insourcing some functions while outsourcing others. "We are insourcing a lot of our stuff because vendors are more expensive than hiring staff," said the executive director of revenue cycle for an academic health system on the West Coast. At the same time, the system is outsourcing its coding. Aside from the 42 percent of respondents who said they are not interested in outsourcing any part of the revenue cycle, the next largest portion of participants (32 percent) ranked coding as the most attractive function to allocate to a quality partner. Coders represent a core area of staffing for hospitals; a shortage or low supply of coding talent hurts business operations and efficiency. Participants' comments revealed the difficulty organizations face when building competitive coding teams a determining factor in why this function is attractive for an outside partner. The director of patient financial services for an academic medical center in the Northeast said the competitive nature of recruiting coders drives a lot of organizations to outsource. Outsourcing may be especially enticing for healthcare organizations operating in more remote geographic locations where recruiting top coders can be especially challenging. Worth noting, given its relevance to staffing and labor, is that 36 percent of revenue cycle leaders said the most significant benefit of artificial intelligence's automation capabilities is the reduction of staffing and administrative costs. Twenty-three percent pointed to work queues with prompts to help staff prioritize work as the biggest benefit to gain. Specialists or Jack of All Trades: Choosing the right partners As critical as coding may be, health systems today increasingly face queries from vendors or partners who claim expertise in not one function of the revenue cycle, but the entire operation. When participants were asked how they assess such organizations' claims, respondents submitted concise reactions through the polling technology: "If you outsource, you have to be a watchdog. You cannot assume the company is doing what they say they are." "It's a lot of sales talk that they cannot deliver. [I am] concerned about any company that can do everything. Quality and efficiency are key." "I have not evaluated any companies like this. However, my primary concern would be the quality of the work product. Seldom would you find a company that is excellent at all of the various segments of the revenue cycle." When discussing these companies in conversation at large, respondents shared firsthand experiences with end-to-end revenue cycle companies. One executive had troubling experiences both outsourcing and insourcing her organizations' revenue cycle. "We had one situation where we couldn't hire people locally, so we did outsource," said the vice president of patient financial services with one of the leading hospital operators in the U.S., with more than 100 sites of care. "We were successful for the first few years, but they start pushing profitability because they want more profit. So, they start stretching resources, and all of a sudden your whole environment has collapsed. I think it is a cost issue. [Vendors] are for-profit and trying to drive value, and it ends up being at the cost of your revenue cycle." The same executive at the multistate hospital operator said she also experienced a hospital bringing an outsourced function back in house. She was immediately struck by how much control the partner had held over data that was distributed to the board. "When we brought it in house, we saw how they were making the numbers look good for their advantage," she said. "They made self-pay look like the regularly insured, for instance. They were also outsourcing a lot of things we didn't know about, so all of sudden we were under contract with all of these third-party vendors they held contracts with. It made the transition back not as costly as having it outsourced, but it did cause a lot of challenges for us." Mr. Sett said contracts held between vendors and third-party companies are not only a cost problem, but a liability since they allow variation into RCM processes. "If I'm a coder and I'm doing it day in and day out for you, and then you open it up and 10 different people are doing that ... All of a sudden there are 10 different ways we are doing the same thing," he said. "It's not just the cost aspect of it, but the integrity of the process." M&A activity among RCM companies: Does it present more value or risk to hospitals? The topic of process came up again regarding the rate of merger and acquisition activity perhaps the ultimate process rippling through the healthcare industry in provider and vendor spaces. When organizations look to join forces, they innately reexamine their cost structures and seek ways to eliminate duplication and lower expenses, possibly redesigning the way business is conducted as a result. When asked how they assess the potential value and/or risk of M&A in the revenue cycle space at their organizations, roundtable participants submitted concise reactions through the polling technology: Moderate. The challenge is ensuring that expected business results don't erode as a vendor goes through a transformation. We are also concerned that our leverage with vendors is being reduced as the industry consolidates. What is their stated vision, and are they keeping the key leadership roles in the middle that can continue to run as-is while [the merger] is simultaneously leveraged? Sometimes the mergers create silos instead of synergies depending on which piece of the new organization you are dealing with. It does take time to work. When discussing M&A between revenue cycle companies in conversation at large, respondents voiced concerns as to how these transactions affect customer service, pricing and alternatives. "We are in the process of transformation, so we are looking at all of our vendors," said the vice president of patient financial services with a U.S. hospital operator. "What it means to my organization is reducing the number of people with whom we have to negotiate from the vendor perspective. We were in negotiations with several [companies] that are now merging, so we are in the process of trying to solidify some prices before things happen. With larger mergers, it is harder to integrate. If they are distracted by product integration and the merger of leadership, that poses a problem to our customer service." Conclusion While difficult to draw sweeping conclusions from the hourlong discussion between the revenue cycle leaders, a few findings and links are certainly worth noting. First is the level of concern consumerism is raising for this group of professionals: RCM leaders cited consumerism as the largest disruption in the industry. Second, it is worth noting the functions that RCM leaders find most and least compelling to outsource. The majority of leaders cited patient access as their most urgent concern in the revenue cycle today, yet respondents flagged patient access as the function they are least likely to consider allocating to a quality partner. On the other hand, respondents were most open minded about outsourcing coding if they had to move any one function out of the organization and to a partner. This finding is somewhat hand and glove to the fact that respondents see lower labor costs and workflow prioritization as the greatest benefits to gain from artificial intelligence an automation. Finally, this pool of respondents demonstrated a considerable amount of hesitation about outsourcing period, but expressed particular reluctance to outsourcing to (a) RCM companies that claim to do it all, and (b) RCM companies that are in the process of merging. Several responses touched on the idea that health systems may be best suited to execute the revenue cycle from end to end, either because of quality control concerns, customer service concerns or the idea that they would need to closely monitor a vendor anyway, which is seen as redundant. Vishal Bhatia, MD, chief medical information officer at RCCH HealthCare Partners in Brentwood, Tenn., discusses the evolution of his role as CMIO and how artificial intelligence, natural language processing and voice recognition technologies can improve healthcare. Responses are lightly edited for clarity and length. Question: How has your role as CMIO evolved over the past two to three years? How have your responsibilities changed since you took on the role? Dr. Vishal Bhatia: The role has changed from EMR governance and clinical informatics to clinical transformation and process improvement. This new shift includes clinical and operational efficiency to promote improved outcomes, propagate best practices and reduce care variation. A large part of that is data standardization, normalization and analysis to deliver desired results. Q: What do you consider your No. 1 priority as CMIO? How do you ensure you're successful? VB: Interoperability and how to manage exchange of data without compromising provider workflow and efficiency. We value end user input and 'customizing' workflow to local needs yet standardizing care and promoting evidence-based practices. Q: Which apps and technologies do you find most helpful? VB: AI and natural language processing in driving evidence-based practice and efficient workflow via real time analytics for best patient outcomes. Q: How do you feel about the use of voice recognition technology, such as Amazons Alexa and Google Assistant, in healthcare? Is there a place for its use within the EHR? VB: The use of voice recognition and improved natural language processing can provide a lot of efficiencies within the EHR. Some examples of this include voice search, data input, order queues, etc. However, challenges the technology may pose with cloud-based, AI and machine learning technologies would be security and data privacy. To learn more about clinical informatics and health IT, register for the Becker's Hospital Review 2nd Annual Health IT + Clinical Leadership Conference May 2-4, 2019 in Chicago. Click here to learn more and register. To participate in future Becker's Q&As, contact Jackie Drees at jdrees@beckershealthcare.com. Curfew re-imposed in Krishnanagar The District Administration Office (DAO) in Kapilvastu re-imposed a curfew in the bordering town of Krishnanagar for an indefinite period from 5pm on Monday. The local administration said the curfew was clamped again, considering the security threat during night time. Salem, Va.-based LewisGale Regional Health System tapped Lance Jones to serve as CEO and market president, effective Dec. 1, according to The Roanoke Times. Here are six takeaways: 1. Mr. Jones is currently CEO of StoneSprings Hospital Center in Dulles, Va., a part of the Richmond, Va.-based HCA Capital Division. LewisGale Regional is also a part of the division. 2. He has worked at Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare since 2013, when he joined as CEO of Coliseum Medical Centers in Macon, Ga. 3. Mr. Jones is equipped with 18-plus years of healthcare experience, serving in COO and CEO roles at hospitals in New Mexico, South Carolina, Texas and Tennessee. 4. He began his healthcare career in the rehabilitation arena. 5. He earned his master of healthcare administration degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. 6. Mr. Jones is the permanent successor to Brian Baumgardner, who retired. The pharmaceutical industry has been the target of widespread public criticism in recent years, with most of the narrative centered on seemingly unjust pricing. But if providers and pharmaceutical companies make an effort to cultivate stronger partnerships, consumers can reap the benefits. Hospitals and pharmaceutical manufacturers have traditionally looked at themselves as transactional partners, but that relationship is changing dramatically. As independent hospitals become parts of larger health systems, they have improved their leverage as partners and have transcended the role of simple purchaser. The traditional purchasing relationship between big pharma and physicians the pharmaceutical sales rep model has become outdated since upwards of 40 percent of U.S. physicians are employed by hospitals or large integrated health systems, which now have policies prohibiting such sales practices. From an ethics and a compliance standpoint, we all recognize the reasons why we needed to better manage the way pharma reps market to providers, but for the benefit of our patients, we still need to be collaborating with Big Pharma. At Northwell, we've created an entity called Pharma Ventures that focuses attention and resources on enterprise partnerships with pharmaceutical companies. Its led by Elaine Brennan, one of our healthcare executive with a background in the pharmaceutical industry, who has helped formalize our agenda around clinical trials, research and value-based agreements. Recognizing that pharmaceutical companies are key stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem, I meet regularly with pharmaceutical company executives to discuss mutually beneficial strategies. After all, prescribing drugs as part of treatment modalities is an integral part of physicians' responsibilities, and the companies that create these drugs should be given a seat at the table to forge partnerships that can lower costs and increase efficiency. Pharma Ventures has been exploring risk-based contracts with pharmaceutical partners, which are designed to link drug prices to drug performance with actual patients. Large health systems like Northwell can also serve as a super-site for clinical trials, where clinical researchers can recruit from multiple locations in fully integrated systems and reduce patient enrollment and site set-up costs, thanks to our systemwide electronic health record. Northwell and pharmaceutical companies have also collaborated on a number of digital and consumer-driven initiatives we believe can leverage the combined strengths of our organizations to improve the customer experience and lower costs. These initiatives include a physician education pilot program that will help better inform physicians about clinical trials and new treatment options. I commend the efforts of some providers to enter the pharmaceutical manufacturing arena themselves, though these goals require capabilities that hospitals and health systems don't have on hand. Though I wish only the best for health systems that look to begin manufacturing generic drugs, the investment required to scale up these capabilities has led Northwell to decide that its resources are better spent on partnerships with established organizations such as Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Merck. Many people have called for increased regulation on the pharmaceutical industry. One instance where regulation may be beneficial is broadening the reach of clinical trials so they reach a more-diverse patient population. Northwell has one of the most-diverse patient populations in the US, making it a highly attractive destination for clinical research trials. Highly publicized instances of bad actors within the pharmaceutical industry, such as Martin Shkreli and his unfathomable greed, have soured public opinion on the sector, but it would be a misstep to paint the industry in broad strokes based on the actions of a few. Almost every member of the public takes some kind of prescription drug and medication, and if providers approach the manufacturers of those drugs with a collaborative mindset, innovative solutions can create significant benefits for both parties and, most importantly, the consumer. ProMedica President and CEO Randy Oostra said the health system has been in talks with a Chinese genomic and genetic-testing company to open an operation in Toledo, according to The Blade. While Mr. Oostra declined to name the genetics firm to The Blade, he said he plans to meet with the firm's executive leadership during his five-day trip to learn more about the Chinese healthcare system and explore additional hospital consulting and management opportunities. ProMedica has made several investments in personalized medicine initiatives. For example, the health system is testing tumors for genetic signals to select the right chemotherapy treatments for patients. "Having a better understanding of genetics is increasingly important to most appropriately treat diseases," Mr. Oostra said, adding that the firm ProMedica is wooing would also boost the health system's research and clinical care, as well as help improve Toledo's economy. ProMedica already maintains several clinical relationships with Chinese hospitals, including a 1,000-bed children's and women's facility, Mr. Oostra said. An outreach facility in China could also give Chinese medical residents and research fellows opportunities to practice medicine at ProMedica in the U.S. To access the full report, click here. Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based Adventist Health System quietly placed one of its hospitals that was severely damaged last year by Hurricane Irma on sale for $2.5 million, according to The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Ormond Beach-based Florida Hospital Oceanside, which is part of Orlando-based Florida Hospital, has remained closed since September 2017 after sustaining significant wind and water damage from Hurricane Irma. The hospital was placed up for sale Oct. 19. News of the 80-bed hospital's sale came as a surprise to Ormond Beach city officials, as Florida Hospital officials said in August they intended to demolish the hospital and replace it with a physical rehabilitation center, pharmacy and physicians' offices, the report states. Ed Noseworthy, president and CEO of Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center in Daytona Beach, told the publication the health system is seeking to sell all of the hospital's property, but will consider selling portions of it to interested parties. "If someone wants the entire thing, we'll sell it," Mr. Noseworthy told the publication Oct. 22. "If someone only wants part of it, we may choose to redevelop the remainder. That would be an option for us." If the property were sold, Mr. Noseworthy said Florida Hospital would search for another beachside property in Ormond Beach to build an outpatient facility. Mr. Noseworthy said the Ormond Beach facility was initially constructed as a hotel in the 1960s that was later converted into a medical facility. Florida Hospital took over the property in October 2000, the report states. To access the full report, click here. A physician filed a federal whistle-blower lawsuit against TeamHealth, the contracted anesthesiology group at Ascension All Saints Hospital in Racine, Wis., alleging the hospital staffing firm overbilled Medicare and Medicaid millions through its subsidiary Racine Anesthesia Services, The Journal Times reported. John Mamalakis, MD, an anesthesiologist, filed the False Claims Act case in 2014 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. In the case, Dr. Mamalakis claims he lost his job because he refused to be part of the alleged overbilling, the report states. The lawsuit claims the overbilling occurred from 2011 to at least 2014 and involved overcharging Medicare and insurance programs in 16 states and Washington, D.C. According to The Journal Times, Dr. Mamalakis alleges TeamHealth continues fraudulent billing practices at All Saints and other hospital locations. TeamHealth told Becker's the Department of Justice considered the allegations but decided not to look into the issue further. The firm declined to comment on specifics of the case since it is still pending litigation. TeamHealth said it "has a robust and long-standing compliance and ethics program, which incorporates the components recommended by the Office of Inspector General compliance program guidance, including a chief compliance officer, policies and procedures, a code of conduct, initial and annual compliance training, internal auditing and monitoring, and a compliance hotline." "As a matter of protocol, all compliance-related inquiries are taken seriously and investigated," the firm said. An Ascension Wisconsin spokesperson also declined to comment on specifics of the case, saying, "We take compliance and patient care issues seriously. This lawsuit is between TeamHealth and one of their former employees. Therefore, we cannot comment further." Dr. Mamalakis specifically alleges in his complaint that while he was at All Saints, TeamHealth physicians falsified records by claiming they were present or available to All Saints operating rooms when they were not. "In some instances, the absence of the TeamHealth anesthesiologists at All Saints' operating rooms and ICUs [intensive care units] has placed the patients' lives at unnecessary risk," his complaint states, according to the report. The case is ongoing in federal court. Access the full report from The Journal Times here. Editor's note: This article was updated on Oct. 24. More articles on legal and regulatory issues: Texas hospital co-founder admits bribing physicians as part of $200M billing scheme 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 Fatal drug overdoses have fallen nationwide over the last six months, according to a CDC report. However, health experts warn against early claims of the opioid and drug epidemic ending. Here are four things to know: 1. In the CDC's most recent data for the 12-month period ending in March 2018, the agency reported a 2.8 percent decline in overdose deaths representing an estimated 71,073 people compared to the 12-month period ending in September 2017. "After 40 years of this predictable growth pattern, we can hope that the curve is finally bending downward for good," Donald Burke, MD, dean of University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public Health, told STAT in an email. "But history tells us to interpret these wobbles cautiously." 2. From April 2017 to March 2018, the number of fatal opioid overdoses declined by 2.3 percent compared to the 12 months ending in September 2017. The decline is attributed to a drop in the number of overdose deaths from heroin and prescription opioids. 3. The CDC's analysis also shows signs of increased drug deaths not attributed to opioids. Cocaine and stimulants, such as methamphetamine, kill more 10,000 people a year, the agency found. 4. Researchers do not know what is driving the decrease in overdose deaths, but said policy initiatives at the local, state and federal level might have something to do with it. "There are two major takeaways," Leo Beletsky, a drug policy expert at Boston-based Northeastern University, told STAT. "One is that we are not out of the woods yet, since these rates are still sky high. [And] we need to be doing much more of what works to get the rates down further." More articles on opioids: EMRs are hospitals' tech-of-choice for opioid management, KLAS finds White House rolls out 2nd opioid ad as part of public awareness campaign Melania Trump tours Philadelphia hospital's NICU, speaks on neonatal abstinence syndrome AstraZeneca has struck a $170 million deal with Innate Pharma that will bolster its cancer drug pipeline as the London-based drug giant pivots toward a future in oncology. AstraZeneca will obtain full ownership of monalizumab, a drug that has shown potential in treating head and neck cancer in clinical trials. In addition, the drugmaker will have access to a second cancer drug made by Innate, called IPH5201. The deal also gives AstraZeneca authority to license four other medicines in early stage development at Innate. Those drugs have not been selected. The Innate deal bolsters AstraZeneca's immunotherapy pipeline. Immunotherapy drugs work by helping the body's immune system target cancer cells. As part of the deal, AstraZeneca will take a 9.8 percent stake in Innate Pharma. "Our expanded collaboration with Innate Pharma enables us to further strengthen our leadership in immuno-oncology, and to explore the potential of next-generation immuno-oncology pathways, together with the world-class scientific team of Innate," said Pascal Soriot, CEO of AstraZeneca. In recent years, AstraZeneca has shifted its focus to cancer drug development as part of a broader strategy to double annual revenue to $40 billion by 2023. Read the full news release here. A nurse at Lakeland (Fla.) Regional Health Medical Center was fired Oct. 22 after officials learned she posted an offensive Snapchat, reports The Ledger. The nurse, 24-year-old Alexandra Suchocki, shared a photo of herself on Snapchat with the N-word written across her forehead. The post was screenshotted and shared by a woman on Facebook and has since garnered more than 2,000 shares. The woman said she did not personally know Ms. Suchocki but identified her as an intensive care unit nurse at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. Jennifer Audette, a spokesperson for Lakeland Regional Health, said hospital officials learned that the racist post was made by an employee Oct. 21. "As of today, October 22, this individual is no longer employed by Lakeland Regional Health," Ms. Audette wrote in a press release cited by The Ledger. The Oregon Legislature's $5 million public health modernization investment lets counties share staff resources to better prepare for and address communicable disease threats, according to a report cited by KTVZ. The investment was made in 2017, and $3.9 million of it funded communicable disease control efforts at eight regions of local public health departments. The investment also is improving health equity work, such as identifying populations that are disproportionately affected by infectious diseases. The Oregon Health Authority's public health division used the remaining $1.1 million in legislative funds to improve population health data collection and reporting, including enhancements to a database that follows immunization rates. "In the first six months of the Oregon Legislature's modernization investment, we have seen important changes in how we deal with communicable diseases on a regional level," said Lillian Shirley, Oregon public health division director. "We know that these diseases don't stop at the county line during an outbreak, and neither should we when we're working to prevent and fight them." More articles on clinical leadership and infection control: Hospitals may be unable to sustain preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks Duke University Hospital to roll out AI system for sepsis Breastfeeding linked to less antibiotic-resistant bacteria in infants, study finds At the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, a "patient safety room of horrors" is helping medical students and residents identify hospital room mistakes before they occur, according to a blog post on the AMA Wire. The tool is used for preclinical medical students during their second year and reintroduced to them when they finish their third-year clerkships. The initiative is also part of the university's resident boot camp before they start practice. Before entering the room of horrors, students receive a mock door chart that describes a fake patient's condition, including allergies and complications. They have 15 minutes to identify all safety hazards around the patient. The room helps residents check to ensure patients are getting the right medications, their allergies are accounted for and safety railings are in use on hospital beds. They also check for cost hazards, such as catheters or hand restraints that are unneeded. "When you walk into a patient's room, it's not just the medications, but many things that can put your patient at risk for some reason or other, resulting in either a near-miss or adverse event," said Jeanne Farnan, MD, associate professor of medicine and associate dean of evaluation and continuous quality improvement at the University of Chicago. "We try to make our residents and students very vigilant about recognizing that by stressing the importance of situational awareness." More articles on clinical leadership and infection control: Children may receive substandard pain management care in non-pediatric EDs, study finds 2nd patient files lawsuit against Utah hospital, claims nurse exposed him to hepatitis Severe mental health diagnoses linked to higher ED use, study finds Dont bypass the constitution, Dahal warns Province 2 CM Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Co-Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal has warned that the Province 2 governments move to bring Provincial Police Act prior to the Federal Act will invite accident in the country. Walmart and RB, a global consumer health and hygiene company, have launched a telehealth initiative with Doctor On Demand. This fall, consumers who purchase RB products, including Mucinex, Delsym and Airborne, from Walmart will be offered a free telehealth medical consultation with a Doctor On Demand physician. "Partnering with RB and Walmart is a big step in moving the telemedicine industry forward, and ensuring that consumers are aware they can see a physician and receive high-quality care anywhere, at any time," Hill Ferguson, CEO of Doctor On Demand, said in a press release. "At Doctor On Demand, our physicians can treat 90 percent of the most common medical issues seen in the ER and urgent care, including cold and flu, skin and eye issues, allergies, back pain, and more." More articles on telehealth: New app focuses on connecting patients with nurses, physician assistants Telemedicine helps extend relationships for primary care providers: 7 study insights Apple teams up with Zimmer Biomet to support postoperative recovery On Nov. 6, Massachusetts voters will decide whether nurse staffing ratios will be required at hospitals. Here are five things to know about the measure and how it could affect nurse assignments. 1. Question 1, proposed by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, calls for mandated nurse staffing ratios that would vary by unit, floor or department. 2. Supporters of the measure argue nurse staffing ratios will improve patient care, and opponents say the ratios will worsen nurse care delivery, lead to longer emergency room wait times and hurt community hospitals and mental health facilities. 3. If the measure passes, hospitals would need to use a patient acuity tool that helps determine nurse-to-patient ratios, according to a WBUR report. One such tool is Quadramed, currently used at Boston-based Massachusetts General Hospital. The tool measures patients' need for nurses. 4. Brenda Pignone, BSN, RN, a staff nurse in a Massachusetts General Hospital med-surg unit, told WBUR Quadramed allows her to classify patients based on how often a nurse takes their vital signs and whether they have catheters, among other factors. This classification indicates how acute the patient's needs are and how much nursing attention they need. 5. In addition to a patient acuity tool, some Massachusetts hospitals may decide to change around nursing shift assignments if Question 1 passes. The measure applies around the clock. Therefore, if a hospital unit is compliant with the proposed nurse staffing ratios during the day but not as night, they could potentially decide to move day nurses and some patient care to night to prevent a need to hire more nurses, according to WBUR, which spoke about the issue with Theresa Capodilupo, RN, BSN, the nursing director on Ms. Pignone's unit. Access the full WBUR report here. More articles on workforce: HHS invests $293M in primary healthcare clinicians and students PAs are in demand: 5 findings Nurse staffing ratios splitting Massachusetts voters Three Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai investigators developed a method to harness stem cells to regrow tissue damaged by major trauma. The Department of Defense and National Institutes of Health awarded the researchers $8 million in grants. Here are five things to know: 1. The method involves injecting microbubbles mixed with DNA into damaged tissues and then applying ultrasound waves to the target area. Investigators found stem cells can be activated to regrow missing tissue and heal injuries. 2. Cedars-Sinai investigators first demonstrated the treatment in a 2017 animal study. They found the approach successfully regrew new shinbones in eight weeks. 3. The team has since used the approach to heal a massive ligament tear in the knee. They published their findings in Molecular Therapy. 4. Investigators said the treatment could also help reduce pain for military personnel suffering injuries sustained while on duty. 5. Cedars-Sinai plans to work in partnership with Stanford (Calif.) University to use the $2.8 million grant from NIH over four years to build and design the next generation of ultrasound devices. The $5 million DOD grant will be used over three years to allow researchers to advance the technique for FDA approval. The new owners of country house venue the Beech Hill Hotel have vowed to turn it into Northern Ireland's best four-star hotel. The venue outside Londonderry is now under the ownership of Sam Harding, Barry Kemp and Adam Kemp after its sale by the Donnelly and O'Kane families. The new owners have already created five new jobs and said they have an ambitious plan to become the best four-star hotel in Northern Ireland, capitalising on its prime location between Derry and the north coast. The investment has been supported by First Trust Bank. Barry Kemp, director of The House Collection, said: "We feel honoured to be part of the story of the Beech Hill Hotel whose character and charm have captured the hearts of local people for generations. Our goal is to become the best four-star hotel in Northern Ireland." Aerospace giant Bombardier, which employs around 4,000 people in Northern Ireland, has said it is actively looking at how to mitigate the impact of a no-deal Brexit on business. Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday told MPs that "95%" of the terms of a deal have been secured but that the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic remains a sticking-point. A spokeswoman for Bombardier - one of Northern Ireland's biggest employers - said it was making plans for a no-deal. "We continue to lobby government, both directly and through organisations such as our trade body, ADS, and the CBI, to ensure we leave the EU with minimal disruption. We are also actively looking at ways to mitigate any impact that a 'no deal' scenario could have on our business." She added: "We are engaging with our supply chain on continuity of delivery and with our transport carriers on contingency plans." The company has said that stockpiling parts to mitigate the impact of a no deal Brexit could cost it 30m. In interviews at the weekend, the Republic's Foreign Minister Simon Coveney urged business to speak out on the impact of a no-deal. But CBI NI director Angela McGowan said businesses here had made their views clear. "Northern Irish firms have been absolutely clear from the outset that 'no deal' is the worst possible outcome for business and poses a significant threat to the local economy, to jobs and to communities across the region," she added. "With patience wearing thin, firms are adamant that negotiators must put compromise and pragmatism first and commit to securing a Withdrawal Agreement before December - unlocking the all-important transition period that will allow companies to grow, invest and, crucially, put contingency planning on hold." Meanwhile, CBI chairman Trevor Lockhart - also the head of Northern Ireland agri food firm Fane Valley, which is based in Moira - has said he would have to make major changes to its business in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Fane Valley's businesses include red meat producers Linden Foods and Kettyle Irish Foods, as well as White's Porridge Oats, which has been milled in Tandragee, Co Armagh for nearly 180 years. Mr Lockhart told the Financial Times last week that one measure could include shifting its cereals business to the Republic. While such a move would be an extreme one, he said it could be the only way to get oatmeal and animal feed into the EU at speed. "We have done the scenario-planning," he told the FT. "We haven't triggered those contingencies because the potential investment would be too significant." Feeling irritated: it can take up to three weeks to get rid of a cough There's nothing worse than a hacking cough that keeps you up at night and makes you sound like the walking dead at work. With winter approaching, thousands of us will be bothered by tickles in our throats that refuse to budge - no matter how many throat lozenges or bottles of cough syrup we throw at the situation. Want to quit coughing on your colleagues for good? Our expert explains how to shift a lingering tickle that's outstayed its welcome. Be patient and give your body a chance If you started coughing on Monday, it might feel reasonable to expect to be feeling fine by the weekend. But it can actually take up to three weeks for a cough to fully resolve itself. Chronic coughs are usually triggered by a nasty bout of cold or flu, and tend to hang around in the aftermath of a viral infection. Abbas Kanani, a pharmacist from Chemist Click, explains that when certain bacteria or viruses - such as the cold or flu virus - enter our respiratory system, excess mucus is produced in order to help the body get rid of these infections and bugs. It's this unpleasant overload that triggers the cough reflex, as a way of clearing out the chest area. "Our respiratory system produces mucus, which acts as a lubricant and a filter," says Kanani. "Mucus keeps the respiratory tract moist, and protects it from irritants that may have been inhaled from the air we breathe." Hydrate During this time, Kanani recommends you drink plenty of water. "It's important to keep yourself hydrated, especially if your body is fighting off an infection," he says. "Water can also help to loosen mucus, so that it can be expelled easily." Hot water, lemon and honey is a handy go-to if you're struggling to croak out your words first thing in the morning. "Honey helps to soothe the chest, whilst both lemon and honey contain natural antibacterial properties," says Kanani. "Lemon also contains vitamin C, which helps to boost the immune system." Have a facial steam bath Kanani also recommends using a facial steam bath to help break up thick mucus in the airways. Boil a pan of water, remove from heat and add a few drops of eucalyptus. Then all you need to do is throw a towel over your head and start inhaling the sinus-clearing vapours from the mixture. Taking medicine If all else fails, medication can provide some relief. "Cough medicines known as 'expectorants' can help to ease a chesty cough by thinning and loosening mucus," says Kanani. "Your local pharmacy can give you advice on whether they're suitable for you." Peppermint is a natural source of menthol, which is an expectorant, so swap that mid-morning coffee for a cup of peppermint tea to add to the hydration, too. Make sure to mindfully spit Once the mucus begins to break up in the chest, there's only one way for it to get out and that's through the mouth. We know it sounds disgusting, but the best way to expel the small gunge pit that's forming in your chest is to spit it out. If you swallow instead, you're sending the phlegm back down the throat to fester where it came from. It goes without saying that spitting on the ground is as unsanitary as it is impolite, so make sure you're being mindful of others by discreetly depositing any unsightly mucus into a tissue and then flushing it down the toilet. Watch out for more serious symptoms "Most people have had a chesty cough on a number of occasions, and it usually isn't anything to worry about," says Kanani. "However, you should make an appointment to see your GP if you spot any potentially worrying signs." For example, if your mucus is green, or a colour different to yellow, it can mean you've got a chest infection and may need antibiotics. A cough that lasts for more than three weeks may also be a sign of an underlying medical issue that needs investigating. "Most people know their bodies and you should be able to identify a cough that is not typical of a seasonal chesty cough - this could be a hacking or uncontrollable cough," says Kanani. "A cough that is worse than usual could be cause for concern." An 800-metre illuminated sculpture will be installed on the Foyle Bridge as part of a 25 million regeneration project. The sculpture is intended to be a positive landmark and help prevent suicide. It is linked to the Our Future Foyle project, which has been developed over the past two years to transform the banks of the river and its bridges by attracting investment, culture and tourism. Support for mental health through a series of interventions aimed at addressing and raising awareness of suicide prevention has also been developed. The project focuses on an area along a six-mile loop of riverfront, including the riverbank and the three bridges. It has three elements including the Foyle Reeds art installation at the Foyle Bridge, which will transform the structure into an illuminated sculpture of more than 12,000 individual reeds. The second element is Foyle Bubbles, a series of 40 riverside pods. These will be mobile spaces designed to stimulate enterprise and job creation. The third element will be Foyle Experience. This is expected to add to the continuing regeneration along the riverbank with a proposed sculpture park with digital and place-based content and events to enliven the river. All three strands of the project have been included in Derry City's city deal bid. The project is spearheaded by the Royal College of Art's Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design and the Public Health Agency Northern Ireland (PHA). Brendan Bonner from the PHA said the project will promote a more positive perception of the Foyle and raise mental health awareness. "Northern Ireland has the highest rate of suicide in the UK. The recent spike in incidents on the river has contributed to our strong desire to do something positive to help tackle this head-on," he said. The project, which is launched today, is expected to be completed over the next three years in a phased approach. The Government has so far resisted pressure to step in to legislate for reform (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Westminster bids to amend abortion laws in Northern Ireland represent a crucial opportunity for reform, pro-choice campaigners have said. The Commons will this week see two parliamentary attempts to change the restrictive regime on terminations in the region. On Tuesday, a private members bill will be tabled by Labour MP Diana Johnson aiming to remove sections of the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act that make abortion a criminal offence in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The 1967 Abortion Act in England and Wales provided for exemptions to the 1861 Act, enabling legal abortions. On Wednesday, fellow Labour MPs will attempt to amend a bill the Government is tabling in response to the ongoing powersharing crisis. The amendments proposed by MPs Stella Creasy and Conor McGinn aim to use the bill to compel the Government to push through changes to abortion and same sex marriage laws in Northern Ireland. Abortions in Northern Ireland are currently illegal in all but exceptional medical and mental health circumstances. The Government has so far resisted pressure to step in to legislate for reform in the wake of a recent Supreme Court judgment that found the current legal framework incompatible with human rights laws. In June, a majority of Supreme Court judges said the ban on terminations in cases of rape, incest or fatal foetal abnormality needed radical reconsideration. Given there are no ministers at Stormont due to the powersharing impasse, pro-choice campaigners have demanded the laws are changed at Westminster. Grainne Teggart from Amnesty International said: Westminster must use this week to show it will prioritise the health and rights of women and girls in Northern Ireland by moving a step closer towards scrapping Northern Irelands archaic and cruel abortion law. Anti-abortion activities are opposed to Westminster intervening on what remain devolved issues, despite the collapse of powersharing. They insist such sensitive matter should only be considered by locally elected ministers. Niamh Scullion was given a Points of Light award for the boat that was launched on the Lagan in 2017 and has been used by 1,000-plus people A Belfast woman has been honoured by the Prime Minister after she brought a community together to build a traditional Irish boat. Niamh Scullion (41) was given a Points of Light award by Theresa May for working with 80 volunteers to craft a currach. Ms Scullion said: "This award, in recognition of the project and our charity Lagan Currachs, is wonderful for us to receive and it is testament to the amazing people of Belfast who have helped bring this idea to life and nurtured it and made it thrive. "We hope many others will hear about the community currach through this award and come and join the crew - especially those who might be struggling. "We want them to come and experience the adventure, the mental health benefits, the sense of connection and belonging to a big, open and supportive team and the love of a boat that has become such a huge part of our lives." The 10-metre craft was launched on the River Lagan in January last year after the team of volunteers received 15,000 funding from Heritage Lottery. More than 1,000 people, many with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds with no experience of rowing, have used the currach on Belfast Lough and around the coast of Northern Ireland. In a personal letter to Ms Scullion, Mrs May said: "By bringing your local community together to build a traditional currach, you have helped people from all ages and backgrounds to access rowing and enjoy the beautiful coasts and waters of Northern Ireland." The Points of Light award recognises "outstanding volunteers" who make a change in their community and are an inspiration to others. The boy had been walking home with a friend when he was set upon. A 14-year-old boy was left covered in his own blood after a savage attack in Belfast in which he was beaten with knuckledusters and hammers. It happened in the Deerpark Road and Alliance Avenue area on Friday. The boy had been walking home with a friend when he was set upon by a group of youths. Police said they had received reports of large numbers of youths coming into the area from outside. The boy received head injuries and extensive bruising and was taken to hospital. His mother told the BBC her son was lucky to be alive. "The blood was all over his head, face and clothes I was in shock," she told Good Morning Ulster. "They hit him with a hammer and a knuckleduster and the only thing he could do was curl up in a ball to protect himself." The mother said her son was able to flee the gang during a brief pause in the savage beating when his friend went to get help and a passing motorist helped her son home. Police are appealing for information and have increased patrols in the area. They said there is a concern in the area of youths organising fights through social media. They appealed for parents to know where their children are and what they are up to. Former Kathmandu mayor decries 'rape of mens rights' after women accuse him of sexual harassment In the years since the incidents described by the two women, Keshav Sthapit ran in the legislative elections from Province 3, won, and last year was appointed the Physical Infrastructure Minister for the province. Theresa May has been told to stand by the armed forces and defy "republicans who are trying to re-write Northern Ireland history" as dozens of MPs write to the Prime Minister calling on her to drop plans to investigate military veterans accused of Troubles crimes. However, Sinn Fein claim the government is attempting to subvert the interests of people in Northern Ireland to ensure its own survival. A Government consultation paper, Addressing The Legacy Of Northern Ireland's Past, was launched in May on how a historic investigation could be carried out. In a letter to Theresa May, 150 Tory MPs and peers say a new Historical Investigations Unit would put "service and security personnel at an exceptional disadvantage". In July, more than 30 Tory MPs supported a backbench proposal for a 20-year time limit on reopening cases involving former members of the armed forces who served in Northern Ireland. And, earlier this month, a cross-party group of Westminster politicians, including four former Northern Ireland secretaries, urged Karen Bradley to draw a line under the region's past. Lord Hain and seven other signatories advised prioritising compensation for victims over investigation. Speaking to the BBC Good Morning Ulster programme, MP Sammy Wilson said: "Theresa May has to stand by the armed forces and she has to defy and stand up against those people especially on the republican side in Northern Ireland who are trying to re-write history to give the impression - as Gerry Kelly has done - that the main protagonists in the terrorist campaign and which people suffered for over 30 years was the British government rather than the terrorists who skulked behind hedges and blew up unarmed individuals when they were going about their shopping and I think she has got to make sure there is no arrangement put in place which allows republicans to re-write history of troubles." Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy said it was an attempt by the "hard right" in Westminster to undermine previously agreed legacy proposals "by having special arrangements for ex-soldiers" and was motivated by self-interest in terms of the Government's survival in terms of it approach to Brexit and reliance on support of the DUP. "Interesting they don't seem to be making the same case for those in the RUC," he said. "Nonetheless there can not be an amnesty for one set of people. The legacy mechanisms are those that we agreed at Stormont House, they are currently out to consultation, they need to be implemented there has already been an unacceptable delay and the money for the Lord Chief Justice needs to be released." He added: "We need to see the legacy issues resolved, they have been an ongoing sore for so many people who want to see some attempt at closure for the ongoing pain and suffering they have. It could well be subverted by the British Government own interest in terms of its Brexit approach. "That would be a huge injustice to all those victims and a huge injustice for all those parties who agreed the legacy mechanisms at Stormont House. "The British Government need to stop subverting own interests in their own and get on with providing some degree of comfort for people here." The past has been one of the sticking points between the DUP and Sinn Fein through several rounds of failed talks to agree the return of powersharing at Stormont. The pursuit of former soldiers has also sparked outrage among veterans, particularly following the arrest of pensioner Dennis Hutchings. Mr Hutchings, a 77-year-old former member of the Life Guards regiment, is accused in relation to the fatal shooting of a man with learning difficulties in 1974. The Daily Express reported on Monday that he is refusing treatment for kidney disease for fear it would get his case dismissed on medical grounds. Mr Hutchings, from Cawsand in Cornwall, is due to stand trial in Belfast charged with attempted murder and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. He denies the charges. John Pat Cunningham, 27, was shot in the back in Co Armagh as he ran away from an Army patrol. His family argued that he ran across a field because he feared men in uniform. The DUP's Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has described as "unacceptable" the mocking of an Ulster Unionist MLA over his attendance at a reception for Pope Francis. Lagan Valley MLA Robbie Butler told The Irish News that two DUP MLAs ridiculed him for travelling to the event in Dublin. He did not name them, but said one "wagged his finger" telling him he had made a mistake, before saying, "you know he's the antichrist". Mr Butler said another crossed himself in a mocking gesture as he passed him in a corridor at Stormont. He said he was left stunned: "It was a throwback to the 1970s." Responding, Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said he wanted to get to the bottom of the allegations. He said he took the MLA on his word the incidents happened. "I will be happy to speak to Robbie, I know him very well. And if Robbie wants to pass on the details of what happened then we can look at that," he said. "That kind of behaviour is not acceptable." All the main Northern Ireland parties - Sinn Fein, Alliance, SDLP and UUP - sent a representative to the Pope's visit to the Republic, bar the DUP. Arlene Foster said she could not attend as she was away on a family holiday. The event also clashed with the annual Black Saturday parades. Mr Butler attended as his party leader Robin Swann could not. He later said he had made the right decision in attending the event and enjoyed the occasion. He said he was, however, disappointed that the Pope did not go further in addressing the legacy of clerical child abuse. "If you can't be a good neighbour, you can't expect to have good neighbours," he said. "I went to Dublin as a Christian, Protestant and unionist and came back as a Christian, Protestant and unionist." Doug Beattie, UUP MLA for Upper Bann, added: "You'll not find a more honourable man in NI politics than Robbie Butler - those that mocked him or criticised his actions need to understand you are dragging unionism down by your lack of inclusion." THE DUP's Simon Hamilton has told the Renewable Heat Incentive inquiry "his heart sank" when officials presented him with "shoddy" plans to cut spending. In his written evidence, Mr Hamilton clashed with Sinn Fein's former finance minister Mairtin O Muilleoir who will appear before the panel this afternoon. Mr Hamilton said distrust between the two over the RHI fallout was "probably mutual," while Mr O Muilleoir said he was "baffled and frustrated" by his DUP colleague. His evidence to the inquiry this morning, however, focused on his frustrations with officials. He told the inquiry panel he was startled on his first day as economy minister when civil servants told him the botched green energy was "very successful". Mr Hamilton said he was alerted to the RHI failings at the start of 2016 when frantic attempts were being made to reduce the costs. Preoccupied with his role as Health minister at the time, he said he can't recall RHI being discussed at Executive meetings but was aware it had exceeded its budget. Appointed to the department for the economy in May that year, he found officials to be "bogged down" with matters like answering questions from the audit office. "People were doing lots of work, there's ample evidence of that, but it wasn't at the heart of the matter to the overspend," he said. That overspend was threatening to run into hundreds of millions of pounds in public money. Despite this, he claims he was told by officials in his frist briefing that RHI was "very successful" in terms of the number of applicants and the increased use of renewable heat. Mr Hamilton had said in his written evidence this showed a "startling lack of awareness" from his officials, who he instructed never to refer to RHI as successful again. He likened it to a successful operation where the patient still died. Part of the work to address the scheme's shortcomings was an inspection of biomass boilers used by applicants. Mr Hamilton said there wasn't enough being done to press ahead with this. By October 2016, he said he was disappointed by the "shoddy" solutions being presented to him from officials. He said the plans lacked any options at how to reduce cost. A "significantly wrong-headed and also dangerous" proposal to consult on changes with interested parties, such as the Ulster Farmers Union and poultry giant Moy Park, was a major worry, Mr Hamilton said. He said their input would have hindered any attempt to reduce spending, and told officials they had to start again. Panel member Dame Una O'Brien told Mr Hamilton he should have pressed officials further. Mr Hamilton accepted he could have "laid down my authority" more than he did. Dame Una added later: "When things go wrong at that level I would expect someone to take a grip". Another panel member, Dr Keith MacLean, asked if it was wise to expect solutions from civil servants who failed to spot the problems first time around. The same officials had also alerted the agri-food business in the summer of 2015 that the subsidies would be cut, leading to a rush of new applications that saw the cost of RHI balloon. Mr Hamilton admitted his "heart sank a little" in October 2016 when he saw the same officials who had "gone off the rails" a year before. In December 2016, a plan to deal with the RHI overspend was put forward. Senior Inquiry counsel David Scoffield asked if the real focus only started after a BBC Spotlight investigation was aired. "It's not fair to suggest there was nothing going on. There was a lot of work going on, whether that was good enough there was an effort being made," Mr Hamilton said. "The Spotlight programme didn't have anything particularly new in it, but it did bring a greater focus." Mr Hamilton said his department was left to solve the problem, but the pressure could have been eased with cooperation from the Stormont Executive as a whole. "If there was a big, big lesson about this that's something we ought to have done," he said. As a result he said his department didn't get a "kick in the backside" from Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness who were First and deputy First Minister at the time. In December 2016, the preferred option set out by top civil servant Dr Andrew McCormick was to buy out claimants to help them recoup some of the cost and still give them a 12% rate of return. At a cost of around 50m, Mr Hamilton said he was concerned this would still be a hard sell to the public. Mr Hamilton said he was then "raging" after the plan was leaked to the media. "My thought about why it was Sinn Fein at the time," he said. "They said they wanted to work with us to find a solution but things were falling apart. "There was a fear and suspicion on my part they leaked it. There were examples of briefings to the media that gave an (incorrect) flavour of meetings. "Sinn Fein wanted to be seen as the saviour of the whole situation, but if not the DUP were to blame. "They were blaming the Department for the Economy including myself....It wasn't in our interest to do so. "It is entirely conceivable they didn't do it," he said, adding that the mutual belief the other party was to blame led to the deterioration of relations. In January 2017, Mr Hamilton said the DUP was determined to publish the name of RHI claimants as it had been a "constant thorn in our sides". The panel moved on to question Mr Hamilton about further leaks, this time about RHI emails detailing contact between Deti officials and the wider industry. This was done to back up a claim by the DUP special adviser Andrew Crawford that he wasn't responsible for a spike in applications. Mr Hamilton's own adviser, John Robinson, was responsible for leaking the "explosive" emails. The former minister admitted it was not his "proudest moment" but told Mr Robinson he believed it would be "useful" in the public domain. Turning his attention back to Sinn Fein, Mr Hamilton accused them of playing a political game in January 2017. Plans to cut RHI spending were put to Mairtin O Muilleoir, who was finance minister at the time. Mr O Muilleoir refused to sign off on the plans which he called "piecemeal" and characterised by "at least incompetence and possibly corruption". Mr Hamilton said Sinn Fein were holding out for political advantage, instead of fairly considering the plan. A Britain First rally scheduled to take place in Co Antrim this weekend has sparked concerns among traders who fear a detrimental impact on footfall. Last month around 150 supporters turned out to hear Britain First leader Paul Golding address a similar rally amid simmering tensions over a sudden surge of Romanian migrants moving into Ballymena. But in an effort to double the size of a protest planned to take place on Saturday, organisers have encouraged everyone to bring a friend. Ulster Unionist councillor Stephen Nicholl has condemned the planned protest, which he warned will have a "significant impact" on the local economy. "Retailers are very concerned, this is the last thing they need coming up to Christmas," he said "They rely on consumers coming into the town but this will only drive shoppers away." Mr Nicholl said residents should allow local authorities to deal with their concerns. "Nothing will be achieved by Britain First coming onto the streets of Ballymena," he warned. "They will only exacerbate the situation." Flyers advertising the protest claim the people of Ballymena are furious about the "influx of gypsy migrants" from eastern Europe who have "virtually changed the face" of the town. "Ballymena is our town, it's time to take it back! No surrender!" it states. The posters also blame migrants for anti-social behaviour and attacks on local people, which they claim have become commonplace and are being ignored by local authorities, including the PSNI. DUP MLA Paul Frew previously warned the situation could spiral out of control after Britain First representatives, including Golding, stormed his constituency office and allegedly intimidated staff and Mr Frew's daughter. He said official statistics debunk Britain First claims that a deluge of benefit claiming migrants are "draining" government resources and taking houses which could have been allocated to local residents. But the North Antrim MLA also claimed residents from all walks of life have expressed opposition to any more migrants being placed in the town, which has resulted in dozens of foreign national children being denied places in schools. TUV leader Jim Allister has also expressed concern that a 19% spike in crime between April and September could lead to paramilitary gangs "asserting themselves". He called for law enforcement agencies to demonstrate they are in control. Around 400 residents attended a recent meeting to express concerns about immigration and a number of Facebook accounts dedicated to issues of immigration have also been set up. But the poster advertising this Saturday's protest claims Britain First is "leading the campaign against this huge wave of immigration" and is "demanding an immediate halt" in Ballymena. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said it was working with statutory partners and community representatives to address issues and has facilitated a series of multi-agency meetings. "At the heart of those discussions have been the concerns of all members of our community," it said. "We have also communicated the facts to address the many inaccuracies currently in the public domain." Firefighters battle a blaze at Flame restaurant on Howard Street in Belfast on October 23rd 2018 (Photo by Caoimhe McKeown / Scott Media) Firefighters battle a blaze at Flame restaurant on Howard Street in Belfast on October 23rd 2018 (Photo by Caoimhe McKeown / Scott Media) Firefighters battle a blaze at Flame restaurant on Howard Street in Belfast on October 23rd 2018 (Photo by Caoimhe McKeown / Scott Media) Firefighters battle a blaze at Flame restaurant on Howard Street in Belfast on October 23rd 2018 (Photo by Caoimhe McKeown / Scott Media) Firefighters battle a blaze at Flame restaurant on Howard Street in Belfast on October 23rd 2018 (Photo by Caoimhe McKeown / Scott Media) Firefighters in Belfast have dealt with an incident at city centre restaurant Flame. A total of five appliances from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended the restaurant on Tuesday evening, which is located on Howard Street, roughly halfway between City Hall and the Grand Opera House. Fire Service Duty Area Commander Paddy Gallagher said it was responding to a small fire in the ground floor extract system, and had been called out shortly after 8pm. Four pumping appliances and one aerial appliance originally attended the scene, reduced down to two pumping appliances a short time later. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, a representative from the restaurant said it had only been a "small fire" and staff had been able to return on Tuesday evening. Staff were back in the restaurant a short time after 9pm, although dinner service was not resumed. The Flint Hotel, which has rooms above the restaurant, was also evacuated. A staff member from the hotel said there had been between 30 and 40 guests had to leave their rooms, gathering in the lobby, but were able to return after around 20 minutes. A former DUP minister has expressed regret on not exerting more pressure on officials to find ways to limit the damage wreaked by Stormonts botched green energy scheme. Simon Hamilton, who became Northern Irelands economy minister after the ill-fated Renewable Heat Incentive scheme closed to new applicants, was tasked with reducing its projected 500 million overspend. Appearing before a public inquiry into the RHI controversy, Mr Hamilton was pressed on efforts by his civil servants to limit expenditure in 2016. He conceded an October 2016 report drafted by officials was flawed and shoddy and took longer than it should have to complete. I did push, I did ask, but I regret I didnt push even moreSimon Hamilton Mr Hamilton told the inquiry his heart sank when he realised the exercise had been conducted by the same officials who had originally not spotted the fatal flaws in the RHI. Months later Mr Hamilton did finally outline plans to cut the overspend by controversially reducing the rates the executive had pledged to pay applicants over long-term contracts. But by that stage the political crisis over the RHI had effectively reached the point of no return, with the powersharing executive having imploded when the late Sinn Fein deputy first minister Martin McGuinness quit in protest at the DUPs handling of the affair. Giving evidence to the inquiry in Belfast on Tuesday morning, Mr Hamilton was challenged by the inquiry panel why he had not done more to ensure the October report was up to scratch and produced on time. I did push, I did ask, but I regret I didnt push even more, he said. The RHI was designed to encourage businesses and farmers to switch to eco-friendly wood pellet boilers by offering a subsidy to buy the sustainable fuel. But errors in its design meant applicants were paid more than it actually cost them to buy pellets so they were effectively incentivised to burn as much as they could to turn a profit. Robert Holmes has been missing since last Wednesday Police have issued a fresh appeal for help to find missing Belfast man Robert Holmes. Mr Holmes (42) was last seen in the Lakeview Avenue area of Newtownabbey shortly after 12:50pm on Wednesday, October 17. Read More Superintendent Darrin Jones said: Robert is described as being 6ft tall, of a slim build with blue eyes, dirty fair hair and facial stubble. He was believed to have been wearing a dark, waterproof coat, a grey/black hooded top and a green beanie style hat. It is one week since Robert was reported missing, and his family and friends are extremely worried about him. Theyre desperate to know where their loved one is, and if he is safe and well. Robert if you read or hear this appeal, please get in touch with your family or with us. I would also appeal to anyone who has seen Robert, or knows of his current whereabouts, to please make contact with police by calling 101, quoting reference number 557 17/10/18. The Government has so far resisted pressure to step in to legislate for reform (Dominic Lipinski/PA) MPs have voted in favour of scraping Northern Ireland's abortion laws. The first reading of the Abortion Bill was passed by 208 to 123, majority 85 in the Commons on Tuesday. Six of the DUP MPs voted against the bill. They were Gregory Campbell, Jeffrey Donaldson, Gavin Robinson, Jim Shannon, David Simpson and Sammy Wilson. MP Emma Little Pengelly was a teller meaning she counted the votes but could not take part. It was listed for a second reading on November 23 but is unlikely to become law in its current form without Government support or sufficient parliamentary time. The private members bill was tabled by Labour MP Diana Johnson aiming to remove sections of the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act that make abortion a criminal offence in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The 1967 Abortion Act in England and Wales provided for exemptions to the 1861 Act, enabling legal abortions. On Wednesday, fellow Labour MPs will attempt to amend a bill the Government is tabling in response to the ongoing power-sharing crisis. The amendments proposed by MPs Stella Creasy and Conor McGinn aim to use the bill to compel the Government to push through changes to abortion and same sex marriage laws in Northern Ireland. Abortions in Northern Ireland are currently illegal in all but exceptional medical and mental health circumstances. The Government has so far resisted pressure to step in to legislate for reform in the wake of a recent Supreme Court judgment that found the current legal framework incompatible with human rights laws. In June, a majority of Supreme Court judges said the ban on terminations in cases of rape, incest or fatal foetal abnormality needed radical reconsideration. Given there are no ministers at Stormont due to the power-sharing impasse, pro-choice campaigners have demanded the laws are changed at Westminster. Four Nepalis killed in India road accident Four Nepali nationals were killed and three others were injured when an unidentified vehicle collided with their car on the Azamragh-Gorakhpur road on Monday, according to a Press Trust of India report. The DUP's Christopher Stalford has hit back at Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald after she called Northern Ireland a "wee statelet". In an interview with the Irish Times, party president Mrs McDonald was reflecting on the centenary of the creation of Northern Ireland. Saying it was important everyone was "very thoughtful in terms of what we say and how we comport ourselves for that particular occasion", Mrs McDonald said her party would not be celebrating "the establishment of the Northern state or partition". Obviously, for unionists, that was the moment where they secured their wee statelet; and for Irish nationalism it is the moment when people woke up one morning and said: What happened there? Mrs McDonald said. The centenary of the creation of Northern Ireland will be marked in 2021, with the DUP calling for a public holiday. DUP MLA for South Belfast Christopher Stalford said Mrs McDonald has "once again demonstrated that the talk of respect is just that". "Her words relating to Northern Ireland belie a viciousness that many unionists have come to recognise from Sinn Fein over recent times," he said. "Long gone it seems are the days of the Sinn Fein president referring to her unionist brothers and sisters. Instead we are back to Sinn Fein demanding respect from everyone, but affording it to no one. "I am pleased to say that after Mrs McDonald is long gone from the political scene, Northern Ireland will still be here, despite her partys best efforts to ensure that all our people are poorer and denied the public services that they need." At the time Mrs McDonald became Sinn Fein's president elect in January of this year, she described Irish unity as the "best solution for all of our people, including our unionist brothers and sisters". Plans to mark Northern Ireland's centenary have been underway since last year, with officials drawing up proposals for what has been dubbed 'Expo 100'. The memorial march in Belfast to mark the 25th anniversary of the atrocity in which nine innocent people were killed by an IRA bomb The memorial march in Belfast to mark the 25th anniversary of the atrocity in which nine innocent people were killed by an IRA bomb The memorial march in Belfast to mark the 25th anniversary of the atrocity in which nine innocent people were killed by an IRA bomb The memorial march in Belfast to mark the 25th anniversary of the atrocity in which nine innocent people were killed by an IRA bomb The memorial march in Belfast to mark the 25th anniversary of the atrocity in which nine innocent people were killed by an IRA bomb Jackie Nicholl, whose 17-month-old son died in a blast at the Balmoral Showrooms in 1971 Michelle Williamson, whose mother and father died in the bomb, is comforted during a memorial march in Belfast to mark the 25th anniversary of the atrocity in which nine innocent people were killed by an IRA bomb Michelle Williamson, who lost her parents in the Shankill bomb, spoke of her enduring pain last night as she joined a poignant ceremony at the scene of the blast. George Williamson (63) and his wife Gillian (47) from Lisburn both died in the explosion 25 years ago today. Read More And hundreds of people took part in a sombre walk of remembrance that honoured 26 people killed in five separate terrorist attacks. Last night Michelle walked with them in reflection on the eve of the anniversary of the day that "changed her world forever". "They were my mum and dad. They were everything to me," she told the Belfast Telegraph. "They'd just bought a new house and were out shopping for curtain fabric. "They just popped in to Frizzell's to get fish for their tea. "It's 25 years later and this is still very painful to recall but I can't change it." The attack took place on a busy Saturday afternoon in the heart of one of Belfast's main loyalist areas when Thomas Begley and Sean Kelly posed as fishmongers and carried a bomb into the fish shop. It exploded prematurely, killing nine civilians and IRA man Begley, and injuring a further 57 people. 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 Jamie Brown with his son Bodhi (2) pictured beside a picture of their relative Michelle Baird (7) who was killed in the bomb. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye 21/10/18 PACEMAKER PRESS An exhibition was opened to commerate the victims of the Shankill Bombing in the Methodist Church on the shankill Road. Isla McKee touches a picture of her relative Michelle Baird. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 21/10/18 PACEMAKER PRESS An exhibition was opened to commerate the victims of the Shankill Bombing in the Methodist Church on the shankill Road. Charlie Butler's relatives Michelle and Evelyn Baird and Evelyn's husband Michael Morrison died in the bomb. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 21/10/18 PACEMAKER PRESS An exhibition was opened to commerate the victims of the Shankill Bombing in the Methodist Church on the shankill Road. Isla McKee looks at a doll owned by her relative Michelle Baird who died in the bombing. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 21/10/18 PACEMAKER PRESS An exhibition was opened to commerate the victims of the Shankill Bombing in the Methodist Church on the shankill Road. Charlie Butler's neice Evelyn Baird died in the bombing. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 21/10/18 PACEMAKER PRESS An exhibition was opened to commerate the victims of the Shankill Bombing in the Methodist Church on the shankill Road. Isla McKee kisses a picture of her relative Michelle Baird. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 21st October 2018 Exhibition at Shankill Road Methodist Church in west Belfast opens to mark the 25th anniversary of the Shankill bomb. 9 people died when the IRA walked into Frizzell's fish shop on the Shankill Road with the aim of targeting a loyalist meeting in the room above. The bomb also killed one of the IRA men. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 21st October 2018 Exhibition at Shankill Road Methodist Church in west Belfast opens to mark the 25th anniversary of the Shankill bomb. 9 people died when the IRA walked into Frizzell's fish shop on the Shankill Road with the aim of targeting a loyalist meeting in the room above. The bomb also killed one of the IRA men. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 21st October 2018 Exhibition at Shankill Road Methodist Church in west Belfast opens to mark the 25th anniversary of the Shankill bomb. 9 people died when the IRA walked into Frizzell's fish shop on the Shankill Road with the aim of targeting a loyalist meeting in the room above. The bomb also killed one of the IRA men. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye 21/10/18 PACEMAKER PRESS An exhibition was opened to commerate the victims of the Shankill Bombing in the Methodist Church on the shankill Road. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 21/10/18 PACEMAKER PRESS An exhibition was opened to commerate the victims of the Shankill Bombing in the Methodist Church on the shankill Road. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 21/10/18 PACEMAKER PRESS An exhibition was opened to commerate the victims of the Shankill Bombing in the Methodist Church on the shankill Road. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 21/10/18 PACEMAKER PRESS An exhibition was opened to commerate the victims of the Shankill Bombing in the Methodist Church on the shankill Road. Billy Hutchinson looks at the gallery. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 21/10/18 PACEMAKER PRESS An exhibition was opened to commerate the victims of the Shankill Bombing in the Methodist Church on the shankill Road. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 21/10/18 PACEMAKER PRESS An exhibition was opened to commerate the victims of the Shankill Bombing in the Methodist Church on the shankill Road. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 21/10/18 PACEMAKER PRESS An exhibition was opened to commerate the victims of the Shankill Bombing in the Methodist Church on the shankill Road. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 21/10/18 PACEMAKER PRESS An exhibition was opened to commerate the victims of the Shankill Bombing in the Methodist Church on the shankill Road. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 21/10/18 PACEMAKER PRESS An exhibition was opened to commerate the victims of the Shankill Bombing in the Methodist Church on the shankill Road. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 21/10/18 PACEMAKER PRESS An exhibition was opened to commerate the victims of the Shankill Bombing in the Methodist Church on the shankill Road. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS 21/10/18 PACEMAKER PRESS An exhibition was opened to commerate the victims of the Shankill Bombing in the Methodist Church on the shankill Road. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 21st October 2018 Exhibition at Shankill Road Methodist Church in west Belfast opens to mark the 25th anniversary of the Shankill bomb. 9 people died when the IRA walked into Frizzell's fish shop on the Shankill Road with the aim of targeting a loyalist meeting in the room above. The bomb also killed one of the IRA men. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 21st October 2018 Exhibition at Shankill Road Methodist Church in west Belfast opens to mark the 25th anniversary of the Shankill bomb. 9 people died when the IRA walked into Frizzell's fish shop on the Shankill Road with the aim of targeting a loyalist meeting in the room above. The bomb also killed one of the IRA men. Jamie Brown with his son Bodhi(2) long with April Morrison and Isla McKee(3) pictured beside a picture of their relative Michelle Baird(7) who was killed in the bomb. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 21st October 2018 Exhibition at Shankill Road Methodist Church in west Belfast opens to mark the 25th anniversary of the Shankill bomb. 9 people died when the IRA walked into Frizzell's fish shop on the Shankill Road with the aim of targeting a loyalist meeting in the room above. The bomb also killed one of the IRA men. Jamie Brown with his son Bodhi(2) pictured beside a picture of their relative Michelle Baird(7) who was killed in the bomb. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 21st October 2018 Exhibition at Shankill Road Methodist Church in west Belfast opens to mark the 25th anniversary of the Shankill bomb. 9 people died when the IRA walked into Frizzell's fish shop on the Shankill Road with the aim of targeting a loyalist meeting in the room above. The bomb also killed one of the IRA men. Jamie Brown with his son Bodhi(2) pictured beside a picture of their relative Michelle Baird(7) who was killed in the bomb. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 21st October 2018 Exhibition at Shankill Road Methodist Church in west Belfast opens to mark the 25th anniversary of the Shankill bomb. 9 people died when the IRA walked into Frizzell's fish shop on the Shankill Road with the aim of targeting a loyalist meeting in the room above. The bomb also killed one of the IRA men. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 21st October 2018 Exhibition at Shankill Road Methodist Church in west Belfast opens to mark the 25th anniversary of the Shankill bomb. 9 people died when the IRA walked into Frizzell's fish shop on the Shankill Road with the aim of targeting a loyalist meeting in the room above. The bomb also killed one of the IRA men. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye 21/10/18 PACEMAKER PRESS An exhibition was opened to commerate the victims of the Shankill Bombing in the Methodist Church on the shankill Road. Billy Hutchinson looks at exhibition. PICTURE MATT BOHILL PACEMAKER PRESS Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 21st October 2018 Exhibition at Shankill Road Methodist Church in west Belfast opens to mark the 25th anniversary of the Shankill bomb. 9 people died when the IRA walked into Frizzell's fish shop on the Shankill Road with the aim of targeting a loyalist meeting in the room above. The bomb also killed one of the IRA men. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 21st October 2018 Exhibition at Shankill Road Methodist Church in west Belfast opens to mark the 25th anniversary of the Shankill bomb. 9 people died when the IRA walked into Frizzell's fish shop on the Shankill Road with the aim of targeting a loyalist meeting in the room above. The bomb also killed one of the IRA men. Isla McKee(3) pictured looking at some memorabilia at the exhibition. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 21st October 2018 Exhibition at Shankill Road Methodist Church in west Belfast opens to mark the 25th anniversary of the Shankill bomb. 9 people died when the IRA walked into Frizzell's fish shop on the Shankill Road with the aim of targeting a loyalist meeting in the room above. The bomb also killed one of the IRA men. Isla McKee(3) pictured looking at some memorabilia at the exhibition. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 21st October 2018 Exhibition at Shankill Road Methodist Church in west Belfast opens to mark the 25th anniversary of the Shankill bomb. 9 people died when the IRA walked into Frizzell's fish shop on the Shankill Road with the aim of targeting a loyalist meeting in the room above. The bomb also killed one of the IRA men. Isla McKee(3) pictured looking at some memorabilia at the exhibition. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jamie Brown with his son Bodhi (2) pictured beside a picture of their relative Michelle Baird (7) who was killed in the bomb. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye The wounded included Kelly, who was pulled from the rubble of the collapsed building. Last night the walk stopped at Shankill Leisure Centre - close to the former Balmoral Showrooms - and also marked the attacks on the Bayardo bar, Frizzell's, the Four Steps Inn and the Mountainview Tavern. Twenty-six people died in those blasts, with scores more suffering serious injuries Community worker Jackie Redpath helped to organise the remembrance. "The community felt it was right to remember the five bombs that claimed lives on this road," he said. "They wanted it. Of course it's painful and the people have their individual stories to tell, but coming together as one in reflection of our shared suffering was the right thing to do." Reflecting on her own loss, Michelle said: "Sometimes the only thing that keeps me going is knowing that my mum and dad are looking down on me and that we will meet again some day, and that Kelly and Begley will burn in Hell." She added: "Since that awful day my life has changed in so many ways. I am no longer the carefree girl I used to be, my heart is so full of pain at the loss of my parents but I have so much anger and hatred of those that carried out this atrocity and for all that they claim to stand for. "Words cannot describe the hatred and contempt I feel towards Gerry Adams and his ilk; I cannot forgive and I will never forget what they have done to me." Having stayed at home that Saturday, Michelle remembers working on her sewing machine in her bedroom. "I was sewing curtains, the television was on and I can remember the programme was interrupted with a news flash about a bomb in Belfast," she said. "I remember thinking: 'I hope mum and dad don't get caught up in the traffic'. "I carried on but as the afternoon wore on I started to worry as they'd said they wouldn't be long. "It was about 5pm when there was a loud knock at the door. I knew it wasn't mum and dad as they would have just come on in. "I went down the stairs and I knew immediately it was a policeman at the door by the silhouette. That's when your heart starts to pound. "I knew something was wrong when he immediately asked me if I was Michelle Williamson. I just asked him: 'Where's mum and dad?' And he kept asking me 'Are you Michelle Williamson?' "When I eventually said yes, he told me my mum and dad had been caught up in an explosion on the Shankill Road, that dad had severe head injuries and that mum was with him. "He told me to go to the Royal Victoria Hospital as soon as possible. From the way he told me I presumed mum was OK and was looking after dad. "I remember being in a small room at the hospital and a doctor telling me that dad had sustained severe head injuries and had died just before I got there. "I asked 'Where is my mum?' "Nobody knew so they started ringing around all the hospitals in Belfast to try and find her. "I wanted to see dad so they led me to the corner of a corridor, where behind a screen lay my father. "Until my dying day I will not forget that image, seeing my dad lying there on his own with his head bandaged and blood seeping onto the pillow. "I held his hand, kissed him gently on the cheek and told him how much I loved him and said goodbye. "Next thing I remember is arriving back home to Lisburn, the lights were on in my house, so I thought mum was home, but it wasn't, it was a relative waiting on me. "We sat and waited for news of where mum was and about 10.30pm word came through that mum had been found and that she was in the mortuary at Forster Green Hospital." Michelle said that she was able to draw some comfort from the support shown at last night's event. She said: "It's right that we should remember the others who have been killed in the community. "It means a lot to me to know my mum and dad have not been forgotten. "It's a very emotional time and I don't really know how I'll feel at the main service. "I know it was 25 years ago, but to me it still feels like yesterday." The first of five emotional stops along the Shankill Road was at the site of the old Balmoral Showrooms, where four people - including two babies - lost their lives on December 11, 1971. Among the dead was 17-month-old Colin Nicholl. His father Jackie laid a wreath in remembrance. "People ask me if it's tough today. It's always tough. Every day, We still grieve." he said. "It's very poignant. My boy had his whole life taken from him. But there are great people in this Shankill community and we can see that tonight." Among the clergy taking part, Rev Jack Lambe added: "Tonight is a hard and painful journey which we share together but the people of this community know we are with them for every step." Simon Hamilton has said that distrust was "probably mutual" with Mairtin O Muilleoir when the two ministers were trying to find a solution to the RHI crisis. In witness statements released last night, the former DUP economy minister accuses the then Sinn Fein Finance Minister of interfering in his brief. Read More But Mr O Muilleoir states he was "baffled and frustrated" by Mr Hamilton's "failure to bring forward proposals promptly" to bring the scheme under control. He claims that he and his officials "repeatedly urged" the DUP minister to "resolve RHI" and that he was "willing to give Minister Hamilton the benefit of the doubt". The Sinn Fein MLA adds: "Although I could not compel Minister Hamilton to resolve RHI, my officials and I repeatedly urged him to do so." Between June 7, 2016 and January 5, 2017, Mr O Muilleoir says he took steps to address the issue, including meeting with Simon Hamilton six times to discuss RHI. Officials from DfE and the DoF were also in contact over the scheme. However, Mr O Muilleoir said that, due to a lack of proposals on how to solve the crisis and "with a series of disturbing revelations on the DUP's involvement in the scheme", he "came to the conclusion that Minister Hamilton was not co-operating with me to find a solution". He said that he viewed a media announcement on January 4, 2017, which Simon Hamilton had agreed with Arlene Foster without referencing him, "as evidence that Minister Hamilton did not intend to include me in developing a solution". He added: "The approach adopted by Minister Hamilton hindered the development of a solution to RHI." Mr O Muilleoir, who approved the business case for the RHI regulations on January 25, 2017, said that neither he nor anyone acting on his behalf briefed the media criticising Simon Hamilton, and that he "sought at all times to be supportive and respectful towards Minister Hamilton". However, he said he did not believe the 2017 regulations introduced to curb the scheme's spending were "the best way to mitigate the expense". Mr O Muilleoir said that Sinn Fein's view of RHI was that it is a "fundamentally flawed scheme which is not effective in its original aim of reducing carbon emissions". Meanwhile, in his witness statement, Mr Hamilton expressed "concern" about Mr O Muilleoir's "style of doing business". He added: "Given that I was a DUP minister and he was a Sinn Fein one, distrust was maybe unsurprising and probably mutual. "I noticed that Mr O Muilleoir had a tendency to engage with bodies that were accountable to me as DfE minister without prior discussion with me and involve himself in issues in a way that I believed to be interfering and stepping beyond his brief." Following the airing of the Spotlight programme and the Nolan interviews in December 2016, Mr Hamilton said that the "relationship with Sinn Fein deteriorated generally". He stated: "An already uneasy working relationship was not helped by the fact that I found my interaction with Sinn Fein becoming hallmarked by suspected media leaking and briefing by them, a belief that they were seeking a political advantage from the whole issue of finding a solution to the RHI problem, an ongoing attempt by Sinn Fein to unfairly characterise the Democratic Unionist Party as being uninterested in finding a solution because of unfounded allegations of corruption, and casting themselves as the saviours of the situation". Mr Hamilton rejected a claim that he had leaked any solution options, and said he believed his spad had not done so either. He added: "It was also evident to me during this period that Sinn Fein were actively seeking to gain a political advantage from the issue of the cost control proposals presumably with the dual intention of inflicting political damage on the DUP and to portray themselves as the only party interested in solving the problem." Meanwhile, Mr O Muilleoir said he "did not take any action to promote" the botched green energy RHI scheme, and was "speaking only for myself" in an email in which he vowed that the "utmost" would be done to have as many RHI projects as possible green-lit before the scheme's closure. Mr O Muilleoir told TVI Community Development manager Aisling Brady: "We are assessing our options at the minute and will do our utmost to have as many projects as possible green-lighted." As to the "we" in the email, he said that he was "speaking only for myself". He added that he "had no specific options in mind" and "pursued no other options". Mr O Muilleoir said his email to Ms Brady reflected the fact that he was "sympathetic to the plight of those who would be adversely affected by the closure of the scheme". He stated: "By 'green-lighted' I meant 'accredited'." He also insisted that he "had no involvement" in delaying the closure of the scheme, and knows of "no connections to scheme beneficiaries". In his evidence, Mr O Muilleoir said that he had been informed in an email by Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy on February 10 that the closure of the botched scheme was being delayed until February 29, 2016. Mr O'Muilleoir said he "supported" the decision to delay the scheme's closure to allow "businesses, social enterprises and community groups who had paid for equipment in good faith to complete accreditation." He continued: "I was aware of a concern that immediate closure of the scheme could result in a legal challenge which, if successful, could lead to the scheme remaining open indefinitely. "I was also aware of concerns that immediate closure could result in job losses. "I considered that this short delay gave the best opportunity to close the scheme at the earliest opportunity without inviting a legal challenge which, had it occurred, could have defeated any decision to close the scheme at an earlier time." When asked if he or any other Sinn Fein representatives, spads or staff had taken action to help projects be "green-lighted before the suspension or closure of RHI", he replied: "No actions were taken." When asked what role Conor Murphy or any other Sinn Fein representative, spad or staff member played in securing the two-week extension to RHI, Mr O Muilleoir claimed he did "not know the details of how the closing date was agreed". "To the best of my belief, I believe that they would have advocated for a sustainable decision to close the scheme at the earliest possible opportunity," he said. Mr O Muilleoir said he "played no role" in securing the extension "other than to support the decision". He further stated that he "cannot recall any discussion" over whether Sinn Fein should support the delay in the Assembly, adding that MLAs were probably informed of the party's position by the party's whip. Mr O Muilleoir said he "didn't believe" that Conor Murphy was the person who persuaded Jonathan Bell to delay the closure of the scheme until February 29, 2016. When asked about the Sinn Fein position as of mid-February 2016, Mr O Muilleoir said it was "that the scheme should be closed as soon as possible". The evidence also revealed that Simon Hamilton had declined an offer of a Christmas turkey from poultry company Moy Park as he "thought this to be inappropriate in the circumstances". During a visit to Moy Park's Dungannon headquarters on November 30, 2016, Mr Hamilton said he was "aghast" that the company raised the issue of RHI "where they were effectively looking for more public money to be spent on a new RHI scheme". He added: "I thought at the time that this showed a great insensitivity to the fact that I was the minister responsible for bringing forward a solution to the significant overspend created by the non-domestic RHI scheme and it also appeared that they'd given no consideration to this factor or where money might come for a new scheme." Police have responded after an officer was captured on video dropping his gun's magazine and a bullet while police held a cordon at a sudden death in Lurgan saying they are only human. The incident happened last week while police had to cordon off the railway crossing in Lurgan after a man died on the tracks. Read More Video captured on social media showed one officer on patrol drop his gun's magazine as he ducked under the cordon. As he went to continue after picking the item up those around the scene called out there were bullets on the ground. The officer then returned to collect those items. "Another video, which should really be entitled "we can't win" is doing the rounds on bake book," said police. The matter is under investigation by the Police Ombudsman after Sinn Fein MLA John O'Dowd raised safety concerns. On Monday the police said it would not be appropriate to respond given the complaint. Posting on Facebook PSNI Craigavon said officers - even specially trained ones - did drop things and they were only human. They said they had to carry weapons because of the terrorist threat. The officer, identified only as "M" said the release for the magazine can catch on ballistic vests, "which we have to wear due to the terrorist threat." "That's not to mention the fact that the guys that night were dealing with one of the most harrowing incidents we face. One mag down, one bullet out, both recovered quickly." He added: "Part of our job, sadly, involves carrying firearms to counter the terrorist threat we face on a daily basis, and to protect the public from those who would do them significant harm." He then went on to detail occasions when the officer in question had to use his weapon to help resolve potentially violent issues that the "media won't be aware of" and "that I had the privilege of being along side him for". "Thanks to the onlookers who spotted the same thing as another one of our guys did and made sure that this dramatic dropping of an object lasted for all of 5 seconds, and that the scene of a man's death was captured on video for everyone to look at for years to come." Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald has said her party will not be part of celebrations to mark the centenary of the creation of Northern Ireland saying it was the moment unionists secured their "wee statelet". The Dublin TD, in an interview with the Irish Times, said her party needed to be "very thoughtful in terms of what we say and how we comport ourselves for that particular occasion". "No we dont celebrate the establishment of the Northern state or partition, she said. Northern Ireland will be 100 in 2021. The DUP has argued for a public holiday to mark the occasion. Obviously, for unionists, that was the moment where they secured their wee statelet; and for Irish nationalism it is the moment when people woke up one morning and said: What happened there? Mrs McDonald said. "In terms of the border and the establishment of the northern state, I think for us as republicans it is a pause point to actually reflect back on the establishment of the state itself and the experience thereafter." Sinn Fein's Irish presidential election Liadh Ni Riada said she would wear the poppy if elected as she wanted to represent all. Mary Lou McDonald said the pledge has started a "very interesting conversation" saying the position of the president allowed for "big moves and big gestures". However, she said the poppy was a very, very difficult symbol, not just for Sinn Fein people but for Irish nationalism generally. "I dont think there is any expectation on me to wear the poppy, no more than there would be an expectation on Arlene Foster to wear an Easter lily. I wouldnt be making that ask of her or the British prime minister to come in with an Easter lily in their lapel. Former SDLP deputy leader Seamus Mallon helps Michael D Higgins launch his Shared Ireland, Shared Island initiative at Droichead Arts Centre in Drogheda, Co Louth Irish President Michael D Higgins is to face more questions over a culture of "extravagance" in Aras an Uachtarain after shifting the blame for flying to Belfast from the PSNI to his own officials. Already Mr Higgins has changed his story as to why he flew to Belfast last May to give a lecture at Queen's University. Last week he indicated that the decision was made on foot of consultations with the PSNI who were not in a position to provide security for him to travel by road. However, he has now said the Government jet, which costs 4,000 an hour to operate, was called upon because of advice from his own officials. "I have visited Northern Ireland many times in the last seven years and I take the advice from my office and my office judges these trips in terms of- the considerations they take into account are logistics and security," he said. The President was asked on three occasions to clarify on what basis the jet was deemed necessary, but refused. "No, I've answered the question. I really don't ... quite frankly to say, now and in the future, I am very happy to accept the advice of my office, they balance the issue, their considerations are ones of logistic and security," Mr Higgins said. The President added that he is "very happy with the official PSNI statement" which said they could not comment on the security arrangements of individuals. However, PSNI sources separately said there was anger at the suggestion that the force did not have sufficient resources to provide a police escort. Another source said: "It would be inconceivable that the President of Ireland would not have been afforded security if it had been requested." Questions over the use of the jet are likely to feature in the final televised debate tonight. Businessman Gavin Duffy said extravagance "seems to be embedded in the culture of Aras an Uachtarain". He said controversies over the use of the jet and an unaudited 317,000 fund for the Aras "are starting to register with people". But the Dragons' Den investor admitted it would take something "seismic" to unseat Mr Higgins. Sinn Fein's candidate Liadh Ni Riada has asked Mr Higgins to explain the "huge public expense to fly within the island of Ireland, to places like Belfast and Kerry". However, Joan Freeman appealed for candidates to move back to debating their vision for the presidency. Leo Varadkar said the decision to use the private plane is often made to save time (Joe Giddens/PA) Irelands premier has said that while there is understandable public concern around President Michael D Higgins using the governments private jet to fly to Belfast, the additional cost is very small. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the decision to use the private plane is often made to save time to allow the President or a government minister to carry out other functions. Mr Higgins was criticised after he travelled by jet to Belfast in May this year, claiming that security concerns meant he had to use the Government plane and a State car. The Police Service of Northern Ireland issued a statement which appeared to challenge Mr Higgins claim that they were not able to pick him up at the Irish border. Expand Close Leo Varadkar with President Micheal D Higgins (WMOF18/Maxwell Photography/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Leo Varadkar with President Micheal D Higgins (WMOF18/Maxwell Photography/PA) Speaking to reporters in Dublin on Tuesday, Mr Varadkar said: The situation with the Government jet is almost always, or certainly the vast majority of time, its used for travel off the island. On occasion its used for travel to Belfast or Derry and that can be done for different reasons. Its often done to save time. It may save two hours on a Belfast trip and four hours on a Derry trip and thats not a case of getting home earlier, its a case of being able to fit in more functions very often. I know there is understandable public concern around the cost of using something like a jet, but bear in mind the plane is owned by the government, the pilots are paid anyway. The Fine Gael leader was speaking as he and other cabinet ministers were canvassing early morning commuters in Dublin city centre ahead of Fridays Presidential vote. He was joined by Minister of Finance Paschal Donohoe, Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy, Employment Minister Regina Doherty and Culture Minister Josepha Madigan in support of Mr Higgins. Were having Tea for Michael D this morning. Vote No. 1 @MichaelDHiggins this Friday, October 26th. pic.twitter.com/tkMoj5JxWW Fine Gael (@FineGael) October 23, 2018 Mr Varadkar added that during the recession the jet was flown around empty because pilots had to keep up a certain amount of flying hours. The added cost is actually very small and there is obviously security costs associated with going by land as well, Mr Varadkar added. He said that use of the private plane is not policed by his department, adding that it it is owned by the people. The protocol is that if he requests it and its available its granted to him, he continued. Being able to use the government jet for a visit, perhaps to Northern Ireland, but certainly overseas can perhaps save two or three hours that allows the President or minister to do additional functions that they wouldnt otherwise be able to fit in and allows for briefings on the plane which couldnt be done in the same way on a plane where there are lots of other people on it too. The Taoiseach also said he was happy with how Mr Higgins has accounted for his spending in the Aras an Uachtarain. The Fine Gael ministers took to the streets of Dublin to campaign for a Yes vote in the Blasphemy Referendum also taking place on Friday. Mr Varadkar said a Yes vote would further modernise our constitution and ensure that we have a 21st century constitution for a 21st century Republic. Theresa May will brief the Cabinet on the progress of the Brexit negotiations after last weeks Brussels summit failed to achieve the hoped-for breakthrough. The Prime Minister told MPs on Monday the terms of Britains withdrawal from the EU were 95% agreed but that the sticking point remained the issue of the Irish border. However, she came under fire from critics on all sides in the Commons after she confirmed that she could accept a short extension to the transition period after the UK leaves in order to secure a final settlement. Both Tory Brexiteers and Remainers expressed concern that it could leave the country trapped indefinitely in a transitional arrangement with no say in the rules governing it. Expand Close Liam Fox has said a leadership challenge would be utter folly (Kirsty OConor/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Liam Fox has said a leadership challenge would be utter folly (Kirsty OConor/PA) The latest display of backbench unrest came amid reports that the number of Conservative MPs submitting letters calling for her removal was approaching the 48 needed to trigger a no confidence vote in her leadership. However, there were signs that a series of lurid briefings over the weekend by unnamed backbenchers calling for her to be knifed and advising her to bring her own noose had backfired, causing MPs to rally behind her. International Trade Secretary Liam Fox a prominent Leave campaigner in the referendum warned it would be a mistake for MPs to move against the Prime Minister at a crucial moment in the Brexit talks. We are in a process of negotiation. It would seem to be an act of utter folly to change the Prime Minister at this point, he told Sky News during a visit to New York. Andrew Mitchell an ally of former Brexit secretary David Davis who is seen as a possible leadership contender also said a leadership challenge would be a mistake. I think it is right to give the Prime Minister every support to conclude a deal, he told BBC2s Newsnight. There is a danger tonight it seems to me that Parliament won't accept that deal or any other deal. That will be a serious problemAndrew Mitchell However, he warned Mrs May could struggle to get the support of the House of Commons for any agreement she brings back from Brussels. There is a danger tonight it seems to me that Parliament wont accept that deal or any other deal. That will be a serious problem, he said. There was further respite for Mrs May when the leading Tory Brexiteer Steve Baker announced he was withdrawing amendments to the Northern Ireland Bill designed to prevent the activation of the so-called Northern Ireland backstop intended to ensure the border remains open after Brexit. The former Brexit minister who quit over Mrs Mays Chequers plan for leaving the EU later welcomed her strong assurance in the House on maintaining the integrity of the UK. The Prime Minister told MPs she could not accept the EUs original backstop plan as it would mean imposing controls on goods traded between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, creating a customs border down the Irish Sea. While she was ready to explore every possible option to break the impasse, she said a critical first step should be a legally-binding agreement on a temporary UK-EU joint customs territory to avoid the need for a Northern Ireland-only backstop. As an alternative, if at the end of the transition at the end of 2020 a deal on the UKs future relationship with the EU was not quite ready, she said it might by preferable to prolong the transition. However, she stressed any such extension would have to be for a short time only and would have to be over well before the scheduled end of the current parliament in May 2022. Irish premier Leo Varadkar has said he has every confidence that the UK Government will honour its commitment to the so-called Northern Ireland backstop in Brexit negotiations. The Taoiseach stressed that British officials have committed to the agreement, which would guarantee no return to a hard border with the Republic, in principle and in writing. Speaking in Dublin on Tuesday, Mr Varadkar said: From our point of view, what Ireland is looking for is what we have always been looking for from day one and what has been committed to by us and the UK Government in principle and in writing on a number of occasions now. That is, we have a backstop that gives us an assurance that there will be no hard border on the island of Ireland no matter what happens, that that backstop is legally operable and that applies unless and until there is a new agreement. That is something that the UK Government has committed to in principle, committed to in writing, and I have every confidence that the UK Government will honour that commitment. Britain is an important country, a serious country, a great country with great history. I dont think they will want to be moving away from their commitment. The Fine Gael leader said his warning during last weeks EU summit that violence could return if a hard border was imposed in Ireland post-Brexit was a reasonable concern. He pointed out that his concerns were in line with those of former PSNI deputy chief constable Drew Harris, who told a House of Commons Brexit committee last year that a return of custom posts and physical infrastructure could become a target. Expand Close DUP Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson said Leo Varadkars comments were despicable, low and rotten (Michael McHugh/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp DUP Brexit spokesman Sammy Wilson said Leo Varadkars comments were despicable, low and rotten (Michael McHugh/PA) It comes after senior Democratic Unionist Sammy Wilson described Mr Varadkars comments as despicable, low and rotten, claiming he was scraping the bottom of a very deep barrel of threats, deception and rhetoric. East Antrim MP Mr Wilson said the Taosieach had taken a sledgehammer to years of cross-border political relationship-building. Responding to Mr Wilsons comments, Mr Vardakar said: The concerns that I was raising about the possibility of any physical infrastructure on the border becoming a target has been raised before. During last weeks EU summit, Mr Varadkar used a newspaper article on an IRA bombing of a customs post as a prop to emphasise the importance of the Irish border issue to EU leaders. He told reporters on Tuesday that he used the newspaper to demonstrate that border infrastructure and violence is something that people are very concerned about on the island of Ireland. I think it is something that we need to be wise to, he added. A lot of the reason why I believe we have peace on our island is because of the European Union, because over a number of decades the EU, through regulatory alignment, swept away a lot of the differences between North and South and that created the environment in which we could have the Good Friday Agreement. I think any change to that environment is a risk for the future and we should be wise to that. I really hope I am not proven right. Girl gang-raped in Rautahat A 17-year-old girl was gang-raped at Gujra Municipality in Rautahat district. The Duchess of Sussex during the state dinner at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva (Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA) The Duchess of Sussex showed off her baby bump as she wore a full-length blue dress to a state reception in Fiji. Meghan was pictured cradling her stomach while stood next to Harry at the Grand Pacific Hotel, the latest stop on their 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga. Expand Close The Duchess of Sussex arrives for the state dinner at the Grand Pacific Hotel (Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Duchess of Sussex arrives for the state dinner at the Grand Pacific Hotel (Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA) The 37-year-old wore the dress by label SAFiYAA at a black tie reception in Suva, after attending a welcome ceremony at the nearby Albert Park. Her outfit, worn with her hair down, was by German-born London-based designer Daniela Karmuts. Kensington Palace announced that Meghan was expecting on the eve of the couples first tour outside the UK and Ireland. Harry has told his wife to make sure she is getting enough rest during the packed schedule and Meghan missed a couple of engagements on Fraser Island where the terrain is uneven. But she did join her husband for a public walkabout on Kingfisher Bay Jetty and was seen holding her stomach as she made her way along the pier. The couple have already received a number of gifts for the baby, from soft toys through to clothes and a changing mat. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive for a State Reception and Dinner hosted by the President of Fiji. #RoyalVisitFiji pic.twitter.com/41oU9OvHpy The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) October 23, 2018 On the latest stop on their tour, the Duke of Sussex echoed his grandparents as he and his wife were given a traditional welcome to Fiji before waving from the balcony of the Grand Pacific Hotel. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were treated to the welcome in the capital Suvas Albert Park in 1953 and Harry and Meghan sat in the same location on Tuesday as he was offered roast pig, a whales tooth and the traditional drink kava. After the 45-minute welcoming ceremony which featured traditional chants and dancing, the couple then made the short drive to the Grand Pacific Hotel where hundreds packed in to see them on the balcony. Expand Close The Duke and Duchess of Sussex wave from the balcony of the Grand Pacific Hotel (Phil Noble/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Duke and Duchess of Sussex wave from the balcony of the Grand Pacific Hotel (Phil Noble/PA) At the dinner, president Jioji Konrote said Harrys late mother Diana would be proud of the man Harry had become and that he had found happiness and love with Meghan. People in nearby fields strained their eyes for a glimpse of the couple as they arrived at Nausori airport, with Meghan wearing a Zimmerman dress, a hat by Stephen Jones and earrings which the Queen had given her as a gift, paired with a bracelet from the Prince of Wales. Harry and Meghan observed a royal salute, and the duke was then invited to inspect the guard of honour before the couple left for their next engagement, a meeting with Mr Konrote. As their convoy left the airport, thousands of well-wishers lined the road along the 15-mile route to Suva, waving flags and cheering. Expand Close Prince Harry and Meghan at the welcome ceremony in Albert Park (Chris Jackson/Getty Images/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Prince Harry and Meghan at the welcome ceremony in Albert Park (Chris Jackson/Getty Images/PA) People ran alongside the motorcade as it pulled into Albert Park under cloudy skies for the official welcoming ceremony, or Veirqaraqarvi Vakavanua. Hundreds, slightly damp from a rain shower or a bit of blessing, as the master of ceremonies put it cheered and waved Union flags and Fijian flags as the couple arrived. The crowd maintained a reverential silence with only the occasional burst of children chatting or a nearby clock chiming heard over the rhythmic drums and chanting of the ceremony. Harry and Meghan sat on a stage as he was given the whales tooth, a sign of wealth, during the vakasobu part of the ceremony, before he was given kava, a drink made from a mashed plant root, during the yaqona vakaturaga. Harry, his medals catching the floodlights, looked on as the kava was made with the root wrung out, before a bowl was passed to him. He accepted the bowl and held it to his lips as the crowd cheered. Expand Close The Duke of Sussex is given a traditional Kava drink (Chris Jackson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Duke of Sussex is given a traditional Kava drink (Chris Jackson/PA) Rain began to fall again as the lovo, a presentation of a roast pig, and a basket of dalo, a root vegetable like a potato, was offered to the duke. He told the crowd: Bula venaka! The duchess and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible during the next two days and celebrating the links and close friendship between Fiji and the United Kingdom. He signed off with venaka, or thank you, to cheers and laughter. To close the ceremony, the couple watched a meke, a traditional dance, with Harry leaning forward in his seat. Dozens of people from the village of Nakelo an area known for its links to the Armed Forces took to the Albert Park turf to perform for the duke and duchess. As soon as the ceremony was over, there was a rush towards the Grand Pacific Hotel. The duke and duchess appeared on the balcony for 30 seconds, waving to the crowds below with many taking pictures on camera phones. On Wednesday, the Duke will lay a wreath at the Suva War Memorial before being joined by Meghan at the University of the South Pacific to watch a cultural performance about climate change. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands at the Palace of Westminster, during their state visit to the UK (Henry Nicholls/PA) The King of the Netherlands has urged the UK Government to lift the shadow of uncertainty hanging over Dutch nationals living in Britain after Brexit. Willem-Alexander said it truly saddens us to see Britain leave the European Union, but respected the decision, in an address to Parliament during his state visit. To an audience that included Prime Minister Theresa May in the front row, he said that 100,000 Dutch citizens in Britain and the 50,000 Britons living in the Netherlands deserved special attention during negotiations. I understand how difficult this is for them and I trust this uncertainty will be resolvedKing Willem-Alexander Speaking in the Royal Gallery in the Palace of Westminster, he said: Many of them have lived and worked here for many years. They feel at home in their local community and their contribution to society is valued, whether as employees, colleagues, neighbours or volunteers. Every day they prove how good the match is between the British and the Dutch. Yet all these individuals now live under the shadow of uncertainty about their future status. I understand how difficult this is for them and I trust this uncertainty will be resolved. The rights of the estimated 3.5 million EU nationals in Britain post Brexit and the reciprocal rights for Britons living on the continent are one of the areas under the spotlight in the Brexit negotiations. A no-deal Brexit would potentially leave a huge question mark over the rights of citizens on either side. Willem-Alexander, 51, spoke in the Royal Gallery in Westminster with his wife, Queen Maxima, 47, by his side. 2018 marks the 330th anniversary of the Glorious Revolution, which saw the Dutch William of Orange depose James II to become King William III, alongside his English wife Mary II. As well as the Prime Minister, the audience included MPs and Lords from all sides of the house. Willem-Alexander spoke of the strong links between the UK and his nation, telling the politicians and diplomats that Brexit does not mean farewell and our close relationship would continue albeit on a different footing. He spoke in defence of the European Union, saying Britains membership of it had brought an extra dimension to the two countries relationship. He said: Banding together within the EU has brought many benefits. Yes, the union has its flaws, but we should not close our eyes to its achievements. Unlike former generations, most people in Britain and the Netherlands today grew up in a peaceful Europe where prosperity and freedom steadily gained ground. The King also referenced the two years he spent as a student at the United World College of the Atlantic in South Wales in the early 1980s in a more personal note. He said: The memory of that time and of all of my friends from those days is very dear to me. This personal experience created a bond for life with this wonderful country. Dyson has decided to manufacture its new electric cars in Singapore, ending hopes for a site in Britain. The firm confirmed to staff on Tuesday that the companys board has ratified the decision to construct its first advanced automotive manufacturing facility in the Asian country. The factory is scheduled for completion in 2020 and is part of a 2.5 billion global investment drive in new technology. Dyson is aiming to launch its electric vehicles in 2021. However, the move could prove controversial given that Sir James Dyson, the companys billionaire chairman and founder, is an outspoken proponent of Brexit. It also comes at a sensitive time for Britains manufacturing sector, with several car makers including Nissan, Ford and Toyota warning about the rising prospects of a no-deal EU exit, which would jeopardise their operations in the UK. Singapore has a comparatively high cost base, but also great technology expertise and focus.Dyson chief executive Jim Rowan The technology tycoon took heavy fire following the announcement, with former business secretary and Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable laying into him. Its strange Brexiteer James Dyson has so little faith in the prospect of the UK leaving the EU that he is manufacturing his electric cars in Asia. Its not as if Singapore is even a low cost location, but this is a sign of the spectre that Brexit has cast over the UKs business environment. Labours Wes Streeting also took to social media to criticise Sir James. He said on twitter: James Dyson wants British taxpayers to subsidise his agriculture business. But he is planning to manufacture his electric car in Singapore. Theres still a word for this James Dyson wants British taxpayers to subsidise his agriculture business. But he is planning to manufacture his electric car in Singapore. Theres still a word for this... https://t.co/qpEyrCnSf6 Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) October 23, 2018 Dyson chief executive Jim Rowan said: The decision of where to make our car is complex, based on supply chains, access to markets, and the availability of the expertise that will help us achieve our ambitions. Our existing footprint and team in Singapore, combined with the nations significant advanced manufacturing expertise, made it a frontrunner. Singapore also offers access to high-growth markets as well as an extensive supply chain and a highly skilled workforce. Singapore has a comparatively high cost base, but also great technology expertise and focus. It is therefore the right place to make high quality technology loaded machines, and the right place to make our electric vehicle. The firm was keen to stress its commitment to Britain, pointing out that it is investing 200 million in new buildings and testing facilities at its campus at Hullavington Airfield. The company bought the disused airfield two years ago and has already renovated two hangars at the 517-acre site. Dyson employs more than 12,000 people across the world, with 4,800 working in the UK. The company, best known for its vacuum cleaners and other domestic appliances, revealed last year that it has been working on developing an electric vehicle. An MP called on social media companies to help users take a break (Yui Mok/PA) Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp should develop ways to make it easier for people to stop using them, MPs have heard. Labours Ged Killen (Rutherglen and Hamilton West) said he wanted the firms to shift their focus from demanding peoples attention to also helping them switch off. He added that big technology companies should contribute to a research fund which assesses the impact of their products and services on people, and also promotes healthy use of them. Mr Killens remarks came as he voiced concerns over addictive technology in a parliamentary debate. Speaking in Westminster Hall, he said the science on the health effects of technology overuse including social media and smart phones is still evolving. Mr Killen told MPs: I think the tech companies have a duty of care to the consumers who use their products. I welcome Apples recent intervention to introduce a screen time function that allows consumers to monitor and restrict their time or their use of certain apps. I hope this will be rolled out on a wider basis by other tech companies. I hope that social media companies and app creators like Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp will stop focusing on developing new ways to demand your attention and push constant notifications at us, and start developing ways that make it easier for us to switch off. He added there is more the big technology firms can do to mitigate the negative effects of technology and understand it. Mr Killen said: In much the same as the gambling industry and alcohol industry contribute funds from their profits to mitigate negative effects of their products, I see no reason why big technology companies could not contribute to some sort of fund that supports research into the health impact of their products and services and helps to promote healthy use of their technology. That could apply to everything from using a smartphone to combating online abuse and bullying. I hope this is something the Chancellor would at least be willing to look at further. Mr Killen recognised some companies conduct research but insisted independent scrutiny is required. SNP digital spokeswoman Hannah Bardell offered her support to the idea of ensuring companies feed in to a fund for research. Digital minister Margot James said: I think it is very important we monitor usage and that we, as (Mr Killen) put in his speech, expect more from technology companies in terms of putting right some of the things which are alleged to have gone wrong. Ms James said mobile devices make people feel compelled to be connected at any time, adding: While were in no doubt, and weve dwelt on the darker side of these devices and platforms during this debate as we are talking about addiction, it is incumbent on us to recognise that there is a great deal of positivity to have come forth from these devices. The minister said the Chief Medical Officer for England, Dame Sally Davies, is reviewing the effect internet use can have on childrens mental health, while Chancellor Philip Hammond has already indicated a digital service tax could be implemented by the UK if there is no international agreement. The Queen has spoken publicly about Brexit for the first time, telling the King of the Netherlands that as we look toward a new partnership with Europe the values shared by the UK and Holland are our greatest assets. Speaking at a state banquet in honour of King Willem-Alexander and his wife Queen Maxima, the Queen added that as innovators, traders and internationalists we look with confidence to the future. The Queen, who remains impartial in political matters, chose to emphasise the qualities needed by the UK and one of its closet European neighbours going forward as UK politics continued to be deeply divided by the issue of Brexit. The King and Queen of the Netherlands, Her Majesty The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall are pictured together in the Music Room ahead of this evenings State Banquet at Buckingham Palace. #NetherlandsStateVisit pic.twitter.com/geClEPKlF1 The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 23, 2018 Earlier, in a speech to both Houses of Parliament, King Willem-Alexander urged the UK Government to lift the shadow of uncertainty hanging over Dutch nationals living in Britain after Brexit. And in his address at the Buckingham Palace dinner, with Theresa May seated nearby, the foreign head of state said: At present, a lot of attention is focused on the technical side of Brexit. Thats understandable and necessary. But in the midst of all that complexity we should not lose sight of the greater narrative that continues to bind us. The greater narrative of freedom, openness and cooperation. Of growth and a prosperity whose fruits are enjoyed by all. Expand Close The Duchess of Cambridge during the state visit (John Stillwell/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Duchess of Cambridge during the state visit (John Stillwell/PA) In contrast to the speeches, the royal women, who included Queen Maxima, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall, put on a dazzling display of royal tiaras during the white-tie dinner. The Queen told Hollands head of state during her speech: I recall the state visit of your grandmother Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard in 1972, when I spoke of how our nations close understanding and relationship would become increasingly important as a new configuration of Europe was emerging. As we look toward a new partnership with Europe, it is our shared values and commitment to each other, that are out greatest asset, and demonstrate that even through change, our enduring alliance remains strong, and as innovators, traders and internationalists we look with confidence to the future. In her speech, the Queen praised the close links between the UK and Holland which greatly contributes to the economic and cultural life of Britain. Expand Close Queen Maxima of the Netherlands wears the Stuart Tiara (Peter Nicholls/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Queen Maxima of the Netherlands wears the Stuart Tiara (Peter Nicholls/PA) She added: The Netherlands are one of the United Kingdoms largest European investors. We have a thriving Dutch community, and artistic and sporting exchanges are at an all-time high. Willem-Alexander reiterated comments made before about regretting the UKs decision to leave the EU, but he respected the decision of the British people. He went on to personally praise the Queen, highlighting her now famous appearance in the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, describing her as the most fearless Bond Girl ever for her role alongside 007 played by Daniel Craig. The foreign monarch said: In recent decades, you have seen your country, Europe and the world change enormously. The world looks to you as a trusted beacon in the midst of upheaval. Your ability to keep in touch with the times is striking. You even have an adventurous streak, as you showed six years ago at the opening of the Olympic Games. In tribute to the close links between the British and Dutch royal families, Queen Maxima wore the famous tiara, from the Dutch royal collection, that featured the Stuart Diamond. The large stone was originally bought in late 17th century by the British monarch William III, also Netherlandss Prince of Orange, for his wife Queen Mary II. It returned to the Dutch monarchy after the pair died and was later incorporated into the tiara which was last worn, with the stone, in 1972 by King Willem-Alexanders grandmother Queen Juliana when she travelled to the UK for a state visit. 2018 marks the 330th anniversary of the Glorious Revolution, which saw William depose James II to become King alongside his English wife Mary. Among the royal guests were the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, senior members of the Cabinet and leading figures from British and Dutch life. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who had met the Dutch king earlier in the day, was represented by shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry as he was believed to be attending a family event. Glasgow City Council workers help to launch a giant new poster in a plea for solidarity in George Square, Glasgow, ahead of the equal pay strike (Jane Barlow/PA) Hundreds of schools and nurseries will be shut and home care services affected as Glasgow City Council workers strike in a row over equal pay claims. The two-day industrial action on Tuesday and Wednesday, which involves more than 8,000 members of the GMB and Unison unions, is believed to be the biggest strike of its kind. Thousands of female workers are proceeding with equal pay claims against the council following a Court of Session ruling last year. GMB Scotland organiser Rhea Wolfson said members will bring the city to a standstill to progress negotiations. Expand Close Hundreds of women, some dressed as suffragettes, marched earlier this year to put pressure on Glasgow City Council (Lucinda Cameron/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Hundreds of women, some dressed as suffragettes, marched earlier this year to put pressure on Glasgow City Council (Lucinda Cameron/PA) Home care services for around 6,000 people will be affected by the industrial action. Unions also said they feared action could be taken against refuse and street cleaning workers if they refuse to cross picket lines. Glasgow City Council said all early years establishments, additional support for learning (ASL) schools and mainstream primary schools will close on both days, though all mainstream secondary schools will remain open. The local authority said it had been exploring all options to avert the strike. A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: We understand why many of our workforce are angry about equal pay and we are also very aware of the depth of feeling there is behind this industrial action. However, the council is already committed to delivering equal pay and reaching a negotiated settlement on claims. There is nothing that the strike can achieve that we are not already doing and we are anxious to see everyone back around the table in good faith to move things forward. At the same time, the way union leaders have approached the strike has been hugely disappointing. We believed we had an agreement on providing life and limb cover for our most vulnerable citizens indeed, the unions told the public that cover would be in place. It wont. There has been absolutely no meaningful effort from the unions to work with us and their membership to ensure that life and limb cover will be in place. Reminder Due to Industrial action ALL ASL and Primary schools and Early Year establishments will be closed on 23/24 October. Secondary schools will remain open. Latest updates here https://t.co/vLq9lAA6xZ Glasgow City Council (@GlasgowCC) October 21, 2018 Glasgow City Council has sent letters to those affected informing them their care will be withdrawn for two days during the strike. The spokeswoman added: Rather than the reduced service we expected to be able to deliver with support from the trade unions; for many more people, there will now be no service at all. We are deeply concerned about the impact, but we have absolutely no alternative. The GMB union said unions have agreed to all council requests to support the life and limb cover plan, adding the offer from union members to work through the strike to support vulnerable home care users still stands. Ms Wolfson said: The councils officers have been incapable of putting in place the most basic cover despite having three weeks to prepare and the offers we have made every single day to resolve the dispute. She added: Our members work for some of the most vulnerable elderly and disabled people in our community and we would never do anything that could cause them harm. Hundreds of schools and nurseries are shut and home care services affected as Glasgow City Council workers stage a 48-hour strike believed to be the biggest of its kind. The industrial action on Tuesday and Wednesday, which involves more than 8,000 members of the GMB and Unison unions, comes in a dispute over equal pay. Thousands of female workers are proceeding with claims against the council following a Court of Session ruling last year. Glasgow City Council said the strike was unnecessary and it hopes to reach a settlement in the coming months and start paying out in the next financial year. GMB Scotland organiser Rhea Wolfson said members will bring the city to a standstill to progress negotiations. GMB General Secretary Tim Roache with striking workers at Glasgow City Chambers. #GlasgowWomensStrike pic.twitter.com/WQzhdbKtKJ GMB Scotland (@GMBScotOrg) October 23, 2018 Unions also said they feared action could be taken against refuse and street cleaning workers if they refuse to cross picket lines. Glasgow City Council said all early years establishments, additional support for learning (ASL) schools and mainstream primary schools will close on both days, though all mainstream secondary schools will remain open. Home care services for around 6,000 people are affected by the industrial action. The local authority said it had explored all options to avert the strike. Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken told BBC Radio Scotland: The strike will have a devastating impact and theres no need for it. She added: I dont believe that the demands are strong enough to justify industrial action of this scale, I dont blame the women or the claimants in any way whatsoever, I understand their frustration, theyve waited a long time for justice but theyve won their case. They won their case the day that the SNP was elected to lead Glasgow City Council and we have been working ever since then to deliver them justice. We are extremely close to it and I am confident that they will get the settlement that they are entitled to and we will start paying out in the next financial year. The local authority introduced its Workforce Pay and Benefits Review (WPBR) and grading scheme in 2006 to tackle inequalities. Some female workers say the way it is structured led to people in female-dominated roles are being paid up to 3 an hour less than people in male-dominated roles. Some women are said to have been paid up to 4,000 a year less than male counterparts. The council said the way union leaders have approached the strike has been hugely disappointing. A spokesman said: We believed we had an agreement on providing life and limb cover for our most vulnerable citizens indeed, the unions told the public that cover would be in place. It wont. There has been absolutely no meaningful effort from the unions to work with us and their membership to ensure that life and limb cover will be in place. Expand Close Hundreds of women, some dressed as suffragettes, marched earlier this year to put pressure on Glasgow City Council (Lucinda Cameron/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Hundreds of women, some dressed as suffragettes, marched earlier this year to put pressure on Glasgow City Council (Lucinda Cameron/PA) Glasgow City Council sent letters to those affected informing them their care will be withdrawn for two days during the strike. The GMB said unions have agreed to all council requests to support the life and limb cover plan, adding the offer from union members to work through the strike to support vulnerable home care users still stands. Ms Wolfson said: The councils officers have been incapable of putting in place the most basic cover despite having three weeks to prepare and the offers we have made every single day to resolve the dispute. She added: Our members work for some of the most vulnerable elderly and disabled people in our community and we would never do anything that could cause them harm. Neville Hord has had his minimum 30-year jail sentence for murdering Jodie Willsher cut to 27 years (North Yorkshire Police/PA) A monster who stabbed a supermarket worker to death in front of horrified shoppers has had his minimum jail term reduced. Neville Hord, 45, killed Jodie Willsher, 30, in a frenzied knife attack which he had planned over two weeks because he blamed her for his break-up with her mother. He admitted murder and was jailed for life at Bradford Crown Court in March, with Judge Jonathan Durham Hall ordering him to serve at least 30 years behind bars. But his minimum term was cut to 27 years on Tuesday by judges sitting at the Court of Appeal in London. Expand Close Malcolm Willsher with his wife Jodie, who was murdered by Neville Hord (North Yorkshire Police/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Malcolm Willsher with his wife Jodie, who was murdered by Neville Hord (North Yorkshire Police/PA) Mr Justice Goose told the court that Hord was in a relationship with Mrs Willshers mother, Nicole Dinsdale, for several months before they broke up in September last year. At the time of the murder he was on bail for an attack on Ms Dinsdale and had made threats to kill her daughter whom he blamed for the break-up. The judge said Ms Dinsdale later described the relationship as controlling and said he had tried to distance her from her daughter. Over two weeks he planned the killing, buying two knives, an axe and a crossbow, and even making inquiries about buying a gun. He also fitted a tracking device to Mrs Willshers car and looked up the opening hours of the Aldi supermarket where she worked in Skipton, North Yorkshire. The judge described how, just four days before Christmas, plumber Hord parked at a nearby McDonalds and had some food before walking into the busy supermarket with the knife. He went back to his car to get the axe before returning to Aldi and calmly walking around until he found his victim. He then stabbed the married mother-of-one repeatedly in front of horrified shoppers, in a brutal attack which was captured on CCTV. Hord continued to stab her even as they both lay on the floor following attempts by onlookers to stop him. Mrs Willsher suffered five slash wounds and 11 stab wounds to her head and body, one of which bent the knife. Expand Close Floral tributes outside an Aldi supermarket in Skipton where Jodie Willsher was stabbed to death (Danny Lawson/PA) Press Association Images/Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Floral tributes outside an Aldi supermarket in Skipton where Jodie Willsher was stabbed to death (Danny Lawson/PA) Police found the crossbow in Hords vehicle in the Aldi car park along with 50 bolts, a large amount of diesel and cable ties. Sentencing Hord in March, Judge Hall said: You are a monster, Mr Hord. The judge said the killing was calculated to cause the maximum pain, horror, shock and trauma and told Hord he may never be released from prison. In a statement read to the court at that time, Mrs Willshers husband, Malcolm, said he was worried that Hord would get out and harm their four-year-old daughter, Megan. Lawyers for Hord, who watched his appeal hearing over a video-link from prison, argued that the original sentence was too long. Mr Justice Goose, sitting with two other judges, said Judge Hall had set too high a minimum term. A Hyperloop One tube at a test site outside Las Vegas in the US (Virgin/PA) Sir Richard Branson is stepping down as chairman of Virgin Hyperloop One, an ultra fast cargo system. A statement from Virgin Group said he is leaving the role he took on last year due to the increased commitment of time the position now requires and that his board seat is to be filled by Patrick McCall, the chair of Virgin Galactic, Virgin Orbit and Virgin Rail Group. Sir Richard said: For the first time in more than 20 years, I took on a chairmans role last year to help Virgin Hyperloop One through a transitional period. We have exciting projects in India, Spain and are working with a number of US states to further develop this ground-breaking technology. At this stage in the companys evolution, I feel it needs a more hands-on chair, who can focus on the business and these opportunities. It will be difficult for me to fulfil that commitment as I already devote significant time to my philanthropic ventures and the many business within the Virgin Group. Expand Close Sir Richard Branson standing in front of a Hyperloop One tube at a test site outside Las Vegas (Virgin/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sir Richard Branson standing in front of a Hyperloop One tube at a test site outside Las Vegas (Virgin/PA) Virgin Hyperloop One had formed a partnership with DP World to create cargo brand DP World Cargospeed. The aim was for items such as fresh food, medical supplies and electronics to be transported at speeds of up to 620mph and complete journeys that take four days by lorry in just 16 hours. The Virgin Group statement said that Virgin Hyperloop One has been working with the government of Maharashtra on a plan to develop its first Hyperloop route from Mumbai to Pune and is currently working on its detailed bid. The company has also launched its cargo division CargoSpeed in partnership with DP World, and secured an agreement with the European Union to develop a R&D test facility in Southern Spain. With speeds two to three times faster than high speed rail, Missouri Hyperloop could give time back to its people time worth up to $410 million per year. How would you spend your time saved? https://t.co/su3YQxwBYC pic.twitter.com/Ck9gUdk6bF Virgin Hyperloop (@virginhyperloop) October 18, 2018 Virgin Hyperloop One, confirmed Sir Richards departure, adding: At our stage of development, he felt the company needs a more hands-on chairman. The Virgin seat will be transitioned to another Virgin Group Executive. We thank Richard for his leadership and vision as chairman. We are continuing to work in partnership with the Virgin Group to advance our first projects globally. Earlier this year, Virgin said it was in the early stages of making the technology commercially viable after completing a full-scale test in Las Vegas. It was looking to have operational systems ready by 2021. The idea of a hyperloop system was first launched by Elon Musk in August 2013. He is not associated with Virgin Hyperloop One but has urged interested parties to develop the technology. Scottish Conservatives want the SNP to drop Indyref2 plans to unlock budget talks (Jane Barlow/PA) The Scottish Conservatives have offered to help the Scottish Government pass its budget if plans for a second independence referendum are dropped. The partys finance secretary Murdo Fraser said the minority SNP administration could unlock talks for a pro-business budget but must dump indyref2 first. A government source said given the Brexit situation the Tories are in no position to dictate terms. The message to the SNP is clear: dump Indyref2 and lets talkMurdo Fraser MSP Setting out his proposals at Edinburgh Airport, Mr Fraser said they included a cut in Air Passenger Duty (APD) and increased support for high street retailers. The Scottish Government wants to replace the duty with a cheaper alternative which was voted through at Holyrood in June 2017. However, the rates have not been decided and the plan is snared in a legal stand off between the Scottish and UK governments over European state aid rules. The Scottish Green Party, whose helped last years Budget get through parliament, oppose the tax cut. .@Rachael2Win and @murdo_fraser at Edinburgh Airport this morning to talk about reducing Air Passenger Duty. Both us and the SNP want to see it cut, so we want to talk about how this can be brought in. pic.twitter.com/UQeIHjxbU5 Scottish Conservatives (@ScotTories) October 23, 2018 Mr Fraser said: Last years Budget deal between the SNP and the Greens was bad for jobs and bad for Scotlands economy. We do not want to see a repeat this year. So today the Scottish Conservatives are making it clear that if the SNP puts the needs of Scotlands economy first, it could win support from us. Central to that is the need for the SNP to dump its plans for a second independence referendum in this parliament. The message to the SNP is clear: dump Indyref2 and lets talk. A Scottish Government source said: We will engage constructively with those who, like us, have a genuine interest in passing a budget to fund Scotlands schools, hospitals and other vital public services. But the Tories who are dragging Scotland ever closer to the cliff edge of a catastrophic no-deal Brexit are in no position to try and lay down the law to anyone. Expand Close Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie accused the Tories of attention seeking (Jane Barlow/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie accused the Tories of attention seeking (Jane Barlow/PA) Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie said his party has used last years budget talks to stop the worst of council cuts and influence income tax policy. He said: This is a tiresome bit of attention seeking from sidelined Tories who clearly have no interest in influencing the Scotlands budget choices. Tax cuts for the rich, tax cuts for the already-undertaxed aviation industry and wealthy frequent fliers, and the spurious notion that independence is a budget issue are all non-starters and they know it. Meanwhile, the aviation industry called for action to resolve the legal impasse on APD, with Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh airports saying it is costing Scotland connectivity and the economic benefit and jobs it brings with it. Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, added: Aviation in Scotland is crying out for this cut and it is now up to both governments to bang some heads together and put an end to this legal wrangling. Global partnership and Nepal Nexus between development cooperation and sustainable development challenges cannot be ignored anymore Police tape near the scene in Armitage Road, Greenwich (Tom Horton/PA) An 18-year-old who was fatally stabbed on a south-east London estate on Monday night was found outside a party, a resident has said. A woman who was at her grandsons birthday party in Greenwich said she saw the teenager, who she did not know, lying on the floor dead outside her daughters flat. Her granddaughter, who also lives on the Flamsteed Estate, gave the young man CPR but she couldnt bring him back, the woman said. Attempting to revive the victim left her traumatised, she added. She was crying last night she was so upset, said the grandmother, who has lived on the estate for 27 years. Its very sad. Expand Close Police tape and a tent near the scene in Armitage Road, Greenwich, where a teenager was stabbed to death (Tom Horton/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police tape and a tent near the scene in Armitage Road, Greenwich, where a teenager was stabbed to death (Tom Horton/PA) Police said the teenager was reportedly seen arguing with three men on mopeds in Armitage Road before the attack. They were called to the road at 9.25pm to reports of a disturbance, Scotland Yard said. Police are investigating after an 18yo male was fatally stabbed last night following a confrontation in #Greenwich - officers ask those with info to call the incident room on 0208 721 4622, or 101 quoting CAD 7560/22 October. https://t.co/XHG1gWAaOc pic.twitter.com/Iud7AcuKOX Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) October 23, 2018 Other residents said they heard screaming and shouting before the police arrived. One, who did not wish to be named, said: I heard some screaming and shouting and thought I heard some dogs barking, but basically that is what I hear every single day. The victim has not yet been identified. Detective Chief Inspector Richard Leonard, of the Metropolitan Polices homicide and major crime command, said: We know that several people reported eeing the victim in a confrontation with three other males on mopeds before an altercation in which he sustained his injuries. The males then rode away from the scene. I need anyone who may have information that could assist us to make contact as quickly as possible. Expand Close A crime scene is still in place in Armitage Road, Greenwich (Tom Horton/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A crime scene is still in place in Armitage Road, Greenwich (Tom Horton/PA) A crime scene is still in place and forensics officers are examining the area. Formal identification of the victim has not yet taken place and a post-mortem examination will be held in due course. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting CAD 7560/22 October, or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Transgender and non-binary people are taking to Twitter to protest over an unreleased memo from the Trump administration that proposes changes to the way gender is defined. The unreleased memo from the US Department for Health and Human Services calls for a tightening of the legal definition of sex, excluding transgender and non-binary individuals. It reportedly said: The sex listed on a persons birth certificate, as originally issued, shall constitute definitive proof of a persons sex unless rebutted by reliable genetic evidence. If this proposed change is to be considered, it could affect an estimated 1.4 million Americans who identify as a different gender to that which they were assigned. To protest against this memo, transgender and non-binary people have been using the hashtag #WontBeErased on Twitter, along with selfies and positive messages, to amplify their voices and raise awareness of the issue. Along with LGBTQ+ organisations and charities, celebrities including Susan Sarandon and Laverne Cox have posted about the memo with messages of support. Social media user Kelly said: I joined #WontBeErased because for the longest time I have remained silent about being transgender. I want everyone to know how this effects people like me I will fight this with everything I have. Some Twitter users posted on behalf of their transgender friends and family, who could be affected if policy were to change in the US. This is my daughter... she is smart and beautiful and brave and has the biggest heart in the world... her future is bright and there are no limits on what she can accomplish... and she #WontBeErased #TransRightsAreHumanRights pic.twitter.com/WlyCcWkEdZ Paria Hassouri, MD. She/Her. (@pariahassouri) October 21, 2018 Paria Hassouri, a paediatrician in California, said: I posted about my daughter using the #WontBeErased hashtag because I think its important for transgender people and families to be visible in the community Ultimately, this is about human rights and equal rights. More than ever we need to come together and support particularly our kids who will be the policy makers of the future. I still believe that love is stronger than fear and hate. We won't be erased. We won't be erased. We won't be erased. We won't be erased. We won't be erased. We won't be erased. We won't be erased. We won't be erased. We won't be erased. We won't be erased.#WeWontBeErased. And we won't stop fighting. Sen. Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) October 21, 2018 The online use of the hashtag was coupled with offline protests, which saw hundreds take to the street in New York and Washington DC on October 21 and October 22. Left to right: Italys vice premier Luigi Di Maio, premier Giuseppe Conte and vice premier Matteo Salvini (Angelo Carconi/ANSA via AP) The European Commission has taken the unprecedented step of ordering Italy to revise its public spending plans. In a move that escalates a month-long stand-off, the EU said the populist governments budget for next year is out of line and breaks earlier promises to lower public debt. Italys debt load is the second-highest in Europe, after Greece, and there are worries that losing control of spending could rekindle financial turmoil in Europe. The populist Italian government says the sharp increase in spending is needed to jump-start growth after years of malaise. We see no alternative but to request the Italian government to revise its draft budgetary plan, EU Commission vice president Valdis Dombrovskis said. No one will take one euro from this budgetItalian deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini Italian deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini was quick to warn off the EU. He said: No one will take one euro from this budget. The confrontation laid bare the fundamental problem within the eurozone where 19 EU nations share the same currency, yet governments maintain autonomy over spending priorities and the EU has been reluctant to enforce spending limits. Since the euro economy can be destabilised when one member state loses control of its finances, like Greece did a decade ago, the other nations want to have some say over excessive spending, especially when it concerns the regions third-biggest economy. The EU Commission said it had no choice after Italy proposed a deficit of 2.4% of GDP for next year three times more than what it had previously targeted. Italy must continue its effort to lower its debt because it is the enemy of the economyEU financial affairs commissioner Pierre Moscovici The higher deficit means Italy would not fulfil its promise to lower its debt, which is over 130% of GDP and more than twice the EU limit of 60%. Without a tough stance on the issue, the EU could see its credibility erode and markets could lose confidence in its ability to keep public spending in check. The Commission wrote in its official opinion that given the size of the Italian economy within the euro area, the choice of the government to increase the budget deficit creates risks of negative spill-overs for the other euro area member states. EU financial affairs commissioner Pierre Moscovici highlighted how Italys budget would hurt its own people by saddling the young with higher debt payments. The cost of servicing Italian public debt is already equal to the countrys entire spending on education 65 billion euro (57 billion) a year. Italy must continue its effort to lower its debt because it is the enemy of the economy, he said. The EU said it had already been lenient enough with Italy in recent years, giving it 30 billion euro (26 billion) worth of wiggle room in its spending plans, as well as investment funds. The EUs executive wants the Italian government to produce a new budget proposal within three weeks. Gilberto Benetton, one of the four founding siblings of the Benetton fashion brand known as much for its provocative ad campaigns as its colourful knitwear, has died aged 77, his family announced. The family said Mr Benettons wife, Lalla, two daughters, Barbara and Sabrina, and son-in-law Ermanno were by his side at his home in the northern city of Treviso, near where the fashion company is based. The news agency ANSA said he had suffered an undisclosed illness. Gilberto along with siblings Carlo, Luciano and Giuliana founded Benetton as knitwear company in 1965, transforming it into a global brand that sustained steady growth in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, only to suffer the competition from fast-fashion in the 2000s. The company has gone through multiple relaunches and management changes over the last decade or so. Benettons ad campaigns have challenged racial, religious and gender stereotypes, often courting controversy. Some of the most provocative included an image of Pope Benedict XVI kissing an imam, which angered the Vatican, while humanitarian groups protested earlier this year against an advert that contained photographs of migrant rescues. Over the years, the family became increasingly involved in financial investments through the Edizione holding company, which Gilberto was instrumental in creating 30 years ago. He remained Ediziones deputy chairman and chairman of one of the key investments, the Autogrill highway and airport restaurant concession, until his death. The familys investment in Austostrade per lItalia SpA has come under intense political scrutiny following the collapse of the Genoa highway bridge in August, which killed 43 people. The Italian government has pledged to revoke the highway concessions granted to Autostrade, alleging that poor maintenance contributed to the disaster. While the cause has not yet been determined, prosecutors have identified managers of Autostrade among the more than 20 people under investigation. Fabio Cerchiai, chairman of Atlantia, the infrastructure company that controls Autostrade, and Autostrade CEO Giovanni Castellucci remembered Gilberto for his great entrepreneurial vision, which indicated the way to open new courses for development. The family also lost Carlo, the youngest of the four siblings, who died in the summer at age 74. Jumpei Yasuda was last heard from in 2015 (Kyodo News via AP) Japans government has said that a man believed to be a Japanese freelance journalist who went missing three years ago while in Syria has been released and is now in Turkey. Chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga told a hastily arranged news conference that Japan was informed by Qatar that the man, believed to be journalist Jumpei Yasuda, has been released. Mr Yasuda was last heard from in Syria in 2015. Mr Suga said Qatars government told Japanese officials that the man is being protected by the Turkish authorities and is being identified, and that he is most likely Mr Yasuda. Mr Suga said he has notified Mr Yasudas family of the news. Expand Close Japans chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga (Kyodo News via AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Japans chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga (Kyodo News via AP) Mr Yasuda started reporting on the Middle East in the early 2000s. He was taken hostage in Iraq in 2004 with three other Japanese, but was freed after Islamic clerics negotiated his release. His most recent trip to Syria was in 2015 to report on his journalist friend Kenji Goto, who was taken hostage and killed by the Islamic State group. Contact was lost with Mr Yasuda after he sent a message to another Japanese freelancer on June 23, 2015. In his last tweet two days earlier, Mr Yasuda said his reporting was often obstructed and that he would stop tweeting his whereabouts and activities. Several videos showing a man believed to be Mr Yasuda have been released in the past year. In one video released in July, the bearded man believed to be Mr Yasuda said he was in a harsh environment and needed to be rescued immediately. Syria has been one of the most dangerous places for journalists since the conflict there began in March 2011, with dozens killed or kidnapped. Several journalists are still missing in Syria and their fate is unknown. Those missing include Austin Tice of Houston, Texas, who disappeared in August 2012 while covering the conflict, which has killed some 400,000 people. A video released a month later showed him blindfolded and held by armed men, saying Oh, Jesus. He has not been heard from since. Mr Tice is a former Marine who has reported for The Washington Post, McClatchy Newspapers, CBS and other outlets, and disappeared shortly after his 31st birthday. Another is British photojournalist John Cantlie, who appeared in Islamic State group propaganda videos. Mr Cantlie has worked for several publications, including The Sunday Times, The Sun and The Sunday Telegraph. He was kidnapped with American journalist James Foley in November 2012. The IS beheaded Mr Foley in August 2014. Lebanese journalist Samir Kassab, who worked for Sky News, was kidnapped on October 14, 2013, along with a colleague from Mauritania Ishak Moctar and a Syrian driver while on a trip in northern Syria. In March 2014, two Spanish journalists correspondent Javier Espinosa and photographer Ricardo Garcia Vilanova were released six months after being kidnapped by an al Qaida-linked group. Turkeys president has said Saudi officials murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi in their Istanbul consulate after plotting his death for days. Recep Tayyip Erdogan contradicted Saudi Arabias explanation that the writer was accidentally killed and demanded that the kingdom reveals the identities of all involved, regardless of their rank. Mr Erdogan also said he wants Saudi Arabia to allow 18 suspects that it detained for the Saudis killing to be tried in Turkish courts. The Saudi government has said it is conducting its own investigation and will punish those involved. To blame such an incident on a handful of security and intelligence members would not satisfy us or the international community, Mr Erdogan said in a speech to ruling party MPs in parliament. Saudi Arabia has taken an important step by admitting the murder. As of now we expect of them to openly bring to light those responsible from the highest ranked to the lowest and to bring them to justice, the Turkish president said. Expand Close Jamal Khashoggi has not been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday October 2 (CCTV/TRT World/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jamal Khashoggi has not been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday October 2 (CCTV/TRT World/AP) Mr Erdogans speech was previously pitched as revealing the naked truth about Mr Khashoggis death. Instead it put a named source to information already circulated by anonymous officials and the Turkish press in the days since the columnist for The Washington Post walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. However, he kept pressure on the kingdom with his demands for Turkish prosecution of the suspects as well as punishment for the plots masterminds. All evidence gathered shows that Jamal Khashoggi was the victim of a savage murder. To cover up such a savagery would hurt the human conscience, Mr Erdogan said. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. https://t.co/VOam8X3xei Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) October 23, 2018 He did not mention Saudi Arabias assertive Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in his speech, though officials linked to the royal have been implicated in the killing. The kingdom has said the heir-apparent of the worlds top oil exporter was not involved, but any major decision must be signed off by the highest powers within its ruling Al Saud family. International scepticism has intensified since Saudi Arabia said on Saturday that Mr Khashoggi died in a brawl. The case has shocked the world and raised suspicions that a Saudi hit squad planned Mr Khashoggis killing after he walked into the consulate on October 2, and then attempted to cover it up. Foreign ministers from the G7 said the explanations offered for the killing leave many questions unanswered and those responsible for the death must be held to account. A joint statement from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, along with the European Union, condemned Mr Khashoggis killing in the strongest possible terms. They called Saudi Arabias confirmation of the writers death inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul a first step towards full transparency and accountability. The statement issued on Tuesday reiterated the need for a thorough, credible and prompt investigation done with the full collaboration of Turkish authorities. The G7 ministers said Mr Khashoggis killing demonstrates the need to project journalists and to reaffirm the right to free expression. The United Nations said secretary-general Antonio Guterres stands by his earlier call for an independent and transparent investigation into the death. UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq reiterated that the secretary-general can initiate an investigation if key parties request it or if there is a legislative mandate from a UN body. Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an interview with the state-run Anadolu Agency that if a request for an international investigation is made we would co-operate. Mr Haq said that did not constitute a formal request from Turkeys government, which Mr Guterres would need to consider authorising an international investigation. Saudi Arabias foreign minister said the investigation into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi will produce the truth about what happened. Adel al-Jubeir also pledged that mechanisms will be put in place so that something like this can never happen again. He spoke on Tuesday in Indonesia, just hours before Turkeys president Recep Tayyip Edrogan is expected to detail his own countrys findings into the matter. Expand Close Jamal Khashoggi has not been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday October 2 (CCTV/TRT World/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jamal Khashoggi has not been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday October 2 (CCTV/TRT World/AP) Mr al-Jubeir said Saudi Arabia is committed to ensuring that the investigation is thorough and complete and that the truth is revealed and that those responsible will be held to account. Saudi Arabia has acknowledged that Mr Kashoggi died on October 2 during a visit to the kingdoms consulate in Istanbul. The country maintains he died in a fistfight. Turkish officials said the 59-year-old was attacked and killed by a 15-man Saudi team. Expand Close Donald Trump has said he is not satisfied by the explanations he has heard (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Donald Trump has said he is not satisfied by the explanations he has heard (AP) Mr Erdogan has said he will go into detail about a case that has shocked the world and raised suspicions that a Saudi hit squad planned Mr Khashoggis killing after he walked into the consulate, then attempted to cover it up. The Turkish president promised the case will be revealed in all its nakedness in a speech to ruling party members. A stream of leaks to national and international media has increased pressure on Saudi Arabia, which is hosting a glitzy investment conference this week which many dignitaries have decided to skip because of the scandal. Saudi Arabia said 18 Saudis were arrested and that several top intelligence officials were sacked over the killing, but critics have alleged that the punishment was designed to absolve Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdoms heir-apparent, of any responsibility. Expand Close Turkeys president has pledged to reveal the case in all its nakedness (AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Turkeys president has pledged to reveal the case in all its nakedness (AP) On Monday, leaked surveillance video showed a man strolling out of the diplomatic post hours after Mr Khashoggi disappeared into the consulate, apparently wearing the Washington Post columnists clothes as part of a macabre deception to sow confusion over his fate. Mr Khashoggi had gone to the embassy to pick up some papers he needed in order to get married. US president Donald Trump said he is not satisfied with the explanations he has heard about Mr Khashoggis death. Mr Trump said: Were going to get to the bottom of it. We have people over in Saudi Arabia now. We have top intelligence people in Turkey. Theyre coming back either tonight or tomorrow. Were going to know a lot over the next two days about the Saudi situation. Its a very sad thing. Mr Trump spoke on Sunday with Crown Prince Mohammed. He says he is not involved nor is the king, Mr Trump told USA Today. The newspaper said Mr Trump declined to say whether he believed the princes denials. If their involvement was proven, Mr Trump said: I would be very upset about it. Well have to see. Pope Francis is thought by some to be sympathetic to married men joining the priesthood (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) The Vatican is preparing to open formal debate on opening up the priesthood to married men. Pope Francis has convened a meeting of South American bishops next year focusing on the plight of the church in the Amazon. During that synod, the question of ordaining married men of proven virtue so-called viri probati is expected to figure on the agenda. This week, a two-hour documentary on Italian television is likely to contribute to the conversation. The Choice: Priests And Love profiles more than a dozen men in four European countries who are either living secretly with women, have created their own unsanctioned church communities where married priests preside at Mass, or left the Catholic priesthood altogether to marry. We would like you to take into consideration without prejudice or pretence the opportunity of allowing us an active presence in diocesan activity'Married priests' writing to Pope Francis The documentary makes the case that many of these men would gladly return to the priesthood and offer their pastoral services. Their plight has found a sympathetic ear in Francis, who has long expressed a willingness to consider viri probati to address pastoral needs in the Amazon. He has also expressed sympathy for priests who have made the anguished choice to leave. Vocatio, an Italian association of these married priests, wrote to Francis earlier this month pledging their solidarity as he copes with the global fallout of the sex abuse scandal, and once again offering their services in ministry. We would like you to take into consideration without prejudice or pretence the opportunity of allowing us an active presence in diocesan activity, given our experience and competence in the sacraments we have lived: ministry and matrimony, the group wrote. The head of Vocatio, former priest Rosario Mocciaro who married civilly in 1977, estimates there are about 5,000 men in Italy alone who have left the priesthood, a third of whom would seek a return to married ministry if allowed. He said he was hopeful for progress under Francis and some sympathetic Italian bishops, saying they brought a new air and atmosphere to a long-standing problem. The possibility of having viri probati would be a great opening, a great step forward, he told AP, adding it would begin to sensitise the church and public opinion to the prospect of both a married and a celibate priesthood. The memorial march in Belfast to mark the 25th anniversary of the atrocity in which nine innocent people were killed by an IRA bomb The 25th anniversary of the Shankill Road bombing brings back memories of the darkest days of the Troubles. This is one of the atrocities of the Troubles which lie deep in our collective consciousness, and which is undiminished by the passage of time. These atrocities also include massacres like Darkley, Droppin'Well, McGurk's Bar, Claudy, Loughinisland, Enniskillen, Omagh, Greysteel and far too many others. Sadly not every atrocity is remembered in the same way, and with the same intensity, apart from those people directly involved. Certain individual atrocities are remembered widely because of the high death toll involved, or for other reasons, such as the ages of the victims. Sometimes it is because of the location of the atrocity, for example the Enniskillen Cenotaph outrage which took place on Remembrance Sunday. Sometimes it is because of the sheer banality of the evil in our midst, and this applies specifically to the Shankill bombing, as it did to the unspeakable evil of the Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann. In Belfast, Saturday, October 23, 1993 could not have started off more normally on the Shankill Road, but by lunch-time the fish-shop of Desmond Frizzell had been turned into a charnel house. Two of the nine innocent Protestant victims were children. Michelle Baird, aged 7, was killed along with her parents Evelyn and Michael when buying crab sticks in the fish shop. Leanne Murray, aged 13, was buying whelks. Perhaps only a psychologist could explain why some atrocities linger in our minds longer than others. Perhaps one reason is the sheer randomness of victimhood, the thought which we may all feel that "This could have been me". There is also the refusal of the perpetrators to apologise for their evil deeds. One of the Shankill bombers, Thomas Begley, was buried with full Provisional IRA honours, and Gerry Adams carried his coffin. A year later Begley was commemorated by a parade through the Ardoyne. Some 20 years later, shortly before the anniversary of the massacre, a plaque commemorating Begley was unveiled in Ardoyne. He was described as "Oglach", a volunteer, the same term applied to Martin McGuinness when he died. More recently Begley's name, with those of other Provisional IRA members, appeared on a controversial memorial in Ardoyne which was erected on land leased from the Housing Executive. Some people may ask why the anniversaries of atrocities such as the Shankill bombing are commemorated. Alan McBride who lost his wife Sharon and father-in-law Desmond Frizzell in the explosion has suggested nobly that this should be the last public commemoration of the Shankill atrocity. His view will carry great weight with good people on all sides, who will also remember that 14 more innocent people died within a week in reprisals for the Shankill bomb - eight people at Greysteel alone. In the case of the Shankill bombing, what is most fixed in our memories is the failure of the republican movement to atone for, and admit to, what it did. Wilful amnesia about the past, and - even worse - the celebration of its barbarity, will mean that the memories of the dead and injured will never fade. Sadly, 25 years after the Shankill atrocity we are no nearer to finding a mechanism that can accommodate the needs of the victims and survivors, on all side. That , regrettably, is something that should shame us all. Himalaya begins direct flights to Chongqing Himalaya Airlines, a Nepal-China joint venture offering international flight services, has entered the Chinese market with a maiden flight to its latest destination, Chongqing, a major tourist city of the Peoples Republic of China. The story of Joseph is one of the most popular and well-known tales in the Bible. It is the final story in the book of Genesis and leads straight into the tale of Moses and the Exodus. The story of family strife, slavery, redemption, revenge and forgiveness has been made into a movie and a beloved musical. It also has been the subject of intense historical debate as it has been tied closely to a period of turmoil and mystery in Egyptian history. Around 1720 B.C. a group of foreigners invaded the Egyptian kingdoms and set up a kingdom of their own in the Nile delta. The ancient Egyptians called these people heqa-khaset or rulers [of] foreign lands, an expression used to refer to almost any non-Egyptian peoples. The ancient Greeks, however, called these people Hyksos meaning king shepherds, an expression that was based on the Egyptian phrase but used for a specific group of people from the area surrounding the Nile. Where the Hyksos came from is a matter of debate that is of enormous interest to biblical historians because the Hyksos could be the missing link that cracks the mystery of both the story of Joseph and the tale of the Exodus wide open.Historians have wondered for decades how the Egyptians could forget a man like Joseph who, essentially, saved their entire civilization. How could the ancient Egyptians, who deified their dead pharaohs and held elaborate grieving rituals for the dead, forget a national hero so completely that they enslaved his descendants? Why did Joseph not appear in ancient Egyptian writings? The Hyksos invasion may answer those questions.When the Hyksos invaded, they had the most advanced weaponry in the region. Their weapons of war included the composite bow, horse drawn chariot, improved battle axes and the battering ram. They were also capable of using far more advanced fortification techniques than were known in the area at the time. This would already have given them an advantage in their conquest, but to make matters worse, Egypt was in the middle of a period of intense turmoil and infighting. As such, the Hyksos were able to conquer a sizeable area of Egypt and set up a fortified capital in Avaris as well as a dynasty of their own. Eventually, the Hyksos lost control of the native Egyptian population. The Hyksos dynasty was destroyed, and the Hyksos and their allies who remained in Egypt were killed, enslaved or expelled from the Nile delta. Among those allies may have been the Israelites.There are no records of a Hebrew named Joseph in ancient Egypt. The Egyptians, however, may not have been the people that Joseph saved. The Hyksos called their kings pharaohs as well, and they are believed to have come from Canaan or at least traveled through the area. As such, the Hyksos may have been familiar with the culture Joseph grew up in and willing to hear out a stranger who claimed to be able to interpret the kings dreams. This would fit with what archeology has found in territories controlled by the Hyksos as there have been a number of artifacts uncovered in the area do not match Egyptian typology but do fit with what is found in Israel. When the Hyksos were defeated, the remaining Israelites were enslaved.Since the Egyptians also had a habit of trying to erase people they did not like from history, such as the attempts to eliminate all mentions of Hatshepsut, the woman who was one of the most successful pharaohs in history, it is not out of the question for them to have decided to remove mentions of Joseph as well. This would also explain why the pharaoh in Exodus knew not Joseph. Joseph had been advising the Hyksos, not the Egyptians.Other scholars claim the complete reverse. Joseph, they say, advised the Egyptians, but the Israelites were enslaved by the Hyksos. Ancient Egypt kept records of a man called Imhotep who, according to hieroglyphics found carved near Aswan, saved Egypt from a famine when the annual Nile floods failed seven years in a row. The story of Imhotep is very similar to that of Joseph in the Bible. If Imhotep was the same person as Joseph as some scholars suggest, then it may have been the Hyksos who enslaved the Israelites. As foreigners, they would not have known who Joseph was or of his importance.One piece of evidence supporting this theory is, oddly enough, a grave robbery. A tomb from before the Hyksos invasion was found by archaeologists to have been robbed in ancient times. This in and of itself is not unusual. Grave robbing was, and still is, a good source of black market goods. What is strange is what was stolen. The grave robbers took the actual body from the tomb. While modern grave robbers might get a pretty penny for ancient bones, most grave robbers of old were interested in gold, silver and other burial treasures.They would have had no interest in the actual body of the person who was buried in the tomb. Some suggest, based on evidence including hieroglyphs and the Asiatic appearance of a broken statue, that the grave robbers were none but faithful Israelites who removed Josephs body to keep it safe from Hyksos who desecrated the tomb. This would then help explain why the Israelites could so easily gather up Josephs bones to take with them during the Exodus. They had already stolen the body. This would also be in keeping with the theory that Joseph and Imhotep were the same person as Imhotep was said to be deified by the Egyptians after his death, and the ancient Egyptians were known to build elaborate tombs for important people who died.The Hyksos are often seen as nothing more than an interesting historical footnote in Egyptology, but they are of far greater interest for biblical scholars and historians. The appearance of this foreign people in Egypt may account for one of the greatest mysteries in the tale of Joseph and the story of the Exodus. Joseph was not remembered by the Israelites enslavers because the slavers never did know him. He may have saved a people, but it was not their people, and so they took his descendants as slaves until such time as God led his people out of Egypt and back to the land He had promised them so long ago. No matter what some people may seem to think, Christianity does not exist in a vacuum. It is one of many religions on this earth. It may be the largest and arguably the most widespread, but that is not the same as being alone. Christianity itself is certainly not a single, solid monolith either. It is composed of a variety of traditions and denominations, each of which is further made up of individual congregations, families and individuals. The other religions are in the same situation. They are made up of, at the core, individuals. These individuals almost inevitably interact in todays multicultural world. As such, understanding other religions has become an increasingly important skill in the modern world. People can do so much more than simply avoid insulting each other when they take the time to learn about one anothers religions. If they begin their research, however informal it may be, with an open mind, they will see that there is a great deal each religion can teach the others. Some people close their eyes to this fact because they feel that admitting that another religion has valid points or practices is tantamount to abandoning their own. This is nonsense. Learning from another teacher does not negate anothers teachings. If anything, adherents of other religions can teach Christians how to deepen their own faith and better their own practices. So what can Christians learn from other religions? A full listing would fill endless volumes, but here are some of the key lessons that Christians can take away from their friends of other faiths. Begin With Celebrations Pixabay.com Christians are always looking to bring new people into the fold. They want to spread their faith and many of them work hard to entice friends, family members and coworkers to join their church. Unfortunately, some have a tendency to forget what it is that is most likely to draw someone to a new faith. Conversion is not easy on a person, and it is a process. One of the most important things to do is to make the process look like it is worth it and to entice a person to give Christianity a chance. To do that, Christians need to understand what appeals to an outsider. Christians find the knowledge that Jesus died for their sins and saved them to be joyous. Someone who is from another religion might be horrified at the fact that Christians appear to be celebrating a torturous death or confused as to why Christians are so happy to hear that they are inherently sinful and were doomed. Combine this with the serious air that many Christians take on when talking about their faith, and many newcomers will be turned away. Remember, Christianity already has a reputation for being joyless and solemn, so make it a point to change the narrative. Adherents of other religions are excellent at making it a point to begin sharing their faith with celebrations. Hindus invite non-Hindu friends to festivals such as Holi or Durgapuja where there is laughter, music, dancing and homemade food. The air is one of celebration and joy which makes outsiders more interested in returning and learning more. Faith is meant to be a celebration of God, so show that off. More flies are caught with honey than vinegar. The serious discussions about sin can come later. Start at Home Shutterstock.com Some Christian families make it a point to discuss their faith with their children. Others, however, tend to pass the responsibility off to their church or their childrens Sunday school teacher. This is a mistake. Although Christian parents must be careful to avoid pressuring their child to conform to the familys beliefs or to force a child to memorize Bible verses when it is the first sunny day in weeks, there is great value in discussing religion candidly at home. Religious rituals and traditions practiced at home can help provide an anchor for children and teens who are growing in their religious lives. Keeping faith a central part of life at home also demonstrates for Christian youth that religion should permeate every aspect of their lives. It is not something that happens for an hour or two on Sundays. Many other religions are excellent at this. Jewish families in particular practice this as their faith is less common than many others and has been so persecuted. Teaching children about the purity laws and history of Judaism is done largely at home as is much of the preparation for a childs bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah. Neopagans also tend to be very good at encouraging faith at home without undue pressure. This is in many ways done out of necessity. There are few to no Neopagan schools to help teach young Neopagans about their faith unlike Muslim and Christian schools and camps. Embrace Reason Whoever decided that faith and reason were mutually exclusive deserves to be slapped. Unfortunately, the delusion that one must choose logic or religion has stubbornly persisted. The result has been that too many Christians either reject science and reason entirely in order to cling to their faith or they abandon their religion because they are unsure of how to reconcile their beliefs with what they learn in school. The situation is not helped by the fact that Western Christians live in an atheist dominated culture that is increasingly hostile to other religions. Too many Christians continue to live with and live by the false idea that reason and religion cannot coexist in a single persons mind. Buddhism, however, shows this is wrong. Many Buddhists place a high value on logic and science without compromising their faith. Christians should strive to emulate this and teach their children how to marry science and faith to avoid either the spiritual withering that comes from abandoning faith or the willful blindness that comes from denying science simply because it is science. Make Time For God How much time do most people really devote to God each day? The answer across religions is probably not enough, but there are an awful lot of Christians for whom the answer is very little. A number of Christians have lukewarm faith. They go to church on Sundays and might occasionally break out the Bible but beyond that and the occasional prayer, they largely forget about God in their daily lives. Muslims and Jews do a much better job of remembering God in their daily lives. Muslims stop everything five times a day to pray, and many women wear the hijab, a tangible, visible reminder of their devotion to their faith. Jews are often better at keeping the Sabbath than their Christian cousins. They have special meals on Shabbat complete with unique and ritual prayers. Neither one of these religions leaves their faith behind when they leave worship services. Accepting Other Paths Shutterstock.com For whatever reason, many Christians love to create divisions over minor differences and dismiss or demonize other denominations. The theological disagreements between Lutherans and Episcopalians are small, but there are plenty in both denominations that see the other as heretics. This sort of interdenominational squabbling is neither helpful nor holy. All it does is create anger and divisions where there do not need to be any. Hinduism is made up of a wide variety of traditions so different that some religious scholars argue they should be counted as separate religions. Despite this, most Hindus hold to the theory that all Hindus are walking the same path to liberation, some paths just take longer to reach the goal. Imagine what Christians could accomplish in the world if they would stop worrying about whether a person was a Catholic, Lutheran or Episcopalian and instead focused on the fact that all three denominations are Christian. Start With Yourself Shutterstock.com Christians are known in many ways for reaching out. They usually do a great deal of volunteer work in their communities, and evangelism is celebrated across denominations. That outward focus is often a good thing, but the emphasis on serving others selflessly can make it difficult for Christians to give their own needs the attention that they need. It also means that many Christians are evangelizing and trying to convert others before they have truly dug deep and explored their own faith. For Mahayana Buddhists, a person must achieve enlightenment themselves and become a bodhisattva before they can put their entire focus toward saving other beings. That does not mean that Buddhists are selfish prior to achieving enlightenment, but they understand that a person who is still blind themselves cannot lead others. Christians would do well to remember that the Bible speaks against having the blind leading the blind and encourage people, especially new converts, to explore their own faith before actively working to convert others. A sick physician with the best of intentions still spreads more illnesses than cures. Preserving an Identity Shutterstock.com What makes a Christian a Christian? What distinguishes a Christian from non-Christians? Ask almost anyone these questions and their answers will revolve around what Christians believe. Beliefs, however, are not always enough to form an identity. Identities are based not just on what people believe or how they think but what they do and how they act. In this way, Christians do not actually have many distinguishing characteristics. The rituals and actions that once made up the Christian identity have largely been lost to time and shifting cultures. At one point, this was not as much of a problem because the culture in which most Christians lived was at its core a Christian culture. Today, however, most Christians live in cultures that are either actively hostile to Christianity or passive-aggressively unfriendly. The lack of a clear Christian identity in this atmosphere has contributed in part to the decline of Christianity. When it comes to preserving an identity, Christians would do well to look to their Jewish brothers and sisters for advice. Despite spending most of their history either in exile, captivity or as the oppressed subjects of empires and nations, the Jewish people retained a clear identity. Unlike most conquered peoples, they did not merge with the wider culture and become lost within it. If Christianity is to survive, it needs to take a lesson from its sibling religion and form the sort of distinct identity to which Christians in hostile or unfriendly environments can cling. There is much that can be learned from people of other faiths. From practices that Christians should adopt to reminders of how to keep a religious identity alive in a multicultural world, people of every faith have something that they can teach others. This is the beauty of living in an increasingly interfaith world. There are nearly endless sources of knowledge surrounding each person, and everyone has someone they know that can act as an outsider and see what a religious insider may have missed. From there, spiritual needs that may have been missed can be fulfilled. Anyone can deepen their own faith by observing anothers faith. They only need to be brave enough to reach out to another religion and say, teach me. Malaysian opposition leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi waves to the media as he walks into the Anti-Corruption Agency in Putrajaya, Malaysia, July 3, 2018. An earthquake and tsunami that devastated Indonesias Central Sulawesi province last month were Gods punishment for LGBT behavior, Malaysian opposition leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said during question time in parliament on Tuesday. Zahid linked the natural disaster that killed at least 2,250 people in Sulawesi to the LGBT issue while questioning government officials on the parliamentary floor about a state-run program to rehabilitate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. If we look at the situation in Malaysia, it is worrying, because of what happened in Palu, Indonesia, when an earthquake and tsunami happened, said Zahid, a deputy prime minister in Malaysias previous government who heads the opposition Barisan Nasional bloc. It was reported that there were about 1,000 people in their community that were involved in LGBT activities. This resulted in the destruction of the whole area. This is Gods punishment, he said. His remarks were videotaped and disseminated online, including on the website of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), his party that anchors the opposition alliance. Zahid, 65, made the comments while asking questions about a government program known as Mukhayyam, an initiative by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) that aims to reform gay people and return them to the right path. My question is what are the measures being taken by [Jakim] to ensure the effectiveness of the Mukhayyam program because, we see that until mid last year, about 1,195 people had joined the program, he said, adding, And I also want to know the effectiveness of the program so we can avoid Gods punishment toward all Malaysians including those who reject LGBT. The Mukhayyam program consists of sessions lasting three days and two nights. Enrollees receive religious instruction and take part in team-building activities. The participants, according to Jakim, enroll in the program voluntarily. Mujahid Yusof Rawa, a minister in the Prime Ministers Department, responded to Zahids comments on the floor of parliament. He said the governments stand on the LGBT issue was clear and that Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had rejected the LGBT way of life. In late September, the 93-year-old leader of Malaysias new government said same-sex marriage and gay rights went against the values of the Muslim-majority nation. Mujahid said the rights of the LGBT community to practice their way of life is not allowed under the law. At the same time, the rights of them as humans and Malaysians are always protected based on the customary and culture in Malaysia and within the frame of the Federal Constitution that puts Islam as the federal religion, he said. During Tuesdays session in parliament, government officials did not respond to Zahids remarks about the Sulawesi disaster. But Hannah Yeoh, an MP with the Democratic Action Party, one of the constituent parties in the ruling Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) coalition, criticized Zahid for focusing on the LGBT issue. Of all the pressing issues the Opposition Leader @Zahid_Hamidi could have raised, he chose this. Corruption is the biggest social ill and immoral activity in Malaysia. State UMNOs stance on this instead, she said via Twitter. Last week, Zahid was arrested and charged on suspicion of committing a raft of graft-related offenses, including abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering amounting to U.S. $27.56 million. A woman clears debris from her house in Palu, in Indonesia's Central Sulawesi province, in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake and tsunami last month, on Oct. 8, 2018. [AFP] Conversion therapy Mujahid said general attitudes toward the LGBT community had not helped, but marginalized gay people and caused many of them to drift into the sex trade. There are about 20,000 transgender people in Malaysia, of whom almost 80 percent are involved in the sex industry, Mujahid said, citing studies. Besides the Mukhayyam program, Mujahid said one of many initiatives to be introduced by the new government was to help community members find proper jobs. Mujahid also told parliament that his department would be upgrading an app-based e-book for the LGBT community that was introduced by the previous government in 2016. The e-book, titled Hadis Sahih Mengenai Perlakuan LGBT (a compilation of authentic Islamic Hadiths on LGBT behavior), can be downloaded from the Google Play Store application. The app contains guidelines on how to control lust and behavior and includes verses from the Quran. Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor, the mufti of Penang state, applauded the initiative from Jakim despite not having heard about the app before. I think it is good because we want them to return to the right path, he told BenarNews. We have to agree and support the initiative because LGBT is not the norm. Not just in Islam but other religions as well. Meanwhile, LGBT rights activist S.Thilaga criticized the conversion program started by Jakim as a waste of public money that was harmful to people. The fact is that conversion therapy, rehabilitation or balik pangkal jalan (return to the right path) efforts are not evidence and rights-based, she said. Constantly being told that we need to be corrected and rehabilitated, amongst other things, can increase stigma and misinformation, further isolate people, create additional stress, lack of self-worth, create even more barriers for LGBT people to access basic services, and more, Thilaga told BenarNews. Malaysias LGBT community has long suffered discrimination in a country where homosexual sex remains banned under a British colonial-era law and cross-dressing as the opposite sex is illegal. Government forces inspect the site of a car-bomb blast that killed 10 people in Lamitan, a town in Basilan province in the southern Philippines, July 31, 2018. Security forces in the southern Philippines killed a suspected leader of a Filipino pro-Islamic State (IS) group blamed for a bombing that wounded eight people last month, police said Tuesday. Bassir Sahak, a leader of the Ansar al-Khilafah Philippines (AKP) group, was killed in a shootout Monday with police who had come to arrest him in Maasim, a town in the far southern province of Sarangani. The suspects father, Kupang, managed to escape, authorities said. Sahak allegedly handled AKPs finances and was in charge of weapons procurement, regional police commander Chief Supt. Eliseo Rasco said. He was the direct point man of the Ansar al-Khilafah group, Rasco told BenarNews, adding that M-16 rifle rounds and bomb components were recovered from Sahaks hideout. Sahaks group was responsible for a bomb attack in nearby General Santos City that injured eight people on Sept. 16. AKP, also known as Ansar Khalifa Philippines or Khalifa Islamiyah Mindanao, is an IS-sympathizer group in the southern Philippines whose members are mostly trained in building bombs. AKP did not play a role in last years siege of the southern city of Marawi, although it helped in consolidating groups that fought there and was known to actively recruit fighters, officials said. In March, Indonesian Mushalah Somina Rasim (alias Abu Omar) was captured in the town of Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat province, about 149 km (93 miles) south of Marawi. The 32-year-old is being held by the Philippine immigration bureau in preparation for his deportation. Sahaks colleague, AKP leader Jaafar Sabewang Maguid (alias Tokboy) was killed in a firefight with police in January 2017. Maguids group was blamed for a grenade attack that killed a police officer and wounded dozens of civilians in Maasim in 2015. Authorities said the AKP had been in contact with Filipino militants from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the countrys main Muslim separatist force that signed a peace deal with the government in 2014. Last year, militants led by Isnilon Hapilon the acknowledged Filipino leader of IS Philippines took over Marawi and engaged security forces in five months of vicious fighting. Military officials said he was backed by an undetermined number of Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern fighters. Hapilon along with several Filipino pro-IS leaders were killed in a clash in October, ending the siege that killed more than 1,200 people, most of them militants. Jeoffrey Maitem in Cotabato City contributed to this report. Moncks Corner, SC (29461) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. High around 75F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Some clouds. Low 52F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Transitional justice: Ministry consults top leaders on law revision The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs is holding consultations with the political leadership before finalising the controversial bill to amend the Transitional Justice Act for making the law more widely acceptance. Check out the top stories from BGSU and beyond in our newscast and online edition of our newspaper every Wednesday. You can also view past papers by clicking the e-edition header above. Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, will America become the most taxed nation on earth? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices For Immediate Release, October 23, 2018 Contact: Brett Hartl, (202) 817-8121, bhartl@biologicaldiversity.org Trump Nominates Pesticide Industry Insider to Run U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Nominee Would Be Unprecedented as Most Unqualified in Agency History WASHINGTON The Trump administration has nominated a former Monsanto employee to run the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Aurelia Skipwith has been at the Department of the Interior since April 2017 and has helped oversee virtually every effort to dismantle protections for wildlife, national parks and monuments. Aurelia Skipwith has been working in the Trump administration all along to end protections for billions of migratory birds, gut endangered species safeguards and eviscerate national monuments, said Brett Hartl, government affairs director at the Center for Biological Diversity. Skipwith will always put the interests of her old boss Monsanto and other polluters ahead of Americas wildlife and help the most anti-environmental administration in history do even more damage. Under current U.S. law, the president cannot appoint a person to run the Fish and Wildlife Service unless the person is by reason of scientific education and experience, knowledgeable in the principles of fisheries and wildlife management. Skipwiths nomination breaks with decades of tradition from presidential administrations of both parties in that she has neither education nor experience in fisheries and wildlife management. Skipwith is utterly unqualified to run the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said Hartl. Putting unqualified ideological fanatics into positions of power continues to be the Trump administrations game plan. These people have utterly no compunction or shame about destroying the very agencies theyre being appointed to lead. During Skipwiths tenure the Fish and Wildlife Service has repeatedly put the interests of the pesticide industry ahead of imperiled wildlife. In the spring of 2017, the Service scrapped the first nationwide biological reviews that assessed the impacts of pesticides on endangered species. In August it reversed a 2014 decision prohibiting bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides and genetically modified, pesticide-resistant crops on national wildlife refuges. Skipwith has also overseen the national park system in her current position and was instrumental in the agencys sham review of the national monument system that enabled Trump to illegally eliminate Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The Senate should ask Skipwith hard questions about her tenure at the Service, because confirming her would be a travesty for our nations wildlife, said Hartl. MK Nepal blames leaders for thriving corruption Nepal Communist Party (NCP) senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal has said that corruption has flourished in the country because of the political leaders. For Immediate Release, October 23, 2018 Contact: Samantha Parsons, UnKoch My Campus, (434) 473-2549, samantha@unkochmycampus.org Ryan Beam, Center for Biological Diversity, (928) 853-9929, rbeam@biologicaldiversity.org New Report: $25 Million Koch-funded Think Tank at Utah State University Targets Public Lands SALT LAKE CITY A new Koch-funded research center at Utah State University is taking over the work of a private anti-public-lands think tank, leveraging the public universitys name and credibility for projects that stand to benefit Koch Industries, according to a new report released today by the Center for Biological Diversity and UnKoch My Campus. The Center for Growth and Opportunity is carrying on the work of the Logan-based Strata Policy, a Koch-funded advocacy group. Research and policy work at the Center, established at Utah State in 2017 with a $25 million matching donation from the Charles Koch Foundation, stands to boost profits for Koch Industries and others in the Koch philanthropic network, the report found. Our public universities are meant to work for the common good, not for corporate profit, said Samantha Parsons of UnKoch My Campus. Allowing a corporate donor to leverage the universitys resources and brand to grow its self-interested advocacy project is anathema to that mission. The groups are calling on Utah State to rescind its agreement with the Koch Foundation and disaffiliate itself from the Center for Growth and Opportunity. Koch Industries is involved in oil and gas extraction, transportation and refining, cattle grazing, logging and other activities on public lands. The Koch Foundation has spent some $200 million to support faculty and centers on more than 300 U.S. higher-education campuses. The foundations gift to Utah State is its largest to a western university. The Koch Foundations insidious gift to Utah State is really a big present for Koch Industries, said Ryan Beam of the Center for Biological Diversity. Theres a grave risk to both public lands and public education if a corporation like Koch Industries can buy itself a think tank at Utah State. Public lands and public universities are for the people, not for private interest. The Center for Growth and Opportunitys work includes policy research and commentary supporting public lands privatization and the rollback of environmental protections. Most of its employees worked for Strata, and the Center is continuing much of the private think tanks anti-public-lands work, the report found. Other findings show that the Center for Growth and Opportunity: Lacks university oversight; Is controlled by a pre-installed board including Koch-affiliated officials; Has veto power over the hiring of six new Utah State faculty members. Strata and the Center are connected to many of the countrys most prominent anti-public-lands figures, including members of Utahs congressional delegation and state legislature and members of the far-right militant arm of the anti-public-lands movement. Park starts maiden study on carrying capacity of tigers Chitwan National Park (CNP) has begun its first ever study on the carrying capacity of rare Royal Bengal tiger. Women From Across The World Come Here To Get Pregnant Life oi-Syeda Farah Noor Back in the days of history, Hitler who was obsessed with 'racial purity' killed many innocent lives. He killed many innocent people who did not belong to the pure Aryan tribe. Since then, the Aryan tribe became quite popular and was considered to be the purest of breeds in mankind. The Nazis believed that the Aryans had the most "pure blood" of all the people on earth. The ideal Aryan individual is considered to have a pale skin, blond hair and even blue eyes. Most Read: Last Standing Tribes In The World! People from around the world are trying to find out the pure Aryan breed and are showing their willingness to get a child being born from this breed. Here are the details of why women wish to become pregnant with the Aryan breed of individuals. People Here Claim To Be The Pure Bloodline Of The Aryans According to historians, a tribe named the Brokpa had blue eyes, light skin, and stood taller than other community members. Their genetic connect was found to be related to the members of Alexander's army that had stayed back in Ladakh. These individuals claimed that they had the pure bloodline of the Aryans. They Take Pride In Their Ancestors And Genetic Uniqueness The Brokpa individuals take pride in their ancestors and genetic uniqueness that they have. They even preserved their way of life and genetic uniqueness by using strong social sanctions and rules in their lives. Most Read: All About Swastika & Its Rich Positive History! The Brokpa Community Concentrated Themselves In 4 Villages According to the historians, in the year 1991, there were only about 1900 Brokpas alive, and they were concentrated in 4 villages of Ladakh. These individuals were very particular about race and ethnicity. Hence, they were a close-knit community which isolated themselves slowly from the rest of the world. When a girl marries outside their caste or ethnic group, then she is not allowed to enter the village. The Government Intervened And Made The Place A Tourism Destination Since visitors were prohibited from interfering or even entering these villages, the Government of India stepped in and opened up the place for tourism. The people who visit these villages are curious at the breed of individuals living here as they have distinctive characteristics of tall, blue-eyed blondes with superior intelligence and values. Women Are Attracted To Men Here Though this sounds crazy, it is believed that women from different countries from around the world come to these villages to just get impregnated by the local men as they are supposed to be racially pure Aryans. The Brokpa Are Believed To Be The Only Remaining Pure Aryans With the history dating back to the Aryan's descendants, Brokpa individuals are considered to be the purest breed of the Aryans, and this is one of the main reasons why women from across the world are visiting to carry the Aryan seeds to their respective countries. Most Read: Bizarre Beauty Practices From Around The World It Is A Business Now After cases of women who claimed to be happy after getting themselves impregnated with the local men, now it is a business here. It is a full-fledged business where pregnancy tourism is paid and well organised, and people are even charging the tourists for pictures as well. Tika R Pradhan is a senior political correspondent for the Post, covering politics, parliament, judiciary and social affairs. Pradhan joined the Post in 2016 after working at The Himalayan Times for more than a decade. Anup Ojha is a reporter for The Kathmandu Post primarily covering social issues and human interest stories. Before moving to the social beat, Ojha covered arts and culture for the Post for four years. Shashank pushes for timely NC conclave Nepali Congress (NC) General Secretary Shashank Koirala has said that the partys 14th General Convention should be held on time. Tower of Kathmandu It looks like the reconstruction of Dharahara is finally set to begin A week after Brandon City Council voted to increase its salaries ahead of a planned cut to a federal tax exemption, both new and returning candidates seem split on whether the move was justified. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 23/10/2018 (1122 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us A week after Brandon City Council voted to increase its salaries ahead of a planned cut to a federal tax exemption, both new and returning candidates seem split on whether the move was justified. On Oct. 15, council voted unanimously to increase the pay for mayor and councillors by approximately 13 per cent, after the federal government announced it would eliminate a tax exemption for municipal elected officials that allowed them to write off one-third of their salaries from income tax. Coun. Kris Desjarlais (Rosser), who is seeking a second term on council, was away on work-related business and couldnt vote on the motion. But he said had he been there, he would have pointed out the possible misconceptions residents may have, especially so close to election day. Im in favour of council salaries being reviewed, and its not about me making more money, he said. Its about people that are representing the residents of Brandon getting a fair salary relative to other councillors in other jurisdictions and its not even saying it has to be a lot higher, but in the ballpark. In a post Friday on his campaigns Facebook page, Desjarlais said he first raised the issue to city administration last fall, the same year the federal government announced the tax change in its 2017 budget. He said he was brushed aside because no news had been provided by other levels of government. City manager Rod Sage said administration wanted to work with its counterparts to learn exactly what the ramifications would be before presenting options to council, given the tax change would affect every municipality across Canada. Was it ideal timing? No, but at the end of the day, its cost-neutral to the councillor, he said. Desjarlais said he had concerns about the timing of the motion and would have supported deferring it until after the election. He said he would also push for an independent review of councils salaries and questioned the practice of introducing new bylaws after the nomination period. In my opinion, that should just be a convention that we dont entertain, he said. A report from city staff said the take-home pay for council is expected to be similar even once federal and provincial income taxes were accounted for. Had their salaries not been raised, the after-tax income for mayor and council would have dropped by 10 to 15 per cent. The increase will add $39,102 to the 2019 budget. A report from city staff also found that council was paid below the average of 11 other similar-sized municipalities in Western Canada, with the mayor making approximately $10,000 less than the average mayors salary of $86,000, while councillors made more than $11,000 less than the average councillor being paid $29,600. I think it would be fair and prudent for people to have a look around at what other jurisdictions in other cities of a similar size are paying their councillors. Ask themselves if they honestly feel that this council is gouging them by increasing salaries to ensure theyre taking home the same salary they were the year before, Desjarlais said. I dont think anybody in Brandon deserves a pay cut of (10 to 15 per cent) one year over the next. I wouldnt ask that of anybody. Jeff Plas, who is running against incumbent Jeff Fawcett in Assiniboine ward, said he had no problem with bringing salaries up to par with other cities, but believed council should be paying its full share of income taxes. The problem is they were actually using the increase to compensate them for the increased income tax that theyll have to pay, Plas said. South Centre ward candidate Nick Brown said while it was effectively a zero net increase, he would not have supported the motion himself. It could have gone to much better use than be put into the pockets of politicians, Brown said. Glen Kruck, who is running against Desjarlais in Rosser ward, said he also was not in favour of the change and would prefer if councils pay was adjusted to reflect the average income in the city. Personally, I would not have supported that initiative for sure, he said. I have a concern with elected officials being able to set their own salaries. But not every candidate was completely opposed to councils decision. Bruce Luebke, who is also running in South Centre ward, said while he thought council made the right decision, he agreed that the timing wasnt the best. I dont think anybody gets into municipal politics to make money, he said. It would be a pretty tough thing to do, and from a bigger picture standpoint, I think the $39,000 and change thats actually increased in the city budget ... had they decided to put that money into other things, whether it would have any kind of an impact really. James Montgomery, who is running in Victoria ward against Coun. Barry Cullen, said the optics were unfortunate, especially for the incumbents, but he didnt think council was overpaid by any means. Obviously, it would have been better if this had been dealt with a year or year and a half (ago), he said. Cullen, meanwhile, said the move was reflective of councils willingness to do what had to be done, rather than saddle a new group of councillors with the decision. We could have handled this thing right after the election, but this council hasnt been one to shy away from doing the things it has done. Fawcett said even if he isnt voted back in, members of the new council should be paid the same as the previous one. It is odd that we waited to the last week of meetings that we did it, but Im fine with having done that. We remain the lowest paid in the western provinces by a substantial amount. mlee@brandonsun.com Twitter: @mtaylorlee A Manitoba judge has to decide whether a man caught with a significant amount of drugs had his rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms breached when he was arrested. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 23/10/2018 (1122 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us A Manitoba judge has to decide whether a man caught with a significant amount of drugs had his rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms breached when he was arrested. Jordan Chartrand is facing multiple charges, including possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, which were allegedly found when police arrested him for attempted murder in relation to a previous incident. Chartrand was later cleared of attempted murder and the correct suspect was apprehended. During a voir dire (a hearing held to determine the admissibility of evidence) on Thursday in Brandons Court of Queens Bench, defence lawyer Andrew Synyshyn argued city police had no objective grounds to believe that Chartrand was responsible for the shooting that took place, and that his warrantless arrest and subsequent search was a breach of his rights under sections eight and nine of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms the protection against being arbitrarily detained or imprisoned and being unreasonably searched. Const. Curtis Calcut testified that Brandon police were investigating a shooting that occurred on Aug. 23, 2017. Police were informed someone had been shot in the head, and arrived at the home to find a man bleeding significantly from his forehead, Calcut said. It was later determined a bullet had ricocheted off a wall and grazed the victims head. Officers interviewed multiple people who were at the scene, including the victim himself, but evidence they collected wasnt adding up, Calcut said. At one point, officers had a man named Vincent Houle as a potential suspect, Calcut said, but when shown a photo lineup, neither the homeowner present or the victim were able to identify him as the shooter. It wasnt until a few days later the homeowner contacted police and said he forgot to mention Chartrand had been at the home that night, Calcut said, and that Chartrand had come to pick up his bike and told the homeowner Houle was the shooter. Based on how this new information matched up with other pieces of evidence police had collected including a physical description that matched Chartrand and comments made by a third witness Calcut said they believed Chartrand was a suspect. When police located and arrested Chartrand for attempted murder, a search revealed he had cocaine, methamphetamine, scorecards, scales and cash in his possession. Chartrand was taken back to the police station, where he gave a statement, Calcut said, and the attempted murder charges were dropped. Houle was eventually arrested in relation to the shooting, Calcut added. Houle ultimately pleaded guilty in Brandon provincial court in May to careless use of a firearm and unauthorized possession of a weapon. When asked by Synyshyn whether any of the witnesses had identified Chartrand as the shooter in their interviews, Calcut said they had not. Crown attorney Christina Cheater argued there was no breach of the Charter as Chartrand was the "missing link" in the investigation at that point and time and that his arrest was valid. "I think Const. Calcut would be remiss in his job if he didnt go out and arrest Jordan Chartrand. He was the only link that was missing, he was the only individual who left the scene there were reasonable and probable grounds to arrest him," Cheater said. Officers are not required to have a warrant to arrest individuals if there are reasonable or probable grounds to do so, Cheater added. "This was not just a jaywalking incident, or even an assault, this is what they described as an attempted murder," Cheater said. "They had done their due diligence, they had investigated everyone on scene, and as a result of that Const. Calcut believed that he had reasonable and probable grounds to arrest Mr. Chartrand and thats what he did." Synyshyn argued there were no objective grounds to believe that Chartrand was the shooter. "Thats the crux of the argument here police may have believed what they wanted, but when you look at the full picture, theres nothing there that a reasonable third party standing in their place would be able to determine that yes, Mr. Chartrand was in fact the person that committed that offence," Synyshyn said. "Theres an important difference between suspicion and probable grounds to believe its not enough to suspect that someone may have committed an offence. Police have to believe, based on objective fact and evidence, that this is the person who did it." The fact Chartrand was at the residence did not give police grounds to arrest him, Synyshyn said, adding there were other witnesses at the residence who provided statements but were not arrested. Police also could have gone to the courthouse, presented their evidence and obtained a warrant for Chartrands arrest, Synyshyn said, rather than acting "on a whim and a hunch." "Ultimately, we say that when (Const. Calcut) arrested Mr. Chartrand without a warrant, he did so without the appropriate grounds and therefore breached Mr. Chartrands section nine rights," Synyshyn said. "He then searched Mr. Chartrand, therefore breaching his section eight rights, because he didnt have the grounds to do that, either." Justice Sandra Zinchuk must decide whether police breached Chartrands charter rights by arresting him, and in turn whether the items found on Chartrand at the time of arrest are admissible as evidence. Zinchuk reserved her decision for a court date yet to be set. edebooy@brandonsun.com Twitter: @erindebooy A First World War soldier from Nesbitt who was killed in action has been honourably adopted by a Royal Tank Regiment Association in Britain. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 23/10/2018 (1122 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us Frank Donald Skuce displays the plaque commemorating the death of his uncle in the First World War, Monday in Brandon. (Chelsea Kemp/The Brandon Sun) A First World War soldier from Nesbitt who was killed in action has been honourably adopted by a Royal Tank Regiment Association in Britain. "We spotted this lone Canadian grave with a maple leaf headstone," said Tony Hart, secretary to the Bournemouth, Poole & District Branch, Royal Tank Regiment Association. "We are doing something and hes not being forgotten." The grave of Private Frank Skuce, a Nesbitt soldier killed in the First World War, is pictured in Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom. (Photo Submitted) Pte. Frank Skuce served in the 27th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, Manitoba Regiment. He was wounded in action while fighting in France and was evacuated to England. Skuce died in a hospital in Poole, Dorset, England on Nov. 4, 1918, a week before the war ended. He is the only known Canadian serviceman buried in the Poole Cemetery. Hart imagines the war would have been the first time Skuce would have travelled more than 50 kilometres from his home. With Skuce a conscript recruited to the war dying 100 years ago in a war thousands of kilometres from home, Hart thinks that it is highly unlikely that the grave has had many, if any, visitors. "We decided that should change," Hart said. "Hes been under the radar as such, and it was time to put him back on the radar." Comprised of ex-military members, Hart said the Royal Tank Regiment believed it was important to ensure that everybody is remembered. The gravestone itself is under a large tree close to the chapel, leaving it permanently in the shade and a little bit dirty. "We got the scrubbing brush out and have given it a good scrub," Hart said. The group has cleaned up his gravestone, and a wreath will be laid on Sunday, Nov. 4, on the 100-year anniversary of Skuces death. A member of the local clergy will lead a prayer during the service. Speaking with the Canadian High Commission in London, the group was able to obtain Skuces service record, which allowed them to learn a little more about him. He was wounded in action on Oct. 13, 1918, receiving a bullet wound to the right hip, and was eventually evacuated England, where he was diagnosed with influenza on Nov. 1. He died three days later. "He received a wound that might well have been survivable had it not been for the flu as well," Hart said. "The combination of the bullet wound and the Spanish flu sort of finished the poor chap off." A nephew who carries his uncles namesake hopes to visit the site one day. Frank Donald Skuce wants to see the memory of his uncle preserved, along with those who serve and have served in the military at any time. Skuce had four other uncles who were also conscripted to the military, on his fathers side. His family did not talk much about his uncle growing up, gaining mention typically only around Remembrance Day. Skuce still has war mementoes commemorating the soldiers service in the First World War, including a plaque given to family members of those killed in the war, along with his photo and draft papers. "I really didnt know all that much about him," Skuce said. "I wish I had known him." ckemp@brandonsun.com Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp 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 Cork Airport has today welcomed Air Frances expansion plans on its Cork to Paris service. Air France will increase capacity by 24% on its Cork to Paris service, adding an additional 336 seats per week, for the winter season which starts on October 28. Air France began operating a daily flight between Cork Airport and Paris-Charles de Gaulle in May this year. The route was initially announced as a seasonal service and was later extended to a year-round service due to positive bookings. NEWS: From the start of the winter season (October 28, 2018), @AirFranceIE will increase capacity by 24% on its Cork-Paris service, adding an additional 336 seats per week. Read more here: https://t.co/RJsuwuXltI pic.twitter.com/OB1QWw4aFF Cork Airport (@CorkAirport) October 23, 2018 Benedicte Duval, General Manager of Air France KLM UK & Ireland stated: We are delighted to be in a position to increase capacity by 24% on the Cork to Paris route just a few months after launching in the region. The positive performance to date is a testament to the economic recovery in Southern Ireland and the investment Air France-KLM is making in this region. The extra capacity will offer our Irish customers more choice and connectivity, further facilitating growth in both the inbound and outbound markets. Speaking on the announcement, Managing Director of Cork Airport, Niall MacCarthy said: The deployment of a new Embraer E-190 aircraft, resulting in increased capacity on the Cork-Paris route this winter, is testament to Air Frances confidence in the route and the support it has enjoyed in the past six months. France is one of the leading markets for tourism to the island of Ireland. The expansion by Air France will make it even easier for French visitors to travel to the south of Ireland and explore all that the Wild Atlantic Way and Irelands Ancient East has to offer. All flights will be operated by Air France Hop! using Embraer E-190 aircraft and carrying up to 100 passengers. Fares start from 129 return economy including all taxes and charges. Check out our Winter 2018/2019 schedule for more information on our airline partners, destinations, services and travel tips: https://t.co/SnJe0jv7s4#FlyCork pic.twitter.com/Cc3HQCMfcn Cork Airport (@CorkAirport) October 23, 2018 - Digital Desk Management at Dublin Airport are rubbishing a suggestion that a new terminal is needed in the near future. A report to be published by the Department of Tourism is expected to call for work to begin on a third terminal at the airport. Martinne Geller Marlboro cigarette maker Philip Morris International drew accusations of hypocrisy after using a four-page newspaper advertisement in Britain to urge smokers to quit cigarettes. The wraparound advertisement covering yesterdays Daily Mirror tabloid is part of Philip Morriss 2.3m Hold My Light campaign, in which the worlds biggest international tobacco company is pushing a 30-day challenge for people to give up smoking. The campaign also features a video and a website where smokers can sign up for the challenge and gain information to help them to kick the habit. Marlboro cigarette maker Philip Morris International drew accusations of hypocrisy after using a four-page newspaper advertisement in Britain to urge smokers to quit cigarettes. Cigarettes account for the vast majority of Philip Morriss revenue, but the company has repeatedly stated a longer-term vision to replace cigarette sales with products such as its iQOS tobacco-heating device, which it says is less dangerous. This is staggering hypocrisy from a tobacco company to promote its own smoking-cessation products in the UK while continuing to promote tobacco cigarettes across the world, Cancer Research UK said. The best way Philip Morris could help people to stop smoking is to stop making cigarettes, it said. Philip Morris has said that Britain, where like Ireland, advertising and marketing of cigarettes is prohibited, could eradicate cigarettes in coming years. British health regulators have also endorsed e-cigarettes as a way to help people to quit. This campaign is simply PR puff, said Hazel Cheeseman, director of policy for Action on Smoking and Health. If they were serious about a smoke-free world they wouldnt challenge tobacco legislation around the world but instead support regulations that will really help smokers quit and prevent children from taking up smoking, she said. Last year Reuters published a special report on efforts by Philip Morris to subvert the World Health Organisations global tobacco treaty, which is aimed at reducing smoking worldwide. In earnings results published last week, Philip Morris highlighted the sales of iQOS in the EU, as well as cigarette sales outside Europe. Morgan Stanley analyst Pamela Kaufman pointed to a lower than-than-expected decline in sales of combustibles and better-than-expected shipments of heated tobacco sales. Cigarette volume has improved in markets like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the Philippines, while the combustible pricing variance of approximately 8% was driven notably by the EU region, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Russia, said chief financial officer Martin King. He highlighted the performance of iQOS, particularly in the EU. IQOS is also doing well in Russia. Reuters and Bloomberg Eamon Quinn There is no end in sight for Italian fiscal standoff, a leading group of economists has said, and the cost of borrowing for the Italian state will rise to 5% by end of 2020. Capital Economics in London said that Italian Finance Minister Giovanni Tria has made some attempt to defuse the row with Brussels over the budget plans of recently elected coalition League and Five Star Movement by saying it will move again to reducing its structural budget deficit under EU rules, in 2022. He has also said that Italy is committed to staying in the eurozone. It comes as Eurogroup head Mario Centeno said the latest messages from Rome and the European Commission are very positive and he expects agreement to be reached on the blueprint. In all likelihood, this will be a request for the Italian government to submit a revised budget, which it would have to do within three weeks. If the government failed to do this or submitted a budget that did not gain the commissions approval, the matter would be referred to the European Council [made up of the leaders of the EU heads of states] for further deliberations, Capital Economics said. This could be a long, drawn-out political process. Even if Italy eventually faced sanctions for flouting the EUs budget rules, those sanctions wouldnt come until after Italy was put back into an Excessive Deficit Procedure, which might not happen until next year, it said. However, the economists say the commission could be forced to act faster if yields of Italian bonds were to rise again steeply. One thing that could cause the situation to come to a head sooner would be a sharp rise in Italian bond yields. The government has previously said if the spread between Italian and German 10-year bond yields reached 400 basis points [from around 300s currently], it would be forced to take action to reassure markets, it said. However, with Moodys on Friday showing little inclination to push Italian government bonds into junk status, we are comfortable with our view that this will be a slow-burn issue for Italy rather than a full-blown crisis, it said, projecting the 3.5% 10-year yield will rise to 5% by the end of 2020. Samuel Robinson The price of crude oil has fallen to a five-week low as Saudi Arabia backed away from using its oil wealth as a diplomatic hammer and record US production showed no signs of significantly slowing. Saudi Arabian energy minister Khalid Al-Falih eased concern that the worlds biggest oil exporter would withhold supplies to counter any punishment over the killing of regime critic Jamal Khashoggi. Any disruption to output from the Saudis or other major producers would be buffered by American producers who have been pumping more than 10.5 million barrels a day since April. Brent crude, the international benchmark, hovered around $80 per barrel in London. It looks like both the US and Saudi Arabia would like a way to not have oil be part of any sanctions that result from the Khashoggi murder, said Michael Hiley, head of over-the-counter energy trading at New York-based LPS Partners. Crude has fallen from a four-year high touched earlier this month as a darkening demand outlook and equity market routs spurred a flight from risky assets. While US president Donald Trump praised Saudi Arabias official report on Khashoggis demise, the oil market remains on edge as many leaders questioned the explanation that he was accidentally killed in an altercation. Turkish officials have leaked details saying the journalist was murdered. The Saudis admitting that Khashoggi died in the consulate may make some nervous about how the West reacts, but Al-Falih saying that they will continue to increase output and wont use oil as a weapon isnt as constructive for oil prices, said Warren Patterson, commodities strategist at ING Bank. West Texas Intermediate, the benchmark in the US, fell 11c to $69.01 a barrel in New York. Al-Falih told Tass that Saudi Arabia has no intention of repeating the 1970s oil embargo, in which it and several regional allies squeezed supplies to the US and Europe in retaliation of their support for Israel. The kingdom will raise output to 11 million barrels a day in the near future and has the ability to reach 12 million if the market requires it, he said. Meanwhile, American explorers expanded drilling activity for a second week despite a dramatic pullback in the frack work needed to put the finishing touches on new wells. More than 125 additional rigs have been deployed in US fields this year. Foreigners were net sellers of four billion riyals (995m) of stocks last week, more than any other since data was first made available in 2015, with the exception of a one-time outflow from a single transaction in September 2017. Most of the sales came from qualified foreign institutional investors, which were first authorised to trade directly in the market three years ago. Local retail investors were also net sellers for the week, while Saudi institutions were net purchasers. Investors from outside the kingdom and local individuals accelerated sales as volatility surged amid escalating concerns tied to the governments involvement in the death of Khashoggi after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. On Sunday, foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir said the killing was carried out by a rogue operation that then tried to cover it up. European leaders and even President Donald Trump have expressed scepticism over the official explanation. The crisis comes as the kingdoms market regulator and its stock exchange, known as Tadawul, proceed with reforms aimed at aligning the market with international standards as part of a broader plan to diversify the economy. Foreigners are still net buyers for the year after they accelerated purchases in the first half, when Ftse Russell and MSCI announced they will upgrade Saudi Arabia to an emerging market starting in 2019. The record amount of the selloff really shows the gravity of the situation, said Naeem Aslam, chief market analyst at Think Markets UK in London. The Saudis have suffered a major setback, and it is going to take a very long time and hard work for them to gain the same kind of confidence. The Tadawul All Share Index fellup to 3.3% yesterday, before paring the loss to 0.2% by the close. Saudi Arabia had the biggest outflow among exchange-traded funds that buy emerging markets last week. Despite the increased concerns, the main Saudi stock gauge posted a 1.6% increase for the week, prompting traders to speculate that funds tied to the government could be propping up shares, a suggestion that hasnt been confirmed. Numbers provided by the stock exchange on Sunday showed that Saudi institutional investors were net buyers of 7.8bn riyals in the week ended October 18, the highest value since June 2017. Bloomberg Sterling suffered its worst day in a month as fears grew that the border issue and disagreements within the Tories over Brexit would see UK prime minister Theresa May face a serious challenge to her leadership. However, a bid by MP Steve Baker, a leading Conservative Brexiteer, to sabotage Brexit negotiations, was withdrawn. He had wanted to table amendments with the support of the Democratic Unionist Party to a bill that would have required Stormont, which is currently suspended, to approve anything that would treat the North differently from the rest of the UK. He announced on Twitter that he was withdrawing his amendments but not before the news had further troubled sterling. Against sterling, the euro rose about 0.3% to 88.5 pence at one stage. Prime Minister May told MPs that most of the work in the Brexit talks with the EU, apart from the Irish border, had been completed. (The DUP report) is just reinforcing the negative sentiment towards the pound. On the weekend, we saw increasing concern over political instability in the UK and the threat of another leadership challenge back on the table, said Lee Hardman, FX strategist at MUFG in London. Mr Hardman said he still expected a deal eventually to be struck over Brexit but added: The path to a deal seems to have become a bit harder. (The leadership challenge issue) is hanging over sterling, which is (also) waiting for another steer on Brexit, likely from this address from May today, Investec economist Victoria Clarke said. Late last week, Brexit optimism, along with a paring of dollar long positions, saw short sterling bets fall, calculations by Reuters and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission showed. But analysts at Nomura said they were taking profit on long sterling positions, noting the risks in the short term. Despite our view that a leadership confidence vote on May is no more than hyped-up tail risk, we admit the Conservative party has never looked closer to triggering such action as it does today, Nomura said, noting that centrist Tories, as well as Brexiteers, were disgruntled with the direction of Brexit policy. The pound skidded lower across the board as pressure mounts on growing domestic and international political risk. Pressure was mounting on Theresa May following her willingness to consider the extension of the Brexit transition period, said Fiona Cincotta, senior market analyst at City Index. She said: A potential leadership challenge is an imminent and growing risk for the pound, one that could prevent sterling from venturing much beyond $1.30 over the coming sessions. This is not the first time that the pound has tumbled on concerns that the PM wont make it to the finish line. However, it is an extremely risky strategy to oust the PM at this late stage in Brexit talks and this could prove to be her only solace. In her speech, Ms May reiterated her promise to unilaterally guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in Britain to remain, even if she fails to get a Brexit deal. In the statement, I made after Salzburg I made clear that in a no-deal situation we will guarantee the rights of EU citizens, she said. Thats not quite enough for businesses and EU citizens, who want a firm legal guarantee instead. Irish Examiner, Reuters, and Bloomberg staff. Center Parcs is due to open its first Irish outlet in Co Longford next summer and today it shared some very exciting news. It will be home to the largest spa in the country, the Aqua Sana spa retreat in the forest. Latest: The Government has approved the forensic excavation of the site of a former mother and babies home. A mass grave was found at the former home in Tuam in Co Galway last year. Childrens Minister Katherine Zappone announced there will be a forensic excavation and recovery of the human remains, as well as a forensic analysis of any recovered remains and, where possible, identification and respectful reburial. A commission was set up following allegations that around 800 infants were buried in a septic tank at the former home for unmarried mothers. Ms Zappone described it as a day filled with emotion. It is only by taking the right actions now can we truly demonstrate our compassion and commitment to work towards justice, truth and healing for what happened in our past and, most especially, for those who were previously abandoned. @KZapponeTD pic.twitter.com/os7O0joyI1 MerrionStreet.ie (@merrionstreet) October 23, 2018 The excavation can only happen after legislation is passed by the Irish parliament to deal specially with the project, which is expected to cost between six million and 13 million euro. Ms Zappone explained that the bespoke legislation was needed to provide specific lawful authority to carry out the excavation of the site. A group of Government officials and experts are expected to meet in the next two weeks to examine how to put the legislation in place. Bed sheets with the names of hundreds of dead children draped on the gates of a mass burial site at Tuam (Niall Carson/PA) The actions to be taken include: A phased approach to the forensic excavation and recovery of the juvenile human remains; The use of systematic on-site ground-truthing and text excavations to effectively locate potential burials; The forensic analysis of any recovered remains and, where possible, individualisation and identification; Arrangements for respectful reburial and memorialisation and the appropriate conservation of the site. Ms Zappone described the Governments approach as reasonable and rooted in profound empathy. The initial work on site will focus on the remains known to be within the series of chambers identified by the commission of investigation, she added. People hold up names of children as they gather to protest at the site of the former Tuam home for unmarried mothers (Niall Carson/PA) It is a day filled with emotion. Since confirmation that the site contains the remains of children, my officials and I have been grappling with how to ensure how we respond appropriately. The Bon Secours sisters, who ran the home until it closed in 1961, have offered a fixed sum of 2.5 million euro towards the costs, which Ms Zappone said was not a settlement. Niamh McCullagh, a forensic archaeologist, said that estimating the number of remains is difficult but added there was perhaps more than 100 at the site. Ms Zappone said DNA testing will be carried out to identify the remains and that a pilot process will be undertaken on a small number of remains on the site. Ms McCullagh added that retrieving DNA is complex and challenging because of the age of the juvenile remains. The fact that the government has decided to initiate a forensic protocol for recovery of these remains will assist towards trying to establish individualisation and identification but in terms of whether DNA is going to actually be possible, to say with certainty is simply not possible at this point, Ms McCullagh added. A memorial site on the grounds of the former home (Niall Carson/PA) Lost children, lost sisters and lost brothers. The impact on families and individuals is devastating and we owe it to the strength and the passion and the courage of those who spoke up and broke the silence to act now. She also stated that what happened in Tuam was part of pattern of injustice that we cannot overcome unless we acknowledge it. We must look not just at the actions of the church or religious orders, we must examine and accept the role of the State and wider society, she added. Ms Zappone described it as an unprecedented piece of work adding that they do not know if they can identify all the remains. She also said she has not heard from Pope Francis after raising the issue with the pontiff during his visit to Ireland in August but added that she is certain that the Vatican is aware of what she announced on Tuesday. Dr Geoffrey Shannon, National Child Protection Rapporteur, who published a report into the mother and baby home, said: I expressed the view that we need to have regard to the distress and anguish of family members. Family members have human rights that need to be respected and vindicated. James Gibbs, of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, said that any evidence of criminal matters that emerge during the process will be dealt with by Garda.- Press Association Earlier: Campaigner Catherine Corless has welcomed today's development saying it's a great day for survivors. "I'm absolutely overwhelmed with the whole announcement," she said. "I didn't expect it and neither did the survivors. We thought we had a further battle on our hands. "It's a statement that those children mattered, that they do deserve dignity, and they do deserve recognition and to give them a name." Earlier: The site of the former mother and baby home in Tuam, Co Galway, is to be fully excavated and forensically examined. The government decided a full excavation was the best way forward at its cabinet meeting this morning. A forensic examination will aim to identify the remains of all children buried at the site. Arrangements for reburial or memorialisation of those children will then be arranged. Forensic archaeologist Niamh McCullagh says it will be difficult to identify the remains through DNA testing. "These remains have been interred in a very specific environmental context that involves contamination from many other DNA sources so there's quite a lot of complexity here," she said. The cost of the project is expected to be between 6m and 13m. Minister @KZapponeTD announces a phased approach to the forensic excavation of the remains of the children who died in Tuam Mother and Baby Home #iestaff via @Elaine_Loughlin pic.twitter.com/7DGdNxxoKD Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) October 23, 2018 Children's Minister Katherine Zappone says every reasonable effort will be made to locate and recover the remains of all children buried in Tuam and her Department will lead the process. She wrote to the Bons Secours nuns, who have offered to pay some of the costs of the excavation. "It is a contribution to the costs, it's voluntary. It is not a settlement, it is not an indemnity. They have offered the State a contribution of 2.5m towards the costs," she said. The Minister says she can't give a timeline for when work will start as legislation needs to be passed to allow it to happen. The Department also can't say how many children's remains may be located at the site until work begins. The past needs to be addressed by fully finding out what happened in Tuam, said Minister Zappone: "The pain, the grief and the injustice caused by events in that home may never heal. Many men and women alive today spent time in that institution, either as children or young women. It is a day too to remember the children whose remains are in the site." Digital Desk By Niall Murray Proper traffic management must be introduced before the potential opening of two new schools in the Cork suburb of Douglas, a local area representative says Cork County Council has granted planning permission for a new 24-classroom primary school for Rochestown Educate Together National School, to be built on the old Carrigaline Road, about half a mile from the N28 Cork-Ringaskiddy route. A planning application is also being considered by the Council for a 600-student second-level Educate Together on a site about a mile away, nearer to Douglas Village and the 'fingerpost' roundabout at the Rochestown end of the Carrigaline Road. The council asked the Department of Education last week for further information about the plans, which propose drop-off and pick-up facilities, 67 parking spaces and 150 bicycle parking spaces. The planning application for the primary school, which has been in temporary accommodation since opening in 2013, was submitted in May by the Department of Education. It proposes 46 parking spaces on site, with a new access road off Carrigaline Road and a set-down area. But traffic and parking arrangements under the planning permission granted last week are not yet known. Local Labour Party representative, Peter Horgan, welcomed the permission and said he hopes the second-level school application is also successful. But, he said, transport alternatives to private vehicles must be prioritised before any construction begins. He said 2016 Census data shows that 75% of people commuting to school or college in the Douglas area did so by private car. He said this amounts to 3,760 people, compared to just 27 people who cycled, and 569 (11%) who used public transport. President Michael D Higgins was repeatedly attacked for his extravagant lifestyle and Learjet trips amid claims that he could not lie straight in bed over spending during tonight's high-profile presidential debate. The questions were thrown at President Higgins in the final head-to-head battle between all six candidates, which also saw Peter Casey labelled Nigel Farage for his views on Travellers and claims their ethnic minority identity lets them benefit financially with houses and fields. In a lively 90-minute debate which saw candidates attempt to damage their rivals in one last bid for the Aras, President Higgins repeatedly clashed with rivals over his alleged spending habits. After President Higgins he travelled to Belfast on May 29 by Learjet because he needed to also attend an international piano competition, Mr Casey said he couldnt lie straight in bed and noted the previous claim that it was for security reasons by highlighting a previous trip to Munster by saying: Were there security issues in Kerry? Gavin Duffy also attacked President Higgins, saying the president is distracted by the trappings of power, while Sean Gallagher said there are similarities with the 2009 resignation of ex-Fianna Fail ceann comhairle John O Donoghue. However, President Higgins continued to defend himself, saying: I dont consider it an extravagance and stressing his entire life has been about authenticity. Picture: Julien Behal Photography The early exchanges of the debate were dominated by Mr Caseys recent remarks about Travellers, with Sinn Fein candidate Liadh NiRiada labelling him Nigel Farage. Ms Ni Riada faced further questions about her views on the HPV vaccine, while senator Joan Freeman angrily rejected suggestions that her Pieta House has not saved the lives of 30,000 people. Despite repeatedly attacking other candidates, Mr Gallagher at times appeared angry with other claims from rivals, including when Mr Casey said I dont think RTE did anything wrong during the 2011 Tweetgate presidential controversy and Gavin Duffy, who said: Sean, you dont want to waste time on something that is an embarrassment to you. On their way into RTE before the debate began, the five challengers to the incumbent appeared tense at the last chance to personally land a blow on President Higgins and potentially drag themselves back into contention. Mr Higgins and Mr Casey did not comment to reporters on entering RTEs TV studio. However, Ms Ni Riada said she was hoping for a respectful debate with no bombshells, and Ms Freeman said she was looking forward to setting out our stalls after a two-month campaign and just days before Fridays vote. The expenses questions continued yesterday, with the Aras defending the news that a woman described by Mr Higgins as his gifted floral arranger travelled with the 28,194 official presidential delegation to Australia in 2017. Meanwhile, Mr Gallagher has confirmed he will take part in the final debate of the presidential campaign on Virgin Media Ireland tomorrow in a last-ditch bid to win over wavering voters, but insisted this is not because he is trailing Mr Higgins by 56 points in the polls. The Education Committee is to examine how sexual consent classes are being taught in colleges across the country. Yesterday, it was reported that there has been a rise in the number of students attending consent workshops. The Committee wants to find out how the principles guiding sexual consent are being taught to young adults. Representatives from universities, the Union of Students in Ireland and the Rape Crisis Network will appear before TDs this afternoon. The Chair of the Committee, Fianna Fail TD Fiona O'Loughlin, says they also want to establish whether classes should be offered at secondary school level. "There seems to be a wide range of approaches attempting to address this matter," said Deputy O'Loughlin. "There also seems to be a number of different providers of workshops and courses so there just seems to be a fragmented approach to effectively achieving the aim of consent classes. "So we want to look at all the different approaches and we want to see should there be a standardised approach." Ms O'Loughlin said that the rise in the number of students opting to attend consent classes raises the question of whether they should be made mandatory. Digital Desk The Minister for Health says he's open to meeting with INMO officials in a bid to prevent nurses taking industrial action over recruitment and retention issues. Last week members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation rejected proposals which would have seen an increase in some allowances and a reduction in the number of years required to become a senior staff nurse. By Pat Flynn A transatlantic jet has made an emergency landing at Shannon Airport this afternoon after a passenger fell ill. Emirates flight EK-237 was travelling from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to Boston in the US at the time. The flight as about 350 kilometres south of Cork at around 12.45pm when the crew declared a medical emergency. The Boeing 777-300(ER) jet, which was around 8 hours into its journey, landed safely at 1.26pm and was met by airport fire and rescue crews. Two units of the local authority fire service from Shannon Town were also mobilised to the airport along with ambulances paramedics. The aircraft taxied to the terminal where it was met by airport authorities and National Ambulance Service personnel. The passenger was removed to hospital for treatment. The flight was able to continue its journey once the passengers baggage had been removed, in accordance with strict security procedures, and the crew received a new flight plan. The flight continued its journey to the US at 3.17pm. Yesterday, an American Airlines flight made an emergency landing after the crew declared a May Day over the Atlantic and returned to Dublin. Flight AA-209 had left Dublin for Chicago two hours earlier. The crew turned around after reporting a passenger had fallen in. A man in his 30s has been charged in connection with the murder of a mother-of-two in Cabra in Dublin at the weekend. The body of Amanda Carroll was found at her apartment at Homestead Court on Quarry Road on Sunday afternoon. By Aoife Nic Ardghail A young Dublin man who engaged in catfishing to lure teenage boys into sharing explicit images of themselves online will be sentenced early next year. Garda Daniel Tracey revealed that Ben Mooney (22) used the name Nicole Heffernon to email and contact teenage boys through Facebook. Gda Tracey explained that Mooney had been catfishing, which is pretending to be someone else online, to obtain images of boys in their underwear and naked. The garda said there were also videos of the teenagers masturbating. Mooney later told gardai that he had contacted up to 15 teenage boys in the two years before he was caught. Mooney, of Rathsallagh Park, Shankill, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to knowingly possessing child porn and possessing 4,000 images and 300 videos of child porn on a Samsung mobile phone at his home on January 5, 2016. He has no previous convictions. Gda Tracey told Genevieve Coonan BL, prosecuting, the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children in America contacted gardai about two email addresses sharing child porn. One of these email addresses was in the name Nicole Heffernon and the other belonged to a 16-year-old boy. During the investigation, gardai spoke with this boy, along with two other males aged 16 and 15 years. They told officers that a person pretending to be a 16-year-old girl had contacted them through Facebook and had been sending them explicit material. Gda Tracey said the IP address for the Nicole Heffernon email led back to Mooney's home. He and colleagues got a search warrant for the premises, where Mooney and his parents were present. Mooney asked his parents to leave him with gardai and then admitted he had contacted up to 15 teenage boys over the last two years. Gda Tracey said Mooney gave officers a number of emails, with which he had communicated with other suspected paedophiles through a Russian website. Gardai also seized two mobile phones and a computer hard drive during the search. Gda Tracey told Ms Coonan that 70 percent of the 6,000 images on the phones was a mixture of pornography and child pornography. He said the child porn images fell onto the lower two levels of the scale and consisted of children posing erotically, solo masturbation and sexual activity between minors. He said a huge percentage of the material involved young males between ten to 16 years old. Gda Tracey agreed with Sean Guerin SC, defending, that Mooney made full admissions before forensic analysis had been done on the computer hard drive. He accepted that Mooney had been 19 years old at the time and that he had been struggling with his sexuality. He further agreed that Mooney seems to have turned his life around, noting that he was staying up all night playing computer games and sleeping all day at the time. Judge Melanie Greally ordered a report from The Probation Service and adjourned the sentence to January, when she will hear a plea in mitigation from Mr Guerin. Dublin City Council has rejected for a second time plans by developer Johnny Ronan to build the tallest tower in the country at Tara Street. The new tower would accommodate almost 900 office workers, a 106-bedroom hotel and a restaurant on the top floor with an open terrace. Police in the North are appealing for witnesses following an assault in Belfast. A man in his 50s was assaulted by another man as he was walking in the Mountpottinger Road area. By Ann O'Loughlin The Supreme Court must decide whether Catherine Nevins conviction for the murder of her husband can be relied on by his family in their bid to ensure her estate does not benefit from his. Lawyers for Ms Nevins estate told the court today the conviction does not amount to proof of her guilt of Tom Nevins murder and was proof only she was found guilty. Ms Nevin died in a hospice last February having been given compassionate temporary release from her life sentence. The disinheritance case is being opposed by the executors of her estate. The Supreme Court heard an appeal by the estate arising from a Court of Appeal finding the criminal conviction can be relied on in the civil disinheritance proceedings as proof of Ms Nevins guilt of the murder of her husband in March 1996. Members of Mr Nevins family were in court for the appeal on which the five-judge court, presided over by the Chief Justice, Mr Justice Frank Clarke, reserved judgment. In submissions, Coleman Fitzgerald SC, for the estate, said Ms Nevin always denied involvement in her husbands murder and had intended to give evidence to that effect in the civil proceedings. There was a procedural flaw in manner in which the family had sought orders permitting them rely on the conviction, he said. Tom and Catherine Nevin outside of Jack White's Pub, Co Wicklow A conviction order is proof only of itself and that a person was found guilty but was not proof of their guilt, counsel submitted. In that context, the conviction order amounted to hearsay. George Brady SC, for the family, said the undisputable fact was Catherine Nevin had been convicted in 2000 of the murder after a 42-day trial in the Central Criminal Court. That was the third trial, two earlier trials having been aborted, he said. He rejected the estates arguments of a procedural flaw in the familys preliminary application seeking orders permitting them rely on the criminal conviction for their civil case. When making the preliminary application, he was acutely conscious of a lacuna in the Succession Act but had not argued that point and instead relied on the common law in seeking the order to rely on the criminal conviction, Mr Brady said. Tom Nevin's mother, Nora, initiated proceedings in November 1997 seeking that Catherine Nevin be disinherited. Mr Nevin died intestate and the couple had no children which generally means the entire estate goes to the widow. Mr Nevin was murdered in 1996 at Jack Whites Inn in Brittas, Co Wicklow, the pub jointly owned by the couple. Mrs Nevin re-opened the pub for a short time before it was sold in 1997 for IR620,000. After Nora Nevin died intestate in 1999, her case was taken over by Tom Nevins brother and sister, Patrick Nevin and Margaret Lavelle, who were in court today. A newly-engaged Irish woman was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when she fatally stabbed her fiance in Sydney, a judge has been told. Tina (Cathrina) Cahill, 27, from Wexford, was due to face a murder trial in the New South Wales Supreme Court today. But the charge was downgraded and she pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of substantial impairment by abnormality of the mind. Cahill admitted unlawfully killing 29-year-old David Walsh - who was also from Wexford - between February 17 and 18 in 2017 in Padstow. Prosecutor Nanette Williams said the Crown accepted the plea to the less serious offence on the basis that Cahill was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder at the time. Her barrister, James Trevallion, said the abnormality of mind was caused by Mr Walsh's conduct towards his client, submitting that the judge needed to be aware of the "extent of the provocation and controlling behaviour" by Mr Walsh. The couple's two housemates, now back in Ireland, could give evidence about the nature of the relationship. They also were witnesses to events on February 17 at two east Sydney pubs, the Cock'N'Bull Hotel and the Doncaster Hotel, and at the Padstow address, Mr Trevallion said. The Crown and defence have yet to prepare an agreed statement of facts for Justice Peter Johnson to use as the basis for Cahill's sentence hearing on November 1. Ms Williams said the Crown was seeking victim impact statements from Mr Walsh's brothers and from a number of children in Ireland. Cahill's mother and father had travelled to Sydney for her court appearance. "She's doing OK, but that's all I can really say at this stage," Mr Trevallion said after the hearing. "Her mother and father are over here from Ireland supporting her. They have had a chance to talk to her in court today." PA Dozens of Tory MPs have reportedly written a letter to the British Prime Minister calling on her to drop plans to investigate Northern Ireland military veterans. There has been outrage over potential legal action against soldiers for events linked to the Troubles. A UK Government consultation paper, Addressing the Legacy of Northern Ireland's Past, was launched in May on how a historic investigation could be carried out. In a letter to Theresa May, 150 Tory MPs and peers say a new Historical Investigations Unit would put "service and security personnel at an exceptional disadvantage", the BBC is reporting. Mrs May's official spokesman said he was not aware whether the Prime Minister has yet received the letter. He added: "There is a consultation which has been taking place in relation to this issue. The purpose of the consultation was to allow everyone a say on the proposals in the 2014 Stormont House Agreement in relation to legacy and how we best move forward. "Everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard. The Government is encouraged that so many people have responded to this important consultation. "The Government will now consider all the views received and provide a response as soon as we can." A total of 16,000 people have responded to the consultation, he said. In July, more than 30 Tory MPs supported a backbench proposal for a 20-year time limit on reopening cases involving former members of the armed forces who served in Northern Ireland. Earlier this month, a cross-party group of Westminster politicians, including four former Northern Ireland secretaries, urged Karen Bradley to draw a line under the region's past. Lord Hain and seven other signatories advised prioritising compensation for victims over investigation. The past has been one of the sticking points between the Democratic Unionists and Sinn Fein through several rounds of failed talks to agree the return of power-sharing at Stormont. The pursuit of former soldiers has also sparked outrage among veterans, particularly following the arrest of pensioner Dennis Hutchings. Mr Hutchings, a 77-year-old former member of the Life Guards regiment, is accused in relation to the fatal shooting of a man with learning difficulties in 1974. The Daily Express reported on Monday that he is refusing treatment for kidney disease for fear it would get his case dismissed on medical grounds. Mr Hutchings, from Cawsand in Cornwall, is due to stand trial in Belfast charged with attempted murder and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. He denies the charges. John Pat Cunningham, 27, was shot in the back in Co Armagh as he ran away from an Army patrol. His family argued that he ran across a field because he feared men in uniform. Conservative MP Richard Benyon, who served as an Army platoon commander in Northern Ireland in the 1980s, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think it's a burning injustice when people - many of whom have been investigated on more than one occasion and are now living in late old age - are being taken from their homes and being investigated. "This is having a profound effect on today's armed forces as well. "I think that over the years we have appeased the terrorists through the Good Friday Agreement, through the on-the-runs letters, through Royal pardons. "Now (we have) old people like Dennis Hutchings - a terminally ill veteran in his late 70s - being taken to Northern Ireland. "We've got others being taken before the coroners' courts for reasons that are inexplicable under judicial process." Mark Thompson, whose brother was shot dead in Northern Ireland in 1990, told Today: "In the course of the conflict, the British Army were responsible for just under 400 killings. "Four soldiers went to jail, all four were released significantly early in their sentences, two were sent on peace-keeping duties to Kosovo and the other two were promoted and got backdated pay. "I think the indicative point is that when it comes to the British Army and the Tory Party, they want to talk about the rule of law when it's applied to everyone else but not to soldiers." PA Two Dublin schools have shut with immediate effect after problems were discovered during structural checks being carried out at 30 schools built by Western Building Systems. More than 1,200 children go to Tyrrelstown Educate Together and St Luke's National School in Mulhuddart, which have both closed today. Earlier this week, serious structural issues forced Ardgillan Community College in Balbriggan closed one of its buildings. A statement from Educate Together said: "The Department of Education and Skills has announced that Tyrrelstown Educate Together National School is to close with immediate effect, following a safety assessment conducted at the school today. "Consultant structural engineers appointed by the Department have today identified significant structural issues with the Tyrrelstown ETNS building, similar to the structural problems discovered at Ardgillan Community College which closed last week. Educate Together also understands that nearby Saint Luke's National School, Tyrrelstown is also to close with immediate effect. "This safety assessment was organised as part of a series of investigations being carried out on schools built within the past ten years by Western Building Systems. "For safety reasons, the Tyrrelstown ETNS building cannot be occupied whilst remedial works are being carried out. Educate Together expects that all students will be accommodated by the Department of Education after the mid-term break with interim accommodation solutions. These solutions are the responsibility of the DES. However Educate Together will assist the DES in any way it can in finding and sourcing suitable temporary accommodation for the school community. "Speaking on Morning Ireland this morning, Minister McHugh stated: if today shows up that there are issues in that school [Tyrrelstown ETNS], certainly we are going to be anticipating that there will be more. That doesnt mean there will be issues in all of them. Educate Together is anxious that structural assessments take place at all other affected schools as a matter of urgency to ascertain the facts in the case of each individual school. "Educate Together acknowledges and reflects how inconvenient and frustrating this will be for the Tyrrelstown ETNS school community, and any other Educate Together school communities that may be affected by these structural issues. Educate Together is in ongoing communication with these schools and the DES." The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, says it's clear to him that corners were cut while schools were built during the Celtic Tiger. "It certainly does appear to me that corners were cut back in the Celtic Tiger period when it comes to the building of some of these schools, which is truly disgraceful in my view," he said. "Prior to 2014/2015, and during the Celtic Tiger period, schools were built without proper oversight." In a statement, a spokesperson for Western Building Systems said: We are responsible, solutions focussed professionals operating for 35 years. We place considerable emphasis on delivering high quality work on each of our projects, always ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. These include projects which have met the Department of Education and Skills compliance standards. We fully recognise that this is a very important matter, not least for the pupils, parents and teachers of the schools involved. Until now, our integrity has never been questioned. Each of our Department of Education and Skills projects, both before and since the amendments to building regulations in 2014, were subjected to inspections during construction. Every time, each was certified as meeting compliance standards. We are interested in getting to the bottom of this and that starts with establishing the facts. We are moving to intensify our engagement with the Department and other relevant bodies to better understand the issues which have now arisen and to work to resolve them. We have received some rather than all of the individual school fire audit reports. Of those we have received, we have responded with two exceptions which have only recently been issued to us. We are writing to the Minister for Education and Skills on the matter and remain available to meet with him and his officials. A woman from the Traveller community who was verbally abused at a Dublin university has blamed presidential candidate Peter Casey for emboldening those with racist views in society. Kathleen Lawrence, 33, was studying in a common area in University College Dublin on Monday when she overheard a fellow student use the word 'knacker'. "When I heard him say it, it immediately shocked me, and I asked: 'What did you just say? Did you just say knacker?'," she said. "I explained to him that he shouldn't say that word, that I was a traveller and I find it very offensive and derogatory. "He immediately told me to 'Mind my own f***ing business' and when I said I would report him he said; 'Report me to who you f***ing want - I don't care.' "He immediately went on the attack, he was so confident in what he was saying. "I got up and left, and I could hear him saying that he couldn't be racist because travellers are not a race." Knacker is viewed as a derogatory and racist term to the Traveller community. Ms Lawrence who is completing a Masters Degree in Human Rights, says she was most disappointed in the other people in the area who did not intervene. "Usually when you challenge people on using that word, they'll be a bit embarrassed, they'd say they weren't thinking of Traveller people when they use it or whatever, but he was so sure of himself, like he was untouchable," she said. Businessman Peter Casey has come under increased criticism after two weeks of standing by his comments about Travellers, who he says are not an ethnic minority, don't pay their fair share in taxes and camp on other people's land. He considered pulling out of the Presidential race last week, but says he will continue on after receiving what he said were thousands of messages of support from the public over his comments about Travellers. Ms Lawrence said Mr Casey was setting a bad example: "The likes of Peter Casey, and politicians who are all in the public sphere who can say things about Travellers and get away with it without consequences, then the public begin to feel the exact same way." "The fact is that those people, not only stay in their jobs, but do quite well in them, and face no consequences at all. "I would've preferred if Casey had stood down, but when I heard people contacted him to say he was doing a good job, that he himself felt emboldened by his acts, that's more frustrating. "He took solace from the fact that people were messaging him to praise him, that is so disheartening. "He has no self-awareness at all, and thankfully his support remains low, which is great news for the people of Ireland, because regardless of his views on Travellers, we couldn't have a man like him as president." Ms Lawrence reported the incident to UCD Student Union's welfare officer and says this is the first time she's experienced racism at the university, but has previously experienced during her first degree at a different institution. UCD have been approached for comment. PA This copy was amended on 24 October 2018. A range of new genetic modification (GM) techniques that have made disease-resistant rice and non-browning white button mushrooms a reality would no longer be regulated, under controversial proposals by the Gene Technology Regulator. Following two years of consultations, the regulator determined plants, animals and microbes that have been modified using a genome editing technique called SDN-1 should not be regulated as a genetically modified organism (GMO) because the possible changes can occur naturally. Scientists have used CRISPR/SDN-1 technique to stop white buttom mushrooms from browning. Credit:Edwina Pickles The regulator also concluded RNA interference (RNAi), a gene silencing technique, should not be considered gene technology in some circumstances, meaning certain affected organisms would not be GMOs. State and federal ministers of the Legislative and Governance Forum on Gene Technology weighed up the proposed legislative changes this month and "requested further advice" - going against the regulator's expectations of decisive action and to the relief of public health experts and environmental groups. The Melbourne CBD was brought to a standstill on Tuesday as more than 150,000 protesters spilled into the city to march for improved workers' rights and pay. But in Sydney, the crowd which gathered at Belmore Park near Central Station at about midday was about 15 times smaller, at roughly 10,000. The expected crowd sizes, which are estimates provided by the Australian Council of Trade Unions, are loosely based on the turnout at the first set of Change the Rules rallies in May, when more than 100,000 marched in Melbourne and about 10,000 turned up in Sydney. Why is the difference so stark? Up to 160,000 people marched through Melbournes CBD on Tuesday in support of expanded workers rights and better pay, exceeding the expectations of union organisers. In Sydney, a crowd of up to 20,000 gathered at Belmore Park, near Central station about midday. Change the Rules Rally in Melbourne. Credit:Justin McManus For the national union movement, this was the escalation of the long-running Change the Rules campaign, which argues that Australias workplace laws are broken and weighed too far in favour of large employers while workers struggle to receive a pay rise. We rally, because the trade union movement of Australia will not accept record inequality, said Sally McManus, the secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions. We will not accept insecure work at 40 per cent of the workforce. We will not accept our wages going backwards while profits and productivity are going up. We will not accept low-wage, low-paid insecure work for the next generation. Amy Schumer has announced she is pregnant with her first child. The actress and comedian took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a photo of her and husband Chris Fischer's heads photoshopped onto the bodies of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who are also expecting. The not-so-cryptic post directed fans to the page of American political journalist Jessica Yellin. "About to announce some exciting news," Schumer wrote. "She agreed to post a lil' noise today for me! Follow her and VOTE." I'm sure the attack on him/her would be not unlike the attacks the pollies are now protecting themselves from. Gordon Fyfe, Kambah Keep a weather eye I think perhaps that Bruce Wright (Letters, October 22) is trying to have "two bob each way" in his criticism of the Bureau of Meteorology. While showing off his knowledge of how the BOM forecasting system works, he is quick to criticise it for getting the rainfall figures for last Wednesday so wrong. If he is so clever as to understand the forecasting system, he should have been smart enough to check the BOM radar website, which clearly showed very large weather cells passing within 20 kilometres to both the east and west of Canberra, and which were streaming down from the north-west for most of the day. Any one of these cells could easily have passed over Canberra and delivered the forecast rainfall in a flash. The BOM does a magnificent job in providing very accurate seven-day weather forecasts. No doubt if the bureau had only forecast the 0.5mm that fell in Bruce's rain gauge and it so happened that 20mm fell, he and his ilk would still be criticising the bureau for not giving an advance warning. Jeff Day, Greenway Transports of madness The front page article ("Govt told to ditch Barton team link", October 23, p1) stating the ACT government's intention to use the Barton route for its stage 2 section would leave many of us shaking our heads. Taking a logical view the idea of replacing a good bus service that takes approximately 15 minutes to travel from Woden interchange to Civic with an already outdated tram that will take 40 minutes is economic and financial irrationality. Our bus network already covers Barton and, in fact, all of Canberra very efficiently. New transport systems being developed in China can move people more efficiently than trams and at half the cost. The Barr government was advised about them when it first floated the idea of light rail for Canberra. Infrastructure Australia advised it against light rail for Canberra. Unbelievably the government has pursued light rail in a lemming-like rush to jump over an economic cliff. If you drive into Civic from either north or south you will be getting a taste of what lies ahead. The increasing centralisation of Civic even without light rail is leading to gridlock. With light rail and its priority over cars at 10 sets of traffic lights on the way in and the same 10 sets on the way out will be the final straw that snaps the patience of people who have Civic as a destination. Howard Carew, Isaacs Consider with care As the ACT government is reconsidering the route of the light rail extension to Woden ("Govt told to ditch Barton team link", October 23, p1) in response to the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories report, it should also reconsider the appropriateness of the project. The government has failed to demonstrate the project is superior to busway and "trackless" tram alternatives, both of which would be considerably cheaper and likely to provide similar urban renewal benefits. It also needs to assess whether the funds being allocated would be more effective in reducing car dependency, and associated greenhouse emissions, than extending the frequency and coverage of the bus network and providing policies to bus use and encourage employment at locations that support the bus network. There are urgent education, health, housing and disability services issues facing the territory and concerns about the levels of rates. A competent and independent reassessment of the project would help restore the community's confidence in the government. If the reassessment indicates the project is a poor use of public funds, kudos would be obtained by the government abandoning the project. The Barr government needs to be particularly responsible given the ineffectiveness of the conservative Liberal opposition. Mike Quirk, Garran Desolation Mo If I was a cartoonist I would draw a picture of Scott Morrison sitting on a pile a rubbish in a desolate landscape. "Well, at least we lowered electricity prices!" would be the caption. Gary Frances, Bexley, NSW Not so inviting Why would refugees, who have been so badly treated by Australia, ever want to leave NZ to come here? Why is this country fearful, when most in previous generations have come here in a similar way? We are not as unfortunate as the First Australians. Sandra von Sneidern, Mongarlowe, NSW Fractious route to rout The 23 years the ALP spent in federal opposition between 1949 and 1972 was brought about partly because the party was embroiled in infighting between its factions. The Liberal Party of 2018 looks like replicating that. For the past three years, Tony Abbott and his lieutenants have devoted most of their energy to dragging down Malcolm Turnbull, leaving little time for fighting Labor and no willingness to listen to the concerns of the wider electorate. They have failed to appreciate that the electorate's attitude to climate change, gay marriage, and asylum seekers has changed. It was this tin ear to the concerns of the Wentworth voters that contributed to the byelection rout. Unfortunately, the hard right in the Libs give no sign of learning from their mistakes. Most of the lifelong Liberal voters that voted for Kerryn Phelps mentioned inaction on climate change and asylum seekers for their decision to switch. But the right-wingers (and the Murdoch press) are blaming Malcolm Turnbull's absence for the Wentworth defeat rather than listening to what exit polls could tell them. Instead of trying to flush out any vestiges of progressive thought that persists in their party, Mr Abbott and the rest should listen to the concerns of ordinary Australians and adopt policies that are appropriate to 21stcentury realities. Mike Reddy, Curtin Centre cannot hold It might serve as a motherhood statement to wrap yourself in the cloak of the so-called sensible centre of the right or left variety as our current leaders do. However, whether such a posture is fit for the purpose of dealing with the 21st-century challenges and opportunities facing Australia and the world is another matter. The politics, policies and culture of the sensible centre have dominated local and global electoral politics for decades and look where that has got us. Intensifying inequalities and unacceptable levels of poverty blight our economy. Climate change remains out of control. Terrorism and the increasing threat of war are the new normal. At best the sensible centre adopts policies that are too little too late to effectively deal with any of the issues, small, medium or large that we face. We are faced with a unique trifecta of changes and challenges and more of the sensible centre is doomed to fail. Capitalism-induced climate change is real and does pose an existential threat to planetary sustainability and survival. Frankly, relying on the narrow ambit of policies deemed to be "sensible" is delusional and dangerous. Nero fiddled while Rome burned; this time it's the planet that's at stake. Stewart Sweeney, North Adelaide, SA Think of now not then I have just been listening to Fran Kelly on Radio National interviewing, among others, a Maningrida father whose three children were all suffering from rheumatic fever. It was claimed the incidence of the illness among Indigenes is 55 times that among non-Indigenes and a major factor is overcrowding, with up to 15 people in a two-bedroom house. When Fran asked what was being done, there was much talk of how the seriousness of the problem was recognised and mention of a "road map" but no concrete, useful measures were discussed. Is it beyond the wit and initiative of our Indigenous leaders, celebrities, activists etc to ease up on reminding us of murders that occurred a 100 or more years ago and usefully direct their endeavours to hound the federal government for the immediate issuing of tents to Aboriginal communities likely to have high levels of rheumatic fever? Nauru's unsolicited migrants seem to be existing comfortably in theirs. Bill Deane, Chapman Military blindside Why is there a man wearing an Australian military uniform attending a meeting of farmers, being referred to as a drought co-ordinator? (ABC 7.30, October 18, 2018). Australia is a civilian society and the military has no role in the political management of the nation. Our military defends us against external threats. This nonsense follows a military person holding Scott Morrison's hand as he pursued his war on refugees. It was always likely to get out of hand and it did very quickly with military excuses for not telling the voter what was being done in their name: "on-water security"; "operational matters". Pure nonsense! How was the press blindsided? How did a civilian operation collect such arrogant management? We knew more about America's military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan than about our civil servants' operations against boats probably carrying refugees. Australia has drought experts within agricultural departments and they should be allowed to apply their expertise. Warwick Davis, Isaacs Grim life of the fowl As we celebrate National Bird Week (October 22-28) please spare a thought for the millions of Australian birds who never get to enjoy even glimpse the beautiful world in which they live. They are never permitted to feel the warmth of the sun on their backs or breathe fresh air. Their lives are short and painful and their deaths are brutal and terrifying. I'm referring, of course, to the millions of birds reared in Australia each year for their flesh and eggs. The million "broiler" chickens, the 9 million "battery" hens and the 12 million "useless" male chicks who are minced up alive on day one of their lives. Each year, worldwide, more than 50 billion chickens are condemned to this life of severe deprivation inside grim, cramped sheds, turning into a joke our expression "as free as a bird'. Jenny Moxham, Monbulk, VIC Prudence in delay The article "Govt told to ditch Barton tram link" (October 23, p1) shows that the second stage of the light rail is still alive. Would it not be prudent to delay a decision on the Woden route until passenger usage of the Gungahlin line has been recorded for an appropriate time to allow for any new toy, novelty bounce, and holidays such as Christmas and New Year holidays, to be taken into consideration, along with any detrimental effects on other forms of public transport. The issue of the Woden route running through totally different demographic areas without kilometres of apartments along its route to boost numbers is totally beyond my capabilities. Paul O'Connor, Hawker TO THE POINT NOTHING TO SEE HERE It's ever so comforting to hear the Wentworth wipeout was solely due to Malcolm Turnbull and there are no implications whatsoever for the Coalition vote in the general election, voters still believe climate change is a hoax, people don't care about illegals on Nauru, pigs fly and the tooth fairy appears outside the GPO at midnight. Thos Puckett, Ashgrove MALCOLM IN THE MAIL The Liberals won't know whether they have any chance of scraping across the line in Wentworth until after Malcolm's postal vote is counted. Ironic, isn't it? Nigel Thompson, Queanbeyan, NSW NON SEQUITUR An expression by voters of protest against the Liberals is all very well; the bugger is that it doesn't follow that there's acceptance of Labor. M. F. Horton, Adelaide, SA EAT TEETH, REPUBLICANS! That grinding noise, interspersed with muffled choking, is the sound of anguished republicans watching Australia's favourite royals, Meghan and Harry, on their triumphant Invictus Down Under visit! Christina Faulk, Swinger Hill ENOUGH IS ENOUGH If the government and opposition agree to ban refugees from Nauru and Manus who settle in New Zealand from ever entering Australia, we have another example of the overreach of our policies. According to official websites, it takes five years' residency before you can be granted NZ citizenship, so it will already be a long time before any refugee can come to Australia. Surely that is enough. David Purnell, Florey ET TU, DAVID David Teather (Letters, October 23) recalls the performance of Julius Caesar earlier last week. Perhaps no coincidence his letter was published on the anniversary of the suicide of the leader of the plot to assassinate the said Caesar in 42BC! Allan Gibson, Cherrybrook NSW BLACK AND WHITE Australia's most aggressive magpies are surely in Wentworth, not Parliament. Dr John Doherty, Vienna, Austria GROWTH CORRIDOR Those dastardly Canberra tram constructors have planted healthy and appropriate eucalypts along Northbourne Avenue and other parts (where they weren't) of the light rail route. They've also planted native grasses and laid mulch where once was just plain old weeds and dodgy scrub. Must rattle the tram NIMBYs who reckoned the world would end when the old, inappropriate, unhealthy trees came down. Julie Bishop could be in breach of strict rules that stipulate ministers must pay for extravagant gifts, after receiving a pair of shoes designed by high-end fashion designer Jimmy Choo. But the former foreign minister has declined to answer questions about the gift, insisting she has complied with her obligations despite parliamentary documents casting doubt on that claim. Former foreign minister Julie Bishop was given a pair of shoes by a company linked to designer Jimmy Choo. Credit:AAP Ms Bishop's register of interests was updated in March to note she had been given a pair of "Aboriginal print shoes" by Grand Master Lineage. Grand Master Lineage is a new Chinese company connected to Jimmy Choo, whose creations have been worn by celebrities around the world and were made famous by Princess Diana. The Malaysian-born designer achieved cult status when his shoes featured in the hit television show Sex and the City. Perth is being held back by a "crisis of complacency" in which political and business leaders have failed to set out a long-term economic strategy for the city, according to a landmark report by the Committee for Perth. In a damning 125-page report, which was the culmination of a massive two-year research project, the Committee for Perth took to task policy makers for their "politics as usual" approach to the city. Perth has been lagging behind other cities around the world when it comes to economy and investment, infrastructure, innovation, technology, engagement and branding, Committee for Perth chairman John Langoulant said. The Committee for Perth is calling for action Perth and Peel economic development. Credit:Erin Jonasson He said Perth needed to do more than just sit back and wait for the next boom to save us. About books, reading, the power of fiction, some music, some movies. These are my opinions, my thoughts, my views. There is much wisdom afloat in the world and I like finding it in books. Communicating about wisdom found keeps it from getting lost. Moscow: US President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin plan to meet in Paris next month, officials say, their first encounter since a summit in Helsinki that unleashed a storm of criticism that Trump was cosying up to the Kremlin. US President Donald Trump, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, right. Credit:AP After a meeting in Moscow between Putin and Trump's national security adviser John Bolton, officials on both sides said on Tuesday a preliminary agreement on a November 11 meeting in the French capital had been reached, and that detailed arrangements were under way. Both presidents plan to be in Paris for events to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War One, and they are planning to hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. Bolton, speaking to reporters after his talks with Putin, said Trump would like to meet the Russian president in Paris and that precise arrangements were being worked on. Loading As the crisis has grown over the past three weeks, Saudi Arabia has changed its tune on Khashoggi's fate, first denying his death, then saying he died during a brawl at the consulate, and now attributing the death to a chokehold. A senior Saudi official told Reuters that the killers had tried to cover up what happened, contending that the truth was only now emerging. The Turks reject that version of the story, saying they have audio recordings of what happened. Do you think I make decisions without guidance? I am an employee and a faithful executor of the orders of my lord the king and my lord the faithful crown prince. Saud Al-Qahtani The kingdom has survived other crises in the past year, including the fallout of the crown prince's short-lived kidnapping of Lebanese prime minister Saad al-Hariri in 2017. Hariri, too, was verbally humiliated and beaten, according to eight Saudi, Arab and Western diplomatic sources. The man leading that interrogation: Saud al-Qahtani. France intervened to free Hariri, but Western capitals did not take Riyadh to task for detaining a head of government - and Prince Mohammed emerged emboldened, according to these Saudi sources. This time is different, with some Western capitals increasingly critical of the murder and the Saudi explanation. Germany has announced it will stop arms sales, while Britain, France and Germany issued a joint statement asking for an "urgent clarification of exactly what happened October 2." President Donald Trump has swung between saying he is unhappy with the Saudi investigation but also that he does not want to jeopardise US arms sales to the country. 'Bungled and botched operation' To stem the fallout of the Khashoggi killing, the crown prince, commonly known by his initials MbS, allowed Qahtani to take the fall, according to one source close to the Saudi royal court. A second senior Saudi official said Qahtani had been detained following his sacking by royal decree, but he continued to tweet afterwards. The sources with links to the royal court said he was not believed to be under arrest. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman denies all knowledge of the killing. Credit:AP In the Khashoggi killing, Qahtani was present as he has been in other key moments of MbS's administration. This time, though, his presence was virtual. Khashoggi, a US-based Saudi journalist often critical of Saudi Arabia and its leadership, walked into the Istanbul consulate at around 1pm on October 2, to pick up some documents that would allow him to marry. Loading Turkish security sources say he was immediately seized inside the consulate by 15 Saudi intelligence operatives who had flown in on two jets just hours before. According to one high-ranking Arab source with access to intelligence and links to members of Saudi Arabias royal court, Qahtani was beamed into a room of the Saudi consulate via Skype. He began to hurl insults at Khashoggi over the phone. According to the Arab and Turkish sources, Khashoggi answered Qahtanis insults with his own. But he was no match for the squad, which included top security and intelligence operatives, some with direct links to the royal court. A Turkish intelligence source relayed that at one point Qahtani told his men to dispose of Khashoggi. "Bring me the head of the dog", the Turkish intelligence source says Qahtani instructed. It is not clear if Qahtani watched the entire proceedings, which the high-ranking Arab source described as a "bungled and botched operation". Loading The Arab source and the Turkish intelligence source said the audio of the Skype call is now in the possession of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. The sources say he is refusing to release it to the Americans. Erdogan said on Sunday he would release information about the Turkish investigation during a weekly speech on Tuesday. Three Turkish officials reached by Reuters declined to comment ahead of that speech. The senior Saudi official who laid out the official version of events that Khashoggi had got into a fight said he had not heard about Qahtani appearing via Skype, but that the Saudi investigation was ongoing. The rise of Qahtani Qahtani, 40, has earned a reputation at home as both a violent enforcer of princely whims and as a strident nationalist. In blogs and on social media, some liberal Saudi journalists and activists dubbed him the Saudi Steve Bannon for his aggressive manipulation of the news media and behind-the-scenes strategising. Qahtani wrote odes on Twitter to the royal family under the pen name Dari, which means predator in Arabic. Some of his opponents on social media call him Dalim, a figure in Arabic folklore who rose from being a lowly servant to much greater heights. According to his biography on his Twitter account, Qahtani studied law and made the rank of captain in the Saudi air force. After launching a blog, he caught the eye of Khaled al-Tuwaijri, the former head of the royal court, who hired him in the early 2000s to run an electronic media army tasked with protecting Saudi Arabias image, according to a source with ties to the royal court. Tuwaijri is under house arrest and could not be reached for comment. Loading Qahtani rose to further prominence after latching onto Prince Mohammed, who was part of his father Salman's court as Riyadh governor, then crown prince and finally king in 2015. Tasked with countering alleged Qatari influence on social media, Qahtani used Twitter to attack criticism of the kingdom in general and Prince Mohammed in particular. He also ran a WhatsApp group with local newspaper editors and prominent journalists, dictating the royal courts line. When Riyadh led an economic boycott against Qatar in June 2017, Qahtani ramped up his attacks on the small Gulf state. Online, he urged Saudis to tweet the names of anyone showing sympathy with Qatar under the Arabic hashtag "The Black List". The high-ranking Arab official and Saudi sources with ties to the royal court said Qahtani was MbS's "bad cop" late last year when 200 people, including Saudi princes, ministers and business tycoons, were detained and put under house arrest at the Ritz Carlton in an anti-corruption sweep. Qahtani oversaw some of the interrogations, the Arab official said. The kidnapping of a prime minister The extent of Qahtanis power is perhaps best illustrated by the kidnapping of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri last year, several of the Saudi and Arab diplomatic sources said. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri. Credit:AP The Saudis were incensed at the inability of Hariri, a Sunni Muslim and a Saudi client, to stand up to their regional rival Iran and Hezbollah, the Shiite paramilitary movement that acts as Tehrans spearhead in the region. Hariri belonged to the same multi-party coalition government as Hezbollah. The Saudis were particularly dismayed that Hariri had failed to deliver a message to a top adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to stop interfering in Lebanon and Yemen. Hariri claimed he had delivered the Saudi message, but an informer, planted by Qahtani in Hariri's circle, gave the Saudis the minutes of the meeting which showed that he had not done so. The Saudis lured Hariri to Riyadh for a meeting with MbS. Upon his arrival on November 3, 2017, there was no line-up of Saudi princes or officials, as would typically greet a prime minister on an official visit. Hariri later received a call that the meeting with the crown prince would take place the next day at a royal compound. Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron. Credit:Bloomberg When Hariri arrived, he was ushered into a room where Qahtani was waiting for him with a security team, according to three Arab sources familiar with the incident. The security team beat Hariri; Qahtani cursed at him and then forced him to resign as prime minister in a statement that was broadcast by a Saudi-owned TV channel. "He (Qahtani) told him you have no choice but to resign and read this statement," said one of the sources. "Qahtani oversaw the interrogation and ill-treatment of Hariri." Another source said it was the intervention of French President Emmanuel Macron that secured his release following an international outcry. Macron claimed credit in May for ending the crisis, saying an unscheduled stopover in Riyadh to convince MbS, followed by an invitation to Hariri to come to France, had been the catalyst to resolving it. Lebanese officials confirmed to Reuters that Macron's quick intervention secured Hariri's return. Saudi officials could not be reached for comment about the sequence of events or Qahtani's involvement. French officials declined to comment when asked about Qahtani's role. An offer to return home At least three friends of Khashoggi told Reuters that in the months after the journalist moved to Washington a year ago he received multiple phone calls from MbSs right-hand man urging him to return to Saudi Arabia. Khashoggi had balked, they said, fearing reprisals for his Washington Post columns and outspoken views. Loading Qahtani had tried to reassure the former newspaper editor that he was still well respected and had offered the journalist a job as a consultant at the royal court, the friends said. Khashoggi said that while he found Qahtani gentle and polite during those conversations, he did not trust him, one close friend told Reuters. "Jamal told me afterwards, 'he thinks that I will go back so that he can throw me in jail?" The second senior Saudi official confirmed that Qahtani had spoken to Khashoggi about returning home. The ambush in Istanbul seems to have been another way to get him home. How much did the crown prince know about his trusted aides plan to abduct Khashoggi? Most of the 15 hit-man team identified by Turkish and Saudi authorities worked for the kingdom's security and intelligence services, military, government ministries, royal court security and air force. One of them, General Maher Mutreb, a senior intelligence officer, who is part of the security team of Prince Mohammed, appeared in photographs with him on official visits earlier this year to the United States and Europe. Loading The high-ranking Arab official and the Turkish intelligence source said it was Mutreb's phone that was used to dial in Qahtani while Khashoggi was being interrogated. Reuters tried to contact members of 15-man team but their phones were either switched off, on voicemail or no longer in service. The Saudi official said Deputy Intelligence Chief General Ahmed al-Asiri put together the 15-man squad from the intelligence and security forces. Asiri was one of the five officials dismissed on Saturday. Another key figure was Dr Salah al-Tubaigy, a forensic expert who specialised in autopsies attached to the Saudi Ministry of Interior. His presence equipped with a bone-saw Turkish sources say was used to dismember the journalist is hard to explain in an operation Saudi officials now say was aimed at persuading Khashoggi to return home. It is hard to imagine that the crown prince could have not known about such a delicate operation, the Saudi sources with ties to the royal court say. The Saudi official who spoke on Saturday said an existing standing order provided authorisation to "negotiate" with dissidents to return home without requiring approval, but that the team involved with Khashoggi exceeded that authorisation. Another Saudi official close to the investigation said that Qahtani decided on his own to organise Khashoggis kidnapping and that he asked Asiri to get a team together, but that their plans had gone wrong. "She apparently dominated him for the whole time they were together," Packer said. "That in itself is almost unheard of." Loading He added, "I've never heard of a female that was that dominating of a male, ever." For eight years, Nyack and Zuri coexisted without incident and had "done really well together" during that time, Hagan told WIBC. "We don't know what the precursor to the fight was," he said. In a Facebook post announcing Nyack's death on Friday, the zoo wrote that it will conduct a "thorough review to attempt to understand what may have led to this." Zuri and her three cubs, one of whom was present during the deadly clash, are all OK, the post said. Zuri will remain at the zoo, WIBC reported. According to Reuters, there are no plans to change how the lions are being managed. Part of the zoo's efforts to figure out what happened included calling Packer, who has extensively studied lions in the Serengeti. He described the attack as "surprising" and "so unexpected." "They called me because they were puzzled, and I agree it's puzzling," Packer said. He added of the attack, "It was completely unprovoked and it was certainly not typical." Zuri killing Nyack is bizarre for two reasons, Packer said: he was the father of her cubs and she engaged him one-on-one. Though the details of the incident are shocking, female lions attacking males is not unprecedented. In September, video footage showed a pack of lionesses attacking a male lion at the West Midland Safari Park in England, the BBC reported. That lion had been introduced to the pride only last year, according to the BBC. In the wild, Packer said he has also observed females attacking a nomadic male, but only in an attempt to chase the "strange" lion away and protect their cubs. They might be trying to harm the male, but the intention is not to kill, he said. Sukari, the lions' 3-year-old daughter, was in the enclosure during the attack and Zuri is described as an "attentive and protective mother," who is usually keeping an eye on her cubs, according to the zoo. But Packer said Sukari did not appear to be "at risk from anything." Rather, the incident, he said, may stem from the "unusual combination" of a "meek male" and an "all-powerful female". "I don't usually associate this kind of personality with a female lion," he said. "The fact that it developed at all is fascinating." Nyack was described by the zoo as "laid back". Zuri, however, was "large and very dominating", Packer said. According to the zoo, Zuri weighed only about 12 kilograms less than Nyack. Male lions are usually much larger than females and more aggressive, and "being next to a large male is like living next to a keg of dynamite", Packer said. "The females will be annoyed with the males sometimes and will kind of swat at them, but they're pretty careful not to provoke them too much," he said. That did not appear to be the dynamic between Nyack and Zuri. Given Nyack's meekness, Packer said it was likely Zuri didn't receive the "usual pushback from the male that would be normal in this species", which in turn allowed her to exercise dominance over him. "Apparently, the male was always very subordinate to her, which is totally strange," Packer said. During last week's brutal fight, Packer said Zuri attacked Nyack twice. The first time, Nyack managed to escape, but Zuri followed him, he said. "It was the second time that she got him that she seems to have crushed his throat," he said. Nyack's death left the zoo's staff devastated, Hagan told Reuters. On social media, many who visited Nyack shared photos and paid tribute to him. "My heart is broken," one person wrote on Facebook. "He was the best part of the zoo." Another user reminisced about going to the zoo early in the mornings just to hear Nyack roar. One person shared a photo of Nyack "calmly" leaning against the glass of his enclosure just days before his death. Zuri was lying just a metre away and "all seemed well," the person wrote. The woman had just settled into her plane seat and fallen asleep when she was awoken by an unwanted touch - a hand from behind her grabbing the right side of her breast. And the man authorities say is responsible allegedly cited President Donald Trump's past lewd language about women as justification for his alleged sexual assault. Donald Trump Credit:AP Federal prosecutors allege the hand belonged to Bruce Michael Alexander, 49, from Tampa, Florida, another passenger on the Southwest Airlines flight between Houston and Albuquerque on Sunday. He reportedly told authorities after being arrested that "the President of the United States says it's ok to grab women by their private parts", according to a criminal complaint. Loan Markets first director of strategic partnerships Peter Camphin, is changing how real estate and broking integrate Part of the White Family group of companies, Ray White, Loan Market and Wealth Market dominate in their respective fields. According to the latest financial results, in the year to June 2018 the Ray White Group sold $45.42bn worth of property across Australia and New Zealand, almost matching the $45.7bn achieved in the previous fiscal year. In July, Loan Markets 650 brokers lodged $1.27bn in applications and $922m in approvals, with $846m in settled loans an increase of more than 10% year-on-year. For more than 20 years the family-owned group of businesses has been trying to integrate real estate and broking, but has struggled to strike the right balance. Now, after 25 years with the group, Peter Camphin has taken on a newly created role in which he will do just that. I was petrified but confident. I think if youre not scared by a new role there would be something wrong, he tells Australian Broker. As Loan Markets new and first director of strategic partnerships, Camphins aim is to simplify referral processes between the companies for brokers, agents and property managers. The broker finds things out about the client, which helps them understand how the agent can work better. For example, can this buyer afford this property? Have they got the ability to perform on the contracts? Normally agents would get a contract signed subject to finance and cross their fingers, but last month 78,000 applications for housing finance across Australia failed, he says. Observing the changes that have occurred since the royal commission started, he adds that it takes more than four times longer now to get deals over the line on loan applications than it did two years ago. While the move will bring significant growth opportunities for all three companies, the intention is to create a culture for the convenience of customers. However, Camphin believes this is the start of a new way to integrate broking and home sales, and its only a matter of time before it catches on. This provides real value to the buyer, confidence is reassured in the vendor, and the investors can get the best ROI possible. We see that there is so much potential now that we havent identified before, he says. Customer-facing team members throughout the group will learn how to refer clients for home loans, personal financial planning, SMSFs, investment strategy advice and other services, through the three businesses. Targets for the first 12 months are currently being devised and work will centre on two goals: looking after buyers, and increasing the percentage of people who buy through a Ray White agent and borrow through a Loan Market broker. The bonus is that buyers will have to prove much earlier in the buying process that they can put their money where their mouth is. We want to be able to provide a great customer experience through the confidence and professionalism of our agents and brokers and we want to eliminate those people who are buying at auctions but arent approved for finance. Property and finance just go together, Camphin explains. The integration will also see additional benefits for investors, who can expect higher ROIs through the added-value services of accounting and tax advice and loan reviews. However, creating a full-service agency starts with culture, and agent and broker training will be paramount. Existing programs are being adapted to include updates on the new integration strategy, as well as the direct benefits collaboration can achieve, with a focus on training real estate agents. Every time an agent does an inspection or contract negotiation, there are touchpoints that need to be initiated so the agent understands and has a better control of the sales process, Camphin says. They know whats going on, and they are not dealing with people who are not in a position to perform on their contracts. Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC A virus spreading among local raccoons has infected twice as many critters in Prospect Park than previously reported, with up to 15 masked bandits now potentially serving as hosts for distemper an illness fatal to dogs and other common pets according to officials. Testing confirmed five cases of distemper in raccoons from Brooklyns Backyard, up from a reported two earlier this month, according to Department of Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Crystal Howard, who said the agency sent 16 animals to be tested, 10 of which it is still awaiting results for, and one of which did not have the virus. In early stages, distemper produces cold symptoms in animals, including watery eyes, a runny nose, vomiting, and diarrhea. Later stages yield symptoms including a loss of brain function, which may cause infected raccoons to exhibit zombie-like behavior such as wandering aimlessly and becoming aggressive. Humans are not susceptible to the virus, but mans best friend is, and it can kill Fido if left untreated. Fortunately, an all-in-one vaccine preventing distemper, along with parovirus, adenovirus, and other illnesses, is available to pooches. But its up to their owners a contingent of whom have shown resistance to such inoculations for fear of canine autism, according to some local vets to ensure their fuzzy friends are up to date on the shot, which, unlike the rabies vaccine, is not required to get a pet license in New York State. The growing outbreak of distemper in Kings County follows a small plague that spread across the East River, where officials tested some 176 animals from Manhattans Central Park for the virus over the summer, according to Parks Department spokeswoman Maeri Ferguson, who noted the last positive case in that borough was discovered on Sept. 19. Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC This port is anchored down for now. The Red Hook Container Terminal will likely keep its waterfront home for the next decade, according to the shipping facilitys head honcho, who last week signed paperwork that extends its lease on the Port Authority of New York and New Jerseyowned site for five years, and offers a second extension at the end of that term. Thanks to the strategic vision of leadership at the Port Authority, as well as the support of local stakeholders, an agreement has been reached that will continue the terminals growing economic contribution to the region, said Mike Stamatis, who runs Red Hook Container Terminal, LLC. Fears over the ports fate swirled after Gov. Cuomo in his January State of the State speech commanded bigwigs at the bi-state Authority to ship the maritime business which operates on several piers from the foot of Carroll Street to Atlantic Avenue down to Sunset Parks South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, in order to free up the Red Hook waterfront for potential development. Cuomos request renewed worries about the terminal that sprang forth roughly a year ago, after the Authoritys chief publicly revisited a long-talked-about plan to sell the piers to generate income that reps for the agency claimed it desperately needed. Locals and pols voiced grave concerns at the possibilities of moving and closing the Red Hook Container Terminal, however, with Democratic Red Hook Rep. Jerrold Nadler telling this newspaper that the facility which annually unloads about 60,000 containers filled with cargo that includes produce, cars, and beer is a key element in ensuring that our port district overall retains its position of dominance on the eastern seaboard of the United States. And with the lease renewal, there is no plan in the works to move the shipping operation further down New York Harbor any time soon, according to its spokesman Jordan Isenstadt, who noted the agreement gives terminal leaders the opportunity to extend their lease for another five years when it expires in 2023. Isenstadt added that the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal would not work as a new home for the maritime business because it is not equipped to receive the massive containers the Red Hook port currently accepts, as its piers lack cranes, and the waterfront there is not deep enough to accommodate certain vessels. The deal that will likely keep the Red Hook Container Terminal in its longtime home for the next decade is good news for its nearly 700 employees, and the dozens of businesses who rely on it each day, Nadler said. Needless to say, Red Hooks container port is critical to Brooklyns economy and to our regions overall shipping capacity, he said. It must be preserved. But the length of the local shippers lease pales in comparison to others between the Authority and similar facilities on agency-owned land. In faraway New Jersey, for instance, another shipping companys current lease on an Authorityowned port in Newark doesnt expire until 2050, and other firms leases on agency ports in Staten Island and elsewhere can run as long as 25 years, according to Isenstadt, who said that leases for a decade or half-decade are not uncommon. Daniel King is a missionary evangelist who is passionate about leading people to Jesus. 3D printers have fingerprints, a discovery that could help trace 3D-printed guns, counterfeit goods 3D printing has many wonderful uses, but its also a counterfeiters dream. Even more concerning, it has the potential to make firearms more readily available to people who are not allowed to possess them. BUFFALO, N.Y. Like fingerprints, no 3D printer is exactly the same. Thats the takeaway from a new University at Buffalo-led study that describes whats believed to be the first accurate method for tracing a 3D-printed object to the machine it came from. The advancement, which the research team calls PrinTracker, could ultimately help law enforcement and intelligence agencies track the origin of 3D-printed guns, counterfeit products and other goods. 3D printing has many wonderful uses, but its also a counterfeiters dream. Even more concerning, it has the potential to make firearms more readily available to people who are not allowed to possess them, says the studys lead author Wenyao Xu, PhD, associate professor of computer science and engineering in UBs School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The study will be presented in Toronto at the Association for Computing Machinerys Conference on Computer and Communications Security, which runs from Oct. 15-19. It includes coauthors from Rutgers University and Northeastern University. To understand the method, its helpful to know how 3D printers work. Like a common inkjet printer, 3D printers move back-and-forth while printing an object. Instead of ink, a nozzle discharges a filament, such as plastic, in layers until a three-dimensional object forms. Each layer of a 3D-printed object contains tiny wrinkles usually measured in submillimeters called in-fill patterns. These patterns are supposed to be uniform. However, the printers model type, filament, nozzle size and other factors cause slight imperfections in the patterns. The result is an object that does not match its design plan. For example, the printer is ordered to create an object with half-millimeter in-fill patterns. But the actual object has patterns that vary 5 to 10 percent from the design plan. Like a fingerprint to a person, these patterns are unique and repeatable. As a result, they can be traced back to the 3D printer. 3D printers are built to be the same. But there are slight variations in their hardware created during the manufacturing process that lead to unique, inevitable and unchangeable patterns in every object they print, Xu says. To test PrinTracker, the research team created five door keys each from 14 common 3D printers 10 fused deposition modeling (FDM) printers and four stereolithography (SLA) printers. With a common scanner, the researchers created digital images of each key. From there, they enhanced and filtered each image, identifying elements of the in-fill pattern. They then developed an algorithm to align and calculate the variations of each key to verify the authenticity of the fingerprint. Having created a fingerprint database of the 14 3D printers, the researchers were able to match the key to its printer 99.8 percent of the time. They ran a separate series of tests 10 months later to determine if additional use of the printers would affect PrinTrackers ability to match objects to their machine of origin. The results were the same. The team also ran experiments involving keys damaged in various ways to obscure their identity. PrinTracker was 92 percent accurate in these tests. Xu likens the technology to the ability to identify the source of paper documents, a practice used by law enforcement agencies, printer companies and other organizations for decades. While the experiments did not involve counterfeit goods or firearms, Xu says PrinTracker can be used to trace any 3D-printed object to its printer. Weve demonstrated that PrinTracker is an effective, robust and reliable way that law enforcement agencies, as well as businesses concerned about intellectual property, can trace the origin of 3D-printed goods, Xu says. Editors note: A previous version of this news release incorrectly identifed what FDM stands for in FDM printers. Bajaj Finserv continues to lead the charge amongst non-bank finance companies as one of the largest and fastest growing lenders, especially in the retail space. The financial conglomerate has posted a profit-after-tax (PAT) growth of 17 per cent, year on year, to Rs 7 billion at the end of the second-quarter of FY2019 as compared to Rs 6.98 billion in net profit during the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year. 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 plot at One97 Communications, in which three employees were arrested on Monday for allegedly trying to extort founder and Chief Executive Officer Vijay Shekhar Sharma, seems to be getting thicker by the minute. Allegations are flying thick and fast, from harassment, pressure on employees to sell their stocks in the firm, to not one but two extortion calls. But, even 24 hours after the arrest, no one besides Sharma and his core team seems to have any idea what was the nature of the stolen data, which the alleged blackmailers had used as leverage. Sharmas brother, Ajay ... 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 Jet Airways India Ltd. has approached banks for a moratorium on loans and asked for fresh funds to ease a cash crunch, according to people with direct knowledge of the matter, adding to signs the carrier is sliding deeper into trouble. The airline has already grounded about a dozen planes as part of a review of its network aimed at reducing unprofitable domestic routes, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans arent public. 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 A fire raging at site in Delhi since October 20, which has raised concerns about the air quality in the capital region further deteriorating, has been "almost" brought under control by evening on Monday, said a Delhi Fire Service officer. The official said firefighting was still going on at the site. Three fire tenders were engaged and the fire has been "almost" brought under control, he said. The fire has raised concern that the pollution levels in Delhi might further rise. Delhi's air quality showed signs of improvement Monday as it moved from 'very poor' to 'poor' category, but experts said it might deteriorate in coming days due to the toxic air coming out of the fire at Bhalaswa landfill site. Meanwhile, Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain has expressed serious concern over the fire, since Delhi is already fighting the adverse impact of stubble burning in neighbouring states. He directed officials of the Delhi Fire Services to depute one fire tender exclusively to put out future incidents of fire at site. A North Delhi Municipal Corporation official said, "We always keep a fire tender stationed there in case any fire occurs. In today's case, we do not know yet if the fire occurred on its own or a cigarette or 'bidi' triggered it. We are on stand by." Anumita Roychowdhury of the Centre for Science and Environment said toxic air emanating out of such landfill fires is likely to affect the air quality in Delhi as winter approaches. "If the wind speed is lower and the temperature dips, the polluted air coming out of the landfill fires will get trapped, which would severely affect the air quality," she said. She said the municipal bodies should try to mitigate the damage to the environment by applying slope stabilisation measures for landfill sites. Civic bodies in east and south Delhi have already been working on stabilisation of Ghazipur and Okhla landfill sites. "They must do it quickly as winter is close by, and fires during winter will make matter worse. Bhalswa fire can recur so, civic authorities must take action urgently," she said. site falls under the jurisdiction of the NDMC. The nearly 50 metre-high heap at Bhalswa is already saturated way beyond its capacity. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The organiser of an ill-fated Dussehra event here which saw at least 59 of its spectators being mowed down by a train hurtling through the crowd spilling onto a nearby railway track, claimed Monday that he had the necessary permission to hold the function. The event organiser, Saurabh Madan, purportedly made the claim in a video saying that he had the permission from the police to organise the event. The son of Municipal Councillor Vijay Madan, Saurabh also claimed that several announcements were made from the stage of the event, warning people to vacate the railway track. His family had gone underground ever since the incident occurred. Expressing his heartfelt condolences to the family members of the deceased, Saurabh said, "The incident was highly unfortunate." He also claimed, "Some people having animosity with him are blowing the matter out of proportion and trying to give political colour to the incident." "On that day, the announcement were made five to ten times from the stage to vacate the railway track because any train could come any time," he said in the video. Dushera was organised after obtaining necessary permission from the Police Department, he said. Madan further said the event was very much in the notice of the Municipal Corporation and that was why the fire tenders were deployed there for the people's safety. He said Dussehra event was organised within the four walls of 'dhobi ghat' ground while the railway track was at some distance from the site. Moreover, the sitting arrangement for the public was made inside the ground and not on railway track, he said. "Those people, who were mowed down by the train, were standing on the railway track. They were not present in dhobi ghat ground," he said. "All happened within a minute," he said adding that this incident was not a deliberate act. At the end of the video, he urged people with folded hands with tears in his eyes, seeking their help for his family to overcome the situation. He said his entire family was shocked. Following the Amritsar train incident, some protesters had even attacked Madan's residence and broke windowpanes by pelting stones. Thereafter, Madan family had gone to undisclosed location and their mobile phones were switched off. The police force has been deployed outside his residence as a precautionary measure. Kerala is under siege like never before in its volatile history. As the state struggles to get back on its feet after the worst floods in a century, it is convulsed in a violent religious campaign that belongs to another time and place. For the saffron brigade, the Supreme Courts decision to allow the entry of women of all ages into the hilltop temple of Ayyappan in Sabarimala has come as a godsend, the perfect handle to reignite the regressive religious campaign that the RSS-BJP cohort has been pushing for decades in the last Left bastion in the country. In just three weeks ... Sivakasi, the small town in Tamil Nadu which manufactures nearly 90 per cent of the firecrackers in India, erupted in celebrations after news broke on Tuesday that the Supreme Court(SC) had not imposed a complete ban on firecrackers ahead of Diwali. However, the jubilation did not last long. Once the ruling was read in full, it became clear the court had allowed the sale and manufacture of only low-emission green firecrackers. This has stumped manufacturers since as of now there is no such thing as green firecrackers not only in India, but ... Opposition parties Monday attacked the Modi government over the feud between the CBI director and his deputy, with Congress president alleging that the probe agency was being used as a "weapon of political vendetta" under the current dispensation and was in "terminal decline". The feud between CBI Director Alok Verma and his deputy turned murkier with the arrest of Devender Kumar, a deputy superintendent of police in the special investigation team headed by Asthana. The Congress said there is a serious credibility crisis in the CBI with its top officers accusing each other of massive corruption and blamed "vested interests" within the government for bringing the agency to "such a pass". Gandhi alleged the CBI was being used as a "weapon of political vendetta" under the Modi government and that the premier investigation agency was on a terminal decline and "at war with itself". Taking to Twitter, he cited a media report in which the Central Bureau of Investigation's second-in-command, Asthana, has been named as an accused in a bribery case. "The PM's blue-eyed boy, Gujarat cadre officer, of Godra SIT fame, infiltrated as No. 2 into the CBI, has now been caught taking bribes (sic)," Gandhi tweeted. "Under this PM, the CBI is a weapon of political vendetta. An institution in terminal decline that's at war with itself," he said. Terming the issue "very serious", Congress leader Sachin Pilot accused the government of interference in the CBI and asked why it was silent on the issue. "How do we trust the CBI to look at corruption issues when their top people are themselves involved and allegations are flying thick and fast? The fact that it has reached this point tells you how long and how deep the rot may be within this government," Pilot told reporters at the Congress headquarters. The CBI's top officers are accusing each other of massive corruption, he said, questioning the sanctity and the credibility of the government and the CBI to function in an "honest, unbiased transparent way". "So there are serious credibility issues and I think there are vested interests within the government and within the CBI that have brought this agency to such a pass," Pilot said. As far as the internal functioning of the CBI is concerned, it is apparent that there is "power play and a blame game going on", he said. Later Congress leader Anand Sharma tweeted: "Under the watch of PM Modi it is a rotten Affairs of state. CBI, ED & DRI were reduced to compliant political tools to target political opponents. Politicisation and institutional corruption is total. New twist in CBI saga finally destroys it's credibility." "Every institution including intelligence agencies have been compromised or undermined. Remember only last week all institutional sanctity was destroyed with Cabinet Secretary, Army Navy Airforce Chiefs, IB and RAW all subordinated to a political appointee NSA. A power hungry PM has inflicted a lasting damage to India's Institutions," he claimed. The Congress has been attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the appointment of Asthana as CBI special director. In an unprecedented move, the agency has booked its special director Asthana for allegedly receiving bribes from middlemen to give relief to a businessman being probed by him in a case involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi, officials had said Sunday. Responding to the developments, the CPI said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should clarify the situation in CBI as the credibility of the premier investigation agency is at stake. CPI secretary D Raja said questions are being raised over CBI's functioning after Asthana was booked by the agency last week. Asthana, too, had written about 10 cases of alleged corruption and irregularities against CBI Director Alok Verma in his letters to the Cabinet Secretary and the Central Vigilance Commission about a month ago. Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ghanshyam Tiwari, in a tweet, said, "Governments that run like a Mafia also fight like a Mafia! Watch the #MafiaWar that BJP has led CBI into... #CBIVsCBI (sic). Social activist Rahul Easwar was granted bail by a local court on Monday. He was arrested on October 17 from Nilakkal base camp. A non-bailable FIR was registered against Easwar. He was initially kept at Pamba police station. A day after his arrest Easwar was sent to police remand and was lodged in Kottarakkara sub-jail. Earlier on September 20, the court in Kerala's Pathanamthitta had rejected a bail plea filed for Easwar, who was helming the protests against women's entry inside Sabarimala Temple. The court had then asked the police to file a report on the ongoing protests by October 22 , only after which it would consider any new bail applications. When Sabarimala Temple had opened for public on September 17, Easwar had said that the believers of the old age tradition will stage a peaceful protest to stop women from entering the temple premises. However, the protest later turned violent. Protesters also blocked and attacked journalist covering the incident. Former Union finance minister Monday claimed a meeting between external affairs ministers of India and had been cancelled because "did not take" the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) into confidence. The government had last month called off the meeting in New York, within 24 hours after agreeing to it, by citing the brutal killings of three policemen in and Islamabad releasing postage stamps "glorifying" Kashmiri militant Accusing Prime Minister of centralising the decision making, Sinha cited a newspaper report to claim that the engagement was cancelled because "External Affairs Minister did not take the into confidence before the meeting (scheduled between herself and her counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi)". "This proves that Swaraj's voice is not heard. This is the reason she is sometimes referred to as a Twitter minister," he told reporters here. Sinha also alleged that senior ministers, who are part of the (CCS), are being kept in the dark about important decisions. "The Home Minister didn't know when the BJP withdrew its support to the PDP (Peoples Democratic Front)-led coalition government in and the Governor's rule was imposed. "Similarly, the Finance Minister was unaware about demonetisation (which was announced by the prime minister in November 2016). I think the minister came to know about the note ban only at a Cabinet meeting. The (then) defence minister did not know when the Rafale deal was going to take place or whether it had already happened," Sinha claimed. The former BJP leader also said that he singled out the four ministers because they are part of the important CCS. "Why I am mentioning these four ministers is because they are the members of all important mantri parishad committee that is the If (the voice of) the ministers of Home, Defence, Foreign Affairs and Finance portfolios is not heard then who is left in that committee," asked Sinha. He said only the prime minister has a say now in the decision making. "All the important decisions are being taken by the and others merely follow the orders. The working culture of Cabinet, as defined by the Constitution, is finished now," he alleged. At least 14 persons, including two women, were injured in a "stampede-like situation" on a foot overbridge at Santragachi railway station in on Tuesday evening, a South Eastern Railway spokesman said. The incident occurred when an express train and two EMU locals arrived at the station at the same time at around 6.30 pm and passengers rushed to the platforms to board the trains, he said. The Nagercoil-Shalimar Express and two EMU locals arrived at the station at the same time, while Shalimar-Vishakhapatnam Express and Santragachi-Chennai Express were scheduled to arrive shortly, SER spokesman Sanjay Ghosh said. The incident occurred between platform numbers two and three at Santragachi station of South Eastern Railway, about 10 km from Howrah station, he said. A large number of passengers either deboarded or were waiting to board trains at the same time, leading to a rush on the foot overbridge. While 11 injured persons were taken to Howrah General Hospital for treatment, three others were administered first aid at the station, he said. Several express trains stop at the station, apart from numerous EMU locals of SER. Thousands of people use the station everyday since it is easier to travel to and from south and central Kolkata from Santragachi. The government is confident that India would enter the late 80s in the World Banks annual ease of doing business report up from 100 last year on account of implementation of the goods and servicesta(GST) and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). But, traders, whose voices will be reflected in the rankings slated to be released on October 31, claim the governments optimism does not reveal Rs 80-100 billion Integrated GST refunds they are yet to get. 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 is investigating "public officials" for suspected bribery of about Rs 1.4 billion in connection with the Rs 81-billion alleged involving a Gujarat-based firm, the agency said Tuesday. The agency said the investigation in this aspect is under process as it filed a fresh charge sheet in the case of Vadodara-based Sterling Biotech group before a special court here. The central agency said its probe in the case has "revealed that the loan funds were diverted for non-mandated purposes to shell companies and were withdrawn as cash. "Cash to the tune of Rs 1.4 billion was withdrawn from shell companies and were used for the personal purposes of the promoters which also includes bribing of public officials," the ED said in a statement. The ED and the CBI are already probing the role of three senior officers in this case after diary notings purportedly referring to their names were seized and the name of few more government officials is under the scanner, a senior official said. The name of CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana, currently embroiled in a tussle with his Director Alok Verma, has also been linked in this case after diary notings with initials "RA" were seized. Asthana has, however, not been named by either the ED or CBI in their respective FIRs filed in this case. The ED Tuesday filed a voluminous charge sheet, also called prosecution complaint, and named the main promoters of the firm Nitin Sandesara, his brother Chetan Sandesara and a few of their family members. A total of 191 accused, 7 individuals and 184 companies, has been named in the charge sheet filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The others include Sterling Biotech Director Rajbhushan Dixit, CA Hemant Hathi, Chetan Sandesara's wife Dipti, Delhi-based businessman and Hitesh Patel. The agency said it will soon initiate action under the newly enacted Fugitive Economic Offenders Act against the Sandesaras and others. "The companies include Sterling Biotech Ltd, PMT Machines Limited, Sterling SEZ and Infra Ltd, Sterling Port Limited, Sterling Resources Limited and 179 shell companies," the agency said. The ED alleged that the Sandesaras "hatched a criminal conspiracy for dishonestly cheating and manipulated figures in the balance sheets of their flagship companies and induced to sanction higher loans." "After obtaining loans, they diverted the loans to non-mandated purposes through a web of shell companies. Thus, the loan funds were diverted layered and laundered by the promoters for their personal purposes. The total amount of loan fraud as on date is Rs 81 billion and it pertains to domestic as well as offshore branches of Indian banks," it said. The ED said Sandesaras used the names of their employees and allegedly floated 249 shell firms or dummy companies. "All these shell companies were controlled, managed and beneficially owned by the promoters and were actually used in the process of money laundering," it said. It alleged that the businessmen brothers, who are now absconding and said to be based abroad, "created a web of corporate and accounting structure abroad" and 100 such entities were floated in the UAE, the US, the UK, British Virgin Islands, Mauritius, Barbados and among others. "It is revealed during probe that the funds were rotated through various structures and ultimately carried to to their (Sandesara's) business," the ED said. The agency has arrested four people in this case till now-- Dhawan, Dixit, ex-Director of Anup Garg and an alleged aiade of Dhawan, Ranjeet Malik. Assets to the tune of Rs 47.1 billion have been attached by the ED in this case till now even as the agency said it has seized Rs 1.5 million documents as part of its probe. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lifted its ban on adding new customers for Fino Payments Bank. The ban had been placed by the RBI in May because of non-compliance of operational guidelines, particularly certain accounts having deposits in excess of the allowed amount. RBI's operating guidelines for payments banks said the aggregate limit for customer in his/her bank account shall not exceed Rs 100,000. "Now we have made the required changes to processes, product and technology, which the RBI has approved and given us the go ahead to open new accounts," said a Fino ... US leading media streaming service Inc has announced it will borrow another $2 billion in new debt to fund original shows and content. said it intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for "general corporate purposes, which may include content acquisitions, production and development, capital expenditures, investments, working capital and potential acquisitions and strategic transactions". This is the second time that the California-based streaming firm to tap the debt market this year, which adds its long-term liabilities to more than $30 billion. is investing heavily in content to ramp up its battles for subscribers against its rivals such as and The company has burned about $1.7 billion in cash in the most recent quarter, and it expects to burn through $3 billion this year. Netflix reported $8.34 billion in long-term debt by the end of September this year, increasing 71 percent from $4.89 billion in the previous year. Netflix witnessed a rapid growth in the number of subscribers for the third quarter of 2018, with 7 million new streaming customers added for the period, including 1.09 million in the US. With a total of 130 million users in 190 countries and regions across the world, Netflix is expected to net 9.4 million new subscribers by the end of 2018, with the US being its largest market. Oil prices plunged about 5 percent on Tuesday to two-month lows as a selloff in US equity markets raised worries about demand growth and after Saudi Arabia said it could supply more crude quickly if needed, easing concerns ahead of US sanctions on Iran. Brent crude futures fell 4.4 per cent, or $3.49, to $76.34 a barrel by 12:23 p.m. EDT (1521 GMT) after plunging to $75.88, the lowest since Sept 7. US crude fell $3.17, or 4.6 per cent, to $66.19 a barrel, after hitting a session low of $65.74, the lowest level since Aug. 20. If US crude drops below $65, a psychologically ... The figure of Boudica, queen of the Iceni, is surprisingly resilient. Since the Renaissance, she has turned up in public discourse pretty consistently in Britain, from celebrations of the defeat of the Spanish Armada to the imperialist triumphalism of the late Victorian era. Over this long period, Boudica has come in for criticism, as well as for lionisation. The latest example of the latter is Nick Timothys recent article in The Sun, encouraging his former boss, Theresa May, to find her inner Boudicca [sic], in negotiations with the EU. Of course, the facts of ... Journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra has been arrested by the Bhubaneswar Police in connection with the case filed at Saheed Nagar police station over his derogatory remarks against Odisha and Konark Sun temple. Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty told media, "The Investigation Officer decided to arrest him on the basis of available evidence on record and to produce him before the judicial magistrate of Bhubaneswar court to consider his bail application. As of now, we are not asking for any remand because whatever information we wanted to get from him, he co-operated and we got it from him." Earlier in the day, Mitra was taken into custody by Odisha police after he appeared before the House Committee of the Odisha Legislative Assembly. Mitra is facing the allegation of making derogatory remarks on the Konark Sun Temple and Odisha. He is slated to appear before the House panel again on November 2. The columnist had been summoned by the House Committee, headed by Leader of Opposition, Narasingha Mishra to appear before it on October 11, which he skipped. The House Committee then issued another summon to the scribe to appear on October 23 at 11 am while directing the Director General of Police to issue the notice in the matter. During a visit to the Konark Sun Temple on September 16, Mitra had posted a satirical video on Twitter, where he made derogatory remarks by posting a satirical video on Twitter insulting Odisha, its culture, tradition and the lawmakers. Mitra was arrested by Odisha Police on September 20 from Delhi on charges of hurting religious sentiments. A Delhi court later granted him bail against a bond of one lakh and directed him to join the investigation at Konark police station. He moved the Supreme Court for bail, where his plea was quashed. On October 11, Mitra wrote an apology letter to the House Committee and the Speaker of the Odisha Assembly over his derogatory remarks and other offences he is accused of. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra on Tuesday was taken into custody by Odisha police after he appeared before the House Committee of the Odisha Legislative Assembly. Mitra is facing the allegation of making derogatory remarks on the Konark Sun Temple and Odisha. He is slated to appear before the House panel again on November 2. The police interrogated Mitra in a case lodged against him at Saheed Nagar Police station. Satyajit Mohanty, Bhubaneswar's Commissioner of Police, said, "We had also a mandate to produce him before the House Committee of the Odisha Legislative Assembly on a privilege motion. The Supreme Court also instructed that adequate security has to be provided to Mitra. So with these two mandates police produced him before the House Committee today." The proceedings went on until till 2 in the afternoon. "After the proceedings in the House Committee concluded, he has been taken by the police and in custody now. The investigating officer will be examining him and on the basis of evidence so far collected, the IO will take action," added Mohanty. The columnist had been summoned by the House Committee, headed by Leader of Opposition, Narasingha Mishra to appear before it on October 11, which he skipped. The House Committee then issued another summon to the scribe to appear on October 23 at 11 am while directing the Director General of Police to issue the notice in the matter. During a visit to the Konark Sun Temple on September 16, Mitra had posted a satirical video on Twitter, where he made derogatory remarks by posting a satirical video on Twitter insulting Odisha, its culture, tradition and the lawmakers. Mitra was arrested by Odisha Police on September 20 from Delhi on charges of hurting religious sentiments. A Delhi court later granted him bail against a bond of one lakh and directed him to join the investigation at Konark police station. He moved the Supreme Court for bail, where his plea was quashed. On October 11, Mitra wrote an apology letter to the House Committee and the Speaker of the Odisha Assembly over his derogatory remarks and other offences he is accused of. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Normal life came to a halt in Assam on Monday as over 40 organisations have called for a 12-hour long statewide bandh to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. The bandh in Assam is being observed against the meeting of Parliamentary Committee on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill with officials of home and external affairs in New Delhi. The JPC had earlier held two sittings with officials of these ministries to discuss further course of action on expediting examination of the Bill and to take evidence. "Police personnel have been deployed wherever it was necessary," said Joint Commissioner of Police Guwahati Degonta bora. The Bill amends the Citizenship Act, 1955 to make illegal migrants who are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, eligible for citizenship. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) One school student died while 20 others were injured after their bus collided with a truck on late Monday night in Bihar's Aurangabad district. The students were returning from Rajgir following an educational trip. The injured have been admitted to a hospital for medical treatment. Speaking on the matter, Aurangabad sub-divisional officer (SDO) Pradeep Kumar said, "One child has died. Those who were admitted at the hospital have been given first aid while the ones who were critical have been referred to Jamui. A team of doctors is looking after all of them. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday filed a supplementary charge sheet under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) against promoters of Gujarat -based pharma firm Sterling Biotech and its directors - S. Nitin Sandesara and Chetan Sandesara- in an alleged bank loan fraud case. As per the ED, action will be initiated under Fugitive Economic Offenders Law against the directors, who are currently abroad. The investigation revealed that the Sandersara brothers and others had manipulated figures in the balance sheets of their flagship companies and induced banks to sanction higher loans. The total amount of loan fraud as on date is Rs 8,100 crores. The fraud pertains to domestic as well as offshore branches of Indian Banks. Prosecution complaint has been filed against seven accused individuals and 184 companies, read a statement. Prior to filing the complaint, the probe agency had arrested four persons in the case including Gagan Dhawan (Delhi based businessman), Anup Garg (Ex-Director of Andhra Bank), R.B. Dixit (Director of Sterling Biotech Ltd) and Ranjeet Malik (a frontman of Gagan Dhawan). After obtaining loans, the brothers diverted the funds for their personal purposes including bribing of public officials and withdrew in cash amounting to Rs 140 crores. The investigation in this aspect is underway. The inquiry further divulged that the promoters used their employee's names and got 249 shell companies incorporated. The original PAN cards, stamps, seals, Memorandum of Association and signed but blank chequebooks of the shell companies have been seized. They also rotated the funds through creating a web of corporate and accounting structure abroad including UAE, USA, UK, Mauritius, Barbados, and so on. The Proceeds of Crime were found to be invested in the form of immovable properties purchased in the name of key persons, promoters and shell companies. Banks have declared loans to the tune of Rs 8100 crores as fraud and Rs 13,754 crores as the total outstanding amount. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The air quality of Delhi nosedived on Tuesday just a few days after scores of effigies were burned across the region on the occasion of Dussehra. According to the latest System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) data, the air quality in capital's Lodhi Road area showed levels of prominent pollutants PM (particulate matter) 10 and PM 2.5 at 237 and 214, respectively. The AQI between the range of 51 to 100 is considered as satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 falls under the poor category, whereas 401-500 range is severe. The organisation has adviced the people residing in Delhi to avoid all outdoor physical activities. It has warned all asthmatics to keep relief medicines handy. "Stop any activity level if you experience any usual coughing, chest discomfort, wheezing, breathing difficulty, or fatigue," it added. On a related note, SAFAR has also conducted a scientific study which revealed that 41 per cent of the pollution in the capital is caused by the transport sector. It also said that "after transport, wind-blown dust is the second major contributor with 21.5 per cent followed by industries at 18.6 per cent. The other minor contributors are power and residential sectors contributing about 4.9 and 3 per cent, respectively. Others contribute about 11 per cent. Residential sector includes slum, crop residue, cow dung, a street vendor, household, DG Set, wood burning, etc while other sectors include MSW Plants, MSW open burning, crematory, aviation, incense sticks, brick kilns". On the contrary, air quality has shown slight improvement in Mumbai with PM 1o at 137. Though it is not as severe as Delhi but is quite high considering the fact that Mumbai is along the sea. Tomorrow, air quality is expected to be around 141, SAFAR said. According to a May 2018 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Delhi featured in the list of the 20 most polluted cities in the world. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today released its annual 'India Country Office (ICO) Letter 2018' highlighting the theme of Celebrating Partnerships. The ICO letter, an annual feature at the Gates Foundation India office, demonstrates the foundation's commitment to collaborations with key stakeholders across various sectors to leverage their unique strengths, in order to deliver solutions to address some of India's most pressing health and development challenges. The letter provides specific examples of such collaborative efforts and illustrates how this approach has helped solve problems, ranging from issues such as vaccination to maternal, newborn and child care to local level sensitization of farmers. The foundation's operating approach is based on collaborations and, at every stage, informed by a broad group of experts inside and outside the foundation, community leaders, government officials, civil society leaders and advocates. Nachiket Mor, Country Director, India, referred to the need for collaboration and working together towards shared goals, "Working with local and global experts and stakeholders in the eco-system allows us to draw on the unique talents, resources and know-how of industry, academia and the public sector, to better serve the most vulnerable communities." The experience of working with the Bihar Government is a stellar example of collaboration which is outlined in the letter. The foundation worked closely with the state government and CARE to help test new techniques and technologies to improve healthcare delivery service quality. These investments in innovative methods and tools have since been expanded, from a pilot in eight districts, to all across the state, with the objective of strengthening the underlying health system. Such a two-pronged approach that adds a layer of technical solution to a strong health delivery platform would help Bihar meet its development goals, while becoming a template for other states to learn from and emulate. The foundation has already done a substantial body of work in collaborating with bio-technology and pharmaceutical companies in India to develop affordable vaccines that protect children from deadly diseases such as pneumonia, cholera and enteric fever. The association with Serum Institute, Pune, resulted in the development of the MenAfrivac a vaccine which was used to wipe out the dreaded Menangitis a virus from sub-Saharan Africa. The foundation is now working closely with the institute to develop a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. It is also supporting organizations such as BioE and Bharat Biotech, in the development of lifesaving vaccines. The foundation collaborates with the private sector to create demonstrable public-private partnership models for delivery of health services, which could be adopted by the Government of India at scale. Another key area of the foundation's efforts has been with communities - as they are the most important change agents in the country. The work of Project Concern International (PCI) is commendable in this context. They ran a pilot in 2012 focused on sanitation, nutrition and hygiene, and demonstrated how healthy behaviors could be adopted even when unhealthy behaviors are ingrained as social and cultural norms. Digital Green is another example of how a community-based approach can be used successfully to yield positive outcomes. Digital Green ushered in a highly successful model where 11,000 extension agents used 4000 videos in 18 Indian languages to provide instructions to 1.3 million smallholder farmers - leading to improved practices and better yields. Given the depth, scale and scope of the developmental challenges facing the country, the Gates Foundation believes that it is critical to build institutional strength that can create and develop technical expertise and an eco-system that enable innovations. In this context, it is important to mention the foundation's work with the WASH Institute. There is no dearth of innovation or capital today, but it is important to bring all of that together in a collaborative framework with multiple actors to ensure the most effective interventions are incentivized to benefit the marginalized and the vulnerable. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi-based EdTech startup, GuruQ has secured a further Rs 2.5 Cr (USD 330,000) round of funding from a group of HNIs. The company will use these funds for expansion, and marketing of the company. GuruQ is a single, simplified and cohesive EdTech platform that provides online, and offline tutoring based on global quality parameters. The company was founded by Minal Anand in 2016. Recently GuruQ, upgraded its platform with several innovative features to further ease the tutor finding process adding options like 'Find the Right Tutor' and 'Post Your Tuition Need', 'Group Class', 'Customized packages' for students and a user-friendly 'Scheduler' for tutors. Another new feature on the platform is 'Instant Class' that can be used when students have queries or doubts and need a quick class. This option allows students to book an instant class with their current tutor to be held within the next six hours. The Pre-Series A funding will see GuruQ expanding its operations in Punjab and Haryana. It will offer services in the cities of Ambala, Rohtak, Karnal, Meerut, Hisar, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Chandigarh. The company's research indicates that these areas have a wide gap between a good teacher-student connect. GuruQ teams are presently scouting these states to recruit teachers and knowledge experts for the platform. "We are delighted to have investors that understand and believe in our vision and passion. This funding is a significant milestone in allowing us to expand the business, strengthen development and create value in the market with new features. We will continue to innovate not just how our students access their tutors but also how they assimilate the learning. And our focus will always be to assure our students to get the highest quality, along with reliability and accountability," said Minal Anand, CEO and founder, GuruQ. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat on Tuesday flagged off mobile awareness vehicles that will give demonstration of the working of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) ahead of the assembly elections in the state scheduled on December 7. Underlining the importance of casting vote, slogans like 'Your vote, your future', 'Make your vote count' and 'Think democracy is in your hand' have been displayed on the vehicles. A high-level team led by the Chief Election Commissioner held a meeting with all the DEOs, SPs, DIG and IGs of Telangana to assess the ground reality on poll preparedness in the state on the second day of their visit. While reviewing poll preparedness on Monday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) team held a meeting with the recognised political parties in the state. Each political party was given 10 minutes to represent their party voice on the preparations for upcoming elections. Counting of votes of the Telangana assembly elections will be done on December 11. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that he will resume peace talks with India after the 2019 general elections. Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative held in Riyadh, he further claimed that his olive branch to India had been "rebuffed" by the Indian side due to the upcoming elections, as an "anti-Pakistan rhetoric brings in votes" in the nation. Khan tried to attract investments at the conference by stating that Pakistan had suffered in the aftermath of 9/11 attacks on the Trade Center in New York. "One thing Pakistan needs more than any other country right now is peace and security," he said while outlining that the country suffered from deficits due to instability and war. The Pakistani leader further mentioned that the country had peace and stability problems with India. "What we need is stability. Stability means peace with all our neighbours. We have peace with China and Iran, right now our problems are with Afghanistan and India," according to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) official Twitter account. "When I won the elections and came to power, the first thing I tried to do was extend a hand of peace to India. Unfortunately, and I think it is because of the Indian elections coming up, and because sadly anti-Pakistan rhetoric brings in votes, I'm afraid we got no response from Indian. In fact, we got rebuffed by India," Pakistan's Prime Minister said. Khan added, "Now what we are hoping is that we wait until the elections then again we will resume our peace talks with India." He further claimed that both the countries would benefit from regional peace. "All the money that should be diverted to our human resources ends up being diverted into a non-productive arms race," he stated, according to Geo News. The Pakistan Prime Minister's comments come amidst India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoning a senior official from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday to hand over a demarche lodging a strong protest at the fatal casualties of Indian soldiers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) He has been an ambassador of Kazakhstan to Egypt since September 2020, before that, since April 2019, he was Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and even earlier, from October 2013 to February 2019, he worked as Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the UAE. The India Army and Pakistan Army will hold Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) level talks over the phone today, sources said. The Indian Army will raise issues of infiltration bids, actions of Border Action Team (BAT) and use of Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) territory for propagating terrorist activities. Earlier, the Pakistan Army was informed through established communication channels to take over the bodies of the hostile Pakistani nationals. A stern warning has been given to the Pakistan Army to restrain the terrorists operating from its soil. On October 21, five to six Pakistani armed intruders crossed the LoC and fired on Indian Army patrol in the Sunderbani sector of Jammu region. Three Indian Army soldiers were killed and one suffered injuries in the unprovoked cross-border action by Pakistan. Two intruders were also killed by the Indian armed forces. The intruders were wearing combat uniform, however, their identity could not be ascertained. Since the last DGMO level talks on May 29, which was held at the behest of Pakistan, Indian Army has been maintaining utmost restraint to uphold the ceasefire along the LoC despite regular provocative actions from across the border. However, Pakistan Army has been vigorously attempting to send terrorists across the LoC. Since May 30, seven infiltration bids have been eliminated by the Indian Army in which 23 terrorists have been killed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jared Kushner, the senior advisor and son-in-law of US President Donald Trump has said that he had advised Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed bin Salman to be "fully transparent" in his investigation into Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death. Kushner, who has a close relationship with the crown prince, said that he had advised the latter that the " was watching" and disappearance and death of the journalist was "very serious situation", CNN reported. "The is watching..This is a very, very serious accusation. A very serious situation. To be sure you're transparent and to take this very seriously," Kushner told CNN at a conference on Monday when asked what he had told the crown prince. When asked if the crown prince has listened to his advice, Kushner said, "We'll see if he takes that advice." Kushner, who is a White House adviser further noted that the Trump administration was still in the "fact-finding phase" regarding the death of Khashoggi. Khashoggi, who was living in America, went missing on October 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. While Turkish officials claimed that Khashoggi was murdered in the consulate, Saudi Arabia's Attorney General said that the journalist died there after a brawl, adding that it was an accident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jimmy Kimmel has requested his viewers to support Democratic candidate Beto O'Rourke in the race for the upcoming midterm elections in Texas, United States. According to a report by Deadline, the talk show host said, "And the President did lend a tiny hand at a rally for Cruz in Houston tonight, which had to be the saddest call Ted Cruz ever had to make." Making fun of the Republican senator, Kimmel said, "Imagine if your neighbor insulted your wife's face, and then you had to ask him to loan you a weedwacker. That's like Ted Cruz's life right now. It's like the Devil making a deal with the Devil." Kimmel made it very clear that he will be supporting Democratic candidate Beto O'Rourke instead of Ted Cruz and urged the people of Texas to do the same. "I mean, come on! If nothing else, do it for comedy sake." As campaigning for the 2018 US midterm elections enters the final stretch, Celebrities are now openly supporting their favorite candidate in the race. Earlier this month, Taylor Swift, in an Instagram post, clearly stated that she will be "voting for Phil Bredesen for Senate and Jim Cooper for House of Representatives." She also mentioned that she "cannot support Marsha Blackburn. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was "planned" by Saudi officials. "The Saudi authorities have taken an important step confirming the killing and now we ask Saudi authorities to work hard to reveal the names of those involved, from the bottom to the top," Erdogan said while addressing the Turkish parliament on Tuesday, according to Al Jazeera. "There are also questions in every mind; why did those 15 people gather in Istanbul on the day they committed the crime and . according to instructions given to them by whom? We need to know," he added. The Turkish President's announcement comes a day after he vowed to reveal the truth around Khashoggi's death. Saudi Arabia's attorney general confirmed that Khashoggi had died as per preliminary investigations. At least 18 Saudi nationals have been detained by the kingdom's authorities, while various high-ranking officials have been ousted in connection with the case. Jamal Khashoggi was last seen walking into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey to obtain papers which would allow him to get married to his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz. Saudi authorities later confirmed that The Washington Post journalist had died inside the consulate after a brawl, following which the royal family extended their condolences to Khashoggi's son, Salah Khashoggi, who is a resident of Jeddah. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The mortal remains of Father Kuriakose Kattuthara has been brought to a church at Jalandhar Cantonment in Punjab. On Wednesday, the mortal remains of Father Kattuthara, who was one of the witnesses in the alleged Kerala nun rape case against Bishop Franco Mulakkal, will be taken to Kerala on via New Delhi. The prelate was found dead inside his room at a convent in Hoshiarpur district's Dasuya in Punjab on October 22. Punjab Police earlier in the day said that the case is being dealt with under the relevant section of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). Station House Officer (SHO) Jagdish Raj told media that the statement of Father Kuriakose Kattuthara's brother has been recorded. "His (Father Kuriakose Kattuthara) brother's statement has been recorded. The case is being dealt with under 174 CrPc. After the postmortem, the body will be given to the family," Raj said. However, Josh Kurian, brother of Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, who was found dead yesterday, said he has no faith in Punjab Police. Speaking to media, the brother said, "I want to bring the body to Alappuzha and bury it. If they want to do postmortem without letting us know, is there any guarantee that it will be done without foul play?" The brother of the Kerala nun, who had accused Bishop Mulakkal of rape, alleged that the sudden death of Father Kattuthara was a "pre-planned murder". Speaking to ANI, the nun's brother demanded a thorough investigation into the death of Father Kattuthara. Bishop Mulakkal was released from Kottayam jail on October 16, a day after being granted conditional bail. He is facing allegations of repeatedly raping a nun of his own congregation, a charge that he denies. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The on Tuesday ordered that no action can be taken against Special Director of the (CBI) until next hearing which is scheduled on October 29. By that time the director has to respond to the allegations levelled by Asthana. on Tuesday had moved the seeking the quashing of First Information Report (FIR) filed against him by the The matter was mentioned before Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice VK Rao. The investigating agency filed an FIR against Asthana for allegedly accepting a bribe from a businessman, who was related to controversial meat exporter Moin Akhtar Qureshi case. Asthana was heading the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that was probing Qureshi's case. Earlier in the day, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Devendra Kumar also moved the challenging his arrest by the The court has issued a notice to CBI on his plea for quashing FIR against him. The case against Kumar and Asthana among others was registered based on a complaint received by Hyderabad-based businessman Sathish Babu Sana on October 15. In his complaint, Sana accused Asthana, Kumar and others of taking bribes to absolved in the Moin Qureshi case. World number four Naomi Osaka, who lost her debut match of the ongoing WTA Finals against Sloane Stephens of America, has said that she does not have any "regrets" after the clash. The 21-year-old further credited her opponent for playing really well, adding that she deserved to win the match. "Usually after I lose, I have very specific things that I think would have changed the match. But I don't really have any regrets for me," WTA quoted Osaka, as saying. "This entire match was a really hard battle. I think she played really well, and I think she deserved to win the match," she added. Reflecting on things she would like to improve in her upcoming matches, the Japanese player said that she hopes to address her "disappointing" first serve percentage and her attitude, apologizing for a few emotional outbursts after the match. "That was something I'm not really proud of. I feel like for me I play better when no one knows what I'm thinking. But it's also something I am learning how to do because it's not like I have been consistently able to do that. It shows like my ups and downs," she said. Osaka had slumped to a 5-7, 6-4, 1-6 defeat against Stephens their opening match at the WTA Finals. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of creating ruckus at the Sabarimala Temple and making it a "war zone" in the past few weeks. The Sabarimala temple closed on Monday night after facing six days of tense standoff between protesters and police. Despite SC allowing women's entry, the lord Ayyappa's temple closed with the ban still in place. "I don't think there was a law and order failure at Sabarimala Temple," Vijayan said while addressing the media here. "Kerala government made it clear in front of the Supreme Court that it will implement the verdict. The government arranged all facilities. Neither government nor the police tried to block the devotees. RSS workers tried to make Sabarimala Temple a war zone," he added. Taking cognizance of the attacks on various media persons, Vijayan said, "Protesters tried to check vehicles, attacked women devotees and media persons. It was the first time in the history of Kerala that this type of attitude was shown towards the media." On September 28, a five-member constitutional bench headed by then CJI Dipak Misra had lifted the ban on the entry of women falling in the age group of 10 to 50 years in the temple, citing the practice "irrational and arbitrary". Earlier, women of menstruating age were barred from entering the Sabarimala Temple by its officials, who argued that the temple deity Lord Ayyappa had taken a vow of celibacy. Meanwhile, the apex court on Tuesday agreed to hear the review petitions challenging its order allowing women of menstruating age inside the temple. The court will hear the matter on November 13. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and crown prince Mohammed bin Salman met deceased journalist Jamal Khashoggi's son and his relative at the Al Yamamah palace in Riyadh on Tuesday. The kingdom's monarch and crown prince expressed their condolences to Salah Khashoggi, the senior scribe's son, and Sahl Ahmed Khashoggi, his relative, during the meeting, according to Al Arabiya. The Khashoggis thanked the monarchs for their sentiment, in what is the second on record communication between the deceased's family and the Saudi royal family. The Royals had earlier called Salah Khashoggi to extend their condolences on Monday after Saudi authorities confirmed The Washington Post's columnist's death. The meeting comes amidst the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's rejection of the Saudi explanation behind Khashoggi's death. Erdogan further called for the 18 detained Saudi nationals to be tried by an "impartial team" in Turkey while becoming the first officials to go on record about the details surrounding the scribe's demise. Jamal Khashoggi was last seen walking into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on October 2 to obtain papers which would allow him to get married to his fiancee, Hatice Cengiz. Saudi Arabia's attorney general later confirmed that preliminary investigations pointed towards the journalist's death following a brawl within consular premises, a claim which has been rejected by the Turkish President. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Textile Minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday took to micro-blogging site Twitter to clarify the remarks made in relation to the Supreme Court's stand on the entry of women into the Sabarimala temple. Referring to the comment made earlier in the day, Irani tweeted, "Since many people are talking about my comments - let me comment on my comment. As a practicing Hindu married to a practicing Zoroastrian, I am not allowed to enter a fire temple to pray. I respect that standby Zoroastrian community/priests and do not approach any court for a right to pray as a mother of 2 Zoroastrian children. Similarly, Parsi or non-Parsi menstruating women irrespective of age do not go to a Fire Temple." She continued her social media outpouring in three more tweets and expressed fascination over not being allowed to "have own point of view." "These are 2 factual statements. Rest of the propaganda/agenda being launched using me as bait is well just that ... bait. As far as those who jump the gun regarding women visiting friend's place with a sanitary napkin dipped in menstrual blood - I am yet to find a person who 'takes' a blood-soaked napkin to 'offer' to anyone let alone a friend." "But what fascinates me though does not surprise me is that as a woman I am not free to have my own point of view. As long as I conform to the 'liberal' point of view I'm acceptable. How Liberal is that?" wrote Irani while culminating a series of five tweets. Earlier in the day, Irani, while speaking at the Young Thinkers' Conference organised by the British Deputy High Commission and the Observer Research Foundation, had remarked that every individual had the right to pray but not to desecrate. "I have the right to pray, but don't have the right to desecrate. I am nobody to speak on Supreme Court verdict because I am a serving cabinet minister. But just plain common sense. Would you take sanitary napkins seeped in menstrual blood into a friend's home? You would not. And would you think that it is respectful to do the same when you walk into the house of God? So that is the difference. That is my personal opinion," she had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After the official greeting ceremony, President of Finland Sauli Niinist and President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed the issues of bilateral relations in narrow and expanded formats at the Official Residence in Helsinki, the Akorda press service reports. President Nazarbayev thanked Finnish counterpart for traditionally cordial reception and stressed that Kazakhstan and Finland have similar approaches to regional and international problems. Nursultan Nazarbayev especially noted that the two countries both enjoy trust. It is evidenced by the fact that Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin chose Helsinki as the venue for their meeting and that the events aimed at the settlement of the Syrian conflict were held in Astana. "That is because our countries have no conflicts with their neighbors," Nazarbayev said at the meeting. He went on to point out that Finland is the key trade, economic and investment partner of Kazakhstan in Northern Europe, adding that 90% of trade turnover between Finland and Central Asia falls on Kazakhstan. Nursultan Nazarbayev paid utmost attention to the results of meetings with reps of Finnish business circles and lauded the importance of the documents signed on the sidelines of the business forum. We've agreed to launch brand new projects implementation of which will strengthen our cooperation. I suggest our governments taking under control the realization of the agreements achieved," the Kazakh President stated. Sauli Niinist, in turn, reminded that the last time he and the Kazakh leader met was in Astana during the International specialized exhibition "EXPO-2017". Since then, according to the Finnish President, bilateral relations between Astana and Helsinki have advanced further. He expressed hope that Nursultan Nazarbayev's visit will help deepen bilateral contacts. In conclusion, the sides also touched upon the issues of bilateral cooperation in the sphere of agriculture, green' finance, energy, science and education, as well as cultural and humanitarian contacts. Just a day after soldier Ranjit Singh Bhutyal was killed in an attack by Pakistan intruders, his wife Shimpu Devi gave birth to a baby girl. Bhutyal's wife said that she wishes her newborn too joins the Indian army and serves the nation like her father. "This girl is the nation's daughter and I wish that she joins the army just like her father," added the mother, she told ANI. The deceased, Lance Naik Ranjit Singh Bhutyal, was scheduled to arrive home on a leave starting October 22 as his wife's date of delivery was round the corner. Singh, along with two other soldiers, was killed in action during an attack by Pakistani intruders in Rajouri district's Sunderbani on October 21. Two Pakistani intruders were also gunned down by security forces. On Tuesday, the mortal remains of the soldiers were flown to their native places for last rites, where they were laid to rest with full military honour. As per sources, the India Army and Pakistan Army will hold Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) level talks over the phone regarding the attempted infiltration. The Ministry of External Affairs has summoned a senior official of the Pakistan High Commission in the capital and a demarche was also made lodging strong protest at the fatal casualties of Indian soldiers in the incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday arrested one person from Tamil Nadu as a conspirator for his suspected links with Islamic State (IS) terrorist group. Shafeek Ahamed (30), a resident of Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, was arrested and produced before a special court, which subsequently gave him seven days remand to the NIA. During the investigation, it has emerged that Ahamed had facilitated procurement of forged passports. The arrests had been made after five people from Kannur, who were believed to have joined IS and left the country to undergo training in Syria, were arrested by the police last year. The Valapattanam police registered a case against them on charges of joining a banned terrorist organisation under Sections 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Earlier in July, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) operative Shajahan Velluva Kandy, a resident of Kannur in Kerala, was arrested from the Indira Gandhi International airport on his deportation by the Turkish authorities. Kandy had gone to Turkey and Syria for carrying out terrorist activities after procuring an Indian passport with a fake name. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Korea Tourism Organization in association with Cox & Kings, unveiled the itinerary of the magnificent trip taken by FBB Femina Miss India Winners 2018, with an aim to make South Korea a popular tourist destination. Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and Cox & Kings Ltd organized a trip for Miss India 2018 winners, Anukreethy Vas and 1st Runner-up Meenakshi Chaudhary early this year. Korea is one of the emerging destinations amongst the travelers. South Korea as a destination has lots to offer. From food to shopping, nightlife, different cultures and traditions - it's a one stop place for all types of travelers. The young beauties will be sharing their memorable experiences through their itinerary which will be made live for the travelers who wish to visit Korea. "I am obliged, that our experience is captured in such a beautiful manner and is now live for the travelers. South Korea is a great destination. I strongly believe that Indians must add South Korea to their travel bucket list and experience personally what this beautiful nation offers," said Anukreethy Vas, fbb Colors Femina Miss India World 2018. "I am really happy to see our travel can become so captive and interesting and a footprint to be followed by travelers. The destination has all the potential to surprise you. It's a different culture, tradition and food. I would recommend everyone to visit Korea once in their lifetime," said fbbColorsFemina Miss Grand India 2018, Meenakshi Chaudhary. "As part of our initiative with Korea Tourism Organization, we roped in fbb Colors Femina Miss India World 2018, Anukreethy Vas & fbb Colors Femina Miss Grand India 2018, Meenakshi Chaudhary to visit the striking regions of Jeju, Seoul & Gyeonggi. Their experience has been truly delightful and we are happy to unveil their unique itinerary to the Indian travelers. We believe this engagement will help us create a differentiated connect with the target audience and showcase the myriad offerings of South Korea in a distinctive way," said Karan Anand, Head - Relationships, Cox & Kings Ltd. "We are really happy with this joint marketing initiative. Also, their itinerary is an excellent way to promote this beautiful destination. This will inspire and encourage more and more people to visit the Korea as their next holiday destination as a beautiful spot and as from the perspective too," said Jong Sool Kwon, Korea Tourism Organization. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's niece, Karuna Shukla, will be contesting from the Congress party against incumbent Chief Minister Raman Singh from Rajnandgaon assembly constituency which goes to polls on November 12. Clarifying her stance on leaving the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shukla said: "Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani had established the BJP. However, the party has lost its ideologies and culture. Keeping these things in mind, I left the BJP after being associated with the party for 32 years." She further attacked the Raman Singh-led Chhattisgarh government, alleging that the Chief Minister has not done anything for the welfare of the people of Rajnandgaon despite being a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from there. "Dr Raman Singh has served as Chhattisgarh Chief Minister for 15 years and as the MLA of Rajnandgaon for last 10 years. However, he has not done anything for the betterment of people. So, the Congress president has sent me to fight for the people of Rajnandgaon." On Monday, the Congress announced a list of six more candidates including Karuna Shukla, for the first phase of the state polls. The party had announced a list of 12 candidates on October 18. The state assembly elections are scheduled to be held in two phases, November 12 and 20. The results will be announced on December 11. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Headline indices of the Australia market closed lower on Tuesday, 23 October 2018, as risk aversion selloff continued amid combination of domestic and international political uncertainty. Almost all ASX sectors lost ground, with shares of energy, materials, financials, and telecommunication services issues being notable losers. At closing bell, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index fell 61.85 points, or 1.05%, at 5,843.09 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index shed 61.31 points, or 1.02%, to 5,944.85 points. Political uncertainty at home resurfaced after Australia's Liberal National government suffered a disastrous by-election loss over the weekend, snatching away its one-seat majority. The country's Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, who ascended to the role after ousting Malcolm Turnbull in August, will meet independent lawmakers in a bid to shore up support for his government. If the prime minister fails to secure support from independent lawmakers to continue to govern, it potentially sets the stage for early elections, which were otherwise not due until May 2019. Concerns over Italy's budget, deadlock on Brexit negotiations as well as tensions between the West and Saudi Arabia over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey have dented global risk appetite over recent days. Shares of energy issue suffered heavy losses, as sentiment remained nervous in the run-up to U. S. sanctions against Iran's crude exports that start next month. Woodside Petroleum fell more than 2 percent and Santos was lower by more than 1 percent. Shares of Oil Search tumbled more than 3 percent despite the company reporting that its revenue for the September quarter nearly doubled from the preceding quarter on higher oil prices and an uptick in production that helped offset the impact of an earthquake in Papua New Guinea earlier this year. Shares of materials and resources companies were also mostly lower despite copper and nickel finishing last week higher. BHP fell almost 1% and Rio Tinto shed 0.5%, while Fortescue Metals declined almost 2%. Shares of Australian banks and financials saw losses, amid revelations of widespread misconduct in the industry in a high-profile public inquiry. ANZ Banking, Commonwealth Bank, Westpac and National Australia Bank were down in a range of 0.5 percent to 2 percent. Shares of hospital operator Healthscope jumped 19.9 percent after the company said it had received a takeover proposal from a consortium for A$4.11 billion. CURRENCY: Australian Dollar was down against greenback and other major currencies on Tuesday. The Australian dollar was quoted at $0.7078, down from $0.7109 on Monday. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Twenty nine troopers of Tripura State Rifles (TSR) bound for poll-related duties in Chhatisgarh have been injured after their bus fell into a deep gorge, police said here on Tuesday. The bus rolled down into an approximately 250 feet deep gorge at the Baramura hill ranges in Tripura while negotiating a sharp turn. "Around 800 TSR jawans, including the 29 troopers, were headed to Agartala in different vehicles to board a Chhatisgarh-bound train "All the 29 injured, including three critical ones, have been shifted to the (government-run) Govind Ballabh Pant Medical College and Hospital here for treatment," the police officer said. Two of the three critically wounded were being referred to Kolkata on Tuesday for better treatment. Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb along with others have visited the hospital where the troopers were rushed to. The 90-seat Chhattisgarh assembly elections would be held in two phases on November 12 and 20. The TSR were earlier sent to Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Nagaland and Mizoram on poll security duties. The TSR battalions, trained in anti-insurgency operations, were constituted in March 1984 to deal with terrorism. It is modelled on the pattern of Border Security Force and Assam Rifles. --IANS sc/in/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three Maoists were arrested from two districts of Jharkhand on Tuesday, police said. Two Maoists were arrested in Khuti district and one in Palamau district, said Ashawani Kumar, Superintendent of Police. The two from Khuti, Lakshman Munda and Manay Munda, were arrested in a vehicle search operation of the police. They had failed to provide documents of the bike they were riding on. They were involved in the killing of a tractor driver. The third - Guddan Singh, a Maoist zonal commander - was arrested from Chainpur area of Palamau district. Police seized one pistol and some cartridges from him. --IANS ns/mag/bg (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's Supreme Court has been informed that transactions of more than 100 billion Pakistani rupees ($77 billion) have been carried out through 107 fake bank accounts, the authorities said on Tuesday. According to the reports, a three-member bench of the country's top court on Monday resumed the hearing of its suo-motu case on an investigation into money-laundering and fake bank accounts, reports Xinhua news agency. A joint investigation team of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has submitted a report to the apex court, revealing that the transactions of 47 billion Pakistani rupees have been done through fake bank accounts and 54 billion Pakistani rupees were transferred through the fictitious accounts of 36 companies. Several fictitious accounts at some private banks were opened in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and illegal transactions worth billions of rupees were made through these account, according to investigation team. The FIA has been investigating 32 people in the case, the reports added. Earlier this month, the Pakistani Interior Ministry barred 95 persons suspected to be involved in the case from leaving the country. --IANS ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bollywood actor Aamir Khan met a top official from China's film regulator here last week and discussed cooperation between India and China in making films. The actor is immensely popular in China for his movies like "Dangal", "Secret Superstars" and "Three Idiots", among others. The Information Office of China's State Council announced Aamir Khan's meeting with Wang Xiaohui, Executive Vice Head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Director General of the State Film Administration on Tuesday. The meeting was held on Friday. Wang discussed the development of Chinese films and said he hoped that China and India could strengthen cultural exchanges and cooperation, share excellent films, carry out in-depth cooperation in making films and encourage filmmakers of both sides to produce more quality films. The actor said that he would like to share his filmmaking experiences with industry colleagues from China, seek inspiration and create more excellent works. --IANS gsh/soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congregation of Christian Brothers in India (CCBI), a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, on Tuesday said that appropriate action will be taken against Brother Francis Gale, accused of sexually abusing a tribal Khasi woman in Meghalaya, if he is found guilty. Mary Therese Kurkalang, from the state capital Shillong, on October 19 took to the social media #MeToo campaign, accusing two Catholic brothers - Francis Gale and Muscat - of sexually abusing her since she was five. "We are committed to a just and fair hearing to both the complainant and the alleged abuser, through a formal process as laid out in our Protection Policy - Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults," Brother J. Johnson of the Society Protection Officer Professional Ethics Commission, CCBI, said. In an e-mailed communique, Johnson said, "The policy looks into all cases of abuse, past and present, so as to ascertain with compassion the truth and support the survivor towards achieving a peaceful closure while taking appropriate action against the alleged abuser if found guilty." Johnson said the Christian Brothers stand in solidarity with and in support of any survivor of sexual abuse. Gale, who is now based in West Bengal, had "sexually abused Mary for eight years". "He (Gale) was a trusted friend of my family and was held in great esteem as a religious man. I was sent to him for tuitions -- I was 5 when he first showed me his '----' and asked me to touch it." However, Mary's family members distanced themselves from the alleged sexual scandal. "I have nothing to say on the matter. You go and ask her. Please get out of my sight," Mary's elder sister Zita Kurkalang told journalists. Mary said that she never got the support of her family members, one of whom instead "slapped" her when she informed them about the sexual abuse committed by Gale. "I never spoke about it again, the abuse continued all the years. When I turned 12 and started menstruating I did muster the courage to refuse to meet this man (Gale) or talk to him," she said. Mary alleged in her Facebook post that Muscat would call children to his side of the table and ask "us (children) to choose toffees from his drawers and while we did, he would slide his hands up," she said. The victim said that she never told anyone about the sexual abuse committed by Muscat because of the larger abuse she faced from Gale. --IANS rrk/shs/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Images | kafanews.com Co-financing of private shelters for homeless animals from the budgets of local executive bodies, a ban on dolphinariums, aquariums and contact zoos will be introduced in Kazakhstan - such norms were introduced by the deputies to the draft law "On Responsible Treatment of Animals", approved at the plenary meeting of the Majilis. As noted by the deputy Andrei Milyutin, during the preparation of the bill for the second reading, amendments were made aimed at clarifying the cases in which the treatment of animals would not be cruel treatment, co-financing of private animal shelters by local executive bodies, the introduction of a ban on walking pets requiring special responsibility, to persons under 16 years of age. The amendments also stipulate the responsibility of pet owners to comply with sanitary standards in their maintenance and introduction of the competence of local executive bodies to develop rules for keeping pets, vaccinate and sterilize stray animals at the expense of the state budget, as well as other sources not prohibited by the legislation of the republic. In addition, in order to support socially vulnerable segments of the population, the deputies proposed to register pets belonging to this category of citizens at the expense of budget funds. During the discussion of the bill, the proposals of animal rights defenders to impose a ban on the creation and operation of mobile menageries, animal exhibitions, dolphinariums, aquariums and contact zoos were also taken into account. This provision will have a delayed period in order to provide the owners of these organizations with time to carry out procedures for liquidation or reorganization of their business. Also, the deputies introduced clarifying norms that the use of animals for participation in sports events in national sports will be carried out in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Physical Culture and Sports," the deputy explained. Also, in order to strengthen the principles of humane treatment of animals, amendments have been developed to organize work to educate population of a moral and humane attitude towards animals. These norms are proposed to be implemented in several ways. This includes informing the population about the legislation in the field of responsible treatment of animals, teaching a bioethics course or conducting extracurricular activities on humane treatment of animals in the education system. This includes holding exhibitions, seminars and other events," Andrei Milyutin added. Bollywood actor Ajaz Khan has been arrested by the Anti-Narcotics Cell of Navi Mumbai Police for alleged possession of banned drugs here. He was arrested late Monday night, officials said here on Tuesday. The controversial actor was arrested from a hotel room in Belapur with eight tablets of the prohibited 'ecstasy' tablets, which are popular in rave parties. Ajaz, a former "Bigg Boss" contestant, will be produced before a court on Tuesday, said an official. This is not Ajaz's first brush with the law. Two years ago, he was arrested and released on bail on charges of sending obscene pictures and lewd messages to a beautician who had offered him a business project proposal. --IANS qn/rb/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) on Tuesday staged a massive protest rally here against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, asking the BJP-led government at the Centre to throw the legislation into the dustbin if they respected the historic Assam Accord and the people of the state. AGP President Atul Bora also termed the Assam Accord as the party's "Gita, Bible and Quran" and said that it must be implemented for the sake of securing the rights of the indigenous people. The rally that started from Latasil playground to the city's Chandmari area, was against the Bill that seeks to make the minority communities such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan eligible for applying for Indian citizenship. The Bill is under consideration of a joint parliamentary committee of both the Houses. "The Assam Accord is Gita, Bible and Quran for us and I want to ask the BJP leadership whether they respect the Assam Accord or not or the blood of martyrs of the Assam movement who laid down their lives for the state," said Bora while addressing the rally. The AGP is a partner of the BJP-led alliance government in Assam and the party has three legislators in Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal's cabinet. While over 60 organisations in Assam called for a 12-hour Assam bandh on Tuesday to protest against the Bill, the AGP decided to hold the protest rally. "We contested the 2016 elections with the BJP following discussion with our grassroots workers and the people of Assam. However, we are ready to come out of the alliance if the BJP government goes ahead with the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016," said AGP leader and state Water Resources Minister Keshav Mahanta. The bandh drew a near total response across the state although the government had issued instructions to the administration to ensure normalcy. --IANS ah/ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shiromani Akali Dal patriarch Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday slammed Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh for going on a foreign trip, ignoring the plight of families who lost their kins in the Amritsar train tragedy on October 19. Badal, a former Chief Minister of the state, termed the accident on Dussehra day "a man-made tragedy of an unprecedented magnitude", and took to task the Congress government for its "shocking and heartless non-seriousness" in responding to the terrible tragedy in which about 60 people lost their lives. "Nothing symbolises this non-seriousness and indifference more than the decision of the Chief Minister to desert the people in their hour of extreme grief," Badal said here after a SAD-BJP delegation met Punjab Governor V.P. Singh Badnore and sought his intervention to ensure justice to the victims and punishment to the guilty in the Amritsar tragedy. Amarinder is on a five-day visit to Israel from October 21. "I find it insensitive and careless beyond belief that the Chief Minister chose to leave his state and his people to their own fate and decided to proceed on an utterly avoidable foreign trip. In his shoes, I would have cancelled the trip," Badal, 90, told reporters here. On October 19, at least 59 people lost their lives, and 60 others were injured when a train ran through a crowd that had gathered on a railway track to watch 'Ravana' effigies go up in flames on the occasion of Dussehra. Badal said that the tragedy could have been easily avoided if Navjot Singh Sidhu and his spouse had "displayed even the elementary sense of responsibility by refusing to be associated with an event without appropriate government permission". Thousands had been taken to the function by the organisers, who enjoy the direct patronage and protection of the Sidhus. The site was highly vulnerable and tragedy-prone, as it lay adjacent to a busy railway line for several long-distance trains, Badal said. Sidhu has defended his wife and held the railways responsible for the deaths of people standing on the tracks near Joda Phatak in Amritsar. Badal reiterated his party's demand for an immediate sacking of Sidhu from the Punjab Council of Ministers. --IANS js/shs/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP MLA Terash Gowalla on Tuesday resigned from the Assam Assembly citing unhappiness over the functioning of the saffron party. Gowalla, who represents Duliajan in the state legislative Assembly, sent his resignation letter to Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Sources in the saffron party said that Gowalla was not happy with the appointment of BJP legislator from Sadiya, Bolin Chetia, as the Chairperson of Assam Gas Company Limited (AGCL), a state-owned PSU. Gowalla's resignation came a day after the Sonowal-led government appointed 40 legislators and leaders of the BJP and its alliance partners in various positions at state public sector undertakings. "I have sent a letter to Chief Minister who is the leader of the Legislature Party. I feel that I am not doing justice to my constituency and I am not able to work," Gowalla said. The MLAs, appointed as chairpersons of different corporations, have been given the rank and status of either a Cabinet Minister or a Minister of State. --IANS ah/shs/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Anti-Narcotics Cell of Navi Mumbai Police arrested Bollywood actor Ajaz S. Khan for allegedly possessing banned psychoactive drugs late on Monday night, officials said on Tuesday. The controversial actor was arrested from a hotel in Belapur with eight tablets of the prohibited MDMA Ecstasy' (or, Molly) tablets weighing around 2.30 gm, which are popular among youth in rave parties. Senior Police Inspector Ravindra Budhwant said the police had received a tip-off and carried out discreet investigation before laying a "trap" for Khan. A police team raided the room and the actor was nabbed "red-handed" from a room in K Star Hotel, in CBD Belapur Sector 11, late on Monday night. The police also seized other articles like mobile phones and cash collectively worth around Rs 220,000 from the accused, who lives in Andheri west in adjoining Mumbai. Khan, a former Bigg Boss contestant, was produced before the Vashi Court which remanded him in police custody till October 25, Budhwant said, adding further investigations are on to trace his other accomplices. This is not Khan's first brush with the law. Two years ago, he was arrested and released on bail on charges of sending obscene pictures and lewd messages to a beautician who had offered him a business project proposal. --IANS qn/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The weekly meeting of the Uttar Pradesh cabinet was cancelled on Tuesday as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath headed for poll-bound Chhattisgarh to canvass support for BJP candidates, an official said. Adityanath is one of the star campaigners of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and on Tuesday he was scheduled to address election rallies at Rajnandgaon, the assembly seat of his counterpart Raman Singh. Adityanath has been extensively deployed by the saffron camp in election campaigns ever since his elevation as Chief Minister in March 2017. Other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah, Adityanath is one of the most sought after campaigners by the party candidates. In the past too, Adityanath has had successful electoral forays in states like Karnataka, the northeast and Himachal Pradesh. The BJP has also picked him for campaigning in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, where he will be addressing a string of rallies. Chhattisgarh will vote on November 12 and 20 while Madhya Pradesh will go for polls on November 28. Voting will be held in Rajasthan on December 7. Adityanath was lined up for many rallies in these states in the next few weeks, an official said. --IANS md/in/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Months after turning back two Punjab legislators belonging to the Aam Aadmi Party from the Ottawa airport, Canada has written to India saying that the lawmakers can visit the country, an official said on Tuesday. Canadian authorities, in a communication to India's Ministry of External Affairs through the Indian High Commission in Ottawa, have said that both the legislators could travel to Canada whenever they chose to. "I have been informed that the Canadian Border Services Agency has conveyed to our Mission in Ottawa that due to privacy legislation, they are unable to provide further details in the matter. However, they have also conveyed that Mr. Kultar Singh and Mr. Amarjit Singh are eligible to return to Canada, if they choose to do so, at any future time," Union Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj said in a communication to Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana K.P. Singh, according to a spokesman for the Speaker. Amarjit Singh and Kultar Singh, members of Punjab Legislative Assembly, were sent back from the Ottawa international Airport by the Canadian Immigration Authorities on July 21 despite their having the required travel documents. The Assembly Speaker had written to Swaraj about the matter on July 25, the spokesman said. Swaraj informed the Speaker that the Indian High Commission in Ottawa strongly raised this matter with the Canadian government. "We will continue to pursue the matter with the Canadian side to ensure that such incidents do not recur in future. I also urge you to kindly ensure that the Government of India's guidelines on foreign travels are followed by legislators in future and our Mission and Post in Canada are kept informed about such travels," Swaraj said in her letter. The Speaker has advised all MLAs to follow the prescribed procedures for their foreign visits, including obtaining political clearance from the Union Ministry of External Affairs, and providing prior information to the Indian Missions abroad. Canada is home to a strong Punjabi Diaspora, which has settled over three decades and prospered. --IANS js/shs/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CPI-M on Tuesday blamed Modi governments bid to undermine the Indias democratic foundations for the CBIs "internal war" and alleged that Special CBI Director Rakesh Asthana -- who has been booked for alleged corruption -- was pushed into the agency to subvert investigations against BJP leaders. Taking to twitter, Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said Asthana "patronised by the BJP and handpicked by Modi", was pushed into our premier investigation agency despite opposition to his entry only to subvert ongoing investigations and stop all cases against BJP leaders. "If this official (Asthana) is now caught 'fabricating' documents and taking bribes, should his political patrons in BJP not be asked tough questions too?" Yechury asked. Observing that a number of "compromised officials with dubious records" have been inducted into top agencies under the Modi regime, Yechury said the role of top BJP leadership in "damaging and destroying" the country's institutions was unparalleled in India's history. "That is not just due to poor governance. But it is due to malafide intention to target political opposition and save their own under investigation," he said. "That the CBI is particularly under the spotlight should not surprise us. "After all, it was the agency investigating the Bharatiya Janata Party President (Amit Shah) for a very serious charge. No prizes for guessing how and why his name was 'cleared' under a dark cloud," said Yechury referring to Shah who was indicted for murder and arrested in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case in July 2010. Shah was subsequently discharged by a special CBI court in December 2014 months after the Modi-led BJP came to power at the Centre. Later in a statement, the CPI-M said the recent happenings within the CBI reflected the degree of damage caused by Modi government to constitutional authorities and institution of parliamentary democracy. "The undermining of Parliament itself, interference in the judiciary, manipulations of institutions like the CBI are not due to poor governance but due to malafide intentions to undermine the secular democratic foundations of the constitution," it said. The RSS-BJP must be stopped from creating further damage to our country's constitutional order," said the party calling upon the people to build up resistance. Asthana was brought to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2016 after the NDA came to power in 2014 and was tipped to head the agency. Hailing from the Gujarat cadre, he had supervised the probe into the 2002 Godhra tragedy as Inspector General of Police, Vadodara range. Asthana's elevation to the top post had evoked sharp reactions from the opposition following which he made way for Alok Verma. The CBI on October 15 registered an FIR against Asthana and several others for allegedly accepting bribes to settle a case involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi, who is facing multiple cases of money laundering and corruption. --IANS and/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Election Commission team, led by Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat, on Tuesday reviewed the poll preparedness in Telangana for the December 7 assembly elections. The team held a meeting with senior civil and police officials to take stock of the the election machinery. The CEC and others discussed with top officials the arrangements being made for the single-phase election, as well as the law and order situation in the state. On the second day of a three-visit here, the CEC inaugurated at Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) office a mobile van to create awareness among voters. He inspected the van equipped with electronic voting machines and voter verifiable paper audit trails (VVPATS). Rawat also unveiled Voter Accessibility App for the persons with disabilities Abled (VAADA- a promise), and distributed voter ID cards to the physically challenged. Developed by GHMC, VAADA helps persons with disabilities participate in the voting process with ease. The application has text, voice as well as GIS (Geographic Information System) interface. Rawat said that the election panel was also using a C-Vigil app for the first time on a pilot basis to check electoral malpractices. Hyderabad District Electoral Officer and GHMC Commissioner Dana Kishore explained the functions of the VAADA app to the ECI officials and briefed them about the facilities for the physically challenged voters. --IANS ms/shs/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Central government on Tuesday proposed to set up a dedicated park for machine tools in an area of about 500 acres in Odisha. Anant Geete, Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, said if the Odisha government supports, the machine tools park can be set up, which will create employment and help the steel industries. "My ministry will provide full support to the state government for setting up the industrial park," said the Minister while addressing a conclave on "Capital Goods in Steel Sector: Manufacture in India" here. "If the Odisha government agrees to our initiative and provides about 500 acres of land, the machine tools park can be established. This will be second in the country after Karnataka," Union Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh told media persons here. He said a total 38 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were signed on the occasion for capital goods manufacturing which attracts about Rs 39,400 crore investment in the country. About 15 foreign players signed MoUs to invest in India, he added. Addressing the conclave, the Steel Minister said, "Our initiative to domestically meet the demand of capital goods for the steel sector is a well-thought strategy to develop India into a Global Manufacturing Hub for steel plant equipment and machinery." He said the proposed setting up of the facilities will not only reduce imports but will also have a force multiplier impact in the long-term sustainability of the steel industry in India. The Minister said foreign capital goods manufacturers, technology providers, and equipment manufacturers can set up manufacturing facilities in India or through joint venture and collaboration with Indian capital goods manufacturers. "It will be a win-win situation as the multinational companies will bring fresh investments and latest technology to produce equipment and spares of world-class quality at a globally competitive rate," he added. Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the Union government has planned to achieve steel production of 300 million tonnes by 2030, of which around one-third of steel is expected to be produced in Odisha alone. This will unleash the growth potential and create opportunities for Odisha, leading to massive expansion and development, said Pradhan. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that the state produces about half of the country's iron ore, which makes it an ideal location for setting up steel industries. --IANS cd/mag/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday officially opened the world's longest sea-crossing bridge that connects mainland China with Hong Kong and Macau, during a ceremony in the city of Zhuhai. The $20 billion mega-project includes with a 55 km road bridge that has been in the works for almost nine years, CNN reported. It's a key element of China's plan for a Greater Bay Area covering 56,500 sq.km of southern China, and encompassing 11 cities, including Hong Kong and Macau, that are home to a combined 68 million people. Proponents of the bridge have said that it will significantly cut journey times between the cities, enabling commuters and tourists to easily move around the region. However, private car owners in Hong Kong will not be able to cross the bridge without a special permit. Most drivers will have to park at the Hong Kong port, switching to a shuttle bus or special hire cars once they are through immigration. Shuttle buses will cost between $8 to $10 for a single trip depending on the time of day. Built to withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake, a super typhoon and strikes by super-sized cargo vessels, the bridge incorporates 400,000 tonnes of steel -- 4.5 times the amount in San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, CNN said. It also includes a 6.7 km submerged tunnel to help it avoid the busy shipping paths over the Pearl River Delta. The tunnel runs between two artificial islands, each measuring 100,000 sq.metres and situated in relatively shallow waters. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress on Tuesday held Prime Minister Narendra Modi solely responsible for "dismantling, denigrating and destroying" the CBI and accused him and BJP chief Amit Shah of "perpetually misusing" the central probe agency. In the wake of the CBI registering a corruption case against its Special Director Rakesh Asthana and raiding its own headquarters, the Congress said Modi's role in the entire matter was under a cloud. The Congress also raised questions over "Modi summoning" CBI director Alok Kumar Verma and Research and Analysis Wing chief Anil Dhasmana to his residence on Monday hours aftre the CBI arrested its Deputy Superintendent Devendra Kumar in connection with the case against Asthana. "Was it to influence the ongoing corruption investigation against CBI and RAW officers?," asked Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala. Apart from Asthana, the CBI has also named Samant Kumar Goel, Special Director of India's external intelligence agency RAW. Surjewala said "habitual and perpetual misuse" of CBI by Modi and Amit Shah in fixing political opponents and illegal intervention to tamper with fair investigation of serious criminal cases has landed the CBI in an unfathomable mess, eroding its independence and credibility. "The entire nation is looking for a fair, impartial and independent investigation of the serious charges of corruption involving senior-most officers of CBI and RAW," he said. Surjewala said it was also required to investigate as to who in the current political dispensation was involved in the entire saga and is attempting to shield the accused involved in the matter. Citing Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan getting a clean chit in the Vyapam Scam as well as the escape of fraudsters Nirav Modi Mehul Choksi and Vijay Mallya out of the country, the Congress alleged the Modi government was influencing the CBI. The Congress accused Modi of "systematically demolishing" the independent architecture of all premier agencies including CBI, Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) "These agencies are being used as captive puppets in converting them to dirty tricks department of the BJP," added Surjewala. --IANS and/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A local court on Tuesday rejected the bail plea of former BSP MP's son who threatened a man with a pistol at a luxury hotel a few days ago. Special Judge Sunil Rana rejected the plea of Ashish Pandey, the son of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Rakesh Pandey and brother of BSP MLA Ritesh Pandey, observing the allegations are grave and serious in nature. The court said the accused belongs to a political and influential family and the possibility of his tampering with the evidence and influencing witnesses cannot be ruled out. Currently Pandey is in judicial custody till November 5. He surrendered himself in a local court on October 18 and was arrested by the Delhi Police. He claimed he was innocent of any wrongdoing. Ashish Pandey was on the run since the early October 14 morning incident at the Hyatt Regency Hotel when a video clip showed him threatening a man who was with a woman by showing a pistol. --IANS akk/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Drawings and oil paintings depicting human and animal figures in familiar and alien environs, dealing with concepts of homelands and displacements, are exhibited at the Triveni Kala Sangam here starting Tuesday. Titled "This Side of the Forest", the exhibition houses works by artist Vasudevan Akkitham. "Though I have always maintained sketchbooks and drawn whatever I saw and felt, it had never even once crossed my mind that they could be displayed," Akkitham said in his note on the exhibition, adding that many of them come from his "assorted sketchbooks of the last fifteen years or so". He was egged on to exhibit his work by his friend and prominent artist Rekha Rodwittiya, who curated the first show of his sketches in 2014. "(It) frames the preoccupations of his concept of home being central to his work. He refers to this territory as being a migrant's dream, yet imaginary and elusive, and in no way corresponding to the actual place he comes from," Rodwittiya wrote for the show. She also writes of his huge body of work, that "traces his linguistic journey from his early influences derived from the Trivandrum School of Art and his engagement with the figurative narrative movement when he came to study at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Baroda. She mentions his later "exposure to the New Spirit of Figuration prevalent in London, when he was at the Royal College of Art in the late 80s". The works, communicating through subdued colours, seem to place the human figure as central, but reveals a larger meaning when seen in tandem with the background -- one that talks of home and belonging. The exhibition is open for public viewing till October 31. --IANS sj/mag/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Facebook has shut down 95 pages and 39 accounts that supported Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte for violating the the social media giant's spam and authenticity policies. Most of these pages, including one with 4.8 million followers, were linked to support pages for Duterte, the company said in a statement on Monday. "We're investing heavily in both people and technology to keep bad content off our services," the company said in the statement published on its official blog. According to the statement, the pages were "encouraging people to visit low quality websites that contain little substantive content and are full of disruptive ads", reports Efe news. A page managed by the followers of Llocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos - supporting her Senate candidacy - daughter of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, was also blocked. Facebook further said in its statement that it had doubled the number of people working on safety and security issues on its platform in 2018 to more than 20,000 people. "This is some of the most important work being done at Facebook. This takedown is a small step in the right direction, and we will continue working to find and remove more bad content," the statement added. In April, Facebook had blocked several pro-Duterte pages, which were suspected of disseminating fake news. --IANS ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Police have arrested five boys, including four juveniles, for killing a 23-year-old, while trying to rob his mobile phone to buy alcohol and drugs. Deputy Commissioner of Police Seju P Kuruvilla on Tuesday said one of the five accused was arrested on Monday from Sultanpuri. "His arrest led to the arrest of the rest of the accused, including one 21-year-old boy, " he said. Hailing from Bijnor in Utter Pradesh, the victim, Naushad was stabbed multiple times and killed on Saturday in Aman Vihar, where he lived. Naushad was taken to a hospital in Mangolpuri and declared brought dead. The accused told police that they consumed alcohol and saw Naushad with a costly android mobile phone. "They were trying to rob the said mobile phone when Naushad tried to resist them. One of them stabbed Naushad multiple times and fled with his mobile phone," police said. --IANSA mg/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Ram Nath Kovind has been invited by the Sarvdeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha (SAPS), the apex body of the Arya Samaj worldwide, to inaugurate the International Arya Maha Sammelan to be held in the national capital from October 25 to October 28. In a statement on Tuesday, SAPS said that Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will likely be attending the four-day event on the concluding day. Many central Ministers, Governors and Chief Ministers are also likely to participate in the International Arya Maha Sammmelan. Lakhs of arya samajis from 32 countries around the world, specially from Pakistan and Bangladesh, will be a part of this big event. Many personalities will express their views on issues like the division in the Hindu community in the name of Jaat, Dalit, Patidar and Gurjar, SAPS said in a statement. As per SAPS, they will also organise a 'Yagna' in which 10,000 Arya Samajis will take part. --IANS som/shs/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) French authorities on Tuesday started to dismantle a makeshift migrant camp in the northeast of the country, forcing 1,800 people to evacuate the area. The camp had formed in Grande Synthe, the largest suburb of the northeastern city of Dunkirk, where the so-called "Calais Jungle" migrant camp operated between January 2016 to October 2016, reports Efe news. In a statement, the local government said it wanted to put an end to the large network of human traffickers operating in the region and that the closing of the camp was to target illegal activity. It also said the displaced migrants would be offered alternative accommodation in line with basic human rights. Migrants with the right to apply for asylum were encouraged to embark on the legal process, the statement added. The new Interior Minister, Christophe Castaner, was set to visit the camp and meet police officers of Dunkirk later on Tuesday. Since May, French authorities have dismantled six camps in Grande Synthe. In recent years the region has been a crossroads for migrants looking to travel to the United Kingdom from mainland Europe. Since the dismantling of the Calais Jungle, which housed between 6,000-8,000 people, makeshift camps have continued to emerge. --IANS ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Google on Tuesday opened public online voting for 20 children shortlisted for its annual 'Doodle 4 Google' competition. The annual competition, announced early in August, encouraged creative, art-loving students across India to bring their imagination to life for the search engine giant's logo. This year's theme was "what inspires you". The doodle, incorporating letters G-o-o-g-l-e, were to be created using crayons, clay, water colours and graphic design. From a beautiful sight at the beach to nature's tiny creatures; India's farmer community to the Indian folk music; space exploration to learning from animals; children drew their inspiration using crayons, clay and graphic designs, the tech giant said in a statement. Of the 75,000 students, from Class 1 to 10, across the country who sent in their entries, more than 55 per cent were from non-metro cities, including Visakhapatnam, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Bareilly, Kottayam and Bhubaneswar. Out of these, Google shortlisted 20 from five categories: Group 1 comprising students from Class 1 to 2; Group 2 with students from Class 3 to 4; Group 3 with students from Class 5 to 6; Group 4 with students from Class 7 to 8 and Group 5 with students from Class 9 to 10. The online voting, which began on Tuesday, will continue till November 6 (until 10 a.m.). People can cast their votes on the Doodle 4 Google 2018 voting page. The doodle with the maximum votes will get featured on Google's home page on Children's Day that falls on November 14. The national winner would win a Rs 5 lakh college scholarship, a Rs 2 lakh technology package for their school, as well as a trip to the Google office in India, among other prizes, the company said. The first edition of "Doodle 4 Google India" was held in 2009 and the theme was "My India". The same contest also ran in regions including Canada, Latin America and other Asian countries. --IANS rt/mag/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Food Processing Industries Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has exhorted the French food processing companies to significantly enhance their engagement with the Indian market. "The French have one of the world's most renowned food processing industries and India has the fastest growing food and retail market in the world. Hence, it would be natural for the two to work together intensively. However, we find that some other countries have been much more aggressive in the Indian market and are taking the lead, while the French remain rather limited in their footprint in India," Badal told the Media India Group in an interview at SIAL in Paris, soon after having inaugurated, along with her French counterpart, what's touted as the world's largest food processing fair. "India presents a unique opportunity in the food processing and retail domain. Food constitutes a very large share of the total retail market, which itself is set to treble in the coming few years. "As the disposable income increases, an average Indian family will spend even more on food and hence will open up a large and untapped market," Badal said, adding that while many other countries had spotted the opportunities and were stepping up their investments in India, this was not the case with the French companies. "Of course, the French enjoy a high reputation in this industry and they have a lot of know-how and technology to share with Indian companies. However, the cooperation remains far from achieving its true potential and it is a pity because the moment of doing business with India is here and now," Badal maintained. Looking back at over four years of her work in the food processing ministry, Badal said that there had been a sea change in all segments - from the number of mega food parks and related infrastructure on the ground to the foreign direct investment as well as ease of doing business, besides a very healthy growth in both the food and retail business in India. "There are a few more initiatives that I want to complete in this term of the government so that we can set the foundation for a much more rapid and indeed smooth development of the sector after the elections next year," Badal said. During her third visit to the biannual SIAL, Badal also held bilateral discussions with the French Agriculture Minister and the two touched upon the issues of enhancing French investments in India, while the French minister raised the question of Indian government's subsidies to Indian sugar farmers, touching an issue that is politically highly sensitive both for the EU and for India. The major sugar exporters of the world initiated action against India, Pakistan and the EU for alleged trade distorting export subsidies provided by the three governments to their sugar exporters. Incidentally, Indian sugar exports to the EU collapsed by nearly 70 per cent in 2017, while the EU sugar and related exports increased in the same period. During her visit to Paris, Badal has also met with leaders of various French food companies to discuss their investment plans in India. (Paris-based Ranvir S. Nayar is managing director of the Media India Group. He can be contacted at r.nayar@mediaindia.eu) --IANS ranvir/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) We listen to local police and fire departments scanner traffic, but sometimes miss crimes, wrecks, fires or other incidents, especially if they happen overnight. If you know of something were not covering yet, please let Managing Editor Jeff Pownall know by emailing him at jpownall@lufkindailynews.com , or submit a news tip online by visiting lufkindailynews.com/tips. In the face of fresh sanctions imposed by Washington on Tehran over its nuclear programme, India, Iran and Afghanistan discussed the full operationalisation of the Chabahar port that the three countries are jointly developing at the first trilateral meeting of the Coordination Council of the Chabahar Agreement held in the Iranian capital on Tuesday. "Detailed discussions were held between the three sides on full operationalisation of the trilateral agreement for international transit and transport through Chabahar port," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement. "All sides shared the view that full operationalisation of trilateral Chabahar initiative will promote connectivity and economic development of Afghanistan and the region," it stated. A decision was also taken to form a follow-up committee that would hold its first meeting within two months in Chabahar port. "It would discuss and aim to finalise protocol to harmonise transit, roads, customs, consular matters that were shared by the Indian side at the meeting for making the route attractive, decrease logistic costs and pave the way for smooth implementation of the Trilateral Chabahar Agreement," the statement said The port project on the southeastern coast of Iran has come under jeopardy after the US imposed fresh sanctions on the West Asian nation over its nuclear programme that are set to come into effect on November 4. President Donald Trump has pulled the US out of the nuclear deal or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council along with Germany and the European Union (EU), to end sanctions in return for Tehran stopping nuclear weapons development. India is investing $500 million to develop the Chabahar port and the road link from there to Afghanistan gives access to that country bypassing Pakistan. Last year, New Delhi sent 1.1 million tonnes of wheat as aid to Afghanistan through Chabahar and the road link it built to connect it to that country. The port is also a key link in the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a 7,200-km-long multi-modal network of ship, rail and road routes to move freight between India, Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe. In Tuesday's meeting, the Indian side was led by T.S. Tirumurti, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the External Affairs Ministry, while the Iranian and Afghan sides were led by their respective Deputy Ministers of Transport. --IANS ab/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India exported 458 thousand tonnes of organic products worth $515 million in 2017-18 -- around 39 per cent higher from the previous year, said Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority in a release on Tuesday. APEDA said there is "constant increase" in the demand for Indian organic food products from countries such as the US, European Union, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Israel, South Korea, Vietnam, New Zealand and Japan. The major demand is for oilseeds, cereals and millets, sugar, fruit juice concentrates, tea, spices, pulses, dry fruits, medicinal plant products, according to the authority. Under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), the area under cultivation during 2017-18 was 3.56 million hectares. Though the US, European Union and Canada were the biggest buyers of organic products, many others such as Israel, Vietnam, Mexico have started showing interest now, said Tarun Bajaj, General Manager, APEDA. "The equivalency granted by European Commission and Switzerland for unprocessed plant products and the conformity assessment granted by USDA has played a pivotal role in increased export to these countries," the release quoted Bajaj as saying. "India is also negotiating with Canada, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan for equivalency with NPOP." --IANS spk/shs/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 45-year-old Indian expat won a jackpot of $1 million (3.6 million dirhams) in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draw raffle on Tuesday. Sourav Dey, who has been living in Dubai from last six years, works as a department head for an insurance company here. He bagged the prize after buying the lottery ticket for the first time, Gulf News reported. "I'm so grateful to Dubai Duty Free for giving me this new fortune that my family will truly treasure for a long time," Dey said. Two other winners, including an Indian man, drove away luxury vehicles. Forty-four-year-old Indian man Babu Ajith Babu drove home a BMW motorbike, while 40-year-old Sri Lankan national Sajeewa Niranjan won a Range Rover. According to data from two of the biggest raffle draws in the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi's Big Ticket raffle and Dubai Duty Free's Millionaire Draw), Indian nationals prove to be the luckiest. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Israeli post-rock band will perform at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur on Friday, an official of the Israeli embassy said on Tuesday. Leading the Israeli alternative music scene, Tiny Fingers is heading to India for a five-city tour which includes slots at IIT Kanpur and the NH7 Weekender in Shillong and Kolkata. Regarded as a forerunner of Israel's thriving and eclectic music scene, Tiny Fingers combine post-rock and live electronics with psychedelic grooves forming a powerful, super intensive musical mix, Press Officer of the Israeli Embassy in India Snehal Tripathi said. "A festival favourite both in their home country and abroad, their live act is a mind blowing experience of futuristic sounds and visuals, which has led them to be handpicked to open for The Mar's Volta, Damian Marley, Dub Trio, All them Witched and many more," he added. The band comprise Oren Ben David on guitar, Boaz Bentur on bass, Tal Cohen on drums, and Nimrod Bar on keys and synths. The band has five critically acclaimed albums under their belt and tours across the world that has seen them perform at a number of clubs and festivals. Other than their performance at IIT-Kanpur, the band will also perfumed at Mumbai (October 28), New Delhi (November 1), Meghalaya (November 2) and Kolkata (November 3). --IANS md/ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday withdrew an order asking educational institutions to purchase copies of the Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana for their libraries. An order issued by the state Chief Secretary here said: "Circular issued by the Education Department regarding the introduction of some religious books stands withdrawn." The decision to buy copies of the Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana was made public on Monday through an order issued by the Education Department. The order led to widespread criticism. Slamming the order, Former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah tweeted on Monday: "Why just the Gita and Ramayana? If religious texts are to be placed in schools, collages and government libraries (and I'm not convinced that they need/should be) then why is it being done selectively? Why are other religions being ignored?" --IANS sq/ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie, visiting Peru in her capacity as special envoy of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), has met with Venezuelan migrants at a shelter in Lima run by volunteers. It was her first official activity on Monday as the filmmaker launched her three-day mission to evaluate the needs of the Venezuelan refugees "and observe Peru's generous response," the UN High Commissioner of Refugees said in a statement. Jolie went to working-class San Juan de Lurigancho neighbourhood here to visit the Sin Fronteras (Without Borders) shelter, which opened more than a year ago to provide lodging and food for Venezuelans fleeing economic crisis in their homeland, Efe news reported. Videos posted on social media showed Jolie chatting with the migrants. Peru has received 4,56,000 Venezuelans in the past 18 months, second only to Colombia. --IANS in/dc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Karnataka is planning a blueprint to make the festival of Dussehra tourist-centric after an estimated 50 lakh tourists visited the state's Mysuru city during the festival from October 10-19, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said on Tuesday. "Mysuru district officials have been directed to prepare a blueprint for more vivid and tourism-centric Dussehra. An estimated 50 lakh tourists visited Mysuru during the festival and 10-12 lakh watched the procession on the final day of the fest," Kumaraswamy told reporters. The Chief Minister was talking to the media on the occasion of the Janata-Dal-Secular (JD-S)-Congress coalition government completing 150 days in office. During Dussehra, illumination of the Mysuru Palace, Dussehra special airshow and flower shows attract lakhs of tourists from across the world, generating revenue for the state. On November 1, which marks Karnataka's formation day, the southern state will also flag off a folk art festival 'Janapada Jatre' in six places, in order to preserve the fading folk art forms, Kumaraswamy added. He, however, did not name the cities and towns where the folk art celebrations would be held. --IANS bha/mag/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was attacked in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul within two minutes after he entered it and was dead in seven minutes, the New York Times reported. A person close to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan revealed "new specificity to the Turkish claims about the speed with which Khashoggi was killed and said (that) it also showed premeditation". According to the daily, Khashoggi came under attack within two minutes of entering the consulate on October 2 and was dead within seven minutes. He was dismembered in 22 minutes. Turkish officials have previously said that the Saudi killer team had finished its work and left the consulate within less than two hours. The Times also said that Saudi agents who killed Khashoggi brought a body double who resembled the dissident and wore his clothes as part of a cover-up. Turkey leaked security camera video footage on Monday showing the look-alike strolling the streets of Istanbul shortly after Khashoggi had been killed inside the Saudi consulate. "The inclusion of a body double in the squad is the latest indication that the death of Khashoggi, a Virginia resident and Washington Post columnist last seen on October 2, occurred during a premeditated plot by the Saudis to abduct or kill him and hide what they did." On Saturday, Saudi Arabia's rulers admitted for the first time that their agents had killed Khashoggi. They said he was accidentally strangled during a brawl that broke out in the consulate as the Saudi agents tried to persuade him to return to the kingdom. The Saudi officials have also said that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the 33-year-old de facto ruler of the kingdom, had no knowledge of the mission and that he learned of the killing only two weeks later. But this theory is widely challenged. The Times quoted a source as saying that Khashoggi's body was rolled into a rug before handing it over. Although President Erdogan has promised to reveal a truth "in full nakedness" on Tuesday, the daily said he does not intend to disclose the specific evidence other officials have cited. "Some of that evidence may have been obtained through audio surveillance of the consulate in violation of international agreements... "But he remains determined to try to assign the blame for the killing to the upper reaches of the Saudi royal court, as close as possible to the crown prince." Meanwhile, Khashoggi's fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, has been placed under police protection, a Turkish official said. The step had been taken not because of any specific threat but because Cengiz, who was to marry Khashoggi the day after he went to the Saudi Consulate, had been the target of online abuse, the Times said. --IANS mr/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said that the country's security services have evidence that dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder was a planned affair. He made the remarks while speaking at a parliamentary group meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) here, reports Hurriyet Daily News. "Turkish security services have evidence that the murder was a planned affair. Turkey and the world will only be satisfied when all the planners and perpetrators are held to account," the President said. "Other countries must participate in the investigation." Erdogan claimed that Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a critic of Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, first came to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on September 28 to get his marriage documents. The "roadmap" to kill Khashoggi started with this visit. He said that a day before Khashoggi disappeared on October 2, a group of three Saudis landed in Istanbul and went to the consulate while another team visited the Belgrad Forest near the city and the neighbouring Yalova province. "On October 2, another group came and this 15-member team went to the consulate and removed the hard disks of security cameras there. Khashoggi's went inside that afternoon and never appeared again while his fiancee waited outside," Erdogan said. It was later found that 15 Saudis including intelligence officers and forensics experts came to Turkey ahead of Khashoggi's visit. "I spoke to (Saudi) King Salman on October 14 and formed a joint investigation team. This is how our officials could enter the consulate and the consul's residence... Seventeen days after the killing, Saudi Arabia admitted that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate. "We held another phone call and they told us that 18 Saudis, including people from the 15-member team we exposed, were arrested in Saudi Arabia," he added. The President said that information and evidence show that Khashoggi fell victim to a brutal murder. "We have strong evidence that the killing was intentional, not accidental. Now we expect them to punish all those who played a part in the murder." --IANS ksk-soni (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hundreds of workers affiliated to the Kisan Khet Mazdoor Congress (KKMC) held a protest here on Wednesday against the BJP government's "anti-farmer policies". The KKMC, farmers' wing of Congress party, conducted farmer marches at several places across the country from January 25, which culminated at Kisan Ghat in the national capital on Wednesday. Addressing the gathering, KKMC chairman and ex Member of Parliament Nana Patole said the government waived off loans to the tune of Rs 3.5 lakh crore taken by select 15 industrialists but it did not have Rs 1.5 lakh crore for farmers. "The new Congress governments in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh have waived off farm loans. We will not sit idle until the BJP government announces loan waivers for farmers across the country," he said. "There is rural distress in the country due to the anti-farmer policies of the BJP government." He said farmers will decide who comes to power in 2019, adding that the Congress president Rahul Gandhi would be the next Prime Minister of the country. Patole took a dig at Central farm schemes including the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, saying these did not help farmers but led to financial losses for them. Remembering Mahatma Gandhi on his death anniversary, he appealed to farmers to restrict to non-violent ways while protesting against the Centre. Among the protesting farmers was Rajesh Kumar from Agra, who complained of low income due to poor crop prices. "I invested around Rs 12-13 per kilogramme of potato I cultivated. However, the prices in the market are between Rs 4-10 per kilogramme. We are incurring huge losses. The government should provide us assistance," he said. --IANS spk/oeb (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.) 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 Page: 1 2 The United States will continue to develop its nuclear weapon stockpile LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 469470 10-23-2018 06:03 AM Post: #1 The United States will continue to develop its nuclear weapon stockpile Advertisement "The US president told reporters Monday, until nations around the world come to their senses. The threat was directed at China and Russia, the president emphasized. Trump did not elaborate what it would take for China and Russia to show they'd "come to their senses" regarding the development of nuclear weapons. Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev (second from right) and US National Security Adviser John Bolton during a meeting in Moscow. Washington is on the verge of ripping up the Cold War-era Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) from 1987, an intention announced by Trump on Saturday. Speaking to reporters on the south lawn of the White House Monday, Trump complained that Moscow has not done enough to adhere to the INF treaty. He also said China should be part of the treaty." https://sputniknews.com/us/2018102210691...r-arsenal/ Check out this bombastic, arrogant, militant patriotically oriented sycophant !"The US president told reporters Monday, until nations around the world come to their senses.The threat was directed at China and Russia, the president emphasized. Trump did not elaborate what it would take for China and Russia to show they'd "come to their senses" regarding the development of nuclear weapons.Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev (second from right) and US National Security Adviser John Bolton during a meeting in Moscow.Washington is on the verge of ripping up the Cold War-era Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) from 1987, an intention announced by Trump on Saturday. Speaking to reporters on the south lawn of the White House Monday, Trump complained that Moscow has not done enough to adhere to the INF treaty. He also said China should be part of the treaty." LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 423870 10-23-2018 06:13 AM Post: #2 RE: The United States will continue to develop its nuclear weapon stockpile Nobody stopping you from offing yourself, OP. Why you wanna take the rest of us with you? LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 469516 10-23-2018 06:28 AM Post: #3 RE: The United States will continue to develop its nuclear weapon stockpile Oh good more nukes. I feel so much more safe now. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 469470 10-23-2018 06:33 AM Post: #4 RE: The United States will continue to develop its nuclear weapon stockpile LoP Guest Wrote: (10-23-2018 06:28 AM) Oh good more nukes. I feel so much more safe now. Yeah, as if their 5000 wasn't enough ! Yeah, as if their 5000 wasn't enough ! LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 463503 10-23-2018 06:41 AM Post: #5 RE: The United States will continue to develop its nuclear weapon stockpile It won't do any good adding China to the treaty because you can't trust them and they won't follow through on any of the promises they make. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 469470 10-23-2018 06:47 AM Post: #6 RE: The United States will continue to develop its nuclear weapon stockpile LoP Guest Wrote: (10-23-2018 06:41 AM) It won't do any good adding China to the treaty because you can't trust them and they won't follow through on any of the promises they make. WHO cant the World trust and WHO wont "follow through on the promises they make" ????????????? WHO cant the World trust and WHO wont "follow through on the promises they make" ????????????? LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 469516 10-23-2018 07:00 AM Post: #7 RE: The United States will continue to develop its nuclear weapon stockpile Right now America is busy making itself the scum of the the whole planet as it works to fulfill Zionist dreams of world conquest with President Dementia and his Zionist advisors filling his mind with schizophrenic ideas. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 463503 10-23-2018 07:00 AM Post: #8 RE: The United States will continue to develop its nuclear weapon stockpile LoP Guest Wrote: (10-23-2018 06:47 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (10-23-2018 06:41 AM) It won't do any good adding China to the treaty because you can't trust them and they won't follow through on any of the promises they make. WHO cant the World trust and WHO wont "follow through on the promises they make" ????????????? The Chinese government are thieves that put Muslims in camps just for being Muslim. They make people worship their government. They make people that disagree with their government disappear. They make predatory loans to 3rd world nations knowing they won't be able to pay the money back then they start taking over the infrastructure and businesses in said country and I'm guessing they will eventually take over the entire country in all of these nations they made loans to. They're interfering in Hong Kong making people critical of the Chinese government disappear and cracking down on free speech even though the treaty they signed with the UK says Hong Kong is to govern itself until 2047 and the Chinese government is not to interfere. They'rebuilding artificial islands in international waters and militarizing them while also bullying their neighbors. The only reason China has not taken over the entire region is because the US stand in their way. They're waiting on the US to collapse then you will see how bad they truly are. The Chinese government are thieves that put Muslims in camps just for being Muslim.They make people worship their government.They make people that disagree with their government disappear.They make predatory loans to 3rd world nations knowing they won't be able to pay the money back then they start taking over the infrastructure and businesses in said country and I'm guessing they will eventually take over the entire country in all of these nations they made loans to.They're interfering in Hong Kong making people critical of the Chinese government disappear and cracking down on free speech even though the treaty they signed with the UK says Hong Kong is to govern itself until 2047 and the Chinese government is not to interfere.They'rebuilding artificial islands in international waters and militarizing them while also bullying their neighbors.The only reason China has not taken over the entire region is because the US stand in their way.They're waiting on the US to collapse then you will see how bad they truly are. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 463503 10-23-2018 07:03 AM Post: #9 RE: The United States will continue to develop its nuclear weapon stockpile LoP Guest Wrote: (10-23-2018 07:00 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (10-23-2018 06:47 AM) WHO cant the World trust and WHO wont "follow through on the promises they make" ????????????? The Chinese government are thieves that put Muslims in camps just for being Muslim. They make people worship their government. They make people that disagree with their government disappear. They make predatory loans to 3rd world nations knowing they won't be able to pay the money back then they start taking over the infrastructure and businesses in said country and I'm guessing they will eventually take over the entire country in all of these nations they made loans to. They're interfering in Hong Kong making people critical of the Chinese government disappear and cracking down on free speech even though the treaty they signed with the UK says Hong Kong is to govern itself until 2047 and the Chinese government is not to interfere. They'rebuilding artificial islands in international waters and militarizing them while also bullying their neighbors. The only reason China has not taken over the entire region is because the US stand in their way. They're waiting on the US to collapse then you will see how bad they truly are. When I say thieves I say that because they steal military technology from pretty much everybody. When I say thieves I say that because they steal military technology from pretty much everybody. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 469470 10-23-2018 07:05 AM Post: #10 RE: The United States will continue to develop its nuclear weapon stockpile I knew Americans were brain washed, but shiiiiit ! LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 450018 10-23-2018 07:08 AM Post: #11 RE: The United States will continue to develop its nuclear weapon stockpile Like we ever stopped..DERP If I was president I wouldn't tell anyone what I had going on , e are the only country that does this, freaking common sense simple easy peasy.. LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 463503 10-23-2018 07:10 AM Post: #12 RE: The United States will continue to develop its nuclear weapon stockpile LoP Guest Wrote: (10-23-2018 07:05 AM) I knew Americans were brain washed, but shiiiiit ! Everything I said was true which is why you put out that lame ass response. You essentially said you're wrong. Nice comeback loser Everything I said was true which is why you put out that lame ass response.You essentially said you're wrong.Nice comeback loser LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 469470 10-23-2018 07:34 AM Post: #13 RE: The United States will continue to develop its nuclear weapon stockpile LoP Guest Wrote: (10-23-2018 07:03 AM) LoP Guest Wrote: (10-23-2018 07:00 AM) The Chinese government are thieves that put Muslims in camps just for being Muslim. They make people worship their government. They make people that disagree with their government disappear. They make predatory loans to 3rd world nations knowing they won't be able to pay the money back then they start taking over the infrastructure and businesses in said country and I'm guessing they will eventually take over the entire country in all of these nations they made loans to. They're interfering in Hong Kong making people critical of the Chinese government disappear and cracking down on free speech even though the treaty they signed with the UK says Hong Kong is to govern itself until 2047 and the Chinese government is not to interfere. They'rebuilding artificial islands in international waters and militarizing them while also bullying their neighbors. The only reason China has not taken over the entire region is because the US stand in their way. They're waiting on the US to collapse then you will see how bad they truly are. When I say thieves I say that because they steal military technology from pretty much everybody. You STILL wouldn't have Rockets if you hadn't found the NAZI tech ! HALFWIT ! You STILL wouldn't have Rockets if you hadn't found the NAZI tech ! HALFWIT ! seasnake Registered User User ID: 67904 10-23-2018 08:22 AM Posts: 19,333 Post: #14 RE: The United States will continue to develop its nuclear weapon stockpile All this means is more government handout free money to the defense companies that have a record of often enough delivering nothing in return. Once again, we are returning back to half a billion dollar toilet seats. (This post was last modified: 10-23-2018 08:23 AM by seasnake .) LoP Guest lop guest User ID: 469402 10-23-2018 08:23 AM Post: #15 RE: The United States will continue to develop its nuclear weapon stockpile RIP America Advertisement Back to Forum Reply to This post Post New Thread Kolkata, Oct 23 ( IANS) Betting big on the growing Indian tourist arrivals in Malaysia, Malindo Air on Tuesday inaugurated its flight operations from the city to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of the southeast Asian country. On the Kolkata-Kuala Lumpur route, the airline will have flights five times a week offering a seat capacity of 810. It offers 12 business class and 150 economy class seats. This adds to 74 weekly flights by the airline from nine Indian cities including Trivandrum, Trichy, Kochin, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Amritsar, Delhi and Kolkata. "India is one of the important markets for us and we have been getting good response. Kolkata is a potential market in terms of outbound travellers and we are looking for good response from here," the airline CEO Chandran Rama Muthy said. The airline is experiencing a growing passenger load, its General Manager (Sales and Business Development) Ramdas Shivram said. "We have two flights a week from Bengaluru, three flights a week from Trivandrum, three flights a day from Trichy, 11 flights a week from Delhi and Kochin each," he said. Shivram said the flight came here with full load from Kuala Lumpur and on return, it has close to 100 passengers from Kolkata. Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board's Director (North and East India) Sulaiman Suip said there was a 14.7 per cent growth in Indian tourist arrivals to over 3.07 lakh to the southeast Asian country during the January-June period of the current year, compared to over 2.68 lakh in the same period last year. With the availability of more flights, Malaysia aspires to welcome one million Indian tourists by 2020. --IANS bdc/shs/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said "negligence and callousness of some people" was responsible for the stampede at a railway foot-overbridge in Howrah that killed two and injured 12 others, urging the railways to take proper care of the passengers. Referring to the horrific train accident in Punjab's Amritsar four days ago in which at least 59 people died and scores injured, Banerjee said the department should initiate inquiries into the matters rather than shying away from taking responsibility. "The accidents in railways should be reduced because so many modern equipment are available. But I think there must be some negligence or callousness... I do not know from which part," she told reporters. The Railways should "take more responsibility and take care of coordination among various sections" of it so that coordination-gap between its various internal departments can be reduced, she said. According to her, money has not been a constraint for the railways to construct wider railway foot-overbridges. Banerjee also alleged that the railways did not seek any help from the state government during the festive seasons, but they "should work in liaison with the state" particularly during the festive period. "See what happened in Amritsar. Even during the Puja time, I noticed three-four incidents in my state also. I asked the chief secretary to talk to the railway authorities to find out if they are monitoring the situation," said Banerjee, who herself is a former railway minister. "I do not want to blame the railways just for the sake of it. Let them investigate. Why are they not investigating the matter?" she questioned. "When BJP called a bandh, I saw there were only four people on the tracks and they withdraw their train. But in Amritsar where 59 people died had so many people on the track... and they said they cannot take responsibility... I do not understand this," she added. IANS mgr-bdc/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a timely, upcoming book, author Sohaila Abdulali -- who was gang-raped as a teenager and was among the first survivors to speak out about rape back in the 1980s -- draws on three decades of grappling with the issue. "What We Talk About When We Talk About Rape" coincides with the rising tide of the #MeToo campaign in India. In the book, Abdulali, who has previously authored two novels as well as children's books and short stories, mentions that she faced "deafening silence" on rape in India for over three decades, but contends that the discourse around it changed after the 2012 Nirbhaya rape case in Delhi. After 2012, for the first time in India, "rape became an acceptable topic of everyday conversation. It led to changes in the law, some good, some bad. Whether it led to the prevention of even one rape, I have no idea. Much of what was said was rubbish, but that's okay -- at least the topic is less taboo than it was earlier", Abdulali told IANS in an email interview from New York. She goes on to mention that the #MeToo campaign has "shone a startling spotlight on sexual harassment". Since the days her manuscript went to the presses via Penguin Random House, the #MeToo campaign has gathered much momentum in India and has now brought a slew of sexual harassment allegations against prominent personalities from the media, film and political circles, to the forefront of national discourse. "As for #MeToo in India now, wow! Can you hear me cheering from New York? I'm cheering for all the unbelievably gutsy women who are speaking up at great risk to themselves," she quipped. The #MeToo campaign in India has also thrown up some allegations, which many, including staunch supporters of the movement, find "confusing". It has been pointed out on social media that several allegations confuse "flirtation" with "harassment", thereby "diluting" the cause. The allegation against author Chetan Bhagat by Ira Trivedi, for instance, talks of a 2010 instance when Bhagat allegedly tried to "place a kiss" on her lips. Later, Bhagat shared screenshots of emails sent by Trivedi in 2013, mentioning "hugs and kisses", which the latter said was taken out of its context. Trivedi also invited Bhagat to launch one of her books later in 2014-15. On this being pointed out as a "flip side", and asked if the #MeToo campaign was vulnerable to "false and baseless allegations", the author vehemently disagreed. "I don't consider it a 'flip side.' I would hope we are all intelligent enough to make space for different kinds of accusations and weigh their relative seriousness. I'm not in favour of policing what women do and don't say, or judging how someone acts with her accuser after the fact. "Why is it that when it comes to women making accusations, one of the first concerns is always, oh, are they lying? One of the first concerns is for the poor innocent men who might get hurt by an army of perfidious women. I find this ridiculous. You'd have to be pretty clueless to lie about being raped. Of course, people lie sometimes, for revenge or personal gain or just because they're delusional. But when any other crime is being discussed, the first reaction is never to assume the accuser is lying," she said. "What We Talk About When We Talk About Rape", an advance copy of which is with IANS, is written from the perspective of a survivor, writer, counsellor and activist. Abdulali reflects on her work with hundreds of teachers, writers, sex workers and feminists, among others, and charts what we think about rape and what we say. "Let's get real -- I have yet to see a single woman anywhere actually gain anything by pointing the finger at a rapist or harasser. So let us accord women speaking out about sexual abuse at least the respect of not starting with the fear that they are out to get men. Historically, in every culture, there is one group that has consistently lied about rape: Rapists," she maintained. She contended that #MeToo is "a great start" but "it's certainly not going to end sexual violence". "We need systematic change, in legislation, in attitudes, in our basic belief structures, for us to really decide as a society that men actually don't have the right to abuse women.The hinterlands are filled with tough women who have always dealt with issues of sexual violence, often in very creative ways. I don't think we need to assume that urban women have answers they don't, and that it is a one-way street. I think women in all strata of society have much to learn from each other," said Abdulali, who has an MA in communication from Stanford University. Gang-raped as a teenager in what was then Bombay, and indignant at the deafening silence on the issue in India, she wrote an article in a woman's magazine questioning how we perceive rape and rape victims. The story went viral -- 30 years later, in the wake of the 2012 Delhi rape case and the global outcry that followed. "What We Talk About When We Talk About Rape" will arrive at bookstores across India on October 25. (Saket Suman can be contacted at saket.s@ians.in ) --IANS ss/vm/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Kashmiri separatist leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq defied house arrest on Tuesday and tried to march towards the Lal Chowk area here. According to the police, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq who was placed under house arrest in his residence on the city's outskirts, tried to defy the order. "He was taken into preventive custody and shifted to the Nigeen police station," police sources said. Another senior separatist leader, Muhammad Yasin Malik who had evaded arrest, appeared in Lal Chowk where the police took him into preventive custody. The separatists had called for a protest march to Lal Chowk against the killings of seven civilians in an explosion in Kulgam district on Sunday. Authorities have placed curbs on the movement of traffic to and through Lal Chowk. Educational institutions have been closed in Srinagar as a precautionary measure. --IANS sq/ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Netflix will retain its association with filmmakers Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane for the second season of hit web series "Sacred Games", the streaming platform said on Tuesday amid the #MeToo furore after conducting an independent probe. "After an independent investigation, the results helped inform Netflix's decision to continue with Vikramaditya Motwane and Anurag Kashyap on season 2 of 'Sacred Games'. We continue to collaborate with our production partners to ensure and maintain a safe and respectful working environment," read a statement from Netflix. Kashyap and Motwane, who co-directed the show, have been in the news due to their alleged complacency in dealing with sexual harassment accusations against their former Phantom Films partner Vikas Bahl by an employee. Netflix also said it will continue to work with writer Varun Grover on season 2 of crime drama "Sacred Games" too. Grover's name emerged in the #MeToo wave when a woman anonymously alleged that in the Banaras Hindu University in 2001, he touched her inappropriately. He denied it by calling it a "baseless fabrication". The writer has in the past worked closely with Phantom Films which was dissolved last month after allegations resurfaced against Bahl in the wake of the #MeToo movement in India. Bahl was first accused last year in an incident which took place in Goa in 2015. --IANS rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Security analyst and columnist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra was on Tuesday arrested for his alleged derogatory remarks against the Sun Temple and Odisha culture. The Commissionerate Police arrested Iyer-Mitra after hours of interrogation at an undisclosed location in Bhubaneswar. Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty said Iyer-Mitra was arrested in connection with a criminal case registered against him at Saheed Nagar Police Station on September 20. He has been booked under IPC Sections 294, 295A, 153A, 500, 506 and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act. Iyer Mitra also appeared before a House Committee of Odisha Assembly on Tuesday and tendered an unconditional apology for his derogatory remarks on legislators. The House panel headed by leader of opposition Narasingh Mishra asked Iyer-Mitra to re-appear on November 2 and submit an affidavit. "Abhijit Iyer-Mitra admitted to the charges levelled against him and offered an unconditional apology for his 'stupidity'. He has been directed to depose before the Committee and submit an affidavit in this regard," said Mishra. "After examining his affidavit, the panel will decide whether to accept his apology or not. Accordingly, the Committee will then recommend to the House to take action against him, if necessary," he said. Iyer-Mitra was questioned about the alleged breach of privilege. He had earlier been summoned to appear before the panel on October 11, which he had skipped. He was summoned again to appear on October 23. Odisha Assembly Speaker Pradip Amat had on September 20 constituted a House Committee to probe the journalist's alleged derogatory remarks against the state and its lawmakers. Iyer-Mitra had on September 16 posted a video on Twitter criticising the Konark temple. Later, he went on to make the alleged derogatory remarks against Odisha and its culture. Two FIRs were registered against him at Konark and Saheed Nagar police stations for his remarks. Last month, the Odisha Police arrested the columnist in New Delhi for his anti-Odisha comments. However, he was given conditional bail by a local court in Delhi. Later, the Supreme Court rejected his bail plea saying his comments 'incited religious sentiments'. --IANS cd/mag/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US-based chip maker Qualcomm Technologies on Tuesday announced a series of collaborations with ecosystem leaders to boost the growth of wearables such as smartwatches, kid watches, and smart trackers based on the company's Snapdragon Wear platforms. At its 4G/5G summit here, Qualcomm said that it was working with leading original design manufacturers (ODMs) and ecosystem players, including Taipei-headquartered Compal Electronics and China-based Longcheer on smartwatches. On 4G kid watches, Qualcomm announced partnerships with China's Huaqin and Thundersoft. It tied up with US-based Franklin Wireless on 4G smart trackers, and with French wireless communication software provider Smartcom on 4G connected end-to-end solutions. The ecosystem collaborations aim to support a range of customers to develop next-generation wearable devices based on the Snapdragon Wear family of platforms, including the recently announced Snapdragon Wear 3100 for Wear operating system (OS) by Google smartwatches, Snapdragon Wear 2500 for open source Android based 4G kid watches and Snapdragon Wear 1100 and 1200 for smart tracking solutions. "We think Snapdragon Wear 3100 can change the arc of Wear OS based smartwatches because we are focused on two things -- to make the smartwatches more useful and make it last longer," Pankaj Kedia, Senior Director, Product Marketing, Qualcomm Technologies told reporters here. Snapdragon Wear 3100 is based on a new ultra-low power system architecture, designed to bring new experiences and support for extended battery life in Wear OS by Google based smartwatches. Its first batch of customers include high-end watchmakers Fossil Group, Louis Vuitton, Montblanc. "The wearables space is an exciting and fast-growing segment. Our Snapdragon Wear family of platforms bring key innovations in low power, small size, smart sensing, and superior connectivity to help transform the industry and drive growth across smartwatch, kid watch, and smart tracking segments," Kedia said. "Working closely with leading ODMs and ecosystem players is essential to expand the wearables ecosystem and help our customers to bring new, innovative wearable products to consumers worldwide," he added. (Vivek Singh chauhan is attending the summit in Hong kong on Qualcomm's invitation. He can be contacted at vivek.c@ians.in) --IANS vc/gb/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Noida police on Tuesday said they were working to nab a man, who was accused of trying to extort Rs 20 crore from Paytm founder with three others by threatening him to leak the confidential data, even as the company assured its customers that their details were protected with high-level security. On Monday, the police arrested Sonia Dhawan, person secretary to Paytm Founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma; her husband Rupak Jain; and Devendra Kumar, an employee at the company's administration department. A fourth accused Rohit Chomal, a Kolkata resident, who is believed to have made the extortion calls from Thailand, is on the run. Earlier, on the complaint made by Paytm Vice President Ajay Shekhar Sharma, who is the brother of the founder, a case was registered under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Information and Technology Act against the four. The police said that all the phone numbers concerned were under observation. "We are minutely watching the activities on the same IP address through which the phone calls were made," a police officer said. According to the First Information Report (FIR), Dhawan had been the personal secretary to the CEO for about 10 years and had access to all the files containing the financial data. Paytm in its statement said, "All our consumer data is protected with the highest and most impenetrable levels of security." "At this point, the law enforcement authorities are investigating this matter and we would like to respect the police investigation, and not comment further until the results of such investigation are known." --IANS sps-mg/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday expressed condolences with the families who lost their dear ones in the Kulgam explosion and announced relief of Rs 5 lakh for each bereaved family. Addressing a media conference in Srinagar, Rajnath Singh said, "We are saddened by the loss of lives in this incident. "Monetary relief can never be an alternative to life. I express condolences to the families who lost their dear ones in the explosion". The Home Minister appealed to people not to visit sites of gunfights unless these are declared safe. "Security forces had left the place when the people gathered there. While security forces are taking all possible precautions, I again appeal to people not to visit places where gunfights have taken place," he said. The Home Minister expressed satisfaction over the successful completion of urban local bodies elections in the state. "These polls were conducted in a fair and transparent manner. No violence happened anywhere during these polls. "People in Jammu, Ladakh and some areas of the Valley participated in large numbers in these polls. I am hopeful that more and more people in the Valley will come forward to participate in the forthcoming panchayat polls". He appealed to all political parties to take part in the panchayat polls as these are the only means to take democracy to the grassroots level. "Through devolution of powers to the grassroots level, our intention is to make the panchayats self-reliant as all development funds will devolve to these villge bodies. Panches and sarpanches will thus be able to spend these funds for the development of their areas," he added. Answering a question on resumption of the dialogue process with Pakistan, the Home Minister reiterated that terror and talks cannot go together. He said India is at present the fastest growing economy in the world and that soon the country would be among the five top economies of the World. "This has unnerved some powers who are trying to retard our growth through terrorism", he said. "Pakistan has done nothing positive to prove that they are not supporting terrorism in India. I again reiterate that terror and talks cannot go together", he asserted. Rajnath Singh said during the four months the state has been under the governor's rule, there have been some positive changes. "Stone-pelting incidents have come down and I have been told that militant recruitments have also declined in the Valley", he said. He said all efforts are being made to improve the situation in the state and these efforts will continue till the situation fully improves. He said Rs 350 crore are being spent to restore the famous Dal Lake to its pristine glory. "Once this lake is restored to its glory, many other things will also change", he said. The Home Minister also spoke about various schemes to constructively engage the local youth. He also spoke about building better roads in border areas like Drass, Gurez, Keran, Machil and Tangdhar for which he said a developmental plan is being prepared. --IANS sq/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Rana Daggubati says he is proud to be associated with superhit Indian film franchise "Baahubali", which is now making an impact internationally in the form of a comic book. Rana had gone to Singapore for a professional commitment when he went to a book store. He found that the store had sold a large number of copies of a comic based on the film "Baahubali" series. The comic book in Japanese language is getting a positive response in the Asian market. "Trans media of films as comics/graphic novels and reliving all of that through merchandise for films like 'Star Wars', 'Jurassic Park' or titles in the DC/Marvel cinematic universe is what I grew up on," Rana said in a statement. "Having been part of probably the first Indian film that broke boundaries not only nationally but on all platforms available as book comics, soon as a show and going all the way to Japan as Manga comics really makes me feel fortunate... Just to be a part of something so special and open up potential of where Indian storytelling can go in the future. "'Baahubali' has done to Indian cinema what 'Star Wars' has done to America. I really feel we are in our best time now," he added. "Baahubali: The Beginning" and "Baahubali 2: The Conclusion" stars Prabhas and Rana as the male protagonists. The film's story is about the battle for the ownership of an ancient kingdom between two brothers. The story is woven together in two parts with dance, music, emotion and drama. --IANS sug/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lunaticoutpost.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program , anaffiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.Amazon, the Amazon logo, MYHABIT, and the MYHABIT logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.Don't be a pest to the forum.No profanity in thread-titles or usernamesNo excessive profanity in postsNo Racism, Antisemitism + HateNo calls for violence against anyone..This website exists for fun and discussion only. 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The material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.In accordance with industry accepted best practices we ask that users limit their copy / paste of copyrighted material to the relevant portions of the article you wish to discuss (no more than 50% of the source material) provide a link back to the original articleIf you are a legal copyright holder or a designated agent for such and you believe a post on this website falls outside the boundaries of "Fair Use" and legitimately infringes on yours or your clients copyright please contact [email protected] This website is owned by :Marco ZwaneveldDrijfriemstraat 522516 XR The HagueNetherlands.I will not rent, sell, share or otherwise disclose your personal information to any third party.We might contact you from time to time regarding your purchases or the services (like forums and announcement lists) you have subscribed to.Some of the 3rd party advertisers on lunaticoutpost.com may use cookiesto track peformance and/or to serve relevant ads.If you wish to read more and/or opt out of such cookies, please visit: http://www.networkadvertising.org/choices/ The makers of upcoming multilingual action drama "Saaho" on Tuesday teased audiences with a special making video on the occasion of Prabhass birthday. The video gives a glimpse of the lavish budget the makers have spent on action, which will be one of the highlights of the film. The one and a half minute video shows the prep that has gone into choreographing the action sequences under the supervision of international stuntman Kenny Bates in Abu Dhabi where the team extensively shot for 30 days with over 400 crew members. From bike chases to car and truck crashes, it appears like the team has pushed the envelope with respect to action. We also get a quick glimpse of Shraddha Kapoor and Neil Nitin Mukesh in the video, which has been released as a birthday treat for Prabhas's fans. Towards the end of the video, we see Prabhas walking out of a building in slow motion in an uber stylish avatar. Cut to the next shot, we see him zooming on a bike. In his chat with IANS last year, director Sujeeth revealed that a major chunk of the film's budget will be spent on action. "The scale on which it is being made, a major budget will be spent on some extravagant action scenes. Although it will be a commercial outing, we are attempting something new and I would like to keep that as a surprise element," Sujeeth had said. Apart from Abu Dhabi, the film has also been shot across major locales in Europe. The movie has music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. While Sabu Cyril will take care of the production design, Madhie will crank the camera. The film, being shot in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi, also stars Arun Vijay, Jackie Shroff, Mahesh Manjrekar, Chunky Pandey and Mandira Bedi in key roles. A UV Creations production, "Saaho" is produced by Vamsi, Pramod and Vikram on a whopping budget of Rs 150 crore. --IANS hp/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Debutante Sanjana Sanghi on Tuesday denied that she faced any "misconduct" or "misbehaviour" on the set of "Kizie Aur Manny". Sanjana's statement on Twitter comes a few days after her co-actor Sushant Singh Rajput outrightly denied a media report claiming that the actress felt "uncomfortable" with the "Kai Po Che!" actor's "overly friendly behaviour" during the movie's shoot in Jodhpur. "On returning from a long trip to the US yesterday, I read several baseless and unfounded stories with respect to misconduct and misbehaviour on the sets of our film 'Kizie Aur Manny'. I would like to clarify that no such incident took place with me. Let's put an end to these conjectures," Sanjana tweeted. In his defence, Sushant had even shared screenshots of his SMS conversation with Sanjana, and called the source-based allegations against him a "smear campaign". Mukesh Chhabra has been ousted from the director's chair for the movie as he has been accused of sexual harassment by multiple women. "Kizie Aur Manny" is the Hindi remake of "The Fault In Our Stars". It is being produced by Fox Star Hindi. --IANS dc-sim/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir, who is in Indonesia on an official visit, said on Tuesday that the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi would be thoroughly investigated and those responsible would be punished. "Our commitment is to seek that the investigation is thorough and complete and that the truth is revealed," said Al-Jubeir at a joint press conference in Jakarta with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi. "We will see to it ... that procedures and mechanisms are put in place to ensure that something like this can never happen again," he was cited as saying by Efe news. On Monday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo had expressed his concern over the incident to Al-Jubeir during a meeting at the presidential palace in Bogor, according to the Indonesian Foreign Ministry. Al-Jubeir said that Saudi Arabia had sent a team to Turkey for a joint investigation and "uncovered evidence of a murder" in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's policies, disappeared after he entered the consulate on October 2 to obtain documents for his marriage. Al-Jubeir said 18 people had been detained and six senior government officials had already been dismissed as a result of the investigation. The Saudi diplomatic head said there were discrepancies between what the Saudi embassy in Turkey reported and what actually happened. A video, obtained and broadcast by CNN on Monday, purportedly showed a Saudi agent walking out of the consulate by the back door, wearing Khashoggi's clothes, spectacles and a fake beard, in an apparent attempt to disguise himself as the slain Saudi journalist. A Turkish official identified the man in the video as Mustafa al-Madani, who was allegedly part of what investigators said was a hit squad, sent to kill the journalist. After weeks of denying involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance, Saudi Arabia has given a shifting narrative of what happened to the journalist. The Kingdom admitted last week that Khashoggi was killed in the Istanbul consulate, saying his death was the result of a "fistfight". Later, a Saudi source close to the royal palace told CNN that he died in a chokehold. On Sunday, Al-Jubeir described Khashoggi's death as a "murder" and a "tremendous mistake". --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi Arabia kicked off on Tuesday a three-day investment conference that has been overshadowed by the withdrawal of dozens of top business and world leaders over the kingdom's role in the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey earlier this month. The exodus of executives, including the CEOs of JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Uber and Siemens (SIEGY), has taken the shine off the Future Investment Initiative event hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been trying to modernize the country's oil-dependent economy. The prince is now grappling with the international outcry over what happened to Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a critic of his policies. The journalist disappeared after he entered the consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to obtain documents for his marriage. Members of the crown prince's inner circle have been blamed for the journalist's death. The Saudi government, which had initially claimed Khashoggi left the consulate alive, has since admitted he was killed inside the building but insisted it was the result of a "fistfight". The explanation has drawn skepticism, including from US President Donald Trump who said on Monday he was "not satisfied" with what he'd heard, CNN reported. Organizers of the conference, widely known as "Davos in the desert", said it will be business as usual at the event despite the loss of top names, including the CEOs of HSBC and Blackrock and International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde. Richard Branson also halted talks over a $1 billion Saudi investment in Virgin. Several outlets withdrew their support too, including Bloomberg, CNN and the Financial Times. The conference is a forum for business figures, politicians and civic society groups to discuss topics related to economic development, including technology, global governance and the environment. It aims to attract more foreign investment into Saudi Arabia. The list of speakers for Tuesday's sessions featured fewer global figures than an earlier version that was posted on the conference website and has since been scrubbed of names after executives started pulling out. One of the highest profile CEOs still attending was Patrick Pouyanne, the chief of French oil company Total (TOT). He said that "boycotts and withdrawing investment only hurt the ordinary people of the country". Several governments also pulled attendees from the conference including ministers from France, Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands. UK International Trade Secretary Liam Fox also withdrew from the event. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also said Berlin will suspend exports of military equipment to Saudi Arabia whilst investigations continue into the case. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday rejected Saudi Arabia's claim that dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death was "accidental", saying it was a "pre-planned" and "ferocious" murder as he requested the kingdom to hand over those responsible to face trial in Turkey. Erdogan gave a highly-anticipated speech at a parliamentary group meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party here in which he had vowed to reveal the full truth behind the disappearance and alleged state-sponsored murder of Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, Hurriyet Daily News reported. "Turkish security services have evidence that the murder was a planned affair. Turkey and the world will only be satisfied when all the planners and perpetrators are held to account... Other countries must participate in the investigation" the President said. "Turkey is becoming the joint conscience of the international community. To try and hide such a ferocious murder is against the conscience of humanity," he told the Parliament. However, the President did not produce video or audio evidence his government allegedly possessed. Erdogan claimed that Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a critic of Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman, first came to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on September 28 to get his marriage documents. The "roadmap" to kill him started with this visit. Though pledging to follow the investigation to the very end, Erdogan remained deferential to Saudi King Salman in his address and held back from pointing finger directly at the Crown Prince. He said that a day before Khashoggi disappeared, three teams of Saudi citizens arrived in Istanbul, including a group of three who scouted out the Belgrad Forest -- which was being searched by Turkish investigators as a possible location for the journalist's missing remains. "Another team of nine Saudis, including generals, arrived on a private jet in the early hours of October 2 and, overall, a 15-strong group received Khashoggi when he was called to the consulate general while his new fiancee waited outside," Erdogan added. Khashoggi went inside that afternoon and never appeared again, Erdogan said, adding that the hard disk for the consulate's camera security network was destroyed before the alleged murder. "I spoke to (Saudi) King Salman on October 14 and formed a joint investigation team. This is how our officials could enter the consulate and the consul's residence... Seventeen days after the killing, Saudi Arabia admitted that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate. "We held another phone call and they told us that 18 Saudis, including people from the 15-member team we exposed, were arrested in Saudi Arabia," he added. Erdogan criticised Saudi Arabia's "inconsistent statements" over the case so far. The Kingdom admitted last week that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate, saying his death was the result of a "fist fight". Later, a Saudi source close to the royal palace told CNN that he died in a chokehold. On Sunday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir described Khashoggi's death as a "murder" and a "tremendous mistake". The President requested Riyadh to hand over the 18 suspects to face trial in Istanbul given that the alleged crime, although technically carried out on Saudi sovereign territory, took place within the borders of Turkey. He said that the Vienna Convention offering diplomatic immunity was a "matter of debate" in this particular case. Erdogan sought more clarity from the Saudi administration and said a Turkish citizen who allegedly disposed of Khashoggi's body must be named and said all those involved must be penalized. But Erdogan did not give details about how Khashoggi died, save for describing the killing as "ferocious". Earlier, Turkish officials told CNN that Khashoggi's body was dismembered. Another official had told The New York Times that one of the Saudis arrived with a bone saw. --IANS soni/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Negative global cues along with an worrying macro-economic situation and mixed start to the corporate earnings season subdued key domestic indices during the afternoon trade session on Tuesday. "The weakness in the market is because of the overall negative trend in the market, domestic as well as globally. The quarterly results are mixed adding to the negative sentiments among the investors but its just the start of the results season..," Astha Jain, Hem Securities told IANS. Heavy selling pressure was witnessed in IT, healthcare, oil and gas counters. The Sensex opened at 33,935.88 points from its previous close of 34,134.38 points and at 1.38 p.m. It traded at 33,825.80 points down 308.58 points or 0.90 per cent. It touched an intra-day high of 34,073.92 points and a low of 33,807.05 points. The NSE Nifty50 traded at 10,130.60 points during the afternoon trade session, down 114.65 points and 1.12 per cent. Asian Paints, after its quarterly result announcement on Monday lost 6.03 per cent. It was trading at Rs 1,129 a share from its previous close of Rs 1,201.45, while HCL Technologies Ltd, which is expected to declare its quarterly results later in the day was marginally down. --IANS ravi/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sports, Physical Education, Fitness and Leisure Skills Council (SPEFL-SCL), promoted by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and FICCI, has signed an MoU with Register For Exercise Professionals India Foundation (REPS India) -- a non-profit company which was formally launched here on Tuesday. This MoU will facilitate a partnership between SPEFL-SC and REPS India to enable qualified Indian fitness professionals get employed at lucrative salaries in developed countries outside India. REPS India will be associating itself with the International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professional(ICREPs), an international partnership between registration bodies around the world that register exercise professionals. "It is widely estimated that by 2020, India will be the world's youngest country with an average age of 29 years per citizen. Thus signing a MoU with REPS India is an historic step towards promoting young and qualified Indian fitness trainers across the globe. The entry of Reps in India will further strengthen our ongoing 'Skill India' initiatives as we have planned to open 100 skill centres across India by December 2019," SPEFL-SCL COO Tahsin Zahid said in a statement. REPS India founder Amjad Khan said the MoU will facilitate the growth of fitness industry in India. "Indian fitness industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Hence, Indian fitness professionals should align themselves with the international fitness industry. They will hereafter be able to work abroad availing a portability support from REPS India," he said. "While India currently struggles with a burgeoning population of skilled youth, many developed countries today face a shortage of working-age people. While the requirement for skilled workers in these markets is increasing, the availability of skilled people simply isn't keeping pace. In such a scenario, the launch of Reps India through backing of SPEFL-SCL will nurture human resources in India to meet the rising demand of qualified fitness professionals globally," he added. --IANS ajb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump has said that he will "begin cutting off, or substantially reducing" US foreign aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador for not "stopping" the recent caravan of US-bound migrants. "Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were not able to do the job of stopping people from leaving their country and coming illegally to the US. We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them," Trump said on Twitter, reports Xinhua news agency. According to the latest figures from the US State Department, in fiscal 2018 Washington provided $84 million in foreign aid to Guatemala, $58 million to Honduras and $51 million to El Salvador. Part of those funds was funnelled via the US Agency for International Development. To that must be added funding from the Pentagon to finance the fight against drug trafficking, which in fiscal 2017 amounted to $42 million for all of Central America. Minutes earlier, the President had also fired off a tweet criticizing Mexican authorities for being "unable to stop" the migrant caravan, adding that he had alerted the US Armed Forces so that they could deal with "a National Emerg(enc)y". Trump added in that tweet that "criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in" with the caravan of migrants. The President also took advantage of Twitter to attack the Democratic opposition within the framework of the political campaign in the run-up to the November 6 mid-term elections. "Every time you see a Caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, into our country illegally, think of and blame the Democrats for not giving us the votes to change our pathetic Immigration Laws! Remember the Midterms! So unfair to those who come in legally," he tweeted. The migrant caravan, comprised largely of Hondurans, is heading northwards through Mexico toward the US border and arrived on Sunday in the southern Mexican city of Tapachula. Mexican authorities are urging them to regularize their legal immigration status to be allowed to pass through their country. At least 2,000 members of the caravan who have fulfilled Mexico's requirements for entering that country left the border crossing at Ciudad Hidalgo early on Monday morning to make the 40-km journey by foot to Tapachula, where they were intending to spend the night. The aim of the caravan members is to get to - and hopefully cross - the southern US border, a trek of at least 2,000 km. The Mexican Foreign Affairs Secretariat confirmed that some 4,500 caravan migrants have arrived on Mexico's southern border. --IANS mr/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump will meet with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires between November 30 and December 1, the White House confirmed on Tuesday. The meeting, which had been rumoured for weeks, will come amid a climate of tension between the two economic powerhouses, who since July have been facing off in a trade war that - so far - has resulted in the mutual imposition of tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of each other's goods, Efe reported. Larry Kudlow, Trump's top economic adviser, made the announcement to reporters at the White House on Tuesday. The meeting could serve to reduce tensions and get trade talks started between Washington and Beijing, after they recently bogged down. Kudlow said that China has not been responsive to US complaints on technology transfers, theft of intellectual property and cybersecurity. "Our asks are on the table, I'd love to see them respond. Thus far they haven't," he told reporters. Since September 24, the US has imposed tariffs of 10 per cent on some $200 billion worth of Chinese goods and products, the third phase of trade sanctions levied by Washington on the Asian giant. The Chinese government, in turn, responded by implementing tariffs on some $60 billion worth of US agricultural products. The first group of sanctions imposed by the US entered into force in July and was levied on some $34 billion in Chinese products, mostly tech products, while the second phase of tariffs was placed on $16 billion worth of Beijing's goods. In addition, in mid-September, Trump publicly accused China of trying to influence the US mid-term elections in November, a claim that the Chinese government has denied and called "unjustified". --IANS ahm/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Only four days after the Amritsar train tragedy, two people were killed and a dozen others, including two children, were injured in a stampede at a railway foot-overbridge at Santragachhi station in Howrah on Tuesday, police said. At least 59 people were killed when a train crushed them as they were watching Dusshera celebrations in Punjab's Amritsar on Friday. "Two people were killed and 12 others injured in the incident. Two persons are critical, and one of them is in in the ICU, and we are shifting the other one to the SSKM hospital," said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who rushed to the spot as also the Howrah General Hospital where the injured were being treated. She said the other injured people were stable. The railways claimed that the tragedy happened around 6 pm due to overcrowding on the foot-overbridge as four trains had just left the station and four others were about to leave. "Presence of passengers of eight trains at a time resulted in heavy rush at the foot overbridge," a South Eastern Railway release said. Earlier, a railway spokesperson told IANS the commuters hurriedly tried to cross the foot-overbridge between two platforms following an announcement of two trains coming simultaneously on two adjacent tracks. Banerjee claimed arrival of an express train was also announced. The railways have decided to hold a detailed inquiry to find out whether there was some lapse on its part and to prevent a recurrence, a senior official said. The railways would provide Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh for the seriously injured and Rs 50 thousand for those with minor injuries. Banerjee also announced there would be an administrative probe, and said her government would give a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the nearest kin of the deceased, and Rs 1 lakh to each of the seriously injured. She alleged the announcement regarding change of platforms for arriving trains was announced at the last minutes. "The incident happened in the premises of Indian Railways. They will be able to say why they made public announcements of so many trains simultaneously." Banerjee alleged there was lack of coordination on the part of railway, compromising the security of innocent people. "Security of people should not be compromised, and railway should take proper care of the people. Railway is the lifeline of the country, it should not be derailed," she said. One of the survivors, who had jumped from the overbridge to the platform and escaped with a leg injury, said after the overbridge got overcrowded, police and civic volunteers prevented people from getting down to platform number two. "This caused the incident". Sharing her ordeal, an injured victim said: "I couldn't move and hurt my feet. Police tried to control the crowd but it was unmanageable." "It is very difficult for the daily passengers. Whenever a train comes, the footbridge becomes overcrowded and today there was a stampede," a passenger said. --IANS bdc-mgr-bnd-ssp/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) U Mumba rode raider Siddhart Desai's fantastic show to brush aside Telugu Titans 41-20 in an inter-zonal challenge match of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) here on Tuesday. Siddharth picked a total of 17 points as the opponent's defence completely failed in stopping him. For the Titans, raider Rahul Chaudhary managed to collect seven points as he became the first player in the history of the league to bag 700 raid points. Meanwhile, U Mumba also inflicted three all-outs in Tuesday's contest. Rahul opened Titans' account with a successful raid but Siddharth replied with two fine raids as U Mumba took a 3-1 lead in the first three minutes. The Titans then reduced the deficit through a successful tackle of Mumbai's Abhishek Singh, Abofazl Maghsodloumahali, while Mohsen Maghsoudloujafari and Rahul's raid helped them take a 5-3 lead before U Mumba came from behind to level the score 6-6 in the first 10 minutes. While the Titans' raiders and defenders kept on faultering, Siddharth kept on picking crucial points as U Mumba inflicted an all out in the 15th minute to take a 13-7 lead. In the last five minutes, Siddharth and Rahul collected few points for their respective teams as U Mumba led the contest 17-12 at half-time. In the second-half, U Mumba came out all guns blazing to completely dominate the session. While Siddharth kept on firing, Titans' raiders kept on throwing points before U Mumba inflicted the second all out in the 26th minute to take a 25-16 lead. Rahul's couple of consecutive successful raids took the Titans to 18 points in reply to their opponents' 28 points. In the last 10 minutes, U Mumba picked another 13 points while Titans could only managed two points as the former registered a massive 41-20 win. --IANS kk/ajb/sed (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Paris, Oct 23 (IANS/AKI) The head of the United Nations cultural organisation UNESCO on Tuesday deplored the slaying of journalist Sohail Khan in northwest Pakistan last week and urged the country's authorities to bring his killers to justice. "I condemn the killing of Sohail Khan," said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. "I trust the authorities will spare no effort in investigating this crime, which undermines the fundamental human right of freedom of expression as well as the right to access information," he said. "A free press plays an essential role in combating organized crime and upholding the rule of law," Azoulay added. Sohail Khan, a reporter for local Urdu daily, which also operates a local television channel, was gunned down on October 16 in the Haripur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan. Khan, 28, was murdered days after a report on drug trafficking, the Freedom Network watchdog organization said. He was the third journalist killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this year. His killing sparked protests by journalists across Pakistan. Four reporters have been murdered in Pakistan since January, the watchdog said. --IANS prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The American Navy has sailed two ships through the Taiwan Strait, according to the US Pacific Fleet, which oversees operations in the area. The guided missile destroyer USS McCampbell and the USNS Walter S. Diehl "conducted a routine Taiwan Strait Transit" on Thursday that was "in accordance with international law", US Pacific Fleet spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Tim Gorman told CNN. "The ships' transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The US Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows," Gorman added. The US Navy also sailed two ships through the Strait in October and November 2018, operations that were shadowed by multiple Chinese warships. The US had conducted a similar operation last July. Prior to that, the transits occurred only about once a year. The approximately 110-mile-wide strait separates China and Taiwan. --IANS ksk (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US Treasury announced on Tuesday that it has imposed sanctions on eight individuals, including two associated with Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps -- Qods Force (IRGC-QF), in an effort to hit Afghanistan's Taliban militants. The Treasury accused the designated Taliban members of engaging in suicide attacks and other activities in Afghanistan and blamed the Iranians for providing financial and material support for the Taliban, Xinhau reported. USTreasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin claimed in a statement that Iran was "exploiting Afghanistan to further their destabilizing behaviour". Mnuchin is on a week-long trip to the Middle East with talks on combating terrorist financing and looming Iran sanctions. Also on Tuesday, the other member nations of the Terrorist Financing Targeting Centre (TFTC), all US Gulf allies, also imposed Taliban-related sanctions. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain announced Tuesday to add Iran's IRGC to the list of terror-related individuals and organisations, Saudi Press Agency reported. Washington has intensified its sanctions against Iranian entities and individuals after President Donald Trump's decision to exit the Iran nuclear deal in May, a move that has been widely criticized by the international community. New US sanctions on Iran's oil exports are set to kick in on November 4. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said his country will manage to abort anti-Iran sanctions by the United States, Press TV reported on Monday. The TFTC, including the United States, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, was formed in May 2017 and inaugurated by the Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Trump on the sidelines of the Arab-Islamic-American Summit last year. --IANS ahm/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump has warned of bolstering the American nuclear arsenal to put pressure on Russia and China. Moscow has retaliated that it will respond in kind if the US develops more weapons, the BBC reported. Hinting at Russia's breach of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, Trump said the US would build up its arsenal "until people come to their senses". "It's a threat to whoever you want to include China and it includes Russia and it includes anybody else that wants to play that game...," the President told the media. "(Russia has) not adhered to the spirit of that agreement or to the agreement itself," Trump repeated on Monday about the Cold War-era treaty that banned medium-range missiles. Russia has already denied this. INF was aimed at reducing the perceived Soviet threat to European nations. Moscow told US National Security Adviser John Bolton the US plan to quit the deal would be a "serious blow" to the non-proliferation regime. Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev in Moscow said the Kremlin was "ready" to work with the US to remove "mutual" grievances over the INF. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "Scrapping the treaty forces Russia to take steps for its own security." --IANS in/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP president Amit Shah has a very clear head for realpolitik. It was revealed in one of the Manthan sessions he had with Chhattisgarh party office bearers recently. He is believed to have advised the local unit to become more accommodating of leaders who come from other parties, especially the Congress, as the ultimate aim is to finish opposition off forever either by absorbing them or by crushing them. The Congress is alive only in states where the BJP is the principal party. Look at MP, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka or Maharashtra. It feeds off the ... The Congress on Tuesday claimed that Prime Minister is responsible for "dismantling, denigrating and destroying" India's premier investigative agency and accused him of direct interference in the functioning of the Congress chief spokesperson said the prime minister's role in the entire matter is "under a cloud" and the country is looking for a fair, impartial and independent investigation of serious charges of corruption involving senior-most officers of the and the RAW. There was no immediate reaction from the PMO on the allegations. Surjewala said the matter needs to be investigated and brought out as to who in the current political dispensation is involved in this entire saga and is attempting to shield the accused involved in the matter? "Instead, the prime minister is illegally and unconstitutionally interfering in the investigation," he alleged. "Why did the prime minister call the head of CBI, also head of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) to his residence yesterday? Was it to influence the ongoing corruption investigation against and RAW officers? "What instructions did the prime minister give to the chiefs of CBI and RAW? Does it not tantamount to illegal and unconstitutional interference by the PM in an ongoing corruption investigation involving high ranking officers of the two agencies," he asked at a press conference. The Congress leader asked whether the prime minister's action has put the role of the Chief Vigilance Commission also under a cloud and wondered why the CVC is shying away from its statutory obligation of acting impartially and decisively to punish wrong doing. "Is the CVC also being instructed by someone in the political executive," he asked. "Isn't the Prime Minister, systematically demolishing the independent architecture of all premier agencies including CBI, ED, SFIO, CBDT, NIA, Income Tax Department and others? Does it bode well for India," Surjewala sought to know. "Prime Minister is solely accountable and responsible for dismantling, denigrating and destroying India's premier investigation agency i.e., the CBI," he alleged, adding Modi's "role has come under a cloud". "Habitual and perpetual misuse of CBI by PM Modi and BJP President Amit Shah in fixing political opponents and illegal intervention to tamper fair investigation of serious criminal cases has landed the CBI in an unfathomable mess, eroding its independence and credibility," he said. The Congress leader alleged that there is lurking suspicion regarding the role of present political executive at the highest level along with role of senior CBI officers. He cited the example of former Law Minister Ashwani Kumar, whose resignation the BJP had sought merely for talking to the CBI director during the UPA government. Surjewala also alleged that the CBI is not the only institution "decimated and dismantled by a political design to subserve as the dirty tricks department of the by the ruling elite and the PM". There is a systematic pattern to "vilify, disband and destroy every institution" like the ED, Income Tax Department, CBDT, SFIO, NIA are other such institutions that are being used as 'captive puppets' in converting them 'dirty tricks department' of the BJP", he alleged. Surjewala said a case in point is the repeated extensions being given to CBDT chairperson by the prime minister and another one is repeated extensions to earlier NIA chief and the temporary appointment of ED for years together and pending extension of the ED Director, post retirement. All these are meant to "subvert, suppress and subjugate to serve at the whims of PM and the BJP", Surjewala alleged. The Centre is ready to hold talks with anyone including but terror and dialogue can never go together, Union Home Minister said here Tuesday. The Home Minister, who reviewed the security situation in the state, told reporters that over the past four to five months there has been a big shift as incidents of stone-pelting have come down and the recruitment of militants has also decreased. Singh met representatives of various political parties in Srinagar during his day-long visit here and said he has appealed to all of them to participate in the upcoming panchayat polls in Asked about the controversy over Article 35-A, the Union Minister said the Centre has no proposal to change any constitutional provision regarding He congratulated the state on the successful conduct of urban local bodies elections in a fair and transparent manner and said the holding of ULB and panchayat polls in the state is a historical step. "Biggest of problems can be faced and issues resolved through democratic means. Many problems of can also be addressed through democracy. I appeal to people of the state to take part in this festival of democracy," he said at a press conference here. Singh said those who do not believe in democracy can never be well-wishers of people. The Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party had boycotted the recent urban bodies election in Jammu and Kashmir. Singh told reporters that as far as talks are concerned, the government has no problem in holding dialogue with anyone. "But there is a condition from our side. At least, they should see that is sponsoring terrorism in India and promoting terrorism also. Give us this much of assurance that there will not be any such attempt by Terror and dialogue both can never go together," he said. Asked if there was any initiative to hold talks with separatists, Singh said the government will talk to anyone who is willing to enter dialogue, but refused to elaborate. "Government will not shy away from talks. We have been saying this time and again, anyone who wants to talk, we are ready," he said, Singh said India has made all efforts on its part but Pakistan did not take any positive step to improve ties. "Our Prime Minister, breaking all protocols, went there and met Pakistan Prime Minister, met his family members. Why did he meet? Our relations should be neighbourly. But from their side, they did not take any positive step," Singh said. In response to a question, the Home Minister said the Centre has no proposal to change any constitutional provision regarding Jammu and Kashmir. "There is no initiative by the Centre on this (Article 35-A). The provisions in the Constitution are there and the Centre has not tinkered with any of those provisions. It is difficult to answer when a non-issue is made into an issue," he said. The Home Minister said the Centre and the state government are working together to improve the life of people of the state. "We want to engage the youth of the state in a constructive way. The state government along with the Centre has taken several initiatives in this regard. Through the Home Ministry alone, we are providing 11,000 jobs by various initiatives which will be implemented in several stages. "Through various schemes of the central government, steps are afoot to provide employment to nearly 2.5 lakh youths of the state. Our government will provide all assistance needed that will help the youth of the state to chart their own destiny," he said. On the local bodies elections, Singh said it was for the first time that an attempt has been made to empower the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh through devolution of power. Every panchayat of the state will get Rs 6 million to Rs 7 million every year for carrying out development works in their respective areas, he said. "The aim of empowering these bodies is to make them autonomous so that they can resolve their issues," he said. On Centre's interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma, the Minister said he will continue in his role till talks are held. He termed as "very unfortunate" the death of seven civilians in a blast after an encounter had ended in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir and appealed to people not to venture such places where security operations were on. The minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for next of kin of the deceased. "If there is an operation by security forces, I appeal the people that they should not try to go there. The security forces do take precautions and we have repeatedly directed them to do it," he said. As many as 108 acclaimed films from over 50 countries will be screened in the second edition of the Guwahati International Film Festival, which will begin on October 25. The seven-day film extravaganza is likely to see participation of about 45 foreign delegates, including eight Ambassadors, and nearly 5,000 domestic movie buffs. "We are ready with all our preparations. In total, 108 films from 52 countries will be screened in this festival. We hope, this will be more successful than the last year's edition," 2nd Guwahati International Film Festival (GIFF) 2018 Artistic Director Rahul Jain told PTI here. Nearly 35 film personalities from abroad will take part with their flicks, while Ambassadors from Lithuania, Myanmar, Argentina, Latvia, Estonia, Serbia, Singapore and Malaysia are likely to be present, he added. "In terms of delegates, over 3,800 have so far have registered. In the next two days, we hope to touch the figure of 5,000," Jain said. The Assam Government-owned Jyoti Chitraban (Film Studio) Society is the organiser of the festival, which will be held from October 25 to 31, in association with Dr Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute. Eminent filmmakers Buddhadeb Dasgupta and Shaji N Karun will be the chief guests during opening and closing ceremonies of the festival respectively. The 2nd GIFF will begin with streaming of the National Award winning Director Jahnu Barua's yet-to-be released Assamese film 'Broken Window' (Bhoga Khirikee), while 'Black Crow' (Siyah Karga) by Turkish Director Muhammet Tayfur Aydin will be the closing film. Jain informed that this year ASEAN will be the focus region instead of having any focus country. "We will have 14 films from 10 countries of the ASEAN region. This will be a new experience as usually we have focus country in any such international festival," he added. Some of the films from the South East Asian nations will be 'In the Life of Music' by Caylee So and Sok Visal, 'Woman of the Weeping River' by Sheron Dayoc, 'The Seen and Unseen' by Kamila Andini, 'Father and Son' by Luong Dinh Dung, 'Poppy Goes to Hollywood' by Sok Visal and 'Smaller and Smaller Circles' by Raya Martin and 'Mudras Calling' by Christina Kyi. Apart from the ASEAN, films from the US, the UK, Spain, France, Argentina, Poland, Hungary, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Israel, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Bangladesh, Qatar, Portugal, Sweden, China, Germany, Denmark, Georgia, Serbia, Switzerland, Netherlands, Albania, Estonia, Lithuania, Ireland, Peru, Czech Republic, Mexico, Iceland and Denmark will also be screened. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two persons died and 15 others, including two women, were injured in a stampede on Tuesday evening on a foot overbridge at Santragachi railway station in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said. Banerjee, who rushed to the station from a Durga puja immersion carnival, blamed negligence and callousness on the part of the railways for the incident. "Two persons have died in a stampede at Santragachi this evening," she said. The two deceased have been identified as Kamlakant Singh (32) and Taser Sardar (61). While 12 injured were admitted to a hospital, three persons were administered first aid at the station, South Eastern Railway spokesman Sanjay Ghosh said. Banerjee announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of each of the dead persons and Rs 1 lakh each to the injured from the state government. The Railways also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of those who died, Rs 1 lakh to each of the grievously injured and Rs 50,000 for persons who sustained minor injury. Ghosh said that "medical expenses for the injured will be borne by the Railways." Blaming the incident on negligence and callousness on the part of Railways, the chief minister said there should be more internal coordination to prevent such situation. "I feel there is a gap in coordination and the Railways should look into it. They should have given some time gap between the arrival of two trains when the passengers have to change platforms," the chief minister said. "Such situations occur due to negligence and callousness. The Railways should act in a more responsible way," Banerjee, herself a former Railway minister, said. The incident occurred when an express train and two EMU locals arrived at the station at the same time at around 6 pm and passengers rushed to the platforms to board the trains, Ghosh said. The SER spokesman said that presence of passengers of eight trains at Santragachi station, about 10 km from Howrah station, at one time resulted in a heavy rush at the foot overbridge. "At that time, 12659 Nagercoil-Shalimar Gurudev Express, 68007 Howrah-Belda-Jaleswar MEMU, 18007 Shalimar-Bhanjpur Simlipal Express and 38823 Howrah-Midnapur EMU local had just passed the Santragachi station. "Moreover, 58015 Howrah-Adra Passenger, 22853 Shalimar-Visakhapatnam Express, 22807 Shalimar-Chennai AC Express and 38917 Howrah-Amta local were about to leave the station," Ghosh said. He said that railway doctors and senior officers have rushed to Howrah General Hospital for assisting the state administration. A large number of passengers either deboarded or were waiting to board trains at the same time, leading to a rush on the foot overbridge. The chief minister said the Railways did not seek any help from the state government during the festive season for crowd management. Safety and security of passengers cannot be compromised, she added. In a Tweet, Banerjee said, "Another unfortunate incident on railways today. Sadly, too many such tragedies are happening like this even during festive season, including Amritsar." "Railways are the lifeline of our nation. Safety of rail passengers must be taken care of at all times," she said. Banerjee said the state government will hold an administrative inquiry. The chief minister went to the state-run Howrah General Hospital, where the injured are being treated, from the station. "The Railways must take proper care of safety and security of passengers; they should hold an investigation into the incident," Banerjee told newspersons at the hospital. Referring to the Amritsar incident, where a speeding train had ran through a crowd of Dussehra revellers killing 59 of them, said "the Railways must be more careful and cannot shirk its responsibility." Several express trains stop at the station, apart from numerous EMU locals of SER. Thousands of people use the station everyday since it is easier to travel to and from south and central Kolkata from Santragachi. SER spokesman Ghosh said the Railways has ordered an inquiry into the incident. He said that infrastructure was being developed and modernisation work was in progress at the station to cater to the higher number of trains and passengers at Santragachi station, which has gained importance as some express trains terminate there, to ease pressure at Howrah station. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 65-year-old was arrested for allegedly raping a 4 year old child in North Tripura district, police said on Tuesday. District superintendent of police Bhanupada Chakraborty said that the man had lured the child at Kameswar village by promising to give her chocolate and then raped her on Monday.. The victims mother filed an FIR at Dharmanagar police station on the same day and the perpetrator was arrested immediately. A local court on Tuesday remanded him police custody for three days. The SP said the man was charged under the POCSO Act. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Newly appointed secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) K N Vyas met Union minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday and discussed ongoing construction of nuclear power plants in the country, an official statement said. Vyas, who is also the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), took charge of one of the most strategic departments of the government last month after serving as the director of the prestigious Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The two discussed the current status of the upcoming nuclear plant in Gorakhpur. Singh, the minister of state, Prime Minister's office, was informed that the work on the nuclear plant was in full progress and it may become functional in the next few years. The DAE reports to the PMO. The Union minister was also briefed about the efforts to explore possibility of setting up new atomic energy plants in other states. Last year, the Centre had approved setting up of 10 nuclear domestic reactors in the country. In a fast developing country like India, Singh said, atomic energy in future will serve as a major source to fulfill the growing energy needs of the country. Vyas updated Singh about the various ongoing projects in the DAE. He also discussed details of some of the important upcoming events and academic seminars relating to nuclear energy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nearly 1,500 employees of automobile majors Royal Enfield, Yamaha and Myoung Shin India Automotive (MSI) were Tuesday detained for over five hours by police when they attempted to carry out a protest march to the Kancheepuram Collectorate pressing their demands. Stepping up their month-long protest pressing the demands, includig recognition of their respective unions, the employees affiliated to the CITU and other trade unions had announced the nearly 30-km rally from their factory campus near Oragadam, about 50 km from here, to the Kancheepuram district collectorate. However, the police detained the protesters for taking out the rally without permission. "Nearly 1,500 employees were detained and kept in two wedding halls nearby for organising the protest march to the collectorate without seeking permission. They were let off in the evening," a police official said. CITU state president A Soundararajan told PTI that they would further intensify the protests since the companies were not heeding to the employees' demands. "Employees working with retail outlets of these companies along with those working with over 50 other firms in Kancheepuram would also join the protest in the coming days," he said. The employees of bike manufacturer Royal Enfield, Japan headquartered Yamaha and Myoung Shin Automotive India are on strike at Oragadam since September 24 demanding recognition for their respective employees' unions and reinstatement of some dismissed employees. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Scientists have created an artificial intelligence (AI) system that could help treat patients with sepsis by predicting the best treatment strategy. The system developed by researchers from Imperial College London in the UK analysed the records of about 100,000 hospital patients in intensive care units and every single doctor's decisions affecting them. The findings, published in the journal Nature Medicine, showed the AI system made more reliable treatment decisions than human doctors. The system, called AI Clinician, could be used alongside medical professionals, to help doctors decide the best treatment strategy for patients, researchers said. Sepsis can cause a drastic drop in blood pressure which can leave organs deprived of blood flow and oxygen, and can ultimately lead to multiple organ failure and death. To raise blood pressure and keep the heart pumping, doctors give extra fluids, usually in the form of a salt solution, as well as medication that tightens blood vessels and raises blood pressure, called vasopressors. Researchers looked back at US patient records from 130 intensive care units over a 15 year period to explore whether the AI system's recommendations might have been able to improve patient outcomes, compared with standard care. The researchers now hope to trial the system in intensive care units in the UK. "Sepsis claims six million lives worldwide -- so we desperately need new tools at our disposal to help patients," said Aldo Faisal from Imperial College London. "Our new AI system was able to analyse a patient's data --such as blood pressure and heart rate -- and decide the best treatment strategy. We found that when the doctor's treatment decision matched what the AI system recommended, they had a better chance of survival," Faisal said. To help doctors decide which approach would boost a patient's chance of survival, the research team created an AI system that would assess a patient's vital signs and recommend the best treatment approach. The system analysed the medical records of 96,000 US patients with sepsis in intensive care units. Using a process called reinforcement learning -- where robots learn how to make decisions and solve a problem -- the AI Clinician went through each patient's case and worked out the best strategy of keeping a patient alive. The system calculated 48 variables including age, vital signs and pre-existing conditions. It then predicted the best treatment strategy for each patient with sepsis. The results revealed that 98 per cent of the time, the AI system matched or was better than the human doctors' decision, researchers said. The study also found that mortality was lowest in patients where the human doctor's doses of fluids and vasopressor matched the AI system's suggestion. However, when the doctor's decision differed from the AI system, a patient had a reduced chance of survival. The team found when the doctor's decision varied from the AI Clinician's suggestion, it was on average to administer too much fluid and too little vasopressor but importantly it varied between individual patients. "The AI Clinician was able to 'learn' from far more patients than any doctor could see in a lifetime," said Anthony Gordon, a professor at Imperial College London. "It has learnt from 100,000 patients and 'remembered' them all equally whereas doctors are always susceptible to recall bias, where they particularly remember recent cases or unusual cases," Gordon said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) All concerned agencies in Delhi will implement an order of the Supreme Court verdict permitting the sale and manufacture of "green" firecrackers which have low emission, a government official said Tuesday. The apex court, besides imposing decibel limits on firecrackers that could be sold in the market across the country, in its verdict also fixed a two-hour time period from 8 pm to 10 pm for bursting them on Diwali and other festivals. "The SC's judgement is law of the land. Whatever duty of the Delhi government is there, concerned agencies will implement it," the official said. However, a senior officer said that it is difficult to categorise between "green" firecrackers and polluting firecrackers as there is no instrument to check the same. "As of now, several persons may have been issued licence in Delhi and they may have stored sufficient stock of firecrackers. In this situation, authorities will face some problems in identifying 'green' firecrackers," the officer said. To curb pollution in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), the Supreme Court directed the Centre, Delhi government and the state governments of NCR to permit community fire-cracking (for Diwali and other festivals), wherever it could be done. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajasthan Chief Electoral Officer Anand Kumar Tuesday said all possible efforts should be made to increase voting percentage and participation of women and youths in the upcoming assembly election. He said effective implementation of systematic voters' education and electoral participation (SVEEP) programme and other innovations should be taken up to achieve this aim. The names of youths, who attained 18 years of age before January 1, 2018, and other persons who were left out in the initial lists were being added in the final electoral rolls. Directions have been given to nodal officers to identify such voters and to get their names added in the electoral rolls, Kumar said at a press conference here. He said school students should be asked to sign resolution letters so that they motivate eligible voters in their families to exercise their franchise. NCC, Scouts and NSS volunteers should be appointed at polling booths to help differently-abled and first-time voters. Additional chief electoral officer Dr Jogaram said for the first time VVPAT machines would be used. The focus would be on differently-abled voters, all-women polling booths and launch of cVIGIL app for reporting violations in election code of conduct, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ambuja Cement on Tuesday reported a 12.73 per cent increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 396.01 crore for the quarter ended September 2018, helped by growth in sales volume. Part of the Swiss cement giant LafargeHolcim, the company had clocked a net profit of Rs 351.29 crore in July-September 2017, Ambuja said in a BSE filing. Its total income during the period under review rose by 11.84 per cent to Rs 6,097.53 crore as against Rs 5,451.58 crore in the corresponding quarter of the last year. Ambuja Cement's total expenses were up 11.81 per cent at Rs 5,540.26 crore in the quarter as against Rs 4,954.91 crore in the year-ago period. The company follows January-December financial year. Commenting on the results, Ambuja Cement MD & CEO Ajay Kapur said, "Our continued focus on growing the topline with our well-defined marketing and commercial strategies focusing on the retail consumers, value added portfolio products and service and selling more in our core markets helped deliver a good net sales growth of 10.4 per cent." He further said that cost management helped the company to mitigate the impacts of headwinds coming from fuel hike and rupee volatility. During the quarter, sales volume rose to 5.46 million tons as against 5.02 million tons in July-September 2017. "Cement volume grew by 9 per cent in Q3/2018 backed by a favorable demand trend," Ambuja Cement said. Over the outlook, the company said that GDP growth in the last quarter was encouraging backed by good monsoon. "Continued focus on GDP growth and infrastructure projects by the government and a strong push on housing for all and affordable housing led to good demand growth in the cement sector. Going forward, we expect this to continue and accelerate further," Ambuja Cement said. Shares of Ambuja Cement settled at Rs 201.15 on BSE, down 2.26 per cent from the previous close. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The opposition Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday accused the Congress-led Punjab government of shifting the blame for the Amritsar train tragedy, which claimed nearly 60 lives, on the Railways and of inaction against the organisers. It also termed the magisterial probe ordered by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh as a "cover-up" to give a clean chit to state minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who was the chief guest at the ill-fated Dussehra celebration on Friday. The SAD's attack comes a day after the Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jhakar alleged that the Indian Railways was "running away" from a probe. "It is an afterthought to shift the blame. The commissioner of the (Amritsar) Municipal Corporation is saying there was no permission (for the Dussehra function). The land (where the event was held) belongs to the (municipal) corporation. Who else could have given permission? Nobody," SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia said here. "The Railways was not organising the Dussehra function and it was not even informed about the event. Somebody does not know about the function and you want to shift the blame on them to save your own family," he added. "As soon as Saurabh Madan Mitthu (organiser of the event) is nabbed, he will spill the beans about (Navjot Kaur) Sidhu," Majithia said. "You can only be held responsible if you have been told about the eventwhy were they making announcements from stage that 5,000 people are standing?" he asked. According to a purported video of the Dussehra event which went viral, an organiser of the Dussehra event had boasted on stage before Navjot Kaur Sidhu that over 5,000 people were standing on the train tracks to witness the function. SAD patriarch and former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal said the tragedy could have easily been avoided if Navjot Singh Sidhu and his wife had shown a sense of responsibility and refused to be associate with an event which did not have the requisite permissions. "Thousands had been brought to the venue, which was highly vulnerable and tragedy-prone as it was adjacent to a busy railway line where long distance trains routinely ply, by the organisers who enjoy direct patronage and protection of the Sidhus," he said. "If they had sought the government's permission, it would in all probability have been denied or would have been granted only in consultation with the Railways," he added. Badal said instead of taking responsibility, the "villains" were busy "brazenly painting" themselves as the "heroes". "They are working overtime to shift focus from their own culpability and to put the blame on others," he added. Badal claimed that the site of the Dussehra event belonged to the local bodies department, of which Navjot Singh Sidhu is the minister. "They misused their clout in the government and showed scant respect for law and to considerations of public safety," he said. He added that the tragedy could have been averted if the function had not been delayed to accommodate the VIPs. According to reports, Navjot Kaur Sidhu arrived at the event later than the scheduled time. Badal also targeted Singh, who will reportedly be heading on a four-day holiday to Turkey later this week after completing an official visit to Israel. He accused Singh of being insensitive for choosing to leave the state and its people at such a time and proceed on an "utterly avoidable foreign trip". Earlier, a delegation of the SAD-BJP had submitted a memorandum to Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore, demanding registration of a criminal case against Navjot Singh Sidhu, his wife and the organisers of the event. It had also demanded a judicial probe into the accident by a sitting high court judge. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Tuesday urged global investors to set up their units in Visakhapatnam Fintech Valley which he claimed would become one of the top three fintech centres in the world. Visakhapatnam would be developed as an innovation valley, Amaravati as a knowledge economy hub and Tirupati as a hardware and electronic hub, he said after inaugurating the Vizag Fintech Festival here. He said the state government has been adopting total integration of technology to improve delivery mechanism to increase satisfaction level of people. Inviting global industrialists to invest in the state, the chief minister said the government had big data of all domains and there is wide scope for experimentation. He said both the government and private sector should work together for the advantage of the common man. The chief minister said the government wanted to bring revolution in innovation for the betterment of the society. "Innovation is a continuous process andthe state government would adopt all new innovative ideasprovided by IT companies for betterment of the society," he added. The chief minister said his government had launched the e-pragati platform to provide good governance. "Visible governance and invisible government is our motto and our ultimate objective is to make all governmenttransactions online and integrate the data to provide the best possible governance," he said. Minister for IT Nara Lokesh interacted with several industrialists and responded to their queries. He said industries play a key role in the growth of Andhra Pradesh. Lokesh said Fintech is one of the government's initiatives started in 2016 and added Fintech Valley had attracted world class companies in the last two years. He said the state government had been utilising technology in all government departments. Several companies signed MoUsat the inaugural of the Fintech Festival with the Andhra government to launch operations in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The regional bench of Armed Forces Tribunal here has set aside an order of the Directorate General of Mechanical Forces (DGMF), Personnel, which stated the death of a soldier due to heart attack in the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir over nine years ago was a case of "physical casualty" and not "battle casualty". The tribunal directed the Army authorities to pay ex-gratia relief and liberalised pension to the widow of soldier Naik Akhilesh Srivastava holding his death in 2009 to be a "battle casualty". The tribunal in its September 7 order urged "the authorities not to adopt a hidebound and negative approach to such cases in future." Noting the plight of a war widow "who has to run from pillar to post to get her rightful dues", the tribunal directed that Srivastava's widow be granted liberalised family pension from the date following her husband's death. The tribunal, on a petition filed by Srivastava's widow Kanak Lata, directed that a letter issued by the office of DGMF on February 2, 2011 stating that Srivastava's death was a case of "physical casualty" be quashed and "battle casualty" status be restored upon him. The tribunal, comprising Justice Indira Shah, member (judicial), and Lt Gen Gautam Moorthy, member (administrative) noted in its order that Srivastava was posted in Rashtriya Rifles (Assam) and deployed on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. Srivastava, the commander of a small team in an operation, was on an area dominating patrol from 6.30 am on June 20, 2009. He had developed chest pain at 12.15 pm while returning. He was administered on-the-spot medical aid and brought back to company operating base. He went to sleep at 2 pm. Srivastava had complained of severe chest pain again at 3.30 pm and was taken by helicopter to Mahore Sub-divisional Hospital where he was declared "brought dead." A court of inquiry was conducted wherein his death was classified as "battle casualty". Kanak Lata, a resident of Jamshedpur in Jharkhand, had received a letter from the office of DGMF (Personnel), which said that though her husband's case was reported by 59 RR as battle casualty, it was classified as physical casualty by the Adjutant General's branch. The tribunal noted that the respondents have said in their affidavit-in-opposition that the case was processed to Principal Controller of Defence Account (Pension), Allahabad, for adjudication for grant of special family pension and ex-gratia payment, but was rejected by PCDA(P) stating that "the death did not occur due to any accident while performing bona fide military duty." After perusing appendix A of the Army Order 01/2003 regarding "circumstances for classifying casualties as battle or physical," the tribunal noted that as per paragraph 1(g) of the said Army order, casualties occurring while operating on the International Border or Line of Control due to natural calamities and illness caused by climatic condition entailed the casualty to be classified as battle casualty. It also noted that the certificate rendered by the unit states that "while returning back from the operation, the individual developed chest pain due to illness caused by climatic conditions." Ex-gratia relief of Rs 15 lakh was also directed to be paid to Kanak Lata. The tribunal directed that the order be executed within three months from the date of receipt of the order. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The 12-hour called by 46 organisations against the citizenship bill evoked a widespread response in the state Tuesday with markets and financial institutions closed. Though BJP-led Assam government's alliance partner Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) was not in support of the bandh, it took out a massive rally to protest against the bill. It was led by party president and Agriculture Minister Atul Bora from Latasil Field to Chandmari area in Guwahati. During the bandh, picketeers burnt tyres on roads across the state to prevent movement of vehicular traffic and blocked rail tracks early morning in a bid to prevent movement of trains, official sources said. Shops, markets and financial institutions kept their shutters down, while attendance in offices and educational institutions was thin, the sources said. State-run Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) city and long distance buses plied with police escort Tuesday. Private commercial vehicles, however, kept off the roads as operators claimed that damage to their vehicles during bandhs and riots were not compensated by insurance companies. Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) and 44 other organisations had called the 12-hour bandh from 5 am to protest against the Centre's bid to pass the bill in winter session. The and the AIUDF had extended support to the bandh. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014. The Assam government had on Monday directed all district administrations to ensure that there was no bandh Tuesday. Deputy commissioners had issued orders that all shops, business establishments and educational institutions remain open, transport facilities ply normally and all government officials should attend to their duties. Carrying the AGP flag, placards and banners, the participants in the 'pratibadi samadal' (protest rally) walked through the main thoroughfare Gopinath Bordoloi Road to Chandmari to create awareness against the bill. Party cabinet colleagues Kesab Mahanta and Phani Bhusan Choudhury were part of the protest rally besides former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. Addressing a gathering before the start of the procession, AGP president Atul Bora said the rally was called against the bill as it threatened the existence, identity, culture and language of the indigenous people of the state. "We have already made our stand clear on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. Under no circumstances, are going to support it. We will fight till the end against the bill," he said. Bora said the party was opposed to the bill as it "violated" the Assam Accord which was the result of a six-year long Assam agitation from 1979 against illegal migrants when 855 people died for the cause. A team of AGP ministers, MLAs and leaders had recently visited Delhi to meet the members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the bill to put forward the party's views on it, he added. Finance and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Monday said the Gauhati High Court had ruled that calling a bandh was illegal and as such the state-wide bandh called by 46 organisations could not be allowed and anyone supporting it would be committing contempt of court. KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi said that this was the first time that they had called a bandh as the very "existence of the Assamese and their identity was at stake". Gauhati West MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita said, "We will not allow the bill to be passed in Parliament and we are taking all measures towards it. The Centre has to understand the sentiments of the people of Assam." He said the government should realise that the people of Assam had come out to protest against its move to endanger their existence. "We have been opposing the passage of the bill in Parliament and will continue to do so," said another AGP MLA Satyabrat Kalita. Other party leaders said the bill would frustrate the Assam Accord and there should not be any division of illegal migrants on the basis of religion as proposed by the bill. The granting of Indian citizenship to Bangladeshi Hindus would turn the indigenous people of the state to minorities in their state, threatening their existence and heritage, the speakers asserted. Assam Water Resource Minister Keshav Mahanta told the gathering that his party would "under no circumstance" allow the Centre to pass the bill. "Come what may, we will not allow the Centre to pass the bill. Anything that goes against the Assamese community, we will never support it," Mahanta asserted. The 12-hour Assam bandh called by 60 organisations against the citizenship bill evoked a widespread response in the state on Tuesday with markets and financial institutions closed. BJP-led Assam government's alliance partner Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) extended "moral support" to the bandh. The AGP took out a massive rally to protest against the bill. It was led by party president and Agriculture Minister Atul Bora from Latasil Field to Chandmari area in Guwahati. Bora said the party is not against the bandh as the two protests are opposing a common cause. The bandh brought normal life in the state to a standstill. During the bandh, picketeers burnt tyres on roads across the state to prevent movement of vehicular traffic and blocked rail tracks early morning in a bid to prevent movement of trains, official sources said. Shops, markets and financial institutions kept their shutters down, while attendance in offices and educational institutions was thin, the sources said. State-run Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) city and long distance buses plied with police escort on Tuesday. Private commercial vehicles, however, kept off the roads as operators claimed that damages to their vehicles during bandhs and riots are not compensated by insurance companies. Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) and 58 other organisations had called the 12-hour bandh from 5 am to protest against the Centre's bid to pass the bill in winter session of Parliament. The Congress and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) had extended support to the bandh. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955, to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014. The Assam government had on Monday directed all district administrations to ensure that there was no bandh in the state. Deputy commissioners had issued orders that all shops, business establishments and educational institutions remain open, transport facilities ply normally and all government officials should attend to their duties on Tuesday. AGP cabinet colleagues Kesab Mahanta and Phani Bhusan Choudhury were part of the protest rally besides former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. Addressing a gathering before the start of the procession, Bora said the rally was called against the bill as it threatened the existence, identity, culture and language of the indigenous people of the state. "We have already made our stand clear on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. Under no circumstances, are we going to support it. We will fight till the end against the bill," he said. Bora said the party was opposed to the bill as it "violated" the Assam Accord which was the result of a six-year-long Assam agitation from 1979 against illegal migrants when 855 people died for the cause. A team of AGP ministers, MLAs and leaders had recently visited Delhi to meet the members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the bill to put forward the party's views on it, he added. Finance and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the Gauhati High Court had ruled that calling a bandh was illegal and as such the state-wide bandh could not be allowed and anyone supporting it would be committing contempt of court. The bandh organisers claimed that the response to the bandh is a "public referendum" which rejects the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. "The impact is simply unprecedented. We are thankful to the people of Assam for their complete, spontaneous and peaceful response. Such an exercise can easily be termed as a public referendum rejecting the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill," KMSS Adviser Akhil Gogoi said at a press conference here. "The unprecedented impact of the bandh proves that the people do not care about government's threatening tactics when it comes to their own land and identity. The people will not accept a single Hindu Bangladeshi that the BJP wants to impose through the bill," AJYCP General Secretary Palash Changmai said. The Sarbananda Sonowal-led BJP government had a "war mentality" to spoil the bandh, but it failed as the people understand that the bill will be deadly if it is passed, he added. Gauhati West MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita said, "We will not allow the bill to be passed in Parliament and we are taking all measures for it. The Centre has to understand the sentiments of the people of Assam." "We have been opposing the passage of the bill in Parliament and will continue to do so," said another AGP MLA Satyabrat Kalita. Assam Water Resource Minister Keshav Mahanta told the gathering that his party would "under no circumstance" allow the Centre to pass the bill. "Come what may, we will not allow the Centre to pass the bill. Anything that goes against the Assamese community, we will never support it," Mahanta asserted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Bangladeshi court on Tuesday sent a prominent pro-opposition editor to jail rejecting his bail plea after his overnight arrest on a defamation charge, days after he faced massive criticism for describing a woman journalist as "characterless" on a TV talk show. "Rejected," pronounced Dhaka's additional chief metropolitan magistrate Kaisarul Islam after a brief hearing on Moinul Hosein's bail plea after the 78-year-old appeared in the dock under heavy police escort. Immediately after the order, police officers whisked away Hosein, himself a lawyer, to be sent to Dhaka Central Jail. Plainclothesmen arrested Hosein, a former adviser and minister in the past caretaker government in 2007-2008, last night in compliance with an arrest warrant issued by a court in northwestern Rangpur. Hosein had a played a key role in the formation of the recently-floated Unity Front, an alliance between the main opposition outside parliament - Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) - and several other left- and right-wing political groups and individuals. In a talk show on October 16, journalist Masuda Bhatti had asked Hosein if he represented the fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami in the Unity Front, as was speculated on social media. "I thank you for your audacity (in asking the question) and want to call you a 'characterless' (person)," an angry Hosein replied. Bhatti later said Hosein called her to apologise after the talk show but he still faces at least seven defamation cases filed nationwide by women's rights groups, and has been severely criticised. One of the cases was filed by Bhatti herself while Hosein managed to secure bail from the high court in three of the cases but police said they arrested him in a case where he was not protected under the high court order. Hosein, owner and editor of the New Nation daily, is a well-known critic of the government and though he does not belong to any party, the 78-year-old is known for his right-wing political views. The BNP denounced his arrest and demanded his release while several lawyers close to the party appeared in court as Hosein's counsels in the bail plea hearing. Hosein is the former chairman of the Board of Editors of the 'Daily Ittefaq', one of the country's oldest newspapers. His younger brother Anwar Hosein is a senior minister in the Cabinet as his faction of the Jatiya Party (JP) is a partner of the Awami League-led ruling coalition. Hours ahead of the arrest, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had said that Hosein deserved punitive actions for his defamatory comments against a "lady colleague of yours". She also described him as "an agent of the 1971 Pakistani forces" and "no less responsible" for the killing of journalist Serajuddin Hossain during the 1971 Liberation War. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat Tuesday offered special prayers at a famous Lord Ganesha temple here for the "speedy" construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, a priest claimed. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief performed 'abhishek' (special prayers) at the Shreemant Dagadusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple located in the heart of the city under the guidance of priest Milind Rahurkar. Later talking to the media, the RSS chief said: "Today was the right time to come and take the blessings (of Lord Ganesh). Since I was here, it was advised to do the abhishek so the same was offered." However, he did not reveal the reason behind offering the special prayers. A video of Rahurkar chanting mantras in Sanskrit and Bhagwat repeating the same later went viral on social media. In the short clip, the RSS chief is heard uttering the words 'Ram mandir' and 'Ramrajya' (an ideal state). Rahurkar told reporters that the Bhagwat sought blessings for the good health of the country's citizens and also prayed for "world peace" and "welfare of mankind". He further said prayers were also offered for "speedy" construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya and for making 'Ramrajya' a reality. Rahurkar, however, clarified that Bhagwat had not asked him to perform 'abhishek' for any particular reason. Speaking at the annual Dussehra event of the RSS in Nagpur on October 18, Bhagwat had said that the Union government should clear the path for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya through an appropriate and requisite law. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The mayor and commissioner of north Delhi visited the Bhalswa landfill site Tuesday to take stock of the situation there, even as a fire continued to rage in parts of the huge garbage dump, officials said. Municipal Commissioner Madhup Vyas said he visited the site in the afternoon, accompanying Mayor Adesh Gupta. "The mayor and the commissioner are currently visiting the landfill site to take stock of the situation," a senior NDMC official told PTI. The Bhalswa landfill site falls under the jurisdiction of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC). The nearly 50-metre-high heap at Bhalswa got saturated several years ago. Fire incidents keep taking place at the humongous site on and off, caused by natural factors or triggered by some incendiary material. A fire has been raging at the Bhalswa landfill site since October 20, raising concerns about the air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR) further deteriorating. The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) department had on Monday night said the blaze at the site was "almost" brought under control by 7:30 pm. A senior DFS official, however, Tuesday said the fire was still raging at the dump site. Delhi's air quality remained in the "poor" category Tuesday, a day after it had improved from the "very poor" Air Quality Index (AQI) zone. But experts have said it may deteriorate in the coming days due to the toxic air emanating from the fire at the Bhalswa landfill site. Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain had on Monday expressed serious concerns over the fire as the city is already fighting the adverse impact of stubble burning in the neighbouring states. Hussain directed the three municipal corporations in the national capital to work on preventing incidents of fire at landfill sites. He also told DFS officials to depute a fire tender exclusively to tackle future fire incidents at the Bhalswa landfill site. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra government Tuesday urged the Bombay High Court to dismiss the plea filed by arrested lawyer Surendra Gadling, in which the latter challenged the extension of his custody. Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, who appeared for the state, told the court that the Pune Police was yet to complete its probe due to the voluminous data and electronic evidence it had to sift through, hence, the trial court was justified in granting additional time to police to file the charge sheet and consequently extending Gadling's custody period. The Pune Police had arrested Gadling along with Head of English Department of the Nagpur University Shoma Sen, Dalit activist Sudhir Dhawale, activist Mahesh Raut and Kerala native Rona Wilson, in June this year. The police had booked them under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), claiming that all of them had links with "Maoists". They were arrested following raids at their houses and offices in connection with an event to commemorate the Battle of Bhima Koregaon on December 31 last year. However, Gadling approached the high court earlier this month claiming that keeping him under extended custody, and refusing to release him on bail was illegal. He claimed that his custody was illegal since the prosecution had failed to follow due procedure while seeking extension of time for filing the charge sheet against him and others in the case. The UAPA mandates that the prosecuting agency in a case must file its charge sheet within 90 days from the arrest of a person. However, if there is a delay on a valid ground, the public prosecutor in the case is permitted to file a report before the trial court explaining the reasons for the delay, and seek more time. The Act mandates that if the trial court is satisfied with such a report, it can extend the time for filing the charge sheet up to 180 days. In the present case, however, the dispute between the parties over the extension of time is because of a technicality the 'report' that was considered by the lower court in Pune while granting the extension of time to the prosecution was an application and a written submission made by the concerned assistant commissioner of police (ACP), and the investigating officer (IO) in the case respectively. The arguments seeking the extension were also made by the IO and the ACP before the lower court. Therefore, Gadling approached the high court arguing that the above reports cannot be considered the same as the public prosecutor's report. Kumbhakoni, however, argued that the report mentioned under the Act must not be taken too "literally" by the HC. He further argued that the police reports in the present case also bore the signature of the concerned public prosecutor and therefore, must be considered a valid document for granting the extension. Justice Mridula Bhatkar, who is presiding over the case, questioned why the lower court had permitted the IO and the ACP to argue independently when the prosecutor was present in the court. She noted that the law mandated that the prosecutor assists the courts in all the cases, unless something specific was required of the IOs or other parties in any case. "The lower court committed an illegality in permitting the IO and the ACP to argue independently," she said. However, she is likely to pronounce her verdict Wednesday on whether the reports of the two police officers can be considered a valid document for extending the time for the police for filing the charge sheet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bihar cabinet on Tuesday increased the dearness allowance of state government employees, pensioners and family pensioners by two per cent. They would now get a total DA of nine per cent in place of the existing seven per cent, cabinet secretariat department Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar said. The enhanced DA would be given to the employees with effect from July 1 this year, Kumar told reporters here in a post cabinet briefing. This would be applicable to those employees, pensioners and family pensioners who are getting revised pay scales, the Principal Secretary said adding that the revision of DA would have an additional burden of Rs 419 crore on the state exchequer annually. In another impotant decision, the cabinet gave its nod to convening winter session of the bicameral state legislature in Bihar from November 26. The cabinet approved Parliamentary Affairs department's tentative schedule for a week-long winter session, Kumar said adding that there will be five sittings between November 26 and 30. The decision in this regard was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, he said. The cabinet has altogether approved 25 proposals. Among other significant decisions, it also gave its nod for getting ITDC, New Delhi run hotel "Patliputra Ashok" at Patna transferred to Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) on the payment of Rs 13.005 crore to the former, Kumar said. The hotel is spread over 1.5 acres of land located in the heart of the capital, official sources said. The 1.5 acres of land belonging to state's Revenue and Land Reforms Department located at the prime location was given to Centre's Tourism ministry on a lease with certain terms and conditions on May 26, 1973, Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi had said earlier. It was also incorporated as the condition that the state government would take back its land by giving three months to the lessee (Tourism Ministry), Modi had said adding that the Central government is going to disinvestment in ITDC run hotels that included "Patliputra Ashok". The cabinet also gave its nod for transfer of 37 acres and 24 decimal land to education department for construction of buildings and other facilities for Purnea University, Purnea, he said. It also sanctioned Rs 38.38 crore for carrying out acquisition of 33 acres of land for setting up an IT park in 'Mega Industrial Park' at Bihta (in Patna district), Principal Secretary said. The cabinet also gave its nod five proposals of Road Construction Department for carrying out strengthening, upgrading, constructing culverts on five different state highways in different areas of the state, Kumar said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajasthan Congress president Sachin Pilot on Tuesday said the BJP's party workers' feedback meetings were prompted by the poor response from its cadres and people to chief minister Vasundhara Raje's recently concluded 'Gaurav Yatra'. Raje had undertaken a 58-day pre-poll tour to seek people's mandate ahead of the December 7 Assembly elections. BJP president Amit Shah flagged off the tour on August 4. "They did not get the required support from their cadres, therefore they conducted meetings to seek feedback from the party workers at Ranakpur and Jaipur. This kind of outreach programme is just to make the party workers happy, but things have already been decided," Pilot told PTI here. He said Raje's pre-poll tour has been a failure. The BJP held three-day party workers' feedback meetings in Ranakpur and Jaipur from October 14-16 and October 20-22 respectively. The meetings sought the party workers' opinion about the probable candidates. Opinion from 12,000 party workers from all the 200 assembly constituencies of the state was sought in 11 sessions held over six days in Ranakpur and Jaipur, Union minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters at a press conference here on Tuesday. Pilot claimed the BJP's decision to drop 100 or more of its MLAs showed that the party was making them scapegoats to save Raje. "They are looking to the reduce the anti-incumbency with such steps but there is resentment among the public against Raje. She must be held accountable and not the sitting MLAs," he said. "The BJP does not trust its own MLAs. So how does it expect the people of Rajasthan to trust it? The BJP has been exposed and it will face a defeat in the (upcoming) assembly elections," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 1,000 activists of the BJP, majority of them being women, took out a procession here Tuesday protesting against the handling of the situation in Sabarimala by the government of Kerala and demanded that the agama (scriptures) traditions be followed in the shrine of Ayappa. The national executive member of the party and member of the Rajya Sabha L Ganeshan, who led the procession, said the agama traditions should be upheld. Some of the women, holding placards, said they would wait to cross 50 years of age to enter the shrine. They all rendered hymns and bhajans in praise of Ayappa and raised slogans against the state government. The procession ended at Gandhipuram where the BJP leader and others told the participants in the rally that the sanctity of Sabarimala should be preserved. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the BJP seeking to position itself as the main challenger to the ruling TRS, its youth wing BYJM will organise a three-day "mega summit" in poll-bound Telangana starting Friday, where party president Amit Shah will address a rally on the concluding day. The Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) chief Poonam Mahajan Tuesday announced that the three-day 'Yuva Mahadhiveshan' would be held from October 26 in Hyderabad. Addressing a press conference at the party office, Mahajan said the summit would be inaugurated by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and it would conclude with a mega rally of BJP chief Amit Shah on on October 28. "This will be the party's first mega youth summit in South India and more than 72,000 office bearers of the BJP's youth wing will attend this event, where they will be addressed by number of senior party leaders and Union ministers," she said. She said more than two lakh people were expected to attend Shah's rally on the concluding day. About the events and programmes planned for the summit, Mahajan said this exercise was aimed to prepare party's youth workers for the 2019 general elections and a political resolution would be passed during the event. A special "NaMo zone" would also be set up there, where all youth workers would be briefed about the 'Namo' app and how to use it, she said. Various chief ministers, Union ministers and all former presidents of the BJYM would attend the summit, she added. The BJYM was organising rallies in states such as West Bengal and Kerala where the BJP had never been in power and it was aiming to boost its Lok Sabha tally in the 2019 elections. This is the third such rally in the series. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the BJP seeking to position itself as the main challenger to the ruling TRS, its youth wing BYJM will organise a three-day hi-tech "mega summit" in poll-bound Telangana starting Friday. Party president Amit Shah will address a rally on the concluding day of the event. Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM) chief Poonam Mahajan Tuesday announced that the three-day 'Yuva Mahadhiveshan' would be held from October 26 in Hyderabad. Addressing a press conference at the party office, Mahajan said the summit would be inaugurated by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and it would conclude with a rally by BJP chief Amit Shah on October 28. "This will be the party's first mega youth summit in South India and more than 72,000 office-bearers of the BJP's youth wing will attend this event, where they will be addressed by number of senior party leaders and Union ministers," she said. She said more than two lakh people were expected to attend Shah's rally on the concluding day. About the events and programmes planned for the summit, Mahajan said this exercise was aimed to prepare party's youth workers for the 2019 general elections and a political resolution would be passed during the event. The summit will be completely digital. A QR code will be provided to each participant so that he or she can be informed about schedule and programmes, Mahajan said. A special "NaMo zone" would also be set up there, where all youth workers would be briefed about the 'Namo' App' and how to use it, she said. The convention in Hyderabad will see massive participation from the North Eastern states, which is testimony to the success of BJP's 'Act East' policy, Mahajan said, adding a record participation of women are also expected. Several chief ministers, Union ministers and all former presidents of the BJYM would attend the summit, she added. The BJYM is organising rallies in states such as West Bengal and Kerala where the BJP had never been in power and aiming to boost its Lok Sabha tally in the 2019 elections. This is the third such rally in the series. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Boko Haram jihadists have killed two people in an attack on a village in northeast Nigeria near the town of Chibok, residents and a militia official told AFP Tuesday. The jihadists, believed to be loyal to Boko Haram factional leader Abubakar Shekau, late Monday raided Mifah, seven kilometres from Chibok, where militants abducted more than 200 schoolgirls in 2014. Boko Haram's nine-year conflict has killed an estimated 27,000 people and displaced two million, creating a humanitarian crisis and spilling into Nigeria's northern neighbours. "They killed two people and looted the village before setting it on fire," said David Bitrus, a civilian militia member fighting alongside the army, after the Mifah attack. "The village has been reduced to ashes. Six people were injured in the attack," he said. The attack, which happened around 8 pm (1900 GMT), forced residents of the village to flee to Chibok. "The gunmen came in a truck and on several motorcycles and began shooting in the village," said Mifah resident Manasseh Amos. "They took all our food and livestock and burnt the village. We have nothing left," Amos said. Troops were stationed in Chibok since the schoolgirls were abducted four years ago, but violent Boko Haram raids have continued in communities across Nigeria's remote northeast. Chibok lies close to Boko Haram's Sambisa forest enclave from where the jihadists launch attacks on nearby villages. In recent days Boko Haram militants have increasingly attacked civilian targets in the region. On Saturday, the militants burnt down three neighbouring villages near the state capital Maiduguri in an overnight raid that left two people dead. The raid came hours after the jihadists hacked to death 12 farmers working in their nearby fields. On Thursday, Boko Haram fighters looted and burnt Kalli village near the town of Damboa after fighting off soldiers protecting it, according to local officials. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) British Sikhs have expressed concerns that the UK government's updated strategy to combat hate crime may be failing to fully acknowledge the problem of "Islamophobia on Sikhs", or attacks on the community members for being mistaken as Muslims. The Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO), a representative body for gurdwaras and Sikh organisations across the UK, says that despite repeated interventions the government's new "refresh" of its Action Against Hate strategy to combat hate crimes fails to fully take into account attacks on the "Muslim looking other". "The government is unwilling to address the wider ramifications of Islamophobia on Sikhs, or the 'Muslim looking other'," the NSO said in a statement. "A simple acknowledgment that Sikhs face Islamophobia would have allayed concerns. Like us, many will be right to ask the government why ministerial 'round tables' are the preserve of Jews and Muslims," it notes. The NSO intervention comes as the UK concluded its National Hate Crime Awareness Week over the weekend with an announcement of a review into whether additional offences such as misogyny and ageism should be brought into the ambit of hate crime. The review coincided with the release of latest figures indicating that religious hate crime, or people being targeted for their religious beliefs, had registered a surge in Britain over the past few years. But the NSO believes that the government's current focus on religious groups is "far too narrow", and all faiths should be treated with "parity" when it comes to tackling prejudice. It believes that despite being subject to serious violence and hostility since the 9/11 attacks in the US, the UK government's National Hate Crime Plan "has managed to marginalise British Sikhs yet again". "Many of the hate crimes described as Islamophobic are directed against Sikhs out of ignorance or mistaken identity," NSO Director and House of Lords peer Indarjit Singh said during a Parliamentary debate on the issue last week. "Few Sikhs have not been called 'Bin Laden' at some time or other, and some have been violently attacked. We heard about the gurdwara in Leeds being defaced and partly burned and, only a couple of months ago, a gurdwara in Edinburgh that I had recently visited was firebombed," he said. During the House of Lords debate on the motion 'This House takes note of the challenges posed by religious intolerance and prejudice in the United Kingdom', Lord Singh stressed that he did not "begrudge" the protection that Jews and Muslims receive against hate crime but that the government must be a "little more even-handed to non-Abrahamic faiths in both policies and resourcing". Sikh and Hindu groups have been lobbying over the issue for some time and in January last year, the UK government responded with a specific policy to help these communities report hate crime via True Vision, a police-funded website designed to combat hate crime. However, the NSO claims the project is yet to be fully implemented. The government's Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), which is leading on the initiatives against hate crime, said that funds had been allocated through the True Vision project and that police is working with a number of Sikh groups on a dedicated reporting page for the site, as well as awareness raising exercises. The ministry added that it was committed to continuing its engagement with Sikh communities through roundtable discussions and is also considering other ways to encourage reporting and support victims of anti-Sikh hatred in its refreshed Hate Crime Action Plan. "This government abhors all forms of hate crime, including that directed at Sikhs. The refreshed Hate Crime Action Plan to tackle race and religious crime applies equally to Sikhs as it does other religions and races," said UK Faith Minister Lord Nick Bourne. "Our Anti-Muslim Hatred working group will be addressing the issue of Sikhs being mistaken for Muslims and being subjected to hate crimes. We are absolutely clear that no one, of any race or religion, should be subjected to hate crime," he said. Hate crime is defined as an offence which the victim considers to be driven by hostility towards their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Accompanied by his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Tuesday filed his nomination papers from Rajnandgaon Assembly constituency for next month's polls. Singh, 66, touched the feet of Adityanath, who is 20 years younger to him, and took his blessings before filing the nomination papers. Singh is seeking a fourth term as the chief minister of Chhattisgarh. He has been a two-time MLA from Rajanandgaon constituency. In 2004, he had got elected from Dongargaon assembly constituency in Rajnandgaon district. Chhattisgarh has 90-member Assembly and the polls there are being held in two phases - on November 12 and 20. The votes will be counted on December 11. Tuesday was the last day of filing of nominations for the first phase of the polls. Congress has fielded Karuna Shukla, the niece of former prime minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee against Singh from Rajnandgaon. Candidates from BJP, Congress and other parties also filed their nominations for the 18 seats spread across eight naxal-affected districts-Bastar, Bijapur, Dantewada, Sukma, Kondagaon, Kanker, Narayanpur and Rajnandgaon, going to polls in the first phase. Singh, who was also accompanied by his wife Veena Singh, party in-charge for Chhattisgarh Anil Jain, and several other leaders, reached the district collectorate along with large number of party workers to file his papers. Singh's son and MP from Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha seat Abhishek Singh was also present there. Before filing his nominations, Singh told reporters, "I have full faith in the strength of party workers and booth-level workers. The BJP has dedicated this election to Atal ji and each party worker has vowed to form (BJP) government for the fourth consecutive term with a thumping majority in the state". When asked about Karuna Shukla contesting against him, Singh said, "They (Congress) did not get any local candidate. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Canada's prime minister said Tuesday he likely won't cancel a 2014 blockbuster sale of armored personnel carriers to Saudi Arabia as pressure mounts to hold Riyadh accountable for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "There was a contract signed by the previous (Tory) government that makes it extremely difficult for us to withdraw from that contract without Canadians paying exorbitant penalties," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. "We are looking at our options," he said. In an earlier CBC Radio interview Trudeau said that the break penalty could exceed Can$1 billion. London, Ontario-based manufacturer General Dynamic Land Systems Canada inked the deal in 2014 to supply 928 LAV 6 armored personnel carriers to Saudi Arabia. Worth Can$15 billion (US$11.5 billion), it was the largest arms deal in Canadian history. But the contract was scaled back earlier this year, amid protests, to 742, dropping heavy assault versions equipped with cannons that activists and opposition politicians warned could be used against civilians and to help Riyadh wage war in Yemen. On Monday, Trudeau told parliament: "We have frozen export permits (for arms sales) before when we had concerns about their potential misuse and we will not hesitate to do so again." After convening senior ministers and officials to discuss Khashoggi's killing and its "major implications for Canada," his office issued a statement calling for a "thorough investigation" into the journalist's death. "The explanations offered to date (by the Saudis) lack consistency and credibility," it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday his government will impose a federal carbon tax on four out of 10 Canadian provinces that have failed to plan to curb climate pollution. The provinces of Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and New Brunswick will be subject to the Canadian dollar 20 per tonne levy as of January 1, rising to Canadian dollar 50 in 2022. "Starting next year, it will no longer be free to pollute anywhere in Canada. We are going to place a price on the pollution that causes climate change," Trudeau said in a speech at a Toronto college. All proceeds from the tax - to be collected from individuals and industry - will be remitted to households in the form of rebates or used to pay for projects to improve energy efficiency and cut CO2 emissions, making it revenue-neutral and to "help Canadians adjust to this new reality," he said. Ottawa had worked for two years with the provinces and territories to design plans for each jurisdiction that would allow Canada as a whole to meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement. Canada pledged to reduce its carbon emissions by 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. In his speech Trudeau referenced a UN report warning that time is running out to avert disaster, and world leaders' calls to breathe new life into the Paris accord amid backsliding from several nations over commitments made when it was signed in December 2015. "We are the first generation that has known how to fix this problem. But we are the last generation that will actually be able to do something about it," Trudeau said. Environmental activists praised the federal move, while the opposition Conservatives and their provincial brethren panned it. "It will hurt taxpayers, will not be good for the economy and will not help the environment," Conservative leader Andrew Scheer said. In a statement, Trudeau's office rebutted those claims, noting that provinces that moved early to introduce carbon pollution pricing systems - Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec - had the best economic growth in the country in 2017. Quebec joined California's cap and trade market while British Columbia, for example, introduced a carbon tax. In August, Ontario quit the California market and joined Saskatchewan in suing the federal government to try to block it from imposing its carbon tax on them. With less than a year to the next federal election, and Tories taking a hard line against the Liberals' carbon pricing, the tax is sure to become a key campaign issue. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana Tuesday accused the agency's chief, Alok Kumar Verma, of trying to "falsely implicate" him in a bribery case to "hide" his own alleged criminal misconduct of influencing investigations in lieu of money. Agency's Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar, who was arrested Monday in a case involving Asthana, also alleged the proceedings are not only a shocking portrayal of misuse of authority which undermines the credibility of the institution, but also illustrates how he was made a "scapegoat" to achieve illegal goals. Both the officers contended in separate petitions filed in the high court that when a Special Investigation Team led by Asthana proposed to arrest businessman Sathish Sana on allegation of giving bribe for influencing probe, it was not followed. Instead, an FIR was lodged against them on the basis of Sana's complaint that bribe was demanded from him, the petitions alleged, adding that illegalities were committed at the hands of the Verma and other officers of the agency. Asthana, the second-in command in the CBI after Verma, said complainant Sana was the one who was proposed to be arrested by him and the SIT as he was found to be involved in entering into a conspiracy for slowing down the investigation against him. "This fact is already reported and being enquired by appropriate authority. Now, this person turns back and makes the SIT itself an accused. It is pertinent to note that the officers of SIT are being prosecuted and this accused person is enjoying the freedom, liberty and protection from the highest officer of the investigating agency," the plea, seeking to quash the FIR, said. Claiming that the prosecution launched against him was illegal and mala fide, Asthana said his petition would disclose the "shocking state of affairs and also reveal as to how the highest officer of the premier investigating agency of the country is trying to falsely implicate the petitioner, who is the second senior most officer of the agency, in order to hide his own criminal misconduct of influencing investigations in exchange for money". He claimed that the FIR was clearly mala fide and prohibited in law as no enquiry or investigation could have been taken up in this matter without prior approval of his appointing authority. When the complaint was made by Sana on October 4, the CBI should have sought approval of the competent authority before proceeding further, as mandated under Section 17 A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, the plea claimed. On the contrary, the respondents not only registered this FIR, but also raided the premises of the investigating officer, it added. Both Asthana and Kumar claimed no case was made out against them on the basis of allegations mentioned in the FIR and there was not an iota of evidence against them. They said there was no allegation that they or any public servant demanded illegal gratification and as per the FIR, it was some unconnected person said to have been demanding bribe allegedly on behalf of them. As per the FIR, no amount was said to has been paid to the petitioner or any public servant, the petitions said, adding the FIR was frivolous. They said it was beyond imagination as to how the premier investigation agency of the country could register an FIR against its own officers without there being any cogent evidence implicating them. The pleas alleged that the sole basis of the FIR was the businessman's complaint which was made after a proposal was submitted regarding him allegedly paying bribe to the CBI director. "It is even improbable that the petitioner (Asthana) who had himself complained about such exchange of bribe between Sana and the respondent no 2 (Verma) and forwarded the proposal of arrest and custodial interrogation of Sana, would ever conduct himself in the manner alleged in the FIR," Asthana said in his plea. Asthana and Kumar claimed there was undue haste in lodging the FIR and "frivolous" allegations of an accused (Sana) have been taken as gospel of truth by the CBI against its own officers for ulterior motives without there being any material basis. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Fair trade regulator CCI Tuesday approved purchase of 25 per cent stake in Hyderabad-based Gemini Edibles and Fats India (GEF India) by Singapore's Black River Food. According to CCI, Black River Food 2 Pte Ltd is a company incorporated in Singapore and is registered as a foreign venture capital investor under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). Black River is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Black River Food 2 LP which specialises in investments in food industry and agribusiness value chain. Besides, GEF India, a subsidiary of Golden Agri Resources of Singapore, which in turn is a part of Sinarmas Group, is engaged in the manufacture and sale of edible oils, including Vanaspati, and bakery fats in India. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) "approves acquisition of 25 per cent equity share capital of the Gemini Edibles and Fats India by Black River Food 2 Pte Ltd," the regulator said in a tweet. The regulator cleared the transaction as it did not give rise to competition concerns regardless of the definition of the relevant markets. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Competition Commission Tuesday approved construction major NBCC's proposal to acquire 100 per cent stake in consultancy firm HSSC. Besides, the competition watchdog cleared CDPQ Infrastructure Asia's acquisition of shareholding of CLP India, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CLP Holdings. The regulator also gave its go ahead for the purchase of 25 per cent stake in Hyderabad-based Gemini Edibles and Fats India (GEF India) by Singapore's Black River Food, according to a series of tweets by the CCI. Deals beyond a certain threshold require approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI). The CCI in a tweet said it has cleared "acquisition of 100 per cent equity shareholding in HSCC by NBCC". NBCC last month was selected as the buyer for 100 per cent strategic disinvestment of HSCC at a bid amount of Rs 285 crore by the government. The government last October invited bids from central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) for buying out its entire stake in HSCC. The CCI in another tweet said the acquisition of shareholding of CLP India Private Limited by CDPQ Insfrastructures Asia II Pte. Ltd has been approved. CDPQ Infrastructure Asia is a wholly owned arm of Canada-based pension fund manager CDPQ with net assets of over CAD 300 billion while CLP India is ultimately owned by CLP Holdings Ltd which is engaged in the energy sector in Asia Pacific and is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange with a current market cap of USD 26 billion, according to the regulator. The regulator also cleared 25 per cent stake purchase by Black River Food in GEF India, according to another tweet. Black River Food 2 Pte Ltd is a company incorporated in Singapore and is registered as a foreign venture capital investor under the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). Black River is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Black River Food 2 LP which specialises in investments in food industry and agribusiness value chain. GEF India, a subsidiary of Golden Agri Resources of Singapore, which in turn is a part of Sinarmas Group, is engaged in the manufacture and sale of edible oils, including vanaspati, and bakery fats in India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cebu Landmasters Inc. said it will launch a 22-hectare central business district in Matina, Davao City with an initial capital investment of P10 billion. Cebu Landmasters said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the 22-hectare project would become the first major business park in Davao with office, retail, convention center, medical building and hospital components. It is expected to attract investments and employment while providing convenience and upscale lifestyle and amenities to the city. Phase 1 is estimated to cost P10 billion and is expected to generate about 10,000 jobs for construction workers, Cebu Landmasters said. The Davao Matina Business Park project is one of the large-scale projects that the property firm is undertaking to fortify its presence and leadership in the Visayas and Mindanao. Cebu Landmasters said affiliate Ming-Mori Development Corp. was also in the final stages of compliance for the 100-hectare Minglanilla Reclamation and Techno-Business Park project in Cebu.The property firm said the project would be a game changer in Cebu, generating over 100 hectares of light industrial and commercial uses in the south of Cebu where there is a very strong population base. The company is also firming up negotiations for two properties in Cagayan de Oro City that would be converted into integrated estate developments. We target to develop estates in Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro as the opportunities are huge in these economic growth areas, Cebu Landmasters chief executive Jose Soberano III said. China on Tuesday officially opened the 55-km-long sea bridge, said to be the world's longest, connecting Hong Kong to Macau and the mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai. President Xi Jinping inaugurated the USD 20 billion bridge at a special ceremony held in Zhuhai, in southern China's Guangdong Province, attended by about 700 guests, including the leaders of Hong Kong and Macau. It was opened with a one sentence speech by Xi, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. The construction of the bridge started in December 2009 and was to be completed in 2016. Situated in the Lingdingyang waters of the Pearl River estuary, it will be the world's longest sea bridge, the state-run Xinhua agency said. China claims credit for building the world's longest bridge, the 164.8-km-long DanyangKunshan Grand viaduct on the Beijing- Shanghai high speed railway. The bridge, which will be opened for regular traffic from Wednesday, will slash the travel time between Hong Kong and Zhuhai from three hours to just 30 minutes, it said, adding it will further integrate the cities in the Pearl River Delta. Chinese Vice-Premier Han Zheng said the bridge would bring Hong Kong and mainland China closer in terms of economic and trade activities. Describing the bridge as a sign of successful cooperation between the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau he said, it is a demonstration of China's engineering capabilities. Han, Beijing's man in-charge of regional economic integration, said that the 55-km-long bridge could facilitate the development of "one country, two systems", a framework that allows Hong Kong and Macau a certain degree of autonomy. He said it was the first time the three sides had worked together on a major infrastructure project. "It opens up all three places for greater exchange in trade and economics. It also enhances the competitiveness of the Pearl River Delta," the Post quoted him as saying. The bridge would help Hong Kong and Macau be integrated to mainland China, he added. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor highlighted the three cross-border infrastructure projects the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong express rail link, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge and the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai boundary control point which will open early next year. But, the critics have called the bridge a "white elephant" and a "blood and sweat project", noting 10 workers have died and more than 600 were injured during its construction, the Post reported. Additional concerns surfaced earlier this year when officials revealed that estimates for the amount of traffic expected for the bridge had been cut. A 2008 consultancy study had predicted that 33,100 vehicles and 1,71,800 passengers would cross the bridge daily by 2030. But the estimate was lowered to 29,100 vehicles and 1,26,000 passenger trips in a 2016 study, down 12 per cent and 26 per cent respectively, the report said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday officially opened the world's longest sea bridge linking Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China, significantly cutting the travel time from between the three territories from three hours to just 30 minutes. The 55-km-long crossing that cost a whopping USD 20 billion is dubbed as an engineering feat carrying economic and political significance at a time when Beijing is seen tightening its grip over its semi-autonomous territories. It connects Asia's financial hub, Hong Kong, with the southern mainland city of Zhuhai and the gambling enclave of Macau, across the waters of the Pearl River Estuary with a snaking road bridge and underwater tunnel. It took nine years to complete the bridge due to delays, budget overruns, corruption prosecutions and the deaths of construction workers. President Xi inaugurated the bridge at a special ceremony held in Zhuhai, in southern China's Guangdong Province, attended by about 700 guests, including the leaders of Hong Kong and Macau. "I declare the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge officially open," he said in a one-line address, as digital fireworks exploded on a screen behind him. Situated in the Lingdingyang waters of the Pearl River estuary, it will be the world's longest sea bridge, the state-run Xinhua agency said. The bridge will be opened for regular traffic from Wednesday. Hong Kong was handed over from British to Chinese control in 1997 with the assurance it would maintain its own legal and economic system for 50 years, till 2047. The construction of the bridge started in December 2009 and was to be completed in 2016. Though supporters of the bridge promote it as an engineering marvel that will boost business and cut travel time, but critics termed it as a "white elephant" and said it is one more way to integrate Hong Kong into China as fears grow that the city's cherished freedoms are being eroded, according to a media report. The critics also dubbed the bridge as a "blood and sweat project" noting that 10 workers have died and more than 600 were injured during its construction, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. China claims credit for building the world's longest bridge, the 164.8-km-long Danyang-Kunshan Grand viaduct on the Beijing- Shanghai high speed railway. Chinese Vice-Premier Han Zheng characterised the bridge as part of the development of the Greater Bay Area -- a Beijing-driven project to create an economic hub linking nine southern mainland cities to Hong Kong and Macau. He said the bridge demonstrates China's engineering capabilities. Describing it as a sign of successful cooperation between the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau he said, the bridge would bring Hong Kong and mainland China closer in terms of economic and trade activities. Han, Beijing's man in-charge of regional economic integration, said that the 55-km-long bridge could facilitate the development of "one country, two systems", a framework that allows Hong Kong and Macau a certain degree of autonomy. He said it was the first time the three sides had worked together on a major infrastructure project. "It opens up all three places for greater exchange in trade and economics. It also enhances the competitiveness of the Pearl River Delta," the SCMP quoted him as saying. The bridge would help Hong Kong and Macau be integrated to mainland China, he added. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the bridge would help transform Hong Kong from a "connector to a more active participant". He also highlighted the three cross-border infrastructure projects - the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong express rail link, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge and the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai boundary control point which will open early next year. It is the second major infrastructure project which connects Hong Kong to mainland China, after the opening of a high-speed rail link last month. The rail link sparked criticism that Hong Kong was giving away territory as some part of the rail terminus came under the jurisdiction of mainland China. Additional concerns surfaced earlier this year when officials revealed that estimates for the amount of traffic expected for the bridge had been cut. A 2008 consultancy study had predicted that 33,100 vehicles and 1,71,800 passengers would cross the bridge daily by 2030. But the estimate was lowered to 29,100 vehicles and 1,26,000 passenger trips in a 2016 study, down 12 per cent and 26 per cent respectively, the SCMP said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "Both ignorant and malicious" was how the official China Daily newspaper recently described comments by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, offering a stinging insight into the current bitter tone of discourse between the countries. The White House's move to expand Washington's dispute with Beijing beyond trade and technology and into accusations of political meddling has sunk relations between the world's two largest economies to the lowest level since the Cold War. A major speech by US Vice President Mike Pence on Oct. 4 was the clearest, highest-level sign that US strategy was turning from engagement to confrontation. Pence accused China of interfering in the midterm elections to undermine President Donald Trump's tough trade policies against Beijing, warned other countries to be wary of Beijing's "debt diplomacy" and denounced China's actions in the South China Sea. "What the Russians are doing pales in comparison to what China is doing across this country," Pence told an audience at the Hudson Institute think tank in Washington. Both sides are trading increasingly sharp accusations over human rights and global hegemony, exposing an ideological divide that pits the two on a path of confrontation with no clear resolution in sight. While a military clash has not been ruled out, American-based analysts envision a continuing push-and-pull for dominance between Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, China's most dominant and repressive leader since Mao Zedong. Xi's aggressive foreign policy and authoritarian ways have altered views of China across the board. "What has happened is a sea change in US perceptions of China," said June Teufel Dreyer, an expert on Chinese who teaches political science at the University of Miami. While Chinese officials privately say they're concerned about the sharp deterioration in ties, especially given the massive links between the two in trade, immigration and education, it appears Beijing is more than willing to go toe-to-toe under the new circumstances. Increasingly, the perception that as China grew more prosperous it would fall in line with global values and international law has been exploded. Into that breach has come hardening US rhetoric toward Beijing and actions to counter, deter or defy China's moves in the international sector, particularly its "Belt and Road" trade and infrastructure initiative that seeks to expand Beijing's economic and political footprint from Cambodia to Cairo. Trump's first national security strategy, released last year, also labelled China a "revisionist power" alongside Russia. Beijing's outrage at Pompeo, meanwhile, was prompted by his recent warnings to Latin American countries about the dangers of accepting Chinese infrastructure loans that are a key aspect of Xi's signature foreign policy project. "US-China relations have deteriorated to their worst point" since the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests in Beijing that were crushed by the Chinese military, said Michael Kovrig, senior adviser for Northeast Asia at the International Crisis Group. "It may not be a clash of civilizations, but it is a long-festering conflict of national, political and economic interest and systems that has reached a point of rupture," Kovrig said. Xi has abandoned the strategy laid out by reformist leader Deng Xiaoping that China should bide its time and refrain from advertising its ambitions to become a world power. Instead, he has been accused of overreach by promoting China's drive to become a global technology leader by 2025, including by compelling foreign companies to hand over their know-how, and pushing Chinese-financed energy and transportation projects that leave target countries with unsustainable debt. On the military front, a Chinese destroyer last month maneuvered perilously close to the USS Decatur in the South China Sea. The Chinese also denied a request for a US Navy ship to visit Hong Kong and rejects US concerns over its policies toward other countries. "The US simply aims to drive a wedge between China and relevant countries with those remarks," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Monday. "It is meaningless and futile." The tart rhetoric is evident on both sides. Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations, said in a speech last week that China's government "is engaged in the persecution of religious and ethnic minorities that is straight out of George Orwell," referencing the internment of Muslims in the country's northwest in political reeducation camps. This month, the United States went further by threatening to pull out of the Universal Postal Union because it says the treaty allows China to ship packages to the US at discounted rates at the expense of American businesses. Underlying the estrangement is the sense that Beijing lacks reciprocity, taking advantage of open markets and free societies to extend its interests, while denying the same benefits to companies, governments and individuals over which it has influence. "My bottom line view is that Xi Jinping very much overplayed his hand taking advantage of the restrained and moderate (former President Barack) Obama," said Robert Sutter, a China expert at George Washington University. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Days after he resigned as a Madhya Pradesh minister of state, self-styled godman Computer Baba Tuesday launched a campaign to unite seers against the "anti-religion" Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in the poll-bound state. Computer Baba alias Namdeo Das Tyagi had resigned on October 1, six months after he was accorded the MoS status while accusing the chief minister of not fulfilling promises, including cleaning the Narmada river. Addressing a gathering of about 1000 seers from 13 Akharas (spiritual denominations) in Indore Tuesday, the godman appealed to uproot the BJP government in the November 28 polls. "(CM) Shivraj Singh Chouhan had promised me that the Narmada river will be kept clean and illegal sand mining won't be allowed. But these promises were not kept. Now we have understood that the Shivraj government is anti-religion," he said. The godman also accused the state government of "doing nothing" for the protection of cows and "destroying Hindu shrines, temples and dwellings of seers in the state". Many seers also attacked the state government on a string of issues including quota, construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya, Vyapam scam and "rising spate" of crimes against minor girls, at the gathering. Some local Congress leaders were also spotted at the gathering. However, Computer Baba said the Congress leaders had nothing to do with the congregation which was open to all. "We are not supporting any party but are against this anti-religion government which should be uprooted in the forthcoming assembly elections," he said. He announced to organise such gatherings in Gwalior, Khandwa, Rewa and Jabalpur in coming days, where sants from various parts of the country will be invited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maharashtra Finance Minister and senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar Tuesday expressed confidence that his party and the Shiv Sena would stay united in future polls, against the backdrop of the Uddhav Thackeray-led party's stand to go solo. Speaking at the "Mumbai Manthan" conclave organised by channel Aaj Tak, the minister sought to play down the criticism of the BJP government by the Sena, a constituent of the Central and Maharashtra governments and the oldest member of the NDA (National Democratic Alliance). "There was a fiercer criticism even between the Congress and the NCP during their rule. If one expects complete equilibrium then there wouldn't be two different parties," he said. "While we expect that there shouldn't be criticism everyday, the Sena is only doing its work. But we (the BJP) have decided among ourselves that we will refrain from such things in the interest of people," he said. Mungantiwar further said that both the parties are together now and will remain so in future as well. "I am confident that we will remain together in the upcoming elections. However, instead of criticism, there should be better work done," he said. He further said the Opposition is not ready to introspect that they lost the elections because of their "attitude". "Instead, they are wasting their time by blaming EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) and alleging that the BJP had spent money (to win polls)," he said. Sena MP Arvind Sawant said when his party criticises the BJP, it is not out of enmity. "We view the criticism as our duty to bring an erring friend back on the right track," he said. He credited Sena for the farm loan waiver announced by the BJP-led state government last year. Sawant reiterated that his party would come to power on its own in the state in the assembly polls, due next October. Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan said while the Sena agrees to the decisions taken in the Cabinet, the party criticises them outside. "There are so so many failures of this government- from mob lynching to suicides by farmers. People will decide their fate," he said. Chavan claimed the election machinery, including returning officers, are under immense pressure so much so that they can't work independently. "Why can't the EC switch to paper ballots even after a written demand was raised by the entire Opposition?" the former chief minister asked. Mungantiwar said the EVMs were introduced by the Congress which is now criticising them. "We are ready for ballot papers for elections," he said. Chavan said all the secular and like-minded parties, including the CPI, CPM, SP, BSP, should come together. Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said BJP and Sena had made many promises in the run-up to 2014 elections but later accepted that they were nothing but poll 'jumlas' (gimmick). "The Sena criticises BJP everyday in its newspaper edits. The manner in which the BJP is attacked, they should be praised for tolerating Sena. Either you are in government or in the Opposition. You cannot be in both folds," he said. The Cabinet takes decision collectively. So if the BJP has erred, so is the Sena, he said. "Uddhav ji (Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray) wants to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya. While we extend our well wishes for that, but why a memorial for Balasaheb Thackeray has not been constructed till now?" questioned Bhujbal, a former Shiv Sainik. "Development was their agenda in 2014. Now when they know they are in trouble, they are remembering god now," Bhujbal said referring to raking up of the Ram Mandir issue ahead of polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The TRS Tuesday attacked the "grand alliance" of opposition Congress, TDP and others for the assembly polls, claiming injustice would be meted out to Telangana in the irrigation sector if it came to power as TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu is allegedly opposed to such projects. Naidu, in his capacity as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, has written 30 letters to the Centre opposing the Palamuru lift irrigation project, which would serve Mahabubnagar and Ranga Reddy districts of Telangana, TRS leader and minister in the caretaker government K T Rama Rao said. "When you go door-to-door from tomorrow (for campaign), tell the farmers that, by mistake, if Congress and TDP comes to power, the controlling power of that grand alliance would be in the hands of Chandrababu Naidu and if the controlling power is in the hands of Chandrababu Naidu... it will be injustice to Telangana once again," he said. Rama Rao, son of TRS president and caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, was addressing a party meeting at Ibrahimpatnam near here in connection with the December 7 Assembly elections in the state. He also alleged that it is not known who would be chief minister if the "grand alliance" comes to power as there are many aspirants to the post in the Congress itself. Taking potshots at the Congress, he claimed that it would be like a game of "musical chairs" with regard to the CM's post if the "grand alliance" is elected to power. The names of the chief minister and ministers would be decided in Delhi and the name of the CM would be sent in a "sealed cover", he said. "So, we have to tell people. In this state which was achieved with hard work for the sake of self-respect, should we have a sealed cover chief mMinister or KCR who is like a lion as chief minister," Rao said. Later addressing a party meeting at Ghanpur near Warangal, Rama Rao alleged Congress leaders also tried to stall irrigation projects by filing petitions in courts. Though there is nothing wrong in going to a court seeking justice, Congress filed false cases in courts to stall irrigation projects, he claimed, addressing a party meeting at Ghanpur near Warangal. Congress did not bother to take care of the irrigation needs of farmers in Telangana when it was in power for long, he alleged. Though there was nothing wrong in going to court seeking justice, Congress filed false cases in courts to stall irrigation projects, he claimed. Congress did not bother to take care of the irrigation needs of farmers in Telangana when it was in power for long, he alleged. Referring to the claim of Congress that there were over 60 lakh discrepancies in the voters list, he said the party was seeking to find excuses for its "impending defeat" in the polls. He highlighted the TRS government's schemes like 24x7 free supply to farmers, 'Rythu Bandhu' investment support scheme for farmers and making tribal habitations gram panchayats and efforts to set up a pollution-free 'pharma city'. The TRS is going it alone in the Assembly polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Tuesday said the Congress always "opposed" the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya because it believed in "dividing the country" and never wanted the issue to be resolved. Addressing a rally at Rajnandgaon in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, the BJP leader also took a swipe at Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his visit to temples in the states that are going to polls. The rally was held after Chief Minister Raman Singh filed his nomination papers for the state Assembly polls, scheduled to be held in two phases on November 12 and 20, from Rajnandgaon seat, 77 kms from state capital Raipur. "People have their own emotions and sentiments on Ram janmabhoomi (birth place of Lord Ram in Ayodhya). I have always maintained that public sentiments on the issue should be respected. The fight for Ayodhya is not from today but the mammoth 'Hindu Samaj' has been fighting for the cause from around 450 years," Adityanath said. He said the site in Ayodhya where 'Ram Lalla' (Infant Ram) is present is the only birth place of Lord Ram and no one should have any doubt about it. Adityanath also panned the Congress over senior leader Kapil Sibal's submission in the Supreme Court last December to defer the hearing on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute till the 2019 Lok Sabha polls get over. Sibal was appearing for the Sunni Waqf Board in the Ayodhya title suit. "What action has Rahul Gandhi taken against Sibal for trying to create all sorts of impediments to delay a time-bound decision on the issue," Adityanath asked. "I want to say that the Congress has always opposed (building the temple at) Ram Janmabhoomi. It never wanted the dispute to be resolved because the party has not done any development and always believed in dividing the country," the UP chief minister alleged. Accusing the Congress of indulging in "appeasement politics", he said the party had "destroyed the social fabric and divided the people on the basis of caste, language and region". "Due to wrong polices of the Congress the country had to face riots and flourishing insurgency," he said. Adityanath claimed Naxalism, terrorism and separatism were the results of the "sins" of the Congress. Hitting out at Gandhi for visiting temples in different states ahead of assembly elections, he claimed this "temple run" had proved wrong his great grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru's description of himself as an "accidental Hindu". "The Congress chief has proved wrong the statement made by his forefather Pt Jawaharlal Nehru (first prime minister of India) who had described himself as an accidental Hindu. "Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had once remarked that he is an 'accidental Hindu'. However, his fourth generation heir has learned the tradition of visiting temples. We should consider now that the fourth generation of Pt Nehru has proved him wrong," he said. Adityanath said some people did not like the development of India. "Such people don't like the dream of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat, Ubharta Bharat and Samriddh Bharat' which is the aim of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said. "These are the people who talk about freedom of Kashmir when they visit Jammu and Kashmir whereas when they come to Chhattisgarh they look for temples," he said. Chhattisgarh has been ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since the last 15 years under Chief Minister Raman Singh who is seeking the fourth straight term in current polls. Adityanath also alleged that despite the Supreme Court's instructions in the past the Congress never implemented the National Register for Citizens (NRC), which allowed terrorism to flourish. "After the BJP came to power, it implemented the NRC in Assam and identified infiltrators. We will not allow infiltrators to stay and will drive them out to ensure security of the country," he said. Notably, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat had last week said in Nagpur that construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya was necessary for "self esteem". The RSS is the ideological mentor of the BJP. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congregation of Christian Brothers in India, a religious community within the Catholic Church, Tuesday said it will initiate an inquiry to ascertain the truth, after one of their senior members got mired in a #Metoo controversy. The Professional Ethics Commission of the community assured action against accused Brother Francis Gale if found guilty. "Due procedure will be initiated as laid out in our policy - safeguarding children and vulnerable adults - to take this serious allegation forward towards arriving at the truth and assisting the survivor with necessary help to attain due closure," the Commission's protection officer J Johnson said in a statement here. He said the commission looks into all cases of abuse to find out the truth while taking appropriate action against the alleged abuser if found guilty. As part of the ongoing #Metoo campaign, a woman had last week accused Gale of sexually abusing her when he was serving at the St Edmund's School here. He is in West Bengal at present. The victim had alleged that Gale started abusing her since she was five-years-old and the abuse continued till she turned 12. She finally managed to "muster enough courage" to refuse meeting him as she was afraid of getting pregnant. While the 40-year-old victim has also named Brother Muscat of the Salesians of Don Bosco, another society under the Catholic Church, the society refused to speak on the matter. "We have already spoken to the state police and have nothing to say at the moment," a senior member of the society told PTI. The State Commission for Women has urged the victim to file a formal complaint against the accused persons. "It would be advisable if the victim files a formal FIR so that the legal framework can be activated to its optimum," the Chairperson of Meghalaya State Commission for Women, Theilin Phanbuh, said. She said that she would soon discuss the issue with other members of the Commission to decide whether to take suo motu action or not. "The victim must file a FIR. It will definitely add teeth to the case and give ample space for a thorough investigation by relevant agencies of the government," the Chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Meena Kharkongor said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man found guilty in Belgium of recruiting jihadists was stripped Tuesday of his Belgian citizenship, a rare move which the country's Flemish nationalists want applied more broadly in terrorism cases. Fouad Belkacem, a 36-year-old born in Belgium to Moroccan parents, was sentenced in 2015 to 12 years in prison for heading "a terrorist group," Sharia4Belgium, which sent jihadists to Syria. An appeals court in Antwerp withdrew his citizenship on grounds "he seriously failed to meet his obligations as a Belgian citizen and posed a permanent threat to public security," Belgian media reported. Belkacem's lawyer Liliane Verjauw denounced the decision by the court in the northern Dutch-speaking city, saying she would take further action to restore his nationality. "Usually the second step is to try to expel him to Morocco," Verjauw told AFP. "Yet his whole family is in Belgium, his wife and his four children are Belgian. He does not have a Moroccan passport." In December 2017, Malika el-Aroud, who served an eight-year prison term in Belgium for leading an Al-Qaeda-linked terror group, was stripped of her Belgian citizenship. The Moroccan-Belgian woman is the widow of a Tunisian jihadist who died in Afghanistan after having assassinated the Afghan commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, who led the resistance to the Taliban. Belgium's immigration minister Theo Francken, who belongs to the Flemish nationalist N-VA party, welcomed the court's "excellent" decision. "This should happen automatically for terrorism convictions," he said. He recalled a draft law sponsored by a fellow N-VA politician supported automatically stripping citizenship for any Belgian who holds another nationality and is convicted of terrorism. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi asked government agencies to settle their debt with electric cooperatives and distribution utilities. Data showed that defense and law enforcement agencies had unsettled obligations of P17 million with power utilities. Being part of the government, we need to be earnest in pursuing energy-resiliency and efficiency. In order to attain our energy goals, it is important that we are all able to uphold our commitment to our stakeholders and service providers, Cusi said in a statement. The department, through a memorandum signed by Undersecretary Alexander Lopez, coordinated with the respective heads of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard and National Bureau of Investigation on the settlement of delinquent accounts payable to distribution utilities and electric cooperatives totaling P17 million. As weve been pushing for massive electrification, energy efficiency and security of the country, I am pleading on behalf of the distribution utilities, including the electric cooperatives, for the concerned government institutions to settle their outstanding accounts. DUs and ECs collect revenue to generate cash flow that would enable them to provide efficient and sustainable services to the areas they serve, Cusi said. Cusi said the unsettled payment could lead to weak and unstable operational performance. This also implied that DUs and institutions were negligent in their collection mechanisms, he said.Data from the National Electrification Administration showed that 23 ECs had outstanding unsettled accounts from Northern Luzon to Caraga. Cusi assured the public that his department would closely monitor the accountability of the DUs and government institutions in fulfilling their respective obligations. Cusi earlier urged electric cooperatives to offer areas they were unable to serve to other power companies to ensure the provision of electric service. We cannot wait for the Filipinos to wait forever. There are efficient cooperatives, there are inefficient cooperatives. Are we going to allow the Filipinos to suffer because of inefficient cooperatives? I dont think that is right, he said. A Delhi court on Tuesday rejected the bail plea of Ashish Pandey, son of former BSP MP, arrested for brandishing gun in a hotel here, saying that allegations against him were "grave" and "serious". Special Judge Sunil Rana dismissed the bail application of Pandey who was sent to 14-day judicial custody by the court yesterday, till November 5, noting the possibility of his tampering with the evidence and influencing witnesses cannot be ruled out. "Considering the fact that the allegations against accused are grave and serious in nature, I am not inclined to grant bail to accused Ashish Pandey," the court said. It noted that "the accused was flaunting his social status and as per their own admission, applicant (Pandey) belongs to a political family and is an influential person and the possibility of his tampering with the evidence and influencing witnesses cannot be ruled out." Pandey had allegedly brandished a pistol at guests of a five-star hotel threatening them in the foyer, a video of which went viral on the social media. He hails from Lucknow and is the son of former Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Rakesh Pandey. His brother, Ritesh Pandey, is an MLA in Uttar Pradesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court on Tuesday rejected bail plea of Ashish Pandey, son of former BSP MP, arrested for brandishing gun in a hotel here. Special Judge Suni Rana dismissed the bail application of Pandey who was sent to 14-day judicial custody by the court yesterday, till November 5, after the police said that he was not required for further custodial interrogation. Pandey had allegedly brandished a pistol at guests of a five-star hotel threatening them in the foyer, a video of which went viral on the social media. He hails from Lucknow and is the son of former Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Rakesh Pandey. His brother, Ritesh Pandey, is an MLA in Uttar Pradesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A criminal, wanted in 18 cases and carrying a reward of Rs. 25,000 on his head, was nabbed while a sub inspector was injured in an encounter near here Tuesday morning, police said. On a tip off, a police team laid siege on the Turk Chara turn. The motorcyle-borne criminals opened fire at them, injuring sub inspector Basant Lal. In the retaliatory action, the criminal identified as Rahul Yadav was injured while two of his accomplices managed to escape, police said, adding that a pistol, cartridges and a motorcycle was recovered from him. Both the injured SI and criminal have been admitted to the district hospital where their condition was stated to be serious. DIG Azamgarh, Vijay Bhushan said the arrested criminal was wanted in some 18 cases of loot, attempt to murder and murder cases in Azamgarh, Sant Kabirnagar and Basti districts. Raids were on to nab the other two criminals , he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Croatia's former prime minister Ivo Sanader pleaded not guilty Tuesday in his re-trial on charges of taking a multi-million-euro bribe from the boss of Hungary's MOL energy group, who is being tried in absentia. Sanader is accused of having struck a deal with CEO Zsolt Hernadi in 2009 to pocket ten million euros (USD 11.4 million) in exchange for granting MOL control over Croatian oil and gas group INA. The former Croatian premier was found guilty in 2012 of the charge, but his eight-and-a-half-year jail sentence was overturned in 2015 by the constitutional court, which called for a re-trial. Sanader pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, a Zagreb court spokeswoman told AFP. The defence attorneys for Hernadi refused to enter a plea as they insisted some documents should be translated into Hungarian, she said. The oil group MOL - whose main shareholder is the Hungarian government - has previously denied the bribe accusation. MOL has a 49 per cent stake in INA while the Croatian government holds a 44 per cent stake. Sanader, who headed two conservative governments from 2003 to 2009, faces several other graft cases. On Monday he was sentenced to two and half years in jail for war profiteering, and acquitted of abuse of power charges in another trial. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi government has launched a special drive to keep a check on adulterated sweets across the city in the ongoing festival season. The Food Safety Department of the Delhi government recently issued an order directing Food and Civil Supplies Officers (FSOs) to carry out the drive against adulterated food items in their respective jurisdictions. "All designated officers are directed to issue an order to FSOs concerned to carry out a special drive in the jurisdictional area of their districts for lifting of samples of khoya, sweets made from khoya, other milk products..." the order stated. The move is aimed at keeping a close watch on the sweets being supplied in the national capital. It also aims to tighten the noose around people who are involved in food adulteration, an official said. He said strict action would be taken against those involved in food adulteration. "The department teams will randomly lift samples at sweet shops and send them for examination," the official said. "The government will not spare anybody found playing with the health of Delhiites," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dena Bank Tuesday said it expects to bring down gross non-performing assets (NPAs) to 15 per cent by March 2019, from existing 22-23 per cent, which will help it reduce losses. Its managing director and chief executive officer Karnam Sekar told reporters here that the resolution of NPAs of several corporate customers are in advanced stages at the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), or towards asset restructuring and one-time settlement. "We hope that we will settle most of the cases by March 2019. Huge accounts are in advanced stages of resolution. By March 2019, our gross NPAs, which is currently between 22 per cent and 23 per cent, will surely come down. Practically, it will come down to 15 per cent (from Rs 16,000 crore to Rs 10,000 crore)," said Sekar, who joined the bank last month as its MD and CEO. He said that the bank has not added any NPAs in the last two quarters, and in September quarter, it reduced slightly. "We have been loss making in the last three years, and we need to come out of that. Huge NPAs are reasons for the loss. Fortunately, most corporate customer cases are either in the advanced stages in NCLT, ARC, or bilateral OTS," Sekar told media persons. He also added that Dena Bank is working to improve its CASA (current accounts and savings accounts) ratio, which will positively affect its profitability. "We have 40-41 per cent CASA ratio. With more focus, we are trying to take it to at least 44-45 per cent. So, both NPA reduction and CASA improvement will improve the profitability of the bank," he said, while hoping to "turn the corner" by 2019-20. Last month, the government had announced the merger of state-owned Bank of Baroda (BoB), Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank, to create the country's second largest lender, after the State Bank of India. Sekar said Dena Bank is also working towards amalgamation with BoB and Vijaya Bank, for which a steering committee of the three entities is holding meetings every week. "We have formed a steering committee which is meeting every week to decide on which areas to concentrate, which to harmonise, and timelines for various steps," he said. Sekar further said that timelines for merger will be decided in the next two-three meetings. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CPI(M) on Tuesday said the current developments in the country's premier investigative agency Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have seriously damaged the Indian republic and must be resisted. "The polit bureau considers these developments are seriously damaging the Indian Republic and must be resisted tooth and nail," the Left party said in a statement. It said the recent happenings in the CBI show the degree of damage that is being caused by the present government at the Centre to Constitutional authorities and institutions of parliamentary democracy in India. "The undermining of the parliament itself, interference in the judiciary, manipulation of institutions like the CBI are not due to poor 'governance' but due to malafide intentions to undermine the secular democratic foundations of the Indian Constitution," the CPI(M) statement said. The national secretariat of the Communist Party of India (CPI) also expressed concern about accusations and counter-accusations made by top officers of the CBI -- its chief Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana. In a statement, the CPI has earlier said the present developments within the agency have damaged the credibility of the institution. It said Alok Verma is from the Union cadre and Asthana is from the Gujarat cadre and were picked up by the Prime Minister office (PMO) to serve in premier investigative agency. "The credibility of prime minister office itself is at stake," the CPI statement said. The CPI further stated that the CVC had not cleared both the top officers' names before their appointment in CBI. The CPI statement also said it would be appropriate for the apex court to take suo moto action in the matter and direct the government to take appropriate steps to re-establish the credibility of the CBI. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Disqualified AIADMK MLAs loyal to AMMK leader TTV Dhinkaran are staying at Courtallam, a tourist town in Tirunelveli district, triggering speculations it could be a repeat of 'resort politics' witnessed last year. Amid reports that it was an attempt by Dhinakaran to keep his flock together, his close associate P Vetrivel asserted there was no problem and the 17 disqualified MLAs and three ruling party MLAs were likely to stay there for some more time. "There is no problem at all...," Vetrivel, who is among the 18 disqualified MLAs, said here, adding he would also join his party colleagues. The Madras High Court has reserved orders on their petitions challenging their disqualification by Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal in September last year for alleged anti-party activities. Vetrivel, north Chennai-based loyalist of Dhinakaran, said the sitting and disqualified legislators including Thanga Tamilselvan Tuesday took part in the Tamirabarani Pushkaram festival in Tirunelveli district. To a question, Vetrivel said it was decided on Sunday during a party meet to take part in the Pushkaram event on Tuesday, its closing day. Kallakurichi MLA A Prabhu and Aranthangi legislator E Rathinasabapathy are among the sitting three MLAs who were in Courtallam, Vetrivel told PTI. In Feburary 2017, AIADMK MLAs backing V K Sasikala, aide of late J Jayalalithaa and now serving a prison term in an assets case, had stayed in a resort at Koovathur near here for days together along with party MLAs when Panneerselvam revolted against her. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian insurgent groups are living across the Indo-Bangladesh border but it is difficult for the government to take any action as they shift base very frequently, a senior BSF official said Tuesday. BSF Meghalaya Frontier Inspector General I Mohanti told PTI that it does not mean the Bangladeshi government is harbouring these groups. Mohanti said it is practically "very difficult" to seal the border. Meghalaya has a 443 km-long international border with Bangladesh and according to the BSF official over 110 km is still unfenced due to land acquisition issues. "Indian insurgent groups are living just across Indo-Bangladesh border in makeshift camps in villages and identifying them is difficult because they belong to same ethnic groups," Mohanti told PTI. "Some of them (insurgents) have got married. Some stay in makeshift camps and by the time the Bangladesh authorities act upon the information we share with them, they shift base," he said. The BSF FIG said that groups such as the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) get the support of criminal groups in Bangladesh and the two sides depend on each other for survival. It is in the interest of the government there in the run up to the general elections, they would not like these criminals to create any nuisance, he said. The BSF officer said the Bangladesh government does not want arms, explosives or illegal money to get into the country before the elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A distinction has to be made between refugees and illegal immigrants, union minister Smriti Irani said here Tuesday, against the backdrop of controversies surrounding the NRC and the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Assam. The draft National Register of Citizens (NRC) was published a few months back, in which about 40 lakh people were found to be lacking valid papers which could qualify them as being the citizens of India. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014. Both of these have been surrounded by controversies. On Tuesday, 46 groups organised a 12-hour shutdown in Assam to protest against the Citizenship Bill. "We have to make a distinction between refugees and illegal immigrants. That is where a lot of angst can be addressed," Irani, Minister of Textiles, said at the 'Young Thinkers' conference organised by the British High Commission and the Observer Research Foundation here. "You have somebody who has been given a particular status because the government recognises their political, social compulsions to come over and seek refuge in your country," she said, apparently referring to the Citizenship Bill. Apparently referring to illegal immigrants sought to be identified under NRC, the minister said, "when somebody infiltrates your border, comes in and gets into many schemes just by virtue of breaking the law, that is something that has to be looked into in a different context." Irani also spoke on the question of populism. "Populism and people on the margins is a third context altogether because the government policies are made not keeping in mind a particular segment distinguishing a refugee or illegal immigrant. It is for all Indians," she said. The minister asked whether it was a "new phenomena" that many women would cook using firewood and cough in their kitchens. "Were they doing it only in 2014? No. They have been doing it since 70 years of independence. So when you address that issue, is that populism? It is not," she added. She said anybody who has studied the impact of health and economy, knows that the poorest of the poor become poorer still when somebody in the family falls sick. "So, when I say I will give an insurance cover for 1,300 various diseases so that when you fall sick you can go to a recognised government hospital and get the cover, is that populism? It is smart economics," Irani said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ex-Leyte drug unit chief hurt in ambush posted October 23, 2018 at 10:00 pm by Ronald Reyes October 23, 2018 at 10:00 pm A former Ormoc City Drug Enforcement Unit chief and now assigned at the Eastern Visayas police regional office in Palo, Leyte was ambushed on Tuesday. Unidentified gunmen shot Police Senior Inspector Joseph Joevil Young at about 7:10 am in front of his residence at Barangay Buri of the town while he was about to leave for work with his two children on board his silver Toyota Vios. Initial investigation disclosed the suspects, wearing brown cover-all, faces masked, and bull cap, armed with automatic rifle, were from a color gray Toyota Fortuner and shot the victim. Young, 39, sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was brought to Divine Word Hospital in Tacloban City, about 11 kilometers away.The two children, however, were safe. Chief Inspector Joemen Collado, chief of Palo municipal police station, said they were investigating the incident. Police recovered some 36 empty bullet shells in the area. 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. Police officers said they do not have any equipment to measure the decibel levels of the firecrackers or the smoke they emit following the Supreme Court's order allowing conditional sale and manufacture of low emission firecrackers. The apex court Tuesday permitted the sale and manufacture of low emission "green" firecrackers countrywide and fixed a two-hour time period from 8 pm to 10 pm for bursting them on Diwali and other festivals, and made the station house officers liable if banned firecrackers were sold in their area. Some shopkeepers also informed police officers they do not have any fresh stock of firecrackers and the stocks are two years old and in such a short period of time they would not be able to get fresh stocks. The Supreme Court said the noise and smoke emission limits of the crackers will have to be approved by the Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization (PESO), under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It also said that station house officers of police stations concerned will be held liable if banned firecrackers are sold in their area. Delhi Police public relation officer and Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Madhur Verma said it will be ensured that the Supreme Court order is fully enforced. "The Delhi Police's Licensing Branch will be holding a meeting with the PESO officials to understand the certification criteria and the station house officers will be made aware about the guidelines. Meetings will be held with resident welfare associations to sensitise them to encourage bursting of crackers only between 8 to 10 pm and at designated places," Verma said. The officer added they will also be issuing advertisements to create awareness about the issue. In 2016, the Delhi Police had issued 968 licenses for temporary sale of firecrackers and this year the limit has been fixed at 50 per cent of this number, the officer said. An inspector posted in the central district said, "There are no instruments to measure the decibel levels of the firecrackers, but the senior officers might direct the licensing branch of the Delhi Police to frame some guidelines for issuing licenses." According to another officer from the central district, shopkeepers have said that they would not be able to procure 'green firecrackers' within 15 days. "We held a meeting with the shopkeepers selling firecrackers and they said they have stocks which are two years old. They said in such a short span of time they would not be able to get fresh stocks and even asked us for suggestions to dispose off their old stock whose sale won't be possible." Another SHO posted in north district said they are waiting for direction from senior officers, but neither do they have any apparatus to measure the intensity of a firecracker and nor they are aware of any criterion to ascertain if the firecrackers being sold fall under the green category. Police officers said they would have to rely on human intelligence and their source son ground whether norms are being violated in the absence of any proper equipments or guidelines. "It will be a difficult task to monitor whether shopkeepers are following guidelines since it will be Diwali time when crackers are sold in bulk quantities. Beat officers will have to be sensitised to ensure norms are not flouted," another officer added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A train that derailed and killed 18 people in Taiwan was speeding when it flipped off the tracks, a court said Tuesday, with the driver suspected of "professional negligence" for switching off a speed control system. The crash on the popular east coast line injured 187 people Sunday and left the Puyuma Express lying zig-zagged across the tracks in the island's deadliest rail accident for a quarter century. The injured driver, identified by his family name Yu, was released on bail Tuesday after being interrogated by prosecutors and returned to hospital where he was being treated for injuries including a fractured rib. A statement from Yilan district court, which had reviewed evidence and questioned Yu as part of the bail hearing, said he had admitted to turning off the Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system used to monitor speed due to problems with the train's power supply. As the train approached Xinma station, the site of the crash, it was travelling at 140 kilometres per hour (87 miles per hour) instead of the 80 kph speed limit imposed due to a curve in the track, the court said. Yu said he had turned off the system at an earlier station and had not switched it on again because he had been talking to a rail coordinator, describing the move as "professional negligence". "As he had turned off the ATP, he did not have the assistance of automatic speed monitoring and braking and should have taken necessary reactive measures, knowing there was a big curve ahead, instead of hitting the brake near the platform that led to the derailment," the statement said. A spokesman for the Yilan district prosecutors' office, Chiang Chen-yu, told reporters there had been discrepancies between the driver's statement, evidence collected and witness accounts. "There is a strong suspicion of (the driver's) guilt," Chiang added. Yu did not comment when asked by reporters outside the court if he turned off the device or was speeding. Passengers recalled how the train had been shaking intensely during the journey and was going "too fast" before it derailed. An official from the Taiwan Railways Administration said previously that the train driver had reported a pressure device used for braking had malfunctioned 30 minutes before the accident. The administration confirmed that a Puyuma Express train also derailed last year on the same line, but no one was injured. In total, Taiwan has a fleet of 19 Puyuma Express trains, all made in Japan. The crash was the worst rail accident in Taiwan since 1991, when 30 passengers were killed and 112 injured after two trains collided in Miaoli in western Taiwan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The docks are eerily quiet at Cologne's main port on the mighty River Rhine, with hundreds of containers piled up and awaiting their journey north on one of Europe's busiest commercial arteries. Months of scarce rainfall and hot sunny weather drove water levels on the Rhine to a record low, forcing ship operators to suspend services to keep vessels from running aground. "We haven't had any new ships in Cologne since last week -- they stop in Duisburg" 80 kilometres (50 miles) north, Oliver Grossmann, head of shipping company CTS, told AFP. He said that under normal conditions, "three or four" of his big vessels would stop each day in the city known for its Gothic cathedral. The few barges still chugging along the river have had to drastically reduce their cargo to stay afloat. Sitting in his office overlooking the mountain of containers, Grossman said rail links can only fill part of the gap as long as river transport is paralysed because of a lack of infrastructure and train engineers. At the entrance to the port of Duisburg, a small tower houses a Rhine measuring station. On its roof are two LED panels reading 1.55 meters (5.09 feet). "This is the lowest level ever measured here," said Jan Boehme, a hydrologist with the Water and Shipping Authority. Torrid temperatures throughout the summer and only rare rainfall have transformed Germany's waterways and created a crisis unseen since the start of record keeping in 1881. The previous low water record set in Cologne in 2003 of 81 centimeters (32 inches) was shattered last Friday when the level dipped to just 77 centimeters, the water authorities said. All along the Rhine, the situation looks similarly dire. "Since July, the water levels have been lower than we normally see in this season," Boehme said, noting that in October it usually fluctuates between three and four metres. Although the link is not proven beyond a doubt, German authorities say the extreme dry weather matches the models of climate change drawn up by scientists. The Rhine is hardly the only major waterway affected, with levels on the Elbe leading to Hamburg also dangerously low. "This drought phase is exceptionally long," Boehme said. "For water levels to rise again we would need a lot of rain -- a little shower won't do it. We need extended, intense, widespread rainfall." The drying-up of large swathes of the Rhine marks a heavy blow to the German economy. In 2017, 186 million tonnes of goods were transported between Basel in Switzerland and the German-Dutch border -- amounting to around half of European river shipping, according to the Strasbourg-based Central Commission for Navigation on the Rhine. But since the dry spell began, industrial giant Thyssenkrupp has had to cut back production at its Duisburg plant "because a sufficient supply of raw material cannot be assured", a company spokesman said. Chemicals giant BASF said it had "adapted" production due to "limited deliveries" to its Ludwigshafen factory, also on the Rhine. Energy group RWE is struggling to supply its Hamm power plant with coal. Meanwhile in Cologne, despite mild autumn weather, services on tourist boats and ferries has ground to a near standstill. The sinking of water levels has dramatically altered a picturesque stretch of the German landscape, exposing all manner of wrecks and detritus on the banks and under bridges. Abandoned and long-submerged bicycles have resurfaced by the hundreds. More threateningly, a 50-kilo (110-pound) World War II bomb emerged in the dried-out river bed and had to be gingerly defused. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) E-commerce giants -Amazon and Flipkart- have been issued notices by the country's drug regulator DCGI for allegedly selling "spurious and adulterated" cosmetics including imported brands, and have been warned of penal actions in case of failing to respond within 10 days. The notice from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) follows raids by drug inspectors at various locations across the country on October 5-6, during which they found that some indigenously manufactured cosmetics without valid manufacturing licence and having ingredients imported without necessary registration certificates were being sold on the e-commerce platforms. The law provides for penal actions ranging from monetary fine to imprisonment for sale of such "unapproved" products. When contacted, an Amazon India spokesperson told PTI the company takes strict action against sellers of "illegal or fake products" as and when such incidents are reported to it. "Amazon.in is a third-party marketplace which enables sellers to list their products for sale to Indian customers. Sellers on Amazon.in own their respective products and are responsible for product compliances, as may be applicable. "Amazon.in has a very high bar of customer experience and does take strict action against sellers who are selling illegal or fake products...in accordance with the due process of law, as and when such incidents are reported to us," the spokesperson said. Among cosmetics being sold by these websites included imported brands without valid documents and containing ingredients in the "negative list" of the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). Asking the companies to reply to its notice within 10 days, the DGCI has warned them of penal action for "offering for sale, sale and distribution of spurious, adulterated cosmetics and cosmetics manufactured without valid licence in contravention of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940." "In case, you fail to submit the reply within the stipulate period, it will be presumed that you have no reply to offer and appropriate action as deemed fit will be initiated against you," DCGI S Eswara Reddy said in the notice. Under the Drug and Cosmetics Act, it is mandatory to get a registration certificate for import of cosmetics into India, while all cosmetics manufactured in the country need to have a valid licence. Besides, cosmetics need to conform to the standards laid down by the BIS and cannot have any ingredient mentioned in its negative list. A similar notice was also issued to the Indiamart, another e-commerce website, Reddy said. Reactions from Flipkart and Indiamart were not immediately available. Illegal cosmetics estimated to be worth Rs four crore were seized during pan-India raids carried out after which the central drug regulator lodged five FIRs across three cities -- Mumbai, Pune and Delhi -- against manufacturers who were making these cosmetics without licence. Asserting that the raids revealed the extent of illegal cosmetics in the market, Reddy also cautioned against purchase of such products. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Egypt has arrested an economist and his publisher over a book that challenged President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's economic policies, a lawyer said Tuesday, the latest in a wave of detentions in recent years targeting all forms of dissent. Prize-winning economist Abdel-Khaleq Farouq and his publisher, Ibrahim el-Khateib, were detained Sunday. Mohammed Abdel-Aziz, a lawyer for the author, said the two are accused of spreading "fake news," which carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison. The book entitled "Is Egypt Really a Poor Country?" was posted online by activists. Authorities seized 185 copies of an initial 200-copy run, which had not yet been distributed. The book contains scathing criticism of el-Sissi's economic policies, accusing the general-turned-president of lacking the vision needed to remedy Egypt's economic woes. Farouq blames the country's poor economy on what he calls the military's monopoly of power since 1952, when officers toppled the monarchy. The book's thesis is primarily a repudiation of an assertion made by el-Sissi that Egypt was a poor country that could no longer afford costly state subsidies on key commodities and services, for decades a cornerstone of state policy to help the poor make ends meet. In the book's introduction, the author claims that el-Sissi's assertion on Egypt's poverty "exposed blatant ignorance of the realistic and untapped capabilities in Egypt's economy and society and the lack of vision capable of exploiting these abilities and potential." Egypt has waged an unprecedented crackdown on dissent since el-Sissi led the military overthrow of an elected but divisive Islamist president in 2013. Thousands of people have been jailed, mainly Islamists but also several prominent secular activists. The government has banned all unauthorised street protests and has blocked hundreds of websites, including some run by independent media and human rights groups. First elected to office in 2014 and now serving a second, four-year term, el-Sissi has made the economy the focus of his rule, with a hands-on drive for fiscal reform, improving infrastructure and the construction of new cities. In exchange for a USD 12 billion IMF loan secured in 2016, he ordered steep hikes in the price of fuel, government services and utilities. The measures fed popular discontent but did not spark significant unrest. Egypt's parliament is packed with el-Sissi's supporters, and his Cabinet is entirely made up of loyalists, which means that the president's policies are never effectively challenged. He has on occasion bristled at criticism of his policies, once angrily yelling at a lawmaker who suggested postponing the lifting of state subsidies and on another occasion telling Egyptians to only listen to him. In a televised address earlier this month, the 63-year-old el-Sissi boasted that he has for 55 years been closely monitoring "every detail, every part and every circumstance" in Egypt. His accumulated knowledge of the country, he said, has given him the will to take difficult decisions. In the same address, he said Egypt would never realise its aspirations if the state continues to subsidize goods and services. If the rapid growth of the population which has doubled to 100 million over the last 30 years is not checked, then there will be no "realistic hope" for economic improvement, el-Sissi warned. "Can a nation prosper while facing such a challenge? How?" Farouq's book, according to the text published online, offers suggestions for improving the economy based in large part on fighting graft and waste as well as tax and administrative reforms. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said that the "savage murder" of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was meticulously planned, demanding that all those linked to the killing face punishment. Erdogan had promised that his speech in Ankara would give the "naked truth" about the killing and he gave a host of new details while still saying Turkey wanted answers to key questions, including who gave the orders. Hours before Erdogan delivered his speech to ruling party lawmakers in Ankara, a major Saudi investment forum opened in Riyadh under the heavy shadow of the murder after key delegates pulled out. The murder of the Washington Post contributor has severely dented the international reputation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has spearheaded a reform drive in the kingdom. With international pressure mounting, Saudi Arabia's cabinet on Tuesday said it would hold accountable all those behind the murder "no matter who they may be". Erdogan outlined the steps taken by what he said was a 15 person team who came from Riyadh planning to kill Khashoggi, including carrying out reconnaissance outside Istanbul and then deactivating security cameras at the consulate. He said that 18 suspects already detained by Saudi Arabia should be extradited to Istanbul to face trial over the killing and called for an investigation into those who have "even the slightest link" to the "savage murder". But Erdogan did not confirm or even mention some of the most striking claims that appeared in the Turkish press over the last days, notably that Khashoggi's body was cut up into multiple pieces or that there is an audio recording of the murder. The president himself admitted that several questions remain unanswered. "These (15) people, from whom did they get orders and came there? We are seeking answers," he asked. Taking aim at the inconsistent position of Riyadh in the days after the murder he added: "Why when the murder was clear, why were so many inconsistent statements made?" Erdogan did not mention Prince Mohammed by name in the speech. But he said he was confident of the full cooperation of his father Saudi King Salman in the probe and vowed full retribution for all the guilty. "The conscience of humanity will only be satisfied when those who ordered (the murder) and those who carried it out answer for their actions." He said no Saudi linked to the murder should enjoy diplomatic immunity as set out by the Vienna Convention. "The Vienna Convention and other international regulations don't allow for a savage murder to be protected from investigation by diplomatic immunity." Erdogan's statements still appeared to contradict the version of Saudi Arabia, which only confirmed the killing more than two weeks after the event and indicated he was killed in a brawl at the consulate. But Jana Jabbour, a professor at Sciences Po university in Paris, told AFP that Erdogan could have chosen much sharper rhetoric against Riyadh, indicating the two nations were talking behind the scenes. "Erdogan's very moderate speech shows that a deal has been reached," she told AFP. The killing has alarmed even Saudi Arabia's staunchest Western allies who are also key weapons suppliers of the kingdom. US President Donald Trump said he was "not satisfied" with Riyadh's explanations. CIA Director Gina Haspel, meanwhile, headed for Turkey, although details of her trip were not immediately clear. A former royal family insider turned critic of the Saudi crown prince, Khashoggi, 59, disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to collect a document for his upcoming marriage. The case has shone the spotlight on the crown prince, who was credited with reforms, including giving women the right to drive, but is now accused of having ordered Khashoggi's murder -- a claim Riyadh denies. The timing of the controversy could not be worse for Prince Mohammed as a key investment summit, dubbed "Davos in the desert", began in Riyadh, overshadowed by big name cancellations. Dozens of executives, including from banks Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, ride-hailing app Uber and Western officials such as International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde have pulled out of the three-day Future Investment Initiative (FII). French energy giant Total's head Patrick Pouyanne and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan however were attending. Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih admitted: "We are going through a crisis." Despite also pulling out of the summit, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin met the crown prince behind closed doors for bilateral talks in Riyadh. Speaking in Jakarta, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said procedures would be put in place to "ensure that something like this can never happen again". The whereabouts of Khashoggi's corpse is still unknown. Turkish police have found an abandoned car belonging to the Saudi consulate in an underground car park in the Sultangazi district of Istanbul and are awaiting Saudi permission to search it. CNN broadcast images apparently showing a Saudi official playing a body double for Khashoggi, wearing the journalist's clothes, exiting the consulate. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Italy will not follow Greece into becoming the EU's next financial crisis and there is no need to "panic" over its high-spending plans, the Eurozone's bailout fund director said Tuesday. Klaus Regling was speaking just before a European source told AFP the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, has rejected the budget proposed by Italy's populist leaders. Italy's government says it will stick to a deficit of 2.4 percent of annual economic output next year, which would be triple the amount forecast by the previous government and approach the EU limit of 3.0 percent. In turn, it would aggravate Italy's already huge debt mountain, at some 130 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), way above the EU's 60-percent ceiling and second only to Greece's in Europe. But Regling, the head of the European Stability Mechanism, the eurozone's bailout programme, said concerns were exaggerated. "The (Italian) fiscal plans are not in compliance with the legal framework, but Italy is not the next Greece," Regling told journalists in Luxembourg. "One should not get into a panic," the German said. "Italy has not lost competitiveness, (the) fiscal deficit is not as high, and (a) large part of the Italian debt is financed internally," he said. "There is very, very limited risk for contagion to other countries," he said, though Italy's own banking system faced contagion, he added. He said the "situation doesn't remind me of the situation in Greece eight, nine or ten years ago," but may resemble one in 2003 involving France and Germany. "The Commission eventually took France and Germany to court and it ruled that the Commission was right," he recalled. The EMS is an international financial institution tasked with raising up to 700 billion euros ($800 billion) on the financial markets to help eurozone countries that fall into financial trouble and save their private banks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will deliver the maiden Atal Bihari Vajpayee memorial lecture at the fifth edition of the India Ideas Conclave, which will also be addressed by former Nepalese prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' and several Union ministers. Organised by India Foundation, the three-day event starting October 26 will see a number of speakers, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker Harivansh Narayan Singh, and Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Suresh Prabhu, Jayant Sinha, Hardeep Singh Puri and Satyapal Singh, a statement said Tuesday. The three-day conclave, it added, will have "citizens manifesto" as the theme. The foundation has also instituted the "Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial Lecture" in the memory of the former prime minister, a BJP stalwart who died on August 16 following a prolonged illness. Jaitley, a BJP leader, will be delivering the lecture on the topic of "Indian democracy-its maturity and challenges", it said. Among the issues to be discussed are the agenda for national unity, inclusive economic prosperity, social equilibrium, good governance, of accountability and peace. Issues like global aspirations of India, citizens' agenda and media and citizens' agenda and judiciary will also be discussed, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Despite its constant criticism of the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena will have to ally with the BJP for the 2019 polls over the issue of Hindutva, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Tuesday. He also strongly favoured construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya. He said those with even basic understanding of know the BJP and the Sena would have to fight together to win elections. The BJP chief minister was speaking at the "Mumbai Manthan" conclave organised by Hindi channel Aaj Tak. Earlier this year, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray had announced his party would go it alone in all future elections. Though the Sena is a BJP ally, it often criticises the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Maharashtra over their policies and decisions. "Uddhav ji keeps talking talking about Hindutva. In that case, there are just two parties (the BJP and the Sena) working for Hindutva. Therefore, they have to ally with us for Hindutva," Fadnavis said. Responding to a query on Ram temple, he said, "Devendra Fadnavis is one of the 125 crore Indians who wants to see a grand Ram temple being built,". The BJP wants to let the construction happen democratically and as per Supreme Court's directive, he added. Fadnavis said the Supreme Court has validated the state government's stand on the arrest of five Left-wing activists for their alleged links with Maoists. He, however, conceded the police department erred in holding a press conference over the issue. After the arrest of activists in August-end, the Bombay High Court had raised questions over the Maharashtra police's media briefing on its case against them. "It is possible we were wrong but how could we sit back while we were being constantly abused? If we have erred, we will apologise, but they (the activists) were trying to spread anarchy. "Their crime won't be lessened even if we apologise (for the presser)," said Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio. Fadnavis said there are "pseudo liberals" in Delhi who are trying to save these activists, but what the BJP was doing was in the national interest. "There are more evidences apart from the assassination plot of (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi ji. We have 10 times more evidence against these activists than we had based on which professor (G N) Saibaba was convicted (for Maoist links)," he said. The police had claimed to have unearthed a Maoist plot to kill Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The chief minister said the opposition was not concerned about the country and it was only thinking about removing Modi from power. Fadnavis said he had no hatred for the Gandhi family and regarded its members just as his political and ideological opponents. "We are in the same country not in Pakistan," he said. Fadnavis said he wasn't made chief minister due to his proximity with the RSS, but because under his leadership, the BJP exposed opposition parties and fought them. "When I first became CM people were apprehensive. Now, I have proven track record with facts and figures. Now, not my caste but my work will be seen (in next state polls)," he said. He backed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath over renaming Allahabad as Prayagraj. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Families crossing the US-Mexico border illegally surged to a "crisis" level in September as Trump administration policies failed to deter the inflow of migrants from Central America, officials said Tuesday. The US Border Patrol apprehended 16,658 people who arrived in the country as families last month, some 900 more than August and nearly 12,000 more than September one year ago. The surge was reported as President Donald Trump has called a caravan of some 7,000 migrants planning to traverse Mexico to the southern US border a "national emergency" and threatened to close the border completely to halt illegal immigration. US Customs and Border Protection said for the full fiscal year that ended September 30, a total of 521,090 people without immigration documents have been apprehended or blocked at the Mexico border. That was up by more than 105,000 from the previous year, Trump's first year in office when he declared that his tough crackdown on immigration was working. Out of that, people arriving as families, many requesting asylum in the United States from the violence in their home countries, and as unaccompanied minors, has jumped as a percent of the total, to around 40 percent. Speaking under condition of anonymity, a senior administration official called it a border crisis "that is unprecedented in our history." The official said laws meant to protect the rights and safety of border crossers are also making it impossible to return people to their home countries and forcing the government to process their asylum claims and release them into the United States. "The cost on society is enormous," the official said. "We are apprehending these aliens. If we could return them, there would be no crisis. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A pro-administration lawmaker on Tuesday supported calls to extend martial law in Mindanao beyond Dec.31 should there be a formal proposal filed in Congress for such an extension. Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, vice chairman of the House committee on national defense and security, said the clamor of various groups to extend military rule for the third time on the island should be considered by Congress in deliberating on whether to grant the extension if and when Malacanang asked for it. We should give more weight to the inputs of the people living in Mindanao in considering a request for the extension of martial law on the island. Mindanaoans are the ones experiencing what it is like to live under martial law for a year-and-a-half now, so they would have a better grasp of what is an acceptable option for them for continued peace and security, said Villafuerte, also vice chairman of the House committee on local government. He cited, for instance, the observation of Ozamiz Archbishop Martin Jumoad, who said that crime incidents in Mindanao had declined since martial law was enforced. The Catholic leader also said military rule helped enforce discipline among the people in the South, with law enforcers performing their duties in a professional and respectful manner. Jumoad also noted that unlike the Marcos-era martial law, the freedom of expression and freedom of the press were still very much alive in Mindanao. Villafuerte said the people had no reason to be apprehensive over the possible extension of martial rule in Mindanao, considering that there had been no reports of widespread violations by the military or police on the island ever since it was first imposed in May last year.President Rodrigo Duterte first imposed martial law in Mindanao on May 23, 2017, after the Maute terrorists laid siege on Marawi City. He asked for a five-month extension that lasted until Dec. 31, 2017 after the 60-day declaration lapsed in July. A second extension was granted by the Congress continuing the period of martial law until Dec. 31, 2018. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier said Malacanang might ask for an extension of martial law in Mindanao for a third time depending on the advice of the military. Maricel V. Cruz Meanwhile, Villafuerte called on government agencies involved in the rehabilitation of Marawi to speed up their work after President Duterte expressed exasperation over the alleged slow pace of the Bangon Marawi program. It behooves the Task Force Bangon Marawi to work double-time on the rehabilitation program to enable the displaced residents of the war-torn city to get back on their feet and revive their local economy at the soonest possible time, he said. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday said it will release the final list of candidates who will contest the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in Punjab by December-end. AAP core committee chairman presided over a meeting of the body here. Party MPs Bhagwant Mann, Sadhu Singh and MLA and Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Harpal Singh Cheema, among others, attended the meeting. "AAP volunteers with clean and good image will be considered," AAP core committee chairman Budh Ram said in a release here. He said the first phase of screening of candidates would be completed by November and the final list will be declared by December-end. All the candidates will be finalised by the Punjab core committee and the names will be sent to the party high command for approval, the release quoted Ram as saying. However, he clarified that no candidate has been announced yet for the Lok Sabha elections. The AAP has expanded its organisational structure, the release said. Kotkapura MLA Kultar Singh, Ropar MLA Amarjit Singh Sandoa and advocate Jastej Singh Arora have been appointed as presidents of the AAP's state kisan, transport and legal cells respectively, it said. Three district and eight constituency presidents have also been appointed, according to the release. The core committee also paid tributes to the victims of the Amritsar rail tragedy, which claimed nearly 60 lives. Mann said the Railways should not be given a clean chit till an inquiry is conducted into the accident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu Tuesday said nations should be concerned with the pursuit of weapons systems capable of destroying satellites in orbit. He said India has alway been a responsible space power and maintained international efforts need to focus on the likely global consequences of conflict in space domain. "India, as a responsible power, has always collaborated with other nations on space issues. "As such, the outer space is very complex with over 80 nations and numerous government consortia, scientific and commercial firms accessing and operating satellites for countless economic, scientific, educational and social missions," he said. The vice-president was speaking after inaugurating the Forum for Integrated National Securitys conference 'Sagar Discourse 2.0" near Panaji. "At the same time, threats to space systems from debris and other irresponsible activities are adding to the complexity. "We all need to be concerned with the pursuit of weapons systems capable of destroying satellites in orbit," he added. Naidu said the competitive approach and the important role played by space technologies in improving economies and providing national security have heightened the international communitys interest in space security. "Diplomatic engagement, coupled with scientific cooperation, will help in finding common solutions to the challenges we face in relation to the outer space " Naidu said international efforts need to focus on the likely global consequences of conflict in space domain. "Such conflicts might not be limited to just a few countries but could extend to all spacefarers and the entire globe." Referring to South Asia, Naidu saidthis is the region which has some of the fastest growing economies, abundant natural resources, young and vibrant population and some of the brightest scientists and technologists. "At the same time, this region also faces security threats like cross-border terrorism population explosion, ecological vulnerability and environmental deterioration. "These problems have no boundaries and the solutions need also be borderless," the vice-president added. "We need to collaborate and make optimal use of the scientific prowess available in the region to find solutions. Unless we address these problems urgently the future of humanity would be uncertain." He said India under the leadership ofPrime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to address these global issues and take a leading role as a responsible power. "The borderless problems require seamless solutions and I am sure that space-related technologies will play an important role in providing us with the wherewithal to improve the lot of humanity," he said. Naidu said for India, international co-operation in the space sector is aimed at intensifying relations with traditional partners and establishing new ties with other nations for promoting peaceful use of outer space. "The activities include carrying out joint activities of mutual interest, sharing expertise in applications of space technology and participating in international events dealing with space." Naidu said as part of the neighbourhood first policy, the Indian prime minister had mooted the idea of SAARC satellite. "This is to provide communication and meteorology support from geosynchronous orbit to serve the needs of SAARC member nations," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Foreign-origin spouse of any Indian national or an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder will now be eligible for obtaining the privileged OCI card which grants multiple entry, multi purpose, life-long visa for visiting the country, the Home Ministry said Tuesday. The home ministry has also simplified the process of renunciation of Indian citizenship, providing relief to Indians who have applied for foreign passports. In a notification, the ministry said a person, who is a foreign-origin spouse of a citizen of India or of an OCI cardholder, and who fulfil the laid down conditions shall be eligible to apply for registration as OCI cardholder. So far, they were not allowed to apply for this facility. A registered OCI is granted multiple entry, multi purpose, life-long visa for visiting India. He or she is exempted from registration with Foreign Regional Registration Officer or Foreign Registration Officer for any length of stay in India, an official said. The person is entitled to general parity with Non-Resident Indians in respect of all facilities available to them in economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties. The OCI card scheme was launched during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention 2006 in Hyderabad. The scheme provides for registration as Overseas Citizen of India of all Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who were citizens of India on January 26, 1950 or there after or were eligible to become citizens of India on January 26, 1950 except who is or had been a citizen of Pakistan and Bangladesh. The home ministry has also amended the Citizenship Rules, 2009, related to the declaration of renunciation of citizenship. A declaration of renunciation of citizenship of India shall be made by a citizen of India in the prescribed form and on receipt of the declaration of renunciation of citizenship of India, the authority concerned will process it, the notification said. On being satisfied about the correctness of the particulars of the declaration made under the relevant rule, the declaration will be registered by the authority concerned and a certificate of renunciation of Indian citizenship will be issued to the declarant, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former IFS officer Satendar Kumar joined the Congress in the presence of senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and Uttar Pradesh PCC chief Raj Babbar Tuesday. Welcoming Kumar's decision, Azad said the Congress was the only party that could keep the unity and integrity of the country intact. He added that Kumar, a former Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer who retired on June 30, had decided to join the opposition party along with his supporters. Kumar, who hails from the Dalit community in Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, has held several important positions on foreign shores and was also the consul general of lndia in Zanzibar, ambassador of lndia to the Republic of Suriname and high commissioner of India to Barbados and Saint Lucia. Babbar said Kumar joining the party showed that the educated and intellectual class was drifting towards the Congress. He added that former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Kanhaiya Lal would also join the party in Lucknow on Wednesday. Kumar said he was attracted to the Congress because of its ideology and ideals right from his childhood days, adding that it was the only party that carried all sections of people and communities along. In an apparent reference to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he hit out at those seeking to appropriate BR Ambedkar's legacy, saying they had nothing to do with the Dalit icon's ideology or thinking. Kumar said Ambedkar gave us a Constitution that guaranteed justice to all. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A French former government minister went on trial Tuesday accused of raping two former employees during foot-massaging sessions in his municipal office. Georges Tron, a centre-right former deputy minister in charge of the civil service, was forced to resign in 2011 over the allegations made by two women who worked for him at the town hall of the southern Paris suburb of Draveil. Tron, a 61-year-old former MP who is still mayor of Draveil, and his former deputy, Brigitte Gruel, also 61, are accused of abusing the women during foot reflexology sessions in Tron's office that quickly turned into threesomes. Their accusers said they felt powerless to resist being groped and penetrated digitally because they were afraid of losing their jobs. Virginie Ettel, 41, later resigned, while Eva Loubrieu, 44, was fired after being accused of theft. The two women both separately tried to commit suicide before filing police complaints against Tron and Gruel, according to Le Monde newspaper. The two defendants deny the allegations, which emerged days after French former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn was arrested in New York in May 2011 on charges of attempting to rape a hotel maid. The criminal case against Strauss-Kahn later fell apart and he settled the civil case out of court but the affair had a knock-on effect in France, leading several women to break their silence about alleged harassment or assault by politicians and other public figures. Tron's trial had been set to take place in December 2017, in the midst of a global outpouring of accounts of sexual assault and harassment triggered by the Harvey Weinstein affair in the US. The case was however postponed after the presiding judge was overheard telling lawyers that he wished a woman was hearing the case. It is set to run until November 16 with a new judge, who is also male. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five more people tested positive for in Rajasthan's Jaipur Tuesday, taking the total number of such cases to 131, a government official said. Out of the 131 patients, 41 are pregnant women, he said. Of the total infected, around 117 have recovered after treatment, the official said. A senior official said the outbreak so far is localised and no other cases have been reported from any other state. According to the latest report, out of the total 1,32,872 houses searched, 84,580 were found positive for mosquito breeding. An Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) team recently visited Jaipur and changed the insecticides that were being sprayed to kill the mosquitoes and larvae. Besides, the Rajasthan Health Department formed a five-member committee on Saturday to investigate, examine and track disease in pregnant patients of first trimester. The committee will submit a report to the public health director from time to time. The department has appealed to the people to keep doors of their residences and shops open and asked those with breathing difficulties to remain at bay during fogging activities. Most of the cases which have been reported are from the Shastri Nagar area in Jaipur where fogging and other anti-larvae activities are being carried out to prevent the spread of the virus. The virus, transmitted through the Aedes aegypti mosquito, causes fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain. It is harmful to pregnant women, as it can lead to microcephaly, a condition in which a baby's head is significantly smaller in newborns. In India, the first outbreak was reported in Ahmedabad in January 2017 and the second in Tamil Nadu's Krishnagiri district in July that year. Both these outbreaks were successfully contained through intensive surveillance and vector management. The disease is under surveillance by the Union although it is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern under WHO notification since November 18, 2016. Mexico's future foreign minister Marcelo Ebrard has vowed to try to stem Central America's huge outflow of migrants by boosting investment in their home countries. he comments during a visit to Ottawa followed US President Donald Trump's almost-daily Twitter attacks on a caravan of thousands of mostly Honduran migrants rolling toward the US border. The tweets we've been seeing lately do not surprise me, they do not surprise the government. It's very close to the (midterm) elections in the United States," Ebrard said Monday Speaking through an interpreter, he did not address the caravan itself. However, he promised "substantial changes" to Mexico's migrant policy when president-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is sworn in on December 1. "There are going to be many more work visas," Ebrard said. "We're going to invest in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. We are working closely on that. And we're going to invest significantly in the south of Mexico." "We're going to make a very significant investment so there will be work opportunities and we believe that on all of this we can base a new Mexican immigration policy."Mexican authorities had managed to block the caravan of migrants on a border bridge between Mexico and Guatemala, but many later crossed the river below in makeshift rafts before marching north. The United Nations said more than 7,000 people were now heading toward the United States, as more migrants joined the original group, including some Central Americans who were already in Mexico. Trump responded by threatening to cut off or reduce aid to Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, while alerting the US border patrol and military. Activists say the journey through Mexico to the US border could take a month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The powerful group of G-7 countries Tuesday called for a "thorough, credible, transparent, and prompt" investigation by Saudi Arabia, in full collaboration with Turkey, in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, and High Representative of the European Union in a strong statement said Saudi confirmation of Khashoggi's death is a first step toward full transparency and accountability. "However, the explanations offered leave many questions unanswered," the statement said. Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on October 2, where he had gone to collect papers for his marriage. Saudi Arabia has said that he died in a fist fight, while Turkey has asserted that it was pre-planned and Khashoggi was brutally murdered. "We reiterate our expectation for a thorough, credible, transparent, and prompt investigation by Saudi Arabia, in full collaboration with the Turkish authorities, and a full and rigorous accounting of the circumstances surrounding Khashoggi's death," the G-7 statement said. Demanding that those responsible for the killing must be held to account, the G-7 said that Saudi Arabia must put in place measures to ensure something like this can never happen again. "The circumstances of Khashoggi's death reaffirm the need to protect journalists and freedom of expression around the world," it said. Meanwhile, US Vice President Mike Pence said that the Trump Administration will follow the facts. "We're going to demand that those responsible are held accountable," he said at an event in Washington DC. "The word from President Erdogan this morning that this brutal murder was premeditated -- preplanned days in advance -- flies in the face of earlier assertions that had been made by the Saudi regime," Pence said. Pence said the killing of Khashoggi was also "an assault" on a free and independent press. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Members of the ultra-violent MS-13 gang and people from the Middle East are among a caravan of thousands of mostly Honduran migrants bound for the United States, President Donald Trump has said. Speaking to reporters on Monday before leaving for Texas where he was to speak at a political rally, Trump said: "Take your camera, go into the middle, and search. "You're going to find MS-13, you're going to find Middle Eastern, you're going to find everything. And guess what, we're not allowing them in our country. We want safety, we want safety." Trump has kept near-daily Twitter attacks on the approaching caravan, calling it a national emergency, and saying he had alerted US Border Patrol and military to take action. He also reiterated that he was prepared to cut off aid to Central American countries from where many of the undocumented migrants to the US originate. "We give them hundreds of millions of dollars. They do nothing for us... They can do a lot better job," he said. Trump has consistently sought to portray illegal immigrants as dangerous criminals who pose a threat to the United States. During his presidential campaign, he also vowed a complete ban on Muslims entering the country, arguing that all members of the faith group presented a terror risk. His administration eventually barred travelers from five primarily Muslim nations plus North Korea and Venezuela. MS-13, also known as the Mara Salvatrucha, is one of the criminal groups behind a wave of violence in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. The gang was formed in Los Angeles by Salvadoran immigrants fleeing civil war in the 1980s and remains active in the United States. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump has claimed that people from the Middle East and members of the MS-13 criminal gang were part of the caravan of mostly Hoduran migrants moving towards the United States. He said Monday that the "Middle Easterns" and the gang's members were trying to sneak into the US by being among people in the caravan. Take the camera, go into the middle and search. You're going to find MS-13, you're going to find Middle Easterns -- you're going to find everything. "And guess what? We're not allowing them in our country. We want safety, Trump told reporters at the White House. When asked what he meant by middle easterns, Trump asked the reporter to go to the caravan to see that. I had reports and they have a lot of everybody in the group. It's a horrible thing and it's a lot bigger than 5,000 people and we got to stop them at the border and unfortunately, you look at the countries, they have not done their job, he said. MS-13 or the Mara Salvatrucha, is among the criminal outfits behind a wave of violence in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. The US, Trump said gives a lot of money as aid to Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. The three countries from where thousands of people are now marching towards America. Every year we give them foreign aid. They did nothing for us. Nothing. They did nothing for us. So, we give them tremendous amounts of money you know what it is, you cover it all the time hundreds of millions of dollars. They, like a lot of others, do nothing for our country," he said. Trump had earlier in the day threatened to cut off aid to these three Latin American countries which was opposed by lawmakers. Migrant families are fleeing extreme violence and political oppression, and are trying to seek asylum in the United States. "The president's threat to cut off foreign aid in response to this growing humanitarian crisis is not only cruel and inhumane, it ignores that Congress, not the president, is entrusted by the Constitution with the power of the purse, said Congresswoman Nita Lowey, a ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee. Cutting funding would make the problem worse, not better, she said. Congress must reject the administration's dangerous agenda and policies and immediately work to pass comprehensive reform of our nation's broken immigration laws to keep families together and protect our economy, Lowey said. Congressman Vicente Gonzalez alleged that the Trump administration was trying to paint some members of Congress as the culprits of this migrant caravan' and past mass migration. However, I can personally attest to the falsity of this argument. I have travelled to these countries on bipartisan delegations, met with foreign leaders, and invited the executive branch to join the conversation on how to improve years of failed foreign policy in Central America, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Immigration authorities have intercepted three foreigners who tried to enter the country with fraudulent travel documents, according to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente. The three aliensa Kiribati citizen and two Senegalese nationalswere intercepted in separate occasions at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Morente said Tuesday. All of them were caught in possession of bogus passports, Port Operations Division Chief Grifton Medina said, adding the passengers were immediately excluded and booked on the first available flights back to their ports of origin. As a result of the incident, Medina said the BI again thwarted attempts by international syndicates to smuggle illegal aliens with bogus travel documents into the country. We have also placed them in our blacklist to prevent them from returning to the Philippines, he said. The Kiribati national, identified as Eliezear Mercy Obiora, was intercepted at the NAIA Terminal 1 while Senegalese nationals Jonas Mendy and George Mendy were apprehended at the NAIA Terminal 3.BI Spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval said the biographical pages of the aliens passports were found to be altered upon examination by the BIs forensic document laboratory. She disclosed that aside from using fake passports, the passengers were not able to explain their purpose in coming to the Philippines when interviewed by officers from the BI Travel Control and Enforcement Unit. They did not have any clear idea on what to do and where to go once they got into the Philippines, and they were also deemed to be likely to become a public charge, Sandoval said. We suspect that this is an attempt to use the country as a jump-off point to other first world countries, she said. Our officers are highly trained to detect incidents of fraud. Add that to our technologiesI believe illegal aliens with fake documents should think twice before trying to come here, she added. The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has urged the Centre to set up an inland container depot (ICD) facility at newly inaugurated Multi Modal Logistic Park (MMLP) to boost exports from the state. The industry body has raised the demand for setting up an ICD after several of its members pointed out to its absence at MMLP, which is set up at Balli in south Goa. The demand was also reiterated during the recent visit of Union commerce minister Suresh Prabhu to the state for inaugurating the green building centre at Kudaim Industrial Estate by ACC Cement in partnership with Alcon-Counto group. MMLP, which is jointly set up by Konkan Railway Corporation (KRCL) and Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), was inaugurated in March. "In order to provide Goa the desired economic boost, the Centre should set up infrastructure facilities like export warehousing and an ICD at MMLP," Anil Counto, member, GCCI and chairman, Alcon-Counto group, told PTI. He also said that there is a need to restart the Goa regional office of directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT), a Government of India entity, which wound up its operations from the state two months back. GCCI secretary General RS Kamat said that the industry is demanding to set up an ICD at MMLP because once it happens, sending cargo by railway will become an affordable option. "Transportation of goods by air and trucks are very costly. If that (ICD) happens, many people are waiting to avail the facility. The Chamber has been pursuing this demand for long," he said. "The multi modal facility has commenced and it is available only to the domestic cargo. There is no EXIM facility there," he added. Another senior GCCI member said that the DGFT office in the state was closed two months back citing reasons like consolidation. "The DGFT officials also claimed that it is expensive for them to operate from Goa. They said that they will control from the Mumbai office. They have maintained Belgaum (Karnataka) office where business is less," he said. He further said that reopening of the DGFT office is the need of the hour considering the fact that the state is getting ready for its greenfield airport at Mopa. The GCCI member claimed that the businesses in the state at present have to rely on the Jawaharlal Nehru Port at Nhava Sheva in Mumbai, due to non availability of this facility in Goa. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister Anant Geete Tuesday proposed a machine tools hub in Odisha as the state has emerged as an ideal place for setting up of steel industries. The Union Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Minister said this while addressing a conclave on capital goods for steel sector here. "Our ministry has helped in building a machine tools hub in Karnataka at an investment of Rs 500 crore and I propose a similar facility in Odisha if the state government provides support," Geete said. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was also present on the dais. Geete said the proposed machine tools hub in an industrial park would be second in the country if materialised. It would also generate lot of employment for the youths, he said. Geete said he made this offer to Odisha because the state has been contributing to the steel sector in the country. Presently, Odisha produces one-third of the total steel produced in the country and it will continue to do so when the target is fixed to produce 300 million tonnes of steel by 2030-31, he said. Geete said the investors who are coming to set up manufacturing units in capital goods for the steel sector may take help of the proposed machine tool hub to be set up in Odisha. Stating that his ministry too has some responsibility to fulfil the dreams of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make In India mission, Geete said the different manufacturing units can come up in the machine tools hub which can help growth of steel sector in the state of Odisha. Geete also said that his ministry has meanwhile framed a capital goods manufacturing sector policy. "There was no such policy earlier in the country," he said. The Union minister said the Indian manufacturing companies have the capability to manufacture all non-proprietary items and the government is committed to facilitate technological tie-ups between domestic capital goods (CG) producers and their foreign counterparts for capacity building. In his address, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, said that Odisha has mega steel projects besides small and medium steel mills which also contribute significantly to the states overall steel production. The government believes that Odisha has the potential to produce nearly 100 million tonnes of the total 300 MT output targeted by 2030-31 as the state is home to sizeable mineral resource base, he said. Pradhan welcomed the proposal by Geete to set up a machine tools park in Odisha. Union Steel secretary Binoy Kumar said it is in the interest of stakeholders that the capital goods industry should be strengthened so that competition increases, and this helps in reducing the capital cost of projects. "Today, the imported plants may come at a lower cost but this is more often than not followed by their high priced maintenance contracts and spares. By local manufacturing, the maintenance of plant and machinery can also be done economically," Kumar said. Special Secretary and Financial Advisor, Union Steel Ministry, Saraswati Prasad, wished that the fruitful deliberations in the conclave would serve as a road map to cement the ties between CG players and steel makers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union minister Thaawarchand Gehlot Tuesday called for coordinated efforts from different sectors such as health and education, besides the private sector, for the welfare and empowerment of the persons with disabilities (PwDs). He was speaking after inaugurating the "National Workshop on Physical and Mental Disabilities in the Light of Global Best Practices in Care, Rehabilitation and Research". Gehlot said the workshop was organised to promote best practices from across the globe in the area of care, rehabilitation and research for 21 disabilities under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. He hoped the workshop would help the participants to acquire increased knowledge and develop a comprehensive plan with clear objectives towards local and national capacity building for attaining the agenda of Sustainable Development Goals. Gehlot said strong commitment and actions were required from all stakeholders to implement the best practices, he said. The minister said it required involving different sectors -- health, education, social protection, labour, transport, housing -- besides different agencies government, civil society organisations, disabled people organisations, professionals, the private sector and people with disabilities and their families. "It is essential a developing country like India tailor its actions to address existing challenges of early identification, early intervention, education, skilling, employment, home living and community living... making it vital that we establish infrastructure, scientific strategies and protocol of services for all the disabilities under the RPwD Act," he said. The workshop was organised by the Department of Empowerment of Person with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and hosted by the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD), Chennai In April 2017, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 came into force. It provides for various rights and entitlements for PwDs and casts responsibility on states and UTs to take various measures to ensure that such people enjoy their rights equally with others. It also mandates the states and UTs to frame various schemes/programmes, work out mechanism and implement best practices to ensure inclusion and empowerment of PwDs. "Keeping in view the mandate of the new act, central and state and UT governments must implement global best practices to meet the needs of the Divyangjan through a lifecycle approach," he said. The experts who participated in the workshop were invited from premier rehabilitation institutions, hospitals, universities, the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) and recognised institutions from across the country. The workshop was attended by over 250 participants. Chief medical officers of many important cities and district social welfare and disability officers participated in the programme. The heads of leading NGOs from across the country also attended the workshop. Its objective was to help India's commitment under the UNCRPD, RPWD Act and help establish uniformity in the services for persons with disabilities. It also supported protocol development in service delivery, promote replication of best global practices, and encourage adaptation of global best practices to Indian context. The outcome of this workshop was to share, implement and bring uniformity in global best practices for empowerment of persons with disabilities in India specially in the context of 14 new disabilities of the RPWD Act. The workshop also came up with recommendations for government, service providers, activists, policy makers, educationalist, and professionals to implement the act by adopting the best practices. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Goa BJP president Vinay Tendulkar Tuesday accused his party colleague Laxmikant Parsekar of using "bad" words against party chief Amit Shah. Tendulkar sought apology from Parsekar for what he called using bad words against him, Shah and Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar during a telephonic talk. Parsekar, a former chief minister, had criticised the local party unit for not taking him into confidence before inducting Congress MLA Dayanand Sopte into the BJP. Sopte and another Congress legislator Subhash Shirodkar, who won from Shiroda constituency, had joined the BJP last week. Sopte had defeated Parsekar in Mandrem constituency during the 2017 Assembly elections. "Parsekar has left nothing to be discussed about. He has given bad words to our national president Amit Shah, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and me during a phone conversation with me," said Tendulkar, who is also a Rajya Sabha member from Goa. "I will speak to Parsekar only when he apologises to me and those against whom he has given bad words," he said. Tendulkar said he had not informed Shah about the incident. "But our national president will get the report about the incident," he added. Tendulkar said he has put the entire incident behind him and is working for strengthening the organisation ahead of bypolls in Mandrem and Shiroda constituencies. Parsekar was not available for comments. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress in Goa Tuesday appealed to the constituents in the BJP-led coalition government to take a "conscientious call" to quit in the interest of the people. The opposition party also said that it was in position to provide a stable and performing government in the state. "It is high time for the allies of the BJP in Goa to leave this headless government. In the interest of Goa, we appeal to the members of the coalition government to take a call as per their conscience and snap ties with the BJP in the interest of the people who have elected them," said spokesman Yatish Naik. The BJP is in power in alliance with the Goa Forward Party (GFP) headed by Vijai Sardesai, Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and three Independent legislators. The Congress has been demanding a floor test claiming that the coalition government has become rudderless in absence of chief minister who is not keeping well since the last few months. The CM is currently recuperating at his home here since he was discharged from the AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) in Delhi. The Congress recently suffered a setback when two of its MLAs resigned and joined the BJP. In the process, the Congress, which had 16 MLAs in its fold, lost its status as the single largest party in Goa. "Goans do not deserve a headless and leaderless government. This BJP-led government is on a mode to destroy Goa. The chief minister is ailing since the last nine months which has resulted into the complete collapse of administration," said Naik. He said the Congress was in a position to give a "secular, progressive and performing government in place of the non-performing one headed by Parrikar". Replying to a query on Congress' willingness to form a coalition government, he said, "The Congress is capable of forming the government and that is the reason we had submitted a memorandum before state Governor (last month) requesting her to call a floor test and make the BJP prove that its government has the numbers". While the BJP top brass has ruled out any change of guard in Goa, GFP chief Vijai Sardesai had last week said that Parrikar's ailment was affecting the working of the state administration. CBI DSP Devender Kumar Tuesday approached the Delhi High Court challenging his arrest in connection with bribery allegations involving agency's Special Director Rakesh Asthana. The matter was mentioned before a bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao by senior advocate Dayan Krishnan. The court listed the plea for hearing before an appropriate bench in the post lunch session today. The DSP has made CBI, its director Alok Kumar Verma, joint director A K Sharma and Department of Personnel and Training as parties in the case. The plea has sought quashing of the FIR terming it as being "illegal, frivolous and malafide". "Issue an appropriate writ or order calling for the records of the case and other related documents and for quashing of the FIR registered against the petitioner," the plea said, adding he has no other efficacious remedy than to approach the high court. The CBI had yesterday arrested Kumar in connection with bribery allegations involving its second-in-command Asthana. Kumar, who was earlier the investigating officer in a case involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi, was arrested yesterday by the CBI on the allegations of forgery in recording the statement of businessman Sathish Sana, who had alleged to have paid bribe to get relief in the case. In his statement, Sana had purportedly said that he had in June this year discussed his case with Telugu Desam Party's Rajya Sabha member C M Ramesh who, after speaking to the CBI Director, had assured him that he would not be summoned again. "From June onwards, I was not called by the CBI. I was under the impression that investigation against me is complete," he is believed to have said. The CBI has now alleged that Kumar had fabricated this statement as an "afterthought...to corroborate the baseless allegations made by Asthana against CBI Director Alok Verma to the CVC (Central Vigilance Commissioner)". They said the agency was also looking into the alleged role of other members of the special investigation team headed by Asthana. Asthana, who was booked by the agency on bribery charges in an unprecedented action, had complained against CBI Director Verma on August 24, 2018. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three employees of an oil and gas exploration company and their paramilitary escort were kidnapped and shot dead Tuesday in a restive Pakistani tribal region near the Afghan border, officials said. The killings happened in North Waziristan where the Pakistani military has been engaged in a series of offensives against Taliban and Al-Qaeda linked militants for over a decade. "The employees and their escort, an official of Frontier Corps, were heading towards their office when kidnapped by unknown gunmen," a senior local administration official told AFP on condition of anonymity. He said their bullet-riddled bodies were found near Spinwam late in the afternoon. A local intelligence official also confirmed the incident and fatalities and said it was unclear where the gunmen were from as no group has so far claimed responsibility for the incident. Violence in Pakistan has declined dramatically in recent years following a series of military operations along the northwestern border with Afghanistan, but militant groups are still able to carry out deadly attacks. Pakistan's army launched a massive operation in 2014 to wipe out militant bases in North Waziristan and end the near decade-long insurgency that has cost thousands of lives. But analysts have long warned that Pakistan is not tackling the root causes of extremism, and that militants retain the ability to carry out spectacular attacks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a bid to end deadlock, the Haryana government has invited roadways employees on a strike for the last eight days for a fresh round of talks on Wednesday. Protesting against the state government's decision to hire 700 private buses for the Haryana Roadways, the state transporter's employees had Monday extended their strike by three days. "We have been invited for fresh round of talks by the government. Talks will be held between the union leaders representing the roadways employees and Haryana Transport Minister Krishan Lal Panwar," said Balwan Sigh, a member of the coordination committee of the Haryana Roadways Employees Union. When asked that Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had ruled out to roll back the government's decision to hire 700 private buses, Balwan Singh said, "We are going to attend the talks with an open mind. We don't want to prejudge anything. Nobody should blame us tomorrow that we ran away from talks. Let's see what the government has to offer now". The employees had extended their stir fearing that hiring private buses was a part of the government's plan to privatise state road transport corporation. They also accused the government of trying to benefit some private transporters by hiring private buses for roadways, a charge which the chief minister had refuted stoutly. In view of the ongoing strike, the state government has been making alternate arrangements and has started hiring new drivers and conductors to ensure no one faces any hardship. Services of 47 drivers, who were on probation and taking part in the strike, have been terminated, officials said on Tuesday. As part of the alternate arrangements, the officials said that on Tuesday 2,802 buses plied, which included 1,464 from Haryana Roadways fleet while the other buses were hired from other sources including some schools. Reports said the state government has sought help from some neighbouring states requesting them to ply additional buses in Haryana during the ongoing strike. Defying ESMA, the employees have been on strike since October 16 against the state government's decision to hire 700 buses from private owners. The employees' union has demanded cancellation of the tenders issued till now for hiring 510 private buses. There are about 19,000 employees in the Haryana Roadways, having a fleet of 4,100 buses. The roadways caters to 12 lakh passengers daily. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Tuesday said it has joined hands with National Skill Development Corporation to support 10 automotive laboratories across the country. The company plans to support 10 learning centres under NSDC for skill development of the youths, keeping major focus on East India. Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) for the automotive laboratories, an official release said. "Honda's efforts will be in the direction of providing relevant tools and equipments to these labs at Kolkata, Guwahati, Ranchi, Patna, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Vijayawada, Dehradun, Varanasi and Cuttack," it added. Authentic platform will be built by Honda for students practising trade specific skills on various aspects of vehicle maintenance and repair, the statement said. The company claimed that this tie-up is expected to benefit at least 1,200 young students by next year. Speaking on the association, HMSI Senior Vice President (Customer Service) Pradeep Pandey said: "Honda supports the Skill India mission and signing this MoU with NSDC will further strengthen our efforts in the direction. We will develop 10 training labs under this tie-up to empower local youth across the country. "Further to the MoU with NSDC, Honda has also collaborated with several state governments for development of skilled manpower for automobile sector, the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US prosecutors have opened a hotline for victims of pedophile priests in Washington, a week after the local archdiocese published the names of 31 members of the clergy accused over the past seven decades. Survivors of child sexual abuse by a clergy member that took place in a house of worship, school, or other location in the District of Columbia can call the Clergy Abuse Reporting Line" or send an email, the US Attorney's Office for the US capital said Monday in a statement. "All reports will be reviewed and a team of experienced criminal investigators, prosecutors and victim advocates from the Superior Court Division of the US Attorney's Office will determine whether any criminal charges can be brought or victim services provided." Prosecutors also offered "victim advocates" who will provide support and guidance to those wishing to make a report. All 31 clergy members on the list have been expelled from the church and 17 have died, according to the Archdiocese. The list was assembled by Cardinal Donald Wuerl, 77, ahead of his resignation earlier this month as archbishop of Washington after he faced accusations of failing to do enough to deal with pedophile priests. The Archdiocese of Washington has been shaken by the repercussions of a massive scandal over pedophile priests in Pennsylvania. A grand jury report in August revealed credible child sex abuse allegations against more than 300 priests in Pennsylvania for crimes on at least 1,000 children. In the report, Wuerl, who was bishop of Pittsburgh from 1988 to 2006, is repeatedly cited as one of the church leaders who helped to cover up the scandal. Wuerl's predecessor in Washington, Theodore McCarrick, resigned from the Vatican's College of Cardinals in July. McCarrick, one of the most high-profile Catholic leaders to face abuse claims, was accused of sexually abusing a teenager nearly five decades earlier. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Department of Justice will file a motion for partial reconsideration of the ruling of Makati City Judge Andres Soriano, who found that Senatorand had admitted his guilt in the coup detat case filed against him. The DOJ will file, not later than Friday, a motion for partial reconsideration of the order of RTC Makati City Branch 148, only insofar as it found that Senator Trillanes had sufficiently shown that he filed his certificate of amnesty and that therefore it follows that he also admitted his guilt for the offense of coup detat, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said in a text message to reporters. Earlier, Guevarra said it is the DOJ, and not the Office of the Solicitor General, that will decide on what legal steps to undertake following the denying by the Makati City regional trial court of its motion for the arrest of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. It is the DOJ who will decide what legal step to take, Guevarra said. Guevarra made the statement after Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo announced that Solicitor General Jose Calida will appeal the trial court ruling directly before the Court of Appeals instead of filing a motion for reconsideration before the Makati City judge, Andres Soriano. Thebefore the end of the day. DOJ prosecutors represented the state before two Makati City courts where two judges have issued opposite rulings on whether or not Trillanes should be rearrested for coup detat and rebellion charges. READ: DoJ strikes back at Trillanes, pals Guevarra on Tuesday underscored the importance of proceeding with the amnesty cases against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, saying it serves as a deterrent for like-minded military adventurism in the future. With all due respect, pursuing one to answer for the crime of rebellion or coup detat is not a useless exercise, as it sends a warning to all similarly minded persons who have devious plans of endangering the security of the republic, Guevarra said. The remarks were made in response to some lawmakers call for the executive to back down on the cases against Trillanes, a constant critic. Soriano turned down the governments plea for an arrest warrant and a hold departure order against the lawmaker citing that the judgment clearing the lawmaker had long been final and executory.The dismissal [of the case] has become final and executory, Soriano said, citing the legal doctrine of immutability of a final and executory judgment. Senate Minority leader Franklin M. Drilon, meanwhile, said the Supreme Court can no longer disturb the factual findings by Soriano on Trillanes case, citing the jurisprudence that the Supreme Court is not a trier of facts. Well-settled is the rule that the Supreme Court is not a trier of fact. The Supreme Court cannot assume the role of trier of facts which, by law and jurisprudence, belongs to the lower courts, Drilon said. The case of Trillanes is undeniably a question of fact, Drilon said. Factual findings of the lower courts are entitled to great weight and respect on appeal, and in fact accorded finality when supported by substantial evidence on the record, Drilon said. In the case of Trillanes, he said, the lower court has affirmed the fact that Trillanes validly complied with the requirements for his amnesty application. I do not see how this finding can be disturbed by the Supreme Court especially considering that the original decision of Makati RTC Branch 148 attained finality seven years ago, Drilon said. Senator Leila de Lima said she welcomed with guarded optimism Sorianos decision. Nowadays, she said it is difficult for the judiciary to defy the wishes of the government, especially if pressure is coming directly from Dutertes personal interest to have Trillanes arrested and silenced. This act of independence from pressure exerted by Malacanang is thus a breath of fresh air coming from the judiciary, she said. I consider this development as a positive act of independence of the judiciary. We must recognize small victories against Dutertes tyranny, and this is definitely one of them, De Lima added. READ: Trillanes arrest, HDO junked The Supreme Court Tuesday asked Graphite India Ltd (GIL) as to how much it was willing to pay under the 'polluter pays principle' for its Bengaluru plant. The apex court also pulled up the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) for "doing nothing" to curb pollution in Bengaluru even as the city was grappling with the problem. "Have you been to Bengaluru? There is so much pollution there. What the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board is doing? You are just wasting Bengaluru city. You are doing nothing," a bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta told the counsel appearing for the KSPCB. The bench asked senior advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for GIL, as to how much would they pay as per 'polluter pays principle'. Divan, who said that GIL would "completely shut down" its Whitefield's field in Bengaluru by November end, referred to the notice issued by the top court asking them to explain as to why use of needle petroleum coke (pet coke) should not be stopped at its plant and said it was not a case of pollution. "There is a report of the EPCA (Environment Pollution Control Authority). We had issued notice to you. Your stand today is that you are not causing pollution. So we will hear you," the bench told Divan. The senior counsel said they do not want to fight with the Supreme Court of India. "Please call up the matter in November end or December first week. By that time, my plant will completely shut down," he said. To this, the bench said, "Our question is how much will you pay for the pollution caused. Our question was not about your closure." Divan said GIL has already filed a reply in the court on the issue of needle pet coke and he would take instructions on the query about how much they would pay as per 'polluter pays principle'. The bench asked him to take instructions on this issue and posted the matter for hearing on October 29. GIL had earlier told the apex court that it was not using imported needle pet coke at its Bengaluru plant, which is facing complaints about pollution and emission of black dust. The court had on October 9 taken note of a report filed by the court-mandated EPCA which had said that GIL's plant in Bengaluru was causing huge amount of pollution and black dust in the area. The court had then issued notice to GIL asking it to explain why use of needle pet coke should not be stopped with immediate effect since it was "causing tremendous pollution and damage to the health of the community in Bengaluru". In September, the apex court had allowed the application of GIL seeking its permission to import needle pet coke to be used as feed stock for manufacture of graphite electrodes, used in the steel industry. The court is hearing the issue related to pet coke which had cropped up while adjudicating a matter of air pollution in Delhi-national capital region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mexico braced Tuesday for the impact of Hurricane Willa as the Category 3 storm barreled toward its Pacific Coast with what forecasters warned would be potentially deadly force. Willa was a maximum Category 5 hurricane on Monday, but lost strength as it moved toward landfall - expected on Tuesday afternoon or evening, the US National Hurricane Center said in its 1500 GMT update. Nevertheless, the NHC warned, "Willa is expected to be a dangerous hurricane when it reaches the coast of Mexico." It was on course to slam into Mexico between the states of Sinaloa and Nayarit, somewhere around the resort town of Mazatlan. The NHC said aircraft data showed the core of the storm was currently sweeping over the Marias islands, where Mexico has a federal prison. The interior ministry did not immediately respond to questions on whether it had evacuated the 1,000 inmates housed there or what other emergency measures were in place for the penal colony. In Mazatlan, a tranquil beach town with turquoise waters, the hotels that line the coast were largely empty as workers nailed plywood over the windows. Residents were stocking up on food and water, but there were no signs of shortages so far. "We bought supplies for the whole family -- bottled water, unperishable food, things we can eat quickly," said Roberto Carlos, 45, as a light rain set in and wind started to sway the town's palm trees. Willa has maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometers (125 miles) per hour, the NHC said. It is expected to dump 15 to 30 centimeters (six to 12 inches) of rain on parts of Sinaloa, Nayarit and Jalisco states, with some areas getting up to 45 centimeters. "This rainfall will cause life-threatening flash flooding and landslides," the NHC warned. The Hurricane Center said that large storm swells off the coast are also "likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions." Willa was located about 205 kilometers south-southwest of Mazatlan, churning north-northeast at nine kilometers per hour. The states of Sinaloa, Nayarit and Jalisco declared a state of alert and cancelled school state-wide. In the resort town of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco Governor Aristoteles Sandoval on Monday ordered the evacuation of hotels and coastal areas, warning the storm could have "very destructive consequences." Shelters were opened on higher ground to accommodate evacuees. In Michoacan state, also on the Pacific coast, heavy rain caused a freight train to derail Monday in the town of La Goleta, injuring at least two workers for the Kansas City Southern rail line, authorities said. Adding to the weather chaos, the remnants of Tropical Storm Vicente were moving over Michoacan on Tuesday, bringing more heavy rainfall. Mexico's Pacific coast has already been hit by deadly storms and rains this hurricane season. In September, at least 15 people were killed when flash floods hit the states of Sinaloa and Michoacan. Last week, 11 more people died in Oaxaca, including seven children. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South Korean auto major Hyundai Tuesday relaunched its once popular hatchback, Santro, in a new avatar in India, with introductory prices ranging between Rs 3.89 lakh and Rs 5.64 lakh (ex-showroom). The company, which operates in the country through its wholly-owned subsidiary Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL), had discontinued the previous Santro model in December 2014. The new car, which is powered by a four-cylinder 1.1 litre petrol engine, comes with automated manual transmission (AMT) and factory-fitted CNG fuel options. The manual variants of the car are priced between Rs 3.89 lakh and Rs 5.45 lakh. The two CNG trims are tagged at Rs 5.23 lakh and Rs 5.64 lakh while the two variants with automated gear shift are priced at Rs 5.18 lakh and Rs 5.46 lakh (all prices ex-showroom). The previous Santro was priced in the range of Rs 3.09 lakh to Rs 4.15 lakh when it was discontinued in 2014. The new introductory prices would be for the first 50,000 customers. HMIL has already received online bookings for over 23,500 units in the last 13 days. "We have invested over Rs 700 crore (USD 100 million) on the development of this model over the last three years. The new Santro has been designed in our R&D centre in Namyang (South Korea) and it will help us consolidate position in the mid-compact segment," HMIL Managing Director and CEO Y K Koo told reporters here. The new model would cater to first time buyers as well as entry level customers, he added. "It is a very important model for Hyundai. We are looking at sales of around 8,000-9,000 units per month to start with," Koo said. He added that the all-new Santro is a true example of Hyundai's Made in India philosophy and a shining result of numerous product clinics and rigorous durability test on various terrains in India. "Our R&D centre in Nanyang ( South Korea), Chennai and Hyderabad have put strong efforts for product supremacy and utmost customer delight," Koo said. The all-new Santro will be competing with the likes of Maruti Suzuki's WagonR, Celerio and Tata Motors' Tiago in the mid-compact segment which is about 30,000 units a month. When asked about export plans for the model, Koo said the company would start overseas shipments from next year and is aiming to begin with 15,000-20,000 units per annum. The company is eyeing markets like South Africa, Vietnam and Latin America to start exports of new Santro, he added. The new Santro comes with a localisation level of 90 per cent. It comes with various features including rear parking camera, voice recognition, rear AC vents and eco coating technology, among others. Safety features include ABS with EBD and impact sensing auto door unlock. As per the company, the petrol manual and AMT versions of the hatchback would return a fuel efficiency of 20.3 km per litre while the CNG trims would cover 30.48 km per one kg. The Santro was first rolled out from Hyundai's Chennai plant in September 1998 and the brand was the mainstay of the company in the Indian car market. Over 18.6 lakh units of Santro have been sold globally till date. In India the company has sold over 13 lakh units of the model. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that he would once again extend a hand of friendship to India after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as he believed New Delhi rebuffed his offer of talks because Pakistan is an issue in the elections in the neighbouring country. Speaking at the high-profile Future Investment Initiative forum in Riyadh, Khan said Pakistan wants "peace with all our neighbours particularly India and Afghanistan for regional peace and stability." "Peace with India would help the two countries to divert their resources towards human development instead of indulging in arms race," Khan was quoted as saying by state-run Radio Pakistan. Similarly, peace in Afghanistan would help Pakistan to have an easy access to the Central Asian states for bilateral economic and trade activities, he said. Khan said he had extended a hand of friendship to India, which rebuffed the move. After assuming power in August, Khan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting a meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers on the margins of the UN General Assembly in September. India accepted the proposal but, within hours of its acceptance, terrorists killed three policemen in Jammu and Kashmir, prompting New Delhi to cancel the foreign ministers' meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA. "He (Khan) attributed this (cancellation) to anti-Pakistan rhetoric raking in votes in India," the Express Tribune newspaper reported, citing the prime minister. Prime Minister Khan said he would try once again following the conclusion of the general elections in India. The general elections are due to be held in India next year. The ties between the two countries had strained after the terror attacks by Pakistan-based groups in 2016 and India's surgical strikes inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In his victory speech after the July elections, Khan expressed his willingness to improve Pakistan's ties with India and said that his government would like the leaders of the two sides to resolve all disputes, including the core issue of Kashmir, through talks. Speaking at the summit, which is the brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to attract foreign investment into the kingdom, Khan said that his government is approaching the IMF and the friendly countries to seek loans to plug the financial gap. The three-day summit, nicknamed "Davos in the desert", has been overshadowed by raging global outrage over the murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Several investors and international figureheads have cancelled their plans to attend the summit in an apparent protest against the killing of Khashoggi. International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin have also pulled out. Khan, who attended the summit, is visiting close ally Saudi Arabia for the second time since assuming power in August. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) / -- Focus on Standards, Products, Design and Test Challenges The India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) and Keysight Technologies joined hands to create a Thought Leadership Platform (TLF) on the various dynamics of 5G - the next big wave which is forging its way ahead. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/679815/IESA_Logo.jpg ) 5G technology has the potential for ushering a major societal transformation in India by enabling a rapid expansion of the role of information technology across manufacturing, educational, healthcare, agricultural, financial and social sectors. India must embrace this opportunity by deploying 5G networks early, efficiently, and pervasively, as well as emerge as a significant innovator and technology supplier at the global level. 5G technologies, beginning 2019, will enter gradually and advance to a full range of services by 2024. By acting early to embrace the 5G opportunity, India can accelerate the 5G dividend and potentially also become an innovator in 5G applications. Speaking at the Thought Leadership Forum, Anil Kumar Muniswamy, Chairman, IESA, said, "IESA is elated to create a platform with Keysight Technologies and share insights about the 5G evolution in India. The intent of such forums is to facilitate interactions between indigenous products, designs, solutions and user experiences both within Industry and the Government. The economic impact of 5G implementation is 1 Trillion USD between 2020 and 2030 and it is a huge opportunity for Indian companies to capitalise on this opportunity. IESA has also been proactive in leveraging and building platforms for new technologies and with the advent of 5G technology, India should not miss this opportunity. IESA will support both the Industry and Government to make this a reality." Sudhir Tangri, Country General Manager & Vice President at Keysight Technologies, stated that Keysight has ventured very early in the field of 5G. He said, "5G is the next big paradigm shift in communication technology. To cater to this revolution, Keysight, as the market leader in electronic instrumentation, will continue to develop and deliver rugged 5G test solutions." Sandeep Kapoor, Head of Marketing at Keysight Technologies spoke about 5G opening new doors to exciting applications in autonomous driving, broadband fixed wireless, Internet of Things, and augmented reality. He mentioned, "Keysight is committed to being at the leading edge of the technology curve. We have provided our customers a much needed first mover advantage with our cutting edge 5G technology test platforms." The forum showcased speakers from Mediatek, Intel and Samsung talk about key technical concepts and current states of 5G as well as the challenges and opportunities of this technology. Akshay Aggarwal, Director - Technology, Mediatek, spoke on 5G New Radio Motivation, Design, Deployment Options & Challenges; Madhusudana Raghupatruni, Senior Architect and Technologist, Intel shared his insights on wireless backhaul & spectrum and Manjunath Nanjundappa, Senior Tech Manager, Samsung Electronics spoke on the used cases. 5G services go well beyond those of prior generation mobile networks. 5G will additionally also connect myriad of new devices including machines, sensors, actuators, vehicles, robots and drones. India as a country, can benefit greatly from 5G, as it will enable the nation to leapfrog traditional barriers to development. 5G will also advance reach and utility of the 'Digital India' campaign and allied missions. As per the India 5G Market (2018-2025) by Research and Markets, 5G connection in India is expected to generate approximately USD 20Bn revenue for telecom companies by 2025. This is because India mobile companies are looking forward to providing high HD premium videos to their users by embracing 5G networks. With the adoption of 5G, India is expected to boost the AR and VR market5G networks can provide a million connections within a square kilometer, becoming critical for companies who are working within the AR and VR segments About IESA (India Electronics and Semiconductor Association) IESA is the premier trade body representing the Indian Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) industry and has represented it since 2005. It has over 300 members - both domestic and multinational enterprises. IESA is committed towards building global awareness for the Indian ESDM industry and supporting its growth through focused initiatives in developing the ecosystem. This is achieved through publishing credible data, networking events and alliances with other international associations. IESA works closely with the Governments as a knowledge partner on the sector, both at the centre and at the state level. To learn more, please visit http://www.iesaonline.org Follow us on Twitter @IESA_Online Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iesaorg About Keysight in 5G Keysight's industry-first 5G end-to-end design and test solutions enable the mobile industry to accelerate 5G product design development from the physical layer to the application layer and across the entire workflow from simulation, design, and verification to manufacturing, deployment, and optimization. Keysight offers common software and hardware platforms compliant to the latest 3GPP standards, enabling the ecosystem to quickly and accurately validate 5G chipsets, devices, base stations and networks, as well as emulate subscriber behaviour scenarios. Additional information about Keysight's 5G solutions is available at http://www.keysight.com/find/5G Additional information about Keysight Technologies is available in the newsroom at https://www.keysight.com/go/ and on Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the sun bearing down, Norm and Kathy Daviess stood in the shade of a prison wall topped with coiled razor wire, waiting for three immigrants to come out. It's become an oddly familiar routine for the Air Force veteran and his wife, part of an ad hoc group of volunteers that formed in recent months after the Trump administration transferred 124 immigrants to the federal prison in rural Oregon, a first for the facility. The detainees were among approximately 1,600 immigrants apprehended along the US-Mexico border and then transferred to federal prisons in five states after President Donald Trump's "zero tolerance" policy left the usual facilities short of space. Almost half of those sent to the prison outside Sheridan, an economically struggling town 80 kilometers southwest of Portland, on May 31 are from India, many of them Sikhs part of an influx of Indian nationals entering the U.S. in recent years. They also came from Nepal, Guatemala, Mexico and a dozen other countries. "Zero tolerance" made Sheridan an unusual way station for migrants from around the world. Now, those who pass an initial screening and post bond are being released. And Norm and Kathy Daviess, along with more than 100 other volunteers retirees, recent college graduates, lawyers, clergy have lined up to help. "The best part of this is seeing the big smile on their face, to be out, to have this burden done with," said Kathy Daviess, 71, who wore a floppy white hat as she and her husband stood outside the prison on a recent afternoon. As drivers, the two are ready to go to the prison, a half-hour from their hometown of Dundee, at a moment's notice and often wait there for hours as the detainees are processed. The freed migrants generally travel onward in a day or two to other states where they have relatives or friends. The volunteers provide transportation, interpreter services, legal counseling, food, shelter and moral support. They raised more than $12,000 to pay bonds for migrants who couldn't come up with the money themselves. A Sikh temple in nearby Salem also offers the immigrants religious and other services, and a place to recover. Many of the detainees made long, dangerous journeys to reach the U.S., and all either turned themselves in to seek asylum or were nabbed by border agents when they arrived. Since "zero tolerance" took effect in May, everyone who enters the country illegally is charged with a crime. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the crackdown is necessary to eliminate illegal immigration and because abuse of the asylum system has caused a surge in illegal border crossings. "For those who crossed the border illegally, those were the consequences brought upon them," said Sheridan Mayor Harry Cooley, who worked at the Oregon prison for 21 years and is not among the volunteers. He was less certain about migrants who request asylum at points of entry, noting it isn't illegal. "It would be unfathomable if they were detaining those people rather than just turning them away," Cooley said, but then added it seemed justifiable to detain the immigrants while their stories are verified. "The previous policy was catch and release, which I definitely don't agree with." The prison is Sheridan's largest employer, though the town of 6,000 has paid little attention to the migrant issue, the mayor said. The volunteers are mostly from other communities in the Willamette Valley, including Salem and Portland, Oregon's largest city. Kathy Daviess said she got involved because "we've got a legal system, and it's supposed to apply to everyone." Her husband, who spent his career with the Air Force in uniform and as a contractor, felt the immigrants were being denied due process. The migrants were granted access to lawyers after the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon filed a lawsuit alleging they were held largely incommunicado. The detainees told federal public defenders they were initially confined to cells for up to 23 hours a day. "It's not right. We don't do that," Norm Daviess said. Immigration and Customs Enforcement declined to comment, citing pending litigation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Months after India and Indonesia elevated their ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her Indonesian counterpart Gen (Retd) Ryamizard Rycudu Tuesday held wide-ranging talks, exploring ways to deepen defence and security relations, with a focus on cooperation in maritime domain. Sitharaman and Rycudu, in their talks in Jakarta, also agreed to set up working groups to boost bilateral defence engagements in specific areas, officials said here without elaborating. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Indonesia in May during which both sides signed a pact on defence cooperation and elevated the ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Sitharaman arrived in Jakarta on Monday on a two-day visit. In the talks, the Indian side welcomed Indonesia's support for New Delhi's proposal to be part of the maritime patrol in the Malacca Straits. A number of ASEAN countries are part of the patrol, officials said. India is keen to be part of the patrol in the strategically-key Malacca Straits. Sharing details of the talks, the defence ministry here said Sitharaman noted that commencement of bilateral naval and air exercises between the two countries will lay a strong foundation for defence cooperation between the two countries. "In line with the elevation of relationship between the two countries to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the two sides discussed areas of enhancing cooperation, including strengthening maritime and coastal security, through improved information sharing," it said. Sitharaman also met Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Gen (Retd) Luhut Panjaitan and Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Gen (Retd) Wiranto. "During these meetings, issues of strategic interest and potential areas of bilateral defence cooperation were discussed and agreed to," the ministry said. Sitharaman also laid a wreath at the memorial in Jakarta for the Indian soldiers who made supreme sacrifices in Indonesia during World War II. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India Tuesday summoned a senior official of the Pakistan High Commission here and lodged a strong protest over the killing of three of its soldiers during an infiltration bid by Pakistani terrorists in the Sunderbani sector of Jammu and Kashmir two days ago. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the provocative action by Pakistan revealed Islamabad's complicity in aiding and abetting terrorism and exposed the hollowness of its deceitful claims of promoting a constructive engagement with India. "A senior official in the High Commission for Pakistan in New Delhi was summoned to the MEA and a demarche was made lodging strong protest at the fatal casualties of Indian soldiers during an attempted cross border infiltration on October 21 by Pakistani terrorists in Sunderbani Sector," the MEA said. Two heavily-armed Pakistani "intruders" and three Indian soldiers were killed in a gunfight Sunday after the Army foiled the infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Sunderbani sector. "The Ministry condemned in the strongest terms such provocative action by Pakistan, which reveals their complicity in aiding and abetting terrorism and exposes the hollowness of Pakistan's deceitful claims to promote constructive engagement and desire for peace," it said. India also conveyed to the Pakistani side Tuesday its grave concern over the continuing incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Pakistani forces along the LoC and the International Border (IB). "Despite repeated calls for restraint and adherence to the ceasefire understanding of 2003 for maintaining peace and tranquillity, Pakistan forces have carried out 1,591 incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations along the LoC and IB in 2018 so far," the MEA said. Pakistan was also asked to abide by its bilateral commitment not to allow any territory under its control to be used for supporting terrorism against India in any manner, it added. "It was informed that two Pakistani armed intruders have been killed by the Indian security forces during the ensuing firefight and the government of Pakistan should take custody of the dead bodies of its nationals," it said. The issue was strongly raised by the Indian Army Tuesday during weekly telephonic conversation with Pakistan Army, sources said. Brigadier-level officials of the Directorate General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan hold the weekly talks over hotline. On Monday, the Army warned Pakistan Army to restrain the terrorists operating from its soil and asked it to take back bodies of the two Pakistani "intruders". Sources said Pakistan Army is yet to respond to the Indian Army's call to take back the two bodies. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A jailed Indian-origin former bank employee was ordered on Monday to forfeit 62,000 pounds by a UK court for his role in a money laundering scam to help Romanian criminals by opening around 400 fake bank accounts. Nilesh Sheth had pleaded guilty to his role in setting up around 400 fake accounts to help Romanian criminals to launder more than 16 million pounds (Rs 153 crore approx) and sentenced to four years behind bars in November last year. The 54-year-old, serving his sentence for money laundering and possessing criminal property, was told by a proceeds of crime hearing at the Old Bailey court in London this week to pay 62,000 pounds (Rs 59.19 lakhs) within three months or serve an extra year in jail. "Sheth abused his position of trust at the bank to knowingly open sham accounts for the network, providing a vital service which enabled them to launder GBP 16 million worth of stolen cash," said Mike Hulett, head of Operations at the National Crime Agency's (NCA) National Cyber Crime Unit. The NCA found that Sheth, a personal banking manager at Barclays, was instrumental in the opening of a large number of mule accounts, using false ID and address documents. Its investigation revealed that mastermind Iurie Mereacre ran the money laundering service from his home in east London, along with his associates, Ryingota Gincota and brothers Iurie and Serghei Bivol. Over a three-year period, the gang of five set up and controlled around 400 bank accounts in a conspiracy which involved receiving stolen funds into one account, then dispersing it in smaller amounts to a number of other accounts to try and confuse authorities. This process would be repeated several times to disguise the source of the money before it was transferred back to cyber criminals in Eastern Europe. Prior to their arrests in November 2016, the gang was under surveillance by the NCA and was seen meeting with Sheth on numerous occasions at the bank and in public places including restaurants and car parks. When officers raided Sheth's home at the time, they found 16,000 pounds in cash, nine mobile phones and a handwritten guide to money laundering. "These men deliberately and persistently set about transferring millions of pounds of stolen money out of the UK to eastern Europe," said Rose-Marie Franton, from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) International Justice and Organised Crime Division, during the time of their sentencing last year. "The evidence we gathered showed how Nilesh Sheth abused his position as a bank employee for personal gain by facilitating the laundering the criminal proceeds of an organised crime group both within the UK and across borders," she said. The court heard how Sheth started the scam after criminals tempted him with money that he stuffed behind cushions and under the kitchen sink at his home in Essex, near London. He used his Barclays office to meet 38-year-old Mereacre, an illegal immigrant, and his associates, all of whom have since been jailed for a total of 28 years. Barclays said it worked closely with the authorities during the investigation. A spokesperson said: "Barclays will always support law enforcement in identifying criminal activity and bringing prosecutions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Indian national on Tuesday hit a jackpot to become the latest winner of the USD 1 million Dubai Duty Free raffle, a media report said. Sourav Dey, the 45-year-old who has been living in Dubai since last six years, works as a department head for an insurance company, the Khaleej Times reported. He bagged the jackpot with his first ever ticket to Dubai Duty Free, which he bought on his way to Kolkata for a vacation in September, the paper said. "I'm so grateful to Dubai Duty Free for giving me this new fortune that my family will truly treasure this for a long time," he was quoted as saying by the paper. Two other winners, including an Indian, drove away luxury vehicles. Babu Ajith Babu, a 44-year-old Indian national, drove home a BMW R 1200 RT motorbike, while 40-year-old Sri Lankan national Sajeewa Niranjan won a Range Rover HSE 380HP. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Duterte names seven national artists posted October 23, 2018 at 09:51 pm by Manila Standard October 23, 2018 at 09:51 pm From left to right: (top) Ryan Cayabyab, Amelia Bonifacio, Kidlat Tahimik, (bottom) Resil Mojares, Francisco Manosa, and Ramon Muzones Lauro Larry Alcala for visual arts. Larry Alcala President Rodrigo Duterte will bestow the Order of National Artists on seven Filipinos who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts.In a list released yesterday, this years awardees are Francisco Manosa for architecture, Kidlat Tahimik (Eric de Guia) for film, Ramon Muzones and Resil Mojares for literature, Ryan Cayabyab for music, Amelia Lapena Bonifacio for theater, and READ: Looking for Mang Larry The National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Cultural Center of the Philippines handpicked the seven outstanding individuals. The President will also accord the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Award to Ambalang Ausalin, Estelita Bantilan, and Yabing Masalon-Dulo.The Order of National Artists is the highest recognition given by the government to Filipinos for their exemplary performance in their own fields of expertise. Aside from the rank and title, the seven National Artists will also receive an insignia, a citation, and a lifetime emolument and benefits similar to those received by the highest officers in the country.Among the incentives are P100,000 cash award for living awardees, P75,000 cash award for posthumous awardees, a monthly life pension medical and hospitalization benefits, life insurance, a state funeral at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, and a place of honor at national state functions. 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 man, who helped an ISIS sympathiser procure a passport on forged documents, has been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Tuesday, the agency said. Shafeek Ahamed (30), a resident of Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, was arrested and produced before a special court Tuesday here, which subsequently gave his 7 days remand to the NIA, it said. Ahamed is an alleged conspirator in the case and had facilitated procurement of an Indian passport for V K Shajahan alias Shajahan Velluva Kandy in the name of Mohd Ismail Mohideen "on the basis of forged documents", the NIA said in a statement. Shajahan, an alleged sympathiser of the terror group ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), was arrested by the central agency in July last year after he was deported by Turkish authorities "in connection with his involvement in ISIS activities". The NIA had filed a charge sheet against Shajahan and his alleged associate Mohd Mustafa last year in connection with its probe against ISIS sympathisers or operatives in the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday met Israeli President Reuven Rivlin here and discussed a wide range of subjects of mutual interest, with an eye on engaging with the Jewish nation for technical collaboration and support in the key areas of water management, agriculture and homeland security technologies. During the talks, the President shared Israel's experience on judicious management of water to transform a desert into an agricultural nation, while the chief minister spoke about the need to take urgent steps to check the depletion of water levels in Punjab through better water management and conservation, according to a press release. The President also observed that India's water problem had also been raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Tel Aviv earlier this year. Rivlin suggested use of desalination to make water drinkable, as was being done extensively by Israel through various innovative technologies. Referring to Punjab's hostile neighbours, Singh also underlined the need to adopt Israeli knowledge and technologies in the area of homeland security. The President said Israel was keen to extend to India, including Punjab, all possible support in the area of internal security, the release said. Singh is on a five-day visit to Israel that commenced on Monday. He is heading a high level delegation, which includes Punjab Principal Secretary Tejveer Singh and CM's Media Advisor Raveen Thukral, to the country to strengthen Punjab's cooperation with the middle east nation in the field of agriculture, horticulture, dairy farming and waste water management, besides trying to attract investments in the state. "Glad to have met President of Israel, @PresidentRuvi today. Discussed the continued strengthening of relations between Israel & India. Expressed to him our great interest in Israeli water management, agriculture and cyber technologies," Singh tweeted after the meeting. "The two leaders discussed a variety of subjects of mutual interest. The talks focused, in particular, on water management and homeland/internal security, with Punjab looking at greater cooperation with Israel on these issues," an official travelling with the chief minister said. During his meeting with the President, Singh gifted him a set of his military history books and a wooden box from Hoshiarpur, engraved with mother of pearls. Rivlin also presented Singh a box from Jerusalem. Describing his first day of official engagements in Israel as "extremely productive", Singh on Monday appreciated the technological knowhow developed by the Jewish nation and expressed hope that his state could also adopt some of them to solve issues of distressed farmers and water conservation. He met officials of Israel's Tyros International Group Ltd on Monday and discussed investment opportunities in Punjab's infrastructure sector. He also visited facilities of NaanDan Jain Irrigation, accompanied by officials of the state, to witness latest technology deployed in precision farming and horticulture. NaanDanJain Irrigation Ltd is the leading global producer and provider of tailor-made irrigation solutions. "Had an extremely productive 1st day in Israel, beginning with some major investment talks, followed by field visits to NaanDanJain Irrigation farms, & Dan Region Wastewater Treatment Plant. Impressed by the Homeland Security presentation on latest technologies to prevent crime," Singh tweeted at the end of a packed day Monday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Activists of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) Tuesday held a protest against Union Finance minister Arun Jaitley, demanding his resignation over his daughter and son-in-law's alleged involvement in the Mehul Choksi case. According to the IYC, the youth Congress activists marched from the IYC headquarters to Krishna Menon Marg, but were stopped by the Delhi Police. "Nation-wide protests are being held against the role of finance minister in the Mehul Choksi case and effigy burnings have been observed by various dissatisfied sections of society," a statement quoted IYC chief Keshav Chand Yadav as saying. The statement stated that police detained several activists during protest and took them to the Parliament Police Station. Several IYC leaders, including vice-president Srinivas B Venkatesh and national spokesperson Amrish Ranjan Pandey, participated in the protest. The Congress has alleged that Jaitley's daughter and son-in-law, both lawyers, allegedly received a retainership of Rs 24 lakh from Choksi. However, Jaitley's son-in-law had earlier issued a statement stating that his law firm had returned the retainership the moment they came to know that the company was involved in a scam. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jharkhand government has assured that it would maintain the sanctity of Sammed Shikhar, a major pilgrimage site of the Jain community there, a member of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) said here Tuesday. The Jain community has been expressing concern after some social media reports said the Jharkhand government was planning to develop a tourist spot at the pilgrimage point. A delegation, including NCM member Sunil Singhi and representatives of Jain trusts met Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Monday to discuss the issue. Talking to reporters here Tuesday, Singhi said Das assured them that his government was committed to maintain the sanctity of Sammed Shikhar, a range of hills in the state's Giridih district, considered as an important pilgrimage centre by the Jains. According to Singhi, "misleading information" was being spread on social media over the last few months about the development of tourist spot at the site, which could affect the sanctity of the place. He said after he received representations from some Jain organisations, he discussed the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister for Minority Affairs as well as the Jharkhand CM. "I first met the chief minister on August 17 and conveyed to him our community's reservations. However, he assured that the site will remain sacred and there will be no compromise on that," Singhi said. "In another meeting held yesterday, Das reiterated that the sanctity of the place will be maintained. He even gave this assurance in writing. I would like to request the Jain community that no such thing as tourist spot is going to be developed there," he said. Parasnath hills are a range of hills located in Giridih district. It is one of the most important pilgrimage centre for Jains, who call it Sammed Sikhar. The hill is named after Parasnath, the 23rd Tirthankara. "The chief minister also assured the Jain representatives that there will be no sale of meat or liquor there. With this, the matter has been resolved, and the Jain community should rest assured," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jharkhand High Court has ordered a CBI probe into the Palamau encounter in which 12 alleged Maoists were shot dead by the police on June 8, 2015. The father of one of the deceased had filed a petition in the court alleging that those killed were not Maoists and the encounter that took place at Bakoria in the state's Palamau district was fake. Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe on Monday, observing that the CID investigation was allegedly not going in the right direction, the petitioner's counsel R S Mazumdar said Tuesday. The court had reserved the matter in March this year after hearing all sides on the petition filed by Jawahar Yadav in 2016, alleging that the encounter was fake and that the CBI must probe it. The petition further alleged that of the 12 people killed, 10 had no criminal history and the claim that all of them were Maoists was wrong. Yadav further argued that even Human Rights Commissions had raised doubts over the credibility of the CID probe in the matter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jammu and Kashmir government has withdrawn a controversial circular that had asked the department to provide the Urdu version of "Bhagwat Geeta" and "Koshur Ramayana" in schools and other educational institutions in the state. "The circular regarding the introduction of some religious books stands withdrawn ab initio under the orders of the chief secretary," an official said Tuesday. The state government had issued the circular Monday, directing the Director of School for the Jammu and Kashmir divisions to purchase these religious books. The circular had asked the School department, the Higher Education department, directors of colleges and libraries and the Culture department to consider purchasing a sufficient number of copies of the Urdu version of "Bhagwat Geeta" and "Koshur Ramayana", authored by Sarwanand Premi. It was issued as a follow-up to a meeting pertaining to the School Education department, chaired by B B Vyas, Advisor to the Governor, on October 4. The circular had generated opposition from various quarters, with former chief minister Omar Abdullah questioning the decision to ignore the books of other religions. "Why just the Gita & Ramayana? If religious texts are to be placed in schools, colleges & government libraries (and I'm not convinced that they need/should be) then why is it being done selectively? Why are other religions being ignored?," the National Conference (NC) leader had said in a tweet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP general secretary Saroj Pandey on Tuesday claimed that the alliance between Ajit Jogi's party and the BSP will hurt the Congress more in Chhattisgarh as she asserted that her party will return to power for a fourth straight term in the state. Pandey, a Rajya Sabha member and a key party leader from the state, also said that the opposition Congress is on the back foot due to the alleged involvement of its state president Bhupesh Baghel in a fake sex CD case, which she termed as an insult to the state's women. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had last month filed a charge sheet in the case naming Baghel and some others as accused in the case related to the controversial CD allegedly featuring a state minister, who had rejected it as fake. The Congress leader was released on bail after spending three days in judicial custody last month. The BJP has used the issue to target the Congress, while Baghel has claimed innocence and termed it as a political attack. The state president of a political party should have applied his mind to decide what is in the interest of a state and what is not before putting out such content, Pandey said, dismissing his claim that he was not aware of its authenticity. "We are in a very strong position in Chhattisgarh. We will form the government for a fourth straight term," she said, adding that the BJP will achieve its president Amit Shah's target of winning 65 plus seats in the 90-member assembly. The state will go to the polls in two phases on November 12 and 20. Though Chhattisgarh has always seen a straight fight between the two national parties, the emergence of former chief minister Ajit Jogi-led Janta Congress Chhattisgarh has made things tricky in a state where the difference in vote share between the BJP and the Congress was less than one per cent in 2013. Jogi, who was earlier in the Congress, has struck an alliance with Bahujan Samaj Party, which enjoys influence in some parts of the state. Asked about the possible impact of the alliance, Pandey said influence of any party cannot be discounted in electoral but added that Jogi will definitely draw votes from the party he was associated with, a reference to Congress. Overall, the alliance will not be able to make much impact, she said. The state government led by Chief Minister Raman Singh has done a lot of good work in different sectors in the last 15 years, she said, adding that "pro-people" schemes of the Narendra Modi dispensation will also help the party. The BJP will see positive change in the tribal-dominated Bastar region, where it could win only four seats compared to eight of the Congress in 2013, she said. The Naxal-hit region will go to the polls in the first phase on November 12. In 2013, the BJP had formed the government for third straight term by winning 49 seats against 39 of the Congress but the opposition party succeeded in narrowing the gap. It had grabbed 40.3 per cent of votes while the saffron party cornered 41 per cent of votes. Singh has been at the helm since 2003. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump has said the death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was the result of "a plot gone awry". He also said Monday that the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has told him that neither he nor the king were involved in this. He (Crown Prince) says he is not involved nor is the king, Trump told USA Today, a popular American daily, in an interview. If their involvement was proven, I would be very upset about it. We'll have to see, the president said. Trump, who has said he wants to get to the bottom of the case told the daily that he still believed it was a plot gone awry. He reiterated that he would oppose efforts to cease arms sales to the kingdom in response. "In characterising the Khashoggi incident as a 'plot gone awry', Trump indicated that he thought the journalist was not deliberately lured into the consulate to be murdered, the daily reported after the interview. Over the past few days, Trump has spoken with the Saudi prince and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. More details of the incident would be known in a day or two, the US president said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former JNU students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar on Tuesday charged the BJP with having falsely implicated him in a couple of "politically motivated" criminal cases lodged in Bihar last week. Addressing a press conference here, Kumar alleged that the BJP has been annoyed over his opposition to its brand of politics since his JNU days and using its political clout to get even with him. "The FIR lodged against me by doctors at AIIMS, Patna was a handiwork of the BJP. I do not wish to blame the medical professionals.....they are working under tremendous pressure and some of them may have capitulated before the vindictive political leadership as a short cut to success", Kumar said. "In the FIR it has been alleged that my supporters and I had indulged in violence when we visited AIIMS, Patna to meet an associate admitted there. CCTV cameras are installed inside the hospital and till date no footage has been found which could corroborate the allegation", Kumar - who is now a member of the CPI's national council - said. "Within hours of the lodging of the FIR, our cavalcade was attacked in Begusarai. The attackers were workers of Bajrang Dal and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha. I may be sued if I am wrong. An FIR was subsequently lodged by us following which a counter FIR was registered wherein we were accused of indulging in violence", Kumar said. "I am amused that Bihar health minister Mangal Pandey, who has been blissfully indifferent to the pathetic condition of health care services on his watch, lost no time in maligning me after the AIIMS, Patna FIR", he remarked. Replying to a query, he said "I am thankful to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the generosity he had extended towards me while I was lodged in a sedition case on the basis of a morphed video of JNU campus. But if the state's health services are crumbling under his rule, we have to stand up for the truth". "My sense of gratitude had not come in the way of my raising voice against sexual abuse of girls at Muzaffarpur shelter home. Moreover, Nitish Kumar's helplessness can be gauged from the fact that while one minister belonging to his party had to resign in connection with the scandal, demand for the resignation of a BJP minister in the same case is yet to be fulfilled", he said. "Democracy is under threat in the BJP regime. The party had let loose ruffians masquerading as lawyers who assaulted me inside a Delhi court premises. Probe agencies are being used to settle scores with rivals even as real wrongdoers are roaming scot free. Those who are raising a voice, be it from the media or the political class, are being silenced", the CPI leader alleged. "It is in such a backdrop that our party has decided to hold a rally on October 25 to which all political groups outside the NDA have been invited", he said. Asked about his own possibility of contesting the Lok Sabha polls from Begusarai, as reported in the media, Kumar said "no formal decision has been taken in this regard. But any decision must have the consent of not only the Left Front but also other parties with whom we may have an electoral understanding". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A fringe Kannada outfit Tuesday threatened to disrupt actor Sunny Leone's event on November 3 in protest against her playing the role of "Veeramahadevi" in a multi-lingual film. Kannada Rakshana Vedike President K Harish told reporters here that the forum does not have any objection to Leone performing in the event here, but would oppose her playing the character as Veeramahadevi, a historical icon, who is revered as a goddess figure by the Kannadigas. "It will be inappropriate for Leone to don the role of Veeramahadevi who had championed the cause of Hindus," he said. Commissioner of police T Suneel Kumar had said police had given the nod for Leone's event, but withconditions. Earlier this month, members of the Kannada Rakshana Vedike had staged an agitation against Leone and burned her posters here. On December 31 last year, a new years eve show featuring Leone, organised by Time Creations, was cancelled following protests by the KRVYS and denial of permission by the authorities. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena on Tuesday accused his accuser, sacked deputy collector Lourdes Mangaoang , of being used by a drug syndicate to tarnish the image of the Bureau of Customs and to replace him as its head. There is no doubt that these attacks against me and the officers, [the] men and women of the Bureau of Customs, is a well-funded and coordinated attack to undermine the reforms I started, Lapena told reporters. READ: Customs deputy on floating status; cleansing begins She could be being used wittingly or unwittingly by a drug syndicate, he said of Mangaoang who has been transferred to the Customs Monitoring Unit. Lapena made his statement even as Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director general Aaron Aquino said he was willing to face any investigation into thethat supposedly slipped past the Bureau of Customs in August.PDEA deputy director general Ricardo Santiago said the agency will stand by its findings that the magnetic lifters abandoned in a warehouse in Cavite contained shabu. Our dog sat down when it smelled traces of shabu inside the magnetic lifters, Santiago told reporters on the sidelines of the launching of Grab Philippines road safety map. Meanwhile, civic groups are urging the PDEA to either put up evidence to back its claim that an allegedor shut up and buckle down to work if it could not produce a single gram of evidence.Ed Cordevilla, head of the Filipino League of Advocates for Good Governance or FLAG, made the statement after PDEA and Customs officials continued trading accusations over the shabu. They have yet to produce any evidence to back their claims that shabu was spirited out of Customs, Cordevilla said. President Rodrigo Duterte himself publicly stated his reservation regarding the veracity of PDEAs claim. Recently, PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde even doubted the insinuations that the price of shabu had become cheap due to a flood of supplies as alleged by the head of PDEA. Mangaoaong, who was also placed under a lifestyle check on suspicions of corruption, was removed by Lapena after she claimed in a Senate hearing that the four magnetic lifters released by the bureau and later found in a warehouse in Cavite contained P6.8 billion worth of shabu. The issue against us is being manipulated by the drug syndicates in order that it will be diverted away from them, Lapena said. The syndicates have penetrated the government. They exist in the Bureau of Customs, they exist in PDEA and they exist in other branches of government. Lapena also denied removing Mangaoang, who was formerly Customs X-ray division chief, from her post, saying it was a management decision based on the recommendation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport District Collector. The issue on X-rays and all those noises are smokes and mirrorstechnicalities being used to divert the public from the main issue, Lapena said. We should focus. Even President Duterte has revealed the personalities behind the government drug syndicate. Lapena appealed to Aquino against pointing fingers and instead work together to solve the drug menace in the country. My doors are open for dialogue. Let us together fight the syndicate. There are still personalities in the drug matrix on the loose, Lapena said. Netflix Tuesday confirmed the streaming giant will continue its association with Vikramaditya Motwane, Anurag Kashyap and writer Varun Grover for the second season of "Sacred Games". The streaming giant in a statement, said they carried out an independent investigation and are satisfied with the results. Kashyap and Motwane, who co-directed the hit series, have been under fire for their alleged inaction in the sexual harassment allegations against former Phantom Films partner Vikas Bahl by an employee, a charge they both have denied. The production house was dissolved last month after allegations resurfaced against Bahl in the wake of #MeToo movement in India. The case dates back to an incident that took place in Goa in 2015. Whereas, Grover was anonymously accused of sexual harassment, a claim he has categorically denied. In multiple statements, he has said that while he supports the movement, he wants to clear his name for his mental health. There has been no response from the anonymous account after he asked for closure. "After an independent investigation, the results helped inform Netflix's decision to continue with Vikramaditya Motwane and Anurag Kashyap on season 2 of Sacred Games," Netflix said. "Netflix will continue to work with Varun Grover on season 2 of Sacred Games," it further said. The company said it will collaborate with its production partners "to ensure and maintain a safe and respectful working environment". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hitting out at the BJP and RSS for the agitation at Sabarimala, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Tuesday said the protests were a "planned" and "deliberate" attempt to create an atmosphere of tension in the state and asserted that no force will be allowed to turn the shrine complex into a centre for trouble-makers. Speaking with reporters, he alleged that the Sangh Parivar was attempting to "insult" and "mislead" believers. Alleging there was a "hidden conspiracy" to destroy peace at Sabarimala, where the Lord Ayyappa temple is located, he said the agitations were a "planned and deliberate attempt" to create an atmosphere of tension in the state. While maintaining that faith of believers would be respected, Vijayan made it clear that the government had the responsibility to implement the Supreme Court order. The apex court had in a historic verdict on September 28 permitted women of all ages to offer prayers at Sabarimala,where earlier those between 10-50 could not visit. Vijayan said both the main opposition Congress and BJP were "playing politics" on the Sabarimala issue and they had welcomed the top court verdict earlier. Some leaders of the Congress are joining hands with the RSS and it was a "dangerous trend," he said. Attempts are being made to destroy the peace and harmony at Sabarimala, he said, adding criminals will not be allowed to turn the temple complex into a trouble zone. The government will restore the peace and harmony at Sabarimala and this will be through the cooperation of "actual believers" of Lord Ayyappa, Vijayan said. At least 12 women in the 10-50 age group had made a failed attempt to trek the hills and had to return following protests from believers. Even women over the age of 50 were stopped at Sabarimala. This situation cannot be allowed, the chief minister said. Vijayan also made it clear that it was the constitutional responsibility of the LDF government to implement the court order and said protection will be given to women who wish to offer prayers at the shrine. The blocking of women and attack on media personnel, who had come to cover the historic event, was part of a conspiracy led by the RSS, he alleged. The temple in Sabarimala had witnessed high drama and tense moments for six days when it was opened for monthly prayers from October 17 to 22. He also said a "heinous attempt" was made by the Sangh parivar to communalise the state police, apparently referring to the cyber attacks faced by IGPs Manoj Abraham and S Sreejith, who had been deputed to the temple to maintain law and order. Vijayan also criticised temple tantri (priest), Kandararu Rajeevaru, who had said he would close the temple and go if women were allowed inside the shrine and the agitation by assistants of priests who had protested near the holy 18 steps. A series of protests were witnessed across the state since the CPI(M)-led LDF government decided to implement the verdict. Reacting to Vijayan's attack, BJP State President, P S Sreedharan Pillai blamed the "stubbornness" of the chief minister for the present situation in Sabarimala. The government should rectify its mistakes and protect the faith of believers.The massive support the devotees received across the state had left the ruling CPI(M) and LDF in "jitters" which was why they have started a campaign, including family meets to explain the government's stand on the issue, he said. Pandalam Royal family member Sasi Kumar Varma said even though the government used all its machinery and tried to bring women, barred by tradition, to the shrine, they could not succeed. The LDF has decided to hold "explanatory" meetings in all districts headquarters and at the booth level. Main opposition, Congress-led UDF, which has made it clear that they will be with the believers, is also launching similar meetings to explain their stand and "expose" the alleged hidden agenda of the BJP and the ruling LDF. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A four-member board on Tuesday conducted an in-camera post-mortem of Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, a key witness in the Kerala nun rape case who testified against accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal, at Dasuya Civil Hospital, officials said. Kattuthara, 62, was found dead under mysterious circumstances on Monday in his room in the catholic church premises in Dasuya, 40 km from here. The autopsy was videographed, Senior Medical Officer of Dasuya Civil Hospital Devinder Puri said. The viscera will be sent to the government laboratory to find out the cause of death, he said. A four-member board of directors was constituted to conduct the post-mortem, he added. Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dasuya) A R Sharma said the body was handed over to Kattuhara's family after the post-mortem. The deceased's brothers Jose Kurian and Johnny Thomas and brother-in-law Jojo Thomas reached Dasuya from Kerala on Tuesday. According to officials, they proceeded to Jalandhar for prayers. Thereafter, they will take the body for embalming at Christian Medical College hospital in Ludhiana before flying back to Kerala. No visible injury marks were found on Kattuthara's body, the police had said on Monday. "There was vomit in the room," Sharma had said. Relatives of the priest in Kerala had said Kattuthara was concerned about his safety after coming out openly against the bishop. In her complaint to the Kottayam Police in June, the nun had alleged that Bishop Mulakkal raped her at a guest house in Kuravilangad in May 2014 and later sexually exploited her on several occasions. However, Mulakkal, who stepped aside as the bishop of the Jalandhar diocese last month, has denied the charges as "baseless and concocted", insisting she levelled those as the Catholic order had rejected her demand for favours. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who wrote critically of the kingdom's policies and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. Here are some key moments in the slaying of the Washington Post columnist: Sep 2017: The Post publishes the first column by Khashoggi in its newspaper, in which the former royal court insider writes about going into a self-imposed exile in the US over the rise of Prince Mohammed. His following columns criticise the prince and the kingdom's direction. Sep 28, 2018: Khashoggi visits the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, seeking documents in order to get married. He's told to return Oct 2. Oct 1: Khashoggi returns to Istanbul. At around 16:30, a three-person Saudi team arrives in Istanbul on a scheduled flight, checks in to their hotels then visits the consulate. Another group of officials from the consulate travel to a forest in Istanbul's outskirts on a "reconnaissance" trip. Oct 2 - 3:28 am: A private jet arrives at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport carrying some members of what Turkish media refers to as Saudi "assassination squad." Other members of the team arrive by two commercial flights in the afternoon. They meet at the Saudi Consulate. One of the first things they do is to dismantle a hard disk connected to the consulate's camera system. 11:50 am: Khashoggi is called to confirm his appointment at the consulate later that day. 1:14 pm: Surveillance footage later leaked to Turkish media shows Khashoggi walking into the main entrance of the Saudi Consulate. No footage made public ever shows him leaving. His fiancee waits outside, pacing for hours. 3:07 pm: Surveillance footage shows vehicles with diplomatic license plates leaving the Saudi Consulate for the consul general's home some 2 km away. 5:50 pm: Khashoggi's fiancee alerts authorities, saying he may have been forcibly detained inside the consulate or that something bad may have happened to him. 7:00 pm: A private plane from Saudi Arabia carries six members of the alleged Saudi squad from Istanbul to Cairo, the next day returning to Riyadh. 11:00 pm: Seven members of the alleged Saudi squad leave on another private jet to Dubai, which the next day returns to Riyadh. Two others leave by commercial flights. Erdogan confirms reports that a "body double" a man wearing Khashoggi's clothes, glasses and a beard leaves the consulate building for Riyadh with another person on a scheduled flight later that day. Oct 3: Khashoggi's fiancee and the Post go public with his disappearance. Saudi Arabia says Khashoggi visited the consulate and exited shortly thereafter. Turkish officials suggest Khashoggi might still be in the consulate. Prince Mohammed tells Bloomberg: "We have nothing to hide." Oct 4: Saudi Arabia says that the consulate is carrying out "follow-up procedures and coordination with the Turkish local authorities to uncover the circumstances of the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi after he left the consulate building."Oct 6: The Post reports Khashoggi may have been killed in the consulate in a "preplanned murder" by a Saudi team. Oct 7: A friend of Khashoggi tells the AP that officials told him the writer was killed at the consulate. The consulate rejects what it calls "baseless allegations." Oct 8: Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Turkey is summoned over Khashoggi's disappearance and alleged killing. Oct 9: Turkey says it will search the Saudi Consulate as a picture of Khashoggi walking into the diplomatic post surfaces. Oct 10: Surveillance footage is leaked of Khashoggi and the alleged Saudi squad that killed him. Khashoggi's fiancee asks President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump for help. Oct 11: Turkish media describes Saudi squad as including royal guards, intelligence officers, soldiers and an autopsy expert. Trump promises to get to the bottom of Khashoggi's disappearance. Oct 13: A pro-government newspaper reports that Turkish officials have an audio recording of Khashoggi's alleged killing from his Apple Watch, but details in the report come into question. Oct 14: Trump says "there will be severe punishment" if Saudi Arabia is involved. The kingdom responds with a blistering attack against those who threaten it, as the manager of a Saudi-owned satellite channel suggests the country could retaliate through its oil exports. Oct 15: A Turkish forensics team enters and searches the Saudi Consulate. Oct 16: A high-level Turkish official tells the AP that "certain evidence" was found in the Saudi Consulate proving Khashoggi was killed there. Pompeo arrives for meetings in Saudi Arabia with King Salman and Prince Mohammed. Oct 18: A leaked surveillance photograph shows a member of Prince Mohammed's entourage walked into the consulate just before Khashoggi vanished there. Oct 20: Saudi Arabia for the first time acknowledges Khashoggi was killed in the consulate, claiming he was slain in a "fistfight." The claim draws immediate skepticism from the kingdom's Western allies. Oct 22: A report says a member of Prince Mohammed's entourage made four calls to the royal's office around the time Khashoggi was killed. Police search a vehicle belonging to the Saudi consulate parked at an underground garage in Istanbul. Oct 23: Erdogan says Saudi officials murdered Khashoggi after plotting his death for days, demanding that Saudi Arabia reveal the identities of all involved. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump has charged that the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul had given rise to "one of the worst cover-ups" in history. "They had a very bad original concept. It was carried out poorly and the cover-up was one of the worst cover-ups in the history of cover-ups," Trump declared Tuesday in the Oval Office. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkey's foreign minister says his country would cooperate with international bodies if they were to launch an independent probe into the killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi. In an interview with state-run Anadolu Agency, Mevlut Cavusoglu also said Tuesday that Turkey has not shared evidence concerning his death at the Saudi consulate with any country but added that there may have been "an exchange of views between intelligence organizations". Saudi Arabia has said Kashoggi, a critic of the Saudi royal family, was killed Oct. 2 in a "fistfight" with officials sent to encourage him to return to the kingdom. Turkish media and officials say the 59-year-old Washington Post columnist was killed and dismembered by a 15-man Saudi hit squad. Cavusoglu said: "If a request for an international investigation is made ... we would cooperate. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The killing of a critic like Jamal Khashoggi is something that must "never happen again", Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Tuesday, as he pledged a full investigation into the journalist's death. Saudi Arabia's leadership will "see to it that the investigation is thorough and complete and that the truth is revealed and those responsible will be held to account", al-Jubeir told reporters after meeting with his Indonesian counterpart in Jakarta. "And that mechanism and procedures are put in place to ensure that something like this can never happen again." His comments, following a bilateral meeting in the Indonesian capital, come after al-Jubeir appeared on Fox Sunday to blame a "rogue operation" by individuals who "exceeded their responsibilities" and then "tried to cover up for it". Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Tuesday that Jakarta was "deeply concerned" about Khashoggi's killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul this month, which Ankara has said was "savagely planned". Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected later Tuesday to reveal what he has said is the "naked truth" about the murder. Omer Celik, spokesman of Erdogan's ruling party, said the killing "was planned in an extremely savage manner," and that "there has been a lot of effort to whitewash this". A tough critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Khashoggi, 59, disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to collect a document for his upcoming marriage. A few days later, a Turkish government source said police believed he was murdered by a team sent to Istanbul, and on October 17, a Turkish newspaper said he was tortured and decapitated inside the consulate. After more than two weeks of near silence, Saudi Arabia admitted on Saturday that Khashoggi was killed in an altercation at the consular office -- an explanation rejected by friends and foes alike. US President Donald Trump, who said he found Riyadh's initial explanations credible, told reporters at the White House Monday: "I am not satisfied with what I have heard", and that he expected to know more "very soon". US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin meanwhile met the Crown Prince behind closed doors in Riyadh for talks while CIA Director Gina Haspel headed for Turkey, although details of her trip were not immediately clear. White House advisor and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner said he had urged Prince Mohammed to be "fully transparent" stressing that "the world is watching". The case has shone the spotlight on the Crown Prince, who was credited with spearheading a reform drive but is now accused of having ordered Khashoggi's murder -- a claim Riyadh denies. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Potterheads take note! A law university in Kolkata is offering a new course on Harry Potter which will encourage students to explore legal aspects of J K Rowling's fictional world and its many real life lessons. The course titled "An interface between Fantasy Fiction Literature and Law: Special focus on Rowling's Potterverse" will be offered as an elective to 4th and 5th year students of the B.A LL.B (Hons) programme at the National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) in Kolkata. The course, designed for the winter semester by Assistant Professor Shouvik Kumar Guha, attempts to serve as a breather from the orthodox law school curriculum. "This course is meant to be more of an experiment. It will take both me and the students out of our comfort zones," Guha told PTI in a phone interview. "In law schools, people get a very specific set of subjects. The curriculum revolves around the hard letter of the law, case laws etc. Given the fact that this course lasts about five years, students also get bored," he said. Students will learn to apply legal principles in a completely new scenario, and understand how things will work through insights into a wizarding world constantly under government surveillance. Given the many societal, legal and political changes, including the slew of landmark Supreme Court judgements, law students need to learn to adapt and respond to events unfolding around them, Guha said. "I could have designed the course based on our real political situation but it is not necessary that all my students will share my political leanings," he said. Guha decided instead to turn to a fictional universe, which would not create political controversies but help students learn to apply their legal knowledge to a completely alien set of scenarios. According to a statement by NUJS, the Harry Potter series vividly exposes the limitations of laws and institutions. In Potterverse for example, The Ministry of Magic uses its representatives to torture children for daring to tell the truth, and imprisons or even executes its citizens without the benefit of due process of law. Its infamous prison Azkaban is designed to drive inmates to despair and suicidal tendencies without any hope of reformation In numerous instances, the wealthy control and influence government policy.. Freedom of the press in Potterverse is curtailed, and the major newspaper 'The Daily Prophet' is used to spread propaganda. The series thus provides a unique platform for students to reflect and compare the legal situations with their own government. The course aims to cover legal traditions and institutions, crimes and punishments, economy, politics, contracts in the Potterverse. Guha says his assignments to the students would be very creative in nature, and hopes that some of the works can eventually be published. "I was introduced to Potterverse in my tenth standard. Since then I have read the books multiple times. I am familiar with each and every line of all the seven books. So it will come to me naturally," said Guha, quipping that he probably knows Harry Potter literature better than Company Law. Classes for the course are due to start this December. This is not the first time in India that a professor has turned to the magical world of Harry Potter to pique student interest. Rashmi Raman, a former student of NUJS, first started a Potterverse-centric elective law course at the Jindal Global Law School in Sonipat in 2012. The course was one of the most popular among students in the law school, Raman told PTI. "I have not offered it for the last two semesters because it always exceeds the class limit, and I end up having to teach a class of 40-45, when I could teach another elective and get away with 15-20 students," she said. Raman said she plans to bring back the course again in the spring semester. Rowling's series of seven books which were made into eight films about the boy wizard Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermoine has already found its way into classrooms abroad. The Kansas State University in the US, for instance, offers a class called "Harry Potter's Library," where students have the opportunity to examine political themes that reoccur in the series. Frostburg University, also in the US, offers "Science of Harry Potter" which teaches students about the scientific concepts behind the magical events in the series. For example, students explore the physics that makes Quidditch possible and the possible genetics associated with magical creatures. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas withdrew its 2016 report that had given a clean chit to former ICICI Bank chief executive Chanda Kochhar with regard to nepotism allegations against her, sources said. ICICI Bank in a regulatory filing Tuesday said the clean chit given to Kochhar in March this year was based on the inquiry report of the law firm which is now saying that the same should no longer be treated as valid. Following the allegations of nepotism and conflict of interest against Kochhar, the then Chairman M K Sharma in March had expressed full confidence in her and ruled out any quid pro quo as alleged with regard to certain loans given to the Videocon group. ICICI Bank in a filing said the bank had expressed confidence in Kochhar on the basis of the inquiry report of the law firm which was engaged in 2016 to probe the allegations of nepotism and conflict of interest against her. The inquiry was conducted by law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, according to sources. "The law firm submitted its report in December 2016 stating that it had found no evidence of nepotism and conflict of interest on the part of Kochhar and accordingly the matter was treated as closed," ICICI Bank said. When fresh allegations surfaced in March 2018 on the same matter, the board of the bank on the basis of inquiry report of the law firm issued a statement expressing confidence in then CEO and managing director Kochhar. Subsequent to the additional whistle-blower allegations and further information made available to the bank, the board of directors of the bank announced a fresh inquiry, which was announced on May 30, 2018. ALSO READ: Chanda Kochhar seeks more time to appear before Sebi for a personal hearing "Further, the bank informed the law firm about the said developments, whereupon the law firm expressed that its earlier report would no longer be valid," ICICI Bank said. Later ICICI Bank instituted an external inquiry headed by retired Supreme Court judge B N Srikrishna to look into the allegations of nepotism and quid pro quo against Kochhar. Even as the board stood by her, details of misdoings emerged in the media, leading to a multi-agency probe against Kochhar by various law enforcement agencies. The cases under scanner include the bank's Rs 3,250 crore loan to Videocon Group in 2012 and the involvement of Kochhar family members, including her husband Deepak Kochhar, in first sanctioning the loan and then restructuring the same. Earlier this month on October 4, the bank had informed that Kochhar had quit the bank with immediate effect. The board of the bank had accepted the request of Kochhar to seek early retirement. "The board accepted this request with immediate effect. The enquiry instituted by the board will remain unaffected by this and certain benefits will be subject to the outcome of the enquiry," it had added. Following her resignations, the board appointed Sandeep Bakhshi as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for five years until October 3, 2023. The Left parties will organise a public hearing on the Rafale deal in the national capital Wednesday with a view to take forward their demand for a probe by the joint parliamentary committee in the issue. Legal, policy experts and Left leaders will speak on the matter and the public will also participate in the deliberations, according to Left leaders. CPI leader D Raja said the Left parties will raise the demand for a JPC probe into the alleged scam in the Rafale fighter jet deal and will evolve their strategy to take on the government on the issue. He said legal expert Prashant Bhushan along with policy experts Ravi Nair and Raghu Nandan and Left leaders like CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI (ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya will participate in the public hearing. "We have been demanding a JPC probe in the issue. The needle of suspicion is on the prime minister as he has not spoken on the Rafale deal yet. We will build a strong public opinion and take forward the demand for a JPC," Raja said. "We will hear out the public and will evolve our strategy on how to take our demand forward," he said. The Left leaders said a powerpoint presentation will also be made at the event. The opposition parties have been demanding a JPC probe into the issue, alleging a scam into the Rafale deal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Malacanang on Tuesday backed House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyos bid to pull the country out of the Inter-Parliamentary Union as the group meddles in the countrys judicial processes. I support the call of Speaker Arroyo, said Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo in a Palace press briefing Tuesday. Ever since that has been the stance of the President. Weve been hearing him make speeches in the same tone, he added. Panelo said no international human rights organization has jurisdiction over the country. He added that groups such as the IPU merely besmirch the countrys judicial system by coming to conclusions even without conducting a prior investigation. They came here and investigated [Senator Leila] De Lima, and I think Senator [Antonio] Trillanes [IV]. Then they made a finding that it seems there was a violation of human rights [and] that no due process was given to them. In effect, theyre saying that our judicial system is not functioning, said Panelo. Theyve been giving pre-judgments. And to our mind, thats an intrusion, an insult, offensive to the decency of this country, as well as an intrusion on our sovereignty, he added. Earlier, Arroyo, who was the head of the IPU Philippine delegation, recommended to the Senate that Philippines withdraw its membership from the IPU because of the groups continuous intervention in the countrys judicial system. Upon Arroyos recommendation, members of the Senate, the chamber which belongs to the IPU, are divided. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the suggestion was defeatist and a tacit admission that indeed critical lawmakers are being persecuted under the Duterte administration. However, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he was inclined to concur with Arroyo, stressing the country is a sovereign state with a working judicial process. On Sunday, the group said it would send an official mission to the country to look into the administrations political persecution, adopting two resolutions expressing deep concern over the human rights violations against the two opposition senators. The Palace, however, remained firm that the country does not need guidance from a prying organization, assuring them the country has an independent, effective, and functioning judicial system. Our state does not need guidance or directives from strangers. We can do well on our own, Panelo said. The IPU, an international group of lawmakers, has criticized President Rodrigo Dutertes administration for its attacks on its critics. It is a global organization of national parliamentarians from 178 member-states. In the House, Deputy Majority Leader Ron Salo asked where the IPU was when former President Gloria Arroyo was detained and subjected to a vilification campaign. Our delegation expressly requested copies of the minutes of proceedings as well as any draft text of resolution, and also members of our delegation personally expressed their desire to participate in the meeting held yesterday to afford the committee the chance to hear their side but were denied this opportunity, Salo said in the statement he delivered at the IPU Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland. Salo, speaking for the Philippine delegation, asked on the floor of the IPU Assembly, that the proposed decisions relating to the Philippines on these matters be deferred, and that the committee conduct and continue its fact finding and engagement with all parties and the Philippine parliamentary authorities. Salo also pointed out the apparent double standard practiced by the IPU. It is ironic indeed for our delegation to experience this situation when our head of delegation herself, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and former President of our Republic, Madame Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, while suffering five years of detention and vilification during her incumbency as a member of the House of Representatives, never heard one word of concern or solidarity from the IPU Governing Council, or the said committee, Salo said.For the record, the Philippine Supreme Court finally acquitted Mme. Arroyo, showing the strength of the Rule of Law in the Philippines, and its judicial system, he added. Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III also said he does not see any benefit in the countrys membership in the IPU. I fully support our leaders stand on our withdrawal from the IPU which is useless to us anyway, Albano said. Why not make our country neutral so we can deal with other countries on a one on one basis. Anyway most of the IPU members are using our country just for consolidating public opinion to favor their interest, he added. However, opposition Party-list Reps. Tom Villarin of Akbayan and Gary Alejano of Magdalo opposed Arroyos position against the IPU. Villarin said Arroyos suggestion for the Congress to withdraw its membership in the International Parliamentary Union is a diplomatic disaster and derogates our standing in international bodies. Administration lawmaker and Paranaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting said Arroyos position against the IPU should be respected. I respect the decision of the Speaker to call for the withdrawal of the Philippines from the IPU. I respect her opinion. Speaker GMA herself was once incarcerated because of a criminal case. She knows how it feels to be an accused in our country, yet she allowed the judicial processes to take their course, said Tambunting, chairman of the House committee on ways and means. One of the fundamentals of international law is the respect which the international community owes to the sovereignty of each state. The Philippines cannot be unduly compelled to take actions which would violate our local laws and the respect we owe to our judicial system, Tambunting added. Senator Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, said Arroyos recommendation for the Philippines to withdraw from the IPU was based on the wrong premise. He said the IPU has yet to act on its Human Rights Committees recommendation to the IPU Governing Council. Having said that, it is premature, if at all, to denounce the IPU as a whole, much less withdraw membership from the body, said Lacson. He also said that by withdrawing from the IPU, it would imply that the Philippine Senate acknowledges the political persecution of opposition senators. On the other hand, he said, the recent resolution of the coup detat case of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV by the Makati RTC Branch 148 is proof enough that the judicial process works in the Philippines. Lacson also said this was an indication that the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary from the executive and legislative is evident and clear. Furthermore, he said it it is the Senate, not the House of Representatives, that is a member of the IPU. On the other hand, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he is inclined to support Arroyos proposal but after due consultation with his colleagues. Senator Risa Hontiveros said the proposal to withdraw Philippine membership in the IPU borrows a page from the old pariah state playbook. It is a fake assertion of sovereignty to defend the countrys culture of killing and impunity, she said. It is also a virtual admission of guilt on the part of the Duterte government. It only confirms the IPUs serious concerns about our countrys worsening human rights record, she said. The Jalandhar divisional commissioner has initiated a probe into the tragic Amritsar train accident which left nearly 60 people dead and many injured, officials said Tuesday. B Purushartha, who has been appointed as special executive magistrate by the state government for inquiring into the incident, reached Amritsar on Monday, they said. He has appealed to the people that any eyewitness or other person having any information pertaining to the incident that occurred on October 19 can record his/her statement or can provide evidence appearing in person on October 25 and October 29 at Improvement Trust Office, Ranjit Avenue here. Nearly 60 people were killed Friday evening after a crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilt onto railway tracks while watching the burning of Ravana effigy was run over by a train near here, officials said. The train was coming from Jalandhar to Amritsar when the incident occurred at Joda Phatak. At least 300 people were at the spot watching 'Ravana dahan' at a ground near the tracks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Maharashtra Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Tuesday gave its nod to form the state housing development corporation to boost the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Minister for Housing Prakash Mehta said the corporation will boost PM housing scheme as well as speed up mega housing projects. "The government has aim to complete five lakh houses for economically backward classes and low and medium income group beneficiaries through MahaHousing. It will be affordable housing," the minister said. Maharashtra has set a target to complete 19.40 lakh houses under the PM Awas Yojna by the end of 2022. The Centre has given its permission to build such houses in cities across the state, he said. The project will be implemented through public-private partnership as well as a joint venture scheme. But to implement the scheme in a time-bound manner, there is need to form separate agency other than Maharashtra Housing and Development Authority and that is why the decision to form MahaHousing was taken, Mehta said. The chief minister will be the chairman of the corporation whereas the housing minister will be the additional president. The term of the corporation will be till the year 2022 or till the PM Awas Yojana target is achieved. The corporation will raise funds from Mhada, Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), ShivShahi Punarvasan Prakalp (SPPL) and through investment from other agencies. The option to raise funds from market, banks will also be open, the minister said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Malindo Air, a full-service carrier owned by Lion Group of Indonesia, launched its direct connectivity from the city to Kuala Lumpur with five flights per week in the initial phase. The city became the eighth destination for Malindo Air in India after Delhi, Amritsar, Mumbai, Kochi, Bangalore, Chennai (through another Lion Group airline Batik Air), Trichy and Trivandrum. GM (sales and development) of Malindo Air, Ramdas Shriram said that the airlines flies to 54 destinations across various cities and Asia and Australia. "We hope to get a load factor of 90 per cent during the peak season out of Kolkata", he told reporters here on Tuesday. Tourism Malaysia director in Delhi, Sulaiman Suip said that in the first half of the current year nearly 3.07 lakh tourists visited Malaysia, an increase of 14.7 per cent. "Our target is to attract one million tourists by 2020", he said. The other carrier which has a direct flight from Kolkata to Kuala Lumpur was no-frills airline Air Asia. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Just hours before the mortal remains of Lance Naik Ranjeet Singh were consigned to flames at his ancestral village in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday, his wife delivered a baby girl-- the first child of the couple after a wait of 10 years. The soldier was among the three personnel of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry who fell to the bullets of Pakistani intruders along the Line of Control (LoC) in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district on Sunday. Two heavily-armed Pakistani infiltrators, believed to be members of the border action team, were also killed in the gunfight. The tricolour-wrapped coffin carrying the body of the 36-year-old soldier reached his Suligam village on Monday after a wreath laying ceremony at Akhnoor Garrison. But due to some delay, the cremation could not take place and the family decided to perform the last rites on Tuesday morning. However, his pregnant wife Shimu Devi developed labour pain at around midnight and was admitted to district hospital where she delivered the baby girl at around 5 am, officials said. They said Devi along with the new born was taken to the cremation ground Chamba-Seri in an ambulance for the last glimpse of her husband. Later, the last rites of the soldier were performed with full military honours, the officials said. The soldier waited for 10 years for the birth of his first child but destiny had something else in store for him, Vijay Kumar, a local resident known to the family, said. Singh had joined the Army in 2003 and was planning to take a leave to be with his wife who was expecting a baby anytime, he said. The entire village is in deep mourning but the arrival of the child is expected to help the family to overcome the grief, Kumar added. The soldier is survived by his parents, three younger sisters and as many brothers who live in a joint family. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The mayor and the commissioner of north Delhi visited the Bhalswa landfill site Tuesday with the civic body announcing a slew of measures that it will take for its remediation, even as parts of the over 60 meter-high garbage dump continued to smoulder, officials said. Mayor Adesh Gupta, accompanied by Municipal Commissioner Madhup Vyas, Engineer-in-Chief Vijay Prakash, and other senior officials of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) and senior police officer, visited the site in the afternoon for about 30 minutes and took stock of the situation. The Bhalswa landfill site falls under the jurisdiction of the NDMC. The massive garbage heap had got saturated several years ago. "Three immediate major decisions were taken, which included reinforcement of the barbed wire, deployment of a police team to restrict entry of ragpickers and night vigil by the staff stationed at the site," a senior NDMC official in the engineering department told PTI. The mayor also decided that a "global tender" would soon be invited for remediation of the Bhalswa landfill site, the official said. "The Bhalswa landfill site is spread over 70 acres, rising 62 meters. About 2,000 metric tonne of garbage is being dumped on it on a daily basis and currently it has 80 lakh metric tonne of garbage," the mayor was quoted as saying in an NDMC statement. Gupta also directed officials to expedite the treatment of garbage. "A consultancy firm has been hired for remediation of the Bhalswa landfill site, which has submitted the initial report on it. The firm has done boring at 28 points of the dump to study the culture of garbage. As per the received report, it is being ascertained that the garbage is 12 meter-deep below the ground," he said. Gupta said the consultancy firm would be submitting its final report by the end of the year, based on which the NDMC would be releasing a global tender for work on slope stabilisation, leachate (dirty water) treatment, bio-mining (segregation of garbage) and capping at the Bhalswa landfill site. Fire incidents keep taking place at the humongous site on and off, caused by natural factors or triggered by some incendiary material. A fire has been raging at the Bhalswa landfill site since October 20, raising concerns about the air quality in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) further deteriorating. The Delhi Fire Service (DFS) department had on Monday night said the blaze at the site was "almost" brought under control by 7:30 pm. A senior DFS official, however, Tuesday said parts of the dump site was still smouldering. Gupta said the NDMC has deployed "its 60 employees, full bulldozers and two excavators at the Bhalswa site to manage and regulate the garbage round-the-clock". "Also, four fire tenders have been dedicated by the fire department for the site," the mayor said, directing the officials to strengthen the barbed wire fencing to check trespassing by locals. He also sought help of the city police to ensure compliance, the civic body said. Delhi's air quality remained in the "poor" category Tuesday, a day after it had improved from the "very poor" Air Quality Index (AQI) zone. But experts have said it may deteriorate in the coming days due to the toxic air emanating from the fire at the Bhalswa landfill site. Delhi minister Imran Hussain had Monday expressed serious concerns over the fire as the city is already fighting the adverse impact of stubble burning in the neighbouring states. Hussain directed the three municipal corporations in the national capital to work on preventing incidents of fire at landfill sites. He also told DFS officials to depute a fire tender exclusively to tackle future fire incidents at the Bhalswa landfill site. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday appealed the Centre for resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan to end the "present phase of acrimony and confrontation" between the two neighbours. The former chief minister made the appeal during a meeting with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh here, her Peoples Democratic Party said in a statement. The PDP chief was among the leaders of various parties who met the Home Minister here on Tuesday. "Good relations with Pakistan have a positive impact on the ground situation in the state and it also encourages reconciliation among stakeholders within the state which automatically results in decline in alienation levels of people," the Peoples Democratic Party leader said. Mehbooba told the Union Home Minister that in the past when bilateral relations improved, Jammu and Kashmir not only witnessed an era of minimal violence but also reconciliation and people's active participation in democratic and developmental processes. Expressing concern over the prevailing situation in the state, the PDP president also urged the Home Minister to ensure that civilian deaths and collateral damage during security operations are avoided at all costs. Mehbooba said she believed every civilian death not only adds to the alienation of people but also pushes back the democratic and developmental process in the state. She asked the Home Minister to direct all the security agencies to exercise maximum restrain and follow strictly the standard operating procedures while dealing with the security situations in the state to ensure that civilian lives and property are not put to any risk in these operations, according to the PDP statement. Seven civilians were killed Sunday in a blast at an encounter site in Laroo village in Kulgam district, after a gunfight between militants and security forces in which three ultras were eliminated had ended. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian messaging app Hike saw its net losses widening to Rs 3.99 billion for year ended March 2018 from Rs 2.12 billion in the previous fiscal, as per regulatory filings. The company, which competes with the likes of and WeChat, saw its income in FY2017-18 growing 22 per cent to Rs 396.4 million compared to Rs 328.9 million in the previous financial year. The filing, sourced by market intelligence firm Tofler, showed that the employee benefit expenses of the Kavin Bharti Mittal-led company had grown to Rs 1.54 billion in FY2018 from Rs 1.1 billion in the previous fiscal. In 2016, Chinese Internet giant and Taiwanese manufacturer had led a $175 million funding round in Hike, propelling the company into the coveted unicorn league ( with valuation of over $1 billion). The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed controversial Uttar Pradesh politician D P Yadav, convicted in a murder case and now on interim bail on medical grounds, to go back to Dehradun jail on November 16 to serve the remainder of his life sentence. Yadav was awarded life imprisonment by a CBI court in Dehradun in 2015 for his role in the murder of Mahendra Singh Bhati, an MLA from Ghaziabad's Dadri area. The lawmaker was shot dead at Dadri railway crossing in December 1992. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul took note of the recent medical report of Yashoda Superspeciality Hospital at Ghaziabad that Yadav had undergone a spinal surgery on October 19 and was likely to be released from the hospital on November 3. The court took note of the report and directed that Yadav can remain with his family for two weeks and then will have to go back to the jail to serve the remainder of the sentence. It also disposed of Yadav's appeal which was filed challenging the Uttarakhand High Court's order declining his plea for interim bail to undergo the surgery. Earlier, the apex court was apprised by the hospital that Yadav would undergo spinal surgery and would be kept in the hospital for sometime. The bench had then directed the hospital to furnish a fresh report on October 22 and fixed the matter for hearing Tuesday. 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, 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 the CBI court in Dehradun in 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 Congress in Madhya Pradesh is left red faced with its state working president Jitu Patwari's purported remarks in which he appealed to voters to elect him for "keeping his honour" and snubbed his own party. A video of Patwari's remarks has become a talking point on the social media in the poll-bound state, where assembly elections are scheduled to be held on November 28. In the video, the MLA purportedly says: "Aapko Meri Izzat Rakhni hai, Laj Rakhni hai...Party Gai Tel Lene (You have to keep my honour, dump the party)". The clip shows Patwari, who represents Rau assembly constituency in Indore district, and his supporters seeking blessings from an elderly couple during door-to-door campaign, when he made the remarks. After the video went viral, Patwari clarified that he had used the phrase--"Party Gayi Tel Lene"--for the ruling BJP and not for his party. However, the BJP said the video has exposed the "selfish politics" of Patwari. "Now, Patwari may say anything in his defence, but this video is a proof that he believes in selfish He has made it clear to the voters that his personal interests are above his party and its leadership," said state BJP spokesperson Umesh Sharma. Patwari, who had won Rau assembly seat in 2013 assembly elections, is an aspirant for the party ticket for the forthcoming elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A clash broke out between police and devotees Tuesday in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur over immersion of the idol of goddess Kaali in the Narmada river, an officer said. Police lobbed tear gas shells and caned rioters to bring the situation under control. Immersion of idols in the river is banned to avoid pollution of the water body. The incident occurred after people carrying the idol of "Mannatwali Kaali Mata" were prevented by the police from immersing it in the river at Gwarighat area, the police officer said. After an argument over the issue, a mob attacked the police with stones and set seven motorcycles of police personnel on fire, said police officer Arjun Uikey. "Immersing idols in the Narmada river is banned to protect the water body from pollution," Uike said, adding that a small pond was constructed for the immersion purpose near the holy river. According to eye-witnesses, rioters hurled stones at police who retaliated. As more rioters joined in, the police personnel present at the spot fled and took shelter in Gwarighat police station to save themselves. Uikey said additional police personnel were rushed to the spot who lobbed tear gas shells and caned rioters. In the meantime, Collector Chhavi Bharadwaj and Superintendent of Police Amit Singh rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. An officer said Bharadwaj too picked up a stick to chase the rioters away. Uikey said police later immersed the idol of the goddess into the pond. "Seven police motorcycles were set on fire by rioters. Five vehicles of the police were also damaged in the stone pelting," he said, adding that ten policemen were injured in the incident. Police have arrested around 35 people for rioting and arson, he said. The idol of Mannat Wali Mata is annually consecrated at Latkari Ke Padav area during Durga Puja in Jabalpur. It was taken out on a truck for immersion on Monday in a procession that covered a distance of more than 20 kms before reaching Gwarighat on the banks of the Narmada river this morning. The idol was worshipped at many places en route to Gwarighat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Oct. 31, 2008 marked the birth of bitcoin. Ten years on, the worlds first cryptocurrency is at the forefront of a complex financial system viewed warily by markets and investors. From its first evocation amid a global financial crisis, in a white paper written by Satoshi Nakamoto, an unknown pseudonym, bitcoin conveyed a political vision. The abstract set out in the paper for bitcoin, currently worth about $6,400 per unit from a starting point of virtually zero, was for a purely peer-to-peer version of electronic cash (that) would allow online payments to be sent directly from one party to another without going through a financial institution. A decade on, this continues to be carried out via a decentralized registry system known as a blockchain. Such ambition for a cryptocurrency was fueled by the bankruptcy of US investment bank Lehman Brothers in September 2008, an event that discredited the traditional system of a small elite of bankers... (that) establishes monetary rules imposed on everybody, according to Pierre Noizat, founder of the first French bitcoin exchange in 2011. Following its creation, bitcoin evolved for several years away from the public eye, grabbing the attention for the most part of geeks and criminalsthe latter seeing it as a way to launder money. After bitcoin surpassed $1,000 for the first time in 2013, it began to attract the attention of financial institutions. The European Central Bank compared it to a Ponzi scheme, but Ben Bernanke, then head of the US Federal Reserve, hailed its potential.In early 2014, the cryptocurrency faced its biggest crisis to date, with the hacking of the Mt. Gox platform, where about 80 percent of all bitcoins were traded. The result was a collapse in their value, leading to predictions of the virtual currencys death. It took until early 2017 for bitcoins price to fully recover. That marked the start of a turning point according to Noizat, as the controversial cryptocurrency then rocketed to more than $19,500 by the end of the year according to Bloomberg data.That meant bitcoin had a total capitalization of more than $300 billion, according to the specialized website Coinmarketcap. By January 2018 the value of all cryptocurrencies exceeded $800 billion, before the bubble burst. The concept of a digital currency has progressed substantially thanks to bitcoin, cryptocurrency analyst Bob McDowall told AFP, pointing to the creation of 2,000 rivals. It becomes more than a technological, economic innovation. It almost becomes a religion for some people, he noted. According to Anthony Lesoismier, co-founder of investment fund Swissborg which offers portfolios based on blockchain, the real revolution has been on a philosophical level. But for economist Nouriel Roubini, decentralization in crypto is a myth. It is a system more centralized than North Korea. Miners are centralized, exchanges are centralized, developers are centralized dictators, Roubini tweeted. If the initial idea was for bitcoin to facilitate payments, a majority of observers recognise that it is used above all as a store of value or as a speculative instrument owing to volatility in its value. You need 20 years for this kind of... technology to take hold completely, said Noizat, who is banking on faster transaction speeds for bitcoin. As it stands, about five to ten bitcoin transactions can be processed per second compared with several thousand for Visa cards. Looking ahead, US market regulators are considering applications for bitcoin-based exchange-traded funds, which if approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission would see the virtual currency become part of a financial system it set out to bypass. We must cross some bridges in the short term to generate the general publics interest and trust, said Lesoismier, who described himself as both an idealist and realist. Maharashtra Police Tuesday registered a case of cheating against entrepreneur-politician Nowhera Shaikh for duping investors, an official said. A case of cheating was registered against Shaikh at J J Marg police station in South Mumbai on the complaint of an investor who was alleged cheated of Rs 3 lakh, said senior police inspector Shirish Gaikwad. "We have transferred this offence to the economics offence wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police," he said. Shaikh, Managing Director of Heera Group of Companies, had allegedly promised investors attractive returns on their investments, but failed to return their money. She was recently arrested in New Delhi by Hyderabad police. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NCP chief Sharad Pawar Tuesday indicated that a national level pre-poll opposition alliance for the 2019 general elections was unlikely but said he was trying to bring the non-BJP parties together on a common platform in a bid to defeat the ruling NDA. Pawar also said any party in the Opposition getting the maximum seats after the Lok Sabha polls could claim prime ministership if the Modi government is unseated. "I do not see the possibility of a uniform national alliance since political situation on the ground varies from state to state. I am talking to different parties to bring them on a common platform," Pawar said during an interaction at 'Mumbai Manthan' conclave organised by Aaj Tak channel. He said the current situation in the country was similar to the one in 2004. "There will be change in government in Delhi and Maharashtra. No single party can provide an alternative. I do not think Narendra Modi will be prime minister after the Lok Sabha polls," he said. Nobody thought Manmohan Singh would become the prime minister, but he gave a stable government for 10 years, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief said. "(Former prime minister) Atal Bihari Vajpayee's stature in the BJP and the country was much bigger than Modi. Still there was a change. There is never a vacuum in There will be an alternative even now," he observed. On being asked whether the NCP would support union minister Nitin Gadkari, who hails from Maharashtra, as prime minister if the BJP-led alliance retains power, Pawar said, "I would not support anybody from the BJP". He also said leaders like H D Deve Gowda and Inder Kumar Gujral became prime ministers by "accident" and that he did not want to be part of "accidents". Asked about former finance minister P Chidambaram's comment that the Congress will not project Congress president Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate, Pawar said what Chidambaram said was the Congress party's approach. "During all my interactions with Rahul Gandhi so far, I realised there was no insistence on being the PM candidate face, but only change of the present government," he said. To a question on attempts to project the 2019 Lok Sabha polls as a "Modi versus Gandhi contest", Pawar said, "That is the BJP's strategy which will not work". Asked whether any failure by the opposition parties to have a national-level alliance was a disadvantage, the former union minister said, "there will not be much of a disadvantage". "We should accept the dominance of Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh, Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal... After polls, the picture of who will lead the alliance will be clear from those who get maximum seats," he said. He also ruled out merging his party with the Congress. Asked about Modi government's performance, Pawar said people's expectations from the present dispensation were not fulfilled. "What was promised in 2014 is not seen on the ground after four years. (former prime minister) Manmohan Singh tried his best to give a good government, intentions were best. That is not the situation today. "If the present government was effective, there would not have been bribery charges at the highest level in the CBI....He(the prime minister) should act,"he said. Pawar said Modi was a strong leader for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but not for the country. On demands to bring a law for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, Pawar, in a veiled attack on the Centre said, "The issue has come up since the development agenda has failed". Pawar also attacked the Centre over the Rafale jet contract and demanded a probe into the deal with France by a joint parliamentary committee. "There is room for suspicion. So there should be a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe. If the BJP stalled Parliament for three weeks for a JPC probe in (the) Bofors (case), why should the BJP, now in power, oppose a JPC?," he said. Asked if he felt there was corruption in the Rafale deal as alleged by Rahul Gandhi, Pawar said he had no information about it. "I only know the aircraft is good. Rahul Gandhi may have more information than me about corruption," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) H D Kumaraswamy Tuesday asserted that the opportunity to occupy the post of Karnataka Chief Minister was "godsend" for him and he was not bothered how long he would occupy the chair. Kumaraswamy, who is heading the Congress-JD(S) coalition government and facing frequent pinpricks from some sections of the coalition partner, said both parties had come together to save the state and not for any vested interests. He also said the Narendra Modi "trend" witnessed in 2014 general election no more existed, as reflected in the results of several bypolls across the country. "Karnataka has provided a new platform for the 2019 parliamentary elections and a new political change will take place from here," he said. Kumaraswamy claimed the results of the November 3 bypolls in three Lok Sabha and two assembly constituencies in Karnataka would impact the poll outcome in the five states where assembly polls are to be held. "Karnataka will send across a message to the nation for the 2019 election. There is a new thinking process going on in the country and Karnataka offers the platform for it," he said. Responding to a query, he said, "I am not bothered how long I am here in this post. I believe I am here for five years. God gave me this opportunity, which I have to use for the benefit of people," he said at a meet-the-press programme organised by Press Club of Bangalore and Bangalore Reporters Guild. The JD(S) and the Congress had entered into a post-poll alliance after the May assembly polls yielded a hung verdict with the BJP emerging as the single largest party but failing to muster the numbers to form a government. "We did not form the government to advance our vested interests. It is a government to save the state and its people. It is not a government to protect Siddaramaiah or Kumaraswamy," he said. The chief minister was peeved at BJP's allegations against the coalition government that it was a product of opportunism. "Our BJP friends say that Siddaramaiah and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda were opportunists. They (BJP leaders) recall Deve Gowda's statement that finishing off Siddaramaiah was his sole objective but today the opportunists came together," he said. "However, what will you say about BJP's interest or arrangement? It was (state BJP president) Yeddyurappa who said in 2013 (after breaking away from BJP) that my dead body will also not go to the BJP. Look at the language the BJP leaders used," he said. On the Congress-JD(S) coalition arrangement, Kumaraswamy said developments in Karnataka had always impacted national In this context, he said Karnataka provided a platform to V P Singh to become the prime minister. Kumaraswamy recalled the crop loan waiver, emphasis on improving education and allocation of more funds under the Anna Bhagya scheme providing 7 kg rice to each member of families belonging to the below poverty line as some of the progressive steps the government has taken. Speaking about infrastructure projects, Kumaraswamy said the peripheral ring road and outer ring road in Bengaluru that was pending for a long time has been given life once again. He also said 440 bridges in the rural areas would be constructed where people were forced to build temporary wooden bridges that could jeopardise their lives. To improve administration, he said his government has streamlined the transfer process and has given a free hand to the police to take stringent action against anti-social elements. Kumaraswamy said his government would act tough against "corrupt elements" and cited the case of two officers who were raided recently while 18 kg gold was seized from their possession. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump has said he was "not satisfied" with the response of Riyadh over the death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in a Saudi consulate in Turkey. The president also said a group of US officials are in Saudi Arabia and another group of investigators in Turkey trying to gather information on this issue. "I am not satisfied with what I've heard," Trump told reporters at the White House before leaving for an election rally in Texas Monday. "We will know very soon. We have tremendously talented people very well. They're coming back tonight or tomorrow and I will know very soon," he said responding to a question. Khashoggi, a writer for The Washington Post, was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, where he had gone to collect some papers related to his marriage. For the first two weeks, the Government of Saudi Arabia had said Khashoggi left the consulate through the back door. Following a global outrage, a few days ago, the Saudi government in a statement acknowledged that Khashoggi was killed in a fistfight inside the consulate and noted that an interrogation went wrong. Except for Trump administration officials, lawmakers and think-tanks are saying that the Saudi explanation is not credible. Trump had told reporters that he has spoken to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who wields the real power in Saudi Arabia after the King. "We have people over in Saudi Arabia now. We have top intelligence people in Turkey. We're going to see what we have. "I'll know a lot tomorrow, they'll be coming back either tonight or tomorrow morning," the US president said. Responding to questions, Trump said he was against making any move on the USD 110 billion mega arms deal with the Saudis. "I don't want to lose all of that investment that's being made in our country. I don't want to lose a million jobs, I don't want to lose USD110 billion in terms of investment, but it's really USD450 billion So that's very important, he said. However, "we're going to get to the bottom of it", Trump said. Calling for the release of information regarding the US intelligence community's advance knowledge of Saudi Arabia's plot to capture Khashoggi, over 50 US lawmakers, led by Indian American Ro Khanna and Mark Pocan, have written to Daniel Coats, Director of National Intelligence, In weighing the merits of US-Saudi military cooperation, it is imperative that Members of Congress have a full, detailed grasp of the intelligence community's knowledge of Saudi actions and their potentially harmful impact on the wellbeing of US residents and citizens, as well as any US intelligence failures pertaining to Saudi activities that may have contributed to needless loss of life, the letter to Coats said. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the senate foreign relations and armed services committees, said Saudi Arabia's alleged murder of Khashoggi while visiting its consulate in Istanbul demonstrates a combination of brutality and lies that must not be tolerated. After claiming that Khashoggi left the consular office on his own and that they knew nothing of his condition, the Saudis now offer up the inane lie that he was killed in a fistfight within the consulate. "If so, where is the body? And why did they lie about their complicity in Khashoggi's death in the first place? he asked. Senator Mike Lee called for an end to United States involvement in Saudi Arabia's war on Yemen. Killing a United States resident is never acceptable behaviour, and the repeated failure to be honest about the incident should call into question the extent of our relationship with Saudi Arabia, Lee said. But setting aside the extent of our alliance generally, why should we continue to support Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen when the kingdom is killing our residents and lying about it? "It is far past time that the United States Senate had a serious debate regarding our military involvement in Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) on Tuesday said it has got regulatory approval to launch copper large futures contract with a trading unit of 25 tonne. In the international commodity markets, the 25 tonne copper futures contract is one of the highest traded contracts and is considered as the global benchmark, a release said here. With the introduction of a similar large size futures contract, NSE aims to provide an onshore hedging platform to big Indian corporates, refiners and various users in the value chain. The large size contract offering will be settled by way of physical delivery incorporating world class infrastructure and global best practices. ************* Coca-Cola,Vodafone Idea,eBest IOT tie up for connected coolers * Beverage major Coca-Cola India Tuesday said it has collaborated with Vodafone Idea Business Services, the enterprise arm of telecom provider Vodafone Idea and eBest IoT, to introduce connected coolers across the country. The IoT (internet of things) enabled fleet of connected coolers will enable Coca-Cola to understand consumer behaviour and use the insights to enhance consumer experience. Under the partnership, connected coolers will be powered by Vodafone SuperIoT an industry-first solution that enables end-to-end management of device, application, connectivity, service platform, support and security, it said in a statement. The technology will also equip Coca-Cola's partners to manage inventory, sales tracking, monitor usage pattern and track locations, thus enabling them to increase sales and enhance customer experience, it added. The pilot for the connected coolers has been successfully completed and they will be introduced in phased manner across the country, the statement said. ******* GJEPC inaugurates 3-day international diamond week * To improve trade relations with high potential markets the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) on Tuesday inaugurated the 3-day India International Diamond Week in which 120 international buyers from 29 countries are participating. Nearly 50 big players exhibited, while with around 120 international buyers from 29 countries including Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, China and Hong Kong, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Israeli, Lebanon, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Russian, South Africa, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK, Ukraine, USA and Uzbekistan amongst others, a release said here. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aiming to expand access to capital for medium-sized companies in India, the US government's development finance institution Overseas Private Investment Corporation Tuesday signed a $125 million commitment with Greater Pacific Capital (GPC). GPC is an investing institution that focuses on providing capital to with international growth ambitions. OPIC will contribute to a $700 million fund established by GPC to expand access for growing operating in the healthcare, energy, technology, agricultural, and services sectors, a release said. OPIC Counselor to the President Frank Dunlevy and Greater Pacific Capital Chief Executive Officer Ketan Patel signed the agreement in London. "By responding to unmet demands for capital, this fund will help promising reach their full potential, fuelling economic growth and development throughout the country," said OPIC President and Chief Executive Officer Ray W Washburne. OPIC helps American businesses invest in emerging markets and helps American businesses gain footholds in new markets, catalyses new revenues and contributes to jobs and growth opportunities both at home and abroad. Since its inception, GPC has helped mobilise over $1 billion of capital to high-growth companies in these core sectors of the Indian economy. Over 3,000 students from Delhi University and from schools of nearby areas were educated about cyber safety at an interactive session hosted by the Delhi Police Tuesday. Delhi Police commissioner Amulya Patnaik was the chief guest at the event organised by north district police. The motive of this interaction was to create awareness among students about online threats and danger lurking in cyber space. A short film, 'Be Cyber Safe', was also screened, said Nupur Prasad, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North). Patnaik also released an educative booklet on threats in cyber space called 'Be Cyber Safe'. Pawan Duggal, a renowned lawyer on cyber laws cautioned the youth from falling into the trap of free services available on internet and stressed on the need to make cyber security an integral part of lifestyle Anyesh Roy, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime), informed the students on how and where to report the cases. Roy said children are found to be potential victims of cyber crimes. Creation of fake profiles, obscene profiles, emails, messages over social media, acquiring someone else's identity, cheating someone using internet/smartphones are some common cyber crimes. Police officials at the event said victims should immediately logout if they face online threats and report the matter to their parents and police. One can approach police through the Delhi Police or Ministry of Home Affairs online portal. They can also file a complaint at the District Crime Cells, Roy added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over Rs 10,000 crore were laundered allegedly through fake bank accounts, mostly of poor people, the joint investigation team probing the scam has informed the Pakistan Supreme Court, a media report said. The Joint Investigation Team (JIT), which submitted its second report in the case to the apex court on Monday, said that what started as fictitious bank accounts evolved into an extremely complicated scam of money laundering crossing Rs 100 billion, the GeoNews reported. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is investigating large-scale money laundering cases after the Supreme Court appointed the JIT to probe into the into the money laundering cases. In many cases dormant accounts of poor people have been activated with connivance of some bank officials for huge transactions. The JIT has been probing since September into the money laundering cases revealing several suspicious accounts. The FIA is investigating 32 people in connection with money laundering from fictitious accounts, including former Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur. Zardari's close aide Hussain Lawai was arrested in July in connection with the probe. The former president's another close aide and his son were also arrested by the FIA in August. The probes so far have revealed that several 'benami' accounts at some private banks were opened in 2013, 2014 and 2015 from where transactions worth billions of rupees were made. The amount, according to FIA sources, is said to be black money gathered allegedly from various kickbacks, commissions and bribes, the report said. Earlier this month, the Ministry of Interior barred 95 individuals, suspected to be involved in the case, from leaving the country. Of these, 78 were placed on the Exit Control List and 17 on the FIA's provisional national identification list (PNIL) or 'stop list', it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The arrest of PML-N chief Shahbaz Sharif in a corruption case has been challenged by a top Pakistani lawyer in the high court here. A K Dogar filed the petition in the Lahore High Court on Monday challenging the authority of Pakistan's anti-graft body - the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) - to arrest Shahbaz Sharif, opposition leader in the National Assembly and younger brother of deposed premier Nawaz Sharif, in the Ashiana-i-Iqbal Housing Project case. Dogar is also the lawyer of Jamat-ud-Dawah chief and 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed. He said the arrest of a person during investigation and trial is inconsistent with article 10(1) of the Constitution. "No person can remain in custody unless he is informed about the grounds of his arrest and such ground can only be established after investigation is completed. No investigation is constitutionally valid unless the accused has been granted the fundamental right," Dogar said. He further said article 10 of the Constitution gives the right to be defended by a counsel at the time of investigation, which former Punjab chief minister Shahbaz was not granted by the NAB. He requested the court to declare that section 24 of the NAB ordinance that allows chairman of the bureau to arrest an accused during investigation or inquiry is inconsistent with fundamental rights enshrined in article 10 of the Constitution. "I pray the court to set aside the order for the arrest of the opposition leader issued by the NAB chairman and release him on bail," Dogar said. The Lahore NAB arrested Shahbaz on October 5 after he appeared before a combined investigation team in this case. He is primarily accused of directing the Punjab Land Development Company (PLDC) to assign the Ashiyana project to the Lahore Development Authority, resulting in the award of contract to Lahore Casa Developers, causing a loss of Rs 715 million and eventual failure of the project. He has dismissed all allegations by the NAB. Nawaz Sharif has directed the legal resources of his party to contest NAB's plea for further extension of his brother's physical remand when it comes up for hearing on October 30. The ousted premier believes that NAB's case against Shahbaz is "very weak" and his physical remand in the bureau's custody should not be extended. Nawaz Sharif who is on bail in the Evenfield properties case is facing another two corruption cases and has been appearing in the accountability court in Islamabad on an almost daily basis. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan's Supreme Court will hear on Wednesday a petition filed by the country's anti-graft body challenging the suspension of the sentences of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter and son-in-law in a corruption case. Chief Justice Saqib Nisar on Tuesday constituted a three-member bench headed by him to hear the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) plea challenging the September 19 Islamabad High Court (IHC) order suspending the jail sentences of Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law retired captain Mohammad Safdar in the Avenfield corruption case, Dawn newspaper reported. The NAB filed the petition in the apex court on Monday challenging an earlier decision by the IHC suspending the sentences given to the trio by an anti-corruption court. In its petition, the accountability bureau asked for the September 19 decision by IHC to be declared null and void. The NAB contended that the "IHC had failed to appreciate that through its order, it had seriously prejudiced the case of the prosecution by holding that the trial court judgement suffered from obvious and glaring defects and infirmities and that the convictions and sentences handed down to the accused might not be sustained ultimately." It prayed the apex court to restore the sentences given to the Sharifs and to cancel the bail granted to the three accused in the case. Last month, Justice Minallah of the IHC suspended the sentences handed to the three accused by accountability court judge Mohammad Bashir on July 6. Sharif, Maryam and Safdar were sentenced to 11 years, eight years and one year, respectively, in prison in the Avenfield properties case related to their purchase of four luxury flats in London through corrupt practices. The 68-year-old three-time former prime minister and his family have denied any wrongdoing. Ordering their release, the two-judge bench directed the former premier, his daughter and son-in-law to submit bail bonds worth Rs 500,000 each. Apart from the Avenfield case, the Sharifs face jail terms if they are convicted in two more corruption cases related to Al-Azizia and Flagship cases. The cases against the Sharif family stemmed from the leaked Panama Papers in April 2016. The three were also disqualified to contest elections or to hold public office for a period of 10 years after their release from prison. Both Maryam and Safdar are also politicians. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Catherine Balolang, 30, a licensed nurse and child development worker, was well aware of the kind of danger the approaching typhoon could bring to the mountainous region she calls home. News reports said Ompong (international name: Mangkhut) would barrel through northern Philippines, including Benguet province, where mining is one of the top industries. Coming from a family of miners, residing in Ucab village in Itogon town, she has learned to live with her fears and prepare for the worst. The familys survival kits packed, she joined fellow village volunteers in monitoring weather reports, such as through a group chat they created on Facebook Messenger. Suddenly what seemed an interminable silence followed as Ompong intensified on Sept.15, toppling power and communication lines, and cutting off contact with folks in the mining sites. As the worst of the typhoon passed, and mobile phone and data services were gradually restored, the village volunteers group chat became deluged with queries and calls for help, as well as grim reports no one wanted to hear. The typhoon had triggered a landslide in Itogon. Among those trapped in a mining site was a cousin of Balolang, whose wife and children lived in Isabela, another typhoon-ravaged province. She and her fellow volunteers converged near the landslide site, as the community organized rescue missions, ahead of the official operations by local authorities. Everyday thereafter, the volunteers went back to the site, not only to search for their missing loved ones but also to help in the operations in whatever way they could. Telecommunications company Smart Communications immediately deployed portable generator sets to the barangay (village) hall for the use of rescuers. The barangay usually taps the company to send provisions for power whenever theres outage due to calamities. The barangay rescuers need electricity to charge their searchlights, portable radios and power banks, which are important for retrieval operations. They also need to charge their phones, and be able to communicate with their families, as well as the local authorities, said Vivien Prado, a Smart sales employee based in Baguio City, about 16 kilometers from Itogon. Efforts soon shifted from rescue to retrieval as it became apparent that the chances of finding survivors in a landslide of that magnitude were slim. In the aftermath, 70 died and dozens were injured or went missing. Like food, first aid, and relief goods, technology plays a crucial role in an emergency. Upon Prados recommendation, Smart, with the support of Vodafone Foundation, set up free charging and Wi-Fi services in Ucab. The London-based foundation deployed their Instant Charge and Wi-Fi solutions at the barangay hall, the retrieval site, and the designated operations center for response, relief and evacuation for typhoon victims. The ultra-portable Instant Wi-Fi solution, which provided robust and secure Wi-Fi to up to 1,500 users across an area of up 10,000 sq m. It also set up an Instant Charge station, which powered up to 32 phones simultaneously. After an earthquake or any humanitarian crisis we observed that, apart from food and water, what victims need is connectivity, to be able to inform their families that they are OK, to call, to not feel isolated, said Ainhoa Montero de Espinosa, relationship and governance manager at Vodafone, who volunteered for this mission in Itogon.They also need to charge their phones, especially if they fled their homes, said Harm Kanters, a technical solution architect at VodafoneZiggo Netherlands, another volunteer of the foundation. In 2012 and 2013, Vodafone brought its ultra-portable Instant Network to Davao Oriental and Eastern Samar provinces, which were devastated by Typhoons Pablo (Bopha) and Yolanda (Haiyan), respectively. The solution provided affected residents with cellular coverage within 3- to 5-km radius, and enabled up to 80 calls and thousands of text messages sent at the same time. The Philippines experiences about 20 typhoons a year. So at Smart, we work hard to keep our network online and to restore services quickly in case of disruptions. At the same time, we also work with partners like Vodafone Foundation, so we develop good working ties with international organizations, which will be invaluable especially for large-scale disasters like earthquakes and super typhoons, said Smart public affairs head Ramon R. Isberto. We need Wi-Fi to consolidate data on dead and missing persons, send reports, post updates, make records and send to headquarters immediately, said Jasmine Bugtong, a police officer at the Cordillera Administrative Region, which has jurisdiction over Benguet. Air operations officer Jomar Marcito, who was deployed at the designated operations center for typhoon response, relief and evacuation, also relied on mobile communications. We need it for continuous communications, to check if theres a need to augment air operations, or other activities that would need our attention, he said. For Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan there was no overstating the importance of having stable, secure communication in times of disasters. We send reports to Manila and even abroad were crippled without information, he said. The communication facilities at the operations center enabled Balolang to update her fellow volunteers on the progress of retrieval operations, and family members on the search for her cousin. Charity Lubiton, 17, whose uncle was trapped in the landslide, was finally able to contact her relatives. Both women lost their kin; and the bodies were retrieved after a week. Ucab village chief Kennedy Waclin vowed to continue the search until all missing persons are found. We need to give the dead a proper burial, he said. The retrieval operations halted on Sept. 30, two weeks after the devastating landslide. For housewife Jill Landocan, 32, who lives in another part of Ucab that was hit by a landslide, her mobile phone was a life saver. She recalled texting her sister-in-law to leave their house quickly, and soon after the latter got her message, their kitchen ceiling fell. If they didnt get my message on time, they probably would have been trapped, Landocan said. The landslide in Itogon revived objections to small-scale mining operations. Balolang is not one to engage in debate. My father is a miner, his parents are also miners. This is the life we know, and the community we live in. Mining has given me the life and opportunities I have now, and I will always be grateful for it, she said. A joint parliamentary committee, which is examining a controversial bill seeking to amend the six-decade-old Citizenship Act, is set to table its report in the Winter session of Parliament in December. The bill is receiving vehement opposition in Assam and other northeastern states. In Assam, 46 organisations called a 12-hour bandh Tuesday to protest against the Centre's bid to pass the proposed legislation in the forthcoming session of Parliament. "The Winter session is practically the last session of the House (16th Lok Sabha). If we do not submit our report, it means we have not done our work properly. Besides the committee will also lapse," chairman of the multi-party committee and BJP MP from Meerut, Rajendra Agrawal, told PTI. Agrawal, however, made it clear that a final decision on tabling the report of the committee will be decided by its members soon. "The committee will decide when to submit the report," he said. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955. Among others, the amendment bill seeks to grant citizenship to people from minority communities -- Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians -- from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan after six years of residence in India instead of 12 even if they don't possess any proper document. A large section of people, organisations in the Northeast have opposed the bill saying it will nullify the provisions of the Assam Accord of 1985, which fixed March 24, 1971 as the cut-off date for deportation of all illegal immigrants irrespective of religion. The Meghalaya and Mizoram governments have strongly opposed the Citizenship Amendment Bill and adopted resolutions against it. "We understand there are concerns among some people. Many of the organisations have met us. We are open for further discussions in the coming days," Agrawal said, when asked whether the committee members will again visit Assam, where the bill is receiving maximum opposition. The committee has already taken six extensions from the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. It has sought time for the presentation of the report on the "first day of the last week of the Winter Session, 2018". During the course of its examination and study visits, the committee met a cross section of people in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Assam and Meghalaya and heard views of organisations, individuals, experts and others. The committee also heard the views of the chief secretaries and police chiefs of Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and West Bengal. Political parties, including the Congress and the AIUDF, have extended their support to Tuesday's bandh in the "interest of Assam and its indigenous people". All district magistrates and superintendents of police have been instructed by the BJP government in the state to take measures to maintain public utility services in view of the bandh call. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Tuesday said political parties had underestimated the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) before it registered a record win in the national capital and now they were doing the same in Haryana, where the "party's graph was on the rise". "Many parties make fun and tell us that we have no base in Haryana. They did the same in Delhi when they used to say that no one would vote for us. But people of Delhi had made up their mind and voted for us with overwhelming majority,he said addressing a public gathering here. Stating that the AAP can provide a viable alternative to parties like the BJP, Congress and INLD, Kejriwal said his party was growing in Haryana. "There are 6,200 panchayats and 7,000 villages in Haryana. Out of these 7,000 villages, families in 4,500 villages have put up flex boards saying they were with the AAP... "Seeing this, the INLD, BJP and Congress are losing sleep and are approaching people to put up their respective party flex boards, but people are shooing them away," he claimed. Hailing from Siwani Mandi near Hisar in the state, Kejriwal has been trying to hard sell AAP's Delhi model of governance, particularly its initiatives taken in the education and health sectors along with welfare measures for farmers and defence forces. On Monday, the AAP supremo had visited a few government schools in Beri town in Jhajjar and addressed a public gathering there. The Delhi chief minister's visit to Bhiwani Tuesday is his eighth visit to the state in the past three months. Kejriwal also talked about the "bad shape" of government schools in Haryana. "I visited four schools today. We went to Beri yesterday. Government schools are in bad shape. One of the schools we visited today was in a dilapidated condition, it lacked facilities, in a way it is like playing with the future of lakhs of children," Kejriwal, who was accompanied by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, said. Hitting out at the Khattar government, the AAP leader said the Delhi government gave adequate compensation for crop damage to farmers, but the BJP regime in Haryana was not concerned about farmers' welfare. "We gave compensation at the rate of Rs 20,000 per acre for crop damage to farmers. The cheques were delivered at their homes within three months. I went to fields here and saw waterlogging. "Under the Fasal Bima scheme, they compulsorily collected premiums from farmers and in a way imposed 'Goonda' tax, but no compensation has been given so far (for crop damage). If the Delhi government can give compensation, why cannot the Haryana government do the same?" he said. Kejriwal claimed that bureaucracy was calling the shots in Haryana. Hitting out at the BJP, Congress and INLD, he said these parties seek votes from people in the name of caste and nobody talks about improving the shape of schools and hospitals. The Haryana Assembly polls will be held next year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar had his first brush, literally, with politics as a four-year-old. The former Union minister, who has completed 51 years in electoral politics, revealed this at a book release event here Tuesday evening. Pawar said he was just four days old when his mother Shardabai, who was elected as chairperson of the local municipal works committee in Pune in 1938, carried him in a state transport bus to Pune where she was scheduled to cast her vote. Pawar said Shardabai was the driving force behind her seven sons and four daughters, all of whom acquired graduate degrees in various disciplines like law, engineering, architecture, metallurgy and agronomy. The Marathi book, 'Mu Po Aai', edited by journalist Sandeep Kale, has articles by 30 Maharashtrian editors about their mothers. Pawar has penned the foreword for the tome. Pawar also recalled that as Defence Minister he insisted on inducting women into armed forces despite repeated rebuffs from the three services chiefs to his plans. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar Tuesday said if the central government was "effective", there would not have been bribery charges at the highest level in the CBI, and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to act over the matter. He also attacked the BJP-led Centre over the Rafale jet deal and demanded a probe into it by a joint parliamentary committee. Pawar was replying to queries during an interaction at the "Mumbai Manthan" conclave organised by television channel Aaj Tak. The feud between Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana turned murkier with the arrest of a deputy superintendent of police in the Special Investigation Team headed by Asthana over bribery charges. Asked about the Modi government's performance, Pawar said people's expectations from the present dispensation were not fulfilled. "What was promised in 2014 is not seen on the ground after four years. (Former prime minister) Manmohan Singh tried his best to give a good government, intentions were best. That is not the situation today. "If the present government was effective, there would not have been bribery charges at the highest level in the CBI. Still the prime minister is silent. He should act," the former Union minister said. Pawar said Modi was a strong leader for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but not the country. "His ministerial team does not have the capacity to deliver. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is the most powerful. All decisions are taken there and the files are sent to the ministers to sign. The present government does only 'man ki baat' and does not listen to 'jan ki baat' (people's voice)," he added. Firing a fresh salvo over the Rafale fighter jet deal, Pawar said the Centre should clarify why the price of one aircraft increased from Rs 570 crore to Rs 1,600 crore. "There is room for suspicion. So there should be a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe. If the BJP stalled Parliament for three weeks for a JPC probe in (the) Bofors (case), why should the BJP, now in power, oppose a JPC?," he asked. Asked if he felt there was corruption in the Rafale deal as alleged by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Pawar said he had no information about it. "I only know the aircraft is good. Rahul Gandhi may have more information than me about corruption," he said. Led by the Congress, the opposition parties have been attacking the Modi government, alleging that it is procuring 36 Rafale jets from France at an exorbitantly high cost. The government has denied the allegations of irregularities in the Rafale deal and industrialist Anil Ambani has also dismissed the Congress's charge that he got undue benefits under it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three persons, including two Paytm employees, arrested for blackmailing and making extortion bid on the e-wallet giant's founder Vijay Shekar Sharma were Tuesday remanded to 14-day judicial custody by the magistrate court in Gautam Buddh Nagar, officials said. Noida Police had Monday arrested the Paytm CEO's secretary Sonia Dhawan (32), her husband Roopak Jain (38) and another company employee Devendra Kumar (30) for allegedly stealing personal information and confidential data and threatening to leak it. Their fourth associate, Rohit Chomal, who lives in Kolkata, is absconding, police said. Police Tuesday carried out searches at the residences of the three arrested and recovered a pen drive containing crucial information and call records along with a hard disk which has some personal and confidential data of the company, according to officials. During probe, it came to light that being a long time secretary of the CEO, Dhawan had access to all documents and data of the company, they said. "Since Dhawan's husband Jain was jobless at the time and had suffered major loss in real estate business so a plan was hatched that she would steal data and give it to Kumar, who works in the administration department of the company, and he would further pass it on to his friend Rohit in Kolkata," the officials said. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Pal Sharma said Dhawan had around 10 months ago conveyed to her boss that she wanted to buy a property for herself in the National Capital Region (NCR). "When she did not see her communication getting materialised she perhaps opted for this route to make quick money," the SSP told PTI. He said when the first extortion call was made to the Paytm founder's brother Ajay Shekhar Sharma in September, the amount was decided to be Rs 30 crore which came down to Rs 19 crore after multiple rounds of negotiations. "When they first made the call on September 20, they demanded Rs 30 crore but later came down to Rs 20 crore. It was much later with a couple of rounds of negotiations that the accused settled for Rs 10 crore," the SSP said. According to police officials, the accused had even got Rs 2.67 lakh as initial instalments by Sharma, who then approached police and got an FIR registered on Sunday. Meanwhile, the judicial magistrate on Tuesday denied bail to the three accused and remanded them to 14-day judicial custody, Sharma said. The police have also seized from Dhawan's Noida residence the print outs of WhatsApp chats that were made between the accused and the Sharma brothers besides four mobile phones used in the crime. SSP Sharma said Noida Police is now looking to track down Rohit who is absconding since the extortion case came to light. "We are in touch with the Kolkata Police and Rohit is our main target now. We are hopeful of getting him under arrest in the next few days," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Vice President Mike Pence has congratulated Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the successful parliamentary elections in his country where a large number of people came out to vote despite threat by the Taliban, the White House said. "He congratulated the Afghan people on the steady advance of democracy following the parliamentary elections this past weekend, the White House said Monday in a readout of the call. Pence commended the Afghan election officials and military for leading and managing the electoral process, and the US and international forces for their support to the Afghan government, it said. Despite efforts by the Taliban to intimidate the Afghan people, millions of people stepped forward to make their voice heard by voting, the White House said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gujarat's Energy Minister Saurabh Patel on Tuesday sought to allay fears of hindi speaking migrants in the wake of recent hate attacks on them and assured people of Bihar that they should feel "100 per cent" safe in the western state. Patel is on a three-day visit to Patna to invite Bihar Governor Lalji Tandon, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and people of the state to visit the 'statue of unity' of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, being dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Oct 31 on Sardar's birth anniversary. The Gujarat minister blamed Congress legislator Alpesh Thakor for the attacks on migrants and said they were "political in nature". Rape of a minor girl allegedly by a person hailing from Bihar recently had triggered attacks on migrants particularly from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh across Gujarat resulting in their flight back home from there out of fear. "It (attacks) were political in nature... I am not only extending invitation to the people of Bihar but also giving assurance to them that they should feel 100 per cent safe (in Gujarat)," Patel told reporters here. "There is no need to be concerned for the safety of people of Bihar living in Gujarat... People of all states have contributed to the development of Gujarat ever since it was created in 1960... People from north Indian states, Bihar and Odisa have also contributed a lot," he said. "Peace that has prevailed since 1960 among Gujarati and non-Gujarati (people) will continue," he added highlighting that Gujarat's two top officials-- the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP)-- were from Bihar. The energy minister further asked Bihar Congress leaders why they were promoting an "anti-national" like Thakor who was disturbing the peace in Gujarat. Thakor is an All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary in-charge for Bihar. Speaking about his meetings with Nitish Kumar, Sushil Kumar Modi and the Bihar Governor, Patel said an invitation was extended on behalf of Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and the dignitaries can visit the state after November 1 as per their convenience. Sardar's statue of unity is 182-metre high, which is the world's tallest statue built at a cost of Rs 2,332 crore, he said, adding that 70,000 metric tonnes of cement, 18,500 reinforcement metric tonnes of steel, 6,000 metric tonnes of structural steel and 1700 metric tonnes of bronze was used in the construction. The project is the brain child and life-time dream of the prime minister who laid the foundation stone of the project in 2013 when he was the Gujarat Chief Minister, Patel said. "It was a long pending desire of PM Narendra Modi to commemorate the life and work of Sardar Patel in such a manner that it continues to inspire Indians in the current generation and in the future," Patel said. The governments which came to power after Independence only gave credit to the Nehru family and the prime minister wanted to give Sardar Patel his due, the minister said, adding that soil collected from across the country was used to build the foundation of the statue. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 61-year-old pilgrim from Uttar Pradesh died en route the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Tuesday. Harbir Singh Teotia, a resident of Ghaziabad, fell unconscious near Satya point along the new track while on his way from base camp Katra to cave shrine on Monday evening, a police official said. He said the pilgrim was rushed to Himkoti dispensary where doctors declared him brought dead. Quoting doctors, the officials said Teotia had suffered a massive heart attack resulting in his death. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has said his state could use the know-how and technology of Israel to solve issues of farmers and water conservation, describing his first day of official engagements in the Jewish nation as "extremely productive". Singh, who is on a three-day visited to Israel, reached Sunday evening. "Had an extremely productive 1st day in Israel, beginning with some major investment talks, followed by field visits to NaanDanJain Irrigation farms, & Dan Region Wastewater Treatment Plant. "Impressed by the Homeland Security presentation on latest technologies to prevent crime," he tweeted Monday. The Punjab chief minister started his official engagements seeking Israeli investments in his state in areas such as infrastructure development, housing, energy, water supply and irrigation. He met officials of Israel's Tyros International Group Ltd to discuss investments opportunities in Punjab's infrastructure sector. Singh and his accompanying high-level delegation on Tuesday will be participating in a seminar "Investment Opportunities in Punjab".The seminar aims to attract Israeli investors to Punjab. The chief minister then went to visit facilities of NaanDan Jain Irrigation Ltd, accompanied by officials of the state, to witness the latest technology deployed in precision farming and horticulture. The company is among the leading global producers and providers of irrigation solutions, and its expertise drives higher crop yields, minimising risks and saving precious non-renewable resources. "Really interesting to see NaanDanJain Irrigation use precision agriculture to deliver increased productivity in Israel. "Will brainstorm with them on how we can use their micro-irrigation technology effectively in Punjab to help our distressed farmers,"Singh said. He also visited the waste water treatment plant (Shafdan) in the Dan region.The Shafdan is the largest wastewater treatment plant in Israel. Singh said identifying water conservation techniques is a priority area for his state. The chief minister also met Ehud Hallel, chief executive officer of Israel's National Water Company Mekorot. Singh and the delegation were give a tour of the waste water treatment and effluent reuse plant. "What an innovation! The Dan Region Wastewater Treatment Plant I visited in Shafdan, Israel, is an amazing example of use of technology to collect, treat & reclaim municipal wastewater. Discussed with Mekorot officials the possibility of using it for Punjab's urban areas", the chief minister tweeted. Singh is heading a the delegation to Israel to strengthen cooperation with the Jewish nation in the field of agriculture, horticulture, dairy farming and waste water management, besides trying to attract investments in the state. The delegation has also interacted with Israeli companies having expertise in homeland security sector to boost Punjab's internal security preparedness. The chief minister was also shown a presentation on homeland security and he latest technologies to prevent crime on Monday evening. He is also scheduled to visit the academy of a leading Israeli defence company on Wednesday. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin will be meeting the Punjab leader and his delegation on Tuesday morning. He will then visit the cemetery of Indian soldiers who laid their lives during the War of Liberation of Haifa in 1918. Haifa celebrated the centenary year of its liberation by Indian cavalry units in September paying warm tributes to the courage shown by them in what is considered by most of the War Historians as the "last great cavalry campaign in history". Singh, a well-acclaimed military historian who has penned books like Saragarhi and The Defence of the Samana Fort, will also be visiting the Haifa Historical Society for presentation on the battle of Haifa. The Haifa municipality has immortalised the sacrifice of the Indian soldiers in the liberation of Haifa by including a chapter on their bravery in history textbooks taught at schools. The Punjab Agricultural University will also be signing three agreements of cooperation with Tel Aviv University, Arava Institute and Galilee International Management Institute on Tuesday evening. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday met Israeli President Reuven Rivlin here and sought to enhance cooperation between his state and the Jewish nation in the field of water management, agriculture and strengthening internal security apparatus. Singh is on a five-day visit to Israel that commenced on Monday. He is heading a high level delegation to the country to strengthen Punjab's cooperation with the middle east nation in the field of agriculture, horticulture, dairy farming and waste water management, besides trying to attract investments in the state. "Glad to have met President of Israel, @PresidentRuvi today. Discussed the continued strengthening of relations between Israel & India. Expressed to him our great interest in Israeli water management, agriculture and cyber technologies," Singh tweeted after the meeting. "The two leaders discussed a variety of subjects of mutual interest. The talks focused, in particular, on water management and homeland/internal security, with Punjab looking at greater cooperation with Israel on these issues," an official travelling with the chief minister said. Describing his first day of official engagements in Israel as "extremely productive", Singh on Monday appreciated the technological knowhow developed by the Jewish nation and expressed hope that his state could also adopt some of them to solve issues of distressed farmers and water conservation. He met officials of Israel's Tyros International Group Ltd in on Monday and discussed investment opportunities in Punjab's infrastructure sector. He also visited facilities of NaanDan Jain Irrigation, accompanied by officials of the state, to witness latest technology deployed in precision farming and horticulture. NaanDanJain Irrigation Ltd is the leading global producer and provider of tailor-made irrigation solutions. "Had an extremely productive 1st day in Israel, beginning with some major investment talks, followed by field visits to NaanDanJain Irrigation farms, & Dan Region Wastewater Treatment Plant. Impressed by the Homeland Security presentation on latest technologies to prevent crime," Singh tweeted at the end of a packed day Monday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At some point, President Rodrigo Duterte will have to make up his mind. Does he believe the chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, who says that P6.8 billion worth of crystal meth or shabu was smuggled into the country through Customs? Or does he believe his Customs chief that no such thing happened? A Palace statement Monday that the President trusts them both insults our intelligenceand is the kind of wimpy response we dont expect from the likes of Mr. Duterte. The crux of the problem is that both officials disagree over four empty magnetic lifters found in an empty warehouse in Cavite on Aug. 9. PDEA chief Aaron Aquino insists the lifters contained shabu, the presence of which was detected by the agencys drug-sniffing dogs. The shipment, Aquino says, is now flooding the market, bringing a sharp drop in the price of the illegal drug from P6,800 a gram in July to P1,400 today. Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena says no such thing happened, and that no traces of the drug showed up in their own tests. Clearly, they cannot be both correct, and it is silly to say the President trusts them both. If the lifters had in fact contained drugs as the PDEA says, the vehement denials from the Customs chief suggest a coverup.On the other hand, if the Customs chief is correct and that no drugs were in the lifters, then the President has an overzealous PDEA chief who cannot be trusted to make the right call in the crucial war on illegal drugs. To complicate matters, Lapena has now sacked the deputy collector who accused Customs officials of covering up the smuggling of shabu through four magnetic lifters. Customs deputy collector Lourdes Mangaoang, the former X-ray division chief, was put on floating status, allegedly for underperformance, and a bureau spokesman pointedly denied she was transferred to silence her. Mangaoang, he said, was moved because of the ongoing internal cleansing of corrupt Customs officials and would be subject to a lifestyle check. But an official at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport who requested anonymity said Mangaoang was doing her job well because NAIA is one of the top BOC ports and exceeded its collection target of P3.587 billion in September this year. Mangaoang said her removal was a warning to stop her from testifying against Lapena. None of these allegations have been proven, but they hardly inspire confidence. On the surface, we see a whistleblower being sacked by the very people she is speaking out against. Can the Palace continue to ignore these disturbing developments? Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday visited the cemetery of Indian soldiers in Israel who had laid their lives during the War of Liberation of Haifa in 1918. Haifa celebrated the centenary year of its liberation by Indian cavalry units in September, paying warm tributes to the courage shown by them in what is considered by most of the war historians as the "last great cavalry campaign in history". Singh, who is a well-acclaimed military historian and has penned books like 'Saragarhi' and 'The Defence of the Samana Fort', visited the Commonwealth Cemetery for the Battle of Haifa martyrs and paid his tributes to the Indian soldiers who had laid their lives while protecting the Israeli city of Haifa from the Ottoman Empire forces during World War I. Haifa municipality has immortalised the sacrifice of the Indian soldiers in the liberation of Haifa by including a chapter on their bravery in history textbooks taught at schools. Singh is on a five-day visit to Israel that commenced on Monday. He is heading a high level delegation to the country to strengthen Punjab's cooperation with the middle east nation in the field of agriculture, horticulture, dairy farming and waste water management, besides trying to attract investments in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi will pay a two-day visit to poll-bound Rajasthan from Wednesday and hold road shows and public meetings in Kota, Jhalawar and Sikar districts which together have 18 assembly seats. In the first leg of his visit, Gandhi would cover Hadauti region, comprising Kota, Jhalawar, Baran and nearby areas which had been rocked by a large number of farmers' suicide, said state Congress president Sachin Pilot. In the second leg of his visit, he would be in Sikar district, he said. Sikar is a part of the Shekhawati region dominated by farmers. Gandhi will address Wednesday his first rally in Jhalawar, the home turf of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, and follow it up with a nearly 100-km road show from Jhalawar to Kota, where he will stay at night. Gandhi will address a state convention of Mahila Congress at Kota on Thursday morning, after which he would fly to Sikar to address a 'sankalp' rally, said Pilot. "The Congress is well placed in Jhalawar where I and Leader of Opposition Rameshwar Dudi undertook 'kisan nyay yatra' 10 months ago. Gandhi's visit to Jhalawar will give a boost to the party there," Pilot added. Pilot claimed the farmers in both the region are facing distress. Almost half of the farmers' suicide occurred in that region only and there is resentment among them against the chief minister and the government, Pilot told PTI. Chief minister Raje represents Jhalrapatan assembly constituency in Jhalawar while her son Dushyant Singh is the member of Parliament from Jhalawar-Baran. Jhalawar shares its border with Madhya Pradesh, which too is going to polls on November 28. In Rajasthan, which is going to polls on December 7, the Congress president has already conducted meetings in Jaipur, Dungarpur, Bikaner and road shows in Jaipur, Bharatpur, Dholpur and Dausa. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Rajasthan BJP Tuesday assigned task to over 800 'Booth Vijay Volunteers' to connect to the electorate at the booth level. The volunteers will work in 98 of 200 Assembly constituencies in the state and establish contact with people, Rajasthan BJP chief Madan Lal Saini said after a meeting with the party workers here. BJP state organisational general secretary Chandra Shekhar said that old and new party workers should hold booth committee meetings for party's success in the upcoming Assembly election. The party Tuesday organised a 'Booth Vijay Volunteer' event here in which workers from Jaipur, Bharatpur and Ajmer divisions were present. Similar events would be conducted in Jodpur for workers of Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota and Udaipur divisions. Union minister Prakash Javadekar, the party's in charge for Rajasthan election, will be on a two-day tour in the state, a party spokesperson said. Javadekar will Wednesday hold a meeting of election committee, district in charge, MPs and sarpanchs in Udaipur. On Thursday, he will hold meetings in Jodpur and inaugurate a media centre, the spokesperson said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday termed as "very unfortunate" the death of seven civilians in a blast after an encounter had ended in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir and appealed to people not to venture such places where security operations were on. The minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for next of kin of the deceased. "There has been an incident in Kulgam. I have been informed that some civilians have been killed in it. It is very unfortunate. I have been told that the operation had concluded and the security forces had left but some people went there and an explosion took place due to some reason. We are pained at the loss of lives," Singh told reporters here. Singh said he wanted to convey his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. "The price of a life cannot be set in monetary terms but still I announce an ex-gratia relief of Rs five lakh for each affected family," he said. The Home Minister, who reviewed the security situation in the state, said that with the cooperation of people, terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir will end and the state will join the queue of developed states of India. "If there is an operation by security forces, I appeal the people that they should not try to go there. The security forces do take precautions and we have repeatedly directed them to do it," he said. Seven civilians were killed Sunday in a blast at an encounter site in Laroo village in Kulgam district, after a gunfight between militants and security forces in which three ultras were eliminated had ended. Singh said during the discussions with officials and various delegations, the issue of constructing a good road for border residents in Keran, Tangdhar, Kargil, Drass, Machil and Gurez was raised. "I have directed the Road Transport Ministry to prepare a detailed project report for it. This road will be constructed," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Centre is ready to hold talks with anyone including Pakistan but terror and dialogue can never go together, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here Tuesday. Singh, who met representatives of various political parties in Srinagar, said he has appealed to all of them to participate in the upcoming panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir. "Biggest of problems can be faced and issues resolved through democratic means. Many problems of Jammu and Kashmir can also be addressed through democracy. I appeal to people of the state to take part in this festival of democracy," he said at a press conference here. Singh said those who do not believe in democracy can never be well-wishers of people. The National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party had boycotted the the recent urban bodies election in Jammu and Kashmir. Singh told reporters that as far as talks are concerned, the government has no problem in holding dialogue with anyone. "At least, they should see that Pakistan is sponsoring terrorism in India and promoting terrorism also. Give us this much of assurance that there will not be any such attempt by Pakistan. Terror and dialogue both can never go together," he said. Asked if there was any initiative to hold talks with separatists, Singh said the government will talk to anyone who is willing to enter dialogue. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Campaigning for Democratic party candidates, former US president Barack Obama has accused the ruling Republicans of pitting people against one another and not addressing the challenges being faced by the country. Two years after leaving the White House, Obama remains the biggest crowd puller for the Democratic party, which is expected to gain in this mid-term polls on November 6. Republicans in power want you to feel cynical. They want you not to vote. Instead of addressing the challenges that exist, they exploit some of the history that we have in this country, of racial and ethnic and religious divisions, Obama said at a well-attended Democratic campaign rally in Nevada. The former president alleged that the Republicans try to get people angry. They appeal to tribe, and they appeal to fear, and they try to pit one group against another. They tell us that order and security is going to be restored as long as we don't let 'those people' take over, the people who don't look like us or sound like us or pray like we do, the Democratic party leader said. They start talking about 'real Americans' as if some of us aren't real Americans, Obama said. As the election approaches, the Republicans increasingly resort to such tactics. But that does not work in a healthy democracy, he said. Because what happens is, people of good will in both parties start calling out bigots and fearmongers, and they work to compromise. They work to get things done, the practical solutions caucus starts kicking in, he said. Urging his supporters to come out and vote for his party's candidates, Obama said there is vacuum in democracy when people do not go out and vote. "There is a vacuum in democracy, when we don't vote, when we take our rights for granted, when we turn the other way to because we think it's ugly and messy and we don't want to hear it, that's when the voices fill in the void, other voices, and demagogues start promising simple fixes to complicated problems, and they promise to fight for the little guy, and then they turn around and are helping corporations and billionaires and the most powerful do their bidding, he said. Obama alleged that there were states where Republicans were actively purging voter rolls, where they have tried to say that students, and college students operate under different rules than others and make it harder for them to vote. "They'll pledge to take on corruption, and then they just plunder away, and they start undermining some of the institutions that our essential to our democracy. They make it harder for young people, and minorities and the poor to vote, and that entrenches their power further, he said. I have to say that this kind of politics, it's not actually conservative; it's radical. It's a vision that says, we're going to protect our power no matter what, even if it hurts the country, he said. We're going to divide the country, and make everybody angry, even though we know that's not actually going to help create jobs, or put food on the table, or pay the rent, or make sure that health care's protected, he said. It's a vision where a few people who can afford those high-priced lobbyists and unlimited campaign contributions, they set the agenda, and rather than be a check or a balance on this kind of corrupt politics, you've Republicans in Congress who bend over backwards to shield it from scrutiny, and accountability and consequences said the former US president. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) First-time BJP MLA Terash Gowalla Tuesday said he has sent his resignation letter from the Assam Assembly to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The legislator from Duliajan constituency said he has sent his letter to Sonowal, who is the leader of the BJP Legislature Party in the state, on Monday night. Confirming the development, a senior BJP party official said, "Yes, he has sent the resignation to the CM's office on Monday." Asked about the reasons for resigning from the house, Gowalla said, "There are various issues. I am not able to fulfill my duties as MLA. So, taking the moral responsibility, I am resigning from the Assembly." When pointed out that the issue of not offering him any post, particularly in Assam Gas Company Ltd (AGCL), during the recent appointments, Gowalla said, "That is one reason. The AGCL is in Duliajan and people elected me as their representative. They had some expectations from me. "However, without consulting me, the appointment in the company was made. I am not saying that you (government) give me the post, but at least I should have been consulted." Asked if there was any possibility of withdrawing the resignation under party pressure, Gowalla said, "I have informed the issues to the CM. If I get a satisfactory answer, I may re-consider it." Gowalla told PTI he has not sent the letter to the Spaker, Hitendra Nath Goswami, which he will be doing after consulting the people of his constituency. When contacted, the Principal Secretary of the Assembly Secretariat, M K Deka said, they had not received any intimation about the MLA's resignation. At present, the saffron party has 61 representatives in the 126-member Assembly. Sonwal on Monday appointed various persons, including politicians from the BJP, AGP and BPF, as chairman, vice chairman and directors of 40 government-run bodies. This included appointment of Sadiya MLA Bolin Chetia as chairperson and Indra Gogoi as the vice chairperson of Assam Gas Company Ltd. Terming it as "very unfortunate", Congress spokesperson Rhituporna Konwar said, "It is nothing but opportunistic politics". When people are worried about their own identity and a conglomerate of organisations have called an Assam Bandh, Gowalla resigned for his own benefit. "The BJP MLA had sought peoples' mandate as a legislator only to serve the constituency and not to be appointed as chairman of AGCL or any other company post," the Congress leader said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tamil Nadu Minister D Jayakumar Tuesday accused AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran camp of circulating 'doctored' audio clips purportedly containing recorded conversations over a woman's pregnancy and asserted the voice in it was not his and he was ready for any probe. Amid demands for his sacking from the cabinet by the Dhinakaran camp, Jayakumar told reporters that there was a conspiracy to defame him and he will take legal action against those behind the episode. Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam leader Dhinakaran's staunch loyalists and disqualified MLAs P Vetrivel and Thanga Tamilselvan Tuesday demanded Jayakumar's resignation in view of the allegations against him. Two audio clips which went viral Monday on the social media contained a conversation between a woman and an unidentified man allegedly responsible for impregnating her daughter and the request to abort it. The woman gave birth to a baby boy recently. With allegations seeking to link him to the audio, Jayakumar Monday itself rejected them and said he was prepared to face any test. "I will file a case and lodge a complaint..they (those who released it) have relased this defamatory audio to defame me...this is a planned conspiracy," he had said. Jayakumar had said since he was vehemently opposing Dhinakaran and V K Sasikala (jailed aide of late Chief Minister J Jayalallithaa) such allegations which smacked of politcal vendetta had cropped up. A year ago, his morphed visuals were circulated on social media and three men were arrested following his police complaint, Jayakumar said adding since that effort failed they have now come up with this. "Technology has developed so much. The voice has been doctored and it has been circulated in social media. This is unacceptable," he said. On the birth certificate of the child featuring the name of D Jayakumar in the father's column, he said he was not the "only D Jayakumar... there are over 1,000 such people...I am ready for any tests," he had asserted. Vetrivel Tuesday demanded a DNA test to ascertain the paternity of the child and said the government alone had the wherewithal to do it. He appealed to Chief Minister K Palaniswami to drop Jayakumar from the Cabinet. "Prove that you (Jayakumar) are innocent after resigning from your post...you should face inquiry after stepping down," Vetrivel said. Vetrivel claimed that he was having clips of "related audio and video" and they had nothing to do with the three people arrested last year on the charge of morphing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince Tuesday attended a glitzy investment forum boycotted by a host of global business leaders, as the petro-state admitted it is facing a "crisis" after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sat in the audience on the opening day of the three-day Future Investment Initiative (FII), which was meant to project the historically insular Gulf kingdom as a lucrative business destination and set the stage for new ventures and multi-billion dollar contracts. The conference, nicknamed "Davos in the desert", has been overshadowed by the outcry over the murder of Khashoggi inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul on October 2, with a string of leading international investors pulling out over the case. But Saudi organisers sought to portray it was business as usual, announcing 12 "mega deals" worth more than $50 billion in oil, gas, infrastructure and other sectors. They sought to rally around Prince Mohammed, the king's powerful son whose reform credentials have been tarnished by the scandal despite repeated denials he had any involvement in the killing, as he made an appearance. But Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih acknowledged "these are difficult days". "We are going through a crisis," Falih said in his speech. Falih said the murder of Khashoggi was regrettable, adding that "nobody in the kingdom can justify it". In further efforts to diffuse the crisis, Saudi Arabia's cabinet said separately that his killers would be held accountable "no matter who they may be". The comments came as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded to know who gave the order for Khashoggi's killing in his country and the whereabouts of the slain journalist's corpse. The Riyadh conference opened amid tight security at Riyadh's Ritz-Carlton hotel, with Russian Direct Investment Fund chief Kirill Dmitriyev and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan headlining. Falih heaped praise on the CEO of French energy giant Total, Patrick Pouyanne, for standing by Saudi Arabia in this difficult period. "We see what partnership means when you have difficult times," Pouyanne responded as he shared the stage with Falih. "This is when you really strengthen a partnership." Dozens of delegates walked a red carpet into the vast conference venue at the Ritz-Carlton, with a cathedral-like lobby, frescoed ceilings and glittering chandeliers. But as the day progressed, the crowds thinned in the main auditorium, and organisers frequently changed the agenda of the event in a sign speakers were dropping out. SoftBank Group's chief executive Masayoshi Son -- who maintains close relations with the crown prince -- cancelled his speech, Bloomberg reported. A long list of investors and international policymakers have already declined to show up in Riyadh in apparent protest against the Khashoggi killing. Siemens chief executive Joe Kaeser, corporate chiefs from JP Morgan, Ford and Uber, and media powerhouses like CNN and the Financial Times all scrapped plans to attend. Ministers from Britain and France and the United States, which have huge defence deals at stake with Saudi Arabia, have stayed away. A wider Western boycott of the conference suggests rising political risks in Saudi Arabia that could hit foreign direct investment, which already plunged to a 14-year low last year, according to a UN body. And in a fresh setback, the forum's website went down on Monday after an apparent cyberattack. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. It was back up with reduced content as the conference progressed. This year's conference contrasts with last year's inaugural FII -- a star-studded event at which Prince Mohammed was lionised as a visionary by speakers. But many Western firms have too much at stake to abandon the Arab world's biggest economy, and some have decided to send lower-level executives. "The West is still interested in the business opportunity that Saudi offers," Tony Chan, president of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, who attended the forum. "The no-shows have to be reconciled with that fact. As business shifts from West to East, those companies have to find a balance between maintaining a good PR image and their business considerations." Companies from China and Russia have shown little interest in withdrawing from the event, an organiser said. "The high profile withdrawal of so many American CEOs from the conference certainly presents opportunities for Asian and Russian companies to make a splash," Ellen Wald, author of the book "Saudi Inc.", told AFP. The crown prince, widely known by his initials MBS, faces what the risk consultancy Eurasia Group has called "an acute public relations crisis" over Khashoggi's murder. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A high-profile economic forum in Saudi Arabia began on Tuesday in Riyadh, the kingdom's first major event on the world stage since the killing of writer Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. The Future Investment Initiative forum is the brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aimed at drawing more foreign investment into the kingdom and to help create desperately needed jobs for its youthful population. Prince Mohammed was not immediately at the forum when it started. The forum last year proved to be a glitzy affair that drew more international business attention to the kingdom. This year's event meanwhile has seen many top business leaders and officials drop out over Khashoggi's October 2 slaying. The killing of Khashoggi has marred the prince's standing, especially amid Turkish media reports a member of his entourage on trips abroad allegedly took part in the slaying and made phone calls to the prince's office. Saudi Arabia, which for weeks maintained Khashoggi had left the consulate, on Saturday acknowledged he had been killed there in a "fistfight". Turkish media reports and officials maintain that a 15-member Saudi team flew to Istanbul on October 2, knowing Khashoggi would enter the consulate to get a document he needed to get married. Once he was inside, the Saudis accosted Khashoggi, cut off his fingers, killed and dismembered the 59-year-old writer, according to Turkish media reports. The killing has also thrown into question whether Western executives will continue business as usual with the crown prince, who as King Salman's favoured son is the second most powerful man in the kingdom. Last year, the investment forum grabbed headlines when Prince Mohammed wowed the crowd of global business titans with pledges to lead the ultraconservative kingdom toward "moderate Islam". He also announced plans to build a USD 500 billion futuristic city in the desert. He spoke on stage alongside Stephen Schwarzman of US private equity firm Blackstone and Masayoshi Son of Japan's technology conglomerate SoftBank. Schwarzman is among those who have backed out of attending this year. Others include US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who met with Prince Mohammed separately before the forum, according to Saudi state television. Among its many investments domestically and abroad, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, which the crown prince oversees, has invested USD 20 billion in a US-focused infrastructure fund with Blackstone. The Public Investment Fund has also invested USD 3.5 billion in ride-sharing firm Uber, whose CEO also backed out of attending this year's forum. Just days after last year's forum, the emboldened prince launched a sweeping shakedown of Saudi Arabia's wealthiest businessmen and top princes for alleged corruption, transforming the same Ritz-Carlton hotel that had earlier hosted the investment forum into a prison for the country's elite. The crackdown a surprise move by the prince, who's upended the kingdom's reputation for slow, cautions reforms rattled investors. Alongside moves like allowing cinemas to open and lifting a ban on women driving, the crown prince has led a stifling crackdown on dissent. Dozens of critics and activists have been detained, including several women and their supporters who had long pushed for the right to drive. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A high-profile economic forum in Saudi Arabia began on Tuesday in Riyadh, the kingdom's first major event on the world stage since the killing of writer Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. Khashoggi's death loomed large over the Future Investment Initiative forum and coincided with Turkish President Recip Tayyip Erdogan's claim Tuesday that Saudi officials murdered Khashoggi in their consulate after plotting his death for days. The Turkish leader demanded the kingdom reveal the identities of all involved in the killing, regardless of rank. Saudi Arabia, which for weeks maintained Khashoggi had left the consulate, on Saturday acknowledged he was killed there in a "fistfight." Turkish media and officials say a 15-member Saudi team was flown in to kill Khashoggi and accosted the writer in the consulate, cutting off his fingers before killing and dismembering the 59-year-old Washington Post columnist who wrote critically about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. As the Riyadh conference opened, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih described the killing as "abhorrent" in his speech. The forum kicked off without some of its keynote speakers after numerous Western executives and officials cancelled plans to attend over Khashoggi's October 2 slaying. "As we all know, these are difficult days for us in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Al-Falih said to attendees seated in the forum's ornate hall. "Nobody in the kingdom can justify it or explain it. From the leadership on down, we're very upset at what has happened," he added, referring to Khashoggi's slaying. The forum is the brainchild of Prince Mohammed and is aimed at drawing more foreign investment into the kingdom to help create desperately needed jobs for millions of young Saudis entering the workforce in the coming years. International pressure is mounting against the prince, who did not attend the start of forum. Critics suspect the powerful crown prince ordered Khashoggi's killing or at the least had knowledge of it. Despite the absence of key executives and speakers from the United States and other Western partners, some USD 50 billion in deals were signed Tuesday at the forum with Russian and Asian businesses and officials eager to do business with the kingdom. "Those partners who are here with us today to continue that journey with us are certainly going to look back and find out ... how committed the kingdom is to its partners that stay the course," Al-Falih said, just moments before several deals were inked on stage. The forum last year grabbed headlines when Prince Mohammed wowed the crowd of global business titans with pledges to lead the ultraconservative kingdom toward "moderate Islam." He also announced plans to build a USD 500 billion futuristic city in the desert. At the time, Prince Mohammed spoke on stage alongside Stephen Schwarzman of US private equity firm Blackstone. Schwarzman is among those who've backed out of attending this year. Others include US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who met with Prince Mohammed separately before the forum, according to Saudi state television. Among its many investments domestically and abroad, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, which the crown prince oversees, has invested USD 20 billion in a US-focused infrastructure fund with Blackstone. The Public Investment Fund has also invested USD 3.5 billion in ride-sharing firm Uber, whose CEO Dara Khosrowshahi also backed out of attending this year's forum. Lubna Olayan, a Saudi businesswoman moderating the forum's first session Tuesday, opened with remarks about Khashoggi. "As we gather here in Riyadh this morning, it is natural that our thoughts tend to focus on recent events surrounding the death of Jamal Khashoggi a writer, a journalist and a Saudi journalist known to many of us," said. "May he rest in peace." She added that such "terrible acts ... are alien to our culture and DNA."Some in the crowd applauded her remarks. Directors of the Saudi, Russian and United Arab Emirates' sovereign wealth funds took part in the opening panel. Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan headlined another session, with Jordan's King Abdullah expected to speak at the forum on Wednesday. "I think this conference will open the gateways to Asian and Russian investment in the Saudi economy regardless, irrespective if the crisis gets resolved or not," said Ayham Kamel of Eurasia Group. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court Tuesday expressed shock over "vanished" 31 hills in the Aravalli area of Rajasthan and asked the state government to stop illegal mining in the 115.34-hectare area there within 48 hours. The top court said though Rajasthan was earning a royalty of around Rs 5,000 crore from mining activities in Aravalli, it cannot endanger the lives of lakhs of people in Delhi as the disappearance of hills there could be one of reasons for rise in pollution level in the national capital region (NCR). A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta referred to the status report filed by Rajasthan government and said it indicated that illegal mining activity was going on in 115.34 hectare area in Aravalli range in the state. It also referred to a report of the central empowered committee (CEC) which had said that out of 128 samples taken by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), as many as 31 hills or hillocks have vanished. "31 hills or hillocks have disappeared. If hills will disappear in the country, what will happen? Have people become 'Hanuman' that they are running away with hills?," Justice Lokur asked the counsel appearing for Rajasthan. "15-20 per cent hills have vanished in the state of Rajasthan. This is your ground truth. Whom you want to take for a ride?," the bench asked, adding that the state has failed to protect the Aravalli range from illegal mining. The top court said that it was compelled to pass an order to stop illegal mining activities in 115.34-hectare area there within 48 hours as it appeared that the state has taken the issue "very lightly". It directed the chief secretary of Rajasthan to file an affidavit regarding compliance of its order within this week and posted the matter for hearing on October 29. The bench said that it was "not at all satisfied" with the contents of status report filed by the state as it mostly deals with the "so called incompetence" of the FSI. It said that state of Rajasthan must appreciate that FSI was a body of Government of India and it would not be proper to made "wild allegations" against them. During the hearing, the bench asked the state's counsel as to what steps have been taken by them to stop illegal mining activity in Aravalli area. "We have issued show cause notices and FIRs have also been registered (in cases of illegal mining)," the counsel said. The bench then told the counsel about the importance of having hills and said, "Hills are created by the God. There must be some reason if the God has done this. They (hills) act as barriers." "If you start removing all the hills, pollution from different parts of areas nearby NCR will come to Delhi. This could be one of the reasons that we have so much pollution in Delhi. For sake of few miners in your state, you are endangering the lives of lakhs of people in Delhi," the bench said. When the top court was told that Rajasthan was getting a royalty of around Rs 5,000 crore from mining activities, the bench said, "You (state) want royalty. You will get it but health expenses for people of Delhi will be 10 times of your royalty". The state's counsel told the court that all the concerned government departments in Rajasthan were "on the job" to stop illegal mining. To this, the bench said, "What kind of job? Damage has already been done to Delhi. You have not disputed the view of CEC that 31 hills or hillocks have disappeared". "You give this Rs 5,000 crore (royalty) for health of people of Delhi. Hospitals in Delhi are over crowded, people are dying here," the bench said. The counsel appearing for the CEC said that court must take the drastic step of stopping mining activities in Aravalli as the state would not take any action against them. "It is completely a hopeless cause. If the government permits illegality to go on, what can anybody do then," the bench said, adding, "it is completely beyond control". The court said it was not clear from status report filed by the state in September this year as to whether illegal mining in 115.34 hectares have stopped. "We are giving you 48 hours to close these mines," the bench told the state's counsel. The court was dealing with a matter related to illegal mining activities in Aravalli range. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court Tuesday said it would hear on November 13 multiple petitions challenging the Sabarimala verdict allowing entry of women of all age groups into the shrine that remained unimplemented following week-long protests. A day after the doors to Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala in Kerala closed, six days after opening for the first time since the Supreme Court lifted the ban on entry of women of menstruating age, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accused the BJP and the RSS of "hidden conspiracy" to destroy peace at the temple. At least 12 women in the 10-50 age group had made a failed attempt to trek the hills and had to return following protests from believers. Even women over the age of 50 were stopped at Sabarimala. An apex court bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul told lawyer Mathews J Nedumpara that it has already passed an order with regard to listing of petitions on November 13. "Sabarimala cases will be taken up on November 13 at 3 PM. The order has been passed," the CJI said when Mathews J Nedumpara, representing the National Ayyappa Devotees Association again mentioned the plea against the verdict for urgent hearing. Earlier, the court had noted that there were 19 review petitions pending in the matter, filed by the Association and others seeking a review of its Sabarimala verdict. A five-judge constitution bench in a 4-1 verdict last month lifted the centuries-old ban on entry of girls and women in the menstruating age of 10-to 50 years into the hilltop shrine. The petition filed by Shylaja Vijayan, president, National Ayyappa Devotees Association through Nedumpara, submitted that faith cannot be judged by scientific or rationale reasons or logic. Union minister Smriti Irani also waded into the escalating Sabarimala row, saying the right to pray did not mean the right to desecrate. "I am nobody to speak against the Supreme Court verdict as I am a serving cabinet minister. But just plain common sense is that would you carry a napkin seeped with menstrual blood and walk into a friend's house. You would not. "And would you think it is respectful to do the same when you walk into the house of god? That is the difference. I have the right to pray, but no right to desecrate. That is the difference that we need to recognise and respect," Irani said at an event in Mumbai. Hitting out at the BJP and the RSS for the agitation at Sabarimala that stalled the entry of women in the hitherto banned 10-50 age group, Vijayan alleged there was a "hidden conspiracy" to destroy peace at the temple. He alleged the agitations were a "planned and deliberate attempt" to create an atmosphere of tension in the state. The CPI-M strongman also asserted that no force will be allowed to turn the shrine complex into a centre for trouble-makers. Talking to reporters, he alleged that the Sangh Parivar was attempting to "insult" and "mislead" believers. While maintaining that the faith of believers would be respected, Vijayan made it clear that the government had the responsibility to implement the apex court order. Vijayan said both the main opposition Congress and BJP were "playing politics" on the Sabarimala issue since they had earlier welcomed the court verdict. Some leaders of the Congress are joining hands with the RSS and it was a "dangerous trend," he said. Attempts are being made to destroy the peace and harmony at Sabarimala, he said, adding criminals will not be allowed to turn the temple complex into a trouble zone. The government will restore the peace and harmony at Sabarimala and this will be through the cooperation of "actual believers" of Lord Ayyappa, Vijayan said. Vijayan also made it clear it was the constitutional responsibility of the LDF government to implement the court order and said protection will be given to women who wish to offer prayers at the shrine. The blocking of women and attack on media personnel, who had come to cover the historic event, was part of a conspiracy led by the RSS, he alleged. The temple in Sabarimala had witnessed high drama and tense moments for six days when it was opened for monthly prayers from October 17 to 22. Vijayan also criticised temple tantri (priest), Kandararu Rajeevaru, who had said he would close the temple and go if women were allowed inside the shrine and the agitation by assistants of priests who had protested near the holy 18 steps. A series of protests were witnessed across the state since the CPI(M)-led LDF government decided to implement the verdict. Reacting to Vijayan's attack, BJP State President, P S Sreedharan Pillai blamed the "stubbornness" of the chief minister for the present situation in Sabarimala. The government should rectify its mistakes and protect the faith of believers, Pillai said. The massive support the devotees received across the state had left the ruling CPI(M) and LDF in "jitters" which was why they have started a campaign, including family meets to explain the government's stand on the issue, he added. Pandalam Royal family member Sasi Kumar Varma said even though the government used all its machinery and tried to bring women, barred by tradition, to the shrine, they could not succeed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China on Tuesday said its first internal security cooperation agreement with India will provide institutional guarantee to combat trans-border crimes, but did not indicate any change in its stance on blocking India's efforts to list Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. The agreement was inked during the first India-China high-level meeting on bilateral security cooperation which was co-chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Zhao Kezhi, State Councilor and Minister of Public Security, China, in New Delhi. "This cooperation treaty is very important in terms of advancing law enforcement and security cooperation so that the two countries enjoy the sound development of bilateral relations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing answering a question on the pact and the talks between the two ministers. Referring to the April informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Hua said, "We believe this cooperation on security and law enforcement will help us to combat crimes as it will provide more institutional and systematic guarantee on this". "We will continue to step up our cooperation in combating separatist forces, telecom fraud the drug crimes and other trans-border crimes. We will explore more areas for security and law enforcement cooperation and ensure the security of our personnel that carrying projects in each other's countries," she said. On India's request for China's support to declare Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Azhar as global terrorist by the UN, Hua said she has to check the specific details of the talks between the two ministers. "As per to India's request for the listing of Masood (Azhar) we already stated our positon for many times," she said. "On the counter terrorism issue, China has always actively participated in international anti-terrorist operations. We have always made our decisions and judgements on the merits of the matter itself," she said. "We will continue to step up the security cooperation to uphold the regional peace and stability with parties," she said. A veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has repeatedly blocked India's bid at the United Nations to list Azhar as a global terrorist. On reports that India has requested China to not to give shelter to hard-line United Liberation Front Of Assam (ULFA) leader Paresh Baruah, Hua said, "I shall stress that the Chinese government has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. This remains unchanged. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Days after his wife Amruta Fadnavis courted a controversy by clicking a selfie on the edge of a Mumbai-Goa cruise ship here, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Tuesday said she is an independent individual who acts as per her "intellect". Speaking at Aaj Tak Manthan, Fadnavis said, "My wife is an independent individual and acts according to her intellect. She has an ideology of her own. Have I bought her?" He said while Amruta was safely clicking the selfie at a safe spot, some "narrow-minded" individuals chose to troll her for the act. "Some people click photos while hiding while others do it openly. Maharashtra has not seen young CMs and their wives. What can be done in the age of 38-40 can't be done at 56 years of age," he quipped. A controversy erupted after a video of Amruta clicking selfie while sitting on the edge of the cruise ship went viral. She was attending the inauguration of domestic cruise liner Angriya here on October 20. The video shows security personnel trying to persuade her to return to a safer spot. Fadnavis said the video was clicked from an angle which made it seem like Amruta had ignored safety warnings. "Amruta had sought the permission of the ship's captain before clicking the photo. I, (union minister) Nitin Gadkari and the captain were all there at that time and there was a deck below her. So she was completely safe," he said. Interestingly, Amruta had Monday said she was ready to apologise over the incident, but insisted that the spot where she was sitting was safe. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A van carrying smuggled petrol collided with a truck on Tuesday in Pakistan's Balochistan province, killing at least seven persons and burning three cars parked nearby and a police check post, authorities said. The accident occurred a day after 20 people were killed when two buses collided head on in Pakistan's Punjab province that also left 30 others injured. The smuggled petrol was hidden in the makeshift tank of the van. The van was travelling from the provincial capital of Quetta to Sibbi, police officials were quoted as saying by the Khyber After the collision, five persons died on the spot and the two injured were shifted to a hospital where they succumbed to their injuries, police said, adding three cars, parked nearby, also caught fire along with the police check post. Two policemen who were posted at the Mach check post also suffered burns while trying to put the fire out, the report said. After the accident, officials reached the spot and tried to control the blaze. It took the authorities three hours to clear the Mach-Bolan highway. Balochistan province, borders oil-rich Iran from where million of gallons of fuel is illegally transported to Pakistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a significant action aimed at "disrupting Taliban actors and their Iranian sponsors", the US and six other West Asian countries Tuesday designated nine individuals associated with the militant group, including those facilitating Iranian support to bolster the Taliban. "Iran's provision of military training, financing, and weapons to the Taliban is yet another example of Tehran's blatant regional meddling and support for terrorism," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement after an announcement was made in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The seven nations -- the US, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - make up the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center which has an operations center in Saudi Arabia. Those designated are Mohammad Ebrahim Cowhide (also known as Jalal Valeri), Esma'il Razavi, Abdullah Samad Faroqui, Mohammad Daoud Muzzamil, Abdul Rahim Manan, Abdul Aziz (also known as Aziz Shah Zamani), Sadr Ibrahim, and Hafiz Majid pursuant. "The seven member nations of the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center took significant actions to expose and disrupt Taliban actors and their Iranian sponsors that seek to undermine the security of the Afghan Government," the Treasury Department said in a statement. The TFTC member states also designated Naim Barich, who is managing the Taliban's relationship with Iran. Barich was previously designated by the US under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act) on November 15, 2012. "The US and our partners will not tolerate the Iranian regime exploiting Afghanistan to further their destabilizing behaviour. Iran's support to the Taliban stands in stark violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions and epitomizes the regime's utter disregard for fundamental international norms," Mnuchin said. This is the third coordinated TFTC designation action since the Center was announced on May 21, 2017. The Treasury department said that these designations support President Donald Trump's South Asia Strategy by exposing and disrupting actors seeking to undermine the Afghan government and disrupting terrorist safe havens in South Asia. "We will continue to actively target those providing financial support to the Taliban until there is a negotiated peace settlement," it said. The inclusion of Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Qods Force (IRGC-QF) members supporting Taliban elements in this action highlights the scope of the Iranian regime's malign activities and regionally destabilizing behavior, and furthers the US maximum pressure campaign against Iran, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP president Amit Shah Tuesday called upon his party's workers and well-wishers to donate any amount between Rs 5 and Rs 1,000 to the organisation through Prime Minister Narendra Modi's app as part of an initiative to usher in transparency in public life. He also donated Rs 1,000 and posted the receipt on Twitter. "Keeping in line with our values of ushering in transparency in public life, the BJP has started an initiative of seeking micro donations from our karyakartas and well wishers through the NaMo app. You can donate any amount between Rs 5 and Rs 1,000," he tweeted. "As a BJP karyakarta myself, I have donated an amount of Rs 1,000 to the party through NM app. I appeal to all our karyakartas and well wishers to join the initiative for bringing in transparency in public life and donate using either NM app or at donations.narendramodi.in," Shah added. Union minister Sushma Swaraj had yesterday donated an amount of Rs 1000. She said probity is essential in public life. Shah said the Bharatiya Janata Party has always been a strong advocate of transparency and probity in public life, "values it has lived up to by providing an honest and transparent government at the Centre led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration Tuesday said it has invoked the stringent Gangsters Act against six persons for their alleged involvement in crimes in the district. District Magistrate Brajesh Narain Singh, based on a report by Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Pal Sharma, pressed charges under the Uttar PradeshGangstersand Anti-Social Activities (Prevention)Act, 1986 against these persons, an official statement said. TheActhas been invoked against Rajneesh Kumar of Ghaziabad, Pankaj Kumar Singh, Pappu Singh and Mohd Amamul Haq of Delhi, and Rajesh Bharadwaj and Jai Pal of Faridabad, it said. "The district administration is committed to ensuring continuous strict action against people of criminal nature. Therefore, similar action will be taken in future against the mafia and criminals under the Gangsters Actand theGoondaAct besides considering their expulsion from the district," Singh said. From May 1, 2017 till September 30 this years, the Gautam Buddh Nagar administration has initiated proceedings against 150 criminal gangs including 569 persons under the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters Act, according to officials. The administration of the district, where law and order has been a major concern, recently announced attaching properties and stopping financial transactions of all these gangsters in an unprecedented move to check crime, they said. The action has been taken under the UP Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986 which provides special provisions for the prevention of, and for coping with, gangsters and anti-social activities and for connected matters. According to section 14 of the Act, if the District Magistrate has reason to believe that any property, whether moveable or immovable, in possession of any person has been acquired by a gangster as a result of the commission of an offence triable under this Act, he may order attachment of such property whether or not cognizance of such offence has been taken by any court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A car bomb attack Tuesday killed six people and wounded 26 more at a market in a town near the Islamic State group's former Iraqi capital of Mosul, medics said. Images of the scene posted on social media showed a devastated market in the town of Al Qayyarah, 60 kilometres south of Mosul, with wounded being evacuated as bystanders watched on. "The attack killed six people and wounded 26," doctor Abdelmoneim Majid al-Tabu, who heads the town's health service, told AFP. Al Qayyarah was held by IS after they swept through northern Iraq in 2014. The jihadists were ousted from the town in 2016, almost a year before they were driven out of Mosul. While IS has now lost all its urban footholds in Iraq it retains the capacity to launch deadly attacks, with cells operating in desert areas along the border with Syria. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lankan Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera on Tuesday called for a summit of G-24 nations, including India and China, in Colombo to deal with the worsening global economic crisis. Samaraweera invited countries affected by the depreciating currencies to form a coalition to face the crisis. "The rise of the US dollar is having a serious impact on our currencies. We are not the only one affected," Samaraweera said as the Lankan rupee hit an all time low of 174.12 to the US dollar in Tuesday's trading. The local currency has depreciated more than 12 per cent against the US dollar so far this year. Samaraweera said he wanted G-24 nations to meet in Colombo to agree on a common strategy and discuss ways to deal with the US sanctions on Iran and the rising dollar and oil prices. "I want to build a coalition of the willing to deal with this problem," Samaraweera said. "I don't see the global situation improving any time soon." Sri Lanka would face harder times next year, Treasury officials believed. The government last month slapped a curb on luxury imports to slow the pressure on the rupee due to import demand. "We think the situation will get worse with US sanctions against Iran taking effect (early next month)," Samaraweera said. Sri Lanka relies heavily on Iran for its crude oil imports and Tehran is one of the main markets for Colombo's main export commodity tea. As further measures to cushion the affect of the falling rupee, commercial banks have been asked to restrict credit to finance the purchase of vehicles, air conditioners, perfumes, mobile phones and TV sets, among other luxury consumer goods. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The supporters of former Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Pravin Togadia clashed with the police Tuesday after the former broke boundary barricades of the disputed Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid premises here, trying to enter the area. After the clash, all roads to Ayodhya were blocked by the police. The police had to use force to disperse the mob, said officials, adding that the roads were opened after conditions became normal. The mob was stopped as they tried to enter the premises from the wrong side, said Faizabad SSP Joginder Kumar. Later in the day, Togadia announced plans to float a new political party, whose candidates will contest Lok Sabha seats in the coming General Elections. Addressing a gathering of activists of his Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad in Ayodhya, Togadia said his new political party will take on the BJP in the run up to the next Lok Sabha elections due next year. He said he will announce the name of the party and candidates for all Lok Sabha seats in Delhi next month. who has camped in the temple town for the past three days, slammed the saffron party for ignoring the interests of Hindus, by not doing enough to ensure a grand Ram temple is constructed at the disputed site. Hindus will now vote for a Hindu government and the BJP will be defeated, Togadia told PTI. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi got such (huge) public support only in the name of Ram Mandir. In fifteen Hindu Dharam Sansads (Hindu Parliaments) held since 1984, anonymous resolutions have been passed that when BJP gets clear majority then law for Ram Janambhoomi Temple will be made, but now they have betrayed all Dharam Sansads and decided to wait for the court verdict," he said, targeting the BJP and the prime minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The leaders of Sweden and Denmark have reacted after Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saudi Arabia murdered Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi after plotting his death. Stefan Lofven, Sweden's acting Prime Minister, says, "It seems very credible that something terrible has happened there, something horrible." However, Lofven refrained from commenting further pending more facts, Sweden's TT agency reported. In neighbouring Denmark, Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen summoned the Saudi ambassador and said the meeting would be held "as soon as possible". He said, "There are still a lot of unclear questions and I believe it is fair to give the ambassador the possibility to explain himself." Samuelsen had earlier said there would be no official Danish participation in an investment conference in Saudi Arabia as "a natural consequence of the actual situation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Switzerland's justice department on Tuesday cleared the attorney general's office to open criminal proceedings against two suspected Russian spies accused of attempting to hack sensitive targets in the country. Swiss officials have said the two suspects, arrested in the Netherlands earlier this year, were planning a cyber attack on the Spiez laboratory in Bern and launched an attack on the Lausanne office of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). In a statement, the Swiss justice department said it had given the attorney general's office the green light for the prosecution after meetings with the Swiss foreign affairs department. The Spiez lab was the target of a planned attack while it investigated the poisoning of Russian former agent Sergei Skripal in Britain, say Swiss officials. The lab does analytical work for the Hague-based Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). WADA, for its part, has been a thorn in Moscow's side for several years over drug cheating in Russian sport. The Montreal-based watchdog suspended Russia's Anti-Doping Agency in 2015 after declaring it to be non-compliant following evidence of a vast plan backed by Moscow to cheat at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Russia admitted to shortcomings in its anti-doping programme but rejected the existence of a state-supported cheating programme. In September, WADA said a compliance review committee had cleared RUSADA to be reinstated. Exact details of the alleged agents' arrests are unknown but on March 26 Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced that "two Russian intelligence workers" were expelled as a result of the Skripal attack. Last month Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov condemned the reports that Russian agents had targeted the Spiez laboratory, saying he could not believe the arrests were not picked up at the time by the media. In a separate development, Russia also denied that four of its nationals expelled by the Dutch in April had been trying to hack into the OPCW headquarters at The Hague, as Dutch officials allege. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress in Rajasthan believes there is "extreme resentment" towards Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje which will lead to her losing the upcoming elections and the BJP facing an unprecedented defeat in the state. Assembly elections in the state are scheduled to be held on December 7 and counting will take place on December 11. Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson and Jaipur Congress president Pratap Singh Khachariyawas said the people's sentiments have shifted towards the Congress and party president Rahul Gandhi's visits have created a momentum in favour of the party. "The CM and her several ministers are going to lose the elections this time. There is extreme resentment among public towards the chief minister who did not meet people during her entire tenure and is now going to the masses just to seek votes," he told PTI here Tuesday. Khachariyawas said the Rafale deal had become a topic of discussion in every household and people wanted answers from the prime minister and his government. "The Congress president is raising the Rafale issue strongly and the PM and the government have no answer and therefore, they are quiet," he said ahead of Congress president Rahul Gandhi's two-day visit to the state beginning Wednesday from Jhalawar. "Rahul Gandhi is getting huge support in the state and the BJP's situation is worsening day by day. The BJP has been exposed because even after getting such a vast mandate in last Assembly elections, the government did not fulfil its promises and betrayed the people," Khachariyawas said. In the 2013 Assembly elections, the BJP won 163 out of 200 seats in the state while the Congress's tally was 21. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three persons allegedly found in possession of elephant tusks worth over Rs 2 crore were arrested from Brahampuri area here, the police said Tuesday. The alleged smugglers, identified as Kamlesh Sharma, Amit Sharma and Vishnu Sharma, were trying to sell the tusks, weighing over 6 kg, in the Pondrik Park locality for Rs 1 crore when the police nabbed them, DCP (Jaipur North) Satyendra Singh said. He said the police is trying to ascertain the source of procurement of the tusks, which has turned out to be one of the biggest haul of the wildlife products in the state capital in recent past. The trio have been booked under section 26 of the Indian Forest Act and sections 9, 39 and 51 of the Indian Wildlife Act. The DCP hoped the arrests would help police in busting the wildlife smugglers' nexus in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Traditions and practices governing religious places, including Sabarimala, should be preserved for all times, Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari (hereditary administrator) D Veerendra Heggade said Tuesday. Speaking to reporters at Dharmasthala, a popular pilgrim centre in Dhakshina Kannada district, he said the society should understand the intentions with which the traditions at temples have been formulated and it should not be confused with devotion, which can be performed at home. About the ban on entry of women in 10-50 age group at Sabarimala which was recently lifted by the Supreme Court, he said some such restrictions add to the overall divinity of the religious places and help preserve local customs and traditions governing the conduct of devotees going there. Heggade said he was aware of such restrictions in force in some places of worship abroad. More than a question of womens entry into temples, it was more of upholding time-tested beliefs, he said adding some of the local customs and traditions govern the sanctity of the sanctum. Ban on entry of women in 10-50 age group was also to help the men folk going to the temple to observe self-control, he said adding it should not be seen as a move to deny equality to women. His comments come amid portests in Kerala gover the apex court order lifting the ban on entry of women in menstrual age into the Sabarimala shrine. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump dispatched the director of the CIA to Turkey in a quest to get more information about the death of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi and weigh a possible US response. Trump said Monday he was not satisfied with the explanations he's heard about the Washington Post columnist and critic of the kingdom who died on October 2 at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Saudi Arabia has said he was killed in a fistfight, but Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that Khashoggi's death was part of a planned operation. "It appears, on the eve of the murder, 15 Saudi security personnel, intelligence officials and a forensics expert arrived in our country," Erdogan said. "It has been ascertained that six of them left on Oct. 2" later that evening on two planes. "The Saudi Arabian administration has taken an important step by admitting the murder," Erdogan said. "As of now we expect of them to openly bring to light those responsible from the highest ranked to the lowest and to bring them to justice." On Monday, Trump told reporters at the White House: "We're going to get to the bottom of it. We have people over in Saudi Arabia now. We have top intelligence people in Turkey." "We're going to know a lot over the next two days about the Saudi situation," said Trump. "It's a very sad thing."The CIA declined to confirm that Gina Haspel, who directs the agency, is in Turkey. But a US official said she is in the country to review the case. The official, who declined to disclose details about what Haspel is doing in Turkey, was not authorized to discuss the trip publicly and spoke only on condition of anonymity. Trump spoke Sunday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is the son of Saudi King Salman. "He says he is not involved nor is the king," Trump told USA Today in an interview aboard Air Force One Monday en route to a political rally in Texas. The newspaper said Trump declined to say whether he believed the crown prince's denials. If their involvement was proven, Trump said: "I would be very upset about it. We'll have to see." Trump characterised Khashoggi's incident as a "plot gone awry" and told the newspaper he didn't think the writer was deliberately lured into the consulate to be killed. When he was asked late last week whether he thought Saudi Arabia's claim that Khashoggi died in a fistfight was credible, the president answered: "I do. I do." That statement rankled members of Congress and former government officials who have accused Riyadh of trying to cover up the truth behind Khashoggi's death or hide any evidence that the kingdom, particularly the crown prince, authorized it. Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky, who has been trying to coax Trump into ending arms sales to Saudi Arabia, said Monday that it's "laughable" to believe the crown prince was not involved in Khashoggi's death. Trump said any US response should not involve scrapping billions of dollars in arms sales, which would hurt US defence industries and eliminate US jobs. "I don't want to lose all of that investment that's being made in our country," he said. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Trump will continue to demand answers. "He'll make a determination on what he wants to do once he feels like he has all of the information that he needs," she said. Whatever the US response, US ties with its Gulf ally have hit rough waters. The Khashoggi affair also has threatened to upend the relationship of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner with the crown prince. The two men both in their 30s, both trusted aides of older, familial leaders struck a bond last spring and consulted with one another frequently in private calls in the months that followed. The crown prince, who is known in diplomatic circles as "MBS," has drawn some praise in the West for his moves to modernize the kingdom and criticism for his government's arrests of rivals and critics. Trump now plays down the relationship, saying the crown prince and Kushner are "just two young guys." But their back-channel relationship unnerved many in the Trump administration and Washington foreign policy establishment who feared that the White House was betting too big on the crown prince. Kushner on Monday fended off criticism that the Trump administration was giving Saudi Arabia cover. He said administration officials have their "eyes wide open". "We're getting facts in from multiple places and once those facts come in, the secretary of state will work with our national security team to help us determine what we want to believe, what we think is credible and what we think is not credible," Kushner told CNN. Even Trump, however, acknowledges that Kushner's work on trying to craft peace between Israel and the Palestinians has been set back by Khashoggi's death. "There are a lot of setbacks. This is a setback for that," Trump told The Washington Post in a weekend phone interview. Bruce Riedel, a former Middle East specialist for the CIA and National Security Council, said the Trump administration "desperately wants the Istanbul affair to go away and the MBS-Jared bromance obscured. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Donald Trump wishes to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin when the two visit Paris on November 11 for World War I commemorations, the US president's National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Tuesday. "I think President Trump will look forward to seeing you in Paris on the sidelines of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Armistice," Bolton told Putin in televised remarks as the two met for talks in Moscow. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will meet at the G-20 summit in Argentina next month, the White House announced Tuesday, amid an escalating trade war between the world's two largest economies. The G-20 Summit, comprising top 20 economies of the world including India, is scheduled to take place in Buenos Aires in Argentine on November 30 and December 1. Trump's top economic advisor Larry Kudlow told reporters at the White House that the two leaders are scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit. "The two presidents will meet for a bit in Buenos Aires, Argentina at the G-20, other than that, nothing I can say," he said. He, however, gave no details of the meeting. The announcement came amidst high tensions between the US and China. Responding to questions, Kudlow reiterated the common American concerns with regard to China, including Beijing's unfair trade practices, cyber theft and Intellectual Property rights protection. "Our asks are on the table, I would live to see them respond. Thus far they haven't," he said. The anticipated meeting between Trump and Xi comes as the Trump administration is signalling that it will treat China more aggressively. Earlier this month, US Vice President Mike Pence gave an entire speech laying out the perceived failures of China to adapt to a more liberal world order, and how the administration will respond accordingly. The US imposed a tariff on steel and aluminum and other tariffs totalling about USD 50 billion of goods from China. President Trump in September imposed tariffs on Chinese products worth about USD 200 billion, on top of USD 50 billion already targeted. China hits back at the US with USD 60 billion of new tariffs, a move which further escalated the full-scale trade war between the world's two biggest economies. Trump has threatened to slap tariffs on virtually all of China's exports to the United States in the tit-for-tat trade conflict. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The phrase "women oriented" maybe a popular word in cinema now but actor Renuka Shahane says television, for one, has always been a medium dominated by female actors - whether the content is progressive or regressive. The 52-year-old actor, who led shows such as "Mrs Madhuri Dixit" and "Kora Kagaz" in the 1990s, says with the arrival of daily soaps, she decided to lay low. "Whether it is progressive or regressive, TV has always been a women's medium. Most of the heroes and heroines of the small screen have been women. In that sense, I have done much more TV than films. In the '80s and '90s films, women were not given meaty roles except a Sridevi once in a while. "I have been privileged to get really good stuff when television was in its Golden Age. Then, I kind of took a backseat at the right time when the daily soaps took over and it changed the profile of television totally. It's still women oriented. But I look out for roles that are progressive, which is a rarity on TV," Shahane told PTI in a telephonic interview. The actor, who became a household name after 1994 release "Hum Aapke Hain Koun!", says she took a sabbatical after she gave birth to her first son, Shauryaman in early 2000s as she always wanted to be around for her children. Shahane is married to fellow actor Ashutosh Rana and the couple shares another son, Satyendra. "I was very clear about being a hands-on mother. I wanted to do that for a long time. I enjoyed seeing them growing up. And I wasn't missing work much anyway as the content that was being made did not excite me much. So I didn't feel like going out of my way to work," she says. Now that they are grown up, the actor is stepping out and reclaiming her place. The actor currently stars in the second season of Dice Media's webseries "What the Folks", which explores how modern-day families grow together despite their differences. She believes the digital space has emerged as a great platform today. "It has opened a whole new world. You can relate with the content that was being done in the '90s on TV, but of course, in a modern context because things in the digital sphere are always on par with what is going on globally," she says. "What the Folks" first installment saw Nikhil (Veer Rajwant Singh) caught in a bittersweet relationship with his wife Anita's (Eisha Chopra) parents, when he moves in with them for a few days. Season two, which is currently streaming on YouTube, introduces Nikhil's parents - played by Shahane and Shishir Sharma. Shahane describes her character Vandana as a modern working woman who is unlike TV's stereotyped mother-in-law. "Vandana doesn't have the typical saas-like expectations from both her son and daughter-in-law. She has a great sense of humour and has a sane head on her shoulders. "She shares a very warm and casual relationship with them. She is more like a buddy to them in a family that believes in communicating with each other." Shahane says it would be "condescending" to say that daily show format has pushed TV back. "A daily soap has its own benefits and it has given a lot of popularity and glamour to so many actors, actresses and the people behind the camera. So I don't want to put down any of that. It is just that there's no variety of content. It's okay if you have regressive content but if you only have regressive content, then it is hammered 24-hours a day and it doesn't make an impact on the society." She says channels need to be a lot more responsible than what they are today. "They should subsidise some shows which are progressive. They might not work, which is okay but I feel in the days of Doordarshan or even in the beginning of the satellite TV, that was an important part of the bouquet, a term the channels used that they would cater to different sections of the society. And now strangely, what we see is the same kind of shows with different actors." Shahane adds like real life, things in reel life also move in a cyclical fashion. "Since they are daily soaps, you can't work on them with the same amount of passion and detailing. But then you see a sea of change in the kind of films that are being made. I think whenever TV falls a bit short, films take control and if films aren't giving that kind of content, television does. As a society, we do benefit at the end of the day. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TVS Motor Company Tuesday reported a marginal decline in its profit after tax (PAT) at Rs 211.3 crore for the second quarter ended on September 30, 2018. The Chennai-based company had posted a net profit of Rs 213.2 crore for the same period of previous fiscal. Total revenue, however, grew to Rs 4,994 crore for the second quarter from Rs 4,098 crore in the July-September quarter of last financial year, TVS Motor Company said in a statement. During the period under review, the company's overall two-wheeler sales including exports grew by 13.6 per cent to 10.49 lakh units from 9.23 Lakh units in the quarter ended September 2017. Motorcycle sales grew by 14.9 per cent to 4.20 lakh units during the quarter as compared with 3.65 lakh units registered in the same period of previous fiscal. The company said its scooter sales grew by 18.2 per cent to 3.88 lakh units in second quarter from 3.28 lakh units in the quarter ended September 2017. Besides, the company's total exports during the period under review grew by 35.2 per cent 1.99 lakh units from 1.48 lakh units in the same period of previous financial year. The company's board declared an interim dividend for the financial year ending March 31, 2019 at the rate of Rs 2.10 per share (210 per cent) on 47,50,87,114 equity shares of Re 1 each , absorbing a sum of Rs 120.28 crore. The interim dividend declared will be paid on or after November 3, 2018, it said. Shares of the company today ended 3.75 per cent up at Rs 536.05 on BSE. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two AAP MLAs Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Amarjit Singh Sandoa, who were denied entry to Canada in July this year have been declared eligible to visit that country, Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana K P Singh said Tuesday. Singh made the statement after receiving a letter from External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. The two members of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, who were denied entry to Canada at Ottawa Airport on July 21, 2018, are eligible to visit the country at any time in future," said Singh, in a official statement. Canadian authorities had denied Sandhwan and Sandoa entry to Canada after they landed at Ottawa international airport, following which they had to return to India. At that time Speaker Singh had raised the matter with the Union minister. In her letter to theSpeaker, Swaraj said the Indian High Commission in Ottawa had strongly raised the matter with the Canadian government, seeking the circumstances and reasons for their immigration authorities' action. "I have been informed that the Canadian Border Services Agency has conveyed to our Mission in Ottawa that due to privacy legislations, they are unable to provide further details in the matter," she told Singh in her letter. "They have, however, conveyed that Kultar Singh and Amarjit Singh are eligible to return to Canada if they choose to do so in future," she said. ''We will continue to pursue such matters with the Canadian side to ensure that such incidents do not recur in future," she added. The Union minister, in her letter, also sought to caution the legislators visiting abroad to ensure that Government of India's guidelines on foreign travels are followed by them in the future and the Indian missions and posts aborad are kept informed about their travels. The Punjab speaker, in turn, advised MLAs to follow the prescribed procedure for their visits abroad including obtaining political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs and providing prior information to Indian missions abroad, even during their private visits. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) / -- A gateway to the Indian jewellery market, with a special focus on South India's repertoire UBM India, the largest organizer of jewellery fairs in India in association with Chennai Jewellers Association, launched one of their most important initiatives of the year - the Chennai Jewellery & Gem Fair (CJGF), a premium international B2B jewellery fair in South India. The three-day expo (20th - 22nd October, 2018) at the Chennai Trade Centre showcased over 150 exhibitors and over 300 brands. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/675607/UBM_Logo.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/769002/CJGF_October.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/773333/UBM_CJGF.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/773334/UBM_Kushboo.jpg ) The maiden edition of the expo was inaugurated by Chief Guest - Shri Thiru. Banwarilal Purohit, Hon'ble Governor of Tamil Nadu; Mr. Yogesh Shah, President - Chennai Jewellers Association; Mr. Uday Vummidi, Vice President - Chennai Jewellers Association; Mr. Michael Duck, Executive Vice President, UBM Asia and Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India in the presence of other dignitaries from the jewellery trade. With a series of successful jewellery expos in Chennai, in its refurbished avatar, the newly launched CJGF in Chennai provided an international experience, based on the organizer's proven expertise in understanding local, national and global markets. The expo was studded with a number of features such as Luxury Pavilion, Artisan Zone, Designer Gallery and Networking Night. One of the key highlights of the expo was the three-day insightful seminar. Day 1 saw a seminar on - 'Identifying Synthetic Diamonds' by Gemmological Institute of India and a panel discussion on 'How to Increase Your Business and Profits'; Day 2 and Day 3 saw a panel discussion on 'Young Generation in the Jewellery Business' and seminars on 'Schemes in MSME for Clusters'; 'Profit Test for Retailers and Stock Management', 'How your Staff Can Help your Profits in Retailing'; 'Contemporary Issues in Diamond Testing: Experience at Gemological Institute of India' and 'Digital Marketing for Jewellers', to name a few. The expo also featured a Gem Museum by Madras Gem Museum and Gem Institute Chennai which displayed an array of over 2,000 rare and precious gemstones and a Hall of Fame which was inaugurated by the South Indian actress Kushboo. The expo was an excellent platform for jewellery wholesalers, retailers, importers and exporters, jewellery manufacturers, diamond, gemstone, pearl suppliers and traders, precious metal and jewellery mounting traders and suppliers, machinery manufacturers and representatives from various trade and government organisations, to come under one roof to meet, connect, network and grow their businesses. In addition to Tier I, II and III cities in India, the exhibition was marked by delegate representatives from Singapore, Bangladesh, Nepal, Middle East and Malaysia among other countries. The list of key exhibitors this year included - Anmol Jewellers, CNB Diamonds Pvt. Ltd., JKS Jewels Pvt. Ltd., Anmol Swarn (India) Pvt. Ltd., S.K. Jewels, The Bombay Jewel Case Co, Mehta Gold and Diamonds, Madhava Raghava Jewellers LLP, M M Gold Palace, D N Jewels, UTSSAV CZ Gold Jewels Ltd., White Fire Diamonds India Pvt. Ltd. and Kalinga Jewellers, Jai Gulab Dev, Laxmi Chains, Jewel 4 u, Navkar Sterling, Sankalp Jewels, Swarn Shanthi, P.R Jewellers, Ms Diagem amongst others. Commenting on the conclusion of the maiden edition of CJGF, Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, UBM India, said, "The jewellery industry seems poised for a glittering future. There are abundant opportunities in this vertical which is also export-oriented and labour intensive, deeming India the hub of the global jewellery market. In the coming years, growth in the Gems and Jewellery sector would be largely contributed by the development of large retailers/brands. These established brands are guiding the organised market and are opening up opportunities to grow. Increasing access of organised players provides quality as well as variety in terms of products and designs. With a series of successful jewellery shows in the last 13 consecutive years in Chennai, UBM India for the first time in association with the Chennai Jewellers Association through CJGF brings to the Southern market an international trading platform with organized players in a revamped form. Seeking to enable jewellery, diamond, pearl and gemstone suppliers to congregate, interact and network with key buyers, both local and international, the expo, in coming years is poised to raise benchmarks and fuel trade for the jewellery industry in the region." "Furthermore, South India is deemed to be the hub for precious and semi precious studded jewellery, handmade, casting and lightweight gold jewellery. At CJGF, you will continue to see exclusivity and the latest global and domestic trends in every type of jewellery displayed, be it Nakshi, Temple, Pacchi and Kundan Jewellery, Managa Malai, Polki Diamond Jewellery, Antique Gold and Pearls to name a few," he further added. The CJGF is one of the five-city jewellery shows (Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi) that will be hosted throughout the year by UBM India. Internationally, UBM plc organises the World's Biggest Jewellery Trade Event - The Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair. Mr. Yogesh Shah, President, Chennai Jewellers Association, said, "UBM has been an integral part of the jewellery industry for nearly three decades. Owing to its expertise in this portfolio, UBM India is perfectly placed to launch the Chennai Jewellery and Gem Fair. The show is an initiative by and for the trade, a superior sourcing platform and an opportunity for exchanging knowledge and market trends. We are glad to associate with UBM India through CJGF 2018 to support the established and upcoming centers of excellence in jewellery in the Southern region and are delighted to see that the expo has participation from the deep interiors of the country." Adding to this, Mr. Uday Vummidi, Vice President, Chennai Jewellers Association, said, "It's an absolute delight to extend our support to this magnificent event, the Chennai Jewellery and Gem Fair (CJGF) organised by UBM India which will be held bi annually. A platform of this sheer size and scale is hard to come across in India and in the coming years, we look forward to the success of CJGF. With the overwhelming response received just in its first edition, the expo is going to be a bigger affair with great business opportunities. As organizers, we have aimed at getting the best clientele to participate through constant promotions and great road shows held in major cities as well as in two tier and three tier cities." About CJGF: CJGF is a bi-annual event, strategically taking place in October and March every year will be organized 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 https://chennai.jewelleryfair.in/oct for more information on the CJGF and http://www.ubm.com/global-reach/ubm-asia for our presence in Asia. 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. Source: UBM India Pvt. Ltd. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A constable posted at Mardan Naka police outpost here allegedly consumed poison over denial of leave to visit his ailing mother, police said Tuesday. Arun Kumar Verma (28) consumed some poisonous substance Sunday night as he was depressed over not being allowed to go home, Sub Inspector Ajay Kumar Singh, in-charge of the police outpost, said. Verma was admitted to a government hospital. Thereafter, he left for his home town Mauranipur in Jhansi on 20 day-leave, Singh said. The sub-inspector said the constable had applied for leave, but his request was rejected due to the four-day Dussehra festival. Verma had asked for leave to visit his ailing mother and was in acute depression since he was not allowed to go, his colleagues said on condition of anonymity. Rahul Srivastava of the district hospital who attended on the constable said he had consumed liquid mosquito repellent and was discharged Sunday from where he left for his home. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council Chairman Ramesh Yadav Tuesday said he had complete faith that his son, whose body was recovered from his official residence in Lucknow, will soon get justice. "I have complete faith in the law of the land...whosoever is guilty will be punished," Yadav said here. Abhijeet Yadav's body was found under mysterious circumstances at the legislative council chairman's official residence in Lucknow on Sunday and the mother of the deceased, Mira Yadav, was arrested in connection with the case Monday. Though police claimed that Mira Yadav had confessed to her crime, she, however, insisted that her son had committed suicide and that she was being framed. Ramesh Yadav said police were investigating the matter and the truth would be out soon. "Whosoever is guilty will be taken to task and Abhijeet will get justice," he said, ruling out any major discord in the family. According to police, the family members had tried to cremate Abhijeet's body but were stopped due to their timely intervention. The body was later sent for postmortem. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The fare structure of the upcoming metro lines in Mumbai will be same as the one which is in force for the corridor currently in operation, said an officail Tuesday. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the nodal agency of metro lines, said the fares charged to passengers of the Mumbai Metro One corridor will be extended to the upcoming lines of the rapid transport system. Mumbai Metro One, the city's first 11.4km long corridor, operates on the high-traffic Versova-Andheri- Ghatkopar section and it currently has a fare slab of Rs 10 to 40. Two more metro lines are under different stages of construction. MMRDA Commissioner R A Rajeev said, "The fare structure of the upcoming metro lines will be same as currently applicable in Metro One line. "Fare slab of Rs 10 to 40 is quite justifiable and fare. The fare slab of Rs 10, 20, 30 and 40 are quite reasonable." Speaking at an event organised by the Aaj Tak channel in a hotel here, the IAS officer said there is some confusion about Metro One running into loss. "If you set aside the capex of Metro One and if you see only the operation cost, then its EBITA is positive. I also want to stress out that financial aspect is not going to affect the execution of other big ticket projects anyway." The existing metro line has a daily ridership of over 4.5 lakh. All the metro lines will surely prove to be a game changer," he said. Speaking at the event, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Ajoy Mehta defended the provisions made in Development Plan (DP) 2034. He said said four major issues, including affordable housing and creation of jobs, have been addressed in the DP 2034. Mehta said, "The first and foremost issue is housing. Other issues are creating additional jobs in the financial capital of the country, facilitating qualitative life and not compromising on open spaces, green cover etc." "The fourth major issue is to improve the life of marginalised sections of the society by helping them to maintain pace with development. For this, we have made a number of provisions for various sections like working women and divyangs," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A group of four top Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday urged President Donald Trump to condemn the "murder" of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, asserting that America's global moral standing is at risk. Despite mounting evidence that the 60-year-old Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi government who spent time living and working in the US, was tortured and killed, the White House has continued to equivocate on the obvious and coddled the leaders of the Saudi regime, the Democratic Senators rued in a statement after sending a letter to President Trump. Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post, was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. The Saudi government initially said he left the consulate through the back door. Following a global outrage, the Saudi government on Friday in a statement acknowledged that Khashoggi was killed in a fistfight inside the consulate and noted that an interrogation went wrong. The Democratic Senators who signed on the letter are Dick Durbin, Senate Appropriations Committee's Defense Subcommittee Ranking Member; Patrick Leahy, Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman; Dianne Feinstein, Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member; and Bernie Sanders, Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member. "America's strength has always emanated not just from its military capabilities, but from its values and ability to inspire. Presidents of both major political parties recognised this unique gift, using it to shape global affairs and give hope to those seeking a better and more democratic life," the members wrote in the letter. The Senators wrote that at times like this, the US should speak firmly with a united voice that American values are not for sale and that such actions are intolerable in the civilised world. "Unfortunately, your troubling abandonment of America's moral standing did not begin with Mr Khashoggi's murder. You similarly embraced Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, who has murdered his opponents both in Russia and abroad, including on the soil of key NATO allies," they alleged. "Mr Putin has interfered in democratic elections and tried to manipulate those in other allied democracies. Yet, you enamoured yourself with Mr Putin, trusting his word over American and allied intelligence and even naively suggesting you would turn over an American diplomat to his henchmen for sham questioning," the Senators wrote. They said Trump had lavished praise on North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, saying that he "fell in love" with the man who threatened the US with nuclear war and has enslaved and murdered untold numbers of his own people. "You have also supported countless other global autocrats, including those from Egypt, China, Turkey, and the Philippines. In some cases you have copied some of their worst behaviours by threatening journalists or encouraging calls for your political opponents to be jailed," the letter said. Embracing such leaders, many unelected or elected in dubious circumstance, who actively undermine democratic norms, murder or jail their opponents, or who are afraid of a free press or legitimate elections enables such behaviour while undermining America at home and abroad, the Democratic Senator wrote. "As such, we urge you to end this troubling downward spiral and restore America's moral standing. You and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo can start by forcefully, without equivocation, condemning Jamal Khashoggi's murder and indicating there will be severe consequences to those around the world who act in such a barbaric manner," the letter said. Turkish officials have said they have evidence Khashoggi was tortured, dismembered and murdered inside the consulate. President Trump has said he was "not satisfied" with the response of Riyadh over Khashoggi's death. The president also said a group of US officials are in Saudi Arabia and another group of investigators in Turkey are trying to gather information on this issue. "I am not satisfied with what I've heard," Trump told reporters at the White House before leaving for an election rally in Texas Monday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By announcing its intent to withdraw from a decades-old nuclear weapons treaty, the United States is targeting Russia, which it says violated the bilateral deal -- but also China, which is developing arms that are banned under it. Beijing is not a signatory to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), so it's Russia that has been singled out for violating the accord, signed in 1987 by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. At issue is Moscow's new 9M729 ground-based missile system, which Washington says has a reach that exceeds 500 kilometers (300 miles) -- a claim the Kremlin denies. "Russia has not unfortunately honored the agreement, so we're going to terminate the agreement and we're going to pull out," US President Donald Trump said Saturday at a campaign rally in Nevada. Trump did not say whether a new treaty could be negotiated, but he has repeatedly in recent days pointed the finger of blame at both Moscow and Beijing, saying the US would develop its own weapons until they stop. "Until people come to their senses, we will build it up," Trump told reporters Monday at the White House, referring to the US arsenal. "It's a threat to whoever you want. And it includes China and it includes Russia and it includes anybody else that wants to play that game." For several years, Washington has accused Russia of violating the INF Treaty, which banned an entire class of nuclear and conventional missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers (310-3,400 miles). The accord helped end a crisis begun in the 1980s with the deployment of Soviet SS-20 nuclear warheads targeting Western capitals. US National Security Advisor John Bolton was dispatched to Moscow for emergency talks, where he said there would be wider consultations with "other" participants. He told Moscow's Echo radio that "friends" in Europe and Asia could be involved. For John Lee, a senior fellow at the conservative Hudson Institute think tank who specializes in defense strategy, "the situation vis-a-vis China, uninhibited by any agreement, is very different and far more pressing" than that of Russia. In recent years, China has developed "land-based intermediate missiles (capable of carrying conventional and nuclear payloads)," Lee said in a column published Monday on CNN's website. About 95 percent of the missiles available to the Chinese People's Liberation Army Rocket Force would violate the INF Treaty if Beijing were a signatory, Lee charges. On the issue, the White House and the Pentagon are on the same wavelength. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis "is completely aligned with the president and he's in close contact with the president on this," said Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning. In its latest Nuclear Posture Review published in February 2018, the Pentagon said: "In the nuclear context, the most significant Russian violation involves a system banned" by the INF Treaty. But the document also refers to missiles developed by China, which has in recent years sought to assert its military supremacy in Asia. At the start of October, Mattis put Russia on notice that its continued alleged violation of the arms treaty would not be ignored. "Russia must return to compliance with the INF Treaty or the US will need to respond to its cavalier disregard for the treaty's specific limits," Mattis said after a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels. "Make no mistake -- the current situation with Russia in blatant violation of this treaty is untenable." In a sign that the Pentagon was preparing for an INF withdrawal for months, the new Missile Defense Review -- US policy on ballistic missiles -- has not yet been published, despite its expected arrival in early 2018. For months, the Defense Department has repeatedly said the policy document will be available "in a few weeks." When asked about the MDR, Manning said he had no precise publication date to announced, but he highlighted that "all factors will be taken into account before the Missile Defense Review is released. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Vice President Mike Pence vowed Tuesday to press Saudi Arabia for answers after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said journalist Jamal Khashoggi's killing in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate was meticulously planned. "The world is watching. The American people want answers and we will demand that those answers are forthcoming," Pence told an event at The Washington Post, where Khashoggi was a contributing opinion writer. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Davos in the desert investment summit is expected to go ahead in capital Riyadh Tuesday as planned despite the boycott of the event by world leading entities and western government officials over call for transparency in investigations into the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, confirmed dead by the kingdom following days of denial. Officially dubbed Future Investment Initiative, the summit is designed to attract foreign investment into the kingdoms plan aiming at diversifying the economy away from oil dependence. The annual event which kicked off last year looked uncertain over the past three weeks amid the nascent crisis between the kingdom and western countries over the gruesome death of critical journalist Khashoggi. Dozens western officials and top executives of the worlds top companies have reviewed their plans to attend the event to take place at the Ritz-Carlton hotel where over 200 Saudi top business bigwigs including 11 princes among whom Al waleed bin Talal were detained over corruption charges in November last year. Majority of them have been so far released after signing monetary agreement with the state, which said it was able to recover over $100 billion. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the Trump administration is revoking the visas of some Saudi officials implicated in the death of writer Jamal Khashoggi. Pompeo announced the step at a State Department conference Tuesday. Vice President Mike Pence said earlier that Khashoggi's death at Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, "will not go without an American response." The visa revocations are the first punitive measures taken by the administration against the Saudis since Khashoggi disappeared after entering the consulate on Oct. 2. Visa records are considered confidential and Pompeo did not say which or how many Saudi officials would have their visas revoked. Saudi authorities have detained 18 people in connection with Khashoggi's death, which officials say was accidental despite Turkish allegations that Khashoggi was intentionally killed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court Tuesday directed the CBI to maintain status quo on the criminal proceedings initiated against the agency's Special Director Rakesh Asthana and a trial court sent an arrested mid-level officer facing bribery charges to seven-day remand, as the unprecedented internecine battle between the two top officers of the CBI entered the judicial arena. During the court hearing, the CBI also submitted that charges of extortion and forgery were added against Asthana and Devender Singh, a Deputy Superintendent police of CBI who was arrested Monday by the agency for allegedly taking bribe and falsification of records. The high-voltage drama involving Asthana and his boss Alok Verma, the CBI Director, also provided more fodder to the Congress and other opposition parties to target the Centre which was accused of "destroying the country's institutions". After Asthana approached the Delhi High Court seeking quashing of the agency's FIR against him, a single judge bench directed the CBI to maintain status quo on the criminal proceedings initiated against him till October 29, the next date of hearing, but clarified there was no stay on the ongoing probe considering the nature and gravity of the case. On a day of fast paced developments, Devender Singh moved the Delhi High Court seeking quashing of the FIR against him and handing over of documents relating to the case. This was followed by a similar petition in the high court by Asthana, a Gujarat cadre IPS officer, who has been continuously writing to the anti-corruption watchdog, Central Vigiliance Commission, on alleged interference of the CBI Director in his probe in the case related to controversial meat exporter Moin Qureshi. Justice Najmi Waziri issued notices and sought responses of the probe agency and its Director Verma as also Joint Director A K Sharma on both the petitions. The notice was also issued to Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), which is the administrative arm for the CBI and whose permission is required to be taken for probes against bureaucrats. The counsel for Asthana, whose name figures in the CBI FIR, pointed out before Justice Waziri that a case had been registered against the special Director based on a statement of an accused and said there is a great amount of "sorrow". However, the judge said this was not the stage to examine the allegation of malafide. CBI's counsel said the FIR was registered under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act and the IPC, including criminal conspiracy, and that they have added more sections against the accused relating to extortion and forgery. The court turned down the plea of Asthana's counsel seeking to stay further proceedings in the matter. "Nothing will happen. Tomorrow is Maharishi Valmiki's birthday, kuch nahi hoga (nothing will happen)," the judge said and asked the CBI not to disturb the equilibrium today. Kumar, earlier the investigating officer in a case involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi, was arrested on the allegations of forgery in recording the statement of businessman Sathish Sana, who is alleged to have paid bribe to get relief in the case. He was produced before the designated CBI court which sent him to CBI's remand for seven days. The court termed the offence as "grave" and noted that there were serious allegations about the involvement of public servants including accused, who has been charged by the agency of being a part of an extortion racket being run in the garb of investigation. The court also said no permission from the government was required under section 17-A in this case. The newly-inserted section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act makes it mandatory to have an approval from the government for carrying out any investigation into any offence alleged to have been committed by a public servant. During the proceedings, the agency also informed the court that it has added some fresh sections -- 384 (punishment for extortion), 388 (extortion by threat of accusation of an offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life), 389 (putting person in fear of accusation of offence, in order to commit extortion), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record) -- of the IPC in its FIR. The CBI occuped centrestage in the briefings and tweets of the opposition parties who lashed out at the Centre for failing to take control of the situation. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is responsible for "dismantling, denigrating and destroying" CBI and accused him of direct interference in the functioning of the CBI. There was no immediate reaction from the Prime Minister's Office(PMO) to the allegations. Surjewala also accused the Centre of eroding the independence and credibility of institutions like the CBI, ED and others. CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury alleged the BJP was damaging and destroying the country's institutions and in a series of tweets, he said the BJP's "nefarious" design needed to be defeated. NCP Chief Sharad Pawar said if the present government was effective, there would not have been bribery charges at the highest level in the CBI. "He(the prime minister) should act," he said in Mumbai. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The West Bengal home department has initiated measures to step up security at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Kolkata residence, even as the state police rebuffed reports of any such move. The state Public Works Department had earlier this month floated a notification, inviting tenders for construction of two watchtowers overlooking the chief minister's Harish Chatterjee Street residence in the southern part of the city. According to the tender notice, a copy of which is with the PTI, a 90-day deadline has been set for the project, which is estimated to cost over Rs 74 lakh. "The construction of two watchtowers at the residence of chief minister at 30 B Harish Chatterjee Street during 2018-19 will be undertaken at an estimated amount of Rs 74.02 lakh within 90 days' from the date of commencement of the project," the notice said. Confirming the development, a senior official of the PWD department said the contract for the project will be given to a company with the "experience and ability to meet the demands of Kolkata Police". "The organisation will not only have to complete the construction work in a span of three months, but take responsibility of maintaining the towers for the next five years. The contract will have all such details," he told PTI. The department has already constituted a four-member team to look into the technical and financial details of the submitted tenders, the official said, adding that the bids will be opened on October 31. Asked about the location of the two towers, a senior official of the state home department said a decision to that effect was yet to be taken. "The towers should be located at a convenient site to enable round-the-clock vigil on the chief minister's residence. There are factors we need to discuss with the company that will be entrusted with the responsibility of erecting the two towers, based on technical specifications," he said. Meanwhile, the West Bengal Police, in a tweet, dismissed the reports and said people with "vested interests" were spreading "incorrect information". "Misinformation is being spread by some persons nd (and) media with vested interest stating that watchtowers in residence of Honble Chief Minister West Bengal are being erected. This is totally motivated and there is no such decision," it tweeted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Shiv Sena said on Tuesday that he has "broken all previous records" of going on international tours, and asked what has the nation gained out of it. Taking a dim view of India's defence deals with France and Russia, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party claimed that US President Donald Trump was "threatening" India with trade sanctions, if Delhi does not agree to F-16 fighter jets deal. The Sena, in an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', took a swipe at Modi, saying he is a "reincarnation of Lord Vishnu which is probably why he has been travelling across the world to give a darshan to his devotees". Though Sena is part of the ruling BJP-led alliance at the Centre and in Maharashtra, the two parties have had strained ties ever since the BJP decided to go it alone in the 2014 Maharashtra Assembly elections. Asked about comments made in the 'Saamana' editorial, Mumbai BJP spokesperson Niranjan Shetty said his party does not react to observations made in the mouthpiece of any political party. The Sena said there are several countries with which India does not have good relations. "May be the PM goes on foreign tours to improve them," it said adding crores of rupees have been spent on his visit. "What did India gain in return?" "First the Rafale jet deal was signed with France in which allegations of corruption have sprung up. Then, America objected to India signing a deal with Russia for its S-400 air defence missile system. When India signed the deal, America (now) wants India to buy F-16 fighter jets to placate itself after the India-Russia pact," the Sena said. It alleged that America is "threatening" India with the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) sanctions for signing the deal for the Russian S-400 air defence system. It said the US has already sold F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, so the neighbouring country has all the "secret details" of the aircraft, yet the Trump administration wants to sell them to India. "The day there is peace between India and Pakistan, several countries with large economies will be forced to beg for money, so they do not want peace. These nations always want instability in Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Egypt, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India," the editorial in the Marathi daily said. He said India's neighbours are also "not friends from heart", it said. "Even Nepal, which is known to be a Hindu country, is dancing to the tunes of China and Pakistan. So, the question is what did India gain by spending... on Modi's foreign tours," the Sena said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hong Kong-based electronic gadgets and accessories retailer WK lifestyle is entering the Indian market with plans to open around 200 stores in the next two years, a company official said. The company is aiming to tap the fast growing mobile phone accessories market, which is estimated to be around Rs 10,000 crore. "We are planning to open around 200 stores in the next two years," WK lifestyle India Director Rohit Sahni told PTI. This would be a mix of company-owned-company-operated and franchise store in 1:3 ratio, he said adding that already the company had signed an agreement for stores in Bengaluru and Hyderabad totalling 30. "In Delhi, before December, we would have six to eight stores," Sahni said. However, the company has not shared investment details for its expansion in the Indian market. Besides, mobile phone accessories, WK lifestyle India would have products such as gym gears, travel gears, luggage packs, office bags, bottles, camera, smart home solutions etc. WK Life operates over 1,000 stores over 60 countries which includes US, Cambodia, China, Thailand, Nepal, Pakistan, Kuwait, Iran, Philippines, Norway and Sweden. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Aramco aims to allocate some 2-3 million barrels per day of its crude oil production to petrochemicals, CEO Amin Nasser said on Tuesday, a sign the state energy group is hedging its bets against a possible demand slowdown.Aramco has been boosting its investments in refining and petrochemicals to secure new markets for its crude, as it sees growth in chemicals central to its downstream expansion strategy.The company is working on buying a stake in Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC), the world's fourth largest petrochemical maker, as part of plans to become a leader in ... By Ben Hirschler and Sudip Kar-GuptaLONDON/PARIS (Reuters) - AstraZeneca is ploughing deeper into cancer immunotherapy through a wide-ranging deal with Innate Pharma, which includes the British group buying a 9.8 percent stake in the French biotech company.Tuesday's agreement is a coup for Innate - run by former AstraZeneca executive Mondher Mahjoubi - which gains rights to sell AstraZeneca's newly approved rare blood cancer drug Lumoxiti as its first commercial product.AstraZeneca's purchase of 6.26 million new shares in Innate at a price of 10 euros each, or double the market rate, marks a ... By Aakash B and Tamara Mathias(Reuters) - Centene Corp's shares plunged as much as 10 percent on Tuesday after the health insurer forecast full-year profit that was largely below estimates, exacerbating investor concerns over the company's ability to rein in costs.The company, which primarily focuses on government-backed health insurance plans, spent $3.75 billion last year to acquire Medicaid-focused Fidelis Care and doubled down on its Obamacare business, a strategy that has paid off and fueled a 36 percent rise in third-quarter revenue.However the company tightened its full-year adjusted ... By Teis Jensen and Erik MatzenCOPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Denmark's Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA) needs to establish whether Danske Bank intentionally misled it over possible money laundering at its Estonian branch, the country's business minister Rasmus Jarlov said on Tuesday.Danske is embroiled in a scandal involving 200 billion euros ($230 billion) in payments through its Estonian branch between 2007 and 2015, many of which Denmark's biggest bank said in a report last month it thinks are suspicious."It's one thing if they have not known themselves what happened in the Estonian branch, ... By Chen Aizhu and Shu ZhangBEIJING (Reuters) - Bank of Kunlun Co, the key Chinese conduit for transactions with Iran, is set to halt handling payments from the Islamic Republic under pressure of imminent U.S. sanctions against the country, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.Kunlun, the main official channel for money flows between China and Iran, has verbally informed clients that it will stop accepting yuan-denominated Iranian payments to China from Nov. 1, said the sources, who include external loan agents and business officials who trade with Iran.The bank, controlled by ... Bahrain hosts next week a key summit of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) to discuss the sectors development for the coming two years, reports say. Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) is host of the event, which will take place from October 30 to November 1. The WTO 109th session will ponder over the development of the global tourism sector for the coming two years and the organizations focus and plans to drive innovation and transformation in the tourism industry by 2030, Bahrain-based media Trade Arabia reports. Also as part of the wide range of items of the agenda, the conference will discuss the Secretary- Generals report and general program of work, the WTOs financial report for the period ended June 30, 2018 and the organizations budget. BTEA is members of the WTO Executive Council for the 2018-2021 period. Some 142 countries from the six regions of the world and 350 affiliate members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities are expected at the conference. By Douglas BusvineFRANKFURT (Reuters) - Chinese's Huawei Technologies Co Ltd will open a new information security lab in Germany next month that will enable source code reviews, in a step aimed at winning regulators' confidence before the country's 5G mobile spectrum auction.The move follows Australia's decision to ban Huawei from supplying 5G equipment over concerns it could facilitate Chinese spying, and its barring from some U.S. government contracts on national security grounds.Germany, which lacks a telecoms hardware industry of its own, is keener to maintain its traditionally close ... By Olesya Astakhova and Denis PinchukMOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's Rosneft and U.S. ExxonMobil plan to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in a consortium with Indian and Japanese partners, spreading the estimated $15 billion cost, two sources familiar with the talks said.The four companies - Rosneft, Exxon, Japan's SODECO and India's ONGC Videsh - are partners in the Sakhalin-1 group of fields that will supply the gas, but Exxon and Rosneft had initially planned to build the LNG plant without the other consortium members.As well as spreading the costs among more stakeholders, the broader ... (Reuters) - Harley-Davidson Inc said on Tuesday it expects up to $48 million in costs related to tariffs in 2018, mostly from China and the European Union.The company said on a post-earnings conference call it spent more on raw materials in the third quarter and expects the tariffs to add around $15 million to $20 million in costs for raw materials such as steel and aluminium. (Reporting By Aparajita Saxena in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur)(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Rachit Vats(Reuters) - Harley-Davidson Inc reported its steepest decline in domestic sales in eight years on Tuesday, and warned that motorcycle shipments for the year will be at the lower end of its forecast as it faces higher tariff-related costs.Milwaukee-based Harley's shares reversed course and were down 5 percent, giving up premarket gains after company the recorded its best quarterly profit in two years."We expect U.S. industry to remain challenged into 2019 and will continue to proactively address the weak U.S. industry," Chief Financial Officer John Olin said on a conference call ... By Huw JonesLONDON (Reuters) - Hedge funds and other alternative investments will no longer be dubbed "shadow banks" by global regulators, lifting a pejorative label which has stuck to the $45 trillion sector since the financial crisis.Treated with suspicion by regulators and policymakers, "shadow banks" have in recent years been welcomed as providing market-based capital to plug gaps left by retreating banks.The Financial Stability Board, which coordinates financial rules for the Group of 20 Economies (G20) is replacing the term with "non-bank financial intermediation" in all its work."The ... LONDON (Reuters) - The United States cannot stop Iranian oil exports by imposing sanctions on Tehran, Iran's oil minister said on Tuesday, warning that such restrictions will ensure the market remains volatile.Washington plans new sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector from Nov. 4 with the aim of stopping the country's involvement in conflicts in Syria and Iraq, and bringing Tehran to the negotiating table over its ballistic missile programme."As long as America targets Iran, one of the biggest crude producers, with sanctions, the volatility in the oil market will continue," Tasnim news agency ... LONDON (Reuters) - Iran's oil minister said on Tuesday that the United States could not stop Iranian oil exports by imposing sanctions on Tehran, warning that the sanctions on the Islamic Republic's oil exports would ensure the market remains volatile."As long as America targets Iran, one of the biggest crude producers, with sanctions, the volatility in the oil market will continue," Bijan Zanganeh was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.The United States has said it plans to impose new sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector on Nov. 4. (Reporting by Bozorgmehr Sharafedin; Editing by Susan ... By Mike Stone(Reuters) - Lockheed Martin Corp, the Pentagon's No. 1 weapons supplier, on Tuesday posted a better-than-expected rise in quarterly profit, driven by higher production of its F-35 fighter jets, and forecast sales above Wall Street estimates for next year.The company, whose products feature prominently in the $110 billion package of U.S. weapons deals for Saudi Arabia that President Trump announced in May 2017, said it expects about $500 million in sales to the Kingdom next year. Saudi Arabia has come under fire over the death of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but ... By Aishwarya Venugopal(Reuters) - McDonald's Corp's investment in online and touch-screen ordering drove a 13th straight rise in global same-store sales in the third quarter, allaying concerns about the world's biggest fast food chain's poor growth in the United States. Shares of the company rose as much as 6.7 percent in response and were on track for their best day in three years as the company beat forecasts for its main indicator of profit and same-store sales in its big developed overseas markets.International markets including Britain, Canada and Australia, have been a bright spot for ... By Takashi UmekawaTOKYO (Reuters) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is arranging 220 billion yen ($2 billion) in financial support for its aircraft unit, which has struggled to deliver its first passenger plane, national broadcaster NHK reported on Tuesday.Mitsubishi Heavy said in a statement that it was considering ways to resolve excess liabilities at the unit, but added it had not yet made any decisions.Mitsubishi's regional jet programme, Japan's first passenger plane since the 1960s, has been delayed by several years, with first customer ANA Holdings Inc now expecting its delivery in 2020 ... Algerias Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia has ordered a ban on wearing Nigab, a full-face veil, at workplace, citing reasons of identification. In an order sent recently to ministers and regional governors, the Prime Minister urged the implementation of the directive, underscoring that civil servants must comply with the rules and requirements of security and communication within their department, which require their systematic and permanent physical identification. According to privately-owned Tout Sur lAlgerie (TSA) website, few women in Algeria wear the niqab. The hijab, a scarf that covers the head and neck but not the face, is more popular in the North African country. The Prime Ministers directive comes a year after thousands of women in Algeria have defied hard-line Islamists by wearing bathing bikinis. Women in the coastal town of Annaba last year organized protests after an online campaign in which men posted photographs of women in two-piece swimming costumes and claimed they contradicted Algerian values. Bikinis are not banned in the country, but women are increasingly pressured to dress modestly at the beach. The North African nation has been split between moderate and more radical forms of Islam since it was plunged into years of civil war in 1992. By Devika Krishna KumarNEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices fell nearly 3 percent to more than one-month lows on Tuesday after Saudi Arabia said it could supply more crude quickly if needed, easing concerns ahead of U.S. sanctions on Iran and as U.S. equity markets sold off. Brent crude futures dropped 2.8 percent, or $2.27, to $77.56 a barrel by 11:21 a.m. EDT (1521 GMT) after plunging to $77.50, the lowest since Sept. 18.U.S. crude fell $1.98, or 2.9 percent, to $67.38 a barrel, after hitting a session low of $67.26, the lowest level since Sept. 7Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told a ... By Christopher JohnsonLONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Tuesday after Saudi Arabia said it would play a "responsible role" in energy markets, although sentiment remained nervous ahead of new U.S. sanctions on Iran's crude exports that start next month.Benchmark Brent crude oil was down 55 cents a barrel at $79.28 by 0735 GMT. U.S. light crude was 35 cents lower at $69.01.The U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil begin on Nov. 4, and Washington has said it wants to stop all of Tehran's fuel exports.Saudi Arabia says it will keep markets supplied despite its increasing isolation over the killing of ... By Katie Paul and Marwa RashadRIYADH (Reuters) - Pakistan is seeking loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and friendly countries to reservice debt and shore up its economy, prime minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday."What we are hoping is that we do a bit of both, get a loan from IMF and other loans from friendly governments," Khan told an audience at an investment conference in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh.Islamabad has already asked the IMF to open negotiations for the country's second potential bailout in five years.Khan, who took office in July, has also been seeking ... DUBAI (Reuters) - Oil giant Saudi Aramco will sign 15 deals worth more than $30 billion, said Saudi state-owned TV Ekhbariya.Saudi Arabia plans to sign deals worth more than $50 billion in the oil, gas, industries and infrastructure sectors at an investment conference in Riyadh on Tuesday, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters earlier. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Susan Fenton)(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Andrew Torchia and Marwa RashadRIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia brushed off an outcry over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and went ahead on Tuesday with an investment conference boycotted by Western political figures, leading international bankers and company executives. Speaking at the opening session, prominent Saudi businesswoman Lubna Olayan said the killing of the Washington Post columnist was "alien to our culture" and voiced confidence that the kingdom will "emerge stronger".Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, is expected to sign deals worth more than $50 ... Saudi Arabia signed deals worth $50 billion on Tuesday, showing it can still attract investment at a conference boycotted by Western politicians and global business chiefs after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Saudi cabinet, after a meeting headed by King Salman on the same day, promised to hold to account those who where responsible for Khashoggi's death and those who "failed in their duties" in the case that has provoked an international furore and strained ties between Riyadh and the West. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived at the investment ... Saudi Arabia has agreed to give Pakistan $3 billion in foreign currency support for a year and a further loan worth up to $3 billion in deferred payments for oil imports to help stave off a current account crisis, Pakistan's government said on Tuesday. The $6 billion total exceeds forecasts by analysts and will likely reduce the size of any bailout Pakistan it receives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with whom it is currently engaged in talks on a rescue package. The Saudi agreement came as new Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan attended a Saudi investment ... By Kay Johnson and Asif ShahzadISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia has agreed to give Pakistan $3 billion in foreign currency support for a year and allow it to defer payments for oil imports to help stave off a current account crisis, Pakistan's government said on Tuesday.The agreement came as new Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan attended a Saudi investment conference that has been boycotted by several other leaders over the death of a dissident Saudi writer at the country's consulate in Istanbul. Khan had said before departing that his country is "desperate" to shore up its foreign ... By Foo Yun CheeBRUSSELS (Reuters) - Siemens and Alstom will receive a warning this week from European Union antitrust regulators that their plan to create a Franco-German rail champion will hurt competition, a person familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.The European Commission, which opened a full-scale investigation into the deal in July, will send a statement of objections or charge sheet setting out its concerns about specific areas, the person said, though it is possible the timetable for doing so could slip to next week.The move will force Siemens and Alstom to come up with specific ... JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian's trade minister said on Tuesday negotiations on a China-led regional trade deal were "80-85 percent" complete and a deal could be signed in early 2019.The latest round of talks on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), held in Singapore on Oct. 13, saw trade ministers "express a strong will to conclude" an agreement, Indonesia trade minister Enggartiasto Lukita told reporters in Jakarta."The remaining issues are about taxes," he said.Negotiations on the RCEP began in 2012 with the aim of creating a free trade area of several billion people.The ... Cameroons incumbent president Paul Biya has been reelected for another seven-year term, the constitutional court said on Monday. The 85-year-old has been head of state since 1982, when he took over following the resignation of Ahmadou Ahidjo. He won over his challenger, opposition leader Maurice Kamto. The reelection of Paul Biya comes at a tumultuous time for the country, which is facing an Anglophone separatist movement and security threats posed by the Boko Haram armed group. Biya, who has ruled virtually by decree since taking office, got rid of constitutional term limits in 2008, allowing him to run again in 2011. The move sparked riots in which more than 40 people were killed. Cameroon biggest cities are on high alert, following a chaotic weekend characterized by internet restriction, protests and house arrests of opposition politicians. Riot police were also posted to major streets and roundabouts in Douala and the capital, Yaounde, on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning. Many internet users complained that they were unable to access Facebook and WhatsApp because they had been blocked. The opposition leader Maurice Kamto, who declared himself winner of the election two weeks ago, has boycotted the ceremony in Yaounde. The former minister of Justice has protested the outcome of the election, arguing that there was massive and systematic fraud. The Constitutional Council dismissed all his petitions calling for the partial cancellation of the vote. The ruling CPDM and elections body, ELECAM, strongly defended the conduct of the polls stressing that the process had been free, fair and democratic. Opposition leaders, Jean Mitchel Nintcheu of the Social Democratic Front (SDF) and Edith Kah Walla of the Cameroon Peoples Party (CPP), were placed under house-arrest to prevent them from leading planned protests. Walla told the German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle last week that she was bent on ousting the Biya regime, and that the ballot box had been proven not to be a solution. As a reminder, opposition has never been able to effectively unite and unseat Biya since 1982. By Sankalp Phartiyal and Krishna N. DasMUMBAI (Reuters) - An Indian court on Tuesday remanded three people, including the spokeswoman of the country's biggest digital payments company Paytm, to a week's custody over an alleged bid to blackmail its founder and extort $2.7 million by threatening to leak stolen personal data.The incident threatens to embarrass the company, synonymous with taking digital payments mainstream in India after the government's controversial currency note ban of late 2016, as well as its billionaire founder.Paytm, whose investors include China's Alibaba Group and ... (Reuters) - Cameron Poetzscher, who oversaw a string of high-profile deals at Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL], has resigned, weeks after a report on allegations of sexual misconduct against him at the ride-hailing firm.Uber Chief Financial Officer Nelson Chai will take over Poetzscher's duties while the company looks for his replacement, an Uber spokeswoman said, without providing further details.Poetzscher, Uber's head of corporate development, was disciplined last year after a probe found he had a pattern of making sexually suggestive comments about co-workers, the Wall Street Journal ... Corporate earnings for September quarter, movement of rupee and other global factors will dictate the market trend for the day. The rupee pared its early gains to settle 24 paise lower at 73.56 against the US dollar on Monday due to steady capital outflows and strengthening of the American currency. Amid stock specific, Asian Paints to be in focus today after the company reported 14.4 per cent fall in second-quarter profit, which missed analysts' estimates, hurt by higher expenses. Net profit fell to Rs 493 crore ($67.02 million) in September quarter from Rs 576 crore a year earlier, the company said in a statement. Revenue from operations rose over 8.5 per cent to Rs 4639 crore while total expenses rose about 11 per cent in the quarter. Adani Ports, Ambuja cements, Bajaj Finance, HCL Technologies, RBL, TVS Motor are slated to announce their September quarter results due in the later day today. Among other companies, Wipro, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Auto, IDFC Bank, Indigo, Kotak Bank, Maruti, Yes Bank, UPL and ITC are other companies that are likely to announce their quarterly earnings this week. GLOBAL MARKETS Asian shares edged lower on Tuesday as earnings season nerves in the US dented Wall Street, while a cocktail of negative factors from Saudi Arabias diplomatic isolation to concerns over Italys budget and Brexit talks depressed sentiment. MSCIs broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dropping 0.4 per cent. Japans Nikkei fell 1.25 per cent. US stock futures dropped 0.5 per cent in early Asian trade. On Monday the S&P 500 lost 0.43 per cent as investors kept a wary eye on earnings amid global growth worries. Tata group holding company Tata Sons saw its dividend income go up by 4.2 per cent to Rs 75.69 billion in 2017-18. It was Rs 72.62 billion in the previous financial year, according to the companys filings on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs website. The firm also made substantial income last year through profit on sale and redemption of investments worth Rs 95.54 billion. The profit on sale of investment comprised mainly sale of long-term investment held by the company in Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), amounting to Rs 89.29 billion, company documents stated. There was also a marginal increase in the income received through brand equity subscription. The Union government may take up the issue of relaxing minimum capital requirement norms for lenders in a bid to free up additional money and provide liquidity to the banking system in the board meeting of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) slated for Tuesday, sources said. Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg and Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar are the government's representatives on the board of the RBI. During an annual review meeting held last month, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said that the demands of the public sector banks (PSBs) to ease prompt corrective action (PCA) framework for the banking system in the country will be taken up with RBI. Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the founder of India's largest e-wallet company, was allegedly blackmailed by his long-time personal secretary Sonia Dhawan. In her ten-year stint with Paytm, Dhawan started off as secretary and went on to head the corporate communications of the company. According to Inc42, Sonia Dhawan along with her husband Rupak Jain and another Paytm employee Devendra Kumar have confessed to the extortion crime charge. However, Kolkata resident Rohit Chomal, who is the fourth accused, is absconding. Sonia Dhawan allegedly hatched a plan to extort Rs 20 crore from the Paytm boss by threatening to leak his stolen personal data. Dhawan, a close confidant of Paytm chief, is accused of stealing 'personal data' from Sharma's laptop, phone and office desktop. Ajay Shekhar Sharma, the Senior Vice President at Paytm and brother of Vijay Shekhar Sharma, told Moneycontrol that it all started around 11 am on September 20 when Vijay Shekhar Sharma received a call from a Thailand-based number while he was in Japan. "The person claimed he had my brother's personal data and demanded Rs 20 crore for not leaking it. My brother avoided even as the other person called for four-five times. At the end of it, my brother suggested that he should speak to me since he was busy," Ajay Shekhar Sharma told the news portal. Rohit Chomal had allegedly made the extortion call to Sharma's brother Ajay Shekhar Sharma. While speaking to Ajay Shekhar Sharma, Chomal said that he had Vijay Shekhar Sharma's "personal data" and if he didn't pay up the money, he would leak the data. Sharma has alleged that the data under question included "photos and personal financial details". Chomal is said to have asked for payment through Hawala to avoid any money trail. But on Sharma's denial stating they did not have cash and would transact online, the accused shared a bank account number that was held by a company named Apnapan Tieup Pvt Ltd. Sharma reportedly said that after being threatened by Rohit, he deposited a sum of Rs 67 in the bank account of the accused to make sure the transaction was happening. Later, he transferred Rs 2 lakh in the account. Ajay Shekhar Sharma alleged that on being pressurised for details, Chomal blurted out the names of Dhawan, Jain, and Kumar, stating that they were the people behind the plot, the report said. The e-wallet major has said that all its consumer data is protected with the "highest and most impenetrable levels of security". "This is a case of personal data theft of Vijay Shekhar Sharma, where three arrests were made yesterday... At this point, the law enforcement authorities are investigating this matter and we would like to respect the police investigation, and not comment further until the results of such investigation are known," Paytm said in a statement. Dhawan's Twitter bio says that she is Head Communications at Paytm, Paytm Mall and Paytm Money. "Hard work is glory, everything else is theory," her bio reads. The three employees of the Noida-headquartered e-commerce and wallet firm were arrested late Monday afternoon. The FIR was registered at the Sector 20 police station and the accused were booked under Indian Penal Code sections 381 (theft by clerk or servant of property in possession of master), 384 (extortion), 386 (extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt), 420 (cheating), 408 (Criminal breach of trust by clerk or servant) and 120 B (party to a criminal conspiracy). Charges under the provisions of the Information Technology Act have also been pressed against the accused, the police said. Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Paytm founder and CEO made headlines on Monday evening as news about his extortion by some blackmailers, including his secretary. Sharma was blackmailed by some people who were threatening to leak his personal data and compromise the reputation of his company, One97 Communications. The blackmailers were trying to extort Rs 20 crore from the Paytm founder before they were caught. Sharma's personal secretary whose name has not been revealed by the police, her husband and property dealer Rupak Jain, and a manager in Paytm's administration department, Devendra Kumar, have been arrested. A fourth person, whose name has also not been revealed by the police and who is based out of Kolkata, is absconding, the police said. The fourth person called from Kolkata with his demand. Sharma wired Rs 2 lakh to the accomplice on October 15. "After getting Rs 2 lakh, the extortionist called again and even revealed he was from Kolkata. We put the call under technical surveillance and found that Sharma's personal secretary as well as her husband and Kumar were all linked to this caller," said Ajay Pal Sharma, Senior Superintendent of Police, Gautam Budh Nagar, as mentioned in a report in Business Standard. According to Ajay Shekhar Sharma, Vijay Shekhar Sharma's brother, the first call came on September 20, as mentioned in a report in Hindustan Times. He said that he received a call around 4 pm, before which his brother had received on at 11 am. The caller, Chomal, claimed to have access to the data and threatened to leak it if he was not paid Rs 20 crore. He said that after a few more calls, they transferred Rs 2,00,000 on October 15, after which the caller demanded another Rs 10 crore. When asked what kind of data he had and how he got it, Chomal revealed that the woman employee, her husband and Devendra had stolen it. According to reports, Sharma contacted the police a week back to complain about the extortion. The police said that they are not sure of whether the blackmailers were threatening to leak Sharma's personal data or the data of 350 million users. A senior police officer said that Sharma suspected his personal secretary of being the mastermind. "We are still analysing the data to understand how it would have been damaging to Sharma as well as his firm. We are also checking if the data was duplicated and there are copies," the officer said. Sharma told the police that his personal secretary has access to his laptop and mobile phones and may have stolen data from there. The three accused are currently in police custody. In a statement released to the media, a Paytm spokesperson said, "The Noida police have arrested three persons, including one woman employee of Paytm, in a case of extortion. The employee, along with two other accomplices, attempted to extort money from Vijay Shekhar Sharma on the pretext of leaking his personal data. We are standing by our colleagues till the police inquiry reaches its meaningful conclusion." (Edited by Anwesha Madhukalya) The past two months have been quite volatile for the equity market investors. The stock market's dream run came to a grinding halt after crisis-ridden IL&FS defaulted on its interest payment, triggering liquidity concerns among non-banking finance companies (NBFC). Many NBFC stocks were thrashed badly but the bashing was not limited to just NBFC stocks as it dampened the overall market sentiment. Seeing the value of investments going down is not a pleasant sight and many investors stand confused wondering whether the carnage will stop or not. Over the past two years, equity mutual funds have received unprecedented inflows with monthly Systemic Investment Plan (SIP) figures crossing Rs 7,700 crore per month. At a time when investor confidence was on the higher side with a record SIP investment, such a steep correction is bound to shake the confidence of many investors who are new to such volatility in equities. Those investors who have just started investing or who had invested large amounts just before the fall are the most worried lot pondering over if they should continue with their investments or not. However, if you are a long-term investor with diversified investment, there is nothing much to worry about. What led to the recent correction? The benchmark S&P BSE Sensex, which touched its all time high of 38,896 on August 28, 2018, has corrected 12 per cent (around 5,000 points) from its peak. Currently, the index is hovering around 34,000. Most equity mutual funds are in red over one year period with the average fall of close to 0.69 per cent in large-cap funds and the worst performing category -- small cap funds -- is down around 14 per cent. Stock markets are known to go through many such volatile phases. The recent correction, which started with IL&FS crisis, became a trigger and the fall was soon accentuated by many other adverse factors such as the rising crude oil prices, tightening of monetary policy by US Fed, trade wars between US and China, falling rupee and widening current account deficit in India. This led to a sell-off of around Rs 34,000 crore by foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) so far this year from Indian equity markets, further weakening the market sentiment and exacerbating the fall. Long-term story remains intact Investors with long-term horizon should continue investing as these are short-term gyrations and the long-term growth story of India remains intact. India is the fastest growing economy of the world and it is expected to continue growing at a similar pace in foreseeable future. Stock markets are also expected to do well over long-term as the companies are likely to benefit from the consumption and income growth. "For a smart investor, these are just temporary setbacks, which will get recovered soon because the overall economy of the country is moving on positive trajectory and GDP is rising despite all odds. It means the overall scenario is pretty encouraging to invest in SIP, but for the genuine investors, who aspire for long-term profits and are not impatient for short-term gains," says Rachit Chawla, Founder and CEO, Finway. Therefore, investors shouldn't worry and continue with their investments for long-term. Even historic data supports the fact that in long-term, equity market investors have lost money on a very few occasions. If you would have invested for 10 years on any given day in the past (from April 1979 since when the data is available) in S&P BSE Sensex (assuming Sensex is a mutual fund), the chances of you losing money was only 1.04 per cent. On around 77 per cent occasions, the return was greater than 10 per cent even in case of lumpsum investments. If you have witnessed a big correction in your investment value, you can use this opportunity to add some stocks at lower prices, which will bring down the overall cost of your investment. SIP investors to benefit more from these corrections If you are an SIP investor investing for long-term, these short term hiccups should not bother you at all and in fact such situations offer opportunity for SIP investors to accumulate more units at lower prices. In case of SIP, you invest a fixed amount every month irrespective of the market level. So, when the NAV of the fund falls, you get higher units at lower price, thus bringing the overall cost down. For example, if you are investing Rs 5000 per month. You will get 500 units when the NAV is Rs 10. Suppose, the NAV goes down to Rs 9, you will get 556 units approximately. So, the average cost of units (500+556) will be Rs 9.46 (lower than the actual cost at which you purchased). If the NAV goes to Rs 11, the value of your investments will grow to Rs 11,616. So, the best thing to do during market downturns is let your SIP investment continue. Withdrawing or stopping the SIP during market downturns is the worst thing an investor can do. "Investors with the long-term horizon should continue with their SIPs. A falling market provides an investor with an opportunity to lower the acquisition costs of their investments," says Pradeep Agarwal, CEO, Meri Punji, a Delhi-based financial planning company. Plan your exit in advance to reduce chances of losses We would like to caution investors that no strategy is risk-proof. SIP reduces the chances of you losing money as it average-outs the cost but it is not that you can't lose money if you are investing through SIP. If you withdraw money in one go during a market crash (such as the one witnessed during 2008), you may lose money or your returns could be far lesser. Therefore, to reduce the chances of losing money, the exit should be planned systematically when you are reaching your goals. "As a thumb rule, an SIP investor should shift the existing corpus about two to three years before the goal date from equity schemes to debt schemes. Further, the investor should continue with their SIPs in the debt scheme for the remaining period," says Pradeep Agarwal, CEO, Meri Punji. The above is a general rule, however, if the market conditions are volatile, calls can be taken either to advance or delay the shifting of funds, he added. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) hauling up companies for violations of the Competition Act, 2002 has become a common phenomenon today, with penalties of Rs 13,087 crore having been levied over the past seven years. As against this, the CCI has managed to collect only about 0.3% (Rs 43 crore) of the penalties imposed. This low realisation rate is largely on account of companies involved in such matters, challenging CCI orders in various judicial forums namely the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), the Supreme Court etc. and the cases being stuck at various stages of litigation. Of late, we have seen some of the earliest orders of CCI reaching conclusion, with NCLAT and SC upholding decisions of the CCI. For instance, recently the NCLAT has upheld the decision of the CCI in the cement cartel matter wherein 10 major cement producers have been fined Rs 6,300 crore for indulging in price fixing cartel. There are many such cases that are nearing a conclusion in the long drawn litigation process. This appears to be a milestone in the evolution and establishment of jurisprudence in handling antitrust matters in India. While more decisions seem to be getting upheld, what does it mean for companies fighting such legal battles? Do such companies face any other liability apart from penalties on account of decisions being upheld? Does the case end for companies with the payment of penalties imposed? That may not be the case. There could be additional liabilities that such companies may not have factored in and need to be cognisant of. Additionally, there could be further liabilities and legal battles in the form of compensation claims from parties/consumers having been harmed by such conduct. Theory of harm for follow-on private damage claims Compensation in the form of private damage claims is a fairly common practice in mature competition jurisdictions such as in the European Union (EU) and the United States (US). Infringement of competition law either by way of joint (collusive) or unilateral conduct (abuse of dominant position) interferes with the interplay of competitive forces in the market. It has the potential of harming stakeholders - such as competitors, potential entrants and purchasers (consumers) - in the relevant goods and/or services consumption value chain. For example, by way of a price fixing cartel, cartelists (e.g., tyre manufacturers) are likely to collectively raise the price of tyres above the level that would prevail in a competitive scenario. Consequently, the tyre purchasers would be required to pay the increased prices. It is this harm in the form of increased prices above the competitive level termed 'overcharge' that can be claimed as compensation in the form of damage claim. Indian law allows for filing of damage claims despite which there is limited jurisprudence Competition law in India, through Section 53-N of the Act, permits filing of damage claims before the NCLAT or the SC, by consumers who have been affected by a proven violation of the Act. Further, through Sections 42-A and 53-Q (2) of the Act, compensation may also be claimed in instances of damage ensuing from the violation of orders of the CCI or the NCLAT. The Act also allows for the possibility of filing class action suits - a claim filed jointly by many consumers in case of similar damage. However, despite the presence of extant legal provisions, damage claims have not gained prominence in India. We are aware of only three open cases of damage claims. One of these involves claims worth Rs 856 crore (penalty Rs 55 crore) being filed - the matter while having been upheld by the COMPAT, is currently under adjudication at the SC following on from an appeal. Damage claims can be brought forward by both direct and indirect purchasers Purchasers can be both 'direct' and 'indirect'. In the tyre example used above, automobile manufacturers who purchase tyres as inputs would qualify as direct or intermediate purchasers. Individual consumers as purchasers of automobiles/car would qualify as the indirect or the end consumers. Infringements of competition law have the potential to harm not only the direct purchasers but also the indirect purchasers. This is because the price increase faced by direct purchasers may be passed-on in part or entirety to the intermediate and/or final purchasers depending on the market circumstances. As a counter to this, the direct/intermediate purchasers may make an argument that as a result of the increased prices (price effect) downstream to car purchasers, they have suffered a reduction in demand and in turn volume/profit losses (volume effect). According to the European Commission (EC) Damages Directive, claimants have the right to full compensation, i.e., compensation for both the price and volume effect. Rigorous analysis and evidence required for claim computation A key point to note is that damage claims need to be substantiated by evidence, the extent of which depends on the nature and size of the claims. There are varied econometric methodologies that can be deployed to arrive at the quantum of the harm suffered by the purchasers, both direct and indirect. These techniques compare the cartel/abuse scenario vis-vis the counterfactual competitive scenario. It is useful to note that the EC allows both direct and indirect purchasers to claim damage compensation while the US federal legislations permit only direct purchasers to claim damages, with the exception of some state specific laws that permit both. Need for preparedness There is no doubt that the CCI and Indian judicial system have come a long way in their enforcement activities over the last decade. With slow but sure progress in establishing the jurisprudence in handling antitrust matters in India, we are likely to witness it moving into the next stage wherein we may see compensation claims being filed by parties that may have been harmed. As claim applications could soon become a reality, organisations and consumers alike need to be prepared. They need to be more aware as well as well-versed with the legal provisions, data requirements, and methodologies which would be vital for the adjudication of such cases. While we possibly might see another round of long drawn legal battles on such compensation claims (since jurisprudence would still need to be established), we will reserve that for another debate. Amit is Partner with Deloitte's Forensic practice in India, Shruti is Senior Manager, and Semanti is Deputy Manager. Islamabad, Oct 22 (PTI) Prime Minister Imran Khan will visit three 'friendly countries' -- Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and China -- where he is likely to seek monetary help of up to USD 13 billion for his cash-strapped government, a media report said on Monday.Quoting sources, the Dawn newspaper reported that Khan would leave for Saudi Arabia on Monday and embark on a two-day visit to Malaysia on October 28 and to China early on November 3.In the next two weeks Prime Minister Khan will visit three 'friendly countries' where he is likely to seek monetary assistance, the report said, days after Islamabad formally sought a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).A member of the Khan's Cabinet said the prime minister was likely to take up the issue of financial aid with his hosts in the three friendly countries because Pakistan badly needed assistance to ease the current economic crisis.He said the government immediately needed USD 12 billion to USD 13 billion to ease the financial crisis and retire foreign debt. "We need USD 8 billion to retire foreign debt and USD 5 billion to run the affairs of government," the unnamed minister said."If we get good monetary support from our friendly countries then there is a possibility that we will not require support of the IMF," he added.Pakistan formally approached the IMF on October 12 for a bailout to tide over the economic crisis.But some tough talking by IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde and the US on Pakistan's bailout plan, demanding absolute transparency on the country's debts, including those owned by China under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, has upset Islamabad.Pakistan Finance Minister Asad Umar last week said the government don't want to fully rely on the IMF. He said the loan programme with the IMF is almost final, but the government will have to see that the IMF does not place any "undoable conditions" for Pakistan in return.According to Pakistan's Foreign Office, Prime Minister Khan is going to Riyadh on the special invitation of King Salman bin Abdel Aziz to participate in the Future Investment Initiative conference being held there from Tuesday to Thursday.Interestingly, some countries are boycotting the conference in reaction to the killing of a dissident Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. The Cabinet minister said the prime minister would visit Malaysia for two days (Oct 28 and 29) and would meet his Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohamad and other government functionaries, the report said.In his recent telephonic conversation with Mahathir, Khan had expressed his desire to learn from Malaysia's experiences. Khan would embark on an official visit to China on November 3 during which there would be discussions in detail on Pakistan-China strategic ties, the report said. During his meetings in the friendly country, Khan would inform the Chinese leadership that his government wanted to bring about a significant shift in the projects falling under the purview of the CPEC, said the sources.Under the previous government there was an emphasis on infrastructure schemes, but the current government wanted projects involving agriculture, job creation and foreign investment take centre stage, the report said. The USD 60 billion CPEC is the flagship venture of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a pet project of Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at enhancing Beijing's influence around the world through China-funded infrastructure projects. Cash-strapped Pakistan has already announced plans to cut a USD 8.2 billion railway project between the Karachi and Peshawar, the biggest under the CPEC, by about USD 2 billion to reduce the debt burden. The Trump administration has been critical of China's Belt and Road Initiative, saying that it has saddled some developing countries with debts they cannot afford to repay. PTI AKJ AKJ Zimbabwe said over the weekend it aims to clear its $2 billion arrears with the World Bank and African Development Bank in the next 12 months. According to Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, the arrears clearance program had the backing of the United States, which maintains sanctions against Zimbabwe. The southern African nation has struggled to access international credit since defaulting on its debts to global lenders. The Finance Minister said the government would continue dialogue with creditors to address its arrears. We will be talking to the G7 members to see if one or two of them, or all of them, could sponsor us and give us some lines of credit, bridging finance to be able to clear those arrears, Ncube said. Zimbabwe would, from early next year, embark on a program allowing the IMF to monitor its economic reforms, but with no funding from the global lender. The government, which is struggling to overcome a cash crisis and acute shortages of basic commodities, has projected its economy to grow by 6.3%, by year-end. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was elected in a disputed election in July, has vowed to revive the moribund economy since he took power last year after Mugabe was removed by a military intervention. By Aditi Khanna London, Oct 22 (PTI) Mohamed Nasheed, who is planning to return to Maldives on November 1, has hailed the outcome of the landmark election outcome with the exiled former president saying the "sun is again shining" on the strategically vital Indian Ocean island nation. Nasheed, the country's first democratically elected president, also said there was a cold war brewing between India and China and Maldives can be a "solution" to it and to South Asia's security issues.In an address just before he left his base in London where he was in exile, the founder-member of the recently victorious Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in the country's presidential polls described India as a "friend" which can help solve a lot of issues for the beleaguered nation."There is a cold war brewing between India and China. In my view, Maldives can be part of the solution in the region. An attempt to play one against the other would be silly and very outdated politics," said Nasheed at an event titled 'Defending Democracy from Exile: The Maldives Opposition 2012-2018' at the South Asia Institute of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London last week."We occupy the most navigable parts of the Indian Ocean. We are not a small country, we are big ocean state. We are 1,000-km from north to south. Our territory is bigger than Saudi Arabia. We have been traditionally Indian friends," he said.Nasheed was jailed for 13 years in March 2015 in the Maldives in a case deemed to be politically-motivated and was granted political asylum in the UK in January 2016 after being allowed to travel there for medical reasons.He had earlier urged Indian intervention to ensure free and fair elections in the Maldives, which last month resulted in the defeat of outgoing pro-China President Abdulla Yameen's Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and threw up a victory, by 58.4 per cent of the vote, for Oppostion MDP's Ibrahim Mohamed Solih."I didn't ask for military intervention. I asked for an Indian official backed by its military to go there and sort it out. There are instances when higher officials can go into other countries and speak. That would have solved many issues at that time. It can still solve a lot of issues," said Nasheed, while welcoming the outcome of the polls."The election results were so overwhelming on our side. We all know that when people come out and speak, President Yameen cannot go on. He dropped the catch when he couldn't fix the election," he said.On Monday, Yameen's party lost a Supreme Court petition calling for the annulment of the September 23 election results.Nasheed is now preparing to make a return to the Maldives on November 1 and is currently based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, before his planned return."For me, home is within you. You always carry it in your heart. For the past two years, my home has been here in London. Now, I must take leave. It's time for me to go home because far away, across the Indian Ocean and over the Maldives, the sun is again shining," he said.In February, Yameen jailed the chief justice and another Supreme Court judge after accusing them of trying to topple him.Yameen had initially suspended the court, parliament and the Constitution and declared a state of emergency when legislators were about to impeach him.China, which has invested millions of dollars in different projects in the Maldives, is weighing its options in the country as Yameen has been trounced by Solih, widely regarded as a pro-India leader. PTI AK MRJ AKJ MRJ By Lalit K Jha Washington, Oct 23 (PTI) US President Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will meet at the G-20 summit in Argentina next month, the White House announced Tuesday, amid an escalating trade war between the world's two largest economies. The G-20 Summit, comprising top 20 economies of the world including India, is scheduled to take place in Buenos Aires in Argentine on November 30 and December 1.Trump's top economic advisor Larry Kudlow told reporters at the White House that the two leaders are scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit."The two presidents will meet for a bit in Buenos Aires, Argentina at the G-20, other than that, nothing I can say," he said.He, however, gave no details of the meeting. The announcement came amidst high tensions between the US and China.Responding to questions, Kudlow reiterated the common American concerns with regard to China, including Beijing's unfair trade practices, cyber theft and Intellectual Property rights protection."Our asks are on the table, I would live to see them respond. Thus far they haven't," he said.The anticipated meeting between Trump and Xi comes as the Trump administration is signalling that it will treat China more aggressively.Earlier this month, US Vice President Mike Pence gave an entire speech laying out the perceived failures of China to adapt to a more liberal world order, and how the administration will respond accordingly.The US imposed a tariff on steel and aluminum and other tariffs totalling about USD 50 billion of goods from China. President Trump in September imposed tariffs on Chinese products worth about USD 200 billion, on top of USD 50 billion already targeted.China hits back at the US with USD 60 billion of new tariffs, a move which further escalated the full-scale trade war between the world's two biggest economies.Trump has threatened to slap tariffs on virtually all of China's exports to the United States in the tit-for-tat trade conflict. PTI LKJ MRJMRJ Weeks after Bharti Airtel signed a deal with Bengaluru-based artificial intelligence (AI) service provider AuthMe ID Services, it has taken another step into the new-age digital world with a new partnership with Google. In an industry first, the Sunil Mittal-controlled company has collaborated with the search giant to integrate its customer care with the AI-powered Google Assistant. "This new cutting-edge feature will allow customers to have rich conversational experiences with Airtel," the company said in a statement yesterday. This development will not only simplify its customer service experience - since users will now able to get instant resolution to their frequent account related queries through the Google Assistant, which is driven by voice commands - but will also help the telco reduce costs. "With smartphones fast becoming the norm for every Indian, this will make digital self-care much more interactive and step up the customer experience," Sarang Kanade, Director - Customer Service Delivery, Bharti Airtel, said about the new initiative, a part of Project Next - Airtel's digital innovation program, which is aimed at transforming customer experience across all of its services and touch points. The service is currently available in English but Airtel plans to roll it out in multiple regional languages over time to help deliver an even more personalized experience to millions of Indians, encouraging them to get online. "Similarly, Airtel will continue to track what questions customer are asking and enable responses to them via Google Assistant, thus improving the flexibility and robustness of the Airtel voice Action," said the company. According to The Economic Times, Airtel is not the only telco turning to AI to offer better, more cost-efficient customer experience and thereby increase stickiness on its networks amid the cut-throat competition in the space. Industry disrupter Reliance Jio Infocomm has similar designs in mind. Bank of America Merrill Lynch said in a recent report that voice AI is a focus area for the Mukesh Ambani-led telco, which introduced voice commands on its MyJio application to ease the customer service process. "It makes a lot of sense to adopt AI technology to automate, given the cost of human interaction has increased 20-30%," Sanchit Vir Gogia, founder of Greyhound Research, told the daily. "Indian telcos need to make their subscribers use these features. Airtel's app for self-service is well received. Jio's user base is different and they may not use such a feature as aggressively," he added. So here's how Airtel customers can use the Google Assistant 1. Android Users just have to long press the Home Button to launch it but iOS Users have to first download Google Assistant on their phones. 2. To get your account details, for the first time, the Airtel assistant will ask to link your Airtel account with Google. If you click yes, you will be asked to enter your Mobile number and accept the Terms of Service following which you will receive an OTP. Enter the OTP to complete linking your account. 3. Get Started. Speak to Assistant saying "Talk to Airtel", "Ask Airtel" or "Get Airtel". Airtel assistant will open within Google Assistant and offer to tell you about "outstanding amounts, data balance and more". All you have to do is to speak clearly while posing your Airtel account related questions. Edited By Sushmita Choudhury Agarwal Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan led a 5-day Enterprise Ireland Education in Ireland mission to China last week. Fifteen Irish Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) participated on the mission which included engagements in Beijing, Wuhan and Fuzhou. The main opportunity to promote Ireland as a destination for study abroad was the week-long China Education Expo where Enterprise Ireland will hosted 11 Irish participating HEIs on a dedicated Irish pavilion. The most significant announcement during the mission was the inauguration of the Maynooth International Engineering College at Fuzhou University (FZU). The Maynooth International Engineering College is only the 2nd Sino-Irish joint university offering undergraduate level courses. FZU has undertaken to provide around 300 students per year for the four STEM based programmes offered in 2019. The first student intake will be in September and the graduates will be awarded with degrees from both Fuzhou and Maynooth University. On Friday, Minister Halligan addressed the China Annual Education Conference on the theme of Education Modernisation: Practice and Exploration. He then met with the President of the China Education Association for International Exchange and the China Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange to promote Ireland as a high quality, safe and career enhancing destination for Chinese students to study at third level. Four Chinese Universities signed Memorandums of Understanding with Irish HEIs, witnessed by Minister Halligan at the Embassy of Ireland in Beijing. The Minister also attended the opening ceremony of a joint graphic design programme by Athlone Institute of Technology and Jianghan University. Over 50% of the Chinese students studying in Ireland come as a direct result of this type of institutional cooperation. Speaking prior to his departure Minister Halligan said, "I am delighted to be able to support the work that our higher education institutions are engaged in internationally. We need to broaden and deepen these types of institutional relationships, China is and will only become more important into the future. This mission is part of the Department of Education and Skills International Education strategy, a component of which is to substantially increase the numbers of international students at higher level, by 33%, from 33,000 to 44,000 by 2020." Source: www.businessworld.ie The Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen T.D. has today announced 35 new jobs through local Kildare company, VEI Global - a company supported by both the Local Enterprise Office and Enterprise Ireland. VEI Global is an Independent Voice/Network Consultancy and Technical Service provider established in 2010 based in Kildare, the company also have offices in Belfast and London and plan to open an additional European Office early 2019. The company deliver end-end projects across all of Europe and the US for major clients, which includes telecoms/IT field technician installation, Solution Design, project management, 24/7 helpdesk, account management and escalation teams. The services they deploy include, WiFi, Data Networks, Contact Centre, IP Telephony, Internet Circuits. Minister Breen is meeting staff from the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Kildare along with the Head of Enterprise, representatives from the local authority, and the local business community to discuss the business supports available to companies in the region. Last year alone, LEO Kildare supported 41 different business projects with direct financial assistance worth (456,435). Its 171 client companies created 128 new net jobs across the county in 2017. It also provided training for 1,684 entrepreneurs and mentoring for another 432 entrepreneurs. Speaking this week, Minister Breen said, I would like to congratulate VEI Global on their continued expansion and warmly welcome the announcement here today of 35 new jobs over the next two years. It is always heartening to see regionally-based companies grow in scale, providing jobs and contributing to the economic and social wellbeing of their locality. Source: www.businessworld.ie news, latest-news A teenager tragically killed last week will be remembered at a funeral on Friday as a beautiful, gentle-hearted soul. Adriaan Roodt, 17, who lived in Yass and attended Campbell High School in Canberra, had his life cut short last week after an incident involving a log during physical education class at Mount Ainslie. Adriaan died in hospital after the incident, which is being investigated by police. A GoFundMe page set up on Friday has raised more than $28,000 by almost 500 people. The $15,000 target was reached in just one day. The year 10 student had just celebrated his 17th birthday. He had just got his P-plate licence and was due to have his braces removed last Monday. Lezanne Smith, a fellow South African expat and friend of the Roodt family, set up the fundraiser to help the family pay for Adriaan's funeral. She said Adriaan was "at his happiest" before his death, having just refurbished a car with his father and passed the test to receive his driver's licence. He had recently started dating Ms Smith's daughter Jenna Smith. The Roodt family moved to Australia from South Africa when Adriaan was eight, along with his younger sister Christelle. Tributes have flowed in for Adriaan and the Roodt family. One donor said, "Rest In Peace Adriaan, had so much fun with you out on the soccer field, such a beautiful soul." "As a Campbell High and North Ainslie Primary family, we are deeply saddened by this tragedy. We are so sorry for your loss. Our sincere condolences," another person wrote. Another said, "Fly high precious boy, my love, thoughts and prayers are with your family." On Tuesday, ACT Policing said they were still investigating the incident. The GoFundMe page is at https://www.gofundme.com/funeral-amp-memorial-adriaan-roodt. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/e45c4501-3fcf-466b-bb96-c957ff223acb/r0_369_960_911_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg Its been the location of unwanted graffiti, firebugs, and of course a much needed distraction for thousands of kids on the winding drive from Canberra to the coast, and now Poohs Corner on the Clyde Mountain is the subject of a university study. The hazardous hairpin corner and its proliferation of soft toys is being studied by a group of researchers at the Research School of Management at the ANU who are investigating the practise of tourist marginalia, or put simply, the practices of tourists leaving stuff behind. What people leave to mark their presence in certain places can be viewed as either trash or treasure by different stakeholders, reports Dr Toni Eagar, lead investigator, adding a key part of our research involves interviewing peoples experiences with Poohs Corner. Concerned that conducting interviews on the side of the road wouldnt be safe due to proximity to passing traffic, in an effort to reach-out to motorists who have a connection with the Clyde Mountain landmark, Eagar and her team have enlisted the help of a Research Bear. The team have left the bear, grasping a jar which contains details on how to contact the researchers, amongst the other teddies at the corner. Although the bear has only been fraternising with other teddies on the Clyde for a week or two, Eagar reports she has already received emails from several motorists, keen to share their Pooh Corner experiences. One Canberran reports she leaves a stash of bears there every Christmas holidays, reveals Eagar, who has also heard from one of Canberras oldest families who remember teddy bears being left there as early as the late 1950s. Apparently it was an important stop on the way up the mountain, because often older cars would boil just before there, explains Eagar. Some of these accounts predate claims by two potato growers from Crookwell who believe they were the first to leave bears at the corner in the early 1970s to distract their kids on the drive to their holiday house at Rosedale. David and Barbara Carter told The Canberra Times in 2015, we put cardboard signs and wooden signs there each time we passed, David always worried we would be in trouble so it had to be done quickly. Then we noticed other people were leaving teddy bears, or honey, or just a little message for Pooh. From my interviews someone was setting up elaborate teddy bears picnics, with tables, chairs and tea cups when my respondents were kids in the late 1950s early 60s, reveals Eagar, adding however, as these are all oral histories, all of the stories could be true Given recent acts of vandalism at the site, Eagar and team are also regularly checking on the welfare of their research bear, and are pleased to report that one generous visitor has already provided him with some honey which was nice of them. Oh, and if you notice a red mark on the ANU bear's chin dont be alarmed, its not an unwanted wound inflicted by a stone flicked up by a passing car, its more likely a tomato sauce stain. Like most Canberrans heading down the coast, Research Bear stopped for pie at Braidwood on the way, muses Eagar. Eagar and team are hoping to hear from those with a connection to Poohs Corner over the next couple of months leading into the peak Christmas season. Whats more, her team are offering $30 cash for interviews of about thirty minutes. Heck, thats more than enough for a pie for the whole family. Cash for comment: If you want to claim your $30 without having to stop at Poohs Corner, you can contact Eagar directly on Toni.Eagar@anu.edu.au and more information on the project is available here. The cave: According to folklore, the small cave at Poohs Corner is the result of a plan to protect Canberra from enemy forces during World War 2. According to one version of events, officers of the Volunteer Defence Corp manned the corner between 1942 and 1944, guarding a tunnel that had been built beneath the road and packed with explosives. The plan was that if Japanese forces landed on the south coast, the Defence Corp would detonate the explosives, thereby slowing any attempt by the Japanese to reach Canberra. After the war, the entrance to the tunnel was filled with concrete. Tims Tip: Just behind the proliferation of soft toys at Poohs Corner is a lovely tract of rainforest. Well worth checking out if you have the time, but a word of warning, it is a rough (and slippery) scramble. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/9e1d0964-b19c-4c8a-901c-f50b153aa136/r3_0_1141_643_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. How To Become A Gemologist A professional certificate is required to become a Gemologist. Candidates who aim to take up a short-term course in Gemology or related study should possess 10+2 pass certificate. These are the first-level courses in Gemology that deal with all the basic information regarding the identification of different gemstones. Apart from short-term courses, candidates can also pursue a diploma in Gemology. The duration of the diploma courses varies from one to another, depending upon the institute. Candidates who registered for the diploma course will learn about various techniques and instruments that are used in the Gemmological industry. Gemology Courses There are many diploma, short-term and certification courses available in Gemology. Some of them are listed below. Helping is in Dr. Manuel Gonzales nature. Its not just what he does; its who he is. My vocation is to help people and help my country, said Gonzales, who became the national manager of the Dominican Republics successful Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Program in April 2001. Raised in a family of helpers his father and four of his six brothers became doctors Gonzales character was formed early. His position as the youngest child gave him a guaranteed role. I was the little one, he said. Even as an adult, whenever my mother needed help with something, she would call me. He could have gone into private medicine and made a very comfortable living, but Gonzales chose to go into public health instead. During his medical training at a public hospital, he had noticed that most illnesses he was seeing were affecting many people. If you saw one person with a sickness, the next day you might see 20 people with the same thing because they were all being infected from the same source, he said. I switched to public health because its better to prevent than to treat 20 cases. I made a decision to focus on prevention and elimination. To me, it makes more sense. Gonzales devoted decades to public health and became an expert in prevention of lymphatic filariasis, a disease in which tiny worms infect the bodys lymphatic system, triggering elephantiasis, an irreversible, extreme, disabling swelling of the extremities. Together the Dominican Republic and its neighbor on the island of Hispaniola, Haiti, account for approximately 90 percent of the lymphatic filariasis burden in the Americas. In 2008, The Carter Center began supporting a binational effort between the two countries to eliminate lymphatic filariasis and malaria, both mosquito-borne diseases, throughout Hispaniola. The two countries have a complicated relationship and historically have not cooperated on much of anything. They speak different languages, maintain different cultures, and have sharp economic differences. Thats one reason the Hispaniola Initiative is special: It required an acknowledgement by both countries that the only way either one could hope to eliminate the two diseases was to work together. The ministries of health in both countries have made significant progress against lymphatic filariasis. While the Dominican Republic is on the brink of eliminating the disease, pockets of transmission remain in Haiti. Thus the incentive to cooperate remains. Progress for Haiti is progress for us, Gonzales said. I feel a solidarity with them. If they reduce prevalence of lymphatic filariasis, we will reduce prevalence. So we will do what we have to do. If we dont eliminate lymphatic filariasis across the whole island, we could lose what weve gained within three to five years. In the Dominican Republic, lymphatic filariasis mainly occurs in rural farming areas, home to generations of migrant workers from Haiti the poorest, most neglected, and least powerful people there, people whose faith in government benevolence has been sorely tested over decades. Elimination depends on mass drug administration, annual blanketing of communities with a combination of medicines that kill the worms that cause the disease. Working with community leaders to ensure support for elimination efforts, Dominican health agents have to go door to door, explain what they are doing, educate people about the disease, and persuade them to take medicines they may never have heard of before. Trust is the most important thing to making anything happen at the community level, Gonzales said. If you dont have the trust of the community, its very near to impossible to do anything. They have to believe in the process; if they dont believe, they wont participate, or the participation will be poor. Gonzales has worked hard to earn that trust. He has built a team of health agents who are sympathetic to these disenfranchised populations living in the vast sugar cane fields, and at times he has even committed his own personal resources to the effort. He doesnt act like a remote bureaucrat or a phony politician. I value the ability to talk with the community, and I always speak the truth, he said. If I promise something to someone, no matter who, I try to accomplish my promise. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: In Atlanta, Soyia Ellison, soyia.ellison@cartercenter.org In Tunis, Fida Nasrallah, fida.nasrallah@cartercenter.org + 216 94 556 461 (En francais) () The sustainability of democracy depends, in large part, on the establishment of institutions to protect Tunisians constitutional rights and freedoms, including independent constitutional authorities and a Constitutional Court. But significant delays in establishing Tunisias Constitutional Court are threatening democratic progress, impeding the ability to bring laws enacted under previous authoritarian governments into alignment with the 2014 Constitution. While the Interim Authority for the Control of Constitutionality of Draft Laws can rule on certain matters, its powers are limited. One of the most progressive aspects of Tunisias 2014 Constitution is the creation of a Constitutional Court designed to protect constitutional rights and freedoms. It is essential that this court which is endowed with the primary legal and moral authority to interpret the constitution be strong and independent, as it is tasked with considering the constitutionality of proposed amendments and delicate cases of law, including potential conflicts of competence between the president and prime minister, and matters of presidential impeachment and vacancies. The transitional provisions of the constitution stipulated that the Constitutional Court be established within one year of the 2014 legislative elections, i.e. before Nov. 25, 2015. Although the president ratified legislation to organize the court in December 2015, parliament has failed to establish the body, exceeding the timeframe laid out in the constitution by several years. According to the constitution, the court should be composed of 12 judges, including four elected by parliament and another four elected by the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC). The president appoints the final four members. The parliamentary nominations process has proven challenging and has been stalled for years. The Parliaments Consensus Committee, composed of the heads of all parliamentary blocs, has met several times and failed to agree on a list of candidates. Key stakeholders have observed that the process of selecting the courts members appears to have been politicized. The resulting delays jeopardize the ability to protect Tunisians basic constitutional rights and freedoms. In a spirit of respect and support, The Carter Center makes the following recommendations to help move the selection process forward: Members of parliament should work together to accelerate the process of electing the courts justices; The parliaments electoral commission should conduct its review objectively and advance all candidates who fulfill the criteria to serve as a justice on the court; Parliament should invite candidates to deliver remarks in a plenary session to assess their views and suitability for the court; Parliament should choose justices based on their competence and independence rather than for partisan reasons; If parliament votes in three consecutive rounds without the successful election of four members, parliamentary blocs should put forward alternate candidates for consideration; The president should consider equal representation for men and women when appointing the last four members to the court. Translations Le Centre Carter appelle les autorites tunisiennes a finaliser la creation de la Cour constitutionnelle et a elire des membres independants ### "Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope." A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide. Photo: The Canadian Press Philanthropist George Soros, founder and chairman of the Open Society Foundations, attends the European Council On Foreign Relations Annual Meeting in Paris. An object that appeared to be an explosive device was found in a mailbox at the home of George Soros, the billionaire philanthropist who has donated heavily to liberal causes and is a frequent target of unfounded right-wing conspiracy theories. The Bedford Police Department said it responded to the address in the hamlet of Katonah at 3:45 p.m. Monday after an employee of the residence opened the package. The person placed the package in a wooded area and called police, who alerted the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives. Bedford police said the FBI's terrorism task force was investigating. The FBI's New York field office said on Twitter that it was "conducting an investigation at and around a residence in Bedford, NY. There is no threat to public safety, and we have no further comment at this time." Neither local nor federal authorities would say whether the object was capable of exploding. A message emailed to Soros' foundation wasn't immediately returned. Soros, who made his fortune in hedge funds, frequently donates to liberal causes and is vilified on the right. Recently, conservative critics have, without evidence, accused him of secretly financing a caravan of Central American migrants to make their way north toward Mexico and the U.S. Others have falsely accused him of being a Nazi collaborator during World War II, when he was a child in Hungary. Activists frequently post the addresses of homes he owns in Westchester County, north of New York City, on social media sometimes accompanied by ill wishes. FBI officials didn't respond to requests for more information late Monday. Photo: The Canadian Press Alex Jones, the right-wing conspiracy theorist, walks the corridors of Capitol Hill after listening to testimony on Capitol Hill in Washington. Twitter has removed some accounts thought to be used to circumvent a ban on conspiracy-monger Alex Jones and Infowars, the company said Tuesday. A Twitter spokesman confirmed that the accounts had been removed but provided no additional comment. The company says it usually does not discuss specific accounts. Twitter permanently suspended @realalexjones and @infowars from Twitter and Periscope in early September. It said it based that action in reports of tweets and videos that violated its policy against abusive behaviour. The company said it would continue to evaluate reports regarding other accounts potentially associated with @realalexjones or @infowars and would take action if it finds content that violates its rules or if other accounts are used to try to circumvent their ban. Other tech companies, including PayPal, YouTube, Apple and Spotify, have limited or banned Jones' activities on their sites. Infowars has said the moves are intended to sabotaging the site just weeks before the midterm elections. On Twitter and elsewhere, Jones has done such things as describe survivors of a shooting in Parkland, Florida, "crisis actors" and saying the mass killing at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012 was fake. He had about 900,000 followers on Twitter. Infowars had about 430,000. Brazil 9M cement demand slips ICR Newsroom By 23 October 2018 Brazils cement producers sold 4.564Mt of cement to domestic customers in September 2018, down 5.6 per cent when compared to the 4.835Mt sold in the year-ago period, according to the countrys cement producers association, SNIC. In addition, they reported stable exports of 7000t in September. In the first nine months of 2018 domestic sales slipped 2.2 per cent from 40.34Mt in 9M17 to 39.454Mt in 9M18. Exports edged up from 60,000t to 63,000t, representing a five per cent rise YoY. From January to September 2018 apparent cement demand in the country reached 39.6Mt, down 2.5 per cent YoY. SNIC President, Paulo Camillo Penna, says that September figures reflect the poor performance of economic activity. We do not see signs of improvement until the end of the year. Everything indicates that 2018 will close with a drop of close to two per cent in demand for the product. In this way, we will have the fourth consecutive year in the red, accumulating a retraction of 26 per cent in the period, he said. "In addition to the loss of the market, we have suffered significant impacts on important components of production and distribution costs, such as fuel (petcoke), electricity and freight. According to an updated survey, cement transportation expenses represented 28 per cent of the net revenue of the product, but with the application of the current minimum freight rate, we will be charged at 114 per cent of the freight amount, he added. However, he expects a better performance of the industry next year: In the agenda of the candidates for the Presidency of the Republic there is recognition of the relevant role of the productive chain of construction for the country's development, with employability, infrastructure and housing. Published under Al Rashed signs agreement to market and distribute NRCC's white cement 23 October 2018 Saudi Arabia's Al Rashed Cement has signed an agreement with Northern Region Cement Co (NRCC) to facilitate marketing and distribution of NRCCs white cement. The value of the one-year contract will be determined based on market price, according to a statement to the stock exchange. NRCC reported a loss of SAR6.69m (US$1.78m) in 2Q18, compared with a profit of SAR8.26m for the year-ago period. In the 1H18, the company recorded a SAR5.23m net loss. Published under 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 [] As a candidate for president, Donald Trump couldnt stop bragging about how much money he made from Saudi Arabia. In a recorded event from July 2015, he put it this way: I like the Saudis, I make a lot of money with them, Trump said. They pay me millions and hundreds of millions. At a rally in Alabama that same year, he got more specific. They buy apartments from me. They spend $40 million, $50 million, Trump said. Am I supposed to dislike them? I like them very much! So, naturally, Americans began wondering if Trumps underwhelming reaction to the murder and dismemberment of Jamal Khashoggi inside a Saudi embassy was somehow related to his business interests. Quickly, Trump began saying he had no financial interests in the country. According to business records from the past 30 years, Trumps financial ties to Saudi Arabia run deep. Here is a breakdown of the hundreds of millions the president has received from Saudi deals since 1990, according to confirmed reports. 1. Sale of 45th floor of Trump World Tower to Saudi Arabia: $4.5 million Another source pegged the sale price at $12 million. In 2001, just a few months before the 9/11 terrorist attack led by Saudi nationals, Trump sold the entire 45th floor of his Trump World Tower to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While the exact transaction price may be as high as $12 million (per the Associated Press), a New York City spokeswoman told The Daily News Trump received $4.5 million from the deal. The floor consists of five apartments with a total of 10 bedrooms and 13 baths. 2. Annual building amenities fees from Saudi Arabia: $5.7 million Common charges exceeded $85,000 per year at last check. On top of the purchase price, buyers at Trump World Tower must pay annual common charges for building amenities. According to documents obtained by The Daily News, those charges came to $85,585 per year in 2001. Even if those charges did not go up and they certainly did the Saudis would have paid Trump an additional $5.7 million in the 15 years between then and 2016. Two years after the article was published, the amount would have easily exceeded $6 million in fees. 3. Sale of New Yorks Plaza Hotel: $325 million Saudi Prince al-Waleed bin Talal was one of two main investors. By 1995, Trumps finances were in bad shape, and the situation came to a head with the sale of the storied Plaza Hotel. The Trump property was losing money and, by the time Trump found a buyer, went for $75 million below its acquisition price. However, it still amounted to a huge bailout for what the Times called Trumps shaky business empire in 1995. Of the two main investors, one was Prince al-Waleed Bin Talal, a member of the Saudi royal family. As part of the deal, Trump was relieved of his massive debt owed on the property but got to stay on as a partner with al-Waleed. Trumps role in the property was to be converting the top floor of the Plaza into luxury condominiums. 4. Sale of Trumps yacht to al-Waleed: $20 million In another period of financial distress, Trump sold al-Waleed his yacht for $20 million. By the time of the Plaza deal, Trump was quite familiar with Prince al-Waleed. Four years earlier, the prince had bought Trumps yacht named Princess for the sum of $20 million. This sale was also something of a bailout for Trump, who had paid $30 million for it earlier. According to the AP, Trump was very close to personal bankruptcy at the time al-Waleed came through with his offer. 5. Saudi kingdom payments to Trumps D.C. hotel: $270K after election Immediately after Trumps election, the Saudi government began lobbying to end 9/11 lawsuits. As soon as Trump won the 2016 election, a Saudi lobbying firm descended on Trumps D.C. hotel and lavished the president-elect with hundreds of thousands in lodging and catering payments. The total, which extended over a year into Trumps presidency (for a total of 16 months), amounted to $270,000 and was paid by the Saudi kingdom, The Wall Street Journal reported. This Saudi lobbying push was aimed at ending Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), a law that allowed Americans to sue foreign governments for their roles in terrorist attacks. In the effort to avoid lawsuits over 9/11, the Saudi kingdom used its obvious leverage: the presidents D.C. businesses that have never left his control. According to the Journal, part of the Saudi kingdoms effort involved bringing U.S. military veterans to Capitol Hill so they could argue on behalf of the royal familys wishes. That pitted combat veterans against American families who were victims of the 9/11 attacks. Saudi visits to Trump International Hotel in New York also increased dramatically. According to a Washington Post report, a March 2018 visit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmans entourage increased the Trump propertys rentals by 13% for the year. After two years of declining room rentals, the Saudis once again came to Trumps rescue. When the Trump International manager wrote to investors in May of this year, he cited the visit as a key boon for business. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Matt Smith launches Pueblo's first national franchise There's no time to snooze for a Pueblo entrepreneur who has launched Southern Colorado's first-ever national franchise the Snooze Mattress Company. A Clarion Call to Spiritual Etiquette: Addressing the Culture of Hate Christian Examiner Contributor | 23 October, 2018 by Dr. Carla Cornelius There are certain age-old values which will always withstand the test of time. How we treat one another is a far greater indicator of whether our society is civilised than the accessibility of modern technology and amenities such as social security, running water and public sanitation. Without social etiquette the boundaries of appropriate human behavior will be pushed to the breaking point, or disregarded altogether, leading to a breakdown in decent behavior and eventually, social anarchy. Social etiquette has generally not fared well in modern civil society. Yet, we are still drawn to the rules of etiquette embraced by those in the upper classes of privilege such as royalty. Royal weddings and state occasions are usually followed with fascination as we marvel at the decorum and magnificence of such occasions only made possible by adhering to age-old protocols and codes of conduct. The limitation of social etiquette is that it not only evolves over time, but varies depending on country, social context and historical eras. For example, there are definite rules on how to behave when meeting and conversing with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, many of which have been breached by Heads of State and other government officials. As a paragon of discretion, and to her credit, the Queen has never brought attention to such faux pas, although the press is quick to highlight them. In the marketplace of ideas where one person's perception of what is deemed acceptable behavior is considered as good as another's, and where moral relativity is posited as superior to any one religious system, how do we foster positive social regard and interaction? The golden rule has been generally accepted across nations and religions as being above reproach. It enjoins you to "treat others the same way you want them to treat you" (Luke 6:31, AMP). At a gut level, we know that this is the right way to treat others and to expect to be treated. This rule of thumb forms the essence of the fruit of the spirit "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control..."; and indeed as Apostle Paul concluded "... against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV). Whereas the primary purpose of social etiquette is to avoid causing offense, the purpose of spiritual etiquette is to promote unity and to eliminate erroneous distinctions such as class, status, race, nationality and gender. In God's economy these factors don't matter as much as the attitudes we hold towards one another resulting in our actions towards one another. God sets the best standard of all "man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7, ESV). Whilst recognising the right to freedom of thought, religion and conscience the hallmark of western democracy, many western societies have become riddled with divisiveness based largely on politics, race, gender and religion. In the marketplace of ideas where all have an equal right to their own opinions, they all have a right to be heard as long as, in so doing, they do not infringe the rights of others or the laws of the land. Although all ideas do not have equal merit, through their free expression, it is more likely that the good ideas will eventually hold sway whilst the bad ones will dissipate. This can only happen through public debate and discourse - not recourse to threats and shouting matches to silence opposing ideas. Apostle James describes the tongue in this way "It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing... these things ought not to be so" (James 3:8-10, ESV). We have all been guilty of settling for inaccurate stereotypes. Either we are too lazy to invest time and effort in getting to know others for who they really are and not who they seem to be, or we are too stubborn to admit to ourselves that we might be wrong. Stereotyping is the primary symptom of a closed mind and is inimical to social harmony. How can we presume to know others purely on the basis of their political views, skin color, class or gender - all external factors that can never accurately reflect what someone is genuinely like? The truth is that how we perceive others says more about us than about them; and when we think others are judging us, we have judged them first. The proverb, commonly attributed to the eighteenth century poet, Alexander Pope, that "to err is human; to forgive, divine" appears to dispel the need for forgiveness amongst mere mortals. Yet when Jesus was asked how many times we ought to forgive our fellow human beings, the answer was "...not up to seven times, but seventy times seven "(Matthew 18:21-22, AMP). The need for forgiveness stems not just from the awareness that we are all fallible and prone to error, but from the danger that if we do not forgive those who have offended and hurt us, we will become just like them - sucked into a cycle of hate and bitterness. Ultimately, despite our external differences, we all bleed the same blood, cry the same tears and require the same grace and mercy from God and one another if we are to peacefully co-exist and progress as societies. Ultimately, we as individuals must make a choice for ourselves and future generations - whether or not to walk away from the name calling, meme proliferation, cyber-bullying, threats of violence and calls for civil uprising which have become so much a part of our toxic interactions both online and face to face. Most would concur that social etiquette has its place, but what is less commonly recognised is that there is no place for a civilised society without spiritual etiquette. The time to make this destiny-fining decision has come! Dr. Carla Cornelius is a Director and Editor at Jesus Joy Publishing. Her Ph.D. in Biblical Counseling has equipped her to trace humanity's problems back to faulty thinking and values which fly in the face of the Maker's instructions. She has a passion for exposing the distortions of truth spun by the media and popular culture which leave sick souls in their wake, souls desperately in need of spiritual detoxification. She is the author of five books including, "Culture Detox: Cleansing our minds from toxic thinking," "Captive Daughters: Breaking the chains" and "No Way Out: Keys to avoiding suicide." God and the Atheist Christian Examiner Contributor | 23 October, 2018 by Yvonne F. Conte There are people in my life, people I care about, who are intelligent savvy individuals, people I respect, who do not have any faith in God. That baffles me. These are logical, sane, good people. The biggest reason for their collective lack of faith, is a lack of evidence, which is hysterical to me since believing in God without any solid tangible proof would be the very definition of faith. My argument is that there is no proof that God does not exist. Until I find that proof, I am a true believer and follower of Jesus Christ. However, it wasn't always like that. From the beginning I'v always been a tiny bit skeptical. Which is why I guess I've always been fascinated with the subject of faith. As a child I asked a lot of questions which the adults in my life never seemed to have good answers for. That only made me wonder more. I dove head first into the Bible and several hundred other books about the Bible along with articles that argued there was no God at all. I'm also very open minded and willing to look at all possibilities including skepticism. One of my friends recently referred to my God as "the invisible man in the sky." While I respect his opinion, I tend to see God everywhere. I see His hand in the birth of a baby, the spring flowers, a mountaintop and the astoundingly beautiful sunrise and sunset views I see every single day from the lanai in my southwest Florida home. While my faith is strong and solid, I am very aware that 2.3% of the world's population is atheist. The population of France, I'm told, is 32% atheist, which makes sense to me since the majority of people I ran into in France seemed angry and unhappy. Actually there are a lot of really smart people who used to be atheist. It seems each of them decided to research to try and prove there is no supreme being but instead were convicted themselves into becoming true believers in a higher power. They include Dame Cicely Mary Saunders, Leah Libresco, C.S.Lewis, John Orley, Allen Tate, Joy Davidman, Tamsin Margaret M. Greig, Nicholas Glyn Paul Gumbel, Cyril Edwin Mitchinson Joad, Francis Sellers Collins, Aleksandr Tsarevich Solzhenitsyn, Seraphim Rose and Sigrid Undset to name a few. In the end, I feel it is only common sense to believe in and have a strong faith in Jesus Christ. Here's why. If what I'm saying is wrong and you believe me, you will loose absolutely nothing, but, if what I say is right, and you don't believe me, you will loose everything. You've got nothing to loose and everything to gain by believing that it is by faith through God's grace that you are saved. You cannot earn it. No where in the Bible does it say you must work your way to heaven. Simply confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the grave and you will be with Jesus in heaven for eternity. When Jesus went missing from the tomb, neither the Jewish authorities, nor the Romans, could find his body. If they had, Christianity would have ended right then and there. But they couldn't. And how else can we explain the massive difference in the disciples of Christ? Remember they were all heart broken by the horrific death of Christ. They were completely demoralized and full of fear. Then they boldly came out of hiding. Joyful and fearless they proclaimed the Gospel with strength and power. They never stopped even though they were hunted down and murdered one by one (except for John). Why in the world would these 12 men put themselves in that kind of danger for a fake Lord? If they had indeed stolen the body and hidden it; why would they sacrifice their own lives for what they knew was only a lie? It makes no sense. To me the new testament overwhelmingly proves we have a living God. That is not what transformed be from a sceptic into a follower of Christ. What changed my thinking and my heart was Christ Himself. He loves me. No matter what I do, no matter what I say, no matter how I act, He loves me. This kind of amazing love is a supernatural love that can only be from the creator Himself. I feel His love all around me, every day. It gives me hope. It strengthens me. It gives me joy in any circumstance. Why wouldn't I want to believe that there is a power far greater than me? Why wouldn't I want to have a supreme being that answers my prayers and brings me opportunities and fills my life with blessings? I see a major difference in my life as a sceptic versus my life as a believer. You've got nothing to loose, try it. Yvonne Conte is a motivational humorist, stress reduction expert, author of Serious Laughter, Frankie Wonders, Make a BIG Deal, Bits of Joy, Remarkable Women of Faith and Cry, Laugh, Cook! She is the Founder and Director of Day of Joy, Inc a 501c3 organization contributing thousands of dollars to local charities annually. How Do Historic Church Councils Relate to Modern Christians Today? Christian Examiner Contributor | 23 October, 2018 by Ken Lambert Most Christians do not know much, or care much, about church councils. It seems there have been many councils, with different names and different players or with different denominations. Many were over 1,000 years ago. What relevance do they have for today's Christian? Firstwhat is a church council? This is an official gathering of Church representatives in order to settle and dictate Church businessincluding important theological questions or debates of the time. At these councils, votes and debates take placeand a final public decision is declared, which aims to focus correct theology. There have been many councils since the days of the Apostles, but the key councils which we will focus on are the early councils known as the Seven Ecumenical Councils, the last of which was conducted in 787 A.D. These seven councils have been recognized and generally accepted, per se, by all major branches of ChristianityCatholicism, Orthodoxy, and Protestantism. This is because all seven of these councils took place well before any significant divisions. The last of these councils was almost 300 years before the Great Schism with the Orthodox Church, and nearly 750 years before the Protestant Reformation. As such, the declarations of these councils have a significant amount of weighteven today. What was declared and decided during these councils? A brief synopsis: The Council of Nicea, 325 Constantine (Emperor of Rome) presided this Council, which rejected Arianism. Arius had taught a controversial doctrine which claimed that Christ was less than God the Father, and that He was not truly divine. In addition, these bishops issued the following Creedwhich is known as the Apostles' Creed: We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. The Council of Constantinople, 381 The second council met in Constantinople, the new imperial capital, and issued a new, revised Creedwhich is widely recited today in many Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant churches. The Council of Ephesus, 431 The council condemned the teaching that Christ had two separable natures, human and divine. It also declared Mary to be theotokos (or "God-bearer," i.e., Mother of God). The Council of Chalcedon, 451 Issued the "Chalcedonian Formula," affirming the widespread doctrine that Christ is two natures in one person. The Council of Constantinople II, 553 The bishops here condemned the writing of three non-orthodox theologiansTheodore, Theodoret, and Ibas. These three had written and preached that Christ was more human than a deity. The Council of Constantinople III, 680 Condemned monothelitism (this had taught that Christ has a single will). The Council affirmed that Christ had both a human will and a divine will, and together they functioned in perfect harmony. The Council of Nicea II, 787 (the final true "ecumenical" council) Declared that icons are acceptable aids to worship, rejecting the iconoclasts (icon-smashers). Some Protestant denominations do not hold this doctrine as valid. It is important to understand that church councils can be outright wrong, and on numerous occasions, the decisions and statements of one council or synod have been overturned in future council meetings. Thus, it is clear that men at any time in history and in any generation, can and do make incorrect assumptions or judgments regarding the interpretation of the Gospel and of proper Christian worship. Christ is perfect, but man is far from perfecteven as he aims to live the life that God wants him to live. Ken Lambert has been writing for both secular and religious publications for several years. He co-authored the book "Top 10 Most Influential Christians Since the Apostles" and holds a Doctorate in Ministry. He resides in southern New Hampshire. The Sacred Value of Human Life Christian Examiner Contributor | 23 October, 2018 by Dr. Carla Cornelius In an address this month at St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis made one of his most resounding affirmations of life so far in his papacy. He stated, "It is worthwhile to welcome every life because every man is worth the blood of Christ himself... You cannot despise what God has so loved!" Indeed, the treatment which a society tolerates towards its most vulnerable, whether they be at the beginning or end of life, or at any point on its continuum, is what determines the true calibre of a society. Each individual choice to affirm and embrace life, has a knock-on effect on the type of world in which we will all live. A prominent case in point was with Professor Stephen Hawkings, who did not resort to euthanasia, and whose brave decision left the world a better place. Diagnosed with motor neurone disease at the age of 21, and given a life expectancy of two years, no one would have failed to sympathize with his dilemma. But he defied all expectations and lived for a further 55 years with this vicious and debilitating disease. He brought cosmology and quantum physics to the masses, who showed their appreciation through book purchases, leading to his book sales reaching several millions. Beyond all his academic and literary achievements, it could be said that his "will to live" was his biggest achievement and legacy to the world. Similarly, there are many who would not be here today, and whose life's work and influence, would have never had the chance to come to fruition, had their mothers denied them the right to life. There are circumstances where this decision can be a harrowing one, for example in the case of Justin Bieber's mom who fell pregnant with him at 17 as a single mother facing financial hardship. She was repeatedly encouraged to terminate her pregnancy, but nevertheless, she took a step of faith and decided to bring her pregnancy to term. Her son has had a notable impact on the music industry, and has no doubt brought much joy to his mother. Our life's purpose is not to be invented, but, to be discovered because we were conceived in the mind of our Creator an act suffused with purpose. Discovering that purpose is not always straightforward, but it is safe to assume it already exists. The Bible is a life-affirming book which makes it clear from the onset that God regards each life as valuable and that value derives from God-given purpose. We are told that "all things were created through Him and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). It is not for us God's creation to regard the life which He created (including ourselves) in a casual and indifferent way. The psalmist writes "I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14). We are told that not one sparrow falls to the ground without God knowing about it (Matthew 10:29); that even the hairs on our head are all numbered (Luke 12:7); that before we were formed in our mother's womb God knew us (Jeremiah 1:5); that all the days of our lives were written in his book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16). The Creator God, who is beyond our limited human understanding, decided we should be conceived into existence a miracle indeed, considering the overwhelming odds against conception. We are all walking miracles! It stands to reason, therefore, that since we did not determine the act or timing of our conception or birth, why should we presume to determine the type or timing of our own death? The journey of this earthly life is never easy and requires trusting the Creator from start to finish. We cannot choose our own purpose, although many do try to chart their own course. The result is, we can become prone to distress and disillusionment when things do not turn out the way we had planned. We can end up looking for meaning in many activities, achievements and relationships which were never meant to satisfy the deep longings of the human soul. If these things can make us happy, then logically they also have the capacity to make us sad. Without knowing it, we have placed people in categories where some peoples' lives are deemed more worthwhile than others. For example, those who are weak or disabled and who cannot contribute to society in the normal way, are regarded as a drain on society. Should such people decide to end their lives, this may not be deemed a great loss to society although the family and loved ones left behind will greatly mourn their absence. We easily forget the intangible qualities which people bring to their families and friendships. These cannot be adequately assessed in purely financial terms. Those who are contemplating suicide because they think their family and friends will be better off without them need to hear the survivors' stories. In the overwhelming majority of cases, they are left with a never-ending trail of regret, sorrow and wounds which never heal. So much for the theory that our life is our own and has no impact on others! Society benefits from having to care for the weak, disabled and dependent because by so doing, we develop compassion and patience, and are reminded that we are interdependent beings meant to find our deepest satisfaction in communion with God and one another. As we have seen with abortion and the delivery of poor elderly care and the increasing calls for euthanasia, the erosion of the right to life always starts with the most vulnerable in society. Any barrier which is erected to stop such erosion must start with the foundation of the sanctity of human life without which human viability becomes subjected to the vagaries of human opinion. Such a society must be avoided at all costs. Dr. Carla Cornelius gained her Ph.D from Trinity School of the Bible and Theological Seminary. The focus of her doctoral dissertation was the proposal of a biblical model for counseling the suicidal based on the book of Ecclesiastes. "No Way Out" is her latest literary effort to extract practical wisdom and insight from her studies and observations, to speak directly to the hearts of those who are suicidal. JUBA, South Sudan, October 23, 2018 (Morning Star News) After torturing them and threatening to charge them with serious crimes, authorities in Sudan have released 13 Christians arrested in the Darfur Region, sources said. Personnel from Sudans National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) released 12 of the Christians by Sunday (Oct. 21) and freed church leader Tajaldin Idriss Yousif on Monday, all without charges, but they threatened to charge the native Darfur evangelist and others with apostasy, public disturbance and crimes against the state, sources said. All of them were said to be tortured by NISS and are in bad shape, a source said. One of them is said to be in critical condition owing to torture. He is said to have been vomiting and bleeding. He was rushed to a hospital, but he was not attended to by the physicians in that hospital. The 13 Christians from four different house churches were worshipping together on Oct. 10 in Nyala, capital of South Darfur state in western Sudans Darfur Region, when NISS officers disrupted the service and arrested them, sources said. NISS authorities did not give any reason for the arrests, but sources said they are targeting converts from Islam from Darfur and, in south-eastern Sudan, South Kordofan state. Three of the Christians were said to be from the Nuba Mountains area in the countrys southeast. The Christians were not taken to any court of law during their nearly two weeks of jail and interrogation. Along with team leader Yousif, arrested were members of his church Alfadil Ismail Alnil, Ahmed Mohammed Hassan, Neseraldin Osman, Shemen Ahmed Shemen and Abubaker Biri. Other Christians arrested were identified only as Kamal, Abdullah, Mutasim, Mujahid, El Sadik Afendi, Bolis Suliman and Abdel Maseh. NISS, widely known as a notorious agency staffed by hard-line Islamists, may hold people in detention for up to four and a half months without charges. Following the secession of South Sudan in 2011, Sudan President Omar al-Bashir vowed to adopt a stricter version of sharia (Islamic law) and recognize only Islamic culture and the Arabic language. Church leaders said Sudanese authorities have demolished or confiscated churches and limited Christian literature on the pretext that most Christians have left the country following South Sudans secession. The Sudanese Minister of Guidance and Endowments announced in April 2013 that no new licenses would be granted for building new churches in Sudan, citing a decrease in the South Sudanese population. Sudan since 2012 has expelled foreign Christians and bulldozed church buildings on the pretext that they belonged to South Sudanese. Besides raiding Christian bookstores and arresting Christians, authorities threatened to kill South Sudanese Christians who do not leave or cooperate with them in their effort to find other Christians. Sudan fought a civil war with the South Sudanese from 1983 to 2005, and in June 2011, shortly before the secession of South Sudan the following month, the government began fighting a rebel group in the Nuba Mountains that has its roots in South Sudan. Due to its treatment of Christians and other human rights violations, Sudan has been designated a Country of Particular Concern by the U.S. State Department since 1999. Sudan ranked fourth on Christian support organization Open Doors 2018 World Watch List of countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. If you would like to help persecuted Christians, visit http://morningstarnews. org/resources/aid-agencies/ for a list of organizations that can orient you on how to get involved. These days, Christians may be tempted to join the 24/7 news cycle to push back against the ignorance, distortion, and bias they see emptied into the public square. Thats what the Christian Broadcasting Network recently opted to do with its new CBN News Channel. I understand the desire to offer even fuller coverage, but I cant help thinking our impulse to join reveals an essential worldliness, marching to the beat of secular headlines and falling in with the fears of a fallen realm. It means that we have not recognized that the larger enemy is precisely that 24/7 news cycle. Christianity does not exist in some Absolute Present, as CNN and Fox News and Twitter do. Its home is in eternity. We dont live within the worlds shifting judgments but in truths that are under no ultimate threat. Of course, we recognize that much of humanity does not acknowledge or even recognize these truths, and we do have a responsibility there. Twenty years ago, in How the News Makes Us Dumb: The Death of Wisdom in an Information Society, I tried to show how the sheer dailiness of the news product distorted everything: politics, science, religion, elections, values, worldviews, culture, and social relations. This dailiness was more damaging than any bias, since it went unrecognized, seeming only natural. Now, the news cycle has grown even more ever-present, with constant updates pinging us around the clock on our phones, computers, watches, and other devices. But my concerns are still the same: We cannot counter the distortion of dailiness we see in the news by the same means of constant coverage that produced them in the first place. (Remember, the news comes to us daily, hourly, minute by minute, only because the industrys profits depend on us believing in the constant news cycle. We regularly see news producers creating commotion to have enough news to fill a broadcast.) Our faith is indeed involved in the realm of public opinion, the discussion used to put the news into its larger context. But the pace of commercial news production often ignores that context. Seeing the big picture usually makes todays contribution seem small, which defeats the industrys hype. Christians have a stake in Wisdom, seeing things in the widest perspective. Constantly reacting to the latest explosion in the hourly news will not accomplish this. Such reactions will seek to prove themselves, score points, and invite further response. Wisdom aims for different ends. Showing things in a wider contextinvolving religion, history, ethics, social philosophyis the loving way to free our audience from their anger and despair. The very earliest attempt at a Christian periodical, in England at least, was a chapbook-style newsbook published in 1643. That was in the midst of what must have seemed like an apocalyptic strugglethe English Civil War between Puritans and their religious opponents. The paper was called New Christian Uses, Upon the Weekly True Passages and Proceedings, and it offered to show how events appeared to the eye of faith, that is, from Gods own perspective. After each news item, culled from other news-sheets, the editor added both the providence that he thought it showed, and a prayer of either petition or thanksgiving. As I described it in The News Revolution in England: Cultural Dynamics of Daily Information, it is not news as we know it but an actual exercise of religion. But with only one surviving copy, it seems that it didnt catch on. Winning the ear of the public for something like Wisdom is obviously a challenge. How could viewing current issues in a larger historical or ethical or social perspective be made to seem exciting? Actually, we already have an example of sorts. TheEconomist magazine has been operating for 175 years, since 1843! It has some unique features. First, it seeks to report on the whole world each and every week, not just a few places where trouble is brewing. (In doing so, it may show how little interest we have in the whole world, as we skip through our issue.) Second, it reports on a lot of things that dont seem exciting or scary or sexy. This makes a contrast with the rest of our media, which specializes in such matters. And third, every article has a time horizon of at least a decade, and often a century, reminding us that change has long roots. All this may seem like a formula for commercial failure. Yet the result is that The Economist is practically required reading for our elites. Instead of creating a news addiction, requiring ever-increasing doses of stimulant, the magazine seems to satisfy a hunger, giving one time to digest things. Readers can then get on with life, instead of hanging suspended until the next briefing. If it were not so expensive, it might be much better known. For when a news source is known to be essential reading among our leaders, it will probably be taken up by others who want to be informed. The Economist does have a biastoward free-market economics and a libertarian culture. But rather than simply insinuating this bias, the editors frequently mention it, allowing readers to discount it. Despite the allowances we make, we are still grateful for their wider perspective, keeping us from feeling we are drowning in churning change. Writers who strike us as wise can win us to their biases. There are already Christian opinion journals and Christian columnists and Christian bloggers who want to widen our vision rather than react to each and every accusation, insinuation, and error. By acknowledging these sources and recommending them, we can help others lead faithful, hopeful lives. We cant do this within 280 characters or a two-minute news spot, but need to show we inhabit a wider world. C. John Sommerville, author of How the News Makes Us Dumb: The Death of Wisdom in an Information Society, is emeritus professor of history at the University of Florida. He writes on British religious history, and now lives in Durham, North Carolina. Speaking Out is Christianity Todays guest opinion column and (unlike an editorial) does not necessarily represent the opinion of the magazine. 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. Eugene Peterson, author of The Message Bible, frequent contributor to Leadership Journal, and pastor to pastors, passed away on October 22, 2018. Upon learning of his death, we asked several church leaderssome who learned from Petersons writing, others who were personally mentored by Peterson for decadeshow he shaped their ministries. What lessons from Peterson, we asked, reframed their understanding of the pastoral calling? Choose your words carefully. Dean Pinter, rector at St. Aidan Anglican Church in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Eugene was a poet. Of course, he was much more than that. Like a poet, however, he was careful with his words. He chose them wisely and used them winsomely. I was one of Eugenes students at Regent College from 1992 to 1996. My wifes office at Regent was next door to his. (This helped with our initial connection!) We stayed connected over the yearsthey visited us in our homes in England and Canada, and we visited them often in their home in Montana. While his numerous published works attest to the fruitfulness of his words and the congruence with which he wove them into the fabric of his life, these are a few of the words he shared with me personally that continue to sustain my life and ministry. Resurrection. Amen. These were the final and fitting two words that Eugene preached at my ordination. The text he chose for his sermon was John 12:2030. As he reflected on the pastoral implications of the manifestation of Jesus glory, Eugene reminded me, a would-be priest, that glory means entering into what Jesus wants, not what I want. All the things that are poor and despised by the world, including suffering and death, are backlit by the glory of God. These things appear dark, but if we look at them through the gospel lens and through the story of Jesus, then suddenly they start to look very different. As he closed his sermon, Eugene pointed out that Jesus prayer, Father, glorify your name (John 12:28), is the only prayer he prayed in which we are told his Father gave an answer. A voice from heaven replied, I have glorified it, and I will glory it again (v. 29). This is a reminder, Eugene said, that we shouldnt worry that our prayers are not often answered. Jesus only got one! Yet in this, God would glorify Jesus in his own way. God the Father did do it his way. Eugene concluded, Jesus wrote that gospel into the depths of human pain and disaster and ruin and resurrection. Amen. Poetry. Like many pastors and priests, I find Mondays to be difficult. Most ministers take Mondays off to rest and recover, as Eugene did. Unfortunately, this has never worked well for me, yet I still need a way to ascend from the Arimathean Tomb that is Monday. Eugene offered a one-word solution: Poetry. He suggested I take an hour or so at the beginning of every Monday to read poetry. So thats what I do. On one axis of my desk in my parish study sit Bibles, prayer books, and lexiconsthe necessary tools to listen attentively and restoratively to Gods Word. On the other axis sit books of poetryGeorge Herbert, Malcolm Guite, Luci Shaw, Denise Levertov, Seamus Heaney, Christina Rossetti, and, yes, Eugene Petersonthe necessary tools to listen attentively and restoratively to human words. Poetry, to crib a line from a Wendell Berry poem, helps me to practice resurrection. Relevance is irrelevant. Mark Galli, editor in chief of Christianity Today I first met Eugene at a conference for young Presbyterian pastors, held at Mt. Hermon in the woodsy Santa Cruz Mountains on the central California coast. This would have been in the mid-1980s. His talks were about faithfulness in the pastorate, and he was exegeting the Book of Jonah to this end. (These talks were the first draft of his later book, Under the Unpredictable Plant.) Simply put, his talks were riveting, a refreshing breeze of biblical interpretation and theological insight for young, tired pastors on retreat. During one question-and-answer session, a pastor asked Eugene how pastors could be more relevant in our preaching. In those years, we were one and all enamored with the excitement coming out of Barrington Illinois, the home of the then shiny and very relevant Willow Creek Church. So we all mentally leaned forward to hear his answer. Eugene stared at the pastor for what seemed a minute, although it was probably just 10 seconds. But the silence began to feel uncomfortable. His face did a slight contortion, and then he said, with evident disgust, RelevanceThats a Nazi word. My memory says one or two gasped aloud in disbelief. One pastor may have let out a brief laugh, perhaps because he agreed, or maybe to ease the awkwardness of the moment. All in all, we were in a state of shock. Eugene went on to explain that pandering after relevance is a sure way to destroy the integrity of the church. In the early 1930s, Germans suffered from severe low self-esteem after being humiliated by defeat in World War I and the subsequent Versailles Treaty. The Nazi party made these disconsolate citizens once more feel proud of being German. The party clearly met felt need. Their message was very relevant at the time. Instead, Eugene exhorted us to faithfulnessas he did in his entire ministry. (Anyone who heard Eugene preach knows what it meant when Eugene exhorted his listeners.) For Eugene, faithfulness was first and last. During the coffee break afterwards, we chatted vigorously about what he had said. Some remained unconvinced about the irrelevance of relevance. But I was one who, from that day forward, held the maxim of our era in less and less esteem. Pastoral ministry is serious, consequential work. Trygve Johnson, Hinga-Boersma Dean of the Chapel at Hope College I first heard the name Eugene Peterson in college. My chaplain, after listening to me wrestle with a sense of calling, squinted like a doctor making a diagnosis, pulled a book from his shelf, and handed me The Contemplative Pastor. Read this! he said. I did. In Eugenes words, I found a vision for pastoral life I had always hoped existed but did not know how to articulate. Years later Eugene befriended me. He had recently retired to Montana. I was a young aspiring pastor, and he took me on, inviting me into a mentoring relationship through letters, conversations, books, and pilgrimages to Flathead Lake. This invitation changed my life and my ministry. Eugene gave me a vision and a language for who I could be as a pastor. He restored honor and dignity to the calling of the pastor. Eugene revived a vision of a pastor as someone serious, intelligent, savvy, creative, playful, and prophetic. Eugene encouraged those in ministry to resist the seductive sirens of the pragmatic pastor, in favor of a ministry animated by the patient and cruciform witness of a long obedience in the same direction. Through this encouragement, Eugene pulled me into a larger world of consequence. His words and vision helped me see and experience the wide-open country of salvation. Here, Eugene invited me to explore the geography of the Trinity, which expanded my imagination and bent my reason back into shape. The use of cliche or paint-by-numbers theology was unworthy of the work. The pastor, Eugene counseled, required a charged imagination, an earthy piety, with a double shot of humor! He showed me that a ministry at play in the expansive fields of the Triune God was a more interesting place to spend the day. The key to this larger world was the Bible. Eugene showed me how to read with a scriptural imagination. He taught me that the goal of reading Scripture was not to know more, but to become more. His great lesson was that Scripture had everything to do with the neighborhood, because the neighborhood is where Christ shows up. Maybe Eugenes greatest legacy on my ministry was that he taught me to love by simply loving me. Eugene gave me time. He always wrote back. He never refused a call. He always welcomed me into his home. Never was I treated as an abstraction or a project to solve. He treated me as a friend. He showed me that healthy ministry requires, even demands, relationships where we can be known and understood. Receiving the news of Eugenes death feels like what the Fellowship of the Ring in the Tolkien novel of the same name must have experienced when they lost Gandalf. What do you do when your guide is gone? But Eugene taught us well, for he reminded us to practice resurrection. And so we carry the Message on! There is no ministry in the abstract. Marshall Shelley, former editor of Leadership Journal, and now director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Denver Seminary Many scholars revel in abstractions. I never met a more scholarly man than Eugene Peterson, who once wrote an article on the middle voice in Greek grammar and its implications for our understanding of prayer. But I also never met a man who was more insistent on the concrete embodiment of biblical truth. Never content to merely grasp the principle, he pressed on to specific application. One example: when his church in Maryland grew beyond the point where he could know everyones name, he stepped down because he didnt want to be pastor in name only. He insisted that pastoring, shepherding, is personal, and when the church grows beyond the point of knowing everyone personally, he refused to accept the abstraction of pastor. He was intensely practical. On one of my visits with him during his pastorate in Maryland, he introduced me to the works of philosopher-farmer Wendell Berry. For instance, he read to me this excerpt from Berrys book The Gift of Good Land: "Charity is a theological virtue and is prompted, no doubt, by a theological emotion, but it is also a practical virtue." It cannot be practiced "by smiling in abstract beneficence on our neighbors. It must come to acts, which must come from skills." How can you love your neighbor if you don't know how to build or mend a fence, how to keep your filth out of his water supply or your poison out of his air? How will you practice virtue without skill? The ability to be good is not the ability to do nothing. It is the ability to do something wellto do good work for good reasons. With Berry, as with Peterson, commitment and love are not simply a mental attitude; they mean developing an ability to improve the situation, to further the cause you're committed to. Yet while deeply committed to people and community, Eugene wasnt sentimental about them. He wrote, When I became a pastor, I didn't like much about the complexities of community in general and of a holy community in particular. I often found myself preferring the company of people outside my congregation, men and women who did not follow Jesus. Or worse, preferring the company of my sovereign self. But I soon found that my preferences were honored by neither Scripture nor Jesus. I didn't come to that conviction easily, but finally there was no getting around it. There can be no maturity in the spiritual life, no obedience in following Jesus, no wholeness in the Christian life apart from an immersion in, and embrace of, community. I am not myself by myself. Community, not the highly vaunted individualism of our culture, is the setting for living the Christian life. As a scholar, pastor, and Bible translator, Eugene Peterson saw with vivid clarity the world around him. And guided his students and readers into personal engagement with life and the Author of this world and the world to come. Every step is integral to your journey. Dante Stewart,student at Reformed Theological Seminary in Augusta, Georgia, where he teaches Bible at Heritage Academy Augusta I remember like it was yesterday. I sifted through peoples ragged, throwaway books in the free bin at the bookstore, and there it was. No marks, no scuffs, as if it were waiting eagerly to be picked up by me. It was Eugene Petersons memoir, The Pastor. In some providential way, God was saying, Eugene, Stew. Stew, Eugene. Ive been wanting to introduce you to one another. As I reflect on the legacy of Eugene Peterson, I can honestly say his life changed my life. One of the things brother Eugene showed me was that everything is interestingin the words of Denise Levertov, every step an arrival. As I made my way through The Pastor, I felt as if I were living alongside him. Whether it was the story of his formation as a pastor, his Pentecostal roots, the humorous story of his first convert, it was clear that he had a deep awareness that every step was integral to his journey, one step closer to being who God called him to be. Events mattered. People mattered. The Resurrection mattered. My spiritual formation mattered. Through him, Ive been able to make sense of my own steps. When I read about his mother, I saw my own mother. When I read about his Pentecostal roots, I saw my own. When I read his life, I saw my life. Ill never forget how moved I was by the story of his fathers butcher shop; it changed the way I viewed my job as barista and an aspiring pastor. The shop was his introduction to the world of congregation, a place of safety where everyone felt welcome, his eventual workplace as a pastor. Each person had dignity. Through him, Ive come to see my coffee shop in the same way. I spend a lot of time with coffee. In the spirit of brother Eugene, I was reflecting on the roasting process. It is slow. It is intricate. It is tough and rough. It is specific to the bean. It is communal. Yet, I realized that its not much good for anything if its not poured out for others. No one roasts a batch of coffee and leaves it on the shelves. Likewise, life and living is not much value if it is not poured out for the good of others. It does not care about the who like we do. It only cares to produce real good for real people. That is its value. And this was the value of Eugene: his life and ministry were wholly devoted to being poured out for others. He showed me that every cup is a story and every story is a sermon. And for this, Im eternally thankful. Christ is all we have to offer. Kyle Strobel, teaches spiritual theology for Talbots Institute for Spiritual Formation and preaches at Redeemer Church, La Mirada, California The first time I met Eugene, he was speaking to about 50 pastors. I had never seen such a broad range of pastors come to hear someone before. Ones theological background seemed insignificant; no one questioned that Eugene brought immense wisdom to pastoral ministry. But many of the pastors left feeling a bit empty. They had come hoping Eugene would solve pressing problems they believe they had, but he wasnt selling quick solutions or simplistic ministry tricks. I can still feel the desperation in the questions, yet Eugene refused to respond with anything other than Christ. We have no Plan B, he told them, because offering Christ is all we truly have. Characteristically, it was through a meditation on Winnie the Pooh that Eugene encouraged these pastors with Galatians 6:910: And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Do not grow weary. This was the message he brought that day, a message almost impossible for pastors to hear. From that day on, I started writing letters to Eugene, an ancient pastoral practice he continued to imbue with life. He stood against the quest for power, significance, and notoriety from within the pastoral office itself and served for decades as a signpost for another path. He refused to see other churches and pastors as competition, to embrace something because it was a sign of success, to embrace ambition in ministry. He rejected celebrity. That meant cultivating a certain kind of life, not merely a strategy for ministry. It meant embracing deep relationships, and recognizing that ministry is always to other people, never wielding a platform for significance. Because of this, Eugene models for the church today the cultivation of a pastoral ministry by faith alone, not by sight. Sight can allure by seducing us to numbers, to the grandiosity, and to the perception of significance, but ministry by faith is allergic to all of this. This meant, for Eugene, never functionalizing relationships, but trusting by faith that personal relationships were truly powerful in the kingdom of God. This is the path he witnessed to, and this is what I am sitting with after hearing of his death. His way was the way of the Lamb, and by faith he recognized that the temptations in ministry are Legion. Today, more than ever, we need to remember that the way of faith is the way to be powerful in the kingdom of God. Reject grandiosity. Jamin Goggin, pastor at Mission Hills Church in San Marcos, California Eugene Peterson provided a beautiful and compelling vision of the pastoral vocation when I needed it the most. Only few years into pastoral ministry, I had arrived at what felt like a breaking point. The initial sturdiness and adventure of my calling was being choked by a prevailing set of expectations defining success in ministry, leaving me discouraged and disillusioned. Eugenes words met me in that place. His words saved me from the temptation to abandon my post. They gave me hope. As I devoured books like Working the Angles and Five Smooth Stones, I discovered a vision of the pastoral vocation that put words to what I had so longed for in ministry, but didnt quite know how to articulate. The Lord used Eugenes words to expose temptations of my heart toward grandiosity and power in ministry. More than any other person, Eugene Peterson shaped the way in which I pastor. Eugene taught me that the pastoral vocation was a call to be relentlessly personal. It meant unhurried conversations marked by listening. It meant preaching to people, not an audience. It meant loving people, not using them. It meant hours of prayer for people and with people. A few years after reading Eugenes books, I began to write letters back and forth with him, and after a couple of years, those letters turned into an opportunity to spend time with him at his home in Montana. In his house beside the lake, I experienced being pastored by Eugene. I encountered a man of integrity, whose way of life and relating was exactly what I expected from his writingperhaps the most profound truth I can speak of his character. In my time with Eugene, I was graced with a vision of pastoral ministry not merely in written form, but experienced through the course of prayer, unhurried conversation, and shared meals. He opened his life to me and took a profound interest in my life. Eugene not only taught me how to pastor, he pastored me. When I heard the news of Eugenes passing I was standing in front of the home where Ernest Hemingway was born. I was pondering the profound impact Hemingway had on many generations of authors inspired by the brilliance and beauty of his corpus. As I stood on Hemingways porch, I remembered the back deck of Eugenes home. I remembered him telling me stories of the trolls that lived in the lake below with a warm grin upon his face. I remember the way he spoke of his journey as a pastor, the joys and challenges. Eugene stands as a Hemingway of the pastoral vocation. His long pastoral obedience has provided a body of work that will define the shape of pastoral work for generations to come. It will certainly define the shape of my pastoral work until I finish the race. Thank you, Eugene. I look forward to continuing the conversation after your liturgical nap. Sabbath is a gift. Rich Villodas, lead pastor of New Life Fellowship in Queens, New York City Through his writings and witness, Eugene Peterson taught me how to be a pastor. My life in Christ has been enriched beyond measure through his life. My thoughts and practices on prayer, preaching, and pastoring have his fingerprints all over them. What Im most grateful for, however, is the intentional Sabbath rhythm he built into his life. During my mid-20s, I was a pastor overseeing college students and young adults at a megachurch in New York City. During one of the church staff meetings, a visiting pastor who was on sabbatical shared that, during this season of rest and recreation, he was visiting churches. I was not impressed. I thought, This man must be in some kind of moral failure, or he is too weak to do the work of pastoring. I had no framework to see the practice of sabbaticals, let alone weekly Sabbath-keeping, as core to my pastoral calling. Soon after this occasion, I came across a book from Eugene Peterson: Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity. In this book, I was given a vision to see pastoring as the interplay of resting and working. I was taught to see Sabbath-keeping not as a burden to bear, but as a gift to receive. Eugene defined Sabbath as, Uncluttered time and space to distance ourselves from the frenzy of our own activities so we can see what God has been and is doing. Quieting the internal noise so we hear the still small voice of the Lord. Uncluttered time and space to detach ourselves from the people around us so that they have a chance to deal with God without our poking around or kibitzing. As I read those words, something in my soul opened up. He was describing the kind of rhythm that flowed out of worship, the embracing of limits, and the presence joy rather than a kind of non-stop, anxiety-ridden pastoral life built on proving myself to others. I realized I needed a new paradigm to be faithful to Jesus, to steward my life well, and to love my family and congregation. This paradigm required a weekly, sacred space and time fashioned amidst the hustle and bustle of a big city. For a few years, I struggled to apply the practice of Sabbath into my life, but in 2008, I joined a church in Queens whose pastor was shaped by Peterson as well. In my interview for the assistant pastor job, the senior pastor, Pete Scazzero, sat across a table filled with fries and grilled cheese sandwiches and said to mein what I thought was hyperbolic languageRich, theres only one way to get fired at this church. I sat up straight waiting for him to give an example of some kind of moral failure. He said, If you dont keep Sabbath you will get fired, because you wont have the kind of life that will sustain you for the kind of work pastoring entails. Later that day, I thought about Eugene. His writings prior to that conversation gave me a vision for what pastoring could and should be. Anyone seeking to have a long obedience in the same direction needs a regular rhythm of stopping. Otherwise, we wont make it. Im grateful Eugene gave me a vision of what faithful pastoring could be. Thank you, Eugene. Enjoy the fullness of your Sabbath rest. Nurturing souls is worth the sacrifice. Libbie Weber, co-rector of The Fellowship of St. Barnabas in Albuquerque, New Mexico Because of Eugene Peterson I lost my job. I didnt know him well, but he was my thesis advisor at Regent College. By taking his writing seriouslyand with a huge sense of relief at his shattering of the blustery business mindset that has overtaken many churches in the UShe brought me sanity and joy. Ive used his Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work as a standard for pondering how a particular year went in the life of the parish: how did we do in terms of Prayer-Directing, Story-Making, Pain-Sharing, Nay-Saying, and Community-Building? Some monthly and annual numbers are important, but our real work as pastors is in relationship building, founded in the Holy Trinity, who invite us into their community. But in churches where an entrepreneurial and marketing mindset prevails, this is not always understood. My husband, also an ordained minister, and I helped to establish a new Anglican parish several years ago and began to experience pushback for the ideas on which we preached and taught. We referenced Eugenes writing often, and when I read Amos 5 from The Message in preparation for one sermon, I knew he understood both Amos and our culture today. Verses 2124 say, Im sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. Ive had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me? All of this did not go over well with many of those seeking to influence the direction of our parish. Eventually we had to offer our resignations under great duress. It was painful and continues to wound even now. We lost our lives, in a sense, and many friends. Yet we have grown deeper in Christ through this turmoil. I bought As Kingfishers Catch Fire this past week, and I knew I was back at home when I read this in the preface: As time went on, I found myself increasingly at odds with my advisors on matters of means, the methods proposed for ensuring the numerical and financial viability of the congregation but without even a footnote regarding the nurturing of souls. Thats what I want to major in: the nurturing of souls. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment "Reconciliation means working together to correct the legacy of past injustice." Nelson Mandela The nations stand, again on the brink of another period of protests and demonstrations. Charlottesville and now a guilty verdict by a jury in Chicago convicting a police officer of second-degree murder still does not feel like justice. So many shootings, so much wrongdoing, every incident of another shooting of an African American male sends an already racially charged city sitting on a powder keg with a match lit and bracing to set the place on fire anew. What can the congregation and should we do? What can we do? The church can do what only we know how to do, preach and teach about reconciliation. Below are some steps in this process to begin the process. I am approaching this with the idea that truly only God can heal this problem; it is, of course, beyond human problem-solving abilities. 1) Admit we each are part of the problem. In this race relations issues, it seems that no one wants to come out and admit any culpability. Neither side wants to budge. Neither side wants to accept they each carry some level of responsibility. The rhetoric and divisive attitudes that continue to make matters more toxic and volatile. Until both sides are willing to admit they are part of the problem, no real healing is possible. This quote says it so clearly. "You have a choice. You can either focus on what's tearing us apart or what's holding us together." The talk we hear so often only continues to rip us apart. The church has the opportunity to preach love where there is hate and draw all people to the foot of the cross where we all stand the same as sinners in need of God's grace. 2) We need to come to a truce. At some point for this issue of race to improve we have to call for an end to the fighting. We have to stop seeing the other side as the evil villain that we are bent on defeating. The only way that happens is realizing that what is keeping us apart is sin. Sin is causing the bitterness and hatred. The effects of sin are growing and breeding between blacks and whites. The only thing that can defeat sin is God's love. Gwen Smith said so beautifully. "When we allow God's love to trump our anger, we can experience restoration in relationships." 3) We need to be willing to fight for the relationship. Relationships can feel like climbing Mount Everest, especially the difficult ones. Relationships can feel like the mountain where you can never seem to reach the summit. That usually means the systems you're using aren't working. It's okay to fall. It's okay to make mistakes and even be dead wrong. You will get mad. Relationships will cause you frustration. Heck, we are human, and as humans, we struggle with maintaining healthy relationships. But does that mean that we should never be in a relationship? Or does it say we keep fighting for relationships because we would die without them? The racial divide needs the chance to heal. It's not an option. But the church needs to take the lead. It will be painful. It's exhausting, and it's humbling, but we have to work together to solve this. It is too important not too. B. Keith Haney is a mission facilitator for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. He blogs at revheadpin.org. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment I recently saw an article about a Hindu man in India who (literally) worships a picture of President Trump. But that doesn't surprise me, given the nature of Hindu idolatry. What does surprise me is when a fellow-believer in Jesus tells me I'm a heretic and non-believer since I sometimes take issue with the president. (And remember: I voted for Trump and continue to support him.) That is as crazy as those who claim that if you voted for Donald Trump, you cannot be a Christian. The simple truth is that Donald Trump is the president, not the Messiah (and not the antimessiah, better known as the antichrist). Is this so hard to grasp? Yet the extreme rhetoric continues, going far beyond, "Either you love Trump or you hate Trump." It's more like, "Either you deify him or demonize him." Consequently, you either damn those who voted for him or you damn those who failed to vote for him. Can we really do no better than this? Are we doomed to such exaggerated and unhelpful positions for the next two (or 6) years? When I called for an honest and fair assessment of the charges against Brett Kavanaugh, while stating that the evidence did not seem to support the charges, someone posted on my AskDrBrown Facebook page, "I knew you were a heretic when I saw your positions on Trump and Kavanaugh." A heretic? Really? This was followed by, "If you do not support President Trump, you are NO follower of Jesus, I assure you of that. Jesus told me work to get Trump elected. If you are anti-Trump, it means that you do NOT hear the Voice of the Lord. Plain and simple. And if you do not hear the Voice of the Lord, then frankly you do not KNOW the Lord. Which sadly brings you back to being 'Joel Osteen with a handlebar mustache'...." Crazy talk? Unhinged talk? Absurd talk? Without a doubt. But totally isolated talk? Sadly, it is not. I have often been savaged by Trump supporters for daring to disagree with him publicly. (For the record, I don't have a handlebar mustache, and my message is quite different from that of Joel Osteen. But why get distracted by facts?) Not long after seeing those comments on Facebook, I spotted this on my Twitter feed: "Christian leaders should have never supported him. We have a Judas church." So, the entire church has gone the way of Judas Iscariot, as evidenced by the fact that some Christian leaders supported Trump. The pendulum of extreme rhetoric swings both ways. Some feel that it's sinful even for pastors to sit withPresident Trump and pray for him. An article in Christianity Today noted that, "This summer, President Donald Trump convened African American pastors at the White House to discuss criminal justice reform. The meeting angered a black ministers coalition, which wrote in an open letter, 'We need not remind you of the posture of the Prince of Peace, our Savior from the streets, when He stood before Herod and Pilate. He didn't even pray for them.' South Carolina megachurch pastor John Gray, who sat next to Trump and prayed to open the meeting, defended his attendance. 'Sitting at a table is neither affirming, endorsing, agreeing, nor aligning,' he said. Meanwhile, the criminal justice reform billthe reason for the meetinghas received congressional bipartisan support." So, if you're a real Christian leader, not only do you refuse to meet with the president. You don't even pray for him. Did I say something already about extreme rhetoric and crazy talk? Attacking the followers of Trump, "progressive" pastor John Pavlovitz wrote: "Donald Trump is divinity of sorts. "He is the snarling, sneering, spitting deity for fearful, angry people who finally have a god in their own image in whom they trust; one they can worship and bow down to and give their lives for." In similar fashion, Randy Deabay, wrote a small book titled, The Cultist Regime of Donald Trump and the Savior Complex...: A study of Donald Trump's failures and the Cultist fans who love him. According to Deabay, who is clearly a liberal, "IN AMERICA WE DON'T WORSHIP A PERSON WE WORSHIP GOD! Trump's backsliding, unethical, bigoted and vulgar America contrasts sharply with the America that we know and love. . . . The words of the cultist leader state his reality with 'With the exception of the late, great Abraham Lincoln, I can be more presidential than any president...' ~ Donald Trump." In reality, critics of President Obama could have written similar books attacking him and his followers. Was he not hailed as a savior figure of sorts? Did he not have rock star status, especially in the early days of his ascension to the presidency? Was he not "the Chosen One"? But conservative supporters of Trump have not helped with book titles like, In Trump We Trust: E Pluribus Awesome! Nor have conservative tweets like this been useful: "I truly believe that @realDonaldTrump isn't just the leader of the free world, but the savior of it as well. "May God bless America the last stand for western civilization." Even in context, this is massively overstated, to say the least. It is against this backdrop that I wrote my brand new book Donald Trump Is Not My Savior: An Evangelical Leader Speaks His Mind About the Man He Supports As President. We can support President Trump (as I do) without worshiping at his altar. And we can differ with him without damning him (and his followers). In my next article, I'll answer the question of evangelicals and Donald Trump. Is this a made match made in heaven or a marriage with hell? We do well to sort these issues out before the midterms. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Perhaps no international religious freedom case has gotten more attention in the United States in recent years than that of imprisoned American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who Turkey detained for over two years on politically motivated charges of espionage and terrorism. Labeled as a hated American spy, Pastor Brunson's case attracted even more attention within that country, most of it not welcome. I was visibly reminded of this as I drove past the armed troops stationed along the road leading to the detention center near Aliaga, Turkey, upon which I descended with others to monitor the latest hearing in the case against him as part of my work on religious freedom. Entering the courtroom, we looked toward an area where three judges would sit, slightly elevated, facing us, with the prosecutor sitting alongside them. Immediately below were several administrative court personnel, and below them, at floor level, was a large, sectioned-off box of seats in which only Pastor Brunson was located. His lawyer sat way off to his right, in a section of seating which ran along that wall. Prosecution witnesses sat on the other side. Those monitoring the hearing, which included Pastor Brunson's wife Norine, sat in a row of seats along the back wall. To our right were press and other observers (the Turkish Christian supporters of Pastor Brunson were not allowed in). Ten court security officers stood watch at points around the room. One had an odd impression staring at the large, relatively empty courtroom (it is a former gymnasium converted into a court to prosecute alleged perpetrators of the 2016 coup) from the small viewing area crammed with observers. It also felt modern and professionala perception which could make one uneasy knowing of the show trial-like handling of Pastor Brunson's case. The hearing opened with a girl in a wheelchair testifying for the prosecution. She said she didn't know Pastor Brunson, but she knew people who went to his church. She was questioned about whether these people were associated with terror groups. While such witness testimony might seem normal, an understanding of how the evidence has been manipulated in this case from the beginning helps one see that politics (not justice) is driving it. As she passed in front of us when leaving, I wondered what was going through her mind. What did she really think of Andrew Brunson? Pastor Brunson was asked to respond; he stood, moved to the front of his seating box, and answered the judges' questionsrespectfully as always. His attorney asked to call certain defense witnesses, but they were rejected. The distance between Pastor Brunson and his attorney made it impossible for them to communicate during this process, something which is common in court hearings in the United States, where people are permitted to assist their defense. After this, a witness (known for making false accusations) who had previously testified that Pastor Brunson was affiliated with terrorists was called up by video. Several other witnesses were brought into court and questioned in response. When their testimony rebutted his, the witness on video began arguing with one in court, with each claiming the other was a terrorist. This contradictory testimony, along with the testimony of a defense witness who had not previously been allowed to testify, provided the day's first glimmers of hope before we recessed for lunch. After an hour, we proceeded back into the courtroom, where Pastor Brunson and his attorney were conferring quietly, at times joined by Norine. While I knew he was leaning on his faith for strength and encouragement, these events were still quite taxing on him. Shortly into the afternoon session, the positive developments continued when the prosecutor said he would be discarding some previous prosecution witness testimonies. The judge then denied requests by two secret prosecution witnesses to be heard againthe first time a prosecution witness was refused! Yet our hopes soon slipped as the prosecutor launched into a lengthy reading of the original indictment, quite incredibly recommending that Pastor Brunson be sent back to jail. At this point, twenty or so reporters fled the courtroom, presumably to file stories. On the heels of these increasingly suspenseful developments, the judges announced another short recess. Things grew increasingly emotional, for no one more so than Andrew and Norine. At points throughout the day, Andrew would stand, turn around, and place his hand over his heart while staring at his wife. Norine would rise from her seat, place her hand over her heart, and stare back at Andrew. This was their way of telling each other "I love you." In addition to their faith in God, they leaned upon each other for strength throughout this ordeal. With additional security personnel lined up in front of us, the judges began the next session by rejecting Pastor Brunson's ability to offer more witnesses. Asked to respond, he exclaimed to the court, "I am innocent," and his attorney summarized the lack of evidence against him. Again, the judges announced a short recess. At this time, Pastor Brunson walked toward the back of his seating box. Staring at us, he broke down, shaking with silent sobs, with lowered head and shoulders slumped. Who could blame him after what he'd been through? He loved Turkey. He had only ever sought to bring the Gospel to the Turkish peopleand now this! Despite the promising evidence presented earlier in the day, none of us knew how the court was going to rule, and the prosecutor had just asked that he be sent back to jail. Things were as uncertain as they had ever been. Almost to herself, Norine sympathetically responded, "stay strong, baby!" As the next session began, it quickly became clear that the judges were unceremoniously announcing their findings. The verdict: Guilty of "assisting" a terror group. The sentence: 3 years, 1 month, and 15 days. Time served in prison would count toward this sentence. House arrest would be lifted, andmost importantlythe exit ban would be lifted (allowing him to leave the country). He was found guilty, but as of this moment, was free to leave the country. Pastor Brunson's long ordeal was over, and he was quickly whisked away in a flurry of activity designed to get him out of the country as soon as possible. As I drove back to Izmir, I reflected with thankfulness on Pastor Brunson's release. There was much to ponder; we may never know all the ways God has used and will continue to use the lives of Andrew and Norine Brunson. But one thing is clearthis was certainly a day to celebrate an injustice corrected, and to spur religious freedom advocates onward to work for the free expression of faith for all others worldwide. home US Christians block witches' hex against Donald Trump and Brett Kavanaugh with prayers Dozens of Christians protested Saturday's public hex of Donald Trump and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in New York, with Catholic exorcists condemning the witches. Only about 60 people of the over 1,300 that planned to attend showed up at the public hexing, the New York Post reported, while a dozen Christians protested outside the Brooklyn witch shop where the event took place. "We're praying against their hexes," one believer said. Catland Books, which organized the hexing, live streamed the event online, describing it as "an act of resistance and resilience." Dakota Bracciale, co-owner of Catland Books, told BBC News that the goal of the hex, which included candles and photo representations of Trump, Kavanaugh, and GOP Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, is "aimed at exposing Brett Kavanaugh for what he truly is, to cause him harm and see him undone." The organizers added that they expect to see results from the hex "as soon as possible." "There's not a firm timeline on these things," they added. Kavanaugh was accused by California professor Christine Ford of attempted rape in the 1980s. Other women have also accused him of other forms of sexual misconduct. He has denied all the accusations. Trump, along with the majority of Republican senators, decided to stand by Kavanaugh and successfully see him confirmed to the Supreme Court. Bracciale said that Catland Books has experienced "a pretty severe amount of backlash in the form of hate mail and death threats" due to the ritual. Bracciale insisted that previous hexes placed on Trump have proven to be successful, however, stating: "We feel the rituals were a success as they sought to expose Trump for what he is, and that has happened on many levels; from the Russia probe to the exposA on his finances to Stormy Daniels (the porn actress who says she had a sexual affair with Trump in 2006)." Defending the rituals, she aruged that witchcraft "has always been practiced by the most downtrodden, disenfranchised and oppressed peoples who have used it as a tool for survival... to be the arbiter of their own justice since it would be denied by the powers that be." Father Gary Thomas, a Roman Catholic exorcist for the Diocese of San Jose, California, said in an article for The National Catholic Register that priests have offered prayers for Kavanaugh in response to the hex, warning that witchcraft is a serious threat. "I'm appalled," Thomas said about the hex. "I sent this to a load of exorcists yesterday and their reaction was similar to mine. That shows this is not something that is make believe," he added. The exorcist said he has seen people in the satanic world grow bolder in the past decade or so. "They are more confident that the general public will be more accepting of the demonic," he claimed. "This is a conjuring of evil a not about free speech," Thomas continued. "Conjuring up personified evil does not fall under free speech. Satanic cults often commit crimes; they murder and sexually abuse everyone it their cult." The exorcist argued that curses placed on people in a state of grace do not have much effect, though in other cases he has seen people afflicted with physical illness, psychosis, depression, and what he said was demons attached to them. "The decision to do this against a Supreme Court justice is a heinous act and says a lot about the character of these people that should not be underestimated or dismissed," the priest said. "These are real evil people." Courtesy of The Christian Post home World UK Supreme Court Rules Bakery Was Free to Refuse Gay-Marriage Cake * Partner Post After four years of going back and forth, UK Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the couple-owned bakery that refused to make a cake supporting gay marriage. I know this may sound confusing to some of you, so let's backtrack a little bit and see where this entire incident began. Back in 2014, Amy and Daniel McArthur, owners of the Ashers Bakery in Belfast, refused to make a cake for Gareth Lee with the slogan "support gay marriage". Mr. Gareth Lee, a supporter of the campaign aiming to legalize gay marriage in Northern Ireland, intended to take the cake to a private International Day against Homophobia event. Obviously, he wasn't happy with the McArthurs' decision to refuse his order and decided to press charges. Here's where things get interesting. After the initial trial, the Ashers Baking Company was found guilty for refusing to make a cake on grounds of discrimination. The McArthurs were ordered to pay 500 pounds in damages plus court fees. Although the gay community thought justice was served, Ashers received worldwide support from likeminded Evangelists and Christians. This promptly brings us to today and the most recent verdict by the Supreme Court. The five justices found the bakery did not, in fact, refuse Mr. Lee based on his sexual orientation so there was no discrimination based on those accusations alone. The relationship between the two parties did not involve any refused jobs and/or services because of religious faith. Finally, all charges against the Ashers were officially dropped. It's case which garnered the attention the world over. The Ashers received as much support as they received criticism. The reason the court wasn't able to find them guilty is that they were simply denying Mr. Lee on the grounds of their own belief. Being Christian, they did not support the message the cake was supposed to be adorned with and had every right to refuse the request. Had they refused him simply because he's a same-sex supporter, the court would have probably swung the other way. Although the case is officially closed, we feel like things have just started getting heated up. The gay community is still riled up and is surely not going to simply forget about this and move on. The Ashers were ordered to return the 36 pounds to Mr. Lee he paid for the cake, but he states that just made him feel like less of a human being. Although we're strongly against discrimination, this isn't a case of clear discrimination. The McArthurs were refusing service based on their own beliefs and something they're strongly fond of, expressive their right to freedom of speech under article 10 of the European convention of human rights. What's your take on the matter? Do you think justice prevailed or was Mr. Lee discriminated unjustly? If you have any personal injury claims to make yourself make sure to visit Foyle Legal, for the best No Win No Fee Guarantee lawyers. Migrant caravan crisis: World Vision tells Trump not to punish home countries Christian aid organisation World Vision has called on the US government to protect migrant children and families and condemned threats to withhold aid to their home countries. A migrant 'caravan' estimated at 7,000 to 10,000 Central Americans fleeing violence and poverty in their homelands is in southern Mexico, inching towards the distant US border. President Trump, fighting to retain Republican control of the Senate and House of Representatives next month, has described this as a 'national emergency'. 'Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were not able to do the job of stopping people from leaving their country and coming illegally to the US. We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them,' Trump wrote in a series of Twitter posts. 'Remember the Midterms!' he tweeted. World Vision said in a statement: 'Sadly, the countries of the Northern Triangle El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras continue to be plagued by endemic levels of crime and violence that have made many communities extremely dangerous, especially for children.' It said: 'Because World Vision works in hundreds of communities in Latin America, we understand the violence and sense of hopelessness that is driving families to leave their homes. As Christians, we are called to love and serve the most vulnerable among us, to welcome the stranger, and to show hospitality to those in need (Matthew 25:35).' World Vision does not encourage families to migrate, it said, but was 'deeply concerned for the health and safety of children and families fleeing the violence in Honduras and urge that measures are taken to appropriately care for these children while they are on the move. Our hope is that by addressing the root causes of poverty and violence across Latin America, we can prevent unsafe migration from happening in the future and protect children from the violence and trauma they may encounter at home or along the way.' It urged the US government to address the 'root causes' of migration through foreign assistance, which 'should not be used as a tool to penalize the home countries of migrants, but should instead remain focused on improving the lives of the most vulnerable so that children and their families may safely remain home'. The caravan is still a long way more than 1,100 miles (1,800 km) from the US border. Mexico hopes to disperse the convoy long before it can reach the border using bureaucratic procedures, telling migrants to register with authorities in order to submit applications for asylum in Mexico. Additional reporting by Reuters. Noah and Abraham: Keeping the faith and breaking the rules Why does the Bible say (Genesis 6:9): 'Noah was a righteous man, perfect in his generations. With G-d walked Noah'? G-d warns Noah that he is very upset with the way the world is going. He is going to bring it to its senses through the Flood. Noah should prepare a temporary floating home for himself, his immediate family and the animals. Noah complies with this command and is saved from the flood, together with his family and the animals. However, in the subsequent story of Abram, G-d orders the latter to 'Go for yourself from your land, from your relatives and from your father's house' (Genesis 12:1). Noah obeys G-d by leaving his comfort zone, building a boat and living in it together with his family and animals until dry land appears. By contrast, Abram is to leave his comfort zone without any of his family and make a new start in an unknown environment. Later (Genesis 17:1), G-d tells Abram to 'Walk before me and be perfect.' At this point, G-d makes a covenant with Abram. Abram now becomes Abraham, the father of many, and is circumcised. The Hebrew for both covenant and circumcision is brit. What is the difference between Noah and Abraham? Noah is the type of person who is extremely cautious by nature, sticks to the rules, never questions and just looks after himself and his immediate environment. This is why, when Noah finds himself outside his safety zone, he 'debases himself' (Genesis 9:20), in the words of the biblical commentator Rashi; he gets drunk and becomes an embarrassment to his children. Abram becomes Abraham after a number of tests specially designed by G-d. However, Abraham doesn't schmooze G-d: he doesn't suck up to him or to anyone else and sometimes he argues with G-d that G-d is being unreasonable by his own standards. This Abraham-type attitude towards G-d is the prophetic role in Judaism, which will come to its climax in the person of Moses who is known as 'our teacher'. Abraham is a fitting role model for Moses and after him for Isaiah, Hosea, Amos, Micah and all the other great Hebrew prophets who have both warned and comforted the Jewish people over thousands of years. Abraham's finest moment is when he encounters G-d at Sodom (Genesis 18) and pleads with him not to destroy all the people on account of the wickedness of the vast majority of the town. Abraham bargains with G-d. If 50 people can be found? If 45 people can be found? 40? 30? 20? 10? Alas, 10 men were not found and Sodom was destroyed for the sin of lack of hospitality towards strangers. Noah was perfect in his own generation, but only by sticking to the letter of the law and walking with G-d. This is the sort of attitude that we found among the ordinary Germans during the Holocaust: sticking to the letter, their very efficiency brought an inferno upon the world and themselves. One of the great 20th century rabbinic thinkers, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who studied philosophy in Berlin during the last weeks up to the accession of Hitler in January 1933, always blamed the Holocaust on the overly compliant nature of the Germans, which he saw with his own eyes. The Abrahams of this world are not easy to control and usually act outside of the box. Winston Churchill was of this ilk when in 1940 he nearly single-handedly took on the British establishment, including friends in his own party (and he was nothing if not loyal to his friends), because G-d had given him the vision to see clearly the outcome of appeasement of Hitler and his allies. Another great Abraham type was Rav Abraham Isaac Kook, whose English was negligible, but who took on the British Oxford graduate and governor general of Jerusalem (Ronald Storrs) as chief rabbi under the Mandate (1921-35). When Rav Kook got nowhere with Storrs, he advocated go-slows and strike action against the British rulers of the Jews of Palestine who were favouring the Arabs at that time. Most Noah types are highly respected pillars of the community but outside of that community they are lost and often revert to infantile behaviour, frequently with dire consequences. The Abrahams of this world will never receive OBEs, CBEs or reach the heights of the official church of the land. Their mission in life is summed up best by another great 20th thinker who studied philosophy in pre-Hitlerite Berlin with the Lubavitcher Rabbi Rav Joseph Soloveitchik. In his book, The Lonely Man of Faith, Soloveitchik posits two types of 'Adam': the communal, back-slapping Adam of the public face, and the inner, spiritual being who would prefer to be alone with his or her G-d. This Lonely Person of Faith as we would say nowadays is all of us. The challenge faced by religious people is not only not to be taken over by the strictures of our religion (symbolised by Noah's ark on the stormy seas), but to use those very strictures to be of benefit to humanity and to the wider world. Noah let the side down: Abraham rose to the occasion and G-d was pleased with him for so doing. The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rav Soloveitchik and others all 'sat at the feet' of the greatest philosopher of the 20th century, the German existentialist, Martin Heidegger, author of the monumental Being and Time, who attracted hordes of students to his lectures on philosophy at Berlin University. Heidegger was certainly able to think outside the box (especially when he used the work of others, mostly Jews, without acknowledging their input). But as soon as Hitler came to power in January 1933, Heidegger hailed him in Messianic terms, removed Jewish colleagues from university posts and usurped their positions. He also endorsed the Nazi regime 100 per cent. What separates the Abraham types from the rest is the ability not only to think differently, but to act differently. In Judaism it is not words but deeds that count and all of us (at one time or another) fall short. It is the brave person who is able to stand outside the flow and act according to what G-d really wants and not just what the social and religious conventions of the time require. For this trait, Jews have been persecuted by other, more conformist, religions, as well as by atheists, secularists and governments of all hues. But Abraham and his spiritual descendants have always known that challenges are there for a purpose. Simply keeping to the rules might be OK for 99 per cent of the time. However, in all of our lifetimes there will be at least one situation where rules and regulations, social conventions and worrying about what people think have to be sacrificed on the altar of the greater good. For Abraham this was Sodom and for the Jewish people in general it is the fact that we have no true friends but G-d and still have to behave towards others as we hope they would (in a world peopled by Abrahams and not by Noahs) behave towards us. Dr Irene Lancaster is a Jewish academic, author and translator who has established university courses on Jewish history, Jewish studies and the Hebrew Bible. Turkey's Protestants are 'stronger' after Brunson trial Turkey small Protestant community feels 'stronger' after the Andrew Brunson case, a representative has told the Al-Monitor website. Brunson was released last week after being found guilty of terrorism-related charges widely regarded as spurious and sentenced to time served. His case had caused a meltdown in relationships between Turkey and the US. According to Soner Tufan, a spokesman for the Association of Protestant Churches in Turkey, the community had emerged stronger from the trauma. He told Al-Monitor: 'People tend to believe the church was weakened by all that happened, but curiously, that's not the case.' He said that as a result of the Brunson case, 'The people's attachment to their church grew stronger. [The Brunson affair] led them to embrace more strongly their faith. I lead services at the Kurtulus Church in Ankara every Sunday. I've been at this church for 30 years and I can say that the number of people coming to the church increased thrice after what happened to Brunson. The place even began to become jam-packed, with people overflowing out the door.' He said the case had also brought the different Christian churches closer together in solidarity. Brunson's former church in Izmir had purchased its own building immediately following his release, having suspended its plans during his imprisonment. Tufan said this had a 'symbolic importance'. He said religious prejudice remained strong in Turkey and expressed disappointment that Protestants had not received support from outside the Christian community. Religious and ethnic minorities were always under state surveillance, he said. 'Alevis and Jehovah's Witnesses are the subject of the same scrutiny in this sense. In my view, Protestants are not seen as a big threat at present, but if something happens one day, they might think, "Let's stamp them out."' He said: 'The real surprise for me will be if the leaders of this country respect and appreciate me for my faith and recognise my rights.' Sprouts Farmers Market is on track to open seven stores in the first quarter, including a location in Sugar Land that will employ 140 workers. Opening dates and hiring information will be announced in early 2019. The self-proclaimed "Frack Master" Chris Faulkner of Dallas-based Breitling Energy agreed to a plea deal with a 12-year prison sentence for securities fraud, money laundering and tax evasion, the Securities and Exchange Commission said. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged Faulkner in 2016 with leading a wide-ranging securities-fraud scheme that raised over $80 million from hundreds of investors nationwide to help fund a lifestyle of "decadence and debauchery," including luxury vehicles, private jets, exotic dancers and sex workers. "First Man" star Ryan Gosling isn't the only one blazing down the red carpet. Houston native actor Gavin Warren, at just 10 years old, is turning heads for his impeccable style. According to U.S. Government Information on Organ Donation and Transplantation, hundreds of thousands of patients across the U.S. are currently on a waiting list for a transplanted organ, and 20 people die each day waiting for a transplant. However, researchers within the Texas Medical Center are currently working on technological advances using 3D bio-printed organs and devices that could eventually help to eliminate the current organ shortage. Biotechnology company BIOLIFE4D (www.biolife4d.com) is focused on leveraging advances in tissue engineering to 3D-print human organs viable for transplant. BIOLIFE4D's first major project is creating on a human heart that's made out of a patient's own cells to completely eliminate the negative issues associated with the diseases of people who are fortunate enough to get a heart transplant, such as the chance of rejection and the immunosuppressant therapy they have to take to prevent rejection. To do this, the company will take a patient's white blood cells from their blood and reprogram them to become induced adult stem cells. They will then take a certain group of them and use those to print cardiomyocytes (or cardiac muscle cells) and then take another group to print the other types of cells that make up the heart. Once they have these different cell types, which all came from the person's white blood cells, they will then use those as ink in order to bio-print the organ. CEO Steve Morris started BIOLIFE4D in 2016 in an effort to bring together experts in different specialties in all the individual processes it takes to ultimately 3D bio-print a human organ. In May 2018, the company moved into Johnson & Johnson Innovation JLABS in the Texas Medical Center, while also establishing strategic partnerships with and gaining access to core facilities at institutions such as MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston Methodist and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). According to Morris, only about 6,000 heart transplants took place globally in 2017. However, one out of every three people in the world with cardiovascular disease dies every year because of the fact that there are so few hearts (in addition to other vital human organs) currently available for transplant. BIOLIFE4D's method would completely eliminate the chance of rejection for the patient. "This shows that there are literally millions of people who could have been saved by a heart transplant," he said. "At the same time, one of the biggest issues with heart transplants is that if you're lucky enough to get one, you're essentially trading one disease for another because you still have to essentially shut down your immune system to that the body doesn't reject it. As a result, heart transplant patients tend to only have about a 10-year average lifespan after their operation, which will likely come with a large amount of recurring problems such as infections and other problems that their immune system would have otherwise taken care of." According to Morris, 3D printed organs are technology that will be met with open arms by the health insurance industry. Currently, about $1.4 million is spent on every person who gets a heart transplant. While patients would still deal with the costs of a hospital stay and surgery, the overall cost of using a bio-printed organ made of a patient's own cells would likely cost a fraction of what it would for a transplant because of the elimination of post-procedure expenses like immunosuppressant therapy. "Implanted 3D-printed organs like we're working on is one of those unique things that is a win-win for everybody," he said "Insurance companies will look at this favorably in terms of cost models, as it will be significantly less expensive than the currently available options. We're confident that there's nothing that will predict what a human heart will do better than a human heart." This technology is currently several years away from being available for use, however. On its way to creating a full human heart viable for transplantation, BIOLIFE4D is working on developing other components of the heart such as valves, grafts and a cardiac patch. The company is also working with contract research organizations that will work with pharmaceutical companies and drug discovery companies in order to provide this as a better predictive model than the current animal testing that is currently available. According to Morris, BIOLIFE4D's method will come with no chance of rejection. Generally speaking, the chance of rejection in this type of technology depends on how 3D-printed organs are produced. However, he believes that this technology will solve the organ transplant shortage. "Once this option is available and this technology is on the market, nobody is going to choose to do a transplant, because of the fact that it's basically just trading one disease for another," he said. "By having another fully viable transplanted heart with our method, it will not only save their life but will also actually give them a good quality of life. This heart will be able to grow with them, no matter what age they are." Morris said the only real potential disadvantage with BIOLIFE4D's option is the possibility of someone not being able to get a bioengineered organ by the time they would need the transplant. "However, most of the time people know that they're predisposed to heart disease, or they may have already had a heart attack and it's not something that's a complete surprise to them," he said. "As such, we are working toward other solutions such as banking the blood cells that have been reprogrammed into adult induced stem cells and then into different heart cells so that we have the different building blocks we need for that particular patient's heart. Once people know they are at risk, we can begin this process and then cryogenically store the cells. So if they suddenly have that need, we can unfreeze the cells and then just bio-print the heart to finish off the process and bring that length of time as short as possible." "We have an opportunity to literally save millions of people's lives with this incredible technology," he said. "Ultimately it will be leveraged to other organs, such as the kidneys, which could eliminate patients' need for dialysis, or the pancreas, to eliminate Type 1 diabetes in patients who have it because their current organ doesn't produce insulin." Julie Hakim, M.D., an assistant professor in obstetrics and gynecology in the division of pediatric adolescent and gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, is currently working on prototypes of 3D-printed devices that can be used in the field of gynecology. These devices, which include dilators and stents to fit the anatomical needs of children and adolescents, will be able to be used to either reduce scar tissue formation in the vaginal tract, or are needed gynecological instruments that don't currently exist on the market. "I think that gynecology in general has an opportunity to explore this space, because there has been interest in creating or helping women with reproductive needs, and the availability of reproductive organs as transplants are not widely available," she said. One of Hakim's projects has been a thin, wire-like device that can be placed into the vaginal cavity to take a 3D scan. The reason that this is needed is because not every patient's vaginal cavity is the same, especially in children and adolescents who have complex gynecologic needs or need major reconstructive surgery where you need to make the right instruments for a particular patient. The conditions of these patients can be varied; the most common ones Hakim has seen are patients born without a vagina (a condition known as vaginal agenesis, or Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome), or one that is partially formed (also known as vaginal atresia). Another condition this technology would help repair is in which a patient's urethra, vagina and anus are joined inside the pelvis (a condition known as cloaca), passing all bodily fluids and waste through one channel. As a result, these patients need major reconstructive surgery. Hakim's team is also working on developing a mechanical leech to reduce the issue related to scar tissue formation and especially to improve grafts and flaps that are sometimes placed into the vagina when more tissue is needed while they are creating new vaginas for some of these girls. Oftentimes patients need more tissue and don't have enough vaginal tissue of their own for physicians to work with, so they harvest tissue from their mouths or legs, for example, and sometimes these flaps or grafts don't work. According to Hakim, leeches have been used in medicine for years and some of their main benefits include helping grafts to take and promote neovascularization (or the formation of new blood vessels) and decrease stagnant blood flow that then prevents new blood flow from coming into the area where the fresh flap is. On the topic of organ transplantation in general, Hakim noted that the decision as to whether or not to go through with an organ transplantation surgery depends on the organ and condition a patient is dealing with. "I think there's a difference between 'I need a kidney' versus 'I need a uterus,'" she said. "Those are very different discussions mainly because there is more availability of one type of organ versus another. But I think the same metrics really apply to each discussion and you have to ask 'What's the health benefit,' 'What's the health cost,' 'What's my disease prognosis if I don't get a transplant versus if I do,' and 'Am I willing to assume the risks if I do?' Those are some of the broad questions that you would ask, no matter what organ." Hakim said that the devices she's working on developing wouldn't have much chance of rejection because they wouldn't be long-term implanted organs. Almost everything a phone call to your doctor can accomplish, an online patient portal can do better and at any time of the day or night. That's the sentiment and reality from those on both sides of the patient-care equation in this age of electronic health records (EHR) and online access to everything from ahi tuna to zoo tickets. According to HealthIT.gov, the official website of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), a patient portal is a secure website that gives patients using a secure username and password convenient, 24-hour access to personal health information from anywhere with an Internet connection. And that is just the beginning. Most portals provide information such as details about recent office visits, medication, immunizations, current allergies and lab results, and many allow patients to securely message their doctors, request prescription refills and schedule non-urgent appointments, among other tasks. There are also numerous smartphone apps that that can interface with many hospitals or medical practices to facilitate a patient's access to all of the services a dedicated portal offers. Among those apps are Bridge, IntelliChart, IRIS and MyChart. Security concerns about online health records were thought to be keeping some patients away from the portals, but as with other security-sensitive operations and "transactions," exhaustive steps have been taken. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) required the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop regulations protecting the privacy and security of certain health information. The portals, like the hospitals and medical practices from which they emanate, are required to keep secure the personal data and medical information about patients. Utilization of online portals by hospitals and smaller medical practices has become vital, but patient engagement is still not at desired levels. "When we first launched our portal three years ago," said Dr. Angela Mosely-Nunnery of Houston, "about 10 percent of my patients used it. Now about 50 percent of our patients use it." Crucially, with documentation, parents can access their children's records, and older adults can grant their adult children access to personal health records. In smaller communities, the portals are just as vital and are very similar. While not all online portals have identical functionality, that is where the program is headed. "Once you get logged in, many portals can communicate with one another," said Reagan McFarland, an RN, veteran ICU nurse and IT clinical analyst in Waynesboro, Mississippi, where she administers the online portal for an 80-bed hospital, a home-health agency and several doctors' offices. "That (inter-functionality) should be the goal, especially if a patient has several doctors. But at this point, just getting a patient to use the app is a good start," she said. At Wayne General Hospital, the portal has been functional for three years, but McFarland has been working toward higher patient utilization. Her mantra, medically speaking, is "health care at your fingertips. It is what we are really pushing with the patient portal," she said. "For example, if someone forgets the dose of a medicine he is on, he can check the portal for that information and convey that to another prescribing physician who will then have the information needed to prevent drug interactions or even overdoses." Similarly, if a patient faces an out-of-town medical emergency, the portal can provide critical information to an attending physician. Concerns about an electronic interface replacing the human interaction crucial to doctor-patient relationships is unfounded, proponents said. "Not only is the patient portal a HIPAA-compliant platform," Mosley-Nunnery said, "a patient can also click a button on our portal and see me face to face, just as if he were there with me. Patients want direct access to the physician," she added. "And not only does the portal give the patient more access, it is more efficient from the doctor's perspective." The move to EHRs means lab results will be posted on a user's protected portal site, but dire diagnoses or other life-changing news will always be delivered in person at a follow-up office visit after a patient is called by phone to come in for a visit, McFarland said. Providers will continue to engage their patients even outside of office visits, she said. "They don't want to relinquish that personal contact with their patients," she said. A knock at the door interrupts scientist Nakia Spencer in her research lab at the Center for Co-Clinical Trials, a division of Therapeutics Discovery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Spencer sets aside her test involving a combination of an experimental drug with a standard-of-care one to greet a doctor leading a tour group of cancer patients. Spencer invites the group in for a peek at the science behind their care. "I started talking with a patient, and she mentioned the drug she was taking; it was the same as one of the drugs I was experimenting with that day," Spencer said. Talking with a patient about her experience was a significant change for the scientist. "Before coming to MD Anderson, I was in academic research that wasn't patient-focused. But interacting with patients is when it comes together for me. I wanted to have a more direct impact on patients, and that is our primary goal here," Spencer said. Getting out of silos and into proximity is part of what is changing the paradigm for translating research into treatment. For Philip Jones, vice president of Therapeutics Discovery, changing concepts was the intention of the cancer center when it assembled a specialized group of clinicians, researchers and drug development experts six years ago to shake up the usual process and work collaboratively. By working closely with patients and clinicians, the goal of the Therapeutics Discovery team is to bring transformational medicines to patients quickly, safely and effectively. "If you think about how drugs are typically developed, it starts with a breakthrough, a scientific discovery," Jones said. "Then the researchers hand this information over to a biotech or pharma firm to run with in isolation for years. At some point, they throw an experimental therapeutic over the fence to a comprehensive cancer center to begin a clinical trial. It's like a relay race, with a lot of hand-offs that can cause a project to lose momentum. With our resources, we have a unique opportunity to learn directly from patients and work closely with clinicians to find relevant disease pathways, develop novel drugs and advance them rapidly to patients in need, all under one roof." Jones said the exchanges between Therapeutics Discovery's four research platforms represents "team science" at its best. These platforms, representing various stages and aspects of research, are the Institute for Applied Cancer Science, the Center for Co-Clinical Trials, Oncology Research For Biologics and Immunotherapy Translation, and the Neurodegeneration Consortium. "We've recruited a wealth of talent because of the uniqueness of what we are doing in Houston," he said. "It takes a distinct pool of different skill sets to make a drug. We are essentially engineering a culture change, with scientists coming together behind a meritorious program driven by clinical insight. Also, by positioning our research in proximity to the patients and interacting with them, it drives our passion for discovery." Spencer agreed, so much so that she volunteers at MD Anderson's stem cell transplant unit to get more patient contact. Rather than sitting in a lab far from the patient, Spencer can see how her investigations fit in the continuum. New cancer drug discovery IACS-10759 is a drug that inhibits a vital metabolic process (oxidative phosphorylation) required for cancer cells' growth and survival. It represents the first drug of this type that the Therapeutics Discovery team has developed from concept to clinical trial. There are currently two trials for IACS-10759 at MD Anderson, one for acute myeloid leukemia and another for solid tumors. The process from discovery to trial took about 18 months, but there is still a long road ahead before the institution could submit the drug for Food and Drug Administration approval. See More Collapse "People assume we are just an academic research lab here, but we do much more than that," she said. "Not only do we have investigational research, but we also make drugs, like a biotech. Our clinicians may have an idea and we can make and test a drug for them. I like that we aren't passing off research to some large pharma but get to see it all the way to clinical trial. And we are able to work on things others don't want to work on, like rare cancers." Jones said the Therapeutics Discovery team's discovery of IACS-10759 is an example (with more to come in 2019) of the scenario Spencer described. This new small-molecule drug is now in phase 1 clinical trials. "We know of this rare mutation in a particular cancer, but this research would not get on pharma's radar due to the limited number of patients with this mutation," he said. "However, we recognized a devastating disease that we could directly impact. The patients are our shareholders. We're not in this for commercial gain, which allows the institution access to new therapies otherwise not available to patients." Spencer is excited about the possibilities. "Being part of Therapeutics Discovery, I know I'm in a role that will make a difference," she said. "It's not just about me or my team but working together for one goal to impact patients by providing better treatments." British fashion designer Jenny Packham is perhaps best known for her most famous client. When Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (or Kate Middleton, to adoring fans), stepped out in one of Packham's designs for her first royal engagement post-wedding to Prince William, the world took notice. The Duchess has since worn Packham's dresses to depart St. Mary's Hospital after giving birth to all three of her children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. "That's the only maternity wear I've ever done," Packham quipped during a recent trip to Houston. And while she was game to dish on her royal customers, the fashion designer's sophomore Bayou City visit was for a much less-discussed topic: her family's history with breast cancer. "My mother had breast cancer when I was young, but I didn't know until she died 30 years later," Packham told the Chronicle before Memorial Hermann's 2018 Razzle Dazzle Luncheon. "It wasn't mentioned in my house. She recovered, but now (breast cancer) is such a more open subject." LOOKING BACK: Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle before they were royals The healthcare system's ninth annual fundraiser embraced a "Goes Royal" theme for the occasion, evidence that our town's recent British (pop culture) invasion is still alive and well. This year's chair, Bobbie Nau, honored the legacy of Eileen Campbell and raised a record-breaking $500,000 toward early detection and outreach programs at the Bobetta C. Lindig Breast Care Center in Memorial City. There, at the Westin, some 600 survivors and supporters packed into the deliciously pink ballroom for the midday fundraiser filled with little English touches. "We cannot fit anybody else in this room," observed emcee and KTRK-13 anchor Gina Gaston Elie of the sold-out crowd. Donna Vallone delivered the invocation before Memorial Hermann Foundation CEO and Executive Vice President Anne Neeson introduced breast cancer survivor Mia Trevillion-Barney. Barney, a fitness instructor whose zest for life knows no bounds, was diagnosed with Stage II Triple Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma on her 47th birthday. The date also coincided with the anniversary of her grandmother's passing, who also battled the disease. MORE ROYALS: And baby makes three: Prince Harry and Meghan's child on way But Barney's story has a happy ending. "Memorial Hermann's staff devised a treatment plan that worked with my lifestyle, which was incredibly important to me. This allowed me to follow the mantra, 'I have cancer, but I'm not sick.'" Unfortunately, Campbell did not her survive her own breast cancer diagnosis. Daughters Meghan Leggett and Kathleen Becraft joined their father Doug Perley on stage and spoke passionately of their mother's memory. Later, Packham and journalist Clifford Pugh switched gears with a light-hearted Q&A as models showed off wow-factor evening wear. "Houston is a great market for me because women here really enjoy dressing up," Packham said. "It's not like that in the UK, where women buy one or two formal pieces." "Texans are into vibrant color and texture. You might have to put those clothes away for awhile, then bring them back out again." Looking over the sea of blush, bubblegum and fuchsia, Razzle Dazzle's target audience happily invests in a closet full of pink for a good cause. Milan Gilberto Benetton, one of the four founding siblings of the iconic Benetton fashion brand known as much for its provocative ad campaigns as its colorful knitwear, died Monday evening at age 77, his family announced. The family said Benetton's wife, Lalla, two daughters, Barbara and Sabrina, and son-in-law Ermanno were by his side at his home in the northern city of Treviso, near where the fashion company is based. The news agency ANSA said he had suffered an undisclosed illness. Gilberto, along with siblings Carlo, Luciano and Giuliana, founded Benetton as a knitwear company in 1965, transforming it into a global brand that sustained steady growth in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, only to suffer the competition from fast-fashion in the 2000s. The company has gone through multiple relaunches and management changes over the last decade or so. Benetton's ad campaigns have challenged racial, religious and gender stereotypes, often courting controversy. Some of the most provocative included an image of Pope Benedict XVI kissing an imam, which angered the Vatican, while humanitarian groups protested earlier this year against an ad that contained photographs of migrant rescues. Over the years, the family became increasingly involved in financial investments through the Edizione holding company, which Gilberto was instrumental in creating 30 years ago. He remained Edizione's deputy chairman and chairman of one of the key investments, the Autogrill highway and airport restaurant concession, until his death. The family's investment in Autostrade per l'Italia SpA has come under intense political scrutiny following the collapse of the Genoa highway bridge in August, which killed 43 people. The Italian government has pledged to revoke the highway concessions granted to Autostrade, alleging that poor maintenance contributed to the disaster. While the cause has not yet been determined, prosecutors have identified managers of Autostrade among the more than 20 people under investigation. Fabio Cerchiai, chairman of Atlantia, the infrastructure company that controls Autostrade, and Autostrade CEO Giovanni Castellucci remembered Gilberto for his ''great entrepreneurial vision, which indicated the way to open new courses for development." The family also lost Carlo, the youngest of the four siblings, who died in the summer at age 74. A Galveston County jury sentenced a Livingston man to 45 years in prison for fatally stabbing his 16-year-old girlfriend 50 times in 2016 in Texas City, rejecting the defense's argument that the crime was committed in "sudden passion." Jesse Dobbs, 23, who pleaded guilty in September to stabbing Kristin Fritch 50 times, was shaking visibly, clutching the hand of his defense attorney Jyll Rekoff as the jury read the verdict. He will be eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence. Dobbs told Judge Lonnie Cox during his sentencing that he plans to appeal his sentence. Jury deliberations began Monday afternoon after more than 30 witnesses, including Dobbs, testified about the case in the punishment trial phase. Rekoff was hoping the jury would rule that the Dobbs killed Fritch out of "sudden passion," capping Dobbs' sentence at 20 years. "Not real happy with the verdict, we thought it was going to be sudden passion, but on the flip side, we're really happy it's not life," Rekoff said in the courtroom after the verdict was read. Read more: Baytown murder suspect Jesse Dobbs stabbed teen 50+ times Prosecutors Bill Reed and Matthew Shawhan were hoping the jury would recommend a life sentence, believing that Dobbs was not only responsible for killing Fritch but also may have had a role in the shooting deaths of Fritch's mother, Cynthia Morris, 37, and Breanna Pavilicek, 13, in Baytown. "We put forward the evidence and we asked for a substantial prison sentence because we believe that, based on the facts and the evidence, not only in this case but based on his criminal history and the child sexual abuse offenses, that he is a danger to the community and that's why we asked for life," Reed said after the verdict was read. Reed added that he believed the Harris County district attorney should take a fresh look at the Morris and Pavilicek murders in the wake of the punishment trial and evidence they presented. No one has been charged in those murders, though Baytown police detectives maintained during the trial that Dobbs is their primary suspect. Doyle Morris Jr., Fritch's uncle and Cynthia Morris' brother, echoed the prosecution's desire to see Dobbs charged in the killings of Morris and Pavilicek. "We're obviously not happy about it, but we're happy that he's going to jail for a while," Morris said. "And we hope the DA continues to push forward and get the truth for the two Baytown murders. Our sister and nieces deserve this." The Baytown slayings are what led authorities to search for Fritch, having responded to the family's home on the morning of Nov. 8, 2016, where they found Morris and her younger daughter shot to death in the master bedroom. Read more: Lawyer: 'Another side to story' of Baytown triple murder Hours later, Baytown police put out an Amber Alert for Fritch, who was missing along with Dobbs and the family car. Fritch's body was found more than 36 hours later in a Texas City drainage ditch, her body in the initial stages of decomposition and covered with stab wounds. Dobbs was later picked up by police at Shenanigan's bar in Texas City. Dobbs testified on Monday that he snapped and killed Fritch after she called him a rapist and threatened to frame him for the murders of her mother and sister. Dobbs maintains that Fritch was responsible for their deaths. Fritch's family members were in the audience when the verdict was read, appearing visibly disappointed that the jury did not return a life sentence for Dobbs. In an emotionally charged moment, three of Fritch's family members read victim impact statements during Dobbs' sentencing Barbara DeRamus, her grandmother, uncle Doyle Morris Jr., and aunt Sherry Morris with Dobbs looking on stonefaced in handcuffs and a green Galveston County Jail jumpsuit. Her uncle, Morris Jr., scoffed at the defense's notion that Dobbs committed a crime of passion. He addressed Dobbs directly by saying a crime of passion "would be if I came over and beat your ass right now." DeRamus, tears streaming down her face, called Dobbs a "monster" who preyed on vulnerable young victims. "Kirstin had a big heart and wanted to help you, Jesse," DeRamus screamed. "Thanks to you, her big heart got her, her mom, and her little sister murdered." Sherry Morris said Dobbs was "a cancer," and that Fritch "had no chance with this disease." Morris punctuated her statement by describing Dobbs as "a rapist," the same name he said her niece insulted him with prior to her to death. "Knowing you will be locked up in a hole for 45 years gives us all a sliver of peace," Morris said. "Don't get too comfortable though, there's more to come, rapist." Nick Powell covers Galveston County for the Chronicle. Follow him on Twitter and send him tips at nick.powell@chron.com MILFORD U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal toured Bucks Ice Cream plant Tuesday and realized like most others do that hed eaten the ice cream before and savored it but he didnt know the name because it is sold wholesale to high-end restaurants, country clubs, ice cream parlors and banquet halls. The family-owned company of three generations that supplies ice cream products through most of the state got the visit from Blumenthal as a nod for receiving the 2018 Connecticut and New England awards from the states Small Business Administration for Best Family Owned Business of the year. A family-owned business like this is the lifeblood of our economy, Blumenthal said, as he toured the factory, walking past huge refrigerators of cream, shiny silver vats where the ice cream is processed and 2.5-gallon tubs waiting to be packed and stored in a freezer set at 30 degrees below zero. Many Fortune 500 Companies started as family-owned businesses, Blumenthal said, adding that family-owned businesses are important in providing jobs. Bucks should be an inspiration to those who have thought about starting a business, the senator said. As difficult as it may seem to believe, this business is the American Dream you start with an idea, make an investment, and build, Blumenthal said. It was during the visit through casual conversation that Blumenthal realized he had tasted the ice cream recently at Heirloom, a restaurant in New Haven where the family celebrated his daughters birthday. They had the best ice cream. I said to my wife, You can have the cobbler (which it came on top of) Ill have the ice cream, Blumenthal said. The ice cream factory and offices are situated in an industrial area of Pepes Farm Road, across from the U.S. Post Office. The business today is run by Charles Buck Jr., his wife, Kandice Buck, both of Milford, and their adult children, Chris Buck, 38, Sarah Buck, 36 and Charles Buck III, 41. The business was started in 1950 by Charles Buck Jr.s father, Charles Buck Sr. and it started really small. Chris Buck said as the story goes, his grandfather had a close friend that was like family in Brooklyn, New York, who sold spumoni, and so the grandfather bought ice cream from him and traveled up and down the Connecticut shoreline selling the product out of a pickup truck packed with coolers and dry ice. The truck kept breaking down in Milford, so his grandfather decided to stay there and create the business with start-up money from his dad. They started with a few flavors and now have more than 70 flavors sold in 2.5-gallon tubs, including several created by the younger Bucks such as a flavor called Swamp thats vanilla ice cream mixed with M & M candy, malted milk balls, Oreos, chocolate chips and caramel swirl. The favorites still remain vanilla and chocolate in that order, Chris Buck said. The company is also known for its fudge roll, other novelty items, desserts, sorbets, yogurts and gelatos. The chocolate syrup is made from scratch, Sarah Buck said. The family eats lots of ice cream every day for Charles Buck Jr., Chris and Sarah because they have to keep the quality high, they said. Chris Buck said he doesnt bring ice cream home a lot, Because Id be 400 pounds. And although they work together every day, they try to leave business at work. Theres a general rule that you keep home, home and work, work, Kandice Buck said. Sometimes it comes up, but better it doesnt. Otherwise, you dont stay married. The Bucks have been married 43 years and have grown the business exponentially. Chris Buck said they make a half of a million gallons of product per year. He said the secret to the taste is in the pasteurization process its done at a low temperature, for a long time. The number of egg yolks they use also makes a difference, he said. Anne Hunt, district director of Connecticuts SBA, said the award goes each year to a small business that is family-owned and operated, with a 15-year track record that has been passed on from at least one generation to another. The business won the award under its legal name, Bucks Spumoni Company Inc. Nominees must have staying power, growth in number of employees, innovativeness of product, contributions to community-oriented projects, increased employment opportunities for family members and have had a response to problems faced in business, Hunt said. A Houston food processing company that recently recalled its ready-to-eat salads was one of 11 companies that issued similar recalls because of potentially contaminated vegetable ingredients from the same source, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The recalled products from the various companies included 2.5 million pounds of the Go-Go Taquitos sometimes found at 7-Elevens (the beef taco and cheese, buffalo-style cooked glazed chicken, and chipotle chicken wrapped in a battered flour tortilla flavors) and over 174,000 pounds of weight-management company Jenny Craigs chicken wraps with BBQ sauce, the Agriculture Department said. NOT JUST FOOD: Boy Scouts recalling thousands of uniform pieces because of potentially dangerous lead levels The source of the potentially contaminated ingredients was the Canadian food processor McCain Foods, according to the Agriculture Department. In a statement posted on the company website, McCain said, We are working in cooperation with our customers and the appropriate regulatory authorities and will provide any appropriate updates. We take our commitment to food safety very seriously and work hard to maintain the highest quality standards in our manufacturing processes. The Houston company, GHSW, LLC, has recalled over 1,700 pounds of ready-to-eat salads prepared for the grocery chains Whole Foods and Trader Joes. The salads contained a corn ingredient sourced from McCain that the the Agriculture Department said may be contaminated with salmonella and listeria, bacterias that can cause food poisoning. AND THEY'RE BACK: Honey Smacks returns to shelves with new recipe after recall The potentially contaminated products made by GHSW, a subsidiary of the Renaissance Food Group of California, are the 365 by Whole Foods Market BBQ-style chopped salad with chicken and chicken fajita salad with best-if-sold-by dates of Oct. 18 through Oct. 21 and Trader Joes BBQ-seasoned white chicken salad, field-fresh chopped salad with grilled white chicken and Mexicali-inspired salad with chili-seasoned chicken with best-by dates of Oct. 18 through Oct. 21. The Trader Joes carnitas with salsa verde burrito made by Bakkavor Foods USA, Inc. with use-by dates of Oct. 8 through Oct. 24 was also recalled. The Agriculture Department discovered the potential issue with GHSW on Oct. 15 and said there have been no confirmed reports of any adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. GHSW did not respond to requests for comment. rebecca.schuetz@chron.com twitter.com/raschuetz Grace Rodriguez, the final Station Houston co-founder to be involved in its daily operations, is leaving the startup hub to become CEO of a new organization that promotes innovation in social change. Rodriguez will help launch Impact Hub Houston next month, providing assistance to those working to end poverty, improve education or tackle the other 15 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. I dont think we need another electric scooter company, she told the Chronicle on Monday. We have so many problems in general, in society and especially in Houston, that if we had our best and brightest focusing on them I think we could create some really incredible solutions. On HoustonChronicle.com: Station Houston appoints new CEO Rodriguez, who spent much of her childhood in Houston and would later return as an adult in 2000, has long promoted Houston and its innovators. She strived to change the citys perception during the six-year run of the Houston at SXSW promotional effort; helped Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez create the first Mayors Innovation and Technology Advisory Committee during his tenure on the Houston City Council; and worked as a lead organizer for Women In Tech: Houston and TEDxHouston. In 2016, she was one of four founders who started Station Houston and helped grow it to 184 startups, 139 mentors and 351 members. The organization has become a driver for the citys efforts to become a hub for high-growth, venture capital-attracting technology companies. And Station Houston fit well with her track record of working behind the scenes to found and nurture young organizations. But this time around, Rodriguez will take the next step in her career as the CEO and face of an organization. Rodriguez said her new role will mean being at the front of it and being the engine for it instead of being behind the scenes as I had been in the past. Impact Hub is a global network with more than 100 hubs in over 50 countries. Roughly 6,400 startups were founded at its hubs between 2012 and 2016. Starting an Impact Hub is a long process that requires approval from the global network. Shiroy Aspandiar and Natasha Azizi co-founded Impact Hub Houston in 2016 and then reached out to Rodriguez this past summer. Grace has the right mix of mindsets, character, experience, Aspandiar said, and also just a true love for helping people that I think would make her a natural fit to be able to lead the helm of an Impact Hub. Others in Houstons startup community likewise saw Impact Hub as a natural fit. Shes had such a focus on all social issues, said Russ Capper, executive director of Houston Exponential, a nonprofit tasked with marketing and connecting Houstons various innovation initiatives. She likes to integrate them deeply into innovation and startups. On HoustonChronicle.com: Rescue website, born of Harvey, now brings help for Florence Gaby Rowe, the CEO of Station Houston, said she couldnt think of a better champion for innovation and inclusion. She said Rodriguez will work to ensure that Houstons recent technology push will benefit people of all colors, economic backgrounds and ages. She takes her words and puts them into action on what inclusion means in innovation and startups, Rowe said. Rodriguez will start Impact Hub Houston as a nonprofit focused on education, mentorship and bridging the knowledge gaps often found in underserved, under-resourced communities. She plans to open a for-profit arm next year that will provide consulting, development and corporate innovation services. Much like Station Houston, it will connect large companies to startups that can help them tackle social problems. She plans to meet people in their neighborhoods while speaking a language theyre comfortable with, whether that be Spanish or simply avoiding jargon like startups and entrepreneurs. We have this incredibly diverse community, this incredibly international community, she said, and we havent been leveraging that and engaging them in a lot of the problem solving, a lot of the decision making here in Houston. And like the other Station Houston co-founders - John JR Reale, Blair Garrou and Emily Keeton - Rodriguez will remain involved with the organization. She will help create an impact report that maps the past, present and future of Houstons innovation ecosystem. The co-founders over there have just been incredible, from top to bottom, Capper said. Theyre still huge champions of Houstons innovation ecosystem, and I think they deserve the opportunity to move on now. MedExpress Urgent Care will open a new location in Spring on Nov. 14. Located at 4894 Louetta Road, the facility will join six existing Houston-area MedExpress centers, in Copperfield, Katy, Rosenberg, Houston, Pasadena and Pearland. MORE: MedExpress Urgent Care to open 6th Houston area location MedExpress provides urgent care, employer health services, and basic wellness and prevention services. Walk-in treatment is available. The Spring center will be open every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The facility will celebrate its opening with free flu shots for patients 4 and older between Nov. 14 and Nov. 20. Southwest Airlines denied there was a whites-only break room at Hobby Airport and accusations that black employees were treated differently than white employees, according to court documents filed in federal district court in Houston. Southwest, responding to a former employee's lawsuit, said the firing of Jamel Parker was justified because he damaged property and didn't report it, whereas the white employees named in Parker's complaint either did not damage property or were intending to report the incident. "Plaintiff's (Parker's) lawsuit is based upon demonstrably false allegations that Southwest treats its black employees differently than its similarly situated white employees," according to court documents filed earlier this month. "The complaint is wrought with inaccurate, irrelevant and exaggerated assertions in a transparent effort to support a meritless claim of race discrimination against Southwest." MORE: Former Southwest worker at Hobby alleges 'whites only' break room, discovery of noose Parker's attorney declined to comment for this story. Southwest fired Parker in April 2017. He was driving a pushback, a vehicle used to move aircraft away from gates, when the pushback's tow bar snagged on a power cable under the jet bridge. Parker previously told the Chronicle that he did not believe he caused damage, so he didn't report it. His court complaint highlighted similar scenarios and the outcomes of white workers. One hit a belt loader with a baggage cart and only admitted to it after camera footage was reviewed. He was given a letter of instruction, the lowest level of discipline an employee can receive. Another white employee was driving a tug when he hit another tug. The employee in the other tug reported the incident, but the at-fault employee did not report the accident until confronted about it, according to Parker's complaint. The employee was given a final warning letter. Southwest said the second employee did damage equipment, but he was on the way to report it when called into the supervisor's office. He chose to deliver two late bags before reporting the incident. Parker, the airline alleges, had no intention of reporting his accident. Southwest said it only discovered Parker's accident when reviewing video after discovering a jet bridge would not work. Southwest said its termination provision related to damaged equipment "is applied evenhandedly to all of its employees, regardless of race. The instances regarding the white employees ... involved different policies and circumstances and are not analogous to Plaintiff's (Parker's) scenario." A neutral arbitrator found insufficient evidence to conclude that Parker received disparate treatment. And it found that Southwest had just cause to fire Parker, according to Southwest's answer filed in court. RELATED: Houston pilot alleges discrimination at United Airlines As for the noose found at the airport and mentioned in Parker's lawsuit, Southwest said it was irrelevant to Parker's allegations because it was found about eight months after he was fired. The airline immediately removed the noose made of bungee cords upon learning about it and notified the Houston Airport System security team and the Houston Police Department. The airline investigated the matter, including reviewing security camera footage, but could not identify the individuals involved. Southwest also said there is no evidence that white employees made their own segregated break room. Parker had previously told the Chronicle that there wasn't anything as literal as a sign on the door, but black employees including his supervisor knew of its existence. His complaint alleged that the reason the room no longer exists is because a renovation turned it into a supervisory office in 2016 or 2017. United Airlines' catering workers have voted to join the Unite Here union, officials announced Tuesday. In an election lasting five weeks, 72 percent of catering workers who cast a ballot voted to unionize. The next step will be negotiating a contract with United. "This is a landmark moment in our union, representing the largest organizing victory of the year," D. Taylor, president of the Unite Here International Union, said in a news release. "Welcoming workers in United Airlines' catering kitchens into our union will not only change thousands of lives for those individual workers, but it's a tipping point in the airline catering industry." ANOTHER UNIT: United catering crew wants union on the menu Chicago-based United has 2,700 catering workers in five cities across the U.S., with more than 800 in Houston. They're seeking a minimum wage of at least $12 an hour, among other things. Agape Recella makes $14.71 an hour delivering food from the catering kitchen to the planes at Bush Intercontinental Airport. He learned about the vote while driving to the union office, and he soon after started calling and texting colleagues. "It's a victory," he said. "It's something that we've all been waiting for." Recella began pushing for a union in August of last year. He spent hours talking to people, explaining the process and the benefits of joining a union. Personally, he'd like to negotiate a pension, better health insurance, higher wages and equality being treated the same as the 80 percent of United workers who are union members. United, which flies 41,500 passengers out of Bush Intercontinental Airport each day, said in a statement that it has a strong track record of working closely with unions. "We value our relationships with all of our employees, including their union representatives and their collective bargaining agreements," the company said. "United is committed to treating all of our employees with dignity and respect, and the outcome of this election does not change that commitment." NO TALK OF PAY: Wage negotiations won't be part of redeveloping Bush Airport's international terminal Employees filed for a union election with the National Mediation Board in January, but the vote was delayed. United had alleged the authorization cards calling for an election to unionize were invalid due to fraud, threats or coercion. United also alleged that employees might not have understood the authorization cards they signed. The National Mediation Board, however, found that the authorization cards were not tainted. The union, meanwhile, alleged that the airline's management put up signs in the cafeteria before the vote saying that travel privileges, such as free flights on United, aren't guaranteed should contract negotiations begin. Flat-screen TVs likewise appeared, airing an anti-union video. Pertaining to signs in the cafeteria, United previously told the Chronicle that it was providing basic facts regarding union representation so employees could make an informed decision. Unite Here represents 30,000 hospitality workers, including some 18,000 airline catering workers, in the U.S. and Canada. On Nov. 10 Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Battleship Texas will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. The battleship Texas is the last remaining ship of its kind to have served in WWI. It would go on to play a big, booming part during the second world war as well before retiring to a dock near the San Jacinto Monument in La Porte in 1948. UNIQUE LODGINGS: Spending a night aboard the Battleship Texas, the last of her kind The event on Nov. 10 aboard the ship will feature special guided tours, a poppy mural, and a professor speaking about the first world war. The extras are free with paid admission to the battleship. Later that evening the battleship will also be screening the graphic documentary "The Battle of the Somme" which details the bloody Somme Offensive in 1916. The next day on Nov. 11 in honor of Veterans Day admission to the battleship will be free. U.S. Library of Congress The dreadnought class ship was launched from Newport News, Virginia, on May 18, 1912, to much fanfare, and two years later it was commissioned for use by the United States Navy and entered WWI. At the time it was the most complex machine in the naval fleet complete with anti-aircraft guns and early computer technology. OVER 100 YEARS AGO: Happy 'berth' day to the Battleship Texas She would spend most of 1918 as an escort ship, according to the ship's official history, and would assist British ships on various drills while in the British Grand Fleet. It never saw true battle as the war ended in November and was back home by Christmas Day in New York. The battleship that most natives in the Houston area have grown up visiting looks drastically different than the one that served U.S. forces in WWI. GRIZZLED VETERAN: The Battleship Texas played a big, booming part at D-Day The battleship underwent extensive cosmetic changes between the two world wars and in 1925 it was saved from the scrapyard when it made the switch from coal to fuel oil. It's new tripod masts and single stack took the place of its cage masts and two smoke stacks. Around this time it was also the first battleship to carry an aircraft. It's sturdy, early 20th construction would help it survive what came next. Unknown/Houston Chronicle In 1939 it was equipped with some of the Navy's first radar systems and within two years it was helping lead the Allied charge, shelling Nazis off the coast of Normandy, France and helping Marines take on the Japanese in the Pacific theater. These days officials are hoping to find major funding to dry berth the ship at an estimated cost of $40 million. The hope has always been that there will be a grand idea to finally save its bacon and keep it preserved for generations to come and learn about our nation's military history. Craig Hlavaty covers Houston history and pop-culture. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | craig.hlavaty@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message Though more than a year has passed since it devastated the Greater Houston area, Hurricane Harvey is still having an impact on communities throughout the region, and Deer Park is no exception. Since the storm hit in August 2017 and flooded approximately 300 homes in Deer Park, city officials are studying ways to improve the citys stormwater management systems and plan to dedicate city funds toward that goal and seek federal money to help. All of this is related back to Harvey, said Gary Jackson, Deer Parks assistant city manager. Our priority is infrastructure, flood control and stormwater management systems. After a historic rain event like Harvey, it makes sense that this is where you would want to put those funds. Deer Park has an opportunity to receive upwards of $3 million in federal Housing and Urban Development funds, allocated through community development block grants via the state, to spend on flood-control projects and improvements. No timeline has been given for when the city would get word on any allocations. As part of grant application process, the city sought residents input about where and how the money should be spent. However, Jackson pointed out 70 percent of the money must be put toward low- to moderate-income areas per grant guidelines. Of the two residents who addressed city officials about flood-control needs at a recent meeting, neither lives in the low- or moderate-income areas. However, Jackson said both were assured the city is looking into what projects it can do in six areas that would fall outside of those that might receive grant money. The city commissioned an engineering firm to evaluate the areas of Deer Meadows, Heritage Addition, Delo-Elaine, Westside Manor, Deer Park Manor and South Pasadena Plaza, Jackson said. In late September, City Council received a preliminary report focusing on Deer Meadows and Heritage Addition. Flood-control focus The city of Deer Park has commissioned an engineering firm to evaluate the following areas regarding flood-control needs: Deer Meadows, Heritage Addition, Delo-Elaine, Westside Manor, Deer Park Manor and South Pasadena Plaza. See More Collapse Those two areas had significant flooding; so we looked at them first, and in the coming months we expect more refined reports (on the remaining identified areas), Jackson said. He said each of the residents who addressed City Council live in an area under study. They understand we are looking at projects where they live, and we will be addressing their concerns, Jackson said. Jackson said putting a detention pond in Heritage Addition is one idea being considered. Because the areas under city scrutiny arent in low- or moderate-income areas, money to complete any work in those six areas will be financed through Deer Park coffers, City Manager James Stokes said. We have a $1.5 million budget in the capital improvements fund for fiscal year 2018-2019, he said via email. As for the hoped-for grant money, Jackson said its likely all of it would be put toward projects identified in low- and moderate-income areas, particularly in the south part of town. Our needs in those areas are more than what the total grant would be; so it makes sense for us to spend the whole grant there, and were going to do whatever projects we can, Jackson said. Though Hurricane Harvey put flood-control front and center in city officials minds, mitigating storm damage has been on the agenda for years, particularly since Tropical Storm Allison wreaked havoc in the area in summer of 2001. In 2010 voters in Deer Park passed an approximately $8 million bond package that provided for several drainage improvement projects, including the 2014 creation of a 32-acre detention pond at Patricks Bayou in the northeast part of town near Deer Park High Schools north campus. The detention pond was a major project that detains water and holds it back and then lets it out at a metered pace so it doesnt cause massive flooding, Jackson explained. He said those infrastructure investments have paid off. If you look at the number of homes (that were impacted) during Allison, you see that more homes flooded then, he said. The improvements we made obviously made a difference. (With Harvey) we had less homes that flooded even though there was more rain. Though there is no timeline yet on when city- or grant-funded stormwater management projects will begin, Jackson said the city is continuing to steadily recover from Harvey. The recovery has gone very well, he said. We were fortunate in that our situation was not near what other areas were. Of course any flooding is devastating to the person affected, but Im not aware of any homes or buildings that were a total loss. For us it was a matter of water (in buildings) being a couple of inches or a couple of feet. Trunk-Or-Treat St. Peters United Methodist Church will host its annual Trunk-Or-Treat from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 24 at its campus at 20775 Kingsland Blvd. The evening will feature trunks, candy, games, food trucks, popcorn sno cones, dunk booths, a rock wall and more. Dress up in a favorite Halloween costume; no scary, clown or political costumes. The event is free but remember to bring money for the food trucks. Organizers will be collecting small items or toys for boys and girls ages 2-16 for Operation Christmas Child. Email wpeper@stpkaty.org for information. Pumpkin Patch First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 22101 Morton Ranch Road, will host Fall in the Patch every day in October from noon to dusk. Visit www.fcckaty.com/pumpkin-patch/ or call 281-492-2693 for information. Pumpkin Patch The Student Ministries again is sponsoring a Pumpkin Patch on the front lawn of St. Peters United Methodist Church, 20775 Kingsland Blvd., through Oct. 31. The patch will be open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Sunday. Email info@stpkaty.org or call 281-492-8031 for information. Oct. 25 Partners in Progress Forum The West Harris County Regional Water Authority board of directors will host a Partners in Progress Forum Thursday, Oct. 25, from 6-8 p.m. at the Fry Road MUD Administration Building, 20111 Saums Road in Katy. The event will include a presentation of a new documentary video addressing the authoritys progress in securing a long-term water supply. The evening will include a question-and-answer period. Visitors can visit with board members before and after the presentation. Refreshments will be available. A Night to Remember Katy Christian Ministries is presenting its annual A Night To Remember the Lives of Those Lost To Domestic Violence on Oct. 25, from 6-8:30 p.m. The free community event that includes dinner will be at Westland Baptist Church, 1407 West Grand Parkway S. Katy. Email susan.hastings@ktcm.org or visit www.ktcm.org/silent witness for required reservations. Keynote speaker will be Carvana Cloud, Division Chief, Family Criminal Law Division, Harris County District Attorneys Office. Oct. 26 FallFest Crosspoint Community Church will present its 2018 FallFest from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at 700 Westgreen Blvd. The free family event will include games, inflatables, trunk or treat, storytime and candy. Go to https://lifeatcross point.elvanto.net/form/ 9853b02b-1ef0-4f7e- aaf4-9b02b4ec6853 to participate in trunk or treat. Fall Festival Mark A. Chapman YMCA at Katy Main Street, 1350 Main St., Katy, will present its second annual Fall Festival and Trunk or Treating, starting at 6 p.m. Trunk or treating will continue until 7:30 p.m. Activities in the gym will continue until 8:30 p.m. and will include a costume contest, music, photo booth, games, arts and crafts and face painting. Oct. 27 Celebrate Howl-O-Ween The city of Katy and Bark for Life present Howl-O-Ween from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Katy Dog Park, 5414 Franz Road. The event will include a costume contest, games, door prizes, photo booth and vendors. Event entry is a donation of dog food for the local shelter or a donation to the American Cancer Society. Visit www.city ofkaty.com or call 281-391-4840 for more information. Microchips in Katy The nonprofit, volunteer-run Katy Community Chip Clinic will offer $10 microchipping for pets with a free lifetime registration in Katy on Saturday, Oct. 27. The service will be provided on a cash-only basis from 9-11:30 a.m. at Katy Dog Park, 5418 Franz Road, Katy. Owners must bring rabies certification paperwork. Cats should be in a secure carrier. Dogs are recommended to be on a no-slip leash. There is a two-pet limit per family. Visit https://www.face book.com/KatyComm unityChipClinic/ for information. Drug Take Back Day The Katy ISD Police Department in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public an opportunity to safely dispose of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The event will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 27 at Mark L. Hopkins Law Enforcement Center, 20370 Franz Road, Katy. Trunk or Treat First Christian Church will host Trunk or Treat from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 27. The event will include food trucks, bounce houses, candy, pumpkins, games and photo opportunities. The event is free but bring money to purchase something to eat from the food trucks. The church is located at 22101 Morton Ranch Road. Visit www.fcc katy.com or call 281-492-2693 for information. Book sale The Friends of the Maud Marks Library will hold their next book sale on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. There is a large selection of hardback fiction and nonfiction, as well as childrens books and paperbacks. The library is located at 1815 Westgreen Blvd. Family Night in the Pumpkin Patch Katy First United Methodist Church, 5601 Fifth St., Katy, will host Family Night in the Pumpkin Patch from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 27. The event will include trunk-or-treat, a haunted house, food truck, inflatables, live music and games. Writers Workshop Come to Katherine Tyra @ Bear Creek Branch Library to develop your writing skills with advice from the Houston Writers Guild on Saturday, Oct. 27. From 10:30 a.m.-noon, guild members will focus on using poetry in prose. The library is located at 16719 Clay Road. Call 832-927-5590 for information. Oct. 28 Farmers Market The Farmers Market at LaCenterra will be open 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 28. It is open the fourth Sunday of every month at 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy. The market features local vendors and artisans selling honey, cheese, fresh eggs, seasonable vegetables and more. Visit yourneighbor hoodfarmersmarket.com if youre interested in becoming a vendor. Family Fun Festival LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch, 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy, will host a Family Fun Festival from noon-4 p.m. Oct. 28. The event will include inflatables, face painting, a rock wall, food trucks, door prizes and stage performances. Oct. 30 October Business After Hours The Katy Chamber of Commerce will hold October Business After Hours from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Cutting Edge Pediatric & Adult Therapy, 21703 Kingsland Blvd., Ste 100, Katy. Costumes encouraged. Admission for chamber members is free and $20 for nonmembers. Visit https://katychamber. chambermaster.com/ eventregistration/register /19884 to register for the event. Oct. 8 At 6:06 a.m., Bellaire Police Corporal D. Clawson responded to a motor vehicle crash where the defendant fled the scene of the crash without exchanging information in the 6200 block of IH 610 southbound. The defendant was later located and subsequently prosecuted with the charge of fail to stop and give information. Oct. 9 At 7:46 a.m., Officer D.Rocha was dispatched to 6750 West Loop South in reference to an accident which had occurred in the 8000 block of IH610 West Loop South. The unit 2 driver of the motor vehicle accident was reporting the unit 1 driver (at fault vehicle) of the accident had fled the scene. Unit 1 driver was located and found to be driving a motor vehicle while her Texas Drivers license currently suspended. Unit 1 driver was arrested and booked at the Bellaire jail for driving while license suspended/enhanced with no valid insurance. Ofc G. Carson assisted at the scene. At 3:56 p.m., Officer Liccketto was dispatched to the 6600 block of South Rice Avenue in reference to someone refusing to leave a business. During the investigation, the suspect gave a fictitious name and was taken into custody for failure to identify and transported to the Bellaire Police Department for booking. Oct. 10 At 2:43 p.m., Officers Lysack and Lopez were dispatched to 5301 Bellaire Blvd. in reference to an assault in progress. Officers Lysack and Lopez arrived on scene and met with the victim who stated the suspect, her boyfriend, struck her face multiple times before fleeing the scene in his vehicle. Officer Lysack contacted the Harris County District Attorneys Office and they accepted the charge of assault family violence. Officer Lysack will file a To-Be Warrant for the arrest of the suspect. Between Sept. 22 and 4:30 p.m. Oct. 10, an unknown suspect forced entry through the rear door in the 4500 Wedgewood Drive. The unknown suspect stole an A/C compressor from the exterior of the residence and A/C parts from the attic. Oct. 11 At 11:11 a.m., Officer Vorhees was dispatched to the 6300 block of Meredity Drive in reference to a burglary of a motor vehicle. Officer Vorhees met with reportee who stated the rear driver side window was broken out overnight and a guitar stolen. At 1:18 p.m., Officer Andrade was flagged down in reference to an identity theft in the 5200 block of Bellaire Boulevard. The victim advised she received numerous calls from a phone number that shows to belong to the Social Security Administration, (SSA). The victim was scammed into giving her personal identifying information to the suspect. At 7:23 p.m., Officer Liccketto was patrolling the 5400 block of Bellaire Blvd and conducted a traffic stop on a white Honda for no license plate. During the investigation, the driver was found to have a suspended drivers license with no proof if financial responsibility. The driver was arrested for driving while license invalid enhanced and transported to the Bellaire Police Department for booking. Oct. 12 At 3:34 p.m., Officer C. Barber responded to a call dispatched via the patrol cars computer chat system of a suspicious male pushing a full grocery cart with a new green bicycle lying on top in the 4600 block of Bissonnet. Officer Barber found the subject and identified him with provided Texas Identification card and ran the information via radio with the Bellaire Emergency Communication Center (Dispatch). Dispatch advised the subject may have warrants with the Houston Police Department (HPD). Officer Barber started to do a safety pat down of the subject asking the subject if he had anything Officer Barber should be aware of. As Officer Barber began the search the subject informed Officer Barber he had a gun in his pocket. Officer Barber located a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun in the suspects right front pocket. The suspect has felony convictions and was arrested for felon in possession of a handgun. Officer Liccketto assisted with this arrest. Oct. 14 At 5:20 a.m., Corporal D. Clawson was dispatched to a welfare check at 4300 Bellaire Blvd. due to a grey SUV being stopped in the moving lane of traffic with a male driver slumped over the steering wheel. During the investigation it was determined the driver was operating his motor vehicle in a public place while intoxicated. The driver was subsequently charged with driving while intoxicated. At 6:38 a.m., Officer Ortega was dispatched to a welfare check in the 6500 block of S. Rice Ave. Officer Ortega was advised the suspect entered his vehicle and drove away. Officer Ortega located the suspect vehicle in the 6700 block of Bissonnet St. westbound and observed the vehicle to be weaving in its lane and often times driving over the intermitted white dashed lines. Officer Ortega recognized these driving behaviors to be consistent with an intoxicated driver. The driver was found to be driving while intoxicated. The suspect was placed into custody and transported to the Bellaire Jail for processing and booking. At 4:40 p.m., Officer Younger made contact with the victim who advised he was out walking when he was attacked by a dog in the 5200 block of Braeburn Drive. The dogs owner was located and the dog was secured at the residence. The dog owner was issued a citation for animal at large and the Bellaire Animal Control Officer was advised of the situation. Officer Younger was assisted by Officer Santillanes. At 4:19 a.m., Officer Ortega was dispatched to the 5600 block of IH 610 northbound in reference to a one vehicle crash. The reportee stated he observed the occupants of the vehicle leave the scene of the crash. Officer Ortega located the occupants and placed them into custody for outstanding warrants and public intoxication. Officer Ortega was later notified the vehicle was reported stolen out of Houston Police Department. Harris County District Attorney Office declined charges on the occupants. Officer Bellard assisted in this case. Oct. 12 Officers were dispatched to a suspicious vehicle call in the 3800 block of University Blvd. Upon further investigation, the driver was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated. Oct. 13 At 3:50 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the Harris County jail to pick up a subject in custody with outstanding warrants with the City of West University Place. The subject (Justin Stephens) was taken into custody and booked on the warrants without incident. An officer was dispatched to the 4000 block of Bellaire to meet with a Southside Place Police Department officer who had stopped an individual with outstanding warrants through the city of West University Place Municipal Court. The individual was taken into custody and transported without incident. Oct. 15 An Officer was dispatched to 8300 Mykawa to pick up a subject that had warrants with the City of West University Place. At 12:37 p.m., an officer observed a damaged vehicle in the 3100 block of Georgetown. After further investigation it was discovered that a vehicle had in fact struck an unoccupied parked vehicle, and left the scene without leaving any information. At 12:41 p.m., a Police Officer was dispatched to the 6200 block of Edloe, in reference to a Theft, which had already occurred. Oct. 16 An officer observed a vehicle travelling northbound in the 5500 block of Buffalo Speedway with an invalid temporary tag. A traffic stop was conducted and after further investigation, the passenger was cited for the paraphernalia and given the opportunity to participate in the Harris County Misdemeanor Marijuana Diversion Program and released from the scene. Oct. 17 An officer located a set of keys in the City of West University Place Police Department Jail. A report for Found Property was generated and the keys were entered into evidence for safekeeping. Oct. 18 Officers were dispatched to the 6300 block of Mercer in regards of information of a terroristic threat at a private residence. An information report was generated. Officers were dispatched to the 3000 block of Pittsburg in reference to a disturbance in progress. After further investigation, the parties involved were separated for the night and an information report was generated. An officer was dispatched to Houston Police Department southeast jail facility to pick up a prisoner in custody with active West University Place warrants. The prisoner (Kelli Patterson) was transferred to the West University Jail facility and booked without incident. After Hurricane Harvey flooded their homes, three Independence Heights families now have new furniture and appliances thanks to the generosity of Conns HomePlus and Rebuilding Together Houston. Conns donated and delivered the $18,000 worth of products Thursday, Oct. 18. Nonprofit Rebuilding Together Houston has been coming to the aid of families with construction-type repairs for 36 years and depends partly on organizations in the community for funding and volunteers. Since Harvey, RTH has worked with broadcasting company Entercom to help affected residents get back on their feet. Entercom then shared about its involvement with one its partners, retailer Conns HomePlus, and Conns decided to pitch in as well. Conns said, We want to get involved. They know and understand how devastating Hurricane Harvey was to the entire Houston region, but for neighborhoods and for families without a lot of means, theyre still working day to day to try to get back to normalcy, said Julie T. Mintzer, Rebuilding Together Houston chief of staff. HARVEY RECOVERY: City study finds Houston housing needs $12 billion in further aid The donation was part of the Conns Cares program that began in 2016 as an emphasis on corporate responsibility. Conns Cares has since worked to promote literacy and life-safety education. Over the past year, Conns has also given away more than $500,000 to help Harvey victims, matching funds collected from the public, according to CEO Norm Miller. Conns Cares is more than just a passive declaration, he said. This corporate social responsibility initiative is an active pursuit and a call to action for the Conns HomePlus team to reach out and touch the lives of the communities we serve. Independence Heights resident Elizabeth Moody considers herself blessed to receive the help. Her home flooded and then developed mold, making her sick. Now, it is livable again and furnished. Moody received a refrigerator, a living room suite and a dining room suite, but she seemed to be most excited about her new bedroom suite since Harvey, she has been sleeping in a recliner. Its going to be real nice. I can stretch out. My backs going to be feeling better. Im going to get a good nights sleep, Moody said a few hours after the delivery. Grateful for all the parties that came together to help her, she said she had yet to calm down from the days events. POST-STORM: Domestic violence increases significantly after Harvey Im so excited, and my adrenaline is still pumping. Its like somebody really cared about me, and there are people out there who really care about us that have been through a disaster, Moody said. Mintzer said there is still much work and recovery left in Houston and encouraged other businesses and organizations to join Rebuilding Together Houston in the effort. There is more to do. There are more residents that need help, she said. There are more people who have not recovered from Hurricane Harvey. We expect to be doing this for years. Conns HomePlus has locations across Houston and can be found at www.conns.com. For more information about Rebuilding Together Houston, visit www.rebuildinghouston.org. tracy.maness@hcnonline.com A man died after a drive-by shooting Monday night northeast of downtown Houston. Officers rushed to the intersection of Earline Street and Lockwood Drive around 6:10 p.m., according Houston Police Department Homicide Detectives Josh Caten. The victim was not immediately identified but was in his 40s, Caten said. CLOVERLEAF AREA: Robbers use pepper spray during armored car heist Someone in a white pickup truck pulled up to the victim's home and fired several shots, striking the man, Caten said. Witnesses saw the pickup truck flee west on Earline Street, although officers were not able to immediately find it. Paramedics with the Houston Fire Department rushed the victim to LBJ Hospital where he was pronounced dead. No one was in custody for the shooting as of late Monday night, Caten said. Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477). 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 | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message Vivid images on two T-shirts at the Donald Trump rally in Houston stood out among other souvenirs sold on the street. In one image, a bikini-clad Stormy Daniels, who has become known for revealing a sexual encounter with Trump, flew off a motorcycle driven by the president. On the shirt, Trump wore a leather vest with the message "if you can read this, the snitch fell off." A similar Hillary Clinton T-shirt took a slightly more aggressive approach. "If you can read this, the b---- fell off," the shirt said. RELATED: Trump supporters line up 24 hours ahead of Toyota Center rally Thousands of Trump supporters arrived at the Toyota Center on Monday ready to see the president show his support for Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Throughout multiple long lines, they formed bright red streams of "MAGA" hats, pants and shirts, many of which depicted conservative fantasies and carried messages designed to provoke Democrats. "Trump won, get over it !" declared on man's shirt. "Deal with it," declared another. Many children, some as young as nine years old, joined with the supporters on Monday. The mother of Jackson Sanchez, 9, said the boy liked Trump long before he appeared as the Republican front runner during the campaign. So they decided to pull him out of school for the event, the mother said. "Trump 45 It ain't a mistake snowflake," Sanchez's shirt said. Among the more cartoonish, yet popular, images at the rally was a depiction of Trump riding on an American-flag themed tank with a bald eagle flying in the background. Another image showed Trump urinating on the CNN logo. RELATED: Trump is the star, but Cruz has rally attendees' vote One street vendor took a particularly specific jab at Stormy Daniels. The vendor, Christina Britt, wore a horse mask while helping a friend sell T-shirts. Her getup referenced Trump's recent tweet calling Daniels a "horse face." "I just like [Trump] because of his attitude and his money," Britt said. Another attendee, Dan Chandler, drove to the rally all the way from Plano. Carrying an acoustic guitar with a "Trump" sticker, he said he was primarily there to pray with people. But he also attached a Confederate flag to his walker. "I call this my snowflake trigger," he said. Confederate symbols have been the source of controversy in mostly southern states over the last few years. Activist groups saying they represent racism in the country. But Chandler said his flag simply represented a resistance to people telling him what to do. View the gallery to see more pro-Trump messages aimed at Democrats at the rally. 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 | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message A Stafford resident was tied up and pistol whipped during a violent home invasion earlier this month after four armed men broke into the home and raided it for money and jewelry. According to a press release from the Stafford Police Department, two of four suspects involved in the robbery tied up the residents before raiding the home for money and jewelry. Now police are asking for the public's help in identifying one of the four armed men involved in the violent robbery. Most Texas history books and aficionados believe that after the battle of San Jacinto the Texas Revolution was over. They will report that Mexican Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was captured on April 22, 1836. Santa Anna then ordered the remainder of the Mexican army to leave Texas and they obeyed him. Dr. Gregg Dimmick dares to differ with that account. Dimmick, a pediatrician and avocational archeologist from Wharton, has written the true story of the Mexican army after San Jacinto. More than a decade of archeology and archival research led him to a totally forgotten story of the Mexican army being stuck in the mud in what are now Wharton and Fort Bend counties. This tireless researcher recorded the remarkable story in his 2006 book, Sea of Mud: The Retreat of the Mexican Army After San Jacinto, An Archeological Investigation. Dimmick will summarize those findings, as well as new ones unearthed since the publication of his award-winning book, as the program presenter for the Tuesday, Nov. 20, quarterly meeting of the Fort Bend County Historical Commission. The meeting, which is open to the public free of charge, will take place at the Gus George Law Enforcement Academy building, 1521 Eugene Heimann Circle in Richmond, beginning at 3 p.m. As recounted in Dimmicks book, Gen. Vicente Filisola, second in command of the Mexican army in Texas, was encamped with the armys rear guard near Thompsons Crossing on the Brazos River in Fort Bend County on the very day of Santa Annas capture. That evening he received a note, scratched in pencil, that the vanguard of the Mexican Army, under the command of His Excellency, Don Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, had suffered a great defeat at the hands of Gen. Sam Houston and his Texians at San Jacinto. The fate of Santa Anna was unknown, as was that of the nearly 600 soldiers captured (and approximately 600 killed). Filisola decided to immediately unite all the Mexican forces in the surrounding area at the habitation of Madam Powell (Elizabeth Powell), on the banks of Turkey Creek near present day Kendleton. By April 25, the divisions of Filisola and Gen. Jose Urrea were gathered at the Powell home site with nearly 2,500 soldiers, 1,500 women and children, 120 wagons, eight artillery pieces and 1,500 mules. A meeting of the generals was held and all in attendance including Urrea, who would later deny it, voted to regroup and form a line of defense near Victoria. They would repass the Colorado River and await orders from the government in Mexico City. They left Powells the next morning, but as they were crossing the San Bernard River a tremendous storm commenced. They were able to cross the San Bernard but by the next day the West Bernard River was flooded and they were stuck between the San Bernard and the West Bernard Rivers. While encamped on the West Bernard, they received notices from Santa Anna that told of his capture and ordered the Mexican army to retreat. In response to the news the generals decided that they would continue with the original plan. They also determined to send Gen. Adrian Woll to San Jacinto, to give the impression that they would follow Santa Annas orders. Filisola decided not to wait for the rivers to subside and proceeded northwest toward the Atascosito Crossing of the Colorado River. This move was a disastrous one. En route, the army entered a terrible bog that Filisola described as un mar de lodo, or a sea of mud, and it took many days for his men to extract themselves, their horses, equipment and arms, pack animals and camp followers from the deep muck. This long-forgotten trek through the Sea of Mud was a major factor in Mexicos eventual loss of Texas. There were still about 4,000 Mexican troops in Texas, other than those killed or captured at San Jacinto, and the final result of the Texas Revolution was far from determined. But by the time the Mexican army was able to extract itself from the mud, there was no realistic chance of regrouping and going on the offensive. As a result of Dimmicks work, archeological projects have been undertaken under the auspices of professional archeologists and The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The San Jacinto Battleground, The Fannin Battleground and the surrender site of Col. Juan Almonte near the San Jacinto Battleground have been investigated. 3 1 of 3 Jason Fochtman, Staff photographer / Houston Chronicle Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Jason Fochtman, Staff photographer / Houston Chronicle Show More Show Less 3 of 3 For about five hours on Thursday, Nov. 1, scores of women are expected to converge in The Woodlands for a conference all about leadership and success empowerment. The Woodlands North Houston Conference for Women, an annual event hosted by The Greater Houston Womens Chamber of Commerce, is open to both men and women and will take place at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. EDWARDSVILLE Step into the darkness of the 1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson Houses candlelit parlor on Oct. 28 to ponder the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Anne Williams, a historic interpreter certified with the National Association of Interpreters, will perform a selection of Poes famous poems and short stories as dramatic recitations. The recitations are framed in the context of the authors life, interspersed with excerpts from newspapers, letters, and observations by contemporaries. Selections will include several (not all) of the following: The Black Cat, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Oval Portrait, The Cask of Amontillado, Morella, The Raven, Annabel Lee, The Bells, For Annie, A Dream Within A Dream, El Dorado, The Haunted Palace, The Fall of the House of Usher (abridged), or excerpt from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. With experience in first-person interpretation, Anne Williams integrates her passion for history, literature, and drama to perform literature in the context of the authors life. Anne has been a volunteer with the historic Daniel Boone Home near Defiance, Missouri since 1996. In 2007, she became a volunteer with the National Park Service at the Old Courthouse and the Grant Home in St. Louis. Recently, Anne worked with 25 historic sites and one museum to establish Historic Saint Louis, which links all these sites together through a story board. Anne performs the Poe program annually at the historic Lemp Mansion in St. Louis. Anne has performed at the Poe Visitor Center in Fordham (Bronx); the Poe Museum in Richmond (including at the wine reception hosted by Vincent Prices daughter, Victoria); the Free Library of Philadelphia; the Poe home in Philadelphia; the Lyndhurst Castle in Tarrytown; the Daniel Boone Home in Defiance, Missouri; the Chatillon-DeMensil Mansion; Faust Park; and various other Missouri venues. New to Annes list of historic sites this year is the Benjamin Stephenson House. The special Mourning Exhibit sets the mood for Annes selected readings in the parlor, which displays the 1822 funeral for Col. Stephenson. Seating is limited for this program and tickets must be purchased in advance. Three performances are available for this popular program on Oct. 28: 4-5:30 p.m., 6-7:30 p.m., and 8-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $16 and can be purchased online at www.stephensonhouse.org or by calling the historic site at 618-692-1818. The 1820 Col. Benjamin Stephenson House is located at 409 S. Buchanan, Edwardsville. Please note, this event is for persons 17 years or older. TOKYO - When Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing later this week, one of the main agenda items at their summit will be strengthening Japan-China economic cooperation. Abe will make an official visit to China from Thursday to Saturday, the first official visit to China by a Japanese prime minister in seven years, as this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Japan-China Peace and Friendship Treaty. As for China, this year also marks the 40th year since the introduction of its economic reform and open-door policies. "We want Japanese companies with excellent technologies to invest more [in China]." Requests such as this were made one after another by local businesspeople when the Japan-China Economic Association's delegation visited the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in northern China in early October. "Since this year started, local governments suddenly became active in approaching us," said Masashi Iwanaga, director of the association's Beijing office. Behind China's efforts to expedite improvements in its relationship with Japan is the deterioration of the Chinese economy caused by China-U.S. trade frictions. China's gross domestic product growth in July-September stood at 6.5 percent, the lowest level in 9 1/2 years. Under the situation, China is aiming to get Japan involved in its "Belt and Road Initiative," a mega economic zone project to nurture the initiative into a new driving force for of its economic growth. At an economic forum held Saturday in Shanghai, a Chinese expert stressed: "Japan and China should cooperate against protectionism. The Belt and Road Initiative can become the opportunity to promote bilateral cooperation." Japanese companies, in fact, have been deeply involved in China's rapid economic development. In October 1978, Deng Xiaoping, who was China's vice premier at the time, made an inspection visit to the Kimitsu Works of Nippon Steel Corp. (now Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Corp.). During the tour at the factory, which was highly automated, Deng appeared to be surprised at how few workers there were. He asked if the factory was closed that day. It is said that Deng strongly felt the contrast with steelworks in China, which were full of slogans glorifying China's founding father Mao Zedong, but had yet to take sufficient safety measures. Deng also visited factories of Nissan Motor Co. and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. (now Panasonic Corp.). About two months later, he declared the introduction of economic reform and open-door policies. Since China began these policies, a number of Japanese companies have provided technological cooperation to China. Today, various Chinese products are sweeping the global market. Regarding the steel industry, China accounts for about half of global production. In terms of the volume of smartphone shipments in the global market, China's Huawei Technologies Co. ranked second in April-June for the first time, surpassing Apple. However, Japanese companies are cautious of political tensions between the countries, which can adversely affect Japan-China business relationships, as seen in such past incidents as anti-Japan protests that occurred across China in 2012 concerning the Senkaku Islands. Though China is sending signals to invite Japanese companies to join, firms remain highly cautious about the Belt and Road Initiative. One Japanese manufacturer said, "We cannot help but take political risks into consideration." Whether the summit meeting will be able to strengthen Japan-China ties and become a turning point to powerfully propel the economy is a matter to be watched. WASHINGTON - The contest for control of the House remains close and hard fought, according to a new Washington Post-Schar School poll of the most-contested districts in the country, with Democrats holding a statistically insignificant lead over Republicans. The latest survey shows only a marginal change in the race during October, with 50 percent currently supporting the Democratic candidate in their district and 47 percent backing the Republican. Candidates from the two parties collectively are running almost even in 48 contested congressional districts won by President Donald Trump in 2016, while Democrats hold the advantage in 21 competitive districts won by Hillary Clinton. The Democrats' lead in those Clinton districts has narrowed a bit since the beginning of the month. The overwhelming majority of the districts surveyed - 63 of the 69 - are currently represented by a Republican in the House. Collectively these battleground districts voted strongly for Republicans in the 2016 election. The fact that the margins today are where they are illustrates the degree to which the GOP majority is at risk but also the fact that many individual races are likely to be close. Democrats need to gain a net of 23 seats to take control of the chamber. Overall, likely voters in these districts give the two major parties mixed-to-negative marks. Democrats are rated favorably by 48 percent and unfavorably by 52 percent. For Republicans, it's 47 percent positive and 53 percent negative. Most voters have a favorable view of one party and a negative view of the other party, but 10 percent say they dislike both parties. Voters in that group say they prefer the Democratic candidates in their districts by 15 points. Four years ago, when the GOP made gains in the midterms, voters who rated both parties negatively at this point in the election said they preferred Republican candidates for the House by 17 points. The battle over the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court has energized voters on both sides, according to the poll. About 6 in 10 likely voters in each party say they are more motivated to vote on Nov. 6 as a result of the clash, which included allegations of sexual misconduct against Kavanaugh that drove fierce denials from him and other Republicans. Among independents with no partisan leanings, about half say it has motivated them to vote. The Kavanaugh hearings split the country, with many Americans saying they believed Christine Blasey Ford, who accused the judge of sexually assaulting her when both were in high school in the Washington suburbs, and many others saying they believed Kavanaugh's denials that he was innocent of the charge. The new survey finds that a majority of battleground district voters (57 percent) say they are concerned that men they are close to might be unfairly accused of sexual assault. But a far larger majority (78 percent) say they are concerned that women in this country are not believed when they report that they were sexually assaulted. Overall, by 59 percent to 41 percent, Americans say the bigger problem is that women who report that they were sexually assaulted are not believed. The Washington Post On a related question, a 54 percent majority of likely voters say that men who commit sexual assault face serious consequences less than half the time. More women than men hold those perceptions, 60 percent to 49 percent. Eight in 10 Democrats and just over 3 in 10 Republicans say men who commit such acts don't face serious consequences most of the time. The Kavanaugh confirmation turned into a supercharged partisan fight, and the findings in the new Post-Schar School survey bear that out in responses to the questions about men and women. Republicans are far more likely than Democrats to say they are concerned that men can be accused unfairly of sexual assault, 76 percent vs. 34 percent. That argument was put forth by President Trump and other Republicans as Kavanaugh fought to save his nomination. Conversely, Democrats are much more likely to say they worry that women who report sexual assaults are not believed, with 98 percent of Democrats saying they are concerned about this compared with 63 percent of Republicans. Democratic leaders had made that argument in defense of Ford, who they said should be believed although she only began to share news of her alleged assault decades after it happened. Among political independents, 59 percent say they are concerned that men close to them might be unfairly accused of sexual assault, while 74 percent are concerned about women not being believed when they report assault. On both questions, independents are somewhat closer to Republicans than Democrats. On the question of which of the two is the bigger problem, 92 percent of Democrats say it is that women are not believed, while 69 percent of Republicans say their concern is unfair accusations against men. Among independents, 55 percent say the bigger problem is women not being believed. The survey by The Post and George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government was conducted in 69 congressional districts rated as competitive in late August by the team at the Cook Political Report and Post political staff. Surveys identified the major-party candidates by name in each district. This survey was a follow-up with voters who were initially interviewed in late September and early October. The survey, which was in the field Oct. 15-21, did not attempt to measure the state of races for the Senate. Results among the sample of 1,269 likely voters have an error margin of plus or minus three percentage points. Overall, there was little movement between the two polls, with 93 percent of those surveyed supporting the same candidate as in the first round. Of those who changed, 2 percent switched from Democrat to Republican and 2 percent switched from Republican to Democrat. The remainder switched from having no opinion to one of the parties. If anything, partisan attitudes hardened during the month. Today, 95 percent of Democrats say they support the Democratic candidate in their district, and 90 percent of Republicans support the GOP contender. In the first survey, 93 percent of Democrats and 87 percent of Republicans supported their party's candidate. To the degree that Democrats have any edge in these districts, it is because of support from women, as was the case in the previous poll. Among likely voters, men favor Republican candidates by 51 to 46 percent, while women back Democrats by 55 to 42 percent. Nonwhite voters back Democrats 2 to 1, while white voters back Republicans by a statistically insignificant three points, 50 to 47 percent. Among white voters, small majorities of men with college degrees and without degrees and women without college degrees say they support Republican candidates. But white women with college degrees support Democratic candidates by a 23-point margin. Nearly twice as many likely voters who support Republican candidates say their vote is more in favor of the GOP candidate than against the Democrat, 51 percent to 27 percent. Voters who support Democrats also tend to say they are motivated more by support for the party's candidate than opposition to the Republican, albeit by a smaller 45 percent to 29 percent margin. Interest in the election remains high, with a Washington Post-ABC News poll earlier this month finding 77 percent of registered voters saying they are certain to vote or have voted early, up from 65 percent in October 2014. Some people who say they will definitely vote end up not doing so, but in states that allow early voting, there has been an early surge of interest that could signal higher-than-normal turnout for midterm elections. --- The Washington Post's Emily Guskin contributed to this report. MOSCOW - National security adviser John Bolton held firm Tuesday to President Donald Trump's announcement that the United States would withdraw from a landmark arms control treaty in place since the Soviet era. Bolton said the United States would present "in due course" an official notice leaving the treaty limiting intermediate-range nuclear weapons. He also echoed Trump's assertions that Russia is violating the pact, suggesting that no progress was made to ease the impasse during Bolton's two days of talks with top Russian officials including President Vladimir Putin. Bolton's comments seemed sure to disappoint Germany and other U.S. allies in Europe that have urged Washington to work to overcome disputes with Russia rather than walking away from the treaty entirely. The Kremlin denies any violations and says scrapping the 31-year-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, or INF, would be a dangerous development that could spark a new arms race. "The American position is that Russia is in violation," Bolton said at a news conference. "Russia's position is that they are not in violation. So one has to ask how to ask the Russians to come back into compliance with something they don't think they're violating." President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev signed the INF Treaty in 1987, leading to the elimination of an entire category of nuclear missiles and the removal of more than 2,500 of them from installations across Europe. Since the Obama administration, U.S. officials have said Russia's development of a ground-launched missile is skirting INF rules. In a bit of dark humor that underscored the moment, Putin referred to Washington's announced withdrawal from the INF and then quipped about the balance between peace and force represented by the Great Seal of the United States. "As far as I can remember, the U.S. seal depicts an eagle on one side holding 13 arrows and on the other side an olive branch with 13 olives," Putin said, sitting across from Bolton at talks before the news conference. "Here's the question: Did your eagle already eat all the olives and only the arrows are left?" "Hopefully I'll have some answers for you," Bolton replied. "But I didn't bring any more olives." "That's what I thought," Putin said, provoking laughter from Bolton. Bolton's mission waded deep into the frictions between Washington and Moscow, while leaving open the question of what, if any, arms-control architecture the Trump administration envisions for the future. Bolton described the Cold War-era treaty as outdated because it does not include other nuclear powers, including China. But he suggested it was unrealistic to include other countries in a broader version of the INF Treaty, saying at the news conference that such efforts had failed in the past. More dialogue is probably ahead. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said earlier Tuesday that Europe would leave "no stone unturned in the effort to bring Washington and Moscow back to the table one more time." Putin and Trump will meet in Paris in November on the sidelines of the 100th-anniversary celebration of the end of World War I, Bolton said. Beyond arms control, he described a range of issues on which Washington was looking to engage with Russia, including the war in Syria, fighting terrorism and election interference. Bolton said he also briefed Putin on the U.S. response to the slaying of Washington Post contributing columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. Bolton deployed the symbolism of wreath-laying to both signal respect for Kremlin authority and to show criticism of repression of the political opposition in Moscow. He laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin wall. He did the same at the unofficial memorial just outside the Kremlin wall marking the spot where opposition politician Boris Nemtsov was killed in 2015. Bolton's visit to Moscow was his second in his role as Trump's national security adviser, signaling the administration's intention to maintain contact with Russia despite the uproar in Washington over its interference in the 2016 election. "The fact was that the outcome would have been exactly the same" in 2016 had Russia not interfered, Bolton said. "Distrust and animosity toward the United States made it almost impossible for almost two years for the United States and Russia to make progress diplomatically. It's a lesson, I think: Don't mess with American elections." HONG KONG - After delays, almost a decade of construction and swelling costs that reached $20 billion, the world's longest sea crossing - connecting Hong Kong to mainland China - opened to traffic Tuesday as the latest megaproject with Beijing's stamp. The reviews for the 34-mile span? China's president, Xi Jinping, led the cheerleading about the political symbolism and business benefits of the ribbon of steel and concrete linking the former British colony Hong Kong and the once Portugese-held Macau. In bustling Hong Kong, however, many wondered why they shouldered so much of the cost with so few tangible benefits. After all, it's only about a 30-minute faster trip to the mainland from Hong Kong on the new Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai span compared with crossing over the existing bridge routes. In Macau, the upgrade is clearer. A ferry was the only way to reach the mainland. But that's not seeing the full picture, say Chinese officials. The bridge-and-tunnel route is seen as a cornerstone of China's "Greater Bay Area" plan, which aims to connect the lucrative hubs of Hong Kong and Macau with 11 other southern Chinese cities. The idea is more to draw more tourists and workers from the mainland region - home to more than 60 million people - to the semiautonomous cities. On Tuesday in the mainland city of Zhuhai, Xi declared the span officially open as digital fireworks exploded on a screen behind him and officials ticked off another made-in-Chinese world record. (The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, for example, is 23 miles long, and the Eurotunnel under the English Channel is 31.5 miles.) Carrie Lam, Hong Kong's chief executive, lauded the "once in a lifetime" project as a connector that will tie Hong Kong closer to the mainland. Few in Hong Kong see it that way. Residents here have lamented the steady encroachment of mainland China into the city's affairs, including efforts seen by activists as trying to roll back the enclave's traditions of relatively open expression and freewheeling commerce. Critics also balk against the rising number of tourists and workers from Chinese cities into dense Hong Kong and the even more crowded gambling hotspot, Macau. Taxpayers in Hong Kong had to foot almost half the bill. But it's not easy for anyone just to pop on the new span. Travelers need to go through a complicated system to get permits from all three cities - a process that may take nearly two weeks - and will also have to get insurance in all the cities. Comments on a Hong Kong government video explaining the process mocks the supposedly simple process for being unduly bureaucratic, and notes that Hong Kong residents can simply take a ferry to Macau, for instance, without any such requirements. Permits for private cars allowed to cross the bridge will also be limited initially to just 5,000. "It is very odd. It crosses that much of the sea, and yet ordinary people cannot use it. What's the point of that?" said Claudia Mo, a pro-democracy lawmaker in Hong Kong. "This project is so obviously a political symbol. I'm sure Beijing knew clearly that we didn't quite need it and that it was not necessary for the time being." The bridge, she added, is a "permanent fixture and permanent reminder that Hong Kong is forever and ever connected to the vast hinterland" of mainland China. The project has also come under fire for shoddy labor standards and for adverse environmental impacts. Over the construction period, 19 workers died and dozens were injured, falling into the sea below after a work platform collapsed. Since construction sped up in recent years, the population of the iconic Chinese white dolphins who call these waters home has dropped from about 80 in 2012 to 47 in 2017, according to Taison Chang, chairman of the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society. Environmental mitigation efforts done before the construction of the bridge failed to keep the dolphins in the area, he said, but work on the project proceeded anyway. "We can clearly see that the dolphins in North Lantau area almost disappeared in the whole area, close to the bridge construction," he said. "No one can really stop the project after [its proponents] got the necessary environmental permits to go ahead with the bridge." The bridge's completion comes as China under Xi is extending its grip over Hong Kong, a city of 7.4 million given a special status when it was handed over from the British back to China in 1997. Under the "one country, two systems" policy, Hong Kong's economic and political systems are supposed to remain untouched for 50 years from the handover - until 2047 - and distinct from Beijing, with its own governments, judiciaries, currencies and so on. A flurry of infrastructural development, however, has served to physically bind the regions in a more tangible way. In late September, a $11 billion high-speed rail link opened between Hong Kong and mainland China, cutting the time between Hong Kong and major Chinese cities. Beijing hopes the links will spur development in these southern cities which have historically led economic growth in China - particularly amid a looming trade war with the United States. Xi this week visited southern China to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the economic reform policy spearheaded by Deng Xiaoping in the late 1970s. Speaking Monday at Gree Electric Appliances in Zhuhai, Xi emphasized the importance of "self-reliance" and the "real economy", rather than the "virtual economy." "Manufacturing is a key to the real economy, and the core strength of manufacturing is innovation, the control of core technologies," he said. "We must seek innovation by relying on ourselves, and I hope all enterprises will work in this direction." Hong Kong is at the center of that plan, with deeper infrastructural links that will ease travel particularly from the mainland into the city. Lam, Hong Kong's chief executive, is also pushing for a land reclamation plan that will be the costliest infrastructure project yet there, creating an artificial island that will be home to more than 1 million people. That island will be created close to the new sea crossing. "It is all connected, the reclamation, bridge, high speed rail," said Mo. "It is all telling Hong Kong that you are part of China, you are very much part of it, and you can't get out of it." - - - The Washington Post's Luna Lin in Beijing contributed to this article. When President Donald Trump announced Saturday that the United States would be pulling out of a landmark nuclear-arms agreement with Russia, he blamed Moscow for the decision. "Russia has violated the agreement. They've been violating it for many years," Trump told reporters in Nevada, referring to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. "I don't know why President Obama didn't negotiate or pull out." But Trump also hinted that another country played a role, one that it isn't even party to the treaty: China. "Unless Russia comes to us and China comes to us and they all come to us and say, 'Let's really get smart and let's none of us develop those weapons,'" Trump said. "But if Russia's doing it and if China's doing it and we're adhering to the agreement, that's unacceptable." Why does China play into Trump's decision-making on the treaty? And what effect does he think pulling out of the agreement might have on relations with Beijing? Here's a guide. --What is the INF Treaty? The treaty bars the United States and Russia, along with a number of post-Soviet states, from possessing, producing or test-flying ground-launched nuclear cruise missiles with a ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers (300 to 3,400 miles). The agreement was signed in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev and took effect the following year after it was ratified by the U.S. Senate. It came after years of negotiations, sparked by the installation of weapons systems that put Western Europe within easy reach of a Soviet missile strike. In many ways, the treaty was a real success. It was the first agreement to actually reduce nuclear missile stockpiles. By 1991, nearly 2,700 U.S. and Soviet missiles were eliminated. The pact is currently the only Cold War arms-control agreement that remains in force. In recent years, however, there has been talk of violations by both sides. The United States is particularly concerned by a ground-launched cruise missile known as the SSC-8, while Russia says that missile-defense installations in Europe violate the treaty. --How does China factor in to deliberations? China has never been a party to the INF Treaty. As such, it hasn't had the same limitations placed upon its stockpiles of short- and intermediate-range missiles for the past three decades. During Senate testimony last year before he retired as head of the U.S. Pacific Command and became the U.S. ambassador to South Korea, Adm. Harry Harris said the Chinese People's Liberation Army now has the "largest and most diverse missile force in the world, with an inventory of more than 2,000 ballistic and cruise missiles." He added that 95 percent of those missiles would violate the INF Treaty if China were a signatory. Many national security officials believe the missiles threaten U.S. military interests in the region. Earlier this year, Eric Sayers, a special assistant to Harris, wrote that "in the coming decade the growing conventional military imbalance could well mean that the United States will not be able to uphold its security commitments to allies or reassure partners in the Indo-Pacific in the face of an increasingly assertive China." For the Trump administration, pressuring China is key part of its foreign policy. At the start of the year, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis unveiled a new Pentagon strategy that identified China and Russia as key threats to the United States and called for sustained financial investment in the military to overcome "a period of strategic atrophy." Meanwhile, Trump's aggressive trade policy against China has widely been interpreted as a broader attempt to control and contain a rising China before it is too late. National security adviser John Bolton, believed to be a driving force behind Trump's move, has suggested that China may even be a more important factor than Russia. He has told U.S. allies that the INF Treaty puts the United States in an "excessively weak position" against Russia "and more importantly China," one diplomat told The Washington Post. --Could the United States get China to agree to INF-style restrictions? It's not clear what exactly the United States is hoping to achieve, but there may be hopes for a new treaty that would include China. Such an idea may even get support from Moscow, which has voiced concerns about Chinese missiles in the past. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., a critic of Trump's INF decision, mooted the idea during an interview with Fox News on Sunday. "I'm all for trying to sign an agreement with China, but that would have to be a brand-new agreement. It's no reason to end the agreement we have with Russia," he said. But many analysts believe it's unlikely that China would be interested in joining either the INF or another treaty. "Given the size of China's conventional ballistic arsenal, this would be require some very creative diplomacy!" wrote M. Taylor Fravel, an associate professor of political science at MIT, on Twitter. China may also hesitate to join an arms-control treaty with the United States, given that Washington is unilaterally pulling out of another such agreement. On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said that "the U.S. unilateral withdrawal from the treaty will have a multilateral negative effect." --Could the United States try to match China in the region? Experts such as Sayers have suggested that installing the ground-based missile systems currently banned by the INF Treaty could open up China's interior to U.S. attacks, increasing China's need for costly defense systems. Congress's annual defense authorization bill has funded research and development into weapons that could potentially violate the INF Treaty, specifically making the argument that these weapons could be used to counter China if the agreement were scrapped. A big question, however, is how useful such missiles would actually be in a standoff with China. The INF Treaty banned ground-launched missiles, but the United States does not have easy access to that much land around China. Missiles could certainly be placed in Guam, a U.S. island territory in the Pacific, but placing them in countries such as Japan or the Philippines would require more complicated negotiations. "I don't see U.S. allies in Asia rushing to host U.S. road-mobile INF-range weapons," said Kingston Reif, director of disarmament and threat-reduction policy at the Arms Control Association. "We could put them in Guam, but China no doubt has every inch of the island targeted." The vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff suggested during a Senate hearing last year that sea- and air-based missiles in the region are already capable of dealing with the threat from China, which raises questions about the value of implementing new systems currently banned by the INF. A Chinese-owned pork producer is eligible for federal payments under President Donald Trump's $12 billion farm bailout, a program that was established to help U.S. farmers hurt by Trump's trade war with China. Smithfield Foods, a Virginia-based pork producer acquired in 2013 by a Chinese conglomerate now named WH Group, can apply for federal money under the bailout program created this summer, said Agriculture Department spokesman Carl E. Purvis. JBS, a subsidiary of a Brazilian company by the same name, is also eligible to apply for the federal money. The two companies are the biggest pork producers in the United States, according to the National Pork Board, a quasi-government agency. The Agriculture Department said in August that, as part of a broader bailout, it will buy $1.2 billion of surplus food from farmers for distribution in food banks across the country, including about $560 million in planned pork purchases. The administration has billed the plan as an effort to shield farmers from retaliatory tariffs from China. But the possibility of money flowing to foreign-owned firms underscores the difficulty of trying to craft government programs that benefit only domestic firms. The international reach of companies makes it hard to ensure that federal dollars stay in U.S. hands, regardless of their intended target. The bailout program has also angered smaller hog producers, who expressed frustration that it appears likely to help large, international farms that already dominate the U.S. pork market. "It's just going to help the big boys, like JBS and Smithfield," said Chris Petersen, 63, who owns a few hundred hogs on a farm in north-central Iowa. "I'm very concerned because of the political power and the power of money and big corporations. The taxpayers should be up in arms over this." In a statement, Smithfield Foods declined to say whether it has applied to participate in the purchase program. Keira Lombardo, senior vice president of corporate affairs at Smithfield, said in an email that the company meets the U.S. Agriculture Department's eligibility standards and that "any approved vendor that can supply the requested product can bid for the contract." Lombardo also said that Smithfield is a U.S.-based company that employs thousands of Americans and that its U.S. meat products are made in its nearly 50 domestic facilities. WH Group, Smithfield's owner, said in its 2017 annual financial statement that its American operations account for about 60 percent of its overall revenue, as well as close to half of its profits. Lawmakers have probed apparent ties between WH Group and the Chinese government. The company, then named Shuanghui, received a $4 billion loan from a state-run bank to take over Smithfield in 2013, a move in alignment with the government's objectives, according to the Center for Investigative Reporting. WH Group did not respond to a request for comment about its relationship with the Chinese government. A JBS spokesman also did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, which is administering the purchase program, said the products it will be purchasing are "100 [percent] American produced." In a separate statement, the USDA's central communications office said the agency could not control whether federal funding given to American subsidiaries would increase the profitability of its Chinese owners. "USDA does not have the ability to police whether money will eventually 'filter to the Chinese,'" a USDA spokesman said in an email. "The Department goes to great lengths to ensure we have registered, approved U.S. vendors that work closely with the Agricultural Marketing Service." The USDA expects to "soon" announce some of the partners for the purchases, which will be spread over the course of the year, Purvis said. The bailout was authorized under a rarely used farm program from the Great Depression and did not require congressional approval. After the administration announced tariffs on a host of Chinese goods this spring, Beijing responded with levies on U.S. products. Those have included 62 percent tariffs on U.S. pork products, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation, an industry group. The Trump administration announced the bailout in July amid pressure from farm-state lawmakers over the trade war's consequences for farmers, billing the bailout as a temporary measure that would help farmers while the administration negotiated better deals. But critics say the potential payments to a Chinese-owned firm speaks to the inadequacy of the bailout. "Framing this as support for farmers has always been problematic because only the biggest meatpackers, like Smithfield, can deliver pork to food banks, school lunches or other USDA feeding programs," said Patrick Woodall, research director of Food & Water Watch, an advocacy organization focusing on corporate and government accountability related to agriculture issues. "Smithfield is the biggest subsidiary of WH group: All Smithfield revenues are WH Group revenues." The purchase program is part of a larger aid program for farmers. Most of the $12 billion is slated to be given in direct cash payments, particularly to producers of soybeans. These checks began going out in September. The direct cash payment program has an income cap, meaning that farmers earning more than $900,000 annually cannot receive federal assistance under this program. But there is no such cap for applicants seeking the $1.2 billion authorized for the Food Purchase and Distribution Program. The list of applicants and recipients of the direct cash payments has not been made public. (The third prong of the bailout is a $200 million program to promote U.S. trade in new markets.) The $559 million for pork producers represents a substantial influx of government cash. The federal government typically purchases between $30 million and $50 million in pork commodities every year, according to the National Pork Producers Council. Smithfield's exports to China have fallen by close to 20 percent since the start of the tariff spat with Beijing, said Usha Haley, a professor at Wichita State University who has studied Smithfield closely for years and testified to Congress about its acquisition by WH Group. Some farmers urged the federal government to change the purchase program's eligibility rules to exclude firms owned by foreign conglomerates. "We know we have to get our trade imbalance in order, but any bailout should not support the very companies who are owned by the very countries causing us the pain," said Joe Maxwell, who owns a small pig farm in southern Missouri and is the executive director of the Organization for Competitive Markets, a farm advocacy organization. Lombardo, the vice president of Smithfield, said the awards do not amount to federal assistance, since the government is buying a product rather than handing companies a check. "This is not a solicitation to receive 'federal assistance' - it is to supply the USDA with requested domestically produced products," Lombardo said. "Any business can become a vendor if it meets certain requirements from USDA and is approved to supply products to USDA. As an American pork company, Smithfield meets these requirements and has been an approved vendor for many years." Both companies already receive regular federal money. In 2017, USDA purchased $11 million worth of goods from Smithfield, as well as $12 million from JBS, according to Tony Corbo, senior lobbyist with Food and Water Watch. These goods are purchased and delivered to schools, food banks and households under the USDA's "Commodity Procurement" program, which aims to "support American agriculture by encouraging the consumption of domestic foods," according to USDA's website. Larry Kudlow, the president's top economic adviser, said in an interview that he was unaware of the possibility that money from the federal bailout could end up helping a Chinese company. Danny Lewis, 69, runs a small farm in the eastern Missouri town of Curryville, where he owns about 1,200 hogs. Lewis, who supports Trump and typically votes for Republicans, said the bailout program could do some good if the pork bought by the government helps hungry Americans. But he also expressed concern that federal money would go to enormous foreign conglomerates that do not need it. "I don't think the government buying a large volume of pork from JBS or Smithfield is going to substantially change the profit position of the independent pork producer's pocket," Lewis told The Washington Post. "But you should mention I'm still a supporter of Trump." LAWRENCE, Mass. -- The reminders of last month's gas explosions are everywhere in the Merrimack Valley. It's difficult to go more than a few blocks here without seeing workers in neon yellow safety vests digging up streets and yards, heading into basements, loading new appliances into trucks. They are part of a massive effort to overhaul the nearly 45 miles of gas main lines and 10,000 residential hookups in three adjacent towns, where cast-iron pipes were laid generations ago. All of it was compromised in what federal authorities said was a grave gas company error while working on the lines, an error that overpressurized the system, sent gas streaming into people's homes, and started an alarming series of explosions and fires across a large area just north of Boston. The work is daunting but also on a tight timeline: As nighttime temperatures in New England begin to dip below freezing this time of year, many residents are without heat, are taking cold showers and lack stoves for cooking. Lawrence, Andover and North Andover were shocked on the afternoon of Sept. 13, when there were 80 near-simultaneous reports of explosions and fires. According to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board, the blasts came shortly after contract workers for Columbia Gas replaced a century-old iron pipe with a new plastic one but failed to realize that pressure sensors were still active in the abandoned section of pipe. That, in effect, created a communication problem: The gas system thought pressure had dropped and compensated by forcing more and more gas into the region's lines. Five minutes passed after a Columbia Gas office in Lawrence was notified of the increasing pressure and the first emergency calls, according to the report, and almost 20 more minutes passed before the regulator station, which keeps gas at the required pressure, was shut down. One teenager in Lawrence was killed when a chimney was blown off a house and onto the car in which he was sitting. At least five homes were destroyed and another 126 homes and businesses were damaged within a few minutes. And all 10,000-plus customers were considered vulnerable because of potentially damaged appliances and gas connections. Several lawsuits already have been filed against Columbia Gas and NiSource, its parent company, including one filed this week on behalf of 10 affected residents. The lawsuit argues that the company has not kept its system in good repair, citing numerous examples that show "a pattern of reckless and willful conduct intended to secure profits to the detriment of public safety." Columbia Gas has now launched an immense repair effort, promising to get affected residential customers' gas back in service by the Monday before Thanksgiving - Nov. 19. Any customer who wants new gas appliances - high-efficiency name-brand water heaters and boilers, clothing dryers, and stoves - is getting them, dispensed from a former factory that has been turned into a distribution center in the heart of the affected area. Instead of turning the damaged system back on, Columbia Gas vowed to replace the whole thing, including underground piping, meters and home appliances. It already has laid nearly 40 miles of an estimated 45 miles of main line pipe and replaced service lines to 3,865 out of about 6,100 houses and apartment buildings. The company would not disclose how much it is spending on the repairs. "We have the resources of a large public company to support this work," said Pablo Vegas, chief restoration officer for Columbia Gas. "Also, we have insurance partners helping us with all the claims and damage issues." There are so many crews working - 218 digging up thoroughfares and side streets, paths and yards in the three towns - that they're practically within sight of one another. One recent day, under bright sunshine, three crews worked along a stretch of Balmoral Street, north of downtown Andover. One team was laying a main line under Balmoral Street; the other two were on side streets, laying new service lines and attaching a new meter to each house. The meters and pipe each have a new safety feature that shuts off gas flow if the pressure builds up too much. "We're way ahead of schedule as it relates to construction in the street - subject to weather, which is really the biggest unknown here," said Joe Albanese, the project's chief recovery officer, who was appointed by Gov. Charlie Baker, R. Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera praised Albanese but said that while Columbia Gas workers have done a great job with the repair work, the company continues to inadequately communicate with affected families and businesses. "It's always been the top leadership that has had issues," said Rivera, whose own home is in the impacted area of South Lawrence, bemoaning a lack of communication and delays in the claims process. "Every time we roll out something new that's big and important for people, it gets broken and they take a long time to fix it," he said. "And the last thing we have is time. Winter's coming." Some people are making do with replacement heating systems and microwave dinners, but many gave up on staying in their cold homes. As of Oct. 16, Columbia Gas has placed 1,829 families in substitute housing - the bulk in nearby hotels, some of them in New Hampshire. Four mobile home communities have been established on public properties, becoming fully operational this week, with more than 457 residents in 114 trailers, said Christopher Besse, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. Another 115 trailers are assigned but people have not checked in yet, and there are more than 100 still available, he said. Joaquin Colon was just moving into one of the Lawrence mobile homes on a recent afternoon. "They're beautiful inside," he said. Disabled by a bad back and with his wife recovering from surgery, the couple was happy to have heat and hot water again, he said. "Last night was cold." He's not thrilled with the situation but is no longer angry at Columbia Gas. "They're helping everybody," he said. A few blocks away, forklift drivers were busy loading stoves, dryers and hot water heaters onto delivery trucks. They'd retrofitted an abandoned factory for the job but didn't have a proper loading dock, so they had to quickly design ramps that would allow the forklifts to drive directly into the trucks. "Six weeks ago, there wasn't a chair in the building," said Kevin Kissane, branch operating manager for Ferguson Enterprises, the contractor that is supplying the appliances from a number of different manufacturers. Within a week of launch, the warehouse was fully stocked and bustling with dozens of workers. Kyle Ruggieri, a project manager with Gilbane Building, which is running the appliance replacement operation, said he and others have been putting in 15-hour workdays to get people back into their homes with working appliances ahead of the coming winter. "It's a really good feeling to know you're making a difference in people's lives," Ruggieri said. "I love what this project's all about." Most of the attention so far has been directed at homes, but the 676 affected businesses in the three communities are getting new pipes and appliances, too. About 80 percent of the businesses have already reopened, mostly with help from their insurance providers. Columbia Gas is now prioritizing businesses that rely heavily on gas service, such as restaurants and laundromats, Vegas said. Lisa Rodriguez, who lives on Springfield Street in Lawrence, said she sometimes gets envious that businesses such as the store on her corner are up and running again, while she's still cooking on a hot plate. "I'm mad because they got priority," she said. "But we need food." Rodriguez said she was recently able to get a portable shower that, when fed with boiling water, provides a decently long hot shower. She also bought a couple of space heaters to warm up the apartment. But with the memory still fresh of her block's three fires last month, she's afraid to leave them on at night: "I'd rather be awake and cold." --- Sellers contributed to this report from Washington. NORWALK A group of more than 30 people gathered in the South Norwalk Branch Library Monday night to discuss quality-of-life issues in their neighborhoods. The topic of the monthly meeting of the Coalition of Norwalk Neighborhood Associations was Signs, lights, noise and blight. It featured a panel that included Fire Marshal Broderick Sawyer, Chief Building Official William Ireland, Ordinance Enforcement Officer Edward Schwartz, Common Council member Doug Hempstead Parking Authority Board Chairman Dick Brescia and Chief of Police Thomas Kulhawik. The purpose of the meeting was to educate people on the citys ordinances and the governmental agencies that enforce them. We decided to host this in South Norwalk because we feel and Im a resident of south Norwalk myself that a lot of the mixed uses are in South Norwalk, a lot of the traditional industrial uses are in South Norwalk, so you have residential neighborhoods that are butting up against light industry or actual industry, said Donna Smirniotopoulos, a CNNA board member who hosted the event. I think this is where residents like me, and people who are part of the Friends of Quintard group feel that we have issues and we dont always know where to turn. Each member of the panel had an opportunity to explain the ordinance he enforces and attendees could ask questions and be directed to the correct city official for specific complaints. But at various times during the night, the meeting devolved into finger pointing and anger directed at city officials. There are two cars parked 24/7 on the front lawn, for six months, there. They dont even move, John Flynn, a Republican running for election in the 140th District in the Connecticut House of Representatives, said of a house he believes is blighted near his Quintard Avenue home. Flynn has been a vocal opponent of the sober house owned by Pennsylvania-based Firetree Ltd. Other audience members voiced concerns about what they described as public drinking and urination in parts of South Norwalk, such as Ely Avenue. Some frustration was directed toward staff of Planning and Zoning, Health and Public Works and the mayor, none of whom were present. Sawyer described the limitations of city officials tasked with enforcing things like blight and illegal usage of residential and commercial buildings there are eight building inspectors tasked with keeping tabs on more than 1,000 multifamily housing units, 1 million feet of new retail and office space and an additional 2,000 apartments being built. He suggested that the city would need more like 15 to keep up with the workload. We need 15 inspectors more than another layer of management, one woman responded, referencing the mayors reorganization. To remedy the shortfalls in staff, members of the panel stressed that they needed the help of the public to report when ordinances are being broken. Lisa Brinton, a 2017 mayoral candidate, speculated that members of the community were reporting in low numbers because their complaints often go unresolved. I think a lot of neighbors have stopped doing that because it seems like nothing happens, Brinton said. I think youre wrong on that and if you want to come in and see the records, you can. Youll see the files that weve gone through, the over 600 blight complaints that weve gone through. Weve collected over $200,000 in fines last year, in blight. So we are doing our job, Ireland responded. One man, Adolph Neaderland, felt that residents of the city were not being heard by the Common Council and Mayors Office. It just seems to me that theres a disconnect between our city administration, and the city of 88,000 people. The disconnect is between the Common Council and the citizens, Neaderland said. The citizens are not being listened to. The Common Council appears to me to be talking to themselves. justin.papp@scni.com; @justinjpapp1; 203-842-2586 The Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act is tailor-made for His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his Saudi Arabian cutthroats. The act, signed into law by President Barack Obama on December 2016, authorizes the president to block or revoke the visas of certain "foreign persons" (both individuals and entities) or to impose property sanctions on them if they are responsible for or acted as an agent for someone responsible for "extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights," or if they are government officials or senior associates of government officials complicit in "acts of significant corruption." Evidence is accumulating to suggest that the kingdom's 33-year-old crown prince apparently authorized and directed the brazen premeditated extrajudicial execution and dismemberment of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Turkey. That kind of grisly state-sponsored murder is what the global Magnitsky Act had in mind. The strength of the law is its application to all levels of government officials, from the highest leadership to the lowest-ranking subordinates. The act not only allows for seizing and freezing assets of human rights offenders; it also prevents them from entering into transactions with vast number of banks and companies, and it bans them from getting visas to come to America. And sanctions aren't targeted only toward foreign individuals and entities. American and international firms that do business with those sanctioned also run the risk of similar designations. Think the sanctions are toothless? Just ask the Russians found responsible for murdering Sergei Magnitsky, after whom the law is named. Ask the atrocity-committing generals in Myanmar. Ask the human-rights-violating Nicaraguan officials. Have them tell you what it's like to get put on the U.S. Treasury sanctions list; what it means to have money frozen far away in banks around the world, because no bank that does business with the United States would move a penny belonging to individuals or entities on the U.S. sanctions list. Have them tell you what it means to be met with "do not enter" instructions at important countries around the globe. The Magnitsky Act brands them as the pariahs they are. Look now to the Saudi regime, the latest act of pure evil committed in Istanbul and the power-mad and vicious Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The usually voluble President Donald Trump, so prone to impromptu soliloquies on matters big and small, has been equivocal and wispy on the matter of Khashoggi's killing in cold blood, choosing instead to gently touch the hands of the Saudi king and crown prince in mute sympathy for their feeble attempts to cover up the truth. Waffling is not enough. Trump's handling of the presidency in the international arena continues to be a downright disgrace. Congress needs to step up to its obligations: Find out what was done in the Saudi consulate, who did it and why, and determine who must be held accountable, and subject, if required to the Magnitsky Act. If the end result is that the crown prince and his stooges are censured, boycotted, and barred from association and doing business with the civilized world, so be it. That gang has earned it. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will pay an official visit to China from Thursday to Saturday - the first official visit to China by a Japanese prime minister in seven years - to mark the historic milestone of the 40th anniversary of the Japan-China Peace and Friendship Treaty, signaling a turning point in the tortuous bilateral relationship. The treaty entered into effect on Oct. 23, 1979. "It would be acceptable even if [Abe's visit] does not lead to an improvement in Japan-China relations as what we aim [to achieve] is stabilization" of the ties, a senior Japanese government official said. The relationship rapidly cooled following Japan's nationalization of some of the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture in September 2012. China strongly reacted to Abe's sudden visit to Yasukuni Shrine in December 2013. Since then, the two nations have had one confrontational situation after another. By mentioning "stabilization," the senior official apparently meant restoring the steady ties that existed in 2012 and earlier. A turning point came in Hamburg, Germany, on July 8, 2017, at a meeting between Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the summit meeting of the Group of 20 major economies in the German city. Political issues must be solved one by one while squarely facing the past, Xi told Abe at the meeting. But doing these must not hinder the development of bilateral economic ties, the Chinese leader added, in an apparent reference to separating politics from economics. Xi gave "a message to call for unconditionally developing bilateral economic ties," said a diplomatic source knowledgeable about Japan-China relations. In response, Abe gave Xi a positive view of the Belt and Road Initiative, a policy Beijing announced in 2013 to create a mega economic zone, by saying: "It is a vision with potential. We want to cooperate [with China]." In May, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang paid an official visit to Japan, the first such visit in eight years by a Chinese premier. On the trip, Li consistently sent friendly signals to Japan. China's range of concerns The change in bilateral relations is attributable mainly to the Chinese side. In recent years, Southeast Asian countries and other nations have piled up complaints about China's high-handed approach to economic assistance in relation to the Belt and Road Initiative. Infrastructure projects have been stalled one after another as China does not take into consideration its counterparts' repayment capability. In 2018, pro-China ruling parties lost elections in such countries as Malaysia and the Indian Ocean island country of Maldives. Furthermore, China has been involved in a confrontation with the United States, which could be called a trade war. With the international environment surrounding China becoming harsher year by year, the improvement of its relations with Japan came to bear more significance. Domestic situations in China also had an impact on the change. In the meeting of the National People's Congress - China's national legislature - in March this year, the constitutional provision that limited the state's president to two terms totaling 10 years was deleted, making it possible for Xi to continue eternally in the post of the president. A senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official said, "Xi's power base has been stabilized and thus he obtained a free hand in diplomatic relations with Japan." On Friday during Abe's visit, a forum will be held about infrastructure projects in third-party countries, such as Asian and African countries, which are included in the Belt and Road Initiative. The forum will be coorganized by Japanese and Chinese governments and private companies. The Chinese side likely intends to make the forum a place where China provides the participating countries with a view that China and Japan are in step in terms of the infrastructure projects. Under such circumstances, however, Japan cannot wave away concern over its security relationship with China. According to the Japan Coast Guard, the number of intrusion by Chinese government vessels into Japanese territorial waters around the Senkakus in 2018 was 18 as of Sunday. Japan has protested these Chinese activities each time it detected the intrusion. China continues to make artificial islands its military foothold in the South China Sea in spite of opposition from Southeast Asian countries. The difference in the sense of values between Japan and China is also clear. At a conference to promote exchange between Japanese and Chinese ruling parties in Toyako, Hokkaido, on Oct. 10, Song Tao, head of the Chinese Communist Party's international affairs department, said that ruling parties of both countries urge the media to report the truth and have the media correct misinformation. Toshihiro Nikai, secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, who participated in the conference, said: "Freedom of the press is the most basic. It's quite evident." Nevertheless, the Abe administration has launched efforts for the improvement of bilateral relations, seeing many advantageous points associated with it. A senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official said: "In diplomacy, there are factors [like those] seen in the Othello board game. If the Japan-China relationship changes from that of confrontation to improvement, the situation surrounding the Northeast Asia will also change." For Abe, whose term of office as president of the LDP will expire in three years, the improvement of Japan-China relations is an indispensable element to the realization of his own diplomatic legacy, including relations with Russia and North Korea. It is highly likely that Xi will visit Japan next year on the occasions of the G20 meeting and other events in Japan. There is an influential view within Tokyo that the next year is an opportunity for the improvement of the bilateral relations. Even while a great difference in positions on security and other issues persists, Japan and China are shortening the distance between them by putting importance on their own actual benefits in the economic and diplomatic sectors. On Oct. 2, Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi stepped inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul to pick up some paperwork. His fiancee says he never came out. Turkish officials have said that Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributing columnist, was killed inside and dismembered by a "murder squad" flown in from Saudi Arabia for this express task. Some sources have suggested that Turkish officials managed to collect audio or video evidence capturing the moment of his death. In a speech this morning, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he had evidence that the "brutal" murder was "planned," and he called on Saudi Arabia to extradite the 18 men suspected of carrying out the crime. He also questioned the use of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, an international accord that dictates how host countries should treat diplomats and embassies on their soil. Erdogan said the deal should be "reviewed and possibly reversed." Turkish investigators had to wait nearly two weeks for permission from the Saudis to enter the consulate, and Turkish authorities have declined to arrest any Saudi officials. That's because of a set of international laws governing how host countries must treat embassies and other diplomatic missions. Embassies and consulates occupy a curious space. Though they stand on land belonging to their host nations, the 1Vienna Convention lays out clear rules for how a host country can behave. Under international law, police and security officials cannot enter an embassy without the express permission of the ambassador. Consular bags - special pouches that require a seal and can contain private paperwork, communications or other goods from the embassy, consulate or consul's residence - are not to be opened by the host nation. The convention also requires missions to respect local laws, and embassies are expected to stay out of host nations' internal affairs. Host nations do have the authority to revoke consular clearances for embassy staff and can revoke their diplomatic immunity, effectively forcing them to leave. Countries follow these rules because of the "rule of inviolability" - they want their embassies and consulates treated fairly, and the only way to guarantee that is to follow these rules when they are hosting diplomatic missions. The rules - and arguments about what they really mean - have played a key role in several diplomatic crises over the years. Soon after WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange took refuge in Ecuador's embassy in London, British officials floated the idea of forcing entry into the building to seize him. (An arrest warrant had been issued.) The British Foreign Office argued that it had the right to revoke the embassy's diplomatic status under the country's Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act, passed in 1987. That law was passed following the killing of Yvonne Fletcher, a British police officer who was shot in 1984 while monitoring a protest outside the Libyan Embassy against then-ruler Moammar Gaddafi . The bullet that killed her was fired from within the embassy, but the killer was never identified. In the days that followed, British forces seized the embassy, expelled those inside and severed relations with Libya. Ecuador, however, argued that revoking its embassy's diplomatic status would be a "hostile and intolerable act." Allegations that Georgia's Republican-led election officials are unfairly throwing out mailed ballots over hyper-technical errors are set to go before a federal judge two weeks before Election Day. Hundreds - perhaps thousands - of ballots are being rejected because voters' signatures don't appear to match the ones on file, or because the voter oath is signed on the wrong line, two lawsuits claim. And would-be voters don't get a chance to fix the errors or provide explanations, they say. The practice adopted by Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp has a lopsided impact on likely Democratic voters, according to the lawsuits - an allegation that carries extra significance because Kemp, a Republican, is running for governor on Nov. 6 in one of the nation's most-watched races. The issue over signatures is separate from a lawsuit over Georgia's "exact-match" law that left more than 53,000 people off the voting rolls because there were minor discrepancies in information provided on registration applications and the voters' government records. A hearing is set for Oct. 29 and a ruling favoring the plaintiffs in the mail-in ballots' case might help those in the bigger one. Lawyers for the state in the absentee and mail-in ballot cases said in court filings that the plaintiffs, including a Democratic candidate for state office and Muslim and Asian groups represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, failed to identify any individual voters who hadn't been given a chance to fix perceived errors. Moreover, Georgia says, the state has already started the process of training election staff and early voting is underway. "The Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized the importance of not upsetting a state's election process with last-minute changes," the state said. But plaintiffs in one of the cases want a court order forcing Kemp to alert would-be voters by mail, telephone or email if their ballot applications are rejected and to explain why and how to address the issues. They also want signature deficiencies to be decided by a bipartisan review committee, saying age, disability and physical and mental condition are all possible reasons for signatures that don't have an exact match. Signature rejections are also more likely to impact voters who speak English as a second language, they said. Joint Hearing At a joint hearing in Atlanta on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May will weigh the plaintiffs' requests. Any decision by May, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, a Democrat, could find itself on a fast track to the U.S. Supreme Court, where Trump secured a conservative majority with the confirmation of Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh. While one of the lawsuits calls the current practice a "constitutional train wreck," Kemp says he's preventing election fraud, a favorite issue of President Donald Trump, a Republican. Democrats say it's a pretext for voter suppression. Kemp's opponent, Stacey Abrams, is the former minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives and aims to be the first black female U.S. governor. She previously clashed with Kemp when he opened a fraud probe into an organization she started to boost voter turnout among minorities in 2014. States need to have some means of verifying absentee voter identities to guard against ballots being intercepted and returned by others, said Rick Hasen, an election law professor at the University of California at Irvine. "The problem is that signature matching is not an exact science and we know that even when officials try to do it fairly, peoples' signatures change over time, so it's not really a very accurate way of measuring someone's identity," he said. Best Practice The best practice, according to Hasen, is to give voters a chance to address perceived discrepancies. The bigger issue is whether a federal court can compel that process, because judges are reluctant to wield such power over a state without some showing of fundamental unfairness, he said. May's decision following Tuesday's hearing could hint at the outcome of the lawsuit over the exact match law. In that case, before U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross, Georgia is accused of wrongfully placing holds on voter registration forms if the names and addresses don't exactly match the state's database. The discrepancies, including slight misspellings or missing hyphens or apostrophes, are disproportionately found on forms filed by African-Americans, the groups say. The 2017 law behind the exact-match policy "works in concert with historical, socioeconomic, and other electoral conditions in Georgia to deny African-American, Latino, and Asian-American voters an equal opportunity to register to vote and participate in the political process," the groups said. People whose registrations were placed on hold can still vote if they show photo ID that proves they're eligible. The cases are Martin v. Kemp, 1:18-cv-04776; and Georgia Muslim Voter Project v. Kemp, 1:18-cv-04789, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia (Atlanta). WASHINGTON - District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine said Tuesday that his office has launched an investigation into sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of Washington, the latest in a string of state-level law enforcement officials now looking into the Catholic Church's handling of abuse complaints. The investigation, announced by Racine at a regularly scheduled breakfast among Washington's elected officials, will bring scrutiny to Catholic leaders who have come under intense criticism in recent months. Cardinal Donald Wuerl resigned this month as Washington's archbishop amid an uproar over a Pennsylvania grand jury report that depicted systemic abuse across the state's Catholic Church, including in Pittsburgh, where he had been a bishop. Wuerl's Washington predecessor, former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, was removed from ministry in June following allegations that he had sexually abused a teenager decades ago while serving as a priest in New York. Racine has limited power to prosecute crimes in the D.C., where felony cases are handled by the U.S. attorney's office. However, he is opening the investigation under his authority to enforce a Washington law governing nonprofit organizations, as well as a law on the mandated reporting of sexual abuse. D.C. statutes allow the attorney general to subpoena documents and seek penalties against a nonprofit - up to and including dissolving it - if the group "has exceeded or abused and is continuing to exceed or abuse the authority conferred upon it by law" or if it "has continued to act contrary to its nonprofit purposes." Violation of the District's mandated reporting requirements is a misdemeanor. The archdiocese said in a statement Tuesday that it "remains committed to a collaborative and transparent review process because there is not now, and has not been for decades, any problem of abuse of minors by clergy of the Archdiocese of Washington." The archdiocese says there has been no clergy abuse of a minor for more than 20 years - to the knowledge of church leaders. According to the statement, last month Wuerl asked archdiocesan attorneys to brief Racine's office on the church's efforts, including its public annual report about abuse. The archdiocese spends an average of $350,000 each year on child-protection efforts, it says. "We had a very productive exchange with the Attorney General and his staff," Kim Viti Fiorentino, the archdiocese's attorney and chancellor, said in the statement. Racine said in an interview that he had felt obligated to scrutinize the church in Washington after seeing the "withering set of facts" in the Pennsylvania grand jury report. The investigation will also focus on alleged violations of Washington's laws on mandated reporting of child sexual abuse. However, that law has a three-year statute of limitations. By contrast, there is no statute of limitations for D.C. law governing nonprofit organizations, giving Racine wide scope to investigate the church's handling of decades of abuse claims. "Any not-for-profit or charity that is using its charter to violate the law or conceal violations of the law could in fact be violating its not-for-profit charter," Racine said. Racine's approach enables him to respond to what he has described as intense public pressure for an investigation into the church's handling of abuse allegations against Washington clergy. During an August appearance on the "Kojo Nnamdi Show" on WAMU-88.5, Racine said his office's phones were "burning up" with calls urging him to examine those allegations. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, said she supports Racine's efforts. "I would encourage him to find out anything that we can about wrongdoing," she said. His office has set up a new online portal for victims to report abuse by Washington clergy, which can be found at www.ReportClergyAbuseto DCOAG.com. On Monday, the office of the District's U.S. attorney, Jessie Liu, said it has created a hotline and an email address for survivors of child sexual abuse by clergy - of any faith. It's striking for a city official to open a probe of the D.C. archdiocese. Before this summer, the archdiocese - which includes Catholics in D.C. and its Maryland suburbs - had seemed to have escaped the worst of the abuse crisis. McCarrick was one of the country's most outspoken church leaders about fighting abuse when scandals erupted in the early 2000s in Boston and was an author of a zero-tolerance approach toward priests who abused. McCarrick's predecessary, Cardinal James Hickey, was also considered a leader and the archdiocese was one of the first - in the 1980s - to have a policy for church employees accused of abusing youth. Washington's archdiocese is considered one of the country's most important U.S. seats for the church. It's the base of the U.S. government, as well as key Catholic institutions such as the bishops' conference and the Vatican Embassy. It includes 655,000 Catholics and 93 Catholic schools - some of the healthiest numbers in the Northeastern quadrant of the country, where the Catholic church has been shrinking for decades. The archdiocese is the largest nongovernmental provider of social services in the region, according to the archdiocese. It has more than 2,500 programs including those for the homeless, migrating and unemployed and those in need of free health care or legal aid. According to the website bishopaccountability.org, which tracks abuse accusations and cases, there are 13 states now running statewide probes of the Catholic Church, a historic high. In the early 2000s New Hampshire and Massachusetts investigated the church, as did Rockville Center, New York, said Marci Hamilton, a lawyer and advocate for abuse survivors. Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh announced late last month that he is investigating the abuse of children in the Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore. Bishop William Lori said his archdiocese is cooperating with a state investigation that is underway. "Based on my conversations with people throughout the Archdiocese . . . it is clear that we are a church in crisis and that crisis is one of trust. It is my hope and prayer that this independent review and other acts of transparency by the Archdiocese will bring about greater trust in the Church among those who are understandably skeptical about the Church's handling of allegations of abuse," Lori wrote in a letter to his priests. In Virginia, leaders of Survivors Network for those Abused by Priest, or SNAP, an advocacy-support group, are pressing Attorney General Mark Herring to meet with their group and hear their argument for a Pennsylvania-like probe, SNAP leader Becky Ianni said Monday night. Herring's office did not return an immediate request for comment to the Post, but sent an e-mail wrote to Richmond SNAP leader Dorothy Klammer to say they could not comment as to whether an investigation is ongoing or not. "We encourage any survivors of sexual abuse to reach out to our office or their local law enforcement or Commonwealth's Attorney's office, so they can connect with resources and support," said the Constituent Services e-mail to Klammer. When Aubrey Fontenot's eight-year-old son Jordon was being bullied at school by an 11-year-old schoolmate named Tamarion, the Houston-area father stepped in and was reminded that things aren't always what they seem. "My son gets daily progress reports and it seemed like the two always had issues. The bullying thing was ongoing," Fontenot, a local tattoo artist, tells the Houston Chronicle. "I asked my son about it and he told me the boy was messing with him and was too rough." RELATED: Where's the compassion for bullying victim? A concerned Fontenot turned to the school for help. "I told them that stuff like this can be a lot for a kid and we didn't know what my son was going through. They said they would take care of it," he says. After another incident occurred a week later, an upset Fontenot found himself back in the school's office. This time, a conversation with Tamarion's mother revealed that the family had fallen on hard times and was experiencing homelessness. "I decided I wanted to talk to the boy myself, and his mom gave me permission," Fontenot notes. Young Tamarion admitted to being envious of Fontenot's son. The object of that envy? Clean clothing. "He said he was getting made fun of by the other kids. They said his shoes were cheap and his clothes were dirty." Rather than add to Tamarion's troubles, Fontenot opted for kindness over reprimand. The following week, the pair went shopping to buy new apparel for Tamarion. "I figured I could help both him and my son, and better the situation." The experience came with important life lessons for the children. Fontenot's advice to Tamarion began by explaining that everyone makes mistakes. "I told him he's a great person and this [situation] doesn't make him bad," Fontenot says. RELATED: Man levels 3-decades-old bullying charge against Katy ISD's superintendent at public session "I also told him that no matter what's going on, you have to walk around with your head up and chest up. This world is tough. You can't let what people say or do bring your self-confidence down." As for Fontenot's son, Jordon, he learned something valuable as well. "I told my son that if you put good things out in the world, good things will come back to you." Fontenot recorded some of his mentoring of the boys. Today, the two boys are friends. And Fontenot, going the extra mile, has generously started a GoFundMe campaign to benefit Tamarion and his family. To date, more than $24,000 has been raised, exceeding the original goal of $7,000. Marcy de Luna is a digital reporter specializing in social media, the famous, and food. You can follow her on Twitter @MarcydeLuna. Read her stories on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | Marcy.deLuna@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message Authorities hope newly released surveillance video will help identify the man accused of shooting a woman inside a bar Sunday morning. The shooting happened around 7 a.m. inside the El Sapo Enamorado bar, located along the Beaumont Highway near Van Hut Lane. The bar's manager was throwing the man out of the bar when he pulled out a gun and shot through the front door, striking a woman inside, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Several men then fled with the shooter in a two-door hatchback, according to detectives. The woman was rushed to an area hospital where she was listed in stable condition. Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call HCSO Violent Crimes Unit at 713-274-3351 or Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477). 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 | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message Several off-duty police officers found a man shot in a northeast Houston park on Tuesday. The officers were working an extra job at a nightclub on Cavalcade when they heard gunshots erupt in a park just to the east of them, near Hunting. They saw a man stumble out of the bayou area next to the park around 2 a.m., Houston police spokesman Lt. Larry Crowson said. Hed been shot at least twice. The man was taken to the hospital and is expected to survive. The circumstances of the shooting arent known. A gold Chevrolet Impala might have been involved, according to Crowson. A man has been charged with intoxication manslaughter after an altercation at a bar led to a deadly road rage-related crash near a north Houston freeway, authorities said. Luis Gaspar, 22, was arrested shortly after the deadly crash that involved a Chevrolet 3500 van he was driving, a Chrysler 300 he was allegedly chasing and another Chevrolet 3500 van both vehicles struck. The crash killed a front passenger of the van that was not part of the chase. That person has been identified as Enrique Rodriguez. He was on his way to work. At a probable cause hearing on Tuesday, prosecutors said Gaspar told police that he had four beers at Mambo's and a flea market on Airline. Gaspar and the driver of the Chrysler got into an argument after they "bumped shoulders" at a club in the flea market, the court hearing said. Gaspar and the driver son chased each other south on Airline around 2:20 a.m., a prosecutor said. The driver of the Chrysler ran a red light at the intersection with the North Freeway service road and collided with the other van, which was traveling north. Gaspar's vehicle also hit the van on the passenger side. Gasper told police that he was trying to get away from the driver of the Chrysler when he noticed they were following him, the prosecutor said. Police said they smelled alcohol on Gaspar's breath and that he was "speaking with slurred speech and had red glassy eyes," the prosecutor added. All six people involved in the crash were sent to area hospitals. The driver and passenger of the Chrysler suffered minor injuries, police said. The judge set bail for Gaspar at $40,000. Law enforcement officials and distraught family members on Tuesday pleaded for help in finding a man that is accused of fatally shooting a Houston-area father while his two children were present. Ronald Roy "Poppa" Smith is accused of slaying Michael Ware during an argument in the 15600 block of Bammel Village around 1:15 p.m. Sunday. Smith is now wanted in two Houston-area homicides. The second -- the Dec. 26, 2017 shooting death of Sherroin Brentley -- occurred just 10 miles south in northwest Houston, authorities said. Our community must pull together to get this extremely dangerous killer off our streets and in jail where he belongs, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said at a news conference Tuesday morning. Its time hes held accountable before someone else crosses his path. OOPS? Police say man accidentally shot girlfriend A witness told police that initial gunfire erupted on Sunday during the argument outside of a car, police said. Ware collapsed outside of the vehicle, and the shooter got into a car a dark colored Chevrolet sedan and then shot at the victim again. The witness told police that Smith fled southbound on Bammel Village. Two children were inside the car at the time of the shooting, sheriffs office Deputy Alfred Vera said. Two children were in the middle of a homicide, and this guy had no care in the world whenever he shot and killed our victim, Vera said. Family members were present at the news conference. Kimberly, who spoke for the Wares, said that the family is distraught. Its very, very hard, she said. We dont want it to happen to anyone else, and I pray that no one else have to go through this because its a hard situation. Kimberly said Ware was quiet and humble. The 34-year-old man had two children and many relatives. SECOND TRIAL: Houston case drew national attention. Defendant back in court. Its just painful, knowing that it happened to him cause hes not the type that bothered anyone, she said. Investigators also said they believe Smith was involved in the shooting death of Sherroin Brentley on Dec. 26, 2017. The victim was found dead in the drivers seat of a car parked at the Diamond Food Mart in the 8300 block of Veterans Memorial Drive. A warrant was issued for Smiths arrest the next day, court records show. Houston police Investigator Nina Sharp said the Houston Police Department is working with the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force to find Smith before its too late. Theres no reason to believe hes not going to do it a third time, she said. Prosecutors gave a blow-by-blow description Tuesday of the way Terry Thompson, the husband of a fired sheriffs deputy, suffocated a young Houston father last year by applying a chokehold while straddling him in the parking lot of a Crosby-area restaurant. The details came in the first day of testimony as Thompsons second murder trial began in earnest. They tried to pull Terry Bryan Thompson off John Hernandez, prosecutor Sarah Mickelson Seeley told jurors in opening statements. Terry Bryan Thompson was too big. Too strong. It is the second time Thompson, a 42-year-old railroad worker, has been tried on allegations that he intentionally killed 24-year-old Hernandez on May 28, 2017, a death that triggered protests over disparate treatment of law enforcement personnel and their family. Thompson entered a plea of not guilty as the proceedings began Tuesday. His attorney, Scot Courtney, did not give an opening statement. He has long maintained that Thompson had the right to hold Hernandez down after Thompson apparently punched him in the eye during the late-night confrontation. Clearly it was too forceful because it resulted in Mr. Hernandezs death, Courtney has said. But he had every right to restrain him until the police got there. Hernandezs family and supporters filled one side of state District Judge Kelli Johnsons court while a half-dozen of Thompsons supporters sat on the other side. Seeley acknowledged that Hernandez was so intoxicated that his wife directed him to take her and her daughter to the Dennys near their home in Crosby instead of the restaurant they were planning to go to. Hernandez was apparently urinating in the parking lot when Thompson, his teenage daughter and two of her friends drove up. The teens went inside while Thompson confronted Hernandez an exchange that was caught on surveillance video. You can see him on the video, she said. Hes making loud, big gestures. Seeley said jurors would see several videos, including camera phone video that ignited a series of protests in downtown Houston with activists wearing Justice for John T-shirts and signs. The high-profile case made national headlines after that video, filmed by a bystander, was released showing a chaotic 53 seconds of the 15-minute encounter on the sidewalk outside the restaurant. In June, a mistrial was declared after a Harris County jury could not agree on a verdict, although Thompson came within a few votes of being acquitted. Thompsons defense lawyer said he does not expect prosecutors to bring any new evidence during the second trial. I dont think theres any smoking gun or unknown witnesses or anything like that, Courtney said. Read more: Defense attorney: Houston man punched fellow Dennys patron and sparked fight leading to his choking death Courtney has maintained that Thompson was attacked and responded by taking an intoxicated Hernandez to the ground and holding him down as they waited for deputies to come. A crowd gathered around the two men, and several pleaded with Thompson and his wife to release Hernandez as he struggled to breathe. Thompsons wife, Chauna Thompson, who was then a Harris County sheriffs deputy, is also charged with murder, accused of helping to hold Hernandez down. She was fired by Sheriff Ed Gonzalez after the incident. The fatal encounter began when Thompson called out to Hernandez for urinating in the parking lot. Hernandez responded by apparently striking the rail worker in the face, and blood tests later showed he had a large amount of alcohol in his system. Evidence showed that Thompson quickly took the intoxicated man to the ground and held him until he lost consciousness on the pavement outside the restaurant. He died days later in a hospital. Read more: Harris Co. sheriff's deputy, husband charged with murder in choking death of man at local Denny's The first trial ended in a mistrial when 11 jurors voted not guilty on the murder charge. Ten voted not guilty for the lesser charge of manslaughter, and eight agreed Thompson was not guilty of criminally negligent homicide. The prosecutors who first took it to trial, Patrick Stayton and Jules Johnson, have been replaced by veteran prosecutors John Jordan and Sarah Mickelson Seeley. Last week, more than 100 prospective jurors answered a questionnaire and were selected Friday. There are 12 jurors and 3 alternates. Of the 15, eight are women and seven are men. They were told the trial may last three weeks. If convicted of murder, Thompson faces the possibility of life in prison and would have to serve half of his sentence before he would be eligible for parole. brian.rogers@chron.com Daniel Acker / Bloomberg Two Houston-area workers face federal charges accusing them of pocketing customers' mail-in rebates on Dr Pepper, Snapple and other soft drinks. Joseph A. Isaac, 52, of Houston and Anna Maria Sites, 41, of Friendswood, are charged with mail fraud and conspiracy to commit mail fraud during their employment at a rebate administration company called FulFill Plus. Even as the Texas prison population continues its long-term decline, the number of inmates sent to state lock-ups for violent offenses is on the rise, according to an annual statistical report released by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Given the downward trend in crime rates, it's not clear what's driving that shift, but some experts pointed to the state's increasing population and others framed it as a sign of the gaps in the efforts to reduce incarceration. "It's in pockets," said Scott Henson, policy director with the criminal justice reform nonprofit Just Liberty. "Violent crime is not something that anybody has addressed with policy. Almost all of the reform advocacy has been on drug and property crime." But the Texas Department of Criminal Justice framed it as a matter of changing definitions of "violent offenses" in the data set and said the figures did not represent a real increase. "We believe that there are statistical answers and there's not actually a statistically significant increase - it's just that the definition has changed," said spokesman Jeremy Desel. The change was not referenced anywhere in the footnotes of the report, but officials said they would work to provide data clarifying how much that would have impacted the numbers. Over the past decade the prison population has plummeted from 156,000 to just over 145,000, a 7 percent reduction. Yet, the number of violent offenders sent to prison each year increased by 12 percent, from 13,777 sent in 2008 to 15,500 last year. The new data emerged in the prison system's comprehensive, 60-page statistical report for fiscal year 2017 released last week. "The violent crime numbers reported are going down," Henson said. "We're at five or six decade lows so the idea that it would be increasing can only be that we're sending people to prison that wouldn't have been 20 years ago." Prosecutors, he suggested, may be "charging up" less serious offenses as crime drops. Though there's been a slight uptick in violent crime in the last two years according to FBI data, it's been trending down in the long-run. Related: Houston violent crime up, murder down in new FBI report But Shannon Edmonds, head of governmental relations for the Austin-based Texas District and County Attorney Association, pointed to an uptick in the state's population - by about 4 million people over 10 years - as a possible cause of increase in violent offenders. "Even if the crime rate just held steady," he said, "the population increase by which you multiply that crime rate would logically result in more people coming into the prison system for violent offenses." Marc Levin, who heads the Center for Effective Justice and Right on Crime for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, offered another suggestion. "Prosecutors may be doing a better job of getting convictions," he said. Overall, the average sentence length for a Texas prisoner has increased from 17.4 years in 2008 to 18.4 years in 2017. Even as counties across the state send more violent offenders to prison and sentence lengths rise, they're sending fewer people for drug crimes. Last fiscal year, the prison system had about 6,800 fewer drug offenders in custody than they did in 2008, and the department received about 6,000 fewer new prisoners sentenced for drug crimes than a decade earlier. READ MORE: Less than half of Americans think death penalty applied fairly, according to Gallup poll The number of state inmates locked up for property crimes is down, too, a shift that could be partially a consequence of a 2015 legislative change that raised the threshold for felony theft from $1,500 to $2,500. The report also shows that the number of prisoners serving life without parole sentences has skyrocketed to over 1,000 last year from just over 100 in 2008. That's a change that's easier to explain: Texas introduced life without parole as a sentencing option in 2005. At the same time, the death row population is down by more than 100, a gradual change in keeping with a long-term decline in the use of capital punishment. Note: This story has been updated with comment from TDCJ. Gene Kranz, arguably the most famous flight director in NASA's history, is of the generation that played sandlot sports, got their sense of adventure from reading pulp fiction and made model airplanes out of balsa wood and toilet paper rolls. This generation that looked to space as America's next great adventure is also of the "Apollo generation," who helped the U.S. become the first country to land on the moon in July 1969, Kranz, 85, said Tuesday. But as their time here on Earth comes to an end, Kranz' effort to restore Historic Mission Control to its glory days and inspire the next generation of space geeks is well on its way, with more than 80 percent of its $5 million goal raised. A DIFFERENT SPACE AGENCY: NASAs recent woes took root with loss of space shuttle program "This is a very special place, and I'm passionate about the importance of restoring and preserving it," Kranz said Tuesday at a luncheon held to both honor him and raise money for the restoration project. Prior to the luncheon Tuesday, $4.2 million had been raised. Officials with Space Center Houston the museum side of Johnson Space Center in Houston and one of the entities raising money for the project did not have an updated number that took into account Tuesday's fundraiser. Johnson is home of the nation's astronaut corps, where mission control is located. Kranz, a former mission control flight director during the Gemini and Apollo programs, is best known for leading the enormous team on the ground that helped bring the Apollo 13 astronauts home after an oxygen tank explosion forced them to abort their trip to the moon in 1970. Flight directors are in charge of keeping astronauts safe by leading teams of controllers, researchers, engineers and support personnel at the Houston center. Holly Ridings, the first woman to be named chief flight director at NASA's mission control, said in a video created for Tuesday's event that Kranz laid the groundwork and set the definitions for how her team of flight controllers operate half a century later. "We are the guardians of human spaceflight, and we trace our lineage back to Mr. Kranz," she said. The historic mission control room famously used for the Gemini, Apollo and a handful of space shuttle missions was decommissioned in the 1990s after the Space Shuttle Discovery spent seven days in space in 1992. The room had fallen into a state of disrepair, and in 2015 the National Park Service designated the National Historic Landmark as "threatened." Museum officials hope to restore mission control to its 1969 glory in time for the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing next summer. That timing still is on track, scheduled for opening early July. The public will be able to see the room just as it was on July 24, 1969, down to some of the smallest details. Carpeting, tile, paperwork, coffee cups, ashtrays, and even the wallpaper are in the process of being recreated to make Mission Control look just as if the entire team all went on a restroom break at one time and left the room unattended. Even the Apollo 11 mission clocks will be reactivated. 'SUPER THANKFUL': NASA astronaut Nick Hague ready to fly again after aborted Soyuz launch last week Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner also attended Tuesday's event, saying it was a "very proud moment" for the city. "As a kid, I always wanted to go up into space, but I just never made it," Turner said. "Today, a whole lot of kids dream of going into space and this one city and one region is where, if dream it, you can make it happen." Turner presented Kranz with a proclamation naming Oct. 23, 2018, "Gene Kranz Day" in Houston. "As we raise funds for restoration, we most of all want to pay tribute to a great American leader," said Gwen Griffin, a member of the board of directors for the Manned Space Flight Education Foundation, which owns and operates Space Center Houston. "It is with great pride that we all come together to honor Mr. Kranz," she added. Alex Stuckey writes about NASA and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey. by Caterina Zakharova The great Ukrainian intellectual explains the reasons that push his people to demand independence from the patriarchate of Moscow. In Russia, state pressures and the exploitation of the Church are the order of the day. An independent Church would be a very important step towards the liberation of Ukraine from its Soviet past. But the problem is above all a spiritual one. Kiev (AsiaNews) - The question of the autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has led to the rupture in communion between Moscow and Constantinople. What seems to many a nonsensical quarrel, hides spiritual and political problems. The autocephaly of the Ukrainian Church dates back to long before the invasion of Crimea and is desired and wanted by the Ukrainians to out an end to the political exploitation of the Russian Orthodox Church. These are main theses that the scholar Konstantin Sigov expresses in this interview. Sigov, 56, is a leading Ukrainian intellectual and an exceptional ecumenical personality. Philosopher, university professor, director of the Center for European Humanistic Research at the National University Academy of Kiev Mohyla. "All of Ukraine was shocked when a mother asked for a funeral for her child and the priest refused because the child was baptized in the schismatic patriarchate of Kiev. Is it a political question? No, it's a spiritual question. How can you fail to show mercy to people just because they are not "canonical"? It means that the "canon" becomes an instrument of segregation, of isolationism, used to enclose millions of people into a "ghetto" just because they do not want to submit to the Kremlin. The question is not political but spiritual and moral, it is a question for the Church after all". So is the autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church a real need for your country? Autocephaly has been requested for a long time, long before Porosenko, long before the Majdan and even the 2004 Orange Revolution. It dates back to the time when Ukraine gained independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Initiatives were immediately taken in the sense by the Ukrainian Church, and from one of these the Autocephalous Schismatic Church was born. If autocephaly had been given to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church at that time, there would have been no schisms. The experience of the past 25 years has shown that Moscow does not seek opportunities for dialogue in Ukraine, it is now clear that there is no hope of achieving anything in this sense. Yet we speak of millions of people, not tens of thousands, but of millions considered schismatic, even if there are no dogmatic differences between us and them, the saints are the same ... The only point on which there is no unity are relations with Moscow. In order for there to be diversity in unity and unity in diversity, a path of dialogue must be found. And if today there is the opportunity to overcome this situation - and this behooves all of us men of faith - it must be taken. Of course, we still need to understand how. It is a difficult question that cannot be superficially resolved, simplifications are odious and potentially damaging, but nor can we cede to panic and immobilizing fear which only give rise to worse evils. This is not Christian it is fatalistic. Instead, everything depends on how the Spirit works, on our openness and on the degree to which we are capable of acting in communion, through dialogue. So, on the one hand it is about having a willingness to dialogue to resolve the issue in a constructive manner, on the other obviously we need to see how this will be accomplished, in fact, even if the will is there, there is always the great risk of interference. The authorities of the Russian Orthodox Church are not free to present their personal point of view regarding ecclesiastical matters. It is absolutely clear that the Russian Orthodox Church suffers from the very strong influence of the Kremlin. After the latest cases in Moscow, where they assaulted the demonstrators and other people were arrested for no reason, it is very clear that there is strong pressure on the various social structures, and on the Church in particular, because it is the largest existing institution that does not belong to the state. Would autocephaly eliminate the influence of Russian politics on the Church? If we take into account what has happened in Russia in recent years, the increase in the use of violence against civil society; if we take into account that at currently there is no possibility of separating State and Church, spiritual power from temporal power - on the contrary, the pressure of the State on the Church is radically increasing, and thus the exploitation of the Church increases. Therefore for we Ukrainians, it is clear that the only possibility to give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's, to escape the influence of the State is to separate ourselves from the Russian Orthodox Church. Personally I would prefer that there was less politics in this field. I think that at the stage where we are now, after all that has been done, we should ask all the political figures of all parties to leave bishops, believers and non-believers alone and presidents to refrain from becoming involved in this business, which is not a matter for Putin, nor Erdogan, nor Porosenko. Is there not the risk that the national question becomes more important than the spiritual one in the new Ukrainian Church, that nationalism prevails? The risk is always there, but the contexts are very different. The situation in Ukraine, in 27 years of independence, has never been monolithic nor will it ever be. There has always been plurality in Ukraine and this plurality will always be preserved; none of the Churches can become a State Church. Ukrainian civil society is convinced that in its diversity, in its rich mosaic, is its strength, its wealth and that therefore this situation should not change. At the same time I do not want to idealize reality: we must avoid any extremism, including the ethnocentric one, taking on the same role that it has today within the Russian Orthodox Church. For this reason, the young Ukrainian Church should have at heart the fact that the other Churches, not only Constantinople, but the Church of Georgia, the Czech Republic, Romania, Greece, are in dialogue with each other, and that Ukraine finally comes out of its isolation. Above all, we will have to avoid violence in possible future redistribution of churches among the various patriarchates. The measure, the social rationality that belonged to the first months of the Majdan must be kept to the highest degree. All the foreigners who came to Kiev in those months were astonished by the fact that they did not find even one broken window, not one overturned car, the streets were clean ... This is the model we need today. The situation is very delicate and precisely for this reason we need the solidarity of all Christians, not only of the Orthodox, but also of the Catholics. Everyone now understands that the question of dialogue between East and West depends on the situation in Kiev. So it is necessary that Kiev can carry on a direct dialogue and not be isolated. I have been amazed to hear Moscow accuse Bartholomew of Papism. Neither Rome nor Constantinople have the same geopolitical ambitions that Moscow has today. Ambitions ranging from the annexation of territories to the idea that any European city in which there are Russian-speaking inhabitants is in fact a piece of the Russian world. It is clear that an independent Church would be a very important step towards the liberation of Ukraine from its Soviet past, and it is precisely this that today provokes Putins reaction. He does not want to let Ukraine go and will try to keep it by all means, including the exploitation of Church. This is why today the pressure on the Russian Orthodox Church is so strong; I am very sorry for the people who are subject to it and who bend to it. Someone wrote that the question of Ukrainian autocephaly is a terrible anachronism in the 21st century, the attempt to live according to models of other times. History shows that patriarchy and autocephaly become important only when it comes to big politics. And when we talk about politics we forget the Church as a community of faithful. In this regard, I would like to quote a comment by Father Zelinsky: if millions of people have been asking for it for more than 25 years, if they want their sacraments to be recognized, how can you tell them: go away? We speak of anachronism. And are not the relations between the State and the Church in Moscow such an anachronism? We must emerge from the logic of isolationism. Isolationism says that everything that is happens externally to us hurts us. If we leave behind this logic we can realize that the initiative that is being carried out can be for the good of the Russian Church itself. It is true: the Russian Orthodox Church would formally reduce the number of its faithful, but this could be for the best. In theology we speak of kenosis: the inner emptying that creates the space so that the power of the Spirit acts. This is an opportunity for the Russian Church to practice kenosis. It is not a question of quantity but of quality. In 1996, when Estonia proclaimed its autocephaly, Eucharistic communion was interrupted for months. At that time I was in Oxford and there, in the same church, Metropolitan Kallistos, of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, and Metropolitan Vasily, of the Patriarchate of Moscow celebrated. For them the interruption of communion was a tragedy; then the metropolitan Kallistos, one of the major theologians of Constantinople, publicly said that the Eucharist cannot be abused, that the Eucharistic communion cannot be interrupted: it is not done by doctrinal differences, nor can it be done by territorial questions. Who perpetuates this rhetoric? Kiev? On the contrary, Kiev wants to overcome the absence of Eucharistic communion between Churches that live in the same street in our city, in the same family. This is our task. East LA Interchange, an examination of gentrification and demographic shifts as seen by an immigrant in an older neighborhood in East Los Angeles, screens Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Emory. The event features a discussion with filmmaker Betsy Kalin; Emory students taking Documentary Film and Media History will attend. SCHEDULE The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival On Campus runs Oct. 28-30. Tickets are free for students, $5 for faculty and staff, and $15 for the general public. The event features a collection of past AJFF favorites, guest speakers and an opening night reception with Spanish-themed cuisine. All films will be shown in Emorys White Hall 208 screening room. Only Human (Opening Night) Sunday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m. Fannys Journey Monday, Oct. 29, 6:15 p.m. The Law Monday, Oct. 29, 8:30 p.m. What Our Fathers Did:A Nazi Legacy Tuesday, Oct. 30, 5:25 p.m. East LA Interchange Tuesday, Oct. 30, 8 p.m. Tickets and more details are available here. The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival On Campus returns to Emory Oct. 28-30, bringing cutting-edge international films, documentaries and post-screening discussions. The three-day mini-festival features five films that have previously screened at the broader Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, selected to tie in to current Emory College course topics as well as broader societal themes designed to engage both students and the broader community. For instance, students in Jose Luis Boigues Theater, Film and Performing Art course will be in the audience for the AJFF On Campus opening night showing of Only Human. The farce about a Jewish TV reporter who brings her Palestinian fiance home to meet her parents could have been set, based on the plot action, in multiple countries. That it takes place in Spain, where the two faiths lived together in the Middle Ages, could be significant to the comedys underlying tension. Our course goal is to ensure students can analyze Hispanic films and theater in a cultural context, says Boigues, a senior lecturer in Spanish and Portuguese. This is an opportunity for them to conduct a critical analysis of various filmic elements such as the setting and the characters and even the genre. AJFF Executive Director Kenny Blank hopes those sorts of observations pop up during Q-and-A sessions following the screenings. Officially, the goal of both the AJFF and its on campus event is simply to expose audiences to films from around the globe. But because the films are open to the public, the campus events have the potential to create multi-generational discussions and debates. We see this as a great opportunity to engage college students not just with the films, but with the community, Blank says. Many of these films really prompt a need for a deeper conversation, which dovetails nicely with what students are learning in class. The power of community partnerships As chair of Emorys Department of Film and Media Studies and AJFF board member, Matthew Bernstein was instrumental in bringing the inaugural AJFF On Campus event last year and its return this fall. Like the larger festival held every winter, the campus festival carries the theme of building bridges through understanding. That extends beyond film topics to the collaboration itself, Bernstein says. There is great power in our current students seeing a community that has a lifelong engagement in the arts, he says. The festival is a perfect example of Emory and the Atlanta community partnering to create a new event for everyone. The event also translates classroom teachings to real-world experience. Students in Timothy Hollands Documentary Film and Media History course are spending the fall term discussing the frameworks documentaries use in capturing societal issues. They will view East LA Interchange, an examination of gentrification and demographic shifts as seen by an immigrant in an older neighborhood in East Los Angeles. The points of view and issues will be part of Hollands class discussion, which he expects will include references to similar shifts in Atlanta neighborhoods. But the students and all film goers will have additional fodder for their input. Filmmaker Betsy Kalin will be on hand for the post-screening discussion about the documentary. Any time the classroom expands and the students can see their coursework in the public sphere, its an educational moment, says Holland, an assistant professor of film and media studies. What we study is not contained in an ivory tower. The Alamo and Hurricane Harvey relief are top issues as Land Commissioner George P. Bushs seeks re-election, two topics that highlight difficulties of his first term. Nonetheless, Bush has name recognition and campaign funding that his Democratic and Libertarian opponents cannot match. After a tough primary in which three Republicans challenged him, Bush is now up against two political newcomers in the general election Democrat Miguel Suazo and Libertarian Matt Pina. Suazo, an energy and natural resources attorney in Austin, said he was initially hesitant to challenge Bush, the scion of a Republican political dynasty in Texas that includes two former presidents and a former governor. But Suazo said he was persuaded by Democratic polls showing it is a winnable race. He is banking on a wave of Texans turning out to vote for U.S. Senate candidate Beto ORourke and picking him for land commissioner. For the first time in a long time, people have viable options in these races, Suazo said of his own race and other statewide races such as the campaigns for attorney general and agriculture commissioner. I will put my resume next to Commissioner Bushs any day of the week in terms of doing the work. Bush was easily elected in 2014 to the Texas General Land Office, a relatively obscure state agency that manages state lands, operates the Alamo, helps fund Texas public education through oil and gas leases, and helps the state recover from natural disasters. For subscribers: 2018 Houston Chronicle Voter Guide For subscribers: 2018 San Antonio Express-News Voter Guide After Hurricane Harvey swept through Texas in late August, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner accused the General Land Office of hogging $5 billion in federal relief aid awarded in November. He criticized Bush for delays in making the funds available and said local government officials in Houston were largely excluded as Bush and his staff drafted a plan for how to use the money. An analysis by the Houston Chronicle later that month found that the short-term housing effort led by Bush trailed well behind post-disaster efforts in other states and was hampered by interagency finger-pointing, legal wrangling and staffing shortfalls. Shortly thereafter, Phil Wilson, general manager of the Lower Colorado River Authority, was tapped to join Bushs office to speed up the process and get eligible storm survivors housing assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. We cant force people to use these programs, Bush said in interviews early this year, in explaining the delays. Constituents had ample opportunity to use these programs, and many chose to go a different path. And look, I get it. Your house is the most important investment that you make. Bush declined to comment for this article, directing reporters to his website and social media accounts. At the same time that he was being criticized for his Harvey relief efforts, some state lawmakers were questioning Bushs management of the Alamo. In February, a draft audit that was leaked to the media noted troubles with the Alamos financial operations and criticized Bush for putting the Alamo under the management of three nonprofits that operate with less transparency than a government agency. Bush later resigned from the board of the Alamo Trust, the nonprofit that oversees the Alamos daily operations, to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. The three nonprofits still operate fundraising and management of the Alamo. After the final version of the audit was released at the end of May, the GLOs chief financial officer was given oversight of the Alamos accounting office, and three employees with experience in finance were hired to oversee accounting and management. Bush said implementing those changes resulted in the highest level of oversight in the Alamos accounting and financial management. In a written response to questions about his priorities if re-elected, Bush names following through with the Alamo plan: Restoring the Alamo to the place of reverence that it deserves to be by creating a world class museum telling the story of the battle, as well as taking back the original footprint back from the roads and carnival atmosphere that is currently at the site. He says Hurricane Harvey relief is another: We are administering programs to help Texans get back on their feet and are continuing to work with Congress and the Trump administration to ensure continued aid to those affected by Harvey. The Alamo Master Plan, which had been in the works for four years, was approved by the San Antonio City Council earlier this month. The plan will lease the Alamo Plaza to the GLO and relocate the Cenotaph, a monument honoring Alamo defenders killed in the 1836 battle. Despite the controversies in his first term, Bush still holds a strong advantage over his opponents in a state that hasnt elected a Democrat to statewide office since 1994, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston. Being a Bush presents credibility in certain circles, so that helps him to maintain a base of support that another Republican in this position might not have, Rottinghaus said. Incumbents are likely to get re-elected in almost any office, thats a general trend. And if youre a Republican in Texas and your name is Bush, the likelihood goes up significantly. Suazo said he believes his experience in energy law will mean he can effectively manage a major function of the office: to lease public lands to oil and gas companies. The revenue from those leases then goes into the Permanent School Fund, a main source of funding to public schools. And he said he agrees with most of Bushs Alamo plan, but wants to hire back the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to manage the shrine and keep the Cenotaph at its current location. He has also criticized Bush for not demanding that the governor call a special session following Hurricane Harvey so that the state could tap its rainy-day fund. I advocate for people, and I will do everything to represent their needs, Suazo said. Staff Writer Alejandra Matos contributed to this report. catherine.marfin@chron.com Listening to President Trump recently, the question arises: Whats he got against babies? Im not a baby, Trump felt compelled to assure CBS News Lesley Stahl twice during his 60 Minutes interview. First, on the subject of Kim Jong Un, when Stahl described his cruel kingdom of repression, gulags, starvation, asking, This is a guy you love? Trump: Sure. I know all these things. I mean Im not a baby. I know these things. Second, on the question of whether he trusts his own White House staff. Im not a baby, Trump assured Stahl. Its a tough business. ... This is a vicious place. Then, on Friday, The New York Times Emily Cochrane asked Trump what evidence he had that these are hardened criminals that are coming to the United States, Trump shot back, Oh please. Please. Dont be a baby. OK? This is not a new development, although there does seem to have been something of a baby boom of late. Back during the presidential campaign, Joshua Green reported in Devils Bargain, Trump exploded at then-campaign chairman Paul Manafort over a New York Times report that campaign aides took to television to get Trumps attention. You think youve gotta go on TV to talk to me? You treat me like a baby! Trump said, in Greens recounting. Am I like a baby to you? I sit there like a little baby and watch TV and you talk to me? Am I a f king baby, Paul? More recently, Bob Woodward, in Fear, recounts Trumps similarly phrased unhappiness with Rudy Giuliani when the former New York mayor took to the airwaves in the aftermath of the Access Hollywood tape. Woodward: Rudy, youre a baby, Trump said loudly. Ive never seen a worse defense of me in my life. They took your diaper off right there. Youre like a little baby that needed to be changed. When are you going to be a man? Likewise, attacking Sen. Richard Blumenthal last year after the Connecticut Democrat defended the investigation into Russian collusion, Trump unfurled his favorite insult. After reports that Blumenthal misrepresented his military service, Trump tweeted, he cried like a baby and begged for forgiveness like a child. And then, of course, that blimp Trump in an inflated, diapered rendition, his babyhood made manifest. We know the image rankled, even if he managed to avoid it on his trip to England in July. I guess when they put out blimps to make me feel unwelcome, no reason for me to go to London, Trump told The Sun. Whats this all about? We know that Trump has little evident interest in babies, including his own. Asked in a 2005 radio interview, when Melania Trump was pregnant with his fifth child, whether he would actually change diapers, Trump was quick to disavow such activities. Thats not my thing, he said. Im really, like, a great father, but certain things you do and certain things you dont. Its just not for me. This is not just a manifestation of Trumps aversion to germs. Trump expressed equal disdain for the apparently demeaning task of pushing his baby in a stroller, recalling how his second wife, Marla Maples, used to prod him to do so. Right, Im gonna be walking down Fifth Avenue with a baby in a carriage, Trump said. So taking care of babies is womens work, while being treated like a baby, or acting like one, is, literally, infantilizing. On one level, Trumps deployment of, and bristling at, baby as the ultimate insult illustrates his aversion to weakness, or the appearance thereof. Strong is Trumps go-to praise; nothing is weaker or more helpless than a baby. He does not want to appear either naive (for example, about Kims ruthlessness) or susceptible to being pushed around, whether by his staff or a foreign leader. But there is more going on here. Trumps quickness to express resentment about such handling is reminiscent of teenagers seeking to assert independence from parents. Im not a baby. You treat me like a baby. These eruptions sound more like a petulant freshman home for fall break than a president of the United States. And, like a college student beginning the process of separation, they betray a lingering anxiety about unreadiness for the task at hand. Marcus email address is ruthmarcus@washpost.com. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group President Trump is not popular in California, but a top national Republican said theres still a chance hell make a last-minute campaign swing through the state before the Nov. 6 midterm elections. Everything is on the table with the president and the party, Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee, told The Chronicles John Wildermuth while she was campaigning in Orange County with GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher. He has kept the last week of the campaign clear, and hell be where he is needed. Trump has come close to California in the past week, making campaign stops in Elko, Nev., and Mesa, Ariz., for Republican U.S. Senate candidates. But Trump is more popular in those states than in California, where only 27 percent of voters approve of the presidents job performance, according to a USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll released last week. Trump did appear last week with four Central Valley House members facing competitive re-election campaigns but they had to travel to Arizona to be photographed with the president. As he was flanked by Reps. Jeff Denham, David Valadao, Tom McClintock and Devin Nunes, Trump signed a presidential memo intended to divert more water to farmers and reduce regulatory burdens. Denham is locked in a tight race with first-time Democratic candidate Josh Harder, and said the presidents action would help him in his heavily agricultural district in and around Modesto. He said he would also appreciate a Trump visit to his district, where 43 percent of likely voters approve of the presidents performance, according to a Berkeley IGS Poll released this month. Then again, Denham said he would have encouraged former President Barack Obama to visit, too. Ive been very clear that Id welcome any president to come here, Denham said Saturday during a campaign stop in Banta, a San Joaquin County town just outside Tracy. I said Id welcome the last president to come here (too), because they need to understand the impacts that government regulations play on our community. Politically, a Trump visit could have an unpredictable outcome in California. He would probably whip up enthusiasm among Republican voters. But Trumps approval rating isnt above 49 percent in any of the GOP-held Orange County and Central Valley districts that Democrats are trying to flip, according to the Berkeley IGS survey. Theres a chance that his presence in the state might sway undecided independent voters who generally dont support him in California toward the Democrats. Trump might be more effective weighing in on California races via his most familiar campaign perch: Twitter. Thats how he conveyed his backing of John Cox for governor before the June primary, an endorsement widely seen as providing the San Diego-area businessman with the momentum he needed to qualify for the Nov. 6 general election. Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli The top two candidates for governor have finally agreed to debate. Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro will face-off in a debate airing at 7 p.m. Tuesday on CBS TV and radio affiliates across the state. Cuomo is the overwhelming favorite to win re-election, but viewers can still learn a lot about the candidates, their future and the future of New York state from the one-on-one showdown. Here are five things to watch for: Terms of debate Planning this debate took a bit more goading than usual, since Cuomo is way ahead in the polls and has very little to gain by helping his little-known opponent gain exposure. But after four days of the New York Post photoshopping him into a chicken suit, he gave in. Because Cuomos in control, pay attention to how the event is set up are the candidates seated? Is the room cold, as he likes it? Are supporters allowed in the room? Cuomo got to negotiate the exact set up he wanted for his primary debate with Cynthia Nixon on CBS, and the network will likely let him do it again. Lines of attack After eight years as governor Cuomo has a lot of soft spots that Molinaro could attack, like the states falling population, the governors growing list of associates accused of corruption, residents high tax burden or delays in New York Citys subway system. Which ones he focuses on, and how Cuomo responds, could reveal a lot about Cuomos weaknesses if he were to run for another office in the future. When Democratic donors decide next year who theyre supporting in the 2020 presidential cycle, theyre going to look at Cuomos performance in this campaign as a barometer of how he vulnerable he would be to such attacks in a national campaign. Cuomo might play it safe against Molinaro, seeing that a major attack line against Nixon in their debate youre a corporation fell flat. But hes guaranteed to attack his Republican opponent for belonging to the party of President Donald Trump, who has a 37 percent approval rating in New York. Cuomos counter-attack Molinaro launched a CuomoLeaks website last month seeking input from whistleblowers who wanted to blab about corruption in the Cuomo administration. Team Cuomo then countered with MolinarosShadyDeals.com accusing the Dutchess county executive of corrupt cronyism. The sites were stunts, but Molinaros knock on Cuomo has some staying power because it refers to revelations that have been trickling out for years. Can Cuomo make his attacks on Molinaro stick? His campaign has proved deft at going negative, but can Cuomo do it effectively in a debate? Positioning for the future Cuomo could skate through the debate and play it safe and boring as possible on his way to almost guaranteed victory on November 6. Or he could seize the opportunity of a high profile TV appearance and look beyond the election, whether to build support for his agenda for the state for the next four years or to set himself up for something bigger down the road. As for Molinaro, this debate will likely be many New Yorkers first introduction to the charismatic 43-year old. A strong performance could get Republicans around the state thinking about where he could go next especially if Democrat Antonio Delgado beats Rep. John Faso in the 19th congressional district, which includes some of Dutchess County. Upstate Everyone north of the (dearly departed) Tappan Zee Bridge felt ignored by Cuomo and Nixon in the primary debate. Expect Molinaro to turn the focus away from New York City, since hell need to win big upstate if he wants any chance of keeping this race close. And expect Cuomo to appeal to the same voters by talking about the billions of economic development dollars he has steered upstate. Nevermind that the results seemless impressiveunder scrutiny. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican challenger Marc Molinaro clashed on Oct. 23 in the first and likely only general election debate of the 2018 New York gubernatorial race. The hour-long debate, hosted by WCBS in midtown Manhattan, featured attacks and accusations though few specific policy differences as both candidates sought to define the race with just two weeks to go until the Nov. 6 election. The stakes were particularly high for Molinaro, who has trailed in every poll in the campaign. He tried to present himself to voters during the debate as a can-do moderate Republican who could address some of the states most entrenched problems, whether they be corruption, upstate economic developmen or the New York City subway system. But he spent much of the debate fending off Cuomos attempts to tie him to the policies of the Trump administration. While neither candidate had a major gaffe, the event did showcase each candidates particular brand of politics. Here are a few takeaways. [[{"fid":"6246","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Cuomo interrupted Molinaro and the moderators repeatedly throughout the debate","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Cuomo interrupted Molinaro and the moderators repeatedly throughout the debate"},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Cuomo interrupted Molinaro and the moderators repeatedly throughout the debate","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Cuomo interrupted Molinaro and the moderators repeatedly throughout the debate"}},"attributes":{"alt":"Cuomo interrupted Molinaro and the moderators repeatedly throughout the debate","title":"Cuomo interrupted Molinaro and the moderators repeatedly throughout the debate","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]] Control is everything for the governor As in his primary race debate with Cynthia Nixon, Cuomo only agreed to engage his opponent on his own terms. In this debate, the two candidates were both sitting down. No supporters were allowed in the same room. It was not apparent by press time what the temperature was in the room, but Cuomos desire to stay in control of everything was on full display. He interrupted Molinaro and moderators Marcia Kramer and Richard Lamb of WCBS repeatedly throughout the debate, even receiving an admonishment from Kramer: Dont make me punch you out, she told him. The governor accused him of being a fiscal fraud and said that he wanted to put women in shackles because of a vote Molinaro made in the state legislature that would have restrained women in prisons who are giving birth. And, in a sarcastic tone, he referred to Molinaro as one of my fiscal conservative friends. When Molinaro brought up the conviction on bribery charges of Cuomos once close associate Joe Percoco, Cuomo responded by attacking Molinaro for supposedly taking kickbacks. Thats a crime sir, Cuomo said as Molinaro looked on with an incredulous expression. For Cuomo, its all about Trump Cuomo spent much of the debate trying to characterize Molinaro as a supporter of Trump administration policies. He called the Dutchess County executive an acolyte and a mini me of the president, who he said wanted to keep migrant children in cages and undermine the civil rights of women and LGBTQ people. Im surprised it took him so long to go there, Molinaro said at one point when Cuomo accused him of wanting to take health insurance away from low-income people. The result was that Molinaro was stuck playing defense against Cuomo, including when the governor repeatedly shouted at him to say whether or not he supported Trump. We need to get out of this conversation, Molinaro said, yet Cuomo kept going at him. Molinaro finally said that he does support the president because today, under this president, America has the most competitive economy in the world. But one of the few times when Cuomo sat quietly during the debate was when his opponent brought up some uncomfortable details about Cuomos relationship with the president, including tens of thousands of dollars of past campaign donations from Trump that Cuomo has refused to refund and statements in 2017 that showed a willingness to work with the president and the video appearance that Trump made at Cuomos bachelor party in 1990. Cuomo has tried to position himself as a national leader of the resistance against Trump for the past year. A question on education during the debate led Cuomo to state: Its disgusting to the values of this county to have a president to take babies out of the arms of mothers. Expect Cuomo to keep the anti-Trump rhetoric up if he is re-elected, at least until the day he decides whether or not he will run for president. [[{"fid":"6247","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Molinaro repeatedly positioned himself as a moderate.","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Molinaro repeatedly positioned himself as a moderate."},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"2":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Molinaro repeatedly positioned himself as a moderate.","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"Molinaro repeatedly positioned himself as a moderate."}},"attributes":{"alt":"Molinaro repeatedly positioned himself as a moderate.","title":"Molinaro repeatedly positioned himself as a moderate.","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"2"}}]] Molinaro the self-professed moderate Molinaro repeatedly positioned himself as a moderate who resists the more divisive impulses of the Republican Party. He responded to one question about the possibility of implementing single payer health care in the state by decrying the costs of such an idea, rather than attacking it as socialist, as some Republicans have. While he attacked Cuomo as leading the most corrupt state government in America, he didnt characterize it as a product of the Democratic Party per se. Though he did not say he supported safe injection sites as a way of reducing overdose-related death, Molinaro spoke of mobile intervention teams, mental health services and other Democrat-friendly approaches to addressing the opioid crisis. He expressed support for increasing access to medicinal marijuana. There are so many people that cant access it because of regulations. He even said he views Roe v. Wade, same-sex marriage and civil rights protections for LGBTQ people as settled law. If Molinaro loses the election, his youth and moderate presentation could play well with voters in a congressional race or other elections. Positivity is out, negative is in Asked whether anything could be done to lower the temperature of public discourse, the candidates took different paths. Molinaro started his response by noting the he won his first election at age 19 in a race in which candidates didnt run with any party affiliation. He said he is into collaborating, not dictating and wants to tone down divisiveness in public discourse. Cuomo, however, immediately went on the attack once he had a chance to speak. He said that he is the exact opposite of everything (Molinaro) represents and Trump represents and that there arent nice words to do this. He then accused Molinaro of voting against LGBTQ rights during his time in the state Legislature. This is a divisive cancer that these people have brought, Cuomo said. Molinaro then waded into the rhetorical mud after Cuomo, saying: When are you going to stop lying? 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If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. Social media cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have added to the site to enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and messages you see on other websites you visit. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to use or see these sharing tools. If you want to opt out of all of our lead reports and lists, please submit a privacy request at our Do Not Sell page. Neil Coyle, the Labour MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, has written to JustGiving demanding it returns 500,000 to people who have paid fees on donations and officially apologises. Coyles letter, dated 16 October 2018 and addressed to chief executive of JustGiving and president of Blackbaud Jerry Needel, welcomed the announcement last week that it had dropped certain fees across its crowdfunding platform, and on appeal pages set up in the event of a terrorist attack or major disaster. However in the letter, which was shared with Civil Society News by his office, Coyle said he was disappointed to have been sent ill-informed representatives to a recent meeting with the platform on the issue. Civil Society News understands Coyle was also angered by the way JustGivings representatives handled themselves in the meeting, which took place at the beginning of July. Coyle finishes his letter by calling for another meeting with the fundraising platform to discuss how the money taken last year could be returned and whether JustGiving will now apologise for this horrendous breach of faith. He has been especially vocal on the subject since the terrorist attack in London Bridge last year, which took place in his constituency. In the summer he brought an amendment to the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Bill during the Bill Committee reading, proposing that "organisations that provide services for the purposes of raising donations shall not be entitled to profit from those services" in the event of an attack, although the amendment failed. He also wrote to Tracey Crouch, the minister for civil society, in September calling platforms charging fees on Gift Aid a "disgrace". A spokeswoman from Coyles office said that JustGiving has yet to respond to the most recent letter, or to requests for another meeting to discuss its contents. Coyle has spoken to GoFundMe The spokeswoman did confirm however that Coyle had recently had a phone call with rival giving platform GoFundMe about its approach to platform and Gift Aid fees. GoFundMe announced that it had dropped all platform fees, barring card processing charges, in January of this year. The US-based company, which launched in the UK in 2017, has since bought its own charity giving platform to market in the UK in a direct attempt to compete with JustGiving. John Coventry, head of communications at the platform, told Civil Society News that it had sent a briefing to a handful of MPs. He declined to share the names of members. A spokesperson for JustGiving declined to comment on the story, although he did confirm that Needel is currently splitting his time between Blackbauds offices in the US, and JustGivings London offices. He has been doing so since JustGiving's previous chief executive, Neil Bannister, stood down from the company following an accusation of sexual harrassment earlier in the year. IoF and CTG lobby government ahead of budget This flurry of activity in the fundraising platform sector has been prompted by growing calls on both sides of parliament for the Treasury to look into ways of closing the loophole that allows fundraising platforms to charge fees on Gift Aid at the next Budget. Robert Jenrick, Conservative MP for Newark and the Treasury minister, told The Sun in June that he wanted to stop digital fundraising platforms from taking commission from Gift Aid, and said he had instructed HM Revenues & Customs to prepare steps to bring this to an end if required in the Budget. The Fundraising Regulator has also been keeping a close eye on developments. Its new chief executive Gerald Oppenheim told Civil Society News that if the Treasury does change the law, of course well amend the Code of Fundraising Practice to prohibit platforms from charging fees on Gift Aid. Both the Institute of Fundraising and Charity Tax Group have addressed the Gift Aid fees model in their pre-Budget submissions. Both organisations were approached by JustGiving to welcome its announcement on changing its fees, and Civil Society News understands that both have been working behind the scenes with government on the issue of platform fees more generally. Daniel Fluskey, director of policy and external affairs at the IoF, said: We want to avoid a policy which aims to protect Gift Aid, or impose a way of working for platforms, that might be well intended but could lead to disrupting the relationships between charities and platforms, or result in higher charges elsewhere. He also said the IoF had suggested the government establish a working group on the issue to help "review and think through potential options". CTG has called on the government to consider facilitating discussions between charities and fundraising platforms about improving the transparency and equity of fees when Gift Aid is claimed on donations collected by intermediaries, particularly in relation to emergency and disaster appeals. The Autumn Budget is due to be delivered by Chancellor Philip Hammond next Monday. It started with a Band-Aid. A $629 Band-Aid. A medical bill emailed to Vox senior policy correspondent Sarah Kliff got her interested in emergency room facility feesa widely applied, highly variable, and little understood cost in the healthcare system. The fees, set between hospitals and insurers, are the charge from the hospital for coming in for treatment. Last October, Kliff set out to learn more about these fees through one of the only ways she could think of to get the information: by collecting hospital bills. By putting out calls on social media and on the site, Vox amassed a collection of emergency room bills. Kliff worked with Senior Engagement Manager Lauren Katz, News App Developer Kavya Sukumar, Visuals Editor Kainaz Amaria and Special Projects Editor Susannah Locke to get the project off the ground. Today, the database comprises more than 1,600 bills from every state and Washington, DC. So far, Kliff has written half a dozen articles from the database, and shell continue the to report from the trove through the end of the year. Since Kliff started the project, lawmakers have introduced multiple bills to address surprise medical fees, including legislation sponsored by New Hampshire democratic Senator Maggie Hassan that aides told CJR is inspired by Kliffs reporting. ICYMI: AP deletes tweet about migrants after heavy criticism CJR spoke with Kliff about how she came up with this approach to researching murky healthcare pricing, what her reporting has accomplished, and what other journalists can learn from her experience. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Sign up for CJR 's daily email How long have you been covering healthcare and how did you get interested in this beat? I started covering healthcare almost a decade ago. I first started with the Affordable Care Act. I was in an entry level position at Newsweek, [where I covered] the consumer health department, and then was on politics. They needed someone to write about the healthcare fight that was happening in Congress. I raised my hand for it, and thats what Ive been doing ever since. Why did you decide to start focusing on emergency department fees? This whole project actually started with a bill that a reader sent to me. This guy in Connecticut had taken his daughter to the emergency room. It was a 1-year-old girl and hed been clipping her fingernails and had cut her finger, and it was gushing blood. He was really worried, and it was a weekend, so the urgent care was closed. So he took her to the emergency room. And they said it was nothing to worry about, they put a Band-Aid on her finger and sent them home. And then he received a bill for $629. I get a handful of medical bills every year, but this one just kind of jumped out at me. That was the start of going down the rabbit hole with emergency rooms. I found out in that bill that the majority of the bill was the facility fee, which is the price of going into the emergency room and seeking service, and that those fees are typically private. You dont know what they are until you get billed, and they vary hugely from emergency room to emergency room. That story happened in May 2016, and I kept it in the back of my head. Wouldnt it be cool, I thought, if we could better understand this interaction that happens millions of times a year where people are constantly getting surprise bills? Could you tell me a little bit about why you decided to crowdsource? The only way to get emergency room prices is from individual bills. Its a super frustrating area of the healthcare space for me. Hospitals wont release this information, insurers wont release this information. There are databases that can tell you about prices in a certain state or prices in a certain city, but if you want to see what hospital X charges if you have Y insurance, the only way to get that is to find someone who was sent bills by that hospital with that insurance. How did you go about putting out this call? The folks in our social media team were really crucial to this. Particularly Lauren Katz, who has worked on some other crowdsourcing projects for us, helped me figure out how to promote this on our social media channels. I think one of the really important things we did is on all of my stories having a little callout box. We found that our biggest bumps in submissions would be whenever I wrote a story about emergency room bills. Id write a story and then a bunch of new bills would come in. ICYMI: What the media gets wrong about opioids And you built a tool on the site, right, for people to submit? We had to build that totally from scratch. That was probably the most challenging part of the project because we had to build a secure platform where wed feel comfortable housing private healthcare data. We had to work pretty closely with our legal team to make sure that the way we were collecting this wasnt going to put anyone at risk. When people submit their bills to Vox, we have the permission to read them. Id love to open the database to other local reporters, because theres 1,600 bills in here and Im not going to be able to write about all of them. But we havent quite figured out how to manage some of the privacy concerns, and we are very concerned with making sure people dont feel like they gave us a piece of personal healthcare data and we just share it willy nilly with someone else. Once you had all these bills in hand, how did you go about digesting the material? Was there a clear story out of it? Id say usually every few days I spend an hour or two just reading through the new submissions. Its basically just me reading them. One of the themes I saw was a lot of people really struggling financially. I see a lot of folks who are running into one of two situations: Either they have a high deductible, so theyre on the hook for a big chunk of their bill, or they ended up with some kind of out of network charge. Theres also a huge amount of price variation for very similar services. A story I worked on that really came out of this databaseI wouldnt have found any other waywas about the price of rabies vaccinations. If you are bitten by a raccoon, you cant really decide not to get the rabies vaccine. Its literally a life-or-death situation. But the price is incredibly high. We had a bill from someone who had gotten a rabies vaccine at an emergency room, and I think it was about $14,000, and they were on the hook for a good chunk of that because of the set-up of their insurance plan. I searched the database and realized there were other rabies bills, and that they were also in the thousands of dollars, but, like, a big range. Many of the stories youve written are remarkably personal. Were people open and willing to discuss their situations with you? Yeah. Thats one of the things that surprised me: the number of bills weve gotten and the number of interviews Ive done. People are really enthusiastic. A lot of them are just so frustrated and [feel] like they have no recourse. Theyre having their bills sent to collection, and they just feel really helpless in this difficult situation. You know, it can be a surprise how high these fees are. Ive found that people are actually really excited to have someone take an interest in their case. You asked readers to share their bills to help change hospitals practices of keeping ER fees secret. Has this story made an impact? Weve seen a lot of the bills we write about reversed. That being said, I dont think its a great way to run a healthcare system. Thats not a very good systemic reform. Im most encouraged by the multiple bills weve seen in the Senate introduced to end surprise emergency room billing for the first time in years. Its notable that both Republicans and Democrats are working on this issuethat, in a very polarized time of healthcare, its something everyone can agree this is a really bad situation for patients. (I also give a lot of credit to the folks at Kaiser Health News who are running a really great bill-of-the-month project that has similar features to ours.) Are there other aspects of the healthcare system that lack transparency that youd like to investigate after taking on this project? Oh my gosh, I mean, so many. The whole system is really not transparent. I need to get a 3D dental X-ray, and I cant even figure out how to find out what the prices are in Washington, DC in an efficient way. Theres something smart I saw in a newsletter Axios puts out from [lobbyist and former Senate Republican health policy aide] Rodney Whitlock. He was saying these stories about emergency bills and [legislation] around emergency billing are a gateway drug to the rest of the healthcare system. The ER bills are so salient and impactful because theyre so big and because emergency room visits are so common. If journalists are focusing on this particular area, then its an area thats also getting more attention from you know the policymakers who have the power to do something about it. What advice do you have for other journalists trying to report on healthcare prices? Always get the bills. If youre going to go to a hospital and ask about something that happened there, you need to have the documents: You dont just need the hospital bill, you also need to know what documents did they get from insurance to figure out what did this person end up on the hook for. You dont need a big fancy database or a national outlet. You can use Twitter, you can use Facebook, you can use your media outlets account to get information like this without building a tool like the one we built. You had a personal emergency room experience during the course of your reporting. Do you think that informed your approach to this subject? Yeah, I think it really did. The emergency room doctor was saying I needed this ultrasound and I didnt know if the radiologist is in network, but honestly I didnt bother asking because I was just like, well, Im not really in a place to protest. Im pretty sick, I have, like, a 104 degree fever. Luckily the radiologist was in network, so I didnt end up with any sort of big bill. Our healthcare system asks a lot of patients who are in really vulnerable situations. ICYMI: The Trump administrations new method for cracking down on leakers Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Elizabeth Hewitt is a journalist who lives in Brooklyn. She previously reported on Congress and criminal justice for VTDigger.org. Follow her on Twitter @emhew. As President Trump works to highlight immigration concerns ahead of the midterm elections, hes found willing media partners. For days, Trump has stoked alarm about the caravan, a group of Central American migrants making their way northward. Relying on the sort of racial fear-mongering that was a feature of his 2016 campaign, Trump on Monday baselessly claimed that unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in with the group. The idea that the caravan was being used by Middle Eastern terrorists to camouflage their passage to the US began spreading on right-wing blogs last week, and made its way to Fox News on Monday morning. During a Fox & Friends segment on the caravan, Pete Hegseth claimed that 100 ISIS fighters had been captured in Guatemala; a couple of hours later, Trump tweeted about it. Reporters who have been travelling with the migrants refuted the claim, and by Monday afternoon, it fell to Foxs Shepard Smith to clarify that Fox News knows of no evidence to suggest the president is accurate on that matter. And the president has offered no evidence to support what he has said. Over the past several days, the caravan story has received considerable coverage on Fox News and conservative radio shows, helping disseminateand in some cases drivingTrumps message. But coverage from other news organizations has also played into the narrative Trump and Republicans hope to push. The AP referred to a ragged, growing army of migrants in a since-deleted tweet and nearly all outlets are giving the story outsized attention, once again allowing Trump to act as the medias assignment editor. RELATED: Dancing around the word racist in coverage of Trump The exodus of migrants walking through Mexico is, no doubt, a real story, writes The Washington Posts Margaret Sullivan. Its just not the same story that much of the American news media is incredulouslyat times hystericallytelling. Citing some of that hysterical reporting, Sullivan argues that the focus on the story is a wonderful pre-midterms gift to President Trump. The actual caravan is made up of several thousand migrants, mostly from Honduras, who are currently making their way through southern Mexico. The LA Timess Patrick J. McDonnell and Katie Linthicum report that the migrants they spoke with on the ground expressed little awareness of US politics, and insisted that they were only trying to escape violence, corruption and poverty. The reality of the situation hasnt stopped Trump and some of his media allies from twisting the story to fit their own agenda. The focus on immigration, write The New York Timess Alexander Burns and Astead W. Herndon, is an escalation of Mr. Trumps efforts to stoke fears about foreigners and crime ahead of the Nov. 6 vote. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Issues of race and immigration formed the backbone of Trumps appeals to voters during his presidential run and since taking office. With midterm voting just two weeks away, the president appears intent on pushing those topics into the spotlight. The plight of migrants seeking refuge from violence and poverty demands coverage, but news outlets dont have to frame that reporting on Trumps terms. Below, more on coverage of the caravan. Other notable stories: ICYMI: Saudi Arabia faces fresh scrutiny after Khashoggis murder Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Pete Vernon is a former CJR staff writer. Follow him on Twitter @ByPeteVernon. Joe Sterling has spent 36 years as a volunteer with the Leesburg Fire Department, but hes recently taken on a new title the townships very own licensed drone pilot. The township is the first in Cumberland County to have a drone team ready to respond to emergencies. The $9,400 DJI Inspire 1, complete with a thermal-imaging camera, will make responding to emergencies a whole lot easier and safer. The drone can be deployed for active-shooter situations, hazmat, fires and woodland and marine rescues, going where first responders cant to get a birds-eye view of an emergency. With this model here, it allows you to do a lot of different things with it, Sterling said, pointing to the different parts of the black-and-white remote-controlled aircraft. A remote-controlled helicopter enthusiast, Sterling spent more than a year studying for his license to fly the drone through the Federal Aviation Administration, and the team worked together to pick the drone that would best suit the township. While Sterling is Maurice Rivers only drone pilot, if theres an emergency, the township can defer to State Police, which has 31 pilots, or the county Sheriffs Office, which has pilots in training, said Gordon Gross, emergency management coordinator in the municipality, adding he is also studying to take the test to become a licensed drone pilot. And Sterlings drone is smart. Its programmed to come home, or back to where it took off, if theres a disruption between the drone and the pilots controller during the flight. It has the capability to stream the video shot from the belly camera, or the camera mounted to the bottom of the center, live to Facebook and YouTube. It also has a strobe light so it can be deployed at night and a drop system, which allows the drone to carry and then drop up to 7 pounds. So if youre out in the water, we can drop you a couple life jackets, said Gross, adding they could also drop a radio or even a trauma bag, whatever is needed depending on the situation. The drone will help keep firefighters safe while helping snuff out flames more efficiently, Leesburg Fire Chief Walter Hughes said. The thermal-imaging camera feeds back to a monitor showing where hot spots are so officials on the ground can redirect hoses, as well as the firefighters in any burning structure. But the drone can also be deployed before an emergency happens, Mayor Patti Gross said. The team used it to take video of the East Point beach to document its condition before Hurricane Michael made landfall in Florida last week. Gross said the township didnt receive federal funding after Hurricane Sandy, which hit in October 2012, decimating many of New Jerseys shore communities and damaging 42 structures in the municipality alone. With the drone footage, it may be easier to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency grants, by showing before-and-after video of the shoreline. This is about being proactive, Gross said, adding the new technology may even help draw in the next generation of first responders. Our guys like to stay one step ahead of things. This is the future. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh unveiled a plan Wednesday to transform the Massachusetts citys waterfront to protect the low-lying, extensively landfilled city from climate change and rising sea levels. The Democratic mayors Resilient Boston Harbor plan calls for the creation of 67 acres (27 hectares) of new open space and the restoration of 122 acres (49 hectares) of tidal areas and parklands to serve as natural buffers during major floods. The plan also proposes elevating flood-prone areas along the citys 47-miles (75-kilometers) of shoreline, such as Main Street in historic Charlestown and downtowns popular Harborwalk. Walsh said the potential damage from rising sea levels would far outweigh the cost of the proposed investments, which The Boston Globe reports could approach $1 billion over the next decades. A 2016 city report projected sea levels around Boston could rise 36 inches (91 centimeters) by 2070, affecting some 90,000 residents, 12,000 buildings and potentially causing more than $14 billion in economic losses. Walsh urged the local business community to step up as he unveiled the plan at a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce meeting. Wherever you are in Boston, the ability of your employees to get to work and the ability of your suppliers to make deliveries are at risk, Walsh said in his prepared remarks. Local environmental group the Charles River Watershed Association said Walshs proposal was commendable but that other steps need to be considered, such as more stringent requirements on developers to design their buildings with climate change and rising seas in mind. The Trustees of Reservations, another local conservation group, applauded the mayors promise to devote 10 percent of the citys annual capital budget to climate change projects. Walsh said the city is also seeking federal support for some of the projects, including $10 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for flood mitigation measures in the rapidly developing Seaport District thats home to General Electric, Reebok and other companies. And he said the city has committed about $11 million from the sale of a parking garage to expand the Emerald Necklace, a series of connected parklands designed by the landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. But Walshs plan deliberately doesnt include much-discussed plans for a massive barrier across Boston Harbor that could cost $12 billion and take 30 years to build. Instead of walling off our harbor, we need to work with it, he said. Shoreline projects are more feasible and more effective ways to increase our citys resilience. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The superintendent of a new captive insurance company charged with distributing millions of dollars to Connecticut homeowners with crumbling foundations is warning he doesnt have nearly enough money to address the problem. Michael Marglaras said he hopes to secure more funding and assistance to help the thousands of affected homeowners from various sources, including the insurance industry, banks, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state of Connecticut. By any calculation, I dont care whos calculation it is, theres not enough money, Marglaras, a 42-veteran of the insurance industry, told The Associated Press in an interview. Marglaras is heading the new Connecticut Foundation Solutions Indemnity Company, created by state lawmakers, which will oversee the distribution of $100 million in state bonding $20 million a year for the next five years as well as the estimated $8.5 million to $9 million in annual proceeds from a new $12 annual surcharge on Connecticut homeowners insurance policies. That surcharge is supposed to last 10 years. The new indemnity company is expected to be up and running Nov. 15 at the earliest, or possibly around Dec. 1, to begin cutting checks. But Marglaras estimates the roughly $133.5 million committed over five years will cover the cost of replacing foundations for only 650 to 700 homes, considering the average $185,000 cost per home. I have at least a $1 billion problem, he said. Marglaras estimates 5,000 to 9,000 homes will have to be fixed over the next few years. That includes homes with the most severe cracking and deterioration, as well as those just beginning to show signs of the problem, which has been linked to the presence of pyrrhotite, an iron sulfide that has reacted naturally with oxygen and water over the decades. Described as a slow-moving disaster, pyrrhotite causes the concrete to crack and crumble, making some homes unsellable and unlivable. Some state and local officials have estimated more than 35,000 homes in the northern, eastern and central parts of Connecticut could be affected because the foundations were built with concrete that originated from the same quarry in Willington. Meanwhile, Marglaras said he was still waiting, as of last week, for the state Department of Housing to transfer all the approved state bond money to the indemnity company. The first $20 million was due June 30, but only $850,000 was transferred in August. He said its been a long and complicated process that he hopes will wrap up soon. In fairness to the Department of Housing, they are not used to funding an insurance company. So they had early on, some questions, he said. Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is optimistic the two sides ultimately will come to an understanding. I think that the Department of Housing has a job to do and the superintendent has a job to do, and these issues can and will all be worked out, Malloy said. Malloy said hes also optimistic that a new report released Friday by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and requested by his administration will give weight to the states argument that the federal government should provide financial assistance to the homeowners as well. The corps is recommending the state pass legislation to test quarries for pyrrhotite and set an acceptable amount of the mineral in aggregate for concrete. There are currently no standards in the U.S. for an acceptable level for pyrrhotite. Besides Connecticut, the crumbling foundation problem also has been identified in some homes in western Massachusetts. I think that this report raises very real issues about FEMAs position with respect to funding, Malloy said. And quite frankly, I think it raises real issues potentially about insurance companies liability. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A Senate committee is asking executives of auto makers Kia and Hyundai to testify next month about fire risk in their vehicles. The request comes as a safety group demands the recall of 2.9 million Kia and Hyundai cars and SUVs in the U.S. because of consumer complaints that they can catch fire without being involved in an accident. The Republican chairman and top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee, John Thune of South Dakota and Bill Nelson of Florida, wrote to SeungKyu Yoon, CEO of Kia Motors America, and Kyung Soo Lee, CEO of Hyundai Motors America, inviting them or their designees to a hearing Nov. 14. A committee spokesman said the date of the hearing could change. The committee made the letters public Wednesday. A Hyundai spokesman, Michael Stewart, said the company was reviewing the invitation. Hyundai actively monitors and evaluates potential safety concerns, including non-collision fires, with all of its vehicles and acts swiftly to recall any vehicles with safety-related defects, he said in an emailed statement. A Kia spokesman said that company also was reviewing the matter. The Center for Auto Safety says that since 2010, there have been more than 220 complaints to the government about fires and another 200 complaints about melted wires and smoke. The complaints involve the 2011-2014 Kia Sorento and Optima, the 2010-2015 Kia Soul, and the Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe. The centers executive director, Jason Levine, said the group was pleased that the committee intended to hold a hearing to demand answers from these CEOs. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Like many diligent public servants, Georgia state Representative Ed Setzler enjoys crowing about a nice, tidy highway project. In a Sept. 8 Facebook video, the Republican appeared to be doing just that from behind the wheel of a car. This was less than three months after the state overwhelmingly passed a ban on handheld phone use in carslegislation that Setzler loudly opposed. The optics werent good. The video (since removed) triggered a din of outrage, mostly from parents whose children were killed by distracted drivers. Setzler declined to discuss the video. As regulators, technology companies and even the most conscientious road warriors struggle with the universal urge to tap out a text or tally likes in slow-moving traffic, state and local policymakers are finally homing in on a strategy that works: deep and nuanced legislation, robust publicity campaigns and steep penaltiestopped off with a hefty dose of grief for those already lost. In Georgia, as with much of the U.S., traffic fatalities have spiked in recent years. Representative John Carson, who sponsored the Georgia legislation, whipped up enough votes with some simple math. Reducing the states traffic fatalities by 20 percent would save 260 lives a year, the Republican reasoned. Thats a high-school class, Carson said before a critical vote in March. When Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, also a Republican, finally signed the bill into law July 1, he broke down and took a moment to gather himself. This legislation is Georgias way of saying today is the day that we say no more.' Rhode Island and Oregon passed similar hands-free mandates months earlier. Though federal accident tallies have yet to be released, theres some evidence these laws are working. TrueMotion, a Massachusetts-based company that monitors mobile-phone use for insurance companies, said levels of distraction in Rhode Island and Georgia dropped by 19 percent in the month after each law took effect. Georgia, one of the worst offenders when it comes to smartphone use at the wheel, saw a 22 percent reduction in texting and app use during the first month of its law. The results have been clear. Traffic fatalities in the state declined by 14 percent this year through September. Were cautiously optimistic, said Captain Derick Durden, a George state trooper. The law has teeth and the compassion period is over; were going to be aggressively enforcing it now. The prospect of higher insurance rates has also helped buttress such laws. TrueMotion is now monitoring drivers for eight of the top 20 U.S. underwriters, including Nationwide Mutual Insurance and MetLife. Hanover Insurance Group, its newest client, is giving its teenage customers Amazon.com gift cards for staying off the phone while driving. The really interesting thing about all of thisthere seems to be a strong correlation between the amount of media exposure distraction is getting and the drop in distraction, said TrueMotion marketing director Matt Fiorentino. Most people dont recognize the danger, or they dont recognize their own habits. Lasting progress, however, may be more difficult. Dig a little deeper into the statistics and the issue appears daunting. TrueMotion said the average American driver spends 17 percent of every trip talking, swiping or texting. Zendrive, another startup that monitors in-vehicle phone use, said the behavior is rapidly getting worse in almost every part of the U.S. Still, Georgias numbers are emboldening lawmakers elsewhere. Stopdistractions.org is pushing hands-free legislation in 14 states at the moment, from Florida to Arizona and up to Minnesota. Executive Director Jennifer Smith estimates that the legislation stands a good chance in 10 of those states. Weve finally got all the kinks out, she said. And the public is finally at the point where theyre fed up. They know this is a massive problem. Meanwhile, Carson, the architect of the Georgia bill, has become a paragon of political dexterity in a tremendously polarized time. Fellow conservatives from about six states have reached out to him for tips on addressing distracted drivingand how to do it without losing support among right-leaning voters who tend to be skeptical of government oversight. Lawmakers dont really want to push regulations onto their constituents, period, Carson said. From the Republican side, it looks like big government. On the Democrat side, it looks like more police enforcement. What his fellow lawmakers have been slow to realize, however, is that most people want a crackdown on distracted driving. Safety is not a partisan issue, Carson tells them, nor is the irritation of waiting while the driver ahead of you bangs out a tweet. The public is way out ahead on this, he explained. Every single person I talked to said something needs to be done about it. Ironically, the countrys least-distracted drivers are in Alaska, a state that still doesnt have a law addressing hand-held phone use. Perhaps its the majestic scenery that keeps Alaskan eyes fixed out the windshieldof maybe the $10,000 fine for texting. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Some Florida communities are seeing a rise in the number of crimes done by tire thieves, who jack up cars at lightning-fast speed and leave them on cinder blocks. Paula Montesarchio, 55, didnt even get a chance to start her day. She answered her door, half-asleep and confused, when a Davie police officer knocked at 4:30 a.m. A man had been seen lurking around her condo and when the cops arrived, they found Montesarchios Nissan 370Z stripped of all four tires and rims and left amputated on a paver. The theft of her tires this summer was hard to process. I had to take pictures to look at and see what just happened to me, she said. Trying to catch tire thieves is like playing whack-a-mole, says Miami-Dade Police Detective Lee Cowart. Ive seen organized groups go from one (city) to another to another, very professional with hydraulic jacks and air compressors to take the lug nuts off, Cowart said. There also are the not-so-career criminals, maybe a teenager or young adult whos working by himself and just sees that as a way to make some money, illegally. Among the cities reporting an uptick in thefts is Sunrise, which had 56 tire heists from January through August. Thats a jump from the 12 thefts that happened during the same period last year. Two arrests were made in March. In Plantation, 25 tire burglaries happened in all of 2017, while the tally so far this year is at 40. Only one arrest has been made this year, police said. Some cities have experienced the problem but it hasnt resulted in any arrests this year. Among them are Coconut Creek, which had 42 thefts during the first five months of this year; Margate, with 22 thefts this year, and Lauderhill, with 24 cases. Thieves generally make off with all four tires, and they work fast. If you watch NASCAR, they change tires and refuel a car in 15 seconds, Cowart said. I dont think theyre NASCAR-quick, but they have pretty much the same equipment. They can be very, very quick. The theft of tires is a decades-old type of crime that has boomed, thanks in part to thieves ability to sell the ill-gotten goods through the internet. The tires can be sold online, or to shops that specialize in selling used car parts. And its nearly impossible to prove they were stolen, said Sunrise Police Officer spokesman Chris Piper. Its hard to get cooperation or work with us, Piper said of stores that sell used rims and tires. Its hard to prove they know the property is stolen. Some odd tire-theft moments have happened. In a recent case, a thief stole a tire and rim from a 2005 Honda Civic LX parked in a handicapped spot at an assisted-living facility on Yamato Road in West Boca, then graciously replaced it with a doughnut, or temporary spare tire. These cases are difficult to follow up on as there are no witnesses or surveillance videos to assist with the investigation, said Palm Beach County sheriffs spokeswoman Teri Barbera, whose agency investigated the Yamato Road case. And most stock tires and rims are difficult to trace. The thieves are determined, experts say. The Broward Sheriffs Office arrested three people in May for stealing tires off Toyota Corollas in Oakland Park. They went to jail, bonded out, and then were again arrested for doing the same thing to a Honda Accord just three days later in Deerfield Beach, according to the agency. Michigan is one of the few states trying to help law enforcement track the sales of stolen tires with new laws. In 2016, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation that requires a dealer purchasing or receiving any used tires, tire wheels or rims or tire tread to only pay for those items with a check, money order, bank draft or direct deposit. Help Eliminate Auto Thefts, or H.E.A.T., is a Michigan organization funded by insurance companies that pushed for the legislation. There werent many great ways for officers to locate where the thefts were coming from, where they were originating from and who was doing it, said Colleen Murie, H.E.A.T. program coordinator. The legislation puts a paper trail in effect. The idea was to cut down on wheel and rim theft. Officials havent yet been able to quantify the effectiveness of the new law, but there are other efforts in motion. The tire industry supports legislation prohibiting the sale and installation of unsafe used tires, and some states are pursuing that, said Dick Gust, spokesman for the Maryland-based Tire Industry Association. The idea is to give law enforcement another tool to fight dishonest dealers. He estimates the resale of stolen tires is a $1 million a year industry, and I think its more than that, Gust said. Theres a big underworld of theft. Its a very frustrating situation its almost overwhelming. You (arrest) this guy and tomorrow therell be another guy. Its a fight constantly. In Florida, car shops that sell used wheels dont have regulations, unlike pawn shops, which are regulated and sellers have to give ID and a fingerprint. In 2013, there was an attempt to have legislation passed in Florida to outlaw the sale of unsafe used tires, but those efforts failed. Well-known state lobbyist Ron Book said future attempts to get a new law passed would be difficult, because the current state Legislature is very conservative and looks for less regulation. Montesarchio, the Davie woman whose tires were stolen in July, remains vigilant on her own. There were no arrests in her case. On the advice of the police, she has bought a new car alarm, as well as locking lug nuts that require a special key to remove them. Now, she also parks her car with its wheels turned at an angle, to make removing them more difficult. At night, she cant help but wake up and check on her car. Every night at 3:30, I get up and look at the car. At 5, I get up and look at the car, she said. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. What if firefighters had an interactive map that could tell them the most efficient escape routes and the amount of time it would take to find safety while fighting wildfires? Well, a Fort Lewis College assistant professor is developing an app for that. The idea is, if we can map the landscape, understand slope, vegetation, ground surface and where the fire is, ideally, we can provide firefighters with that information ahead of time, said Mickey Campbell. So we can say, heres a place you can go if things go awry, heres how to get there and heres how long itll take you. Campbell, an upstate New York native, based his doctoral studies at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City around the concept that a more evolved form of fire mapping could vastly improve firefighter safety. A standard practice before firefighters tackle wildland fires is determining escape routes and safety zones finding the path of least resistance and lowest risk between their location and safety zones. But Campbell said these areas can sometimes be hard to identify when working in the field. And often, escape routes can become altered as conditions on the ground change and fires grow. Sometimes, theres a lot of judgment, Campbell said. If youre out in the field, and the safety zone is a half-mile away, it can be hard to see how to get there. Campbells map would, essentially, function as a Google Maps for firefighters, showing them the best route to get out of harms way. But, he said, its still a work in progress. It seems basic, but its something that doesnt exist, and were hoping to get to that point, Campbell said. Its the type of thing we really need to get right, because even if you get the numbers slightly wrong, it can be very dangerous. Campbell worked on the project with the University of Utahs Philip Dennison and Brent Butler, a research forester with the U.S. Forest Service. Campbell arrived in southwest Colorado in January, taking a job at Fort Lewis College in the geosciences department, but focusing on classes that teach computer mapping technology and geographic information systems, or GIS. The 31-year-old had a real opportunity to apply mapping technology when the 416 Fire broke out in June, teaming up with emergency responders to provide informational maps that were used to keep the public informed. The maps, updated every morning, showed the fire boundary north of Durango and identified which areas were under evacuation or pre-evacuation status, even offering the ability to search an exact address. Campbell spent the next three weeks updating the maps every morning with information provided by the Type 1 Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team and La Plata County emergency officials. Our goal was to have one central location where everyone could go and find all the daily information they needed, Campbell said. The maps were highly effective, recording about 26,000 views for the entirety of the 416 Fire, and about 1,000 views a day during the height of the fire. Butch Knowlton, director of La Plata Countys Office of Emergency Management, said a strong working relationship between federal, state and local agencies made for better communication processes to the public. Each night, after firefighting efforts, crews would meet up for a planning meeting to predict fire behavior and determine what residential areas may need to be evacuated. Those details were funneled to Campbell the next day. Information that went out the door was excellent, and that really made a big difference, Knowlton said. People were really, really thankful and appreciative of the mapping process we had and the quick information we were provided. For now, outside of teaching duties, Campbell continues to work on his app. He hopes to work with a local firefighting crew this spring to test out some GPS tracking experiments. Nowadays, everything is on our phone; everything is mappable, Campbell said. Were moving away from the days where we think of maps as big posters hanging in fourth-grade classrooms. Maps are such an active component of our day-to-day lives, and were often interacting without thinking were looking at maps. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. KENT, Ohio - Kent State University president Beverly Warren has announced she will step down from her post on July 1, 2019. Warren, 70, who has served as president since 2014, stated in an email that the decision has not been easy, but she will not exercise her option for an additional year. She intends instead "to shift my focus to family and personal considerations." She sent the email Tuesday to people at the university and signed off simply as "Bev." In it, she highlights among her achievements the efforts detailed in "A Strategic Roadmap to a Distinctive Kent State," a priority-driven plan with six-year goals. Warren, who was treated for breast cancer in 2016, also promised to "work tirelessly toward the goals and objectives that will frame our work in the coming months." "I continue to be energized by the spirit of this community and the important initiatives we have advanced in recent years," Warren wrote." I know that our leadership team will ensure that our momentum continues during this transition and beyond." Board Chair Ralph Della Ratta commended Warren for her drive and commitment to the university and its students. "President Warren's tireless service in putting students first and advancing the vision for a distinctive Kent State has driven the impressive momentum, progress and pride that will continue long into the future," Della Ratta said in a statement. "Her passion, strategic mindset and authentic leadership have accelerated student success, research growth, fundraising and regional and international partnerships to new heights." Kent State University Foundation Chair Nora Jacobs said in a statement that Warren's impact is "immeasurable" and the university will benefit from it for years to come. "Under her leadership, Kent has a new, focused strategy that unites programs, facilities, faculty and staff with one goal in mind: to give students an education with purpose," Jacobs stated. "I will miss her warmth, her energy and her vision. I know I speak for all my colleagues on the Foundation Board in thanking her and wishing her well." Warren also thanked the Board of Trustees, and wrote that she will support the board in the search for the next president. "I think I speak for all of Kent State when I say that we appreciate the tremendous energy and empathy Bev has brought to our university," said Kent State Executive Vice President and Provost Todd Diacon in a statement. "That energy and empathy has transformed Kent State, and this transformation will serve as a lasting legacy of a job well done." 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. BROADVIEW HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Brecksville-Broadview Heights Middle School has won a coveted National Blue Ribbon from the U.S. Department of Education. The middle school was among 16 Ohio schools and 349 public and private schools nationwide to receive the honor, which was announced earlier this month. The school was the only Cuyahoga County school on the list. "It is a sense of accomplishment for our staff, kids, school district and community," Todd Rings, principal of Brecksville-Broadview Heights Middle School, told cleveland.com. "You have to have great students and a great staff in order to be recognized at this level, and we certainly have both. "This is truly an amazing staff that I have the privilege of working with on a daily basis," Rings said. "The connections that they make with their students far exceed what I have seen in other places." Blue Ribbon Schools are chosen based on state assessments -- in Ohio's case, the annual state report cards. Schools are honored either for exemplary overall performance or for closing achievement gaps among various student groups. Brecksville-Broadview Heights Middle School was recognized for exemplary overall performance. The school received an overall A on its 2018 state report card. In the report card's component grades, the school received an A in achievement, a B in progress and an A in gap closing. The U.S. Department of Education will recognize all 2018 Blue Ribbon Schools during a ceremony Nov. 7-8 in Washington, D.C. Rings said he, district Superintendent Joelle Magyar, middle school Assistant Principal Lisa Mollica and seventh-grade teacher Dena Wilson will attend. Back home, the middle school celebrated with a breakfast for the staff and ice cream for the pupils. Rings said more events are being planned. According to the U.S. Department of Education website, the Blue Ribbon Schools program is in its 36th year and has recognized more than 8,800 schools. Click here for a complete list of 2018 Blue Ribbon Schools. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jimmy Dimora is not getting out of prison anytime soon, as a federal judge on Monday struck down his attempt to overturn more than two-dozen corruption convictions. U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi rejected Dimora's arguments that a U.S. Supreme Court ruling from 2016 invalidated the instructions given to the jury in his 2012 trial. (You can read the full opinion here or at the bottom of this story.) The decision is a blow to Dimora, 63, who is serving the longest sentence out of more than 70 government officials, employees, contractors and business people convicted in the wide-ranging Cuyahoga County corruption probe. The disgraced former county commissioner and county Democratic Party chairman was sentenced to 28 years in federal prison in 2012, and he is not scheduled for release until Aug. 21, 2036. The Supreme Court's ruling in McDonnell v. U.S. narrowed the definition of an "official act" that prosecutors are required to prove as part of a federal bribery charge to a decision or action involving "a formal exercise of governmental power" by an officeholder who demands or receives something of value in return. Daily duties such as setting up meetings for constituents, talking to another official about a friend or making a speech do not fit the definition, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote. In Dimora's case, there were plenty of official acts, Lioi wrote in her 65-page decision, adding that the "vast majority" of the evidence presented at his trial fit the narrower definition outlined by the Supreme Court. The judge also said the jury instructions, while not exactly as prescribed by McDonnell, still informed jurors of the correct parameters they had to follow in order to find the former county commissioner guilty. Any error with the jury's instructions was harmless, Lioi wrote. "The jury heard nearly six weeks of testimony - in addition to Dimora's own self-implicating words in tape-recorded conversations - that established that he did so much more than set up meetings or place phone calls," Lioi wrote. "He repeatedly solicited and received bribes in exchange for official acts, and pressured other public officials to take official action in furtherance of these bribery schemes." Philip Kushner, an attorney for Dimora, said Monday that he was still reviewing the decision but was disappointed in the ruling. Kushner said he expected Dimora will want to appeal. Ann Rowland, a retired federal prosecutor who prosecuted Dimora and dozens of others in the corruption probe, said in a statement Monday that Lioi's jury instructions were so "carefully worded" that they were still legally sound after the Supreme Court's ruling. "Furthermore, the evidence clearly showed that former Commissioner Dimora performed all sorts of official acts in exchange for bribes continuously over a period of ten years," Rowland said. U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman Mike Tobin declined comment on the decision. A jury found Dimora guilty of dozens of counts, which stemmed from him accepting more than 100 bribes and trying to fix eight court cases. He also employed contractors at his home in Independence to build a resort-style backyard patio and pool house for free or at greatly-discounted prices. The bribes came in exchange for a variety of actions, including helping people get government jobs, awarding contracts on county construction projects and generally wielding influence if someone paid the right price. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined in 2014 to overturn his convictions, and the Supreme Court didn't take up his case. But it was clear Dimora saw the McDonnell decision - which stemmed from the federal prosecution of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell - as his best shot of ever getting out of prison. Lioi, who presided over many of the corruption cases, said the McDonnell decision "changed the legal landscape regarding the federal bribery statute and the concept of 'official acts.'" She noted that a few "official acts" cited by prosecutors wouldn't work following the McDonnell ruling. However, jurors would have disregarded those acts in favor of the large swath of other ones for which the law was properly applied, Lioi wrote. Her decision outlined the overt actions and votes Dimora took for many of the charges. Lioi also shot down other arguments made by both Dimora's attorneys, as well as ones Dimora made on his own alleging judicial bias and prosecutorial misconduct. Dimora is serving his sentence at a federal prison in Elkton. If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Monday's crime and courts comments section. CLEVELAND, Ohio - Ohios big three metro regions of Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati stand to play a bigger role in this years gubernatorial election because of shifting population patterns. Together, the 18 Ohio counties that are either home to one of Ohios three largest cities, or immediately adjacent, have added 181,000 voting-age residents since the last competitive gubernatorial election in 2010. Thats an increase of 3.9 percent, according to the latest estimates from the Census Bureau. These counties now account for 54.5 percent of the potential voters. At the same time, in Ohios 70 other counties, the voting-age population shrunk by about 7,000, or 0.2 percent. Nearly every county along the Ohio River from Columbiana County in the northeast to Brown County near Cincinnati has fewer voting-age residents than in 2010. Many Northwest Ohio counties are also down. But the population of potential voters is up throughout what could be described as the Interstate 71 corridor - extending from the Cleveland area southwest to Cincinnati. The one exception is Cuyahoga County, but only slightly so. Cuyahoga County lost 453 voting-age residents from 2010 through 2017, according to the latest estimates. The total now numbers 987,528. Scroll over map to see details by county The biggest gains have been in the Columbus area. Franklin County, which includes most of Columbus, is up an estimated 75,731 voting-age residents, increasing 8.5 percent to 989,878. Delaware County, just north of Franklin, is up 16,652, or 13.4 percent. Dropping the most were Trumbull County (Warren), down 3,376; Lucas County (Toledo), down 3,091; and Mahoning County (Youngstown), down 2,815. Its difficult to say, however, what this may mean for Republicans and Democrats, without knowing the voting preferences of the newest residents in these growing areas. Large population shifts can cause a change in historical voting patterns. In analyzing the trends, cleveland.com examined population estimates instead of voting registration data so as to not count people who have died or may no longer live where they were last registered. For example, often times registration numbers are artificially high in college areas. Students might register there and vote once before moving away, yet remain listed as registered voters in the college towns. Rich Exner, data analysis editor for cleveland.com, writes about numbers on a variety of topics. Follow on Twitter @RichExner . MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio -- It appears as if Mayfield Heights will get its first self-storage facility, but a City Council discussion held Monday had some wondering if allowing one such business would lead to others throughout the city. At its regular meeting, council was asked to confirm or deny via resolution the action of the city's Board of Zoning Appeals, which recently voted 3-2 to allow the self-storage business to locate at 1413 Golden Gate Blvd., just north of the neighboring Comfort Inn hotel. The address is within a U-4 zoning district, which allows for retail and wholesale business, and includes such things as banks, car washes and coin-operated businesses. BZA Chairman Fredric Kramer spoke to council before it voted on the matter, stating that he cast one of the two votes against allowing self-storage in a U-4 district. Kramer said that allowing this self-storage facility in a U-4 district would set a precedent that would allow others to follow suit. He said storage pods could be set up throughout Mayfield Heights' retail areas, even in such places zoned U-4 as the Mayland Shopping Center, 5868 Mayfield Road, or the area behind Golden Gate Plaza shopping center, also located off Mayfield Road. "I strongly urge council not to approve this," said Councilman Robert DeJohn. Although it was pointed out to DeJohn by Councilman Michael Ballistrea that the city's Planning Commission would have to approve plans for any such placement of a self-storage facility, DeJohn said, "Once you set the precedent, it doesn't matter what the Planning Commission approves." DeJohn believes the city could be successfully sued by a future developer if that developer were not permitted to install a self-storage facility in a U-4 district after Fairchild Management was allowed to do so. In the end, council approved the resolution backing the BZA's decision by a vote of three in favor, one against (DeJohn), and an abstention by Council President Donna Finney, who said she has a personal relationship with the applicant. That applicant, Westlake resident John Molchan, representing Fairchild Management, said architects have yet to draw a building design, as council approval for zoning was first needed. "We're planning to have 100,000 square feet of storage," Molchan said. "There is a building there now (at 28,000 square feet), but we haven't decided yet whether we will incorporate that into our construction plan and add on." The building "has its issues" Molchan said, noting things like a parking lot that needs repairs and problem drainage pipes, among other things. Molchan said he was open to an idea put forth by Councilman Donald Manno, who on Saturday visited a self-storage facility that Fairchild Management rents and operates in Westlake. "Initially, I had my doubts about this project," Manno said. But, upon visiting the Westlake self-storage facility, Manno said, "What I found was a very neat, clean, attractive facility." Manno said he would agree to backing the Mayfield Heights project if a solid wall -- not fencing or foliage -- were put up between the self-storage facility and neighboring residents, and if the developer tore down the existing building and started anew. Manno said it was unlikely that, if precedent were set, that someone would pay the amount of money it would cost to buy and redevelop Mayland, then install self-storage units. Law Director Paul Murphy told council before the vote was taken that if a variance was allowed only for the Golden Gate Boulevard site, the city could avoid setting a precedent that would allow self-storage in any U-4 district area. When asked after the council meeting whether council had, indeed, allowed a precedent to be set, Murphy said he needed to look further at the matter before commenting. Molchan said he would like to have the self-storage business operating sometime in 2019. He said there isn't another such facility within three miles of the Golden Gate Boulevard address. Promotion or information DeJohn asked Mayor Anthony DiCicco at Monday's meeting about an email one of DeJohn's constituents received on the subject of Issue 48 -- the Nov. 6 ballot issue in which the city is seeking a .50 percent income tax increase. DeJohn said he was informed that the email, part of a mass city hall emailing to residents, included the city's logo. "I thought it was illegal for the city to promote a tax increase," DeJohn said. DiCicco answered by stating, "The email was informational only and was not promoting the tax increase." DiCicco added after the meeting that the email only told of the details of Issue 48, but did not try to persuade voters. He said that the email could be found on the city's website. DeJohn, who has stated his opposition to Issue 48 because he is concerned that added money would be used to further pay employees' salaries, said of the email, "It still appears we were using Mayfield Heights funds to pay for (promotion of Issue 48)." DeJohn said he has contacted the Ohio Ethics Commission about the matter and is awaiting an opinion. SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- The United States has one, the state of Ohio has one, and so does Cleveland Heights. Each has a poet laureate and so, now, does South Euclid. At Monday's City Council meeting, Mayor Georgine Welo swore in M.A."Doc" Janning, 75, as the first person to hold the position in South Euclid. It was Janning, a retired podiatrist, who first brought up the subject of South Euclid naming a poet laureate at a council meeting several months ago. "I had two choices," Welo said of selecting a poet laureate, "but the other person withdrew when they found out Doc Janning was the other (candidate)." Welo said the time was right to appoint a poet laureate, as the art form has again become popular with young people who write poetry and often read what they've written to others at coffeehouse "poetry jams." "And," she added, "we're always talking about technology, so it's nice to do something like this that comes from the heart." Janning, a South Euclid resident since 1979 who, in the mid-1980s, served as president of the Cedar Center Neighborhood Association, said he first began writing poetry in 1960 as a senior at Shaw High School. "Like a lot of boys in high school, I had a love interest," he said of that beginning. Janning said he wrote poetry sporadically for the next 42 years until undergoing a quadruple bypass heart operation in June 2012. "I died on the operating table -- momentarily," he said. "When I recovered, the poetry just came flowing out of me." He then went on to participate in workshops to strengthen his skills. That includes work in which he still takes part, as part of the Cyril A. Dostal Poetry Workshop at the South Euclid-Lyndhurst Library. The workshop has met for 45 years. Janning and his wife of 52 years, Barbara, are the parents of three, grandparents of nine and great-grandparents of one. As part of his new position, Janning will make himself available to teach and discuss poetry within the South Euclid-Lyndhurst School District. In addition, he said, "I'll hold one poetry event a month within the city of South Euclid, and I plan to be in touch with the senior center for the same purpose." Janning also plans to take part on a monthly basis in "Second Sunday Poets," an open-mic poetry-reading series at the South Euclid-Lyndhurst Library. In addition, "Whenever council or the mayor wishes to have a poem for a special event, I will be called upon. Other organizations in the city can also call on me for a poem, and that includes churches, or if a synagogue moves in," Janning said. Janning said that, in May, Welo gave him his first assignment, even though he had yet to be made the official poet laureate. For the annual Memorial Day parade and festivities, Janning will produce a poem each year. In addition to writing and reciting poetry, Janning said he is a gourmet cook; philosopher; writer of short stories, flash fiction, and a novel he is now working on; and a lyricist. He has served as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader for 40 years, at times doing so on a national level. He said that not many Ohio communities have a poet laureate. Cleveland Heights' poet laureate is Damien McClendon, 26, while Ohio's poet laureate is Cleveland Heights resident Dave Lucas. The poet laureate for the United States is Tracy K. Smith. Janning's poetry has reached around the world, as he said he has more than 5,800 Facebook followers, including one from every country except North Korea. The prolific Janning has written more than 1,000 poems in his life. Janning wrote and recited a poem titled "I Reach To the Future" for the occasion of his swearing in: "Village of Bluestone/named for its quarries/now South Euclid/a hub of commerce/a community of homes "A city of drive/and vision for a future/of art and commerce/where all are urged/Come Together and Thrive "Now with these hands/and with these fingers/I reach to the future/to paint with words/what we must plan "And I'll paint with poetry/what we will need/our children to know/so they may continue/our city ... to grow." Pumpkins in the Park Residents can pick up a free pumpkin, courtesy of the South Euclid Walmart and Giant Eagle, at an event called Pumpkins in the Park, to be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at Bexley Park. Pumpkins are limited to one per family, while supplies last. The event will include cider and a "spooky mad scientist" experience from Dr. UR Awesome. Residents should enter Bexley Park from Felton Road. For information, visit facebook.com/SouthEuclid. MEDINA, Ohio -- Ward 1 City Council Representative Laura Parnell-Cavey's short time on council officially came to an end Oct. 22 when she attended her final meeting. At the end of the meeting, her fellow council members presented her with a plaque and thanked her for her service to the city. As she left, Parnell-Cavey urged people to serve their community, and vowed to continue serving Medina. "Being a part of a community means you have to give back to that community, and that is something I will continue to do as a business owner and as somebody who is just a huge cheerleader of Medina," she said. Many of the council members commended Parnell-Cavey for her time on council and offered her their thanks for her service to the city. "I appreciate that you hit the ground running. You always came prepared, and you did the most important thing, which is that you acted in the best interest of the city always," said Ward 4 Councilman Jim Shields. "It's been a pleasure working with you," said Ward 2 Councilman Dennie Simpson. "You gave to the community long before you were elected to this position." Parnell-Cavey announced her resignation Sept. 13 after a budget meeting. She is moving out of Medina, and so she can no longer serve on council. City Council will appoint a new councilperson to fill the Ward 1 vacancy, and is continuing to accept applications until 4 p.m. Oct. 24. Council opposes Issue 1 Also at Monday's meeting, council passed an ordinance opposing State Issue 1 and urged Medina residents to vote against it in the Nov. 6 election. The issue is a proposed constitutional amendment that reduces penalties for crimes of obtaining, possessing and using illegal drugs. Police Chief Edward Kinney, who initially requested council action on the matter at the Finance Committee meeting Oct. 9, said at the council meeting that the language in the issue is too vague and does not address all of the individuals who would have a 25 percent reduction in their sentence if the issue passed. Kinney said the bill does not exclude many serious and violent crimes, which could lead to offenders of those violent crimes having their sentences reduced. "It's bad for the state of Ohio, its bad for our community, and it would no doubt impact our quality of life here in the city of Medina," Kinney said. Simpson, who voted to oppose Issue 1, said he supports reducing sentences for drug users in favor of rehabilitation, but was supporting the ordinance because of the issues Kinney brought forward. Council Representative Paul Rose commented on his support of the ordinance, saying that he believed from personal experience that incarceration would be a deterrent for drug users. "This law here will take away that threat, and we may lose some of those people who are teetering," Rose said. The ordinance was passed unanimously by council. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A Cleveland man is accused of pistol-whipping two men and shooting one of them during a home invasion in the city's Brooklyn Centre neighborhood. Isaiah Crawford, 37, is charged with aggravated burglary and felonious assault in the Thursday incident at the Denison Park Apartments on Forestdale Avenue near Pearl Road, according to court records. He is being held in the Cuyahoga County Jail on $40,000 bond after his first court appearance on Monday. Crawford kicked in the door to his neighbor's apartment about 3 a.m. and attacked a 67-year-old man and a 44-year-old man, accusing them of breaking into his own apartment, according to police reports. The two men were watching TV when Crawford burst in the door and pistol-whipped the 67-year-old man in the face, police reports say. Crawford threatened to kill the men and stuck a gun in the mouth of one of the men, court records say. Crawford then pistol-whipped both men. While he was pistol-whipping the 67-year-old man, the gun discharged and a bullet hit the 43-year-old man in the hand, according to police reports and courts records. He continued pistol-whipping the 67-year-old man, who said he heard the gun click several more times, but no bullets were fired, police reports say. Crawford ransacked the apartment looking for the bullet casing from the fired shot. He pointed the gun at the 43-year-old man, counted down from five and pulled the trigger, but again no shot was fired. Crawford then went back to his apartment and the 67-year-old man jumped off his balcony to the ground, police reports say. Officers found him bleeding from the head. The 43-year-old man was still inside the apartment with a gunshot to his hand and cuts on his head. Both were taken to MetroHealth for treatment. Officers found Crawford trying to escape out of the back door to the apartment complex. They searched his apartment and found a pistol with an extended magazine, two automatic pistols and a sawed-off shotgun, police reports say. To comment on this story, visit Tuesday's crime and courts comments page. ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico -- A Florida man accused of groping a woman during a flight from Houston to Albuquerque tried to use Donald Trump as a defense, saying the president said it was OK to "grab women by their private parts." It apparently didn't work. Bruce Michael Alexander, 49, of Tampa, Fla., was arrested after the plane landed Monday and charged with abusive sexual contact, the Albuquerque Journal reports. If convicted, Alexander could be sentenced to up to two years in prison. The Associated Press reports that a woman filed a complaint saying Alexander was seated behind her and touched her twice near her "bra line." The Journal says the woman says she was first touched while she was sleeping and thought it might be accidental. She said the second incident occurred about 30 minutes later. She says she told Alexander to stop and asked to change seats. The woman was moved to another seat. Alexander remains in custody, reports say. If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Monday's crime and courts comments section. SALEM, Oregon -- A small kitten has a chance to live a long life thanks to a man who took the time to check on a strange sight. The kitten also has a new name, Sticky, and its own Facebook page because of Chuck Hawley. Fox 12 Oregon reports Hawley was driving to work at 7 a.m. Friday when he spotted what he thought was a small box in the road. As he got closer, he realized it was a kitten and that it couldn't move as cars sped around it. Hawley used his pickup truck to block traffic and turned on his hazard lights. "When I went to pick her up, her feet were stuck to the road, and I'm like, 'Uh, oh.' So I start to pull her feet up - and it was like a rubber cement, so she was glued to the road," Hawley says. "It was all under her neck and then she had a little bit down her side, but it was mostly her tail and her feet." Hawley managed to free the kitten and tried to clean her himself, but then took her to a vet, the Salem Statesman Journal reports. "It's the worst thing I can imagine," veterinarian Dr. Jenny Bate tells the Statesman Journal. "It makes you wonder what would make a person do that. It's just awful." Hawley and his wife adopted the kitten, reports say. Their Facebook page has more than 12,000 likes as of early Tuesday morning. "Everything I keep telling my kids is we just really needed some good news for this to be such an incredible story for everybody," Hawley tells the Statesman Journal. "The whole world needed a good story. And for every jerk who would glue a cat to the road, 400,000 in the world would not." NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio -- Beginning Wednesday (Oct. 24), North Ridgeville motorists will have to find their way around two road closures due to railroad maintenance until Nov. 2. A third road closure will last from Oct. 29 through Nov. 9. Root and Maddock roads at the Norfolk Southern Railroad crossings will be the first to close, for nine days, while the railroad performs maintenance on the tracks there. The Race Road crossing will be closed for 11 days. Workarounds for the three closed locations include the following, according to North Ridgeville's Engineering Department: -- Root Road from Chestnut Ridge to Bainbridge Road: Local traffic is permitted up to the tracks. Passenger vehicles will be directed to use Chestnut Ridge Road east to Bainbridge Road west and vice versa. -- Maddock Road from Sugar Ridge Road to Center Ridge Road (U.S. 20): Local traffic will be permitted up to the tracks. Passenger vehicles will be be able to use Sugar Ridge Road east to Avon Belden Road (Ohio 83) north to Center Ridge Road west and vice versa. -- Race Road from Sugar Ridge Road to Center Ridge Road (U.S. 20): Local traffic is permitted up to the tracks. Passenger vehicles will be directed to use Sugar Ridge Road east to Avon Belden Road (Ohio 83) north to Center Ridge Road west and vice versa. Andrea Janka, a subcontractor for the railroad, said the maintenance work will consist of tearing out the blacktop between the rails of each crossing. "They will then repave with blacktop," she said. "They will also repave the right-of-way on both sides of the railroad tracks (at each crossing) and will then reopen the crossings (on the schedule dates)." Note, though, that the city's information said the dates are subject to change without notice. 15:12 Saurabh Madan Mithu, the organiser of the Dussehra event in Amritsar's Choura Bazar area, on Wednesday denied responsibility for the accident in which 59 people lost their lives after being crushed by a speeding train. He also added that a thorough investigation should be conducted into the matter at the earliest. "I am not at all responsible for the accident as I organised the event within the permitted boundary. There was an 8-feet tall boundary wall between the event venue and railway land. People came and stood there. We even made the announcements and told them to move. Nobody realised that those two trains were moving in their direction," Mithu told ANI. The organiser also clarified that he had sought permission from the police to organise the event and urged the authorities to deploy more security personnel as they were expecting a good footfall. "Both local and railway police were present at the spot. The fire department was also present there and all arrangements pertaining to safety were made. We had informed the authorities that around 10 to 15 thousand people will be present at the event," he added. When asked as to why he fled from the spot moments after the incident, Mithu said that he got scared after some of the people pelted stones at him and his family. "Some 20-25 people started running towards me after people were killed by a speeding train. All my relatives were present at the event. I was afraid that the mob will also attack them which is why I ran from there," he said. In his concluding remarks, Mithu said that people should be aware of the consequences of standing on the tracks while reiterating that they repeatedly urged the people not to stand on the railway track. The accident took place on October 19 in Choura Bazar near Jhoda Phatak area of Amritsar after a train ran over the crowd, standing along train tracks to watch an effigy of Ravan being burnt. At least 59 people died while 57 sustained injuries in the tragedy. -- ANI Rotunda Rumblings Immigration bordering on top issue: Immigration has emerged as a top-searched issue in Ohio, likely thanks in part to a tweet from President Donald Trump, writes cleveland.com's Andrew Tobias. Immigration has rated highly in Google search rankings in Ohio, as well as traditionally polling here. But it separated from the pack over the past several days as news media outlets gave increasing attention to the caravan of thousands of Honduran migrants currently in southern Mexico heading toward the United States. Voting surge: Early in-person and mail voting in Cuyahoga County is up 14 percent over the last midterm election at this time, cleveland.com's Laura Hancock reports. Republicans and unaffiliated voters contribute to the increase. Issue 1 endorsement: Equality Ohio endorsed Issue 1, which would emphasize treatment over prison for people convicted of drug possession. It said the LGBTQ community is more acutely affected by substance abuse - the result of stigma, family rejection and homophobia. Bill's back: If you've missed the antics of former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bill O'Neill, don't worry. He's back. O'Neill sent out a press release Monday stating his support for Issue 1 - and took a slight shot at his former colleague, Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, who opposes the initiative and has actively campaigned against it. "I will not comment on the propriety of a sitting Justice actively advocating on an issue that is undoubtedly headed to the Supreme Court. But it is clear to me that a large group of Judges, Sheriffs and prison officials oppose Issue 1. I disagree," O'Neill said. Captive audience: One way to get voters to listen to your opposition to Issue 1 is to lobby them while they're serving jury duty, which is just what Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge David Matia did, per cleveland.com's Cory Shaffer. Matia's not facing any penalties and actually has the OK to do so from the presiding judge, who said everything is above-board. Can't we all get along? In this era of political partisanship, pleas for civility have become a campaign tactic on both sides. Following the Republicans' lead, House District 37 Democratic nominee Casey Weinstein publicly asked the Ohio House Democratic Caucus to take down a negative ad against GOP rival Mike Rasor. Cleveland.com's Jeremy Pelzer has details. In a pickle: Republican Dave Yost and Democrat Steve Dettelbach argued over many of the typical issues during their lone debate on Monday, but as cleveland.com's Seth Richardson pointed out, there was a short exchange between the two that shows the bind the GOP finds itself in on health care. Richardson writes it's hard for Republicans to run on the popular parts of Obamacare when they've spent years attacking the law. Kraus Country: Nineteen-year-old Trey Taylor, who calls himself "the youngest African American man in country music history," will perform at the Sandusky High School auditorium on Wednesday to raise money for GOP congressional candidate Steve Kraus, who is running against Toledo Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur. A news release from Kraus said Taylor "and his team reached out to me to do a fundraiser event to help get me over the top. How cool is that?" Balderson gets more outside help: America First Action, the super PAC affiliated with President Donald Trump, is set to spend $1 million on TV, digital, and mail ads to help Republican U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson in Ohio's 12th District. As Politico Playbook reports, the group "feels that the race has become increasingly competitive and Balderson is being outspent significantly" by Democrat Danny O'Connor. On the air: Rob Richardson, the Democratic candidate for treasurer, is up on the airwaves with a 30-second spot, his first commercial of 2018. The ad is mostly biographical, featuring Richardson talking about his life and what he'd do if elected to office. When nobody likes you: Both Republican Mike DeWine and Democrat Richard Cordray have vowed to keep moving forward with reforms to pharmaceutical middlemen, the Columbus Dispatch's Marty Schladen reports. The learn'd state lawmaker: The Dispatch's Jim Siegel reports that after Ohio's latest state education report cards showed a correlation between poor school districts and underachievement, a pair of state lawmakers are looking to revamp the state's school funding formula. Reps. Bob Cupp, a Republican from Lima, and John Patterson, a Democrat from Jefferson, have been meeting informally with school superintendents and treasurers for nearly a year to come up with a solution. ECOT: Two more school districts want to join the lawsuit against the shuttered online charter school ECOT, but per public radio's Andy Chow, they don't trust DeWine to head the case. What's my line? Online betting site Bovada released its odds for who will be the next speaker of the United States House. Republican Congressman Jim Jordan is near the top at 3/1. The only person who with a better line than Jordan? Democratic House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. House Majority PAC boosts Harbaugh: The Pelosi-affiliated House Majority PAC is making a buy in Ohio's 7th Congressional District. Per ProPublica, the PAC purchased more than $54,000 in mailers to attack incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Gibbs. The rub on that? Gibb's opponent, Ken Harbaugh, was the first congressional Democratic hopeful to say he would not vote for Pelosi for speaker. Party bus: Not to be outdone by the Democrats and their bus, the Ohio Republican Party is launching a bus tour featuring the slate of statewide candidates. The first stop is Thursday morning in Cincinnati with eight stops around the state. On The Move Within hours of longtime Ohio Department of Agriculture Director David Daniels being fired by Gov. John Kasich last Friday, two senior department officials resigned effective Nov. 1: deputy director Janelle Mead and chief legal counsel Dustin Calhoun, according to department communications director Mark Bruce. The Cleveland-based Center for Community Solutions is giving a public service award to Ohio Sen. Dave Burke, a Marysville Republican, on Friday for his bipartisan work in closing pill mills and digging deep into health care issues as the chairman of the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee. Full Disclosure Five things we learned from state Rep. Robert Sprague's April 9 financial disclosure statement. Sprague, a Republican from Findlay, is his party's nominee for Ohio treasurer. 1. He didn't list any employers outside the Ohio General Assembly. He earned $65,476.19 last year as a lawmaker. 2. Sprague reported receiving $100,000 or more from the Robert Cole Sprague Irrevocable Trust and $25,000 to $49,999 from the Ralph D. Cole Trust. He received $10,000 to $24,999 as an owner of Music Together of Findlay, a preschool music program, where his wife is director. 3. For investments, he listed his state pension with the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and Microsoft, Sangamo Biological Sciences, Ziopharm Oncology and Celegene Corp. stock. 4. At some point last year he owed over $1,000 to American Express and USAA. 5. The state reimbursed him $3,867.55 for mileage between home and Columbus. Straight From The Source "Politics right now are ugly. And here is a politician who was just doing something because it was the right thing to do, not expecting anything to come out of it for his gain." - Michael Paluzzi, a motorist stranded in Washington, D.C., with a flat tire. Paluzzi got help from a congressman named "Brad," who he eventually tracked down as U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup, a Republican from the Cincinnati area. Wenstrup, a physician, previously came to the aid of Steve Scalise during the congressional softball game shooting and to riders on board an Amtrak that struck a garbage truck. Capitol Letter is a daily briefing providing succinct, timely information for those who care deeply about the decisions made by state government. If you do not already subscribe, you can sign up here to get Capitol Letter in your email box each weekday for free. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Ohio Republican Party's slate card -- a printed list of Republicans appearing on the statewide ballot in November -- instructs recipients to make sure they return their absentee ballot "today" "or bring it to the polls" on Election Day. There's one problem -- voters aren't actually allowed to turn in their absentee ballots at polling places in Ohio. If a voter were to show up at their polling place on Election Day with a completed absentee ballot, they would have two options. One they could travel to their county board of elections headquarters and turn it in there. Or, they could stay at their polling place and cast a provisional ballot, which wouldn't be counted until three weeks after the Nov. 6 election. Pat McDonald, a Republican who is the director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, said he's concerned the slate card will lead to problems for anyone who actually might bring their ballot to their polling place. "Whoever made that mistake, we don't want to [confuse] any of the voters who come out to their polling locations, and then being told they can't do that," McDonald said. In Cuyahoga County, the county board of elections is in downtown Cleveland. That could be a 20 to 30-minute drive for precincts from the county's outer suburbs. "Nobody's going to want to come downtown," McDonald said. Blaine Kelly, a spokesman for the Ohio Republican Party, declined to say how many Republican voters received the card with the errant instructions. He contended the error is not actually a serious issue, especially since most voters are likely to return their absentee ballots before Election Day. "We are encouraging Republican voters to return their absentee ballots early," Kelly said in an email. "If they choose to take it to their polling location or [to the board of elections], they will be able to vote." But McDonald said many voters don't like voting provisionally, since the votes aren't counted on Election Day. The extra time allows elections workers to verify that a voter isn't voting twice. To cast a provisional ballot, voters must fill out an application that includes their name and date of birth. "I guess that's true. In theory, they can vote provisionally, so they won't be disenfranchised," he said. Some critics have contended -- including in a recent federal lawsuit -- that provisional ballot applications can confuse people, causing valid voters to have their ballots rejected for technical reasons. SEVEN HILLS, Ohio -- There's a battle being fought by Northeast Ohio communities related to the highly competitive economic development market. Whether it's tax abatement or economic development job creation and job retention grants, cities are offering companies financial incentives to remain, relocate or expand in their respective communities. When such deals are announced, the approved city council ordinance normally includes an exhibit laying out the specifics of the tax abatement so that residents can fully understand what's being offered by the city, as well as the company's required investment in the community related to jobs and/or payroll taxes. Otherwise, the public might find that such consummated deals lack accountability and transparency and might question the motivation of elected officials. This common practice apparently is not the norm in Seven Hills, where last year City Council approved an eight-year Economic Development Job Creation and Job Retention grant with Futuri Media. A year later, the Rockside Road company has come back to the city looking to extend the deal, which City Council recently approved. The specific ordinance lists the grant award as a percentage of payroll taxes generated per calendar year on existing payroll. Until a $187,000 threshold in grants is achieved, the city will return to the company 50 percent of payroll taxes generated. After the $187,000 in grants is achieved, the city will return 20 percent of payroll taxes generated. That equates to potentially $93,500, if not more, given back to Futuri Media. Mayor Richard Dell'Aquila declined to discuss specific contract details -- specifically, the required payroll increase tied to new jobs -- which would explain what the city is getting out of the deal. City Council President Anthony D. Biasiotta also had no comment. When cleveland.com made a public records request for information related to the Futuri Media grant extension, city Finance Director Sonja Herwick emailed, "Any data that was provided by Futuri in their efforts to getting the extension is considered confidential tax information and cannot be released by us." After consulting with area law directors and economic development directors, a follow-up public records request was submitted regarding Futuri Media's economic development job creation and job retention agreement application request. Seven Hills Deputy Finance Director Joe Hotchkiss replied via email, "The specific document being looked for does not exist." At that point, Dell'Aquila contacted RITA Government Liaison Officer Brian R. Thunberg for an opinion. Thunberg emailed: "Any information gained from a tax return is deemed to be confidential. Also, the employer has specifically stated that they do not want their records released. Therefore, this is no longer a public request and does not have to be granted." Subsequently, cleveland.com talked to Thunberg, explaining that the information being sought wasn't related to tax returns, but instead the details of an economic development job creation and job retention grant using taxpayer money. After the clarification, Thunberg said the matter had nothing to do with RITA. Looking for clarification on whether agreement details between a municipality and a business are public record, cleveland.com reached out to the Ohio Auditor's Office. Public Information Officer Dominic Binkley said that while he couldn't comment on a specific case that his office hasn't reviewed, he did offer this general explanation via email. "It is the opinion of our chief legal counsel that only certain information related to applications for economic development concessions and benefits can be redacted from public records responses or considered in executive session," Binkley said. "That includes information that is proprietary in nature or divulges data related to the internal finances and operations of the business entity. "However, data related to the grants, allowances and benefits, including the general agreement, the nature of the benefits, and the terms of the agreement, should be provided." For further clarification, nonprofit research institute Policy Matters Ohio, which has experience with economic development transparency, offered its opinion. "When the city is using taxpayer money to subsidize a company, people should be able to find out what are they going to get for their money," Policy Matters Ohio Research Director Zach Schiller said. "If you don't know what you're going to get for your money, how do you know whether the deal is a reasonable one? How do you measure it? There's no way to be really accountable," Schiller said. "I think whatever is included in the specific documents, the residents of Seven Hills should be able to find out what's the real basis of this deal," he said. Schiller said the grant threshold amount of $187,000 is of particular interest in terms of accountability. "Why that particular threshold rather than some other one?" Schiller said. "The point is, if you're using tax money to subsidize an employer, you should be able to find out the details of what is being promised. "So that way we know what we can expect and we can then measure whether we've gotten what we thought we should. And we can also compare it to what we've done in the past and what other communities are doing, so that we have an idea whether the deal is a reasonable one," he said. Late last year, Seven Hills City Council approved a three-year, $87,000 tax abatement deal to keep BBMC Mortgage from moving to Independence or Brecksville. The city is forgiving that amount in payroll taxes. Again, Dell'Aquila declined to discuss specific details related to the contract, including what the city is getting out of the deal. It was only after cleveland.com talked to a BBMC Mortgage representative that it became clear that the $87,000 tax abatement amount was tied to an expected payroll tax increase from $170,000 to $250,000 by the end of 2018. Last week, Seven Hills City Council members Stacey Kelly and Pat Elliott called cleveland.com to say that they felt the city was being threatened with a negative story because it wouldn't release confidential tax information. Perhaps therein lies the problem: Confidential tax information is not being requested. Instead, cleveland.com is seeking the specific details regarding the Futuri Media grant contract, which finds the city annually returning potentially $93,500 in payroll taxes for eight years. Currently, cleveland.com is waiting for the statue justifying its public records request denial. STRONGSVILLE, Ohio -- Voters in Strongsville, North Royalton and Broadview Heights will find several local issues on the Nov. 6 ballot in two weeks. Here is a final rundown of those local issues: Strongsville Issue 8 is a new 7.9-mill tax that would generate about $11.3 million for operating expenses, including teacher salaries, in the Strongsville City Schools. The tax would cost the owner of a Strongsville home valued at $100,000 an additional $23 a month, or $276 a year, district officials have said. In May, district officials said that, without the tax, Strongsville schools would start deficit spending in 2019 -- meaning that expenses would exceed revenues and the district would need savings to balance the budget -- until district savings are wiped out in 2022. Issue 95 is an amendment to the Strongsville municipal charter, which is the city's constitution. The existing charter does not include educational requirements for Strongsville's police and fire chiefs. Under this charter amendment, future police and fire chiefs would be required to hold bachelor's degrees from accredited institutions. Existing Police Chief Mark Fender and existing Fire Chief Jack Draves would be exempted. Issue 96 is a charter amendment. Currently, the charter states that council must meet at 8 p.m. the first and third Mondays of every month. The proposed amendment would remove the 8 p.m. time requirement from the charter. Council would select the time of the council meeting by ordinance instead. Issue 97 is a charter amendment. The charter now requires the city to post ordinances and resolutions in at least five public places at least 15 days before the ordinances and resolutions take effect. The proposed amendment would change the requirement to at least two public places, including the city website. Issue 98 is a charter amendment. Under the existing charter, council, with a unanimous vote of all seven members, can approve spending without public bidding. Such spending might be necessary in an emergency. The charter amendment would allow council, with a unanimous vote of whichever of its members are present at a particular meeting, to approve spending without public bidding. For example, if two council members are absent, the remaining five can approve spending without public bidding, but only if the vote is 5-0. Issue 99 is a charter amendment that would create a new section 5, titled "Qualified Electors," under Article VII of the charter. It would state that anyone 18 or older can vote if they are registered and if they have been an Ohio resident at least 30 days before an election. Law Director Neal Jamison said the proposed new voting section of the charter mirrors Ohio law. Issue 100 is a charter amendment that would create a new section 6, titled "General Qualifications of Elected Officials," under Article VII of the charter. It would state that the mayor and council members must live in the city for at least one year immediately prior to their election or appointment, and that they must be qualified electors, as defined in the proposed new section 5. In addition, ward council members must live in the ward they represent at least one year prior to their election or appointment and must remain living in the ward during their entire term. Council approved this amendment unanimously for the ballot. Issue 101 is a charter amendment. The charter now requires the mayor to appoint nine citizens to a charter review committee at least once every five years. Under an amendment proposed by council, the number of charter review committee members would remain the same. However, the mayor would appoint five members and the council president would appoint four members. Issue 102 is a rezoning that would allow Kemper House - a long-term care community for patients with Alzheimer's disease and dementia, at the northwest corner of Prospect and Albion roads - to expand. The rezoning must pass both citywide and in Ward 3, where Kemper House is located. The issue would rezone a vacant 1-acre lot directly north of Kemper House from single-family residential to senior residential. Kemper House hasn't decided how it would use the land, but on its rezoning application said it might use the property for additional parking, a walking path for Kemper residents, landscaping, a small building addition with offices or all of the above. Issue 103 is a rezoning that would allow Giant Eagle to build a GetGo Cafe + Market and gas station at the northwest corner of Ohio 82 and Webster Road. The issue must pass both citywide and in Ward 1, where the GetGo would be located. The project would include transferring most of the 31.5-acre site -- about 23.9 acres -- to Cleveland Metroparks' Mill Stream Run Reservation, which is directly west of the proposed GetGo site. A Metroparks spokesperson said earlier this year that the park system would use the land for "passive recreation." North Royalton Issue 6 would allow the North Royalton City Schools to combine and replace three existing property taxes that support the school district. The proposed 10-year combined, 16.5-mill operating levy would generate $17.8 million a year for operating expenses, including teachers' salaries, according to school district officials. The levy replacement would not raise or change taxes for property owners, who are now paying a total of about $536 a year for every $100,000 in property valuation on the three existing 10-year tax levies. Issue 51 would allow the sale of wine and mixed alcoholic beverages at Dari's Mart, 8653 Ridge Road, in North Royalton. Broadview Heights Issue 16 is an amendment to the Broadview Heights municipal charter, which is the city's constitution. Under the existing charter, members of the city's Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission cannot hold a real estate license or real estate broker's license and cannot be a land developer or agent of a land developer. The proposed charter amendment would remove these membership restrictions so that those carrying real estate and real estate broker's licenses, as well as land developers and agents of land developers, could serve. Issue 17 is a charter amendment. The existing charter says that if the Board of Zoning Appeals holds a hearing on a proposed zoning variance, the city must tell the public of the hearing at least 14 days in advance through a notification at City Hall and in a local newspaper. Also, the city must notify in advance everyone owning land within 500 feet of the property that would receive the variance. Under the proposed charter amendment, the city could notify the public in advance about the BZA hearing either through an ad in a local newspaper or a posting on the city's website. The city would still post a notice of the hearing at City Hall and would still notify adjacent property owners in advance. Issue 18 is a charter amendment. Under the existing charter, the city's Human Services Advisory Board consists of seven members, appointed by the mayor and confirmed by council. The board advises and assists the director of the Human Resources Department, which offers help to older residents. The proposed charter amendment would reduce the board's size to three regular members and two alternate members. Issue 19 is a charter amendment. The existing charter states that the human services board must meet at least once a month. Under the proposed charter amendment, the board would be required to meet just once every three months. The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] Democrat Mike Espy pledges to work across party lines, during a brief speech in Jackson, Miss., Friday, July 20, 2018. A Senate special election in red Mississippi could head to a runoff in late November as Democrat Mike Espy pushes to upset Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, according to a new poll. In the Nov. 6 contest, 38 percent of likely voters prefer Hyde-Smith, 29 percent choose Espy and 15 percent pick GOP state Sen. Chris McDaniel, the NBC News/Marist poll released Tuesday found. Another 15 percent of likely voters are undecided, while nonpartisan candidate Tobey Bartee takes 2 percent of support. If no candidate gets 50 percent, the contest would move to a Nov. 27 runoff. That potential race favors Hyde-Smith as she consolidates Republican voters, according to the survey. She garners 50 percent of support among likely voters while Espy gets 36 percent and 13 percent are undecided. Espy appears to have a better chance if McDaniel finds his way into a runoff. In a potential matchup between the two men, the Democrat has a 7 percentage point edge, according to the survey. Hyde-Smith was appointed to fill the Senate seat after longtime GOP Sen. Thad Cochran retired earlier this year due to health issues. Espy, a U.S. Agriculture secretary under President Bill Clinton, gives Democrats one of their only Senate seat pickup opportunities this year. However, he faces a daunting path to winning in a state that President Donald Trump won easily in 2016 and still enjoys a strong approval rating. Several high-level Amazon executives including CEO Jeff Bezos pumped cash into Republican Sen. Cory Gardner's campaign committee, a new third-quarter Federal Election Commission filing revealed. But the money isn't to help the senator from Colorado in the Nov. 6 midterms. Gardner isn't up for re-election until 2020. Bezos and his wife, MacKenzie, each wrote checks worth $5,400 to Gardner's campaign committee; that amount is the most an individual is allowed to give to those seeking public office. Bezos was joined by eight other Amazon representatives, including Jeffrey Wilkie, the CEO of Amazon's Worldwide Consumer division, and Brian Olsavsky, the company's chief financial officer, who each gave $5,400. All of the contributions from the Amazon executives came in September. Amazon spokeswoman Jill Kerr confirmed Bezos' contribution to Gardner but declined to comment further. A representative for Gardner did not return a request for comment. While it's unclear why some leaders at the online retailer decided to back Gardner, Amazon has lobbied for numerous pieces of legislation that the Colorado Republican has co-sponsored. The DIGIT Act, which recently passed the U.S. Senate and is expected to be voted on in the House of Representatives, is one of four Gardner co-sponsored bills that Amazon's government relations team supported. The bill, introduced by Republican Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska, calls on the Commerce Department to create a working group to examine what's described as the "Internet of Things," a network of devices that are connected by the internet and have the ability to exchange data. A second-quarter lobbying disclosure form shows Amazon spent over $3 million on issues pertaining to that bill and other pieces of legislation at the time. Gardner's state has also seen a boost from Amazon's goal of expanding its operations. In 2017, Amazon opened a fulfillment center in Aurora, Colorado. In September of that year, it was reported that the company hired over 900 people to work in the new location. Gardner, at the time, celebrated the grand opening in a tweet. Tweet In October 2017, Gardner, along with other members of Colorado's congressional delegation, signed a letter to Bezos supporting the decision to make their state a candidate for Amazon's HQ2 project. The retail company is looking to create a new corporate headquarters in a city other than its home base of Seattle. In January, Denver was on the list of potential cities for the new headquarters. Amazon's CEO has said he will make a final decision on the host city by the end of the year. Gardner, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which helps Republicans get elected into the Senate, is one of the top beneficiaries of Amazon's campaign donations in the 2018 election cycle even though he's not running, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. The two candidates above him on that list are Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke, who is looking to unseat Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas this cycle, and Democratic Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell, who is seeking re-election in November. Amazon and Bezos have become some of the top spenders throughout the 2018 midterm season. Bezos, considered the wealthiest man in the world by Forbes with a net worth of $144 billion, gave just over $10 million back in August to the With Honor Fund, a bipartisan super PAC looking to elect veterans into the House this year. Amazon employees and affiliated political action committees spent $12.6 million on this year's midterms, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics. It's the most that company executives have invested in an election since 2016, when only $1 million was put forward. AstraZeneca is plowing deeper into cancer immunotherapy through a wide-ranging deal with Innate Pharma, which includes the British group buying a 9.8 percent stake in the French biotech company. Tuesday's agreement is a coup for Innate run by former AstraZeneca executive Mondher Mahjoubi which gains rights to sell AstraZeneca's newly approved rare blood cancer drug Lumoxiti as its first commercial product. AstraZeneca's purchase of 6.26 million new shares in Innate at a price of 10 euros each, or double the market rate, marks a vote of confidence in the cancer immunotherapy specialist and Innate shares jumped 29 percent on the deal news. For AstraZeneca, the tie-up is an opportunity to expand into new areas within the fiercely competitive immuno-oncology field, particularly in colorectal cancer, where the approach of boosting the immune system has so far had limited success. AstraZeneca's move marks the latest example of premium-priced investment in biotech by big pharma, after Novartis this month announced its acquisition of cancer drugmaker Endocyte for $2.1 billion. A key focus for AstraZeneca is Innate's experimental immunotherapy drug monalizumab, where the British company is exercising its option to obtain full oncology rights, following an earlier 2015 collaboration. Monalizumab is currently in mid-stage clinical trials for colorectal cancer, as well as tumors of the head and neck. "If immuno-oncology compounds can make it into colorectal cancer, it is a big opportunity and we believe monalizumab has the potential to get us there," AstraZeneca Chief Executive Pascal Soriot told Reuters. In addition to the 62.6 million euro ($72 million) equity stake, AstraZeneca will also make payments totalling $170 million for rights to several experimental Innate drugs, while Innate will pay up to $75 million to AstraZeneca for Lumoxiti. Soriot is banking on new drugs, especially in cancer, to drive a sales recovery as AstraZeneca grapples with falling sales of cholesterol-fighter Crestor due to generic competition. To date, the only immuno-oncology drug for treating colorectal cancer is Merck's Keytruda and it is only cleared for around 10 percent of cases. AstraZeneca will also gain access to Innate's anti-CD39 monoclonal antibody, IPH5201, plus four additional immuno-oncology molecules. It will pay Innate $100 million in the first quarter of 2019 for the expansion of the collaboration on monalizumab, plus $50 million for IPH5201 and $20 million for the other four molecules. Innate will pay AstraZeneca $50 million upfront and $25 million for future commercial and regulatory milestones for rights to Lumoxiti, which won U.S. approval last month for hairy cell leukemia, a rare slow-growing type of blood cancer. "This is a defining moment for us," said Innate CEO Mahjoubi. "It really means the dream has become true and the company now is a fully integrated biotech with an opportunity to commercialize a major innovative treatment." When pharma giant Pfizer announced in January it planned to shut down early- and mid-stage neuroscience drug development, it was another blow to a field already in a defensive crouch. Diseases of the central nervous system from Alzheimer's to Parkinson's to Lou Gehrig's disease have been incredibly difficult for drug developers to crack, and Pfizer's retreat appeared that it would siphon more much-needed money and attention from the area. But, as it turns out, Pfizer's not walking away completely. It's teamed with investment firm Bain Capital to create a new company composed of its neuroscience assets and funded with $350 million from Bain. Its name: Cerevel Therapeutics, derived from the phrase "cerebral revelation," explained Bain Capital Life Sciences Managing Director Adam Koppel, in an interview. "Cerebral comes from cerebellum, the brain," he explained. "Revelation, to unlock the mysteries and secrets of the brain." The new company will get about 10 programs in neuroscience and neuropsychiatry from Pfizer, including three already in clinical trials. Pfizer will add two directors: Doug Giordano, its senior vice president of worldwide business development, and Morris Birnbaum, chief scientific officer of internal medicine. Koppel and Chris Gordon, managing director at Bain Capital Private Equity, will also join the board. Pfizer will own 25 percent of the Boston-area company. Its lead programs include a medicine for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease that is likely to enter late-stage clinical testing next year, and one for epilepsy that is ready to start mid-stage studies. Other compounds target Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and addiction. The idea to found a company around a shelved asset from a bigger pharma company isn't new; it's the model of biotech companies from Puma Biotechnology to Esperion to Axovant (in fact, both Puma's and Esperion's key drugs were licensed from Pfizer; Axovant's was an Alzheimer's medicine from GlaxoSmithKline that ended in rather spectacular failure). What's different is that Pfizer remains more involved with these assets, Bain's Gordon said. "Years ago we started having dialogues with various pharmaceutical companies about partnerships to fund their R&D pipelines," he said in an interview. "For a long time they struggled to get off the ground, because a lot of times it was tough to find ways for the financial investor and the pharmaceutical company to both get what they wanted": a good financial return for the former, and "optionality" on their pipelines for the latter. It's a model Pfizer appears increasingly to be exploring: Last fall, Pfizer spun out Springworks Therapeutics, along with rights to four of its programs. Bain was among investors supplying the $103 million in initial funding. In April, Pfizer said it agreed to transfer some of its cancer immunotherapy assets to a new company called Allogene, of which it would own 25 percent. Allogene sold shares in an initial public offering earlier this month that valued the company at more than $2 billion. When Pfizer shut down its early neuroscience work, it cited "continual setbacks" faced by its internal programs. "We had to come to terms with the fact that our research efforts were simply not making the progress necessary to translate into truly transformational therapies for patients," Mikael Dolsten, the company's head of research, said in a statement. And neuroscience drug development, particularly in Alzheimer's, has been hard. But Koppel argues the area has seen more success than it is given credit for. "There have been a lot of positive advances and important drugs in late-stage development or approved in neuroscience and neuropsychiatry," Koppel said. "Maybe because of the profound failures in Alzheimer's, there may be a more dramatic overhang on other areas." He pointed to progress in migraine, where three new drugs have just been approved; treatment-resistant depression, movement disorders, rare diseases affecting the nervous system and diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, where significant advancements have been made in gene therapy and other approaches. The $350 million from Bain to start Cerevel may be just the beginning; the firm indicated it has the ability to provide more funding. Bain's other health-care investments span from contract research giant Quintiles, now called IQVIA, to biotech companies Solid Biosciences and Dicerna Pharmaceuticals. Koppel is a director at Solid and previously led corporate strategy at Biogen. "We hope to build a world-class company; we think there are very few CNS (central nervous system) companies that are out there purely dedicated to this space," Koppel said. "We think we can build one of those." WATCH: Ford is using bionic suits to help employees work safer China's President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Nov 10, 2014 during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People, on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation. Kim Kyung-Hoon-Pool | Getty Images Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan faces a tough balancing act as he heads to Beijing for a Thursday summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Japan's often fraught relations with China are improving as highlighted by Abe's Oct. 25-27 visit, the first stand-alone journey to the country by a Japanese leader in nearly seven years. But it comes as long-time ally and security guarantor the United States wages a tariff war on China, Japan's biggest trading partner, while occasionally tossing ominous threats Tokyo's way as well. "Navigating between the two is a challenge" for Abe, said Japan politics and security expert Brad Glosserman, a visiting professor at Tama University in Tokyo and senior adviser at Honolulu-based think tank Pacific Forum. Glosserman spoke to CNBC on Monday. Abe will reportedly be accompanied by hundreds of Japanese executives hungry for opportunities in China, Japan's biggest trading partner, even as they share U.S. and European concerns about Chinese economic and business practices. But Abe, and no doubt many of the business people, will also be looking over their shoulders at U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump, who has used the threat of tariffs on Japanese vehicles to cajole a reluctant Tokyo into free trade talks, last week tweeted praise for Japan ahead of Abe's trip, including a graphic lauding its investments in the United States. Tweet: Prime Minister @AbeShinzo of Japan has been working with me to help balance out the one-sided Trade with Japan. These are some of the investments they are making in our Country - just the beginning! Glosserman said Abe and other U.S. allies have learned how to ingratiate themselves with Trump. "But I think that what everyone worries about more than anything else is the degree to which this buys you anything more than temporary solace," he said. 'Clash of basic views and interests' And that is where China sees an opening to offer itself as a more stable alternative, while beefing up its own defenses in the trade war, according to consulting firm Eurasia Group. "Trump's sometimes rather jarring treatment of governments in the region (and elsewhere) has created an opportunity for China to redouble its efforts to pitch itself to Japan and other countries as an alternative to the U.S. as a strategic and economic partner and dilute concerns about China's rise," it said in a report on Oct. 19. Projects funded by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank must not add to the receiving country's debt burden, the lender's president Jin Liqun said on Tuesday. "We do not simply lend to the countries for their sovereign guarantees," Jin told CNBC's "Street Signs." "We work actively with the private sector companies in those countries so that our investments would not build up heavy pressure on their debt burden," he added. "It's very important for our members to continually invest in infrastructure and other productive sectors without creating debt burden." Jin's comments came amid mounting criticisms that the push for massive infrastructure building in developing countries has increased their debt in an unsustainable way. Those criticisms were particularly directed at China's mega program called the Belt and Road Initiative. The AIIB a China-led multilateral development bank also faced similar skepticism given its focus on infrastructure financing, including projects under the BRI. Making sure recipient countries can pay back their debt is a priority of the Chinese government, said Zou Jiayi, vice minister of China's Ministry of Finance. "The Chinese government attached a lot of importance to the debt sustainability when we pursued BRI because we are the creditor, we are the stakeholder. Those are our money," she said earlier this month at the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Bali. Getting the private sector involved is key to making sure any infrastructure development is sustainable, Jin said. That has been AIIB's focus, which has helped to silence skeptics, he added. "I'm pleased to see that the skepticism is now history," said Jin. "(The) private sector can create jobs for people and private sector companies can help the developing countries move up on the value chain. So, we think it makes a lot of sense for us to work with the private sector." Chinese leader Xi Jinping opened one of the world's longest bridges on Tuesday, during a tour to southern China that is seen by some as an opportunity for Beijing to reaffirm its commitment to economic liberalization. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge is made up of nearly 35-km (22-mile) bridge and road sections and a 6.7 km (4-mile) tunnel, and has been dubbed the longest "bridge-cum-tunnel sea crossing" in the world. It will link the financial hub of Hong Kong to the relatively less developed western reaches of the Pearl River Delta in Guangdong province, as well as the former Portuguese colony and gambling hub of Macau. Xi said nothing during the inauguration of the bridge on Tuesday morning other than to declare it officially open to a burst of fireworks projected onto a screen behind him. Hong Kong authorities have defended the bridge's HK$120 billion ($15.3 billion) price tag, saying it would consolidate Hong Kong's position as a regional aviation and logistics hub. Xi's visit to the southern economic powerhouse of Guangdong had been shrouded in secrecy, with state media making little mention of his itinerary before he showed up for the bridge opening. Some observers see Xi's tour to the south as highly symbolic, coming on the 40th anniversary of the beginning of China's reforms, when the country began a transformation from a centrally planned to a market-driven economy with "Chinese characteristics". Vice premier Han Zheng said the bridge would help drive China's strategic blueprint for a "Greater Bay Area" around the Pearl River Delta modeled on other global economic dynamos like San Francisco Bay and Tokyo Bay. "The bridge stimulates the interaction and trades between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, facilitates the development of the Greater Bay Area and boost the comprehensive competitiveness of the Pearl River Delta," Han said. Some critics, however, see the bridge as a white elephant that is part of a multi-pronged push by China to exert greater control over Hong Kong, which returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997 amid promises to preserve the city's high degree of autonomy and individual freedoms denied in mainland China. The bridge was first proposed in the late 1980s, but it was opposed at the time by Hong Kong's British colonial government, which was wary of development that might draw the city closer to Communist China. The bridge's opening comes at a challenging time for China as it faces pressure from a trade war with the United States, volatile financial markets, mounting public debt and a slowing economy. Xi, who is gearing up for his second five-year term, has also come under fire for his state-centred approach to economic policy and his focus on stability, rather than proactively pushing market liberalization. Xi said last month, however, that China was still determined to reform and wanted to work with all parties to build an open world economy. He said on Sunday the ruling Communist Party would always support private firms' development, and any acts to weaken the private economy were wrong, according to the official Xinhua news agency. Some Hong Kong media have dubbed Xi's trip, his second to Guangdong since taking office in 2012, as a "southern tour", echoing a high-profile 1992 visit to the special economic zones of the south by former paramount leader Deng Xiaoping. Deng's trip helped reaffirm China's commitment to reform after the international condemnation following the 1989 killings of protesters in and around Beijing's Tiananmen Square. A senior Western diplomat said Xi's southern tour was an opportunity for him to say something significant on economic and market reforms, and to re-affirm Deng's legacy, noting that Xi had displayed "very little evidence of that" in recent years. WHEN: Today, Tuesday, October 23, 2018 WHERE: CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" The following is the unofficial transcript of a CNBC EXCLUSIVE interview with Hayman Capital Management Founder & Chief Investment Officer Kyle Bass and CNBC's David Faber on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" (M-F 9AM 11AM) today, Tuesday, October 23rd. The following is a link to video of the interview on CNBC.com: https://www.cnbc.com/video/2018/10/23/watch-cnbcs-full-interview-with-hayman-capitals-kyle-bass-fiduciary-china.html. All references must be sourced to CNBC. DAVID FABER: Well, an interesting time to talk to well-known hedge fund manager, Kyle Bass. On November 4th, by the way, the U.S. is going to begin its sanctions against Iran. While there's much focus on the effect those sanctions are going to have on the oil market, a perhaps overlooked impact is on the investment management business, which must divest from sanctioned entities. Well what does that mean? You just saw him and you'll see him again: hedge fund manager Kyle Bass. He chairs the risk committee for UTIMCO that is the endowment for the University of Texas and Texas A&M. It is the second largest endowment in the country. Kyle, it's good to have you. This is an important topic. Before we attack it, I do want to just get your reflection on this market move today. It's been a while since we've seen a down 2% in the S&P. You have any thoughts about why we're having this down move or what may be causing it? KYLE BASS: You know, I mean, clearly, this is not a monocausal event, David. But I think that look, on this day back in 1929 was the beginning of the stock market crash. And October 19, 1987. It seems to be bad days in October seem to happen regularly. But I think when you look at today, one of your other guests earlier this morning pointed to the fact that, you know, the ruling coalition in Italy is essentially a Donald Trump and a Bernie Sanders deciding to rule together, so they're going to lower taxes and raise spending And clearly, that's not going to work with the European Union. I think that's having a lot to do with global markets in the last several months. A lot more than people think it has. FABER: Interesting. Alright. We're gonna come back as well to that and talk specifically about China, but first let's get to this specific news that I want to discuss with you. Because The University of Texas, Texas A&M Investment Management Company, the Office of Foreign Asset Control Compliance Procedures. You guys are putting this out today, basically letting those you invest with understand what you are going to do as a result of the sanctions that are going to take effect on November 4th. What is it that you are going to do and that other investment managers, Kyle, need to be aware of? BASS: I think it's really important to understand that, you know, most of the institutional community in the U.S. adheres to U.S. law and when whether it's the Treasury, whether it's the BIS at Commerce or whether it's the State Department sanctioning entities that are foreign entities, those are divested. But that's a legal standard. There's a fiduciary standard that I don't think institutional investors in the U.S. have paid attention to. And I think that is those companies that continue to do business with entities that we sanction are still invested in by the U.S. institutional investor community. We at the University of Texas are going to lead the way in raising the fiduciary standard for investors in the U.S. by saying, "If you're going to invest in companies that -- that basically continue to defy U.S. sanctions and break U.S. law, we're going to divest of you and we're not going to buy your stocks, your bonds, your derivatives. And we're not going to or allow our external managers to do so." It actually is completely logical and it adheres to the fiduciary standard that we all should be adhering to. And the good news is the University of Texas is going to lead the way here. FABER: Alright, well, as one of the largest endowments in the country, I would think that has an impact. But how do you communicate then with your external managers? Can they continue to own stakes in some of these companies but not for you? Or are you going to argue that they need to divest across the board, regardless of whether those are funds that are UTIMCO funds? BASS: That's a -- look, it's all going to be, on the front end there's going to be a little bit of friction. And you know all of our capital is externally managed. We have 45 billion in total money invested around the world. And you know if these investments are in comingled funds, we would imagine that the investment manager has to make a decision whether or not they need to adhere to this fiduciary standard for all of their investors or just for some of them. And, you know, we're willing to work with all our external managers on setting up separately managed accounts that might exclude these investments, or if they want to make more difficult decisions, our investment team, our investment staff at UTIMCO is one of the best in the world. And they're the ones doing the communicating. The board and investment staff together decided to enact this plan. And the investment staff is working with our external managers on making sure they get into compliance with our new compliance plan. FABER: So do you think other investment managers and, by that token as well, private equity firms, I mean any of these large entities that have investments in what I would assume is an objectively verifiable list of companies that do business with Iran, are they all going to have to stop those investments? BASS: I'd imagine that every institutional compliance manager and general counsel is going to have to be thinking about their fiduciary responsibilities here, David. And it's interesting that over time there's been a schism between the investment community and let's say the operating community, where the investment community keeps moving ahead and -- with investments and companies that directly defy U.S. laws. And I find that to be unconscionable and so does the rest of our board. And so I think it's important for the rest of the institutional investor community to start paying attention here. FABER: Alright, so if you find that there's a U.S. government authorized -- or that one of the companies on the list -- you have, what, 180 days to wind down the position. Is that right, Kyle? BASS: Yeah, I think, look, the time limits are not that -- as important as the direction of where we're going. And, you know, we want to do things that are commercially practical and we also want to not harm the corpus. We don't want to cause losses in our portfolio. What we want to is parse through the list on the front end and think about these as sanctions get enacted going forward, we just want to be ahead of the curve. And so today, you know, the U.S. has primary sanctions on Syria, on Cuba, South Sudan. We're reimposing the Iranian petroleum sanctions November 4th, we're probably going to impose Myanmar and we've got some Russian and North Korean sanctions. Most of those don't matter but when you get into a situation like Iran, I think it's going to matter pretty materially across Western Europe, across India, across China. As you know, David, two countries have come out and said they simply won't adhere to our Iranian sanctions and that's Turkey and China. And this is going to have, I think, some reverberations across the world. FABER: Interesting. Well, we're going to be following it closely, Kyle. You mentioned China. In the few minutes I have left with you this morning, let's talk a bit about China. Of course, our deteriorating relationship, the performance of the Chinese stock market, concerns about the economy -- they are certainly spilling over here. You've been following it closely. You've talked to us previously about the current account deficit going negative, you've talked about the currency. What are you seeing on the ground now in China that may be concerning you? BASS: You know, the Chinese are in the worst financial situation they've been in, in the last 17 years because they operated domestic economy where they control the printing press, they control the press narrative, they control the price level and they control their people as we've seen them detain over a million of them in Jingjang for their religious preference. So they can change a lot of things domestically, but their -- the arbiter of the Chinese plan is their cross rate or their exchange rate with the rest of the world. China Inc.'s working capital account is now going South because they're running what we believe to be a structural and more permanent deficit on the current account. And so, i.e., their working capital, their dollar balance whether it's dollars, euros, yen or pounds, it's mostly dollars. And their dollar balances is headed south. And so, the U.S. is in a very particularly interesting negotiating position today. We are in the strongest negotiating position we've ever had against China. They've kind of leveled the playing field a little bit more with their, let's say, subversion of WTO rules, their intellectual property theft and basically everything they've done to take advantage of the U.S. over the past 15, 17 years. FABER: And you and I have discussed this in the last couple of interviews we've done specific to this topic of China. But it's not clear, Kyle, that the Chinese are going to back down from the asks, so to speak, whether it be intellectual property, whether it be on removing tariffs on U.S. goods. And I'm curious as to whether you think economic pressures -- and if you could explain what those might be -- will move the regime to a more cooperative stance. BASS: Yeah. Again, I know, this is a little bit of an Archean subject. But I do think the negative current account makes china desperately short dollars. So what China has been doing is forcing their companies, whether they're state-owned enterprises or private enterprises in China, to borrow dollars. So dollars are refundable. They go into the Chinese Central Bank. And I think he more pressure you see, that a) they create for themselves by running big imbalances between their raw materials and whatever they can produce domestically, and also the U.S. pushing back on the enormous trade deficit, all it does is add to, let's say, the intense economic negativity that China is facing today. And not to mention David, as you know, they've recklessly built their credit system; their banking system is now four times their GDP. And they've got, you know, $40 trillion worth of credit, somewhere between 40 and 50, no one knows, in a system with only a couple trillion dollars' worth of equity. And so China is running the largest financial experiment the world has ever seen. And the economic tides have turned negative for them. If you notice the narrative amongst the United States, it's actually a bipartisan narrative whereby you're seeing both sides of the aisle pushing back on China taking advantage of the U.S. And I think the U.S. is in a great negotiating position and this administration needs to level the playing field a little more. And it looks like they're doing so. FABER: Well, right. So, I mean, according to you then, they're going to have to I guess borrow more dollars or figure out how to get more investors to invest in China. They need to attract more capital, right? You don't seem to think they're going to be able to do that, certainly not in the near term. BASS: That's correct. And you know, David, back in November 2016, when they were trying to stop the outflows, the elicit capital outflows of China's capital controls, they took multinational corporations, a lot of them U.S. corporations, haven't been able to get their money out of China since November 2016. I would be willing to bet that the investment community that has enormous amounts of capital invested in China probably couldn't get that money out of China if they tried today. FABER: Yeah. But they always seem to figure out a way to sort of either grow out of their problems, Kyle, and/or just borrow even more money. I mean, by the way, we've seen that globally for how many years now, right? You and I could have had a conversation ten years ago that was worried about the growing number of cash and assets in the world and it's only gone up I don't even know what fold, but a lot. Why is now the time where you really believe, I guess, that they're on some sort of a precipes? BASS: Yeah, they've always been able to grow their working capital account. They've always been able to grow their dollar reserves while they're running a big surplus with us and the rest of the world. That surplus has now turned into a deficit. And you know, what happens when 4 million Chinese people move from abject poverty to the middle class? They start traveling and spending abroad. They're spending 320 billion dollars a year in just their travel services deficit. And four years ago when crude oil collapsed, China was importing 40% less crude than they are today. And now crude prices have come up from 35 to 70 or 35 almost to 80. And so -- FABER: Yeah. BASS: -- their current account negativity is structural, it's not cyclical, in my opinion. And so therefore, their desperate need for dollars is ever increasing. And so you see them trying to open up their capital markets to investors from the West. In fact, as you know, just this year, they said global financial institutions are allowed to now own more than 50% of their financial institutions. So right after they wrecked their banking system, they're now inviting us in to invest in their banks. It seems to me like it's beautifully premeditated and they're trying to desperately seek dollars. And the question is, should people begin investing? FABER: I know but bringing the world's second largest economy to its knees, if you're correct, wouldn't necessarily seem to me to be a great recipe for success over here as well and certainly wouldn't seem to presage a particularly great time for our own equity markets. BASS: Yeah. I mean, David, whether you look at the defense department or the U.S. trade reps reports, the reports are that they steal $200 to $300 billion a year in intellectual property from the U.S. So we've exported 5 million jobs since China ascended the WTO in 2001 with the hopes that they would one day they would open up their markets to us. They haven't. They haven't lived up to their promises to us while they've been stealing intellectual property from us every year. And so, I don't know if the hollowing out of the U.S.' number our resource, our intellectual property, is a great idea either. There's no easy solution here, David. FABER: So it's worth taking the pain? That's basically what you're saying here? It would be worth taking the near-term pain for the long-term gain of reclaiming our intellectual property, reclaiming the rule of law, reclaiming jobs. BASS: That's right. And if you look at -- FABER: Okay. BASS: Look at what the Chinese do and not what they say. When the wealthy Chinese get the chance, they invest over here. They love a rule of law. They love the fact that their money can't be taken from them and they love, you know, there are 350,000 Chinese students in the U.S., there are only 10,000 U.S. students in China. So, you know, what just happened with Jack Ma as a great example. Jack Ma was forced to resign and then he had to sign over his ownership in Alibaba to five unnamed individuals just three weeks ago. And you know, this isn't carried on the front pages of the news but I think the U.S. still has the best financial system in the world. FABER: As do many of us as well, Kyle. Listen, thank you. Iran sanctions, China, our markets. We covered a lot. Kyle Bass from Hayman Capital, as always we appreciate your time. BASS: Thank you, David. For more information contact: Jennifer Dauble CNBC t: 201.735.4721 m: 201.615.2787 e: jennifer.dauble@nbcuni.com Emma Martin CNBC t: 201.735.4713 m: 551.275.6221 e: emma.martin@nbcuni.com Two of the largest cryptocurrency companies, Coinbase and Circle, are joining forces to establish more ground rules in the quickly evolving asset class. The start-ups announced a joint-venture known as the "CENTRE Consortium" on Tuesday, which they say aims at speeding up adoption of cryptocurrencies backed by actual government currencies like the U.S. dollar. "Coinbase and Circle share a common vision of an open global financial system built on crypto rails and blockchain infrastructure, and realizing this vision requires industry leaders to collaborate to build interoperable protocols and standards," Circle co-founders Jeremy Allaire and Sean Neville said in a news release Tuesday. Circle launched its own U.S. dollar version of what's known as a "stablecoin" in May. The fintech company, valued at $3 billion in its most recent funding round, has made a series of deals and announcements in a long-term bet that despite bitcoin's price slump, the crypto economy is here to stay. The "USD Coin" was one of those bets, and as of Tuesday it will trade on Coinbase's popular cryptocurrency exchange. This is the first time Coinbase has supported a stablecoin, which it said is "fundamentally different" from other cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin's price has fluctuated wildly since its rise to nearly $20,000 last year, making it almost impossible to use as a viable payment alternative. A stablecoin like Circle's USD Coin, in comparison, is meant to represent a single U.S. dollar. It is a 1:1 representation of the greenback, just built on the ethereum blockchain. Each USD Coin is collateralized by a corresponding U.S. dollar, held in accounts subject to regular public reporting of reserves, Circle said. "We see USDC as a major step towards a more open financial system. The advantage of a blockchain-based digital dollar like USDC is that it is easier to program, send, use in apps, and store locally than traditional US dollars," Coinbase, reportedly valued at $8 billion, said in a blog post. Other Stablecoins have proved to be less than stable. Earlier in October, the price of Tether, which is also meant to be pegged to the U.S. dollar, plummeted below 90 cents after reports that the Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency exchange was insolvent. Critics of Tether have called into question whether that cryptocurrency is truly backed by the equivalent amount of U.S. dollars. Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire has made multiple long-term bets on the future of cryptocurrency. But he's not certain trades or investments in the future crypto economy will be done in bitcoin. He recently told CNBC that investors will still rely on government-backed money it just needs to be able to operate on the same blockchain technology. Circle's USD Coin is not meant to replace the U.S. dollar, Allaire explained it's a way to take an existing dollar and make it compatible with the cryptocurrency infrastructure, which advocates say is better and faster than existing payment rails. "If people can exchange value over the internet without a toll extracted for payments it's pretty dramatic," Allaire said at the October Security Token Academy conference in Manhattan. "It'll make the web look like a cute experiment comparatively speaking in 10 to 15 years." WATCH: The next stop in the cryptocurrency craze is a government-backed coin Enel Green Power Brasil Participacoes (EGPB) has begun construction of a 475 megawatt (MW) solar facility in Brazil. EGPB is a renewable energy subsidiary of the Enel Group. The Sao Goncalo solar park is located in the north-eastern state of Piaui and is expected to commence operations in 2020. In a statement Monday, the Enel Group said it would be investing around $390 million in the project, which it described as the largest photovoltaic (PV) facility currently being built in South America. Photovoltaic systems "directly convert solar energy into electricity," according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Last year, cumulative solar PV capacity hit nearly 398 gigawatts and generated more than 460 terawatt hours, accounting for approximately two percent of global power output, the IEA adds. When construction on the Sao Goncalo facility is finished and the plant is functioning, it will be able to produce more than 1,200 gigawatt hours per year and prevent the emission of over 600,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The head of Enel Green Power, Antonio Cammisecra, said in a statement Monday that the plant's construction strengthened the firm's leadership in the Brazilian renewable energy sector. "Sao Goncalo will further contribute to the diversification and resilience of the country's energy mix," Cammisecra added. The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, told populist lawmakers in Italy that it must make revisions to its draft budget proposal. Rancour between Rome and Brussels has grown in recent weeks after a controversial draft Italian budget for 2019 proposed a deficit equal to 2.4 percent of the country's annual output. A previous Italian administration had promised a deficit goal of just 0.8 percent of GDP (gross domestic product). In a press statement in Strasbourg, the European Commission Vice-President for the Euro and Social Dialogue Valdis Dombrovskis said there was no alternative but to reject Italy's current proposals, before adding that the country's government now had three weeks to come up with another plan. "Unfortunately the clarifications were not convincing to change our earlier conclusions of particularly serious non-compliance," said Dombrovskis before adding: "The Italian government is consciously and openly going against commitments made." The commissioner also said that Italy risked becoming trapped by debt and claimed that in 2017, Italy spent the same servicing its debt pile as it did on education. "Breaking rules can appear tempting at a first look, it can provide an illusion of breaking free. It is tempting to cure debt with more debt, but at some point the debt weighs too heavy," he added. It is the first time that the European Commission has effectively rejected a draft budget proposal by a member country. An explosive device was discovered on Monday near the home of billionaire George Soros in an upscale suburb in New York. The Bedford Police Department confirmed in a statement that "an extensive investigation" was carried out in the area after "a suspicious package (was) found in the mailbox." The case has been handed over to The Joint Terrorism Task Force Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The device didn't explode and was "proactively detonated" by bomb squad technicians, according to The New York Times, which cited an unnamed law enforcement official. The FBI said in a Twitter post it was conducting an investigation around a residence in Bedford, Westchester County. "There is no threat to public safety, and we have no further comment at this time," the FBI said. FBI New York on Twitter: We are conducting an investigation at and around a residence in Bedford, NY. There is no threat to public safety, and we have no further comment at this time. The incident came to light after police received a phone call on Monday about a "suspicious package found in the mailbox," according to the police statement. It wasn't clear whether the billionaire a frequent donor to Democratic candidates was home at the time, the Times reported. Soros was recently accused by U.S. President Donald Trump of funding a caravan of migrants heading towards the Mexico-U.S. border an allegation that many have said lacks evidence. These are challenging times for Ford, and all eyes are trained on CEO Jim Hackett as the company reports its third-quarter earnings Wednesday. Hackett faces impatient investors and industry analysts who have grown frustrated in recent months by the company's weak performance and his lack of details on the automaker's $11 billion restructuring plans. The second-largest U.S. automaker has been struggling with rising commodities costs, tough competition and fallout from the Trump administration's trade war. Its shares have lost almost a third of their value this year, closing at $8.41 a share Monday. Hackett embarked on an ambitious restructuring plan and boldly decided earlier this year to phase out all of Ford's sedans, except for the iconic Mustang. He's been slashing costs and trying to refocus most of its production on its best-selling SUVs, trucks and other profitable ventures. But those changes have yet to filter down to Ford's bottom line. Morgan Stanley downgraded Ford last week, saying its earnings and cash flow are under pressure and its dividend is at risk. Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas also said investors need "more evidence of success before embracing the Ford restructuring story." The company lowered its 2018 earnings projections after second-quarter profits plunged by almost 50 percent to $1.07 billion. Production of its popular Ford pickup truck was disrupted following a fire at one of its suppliers in May, and the company sustained heavy losses in China during the quarter. Chief Financial Officer Bob Shanks also said at the time that U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum were expected to eat up about $600 million in profit this year. Analysts surveyed by Refinitiv are expecting Ford to report a 35 percent slide in third-quarter earnings from the same period last year, to 28 cents a share. Revenues are forecast to fall 1 percent to $33.3 billion. The Detroit automaker told investors during the last quarter that restructuring expenses, designed to focus the company on its more profitable businesses, could cost up to $11 billion over the next three to five years, but executives have been scant on details of how that money will be spent. Jon Gabrielsen, an independent consultant who studies the automotive industry, said Ford has been struggling outside of North America, where its truck and SUV sales have helped bolster revenue. South America is an especially sore spot for all three Detroit automakers, Gabrielsen said. "They are all losing share, and they are all bleeding," he said. Ford's earnings are also likely to show weakness in Europe, and numbers suggest sales in China are declining, he said. "Either they know it and they have to put on a brave face, or they are truly in denial," he said. "I have always revered Ford's foresight, to see things coming and take the right actions, and their financial conservatism, and I am absolutely baffled how they took their eye off the ball over the last five-10 years." While all eyes will be on Hackett, Gabrielsen said the CEO hasn't been on the job long enough to shoulder all the blame. Hackett took the helm at the 115-year-old manufacturer only about 1 years ago, but some investors have grown impatient at the lack of detail and slow pace at which he's making changes. The company said early this month that it will thin the ranks of its 70,000-person salaried workforce by the second quarter of 2019 as part of the restructuring but provided few details. "While we see scope for potentially tens of thousands of headcount reductions at Ford, we are increasingly concerned that the capital markets do not have confidence in Ford to take decisive action fast enough," Morgan Stanley's Jonas said. "Part of the problem is that management has chosen not to provide a road map of how the $11 [billion] can be spent." Ford has made a few smart moves in recent months, analysts said. In particular, the company is slowly phasing out the U.S. production of traditional passenger cars in favor of trucks and SUVs. "I actually liked the move to get away from building sedans that are just not profitable," said Kelley Blue Book analyst Rebecca Lindland. "That would make sense for a lot of companies." Many people think Ford still has the potential to turn itself around. Hackett is a "visionary leader," Jonas said, but markets need more convincing. The company reports its third-quarter earnings after the markets close Wednesday. WATCH: Ford is using bionic suits to help employees work safer The U.S. on Tuesday joined foreign ministers of the G-7 economic powerhouse nations to condemn "in the strongest possible terms" the slaying of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. "Those responsible for the killing must be held to account," the G-7 ministers said in a joint statement. "Saudi Arabia must put in place measures to ensure something like this can never happen again." It was not immediately clear what measures the group wants to see from Saudi Arabia. But the United States' attachment to the letter offers one of the most direct criticisms yet from President Donald Trump, who has previously weighed the consequences of the killing against his strong alliance with the kingdom. Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post and critic of the royal family, entered the consulate on Oct. 2, where he was killed by a crew of Saudis. The Saudi government spent days denying that Khashoggi had been killed, as Turkish officials had claimed. But on Friday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said the slaying was a "tremendous mistake." He denied that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered the killing. Other reports, however, have cast doubt on claims that the Khashoggi's death was accidental. For instance, CNN reported that one of the men involved in the killing wore Khashoggi's clothes out of the consulate after he had been killed, fueling speculation that Saudi Arabia was preparing an alibi to back up their original claim that Khashoggi left the building shortly after he arrived. "The explanations offered leave many questions unanswered," the G-7 said in the statement. The group is composed of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the U.S. and the European Union. Trump had expressed his reluctance to call out Saudi Arabia earlier this month, even as lawmakers in his party came to conclusions as the circumstantial evidence mounted. "Here we go again with you're guilty until proven innocent," Trump said last week in an interview with The Associated Press. The president has also had his differences with the G-7. On the eve of the latest G-7 Summit in Quebec, Trump took shots from his Twitter account at French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on trade issues. Trump tweet But Trump relented, saying last week that it "certainly looks" as though Khashoggi was dead and warning of "very severe" consequences if Saudi leaders were found responsible. The G-7 statement called for "a thorough, credible, transparent, and prompt investigation by Saudi Arabia, in full collaboration with the Turkish authorities, and a full and rigorous accounting of the circumstances surrounding Mr. Khashoggi's death." "The circumstances of Mr. Khashoggi's death reaffirm the need to protect journalists and freedom of expression around the world," the G-7 ministers said. "We also extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Khashoggi's family, his fiancee, and his friends." As the world awaits the truth, or something close to it, about Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's killing inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, one of the Gulf's most stalwart security relationships hangs in a precarious position. Congress and the White House have sharply different views on how to approach the diplomatic crisis, now in its third week. Legislators are loudly calling for sanctions on weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and a robust response if the government in Riyadh is proven to have been behind Khashoggi's death. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday announced that visas for at least 21 Saudi nationals would be revoked and that he was working with the Treasury Department to "review the applicability of Global Magnitsky Sanctions," individual penalties for human rights abusers. "These penalties will not be the last word on this matter from the United States," Pompeo told reporters at the State Department. "We will continue to explore additional measures to hold those responsible accountable." But while President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to get to the bottom of the case, he's appeared more reluctant to punish his allies in the kingdom's leadership, should they be found responsible. Their support is vital in carrying out his agenda to isolate Iran and keep oil prices stable ahead of the November midterm elections. Khashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Post and frequent critic of the Saudi royal family, disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Turkish officials told The New York Times that it has audio evidence which proves Khashoggi was tortured, killed and subsequently dismembered by a hit team of Saudi agents. After initially insisting that Khashoggi left the consulate unharmed, the Saudi government last week said that he died in a "fistfight" while in the building, but provided few details and no evidence. Multiple investigations are underway, and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for the perpetrators of the crime to be tried in Istanbul, though he's stopped short of accusing the Saudi king or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman directly. Close votes If the details coming out of the Khashoggi case implicate the Saudi government and the crown prince, Western governments particularly the U.S. will be under heightened pressure to punish the Saudis through mechanisms like sanctions on weapons sales or on members of the royal family. That is the most obvious path Congress can take, though it can be done in a few ways, each with its own set of obstacles. Lawmakers from both parties have in the last year prompted floor votes attempting to choke Washington's support for the kingdom, each time losing by narrow margins. But a former U.S. national security official with extensive experience in the Gulf, who preferred to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the situation, warned that after the midterm elections, the mood toward the Saudis would be much more aggressive than in the past. Whatever the election's outcome, "I think either way there will be a more skeptical if not hostile relationship with Saudi Arabia in the legislature," the former official said. "And the relatively free hand that the administration gave is going to be a little more constrained. "The Saudis are very lucky that Congress is in recess for campaigning if Congress were in session there would be hearings, and they would not be good hearings." 'Sanction the hell out of Saudi Arabia' Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a longtime defender of U.S.-Saudi ties, told Fox News last week that the response to the kingdom was up to the president, but added: "What I would do, I know what I'm going to do, I'm going to sanction the hell out of Saudi Arabia." The Saudis purchased $65 billion in military equipment from Washington under the Obama administration, according to the Congressional Research Service. And Trump has repeatedly cited a $110 billion arms deal signed with the kingdom in May of 2017 as a major engine for U.S. jobs, and a key justification for preserving defense trade between the two. But so far, Riyadh has only purchased $14.5 billion worth of "helicopters, tanks, ships, weapons, and training," according to the Pentagon the remainder of the $110 billion appears to be more of a vague wish list. The 'special relationship' "The most concrete challenge facing the U.S. political establishment is that while there is certainly an inclination to ensure that there's accountability, the U.S.-Saudi relationship is key to U.S. influence in the region," Ayham Kamel, head of Middle East and North Africa for risk consultancy Eurasia Group, told CNBC. Mutual Saudi-U.S. interests date back to 1933, beginning with Saudi Arabia granting oil exploration rights to American companies, and later providing the U.S. a major source of energy during its crude-strapped World War II years. A security alliance evolved whereby Washington sold arms and provided military training to the Saudis and used the country as a bulwark against Soviet expansion during the Cold War. This later extended to U.S. protection during former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait, and the partnership managed to survive both the 1973 OPEC embargo and the September 11 attacks, the latter of which implicated a number of Saudi nationals. The two have continued their security partnership since, with a focus on counterterrorism, despite obvious differences in values and controversies over the funding of terrorism and radical Islamic ideology. Under former President Barack Obama, relations between Washington and Riyadh cooled. Trump's personal friendship with Mohammed bin Salman seemed to set the relationship back on track, especially as the White House sees the kingdom as central in its efforts to isolate Iran and forge an Israel-Palestine peace plan. Magnitsky sanctions and halting weapons sales On October 10, a bipartisan group of more than 20 senators, including the top Democrat and Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, penned a letter to the White House triggering the Global Magnitsky Act, which is designed to penalize governments for human rights abuses. This gives the administration four months to carry out an investigation and determine whether abuses occurred. It also, however, gives the executive a fair amount of discretion in its response. Pompeo on Monday named the Magnitsky Act among possible measures that may be exacted on the killing's perpetrators. In the absence of Magnitsky sanctions, however, lawmakers can still resort to direct sanctions of their own via the normal committee process, as they did last year with sanctions on Russia despite Trump's opposition. And Congress has 30 days to review and attempt to block weapons sales; Sens. Christopher Murphy, a Democrat, and Rand Paul, a Republican, have pledged to offer a joint resolution blocking any potential White House sale of precision-guided munitions to the kingdom. The pair tried this before in June of 2017, but failed to block a munitions sale to Riyadh in a close floor vote of 47-53. There is likely to be more support for a vote in the current climate, though whether the majority would be sufficient to override a presidential veto is uncertain. Cutting support for the Yemen War Under the War Powers Resolution, Congress could also vote to halt U.S. military support for missions not initially approved by Congress, such as the Saudi offensive in Yemen. The U.S. currently provides refuelling, intelligence and targeting support to the Saudis, whose aerial bombing campaign and war with Yemen's Houthi rebels has led to tens of thousands of deaths and widespread famine, according to UN reports. In March, a bipartisan group of senators forced a vote on the War Powers Resolution, losing in a 44-55 vote. In the current environment, appetite for a similar vote may now be stronger. 'The greatest challenge in US-Saudi relations since 9/11' National Security Advisor John Bolton answers questions from reporters as he announces that the U.S. will withdraw from a treaty with Iran during a news conference in the White House briefing room in Washington, October 3, 2018. President Donald Trump's national security advisor, John Bolton, told reporters Tuesday in Moscow that the Russian effort to interfere in America's elections is "objectionable" and made it "impossible for two years" for the United States and Russia to make progress diplomatically. "That's a loss, particularly for Russia," said Bolton, after a 90-minute meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "So it's a lesson I think, don't mess with American elections," Bolton said. "What the meddling did create was distrust and animosity in the U.S. and made it almost impossible for two years for Russia and the U.S. to make progress diplomatically," Bolton said. He noted that during his sit-down with Putin, "we discussed our continuing concern with Russian meddling in the election." That interference, which included hacking of Democratic National Committee computers and efforts to sow discord online by using bogus social media accounts, has led to the Trump administration issuing sanctions against dozens of Russian individuals and entities. But Bolton also said, "taken what we've seen so far, there's no possibility the outcome of the [2016 presidential election] would've been changed." He was referring to federal indictments accusing Russian individuals and entities with American election interference, including in the election that sent Trump to the White House. "The fact is, the outcome would've been exactly the same with all the evidence we have," Bolton said. "If new information comes to light, we would have to take that into account." Trump, after a meeting with Putin in Helsinki in July, had suggested to reporters that he was inclined to believe Putin's denials that Russia had tried to influence the outcome of the presidential election. "I will say this: I don't see any reason why it would be" Russia, Trump said at the time. Ex-CIA Director John Brennan, a Trump critic, called the president's performance at that news conference "nothing short of treasonous." The late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accused Trump of conducting "one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory." The U.S. Cyber Command, a division of the Defense Department, has started to contact individual Russians in an effort to deter them from interfering with the upcoming midterm elections in the United States, according to a New York Times report Tuesday. But Bolton suggested Tuesday that the Russian effort to interfere in elections pales in comparison to an alleged ongoing effort by China to meddle in U.S. domestic affairs. "If you want to talk about a really massive influence effort on the American political system, I suggest you read Vice President [Mike] Pence's speech on China's efforts ... looking at everything China was doing," Bolton said. "Very, very senior US intelligence officials said it makes Russia look like the junior varsity." Pence, in a speech in early October, had said, "To put it bluntly, President Trump's leadership is working; and China wants a different American President." Pence's claims came days after Trump, in a speech at the United Nations' Security Council, said China was trying to interfere in November's midterm elections. They don't want me, or us, to win because I am the first president to ever challenge China on trade," Trump said. China's Foreign Ministry strongly denied the claims by Trump and Pence. WATCH: Trump's quotes on Putin, the Fed and Russian meddling Signs in the window of the Smoke Depot advertise electronic cigarettes and pods by Juul, the nation's largest maker of e-cigarette products, on September 13, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. Leading e-cigarette manufacturer Juul spent half a million dollars on lobbying last quarter up 167 percent from the previous quarter as regulators weigh restrictions on the industry to stem a surge in teens using the devices. In the third quarter, Juul spent $560,000, according to a lobbying disclosure form. That compares with the $210,000 it spent in the previous quarter, according to a filing. The company focused its efforts on e-cigarette and vaping regulation, as well as tariffs on products manufactured in China, it said in the disclosure. However, the $560,000 is half of the amount the company initially reported spending Tuesday. The company filed an amendment correcting the figure, Juul spokeswoman Victoria Davis told CNBC. Juul has beefed up its Washington operations amid growing scrutiny that could threaten its business. It has hired Tevi Troy, deputy Health and Human Services secretary in the George W. Bush administration; Jim Esquea, an assistant HHS secretary in the Obama administration; and Ted McCann, a senior policy advisor to House Speaker Paul Ryan, among others. Lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have urged the Food and Drug Administration to ban sweet nicotine flavors they say entice young people to use e-cigarettes. In September, FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb announced the agency would crack down against teen use that he said has reached "epidemic levels." Preliminary federal data show high school students' use of e-cigarettes has surged 77 percent over the past year and use of conventional cigarettes has also ticked up, though the increase is not statistically significant. Those figures have Gottlieb and the FDA considering a slew of options, including restricting e-cigarette manufacturers from selling flavored nicotine liquids. Any changes could weigh on Juul's revenue. The company represents 75 percent of the e-cigarette market, according to the most recent Nielsen data compiled by Wells Fargo analyst Bonnie Herzog. Its sales over the past year have reached $1.5 billion, according to Nielsen. "We are focused on engaging with FDA, lawmakers, regulators, public health officials and advocates to drive awareness of our mission to improve the lives of the world's one billion smokers and to combat underage use so we keep JUUL out of the hands of young people," said Victoria Davis, a Juul spokeswoman, in an email to CNBC. Note: This story has been updated to reflect an amendment Juul filed with regulators Tuesday correcting the amount it spent on lobbying in the third quarter. The correct amount is $560,000. This amendment was filed after CNBC reported on the company's initial filing. In 2012, "biometric authentication" sounded like science fiction scan your fingerprint into a mobile phone to unlock it and access your digital wallet. An entrepreneur named Scott Moody helped take biometrics mainstream. He sold his first company, AuthenTec, to Apple in 2012, enabling features like Touch ID and Apple Pay in iOS devices. Now Moody is working to ensure that seniors won't be left behind as new technologies take over the home, whether it's smart devices or on-demand apps. His new company, K4Connect, brings the latest tech to senior communities, and makes it all easy to operate without the need for expensive IT teams. "There's a joke that San Francisco is the premiere assisted living community for millennials," Moody said, in an interview. "You can sit there and have everything brought to you that you ever may need. We integrate technologies that have been targeted toward a younger demographic and make them work for older adults and people living with disabilities. We're integrating the best in technology to improve their lives." The killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is "a terrible tragedy," the chief executive of Russia's $10 billion sovereign wealth fund told CNBC, but added that it should be separated from the Saudi leadership and the kingdom's economic potential. "There is an investigation and the responsible people will, I'm sure, be punished," Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russia Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), told CNBC's Hadley Gamble in Riyadh Tuesday. "But for us, it's important to recognize that Saudi Arabia has made a great transformation over the last three, four years under the leadership of the King (Salman) and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman," he said. Dmitriev said RDIF supported the crown prince's economic reform program, Vision 2030, and said he thought it was "important to send a supportive message" to the reforms and to the kingdom. "Yes, it was a terrible tragedy but we need to separate one from another," he said, speaking to CNBC from the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in the capital of Saudi Arabia. The investment forum kicked off on Tuesday despite a large number of high profile delegates pulling out from the event following the death of Jamal Khashoggi on October 2. The Saudi journalist was a well-known critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and died within the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Lockheed Martin on Tuesday reported third-quarter earnings that beat Wall Street expectations and said it expects a strong finish to 2018. The defense contractor raised its forecast for full year 2018 earnings to about $17.50 a share, above its previously forecast range of $16.75 to $17.05 a share. It also said it expects revenue for 2018 to come in at $53 billion, at the top end of its earlier forecast. In an early forecast for 2019, it said it expects revenue to climb 5 percent to 6 percent from 2018. "The preliminary outlook for 2019 assumes the U.S. Government continues to support and fund the corporation's key programs," Lockheed Martin said. Lockheed Martin beat Wall Street's earnings per share expectation by 83 cents with adjusted third-quarter earnings of $5.14 a share. The contractor's revenue of $14.32 billion in the third quarter was also better than expected, with Lockheed Martin reporting about 16 percent more revenue than the $12.34 billion reported a year earlier. Lockheed Martin shares fell 0.6 percent in trading. The stock is up slightly this year, rising about 1.8 percent as of Monday's close of $326.78 a share. 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. Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, is mired in its biggest international crisis since King Salman took the throne in 2015, but one would hardly know it by looking at oil markets. The market remains unconvinced that the killing of journalist and U.S. resident Jamal Khashoggi will cause a conflict that shrinks Saudi supply. At the same time, analysts say traders are taking profits after this month's oil price rally, while investors sell crude as the broader market sheds risky assets. Oil prices have tumbled from nearly four-year highs just three weeks ago, despite rising U.S.-Saudi tension over the killing. U.S. crude dipped below $66 a barrel on Tuesday, hitting a two-month low and dropping more than $11 from its high on Oct. 3. Brent crude, the benchmark for international oil prices, dropped to a more than six-week low, tumbling below $76, more than $10 below its own four-year high. Saudi Arabia acknowledged Friday that several of its agents were involved in Khashoggi's death in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. The incident has sparked calls for sanctions against Saudi Arabia, a series of embarrassing intelligence leaks by Turkish authorities that undermined the Saudis' story and threats of retaliation from the kingdom. The scandal initially raised concerns that Saudi Arabia would refuse to hike oil output as planned. The Trump administration is largely depending on the Saudis to fill the gap left by the loss of Iranian oil exports, which are subject to U.S. sanctions beginning Nov. 4. However, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih reassured markets over the past two days that Saudi Arabia intends to increase production as previously announced. He said there is no intention to hold back oil exports, after the nation's press agency released a statement last week threatening to retaliate against any foreign government that seeks to punish the country for Khashoggi's killing. On Tuesday, Falih said OPEC producers are essentially producing as much as they can to make sure the market doesn't swing into undersupply. The Saudis frequently influence oil prices by making announcements about future production and export levels. Oil prices fell more than 4 percent on Tuesday, pressured by stock market weakness and vows by top oil exporter Saudi Arabia to meet the demands of the world's oil consumers. U.S. light crude ended Tuesday's session down $2.93, or 4.2 percent, to $66.43 a barrel, after earlier hitting a two-month low at $65.74. The contract posted its biggest daily loss since July 11, when it fell 5 percent, and settled below its 200-day moving average for the first time in more than a year. International benchmark Brent crude fell by $3.70 a barrel, down 4.6 percent, to $76.13 by 2:28 p.m. ET. The contract earlier touched $75.88, its lowest level since Sept. 7. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell nearly 550 points at the day's low, with industrial bellwethers Caterpillar and 3M leading the losses and stoking concerns about slowing global economic growth. The "correlation between oil prices and broader market trading is a driving factor and the volatility in both is enough of a reason to take some money off the table," said Tamar Essner, director of energy and utilities at Nasdaq Corporate Solutions. Traders have been trimming bets that oil prices will rise in recent weeks, a sign the market is reducing its exposure to risk and taking profits after a runup in oil prices, Essner said. U.S. crude and Brent have both fallen by about $10 from their nearly four-year closing highs on Oct. 3. The prospect of weaker-than-expected economic growth has already led some forecasters to trim their expectations for oil demand. This month, OPEC and the International Energy Agency both knocked down their projections for growth in global oil consumption. Crude futures were already under pressure on Tuesday after Saudi Arabia's energy minister sought for a second straight day to assure markets that the kingdom will keep the world adequately supplied with crude. The killing of journalist and U.S. resident Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents has stirred calls for U.S. sanctions on the kingdom. Saudi Arabia said last week it would retaliate against any punishment for the killing. Employee Martin Henderson walks past several plants of cannabis at Up's cannabis factory in Lincoln, Ontario, on October 12, 2018. Tilray fell more than 15.5 percent in the prior session, posting its worst day since Oct. 2, when it dropped 16.25 percent. After the bell the company said it issued $25 million in convertible notes in addition to the $450 million in notes tendered earlier in the year. Tilray fell 1.4 percent in U.S. trading, while Canopy Growth also slipped 1.4 percent in Canada. An exchange-traded fund that tracks popular pot stocks fell 2.8 percent. Known as the ETFMG Alternative Harvest ETF ( MJ ), the fund dropped more than 9.2 percent on Monday, its second-worst day ever. The MJ ETF is down 14 percent this month. Canadian marijuana stocks Tilray and Canopy Growth pared deep losses Tuesday as U.S. markets continued their downward slump in October. Aurora Cannabis pared losses after falling sharply following its New York Stock Exchange debut. Toronto-listed Aurora Cannabis and Canopy Growth also contributed to Monday's decline, sliding 12.2 percent and 11.2 percent, respectively. Aurora also started trading in the U.S. on Tuesday, dropping 14 percent in its NYSE debut. Traders blamed several reasons for the sell-off in the big cannabis names. Several large conferences in the past few weeks, as well as legalization in Canada on Oct. 17, generated excitement in the space and bid up prices, one Canopy Growth shareholder told CNBC. Monday's move may reflect a degree of profit-taking, investors said. Bennett Gross, president and manager at Los Angeles-based L&S Advisors, said he's not focused on intraday action and remains excited to be a part of an industry he expects to flourish over the next several years. "It's about owning a piece of an industry that'll be much bigger in five to 10 years. ... We really like the financial strength of Canopy in terms of having a large war chest," Gross said, noting the cannabis producer's relationship with Constellation Brands. "Prohibition ends only once, and this industry could be worth tens of billions of dollars," he added. "I think picking who the winners will be is virtually impossible. We're happy owning a more established company." Investors could also be raising cash before the launch of three big U.S.-based cannabis companies on Canadian stock exchanges within the next month, the trader said. Acreage Holdings, one of the U.S.' largest vertically integrated multistate cannabis operators, announced earlier this year that it had closed a Series E funding round, securing $119 million of capital. The company is expected to launch on the Canadian Stock Exchange in early November. WATCH: The cannabis sativa plant isn't just for smoking. You can build your home with hemp Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gives a press conference at the US Department of State in Washington, DC on October 23, 2018. A bipartisan group of senators sent a letter to President Donald Trump earlier in October, triggering an investigation through the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act into what was Khashoggi's disappearance at the time. "These penalties will not be the last word on this matter from the United States," Pompeo told reporters at the State Department. "We will continue to explore additional measures to hold those responsible accountable." Those actions include revoking visas and entering visa lookouts, Pompeo said, as well as working with the Treasury Department to consider slapping Magnitsky sanctions on those involved in the dissident journalist's slaying. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday that the U.S. is "taking appropriate actions" against Saudi Arabia in response to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "We are making very clear that the United States does not tolerate this kind of ruthless action to silence Mr. Khashoggi, a journalist, with violence," Pompeo continued. But he added that "we continue to maintain a strong partnership with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia." Pompeo, the Trump administration's top diplomat, said that some of the individuals responsible for Khashoggi's death are in Saudi intelligence services, the Royal Court and the Foreign Ministry, among other agencies. Twenty-one Saudi suspects in total will either have their visas revoked or will be made ineligible for U.S. visas, according to State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert. Pompeo's remarks at the press briefing offered a stark shift in language from his comments after a boomerang trip to Saudi Arabia and Turkey last week. Pompeo said at that time that he advised the president during a post-trip briefing to give the Saudis a "few more days to complete" their investigation into Khashoggi's disappearance. The kingdom had insisted that Khashoggi left the Istanbul consulate shortly after he arrived. Days later, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir admitted that Khashoggi had indeed been killed inside the consulate on Oct. 2, saying it was a "tremendous mistake" but denying that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered it. Both Pompeo and Trump have taken care to note the valuable and strong alliance between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Trump has frequently referred to a $110 billion arms deal with the oil-rich nation a figure The Washington Post's Fact Checker labeled false. Trump stressed the partnership between the two nations in the Oval Office minutes before Pompeo spoke Tuesday, even after saying that the "cover-up" by the Saudis "was one of the worst in the history of cover-ups." The G-7 nations, including the U.S., condemned the slaying "in the strongest possible terms" earlier that day, saying in a statement that "Saudi Arabia must put in place measures to ensure something like this can never happen again." Turkish officials have told news outlets that they possess audio evidence proving Khashoggi was tortured and killed. They also allege that Khashoggi's body was dismembered with a bone saw and removed from the consulate. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that evidence corroborated the claims that Khashoggi was the victim of a "vicious, violent murder," according to a translation of his remarks. SoftBank suddenly has a major problem on its hands as more details emerge about the Saudi kingdom's role in the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The largest investor in SoftBank's $100 billion Vision Fund, which is transforming Silicon Valley's start-up economy, is Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). The PIF committed $45 billion to SoftBank's inaugural fund and said earlier this month that it plans to put about the same amount into a second fund. But following the Khashoggi killing, which has captured headlines across the globe, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son is weighing his options. "Like most companies that have a relationship with Saudi Arabia, we are watching the developments and seeing where this goes," Marcelo Claure, SoftBank's chief operating officer, told reporters during a contentious question and answer session last week at Arm TechCon's 2018 Roundtable. "We are anxiously looking at what is happening with the news, like everybody else is, and I think it's too early for us to have a judgment on it." At the time of Claure's comments, Saudi Arabia hadn't yet settled on an explanation about how Khashoggi died inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, even suggesting at one point that The Washington Post journalist left the building alive. Since then, the kingdom, under the de facto leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has acknowledged Khashoggi was killed by Saudis inside the consulate. Claure took a mostly symbolic step, following the lead of numerous top U.S. business executives, in pulling out of this week's Saudi Arabia's investment conference, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing a person familiar with the matter. The New York Times reported Tuesday that Son will also skip the three-day conference, which is scheduled to end Thursday. The harder part for Tokyo-based SoftBank is what to do if Son decides to no longer invest Saudi money or if companies start rejecting Vision Fund financing because of its backers. Surely there's only one way the British pound can trade in the coming months. Currency experts are anxiously fixated on what the final details for Brexit will look like. But it seems simple to me: If it's good it's good, and if it's bad then the country will soon make it better. What does this mean? Well, if we do get a deal from Prime Minister Theresa May and most U.K. lawmakers seem to like it, then Parliament approves it and it ends years of worry and uncertainty. Sterling rises. If it's bad, or it looks like we'll crash out of the EU without a deal, then politics will once again move swiftly to balance the ship. Parliament won't vote for it, May could get thrown out, we get a new leader or we head to another general election. Sure, there might be a rocky period for the pound but all of this ultimately raises the chances of another Brexit referendum. This is again another sterling positive, according to many experts, especially if it reverses the 2016 vote. Simon Derrick at BNY Mellon said in a research note last week that "positioning and pricing data suggest that while investors remain cautiously positioned towards GBP (the pound), quite a lot of the stresses that were apparent in the summer have dissipated." Indeed, his analysis sorts through all the possible outcomes and gives a very low probability for a sudden change in sentiment. Instead, it seems as if those in the City of London are more worried about a situation that's only indirectly linked to the current Brexit impasse. Namely, the left-leaning Labour party gaining power in any snap vote. Check out the companies making headlines before the bell: United Technologies The industrial conglomerate earned an adjusted $1.93 per share for the third quarter, 12 cents a share above forecasts. Revenue also beat forecasts, and the company raised its full-year earnings forecast. United Technologies is being helped by increased sales of aircraft parts as manufacturers push aircraft production to record levels. Harley-Davidson The motorcycle maker beat estimates by 15 cents a share, with profit of 68 cents per share. The company also beat on the top line. Harley's results were helped by improved European sales, and Harley maintained its full-year motorcycle shipment forecast. Separately, Harley announced a voluntary recall of about 238,000 units to address a possible issue with a hydraulic clutch assembly. Verizon Verizon earned an adjusted $1.22 per share for the third quarter, 3 cents a share above estimates. Revenue came in also above forecasts, as well. Its wireless operation saw better-than-expected subscriber additions. 3M The diversified products manufacturer fell 12 cents a share short of estimates, with quarterly profit of $2.58. Revenue also came in shy of analysts' projections. 3M cut its full-year forecast, seeing increased headwinds from currency shifts. Caterpillar The heavy equipment maker came in 1 cent a share above estimates, earning an adjusted $2.86 per share for the third quarter. Caterpillar's revenue also beat forecasts and the company reiterated its prior full-year guidance, but that guidance falls short of consensus forecasts. PulteGroup The home builder came in 6 cents a share above estimates, with profit of $1.01 per share. Revenue also beat forecasts. PulteGroup's results were helped by tighter cost controls and a rise in sales. Arconic Arconic is the target of an $11 billion acquisition offer from Apollo Global Management, according to Reuters quoting people familiar with the matter. The offer values the aerospace and automotive components maker at between $23 and $24 per share, compared to Arconic's Monday closing price of $21.45. TD Ameritrade TD Ameritrade reported adjusted quarterly profit of 92 cents per share, 4 cents a share above estimates. The online brokerage's revenue came in slightly above Street forecasts. The company also raised its quarterly dividend by 43 percent to 30 cents per share. Cadence Design Systems Cadence beat estimates by 8 cents a share, with quarterly profit of 49 cents per share. The software and engineering company's revenue also beat analysts' projections and the company raised its full-year outlook. Johnson & Johnson J&J is buying the shares of Japanese cosmetics firm Ci:z Holdings that it doesn't already own for $2.015 billion. J&J had held 19.9 percent of the outstanding shares. AstraZeneca The drugmaker is buying a 9.8 percent stake in French biotech company Innate Pharma to expand its presence in the cancer immunotherapy market. Philip Morris The tobacco producer released less expensive versions of its IQOS "heat but not burn" products in Japan, in an effort to boost sales in that country. The alternative cigarettes release less smoke and odor than regular cigarettes. Qualcomm, Amazon The two companies are teaming in an effort to spread the use of Amazon's Alexa digital assistance in more wireless headphones. Qualcomm's chips will be able to be used in any Bluetooth headphones to enable the use of Alexa. Zions Bancorp Zions reported quarterly profit of $1.04 per share, 7 cents a share above estimates. The bank said it benefited from disciplined cost controls and strong credit performance. For the Saudi Foreign Ministry, an unauthorised team is responsible for the journalists death. The latter was a serious mistake but the royal family is not involved. Tomorrow, Erdogans ultimatum expires. The Turkish president threatens to make public evidence about the murder. Saudi king Salman and Crown Prince Muhammed called the journalists family on the phone. Istanbul (AsiaNews) After days of denial, Saudi Arabia confirmed the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi who, according to the new account of events, died as a result of an altercation with some agents sent to Istanbul to question him. The affair has cast a shadow over the Saudi government, controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), which now blames a "rogue operation, a claim suggested" by Donald Trump, who recently spoke of "rogue killers" or "criminals" who acted without the consent of Saudi authorities. The Saudi versions of what happened on 2 October to Khashoggi, a critic of the kingdoms leadership, have never fully convinced European leaders, Canada, the Turkish government where the disappearance occurred, nor even the United States. The US president Donald Trump, while excluding a crisis in diplomatic and especially trade relations (billions of dollars in arms sales are at stake), has repeatedly asked for information and a credible answer to the mystery that surrounds Khashoggi fate. His disappearance, which upset some whilst pleasing others, points to the Saudi royal family and MbS. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose ultimatum comes to an end yesterday, has threatened to reveal what his government knows about the affair, including the alleged audio file recorded from the journalists Apple Watch, which should prove that he was tortured by a team sent from Saudi Arabia to execute him. Turkish investigators have extended their search for the body to a wooded area near Istanbul and the city of Yalova. The investigation is focusing on videos showing two black vans moving away from the consulate, where the murder is supposed to have occurred, towards locations now under scrutiny. The videos also confirm the presence at the diplomatic legation of Colonel Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb, a MbS loyalist. Since 2 October, his whereabouts are unknown. Turkish state media have reported that another suspect, Meshal Saad M. Albostani, a lieutenant and a member of the Saudi royal guard, died in a "suspicious" car accident. Meanwhile, Khashoggi's family, dissatisfied with the work of the Turkish investigation, has called for an independent and impartial international commission to inquire. The request was made by the journalists son, Abdullah, via Twitter. King Salman and MbS called the journalist's other son, Salah, to express the condolences of the royal family and Saudi authorities. According to the Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Arabias official news agency, Salah Jamal thanked the king and crown prince, and expressed his sincere gratitude to the prince for the phone call. Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia June 14, 2018. Yuri Kadobnov | Reuters As the fallout over the killing of Saudi journalist and U.S. resident Jamal Khashoggi continues, age-old alliances are being tested. In contradiction to President Donald Trump, who has voiced opposition to any interference in U.S. weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, members of Congress are openly calling for sanctions on America's number one arms customer. German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday announced a hold on arms sales to the kingdom for the time being, a move lauded by many in the international community. But some now fear that severing arms sales to the Saudis will simply push them to turn eastward. "If the U.S. and West in general move toward some meaningful sanctions of Saudi Arabia, we would be joking to imagine that the Saudis would just sit down and accept it," Ayham Kamel, head of Eurasia Group's Middle East and North Africa practice, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" Monday. "The Saudis I think will begin to tilt they were already doing that beforehand they'll be doing more business with China and Russia. I doubt Mr. Putin would've given the Saudis much trouble with this crisis as Mr. Trump has." Testing ties Khashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Post and frequent critic of the Saudi royal family, disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Turkish officials allege he was murdered and dismembered by a Saudi hit squad. After initially insisting that Khashoggi left the consulate unharmed, the Saudi government last week said that he died in a "fistfight" while in the building, but provided few details and no evidence. Multiple investigations are underway. The scandal has prompted scores of ministers and CEOs to withdraw from a major international summit being held this week in Riyadh, aimed at showcasing Saudi Arabia's investment opportunities. But while U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has pulled out along with heavyweight American CEOs like Jamie Dimon and Larry Fink, the heads of Russia's direct investment fund (RDIF) will still be in attendance. An opportunity for Russia and China? Saudi Arabia has already been increasing business with the Russians and the Chinese. In June, Vladimir Putin hosted Saudi Crown Prince at the Kremlin, where the two agreed to "expand cooperation in oil and gas matters" after working together on output deals to stabilize markets amid fluctuating global crude prices. And October of last year saw the first-ever visit of a Saudi monarch King Salman to Russia, during which a $1 billion joint investment fund was created and 15 cooperation agreements were signed in the areas of technology, defense and agriculture, including Moscow's readiness to sell Riyadh its S-400 missile defense system. China, meanwhile, is the kingdom's largest trading partner, with $42 billion in bilateral trade in 2017. Last March, the two signed a raft of deals worth a reported $65 billion in sectors ranging from energy to space technology. Some in Riyadh have also talked of trading oil in yuan instead of dollars as retaliation for potential U.S. sanctions. But as trade tensions with the U.S. continue to put strain on China's economy, it is likely to lay low at this stage to avoid further conflict with the U.S. administration. Additionally, China is far from able to match U.S. weapons production in terms of sophistication and capabilities, defense experts say. Beijing sold just $20 million in arms to the Saudis last year, compared to $3.4 billion in exports from the U.S., according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Maintaining stability President Donald Trump will meet with China's president, Xi Jinping, next month at the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, according to Larry Kudlow, top White House economic advisor. Kudlow told reporters outside the White House on Tuesday that the two leaders "will meet for a bit" but didn't have other details. Any meeting between the two comes at a time of escalating tensions over trade. Most recently, the Trump administration put tariffs on some $200 billion of Chinese imports, and Beijing retaliated with tariffs on U.S. goods. The two nations have struggled to come to the negotiating table over trade, as the U.S. raises concerns about intellectual property and a widening trade deficit. "Our asks are on the table, I'd love to see them respond," Kudlow said Tuesday. "Thus far they haven't." Chinese government officials have indicated they aren't afraid of a trade war. CNBC reported Monday that Zhang Qingli, a leading member of the Chinese committee that forges alliances with other nations, told a group of U.S. business leaders, lobbyists and others that China refuses to be intimidated. The G-20 summit is an annual meeting of leaders from the world's major economies. Honduran migrants heading in a caravan to the U.S., walk in Metapa on their way to Tapachula, Chiapas state, Mexico on October 22, 2018. Not long ago, heart-rending pictures of immigrant children getting torn from their parents at the border spurred a bipartisan chorus of criticism. For a moment, it seemed that fear-based immigration tactics by the Republican Party might lose some force in the midterm elections. More recently, however, images of thousands of Latin American immigrants walking toward the U.S. to seek asylum garnered a different reaction especially from President Donald Trump, who warned without evidence that "unknown Middle Easterners" were among them. The immigration issue has become a potent line of attack for Trump and the GOP just two weeks before the close of election season. The strategy: Link illegal immigration to crime, terrorism and economic competition and accuse Democrats of being responsible for it. In a Monday morning tweet storm, the president railed against the Latin American migrants walking north toward the U.S. and blamed Democrats for blocking tougher immigration measures. He called Democrats "obstructionist" and implored House and Senate minority leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, to "Call me!" He also threatened to cut off aid to Central American countries. "Every time you see a Caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, into our Country illegally, think of and blame the Democrats for not giving us the votes to change our pathetic Immigration Laws!" he wrote in a tweet. "Remember the Midterms! So unfair to those who come in legally." The caravan story has dominated conservative media outlets such as Fox News, where personalities have speculated that the caravan has links to terrorism. Other right-wing outlets have pushed conspiracy theories and baseless claims that the caravan includes Islamic terrorists, and that Democrats such as George Soros have supported and funded the effort. On Monday, an explosive device was found in the mailbox of Soros' suburban New York home. Democrats have been wary of responding directly to Republican attacks, advised by strategists that a more productive route would be to focus on traditional Democratic issues like health care and taxation. But some strategists worry that cautious Democrats are not responding adequately to Republicans' foreboding immigration messages. "If Democrats were any weaker, they'd be dishwater. The Democrat strategy has been, 'Let's watch Trump fall down on the issue.' The Democrats made their strategy a few weeks ago, focusing on health care. But a responsible party would be all over the immigration attacks, with intensity," said Hank Sheinkopf, a veteran Democratic strategist. Pelosi and Schumer, in a joint statement on Saturday, said the president was "desperate to change the subject from health care to immigration because he knows that health care is the number one issue Americans care about." An independent Grinnell College survey in late August and early September found that Republicans were more likely than Democrats and independents to be worried about illegal immigration. Fifty-two percent of Republican respondents incorrectly believed that illegal immigrants committed more violent crimes than the general population. Only 11 percent of Democrats and 27 percent of independents agreed. Trump's strong rhetoric to stoke fears about foreigners mirrors his strategy in his 2016 presidential bid. Despite contrary advice from party pundits, he launched his campaign in 2015 by announcing that Mexico was sending "rapists" and drug dealers to the country. The statement garnered widespread criticism and outrage but ultimately helped him climb to the top of the Republican field of candidates. It's unclear how the GOP's immigration rhetoric will play out on the entire midterm map, which encompasses more affluent suburbia and cities with diverse populations. But pictures of the caravan and right-wing media outlets' speculation will likely energize his political base, strategists said, which is predominantly made up of lower-income white voters who are already wary of immigration. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrive for a joint news conference after their meeting in Helsinki, July 16, 2018. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he "probably" will meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Paris on Nov. 11. Both Trump and Putin already are planning to be in the French capital that day to mark the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. "I think we probably will" meet, Trump told reporters in the the Oval Office at the White House. "It hasn't been set up yet. Probably will be." Trump's comment came hours after his national security advisor, John Bolton, said in Moscow tha Putin told him during a meeting Tuesday tat he would like to continue having direct discussions with Trump, and suggested Paris for a sitdown. Bolton said Trump would look foward to doing that. The two leaders most recently met in Helsinki in July, where Trump seemed to back Putin's claims that Russia had not tried to affect the outcome of the 2016 presidential election by means that included hacking into Democratic National Committee servers and stealing emails. Bolton on Tuesday said he talked with Putin about Russian meddling in the election and why it was harmful. Trump announced last weekend that the United States will pull out of the 31-year-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty because of his claims that Russia has violated that pact "for many years." The treaty bars both countries from possessing, making or test flying ground-launched cruise missiles that have a range of between 300 and 3,400 miles. Bolton said Putin told him that Russia was surprised by what Putin characterized as an unprovoked action. WATCH: The Trump-Russia ties hiding in plain sight Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday there was evidence to show that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was the victim of a "vicious, violent murder," rejecting claims that he died in an accident. "Whitewashing such barbarity will of course injure and wound the conscience of all humanity," he said in translated comments to lawmakers in Ankara. Detailing the events that both led up to and followed Khashoggi's disappearance, Erdogan said there were "strong signs" that "the incident was not a momentary issue or a momentary result of something that happened on site, but rather the result of a planned operation." He said additional information was being assessed by Turkey's security and intelligence services, but added that this points "to the fact that the incident was pre-planned, premeditated." The Turkish president revealed no formal evidence during his speech. Addressing a number of different points, and working through the last few weeks chronologically, he said that prior to the killing a number of individuals had visited the city of Yalova and the Belgrad Forest, where searches for Khashoggi's body have since been conducted. He said that CCTV had also been removed from the consulate prior to Khashoggi's visit. Saudi stocks on the Tadawul index saw a slight rise as Erdogan spoke. After trading in negative territory, the index was up by around 0.4 percent after his comments. "As it is now clear, there was a murder and it was clear from the beginning then why was there a slurry of incoherent statements? And now there's official acknowledgement there was a murder, where is the body? Why do we still not have the body?" Erdogan asked. Crime and punishment Saudi Arabia had initially denied reports of Khashoggi's death but did a U-turn on Friday and confirmed that the 59-year-old Saudi dissident had in fact died in a fight within their consulate in Istanbul. This goes against the claims from Ergodan and Turkey, where officials had told The New York Times that they have audio evidence which proves Khashoggi was tortured, killed and subsequently dismembered by a hit team of Saudi agents. Erdogan made no mention of audio recordings in his statement on Tuesday, however. Erdogan questioned the Vienna Convention (on diplomatic relations) within his statement Tuesday and the immunity it affords diplomats, suggesting that it should be reviewed and possibly revised. While the crime happened in the Saudi consulate, deemed to be Saudi territory, "one must not forget that that area is within the boundaries of the Republic of Turkey," he said. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan talks during a joint press conference with Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, following their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018. Burhan Ozbilici | AP "Now our expectation is that all those responsible, from the highest level to the lowest level, will be highlighted and will be brought to justice and will get the punishment they deserve," he said, adding: "We cannot put the blame on a number of security or intelligence officials for such an incidence, it will not satisfy either us or the international community. The international conscience will only be satisfied when everyone is held accountable the executors and the persons or the people that gave the instruction," he said. "Personally, I don't doubt the sincerity of (Saudi Arabia's) King Salman however, it is very, very important that there is a truly impartial and just delegation that does the investigation that looks into what happened," he said to applause from lawmakers. "Since this is a political murder, if there are other people or circles implicated in other countries they have to be included in that investigation as well." Erdogan proposed that any trials of those involved, that he said totaled 18 people, should be held in Istanbul. The Turkish president had signaled on Sunday that said he would make a statement about the killing of Khashoggi, a journalist critical of the Saudi royal family. The speech came after weeks of investigations by Turkish officials into the death of Khashoggi, and an international outcry over his disappearance. Erdogan's statement comes on the same day as Saudi Arabia launches its Future Investment Initiative (FII), an investment conference in Riyadh. Many notable attendants and media organizations pulled out of the event following Khashoggi's disappearance, and the kingdom's political and business ties with the West appear more fragile. Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday morning that Turkey will cooperate with any international investigation into Khashoggi's death. He said that the country had not yet shared any information with any country on the Khashoggi case yet, however, Reuters reported. Mystery over Khashoggi's death Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir told Fox News Sunday that the death of Khashoggi was "a huge and grave mistake." He said that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had no prior knowledge of what had happened. Erdogan made no reference to the crown prince in his statement Tuesday. As Uber gets ready for its 2019 public market debut, it wants to be known for more than just ridesharing. Its businesses now cover everything from flying cars to patient pickups and electric scooters. But it's the company's food delivery service, UberEats, that is seeing the strongest growth. UberEats is already the fastest growing meal-delivery service in the US, according to a Business Insider research report. On Tuesday, the unit, which operates like its own startup inside the larger company, announced that it wants to be available to 70 percent of the population by the end of this year, up from 50 percent currently. In emailed comments to CNBC, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said that food delivery was one of the company's first big bets. "We wanted to use the power of our network and technology to move beyond ridesharing," Khosrowshahi said. Khosrowshahi said it ultimately drives growth back to the ridesharing platform. In 2018, 40 percent of new Uber Eats users were new to Uber. For example, Uber is not available in Vancouver, Canada, but Uber Eats is. Janelle Sallenave, Head of Uber Eats North America, told CNBC that food delivery gives first time customers a chance to be exposed to Uber. The company is quick to point out its success in Uber Eats. But, as it looks to tap public markets, it could have more difficulty convincing investors that its other big bets, like autonomous driving and flying taxis, will pay off. Khosrowshahi said the vision is broader. "As our businesses continue to grow, we see Uber's platform becoming the Amazon of transportation and movement," he said. "Uber Freight is transforming the trucking industry by enabling carriers and drivers to push a button and book a load at an upfront price. Adding JUMP electric bikes and scooters in our app has given commuters a new option and made it even easier to live without a car. And Eats is fundamentally changing how people experience food." But some analysts say that the other businesses could make it more difficult to value the company in an IPO. Kathleen Smith, principal at IPO research firm Renaissance Capital, says it's better to be a pure play in ridesharing, like Uber's smaller rival Lyft. "Lyft is totally focused on ridesharing," she said. "All [Uber's] businesses are startup businesses." Bankers reportedly think all of Uber's pieces could be worth $120 billion in the public market, a stretch from its most recent funding round, which valued the company at $76 billion. Khosrowshahi said Uber "suffers from having too much opportunity as a company." And when asked which businesses profit will come from, Khosrowshahi responded, "All of them, hopefully!" Whether investors believe in this narrative is another question and it will be reflected in Uber's ultimate valuation. Uber will raise 200 million ($260 million) to help all of its drivers in London transition to electric vehicles (EVs) by 2025. The company unveiled plans Tuesday to tackle air pollution in Britain's capital, including a 15 pence per mile charge on each trip booked in London and incentive payments to its drivers. The 15 pence "clean air fee" will help fund its initiative to swap over to electric cars, Uber said, with one penny of every levy charged going toward incentives for drivers, in addition to other clean-air schemes. Uber will pay its drivers a certain amount to help them pay for electric vehicles, dependent on the number of miles they have driven using the company's app. "For example, a driver using the app for an average of 40 hours per week could expect around 3,000 of support towards an EV in two years' time and 4,500 in three years," the firm said in a statement. It expects 20,000 drivers to upgrade to electric vehicles by the end of 2021. The firm currently has 45,000 licensed drivers operating in the city and more than 3.5 million riders using the platform. The firm said it is working with a number of electric vehicle charging suppliers, including BP's ChargeMaster, EO Charging, EVBox and Franklin Energy, to help drivers find a charging point. It says it has already teamed up with U.S. EV charging firm ChargePoint to give its drivers access to charging stations in central London. In a ruling by San Francisco's Superior Court of California, Judge Suzanne Bolanos said she would slash the punitive damages award to $39 million from $250 million if lawyers for school groundskeeper Dewayne Johnson agreed. A U.S. judge on Monday affirmed a verdict against Bayer AG unit Monsanto that found its glyphosate-based weed-killers responsible for a man's terminal cancer, sending the German company's shares down 8 percent. Bottles of Roundup weed killer move along the production line at the herbicide manufacturing facility operated by Monsanto Co. in Antwerp, Belgium. Bayer said in a statement the decision to reduce the damages was a step in the right direction, but it would still file an appeal with the California Court of Appeal, because the verdict was not supported by the evidence presented at the trial. "According to an earlier hearing, the judge toyed with the idea of dropping the damages altogether," brokerage alpha said in a note to clients. "Now, however, the judge made a U-turn and confirmed the jury's previous verdict." Monsanto, which denies the allegations, had asked the judge to throw out the entire original $289 million verdict or order a new trial on the punitive damages portion. A jury on Aug. 10 found the company's glyphosate-based weed-killers, including RoundUp and Ranger Pro, had caused Johnson's cancer and that the company failed to warn consumers about the risks. The verdict wiped 10 percent off the value of the company and marked the first such decision against Monsanto, which faces more than 8,000 similar lawsuits in the United States. The German company, which bought Monsanto this year for $63 billion, says decades of scientific studies and real-world use have shown glyphosate to be safe for human use. Lawyers for Johnson in a statement on Monday said they were still reviewing whether to accept the reduced award or retry the punitive damages portion. "The evidence presented to this jury was, quite frankly, overwhelming," the lawyers said. The amount of punitive damages is limited by law, and Bolanos said California's constitution did not permit a higher award. If Johnson accepts the reduced damages, the final verdict would order Monsanto to pay a total of $78 million, split equally between compensatory and punitive damages. Bolanos' Monday decision is a turnaround from a previous tentative ruling she issued on Oct. 10. Gen. Paul Nakasone, commander of the US Cyber Command, during a press briefing on national security at the White House in Washington, DC, on August 2, 2018. The U.S. Cyber Command has begun contacting individual Russians to deter them from interfering with upcoming American elections, including the November midterms, The New York Times reported on Tuesday, citing officials briefed on the matter. American defense operatives are telling the Russians that they have been identified and that their work is being tracked. But they are stopping short of issuing direct threats of repercussions, according to the Times. The limited operation is designed to scare the operatives to prevent election interference without provoking a reprisal from the Russian government that could escalate the situation, such as a cyber-attack on the power grid. The American cyber campaign, waged by a component of the Department of Defense, is the first known international cyber operation designed to protect American elections. The next national races in the U.S. will take place November 6. While the operation is seeking to deter disinformation efforts, it is not clear if it is aimed at more overt cybercrimes, like hacking. During the 2016 presidential election, Russians accused of using several tactics to interfere in American elections, ranging from provocative posts on social media from fake accounts to hacking into the servers owned by the Democratic National Committee. The U.S. intelligence committee says there is no evidence that individual votes were altered due to hacking of election machines. The defense officials who disclosed the current operation to the Times did not provide details about how the Cyber Command is contacting the Russians it is tracking, or how many individuals it has targeted. Other officials, according to the newspaper, said that the operation was targeting suspected computer criminals working for organizations funded by wealthy Russians as well as those employed by the country's intelligence services. In a statement, Joseph Holstead, a spokesperson for the Cyber Command, declined to discuss "classified planning or operations." "The U.S. government leadership has made it clear that it will not accept any foreign interference, or attempts to undermine or manipulate our elections in any way," he said. "This includes the whole of government effort to protect election infrastructure and prevent malign, covert election influence operations." Officials have grown increasingly worried about foreign efforts to sow discord in U.S. elections following an assessment from the intelligence community that concluded that the Russian government interfered with the 2016 presidential election. The Justice Department has obtained indictments against dozens of Russian nationals, and a number of Russian organizations, accusing them of crimes related to election interference. No verdict has been reached in any of those cases. Last month, John Bolton, the National Security Advisor, said that the White House had loosened up Obama-era restrictions on American cyber capabilities. In August, Trump signed a secretive order that apparently reversed a number of those restrictions and granted the government more leeway to go on the offense. The White House has also delegated more power to Gen. Paul Nakasone, who took over the Cyber Command in May. On Friday, the DOJ brought its first case related to election interference in the upcoming midterms. The government accused Elena Khusyaynova of St. Petersburg, Russia, of participating in a conspiracy engaged in "information warfare against the United States" that aimed "create and amplify divisive social media and political content." Prosectors claim Khusyaynova is the chief accountant for a Russian company backed by the oligarch Yevgeniy Prigozhin, also known as "Putin's chef," and two companies that he controls. Those companies were named in a previous indictment obtained by the Justice Department. In Congress, oversight of American efforts to rebuff Russian meddling has been led by the Senate Intelligence Committee. The chair of that committee, Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., and its vice chair, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., declined on Tuesday to confirm that the Cyber Command operation existed. But Warner said in a statement that the U.S. needs "an effective strategy to counter cyberattacks and influence campaigns conducted by other countries." "If carried out in the right way, raising the costs for countries, companies, or individuals who conduct such attacks would certainly fit into such a strategy," he said. Read the full story at The New York Times. WATCH: Watch this Russian hacker break into our computer and take complete control in minutes Walmart may be the United States' biggest retailer, but it's a different story in Japan. The company made headlines in July when the Nikkei Asian Review reported that Walmart was looking to sell its Japanese subsidiary, Seiyu. Seiyu is a chain of supermarkets and hypermarkets in Japan. Walmart denied the reports and told CNBC it will continue doing business in Japan. But the company has closed more than 100 Seiyu stores in recent years. Watch the video above to see if Walmart's business can succeed in Japan. [The stream is slated to start at 3:45 p.m. ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.] U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is scheduled to brief media Tuesday amid growing outrage over the death of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia acknowledged on Friday that Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, claiming that he got into a fight with people he met there and died in the clash. Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist, was a critic of the kingdom's royal family. Riyadh's account of Khashoggi's death has been met with skepticism in the U.S. Congress and around the world. The incident has sparked calls for sanctions against Saudi Arabia. The briefing comes after Pompeo's return from Saudi Arabia and Turkey. President Donald Trump said in a tweet last week that he was sending Pompeo there to speak with Saudi Arabia's King Salman. On that trip, Pompeo also flew to Ankara, the capital of Turkey, where he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the Khashoggi case. The Trump administration released a 72-page manifesto articulating the ills of socialism on Tuesday on the heels of President Donald Trump's recent claims that his political opponents will turn the U.S. into "the next Venezuela" if they succeed in the upcoming midterm elections. The report published by the Council of Economic Advisers warns that "socialism is making a comeback in American political discourse," and zeroes in on proposals to enact "Medicare for all" championed by progressive lawmakers. The report comes between an op-ed by Trump in USA Today decrying government-run health-care proposals which included a series of claims that were subsequently torn apart by fact-checkers and the midterm elections in November, where Democrats are favored in most generic ballot polls to reclaim a majority in the House of Representatives. "It is not unusual for the White House to issue statements that reinforce the political themes the president's party is campaigning on before an election," said veteran election attorney Brett Kappel, a partner at Akerman. "But it is very unusual for the Council of Economic Advisers a supposedly nonpartisan body of experts to be used for this purpose," he said. In a conference call with reporters Tuesday morning, the council's chairman, Kevin Hassett, said that "proposals on the table, like the Medicare for all proposal," are "very consistent with the design of socialism." He added that his role on the economic council "isn't to be a politician, it's to be an analyst." Hassett did not reveal how much time and money were spent on the report. The report, entitled "The Opportunity Costs of Socialism," does not directly attack Democratic politicians as political candidates, which could potentially be seen as a violation of the Hatch Act's restrictions on executive branch employees' political activities. But it does refer numerous times to Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a self-described democratic socialist who ran for president as a Democrat in 2016 and offered a sweeping health-care overhaul. And under the heading "The Socialist Economic Narrative: Exploitation Corrected by Central Planning," the report associates Sanders and possible 2020 presidential contender Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., with famous figures often considered icons of leftist politics and ideology: Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin and Mao Zedong. "The socialist narrative names the oppressors of the vulnerable, such as the bourgeoisie (Marx), kulaks (Lenin), landlords (Mao), and giant corporations (Sanders and Warren)," the report says. Representatives for Sanders and Warren did not immediately respond to CNBC's requests for comment. The report also spends ample time diving into Venezuela's economic and social collapse in recent years, saying economic literature "suggests that replacing U.S. policies with highly socialist policies, such as Venezuela's, would reduce real GDP by at least 40 percent in the long run, or about $24,000 per year for the average person." By raising the possibility of U.S. policies being replaced with "highly socialist" alternatives, the report echoes Trump's most recent rhetorical argument ahead of the midterms that Democrats will make America just like Venezuela if they take power. Trump has made the claim against Florida Democrat Andrew Gillum, who is running against one of Trump's most vocal loyalists, Ron DeSantis, as well as GOP Sen. Ted Cruz's opponent in Texas, Beto O'Rourke. RealClearPolitics' recent polling rates the Gillum-DeSantis race a toss-up with Gillum holding a 4-point edge; O'Rourke, currently trailing Cruz in the polls, has set all-time fundraising records with his campaign. Trump 1 Trump 2 Trump 3 After Trump claimed that Gillum's election would make Florida "another Venezuela," the Democratic candidate hit back. Gillum tweet CNBC's Christina Wilkie contributed to this report. WATCH: The Trump-Russia ties hiding in plain sight 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. Types of obituaries The Missourian publishes two types of obituaries family obituaries and life stories. A family obituary is the version submitted by a funeral home or family. Please see the submission form for details on cost and deadlines. Family obituaries A life story is a closer look at a person's life and involves a reporter contacting family and friends. Life stories are based on newsworthiness and consent of the family. Life stories. Apple is in the enterprise, and theres ample proof at Jamf's annual JNUC event, the worlds largest gathering of Apple administrators where CIOs of some of the worlds biggest businesses are gathered to discuss Mac and iOS in the enterprise. Apple is now big in business Jamf CEO Dean Hager told me in an interview: The stories of Apple being implemented in the enterprise are no longer being told by the manager or the director of the Apple part of the business; they're being told by the CEOs, CIOs and the vice presidents of these organizations. That alone should be a sign of how significant Apple is becoming within the enterprise. JNUC is seeing a string of highly significant announcements, including IBMs decision to open-source its Mac@IBM codebase and SAPs huge deployment of Apple tech across its business. This all reflects a real sea change in enterprise IT, which is no longer the same as it was even five years ago. Today, when people choose, they choose Apple, Hager told me, both on the mobile side, and more and more are choosing Mac. SAP speaks on Apple in the enterprise I spoke with Martin Lang, vice president of enterprise mobility at SAP. Hes at JNUC to explain how SAP uses Jamf to manage its huge fleet of 17,000+ Macs, 83,000 iOS devices and 170 Apple TVs. One advantage of the new Apple enterprise is speed of deployment and onboarding of new equipment by enterprise IT. That task once took at least an hour and required the individual services of a tech support worker these days employees can handle the whole process themselves and immediately have all the apps, passwords, and other credential they need available on their device. SAP Martin Lang, VP of enterprise mobility, SAP Lang demonstrated this live on stage at the event, using SAP and JAMF solutions to provision the iPhone of a new employee in a few moments live on stage. The process is super-smooth, said Lang. The system can handle thousands of set-ups simultaneously and is in use globally. Im not aware of any problems, said Lang. To understand the capacity for onboarding, Hager pointed to Ohio State University where around 11,000 incoming students are assigned iPads using a similar Jamf system. All these students set their devices up within a very short time without a hitch. Apple: The new enterprise IT With over 100,000 Apple systems now in place, SAP is clearly moving fast to embrace employee choice. SAP CIO Thomas Saueressig has previously claimed that offering Mac is key for any modern enterprise. When new hires come to SAP today, they often want to pick a Mac. When they do, they can do anything they need to do from a business perspective, Lang said. I dont think we have a choice but to offer choice anymore because of the expectations of employees coming up. SAP still has a large but declining 85,000 Windows devices. I think the reason we have more Windows devices is just historic. Because if you look back just five years, Apple in the enterprise was just emerging, he said. There are also a small number of Android devices in use at SAP, but the percentages tell their own story: We have 93 percent iPhone to 7 percent Android on the mobile side, said Lang. Apple and the agile enterprise To support SAPs rapid Apple migration, it has a dedicated multi-disciplinary Apple at SAP team that combines device management, security, tech support, and Mac and iOS app development skills. Combining all these traditionally separate departments within one group has enabled much more agility when building apps or supporting users to meet new business needs. We really look at Macs as very much like mobile devices, said Lang. You know you can open the Mac and get on with your work just like using an IPad. Enterprise deployments of Apple kit have been ongoing for years. Initial problems in such deployments are shrinking, which makes it more possible for enterprise users to switch to Apple technologies, if they choose even when using legacy systems. Apple's TCO seems lower SAP is using Apple technologies globally, in every department and business unit. Its very much a global thing, said Lang. Sales, marketing, finance, executives, and many other teams are now using Macs, he confirmed. Theres a perception that Apple equipment is expensive, but Lang sees signs that the overall total cost of ownership (TCO) of Apple equipment is lower. We have evidence of fewer support tickets and less walk-up to our internal support centers, he said, adding that ease of use and ease of deployment also reduce overall cost. IBM has previously released research that claims a huge TCO saving in comparison to Windows. SAP uses a system called Apple Pie to monitor its Apple fleet. This provides essential insights on the fleet, including iOS upgrade installations. While I spoke with Lang, he called up a chart that showed the company now has 18,110 Macs in use, of which a third are already running macOS Mojave. Apples next big iOS to Mac opportunity SAP creates highly cloud-based technologies, so enabling its solutions for use on Apple equipment makes sense. While SAP does have around 70 internally developed iOS apps, it has a much lower number of Mac apps in place. This is changing. We are excited with what might be coming next year in terms of having iOS apps run on a Mac, Lang said, referring to Apples Marzipan project, which should make it much easier to port iOS apps to the Mac in 2019 We have a ton of iPad apps that would be just excellent to run on a Mac. When did enterprise IT change? At least at SAP, the sea-change in enterprise IT culture really began in 2011, Lang explained. At that time, SAP had 22,000 BlackBerries but didnt have many iPhones. What happened in 2011 is that we equipped our entire sales force with 20,000 iPads all at once. I think this was one of the largest deals Apple had made at that time, he said. When they used these devices, people soon realized Apples tablets were capable of doing so much more than BlackBerry, and Langs team began building apps to deliver on this promise. What really got Apple into the enterprise was the iPad. We started building iPhone apps slightly later in our team, he said. Lang noted that as iPhone displays grew larger and the apps more capable, many of SAPs original iPad users migrated to the Apple smartphone. Most of our apps work on both devices, he said. We are really looking at other usage cases for iPads inside SAP. One interesting thing he shared is that when new iPads are set up at SAP, the company pushes the entire Microsoft Office suite to the device, just as it does when setting up a new Mac.We do this because we see iPads as desktop-sized devices, and we want employees to be equipped to use them productively right away, he told me. News from Jamf Jamf is making numerous announcements at JNUC. Enterprise professionals may be interested to also learn that: Jamf andMicrosoft have expanded their technology integration to create a more seamless login experience for end users. Users can log in to a new Mac with Microsoft Azure Active Directory credentials. Jamf Pro 10 now includes configuration profiles for Supervised iOS and tvOS devices prior to Setup Assistant completing. Jamf is working with MATTER to send an Innovation Hub to the Victoria Falls Primary school in Zimbabwe. Theres lots more enterprise-related news to come this week. Stay tuned. Got a story? Please drop me a line via Twitter and let me know. I'd like it if you chose to follow me on Twitter so I can tell you about new articles I publish and reports I find. Google+? Hopefully you are already part of AppleHolic's Kool Aid Corner community, but as Google is closing its social network soon, please also follow me on Twitter and join me in testing my MeWe group, AppleHolics bar & grill. May gains partial reprieve from party opponents with rejection of backstop that would divide NI from rest of Britain Eurosceptics abandon bid to make it illegal Daily Telegraph EU ready to break impasse with backstop tweak FT Meanwhile, IDS and others criticise violent language attacks on May The Times As does she Daily Telegraph There are calls for whip to be removed over it Guardian Theresa May dismissed Brussels demands yesterday for a backstop that would divide Northern Ireland from the rest of Britain, relieving pressure from Tory Brexiteers but increasing the chance of a no-deal exit. The prime minister secured a partial reprieve from her internal opponents with a categorical rejection of the EUs insistence that the province remain subject to its customs and regulations until a final trade deal is struck. Downing Street sources said that she would not countenance such a backstop being contained in the withdrawal agreement that she is negotiating. The Times Comment: Mays going round and round and round Patrick Kidd, The Times This is her Brexit alone Tim Stanley, Daily Telegraph >Today: ToryDiary: Backstop stop stop stop please stop >Yesterday: Video: WATCH: May We must make the commitment to a temporary joint customs territory legally binding She unveils a four-point plan, and claims deal is 95 per cent done, as shes charged with surrender by Eurosceptic colleagues Theresa May has attempted to quell a mounting Tory rebellion over Brexit by unveiling a new four-point plan to break the deadlock with Brussels. The first will be to make her plans for a joint customs territory between the UK and the EU legally binding, avoiding the need for a Northern Ireland-only customs backstop. She confirmed that the second step will be to ensure there is an option to extend the two year transition period after Brexit, a move which has triggered a furious Cabinet backlash. She insisted it will only be for a short time. The third step will be to ensure that the extended transition or backstop is not extended indefinitely, while the fourth step will be continued access for Northern Irelands businesses to Great Britain. It will raise concern that there could be regulatory checks in the Irish Sea. Daily Telegraph She says Brexit will all be done by next election The Sun And that extending transition could help with impasse Daily Telegraph Her new plan includes possibility of extension to 2021 FT More details on the plan Guardian Backbenchers voice their anger Daily Express Johnson joins Stand up 4 Brexit Daily Express Bradley says Leave would win second referendum by more The Sun Meanwhile, Raab tells departments to move further on no deal planning FT >Today: Audio: The Moggcast. Youve got to be careful of how permanent temporary can become. Not long ago, the Mail called Remain campaigners saboteurs. Now it turns the phrase on Leavers Paterson and IDS criticised for going over Mays head in Barnier meeting The Sun They say they didnt undermine her Daily Mail Rudd calls for unity Daily Express May will discuss the negotiations with the cabinet today Enough is enough. The time is over for griping, self-promotion and peacocking across the political stage by Tory MPs determined to undermine their leader. Dont these posturing rebels understand they are sabotaging the Prime Minister at the most crucial point in our history since the Second World War? The fact that her own party members should be trying to stop her striking a deal intended to safeguard Britains future prosperity is not only deeply disloyal it is profoundly dangerous. And if they continue with their wrecking tactics, they could force an election that no one wants and may well usher an unreconstructed Marxist into No 10, with all the ruinous consequences that would wreak on the nation. Editorial, Daily Mail The Prime Minister was on Monday accused by Eurosceptic Tory MPs of surrender as they suggested in the Commons that she does not have a Brexit plan and know where were going. Tory MPs said that they and their constituents were increasingly frustrated as the Prime Minister insisted the UK will leave before the next election in May 2022 six years after the Brexit vote. Mrs May will on Tuesday discuss Brexit negotiations with her Cabinet, where ministers are expected to warn that there must be a time-limit on any customs backstop amid concerns it could leave Britain indefinitely tied to the EU. Daily Telegraph She will tell them shes doubling down against EU backstop plan Daily Mail Khan claims Labour will oppose Mays bad deal Sadiq Khan has sent a message to the EU that he believes Labour will be forced to oppose the bad Brexit deal that is emerging from their negotiations with Theresa May. The mayor of Londons comments come ahead of his meeting this week with the EUs chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, in which Khan will emphasise the need for far closer economic ties. He will also point to Saturdays Peoples Vote march as evidence of a shift in public opinion in favour of a vote on any agreement reached in Brussels. Khan, who joined calls for a second referendum at the weekends demonstration, when almost 700,000 people marched through central London, is to meet Barnier on Friday. Guardian Editorial: Corbyns absence over Brexit is damaging The Times Comment: Dont forget that he wants us to leave Tom Harris, Daily Telegraph Cochrane: Dont underestimate Scottish Conservatives strength of feeling about the CFP That Scottish Tories regard any extension of the transition period of Britain leaving the EU as a major threat both to their constituents and to any further advance in their partys fortunes has been confirmed again and again in recent days. Perhaps the most outspoken, but also probably accurate, assessment came from Douglas Ross, the MP for Moray, who predicted that all 13 Scottish Tory MPs would vote against any such extension because, unless were told differently, it would include the Common Fisheries Policys remit being similarly extended. And last night that rebellion looked all the more likely thanks to Theresa Mays failure to give the Scots the commitment they are demanding. Any extension of the CFPs rule over the British fishing grounds is simply unacceptable to all of the fishing communities in the North East of Scotland and those who represent them and, increasingly in recent years, those are Tory MPs. Daily Telegraph May fails to reassure Scottish Conservative MPs with fishing promise Herald Meanwhile, only 71 of the almost 1000 pre-Brexit legislation changes have been put before parliament Of the more than 800 changes to legislation needed before Brexit only 71 have been put before parliament, a report has found. The government has said that between 800 and 1,000 statutory instruments (SIs) are required to ensure that British law is functional before Britain leaves the EU on March 29. But even though almost half the time available has passed, 9 per cent of the necessary SIs have been put before parliament, leading to fears that the Commons faces an impossible task in scrutinising them in time. Ministers use SIs, also known as secondary legislation, to change laws without going through the full legislative procedure. The Times More Brexit We mustnt let the EU control our tax Norman Tebbit, Daily Telegraph Hammond to say OBR has revised down deficit. This should allow him to avoid tax hikes Philip Hammond is set to get a 13bn annual windfall for his Budget because public finances are significantly better than expected. The Office for Budget Responsibility, the economic watchdog, has revised its forecast of the deficit, the Chancellor is expected to say in his Budget speech on Monday. The OBR has underestimated the recent strength of tax receipts and therefore revise down the countrys deficit for the 2018-19 year by about 13bn. The watchdog previously said the deficit would be 25bn this year. It is not expected to cut its borrowing forecasts until 2022, according to the Financial Times. Daily Telegraph This will reduce NHS strain FT Meanwhile, Conservative MPs protest against beer tax hike The Sun Comment: Hammond needs to make the rich pay Polly Toynbee, Guardian >Today: Andrew Lilico in Comment: Next week, Hammond must present a Budget for Brexit All five main opposition parties write to Hunt about continued ties with Saudi Arabia He vows sanctions Daily Mail The government is facing renewed pressure over its continued ties to Saudi Arabia following the death of Jamal Khashoggi and the humanitarian disaster in Yemen, after all five main Westminster opposition parties signed an unprecedented joint letter calling for a change of stance. The foreign affairs representatives for Labour, the SNP, the Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru and the Greens wrote to Jeremy Hunt saying it was hard to imagine what crime the Saudi government would need to commit for the UK government to condemn it. The letter to the foreign secretary, shown to the Guardian, says reports that the dissident journalist was tortured and murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul constituted the latest in a litany of charges that have been laid before the Saudi regime by the international community. Guardian Editorial: Khashoggi death must change our approach Daily Express More parliament Women and Equalities committee say pornography is public health issue Daily Telegraph More Conservatives Conservative MPs reportedly write to May about NI veterans Belfast News Letter UC needs funding Ben Bradley, The Times News in Brief Andy Street is Mayor of the West Midlands, and is a former Managing Director of John Lewis. As we await next weeks Budget, it should not just be retailers who are hoping that, somewhere amongst the Chancellors spreadsheets there may be some encouragement for the UKs high streets. Our high streets and town centres, so often at the very heart of our communities, are clearly facing huge challenges, but they are also deeply symbolic. Its difficult for communities to believe in a new economic future when their town centre is partially boarded up. Reviving them is not about the retail sector alone its a wider social issue, hence public policy makers legitimate and real interest. The huge growth in online shopping is the key accelerant in this change, but it would be wrong to point a finger of blame at the likes of Amazon. The truth is that the change is consumer driven, as it is with all disrupted industries, from taxi cabs to newspapers. Moreover, Britain is brilliant at online trading and many thousands of new retail jobs have been created in Logistics, IT, and e marketing. Traditional retailers also recognise that they need to evolve to differentiate themselves from online, focusing more on the personal touch and the face-to-face experience you cant get from a screen. As the former Managing Director of John Lewis, I fervently believe that our high streets can carve out a viable and valuable place for themselves in twenty-first century commerce. As West Midlands Mayor, I also believe they can once again become the focus of our communities. However, retailers are right to expect an even playing field as they take on this challenge. While the retail sector has been disrupted by evolving technology, tax policy has not kept pace. The high street is bearing the weight of this inertia. It is widely reported that Amazons UK Corporation Tax bill last year was a meagre 4.6 million. Incredibly, this figure was lower than in the previous year. As their market share grows, they are paying less. The question of where a company is domiciled and where profits are recorded clearly needs exploring. The Chancellors commitment is therefore very welcome, as its clear that the tax difference between online retailers and their traditional competitors needs rebalancing, and quickly. International agreements may be necessary to properly deal with what is a global issue, but in the meantime we can not afford to do nothing. It is also right that the Government is prepared to look again at the age-old issue of business rates. Many small businesses have already been taken out of paying business rates, but we must ensure that tax policy keeps pace with change, which means continued review. Nevertheless, tax alone wont solve our challenge, nor will denying the forces of change. Instead we must reshape the high street experience. We are social beings, and our high streets and town centres can be remodelled to bring us back together with our neighbours. Retailers, local authorities, landlords, the hospitality industry and consumers can together create a new kind of high street. For a start, retail, hospitality and experiences can combine powerfully more often, for example by integrating more coffee shops with public services, providing useful revenue streams and promoting footfall. Birminghams second biggest library, for example, was saved from closure by the addition of a community-led cafe, turning public service users into customers. Its now thriving. Waitrose has harnessed the experience economy to great success too, offering in-store cookery schools where customers learn how best to use the ingredients on the shelves. In Dorridge, Sainsburys have built not only a new store, but a doctors surgery surrounded by smaller retail units, again mixing public services with commerce. We also need to take advantage of powerful trends that could breathe new life into the high street. The rise in urban living, particularly among younger people, is releasing disposable income in city centres. In the first decade of this century, the number of 25 to 29 year-olds living in city centres tripled. And as the Centre for Cities has pointed out, providing homes within walking distance of workplaces gives people more cash and free time to spend it. We should think, therefore, about how we can accommodate affordable residential property alongside retail to encourage a revival around our high streets. This could mean repurposing surplus business premises to provide quality urban housing. Another trend is towards sustainable co-working spaces, such as The Exchange in Moseley, Birmingham. Our start-up hot beds are too often focussed on bespoke office space in higher rent areas why not drive this dynamo into every town centre? So ideas and trends are beginning to emerge to start reinventing our high streets. Shops will still populate the high street of tomorrow, but they will be different to the outlets of today; specialist retailers, mixed-use spaces, local shops and some new concepts we dont even know about yet. Traditional business must learn to evolve quickly, to disrupt the disruptors, and give high streets new relevance. Local policy makers can also make a decisive difference by riding these emerging trends. And by beginning to reform taxation policies that put the high street at a disadvantage, the Government can light a way to a brighter future for businesses across the UK. I want to take this time to recap the issues and above all encourage readers to get out and vote. Someone said to me the other day, that they dont believe that there has been one central issue that has defined this campaign. I agree with that. There is not just one issue, but there have been several that make this election unique. They day this paper is delivered by the printers, Oct. 17, is the day that marijuana becomes legal in Canada. This is an issue that will affect all municipalities, not just Cornwall, but like all other municipalities, Cornwall will have a choice to make, whether to opt-in and allow private vendors to sell marijuana, or opt-out and wait and see. In Cornwall, three of our mayoral candidates have stated that theyre in favour of opting in right away, while only incumbent Leslie OShaughnessy has said he is in favour of waiting to see and opting in at a later date if it suits the municipality. I dont think that Mayor OShaughnessy is necessarily wrong on this. Even with legalization happening this week, many details are still up in the air, for instance, it was only recently revealed that marijuana would be regulated under the tobacco laws and not the liquor laws. I do however think that Cornwall must and will allow private marijuana vendors eventually. No matter what happens, residents of Cornwall will still be able to buy marijuana through the provinces online store, and if our neighbours allow private vendors, then we are sending tax revenue out of our municipality. The waterfront, while always a present issue for Cornwall, is a little bit more pressing in this election than it has been in the past. The federal government seems more willing than ever to divest itself of its waterfront holdings in Cornwall and even said as much earlier this year. The question now is, what should Cornwall do with them? Do we buy the lands at great cost? Do we allow developers to take it over and do what they want? Mayor OShaughnessy stated at the Chamber of Commerce debate that he believed that Cornwalls by-laws would help ensure that Cornwall did have a say in what goes up on the waterfront, if and when it is sold. I think thats true too, but only to an extent. The only real guarantee is if Cornwall acquired the waterfront, or at least the areas of the waterfront that the City is interested in. Bernadette Clement is right when she says that the acquisition of these lands by the federal government to create the St. Lawrence Seaway should be taken into account. That Cornwall is owed something for the impact the creation of the Seaway is an argument that can be made. David Murphys advocation of a lease-to-own model for Cornwall for the waterfront lands is something that I believe would be an elegant solution to this problem, if it is something that the federal government would even consider. The final topic that I have heard emerge in this election is attracting a young workforce to Cornwall. This one has emerged recently. Even two or three months ago, I dont think anyone was talking about workforce, but now it is something that all candidates are addressing. I think this is an important issue that deserves to be near the forefront of the publics mind in this election. The City of Cornwall has worked hard to attract new jobs to the city and new employers like Xplornet and Leclerc, but now the focus needs to shift in order to fill those jobs. Cornwalls major employer, Walmart Logistics, was looking to fill 150 positions at the recent job fair that was held two weeks ago. Olymel has been looking into a program where they would bus in employees from Montreal to meet their needs. Clearly, this is an important issue. In order to keep these employers here, we have to ensure that Cornwall has a young workforce that is ready to support them. Cornwalls Economic Development Department has already begun to take steps to help address the issue with attending a job fair in Montreal this past weekend and making inquiries in areas like New Brunswick, where unemployment is high. All mayoral candidates said that they would provide the Economic Development Department with the support that they need to help them fill these jobs, but what does that support look like? In my opinion, maybe the City of Cornwall can setup a financial incentive for residents to come to Cornwall and work here. Maybe a program when a current local employee convinces a friend to take a job here? Say $25? Then another $25 if they are still working that job in a year. What is your opinion readers? What has your impression been of the 2018 municipal election campaign? What issues mattered the most to you? Email me a Letter to the Editor at nicholas.seebruch@tc.tc CORNWALL, Ontario The Cornwall Community Police Service (CCPS) is looking to identify the man pictured below in relation to a break and enter early this morning at an Emma Street business. The man is described as follows: Caucasian man with medium build Between 511 and 6 tall Wearing a green/grey hoodie Red toque Beige pants Black shoes Grey mittens Carrying a black bag strapped across his body Anyone with information on this man is asked to contact Detective Constable Pat Huygen at 613-933-5000 ext. 2785 or ext. 2404 to leave anonymous information. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the West Bank village of Khan al-Ahmar located east of Jerusalem will be evacuated. Rights advocates had said the forcible transfer of the village's 180 residents would violate global law regarding occupied territory. Ibrahim Abu Dahuk said Netanyahu's decision could be "a trick" to prompt activists camping out at the site to leave ahead of a forceful eviction. The Palestinians claim all the West Bank and say that Area C, home also to an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 Palestinians, is crucial to their economic development. The community includes an only school for the Bedouin communities in the area, a mosque and a healthcare unit as well as several homes that are all at risk of demolition by Israel, but residents say they are offered no alternative to go. Yesterday, Haaretz quoted sources in the Prime Minister's Office who said "the intent is to try to exhaust the negotiations and the proposals that have been received from various sources, including in recent days", before a forcible evacuation takes place. Israeli soldiers resorted, Friday, to the excessive use of force against dozens of Palestinian, worldwide and Israeli peace activists, holding a nonviolent procession in the al-Khan al-Ahmar Palestinian Bedouin community, east of occupied Jerusalem, wounding ten, and abducted one after injuring him. Hundreds of protesters, including Assaf, chairman of the Commission Against the Wall and Settlements, were taking part in the weekly protest in the village when the Israeli forces started beating them up and attacked them with pepper gas. In her statement Wednesday, prosecutor Fatou Bensouda warned the relocation of Khan al-Ahmar's residents could constitute a war crime according to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. Four protesters were reportedly arrested on October 15, according to the Palestinian National Liberation Movement and the Times of Israel. Since that deadline expired without compliance, residents have been waiting for bulldozers to move in. Last week, demonstrators demanding an end to Israeli ownership of the lands marched in Jordan's capital of Amman. He described the excessive use of force by the army as "vicious and criminal", and added that the "popular resistance will continue in al-Khan al-Ahmar, and will prove the unity between occupied Jerusalem, the ongoing Great Return March processions in Gaza, and the struggle from breaking the deadly Israeli siege". Netanyahu's postponement had drawn swift condemnation from defense minister Avigdor Liberman's office, which said in a statement that the decision was made "in complete opposition to the stance of the defense minister and despite his firm objection". Gathered in the narrow street, the protesters shouted slogans like "Taiwan is Taiwan" and "We are an independent country", waved flags and carried placards emblazoned with phrases such as, "Say no to China, say yes to Taiwan" and "No more bullying, no annexation". "Taiwanese people want an independent country and to be their own masters", he said. Organized by the Formosa Alliance, the protesters urged the government to hold a referendum in favor of using the name Taiwan instead of Republic of China, which they said has led to a very common misunderstanding around the world that Taiwan is a part of China. In an October 10 National Day address, Tsai called on China not to be a "source of conflict" and pledged to boost Taiwan's defenses against Beijing's military threats. China still sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified, despite the two sides being ruled separately since the end of a civil war on the mainland in 1949. "Only through holding a referendum can Taiwanese people show to the global community our right to build an independent new country", said Tsai Wen-li, 63, a retired postal worker who wore a T-shirt reading "Taiwan is my country". "The Taiwanese public must step out to have their voices heard and decide for themselves, otherwise China will decide for us", said alliance spokesman Yang Tsung-li (). By his measured approach, Ms. Tsai has made enemies among the guerrillas of the PDP. "The PDP has forbidden his officials and candidates to participate in the event, organising its own protest against the" annexation" of Taiwan by China in its stronghold of Kaohsiung (south), without calling for a vote on independence. But the rally did not call for an independence vote and in a statement ahead of the protest, the DPP emphasized that it did not want to "change the status quo of Taiwan's independent sovereignty". A vote on independence would require an amendment to current laws, which bar referendums on changing the constitution or sovereign territory. The rally organised by the Formosa Alliance, backed by two pro-independence former Taiwan presidents Lee Teng-hui and Chen Shui-bian, is said to be the largest since Taiwan separated from China and is estimated to have witnessed about 80,000 participants. However, analysts agree that Tsai would be unlikely to allow such an amendment, which would be a red flag to Beijing. The organizer Formosa Alliance claims there were more than 120,000 people attending the event, while the United Daily News reported about 30,000 people turned up. "The DPP rally in Kaohsiung shows the party was anxious about losing the support of pro-independence groups and that it also opposes the mainland", said political commentator Lo Chih-chiang, who was an aide to Taiwan's former president Ma Ying-jeou. Sikorsky Aircraft booked an additional $100 million in revenue in the third quarter, as the Stratford manufacturer ramped up production of a new helicopter for the U.S. Marine Corps to offset a decline in sales of its mainstay Black Hawk military helicopter. Sikorskys Bethesda, Md.-based parent Lockheed Martin earned nearly $1.5 billion in the third quarter, up by more than half from a year earlier as the company implemented job cuts at Sikorsky. Revenue rose 16 percent to $14.3 billion. In the rotary and mission systems segment that includes Sikorsky, Lockheed Martin reported a 14 percent increase in revenue to $3.85 billion, with operating profits up 40 percent to $361 million, not including $96 million for severance that Lockheed Martin classified as a corporate expense. Lockheed Martin does not break out Sikorsky sales from other business units in the division, which include electronic systems, radar and drones. In May, Sikorsky delivered the first CH-53K King Stallion helicopter to the Marines of an expected total order of 200 aircraft. In recent tests, Sikorsky pilots have flown the aircraft at more than 230 miles per hour while banking it at sharp angles, attaining altitude of 18,500 feet, and lifting an external load weighing 18 tons. It (is) remarkable to see a rugged aircraft of this power and cargo ... carrying capacity exhibit such maneuverability, said Marillyn Hewson, CEO of Lockheed Martin, speaking on a Tuesday conference call. The Marines will conduct logistics and maintenance evaluations to ensure readiness and support on the flight line when the CH-53K enters into service with the Corps. We currently have an additional 18 aircraft in various stages of production. In September, Sikorsky marked the 40th anniversary of the Black Hawk entering service, with the manufacturer having produced more than 4,000 aircraft dating back through prior owner United Technologies of Farmington, including variants like the maritime Seahawk and Pave Hawk. Sikorsky is now working on a new helicopter the U.S. Air Force wants as a Pave Hawk replacement for combat missions like rescuing pilots downed in enemy territory, with the Pentagon currently expected to order 112 aircraft. In separate Sikorsky news Monday, Nigeria aviation regulators issued a report chronicling the cause of a 2015 crash of a civilian Sikorsky S-76 aircraft operated by Bristow Helicopters, with six people dying in the accident that was attributed to the failure of a crank assembly. Sikorsky had already issued an emergency airworthiness directive after the accident for S-76 operators to fix the component, under the oversight of the Federal Aviation Administration. Includes prior reporting by Jordan Grice. Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman WASHINGTON - The storefronts along Washington's bustling H Street Northeast are lit up with familiar names and logos: Petco. Whole Foods. CVS. There is also a Starbucks. Or, more specifically, S-T-A-R-B-U-C-K-S spelled out in the hand symbols of American Sign Language. That fingerspelling is one way to spot the coffee giant's first U.S. signing store, where 24 deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing employees run the shop using ASL. The store debuts on Tuesday after being converted from a standard Starbucks location to make the design and technology more accessible. It's a step, employees and advocates say, toward boosting employment opportunities for the deaf community while also immersing hearing individuals in deaf spaces. And it's a show of support from one of the world's largest corporate brands. "My identity is accepted here," said Crystal Harris, a barista at the signing store. "Deafness has many faces." The store is just blocks from Gallaudet University, a 150-year-old institution and the world's only university designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The shop mirrors Starbucks's first signing store, which opened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2016. Customers from the outside can spot "Starbucks" written out in fingerspelling beneath the main logo and on large table umbrellas. And on the inside, what may appear like any other Starbucks cafe has been specifically laid out and decorated to celebrate deaf culture. One entire wall, for example, is covered by a multicolored mural commissioned by a deaf artist and Gallaudet faculty member. In fingerspelling, the mural depicts a lowercase "d," representing deafness, an uppercase "D," representing deaf identity, an eye to represent visual connections, a hand holding a coffee cup, and other symbols showing merging of deaf and hearing cultures. Customers can communicate in ASL or write their orders on a tech pad. Rather than wait to hear their names called at the end of the bar, customers look up to a screen showing when their drinks are ready. The store was also remodeled to maximize light and open lines of sight -- high top tables or tall stacks of cups, for example, limit visibility for people signing to each other. Non-signing customers are also encouraged to use visual cues. Rather than sign that the store didn't carry chamomile tea, for example, one employee waved his hand across his neck -- signaling "no" -- and then pointed to a printed menu with other options. Camille Hymes, Starbucks's regional vice president for the Mid-Atlantic, said the company chose D.C. for its proximity to Gallaudet and because of the city's ties to activism for the deaf community. Using the store as a profitable business model, Hymes said, Starbucks can be an example to other companies of "using our scale for good." Adam Novsam, a Starbucks utility analyst and a company deaf leadership member, said he had heard from "deaf communities all over the world that they wanted this space." Even as a Starbucks employee, Novsam said that it can be frustrating to go into other Starbucks or coffee shops and face constant communication barriers. He always has his order typed out on his phone, for example, "to accommodate the other person." Store manager Matthew Gilsbach moved from California's Bay Area to run the signing location. At one point in his three and a half years at the company, Gilsbach said he was stunned to meet a deaf Starbucks district manager. "I thought, wait, there's a deaf district manager?" Gilsbach said. "What's going on?" Any disbelief that a deaf person could take on a management or executive role is precisely the kind of stigma Starbucks and deaf community advocates aim to combat. Howard Rosenblum, chief executive of the National Association of the Deaf, said that companies may hire deaf employees at lower levels, but those opportunities rarely extend up the chain. Some companies show signs of progress: Microsoft's chief accessibility officer, Jenny Lay-Flurrie, is deaf and has fought to expand accessibility for employees with disabilities. Still, the deaf community's rate of unemployment and underemployment sits at a staggering 70 percent, Rosenblum said. "The manager is always a hearing person because there's a perception of limited ability with deaf people," Rosenblum said. Not so at the H Street Starbucks. Employee Kylie Garcia had just been promoted from a barista to a shift supervisor. Garcia grew up as the only deaf individual in a non-signing, hearing family, and she knows firsthand how difficult it is for deaf people to find jobs. Garcia previously worked in a Starbucks kiosk at a Target store where her sole job was to make drinks -- never interacting with customers and often being shut out of conversations with other baristas. "People turned down offering me jobs because they aren't willing to take the risk," Garcia said. Pamela Pipes, a hearing barista who is also a sign language interpreter, moved from Raleigh, North Carolina, to work at the D.C. signing store. Here, "the tables have turned," Pipes said, in that hearing customers are going to have to figure out how to navigate and communicate in deaf spaces. Sitting across from her, Harris joked that during phases of the remodel, some customers were still stumped. A few waited to hear their names at the end of the counter. Another walked in and, as if to signal that he wanted a large drink, held his hands in front of him about two feet apart. The store will continue to collect feedback from customers and employees, and Starbucks may eye another city for the next signing store. But this week, Novsam saw a dream fulfilled. Two nights before the Starbucks opening, Novsam walked down H Street to see the mural beaming yellows, pinks, greens and blues. "The vibrancy moved me," Novsam said. "It made me stop in my tracks. And it gave me tears." STAMFORD A simple sign with two handwritten words Cops Ahead has made a loud statement for a mans right to free speech, according to a federal lawsuit filed this week. The American Civil Liberties Union has sued the Stamford Police Department, claiming one of its officers illegally violated a protesters rights by arresting him after confiscating his phone and protest sign. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Hartford on behalf of Stamford resident Michael Friend, claims Sgt. Richard Gasparino violated the 45-year-old mans First Amendment rights to free speech and information and Fourth Amendment right against warrantless seizure. Friend was arrested on April 12 when he created a sign reading, Cops Ahead, after he saw Gasparino standing behind a telephone pole and alerting other officers to motorists violating the states distracted driving law. Gasparino approached Friend and took his sign, the lawsuit states. Gasparino threatened to arrest Friend when he started recording the officer with his phone, according to the suit. Friend then obtained a piece of cardboard, made a larger sign with the same words and moved to a different location on the street. Friend was arrested after he recorded Gasparino when he approached again, the suit states. While taking him to the police station, Officer Jason Deems told Friend he was arrested because he interfered with the distracted driving initiative, the lawsuit states. Deems said the grant used for the operation was contingent on the number of tickets issued and generated revenue for Stamford, the suit states. Assistant Police Chief James Matheny said he does not know what was discussed on the way to the station, but said his officers equally enforce the law. Stamford police officers make stops based on their observations of violations of the law and we always have and always will, he said. We do not operate on a quota system or for-profit motive. Matheny said some checkpoints for drunken and distracted driving are funded by grants, but only a small portion of the ticket revenue returns to the city. The checkpoints are a demand put upon us by the public to increase driver and pedestrian safety around the city, Matheny said. Friend was charged with a misdemeanor offense. The suit states Friend was held on $25,000 bond until a bail commissioner released him at 2 a.m. April 13 on a promise to appear in court. A Stamford judge dismissed the charge on May 7. Instead of focusing on safety and their obligation to uphold the constitution, Stamford police chose to harass and punish a peaceful protester for exercising his right to free speech, said ACLU-CT Legal Director Dan Barrett, who is representing Friend in the lawsuit. As the evidence shows, Stamford police were more concerned about their bottom line and avoiding criticism than following the law. Barrett is also representing Michael Picard in a lawsuit against three state police troopers, accusing them of illegally retaliating against him while he was holding a sign warning motorists of a DUI checkpoint in West Hartford in 2015. Picard was also arrested in Stamford in April when he protested Friends arrest. Picard was charged with breach of peace after holding up a sign reading, F*** Free Speech -Stamford PD outside the police station. A Stamford judge dismissed the charge three months later. We have to return to a time when scrutiny and criticism of public officials is normal, Barrett said. You dont have to be a lawyer to see what is wrong with these facts. If a public servants reaction to a member of the public holding a sign is to arrest that person, then a course correction is required. ANSONIA-District Management Group, a Boston-based firm headed by a MIT graduate, is the unanimous choice to assist the Ansonia-Derby School Regionalization Study Committee. Now its up to the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments to negotiate a contract with them. It shouldnt take more than a month if there are no problems, said Rick Dunne, NVCOGs executive director. Dunne said there are the standard terms like insurance liability. And the larger terms like the final scope and agreement on price. Thats the crux of the negotiation, he said. The NVCOG has 60 days to negotiate a contract. If one cant be reached the unnamed second place finisher will get the job. Like our first place choice we are all in consensus on the number two choice, said George Kurtyka, one of the committees 10-members. District Management Group was chosen from four firms vying position. The other three were National Executive Service Corps, which has offices in New York, Stamford and Hartford; Area Cooperative Education Services, also known as ACES of North Haven and the PFM Group Consulting LLC which has offices in Wallingford. They (District Management) were very thorough, said Jim Gildea, who with John Izzo, serve as the committees co-chairman. They did a real strong job speaking not only to the educational component and program content but also other areas such as the long term budget, municipality real estate contributions and future Board of Education compositions. The consultant will assist the committee in beginning the background work necessary to meet the state statute and address all the topics associated with the planning of a regionalized school district. Gildea said. He said they will generate a report that will be used by the committee to decide whether the concept should be advanced to the legislative bodies and ultimately the public for a multi town referendum. The committee, which will sit for at least two years, has been meeting since June. They are looking for a consultant with experience developing and performing evaluations like crafting a single school district from separate entities. It must have a professional staff that can meet the project deadlines. Among the more important aspects are creating a detailed five-year educational and budget plan which projects enrollment, staffing needs, transportation requirements and special education mandates. The consultant also is responsible for assisting the committee in determining the pros and cons of establishing a regional school district, the buildings that will be used and the size and representation of a regional school board. They also must recommend a process and procedure to negotiate new union contracts. This is an exciting time for both the Ansonia and Derby communities, said Izzo, who also sits on the Ansonia Board of Education. We felt District Management came to the table the best prepared and the most qualified. He said they consult exclusively in the education community. We thought they were best to study our special education, student enrollment, financing and transportation and all the other issues in order to facilitate the final report, he said. The study committee is working with a $168,000 state grant. Their budget includes $37,500 or $10 per student in each district; $69,500 for professional delivery of services; $30,000 for architectural services and faculty programming and $31,000 for administration and public involvement, which includes the costs to conduct a referendum vote in both Ansonia and Derby. Voters in both cities must approve regionalization before the two school districts are combined. However that process is at least two years away. The committees next meeting is 7 p.m. Nov. 26 at Derby Middle School on Chatfield Street. BRIDGEPORT A 47,372 square foot addition at their disposal, and it was a small outdoor alcove where 100 or so people huddled against a cold wind on Monday as the ribbon was cut on Housatonic Community Colleges expanded Lafayette Hall. This is a beautiful building. So much will take place here, said Mark E. Ojakian, president of the Connecticut State College and University system of which Housatonic is apart. But you know the heart and soul of this campus are the students, the faculty and staff. As Ojakian and others made their remarks, scores of students watched from inside the large glass windows of the addition that faces Lafayette Street. Architect Marc Moura said the views are intentional. The additions exterior glass skin, as he called it, encourages the public to look in and students to look out. He and others referred to the first floor concourse of the addition as Main Street. From it, students can access a half dozen student services such as registration, financial aide and advising. The street-scape leades to the two-year public colleges impressive art museum. Two years in the making, the $45 million expansion and renovation project adds four floors of classroom space, technology, and simulation labs to the colleges footprint. There are 37 transformational changes in all, according to Rose Ellis, Housatonics dean of administration. Mayor Joseph Ganim called the addition phenomenal. It really allows this community college to take the next step, he said. Gamin was on hand in 1995 during his first term as mayor when ground was broken on Lafayette Hall on the footprint of a former downtown shopping mall. At the time, Housatonic was relocating from a factory building on Barnum Avenue, on the citys East Side. Those were turbulent times financially for the city, Ganim recalled. Since then, the college has expanded to a second building, Beacon Hall, where Sears Department store once stood. Groundbreaking on the latest expansion was held in March 2016. State Sen. Marilyn Moore, who once attended Housatonic as a student when it was on Barnum Avenue, said Housatonic is something she mentions at every door she knocks on while campaigning. This is a diamond, she said. Caroline Steadham, of Shelton, president of the Housatonic Student Senate, said the addition will help students flourish. This ensures that students are studying in technology-rich classrooms and will be more competitive applicants in the job market, she said. The college collaborated with Bridgeport Hospital to create labs to mimic hospital settings for medical assistant students and also expanded its advanced manufacturing program that in addition to college students, serves a growing number of students from Bassick, Kolbe and Bunnell High Schools. Elizabeth Steeves, a professor of chemistry, said the colleges new physics engineering lab will give students everything they need to transfer to a four year college for a bachelors engineering degree. The advanced manufacturing program, she added, has a 100 percent job placement rate. Housatonic Community College Expansion Where: 900 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport Cost: $45 million Architect: Amenta Emma, Hartford Construction Manager: Newfield Construction, Hartford New space: 47,372 square feet Renovated space: 34,029 square feet New programs: enrollment services, art studios, classrooms, community space. Renovated space: academic support, library, science labs, medical assisting program, surgical tech lab. See More Collapse It makes us Housatonic proud, Steeves said. The ceremony also paid tribute to the late Ralph Tyler, who served at Housatonic as dean of administration and finance who helped paved the way for project, said Housatonic President Paul Broadie. He handed out commemorative aluminium medallions made by manufacturing students as souveniers. Still to come is a translucent sculpture 29 feet above the entryway. The installation is expected in the spring. The President of Turkey says the Saudi Consulate and Istanbul's airports are being closely monitored for clues following a Saudi writer's disappearance. Erdogan's comments were his most direct suggestion yet of potential Saudi culpability in Khashoggi's disappearance. "God willing, we will not be faced with the situation we do not desire", he said. The U.S. State Department and President Donald Trump say they're concerned about the disappearance of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but they have no idea what happened to him. Saudi authorities have called the allegation "baseless". Turan Kislakci, a friend of Khashoggi's who was also outside the consulate, told the newspaper, "I think 100 percent that he is inside". Turkey summons the Saudi ambassador in Ankara to the foreign ministry to discuss Khashoggi's whereabouts. "I would like to confirm that.Jamal is not at the consulate nor in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the consulate and the embassy are working to search for him", the consul-general, Mohammed al-Otaibi, was quoted as saying. The US president told reporters Tuesday he knew nothing about Khashoggi's fate. The prince promised social and economic reform, but Khashoggi pointed to the escalating crackdown on dissent voices and the media in Saudi Arabia. Relations between the two countries are already strained after Turkey sent troops to the Gulf state of Qatar past year in a show of support after its Gulf neighbours, including Saudi Arabia, imposed an embargo on Doha. While addressing a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister in Budapest on Monday, Erdogan said, "We have to get an outcome from this investigation as soon as possible". Turkish police believe Saudi journalist and critic Jamal Khashoggi was murdered inside Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, a government source said, but Riyadh denied the claim. The journalist had been critical of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. Erdogan said the Saudi consulate should have surveillance cameras and should be able to show the video of Khashoggi leaving the building. Turkish police said he never left the building. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said in a string of tweets Monday that "if there is any truth to the allegations of wrongdoing by the Saudi government it would be devastating to the US-Saudi relationship and there will be a heavy price to be paid-economically and otherwise". As a contributor to the Post, Khashoggi has written extensively about Saudi Arabia, including criticizing its war in Yemen, its recent diplomatic spat with Canada and its arrest of women's rights activists after the lifting of a ban on women driving. He expected a measured response from Turkey, which is suffering a currency crisis and would be reluctant to chase away investment from Saudi Arabia or other Gulf states. "Saudi Arabia must return to supporting the Syrian revolution and partnering with Turkey on this". "There is concrete information; it will not remain an unsolved case", Aktay said Sunday in an interview with the Turkish CNN network, The New York Times reported. The Lebanese al-Akhbar newspaper said that the journalist had been flown to Saudi Arabia with the apparent consent of the Turkish intelligence authorities. Their ambassador to the U.S. insists that he personally had a friendly relationship with Khashoggi and remained in contact whenever both of them were in Washington. Yemeni activist and 2011 victor of the Nobel Peace Prize, Tawakkol Karman, hit out at the Saudi authorities and told AFP that she believed Khashoggi "was kidnapped in this gangster's den that is supposed to be a consulate". BRIDGEPORT The East End will be without a fixed library branch for the rest of the fall and most of the winter. The temporary Newfield branch, which opened at 1277 Stratford Ave. in May while the old building at 755 Central Ave. is renovated and expanded, was supposed to serve the East End for the next several months. The Central Avenue site is schedule to open next March. But the Library Board has announced that it needs to close the temporary Newfield location on Nov. 1 because of structural issues. We just continue to have roof leaks in the temporary space, said Jim ODonnell, the boards president. We were told this thing had a good roof. We had city engineering people look at it. But they had to replace a parapet, the thing continues to leak, theres a chimney ready to fall. Frankly, were just throwing money down a rat hole. And, ODonnell said, some of the librarys collections now have water damage. The building is owned by the Rev. Kenneth Moales, pastor of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, who recently announced plans to build an affordable housing complex with retail space there. Councilwoman Eneida Martinez, who represents the East End, said the community is angry over the closure. The city did a walk through of the (Stratford Avenue) building, she said. It passed inspection. There were small repairs that needed to be done; those were done. So what is the big problem? ... The library is going to have to figure out what else to do with our kids. The Library Board is in the midst of building new libraries for the East End, East Side and Upper East Side. ODonnell hoped that the new library at Shelton and East Main streets in the East End would open in December for use by East End residents. He also said the board is looking for locations for pop-up East End libraries and would employ the bookmobile as well. The East End community will not travel downtown (to the main library) nor the East Side, Martinez said. They will make accommodations to meet standards for our children. Its totally unacceptable. They keep telling us how polarized Americans are but on the topic of no longer sending people to jail for marijuana offenses enjoys warm support among voters of all ages, political affiliations and regions. The most recent Gallup poll finds that 66 percent of American adults -- two out of every three voters -- supports legalizing marijuana, with support growing notably among Republicans and older Americans, two demographics that has been slowest to tolerate legal weed. This is the third consecutive year support for legalizing marijuana has increased and the highest level of public support since Gallup began polling on the topic in 1969, when a scant 12 percent of adults favored legalization. Perhaps most notably, a majority -- 53 percent -- of self-identified Republicans now supports legalization. That support is at odds with the vehemently anti-marijuana rhetoric of Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Republican Party declined to even mention marijuana in its 2016 campaign platform. Related: Creating Positive Marijuana Awareness Should be Part of Every Cannabis Branding Initiative The latest poll found 75 percent of Democrats and 71 percent of independents support legalizing marijuana. Majorities of both groups have supported legalization since 2010. Americans age 55 and older (who presumably know something about smoking pot, at least from their younger days) support legalization with a 59 percent majority, up from 50 percent just last year. Support for marijuana legalization gets stronger as the demographic gets younger. Nearly eight out of 10 adults (78 percent, to be specific) ages 18 to 34 support legalization, while support among adults aged 35 to 54 is 65 percent. The regional variations in support for legalization vanished in this most recent poll. Polling during 2009-10 found a majority of 56 percent of adults in the West favored legalization but support was significantly lower in the East (46 percent) and lower still in the Midwest and South (40 and 41 percent, respectively). The recent polling shows support hovers around 66 percent -- plus or minus one percent -- in each of the four regions. Steve Hawkins, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, which has long advocated for an end to prosecuting adults for marijuana use, said in a statement that Americans are turning against "our nation's failed experiment with marijuana prohibition." Related: Wisconsin Cities and Counties Seek Voter Opinion on Marijuana This November Currently nine states, including the District of Columbia, has fully legalized marijuana use by adults, which has instantly created large new industries, and a tax revenue windfall, within their borders. None of those states is in the South or Midwest, though voters in North Dakota and Michigan will decide on legalization next month. A total of 30 states have legalized medical marijuana, though some are far more restrictive than others. "There are not many issues out there that enjoy majority support among both of the major political parties and in every region of the country," Hawkins said. "This support is consistently translating into wins at the ballot box, and it should further motivate elected officials to take action at the state and federal levels. Hopefully lawmakers are paying attention to this clear trend in public opinion. If they ignore these poll numbers, they do so at the risk of seeing a drop in their own." Related: Latest Gallup Poll Finds a Big Majority of Americans Support Legal Marijuana More States Have Made Marijuana Legal, So Why Are More People Getting Arrested? 'Microdosing Moms' and 'Divorced Dads' Emerge Among Cannabis Consumers Copyright 2018 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved When the cameras are gone and the candidates have left the neighborhood, as usually happens, and particularly in the fraying East End of Bridgeport, things quickly revert to routine. On Friday morning, Union Avenue, which is in the East End, was in the running for the safest spot in Connecticut with the ratio of law enforcement to politicians somewhere around one-to-one. Ned Lamont, the Democratic candidate for governor, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.; U.S. Rep Jim Himes, D-Conn.; Bridgeport Mayor Joseph P. Ganim and a passel of local politicians walked the neighborhood in obligatory pre-election genuflection to Stratford Avenue, the area that was once the vibrating center African-American activity and industry in the city. Streets carry the names of, for instance, Malcom X Blvd. and Martin Luther King Blvd., and others named after spiritual leaders in the community. It is the part of Bridgeport in which Ganims improbable resurrection from felon to mayor took breath, with support from black pastors and their congregants. And as any Democratic candidate can tell you, support or its lack from the city s Democratic organization is the dealmaker, or breaker, in the pursuit of office. The East End is Joe Ganim country. And in his run to re-election in 2015, after having spent seven years in prison on corruption convictions, he delivered his first public mea culpa at the East End Baptist Tabernacle Church at 548 Central Ave. on New Years Day a day that has fresh start written all over it. The man whose one-time fondness for tailored shirts and investment grade wine had persuaded these early supporters that he was one of them. The East End, for 40 years that covers a lot of administrations in Bridgeport and Hartford has had violence, sometimes spasmatic, sometimes prolonged. A current, long-running issue is that there is no true supermarket in the neighborhood. In their primary this year for the Democratic gubernatorial campaign, Ganim did his best to portray Lamont as the clueless multimillionaire from Greenwich, more comfortable in the mens grille room of a posh clubs than with, say, a place like the popular Taes Lounge on The Avenue, as Stratford Avenue is nostagically recalled by residents. Since the primary, though, Lamont and Ganim, two pragmatists, are working together. Hes a political pro, Lamont said the other day when asked about Ganim in meeting with the Hearst Connecticut Media editorial board. They had a quick reconciliation after the primary. Were pretty different cats, theres no question about that, Lamont said. But he wants to turn around his city, and he wants to get re-elected in his city. He paused. We dont party together, he added. So Friday, with Ganim as his Beatrice, Lamont came to explore the East End and meet with people who have lived through the violence, walk the sidewalks where blood has been spilled. Early Saturday afternoon, an encouraging image was of construction equipment working at the site of the former Newfield Branch Library at the corner of Newfield Avenue and Stratford. Its the intended site of a grocery store. But the street still has more than its share of shuttered storefronts and down the side streets, plywood windows, junk yards, empty trailers, and a forlorn demeanor. I went to Newfield Park, where some of the neighborhood men gather most of the year round to kibitz, to look for a friend, Tom Thompson, known in the neighborhood as Tom Tom. Four men stood around a car. They were enjoying early afternoon Bud Lights. I pulled up and rolled down my window. Understandably, they eyed me warily. And I did not know them. Tom Tom been around, I asked. I quickly added, Im a friend of his, and identified myself. Hell probably be here a little later, one of the men said. I asked about the hoopla the day before. They were unaware of the event. So I called Tom Tom to see what was up. Im glad I called because his 77th birthday is Sunday. He is a proud Air Force veteran and he grumbled that the American Legion Hall on Stratford Avenue is still shuttered. Thats a black eye to the neighborhood, he said. We have to take care of our vets. Not much has changed in the neighborhood, we agreed. Ned Lamont told a reporter Friday that he would be back to this neighborhood when hes governor. Just coming back, though, isnt enough. In the editorial board meeting, he said he intended to help small businesses come to Bridgeport. That would be close to enough. For starters. Michael J. Daly is editor of the editorial page of the Connecticut Post. Email: mdaly@ctpost.com. TAPACHULA, Mexico -- As thousands of Central American migrants continue their long walk to the U.S. border, prompting daily condemnations from President Donald Trump, the Mexican government has had to decide: Are Trump's threats enough to prompt an intervention? For now, Mexican police have merely stepped aside as the caravan has passed, watching first as migrants took rafts across the river that separates the country from Guatemala, and then as they continued by foot along the main highway, chanting, "Si, se pudo," or "Yes, we did it." That response appears to have been conveyed to the White House, and now, once again, Mexico's most important bilateral relationship appears to be on shaky ground. "Sadly, it looks like Mexico's Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States," Trump tweeted. He later said on Fox News, "I don't know what's going on with Mexico. It looks like the people are walking right through the middle of Mexico. So I'm not exactly thrilled there either!" The caravan has marked another chapter in Mexico's complicated effort to balance American threats with the country's own domestic politics. Detaining or deporting the caravan's members would certainly please Trump, but it would flout the country's own immigration laws and further the impression that the Mexican government is taking orders from a hostile White House. So far, the Mexican police appear to be conscious of that tension,and the optics of their presence. Riot police have stopped to pose for pictures in their gear, as if ready to combat the migrants, letting international television crews film them before retreating. The caravan risks a wider confrontation with Washington if Trump threatens to cut off aid to Mexico, as he has threatened Central America, or attempts to seal the border with the U.S. military. Every day, billions of dollars of trade crosses the U.S.-Mexico border, and any attempt to block those flows could inflict serious economic harm on Mexico. The newly renegotiated North American trade agreement is also hanging in the balance as it has yet to be ratified by legislatures. The dilemma for the Mexican government is worsened by the fact that the incoming government of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has campaigned on a gentler approach to migration, saying it would not hunt down migrants as if they were criminals. "You have Trump's government pressing Mr. Pena Nieto's government to deter or stop the flows, but on the other hand, you have the pressure of public opinion and the new government saying you should treat the newcomers with dignity," said Daniel Millan, a former spokesman in President Enrique Pena Nieto's government who is now a political consultant. "They are walking a tightrope." Mexico's incoming foreign minister, Marcelo Ebrard, said Monday on Mexican radio that it would be a "big mistake" for the Mexican government to use its own armed forces to try to stop the caravan. "It would be inadmissible in Mexico to use the army against these people," he said, adding that he didn't think Pena Nieto's government was considering that step. "We would not be in agreement with that at all." After a meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland in Ottawa on Monday, he added that his administration would offer more work visas for Central Americans. "We are going to invest in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador," he said. Pena Nieto addressed the caravan on Friday when he said, "Mexico does not allow people to enter our territory illegally and much less so violently." That day, on the bridge connecting Mexico and Guatemala, Mexican police fired tear gas at the migrants, closing the official border as film crews and photographers captured their actions. But just next to the bridge, police watched as thousands of migrants crossed the border illegally by raft, settling for the night in the main plaza of the border city of Ciudad Hidalgo. Still, the images on the bridge, at least for that moment, appeared to impress conservatives in the United States. "I want to thank the Mexican officials and the Mexican police for putting their lives on the line," said conservative commentator Laura Ingraham on Fox News on Friday night. "I think this is the best Mexico has ever been," said former congressman and Trump supporter Newt Gingrich on Ingraham's show. But in Mexico, the images were seen differently. Mexican political analyst Carlos Bravo Regidor captured the reaction of many here, tweeting sarcastically: "The wall already exists. It's called Mexico. Congratulations, Mr. Trump." On Sunday afternoon, there was yet another test. A convoy of police officers, wearing riot gear and carrying shields, headed for the migrant caravan, ready to form a barricade that would block the more than 5,000 Central Americans headed north. "We're here to enforce the laws of Mexico," one police officer said. "You can't just pass through our country without permission." When the migrants approached the police checkpoint, officers pleaded with them to apply for legal status in Mexico. There were empty buses ready to take them for processing. A police helicopter swooped overhead. The caravan paused briefly as the migrants talked among themselves. Maybe Mexican authorities would give them temporary visas, they thought, or maybe it was a trick, a sneaky way for Mexico to deport the migrants en masse. "Vamos!" several migrants yelled, and they walked through the police checkpoint. The police did not stop them. Instead, officers threw their riot shields in a bus and drove away. The caravan continued, undeterred. Mexico is by no means lax on undocumented Central American migrants. Last year, according to its Interior Ministry, it deported 82,000 migrants from the region. It's possible that, at any moment, the Mexican government could decide to take a harsher stance with the migrant caravan. "We know they can decide to stop us at any time, and it scares me," said Alside Caseres, a member of the caravan from Honduras, who is traveling with his wife and son. It was Monday morning, and Caseres and his family were packing their bags, preparing for another day of walking in the heat. They had slept on ground of the concrete plaza last night, eating noodles and tortillas donated by local residents. "Viva Mexico!" yelled some of the other migrants who had already started walking. On Sunday, Trump tweeted, "People have to apply for asylum in Mexico first, and if they fail to do that, the U.S. will turn them away." Indeed, Mexican authorities have repeatedly encouraged the Central American migrants to apply for legal status here, but it was unclear what that status would yield: asylum in Mexico, a temporary visa that would allow enough time for migrants to traverse the country, or something else. Several hundred members of the caravan have agreed to be processed legally, and over the weekend they were taken to a shelter in southern Mexico, which is currently closed to journalists. On Monday morning, organizers of the caravan expressed skepticism toward Mexican immigration authorities and their offer of legal status. "Humanitarian assistance has been predicated on detention," said Irineo Mujica, the director of Pueblo Sin Fronteras. --- Partlow reported from Mexico City. LONDON - Amid growing anger over her leadership, Prime Minister Theresa May struck a defiant tone on Monday, insisting that Brexit negotiations are 95 percent done and that the final product would amount to a good deal for Britain. May has faced harsh criticism from Brexit hard-liners, who say she is ceding control to the European Union; from political rivals, who say she has lost command over her own party; and from those who want to remain in the EU and say she is denying the people of Britain control over their future. "The shape of the deal across the vast majority of the withdrawal agreement is now clear," May told Parliament, adding that her government has been making progress in talks with negotiators across the English Channel. But that last 5 percent is no small thing. Indeed, how to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, and Ireland, an EU member, is "a real sticking point," May conceded. It has been this way for months. "It's basically Groundhog Day, every single day," said Rob Ford, a politics professor at the University of Manchester. "The Irish border? How do we solve it? Who knows? Everyone has a big row. Wake up the next day, like Bill Murray, you hear the same song." Britain is set to leave the EU in just five months. If the two sides don't strike a divorce deal, Britain risks exiting the EU without one - a doomsday scenario that could have serious implications for the economy and daily life. Two years after Britons voted 52 percent to 48 percent in favor of leaving the EU, Brexit continues to be a highly divisive issue. On Saturday, thousands of people took to the streets to protest Brexit and call for a "people's vote." Organizers estimated that 700,000 people turned out, which would make it the largest protest in Britain since the start of the Iraq War. Still, it was noteworthy that none of the featured speakers were leading members of the ruling Conservative or opposition Labour party. May further enraged her critics in recent days when she indicated that she would be open to extending the Brexit "transition period" beyond the proposed timeline of December 2020. This is deeply unpopular with the hard-liners, who think this would leave Britain in the position of a "vassal state." "The whole country is waiting for a plan that works for Britain, not another fudge, kicking the can down the road to keep her party in power," Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour Party, said in Parliament on Monday. Meanwhile, May's political future appears unstable amid allegations of plots to oust her. In the weekend British papers, unnamed lawmakers were quoted using savage imagery to describe a possible coup, with some saying that "assassination is in the air" and that May should "bring her own noose" to an upcoming meeting. But the remarks may have backfired. Their tone - if not the substance - was condemned by politicians from all parties. Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish first minister, said, "Few disagree with her more than I do, but language like this debases politics. Get a grip, Tories." Many of those who took exception to the remarks referenced Jo Cox, the Labour member of Parliament who was killed in 2016 by a right-wing extremist. There were also calls to unmask the lawmakers who made the purported comments. Many analysts say it's unlikely that May will be ousted just yet. Forty-eight Conservative lawmakers have to submit letters to trigger a vote of no confidence, but many think that - in the current climate at least - May would probably win that vote. And despite all the mudslinging from the sidelines, there isn't an obvious successor. Boris Johnson, the former foreign secretary, may be hugely popular among the Conservative grass roots, but many doubt that his preferred Brexit deal would win the support of Parliament. "If you got the poisoned chalice of negotiating Brexit, you might as well keep Theresa May as prime minister, because there isn't a successor who could unite the party," said Jonathan Tonge, a professor of politics at the University of Liverpool. "A Boris Johnson-led administration would hit the buses within weeks," Tonge said. "Theresa May is at least still managing to juggle the plates." After Donald Trump's performance at last summer's press conference in Helsinki with Russian President Vladimir Putin, many of the U.S. president's fellow Republicans were alarmed. One, however, was encouraged: Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. A few weeks later, Paul arrived in Moscow seeking dialogue with his Russian counterparts. Now Paul is enlisting U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman Jr. to help convince his American colleagues of the virtues of U.S.-Russian cooperation. The unusual request is part of Paul's larger campaign to smooth the way for a possible rapprochement between Trump and Putin. A better relationship with Russia was one of Trump's campaign promises, but more recently, Trump's position has shifted. Earlier this month he boasted about his administration's arming of Ukraine. Last weekend, he announced the U.S. was withdrawing from a treaty that banned intermediate range missiles because of Russian violations of it. Part of this shift is due to Russia's own predations, most recently a nerve agent attack in Britain. But Trump also ran into opposition from his fellow Republicans in Congress, which passed sanctions on Moscow in 2017 without the usual clause that lets the president waive them. That's where Paul comes in. According to a State Department cable summarizing Paul's Aug. 28 meeting with Huntsman, Paul asked Huntsman to make the case for "the importance of renewed dialogue" on arms-control treaties at the weekly lunch of the Republican Steering Committee. The cable, which was shared with me last week, says Paul told Huntsman that his colleagues have succumbed to "hysteria" when it comes to sanctioning Russia. After next month's midterm elections, according to the cable, Paul is hoping to get lawmakers from both parties to meet with their Russian counterparts. The plan is for Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., to co-chair the meeting. Sergio Gor, Paul's deputy chief of staff, said Paul "believes that Ambassador Huntsman is one of the most qualified diplomats to brief the Senate on issues relating to Russian-American relations." He also said Huntsman has met with other senators besides Paul but did not discuss specifics of the broader campaign. In addition to Huntsman, Paul is also using his personal relationship with Trump to make the case for a softer Russia policy. According to the cable, Paul pressed the president and Chief of Staff John Kelly to begin formal negotiations with Russia on two arms-control agreements, the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, known as the INF treaty. Paul asked the White House to plan talks on the two treaties in the coming months before a visit from Putin tentatively scheduled for the spring. When he was in Moscow in August, Paul also met with Russian legislators who were sanctioned in 2014 for authorizing the invasion of Ukraine and Crimea's annexation. After returning, Paul began seeking a way to get those Russian lawmakers off the sanctions list so they could come to Washington. The Daily Beast reported on these unsuccessful efforts in September. Paul's amendment to lift sanctions on these Russian lawmakers was opposed by all 20 of his fellow members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. One of them, Marco Rubio, R-Fla., told me last week: "In enacting tough sanctions and other measures, Congress has learned from the last administration's naive attempts to 'reset' relations with Russia, which failed miserably." It's easy to see where Rubio is coming from. On Friday, federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment of a close Putin ally alleging she was managing a propaganda campaign to influence this year's midterms. Despite ongoing negotiations, Russia continues to interfere in Syria and Ukraine. Dan Fried, who was the State Department's coordinator for sanctions policy when Russia invaded Ukraine, said lifting any sanctions now would send the wrong message. It would "convey American indifference" about Russian aggression, he said. Paul's effort to restart arms-control negotiations with Russia has also run into opposition. He went public over the weekend to protest Trump's decision to pull out of the INF treaty. His fellow Republican senators, however, have been laying the groundwork for the withdrawal for more than a year. Tom Cotton of Arkansas led an effort last year to effectively prepare the U.S. for withdrawal of the treaty by authorizing the research and development of the very missiles it forbids. James Risch of Idaho, who will chair the Senate Foreign Relations Committee next year if Republicans keep control of the Senate, summed up his view of the Russians at a Senate hearing last month. "They are serial cheaters," he said. "They are serial liars." Rand Paul has a different opinion. He is interested in making a deal with the Russians. A few months ago it looked as if Trump agreed. Fortunately, it appears the president has started to come around to the view of Paul's Republican colleagues on the pointlessness of negotiating with liars. - 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. Former Vice President Joe Biden will make a campaign stop in Connecticut Friday to boost Democrats Ned Lamont and Jahana Hayes. The high-level Democrats visit signals how close the gubernatorial race is just two weeks before election day. A new poll by Sacred Heart University and Hearst Connecticut Media released Tuesday found Lamont and Republican Bob Stefanowski are in a statistical dead heat. Lamont has only a 3.4 percent margin over Stefanowski, less than the margin of error, the poll found. An poll by Sacred Heart and Hearst last month found Lamont had a 6.2 percent edge. Former President Barack Obama came to Bridgeport two days before Election Day in 2014 to urge the city to turn out for Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. Polls at the time also showed a tied race between Malloy and his challenger Republican Tom Foley, who he beat in a narrow race in 2010. Biden and Obama have been stumping for Democrats in close races around the country in 2018. Both have already endorsed Lamont and Hayes. Ned Lamont has dedicated his life to making sure middle-class families have a fighting chance to get ahead and stay ahead, Biden said earlier this month. He's a person of character and integrity, who is in the public arena to make a positive difference. The rally, at Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy at 3:30 p.m., is open to the public. Polls show Hayess race the only open Congressional seat in Connecticut is less competitive than the gubernatorial fight. The Sacred Heart poll found 48.7 percent of Connecticut likely voters will support the Democratic candidate in their Congressional district, compared to 34.1 percent who will support the Republican candidate. The 14.6 percentage point margin is up from the 13.0 percentage point margin posted in September 2018. If you go: Open to the public, the rally will be held at Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy, Friday at 3:30 p.m. See More Collapse emunson@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson To the untrained eye, Kanye West is a trainwreck. Okay, he is a trainwreck. But what do people do when they see a trainwreck? They give it their full attention. They cant look away. If youre Kanye West, thats a good thing, because eyeballs are his currency. After meeting President Trump in the White House on Oct. 11, Kanye followed with a bonkers social media rant about mind control and then flew to Africa to donate shoes and money to an orphanage. As a result, Kanyes Google search trends 30-day ranking topped out at 99 out of 100 on Oct. 12 He scored a perfect 100 on Sept. 30 after his SNL performance. For context, a newly pregnant Meghan Markle only scored an 82 this week using the same measures. The death of billionaire Paul Allen only produced a score of 73 for the Seahawks owner. Many of you will shake your heads and assert that hes not getting the right kind of publicity. Youre wrong. According to the YouGov website, which ranks the popularity and fame of politicians, celebrities, technology, business and just about anything you can think of, Kanye is the 123rd most popular musical artist, but hes the 9th most famous. Fifty-two percent of people have a negative opinion of him. Thats not surprising, but what is a shocker is that twenty-three percent have a positive opinion. Thats the same or more than his contemporaries. Only 21% have a positive opinion of Trey Songz. Only 18% like Lupe Fiasco. Only 14% like A$AP Rocky. Who are they? Exactly. Compare him to Jay-Z perhaps youve heard of Jay-Z? Hes only the 473rd most popular musical artist and the 39th most famous. Thirty-seven percent of people have a negative opinion of him and 32% have a positive opinion. Hes a little better liked not a lot and not nearly as famous. And hes Beyonces husband! Beyonce, by the way, slays everyone in these rankings because of course she does. And Beyonce and Jay-Z are some of the richest people on Earth. So surely Kanye is broke, right? Nope. According to Celebrity Net Worth, which released new numbers on Kanye this week, the 41-year-old is worth $250 million. And thats just Kanyes money, thats not Kardashian money. How is that possible? Because Kanye does more than just rap. Hes also the producer of some of todays most popular acts, a smart real estate investor and a fashion designer. Yes, but those shoes. Nobody buys them, right? Wrong. Adidas market cap has skyrocketed since Kanye released his first pair of Yeezys, from $15 billion in 2017 to its most recent measure of nearly $45 billion. Kanye alone cant take credit for the leap, but he is definitely a material part of Adidas rebranding effort that increased American sales. But this Trump thing. This in the nail in the coffin, right? Wrong again. Remember, this is Kanye who said slavery was a choice. He stole Taylor Swifts moment in the sun during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. He blurted out that George Bush doesnt care about black people during a live TV fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. For crying out loud, he was handcuffed, thrown into an ambulance and rushed to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation two years ago. With each stunt, the media declared Kanyes brand dead. And each time, theyve been wrong. Thats because Kanye can get away with it. Crazy has always been a big part of his brand. Its the same reason why a recent CNN poll revealed that nearly half of Americans believe Trump will win re-election in 2020, very close to the same numbers Obama had eight years ago. How can that be? Because like Kanye, Trump has always been contemptible. Theres really nothing he can do to hurt his image. Heck, if he got impeached it would only make him the most famous president in history. No wonder Trump and Kanye admire each other. People dont fall from grace because they do something offensive. They lose favor theyre exposed as a fraud, caught doing something that is the exact opposite of who they claim to be. The lesson here is to be authentic. Authenticity trumps everything. Like it or not, that truth supports Kanyes claim that he really is smarter than all of us. Since the inception of the credit union industry, there has been a connection between credit unions and small businesses. Both institutions were founded on helping local communities and working towards providing valuable services and products to Main Street consumers. A lot of credit unions are small businesses solely serving the needs of their local community. As the credit union industry continues to grow, so does their lending portfolio, especially regarding member business lending. Even though credit unions face regulatory limitations, small businesses still prefer the personalized member-lending experience credit unions offer. Over the past 10 years, the number of credit unions offering business loans has increased 20 percent. Today, a small business can get a loan at more than 2,000 credit unions. For 18 percent of credit unions, business loans make up at least 5 percent of their total loan portfolio. A decade ago that figure was just 8 percent. That growth stands in stark contrast to recent trends at other financial institutions, and speaks to credit unions increasing role in funding Americas small businesses. Since 2007, total business loans extended by credit unions have tripled. Banks, on the other hand, have cut their outstanding loans to small businesses 8 percent over that same time. The Federal Reserves triennial Survey of Consumer Finances shows a similar rise in the importance of credit unions to small businesses. The share of household business owners that used credit unions to start or acquire their business grew from 2.4 percent in 2010 to 6.3 percent in 2016. All this growth has taken place amid the backdrop of a severe decline in business dynamism. Startups are becoming rarer, and consolidation is a feature of many industries. The U.S. Census Bureau has two sources of data related to business dynamism. The Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS) database provides annual data on startups as a share of total businesses through 2015. The bureaus Business Formation Statistics (BFS) is a recently released database with more current quarterly estimates of startup activity. The chart below shows both datasets, and each confirms a sizable drop in business formations around the mid-2000s. While the national picture may not be pretty, the BFS data, just unveiled in February, allow us to take a closer look. The map below shows per capita startups in 2017 by state. The most vibrant states have formation rates that are twice as high as the weakest ones. But is there any hope for a turnaround? Policymakers have taken note. Former Fed Chair Janet Yellen, observing the decline in business formations, stated that it could lead to lower productivity, wage growth, and employment, along with increased income inequality. Those sentiments were echoed by the Congressional Joint Economic Committees 2018 Annual Report, which focused its discussion of the weak economic recovery on the decline in business formations. The committees top recommendation was to reduce regulatory burden on small businesses. The good news for credit unions is that even if the status quo persists, they have proven that they can operate successful business lending programs in such an environment. And if policymakers do create more favorable conditions for startups, credit unions would be well positioned to capitalize. Business Formations per 1,000 People (2017) STORY LINK GBP to AUD Exchange Rate Avoids Worst Levels despite Brexit Fears Amid Risk-Aversion GBP Strength Limp as UK Investor Morale Plunges on Brexit Imminence Investors are in grim mood, as time is running out on Brexit negotiations with little progress on show. Sentiment was dented by the financial crisis, but not to the extent we are seeing today. Thats perhaps because the crisis unfolded in an unscheduled fashion, while the timeline on the UKs withdrawal from the EU is there for all to see. A looming early Budget and a stormy October on the markets will do little to settle nerves. AUD Fails to Advance as Investors Avoid Risks GBP/AUD Forecast: Political Developments and Risk-Sentiment in Focus Like this piece? Please share with your friends and colleagues: The Australian Dollars recovery rally against the Pound has seemingly paused for now, despite broad weakness in Sterling, due to lingering risk-aversion in global markets. The British Pound to Australian Dollar has been able to avoid its worst levels as a result of mixed Australian Dollar demand.Last weeks Australian Dollar rally saw GBP/AUD pushed from the level of 1.8484 to 1.8345, and the pair has continued to edge lower this week so far. On Monday, GBP/AUD briefly touched on a low of 1.8256, but at the time of writing today the pair trended closer to the level of 1.833 again.The reality of the Brexit process is still sinking in for many investors, particularly as the formal Brexit date in early 2019 approaches with no solid UK-EU Brexit deal agreed on yet.Hopes that the UK and EU could agree to a close post-Brexit deal have lightened recently, replaced by fear and concern that a bad deal may be reached, or a good deal may face too many obstacles domestically.This week so far, Northern Irelands DUP Party has said it would block an EU backstop proposal for the issue of Irelands border.As the DUP is an ally of UK Prime Minister Theresa Mays Conservative government, this news was another blow to Mays Brexit plan and there is still no deal in sight on the issue of Irelands border.Then on Tuesday, critics from Britains opposition Labour Party also indicated they may be forced to vote down parts of Mays Brexit plan.According to financial services firm Hargraves Lansdown, UK investor morale has slumped to its worst levels in over 23 years even lower than it was during the 2008 financial crisis. Laith Khalaf from Hargreaves Lansdown said:Analysts still expect that the Pounds potential for strength is limited until some more certainty is provided on the final Brexit deal. Economists are anticipating sudden sharp movements from the Pound when a Brexit deal is either finalised or falls through.Global market gloom about the Brexit process and UK outlook isnt just dampening the Pound though, as investor aversion to risk this week has dampened demand for the relatively risky trade-correlated Australian Dollar.The Australian Dollar is often weaker in times of global risk-aversion, as investors will sell currencies correlated strongly to commodities or other risky assets in favour of safe haven currencies like the US Dollar (USD).As well as UK political jitters, investors are also hesitant to take risks due to tensions between Italy and the EU, as well as concerns that Australias government will become a minority government.Amid a lack of major UK or Australian data due for publication in the coming days, the Pound to Australian Dollar exchange rate is more likely to react to political developments and changes in risk-sentiment.The Pound is unlikely to see much of a sustained rise in demand any time soon unless there is some kind of major development in Brexit negotiations, like an agreement on a significant chunk of a deal or a full deal itself.Even this afternoons speech from Bank of England (BoE) Governor Mark Carney is unlikely to be hugely influential.However, if Brexit fears continue to worsen the Pound could still slide lower.The Pound to Australian Dollar exchange rates trajectory could still shift in response to risk-sentiment too.For example, if investors become more eager to buy safe haven currencies, GBP/AUD will rise. On the other hand, if investors become more eager to take risks again GBP/AUD may near its lowest levels again. International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements. TAGS: Pound Australian Dollar Forecasts China Is 'biggest state sponsor of Cyber-Attacks on the West' Security threats from Chinese companies building 5G networks could end up "putting all of us at risk" if they are not tackled quickly, according to a former security minister. Speaking to Sky News, Admiral Lord West, a former First Sea Lord who served under Gordon Brown as a security minister, urged the government to set up a unit reporting directly to the prime minister to monitor the risk posed by Chinese equipment in 5G. 5G has been hailed as the next great leap for mobile communications, enabling everything from smart cities to hologram calls. However, the best 5G technology comes from Chinese companies, raising the fear that China's government could have ground-level access to, even control of, the UK's critical data infrastructure. China has become the biggest state sponsor of cyber-attacks on the West, primarily in its bid to steal commercial secrets, according to a report by one of the worlds largest cybersecurity firms. 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. Its analysis of thousands of cyberattacks in the first six months of this year revealed more than a third (36pc) were targeted at technology firms, with a particular increase in attacks on biotechnology companies aimed at stealing their research secrets and intellectual property. Pharmaceutical, defence, mining and transport companies were also hit. It said cyber-hackers were using increasingly sophisticated techniques to breach Western defences by replicating established software to hack firms, hijacking a firms clients computers as a potential Trojan Horse route into their target and using personalised phishing emails to senior executives. China has become a bigger threat after a reorganisation of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) put hacking in the hands of contract firms, effectively privatising operations. Free of previous Chinese state bureaucracy, they are run by computer science experts with extensive links into hacking forums and groups, says Crowdstrike, which provides cybersecurity for half of the worlds biggest 20 multinationals. IT giant Siemens was the biggest victim of one Chinese contractor in the US called Boyusec and which is linked to one of the more advanced and active Chinese government-sponsored espionage groups. Three Chinese nationals at Boyusec have been charged with stealing 407 gigabytes of data from Siemens energy, technology and transport businesses, according to an unsealed justice department indictment. Two other firms, Moodys Analytics and Trimble, were also targeted. All three are residents of Guangzhou and have been accused of using spear phishing emails to get access to the firms computer networks. Boyusec has been linked to a hacker group known as Gothic Panda, which in turn has been connected to the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS). Of 116 adversary groups identified by Crowdstrike, the bulk of nation-state cyber-attackers are Chinese followed by Russia with 10, Iran with eight, North Korea with five and a smattering of others including Pakistan, India, Vietnam, South Korea and some middle east governments. According to Crowdstrike, it is not just firms that have been targeted. One attack began when an employee at a think tank received a message ostensibly from a university professor hosting a series of webinars for students. The employee was invited to join one of the webinars as an expert speaker on global politics and economics. The video-conferencing application they downloaded was actually a Trojan Horse version of a legitimate desktop programme which planted malicious software in the think tank. In its report, Crowdstrike said it had uncovered highly-sophisticated techniques by hackers to hide their tracks in attacks on universities, a target because of their valuable research financial and personal data resources. Academic institutions also have reputations for somewhat relaxed IT security procedures, providing adversaries with potential opportunities to easily build malicious network infrastructures to facilitate additional attacks elsewhere, it said. Investigators uncovered growing evidence of cyberattacks on NGOs working overseas, in one case watching a hacker returning to an NGOs systems to perform access maintenance to sleeper files it had planted in the organisation. China, which has been extending its worldwide influence particularly in Africa, was suspected of the attack because of the technology used but Crowdstrike said it had not been able to confirm it. Crowdstrike warned criminal gangs were getting more sophisticated, adopting the more advanced tactics and techniques of nation-state hackers to plant malicious software for fraud or identity theft. It has also seen a surge in criminal gangs hijacking companies computers to use them to generate crypto-currencies, a trend attributed to the rise in the value of such currencies in the winter of 2017. Jennifer Ayers, Crowdstrike vice-president, said her biggest fear was a destructive global cyberattack using ransomware like that which crippled the NHS in May last year. An alleged North Korean spy has been charged in connection with the attack. We saw it with the NHS where people had to resort to using pen and paper. You could easily take that to the next level where smart technology, power plants and power grids are affected. Thats why a destructive global attack with ransomware scares me the most. The world wasnt prepared for ransomware. It took some days to recover but it took others months. Telegraph: Sky: You Might Also Read: Russia Stands Accused Of Global Hacking Campaign: For Subscribers Who are the top 25 county boys high school athletes since 2001? Wrestling champs and track, soccer, baseball, football and basketball stars, it's the top 25 athletes from Somerset County high schools this century. by Sumon Corraya In 60 years of mission, he played a crucial role in the fight against poverty and in promoting education, healthcare and socio-economic development. In 1971, during the Bangladeshs War of Liberation, the Xaverian priest provided medical assistance to freedom fighters. For the services rendered to the nation, he received various honours. Bagerhat (AsiaNews) Some three thousand people, Christians, Muslims and Hindus, were waiting for the body of Fr Marino Rigon, a Xaverian missionary who died in Italy a year ago, in Bagerhat, southern Bangladesh. His burial near the church of Shelabunia fulfils his last wishes after he dedicated 60 years of his life to the mission in Bangladesh. For the contribution he made to the local community, Fr Rigon went to his grave in a coffin draped in the Bangladeshi flag accompanied by an honour guard. The missionary, who was a great admirer of Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore, Nobel Prize laureate for literature in 1913, translated 40 Bangladeshi literary works into Italian, as well as 350 popular songs and numerous poems. The priest arrived in Dhaka at the age of 28. Thanks to his missionary work, at least 15 primary schools, a high school, several hospitals and clinics were created. Fr Rigon provided training to needy people and contributed to their socio-economic development. In 1971, during Bangladeshs War of liberation, he provided medical assistance to freedom fighters. For services rendered to the nation, the Government of Bangladesh granted him honorary citizenship and in 2012 presented him with the Friends of the Liberation War award. During the funeral, Mgr James Romen Boiragi, bishop of Khulna, celebrated a solemn memorial Mass. During the homily, the prelate stressed that "Fr Marino Rigon did not work only for Christians, but for all men and women of faith. This is why everyone loves him. For the bishop, He was an exemplary missionary. We must follow his ideals. He will continue to live in the hearts of the people of Bangladesh". Bilkis Begum, a 55-year-old Muslim woman, was in the crowd of people who yesterday came to bid Fr Rigon goodbye. "Father Marino Rigon loved me like a daughter, but he called me ma (mother), said the teary-eyed woman in a broken voice. He changed our socio-economic situation and for this reason we thank him. He was a living saint, for every faith." Pressure is mounting on social media on the government to identify the causes of the train derailment that took place last Tuesday causing 7 deaths and 125 injuries. So far, no one resigned on the backdrop of the accident. Some MPs criticized Moroccos rail operator (ONCF) and held it responsible for the accident that took place in the town of Bouknadel some 20 km north of Rabat. They denounced what they described as a negligence of ONCF in protecting the lives of Moroccans saying that the railway operator uses old trains. They also called on the authorities in charge to ensure that the officials in charge are brought before justice. For his part, minister for transport and logistics, Abdelkader Amara, defended ONCF saying that a meeting will be held at the parliament to unveil details relating to the accident. He said no one should accuse ONCF as an investigation is ongoing, adding that whoever fell short of fulfilling his or her duty will be punished. The Public Prosecutor at the Rabat Appeal Court has announced the opening of a judicial inquiry to shed light on the causes and circumstances of the accident. The train runs on a busy line between Kenitra and Casablanca where many people commute daily to their work or schools. Should you happen to look at the website for Cardiffs University Hospital of Wales, what you will see is dozens of gleaming photographs of state-of-the-art facilities. But behind the glass towers, and away from the snazzy entrance hall dominated by cafes and shops, conditions are very different. The staircases are shabby and dusty, and the stairwells home to discarded wrappers and even the occasional fag-end. The impression is that inside this 1,000-bed medical facility, the appearance of the public passageways is of no importance at all. Should you happen to look at the website for Cardiffs University Hospital of Wales, what you will see is dozens of gleaming photographs of state-of-the-art facilities But that is by no means its most serious failing, as my wife and I have discovered over the past decade as witnesses to the conditions both her parents faced at the principalitys flagship hospital. Thats why we were not surprised to read this week of the decision of a senior NHS executive to quit her native Wales after experiencing appalling failings in the treatment of her husbands prostate cancer. Until now, our family has remained silent about the University Hospital of Wales, and the second-rate treatment and appalling lack of cleanliness we had seen there in the last days of my father-in-law Sauls life. A decorated World War II RAF medic, and high-achieving chartered surveyor, Saul, who was bright and alert to the very end of his long life, perished at the age of 96 as a result of a serious infection contracted while he was being treated at the hospital. His wife, Jacqueline, a proud daughter of one Cardiffs most distinguished commercial families, passed away after experiencing clinical failings herself before she was given a late diagnosis of terminal cancer earlier this year. They are two of the very many victims of NHS Wales, where shambolic levels of care have driven one of its most senior bosses, Professor Siobhan McClelland, to move to England to seek better cancer treatment for her husband. Alex Brummer had remained silent about the appalling lack of cleanliness he saw in the last days of his father-in-law Sauls life (pictured) Prof McClelland has held top positions in the Welsh Ambulance Service and on the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, but now says she has lost faith in the ability of the Welsh government to oversee a functioning health policy. And heres the rub: the horrors my family witnessed were in an NHS run by the Welsh Assemblys Labour-controlled government. In the House of Commons, the message from the Labour front bench is as relentless as it is misguided: only Labour loves the NHS; only Labour can save the NHS; the Tories hate the NHS and want to privatise it (thats the same Tories who have just pledged to pump 20billion extra a year into the health service far more than Labour was proposing). So, would Labour, with their big State approach, really deliver a wonderful NHS? Well, we dont need to speculate. We have only to look across Offas Dyke to see what happens when Labour is actually in charge of a national health service. The result is an appalling shambles of care. A quick run through of recent stories on the BBCs news website and elsewhere suggest there are fundamental failures in the system. One headline reads: A&E performance in Wales worst on record. Another story reports that in Maelor hospital in Wrexham, less than half of patients were seen within the four-hour target time set by the Welsh government. Elsewhere, the Cwm Taf University Health Board is investigating the deaths of 26 babies over three years... and so on. The Welsh public sector model is built around a socialist agenda which rejected the private finance initiative contracts that allowed the rebuilding of many of Englands Victorian facilities. That has proved a fatal error for the people of Wales. The Blair-Brown governments were, for example, attacked by the Left when they introduced so-called Independent Sector Treatment Centres, which are private-sector-owned centres used by the NHS in England to treat patients free at the point of delivery. They offer routine procedures such as cataract removals and hip replacements, which take the pressure off other NHS services. Similarly, the free prescriptions offered to everyone in Wales might be attractive to voters, but they have leached resources away from basic services. Someone always has to pay. Decorated World War II RAF medic, and high-achieving chartered surveyor, Saul, and wife Jacqueline If anyone is qualified to provide first-hand testimony of Labours rotten health record in Wales, it was Siobhan McClelland. She accuses the Welsh government of having neither the capacity nor capability to run a successful health service. Her husband suffered several failings in his care, including delays in getting GP appointments and subsequent diagnostic services. Her story mirrors that of the Labour MP Ann Clwyd who described how her husband, Owen, died like a battery hen after being kept on a trolley in a corridor at the very same University Hospital of Wales where my wifes father ended his days. Mrs Clwyds reward for highlighting this issue was to be attacked by the Welsh political ruling class. Although the hospitals health board apologised unreservedly about her husbands care, she was publicly told to shut up and stop complaining by a Labour member of the Welsh Assembly. For my family, it is all horribly familiar. Admittedly, both my father-in-law and mother-in-law were very elderly when they became victims, in different ways, of NHS Wales. Saul was, partly because of his own medical experiences in the war, fastidious about cleanliness. So it was shocking during his final illness to find him in bedclothes stained with dry blood. He was fully aware of what was going on around him, and distressed by the unhygienic conditions. He was cogent enough to discuss my sons new iPhone with him, and vowed to buy one when he got home from hospital. But he never got home. While he was in hospital being treated for a bowel condition, he contracted a superbug infection which was eventually recorded as the cause of death. His final couple of days were spent in a private room where the waste basket was overflowing with bloodied dressings. There are many victims of NHS Wales, where shambolic levels of care have driven one of its most senior bosses away (pictured, Alex Brummer) For most of the last weekend, there was barely a doctor to be seen. We were told there was just one registrar dealing with a whole wing. As his final hours approached, the nurses, to their credit, remade his bed, removed the hospital gown and redressed him in his own immaculately pressed pyjamas. When I went to the coroners office inside the hospital to collect his death certificate the following day, there was a lengthy queue. The administrator behind the desk said that it was always like this on a Monday morning because of the high number of people dying due to a lack of hospital doctors at the weekend. She then volunteered that Saul was one of many who had succumbed to infection with the bacterium Clostridium difficile. Patients were being admitted with one condition and leaving for the funeral home with another. The story of my mother-in-law, who died earlier this year at 91, was equally distressing and damning. During frequent visits to her GP surgery for various ailments, no one seemed to have noticed shed lost several stone, was experiencing extreme fatigue, and had become very weak. When she collapsed at home, she was escorted to hospital by my sister-in-law, was scanned and found to be riddled with cancer. When, several days later, my wife and sister-in-law were finally able to see the oncologist, they were effectively told it was too late for any treatment. In the House of Commons, the message from the Labour front bench is as relentless as it is misguided: only Labour can save the NHS (pictured, University Hospital of Wales) To make her final days as comfortable as possible, we arranged for her to be transferred to the medical wing of a wonderful private care home away from the peeling paint, shabby corridors, dirty stairs and overheated wards of the Welsh NHS hospital. Believe me, it gives me no pleasure to relate the stories of these two unhappy deaths. And I do not relish making political points about the lack of care they both experienced. But as long as Labour continues to howl that only they can be trusted with the National Health Service, the reality of what that can mean when it is in their charge must be revealed. NHS Wales is the best example we have of what happens when a Left-wing credo, as preached by the current Labour leadership, is allowed to govern an essential public service. Basic standards of decency, cleanliness, care and diagnosis are sacrificed to socialist dogma. And too many patients pay the ultimate price. Meghan's first royal tour has so far brought screaming fans, stolen moments between her and new husband and a lot of designer dresses - just like Kate's foreign debut. The Duchess of Sussex, 37, has stepped out in over a dozen outfits so far in Australia, including looks by her own favourite designers such as Stella McCartney and Jason Wu, as well as looks from local brands. The Duchess of Cambridge, now 36, also had regular outfit changes on her first major tour of Canada back in 2011 - sporting up to three different outfits in a single day, as Meghan did on Saturday. Meghan and Harry have been giving a typically tactile display while in Australia so far, following the news of their pregnancy at the start of their 16-day tour. Meanwhile, William and Kate - who had been married for just over two months - also gave rare PDAs when they embarked on their first overseas together, which lasted 11 days. Here, FEMAIL takes a look at some of the similarities and differences between the two duchesses' major overseas tours... Meghan, 37, has been greeted by screaming crowds during her tour of Australia. She is pictured here wearing Aussie designers Dion Lee and Martin Grant while meeting well-wishers in Melbourne on Thursday, on the third day of her tour Kate, now 36, was also met with crowds of well-wishers during her first overseas tour in Canada back in 2011. She is pictured here wearing Erdem during a walkabout in Ottawa NEWLYWEDS IN LOVE Harry and Meghan are known for their PDAs, and have unsurprisingly put on a tactile display following their pregnancy announcement at the start of the tour. The couple have been walking hand-in-hand during many of their official engagements, including a visit to the beach in Melbourne last week. But while Kate and William are known to be more reserved in this regard, the pair also put on an affectionate display as newlyweds during their first royal tour in Canada. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were seen sharing a sweet embrace while competing on opposite sides in a dragon boat race while visiting Prince Edward Island. Meghan and Harry, 34, have given a typically tactile display during their tour of Australia, walking hand-in-hand at a series of engagements. They are pictured here walking along Kingfisher Bay Jetty during a visit to Fraser Island on Monday The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge gave a number of PDAs during their tour in Canada in 2011 - which took place just over two months after their wedding. They are pictured here embracing after taking part in a dragon boat race while visiting Prince Edward Island The loved-up newlyweds were also seen exchanging jokes at each other during the visit. Body language expert and author Judi James commented: 'William and Kate looked competitive and playful on their first major tour. 'They were far more tactile than we see now, but the touching and cuddling was always presented as something fun and youthful. Speaking about Harry and Meghan's loving display, she continued: 'Unlike Kate, Meghan will take a loving arm-hold or touch and double it up by holding Harry with both hands to both keep him near and emphasise possession and attachment Body language expert Judi James described Meghan's 'open' signals of adoration during the tour, and their use of eye contact. The couple are pictured on board a boat during the team sailing event at the Invictus Games on Sunday Kate and William gave a more tactile display during their tour of Canada than we are used to now, although more restrained than Harry and Meghan. They are pictured here taking part in Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa in 2011 'Meghan's signals of adoration and support of her man are very open and emphatic.' She continued: 'Unlike William and Kate, Harry and Meghan have used plenty of eye-to-eye contact on this tour. 'As well as signaling love there might be a very practical purpose for this. William and Kate had already known each other for several years before their tour. 'Harry and Meghan have known each other for a much shorter space of time and their lives have been very different. This means the intense eye contact will be about reading one another'. THE FASHION Meghan has worn over 11,000 worth of designer labels so far in Australia including some of her favourite brands. She has also made sure to pay tribute to local designers, stepping out in dresses by Aussie designers Karen Gee, Martin Grant and Dion Lee. Kate also picked out looks from some of her go-to labels, including Jenny Packham and Alexander McQueen, while opting for Canadian brands - including Smythe - and Montreal-born designer Erdem, now one of her favourite designers. Celebrity stylist Rochelle White told FEMAIL has seen similarities between the pair's royal tour wardrobes, commenting: 'Meghan and Kate have got similar taste when it comes to some looks, like the fitted dresses and casual trousers and jacket combo. Meghan has opted to show her support to a number of local designers during her visit to Australia. She is pictured here wearing the 'Blessed' dress by Aussie designer Karen Gee on the first day of the royal tour in Sydney The Duchess of Cambridge also wore a navy blazer by Canadian brand Smythe while in Yellowknife, northwest Canada, in 2011 'They are good at mixing the brands they are loyal too and ones that they come across that could be new to them.' Meghan has embraced fun outfits during the tour, putting on a floral lei with her striped dress while visiting Bondi Beach with Prince Harry. Meanwhile, Kate also got into the local spirit when she and William donned Stetson hats while in Calgary back in 2011. The Duchess of Sussex's off-duty look has been perhaps more daring than Kate's on her first royal tour, with Meghan opting for a 166 $218 USD/ $305.91 AUD) dress by US brand Reformation on Fraser Island on Monday, featuring a thigh-high split. Meghan has also embraced her fun side, wearing a strappy striped dress by Australian designer Martin Grant with a floral lei while on Bondi Beach in Sydney on Friday (above) Kate and William also got in the spirit of things while visiting Calgary, Canada, with the pair both donning Steston hats and cowboy boots Rochelle commented: 'I love that Meghan has had a more relaxed feel when it comes to her fashion choices on her Australia Trip. 'With her causal look, it's not something that you see many royals wearing, but I think it's great that Meghan is being bold and making these choices.' ROYAL JEWELS Meghan paid tribute to Princess Diana by wearing a pair of of butterfly earrings and a gold bracelet that belong Harry's late mother on the first day of her royal tour, in Sydney. The Duchess of Sussex sported a pair of earrings that belonged to Princess Diana as she joined husband Prince Harry on the first day of their Australian royal tour in Sydney last week (left). Princess Diana first wore the earrings on her royal tour of Canada in May 1986 (right) The Duchess of Cambridge wore sapphire earrings belonging to Princess Diana in Canada in 2011 (left), which she re-fashioned into a pair of drop earrings. Princess Diana wore the sapphire earrings in 1988, during a visit to Paddington (right) The earrings were part of Diana's personal jewellery collection but it is not known whether they were a gift or purchased herself. Kate also made a nod to the Princess of Wales during her first royal tour, wearing a pair of her sapphire earrings, which she has worn on a number of occasions. Meghan wore a pair of earrings given to her by the Queen, which she first wore during their joint engagement in Chester, while arriving in Fiji today. Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cambridge wore a maple leaf brooch belonging to the Queen during her first royal tour - which was first worn by the monarch on a trip to Canada in 1951. It was reported at the time that the Queen had given Kate the pick of her jewellery collection for the trip. Meghan wore a pair of earrings that were given to her by the Queen, which she teamed with a white dress by Australian designer Zimmerman Kate wore a maple leaf brooch belonging to the Queen during her first royal tour of Canada in 2011. She is pictured here in Quebec sporting the timeless piece TOUCHING MOMENTS The Duchess of Sussex has shown that she's a natural with children during her tour of Australia, with her and Harry bonding with five-year-old Luke Vincent, who has Down's Syndrome, in Dubbo. Meghan, who is expecting her first child in the Spring, also shared a sweet moment with nine-year-old Sethunya Gibbons, after she noted how much the youngster looked like herself. Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cambridge shared a sweet moment with young cancer sufferer Diamond Marshall, who gave her a warm hug while greeting the royal at Calgary airport. Kate was said to have been saddened by the news that the youngster had died three years later, in 2014. Meghan and Harry shared a sweet moment with five-year-old Luke Vincent, who has Down's Syndrome, in Dubbo, New South Wales, on Wednesday As multi-millionaires with royal relations, it is of little surprise Pippa Middleton and husband James Matthews plumped for the very best when it came to buying for their baby. The new parents were seen pushing their week-old son in a 1,119 pram as they headed out for a family stroll near their 17million west London home on Sunday. The state-of-the-art pushchair is from Dutch-based brand Bugaboo, favoured by celebrity parents including Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham and Sir Elton John. Pippa Middleton and James Matthews were seen pushing their newborn son in a 1,119 Bugaboo pram as they headed out for a family stroll in west London on Sunday, pictured The newly-released Bugaboo Fox Classic model, pictured, comes complete with hand-stitched handlebars and eco-friendly fabrics - perfect for parents used to the finer things in life Pippa's older sister the Duchess of Cambridge, 37, is also rumoured to have purchased a Bugaboo design ahead of the birth of Prince George in 2013. The newly-released Bugaboo Fox Classic model comes complete with high-spec additions like hand-stitched handlebars and eco-friendly fabrics - perfect for parents used to the finer things in life. It also boasts features designed to make the precious cargo as comfortable as possible, including a quilted micro twill lining and advanced all-wheel suspension system that sounds befitting of a high super car. Pippa, 35, and financier husband James, 43, were seen with their newborn son for the first time on Sunday. Fans of the Bugaboo models include actress Gwyneth Paltrow, who chose one of the designs for daughter Apple, now 14. Pictured, Gwyneth with her newborn daughter in 2004 James Corden was seen pushing son Max, now seven, in a Bugaboo pram while strolling with then girlfriend Julia Carey in Primrose Hill, London, in September 2011 Father-of-four David Beckham also plumped for a Bugaboo pushchair for daughter Harper, now seven. Pictured, father and daughter in a park in London in June 2014 The picture of domestic bliss, the couple also brought along their two dogs, a Labrador and a Cocker Spaniel named Rafa, on the family outing in leafy Chelsea. Pippa welcomed a baby boy weighing 8lb and 9oz at the private Lindo Wing, at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, last Monday afternoon, but his name has not yet been revealed. Despite being just a few days into parenthood, the couple, who tied the knot in May last year appeared perfectly at ease as they joined Londoners soaking up the autumn sunshine. They chatted happily as they ambled along the pavement, with Pippa at one point taking hold of her husband's arm in a sweet show of affection. The Bugaboo Fox Classic, pictured in navy, can be configured with a seat or a bassinet as seen above. The pushchair boasts wheel suspension that makes the ride more stable for the baby Details like the quilted micro twill bassinet lining, pictured, makes it even more comfortable Attention has also been paid to the handlebar covers, pictured, which are hand-stitched and have a leather effect The new mother looked laid-back in a 350 day dress with ruffle detailing by favourite designer Kate Spade, which she wore under a 135 navy cardigan by Cos. She stayed comfortable in her 350 Jimmy Choo trainers - which became a pregnancy wardrobe staple - and finished the look with a pair of oversized round sunglasses and a pair of star-shaped stud earrings. Meanwhile her financier husband James was unusually casual in a red and blue plaid shirt, which he teamed with dark blue jeans and brown desert boots. He pushed their newborn son in a 1,119 Bugaboo Fox Classic pushchair. The Matthews' baby was delivered at the 7,500-a-night private maternity unit where the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to her three children. Cash-strapped millennials are securing accommodation in some of the most desirable - and expensive - parts of London by acting as 'guardians' of empty buildings that could otherwise fall prey to squatters. Comedian Luisa Omielan, who delves into the housing crisis as part of her new BBC Three series Politics for B*****s, learns how, with the help of agents, property guardians are handed the keys to empty office blocks, warehouses, old workshops and even mansions, to help keep the buildings safe and secure. She meets with Scott Franklin, a former City trader and the owner of Property Guardian Protection - which runs buildings in Clerkenwell and Bethnal Green among other areas - who showed Luisa around a cavernous four-storey warehouse complex in Zone One that's home to some 70 young guardians, making it the biggest property guardianship in the country. Luisa - whose show aims to make politics accessible by exploring topics relevant to young people today - meets some of the occupants of the building, who explain how the low cost of living makes up for their shared communal spaces - and the fact they have to notify management if they want an overnight guest. Owners of empty buildings are taking advantage of pioneering property guardianship scheme which helps people to move into spaces in central London at a fraction of the cost Comedian Comedian Luisa Omielan delves in the housing crisis as part of a new BBC Three series 'Politics for B*****s' that aims to make politics more digestible. She meets with Scott Franklin (above) As the custodian of the building Scott clears out the rooms and guardians can move in and make each space their own with their own furniture The guardians can bring in their own personal touches as they choose but the downside is they could be told to leave with just a month's notice from management Rent for the rooms in the four-storey building of former workshops in zone one central London is anything between 600-1,000 or more depending on the size According to the show, the vast central London property could house a further 70 people in addition to its current occupants. Property agent Scott explains to Luisa that the schemes offer people a chance to enjoy city living in areas where buying is not an option. He makes a deal with owners of buildings, taking over the running of an empty property as a 'custodian' - providing protection for empty spaces as well as offering preservation and maintenance. Scott takes on the associated costs thus saving the owner expense, and then in turn he charges people to stay there, with the added bonus of their presence acting as a deterrent to squatters or thieves. The former banker, who started the business in 2016 after 25 years in the City, clears out the rooms so the guardians can move in and make the space their own. However guardians have limited tenancy rights and have to sacrifice having their own bathrooms and living spaces and make do with shared communal areas. A kitchen, single washing machine and a shower room will often be shared between a minimum of around five or six guardians. Luisa meets with one guardian Naomi, who pays 650 for her room and has no worries about the short-term aspect as she likes the flexibility and 'living in the moment' One of the downsides to paying cheap rent to live in central London is the communal living spaces, from the small kitchen areas and minimal storage space for food There is usually a minimum of five or six people sharing one communal area with a shower room, a single washing machine and small living space There are 70 people living in the one building with room for double that, but many are strangers and will only ever meet in the communal areas for the first time But Scott says the arrangement is alluring for those who don't want to put down permanent roots: 'You have full flexibility, this is the whole point of guardianship it is transient living; so you have flexible living... I can [kick you out] in a months notice.' The property entrepreneur has spent 120,000 investing in fixtures and fittings for the building and provides maintenance for any problems. Naomi, a medical photographer, pays 650 for her room and says she doesnt have too many worries about being kicked out at short notice. She admits she will never be in a position to afford anywhere to buy: 'I like to live in the moment and I think thats the kind of person you have to be when you live in these spaces. You just have to live in the moment. She adds of renting long-term: You have to romanticise it because otherwise you will be constantly living in a state of anxiety.' Fashion designer David pays 1,000 for his space - which Scott says is worth double anywhere else - and likes the idea of property guardianship because of the 'cheap rent' for the area The former workshops double up as the perfect living spaces for millennials looking to be in the right location at a cheaper cost to them Fashion designer David pays 1,000 for his space - which Scott says would cost double the amount as a straightforward rental - and likes the idea of property guardianship because of the 'cheap' rent for the area. Anthony, a software designer, is used to the haphazard style of living as a property guardian, having previously had to scavenge for his own carpets to furnish a run down house with no floors, windows or heating that he lived in before just because it was so cheap in London. But its not all so straightforward for the residents, if theyd like an overnight guest they have to get permission from Scott, which could prove awkward in the heat of the moment. 'They can [have people stay] but they have to inform the office and let us know,' Scott explains. Luisa Omielan Politics for B*****s is available to watch on BBC Three iPlayer now A blogger who went viral for showcasing her huge stomach while pregnant with triplets has continued to post pictures of her real post-partum body - including her slowly shrinking baby bump. Maria Nord Jrstad, who is originally from Norway but lives in Denmark, has been sharing snaps of her adorable triplets - Iben, Filip and Agnes - and also her ever-changing body on her Instagram account, Triplets of Copenhagen. The mother-of-four is keen to speak about the 'taboo' topic of her post-baby body, and hasn't shied away from talking about how long she is taking to recover. Maria told Femail: 'I think I had it in the back of my mind [to continue taking pictures after giving birth], I thought it would be interesting to show the other side of it as well, because there aren't many people who share that. Maria, pictured while 35 weeks pregnant, said: 'This is the reality for many women and you never see pictures like that' The mother-of-four is keen to speak about the 'taboo' topic. She added: 'I think that there has been a small revolution during the last few years - with the Me Too and Time's up movements in front line - where women have started speaking up about female issues that until now has been kind of taboo.' Left: one week after giving birth, right, four weeks post-partum Maria Nord Jrstad, pictured with her triplets Iben, Filip and Agnes, went viral earlier this year after sharing a video showcasing her huge baby bump while 34 weeks pregnant '[My stomach] is still showing, I was kind of surprised that it was still so big. I didn't know that it takes such a long time to shrink. 'I found it kind of interesting, this is the reality for many women and you never see pictures like that.' Maria, whose follower count shot up from 4,000 to more than 200,000 in just a week after sharing a video of her bump at 34 weeks, has been widely praised by mothers for her pictures. A recent photograph of her body four weeks after giving birth has racked up nearly 25,000 likes and hundreds of comments praising her honesty. One user said: 'Thanks for sharing "real" photos. Hope you are doing well with the triplets!!' The Instagram blogger has been sharing pictures of her body every step of the way and has continued to do so even after giving birth The mother-of-four has been praised across the globe for her posts, with many thanking her for sharing real photos and talking about her post-partum body. Pictured: Maria two days after giving birth Another added: 'I'm so glad you posted this picture because it is horrible [that we] live in a fake world... Not every woman have beautiful body after pregnancy...' One Instagram follower wrote: 'Thank you for being so honest and brave! Lots of Love and Respect from Germany!' Maria decided to start her Instagram account because she had never met anyone with triplets before and she wanted to document the very special experience. Less than 10 women in Denmark have triplets every year, but through her account, Maria has found a network of other mothers with triplets. Now the mother, who works as a producer on documentaries, is hoping her story will inspire others to share their own and be honest about their bodies after giving birth. Less than 30 women in Denmark have triplets every year, but through her account, Maria has found a network of other mothers with triplets She believes that the world is going through a big change and more women are feeling comfortable about sharing their real stories - especially in the post-Me Too era. The 36 year old added: 'I think that there has been a small revolution during the last few years - with the Me Too and Time's up movements in front line - where women have started speaking up about female issues that until now has been kind of taboo. Not spoken about. 'And social media has been the biggest platform to share these personal stories, like how you look and feel like after giving birth.' She plans to continue sharing her post-partum body and her eagerness to get her body back to normal. Maria added: 'I compared it with my first pregnancy where I got back to shape really quickly. I just want my body back and to wear normal clothes again, I'm still having to wear pregnancy trousers and pants and it's so heavy to carry around.' Winter is closing in fast, and many shoppers are on the hunt for an on-trend coat that won't bust the budget. Now Topshop has come to the rescue with an 85 faux fur number that offers a touch of designer flair with a high street price tag. The snug belted coat bears a striking resemblance to a stand-out number by celebrity favourite Tibi. Both coats boast a similar plush texture, robe style belt, and on-trend chocolate shade - but the high-end version if more than seven times the price at 635. The time has come to purchase a new winter coat, and Topshop's latest collection includes this designer-inspired faux fur number with a robe style belt Could Topshop have taken inspiration from Tibi's luxurious faux fur belted coat, which costs a staggering 635? On first glance the main difference is that Tibi's version appears to be a lighter shade of brown and doesn't use a black buckle to tie the front. Tibi's coat is made from 100 per cent acrylic in comparison with Topshop's 100 per cent polyester composition. Both styles are dry clean only, feature large pockets and are luxuriously soft to the touch. Both Topshop and the Matches website, where Tibi is stocked, styled their respective coats with straight cut jeans or trousers and leather boots. Topshop's 100 per cent polyester faux fur coat retails at 85, meanwhile Tibi's 100 per cent acrylic alternative is priced at 635 Topshop paired their faux fur coat with black accessories for a casual look Topshop's coat is just one among many designer dupes available on the Great British high street, offering shoppers a high-end look at affordable prices. Loved by royalty and reality stars alike, Valentino's Rockstud pumps have established themselves as a modern classic since their release eight years ago. But the 650 price tag put them out of reach to most of us - until Missguided unveiled its budget-friendly homage. The UK-based website unveiled a style with the same studdeed straps as the distinctive designer shoes, but at just 25, they were just a fraction of the cost. Cult favourite: Loved by royalty and reality stars alike, Valentino's 650 Rockstud pumps, pictured, have established themselves as a modern classic since their release eight years ago Designer dupes: UK-based online retailer Missguided unveiled a style, pictured, with the same strap design and distinctive studs as the original. But at just 25, they're a fraction of the cost It was only the latest in a string of budget alternatives to the designer classic, with ASOS and Primark also unveiling their own versions over the years. The Valentino shoe began as a towering stiletto but the design has now been adapted for flats and even slides. They also come in a dazzling array of colours, from the most subtle nude to the in-your-face brights. Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Reese Witherspoon, Emma Stone and Gigi Hadid are just a handful of the dozens of stars who have been seen out and about in a pair. Queen Letizia of Spain cut an elegant figure in a black and white dress as she joined her husband King Felipe IV for a journalism awards ceremony in Madrid. The Spanish royals were on hand to honour the winners of the 35th annual Francisco Cerecedo award, which is given to journalists who promote freedom of expression. Letizia, a former TV reporter, put on a glamorous display at the event on Monday night. Queen Letizia of Spain cut an elegant figure in a black and white dress as she joined her husband King Felipe IV for a journalism awards ceremony in Madrid on Monday night, pictured Letizia, a former TV reporter, put on a glamorous display at the event, bringing a touch of sparkle with a pair of large diamond hoop earrings that glittered in the soft lighting, pictured The Spanish queen, 46, wore a black fit-and-flare dress that featured a flattering white stripe at the hip and fell below the knee. She paired the cocktail frock with a pair of black patent leather pointed heels and a black mini clutch by Italian design house Bottega Veneta. Bringing a touch of sparkle, the royal finished the look with a pair of large diamond hoop earrings that glittered in the soft lighting. Letizia, who worked for news outlets including CNN before marrying into the Spanish royal family, opted for a dramatic eye look and wore her shoulder length hair in voluminous waves. The Spanish queen, 46,paired the cocktail frock with a pair of black patent leather pointed heels and a black mini clutch by Italian design house Bottega Veneta, pictured Meanwhile King Felipe, 50, looked dashing in a black suit and a patterned purple tie. The couple looked in excellent spirits as they posed for pictures with the deputy prime minister, Carmen Calvo, and journalist Ruben Amon at the event. Letizia, whose father Jesus Jose Ortiz Alvarez and stepmother Ana Togores are both journalists, worked in TV and newspapers before marrying Felipe in 2004. After a stint at Asturian daily paper, La Nueva Espana, she went on to work for ABC, a popular national newspaper that enjoys the third largest circulation in Spain. The couple looked in excellent spirits as they posed for pictures with the deputy prime minister, Carmen Calvom fourth from left, and journalist Ruben Amon, seen next to Letizia Next came a stint at Spanish news agency EFE before a move to Guadalajara in Mexico saw her take on a role on local paper, Siglo 21. Back in Spain a year later, she worked for the Spanish version of Bloomberg, a news channel and agency specialising in economics, before moving to CNN+. By the time she met her husband-to-be, Letizia was working for popular TV channel 24 Horas, where along with anchoring the popular Telediario 2 evening news bulletin, she reported on a wide range of breaking news events, among them the 2000 US presidential elections and the 9/11 attacks. Perhaps as a result of her reporting background, Letizia is one of the most enthusiastically pro-newspaper royals in Europe and regularly turns out for journalist charities and awards ceremonies. Royal style watchers were treated to a glimpse of Meghan Markle on Fraser Island yesterday when she surfaced from her rest in a contemporary linen dress. The Duchess of Sussex, 37, opted for a semi-sheer maxi with a thigh high split from LA brand Reformation priced at $305.91 (GBP 166.56; USD $218), which many commentators dubbed her 'most daring' ensemble yet. But it wasn't the raciness of the summer gown that attracted most attention. Eagle eyed enthusiasts were quick to point out the similarities between Meghan's floaty frock and a neutral hued, sheer skirt worn by Princess Diana on a visit to a nursery school in 1980. The Duchess of Sussex, 37, paid a subtle tribute to her late mother-in-law by wearing a semi-sheer maxi dress with a thigh high split by LA brand Reformation ($305.91 AUD) Eagle eyed enthusiasts were quick to point out the similarities between Meghan's floaty frock and a neutral hued, sheer skirt worn by Princess Diana on a visit to a nursery school in 1980 38 years apart, the flimsy grey and white fabric of both garments caught the sun in the same striking fashion, meaning you could see both royal's legs underneath. The 'Pineapple' dress, which the Duchess wore to explore the Queensland tourist hotspot with Prince Harry, marked a dramatic departure for the mother-to-be who has gravitated towards a more conservative wardrobe during her first trimester. The Duchess' linen dress was buttoned at the thigh to avoid flashing too much skin, and she paired the cotton number with lace-up sandals by Sarah Flint and sunglasses by Karen Walker. Australia's balmy climate - and the fact that she is no longer hiding her baby bump - may account for Meghan's more relaxed approach. The Duchess paired the cotton number with lace-up sandals by Sarah Flint and sunglasses by Karen Walker Whether the similar sartorial selection was intentional or otherwise, it's not the first time the Duchess has paid tribute to her late mother-in-law on the royal tour of Oceania. On the Sussexes' first day in Australia, Meghan donned a gold bracelet and a pair of butterfly earrings which once belonged to Princess Diana. The late Princess first wore the diamond encrusted studs on her own royal tour of Canada with Prince Charles in May 1986. She sported the chunky gold bangle on an outing in London in 1990. It's not the first time the Duchess has paid tribute to her late mother in law on the royal tour of Oceania; she wore diamond encrusted earrings and a gold bracelet which belonged to the Princess on the first day of engagements at Admiralty House in Sydney On Tuesday, the Sussexes prepared to leave Australia and head to Fiji as they continue their first royal tour as a married couple. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived back on the Australian mainland on Tuesday morning after spending the previous day on Fraser Island. Their Royal Highnesses will be greeted by a Guard of Honour at Suva airport on arrival in Fiji, before calling on His Excellency The President of Fiji at Borron House. From there, the royal couple will leave Albert Park for the Grand Pacific Hotel to attend a Reception and a State Dinner hosted by The President of Fiji, at which The Duke will speak. On Wednesday, His Royal Highness will lay a wreath at the Fiji War Memorial and meet a number of Fijian war veterans, some of whom served with the British Armed Forces. The couple will then visit the University of the South Pacific campus in Suva, after which their program will split. The Duke will travel to Colo-i-Suva Forest Park and The Duchess to the British High Commissioner's Residence, shortly followed by a trip to Suva Market. On Thursday, Their Royal Highnesses will travel to the city of Nadi in Western Fiji, where they will attend a special event at Nadi Airport. After an official welcome ceremony, The Duke and Duchess will unveil a new statue commemorating Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba. From Nadi Airport, the newlyweds will take a chartered flight to Tonga. The Moroccan government will support young entrepreneurs by canceling their debts owed to the State provided the overall or the remaining amount is less than $5000. The move was unveiled on Monday by Economy and Finance Minister Mohamed Benchaaboun while presenting the 2019 draft finance bill to the Parliament. It seeks to help young entrepreneurs overcome conjunctural difficulties, encourage them create SMEs, support youth entrepreneurship, social businesses and self-employment initiatives. This youth-oriented drive comes after the speech made by King Mohammed VI at the opening of the parliamentary fall session. In his speech, the Monarch said the youth employment is one of my foremost concerns, noting that there are a number of sectors which can contribute to creating more job opportunities. Thus, the 2019 draft budget increased funding for the creation of 40,248 jobs in the public sector. The government plans to spend $6.8 billion on education, $1.6 billion on health care and 1.7 billion in subsidies for wheat, cooking gas & sugar to support the local purchasing power and reduce social disparities. Youth employment and the improvement of the performance of the sectors of education and health are the top priorities of the Moroccan government facing social and economic challenges. To fund the projects laid out in these priority sectors, the government intends to launch a new privatization program, and pledges to encourage investments and reduce budget deficit to 3.3 percent of GDP in 2019. In August, King Mohammed VI called for the establishment of a new development model that would close the social and economic gaps, while focusing on youth employment, education and training. A good bottle of bubbly is always a nice addition to a celebration and it's even better when it's affordable without forgoing taste. Australian wine label Chancellor & Co has won two trophies at the National Moscato Challenge - Best Sparkling Moscato Trophy and the coveted 'best in show' National Moscato Challenge Winner Trophy. The award-winning bottle in question is the Sparkling Pink Moscato, available exclusively through BWS for just $5 a bottle. Chancellor & Co has won two Trophies at the National Moscato Challenge with their $5 Sparkling Pink Moscato (stock image) The pink moscato has a fresh and fruity character and has an exciting aroma of musk, rose, citrus and pear. The $5 pink moscato is full of fruity character (pictured) 'We are beyond thrilled that Chancellor & Co have again triumphed in the hard-fought National Moscato Challenge with their Sparkling Pink Moscato,' Nitin Arora, the BWS Category Manager for Wine, said. 'We are delighted that we continue to offer extraordinary quality and value to our customers for $5 a bottle.' This year's exciting wins completes a quadrella of top awards in recent years. The 2016 Chancellor & Co Moscato also won a coveted trophy in the 2016 National Moscato Challenge. Chancellor & Co said they're proud to have been awarded a trophy for a wine that costs only $5, competing against many entries at twice the price or more. 'We are beyond thrilled that Chancellor & Co have again triumphed in the hard-fought National Moscato Challenge with their Sparkling Pink Moscato,' Nitin Arora said (stock image) 'One of the factors ensuring Moscato is perennially popular here is its low alcohol level,' National Moscato Challenge Chief Steward, Colin Free, said. This is what makes it suitable for brunches and daytime occasions, as well as a popular introductory wine for first time drinkers. The challenge is open to all Australian producers of this wine style, with Trophies fiercely-contested by a range of well-known, established producers. A woman has revealed her shock at receiving an invitation to a bridal shower that requested she bring food along as well as an envelope of cash. Taking to an Australian Facebook group, the woman said the invitation to the potluck dinner included requests for a salad or a dessert and it advised the event would be an 'envelope party'. While giving money at a wedding isn't an uncommon practice, the woman said she was baffled that the handwritten invitation to the bridal shower included a request for cash. Describing the invitation's demands as 'classless', the post sparked a furious debate online, with nearly 500 people leaving comments. A woman has revealed details of a bridal party invitation (pictured) which also includes requests for food The woman said while shared meals were something of a tradition in her family, she 'personally didn't think potlucks were a wedding/bridal shower thing'. 'To me, that's just tacky, and then to tell me and my mom what to bring as our dish? No thank you.' The woman also revealed the mother-of-the-bride, whom she believed to be behind the potluck and envelope bridal shower, had also been hosting 'flower making parties'. This woman reveals why her family is planning a potluck bridal shower, one that also includes a request for cash She explained these events were to give family and those in the bridal party the opportunity to 'go over and make their flower decorations for the venue'. The woman also said that when she told her aunt she didn't want to attend the 'flower parties' because she was busy working or 'doing literally anything else better than making flowers' her aunt took offence. The post sparked a furious debate online with many commenters quick to say how 'horrifying' and 'tacky' they found the requests for money and food. The woman said while potluck meals were somewhat of a tradition in her family, she 'personally didn't think potlucks were a wedding/bridal shower thing' 'Its a NO!' wrote one user. 'They should at least feed you if you are asked to bring money to an envelope in a shower. Im happy to bring a dish, especially if its a close friend but... Im feeling a strong NO!' Another chimed in saying: 'Dont throw a party if you cant afford to feed your guests AND if you cant afford to feed your guests dont ask them to bring food AND money.' 'So they want your money and they also dont want to supply the party and expect the guests to do that too?' A third added. 'I would laugh at this and the person who gave it to me.' Advertisement Maxima of the Netherlands greeted the Queen with a friendly peck on the cheek when the two royals met in London this morning. The statuesque 5ft 8in Dutch queen, who is on a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom, towered over the 5ft 4in monarch in vertiginous stilettos after arriving at Horse Guards Parade on Tuesday morning for a ceremonial welcome. Britain rolled out the red carpet for King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima as the two nations marked the first state visit from a sitting Dutch monarch for almost 40 years. After arriving in the capital last night, Willem-Alexander, 51 and his Argentine-born consort were met by a spectacular gun salute to formally kick off a two-day visit that will take them everywhere from Buckingham Palace to Brixton and the House of Commons. The VIP visitors enjoyed a traditional military welcome on Horse Guards Parade at the start of their two-day state visit to Britain, before being treated to a glittering state banquet tonight in a full display of pomp and pageantry. Maxima, known for her flamboyant wardrobe, was uncharacteristically pared back in a pale pink dress coat - believed to be from Claes Iversen - featuring frayed seams and cinched at the waist with a wide belt. A kiss for a queen: The famously tactile Dutch royal took the Queen's hands before bending down to plant a kiss on her cheek. The royal couple are embarking on an action packed two-day itinerary that will see them visit Westminster Palace The Queen and King Willem-Alexander travel to Buckingham Palace in the state coach. More than 1,000 troops and hundreds of horses will take part in the visit this week, a spokesperson for the Army said, with Major General Ben Bathurst, Major General Commanding the Household Division, commanding all troops on parade The Queen, the Prince of Wales and their guests pose for a group photo after arriving at Buckingham Palace this afternoon by carriage. Charles stepped in for his elderly father, the Duke of Edinburgh, who retired from public duties last summer Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander, left, were welcomed to Clarence House by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. The royals took tea together in Charles and Camilla's London residence Queen Maxima appeared delighted as she was led into one of the reception rooms at Clarence House, pictured. The Dutch royals were invited to take tea with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall on Tuesday afternoon More than 1,000 troops and hundreds of horses will take part in the visit this week, a spokesperson for the Army said, with Major General Ben Bathurst, Major General Commanding the Household Division, commanding all troops on parade. State visits are the highest form of diplomatic contact between sovereign states and are regarded as high points in the ceremonial season, requiring extensive preparations and rehearsals. The last state visit from the Netherlands was by Queen Beatrix and Prince Claus in November 1982; prior to that, Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard paid a state visit to the UK in April 1972. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh also paid a state visit to Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands in March 1958. Maxima and Willem-Alexander visit Westminster Abbey, where they laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior as prayers were said by the Dean. They were then taken on a short tour of the Abbey, which will include visiting the resting place of William and Mary The Dutch king appeared solemn as he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey on Tuesday Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander took a moment to remember those who had lost their lives during the visit The Dutch King, who is on a two-day tour with his wife, signed a guest book at Westminster Abbey before moving on Queen Maxima of the Netherlands appeared animated as she was given a tour of Westminster Abbey on Tuesday The Dutch royals were given a short tour of the Abbey during their visit on the first day of their two day State Visit to the UK Queen Maxima listened intently as she was given a tour of the breathtaking Westminster Abbey on Tuesday afternoon Westminster Abbey was resplendent in the autumn sunshine as King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima toured it King Willem-Alexander makes an address to Parliamentarians and other guests at the Palace of Westminster on Tuesday Prime Minister Theresa May spoke to a colleague as she waited for the Dutch king to arrive and give his speech Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, seated, joined Speaker of the House John Bercow, seated right, on stage for the speech In his speech, the Dutch king aid Brexit 'truly saddens us' but that the Netherlands respects Britains decision Following King Willem-Alexander's speech, Parliamentarians broke into cheers, throwing their hands up into the air The moment touched the Dutch king, who applauded warmly at the rapturous reception he had been given The Dutch king and queen also met Jeremy Corbyn at a private audience in the 1844 room at Buckingham Palace The Labour leader shook hands with King Willem-Alexander and welcomed the couple to Britain on their State Visit Ahead of Tuesday's formal welcome ceremony, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall greeted their guests on behalf of the Queen at the Dutch Ambassador's Residence in Kensington, west London. King Willem Alexander - who took to the throne following his mother's abdication in 2013 - and his wife then travelled with Charles and Camilla to Horse Guards Parade to receive a ceremonial welcome. Camilla, 71, looked smart in a navy dress coat from Fiona Clare featuring white floral embroidery on the bodice and cuffs, teamed with leather courts from Sole Bliss. Just before midday, a Guard of Honour of 96 Rank and File of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards formed up on Horse Guards Parade. Following lunch, the Queen accompanied her guests for a viewing of Dutch items from the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace. Willem-Alexander and Maxima will later travel on to the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey A salute for the Queen after she disembarks the Diamond Jubilee State Coach at Buckingham Palace with King Willem-Alexander following shortly behind. After travelling from Horse Guards Parade, the two couples sat down for a private lunch The Dutch queen, known for her flamboyant style, was uncharacteristically pared back in a powder pink dress coat cinched at the waist with a wide buckled belt and frayed detail. She paired it with suede stilettos and an on-trend wide headbank Maxima and Charles arrive at Buckingham Palace. The Dutch queen wore a pale pink dress coat featuring tiered fringe detail and a large waist belt. She teamed her look with a statement headband and pointed suede stilettos this morning The two heads of state looked to be getting along famously as they chatted during their short carriage ride up the Mall to Buckingham Palace, where they will enjoy a private lunch ahead of tonight's state banquet for hundreds of guests A carriage fit for a king! The Queen and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands travel to Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach following their ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade on Tuesday morning The two monarchs travel to Buckingham Palace together. King Willem-Alexander, 51 and his Argentine-born consort were met by a spectacular gun salute this morning to formally kick off a two-day visit that will take them everywhere from Buckingham Palace to Brixton and the House of Commons Crowds line the Mall to catch a glimpse of the royals. The Queen and King Willem-Alexander travelled together in style aboard the spectacular Diamond Jubilee State Coach (pictured), with Maxima and Camilla following closely behind Travelling in style: The Queen and King Willem-Alexander in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. Built in 2014, the carriage features a 360-degree coachcam offering a monarchs-eye view of the procession, gold-plated hydraulics, motor-racing technology and a mini 'museum' The Queen and King Willem-Alexander travelled together in style aboard the state-of-the-art Diamond Jubilee State Coach, built in 2014, with Maxima and Camilla following closely behind as they made their way to Buckingham Palace The monarch, dressed in head to to purple, could be seen smiling as the Diamond Jubilee State Coach took her to the palace for lunch. The 92-year-old wore a large decorative flower in her hat and accessorised with a pair of pearl earrings The Diamond Jubilee State coach - also known as the State Coach Britannia - awaits the Queen and King Willem-Alexander following the Ceremonial Welcome at Horse Guards Parade this morning before the royals travelled to Buckingham Palace A member of the Household Cavalry tries to calm his horse on The Mall after he fell off during the state carriage procession for the state visit to the UK by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands this morning Welkom! Dutch Queen Maxima meets military officials on Horse Guards Parade. She was accompanied by car alongside the Duchess of Cornwall this morning, after arriving in London last night with her husband for the two-day state visit The two Queens, who previously met in 2013 following King Willem-Alexander's ascension to the Dutch throne, appeared to be getting along famously as they shared a laugh on Horse Guards Parade (left). Mother-of-three Maxima, who was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was dressed in a mushroom-coloured coat dress and matching hairband (right)) Firm friends: The two Queens could be seen chatting animatedly as they were joined by the Duchess of Cornwall, fourth right, during her ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade in London this morning The two Queens were upstanding as their respective national anthems were played. The VIP Dutch visitors enjoyed a traditional ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade at the start of their two-day state visit to Britain, before being treated to a glittering state banquet tonight in a full display of pomp and pageantry A kiss for the Queen: The Dutch monarch greeted Her Majesty with a kiss on the cheek as the pair met on Horse Guards Parade this morning to kick off the start of the two-day state visit which will see him and Maxima travel around the capital Maxima's husband, King Willem-Alexander, also greeted the Queen with a warm pack on the cheek as the pair met on Horse Guards Parade to watch a show-stopping military display on the first day of the Dutch state visit to the UK The Queen looked delighted to be reunited with her 'North Sea neighbour' King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, after he and wife Queen Maxima arrived in London this morning to kick off their two-day state visit on Horse Guards Parade King Willem Alexander - who took to the throne following his mother's abdication in 2013 - inspects a Guard of Honour this morning. He and his wife had travelled with Charles and Camilla to Horse Guards Parade to receive a ceremonial welcome The Dutch king alighted from his car and walked up to the Royal Pavilion, where a 41 Gun Salute was fired before the Queen - dressed in a purple coat and matching hat - invited Willem-Alexander to formally inspect the Guard of Honour (pictured) King Willem-Alexander and Prince Charles review the Honour Guard during a ceremonial welcome at the start of the state visit on Horse Guards Parade this morning. After meeting the Queen, the group continued on to Buckingham Palace The Prince of Wales accompanied Dutch King Willem-Alexander to watch the welcome ceremony after the pair travelled together by car from the Dutch Embassy this morning. The royals' visit is the first from a sitting Dutch monarch for almost 40 years, the government said in an announcement earlier this year The Duchess of Cornwall, 71, looked smart in a black dress coat featuring white floral embroidery on the bodice and cuffs. She teamed the wool coat with a statement black hat, leather court shoes, and a string of pearls The Mounted Band of The Household Cavalry provided musical support to the Sovereign's Escort, who will be next on parade having ridden down from Hyde Park Barracks, Knightsbridge. Shortly after midday, the car procession of King Willem-Alexander with Charles, and Queen Maxima with Camilla, entered the Front Yard from Whitehall. The Dutch king then alighted from his car and walked up to the Royal Pavilion, where a 41 Gun Salute was fired before the Queen - dressed in a purple coat and matching hat - invited Willem-Alexander to formally inspect the Guard of Honour. Accompanied by the Queen and Prince Philip, the Dutch royals then departed Horse Guards for Buckingham Palace in a spectacular carriage procession along The Mall - which has been decked out in UK and Dutch flags for the occasion - escorted by mounted soldiers from the Household Cavalry. The Queen and King Willem-Alexander travelled together in style aboard the spectacular Diamond Jubilee State Coach - also known as the State Coach Britannia - with Maxima and Camilla following closely behind. Built in 2014, the carriage features a 360-degree coachcam offering a monarchs-eye view of the procession, gold-plated hydraulics, motor-racing technology and a mini 'museum'. The Queen, dressed in a vibrant purple coat and matching hat, was in high spirits as she arrived at Horse Guards Parade shortly before midday to greet King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands on the first day of their state visit The Queen, resplendent in a purple coat dress and matching hat, shakes hands with Theresa May on the dias as they take their places for a ceremonial welcome for King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands on Horse Guards Parade After performing her signature deep curtsy, the PM joined dignitaries and officials on the dias at Horse Guards Parade where she and the Queen will await the arrival of the Dutch royals, who are travelling by car for the military parade The Queen inspects the troops at Horse Guards Parade after arriving by car this morning. After greeting her VIP guests, she travelled by carriage to Buckingham Palace where the two royal families enjoyed a private lunch Prime Minister Theresa May, joined by Secretary Sajid Javid and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, arrive to attend a ceremonial welcome for King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands on Horse Guards Parade in London today Welcome to London: Ahead of Tuesday's formal welcome ceremony, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall greeted their guests on behalf of the Queen at the Dutch Ambassador's Residence in Kensington, west London Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands (far right and second right) enjoy a reception at the Dutch embassy in London before heading to Horse Guards Parade for a military procession before meeting the Queen Maxima and Willem-Alexander looked delighted as they met with the Prince of Wales this morning at the Dutch Ambassador's Residence in London, formally kicking off the first morning of their two-day state visit to the United Kingdom The Duchess of Cornwall performed a deep curtsy as she met the Dutch royals at the embassy in Kensington this morning. Charles was smart in a formal suit while his wife opted for a smart black ensemble in contrast with their guests After a formal greeting, the group posed for a picture before leaving the Dutch Ambassador's Residence for Horse Guards Parade by car. They then headed to Buckingham Palace by carriage for a private lunch with the Queen and Prince Philip The group of four leave the Dutch Ambassador's residence in Kensington this morning before heading to Horse Guards Parade. King Willem-Alexander and Prince Charles looked to be getting along famously as they chatted amongst themselves Welcome to London! Crowds gathered outside the Dutch Embassy on Exhibition Road this morning as the Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima departed for Horse Guards Parade to meet the Queen Welcome party: The Dutch royals received a warm welcome as they left the Dutch Ambassador's residence this morning before making the short journey to Horse Guards Parade to watch a gun salute Dutch royals state visit: A day-by-day itinerary TUESDAY 23 OCTOBER . State Carriage arrival at Buckingham Palace . Display of Dutch items from the Royal Collection, Buckingham Palace . Visit to Westminster Abbey and Palace of Westminster . Tea with Prince Charles and Camilla at Clarence House . State banquet, Buckingham Palace WEDNESDAY 24th OCTOBER . Breakfast and UK-Netherlands Innovation Showcase, Mansion House . HNLMS Zeeland Marine Demonstration . Visit to Pop Brixton . Meeting with the Prime Minister at No. 10 Downing Street . Formal Farewell with the Queen, Buckingham Palace Advertisement Following a private lunch at the Palace with the Queen, the Dutch royals will be shown a special exhibition in the palace's Picture Gallery, made up of items from the Royal Collection relating to the Netherlands. Afterwards, they will visit Westminster Abbey, where they will lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior as prayers are said by the Dean. They will then be taken on a short tour of the Abbey, which will include visiting the resting place of William and Mary. Later on, The King and Queen will visit the Palace of Westminster, where they will be welcomed by the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Speaker before Willem-Alexander delivers an address in the Royal Gallery. The Foot Guards and Cavalry of the Household Division, the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the Honourable Artillery Company and the Queen's Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force will provide the military component for the Dutch royals' visit this week, with important ceremonial events taking place across both days. Union Flags and Dutch national flags decorate The Mall leading to Buckingham Palace in central London on Monday evening on the eve of the state visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands Coldstream Guards arrives at Horse Guards Parade, London, for the ceremonial welcome for the state visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands on 23 October. The visit will run over two days and focus on London In the afternoon, they will be hosted by Charles and Camilla for tea at Clarence House before heading back to the palace. A glittering state banquet will be held tonight at Buckingham Palace, where the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment will provide staircase lining parties and the Countess of Wessex's String Orchestra will play music during the meal. The government has said that the first state visit to Britain by a sitting Dutch monarch since Queen Beatrix in 1982 're-affirms the excellent ties between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom as North Sea neighbours based on shared values in the past, present and future'. The announcement in July came as the UK continues to negotiate divorce terms from the European Union, of which the Netherlands is a founding member. Identical twins who were born female are now brothers after they both came out as transgender at the age of 18. Jack and Jace Grafe, now 23 and originally from Baltimore, Maryland, started life as Jaclyn and Jennifer in June 1995, growing up in a conservative Christian home. But despite being brought up in a happy household, the brothers admit they cried themselves to sleep as children and prayed to wake up as boys, not understanding what it meant to be transgender. Jack and Jace, who now live in Monroe, Georgia, came out at the age of 18 and are now transitioning as a duo in a rare case. They are both in happy relationships with women. The twins, who share the same DNA, have both grown facial hair since they began taking testosterone in April 2017, and underwent chest surgery in August. Now the criminal justice graduates, who both work in law enforcement, have shared their extraordinary story in a bid to inspire others who may be going through similar experiences. Jack and Jace Grafe, 23, originally from Baltimore, Maryland, were born girls but have finally become brothers after they both came out as transgender and transitioned to male (Jace left, Jack right, March 2018) Jack, a deputy sheriff's officer, said: 'As a kid I would cry and pray to God that I would wake up in a male body, not even understanding that being transgender was a thing. 'Now, I am the happiest with myself that I have been in my entire life. That uncomfortable feeling we had before has completely gone.' He continued: 'When we came out, it was to our whole family - mum, dad and our older sister. 'Our parents had never seen anything like it. They have never experienced gay or transgender people and my dad is a pastor. We live in Georgia.' Jack and Jace originally from Baltimore, Maryland, started life as Jaclyn and Jennifer in June 1995, growing up in a conservative Christian home. Jace left, Jack right seen as young girls The twins, who have the same DNA, have grown facial hair since they began taking testosterone in April 2017 and underwent chest surgery in August 2018. Jack left, Jace right post surgery in August 2018 Explaining the battle he faced, Jack added: 'At work I have had my fair share of people calling me a 'sh*t' - she, he, it. Usually they just don't understand. 'People still refer to us as female. Whenever I hear 'she' or 'her' it is like a kick in the stomach. 'It hurts but I get it. At a young age, I was skeptical of it myself. For some people, it is a hard pill to swallow. 'There are times when I wish I was just born - and I don't mean this in a negative way -but 'normal', and that I was biologically male. Despite being brought up in a happy household, the brothers admit they cried themselves to sleep as children and prayed to wake up as boys, not understanding what it meant to be transgender. Jack left Jace right aged two. Jack and Jace, who now live in Monroe, Georgia, came out at the age of 18 and are now transitioning as a duo in a rare case. Jace left, Jack right, seen aged 13 'People say, 'You will never be able to change your chromosomes, you can only change the outside.' 'There are still times when I come home and break down.' Jace, who is also a deputy officer and just started in the police academy, added: 'Honestly, the twin thing has helped. 'If I was to go back to when I was 15 or 16 I would never think in a million years that I would have got to this point. 'It was a fantasy and I always wished it was going to happy but I wasn't brave enough. I didn't have the guts. 'Being a twin means I don't feel alone. Somebody else is experiencing the exact same things as I am going through and that made me stronger.' At the age of 15, the twins began attending cosplay conventions where they dressed up as male characters, something they both say 'felt natural'. In their senior year - Jack left Jace right, aged 17. Jace left, Jack right, January 2018. When they finished high school they hacked off their hair and they later came out to one another, firstly as gay aged 16 and two years later as transgender Growing up, the Grafe girls wore boyish clothes, assumed the role of dad or brother when playing house and, as teenagers, had crushes on female classmates. But they also attended a strict religious school and say they ran the risk of being thrown out if they also revealed their feelings so didn't tell anyone - not even each other. Then, at the age of 15, the twins began attending cosplay conventions where they dressed up as male characters, something they both say 'felt natural'. When they finished high school they hacked off their hair and they later came out to one another, firstly as gay aged 16 and two years later as transgender. Growing up, the Grafe girls wore boyish clothes, assumed the role of dad or brother when playing house and, as teenagers, had crushes on female classmates. Jace left Jack right 2016 Five years on Jace, of Athens, Georgia, is dating Emory College student Jess Smith, 19, and Jack is engaged to bakery manager Maygon Arrington, 22, whom he lives with in nearby Monroe, Georgia. Jack said: 'It was even hard to tell each other that we liked girls, but when I told Jace and asked if he would have a different opinion of me he was like, 'No, I feel the same way.' 'When he said 'me too' I felt relieved and not alone any more. It was scary.. I was honestly terrified.' Jace left Jack right. As well as identifying as men at work and home, the Grafe twins have been legally recognized as male by the state as of September 29. Jace added: 'I felt the same way about the whole thing. We talked to each other about everything but this was the one subject we were awkward about. 'We were raised in a really religious household and didn't want to tell each other how we were feeling because we were scared the other would judge us. 'I was scared because I held my twin's opinion higher than anybody else so if he didn't accept me I would be devastated. 'At one point I even tried to date a guy to see if the feelings would go away but they didn't. They were permitted to change the gender marker on their driving licenses after undergoing chest surgery side by side on August 17 at Georgia Plastic Surgery. Jack just after surgery in August 'I found out Jack was transgender through a Facebook post on his profile, which was specifically for our cosplay friends and had no family. 'I was like, 'If you feel like this why didn't you tell me?' He said it was awkward, that it was much more than saying, 'Oh, I like girls.' 'I said, 'Well, if you talked to me you would have known that that is how I feel as well.' 'After that we decided to refer to ourselves as brothers and asked our cosplay friends to refer to us as male.' Despite not coming out until adulthood and keeping their gender identity secret from each other, both twins felt the same way - that they were male, not female. Dr Sheldon Lincenberg removed their breast tissue and contoured their chests to make the area appear more masculine. Jack, five days post op in August Despite not coming out until adulthood and keeping their gender identity secret from each other, both twins felt the same way - that they were male, not female. Jace one month post surgery. Recent studies suggest identical twins are more likely to simultaneously experience gender dysphoria than non-identical twins. Of 23 monozygotic or identical twins, 39 per cent were concordant for gender identity disorder, according to a literature review published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. None of the 21 dizygotic - non-identical - twins were concordant, suggesting a possible genetic or biological link with being transgender. As well as identifying as men at work and home, the Grafe twins have been legally recognized as male by the state as of September 29. Five years on Jace, of Athens, Georgia, is dating Emory College student Jess Smith, 19,- Jace and girlfriend Jessica Smith Meanwhile Jack is engaged to bakery manager Maygon Arrington, 22, whom he lives with in nearby Monroe, Georgia- Jack and Maygon, who got engaged on Friday. They were permitted to change the gender marker on their driving licenses after undergoing chest surgery side by side on August 17 at Georgia Plastic Surgery. Dr Sheldon Lincenberg removed their breast tissue and contoured their chests to make the area appear more masculine. 'Their identity is set inside themselves,' Dr. Lincenberg told Fox 5. 'They're not trying to change that. They just want the world to see them as they are.' Jack added: 'It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders. 'The best way I can describe it is to imagine one of the biggest insecurities you've had for a long time and all of a sudden it's just gone. 'My girlfriend asked me if it was weird that my body is different now. Honestly, it was more weird for them to be there than not. 'Now it feels natural.' The Duchess of Sussex dazzled in diamonds and a full length cape blue dress by designer SAFiYAA at black tie reception on the first night of her royal tour in Fiji. Her spectacular 1,095 outfit, worn with her hair down, was by German-born designer Daniela Karnuts who is based in London. Her website says she specialises in 'Chic timelessness and modern elegance.' Guests - diplomats, local business leaders and the cream of Fijian society - gathered for the champagne reception ahead of the state dinner at the Grand Pacific Hotel where the royal couple are staying during the visit. One guest said the light blue dress was clearly 'Fijian Blue' as a nod to her hosts, proving Meghan has mastered the art of diplomatic dressing. The royal accessorised the dazzling evening look with glittering diamond drop earrings, which Kensington Palace has confirmed were 'borrowed' for the occasion, but would not specify if they've come from the royal family's collection of jewellery. Meghan wowed in a floor-length caped dress by London-based designer Daniela Karnuts for her first black tie event of the Royal Tour, with the light blue colour giving a diplomatic nod to her hosts in Fiji Meghan's neat baby bump was visible in the fitted dress, made from stretch heavy crepe. She wore her brunette locks in loose waves tumbling over her shoulders Although she's showcased mainly Australian, Canadian and American designers on the royal tour, tonight Meghan stepped out in a dress by London-based Daniela Karnuts who was born in Germany Meghan's full-length short sleeve cape dress in stretch heavy crepe showed off the beginnings of her neat baby bump. Meghan has mainly showcased designs from Canada, America and Australia during the royal tour, but tonight she gave a nod to her adopted home by choosing a London-based designer. She also ditched her signature unstructured buns to wear her hair in loose waves around her shoulders and opted for a more glamorous evening look for her make-up with heavy blusher and smokey eyes. As the couple entered the reception room there was a drum roll, before they were announced. They then went circulated the reception meeting local dignitaries. Dazzling Duchess! Meghan stepped out in a caped dress by London-based SAFiYAA at a black tie reception on the first night of her royal tour in Fiji . The Duchess opted for a more glamorous evening look with her make-up, sporting heavier blusher than usual and lashings of black mascara Meghan chose an elegant caped gown for her first black tie evening event of the royal tour of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Earlier today, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were presented with the gifts as they watched a ceremony in Albert Park in capital Suva to welcome them to Fiji. The couple waved to the crowd as the arrived in their motorcade to the Veirqaraqarvi Vakavanua, which mirrors the one attended by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in 1953. Harry and Meghan were greeted by chiefs in a tradition known as the tama. The crowd, slightly damp from the rain shower or 'a bit of blessing' as the master of ceremonies put it, cheered and waved Union Jacks and Fijian flags as the couple arrived. Hundreds maintained reverential silence - with only the occasional burst of children chatting or a nearby clock chiming - heard over the rhythmic drums and chanting of the ceremony. The Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry arrive for an official welcome ceremony at Albert Park in Suva, Fiji, on day one of the royal couple's visit to Fiji and Tonga The couple sit on raised Dias to watch the the traditional ceremony, known as the Veirqaraqaravi Vakavanua, which embodies Fijian cultural identity and heritage and will mirror in format that of the one attended by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh when they visited Fiji in 1953 The Duchess of Sussex watched the official welcome ceremony at Albert Park in Suva, Fiji, on day one of the royal couple's visit to Fiji Harry takes a sip of Kava, the national drink of Fiji, which is consumed with great ceremony. It is made from a pepper plant - piper methysticum - pounded into fine powder and then mixed into fresh water Prince Harry prepares to drink kava, a drink made from a mashed plant root in the yaqona vakaturaga Harry and Meghan sat on a stage as he was given the whale's tooth, a sign of wealth, in the vakasobu, before he were given kava, a drink made from a mashed plant root in the yaqona vakaturaga. Harry, his three medals catching the floodlights, looked on as the kava was made with the root wrung out and a bowl passed to the Duke on the stage. He accepted the bowl and held it to his lips as the crowd cheered. Rain began to fall again as the lovo, a presentation of food of a roast pig and a basket of dalo, a root vegetable like a potato, was offered to the Duke. Pippa Middleton became a mum for the first time just over a week ago, and it seems that she is taking to motherhood like a duck to water. The Duchess of Cambridge's younger sister was spotted for the second time since her son's birth on Tuesday. The 35-year-old headed out for an early morning stroll through her Chelsea neighbourhood accompanied by her two dogs a Labrador and a Cocker Spaniel named Rafa. However, with her hands full with her newborn baby Pippa invited a pal along to help her with the dogs as they joined the brisk morning air near her 17million west London home which she shares with husband James Matthews. New mother Pippa Middleton looked chic in a Kate Spade dress as she stepped out for a stroll with her week-old son on Tuesday Pippa looked typically chic in a 283.45 printed dress by the late designer Kate Spade as she pushed her 1,119 pram through leafy Chelsea. Kate Spade has proven to be a hit with the new mother who was spotted wearing a 350 day dress with ruffle detailing by the same designer on Sunday. The new mother kept out the October chill in a cropped navy blue jacket and opted for a pair of practical white sneakers from Jimmy Choo costing 350. As is typical of the new mother, Pippa wore a pair of chic shades to complete her ensemble. She is thought to have walked from her Chelsea home to Brompton Cemetery this morning. The mother-of-one stopped of at the North Lodge cafe in the West Brompton park to pick up a coffee on her journey. This is the second time the mother has been spotted since the birth of her son having stepped out for a stroll accompanied by the baby's father James on Sunday. The Duchess of Cambridge's younger sister was joined by an acquaintance who helped her out by walking her two dogs, a black Labrador and a Cocker Spaniel Pippa was spotted taking a walk with her husband James Matthews on Sunday, opting for a dress by her favourite Kate Spade once again Half way through their stroll Pippa let her acquaintance take over her buggy pushing The mother-of-one stopped of at the North Lodge cafe in West Brompton to pick up a coffee on her journey The pair enjoyed a stroll through leafy Chelsea close to Pippa's 17 million home which she shares with husband James Pippa left the unknown woman alone with the baby while she made a quick dash to grab a coffee The couple, who married in May last year, were the picture of domestic bliss as they made their first outing as parents just two days ago. Pippa and James welcomed a baby boy weighing 8lb and 9oz at the private Lindo Wing, at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, on October 15, but his name has not yet been revealed. The Matthews' baby was delivered at the 7,500-a-night private maternity unit where the Duchess of Cambridge gave birth to her three children. He was born on the same day the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they are expecting their first child together in Spring 2019. Pippa's pushchair is the luxury Bugaboo Fox Classic in navy is priced at 1,119 The mother is rarely seen without her signature shades and Tuesday proved no exception Pippa appeared to be in high spirits, flashing a smile as she embraced the breezy autumnal weather The Duchess of Cambridge's younger sister appeared to be in a particularly chatty mood today James Middleton, 31, Pippa's younger brother, was the only member of the family seen visiting the new arrival in hospital. Pippa and James are believed to have left the hospital through a side door on Tuesday night and quietly returned to their newly-renovated family home. Proud grandmother Carole Middleton, 63, was seen visiting the lavish mansion on Friday, armed with a lavish hamper and a box from baby gifts company My 1st Years. Kate hasn't been seen visiting her new nephew yet, but may well have already paid a visit to Pippa and her son either in the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital itself, or at her home. Kensington Palace declined to comment on whether the Duke and Duchess have met the baby. James Matthews was likely back in the office today, as he was seen returning to work just a few days after the birth of his son The new baby has had visits from most of the Middleton family though it remains unclear whether the Duchess of Cambridge has met her nephew yet She opted for a chic but practical pair of white sneakers costing 250 by Jimmy Choo A beauty salon famous for its unusual nail designs has gone viral with its new stomach-churning creation - a leaking 'snotty nose' manicure. Moscow-based manicurists Nail Sunny unveiled the Halloween-inspired design, which shows a nose-shaped nail oozing green gunk, on its Instagram account this week. The account, which boasts two million followers on Instagram, shared a video of the design process, before showing the leaking nail being wiped on a tissue. And users were quick to react to the clip, with many exclaiming over the manicurist's creative talents, while others slammed the results as 'disgusting'. Moscow-based manicurists Nail Sunny has divided opinion on Instagram with its latest stomach-churning creation- a leaking 'snotty nose' manicure just in time for Halloween The functional nail is seen being injected with a green liquid before letting it ooze out onto a tissue In the video the nail technician begins by giving a customer a standard manicure with square nude acrylic nails. She then attaches two small hollow plastic rods to the nail, before adding lumps of acrylic gel to the top of it. Filing it into the shape of a nose, the manicurist then adds extra detail by painting on mock blackheads and spots to the unusual creation. In the video the nail technician begins by giving a customer a standard manicure with square nude acrylic nails She then attaches two small hollow plastic rods to the nail, before adding lumps of acrylic gel to the top of it The manicurist then continues by creating a green liquid which she prepares on some tin foil. Using a syringe, she proceeds by filling up the nail with the green liquid, before demonstrating how it oozes on a tissue. 'Guess what this is? Halloween nails!', she entitled the gruesome creation, garnering over 330,000 views. The design racked up almost over 300,000 views in less than 24 hours, garnering hundreds of comments. Filing it into the shape of a nose, the manicurist then adds extra detail by painting on mock blackheads and spots to the unusual creation She is seen filing the nose into shape in the viral video for Instagram account Sunny Nails, based in Moscow Making it even more realistic, the technician even paints mock blackheads onto the nail, much to followers' horror Admitting that she was planning to unfollow the account, one fan wrote: 'I usually like their videos but if you look at their video gallery, they just get weirder and weirder.' Another added: 'I dont understand and I dont want to understand', while one questioned: 'But why though?'. Agreeing, one wrote: 'These are just getting gross', and another said: 'This is actually disgusting I thought all the other stuff was cool. But sweetie no its not Im gonna unfollow '(sic). The manicurist then continues by creating a green liquid which she prepares on some tin foil. Using a syringe, she proceeds by filling up the nail with the green liquid, before demonstrating how it oozes on a tissue. 'Guess what this is? Halloween nails!', she entitled the gruesome creation, garnering over 330,000 views However others defended the account, with one writing: 'Y'all are so creative!' Another added: 'I have to ask, are these made for clients to actually wear or are they just for playing around for a photoshoot? Eeeewww! But still amazing work!' Meanwhile one slammed criticism, writing: 'You have a billion other posts to read and see. Nail sunny is a pro! Her clients probably ordered this. 'And she's amazing for both doing it and succeeding in it! On Instagram, you post stuff, hoping it gets a lot of likes. 'If stuff like this does well, who is going to stop? Aside from that, she is an inspiration to us nail techs to keep pushing ourselves harder and further. So please just stop. If you've got nothing nice to say, don't say anything.' In January the same nail salon shared a design which showed a miniature version of Kim Kardashian twerking. The post, which quickly went viral, detailed just how the fascinating manicure was designed, garnering millions of likes. Kendall Jenner and Vogue have come under serious fire online, after the magazine released images of the 22-year-old modeling an Afro. Vogue released the photos as part of a series marking the 15th anniversary of the CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund prize, which was created in 2003 to support emerging designers by awarding them cash prizes. But while Kendall posed in a variety of styles for the series, which was shot by Swedish photographer Mikael Jansson, two photos in particular have drawn the ire of social media users; one sees the model posing in a romantic floral prairie dress by Brock Collection, with her normally poker-straight hair arranged in an Afro hairstyle. Backlash: Kendall Jenner and Vogue have come under fire after the magazine released two photos of the model wearing a hairstyle strongly resembling an Afro Question: Some people wondered why Vogue didn't hire a model with a natural Afro instead of Kendall, who has naturally straight hair The other snap features Kendall with a similar hairdo, this time wearing a purple Altuzarra dress along with black fishnet tights and ankle boots. Posing next to her is 22-year-old model Imaan Hammam, who donned a white Rodarte dress, green fishnet tights, and pink sandals. Vogue shared the image of Kendall in the prairie dress on Instagram recently, prompting many social media users to question the publication's decision to have Kendall wear the hairstyle instead of hiring a model with a natural Afro. 'There are other models @voguemagazine you could really get a real Afro model tsk tsk,' one person wrote in a disheartened comment, while another Instagram user deemed the image 'inappropriate'. 'Does her hair really look like that on a daily basis? Is she African American? Why couldnt y'all get a girl with a real fro on the cover if y'all wanted a fro so bad!' someone else wrote. 'This is not cool at all! It has to stop !' Another person chimed in: 'As a black teen growing up in America, this was absolutely hurtful to look at, people keep bringing up that black women wear weaves that are straight. Yeah we wear them because America poisoned black culture with the idea that we need relaxers and to be accepted our hair had to be straight. Why couldn't y'all get a girl with a real fro on the cover? 'I grew up not seeing one Disney kid with natural hair until KC undercover @zendaya. This is not something that can be shrugged off because the message is hurtful. 'Kendall seems like a girl who is smart and intelligent enough to know that people were going to have something to say about this look and maybe should've chose a different hairstyle. This situation isnt about her its the message that projects from this image.' A couple of days prior, Vogue also posted the image of Kendall and Imaan, leading some to wonder why the magazine didn't leave Imaan's hair which is naturally curly in its original texture instead of flattening it, in which case Kendall could also have sported her natural straight hair. 'The creative director can do as they please, but why not just leave Imaan hair out natural instead of straightening it? So then there's no need to give Kendall the Afro?' someone wrote on Instagram. Some social media users, however, defended the photos and insisted Kendall was not wearing an actual Afro, but rather a curled hairstyle meant to reference past trends in fashion history. Speaking out: Many Instagram users questioned the shoot after Vogue shared the two photos of Kendall on the platform Wondering: Kendall posed next to 22-year-old model Imaan Hammam, who has naturally curly hair, leading some people to wonder why Imaan's hair was straightened in the snap 'Oh please. Its not an Afro it's teased hair to look like the period they were styling for,' one person wrote in part. 'As someone with a serious Afro, I'm certainly not offended by this look / portrayal,' someone else commented. 'This is nowhere near an Afro. Models are often transformed in photo shoots which is the reason for creative directors... but I can't help but think of Zoe Kravitz when I see this.' Another person wrote: 'Kendall Jenner looks amazing and this CLEARLY is not an Afro, it's a classic style. More like an old lady hairdo than anything.... But people will cry and whine and accuse her of cultural appropriation because of who her family is...' One person found that the hairdo looked like that of an 'edgy Marie Antoinette', adding: 'Coupled with the dress, that's obviously what they were going for and I, personally, think they captured it well.' Vogue also said Kendall's hairstyle was meant to echo two different periods of history while apologizing to those who were offended by the imagery. The magazine told Fashionista in a statement: 'The image is meant to be an update of the romantic Edwardian / Gibson Girl hair which suits the period feel of the Brock Collection, and also the big hair of the 60s and the early 70s, that puffed-out, teased-out look of those eras. This is not something that can be shrugged off because the message is hurtful 'We apologize if it came across differently than intended, and did not mean to offend anyone by it.' This is not the first time a member of the Kardashian-Jenner family has faced accusations of cultural insensitivity. In April last year, Kendall herself drew backlash for appearing in a Pepsi ad that saw her bringing together police and protesters during a demonstration by handing a can of soda to one of the officers. The clip closely echoed real-life Black Lives Matter protests and was denounced by many, including Martin Luther King Jr.'s daughter Bernice King, 55. Pepsi eventually pulled the ad and admitted it had 'missed the mark'. Kim Kardashian, 38, has been accused of cultural appropriation several times. In 2013, she earned backlash after wearing Fulani braids and referring to them as 'Bo Derek braids'. Kim, however, didn't seem to mind the outrage and wore the hairstyle again in January this year, posting a photo of herself with the braids on Instagram and captioning it 'BO WEST'. Back in June last year, Kim was also accused of wearing blackface by furious Twitter users who claimed her skin was made to look 'darker' in a photo promoting her make-up range. If you want to get fit, signing up for a gym membership is certainly a good first step but you may want to think carefully before committing to your local fitness centre. Gym insiders from around the world have opened up about the secrets of running a fitness business on the Q&A site Quora, revealing how many establishments' priority is making money over building muscle. In response to the question 'What do gyms not want you to know?' employees past and present revealed how to ensure you're not draining your bank balance unnecessarily. Former gym sales consultant Brett Daniels strongly advised people to check the terms before signing up as some gyms have a three month cancellation clause, meaning you'll have to keep paying even after you leave. And he warned that if you do owe the gym money on membership fees, some will use collection agencies to track them down, meaning that 100 could quickly escalate into something much larger. Gym insiders from around the world have opened up about the secrets of running a fitness business on the Q&A site Quora, and it will make you think twice before signing up for that expensive membership (stock image) Gowtham Nayak from India cautioned against buying a 'useless' pricey protein powder in your first month, saying: 'Most likely you will never come back the next month. We know that. No you will not even gain 500g of muscle with that.' He added: 'You need to be a regular for at least six months before you can see the difference. Two years before others can.' Fitness instructor Alex Cooper explained that having the latest fancy equipment doesn't necessarily make your gym better, it just pushes up the membership cost. 'Those fancy machines arent superior to free weights exercises and in most cases arent even as effective,' he explained. Former gym sales consultant Brett Daniels said that there's no purpose to joining fees and that it's always worth asking if the cost can be waived Although you might feel like a gym with lots of bells and whistles will be a better option for getting fit, the latest fancy equipment isn't always the most effective He also warned members not to automatically trust everything a trainer says, explaining that it's 'very easy' to qualify as an instructor. 'I did a two-week course involving an extremely easy theory test and a practical test. Id had several years working out and doing my own research. 'Others on the course I wouldnt trust to correctly answer even the most basic questions. People I worked with werent all that knowledgeable either. Some gyms wont even bother to get qualified staff, theyll just rope in their mate.' Indian gym owner Gowtham Nayak advised people never to buy protein powder in the first month and said that instructors won't give proper advice on how to vary exercises every week One personal trainer warned that some gyms rely on users wiping down the equipment after their workout rather than hiring professional cleaners Nazeem Dollie from South Africa claimed that male trainers are likely to give preferential treatment to attractive female clients and neglect those who are overweight and need the most help Meanwhile, others cautioned that the gym is a place you're likely to get ill as people come and use the equipment when they're sick without worrying about the spread of germs. One explained that some chains rely on users wiping down the equipment after use, rather than hiring professional cleaners to do the job. Nazeem Dollie from South Africa also warned that attractive female members get preferential treatment from male trainers, while those who are overweight may end up neglected. Alex Cooper claimed that it's 'easy' to qualify as a gym instructor and that some people working in your local establishment may not even be properly equipped to give advice It might still be months away, but Cadbury has already started thinking about its new offerings for Easter. The chocolate giant revealed it is bringing full-size Oreo Creme Eggs to the UK for the first time after fans went wild over the miniature versions last year. The full-sized eggs, which will cost 58p each, are already on sale in Canada and will arrive in British shops in January, giving customers plenty of time to pick them up. Cadbury revealed it is bringing full-size Oreo Creme Eggs (pictured) to the UK in time for Easter 2019 after fans went wild over the miniature versions last year. The full-sized eggs, which will cost 58p each, will be on sale in British shops from January until Easter Sunday Last year Twitter was sent into a frenzy after news spread that Cadbury had released Oreo mini eggs and they fast became a favourite Easter treat. The Oreo Creme Egg come in the same thick chocolate egg casing as the original Creme Eggs, but are filled with the signature Oreo white filling and biscuit chunks. The new eggs are 175 calories a pop, which is two less than the regular Creme Egg, which contains 177. They also contain less sugar, with 16g in the new treat compared to 26.5g in the original. Chocolate lovers went wild when it was revealed that the brand had started selling Oreo mini eggs (pictured), but the full size Oreo Creme Eggs have not been available in Britain until now The Oreo Creme Eggs are already on sale in Canada (left) and proven to be hugely popular. The Cadbury Creme Eggs (right) are only available every year from January until Easter But the Oreo Creme Eggs are 58p - 8p more expensive than the regular Creme Egg. The Oreo Creme Eggs are a limited edition release and will only be on sale from January until Easter Sunday, which is April 21 next year. Aislinn Campbell, brand Manager at Cadbury, said: 'We are constantly listening to what our customers want and we know fans went wild last year when they heard about the Oreo Egg. 'So for Easter 2019, we are bringing this to the UK and we cannot wait for everyone to try it.' Last Easter Cadbury sparked a nationwide Easter Egg hunt when they launched the white Creme Eggs (pictured). Anyone who found one of up to 400 eggs could win up to 2,000 Cadbury started selling white Creme Eggs last Easter as part of a nationwide Easter Egg hunt. Only 350 to 400 of the limited edition eggs were available and were hidden in normal Creme Egg wrappers Whoever found the eggs won up to 2,000, a move which saw shoppers unwrapping and then discarding Creme Eggs in stores in an attempt to find the white ones. I can tell you more about Caterpillar tractors than the people that work there. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Caterpillar, the manufacturer of heavy construction equipment, has often seemed to be Donald Trumps favorite stock. What a great company, Trump told Caterpillars CEO at a White House roundtable last February. I love Caterpillar. Ive been driving them for a long time. I can tell you more about Caterpillar tractors than the people that work there, he claimed at a campaign stop in West Virginia in 2016. During the campaign, Trump warned that Caterpillar was getting outcompeted by the Japanese firm Komatsu due to weak trade policies, and he promised that would change during his presidency. This wasnt quite fair Caterpillar was posting strong financial results in 2016 but the company has continued to prosper during the Trump era, posting even higher profits and enjoying a soaring stock price. The companys share price nearly doubled during Trumps first year in office. But the soaring stock price part ended this month, with the stock down over 20 percent since the start of October. The weird part is, the stock is tanking while Caterpillar continues to post strong financial results. The company announced this morning that it made $1.7 billion in profits in the third quarter, up from $1.1 billion a year earlier. This beat Wall Street analyst expectations. And investors thanked Caterpillars executive team for the announcement by sending the stock down more than 7 percent. Why? Because Caterpillar failed to raise its guidance for future profits in the way investors had been expecting. Caterpillar is doing great, but the stock market had already priced in the idea that it would do even greater, which its not prepared to promise. Caterpillars third-quarter-earnings announcement describes the usual headwinds a manufacturing company might face during a strong economic period, plus some unusual ones driven by quirky Trump policies. The revenue numbers at Caterpillar look great. The company reports growing sales and strong price realization, which is to say theyre having success charging higher prices to customers who really want heavy equipment right now. The problems are on the expense side. Freight costs were unfavorable primarily due to supply chain inefficiencies as the industry continues to respond to strong global demand, says Caterpillar. That is: Lots of people want to ship big, heavy things right now, and Caterpillar is having to pay more for the limited shipping space. This is normal: When the economy is strong, its easier for companies to charge more, but their suppliers can also charge more. The presidents trade policies are also imposing costs on Caterpillar, but not huge ones. The company says the presidents metal tariffs have added $40 million to their costs in the quarter. Thats about 2.5 percent of their quarterly profit: not trivial, but also not game-changing. The bigger Trump-related risks for Caterpillar lie in the future. The president has pursued an unintentional strong-dollar policy, and a stronger dollar will make it harder for Caterpillar to sell its products into foreign markets. And the presidents trade escalations with China may also weaken demand for Caterpillar machines abroad, both by weakening the Chinese economy and by leading to the imposition of tariffs that would apply to Caterpillar products. Caterpillar provides a nice illustration of the economic conditions of the Trump era. The economy is good, people want to buy bulldozers and excavators, and companies like Caterpillar are making a lot of money. But theyre not going to make quite as much money as they could if the president would stop screwing with the global trading system. More than 1billion worth of urgent repairs need to be carried out across the NHS to prevent catastrophic failures and risk to safety, figures show. NHS trusts in England are sitting on a record-high backlog of almost 6billion of repairs or replacements on their buildings and equipment. A staggering billion of these are classed as high-risk repairs. More than 1billion worth of urgent repairs need to be carried out across the NHS to prevent catastrophic failures and risk to safety, figures show [File photo] This means they could cause catastrophic failure, major disruption to clinical services or deficiencies in safety liable to cause serious injury and prosecution if not done immediately, says NHS Digital. There were 17,900 incidents where patients were harmed or put at risk of harm as a result of infrastructure problems an increase of 800 in a year, the data from April 2017-March 2018 shows. Clinical services were delayed, cancelled or affected due to problems on 3,835 occasions a rise of 1,500. Trusts spent a combined 404.5million on repairs last year. NHS trusts in England are sitting on a record-high backlog of almost 6billion of repairs or replacements on their buildings and equipment billion of which are classed as high-risk repairs [File photo] Chaand Nagpaul, from the British Medical Association, said there was an urgent need for capital funding to address the NHSs impoverished infrastructure. A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: Our long-term plan for the NHS will boost funding by 20.5billion a year extra by 2023/24. 'We are also investing 3.9billion into the NHS to help transform and modernise buildings and improve patient care in hospitals and communities. As he flicks from one faded photograph to the next, Adrian Goodyears journey back to his schooldays is laced with a familiar poignancy. There is laughter about shared jokes, shock at the sight of a long-forgotten face. But there are none of the usual whatever happened to questions. Instead, there is a deep sorrow. Hes dead. He died. Hes still here . . . His voice catches as he checks off old pals. Almost all the dozens of photographs Adrian, 47, has catalogued from his youth show the faces of schoolfriends who have died, most before they were 30 years old. I stopped going to funerals when it reached 20. I stopped counting when it got to 40, says Adrian, known as Ade. Adrian was at the boarding school at the centre of the tainted blood scandal in the 70s and 80s Ade, you see, was at a boarding school at the centre of the tainted blood scandal, an NHS atrocity in which some 30,000 patients are said to have been given unsafe blood products in the Seventies and Eighties, exposing them to diseases including hepatitis C and HIV. At least 2,500 are thought to have since died and 73 of them were haemophiliac students at Treloar College, in Hampshire. A specialist boarding school for disabled children, Treloar was in many ways an idyllic place; within the grounds was an NHS treatment centre for haemophilia, a genetic disorder that prevents blood clotting, rendering even the most trivial bump potentially fatal. For a decade from 1975, 89 boys with haemophilia attended the school. Yet tragically, all of them were infected with hepatitis B and C and 64, including Ade, contracted HIV. Only 16 former pupils survive. But that was not the only scandal that affected the boys from Treloar. After their HIV diagnosis in the Eighties, the boys like thousands of other people given tainted blood were offered a deal: sign a contract waiving their rights to take further legal action and they would receive a cash sum (not compensation, as that would require some acceptance of liability). But the deal had a sting in its tail: those affected were yet to be diagnosed with hepatitis C, a potentially fatal liver virus known as the silent killer because it can lie undetected for so long. The Mail revealed yesterday that the Department of Health had been aware of that fact for two years when contracts were signed in 1991. Nevertheless, it went ahead, with the victims receiving 24,000 each. NHS atrocity in which some 30,000 patients are said to have been given unsafe blood products in the Seventies and Eighties struck down four of these five pupils Today, Ade, who was infected with both diseases, rues his decision to sign. I waited until the last minute, he says. The deal only worked if we all signed as a group, but even then we suspected there could be more to come, that the blood could have been contaminated with other diseases. Ultimately we were persuaded because we didnt think we had time to wait for more we didnt think we were going to make it. The problem lay in the very treatment that had revolutionised the boys lives: injections of mass-produced Factor VIII, a blood product essential for clotting, which replaced older treatments that had required hours in hospital attached to a drip. British laboratories couldnt keep up with demand for the breakthrough treatment and in 1973 the government started importing cheap blood products from America. But the system was flawed. In the UK blood donation has always been voluntary, but in the U.S. donors could accept money, leading to the creation of so-called skid row clinics frequented by drug addicts and prostitutes the highest-risk donors. Because a single batch of Factor VIII could contain blood from thousands of donors, just one infected donor could contaminate the entire batch. Victims now know that infected blood products continued to be imported and used for years after alarm bells were first raised. By death toll alone, it is the biggest man-made disaster in postwar British history. For the Treloar boys, treatable hepatitis B came first. Aged ten, 11 and 12, they just took their treatment and got on with it. Newspaper headlines in 1983 first sparked fears among the students about a new disease: HIV and Aids. We started asking questions, says Ade, at his home in Alton, a short drive from his old school. We were told not to worry. But one day in late spring 1985, after home economics and before science, the haemophiliac boys were called to the medical centre in groups of five. Adrian Goodyear outside the school at the centre of the scan You may have heard that the blood isnt as safe as it should be, began the conversation. Medical staff had spent two weeks debating how to deliver the news and struggled with their own tears as the boys were told one by one (Ade remembers this happening in front of the group), you have it or you dont. Someone asked how long we had to live and they gave us between two and three years, but said they would do their best to keep us alive, says Ade, who was then just 14. Three in Ades group had HIV, two didnt but later discovered they had hepatitis C. All of them except Ade are now dead. As soon as I heard the word HIV, I looked at the blinds. The sunlight came through and I thought Im dead, were dead, how many more sunrises am I going to see? By the time Ade left school in 1989, solicitors had approached the victims and were fighting for a deal. It came in 1991 with stringent conditions. Everyone had to sign, victims waived the right to take further action and the government accepted no liability. Ade, who had been watching friends fall ill and die around him, says: I can still remember being in the solicitors office in London. I was with a friend and we werent going to sign, but we were told there was no choice. Just three months later, having been given 23,500, he was diagnosed with hepatitis C. At first it did seem an awful lot of money, says Ade ruefully. But it only took a year for the realisation to dawn that I couldnt get a mortgage, I couldnt get insurance to travel for work (he gave up his job in the music industry in 1995). I remember thinking, how am I going to pay for my funeral? It was only when documents relating to the scandal were leaked several years ago that Ade discovered the truth. They knew, he says. They knew what wed got when we signed and that just compounds everything. Some victims never learned how deep the betrayal ran. We had a reunion in 1992 and by then two of the five I was in the room with in 1985 were really sick. Over a few months around Christmas 1993, we lost seven. Youd see them getting skinnier and if they went yellow, you knew it was Aids. The stigma was appalling. I know several parents who say their boys died of cancer, even today, he says. The advent of new antiretroviral drugs in 1997 transformed things. But Ades older brothers, who did not go to Treloar but were also haemophiliac, werent so lucky Jason died in 1997 of Aids, Gary in 2015 of hepatitis C. Ade is still ill, forever battling the side-effects of drugs he has to take on top of his regular bleeds. Its the same for Nick Sainsbury, who went to Treloar from 1974, aged ten, to 1980, having been sent there from his home in Hull. When he left Treloar he worked as a civil servant and, like Ade, avoided relationships because of fear. He learned he had HIV during a hospital appointment in 1986. It was the time of the Aids tombstone advert. I was told I had two years to live, he says. Little wonder that Nick, too, signed the 1991 waiver. I went to a meeting in Sheffield with a friend and we were told that was all we were going to get, and that if we didnt sign we would be responsible for everyone else not getting it. It felt like blackmail. In 1993 Nick learned that he also had hepatitis C. Knowing what we know now, it feels like they were trying to get rid of us on the cheap, he says. Back then I didnt think I had long to live. Some people just spent the money, they didnt think they would be around for long. Nick looks at a photograph taken on a school trip to Canada, on his 16th birthday. Of the five boys pictured, only Nick is still alive. That makes me feel dreadful, he says, tears welling in his eyes. This happened at school, where we were supposed to be safe. Indeed, the boys should have been safe. As far back as the Seventies, the danger of pooled blood products from abroad was acknowledged by politicians. But by 1980 Britain was importing twice the amount of blood products it produced. In some parts of the country, it was years before tainted blood was off the shelves. Back in Alton, Ade says: Who do I blame? I blame Whitehall. Harrowing pictures show a woman who was left looking like 'a bag of bones' after being enduring horrific treatment at hospital. Joanne Kitching suffers from a stomach problem that prevents her from absorbing nutrients from her food or being able to keep anything down. The 53-year-old, from Hessle, Yorkshire, who also has multiple sclerosis, therefore has to be fed via a tube. But she claims she was 'left starving' for 11 days while being treated at the Hull Royal Infirmary in September. Mrs Kitching alleges she lost a stone (6.3kg) from her already frail frame after she was fitted with a wrong sized feeding tube. Now home, Mrs Kitching, who weighs just 6st 10lbs (42.6kg), has been told she needs to be readmitted to prevent her losing a life-threatening amount of weight. Joanne Kitching claims her weight plummeted until she looked like 'a bag of bones' after being treated at Hull Royal Infirmary. Pictured at home after being discharged, Mrs Kitching requires feeding via a tube due to a gastro condition but she claims the wrong size tube was fitted Weighing just 6st 10lbs (42.6kg), she lost a stone while at Hull Royal and claims she was 'left starving' for 11 days. Mrs Kitching now claims she looks 'like a skeleton' and is 'withering away'. The ordeal has also affected her mental health, with her developing anxiety and always crying Mrs Kitching, who says she cannot stop crying and is 'withering away', has been waiting for a bed for more than three weeks. A spokeswoman for Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust said her complaint is being investigated and the trust is working on having Mrs Kitching readmitted as soon as possible. Since Mrs Kitching first reported her stomach complaint in July last year, she claims her weight has plummeted from a healthy 9st 9lbs (61.2kg). 'I'm a bag of bones and I look like a skeleton - I've just completely withered away and there is nothing of me left,' she said. The ordeal has also impacted Mrs Kitching's mental health. 'I'm not meant to have anxiety and stress but I keep getting more and more worked up,' she said. 'I'm crying all the time, can't keep any food down and I'm frightened of what will happen to me. 'I keep thinking why? What have I done wrong? But letting me starve and suffer is absolutely unforgivable.' Mrs Kitching, who went on a week-long holiday canoeing and zip wiring just last year, is now barely able to move. 'I do nothing - I'm absolutely washed out, drained, completely down with it all and I'm frightened of what is happening to my body,' she said. 'My body is getting weaker and weaker every day and ultimately I will starve if I don't get help soon, but I won't let that happen.' Mrs Kitching has been told she needs to be readmitted to hospital to prevent her dangerous weight loss from killing her. Scared of receiving the same poor care, she has asked to be placed on a different ward but has already been waiting three weeks for a bed to become free Mrs Kitching was admitted to hospital in September last year with chronic stomach pain. While in hospital, she lost a dangerous amount of weight due to the wrong sized feeding tube being fitted. 'The tube the hospital was too thick and was choking me - everything was lodging in the tube so I ended up losing weight as I couldn't eat with it,' Mrs Kitching said. 'It was really hurting me as it was the wrong size and I just couldn't bear it. 'I couldn't eat and I couldn't do anything and felt completely neglected. I had a battle on to get the tube removed.' She added: 'I had to demand an X-ray to show how big it was before they would change it and then the process of taking it out it was horrendous. 'I was laid on a slab with no nurses around to comfort me when it was happening and the tube was just pulled out - the pain was excruciating and it was so undignified.' Pictured at a healthier 9st 9lbs (61.2kg), Mrs Kitching has always relied on a wheelchair to get about due to her also suffering from multiple sclerosis. Last year, Mrs Kitching went on a week-long holiday canoeing and zip wiring. She is now barely able to move and 'does nothing' Mrs Kitching claims she has previously had issues at Hull Royal Infirmary and feels she has not had enough support from them since her stomach problems began last summer. During an admission between November 2 and December 5 last year, she claims she was left 'nagging and begging for food'. She even alleges suffering bruising to her hand because staff did not know how to cater for her needs. Scared the same thing will happen again, Mrs Kitching is refusing to go back to the same ward and is waiting for a bed elsewhere after being told she needs to be readmitted to help her gain weight. 'I'm now still waiting to get in to hospital and I'm just withering away,' she said. A spokeswoman for Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust said: 'We are sorry Mrs Kitching is unhappy with her most recent experience at Hull Royal Infirmary. 'Our patient experience service has been in regular contact with Mrs Kitching to address the concerns she has raised with us. 'Mrs Kitching has been provided with a direct line to a trust service manager who she can contact at any time. 'With regards to her most recent complaint, it has been fully investigated and Mrs Kitching has been given a full briefing in writing. 'We are working with Mrs Kitching to ensure she is admitted as soon as possible and the ward sister is keeping her informed on a regular basis.' A mother lost more than half her body weight after doctors revealed her shocking cervical cancer diagnosis at just 36 was caused by her obese frame. Rebecca Lane, now 39, from Sherborne, Dorset, weighed 18st 5lbs (116.5kg) when she was diagnosed with the disease in July 2016. Forced to have her uterus and cervix removed, as well as parts of her lymph nodes, the mother-of-one decided to take drastic action after being given the 'the worst news' of her life. With her doctor warning her 'the cancer will come back if you stay as you are', the trainee lawyer joined Weight Watchers in January last year. After shedding 8st 7lbs (53.9kg) in just 18 months, Ms Lane now weighs a healthy 9st 11lb (62.6kg) and went from a dress size 24 to a svelte size 10. 'I have four-monthly check-ups just in case of any reoccurrences - but so far, so good,' she said. Rebecca Lane weighed 18st 5lbs (116.5kg) when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in July 2016. Forced to have her uterus and cervix removed, as well as parts of her lymph nodes, the mother-of-one was told the disease would return unless she took drastic action to lose weight After joining Weight Watchers, Ms Lane shed an amazing 8.5st (53.9kg) in just 18 months and now weighs a healthy 9st 11lb (62.6kg). She also went from a dress size 24 to a svelte size 10. Although she has check ups every four months, Ms Lane is cancer free for now Speaking of her diagnosis, Ms Lane, who is mother to nine-year-old Jamie, said: 'In July 2016 [I] received the worst news of my entire life. 'I was diagnosed with stage 1b cervical cancer and it was such an awful shock and not something I wanted to go through being just 36.' Stage 1b cancer occurs when the tumour is 4cm or less and just affects the cervix. She added: 'I had suffered a few minor symptoms, but I thought it was just an infection or something. 'Then I went in to have a smear test, because I hadn't had one in a while, and I was called back in to the hospital and given the news.' 'It was a big shock. I was not expecting that at all. 'You just never think it's going to happen to you. I have honestly never been so scared in all my life. 'The only option I was given was a radical hysterectomy and lymph node dissection. I had the surgery in October 2016, but it was by no means plain sailing.' After recovering from surgery, the threat of her cancer returning motivated Ms Lane to finally get in shape. Setting herself the target of losing 10st 6lbs (66.2kg), Ms Lane exceeded her own expectations after shedding 8st 6lbs (53.9kg) in just a year-and-a-half. 'The thing that kept me going was the "C" word - every time I would have an off day it would motivate me to carry on,' she said. 'My oncologists words I'll never forget were: "You need to really look after yourself now". '"You have to lose your weight and stay at a healthy weight and no yo-yoing, as this type of cancer is related to obesity and it will come back if you stay as you are". 'I'm so glad she told me because she was right.' Documenting her weight loss journey on Facebook, Ms Lane is pictured left after losing 7st and right after shedding 7.4st. Her son has noticed she is happier and has more energy now Pictured after the weight loss, Ms Lane claims she was motivated by her son to get healthy after her doctor told her to prioritise her wellbeing. She has also since got a new boyfriend Although losing the weight was challenging, Ms Lane 'really recommends' Weight Watchers. 'The meetings make a big difference,' she said. 'I didn't even have to go to the gym. I just followed the programme and gradually I found I was getting more and more energy and was able to go out for walks.' As well as reducing her risk of cancer, Ms Lane's weight loss has also had a big impact on her family, romantic and work life. 'Keeping healthy for my son was another big motivation in losing my weight. He's only nine, but even he's noticed a difference,' she said. 'He says things like, "Mummy's got more energy, mummy's happier". He gives me so much confidence. 'I feel much better, healthier and have so much more energy. It's like I've come out of a cocoon. 'I even have a boyfriend now, which is going really well. 'I'm working part-time as an admin assistant at Yeatman Hospital in Sherborne and also completing the third year of my law degree.' A six-year-old boy 'looked like he was dying' after he developed sepsis when doctors failed to diagnose his appendicitis for nearly two weeks. Kayne Oughton, of South Tyneside, didn't get medical treatment for 13 days because doctors just thought he was constipated. After spending days suffering with agonising stomach pain, Kayne became pale and sicker, and a nurse told his mother, Carly Oughton, to take him straight to hospital. Medics then realised Kayne had a hole in his appendix and they rushed him to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle for emergency surgery. After two weeks in hospital he has now made a full recovery and is back to school - but his parents are considering suing the NHS for failing to diagnose their son. Kayne Oughton, six, was first taken to hospital on August 8 with severe stomach pain but doctors just thought he was constipated and sent him home, failing to diagnose his appendicitis for another 13 days 'If his tummy hurts even a little bit now he starts crying, scared he's going to have to go to hospital,' Mrs Oughton said. 'It's horrible to see, it's heartbreaking. What still goes through my head is what if I had just given him some Calpol and sent him to bed. 'If I'd let him go to sleep, he wouldn't have woken up the next morning.' When Kayne first began to complain of stomach pain, his mother who also has an eight-year-old son called Johnny wasn't too concerned. But the next day, on August 8, he was still in agony and refused to eat or drink, so his mother took him to nearby South Tyneside District Hospital. 'They felt his tummy and said he was constipated, even though I'd explained he was like clockwork,' Mrs Oughton, 29, said. Seeking a second opinion, Mrs Oughton then took him to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead on August 11, but was again told he was suffering from constipation. Victoria and Wayne Oughton (pictured with their son) are considering suing their local hospital for failing to diagnose Kayne's appendicitis, which developed into life-threatening sepsis Kayne went to three different hospitals and a GP surgery in the space of two weeks as his mother desperately tried to find medical help for him, and eventually had his appendix removed nearly two weeks after they first went to A&E But as Kayne's stomach pains continued to get worse, she grew increasingly concerned that something was seriously wrong, and took him back to a hospital on August 20, 12 days after their first hospital visit. 'I took him back to the hospital in Shields because he had a temperature,' Mrs Oughton said. 'He was ten times worse, he had black rings around his eyes, he was pale, he looked like he was dying in front of us. 'They kept him in overnight but in the morning they let him go home. 'When we left he was still crying and screaming in pain, but they couldn't get to the bottom of why. His temperature was through the roof. 'I said to the doctor "is this not appendicitis?" and he said "believe me if this was appendicitis you would have known about it by now."' In desperation, Mrs Oughton visited the nurse at her local GP practice later the same day, where she was ordered to take her son straight to hospital. Armed with a note from the nurse, Kayne was seen by doctors at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where blood tests revealed he had an extremely high white blood cell count, suggesting a serious infection. Diagnosed with a perforated appendix, he was then transferred to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary for emergency surgery to remove his appendix. Kayne now gets terrified he will have to go back to hospital every time he has a stomach ache, his mother says, because he spent nearly two weeks living with the agony of appendicitis Mrs Oughton (pictured) said doctors should have taken her concerns more seriously because she knows her son better than anyone and could tell he was in serious pain WHAT IS APPENDICITIS? Appendicitis is a swelling of the appendix, a two to four-inch-long organ connected to the large intestine. Appendicitis can cause severe pain and it's important for it to be treated swiftly in case the appendix bursts, which can cause life-threatening illness. In most cases surgeons will remove the appendix in an appendectomy scientists aren't sure why people need an appendix but removing it does not harm people. The causes of appendicitis aren't clear but it is thought to be caused by something blocking the entrance to the organ. Symptoms include pain in the stomach which later travels to your lower right-hand-side and becomes severe. Pressing on this area, coughing, or walking can all make the pain worse, and other symptoms can be nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhoea and a fever. Source: NHS Advertisement Mrs Oughton said: 'It was nearly two weeks he'd been like that, crying out, and as soon as we got him there they rushed us into theatre. 'There were emergency surgeons at the RVI waiting for him to get there. 'The surgeon came to see us afterwards to say that we were very, very lucky, and if we hadn't got him there he could have died. 'I had done right by trusting my instincts.' Doctors explained Kayne's appendix had ruptured, spreading infection through his abdomen and causing potentially deadly sepsis. Sepsis is a complication of an infection which, if not treated quickly, can cause the organs to shut down and kill the patient. There are around 250,000 cases of sepsis each year in the UK and at least 44,000 people die of the condition. Mrs Oughton claims her worries over Kayne's condition were not taken seriously enough by doctors when she first visited hospital. 'Of course a doctor has medical knowledge, but you know your child better and you know if they're not right,' she said. 'I know Kayne has a really high pain threshold, that's something I know as his mum, and when he's screaming in pain I know it's something serious.' Mrs Oughton and her husband, Wayne, have now hired solicitors to investigate the case and find out whether it was 'negligent' of the hospital to turn her son away. Bryony Doyle, clinical negligence solicitor from law firm JMW said: 'I am concerned about the care provided to Kayne and the fact that he was sent away from hospital on three occasions without appendicitis being suspected and he went on to develop the potentially fatal condition sepsis. It took medics so long to work out Kayne had appendicitis that he developed sepsis, a complication of infection which can quickly become deadly and cause the organs to shut down Kayne had to be kept in hospital while he recovered but he is now better and has returned to school 'This has been extremely traumatic for Kayne and his family and it is not the first time JMW has dealt with a case involving severe injury to a child after a parent's concerns were ignored. 'Parents are very good at identifying when something is wrong with their child and we would urge hospitals to properly heed their concerns. 'Unfortunately this does not happen enough and the consequences can be completely devastating.' Dr Shaz Wahid, medical director for South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'Patient safety and care of the highest quality are our top priorities so we are very sorry to hear that this family were unhappy with their experience with us. 'Whenever issues are raised about a patient's treatment we always investigate thoroughly to see if there is anything we can learn to make improvements for the future. 'If they wish to contact our customer services team we can assure them that we will speedily look into their concerns in detail.' A new sepsis test is 1,000 times more effective at picking up on the deadly condition than current methods, scientists claim. Known as the BacCapSeq platform, it simultaneously screens for 307 known disease-causing bacteria, as well as the risk of antibiotic resistance. Even the most advanced existing tests for sepsis - a violent immune response from the body to an infection - only screen for up to 19 pathogens. Researchers are working to make the test spot sepsis in a matter of hours, as current tests can take up to three days to spot the life-threatening reaction. A new test that screens for all known bacterial infections is 1,000 times more sensitive than existing diagnosis methods. These pathogens can cause life-threatening sepsis (stock) Dr Orchid Allicock, who helped create the test at Columbia University, said it will 'give physicians a powerful tool' to detect pathogens. She added they would spot ones that cause sepsis, the third leading cause of death in the US. It kills 44,000 each year in the UK. Dr Allicock said: 'This platform is 1,000 times more sensitive than traditional unbiased testing.' He explained this means it is at a level that is 'comparable to tests that screen one bacterium at a time'. Current sepsis tests take up to three days to diagnose the deadly condition and even longer to gauge if the infection is resistant to antibiotics. While doctors wait for a result, they often prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics, which contribute to the resistance crisis. Although BacCapSeq provides results in a similar time of 70 hours, the researchers believe the platform will become faster as technology becomes more advanced. WHAT IS ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE? Antibiotics have been doled out unnecessarily by GPs and hospital staff for decades, fueling once harmless bacteria to become superbugs. The World Health Organization (WHO) has previously warned if nothing is done the world is heading for a 'post-antibiotic' era. It claimed common infections, such as chlamydia, will become killers without immediate solutions to the growing crisis. Bacteria can become drug resistant when people take incorrect doses of antibiotics or if they are given out unnecessarily. Former chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies claimed in 2016 that the threat of antibiotic resistance is as severe as terrorism. Figures estimate that superbugs will kill 10 million people each year by 2050, with patients succumbing to once harmless bugs. Around 700,000 people already die yearly due to drug-resistant infections including tuberculosis (TB), HIV and malaria across the world. Concerns have repeatedly been raised that medicine will be taken back to the 'dark ages' if antibiotics are rendered ineffective in the coming years. In addition to existing drugs becoming less effective, there have only been one or two new antibiotics developed in the last 30 years. In September, the WHO warned antibiotics are 'running out' as a report found a 'serious lack' of new drugs in the development pipeline. Without antibiotics, C-sections, cancer treatments and hip replacements will become incredibly 'risky', it was said at the time. Advertisement The test works by containing 4.2 million genetic probes that detect the DNA sequences of all 307 disease-causing bacteria. It also picks up on biomarkers for antibiotic resistance and indicators of how aggressive the bacteria are. Each genetic probe binds to DNA sequences when a particular pathogen is present in a blood sample. A magnet then 'pulls out' the bacteria's unique DNA sequence, which can then be used to identify the bug. In the study, the researchers tested BacCapSeq's ability to detect substances taken from the DNA of blood infected with several different bacteria. The test was also used on blood samples from patients with unexplained sepsis. In both cases, BacCapSeq was more effective at picking up on bacteria than traditional methods. And it detected infections that existing tests missed. In one case, BacCapSeq picked up on Gardnerella vaginalis, which is only rarely associated with severe disease, as the cause of unexplained sepsis in a person with HIV/Aids. The study was published in the journal mBio. BacCapSeq has been created as a complement to VirCapSeq; a similar test developed by the same researchers that screens for all known human viral infections. A test for fungal infections is being developed. Professor Ian Lipkin, CII's director, said: 'Microbiological intelligence must be an integral component of precision medicine. 'Accurate, early differential diagnosis of infectious diseases and knowledge of drug sensitivity profiles will reduce mortality, morbidity and healthcare costs.' Among adults, antibiotic-resistant pathogens are expected to kill more people than cancer by 2050. The Scottish microbiologist Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic, in 1928. Fleming's discovery allowed doctors to treat and cure infected patients, saving millions of lives. Yet, less than a century after Fleming's discovery, there are precious few antibiotics left and many superbugs are already resistant to all of them. Figures suggest up to 50,000 people die each year due to antibiotic-resistant infections in Europe and the US alone. Globally, at least 700,000 people pass away annually due to antibiotic-resistance complications from illnesses such as malaria, AIDS and tuberculosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says it is investigating 28 new cases across the US of a rare polio-like illness. That brings the total number of suspected cases to 155, with 62 cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) already confirmed in 22 states. The average age of those affected is four years old and more than 90 percent of cases overall are in children under 18, Dr Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC, told reporters in a media call on Thursday. The condition, caused by a viral infection, appears to start off as a common cold, before progressing to paralysis. But health officials are struggling to determine the specific virus it is linked to or how to treat symptoms aside from waiting them out. 'We have not been able to find the cause of the majority of AFM cases...and we're frustrated that we haven't been able to identify the cause of illness,' Dr Messonnier said. The CDC says it is investigating 155 cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), up from 127 last week. Of that number, 62 cases have been confirmed in 22 states, including five-year-old Elizabeth Storrie (pictured) from Willow Park, Texas AFM affects the nervous system and most resembles the polio virus. Health officials have determined it is caused by a virus, but have been unable to pinpoint an exact cause. Orville Young, four (pictured), of Minnesota, was likely the earliest confirmed case in the state WHAT IS AFM? AFM is a rare, but serious condition that affects the nervous system. Specifically it attacks the area of the spinal cord called gray matter, which causes the body's muscles and reflexes to weaken. Symptoms often develop after a viral infection, such as enterovirus or West Nile virus, but often no clear cause is found. Patients start off having flu-like symptoms including sneezing and coughing. This slowly turns into muscle weakness, difficulty moving the eyes and then polio-like symptoms including facial drooping and difficulty swallowing. 'If [AFM affects gray matter] lower in the spinal cord [paralysis will] be more in the legs and if it's higher up, it'll be more in the arms,' Dr Fernando Acosta, a pediatric neurologist at Cook Children's Medical Center, in Fort Worth, Texas, told Daily Mail Online in an interview last week. 'Or if it's closer to the neck, they can't move head, neck and shoulders. We had one case of that and that was just awful.' In the most severe cases, respiratory failure can occur when the muscles that support breathing become weak. In rare cases, AFM can cause neurological complications that could lead to death. 'Its a pretty dramatic disease; children have a sudden onset of weakness,' said Dr Messonier. No specific treatment is available for AFM and interventions are generally recommended on a case-by-case basis. Children with weakness in their arms or legs may attend physical or occupational therapy. The average age of those affected is four years and more than 90 percent of cases are in children aged 18 and younger. Among them is Julia Payne, two (pictured) from Chicago, Illinois However, physicians admit they are unaware of the long-term outcomes for those with AFM. WHO HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY AFM? The CDC does not track AFM in terms of its prevalence, but rather in outbreaks. The agency has confirmed 386 cases since an outbreak in Colorado in August 2014, almost all of them in children. The CDC confirmed 33 AFM cases in 2017, 149 cases in 2016, 22 cases in 2015, and 120 cases in August to December 2014. Of the 62 cases diagnosed this year, it known that 24 have been in three states: 10 in Illinois, eight in Texas and six in Minnesota. The states Daily Mail Online is currently aware of with confirmed cases includes: Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and Washington. A press officer for the CDC told Daily Mail Online last week that the agency would not be naming the additional states where cases have been confirmed due to 'privacy issues'. While the pattern of AFM most resembles an infectious disease, much remains unknown about the condition. Among the children infected is two-year-old Julia Payne from Chicago. She remained in the pediatric intensive care unit at Lurie Children's Hospital for weeks on a respirator and using a feeding tube because she was unable to swallow. She has since been discharged and transferred to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, a rehabilitation center where she will face several weeks of physical therapy to regain strength and movement. In Minnesota, four-year-old Orville Young was likely the earliest confirmed case in the state, according to the Star Tribune. Orville has been in physical therapy for the last month-and-a-half. His mobility and gait have not returned to normal, but his legs are mostly functional now. His right arm, thus far, is still paralyzed. Fortunately many make a full or nearly full recovery of their movement as did five-year-old Elizabeth Storrie of Willow Park, Texas. She spent a month at Cook Children's Hospital, in Fort Worth, on IV fluids and a feeding tube until her condition improved. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST POLIO? AFM has been called a polio-like illness due to its resemblance to the viral infection that impacted hundreds of thousands, particularly between the late 1940s and early 1950s. The CDC even states on its website that symptoms 'have been most similar to complications of infection with certain viruses, including poliovirus, non-polio enteroviruses, adenoviruses, and West Nile virus'. Poliovirus has been determined to not be the cause of any of the cases, but some cases have been linked to the enteroviruses EV-A71 and EV-D68, both of which are distant relatives of polio. Some cases have also been linked to rhinovirus. 'I'm not old enough to have seen a case of polio during my time in practice, but my colleagues who have say [AFM] is similar to what they saw back then,' Dr Acosta said. 'Is this a variant? Potentially, but we don't know.' In 1957, the US government approved the polio vaccine. After a nationwide campaign to get children immunized began, the numbers began falling drastically and, in 1979, polio was declared to be eradicated in the US. The CDC has confirmed 386 cases since an outbreak in Colorado in August 2014, almost all of them in children This year, Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries where cases of wild poliovirus have been confirmed - largely due to poor sanitation and low levels of vaccination coverage. However, global eradication is now at risk due to vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) in five countries in Africa this year. Health experts say that this could result in silent transmission of both polio and AFM, because both can lead to paralysis if left undetected. Anti-vaxxers have blamed childhood polio vaccines for the outbreak, despite physicians saying there is no evidence to suggest this is the case. 'There is no evidence vaccines are causing this,' said Dr Acosta. 'And if we identify the agent that is causing it, the next step would be to develop a vaccine. It's the same reason, we developed flu vaccines - to lessen the burden of disease. 'The reason why you see lower rates of polio, whooping cough and other diseases is because we have vaccines that have made them very rare.' HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF? The CDC advises getting vaccinated against Poliovirus and West Nile Virus due to both being potential causes of AFM. Health experts say this does not simply mean just staying up-to-date with vaccinations, but also minimizing exposure to mosquitoes. Additionally, you can use warm water and soap to avoid getting sick and spreading germs. 'It's a one-in-million chance to get this so it's extremely unlikely your child will get this,' said Dr Acosta. 'Even if they have sudden onset of weakness, AFM is unlikely to have caused it. It's more likely to be a stroke. However, if your child develops it, bring them in and this gives them the best chance of survival.' Cocaine deaths have hit a record high as the drug has quietly become increasingly popular while the attention of the media and health officials has been on the ongoing opioid epidemic. In the last 12 months, 14,205 Americans died of cocaine overdoses, marking a 22 percent increase over the previous year, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The worrisome rise in deaths from the stimulant comes as the opioid overdoses finally begin to taper off, falling 2.7 percent from 2017's record-setting death toll. Experts suggest that opioids may still be driving the increase in cocaine overdoses, however, as more and more batches of the illicit drug have been found to be laced with the powerful drug, fentanyl, that has proved deadly for opioid users. In the last 12 months of its data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 14,205 Americans have died of cocaine overdoses that may be driven by fentanyl For the last decade, the number of Americans using cocaine has remained stable, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The agency determined that about 4.7 million Americans over 12 used cocaine, and 38 million had used it at some point in their lives. Cocaine is a stimulant, acting on dopamine receptors, rather than opioid ones as fentanyl does. Yet in 2017, seven percent of the cocaine that the Drug Enforcement Administration seized on the East Coast in 2017 contained fentanyl. That represented a small, but notable, six percent increase over the previous year. Cocaine users have taken up 'speedballing,' a high that gives them both the 'up' effect of the stimulant euphoria of the depressant fentanyl as it binds with opioid receptors and depresses the central nervous system. The practice isn't a new one - its long been accomplished by combining cocaine and heroin. But fentanyl is estimated to be 50 times more potent than heroin and can easily overwhelm the central nervous system, especially for a relatively naive opioid user (like one who typically abuses cocaine, but does not habitually user heroin). It is unclear fentanyl is being slipped into batches of cocaine intentionally or by mistake. Experts are also struggling to determine which drug is the ultimate killer when both may be involved in overdoses. The DEA also warned last month that there was an influx of cocaine making its way from Colombia to US cities after Colombia stopped spraying its crops with pesticide that had slowed the production of the drug. This year's is not the first increase in cocaine overdose deaths. Between 2015 and 2016, the number of deaths that involved cocaine increased by 52 percent. And the CDC anticipated the involvement of fentanyl, which it says is being used to cut all manner of drugs, not just heroin and cocaine. Even the CDC's director had a close brush with laced cocaine. In July, he told the National Association of County and City Health Officials in New Orleans that his son had nearly died of an overdose of fentanyl-laced cocaine. The agency previously said the powerful opioid is 'likely driving the increases in deaths involving cocaine, as there is a lack of awareness of the potency or even knowledge of fentanyl contamination,' according to the Chicago Sun Times. A four-year-old girl who travelled to Mexico to undergo experimental cancer treatment for her brain tumour has died. Edie Molyneux, from Tranmere, was able to try the last-ditch immunotherapy treatment after her parents managed to raise 700,000. Her parents today posted on Facebook announcing the Spiderman-obsessed girl died yesterday in her parents' arms, surrounded by her family. They posted photos, believed to be taken after the girl's death, and said 'our baby gained her angel wings at 1.30pm yesterday afternoon'. Edie made headlines earlier this year when a mysterious donor gave 250,000 to her treatment fund, and she was given an honorary 41st place at the Grand National in April. Edie, who was a huge fan of the comic book character Spiderman, died yesterday when her brain tumour could not be cured despite innovative new treatment in Mexico Last year, Edie's family were devastated when she was diagnosed with an inoperable diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) tumour. She was given just weeks to live in December, but they started raising 700,000 for a new intra-arterial chemotherapy and immunotherapy trial only available in Monterray, Mexico. Each cycle of the treatment costs around 300,000, but her parents raised more to cover possible further therapy. In January, her mother Ashleigh Stading, 29, and father Stephen Molyneux, 35, of Tranmere, jetted her off for the trial and later claimed her tumour had started to shrink. But this morning, in heartbreaking images posted by her family on Facebook, they revealed Edie died on October 22 . In the emotive social media post headed 'Upsetting images of reality', the family wrote: 'It is with indescribable pain that we have to tell you all our baby gained her angel wings at 1.30pm yesterday afternoon. 'I literally have no words to say anything more right now. Please keep us in your hearts. Edie's parents were told in December she could have just weeks to live, but they managed to raise 700,000 to take her to Mexico for an experimental immunotherapy treatment, which uses the body's immune system to fight off the cancer Edie had an inoperable brain tumour called a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma, which could not be treated with chemotherapy on the NHS because it would have poisoned her entire body, doctors said 'We are heartbroken and lost but so proud of how hard Edie fought and how many peoples lives she touched. An inspiration to us all. 'Edie, you are forever our baby.' In reply, Gemma Lowery the mother of tragic five year-old cancer victim Bradley Lowery and chief executive of The Bradley Lowery Foundation tweeted that her boy will take care of Edie in heaven. Ms Lowery wrote: 'Devastating that Edie has gained her angel wings, fly high princess Bradley will take good care of you now.' Edie's family posted online again today saying they would have a memorial service in Mexico before planning a celebration of their daughter's life back in the UK. The post added: 'If you would like to carry out a candlelight memorial in Edie Mays honour we ask for it to be around the time we will be having her service, please light a candle at 7pm UK time.' Edie's family announced her death in a post on Facebook earlier today, accompanied by pictures of her parents hugging her, believed to have been taken after the four-year-old died The parents thanked people for their messages of support on the Facebook page, which is followed by more than 9,000 people, and invited people to light a candle in memory of Edie tonight Last November, Edie was diagnosed with the inoperable brain tumour after she began to suffer from excruciating headaches. However, doctors diagnosed her with migraines at first because she was unable to describe her pain. A quick-thinking paediatrician gave her an MRI scan 'just in case', which showed the one-inch tumour growing quickly in the centre of her brain. It could not be removed through surgery, and the family were told chemotherapy was not an option on the NHS as it would poison the rest of Edie's body. They researched her condition online and found the treatment offered at Monterrey's The Instituto de Oncologia Intervencionista clinic in Monterrey. Last year, the parents explained: 'Radiotherapy would alleviate symptoms, make her more comfortable and ease any pain but we would inevitably still lose her. 'In Monterrey they use a multi-pronged attack, namely intra-arterial chemotherapy and immunotherapy. 'Nowhere else in the world is using this treatment and nowhere else in the world is having the results that they are.' The 700,000 treatment, a combination of intra-arterial immunotherapy and chemotherapy, targeted her tumour through her arteries. Between 20 and 30 children a year get the same type of cancer which Edie had, and it is often aggressive and spreads to other parts of the brain and the spinal cord This is different to conventional chemotherapy because it delivers cancer-killing drugs directly to the tumour through an artery in the neck. Traditional chemotherapy, which is delivered to the whole body, can leave patients ill because they are exposed to high doses of medications. DIPG is a rare type of brain tumour that can't be operated on because of it's location within a crucial part of the brain, called the pons. This area is responsible for a number of critical bodily functions, such as breathing, sleeping and blood pressure. The high-grade brain tumour, which mostly affects children, tends to grow quickly and often spreads to other parts of the brain or spinal cord. Most diagnoses occur in youngsters between the ages of five and 10. The cause of the tumour remains unknown. More than 90 per cent of its victims will die within 18 months of diagnosis. In the UK, it strikes between 20 and 30 children each year. Symptoms include lack of facial control, double vision, headaches, vomiting, weakness, seizures and balance problems. Earlier this year explaining Edie's illness, nursery nurse Ms Stading said: 'Last November our world was crushed Edie was diagnosed with DIPG. Edie was awarded an honorary 41st place at the Grand National horse race in April this year, something which was originally done for Bradley Lowery, who died at the age of six because of a brain tumour The mother of Bradley Lowery, who died in July, said in a heart-wrenching comment on Facebook: 'Devastating that Edie has gained her angel wings, fly high princess Bradley will take good care of you now' 'We were told by our doctors to go home and make memories with the family but then we found hope. 'The most recent MRI scan shows a small amount of shrinkage, a massive step as we were previously told the tumour was stable. 'Please support us in any way you can, even if it's just telling people all about the disease.' Edie's father, Mr Molyneux, added at the time: 'Each treatment costs approximately 30,000. 'At the moment, we don't know how many treatments Edie is going to need so we're hoping to raise at least 700,000 to cover the cost.' In April, Edie was named as an honorary 41st place by Jockey Club Racecourses at the Randox Health Grand National. The place was first introduced for five-year-old Bradley Lowery who passed away after battling a rare cancer called neuroblastoma in July 2017. And after hearing about Edie's appeal at Aintree Racecourse, a kind-hearted mystery benefactor then donated 250,000 towards her treatment. After the donation, Gemma Lowery said: 'We are very grateful to Aintree Racecourse and the Jockey Club for allowing Edie to be part of the Grand National. 'We were thrilled to get her name out there and thanks to them, there has been an anonymous donation. 'This has taken a lot of stress away from the family and allowed us to breathe a little bit more. 'However crucial funding is still needed and we will continue to work towards our fundraising goal.' When one thinks of calming scents, the smell of a man's body odour might not spring to mind. But new research has found women suffering from stress became calmer after sniffing a used T-shirt belonging to their partner. The researchers say 'important practical implications' of their findings are that women carry out 'regular sniffing' of their chaps. The aroma of one's husband or boyfriend was found to be more calming than the smell of roses to women in secure relationships. It was also found to be more calming than the smell of a t-shirt worn by the participant, or the neutral odour of a freshly laundered t-shirt. When one thinks of calming scents, the smell of a man's body odour might not spring to mind. But new research has found women suffering from stress became calmer after sniffing a used T-shirt belonging to their partner The researchers from Stockholm University recommend that women in happy relationships regularly sniff their partners to benefit from the stress reduction effect. However, the effect only worked in cases where the women were happy in their relationships. Among those whose partnerships were not 'secure', it increased the woman's stress, rather than comforted them. HOW DOES STRESS AFFECT PREGNANCY? Stress in pregnancy makes women more vulnerable to smoking and air pollution, research suggested in July 2017. Highly-stressed pregnant women who smoke are significantly more likely to have low-birth weight babies than more relaxed expecting smokers, a study review found. The combination of high stress and air pollution also increases the risk of having a low-birth weight baby, the research adds. Senior author Professor Tracey Woodruff, from the University of California, San Francisco, said: 'It appears that stress may amplify the health effects of toxic chemical exposure, which means that for some people, toxic chemicals become more toxic.' Co-author Professor Rachel Morello-Frosch, from the University of California, Berkeley, added: 'The bottom line is that poverty-related stress may make people more susceptible to the negative effects of environmental health hazards, and that needs to be a consideration for policymakers and regulators.' The researchers analysed 17 human studies and 22 animal trials that investigated the link between stress, chemicals and foetal development. Stress was defined by factors such as socioeconomic status. Professor Morello-Frosch added: 'While the evidence on the combined effects of chemicals and stress is new and emerging, it is clearly suggestive of an important question of social justice.' Advertisement A group of 34 women were tested in the experiment. All were asked to rate how secure they felt in their relationships. To recreate feelings of stress in the laboratory, the women were subjected to repeated mild electric shocks. They were then asked to rate their level of discomfort on a scale of one to 10. Their physical reaction was also tested, by electrodes on their skin which measured their stress response. The authors, writing in the journal Physiology Behavior, stated: 'To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that the odor of one's adult romantic partner helps to alleviate psychophysiological responses to stress, specifically among relatively secure adults. 'Relatively insecure participants had heightened physiological stress response when exposed to their partner's odour.' They added that a further experiment should be conducted to see whether the smell of a friend, rather than just a romantic partner had the same effect. But they add: 'Notwithstanding these limitations, our findings may have important practical implications. They add: 'Partner odour is a stimulus that can alleviate subjective stress for most people, and indeed even psychophysiological stress for relatively secure adults. 'Regular sniffing of one's attachment figures could potentially promote health and counteract maladaptive stress responses.' President Erdogan speaks at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara on October 23, 2018. Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images As Saudi Arabia stumbles through a series of absurd and implausible explanations for what happened to dissident Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi at its consulate in Istanbul three weeks ago, the Turkish government has held the attention of the international media with a carefully choreographed series of leaks, painting an increasingly vivid picture of Khashoggis gruesome murder, the Saudi governments complicity, and its attempts to cover its tracks. On Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Khashoggis murder was the result of a plot carried out by Saudi operatives. We have strong evidence that this murder was planned, Erdogan said during a speech to his Justice and Development Party in Ankara. He was brutally murdered. Having drawn the eyes of the world, Erdogan now has an opportunity to humiliate his Saudi rivals before them. Thats assuming he actually has the goods; CIA Director Gina Haspels departure for Turkey on Monday suggests that the Trump administration is afraid he does. Not one to let a crisis go to waste, Erdogan has kept this story alive for news cycle after news cycle and created considerable trouble for the de facto Saudi ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (known as MBS), and his supporters in Washington and the international business community. The scandal has Americans talking about the ties our government and corporations have to Saudi Arabia to an extent rarely seen since 9/11, and might even mark a turning point in public awareness of how morally compromising these ties really are. The Turkish leader is clearly leveraging this scandal to achieve something more than merely justice. Erdogan was a personal friend of Khashoggis, but he can hardly be counted as an advocate of freedom of the press: He has thrown dozens of journalists in his own prisons and consolidated state control over the media to an unprecedented degree. In fact, Erdogans grip on the media has been instrumental in controlling the leakage of information about Khashoggis death. So what, exactly, is Erdogan doing? In brief, hes using this opportunity to expose MBS to the world as a brute, diminish Saudi Arabias standing with the international community, and complicate its efforts to assert hegemonic power in the Middle East. The regional politics underlying this crisis are characteristically convoluted, opaque to outsiders, and lacking in moral heroes. At its core is an ideological split between the nominally democratic, populist strain of political Islam espoused by Erdogans Justice and Development Party and its Arab sister organization the Muslim Brotherhood, on the one hand; and an anti-Islamist coalition of autocracies primarily composed of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. Over the past decade and a half, Erdogan has presided over a directional shift in Turkeys foreign policy, abandoning the pipe dream of becoming part of Europe in favor of recapturing its Ottoman-era hegemony in the Arab Middle East. At first, Erdogan pursued this objective gently, with a noninterventionist policy described as no problems with neighbors, but since the events of the Arab Spring, Turkey has gotten caught up in its neighbors problems to a significant degree. Turkey played an active role in encouraging the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011 and 2012, lending support to the Free Syrian Army and publicly supporting the short-lived Muslim Brotherhood government in Egypt under president Mohamed Morsi, which General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi overthrew in 2013. While they are all more than happy to leverage Islam to their own political ends, the Saudi, Emirati, and Egyptian leaders see Muslim Brotherhoodstyle Islamism as a threat to their own authority and thus the stability of their countries, and so have taken draconian steps to crack down on the organization. Erdogan condemned the coup that brought Sisi to power, whereas Saudi Arabia supported it. Riyadh has also antagonized Ankara by supporting Syrian Kurdish rebel groups, whose success Turkey fears would encourage separatism among its own Kurdish population. For its part, Turkey has cultivated alliances with Arab countries that are antagonistic to the Saudi-Emirati alliance or feel threatened by it, such as Qatar and most recently Kuwait. In this context, it is easy to see why Erdogan might hope to leverage the scandal of Khashoggis murder to hobble Prince Mohammeds ambitions and thereby slow the expansion of Saudi power in the region. Deposing the crown prince and sidelining him within the Saudi Establishment would be a big win for Erdogan, but delegitimizing him in the eyes of the world would be nearly as good. A key component of this strategy is to drive a wedge between Saudi Arabia and Western countries, particularly the United States. Even if MBS survives the crisis (as he likely will), he may do so without the robust support he currently enjoys in the U.S. The release of American pastor Andrew Brunson from Turkish custody not long after the Khashoggi scandal broke suggests that buttering up the Trump administration is indeed one of Erdogans objectives here. Even as American-Turkish relations have been at a nadir recently, Erdogan could be signaling to Washington that he would make a less problematic partner than MBS (though thats not necessarily true). At the same time, Turkey conducts billions of dollars in trade with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and the Saudis are a major regional power, so it would not be in Erdogans interests to engender a complete diplomatic rift with the wealthy Gulf countries. Another key fact to keep in mind is that Turkeys economy is in the midst of a crisis, thanks largely to Erdogans mismanagement of it. Therefore, another possible aim of this pressure campaign would be to extract a hefty sum of financial support from either Riyadh or Washington in exchange for pretending to buy the Saudi governments story and declaring the case closed. By gradually leaking their evidence of Khashoggis murder rather than dumping it, the Turkish government may have been giving the Saudis a window of opportunity to buy their silence. If that was the case, however, Erdogans address would appear to represent the closing of that window. If Turkey comes out with slam-dunk evidence that Khashoggi was murdered on Prince Mohammeds orders, it could cost the prince something that no amount of money can ever buy back. A revolutionary hormone kit that lets men breastfeed could be available in as little as five years, according to its inventor. The kit involves a man taking a cocktail of drugs throughout his partner's pregnancy so that he grows milk ducts in time for the birth. Although in the early stages and not yet tested, designer Marie-Claire Springham, say its side effects will likely include men growing breasts up to a B cup. 'I cant see why couples wouldnt use this,' the 24-year-old, who studied product design at Central Saint Martins, London, told MailOnline. 'It seems unusual but women have been using hormones to change their bodies since they developed the birth-control pill. Image shows a mock up of what the hormone kit could include. As well as containing the necessary hormones and drugs, the kit would also feature a breast pump to help stimulate the release of milk. A compression vest would also be included to mimic a breastfeeding bra 'Many women struggle to breastfeed. This is an empathy tool so a male partner could help in a really useful and supportive way.' The 'chestfeeding' kit, which was Ms Springham's final year university project, was crowned the winner of the world's first Meaning-Centred Design Awards earlier this week. Although just a concept, the kit would involve a man taking the hormone progestin once a day as soon as his partner discovered she was pregnant. Progestin is a form of the better-known hormone progesterone and causes the production of milk-producing glands that are needed for breastfeeding. During the last six weeks of the woman's pregnancy, the man would then take the drug domperidone four times a day. Domperidone, which is often prescribed to women who struggle to breastfeed, stimulates the production of prolactin. Prolactin is the hormone that tells a woman's body to make breast milk. The man would then continue taking this hormone-drug cocktail for as long as he wishes to breastfeed. At this stage, he would be capable of releasing milk if he held a baby due to the release of the hormone oxytocin, according to Ms Springham. But a man's nipples generally need more stimulation than a woman's, she added. The kit therefore comes with a pump that helps release milk and is often also used by women who struggle to breastfeed. Ms Springham based the above drug regimen on forums where trans people reported taking similar hormones to bring on breastfeeding. It is unclear if this breast milk production would occur if a man took the hormone-drug cocktail for less than nine months. Lactation consultant Katherine Fisher said: 'Male lactation is clinically possible, and provokes interesting questions about what parenthood means in the 21st century. 'Lactation can be induced in certain circumstances via a course of hormone therapy. 'All attempts to better understand what gender means in parenting should be welcomed.' It is unclear if a man's breast milk could be as nutritious as a woman's. Image shows a mock-up leaflet that could be sent to fathers if the kit was available on the NHS Due to the kit only being in the concept stage, its exact side effects are unclear. However, Ms Springham imagines gynecomastia may be an issue, which causes a man's breasts to enlarge and affects around 60 per cent of teenage boys to some extent. Gynecomastia occurs when a man's oestrogen levels exceed his testosterone. Ms Springham adds a man's breasts may swell up to a B cup in order for them to hold milk. 'The kit contains a compression vest that acts like a breastfeeding bra,' she said. Other side effects are expected to be similar to that women experience when taking the contraceptive pill, such as bloating, headaches and mood swings, she adds. It is unclear if the test may soon be tested on men, however, Ms Springham told MailOnline: 'All the techonology is there. 'This could be available within the next five-to-10 years.' The kit came first place out of a shortlist of 18 entries at the inaugural Meaning-Centred Design Awards. These awards aim to celebrate designs that inspire cultural change. Awards chair Julie Jenson Bennett said: 'The chestfeeding kit deserves particular attention because it challenges the fundamental meanings of male and female, father and mother, parent and child. 'At a time when we increasingly use hormones, medication and technology to change the life options available to us, Marie-Claire's design concept goes right to heart of our taboos.' Ms Springham added: 'I'm thrilled to have won such a prestigious award. 'The kit has the power to take what we thought we knew about parenting and turn it on its head, breaking down the strict gender and societal roles we have created for new parents. 'I hope the discussions raised by this project are taken further and inspire even more innovation and progress.' Sepsis death rates in Britain are five times higher than the best performing country in Europe, a new study suggests. A scientific analysis of 36 rich nations ranked the UK as being the worst for women and it placed near the bottom of the table for men. There are 35.4 deaths from sepsis - a violent immune response to an infection - for every 100,000 women and 40.3 for every 100,000 men in the UK. The US ranked seventh worst for women - but avoided being named as one of the ten biggest offenders in men. A scientific analysis of 36 rich nations ranked the UK as being the worst for women and it placed near the bottom of the table for men Researchers accepted the UK has made progress in reducing sepsis death rates, but declines were not as pronounced as seen in other countries. The figures, which compare rates for each country in 1985 and 2015, are set to be presented at the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine in Paris. Finland scored the lowest for both men and women, with death rates dropping to around 10 and 6.5 per 100,000 in 2015, respectively. Thirty years ago, the Scandinavian country's rate was higher than the UK for men (51 per 100,000) - but not women (32 per 100,000). Sepsis kills around 44,000 people in the UK every year and occurs when the body reacts to an infection by attacking its own organs and tissues. In the last two years, NHS watchdog Nice has published new guidelines for doctors telling them to treat the condition with the same urgency as a heart attack. WHAT ARE THE 10 NATIONS WITH THE HIGHEST SEPSIS DEATH RATES FOR MEN? 56.1 Moldova 49.2 Lithuania 46 Japan 44 Romania 43.2 Slovakia 41.8 Israel 41.1 Portugal 40.9 Poland 40.3 UK 39.9 Czech Republic (deaths from sepsis per 100,000 people) Advertisement WHAT ARE THE 10 NATIONS WITH THE HIGHEST SEPSIS DEATH RATES FOR WOMEN? 35.4 UK 30.2 Israel 26.5 Czech Republic 26.3 Portugal 25.3 Denmark 24.5 Slovakia 23.7 US 22.5 Japan 22.4 Romania 21.3 Ireland (deaths from sepsis per 100,000 people) Advertisement The Government has also launched awareness campaigns for the public on how to spot the symptoms which include rapid breathing and discoloured skin. The Mail has been campaigning to raise the profile of sepsis since 2016 following the death of one-year-old William Mead. Researchers from Harvard Medical School and Imperial College London were behind the analysis of 30 year trends in sepsis deaths. They used figures from the World Health Organisation's mortality database to track the decline in 36 nations, including Australia, Canada and Ireland. Overall, the average death rate from sepsis fell from 36.2 per 100,000 men in 1985 to 27.1 per 100,000 in 2015. There are 35.4 deaths from sepsis - a violent immune response to an infection - for every 100,000 women and 40.3 for every 100,000 men in the UK And for women, the median death rate fell from 23.2 in 100,000 to 19.6 in 100,000 during the same period. Countries which managed to reduce death rates most significantly were Finland, Iceland and Ireland. But increases in death rates were noted in both Denmark and Lithuania. The authors concluded: 'Overall, we observed a decrease in reported sepsis-related mortality across the majority of analysed nations between 1985 and 2015. 'However, there remains significant variability between health systems with respect to trends in sepsis-related mortality and between sexes in some countries.' Meghan Markle's growing baby bump has been the subject of international excitement. But enthusiasm reached new heights on Tuesday night when the duchess wore a fitted blue dress to a black tie event in Fiji - and appeared significantly bigger than the days before in Australia. Clothing, of course, plays a big role. Holding a bump will always accentuate it. And there is the fact that, as time goes on, the bump is growing. However, it may largely be down to the fact that baby bumps do often appear larger at night, and smaller in the morning. Blossoming baby bump: Meghan Markle in Fiji on Tuesday night at a black-tie event Smaller bump? Fans were surprised by the difference between the duchess's bump on Thursday (pictured) and Tuesday at the banquet The bizarre phenomenon fills up expectant mothers' chat rooms, with many sharing before-and-after pictures, first at night then in the morning. It got fresh attention last year when Khloe Kardashian, then expecting daughter True with Tristan Thompson, tweeted: 'Does anyone else who has been pregnant or if they are pregnant feel that in the morning their bumps are smaller. But throughout the day there bumper gets bigger and bigger and bigger LOL asking for a friend.' Bumps shift in shape as the baby moves. But according to birth doula Susannah Birch, ab muscles also play a role. '[A]t night time, your abdominal muscles are tired from holding your bump [and they] loosen as they grow more tired, which allows your bump to sit out further and appear larger,' Birch told Trimester Talk. A popular mommy topic: Khloe Kardashian tweeted her surprise at her bigger nightly bump 'When you go to sleep, your muscles get a chance to rest and recuperate so they're refreshed and ready to maintain your bump's position when you wake.' Our bodies adapt to the night-day cycle of the time zone we live in - which is why we can suffer damages to our physical health by working night shifts or pulling all-nighters. Whether you go to sleep at night or not, your muscles still do. They relax in the evening, recuperating so they can be strong and responsive during your active hours. On Friday (pictured) Meghan cradled her bump in a striped Martin Grant dress On Monday (pictured), Meghan and Harry walked along Kingfisher by in Australia's Fraser Island as Meghan cradled her bump. Often, women experience a 'pop' when the uterus expands enough to move above the pelvic bone As an article by Romper points out, a study in 2013 identified 'relaxin' hormones that determine that very dynamic. Another reason for Meghan's bigger bump in recent days is that many women experience 'the pop' - when it immediately appears quite suddenly. Amanda Kallen, MD, assistant professor in the division of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the Yale School of Medicine, told Women's Health that this has to do with the uterus expanding above the pubic bone. 'At this point, you may start to feeland even seeyour pregnant belly pop because it's no longer hiding behind the bony pelvis,' Dr Kallen said. People with large babies can also see dramatic changes in the shape and size of their bump as their babies move around. And those who've had multiple births may experience more muscle stretching because their body is primed to do so. Many years ago, my wife and I were regular visitors to the U.S., so we purchased a lot of travellers' cheques. Now we are both in our 80s and unable to travel there due to ill health. I have well over $1,000 in Visa travellers' cheques. The problem is, Visa no longer issues new cheques and I cannot cash these in. I have tried the Marks & Spencer store where I bought them, but they would not honour them, even though I have the original purchase receipts. I have tried phoning M&S Bank, which was not helpful. I have also tried other banks and a travel agent. L. R., Liverpool. One reader tells how he and his wife used to be regular visitors to the U.S., so they purchased a lot of travellers' cheques but now they cannot cash them in You are not the first person to come to me after having problems cashing in old travellers' cheques. Having issued the cheques, which do not carry expiry dates, surely it should be incumbent upon the banks to honour them? I went to Visa, where there was some surprise at the difficulties you are facing. Even though it no longer issues travellers' cheques, it does still support them. I also contacted M&S Bank. After looking at your case, it has offered to cash in the travellers' cheques as a goodwill gesture. In fact, you have $2,000 worth. And there's an extra piece of good news, because when you bought them in 2004, the exchange rate was running close to $1.90 to 1. Today, it is closer to $1.30. So you should get considerably more back in pounds than you paid 14 years ago even allowing for the different rates banks use to buy and sell currency. M&S Bank says: 'Following a significant reduction in demand for the cheques, due to a decline in outlets accepting the payment method, we stopped offering and encashing them in 2013. Due to the customer's personal circumstances, as a gesture of goodwill we will arrange the encashment of travellers' cheques previously purchased from M&S.' Visa suggests other readers who find old travellers' cheques should try Travelex (01733 279865 or tcassistance@travelex.com). You have YOUR say Money Mail, October 17 Every week, Money Mail receives hundreds of your letters and emails about our stories. Here are some from our article on ways to save money during the festive season... I don't buy multiple gifts for loved ones, as some friends do. Instead, I spend more money on individual presents. Too many are packed away after Christmas and never see the light of day again. I also like to buy gifts for children in care. I. R., Basingstoke, Hants. With the retailers whipping customers into a festive frenzy so early on, it's easy to forget the real meaning of Christmas. It's the simple things that make this time of year so special: the joy of excited children, carol singing and the pleasure of spending time with those we love. O. N., Somerset. Until recently, I was giving presents to my brothers, their wives and their children every year. I am single and it cost me a fortune. Last year, I told my brothers not to get me anything and we decided to spend money on the children instead. B. C., London. People who moan about Christmas coming too early drive me crazy. If you have a family, the sooner you can start planning, the better. If it's not for you, no one is forcing you to take part. Don't spoil it for those of us who love spending time with family and friends. M. M., Hessle, East Riding of Yorkshire. I dread this time of year. I have two teenagers and, of course, every Christmas, they want all the branded stuff. I can never get them everything they ask for one pair of trainers can cost around 100. To be honest, I can't wait until it's all over! B. Y., Northern Ireland. I'm just an ordinary 66-year-old woman and I've known about most of these tips and tricks for a long time. However, I never buy a card or gift for someone who isn't on my list just because they have given me one. I think that's disingenuous. S. M., Brighton. I sold my old, perfectly good Amazon Kindle on eBay on a 'no returns' basis, but the buyer complained that it did not work. I advised him how to reset it, but he said the fault had recurred and he wanted a refund. As he said that it was faulty, I agreed to let him return it. However, I found nothing wrong with it and sought from him a return handling charge. He refused and asked to go to arbitration, where eBay found in his favour. It then charged my PayPal account for the return postage and the full selling fee. It refuses to issue any refund. I have subsequently resold the Kindle at a lower price and have also been charged by eBay for this sale. P. S., Watford, Herts. The difficulty for eBay is that it's your word against the buyer's although, presumably, the second buyer is happy with the Kindle. The fact that you talked about resetting it makes me wonder whether it really was functioning perfectly. I also understand that while the buyer was initially happy to pay the return postage, you also wished to make a 15 pc handling charge. It was at this point that he decided to go to arbitration. eBay declined your request for a credit for the selling fees because you had not resolved the buyer's issues. If you had resolved them within the 'Seller Make It Right' period, then the fees would have been credited back. So, while the buyer may have been pernickety, you made things worse for yourself by digging in your heels and attempting to charge a handling fee. In this case, eBay believes there was a genuine breakdown in communication between you and the buyer, so it will refund your postage as a gesture of goodwill. Npower is trying to force me to pay 1,993.17 for gas and electricity used by a tenant years ago. After I complained, it wrote off the money, but has now reinstated it and threatened to follow up on its demands. I am nearly 83 and have owned the house for many years. It has had a succession of tenants but, since 2015, I have lived in the house while in the UK. I was never in any contractual agreement to pay for the gas and electricity, but Npower is insisting that I produce the tenancy agreement. Mrs M. B., London. I am very uneasy about this case on a number of levels. Npower confirms that you made contact in April 2015 to say you had moved in at the start of August 2014. Yet, for some reason, it chose not to believe you and instead billed you back to April 2013. So it appears it is assuming you were in occupancy without any evidence. There is also the scale of the bill, which you argue is far larger than your actual usage since you have been in the property. Npower says it simply wants you to produce a tenancy agreement to confirm you were letting the property. This doesn't seem unreasonable yet you haven't done it. I can only assume this means you lost it or never had one. Npower has suggested that you contact your council for evidence of who was paying the council tax, but I suspect you will hit General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) problems with this. At this stage, I am going to step away, as Npower has provided you with a final decision. You cannot give it the evidence it requires, so you should contact the energy ombudsman on 0330 440 1624 or osenquiries@os-energy.org Straight to the point My suitcase was damaged on a Ryanair flight. I'd already left the terminal when I noticed the damage and was not allowed back in to report it, so I logged a claim online. I must have sent 20 emails since then, but the airline will not help. T. B., by email. Ryanair says it will not consider your claim without a Property Irregularity Report. This is the form you would have been given had you been allowed back into the luggage hall. I contacted the Civil Aviation Authority, which suggests you escalate your complaint to the AviationADR online at aviationadr.org.uk or by calling 0203 540 8063. *** I purchased a dance disc from Grainger Games for my granddaughter, but later had to return it because it was unsuitable. I was told I could not have a cash refund and was instead given a voucher. Then the retailer collapsed, shutting all its stores. Is there any way I can get a refund? M. T., Sheffield, South Yorks. When a retailer collapses, anyone with a secured claim, such as a bank, is paid out first. Customers who have gift cards are considered unsecured creditors, so are further down the priority list. Administrator RSM says a small dividend should be paid to unsecured creditors within the next six to 12 months. Submit a claim by writing to: RSM Restructuring Advisory LLP, 1 St James' Gate, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4AD, quoting 'Grainger Games'. *** In July my son and I were delayed for 90 minutes on a Virgin train from London to Warrington. A few days later, my son, who is my carer, sent a compensation form. We heard nothing, so I wrote a month later. I followed up with a phone call and the member of staff hung up on me. I was then told that it was too late to claim the compensation. I paid 136 for the tickets and find this very frustrating. M. S., Warrington, Cheshire. Virgin Trains apologises for the delay and has now refunded you the full price of the tickets. It has also offered you two complimentary first-class tickets as a goodwill gesture. It adds that the member of staff you spoke with on the phone did not hang up on you. The line went dead and they did not have your number to call back. Write to Tony Hazell at Ask Tony, Money Mail, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT or email asktony@dailymail.co.uk please include your daytime phone number, postal address and a separate note addressed to the offending organisation giving them permission to talk to Tony Hazell. We regret we cannot reply to individual letters. Please do not send original documents as we cannot take responsibility for them. No legal responsibility can be accepted by the Daily Mail for answers given. One of Acacia Mining's senior managers in Tanzania has been charged by the country's anti-corruption agency One of Acacia Mining's senior managers in Tanzania has been charged by the country's anti-corruption agency. The struggling gold miner said the employee, who is a Tanzanian, has been arrested and charged over alleged tax evasion, forgery and money laundering. He has pleaded not guilty on all counts, but due to rules about offences under Tanzania's anti-money laundering act, he cannot be released on bail. Thirty-nine charges were brought by the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau against three of Acacia's subsidiaries and a current and a former employee last week. Acacia has been unable to export gold concentrate from Tanzania since a government ban in March. In July, the government slapped the London-listed miner with a bill of around 146bn for unpaid taxes. And earlier this year Acacia fell out of the FTSE 250 as Tanzania's crackdown took its toll. Patisserie Valerie boss Luke Johnson Major investors in Patisserie Valerie are piling pressure on boss Luke Johnson to hand over control of an internal probe into a 40 million black hole in its accounts. Shareholders are concerned the investigation is not independent enough with Johnson, chairman of the cafe chain's parent firm Patisserie Holdings, involved. Invesco has told the entrepreneur to hand over the probe to a law firm or independent investigation firm. Crisis-hit Patisserie Valerie was saved from collapse earlier this month after Johnson, 56, (pictured) joined forces with investors to plug the firm with cash. Its shares were frozen after the surprise debt pile and potential fraud were uncovered. Suspended finance director Chris Marsh, 44, was arrested on suspicion of fraud shortly after. He has since been bailed. Patisserie Valerie declined to comment. Experts blamed stamp duty for gumming up the property market as data today showed sales of homes so far this year 4.1 per cent down on the same period last year. With Chancellor Philip Hammond expected to tinker again with property taxes in Monday's Budget, some 98,400 residential property transactions were recorded in September across the country, the latest HMRC figures show. The figures show that transactions have been slowing down further since the beginning of the year, when they stood at nearly 100,000. Declining: House transactions have been slowing down further since the beginning of the year However, September's figure is still 40 per cent higher than the 59,130 transactions recorded in the same month in 2008, when the UK was in the midst of the housing market slump and credit crunch. Property transactions in the year to date are down by 4.1 per cent compared with the same period last year. Property transactions offer a clearer picture of activity in the housing market than mortgage completions or house prices as they are the record of every single home sold in the country. Craig Hall at Legal & General Mortgage Club said: 'Transactions have remained flat for quite some time now, indicating that economic uncertainty surrounding Brexit and financial barriers such as Stamp Duty are forcing existing homeowners to "improve, not move". Brian Murphy at the Mortgage Advice Bureau said the figures suggest the market is still working at a reasonably healthy level, with regions like the Midlands offsetting declines in activity in the South. Looking at the adjusted figures for last month, transaction numbers reduced by a modest 0.5% on August which, given that September completions are generally the result of deals agreed over the summer months, would suggest that the market is still ticking over a reasonably healthy level. Whilst London and the South East have suffered of late, many regions around the UK continue to report very positive market conditions, such as the Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber, as well as Wales and Scotland. As such, its likely that the level of transactions in these areas are somewhat making up for the lack of activity in the capital and its surrounding commuter belt in terms of the overall tally. It comes as transactions in prime central London locations have dropped below levels seen during the financial crisis to hit a new record low, according to separate research. Sales of homes in the most central and coveted parts of the capital have dropped by 17 per cent in the year to September to a record low of 3,606, real estate investment advising firm London Central Portfolio said. Thats 2.7 per cent lower than the previous low of 3,704 seen during June 2009, when the financial crisis was in full swing. Brexit uncertainty and stamp duty increases are to blame, as declines have also been recorded more broadly across England and Wales, according to LCP. Jeremy Leaf, north London estate agent and a former RICS residential chairman, said the HMRC figures show the housing market is in reasonable condition but still remains vulnerable. Chancellor Philip Hammond faces calls to make changes to stamp duty in this months Budget He said: 'On the ground, some buyers and sellers are cautiously coming to the market but in nowhere near the numbers hoped for or expected. As a result, sentiment is not strong and only those prepared to negotiate hard are successful. The content of the Budget, one way or the other, will make a difference to property market prospects for the rest of this year, as will the conclusion of the Brexit negotiations.' The introduction of stamp duty surcharges for buy-to-let as well as s high-end homes appear to have contributed to hit activity in the housing market. Chancellor Philip Hammond faces calls to cut the tax in this months Budget, making the property market more healthy and boosting the public finances at the same time. Stamp duty calculator Stamp duty is a major bill for those buying a home but puts more of a burden on some buyers than others. While first-time buyers get a stamp duty exemption and those buying an average UK home face a bills of about 2,500, people buying expensive homes and buy-to-let landlords can pay tens of thousands. Our calculator shows how much stamp duty you would pay. > Stamp duty calculator: How big would your bill be? Craig Hall at Legal & General Mortgage Club said said more action from the Government was needed 'A tax break in Stamp Duty for last-time buyers, for example, would help free up larger houses for younger families who are looking to upsize in turn, giving the next generation of homebuyers the chance to step onto the property ladder.' March 2016 saw the highest number of transactions in the last ten years, with transactions jumping to 177,170, but then crashed to nearly half that level in April, the month when some stamp duty hikes were introduced. Transactions bounced back from the slump but remained below 100,000 until the beginning of 2017. Since then, they have slowly declined. Mike Scott, property analyst at estate agent Yopa said this Septembers decline suggests that the total number of house sales for 2018 will come in a bit below the most recent four years. We expect the total number of house sales for 2018 to be a little under 1.2 million, behind the most recent four years which all saw a little over 1.2 million sales, but well ahead of the period after the credit crunch when it fell as low as 850,000 (in 2009). The graph shows the total UK residential property transactions over the past 13 years However, he believes that 2019 is more likely to see a recovery in the number of houses sold than a further downturn. Separate research by the National Association of Estate Agents shows the choice of properties available on the market increased to its widest levels in two and a half years in September. Across the UK, an average of 46 properties were available per branch in September, as buyers and sellers look to do deals before Christmas. This was the highest figure since March 2016 when an average of 54 properties were available per branch, the NAEA said. Iran's award-winning human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh was arrested on Wednesday, her husband said in a Facebook post. 'A few hours ago Nasrin was arrested at home and transferred to Evin,' Tehran's notorious prison where many political prisoners are held, her husband Reza Khandan wrote. Sotoudeh, 55, one of the few outspoken advocates for human rights in Iran, recently represented several women arrested for protesting against the mandatory wearing of headscarves. Soutoudeh and husband Reza Khandan at the place where one of the most famous protests against the mandatory wearing of the hijab happened The 'girl with the white flag' became a pin-up of the movement when she took off her headscarf in public in the capital of Tehran in December Nasrin Sotoudeh in conversation outside the walls of the notorious Evin prison near Tehran Tehran police said in February that 29 women had been detained for posing in public without their headscarves in the previous weeks. Khandan's Facebook message was defiant, saying: 'I once told interrogators in the interrogating room: "Of all the things the authorities should do for their country, you only know one and that is arresting people."' Sotoudeh won the European Parliament's prestigious Sakharov rights award in 2012 for her work on high-profile rights and political cases, including juveniles facing the death penalty in the Islamic republic. She spent three years in prison between 2010 and 2013 for 'actions against national security' and spreading 'propaganda against the regime' and remains banned from representing political cases or leaving Iran until 2022. The Evin prison in Tehran set against the dramatic backdrop of the snow-capped Alborz mountain range to the north of the capital A group of women wearing headscarves in their cell in Evin prison with several bunk beds crammed into a single room Ms Sotoudeh has already spent three years in prison between 2010 and 2013 for 'actions against national security' Sotoudeh has defended journalists and activists including Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi and several dissidents arrested during mass protests in 2009. During her time in jail, she staged two hunger strikes in protest at the conditions in Evin and over a ban on seeing her son and daughter. Sotoudeh revealed that beatings, torture, mock executions and brutal interrogations are all regular occurrences at the prison - which is home to over 15,000 inmates. Those bound to life inside the jail include killers, thieves and rapists but also journalists, intellectuals and dissidents. Sotoudeh was released in September 2013 shortly before Iran's then newly elected President Hassan Rouhani, who had campaigned on a pledge to improve civil rights, attended the UN General Assembly. Iranian lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh (left) speaks on the phone next to her husband Reza Khandan (right) as they pose for a photo in their Tehran home in September 2013 Aged five, Carl Edon loved to draw. He spent hours working on dot-to-dots or his colouring books, and drawing his own shapes and patterns. One morning, his mother, Val, noticed how long he had been working on a picture and asked to take a look. It was surprisingly neat, not a scribble, yet she could not quite make out what the designs were meant to be. Carl explained that these were his air force badges. The first was an eagle, its wings drawn straight out at the sides. But before Carl could describe the next symbol, Val recognised it with a jolt. It was a swastika. Perhaps even more extraordinary was the picture that his father Jim found in Carls bedroom just after his sons sixth birthday. It showed the cockpit of a plane, complete with all the gauges, instruments and levers. Carl pointed out a red pedal at the bottom: this was the handle to drop the bombs, he said, adding that it was a Messerschmitt bomber like the one he had flown in the war. It was not the first time the boy had claimed to remember a past life as a German pilot. As young as two, he would wake from vivid dreams, screaming that his plane had crashed, his leg was severed and he was bleeding to death. These were horrific nightmares for a boy so young and, more eerie still, Carl refused to accept they were just dreams. It really happened, he would say. I died. One of our engines ran out and I opened a hatch to try and get out, but my right leg was gone. He showed his mother where the fatal wound had been. On the inside of his right thigh, he had a blotchy red birthmark. Val was frightened and confused, but her husband was sceptical. He tried to pick holes in the boys fantastic story. And he thought hed spotted a big one, believing the Messerschmitt was a fighter plane, not a bomber. From the moment Carl Edon was born, his mother sensed there was something different about him He decided to test Carl a little more. So what uniform did you wear? he asked. Carl replied without hesitation: Grey trousers, tucked into knee-high leather boots and a black jacket. A few days later, Jim visited the local library in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, clutching the pictures Carl had drawn. In the history section he pulled out any books he could find on the German Luftwaffe of World War II. With the books laid out in front of him, he sat in total shock. It was all there. The picture of the cockpit, the badges, the description of the uniform: everything was exactly as Carl had described. There was even a Messerschmitt bomber the 110. The legend of a crashed German bomber had a special significance for the people of Middlesbrough. On January 15, 1942, after a German attack on merchant ships in the North Sea, a stricken Luftwaffe plane attempted a crash-landing outside the town and ploughed straight into an anti-aircraft cable, a thick metal line securing a barrage balloon. The cable sheared off one wing, and the aircraft smashed into the ground. The fireball was so intense that it was half an hour before firemen could get close. The next morning the wreckage lay in a smouldering crater, amid 100ft of smashed railway track. Rescue workers, watched by two intelligence men in thick woollen coats, pulled three charred bodies from the plane. World War Two German bomber Heinrich Richter, who Carl Edon believed he was during a past life There was meant to be a four-man crew the fourth body was thought to have been completely destroyed in the fire. The three corpses were taken to nearby Thornaby-on-Tees cemetery and laid to rest. With the government keen to rebuild the track as soon as possible, the remains of the aircraft were buried under a mound of earth and the track was reinstalled as if nothing had ever happened. On December 29, 1972, 30 years later, Carl Edon was born. From the moment he arrived, Val sensed there was something different about him. These were physical differences at first: Carls dark-haired brother and sister had brown eyes, whereas Carls were blue and his hair strawberry blonde. Carl was also pale, while their skin was a little darker and tanned easily. But there was something else, too: the sense that Carl never seemed able to relax. He was so particular about his clothes his collars always had to be ironed. When he was seven, his friend Michael came over for tea. Carl told him the story of how he had died in World War II. Val grew increasingly uncomfortable as Carl described bleeding to death and predicted he would die again before he was 25. He finished by describing a man called Adolf Hitler, then got down from the table and started goose-stepping round the kitchen. Michael didnt stop laughing until Val quietly reminded them to finish their food. Carls belief in this extraordinary past life began to have an impact at school. During a parents evening, one teacher asked Val and Jim if everything was all right at home, adding that she had noticed Carl becoming distracted in class. When I talk to him about anything, its as if he is staring straight through me, she said. Over the next few years, Carl continued to describe vividly a life lived somewhere else, in a time and place unrecognisable from the concrete streets and industry of Seventies Middlesbrough. He spoke of a village tucked away amid forest hills, and explained how his father Fritz used to teach him about the flowers and trees. He couldnt remember his mothers name, only that she wore spectacles and had been large, with dark hair pulled tightly back in a bun. But Im your mother, Val would say whenever Carl got too carried away, her voice gently breaking. I know, Carl would reply, but shes my mother, too. According to Carl, in his past life he would often have to do chores, chopping up wood and bringing it home in a wheelbarrow or else face the wrath of his mother, bossing him about with her glasses perched on the end of her nose. When she wasnt ordering him to chop wood, she would be by the stove making a dark red soup, like nothing Val had ever made. He remembered brothers, too, who also fought in the war, including a younger boy who was apparently killed shortly after him. The pictures seemed to come to him as if he was watching clips from a television show, turning on and off for a few seconds at a time. One minute he was a seven-year-old boy playing with toys in his bedroom, the next he was 19 and living in a kind of camp, with lots of small huts lined up in rows, watching people collecting water from a pump. Sometimes he recalled putting bandages on people, or standing in a hall, surrounded by rows of men in uniform. In this hall was a framed picture of a man he recognised by now as Hitler. Together, he and the others were stamping their feet and raising their arms in a salute with the fingers locked together. Val felt uneasy when Carl repeated the gesture. To hear Hitlers name spoken aloud by her young son, when it had never been mentioned in the home before, sent shivers down her spine. One morning, an oddly subdued Carl told his mother about a new dream from the night before. He was 23, sitting in what seemed to be the cockpit of a plane. He couldnt say if he was flying it or not, but it was shaking all over the place. Suddenly everything went black. When he woke again in the plane, the buildings on the ground were rushing up towards him. In that moment, Carl knew he was going to die. As the plane crashed it must have gone through a window, he thought. There was glass everywhere. He saw that his leg had been cut off and he felt very sad, not for himself but for a 19-year-old woman he wanted to marry, left behind in his village in Germany. Val listened in horror as Carl finished the account by describing his final moments, bleeding to death alone in the plane. The following year, after a journalist caught wind of Carls extraordinary claim and published a small piece in the local paper, the nine-year-old was interviewed by Womans Own magazine. Later that year the story even made it as far as Germany when it was picked up in Berlins Morgenpost. With the exposure came ridicule at school. Within days of the articles appearing, Carls classmates began calling him Hitler and throwing their arms up in Nazi salutes. Most days Carl returned home in tears because of all this teasing. As the attention became unbearable, he decided to stop talking about it. But that didnt mean interest in his case waned. It was some time toward the end of 1983 when the Womans Own article found its way to the U.S., onto the desk of Dr Ian Stevenson in Virginia. At the time, he was the Carlson Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. A fascinating but controversial figure, he had dedicated himself to investigating so-called reincarnation cases for 25 years. He even established a specific department, the universitys Division of Perceptual Studies, to better conduct his research. Despite much criticism from his peers, Dr Stevensons dogged research ultimately earned him grudging respect from the psychiatric community. His interest in reincarnation stemmed from his fascination with how certain characteristic traits or unusual illnesses often seemed incompatible with any environmental or hereditary influences. This suggested that there may be a third type of influence on human character, such as memory transfer. One feature in many of Dr Stevensons case studies, of which there were hundreds, was the appearance of birthmarks or birth defects in places with a deep significance to the past life. For example, in his book Reincarnation And Biology: A Contribution To The Etiology Of Birthmarks and Birth Defects, published in 1997, Stevenson recounted the story of a young boy who became convinced that he had shot himself in a past life. The boys recollections eventually led him to a woman whose brother had indeed shot himself in the throat. When Dr Stevenson examined the boy, he found a birthmark on his throat where the bullet had entered, and suggested checking for an exit wound. Sure enough, after pulling back the hair on top of the boys head, a birthmark was found. Dr Stevenson was immediately enthralled by Carls case, and in particular the birthmark on his right leg. He sent an associate, Dr Nicholas McClean-Rice, to interview Carl and his family. After analysing the various anecdotes and stories collected, Dr Stevenson concluded that reincarnation was at least a plausible explanation for Carls story. However, by the age of 13, Carls lingering memories of the mysterious Luftwaffe pilot had apparently all but vanished. He left school at 16 to work for British Rail. Five years later, Carl granted one final interview to Dr Stevenson. It proved disappointing for the psychiatrist, with Carl unable to offer any more insights into his apparent past life, but Dr Stevenson was pleased to find the young man happy and in love, living with his 17-year-old girlfriend. Carl welcomed his first child with her 12 months later, and he proposed the following year, with a second baby on the way. It was as if his life had truly become his own, and the spectre of the mysterious German pilot had finally been laid to rest. Then tragedy struck. In the heatwave of summer 1995, a man walked into Middlesbroughs South Bank police station, his clothes covered in blood. He said his name was Gary Vinter, he worked for British Rail, and he had come to report a murder. He had been working the evening shift less than a mile away, at the Grangetown signal box, when he and a colleague got into an argument. Vinter claimed he couldnt remember exactly what had happened only that when it was over, his workmate was dead. Beside the tracks, in a squat redbrick building with a flat Tarmac roof, police found the body of a man lying in a pool of blood. The remains of a knife still protruded from his body. The man was Carl Edon. He had been stabbed 37 times across his whole body, with most of his internal organs punctured. The pathologists findings seemed to contradict Vinters initial claim that he had acted in self-defence. The jury at his trial agreed and he was convicted of murder the following year. For Carls family his fiancee and two young daughters, his parents, brother and sister the grief and shock were almost unbearable. But as the months went by, the Edons couldnt help but reminisce about Carls early years and those peculiar visions that had plagued his childhood. Then, in November 1997, workers for the Northumbrian water board were digging a sewage pipeline at a site on Clay Lane, a few miles down the track from the Grangetown signal box, when one of them hit something in the mud. A couple of workers jumped into the pit and, scraping away at the earth, found a mangled metallic structure underneath. One of the men spotted what looked like an old sack. Opening it, he found a bundle of pristine white silk stuffed inside: a parachute. Concerned that they might not only have the remains of a wartime aircraft on their site, but also some unexploded ordnance, the water workers immediately informed the Royal Engineers. Within days, a team of bomb disposal experts from nearby RAF Wittering set about excavating the wreckage. The plane was soon identified as a German bomber that had belonged to a unit of the Luftwaffe, based at Schiphol in the Netherlands. A quick check of the records revealed it to be the plane that crashed on the evening of January 15, 1942 after taking a hit just off the coast and colliding with a barrage balloon. When the engineers dug deeper, they found more than five tons of wreckage, including machine guns, a wooden propeller and two further parachutes. Then they came across a fragment of bone. From the records they ascertained that the bodies of three of the crew had been recovered from the crash, with a fourth thought to have been too badly burned to be removed. But they soon discovered what appeared to be a complete skeleton, in what would have been the gunners position, a large bubble of glass at the base of the plane. The missing body was identified as that of the planes gunner, Heinrich Richter. When the aircraft crashed nose-first, this bubble effectively a spherical glass window would have borne the brunt of the initial impact and been smashed to smithereens, covering the occupant in thousands of shards, similar to the way Carl had described a shattering window in his dreams. Most peculiar of all, when the team removed the skeleton from the wreckage, they discovered it wasnt quite as complete as they had first thought. The right leg had been severed in the crash. News of the planes rediscovery soon spread throughout the town and, the following year, the remains of Heinrich Richter were laid to rest alongside his comrades at the cemetery at Thornaby. The German ambassador to Britain attended the moving burial ceremony, as well as a handful of the crews descendants, 22 British ex-servicemen and more than 200 members of the public. Heinz Mollenbrok, then 78, a former Dornier pilot of the same unit who was shot down during the Battle of Britain, laid the first wreath on Richters grave. He then placed another on a monument for British airmen, representing the 55,000 members of RAF Bomber Command who, like Richter and his fellow crew members, had never made it back home. And as the RAF military standards were lowered and a bugler of the Cleveland police blew the Last Post, two other faces watched from the back of the crowd. Val and Jim Edon were there to pay their respects to the German airman. Years later, after further investigative work, Middlesbrough historian Bill Norman tracked down Richters family. One morning, Bill received a letter containing a striking photograph of the young airman shortly before he was killed. When Val and Jim looked at the picture for the first time, they felt as though they were seeing a ghost. There, staring back at them, with his strong nose and chin, was the face of their son. The collar of Richters jacket bore the insignia of eagles just as Carl had drawn them in his childhood pictures all those years ago. Grieving parents are still searching for answers to how their 'always healthy' toddler died after ambulance officers and doctors dismissed his illness as 'just a fever'. Shadrach Sumaru and Kathryn Ram have spoken to Daily Mail Australia about what they say are flaws in the Australian healthcare system. The Melbourne couple said their two-year-old son Isaiah Sumaru, who died four weeks ago, would still be alive today if their concerns were taken seriously. The desperate parents knew something was not right with their little boy but Ambulance Victoria said he just needed Nurofen. 'They made us feel like idiots for calling!' Melbourne couple Shadrach Sumaru (left) and Kathryn Ram (right) have spoken of their devastation after the death of their only son, Isaiah (centre) On September 24, Isaiah, who was described by his parents as 'always healthy and full of life', became sick and developed abnormal breathing. Shadrach, 38, and Kathryn, 29, frantically called for an ambulance and despite being told by paramedics that it was 'just a fever' and that there was 'no need' for the toddler to be taken to hospital, Isaiah tragically died two days later. 'We called an ambulance twice. The first time, the paramedics reassured us that 'he's just got a fever',' Kathryn, who's heavily pregnant, told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday. 'The second time, two other paramedics came over to check Isaiah and made us feel like idiots for calling. 'They said, 'it's just a fever. Give him Panadol and Neurofen'. It felt like an inconvenience for them to come down and check on him. We did everything we were told.' Respiratory issues: On September 24th, Isaiah, who was described by his parents as 'always healthy and full of life', suddenly became sick and developed abnormal breathing Despite Kathryn and Shadrach's insistence that Isaiah be rushed to the emergency room, they claim the paramedics refused. 'They were really abrupt and rude. Had they taken their job seriously, my son could still be alive today', she said tearfully. As Isaiah's condition began to deteriorate they took him to their local doctor, who immediately called for an ambulance and Isaiah was finally transported to Dandenong hospital in Melbourne's south east. Tragedy: Shadrach, 38, and Kathryn, 29, frantically called for an ambulance and despite being told by paramedics that it was 'just a fever' and that there was 'no need' for the toddler to be taken to hospital - Isaiah tragically died two days later There, they say they faced an agonizing two-hour wait to see a doctor, despite Isaiah's fragile state. 'No one came up to check on him. He was only a toddler and still learning to speak so he couldn't express what was wrong but you could hear he couldn't breathe properly,' Kathryn said. She claims staff at Dandenong hospital ignored a referral letter from her GP that was supposed to go directly to a triage nurse. Gone too soon: Despite Kathryn and Shadrach's insistence that Isaiah be rushed to the emergency room, they claim the paramedics refused. 'They were really abrupt and rude. Had they taken their job seriously, my son could still be alive today', she said tearfully 'The referral letter was to get a blood test and an x-ray immediately... the letter was not looked at [and] we got pushed into the waiting room.' By the time that they finally saw a doctor, it was too late. 'His last word was 'juice' and I gave him juice and all of a sudden his eyes started rolling back,' Kathryn said between sobs. 'Everything happened so fast. All I remember was [hearing] 'code blue' and there was 20 people on my son trying to resuscitate him.' Last words: 'His last word was 'juice' and I gave him juice and all of a sudden his eyes started rolling back,' heavily-pregnant Kathryn said between sobs Isaiah was pronounced dead on the evening of September 26. The coroner is yet to determine the cause of death. The tragic case comes less than a year after Victorian Coroner Rosemary Carlin said that all too often parents were left feeling ignored by doctors - after investigating the death of another two-year-old boy, Lachlan Black, who was misdiagnosed by doctors at Monash Health before he died. 'Whether based on truth or perception, such a complaint is common,' Ms Carlin said at a hearing late last year. 'Family members are a vital source of information for a patient's health.' Searching for answers: Isaiah was pronounced dead on the evening of September 26. The coroner is yet to determine the cause of death Kathryn, who is due to give birth next month, said her hope is that Ambulance Victoria and Monash Health will change their procedures so that no other parent is forced to endure what she and her husband went through. 'We've had so many parents reach out to us who have had children pass away [after a long wait] in hospitals,' she said. 'I don't want any child to ever wait for two hours in the emergency room.' In separate statements to Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday, Ambulance Victoria and Monash Health said internal reviews were currently under way. Another toddler death: It comes less than a year after Victorian Coroner, Rosemary Carlin, said that all too often parents are left feeling ignored by doctors - after investigating the death of another two-year-old boy, Lachlan Black (pictured), who was misdiagnosed by doctors at Monash Health before he died Ambulance Victoria Acting Executive Director Patient Safety and Experience, Andrew Keenan said: 'Our thoughts remain with Isaiah's family at this sad time. We have spoken to them to express our sympathy and to let them know we are reviewing our response. 'Our paramedics assessed and provided advice to Isaiah's family in relation to his care. We have provided Safer Care Victoria with the details of our response so they can conduct a multi-agency review of this case.' A spokesperson from Monash Health said: 'A review of the clinical management is already underway and will involve a health expert external to Monash Health. The family will continue to be kept informed about the review and support will be provided to the family.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Health Minister Jill Hennessy for comment. Kavanaugh has already hinted at where hell fall on the issue. Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images Few statutes in American law are as contested as Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which Congress wrote to bring equal access to education without regard for a students gender. Its 37 words are eminently readable: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. The law may have been intended as a legal equalizer for women seeking the same opportunities in education that men took for granted in decades past. But today Title IX sits at the intersection of some of our biggest culture wars, including the fights for transgender rights and about sexual violence on campus. The Trump administration, no stranger to identity politics of all kinds, has staked its position in both of these areas, but its Department of Health and Human Services appears set to take things up a notch in one of them: The New York Times obtained a memorandum in which the department appears all but determined to erase what little protections federal law affords trans Americans today. By reading the phrase on the basis of sex in Title IX to only mean on a biological basis that is clear, grounded in science, objective and administrable, according to the DHS memo, the government will, in essence, interpret the statute as binary: as only covering male and female traits, as determined by the persons genitals at birth. The sex listed on a persons birth certificate, as originally issued, shall constitute definitive proof of a persons sex unless rebutted by reliable genetic evidence, the memo reportedly reads. This cramped interpretation of the law quickly drew the ire of trans and civil rights communities, advocates, and everyday citizens, who are in broad agreement that this craven play amounts to the erasure of trans people from federal law. But such a literalist definition of sex to mean whatever a persons birth certificate says will be the final word on whether a person deserves to be free from discrimination also ignores both reality and how lower courts have been reading federal civil rights laws in favor of LGBTQ Americans. At a steady clip, judges and appeals courts in different parts of the country have ruled that the word sex whether in Title IX, employment law, or other corners of the federal code does encompass sexual orientation and gender identity, despite the more traditional understanding of sex as only meaning gender, male or female. When the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit considered the case of Ash Whitaker, a transgender student who was forced by his high school to use the girls bathroom or else a single-stall, gender-neutral restroom in the schools main office, a three-judge panel ruled that treating him that way violated Title IX and the Constitutions guarantee of equal protection of the laws. U.S. Circuit Judge Ann Williams, who authored the unanimous opinion in Whitakers case, surveyed how numerous lower courts over the years relied on a range of interpretive tools Supreme Court guidance, civil rights case law, and good-old statutory analysis to conclude that Title IX protects transgender students from sex stereotyping, or the notion that they should be made to conform to societal expectations about gender. That, the court said, was itself a form of sex discrimination. By definition, a transgender individual does not conform to the sex-based stereotypes of the sex that he or she was assigned at birth, Williams wrote. The case never made it to the Supreme Court because Whitakers school district settled the lawsuit rather than appeal it. But there are other cases in the pipeline that could prove pivotal, including that of Gavin Grimm, a former high-school student and trans activist who almost got his day in court before the justices that is, until the Trump administration jumped into the dispute and short-circuited his case. If you want a sense of how some conservative judges view this brewing controversy over the rights of transgender students at schools, consider this line from a dissenting judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which recently ruled in favor of a trans-inclusive policy adopted in a Pennsylvania school district: Nowhere does Title IX unambiguously specify liability for failure to open locker rooms and bathrooms to transgender students of the opposite sex, the judge wrote. Thats more or less the conclusion the Trump administration appears to be embracing: that Congress meant something very specific when it passed Title IX in 1972, and that anything more expansive than that would require a new law specifically spelling out gender identity or transgender status as a protected category. The word sex alone shouldnt do it. That was, in effect, how a federal judge in Texas came down in the waning days of the Obama administration, when he blocked on a nationwide basis the anti-discrimination provisions of the Affordable Care Act regulations that relied on Title IX to forbid discrimination against transgender patients. In that judges view, the meaning of sex in Title IX unambiguously refers to the biological and anatomical differences between male and female students as determined at their birth. (The judge, Reed OConnor, is also handling an explosive case that could render inoperative the totality of Obamacare.) That seems to be the only source of authority the federal government is clinging to for its latest policy pre-proposal, which has yet to be presented to the Department of Justice for legal vetting but is expected to be rolled out later this fall, according to the Times. The ACLU, for its part, has already vowed to sue if the Trump administration goes forward with it. And as with Trumps prior assault on transgender troops, it could be only a matter of time before the government is facing legal challenges from all sides. So far, the threat of legal action has not stopped our most litigious president from yet another skirmish in the never-ending culture wars. If Congress doesnt move on across-the-board legislation protecting LGBTQ people and I wouldnt hold my breath it will then fall to the Supreme Court to decide each of these battles piecemeal, including the burning question of whether discrimination on the basis of sex means something more than just discrimination against cisgender, straight men and women. And it is here that the courts newest member, Brett Kavanaugh, like Justice Anthony Kennedy before him, is more likely than not to provide the decisive vote. Except not in the way that his predecessor, a gay-rights champion, often did. Kavanaugh has already given us some clues on where he stands. While hearing an unrelated immigration argument during his second day on the bench, which dealt with a sticky issue of statutory interpretation that could affect thousands of immigrants, Kavanaugh, still finding his footing after a bruising confirmation ritual, seemed to side with the Trump administration wondering out loud about what was really going through Congresss mind at a fixed point in a distant past. For a textualist who looks to statutory text first and foremost, that tells us a good deal about how he might approach the status of the law on transgender rights: not as a growing number of courts have over the years, but as a minority of judges and those in power want it to be. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to reveal what he described as the 'naked truth' behind the murder of Jamal Khashoggi at Istanbul's Saudi embassy. Erdogan is expected to make an announcement today with Ankara having already said the journalist's killing was 'savagely planned'. A tough critic of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Khashoggi, disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to collect a document for his upcoming marriage. Saudi Arabia has acknowledged that the 59-year-old died on October 2, during the consulate visit, but maintains he died in a fistfight. Turkish officials say the writer was attacked and killed by a 15-man Saudi team. This morning, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said the investigation into the killing will produce the truth about what happened. Adel al-Jubeir also pledged that mechanisms will be put in place so that 'something like this can never happen again.' Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to reveal what he described as the 'naked truth' behind the murder of Jamal Khashoggi (pictured) at Istanbul's Saudi embassy Erdogan (pictured) is expected to make an announcement today with Ankara having already said the journalist's killing on October 2 was 'savagely planned' This morning, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said the investigation into the killing will produce the truth about what happened. Adel al-Jubeir also pledged that mechanisms will be put in place so that 'something like this can never happen again' He spoke on Tuesday in Indonesia, just hours before Turkey's president was expected to detail his own country's findings. 'I express the commitment (of the government)...to see to it that the investigation is thorough and complete and that the truth is revealed and those responsible will be held to account,' he told reporters after meeting with his Indonesian counterpart in Jakarta. 'And that mechanism and procedures are put in place to ensure that something like this can never happen again.' It comes as US President Donald Trump said he was 'not satisfied' with Riyadh's explanation of the Washington Post contributor's death in a case has tarnished the image of powerful Saudi Crown Prince. German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday called the killing 'monstrosity' and vowed to halt all German arms exports to Riyadh until the case is cleared up. A tough critic of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Khashoggi, disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate (pictured) in Istanbul on October 2 to collect a document for his upcoming marriage Merkel, in her harshest comments to date, decried what she called 'the monstrosity there in the Saudi consulate in Turkey' during a campaign rally in the town of Ortenberg before a regional election in the state of Hesse on Sunday. 'It must be cleared up. As long as it's not cleared up, there will be no arms exports to Saudi Arabia. I assure you of that very decidedly,' Merkel said. A few days after Khashoggi's disappearance, a Turkish government source said police believed he was murdered by a team sent to Istanbul, and on October 17, a Turkish newspaper said he was tortured and decapitated inside the consulate. After more than two weeks of near silence, Saudi Arabia admitted on Saturday that Khashoggi was killed in an altercation at the consular office - an explanation rejected by friends and foes alike. Revealed: The Tiger Squad assassins Saudi Arabias crown prince has a death squad tasked with covertly killing dissidents inside the kingdom and on foreign soil, it is claimed. The Firqat el-Nemr, or Tiger Squad, is made up of 50 of the countrys best-skilled intelligence and military operatives who are loyal to their leader. It is supervised by Mohammed bin Salman, the de-facto ruler of the Gulf state, the Middle East Eye reported. He is alleged to have chosen five of his most trusted personal security team to serve in the squad. They are alleged to be among the 15 men sent to kill Mr Khashoggi, including Maher Abdulaziz Mutrib, Mohammed al-Zahrani and Dhaar al-Harbi. A source said: They [the Saudi leadership] have the belief that arresting critics will mount pressure on them so thats why they started assassinating them quietly. It was named the Tiger Squad after Major General Ahmed al-Assiri, deputy chief of Saudi intelligence, who was sacked by Riyadh last week over Mr Khashoggis death. The source added: Assiri is well known among his colleagues as the Tiger of the South. Assiri and Saoud al-Qahtani, one of the crown princes closest aides, who was also dismissed last week, are believed to be part of the command structure. Mutrib is described as the spinal cord of the Tiger Squad. Mr Khashoggis fingers were allegedly taken to prove the missions success and they were presented to the crown prince. MBS always said he will cut off the fingers of every writer who criticises him, the source said. Advertisement Trump, who had said he found Riyadh's initial explanations credible, told reporters at the White House Monday: 'I am not satisfied with what I have heard' since then, and expected to know more 'very soon'. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin meanwhile met the Crown Prince behind closed doors in Riyadh for talks while CIA Director Gina Haspel headed for Turkey, although details of her trip were not immediately clear. White House advisor and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner said he had urged Prince Mohammed to be 'fully transparent' stressing that 'the world is watching'. The case has shone the spotlight on the Crown Prince, who was credited with spearheading a reform drive but is now accused of having ordered Khashoggi's murder - a claim Riyadh denies. And as further details of the killing continued to seep out, CNN broadcast images showing a Saudi official playing a body double for Khashoggi, wearing the journalist's clothes, exiting the consulate. Omer Celik, spokesman of Erdogan's ruling party, said the killing 'was planned in an extremely savage manner,' and that 'there has been a lot of effort to whitewash this'. An Erdogan adviser, Yasin Aktay, wrote in the Yeni Safak daily that Riyadh's version of events 'feels like our intelligence is being mocked'. The security official heading a team of 15 Saudis allegedly sent to Istanbul, called the head of Prince Mohammed's office, Bader al-Asaker, 'four times after the murder', the adviser added. Abdulkadir Selvi, whose Hurriyet newspaper columns are closely watched for indications of Erdogan's thinking, wrote that Khashoggi was slowly strangled to death before a Saudi forensic specialist cut his body into 15 pieces while listening to music. 'We cannot close this file until the crown prince is brought to account and removed from his post,' said Selvi. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, a smooth former envoy to Washington, appeared on Fox News Sunday to blame a 'rogue operation' by individuals who 'exceeded their responsibilities' and then 'tried to cover up for it'. Khashoggi timeline: the diplomatic fallout It comes as US President Donald Trump (right) said he was 'not satisfied' with Riyadh's explanation of the Washington Post contributor's death in a case has tarnished the image of powerful Saudi Crown Prince (left) With Khashoggi's remains still missing, Turkish police have found an abandoned car belonging to the Saudi consulate in an underground car park in the Sultangazi district of Istanbul, state media said. Erdogan has stopped short of directly pointing the finger at Riyadh. Analysts say he preferred to authorise the leak of incriminating information to pro-government media to put pressure on the kingdom. He has twice held telephone talks with King Salman on the crisis, interpreted by some as sidelining the ageing monarch's son Prince Mohammed. The timing of the controversy could not be worse for the crown prince as he prepares to host a key investment summit Tuesday, overshadowed by big name cancellations. Dozens of executives from bankers Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan to ride-hailing app Uber to Western leaders like International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde have pulled out of the three-day Future Investment Initiative (FII), dubbed 'Davos in the desert'. The chief executive of German industrial conglomerate Siemens Joe Kaeser was the latest to cancel, saying 'for now, the truth must be found and justice must be served'. Petrol giant Total's head Patrick Pouyanne, however, said he will attend the meeting as 'empty chair politics' do not advance human rights. 'Hitman made SEVEN calls to the Saudi Crown Prince's private office' on the day Khashoggi was murdered before 'hit squad sent his fingers back to bin Salman to prove mission's success' By Larisa Brown, Middle East Correspondent for the Daily Mail A hitman made seven calls to the Saudi Crown Prince's private office on the day Jamal Khashoggi was killed, it was claimed last night. Turkish intelligence agencies intercepted 14 phone calls by Major General Maher Abdulaziz Mutrib, a former diplomat who was once posted to Britain. Seven of them were to the office of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman the contents of which would be 'explosive' if leaked, a source claimed. Mutrib, who was pictured outside Downing Street in March during the Crown Prince's state visit, was described as the 'spinal cord' of a Saudi death squad. Major General Maher Abdulaziz Mutrib, pictured outside Downing Street in March during the Crown Princes state visit, was described as the spinal cord of a Saudi death squad Left, on the way in: Mustafa al-Madani enters the consulate in a checked shirt. Centre, before the murder: Victim Mr Khashoggi. Right, later: Madani, now in Mr Khashoggis jacket The allegations are yet further evidence that point the finger at Saudi Arabia's de-facto ruler. A source told online news service Middle East Eye that members of the hit squad sent Mr Khashoggi's fingers back to Riyadh to prove the mission's success and they were presented to the Crown Prince. 'MBS always said that he will cut off the fingers of every writer who criticises him,' the source said. According to newspaper Yeni Safak, Mutrib spoke to Badr al-Asaker, head of the Crown Prince's private office, four times after Khashoggi was killed. In another day of high drama yesterday, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt warned that members of the Saudi regime could face sanctions over the murder. Condemning the 'appalling brutality', he said measures could ultimately include asset freezes and travel bans which could target the Crown Prince himself. Left - disguise: Madani, circled, was also wearing a fake beard. Right - Job done: The Saudi then changed back into his own clothes Mr Hunt told the Commons: 'When we have full accountability for the crimes that have been committed, which have been described by the Saudis as murder, then that accountability must extend to the people who gave the order for the crimes to be committed, not just those who were there on the ground.' Earlier, former foreign secretary Jack Straw said the killing could only have been 'authorised at the highest level'. Mr Khashoggi, 59, was killed by a 15-strong assassination squad flown in from Riyadh on private jets. Mr Khashoggi's body is said to have been rolled up in a rug and taken out in a consular vehicle. In a further development yesterday, police discovered an abandoned vehicle they believe belonged to the Saudi consulate. It was located in a private car park about ten miles away. A spokesman for Turkey's ruling AK party yesterday said the murder was 'monstrously planned'. Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson also claimed Mr Khashoggi, who moved to Washington a year ago fearing reprisals for his views, had been tricked into going to Istanbul. It emerged that Mr Khashoggi had applied in the US capital for a document certifying that he had been divorced because he wished to marry his Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz. But in a 'transparent ruse' the Saudi-born Washington Post columnist was told he had to travel to Istanbul to get it, Mr Johnson wrote in the Daily Telegraph. A Georgia Tech student is suing U.S. Sen. David Perdue, accusing the politician of snatching a cellphone from him during a campaign event in Atlanta. Perdue's staff has disputed the allegations, saying the senator thought he was being asked to take a picture so he grabbed the phone to take a selfie and then returned it when he realized the student didn't want a photo. The lawsuit against Perdue, a Republican, was filed Monday by Georgia lawyer David Dreyer, who's a Democratic state representative. The civil battery complaint is asking for a jury trial, damages, attorneys' fees and costs from Perdue, according to CNN. The encounter happened October 13 at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and involved Georgia Tech student Nathan Alan Knauf. Perdue was on the campus campaigning for Republican Brian Kemp, who faces Democrat Stacey Abrams in the hotly contested Nov. 6 election for Georgia governor. Georgia Senator David Perdue was visiting Georgia Tech last Saturday to campaign for gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp when he was approached by a student recording him with his cell phone The student, Nathan Alan Knauf, approached him with his cell phone recording Perdue and attempted to ask him about his endorsement of Brian Kemp, but was interrupted when the Senator snatched his phone Knauf (left) 'attempted to ask Senator Perdue (above) about voter-suppression allegations against Brian Kemp, who Senator Perdue endorsed,' the lawsuit states Knauf 'attempted to ask Senator Perdue about voter-suppression allegations against Brian Kemp, who Senator Perdue endorsed,' the lawsuit states. Perdue 'committed unlawful battery when he seized Mr. Knauf's phone, touching Mr. Knauf in the process of seizing the phone, while angrily declaring: '"No, I'm not doing that- I'm not doing that,"' the lawsuit states. Knauf had been recording the encounter, and Perdue stopped the recording and returned the phone after the student repeatedly asked him to give it back, the lawsuit states. 'This complaint is complete nonsense and lacks any merit whatsoever,' Perdue's spokeswoman said in a statement. This comes amid a contentious battle for Georgia's gubernatorial seat between Kemp (above) and Abrams Kemp oversees elections and is facing Abrams (right), who is vying to become the nation's first black female governor. Recent public polling indicates the race is a dead heat 'It's now abundantly clear that this is being politically orchestrated by Georgia Democrats,' it said. 'The senator was simply asked to take a picture and went to take a selfie as he often does with hundreds of people.' Young Democratic Socialists of America's Georgia Tech chapter posted video from the phone on social media after the encounter. This comes amid a contentious battle for Georgia's gubernatorial seat between Kemp and Abrams. A lawsuit filed earlier this month against Kemp targets Georgia's 'exact match' verification process, which requires that information on voter applications precisely match information already on file. An analysis by The Associated Press found over 53,000 voter registration applications sitting in pending status. Nearly 70 percent of those affected are black. Kemp oversees elections and is facing Abrams, who is vying to become the nation's first black female governor. Recent public polling indicates the race is a dead heat. Kemp refuted the claims saying in a tweet: 'Stacey Abrams - and her radical friends - are incredibly dishonest. The 53,000 Georgians on our 'pending' list can vote in the Nov 6th election. Her dark money voter registration group submitted sloppy forms. Now, they are faking outrage for political gain.' Chicago police have arrested a man who they say ordered a fellow gang member to fire the shots into a crowd that killed a 2-year-old boy. Authorities said Monday that 27-year-old Alexander Varela was arrested Friday on a first degree murder charge and other counts, including aggravated battery and attempted murder, in the October 6 fatal shooting of Julien Gonzalez. They say they're still searching for the gunman, but they didn't release any information about that person. Police say an argument at a birthday party escalated into a fight, during which Varela ordered his gang member to open fire down an alley on the city's northwest side. Authorities said Monday that 27-year-old Alexander Varela was arrested Friday on a first degree murder charge and other counts, including aggravated battery and attempted murder, in the October 6 fatal shooting of Julien Gonzalez Courtesy of WGN9 Deputy Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan says Julien was following his father when a bullet struck his neck. A judge ordered Varela jailed without bond Monday, rejecting his attorney's argument that he should be eligible for bail because he has no felony convictions. 'This was a birthday party, OK, so people were celebrating when this occurred,' Chicago Police Deputy Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan told WLS-TV. 'There was a petty argument between a couple of women and this offender, who lives on the block, who is a gang member,' he said. 'He chose to insert himself into the argument, OK. 'He wasn't at the party. He wasn't invited to the party. 'There's always little squabbles, but he's a gang member and he thinks he owns the block. 'So he's going to come down there and insert himself into the argument.' Investigators said Varela came to the party uninvited and began asking people about their gang affiliations. Gonzalez (above) was following his 18-year-old father down an alley when he was shot in the neck Varela is the reputed gang leader of the BK faction of the Maniac Latin Disciples, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He appeared at the party in order to clarify that the event was taking place in his 'territory' and that rival gang members were not welcome. When the partygoers told him they were not part of any gangs, other gang members who were with Valera allegedly started making death threats. In response to the threats, a physical altercation is said to have ensued. Police say that's when Valera yelled 'Bust, bust, bust!', which is said to be a command for one of his subordinates to shoot. When shots rang out, the crowd inside the party began to disperse. That's when an 18-year-old man started running toward an alley. The man then noticed his son, Julien, coming out the back gate of the home where the party took place, according to authorities. Police said the boy was following his father through the alley when he was shot in the neck with a gun that had a laser fitted to it. The father suffered gunshot wounds to the back and leg. Julien was rushed to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Meghan Markle's half-brother asked a judge to lift a no-contact order against his fiancee weeks after she was arrested for allegedly assaulting him. Court records obtained by DailyMailTV reveal Thomas Markle Jr pleaded to have the clause against Darlene Blount removed, claiming the incident which left him with a black eye was 'pretty much an accident.' Blount, 37, was arrested and charged with two counts of fourth-degree assault in July after Markle Jr called the police to couple's Grants Pass, Oregon home. He is set to testify as a witness for the prosecution at her trial next week. The 51-year-old signed the order against his fiancee barring her from having any physical contact with him, but only to ask to have it tossed weeks later. In an audio clip of an August court hearing obtained by DailyMailTV, Thomas Jr is heard pleading his case to the judge and explaining the couple has reconciled and have a home together. Scroll down for audio Meghan Markle's half-brother Thomas Markle Jr, 51, asked a judge to lift a no-contact order against fiancee Darlene Blount, 37, weeks after she was arrested for assault at their Grants Pass, Oregon home in July Darlene Blount was arrested and charged with two counts of fourth-degree assault for allegedly 'slugging' Thomas Jr in the right eye during a heated argument. Blount was thrown in jail but was bailed out by her fiance two days later 'The first thing is she's a single mom, she shares custody over her son and over the last year and a half I've filled the father role,' he says in the clip. 'She's the most important thing in her son's life and it's really important she has that. We have a home together and we've grown a lot since we've been together. 'Occasionally, a couple of bad things happen once in a while from our pasts that just needs to be worked on.' Police have been called to Blount and Markle Jr's home multiple times over the past two years for domestic disputes that have seen them both thrown in jail. When asked if he feared for his safety, Thomas Jr replied: 'No. Not at all.' 'The incident that happened was pretty much an accident. When it happened it was unclear because I was driving and we were sort of arguing.' He reveals he was sent to a 'women's crisis center' which he describes as 'the most valuable and informative place I've been to in a long time.' Markle Jr and Blount have a history of being abusive towards each other. Thomas was arrested in 2016 for allegedly holding a gun to his fiancee's head 'It's given me a lot of really insight on things I need to work on myself, prior to couple's counseling we're going to do. She really opened up my eyes a lot, it was the most informative place I've ever been.' The prosecutor told the judge during the hearing that he agreed on lifting the order, but hit back at Markle Jr's claim that the altercation was an accident. 'For the record I would like to point that from out the narrative on the police report this was not an accident. Miss Blount, it sounds like she slugged Mr Markle, so I don't see any accident there,' the prosecutor says. 'Alcohol played a role in this incident so it's the State's hope that both Miss Blount and Mr Markle are addressing that as well, but ultimately we will not object.' The judge ultimately granted the order in Thomas Jr's favor saying: 'Although it's never fun to have the state intervene in your personal affairs, sometimes it can be a good thing.' Markle replied: 'You get to know somebody after you live with them a while and from our pasts we both have issues that we need to work on. It's become so apparent and clear that all the help is out there and the foundation is there because we love each other.' Meghan Markle is the half-sister of Thomas Markle Jr and the future sister-in-law of Darlene Blount but remains estranged from her siblings. She is pictured above with Prince Harry during their tour Big brother: A young Thomas Markle plays with baby Meghan in a family photo Blount, however, is still set to stand trial on October 30 at the Josephine County court where Thomas Jr and a Grants Pass police officer will be called as a witnesses. According to the charging sheet, Blount 'did unlawfully and recklessly cause injury' to her fiance. A probable cause affidavit revealed she 'punched [Thomas Jr] in the eye, causing him physical injury to his right eye.' She later claimed she accidentally hit him in the face with her purse during a row about his jealousy. Blount previously told DailyMail.com that the pair got into an argument in their car after she decided to go out with some of her girlfriends, adding that Markle Jr 'gets pretty jealous' if she goes to a bar without him. Blount said she demanded to get out of the car but accidentally clipped Markle Jr in the eye with the corner of her purse as she made her exit. Markle Jr, however, said it was Blount's elbow that hit him in the eye while she tried to reach for her handbag in the back seat. 'I thought she intentionally hit me, which wasn't the case. When we got home the argument continued, so I then phoned police and she left the house,' he said. Markle Jr (pictured with his fiancee in 2017) asked the judge to drop the order stating he and Blount share a home and he is a father figure to her son Blount was arrested and thrown in jail before being bailed out by Thomas Jr two days later. She has been released on a $1,000 security bond to ensure she does not flee before the hearing. The two appear to have a volatile relationship with a long history of domestic violence. Blount was arrested on New Year's Eve last year during another drunken altercation in which she was accused of beating Thomas Jr at their home. Prosecutors ultimately declined to press charges. In 2016, Thomas Jr was arrested for holding a gun to Blount's head during another drunken row. Rugby league star Kieran Foran and his new wife have posted heartfelt messages to each other just days after the footy player's ex-girlfriend took a swipe at the newlyweds. Foran, 28, married mother-of-six Karina Ormsby, 39, at Avoca, north of Sydney, on Saturday. The NRL star split with his former partner Rebecca Pope in 2016 when their son Jordan was just three weeks old. They also have a four-year-old daughter, Emmerson. Ms Pope shared a poem to Instagram on the day of Foran's wedding, appearing to take a swipe at the way she was treated during their relationship breakdown. 'I think it's brave that you get up in the morning when your heart aches and life is messy and you do not feel like being soft for the world,' the poem read. 'I think it is brave that you continue to love, and express, and open your soul, despite the way you were treated in the past.' Foran and his wife have since shared romantic photos from their nuptials. Scroll down for video Kieran Foran, 28, married mother-of-six Karina Ormsby, 39, on Saturday at Avoca, north of Sydney (pictured together) The NRL star had split with Rebecca Pope (pictured) in 2016 when their son Jordan was just three weeks old 'I think it's brave that you get up in the morning when your heart aches and life is messy and you do not feel like being soft for the world,' the poem shared by Ms Pope read '(You) are everything and more,' Foran posted to Instagram on Sunday, accompanied by a photo of the newlyweds embracing. Karina posted a photo of the couple dancing during the ceremony, captioning the post with the word 'overwhelmed'. Ms Pope shared a poem about bravery on the day of Foran's wedding. Foran and Ms Pope's relationship breakdown played out on social media in 2016. Ms Pope described herself as a 'single mother' dealing with a 'completely and utterly challenging' life. 'Having to deal with a newborn, a relationship/family breakdown through no choice of my own, the kids being sick constantly and renovating and getting ready to move houses... I feel like I haven't ever caught a break,' she said. 'But today I thank my lucky stars for these two beautiful kids in my life and the journey we have ahead.' Foran and his wife (pictured) have since shared romantic photos from their nuptials, seemingly ignoring Ms Pope's post '(You) are everything and more,' Foran posted to Instagram on Sunday, accompanied by a photo of the newlyweds embracing Karina May often shares pictures of herself and her detailed tattoos to social media Before the wedding, Foran said Ms Ormby helped turn his life around. 'Life has just been so good away from footy and Karina has played a big part in turning my life around,' he told the Sunday Telegraph. 'I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to so many good times ahead.' Foran has signed a two-year contract to return from New Zealand and play for the Canterbury Bulldogs to be closer to his two young children. He walked away from a $5million deal with the Parramatta Eels in 2016. He was stood down from the team due to 'personal issues' and was reportedly hospitalised after overdosing on prescription medication. It's a week synonymous with drunken antics and sunshine - mixed with the excitement of the future. And now Schoolies organisers have revealed plans to take celebrations up a notch, with the introduction of a ticketed event during the first week of festivities. The proposed party will aim to compete with the free, state government-run beach festival which runs all week and currently dominates celebrations. But proposed plans are far from concrete and still need the green light from several levels of government before organisers can go ahead with their program next year The proposed party will aim to compete with the free, state government-run beach festival which runs all week and currently dominates celebrations A joint venture between Schoolies.com and Cross Promotions, the Gold Coast Bulletin revealed the event is hoped to run for all seven nights and will set punters back $130 each. Cross Promotions currently runs a similar-style event across two nights of the second week of celebrations, aimed towards Victorian and New South Wales party goers. The company's CEO Matt Lloyd told the Gold Coast Bulletin that the anticipated high price of the event will cover prices of musical acts, security and infrastructure. 'With the numbers we are talking about 10,000 to 20,000 students we'd use a lot of that money to put big-name acts in the line up,' he said. However, the proposal is far from concrete and still needs the green light from several levels of government before organisers can go ahead with their program next year. 'Our argument is the week one event is free but there is a fair cost to council, government and emergency services to put that event on,' Mr Lloyd said. Cross Promotions currently runs a similar-style event across two nights of the second week of celebrations, aimed towards Victorian and New South Wales party goers '(Schoolies) is not going away and we need to embrace it, make it a positive and something the Gold Coast can be proud of.' Schoolies is a tradition across Australia with tens of thousands of school-leavers from every state converging on the Gold Coast for three weeks of post-secondary-education celebrations. Traditionally its first week is reserved for Queenslanders - who are typically 17 upon completing their education - with an extra emphasis on alcohol-free events. A newborn kitty found glued to the side of the road is getting a second chance at life thanks to the sweet Oregon man who rescued her. Chuck Hawley, of Silverton, made the disturbing discovery while he was driving to work around 7am on Friday morning. Hawley was making his way through the busy intersection on Silverton Road Northeast, just outside of Salem, when he saw what he thought was a small box in the middle of the road. 'The cars in front of me are driving over a black thing in the road. It's going between their tires so I'm guessing it's a box,' he wrote in a Facebook post. Chuck Hawley has given Sticky the kitty a second chance at life after he saved the adorable feline, who had been glued to the side of a busy road just outside Salem, Oregon Hawley, of Silverton, found the kitty while he was driving to work at 7am on Friday morning Hawley was making his way through the busy intersection when he saw what he thought was a small box in the middle of the road. But when he got a closer look, he realized it was a kitty But when Hawley got a closer look, he realized it was just one very scared kitty. 'It's a kitten just sitting upright, shaking like a leaf,' he revealed. 'She was wet and freezing and literally glued to the road. And NO ONE STOPPED.' Hawley knew he couldn't leave the poor kitty behind. So he slammed on his brakes and stopped traffic, putting his hazard lights on as he went out to save her. When Hawley went to pick her up, he realized she had been glued to the road. 'When I went to pick her up, her feet were stuck to the road and I'm like "Uh oh"', he told KPTV. When Hawley got out of his car to rescue the kitty, he realized she had been glued to the road. Pictured is the spot where Hawley picked her up Glue was all under the kitty's neck and side, and all over her tail and four paws. He said she was wet, cold, and scared 'So I started to pull her feet up - and it was like a rubber cement. She was glued to the road.' 'It was all under her neck and then she had a little bit down her side, but it was mostly her tail and her feet.' Hawley at first thought the kitty may have walked through glue somewhere, but then noticed it was completely 'spread into her paws'. 'It was pretty apparent that someone had soaked her feet in glue and sort of rubbed it into the pads of her feet,' he said. 'There were no glue footprints around, it was just a glob of glue under her, so it looked like someone just took her and put her in the road.' Hawley took the kitty to his work and gave her a bath, before taking her to an animal clinic where doctors washed the rest of the glue off with mineral oil After the kitty was examined, Hawley took her home in Silverton to join him and his wife Mikee (pictured together) Hawley took the kitty to the Salvation Army Kroc Center, where he works as the director of facilities, and gave her a bath. He then took her to the Silver Creek Animal Clinic, where staff used mineral oil to get the rest of the glue out of her fur and off her paws. 'She was still pretty sticky,' Dr Jenny Bate told the Statesman Journal. 'She still had quite a bit on her paw pads and stuck between her toes, and her belly and tail were really sticky.' Bate also examined the five-week-old kitten and found three small round puncture wounds under her neck that appeared to be a few days old. It remains unknown what exactly caused them. The veterinarian said she had never seen anything like what had been done to the poor kitty. The kitty - who has been named Sticky - is also making herself at home with the couple's adorable chihuahua Stewie She has also enjoyed cuddling with the couple's 115lb Great Pyrenees Jojo (pictured together) 'It's the worst thing I can imagine,' she said. 'It makes you wonder what would make a person do that. It's just awful.' 'She was really lucky. I'm just so glad for people in the world that will stop and take kittens off the road.' After she was given a dose of flea control medication, the kitty got a new home with the man who saved her. She is now quickly recovering under the care of Hawley, his wife Mikee, their two sons, and their two dogs Stewie, an 8lb Chihuahua, and Jojo, a 115lb Great Pyrenees. And the couple have given their new kitty an appropriate new name - Sticky. 'The funny thing is, we were just talking about getting a cat a couple of nights ago,' Hawley told KPTV. Hawley has since been posting adorable photos of the five-week-old kitty as she gets comfortable in her new home Hawley and Mikee are sharing updates on Sticky's progress with a Facebook page that has already received more than 9,000 fans 'Seems like there's easier ways for the cat to find us, but if that's how we're doing it, okay, I guess that's how we'll do it!' Hawley has since filed a police report with the Marion County Sheriff's Office, which plans to investigate the incident. Meanwhile, Hawley and Mikee are sharing updates on Sticky's progress with a Facebook page that has already received more than 9,000 fans. Hawley said he has received support from all over the world, including Australia, Portugal, Spain, England, and Iraq. He believes that Kitty's heartwarming tale of survival was a story people needed to hear in today's day and age. 'I'm glad people have found hope in this little kitten.' Thousands of foreign thugs and sex offenders are set to be kicked out of Australia under tougher new visa-cancelling and deportation laws. The new legislation, which could be introduced by the Morrison Government as early as this week, will apply to more criminals than the previous law. Currently, non-citizens can have their visas cancelled if they're found guilty of a serious crime and jailed for 12 months or more, but the new law will change that. Former Victoria Police officer and now chairman of the Federal Joint Standing Committee on Migration, Jason Wood (left) told the Herald Sun the change is necessary Under the new law, anyone found guilty of an offence for which they can be jailed for two years or more - even if they escape a jail term - can have their visa cancelled. This tougher new visa-scrapping legislation also applies to anyone - including children - who has been found guilty of a crime and jailed for less than 12 months. Former Victoria Police officer and now chairman of the Federal Joint Standing Committee on Migration, Jason Wood told the Herald Sun the change is necessary. The committee chairman previously worked closely with Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton in the months before he finished up as Immigration Minister. He said far too many thugs and offenders of gang-related crimes were evading jail time and visa cancellation due to the current 12 month minimum sentence law. Mr Wood said a 'no age' restriction clause was also necessary in the revamped legislation because too many of those committing the crimes were aged under 18. Mr Wood previously worked closely with Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton (pictured) in the months before he finished up as Immigration Minister The new law will cover sex offences, domestic violence, breaching an apprehended violence order, car-jackings, home invasions and possession of dangerous weapons. 'Under the new legislation ...the offender's visa being able to be cancelled by the immigration minister, or a delegate for the minister from the Immigration Department whether or not they get sentenced to jail,' he said. Mr Wood believes if a migrant is found guilty of a serious crime 'most Australians would want that person sent back to where they came from'. Sudanese-born Isaac Gatkuoth (left) and Iranian refugee Behzad Bashiri (right) are two deported non-citizens from the previous law He said cancelling someone's visa shouldn't be determined on their age or whether they are jailed for a minimum 12-month period or more. 'It's about protecting Australians from violent and sexual offenders who aren't Australians,' he said. The committee chairman said despite Labor denying there is a gang issue in Victoria, the law was motivated by the disproportionate level of foreign born gang crimes. Information provided by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission revealed only six of the 60 Apex gang members in Victoria were born in Australia, he said. Mr Wood said the new legislation will not 'discriminate between thugs', but rather send a powerful message that violence and crime will not be tolerated. Sudanese-born Isaac Gatkuoth, who was found guilty of car-jacking at gunpoint, has already had his visa revoked - but the tougher law will target more crooks. Another offender to have his visa cancelled was Iranian refugee Behzad Bashiri. Bashiri was eventually deported after he threatened to commit terrorist offences after a judge gave him a light sentence for threatening to burn down a building. Mr Wood said the new legislation would prevent judges and magistrates from giving lenient sentences that prevent offenders from having their visa's cancelled. He said those who are found guilty under the new law wouldnt automatically be deported and could still appeal the decision. 'We need to send a powerful message to the people that we allow into Australia that being here is a privilege and that privilege can and will be removed if they commit serious offences here,' he said. Former President Barack Obama delivered a biting critique of Republicans in Congress and President Donald Trump's administration on Monday. Although he avoided mentioning his successor by name, Obama railed against his policies - particularly his attempts to put pressure on the FBI and Department of Justice to target his political opponents. 'That is not how America works. That is how some tin-pot dictatorship works,' he said. Scroll down for video Former President Barack Obama reacts to the crowd as he walks on stage at a rally in support of candidate for Senate Jacky Rosen and other Nevada Democrats, Monday October 22. Obama criticised Trump's administration, particularly its attempts to influence the FBI which he said were worthy of a 'tin-pot dictatorship' Former President Barack Obama, (2-L) cheers at a rally in support of Clark County Commission Chair and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Sisolak (L), candidate for Senate Jacky Rosen (3-L), Susie Lee, Democratic candidate for Nevada's third congressional district (2-R), Steven Horsford, candidate for Nevada's fourth congressional district (R) Obama also had some scathing words for Trump's use of 'alternative facts' the way he often labels unfavourable reporting 'fake news'. 'Unlike some, I actually try to state facts,' Obama said. 'I believe in facts. I believe in a fact-based reality, fact-based politics. I don't believe in just making stuff up. I think you should actually say to people what's true.' Obama, speaking to an audience of 2,000 at a rally in Las Vegas for Nevada Democrats, said Republicans had promised to 'fight for the little guy' but instead helped corporations and sowed divisions in America. Republicans in Congress 'bend over backwards' instead of being 'a check or a balance on this kind of corrupt politics,' the former president said. He was also keen that voters 'remember who started' the current economic upswing. 'When I walked into office 10 years ago, we were in the middle of the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes,' Obama said at the rally. Former President Barack Obama meets with people at a rally of 2,000 in Las Vegas in support of candidate for Senate Jacky Rosen and other Nevada Democrats 'When you hear all this talk about economic miracles right now, remember who started it,' Obama said 'By the time I left office, wages were rising, uninsurance rate was falling, poverty was falling, and that's what I handed off to the next guy,' he said. 'When you hear all this talk about economic miracles right now, remember who started it,' Obama said. Obama was in Nevada to drum up support for Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen, who is in a tight race against incumbent Republican Sen. Dean Heller, and energize voters in the swing state who delivered big for Democrats in 2016 but stayed home during the midterm elections in 2014. Obama, who won the state in 2008 and 2012, railed against the GOP tax law, efforts to repeal his Affordable Care Act, Trump's attacks on the media, political pressure he's put on U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the separation of immigrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border. Obama also criticized Heller, saying, 'the current senator, he doesn't seem to be willing to stand up to this. He just goes along, even when you get a sense he knows it's not right.' People clamor to shake hands with Former President Barack Obama at a rally in support of candidate for Senate Jacky Rosen and other Nevada Democrats Former President Barack Obama meets with people at a rally for Senate candidate Jacky Rosen and other Nevada Democrats, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, in Las Vegas He may have been referencing the fact that Heller seemed, little over a year ago, to be politically homeless. He was outspoken in his opposition for Donald Trump in 2016, declaring himself '100% against Clinton, 99% against Trump.' However after briefly considering independence and being publicly threatened by Trump into supporting the attempt to repeal Obamacare, he stopped criticizing the president and started voting with him, and been rewarded with the President's endorsement. Heller even told Trump 'Everything you touch turns to gold' - a line repeated by Nevada Rep. Jacky Rosen, in Las Vegas. 'Seriously,' she said. 'He said that.' Rosen, a first-term congresswoman, is seen as one of Democrats' best opportunities to flip control of a Senate seat, though the party faces slim chances of taking control of the Senate. Obama's rally included specific appeals to young people and Latinos, key demographics who can boost Democrat numbers if they participate She narrowly won election to her Las Vegas-area district in 2014 and is taking on a politician who not only has already won a statewide election but has never lost an election despite serving nearly three decades in public offices. Democrats are also in a close battle for the governor's office, which will oversee state and federal redistricting occurring after the 2020 census. Obama's rally included specific appeals to young people and Latinos, key demographics who can boost Democrat numbers if they participate. The rally at a University of Nevada, Las Vegas arena included performances from hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa and Columbian reggaeton star J Balvin and a speech from actress America Ferrera. Obama said not voting this November would be 'profoundly dangerous to this country, to our democracy.' He also reminded the crowd that the 2011 killing of Osama bin Laden occurred under his watch. Obama also touted the campaigns of Nevada gubernatorial candidate Steve Sisolak and U.S. House candidates Susie Lee and Steven Horsford. Though Obama used his speech to say Republicans are rolling back the progress his administration made, the GOP on Monday responded with an identical criticism of Obama and Democrats. Keelie Broom, a spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee, said 'Nevada saw some of its darkest days as a result of relentless government overreach advanced by the Obama administration.' Democratic candidate for Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen listens as former President Barack Obama speaks at a rally in support of her and other Democratic candidates People listen as former President Barack Obama speaks at a rally in support of candidate for Senate Jacky Rosen and other Nevada Democrats 'We've made incredible strides thanks to President Trump and our GOP-led Congress, and it's insulting for Barack Obama to come out here and try to rally support for candidates like Jacky Rosen, Steve Sisolak, Susie Lee and Steven Horsford who will work to systematically dismantle the policies generating all of this progress.' The event followed visits over the weekend by his former Vice President Joe Biden, who rallied with Democrats outside a union hall in Las Vegas, and a rally in the rural town of Elko by President Donald Trump. The former president has generally kept a low profile since leaving office and has been selective about campaigning for Democrats in this year's midterm elections. Obama endorsed candidates up and down the ballot around the country, but in September, he broke with the traditional deference that past presidents show successors and gave a sharp critique of Trump. In subsequent appearances for Democrats in California, Ohio and Pennsylvania, he avoided a similar reproach and instead focused on urging people to vote. A woman that accused her bikie ex-husband of raping and strangling her during a vicious attack, has begged the government to place a GPS tracker on him. A Gold Coast court granted the womans ex-husband bail earlier this month, but the mother has now written two letters to Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, asking her to intervene. She claims several of her ex-husbands bikie associates are stalking her and has provided pictures to detectives showing two men on bikes following her. Why cant I have a (GPS) bracelet put on my husband so I know a bullet wont fly through my door? the woman wrote to the Premier. A woman that accused her bikie ex-husband of raping and strangling her during a vicious attack, has begged the government to place a GPS tracker on him (stock image) I should be able to depend on the governmentto impose remand or at the very least GPS tracking on the man who tried to take my life, my childrens lifes (sic), bashed, bludgeoned and raped me. The woman claims that earlier this month guns and power tools were held to her head and she feared death as her ex-husband allegedly tried to strangle her, theGold Coast Bulletin reports. The woman was allegedly spat at, punched, slapped, had items of our home thrown at me, pushed into walls, [and had] my head slammed into doors. In response to the womans first letter, the Premiers deputy chief of staff sent her sympathies, but explained that the government was not able to intervene in court decisions. A Gold Coast court granted the womans ex-husband bail earlier this month, but the mother has now written two letters to Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured), asking her to intervene She recently spotted several of her ex-husbands bikie friends stalking her and provided pictures to detectives showing two men on bikes following her car (stock image) The woman has since called the response unthoughtful, and stressed that her and her children were entitled to live a peaceful and safe life, calling her requirements basic human rights. I do not want to become the next Teresa Bradford, she said. Teresa Bradford was stabbed to death in front of her children in 2017, by her mentally ill ex-husband who had been released from custody with no prior warning. I do not want to become the next Teresa Bradford, the woman said. Teresa Bradford (pictured) was stabbed to death in 2017 by her mentally ill ex-husband who had been released from custody with no prior warning Together with Ms Bradfords sister-in-law Narelle OBrien, the Gold Coast woman is now campaigning to provide more GPS tracking for offenders, as well as safety watches for their ex-partners. The woman allegedly said that security watches for women could cost as little as $1500 per year. The Premier declined to comment at length to reporters to prevent jeopardising on-going court issues but a spokesman highlighted the Queensland governments Not Now Not Ever report, designed to put an end to domestic and family violence. As a result, we have implemented a range of laws to better hold perpetrators to account and better support victims, the spokesman said. The Premier has also asked Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Di Farmer, to act as a direct line of contact to the woman so any issues can be dealt with quickly. Farmers chief of staff Mike Smith has allegedly welcomed the womans campaign for better victim support. The reforms we have been able to make have been directly driven by women like you coming forward to tell us what is needed, what works and what doesnt, so Im grateful for your emails and calls, he said. Nick Clegg. Photo: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images What do you do after youve been the deputy prime minister to the United Kingdom? Historically, the answer is usually retire or become prime minister. For Nick Clegg, former leader of the Liberal Democrats and deputy prime minister between 2010 and 2015 under David Cameron, the answer is move to Palo Alto, California, to work for Facebook. Instead of the gothic splendour of Westminster, I will be surrounded by the gleaming glass and steel of Silicon Valley, he wrote in a Guardian op-ed officially announcing his new position on Friday. Instead of the clout of the state in Whitehall, I will now experience the dynamism of the private sector in Palo Alto. Vice-president of global affairs and communications Cleggs new title might lack the magisterial ring of prime minister, but its certainly better compensated. Indeed, its easy to read the move as Clegg cynically trading political principle and public service for a higher salary and a more glamorous position. As the Observers Carole Cadwalladr asks, If youre on the side of democracy, Nick Clegg, why are you going to work for Facebook? GQ UK puts it quite directly: Nick Cleggs Facebook job shows he loves power more than progress. These are versions of the same dark joke that haunts any announcement of a political figure moving to the tech industry: Its a promotion! The idea being that, say, a Facebook executive is more powerful than, say, a deputy prime minister a sentiment that isnt wrong, exactly, but doesnt quite get at the exact relationship between government and the tech industry. The trend of advisers and wonks and politicians moving from politics to the tech industry is real, but isnt just a product of those individuals personal ambition or desire for power. Its also a reflection of their political principles, and those of the companies they turn to. The ideology of Cleggs Liberal Democrats centering around the economic liberalism of free trade, free markets, and the free movement of people has fallen deeply out of favor in electoral politics in the U.K., as it has in most of the rest of the world, but its still the main political current in Silicon Valley and at Facebook especially. The center of power for technocratic, market-focused liberalism is no longer in Westminster or Washington, but in Palo Alto. Why waste your time on the unreceptive world of electoral politics when platform politics welcomes you with open arms? Clegg is known best for his, lets say, transformative leadership of the Liberal Democrats. After taking over the party in 2007, he promoted what he described as politics of the radical center, and what others tend to deride as neoliberalism: social liberalism combined with policies that sought solutions in free markets, trade, and individual choice. This message appealed to enough voters in the elections of 2010 to deliver the Lib Dems their best-ever results, and to hand Clegg the deputy prime ministership of a coalition government. But it was a losing formula for, well, ever since. Cleggs partnership with Cameron was disastrous for Liberal Democratic priorities, and he led the party to its worst-ever results five years later. The Liberal Democrats were reduced to only eight seats in the House of Commons, and Clegg resigned as leader. Things did not really improve from there. In 2016, he campaigned loudly against Brexit (we know how that one went); last year, he lost the election for his own seat to the Labour Party candidate. An impressive capsule biography like that does raise the question: Why, exactly, would Facebook want a man best known for a string of failures to run its global affairs? The obvious answer lies in the E.U., and Cleggs relationship with it: Europe is Facebooks second-most-profitable market after North America, but also, between its expansive new digital-privacy protections and its aggressive antitrust stance, its biggest regulatory headache. Clegg, a former member of the European Parliament, is well-positioned to help the company reset its relationship with skeptical European regulators and politicians, not to mention with governments around the globe. (Maybe a pithier way of putting this is that global affairs at Facebook have reached such a nadir that not even Nick Clegg can make them worse.) Arguably, though, the reasons for that string of failures are exactly why Clegg and Facebook are such a natural fit. Since the financial crisis, Cleggs 2010 victories notwithstanding, the public appetite for free markets and free movement has dramatically declined. In the U.K., the left-liberal leadership of Labour has been supplanted by the stalwart socialism of Jeremy Corbyn, while the liberal wing of the Conservative Party was embarrassed out of power by the victory of the xenophobes and nationalists backing Brexit. Cleggs electoral defeats reflect a changed political landscape as much as they do his specific failures as a politician and leader (numerous though they may be). He no longer has a viable political home in U.K. politics, at least. But while the left-liberal vision of an open society has increasingly failed to move voters over the last decade, over that same period of time its been an animating principle of one of the worlds largest and most powerful companies. Facebook may be used around the world to stoke nationalism and populist anger, but its ostensible guiding values are remarkably similar to those of the Liberal Democrats. One imagines that Clegg, a longtime proponent of the open society with its premium on the sharing of knowledge and information, its internationalist outlook, and its belief that all are free to rise might have looked at Facebook and seen a group of ideological fellow travelers. More to the point, doesnt it seem likely that Clegg, examining the dire state of the Liberal Democrats in the U.K., might see in Facebook a better political partner for the pursuit of his goals? In that sense Clegg isnt leaving politics for tech so much as exchanging one form of politics the ballot box for another the platform. If you cant win at the polls, win in the app store, maybe. Granted, Facebooks value system is not a one-to-one match to the ideals of Cleggs Liberal Democrats. Its difficult to square, for example, the open-society value of dispersed power in politics, the media, and the economy, with Facebooks outsized clout on the internet. Its similarly hard to see the democratic values implied in the Lib Dems name in Facebooks top-down corporate structure. Clegg has been a strong advocate for the kinds of civil liberties that privacy activists regard as being threatened by Facebook. He may want to talk to WhatsApps Brian Acton, who left Facebook last year over user-privacy concerns, about how those kinds of principles tend to work out at the company. But if theres one thing Clegg has made clear, its that hes willing to compromise if he sees a clear benefit. And he sees the benefit in Facebook. As he himself wrote last year, Social media has its downsides all means of communication do but it nonetheless enables billions of people to access information and connect with each other on a scale and at a velocity never seen before. To Clegg, at least, that must seem worth compromising for. And once youve formed a coalition with David Cameron, how bad can one with Mark Zuckerberg really be? Im sure this one will be more successful. The neighbors of Jayme Closs have revealed to DailyMail.com that they heard two loud gunshots more than 20 minutes before police received a 911 call. Authorities arrived at Jayme's Barron, Wisconsin home at 12.58am last Monday, four minutes after receiving a call from help from her mother Denise Closs' cell phone. It was there they found the bodies of Denise and James Closs and realized that their 13-year-old daughter was nowhere to be found. Now Joan and Tom Smrekar are left wondering what could have been if they had called 911 when they heard first heard the gunshots. Joan and Tom Smrekar have revealed to DailyMail.com that they heard gunshots 20 minutes before police received a 911 call from Jayme Closs' home in Barron, Wisconsin Authorities arrived at the Barron, Wisconsin home at 12.54am last Monday, four minutes after receiving a call from help from Denise Closs' cell phone Joan, 66, told DailyMail.com that she and Tom, 69, were lying in bed when they heard the first gunshot. It was followed by a second, just a couple of seconds later. Joan said that it was not uncommon to hear hunters out shooting in the area but the lateness and the sheer volume of these shots made her feel they were 'different'. 'They were so close, it must have been right at their door. I asked my husband, "Was that a gunshot?" He said, "Yes, and that's a big gun,"' she recalled. 'I rolled over and my clock said it was 12.38am. But I know it's off by seven minutes or so, so it was more like 12.30am.' It was there they found the bodies of Denise, 46, and James Closs, 56, and realized their 13-year-old daughter was nowhere to be found Now Joan and Tom are left wondering what could have been if they had called 911 when they heard first heard the gunshots To her abiding and bitter regret, Joan did not call 911. She got up and noticed that their dog Zobie seemed bothered by something but wasn't barking. 'When the FBI came and we learned what those shots were, right away I thought maybe if I had called we might have made a difference,' Joan said as she fought back tears. 'Jayme might not have been taken because when the 911 call was made at 12.54am or something like that the police were there in four minutes.' 'If they had been there four minutes after the shots, Jayme might not have been taken.' Pictures of three vehicles of interest in the abduction of Jayme Closs were released by police Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said authorities identified two vehicles near the Closs' home around the time of the incident based on video cameras from businesses and homes Joan and Tom said they did not know their neighbors well and had little interaction with them. According to Joan, FBI officers who interviewed her and Tom told them that there was only one word that could be made out of the 911 call from Denise's cell. 'They said they could hear the word, "Help!" but nothing else,' she revealed. 'There was too much noise.' Then neighbors' revelation comes as authorities have released pictures of three vehicles of interest in Jayme's abduction. Pictured are two of the vehicles of interest: A black 2006-2010 Ford Edge and a red or orange 2008-2014 Dodge Challenger Officers are not sure of the exact model of the second black vehicle, a 2004-2010 Acura MDX Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald reiterated on Monday that authorities believe the teen was in the house when her parents were shot and said she is still in danger. 'Based on video cameras from businesses and homes we have identified two vehicles near the Closs' home near the time of the incident,' Fitzgerald said. He stressed that detectives are only seeking to identify two vehicles though pictures of three were displayed: a red or orange 2008-2014 Dodge Challenger, a black 2006-2010 Ford Edge, and a black 2004-2010 Acura MDX. Officers cannot be sure of the exact model of the second black vehicle. Earlier on Monday a military helicopter could be seen crisscrossing overhead in the area Fitzgerald explained that it had been mapping out a grid for the massive ground search that will be conducted Tuesday morning Fitzgerald asked that if members of the public see a similar vehicle they note its license plate if possible. He urged anyone who knows someone with either vehicle to look for changes in their routine, such as if they've stopped driving the car completely or if 'they have changed when they drive them'. 'This is an active investigation. We have had more than 1,300 tips and have closed 1,100 of them,' Fitzgerald added. Earlier on Monday a military helicopter crisscrossed overhead. Fitzgerald explained that it had been mapping out a grid for the massive ground search that will be conducted Tuesday morning. Pictured is the front door of the Closs home. It appears to be covered with plywood and a blanket, and sources say it was kicked in during the home invasion Police officers took away what appeared to be a rifle bag, a rake and several duffel sized bags from the home on Monday Fitzgerald said nothing of evidentiary value has been found in a ground search of field and forests near the home and the search was called off on Friday Investigators have asked for 2,000 volunteers to come forward and take part in what will be the third ground search and cover a much wider area than the previous two conducted last week. Those volunteers have been asked to gather at the Hungry Hollow Grounds at 9am, but police will not say if they are hoping to find the missing teen or evidence that could provide any clues as to her whereabouts. Fitzgerald also would not reveal whether he believes Jayme is being held locally, but did tell hunters to 'check your cabins'. The sheriff said on Monday that investigators are still analyzing the 911 call made from Jayme's mother's phone. He would not comment on its content. Nor would he be drawn on the details of the night and whether or not James was still alive when officers arrived on the scene, as has been reported in some outlets. But now investigators have asked for 2,000 volunteers to come forward and take part in a new search. Pictured are volunteers searching on Thursday Those volunteers have been asked to gather at the Hungry Hollow Grounds at 9am on Tuesday 'We will not say anything to jeopardize Jayme's safety,' Fitzgerald said. He added that more than 200 officers from the combined forces of the WDCI, FBI and County Sheriff's department are continuing to investigate 24/7 with their prime objective to bring the missing teen home unharmed. Jayme's name has since been added to the top of the FBI's Missing Persons list and is on digital billboards across the nation. Anyone with information about Jayme's whereabouts is urged to call the Barron County Sheriff's Office at 1-855-744-3879, or contact their local FBI office A Florida man accused of groping a woman on a flight Sunday from Houston to Albuquerque defended his alleged behavior by saying 'the president of the United States says it's OK to grab women by their private parts.' Bruce Michael Alexander, 49, of Tampa, made his initial appearance in federal court on Monday in Albuquerque on a charge of abusive sexual contact. According to a criminal complaint, a female passenger on board Southwest Airlines Flight 5421 told authorities the man behind her touched her right breast twice along her 'bra line' while she was asleep in the window seat directly in front of him. Bruce Michael Alexander, 49, was traveling from Houston to Albuquerque on board a Southwest Airlines flight when he allegedly groped a female passenger (stock image) Alexander was arrested at Albuquerque International Sunport upon arrival on a charge of abusive sexual contact (stock photo) The woman assumed the first instance of touching was accidental, but she felt that when the stranger's hand made contact with her body a second time about 30 minutes later, it was done slowly and 'attentively,' suggesting that it was deliberate. The victim told the man to stop touching her, then asked a flight attendant to move her to another seat in the back of the plane, reported the Albuquerque Journal. Before the flight landed at Albuquerque International Sunport, the crew asked local law enforcement to meet the plane on arrival, citing 'reports of a customers alleged inappropriate behavior onboard,' according to the airline. When interviewed by FBI agents on the ground, Alexander denied groping anyone and said he had slept through most of the flight and was sober. He recalled only that the woman in front of him had spoken to him and then changed seats. However, the federal agents noticed that the 49-year-old suspected had thick, hairy fingers with dirty nails that matched the description of the hands the victim said had groped her. As he was being taken to jail, Alexander reportedly invoked Donald Trump's infamous comment from the 2005 Access Hollywood tape (pictured), saying the president 'says it's OK to grab women by their private parts' After Alexander was handcuffed and placed in an official vehicle, he invoked Donald Trump's infamous comments from the 2005 'Access Hollywood' tape, on which the future president of the United States was heard bragging to TV host Billy Bush about sexually assaulting women. 'And when you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab them by the p***y,' he said. Alexander remains in custody pending a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday. If convicted of the charge against him, the Florida man could face up to two years in federal prison. Kevin Rudd has claimed Barack Obama's flip-flop on a missile strike in Syria embarrassed Australia after the former US President failed to tell him of changes to the plan. In his new book, 'The PM Years', the former Australian prime minister revealed Mr Obama called him twice in 2013 to ask Australia to publicly support the strike - retaliation for Bashar al-Assad using chemical weapons in the country's bitter six-year civil war. After agreeing to back the mission, Mr Rudd said he was shocked to later learn President Obama had called off the plan without telling him. The backflip, Mr Rudd said, left himself and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper 'swinging in the breeze'. 'My office was never informed by the Americans of the change in plan,' he wrote. Former prime minister Kevin Rudd (left) said Barack Obama's (right) flip-flop on a missile strike in Syria embarrassed Australia when they were not told of changes to the plan Mr Rudd said he was not told of the decision by the then-US president to call off the strike in retaliation for Bashar al-Assad (pictured) using chemical weapons In his new book, Mr Rudd revealed Mr Obama had called him twice to ask Australia to publicly support a strike in Syria. Pictured: Smoke plumes rising from the Syrian government forces' bombardment on the town of al-Tamanah in September 'Obviously other priorities were at play in Obama's White House that afternoon.' US ambassador to Australia, Jeff Bleich, said Mr Rudd 'mightn't have got the full briefing'. 'That was the time Russia contacted us to say that they would broker a deal to eliminate all Syria's chemical weapons,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'That would be a better outcome than a strike and with chemical weapons still out there in Syria, so we had to assess.' Mr Rudd said Mr Obama 'got cold feet' when he decided to call off the missile strike (pictured together) Mr Rudd said Mr Obama 'got cold feet' when he decided to call off the missile strike. 'And the rest is history. His credibility would suffer as a result because he had proclaimed his own red line and then done nothing to enforce it,' Mr Rudd wrote. Russia and China were both emboldened by Mr Obama's lack of action, seizing territory which had been claimed by their neighbours. President Donald Trump launched air strikes against Syria in April 2017, days after a suspected nerve agent attack that led to the agonising deaths of 86 people, including 27 children. Two men have been charged after a savage box-cutter attack outside a hostel that left a man with wounds to his face, shoulders and arms. A 27-year-old man was found by emergency services on Orwell Street, Potts Point, in Sydney's east about 3.30am on Sunday. He was treated at the bloody scene by paramedics before being rushed to St Vincents Hospital. Two men have been charged after an early morning attack that left a man with wounds to his face, shoulders and arms. He was rushed to St Vincent's Hospital on Sunday Officers from Kings Cross Police Area Command established a crime scene and questioned witnesses who said the victim was involved in an argument with another man (pictured) The victim was expected to undergo surgery but his injuries were not considered life-threatening. He was in a stable condition on Monday, a hospital spokeswoman said. A 27-year-old man was arrested on Monday and charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and common assault. He was denied bail and will appear in court on Tuesday. A 28-year-old man was charged with affray in relation to the attack. He was granted conditional bail and will appear in court next month. Toyah Cordingley (pictured) was walking her dog on a quiet beach north of Cairns on Sunday when she was murdered in what police say was a 'sexually motivated' attack A 'large brown dog' belonging to a pharmacy worker who was murdered on a quiet Queensland beach on Sunday could be the key to finding her killer. Toyah Cordingley, 24, was walking her dog along Wangetti Beach on Sunday when she was murdered. Her body was not discovered until Monday morning. Police said on Monday they believed she was killed in a sexually motivated attack, but refused to elaborate on their comments on Tuesday. In a bizarre twist, Ms Cordingley's 'larger than average', dog was found before she was, the canine unharmed and tied to a tree nearby. Experts have identified the brown dog as a German Shepherd cross, Dane, Mastiff. Both German shepherd and mastiff breeds have been known to be aggressive towards strangers, with German shepherds particularly known for 'resource guarding', meaning they can become aggressive when someone touches their food or their owner. Police are now expected to examine the dog, believed to be named Indie, in an attempt to find her killer. 'All lines of inquiry will be followed, and all relevant examinations will be conducted,' Detective Inspector Sonia Smith told reporters on Tuesday. 'We've ruled nothing in, and nothing out. We have a very open mind with this investigation.' Cordingley was with her 'larger than average dog' (believed to be pictured) when she was killed. The dog was found tied up nearby and unharmed, suggesting the animal had not perceived a threat. The animal is expected to be examined as part of a forensic investigation Police have been unable to confirm they have a suspect or any persons of interest. Detective Inspector Sonia Smith said 'everybody should have a safety plan' Considering the size of the dog and the traumatic end its owner met, it is possible the animal did not see a threat, or was tied up before a threat was presented. Ms Cordingley was reported missing on Sunday night after driving from her home in Woree to walk her dog, believed to be named Indie, on the beach about 2pm that day. Her body was found between the foreshore and bushland the next morning, with police stating her death may have been 'sexually motivated' and urging anyone who saw anything suspicious to come forward. On Tuesday, police said they were also looking for anyone who saw her before she took her tragic walk along the beach. With Ms Cordingley's killer on the loose, and no publicised leads as to who is responsible for the death, Det Insp Smith said people should take precautions. 'Everybody should be aware of their surroundings, and have a safety plan wherever they are,' she said. Ms Cordingley was an animal lover, who was remembered for her kind nature and deep compassion for all creatures great and small. Paws and Claws Refuge and Boarding Centre in Port Douglas, where she once worked, said in a statement the woman's 'heart was pure and innocent, and her dedication and love for animals was unmatched'. Experts identified her dog as a German shepherd cross, great dane, mastiff - a dog that could have aggressive tendencies, especially when its owner comes to harm She was found at the beach on Monday morning between the foreshore and the start of bushland, and police are still hunting her killer 'She could calm the most distressed dog with grace and handle the large and boisterous ones with ease. Her calmness and special ways were inspiring,' the statement read. Grieving friends turned to social media to share the devastating news of her death and pay tribute to the 'amazing' woman. Ms Cordingley's best friend, Megan Amour, broke her silence on Tuesday with a devastating open letter about her broken heart. Shared under a five minute video of pictures of the pair together, Ms Amour said she was still not able to believe what had happened, and kept catching herself imagining a better outcome. 'I can't believe this, I refuse to believe this,' she wrote. 'I drove to find you, I thought we were going to find you being the environment lover you are, I was so sure of it. 'I'm so angry, I'm so frustrated and I've been walking around the house grieving and then thinking: "It's not real, it's not my Toyah, it's someone else". 'I'm not familiar with this process, I've never in my life have lost anyone as close as you are to me and this is the worst time I've ever encounter.' Ms Cordingley's best friend, Megan Amour, shared a heartbreaking letter about how she was grieving and could not believe the 24-year-old was gone She told followers Ms Cordingley was a 'gypsy soul' who lived her life to the fullest and was beloved wherever she went. 'I wanted to be like you, I wanted to be the gypsy soul you were,' she wrote. 'I wanted to be flawless and not just the beauty you had on the outside but the beauty you had on the inside. 'You were different to everyone, you followed what you believed in, you had nobody hating you, you lived life to the fullest and you respected everyone else's decisions. You had such a big heart and a beautiful loving family you adored.' Earlier this month, Ms Amour said she'd asked Ms Cordingley to stand behind her as she married the man of her dreams. 'It took you less than a minute to start planning everything with me,' she recalled. Friends remembered the 'amazing' young woman for her kind nature and friendly dog (pictured: Ms Cordingley after she accepted Ms Amour's invitation to be a bridesmaid 'I started to feel like I can't get married anymore, because you wont be there, you won't be there standing with me and witnessing this milestone of my life,' she said. 'You will be there somehow, I will make sure of it, your memory will be shared every day for as long as I live. 'I will be sharing the funny, loving, crazy memories about 'Aunty ToyToy' to [my daughter] Rose when she's older and tell her that she would have loved you the way I did. 'I'm betting you're going to be the prettiest angel up there with the prettiest wings, and over a thousand of puppy angels surrounding you. 'Look over us, and shine bright my honey, there will not be a day where I don't think of you because believe me every single day is going to hurt. I love you.' In a separate Facebook post, friend Hayden Chalkin wrote: 'No words could describe how amazing of a person you were.' 'I can't believe you're gone. I can't believe I'm never going to see your smile again. I can't believe I'm never going to hear your voice again. I can't believe I'm writing this post. 'I don't know what to think, I don't know what to say. I'm going to miss you so much. 'You didn't deserve this and you will never be forgotten.' The area Ms Cordingley was found in, about 800m from the southern entrance of the beach, remains a crime scene, and forensic investigators are combing through it for evidence. Senior Sergeant Ed Kinbacher, Officer-In-Charge of the Cairns Criminal Investigation Branch told reporters on Monday police want to speak with anyone who visited the beach on Sunday and anyone with dashcam or other footage of either entrance from that day. Police are also looking for anyone who spoke with Ms Cordingley at Rusty's Markets, where officers believe she was from 12pm to 1pm. Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000. As he absently blundered into tables at a food festival, he appeared to be nothing more than a harmless old man. But the antics of Titus Jelea, 64, were a deliberate ruse to distract people as he swiped their cash, purses and wallets. The technique was working well for the thief until a former mayor playing amateur sleuth trapped him with his own ingenious trick persuading the crook to pose with him for a picture. The photograph placed Jelea at the scene of the crime and would prove decisive in getting a conviction. Titus Jelea (pictured right with Paul Barton) played the part of a harmless old man as he swiped cash, purses and wallets at Accrington Food Festival Ex-mayor Paul Barton had been at Accrington Food Festival with friends when he became suspicious about Jelea. He had seen police appeals about a distraction thief in the Lancashire town and, after spotting Jelea peering into women's handbags, he tempted Jelea into approaching him by leaving his wallet on the table. When the trap was sprung, he persuaded Jelea to have his picture taken. Mr Barton, 44, mayor of nearby Hyndburn from 2009 to 2010, then asked friends to continue watching Jelea while he went to the police station. When Jelea was later arrested he denied being at the food festival until shown Mr Barton's picture. The Romanian migrant, who came to the UK in February under EU freedom of movement rules despite serving time for dishonesty and violence in his home country and France, was charged with thefts at the festival and around the town. Preston Crown Court heard one of his distraction techniques was to squirt tomato ketchup over his victims before going to them telling them they were bleeding and pretending to help them. Jelea was jailed for two and a half years after pleading guilty to seven thefts and one attempted theft. He will be deported to Romania to serve his sentence. Mr Barton, now a funeral director in Oswaldtwistle, said: 'I knew immediately this man was up to something and mentioned it to Town Hall staff but they thought no 60-year-old man would do anything like that. 'I sat with my friends and never took my eyes off him. 'He was operating like Paul Daniels doing a magic trick he was very clever moving things around on tables and stealing while people were distracted. 'He was putting the cash into a satchel he was wearing. When he came up to our table, I started talking to him then said to a friend, "Take our picture". 'Jelea tried to cover his face with his cap but several pictures were taken and we got a good one.' The court heard Jelea's victims included a 92-year-old woman robbed of 100 near a cashpoint and a woman, 89, robbed of 500 after he followed her home from a bank. He had stolen cash and a silver chain from a market stallholder, and admitted stealing 70 from two sisters at the food festival. hildren caught with Tasers, knives and pistols as they arm themselves for class Children have been caught with Tasers, knuckledusters and even a pistol in schools amid a huge surge in pupils arming themselves for class. The number of potentially lethal weapons confiscated by officers from primaries and secondaries more than doubled within three years, according to police data. It is thought the rise of gang culture may be causing more youngsters to carry weapons with some of those involved as young as nine. Children have been caught with Tasers, knuckledusters and even a pistol in schools amid a huge surge in pupils arming themselves for class [File photo] Politicians and experts said yesterday the figures show something is deeply wrong in modern Britain and urged the Government to act immediately. Overall, more than 1,200 weapons have been seized from schools by police since 2015. A large proportion were knives, including one machete. But the true scale of the issue is likely to be much larger than the latest figures reveal as 23 of the UKs 43 forces failed to provide information including the Metropolitan Police. The number of potentially lethal weapons confiscated by officers from primaries and secondaries more than doubled within three years, including Tasers, which are carried by police officers instead of guns [File photo] Tory MP Robert Halfon, chairman of the education select committee called on ministers to launch a cross-department inquiry into why so many youngsters are arming themselves. He said: There is something going deeply wrong with our country when thousands of weapons are being discovered in this way. Imposing a zero tolerance policy wont solve the problem, as you have to ask why its happening in the first place. It could be broken society, gang culture, drugs, social media a number of reasons. I used to bring Sooty and Sweep and conkers into school. And now they are bringing in knives. What on earth is going wrong in our country that this is happening? Vile murderer Will Cornick, left, aged just 15, stabbed teacher Ann Maguire, right, to death in her classroom because he wanted to kill her baby. Cornick showed other pupils the 34cm (13in) long kitchen knife he brought into school and told a number of children about his plans ahead of his attack on Mrs Maguire at Corpus Christi Catholic College, in Leeds in 2014 The figures were disclosed following Freedom of Information requests to police forces. It comes four years after Leeds teacher Ann Maguire, 61, was stabbed to death by one of her 15-year-old pupils Will Cornick as she taught a class in 2014. The following year, a 14-year-old pupil launched a racist knife attack on supply teacher Vincent Uzomah at a school in Bradford. The figures for 2015 to 2017 and part of 2018 reveal 1,257 weapons were seized in schools across the UK. Of these, 930 or 74 per cent were knives. For areas where year-on-year comparisons were available, the number of knives seized annually doubled from 132 to 273 in the space of three years between 2015 and 2017. And when counting all weapons, 186 were seized in 2015 but this had risen to 393 by 2017. Kent Police recorded two separate incidents of Tasers being seized although they did not disclose the ages of the children involved. Greater Manchester had the highest number of weapons confiscated as 195 incidents were recorded by the police. More than 1,200 weapons have been seized from schools by police since 2015. A large proportion were knives, including one machete [File photo] The number of incidents doubled from 32 in 2015, to 77 cases in 2017 and three-quarters of the reports involved knives. Other weapons in the region included a 12-year-old with a knuckleduster and a 16-year-old carrying a machete. Elsewhere, Cambridgeshire Police revealed a nine-year-old carried a dagger into school, while a 14-year-old was armed with a pistol. South Wales saw a sharp increase in cases as only one incident was reported in 2015, compared to 14 in 2017. Police in Scotland produced figures which revealed 126 cases took place between September 2017 and July 2018. Alan Smithers, professor of education at the University of Buckingham, said: In the short term, affected schools could be carrying out weapons checks on children, but the long-term answer is to try to instil in them standards of acceptable behaviour. A Department for Education spokesman said: Any form of violence in a school is unacceptable. That is why we have put teachers back in charge of discipline and strengthened their powers so they can take action if they suspect a pupil has brought a prohibited item... into school. London Zoo had a fine for health and safety breaches slashed by more than 86 per cent by a judge due to its conservation work and dependency on donations. The zoo would have been fined 300,000 for two breaches that led to a keeper falling eight feet from a faulty ladder. But the judge reduced the fine to 40,000. Zoo keeper Angelina Lawson suffered neck injuries in July 2016 as she removed hawk droppings from a shelf. Judge Richard Blake said: I have heard evidence about the Zoological Society of London. They work throughout the world and its a principle in their work for the conservation and protection of animals. London Zoo had a fine for health and safety breaches slashed by more than 86 per cent by a judge due to its conservation work and dependency on donations Its important to remember that the majority of its turnover is from donations from members of the public. Miss Lawson had not received any ladder training during the four years she had worked there, Westminster Magistrates Court was told. She was cleaning when the ladder collapsed underneath her and she hit the wooden floor. The stepladder had been put in a yard to be binned but did not have any signs warning staff that it was broken. An employee admitted he had not told all of his colleagues that it was in the yard to be taken to the skip. There was also said to have been a shortage of ladders available at the time of the accident. Liberal frontbencher Melissa Price has racked up more than $450,000 in taxpayer-funded travel costs visiting her rural Western Australia electorate, it has been revealed. The Federal Environment Minister lives more than 2,200km away from her Broome electorate office in a luxury $1.6million beachside mansion in Perth. Travel records show that Ms Price has spent over $190,000 on commercial flights alone since taking office in 2013, according to The Australian. Liberal frontbencher Melissa Price has racked up more than $450,000 in taxpayer funded travel costs visiting her rural Western Australia electorate, it has been revealed The Environment Minister lives more than 2,200km away from her Broome electorate office in a luxury $1.6million beachside mansion in Perth A further $159,000 was spent on charter flights and hire cars to navigate her electorate, along with a $104,000 travel allowance bill. The MP holds the seat of Durack, which covers the northern half of Western Australia. 'My constituents are spread over 1.6 million square kilometres. It is a 34-hour drive from Merredin in the wheatbelt to Kununurra in the north. Ensuring I spend time in all parts of the electorate means I travel extensively,' the Minister said in a statement. 'I have three offices - Merredin, Geraldton and Broome. There are no commercial flights between these towns, or any of the other regional centres. 'If I was to live in Geraldton or Broome, I would have to first travel to Perth before taking a connecting flight to other regional centres in my electorate. 'Similarly... every sitting week of the Parliament would require me to take a commercial flight to and from Perth before connecting to Canberra.' Ms Price just last week came under fire for comments she allegedly made to a former President of the Pacific Island nation of Kiribati. Anote Tong, a climate change campaigner met Ms Price at a Canberra restaurant where witnesses claim she made remarks about the dignitary wanting money. 'I know why you are here, it's for the cash. For the Pacific, it's always about the cash. I have my cheque book here, how much do you want?' Labour Senator Patrick Dodson claims she said. Ms Price has said she 100 per cent disagrees with Mr Dodson's account of the conversation. Travel expense data shows that Ms Price spent 118 nights in Geraldton at $376 a night and 75 nights in Broome at $441 a night. Her Perth home in the beachside suburb of Marmion was listed in 2016 for $1.59million and Ms Price also owns a property in the Canberra suburb of Kingston. Her husband owns an investment property near Margaret River, according to The Australian. Travel records show that Ms Price has spent over $190,000 on commercial flights alone since taking office in 2013 Her Perth home in the beachside suburb of Marmion was listed in 2016 for $1.59 million and Ms Price also owns a property in the Canberra suburb of Kingston Crocodiles found decapitated in recent months were targeted by animal trophy hunters, an expert says. A third reptile with its head cut off has been found in a dry creek bed in far North Queensland. Dr Adam Britton, a zoologist at Charles Darwin University, said the protected species was being illegally targeted by ruthless animal hunters. 'They will either take the tail and use that for the meat or they will take the head and use that for the skull,' he told the Cairns Post. A decapitated crocodile (pictured) was recently discovered in Far North Queensland - leasing zoologist Dr Adam Britton believes it is the work of trophy hunters A decapitated crocodile left discarded by hunters - three have been found recently in Far North Queensland 'With their head missing like that it is someone who has been poaching the crocodiles and illegally killing them. 'They remove their head which they then take home and presumably then try and prepare the skull.' Dr Britton also dismissed a notion that the killings were in retaliation to a spate of attacks in the region. The Department of Environment and Science had a different theory. They suggested the animal could have been run over, pointing to no evidence of bullet holes in the discarded carcass. Dr Britton conceded the killing and decapitation of crocs does happen, but described the practice as 'low level'. 'But it is a concern because they (hunters) are breaking the law,' he said. Hunters decapitate crocodile heads to access the skull and the tail to eat it - three have been discovered recently in Far North Queensland (stock image) 'It is illegal to interfere with crocodile in the wild in Queensland and that obviously includes killing them.' In August, a croc measuring 2.5 metres was found missing its head near Mount Isa. Another decapitated four metre long crocodile at Herbert River was also reported. Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams and the pre-2001 Georgia flag with its Confederate insignia. Photo: Benjamin Lowy, Erik S. Lesser/Liaison/Getty Images/Getty Images On a rainy Monday morning in June of 1992, I happened to have a meeting in the Georgia State Capitol (I was communications director for U.S. senator Sam Nunn at the time). Upon arriving, I learned a demonstration against the Confederate flag insignia that segregationists added to the state flag in 1956 would soon begin on the steps outside. But it looked like a war was imminent: Just inside the doors at the Capitol, there was a phalanx of State Building Authority police officers in full riot gear. Walking behind their ranks, peering over them to see what was happening at the protest site, was none other than former governor Lester Maddox, the last of the states segregationist governors. Turns out he was, like me, just there for a meeting, but for all the world it looked like those mostly black cops were there protecting ol Lester from civil-rights protesters. I went about my business, and I suppose Maddox did, too; meanwhile a brief protest took place just outside the building. The general feeling at the time was that the state had massively overreacted to a small, peaceful demonstration. The reason was obvious: Just over a month earlier violent protests had erupted in Atlanta (as in other cities) after the Rodney King verdict in Los Angeles. At one point, a car parked just outside the Capitol (belonging, ironically, to thenGovernor Zell Millers top African-American staffer) was overturned. There were no deaths, fortunately, but there were many injuries. And so in June the flag protesters were outnumbered not just by nearby riot police, but by Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents taking snapshots and trying to intimidate the young college students carrying out the protest. They briefly set fire to the 1956 flag. The rain probably extinguished the fire pretty quickly. Another piece of context is crucial to this story: Just two weeks earlier, Governor Miller, a Democrat who had once been Maddoxs chief of staff (and who would be a supporter of many conservative candidates later in his career), had called for getting rid of the Confederate emblems on the Georgia flag a stance that quickly gained the support of soon-to-be U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a conservative Republican from Georgia. So the position, if not the incendiary behavior, of the June protesters was very much in the political mainstream (though it would take another near-decade for the flag to change, under Governor Roy Barnes in 2001). All this would be a forgotten footnote to the long story of social change in the Deep South had not one of those protesters at the Georgia Capitol been Stacey Abrams, who is running to become the first Democratic governor since Barnes won 20 years ago. Someone dug up a 1992 article from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that showed Abrams among the flag-burners, and posted it on Facebook. The New York Times wrote it all up, omitting most of the context I outlined above. Its unclear whether this will become an issue in the red-hot, very close contest between Abrams and her conservative Republican opponent, Brian Kemp. Abramss underlying position on the flag is now, of course, accepted by everyone other than hard-core neo-Confederates. She has taken far more controversial positions on other divisive relics, such as the giant marble billboard of Confederate leaders chiseled onto the face of state-owned Stone Mountain. But in a racially as well as ideologically polarized gubernatorial election in which Kemp has worked hard to depict Abrams as some sort of lawless radical (particularly in the context of Abramss long-standing efforts to register poor and minority voters), the symbolism of flag-burning is easy to exploit, and the larger Lost Cause will also rouse not-so-quiet racists. The protests in which Abrams participated were righteous then and now, and posed no threat to public safety or order. Brian Kemp, however, as supervisor of Georgias elections, has battled Abrams for years as part of his efforts to suppress votes, or as he would put it, to fight voter fraud. Maybe he has the decency to leave the quarter-century-old flag incident alone. I wouldnt bet the farm on it. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's son has gloated about the Liberal Party losing his father's old seat of Wentworth with a massive swing. Alex Turnbull expressed his delight to 16,000 Twitter followers after it appeared independent Dr Kerryn Phelps had beaten the Liberal Party in one of its safest electorates, depriving the government of a majority. The Singapore-based investment banker took credit for the government suffering a 19 per cent swing against it in Sydney's eastern suburbs, after making a Facebook video calling on Wentworth voters to punish the Liberal Party. Scroll down for video Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's son (pictured second right) has gloated about the Liberal Party losing his father's old seat of Wentworth with a massive swing Alex Turnbull expressed his delight to 16,000 Twitter followers after it appeared independent Dr Kerryn Phelps had beaten the Liberal Party in one of its safest electorates 'My work here is done. Back to the dumpster fire of Asian capital markets,' he tweeted on Sunday. Alex Turnbull, a 36-year-old father-of-two, had earlier endorsed Labor candidate Tim Murray ahead of Saturday's Wentworth contest. When early returns showed a strong swing towards Dr Phelps, the former prime minister's son quickly congratulated the former Australian Medical Association president and City of Sydney councillor. 'Incredible result and proud of the people of Wentworth,' he said on Saturday night. The Singapore-based investment banker (far right) took credit for the government suffering a 19 per cent swing against it in Sydney's eastern suburbs Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's son let his feelings known about the election result 'A hearty congratulations to Dr Kerryn Phelps who fought a great campaign. 'A great day for Australian democracy.' Just days before the poll, Alex Turnbull had told ABC youth station Triple-J's Hack program that his father's bitter leadership rival Tony Abbott was among one of the 'craziest' Liberal MPs in Parliament. He also savaged Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, who in August damaged Malcolm Turnbull's leadership by launching two leadership challenges within three days. Alex Turnbull's repudiation of conservative factional warriors in the party occurred as his father, Malcolm Turnbull, repeatedly declined to endorse the Liberal's Wentworth by-election candidate Dave Sharma with a tweet or a recorded robocall. The Liberal Party's primary vote plummeted by 19 per cent at the by-election, just two years after Malcolm Turnbull had won 62 per cent of first-preference votes in Wentworth. Dr Phelps looks set to win the former prime minister's old seat with a 51 to 49 per cent margin, after preferences. Wentworth, Australia's wealthiest electorate, had previously been held by Australia's major conservative party since it was created in 1901. Alex Turnbull hinted his father could make a political comeback, by comparing him to Hollywood star turned California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger The destabilisation of Malcolm Turnbull's prime ministership, which sparked his resignation from Parliament, has hurt the Coalition government's popularity across Australia. An analysis of Newspoll results, by The Australian, found the Liberal and National parties would lose 25 seats if an election were held now, giving Labor a landslide victory in the House of Representatives. Such a scenario would see Opposition Leader Bill Shorten with the biggest majority since John Howard's Coalition defeated then Labor prime minister Paul Keating at the 1996 election. The Coalition is particularly vulnerable in Western Australia and Queensland, where it faces swings against it of 8.7 per cent and 8.1 per cent. Alex Turnbull was quick congratulate Dr Kerryn Phelps after she secured big swings against the Liberal Party Such a result would eject Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, Attorney-General Christian Porter, Immigration Minister David Coleman and Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt. With the government on the ropes politically, Alex Turnbull hinted his father could make a political comeback, by comparing him to Hollywood star turned California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He tweeted an image of the Austrian-born actor in Terminator with the meme, 'I'll be back' - along with an attack on former PM Tony Abbott's view that climate change science was 'c**p'. At a rally on Monday night, the governor of Texas declared himself 'more powerful' than Russian President Vladimir Putin. Greg Abbott was warming up the crowd for President Donald Trump at the Toyota Center in Houston when he bragged that his state's economy is the tenth biggest economy on the planet. 'By comparison, the Texas economy is larger than Canada it's larger than Australia. And get this, the Texas economy is even larger than the economy of Russia,' the Republican governor told the crowd. 'That makes me more powerful than Putin,' he boasted to applause. Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared himself 'more powerful' than Russian President Vladimir Putin while warming up the crowd for President Donald Trump at a Ted Cruz rally on Monday Abbott bragged that Texas' economy is the tenth biggest economy on the planet - which he claimed 'makes me more powerful than Putin' (pictured on October 11) Abbott was the first in a string of politicians to address a crowd of roughly 18,000 people at the rally in support of Republican Sen Ted Cruz. Cruz is in the fight of his political life in a red state that's inching to the left. He's up by just five points in a recent poll against his Democratic challenger, Rep. Beto O'Rourke, a three-term congressman who was born in and still lives in El Paso. Abbott suggested that the Democrat would vote in lockstep with California Democrats like Nancy Pelosi and Maxine Waters. 'You got all these Californians throwing mud, and you got Beto O' Rourke trying to win,' he said of the effort to turn Texas blue. 'I don't get it, because the fact is Beto O'Rourke is hostile to Texas values. Beto O'Rourke is against good quality judges.' 'He wants to increase your taxes, impose more regulations, and strengthen the size of government. And Beto O'Rourke wants to open our borders!' Abbott was the first in a string of politicians to address a crowd of roughly 18,000 people at the rally in support of Cruz, who is up for reelection in November Abbott said that Texas can send a message to the entire country by supporting Cruz in next month's US Senate election Abbott said that Texas can send a message to the entire country by supporting Cruz in next month's U.S. Senate election. 'You'll send a message that all the gold that is pouring in from California cannot buy Beto a U.S. Senate seat here in the Lone Star State,' he proclaimed. Up and down the ballot, Abbott said, attendees of the rally must vote to 'keep Texas as red as the MAGA hats you are wearing tonight.' 'The last thing that we can do is to lose the United States Congress, to be run by Maxine Waters and Nancy Pelosi,' Abbott added as the crowd booed. 'As goes Texas, so goes the United States of America.' Texas' senior Sen. John Cornyn echoed Abbott's remarks in a speech that immediately followed. 'Make no doubt about it: Texas is the firewall in this midterm election,' Cornyn asserted. Trump greeted his former foe with a handshake and a hug on Monday night and said that Cruz had become a 'really good friend' The Republican lawmaker launched into a long compare and contrast of Democrats and his colleague. 'Unless you want crushing new taxes, vote for Ted Cruz. Unless you want Bernie Sanders-style socialized medicine, vote for Ted,' he said. 'If you think that Texas and the country should not lead from behind, vote for Ted.' 'Unless you want higher gas prices, less jobs, and more regulation, vote Ted Cruz for the United States Senate,' Cornyn declared. 'Just imagine the nightmare of the next two years if Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer spend every day trying to undermine everything we've built these last two years instead of working to keep America great,' he added. Jumping on a statement that O'Rourke made in a town hall about ousting the president from office, Cornyn also claimed that Democrats would use their newfound mantle if elected to try and impeach Trump. The full extent of the year's once-in-a-generation drought has been revealed, just as the worst affected areas have finally been blessed with some long-awaited rain. However, while the downpour has brought relief to farmers in the most drought-ravaged parts of eastern Australia, rural analysts have predicted the worst winter harvest in ten years. Rabobank's Winter Crop Production Outlook - Running On Empty - estimated Australia's total harvest was expected to drop 23 per cent from last year's yields. This equates to 29.3 million tonnes of crop - worth more than $414 million - lost due to drought and severe overnight frosts. The full extent of the year's once-in-a-generation drought has been revealed, just as the worst affected areas have finally been dosed with some long awaited for rain Rabobank's Winter Crop Production Outlook - Running On Empty - estimated Australia's total harvest is expected to drop 23 per cent on last year's figure According to Rabobank's agricultural analyst Wes Lefroy, prices will be pushed up in order to offset lower crop yields for some growers. The shortage of crops is already threatening to send grocery prices through the roof after Coles' prices rose in the September quarter for the first time in almost ten years. 'For vast regions of the eastern states, there will be no harvest, and where there is a harvest, yields will be anywhere between 30 per cent and 50 per cent down on average,' the Winter Crop report says. 'Late, to no, season-opening rains, below-average to lowest-on average rainfall and above-average temperatures during the growing season have been coupled with damaging frost to reduce harvest volumes and affect grain quality.' Due to the bone-dry conditions in the eastern states throughout winter, Western Australia will contribute more than half of the national winter crop for the first time in 20 years. It is believed without the state's contribution, Australia would have faced its most grim winter conditions in more than two decades. Due to the bone-dry conditions in the eastern states throughout winter, Western Australia will contribute more than half of the national winter crop for the first time in 20 years In total, Australian grain exports are expected to drop by 50 per cent on last year, including a 50 per cent drop in wheat exports, a 48 per cent drop in barley exports, and a 41 per cent drop in canola exports In total, Australian grain exports are expected to drop by 50 per cent on last year, including a 50 per cent drop in wheat exports, a 48 per cent drop in barley exports, and a 41 per cent drop in canola exports. However, while supermarket power players have been reluctant pass the cost of the drought onto customers - particularly in the case of $1 milk - they have agreed to alter supply-driven price rises in categories such as chicken and dairy products. Over the past six months, large areas of NSW have experienced their lowest rainfall on record, and the rest of the state isnt far behind. Almost all of the state has received less than 20 per cent of its usual rainfall since January, and Australia as a whole just experienced its warmest and driest July in 20 years. It has also led to farmers' forced culling of thousands of starving livestock with no other choice but to shoot suffering animals and bury them in mass graves. An ice junkie rapist who had just walked free from jail when he went on a terrifying crime spree told police he was 'iced off his head'. Thomas Weldon, 26, began shooting up methylamphetamine practically the minute he got out of jail last December after serving six years for a rape that shocked Melbourne. He was whacked on the deadly drug back in 2011 when he committed the savage rape on a total stranger. Thomas Weldon after police arrested him over a terrifying rape he committed in 2011 In that attack, his 21-year old victim was punched to the side of the head, dragged into a car and raped under the threat of death. Weldon told the university student that if she called police he would 'track her down and rip her head off'. He served his entire sentence despite being gifted a non-parole period of just three years and three months. Weldon pleaded guilty in the County Court of Victoria on Tuesday to four counts of theft and a charge each of home invasion, burglary, drug possession, resisting arrest and committing an offence while on bail. He could be jailed for 25 years on the home invasion charge alone. The court heard Weldon's crime spree began in the early hours of March 22 at a block of flats in Hawthorn. He broke into a car and stole some work boots, but Weldon had no plans to put in an honest day's work. Shortly after, he and a mate tried to break into a house in Richmond, but they couldn't get in. Weldon had more luck at a house down the road where he gained access through an unlocked back door. When the owner woke-up and investigated, he was confronted by the hulking ice fiend, who demanded cash and property. Weldon's face was masked with a bandanna and he was armed with a large screwdriver. His mate was packing a steak knife. A screw driver similar to the weapon Weldon used to rob his victim in the dead of night Weldon told his victim he would stab him with a screw driver if he didn't hand over his stuff Weldon threatened to stab his terrified victim if he did not co-operate. The victim had no doubt the erratic men in his home meant business. He later told police he thought they were going to kill him. The thugs stole various items and demanded their victim hand over the pin codes for his phone, credit cards and Ipad. They stole his car keys and demanded to know which car was his. Their hardworking victim pleaded with Weldon not to steal his car as it had all of his work tools in it. Weldon stole it anyway, including about $5000 worth of tools. They dumped the car in Hawthorn where the men continued their crime spree, stealing a mountain bike from a garage. What the idiots didn't realise was that police were tracking their movements from the stolen Iphone. Weldon was spotted riding along on the stolen bike and tried to take-off. A fast-moving police officer chased the villain down and slam tackled him into a wall. 'I'm iced off my head,' Weldon bellowed as he tried to break free. Weldon has been whacked on the deadly drug ice for most of his time outside of jail. He had been cut loose on bail just two weeks earlier. The court was told the home invasion had a devastating impact on Weldon's victim. 'This whole situation has made me feel anxious, p***ed off, a little bit worried and scared,' he said. 'I was afraid for my life as these people were unpredictable and threatened to stab me.' Weldon is no stranger to dirty deeds and has a shocking criminal record dating back to when he was a kid. His prior offences include violent armed robberies and aggravated burglaries in addition to the rape conviction. During his last sentence, the judge noted Weldon's chances of re-offending were high. County Court of Victoria Judge Claire Quin said her sentence of Weldon was 'just punishment' This time, Judge Claire Quin described Weldon's criminal history as a 'significant concern'. She sentenced Weldon to a total of five-and-a-half years in prison with a non-parole period of three years. Judge Quin took into account Weldon's intellectual disability, his early guilty plea and the fact he had a difficult childhood. But she said the protection of the community had to be taken into account. 'This is a very difficult sentencing exercise. The sentence imposed must reflect your traumatic background, intellectual capabilities, involvement in the Koori Court process and your plea of guilty. You are only 26-years old,' Judge Quin said. 'Just punishment and protection of the community are also important sentencing considerations.' Weldon, who was sentenced on his birthday, has already spent 215 days behind bars. Advertisement Prince Harry took a sip of traditional drink kava and was offered a roast pig and a whale's tooth as he was officially welcomed to Fiji with his wife. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were presented with the gifts as they watched a ceremony in Albert Park in capital Suva as their marathon Commonwealth tour continued. The couple waved to the crowd as the arrived in their motorcade to the Veirqaraqarvi Vakavanua, which mirrors the one attended by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in 1953. Harry and Meghan were greeted by chiefs in a tradition known as the tama. The crowd, slightly damp from the rain shower or 'a bit of blessing' as the master of ceremonies put it, cheered and waved Union Jacks and Fijian flags as the couple arrived. Hundreds maintained reverential silence - with only the occasional burst of children chatting or a nearby clock chiming - heard over the rhythmic drums and chanting of the ceremony. Harry takes a sip of Kava, the national drink of Fiji, which is consumed with great ceremony. It is made from a pepper plant - piper methysticum - pounded into fine powder and then mixed into fresh water Prince Harry prepares to drink kava, a drink made from a mashed plant root in the yaqona vakaturaga The Duchess of Sussex watched the official welcome ceremony at Albert Park in Suva, Fiji, on day one of the royal couple's visit to Fiji The couple sit on raised Dias to watch the the traditional ceremony, known as the Veirqaraqaravi Vakavanua, which embodies Fijian cultural identity and heritage and will mirror in format that of the one attended by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh when they visited Fiji in 1953 Harry at on a stage as he was given the whale's tooth, a sign of wealth, in the vakasobu, before he were given kava, a drink made from a mashed plant root in the yaqona vakaturaga During a visit to Suva in 1982 the Duke of Edinburgh also drank kava, just like that given to Prince Harry today The Queen was also pictured drinking the traditional Fijian drink on an official visit to Fiji in October 1982 Harry and Meghan sat on a stage as he was given the whale's tooth, a sign of wealth, in the vakasobu, before he were given kava, a drink made from a mashed plant root in the yaqona vakaturaga. Harry, his three medals catching the floodlights, looked on as the kava was made with the root wrung out and a bowl passed to the Duke on the stage. He accepted the bowl and held it to his lips as the crowd cheered. Rain began to fall again as the lovo, a presentation of food of a roast pig and a basket of dalo, a root vegetable like a potato, was offered to the Duke. The Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry arrive for an official welcome ceremony at Albert Park in Suva, Fiji, on day one of the royal couple's visit to Fiji and Tonga The couple were handed items with HRH on them as they prepared to watch the welcome ceremony The couple walk along a red carpet at the city centre's Albert Park to watch the Veirqaraqaravi Vakavanua ceremony, which embodies Fijian cultural identity and heritage Men performed for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the official welcome ceremony at Albert Park The Veirqaraqarvi Vakavanua the couple are attending today mirrors the one attended by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in 1953 He told the crowd, again to huge cheers of delight: 'Bula venaka! The Duchess and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible during the next two days and celebrating the links and close friendship between Fiji and the United Kingdom.' He signed off 'Venaka', or thank you, to laughter. To close the ceremony, the couple watched a meke, a traditional dance with Harry leaning forward in his seat. Dozens of people from the village of Nakelo took to the Albert Park turf to perform for the Duke and Duchess. The couple held hands as they waved to the crowds after arriving at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva for a lavish reception hosted by the president of Fiji The couple wave from the balcony at the Grand Pacific Hotel where they are attending a reception hosted by the president of Fiji Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip wave to crowds from the balcony of the Grand Pacific Hotel where a ball was held in honour of the Her Majesty during her coronation world tour, on December 28 1953 The area is known for its strong links to the armed forces. The couple sat on a raised Dias with everyone seated below them as a mark of respect. No-one is allowed to wear anything on their heads or have anything above their head like an umbrella, as per traditional protocol. Earlier Meghan was forced to hold on to her hat as she touched down in a windy Fiji with Prince Harry. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were given a guard of honour as they disembarked the royal jet - but the blustery conditions saw the red carpet blown around as officials struggled to keep hold of it. The royal couple disembarked from their Qantas charter flight in light rain and strong winds, forcing the Duchess to hold on to her hat A glamorous Meghan Markle arrived in Fiji wearing a dress by Australian label Zimmerman, a Stephen Jones hat, earrings which were a gift from the Queen, worn in Chester at their recent joint engagement there, and a bracelet which was a gift from the Prince of Wales The red carpet was rolled out when Meghan and Prince Harry touched down at the airport having flown in from Australia The royal couple travelled by charter flight from Australia to the capital Suva, embarking in casual shirts and jeans and stepping off the Qantas plane in more formal attire. Meghan wore a dress by Australian label Zimmerman, a Stephen Jones hat, earrings which were a gift from the Queen, worn in Chester at their recent joint engagement there, and a bracelet which was a gift from the Prince of Wales. The Duchess was presented with a bouquet of flowers by a flower girl from the chiefly island of Bau, the island home of Ratu Apensia Cakobau, who ceded Fiji to Britain in 1874. The Queen previously visited Bau in 1982 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in Fiji after travelling on a Qantas charter flight from Queensland's Hervey Bay The royal couple will attend a reception and State Dinner hosted by the President of Fiji on Tuesday night, the most glamorous event the couple have so far attended during their 16-day tour Leaving the Qantas charter flight in light rain and strong winds, the couple were introduced to the Hon Frank Bainamara, Fiji's Prime Minister and his wife, Maria, Ro Teimumu Kepa, leader of the opposition, Alessandro Truppia, the High Commissioner's wife and Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto, commander of the RFMF. The Duchess was presented with a bouquet of flowers by a flower girl from the chiefly island of Bau, the island home of Ratu Apensia Cakobau, who ceded Fiji to Britain in 1874 - Queen previously visited Bau in 1982 - before Prince Harry made his way to a dais on the runway. Prince Harry and Meghan observed a royal salute, Meghan positioned a few metres behind him with the welcome party, as the national anthem was played and the red carpets on the tarmac blew-off in the wind. Umbrellas were used to protect Meghan from the rain as she arrived on runway as the red carpet blew around in the the wind The royal couple were greeted by a number of Fijian dignitaries as they walked the red carpet which had been rolled out for their arrival The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are visiting Fiji for the first time as a married couple and on behalf of the Queen The Queen is greeted by a young girl in traditional clothes as she arrives in Fiji during a tour of the South Pacific on October 30, 1982. Today The Duchess was also presented with a bouquet of flowers by a flower girl from the chiefly island of Bau, the island home of Ratu Apensia Cakobau, who ceded Fiji to Britain in 1874 Prince Harry inspects the guard of honour which greeted him and his wife Meghan Markle at Fiji's Suva airport on Tuesday afternoon A feast fit for a king: Fijian men in traditional dress carried a roasted pig out to the royals shortly after their arrival Children smile and wave flags as Harry and Meghan arrive in Suva, Fiji today Well-wishers stood in the rain along the streets and waved as Prince Harry and Meghan arrived in Suva, Fiji A police vehicle moves past as well-wishers stand along the street during the arrival of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex The Duke was then invited to inspect the guard of honour before Harry and Meghan left for their next engagement, a meeting with Fiji's President, Jioji Konrote at Borron House. As the couple's convoy left the airport, hundreds of well-wishers had lined the road out of the airport, waving flags and cheering. From Borron House, The Duke and Duchess attended the official welcome ceremony in the city centre's Albert Park. The ceremony, known as the Veirqaraqaravi Vakavanua, embodies Fijian cultural identity and heritage. Children surround the car carrying Prince Harry and Meghan as they arrive in Suva, waving flags they try and catch a glimpse of the couple The couple later arrived at Borron House where they met the President of Fiji Jioji Konrote on the first day off their tour of the country The Duke and Duchess were greeted by the president of Fiji Jioji Konrote as they met him at Borron House in the capital Suva Later they attended Borron House, where the Duchess of Sussex is presented with a gift from during a visit to His Excellency The President of Fiji Jioji Konrote on the first day off their tour to Fiji Prince Harry is presented with a gift from Fiji's President, Jioji Konrote at Borron House today Prince Harry and Meghan watch an official welcome ceremony at Albert Park during the first day of their visit to Fiji The Duke and Duchess will then leave Albert Park for the Grand Pacific Hotel, where they will be staying for the two nights they are in Fiji. Following in the footsteps of the Queen, they will acknowledge members of the public gathered around Albert Park from the balcony of the hotel. Tonight they will attend a reception and State Dinner hosted by the President of Fiji, at which Harry will speak. Meghan Markle is seen waving to a crowd of onlookers before boarding a plane at Hervey Bay Airport in Queensland on Tuesday morning Prince Harry also gave a wave as he walked across the tarmac towards the awaiting Qantas aircraft which flew the royal couple to Fiji The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pictured boarding a Qantas Boeing 737 aircraft at Queensland's Hervey Bay Airport Meghan (pictured) and her husband Prince Harry are visiting Fiji as part of the first royal tour as a married couple The royal couple are spending three days in Fiji, where it is expected they will attend several engagements together despite the Duchess scaling back her royal duties in Australia Queensland was the fourth stop on the royal couple's Australian visit, after they previously visited Sydney, Dubbo, in the New South Wales central west, and Melbourne It will be the most glamorous event the couple have so far attended during their 16-day tour. WHAT IS ZIKA VIRUS AND HOW IS IT SPREAD? The Zika virus is spread by mosquito bites, between people during unprotected sex, and from pregnant mothers to their children. It cannot be cured or prevented with medicines. Although most adults do not become seriously ill from the infection, it can cause serious birth defects if pregnant women get it. Foetuses' brains can be affected by the virus when it is passed on from the mother and it can cause microcephaly. Microcephaly is a condition in which babies' heads are unusually small, which can lead to seizures, delayed development and other disabilities. The virus can also increase the risk of unborn children developing Guillain-Barre syndrome an uncommon illness in which the immune system attacks the nerves and can cause muscle weakness and paralysis. Zika is a tropical disease and is most common in Central and South America, Africa and South East Asia. There was an outbreak of the virus in Brazil's capital, Rio de Janeiro, in 2016 and there were fears that year's Olympic Games would have to be cancelled after more than 200 academics wrote to the World Health Organization warning about it. The virus is not commonly found in developed countries like the UK, US and Australia. But it is present in the Pacific Islands such as Fiji and Tonga, where the pregnant Duchess of Sussex will visit on her royal tour this month. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advertisement The couple are spending four days in the South Pacific on behalf of the Queen, travelling on to Tonga later in the week. But there are questions over the palace's wisdom of allowing the pregnant Duchess to continue with the trip as there is a moderate Zika risk in the region. The mosquito-born disease can cause serious defects in unborn foetuses and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advise expectant mothers not to travel there. But Kensington Place insists the couple have taken medical advice and are happy for Meghan, who is around 12-14 weeks pregnant, to continue with her trip. Harry and Meghan will be staying at the Grand Pacific Hotel, where the Queen also stayed in 1953. Since then Fiji has hosted a number of royal visits, including five from the Queen and three from Prince Charles. On Wednesday, His Royal Highness will lay a wreath at the Fiji War Memorial and meet a number of Fijian war veterans, some of whom served with the British Armed Forces. The royal couple will then visit the University of the South Pacific campus in Suva. From here, their program will split. The Duke will travel to Colo-i-Suva Forest Park and The Duchess to the British High Commissioner's Residence, before she heads to Suva Market. On Thursday, the royal couple will travel to the city of Nadi in Western Fiji, where they will attend a special event at Nadi Airport. After an official welcome ceremony, The Duke and Duchess will unveil a new statue commemorating Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba. From Nadi Airport, Their Royal Highnesses will take a chartered flight to Tonga. In Tonga's Nuku'alofa, the pair will visit the St George Building for a call on the Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva and members of the cabinet. From there, they will attend an exhibition with The Princess Angelika at the Faonelua Centre and then travel to Tupou College. Meghan was seen holding her baby bump as she and husband Prince Harry walked along a wharf in Kingfisher Bay on Fraser Island The Duke and Duchess later travel to The Royal Palace for an official farewell with The King before heading back to Sydney for the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games. The couple are expected to attract huge crowds during their time in Fiji and Tonga but some are criticising the timing of the visit to Fiji, which comes less than three weeks before the country's elections. Robin Nair, who was Fiji's foreign affairs permanent secretary until he resigned last year, says he is concerned Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama will take 'full advantage' of the royal couple's widespread publicity. 'Fijians love the Royals and the Government knows that there will be great euphoria and joy created by the visit,' Mr Nair said in a statement provided to the ABC. He said he is concerned the incumbent prime minister will use photo opportunities with Harry and Meghan to paint himself in a positive light. Another outspoken former government official, Shailendra G Raju, condemned the visit in a Facebook post. In a letter addressed to the UK High Commissioner to Fiji, Mr Raju called for the visit to be 'postponed to a mutually convenient and more appropriate time'. Cyclists have been branded 'dangerous' and 'ignorant' after blocking an entire road of traffic and refusing to move for cars. Nikki Bessem was driving along Coulter Road in Auckland, New Zealand, when she filmed ten cyclists taking up the whole road at 8.40am on Sunday. The West Auckland local was forced to travel at 30km/h behind the slow cyclists on a 100km/h road. 'They think they own the road,' Ms Bessem was heard in Dashcam footage filmed of the cyclists. 'I was stuck behind them pretty much the whole way around the windy road,' the West Auckland local told The New Zealand Herald. Instead of riding in a single file, the cyclists were seen split off in a row of four, which deterred the driver from passing through safely. 'I was furious. Riding single-file is annoying enough as they never stick to the side of the road, always closer to the middle, but having them riding four in a row is just plain stupid and inconsiderate,' she said. Nikki Bessem was forced to drive at just 30 km/h behind the group of cyclists on a 100 km/h road One cyclist was seen veering towards the wrong side of the road at a sharp bend, narrowly avoiding a car travelling in the opposite direction. The cyclist quickly merged back to the correct side of the road and avoided the close collision. Ms Bessem was able to pass the cyclists more than a kilometre down the road. The frustrated driver slammed Auckland cyclists as 'dangerous' riders who 'put other road users at risk'. 'Just share the fricken road is all I ask. At least make an effort to hang left,' Ms Bessem pleaded. The New Zealand Transport Agency's official code for cyclists requires them to stay as near as possible to the left to allow traffic to pass. Two cyclists can ride next to each other but should not hold back traffic. Three or more cyclists riding next to each other is illegal, except in the case of a road race approved by traffic and road authorities. Smokers puffing away near hospital buildings are being shamed into stubbing their cigarettes out by pre-recorded messages saying, 'Someone's mummy or daddy is having cancer treatment'. Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, is using the speakers to deter people from smoking directly under the windows of the maternity ward. Staff, visitors and patients can now push a blue button to activate one of nine pre-recorded messages, which are played via a loud speaker outside the hospital entrance where smoking is a prevalent problem. Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, (pictured) is using the blue buttons (left) to deter people from smoking directly under the windows of the maternity ward The messages include the voice of a child saying: 'Please don't smoke outside our hospital. Excuse me, do you think you can put out your cigarette. 'Someone's nanny, granddad, mummy or daddy is having cancer treatment today. Thank you.' The crackdown, by The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, comes after a no smoking policy across all of its Trust's sites was introduced back in March this year. The Trust first announced its intention to make its hospitals smoke free back in 2017 and rolled out its smoke free policy in March this year. Research shows that with specialised support and a pharmacological product, you are four times more likely to quit smoking than if you go it alone. The Trust says 'no smoking' signs put up across its estate do not deter all smokers from lighting up around hospital entrances - including areas where ambulances are dropping off patients. Staff, visitors and patients can now push a blue button to activate one of nine pre-recorded messages, which are played via a loud speaker (pictured) Non-smoker Shirley Parker, 67, a former sales assistant visiting the hospital, believed the new initiative was the 'best thing that could happen'. She said: 'I have gone through cancer and I think anybody who has gone through it would realise how dangerous it can be and I am lucky, I am here. 'If people smoke outside the entrance it blows back in. This is a smoke free hospital and it should be in the grounds too. 'I went to the Leeds General Infirmary and as you go in you go under a canopy. People being treated for cancer, even with their drips, stand outside smoking. 'The maternity ward is next door and that is not good either, new babies who need the windows open for fresh air, it is not fresh is it.' Iain Brodie, General Manager of Facilities, at The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust said: 'If a member of the public or staff sees someone smoking, they can press a button in the main reception to activate a voice message, which can be heard loud and clear, outside the main Pinderfields Hospital entrance asking smokers to extinguish their cigarettes. 'We've introduced the system because it's vital we take every possible step to discourage smoking. 'Patients and visitors, including new born babies and those arriving by ambulance, often have to pass through cigarette smoke at our hospital entrances, which is totally unacceptable. 'Our goal is to have smoke free sites, and the ability to broadcast these messages is a crucial step towards this.' Former AFL player Shane Mumford has been filmed snorting white powder off a table while onlookers chant his nickname 'Sausage'. In the video, the former premiership winner is seen sitting shirtless in front of five lines of white powder on a table. Others present are heard chanting his nickname in the background as Mumford leans over the powder and inserts a rolled-up piece of paper into his nose. His former club the Greater Western Sydney Giants - where Mumford still works as a coach - said they were 'extremely distressed' by the incident and video footage. A high-profile AFL legend has been filmed snorting white powder (pictured) off a table while onlookers cheer his name 'Oh my god, oh my f***ing god,' a man is heard saying as he watches on during the video. Mumford points to the thickest line on the table and snorts it up his nostril. Men watching the former player are then seen bowing down in front of him. Mumford sticks his tongue out at the camera before the video ends. In a statement, the GWS Giants said the video was filmed in 2015, after Mumford had suffered a season-ending injury. 'The club is extremely distressed by the footage and views Shane's actions as completely counter to the club's values,' the statement said. The former player pointed to the thickest line on the table and snorted it up his nostril 'The club is disappointed in Shane's choice of actions at this time and also understands that Shane requires a level of medical support with his health and well-being in mind. 'The club will be working with Shane to ensure he engages in a rehabilitation program along with a range of other measures. 'Shane has expressed deep remorse, embarrassment and distress in relation to his actions. He understands he has let himself, his family and the club down and caused great embarrassment to those around him. 'The club has kept the AFL informed of this matter.' When contacted by Ten News for comment, Mumford said: 'Na, I'm not making any comment at this time buddy'. In a statement, the GWS Giants said the video was filmed in 2015, after Mumford had suffered a season-ending injury. An AFL spokesman the league was 'aware of a video currently circulating' of Shane Mumfrod (pictured) AFL spokesman Jay Allen told the Herald Sun the league was 'aware of a video currently circulating'. 'We won't be providing any further comment until we have all relevant information and have completed our inquiries,' he said. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the AFL for comment. It is understood Mumford had been planning a comeback to the league as a player. The Ohio cheerleader accused of killing her newborn and burying it in the backyard suffered a major blow to her defense after a court ruled she won't be able to prevent her doctors from testifying. An Ohio appeals court rejected arguments from attorneys representing Skylar Richardson, the teen mom who is on trial for murder. Richardson's lawyers said that the cheerleader's conversations with her doctor were protected by doctor-patient privilege and was thus inadmissible in court. But a court rejected that argument, according to Fox 19. It was the doctor who tipped off police about a baby buried in a backyard. An Ohio appeals court rejected arguments from attorneys representing Skylar Richardson, the teen mom who is on trial for murder. She is seen above making her first court appearance in July 2017 'In considering the competing interests, we fail to see how applying the privilege to Richardsons statements and reactions furthers the purposes of the physician-patient privilege above the interest of the public in detecting crimes in order to protect society,' judges wrote in their decision. Under Ohio law, physician-patient privilege does not apply if the communication involves the commission of a crime. Last month, prosecutors said Richardson, then 18, told doctors in May 2017 that she had no intention of having a child just months before starting college Last month, prosecutors said Richardson, then 18, told doctors in May 2017 that she had no intention of having a child just months before starting college. Assistant Warren County Prosecutor Kirsten Brandt claimed Skylar's reaction was so 'extreme and over the top' the doctors said she needed to tell them if she was having thoughts about hurting her child. Brandt also claimed the teen did not go back to her doctor for an ultrasound or blood tests. She said Skylar ignored phone calls from her doctor and did 'nothing to prepare for this baby coming into the world'. When Skylar saw her doctor again in July, she told him she had delivered her daughter in the middle of the night and buried her in the backyard. Brandt claimed the doctor then called his friend at the Middletown Police Department while another called the Carlisle police. Skylar - who has maintained the baby was delivered stillborn - was charged with aggravated murder, involuntary manslaughter, endangering children, tampering with evidence, and gross abuse of a corpse in July 2017. Charlie Rittgers, Skylar's attorney, said the prosecution was 'fabricating' what really happened and said he was 'pissed' about how they described Skylar's reaction. 'It's just not true that Skylar Richardson had no intention of having a baby,' he told the Cincinnati Enquirer. Skylar's attorneys told a completely different version of events, one in which her doctor was not at all concerned by the teen's reaction to her unplanned pregnancy. Neal Schuett said it was not considered unusual that Skylar would cry after hearing she was pregnant. Skylar - who has maintained the baby was delivered stillborn - was charged with aggravated murder, involuntary manslaughter, endangering children, tampering with evidence, and gross abuse of a corpse in July 2017 He said her doctor made 'generic statements about depression', but that he does so with other 'young women in similar situations'. And doctors from the office called Skylar because she was far along in her pregnancy and they wanted to check on her. Schuett said the doctor called his cop friend because he did not know the protocol for reporting the child's death. He was not concerned that Skylar may have harmed her child. Judges hearing the case interrupted Schuett to point out details in the case that he was skirting past. 'It's not normal for someone to bury a child in the backyard,' Judge Robert Hendrickson told him. 'Why wouldn't there be reasonable suspicion here?' Skylar, now 19, is currently under modified house arrest. A teenage boy has been stabbed to death on the streets of London, triggering the 115th murder probe in the capital this year. The victim, 18, was found with knife wounds in Armitage Road, Greenwich around 9.30pm on Monday. Police and paramedics were scrambled to the scene in south east London but he was pronounced dead just after 10pm. No arrests have yet been made, but the Met's homicide squad launched a murder investigation. Officers are in the process of informing the victim's next of kin. The victim, 18, was found with knife wounds in Armitage Road, Greenwich, south east London (file image used) around 9.30pm on Monday and pronounced dead half an hour later A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'Formal identification awaits and a post-mortem examination will be held in due course. 'The Homicide and Major Crime Command have been informed. A crime scene is in place and enquiries are ongoing.' It comes after a 32-year-old man was charged with murder following the discovery of a 25-year-old woman's body in Bow yesterday morning. Mohammed Anhar, of Barking, was charged with the murder of 25-year-old Nazia Ali, from Bow, yesterday evening in the second suspected killing in the capital on Monday. Ali will appear in custody at Thames Magistrates' Court tomorrow. Detectives are not looking for anyone else in connection with Ms Ali's death. Former boxer and father-of-two Ian Tomlin, 46 (pictured) died in Battersea on October 17 - the 113th suspected murder in the capital this year Gary Beech, 48, and Michael Swan, 45, also appeared before magistrates on Saturday charged with killing former boxer and father-of-two Ian Tomlin, 46 in a separate killing in Battersea on October 17. They spoke only to confirm their identities before being remanded in custody to appear before the Old Bailey on Wednesday. Beech confirmed that he had been living next door to Mr Tomlin on the ground floor of Cromwell House in Doddington Estate, a floor below the father's two young children. Anyone with information on the Greenwich stabbing should contact police on 101 quoting CAD 7560/22 October or alternatively please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. A doctor who wrote official guidelines on caring for victims of female genital mutilation has admitted possessing extreme pornography depicting violent acts against women. Manish Gupta, 47, pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court to possessing 14 prohibited images of a child, one video and two photographs depicting extreme pornographic violence and one bestiality film. Gupta pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court in Redbridge In 2015, as co-chairman of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) guidelines committee, Gupta co-wrote guidance on caring for FGM victims. Gupta worked at Whipps Cross Hospital, in north-east London, as an obstetrician and gynaecologist. Whipps Cross Hospital in east London where Gupta worked Melissa Garner, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: Possessing prohibited and extreme pornographic images is against the law and, where there is evidence to do so, the Crown Prosecution Service will prosecute those who break the law. Gupta will be sentenced on November 16. Police in a city where hundreds of children are caught up in organised crime gangs have failed to prosecute a single county lines drug dealer, it has been revealed. The problem is so big in Bradford that it has been awarded 1million of government funding to boost its 2.5million pot to tackle the criminal exploitation of minors. A report earlier this month revealed that 471 children were part of or connected to 51 organised crime groups in the city, including county lines drug trafficking. Police in a city where hundreds of children are caught up in organised crime gangs have failed to prosecute a single county lines drug dealer, it has been revealed [File photo] Councillors in Bradford, where child grooming for sex has been a major problem over the past few years, are now being warned that criminal gangs may pose a greater threat for the young. Mark Griffin, of the citys Safeguarding Children Board, said it was now considering the emergence of organised crime, county lines, modern-day slavery and criminal exploitation as new threats in a similar way to the same conversations in the last decade around child sexual exploitation. The Home Office funding will finance a four-year project to teach children aged ten to 14 how to recognise positive relationships and avoid being groomed. The problem is so big in Bradford, above, that it has been awarded 1million of government funding to boost its 2.5million pot to tackle the criminal exploitation of minors [File photo] Bradford councillor Adrian Farley said: Organised criminals who exploit children and use them to carry out serious crime is a national issue. Were determined to tackle it. West Yorkshire Police refuted claims over a lack of action, saying it had made a number of arrests over drugs recently which could yet turn out to be related to county lines gangs. The term refers to the phone lines used by dealers from major cities who use children to transport and sell their drugs around the country. A report earlier this month revealed that 471 children were part of or connected to 51 organised crime groups in the city, including county lines drug trafficking [File photo] A police spokesman said: Within the last two weeks, West Yorkshire Police has undertaken operational activity around this type of crime, safeguarding 22 potential victims, making 16 arrests and seizing drugs, firearms and weapons. All of those arrested will be subject to an investigation and where appropriate charged and put before the courts where the detail and means of offending will be identified and could be seen as an aggravating factor. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are certain to attract massive crowds wherever they go during their three-day tour of Fiji. But some are criticising the timing of the visit, which comes less than three weeks before the country's elections. Robin Nair, who was Fiji's foreign affairs permanent secretary until he resigned last year says he is concerned Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama will take 'full advantage' of the royal couple's widespread publicity. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are certain to draw massive crowds during their Fijian visit Governmental critics have condemned the timing of the visit, saying Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama (pictured) will take advantage of their publicity ahead of the country's election 'Fijians love the Royals and the Government knows that there will be great euphoria and joy created by the visit,' Mr Nair said in a statement provided to ABC. He said he is concerned the incumbent prime minister will use photo opportunities with Harry and Meghan to paint himself in a positive light. Another outspoken former government official, Shailendra G Raju, condemned the visit in a Facebook post. In a letter addressed to the UK High Commissioner to Fiji, Mr Raju called for the visit to be 'postponed to a mutually convenient and more appropriate time'. 'Although not publicly,' he wrote. 'I am sure you would agree privately that the present Government has not provided a level playing field for an open and fair elections.' The election is only the second democratically held election since a coup in 2006, which resulted in eight years of military rule. One government critic has lamented that Fijians love the royals (Meghan Markle pictured at the airport) and is concerned they could unintentionally influence votes It is due to be held on November 14, only 20 days after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle first arrive. But the High Commission has maintained the visit is not political in nature, and is only designed to support bilateral relations between Fiji and the United Kingdom. Given that the couple will visit Australia, New Zealand, and Tonga in their 16-day tour of the Asia-Pacific, the High Commission says it only makes sense for a visit to Fiji to take place at the same time. The High Commission has maintained that the royal couple's visit has no political intentions Harry and Meghan will receive a guard of honour at the airport as they arrive in Fiji, followed by an official welcome ceremony at Albert Park later in the evening. The royal couple will lay a wreath at the War Memorial, just as they did in Sydney, before meeting a number of Fijian war veterans. They will also unveil a statue commemorating Seargeant Talaiasi Labalaba, a British-Fijian soldier who lost his life in 1972. In an attempt to shore up support, the Prime Minister yesterday set out a four-point plan on how to break the deadlock in negotiations Theresa May has urged Tory MPs to focus on the prize as she tries to quell rebellion over her Brexit plans. In an attempt to shore up support, the Prime Minister yesterday set out a four-point plan on how to break the deadlock in negotiations. Mrs May promised that any transition period as the UK leaves the EU would be over well before the next election, which is due in 2022. An extension would be an alternative to the Northern Ireland backstop, she said, which is intended to avoid a hard border with the Republic of Ireland. It came as reports suggested passing Brexit laws before exit day new March would be an 'impossible job' for parliament. Out of the 800 changes to legislation required to ensure British law is functional before Brexit, known as statutory instruments (SIs), just 71 have been put before parliament, according to The Times. This has led to concerns MPs and peers will not have enough time to properly scrutinise the legislation 'If the government does not increase the pace, parliament will shortly be faced with the impossible task of scrutinising too many SIs in too little time,' warned Hansard Society director Ruth Fox. Mrs May has faced a furious backlash from hardliners since it emerged she discussed the idea of extending the transition period with EU leaders last week with some claiming the row could topple her premiership. But Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said those seeking a vote of no-confidence risk seeing Britain leave the EU without a deal. He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: This is really a moment for calm, level heads. We have got to get through the last bit of negotiation. There will be a vote in Parliament that follows. The reality is that, if the deal on offer is something that cant get through Parliament, we will end up in a no-deal situation, so it is in everyones interest, the EU and us, to make sure that what we agree is something that both sides can accept. Mrs May has faced a furious backlash from hardliners since it emerged she discussed the idea of extending the transition period with EU leaders last week Yesterday Mrs May insisted the final sticking points in negotiations with Brussels could not become a barrier to getting a good Brexit deal. She told MPs in the Commons: Serving our national interest will demand that we hold our nerve through these last stages of the negotiations, the hardest part of all. It will mean not giving in to those who want to stop Brexit with a politicians vote politicians telling the people they got it wrong the first time. It will mean focusing on the prize that lies before us: the great opportunities that we can open up for our country when we clear these final hurdles in the negotiations. She added that four things were needed to move talks forward, including making the option of a UK-wide customs backstop legally binding. The Prime Minister said extending the transition period should be available as an alternative, with the UK able to make a sovereign choice over which one was used if a trade deal was not ready by December 2020. She said that were either of these insurance policies needed, they could not be infinite. Finally, she said there had to be a commitment to ensure continued full access for Northern Irelands businesses to the whole of the UK internal market. The Prime Minister yesterday categorically ruled out allowing the province being subject to EU customs and regulations before a Brexit deal is concluded, sources told The Times. The move pleased Tory Brexiteers but will increase chances of a no deal. However, many hardliners are still angry over the prospect of an extension to the transition period. Tory former Cabinet Minister John Redwood claimed an extension which is set to last 21 months from when the UK leaves the EU in March could cost the UK up to 20billion on top of the 39billion divorce bill Tory former Cabinet Minister John Redwood claimed the extension which is set to last 21 months from when the UK leaves the EU in March could cost the UK up to 20billion on top of the 39billion divorce bill. Warning that Britain must not sign a surrender document, he told the Commons: We are desperately in need of more money for our schools, for our hospitals. We desperately need money so we can honour our tax cutting pledges which we all made in our manifesto. The economy has been slowed deliberately by a fiscal and monetary squeeze which we need to lift. We need tax cuts to raise peoples take home pay so that they have more spending power. All this is possible if we dont give 39billion to the EU, and all this would be even more possible if we dont pledge another 15billion or 20billion. It is expected to be a tough week for the Prime Minister. Some observers have speculated that the number of Tories calling for her removal may reach 48 the figure needed to trigger a vote of no-confidence. Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the backbench 1922 committee, last night said the ballot would take place within days if the threshold is met. He told the Mail that the rules say a ballot must be organised as soon as is reasonably practical, adding: I think the strong sense of it is to do it quickly, he added. Under Tory rules, if the leader fails to get support from a majority of MPs, he or she resigns and cannot stand in the subsequent leadership contest. However, if they win, they are protected from facing another challenge for a year. There was some respite for the Prime Minister yesterday as leading Tory Brexiteer Steve Baker said he was withdrawing amendments to the Northern Ireland Bill intended to prevent the backstop being implemented. A 14-year-old girl is covered in bumps and bruises after her head was allegedly smashed against trolleys as she was arrested outside a Woolworths. A video has been posted online of a girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, being arrested outside a Woolworths supermarket at the Lismore Shopping Centre in Lismore, near Byron Bay, on Wednesday, October 17. In the video, three men can be seen holding the girl against the line of trolleys. One is holding her by the neck, another man can be seen pushing her head down, while the other pins her arms behind her back. A 14-year-old girl (pictured) was arrested outside a Woolworths supermarket in Lismore, near Byron Bay, last week. her family claim excessive force was used Another man then approaches the person filming and tells them to go away. The girl can be heard yelling: 'You motherf***ing white dog.' As she is led by the group of men to a police car, a man can be seen gripping her by her hair. It is not clear if it is a police officer holding her hair. Her father, who also cannot be named for legal reasons, told Daily Mail Australia his daughter and cousins had been sitting outside the shopping centre when police drove past four times before stopping to arrest her cousin, who had a warrant out for his arrest. He said the girl was arrested after asking police officers why her cousin was being detained. The family claim excessive force was used on the girl when she was arrested. They claim she had her head smashed against trolleys during the arrest. She has two big lumps on her forehead, a lump on her hip and her elbow is swollen from the incident, they say. A 14-year-old girl's arrest was filmed and posted on social media, sparking outrage at the level of force arresting officers used on the 14-year-old New South Wales Police said officers were assaulted after attempting to arrest a 16-year-old in relation to a break and enter at a home in Casino on September 2. Police will allege when they tried to search the youth, several people intervened, assaulting the officers, with one officer being spat in the face. Five people were arrested and taken to Lismore Police Station. The 14-year-old girl and four others were charged. She was charged with assault police, hinder police, and resist police, and fail to move on, while a second girl, also aged 14, was charged with resist police, hinder police, and trespass. Woolworths have been contacted for comment. The Russian woman accused of helping to oversee a social media effort to influence the 2018 US midterm elections mocked the accusations Monday, saying her 'heart filled with pride'. After Justice Department prosecutors alleged Elena Khusyaynova played a part in managing the finances of Internet Research Agency on Friday, she recorded a video insinuating how preposterous the claims were. 'I was surprised and shocked, but then my heart filled with pride,' Khusyaynova said. 'It turns out that a simple Russian woman could help citizens of a superpower elect their president.' Scroll down for video Elena Khusyaynova, 44, responded after Justice Department prosecutors alleged she helped manage finances of the same social media troll farm that Robert Mueller indicted this year The social media troll farm was indicted earlier this year by special counsel Robert Mueller, along with three companies and 13 Russian individuals, regarding the 2016 election that Donald Trump won. It's one of the companies allegedly controlled by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman who reportedly has ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. 'Dear people of the world! Let's all help the American people elect such politicians who would behave in a humane way and lead our planet to peace and goodness,' she continued in the Russian language clip. 'Let's all wish America to become a great and peaceful country again!' The video was posted on the Federal News Agency website which is reportedly also linked to Prigozhin. She said in the footage she was bewildered by allegations that she could have influenced the American elections as she is just a simple bookkeeper who doesn't speak English. She mocked the election meddling charges saying she was 'filled with pride' to help a superpower country like the US elect a president as Donald Trump won in 2016 Justice Department prosecutors claimed St. Petersburg woman Khusyaynova ran the finances for a hidden but powerful Russian social media effort aimed at spreading distrust for American political candidates. The department states that the work had an impact on social issues such as immigration and gun control. She was named as part of a group accused of working to 'create and amplify divisive social and political content' including on deadly shootings in South Carolina and Las Vegas, prosecutors said in court papers. One fake persona, Bertha Malone, made over 400 Facebook posts with inflammatory content. Another, Rachell Edison, made more than 700 posts about on gun control and the Second Amendment. Press Association reported the group tried to brand late Republican senator John McCain as 'an old geezer who has lost it and who long ago belonged in a home for the elderly'. Another instruction was to pass him off as a man 'pathological hatred toward Donald Trump and toward all his initiatives'. Internet Research Agency is one of the companies allegedly controlled by Yevgeny Prigozhin Prigozhin is a businessman who reportedly has ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin Last year, Mueller was also allegedly dubbed a 'puppet of the establishment' linked to the Democratic Party and 'who says things that should either remove him from his position or disband the entire investigation commission'. Friday allegations formed the first federal case of foreign interference in the 2018 midterm elections which take place November 6. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkovalso denied the claims. 'Washington, having spread shameless lies about the mythical "hand of Moscow" for more than two years, is now trying to play the same card ahead of the approaching US Election Day,' Ryabkov said in the statement. The Russian bailiffs' database states Khusaynova, 44, owes approximately 10 million rubles ($167,000) in debt-recovery cases. However it's not known how she incurred the fees. In 2015, a bank in 2015 filed to recover 7.8 million rubles in debt and a court ordered foreclosure on a residence she owned in the Russian city of St. Petersburg, reports independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta. Her son, Timur Khusainov, had a channel on YouTube that he used to post videos critical of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his clips suspiciously received thousands of 'likes' within minutes each time they were posted. He started using hopeful Facebook-rival Vkontakte instead of YouTube after his channel was shut down. Fake charities have swindled more than $320,000 from generous Australians so far this year. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a warning for people wanting to donate to charities to follow precautions to ensure money is going to the legitimate source. This claims this year have already exceeded the whole of 2017 losses by several thousand, with fears the number will continue to grow as the year progresses. Generous Australians have been swindled out of over $320,000 this year alone as a result of fake charities 'Australians are very generous, donating billions each year to thousands of different charities. Unfortunately scammers are increasingly using people's generosity against them by setting up fake charities to fleece them,' ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said. 'This is a particularly appalling scam as beyond just stealing money from unsuspecting victims, the scammers also take money meant for legitimate charities. Donations are the lifeblood that supports charities and their ability to help people in need.' Sometimes the scammers don't go to the extent of creating entirely new charities. Instead, they will pose as volunteers for charities that are already existing, such as the Red Cross, RSPCA or Rural Fire Service, and door knock or call asking for donations. They will pose as volunteers for charities that are already existing, such as the Red Cross, RSPCA or Rural Fire Service, and door knock or call asking for donations The ACCC warns people to be extra vigilant for these types of scams, especially at times soon after disasters, as they will often use tragedy to cash out on sympathetic donors. 'Legitimate charities do employ door knockers and street collectors. But rather than just hand your money over, ask to see their identification and don't be shy about asking questions about the charity such as how the proceeds will be used. 'If you have any doubts about who they are, do not pay, go the charity's legitimate website and pay through there.' Ms Rickard said. If you think you may have been scammed, the ACCC encourages you to report the incident to scam watch. Eric Trump declared that ISIS 'is gone' as he and wife Lara both took the stage in support of his father on Monday night. Donald Trump's second eldest son boasted that his father's administration was 'winning with everything we do' and had defeated ISIS. 'ISIS is gone!' Eric told the crowd at a Houston rally in support of Republican Sen Ted Cruz. It was a similar claim that Trump himself made last week - and one that was quickly refuted by the Pentagon. Eric Trump declared that ISIS 'is gone' as he and wife Lara took the stage in a rare showing of public support for his father at a Ted Cruz rally in Houston on Monday night Donald Trump's second eldest son boasted that his father's administration was 'winning with everything we do' and had defeated ISIS Last week Army Col Sean Ryan, a spokesman for the US-led anti-ISIS task force known as Operation Inherent, said ISIS still 'pose a threat'. Just on Monday, the task force announced it has struck two ISIS command centers and killed 12 ISIS fighters. And while ISIS's physical presence has been largely weakened, the terrorist group continues to remain a major threat online. A Chicago man was arrested on Friday for spreading ISIS propaganda on social media and encouraging others to commit violent acts in support of the terrorist group. But Trump's son boasted that the US military defeated ISIS because his father had 'taken the handcuffs off the military'. 'That's what you do when you take the handcuffs off the military and let these guys and girls do what they do best - which is kill bad guys,' he said. Eric gave wife Lara a kiss on the cheek as he took the stage following her rousing speech in support of her father-in-law 'And they're doing it. They're doing it really, really well.' Eric boasted to the crowd of Texans that his father's administration was 'driving the Democrats absolutely nuts'. 'They are watching this love, they are watching this enthusiasm, and they just don't know what to do anymore,' he said. 'It is so much fun to watch.' He also praised Trump for 'protecting the Second Amendment', adding that it was 'something near and dear to my own heart'. Eric is an avid big game hunter, which came under scrutiny after Trump eased restrictions on the importation of elephant trophies from Africa. 'Believe me, under my father nothing will ever happen to our great Second Amendment,' Eric told the crowd. 'We are doing so well,' he added. 'America is back, America has come back.' Eric then declared that Trump will 'win this thing in 2020, make no mistake about it'. Lara, now a senior consultant for Trump's re-election, was rarely seen stumping in 2016 as she juggled an associate producer job at Inside Edition. But now she's being hailed as the face of his 2020 campaign Before Eric took the stage, it was his wife Lara who led a rousing speech in support of her father-in-law. It is just the latest example in Lara's far more public role the second time around as the Trump family gears up for 2020. Lara, now a senior consultant for Trump's re-election, was rarely seen stumping in 2016 as she juggled an associate producer job at Inside Edition. But now she is being hailed by some as the face of Trump's 2020 campaign and is scheduled just this week to stump for three different GOP candidates in Michigan as the midterm elections near. 'I am so proud to introduce myself as the daughter-in-law of our president, Donald J Trump,' Lara told the Houston crowd on Monday night. 'You know what? Despite the haters in Hollywood, despite the obstructionist Democrats, despite the fake news media, Donald Trump is winning for the United States of America.' Lara also hailed Trump as being the only person who had the 'guts' to 'finally move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem'. 'I am so proud to introduce myself as the daughter-in-law of our president, Donald J Trump,' Lara told the Houston crowd on Monday night She then tried to get the Republican vote out for the upcoming midterm elections. 'Fifteen days from right now we have a midterm election in this country that is so critically important to the future of our country,' she told the crowd. 'Get out and vote...and when you go vote, you better be voting for Republicans,' she added. 'I think I speak for everybody in this room when I say we do not want to hear the words Speaker Nancy Pelosi or Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.' 'And don't forget about old Maxine Waters because she'll be steering the ship somehow,' Lara added, launching one of many hits against the California congresswoman that night. 'If you want to thank Donald Trump, vote red on November 6 folks.' Casey Council since compared to the 'Grinch' by frustated locals on social media management alone in the suburban street was forecast to cost $23,000 An Australian suburb famous for its intricate Christmas light displays is reeling after its local council recently banned the practice. For the past few years, Narre Warren, a suburb in south-east Melbourne, was a popular venue for festive cheer in Victoria. Not anymore. Casey Council has controversially ended the family fun in Hugo Court, declaring the light show to be an 'event'. The Christmas light display in the Melbourne suburb of Narre Warren has been banned by the local council Furious residents in Melbourne have even compared the decision from Casey Council to the work of the Grinch (pictured) Residents would have been forced to hand over thousands of dollars to cover insurance and management costs, with traffic management in the suburban street tipped to cost $23,000 alone. 'I have some sad news. Due to the huge support we have had the last few years with thousands of people coming to check out our Christmas Court, we now have got too big,' shattered event organisers posted on their Facebook page. 'Due to the number of visitors we are getting we are now classed as an event, and to run an event we must supply traffic management and public liability insurance which coasts tens of thousands of dollars, traffic management alone is $23K.' One display organiser conceded the Xmas light show had become 'too big to handle' the past couple of years without council assistance. 'Out of respect for our neighbours in the surrounding streets, they have to put up with not being able to get into their properties, noise, rubbish and people parking on their lawns,' she said in a follow-up Facebook post. 'There will be no lights this year at all.' The Christmas light display show in the Melbourne suburb Narre Warren is no more, after the local council banned the practice Event organisers of the Hugo Court Christmas Lights confirmed the bad news on social media via Facebook recently - it is now considered an 'event', which results in sky high costs Social media users slammed the outcome, questioning why Casey Council is lacking Christmas spirit. Some even compared the council to the infamous Christmas character the Grinch. Others suggested staging a public protest or contributing to a GoFundMe page to raise the sky-high funds to keep the lights switched on in December. Red Rooster has announced an unexpected new menu item, just days after revealing it was trialling halal gravy. The chicken restaurant will offer a range of alcoholic beverages at select stores in Victoria from now until the end of the summer. Customers can now order beer, wine, vodka, rum and bourbon. Red Rooster will now offer an assortment of alcoholic beverages to select stores in Victoria (stock image) Branches which will offer the assortment of alcoholic beverages include Ascot Vale, Doncaster, Hampton, Karingal, North Frankston and Sunbury. 'With summer and party season approaching, Red Rooster is now putting a trial in place,' the company wrote in a press release. Red Rooster CEO Nick Keenan said the move to trial alcoholic beverages was to keep the franchise 'relevant', reports news.com.au. Mr Keenan said Victoria was the suitable location for the trial because the state was known as a 'dynamic and forward-thinking foodie state'. Limits on alcohol purchase include a six pack or a bottle of wine per customer with their order. A Red Rooster store in Bass Hill, south-west of Sydney told Daily Mail Australia last week it had been trialling halal gravy, with the possibility of rolling out the Muslim-friendly product nationally. Last week, a Red Rooster store in Sydney's south-west announced it had been trialling halal free gravy for two weeks 'At Red Rooster our New Product Development team are continuously looking for ways to diversify our menu items to appeal to a broader range of customers,' said spokeswoman Lisa Owen. 'When looking at new products there are processes we follow that can take up to 12 months.' Red Rooster announced the chain would trial fish, lamb and vegetarian options in February. Political chaos has gripped Australia after the Liberal Party lost former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's old seat of Wentworth. The Coalition government no longer commands a majority in the House of Representatives, which could weaken border protection and discourage firms from hiring new staff. Kerryn Phelps, the member-elect for Wentworth in Sydney's eastern suburbs, is already pushing to wind back the offshore processing of asylum seekers, following her weekend by-election win. Scroll down for video Political chaos has gripped Australia after the Liberal Party lost former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's (pictured) old seat of Wentworth Kerryn Phelps (pictured), the member-elect for Wentworth in Sydney's east, is already pushing to wind back the offshore processing of asylum seekers, following her by-election win The high-profile independent candidate secured a 19 per cent swing against the Liberal Party, in Australia's wealthiest electorate, after campaigning to have children removed from detention on Nauru. Dr Phelps, a Double Bay doctor, on Monday night took political credit for 11 minors being flown to Australia for medical treatment from the remote Pacific island. 'That's 11 children who've been rescued from appalling circumstances,' she told the ABC's Q&A program after winning 51 per cent of the vote after preferences. 'I believe we can thank the voters of Wentworth for that.' Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who on Tuesday declared he would not soften his stance on border protection - contradicting Kerryn Phelps Her by-election promise to remove children from Nauru has already rattled Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who on Tuesday declared he would not soften his stance on border protection. 'You don't get children off Nauru by putting more children on Nauru through weaker border protection policies,' he told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday. The spectre of Australia's first federal hung parliament since 2013 has already shaken consumer confidence, which means Australians could delay spending. This week's ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence rating showed a six per cent fall, the steepest decline since May 2012 when Julia Gillard led a minority Labor government. Dr Phelps took political credit for 11 children being flown to Australia for medical treatment from Nauru (pictured is an asylum seeker boat intercepted in far north Queensland) CommSec senior economist Ryan Felsman said a hung parliament could discourage businesses from hiring new staff. 'Political uncertainty is the biggest threat to business and consumer confidence,' he said. 'While Aussies are becoming increasingly used to hung parliaments, one concern is that businesses will stop investing and hiring, and consumers pull back their spending in the lead-up to the federal election, due before May 18, 2019.' Prime Minister Scott Morrison will have to negotiate with six crossbench MPs, once Dr Phelps is sworn in as the new member for Wentworth, to get legislation through the lower house. He will also need to win favour with them should the Labor Opposition move a no-confidence motion against his government. Maverick lawmaker Bob Katter, from far north Queensland, wants an unwinding of gun laws introduced in 1996 following the Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania. 'Not only have you got a threat from outside but youve got a threat from inside,' he told the ABC's Four Corners program. 'They may have a majority in the next 25 years.' During the last hung parliament, between 2010 and 2013, former Labor prime minister Julia Gillard offered funding for hospital upgrades and National Broadband Network connections to please independent MPs Rob Oakeshott, Tony Windsor and Andrew Wilkie. The loss of Wentworth, which the conservative side of politics had held since 1901, means the government has 74 seats in the 150-member House of Representatives. This is excluding Speaker Tony Smith, a Liberal MP, who does not have a vote unless there is a tie. Geoffrey Rush has dabbed away tears after telling a Sydney court he imagined his own daughter had died during a scene in which he carried a female co-star who he denies touching inappropriately. The Oscar-winner was giving evidence in the Federal Court about a scene during the Sydney Theatre Company's production of King Lear in which he carried Eryn Jean Norvill's body on stage and howled. Norvill played Cordelia, the dead daughter of Rush's titular character, during the scene. Scroll down for video Geoffrey Rush has dabbed away tears after telling the Federal Court he imagined his own daughter had died during a scene in which he carried female co-star Eryn Jean Norvill who he denies touching inappropriately. Rush is suing the Daily Telegraph's publisher and a journalist According to a defence document filed by Nationwide News, Geoffrey Rush allegedly made lewd gestures in the direction of Eryn Jean Norvill (both pictured) and simulated fondling 'For this scene, I was imaging that it was my own real-life daughter and that she'd been hit by a bus on the street near where we live... and I knew she was gone,' he said. 'Every night I would reinvent that scene in my mind.' Rush is suing the Daily Telegraph's publisher, Nationwide News, and journalist Jonathon Moran for defamation over articles about an allegation he behaved inappropriately toward a co-star - later revealed to be Norvill - during the production of King Lear in 2015 and 2016. He has denied the accusation and says the newspaper made him out to be a pervert and a sexual predator. Nationwide News and Moran are pleading a defence of truth in the trial and Norvill - who didn't speak with Moran for the articles - has agreed to give evidence. According to court documents, the defence alleges Rush traced his hand down her torso and across the side of her breast during a performance of the scene in which he carried her. Rush on Tuesday said in the moments before each performance of the scene he entered a 'kind of walking meditation' that he hoped would put him into an 'alert state of neutrality'. He said the 'technical moment' of lifting Norvill to carry her on stage had been so carefully choreographed during rehearsal that it was second nature. Rush is also accused of touching Norvill's lower back under her shirt while they were backstage, simulating fondling and groping her breasts and making comments or jokes about her involving sexual innuendo. Geoffrey Rush (second from left) arrives at the Federal Court on Tuesday. Rush has denied an accusation he behaved inappropriately towards a co-star during a production of King Lear Rush denied each of the allegations when they were put to him on Tuesday. He said he was pretty aware of 'moodscapes' within a group and there was 'not a hint' that Norvill had a complaint during rehearsals. 'I never detected that I... was making her uncomfortable or that I was ruffling feathers,' he said. Rush's lawyer Bruce McClintock SC said during his opening address his client would testify that he didn't do any of the alleged acts. Rush said the Daily Telegraph's articles didn't relate to the 'strenuous but very cheerful' experience he had working on the play and he thought he and Norvill had enjoyed a 'very sparky congenial rapport'. The trial continues. Gunfire erupted outside a Chicago church after the funeral of a rapper, leaving at least six people wounded. Police Sgt. Rocco Alioto says one person was critically injured when he was shot in the head Monday outside Bethlehem Star Missionary Baptist Church on Chicago's South Side. Authorities say people were gathered at the church for the funeral of a rapper who had been killed about a week ago. Police say four victims took themselves to local hospitals and two others who were more seriously hurt were transported by Chicago Fire Department paramedics. Alioto says the man shot in the head was able to speak to police before being hospitalized with the non-life threatening injury. Gunfire erupted outside a Chicago church after the funeral of a rapper, leaving at least six people wounded Police Sgt. Rocco Alioto says one person was critically injured when he was shot in the head Monday outside Bethlehem Star Missionary Baptist Church on Chicago's South Side Authorities say people were gathered at the church for the funeral of a rapper who had been killed about a week ago Police say four victims took themselves to local hospitals and two others who were more seriously hurt were transported by Chicago Fire Department paramedics Alioto says the man shot in the head was able to speak to police before being hospitalized with the non-life threatening injury Alioto said police arrived to a 'chaotic scene' with shell casing spanning two blocks. No one was in custody in connection with the shooting. Aside from the man who was shot in the head, the victims' conditions have stabilized. Authorities said a 25-year-old man was shot in the arm, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. A woman, 27, was shot in the leg and lower body and another man, 24, was also shot in the leg. They were attending the funeral services for Vantrease R. Criss, 25 Criss was also known by his rapper name 'Dooski Tha Man' Criss was fatally shot on October 9 while he was walking with a woman on a Chicago street. The woman suffered a gunshot wound to the left foot Police have yet to make an arrest in connection with the October 9 shooting The other two victims were men aged 18 and 23. The most seriously wounded victim is also a rapper, police told WLS-TV. They were attending the funeral services for Vantrease R. Criss, 25, who was also known by his rapper name 'Dooski Tha Man.' Criss was fatally shot on October 9 while he was walking with a woman on a Chicago street. The woman suffered a gunshot wound to the left foot. Police have yet to make an arrest in connection with the October 9 shooting. The Sun-Times quoted a man who lived within a block of where the shooting took place said that at first the gunshot sounded like 'rapid fire.' 'Then it sounded like cannon-fire,' he said, insisting on anonymity for fear that talking to the press would make him a target. 'I still have to live here,' he said. The church pastor, Roosevelt Watkins, who was inside the church when the gunfire rang out, described the scene as 'pandemonium.' 'People ducking under cars, running for their lives, for safety, running back inside of the church, trying to get out of harm's way,' he said. Ruth Rivera, who lives nearby, said: 'It sounded more or less like at least 40-50 gunshots from our backyard. 'And we came right away, there was gun shellings back here, there was blood on the floor. 'Right away the ambulance and the police came, immediately.' Half a block away, police took at least three people who were stopped inside a silver car into custody, though it's unclear if it was related to the shooting in question. Donald Trump joked that he would need to nominate Hillary Clinton for the Supreme Court for the media to investigate her. The president once again took aim at his 2016 foe as he continued to heap praise on Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Trump mentioned Kavanaugh several times during his speech at a Ted Cruz rally in Houston on Monday night, never once mentioning by name Christine Blasey Ford - who accused the justice of sexually assaulting her when she was 15 years old. 'If you want the fake news to finally investigate Hillary Clinton, we will just have to nominate Hillary Clinton to the United States Supreme Court,' he told the crowd. 'How do you like that idea? Let's see how she does.' Donald Trump joked that he would need to nominate Hillary Clinton for the Supreme Court for the media to investigate her as he spoke in a rally for Ted Cruz on Monday night Trump claimed that it would tale 'three to four years of questions' for Hillary to get through the Supreme Court vetting process 'If Judge Kavanaugh had to go through what he went through. He is a fine man. Can you imagine Hillary up there? 'That would take three to four years of questions.' Trump did not mention the fact that Clinton once delivered 11 hours of testimony during one of the Republican Congress' half-dozen investigations on the 2012 Benghazi attack. The president instead focused his ire at the 'fake news media', encouraging the crowd as it chanted 'CNN sucks'. 'Don't worry, I don't like them either,' he said. 'If Judge Kavanaugh had to go through what he went through. He is a fine man. Can you imagine Hillary up there?' Trump asked the crowd. Pictured is Kavanaugh during his hearing after being accused of sexual assault Just a second later, Trump was boasting at how many members of the media he claims always ignores him was in attendance to cover the rally. 'This is like the Academy Awards, which as gone down the tubes,' he added. 'I think we do much better. Look how many. Look at them.' 'Do your recognize those happy faces back there? I know every one of them and 15 percent of them are great,' he continued. 'Every one of them. I know every one.' Trump has been Kavanaugh's greatest sympathizer ever since allegations against the Supreme Court Justice emerged in September. The president went so far as to claim that Ford's allegations were a 'hoax' spearheaded by the Democrats, despite the fact that Ford told her therapist and husband as far back as 2012 about Kavanaugh's alleged assault. Trump apologized to Kavanaugh 'on behalf of our nation' during the ceremonial swearing-in ceremony at the White House earlier this month and said the justice had been forced to endure 'terrible pain and suffering'. Christine Blasey Ford testified that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her at a house party when she was 15 years old. Trump has since called her accusations a Democratic 'hoax' Trump did not mention the fact that Clinton once delivered 11 hours of testimony (pictured) during one of the Republican Congress' half-dozen hearings on the 2012 Benghazi attack 'Those who step forward to serve our country deserve a fair and dignified evaluation,' Trump added. 'Not a campaign of political and personal destruction based on lies and deception.' Clinton hit back the day after the ceremony, saying Trump had turned it into a 'political rally'. 'It further undermined the image and integrity of the court,' Clinton told CNN. 'And that troubles me greatly. It saddens me. Because our judicial system has been viewed as one of the main pillars of our constitutional government.' 'So I don't know how people are going to react to it. I think, given our divides, it will pretty much fall predictably between those who are for and those who are against.' 'But the president's been true to form,' Clinton continued. 'He has insulted, attacked, demeaned women throughout the campaign - really for many years leading up to the campaign. And he's continued to do that inside the White House.' Sarah Parker, 24, admitted she was aware of Kyle Logan's wife in the back of the vehicle she owned as she helped him dispose of the body Sunday night A Louisiana man who is an active duty soldier was intercepted after allegedly killing his wife and driving around with the body Sunday night. Logan Kyle, 22, allegedly confessed to murdering his spouse after law enforcement received a tip-off about the dead body in the trunk at around 9.30pm. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office (CPSO) found the man traveling on North Franklin Street in Lake Charles with another woman behind the wheel who is believed to be his girlfriend. Her two children were also in the vehicle as they moved to dispose of the dead woman, it is claimed. Sarah Parker, 24, admitted she was fully aware of the woman in the back of the vehicle she owns. The victim's name cannot be released until Tuesday as Army regulations require a 24-hour time period after notifying next-of-kin, Fort Polk spokeswoman Kim Reichsling said. 'The family member's death is under investigation by special agents from U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command,' Reischling told Army Times. 'No further information will be released at this time to protect the integrity of the investigation.' Sheriff Tony Mancuso said during a press conference that Parker was helping him get rid of the corpse. Cops believe they met after he killed his partner and were driving around to look for a place to dump the deceased woman. 'In many cases, we don't get a call until the body is actually found,' KATC-TV reports he said. 'We actually got this one before it was dumped which made it easier.' She was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with obstruction of justice for aiding the killer. Parker also faces a charge for failure to report a homicide. KLFY.com reports her bond is still pending. Mother-of-two, Parker, was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center (pictured) and charged with obstruction of justice for aiding the killer The mother-of-two's children, aged one and two years old, were taken into custody by the Department of Children & Family Services. She may face more charges relating to cruelty to juveniles for putting her toddlers in a dangerous position. 'What disturbs us about that as law enforcement officers is, you know, when we come in contact it would not be abnormal for us to draw our weapons on what we consider a felony stop,' Mancuso continued. 'If we had to shoot into this car or they shot back at us or for some reason we could have injured two innocent children.' US Army CID were notified of the incident and is being held at CPSO where a homicide investigation will begin. CPSO Detective Keeba Barber is leading the investigation. 'I think this is just the start in what we believe are strange events that took place both in Leesville and our parish,' Mancuso added. A female politician has shared the vile threats of sexual assault and violence she received when she fought against a gun advertisement in the lead-up to Christmas. Queensland Environment Minister Leanne Enoch complained about a billboard from Gun World Australia, which went up in November last year and depicted a woman holding a gun with the slogan 'Santa knows what you really want for Christmas'. 'It does not reflect the kind of community we want to live in one that is free of guns,' she said. She launched a petition to remove the billboard, which she said 'diminished the value, the importance of gun ownership'. It was then that the disgusting threats on social media began, ABC reported. After Queensland Environment Minister Leanne Enoch (pictured) complained about a billboard from Gun World Australia, she received threats of sexual assault and violence 'Let someone break into your house and rape and kill you,' one person said. 'Remember that while being raped,' another said. 'Someone shoot this bitch.' Ms Enoch was Queensland's Small Business Minister at the time. 'Gun safety is a serious matter and I don't think this billboard has a place in our community,' Ms Enoch wrote on Facebook in November 2017. 'That's why I'm calling for it to be removed immediately.' But Gun World Australia fought back used Facebook to urge people to vote against Labor. Police were called to do a welfare check on Susan Trott (above) at her luxury apartment in Manhattan's Upper West Side on Sunday New York City police are searching for a female neighbor of a woman who was found dead inside her luxury apartment on Sunday morning. Investigators want to talk to the neighbor, whom they have not named, to see what she knows about the brutal killing of Susan Trott. 'We believe that all the pieces of that puzzle are in that building,' NYPD's chief of detectives Dermot Shea told The New York Times on Monday. Trott's murder has left residents across the city fearing for their safety. She was found with her throat slit inside the bedroom of her Upper West Side luxury apartment building on Sunday morning. So far, police say there are no signs of forced entry or a murder weapon. The 70-year-old copywriter was a major player in the advertising industry for decades, working for firms including BBDO, J Walter Thompson, McCann-Erickson, Satchi & Satchi and Y&R. It was a friend and colleague of Trott who notified authorities, expressing concern over the fact that they had not heard from Trott in days. Once inside the residence police found a trail of blood which led into the bedroom, and no sign of a forced entry. 'Upon arrival police observed an unconscious and unresponsive 70 year-old female with a laceration to her neck,' an NYPD officer told DailyMail.com. 'EMS responded and pronounced her deceased at the location. There are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing.' Police believe that Trott may have been dead for 24 hours at the time her body was discovered, and her last known communication had occurred on Wednesday. There is no suspect or motive at this time, but Trott's building was outfitted with security cameras. Investigators want to talk to a female neighbor of Trott's, whom they have not named, to see what she knows about the brutal killing She had been married twice but was single at the time of her death and there are no records indicating that she had any children. She wrote about her long career in advertising on her personal website, which also featured her work for brands like Levi's and Nickelodeon. 'I enjoy writing in a range of copy voicesfrom highly technical to upscale to street culture. I understand global strategy having worked in the UK, Europe and Asia, as well as US agencies. And have a strong visual sense, courtesy of my art background, a BFA in Communication Arts from Pratt Institute,' wrote Trott. 'Currently, I'm the lead strategist at Code Modern and creative consultant on a number of outside startupswith responsibilities that include TV /print ideas, digital, social, experiential and all the pieces that go with a 360 campaign.' She split her time between London and New York, where she owned an apartment and a home upstate. A man may need surgery to release air trapped inside his skull after he crashed a scooter in Bali while carrying his personal trainer and DJ ex girlfriend on the back. Matthew Davis and Courtney Mills, from Melbourne, were on the holiday island for a mutual friends' wedding early October when they suffered the terrifying ordeal. While Ms Mills was out of hospital in the days following the crash, doctors advised it was not safe for Mr Davis to fly home due to risks associated with the trapped air. Matthew Davis and Courtney Mills (pictured), from Melbourne, were on the holiday island for a mutual friends' wedding early October when they suffered the terrifying ordeal While Ms Mills was out of hospital in the days following the crash, doctors advised it was not safe for Mr Davis (pictured) to fly home due to risks associated with the trapped air Two weeks after the crash Mr Davis was cleared to return home to a hospital in Melbourne, however he had run up medical bills in excess of $30,000. While grappling with his recovery, close friends established a GoFundMe account to help ease the burden and allow him to focus on getting better. 'As many of you would know, biking accidents in Bali are not covered by travel insurance...and the costs incurred by Matt to date are huge,' the page stated. 'We are asking for donations to help cover the cost to get Matt better. Matt was hesitant to agree to a Gofundme page being the guy that he is. But we're convinced him how much everyone will want to help when they know what he's going through.' Two weeks following the crash Mr Davis (left with Ms Mills) was cleared to return home to a hospital in Melbourne, however he bought with him medical bills in excess of $30,000 While grappling with his recovery, close friends established a GoFundMe account to help ease the burden and allow him to focus on getting better (Ms Mills pictured) Mr Davis' GoFundMe page stated his travel insurance did not cover costs associated with scooter accidents (Ms Mills pictured) In a fiery post to Facebook, Ms Mills asked people not to speculate on the nature of her and Mr Davis' relationship at the time of the accident. 'Matt and I had gone our separate ways when this incident occurred. I am my own person, I was on holiday in Bali, and I let my hair down... there is nothing wrong with that. 'I apologise if I have upset people along the way who had a distorted view of our relationship. Thank you for those who have supported me, and f*** you to those who have been so quick to judge, bully me and threaten me.' Through the fundraising page, organised by his friend Brodie Williams, $35,715 of $45,000 has been raised for Mr Davis to put towards his hospital bills. In a fiery post to Facebook, Ms Mills (pictured) asked people not to speculate on the nature of her and Mr Davis' relationship at the time of the accident A mother-of-two accused of lying about her 13-year-old son's medical condition for 'attention' and causing him bodily injury has been found guilty of attempted murder. A jury found Danita Tutt, 42, of Cleburne, Texas, guilty Friday for allegedly lying about her son's 'terminal illness' which led doctors to perform unnecessary surgeries and be prescribe unneeded pain medications to her son Colby. She had been charged with three counts of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury and one count of attempted murder, but was found not guilty on the first two counts. As the verdict was read Friday Tutt's family expressed their dismay, calling it 'the saddest thing in the world'. Danita Tutt, 42, was found guilty of attempted murder by a jury Friday She is accused of lying about her 13-year-old son Colby's medical condition His mother's misleading medical information prompted the boy to undergo unnecessary surgeries and be placed on unneeded pain medications. Pictured: Colby Tutt is accused of starving Colby, withholding water, and using him by lying about symptoms for a charity fundraiser. Colby underwent ileostomy and gastrotomy surgeries which eventually led to a life-threatening blood infection, police alleged. Serena Bair has known Tutt for eight years and told the Star Telegram: 'Now you have two little boys getting separated from their mother. It's so sad. She is as innocent as the day is long.' Tutt's husband Clint put his head in his hands, while their family cried when the verdict was read. Bair said she worries for how Clint will care for the two children alone. The bodily injury charge is a first degree felony with a sentence of five years to life in prison. The attempted murder charge carries a two to 20-year sentence. Tutt will be eligible for probation. She was arrested in 2016 after Child Protective Services removed Colby from her after she questioned medical advice. The affidavit to investigators revealed how a hospice administrator had discovered that despite his mother saying that Colby could not tolerate solid foods, during a 30-observation - when his parents weren't present - she discovered otherwise. Pictured: Colby, front left with mother Danita and family Her attorneys said she is a 'loving mother of a sick little boy upon whom doctors have performed medically necessary procedures' Both Colby and his brother Colton, nine, were removed by CPS in May 2016 after Tutt was accused of being an 'attention-seeking type person' who enjoys 'the attention she gets for having a medically fragile child'. Tutt is said to enjoy 'attention for having medically fragile children' This came following a report that Colby had been removed from Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth, where he was receiving palliative care. 'There are concerns that she may end Colby's life,' the report stated. 'There are concerns for the safety of his sibling.' Tutt had been allegedly refusing to feed and provide water for Colby and had already made funeral arrangements for him, even going as far as to buy him a casket. Fort Worth police began investigating after being contacted by CPS, who had taken emergency custody of Colby that same day after Tutt had removed her son from their care the night before without permission. CPS took Colby to Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth The Tutts received national attention after Colby's 'final wish' to attend WrestleMania at AT&T Stadium captured hearts across social media. A GoFundMe page was then launched and in March of this year, Wrestler Erick Rowan paid a surprise visit to Colby at his home and WWE arranged a limo to take the family to the event. Tutt's family expressed their dismay at the verdict as it was read Friday The affidavit to investigators revealed how a hospice administrator had discovered that despite his mother saying that Colby could not tolerate solid foods, during a 30-observation - when his parents weren't present - she discovered otherwise. 'My evening with Colby was surprising in that Colby ate a bean and cheese burrito, a piece of cake and approximately 20 ounces of sweet tea and tolerated it all,' Connie Koehler wrote. Meanwhile, despite Tutt preparing for the end of her son's life - and even buying a casket and picking out a gravestone - doctors stated that Colby wasn't actually dying. The improvement to his condition after he was removed from his mother's care are indicative of starvation, said Dr. Bankol Osuntokun. CPS and Tutt reached a settlement last year and agreed to dismiss the suit against Tutt to remove her parental rights. The two boys remained in the custody of their maternal grandparents and were allowed unlimited supervised visits with Tutt. President Donald Trump has blasted the Saudi cover-story for the killing of Jamal Khashoggi as 'one of the worst' coverups in history. Trump made his remarks even as he once again stressed the billions of dollars and U.S. jobs at stake with Saudi Arabia, and said he would let Congress decide how to respond to the alleged murder of the dissident and Washington Post columnist. 'They had a very bad original concept it was carried out poorly and the coverup was one of the worst in the history of coverups,' Trump said. 'It's very simple. Bad deal, should have never been thought of. Somebody really messed up,' Trump said. Asked to clarify later whether he meant that the cover-up should have been executed better, Trump said 'they never should have thought of it' in the first place. COVER-UP: President Donald Trump has blasted the Saudi cover-story for the killing of Jamal Khashoggi as 'one of the worst' coverups in history 'However, they talked about it, nothing that theyve done has gone well,' he said first. 'They did a bad job of execution and they did a bad job of talking about it or covering it up.' It was only after that he added: 'Im saying they should have never thought about it.' 'Once they thought about it, everything else they did was bad too. It should have never happened.' He said earlier in the day that Saudi Arabia had been a 'great ally' and a top U.S. investor. 'They are doing hundreds of billions of dollars worth of investments and, you know, So many jobs,' he said. Then he pointed to regional rival Iran, saying they have been 'vicious, horrible.' 'And that's no excuse for what happened with Saudi Arabia. No excuse whatsoever. But you take a look, it's a rough part of the world. It's a nasty place. It's a nasty part of the world,' Trump said. Then he added: 'But, if what happened happened, and if the facts check out, then it's something that's very bad.' Death stare: In Riyadh, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met Salah bin Jamal Khashoggi, the murdered journalist's son - despite the de facto Saudi leader being suspected of ordering the brutal death. President Trump said Tuesday: 'Whoever thought of that idea, I think is in big trouble. And they should be in big trouble' Following the arrest of 18 suspects by Saudi Arabia, Trump said the person who 'thought of' the idea should be held accountable. 'Whoever thought of that idea, I think is in big trouble. And they should be in big trouble. Okay?' he said. When he stressed the value of arms sales to the Saudis, who are executing a brutal war in Yemen, he said other competitors might seize the opportunity if the U.S. pulled out. 'China and Russia would love to have that military order,' Trump said. Trump's comments came shortly before Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters the U.S. was revoking visas from Saudis allegedly involved in the Khashoggi killing and that sanctions were being considered. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to reporters at a news conference at the State Department in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018 It was just the latest bad review Trump gave to the Saudi operation even as he praised the importance of the regime as a key U.S. ally and business partner. It comes amid claims parts of the writer's body including his disfigured face have been found in the grounds of the Saudi consul general's home in Istanbul, with separate reports saying the remains were found down a well at the property. On Tuesday, Trump said the Khashoggi matter was handled badly by Saudi officials. 'Bad deal, should have never been thought of. Somebody really messed up. And they had the worst cover-up ever,' Trump said. The Saudis at first said Khashoggi left the Saudi consulate (he didn't), then said he died accidentally after a fight with a team of interrogators. Their explanations have yet to account for a team of 15 Saudis that Turkey said carried out the killing on Turkish soil. The initial explanation also didn't account for the disappearance of Khashoggi's body. Turkey's president called it a planned killing. Earlier Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday that the death of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi 'will not go without an American response' and that the CIA director was in Turkey to review evidence in the case. Pence declined to discuss what punitive action the U.S. might take in response to the death of the Washington Post columnist and critic of the Saudi kingdom, who died Oct. 2 at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Saudi Arabia has said he was killed in a fistfight at the consulate. Trump told reporters during a military dinner that he spoke with the king and crown prince of Saudi Arabia yesterday. 'He strongly said that he had nothing to do with this. This was at a lower level,' Trump said. Trump said he would be meeting with officials tomorrow who are currently overseas. 'Its a very sad event for Saudi Arabia,' he said. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's claim earlier Tuesday, Pence said, that 'this brutal murder was premediated - pre-planned days in advance - flies in the face of earlier assertions that have been made by the Saudi regime.' 'This brutal murder of a journalist, of an innocent man or a dissent will not go without an American response' Pence said, adding that there probably would be an international response as well. Asked if the U.S. would sanction members of Saudi Arabia's royal family if they were found to have been complicit, Pence said that's a decision for President Donald Trump. He says the president will make a decision that reflects the values and national security interests of the nation and will also 'make sure the world knows the truth.' Pence, who spoke in Washington at an event hosted by The Washington Post, said whatever U.S. response the president decides to make will keep in mind the importance of U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia - an alliance that he noted has been in existence since shortly after World War II. Speaking up: Mike Pence made the most aggressive noises yet from the Trump administration over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, saying it would not 'go without American response' Briefing: CIA chief Gina Haspel will brief Pence and Trump as soon as she returns from Turkey where she has been to investigate Jamal Khashoggi's murder He declined to say whether he had seen any intelligence that linked the Saudi crown prince to the killing. 'I know that when the CIA director returns, she will be briefing the president, myself and our entire team on what the Turks have assembled,' Pence said about CIA Director Gina Haspel's trip to Turkey. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who pulled out of attending an investment conference in Riyadh, met with Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman separately before the forum, according to Saudi state television. Trump spoke Sunday with the crown prince, who is the son of Saudi King Salman. 'He says he is not involved nor is the king,' Trump told USA Today in an interview aboard Air Force One Monday en route to a political rally in Texas. The newspaper said Trump declined to say whether he believed the crown prince's denials. If their involvement was proven, Trump said: 'I would be very upset about it. We'll have to see.' Members of Congress and former government officials have accused Riyadh of trying to cover up the truth behind Khashoggi's death or hide any evidence that the kingdom, particularly the crown prince, authorized it. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who has been trying to coax Trump into ending arms sales to Saudi Arabia, said Monday that it's 'laughable' to believe the crown prince was not involved in Khashoggi's death. Trump said any U.S. response should not involve scrapping billions of dollars in arms sales, which would hurt U.S. defense industries and eliminate U.S. jobs. 'I don't want to lose all of that investment that's being made in our country,' he said. Another princeling in the spotlights: Jared Kushner's cosy relationship with Mohammed bin Salman has been upended by the death of Jamal Khashoggi Whatever the U.S. response, U.S. ties with its Gulf ally have hit rough waters. The Khashoggi affair also has threatened to upend the relationship of Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner with the crown prince. The two men - both in their 30s, both trusted aides of older, familial leaders - struck a bond last spring and consulted with one another frequently in private calls in the months that followed. The crown prince, who is known in diplomatic circles as 'MBS,' has drawn some praise in the West for his moves to modernize the kingdom and criticism for his government's arrests of rivals and critics. Trump now plays down the relationship, saying the crown prince and Kushner are 'just two young guys.' But their back-channel relationship unnerved many in the Trump administration and Washington foreign policy establishment who feared that the White House was betting too big on the crown prince. Kushner on Monday fended off criticism that the Trump administration was giving Saudi Arabia cover. He said administration officials have their 'eyes wide open.' 'We're getting facts in from multiple places and once those facts come in, the secretary of state will work with our national security team to help us determine what we want to believe, what we think is credible and what we think is not credible,' Kushner told CNN. Even Trump, however, acknowledges that Kushner's work on trying to craft peace between Israel and the Palestinians has been set back by Khashoggi's death. 'There are a lot of setbacks. This is a setback for that,' Trump told The Washington Post in a weekend phone interview. Bruce Riedel, a former Middle East specialist for the CIA and National Security Council, said the Trump administration 'desperately wants the Istanbul affair to go away and the MBS-Jared bromance obscured.' An administration official who regularly deals with Kushner pushed back against claims that Kushner and the crown prince are joined at the hip. The official was not authorized to discuss the relationship and spoke only on condition of anonymity. The official said Kushner - like other members of the administration, including Trump - believes Saudi Arabia should suffer some sort of consequence, but said Kushner also believes the U.S.-Saudi relationship 'shouldn't be blown up' because of the Khashoggi matter. Day one of alleged hitman Kristopher Love's capital murder trial began Monday with witnesses who know the woman accused of ordering him to make a kill testifying on behalf of the state. Two people who jealous ex-girlfriend Brenda Delgado allegedly approached to carry out a hit on her former boyfriend's new love took to the stand in court, admitting she offered them money and a new car to kill Kendra Hatcher. Texas dentist Kendra Hatcher was shot in the head, allegedly by Kristopher Love, 33, in the Dallas garage of her apartment block on September 2, 2015. Brenda Delgado, 34, is accused of hiring Kristopher Love, 33, in the Dallas, Texas murder of her ex-boyfriends new girlfriend Texas dentist Kendra Hatcher was shot in the head in the Dallas garage of her apartment block on September 2, 2015 Witness accounts detailed how Delgado inquired about her Ricardo Paniagua being murdered Police say Delgado, 34, ordered her murder and one of the people who took to the stand on the first day of trial was a family member of Delgado. The witness accounts detailed how Delgado inquired about her ex Ricardo Paniagua being murdered, reports NBCDFW.com. 'She said she wanted me to hit [Hatcher] with a bat,' Moses Martinez said. 'And that's when I told her I didn't want to do that, hurt somebody innocent.' Jennifer Escobar said Delgado 'had so many ways' to 'follow around Hatcher and basically eliminate her'. Lead prosecutor Kevin Brooks said how 'after [Paniagua] broke it off with Brenda, she could not let go. You'll see evidence that Brenda started following him'. Paniagua claimed that after he ended their two-and-a-half year relationship in February 2015, she tracked his movements and stalked anyone he dated. 'I would go running at the Katy Trail and sometimes when I was running she would be running the opposite direction,' Paniagua claimed. Brooks says Delgado then quickly came to the decision she wanted Kendra killed after she could see that relationship was progressing. Love however is on trial for capital murder and Delgado will go on trial at a later date Delgado, who is both a US and Mexican citizen, is accused of hiring Love to commit the deadly act. Police also say Delgado convinced friend, Chrystal Cortes, to drive the getaway car. Delgado was arrested by Mexican authorities in April after fleeing there after initial interviews. She arrived back in the US earlier this month. At the time Dallas Morning News reported she was likely to be escorted by marshals on the flight before being taken straight to the Dallas County Jail. She is unlikely to face the death penalty as a condition of her extradition, because Mexico is opposed to capital punishment. Day 2 continues Tuesday. Delgado will have her own trial at a later date. Dallas County has not sent anyone to death row since 2013. A man who was photographed making sausages wearing nothing but an apron has cost six workers their jobs. The now dismissed employee at the centre of the naked butcher scandal worked for Kalkaringi Meats, in Arnhem Land, south-west of Darwin. The company has said that Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation, which operates grocery stores in remote communities, has suspended contracts with them and instructed stockists to get rid of their product. A man who was photographed making sausages wearing nothing but an apron has cost six workers their jobs. The company has now closed, leaving at least half a dozen employees out of work. 'It's had a big hit on the community,' Kalkaringi Meats owner Michael Cann told ABC radio. 'We've had to lay off local fellas who work here It is very hard for them to get a job. He should never have done this and if I was there, I would've sacked him on the spot,' he said. The Department of Primary Industries has launched an investigation but has not suspended the supplier's license. 'The chief inspector was satisfied that the issue had been addressed with the butcher's dismissal and will work with the company to ensure correct procedures are in place,' a spokesperson said. Young Liberal activists have been slammed for mocking former prime minister Tony Abbott and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton at a Saturday night party. Right-faction members of the Liberal Party's youth wing took offence with moderate members using VB cans to make fun of senior federal MPs from their ideological side. In the photo posted to social media, New South Wales Young Liberals executive member Sam Tedeschi is holding six cans at the Sydney party. NSW Young Liberal executive members Sam Tedeschi (left) and Brigid Meney (right) and former state candidate Mark Jones (centre) mocked Liberal MPs Tony Abbott and Peter Dutton He is in the picture with Young Liberals vice president Brigid Meney and former state election candidate Mark Jones, who is grabbing seven VB cans. A Liberal Party source, who was at the Redfern Town Hall event on October 13, described the right-wing complainants as 'snowflakes'. 'It's about time we call got ourselves and were able to have a joke about things,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday. At the party, the moderate Young Liberals mocked Peter Dutton's two failed leadership challenges in August, against former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, as the '2+2=5 award for doing the numbers'. Simon Tedeschi (left with Defence Minister Christopher Pyne) hails from the moderate faction of the Liberal Party Their right-faction critics had, ironically, styled themselves as the champions of free speech, the Liberal source said. A right-faction critic of the stunt told The Daily Telegraph it was an 'embarrassment' in the lead-up to the Wentworth by-election in former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's old seat in Sydney's east. 'I certainly hope the NSW Liberal Party doesn't endorse this behaviour and will no doubt expel them from the party,' this source told News Corp Australia. 'We are meant to be fighting a by election for Wentworth not mocking sitting MPs'. Mark Jones (right with former British foreign secretary Boris Johnson) ran unsuccessfully for the Liberal Party in the safe state Labor seat of Shellharbour It is understood Young Liberals had also mocked Labor and Greens politicians, and not just Liberal Party politicians. 'We essentially made jokes about anyone and everyone on all sides of the political spectrum,' the moderate Liberal Party source told Daily Mail Australia. 'I'm pretty surprised to the extent this has run in the context of, 'Can't we all take a joke every now and then?'' NSW Liberal Party president Philip Ruddock, a former immigration minister, said there was nothing wrong with the Young Liberals having a 'sense of humour' provided there was nothing sinister. Former prime minister Tony Abbott (left) and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton were mocked by moderate Young Liberals at a Sydney party He added a satirical revue sending up politicians was a Young Liberals tradition. Sally Betts, a moderate faction member of the NSW Liberal Party's state executive, said party members from both sides needed to put aside their differences. 'We should just get over ourselves,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'In New South Wales, we have a pretty good coalition of all the factions. 'We work very well on the state executive together.' A newly-engaged Irish woman was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder when she stabbed her abusive fiance to death, a judge has been told. Cathrina Cahill, 27, was due to face a murder trial in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday. But the charge was downgraded and she pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of substantial impairment by abnormality of the mind. Cahill admitted to fatally stabbing 29-year-old David Walsh in the neck with a bottle after an argument outside of their Padstow home in Sydney's south-west last year. The two, both from County Wexford in southeastern Ireland, had been engaged for just five weeks before the brutal stabbing. Cathrina Cahill, 27, (pictured) admitting to killing her fiance David Walsh, 29, after an argument outside of their Padstow home in Sydney's south-west last year The court was told Cahill (pictured with David Walsh, 29) was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder at the time of the stabbing Prosecutor Nanette Williams said the Crown accepted the plea to the less serious offence on the basis that Cahill was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder at the time. Her barrister, James Trevallion, said the abnormality of mind was caused by Mr Walsh's conduct towards his client. Mr Trevallion told the court Mr Walsh exhibited provocative and 'controlling behaviour' in the weeks before the fatal stabbing attack. 'Evidence shows how degrading and psychologically damaging and violent that behaviour was,' he said. Justice Johnson described the pair's relationship as 'stormy'. 'Then they decided to get married not long before this event with the psychological consequences these things had on her,' he said. Cahill (pictured leaving court on Monday) and Mr Walsh were both from County Wexford in southeastern Ireland The pair (pictured above) had been engaged for just five weeks before the stabbing Sources previously told Ireland's The Daily Star that Mr Walsh fled Ireland in the summer of 2013 to escape an array of assault charges and multiple arrest warrants. The sources alleged Mr Walsh had been charged with assaulting three gardai members of the Irish police force - before flying overseas to Australia. He was also alleged to have assaulted a woman in 2012 and seriously assaulted a man at a fast food restaurant in 2013. The latter assault allegedly involved him biting the man's ear off, and could have seen him jailed for five years if convicted. 'Mr Walsh was wanted for a series assault in Wexford town which saw a man's ear being bitten off,' the source told the publication. 'He was also known to be violent and once assaulted members of An Garda Siochana. He has a number of previous convictions,' the source added. The court heard that Mr Walsh displayed 'controlling, degrading, psychologically damaging and violent behaviour' in the weeks leading up to his death Cahill's parents Rita (left) and Daniel (right) flew in from Ireland to be in the Sydney court on Monday. She waved to them before pleading guilty to manslaughter The couple's two housemates, now back in Ireland, could be called upon to give evidence about the relationship. They were also witnesses to alleged events on February 17 at the Cock'N'Bull Hotel, the Doncaster Hotel and at the Padstow address, Mr Trevallion said. The Crown and defence have yet to prepare an agreed statement of facts for Justice Peter Johnson to use in the hearing, set for November 1. Ms Williams said the Crown was seeking victim impact statements from Mr Walsh's brothers and three children from a previous relationship, who are all in Ireland. Outside of court, Mr Trevallion told reporters his client was 'doing OK'. Cahill is due back in court on November 1 for a sentencing hearing. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince smiled and took selfies at a huge investment forum in the country today, showing no signs he was bothered about the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Mohammad bin Salman, the kingdom's effective ruler, arrived at the conference late in the day after meeting members of Khashoggi's devastated family, including his son Salah. Many in the 2,000-strong audience clapped and cheered the 33-year-old as he entered the main hall of the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh and sat down, grinning. During his 15-minute appearance at the forum dubbed 'Davos in the desert,' Prince Mohammed took selfies with jubilant guests and left without addressing the crowd after cancelling his speech. He declared the first day of the Future Investment Initiative had been 'great' - despite dozens of companies and governments pulling out over Khashoggi's murder in Saudi Arabia's Istanbul consulate three weeks ago. Selfie prince: Mohammad bin Salman, the kingdom's effective ruler, arrived at the conference late in the day and took selfies with guests Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman poses for a selfie during the Future Investment Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia The Crown Prince (centre) attended the forum with King Abdullah of Jordan ( front left) The Crown Prince attended the forum with King Abdullah of Jordan but left shortly afterwards, saying it had been 'great' and adding 'more people, more money.' The Future Investment Initiative forum is the brainchild of the Crown Prince, aimed at drawing more foreign investment into the kingdom and to help create desperately needed jobs for its youthful population. This year's conference contrasts with last year's inaugural FII - a star-studded event at which Prince Mohammed was lionised as a visionary by speakers. But many Western firms have too much at stake to abandon the Arab world's biggest economy, and some have decided to send lower-level executives. 'The West is still interested in the business opportunity that Saudi offers,' said Tony Chan, president of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, who attended the forum. 'The no-shows have to be reconciled with that fact. As business shifts from West to East, those companies have to find a balance between maintaining a good PR image and their business considerations.' Tone deaf: The Crown Prince said he was 'satisfied' with the Future Investment Initiative forum, adding; 'more people, more money'! Royal pals: The Crown Prince was seen attending the conference in the company of Jordan's King Abdullah II, seen second from left Companies from China and Russia have shown little interest in withdrawing from the event, an organiser said. 'The high profile withdrawal of so many American CEOs from the conference certainly presents opportunities for Asian and Russian companies to make a splash,' said Ellen Wald, author of the book Saudi Inc. The crown prince, widely known by his initials MBS, faces what the risk consultancy Eurasia Group has called 'an acute public relations crisis' over Khashoggi's murder. Saudi Arabia said this morning that it is expected to sign deals worth more than $50 billion on the opening day of the conference alone. Earlier in the day, energy minister Khalid al-Falih told the conference that Saudi Arabia is a nation 'in crisis' after the 'abhorrent' killing of Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. The summit, dubbed 'Davos in the desert' has been overshadowed by growing global outrage over the murder of Khashoggi. Dozens of executives - from bankers JP Morgan to carmaker Ford and ride-hailing app Uber - scrapped plans to attend, prompting organisers to take down a list of speakers from its website. In further embarrassment to the regime, the summit's website was infiltrated by hackers accusing the regime of financing terrorism on Monday. Cameramen film signing accords between Jorge Segrelles Garcia, Executive President of Haramain High Speed Railway, and a Saudi official during the Future Investment Initiative Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan arrives to address the conference in Riyadh Saudi former finance minister and current state minister Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Assaf, left, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , right, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai attend the opening No-show: Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, right, talks with the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ahead of the conference Hackers edited the event's poster to show the kingdom's powerful crown prince as an ISIS executioner wielding a bloody sword with Khashoggi kneeling before him. The hackers wrote underneath the image: 'For the sake of security of children worldwide, we urge all countries to put sanction [sic] on the Saudi regime.' 'The regime, aligned with the United States, must be kept responsible for its barbaric and inhuman action, such as killing its own citizen Jamal Khashoggi and thousands of innocent people in Yemen. 'The medieval Saudi regime is one of the sources for #Terrorism_Financing in the world.' The hackers also published what they purport is a list of 'a thousand terrorists and spies of the Saudi Arabia regime who perform malicious activities around the world' - complete with their phone numbers and email addresses. The summit's website has since been taken down and rebooted with a live-stream of the event. The forum last year proved to be a glitzy affair that drew more international business attention to the kingdom, however despite the luxurious setting at the Ritz-Carlton, this year's event will forever be linked to the brutal murder of Khashoggi. The website for Saudi Arabia's 'Davos in the desert' summit was hacked on Monday to show Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appearing to behead Jamal Khashoggi. British-based businessman speaks at conference One of the speakers who chose to attend the conference despite the outrage is a British-based businessman. Saleh Romeih, formerly of Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank, is a managing partner in Softbank Vision Fund based in London. Softhbank Vision Fund is the world's biggest technology fund and was set up by Japanese businessman Masayoshi Son to back start-ups. Romeih reiterated at the conference in Riyadh that the Vision Fund was planning to open an office in Saudi Arabia. The $93-billion Vision Fund has investments in companies including ride-hailing firm Uber Technologies Inc and shared-office space firm WeWork. Advertisement The killing of Khashoggi has marred the prince's standing, especially amid Turkish media reports a member of his entourage on trips abroad allegedly took part in the slaying and made phone calls to the prince's office. Saudi Arabia, which for weeks maintained Khashoggi had left the consulate, on Saturday acknowledged he had been killed there in a 'fistfight.' Turkish media reports and officials maintain that a 15-member Saudi team flew to Istanbul on October 2, knowing Khashoggi would enter the consulate to get a document he needed to get married. Once he was inside, the Saudis accosted Khashoggi, cut off his fingers, killed and dismembered the 59-year-old writer, according to Turkish media reports. The killing has also thrown into question whether Western executives will continue business as usual with the crown prince, who as King Salman's favored son is the second most powerful man in the kingdom. Last year, the investment forum grabbed headlines when Prince Mohammed wowed the crowd of global business titans with pledges to lead the ultraconservative kingdom toward 'moderate Islam.' Saudi employees print badges of participants of the Future Investment Initiative conference, which kicks off Tuesday, in Riyadh The Future Investment Initiative forum is the brainchild of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aimed at drawing more foreign investment into the kingdom Saudi Arabia is moving ahead with plans to hold the glitzy investment forum, despite some of its most important speakers pulling out in the global outcry over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi He also announced plans to build a $500 billion futuristic city in the desert. EXECUTIVES AND OFFICIALS WHO DROPPED OUT OF SUMMIT Executives and officials who have canceled their attendance at the event: -U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin; -JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon; -Blackrock CEO Larry Fink; -MasterCard CEO Ajay Banga; -HSBC CEO John Flint; -Standard Chartered CEO William Winters; -London Stock Exchange CEO David Schwimmer; -Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford; -Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi; -Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong; -New York Times Columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin; -Google Cloud CEO Diane Greene; -Former AOL CEO Steve Case; -International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde; -Virgin Group founder Richard Branson; -Thrive CEO Arianna Huffington; -World Bank President Jim Yong Kim; -French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire; -Dutch Finance Minister Wopke Hoekstra; -Britain's trade minister, Liam Fox; --- Companies that withdrew as media partners to the conference: -New York Times; -Financial Times; -CNN; -Bloomberg; --- Other organizations that have also cut ties with the Saudis in the wake of the Khashoggi case: -The Glover Park Group, The Harbour Group: Washington lobbying firms no longer representing Saudi Arabia; -Middle East Institute: Washington think tank to no longer take Saudi donations; Source: AP Advertisement He spoke on stage alongside Stephen Schwarzman of U.S. private equity firm Blackstone and Masayoshi Son of Japan's technology conglomerate SoftBank. Schwarzman is among those who've backed out of attending this year. Others include U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who met with Prince Mohammed separately before the forum, according to Saudi state television. Among its many investments domestically and abroad, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, which the crown prince oversees, has invested $20 billion in a U.S.-focused infrastructure fund with Blackstone. The Public Investment Fund has also invested $3.5 billion in ride-sharing firm Uber, whose CEO also backed out of attending this year's forum. Just days after last year's forum, the emboldened prince launched a sweeping shakedown of Saudi Arabia's wealthiest businessmen and top princes for alleged corruption, transforming the same Ritz-Carlton hotel that had earlier hosted the investment forum into a prison for the country's elite. The crackdown - a surprise move by the prince, who's upended the kingdom's reputation for slow, cautions reforms - rattled investors. Alongside moves like allowing cinemas to open and lifting a ban on women driving, the crown prince has led a stifling crackdown on dissent. Dozens of critics and activists have been detained, including several women and their supporters who had long pushed for the right to drive. As the conference went underway, Canada announced that they are prepared to freeze a big arms deal with Saudi Arabia if it concludes the weapons have been misused, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday. Trudeau's comments signaled Ottawa might halt a 2014 contract that the Canadian unit of U.S. weapons maker General Dynamics Corp won to supply light-armored vehicles. The deal is worth up to $13 billion. 'We strongly demand and expect that Canadian exports are used in a way that fully respects human rights,' Trudeau said in Parliament. 'We have frozen export permits before when we had concerns about their potential misuse and we will not hesitate to do so again.' Trudeau condemned the death of Khashoggi and said Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland had been talking to allies to discuss the next steps. Canada's statement came after German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday vowed to halt German arms exports to Saudi Arabia until the case is cleared up, calling the murder of Khashoggi a 'monstrosity'. A boy aged 16 was brutally tasered by police in what his mother says was an act of 'extreme force' against her son. The teenager's mother now plans to lodge a formal complaint about the NSW Police officers involved. She told 7 News: 'I understand fully that he needed to be arrested but for the extreme force that they used, there was just no need for it.' Scroll down for video Two officers were allegedly assaulted after arresting a teenager who was wanted on an outstanding warrant and his mother is claiming police used excessive force Some of the risks associated with a suspect being tasered include heart cardiac arrest. These stun guns deliver approximately 50,000 volts of electricity into a person, inflicting excruciating pain. There have been nine fatalities in Australia from tasering in the past 10 years. Police allege that the boy assaulted police officers as he tried to evade arrest at 12.45am on Tuesday morning. The boy was taken to Cessnock Police Station and charged with the outstanding warrant as well as resisting an officer in execution of duty, assaulting a police officer in execution of duty cause aggravated bodily harm, possess prohibited drug, and possession of equipment for administering prohibited drugs. He was refused bail to appear at a childrens court today on Tuesday 23 October where he was refused bail again. He is now set to reappear in court on Tuesday 13 November 2018. The boy was originally wanted for outstanding warrants. When police arrived the teen's home in Weston, on Tuesday, in the Hunter Valley of NSW, a struggle ensued. Neighbouring residents intervened, and its alleged both officers were assaulted one was struck several times in the head and body. As police attempted to restrain the teenager, he was tasered and OC spray was deployed. The incident was caught on camera with a number of people heard swearing and shouting at police. Police from the Hunter Valley Police District in New South Wales attended a home in Weston after reports a teenager wanted on an outstanding warrant was at the property 'You're a f****** dog! Get the f*** off him now!' one person is heard shouting. The officers are also heard telling people to stay away. 'Get back! Get back now!', one officer is heard saying. Being tasered leaves the suspect feeling dazed, unsteady on their feet and along with a temporary tingling sensation but has also been known to cause excessive harm. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has lifted the lid on why he refused to support Dave Sharma in the recent Wentworth by-election, with Scott Morrison unimpressed with the whole ordeal. Mr Turnbull was setting out from his home at Point Piper, a harbour-side suburb in Sydney, when he made the revelation this morning. 'I left the office of prime minister, I'm out of partisan politics and so that is it,' he told reporters. Mr Turnbull was setting out from his home at Point Piper a harbour-side suburb in Sydney, for a walk with wife Lucy this morning when he revealed why he stayed silent during the Wentworth by-election Malcolm Turnbull said, 'I left the office of prime minister, I'm out of partisan politics and so that is it' 'I'll continue to have things to say about important matters of public interest, but I'm not engaged in politics any longer. 'I am retired.' Mr Turnbull recently came under fire for his decision to remain silent in the lead-up to the Wenworth by-election, last Saturday and faced mounting pressure to support his replacement Dave Sharma. Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters on Sunday that Mr Turnbull turned down numerous offers to throw his support behind the Liberal candidate. 'Quite a number of us asked for that support, not necessarily in the form of a letter, there are many other ways in which people can choose to express their support.' Many people have blamed the former prime minister's reticence on the party's loss, which has so far left Independent Kerryn Phelps with 51.1 per cent of the votes compared to Mr Sharma's 48.9 per cent. Conservative Craig Kelly told 2GB radio Mr Turnbull was to blame, in part. Though Craig Laundy stepped in to defend Mr Turnbull and blamed those who pushed for a leadership change in August. Cabinet minister Mathias Cormann said an 'orderly transition' to a new leader would have been a better approach. Many people have blamed the former prime minister's reticence on the party's loss, which has so far left Independent Kerryn Phelps with 51.1 per cent of the votes compared to Mr Sharma's 48.9 per cent Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters on Sunday that Mr Turnbull turned down numerous offers to throw his support behind the Liberal candidate (Dave Sharma) Despite the apparent disappointment with how Mr Turnbull acted during the Wentworth by-election period, Mr Morrison confirmed that his predecessor would represent the government at a summit in Bali late this month Despite Mr Turnbull's silence during the Wentworth by-election, Mr Morrison confirmed that his predecessor would represent the government at a summit in Bali late this month. Mr Morrison told parliament the pair had held a discussion on the matter. 'I was unable to follow through on that invitation and so, to ensure that we had very senior-level representation - which was well-received by the President of Indonesia - I did request the former prime minister to represent us at that conference, and hell be there representing the policies of our government,' he said. With sights now set on next year's election, new polling analysis shows the Morrison Government is facing the threat of an election wipe-out. It suggests a potential loss of 25 seats across Australia, based on a two-party preferred swing since the 2016 election. Theresa May will confront her rebellious MPs tomorrow night in a high stakes showdown over Brexit, No 10 sources have confirmed. The PM will address a meeting of 1922 Committee meeting amid fevered speculation rebels are close to calling a no confidence vote in her over Brexit. If 48 MPs write to the committee a vote will be held. It was claimed today Government whips have sent their own 'decoy' letters to the committee to ensure they know if the threshold is breached. Government letters would be withdrawn if it was but it could give No 10 advance notice. Meanwhile, Attorney General Geoffrey Cox used today's Cabinet to warn the PM that the Brexit backstop plan would be like being stuck in 'Dante's first circle of hell' if it was not time limited. While Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington warned a no deal Brexit could not be allowed to trigger a fall-out like the infamous Black Wednesday affair, according to The Spectator. He was referring to the humiliating episode in 1992 when John Major had to withdraw the pound from the European Exchange rate Mechanism - wiping 3.4billion from the Treasury. Theresa May (pictured today on Horse Guards Parade with the Queen) has ordered weekly updates to Cabinet on both deal and no deal preparations as she plays hardball with Brussels over the Irish border backstop Mrs May safely navigated a major Commons statement on the state of the negotiations yesterday and this morning met her Cabinet on the state of play - ordering weekly updates on no deal preparation as talks go down to the wire. She has vowed not to crack under EU pressure on the final issue in the divorce talks - about how to deal with the so-called backstop on the Irish border. But the private meeting with MPs in Parliament tomorrow night will be the toughest appearance yet. On Sunday Mrs May was challenged to attend and 'bring her own noose' to the 'show trial'. Revealing the decoy letters plot, a minister told the Standard: 'We think this is their ''canary in the coal mine'' that would alert the Chief Whip to an attack on the Prime Minister and stop it from being successful. 'The moment that 48 letters are sent in, the decoys will tell the whips.' A rebel committed to removing Mrs May told the paper it would make no difference because if a move was made an 'avalanche' of letters would be sent. The final dispute in the Brexit talks is about how the Irish border will work if there is no agreed trade deal by the end of transition - due to be in December 2020 but which could now be extended. The EU is still insisting that in the absence of a full trade deal, Northern Ireland should stay in the EU customs union while the rest of the UK leaves to ensure the Irish border remains open. Britain says the whole country should stay in customs rules for a temporary period so there is no border in the Irish Sea - something the EU insists cannot be negotiated in time for the divorce to be struck this autumn. Brussels is suggesting a legal promise to negotiate the UK-wide version after the Northern Ireland-only version goes into the divorce - but Britain has said no. Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey left No 10 following the meeting in Downing Street today (pictured) Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson (left) and chief whip Julian Smith (right) were also spotted leaving Downing Street today Following today's Cabinet, the PM's official spokesman said the Brexit Secretary gave an update to Cabinet on the 'domestic preparedness' for the EU exit. He added: 'He said that good progress had been made since the Cabinet settled on no deal planning in September. Tory MP Andrew Bridgen denies saying May should 'bring her own noose' to her trial Andrew Bridgen (pictured outside Parliament) a leading Brexiteer and critic of the PM - had been accused of being behind the anonymous briefings Andrew Bridgen today furiously denied being the Tory MP behind controversial and violent imagery-laden attacks on the Theresa May. An unnamed backbencher told a Sunday newspaper that the PM would be 'knifed' and should 'bring her own noose' to a 'show trial. Mr Bridgen - a leading Brexiteer and critic of the PM - had been accused of being behind the anonymous briefings. But speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme this morning, he said: 'It is not me.' He added: 'I have no idea who it was. I don't normally hide behind anonymous quotes. 'I think these sorts of comments are unproductive.' The Leicestershire North-West MP, who submitted a letter of no confidence in Theresa May in July, said: 'We either change the Prime Minister's policy or we have to change the Prime Minister.' Advertisement 'In total the Government has now published 106 technical notices and there has been detailed engagement with business. 'The Prime Minister said the preparations around no deal continue to be essential. 'However, it is important to be clear that the government's priority is to secure a deal. 'The PM said she planned to establish a new weekly update for Cabinet covering preparations for a deal and no deal scenarios. 'The PM gave an update on last week's European Council. She said President Tusk has said that he stands ready to call a council of 28 to reach agreement on a deal when there has been decisive progress. 'And the Prime Minister said the government will be working intensively to find a way through on the issue of the Northern Ireland backstop.' The spokesman said that the update will be given weekly by Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab. The spokesman added: 'As we move towards exit date it obviously makes good sense to ensure that all ministers are fully informed on the progress being made on both scenarios.' Cabinet has been given updates on Brexit planning 'as and when required' and now this will be increased to weekly, the spokesman said. The spokesman added: 'Cabinet also discussed the importance of strengthening the union, the Prime Minister said we are stronger as a union of nations, respecting and celebrating the rich cultural, economic and social benefits that each constituent part brings.' Mrs May told MPs yesterday the UK had to 'hold our nerve' in the final phase of the negotiations with Brussels to secure the British version of the Irish backstop. She insisted any extension would be over 'well before' the next election in 2022. International Trade Secretary Liam Fox - a prominent Leave campaigner in the referendum - warned it would be a mistake for MPs to move against the Prime Minister at a crucial moment in the Brexit talks. 'We are in a process of negotiation. It would seem to be an act of utter folly to change the Prime Minister at this point,' he told Sky News during a visit to New York. Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab (pictured in Downing Street today) said 'good progress' had been made on ensuring Britain was ready if no fair divorce can be struck - but insisted the priority was to break the deadlock Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt (pictured today arriving for Cabinet in Downing Street) will hear the Prime Minister's latest update on Brexit today Aid Secretary Penny Mordaunt was also among the arrivals for Cabinet in No 10 today (pictured) Commons leader Andrea Leadsom (left) and Attorney General Geoffrey Cox were among the arrivals in Downing Street today (pictured) Leading Brexiteer Iain Duncan Smith - himself ousted by Tory MPs 15 years ago - also backed Mrs May to carry on. He told GMB today: 'This is a huge decision and there's a lot to be discussed. What is the final issue in the Brexit talks? Theresa May insists the Brexit deal is 95 per cent done - but the final issue of the Irish border backstop may be the hardest part. The backstop sets out what will happen to the Irish border if the Brexit transition ends before a final UK-EU trade deal is in place. Transition is currently due to end in December 2020. The EU is still insisting that in the absence of a full trade deal, Northern Ireland should stay in the EU customs union while the rest of the UK leaves to ensure the Irish border remains open. Mrs May has flatly rejected the idea, saying she would not agree to anything that risked splitting the UK. Instead, the government has mooted a temporary customs union for the whole UK. There would also probably need to be more regulatory checks between mainland UK and Northern Ireland to protect the single market. Some already take place, but they could be dramatically stepped up - potentially creating a huge flashpoint with the DUP. Brussels now appears to be prepared to do a UK-wide backstop in the divorce deal - but insists it must be robust and the UK could not exit it unilaterally. Advertisement 'There are things acceptable and not acceptable to political parties. 'The vast majority of the party recognises we need stability I don't believe it's in our best interests to have a vote of no confidence. 'She needs a run to get this right and a distraction would not help at all.' Mrs May's position appears to have been shored up by vicious and violent briefing against her by anonymous Brexit supporters. One MP blamed in Westminster for the attacks - including that Mrs May would be 'knifed' and should 'bring her own noose' to a 'show trial' - denied responsibility today. Leicestershire North West MP Andrew Bridgen said he did not 'normally hide behind anonymous quotes' and the attacks on Mrs May were 'unproductive'. The Prime Minister defied the attacks on her and defended her embattled Brexit plans in a major statement to the Commons yesterday. She said a possible extension to the Brexit transition period beyond December 2020 - an idea loathed by Brexiteers - would only be done as a last resort in the national interest. But she said if a full trade deal was close in late 2020 it would be better than making business change rules twice or falling into the Irish backstop - which Britain wants to be a UK-wide customs arrangement that could limit trade deals. International Trade Secretary Liam Fox (pictured in Downing Street last week) - a prominent Leave campaigner in the referendum - warned it would be a mistake for MPs to move against the Prime Minister at a crucial moment in the Brexit talks Leading Brexiteer Iain Duncan Smith (pictured in Brussels yesterday) - himself ousted as party leader by Tory MPs 15 years ago - also backed Mrs May to carry on Mrs May said the divorce deal was 95 per cent finished and hailed a 'substantive' shift from the EU to ensure the so-called Irish backstop is UK-wide and not Northern Ireland only. Outlining the remaining issues, Mrs May said Britain needed agreement the Irish backstop would be UK wide. She said she wanted the option to extend transition to avoid ever using the backstop if a trade deal is close in late 2020. Mrs May said neither the backstop or extended transition period could be never ending - and vowed in all circumstances Northern Ireland's business would get guarantees on full access to the UK markets. In her speech, Mrs May told MPs 'the shape of the deal across the vast majority of the Withdrawal Agreement is now clear.' Leicestershire North West MP Andrew Bridgen denied being responsible for violent threats against Theresa May today and said he did not 'normally hide behind anonymous quotes' and the attacks on Mrs May were 'unproductive' A famous Suffolk steam engine has been found in Siberia after being taken to Russia during the 19th century gold rush. The forgotten industrial revolution relic was discovered 2,580 miles east of Moscow in a remote forest. Although the rusty behemoth - possibly the last surviving model of its type in the world - was found abandoned in ruins it is believed to be repairable. The spectacular machine was made in Leiston, Suffolk, by Richard Garrett & Sons, a well-known manufacturer of steam engines, agricultural machinery, and trolleybuses, in business from 1778 to 1932. Vladimir Chernikov of the Russian Geographical Society sitting on top of the Suffolk-built steam engine found deep in the Siberian wilderness The rusty 19th century engine was found in the vast Krasnoyarsk region of Siberia in a forest Initially it was not known if the engine could be repaired, but it is now thought the machine can be brought back to life It was transported to the Siberian wilderness in the 1840s by prospectors, where it remained as a remnant of the tsarist-era Russian gold rush. It is believed the machine was likely used by gold miners to pump out water, to bring ore to the surface, and to crush rocks. The monster engine was found on a mission by the Russian Geographical Society and has been preserved in part by the fierce Siberian winter cold. The Long Shop Museum in Leiston - dedicated to the history of Richard Garrett & Sons - has been informed of the Siberian find, Russian authorities say. It took three lengthy expedition around the vast Krasnoyarsk region before Vladimir Chernikov and Dmitry Semenov, both members of Russian Geographical Society, found the engine, The Siberian Times reported. A drawing of a later version of the same machine made by Garrett and Sons that was unearthed in Siberia The tsarist-era machine was used by gold prospectors to pump water from the soil before being abandoned in the forest Explorer Vladimir Chernikov said: 'I called a friend from the Royal Geographic Society in London who contacted the museum in Leiston,' said Vladimir Chernikov. 'They were so excited to hear about the find. They said this might be the only engine like this left in the world. 'It is in very good condition and can function after it is repaired.' The Siberian explorers are waiting to hear from England how exactly the steam engine found its way to Siberia. The area in Sukhobuzimsky district, some 45 miles north of Krasnoyarsk city, was a key location in the 19th century gold rush even though today there is little evidence of this period. An ad in Russian offering Garrett and Sons steam engines via a Moscow broker back in the 19th century A plate on the English 19th century steam engine found in Siberia shows the name of the manufacturers, Richard Garrett & Sons Roads in taiga where the explorers found the machine. It is due to be transported to a museum for repairs Gold mining here continued until the end of the Stalin era in the 1950s. Chernikov added: 'Some parts of the machine taken by local collectors. 'We had a drive around nearby villages and picked them up.' A second steam engine relic was also found but it had been looted and is deemed impossible to repair. The steam engine is set to be moved from its resting place in the taiga and taken to Sukhobuzimskoye village museum where it will undergo repairs. Tommy Robinson has walked free from court again after a judge said his contempt of court case was 'too complex' and referred it to the Attorney General. The Recorder of London Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC said 'proper cross examination' was needed and released him on bail just minutes after the 35-year-old activist told his supporters he had 'won no matter what happened to him'. Robinson appeared at the Old Bailey in London this morning charged with contempt of court for allegedly putting an Asian sex gang trial in Leeds in jeopardy by filming people involved in videos on social media. The latest developments means his wait goes on to learn whether he will be jailed over the incident. A huge crowd of supporters, some of whom were seen drinking cans of beer and cider, had gathered to demonstrate outside the court at the same time as the hearing. Robinson real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon was freed from prison in August after three leading judges quashed an initial contempt of court finding made at Leeds Crown Court in May. Scroll down for video Tommy Robinson posted this selfie on Instagram today, pictured, after his contempt of court hearing was adjourned. He now faces another wait to find out if he will be jailed over allegedly breaching reporting restrictions in an Asian sex gang case Robinson's case at the Old Bailey in London this morning was adjourned after the judge said it was 'too complex' and must be passed to the Attorney General. Pictured is Robinson arriving at court Hordes of people gathered at the court today, pictured, causing roads to be closed and police guards to be put in place Robinson, pictured, spoke to his supporters before his appearance, where Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC said there must be a chance for cross examination Robinson, 35, told the crowd, pictured, 'no matter what happens I've won' even though he could face jail for allegedly putting an Asian sex gang trial in jeopardy Hundreds of people have gathered outside the Old Bailey this morning, pictured, and waved flags and chanted to support Robinson Speaking after the hearing, Robinson claimed he was the victim of a 'political witch-hunt' as his contempt of court case was sent to the Attorney General. Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was cheered by crowds of supporters outside the Old Bailey as he emerged on bail on Tuesday. To shouts of 'Oh Tommy Robinson', the 35-year-old protested his innocence, saying: 'This political witch-hunt must end now.' He also read a statement he had provided on Monday which persuaded the judge to refer the case to Attorney General Geoffrey Cox QC rather than decide it himself. During the hearing the judge said the letter had made clearer the 'nature and extent of the controversies'. Afterwards, Robinson told his fans: 'I believe that with this support that's been shown the Attorney General will kick this into the long grass.' A spokesman for the Attorney General's Office said Robinson could now face a contempt hearing in the High Court. The spokesman said: 'This matter has been referred to the Attorney General's Office. A Law Officer will consider all material afresh, and make a decision whether or not to refer Stephen Yaxley Lennon to the High Court for contempt.' Robinson, wearing a grey suit, pink tie and red poppy, sat behind his lawyer in court and spoke quietly to confirm his identity. Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC began the hearing by stressing 'for the avoidance of doubt' that there should be no photography or recording within the court building. However, he told an assembled gathering of journalists that live tweeting from court would be okay. He said the allegations against Robinson were that he breached an order under Section 4(2) of the 1981 Contempt of Court Act and that he made a broadcast that 'gave rise to a substantial risk that serious prejudice would be caused to a trial taking place at Leeds Crown Court'. Timeline of Tommy Robinson in prison May 25: Robinson is jailed for 13 months for contempt of court after Facebook Live protest outside a trial in Leeds May 27: Sentence sparks protests in London including outside Downing Street June 9: Free Tommy Robinson march in Whitehall turns violent with 21 police officers hurt when bottles are hurled July 18: Robinson launches appeal against his sentence August 1: Judges order his release and say he must face new hearing September 27: A new contempt of court case at the Old Bailey is adjourned after Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC asks for written submissions from all parties October 23: After considering submissions, judge says case is 'too complex' and evidence must be considered by Attorney General The Attorney General's office confirms it will look at the case and decide whether to stage a High Court hearing Advertisement Judge Hilliard said the case should go to the Attorney General for his consideration after receiving a statement from Robinson on Monday. The court heard that in the current setting, lawyers would not be able to perform an appropriate cross-examination of the evidence. 'I think it necessary to look at quite a lot of the detail of what Mr Yaxley-Lennon said in the broadcast as to come to the overall picture as to what happened,' the judge said. 'I'm satisfied in the light of the issues as they now appear as they emerged from the statement of yesterday, that cross-examination of Mr Yaxley-Lennon is necessary for a proper and thorough examination and resolution of the case that is in the public interest.' Robinson's submission to the court said: 'It is invited the Attorney General to nominate an advocate to appear the fresh hearing. 'The court noted 'it is important that the cases are presented by someone other than a judge, having taken proper steps to set out the offending conduct, by reference to the video in question'.' It concluded: 'Mr Yaxley Lennon does not admit any of the allegations of contempt as presently drafted. 'In particular, he will deny an intention to create state of affairs which objectively construed amount to an interference with the administration of justice and he will further assert that his report was fair and accurate, contemporaneous and in good faith. 'His clear instructions are that he wishes to give evidence in person.' Speaking ahead of the hearing, Robinson said: 'No matter what happens today, I've already won,' he said. 'Their attempts to silence and stop people having the knowledge of the Muslim rape gangs that are terrorising our nation. 'The entire world is now watching.' Speaking to the crowd, pictured, Robinson said the country was now 'aware of the Muslim rape gangs terrorising the UK' Some supporters turned up with paper masks of the former EDL leader, pictured Another protest against Robinson took place just a short distance away, pictured, fenced off to keep both sets of demonstrators apart Robinson, pictured, was released on bail after the judge called for a proper examination of all the evidence Robinson also claimed the media was the 'enemy of the people' when speaking to the crowd He blamed the Government, police and social services for 'sacrificing a generation of our daughters at the hands of the multiculturalism altar'. What happens next? The Attorney General's office will now consider the evidence in the case and decide whether to take it forward. Tommy Robinson has denied the charges and asked to give evidence in person, while also being given an advocate. Should the office decide there is a case, a new hearing will take place at the High Court. It will take place before a judge, with the prosecution and defence presenting their arguments. Advertisement He also called the media 'the enemy of the people' with the crowd responding by shouting 'shame on you'. Ahead of the court appearance he posted a picture of himself on Instagram smiling broadly and wearing a suit on a train. In the Instragram post, Robinson also made a tongue in cheek comment referring to cousin and English Defence League founder Kevin Carroll, and said: 'I reckon @thekevincarroll will get found guilty today. It's his turn for some bird.' Metropolitan Police and their colleagues from the City of London force manned barricades outside the Old Bailey as Tommy Robinson supporters rally ahead of the return to court of the English Defence League founder's contempt case. England and Union flags, as well those for Ukip, were being waved outside the Central Criminal Court as dozens of protesters gathered early on Tuesday morning. Tommy Robinson posed for a picture on Instagram this morning, pictured, wearing a suit and tie and smiling broadly ahead of his contempt of court hearing in London Some people watched on from inside nearby buildings as the crowds swelled in London Many supporters took their phones out to film Robinson ahead of the appearance Others waved Union Jacks with the slogan #FreeTommy on as they protested the court case Robinson was flanked by friends and supporters as he entered the court this morning Under the watchful gaze of officers, the largely male crowd chanted 'Oh Tommy Robinson'. A small group of anti-fascism campaigners faced them from behind the stage, where fans anticipated a speech from the EDL founder. Robinson says he expects to be sent back to prison - having sacked his legal team ahead of his contempt hearing this week - as it was revealed that he benefited from a 'massive payday' of public attention and 2million in donations after his stint in jail earlier this year. Robinson was initially jailed for 13 months but the conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal pending a new hearing The Sunday Times reported that Robinson, in an interview with German political blog, PI News, said: 'I sacked my solicitors because they tried to broker a deal where I apologise and I admit guilt, and then if I do that then I go home. 'And I said, I'm never going to do that. 'I'd rather go to jail for the next 25 years than accept guilt for telling the truth.' At his last appearance, Robinson was ushered into court amid a large police presence as supporters, holding Union and St George's flags, chanted his name, while photographers and camera operators jostled for position. And during the brief hearing, a new video appearing to show Robinson at a window within the court building was posted on the Twitter account. In the footage Robinson says 'that's such a good feeling' before promising to go and greet the crowd of hundreds of supporters cheering and chanting outside. The video, believed to have been made in the canteen on the second floor of the Old Bailey, was viewed more than 160,000 times by the afternoon. Flags were waved in the streets of London while others sang chants in support for the former EDL co-founder Many of the supporters were filming the demonstration while carrying flags and placards Police were also on hand to control the demonstration, with a counter-protest against Robinson also taking place nearby Section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act 1925 makes it an offence to photograph people within court precincts. At the time of jailing him, Judge Marson told Robinson his actions could have caused the trial to be re-run, costing 'hundreds and hundreds of thousands of pounds'. On Friday, 20 gang members were jailed for a combined total of more than 220 years after being convicted of sexually abusing vulnerable girls as young as eleven in Huddersfield. Last month, Robinson was ushered into court amid similar scenes outside. Following the brief hearing on September 27, a video appearing to show Robinson at a window within the court building was posted on the Twitter account of Ezra Levant, a reporter for the right-wing Rebel Media Organisation. In the footage Robinson says 'that's such a good feeling' before promising to go and greet the crowd of hundreds of supporters cheering and chanting outside. The video is believed to have been made in the canteen on the Old Bailey's second floor. By the afternoon, it had been viewed more than 160,000 times. Section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act 1925 (CJA 1925) makes it an offence to photograph people within court precincts. City of London Police had confirmed they were looking into whether any offences were committed at September court appearance. A spokesman for the Attorney General's Office said: 'This matter has been referred to the Attorney General's Office. A Law Officer will consider all material afresh, and make a decision whether or not to refer Stephen Yaxley Lennon to the High Court for contempt.' Both Leeds Crown Court and the Court of the Appeal had the option to refer the case to the Attorney General before, but made the decision not to, as is their right for contempt 'in the face of the court'. A malfunctioning power system is the probable cause of the disaster. The train, very popular among tourists, runs along the islands east coast. Tsai Ing-en pledges action. Mainland authorities extend their condolences. Taipei (AsiaNews) The death toll from the derailment of a train in Yilan County stood this morning at 18 dead and 190 injured. Yesterday late afternoon, the Puyuma Express, from Shulin to Taitung, carrying 366 passengers, derailed at Xinma station. All eight carriages left the tracks, three ended up upside down. This morning, the Taiwan Railways Administration announced that trains power system probably malfunctioned, causing the disaster. The train is very popular on the island, because it runs along the east coast, with beautiful natural landscapes, much appreciated by tourists. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Premier William Lai told relevant authorities to do all they can to assist the rescue effort and the people involved. The railway administration said the families of those killed in the crash would receive compensation of NT.5 million (US,000). Sundays accident was the worst on the islands railways in 37 years. Mainland authorities on Monday sent condolences to the families of the victims and to the injured. Two of the later are from the Peoples Republic. Train services were almost back to normal on Monday morning. Natasha Ednan-Laperouse collapsed on board a flight from London to Nice in 2016 Stricter food labelling laws prompted by the death of a teenager who ate a Pret A Manger sandwich could be in place by next summer, her parents said today. The mother and father of 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse met with Environment Secretary Michael Gove, who told them he wanted 'Natasha's Law' to be introduced next year. Natasha collapsed on board a flight to Nice in 2016 after eating a sandwich she bought at Heathrow Airport containing sesame seeds, which she was allergic to. The girl, from Fulham, West London, was later pronounced dead in hospital. The packaging of the artichoke, olive and tapenade baguette did not mention that the product contained the seeds and Natasha's father Nadim said at an inquest that she died because of 'inadequate food labelling laws'. Her parents, Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, met Mr Gove today to call for a law change requiring all foods to be labelled clearly with any allergens. Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse met Environment Secretary Michael Gove to call for a law change requiring all foods to be labelled clearly with any allergens Mr Ednan-Laperouse said: 'I think we are moving to a tipping point, a really crucial point... a fundamental point for things to actually change in society, for people to become conscious in their conversations and their thoughts about allergies. 'So things that have previously been in the dark, are now going to come out into the light. And that's really really important, and only good will come from that.' He said of the meeting with Mr Gove: 'It was so positive actually we were taken by surprise, and that's a wonderful thing for us, in our situation and also for all the other people who have allergies in this country.' Mr Ednan-Laperouse said at an inquest earlier this month that his daughter died because of 'inadequate food labelling laws' as the packaging did not mention the baguette contained the seeds. The family are calling for greater consistency in labelling and want products to be physically labelled with complete allergen information. Mr Gove told the couple a full review would happen between now and Christmas, followed by a consultation, and that he 'sees no reason' why the new legislation could not be in place by summer - three years after the teenager died. The parents said they have 'every hope that Natasha's law could be a reality' by the end of 2019 He also told them he will be expecting and advising large companies, such as Pret, to be ahead of the curve by starting the labelling 'as soon as possible' before the law is fully in place, Natasha's mother Tanya said. She added: 'He felt it's the right thing that they should be doing and they should start doing it as soon as possible, because, he said, no-one should ever, ever suffer a death such as Natasha's that could be so easily avoided.' After the inquest into Natasha's death, Pret announced that full ingredient labelling will be introduced to all products that are freshly made in its shop kitchens, and labels will list all ingredients, including allergens. Mr Gove said it was 'an honour' to meet Natasha's parents. He said: 'Since receiving the coroner's report, we have been working at pace with the Food Standards Agency and businesses to review the current allergen labelling rules. 'We are aiming to bring forward concrete proposals to change the law around the turn of the year. Nadim and Natasha's mother Tanya spoke to the BBC today about their hopes for the meeting 'Natasha's parents have suffered a terrible loss and yet have shown such tremendous strength and grace in their push for change. It was an honour to meet them today.' Michelle Victor, the lawyer representing Mr and Mrs Ednan-Laperouse, added: 'We welcome the minister's determination to change the law in relation to food labelling. 'The family welcome the swift action that is being proposed with Natasha's law potentially being implemented by July of next year.' Earlier, the couple spoke to BBC Breakfast today about their hopes for the meeting with Mr Gove. Mr Ednan-Laperouse said: 'The meeting - which we welcome greatly with Michael Gove - it's really, really simple what we as a family are looking for - and that is that the food labelling laws in this country come up to scratch. 'And by that I mean in particular all food that's consumed by people here should be correctly labelled with the ingredients and the allergens in particular food that is pre-packed for sale, so it comes wrapped up in packaging of any sort. The teenager ate a sandwich which she bought at this Pret store at London Heathrow Airport 'People need to know what they're eating, they really, really need to know what they're eating.' Her mother added: 'We taught Natasha to trust labels, to trust ingredients. She learnt all the different words for different allergens. She could read a label and understand it by the time she was nine years old. 'There mustn't be confusion with labels it really does need to be standardised. If there is a label, it should be the same everywhere, and it should include all the ingredients and the allergens. 'We personally don't see why it's such a problem to be able to do something like this quickly. 'We assume that food companies know where their food has come from that they understand where the manufacturing process is, where they start, and what they end up having in the foods that they sell. 'So why would it be difficult to be able to label the ingredients on a simple sticker? It just doesn't make sense, we just don't get that, we don't get the complication and apparently there's a large cost involved, and again we don't really understand that either.' Ben Pepper, senior solicitor in the complex injury department at Bolt Burdon Kemp, told MailOnline: 'Michael Gove's announcement today that Natasha's law could be introduced before the summer will go some way to avoiding similar catastrophic events in the future by strengthening regulations where they have been just too weak to deal with tragic cases like Natasha's. Environment Secretary Michael Gove has instructed civil servants to investigate a law change 'These life threatening incidents mean that clearly more needs to be done by sellers to convey sufficient information and specific allergen advice to consumers. 'Restaurants and other food retailers must have a clear and consistent labelling system to ensure that their customers are aware of any potential allergens contained within their products. 'But beyond that, the onus should be on them to deal with any complaints promptly and implement adequate measures to avoid reoccurrences.' Mr Gove said earlier this month he had instructed civil servants to investigate a law change after Natasha's death highlighted the 'importance of acting urgently'. The Environment Secretary said the family was 'absolutely right' to say the law needs to be changed, adding: 'I think their case is compelling and we need to act quickly in order to ensure that we have the best possible protection in place.' In a statement yesterday, Natasha's family said that they 'look forward' to meeting Mr Gove, adding: 'We are extremely pleased by his reaction so far on this issue.' Pret announced earlier this month that it will include full ingredient labelling on all of its products. The Democrat candidate for Georgia governor once helped burn the state flag as part of a protest, it has emerged. Stacey Abrams, who is aiming to become the first black female governor in America, torched the flag at the Georgia Capitol as part of a student demonstration in 1992. Abrams, who is running against Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, was taking part in an ultimately successful effort to have the Confederate battle flag removed from the state flag. Stacey Abrams, who is running for governor of Georgia, was photographed helping to burn the state flag as part of a student protest in 1992 because it contained the Confederate battle flag Abrams is seen center back in the flag-burning photo published in the Atlanta Journal Constitution in 1992, which resurfaced on Sunday in a Facebook post (above) An image of Abrams at the flag burning was printed by the Atlanta Journal Constitution at the time, and reprinted by the New York Times on Monday. The picture shows three students from Spelman College setting light to the flag, with Abrams watching in the background. Polls show Abrams and Kemp currently tied in the gubernatorial race, with the first debate due to take place today. A statement from Abrams campaign said: 'During Stacey Abrams' college years, Georgia was at a crossroads, struggling with how to overcome racially divisive issues, including symbols of the Confederacy, the sharpest of which was the inclusion of the Confederate emblem in the Georgia state flag. 'This conversation was sweeping across Georgia as numerous organizations, prominent leaders, and students engaged in the ultimately successful effort to change the flag.' The Confederate flag was included in the Georgia state flag in 1956 amid a backlash against racial integration following the Brown v Board of Education ruling. Georgia's flags over the years are seen above Abrams' campaign against Confederate symbols did not stop in her student days. Last year, she called for the removal of a Confederate carving in Stone Mountain. She called the carving, which shows President Jefferson Davis and Generals Robert E Lee and Thomas 'Stonewall' Jackson on horseback, 'a symbol of white supremacy'. Kemp defended the artwork as an historical relic. The Confederate flag was included in the Georgia state flag in 1956 amid a backlash against racial integration following the Brown v Board of Education ruling. In 2001 the size of the Confederate symbol was reduced by then-Governor Roy Barnes - the last Democrat to hold the post. Brian Kemp, Georgia Secretary of State and Abrams' opponent, has painted her as 'too radical' for governor. The pair are due to debate today Polls currently show Abrams and Kemp running neck-and-neck, though all of them were taken before news of the flag burning spread Barnes subsequently fought to have it removed completely, and while he succeeded, he lost a reelection bid in the process. It is unclear what - if any - effect the picture of Abrams burning the flag has had on the polls. Kemp's campaign is attempting to press the issue, painting her as 'too extreme' for Georgia. The number of firearms on Britain's streets is at its highest in almost a decade, according to new figures. The Metropolitan Police's gun operation figures show that the force have seized 1,102 weapons between 2017-2018, marking a stark rise from 2012 when the force took 1,019 guns off the street. The staggering rise comes amid the recent increase in gun crime and stabbings across the capital, with new figures revealing that the number of murders in the UK has soared by 14 per cent and knife crime by 12 per cent. New figures have revealed the number of firearms on Britain's streets have reached a record high, with The Metropolitan Police seizing 1,102 weapons between 2017-2018 The new data comes alongside information from The National Ballistics Intelligence Service (Nabis) that shows that the volume of guns and ammunition sent to its laboratories had reached a record high this year. Of the weapons that were sent to Nabis from Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool 60 per cent were found to have been stolen from UK firearm certificate holders. The head of Scotland Yard specialist firearms forensics lab Paul Gibbins told The Times: 'We deemed pre-2012 as the peak. The National Ballistics Intelligence Service (Nabis) revealed that the volume of guns and ammunition sent to its laboratories had reached a record high this year 'Just prior to the Olympics and the Queen's Jubilee we were drowning in guns down at the lab and we have been getting back up to and are over that [level] now.' Mr Gibbins added that while 20 per cent of the bullets fired in the capital came from shot guns, the increasing access to handguns brought from overseas factories was a growing concern. The head of Scotland Yard specialist firearms forensics lab Paul Gibbins told The Times : 'Just prior to the Olympics and the Queen's Jubilee we were drowning in guns down at the lab and we have been getting back up to and are over that [level] now.' (Stock photo) Last month police launched a murder probe after a 19-year-old man was shot in Walthamstow. Also in the same month a drive-by shooting in Islington, north London, left a 34-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man with minor injuries from shattered glass. In June, armed officers rushed to a scene in Peckham when two young men, both in their 20s, were left with gun shot injuries. The new figures follow statistics published last week by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showing that the number of offences registered as involving a knife or sharp instrument, 39,332, was the highest since 2011, when comparable records started. A female NYPD cop accused of stuffing her panties into a male colleague's mouth had previously mocked his manhood and ranted about her sex life - a complaint reveals. Sgt. Ann Marie Guerra reportedly humiliated Detective Victor Falcon by telling him one of his previous relationships had probably failed because of his 'little d**k'. While a complaint filed with the NYPD Equal Employment Opportunity Office also alleged Guerra had revealed shocking details about her sexual relationship with her husband. 'Sgt. Guerra stated to me that if the girl didn't call me back, it is because I had a little dk,' Falcon said in the complaint. Sgt. Ann Marie Guerra of Brooklyn's 72 Precinct is accused of taking her underwear and shoving it into her subordinates face while screaming at him 'They are f***ing clean! Detective Victor Falcon (middle) made the allegations about the incident in the uni-sex locker room of the precinct to the NYPD's Equal Employment Opportunity office 'Sgt. Guerra stated that she used a dildo on her husband during intercourse,' the complaint also said. 'On another occasion [she said] that she was home alone masturbating and her husband came home and tried to join and she said, "WTF this isn't an invitation".' Falcon claims that while he and Sgt. Ann Marie Guerra were in the unisex locker room in Brooklyn's 72 Precinct on October 7 he complained to her about leaving her underwear lying around which sent her into a tailspin, according to the Daily News. Guerra is still working at the precinct despite the allegations The 38-year-old allegedly took her panties and rubbed them on Falcon's face, in an attempt to stuff them into his mouth and screamed at him 'They are f***ing clean!'' The NYPD said that the Detective Bureau was investigating 'an incident' between the two cops, but declined further comment. Guerra has a reputation for aggressively joking about the size of her subordinates' manhoods', sources told the Daily News, 'She is a piece of work,' one source said. 'She is always emasculating men and commenting on the size of their anatomy. She's a bullying man-hater.' 'In the push for gender equality, she's made it just not in a good way,' the source added. Another source however said that parts of the complaint filed with the EEO are being disputed. The source says she was not trying to gag Falcon with the panties 'She just put it up to his nose,' the source said, calling the incident 'exaggerated squad room banter.' The 72 Precinct in Brooklyn has been hit with a slew of other salacious allegations recently including a cop being involved in a prostitution ring and the Deputy Inspector being accused of shaking down a business for $80,000 in plane tickets Guerra is in control of approving overtime and changing detectives' shifts. A source says that in the complaint alleges that Falcon has been denied shift-change requests so he could make custody hearings about his autistic son and that she has delayed approving his overtime requests. So far, Guerra is still on full duty and working at the 72. 'She's still there, poking fun at Falcon,' the source said. The precinct house has had its fair share of scandals recently. Just last month, precinct Detective Manuel Rodriguez was accused of participating in a prostitution and gambling rung run by a former cop. He was subsequently stripped of his gun and badge. Meanwhile, the precinct commander, Deputy Inspector Emmanuel Gonzalez, was sued by a Sunset Park club owner who alleged the cop was shaking down his business to the tune of $80,000 for 11 round-trip tickets to Hurricane Maria-ravaged Puerto Rico. The patriarch of a Sydney family allegedly involved in a revenge killing which saw teenager Brayden Dillon executed in his bedroom is to remain behind bars overnight. Mohamed Abu-Mahmoud, 54, was arrested at Sydney international airport on Tuesday after stepping off a flight from the United States. NSW Police allege he helped procure false affidavits following the murder of 15-year-old Brayden in April last year. Mohamed Abu-Mahmoud, 54, was arrested on Tuesday over an alleged revenge shooting for the stabbing death of his son, Adam Abu-Mahmoud (pictured) Abdul Abu-Mahmoud (pictured) was arrested at Sydney International Airport for his alleged involvement in the murder of a teenage boy Mr Abu-Mahmoud (centre) allegedly fled the country to Thailand at the same time 15-year-old Brayden Dillon was killed, police said Abu-Mahmoud's son had allegedly been stabbed to death in a brawl involving Brayden's older brother in 2016. The April 2017 murder was carried out in revenge, detectives allege. Abu-Mahmoud briefly appeared via video link in Central Local Court on Tuesday wearing glasses and casual clothing just hours after he was arrested. The court heard a 'web of connectivity' existed between Abu-Mahmoud and five other players who are facing various charges related to the 2017 killing. Two men and a woman have been charged with murder. Among them is the alleged orchestrator, Abu-Mahmoud's brother Abdul, who was arrested stepping off a plane from Thailand last week. He was denied bail last week. The magistrate agreed with Abu-Mahmoud's legal representative that there was not enough time to hear the complex allegations required for a bail application and pushed the matter over to Wednesday. Police raided a Yagoona home shortly after his arrest seizing items they say relate to the investigation. A Russian man who stepped in to save an 88-year-old grandmother from a violent thug who had her pinned to the ground and broke her ribs has been fined by police for beating the attacker. Leonid Shchepel has been told be must pay 5,000 rubles (58) for fighting off the thug who attacked his elderly neighbour Klara Melamed outside their block of flats in Klintsy in western Russia. Shocking video footage filmed by Mr Shchepel shows the unnamed 32-year-old attacker on top of the frail woman, before the have-a-go hero kicks him in the head. Evil: Footage by have-a-go hero Leonid Shchepel shows an unnamed 32-year-old man attacking 88-year-old grandmother Klara Melamed Rescued: Mrs Melamed suffered serious injuries, including broken ribs and losing several teeth in the violent attack outside her home Mrs Melamed suffered broken ribs, head trauma, a dislocated arm and lost several teeth in the violent attack. However, despite this, the unscrupulous attacker reported Mr Shchepel to the police and the hero has now been handed the fine. Mr Shchepel said: 'I do not regret what I did. Klara's life and health are more important than the money.' Mr Shchepel said: 'I was on my balcony when I saw a man beating a screaming woman. I took my camera and went to see what was going on.' Leonid Shchepel has been told be must pay 5,000 rubles (58) for beating up the thug who attacked his elderly neighbour outside their block of flats in Klintsy in western Russia Her hero: Mr Shchepel said the money was irrelevant, he was just pleased he helped save the life of his neighbour In the footage, posted online by Mr Shchepel, he is seen hurrying along a footpath as a woman's screams can be heard in the background. Thug: The 32-year-old attacker who reported Mr Shchepel to police He quickly approaches a grassed area where a man has the 88-year-old victim pinned to the ground. Mr Shchepel films himself kicking the attacker in the head, sending him reeling and freeing the elderly victim. Still holding his phone in his hand to record the scenes, the have-a-go hero shouts at the young man and continues to kick him in the head. He says: 'Come on, fight with me, b****! Fight with me!' The attacker remains on all-fours and does not attempt to fight back. After getting another hits in on the attacker, Mr Shchepel turns to the dishevelled old lady, who is covered in mud and is bleeding from the mouth, and helps her up. According to a police statement, the alleged attacker was drunk and went to the wrong front door in the block of flats. When he knocked on the door and the old lady answered he thought she was an intruder and began attacking her. The 32-year-old suspected attacker has been placed in custody for two months while the investigation is ongoing. A Ryanair passenger who racially abused a Windrush immigrant on a plane will 'get away scot-free' because of the airline's profit-hungry tactics, MPs have claimed. Delsie Gayle, 77, was called an 'ugly black b*****d' by a fellow passenger after they boarded a flight in Barcelona last week, but he was not removed from the plane. Politicians said Ryanair staff 'failed spectacularly' and should have immediately reported him to police at El Prat Airport. Now, it is not clear if the man will face any punishment because the incident did not happen in the UK. One MP said Ryanair's 'perverse' incentives mean that its staff are unlikely to hold up a departing flight even if a delay is to kick off an abusive passenger. Cabin crew seek to avoid delays because under the company's rules, they are paid only when flights have taken off. This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes joined the furious calls for an apology and an explanation as Delsie and her daughter Carol revealed they are still yet to receive satisfactory answers from the budget airline. Speaking on the ITV show Mrs Gayle's daughter demanded a public apology. Delsie and Carol spoke on This Morning where they said their family deserves a public apology Delsie Gayle on This Morning: The pensioner was racially abused on a Ryanair flight at Barcelona Airport Eamonn Holmes was furious and said 'Ryanair treats passengers with contempt' after the airline refused to talk about what happened Essex Police revealed this morning that the force had now identified the white man although the case is now being led by detectives in Spain. Mrs Gayle's daughter said her mother will be interviewed 'before Thursday' she revealed on This Morning as presenter Eamonn Homes blasted Ryanair for 'treating passengers with contempt'. Carol said they will never fly with RyanAir again not even if it was 2 and demanded a public apology. RyanAir insists their customer service team has been in touch with Delsie. Carol added: 'He should be charged... for racial abuse. A public apology is what we want, for mum, and the staff should get some training. 'I was surprised. I said from the beginning he should be kicked off the plane. I was totally shocked. When I asked the gentleman he said he never heard anything - the head attendant. He said he was told about it but didn't know it was serious.' Essex Police said they are working with officers in Spain. An Essex Police spokesman said today: 'We have worked to identify both parties involved in this incident and passed this information to the Spanish authorities, who are leading on this investigation. 'Our officers will continue to provide assistance where necessary throughout the course of this case.' Meanwhile Spanish police said they were waiting to receive a formal complaint from Mrs Gayle so they could launch a formal investigation. Victim Delsie Gayle, 77, of Stratford, East London, pictured (right) with her daughter, who is 53 A spokesman said they had been contacted by British police to say paperwork was being sent, but they did not expect it to arrive for a few days. The spokesman, based at the Guardia Civil's national HQ in Madrid, said this morning: 'This passenger reported the incident to police in Essex. 'British police have told us verbally they are going to send us her statement so we can begin a formal investigation but we haven't received it yet. When it reaches us we will be a position to start investigating.' He added: 'The paperwork will be sent through the normal official channels, via the liaison officers established as part of bilateral agreements between the two forces, but I don't expect it to take too long to reach us. 'If the man identified as the racist passenger is in the UK and he is accused of behaviour typified as a crime, then there will need to be more discussions with the British authorities.' The Civil Guard confirmed that although the incident appeared to have taken place inside a Ryanair plane at Barcelona's El Prat Airport, the force had not been called to deal with it on the day. The airline now faces the threat of a boycott over its handling of the incident on a flight from Barcelona to London last week. Other passengers tried to help the woman before a flight attendant stepped in on the flight Mrs Gayle yesterday expressed her disgust at Ryanair's failure to offer an apology and vowed never to fly with the airline again. 'They don't treat you with respect,' she said, suggesting staff would have reacted differently if a white passenger had been abused. 'I feel low because I travel a lot and have never got this sort of reaction. I turned and said if it was me they would have called the police and locked me up. 'Its because the colour of my skin I am being treated like this.' In a video of the incident filmed by a fellow passenger, Ryanair staff can be seen failing to intervene as the unidentified man calls Mrs Gayle a 'black b******' and an 'ugly f****** c***'. The victim's family said yesterday that when they complained, Ryanair staff claimed they did not hear any racism. Police in the UK were yesterday helping the Spanish authorities with an investigation into the incident amid calls for the abuser to face punishment in Britain. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: 'What we saw was totally unacceptable, and racist abuse of that kind is a crime. 'If a crime is committed, it should be dealt with appropriately. I would hope that the police would want to take action in such an extraordinarily unacceptable case.' Do you know the man? Were you on board? Email: mark.duell@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement But shadow transport minister Karl Turner said Ryanair's failure to act when the plane was grounded in Spain means the racist will almost certainly face no punishment. He added: 'He should have been removed immediately from the aircraft and handed over to the Spanish authorities. 'They are under an awful lot of pressure to get the aircraft turned around. They've clearly made the wrong decision he should have been ejected immediately.' Mr Turner, a qualified barrister who was once Labour's shadow attorney general, said: 'There's a real chance that he won't be prosecuted as a result. How Ryanair earns 6m a DAY from seating and luggage fees Ryanair is squeezing more than 6million a day in extra charges from passengers, it emerged yesterday. A surge in the number of people paying extra just to reserve a seat or bring a second bag on board has enabled the budget airline to generate 1.15billion from add-ons in just six months. In results posted yesterday, the Irish-based carrier revealed the amount it generated from 'ancillary sales' soared by 27 per cent. It includes everything apart from the fare and baggage fee ranging from priority boarding to seats with extra legroom, snacks and sandwiches and car hire. This has pushed up the average amount paid in extras per passenger to around 15. Ryanair blamed strikes by cabin crew, pilots and air traffic controllers, as well as higher fuel costs, for dragging down its profit by 7 per cent to 1.06billion. A controversial crackdown in January meant passengers had to pay between 6 and 8 for priority boarding if they wanted to take a second, larger bag such as a wheelie suitcase on board the plane. Ryanair insisted it was purely to cut down on delays caused by passengers bringing on more luggage than could fit in the overhead lockers. The airline also doubled the cost of seat reservation charges earlier this year while hiking the cost of extra legroom seats. Seat reservation fees increased from 2 to 4 per passenger for one journey or 8 for a return trip. Reserving a seat with extra legroom rose from 11 to 15 per journey. Parents with children under 12 have to pay 6 to guarantee they can sit with them. The Civil Aviation Authority has been investigating the price of tickets and 'add-on charges' including booking and baggage fees. One of the main focuses of the probe will be allegations some airlines are deliberately splitting families up unless they pay to reserve seats. The watchdog estimates this tactic is costing passengers up to 400million a year in fees. Its initial findings show that on Ryanair more than one in three families are separated. The airline has strongly denied accusations it deliberately splits up families and says it allocates seats on a random basis. But Guy Anker, managing editor at Moneysavingexpert, said: 'It is appalling if this is a deliberate tactic.' He added: 'These charges are not hidden, but they're still sneaky.' A Ryanair spokesman said: 'Customers may choose to purchase additional products and services, the prices for which are fully transparent and displayed throughout the booking process.' Advertisement 'I think Ryanair failed spectacularly. It should have been dealt with. He has committed grotesque criminal offences. This isn't just unruly, it is criminal.' The UK's Civil Aviation Authority said there was nothing it could do. Dublin-based Ryanair is regulated by the Irish Aviation Authority. Because the incident took place before take-off, Spanish police would be responsible if the plane's doors were open. The CAA said if the doors were closed, then the flight had officially begun and any criminal probe would have to be mounted by police in the country where the plane was registered. It is unclear where the aircraft was registered but the company's base is in Ireland. A criminal act on board could be dealt with by British police if it took place after the plane had taken off for the UK. Mr Turner said: 'The Crown Prosecution Service are going to be coming back to the police once they've reviewed this and will be telling police that they are not in a position to prosecute because of the jurisdictional point. 'That means he will get away with it scot-free. He will be banned, but that's not really a punishment when you've been racially abusing an elderly woman.' Graham Stringer, a Labour member of the cross-party Commons transport committee, said the company's pay structure may have been to blame. 'Ryanair is an appalling airline which does not look after its passengers the way they should,' he said. 'But it also treats its staff badly and has perverse incentives in the system which may discourage them to hold up flights to deal with bad behaviour.' Cabin crew are paid for time in the air but not on the ground. Like all airlines, Ryanair is also under pressure to hit punctuality targets. Under EU rules, airlines must pay compensation for heavily delayed or cancelled flights. Ryanair said yesterday the claim that its procedures were to blame was 'nonsense'. The airline added that it had referred the matter to Essex Police, although it is thought that this only happened after the video of the incident prompted widespread condemnation. Ryanair also claimed yesterday that its customer care team contacted the Gayle family on Sunday, although they contest this. The family criticised Essex Police last night for contacting them to take a statement over the telephone, rather than in a face-to-face interview. The police force would not say whether it had spoken to the male passenger. Huw Merriman, a Conservative member of the transport committee, said: 'Ryanair's staff should have been standing up for this poor woman who was the victim of racial abuse. The man (wearing glasses left and right) unleashed a torrent of racist abuse at the elderly woman sitting one seat away from him on a Ryanair flight from Barcelona to London Stansted The woman (left) was eventually moved from her seat leaving the man alone in the row (right) 'Cabin crew clearly need better training. Action should be taken and this man should be hauled up in front of the courts.' Labour MP David Lammy has led criticism of the airline by calling for a boycott and likening Mrs Gayle's experience to that of American civil rights campaigner Rosa Parks during the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said: 'Surely Ryanair should be contacting this woman and apologising for the racist abuse she suffered?' Labour MP Ben Bradshaw said: 'I hope that Essex Police are knocking on this vile racist's door this morning.' Do you know the man? Were you on board? Email: mark.duell@mailonline.co.uk Australian homeowners have been warned of a 'ticking time bomb' that could leave them struggling to pay their mortgages. Analysis by a comparison website found 42 per cent people who took out home loans in 2014-15 set up interest-only repayments. However, many of these attractive deals expire in January and homeowners that took out the loans will be hit by an average of $400 a month more that what they are already paying. Australian homeowners have been warned by experts that their home loans could leave them on struggle street More than 900,000 of the new home loans will expire from January, which will then change the interest only repayments to principal and interest payments This is because their repayments will switch from interest-only to also having to pay down the principal. According to finder.com.au, more than 900,000 Australian home owners will be hit with extra charges from the beginning of next year, placing a huge amount of pressure on already stretched households. Insights manager at finder.com.au Graham Cooke said: 'For those who wanted to slightly reduce mortgage repayments to take a bit of pressure off, it was an appealing product for borrowers. 'There are a certain proportion of people who made the decision for that reason. Some families will definitely be struggling when the loans revert.' An average of $400 will be added to monthly repayments of people's mortgages, insights manager at finder.com.au Graham Cooke said families 'will definitely be struggling when the loans revert' In 2014, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) announced plans to reinforce sound residential mortgage lending practices, particularly a crack down on interest-only home loans that banks issue. 'Lending growth has moderated, standards have been lifted and oversight has improved, however the environment remains one of heightened risk and there are still some practices that need to be further strengthened,' APRA chairman Wayne Byres said. Miss Need (pictured) died as the result of misadventure, an inquest in Heywood heard A mother accidentally killed herself by sniffing lighter fluid while pregnant with her fourth child. Kimberley Need, 35, was found dead at home in Oldham, Greater Manchester by her boyfriend. She had text him saying 'love you always my sexy man' following a 16-week scan but her came back from work to find himself locked out. He discovered Miss Need after a locksmith gained access to the property. Tests showed Miss Need had been sniffing butane gas from a can of lighter fuel. She used to sniff the gas to get 'a high' from it when she was about 12, an inquest into her death heard. The former care worker developed post-natal depression after the birth of her first three children by her former partner in 2001 and 2011. She had bursts of volatile' behaviour and threatened to self-harm, but although she tried to take her own life with an overdose of tablets in 2016, she sought help. Miss Need fell pregnant again earlier this year and was said to be happy and was due to attend an ante natal clinic appointment when tragedy struck on May 23. Boyfriend Ben Banham told the Heywood hearing: 'We got on well straight away as she was a lot of fun - she was fun and protective and was a hard worker. Her main concern was the children they came first and I knew that and I had no problems with that. Ben Banham (pictured with Miss Need) found his girlfriend dead at home in Oldham, Greater Manchester, after the 'impulsive' mother sniffed lighter fluid 'She was depressed after her last relationship but she was not depressed at the time of her death and she was in a good place that day. 'I went to work and kissed her goodbye and told her I loved her. I was on the phone to her during my breaks and the general conversation was fine. I rang at 5pm and she had just taken the dog for a walk. She was fine and laughing. She texted me at 5:30 saying love you always my sexy man". I just thought everything was going well. 'I left work at 7pm but a mate rang me and said she was answering the phone. I got home. It was quite light outside but I couldnt see her. The dog was fine and not barking. I was ringing her mobile phone on the landline and I waited outside for about an hour. 'Sometimes she would lock the door and fall asleep when I would work late. I spoke to an ambulance service and said Im probably wasting your time but I cant get into my flat. The locksmith came and took the lock out and I went in first. The TV was on and then it was off. I still think now was she still alive when I got there. 'I went in the bedroom and I went in the front room and she was there on the couch. I did CPR until the ambulance arrived but she was gone. The mother-of-three (pictured) died while pregnant with her fourth child 'I didnt know what had gone on that day but with sending me that text message something wasnt right. It just doesnt make sense. She hadnt sniffed anything before.' Miss Needs mother Christine said: 'Kim never hurt herself deliberately or self harmed. When she was upset she would ring her sister. I am really shocked about what happened I saw her the day she died. She seemed happy. She was waiting at the bus station to meet me for a coffee. 'My niece was with me and she spoke to her and was very happy. 'She got some chocolate from the shop and had a joke with the shopkeeper. She ran for the bus and waved to me. She phoned me later to apologise to me for rushing away. 'She was due for an antenatal clinic appointment on the Friday. I didnt think she intended to take her own life.' The hearing was told no suicide note was found and police fond there were no suspicious circumstances. A pathologist recorded the cause of death as 'sudden death syndrome' from sniffing butane and propane gas. An inquest into the death of Miss Need (pictured) heard she was in an upbeat mood before her death despite suffering post-natal depression with her previous children Toxicologist Julie Evans said: 'The gas causes the heart not to beat properly and can cause a risk of a seizure. People do it as it can be for euphoric effect.' Recording a verdict of misadventure coroner Lisa Hashmi said: 'She comes across as very impulsive and a little volatile. She struggled after the birth of her children but she also realised she needed help. 'I have to say I do not think there is enough evidence to say it is a conclusion of suicide. Her sister described how she had experience in using lighter fluid to get high in the past.' A village doctor who wrecked two marriages when she ran off with a patient is dating another married man, MailOnline can reveal. Clare Nettleton, who had her GP's licence suspended after bedding two patients and leaving her husband for one of them, is now in a relationship with police officer Andy Duncan. Mr Duncan, 47, is still married to another woman Claire Wilson but he broke up the relationship to start seeing Dr Nettleton, dubbed a real life 'Doctor Foster' due to her chaotic love life. Village GP Clare Nettleton, 46, is dating police officer Andy Duncan from Forfar in Scotland who left his wife of two years Claire Wilson in January this year Ms Wilson married her husband Mr Duncan in July 2016 and photos of their wedding day show them posing happily together Dr Nettleton, 49, left her first husband, Chris Davies, and their two teenage sons, to marry one of her patients, Richard Atkinson, 45, last year only to leave him six months later. Mr Atkinson was previously married with two children. Dr Nettleton is understood to have started seeing Mr Duncan earlier this year. The couple live more than 500-miles apart, him near Forfar in Scotland and her in the small village of Williton in Somerset. Ms Wilson married Mr Duncan in July 2016 and photos of their wedding day show them posing happily together. However a friend of theirs, who asked not to be named, said: 'Claire is understandably furious and really upset by what Andy has done. 'They were friends for a long time before they started a relationship and were together as a couple for about five years, the last two as husband and wife. 'Although they haven't got divorced yet, Andy threw it all away at the start of the year and he began seeing this Dr Nettleton. A friend of Ms Wilson (pictured) has told how she is furious after discovering that her husband has begun a relationship with Dr Nettleton Mother-of-two Dr Nettleton had her GP's licence suspended after bedding two patients. She left her husband for one of them Richard Atkins, who was married with two children Dr Nettleton married Mr Atkins but they have now separated and she is in a relationship with Mr Duncan (pictured) A friend of Ms Wilson told MailOnline: 'Claire is understandably furious and really upset by what Andy has done' A friend of Ms Wilson said that she was friends with Mr Duncan for a long time before she married him. They said that they were a couple for five years before he left her for the GP 'Claire spotted she had commented on one of Andy's profile pictures on Facebook and wondered how they knew each other. 'She asked him how they were in touch and they got into a big row and he moved out. 'How he came to even meet her we just can't work out because he's a police officer in Kirriemuir, in the East of Scotland, and she's a village doctor in the South-West of England. 'That's three marriages she's helped break up now.' Dr Nettleton has caused a stir in Williton by sharing raunchy pictures of herself on social media after her return to work at the surgery in the village. One local said: 'She seems to thrive on the attention. She used to mow her lawn in her bikini knowing it would outrage the village but she didn't care. And we were supposed to respect her as a professional.' Her conduct landed her in a disciplinary hearing in 2015 when she admitted two improper and unprofessional relationships, one of which was with a man with serious psychiatric problems. The 'fitness to practise' panel at the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in Manchester heard she had an affair with a family friend, known as Patient A, which ended in 2010. Dr Nettleton, 49, left her first husband, Chris Davies (pictured), and their two teenage sons, to marry one of her patients, Richard Atkinson Mr Atkinson had an affair with Dr Nettleton behind his wife Lucy Large's back (pictured with their children). Dr Nettleton married Mr Atkinson but the couple have now separated When she began working full-time at Williton Surgery in 2013 she realised she was scheduled to treat him and asked for him to be moved to another GP because of their previous contact. However she later held two consultations with Patient A where he was prescribed the tranquilliser diazepam. She also admitted accessing the medical records of Mr Atkinson's wife and children without authority and the General Medical Council suspended her for three months. When contacted by MailOnline, Ms Wilson, who also lives in Scotland, declined to comment. Dr Nettleton and Mr Duncan are being sought for comment. The Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said the matter was 'private'. The case has echoes of hit BBC drama Doctor Foster, which stars former Coronation Street actress Suranne Jones as a GP who uncovers her husband's affair and secret double life. A multimillion-dollar class action involving almost 80 revellers injured during a horrifying stampede at a New Year's Eve music festival almost two years ago will go to trial next month. More than 70 people are seeking compensation from Falls Music and Arts Festival organisers in relation to the stampede that broke out between acts on New Year's Eve 2016 Lorne along Victoria's Great Ocean Road. Revellers were leaving Australian rock band DMAs' performance to see London Grammar on another stage when the overcrowded exit became congested, which resulted in many revellers being injured and trampled on. More than 70 people injured in a stampede at the Falls Music and Arts Festival in Lorne on New Year's Eve 2016 are seeking compensation One of the lead plaintiffs in the class action is Michela Burke, 23, (pictured) who still feels 'jumpy' when there's oncoming traffic after being crushed in the stampede The case will now go to trial in the Melbourne Supreme Court on November 19 after parties failed to reach a court settlement in a second attempt last week. Lawyers leading the class action say damages are likely to be in excess of $4 million. The stampede resulted in 19 festivalgoers being hospitalised and 76 people needing first aid treatment. One of the lead plaintiffs in the class action is Michela Burke, 23, who suffered nerve damage to her left arm when she was caught up in the stampede. While she's physically recovered from her injuries, Mr Burke still feels 'jumpy' when there's oncoming traffic. 'I remember being in a washing machine and someone trying to pull me out. Then I had a blank. I woke up on the grass somewhere and realised my arm was paralysed,' she told The Feed. 'You go to a festival thinking that you're going to have fun and feel safe. Thinking that you're in a situation where you could die is the last thing on your mind.' The scene at Falls Festival in Lorne after the stampede took place exiting DMAs performance Nineteen revellers were taken to hospital while 76 needed first aid treatment Another reveller, Maddy feared she was going to die when she became trapped in the underneath the human crush as revellers piled on top of her. 'I couldn't move and I couldn't breathe. It was the most terrifying experience of my whole life,' she told The Feed. She suffered severe bruising around her eyes and a fractured pelvis. She suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and can no longer 'can't handle crowds or the dark' as is terrified of being injured again. Nor can she listen to music from the band that was performing at the festival. The festival organisers told The Feed they are unable to comment due to the legal proceedings. Revellers paid anywhere from $249 to $468 plus booking fees to go to the four-day camping festival. Also among the injured was Nick Moriarty, then 22, who was at the front of the crowd. Olivia Jones said she was 'begging for my life' when she became trapped in the human crush Nick Moriarty (pictured) was also injured in the stampede at the popular music festival He tried to break free but was trapped under bodies but he saw men and women being carried off unconscious. He sustained swelling to his knee and ankle in the stampede. 'It was just over and there was too many people in the first place. We were leaving and everyone starting pushing and pushing,' Mr Moriarty told Daily Mail Australia at the time. 'A lot of people helped and people that were just at the festival helped and all the security were helping. When we got sent to the medical room there were heaps of people in there. People required stitches and there was large gashes. There was a lot of blood.' Olivia Jones, then 19, described people falling like dominoes as she became crushed under the falling bodies. 'I began gasping for air looking around seeing people unconscious underneath stacks of people,' she told The Herald Sun at the time. 'I was begging for my life.' Boris Johnson has become the 44th Conservative MP to sign up to the Stand Up 4 Brexit campaign against Theresa May's Brexit plans. The move is fuelling rumours there are almost the 48 MPs required to trigger a no confidence vote in the Prime Minister's Tory leadership. Mr Johnson posted a video to the campaign's website last night renewing his criticism of Mrs May's Chequers blueprint for Brexit. Boris Johnson (pictured at Tory conference) has become the 44th Conservative MP to sign up to the Stand Up 4 Brexit campaign against Theresa May's Brexit plans He said the plan would mean Britain 'wouldnt control our laws and we certainly wouldnt be able to do proper free trade deals'. Mr Johnson said: 'It is a cheat and a fraud on those who voted to leave.' The leader of Vote Leave resigned from the Cabinet in July over the plans. Mr Johnson is joined on the Stand Up 4 Brexit campaign by former Brexit secretary David Davis, former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, and other leading eurosceptics including Jacob Rees-Mogg and Steve Baker. The growing list of names will alarm Downing Street which is on alert for a vote of no confidence being called in Mrs May's leadership. Tory leadership rules say if 48 MPs write to Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee, he must call a vote. Not all of the 44 Stand Up 4 Brexit MPs are likely to send a letter as some have publicly ruled out doing so. But the two lists are certain to overlap and if the campaign secures 48 names it would be a blow to the Prime Minister's authority. The move is fuelling rumours there are almost the 48 MPs required to trigger a no confidence vote in the Prime Minister's (pictured on Horse Guards Parade today) Tory leadership The social-media fuelled campaign has been slowly releasing pledges of support since it was first set up in the summer. It has almost 7,000 followers on Facebook and more than 9,000 on Twitter. Stand Up 4 Brexit insists it wants to deliver Brexit on the terms described in the Tory manifesto, based on the red lines of ending free movement, leaving the single market and customs union, leaving the European Court and stopping payments to the EU. It says Mrs May's proposals of creating a UK-EU trade area for goods based on EU rules, while leaving the customs union for new trade deals breaches the lines. The campaign says this will mean the European Court still gets a say, trade deals will be severely limited and Northern Ireland could be administratively cut off from Great Britain. Stand Up 4 Brexit campaign director Rebecca Ryan said the group supports a 'mainstream Brexit position for Britain'. She said: 'We are very happy to have Boris on board, backing our campaign to deliver the Brexit that the British people have supported now in three national votes. 'Leaving the Customs Union, Single Market and ECJ overrule are a fundamental requirements of Brexit and ones which our Government supported wholeheartedly in their manifesto.' A young man has been found dead inside a home in Sydneys south. Emergency services were called to a property on Collins Place in Engadine, at 4pm on Tuesday. Officers found the body of a 21-year-old man inside. Emergency services were called to a property on Collins Place in Engadine, at 4pm on Tuesday Officers found the body of a 21-year-old man inside the large suburban property. Very little is known about the death at this stage They also found a 17-year-old teenager with injuries. He has been taken to St George Hospital in a serious but stable condition. Police are still at the scene. More to come Dyson electric cars will be manufactured in Singapore, it has been revealed, as the multi-billion pound company bids to have the vehicles ready by 2021. The British business announced it will set up its first electric car plant in Asia as part of a 2.5 billion global investment drive in new technology. Dyson's Brexit-backing billionaire entrepreneur founder Sir James Dyson has been heavily criticised for the move. The company, set up in 1991 moved production out of the UK in 2002, but Britons said he should have boosted his home nation by building here. Sir James Dyson's company, based in Malmesbury in Wiltshire said the decision has nothing to do with Brexit. Ian Murray, Labour MP and Best for Britain champion was among the critics. He said: 'Sir James Dyson was a prominent campaigner for Brexit, unlike most business leaders who recognised the huge risk to Britain's economy. Dyson founder James Dyson made the decision to move manufacturing to Malaysia in 2002 and will now set up a bigger operation in Singapore 'Now his UK-based company has chosen to build its new electric car in Singapore. It's hardly a vote of confidence in global Britain. 'When even someone who claims there will be a resurgence in British manufacturing after Brexit isn't prepared to put his money where his mouth is, it raises serious questions about the future of our economy and the impact on jobs and livelihoods as a result of Brexit.' The company has previously said it will commit 2bn to the project, including 200m to be spent in the UK on research and development. Sir Dyson said the factory was scheduled for completion in 2020 and is aiming to launch electric vehicles in 2021. Already, Dyson employs 1,100 employees in Singapore, while having a UK workforce to 4,800. But that did not stop the Twitter backlash. Twitter users called for a boycott of the products based on the fact manufacturing will remain in Asia One user wrote: 'Simple, don't buy the car or any other Dyson product, there is always other options, research it and actively boycott all dyson products, if you campaign for us to leave the EU and not provide a platform within the country for it to flourish then that's the penalty.' Dyson chief executive Jim Rowan said: 'The decision of where to make our car is complex, based on supply chains, access to markets and the availability of the expertise that will help us achieve our ambitions. 'Our existing footprint and team in Singapore, combined with the nation's significant advanced manufacturing expertise, made it a frontrunner. Singapore also offers access to high-growth markets as well as an extensive supply chain and a highly-skilled workforce. 'Singapore has a comparatively high cost base, but also great technology expertise and focus. It is therefore the right place to make high quality technology loaded machines, and the right place to make our electric vehicle.' Sir James Dyson's wealth just rocketed by 200million thanks to his invention of a blade-free hairdryer. Dyson of inventor Sir James Dyson at the Dyson HQ in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. The firm's owner said hes decision has nothing to do with Brexit The Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer which costs 299 in the UK has been credited as one of the firm's major successes, 'exceeding expectations' in its first full year on the market, with Asian consumers responsible for three-quarters of the growth. Accounts for Weybourne Group the parent company of Dyson's business empire show dividends of 34 million and 52 million were paid to shareholders. The company refuses to say how much of Weybourne is owned by Dyson himself. However, he is the majority shareholder and is believed to control the company with his family, who are understood to hold almost all the rest of the shares between them. A spokesperson for the company said that 73 per cent of growth last year came from Asia and a further 21 per cent from Europe (pictured is Dyson CEO Jim Rowan) +2 A spokesperson for the company said that 73 per cent of growth last year came from Asia and a further 21 per cent from Europe (pictured is Dyson CEO Jim Rowan) The 2017 accounts also reveal that in the new financial year there were two further dividend payments of 62.3 million and 46.7 million, taking the total released by the company to its owners to 195 million. A spokesman said that 73 per cent of its growth last year came from Asia, where, in Sir James's words, 'people have an extraordinary enthusiasm for technology that works'. More follows... Actor Geoffrey Rush has denied he was throwing out a sexual invitation when he told a former co-star he was thinking about her 'more than socially appropriate'. Rush was questioned in Sydney's Federal Court on Tuesday about a message he sent Eryn Jean Norvill in June 2016 that included the comment followed by an emoji with its tongue hanging out. Rush denied suggestions by barrister Tom Blackburn SC that he was throwing out an invitation to Norvill, that he habitually thought of her more than socially appropriate and intended the message to tell her he was attracted to her. Actor Geoffrey Rush has denied he was throwing out a sexual invitation when he told a former co-star he was thinking about her 'more than socially appropriate' (pictured leaving court on Tuesday) 'It's a throwaway line, it's actually a joke, I would say modestly in the style of Groucho Marx,' the 67-year-old said. He said he would have used a Groucho emoji if it was available to absolutely ensure it was 'whimsy'. Rush was being cross-examined by Mr Blackburn at his defamation trial against the Daily Telegraph's publisher, Nationwide News, and journalist Jonathon Moran. Rush was questioned in Sydney's Federal Court on Tuesday about a message he sent Eryn Jean Norvill (right) in June 2016 that included the comment followed by an emoji with its tongue hanging out He's suing the Sydney tabloid and a journalist over articles about an allegation he behaved inappropriately toward a co-star - later revealed to be Norvill - during a Sydney Theatre Company production of King Lear in 2015 and 2016. The Oscar winner has denied the accusation and argues the newspaper made him out to be a pervert and sexual predator. Earlier on Tuesday, he dabbed away tears after telling the court he imagined his own daughter had died to act out a scene in which he carried Norvill's body on stage and howled. Norvill played Cordelia, the daughter of Rush's titular character, who in that scene was dead. 'I was imagining that it was my own real-life daughter and that she'd been hit by a bus on the street near where we live ... and I knew she was gone,' an emotional Rush said. 'Every night I would reinvent that scene in my mind.' Rush denied suggestions by barrister Tom Blackburn SC that he was throwing out an invitation to Norvill in the text message (pictured, provided to court) He's suing the Sydney tabloid The Daily Telegraph and a journalist over articles about an allegation he behaved inappropriately toward a co-star - later revealed to be Norvill - during a Sydney Theatre Company production of King Lear in 2015 and 2016 Nationwide News and Moran are pleading a defence of truth in the trial and Norvill - who didn't speak with Moran for the articles - has agreed to give evidence. According to court documents, the defence alleges Rush traced his hand down her torso and across the side of her breast during a performance of the scene in which he carried her. Rush is accused of touching Norvill's lower back under her shirt while they were backstage, simulating fondling and groping her breasts and making comments or jokes about her involving sexual innuendo. Rush (pictured arriving at court on Tuesday) is accused of touching Norvill's lower back under her shirt while they were backstage, simulating fondling and groping her breasts and making comments or jokes about her involving sexual innuendo Rush denied each of the allegations when they were put to him on Tuesday. He said he was pretty aware of 'moodscapes' within a group and there was 'not a hint' that Norvill had a complaint during rehearsals. 'I never detected that I ... was making her uncomfortable or that I was ruffling feathers,' he said. David Davis' ex chief of staff has been slammed after he branded a parent who wrapped their sick child in an EU flag in his hospital bed a 'cretin'. Anthony Hobley tweeted the picture of his stepson at Great Ormond Street Hospital - praising his bravery and saying it was a shame he could not attend the march for a 'People's Vote' on Brexit. But Mr Jackson, an ex Tory MP, lashed the image on Twitter, posting the message 'what a pathetic cretin'. His remark sparked a furious backlash from Tory and Labour MPs, who accused him of showing no 'humanity' and urging him to issue a 'grovelling apology'. But he doubled down on the comment, writing: 'What sort of individual invades their sick child's privacy at a sensitive time to make a political point about the so called Peoples Vote? Really. Awful.' David Davis' ex chief of staff has been slammed after he branded a parent who wrapped their sick child in an EU flag in his hospital bed a 'cretin' Former Tory MP Stewart Jackson (file picture) sparked a furious backlash from Tory and Labour MPs, who accused him of showing no 'humanity' and urging him to issue a 'grovelling apology' Conservative MP Anna Soubry slammed Stewart Jackson for the comment branding him a bitter man Wes Streeting also tore into the remark and demanded the former Conservative MP apologise The row erupted last night after Mr Jackson spotted the tweet posted by Mr Hobley online, showing his stepson wrapped in the flag. Alongside the picture, Mr Hobley posted the message: 'My stepson had an operation yesterday @GreatOrmondSt. 'Hes incredibly brave but gutted he cant be at the Peoples Vote March today with his brothers & sisters. You can see hell be there in spirit & his brothers are saluting him with a dab!' In response, the former Tory MP, replied writing: 'What a pathetic cretin'. His remark sparked a furious backlash from MPs across the political divide. Conservative MP Anna Soubry said: When any scrap of humanity is overwhelmed by ideology @BrexitStewart is a bitter man gone badly wrong.' Labour MP David Lammy, wrote: '@BrexitStewart so rattled by the nearly three quarters of a million on #PeoplesVoteMarch that you attack either a hospitalised child or his step dad? 'There's only one pathetic cretin to see here.' Hundreds of thousands of Remainers marched on London for another vote on Brexit in the biggest demonstration since 2003 MPs and Labour's London Mayor addressed the crowds in Westminster on Saturday who were marching to demand a 'Poeple's Vote' on the final Brexit deal Labour's Wes Streeting wrote: '@BrexitStewart this is beneath you. You should delete it and issue a grovelling apology.' Asked about the case today, the PM's spokesman said: 'I have not discussed that with her, but on the general point - you can see her words in the Commons yesterday on the need for everyone in public life to choose their language carefully.' More than half a million anti-Brexit campaigners gathered for a protest dubbed 'The People's Vote March' in central London on Saturday calling for a second referendum. Organisers, who originally expected around 100,000 to attend, said 670,000 demonstrators marched from Park Lane to a rally in Parliament Square. It was the biggest demonstration since 2003 when an estimated one million people protested against the Iraq War in the streets of London. About 150 buses ferried thousands of activists from across the country to the capital this afternoon while thousands dressed in royal blue clothing emblazoned with gold stars, brandishing signs which read 'bin Brexit now' and 'I want a say on Brexit'. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said Saturday's event was a 'march for the future' for young Britons, including those who were too young to vote in Britain's 2016 EU membership referendum. The mayor, from the opposition Labour Party, has previously backed mounting calls for a fresh referendum so that the public can have a say on whether they accept Theresa May's Brexit deal or choose to stay in the EU. Advertisement Jamal Khashoggi's son glared at the Saudi royal blamed for his father's death during a meeting in Riyadh today. Salah bin Jamal Khashoggi shared a stern handshake with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the powerful heir to Saudi Arabia's throne, at the city's Yamama Palace. King Salman was also present as the royals 'offered their condolences' to grieving family members, who included Salah's brother Sahel. A friend of the Khashoggi family said the government banned them from leaving the country last year in a bid to pressure the journalist to return home. As the de facto ruler of the kingdom, the Crown Prince has been widely blamed for the death, which was carried out by a hit squad of senior Saudi intelligence officials. Critics suspect he ordered the high-profile operation or at least knew about it. It comes amid claims parts of the writer's body including his disfigured face have been found in the grounds of the Saudi consul general's home in Istanbul, with separate reports saying the remains were found down a well at the property. This afternoon, Turkish police found three suitcases, a laptop and clothes possibly belonging to Khashoggi in a Saudi diplomatic car which was abandoned in an underground car park in the city, CNN Turk reported. This is the moment Jamal Khashoggi's son glared at the Saudi royal blamed for the death of his father. Salah bin Jamal Khashoggi was pictured shaking hands with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the powerful heir to Saudi Arabia's throne, in Riyadh during a meeting also attended by King Salman Saudi King Salman (right) and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (second right), receive Sahel, a family member, and Salah, a son, of Jamal Khashoggi, in Riyadh King Salman (right) was also present today as the royals 'offered their condolences' to grieving family members, who included Salah's brother Sahel Jamal Khashoggi's 'savage' murder was pre-planned by a Saudi hit squad who disabled CCTV at the Istanbul consulate before killing the writer and giving his body to a local fixer, Turkey's president has claimed It comes as scepticism intensified about Saudi Arabia's account that Khashoggi (pictured) died accidentally in its consulate in Istanbul Crime scene investigators leave a parking lot after an examination of a diplomatic car belonging to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul Parts of Jamal Khashoggi's body including his disfigured face have been found in the grounds of the Saudi consul general's home in Istanbul, it has been claimed On Tuesday night US President Donald Trump criticised the Saudi operation to kill journalist Jamal Khashoggi. 'They had a very bad original concept. It was carried out poorly and the cover-up was one of the worst cover-ups in the history of cover-ups,' Trump declared in the Oval Office The discovery came after the G7 nations issued a rare joint statement demanding a 'full and rigorous' investigation into the killing and punishment for those to blame. It read: 'We reiterate our expectation for a thorough, credible, transparent, and prompt investigation by Saudi Arabia, in full collaboration with the Turkish authorities, and a full and rigorous accounting of the circumstances surrounding Mr Khashoggi's death. 'Those responsible for the killing must be held to account. Saudi Arabia must put in place measures to ensure something like this can never happen again. The circumstances of Mr Khashoggi's death reaffirm the need to protect journalists and freedom of expression around the world.' On Tuesday night US President Donald Trump criticised the Saudi operation to kill Khashoggi. 'They had a very bad original concept. It was carried out poorly and the cover-up was one of the worst cover-ups in the history of cover-ups,' Trump declared in the Oval Office. 'It's very simple. Bad deal, should have never been thought of. Somebody really messed up,' Trump said. But he also said Saudi Arabia had been a 'great ally' and a top U.S. investor. 'They are doing hundreds of billions of dollars worth of investments and, you know, So many jobs,' he said. Then he pointed to regional rival Iran, saying they have been 'vicious, horrible.' 'And that's no excuse for what happened with Saudi Arabia. No excuse whatsoever. But you take a look, it's a rough part of the world. It's a nasty place. It's a nasty part of the world,' Trump said. Then he added: 'But, if what happened happened, and if the facts check out, then it's something that's very bad.' Following the arrest of 18 suspects by Saudi Arabia, Trump said the person who 'thought of' the idea should be held accountable. 'Whoever thought of that idea, I think is in big trouble. And they should be in big trouble. Okay?' he said Earlier, the Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Khashoggi's 'savage' murder was planned by a Saudi hit squad who disabled CCTV at the Istanbul consulate before killing the writer and giving his body to a local fixer. Khashoggi's son was 'disengaged and vulnerable' while the Crown Prince was 'compassionate': Body language expert analyses the meeting Picture 1: We can see from Salah's face that his chin is a fraction high, the front lips are pushed slightly forward, with the corners pulled inwards and the eye muscles are still, suggesting an overall mix of being emotionally disengaged, a sense of vulnerability together with a held-in anger. These are all emotions that we might well feel under the circumstances of uncertainty around what has happened to his father. His arm is also muscularly disengaged. It is held with a formal extension without the usual elbow bend. His hand doesn't grip as in a usual handshake leaving the fingers open and disconnected. The Crown Prince appears to deliberately lower his head as if to show condolence and compassion. His handshake is open and gentle but again without the usual muscle involvement. Perhaps he is taking his cue from Salah here to create rapport? His body language is calm, open and respectful. Picture 2: The King, lowering himself to show respect to Salah, shows tight lip corners with the cheeks falling away to the sides. His eyebrows are raised which seems to give an overall feeling of compassion and bewilderment. His hand is firmer than the Crown Princes' was when he shook Salah's hand. In the background we see the Crown Prince once again lowering his head to show respect but he seems more relaxed when speaking here to Sahel than to Salah as we see a hint of smile and his handshake is more engaged. Picture 3: We see the King lowering himself and pointing his finger (I think) directly at Salah. The Crown Prince appears to have closed off here. He looks down with some tension in the lips and firmly crossed arms as if in deference to his father. As we don't know what is being said it's hard to read the pointing gesture. With his finger that firmly straight, it does seem to be saying, 'Of this be certain ...'. But what he is certain of, we cannot know. This analysis was done for MailOnline by communication coach Robin Kermode, author of Speak So Your Audience Will Listen. Advertisement Erdogan also assured the family of the slain journalist that Ankara would do 'everything' to solve the case as he offered his condolences over during a telephone call to Khashoggi's son Abdullah. He said a three-person team arrived in Istanbul the day before Mr Khashoggi's murder and checked into a hotel before heading to the consulate. Another team from the consulate carried out exploratory searches in the Belgrad forest and Yalova, a woodland area which Turkish police have searched. He also confirmed that the hard-disk in the camera system at the consulate was 'ripped out'. According to a Sky News report, parts of the writer's body were discovered in the garden of the house, but it is not clear how much of his remains were found. A separate report in Turkey claimed that the body parts were found in a well at the property. But in a speech earlier today, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested a corpse had not yet been discovered and called on Saudi Arabia to reveal its location. If proved true, questions will be raised over why it has taken so long to discover any of Khashoggi's remains. Turkish forensic police have been pictured searching the grounds of the Saudi consul general's house in Istanbul Saudi Arabia's consul general Mohammed al-Otaibi fled Istanbul last week before his home was searched by Turkish police (pictured) Suitcases found in Saudi diplomatic car This afternoon, Turkish police found three suitcases, a laptop and clothes in a Saudi diplomatic car which was abandoned in an underground car park in the city, CNN Turk reported. It is not clear if the possessions belonged to Khashoggi - who did not have any suitcases or a laptop on him when he entered the Istanbul consulate before his murder. Turkish police are still looking for his body. According to a car park employee, a Saudi consulate attache unloaded the suitcases from the car, put them in his vehicle and drove away. The employee said he asked the attache jokingly: Khashoggis body is not inside the suitcases, is it? He said the attache laughed and answered no. It was claimed that Saudi Arabia had originally prevented a police search of the abandoned car because it had a diplomatic licence plate. Advertisement UK Prime Minister Theresa May's official spokesman said: 'We are aware of the reports, they are deeply disturbing. Our thoughts are with the family of Jamal Khashoggi for whom they must be particularly distressing. The location of Mr Khashoggi's body is just one of the questions we need answers to and as such we await the full results of the Turkish investigation.' Saudi Arabia's consul general Mohammed al-Otaibi fled Istanbul last week before his home was searched by Turkish police. He was then placed under investigation and relieved of his position, the kingdom said in a statement. Earlier today, Erdogan said he had told King Salman that the consul was 'incompetent'. In an explosive speech today, Erdogan said there were strong signs a Saudi team plotted to kill the dissident journalist days before his death on October 2. The 64-year-old described it as a 'political murder' but stopped short of directly blaming Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - the effective ruler of the kingdom - instead demanding to know 'who gave the orders' for the operation. In response, Saudi King Salman said at a cabinet meeting this afternoon that those responsible for Khashoggi's slaying would be held 'accountable'. Officials including 'intelligence, security and forensic personnel' were seen entering the building where Khashoggi disappeared, Erdogan said, while some were seen exploring a nearby forest beforehand. The revelation will fuel speculation the team was scouting an area where they could potentially ditch a body. As the fallout from the killing continued today, Turkish media reported that intelligence officers intercepted no fewer than seven phone calls from a member of the hit squad to the private office of the Saudi Crown Prince on the day Khashoggi went missing Separate reports claimed Khashoggi's fingers were cut off and sent back to Saudi Arabia as 'proof' of a successful mission Saudi and Turkish intelligence sources told Reuters a royal aide named Saud Al-Qahtani, who was sacked over the killing, directed the murder at the consulate by giving orders over Skype, telling the hit squad 'bring me the head of the dog' A Future Investment Initiative conference, dubbed 'Davos in the Desert', opened in Riyadh with Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih saying 'these are difficult days' for Saudi Arabia and calling the country a nation 'in crisis'. Despite global outrage over Khashoggi, Saudi Arabia is expected to sign deals worth more than $50 billion on the opening day alone A friend of Khashoggi claims he was working on exposing Saudi Arabia's use of social media 'troll farms' In his speech, Erdogan called for 18 people arrested in Saudi Arabia to be tried in Istanbul, but said blaming some intelligence members for the killing will not satisfy Turkey 'or the international community'. Speaking to members of his AK Party in parliament, he also questioned why a corpse had yet to be found and called on Saudi Arabia to reveal the identity of a 'local cooperator' who purportedly took the body. The majority of his claims have already been leaked, but for Erdogan to make the revelations in a speech to parliament raises the stakes in the region. Erdogan's speech was previously pitched as revealing the 'naked truth' about Khashoggi's slaying. Instead it served merely to put a named source to information already circulated by anonymous officials. Consul General of Saudi Arabia Mohammad al-Otaibi was placed under investigation and relieved of his position, the kingdom said in a statement In an explosive speech, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said there were strong signs a Saudi team plotted to kill the dissident journalist days before his death on October 2 Turkish media reports one of the vehicles used by the hit squad had been driven to and from Yalova district several times and that there is a possibility one of the members of the 'hit squad' has a summer house there. The website pictured a three-floor red building (above) which they claim to be the summer house in question, which has been raided by police CCTV video shows a black van in front of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, the day that Khashoggi was murdered Khashoggi flew to his death from London Jamal Khashoggi flew in to Istanbul from London just hours before his savage murder, the president of Turkey has revealed. Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Mr Khashoggi had returned to Turkey on October 2 the day of his death. He added that the journalist had been called at 11.50am that morning to confirm his appointment at the Saudi consulate. At 1.08pm, Mr Khashoggi walked into the consulate building. Footage has emerged of Mr Khashoggi speaking at a conference on Israeli- Palestinian relations in London three days before his death. Speaking at the Wellcome Collection on September 29, he said diplomatic solutions to resolve the Palestine conflict had failed. He said the issue of Palestinian self-determination was a burning topic in Saudi Arabia, but it was for Palestine to decide on its future without outside interference. Advertisement One senior western diplomat in Turkey told Bloomberg the crisis was a 'gift from God' for Erdogan as he tries to capitalise on it to spark a change in the balance of power in Saudi Arabia and increase his own influence across the Middle East. Just hours earlier, a major Saudi investment forum opened under the heavy shadow of the murder after key delegates pulled out. The murder of the Washington Post contributor has damaged the international reputation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has spearheaded a reform drive in the kingdom. Erdogan said three operatives arrived in Istanbul the day before Khashoggi's killing on an apparent reconnaissance mission. The next day 15 people came to the consulate. 'Why did these 15 people meet in Istanbul on the day of the murder? We are seeking answers to this. Who are these people receiving orders from?' Erdogan said. 'My demand is that 18 people be tried in Istanbul,' Erdogan said in his speech, referring to 18 people including security officials who have already been detained by Riyadh. He added that 'all those who played a role in the murder' had to face punishment. Erdogan said that the murder was 'planned' days in advance according to a 'roadmap' set up by a Saudi team who were sent to Istanbul for the purpose. The surveillance system at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was deactivated on purpose, he said. The murder of Jamal Khashoggi: Key moments surrounding the writer's disappearance and death Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who wrote critically of the kingdom's policies and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. Turkish officials say a 15-men team tortured, killed and dismembered the writer, while Saudi Arabia says he died in a 'fistfight.' Here are some key moments in the slaying of the Washington Post columnist: BEFORE HIS DISAPPEARANCE September 2017: The Post publishes the first column by Khashoggi in its newspaper, in which the former royal court insider and longtime journalist writes about going into a self-imposed exile in the U.S. over the rise of Prince Mohammed. His following columns criticize the prince and the kingdom's direction. September 28, 2018: Over a year after the Post published his first column, Khashoggi visits the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, seeking documents in order to get married. He's later told to return October 2, his fiancee Hatice Cengiz says. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says a plan or a 'road map' to kill Khashoggi was devised in Saudi Arabia during this time. September 29: Khashoggi travels to London and speaks at a conference. October 1: Khashoggi returns to Istanbul. At around 4.30pm, a three-person Saudi team arrives in Istanbul on a scheduled flight, checks in to their hotels then visits the consulate, according to Erdogan. The Turkish president says another group of officials from the consulate travel to a forest in Istanbul's outskirts and to the nearby city of Yalova on a 'reconnaissance' trip. Jamal Khashoggi (right) arriving at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul on October 2. He has not been seen since and Turkey has accused Saudi agents of murdering him THE DAY OF HIS DISAPPEARANCE 3.28am, October 2: A private jet arrives at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport carrying some members of what Turkish media will refer to as a 15-member Saudi 'assassination squad.' Other members of the team arrive by two commercial flights in the afternoon. Erdogan says the team includes Saudi security and intelligence officials and a forensics expert. They meet at the Saudi Consulate. One of the first things they do is to dismantle a hard disk connected to the consulate's camera system, the president says. 11.50am: Khashoggi is called to confirm his appointment at the consulate later that day, Erdogan says. 1.14pm: Surveillance footage later leaked to Turkish media shows Khashoggi walking into the main entrance of the Saudi Consulate. No footage made public ever shows him leaving. His fiancee waits outside, pacing for hours. 3.07pm: Surveillance footage shows vehicles with diplomatic license plates leaving the Saudi Consulate for the consul general's home some 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away. 5.50pm: Khashoggi's fiancee alerts authorities, saying he may have been forcibly detained inside the consulate or that something bad may have happened to him, according to Erdogan. 7pm: A private plane from Saudi Arabia carries six members of the alleged Saudi squad from Istanbul to Cairo, the next day returning to Riyadh. 11pm: Seven members of the alleged Saudi squad leave on another private jet to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which the next day returns to Riyadh. Two others leave by commercial flights. Erdogan confirms reports that a 'body double' - a man wearing Khashoggi's clothes, glasses and a beard - leaves the consulate building for Riyadh with another person on a scheduled flight later that day. CCTV images showed a a private jet alleged to have been used by a group of Saudi men suspected of being involved in Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death INITIAL REACTION October 3: Khashoggi's fiancee and the Post go public with his disappearance. Saudi Arabia says Khashoggi visited the consulate and exited shortly thereafter. Turkish officials suggest Khashoggi might still be in the consulate. Prince Mohammed tells Bloomberg: 'We have nothing to hide.' October 4: Saudi Arabia says on its state-run news agency that the consulate is carrying out 'follow-up procedures and coordination with the Turkish local authorities to uncover the circumstances of the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi after he left the consulate building.' October 5: The Post prints a blank column in its newspaper in solidarity with Khashoggi, headlined: 'A missing voice.' October 6: The Post, citing anonymous Turkish officials, reports Khashoggi may have been killed in the consulate in a 'preplanned murder' by a Saudi team. October 7: A friend of Khashoggi tells the AP that officials told him the writer was killed at the consulate. The consulate rejects what it calls 'baseless allegations.' October 8: Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Turkey is summoned over Khashoggi's disappearance and alleged killing. LEAKED FOOTAGE October 9: Turkey says it will search the Saudi Consulate as a picture of Khashoggi walking into the diplomatic post surfaces. October 10: Surveillance footage is leaked of Khashoggi and the alleged Saudi squad that killed him. Khashoggi's fiancee asks President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump for help. October 11: Turkish media describes Saudi squad as including royal guards, intelligence officers, soldiers and an autopsy expert. Trump calls Khashoggi's disappearance a 'bad situation' and promises to get to the bottom of it. October 12: Trump again pledges to find out what happened to Khashoggi. October 13: A pro-government newspaper reports that Turkish officials have an audio recording of Khashoggi's alleged killing from his Apple Watch, but details in the report come into question. INTERNATIONAL UPROAR October 14: Trump says that 'we're going to get to the bottom of it, and there will be severe punishment' if Saudi Arabia is involved. The kingdom responds with a blistering attack against those who threaten it, as the manager of a Saudi-owned satellite news channel suggests the country could retaliate through its oil exports. The Saudi stock exchange plunges as much as 7 percent at one point. October 15: A Turkish forensics team enters and searches the Saudi Consulate, an extraordinary development as such diplomatic posts are considered sovereign soil. Trump suggests after a call with Saudi King Salman that 'rogue killers' could be responsible for Khashoggi's alleged slaying. Trump says Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to the Mideast over the case. Meanwhile, business leaders say they won't attend an economic summit in the kingdom that's the brainchild of Prince Mohammed. October 16: A high-level Turkish official tells the AP that 'certain evidence' was found in the Saudi Consulate proving Khashoggi was killed there. Pompeo arrives for meetings in Saudi Arabia with King Salman and Prince Mohammed. Meanwhile, Trump compares the case to the appointment of now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing, saying: 'Here we go again with you're guilty until proven innocent.' October 17: Pompeo meets with Turkey's president and foreign minister in the Turkish capital, Ankara. Turkish police search the official residence of Saudi Arabia's consul general in Istanbul and conduct a second sweep of the consulate. October 18: A leaked surveillance photograph shows a member of Prince Mohammed's entourage walked into the consulate just before Khashoggi vanished there. October 20: Saudi Arabia for the first time acknowledges Khashoggi was killed in the consulate, claiming he was slain in a 'fistfight.' The claim draws immediate skepticism from the kingdom's Western allies, particularly in the U.S. Congress. October 22: A report says a member of Prince Mohammed's entourage made four calls to the royal's office around the time Khashoggi was killed. Police search a vehicle belonging to the Saudi consulate parked at an underground garage in Istanbul. October 23: Erdogan says Saudi officials murdered Khashoggi after plotting his death for days, demanding that Saudi Arabia reveal the identities of all involved. Advertisement 'First they (the Saudis implicated) removed the hard disc from the camera system,' Erdogan said. 'This is a political murder,' he added. But Erdogan added he still wanted answers on numerous issues including 'who gave orders' to the team and where the corpse is. Erdogan did not mention Prince Mohammed by name in the speech but said he was confident of the full cooperation of his father Saudi King Salman in the probe. 'To blame such an incident on a handful of security and intelligence members would not satisfy us or the international community,' Erdogan said. 'Saudi Arabia has taken an important step by admitting the murder. As of now we expect of them to openly bring to light those responsible - from the highest ranked to the lowest - and to bring them to justice,' the Turkish president said. 'All evidence gathered shows that Jamal Khashoggi was the victim of a savage murder. To cover up such a savagery would hurt the human conscience,' he said. He said no Saudi linked to the murder should enjoy diplomatic immunity as set out by the Vienna Convention. 'The Vienna Convention and other international regulations don't allow for a savage murder to be protected from investigation by diplomatic immunity.' This morning, one of Erdogan's left-wing rivals, Patriotic Party leader Dogu Perincek, said that some of Khashoggi's remains had been recovered. Perincek told Turkish TV that parts of the body of the murdered Saudi journalist have been found in a well in the grounds of the Saudi consul general's home. However, he did not expand on the claims, and authorities have not commented on his statement, news website Haberler reported. This morning, Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said the investigation into the killing will produce the truth about what happened. Adel al-Jubeir also pledged that mechanisms will be put in place so that 'something like this can never happen again' A tough critic of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Khashoggi, disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate (pictured) in Istanbul on October 2 to collect a document for his upcoming marriage Erdogan today said a Saudi team entered the consulate the day of the killing, and that three men from the team went on an exploration trip to Belgrad forest in Istanbul and Yalova, a 55 mile drive south of Istanbul. Turkish news website Haberturk now reports one of the vehicles used by the hit squad had been driven to and from Yalova district several times and that there is a possibility one of the members of the 'hit squad' has a summer house there. The website pictured a three-floor red building which they claim to be the summer house in question, which has been raided by police. Turkish officials believe the Saudis may have dumped his remains in Belgrad Forest and at a rural location near Yalova. After initially denying any knowledge of Khashoggi's fate, the kingdom gave a new story on Saturday, saying he died in a 'fistfight.' Saudi Arabia said 18 Saudis were arrested and that several top intelligence officials were fired over the killing, but critics alleged that the punishment was designed to absolve the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's heir-apparent, of any responsibility. Erdogan earlier promised the case 'will be revealed in all its nakedness' in a speech to ruling party members. Turkey's foreign minister, meanwhile, said his country would cooperate with international bodies if they were to launch an independent probe into the Khashoggi's killing. 'Hitman made SEVEN calls to the Saudi Crown Prince's private office' on the day Khashoggi was killed Turkish intelligence officers intercepted more than a dozen phone calls by the man described as the 'spinal cord' of the Saudi hit squad accused of murdering Jamal Khashoggi. Major General Maher Abdulaziz Mutrib, a former diplomat who was once posted to Britain, has also been pictured travelling alongside the Crown Prince on official visits to the UK and the US. Seven of the phone calls he made on the day Khashoggi was killed were made directly to the Saudi Crown Prince's private office. According to Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak, Mutrib spoke to Badr al-Asaker, head of the Crown Prince's private office, four times after Khashoggi was killed. Major General Maher Abdulaziz Mutrib, pictured outside Downing Street in March during the Crown Prince's state visit, was described as the 'spinal cord' of a Saudi death squad Left, on the way in: Mustafa al-Madani enters the consulate in a checked shirt. Centre, before the murder: Victim Mr Khashoggi. Right, later: Madani, now in Mr Khashoggi's jacket Left - disguise: Madani, circled, was also wearing a fake beard. Right - Job done: The Saudi then changed back into his own clothes Last night, one Saudi and one Turkish intelligence source told Reuters that a Saudi royal aide sacked over the killing directed the murder by giving orders over Skype. Saud Al-Qahtani, who ran social media for the crown prince, allegedly insulted the journalist after he was seized in the consulate before telling a hit squad 'bring me the head of the dog'. He was sacked from his post on Saturday and was made chairman of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, a role he had held before. It has since also been claimed that that members of the hit squad sent Mr Khashoggi's fingers back to Riyadh to prove the mission's success. Advertisement In an interview with state-run Anadolu Agency, Mevlut Cavusoglu also said Turkey has not shared evidence concerning his death at the Saudi consulate with any country but added that there may have been 'an exchange of views between intelligence organisations.' U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he is not satisfied with the explanations he's heard about the killing of Khashoggi and is awaiting reports from U.S. personnel returning from the region. 'We're going to get to the bottom of it. We have people over in Saudi Arabia now. We have top intelligence people in Turkey. They're coming back either tonight or tomorrow,' Trump told reporters at the White House before leaving for a political rally in Texas. A high-profile economic forum in Saudi Arabia began Tuesday in Riyadh, the kingdom's first major event on the world stage since Khashoggi's killing. The Future Investment Initiative forum, the brainchild of Prince Mohammed, is aimed at drawing more foreign investment into the kingdom and helping create desperately needed jobs for its youthful population. Prince Mohammed was not at the forum when it started. On Monday, leaked surveillance video showed a man strolling out of the diplomatic post hours after Khashoggi disappeared into the consulate, apparently wearing the columnist's clothes as part of a macabre deception to sow confusion over his fate. The new video broadcast by CNN, as well as a pro-government Turkish newspaper's report that a member of Prince Mohammed's entourage made four calls to the royal's office from the consulate around the same time, put more pressure on the kingdom. US President Donald Trump (right) said he was 'not satisfied' with Riyadh's explanation of the Washington Post contributor's death in a case has tarnished the image of powerful Saudi Crown Prince (left) Saudi Arabia is in crisis after Khashoggi murder, energy minister tells 'Davos in Desert' conference Saudi Arabia is a nation 'in crisis', the country's energy minister told an international investment conference on Tuesday, following global outrage over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told the Future Investment Initiative, which opened in Riyadh today, that 'these are difficult days' for Saudi Arabia, calling Khashoggi's killing 'abhorrent'. However, despite his comments - and a wave of cancellations from high-ranking Western political figures and business titans - Saudi Arabia said it is expected to sign deals worth more than $50 billion on the opening day of the conference alone. Saudi employees print badges of participants of the Future Investment Initiative conference, which kicks off Tuesday, in Riyadh The Future Investment Initiative forum is the brainchild of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aimed at drawing more foreign investment into the kingdom and to help create desperately needed jobs for its youthful population. But the summit, dubbed 'Davos in the desert' has been overshadowed by growing global outrage over the murder of Khashoggi inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. Dozens of executives - from bankers JP Morgan to carmaker Ford and ride-hailing app Uber - scrapped plans to attend, prompting organisers to take down a list of speakers from its website. Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, right, talks with the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ahead of the conference In further embarrassment to the regime, the summit's website was infiltrated by hackers accusing the regime of financing terrorism on Monday. Hackers edited the event's poster to show the kingdom's powerful crown prince as an ISIS executioner wielding a bloody sword with Khashoggi kneeling before him. The hackers wrote underneath the image: 'For the sake of security of children worldwide, we urge all countries to put sanction [sic] on the Saudi regime.' 'The regime, aligned with the United States, must be kept responsible for its barbaric and inhuman action, such as killing its own citizen Jamal Khashoggi and thousands of innocent people in Yemen. 'The medieval Saudi regime is one of the sources for #Terrorism_Financing in the world.' The website for Saudi Arabia's 'Davos in the desert' summit was hacked on Monday to show Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appearing to behead Jamal Khashoggi. The hackers also published what they purport is a list of 'a thousand terrorists and spies of the Saudi Arabia regime who perform malicious activities around the world' - complete with their phone numbers and email addresses. The summit's website has since been taken down. The forum last year proved to be a glitzy affair that drew more international business attention to the kingdom, however despite the luxurious setting at the five-star Ritz-Carlton hotel, this year's event will forever be linked to the brutal murder of Khashoggi. Advertisement Meanwhile, Turkish crime-scene investigators swarmed a garage Monday night in Istanbul where a Saudi consular vehicle had been parked. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, meanwhile, said Tuesday the investigation into the killing of Khashoggi would produce the truth about what happened and that his country was committed to ensuring 'that the investigation is thorough and complete and that the truth is revealed and that those responsible will be held to account.' Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, in Indonesia, also pledged that mechanisms will be put in place so that 'something like this can never happen again.' The murder of the Washington Post contributor has damaged the international reputation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has spearheaded a reform drive in the kingdom. He who was credited with key changes including giving women the right to drive but is now accused of having ordered Khashoggi's murder - a claim Riyadh denies. Reports in pro-government Turkish media have suggested he was slowly strangled in an operation by a 15 person assassination team. But these claims have yet to be confirmed on the record and Khashoggi's remains have also not been found. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Berlin would not export arms to Riyadh 'in the current situation,' despite Germany's approval last month of 416 million euros' ($480 million) worth of arms exports in 2018. Despite also pulling out of the Davos-style summit, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin met the crown prince behind closed doors for bilateral talks in Riyadh today. CIA Director Gina Haspel, meanwhile, headed for Turkey, although details of her trip were not immediately clear. Khashoggi's fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, (pictured) said he had handed her his two mobile phones and left instructions that she should wait for him and call an aide to Turkey's president if he did not reappear CCTV images have emerged showing a Saudi intelligence officer dressed in a fake beard and Jamal Khashoggi's clothes and glasses (left) on the day the journalist disappeared A car belonging to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was found in the Sultangazi district of the city today. Broadcaster NTV and other local media said that police would search the vehicle Khashoggi was 'working to expose Saudi Arabia's use of social media trolls and had been harassed on Twitter' before he was killed, his friend claims Jamal Khashoggi was working to expose Saudi Arabia's use of social media trolls before he was murdered, one of his friends has revealed. Omar Abdelaziz, who now lives in Canada, told Euronews he and Khashoggi had been working on a series of projects together, including an expose of the use of social media by pro-government accounts. He told the website, that his friend had been targetted on Twitter by so-called 'electronic flies' as they worked together on human rights campaigns. Jamal Khashoggi (pictured) was working to expose Saudi Arabia's use of social media trolls before he was murdered, one of his friends has revealed He said: 'I have known (Khashoggi) for three years but I did not agree with him politically because he seemed closer to the official approach. 'But things changed since Khashoggi left Saudi Arabia in September 2017. We reviewed this relationship and we got in touch almost every day.' On Saturday, the New York Times reported that Saudi Arabia deployed an online army to harass Khashoggi and other critics of the kingdom on Twitter. The efforts to attack Khashoggi and other influential Saudis, and sway public opinion against them on the social media service, included a so-called troll farm based in Riyadh and a suspected spy within Twitter that the kingdom utilised to monitor user accounts, the New York Times reported. Twitter declined to comment. A representative from the Saudi embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement White House advisor and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, believed to have close ties with the crown prince, said he had urged him to be 'fully transparent', stressing that 'the world is watching'. Speaking in Jakarta, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir vowed 'a thorough and complete investigation'. He said procedures would be put in place to 'ensure that something like this can never happen again.' Omer Celik, spokesman of Erdogan's ruling party, said the killing 'was planned in an extremely savage manner,' and that 'there has been a lot of effort to whitewash this'. Some of the consulate employees who gave testimony to Turkish prosecutors said they had not been given holiday on the day that Khashoggi was murdered, despite reports in local media, and they finished work at 3.30pm. The employees were also quoted as saying that they did not 'see or hear' any sounds related to a fight despite Riyadh's claims that Khashoggi died during a 'brawl'. Erdogan has so far stopped short of directly pointing the finger at Riyadh. Analysts say he preferred to authorise the leak of incriminating information to pro-government media to put pressure on the kingdom. He has twice held telephone talks with King Salman on the crisis, interpreted by some as a bid to sideline the ageing Saudi monarch's son Prince Mohammed. Jamal Khashoggi was working to expose Saudi Arabia's use of social media trolls before he was murdered, one of his friends has revealed. The writer, who disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, had also fallen victim to online harassment, according to a fellow Saudi dissident. Omar Abdelaziz, who now lives in Canada, told Euronews he and Khashoggi had been working on a series of projects together, including an expose of the use of social media by pro-government accounts. Jamal Khashoggi (pictured) was working to expose Saudi Arabia's use of social media trolls before he was murdered, one of his friends has revealed He told the website, that his friend had been targetted on Twitter by so-called 'electronic flies' as they worked together on human rights campaigns. He said: 'I have known (Khashoggi) for three years but I did not agree with him politically because he seemed closer to the official approach. 'But things changed since Khashoggi left Saudi Arabia in September 2017. We reviewed this relationship and we got in touch almost every day.' On Saturday, the New York Times reported that Saudi Arabia deployed an online army to harass Khashoggi and other critics of the kingdom on Twitter. The efforts to attack Khashoggi and other influential Saudis, and sway public opinion against them on the social media service, included a so-called troll farm based in Riyadh and a suspected spy within Twitter that the kingdom utilised to monitor user accounts, the New York Times reported. Twitter declined to comment. A representative from the Saudi embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The writer, who disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 (pictured), had also fallen victim to online harassment, according to a fellow Saudi dissident Saudi officials said on Saturday that Washington Post columnist Khashoggi died in a fight in its Istanbul consulate. But Turkish officials say Khashoggi was assassinated and dismembered by Saudi security forces. The Times reported Saudi operatives began a social media campaign to harass critics in 2010. Saud al-Qahtani, an adviser to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, created the strategy behind the effort, the newspaper said, citing U.S. and Saudi officials. Qahtani was one of five officials Saudi King Salman has fired, according to Saudi state media, following the global controversy over Khashoggi's disappearance. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly nearly got into a fist fight with an informal adviser to President Trump outside the Oval Office. Kelly, a retired four-star Marine General, is said to have grabbed Corey Lewandowski by the collar and pushed him against a wall during an altercation in February. Secret Service agents had to be called before the two men separated, with Kelly demanding that Lewandowski be removed from the West Wing, the New York Times reported. John Kelly grabbed Corey Lewandowski by the collar, pushed him against a wall, and only stopped when Secret Service agents intervened, it is reported The fight followed an argument that started inside the Oval Office in front of the president, the New York Times reported. Kelly criticized Lewandowski in front of Trump over the amount of money he was making from a super PAC campaigning for the president's re-election. He also took issue with Lewandowski's public attacks on him amid the Rob Porter security clearance controversy. Porter was fired and questions were raised over how he was granted interim security clearance after two of his ex-wives told DailyMail.com that he had abused them. When Trump had to take a phone call, the men moved into the hallway, and Kelly called out for Lewandowski to be removed from the building, sources told the Times. The two then resumed arguing, with Lewandowski shouting, before Kelly grabbed him by the collar and attempted to push him against a wall, they said. Secret Service agents are said to have arrived before the two men agreed to move along. The fight reportedly took place on Feb. 21. The very same day, the president hosted families of the Parkland shooting victims at the White House. Sources close to the two men have indicated publicly that the fight happened, although neither the White House nor Lewandowski, the president's first campaign manager, have commented. Former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci told Fox News on Tuesday morning: 'Yeah of course the story took place.' Leon Panetta, the former defense secretary who was once Kelly's boss at the Pentagon, says he doesn't doubt that it happened, either. 'Theres no question that the level of frustration must be rising if hes getting into shouting matches and starting to really take on other people,' Panetta told the Times. Scaramucci has said overtly that he believes Trump needs to give Kelly the boot - and not because he fired him last summer less than a month into the position. 'I just think he's ill-suited for the job. I'm very confident that it happened,' he said on Fox & Friends. 'So let's not lie about it.' The hedge fund owner and campaign bundler said: 'You can't be grabbing people by the collar or cursing off the national security adviser.' Kelly had been criticizing Lewandowski to Trump over his links to a super PAC and was angry that Lewandowski was attacking him over the Rob Porter security clearance scandal The lasting repercussions of the fight have been that whenever Lewandowski visits the White House now, he is kept away from Kelly's office, the Times reported. It is said to have taken place during a time rumors were swirling that Kelly would be sacked, just six months after his appointment, over his handling of the Porter fiasco. Lewandowski, a Trump confidant who is working this election cycle with the vice president, is the second person to emerge in the last week who Kelly reportedly had a West Wing yelling match with. The fight follows reports Kelly also clashed with National Security Adviser John Bolton during a meeting with Trump over the soaring number of southern border crossings when the argument happened, CNN reported. Bolton favored a hard-line approach to dealing with the migrants, and Trump agreed with him. While making his point, Bolton allegedly accused Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen of failing to do her job. Nielsen used to serve as Kelly's deputy when he was in charge of DHS, and he pushed internally for her to get his job. Voices were raised sufficiently during the altercation to startle aides working elsewhere in the White House, reports on the fight that first surfaced in a Bloomberg article said. However, the same sources said the argument was a simple 'falling out' and that nobody's job had be threatened by the fight. France's ban on the niqab has been ruled a violation of human rights, The U.N. Human Rights Committee said on Tuesday. In a landmark ruling the UN moved to support wearers of the full-body Islamic veil and ordered France to repay two French women convicted for wearing niqabs in 2012. The committee said in a statement that France had failed to make the case for its so-called 'burqa ban' and ordered it to review the legislation. A panel of independent experts who oversee countries compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, said France had 180 days to report back to say what actions it had taken. Hind Ahmas wears a niqab despite a nationwide ban on the Islamic face veil outside the courts after she was arrested for wearing the niqab in public, in Meaux, Paris in 2011 The panel's findings are not legally binding but could influence French courts. The committee called for the women to be compensated and for a review of the 2010 law that forbids people from publicly wearing clothing that conceals their face. 'The French law disproportionately harmed the petitioners' right to manifest their religious beliefs,' the committee said in a statement. It added that it was not convinced by France's claim that the ban was necessary for security and social reasons. The two French women were convicted in 2012 for wearing the niqab, a veil with an opening for the eyes. 'The ban, rather than protecting fully veiled women, could have the opposite effect of confining them to their homes, impeding their access to public services and marginalising them,' the committee said. The UN Human Rights Committee, made up of independent experts, ensures countries stick to their human rights commitments but it does not have enforcement powers. The Committee said the ban disproportionately harmed their right to manifest their religious beliefs and could lead to them being confined at home and marginalised It said the French ban was 'too sweeping' but that governments could still make people show their faces in specific circumstances. The committee's decision reignites a debate that has raged in France for years over Muslim headwear and other religious clothing. The debate has regularly pitted supporters of the country's secular constitution against those who argue for religious freedoms. The 2010 law had strong public support when brought in under former president Nicolas Sarkozy. But many said it targeted the tiny minority of Muslim women in France who wear Islamic veils. Condemned by critics for pandering to far-right voters but backed by many women rights activists, the law made France the first European country to ban garments that cover the face. An estimated five million Muslims live in France and women who ignore the ban can be fined up to 150 euros ($170). Other EU countries, including Denmark, Austria and Belgium, have also implemented similar full-face veil bans. A so-called 'burqa ban' has also been implemented in Denmark where its imposition sparked a wave of protests in August this year This incredible footage captures the moment a giant centipede and a large snake brawl to to the death. The footage, shot in Guangzhou, China, shows a huge Chinese red head centipede battling with a serpent on rocky ground. The shocking two minute clip shows the creatures locked in a deadly tangle as they twist and turn in an epic struggle. In the clip, the centipede seems to be holding its own despite being far smaller than the reptile. And as the snake attempts to go in for the kill, the centipede - with a 20cm black body, red head and red antenna - manages to flip the snake over onto its back. The final 30 seconds of the clip capture the arthropod winning the unlikely battle, as it clenches tighter on to the snakes head. The warring creatures flipped over several times over the two minutes as they battled for survival in Guagzhou, China Blood can be seen on the ground as the snake desperately attempts to shake itself free - but there is no escape. The deadly centipede can hunt prey up to 15 times larger thanks to a deadly venom which can trigger a seizure in its victim. Known as Ssm Spooky Toxin, it wreaks havoc on the cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous system of its victim. Scientists say it blocks the movement of potassium into and out of mammal cells, stopping blood flow and causing heart failure. Terence Farrell, a professor of biology at Stetson University in Florida, told National Geographic: 'Most things do not want to mess with centipedes. They've got these nasty fangs on the front end that inject very painful bites.' A pub in a trendy inner-city suburb is boycotting the Melbourne Cup next month by holding a protest event against the horse racing industry. Sydney's Newton Hotel will not be televising the races from Flemington Racecourse in its event entitled 'F**k the Cup'. The venue will instead feature live and local sets and be a strictly 'no black tie' occasion. A pub in a trendy inner-city suburb is boycotting the Melbourne Cup next month by hosting 'F**k the Cup' The event, posted online, promised punters it would not feature 'fancy lunch for suits to bet on some horses because it's name is cute' The event, posted online, promised punters it would not feature 'fancy lunch for suits to bet on some horses because it's name is cute'. Guests at the hotel on November 6 will be able to pay what they want for a beer courtesy of a keg from a local brewery, and all proceeds will go towards rehabilitating retired racehorses. Social media users responding to the event on Facebook were largely supportive of the event's intentions, with many thanking The Newtown Hotel for highlighting the issue. The event comes after after more than 1,000 people gathered outside the Sydney Opera House to disrupt the projection of The Everest barrier draw (stock image) One user said: 'So glad boycotting horse cruelty is finally becoming a thing! It's right up there with greyhound racing and all other forms of animal abuse.' Another added: 'Amazing! Thank you for taking a step in the right direction and rejecting the exploitation and abuse of horses.' But Liberal MLC Peter Phelps told The Daily Telegraph the event was 'petty' and appealed to 'woke animal liberationists who love that sort of thing'. He said: 'The vast majority of Australians are going to be watching the cup - if people want to be grumble bums, they can be grumble bums'. One commenter on the event's Facebook page also took exception to the hotel's labeling of the Melbourne Cup as an occasion for people in suits. A Facebook user said: 'So only suits watch the cup? Just goes to show this is nothing but a far left-wing pub.' Hotel organisers told Daily Mail Australia the event on November 6 was not a protest stunt and they did not want to align it to any political inclinations. Social media users responding to the event on Facebook were largely supportive of the event's intentions, with many thanking The Newtown Hotel for highlighting the issue One said: 'Amazing! Thank you for taking a step in the right direction and rejecting the exploitation and abuse of horses.' A spokesman for the hotel said: 'There are many organisations that will be protesting on the day however we won't be directly aligning with them. 'We will be playing a much more passive role in alternative options for those who would rather not support The Melbourne Cup.' Newtown is one of Sydney's furthest left-leaning electoral districts, with Green MP Jenny Leong elected to represent the area by almost 7,000 votes in 2015. The event is the latest demonstration against the horse-racing industry after more than 1,000 people gathered outside the Sydney Opera House to disrupt the projection of The Everest barrier draw. Advertisement The gritty reality of the Russian Revolution in the early 20th century has been brought to life by a series of newly colourised images showing the horrific conditions of the period. Striking pictures of Vladimir Lenin disguised as factory worker KP Ivanov at Razliz station in August 1917, and sitting side-by-side with successor, Joseph Stalin, in 1922 have been brought to life by the newly released pictures. Other stunning colour shots show the last Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II, with his family and chopping wood with his son after the first revolution and visiting the army during the First World War in 1916 before he was overthrown. The Romanov family executor, Yakov Yurovsky, is also pictured in a chilling image along with shots of the February revolution taking place in 1917. Revolutionaries and women with former members of the Russian army holding up a plaque that state 'The tyranny has collapsed and the chains are broken' are also among the detailed images. The original black and white photographs were painstakingly colourised by artist, Viacheslav Peregudov, 51, from Irkutsk, Russia. He began to colourise old photographs around five years ago and was quickly drawn to images of Russia in the early 20th Century. Lenin speaking to Red Army troops leaving for the front in Sverdlov Square, Moscow, May 5, 1920. In some earlier black and white pictures taken from the same speech, the figure of Leon Trotsky standing in the area with steps behind the speakers' platform was painted out after his later exile from the Soviet Union by Stalin in 1929 Lenin disguised as worker, KP Ivanov, in 1917. The revolutionary leader was made up to look like an ordinary worker so that agents of the Provisional Government did not recognise him. A warrant for his arrest had been issued after a rising of workers and soldiers was put down by the newly formed government in July 1917. Soon after this picture was taken Lenin left Russia to hide out in Finland before returning to lead the Bolshevik revolution This image shows Tsar Nicholas II and his son, Alexei, sawing wood in captivity in Tobolsk in remote central Russia in 1918 after his abdication. The same year, both were executed along with other members of their family. It contrasts the luxury of their lifestyles before the revolution and the hardships the family faced while in exile after the 1917 uprising Lenin and Stalin in Gorky (now called Nizhny Novgorod) in 1922 when the leader was ill. This photograph by taken by Lenin's sister, Maria Ulyanova, two years before his death. Stalin had images of his visits with the Bolshevik leader published to show Lenins supposed recovery and to showcase his own proximity to him and therefore legitimise his claim to power Tsar Nicholas II visiting the army during the First World War in 1916, the same year as Romania entered the war. A year later Nicholas was forced to abdicate after the February Revolution. Russia continued to fight the war under the Provisional Government until the Bolshevik Revolution on October Yakov Yurovsky (left), the Romanov family executor pictured during the First World War in 1915. Just three years later as head of the local Cheka (secret police) in Moscow he was involved in organising and carrying out the executions of seven members of the imperial family and four of their entourage after the revolutions of 1917. Grigori Rasputin (right) known as the 'mad monk of Russia' who gained considerable power over the Romanov family by claiming to be a spiritual leader and being able to heal their sick son, Alexei, who suffered from haemophilia A guard of Bolshevik fighters in 1919 outside an agit-train or agitation train (agitpoezd) after the October Revolution of 1917. During the Civil War, or War Communism period, these trains were used to spread propaganda and carried printing presses to make political leaflets and pamphlets to spread the ideals of the new regime around the remote parts of Russia, Ukraine and Siberia Guard soldiers from the Kexholm regiment guarding the Central Telegraph in the then capital of Ruissia, Petrograd (now St Petersburg), in 1917. The city was the focal point of the February Revolution when Bolsheviks demanded 'peace, bread and land' during the horrors of WWI Women of Death battalion in 1917. The group were all-female combat units formed after the February Revolution by the Provisional Government in a last-ditch attempt to encourage war-weary soldiers to continue fighting in WWI as desertions in the armed forces became rife Emperor Nicholas II with wife, Alexandra Feodorovna - Alix of Hesse - and their daughter, Olga. She was born in 1895 and became known as Grand Duchess Olga until her death in 1917 at the age of 22. Her remains were identified through DNA and were laid to rest in Peter and Paul Cathedral in St Petersburg in 1998 Barricades in Petrograd in 1917 as the Bolshevik Revolution was in progress. The name St Petersburg was changed at the start of the First World War in 1914 as it was thought to sound too German for many Russians. Viacheslav Peregudov said: 'The first was the February revolution, which screamed in the squares about equality and brotherhood, followed by the Bolshevik revolution, the civil war. 'And you're looking for the point where the giant Empire began its descent to the edge of the abyss' Soldiers during a protest at the second anniversary of October Revolution in Red Square, Moscow, in 1920. In the centre Bolshevik leader Lenin can be seen alongside a saluting Leo Trotsky to his right. Viacheslav Peregudov said: 'The crowds were intoxicated by freedom soldiers mixed with civilians. 'One of the greatest dreams of any person in the world is a time machine. And the greatest regret of any person is that it is impossible to produce this machine in our world' Leo Trotsky in the centre, front, at a gathering of revolutionaries. He was made leader of the Red Army and then later appointed to the position of the Peoples Commissar for Foreign Affairs. The reality of the Russian Revolution in the early 20th century has been brought to life thanks to the series of newly colourised images Tsar Nicholas II with son, Alexei. His mother's decision to treat his haemophilia using the so-called mystic powers of Rasputin undermined the royal family and helped add to the downfall of the Romanov dynasty. 'I would say my time machine works on a fuel of imagination and the real colour of the past which is a channel of reality that has been ignored for many years due to black and white images,' added Peregudov Red Army soldiers in 1919. These striking pictures show the grim reality of the First World War and the later Civil War the 'Reds' fought against the 'Whites' and other socialist militants, to gain control of the country after the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. Peregudov added: 'Sometimes I do colourisation for other photographs but I always return to Russia in the early 1900s' Funeral of Junkers (a military rank or junior officer) in 1919. It is estimated between seven to 12 million casualties, mainly civilian as well as military, were suffered during the Civil War between the Red Army and other factions around Russia, which ended in 1923 These images of another funeral of Junkers in 1919 form part of the collection of expertly colourised images of the Russian Revolution and the Civil War period that followed. Viacheslav Peregudov said: 'When I started my project, History of Russia in the beginning of XX Century in Colour, it was just a few historical photos. 'I didn't do it for money but just my private pleasure and today it is a collection of more than 50 colourised photos that were shot in the period from 1898 to 1935' Boris Savinkov in 1917, a writer and revolutionary who was organised armed resistance against the Bolsheviks once they came to power. He fled in 1920 and returned after Lenin's death in 1924 but was imprisoned at Lubyanka prison in Moscow, where he either jumped, or more likely was pushed, from a window by agents of the OGPU (secret police) Revolutionary women and former members of the Russian Army hold up a plaque reading 'The tyranny has collapsed and the chains are broken' at the funeral of February Revolution victims in Petrograd, as the city was known at the time, in March 1917 Advertisement Newly discovered pictures reveal the extraordinary bravery of George Mallory's expedition to Mount Everest in 1921. The newly restored, digitised images are part of a collection featuring First World War veteran Mallory and his hardy team of adventurers who made history in 1921 as part of the first British reconnaissance expedition to the world's highest peak. In the first image an intrepid explorer can be seen sat pensively on a mound of snow with his hat on and taking a puff on his pipe, with the vertiginous mountains looming in the background. Mallory, who would return to the mountain two more times, and fellow climber Guy Bullock, made it 23,000 ft up the mountain via the North Col on Everest's north ridge, before atrocious winds forced them to turn back. A member of the expedition relaxes with his pipe while the vertiginous, menacing peaks of the mountains loom in the background Three porters climbing along a ridge. The team taking part in the expedition were quite poorly prepared by modern climbing standards. The porters can be seen clutching ropes, with them tied around their waist and rudimentary climbing equipment The 1921 group, lead by Charles Howard-Bury, were quite poorly prepared by modern standards of climbing. They did not have any oxygen equipment and levels of fitness in the group, who were mostly in their fifties, was poor and the equipment rudimentary. Mallory wrote to Ruth, his wife, in June 1921 saying they were about to 'walk off the map'. When the mountain finally appeared into view according to The Times he wrote: 'The problem of its great ridges and glaciers began to take shape and to haunt the mind.' This picture is captioned 'George Mallory climbing like a spider'. He can be seen at the top of of the snap climbing the great height The pictures were restored by Salto Ulbeek Studio in Belgium for the Royal Geographical Society. They will go on display in a free exhibition in London from 29 October. Despite being forced to turn back, Mallory did not give up and would return to the mountain in 1922 in an attempt to conquer the world's highest peak. The 1922 expedition is considered the first ascent on the world's tallest mountain and it was the first to use bottled oxygen to aid mountaineers as they neared the 29,000-ft peak. But the trip ended in tragedy when, on their third attempt at reaching the summit, the group were hit by an avalanche and seven men died. The group did have some success, becoming the first ever climbers to go above 26,000 feet, the first to use of oxygen bottles, paving the way for future attempts and the first to get high quality photos near the summit. Mallory took part in three expeditions to Everest. The first, in 1921, was a reconnaissance expedition to assess whether a route could be found up the north side of the mountain. The south side was then not an option because Nepal was closed to Westerners. When a route was discovered, Mallory returned the following year with a team led by Charles Bruce and Edward Lisle Strutt, along with more than 100 Tibetan and Nepalese porters. After setting up a base camp, the group made three attempts at the summit. The first, undertaken without using oxygen, reached a world record 26,985 ft. The second, with oxygen, reached 27,316 ft before Bruce had a problem with his oxygen mask. The team's doctors advised against a third attempt because so many of the group were exhausted or ill. But it went ahead and the team was hit by an avalanche. On the right you can see the explorers camping at approximately 20,000 ft. George Mallory would end up making three trips to Everest and dying in 1924 Three members of the team descending the Karpo Riwo, at the head of the Kama Valley. Some of the pictures show the deep snow and treacherous conditions the climbers faced The group take a well deserved break and plot their next move. Mallory had another failed attempt in 1922, before returning in 1924 after raising funds. He died alongside fellow climber Andrew 'Sandy' Irvine and their bodies were not found until 1999 A picture showing the view from the camp at 22,500 ft showing Everest, the North Col and the North Peak, looking west Nine porters fell into a crevasse and were buried under the snow. Two porters were dug out but seven others died. After the tragedy, Mallory made a tour of the UK and US and, using the data his group had gained, raised funds for another expedition in 1924, which got to within 900ft of the summit. Mallory and his fellow climber Andrew 'Sandy' Irvine died during the 1924 expedition and their bodies weren't found until 1999. Some still believe they may have reached the peak before they died. Edmund Hillary and Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay are the first climbers credited with reaching the summit in 1953. As well as getting breathtaking shots of the snowy mountains, the climbers also got pictures of these Tibetan monks and the abbot of Shekar Chote monastery A schoolgirl was made to cry after teachers allegedly told her off for wearing a pair of Nike trainers to class, despite having a doctors note saying she needed them for an infected toe. Lottie Valencia, 12, called her parents sobbing because teachers at Hall Park Academy, in Nottinghamshire, punished her for wearing the trendy trainers. The year eight pupil claims she was told to wear comfortable shoes for a month by a doctor after picking up a toe injury while on holiday - so she chose her 94.95 black and white Nike Roshes. Lottie Valencia, 12, called her parents sobbing because teachers at Hall Park Academy, in Nottinghamshire, punished her for wearing the trendy trainers. The year eight pupil claims she was told to wear comfortable shoes for a month by a doctor after picking up a toe injury while on holiday - so she chose her 94.95 black and white Nike Roshes But her parents claim she was still told off by a teacher for not wearing shoes, made to study in isolation for three weeks and forced to wear a spare pair of plain pumps. Chris Valencia, 44, a hotel manager, said: 'On Wednesday they had her in isolation and told her to take the black trainers off and put her in a pair of the school's second hand shoes. 'She called me up in tears so on Thursday evening I went to the school for a meeting. 'I told them I would put her in a pair of plain black trainers but I was not going to compromise further. Their only defence was that it was school policy. 'I told them 'you need to accept you are putting policy above her health'. 'I'm angry, I felt my daughter was being punished for no reason and it was upsetting her, she's never had a problem with uniform before.' Her father, Chris Valencia (pictured), 44, claims she was still told off by a teacher for not wearing shoes, made to study in isolation for three weeks and forced to wear a spare pair of plain pumps. Chris Valencia, 44, a hotel manager, said: 'On Wednesday they had her in isolation and told her to take the trainers off for a pair of the school's second hand shoes' He said the school had now agreed to let her wear her mum's plain black trainers, but he is still not happy this happened in the first place and claims they have yet to apologise. The doctor's note, seen by Nottinghamshire Live, was issued on October 15 and states she should be allowed to wear comfortable shoes at school until at least November 14. Nottinghamshire Live has contacted the school for a comment but had not received one at the time of publication. Drug dealers could be jailed for 25 years for causing deaths at music festivals by supplying pills, under tough new laws proposed by the NSW government. Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Tuesday said dealers would be held responsible if people who buy off them subsequently die from taking the drugs. The proposed changes would also include on-the-spot fines of up to $500 for people caught with drugs at festivals. The proposals were recommended by an expert panel set up in the wake of two music festival deaths at Sydney's Defqon.1 music festival in September. Drug dealers could be jailed for 25 years for causing deaths at music festivals by supplying pills, under tough new laws proposed by the NSW government Ms Berejiklian believes the punishment for supplying drugs which cause a death should be 10 to 25 years in jail - meaning the offence would sit between grievous bodily harm and manslaughter. The government-established panel was asked to give advice on how to improve safety at festivals but not to consider the merits of pill testing. Police Commissioner Mick Fuller - a member of the panel - said a belief that pill testing could save lives was a 'myth'. The proposals were recommended by an expert panel set up in the wake of two music festival deaths at Sydney's Defqon.1 music festival in September - but critics have said the decision not to consider pill-testing was ill-advised (stock image) NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian believes the punishment for supplying drugs which cause a death should be 10 to 25 years in jail - meaning the offence would sit between grievous bodily harm and manslaughter 'There's no science behind what per cent is safe to take,' he told reporters. 'From my perspective as a father, I think to myself "Would I ever test my kids' drugs?" Absolutely not.' He backed the Premier's plan to throw the book at dealers. 'The stronger the charge the better,' Mr Fuller said. Greens MP Cate Faehrmann insisted the government's decision to rule out pill testing is 'disgraceful'. 'All this ongoing war on drugs has given us is more dead bodies,' Ms Faehrmann said in a statement. 'This was an opportunity to listen to the experts and they've clearly failed to do that.' Asked how the laws would be policed, and whether people giving pills to friends would be treated like drug dealers, Ms Berejiklian said the government was 'working through those legal issues'. Asked how the laws would be policed, and whether people giving pills to friends would be treated like drug dealers, Ms Berejiklian said the government was 'working through those legal issues' Greens MP Cate Faehrmann insisted the government's decision to rule out pill testing at music festivals is 'disgraceful' 'I value human life ... I don't want to see it taken away unnecessarily,' she said. Take Control Campaign spokesman Kieran Palmer took aim at the police commissioner's claim that pill testing was 'a myth'. 'Pill testing is not a 'myth' and it is dangerous to refer to it as such,' Mr Palmer said in a statement. A man who held scissors to a doctor's throat then grabbed a policeman's gun in a Sydney hospital and started shooting believed the Russian mafia had forced his wife into prostitution, a judge has been told. Michael de Guzman is on trial in Downing Centre District Court after pleading not guilty to 11 charges including shooting Police Sergeant Luke Warburton with intent to murder at Nepean Hospital in January 2016. The dog squad officer testified on Tuesday he believed he was going to die and has had 14 surgeries on his leg. Luke Warburton testified on Tuesday he believed he was going to die and has had 14 surgeries on his leg De Guzman threatened Dr Ma Guinto by grabbing her from behind and holding scissors to her throat De Guzman's barrister, Sam Pararajasingham, said 'there is no dispute as to the physical acts alleged by the Crown' but the charges would be defended on the grounds of mental illness. In his opening address, crown prosecutor Mark Tedeschi QC said de Guzman had suffered a mental illness for nearly four years prior to the events which involved 'an increasing paranoia' that his wife was having affairs. This then morphed into the Filipino man believing his wife had fallen prey to a criminal group, Mr Tedeschi said. The Crown alleges de Guzman 'had not engaged in any aggressive, violent acts in that time (and) his delusions and aggressions on the day in question would not have occurred but for his use of the drug ice'. NSW Police Sergeant Luke Warburton (right) pictured with a fellow police officer gave evidence in court on Tuesday The 41-year-old was allegedly seen waving a walking stick above his head on a Colyton road and shouting 'they're all coming' before he assaulted responding police in a 'furious struggle'. He was later restrained by all four limbs to a hospital bed and under police guard before the decision was made to grant him bail and the restraints were removed, the prosecutor said. De Guzman allegedly said: 'I need to use a phone to call the federal prostitution hotline, the Russian mafia have my wife in a prostitution ring.' He is then accused of asking a doctor to help with his bed before he grabbed her, dragged her to the ground and held scissors to her throat for more than 20 minutes. Sgt Warburton was nearby in his vehicle and responded to the triple-zero call. The officer twice deployed capsicum spray into de Guzman's face and tried to push the scissors away. 'What ensued ... was a furious melee,' Mr Tedeschi said. Police Senior Constable Luke Warburton and his wife Sandra after he was shot by Guzman De Guzman allegedly 'took hold' of Sgt Warburton's firearm and fired two shots, the first at close range above the officer's pubic bone, severing his left femoral vein, and the second hitting a security officer in the leg. Another guard suffered a shrapnel wound from a ricocheting bullet. Senior Constable Tim Duffy grabbed the gun, which remained in de Guzman's clutch, and blocked the slide of the Glock 22 with his finger to prevent further shots, the prosecutor said. De Guzman then allegedly told one officer: 'Your friend is dead. The policeman is dead. You're all a part of it.' 'It was quite clear he was still well-affected by a drug,' Mr Tedeschi said. The judge-alone trial before Judge Christopher Robison continues. A couple claim their cheeky week away ended up costing 10,000 because bed bugs followed them home from a TUI hotel and infested their house. Tanya Woodgate, 46, and partner Richard Williams, 42, believe they crawled into their suitcases following their 1,300 break to Crete in August. The couple are now forced to sit on deck chairs in their living room after having to get rid of their two sofas overrun with the creatures who bit their dogs. But despite removing the sofas from their home, the pests spread to their bed and more than 1,000 worth of delicate clothes stored underneath had to be destroyed. Tanya Woodgate and Richard Williams (pictured at home) are being forced to sit on deck chairs after an infestation of bed bugs they claim followed them back from Crete The couple say that the bed bugs (pictured, one found in their home) climbed into their luggae on the way home from the Greek island Mr Williams allegedly spotted the bugs in their hotel bed but didnt realise what they were and didnt connect them to bites that appeared on their legs during their stay. Ms Woodgate, whose osteoarthritis sometimes leaves her unable to walk, must spend months sitting on a deck chair at home while they save to replace furniture. She claims she can no longer sleep comfortably as she is plagued by nightmares of bugs after forking over more than 3,100 to purge the pests from her home in Barnstaple, North Devon. The couple (pictured on their holiday in Crete) have had to throw out more than 1,000 in delicate clothing As well as throwing out clothing, the holidaymakers have had to scrap two sofas and now have no furniture to sit on other than deck chairs 'I wish wed never gone to Crete now,' she said. 'A cheeky week away has cost us 3,100 just to get rid of the bugs and at least another 4,000 for the sofas, not to mention the clothing and everything else. The bugs have even bitten our dogs. 'Its just been one thing after another and these bed bugs are going to haunt us forever, Im sure of it. 'My partner and I had no idea bed bugs were still a thing - we thought they were an old wives tale. It wasnt even a thought in our head to be honest. These blood stains were discovered in the couple's bed at home following the bed bug infestation after their holiday 'We were bitten a few times in our hotel room but because it was a hot climate we just put it down to mosquitos. 'It was only meant to be a cheeky week for a break because we both work really hard. Because it was only a week, I decided to use the single bed for all my stuff. 'I just laid my clothes out on the single bed. Now I know that was the biggest mistake. 'One of our sofas was a four-seater, and we dumped the suitcases on the sofa when we got home. 'We just dumped everything on the sofas in the living room and flopped on the sofa and ended up falling asleep. 'Wed noticed bites on us after about two to three weeks. Every time we sat on the sofa we were being bitten. 'My partner and I were just wearing shorts and t-shirts in the house because it was so hot and we noticed that all our exposed skin was being bitten. 'Because we live by a river I said they must be gnat bites or something. We checked the dogs to make sure there were no fleas in the house and they hadnt had anything. 'One of my dogs is severely allergic to flea saliva so wed know pretty quickly if they had fleas, but we still checked to be sure. 'After about four weeks, we were sitting on the sofa and this little bug crawled up the cushions. 'My partner grabbed hold of it and he flicked it outside. Not half an hour later a larger one, it was the same shape but larger, crawled up the cushion. He flicked that one outside too. 'The following Sunday we went to the kitchen and he had a long sleeved top on and I noticed these two bugs crawling on his sleeve. 'They were so tiny but they were moving so quickly. We put them in a glass of water and took a photo and I said, I dont know what that is. 'With that Im sitting on the sofa and I googled crawling insects in sofa and the first thing that came up is "bed bugs". 'They have a five life cycle where they shed their skin, feed, shed their skin, and get bigger and bigger with each stage. They looked like what wed caught, but wed found them on our sofa - not our bed. 'They can crawl into your furniture from wherever and wed put our suitcases on the sofa when we got home.' This picture shows some of the bed bugs found in the couple's home after they came back from Crete Ms Woodgate, who says she cannot stand insects, called out an exterminator who confirmed the creepy crawlies were bed bugs. After removing their sofa from their home, the dog trainer was horrified when she discovered the bugs had been transported up to their bed and the clothes stored in the drawers beneath it. 'It was an absolute nightmare,' she said. 'It was horrible. I remember it vividly. After we got rid of the sofa, we werent bitten for about four days. It was a Monday morning, and I was just making the bed. 'I flipped a pillow over and there was this tiny little thing crawling under the pillow. I grabbed one of the strips and caught it. It was no bigger than the head of a pin. 'I thought, that cant be a bed bug - its really tiny. But I pulled open one of the drawers [under the bed] and there it is - an exoskeleton of a bed bug. I thought - oh no, oh no, oh please god no. 'I pulled out all the drawers and under the head end on Richs side I unfolded a pair of jeans and there were bed bugs of various different life cycles crawling around. 'I screamed. I had a panic attack. They were in our bed now. I flipped the bed up, and its crawling in bed bugs. 'Its covered in blood stains where theyve had a feed and theyve pooed. I phoned up the Rentokil man in floods of tears and told him they were in our bed now. I didnt know what to do. 'You need at least 60 degree celsius heat to kill them, so I had to get rid of loads of clothing that would have been destroyed at that temperature. 'I threw away five pairs of Levis jeans, all of Richs wet weather gear because it would have melted at that temperature. It was heartbreaking. 'I will be getting rid of the bed. Even though the bugs are dead, theres still bug poo on our 1,500 mattress so once weve got some money together we will be replacing that mattress. 'Even now I know theyre all dead, in the middle of the night if I wake up with an itch Im paranoid its a bed bug crawling on me. 'Im still having nightmares now about bed bugs taking over my entire house and wading through bugs. Its just horrible. I havent slept properly for weeks and weeks with the stress of it all.' She filed a formal complaint with TUI but was furious when they allegedly dismissed the bed bug claims as impossible to eradicate altogether due to the hot climate. The couple complained again and Ms Woodgate was told she may now face a six-month wait to hear if she will receive any compensation. Now whenever she and Mr Williams go away, she plans to take a bed bug identifying kit with her for fear of encountering them again. 'I cant imagine what our house would be like now if I hadnt found the bed bugs,' she said. 'I know TUI are a big company but we have two more holidays booked with them and Im a little concerned that should we need to complain for any aspect, are we going to be taken seriously and fairly? 'Apparently its more and more common now for bed bugs to turn up in your home because travel is so cheap. They travel home in your luggage and you just dont know theyre there. 'You could have bought one, two, maybe three bugs back with you and not know it. A sexually mature female can lay 500 eggs in her lifetime. Thats how fast they can multiply. 'I just want people to educate themselves on the bugs. Know the signs. Pull the bed to pieces. Lift the mattress up. Check the bed frame out and the seams. 'If you find them in your hotel room, take photos. Get your rep to come and have a look.' A spokesman for TUI UK said: 'Were sorry to learn of Miss Woodgates experience and will be in contact with her to discuss it shortly. 'Wed like to reassure customers that we regularly audit all of the hotel we feature in respect of health and safety, including hygiene.' The hotel denied that there was any bed bug issue and claimed that they were unaware of the complaint. China's top representative to Macau died late on Saturday after falling from the building where he lived, the Chinese government said on Sunday. Zheng Xiaosong, the head of China's liaison office to Macau, had been suffering from depression, the Hong Kong and Macau Office of the Chinese government's State Council said in a statement. The statement did not elaborate further on the circumstances of his death. His body was found with no identification on Saturday night outside Edf. Hung On Torre, a private residential building near the Golden Lotus Square in Macau. No message from Zheng was found during investigations, according to a Macau police spokesman in an update on Monday. Zheng Xiaosong, the head of China's liaison office to Macau, died late Saturday after falling from the building where he lived. Beijing claims that he had been suffering from depression Macau police said they believed there was no foul play in the death of the 59-year-old official, adding that an autopsy would be carried out to verify the cause of death, according to South China Morning Post. 'After our investigation department followed up on the case, it was confirmed it was not suspicious, nor was there any criminality,' police spokesman Ho Chan-nam said. Zheng was appointed to the Macau post in September 2017 and is a member of the ruling Communist Party's Central Committee, the largest of China's elite ruling bodies. He was previously the vice governor of the southeastern coastal province of Fujian. The news of Zheng's death shocked political figures and officials. Representatives of the Beijing government also visited Macau to offer condolences. Zheng's body was found with no identification on Saturday night outside Edf. Hung On Torre, a private residential building near the Golden Lotus Square (pictured) in Macau Zheng was appointed to the Macau post in September 2017 and is a member of the ruling Communist Party's Central Committee, the largest of China's elite ruling bodies '[Zheng] worked in Hong Kong earlier and was familiar with Hong Kong and concerned about the development of the city. I was grieved to learn of his sudden departure,' Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam said. Macau Chief Executive Fernando Chui said in a statement that he was 'shocked' about Zheng's death and expressed condolences The liaison office in Macau serves as a bridge between the local government and Beijing and has become increasingly influential in local affairs. Like neighbouring Hong Kong, Macau operates under China's 'one country, two systems' policy and is ruled by a chief executive, who is chosen via an election but must get approval from Beijing to formally take office. A statement published on Friday on the Macau liaison's office website showed that Zheng met with the head of a think tank the day before his death. During the meeting he emphasised the importance of supporting the local government and the one country, two systems policy to ensure Macau's continued development, the statement said. For confidential support in the UK, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details. The sister of an 87-year-old woman who died after her partner drove a car and caravan for eight miles in the wrong direction has paid tribute to the 'happy couple'. Driver John Norton, 80, who had recently recovered from cancer, and his partner Olive Howard, 87, took a wrong turn down the M40 northbound carriageway. The crash happened on October 15 near Lewknor in Buckinghamshire - just eight miles from where they lived in a house called 'Dream Cum Tru' in High Wycombe. And Miss Howard's sister Hazel Weatherill told MailOnline today that the collision was a 'terrible accident', adding that the family were devastated by the news. Mrs Weatherill, 76, said: 'It was a terrible accident. They were both retired and had been having a lovely, lovely time then this happened. 'They were together for over 20 years. They were a happy couple.' She also described her sister as 'just an ordinary person'. Mr Norton was believed to have been at the wheel of his Subaru Forester and was towing a caravan when he took a wrong turning down the motorway at about 4pm. Dozens of motorists swerved to try to avoid crashing into the car, with many attempting to attract the driver's attention by flashing their lights. Having travelling southbound along the northbound carriageway for about eight miles, Mr Norton eventually crashed head-on into an approaching Ford Mondeo. The driver of the Mondeo, former soldier Stuart Richards, 32, was also killed instantly in the collision. Neighbours revealed Mr Horton's battle with cancer. One of them said: 'He has been getting treatment for a while but had made a full recovery. And he was very fit, upright and switched on. 'So I've no idea what must have happened on the motorway. Olive was lovely, she was quite eccentric even into her 80s and would always wear bright red lipstick. The crash happened just eight miles from where the elderly couple lived in a house called 'Dream Cum Tru' in High Wycombe 'They have got no family I know of, no children. It's a real tragedy, I cannot understand what could have happened.' Another neighbour told MailOnline: 'They were a nice couple, it's so sad.Olive has lived here for years - she and her husband designed and built their house. 'But he died some time ago. She lived by herself until the 1990s when she met John. From what I remember they met at a local caravan club. 'She used to have a camper van. That was their big passion in life, they'd take their caravan all over the country. 'In fact the Monday they died I believe they were returning home after spending the weekend in Yorkshire with other members of their caravan club. 'I can't think why they'd get lost and drive the wrong way up the M40 for seven or eight miles. 'They didn't drive very much any more, other than when they were taking the caravan out. I'd see them quite often at the bus stop because they both had bus passes. 'Olive was very talkative, very friendly whereas John was much more a private man, who kept himself to himself. 'I didn't know much about him other than I think he was a retired bank manager and he liked gardening and trimming his hedge. 'Olive had a sister who lives locally but I don't think they had much in the way of family.' The couple had been together for more than two decades and lived in a 700,000 bungalow named 'Dream Cum Tru', an apparent reference to their life together. Their home overlooked the local village green and was opposite the church. Today it remained empty with the wooden gates closed and the driveway vacant. Neighbours today paid tribute to the 'wonderful' couple. A woman who lived next door said: 'They were absolutely wonderful people and it is very sad.' Another neighbour said: 'We only knew them to say hello to but they seemed like nice people. They have been living there for quite some time.' A third added: 'They were always very polite and sweet. We heard about the accident but didn't actually know it was Olive and John until a few days later. It is very sad.' Driver John Norton, 80, and his partner, 87-year-old Olive Howard, took a wrong turn down the northbound carriageway in Buckinghamshire on October 15 Thames Valley Police said they had taken a week to identify Mr Norton and Miss Howard due to difficulties in finding their relatives. Mr Richards's younger brother Niall, who described Stuart as the 'rock' of the family, previously said that he was reeling from news Mr Norton's car had been involved in another crash only five days before. 'I am extremely angry,' Niall told MailOnline. 'The news of what happened was tragic enough and then to find out the extra circumstances surrounding it just drew everyone down even further. 'It could have been completely avoided if certain things had been put into practice. This is the world we live in under police cuts and roads not being looked after properly. Right now, we are more angry than upset.' Niall said he and his father were told about the earlier accident involving the same Subaru car shortly after formally identifying his sibling's body. In a further devastating twist, Niall revealed that Stuart and his Belfast girlfriend of five years, Ashley Crawford, had finalised the sale on a house in Stockport together on the day he died. Niall had been waiting for him at Stockport train station for around an hour and a 40 minutes, presuming his brother was late. Then Ms Crawford turned up in a police car. Stuart Richards, 32, (left) was driving home from Gatwick airport when he was hit and killed in the smash. He is seen with his brother, Niall (right), and their mother, Marie 'She is absolutely devastated, obviously,' Niall said. 'Particularly because of how it happened. My mum is in bits, my dad is the same just trying to hold it together for the rest of the family. 'We are a very tight family and we are all devastated he was my best mate.' Niall said his brother, a movie buff, had been in Los Angeles for a long weekend to celebrate the 40 year anniversary of the Halloween film franchise and had just landed at London Gatwick and was driving north when the accident occurred. 'He was on his way back from Gatwick and heading home. He was coming to pick me up from the bus stop but he never turned up.' Paying tribute to his brother, Niall said: 'He was the most selfless, caring, family oriented man you could ever meet. Mr Richards was one of three people who died in the crash near junction six of the M40 'He was the rock that held the family together. Like every family there was politics and he was the one that always held everyone together. 'He always put himself last in whatever he did. He was always laughing, he was always joking he could be an absolute child.' Niall said he had flown back from Australia last week after three years away to be closer to his brother and Ms Crawford. The couple had met through a mutual friend of his brother's sister Steph and had lived together for several years. 'I saw him for a couple of days before he left for LA, thankfully,' he said. Niall described his sibling as a mad Coventry City supporter who had grown increasingly disillusioned with the Army before he left. Upon leaving the military he became a keen activist for Veterans for Peace, which raises awareness of the problems that come with war, such as post traumatic stress disorder. Footage shows cars swerving out of the way of Mr Norton's Subaru before the collision Niall said: 'He attended all the rallies over the last few years and handed out leaflets. He wanted to highlight the less glamorous things about war, the PTSD that a lot of soldiers have to deal with. 'He never really spoke about his own experiences overseas. He just generally disagreed with the system and the way the military was run.' Do you know Mr Norton or Miss Howard? Please email: tips@dailymail.com Advertisement After leaving the Armed Forces, Mr Richards joined construction firm Persimmon Homes and then became a health and safety officer at developers Emerson Group. Mark Cook, regional managing director of Persimmon North West, said today: 'Stuart only worked with us at for a short time, but everyone in the team is shocked and saddened by this tragic news. Our thoughts are with his family.' Thames Valley Police said they have made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC), due to what they called 'previous police contact'. Witnesses told the Daily Express that the driver of the Subaru was beeping his horn and waving his hands before the crash. Describing the moments before the accident, witness Sonia Thomson, from Staffordshire, said she was driving in the outside lane of the motorway when the realised the Subaru 'was just heading towards me'. Ms Thomson, who works as cabin crew for British Airways, said the car was 'going so fast' and 'it was almost past me in the blink of an eye'. The crash happened shortly after her encounter with the car. 'Someone must have been looking after me because 10 to 20 seconds later and that could have been me,' she said. Ms Thomson added that the incident 'doesn't make sense' as she believed someone who accidentally drove in the wrong direction on a motorway 'would get yourself to the hard shoulder and call for help'. Others who saw the chaos took to Twitter to describe what happened. A number of drivers caught footage of the Subaru in the fast lane of the three-lane motorway Liz Hindmarsh posted: 'My husband had to swerve into the middle lane otherwise he'd have been hit.' Before news of the deaths was announced, Oliver Hayes wrote: 'We also had to swerve, seemed at least 70mph driving head on in our lane at junction 8... did not look accidental. 'Called the police who said they'd had multiple calls by that time. Scary stuff hope no fatalities but looked inevitable the way they were driving.' A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: 'Shortly before 4pm on Monday October 15, the force received reports that a Subaru Forester towing a caravan was travelling in the wrong direction on the northbound carriageway of the M40. 'A few minutes later, the vehicle was subsequently in collision with two other cars, a Ford Mondeo and a Ford Focus near junction 6. The driver and a passenger of the Subaru died,' said the spokesman. 'They have been formally identified as John Norton, aged 80 years, and Olive Howard, aged 87 years, both from Church Path, High Wycombe, Bucks.' * Do you know Mr Norton or Miss Howard? Please email: tips@dailymail.com * CIA Director Gina Haspel was traveling to Turkey on Monday as part of the investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. President Trump had previously told reporters 'we have top intelligence people in Turkey,' but had not specified Ms Haspel, who took the position in May. 'We're going to see what we have,' Mr. Trump said. 'I'll know a lot tomorrow, they'll be coming back tonight or tomorrow morning. But we have people in Saudi Arabia.' CIA Director Gina Haspel, who is travelling to Turkey to investigate Jamal Khashoggi's murder, addresses the audience as part of the McConnell Center Distinguished Speaker Series at the University of Louisville, Monday Turkish and American security agencies are investigating the case and trying to determine how or whether Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was involved. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave a statement today confirming that a 15-strong Saudi hit squad deliberately disabled the CCTV at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul before murdering Jamal Khashoggi. Erdogan called on Saudi Arabia to allow the perpetrators to be tried in Istanbul and to reveal the identity of a 'local coconspirator' who purportedly took the body. Khashoggi, who was based in Virginia and worked as a columnist for the Washington Post, disappeared on October 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to collect papers finalising his divorce so he could remarry. Turkish and US teams are trying to determine how or whether Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was involved in the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi (pictured) at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul His Turkish fiance Hatice Cengiz raised the alarm when he failed to emerge. Earlier on Monday, President Trump said he was 'not satisfied' with Saudi Arabia's explanation for the events inside the consulate. The Gulf kingdom has offered multiple and conflicting stories which have been condemned as implausible, and three weeks after Khashoggi disappeared, U.S. and European security agencies still have an incomplete picture of what happened. On Saturday Saudi Arabia announced that Khashoggi, 59, died after a brawl broke out in the consulate. A Saudi official later told Reuters that the 15 Saudi nationals sent to Turkey to confront Khashoggi had threatened him with being drugged and kidnapped and then killed him in a chokehold when he resisted. President Donald Trump told reporters he was 'not satisfied' with Saudi explanations for the death of Khashoggi before leaving the White House in Washington Trump has been careful not to lay the blame at the door of world's No.1 oil exporter. 'I don't want to lose a million jobs,' he said Monday. 'I don't want to lose $110 billion dollars in terms of investment' The Khashoggi case has ignited international outrage and frayed both political and business ties between Western powers and Saudi Arabia, a key US ally. Six U.S. and Western officials said on Monday they believed the crown prince, who is Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, was ultimately responsible for Khashoggi's disappearance. They believe that his centralised method of rule and position as head of the Saudi security services make it very unlikely that any plans to murder a prominent journalist would go ahead without being signed off by the crown prince. However Trump said last week the prince 'totally' denied any knowledge of Khashoggi's disappearance and the western powers admitted they do not yet have any hard evidence to support their suspicions. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan greets members of parliament from his ruling AK Party (AKP) during a meeting at the Turkish parliament in Ankara. He has confirmed that the murder was premeditated Erdogan gave a statement today calling on Saudi Arabia to allow the perpetrators to be tried in Istanbul and to reveal the identity of a 'local co-conspirator' who purportedly took the body Turkish officials suspect Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate on Oct. 2 by a team of Saudi agents and his body cut up. Despite extensive news leaks alleging that Turkey has audio recordings and video documenting Khashoggi's torture, murder and disemberment, neither U.S. nor allied government agencies had been granted access as of Monday to such evidence, despite mounting increasing pressure on Turkey to share the allegedly conclusive footage. As a result, Western officials say they do not know for sure how Khashoggi died or where his body was taken. Trump said on Monday: 'I spoke to the crown prince. We have people over in Saudi Arabia now. We have top intelligence people in Turkey. We're going to see what we have. I'll know a lot tomorrow.' Trump has been careful to temper his language around the Khashoggi murder, and openly reluctant to alienate the world's No.1 oil exporter. 'I don't want to lose a million jobs,' he said Monday. 'I don't want to lose $110 billion dollars in terms of investment.' Some 50,000 troops will kick off NATO's biggest military exercises since the Cold War on Thursday in Norway, a massive show of force that has already rankled neighbouring Russia. Trident Juncture 18, which runs until November 7, is aimed at training the Alliance to mobilise quickly to defend an ally under attack. The head of NATO's Allied Joint Force Command, US Navy Admiral James Foggo, said the exercise was intended to 'show NATO is capable to defend against any adversary. Not a particular country, anyone.' On our way: Dutch soldiers depart from Eindhoven Airport in The Netherlands last week, heading to Norway to participate in Trident Juncture, which starts on Thursday Russia, which carried out its biggest ever military exercises in September in the Far East, has not been officially identified as the intended adversary, but it is on everyone's minds after the 2014 Ukraine crisis. 'Russia doesn't represent a direct military threat to Norway,' Norwegian Defence Minister Frank Bakke-Jensen told AFP. 'But in a security situation as complicated as we have today... an incident elsewhere could very well heighten tensions in the North and we want to prepare the Alliance in order to avoid any unfortunate incidents,' he added. The exercises come after President Donald Trump has repeatedly complained that other NATO members do not contribute enough money to the 69-year-old alliance, although Defense Secretary Jim Mattis reassured allies of America's 'iron-clad' commitment earlier this month. Armoured personnel carriers from the German army bound for the Trident Juncture exercises are parked before being loaded onto ships in the port of of Emder in Emden, Germany While the exercises will take place at a respectful distance from Norway's 198-kilometre (123-mile) border with Russia in the Arctic, Moscow has expressed anger over the manoeuvres. Russia was already touchy over the fact that - independently of Trident Juncture 18 - the United States and Britain have been increasing their troop presence in the Scandinavian country to acclimatise them to combat in the chilly Arctic. And tensions between Moscow and Washington have flared in recent days after Trump announced he was abandoning a Cold War-era nuclear treaty, a move which Russia warned could cripple global security. When at full strength, 700 US Marines will be on rotation on Norwegian soil. 'The main NATO countries are increasing their military presence in the region, near Russia's borders,' Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, slamming 'the sabre-rattling'. 'Such irresponsible actions are bound to lead to a destabilisation of the political situation in the North, to heighten tensions,' she said, vowing Moscow would 'take the necessary retaliatory measures to ensure its security.' Royal Netherlands Navy vessel HNLMS Johan de Witt (L801) leaves the port of Den Helder in The Netherlands last week, bound for Norway and the NATO exercise Under President Vladimir Putin, the Russian army has already beefed up considerably in the Arctic. BIGGEST SINCE THE END OF COLD WAR Around 50,000 troops will take part in Trident Juncture 18, 10,000 more soldiers than in the Strong Resolve exercises in Poland in 2002, which brought together Alliance members and 11 partner states. No fewer than 10,000 vehicles will take part in the manoeuvres. Lined up end-to-end, the queue would measure 92 kilometres (57 miles), according to the Norwegian army. Some 250 aircraft and 60 ships will also be involved, including the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. More than 20,000 land forces will take part, as well as 24,000 navy personnel including US Marines, 3,500 air force personnel, around 1,000 logistics specialists and 1,300 personnel from a range of NATO Commands. The top five contributing nations are the United States, Germany, Norway, Britain and Sweden, in that order. Housing, feeding and supporting so many troops requires considerable logistics. The Norwegian army has installed 35,000 extra beds. Some 1.8 million meals and 4.6 million bottles of water will be handed out, and almost 676 tonnes of dirty laundry will have to be washed. Proving that it's not always easy to be fully prepared, the Dutch army forgot to buy warm clothing for its 1,000 soldiers taking part in the exercises, Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported. When it suddenly remembered that Norway could get nippy in late October, it was too late to issue a tender offer for the necessary items. Instead, it has given each soldier a little sum to buy their own. Advertisement Military air bases have been built or refurbished, and new radar and anti-aircraft missile systems have been installed. In addition, the backbone of the Russian navy, the Northern Fleet, is due to receive five new warships, five support vessels, and 15 aircraft by the end of the year, according to Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. 'Russia's military strength has pretty much returned to what it was during the Cold War,' Francois Heibsbourg of France's Foundation for Strategic Research (FRS) told AFP. 'In a way, NATO is also in the process of returning to what it was.' 'It's a pretty mechanical engagement,' a 'return to a kind of choreography', he said. But Trident Juncture 18 is 'in no way destabilising,' he added. The exercises, involving NATO's 29 members plus Sweden and Finland, are nonetheless imposing, with substantial means deployed. The 50,000 troops will be backed by 10,000 vehicles, 250 aircraft and 60 ships, including a US aircraft carrier. 'The core exercise area is 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) from the Russian border, and air operations could take place up to 500 kilometres away from the border,' Norwegian Lieutenant General Rune Jakobsen said. 'There should not be any reason for the Russians to get scared or see this as anything other than a defensive exercise.' Two Russian and two Belarus military observers have been invited to watch the manoeuvres. The British contingent hit the road for five days to travel to the exercises. 'It demonstrates ... to our NATO allies that we're prepared to move across Europe when needed and to show that we have the capability to do so,' Major Stuart Lavery told AFPTV. Former defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon has taken a 75,000 a year job advising a major investor in Saudi Arabia, it emerged today. Sir Michael is earning a staggering 788 an hour working eight hours a month for Investcorp's advisory board. The company describes itself as 'one of the largest managers of private equity investments in Saudi Arabia'. Sir Michael Fallon (file image) is earning a staggering 788 an hour working eight hours a month for Investcorp's advisory board The details of Sir Michael's lucrative new job were published on Sir Michael's House of Commons register of interests The job, which started on September 24, will raise further questions about the closeness of British politicians to Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey. The details were revealed today by BuzzFeed News after they were published on Sir Michael's House of Commons register of interests. Investcorp is based in Bahrain and Sir Michael will bring it 'new perspectives' the firm said. Mohammed Alardhi, Executive Chairman of Investcorp, said: 'Our International Advisory Board consists of some of the best minds around the world providing us with guidance on emerging business and policy issues globally. 'We are delighted to add Sir Michael to our International Advisory Board. His business expertise and experience in both the private and public sector will be invaluable to continuing our growth trajectory.' Sir Michael, said: 'I am pleased to be joining the International Advisory Board at Investcorp. 'Investcorp has established itself as a leader in the global alternative investment sector, and I believe that its commitment to expanding its global footprint and broadening its product offering will catalyze future growth. 'I look forward to contributing to the business as it continues to evolve into a bigger, more diversified alternative investment firm.' The job, which started on September 24, will raise further questions about the closeness of British politicians to Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi (pictured) in Turkey earlier this month Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine told BuzzFeed News, which uncovered Sir Michael's job, that the former minister should consider his position. She said: 'Following the murky nature of the Khashoggi murder, Michael Fallon should question his deeply uncomfortable connection to Saudi Arabia. 'Saudi Arabia's appalling disregard for human rights must be called out. 'As a former defence secretary, Mr Fallon must be aware of how important it is that we now unite as a country and make it clear to the Saudi regime that its murderous actions will not be tolerated.' Khashoggi timeline: the diplomatic fallout Advertisement This 1930s photo captures the incredible moment two elephants from the circus enjoy a cool dip by the British seaside. The hilarious picture which was taken in the late 1930s when a circus was touring the UK is now on show at Perranzabuloe Museum in Cornwall. The recently unearthed photo has brought back fond memories for one Cornwall man who recalls the circus touring his hometown in the summer of 1939. This incredible 1930s photo, recently unearthed by Perranzabuloe Museum, captures the moment two elephants (pictured) from the circus enjoy a cool dip by the British seaside Harold Philp, 84, from Perranporth in Cornwall said he even rode one of the two elephants in the photo to school when he was five-years-old. Mr Philp said had been walking to school one day and was shocked to see horses pulling cages of circus lions and tigers just beside him. The Cornwall grandfather, who was aged five at the time, said two elephants right at the back of the pack caught his eye. The hilarious picture which was taken in the late 1930s when a circus was touring the UK is now on show at Perranzabuloe Museum (pictured) in Cornwall Mr Philp said: 'There were two elephants. It was quite a sight. 'The man walking with the elephants asked if I wanted a lift. One of the elephants bent its knee and I climbed on to it. It lifted me up and I climbed on to its neck and held on.' He said it was 'amazing' riding to school on an elephant and he thinks his classmates were also very jealous of his commute. 'When I got to school all the children were looking. Everyone was very jealous I think. We used to have to walk three miles to get to school in those days,' he said. Advertisement Animal handlers at a zoo in Indonesia have been caught abusing elephants and stabbing them with sharp objects to get them to perform for tourists, a wildlife charity claims. Photographs show elephants having their tails pulled, and handlers punching them in the trunk while allegedly concealing sharp tools in their fists, at the Taman Safari zoo in Bogor on West Java, Indonesia. While the shocking abuse takes place on the ground, an excited crowd of tourists are seen cheering on the elephant show from a balcony above, it is claimed. Abuse: A handler is seen pulling the tail of one of the elephants at Taman Safari zoo in Indonesia during a performance Punch: According to the photographer, the handler seen punching an elephant in the trunk is also concealing a sharp object in his hand which he is using to stab the animal The alleged abuse has been documented by wildlife charity Born Free, and photojournalist Aaron Gekoski, who claims the injuries to the elephants' trunks seen in his images were caused by handlers stabbing them to control them. The alleged abuse appears to be taking place despite the zoo being a member of the World Associations of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), which requires its members to treat all animals in their captivity with the utmost care. Mr Gekoski said: 'Every day the elephants perform in shows which involve elaborate reconstructions of human and elephant conflict caused by the palm oil industry. 'After a show when we were there, the elephants became boisterous. A handler was seen to punch one on its trunks and pull its tail in order to control it. 'On closer inspection, it appeared the handler was concealing a sharp object in his hand, which caused multiple puncture wounds on the elephant's trunk. An excited crowd of tourists are seen cheering on the elephant show from a balcony above at the Indonesian animal park Injuries: These bleeding wounds seen on the elephant's trunk was allegedly caused by a handler Wounds: A still bleeding injury is seen left, while a wound on the right has healed Easy to miss: Other photographs from the elephant show see young tourists feeding and petting the animals The shocking abuse was claimed to have happened at the Taman Safari in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia - despite the zoo being a member of the World Associations of Zoos and Aquariums), which claims to require its members to treat all animals with the utmost care 'After checking out the other elephants, they also had similar wounds. Security saw us documenting what was happening and asked us to put our cameras away. 'Elephants are much loved, intelligent and sentient beings that should not be ridden, touched or used in shows, and they most definitely should not be controlled using such violent means. On the Taman Safari Indonesia (TSI) website, the zoo claims to be a 'pioneer leader in conservation and recreational parks'. Doug Cress, chief executive officer at WAZA, said: 'The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums believes that the welfare of the animals in our care is of great importance, and we hold our member zoos and aquariums to the highest standards in this regard. 'The WAZA Code of Ethics expressly prohibits activities that cause animals pain or compel them to act in an unnatural manner, and WAZA does not support shows that demean any animal. 'WAZA takes matters of animal welfare seriously and will investigate this situation fully.' Dr Chris Draper, Head of Animal Welfare and Captivity at Born Free, said the charity had been concerned about the activities at Taman Safari for some time. Dr Draper said they had received numerous complaints from tourists and members of the public visiting the zoo. 'The direct abuse of elephants reported is completely unacceptable and must be investigated by the relevant authorities. 'It is shocking that this zoo is listed as a member of WAZA, which claims to represent 'leading', 'high standard' zoos across the world, and apparently requires its members to 'ensure that they 'ensure that all animals in their care are treated with the utmost care and their welfare should be paramount all times'. 'These assurances begin to sound meaningless in light of the reported abuse and exploitation of elephants in shows and rides at one of their members zoo.' The allegedly savage handling of the elephants is now being exposed as part of Born Free's work to encourage people to report any captive animal abuse or suffering they witness locally or while travelling abroad Taking visitors for a ride: Taman Safari Indonesia claims to be a 'pioneer leader in conservation and recreational parks' Taman Safari Indonesia said in a response to MailOnline that the 'allegations that keepers abuse the elephants and stab them with sharp objects to get them to perform for tourists is baseless and false. Taman Safari Indonesia does not condone practices that harm or hurt animals as part of our presentations and interactions. 'The elephants at TSI have the opportunity to interact and socialise with one another and when this happens there will be times when there are disagreements or rough interactions between individual elephants. This sometimes results in superficial wounds that are cleaned and treated by our team of dedicated keepers and vets. The elephants can also move around their area to explore, investigate, scratch themselves and interact with their keepers. 'The photos of the keeper interacting with the elephant are such an example. You can clearly see that the keeper is rubbing the elephants trunk and he then leans forward against the elephant, as the keepers sometimes do, to guide the elephant to another position. Because the elephants are managed free contact, the keepers use either verbal cues or direct handling to guide or position them.' 'The allegation that there are cuts or wounds on the elephants trunks inflicted by keepers is baseless, and this would instead create veterinary or behavioural problems that are counter to what we hope to achieve in managing the animals in our parks.' Advertisement A second migrant caravan is heading for the American border having formed in the wake of an initial group, which has already crossed Guatemala and entered Mexico. The second caravan is made up of 1,000 people and crossed the border from Honduras into Guatemala on Sunday, before arriving in the town of Chiquimula on Monday night. They are following in the path of a much-larger group, believed to number around 7,000, which was sheltering in the town of Huixtla, in southern Mexcio, overnight on Monday. It is not clear exactly when or where the second group started their march, though it is believed to be somewhere near San Pedro Sula, where the first started. A second migrant caravan numbering around 1,000 people (pictured) has arrived in Guatemala from Honduras, following in the footsteps of another group which has already reached Mexico The majority of the migrants come from Honduras and say they are traveling to the US in search of a better life, away from poverty and rampant crime in their home country The second group (pictured) is thought to have originated around San Pedro Sula, Honduras, where the first one began before crossing into Guatemala near Copan Ruinas on Sunday On Monday night the second group arrived in the town of Chiquimula, Guatemala, where they were greeted by police officers Guatemalan police in the town of Chiquimula speak with migrants arriving from Honduras as part of a second caravan trying to make its way to the US The second caravan is around 200 miles behind the first, and around 1,300 miles from the nearest US border crossing, located in McAllen, Texas Some of those traveling with the second caravan appeared to be young families, walking with children in tow Donald Trump has blamed the Democrats and weak immigration laws, which he accuses them of failing to reform, for drawing migrants to the US border Trump has declared the migrant caravan a 'national emergency', while threatening to use the Army to stop the migrants A young man carries a child into the town of Chiquimula, in Guatemala, as part of a new migrant caravan on Monday night Honduran migrants raise their fists in the air and cheer as they arrive in Chiquimula, on their way to the US-Mexico border President Trump has threatened to use the Army in order to turn away migrants arriving at America's southern border, but his tough rhetoric appears to have done little to deter those leaving their homes in Honduras The majority of the first caravan has now made its way out of Guatemala and is working its way north through Mexico, while the second entered Guatemala on Sunday night. Both are heading north, with the aim of reaching the US Pictures from the second group show mostly young men being confronted by police as they walked into Chiquimula on Monday night. The group, some of whom were accompanied by young children, waved Honduran flags as they marched. Guatemalan armed forces also arrived to keep an eye on the migrants as they passed through on their way to America. They are around 200 miles behind the first group, with at least 1,300 miles between them and the nearest US border crossing in McAllen, Texas. President Trump has vowed to turn away the 'onslaught of illegal aliens' before they reach the US, and has even floated the idea of using the Army to do so. However, his hardline rhetoric does not appear to have deterred marchers from joining the caravans - claiming there is no life for them in Honduras because of a lack of jobs and soaring crime rates. Trump has also threatened to cut aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador for allowing migrants to pass through. The migrants say a lack of jobs and spiraling crime rates in Honduras has persuaded them to leave and seek a better life Guatemalan soldiers and police officers watch as a trail of around 1,000 largely Honduran migrants makes its way through the town of Chiquimula on Sunday night Guatemalan police block roads being used by the migrant caravan as they attempt to reach the Mexican border Thousands of desperate people, fleeing poverty and crime in Honduras, are now making their way towards America Young men smile and wave at the camera as they take part in a march from Honduras to Mexico, and then on to the US Lines of Guatemalan police confront hundreds of migrants in the town of Chiquimula on Monday night While migration from Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua to the US is common, the caravans are unique for their scale and started because people feared traveling alone Police officers link arms as they try to stop a new caravan of migrants from Honduras from crossing their country Honduran migrants taking part in a new caravan heading to the US, arrive to Chiquimula, Guatemala Police officers attempt to direct migrants arriving in Chiquimula on Monday night away from the town He was initially complimentary of Mexico's efforts to stop the migrants crossing a bridge from Guatemala into the southern state of Chiapas, though the first caravan eventually found its way around the blockade. The President has also accused Middle Easterners of traveling with the caravans, though reporters at the scene said they had not seen evidence of this. Associated Press reported that the caravans were largely made up of Hondurans, Guatemalans and Salvadorans. Fox News reported that several people traveling in the caravan had already been deported from the US, but were heading back to try and get into the country again. The president also returned to his political messaging just 15 days before the midterm congressional election, saying voters who fear the impact of a mass influx of illegal immigrants should elect more Republicans. 'Every time you see a Caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, into our Country illegally, think of and blame the Democrats for not giving us the votes to change our pathetic Immigration Laws! Remember the Midterms! So unfair to those who come in legally,' he said. The first caravan is thought to have started with a group of 200 migrants traveling together for safety who set out from San Pedro Sula around October 13. The first migrant caravan (pictured) is traveling through Mexico, having reached the town of Huixtla overnight on Monday The United Nations estimates there are now around 7,200 people in the first caravan, with numbers increasing day by day The main town square in Huixtla was turned into a makeshift camp for the migrants as they passed through Donald Trump has vowed to use the Army to turn away illegal migrants who turn up at the US border, but that has not deterred people from joining the caravans Not everyone has pushed into Mexico, however - here, a group of several hundred migrants from the first caravan waits at the Mexican border to apply for a visa Men sleep on railway tracks near the town of Ciudad Tecun Uman while they wait to be granted a legal visa However, it has now swelled to around 7,000 people during the course of the march, which has already taken them almost 300 miles from Honduras to the town of Huixtla, Mexico, where they were camped on Monday night. The first group met little resistance as it marched across Guatemala, but was initially turned back by police armed with riot shields and tear gas when it reached Mexico. Thousands crowded on to a narrow bridge running between the two countries on Friday as they were told they would need to apply for visas before entering the country. While several hundred heeded the call, and many are still camped out awaiting processing, thousands more found ways across the river - including sailing on makeshift rafts and being taken across in the cars of native Mexicans. They now face a slog of at least 1,000 miles across Mexico before reaching the closest crossing point into the US. Many migrants traveling in another caravan, which set out earlier this year, dropped out during this phase. It appears the migrants are walking around 20 miles per day. At that rate, they should arrive at the US southern border some time around the New Year. However, there are fears that Mexican cartels, which control much of the illegal migration through the country, will try to help them across - for exorbitant fees. DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen warned that criminals and people smugglers will be hunted down and 'prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.' Speaking on Sunday about the group who had crossed into Mexico, Nielsen said: 'While we closely monitor the caravan crisis, we must remain mindful of the transnational criminal organizations and other criminals that prey on the vulnerabilities of those undertaking the irregular migration journey. 'We shall work with our partners in the region to investigate and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law all who seek to encourage and profit from irregular migration. 'We fully support the efforts of Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, as they seek to address this critical situation and ensure a safer and more secure region.' Advertisement Heart-wrenching letters sent to the grieving parents of three brothers killed in the First World War have sold at auction. Major John Cawley was the first of the Cawley siblings to fall in the conflict when he was shot during the retreat from Mons in September 1914. A year later middle brother Captain Harold Cawley, a Liberal Party politician, lost his life during the disastrous Gallipolli campaign. Major John Cawley was the first of the Cawley siblings to fall in the conflict when he was shot during the retreat from Mons in September 1914. A year later middle brother Captain Harold Cawley (right), a Liberal Party politician, lost his life during the disastrous Gallipolli campaign Then the youngest sibling, Capt Oswald Cawley, was killed in action at Merville on August 22, 1918, just months before the conflict ended. Their grief-stricken parents, Lord Frederick Cawley and his wife Elizabeth, were sent dozens of letters of condolence, including one from Prime Minister Herbert Asquith (right) Then the youngest sibling, Capt Oswald Cawley, was killed in action at Merville on August 22, 1918, just months before the conflict ended. Their grief-stricken parents, Lord Frederick Cawley and his wife Elizabeth, were sent dozens of letters of condolence, including one from Prime Minister Herbert Asquith. The incredibly poignant collection of letters sold for 1,200 to the National Trust who will display them at Berrington Hall, once home to the Cawley family. Lord Cawley bought the country house in Leominster, Herefordshire, in 1901 and his family lived there for several generations. The incredibly poignant collection of letters sold for 1,200 to the National Trust who will display them at Berrington Hall, once home to the Cawley family Lord Cawley bought the country house in Leominster, Herefordshire, in 1901 and his family lived there for several generations. Derw Thomas, house and collections manager at Berrington Hall, said: 'We were terribly excited when we found out these letters were coming up for auction. 'We recently put together a small exhibition 'The Cawley Boys * We Will Remember Them' which coincided with the centenary of Harold's death. 'Now that we've acquired the letters it is our intention that they will go on display. 'The story of the Cawley brothers is such a moving one, it never fails to strike a chord with visitors to Berrington Hall. 'It's not unusual to see some people moved to tears by what they read in contemporary accounts from the time. 'These newly acquired letters will now help us to tell this story in a deeper and more meaningful way.' Many of the 45 letters relate to Harold, who was one of 22 sitting MPs killed during the war. He was shot in the head during a duel with Turkish fighters at the edge of a crater at Gallipolli. One letter was written by a crest-fallen aristocratic army officer, who described his resignation at the prospect of his men facing 'extinction' at Gallipolli. Brigadier General George Kemp, 1st Baron Rochdale, of the 42nd East Lancashire Division, painted a harrowing picture of the campaign. Lord Cawley, who had another son and a daughter, served as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster from 1916 to 1918. In memory of his three dead sons, he endowed a ward at Ancoats Hospital in Manchester in 1919 at a cost of 10,000 - 290,000 in today's money He wrote: 'I was talking to your son in almost the place a few hours before his death as we, my battalion, have taken over that part of the line. 'It is a great loss to the whole division. He was liked by all I ever met. It becomes here a daily sadder lot. I have lost all my old friends in my battalion. 'It is sad work this wearing down to the final extinction of us all - out of 1,250 men I have 344 left today. 'The winter I think may accelerate the extinction, as there is not the faintest preparation for any winter shelter for the men such as they have in France - no overhead shelters - no corrugated iron or timber - and when the rain comes the trenches will just melt away.' Another moving letter was sent by comrade, J.A Farley, who described witnessing Harold's death. Farley described him as a 'fearless Englishman' who perished with a 'smile on his face'. He wrote: 'I have no need to say he met his death bravely, as he was in a very dangerous position, and no one but a fearless Englishman would have faced it. Brigadier General George Kemp, 1st Baron Rochdale, of the 42nd East Lancashire Division, painted a harrowing picture of the campaign. He wrote: 'It is a great loss to the whole division. He was liked by all I ever met. It becomes here a daily sadder lot. I have lost all my old friends in my battalion' 'As I write this my blood seems to rush through me, to know how bravely Captain Harold died. 'I know you can never forget the loss of your two noble and brave sons, but you may find a little comfort to know they died a noble death, and as for Captain Harold, he suffered no prolonging pain, he died in a few seconds with a smile on his face. 'The bullet went through the left corner of his mouth and I think went straight through his head.' Harold's death filtered back to Prime Minister Asquith who also penned a heartfelt letter of condolence to the family, acknowledging the enormous sacrifice they had made for their nation. He wrote: 'Permit me to send you one line of the most heart-felt sympathy. You have been sorely stricken in your country's cause, but you have glorious and consoling memories.' Asquith was to experience great personal loss himself as his oldest son, Raymond, was killed in action the following year. Lord Cawley, who had another son and a daughter, served as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster from 1916 to 1918. In memory of his three dead sons, he endowed a ward at Ancoats Hospital in Manchester in 1919 at a cost of 10,000 - 290,000 in today's money. The letters were sold by Nottingham-based International Autograph Auctions. Auctioneer Richard Davie said: 'Reading the letters brings home the tragedy of the First World War and the immense sacrifice of this family and countless others who lost multiple offspring. 'Their son Howard was clearly a very brave man and seen as a bright prospect in political circles too and his death affected a lot of people, including the Prime Minister. 'What comes across is the immense bravery of all the young men involved in the fighting and also their patriotism. 'I am pleased that the Cawley letters were purchased by the National Trust and am delighted that they will be preserved within their archives.' A vile paedophile who raped his Thai girlfriend's two-year-old daughter dozens of times should have his sentence reduced because he suffered 'torture' the last time he was in prison, his lawyers argue. Sentencing for the Queensland child rapist Jason Daron Mizner has been delayed because the judge was so shaken by video of the assaults she needed a break to ensure a fair sentence. Mizner has already pleaded guilty to more than 60 child sex offences relating to a two-year-old girl, from the early 2000s, including more than 30 counts of rape and videotaping the assaults. Vile paedophile Jason Daron Mizner (pictured),who raped his Thai girlfriend's two-year-old daughter should have his sentence reduced because he suffered 'torture' the last time he was in prison, his lawyers argue In the Brisbane District Court on Tuesday, Justice Leanne Clare said she had viewed a portion of one of the tapes and found it 'very confronting'. 'I think it would be best to put some distance between the viewing of that tape and the delivery of the judgment so that it does not overwhelm the sentence,' Justice Clare said, adjourning proceedings until Friday. The prosecution wants the 44-year-old jailed for life. Sentencing for the Queensland child rapist has been delayed because the judge was so shaken by video of the assaults she needed a break to ensure a fair sentence But Mizner's lawyers argued his years in prison in Thailand for a separate sexual assault of another young child there should be taken into account, because of the abuse he suffered at the hands of other inmates while incarcerated. 'He received beatings and other torture, partly in relation to (the Australian) offending,' Mizner's lawyer said. 'The Australian Federal Police gave evidence at the (Thai) hearing about the Australian offending, so it's not much of a stretch that inmates in Thailand would have known.' Justice Clare disputed that just because Mizner had a difficult time in a Thai jail that he should have his potential sentence reduced. 'The report outlines deprivations and abuses that your client has described, but to say he's been tortured for 11 years is an overstatement of the material, frankly,' Justice Clare said. The court was told Mizner, who was 31 at the time of the assaults, formed a relationship with the Australian girl's mother, before committing the offences over a number of months. Mizner (pictured) allegedly committed the offences on a three-year-old in the Gold Coast between 2003 and 2005 While he was on a holiday in Thailand, the girl's mother found videos he had made and a range of other unrelated child exploitation material. Mizner stayed in Thailand, where he formed a relationship with a local woman before assaulting her young daughter and being arrested by Thai authorities. He served 11 years of a 35-year sentence and was deported when released on bail last year, with Australian authorities arresting him when he returned to Brisbane. It's the second time sentencing has been delayed, after a delay in September, when a doctor preparing a psychological report for the court suffered a heart attack. That report, the defence argued, showed that a motorcycle accident when Mizner was 21 left him with a brain injury, which 'uninhibited' him. Justice Clare said it also showed he had a 'predilection for babies' and had a medium-to-high chance of re-offending if not incarcerated. 'Even a low risk of re-offending when it comes to raping babies is a substantial risk to deal with. When it's a medium-to-high risk... it's alarming,' she said. University students have been forced to apologise for mocking homeless people by holding a 'tramps night out'. Students covered their faces in fake dirt and cut up cheap clothes to dress as rough sleepers before downing alcohol at nightclubs. The Students' Union at Liverpool John Moores University [LJMU] says it has now launched a 'full investigation' after the Trampolining Society's event. The society encouraged members to 'dress as trampy as you can' and suggested they buy shirts from Primark because they're 'cheap'. Students at Liverpool John Moores University's trampoline society caused outrage with their 'tramps night out' costumes Members of the society were encouraged to 'dress as trampy as they can' by cutting up clothes and wearing fake dirt It has also emerged the 'tramps night out' is an annual event which dates back a number of years. Posting on social media last week, the society told members the details of the night out. The post read: 'This Wednesday after training is tramps night! 'We will be in revs for 10 then move on to level! Be sure to dress as trampy as you can, primark do cheap shirts if you need to get them!! 'Can't wait to see you all there!!!' Photos of the large group in their outfits were posted on social media but have since been removed. Members also mocked homeless people by hanging cardboard signs around their necks asking for money, with one reading '50p for a bounce on my bed'. Signs worn on previous years showed similar messages, with one reading 'give me your change and I'll change your night'. The LJMU Trampoline Society has now scrapped the 'inappropriate' theme from future nights out and apologised. The club said: 'We realise now, that our annual choice of costume could cause offence and are sorry for any upset this may have caused, it was never our intention. Others wore signs making referencing to begging. The society has since apologised and confirmed it will not use the theme again 'We will of course be changing our annual fancy dress theme and once again apologise to anyone who may have found this inappropriate.' A spokeswoman for the Students' Union said: 'We have recently been made aware of the annual tramps night out fancy dress social held by our Trampolining Society. 'As a Students' Union we do not endorse fancy dress that could be deemed as offensive or discriminatory and have reached out directly to the society involved who realise that an error in judgement has been made with this choice of costume. 'They apologise for any offence caused, and will be changing their annual social theme with immediate effect. 'JMSU believes that all events and socials held by its students should be welcoming and inclusive. 'As such, going forwards we'll be working closely with all our clubs and societies to make sure incidents like this do not happen again and will be making sure clear guidelines are in place for our students with regards to fancy dress.' The Students' Union added it has launched a 'full investigation' but refused to confirm whether it knew about the event previously. Thousands of people have been evacuated and buildings boarded up in Mexico as 'extremely dangerous' Hurricane Willa roared over an offshore penal colony and closed in on the Pacific coast with 120mph winds. Forecast to be one of the most powerful hurricanes to enter Mexico from the Pacific in recent years, Willa is expected to strike just a few miles south of Mazatlan on Tuesday afternoon. Emergency officials said they evacuated more than 4,250 people in coastal towns and set up 58 shelters ahead of the dangerous Category 3 storm. The stretch of coast in the hurricane's path is dotted with high-rise resorts, surfing beaches and fishing villages. Forecasters said it could bring life-threatening storm surge and torrential rain. Forecast to be one of the most powerful hurricanes to enter Mexico from the Pacific in years, Willa is expected to strike with 120 mph winds just a few miles south of Mazatlan on Tuesday A Kansas City Southern train derailed following heavy rains and storms that hit Mexico as Hurricane Willa tears towards the country Members of the Mexican Army evacuate inhabitants of Puerto Vallarta due to the proximity of Hurricane Willa The storm battered the Islas Marias, a group of Mexican islands about 60 miles off the mainland that include a nature preserve and a federal prison. Federal authorities gave no immediate details on any damage to the prison or what steps were taken to protect the inmates. As Willa closed in, the beach in Mazatlan almost disappeared, with waves slamming against the coastal boulevard, black clouds looming overhead. Willa briefly reached Category 5 strength before weakening a bit to Category 4. Workers taped up windows in hotels on Monday night and officials ordered schools closed in a low-lying region where towns sit amid farmland tucked between the sea and lagoons. A decree of 'extraordinary emergency' was issued for 19 municipalities in Nayarit and Sinaloa states, the federal Interior Department announced. Officials said 7,000 to 8,000 people were being evacuated from low-lying areas, mostly in Sinaloa state. The hurricane was nearing the Islas Marias, a group of islands about 60 miles offshore that include a nature preserve and a federal prison. Forecasters said Willa would then blow ashore in late afternoon somewhere along a 140-mile stretch from the resort city of Mazatlan to San Blas. Residents cover windows with wood panels on Monday night ahead of Hurricane Willa making landfall in Mazatlan, Mexico with 120 mph winds A man leaves a hotel with taped-up window panels to protect against the expected severe winds of Hurricane Willa as it approaches the Pacific beach resort of Mazatlan Residents buy drinking water on Monday night ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Willa in Mazatlan While was likely to weaken somewhat, forecasters said it still was expected to be a powerful Category 3 storm when it hits land. Enrique Moreno, mayor of Escuinapa, a municipality of about 60,000 people lying on Willa's potential track, said officials were trying to evacuate everybody in the seaside village of Teacapan. He estimated 3,000 were affected but he expected some would try to stay. 'The people don't want to evacuate, but it's for their security,' he said. About 60 miles up the coast in Mazatlan, with a metropolitan-area population of about 500,000, Mayor Jose Joel Boucieguez said officials prepared shelters and were closely monitoring low-lying areas. Mazatlan is a popular vacation spot and home to a large number of American and Canadian expatriates. Early Tuesday, Willa was centered about 75 miles southwest of the Islas Marias and 175 miles south-southwest of Mazatlan. It was moving north at 5 mph, but was forecast to make a turn to the northeast. Hurricane-force winds extended 35 miles from the storm's core, and tropical storm-force winds were up to 125 miles out. The hurricane center warned that Willa could bring 6 to 12 inches of rain - with up to 18 inches in some places - to parts of Jalisco, Nayarit and Sinaloa states, with flash flooding and landslides possible in mountainous areas. Farther south, meanwhile, Mexican officials reported late Monday that there had been 12 deaths related to heavy rains from Tropical Storm Vicente. Tropical Storm Vicente had weakened to a tropical depression early Tuesday, but it was still bringing heavy rainfall that caused dangerous flooding in southern and southwestern Mexico. Officials in Oaxaca state said seven adults and five children had lost their lives in drownings or mudslides. The hurricane is not expected to impact the current migrant caravan making its way to the U.S. border. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker is proposing legislation to provide nest egg payments to low-income children as a way to break 'generational' poverty. Booker, a presidential candidate, revealed the idea in an interview, as he considers a run for president. 'It would be a dramatic change in our country to have low-income people break out of generational poverty,' Booker told Vox. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker is unveiling a program to give low-income children $1,000 payments at birth. They could qualify for up to $2,000 per year until they reach 18 The idea behind what he terms 'opportunity accounts' would be to even the playing field, amid research showing wealth, health, and educational benefits that accrue to wealthier Americans. The issue gives booker a talking point as he seeks a lane among other potential 2020 Democratic contenders. Fellow Judiciary Committee member Sen. Kamala Harris is behind a plan to provide monthly cash payments to low-income people something Harris proposed as a response to the Trump tax cuts, which skewed toward the wealthy. The 'nest egg' Booker is proposing could be used for home purchase or college costs Students would be able to access the funds at age 18 'That money should have gone to American taxpayers who need it instead of handing it over to corporations and the top 1 percent,' Harris said. Booker's plan follows decades of governmental efforts to try to outlaw discrimination in housing, lending, and other areas that many researchers believe have contributed to wealth gaps. Under the plan, low-income children would each get a $1,000 grant when they are born. Money could grow in government-managed accounts, with annual deposits of up to $2,000, on an income-based sliding scale. The funds couldn't be withdrawn until age 18. They could only be spent on 'asset-building' purchases like a home or school costs. In that sense, the funds could replicate advantages some wealthier children have, such as being able to rely on parents for help with a down-payment or tuition. Recent studies have revealed how the wealthy better rode out the financial crisis, since they are more likely to own stocks. According to the Harvard Business Review, the top 10 per cent saw their wealth double since 1971, whereas the middle class saw gains of 40 per cent and incomes for the bottom 50 per cent stagnated. Programs to give away tax dollars through direct transfers, as opposed to complex tax deductions, could carry some political risk in a general election. President Trump has taken to calling Democrats an 'angry mob' and 'radical socialists.' A quiet neighbourhood has been rocked after a man was found dead and a teenager unconscious inside a home. Emergency services were called to a house at Collins Place in Engadine, a suburb in southern Sydney at around 3.45pm on Tuesday. Police found a 21-year-old man dead and a 17-year-old boy unconscious on arrival. Emergency services were called to a house at Collins Place in Engadine, a suburb in southern Sydney at around 3.45pm Police found a 21-year-old man dead and a 17-year-old boy unconscious on arrival, the investigation is ongoing NSW Ambulance paramedics treated both men at the scene, before the teenager was taken to St George Hospital in a serious but stable condition. Forensic officers seized a number of items from the house for forensic analysis. They are currently investigating whether the man died from a suspected drug overdose. A resident living on the street told The Daily Telegraph the family involved had two sons living at the property, a third brother has left home. 'This is such a good neighbourhood and a nice family,' she said. 'Nothing like this ever happens here.' Police were told the pair were involved in a crash earlier that day, when a VW Amarok utility crashed into the fence of a house at Kingswood Road at 2.30am. Sutherland Shire Police Area Command officers are continuing inquiries into the events surrounding the incident. A report will be prepared for the Coroner. More to come. Sutherland Shire Police Area Command officers are continuing inquiries into the events surrounding the incident Police were told the pair were involved in a crash earlier that day, when a VW Amarok utility crashed into the fence of a house at Kingswood Road at 2.30am A former aide to President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the mile-long caravan of Central American migrants headed toward the United States is a political gift to Republicans just two weeks before the midterm elections. 'Its manna from heaven,' Sam Nunberg told the Washington Examiner. 'Donald Trump equals American patriotism and strength, strong military, strong borders, and law and order. This caravan reinforces this.' Nunberg is a onetime Trump confidant whose fortunes waned during the 2016 election season. He famously gave a series of alcohol-laced television interviews in March as he prepared to respond to a subpoena from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team. But his views on the caravan are in step with Trump's and those of other Republicans who are hoping Democrats' vaunted blue wave turns into a puddle on Nov. 6. Former Trump aide Sam Nunberg says the migrant caravan making its way to America is political 'manna from heaven' President Donald Trump believes news of the 7,000-strong caravan could be politically helpful if voters come to blame Democrats for the state of America's immigration laws Honduran migrants are pictured taking part in the latest caravan heading to the U.S., a second one that formed in the past 48 hours, as it arrived in Chiquimula, Guatemala 'Yes, it's good for us,' a Republican strategist said Tuesday. 'How good? No one knows. But if R[epublican] turnout blows everyone away, this will be why.' The president himself suggested Monday on his way to Houston that facing down an estimated 7,000 people as they tromp through Mexico might be a net positive for him. 'I think this could be a blessing in disguise because it shows how bad our laws are,' he told USA Today aboard Air Force One. 'The Democrats are responsible for that.' Trump has promised to send military resources to the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent a flood of illegal immigration when the largely Honduran sea of humanity reaches Texas. How many troops? 'As many as necessary,' he replied. Trump and a small group of conservative members of Congress have suggested that Democrats and deep-pocketed liberals created the migrant caravan as a pre-election stunt to mobilize Democrats. There is no evidence of that. And the impact could be the exact opposite. The president is expected to give at least eight more rally speeches before Election Day. Each one is an opportunity to treat the caravan as political tinder. He's already turned conventional wisdom on its head following the bitterly partisan Senate war over Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh's nomination. It has been Republicans, not Democrats, who seem to have reaped a political reward for pitting a sex-assault accuser against a legal scholar. Every time Trump frames the Kavanaugh fight as a dirty-tricks campaign to derail a good man, his crowds erupt in appreciation. The migrant caravan, too, generates outrage from Trump fans who appreciate his message about criminal threats it may hold. Trump has said the national security threat from the Central American caravan constitutes a national emergency, and pledged to sent military units to shore up the border The president said Monday night in Houston that the midterm election is about 'Kavanaugh, the caravan, law and order, and common sense,' picking up where his recent tweets have left off. 'Every time you see a Caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, into our Country illegally, think of and blame the Democrats for not giving us the votes to change our pathetic Immigration Laws! Remember the Midterms!' the president tweeted Monday. Days earlier he told a Montana crowd that Democrats support the migrants largely because they 'figure everybody coming in is going to vote Democrat.' Nunberg said Tuesday that drawing a red circle around illegal immigration issues related to the caravan is a politically smart play. 'President Trump is 100 percent right. We have to mobilize our base,' he said. Forty years have passed since Juanita Broaddrick claims she was raped by former president William Jefferson Clinton, an allegation she went public with 20 years ago in an interview with NBC. It has only been one year though since many people began to see her allegations as possible proof of an actual assault rather than a politically motivated measure meant to destroy the president. That is thanks in large part to the #MeToo movement, which is the reason why Broaddrick is opening up again and sharing her story. It is a story that was seen as a legitimate threat to the White House and Clinton, especially when she agreed to tape an episode of Dateline with the networks senior investigative correspondent Lisa Myers after decades of silence. In an interview with Leon Neyfakh for the Slate podcast Slow Burn, Broaddrick recounted what happened on the day of her alleged assault and those tense few weeks she spent waiting for Dateline to run her story while her accused rapist faced articles of impeachment. Ill never forget, one day when Lisa Myers called me before the 29th [of January, 1999] and she said, Were still investigating. Were still investigating, explained Broaddrick. And she said, I have good news and bad news, and I said OK. And she said, The good news is youre credible. The bad news is youre very credible. Clinton has always deferred questions about Broaddricks claims to his lawyer David Kendall, who called the allegation absolutely false in 1999 and in 2017 pointed out that 'she three times denied under oath that the president had assaulted her.' Scroll down for video Her story: Juanita Broaddrick (above with Bill Clinton at the nursing home she worked at in 1978). She spoke with Leon Neyfakh for the Slate podcast Slow Burn about the day in 1978 that she was allegedly raped by Bill Clinton Emotional: After two decades of silence she was finally forced to speak about the matter when she received a subpoena from Paula Jones' lawyers (Broaddrick above on Dateline) Broaddrick claims that in 1978 she was attending a nursing home conference in Little Rock, Arkansas when Clinton came to her hotel room, briefly chatted with her and then forced himself on her - twice. The two had meet three weeks prior according to Broaddrick, who was working at a nursing home and volunteering for the campaign. I would leave my nursing home after my office hours and I would pick up my son and we would go aroundhe was 8 years old at the timeand we would go around and put up yard signs, she stated on the podcast. About three weeks after I began to volunteer, the state office called and asked if Bill Clinton could come by my nursing home, meet the residents, meet the families on a campaign tour and we were so excited. She continued: I mean, Id seen these commercials on TV. I thought he was absolutely going to be the best thing in the world for Arkansas. Clinton, then 31, spent time speaking with Broaddrick during the visit she claimed, and at the end encouraged her to get in touch with ideas about improving care and funding to facilities like the one she was working at in Van Buren. We were struggling in 1978. I mean, we were struggling tremendously. So I started to go into this, and he sort of stopped me and he said, Are you ever in Little Rock? I said, Yes, Ill be there in three weeks, recounted Broaddrick. And he said, Well, call my campaign office when you get there and well sit down and talk about this. And I was so excited. I worked for probably two or three days on graphs and information, gathering what all was needed, what it cost me to care for one patient versus what the state reimbursement was on Medicaid.' On April 24, 1978, Broaddrick was in the city for a work conference and staying at the Camelot Hotel. She and Clinton had been planning to meet around lunch time at the campaign headquarters when Broaddrick claims she got a call early that morning. He said, Why dont I just come to your hotel now? This is about 8 or 8:30 in the morning, and I said, Oh that will be great, recalled Broaddrick. He said, Good, Ill meet you down in the Camelot coffee shop and Ill call you when I get there. Her co-worker Norma Rogers would later confirm this story to NBC, saying she went to the seminar while Broaddrick waited for Clintons call. Finally the phone rings and its him. And he said, You know, its so crowded down here and theres also some reporters. He said, Could we just talk about this in your room? said Broaddrick. Well I immediately said yesI mean I wasnt frightened. Id never been alone in a hotel room with any man that I didnt know before, but I mean, youre talking about the attorney general of the state of Arkansas. There was little time between the knock on the door minutes later and the alleged assault according to Broaddrick. I opened the door and there stands Bill Clinton with these dark sunglasses on. And I can remember back thinking, my God, whats he doing standing in the hallway with sunglasses on?, Broaddrick said of her first few moments alone with Clinton. And he just comes right in and walks over to the table where the coffee was and takes off his suit coat and lays it over the chair. Keeping quiet: Broaddrick then lied in a sworn statement she says, claiming that there was no truth to rumors she had been sexually assaulted (Bill and Hillary Clinton in 1978) Silenced: Broaddrick said she was also concerned about public perception at the time since she was having an affair with her now-husband David (pair above in 1992) Broaddick claims he then directed her over to a window while pointing out a prison he planned to renovate while putting his arm around her shoulder. And I think, OK thats interesting. And I start to go back around to the other side, of course removed his arm from my shoulder, recalled Broaddrick. And thats when he grabs me and thats when things turned really bad. Broaddrick described the alleged assault in her 1999 interview with Myers on Dateline. I first pushed him away and just told him No, please dont do that, and I forget, its been 21 years, Lisa, and I forget exactly what he was saying, Broaddrick said at that time. It seems like he was making statements that would relate to Did you not know why I was coming up here? and I told him at the time, I said, Im married, and I have other things going on in my life, and this is something that Im not interested in. That did not deter Clinton claimed Broaddrick, who also recounted the alleged assault in her 2016 memoir. Then he tries to kiss me again. And the second time he tries to kiss me he starts biting my lip, said Broaddrick, crying at this point. He starts to, um, bite on my top lip and I tried to pull away from him. And then he forces me down on the bed. And I just was very frightened, and I tried to get away from him and I told him "No," that I didnt want this to happen (crying) but he wouldnt listen to me. By that point in the interview, Broaddrick was overcome with tears and emotion. She said that the alleged assault lasted a few minutes and that after Clinton was done he waited about 10 seconds before declaring: 'I'm going to do it again.' When that was over, she claims that Clinton made his exit as though nothing had happened between the two. 'When everything was over with, he got up and straightened himself, and I was crying at the moment and he walks to the door, and calmly puts on his sunglasses,' she said on Dateline. 'And before he goes out the door he says "You better get some ice on that". And he turned and went out the door.' Her friend Norma Rogers returned shortly after, and has stated in the past that her friend appeared to have been assaulted judging by her torn clothing and swollen lip. 'When Norma came back to the room and found me within 45 minutes after the rape and after he had left the room, you know, I told her all about this,' said Broaddrick. 'And we both agreed at the time, I did not want to share it.' She also explained the reason for her silence, which is the same reason so many others have kept quiet over the years. 'I was ashamed. I was ashamed, and at the time I thought it was my fault,' explained Broaddrick. 'I accepted that blame that I was stupid. I just didntI was embarrassed. I didnt want anyone to know.' At the time she was also having an affair with her now husband, who was also one of the people she told about the alleged assault. The dates of her hotel stay and her descriptions of the hotel and its surroundings all check out, with the nursing home conference and Clinton's campaign schedule putting the two in the same area on the day of the alleged assault. 'I did not continue to volunteer/work for the Clinton campaign following being attacked and raped by Mr. Clinton,' said Broaddrick. 'Following my rape, I actually burned most of the campaign material such as t-shirts and buttons. 'The incident in which Ms. Rodham (now Mrs. Rodham Clinton) threatened me occurred when I stopped by a planned fundraiser before the event so I could return campaign donation money and other donation documents (for obvious legal reasons) to the appropriate representative.' Broaddrick then returned to her private life as best she could, and refused to come forward with the allegations when asked just before the presidential race in 1992 by an anti-Clinton operative. She then found herself being called in for the Paula Jones lawsuit, though she viewed what that young woman had suffered as nothing compared to her ordeal. 'When I heard about it, I thought thats a lucky girl,' said Broaddrick. 'You know, shes a lucky woman that something worse didnt happen to her.' The team put together to assist Jones in her legal action eventually located her and pressured her to testify despite her desire to not relive the allegations. 'I said, Im not coming forward. Ive been quiet for this length of time, and theres no way youre going to get me to come forward at all,' recalled Broaddrick. And when subopenaed by Jones' team she simple submitted a sworn statement denying their belief that she had been raped by the president. Trumper: Starr made her allegations a footnote in his infamous report because she had never been paid off by the Clintons and did not fit his narrative, said Broaddrick (Broaddrick above with President Trump in 2016) Clinton's accusers: Broaddrick was invited to one of the debates between Hillary Clinton and Trump alongside Paula Jones and Kathleen Willey (above) Lawyers for Jones elected to disregard this and instead sent an anonymous letter to Kenneth Starr stating Broaddrick had been raped by Clinton and paid off - an allegation she has never once claimed in her life. With two conflicting stories emerging at the time, Washington Post reporter Peter Baker decided to track down her friend Rogers and see what she had to say about the incident. 'I tracked this woman down in Oklahoma where she was living, and she seemed surprised when I told her that Juanita Broaddrick had denied it in the affidavit. She said that basically she felt now she had been put in the middle and she didnt want to be forced testify,' explained Baker. 'She didnt want to conflict with Juanita. But what she had recalled was obviously different than this affidavit. And her conversation to me made very clear that she was an after-the-fact witness to this event, that she had been told by Juanita Broaddrick 20 years earlier.' He continued: 'And in my journal that night, I wrote the words My God. Exclamation point. I mean it was just, how do you look at the person whos your president of the United States and think that hes capable of something like that?' Broaddrick did not cooperate with stories and tried to retreat back into her private life when Starr contacted her to testify in his investigation. 'My son said, Mom, youre going to have to tell them the truth,' said Broaddrick. 'I had told my son about it when he was about 19 and he knew everything. And he said, Mom. He said, The Paula Jones lawsuit was a civil lawsuit. He said, This is so much more serious. And he said, Youve got to go tell the truth.' Broaddrick claims that is exactly what she did, first to Starr and then to Myers on NBC. Her story did not fit the narrative, or charges, that Starr was focusing on. 'And what they were wanting from me was to find if there was if I had been bought off by the Clinton people. Had I received any money and had I received any threats from the Clintons?', explained Broaddrick. 'And there was nothing, you know. There was no obstruction of justice. I had stayed quiet because thats what I wanted to do.' After that she decided to speak to Myers after the NBC correspondent repeatedly reached out and begged her to share her story. But that soon turned to disappointment when she found out NBC was not airing the interview, and watched it get pushed back week after week. And so she spoke to other outlets while NBC sat on their once-exclusive interview, including the Post, New York Times and Fox News. 'I tested her story every way I could, again and again and again. And no detail ever changedit never got better, it never got worse. It was always the same,' explained Myers. 'But understand, there were some at NBC headquarters in New York who wanted to just kill the interview without ever looking at the tape.' And there was no secret about the reason for the delay. 'Theres no doubt that NBC News was concerned about throwing this interview out in the middle of impeachment proceedings and, as a result, having an impact on the outcome,' noted Myers. She said she worried at times it might not make it to air, as did current head of the Senate Judiciary Committee Chuck Grassley, who wore a 'Free Lisa' pin around DC. The interview did finally air, but was soon eclipsed by Lewinsky's first sit-down and the news of Jones $850,000 settlement. Broaddrick, who was making the most damning claim against the president, was somehow pushed to the side. CNN went so far as to poll people about her rape claims, and reported that 66 percent of people did not wish to hear about her story any more and wished the media would just move on. Broaddrick is sometimes painted as an anti-Clinton operative by Democrats, an allegation that seems near impossible to support given the timeline of events. She chose not to embellish her story, refused to come forward for years and lied in order to avoid the scrutiny that befell her when she finally open up to Starr. Once she started talking however she has not stopped even though her pro-Trump politics may be at odds with the more prominent voices of the #MeToo and Time's Up movements. Broaddrick said in a 2016 interview with Candice Jackson that she still suffers because of the alleged assault. 'If I'm riding in a car with friends, I can't sit in the back seat unless it's a four-door car. I guess I just can't handle feeling trapped, like I can't escape. I can't sit in the back of a car or plane unless I'm right by the door. 'It brings back the fear of being held down, like in that hotel room. 'There are so many ways that evil man has affected my life,' Broaddrick, who is now retired after a lifetime running a nursing home, added. 'I try not to think about it too much. 'You don't realize all the ways something like this changes you, the way you do things, your habits and routines, and you don't realize it's because of what he did unless you sit back and think about it.' She said she even changed the church services she went to so she wouldn't have to listen to the Episcopal 'Prayer for the President'. She did get some solace, however, when President Trump defeated Hillary in 2016, who she believes enabled her husband's alleged trysts with other women. Her story is also still back up by people like Rogers, despite the two women losing touch over the years. Rogers spoke to Aaron Klein Investigative Radio, saying the married Broaddrick was weeping and disheveled and immediately told her the then-attorney general of Arkansas had forced himself on her just minutes earlier. 'She was crying,' recalled Rogers. 'And the thing I think I remember most is that her mouth was all swollen up. It was cut. ... Her pantyhose were all ripped.' She also said that 40 years later it is still hard to comprehend what happened on that day. 'I think we stopped at least twice to get ice. I would go up and get fresh ice and put it on her mouth because she was trying to keep her face from bruising and looking like something bad had happened to her,' said Rogers. 'It was just crazy. The whole situation was just crazy.' And as Hillary Clinton herself has said: 'Every survivor of sexual assault deserves to be heard, believed, and supported.' As for the person who delayed the story, multiple NBC employees have said that it was the president of NBC News at the time, Andy Lack. He found himself caught up in allegations he did the same thing to Ronan Farrow with his expose on Harvey Weinstein. Sajid Javid's eldest brother took a chef's knife and bottle of whisky to a five star country house hotel before killing himself in the shower, an inquest heard. Tariq Javid also wrote two suicide letters to his partner telling her to 'carry on and enjoy life' before travelling to the South Lodge Hotel in Horsham, West Sussex. He was more than five times over the drink drive limit, and had also cut himself in the neck and had high levels of codeine and paracetemol in his system. West Sussex coroner Penelope Schofield recorded a verdict of suicide at the inquest today, where no members of his family were present. Tariq Javid (pictured left) took a chef's knife and bottle of whisky to a five star country house hotel before killing himself in the shower, an inquest heard. His brother Sajid is pictured right Crawley Coroner's Court heard supermarket chain boss Tariq, 51, left his home in Horsham while his partner of 15 years Sylvia was out shopping on July 29 this year. He left two identical letters that said he would 'not last long' due to stomach problems. Tariq booked himself into the luxury South Lodge Hotel and binged on whisky and wine in his room and at the hotel bar. When his wife returned home and found the notes, she tried to call the hotel room. When there was no response she attended the country house and was assisted by a hotel manager who used a master key to let themselves in. The coroner heard Tariq was found face down covering the drain of the shower. A kitchen knife was also found in the shower and Tariq had several injuries to his neck. Tariq booked himself into the luxury South Lodge Hotel and binged on whisky and wine in his room and at the hotel bar It was said Tariq had significant levels of codeine in his system and suffered from serious heart disease. He had previously suffered from back and leg pain, which he took codeine for. But the inquest heard he had been 'relatively pain free' over the last year. In June, the month prior to Tariq's death, the inquest heard he had been signed off from work due to stress and anxiety. He was also suffering from stomach problems that were said to be 'under investigation' by hospital doctors. Coroner's officer John Halloran said: 'On July 29 he told Sylvia to go shopping. She left around 11.20am and caught the train to Crawley. Tariq Javid's drowned body was found in a room (similar to the one pictured) at the South Lodge Hotel in Lower Beeding and was identified by his brother Basit 'He said he was going to go to the cinema or the gym. 'Sylvia arrived back at home at 3.45pm and found Mr Javid was not at home but his car was at home. 'She found two identical letters which gave her cause for concern. They appeared to show he was planning to take his own life. 'It said 'carry on and enjoy life'. It said that with the stomach pain he was suffering from he would not last much longer. 'It gave instructions and said he could be found at the South Lodge Hotel.' Tariq Javid's body was found in bathroom at the South Lodge Hotel Mr Halloran added: 'He is thought to have consumed one cider, one small glass of wine and four straight whiskies. 'A 70cl bottle of whisky was found in the room.' A toxicology report found that Mr Javid had 419mg of ethanol per 100ml of blood, and 0.54mg of codeine in the blood, which exceeded the 'therapeutic range' and was consistent with moderate toxicity. In addition, 35mg of paracetamol was found in the blood which also exceeds the amount found when the painkiller is used therapeutically. A post-mortem examination gave Tariq's cause of death as drowning, ethanol toxicity, heart disease and codeine toxicity. It was said that Tariq would have become incapacitated in the shower and this is what would have led him to collapse and drown, as his mouth and nose were face-down in the water. Ms Schofield said: 'The knife that he had taken to the hotel was also in the shower and Mr Javid had clear cuts to his neck. 'They were not themselves deep enough to have caused his death, it is likely together with large amounts of alcohol consumed incapacitated him which resulted in him becoming face down in the shower. 'As a result of that incapacitation he then drowned. 'Drowning may not have been the method he was proposing for his death but I'm satisfied his action of taking a knife into the shower and cutting his neck in this way, having drunk considerable amounts of alcohol in a very short space of time clearly shows to me in entering the shower Tariq intended to end his own life. This is supported by the fact there were notes left indicating a suicidal ideation.' This is the extraordinary footage of a car hitting a street lamp at speed after the driver loses concentration. The lamp is jettisoned into the air and narrowly misses the driver behind, whose dash cam captures the drama as it unfolds. Matthew Tusar, from Adelaide, said he was lucky to be alive after the incident on the Southern Expressway, in Adelaide, on Sunday. Extraordinary dash cam footage has captured the moment a four wheel drive smashed into a light post at high speed, sending it into oncoming traffic 'Luckily I was leaving my gap, otherwise that pole could have come through the front of my windscreen or anything,' he told Yahoo 7. In Mr Tusar's video the driver can be seen drifting before hitting the lamp. The motorists takes a while to stop but eventually pulls over a little way down the road. 'They looked a little bit dazed, the bull bar was pushed right back into the radiator, but surprisingly, not much damage for a collision like that,' Mr Tusar said. The 63-year-old male driver, from Marion, south of Adelaide, was fined for inattention and driving without due care however police will now investigate further after the footage was brought to light. So far in 2018 there have been 57 fatalities on South Australian roads, according to figures released by South Australia Police. The four wheel drive begin to veer left before straightening up and smashing into the lamp lost head on A young woman who was found dead on a secluded beach frequented by 'oddbods' and homeless people had 'visible and violent' injuries to her body, police say. Toyah Cordingley, 24, was walking her dog along Wangetti Beach north of Cairns in Far North Queensland on Sunday when investigators believe she was murdered. The pharmacy worker's body was discovered between the foreshore and bushland on Monday morning. Residents said the sand dunes of the quiet beach were often the scene of 'sexually deviant' behaviour by 'odd bods', The Courier Mail reported. Scroll down for video Toyah Cordingley (pictured) was walking her dog on a quiet beach north of Cairns on Sunday when she was murdered. Her body was found with visible and violent injuries Police renewed their public appeal for information regarding the death of Toyah Cordingley Police said on Monday they believed she was killed in a sexually motivated attack, according to 9 News, but refused to elaborate on their comments on Tuesday when they renewed their public appeal for information. However, their appeal has led to a number of calls to Crime Stopppers. 'All lines of inquiry will be followed, and all relevant examinations will be conducted,' Detective Inspector Sonia Smith said on Tuesday. 'We've ruled nothing in, and nothing out. We have a very open mind with this investigation.' Ms Cordingley's 'larger than average' dog, Indie, was found before she was, unharmed and tied to a tree nearby. Experts have identified the brown dog as a German Shepherd and mastiff cross. Toyah Cordingley walked her dog along the beach before she was murdered. Her dog was found unharmed and tied to a tree nearby Both German shepherd and mastiff breeds have been known to be aggressive towards strangers, with German shepherds particularly known for 'resource guarding', meaning they can become aggressive when someone touches their food or their owner. Police are now expected to examine the dog, believed to be called Indie, in an attempt to find her killer. Considering the size of the dog and the traumatic end its owner met, it is possible the animal did not see a threat, or was tied up before a threat was presented. Cordingley was with her 'larger than average dog' (believed to be pictured) when she was killed. The dog was found tied up nearby and unharmed, suggesting the animal had not perceived a threat. The animal is expected to be examined as part of a forensic investigation Ms Cordingley was reported missing on Sunday night after driving from her home in Woree to walk her dog, on the beach about 2pm that day. One witness told The Courier Mail he and a group of 15 friends were at the northern end of the beach with other families that afternoon. They were driving back to Cairns near the southern car park when they were waved down by two scruffily dressed men 'in a highly agitated state' on the side of the highway in a white 4WD ute with a flat tyre. The witness has given a statement to police. 'We stopped to help, and they were in a really stressed state,' he told the publication. 'It might be nothing, but they were really strange, and in a real panic to get out of there.' Police have been unable to confirm they have a suspect or any persons of interest. Detective Inspector Sonia Smith said 'everybody should have a safety plan' With Ms Cordingley's killer on the loose, and no publicised leads as to who is responsible for the death, Det Insp Smith said people should take precautions. 'Everybody should be aware of their surroundings, and have a safety plan wherever they are,' she said. Ms Cordingley was an animal lover, who was remembered for her kind nature and deep compassion for all creatures great and small. Paws and Claws Refuge and Boarding Centre in Port Douglas, where she once worked, said in a statement the woman's 'heart was pure and innocent, and her dedication and love for animals was unmatched'. She was found at the beach on Monday morning between the foreshore and the start of bushland, and police are still hunting her killer 'She could calm the most distressed dog with grace and handle the large and boisterous ones with ease. Her calmness and special ways were inspiring,' the statement read. Grieving friends turned to social media to share the devastating news of her death and pay tribute to the 'amazing' woman. Ms Cordingley's best friend, Megan Amour, broke her silence on Tuesday with a devastating open letter about her broken heart. Shared under a five minute video of pictures of the pair together, Ms Amour said she was still not able to believe what had happened, and kept catching herself imagining a better outcome. Ms Cordingley's best friend, Megan Amour, shared a heartbreaking letter about how she was grieving and could not believe the 24-year-old was gone 'I can't believe this, I refuse to believe this,' she wrote. 'I drove to find you, I thought we were going to find you being the environment lover you are, I was so sure of it. 'I'm so angry, I'm so frustrated and I've been walking around the house grieving and then thinking: 'It's not real, it's not my Toyah, it's someone else'. 'I'm not familiar with this process, I've never in my life have lost anyone as close as you are to me and this is the worst time I've ever encounter.' Experts identified her dog as a German shepherd cross, great dane, mastiff - a dog that could have aggressive tendencies, especially when its owner comes to harm She told followers Ms Cordingley was a 'gypsy soul' who lived her life to the fullest and was beloved wherever she went. 'I wanted to be like you, I wanted to be the gypsy soul you were,' she wrote. 'I wanted to be flawless and not just the beauty you had on the outside but the beauty you had on the inside. 'You were different to everyone, you followed what you believed in, you had nobody hating you, you lived life to the fullest and you respected everyone else's decisions. You had such a big heart and a beautiful loving family you adored.' Earlier this month, Ms Amour said she'd asked Ms Cordingley to stand behind her as she married the man of her dreams. 'It took you less than a minute to start planning everything with me,' she recalled. Friends remembered the 'amazing' young woman for her kind nature and friendly dog (pictured: Ms Cordingley after she accepted Ms Amour's invitation to be a bridesmaid 'I started to feel like I can't get married anymore, because you wont be there, you won't be there standing with me and witnessing this milestone of my life,' she said. 'You will be there somehow, I will make sure of it, your memory will be shared every day for as long as I live. 'I will be sharing the funny, loving, crazy memories about 'Aunty ToyToy' to [my daughter] Rose when she's older and tell her that she would have loved you the way I did. 'I'm betting you're going to be the prettiest angel up there with the prettiest wings, and over a thousand of puppy angels surrounding you. 'Look over us, and shine bright my honey, there will not be a day where I don't think of you because believe me every single day is going to hurt. I love you.' In a separate Facebook post, friend Hayden Chalkin wrote: 'No words could describe how amazing of a person you were.' 'I can't believe you're gone. I can't believe I'm never going to see your smile again. I can't believe I'm never going to hear your voice again. I can't believe I'm writing this post. 'I don't know what to think, I don't know what to say. I'm going to miss you so much. 'You didn't deserve this and you will never be forgotten.' Wangetti Beach (pictured) is north of Cairns. Ms Cordingley was found about 800m from the southern entrance, in an area that is not highly frequented The area Ms Cordingley was found in, about 800m from the southern entrance of the beach, remains a crime scene, and forensic investigators are combing through it for evidence. Police want to speak with anyone who visited the beach on Sunday and anyone with dashcam or other footage of either entrance from that day. Police are also looking for anyone who spoke with Ms Cordingley at Rusty's Markets in Cairns, where officers believe she was from 12pm to 1pm. Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000. The Liberals are expected to lose their majority in a crushing by-election defeat He said the ex-PM's refusal to help in Wentworth was reason not to send him Barnaby Joyce has hit out at the government's decision to send former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull on a taxpayer-funded trip to Bali to represent Australia. Prime minister Scott Morrison was unable to attend the Our Ocean Our Legacy conference in Bali and instead asked Mr Turnbull to go instead for the event on October 29-30. The former deputy prime minister said the move was 'pretty wild', especially given Mr Turnbull refused to campaign for Liberal candidate Dave Sharma in the Wentworth by-election. Barnaby Joyce (pictured) has hit out at the government's decision to send former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull on a taxpayer-funded trip to Bali to represent Australia after he refused to campaign for the Liberals ahead of the Wentworth by-election Mr Joyce told 2GB radio he believed the prime minister was unjustly 'rewarding' Mr Turnbull. He said: 'It doesn't stack up for me. If I was in the cabinet, I'd be scratching my head desperately. 'It makes no sense to me. 'I am very disappointed Malcolm didn't help out (in Wentworth). That probably gives us a very good reason not to send him to Bali.' Mr Turnbull didn't actively campaign in the by-election but tweeted his support to Liberal candidate Dave Sharma and also sent him private messages. Mr Joyce said he thought Mr Turnbull was probably angry about losing his job and his decision not to campaign in the election was a form of sulking. The prime minister said Indonesia's President Widodo appreciated Mr Turnbull's decision to step-in for the conference - and said sending the former prime minister was a signal of how seriously Australia is taking the conference. Mr Joyce told 2GB radio he believed the prime minister was unjustly 'rewarding' Mr Turnbull (pictured) Independent Kerryn Phelps is ahead in the Wentworth count, but the final result has yet to be declared. A loss for the Liberals in the by-election would mean they lose their majority in Canberra. The party has started negotiations with independent crossbenchers and are expected to survive - although the imminent defeat in the blue-ribbon seat has raised fears of a wipeout at next year's federal election. A second South Carolina police officer has died from injuries suffered in an ambush attack this month that left five others wounded. Florence County Sheriff Kenney Boone said Deputy Farrah B. Turner died Monday. She had been hospitalized since Frederick Hopkins opened fire on Turner and six other officers during the October 3 attack. Boone said in a statement that Turner 'was the ultimate professional, excelling at everything she did'. 'She dedicated her life to serving the victims of the worst crimes imaginable,' Boone said. Scroll down for video Deputy Farrah B. Turner (pictured), of South Carolina, died Monday after she and several other officers were ambushed by Frederick Hopkins, 74, on October 3. She had been hospitalized since the attack Officials paid tribute to the fallen officer on social media Monday night. 'Farrah was the ultimate professional, excelling at everything she did,' Florence County Sheriff Kenney Boone stated Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted about the 'heartbreaking news' 'Please pray for Farrah's family, our FCSO family and for our community as we mourn her loss,' Boone added. Officials paid tribute to the fallen officer on social media Monday night. Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted about the 'heartbreaking news'. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Turner's family, friends, and the Florence County Sheriffs Office,' he wrote. Governor Henry McMaster said flags will be flown at half-staff in Turner's honor beginning at dawn on Tuesday Governor Henry McMaster said flags will be flown at half-staff in Turner's honor beginning at dawn on Tuesday. 'Please join me and Peggy in praying for her family and loved ones through this difficult hour,' McMaster tweeted. The Summerville Police Department also shared their condolences. Authorities said Hopkins (pictured) opened fire when officers arrived at his home to speak with his son about child sex assault 'Tonight our hearts of heavy at the Summerville Police Department as we mourn the loss of Florence County Sheriff's Deputy Farrah Turner. Please keep her family and the members of the @FlorenceSheriff in your thoughts and prayers. Funeral arrangements for Turner will be announced at a later date. Authorities said Hopkins, 74, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, opened fire without warning when officers arrived at his home to speak with his son about a sex assault investigation. During the horrific shooting, Florence Police Sergeant Terrence Carraway was also killed. Police found nearly 130 guns in Hopkins' home. Authorities said he set up his upscale house to ambush police officers coming to question his son about a possible child sex assault. Hopkins only fired three of the guns on October 3 - a pistol and two military assault rifles, according to Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, who said there were about 129 guns in the home. Carraway, a 30-year veteran of the department, was killed and six more were wounded. Police say that Hopkins fired from a second story perch in this home at the end of a cul-de-sac. He had guns stowed throughout the home and seemed ready for an ambush, police say Florence Police Sergeant Terrence Carraway, 52, was also killed in the 'ambush' of gunfire Three Florence police officers were among the injured (left to right): Corporal Brian Hart, Lieutenant Corporal Travis Scott and Sergeant Scott Williamson, who is still in hospital Two other Florence officers were wounded but released from the hospital a short time later. The fourth is still recovering at a rehabilitation center in Georgia, authorities said. 'It's chilling to see how this house was set up,' Lott said last week. 'The officers had no chance whatsoever.' Police were at the home to interview Seth Hopkins (above) about suspected abuse Lott said it was fortunate more officers weren't killed or wounded, but did not go into specifics about what Hopkins allegedly did to rig the house for the ambush prior to the arrival of three female deputies from the Florence County Sheriff's Office at his home. The deputies were there to serve a search warrant and have a prearranged interview with his 28-year-old son, Seth Hopkins, about suspected child sex abuse. All three deputies were shot as they got out of their vehicle. Frederick Hopkins fired 39 shots total, Lott said, citing a 13-day search of a six-block crime scene around Hopkins' 6,500-square-foot home. The search was helped by a special FBI team that also collected evidence in the fatal shootings of five police officers in Dallas in 2016 and deaths of 59 people and wounding of hundreds more at an outdoor concert in Las Vegas last year. Four police officers from the city of Florence were wounded as they tried to save the deputies. Rescuers had to use a military-style armored vehicle to take the officers away and it took up to 30 minutes to get in position as Hopkins kept firing from his second-story perch at the end of a cul-de-sac, which allowed him a clear view for several hundred yards down the road of his subdivision, authorities said. Deputies are seen on the scene of the shooting on October 3. Investigators say the shooting was an 'ambush' as deputies arrived for a scheduled interview with Seth Hopkins Frederick Hopkins (above) was injured during the arrest but police would not say how he was injured or how he was captured after the nearly two-hour standoff 'They were ambushed', Lott said at a previous press conference. 'As soon as they got there the ambush was in place.' Thirteen officers fired nearly 400 rounds back at Hopkins, the sheriff said. He was hurt, but authorities haven't said how he was injured or how he was captured after the nearly two-hour standoff. Hopkins, his son and an adult who was not identified were in the home during the standoff, along with two children, Lott said last week during a news conference. No one else in the home was hurt, and investigators are still trying to determine exactly what went on while Hopkins was shooting at the officers, the sheriff said. Hopkins is charged with murder and six counts of attempted murder. Solicitor Ed Clements said he wants to wait to see the results of the investigation before deciding whether to seek the death penalty. Hopkins was a Vietnam veteran who was awarded a marksman badge with pistol bar and a sharpshooter with rifle bar decorations during 11 years of service in the US Army. Records show he was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroism defending a firebase under attack by North Vietnamese forces on May 6, 1970. Seth Hopkins (left) and his adoptive father Frederick Hopkins (right) both appeared in court in Florence, South Carolina for bond hearings earlier this month Seth Hopkins, charged with sexual contact with a minor, said little to the judge except to acknowledge that he understood his rights and the charges against him Frederick Hopkins, charged with murder and six counts of attempted murder, had to be helped into the courtroom from a wheelchair, appearing dazed He is also a disbarred lawyer and had claimed on Facebook to have suffered the effects of Agent Orange. His adopted son Seth has been charged with criminal sexual conduct with a minor against two different girls. An arrest warrant said one of the girls was younger than 11 when the abuse happened nearly 10 years ago. The other girl, who was between 11 and 14, was abused in the past year, a warrant said. Seth works at the divorce law firm of his mother, Cheryl Turner Hopkins, according to his Facebook page. The page shows that his interests include anime, martial arts, video games and cars. Seth Hopkins (left) and Frederick Hopkins (right) were both denied bail earlier this month At a hearing last Tuesday, Frederick Hopkins was denied a public defender after he told the judge he has no money and he wanted to protect his wife's income, WPDE-TV reported. He said that he suffers from post traumatic stress syndrome or PTSD. He also said the day officers came to his home, he was under stress and trying to defend his family against overwhelming forces. Seth has said he will seek a private attorney, but no lawyer is listed in court records as yet. The father and son were both denied bond. They are being held in custody at the Florence County Detention center. An anti-fascist protester who was filmed harassing a woman claiming to be the widow of an NYPD cop killed in 9/11 earlier this month has been identified by the charity he worked for in a scathing statement announcing his firing. Steve Wilson was caught on camera cursing at the woman and telling her that her husband deserved to 'rot in the grave' at the Patriot Prayer protest in Portland, Oregon, on October 13. He started by calling her a 'f****** snarky little idiot' because she was standing in front of him and he thought she was blocking him from walking across the street. When the woman told him her husband died in 9/11, he said: 'Good for him.' He carried on his tirade afterwards, labeling all NYPD cops 'sodomizing f****** immigrants' and saying: 'Your f****** husband should probably should f***** rot in the grave'. Steve Wilson is the antifascist protester who was filmed harassing a woman claiming to be an 9/11 widow at a Portland protest earlier this month The woman has not been publicly named. Oregon Live reports that she may not be an NYPD widow and that there is no proof she was ever married to anyone who died in 9/11. The newspaper did not name her but said they found no record of her ever living on the East Coast much less being married to anyone who died in 9/11. As the video spread online last week, Wilson's identity remained a mystery. A professional skateboarder who bears a striking resemblance to him was wrongly named as the person in the video and he had to fight to clear his name. On Tuesday, Self Enhancement Inc, a non-profit organization supporting African-American youths, confirmed it was Wilson by announcing he had been fired over it. 'Steve Wilson is no longer an employee of SEI. His behavior does not represent the values of our organization or the high expectations we have for our employees,' the company said in a Twitter statement. Wilson was filmed cursing at an unidentified woman who called herself the widow of a cop who died in 9/11 at the Patriot Prayer protest in Portland, Oregon, on October 13 The woman was standing in front of Wilson when he stared cursing at her, saying: 'Now you're going to block me? You f****** snarky little idiot?' When the woman turned around and pointed to her hat, saying, 'my husband died in 9/11', Wilson shot back: 'Good. Good for him.' The video shows Wilson curse at the woman as she stood in front of him at a traffic crossing. 'You're going to block me now? You're a f****** snarky little idiot shut the f*** up,' he said. She said she was merely obeying 'traffic signals' and goaded him: 'Try something, b****' when he started to curse at her. He shot back: 'I'm not. I'm not going to punch you. I'm not like your husband, I'm not going to hit you.' She replied: 'I'm not married'. Wilson was identified by the non-profit he worked for after being fired on Twitter this week Wilson, pictured with his beloved dogs and wearing a gas mask, was among a group of counter protesters Wilson posted in the past about his hatred of the police. He has said nothing publicly since the video emerged Without missing a beat, he carried on: 'I'm not like your f**** cop boyfriend who's going to knock you out.' The woman then turned around, pointed to her NYPD hat and said: 'My husband died in 9/11.' Oregon Live reported that the woman, who they did not name, has no history of ever living in New York or being married to anyone who died in 9/11 Wilson, completely unperturbed by her remark, carried on: 'Good for him. Good.' As they crossed the street, his abuse continued. 'NYPD are a bunch of f***** sodomized... f****** sodomizing immigrants with their bully sticks. So yeah, your f****** husband should probably should f***** rot in the grave,' he said. The footage spread like wildfire online. At first, professional skateboarder Charlie Wilkins, who bears a striking resemblance to Wilson was publicly mistaken for him. He spoke out to insist it was not him in the video and that he was appalled by it. Wilson did not respond to DailyMail.com's inquiries on Tuesday morning. The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to impose a nationwide ban on sale of firecrackers in its verdict. The apex court said that only "low-polluting" 'green firecrackers' that are within the permitted decibel limits and emission norms will be allowed to be sold. The court, additionally, banned the online sale of firecrackers and banned e-commerce sites from selling them. Not only that, the Supreme Court also imposed timing restrictions on burning crackers during celebrations. For Diwali, people will be allowed to burn crackers between 8pm and 10pm. However, on New Year and Christmas, the period has been further narrowed down to from 11:45pm to 12:15pm. All the states have also been asked by the court to explore feasibility of community cracker bursting during festivals. The Supreme Court's verdict was pronounced by a bench comprising Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan. The mandate comes as a response to a plea that sought a ban on manufacturing and sale of firecrackers to curb air pollution. Although what are 'green crackers' is a bit contentious. While it is "less-polluting" is well understood, what goes into making a green crackers isn't. Accoring to reports, last year scientists were asked to develop zero-pollution firecrackers. Additionally, Sri Kaliswari Fireworks Private Limited in Sivakasi had started experimenting on developing eco-friendly firecrackers. The Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association (TANFAMA) had earlier said that the government must help the manufacturers with a formula for green crackers. However, it is not clear how long the entire process may take. On October 9 last year, the Supreme Court temporarily banned the sale of firecrackers ahead of Diwali. The court refused to relax the ban and dismissed a plea by traders who sought permission to sell crackers for at least a day or two before Diwali. The court had said then that the ban on firecrackers was an experiment to observe its impact on the pollution levels. The Supreme Court had also earlier said that while deciding on firecrackers it is necessary to take into account several aspects, including the livelihood of firecracker manufacturers as well as the right to health of over 1.3 billion people. The Tuesday verdict comes fifteen days ahead of Diwali. (Edited by Anwesha Madhukalya) Australia's most notorious hoarder home is set to be auctioned off for $2 million - but the buyer will need to remove the stinking mountains of rubbish themselves. Despite years of council clean-ups and court orders to clear the property of rubbish, the front yard of the home, located near Bondi Beach, is once again covered in piles of garbage. The Boonara Avenue property was bought by Mary Bobolas for $15,000 in 1973, and the land is now worth an estimated $2 million. Despite years of council clean-ups and court orders to clear the property of rubbish, the front yard of the home is once again covered in piles of garbage. When Daily Mail Australia visited the property in 2017 the front of the house resembled a rubbish tip with bags of trash stacked high The Boonara Avenue property was bought by Mary Bobolas (pictured) for $15,000 in 1973, and the land is now worth an estimated $2 million When Daily Mail Australia visited the property in 2017 the front of the house resembled a rubbish tip with bags of trash towering over the fence. Raine & Horne agent Ric Serrao has now been tasked to auction off the 550-square-metre property, according to the Daily Telegraph. Mr Serrao said the buyer will be responsible for securing vacant possession and the rubbish removal. The Bobolas family - mother Mary and daughters Elena and Liana - won an injunction to keep their property an hour before it was due to be seized and sold in June 2016. The one bedroom home is close to the beach, cafes, restaurants, shops and public transport. Mr Serrao said the buyer will be responsible for securing vacant possession and the rubbish removal Waverley Council had sought to forcibly sell the house so it could recover an estimated $160,000 spent on cleaning up the trash-strewn property Waverley Council had sought to forcibly sell the house so it could recover an estimated $160,000 spent on cleaning up the trash-strewn property. It was the third time the Bobolas family had blocked council attempts to auction the house but their legal fights are not over. More than $350,000 of ratepayers money has been spent on 15 council clean-ups in a bid to control the piles of rubbish outside the home. The house was due to be sold in February 2016 but the family managed to find $180,000 in cash to settle one clean-up debt just hours before the house was to go under the hammer. But almost as soon as the property has been cleared of rubbish, the trash began to pile up again. Mary, Liana and Elena have all been arrested at various times when authorities have attempted to gain access to the property. Now Waverley Council has filed a notice of motion in the Land and Environment Court seeking that Mary Bobolas and her daughters be found guilty of civil contempt of court. The Council claims the Bobolas family has not complied with an order from April 2015 in that they 'failed to refrain from keeping waste on the premises'. A Florida man who groped a mentally-handicapped woman in a cruise ship hot tub has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Brian Holland, 23, was in a crowded Jacuzzi on board the Carnival Elation when he began trying to put his arm around an 18-year-old woman and pulling her toward him, despite her protestations. The woman, who has the mental capacity of a 12-year-old, told authorities Holland touched her on her genitals over her bathing suit and then under her bathing suit, digitally penetrating her by force. Brian Holland, 23, of Jacksonville, Florida, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after he sexually assaulted a mentally-handicapped woman in a cruise ship hot tub. Pictured: Mugshot from after Holland's March arrest (left) and mugshot from after his sentencing Monday (right) She left the hot tub as quickly as possibly and immediately reported the incident to her grandmother, who alerted ship security. Medical personnel on the ship who examined the woman reportedly found abrasions on her genitals, according to News4Jax. FBI officials arrested Holland as soon as the ship got back to port in Jacksonville, two days after the alleged assault on February 27. Holland was convicted of aggravated sexual assault on March 21 after just 90 minutes of deliberation and faced a maximum life sentence. His attorney asked the judge for leniency, citing his client's bipolar disorder diagnosis, history of childhood domestic physical abuse and drug and alcohol abuse. After serving his 10 years in prison, Holland will be a registered sex offender. These hilarious pictures show men who would rather stand shivering in the rain and glued to their phones than go into upmarket lingerie shop Victoria's Secret with their partners. Scottish comedian Christopher Macarthur-Boyd snapped a group of 11 guys braving the Glasgow weather outside a Victoria's Secret store. He captioned the post: 'All the old guys standing outside victoria secret like am no f****** going in there.' The group of men all glued to their smartphones while their partners shop in Victoria's Secret for lingerie Adriana Lima and the models on the catwalk at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai in China The first snap shows the bright pink exterior of the Victoria's Secret shop just beside the steps to the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre in Glasgow. At least four men can be seen patiently waiting in the miserable weather, including one man standing awkwardly next to a sign advertising bras for 20. With none of them apparently showing any interest in heading inside while their partners shop for lingerie. A man stands in the cold with his hands in his pockets waiting awkwardly beside the bras for 20 sign at Victoria's Secret in Glasgow Christopher Macarthur-Boyd captioned the post: 'All the old guys standing outside victoria secret like am no f****** going in there' The second image, taken directly in front of the shop shows another four men standing outside staring at their phones as they apparently wait for their partners to leave the American chain. Social media users were quite to comment on the bizarre scene. Paul Dock, said: 'Real men don't go into Victoria's Secrets.' @HarbourSeal replied: 'Real men stand in the rain and get soaked.' Lauren Kilpatrick said: 'All looking at their black mirrors.' Candice Swanepoel on the catwalk at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai in November last year James Rolland said: 'There needs to be a creche for men who are too male to enter shops that sell female underwear.' John Cartner said: 'Look like more of a weirdo standing awkwardly at the door than just being an adult and going in with your Mrs.' Paddy Griffin said: 'They don't know what they're missing.' Daniel Turner commented: 'It's like a Da daycare centre.' The fiancee of a young plumber who died in a work site accident has praised the tradies who desperately tried to rescue him. High school sweetheart Anita Condron said she had the 'greatest appreciation' for her partner Ryan Duffus' 'workmates for trying to save his life.' Mr Duffus, 26, became trapped in a concrete trench in Perth's Mosman Park at about 2.30pm last Wednesday. High school sweetheart Anita Condron (right) said she had the 'greatest appreciation' for her partner Ryan Duffus' (centre) 'workmates for trying to save his life' Mr Duffus, 26, fell and became trapped in a concrete trench in Perth 's Mosman Park at about 2.30pm last Wednesday A water main had burst and filled the pit with mud and water. A worker boldly leaped into the water to try to pull out his stuck friend, before two others joined in the attempted rescue. Good Samaritans from nearby shops had also tried to assist in the rescue effort and tried to pass him a pipe to help Mr Duffus breathe. But despite their efforts Mr Duffus could not be saved. Robert Zammit told Nine News Perth that the workers did everything within their power to save their friend. 'It was traumatic to see these grown men screaming trying to get their friend out of the situation.' 'Within two minutes his head was under water, it was so quick everyone was doing everything they could.' Firefighters and a rescue team were immediately sent to the scene to recover his body from the trench. Friends described Mr Duffus as a 'goofy,' but 'top bloke'. Ms Condron said the pair had planned to return to NSW next year to start a family in their home-state. She added she will hand down her partner's plumbing tools to the apprentices he was training. Worksafe is continuing investigations and the site is expected to remain closed until next week. A New York woman was murdered last week while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. The body of 61-year-old Marie Kuhnla was found in bushes near a popular beach area in Leeward According to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, 911 Central received a call around 7.05am on October 16 about a body near Club Med Resort, where Kuhnla was staying. Marie Kuhnla (pictured), 61, was found dead in the bushes near the popular beach resort, Club Med, while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands with two of her co-workers from Suffolk County Legal Aid According to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, 911 Central received a call around 7.05am on October 16 about a body near Club Med Resort, where Kuhnla was staying She was pronounced dead at 7.45am. Kuhnla, who was a longtime public defender, was reported missing on October 15. She had been traveling with two other women. They were all attorneys at Suffolk County Legal Aid. According to Kuhnla's son, Rick Kuhnla Jr, his mother spent more than 15 years as a public defender, 'providing legal assistance to those who could not afford it'. 'She may be gone but the impact she had on the world and inspiration she provided most certainly is not,' Kuhnla Jr said in a statement to ABC News. He called his mother a 'loving, caring, compassionate woman who I was lucky to have for a mom'. Kuhnla, who was a longtime public defender, was reported missing on October 15. According to her son, Rick Kuhnla Jr, his mother spent more than 15 years as a public defender, 'providing legal assistance to those who could not afford it' In a statement, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force said the Kuhnla family is being supported by officers from the department (officers pictured) In a statement, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force said the Kuhnla family is being supported by officers from the department. Acting Commissioner of Police, Trevor Botting said, 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Marie at this time.' Botting said an investigation into her murder has been launched, and he urged locals to come forward with any information about her death. Contact the investigators from the Serious Crime Unit or you can call in confidence at Crimestoppers on 1-800-8477. A Michigan town is banning people from dressing up as clowns at its annual Halloween party, because they're too frightening for children. Oak Park, Michigan holds the Boo Bash Halloween party every year at its community center but has announced a new condition for guests - no clown costumes. Residents and the Mayor Marian McClellan were clueless as to why. However, Recreation Director Laurie Stasiak says that the clown costumes are considered too scary for children and have been banned in light of creepy clown sightings over the past couple of years. Oak Park, Michigan has banned clown costumes from annual community party the Boo Bash. Last year's bash pictured above About 5,000 people gathered for last year's Boo Bash, many sporting costumes. However this year Oak Park officials banned clown costumes saying they're too scary for the kids Clown costumes will be barred from the Halloween party in light of creepy clown sightings - and assault cases - over the past couple of years Recreation Director Laurie Stasiak added some people have phobias and anxiety about clowns, adding to the reason to ban such costumes 'This event is centered around young children. In the past few years many clown costumes have been given a very scary and evil look. Many scary and horror movies are centered around these types of characters,' Stasiak said to the Oakland County Times. 'About 3 years [ago] there were national incidents in the news where people were dressing up as clowns and scaring people and in some cases assaulting them. Many people have phobias and anxiety about clowns. Its because of this that we asked people not to dress up as clowns for this community event,' she added. The event is expected to draw thousands and last year saw 5,000 attendees attend the children's candy-filled event. The costume was banned after there have been creepy clown sightings over the past couple years In 2017 the U.S. saw a resurgence in a bizarre clown sightings, following the release of Stephen King's movie It in September The free event is set for Halloween evening at the Oak Park Community Center and features hayrides, snacks, and musics, but no clowning around will be permitted. In September 2017 the U.S. saw a resurgence in a bizarre clown phenomenon, following the release of Stephen King's movie It. Last year in Pennsylvania officials reported a spike in 'creepy clown' sightings following the movie's release. In 2016 there was a similar panic from August through Halloween and in one incident a man was attacked by a creepy clown, leaving the victim bruised. MPs voted in favour of legalising abortion in Northern Ireland today after being told women left bloodied and battered should have the right to access the service. Labour MP Diana Johnson brought draft laws to the Commons in defiance of claims from the DUP Westminster must not interfere in the devolved issue. Without Government support, Ms Johnson's Bill will not become law because of a lack of Parliamentary time but the 208 to 123 vote is a significant call for Theresa May's Government to act. Women's Minister Victoria Atkins was among the Aye voters. The DUP props up Theresa May's Tory Government in the Commons and any move to make today's vote law would enrage the socially conservative party. Labour MP Diana Johnson (pictured in the Commons today) brought draft laws to the Commons in defiance of claims from the DUP Westminster must not interfere in the devolved issue Ms Johnson's Bill will not become law because of a lack of Parliamentary time but the 208 to 123 vote is a significant call for Theresa May's Government to act Women's Minister Victoria Atkins (file) was among the Aye voters. Abortion is a matter of conscience but Government policy is to leave the issue to the Northern Ireland Assembly Northern Ireland is about to be the only part of the British Isles where abortion is illegal after Ireland voted by a landslide in favour of reform. It is governed by a 157-year-old law that is one of the strictest abortion regimes in the world but has always been seen as a devolved issue and matter of conscience. The DUP, Northern Ireland's biggest party, is opposed to abortion on religious grounds. Power sharing devolution in the province is currently suspended amid a 20 month feud between the DUP and Sinn Fein. DUP leader Arlene Foster has insisted the Irish referendum changed nothing for Northern Ireland and that the issue should be debated in Stormont if and when the Assembly is reconvened. Ms Johnson told the story of how one Northern Irish woman spent Christmas Day in casualty with her two children after her husband beat her to a pulp and repeatedly raped her. Ms Johnson spoke the woman's words, with MPs hearing: 'I could not continue with the pregnancy knowing my husband would carry out his threats to kill me if he found out. 'I went to my GP who told me abortion was illegal in Northern Ireland and refused to help.' Another mother faces a life sentence for helping her 15-year-old daughter get abortion tablets online, Ms Johnson said, after her abusive partner 'threatened to kick the baby out and stab it if it was born'. Tory MP Fiona Bruce (pictured in the Commons today) led opposition to the legislation - warning it would 'set a dangerous constitutional precedent of interference' DUP leader Arlene Foster (file) has insisted the Irish referendum changed nothing for Northern Ireland and that the issue should be debated in Stormont if and when the Assembly is reconvened Tory MP Fiona Bruce led opposition to the legislation - warning it would 'set a dangerous constitutional precedent of interference'. The MP for Congleton said: 'Whatever members' differing views on abortion, if we respect devolution we should vote against this motion today. 'It proposes far-reaching changes in abortion law not only for England and Wales but also for Northern Ireland, where abortion has been respected as a devolved matter since 1921. 'Indeed it would set a dangerous constitutional precedent of interference and it's not only unconstitutional, it's untimely. 'At such a sensitive time in relations between the Westminster Government and the Northern Ireland administration, it would completely undermine the substance and spirit of the Good Friday Agreement.' Speaking in May following the Irish referendum, Mrs Foster said: '(The) referendum has no impact upon the law in Northern Ireland, but we obviously take note of issues impacting upon our nearest neighbour. 'The legislation governing abortion is a devolved matter and it is for the Northern Ireland Assembly to debate and decide such issues.' A rogue pumpkin smasher has been identified and will be forced to apologize to the children whose jack-o'-lanterns he destroyed. Father Chris Leiszler said on Monday that he'd identified the man who smashed the pumpkins outside his home in Lawrence, Kansas as a fraternity member at the University of Kansas. Leiszler was out for dinner with his family on Thursday when he and his wife got simultaneous alerts from their home security camera, showing the heartless vandal smashing their pumpkins. 'We saw it happen in real time, and there wasn't a thing we could do about it,' he told the Witchita Eagle. 'We were obviously fuming mad, so we just ended our fun evening then and there.' The pumpkin smasher was caught on camera in broad daylight destroying the jack-o'-lanterns Angry father Chris Leiszler posted the video on Facebook in an effort to ID the hooligan Leiszler's sons aged six and nine (above) fumed that their creations had been destroyed The video shows the pumpkin smasher's sick raid on the family's porch, as he raises three pumpkins above his head and dashes them onto the sidewalk. The Halloween hoodlum is then seen dashing off as an accomplice in a car shouts 'let's go!' The pumpkins were carved by Leiszler's sons, aged six and nine, and the boys were heartbroken to see their creative efforts destroyed. 'More than anything, Id like him to meet my sons face to face and apologize to them,' Leiszler said of the vandal to the newspaper. 'And even though theyre less than half his age, maybe he could learn a thing or two from them about being mature and treating other people with respect.' It's not the first time that vandals have targeted the family's home, Leiszler said. In fact, he decided to install the security camera after hooligans last year stole a large skeleton decoration that the family had nicknamed 'Kevin'. Last year, someone also stole the giant skeleton decoration (above) that the family called Kevin Dad Chris Leiszler (above with family) was fed up with vandals destroying his family's fun Then, as with with the pumpkin smasher, Leiszler's top suspects were members of a fraternity located around the corner from his house. Outraged at the latest assault on his family's Halloween celebrations, Leiszler posted the surveillance video of the pumpkin smasher on Facebook, alongside a photo of his unhappy children glowering at the pumpkin guts. 'If you happen to recognize the jerk in the video, let him know that the two guys in the picture would like to have a word with him,' Leiszler write in the Facebook post. The video went viral, gaining local and even national news attention. On Monday, the tactic paid off, with Leiszler announcing that a tipster had come forward and identified the culprit as a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity at the University of Kansas. Keiszler said he would not press charges or identify the pumpkin smasher by his full name for national shame if he gives a sincere apology and completes a service project 'I showed up at his fraternity this evening with a police officer, and the kid 'fessed up,' Leiszler wrote on Facebook. 'He and his two accomplices will be coming over to our house tomorrow to apologize. 'If I find the apology to be sincere, and if I feel they've learned their lesson, then I won't press charges and publicly shame them by releasing their full names,' the father continued. He said that he would let the vandals off without charges if they agreed to do a community service project, and asked for suggestions as to what an appropriate project would be. Mr Farmer was too ill to drink from the pig's head and was taken to hospital after lying ill for around four hours An Economics student died after a university 'initiation' which involved drinking vodka from a pig's head and apple bobbing in urine, an inquest heard today. Ed Farmer, 20, from Leicester, was in soaked clothes and had his head shaved when he arrived at hospital having downed a fatal amount of vodka. The ex-pupil at 31,000-a-year Oakham School, Rutland, was given a one to two percent chance of survival after friends took him to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary at around 5.45am on December 13, 2016. He died the following morning. The hours leading up to his death have been described by friends who were with him during the Newcastle University Agricultural Society event. The 'initiation' started with the first years being told to bring 30, a metro card and a 70cl bottle of spirits - as well as lubricant and a 'Kinder Egg' - to a Newcastle pub. The first round, the inquest heard was '100 treble vodkas' for the group of around 40. Jonathan Hedley - a first year agriculture student in December 2016 said Ed had been 'nervous' on the way to the first pub for the pub crawl. Ed Farmer (left, in the black and white jumper) died aged 20 after a Newcastle Society Agricultural Society event on December 12, 2016. He is seen at a bar a week before he died At the pub the boys were told they could leave and were then made to sit in silence if they chose to stay. Mr Farmer was noticeably drunk after downing four more treble vodka and oranges and drinking straight from a spirit bottle in the street. Mr Farmer was so drunk following the bar crawl that he was carried onto a Metro train by other students before being taken to another student's house. Agriculture Society Chairman James Carr, who spoke at the inquest at Newcastle Civic Centre yesterday As he lay snoring in the hallway of the property - where the initiation was due to conclude - his head was shaved by a third year Agriculture student. Mr Farmer was too ill to drink from the pig's head and was taken to hospital after lying ill for around four hours. He arrived there five times over the drink drive limit and in cardiac arrest. Mr Hedley said: 'Ed was very drunk at this point. 'We crawled along sheep hurdles, had a shot from the pig's head, we each got a line out of our hair. 'Then there was the bobbing for apples (in urine) - I didn't know what it was at the time.' The boys had their heads shaved so they would be 'embarrassed' when they went home for Christmas, the inquest heard. Guy Stoben, who had known Ed Since 2010 before they went to university said the boys knew to expect to eat things 'like garlic and dog food'. Mr Stoben said Ed was clearly enjoying himself, but around 3 or 4am he was told there was a problem with Ed. He said: 'I put my hand over his mouth to see if I could feel him breathing but I couldn't feel anything. 'I put my hand to his neck to see if I could feel a pulse but I still couldn't feel anything. 'I lifted him by his shoulders and was trying to shake him to see if I could get him to respond, but I couldn't get any kind of response.' The aim, the inquest at Newcastle Civil Centre heard, was to see freshers get drunk on vodka and other spirits while they were egged on by second and third years. James Carr, 21, was chairman of the Agriculture Society at the time Mr Farmer died and organised the evening. He told the inquest at Newcastle Civic Centre that he had known Mr Farmer since October or November of that year after meeting him during Fresher's Week. 'The purpose of the event was, and it's an awful word, an initiation-style evening to welcome everyone into the society, but there was no requirement to turn up, you would still be included if you didn't go,' he said. The night started at Newcastle's Three Bulls Heads pub and progressed to Bar Beyond where older students handed over money to buy large rounds of drinks. Mr Carr said that first year students consumed as many as three trebles each. He was asked by coroner Karen Dilks: 'Would it be fair to say the aim was for alcohol to be consumed quickly?' to which he answered 'yes'. Asked whether they were encouraged to drink the measures, he replied: 'I believe there would have been encouragement from the second and third year students but it was not forceful. 'As a first year I felt pressure to drink but I would not say I was forced. The evening's events were focused on the new people joining the club - of which Mr Farmer was one 'As we had experienced the year before, the activity involved was to shave parts of their heads before they were taken back to their halls or wherever they lived,' Mr Carr explained. 'They would crawl to the garage after having their heads shaved and drink shots of vodka from a pig's head as happened the previous year to us. I was not there at the time but that did happen.' Asked about the state Mr Farmer was in, he said: 'When we got off the Metro I discovered Ed was not in a very good state and we carried him off the Metro and he was brought back to the house. 'Ed was in the house to be looked after as he was quite obviously not in a fit state.' Mr Carr said he took another student home and when he returned home Mr Farmer's head had been shaved. He told the inquest: 'Ed's head had been shaven by a third year student, I cannot remember who exactly but that happened while I was out of the house.' By this time Mr Farmer was snoring 'loudly'. 'Extremely naively and stupidly it made me think he was asleep and I was unaware of the significance that the snoring had, I just assumed he was asleep,' he continued. Mr Carr broke down in tears as he described how he was woken to discover his friend in clearly serious condition in the hallway. He took him to hospital at 4.30am. He told the hearing that initiations involving heavy drinking had been banned by the university. Newcastle, a Russell Group university, (pictured) has banned society initiations that involve alcohol 'You don't consider the consequences unless something dramatic happens. Looking back now I don't know what to say,' Mr Carr said. 'I knew that it would not have been allowed by the university. I said I didn't want it to happen, if I could turn back the clock it's a no brainer.' He would have survived if taken to hospital earlier, medics said. Reading from nursing notes taken at the time Mr Farmer was admitted, head of Accident and Emergency Dr Reuben Saharia said it was documented that he had a 'shaved head, found to be amusing'. His clothes were soaked with water and there was evidence of soil on his back, Coroner Dilks was told. Referring to the notes, Dr Saharia said that Mr Farmer had been taken home from the event because he seemed to be more intoxicated than his friends. He told the hearing: 'He was taken back to his halls, was seen at 4am and when he was checked at 5am was unresponsive. 'Had he been in a hospital environment prior to cardiac arrest I would expect that patient to survive.' Ed Farmer's father Jeremy and mother Helen are pictured arriving at today's sitting of their son's inquest at Newcastle Civil Centre Mr Farmer's family arrive at today's inquest. They are pictured left to right: William, Jeremy and Helen Family solicitor Simon Kernyckyj raised concern about his death at a pre-inquest hearing last October. 'There were text messages circulating after the incident which said 'deny, deny, deny' before they were interviewed by police,' Mr Kernkcyj said: 'Although there were 20 to 30 first year students at this gathering ... there were only three first-years interviewed, and these were the people who were effectively the subject of this event. 'There appears to be a disproportionate interest in those who were running this event. I want to know from the police if they had considered interviewing more first-years. 'Mr and Mrs Farmer are concerned that no investigation of phones was undertaken apart from one statement which said the police looked at a phone and took some photographs.' After he died other attendees exchanged texts telling each other to 'deny, deny, deny' during police interviews. The hearing, expected to last five days, continues. Michael Dunn, 47, resigned as a Lakeland city commissioner on Monday, two days after he was charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of a shoplifter on October 3 A Florida city commissioner has resigned after being charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a man he accused of shoplifting a hatchet from his Army-Navy surplus store. Michael Dunn, 47, stepped down on Monday from the Lakeland City Commission. A grand jury charged him on Friday with second-degree murder. Dunn's letter of resignation, typed up on Saturday and addressed to his fellow commissioners and Mayor Bill Mutz, read in part: 'It is with a heavy heart that I submit this letter to you. Wherein I am tendering my resignation as Commissioner of the SW District of Lakeland effective October 20, 2018.' The letter was hand-delivered to city officials at 3.15pm on Monday. The Lakeland City Commission will hold a meeting on Friday morning to discuss finding a replacement to serve out the rest of Dunn's term, which ends in 2021. Scroll down for video Dunn had his letter of resignation hand-delivered to Lakeland city officials on Monday afternoon (pictured) The Ledger reported that a Polk County grand jury indicted Dunn on second-degree murder charges in connection to the October 3 shooting death of 50-year-old Cristobal Lopez. A conviction could mean a possible life sentence. State Attorney Brian Haas said in a statement: 'I have determined that this case and the actions of Mr. Dunn fall outside of Stand Your Ground.' Surveillance video previously released to the public shows the Lakeland commissioner shooting Lopez. Dunn is seen wrestling with Lopez at the entrance to his Vets Army Navy Surplus store in Lakeland. Lopez is seen trying to escape while Dunn holds on to the intruder's arm in one hand and a pistol in the other hand. As Lopez is about to slip away and flee the store, Dunn tries to grab his shoulder. The entire time, Dunn is pointing his gun at Lopez. Dunn, a Lakeland city commissioner, is seen wrestling with Christobal Lopez, 50, at the entrance to his Vets Army Navy Surplus store in Lakeland, Florida, on October 3 Lopez is seen trying to escape while Dunn, 47, holds on to the intruder's arm in one hand and a pistol in the other hand The entire time, Dunn is pointing his gun at Lopez. As Lopez struggles to break free of Dunns grip, Dunn pulls the trigger and shoots him Dunn, a Lakeland City Commissioner, is seen right. Lopez is seen left As Lopez struggles to break free of Dunns grip, Dunn pulls the trigger and shoots him. Lopez is seen falling to the pavement just outside of the store. Nobody tries to offer Lopez assistance or first aid, and he lies on the pavement unattended for three minutes. Dunn accused Lopez of trying to steal a hatchet. Dunns lawyer, Rusty Franklin, claims that his client was justified in shooting Lopez because he was holding a hatchet during the struggle, according to the Tampa Bay Times. They arrived at the store at around 2:30pm and found Lopez dead on the sidewalk. Dunn told police that he confronted Lopez by asking him if he was going to pay for the hatchet. In Florida, a person is legally permitted to use deadly force if he or she reasonably believes that using or threatening to use such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony. From viewing the video, it does not appear that Dunns life was in any danger. The so-called stand your ground law does not require anyone who perceives themselves as being under threat to retreat before using force. The video appears to show Lopez trying to flee. At no time did he appear to pose a threat to Dunn. Lopez lies on the ground for at least three minutes without anyone approaching to render first aid Cops then arrive and find him on the sidewalk. He was declared dead a short time later Two lawyers who reviewed the footage for the Times said that Dunn will have a difficult time explaining his position in court. Florida law does allow store employees to use reasonable force to detain suspected shoplifters. Dunn may claim that he feared Lopez would take a swipe at him with the hatchet while they were struggling near the door. Lopez was laid to rest Monday morning in Wauchula, Florida. This is the second time that Dunn has shot a person, though its the first time the shooting was fatal. When Dunn was 19, Dunn accidentally shot a man, according to the Lakeland Ledger. Dunn is known to be a strong advocate of gun ownership. There were 944 data breaches in the first six months of 2018 compromising 3.2 billion data records worldwide. That's an increase of over 72 per cent of lost, stolen or compromised records compared to the same period in 2017. These findings are a part of Breach Level Index, a database of public data breaches by digital security firm Gemalto. From the total 3.2 billion data records breached, 56 per cent of the records were due to six big social media breaches. One of those was the Cambridge Analytica-Facebook incident. "This year social media has been the top industry and threat vector for the compromise of personal data, a trend we can expect to continue with more and more sectors leveraging these platforms to reach key audiences, especially political teams gearing up for major elections," said Jason Hart, vice president and chief technology officer for data protection at Gemalto. He adds, "We expect to see more data breaches reported by European Union countries bound by the new General Data Protection Regulation and in Australia with the new Notifiable Data Breaches law. We should be careful not to misconstrue this as an increase in overall incidents in these areas but rather as a more accurate reflection of what is actually going on." The most common type of data breach is identity theft, as it has been since Gemalto's first report in 2013. While the number of identity theft breaches decreased by 60 per cent over the second half of 2017, the number of records stolen through these incidents represent over 42 per cent of all records stolen. Financial access incidents show a disturbing trend in the escalation of severity. Though overall incident numbers are on the decline, the number of records breached increased from 1.5 million in first half of 2017 to 2.6 million in the same period in 2018. These data breaches were caused by not as many outsiders but malicious insiders who accounted for almost 80 per cent of all stolen, compromised or lost records in 2018 in India. The country that is the most popular target of attacks is the United States representing more than 57 per cent of global breaches and accounting for 97 per cent of all records stolen. India accounts for less than one per cent of the global breaches in terms of records compromised or stolen or revealed. With the implementation of the Notifiable Data Breaches law, the number of incidents in Australia increased dramatically from 18 to 308. Europe saw 36 per cent fewer incidents but a 28 per cent increase in the number of records breached indicating growing severity of attacks. The United Kingdom remains the most breached country in the region. With the General Data Protection Regulation in full effect for the second half of 2018, the number of reported incidents could begin to rise. New footage of what police believe is a man delivering a murder weapon to Mohammad Salihy's killer has been revealed. Youssef Elsamed is charged with murdering his former friend Mohamed Salihy, 22, in Merrylands West, in Sydney's west. Salihy was shot dead at point blank range on January 19. Elsamed was arrested by armed police after allegedly jumping over a back fence. New footage has emerged of a man in a silver car delivering a sawn-off shotgun at a west Sydney housing complex, moments before police suspect it was used to murder a 22-year-old man Investigators now want to speak to the driver about the drop-off - which was captured on CCTV obtained by New South Wales Police. The footage shows a silver Nissan Tiida pulling into the housing commission complex before parking. The driver can then be seen retrieving the shotgun from his boot before handing it to an unknown individual and driving away. The driver can then be seen getting the shotgun from his boot before handing it over to an unknown individual (pictured top-right) The footage shows a silver Nissan Tiida pulling into the housing commission complex before parking up Elsamad is due to face Campbelltown Local Court next month. The 19-year-old has been charged with fatally shooting his former friend in front of a public housing complex in Merrylands on Friday. Mr Salihy had been on the radar of counter-terrorism officers prior to his death, The Daily Telegraph reported in January. In 2014, Mr Salihy came to the attention of police after a raid of the country's biggest terrorism cells but was never charged. Elsamad was an unemployed tiler who was on bail at the time of the alleged shooting. Youssef Elsamad (pictured) has been charged with fatally shooting his former friend Police were called to an apartment in Merrylands, Sydney's west on January 19, where it is alleged Elsamad (pictured) shot Mohamed Salihy In papers tendered to the court in January, police alleged the victim had driven with a friend to the 19-year-old's residence to resolve a dispute. When Mr Salihy and his friend arrived at Eddy Street, at about 10pm, they were met by Elsamad who was waiting outside the garage of a villa, while a number of friends remained gathered inside. The 19-year-old allegedly approached the victim and his friend, saying 'I'm sick of this shit', before entering his home and re-emerging two minutes with a sawn-off shot gun. He then shot Mr Salihy point blank in the chest, leaving him face down on the floor bleeding profusely, police allege. Elsamad (pictured) told police an 'unknown person' shot the victim and he had been running away Youssef Elsamad, 19, is charged with fatally shooting his acquaintance Mohamed Salihy, 22, at a Merrylands complex in January The 22-year-old died at the scene while the accused fled, sparking a police search involving a helicopter, which spotted him hiding in his neighbour's backyard, the document said. Elsamad told police an 'unknown person' shot the victim and he had been running away and hiding because he was being chased by the shooter, the court documents stated. He told police a cut on his finger was the result of being shot, the documents said. Withdrawal: Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman on the Supreme Court, has left public life at 88, her son has revealed Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman on the Supreme Court, said Tuesday she has the beginning stages of dementia and 'probably Alzheimer's disease.' O'Connor, 88, made the announcement in a letter. She said that her diagnosis was made 'some time ago' and that as her condition has progressed she is 'no longer able to participate in public life.' O'Connor, 88, was nominated by President Ronald Reagan and took her seat on the court in 1981. She announced her retirement in 2005 and stepped down early the following year when Justice Samuel Alito was confirmed. In a letter addressed to 'friends and fellow Americans', she wrote: 'While the final chapter of my life with dementia may be trying, nothing has diminished my gratitude and deep appreciation for the countless blessings in my life. 'How fortunate I feel to be an American and to have been presented with the remarkable opportunities available to the citizens of our country. 'As a young cowgirl from the Arizona desert, I never could have imagined that one day I would become the first woman justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.' Chief Justice John Roberts said he was 'saddened to learn' about the diagnosis. Roberts said in a statement Tuesday that although O'Connor has announced she is withdrawing from public life, 'no illness or condition can take away the inspiration she provides for those who will follow the many paths she has blazed.' 'Justice O'Connor is of course a towering figure in the history of the United States and indeed the world,' he said. 'She broke down barriers for women in the legal profession to the betterment of that profession and the country as a whole.' O'Connor grew up on a ranch in Arizona before attending Stanford University in California. She was one of only five women in her class at Stanford Law School. Although she graduated third in her class, she was rejected for most law firm jobs. She and her husband, John, whom she met in law school, later settled in Phoenix where she became a prominent Republican politician in the state. She was elected as a state trial judge in 1974 and in 1979 was named to a state appeals court. SCROLL DOWN TO READ SANDRA DAY O'CONNORS FULL LETTER Nominee: Ronald Reagan made Sandra Day O'Connor his first Supreme Court nominee and with unanimous Senate approval, she became the first woman on the court Leaving public life: Sandra Day O'Connor's son Jay said that his mother dad decided about two years ago to step back and was now entirely retired. She appeared at the Seneca Women Global Leadership Forum at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington in 2015 Final court make-up: Sandra Day O'Connor was photographed in October 2005, after announcing her retirement, at the start of that term, with (left to right) back row: Ruth Bader Ginsburg; David H. Souter; Clarence Thomas and Stephen G. Breyer. Front Row: Antonin Scalia; John Paul Stevens; Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr.; Sandra Day O'Connor and Anthony M. Kennedy After retiring from the court, O'Connor dedicated herself to improving civics education, starting a group called iCivics that provided free online resources for middle and high school students. In 2009, Democratic former President Barack Obama presented her at the White House with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor a president can give. HOW JUSTICE'S HUSBAND SUFFERED ALZHEIMER'S TOO - AND FOUND NEW LOVE AFTER FORGETTING HIS WIFE Sandra Day O'Connor's husband John Jay O'Connor III died in 2009, aged 79, almost 20 years after he too was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. It was his deteriorating condition which prompted Justice O'Connor to leave the court in 2006. The O'Connor family were frank about his condition, and also frank the following year about what could have been to many a devastating twist: that John Jay O'Connor had forgotten his wife and found a new girlfriend at his assisted living facility. He and Kay - who was never fully named - would hold hands, the O'Connor's son Scott revealed. Lasting love: Sandra Day and John Jay O'Connor married in 1952 But the retired Supreme Court Justice welcomed the relationship because she saw her husband of 55 years happy again. He had been sad to move into the assisted living facility, Scott O'Connor told KPNX in Phoenix, AZ, in 2007. 'Forty-eight hours after moving into that new cottage he was a teenager in love,' his son said. 'Mom was thrilled that dad was relaxed and happy and comfortable living here and wasn't complaining.' At the time, the O'Connor family was praised by Alzheimer's organizations for being upfront about what had happened and highlighting what can be a common scenario for those diagnosed with the disease. John Jay O'Connor was a lawyer who had met the future justice when they were both editors of the Stanford Law Review. He served with the military in the Judge Advocate General's Corps, then worked in private practice while his wife became first and Arizona state judge, and then Supreme Court Justice. Advertisement O'Connor's announcement came a day after a story by The Associated Press that she had stepped back from public life. For more than a decade after leaving the court in 2006, O'Connor kept up an active schedule: serving as a visiting federal appeals court judge, speaking on issues she cared about and founding her own education organization. But the 88-year-old, for more than two decades often the deciding vote in important cases, is now fully retired. She made her last public appearances over two years ago. This summer she turned over an office she had kept at the Supreme Court to the court's most recently retired justice, Anthony Kennedy. Her son Jay O'Connor said in a recent telephone interview with The Associated Press that his mother, like many who reach their upper 80s, began to have challenges with her short-term memory. That made some public events more difficult. Hip issues have meant she now primarily uses a wheelchair. And she now stays close to her home in Phoenix, he said. 'When she hit about 86 years old she decided that it was time to slow things down, that she'd accomplished most of what she set out to do in her post-retirement years, that she was getting older physically and her memory was starting to be more challenging, so the time came to dial back her public life,' said Jay O'Connor. His mother is no longer doing interviews. Over about the past year, Jay O'Connor and his brother Brian cleared out O'Connor's Supreme Court office and went through hundreds of boxes of files and other items she had in the building's basement. A gavel used at her 1981 confirmation hearing, her Presidential Medal of Freedom and T-shirts made annually by an exercise class she started at the high court are among the items O'Connor has now donated to the court's collection, the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian. On the Supreme Court, her votes were key in cases about abortion, affirmative action and campaign finance as well as the Bush v. Gore decision effectively settling the 2000 election in George W. Bush's favor. She was 75 when she announced her retirement from the court in 2005. It was a decision influenced by the decline in the health of her husband, John O'Connor III, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The following January she stepped down. Her departure was a moment not unlike Kennedy's retirement this summer. The fellow Reagan appointees were moderate conservatives who often held the key vote in high-profile cases. O'Connor's retirement and replacement by Justice Samuel Alito shifted the court right, making Kennedy's vote the often-pivotal one. Kennedy's replacement by Justice Brett Kavanaugh is expected to shift the court right again. For her part, O'Connor wasn't always delighted with the court's more conservative direction after she left. Asked at a 2009 event how she felt about the court retreating from or undoing rulings she was instrumental in shaping, she responded: 'What would you feel? I'd be a little bit disappointed. 'If you think you've been helpful, and then it's dismantled, you think, 'Oh, dear.' But life goes on. It's not always positive.' After the court's 2010 Citizens United ruling allowing corporations to spend freely on elections for Congress and president, she told an audience: 'Gosh, I step away for a couple of years and there's no telling what's going to happen.' Still, that year she told an interviewer that she didn't 'regret for one minute' retiring when she did. O'Connor found other ways to make a mark off the court. In 2009, the same year her husband died, she founded the group iCivics, which promotes civic education in schools through free, educational online games. Highest honor: Sandra Day O'Connor was awarded the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama, three years after her retirement from the bench. Taking office: Sandra Day O'Connor was sworn in on September 25, 1981, by Chief Justice Warren Burger, with her husband John O'Connor III holding the two family bibles she used O'Connor has called it 'the most important work I've ever done.' Last year, the group's 19 games were played by 5 million students. Even as she was championing iCivics, O'Connor was working on other projects. She wrote a children's book and a book about the history of the court. She served as a visiting appeals court judge, participating in more than 175 cases on appeals courts nationwide. And she campaigned to persuade states that judges should be appointed, not elected, to preserve judicial independence. One of the last times O'Connor made public comments was in 2016, after Justice Antonin Scalia's death. Interviewed by an Arizona television station, O'Connor was asked what she thought about Republican senators' argument that the conservative justice's seat should be filled not by President Barack Obama but his successor because the vacancy happened in a presidential election year. She said she disagreed. 'I think we need somebody there, now, to do the job, and let's get on with it,' she said, a recommendation Republicans didn't heed, holding the seat open until President Donald Trump could choose Scalia's successor, Neil Gorsuch. Though O'Connor has stepped back from public life, the court's other retired justices have varying degrees of public presence. David Souter, 79, lives in New Hampshire but rarely speaks publicly. Kennedy, 82, has already started making post-retirement appearances. And Florida resident John Paul Stevens is still making appearances at 98. Three women now serve on the Supreme Court, a development O'Connor approved of. 'It's all right to be the first to do something, but I didn't want to be the last woman on the Supreme Court,' she said in 2012. SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR'S LETTER ANNOUNCING SHE HAS DEMENTIA AND IS QUITTING PUBLIC LIFE Friends and fellow Americans, I want to share some personal news with you. Some time ago, doctors diagnosed me with the beginning stages of dementia, probably Alzheimer's disease. As this condition has progressed, I am no longer able to participate in public life. Since many people have asked about my current status and activities, I want to be open about these changes, and while I am still able, share some personal thoughts. Not long after I retired from the Supreme Court twelve years ago, I made a commitment to myself, my family, and my country that I would use whatever years I had left to advance civic learning and engagement. I feel so strongly about the topic because I've seen first-hand how vital it is for all citizens to understand our Constitution and unique system of government, and participate actively in their communities. It is through this shared understanding of who we are that we can follow the approaches that have served us best over time working collaboratively together in communities and in government to solve problems, putting country and the common good above party and self-interest, and holding our key governmental institutions accountable. Eight years ago, I started iCivics for just this purpose to teach the core principles of civics to middle and high school students with free online interactive games and curriculum that make learning relevant and remarkably effective. Today, iCivics (www.icivics.org) reaches half the youth in our country. We must reach all our youth, and we need to find ways to get people young and old more involved in their communities and in their government. As my three sons are tired of hearing me say, 'It's not enough to understand, you've got to do something.' There is no more important work than deepening young people's engagement in our nation. I can no longer help lead this cause, due to my physical condition. It is time for new leaders to make civic learning and civic engagement a reality for all. It is my great hope that our nation will commit to educating our youth about civics, and to helping young people understand their crucial role as informed, active citizens in our nation. To achieve this, I hope that private citizens, counties, states, and the federal government will work together to create and fund a nationwide civics education initiative. Many wonderful people already are working towards this goal, but they need real help and public commitment. I look forward to watching from the sidelines as others continue the hard work ahead. I will continue living in Phoenix, Arizona, surrounded by dear friends and family. While the final chapter of my life with dementia may be trying, nothing has diminished my gratitude and deep appreciation for the countless blessings in my life. How fortunate I feel to be an American and to have been presented with the remarkable opportunities available to the citizens of our country. As a young cowgirl from the Arizona desert, I never could have imagined that one day I would become the first woman justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. I hope that I have inspired young people about civic engagement and helped pave the pathway for women who may have faced obstacles pursuing their careers. My greatest thanks to our nation, to my family, to my former colleagues, and to all the wonderful people I have had the opportunity to engage with over the years. God bless you all. Advertisement A desperate police hunt continues for a man who escaped custody from a Melbourne court on Tuesday afternoon. Victoria Police has issued a warrant for the arrest of Caleb Pavlovic, 20, after he escaped from Frankston Magistrates Court in Melbourne's southeastern outskirts at around 4pm. The Hastings man had been remanded in custody and was awaiting transfer from court at the time of his escape. The police manhunt continues for Caleb Pavlovic (pictured) after he escaped from custody on Tuesday afternoon Police said Pavlovic was in custody for a number of charges, including criminal damage, aggravated assault of a female and committing an indictable offence while on bail. He was last seen running along Beach Street towards Frankston train station. Police have released an image of Pavlovic in the hope someone will recognise him and can provide information on his whereabouts. He's described as about 170cm tall, this build and has a cross tattooed under his left eye. Pavlovic was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, grey pants and white socks. Anyone who sees Pavlovic or has details on his whereabouts is advised not to approach him but is urged to contact Triple-0. Tasmania is on the verge of abolishing gender from birth certificates so transgender people don't have to 'out themselves' when they apply for jobs. A vote is expected in Tasmania's lower house next month. Christian groups and feminists fear the bill has been 'hijacked' by the transgender lobby through a series of Labor and Greens amendments. A vote is expected in Tasmania's lower house next month following the amendment to the bill Despite support for the bill, Christian groups and feminists fear the bill has been 'hijacked' by the transgender lobby Both Labor and the Greens amendments want to remove gender from birth certificates. Further amendments include removing the need for trans people to have sex change surgery before switching gender on official documents, The Australian reported. Premier Will Hodgman and his government are relying on the support of Speaker Sue Hickey, who votes as an independent. 'I do think the world is changing and we need to be open to considering things that might discriminate or harm somebody. I'm very open,' she said. Transgender activist Martine Delaney argued the removal of gender on birth certificates would have a benefit for transgender people who are applying for new jobs, saying they won't 'out themselves'. Feminist group Women Speak Tasmania believe no changes should be done to birth certificates On the other hand, feminist group Women Speak Tasmania believe no changes should be done to birth certificates. The Australian Christian Lobby told the publication that the bill was 'essentially abolishing gender, and 'homogenising humanity'. 'If you are legally a transgender woman, even if you have a penis you can go wherever you want in terms of women's safe spaces,' a spokesman said. This is the shocking moment an absent-minded cyclist smashed face-first through the back window of a car. Dressed in a bright yellow jacket and no helmet, the man turns a corner while looking at his phone in the dark. With his full attention on the phone and wearing headphones, he meanders down a road and fails to spot a stationary car in his path in Dublin His eyes quickly flick up from his phone just before he collides with the car. Within a split second he goes straight into the back of the stationary car, smashing his head against the rear windscreen. The cyclist is so busy looking at his phone he doesn't notice the stationary car in front of him The impact smashes the glass in an instant, and the cyclist is seen clutching his head afterwards. The identity of the man the extent of his injuries are unknown. The incident took place on October 20, 2018 at around 1.30am, according to the dashcam information. The video was posted on the 'Bad drivers caught on dashcam' Facebook group earlier today. The man cycles directly into the rear window of the car and smashes it at 1.30am in Dublin One Facebook user said: 'What a d*** hope he pays for the damage.' While another added: 'Yet another f******g dumb*** idiot!!!!', while another branded the cyclist a 'complete and utter c***womble'. The opportunity to mock him was not missed either, with one person writing: 'Was reading a txt and had some smashing news lol.' An Indonesian man has been arrested after allegedly murdering a family of three because they called him a 'fat elephant'. Agus Hariadi, from North Sumatra is accused of throwing his two neighbours and their 12-year-old son into a river near their home in the region on October 8. Police arrested Hariadi on Monday along with three other men suspected of being his accomplices in the killings. The four are accused of murdering a 49-year-old man named Muhajir, his 50-year-old wife Suniati and their 12-year-old son M. Solihin. 'The motive is hurt, because he is often ridiculed. The perpetrator was hurt because the victims made fun of his physical appearance,' said North Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General Agus Andriyanto. A 49-year-old man named Muhajir (left), his 50-year-old wife Suniati (center) and their 12-year-old son M. Solihin (right) were all killed on October 8 Agus Hariadi (pictured), from North Sumatra, has been charged with carrying out the murder with three accomplices 'They'd say things like, 'oh a group of elephants has arrived, because the perpetrator's body is rather fat.' Police said that their interrogations with Agus had revealed that the crime had been planned two days prior to when the murders took place on October 9. According to the police chronology, the perpetrators came to the victims' house at around 11pm that night with the pretense that they wanted to borrow money. When they entered the victim's house, Agus was said to have smashed Muhajir's over the head with a stone. They then tied up all three family members and took them to a nearby river. Police said M Solihin had already been killed before they tossed his body into the river but Muhajir and Suniati were still alive. The bodies were later recovered from the river. Police also secured evidence including cell phones and a rental car that was used to carry and dispose of the victims. The four suspects have been charged with premeditated murder and could potentially face the death penalty. North Sumatra police said they believed the motive was a string of personal insults against the alleged killer A 91-year-old blind and deaf pensioner who had been missing for a week in the California desert was rescued on Sunday next to the body of her dead husband. A quad biker alerted authorities early on Saturday evening to an unattended vehicle in a desert area of Adelanto, a small city in San Bernardino County, California. Deputies combed the area and discovered the body of the Keith Davis who had been missing from Palmdale since Tuesday, and his wife Pauline who was immediately taken to hospital for treatment. Pauline Davis of Palmdale, California who was missing for a week in the desert before an off-roader's discovery of an unattended vehicle in a Southern California desert area led to her rescue and also the body of her husband Keith Davis, 87, had suffered from dementia while Pauline has both hearing and vision loss, the missing person's report said. The San Bernardino County coroner's office said in a press release that the quad biker had dialled 911 just before half past five on Saturday evening to report the abandoned vehicle and a sheriff's deputy responded to the call. 'The vehicle was related to a missing person's report filed on Tuesday, 10/16/2018,' the release says. 'The missing person's report was for an elderly couple, Pauline and Keith Davis who were missing out of Palmdale, CA. Dementia-sufferer Keith Davis, 87, whose body was discovered on Sunday night after he had been missing in the California desert for a week with his wife Pauline, who survived 'Deputies searched the surrounding area and were able to locate Pauline. 'She was transported to a hospital for treatment. 'Keith Davis, age 87, was found dead in the open desert at 8.47pm. 'The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident.' 'My mother shuffles, she doesn't walk,' the couple's daughter Lori Davis, told NBC4. 'Dad holds on to her and they walk very slowly. They're like children.' The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department last week had sought the public's help on Twitter in solving disappearance of the couple. A disgruntled TUI customer who was celebrating her 40th birthday has claimed she and fellow passengers were served unrefrigerated ham sandwiches for dinner and breakfast during a flight from Cuba. Jayne Wallis, 40, took pictures of the unsatisfactory food, which appear to show the ham sandwiches stuffed into 'bin bags' and placed on the floor next to a mop, and accused the airline of poor food hygiene. The passenger, who was flying to Gatwick, also wrote that the ham was not kept cold and was served in replacement of hot food which took almost eight hours to arrive. Jayne Wallis, 40, claimed she and fellow passengers were served unrefrigerated ham sandwiches for dinner and breakfast on a flight from Cuba to Gatwick According to Ms Wallis, the flight on Saturday was held up for a total of six hours, two of which were caused by a catering blunder which meant staff had to make ham sandwiches. She posted to TUI's Facebook page: 'Thanks Tui for a not so fantastic end to my 40th Birthday present. She posted pictures of the meals she was served for breakfast and dinner while onboard the flight from Cuba to Gatwick 'A four hour delay in Cuba followed by the news there was no hot food or catering supplies for the flight due to an error on your part. 'Had to wait while the airport made up emergency food for the flight home.... Ham sandwiches stored in bin bags, not refrigerated, and then served again for breakfast - why would anyone think this was safe food hygiene practice? 'Absolutely appalling never mind neglectful!' The furious passenger documented her experience with photographs to illustrate the inadequate customer care. When she arrived at Gatwick the disgruntled customer took a picture what appeared to be sandwiches stuffed in bags TUI responded to her online post stating: 'I completely understand why you're upset about this; this isn't how we'd wish for your holiday experience to end' In one photo a large quantity of ham sandwiches are seen squeezed into an orange plastic bag by TUI staff while in another she displays what cabin crew gave her for breakfast and dinner. One social media user Lis Sibson responded: 'That's terrible Jayne! Make sure you get the compensation for being delayed that long!'. Liz Hughes added: 'Ummmm one on the floor and a bag next to a mop!!! 'Disgusting!!!! Make sure you complain!' Social media users responded to Jayne's post on Facebook to share their frustration. One user wrote: 'Make sure you get the compensation for being delayed that long' TUI responded to the customer's Facebook post by writing: 'Hi Jayne, I completely understand why you're upset about this; this isn't how we'd wish for your holiday experience to end. 'Please let me reassure you that we go to great lengths to avoid delayed yet, despite our best efforts, they do sometimes happen. Our team will get you on your way as quickly and safely as we can. 'If you've now arrived home and have experienced a delay, you'll be able to raise this with our team so they can take a look into this for you'. A TUI spokeswoman said: 'We are aware that the hot food supply was missing on TOM057 from Varadero to London Gatwick on 20th October 2018. 'Unfortunately this was discovered when the cabin crew went to prepare the catering prior to departure; the team did their best to avoid further delay by sourcing sandwiches to ensure customers were provided food for the flight. 'Whilst we agree this falls below the TUI experience customers expect our cabin crew ensured food was appropriately stored and refrigerated in the chiller cupboards throughout the flight. 'A full investigation with our ground handlers is under way and wed like to apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused.' President Donald Trump is going all-in on keeping his Republican Party in power on Capitol Hill, adding 10 more campaign rallies to his schedule and pouring another $9 million into the midterms two weeks out before Election Day. That brings the president's total investment into the 2018 election to over $20 million, according to his campaign, which revealed their new campaign efforts on Tuesday, as Republicans work to stop a blue wave from covering the country. Trump isn't on the ballot in November but the results will be seen as a referendum on his presidency. His 2020 campaign has been on a fundraising tear, raising roughly $100 million to date. His campaign promises it will be an 'epic ride.' 'Theres nowhere President Trump wont go to protect and expand the GOP majorities in the House and Senate. He decides where hes needed most to rally his record army of volunteers to Get Out The Vote for GOP candidates that will support his America First agenda in Congress. Its going to be an epic ride through the home stretch of this campaign with massive, record crowds and a surge to the polls like a party has never accomplished in a midterm election,' said a Trump campaign spokesperson to DailyMail.com. President Donald Trump is going all-in on keeping his Republican Party in power on Capitol Hill, adding more rallies to his schedule and campaigning for GOP lawmakers like Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas Trump has held 16 rallies since Labor Day and will do 10 more before Election Day His last-minute push comes among risingGOP hopes they will retain control of the Senate even as polls and independent political prognosticators give Democrats the odds of winning control of the House of Representatives. Trump has held 16 rallies since Labor Day and has three more on his schedule for this week: one in Mosinee, Wisconsin, on Wednesday; Charlotte, N.C., on Friday; Murphysboro, Illinois, on Saturday. No new additional rallies are ready to be announced, his campaign told DailyMail.com. 'President Trump is all-in for the midterms to lead the GOP to victory on Election Day,' said Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale in a statement. 'His winning spirit is energizing Americans across the country to get out the vote and keep the momentum of our America First agenda going strong.' The campaign is pouring $6 million in national TV and digital advertising, which launched Monday and will run through Election Day. 'With so much at stake in the midterms, we're leaving everything on the field to build on our incredible progress for the American people,' said Lara Trump, senior advisor to the Trump campaign, in a statement. 'Now, President Trump is counting on voters to be all-in to Make America Great Again on November 6th. Complacency is not an option!' Additionally, the Trump Campaign is transferring $3 million to the Republican National Committee to assist in the final two weeks of campaigning. 'President Trump energizes our base like no one else. The overwhelming amount of time and money he's spending is fueling grassroots enthusiasm for all of our candidates. That support has enabled the RNC build our largest field program ever to get out the vote and defy history on Election Day,' said RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel in a statement to DailyMail.com. Trump's campaign rallies have been held in the ruby red areas that are his strongholds with performances by the president designed to get his base to the polls and where the friendly crowds eat up the red meat he throws at them. His speech is filled with lines designed to bring cheering, applause, and shouts like 'build the wall' and 'Lock her up.' His comments are filled with jabs at Democrats such as at 'crazy' Maxine Waters, the California congresswoman, or arguing that Democrats want to bring crime into the country with their immigration policy. He also uses his rallies to zing Democrats who may challenge him in 2020, such as progressive Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Upcoming Trump Campaign Rallies Mosinee, Wisconsin, on Wednesday Charlotte, N.C., on Friday Murphysboro, Illinois, on Saturday Advertisement At a rally in Houston on Monday evening, Trump again knocked Warren with the moniker 'Pocahontas,' although he says the taunt no longer makes sense 'because she has no Indian blood'. 'A sad thing happened last week. Because Elizabeth Warren was exposed as being a total fraud,' he said of a DNA test Warren took, which showed she likely had a family member six to 10 generations ago who was Native American. 'I can't call her Pocahontas. She doesn't qualify,' Trump said. The president also joked about nominating Hillary Clinton to the Supreme Court to get the media to investigate her emails and family foundation. 'If you want the fake news to finally investigate Hillary Clinton, we will just have to nominate Hillary Clinton to the United States Supreme Court,' he told the crowd as they cheered. 'How do you like that idea? Let's see how she does.' Even as experts favor the Democrats to take the House, a Republican-controlled Senate could act as a check against any actions taken by the lower chamber against the president - such as launching investigations into his administration or starting impeachment proceedings. Democrats are vowing to investigate Trump's tax returns and other financial matters should they retake the House with some on the left arguing for impeachment proceedings. Obtaining the president's tax returns would be 'one of the first things we'd do' and the 'easiest thing in the world,' Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said during an interview last week with the San Francisco Chronicle's editorial board. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said Democrats will obtain Trump's tax records should they retake control of the House Trump isn't on the ballot in November but the results will be seen as a referendum on his presidency Trump's rallies are designed to rally his base ahead of the midterm election Pelosi would likely return to the speaker's chair in the aftermath of Democratic victory. Democrats need to pick up 23 seats in order to win the House. Things look tougher for them in the Senate where the math is not in their favor. There are 10 Democratic senators running in states Trump won in 2016 and only one Republican senator running in a state Clinton won. History shows it's common for the party of the president in power to lose seats on Capitol Hill in the first midterm election of their presidency. In 2010, the first midterm of Barack Obama's presidency, Democrats suffered massive losses. Republicans picked up a record 63 House seats to take control of the lower chamber and took six Senate seats, expanding their then-minority there. Obama called it a 'schallacking.' This awe-inspiring footage shows the Royal Marines carrying out exercises on the Thames in preparation for a live demonstration in honour of the Dutch king and queen. The clip shows rigid-hulled inflatable boats, or RIBs, speeding up and down the Thames around Tower Bridge today. Royal Marine boats can even be seen circling a passenger ferry in a brilliant display. The preparations are for a joint UK-Netherlands On-Water Capability Demonstration tomorrow. It will see the Royal Marines join with HNLMS Zeeland's Marines company and take to the Thames. The Marines commandos will launch a high-speed 'simulated assault' on the Thames with their Dutch counterparts. Blank ammunition will be used during the 10-minute display. Colonel Simon Scott OBE, Commanding Officer 1 Assault Group Royal Marines, said it would provide a 'short, sharp, clear demonstration' of a joint amphibious capability. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima will attend the Dutch ship HNLMS Zeeland which will be anchored next to HMS Belfast. The event is part of a two-day state visit to the UK by the King and Queen of the Netherlands. The Royal Marines will join with Dutch equivalent HNLMS Zeeland's Marines company and take to the Thames for a demonstration The demonstration will be held as part of a two-day state visit to the UK by the King and Queen of the Netherlands Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: 'Our forces have worked closely with the Netherlands amphibious forces for more than 45 years, demonstrating world-class military integration. 'Right now, our Royal Marines are working alongside their Dutch counterparts in Norway as part of the Defence Arctic Strategy, which shows our deep shared commitment to European security. 'This state visit allows us to take stock and celebrate an enduring alliance with one of our closest defence partners.' Tomorrow, as well as the naval demonstration, the royals, together with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, will view Humanitarian and Disaster Relief displays from the joint response to the hurricane that affected the Caribbean in 2017. At 2.40pm, the Buckingham Palace Detachment of The Queen's Guard will turn out and give a Royal Salute for the departure of the Dutch royals. Britain rolled out the red carpet for King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima as the two nations marked the first state visit from a sitting Dutch monarch for almost 40 years. The Queen, the Prince of Wales and their guests pose for a group photo after arriving at Buckingham Palace this afternoon by carriage. Charles stepped in for his elderly father, the Duke of Edinburgh, who retired from public duties last summer After arriving in the capital last night, Willem-Alexander, 51 and his Argentine-born consort were met by a spectacular gun salute to formally kick off a two-day visit that will take them everywhere from Buckingham Palace to Brixton and the House of Commons. As part of the visit, a glittering state banquet will be held tonight at Buckingham Palace, where the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment will provide staircase lining parties and the Countess of Wessex's String Orchestra will play music during the meal. The government has said that the first state visit to Britain by a sitting Dutch monarch since Queen Beatrix in 1982 're-affirms the excellent ties between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom as North Sea neighbours based on shared values in the past, present and future'. The White House Council of Economic Advisors has produced a report that links two major Democratic presidential candidates to the brutal regimes of Russia's Joseph Stalin and China's Mao Zedong. The report, produced by a team of White House economists who advice President Trump on a range of economic matters, conducted a delved into literature and quotations of communism and Socialism and wrote a paper condemning a rival economic system thought to be on the wane since the Cold War. 'We find that historical proponents of socialist policies and those in the contemporary United States share some of their visions and intents,' going on to bash Democratic proposals to have the government become the 'single payer' for health care. A new White House report links China's Mao Zedong and other communist leaders to leading Democratic presidential candidates and policy ideas In an obvious slap, it uses the same lingo to note that Mao proposed having the communist Chinese government become 'the single payer for grain.' 'We begin our investigation by looking closely at the most highly socialist cases, which are typically agricultural economies, such as Maoist China, Cuba, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Their nondemocratic governments seized control of farming, promising to make food more abundant. The result was substantially less food production and tens of millions of deaths by starvation,' they write. One page of the report references Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, Mao, Cuba's Fidel Castro, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Sen. Bernie Sanders The report also takes shots at 'the Nordic and European versions of socialized medicine' and make connections to the U.S. healthcare debate. 'Coincident with the 200th anniversary of Karl Marx's birth, socialism is making a comeback in American political discourse,' the report claims. 'Detailed policy proposals from self-declared socialists are gaining support in Congress and among much of the younger electorate.' The report comes as Trump at his campaign rallies has been ramping up attacks on 'radical Democrats' in an effort to prevent a Democratic congressional takeover. He also charges Democrats will turn the U.S. 'into Venezuela.' One passage quotes Karl Marks on 'modern bourgeois private property,' Mao on the ''the ruthless economic exploitation and political oppression of the peasants by the landlord class' followed by quotations from Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen. Bernie Sanders about large corporations exploiting consumers or workers to boost their profits. Another passage links Sanders and Warren to bloody Chinese and Soviet regimes. 'The socialist narrative names the oppressors of the vulnerable, such as the bourgeoisie (Marx), kulaks (Lenin), landlords (Mao), and giant corporations (Sanders and Warren).' Asked about Trump's frequent claims that Democrats would turn America into Venezuela if they win control of Congress in spite of a lack of empirical evidence to support the charge, a senior official on Monday pointed to Sanders' proposal to dramatically expand Medicare and have the federal government shoulder the burden. The White House released the report weeks before the mid-term elections The report begins withe 'most highly socialist cases' in China and the USSR, then goes after higher tax rates and Medicare for all proposals 'Certainly, I think that there are proposals on the table like the 'Medicare for All' proposal that are very consistent with the design of socialism,' the official told reporters during a White House call. Sanders is a self-described democratic socialist. A recent Reuters poll showed 70 percent of Americans support 'Medicare for All,' a program that has been gaining traction among Democratic candidates after being the subject of intra-party fights in the past. The Trump adviser explained, 'I think that my role at CEA is not to be a politician but to be an analyst.' 'And if our study convinced people of all parties that if they rely on central planning and try to reduce the influence of private property, by either specifically nationalizing things or regulating and taxing things just about into oblivion, that would be bad for the overall economy, then I would feel like the paper had accomplished its objective.' Another passage includes citations to a study of communist regimes including Cuba. Kevin Hassett (left) chairs the Council of Economic Advisers 'We begin our investigation by looking closely at the most extreme, although not uncommon, socialist cases, which are Maoist China, Cuba, the USSR, and other primarily agricultural countries (Pipes 2003). Referring to these same countries, Janos Kornai (1992, xxi) explained that the 'development and the break-up and decline of the socialist system amount to the most important political and economic phenomena of the twentieth century. At the height of this system's power and extent, a third of humanity lived under it,' it notes. 'Present-day socialists do not want the dictatorship or state brutality that often coincided with the most extreme cases of socialism. However, peaceful democratic implementation of socialist policies does not eliminate the fundamental incentive and information problems created by high tax rates, large state organizations, and the centralized control of resources,' according to the report. 'It is not unusual for the White House to issue statements that reinforce the political themes the president's party is campaigning on before an election,' election attorney Brett Kappel told NBC. 'But it is very unusual for the Council of Economic Advisors a supposedly nonpartisan body of experts to be used for this purpose,' he said. Poundland pulled the product (pictured) amid an outcry from activists on social media Environmentalists have slammed Poundland for flogging 1 Halloween pumpkins made of polystyrene which take 500 years to degrade despite the fact that real ones are being sold in supermarkets for the same price. The discount retailer today pulled the item after being called out on social media by shoppers for selling the polystyrene toy. They were available for 1 and invitee customers to 'carve your own pumpkin' - as shops such as Tesco and Sainsbury's sell the real, biodegradable fresh fruit for the same price. Consumers claim the Poundland gimmick will damage the environment as the non-recyclable faces ending up in the ocean or landfill. Marisa tweeted: '@Poundland please explain why you would be selling carve your own polystyrene pumpkins? How much is going to make its way back to our seas? Did you not think about the effect on the environment?' Kerry Lewis wrote: 'Are you mad @poundland?? Selling polystyrene pumpkins to carve at home? Are you not aware of the environmental crisis that befalls us and our oceans!? Where do you think all that polystyrene will end up? #halloween #saynotoplastic.' Green City Events added: 'WHATTTTT! @Poundland what are you thinking?! Please take these off your shelves NOW and take some responsibility for what you sell.' The Meek Family said: 'OMG @Poundland the fact this is sooo out of touch with the current attitudes towards single-use plastic is more than scary, its horrifying. I really hope NO ONE buys these! #BePlasticClever #WorldGoneMad.' Emma Graham commented: 'Urgh why?! @Poundland this is crazy, it is time to take control of our hideous pollution of our precious planet! At least real ones whilst growing are creating oxygen and once carved will feed us or the wildlife. PLEASE STOP!' Anne Arnott said: '@Poundland Absolute shame on you for selling polystyrene pumpkins. The world is drowning in this stuff. Come on POUNDLAND bosses. Take them off the shop floor and dispose of them. Shame.' And a Poundland representative replied to one comment, saying: 'Thank you for getting in touch. I hope youll be pleased to hear while these items have been on general sale in many retailers, we confirm weve taken the decision not to re-purchase them and remove them from sale later this week. Thanks, Zoe.' However, 30 mins after this tweet - the retailer added that they would be removed today. Poundland added that 'while these items have been on general sale in many retailers, we confirm weve taken the decision not to re-purchase them and remove them from sale today'. Child environmental campaigners Kids Against Plastic said: 'Roll up and grab your incredible new POLYSTYRENE PUMPKIN - full of artificial chemicals and guaranteed to last forever on the planet once the day is over. Nothing scarier than that to make sure you have a spooky #Halloween @BePlasticClever.' Polystyrene takes more than 500 years to break down - if it breaks down at all. As it degrades it can also be eaten by animals. The Medical University of Vienna conducted a Eirope-wide study in which it found plastics in the faeces of every participant. In September, craft supply chain Hobbycraft was also found to be selling polystyrene pumpkins for 1. Customers accused the 85-store chain of selling 'pointless plastic' which was destined for the landfill or to pollute the oceans. Poundland has been approached for comment. An apartment block with almost a dozen key safes at its front door could be the 'final straw' for Airbnb in Edinburgh. In an extraordinary photo shared on Reddit, a row of 11 key safes are perched along the right hand side of a property's front door on Edinburgh's iconic Royal Mile. Key safes refer to mini metal lockers which securely store apartment keys for holiday makers and other short-term visitors. An apartment block (pictured) with almost a dozen key safes at its front door could be the 'final straw' for Airbnb in Edinburgh The photo which was shared on Reddit shows a row of 11 key safes perched along the right hand side of a property's red front door on Edinburgh's iconic Royal Mile (pictured) What are key safes? Key safes are a small metal box used to securely store keys. It is often installed outside a property and is accessed by a combination code. Key safes have become more popular in recent years with the rise of Airbnb and other short-term rentals. Advertisement They can only be accessed by tenants and guests who know the combination code. The property is just a stone throw away from tourist hot spots including Edinburgh castle and one entrance to the Hogmanay Street Party held in December. One apartment owner has advertised his flat for a staggering 215 pounds a night because of its location in the heart of Edinburgh's old town. The picture which was captured by Chris Pettigrew with the caption 'Actual Final Boss of Edinburgh Airbnb' has sparked a debate among social media users. Key safes, like the 11 pictured in front of an Edinburgh property (pictured, left), have become more popular in recent years with the rise of Airbnb (pictured, right) and other short-term rentals One man said: 'My god. Unbelievable. How as it come to this? Stop this madness now.' Another downplayed the debate, challenging why locals would want to live in a tourist hub in the first place. 'Why would anyone who lives here want to stay in the busy touristy bits anyway?' another hit back. A former tenant said he was shocked by the sheer number of key safes but is happy he can return for a visit. One man said: 'I lived here 2012-15 and there were a couple of Airbnbs but nothing like this. That was a great flat; I suppose the good news is I can probably stay there again when I visit.' A quick Google street view search reveals the impact of the Airbnb and short-term rental boom in the last few years. The picture which was captured by Chris Pettigrew with the caption 'Actual Final Boss of Edinburgh Airbnb' has sparked a debate among social media users One man said: 'My god. Unbelievable. How as it come to this? Stop this madness now' 'Why would anyone who lives here want to stay in the busy touristy bits anyway?' another hit back A street view of the property dating back to 2015 has no key safes pictured next to the door. Yet a year later, three key safes are instated, followed by seven in May 2017. It comes after the Scottish government has revealed plans to make restrictions on Airbnb rentals in Edinburgh after a row of complaints from tenants. Global cities have put restrictions in a bid to control short-term letting. In London short term rentals are limited to 90 days a year while Amsterdam enforces a 60 day limit. New York enforces stricter rules making it illegal to occupy a short-term let for longer than 30 consecutive days unless the host is present. An Airbnb spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Airbnb is built on the principles of making communities stronger, spreading tourism benefits beyond hotels to Scottish families and local businesses. Entire home listings on Airbnb represent less than 2.5 per cent of the available housing stock in Edinburgh, with the typical host sharing their home for fewer than four nights a month. And while guests using Airbnb account for just five per cent of visitors to Scotland, they boost the Scottish economy by almost 1.5 million a day and put around 240 million into the pockets of Edinburgh families last year alone.' Employees at Google, Facebook and Twitter, which have been accused by President Donald Trump of being biased against conservatives, have donated just over 7 per cent of a total of $2.4million to Republican candidates running in midterm elections this year. According to Federal Election Commission data first analyzed by Fox News, staff at the Silicon Valley tech companies poured $2.224million into the coffers of Democratic hopefuls, compared to $176,000 that went to those running on the Republican tickets in races across the country, including the heated battle between Senator Ted Cruz and Beto ORourke in Texas. Trump has repeatedly called out those working in the tech industry, accusing them of tipping the scales against conservatives. FEC filings show Google employees have donated the most money this election cycle, shelling out more than $1.5million on Democratic candidates and a paltry $117,000 on Republicans At Facebook, workers spent a total of $549,000 on campaigns run by Democrats and just $58,000 on GOP campaigns CEO Jack Dorsey's (pictured) staff at Twitter has donated no money to Republicans this year, whereas more than $100,000 in donations has gone to Democrats In a tweet fired off in August, the president wrote: 'Google search results for "Trump News' shows only the viewing/reporting of Fake News Media. In other words, they have it RIGGED, for me & others, so that almost all stories & news is BAD. Fake CNN is prominent. Republican/Conservative & Fair Media is shut out...' A month prior, Trump accused his social media platform of choice, Twitter, of 'SHADOW BANNING' prominent Republicans and vowed to launch an investigation into 'this discriminatory and illegal practice.' Top executives at all three companies targeted by the president's rants have denied manipulating their algorithms to favor the left. In his testimony before the Commerce and Judiciary Committees on Capitol Hill in April, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg conceded that Silicon Valley is 'an extremely left-leaning place,' but he added that he strives to ensure that his company does not 'have bias in the work' it does. Striking a similar tone, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said in August that most of his staff were 'left-leaning,' but dismissed the notion that the social media site excluded users espousing conservative views. In late September, Google CEO Sundar Pichai wrote in an internal email that suggestions that Google would interfere in search results for political reasons were absolutely false. We do not bias our products to favor any political agenda. The breakdown of individual donations shows that no one on Twitter's staff has donated any money to Republicans this year, whereas more than $100,000 in donations has gone to Democrats. At Facebook, workers spent a total of $549,000 on campaigns run by Democrats and just $58,000 on GOP campaigns. Of the three Silicon Valley firms, Google employees have donated the most money this election cycle, shelling out more than $1.5million on Democratic candidates and a paltry $117,000 on Republicans. ORourke, the Democrat running to unseat incumbent Senator Cruz in Texas, has received more than $30,000 from Google staffers and $18,000 from Facebook employees, as opposed to his Republican rival who received a $250 donation from a single employee at the search engine. Both Google CEO Sundar Pichai (left) and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg have denied that their companies were biased against conservatives FEC filings tracking donations of the tech companies' political action committees, however, tell a more complex story. Facebook and Google's PACs have traditionally favored Republicans over Democrats, including in 2016, when both companies lavished a total of $1million on GOP hopefuls and just $878,000 on Democrats. But in the run-up to next months midterm elections, Facebook and Google's PACs have donated $607,000 to Democrats and $538,000 to Republicans. According to quarterly campaign data released by the FEC last week, during the month of September Facebook contributed to 38 Republican politicians and PACs, compared to 20 Democrats. Fighting serious and organised crime will be 'significantly' more difficult after a no deal Brexit, the boss of the National Crime Agency warned today. NCA director-general Lynne Owens said she was 'deeply concerned' no deal could block UK police from tools like the European Arrest Warrant and the shared Schengen Information System law enforcement database. Ms Owens also warned that the structure of policing in England and Wales was getting in the way of fighting modern problems like cyber-crime, human trafficking, modern slavery, child abuse and 'county lines' operations taking drugs from the cities to smaller towns. She called for changes to policing at local, regional and national levels to ensure that all aspects are sufficiently resourced. NCA director-general Lynne Owens (file image) said she was 'deeply concerned' no deal could block UK police from tools like the European Arrest Warrant Asked about the potential consequences for policing of a no-deal Brexit, Ms Owens told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'We are working very closely with our policing partners because we are deeply concerned about the consequences of a no-deal Brexit. 'We have been clear from the very beginning that our ability to share intelligence, our ability to jointly investigate - in this world where there are no borders because of technology - could be significantly impacted, particularly through the use of the Schengen Information System, European Arrest Warrants and our ability to deploy overseas.' She suggested that post-Brexit co-operation which may be favoured by police chiefs in the UK and EU states could be blocked for political reasons. 'Whenever I talk to my operational partners overseas, they see there is two-way benefit, but, of course, we aren't politicians,' she said. Ms Owens said the existence of 43 police forces in England and Wales encouraged chief constables to concentrate on responding to concerns over crime at local level. 'We currently have a very localised policing response - 43 police forces in England and Wales, 43 chief constables and 43 police and crime commissioners,' she told Today. 'Of course they are focused on the very local. 'My deep fear is that, if we don't properly understand the threat from serious and organised crime and build new capabilities at regional and national level, we will continue to react to crime, which will take us away from the core principles of the British policing model, which is about prevention.' Theresa May (pictured today on Horse Guards Parade) ordered weekly updates on no deal at Cabinet today amid continued stalemate in the negotiations The NCA recently launched a county lines co-ordination centre to tackle an estimated 2,000 operations distributing drugs from big cities like London and the West Midlands to county towns like Blackpool, York and Telford, said Ms Owens. 'My fear is, if we focus on the very local within these 43 boundaries, we won't tackle that sort of offending,' she said. She denied that she was simply lobbying for funding to be switched from county-based police forces to the NCA. 'My fundamental leadership responsibility is to make sure that the whole system is sufficiently funded, from the very local to the regional and the national, so that we can build the right capabilities to defeat the current threats,' she said. Workers in Poland have dismantled one of the country's best-known monuments to Russian soldiers who died freeing Poland from Nazi occupation. The monument to the Red Army's defeat of the Third Reich and pushing the German forces back through Eastern Europe was torn down today. Polish authorities began a drive to move communist-era symbols from public places to museums and this has has seen the statue to fallen Soviet soldiers in Skaryszewski Park in Warsaw, removed. New laws in Poland have cracked-down monuments to soldiers of the communist-era or expressing any gratitude or any promotion of totalitarian ideology. When the demolition began the park employees called the police, who arrived, checked the worker's permits and allowed them to carry on with removing the structure, reported the Russian media. Workers dismantle one of the best-known monuments expressing gratitude to the Soviet Red Army for freeing Poland from the German occupation Heavy equipment taking apart the communist-era monument in Warsaw, Poland, after new laws banned the promotion of totalitarian ideology Polish authorities began a drive to move communist-era symbols from public places and to museums and this has has seen the statute in Skaryszewski Park in Warsaw, torn down A Warsaw police commandant said: 'They checked all the documents and permits for the dismantling of the monument and went.' The dismantling is scheduled to end on Thursday and the park will be landscaped to create a walkway. Part of the Soviet monument will transfer to the Cold War Museum, near Szczecin, in the West Pomeranian Province of Poland. Monuments erected during the reign of Joseph Stalin on the Skaryszewski Park were dedicated to Soviet soldiers who died in September 1944 during the battle for Warsaw Praga. It was built in the burial place of 26 soldiers who died on September 13, 1944. Names of buildings, funds for housing and communal property have all be changed under the new laws introduced in 2009 but stepped up last year to increase the 'decommunisation' of the country. The statue was built in the burial place of 26 soldiers who died on September 13, 1944, as the Red Army pushed Hitler's forces from the capital of Poland When the demolition of the monument began park employees were said to have called the police, who inspected the permits and let the workers continue The Russian Foreign Ministry called the removal of the monument a 're-writing of history' In 1968, after some renovations to the monument, the remains of the fallen soldiers were transferred to the cemetery of Soviet soldiers in Warsaw and the monument moved into Skaryszewski Park. Agnieszka Climb, the representative of the Warsaw city hall, said: 'The dismantled monument will transfer to the Institute of national memory.' The Russian Foreign Ministry called the dismantling of the monuments the 'rewriting of history'. It comes as Israel marked the 70th anniversary of its first diplomatic mission as a new nation today with a re-enactment in the city that hosted the outpost in Warsaw. Israeli Ambassador Anna Azari, flanked by other diplomats, hung the Israeli flag from a balcony of the historic Bristol Hotel in central Warsaw. Just as in 1948, a small crowd on the street below applauded and sang the Israeli national anthem. In 1968 the remains of the dead Russian soldiers were transferred to the cemetery of Soviet soldiers in Warsaw and the monument moved into Skaryszewski Park Part of the Soviet monument will transfer to the Cold War Museum, near Szczecin, in the West Pomeranian Province of Poland The removal of the monument came as Israel paid tribute to its first diplomatic mission as a new nation outside of its homeland in Warsaw Israel chose the Bristol as the seat for its mission because the hotel was one of the few buildings that had not been destroyed by Germany during World War II. The Israeli Embassy in Poland is in a leafy residential neighbourhood. During the ceremony, embassy officials showed a brief video of the 1948 ceremony establishing the mission. Holocaust survivor Marian Kalwary attended today's re-enactment of an event he witnessed as an 18-year-old at his mother's urging. The Star of David on the Israeli flag he saw raised with pride that day was the same symbol that Warsaw's Jews were forced to wear a few years earlier while confined to a ghetto a few blocks away and sent to death camps by Nazi German forces. The Communist-era built Palace of Culture and Science building in central Warsaw, Poland, now has a cinema inside Kalwary said his mother was very moved by the ceremony recognising Israel's place on the world stage, describing it as a moment he could never forget. The anniversary re-enactment follows efforts by Poland and Israel to repair their typically strong ties after a Polish law that sought to regulate what could be said publicly about the Holocaust caused tension early this year. A presidential adviser read out a letter of greeting from President Andrzej Duda on Tuesday. A man has been sentenced to twelve years in prison for placing poisoned baby food in supermarkets to try to extort over 10 million from the companies. The 54-year-old, identified only as Jochen S, under strict privacy laws in Germany has been been found guilty of attempted murder and attempted extortion. A court in Ravensburg, in the south-western German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, heard how the man confessed to the poisoning baby food in the city of Friedrichshafen, hoping to extort the huge sum from commercial enterprises. The supermarket camera filmed Jochen S., 54, placing poisoned jars of baby food in supermarket aisles. He then attempted to blackmail major supermarket chains such as Lidl and Aldi He will spend 12 years behind bars for multiple counts of attempted murder. According to the police in Konstanz, a city on Lake Constance in southern Germany, five jars of baby food were poisoned with antifreeze According to chief prosecutor Peter Vobiller, the accusation of attempted murder on five counts was proven as he noted that every jar of baby food placed in supermarkets by the defendant contained lethal doses of poison. He added luck as well as police work prevented babies being killed in the incident. Jochen S. was arrested by a SWAT team as he walked his dog. The defendant claimed in his defence in court to have a borderline personality disorder and to have excessively consumed alcohol and painkillers at the time. But expert Hermann Assfalg ruled out any mental disturbances in the suspect and assessed him to be criminally liable. The 54-year-old identified only as Jochen S. under strict privacy laws has been sentenced to twelve years imprisonment for attempted murder and attempted extortion by the court in Ravensburg in the south-western German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg The defendant claimed in his defence in court to have a borderline personality disorder and to have excessively consumed alcohol and painkillers at the time According to Assfalg, the attack took a week to plan and the defendant actively made the decision to carry it out. Borderline personality disorder is characterised by impulses regardless of circumstance. The expert concluded that the defendant did not fulfil the requirements to be admitted to a psychiatric clinic. The Konstanz police had said that debt was the driving factor for Jochen S. to come up with his poison and extortion scheme. Uwe Stuermer of the Konstanz police said: 'He had a failed life, a life of bankruptcy.' According to local media, Jochen S. has a criminal record of fraud and violent acts and has been bankrupt for 30 years. Chief prosecutor Peter Vobiller said attempted murder on five counts was proven as every jar of baby food placed in supermarkets by the defendant contained lethal doses of poison He had tried his luck with multiple business ventures such as a fitness studio, an artist agency and a cleaning company, but ended up accumulating debts he could not pay back. Three years ago he moved to Ofterdingen in the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg where he tried to start a new life as a dog trainer. A police investigator said: 'He has failed with everything he has tackled in life. He had relationships which failed, they never came to marriage. 'It's all about power and dominance for him.' Jochen S.'s neighbours said he was a friendly man but was considered a loner who lived a withdrawn life. One neighbour said: 'He only really got along with his dog and his two rabbits Gin and Tonic.' A train that derailed and killed 18 people in Taiwan was speeding when it flipped off the tracks, a court said Tuesday, with the driver suspected of 'professional negligence' for switching off a speed control system. The crash on the popular east coast line injured 187 people Sunday and left the eight-car Puyuma Express lying zig-zagged across the tracks in Yilan County. The 48-year-old driver, You Zhen-zhong, said he had turned off the system at an earlier station and had not switched it on again because he had been talking to a rail coordinator. Rescue workers work at the site where a train derailed in Yilan county, Taiwan on Sunday The 48-year-old driver, You Zhen-zhong, said he had turned off the system at an earlier station and had not switched it on again because he had been talking to a rail coordinator Passengers recalled how the train had been shaking intensely during the journey A statement from Yilan district court, which had reviewed evidence and questioned You as part of the bail hearing, said he had admitted to turning off the Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system used to monitor speed due to problems with the train's power supply. As the train approached Xinma station, the site of the crash, it was travelling at 140 kilometres per hour (87 miles per hour) instead of the 80 kph speed limit imposed due to a curve in the track, the court said. 'As he had turned off the ATP, he did not have the assistance of automatic speed monitoring and braking and should have taken necessary reactive measures, knowing there was a big curve ahead, instead of hitting the brake near the platform that led to the derailment,' the statement said. You was granted bail of T$500,000 (12,000) on Tuesday after being interrogated by prosecutors and returned to hospital where he was being treated for injuries including a fractured rib. All eight train carriages derailed in the incident, with five overturned to the left of the tracks Many of the casualties happened in a carriage at the front of the train, said a Taiwanese official Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen briefs journalists at the site of the train derailment in Yilan A spokesman for the Yilan district prosecutors' office, Chiang Chen-yu, told reporters there had been discrepancies between the driver's statement, evidence collected and witness accounts. 'There is a strong suspicion of (the driver's) guilt,' Chiang added. You did not comment when asked by reporters outside the court if he turned off the device or was speeding. A 12-second video of the crash shows the Puyuma Express carrying 366 passengers going around a bend before losing control and running off the tracks. It is seen striking and toppling a beam, ripping down metal structures from above the rail as it crashed. Passengers recalled how the train had been shaking intensely during the journey and was going 'too fast' before it derailed. Among the dead were eight members of a family returning from a wedding, Taiwan's railway authority confirmed. They ranged in age from 9 to 67. However, a spokesman for the Yilan district prosecutors' office, Chiang Chen-yu said there had been discrepancies between the driver's statement, evidence collected and witness accounts The driver was granted bail of 12,000 on Tuesday after being interrogated by prosecutors Passengers recalled how the train had been shaking intensely during the journey and was going 'too fast' before it derailed An official from the authority said previously that the train driver had reported a pressure device used for braking had malfunctioned 30 minutes before the accident. The administration confirmed that a Puyuma Express train also derailed last year on the same line, but no one was injured. The fastest of Taiwan's regular trains, the Puyuma Express began operating in 2013 to negotiate the rough terrain of the east coast. The 6-year-old trains were built to travel at an especially fast 150 kmh (93 mph). Taiwan Railways bought the Puyuma cars in 2011 from Japanese maker Nippon Sharyo for US$260 million (200 million). The seller said then that the trains were part of a US$46 billion (35 billion) upgrade of the line along Taiwan's east coast. The crash was the worst rail accident in Taiwan since 1991, when 30 passengers were killed and 112 injured after two trains collided in Miaoli in western Taiwan. Two drug dealers who stabbed a rival to death after catching him selling crack cocaine and heroin on their patch have been jailed for a total 43 years. Victim Balbir Johal, 48, was out with his nephew peddling 20 wraps of the drugs from the back of a Ford Focus when Hassan Mohamed, 23, and Yaasiin Yussuf, 21, confronted them in Southall on March 19. Mohamed and Yussuf jumped out of a white Mercedes which had parked alongside Johal and tried to grab the keys from the driver before Mr Johal got out, telling his nephew to stay where he was. Victim Balbir Johal, 48, was out with his nephew peddling 20 wraps of the drugs from the back of a Ford Focus when Hassan Mohamed (left), 23, and Yaasiin Yussuf (right), 21, confronted them in Southall on March 19 Yussuf who owned and supplied the murder weapon was convicted of manslaughter while Mohamed was convicted of murder for the fatal blows. Judge Michael Topolski, QC, jailed Mohamed for life and a minimum of 26 years. He said: I am sure the moment you became aware of the presence of Balbir Johal you were determined to confront him. You had with you a knife which you were quite prepared to use if the need arose. I accept that you did not form the intention to use the knife until after the initial confrontation was over and he was travelling away. It was then that you took the knife from Yussuf and went after him - not as you told the jury to frighten him off - but to cause him at least some really serious harm. Not by accident. Not in self-defence. You stabbed him twice, the second wound being fatal. I am satisfied that you used grossly disproportionate force - you murdered him. Jailing Yussuf for 17 years, the judge said: You participated in the attack on Balbir Johal. You knew full well as Hassan ran after him that he was in possession of the knife either because you handed it to him or because you knew it was in the car. As the killers fled, Mr Johal, already bleeding profusely from a leg wound, managed to crawl back to the Ford telling his nephew, Im hurt bad, before being taken to Ealing Hospital That knife had been in the flat where you lived just a week before - whether by accident or design you had taken footage of it on the floor in your room. Duncan Penny, QC, prosecuting, said a fight broke out between the three men before Mr Johal was briefly able to retreat back towards his own vehicle. But Mohamed went back to the Mercedes to arm himself before pursuing Mr Johal up the road wielding a large kitchen knife. He then used the knife to stab Balbir Johal on a number of occasions, including latterly at least one blow aimed at Balbir Johal after he had gone to the ground, said Mr Penny. As the killers fled, Mr Johal, already bleeding profusely from a leg wound, managed to crawl back to the Ford telling his nephew, Im hurt bad, before being taken to Ealing Hospital. He died around an hour after his arrival from injuries sustained in the 90-second attack. Mr Penny told jurors Mr Johal was killed because he was dealing drugs in the wrong place at the wrong time. His murderers were two men who, on the afternoon of his death, seems to have taken issue with his activities, the activities of him and of his associates and to confront them in a side street in Southall, in west London in March of this year and in due course, as you will see with your own eyes on the screens in front of you, to cut him down, he added. Both of them participated in an attack upon him in Marlborough Road in Southall during which the first defendant, Mr Mohamed, wielded a large kitchen knife. He stabbed Mr Johal on a number of occasions causing at least two very serious injuries; one of those a wound to his leg which cut into a blood vessel in his leg and which caused his death later that evening in hospital. Mr Johal and his nephew had been travelling in the Focus with two girls dropping drugs off to various customers. Mohamed, of Southall, Middlesex, denied but was convicted of murder and jailed for 26 years. Yussuf, of West Drayton, Hillingdon, west London, denied and was cleared of murder. He was found guilty of an alternative count of manslaughter and jailed for 17 years. Coffee drinkers in the nation's capital can now order that tall pumpkin spice iced skim latte in sign language. Starbucks has opened its first American Sign Language (ASL)-centric store in the US to better serve hard of hearing customers. The store in Washington is just blocks from Gallaudet University, one of the nation's oldest universities serving deaf and hard of hearing students. Starbucks has opened its first US 'signing store' to better serve hard of hearing customers. The store is located in Washington, DC, and is just blocks from Gallaudet University. Starbucks hired 20 to 25 deaf or hard of hearing baristas (pictured) to work at the store Marlee Matlin, the only deaf actor to win an Academy Award, posted an Instagram video of herself ordering a drink early Tuesday. 'The sign for the week is COFFEE,' she wrote. Starbucks announced in July that it would hire 20 to 25 deaf or hard of hearing baristas to work at the store. Deaf partners will wear special green aprons embroidered with the ASL finger spelling of Starbucks. Hearing partners will wear traditional green aprons with 'I Sign' pins. According to the company's press release, there are also opportunities for the hearing to learn some signing with the 'sign of the week' chalkboard above the register. 'This neighborhood is one of the most diverse I've seen since moving to DC,' said barista Crystal Harris through an interpreter. 'I hope the Signing Store will be embraced and accepted by those that live in this community. The fact that it is so close to Gallaudet University makes it that much more special.' Deaf partners (pictured) will wear special green aprons embroidered with the ASL finger spelling of Starbucks. Hearing partners will wear traditional green aprons with 'I Sign' pins According to the company's press release, there are also opportunities for the hearing to learn some signing with the 'sign of the week' chalkboard above the register Harris said as someone living with hearing loss, versus being totally deaf, existing in both worlds can be a challenge. The Deaf community includes a wide spectrum of people without any hearing or with limited hearing as well as their hearing allies. 'This store will represent what it means to bring communities together. All of them,' Harris said. When Margaret Houston, district manager, presented them with their official store aprons, they laughed and cried and cheered each other on, both vocally and with fingers waving, the ASL sign for applause, according to the press statement. More than 200 deaf employees are employed in Starbucks locations globally, the company said in the news release. Those employees often work with hearing partners who may not be proficient in sign language, though, said Marthalee Galeota, senior manager for accessibility at Starbucks. A team of deaf Starbucks partners and hearing allies led the effort to launch the DC store after being inspired by a similar store in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which opened in 2016 with nine deaf partners. Govt to take urgent measures to reduce electricity tariff: Imran Khan ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday directed the Ministry of Power to take urgent measures to reduce the electricity tariff as well as the burden on the consumers caused by power theft and line losses. Chairing a meeting of Energy Task Force here at the PM Office, the prime minister ordered an immediate crackdown against power thieves as common people cant be made to bear the brunt of theft and mismanagement by others. He said for the first time, the government was formulating the energy polices keeping in view the countrys needs for another 25 years to fulfil the future domestic and industrial needs besides ensuring energy mix and devising a well-coordinated framework for the energy policy. During the briefing given to the prime minister, it was told that steps were being taken to reduce dependence on the imported fuel and exploit the local resource to the maximum level. He was apprised that Punjab government had formed a task force under the chief minister to curb power theft and the deputy commissioners concerned would crack down against power thieves in their respective districts. Other provinces had also been directed to follow the suit, it was told. The meeting was told that large scale use of technology was being made to improve power transmission and distribution that would also help reduce the issues like power theft. The prime minister directed the Power Division to formulate a comprehensive plan to include the representatives of different companies to resolve the issues in supply of quality power transformers. The meeting decided to give special attention to the exploration of oil and gas. The prime minister was apprised that Pakistan had worlds ninth largest reserves of shale gas but the previous governments paid no heed to exploit those resources. It was told that not even a single block was awarded during the last five-and-a-half years while the incumbent government would soon finalize the award of 10 blocks in a transparent manner. The process to award another 30 blocks would be started that would also comprise holding of road shows at international level to attract the investment firms. The meeting also reviewed impediments in the exploration of oil and gas and decided to get the services of Oil and Gas Development Company to conduct the seismic survey to accelerate the exploration. The prime minister ordered urgent measures to resolve the security related issues confronting the oil and gas exploring firms. The Frontier Constabulary would give protection cover to the firms in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it was decided. The meeting was told that the foreign companies having disbanded their operations in Pakistan could be brought back by addressing the impediments in oil and gas exploration. The prime minister welcomed the return of world-renowned exploration firm Exxon to Pakistan and resolved that the government would extend all out facilities to it in the country. At a separate meeting, Prime Minister Imran Khan gave approval to several incentives aimed at attracting more remittances from overseas Pakistanis. To facilitate overseas Pakistanis and incentivise home remittances through legal channels, the meeting allowed the State Bank of Pakistan and its authorised dealers (banks) to implement Business to Customer (B2C) and Customer to Business (C2B) transactions through foreign correspondent entities under their existing home remittance agency arrangements. The freelance and information systems services have been allowed to transact up to US $1,500 per individual per month. Transaction services other than computer and information services have also been allowed to transact up to US $1,500 per individual per month. Pensioners can now receive up to Rs250,000 per individual per month. For C2B transactions, residents can easily receive direct payments from overseas Pakistanis to pay for utility bills, education fees of Higher Education Commission-accredited institutions, superstores, insurance companies, credit card bills, etc. Remittances received by reputed real estate builders, developers and housing societies from overseas Pakistanis on account of purchase of property such as residential and commercial houses, plots, flats and buildings have also been allowed except remittances for equity/participation in an enterprise. Prime Minister Imran Khan also expressed serious concern over the terrible situation and deaths of children in Tharparkar and directed relevant authorities to prepare a relief package for the drought-hit area. Separately, the prime minister strongly condemned the new cycle of killing of innocent Kashmiris in the Indian-held Kashmir and urged India to resolve the lingering dispute according to the wishes of its people. It is time for India to realise that it must move to resolve the Kashmir dispute through dialogue in accordance with the UNSC resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people, the prime minister in a tweet. Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who wrote critically of the kingdom's policies and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. Turkish officials say a 15-men team tortured, killed and dismembered the writer, while Saudi Arabia says he died in a 'fistfight.' Here are some key moments in the slaying of the Washington Post columnist: BEFORE HIS DISAPPEARANCE September 2017: The Post publishes the first column by Khashoggi in its newspaper, in which the former royal court insider and longtime journalist writes about going into a self-imposed exile in the U.S. over the rise of Prince Mohammed. His following columns criticize the prince and the kingdom's direction. September 28, 2018: Over a year after the Post published his first column, Khashoggi visits the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, seeking documents in order to get married. He's later told to return October 2, his fiancee Hatice Cengiz says. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says a plan or a 'road map' to kill Khashoggi was devised in Saudi Arabia during this time. September 29: Khashoggi travels to London and speaks at a conference. October 1: Khashoggi returns to Istanbul. At around 4.30pm, a three-person Saudi team arrives in Istanbul on a scheduled flight, checks in to their hotels then visits the consulate, according to Erdogan. The Turkish president says another group of officials from the consulate travel to a forest in Istanbul's outskirts and to the nearby city of Yalova on a 'reconnaissance' trip. Jamal Khashoggi (right) arriving at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul on October 2. He has not been seen since and Turkey has accused Saudi agents of murdering him THE DAY OF HIS DISAPPEARANCE 3.28am, October 2: A private jet arrives at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport carrying some members of what Turkish media will refer to as a 15-member Saudi 'assassination squad.' Other members of the team arrive by two commercial flights in the afternoon. Erdogan says the team includes Saudi security and intelligence officials and a forensics expert. They meet at the Saudi Consulate. One of the first things they do is to dismantle a hard disk connected to the consulate's camera system, the president says. 11.50am: Khashoggi is called to confirm his appointment at the consulate later that day, Erdogan says. 1.14pm: Surveillance footage later leaked to Turkish media shows Khashoggi walking into the main entrance of the Saudi Consulate. No footage made public ever shows him leaving. His fiancee waits outside, pacing for hours. 3.07pm: Surveillance footage shows vehicles with diplomatic license plates leaving the Saudi Consulate for the consul general's home some 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away. 5.50pm: Khashoggi's fiancee alerts authorities, saying he may have been forcibly detained inside the consulate or that something bad may have happened to him, according to Erdogan. 7pm: A private plane from Saudi Arabia carries six members of the alleged Saudi squad from Istanbul to Cairo, the next day returning to Riyadh. 11pm: Seven members of the alleged Saudi squad leave on another private jet to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which the next day returns to Riyadh. Two others leave by commercial flights. Erdogan confirms reports that a 'body double' - a man wearing Khashoggi's clothes, glasses and a beard - leaves the consulate building for Riyadh with another person on a scheduled flight later that day. CCTV images showed a a private jet alleged to have been used by a group of Saudi men suspected of being involved in Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death INITIAL REACTION October 3: Khashoggi's fiancee and the Post go public with his disappearance. Saudi Arabia says Khashoggi visited the consulate and exited shortly thereafter. Turkish officials suggest Khashoggi might still be in the consulate. Prince Mohammed tells Bloomberg: 'We have nothing to hide.' October 4: Saudi Arabia says on its state-run news agency that the consulate is carrying out 'follow-up procedures and coordination with the Turkish local authorities to uncover the circumstances of the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi after he left the consulate building.' October 5: The Post prints a blank column in its newspaper in solidarity with Khashoggi, headlined: 'A missing voice.' October 6: The Post, citing anonymous Turkish officials, reports Khashoggi may have been killed in the consulate in a 'preplanned murder' by a Saudi team. October 7: A friend of Khashoggi tells the AP that officials told him the writer was killed at the consulate. The consulate rejects what it calls 'baseless allegations.' October 8: Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Turkey is summoned over Khashoggi's disappearance and alleged killing. LEAKED FOOTAGE October 9: Turkey says it will search the Saudi Consulate as a picture of Khashoggi walking into the diplomatic post surfaces. October 10: Surveillance footage is leaked of Khashoggi and the alleged Saudi squad that killed him. Khashoggi's fiancee asks President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump for help. October 11: Turkish media describes Saudi squad as including royal guards, intelligence officers, soldiers and an autopsy expert. Trump calls Khashoggi's disappearance a 'bad situation' and promises to get to the bottom of it. October 12: Trump again pledges to find out what happened to Khashoggi. October 13: A pro-government newspaper reports that Turkish officials have an audio recording of Khashoggi's alleged killing from his Apple Watch, but details in the report come into question. INTERNATIONAL UPROAR October 14: Trump says that 'we're going to get to the bottom of it, and there will be severe punishment' if Saudi Arabia is involved. The kingdom responds with a blistering attack against those who threaten it, as the manager of a Saudi-owned satellite news channel suggests the country could retaliate through its oil exports. The Saudi stock exchange plunges as much as 7 percent at one point. October 15: A Turkish forensics team enters and searches the Saudi Consulate, an extraordinary development as such diplomatic posts are considered sovereign soil. Trump suggests after a call with Saudi King Salman that 'rogue killers' could be responsible for Khashoggi's alleged slaying. Trump says Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to the Mideast over the case. Meanwhile, business leaders say they won't attend an economic summit in the kingdom that's the brainchild of Prince Mohammed. October 16: A high-level Turkish official tells the AP that 'certain evidence' was found in the Saudi Consulate proving Khashoggi was killed there. Pompeo arrives for meetings in Saudi Arabia with King Salman and Prince Mohammed. Meanwhile, Trump compares the case to the appointment of now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing, saying: 'Here we go again with you're guilty until proven innocent.' October 17: Pompeo meets with Turkey's president and foreign minister in the Turkish capital, Ankara. Turkish police search the official residence of Saudi Arabia's consul general in Istanbul and conduct a second sweep of the consulate. October 18: A leaked surveillance photograph shows a member of Prince Mohammed's entourage walked into the consulate just before Khashoggi vanished there. October 20: Saudi Arabia for the first time acknowledges Khashoggi was killed in the consulate, claiming he was slain in a 'fistfight.' The claim draws immediate skepticism from the kingdom's Western allies, particularly in the U.S. Congress. October 22: A report says a member of Prince Mohammed's entourage made four calls to the royal's office around the time Khashoggi was killed. Police search a vehicle belonging to the Saudi consulate parked at an underground garage in Istanbul. October 23: Erdogan says Saudi officials murdered Khashoggi after plotting his death for days, demanding that Saudi Arabia reveal the identities of all involved. An illegal immigrant teenager who beheaded his mother apologized to his family on Monday for 'letting them down' as he was found not guilty of her murder by reason of insanity. Oliver Machada, 19, was found not guilty of first degree murder on Monday by in Louisburg, North Carolina. During the hearing, he gave a brief statement to apologize to his family, saying: 'I just want to say I'm sorry if I let my family down, and I just hope God forgives me.' Oliver Machada, 19, was found not guilty of first degree murder on Monday by in Louisburg, North Carolina (left). He stabbed and beheaded his mother Yesenia Funes Beatriz Machado (right) in March 2017 In March 2017, he stabbed his mother Yesenia Funes Beatriz Machado repeatedly then hacked her head off with a butcher's knife and walked out of their home, into their front yard, clutching it one of his hands. He called 911 afterwards and told police what he had done. Oliver used a butcher's knife to stab his mother repeatedly then sever her head and walk out of their home holding it. He is pictured in his mugshot last year For the past year, his legal case was on pause while he underwent psychiatric evaluation but it resumed on Monday when one of the doctors who had worked with him said he was mentally competent to stand trial. A judge however ruled that despite him being fit enough now, he was insane at the time and should therefore not be put in prison. Instead, he will likely spend the rest of his life in a state mental health facility. After the attack, Machada told Dr. George Corvin that he thought he had been instructed by God to kill his mother to 'send her home to heaven'. He continued to hear voices which told him that prison guards and psychiatrists were trying to kill him, the doctor said. 'Much of his psychosis had aspects of hyper religiosity marked by hallucinations that God was instructing him to do things, or alternatively that there were evil spirits or dark shadows possessing his mother. Machado, who was 18 at the time of the crime (left), told doctors afterwards that he thought he had been instructed by God to 'send his mother back to heaven' 'When I first saw him, he admitted that he was hearing a voice telling him that he should kill me and then a voice warning him that the correctional officer that was guarding us was going to shoot me, so you could imagine how tormenting it would be to constantly be exposed to that sort of an experience,' Corvin told the court on Monday. His two-year-old brother and four-year-old sister were inside the home at the time. ICE confirmed afterwards that he was living in the country illegally and was originally from Honduras. President Trump is likely to have a second summit next month with Vladimir Putin in Paris. Putin specifically recommended Paris for the conversation as he sat down with John Bolton in Moscow on Tuesday. The president's top national security adviser replied that Trump looks forward to seeing him there. Trump then told reporters that 'it's being discussed right now' in Moscow between Bolton and Putin. 'I think something good could come out of that, and I very well meet with I think we probably will,' the president said during an Oval Office event. 'It hasn't been set up yet, but it probably will be.' President Trump could have a second summit next month with Vladimir Putin in Paris Putin specifically recommended Paris for the conversation as he met with Bolton on Tuesday Bolton in an interview Monday said that Paris and Buenos Aires are on the table; the leaders will see each other at events in France and Argentina next month Bolton said prior to his meeting with Putin: 'We could also see a fuller meeting like Helsinki somewhere else as well.' Trump's top national security adviser revealed that an Armistice Day celebration that both leaders are attending at the beginning of November is the possible site of their next in-person discussion. 'So we will make the precise arrangements on that, but it will happen in connection with the 100th anniversary and the celebration of the armistice that the French are hosting on Nov. 11,' John Bolton said at a news conference. 'We could also see a fuller meeting like Helsinki somewhere else as well,' Bolton said during an interview with a Russian newspaper. The U.S. had said that Trump wanted to meet with Putin again - but only after the mid-term elections had concluded. News that the two sides are pushing ahead followed Trump's announcement this week that he was pulling the U.S. out of a Cold War nuclear treaty with the Kremlin. Just last week, the U.S. also accused a Russian operative of meddling in the 2018 election. Still, Bolton told Kommersant, a Russian newspaper, before his meeting with Putin in Moscow that he 'laid out...what some of the possibilities were' for a second summit on Monday. According to RadioFreeEurope, Bolton told the Russian paper that Nikolai Patrushev, his Kremlin counterpart, said he would report the offer to Putin. Trump met with Putin for an extensive conversation in July in Helsinki, Finland '"I wont step on President Putins decision, but perhaps hell have something to say in the near future," 'Bolton described the Kremlin official as having said. The G20 summit in Buenos Aires in November was also discussed as a possible rendezvous point. As Bolton was meeting with Putin on Tuesday, Putin said he'd like to sit down with Trump in Paris. Bolton told Putin in response that the president looks forward to seeing him at the event celebrating the end of World War I. At a news conference that followed, Bolton said that he raised the issue of Russian election meddling behind closed doors with Putin, as well as the nuclear treaty that Trump wants to drop out of. Syria was also a topic of conversation. The meeting took on a new significance in light of the president's pledge this week to drop out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty over Russia's failed compliance. Trump vowed on Monday that U.S. would keep adding to its nuclear arsenal 'until people come to their senses' in remarks he directly pointed at Russia and China. Trump said over the weekend he would seek to withdraw the U.S. from the Reagan-era pact that moved mid-range nukes out of Europe. He lashed at at nuclear powers Russia and China and cast his move in highly personal terms, saying at one point: 'You can't play that game on me.' Trump told reporters that a second summit 'is being discussed right now' in Moscow between Bolton and Putin - and that it will 'probably' take place next month in Paris 'Until people come to their senses, we will build it up,' Trump told reporters outside the White House Monday afternoon before taking off to a campaign rally in Texas. 'Until people come to their senses,' he repeated. 'Russia has not adhered to the agreement,' he argued. 'This should have been done years ago,' Trump said of his decision, which still requires Senate approval. Trump signaled that the agreement could be salvaged if violators come into compliance. 'Until people come to their senses, we have more money than anybody else by far,' Trump said, flexing the U.S. military and economic muscle. Bolton said in Moscow that it is 'important to deal with the question of Russian violations' to the United States. 'This is not a subject that arose yesterday. This question of Russian violations is long and deep,' he said of the issue that dates back to the Obama administration. He said that U.S. also takes issue with the fact that China, North Korea and Iran are not bound by the same rules, because the countries are not party to the INF agreement. They are essentially 'free to do whatever they want,' as a result and they have, he opined. 'There's a new strategic reality out there,' Bolton said of the Cold War-era treaty that didn't account for countries other than the United States and Russia obtaining nukes. He said that a formal notice of withdraw has not yet been filed but the preparations to do so are being made. This May 14, 2017, file photo distributed by the North Korean government shows the "Hwasong-12," a new type of ballistic missile at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Bolton said Tuesday that Trump said Saturday the U.S. was withdrawing because Russia hasn't honored the pact. 'Russia has not, unfortunately, honored the agreement so we're going to terminate the agreement and we're going to pull out,' he told reporters after a rally in Nevada. Speaking to reporters as he left the White House on Monday, he doubled down. 'We will build it up. Until they come to their senses. When they do, then well all be smart and well all stop,' Trump said. 'And well -- and by the way, not only stop, well reduce, which I would love to do. But right now, they have not adhered to the agreement.' Asked if his statement should be taken as a threat to Putin, Trump responded: 'It's a threat to whoever you want and it includes China and it includes Russia and anybody else who wants to play that game.' Trump signaled that he takes the violations personally. 'You can't do that, you can't play that game on me. Until people get, until they get smart, they have not adhered to the spirit of that agreement itself. Russia,' he said. Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev sign the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which eliminated the entire category of medium range nuclear weapons from the nuclear arsenals of the US and USSR Asked if his pledge to build up the nuclear arsenal was a threat, Trump responded: 'Its a threat to whoever you want. And it includes China, and it includes Russia.' Here China's President Xi Jinping (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok on September 12, 2018 Trump also noted that China is not included in the agreement. 'They should be included in the agreement,' Trump said of the powerful nation. 'Until they get smart, there will be nobody even close to us,' he warned. Trump said that he had not spoke to Putin about his decision to cancel the decades-old agreement on the eve of Bolton's trip to Moscow. 'I have not. I don't have to I don't have to I'm terminating the agreement,' Trump said. 'Because they violated the agreement. I'm terminating the agreement.' Russia said in the immediate aftermath of Trump's announcement that it wanted to hear from the U.S. first. 'We need to hear the American side's explanation on this issue,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. 'Scrapping the treaty forces Russia to take steps for its own security,' the Putin spokesman argued. Mikhail Gorbachev, who helped hammer out the pact, warned pulling out risks life on the planet. Gorbachev, 87, said Trump was showing a lack of wisdom. Do they really not understand in Washington what this could lead to?' he asked. Historic: Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan sign the 1987 treaty Is it really so hard to understand that dropping these agreements... shows a lack of wisdom? Getting rid of the treaty is a mistake. All the agreements aimed at nuclear disarmament and limitation of nuclear arms must be preserved to save life on Earth,' the Russian leader who hammered out the agreement with Reagan said. The 1987 agreement required Russian and the United States to rid their arsenals of required of both short and intermediate-range nuclear missiles. Nuclear and traditional missiles were no longer a threat to Europe and Alaska and the arms race halted in response to the agreement. TASS, the state-owned Russian news agency, said that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov promised to retaliate with actions of a 'military-technical nature' if Trump follows through on his promise to pull out. 'But we would rather things did not get that far,' he reportedly said. Ryabkov said such a move 'would be a very dangerous step' while accusing Washington of falling out of compliance. U.S. allies meanwhile urged Trump not to act hastily. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said: 'We now urge the United States to consider the possible consequences.' American lawmakers from both political parties were also hesitant. Sen. Bob Corker, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee said that Trump could make only minor adjustments to a renegotiated deal, just as he did with the North American trade agreement. 'This could be somewhat like the fact that they were going to end NAFTA, and then ended up negotiating some small changes,' Corker said Sunday on CNN's 'State of the Union' program. 'So this could be something - just a precursor - to try to get Russia to come into compliance.' Corker said. Sen. Dianne Feinstein said in a Monday that withdrawing would be 'a strategic mistake that would weaken our national security and the security of our key allies' in a statement that admitted Moscow was violating the deal. She worried that in leaving the deal, the U.S. would 'accelerate a nuclear arms race' with Russia and other nuclear-capable nations. 'President Trump should be leading nonproliferation efforts around the world, not undermining existing treaties. Rather than abandon another nuclear agreement, he should be working with our NATO allies to counter Russias deployment of banned weapons and search for ways to reduce both countries nuclear arsenals,' she said. Glenson Barrett, 47, was caught on camera groping the woman in the court corridor, it is claimed. He is pictured outside Blackfrias Crown Court, London A legal clerk yanked down a young lawyer's blouse in a court building and grabbed her breasts, a court heard. Glenson Barrett, 47, was caught on camera groping the woman in the court corridor, it is claimed. Barrett is accused of sexually assaulting the woman three times between July and September 2017. On another occasion it is alleged he ran his fingers down the length of her back and grabbed her buttocks after embracing her, it is alleged. It is alleged, the woman, who cannot be identified due to legal reasons, was left in tears after he sexually assaulted her in the corridor last September 27, jurors heard. She said Barrett first accosted her on July 5 when she was preparing case papers. 'He brought me into what I thought was a friendly embrace, but ran his hands down the length of my back and put both hands on my bum and squeezed, pulling me towards him.' The woman said she was making her way to court on August 11 when he hugged her for a second time. She said on September 27 Barrett walked alongside her in the corridor while complementing her outfit. 'He moved his hands, I thought to adjust my tie,' she said. 'He put both hands on my breasts.' She said she walked away but Barrett called out: 'That's okay, I can see your arse from behind'. The woman said she felt 'very shocked' after the third assault, adding: 'I was in court, my guard is down, and it is my morning walk to work. I remember thinking I don't know what to do.' Two days later she told her manager to explain how Barrett had sexually assaulted her at work. Her team manager, who cannot be named, told Blackfriars Crown Court:'We discussed the situation in private and she explained that Barrett had groped her on 27 September. 'She came over and we went into a room for a chat - she mumbled that she had another problem. 'Then she mentioned that she had been grabbed in court. She said that she had spoken to counsel about what had happened. 'She was emotional and she was close to crying. She mentioned that someone had grabbed her blouse.' She said the woman demonstrated how Barrett assaulted her by making a pulling motion on her clothes with both hands. 'I said to her, 'you better go home.' The manager said she reported the incident to her immediate boss, adding: 'I explained that it was a case of inappropriate touching.' Barrett was interviewed at Islington Police Station in December and his solicitor gave a pre-prepared statement. He said: 'I had been working at the court house for around a year when I was asked to leave on the 29 September 2017. 'On the day in question I was preparing my case, I saw [the defendant], I said 'Hi, great outfit,' [she] smiled and we laughed. 'I was complementing her outfit and we were having a laugh. 'I am truly sorry if I made her feel uncomfortable in a professional environment. 'She has never made me feel that she was uncomfortable in my presence, I am sincerely sorry.' Jurors were played CCTV in which Barrett appeared to place both of his hands over the woman's breasts. Barrett, Islington, north London, denies three counts of sexual assault. The trial continues. A K-9 German Shepherd brought down a suspect drug dealer in Florida on Saturday. Justice, from the Hernando County Sheriffs Office, caught a suspect who authorities identified as Lindy Frank Carter III, who they interrupted while allegedly partaking in a methamphetamine drug deal with Rebecca M. Lashbrook, 28. Justice bit Carter, 36, in the head after he bolted from the scene and was found by the K-9, hiding in a pond. His injuries required 15 staples and 14 stitches, according to a statement released by the sheriff's office. Three syringes, a spoon and a 'crystal-like substance consistent with methamphetamine' where found nearby, deputies said. Carter was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, loitering, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest without violence. Lashbrook was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. The incident occurred at around 10pm. A K-9 German Shepherd named Justice caught suspected drug dealer Lindy Frank Carter III (left) by biting him in the head in Florida on Saturday, during an alleged botched deal with Rebecca Lashbrook (right) Authorities were completing security checks on Saturday night near the Spring Hill Library when deputies saw a man and woman together. The man, who authorities have identified as Carter, ran off as the deputy pulled up to the couple in his parked patrol car. K-9 Justice was dispatched and eventually apprehended Carter while he was nearly completely underwater in a nearby pond. Carter was bitten by Justice on the head and arm, the sheriff's office said. Carter had an active warrant for retail theft when he was apprehended by Justice near the Spring Hill Library. Carter's bond is listed at $7,500 and Lashbrook's is listed at $1,000. Spring Hill is on the east coat of Central Florida, just over 40 miles north of Tampa. Justice joined the Hernando County Sheriff's Office in August of 2014, according to Bay News 9. He he was fourteen months old at the time, and was assigned to Corporal. Stephen Miller, the K-9 unit's supervisor. An activist has gathered thousands of signatures in a bid to remove a giant statue head of Martin Luther King Jr that he claims looks nothing like the civil rights leader. The enormous bust has been sitting in MLK Park in Buffalo, New York, for 35 years. The sculptor says it's not supposed to look like King, but instead is merely a representation. Samuel Herbert, chairman of the Coalition To Save MLK Park, is in the process of collecting 10,000 signatures to try to remove the current statue. As of Tuesday afternoon, he had 6,000 signatures. 'Our beef has never been with the sculptor, but the committee that approved this shameful image of a great American,' Herbert told WIVB. An activist in Buffalo, New York, says this statue head looks nothing like Martin Luther King Jr. and is urging the city to take it down and replace it with a bust that resembles the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is pictured during his 'I Have a Dream' speech in 1963. The statue has been sitting in the park for more than 30 years, but critics have said it is a 'shameful' representation of a 'great American' Samuel Herbert (pictured) says he wants the sculptor who designed the MLK National Monument in DC to assist in creating a more accurate representation Courtesy of WIVB Herbert is hoping to replace the head with a new sculpture by 2020. A sculptor in North Carolina is hoping his statue of MLK could be the replacement for the giant head. 'I made the model of it and it's made out of terracotta and it's life size, he's 5'7 because Martin Luther King was 5'7,' the sculptor Lee Speight said. However, Herbert who is leading the charge to change the statue out, says he has his heart set on a different artist. 'I want that gentleman that did the work in Washington D.C. on the National Monument,' said Herbert. He says he has spoken to Speight about his representation of MLK as well, but right now his immediate goal is getting enough signatures to try to get approval to remove the head. 'A statue that looks just like Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. No abstract. No symbolism. Enough of symbolism, we want realism,' said Hebert. He says after the signatures, he will fundraise and he expects he just may have to go to court if a legal battle ensues over removing it. An artist in North Carolina says he would like to see his own statue in the Buffalo park, but Herbert is holding out hope to obtain the artist who created the DC memorial (left) to help Herbert says if court is necessary, he is prepared for it. You can sign his petition locally in Buffalo or on Change.org. In the petition Herbert writes: 'We are calling for the removal of the current Dr. Martin Luther King Jr 'statue' in MLK Park, replacing it with an enlarge life size identical replica of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.' 'Our very legitimate criticism of the distorted image on exhibit arises out of the fact that it not only fails to exhibit any of the physical features of The Reverend, but it also suggests an insulting stereotype.' Hopes there could be a breakthrough in Brexit talks were raised today amid reports the EU has offered a compromise to try to unblock the stalled talks. Brussels will reportedly offer Theresa May a UK-wide customs union in a bid to get around the thorny Irish border issue - which has stopped a negotiation being thrashed out. Under the proposal, the EU Withdrawal Agreement would contain a legal article pledging the commitment of Brussels to a UK wide deal. But it will say the commitment would need its own separate legal agreement to enshrine it. However, the EU will still insist that a Northern Ireland backstop stays in place - effectively creating a 'backstop to the backstop', according to the report on RTE. Brussels will offer Theresa May (pictured today in Parliament for the state visit of the Dutch king) a UK-wide customs union in a bid to get around the thorny Irish border issue - which has stopped a negotiation being thrashed out Mrs May has repeatedly flatly ruled out this proposal - saying that this would allow the EU to hive off Northern Ireland and slap a border down the Irish Sea. She said this is a plan which is totally unpalatable and which no British Prime Minister can ever accept. While the small but powerful Northern Irish DUP party - whose ten MPs are propping the Tories up in Downing Street - have also slammed the proposal. They have said it would cross their 'blood red' line and warned they could topple the Government if it wavers on its opposition. Speaking in the Commons yesterday, where she updated MPs on the crunch talks, Mrs May said the divorce deal was 95 per cent finished. The EU will still insist a Northern Ireland backstop stays in place - effectively creating a 'backstop to the backstop', according to reports. Theresa May (pictured with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker at the EU summit earlier this month) has ruled out any deal which contains a separate arrangement for Northern Ireland And she hailed a 'substantive' shift from the EU to ensure the so-called Irish backstop is UK-wide and not Northern Ireland only. Outlining the remaining issues, Mrs May said Britain needed agreement the Irish backstop would be UK wide. She said she wanted the option to extend transition to avoid ever using the backstop if a trade deal is close in late 2020. Mrs May said neither the backstop or extended transition period could be never ending - and vowed in all circumstances Northern Ireland's business would get guarantees on full access to the UK markets. In her speech, Mrs May told MPs 'the shape of the deal across the vast majority of the Withdrawal Agreement is now clear.' Loner Anjem Choudary was seen today going for a stroll from his bail hostel - where fellow residents have shunned him along with local imams. The hate preacher, 51, was seen speaking into a mobile phone as he walked along the pavement before briefly speaking to an acquaintance, who was wearing a mask to obscure his identity. Other people living at the north London hostel say Choudary has no friends and is subjected to random daily room checks. The hate preacher, 51, was seen speaking into a mobile phone as he walked along the pavement before briefly speaking to an acquaintance (right) One resident, who asked not to be named, said the extremist has been keeping himself to himself in a room on the third floor of the five-storey building, next to a communal kitchen. 'He's not made any friends yet,' he said. 'When you come to the hostel you got to keep quiet.' Choudary, who was locked up for five-and-a-half years in 2016 for swearing an oath of allegiance to Islamic State but released on Friday, has been told he is not welcome at scores of mosques across London. He was asked to provide a lists of mosques he wanted to visit, but when they were approached by officials asking if they minded him attending, many of the imams said he would not be welcome. Other people living at the north London hostel say Choudary has no friends and is subjected to random daily room checks Other mosques had already contacted the authorities before Choudary's release to say they wanted him barred from their premises. 'He was asked to submit a list of his preferred options and then they were asked if they would be willing to accommodate him,' a source told The Daily Telegraph. 'However it was clear that many of the mosques he wanted to visit did not want him mixing with their worshippers.' Choudary is set to receive free unsold food from the likes of Pret a Manger and Tesco at the hostel which backs on to a 15,000-a-year private school as police monitor him in a security operation set to cost 2million annually. Another resident said on Saturday that other people staying there were 'very shocked' to discover Choudary was there. 'I found out from a reporter. A few of them are shocked really, to see the guy living there - very shocked,' he said. 'Really they should put him somewhere else it's not the right place to be. There are a lot if security checks.' On Saturday Choudary's wife, wearing a burka, made no comment to reporters as she went shopping. Other mosques had already contacted the authorities before Choudary's release to say they wanted him barred from their premises The 43-year-old, who has previously admitted leading the female wing of Choudarys banned terror group al-Muhajiroun, faced an inquiry by Scotland Yards counter-terrorism command after she was caught on camera leading a secret group of British women supporting Islamic State in 2015. But the probe was dropped shortly before her husband was freed. Their family home is just ten miles from the probation hostel where Choudary will have to live for the next six months with 40 other criminals. Choudary is only allowed one mobile phone, which will be closely monitored, and cannot use the Internet without prior permission. Vice President Mike Pence defended on Tuesday President Donald Trump's claim there are Middle Easterners in the caravan of migrants headed to the United States from Central America, saying it's 'inconceivable' there wouldn't be. 'It's inconceivable that there are not people of Middle Eastern descent in a crowd of more than 7,000 people advancing toward our border,' Pence said at an event held by The Washington Post. 'There's statistics on this: in the last fiscal year we apprehended more than 10 terrorists or suspected terrorists per day in our Southern border from countries that are referred to in the lexicon as 'other than Mexico' - that means from the Middle East region,' he added. Vice President Mike Pence defended President Donald Trump's claim there are Middle Easterners in the caravan of migrants headed to the United States from Central America, saying it's 'inconceivable' there wouldn't be The group of migrants, which started in Honduras and has grown on its journey though Central America and into Mexico, is continuing their march with the United Nations estimating there are some 7,200 people in the crowd I dare you: President Donald Trump challenged a TV reporter on Monday to take his camera crew into the migrant caravan in southern Mexico and declared that they would find drug cartel gangsters and Middle Easterners mixed in with asylum-seekers from Central America Trump on Monday dared a TV reporter to go with his camera crew to southern Mexico, promising that they would find drug cartel gangsters and out-of-place Middle Easterners embedded in a massive column of migrants aiming to cross the border into the U.S. 'I have reports that they've got a lot of everybody in that group. It's a horrible thing,' Trump told journalists on the South Lawn of the White House as he left for a Texas campaign rally. Pence defended the claim, adding unverified allegations the migrants were formed by leftist groups and paid for by the government of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. 'The idea they would not be in this large throng that the president of Honduras told me was organized by leftist groups in Honduras, financed by Venezuela, and sent North to challenge our sovereignty and challenge our border. And now it's grown,' Pence said. 'We're going to do everything in our power to prevent this caravan from coming north and violating our border,' he said. But the statistic the vice president used - claiming 10 suspects terrorists are apprehended per day - has come under doubt, with fact checkers and government reports saying that number applies to incidents at all U.S. points of entry and not just the border with Mexico. Pence made a similar claim in February about how many suspected terrorists were being nabbed at the U.S.-Mexico border, which he claimed was seven per day. The fact-checking website Politifact researched his assertion and rated it a 'Pants on Fire' - their worst rating. 'Nationally in 2017, the federal government says, Homeland Security stopped 2,554 individuals on its terrorist watch list from entering the country, which breaks out to seven people a day. Most of those individuals tried to enter by air, the government says,' the website noted. In June, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen defined the 10 number even further, saying they were people blocked from entering the United States, indicating it included individuals on the no-fly list and not merely those suspected of being a terrorist. 'The result is that we are identifying and stopping terror suspects who would otherwise have gone undetected. In fact, on average, my Department now blocks 10 known or suspected terrorists a day from traveling to or attempting to enter the United States,' she said. In a statement to The Post, Pence spokeswoman Alyssa Farah noted the number the vice president cited applies to all U.S. points of entry. 'In 2017 alone the U.S. apprehended on average between 10 suspected terrorists a day attempting to enter the country illegally. And those are just the ones that we catch. It's inconceivable that this caravan - which is being broadcast around the globe - hasn't already been infiltrated by individuals with ties to extremism,' she said. And The Washington Post's fact checker found that Trump's own State Department released a report in July 2017 that said there was 'no credible information that any member of a terrorist group has traveled through Mexico to gain access to the United States.' The 10 terrorists a day stat has been used before by the White House to back up the president's claim. On Monday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders was asked if President Trump had 'credible evidence' there were Middle Easterners in the caravan. Honduran migrants taking part in a new caravan heading to the US, arrive to Chiquimula, Guatemala, on October 22 Honduran migrants taking part in a caravan heading to the U.S., rest at the main square in Tapachula, Chiapas state, Mexico, on October 21, 2018 She used the 10-terrorists a day number but seemed to apply it to all points of entry in the U.S. 'Absolutely and we know this is a continual problem. It's not just in this. We have 10 individuals suspected or known to be terrorists trying to enter our country every day. This is a problem the president has been talking about a long time,' she said to reporters outside the White House. The group of migrants, which started in Honduras and has grown on its journey though Central America and into Mexico, is continuing their march with the United Nations estimating there are some 7,200 people in the crowd. However, they are still at least 1,140 miles from the nearest border crossing at McAllen, Texas, the Associated Press notes, and the length of their journey could more than double if they go to Tijuana-San Diego instead. A team of AP journalists traveling with the caravan for more than a week has spoken with Hondurans, Guatemalans and Salvadorans, but has not met any Middle Easterners, who Trump suggested were 'mixed in' with the Central American migrants, the wire service noted. However it also pointed out that more and more people join the march by the day. Most migrants leave Central American counties to flee poverty and persecution. An active US soldier who was charged with murder when police found his wife's body in the trunk of his girlfriend's car has been pictured. Corporal Logan T. Kyle, 22, was arrested near Fort Polk, Louisiana, early on Monday after police received a tip that the remains of his wife, Shelena Kyle, 22, were inside the vehicle. His mistress Sarah Parker, 24, was driving at the time, with her two toddler children sitting in the back. She was also taken into custody because she was allegedly trying to help Kyle get rid of the corpse, The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office said. Logan serves with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, according to Army Times. Shelena was from Lafayette, Indiana, and had married Logan on August 9, 2016, according to her Facebook page. US soldier Logan Kyle, 22 (right), allegedly confessed to murdering his wife, Shelena Kyle (left), after law enforcement found her dead body in the trunk of car he was riding in on Sunday in Louisiana, with his alleged girlfriend Police say he confessed to killing the mother-of-two after he was arrested. However they have not yet revealed a motive or a cause of death. Sarah Parker, 24 (pictured), allegedly admitted she was aware of the body of Shelena Kyle in the back of her vehicle Sheriff Tony Mancuso said during a press conference on Monday that Parker was helping Logan Kyle get rid of the corpse. Cops believe Logan Kyle and Parker met after he killed his partner, Shelena, on the base at Fort Polk. The two were driving around looking for a place to dispose of the body when they were stopped. 'In many cases, we don't get a call until the body is actually found,' Mancuso told KATC-TV. 'We actually got this one before it was dumped which made it easier.' Parker was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with obstruction of justice for aiding the suspected killer. Sheriff Tony Mancuso said during a press conference on Monday that Parker was helping Logan Kyle (left) get rid of the corpse of Shelena Kyle (right) Parker also faces a charge for failure to report a homicide. KLFY.com reports her bond is still pending. Parker's children, ages one and two years old, were taken into custody by the Department of Children & Family Services. She may face more charges relating to cruelty to juveniles for putting her toddlers in a dangerous position. Mother-of-two, Parker, was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center (pictured) and charged with obstruction of justice for aiding the killer 'What disturbs us about that as law enforcement officers is, you know, when we come in contact it would not be abnormal for us to draw our weapons on what we consider a felony stop,' Mancuso said. 'If we had to shoot into this car or they shot back at us or for some reason we could have injured two innocent children.' Logan Kyle was arrested by CPSO on Monday at around 12.15am for the alleged homicide. Members of the US Army Criminal Investigation Division were notified of the finding of the body of Shelena Kyle (left) and Kyle Logan (right) was turned over to investigators at Fort Polk Members of the US Army Criminal Investigation Division were notified of the incident and the service member was turned over to Army investigators at Fort Polk. 'We are deeply saddened by the loss of this Patriot Family member,' Col. Kendall J. Clarke, brigade commander, said in a statement released on Monday. 'She was a member of our family and her death affects us all. We send our most sincere condolences to her family and friends.' The incident is under investigation by the US Army CID with CPSO Detective Keeba Barber also leading an investigation. 'I think this is just the start in what we believe are strange events that took place both in Leesville and our parish,' Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Mancuso said. Fort Polk Army Base is located in Vernon Parish, which is approximately ten miles east of Leesville, Louisiana. Kyle enlisted in the Army four years ago. He was stationed at Fort Polk in February 2017, as an infantry fire team leader, according to the command's release. Fort Polk Public Affairs did not immediately respond to a message from DailyMail.com seeking additional information about the case. Nawaz Sharif-Shahid Khaqan-Cyril Almeida denied allegations of high treason Former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and journalist Cyril Almeida Monday denied allegations of high treason made against them in a petition filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC). As a three-judge bench headed by Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi resumed hearing of the case, Nawaz, Abbasi and Almeidas lawyers furnished their clients formal responses to the allegations made against them. In the petition, Nawaz Sharif has been accused of treason for trying to defame the state institutions through an interview to Almeida. Abbasi has been accused of defying his oath of office by disclosing the minutes of a National Security Committee (NSC) meeting to Nawaz Sharif. In his response to the petition, Nawaz termed the allegations levelled against him as unimaginable and questioned how his patriotism could be doubted in the light of his services to the country. A grave allegation such as treason is unimaginable [for me], he stated in his response. This raises many questions in my mind. Are the millions of Pakistani people who made me the PM traitors too? Have the countrys institutions and agencies failed that they did not know of my treason. Is someone who rids the country of terrorism a traitor? he asked in the written statement. The countrys biggest court declared the measures of a dictator as unconstitutional, and asked a treason case to be filed against him. Where is that dictator now? He has been making a mockery of the judicial system for so long? he said, and argued that the petition shows a complete lack of good faith and that has been filed only for political sensationalism, hence merits to be dismissed with exemplary costs. In his response, Abbasi vehemently denied the allegations made against him by the petitioner, saying his meeting with Nawaz mentioned in the petition was purely concerning the issues relating to the PML-N and that matters of the NSC were not discussed in it. He said the allegations against him were unfounded and based on pure assumptions and surmises, urging the court to dismiss those. In his response, Almeida defended his interview with Nawaz Sharif, saying he had quoted the three-time former prime minister verbatim. He said the contents of the interview were written verbatim and that no malice or ulterior motive can be attributed to him. Almeida denied that he was taken to Multan to interview Nawaz Sharif by a special airplane. The petitioners unsubstantiated claims reek of malice and ill-will towards Almeida they have knowingly led astray this Honourable Court from the facts [] to suit their own motives. The petitioner has taken one statement out of context while ignoring the entire news article, which includes rather important public interest statements and has to be read as a whole, the written response by the journalist maintained. At the outset of the hearing, Justice Naqvi asked why didnt Nawaz Sharif appear before the court. Law is equal for everyone if Nawaz Sharif intended to not attend the hearing, he should have submitted his exemption plea, he remarked. Adjourning the case until November 12, the LHC bench directed all three respondents to ensure their presence on the next hearing. The wife on trial for kidnapping her husband's mistress has been found guilty. Tammy Moorer was convicted by a jury on charges of kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping for the 2013 disappearance of 20-year-old Heather Elvis. Shortly after that verdict was handed down, the judge in the case sentenced the mother-of-three to 30 years in prison on each count, to run concurretnly. Moorer maintained her innocence in court even after the verdict while the victim's family delivered emotional impact statements. Elvis had been having an affair with Moorer's husband at the time, she went missing, and both Moorer and her husband Sidney had initially been charged with murder in the case. That charge was dropped however due to the fact that Elvis' body has never been found. Monster: Tammy Moorer (above in court on Tuesday) was sentenced to 30 years in prison on charges of kidnapping and conspiracy to kidnap on Tuesday Victim: She was found guilty in the disappearance of Heather Elvis (above), who was last seen in 2013 and had been having an affair with Sydney Moorer Mugged: The Moorers (Tammy on left and Sidney on right) were both charged with murder as well initially, but that charge was dropped due to the fact that Elvis' body has never been found Moorer will now be joining her husband behind bars, though he was given a far lighter sentence. Sidney got 10 years in prison on an obstruction of justice charge after his trial, while Moorer's first trial ended in a hung jury. The couple, who have three children, were initially arrested on indecent exposure and obstructing justice charges. Kidnapping and murder charges were added at a later date. Elvis, a cosmetology student, vanished after she drove her car - willingly, authorities believe - to a boat landing building in Myrtle Beach. It was found empty the next day. Phone records show Sidney Moorer, then 38, was in contact with Miss Elvis at 6am on the day she disappeared. In the original police report, Elvis was said to have been in a relationship with Sidney, who she had met while working in a restaurant. Her roommate had told police the affair had ended about a month before Elvis disappeared, and that on the night she went missing, the pair were back in contact. The roommate allegedly said Elvis told her Sidney had called to say he was leaving his wife so he could be with her. A December 19 police report included a statement from Sidney admitting he had been in contact with Miss Elvis, to tell her to 'quit calling him and that was it'. It was revealed during this most recent trial that Moorer had been sending explcit texts to a teenager saying she was 'fantasizing' about him. One of the messages read out at Horry County Court read: 'I want you Caleb. You don't even know. I want to f*** the hell out of you.' Kids: After the conviction, Moorer begged for leniency and said she needed to care for her children, who she was seen hugging (above) after the verdict Behind bars: Moorer claimed during the trial that she suffered a miscarriage while in prison Moorers lawyers objected to the introduction of these texts and motioned for a mistrial, which the judge denied. They argued that the explicit messages were not relevant to the case and were an attempt to discredit her character, which hasn't been introduced as evidence. It was said during the trial that the sexting with the teen began after Moorer found out that her husband was having an affair then confiscated his phone, using it to send messages. She also researched 'cougar life' on the internet. He said the messaging stopped after the teenager's mother found the messages and confronted Moorer. Prosecutors argued that Moorer kidnapped Elvis in a jealous rage after finding out about her husband's month-long affair. Phone records show she had threatened Elvis shortly before her disappearance, with one text message saying: 'Someone's about to get their a** beat down'. She also allegedly forced her husband to get her own name tattooed above his crotch as punishment for cheating. But Moorer's defense team claim she and her husband had an open marriage and she knew he was having sex with Elvis. Referring to the sex texts, her attorney Greg McCollum reportedly told the judge: 'This is the most blush-worthy language I've ever experienced.' The court previously heard evidence from Dennis Hart, a former kitchen manager at the Tilted Kilt where Elvis worked as a hostess. He claimed Moorer demanded that he fire Elvis, which he refused to do, and had accused her of spreading rumors that she was pregnant with her husband's baby. A 13-year-old boy in Georgia is accused of stabbing his teacher in the chest during an altercation in class on Monday. According to police in Gwinnett County, the unnamed minor used a butcher knife with an eight-inch blade that he had brought in his book bag to attack his eighth-grade language arts teacher at Trickum Middle School at 2.30pm. Principal Ryan Queen said in a statement that the armed teen then grabbed a female student, but a school resource officer arrived on the scene and managed to disarm him. Trickum Middle School in Lilburn, Georgia, was rocked by an incident in which a 13-year-old student stabbed his teacher in the chest with a butcher knife Police responded to the scene on Monday afternoon after the minor was detained The teacher, who has not been named, was taken to a hospital. She was described as conscious and talking to first responders, reported CBS46. No students who were present in the classroom suffered any injuries. The attacker now faces charges of aggravated assault and possessing a weapon on campus. He is being held at Gwinnett Countys Youth Detention Center. Trickum Middle School student Mason Watler told WSB-TV that he put his jacket over the teacher's knife wound to help stop the bleeding and distracted the assailant. While police have not released a motive, Watler said the 13-year-old had told him before that he wanted to kill someone. The school was briefly placed on lockdown on Monday afternoon, but classes resumed on Tuesday with beefed-up security. An eighth grade trip that was scheduled for Tuesday was canceled and will be rescheduled. Georges Tron (seen outside court in Paris today) was forced to resign in 2011 over the allegations made by two women who worked for him at the town hall A French former government minister has gone on trial accused of raping two former employees during foot-massaging sessions in his municipal office. Georges Tron, a centre-right former deputy minister in charge of the civil service, was forced to resign in 2011 over the allegations made by two women who worked for him at the town hall of the southern Paris suburb of Draveil. Tron, a 61-year-old former MP who is still mayor of Draveil, and his former deputy, Brigitte Gruel, also 61, are accused of abusing the women during foot reflexology sessions in Tron's office that turned into threesomes. They deny the charges, which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment. Virginie Ettel, 41, and Eva Loubrieu, 44, said they felt powerless to resist being assaulted by Tron because they were afraid of losing their jobs. They said Gruel took part in some of the sessions. Ettel, 41, later resigned, while Loubrieu, 44, was fired after being accused of theft. The two women both separately tried to commit suicide before filing police complaints against Tron and Gruel, according to Le Monde newspaper. Eva Loubrieu, 44, (left) and Virginie Ettel, 41, (right) said they felt unable to resist being assaulted by Tron as they were afraid of losing their jobs. They are both seen by court today 'I have always said I am completely innocent. I have never been violent towards anyone,' Tron, who practises reflexology as a hobby, told the jury. Gruel said she had been living in 'hell' since 2011 when the allegations emerged and claimed they were part of a political smear plot. The accusations first emerged days after French former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn was arrested in New York on charges of attempting to rape a hotel maid. The criminal case against Strauss-Kahn later fell apart and he settled the civil case out of court but the affair had a knock-on effect in France, leading several women to break their silence about alleged harassment or assault by politicians and other public figures. Tron's trial had been set to take place in December 2017, in the midst of a global outpouring of accounts of sexual assault and harassment triggered by the Harvey Weinstein affair in the US. The case was however postponed after the presiding judge was overheard telling lawyers that he wished a woman was hearing the case. It is set to run until November 16 with a new judge, who is also male. An escalator at a metro station in Rome ran out of control this evening sending dozens of people hurtling into each other at terrifying speed. The incident at the Repubblica underground station was filmed and posted on social media today ahead of this evening's Champions League clash in the Italian capital. The station was overrun with CSKA Moscow fans as they headed to the Stadio Olimpico for the Russian team's match against Roma. Local media reports claim the escalator malfunctioned after Russian fans were seen 'singing and jumping on it' causing it to give way. One witness said they 'had just witnessed a scene from the apocalypse' after seeing football fans being sent crashing into one another. At least 20 people were injured in the carnage, with one fan's foot partially severed and seven others seriously hurt, reports La Repubblica. Passengers at a Rome metro station are pictured crashing downwards after the escalator they were on ran out of control sending them flying An escalator at a metro station in the Italian capital of Rome is pictured broken and covered in blood after it ran out of control this evening Dramatic images from the Repubblica metro station in Rome this evening show football fans being stretched out of the station after the escalator they were on ran out of control More images from the scene show a number of fans with leg injuries and ripped clothes Dramatic Twitter footage posted by a Russian fan shows the escalator running at incredible speed, causing people to pile up and crash into each other at the bottom. Most of the injured are Russian, but a small number are Italian, according to the newspaper. The station has been closed and emergency services are on scene, where injured fans are being stretchered to safety. Dozens of beer bottles are also pictured in and around the station after fans dropped them in the chaos. More than 100 firefighters were scrambled to the metro station, where the last few steps of the escalator have completely collapsed. Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi visited the metro station and said the local transport authority had opened an investigation. 'From what witnesses have said, it seems that some fans were jumping and dancing on the stairs,' Raggi told reporters. One commuter is pictured with a bandaged foot and a bloodied trainer at the metro station in Rome this evening An edited image was posted to social media of one fan showing his bloodied ankle to the camera, while another sits beside him on top of the broken escalator An injured fan is pictured in a protective blanket after getting caught up in the escalator carnage at the Repubblica metro station in Rome More than 100 firefighters were scrambled to the metro station this evening. A group are pictured carrying one man on a stretcher The Italian fire and rescue service posted this image of the collapsed escalator on social media after the incident this evening A couple in the small town of Sodus in upstate New York were brutally gunned down in a targeted hit on their street on Monday, while their baby sat in their car. Joshua Niles, 28, and Amber Washburn, 24, were on outside their home in the neighborhood outside of Rochester on Monday at 2pm when someone wearing a hood shot Joshua. He crumpled under the car before the suspect turned to Amber and shot her while she was still inside the vehicle. After the horrific shooting the individual, who is still at large, fired several more rounds into Joshua, before fleeing off on foot. The couple's three-month-old baby was in the backseat of the car, and was unharmed. Video courtesy of WROC Joshua Niles, 28 and Amber Washburn, 24 (pictured with one of their children) were shot and killed on their own street in the small upstate New York town of Sodus on Monday at 2pm Police say they believe the couple was targeted and that the community is not in danger The incident unfolded near the Sodus Central School District where the schools were placed temporarily on lockdown, and remained closed Tuesday while the incident was being investigated. The couple had lived on the street for less than a year, and police are saying this was a targeted hit on the couple, however they have few leads as to who the suspect is. They add there is no current danger to the community, despite the jarring incident. The couple's neighbor, Anthony Mancine, who witnessed the shooting first hand, told News10NBC: 'I heard what I thought was fireworks then I glanced over there, saw a guy fall under the car.' He added 'The person [suspect] was shooting like six to seven rounds.' Mancine called 911 immediately. Neighbors say that the couple had been living on the block for less than a year when the horrific incident happened (their home is pictured left) 'As I was talking to 911, the person turned and shot at the girl in the car,' Mancine added. 'Then the person [suspect] turned and shot at the individual on the ground and fired another six to seven shots into him.' The suspect was last seen wearing a dark-hooded sweatshirt and a green hat. Police have declined to elaborate if the shooter is a male or female. Anyone with information is asked to call 911. Schools are expected to re-open Wednesday. Two thousand volunteers have joined members of law enforcement to search farm and woodland around the Barron, Wisconsin home where Denise, 46, and James Closs, 56, were gunned down and their 13-year-old daughter, Jayme was abducted last week. And the killer, or killers, may very well be in their midst, investigators tell DailyMail.com. Trucks crawled bumper to bumper as thousands gathered early Tuesday morning to start the foot search of a five-and-half-mile radius around the Closs family home that is expected to go on until dusk. 'Searchers are being organized into 13 groups of 150 volunteers accompanied by four or five DNR (Department of Natural Resources) and, or State Patrol staff as leaders,' DNR Warden Supervisor, Russell T Fell, one of hundreds of law enforcement officers assisting the Barron County Sheriff's Department said. 'Everyone has had to register and their driving licenses have been scanned partly just to ensure that everybody is accounted for but also as an investigative tool.' Still missing: Search parties are underway near Jayme Closs's Barron, Wisconsin home, after the 13-year-old vanished moments after her parents were gunned down last week Two thousand volunteers joined members of law enforcement on Tuesday to search farm and woodland near the home Investigators suspect it's possible that somewhere out in the cornfields today, searchers may unwittingly find themselves shoulder to shoulder with a killer. 'It is not unusual, or unlikely, for guilty parties to try to stay close to the investigation just to know what's going on,' Fell added. Landowners had been issued a Code Red alert and searchers, who walked ten to 20 feet apart, were instructed to hold the line and report any resistance or hostility they might encounter to law enforcement. Outbuildings will only to be searched if a door is open and such searches will only be conducted by members of law enforcement. This is the second ground search to be carried out since Jayme was taken and her parents brutally dispatched in the early hours of Monday, October 15. Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald expressed gratitude for the turnout this morning and said, 'This search is due to information we have received from investigative leads.' He added that his priority and hope remain to 'bring Jayme home.' Members of the search party were asked to register and have their driver's licenses scanned for safety and as an 'investigative tool' Officer Russell T Fell told DailyMail.com: 'It is not unusual, or unlikely, for guilty parties to try to stay close to the investigation just to know what's going on' Searchers were instructed to hold the line and report any resistance or hostility they might encounter to law enforcement On Monday, Joan and Tom Smrekar, who are neighbors to the Closs family, revealed to DailyMail.com on Monday that they heard two loud gunshots more than 20 minutes before police received a 911 call. Authorities arrived at Jayme's home at 12.58am last Monday, four minutes after receiving a call from help from her mother Denise Closs's cell phone. It was there they found the bodies of Denise and James Closs and realized that their 13-year-old daughter was nowhere to be found. Now the Smrekars are left wondering what could have been if they had called 911 when they heard first heard the gunshots. Joan, 66, told DailyMail.com that she and Tom, 69, were lying in bed when they heard the first gunshot. It was followed by a second, just a couple of seconds later. Joan said that it was not uncommon to hear hunters out shooting in the area but the lateness and the sheer volume of these shots made her feel they were 'different'. 'They were so close, it must have been right at their door. I asked my husband, 'Was that a gunshot?' He said, 'Yes, and that's a big gun,'' she recalled. 'I rolled over and my clock said it was 12.38am. But I know it's off by seven minutes or so, so it was more like 12.30am.' To her abiding and bitter regret, Joan did not call 911. She got up and noticed that their dog Zobie seemed bothered by something but wasn't barking. It was there they found the bodies of Denise, 46, and James Closs, 56, and realized their 13-year-old daughter was nowhere to be found Joan and Tom Smrekar have revealed to DailyMail.com that they heard gunshots 20 minutes before police received a 911 call from Jayme Closs' home in Barron, Wisconsin 'When the FBI came and we learned what those shots were, right away I thought maybe if I had called we might have made a difference,' Joan said as she fought back tears. 'Jayme might not have been taken because when the 911 call was made at 12.54am or something like that the police were there in four minutes.' 'If they had been there four minutes after the shots, Jayme might not have been taken.' Joan and Tom said they did not know their neighbors well and had little interaction with them. According to Joan, FBI officers who interviewed her and Tom told them that there was only one word that could be made out of the 911 call from Denise's cell. 'They said they could hear the word, 'Help!' but nothing else,' she revealed. 'There was too much noise.' Then neighbors' revelation comes as authorities have released pictures of three vehicles of interest in Jayme's abduction. Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald reiterated on Monday that authorities believe the teen was in the house when her parents were shot and said she is still in danger. 'Based on video cameras from businesses and homes we have identified two vehicles near the Closs' home near the time of the incident,' Fitzgerald said. He stressed that detectives are only seeking to identify two vehicles though pictures of three were displayed: a red or orange 2008-2014 Dodge Challenger, a black 2006-2010 Ford Edge, and a black 2004-2010 Acura MDX. Pictures of three vehicles of interest in the abduction of Jayme Closs were released by police Pictured are two of the vehicles of interest: A black 2006-2010 Ford Edge and a red or orange 2008-2014 Dodge Challenger Officers are not sure of the exact model of the second black vehicle, a 2004-2010 Acura MDX Officers cannot be sure of the exact model of the second black vehicle. Fitzgerald asked that if members of the public see a similar vehicle they note its license plate if possible. He urged anyone who knows someone with either vehicle to look for changes in their routine, such as if they've stopped driving the car completely or if 'they have changed when they drive them'. 'This is an active investigation. We have had more than 1,300 tips and have closed 1,100 of them,' Fitzgerald added. Earlier on Monday a military helicopter crisscrossed overhead. Fitzgerald explained that it had been mapping out a grid for the massive ground search that will be conducted Tuesday morning. Investigators have asked for 2,000 volunteers to come forward and take part in what will be the third ground search and cover a much wider area than the previous two conducted last week. Those volunteers have been asked to gather at the Hungry Hollow Grounds at 9am, but police will not say if they are hoping to find the missing teen or evidence that could provide any clues as to her whereabouts. Pictured is the front door of the Closs home. It appears to be covered with plywood and a blanket, and sources say it was kicked in during the home invasion Those volunteers have been asked to gather at the Hungry Hollow Grounds at 9am on Tuesday Fitzgerald also would not reveal whether he believes Jayme is being held locally, but did tell hunters to 'check your cabins'. The sheriff said on Monday that investigators are still analyzing the 911 call made from Jayme's mother's phone. He would not comment on its content. Nor would he be drawn on the details of the night and whether or not James was still alive when officers arrived on the scene, as has been reported in some outlets. 'We will not say anything to jeopardize Jayme's safety,' Fitzgerald said. He added that more than 200 officers from the combined forces of the WDCI, FBI and County Sheriff's department are continuing to investigate 24/7 with their prime objective to bring the missing teen home unharmed. Jayme's name has since been added to the top of the FBI's Missing Persons list and is on digital billboards across the nation. Anyone with information about Jayme's whereabouts is urged to call the Barron County Sheriff's Office at 1-855-744-3879, or contact their local FBI office Joy Marie Adrianson, 47, was sentenced to at least 10 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to having a year-long sexual relationship with a 12-year-old boy at her home in Jenison, Michigan A married Michigan woman who pleaded guilty to having a year-long sexual relationship with a 12-year-old boy has been sentenced to at least 10 years in prison. Joy Marie Adrianson, of Jenison, is said to have had sex with the boy 'about once a week during the school year and once a month during the summer' between 2017 and 2018, according to court filings. Authorities say the 47-year-old would take the boy into the laundry room or bedroom of her home and perform oral sex on him while they 'touched or rubbed against each other'. The boy's father said the relationship came to an end when the boy finally said 'no'. 'It was all about her,' the father, who has not been identified to protect the boy's identity, said in a statement. Assistant County Prosecuting Attorney Jake Jenison said: '[Adrianson] claimed the boy made advances toward her first.' He added: 'She made mistakes over and over again.' Authorities say Adrianson would take the boy into the laundry room or bedroom of her home (above) and perform oral sex on him while they 'touched or rubbed against each other' Adrianson pleaded guilty to two charges of third-degree criminal sexual conduct in exchange for prosecutors dismissing a first-degree charge, which would have carried a minimum 25-year sentence. During her sentencing on Monday in Ottawa County Circuit Court, the 47-year-old told the judge: 'What I did should never have happened.' Adrianson said she had been unable to tell the boy 'no' and apologized to his family for the pain the sexual abuse has caused. 'I am the adult and I should have known better,' she said. 'I struggled with depression and marriage issues that contributed to my judgment being clouded.' Adrianson's defense attorney Keeley Blanchard argued that the attraction between the two had been mutual, and that the actions were consensual. Under Michigan law, however, the age of consent is 16. Adrianson, of Jenison, is shown above in an undated social media photo Blanchard also emphasized her client had been determined not competent to stand trial because of mental health concerns. She noted that some 30 people had gathered at the court to support the defendant, including her husband, but Judge Karen Miedema responded by saying to Adrianson: 'Your 30 friends in the courtroom were not in your house when this was going on.' Per the plea deal, Adrianson would have been given an eight-year minimum sentence, but Miedema upgraded that number due to the severity of the conduct. 'You are still blaming the victim at this point, saying you couldnt say no to his advances,' the judge said. Adrianson will now serve 10-15 years in prison, with credit for 251 days served in jail. Following her release, she will be registered as a sex offender and will be prohibited from having any contact with the victim. A group of four migrants from Honduras have been caught on camera by a Fox News TV crew entering the U.S. without legal documentation as the caravan of thousands more march through Mexico. Fox News reporter Griff Jenkins approached the four Hondurans after reaching U.S. soil aboard a raft that made it across a river which bridged a neighboring Mexican city with the border area of McAllen, Texas. The video clip was recorded Monday and aired Tuesday morning on Fox & Friends. Scroll down for video Fox News reporter Griff Jenkins walked alongside a family of four Hondurans after they illegally entered the U.S. A group of eight migrants were seen attempting to cross a river from Mexico and into the U.S. but retreated when they spotted the TV crew As Jenkins walked with the three women and a child he said: 'Can you tell me, is it an illegal crossing? Yes? But you came anyway?' The woman who was holding a toddler opened up about fleeing the violent climate that has engulfed Honduras. She said: 'You cannot work there because the criminals always get your money.' A family of four Hondurans, including a toddler, arrive in Texas without legal documentation The Fox & Friends segment also showed a group of around eight people on and inflatable raft attempt to paddle to the U.S. However once one of the men on board the raft saw the camera crew and heard the Fox News reporter ask, 'Excuse me, sir, were you trying to cross into America illegally?' the group retreated and traveled back across the river to the Mexican side. The migrant caravan set out on foot October 13 and has grown to more than 7,000 migrants marching towards the Mexico-U.S. border in hopes of being granted asylum and a chance at a new life in America. Dylan Jarrell was arrested on Thursday in Kentucky on school threat charges A mom who had a 'gut feeling' about a racist message she received over Facebook may have prevented a school shooting massacre in another state. New Jersey mother of three Koeberle Bull reported the vile message from a man she didn't know last Wednesday, leading police to the doorstep of Dylan Jarrell in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Bull was shocked to wake up to the private Facebook message insulting her children, who are biracial, including using the n-word. 'I hope your black children gets hung for you being so stupid,' Jarrell wrote. Bull had never met Jarrell and had no idea how he came across her Facebook page, which has many pictures of her three children aged 16, 11, and eight. 'Something in the back of my head was like this isn't right, like something's not sitting well,' Bull recalled to WKYT. Koeberle Bull (above with children) was shocked to wake up to the racist message insulting her children on Wednesday, and reported it to Kentucky police after tracking the sender Jarrell sent the crude message above to Bull, who says she has never met him Although Jarrell had blocked her on Facebook, Bull recruited her friends to investigate his profile and figure out who he was. When she realized he lived in an entirely different state, she contacted the Kentucky State Police with her concerns about the racist threat. Cops say they arrived in the nick of time, arresting a heavily armed Jarrell as he was backing out of his driveway in a car full of guns, ammunition and detailed plans to attack schools before the end of the day. Kentuckians showered Bull with gratitude on her Facebook page after learning of her tip, which may have saved many lives. 'Thank you so much for taking an active roll in keeping both my wife (teacher in Shelby County) and two kids (elementary students) safe,' wrote Matt Wade. 'You truly are a godsend and you just gained a lot of Kentucky friends.' Jarrell, who lives close to Anderson County High School in Lawrenceburg, possessed a firearm, more than 200 rounds of ammunition, a bulletproof Kevlar vest and a 100-round high-capacity magazine, Kentucky State Police Sgt Josh Lawson said Friday. Bull was shocked to receive the message threatening her three children (with her above) and had a 'gut feeling' that led her to contact police in Kentucky, where Jarrell lives Jarrell, who lives close to Anderson County High School in Lawrenceburg, possessed a firearm, more than 200 rounds of ammunition, a bulletproof Kevlar vest and a 100-round high-capacity magazine, Kentucky State Police Sgt Josh Lawson said Friday The 20-year-old was arrested on charges that included terroristic threatening. 'There's no doubt in my mind that as a result of this investigation, we saved lives,' state police Commissioner Rick Sanders said at a press conference in Frankfort. 'This young man had it in his mind to go to schools and create havoc.' He added that Jarrell 'was caught backing out of his driveway with the tools he needed to commit this heinous act'. 'He had the tools necessary, the intent necessary. And the only thing that stood between him and evil ... is law enforcement,' Sanders said. Evidence suggested Jarrell might have been headed to a school when he was stopped, state police said. Jarrell was charged with two counts of second-degree terroristic threatening and one count of harassing communications, state police said Jarrell was stopped by authorities about 2.30pm Thursday, state police said. That was shortly before students, parents and teachers would have been clustered outside at the end of the school day. Anderson County schools end classes between 2.45pm and 3.05pm, local schools Superintendent Sheila Mitchell said. Officials did not reveal what kind of gun he had. Mitchell praised the work of law enforcement on Friday, saying in a phone interview: 'We're very blessed. I do think their efforts did avoid a disaster.' State police, who worked with local and federal authorities, said they considered it a 'credible and imminent threat' against schools in Anderson and neighboring Shelby counties. As a precautionary measure, Anderson County public school officials canceled classes districtwide Friday. In Shelby County, the school system suspended activities at Shelby County High School. Jarrell formerly attended Shelby County schools, and he had taken classes in Anderson County (high school pictured) to obtain his GED diploma, officials in both districts said Friday The district was on fall break so regular classes were not in session. Both school districts later said after-school activities would go on as planned Friday. Jarrell formerly attended Shelby County schools, and he had taken classes in Anderson County to obtain his GED diploma, officials in both districts said Friday. Jarrell had been questioned by the FBI in May over social media threats to a school in Tennessee, Kentucky authorities said. The investigation by Kentucky authorities began after they received a complaint that the man had sent harassing Facebook messages to a New Jersey woman. During questioning, an FBI agent asked Jarrell about a past school shooting threat in which Jarrell had been a suspect, according to his arrest citation. Jarrell admitted to making the threats and consented to a police examination of his phone, the court record said. Jarrell posted several disturbing photos to Facebook, including this one which reads: 'I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees' Another Facebook post showed two figures with the sentence: 'Society has failed to acknowledge the monster it has created' The review found information pertaining to 'threats of bodily harm against multiple persons at a school,' it said. A search of Jarrell's home turned up evidence 'corroborating the information that a threat was valid and imminent,' the citation said. It did not specify which school was threatened. The search also turned up 'an Internet search history on how to successfully conduct a school shooting,' Lawson said. Jarrell was the only suspect in the case, he said. Jarrell was charged with two counts of second-degree terroristic threatening and one count of harassing communications, state police said. He is being held in the Shelby County Detention Center. Court records did not list an attorney for Jarrell. Sanders praised the teamwork of state, federal and local law enforcement but singled out the work of state police Trooper Josh Satterly, who responded to the initial report of a threat against the woman in New Jersey. Angelina Jolie has spent the past three days on a state visit to Peru meeting Venezuelan refugees that were forced to flee their crisis-stricken homeland. Sent as a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Special Envoy to Peru's capital Lima, the actress and philanthropist said she was stunned to see the refugee crisis up-close. An estimated 2.6million Venezuelans have fled their home nation since 2015 following President Nicolas Maduro's regime and a crippling economic crisis - and 400,000 of those migrants have settled in Peru. 'This region is facing one of the largest mass migrations in its history. The crisis is all the more shocking for being predictable and preventable,' she said in a statement alongside Peru's foreign minister on Tuesday. Scroll down for video Angelina Jolie visited Lima, Peru as a UNHCR Special Envoy this week to address the 'shocking' Venezuelan refugee crisis. Jolie pictured above with Peru's Foreign Minister Nestor Popolizio in a joint press conference on Tuesday Jolie spent three days visiting migrants in shelters and stopped at the border crossing On Tuesday she said: 'The crisis is all the more shocking for being predictable and preventable' She thanked Peru and its neighbors Ecuador and Colombia for opening their doors to Venezuelan refugees in need Jolie met with migrants in shelters, stopped at the border crossing in the north of the country, and on Tuesday met with Peru's President Martin Vizcarra to discuss solutions to the migrant crisis spreading across South America. 'After having spoken to so many people it's clear to me, very clear, that this is not a movement by choice,' she said. 'I heard stories of people dying because of a lack of medical care and medicine: cancer patients whose chemotherapy was abruptly stopped, diabetes sufferers without access to insulin, children without basic antibiotics, people starving, and tragic accounts of violence and persecution,' she added. 'None of the Venezuelans I met want charity. They want an opportunity to help themselves,' she added. The exodus of Venezuelans into neighboring countries has led to a 'shocking' migrant crisis. Since 2015 some 2.6million Venezuelans have fled President Maduro's regime and the nation's crippling economic crisis - 400,000 of which have come to Peru She spent three days in Peru visiting refugees and migrants arriving into the country In her speech on Tuesday she said: 'After having spoken to so many people it's clear to me, very clear, that this is not a movement by choice' Jolie also met with Peru's President Martin Vizcarra to talk about potential solutions to migrant crisis Jolie was all smiles as she walked through Tumbes, Peru on Monday to meet refugees According to the UNHCR, this is the largest population movement in Latin America's recent history. Peru was one of the first countries to create a special residency program for incoming Venezuelans. But now that the influx of Venezuelans climbs to nearly half a million, Peru is tightening their entry requirement out of security concerns and is shortening the residency program. In her speech Jolie acknowledged the severity of the crisis saying 'As in nearly every displacement crisis, the countries that have fewer resources are being asked to do the most.' She also praised Ecuador and Colombia as 'very generous' for opening their doors to displaced Venezuelan migrants. She said that in her time in Peru she was in awe of how Venezuelans say they didn't want to leave their country. 'The message that I heard consistently was, "we didnt want to leave, we had to leave,"' she said. She praised Peru's migrant programs and urged neighboring countries to continue their work. 'Most of all, wherever we live, we need our governments to do more to address the conflict and insecurity that is creating refugees, so that people can return to their countries. In my experience the vast majority of refugees want to do just that: they want to return home,' she added. Jolie visited Latin America back in 2012 during a humanitarian mission to Ecuador, which marked her third visit to with Colombian refugees in the region. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Human Horizons unveiled two BEV (battery electric vehicle) concept models on October 22 at the launching ceremony of its corporate strategy, marking the official release of the technology company's own car brand. The two concepts, called Concept A and Concept H, are expected to be put into mass production around 2020 or 2021, according to Ding Lei, CEO of Human Horizons. Both concepts feature the two-seat layout inside, while they are quite different in design and position. The Concept A, positioned as a single-cabin vehicle serving for urban commuting, boasts an exaggerated exterior design with the futuristic immersive cockpit. Enjoying a roadster-like overall design, the Concept H has a flamboyant front face and a smooth body. The integrated design of the taillight makes the rear end more unmistakable. Besides, the model is outfitted with a rear multi-link suspension equipped with the rear-wheel steering technology. Human Horizons is an innovative technology company committed to future intelligent mobility with 3-Smart (Smart Vehicle, Smart Transportation and Smart City) as its strategy. At the launching ceremony, the company said that it business focuses on 5 major areas: (1) all-new smart vehicle development and manufacturing, (2) vehicle, charging network and energy resource sharing, (3) Internet of Vehicles (IOV) and advanced open-platform autonomous driving, (4) smart transportation applications and (5) smart city development. In August, Human Horizons and Shanghai-based Lingang Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement. Both parties will join forces to develop autonomous vehicles, powertrains as well as applications of intelligent connectivity technologies and big data. Pak-Army transferred control of Swat valley to civil administration The Pakistan Army transferred administrative control of Swat valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) the region to civil administration at a ceremony attended by senior civil and military officials on Monday. KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Nazir Ahmed Bhut, GOC Swat Major General Khalid Saeed, KP Police Inspector General (IG) Salahuddin Mehsud and elders of the area were also in attendance. The chief minister was handed over memorandum of understanding (MoU) of the administrative authority, while the symbol of authority was given to Malakand commissioner and the regional police officer (RPO). Addressing the ceremony, the chief minister lauded the Pakistan Army for eliminating terrorism from the scenic Swat valley. The transfer of powers, he said, would be part of the history following years-long struggle against the scourge of terrorism. He recalled that militants in the past had played havoc with the lives and properties of innocent people. He appreciated Pakistan Army, police and other law enforcement agencies for defeating the reign of terror and restoring durable peace and tranquillity in the area. The people of Swat have matchless contribution in this regard, he said, adding that in the subsequent development the Pakistan Army took active part in social welfare activities. He went on to say that civil administration left no stone unturned in handling the post-operation activities in an efficient way. He reassured the people of Swat that development projects and other schemes launched in the region would be completed within the stipulated time. He said that local administration and police should adopt concrete measures for the progress and prosperity of the people and development of the region. Speaking on the occasion, the Peshawar corps commander recalled that over three million people of Swat region had to migrate to safer places because of militancy in the area. The Pakistan Army, he said, successfully flushed out terrorism from the region within four months. He said that efforts were expedited at that time to repatriate the displaced families within shortest possible time. The people of Swat have faced terrorism with courage. Peace has now returned to areas and development of Swat is underway, he added. He said that army would protect the frontiers of the country and now it is the responsibility of the civil administration and police to serve diligently. On the Pak-Afghan border, he said that the border areas were being fenced to ensure security. The Ryanair passenger who racially abused a Windrush immigrant is a former railway worker described as a 'weirdo' by his neighbours, MailOnline can reveal. David Mesher was identified by his neighbours and a former work colleague as the man at the centre of the shocking video. Delsie Gayle, 77, was called an 'ugly black b*****d' by a fellow passenger after they boarded a flight in Barcelona last week, but he was not removed from the plane. He was also filmed shouting 'don't speak to me in a f****** foreign language' while on board the plane. Ryanair has been criticised for its handling of the incident as the man was not kicked off the flight nor were the authorities in Spain informed about the incident. Instead, Mrs Gayle was moved to another aisle while Mesher continued to sit in his own seat. Last night Mesher hid behind the front door of his sheltered accommodation flat in Birmingham when confronted by Mail Online. He refused to apologise for his vile rant towards 77-year-old Delise Gayle and said: 'Go away, there's nothing to say.' Neighbours at the block of flats in Yardley Wood, Birmingham, described him as a 'weirdo' and a 'bully'. Essex Police revealed yesterday morning that the force had now identified the white man although the case is now being led by detectives in Spain. Other passengers tried to help the woman before a flight attendant stepped in on the flight An Essex Police spokesman said: 'We have worked to identify both parties involved in this incident and passed this information to the Spanish authorities, who are leading on this investigation. 'Our officers will continue to provide assistance where necessary throughout the course of this case.' Until his retirement Mr Mesher worked as a train announcer for London Midland Railways. He had previously worked at London Waterloo train station in the main ticket office as an employee of British Rail. A former colleague told MailOnline he was stunned to recognise 70-year-old Mesher on the video that has been seen worldwide and condemned by MPs and Downing Street. The colleague said: 'It is 30 years since I last worked with David and he was not like the person you see on the video. The woman (left) was eventually moved from her seat leaving the man alone in the row (right) 'He was in the ticket office at Waterloo station and was always so polite. He would not be rude to anyone, otherwise he would not have been dealing with the public. 'It was a real shock to see him and the vile language that the used. He should be condemned for that. It was awful. That isn't the David Mesher I remember when we worked together.' Mr Mesher also worked in Essex and lived with his elderly mother until her death. He has never married. The former colleague said Mr Mesher would often attend musical concerts in London and was an avid collector of classical music. He said they lost contact when Mr Mesher moved to Birmingham from Barking in East London where he lived with his mother. Neighbours at his sheltered accommodation told MailOnline they were appalled by his abuse towards another passenger. Delsie spoke on This Morning where they said their family deserves a public apology One man said: 'He is a racist pig and bully and everyone here recognises his face from the TV news and papers. 'What he did was totally out order and he should be punished. I can't imagine he would have behaved that way to that lady if a man had been present with her. 'But he won't get arrested because it happened on Spanish soil.' His next door neighbour told how Mr Mesher, who lives alone in the self-contained flat, was 'a weirdo and a real nuisance'. 'No one really likes him. He keeps himself to himself and we don't know much about him but we all knew he was going off to Spain on holiday.' The resident revealed that Mr Mesher often showed 'no respect for other people.' He told how a few months ago how his neigbour was 'driving me mad by playing music loudly and continuously on a loop.' He explained: 'I banged on his door to ask him to turn it down and he wasn't even in. How inconsiderate is that? 'It was no annoying hearing the same old tune over and again that I pulled the emergency cord to alert staff to his flat and they managed to go in and sort it out in his absence.' Barcelona City Hall has joined the fight to make sure Mr Mesher is brought to justice. Officials vowed to report the sickening incident - which took place on a Ryanair plane leaving the Catalan capital for London Stansted - to Spanish prosecutors. The pledge came as Barcelona mayoress Ada Colau attacked Ryanair over their response to the racist attack and branded Mr Mesher as a 'swine'. The city's deputy mayor also appealed on Twitter for witnesses to come forward. Ada Colau wrote: 'Thank you, by the way, to the person who made the video, because it brought to public attention an event that can't go unpunished. 'As the mayor of a feminist city that fights against all forms of discrimination, the images in the video are unbearable to me. 'So I can't even imagine how the victim of this aggression felt. The flight was leaving Barcelona, and Barcelona isn't going to take something like this lying down.' Melania Trump highlighted 'kindness' at an anti-bullying event at the White House on Tuesday and her communications director invited a producer from the 'Ellen Show' to attend after he said he was 'more afraid' of 'another Melania' entering the United States than the caravan of immigrants. 'As you may know, October is National Bullying Prevention Month and I encourage everybody to be kind to each other, to treat each other with respect in every day life and social media. Can you do that? Yes? Very good,' the first lady told a group of 30 6th graders. The school kids were in the White House family theater to watch the movie 'Wonder' as part of National Bullying Prevention Month. Melania Trump (right), with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos (left), welcomed a group of 6th graders to the White House theater for a screening of 'Wonder,' an anti-bullying film 'I encourage everybody to be kind to each other, to treat each other with respect in every day life and social media. Can you do that? Yes? Very good,' the first lady said They are part of the Digital Pioneers Academy and the event is tied to Melania Trump's 'Be Best' campaign. And the first lady's communication's director Stephanie Grisham tweeted an invite to Andy Lassner, a producer with the 'Ellen Show,' to attend the screening. She told DailyMail.com that Hollywood could help spread the first lady's message of kindness instead of choosing 'to attack her because of politics.' 'Mrs. Trump is working to help children all over the world through her Be Best initiative. The people who consistently attack her - the left- wing media and Hollywood elites - could be so effective in helping to spread her message of kindness, but instead they choose to attack her because of politics. It does nothing but spread bias and hate, and it needs to end,' Grisham said in a statement. She mentioned kindness in her invite to Lassner. 'Hi @andylassner @flotus is hosting children at the White House today to talk to them about kindness ... should I save you a seat?,' she wrote, linking to an article on Breitbart about a tweet Lassner wrote on Melania Trump. 'I'm way more afraid of another Melania getting in to this country than I am of any caravan of human beings seeking asylum,' he tweeted on Monday. A group of migrants, which started in Honduras and has grown on its journey though Central America and into Mexico, is continuing their march toward the U.S. with the United Nations estimating there are some 7,200 people in the crowd. Lassner responded to Grisham's invite with an affirmative. 'Yes!! Will she be talking about how she pushed her husband's theory that our first black president was born in Kenya? What about her 'I don't care, do you jacket' worn while babies were being ripped away from parents at the border? What time should I arrive? Is it dressy?,' he wrote on twitter after she tagged him in her invitation. 'You may want to check your facts before you get here, I'm happy to brief you upon arrival,' Grisham responded. Lassner responded: 'Oh. And here are some facts. I'll trust mine, but thanks. Also, is my name at the gate? Will you be greeting me? Are there vegetarian options?' Melania Trump hosted kids for a filming of 'Worth,' personally picking the film Andy Lassner, a producer with the 'Ellen Show,' is a frequent critic of the first lady on twitter He also joked about the situation, writing: 'Getting trolled by @StephGrisham45 and @SebGorka with a Breitbart article about my tweets (please follow @andylassner for non-stop hilarity) is making me so happy that it's almost unfair.' Lassner, who is likely based in California where the 'Ellen Show' tapes, was not in the audience, according to the first lady's office. Melania Trump picked the movie they were watching herself but has not yet seen it. She and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos watched the film with them. The first lady wore a brown leather jacket with blue suede panels by Victoria Beckham. She also sported jeans and her signature stilettos. The first lady's communication's director Stephanie Grisham tweeted an invite to Andy Lassner, a producer with the 'Ellen Show,' to attend the screening Lassner accepted but no word if he came He wrote the first lady's aide was trolling him His original tweet on the first lady and the caravan of migrants is what prompted the invite 'Wonder' is about a young boy with a facial deformity who is bullied at school. It stars Owen Wilson, Julia Roberts and Jacob Tremblay and was released in 2017. The movie was selected because of its messaging of choosing kindness, according to the first lady's office. The first lady welcomed the group of kids to the White House. 'I'm very excited today to have you here to screen an amazing movie,' she told them. Prince Harry is being hailed a modern day Prince Charming after he was spotted toasting with water alongside a pregnant Meghan Markle. The 34-year-old and his wife were at a state dinner at the Grand Pacific Hotel when the Duke of Sussex raised his water glass in celebration while everyone else was drinking champagne. Before long, Royal-obsessed Twitter users flocked to the social media platform to sing his praises. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle toasted with water during a state dinner at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Fiji Meghan Markle's husband joined her in abstaining from the champagne toast during the Fijian event and was celebrated for it Aww so sweet of Prince Harry to join her [Meghan] in her water toast, one tweet read. Another fan tweeted: Thats a supportive husband with several clapping emojis. Its unclear whether the father-to-be intends to avoid alcohol throughout the entirety of Meghans pregnancy or just during toasts and other occasions that might leave her feeling left out. The state dinner marked the first time the Duchess gave photographers a good look at her growing baby bump. She was seen cradling her bump, which she outfitted in a Fijian blue dress designed by SAFiYAA. Meghan, 37, paired the dress with drop diamond earrings as well. The palace didnt reveal where the earrings were from. Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan arrive at a black tie dinner hosted by the @FijiPM at the @grand_pac_hotel on the first night of #RoyalVisitFiji Meghan is wearing a Fijian blue dress by @SAFIYAA_London (hair styled by George Northwood). Harry in his dinner suit and medals pic.twitter.com/lWTD6NPSzg Omid Scobie (@scobie) October 23, 2018 The occasion wasnt only special because Prince Harry and Meghan got to show off their impending bundle of joy. During his speech at the event, Prince Harry revealed that his grandmother, the Queen, stayed at that very hotel during her own Royal travels. This visit is particularly nostalgic for us as a young married couple my grandparents stayed in this very hotel, the Grand Pacific, a number of times over the years. Queen Elizabeth visited five times, in 1963, 1970, 1973, 1977 and 1982. Prince Charles visited three times, in 1970, 1985 and 2005. During the speech, Prince Harry also thanked the people of Fiji for all their support during his and Meghans trip, adding that they had been overwhelmed by the warm reception they received. It really is a privilege to be here, he said. History repeating itself. Harry and Meghans balcony appearance at the @Grand_Pac_Hotel this evening and the Queen and Prince Philips in 1954. pic.twitter.com/YsRNGszsRC Omid Scobie (@scobie) October 23, 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan have said little else about their pregnancy at this time. The soon-to-be proud papa did, however, express that hes hopeful his first child with Meghan will be a girl. Due to Royal protocol, he and Meghan are likely not to find out what theyre having. If they do, theres little to no chance theyll share that information with the public. Thats not all Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been up to during their visit to Fiji. Here are a few other highlights from the Royal trip below. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Fiji Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived in Fiji on the eighth day of their Royal tour. Upon landing, the duo were greeted by hordes of fans lining the streets and cheering. Early in the trip, the Duke and Duchess recreated an iconic 1953 photo of the Queen and Prince Philip when they appeared on the balcony of the Grand Pacific Hotel to wave to well-wishers, People reported. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex attend an official welcome ceremony at Albert Park in Suva, Fiji #RoyalVisitFiji #RoyalTour #harryandmeghan pic by Dominic Llipinski pic.twitter.com/JDtUp1jD0j Derek Momodu (@DelMody) October 23, 2018 Prince Philip and Harry likeness During a portion of the Royal tour, Prince Harry showed up in official military uniform. He was photographed wearing a white jacket decorated with all the appropriate accolades with his arms straight down at his sides during the serious occasion. Royal photographer Chris Jackson couldnt help but notice that Harry looked identical to his grandfather Prince Philip in that moment. He shared a magazine cover showing the Queens husband wearing the same outfit side-by-side with Harrys recent snapshot. The resemblance is uncanny. Prince Harry in a Speedo Before heading to Fiji, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spent a few days in Australia leading up to the opening of the Invictus Games. On October 21, Prince Harry was gifted a Team Australia speedo by athletes Dylan Alcott, Nicole Bradley and Matthew Model during an interview with ABC TV Australia. The Duke had a laugh at the swim attire, which read: Team Aus Down Under, before slipping them on over his pants. Oh, look at those! he said. It doesnt get better than that, does it? And this type of silk camouflage, Ive actually never seen it. Only in Australia would you find something like this. Its so wrong, but its wonderful. Prince Harry posed for a photo in the Speedo with the athletes who gifted it to him. For the photo opportunity, he ordered Matt to show off his as well. You gotta get them out somehowOtherwise Im by myself there. Just pull your trousers down lower, he said. A man serving a life sentence in the death of his estranged wife led authorities to where he buried her body in Michigan eight years ago on Monday in exchange for an Xbox in his cell. Doug Stewart, 29, took detectives to a wooded area in Kalamazoo County where he had buried what is believed to be Venus Stewart, 32. He'd left two stumps at the site as a landmark. 'I knew I couldn't forget where she was,' he told WWMT-TV. On Monday, he took detectives to a wooded area in Kalamazoo County where he had buried Venus Stewart, 32. Doug will also be allowed to participate in some prison programs under the deal with authorities, the Sturgis Journal reported. He was living in Virginia when his estranged wife disappeared in April 2010 from her parents' home in Michigan. Venus Stewart went missing from her parents home eight-years-ago. Her husband, Doug Stewart (left) was convicted in her murder after a man he befriended over Xbox spilled to police about his deadly plot to cover the murder up The couple shared two children, but their relationship turned volatile with Venus alleging she was being domestically abused Detectives were led to what is believed to be Venus' body on Monday by Doug. In exchange for showing them where she was, he received an Xbox in prison Dateline interviewed her parents after she disappeared. Her father says he called 911 to say her kids, her car and her personal effects were all still in their house, but Venus was gone. Venus Stewart had moved after accusing her husband of domestic violence and molesting their daughter, according to police reports. Authorities have been visiting with Stewart annually since his sentencing to try and get information about the body's location. 'The criminal portion has been closed. We just kept at it to help find closure for Venus' family,' said Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Todd Peterson. Doug had maintained his innocence until his sister reconciled with Venus' family. Now, he says he wants to make amends with them as well. 'I let them know I didn't want this burden on the family or even selfishly myself. I didn't want it anymore,' he said. 'It's a horrible pain knowing you're hurting people. Even beyond the crime you committed.' Tests are being conducted on the remains, but authorities say they are confident they have found Venus. Doug was convicted of first-degree murder in 2011. His conviction was based largely on the testimony of his friend Ricky Spencer. Spencer told authorities that he had been persuaded to impersonate Doug Stewart while the man drove to Michigan. The two men met while playing an Xbox game and finally met in person after Venus had moved out from their home and in with her parents. In exchange for finally showing authorities where Venus was buried, Doug was given an Xbox to play behind bars Authorities have been visiting with Stewart annually since his sentencing to try and get information about the body's location. 'The criminal portion has been closed. We just kept at it to help find closure for Venus' family,' said Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Todd Peterson. Stewart had long maintained that he hadn't been involved in the killing, but said things changed when his sister began to reconcile with his wife's family. He said he hopes to make amends with the family. 'I let them know I didn't want this burden on the family or even selfishly myself. I didn't want it anymore,' he said. 'It's a horrible pain knowing you're hurting people. Even beyond the crime you committed.' Tests are being conducted on the remains, but authorities say they are confident they have found Venus Stewart. Former White House lawyer Ty Cobb stated flatly in an interview discussion that special counsel Robert Mueller's probe isn't a witch hunt. Cobb made the statement which rebuts a central claim of President Donald Trump's during an interview at a CITIZEN Conference Monday, conducted by Gloria Borger, contributor to CNN, which Trump brands 'fake news.' 'I don't think it's a witch hunt,' said Cobb, when asked point blank. He also had praise both for Mueller and his team of investigators, praising both his Vietnam service (he won a bronze star) and his deliberate focus. 'Bob Mueller is an American hero in my view. He carried while he was injured, carried one of his fellow soldiers out of harm's way in Vietnam.' Former White House lawyer Ty Cobb said the Mueller probe was not a 'with hunt' Professionally: 'He was a very serious prosecutor,' Cobb said. 'He and I first met in the mid '80s when we were prosecuting different places and I have respected him throughout.' Cobb resigned amid clashes between Trump and Mueller's team, amid complaints that his strategy had been too accommodating. He also expressed his gratitude to Trump. Former White House lawyer Ty Cobb, left, with former White House counsel to Bill Clinton Jack Quinn 'I've done what I came to do in terms of managing the White House response to the special counsel requests,' Cobb said. 'I'm extremely grateful to the President and Chief [of staff John] Kelly for the opportunity to serve my country.' 'He's a very deliberate person. He's got some very serious lawyers who are working for him,' said Cobb. Trump at various times has labeled Mueller's team '13 Angry Democrats' and other iterations. At one point, Borger asked: 'Will he find obstruction, or collusion?' Cobb only answered about collusion. 'I think on that it'd be unfair to make a prediction, but there's been no evidence of collusion throughout this and I think that'll be the case,' he said. Sandra Day OConnor, the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, has just revealed that she will be retiring from public life after being diagnosed with dementia, probably Alzheimers disease, specifically. OConnor blazed trails for women in the legal and justice fields after being appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1981. Even after her retirement in 2006, OConnor remained active in public life, particularly with promoting civics education. But just who is Sandra Day OConnor? Heres all you need to know about her, particularly her groundbreaking career as the first woman to serve on the highest court of law in the United States. Sandra Day O'Connor served on the US Supreme Court from 1981 until her retirement in 2006 Who is Sandra Day OConnor? Sandra Day OConnor is a retired Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court, notable for being the first woman to serve on the court. She was born in El Paso, Texas on March 26, 1930. OConnor grew up on a cattle ranch close to Duncan, Arizona in a family home that didnt even have electricity or running water until she was seven years old. After graduating from Stanford University in 1950 with a degree in economics, she attended Stanford Law School and ultimately graduated in 1952. Upon graduating, she worked as a deputy county attorney in San Mateo, California, landing the position after offering to work with no salary or office. After becoming increasingly active in Republican politics in Arizona, she served as Assistant Attorney General of Arizona from 1965 to 1969 and later served in the Arizona State Senate, notably serving as the first female Majority Leader of any U.S. state legislative body. In 1974, OConnor was elected to the Maricopa County Superior Court and later joined the Arizona State Court of Appeals starting in 1979. In 1981, she was tapped by former President Ronald Reagan to become the next US Supreme Court Justice. Although some Republican Party leaders initially criticized OConnor as being pro-abortion rights, she was overwhelmingly confirmed by a vote of 99-0 and took up her place on the court on September 25, 1981. On the court, OConnor garnered a reputation as a principled moderate conservative, though she increasingly became a critical swing vote as her tenure wore on. She embraced the New Federalism philosophy and sought to view the US Supreme Court cases before her through the scope of a limited Federal government, preferring to divulge power to the states. During her long tenure on the court, she joined the 5-4 majority in a number of notable cases, including McConnell v. FEC, which upheld the constitutionality of most of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform act that cracked down on soft money campaign contributions, and Zelman v. Simmons-Harris, which upheld the constitutionality of school vouchers for religious schools. Perhaps most notable of all, OConnor joined four other US Supreme Court Justices in Bush v. Gore to halt the ongoing recount in Florida in the wake of the 2000 US Presidential election, effectively ensuring that George W. Bush would be the next President of the United States. O'Connor, right, was nominated by former President Ronald Reagan, left, to the court in 1981 On July 1, 2005, OConnor announced her intention to retire upon the confirmation of her successor to the US Supreme Court, reportedly to care for her husband who had been suffering from Alzheimers disease. Ultimately, she was succeeded by Justice Samuel Alito and officially retired on January 31, 2006. Upon retirement, OConnor remained active in public life, promoting civics education with her iCivics program and serving as the Chancellor of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia from 2005 to 2012. In 2009, she was awarded the highest civilian honor in the United States, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, by former President Barack Obama. On October 23, 2018, OConnor announced her retirement from public life, disclosing that she had been diagnosed with dementia, likely Alzheimers disease. How old is Sandra Day OConnor? Sandra Day OConnor is 88 years old. She was born on March 26, 1930. Who is Sandra Day OConnors husband? OConnor was married to John Jay OConnor from 1952 until his death in 2009, sadly from Alzheimers disease. The couple have three children together. Sandra Day OConnor Alzheimers diagnosis On October 23, 2018, OConnor revealed that she has early stage dementia, probably Alzheimers disease, and, as a result, would be no longer able to participate in public life. The retired US Supreme Court justice revealed the information in a letter addressed to my fellows Americans and confirmed that her diagnosis was in fact made some time ago, but had progressed to the point that she would no longer be an active participant in public life. Even after retirement, O'Connor remained active in many ventures, particularly education In the letter, OConnor wrote: 'While the final chapter of my life with dementia may be trying, nothing has diminished my gratitude and deep appreciation for the countless blessings in my life. 'How fortunate I feel to be an American and to have been presented with the remarkable opportunities available to the citizens of our country. 'As a young cowgirl from the Arizona desert, I never could have imagined that one day I would become the first woman justice on the US Supreme Court.' Chief Justice John Roberts said he was saddened to learn about OConnors diagnosis but also noted that 'no illness or condition can take away the inspiration she provides for those who will follow the many paths she has blazed.' 'Justice O'Connor is of course a towering figure in the history of the United States and indeed the world. 'She broke down barriers for women in the legal profession to the betterment of that profession and the country as a whole, Roberts said in a statement. After retiring in 2006 to care for her husband, who had also been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease until his death on November 11, 2009, she continued to keep a busy schedule by promoting education, speaking out on issues she cared about and even serving as a visiting Federal appeals court judge. However, OConnors letter confirms that she is now fully retired from public life. What is Alzheimers disease? Alzheimers disease is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease that destroys critical mental functions such as memory. The disease is thought to be responsible for approximately 60 to 70 per cent of all cases of dementia, a broader category of brain diseases that cause gradual impairments to the ability to think and remember to the extent that it hampers the everyday life of a person. Symptoms generally include short-term memory loss in the early stages of the disease, followed by language problems, disorientation and mood swings. Onset for the disease is usually 65 years of age and older. Currently, no cure for Alzheimers disease exists, though medications and management strategies can be used to temporarily alleviate symptoms. Not much is known about the cause of the chronic brain disease, although 70 percent of the risk is thought to be genetic. Head injuries, depression and hypertension are also believed to be possible risk factors. The disease is named after German psychiatrist and pathologist Alois Alzheimer, who first described it in 1906. Currently, Alzheimers disease affects roughly 29.8 million people across the world as of 2015. Janet Holt has just finished describing how she killed a man, in his kitchen, at close range, with his own shotgun. Its a less grisly account than you might imagine. She lifted the gun, because it was there, and fumbled at first. Even though Id worked on a farm Id not used a gun. I found them frightening, because they were so loud. I had no desire to use one. Ive been asked since what did I intend to do? I dont think I intended to do anything. The gun was there, and Id reached a point of terror where it just turned into complete numbness. It was an automatic reaction to pick it up and use it. Janet at the spot on Ball Beard Farm in Buxton where she claims that Fred's body is. It would be 30 years before Janet told anyone what she had done Her recall of the technicalities is pretty vivid. I remember pointing it and pulling the trigger once, and nothing happened. I know guns have safety things on them, but Ive no knowledge of how they work or where they are or anything, but I can remember pushing a little lever type thing that was on top of the gun where your thumb would go. I remember pushing that forward and trying the trigger and, the second time, it fired. Her victim farmer Fred Handford, a man she had known and worked with for 20 years and whom she now claims raped her slumped to the ground, dead. Afterwards, Janet says she went outside and, numb, stood in the yard for maybe half an hour, then calmly went and fetched a shovel, dug a grave, manoeuvred Fred into a wheelbarrow with the aid of a farming tool (I didnt touch him; I couldnt), and tipped him in. She remembers pushing one of his arms down. Janet was his business partner at the time and has undergone EMDR hypnotism 35 years later to try to remember what happened to him Ball Beard Farm where Janet claims that Fred's body is burried. Janet Holt has written a book about her part in a murder inquiry after farmer Fred Handford vanished from his farm in Buxton in 1976 It would have taken me several hours, she says. I mean I was stronger and fitter than I am now, but even now if I went to dig a hole that size it would take me three, four hours. Maybe. But thats what I did, yeah. What about the blood, and the mess, back in the kitchen, I ask? It must have required one hell of a clean-up operation. It didnt, she insists. There wasnt mess, and there is a reason for that, which I did tell the police about. The cartridge in the gun wasnt lead shot, because Fred used to replace this with split corn. Youd need an expert to explain what happens if you blast someone with split corn rather than lead shot, but all I know is that I did shoot him and there was no explosion, or blood, or however people like to put it. He just collapsed on the floor. No gore, no cleaning up and that was that. What happened next? Well, nothing, according to Janet. Fred was reported missing, of course; the police investigated but it became one of those curious cases that never got solved. Locals scratched their heads and wondered if poor old Fred had fallen or thrown himself down one of the disused mineshafts that litter the area. Suicide was the main suspect, and Fred did have money worries. It would be 30 years before Janet told anyone what she had done. She went on to live her life on the farm, strangely she and Fred were business partners, and after he died she bought the farm from his daughter. Family photo of Janet with Apache and a trap she renovated herself. Janet Holt has written a book about her part in a murder inquiry She blanked out the whole horrific episode. It only came back to her when she underwent a regressive therapy session with a psychologist, one that went on for five hours and ended up with an ambulance being called, such was her distress. The reason she is talking to me as a free woman today, rather than from behind bars, however, is that no-one who has power to effect a prosecution believes Janet. The police did investigate her lurid claims. She was quizzed for three days before officers began digging up land around Ball Beard Farm on the edge of New Mills in Derbyshire. No body was ever found. Janet puts this down to work that was later done on the land to lay pipelines which may have disturbed the remains. And, every avid sleuth knows, the absence of a body makes it very difficult to confirm that a murder has taken place. Janet was dismissed as either a fantasist, or a victim of dubious psychiatric practice. But still the story niggled. Last week, it took another bizarre turn when ITV investigated again in a new documentary. Did it offer conclusive proof one way or the other? No. It muddied the waters further, by having Janet interviewed by one of the top psychologists in Britain, Jamie Hacker Hughes, who is a former president of the British Psychological Society. His conclusion? Although Janets memory of the murder was vague; her recall of two rapes that she claims preceded it were compelling leading him to conclude that something did, actually, happen. Where does that leave us? Well, slap bang in the middle of one of the most baffling murder mysteries of all time, it seems. The easiest answer is that Janet Holt is making it up. Locals scratched their heads and wondered if poor old Fred had fallen or thrown himself down one of the disused mineshafts that litter the area Fred was reported missing, of course; the police investigated but it became one of those curious cases that never got solved She is officially a convicted fraudster, after all. In September, 1997, she served a 21-month prison sentence after stealing thousands of pounds from the solicitors practice where she worked. One police source told us this week: Janet Holt may well believe the memories shes uncovered are real. Other people may be taken in by her. But the only thing weve ever been able to prove is that shes a fraudster, motivated only by greed. Janet says her previous criminal activity has coloured the police view. I think they have convinced themselves that my memory is false. I think the police have found it easier to see me as a sensation seeker. What could possibly motivate a woman to walk into a police station and confess to a murder she didnt do, though? In conversation Janet seems perfectly sane. Did I want to be prosecuted? No! Did I want to have to go to court? No! The possibility that I might end up being charged and go to prison is horrendous, but once these memories came back to me, I knew it was out there, that there was always the chance of Freds body being found. If next year, for instance, United Utilities (who laid pipelines over the farmland) go back to do some routine work on a pipe, and they find some remains, then it will all kick off again. That could happen next week, next year, in four years. Its in the corner of the room all the time. The most curious thing about her demeanour, though, is that this is not a woman racked with guilt. He was a horrible man, she insists. I mean, I started going up to the farm when I was 14. This happened 12 years later. Nowadays, you would call that grooming, wouldnt you? Family photo of Janet, left, and Fred, right. The police believed Janet was simply after a money-spinning ending to her book Certainly, there is evidence that Fred was a violent man. In the documentary, his daughter Lynette Chapman confirmed that he beat his wife, that she once had to defend herself against her father with a knife. Did Fred deserve to die, though, I ask Janet? I think I would answer that by saying did I deserve to be raped? she says. I cant feel regret for what I did, without thinking about what he did. At one point I say some people think she is unhinged. Maybe I am! she says. Well, I dont think I am, but I would ask the question why do you think I am?. And I would go back to the events of 1976. As regards what has happened to me, what I know happened to me, I think Ive come out of it fairly well, really. This extraordinary story began when the teenage Janet started stabling her pony at Freds farm, and helping out with chores. When she left school, she got an office job but continued to work up at the farm. The two alleged rapes happened on the same day, May 14, 1976, when she was 26. She says Fred simply pushed her to the ground in a hay barn and she was so shocked and terrified she couldnt fight him off. It is a convincing account: she remembers focusing on a spider crawling on the wall. After the second rape, in the kitchen, Fred suggested they should get married. I was horrified, she says. That was not how I saw him. Although she did not tell anyone (I was too petrified), she resolved to leave the farm and stabled her pony elsewhere. She still had to return to feed the animals, though, and it was then that she encountered Fred in that same kitchen. It was the fear that she was going to be raped for third time, she says, that forced her into lifting that gun. Surely the gun holds the key to what happened? Janet insists the gun was removed by police when Fred went missing, and later returned to his daughter. People have tried to find out whether they examined it, what they found. Id like to know myself. If theyd examined and didnt find maize, but ordinary shot cartridges, then it would blow wide open what I am saying. But no-one has given me that evidence. One of the main police theories was that Janet was being motivated by money. Conveniently, her memories only surfaced when she was writing an autobiography. It started out as a type of James Herriot thing, a funny book about the animals and that, she says. She engaged a local ghost writer, Helen Parker, to help her. It was Helen who became intrigued about Freds disappearance and suggested the hypnosis. The police believed Janet was simply after a money-spinning ending to her book. One officer asked me how many millions we would make from it. I just laughed. The figures involved certainly dont suggest Janet was ever going to become rich on the back of this. Over the first eight months we probably got 1,000, between us. I gave my 500 to a donkey sanctuary. In total, she says they made no more than 2,000. The book, though, doesnt help establish anything. Throughout names are changed, which makes it well-nigh impossible for details to be independently verified. Take this five-hour session with a psychologist that ended up with an ambulance being called. Family photo of Janet aged 21 in 1971 (far right) on Lucky taking part in a sponsored 30 mile ride Regression therapy involves being hypnotised to recover what therapists believe are subconscious memories of past lives. Its controversial and many believe it can do more harm than good. Janets was supposed to be a one-hour appointment. Would any professional really allow a woman in clear distress to continue for this long? Who is the psychologist anyway? Janet confirms the name in the book is false. Were not able to use her real name. Why not? Helen decided that we cant use someones name unless theyve actually agreed to it. But the police at the time must have spoken to her. It would be interesting for me to know what was said. So far so bizarre. There is another theory that Janet, who worked in a solicitors office, dealing with matters of probate killed Fred to get her hands on his farm. This is what Freds daughter Lynette believes. She thinks that Janet did kill her father, but for monetary reasons. Who actually benefited the most from it all? And theres only one person I think thats Miss Janet Holt, she told the documentary. Janet had certainly invested money in the business only a few hundred pounds though and there was an agreement in place about shared business interests. They had a joint account. It has been claimed that another letter had been lodged, giving Janet the farm in the event of Freds death, but because it was never signed, it was nul and void. Not true, she insists. He had talked of making a will but I know he hadnt. I knew that if he died, the farm would not be mine. It would go to his daughter. In 1976, I had a boyfriend. He had a farm, a big one, a nice farm. If Id wanted a farm of my own, that was the perfect answer. In the event, Janet ran the farm for five years following Freds disappearance (at my own cost, I must point out. It was a nightmare. They froze our joint bank account because Fred was officially missing), then it passed to Freds daughter who in turn (surreally) sold it back to Janet. She sold up herself in 2010, although she is now living on another farm, in nearby Matlock. So is she a feminist heroine, a fraud, or a fruitcake? Perhaps it is only Fred or Freds body that can answer that one. She insists it is out there. I know I buried him, and I know where. And if it has been disturbed since then as I think it must have been when they laid the pipelines then the remains, bones, now, will still be there, somewhere, because they never removed that soil, they just dispersed it. Am I A Murderer? Is now available to view via ITV hub. President Donald Trump on Tuesday admitted he has no proof there are Middle Easterners in the caravan of migrants headed to the Unites States but said there 'could very well could be.' 'There's no proof of anything, there's no proof of anything but they very well could be,' Trump said at a bill signing in the Oval Office. He also called forward Vice President Mike Pence to talk about the caravan of over 7,000 migrants making their way from Central America, through Mexico and to the U.S. border. Pence made the unverified allegation the migrants were formed by leftist groups and paid for by the government of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, saying Honduran President Juan Hernandez told him so. President Donald Trump on Tuesday admitted he has no proof there are Middle Easterners in the caravan of migrants headed to the Unites States but said there 'could very well could be.' Vice President Mike Pence made the unverified allegation the migrants were formed by leftist groups and paid for by the government of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro 'At the president's direction, I spoke to President Hernandez of Honduras. He told me that the caravan that is now making its way through Mexico, headed for the southern border was organized by leftist organizations and financed by Venezuela,' Pence said. Trump interrupted him to add the Democrats were also to blame, an allegation he first made at his rally in Houston on Monday night. 'And the Democrats maybe? And the Democrats,' Trump said as some of the aides, staff, and lawmakers with him in the Oval Office for the bill signing laughed. 'Well,' Pence began but before he could finish a reporter asked Trump what proof he had Democrats were behind the mass migration. 'You know what?,' Trump responded, 'You're going to find out. And we're going to see. Maybe they made a bad mistake, too. We're going to find out about that.' Trump also argued that based on the size of the crowd of migrants, there was a 'very good chance' some Middle Easterner people were in it. 'I think there's a very good chance, honestly, that you have people in there. I also think there is a very good chance that over a course of a period of time you have, or they don't necessarily have to be in that group. But certainly you have people coming up through the southern border, from the Middle East and other places that are not appropriate for our country. And I'm not letting them in. They're not coming in. All right? They're not coming in. We're going to do whatever we have to,' he said. Trump was signing Americas Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. Trump has made the migrant caravan an election issue in the midterms Vice President Mike Pence defended President Donald Trump's claim there are Middle Easterners in the caravan of migrants headed to the United States from Central America, saying it's 'inconceivable' there wouldn't be Lawmakers at the bill signing included Republican Sens. John Boozman and John Barrasso to the president's right and Democrat Sens. Tom Carper and Ben Cardin to his left. Further to his right were Republican Reps. Gregg Harper, Jeff Denham, Greg Walden, and on his left were also Rep. Garret Graves, representatives from the Army and the chief of the Army Corps of Engineers. Trump turned the conversation back over to Pence, who earlier in the day had defended Trump's claim there are Middle Easterners in the caravan of migrants headed to the United States from Central America, saying it's 'inconceivable' there wouldn't be. Pence repeated his inconceivable line in the Oval Office. 'The United States of America intervenes and prevents ten terrorists or suspected terrorists from coming into our country every day. So it is inconceivable that there would not be individuals from the Middle East as a part of this growing caravan,' the vice president said. He made a similar remark at an event held by the Washington Post earlier in the day: 'It's inconceivable that there are not people of Middle Eastern descent in a crowd of more than 7,000 people advancing toward our border.' Pence also cited a number at The Washington Post event that got some attention. 'There's statistics on this: in the last fiscal year we apprehended more than 10 terrorists or suspected terrorists per day in our Southern border from countries that are referred to in the lexicon as 'other than Mexico' - that means from the Middle East region,' he added. The group of migrants, which started in Honduras and has grown on its journey though Central America and into Mexico, is continuing their march with the United Nations estimating there are some 7,200 people in the crowd I dare you: President Donald Trump challenged a TV reporter on Monday to take his camera crew into the migrant caravan in southern Mexico and declared that they would find drug cartel gangsters and Middle Easterners mixed in with asylum-seekers from Central America Trump on Monday dared a TV reporter to go with his camera crew to southern Mexico, promising that they would find drug cartel gangsters and out-of-place Middle Easterners embedded in a massive column of migrants aiming to cross the border into the U.S. 'I have reports that they've got a lot of everybody in that group. It's a horrible thing,' Trump told journalists on the South Lawn of the White House as he left for a Texas campaign rally. Pence defended the claim, adding unverified allegations the migrants were formed by leftist groups and paid for by the government of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. 'The idea they would not be in this large throng that the president of Honduras told me was organized by leftist groups in Honduras, financed by Venezuela, and sent North to challenge our sovereignty and challenge our border. And now it's grown,' Pence said. 'We're going to do everything in our power to prevent this caravan from coming north and violating our border,' he said. But the statistic the vice president used - claiming 10 suspects terrorists are apprehended per day - has come under doubt, with fact checkers and government reports saying that number applies to incidents at all U.S. points of entry and not just the border with Mexico. Pence made a similar claim in February about how many suspected terrorists were being nabbed at the U.S.-Mexico border, which he claimed was seven per day. The fact-checking website Politifact researched his assertion and rated it a 'Pants on Fire' - their worst rating. 'Nationally in 2017, the federal government says, Homeland Security stopped 2,554 individuals on its terrorist watch list from entering the country, which breaks out to seven people a day. Most of those individuals tried to enter by air, the government says,' the website noted. In June, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen defined the 10 number even further, saying they were people blocked from entering the United States, indicating it included individuals on the no-fly list and not merely those suspected of being a terrorist. 'The result is that we are identifying and stopping terror suspects who would otherwise have gone undetected. In fact, on average, my Department now blocks 10 known or suspected terrorists a day from traveling to or attempting to enter the United States,' she said. In a statement to The Post, Pence spokeswoman Alyssa Farah noted the number the vice president cited applies to all U.S. points of entry. 'In 2017 alone the U.S. apprehended on average between 10 suspected terrorists a day attempting to enter the country illegally. And those are just the ones that we catch. It's inconceivable that this caravan - which is being broadcast around the globe - hasn't already been infiltrated by individuals with ties to extremism,' she said. And The Washington Post's fact checker found that Trump's own State Department released a report in July 2017 that said there was 'no credible information that any member of a terrorist group has traveled through Mexico to gain access to the United States.' The 10 terrorists a day stat has been used before by the White House to back up the president's claim. On Monday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders was asked if President Trump had 'credible evidence' there were Middle Easterners in the caravan. Honduran migrants taking part in a new caravan heading to the US, arrive to Chiquimula, Guatemala, on October 22 Honduran migrants taking part in a caravan heading to the U.S., rest at the main square in Tapachula, Chiapas state, Mexico, on October 21, 2018 She used the 10-terrorists a day number but seemed to apply it to all points of entry in the U.S. 'Absolutely and we know this is a continual problem. It's not just in this. We have 10 individuals suspected or known to be terrorists trying to enter our country every day. This is a problem the president has been talking about a long time,' she said to reporters outside the White House. The group of migrants, which started in Honduras and has grown on its journey though Central America and into Mexico, is continuing their march with the United Nations estimating there are some 7,200 people in the crowd. However, they are still at least 1,140 miles from the nearest border crossing at McAllen, Texas, the Associated Press notes, and the length of their journey could more than double if they go to Tijuana-San Diego instead. A team of AP journalists traveling with the caravan for more than a week has spoken with Hondurans, Guatemalans and Salvadorans, but has not met any Middle Easterners, who Trump suggested were 'mixed in' with the Central American migrants, the wire service noted. However it also pointed out that more and more people join the march by the day. Most migrants leave Central American counties to flee poverty and persecution. Advertisement The Duchess of Sussex has gazed adoringly at her husband as the royal couple got into the island spirit in brightly-coloured outfits as they embarked on a morning of engagements in Fiji. Prince Harry and wife Meghan arrived at the University of the South Pacific campus in Suva on Wednesday, to mark the university's 50th anniversary. Meghan, 37, was wearing a vibrant 1,150 ($2,110 AUD) Figue Frederica printed ruffle dress, while her husband was in a blue tropical print shirt. The Duchess's wrap dress featured a V-neck line, along with a asymmetrical ruffle hem with pom pom and seashell detailing. She paired her frock with 80 ($147 AUD) Castaner canvas wedge espadrilles that she wore on Sydney's Bondi Beach last week, along with Karen Walker earrings and an unusual serpent bracelet believed to be by Shaun Leane. With the help of hairdresser George Northwood, who has joined Meghan on the tour, she wore her locks pinned up, finished off with a tropical flower headpiece. The royals were greeted by pipe playing musicians and cheering crowds as they walked down the red carpet which had been rolled-out for their arrival, with Meghan mobbed by young fans. The Duchess later gave a speech to university students, the first words she has spoken during their 16-day Commonwealth tour, which is more than half-way through. Scroll down for video The Duke and Duchess of Sussex look lovingly into each other's eyes after they were each presented with tropical leis in Fiji The Duchess of Sussex was mobbed by young fans as she toured around Suva, the capital of Fiji, on Wednesday morning The pregnant Meghan once again proved to be a natural with the local children, with some even giving her a hug Hundreds of youngsters patiently lined-up to meet the mother-to-be, with some handing the Duchess drawings and hand-made necklaces The children, who held hand-made signs of the royal couple, were in awe of Meghan as she greeted them one-by-one Mother-to-be Meghan met with a little girl who was holding a Fijian flag as she undertook her royal duties at the university campus The Duke and Duchess of Sussex smiled as they were each presented with extravagant floral leis at a university campus in Fiji The royal couple later emerged from inside the university but only Meghan was still wearing the tropical lei Meghan was also seen carrying an oversized locally-made clutch which featured a printed Fijian design A glowing Duchess of Sussex gave a royal wave to the crowd of adoring fans which greeted her and her husband in Suva Meghan spoke at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji - the first time she has given a speech during the 16-day royal tour Meghan spoke of how the 'journey of higher education is an incredible, impactful and pivotal one' Meghan chatted to university students after giving her inspiring speech, where she had also spoke of her own personal university experience Meghan spoke of how the 'journey of higher education is an incredible, impactful and pivotal one'. 'I am also fully aware of the challenges of being able to afford this level of schooling for many people around the world myself included. It was through scholarships, financial aid programmes and work-study where my earnings from a job on campus went directly towards my tuition - that I was able to attend university,' she said. 'And, without question, it was worth every effort. Everyone should be afforded the opportunity to receive the education they want, but more importantly the education they have the right to receive. And for women and girls in developing countries, this is vital. 'Providing them with access to education is the key to economic and social development. Because when girls are given the right tools to succeed, they can create incredible futures, not only for themselves but also for those around them.' Inside the university, the couple observed a cultural performance on the effects of climate change in the Pacific from the university's Oceania Dance Troupe, before meeting students studying subjects from agriculture to women's development. Their Royal Highnesses were hosted by Queen's Young Leader Elisha Azeemah Bano and Commonwealth Youth Award winner Elvis Kumar, both of whom are USP students. The event was live streamed to a number of the university's campuses throughout the Pacific region. Prince Harry also made a speech in his capacity as Commonwealth Youth Ambassador. The couple then went in separate directions. The Duke travelled to Colo-i-Suva Forest Park and The Duchess to the British High Commissioner's Residence, before heading to Suva Market. Meghan later went to the bustling Suva Market as part of a solo engagement but her trip was cut down to just six minutes Meghan was at the market to meet female entrepreneurs when the visit was cut short due to the large crowds The Duchess had been due to spend 15 minutes chatting to female vendors who have been involved in the UN Women's Project 'Markets for Change' before the visit was cut short A royal aide said of Meghan's Suva Market visit that she had 'met everyone she was meant to meet and left' In between the university and the market, Meghan dropped by the British High Commissioner's Residence, where she attended a morning tea reception Meghan had completed her look with a tropical flower headpiece. The Duchess has her personal hairdresser, George Northwood, with her in Fiji Prince Harry and wife Meghan arrived at the University of the South Pacific campus in Suva, Fiji, on their second full day in the Pacific Island nation Meghan, 37, was wearing a bright blue and pink tiered dress by Figue, while Prince Harry was in a blue tropical print shirt MEGHAN'S SPEECH TO UNIVERSITY STUDENTS Bula! It is a great privilege to be with all of you today. As a university graduate, I know the personal feeling of pride and excitement that comes with attending university. From the moment you receive your acceptance letter, to the exams you spend countless late nights studying for, the lifelong friendships you make with your fellow alumni, and the moment you receive your diploma. The journey of higher education is an incredible, impactful and pivotal one. I am also fully aware of the challenges of being able to afford this level of schooling for many people around the world myself included. It was through scholarships, financial aid programmes and work-study where my earnings from a job on campus went directly towards my tuition - that I was able to attend university. And, without question, it was worth every effort. Everyone should be afforded the opportunity to receive the education they want, but more importantly the education they have the right to receive. And for women and girls in developing countries, this is vital. Providing them with access to education is the key to economic and social development. Because when girls are given the right tools to succeed, they can create incredible futures, not only for themselves but also for those around them. While progress has been made in many areas across the Commonwealth, there is always scope to offer more opportunities to the next generation of young adults, and specifically to young women. The Association of Commonwealth Universities, which has Her Majesty The Queen is Patron of, supports universities to promote equality in their own institutions. I am pleased to announce today that two new grants will be awarded to Fiji National University and the University of the South Pacific, allowing each of them to run workshops which empower their female staff. This means that female faculty members are able to encourage others to follow in their footsteps and enter higher-education, and that more womenbecome part of the decision-making process in academic institutions. Grants like this ensure that women are provided with the training and skills to operate effectively in their roles, and those with leadership potential are given the opportunity to be heard and recognised at the most senior level. It is wonderful to join you here today and we look forward to learning more about your academic endeavours, and the work you plan to do as future leaders and as change-makers! My husband Harry and I, wish you all the very best of luck as you continue your studies and work. Your efforts now will help to make a positive future for each of you and your communities at large - congratulations to you all! Advertisement Meghan was at the bustling market to meet female entrepreneurs when the visit was cut short due to the large crowds. The Duchess, who is 12-14 weeks pregnant, had been due to spend 15 minutes chatting to female vendors who have been involved in the UN Women's Project 'Markets for Change'. But she was taken out by her entourage after just eight minutes over what police described as 'crowd management issues'. 'It was hot, humid and uncomfortably busy and there were far larger crowds than expected,' a royal aide said. 'She met everyone she was meant to meet and left. There would have been a lot of people who would have been keen to meet her but she did met those who had hoped to. On advice she was taken out due to crowd management issue.' The decision to cut short the engagement came as a surprise and disappointment to many in the market, however. They pointed out that the crowds were being kept well back from the duchess by police and royal security and she was not being mobbed. 'It such such a shame as we were all very excited to meet her,' said one stall holder who had been positioned to expect a visit from the duchess 'We started preparing for the visit three weeks ago and had been meant to meet her but she left without even saying hello.' The royal couple were seen holding hands as they walked through the university campus, as a huge crowd turned out to catch a glimpse of the pair Meghan's dress featured a wrap silhouette with a v-neckline, long sleeves and asymmetrical ruffle hem with pom poms and seashell detail The royal couple waved to students who had turned out to welcome them to the university campus on Wednesday morning The couple were greeted by pipe playing musicians and cheering crowds as they walked up the red carpet The huge crowds which had gathered for the royal couple's visit were held back by authorities at the university campus Adoring onlookers held up signs for the royal couple, with one jokingly saying 'We're suppose to be studying' The Duke of Sussex had earlier left a touching handwritten note in Fijian at a wreath laying ceremony at the national war memorial in the Pacific Island nation. He was up early to lay a poppy wreath on Wednesday, which carried the personal message 'In grateful memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country. Loloma kei na masu. Harry'. The wording in Fijian means love and prayers. He also meet with a number of Fijian war veterans, some of whom served with the British Armed Forces, on his second day in the country. Pregnant Meghan stayed behind at their luxury Suva hotel as her husband attended to his early morning official duties. The couple is staying at the Grand Pacific Hotel, where the Queen also stayed in 1953. Since then Fiji has hosted a number of royal visits, including five from the Queen and three from Prince Charles. The Duke of Sussex had earlier honoured Fiji's proud military heritage at a wreath laying ceremony Prince Harry is pictured at a wreath laying ceremony at the national war memorial in Suva, Fiji on Wednesday morning The poppy wreath held by the Duke of Sussex carried a personal handwritten message, in both English and Fijian Prince Harry wrote: 'In grateful memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country. Loloma kei na masu. Harry' The wreath laying ceremony was Prince Harry's first official duty in Fiji on Wednesday morning, which he attended without his pregnant wife Prince Harry, who served in the British Army for ten years, honoured Fiji's proud military heritage at the wreath laying ceremony. The Duke, dressed in uniform accompanied by his medals and holding a sword, saluted as the last post was sounded and the Fijian flag lowered. There are more than 1250 Fijians currently serving in the British army and Prince Harry's Fijian orderly is also ex-British forces. After Prince Harry had laid the wreath, he was introduced to a line-up of veterans. The royal shook each man by the hand as he walked along the line and had a joke with one senior veteran. Meeting Maleli Naigulevu, from Koro Island, Prince Harry asked: 'Hello, how old are you?' When Maleli told him his age, the prince exclaimed: '84! Still looking very young!' Afterwards Maleli said: 'I served for 40 years in the medical corps, I was a pathologist. 'It was very nice to meet Prince Harry today. He is a very good role model for us all. The Duke of Sussex salutes during the wreath laying ceremony at the national war memorial in Suva, Fiji Prince Harry was notably dressed for the occasion as he took the salute at the wreath laying ceremony in Suva 'The British royals family are very popular here as Fiji was ceded to Great Britain and they taught us good things.' As Prince Harry progressed down the line of veterans, he sounded very like his father Charles and grandfather Philip. 'Very nice to see you today' he told each man. 'Did you enjoy your service? How are you today?' Then he came to 12-year-old Taniela Vakalaca who was wearing all his father's medals as his dad died in Kenya two years ago. Harry asked him: 'Who's are these medals... your father's...? Ah... Are you going to join the army? You don't have to! Only if you want to!' Prince Harry pulled his mum out of the crowd to shake her hand and told her how nice it was to meet her. Afterwards a rather shy Taniela said: 'It was very nice to meet him [Harry]. My medals are my dads. He passed away in 2016 in Kenya, in Africa. I miss him very much and I want to follow my dad'. The Duke then spotted a friend. Brit Derek Detenalagi knew the prince from the inaugural Invictus Games in London in 2014. He and his wife Ana, whose family are from Fiji, flew over specially for the royal visit and were invited to Tuesday night's state dinner. When Prince Harry spotted the couple he teased them: 'Late night last night? Look after yourselves!' Ana said: 'We weren't on the list this morning for this wreath-laying but his PA Clara told us to be here this morning. We were at the reception last night which was fun. We were very honoured as he gave us each a hug. We did have quite a late night but Harry didn't. He and Meghan left with the president'. Prince Harry attended the ceremony solo while his wife Meghan Markle stayed behind at the couple's hotel Prince Harry is meeting with a number of Fijian war veterans following the wreath laying ceremony Fiji created a special 'HRH' number for the vehicle which had driven Prince Harry to the wreath laying ceremony After Prince Harry had laid the wreath, the Duke of Sussex was introduced to a line-up of veterans At the state dinner on Tuesday night, Prince Harry had also spoke of how he had served alongside Fijian servicemen in Afghanistan. 'Your soldiers fought with the British Armed Forces during the First and Second World Wars and continue to serve alongside our soldiers to this day, with more than 1,250 Fijians currently serving,' he said. 'I must emphasise my respect, admiration and camaraderie with the Fijian soldiers that I served with in Afghanistan. 'We trained together, we fought together, and most importantly we laughed together.' On Thursday, the royal couple will travel to the city of Nadi in Western Fiji, where they will attend a special event at Nadi Airport. After an official welcome ceremony, The Duke and Duchess will unveil a new statue commemorating Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba. From Nadi Airport, Their Royal Highnesses will take a chartered flight to Tonga. The visit to Fiji and Tonga is part of a mammoth 16-day tour, which also includes Australia and New Zealand. President Trump said Tuesday that he does think of himself as a 'nationalist' in in that he's a patriot who's tired of seeing foreign nations take advantage of America. 'I love our country. And our country has taken second fiddle,' he told a reporter who asked him about his use of the term the evening prior. The president claimed in the Oval Office that he was unaware that the term had racist connotations. 'I've never even heard that. I cannot imagine that,' he said of claims that the term is a racist dog-whistle. 'I never heard that theory about being a nationalist. I've heard them all. But I'm somebody who loves our country, when I say a nationalist.' He said he was referring to wealth the United States passes on to countries that 'don't treat us properly' through trade deals and security organizations. 'I'm proud of our country, and I am a nationalist. It's a word that hasn't been used too much,' he said. 'I think it should be brought back.' President Trump said Tuesday that he does think of himself as a 'nationalist' in in that he's a patriot who's tired of seeing foreign nations take advantage of America Trump indicated that he was referring to American nationalism rather than white nationalism, which he and his followers have also been accused of promoting. Former President Barack Obama, for instance, suggested in a blistering September critique of his predecessor that Trump's policies 'appeal to racial nationalism that's barely veiled, if veiled at all' during a speech in which he claimed that over the last several decades ;the politics of division, of resentment and paranoia has unfortunately found a home in the Republican Party.' The nationalist label has also been used to describe former White House aide Steve Bannon, who was ousted as Trump came under scrutiny last year for claiming that 'both sides' were to blame for the violence that erupted at a race riot. Trump gave his supporters permission to use the term 'nationalist' to describe themselves at a Monday night rally. He dubbed himself a nationalist, too, in the remarks in which he contrasted his world view with so-called globalists like Obama. J Street, a liberal group that fights anti-Semitism and promotes policies that are pro-Israel, attacked Trump after the event as 'deploying intensely xenophobic rhetoric and imagery including anti-Semitic tropes in a transparent attempt' to rally the base before the mid-term elections. 'Like his credo America First, Trumps nationalism is clearly rooted in a long legacy of xenophobia on the American far right,' the group said in a statement. 'The term globalist is used constantly by the white nationalist alt-right as an anti-Semitic dog whistle against Jewish people.' Trump gave his supporters permission to use the term 'nationalist' to describe themselves at a Monday night rally. He dubbed himself a nationalist, too, in the remarks in which he contrasted his world view with so-called globalists like Obama Asked what he was trying to signal with his embrace of the term at Monday's rally, the president specifically pointed to international agreements that have long been derided as turning the United States into the world policeman. 'If you look at the trade deals, and nobody knows it better than me. I'm knocking out some of the worst deals I've ever seen. When we're giving all of our wealth, all of our money, to other countries,' Trump argued.'And then they don't treat us properly, where we're protecting other rich countries. Very, very rich countries.' He said that he considers Saudi Arabia to one of the countries that has taken advantage of American generosity, linking its contract for arms sales with American companies to it's admission that it was involved in the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. 'Immensely wealthy. And we're taking care of their military for a fraction of the cost. Not fair to us,' he said of the arms deal and American military assistance to its operation in Yemen. He said he was talking about 'other countries also' that he later identified as Germany and China. 'Immensely wealthy countries, and we have to get reimbursed for that. We should not be the world's policekeeper and not get reimbursed,' he stated. Trump claimed that other nations are not paying what he sees as their fair share because they've never been asked to by his predecessors. 'And by the way, when I bring up to the heads of countries like Japan, prime minister Abe, a friend of mine, I bring it up, he looks at me and he goes, I understand,' Trump said, retelling a story he's used to back up his position on the issue in the past. 'They understand it. Nobody's ever asked him. I said, have you ever asked -- I said, you ever been asked, like, you have to be, like, help out? Nobody's ever asked. So that's a pretty unfair thing,' Trump asserted. Coming back to the topic later, he professed: 'I am very proud of our country. We cannot continue to allow what's happened to our country to continue happening. We can't let it happen. 'I'm proud of our country, and I am a nationalist. It's a word that hasn't been used too much. Some people use it,' he acknowledged. 'But i'm very proud. I think it should be brought back. I'm somebody that wants to help other countries of the world, but I also have to take a -- we have to take care of our country. We cannot continue to allow ourselves to be duped on military and also duped on trade.' At a rally in Houston on Monday night, Trump had proudly declared himself to be a 'nationalist' - a descriptor that Democrats like Obama have used to describe the sitting president in verbal assaults on his politics. 'You know, they have a word, it sort of became old-fashioned. It's called a nationalist,' Trump told the crowd. 'And I say, "Really?" We're not supposed to use that word. You know what I am? I'm a nationalist. Okay? I'm a nationalist.' He then encouraged the crowd to 'use that word,' regardless of its negative connotations, while he railed against 'globalists' that never put America first. 'Radical Democrats want to turn back the clock. Restore the rule of corrupt, power-hungry globalists,' he claimed. 'A globalist is a person that wants the globe to do well, frankly not caring about our country so much. And, you know what? We can't have that.' Pakistan to launch aggressive campaign to address IWT by India 23 October, 2018 Related News Imran Khan distributed loan cheques under Kamyab Jawan Programme PTI govt to face all challenges coming its way: Imran khan More on this View All Top 2021 Accessories We Know You Will Love Types of Casino Payment Methods Tips for Taking Incredible iPhone Travel Photos Best Poker Hands ever played on a Casino Are Slot Developers Important for players? Hand Wash and Toiletries in Pakistan And the Role of DUPAS in Reshaping the Industry Ways that Players Used to Take Advantage of Slot Sites ISLAMABAD: India to facilitate a promised visit of Pakistani officials to the sites of its two hydropower projects 1,000MW Pakal Dul and 48MW Lower Kalnal Pakistan on Monday said it would launch an aggressive campaign to address its concerns over violation of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) by India. We do not foresee an inspection visit of (the two projects being executed by India over) Chenab River in the near future based on my telephonic discussions with my Indian counterpart, said Pakistans Commissioner on Permanent Indus Water Commission Syed Mehr Ali Shah. Speaking at a news conference with Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda, Mr Shah said the Indian water commissioner had promised on conclusion of the Aug 29-30 annual meetings to arrange a visit on Indian side of the Chenab River in the last week of September, but it was delayed to Oct 7-12 on the premise of local government elections in India-held Kashmir. He said the Indian side did not honour its revised schedule as well, saying Panchayat elections were being held in held Kashmir after 20 years. Mr Shah said he wrote a letter of disappointment and then talked to his counterpart a few days ago on phone and based on that discussion he did not expect a visit soon. Article continues after ad Mr Vawda, who finally turned up for a briefing after five cancellations over the past few days, said he did not want to go into a threatening mode, but would launch an aggressive campaign at home and abroad as India had seriously violated the 1960 treaty to Pakistans disadvantage. Without explaining, the minister said he would trap India to its own bluff card because the matter also pertained to Pakistans security and he was in the process of consultations with stakeholders to resolve the challenges with India on a war footing. Mr Vawda said there were severe water theft cases in Sindh and he would ensure that the menace came to an end. He blamed the previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government for causing Rs300 million per day loss to the country for the delayed implementation of the Dasu hydropower project, saying the World Bank was issuing warnings to cancel the loan programme. He said the PML-N government had delayed the project only because it did not want Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to benefit from it. The ministers claim was challenged by former minister for planning and development Ahsan Iqbal who said the previous government had in fact launched the project. Whatever was the delay in the project was because of the provincial government whose responsibility was to ensure land acquisition, he added. Mr Vawda said the World Bank had expressed serious concern over the years of delay in construction work on the run-of-river Dasu hydropower stage-I project and warned that the loan which it had approved in June 2014 of $3.787 billion could lapse. He said the project was planned to be completed by June 2021, but it could have been delayed until 2025-26 because of the bad planning of the PML-N government. He said that until now only seven per cent land could be acquired for the project. The minister said a meeting between the steering committee and the World Bank had been pending since July. He said he personally visited the World Bank office on Monday and secured the NOC to proceed with the project. The indirect impact of the delay, he claimed, was the imported LNG of $1.4bn that the previous government wanted to ensure, causing Rs112bn annual loss to the national economy. We have taken Dasu project on priority and on a war footing and would try to complete the project by 2022 or 2023, he said. On water theft issues, the minister said no amendment whether it was 18th Constitution Amendment or any other law would stop him from doing the right thing. He said he was facing threats and social media campaign since he raided and found underground water theft in Karachi. He said the managing director of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KSWB) did even have the time for a meeting to address water theft issues. He said the telemetry system to record water flows had been stopped on the verbal orders of a previous government and the Indus River System Authority was not ready to take over its control because of its substandard equipment. Till date, all these equipment are closed, which is an eye opener for Pakistanis. Now, nobody can know how much water a province is drawing from the system, he added. He said he was proposing a task force to install telemetry system for which the Sindh chief minister and law enforcement agencies would also be taken on board to control water theft. He alleged that politicians, landlords and KSWB officials were involved in the water theft. Without naming anybody, he said their leaders were eating funds on different pretext and now under the 18th Amendment the funds were misused in the name of provincial jurisdiction. He said the 18th Amendment had some good things, but there should be a debate on it because there was a need for readjustments. Mr Vawda said Darawat Dam in Jamshoro, Sindh, was completed with a cost of Rs11bn two years ago to irrigate 25,000 acres of land. But, he added, in reality it was only 10,000 acres. Meanwhile, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar appreciated actions taken by the Ministry of Water Resources against illegal hydrants in the provinces and directed the provincial governments to support the federal minister concerned for achieving the required goals in this connection. A senior Tory Brexiteer came under fire yesterday after remarking 'what a pathetic cretin' on a picture of a boy draped in an EU flag in a hospital bed. Stewart Jackson, ex-chief of staff to former Brexit Secretary David Davis, posted the comment on a Twitter post of Remain supporter Anthony Hobley's stepson. Mr Hobley, 51, had uploaded the picture to explain that the 11-year-old, who was recovering from an operation, was 'incredibly brave but gutted' not to be joining his family on Saturday's People's Vote march in London. Former MP Mr Jackson claimed his reply, which he deleted amid a fierce online backlash, was aimed at Mr Hobley, who should be 'ashamed of himself'. David Davis' ex chief of staff has been slammed after he branded a parent who wrapped their sick child in an EU flag in his hospital bed a 'cretin' But it drew criticism from several of his colleagues, including fellow Brexiteers. One said: 'We should be able to disagree without resorting to this it tars all Brexiteers with this vile brush.' Science Minister Sam Gyimah said: 'Dehumanising and derogatory language, no matter how strongly you agree, is unacceptable in our political discourse. Mr Hobley last night demanded an apology from Mr Jackson over his 'schoolyard abuse'. Former Tory MP Stewart Jackson (file picture) sparked a furious backlash from Tory and Labour MPs, who accused him of showing no 'humanity' and urging him to issue a 'grovelling apology'. Mr Hobley has now demanded an apology from Mr Jackson The finance chief executive from Surrey said: 'I don't believe people honestly worried about the future of our country should be subject to trolling by senior political figures, especially not when it involves children. 'Comments like these from senior people in political life set the tone of political debate in our country and I believe harm politics in our country.' Mr Jackson, MP for Peterborough until 2017, appeared to defend his stance yesterday, saying: 'I think it's awful that people with extreme views on Remain like this parent should invade a sick child's privacy to make a political point. He should be ashamed of himself.' Bill Cosby's courtroom losing streak continued on Tuesday, with Judge Steven O'Neill denying his motion for a lighter sentence or new trial in the case. That decision did not sit well with Cosby, whose team responded by releasing an affidavit from one of their witnesses in the case, former Montgomery County district attorney Bruce Castor. In that affidavit, Castor again rehashed the claims which have been multiple times before about Judge O'Neill having a bias in the case stemming from the time the two ran against one another in the 1999 Republican primary for the role of Montgomery County district attorney. 'There is no question in my mind that Mr. ONeill blamed me and my political supporters for raising his marital infidelity in a "smear campaign" to defeat him in the election for Montgomery County District Attorney,' stated Castor. 'It is my belief that Mr. ONeill has never forgiven me for this.' No go: Bill Cosby's defense team had their motion for a reduced sentence or dismissal of their case denied by Judge Steven O'Neill (Cosby above in April) Judge Dredd: In response, Cosby's team once again attacked Judge O'Neill (above in September) , distributing an affidavit from defense witness and former DA Bruce Castor Castor ended up becoming the district attorney and had promised Cosby that he would not prosecute him for sexual assault in the wake of Andrea Constand filing a police report. That promise carried little weight however when the current district attorney Kevin Steele took office and elected to file charges just before the statute of limitations had expired in the case. The defense attempted to enter this non-prosecution agreement into evidence in the case, but Judge O'Neill ruled against that motion. It is unclear what the point of the affidavit is as Judge O'Neill also made it clear on Tuesday that any future filmings in the case needed to be directed to the appeals court. Cosby did bring up these allegations in his motion for a reduced sentence or dismissal, stating: 'For the reasons detailed in Mr. Cosbys previously-filed motions for recusal (which are incorporated here by reference, without being repeated and set forth at length), and for all the foregoing reasons, a reasonable observer could question the impartiality of the judge who imposed the September 25, 2018, sentence.' And those claims were also brought up before the trial, with the defense filing a motion asking Judge O'Neill to recuse himself from the proceedings. Castor (above) argued that Cosby and the defense team were being punished because he revealed Judge O'Neill was having an affair during their 1999 primary race 'Mr. Cosby had a right to have his petition reviewed and decided by a judge who could make a decision free of bias, or even the perception of bias, where the ability to prosecute hinged on the testimony of the 2005 district attorney,' said his laterst set of lawyers in the case. He has now been represented by over 20 attorneys. Cosby will now try his luck in a higher court. He is living in a single cell near the infirmary at the State Correctional Institution-Phoenix in suburban Philadelphia and has access to a day room, where he can watch television or eat meals, a state prisons spokeswoman said. For now, he is the only person using that day room, spokeswoman Amy Worden said. Several inmates are assigned to help him as part of their prison jobs, she said. He has also had several visitors. Camille Cosby continued to issue searing attacks against Judge O'Neill, as she has done since the first trial ended in a jury deadlock in June 2017. In the latest missive Tuesday, she again said he should have stepped down from the case because his wife has advocated for sex assault victims. O'Neill has heard the argument before and said his wife's work has no bearing on his legal rulings. Advertisement As they watch the progress of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their barnstorming tour of the Pacific, the memories must be flooding back for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Because it is in the islands of the South Seas that so many members of the Royal Family have had some of their happiest and most unforgettable experiences whether being carried through the streets by a Cabinet minister in a grass skirt or travelling in a motorcade with bare-footed, torch-bearing outriders. It is in the Pacific that the Queen has had her one and only experience of being 'appointed' as monarch. Even though Fiji is the one place where she has actually abdicated, few of her ex-subjects even seem to have noticed. The region was also home to one of her favourite fellow-monarchs. So Harry and Meghan must have had plenty of advice ahead of this week's arrival in Fiji. The Queen knows it far better than most major European nations, having paid half a dozen visits. After all, she was Queen of Fiji for the first 35 years of her reign. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are pictured waving to supporters on the balcony of the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji on their arrival there today Today's scenes are reminiscent of the Queen's visit with the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip after her coronation in 1953 Her first trip was in 1953 when she arrived in a liner called the Gothic (Britannia was still being finished), shortly before Christmas. Before she reached dry land, she was greeted by a delegation of local chiefs who paddled out to the ship to perform the traditional welcome ceremony with a tabua, or whale's tooth. Made up of more than 320 islands, Fiji became part of the British Empire at its own request in 1874 (and for the second time of asking, too). In other words, it wasn't annexed or invaded, a fact which has always shaped its feelings for Britain and the Crown. As the Queen and Duke drove around, they were escorted by torch-bearing 'warriors' running alongside the royal Rolls-Royce, rather like those bodyguards who run alongside the limousine of North Korea's Kim Jong-un. On subsequent trips, the Queen would arrive in the Royal Yacht, though Britannia's crew could be rather shirty about the traditional whale tooth welcome. The tribal chiefs would arrive smothered in coconut oil which left terrible stains all over the yacht's decks and carpets. The Prince of Wales was given a grass skirt to wear by a chief on the South Pacific island of Vanatu on his visit there in April Prince Harry, 34, is pictured recieving similar gifts on Suva, Fiji with his pregnant wife Meghan Markle, 37, today Following two military coups in 1987, a local Army officer appointed himself head of state, leaving the Governor-General the Queen's representative in an impossible position. So the Queen told him to resign. As I explain in my new book, Queen Of The World, Margaret Thatcher was appalled, warning the Queen that this amounted to an abdication. 'Which it was!' the Queen's private secretary, Sir William Heseltine, told me, adding: 'I got a swing of the handbag.' However, the British government could not formally advise her in her capacity as Queen of Fiji. With a heavy heart, the monarch decided it was time to go. Yet, something strange happened. Though the Queen was no longer head of state, Fijians continued as if she was. They kept her on the coins and banknotes and her picture remained on the walls of government buildings, where it remains today. It was not until 2012 that they finally removed her face from the currency. Harry at on a stage as he was given the whale's tooth, a sign of wealth, in the vakasobu, before he were given kava, a drink made from a mashed plant root in the yaqona vakaturaga During a visit to Suva in 1982 the Duke of Edinburgh also drank kava, just like that given to Prince Harry today The Queen was also pictured drinking the traditional Fijian drink on an official visit to Fiji in October 1982 St Edward's Crown is still on Fijian uniforms. Young Fijians still flock to join the British Army and a proposal to remove the Union flag from the Fijian flag has flopped. Nor, for her part Queen, has the Queen ever relinquished the title first given to Queen Victoria. So she is still Tui Viti 'Monarch of the Fijians'. From Fiji, the Sussexes will move on to Tonga, another archipelago with a special place in British royal hearts and not just because the state limousine was, until recently, a London cab. For Queen Salote of Tonga was one of the stars of the Queen's Coronation in 1953, refusing to have the roof raised on her carriage as she processed through London in the pouring rain. She wanted the crowds to be able to see her and she was an instant hit with the British public. Later that same year, she laid on the grandest banquet in Tongan history when the Queen sailed in to the capital, Nuku'alofa. Every village in Tonga had to provide a specific number of 'pola', vast parcels of pork, chicken, yams, fish and crabs seven feet long and baked in coconut leaves. In total, more than 4,000 pigs were slaughtered for a feast which involved no cutlery and no chairs. The couple wave from the balcony at the Grand Pacific Hotel where they are attending a reception hosted by the president of Fiji It is all still etched on the Queen's mind to this day. During a recent conversation with a Tongan winner of the Queen's Young Leaders Award, her eyes lit up as she talked about that first visit and the exotic orchestra which had serenaded her. 'We had people playing their nose flutes outside the window,' she recalled. 'It was the most extraordinary thing to do. It sounds awfully uncomfortable but they do it rather well.' The one challenge, she said, had been the lack of chairs at Queen Salote's banquet. 'The only thing I found difficult was sitting cross-legged a lot.' One South Pacific island which the Sussexes will not be visiting this time is the Queen's smallest realm, Tuvalu. On her arrival in 1982, she and Prince Philip were brought ashore in richly decorated canoes which were then carried up the beach and on through the capital. Among those heaving the Queen and her canoe through town was the country's finance minister, Henry Naisali, who was dressed in an elaborate grass skirt. As she later joked to him, it was the first time she had seen a haystack wearing sunglasses. Next time the Sussexes are on tour in the Pacific, perhaps they will also find time to visit Vanuatu, where the residents of one remote village revere Prince Philip as a deity. One day, they will also visit Papua New Guinea. Known as 'PNG', this is the one country which has actually appointed the Queen as its monarch as opposed to inheriting her. Ahead of independence from Australia in 1975, it opted for a republican constitution. Then the politicians realised that they were never going to agree on a head of state and asked the Queen if she would do the honours for a ten-year interim period. More than 40 years later, there is no appetite whatsoever to change things. As Harry and Meghan are about to discover and to the uncomprehending dismay of republicans everywhere you really won't find a more devoted bunch of royalists than out there in the middle of the South Pacific. Queen Of The World by Robert Hardman. Published by Century. 25 Sheryl Sandberg said men had a 'huge head start' over women in the workplace It's only a few days since Facebook hired Sir Nick Clegg as its head of global affairs, missing a golden opportunity to hand a top job to a woman. But now the internet giant's second in command has declared that women face a 'rigged' race in the workplace. In an article likely to raise eyebrows, Sheryl Sandberg told how men were given a 'huge head start' and women 'are disadvantaged from the beginning'. Sheryl Sandberg told how men were given a 'huge head start' and women 'are disadvantaged from the beginning' in the workplace Only last week critics pointed out that Facebook had wasted a chance to give a senior role to a woman when it handed the global affairs position to ex-Liberal Democrat leader Sir Nick. A senior executive in Silicon Valley, who did not want to be named, said: 'This is yet another male hire in a very male-heavy management team. 'They could have found a woman, but these companies just want to hire people who look like them. It's infuriating.' In a comment article published in The Wall Street Journal, Miss Sandberg, 49, told of how workplaces must be changed from the bottom up for equality to truly exist. 'Year after year, companies report that they are highly committed to gender diversity. But the proportion of women in their organisations barely budges,' she wrote. Miss Sandberg noted that women were 'doing their part' by demanding promotions and negotiating salaries but this was falling on deaf ears. 'Then companies need to explain to employees why making a personal commitment to hire, promote, mentor and support women is good not just for business, but for their own careers.' Of the top five management positions at Facebook, just one is filled by a woman Miss Sandberg herself. Nick Clegg meets Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg after announcing he would join the social media giant The board of directors is equally male heavy with nine members just two of whom are women a figure which again includes Miss Sandberg. The comments also come just weeks after Facebook was accused of helping companies to discriminate against women by allowing job adverts to be created which only showed up on male social media users' profiles. The American Civil Liberties Union complained to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging that this was allowing employers to target ads based on gender. It said the practice was illegal. Miss Sandberg, Facebook's chief operating officer, wrote her article with Rachel Thomas, president of Lean In, a group founded to empower women in the workplace. Research by Lean In published yesterday, using figures from US businesses, revealed that women hold 38 per cent of manager positions, and men 62 per cent. Miss Sandberg said: 'Companies need to take bold steps to make the race fair The fact that men are far more likely than women to get that first promotion to manager is a red flag. 'It's highly doubtful that there are significant enough differences in the qualifications of entry-level men and women to explain this degree of disparity.' For decades, Fleet Street society diarist Kenneth Rose mingled with the Royal Family and the nations movers and shakers. But he kept the juiciest gossip for his private journals which are about to be published. Our extract yesterday revealed nuggets about the Queen and Prince Philip. Today, Rose spills the beans on Prince Margaret and her glamorous young beau . . . Princess Margaret (1930-2002) and fiance Antony Armstrong-Jones pictured standing in the grounds of the Royal Lodge, Windsor in 1960 February 26, 1960 Press Agency reports official engagement of Princess Margaret to Antony Armstrong-Jones. Staggering. March 10, 1960 I know Tony Armstrong-Jones a little. I taught him at Eton 12 years ago and found him intelligent and agreeable. At the end of one half, he gave me some not very good photos he secretly took of me in school as I held forth: I thought it a good joke. Since then I have seen him from time to time. But of course he has a past which needs living down. May 6, 1960 Princess Margarets wedding. A lovely sunny day. Superb seat in Abbey. See John Betjeman wandering about gazing up at details of architecture. Then the Royal Family. The Queen has a sulking Queen Victoria face throughout the entire service not a ghost of a smile. Queen Mother, on the other hand, like a great golden pussycat, full of sad little smiles. Prince Philip full of funny jokes and a great pink flower in coat. August 3, 1961 Dinner party at my flat. Martin Gilliat [Queen Mothers private secretary] stays behind to talk about Princess Margaret and Tony Armstrong-Jones. We agree that at the present time of economic difficulty, some gesture waiving the 50,000 to be spent on their new house in Kensington Palace is needed. Their popularity is lower than ever. Martin says John Griffin [Queen Mothers press secretary] thinks I am the only person apart from Princess Margaret who has any influence on Tony. And Martin thinks it would be wise if I talked to Tony about this. Princess Margaret walks with her husband, the Earl of Snowdon on a pontoon in the Bahamas in March 1967 August 4, 1961 I telephone Tony to ask to see him. Its nothing awful, is it? he nervously enquires. I agree to see him before lunch at their present house in Kensington Palace. Wearing a check jacket, trousers, suede boots, no coat and huge spectacles. He is rather deaf from having been to his shooting school this morning in readiness for Balmoral. Leads me up to his bed-sitting room. The house is so small, he says, that for the first time in my life, I have no room of my own except a bedroom. Then Princess Margaret comes in, warm in her welcome. But she tiresomely interrupts everything Tony says. I launch into my set speech on the need for them to make some gesture towards the economic needs of the country, such as announcing that they have asked for the postponement of renovations to their larger KP house. This is not at all well received. With a shrug of her shoulders, the Princess whines: We must have a roof over our heads. A close shave with Krushchev MAY 2, 1956 [LABOUR MP] Dick Stokes tells me that [Soviet premier] Bulganin and [First Secretary of Communist Party] Khrushchev arrived at Chequers without any luggage, and declined all offers of pyjamas, even of a razor We shaved yesterday, thank you. JUNE 8, 1957 WHEN Noel Coward, at any social gathering, wants to go to the loo, he always says: I must telephone the Vatican. DECEMBER 30, 1963 LUNCH Beefsteak [London club]. Andrew Devonshire [duke] comes in. Lord Sefton, [earl, former lord-in-waiting to George VI], Andrew says, was staying recently at Chatsworth and watched The Beatles singing on TV. Suddenly he observed: Nobody has ever accused me of being a bugger, but I do think that the third boy from the left is rather fetching! FEBRUARY 26, 1971 [U.S. ambassador] Walter Annenberg tells me that at a recent Embassy dinner, [former PM] Alec Douglas-Home said to [evangelist] Billy Graham: I wonder why the Almighty in his wisdom put so much of the worlds oil in the Middle East? Graham replied: Ill ask him. Advertisement And when, a few minutes later, I am alone again with Tony, he bursts out: She has given 20 years of service to the country, works very hard indeed and deserves something in return. I dont bother to point out that she is still only 30, and already receives 15,000 a year from the State for a far from heavy burden of public duties. Instead, Tony takes me to see the terrible tumbledown state of 1A, which the Ministry of Works has wantonly neglected. Inside it is no more than a ruin, with gaping holes in the floorboards. Agree with Tony that the public has no idea of the state of the place. He asks me to draft a letter for him to send to the Minister of Works. Rose duly wrote Tonys letter for him, pointing out that regardless of who went to live at 1A, the Ministry would have to spend 50,000 to stop this magnificent example of Wren architecture crumbling to ruins. The Commons subsequently approved a payout of 85,000. Princess Margaret arriving at a State banquet at the Australian Embassy in London in May 1966 October 11, 1961 On the subject of Tony Armstrong-Joness peerage, Strutt [Sir Austin Strutt, deputy under secretary at the Home Office] tells me that Prince Philip was against it. Princess Margaret not only insisted, but made herself quite ill with rage when she learned that the peerage patent would not be ready in time for Tony to carry out an official engagement in Glasgow as Earl of Snowdon. October 24, 1961 Letter to Armstrong-Jones. It was very pleasant to hear your voice again today. I am only sorry that our conversation should so often be about the misdemeanours of the Press. May I offer a word of general advice. Now that you have become a member of the Royal Family, you are going to be perpetually exposed to a great deal of comment in the newspapers. Indeed, if there were not an intense public interest in even the most trivial details of royal life, we should soon have a republic. Mostly, I think, the comment will be fair. But sometimes, as you have good cause to know, it will be nasty and malicious. But anybody who chooses to enter public life which in a sense you have done must accept this nagging criticism in parts of the Press as inevitable. Harold Nicolson once told me that when he first became an MP in 1935, Stanley Baldwin, who was then Prime Minister, gave him this advice: a) Always be nice to the Opposition. b) Cancel your subscription to a Press-cutting agency. c) Grow another skin. I am sure that you always follow a). You should certainly follow b). As for c), I expect it just grows with time. November 16, 1961 John Griffin [Queen Mothers press secretary] to dine at the flat. He says the Household at Clarence House are very bored indeed with Tony. When drinks are being poured out, he expects this to be done for him by the Household, and so on. They are also much shocked by his extraordinary dress. June 20, 1962 Pam Berry [wife of Daily Telegraph owner Baron Hartwell] telephones, full of a story about Princess Margaret and Tony. Apparently, they tried to photograph the Chichester Festival Theatre, but were driven away by Laurence Olivier with rude cries of No Press, No Press! December 13, 1971 Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe comes to dine. He tells me that at the State Banquet the other day at Buckingham Palace, Princess Margaret put out her tongue at him. When he raised his eyebrows in interrogation, she whined: You voted against our money. December 22, 1971 Princess Margaret telephones to say how much she would like to come to my party. She is so exactly like Jeremy Thorpes imitation of her that I almost say: For heavens sake, do stop clowning! February 8, 1978 Princess Margaret comes to my flat for a drink. We talk of learning languages. She says she does not know any German. You see, my mother and father made the mistake of beginning my German lessons in 1939. As I determined during the war never to talk to a German again, I didnt get very far. Extracted from Whos In, Whos Out: The Journals Of Kenneth Rose Volume 1, 1944-1979, edited by D.R. Thorpe, published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson on November 1 at 30. The Executors of the Estate of Kenneth Rose, Lord Waldegrave and Marie-Louise Spencer Hamilton 2018. Editorial matter C.D.R. Thorpe. To buy this book for 24 (20 per cent off), call 0844 571 0640 or go to mailshop.co.uk/books. Offer valid until November 6, 2018. p&p is free on orders over 15. Spend 30 on books and get free premium delivery. Helen Lenoir Washington, 75, is charged with second degree assault and could face up to seven years in prison in addition to a $14,000 fine A Minnesota grandmother who allegedly shot her grandson in the thigh in the midst of an argument that escalated over a cup of tea and a wooden table has been charged. Helen Lenoir Washington, 75, is charged with second degree assault and could face up to seven years in prison in addition to a $14,000 fine. When police arrived at the 5800 block of N. Camden Avenue in Brooklyn Center on October 12, they found her grandson waiting in the front yard. He had a gunshot wound to his right thigh. The victim told officers that his grandmother had shot him while they argued over where he placed a cup of tea, according to a criminal complaint obtained by the Star Tribune. A minor at the scene told authorities that Washington had repeatedly told her grandson not to put the cup on her furniture. After he ignored her, prosecutors said Washington threw the tea out and left the room to go grab a gun. Washington came back to find that her grandson had refilled his cup and put it back on her furniture, the minor told police. When police arrived at the 5800 block of N. Camden Avenue in Brooklyn Center on October 12, they found her grandson waiting in the front yard. He had a gunshot wound to his right thigh Prosecutors said that as the argument escalated, Washington shot her grandson. At the scene, police found a .38 Special revolver with five rounds of ammunition. One of the rounds had been fired, according to prosecutors. When she was arrested at the scene, Washington asked police where she had shot her grandson. She also asserted that she could not go to jail. A judge ordered that Washington be evaluated to see if she is competent to stand trial. Her next scheduled court date is on December 18. The name of her grandson has not been released and neither has his age. His condition is also currently unknown. The male cop accusing his female colleague of shoving her panties in his mouth has a raunchy past of his own, it's been revealed. A new racy photo obtained by the Daily News shows Detective Victor Falcon holding a prosthetic penis and posing with Sergeant Ann Marie Guerra at a Halloween bash two years ago. Falcon filed a complaint against Guerra that alleges they were in the unisex locker room in Brooklyn's 72 Precinct on October 7 when he complained to her about leaving her underwear lying around, which sent her into a tailspin. The 38-year-old allegedly took her panties and rubbed them on Falcon's face, in an attempt to stuff them into his mouth and screamed at him 'They are f***ing clean!'' A photo surfaced of Detective Victor Falcon holding a prosthetic penis and posing with Sergeant Ann Marie Guerra at a Halloween bash two years ago Detective Falcon (center) is accusing her of shoving her panties in his mouth in a complaint he filed with the NYPD's Equal Employment Opportunity office Sources tell the New York Post that Guerra was close friends with Falcon and not his boss when the picture was taken at a precinct Halloween party on a boat two years ago. Falcon was dressed as a flasher and is seen wearing a wig in the photo and holding his crotch while Guerra poses next to him as a sexy Roman soldier. 'They were really good friends back when they were cops together. They worked close together but not in any romantic way,' the source told the Post. 'Her husband was there' at the party, they added. Falcon alleges that Guerra reportedly humiliated him by telling him one of his previous relationships had probably failed because of his 'little d**k'. While a complaint filed with the NYPD Equal Employment Opportunity Office also alleged Guerra had revealed shocking details about her sexual relationship with her husband. 'Sgt. Guerra stated to me that if the girl didn't call me back, it is because I had a little dk,' Falcon said in the complaint. It goes on to say: 'Sgt. Guerra stated that she used a dildo on her husband during intercourse.' Ironically, the photo appears to show Falcon posing with just that. Sgt. Ann Marie Guerra, 38, of Brooklyn's 72 Precinct is accused of taking her underwear and shoving it into her subordinates face while screaming at him 'They are f***ing clean! A law-enforcement source said Tuesday that when Guerra arrived to work at the precinct after the allegation surfaced, she turned to college and jokingly said, 'I'm going to have to sell my panties to pay for my lawyer fees.' The NYPD said that the Detective Bureau was investigating 'an incident' between the two cops. Guerra is still working at the precinct while the NYPD investigates 'We have an expectation at NYPD that everyone acts professionally and that is currently under investigation,' Commissioner James O'Neill said at a press conference Tuesday. He said NYPD investigators 'taking these allegations one at a time to make sure they're properly investigated.' Guerra has a reputation for aggressively joking about the size of her subordinates' manhoods', sources told the Daily News, 'She is a piece of work,' one source said. 'She is always emasculating men and commenting on the size of their anatomy. She's a bullying man-hater.' 'In the push for gender equality, she's made it just not in a good way,' the source added. Another source however said that parts of the complaint filed with the EEO are being disputed. The source says she was not trying to gag Falcon with the panties 'She just put it up to his nose,' the source said, calling the incident 'exaggerated squad room banter.' A United Airlines flight ended up making an emergency landing before it had even traveled more than 15 miles. The plane took off from LaGuardia Airport in New York City on Tuesday morning but ended up diverting to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey after an issue with the aircraft's compression system. The Boeing 737 took off from LaGaurdia at 5:45 a.m. and landed in Newark 'without incident' at 6:19 a.m, according to United Airlines, which described the problem as a 'mechanical issue.' A United flight was diverted to Newark Liberty after departing LaGuardia Airport. Flight 657 radioed about a compression issue shortly after takeoff The Federal Aviation Administration said that the crew declared an emergency and reported a compression issue. A 'compression issue' could mean a compressor stall in the engine. A compressor stall occurs when there's an airflow disruption into the engine compressor. Air flow can be interrupted by a foreign object, like a bird, broken compressor or turbine blades, engine deterioration, extreme pitch or yaw movements or throttle movements according to to the National Transportation Safety Board. Passengers on board Tuesday's United flight reported on an aviation forum that they heard two loud bangs when the incident began. UA 657s flight path shows the aircraft travelling just 15 miles from LaGuardia to Newark One passenger wrote: 'Anyone else on that flight? 2 loud BANGS when we took off. Right engine partial failure sounds like. We diverted to EWR. Don't scare easily but that was scary.' Luckily, the affected passengers were able to board a different aircraft a few hours later. The flight left Newark at 9:05 a.m. and landed at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston just before midday CDT. 'We apologize to our passengers for the inconvenience,' United said in a statement. The FAA is investigating. In Minneapolis, Delta Air Lines Flight 589 was forced to make an emergency landing after suffering a broken windshield Meanwhile, in the MidWest a Seattle-bound Delta Air Lines flight had to make an emergency landing in Minneapolis because of a broken window in the cockpit. Flight 589 departed Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport at 11:25 a.m. Tuesday only to return about 15 minutes later, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. An airport spokesperson said emergency vehicles met the Boeing 737 on the tarmac as a precaution but nobody was hurt. The passengers were moved to another aircraft and were back on their way to Seattle before 2pm, according to Delta. Families crossing the US-Mexico border illegally surged to 'crisis' levels in September as policies pressed by the administration of President Donald Trump failed to deter the flow of migrants from Central America, officials said Tuesday. The jump drove total undocumented immigrant arrests at the southern US frontier in fiscal 2018 to over 520,000, a 25 percent surge from the previous year. US Customs and Border Protection said it had apprehended 16,658 people who arrived in the country in families last month, some 900 more than August and nearly 12,000 more than September one year ago. It was the highest month for families on record, reflecting a jump in migrants from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador fleeing widespread violence and poverty, many seeking asylum in the United States. Detained: Women and children are held near McAllen, Texas, after rafting the Rio Grande. The picture was taken in June, when the zero tolerance policy was in effect although it is unknown what happened to this group The surge was reported as Trump called a caravan of some 7,000 mostly Honduran migrants planning to traverse Mexico to the southern US border a national emergency and threatened to close the border completely to halt illegal immigration. His aides blamed the failure of Congress to change laws that make it impossible to repatriate border crossers from Central America and instead force the government to arrest and then release them inside the United States. Earlier this year, Trump's administration tried to deter families from traveling to the border by instituting a 'zero tolerance' policy, separating thousands of children as their parents were prosecuted. About 2,500 children and parents were separated before Trump abandoned the policy in June after a public outcry. A federal judge ordered the families reunited, a process that is still incomplete. CBP said an overall rise in arrests of undocumented border crossers last month helped return illegal immigration numbers to levels seen before Trump became president in January 2017. For the full fiscal year, which ended September 30, a total of 521,090 people without immigration documents were apprehended or blocked at the Mexico border. That was up by more than 105,000 from the previous year, Trump's first year in office when he declared that his tough crackdown on immigration was working. In fiscal 2016, the last full year before Trump became president, total southern border arrests topped 553,000. The CBP data showed a continuing trend toward more people crossing in families, despite the Trump administration's threat to separate parents from their children as a deterrent. An overhead view of a truck overloaded with migrants on Monday in Tapachula, where the man died. It is not known if this was the vehicle the man fell from, but more than one has picked up huge numbers of them since they arrived after crossing over from Guatemala Out of the total last year, families and unaccompanied minors made up about 40 percent of all those picked up by border officials for trying to sneak into the country. Speaking under condition of anonymity, a senior administration official called it a border crisis 'that is unprecedented in our history.' The official said laws meant to protect the rights and safety of border crossers are serving as a pull on illegal migrants, allowing them to stay in the United States for years while the US legal system processes their cases. Simple legal changes -- including being able to repatriate Central Americans as is done with Mexican immigrants -- will deter many of them from trying, according to the official. 'The cost on society is enormous,' the official said. 'We are apprehending these aliens. If we could return them, there would be no crisis.' Experts believe that Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric dissuaded potential migrants from crossing in the first months of his presidency. Trump has vowed to begin cutting millions of dollars in aid to Central America over a caravan of thousands of mostly Honduran migrants fleeing violence and poverty at home. He has called the caravan, which is currently in southern Mexico, a national emergency as he seeks to boost his Republican Party's chances of maintaining control of Congress in the Nov. 6 elections. President Donald Trump is insisting he will get his 10 percent middle class tax cut despite skepticism it would not be able to pass in a lame duck Congress. 'Now because of the fact that the economy is doing so well,' we feel it's possible, the president explained Tuesday a bill signing in the Oval Office. He noted he couldn't have gotten an additional tax cut when Congress passed his first round of cuts in December. 'I couldn't have gotten that extra 10 percent when we originally passed the plan. We maxed out,' he said. President Donald Trump is insisting he will get his 10 percent middle class tax cut despite skepticism it would not be able to pass in a lame duck Congress. Trump has made a middle class tax cut as part of his pitch for the midterm election Trump said the plan will be out soon - before Election Day which is two weeks away. 'It's going to be a resolution, probably introduced this week, the end of the week or early next week,' he said. And he denied his pitch for a new plan meant the first round of tax cuts passed by Republicans benefited the middle class. Democrats argued it only helped the wealthy. 'It's been great. The tax cut that we had, even if you look estate taxes and what it's done for the small farmers and small businesses, if you look at the past - I'm talking about the one that was passed, we're very proud of it. And what it did more than anything else, it brought jobs, tremendous numbers of jobs. That's why our job numbers you hear all of the time when I speak, we have the best numbers, literally, we've ever had,' he said. Trump has made a 10 percent cut for the middle class one of his pitches to voters and said he will bring it up for a vote in Congress after the midterm election. His new plan, which he first mentioned at a campaign rally on Saturday, has been greeted with skepticism - mainly because Congress isn't in session to discuss it and it could be difficult to pass a tax cut after voters head to the polls if Democrats win control of the House of Representatives. His move comes as more and more analysts are predicting Democrats will retake control of the House of Representatives. Trump originally suggested this weekend he would push for another tax cut - a move that caught GOP congressional leaders by surprise - especially when the president said a vote would come before November and Speaker Paul Ryan was working on it. Trump often touts his first round of tax cuts, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, as a major legislative victory. That law was a tax cut on individuals and corporations. But it hasn't proven much a selling point in the election as Republicans fight an uphill battle to maintain control of the House. In the meantime, lawmakers are back home and on the campaign trail. They won't return to Washington D.C. until after voters decide on whether or not to keep Trump's Republican Party in power on Capitol Hill. A packed agenda, however, awaits Congress when it returns later this fall - government funding runs out on December 7 and that spending package could include funding for the president's controversial border wall. Partisan battles will likely entail if Trump pushes ahead on the issue, particularly if Democrats win control of the House in the election and Republicans try to ram legislation through before they lose power at the end of the year. No Democrat voted for Trump's first tax plan and Republicans may balk at the cost of such a package. US Charge d Affairs met COAS US Charge d Affairs to Pakistan Paul Jones called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters (GHQ) on Monday, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Matters of mutual interest, including regional security with particular reference to Afghanistan, came under discussion. Earlier this month, Gen Bajwa was in London where he said that Pakistan was ready to take its bilateral relationship with the United Kingdom to the next level for mutual benefit. According to the armys media wing, the COAS met UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nicholson Carter, and held delegation-level talks on the prevailing security environment and cooperation. The Queen has spoken publicly about Brexit for the first time, telling the King of the Netherlands that 'shared values' are what binds Britain to Europe as she 'looks to a new partnership'. Speaking at a state banquet in honour of King Willem-Alexander and his wife Queen Maxima, Her Majesty added that as 'innovators, traders and internationalists we look with confidence to the future'. The Queen, who remains impartial in political matters, chose to emphasise the qualities needed by the UK and one of its closet European neighbours going forward as UK politics continued to be deeply divided by the issue of Brexit. The Queen (pictured delivering her speech next to King Willem-Alexander (on her right) chose to emphasise the shared ties binding Britain and the Netherlands Earlier, in a speech to both Houses of Parliament, King Willem-Alexander urged the UK Government to lift the 'shadow of uncertainty' hanging over Dutch nationals living in Britain after Brexit. And in his address at the Buckingham Palace dinner, with Theresa May seated nearby, the foreign head of state said: 'At present, a lot of attention is focused on the 'technical' side of Brexit. That's understandable and necessary. 'But in the midst of all that complexity we should not lose sight of the greater narrative that continues to bind us. The greater narrative of freedom, openness and cooperation. Of growth and a prosperity whose fruits are enjoyed by all.' In contrast to the speeches, the royal women, who included Queen Maxima, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall, put on a dazzling display of royal tiaras during the white-tie dinner. The Queen told Holland's head of state during her speech: 'I recall the state visit of your grandmother Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard in 1972, when I spoke of how our nations' close understanding and relationship would become increasingly important as a new configuration of Europe was emerging. The Queen, 92, walked alongside the Dutch King as they made their way into the dining hall 'As we look toward a new partnership with Europe, it is our shared values and commitment to each other, that are out greatest asset, and demonstrate that even through change, our enduring alliance remains strong, and as innovators, traders and internationalists we look with confidence to the future.' In her speech, the Queen praised the close links between the UK and Holland which 'greatly contributes to the economic and cultural life of Britain'. She added: 'The Netherlands are one of the United Kingdom's largest European investors. We have a thriving Dutch community, and artistic and sporting exchanges are at an all-time high'. Willem-Alexander reiterated comments made before about regretting the UK's decision to leave the EU, but he respected the decision of the British people. He went on to personally praise the Queen, highlighting her now famous appearance in the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, describing her as the 'most fearless Bond Girl ever' for her role alongside 007 played by Daniel Craig. The foreign monarch said: 'In recent decades, you have seen your country, Europe and the world change enormously. The world looks to you as a trusted beacon in the midst of upheaval. 'Your ability to keep in touch with the times is striking. You even have an adventurous streak, as you showed six years ago at the opening of the Olympic Games.' In tribute to the close links between the British and Dutch royal families, Queen Maxima wore the famous tiara, from the Dutch royal collection, that featured the Stuart Diamond. Prince Charles appeared deep in conversation with Queen Maxima of the Netherlands as they arrived for the state banquet, while The Duchess of Cambridge walked alongside Rear Admiral Ludger Brummelaar The large stone was originally bought in late 17th century by the British monarch William III, also Netherlands's Prince of Orange, for his wife Queen Mary II. It returned to the Dutch monarchy after the pair died and was later incorporated into the tiara which was last worn, with the stone, in 1972 by King Willem-Alexander's grandmother Queen Juliana when she travelled to the UK for a state visit. 2018 marks the 330th anniversary of the Glorious Revolution, which saw William depose James II to become King alongside his English wife Mary. Among the royal guests were the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, senior members of the Cabinet and leading figures from British and Dutch life. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who had met the Dutch king earlier in the day, was represented by shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry as he was believed to be attending a family event. Calls to ban Donald Trump from Twitter are at least as old as his presidency. But it's not going to happen, at least not while he's in office. The latest strive involves an all-caps tweet sent late Sunday warning Iran of 'CONSEQUENCES THE LIKE OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE.' So, does threatening nuclear annihilation upon an entire country get you the boot from the social network? Twitter's policy states that threats of violence can get you kicked off. Trump lashed out at Rouhani on Twitter late on Sunday, warning of 'consequences the like of which few throughout history have suffered' For instance, if somebody were to tweet a threat to kill his neighbor with a sawed-off shotgun, they could easily be kicked off for violating Twitter's policies. But not if you are Trump - or another world leader. Here's why: Twitter treats Trump differently than a 'regular' user. In January, Twitter published a blog post publicly codifying what had already been company policy, saying that 'Blocking a world leader from Twitter or removing their controversial Tweets would hide important information people should be able to see and debate.' Twitter's view is that keeping up political figures' controversial tweets encourages discussion and helps hold leaders accountable. TRUMP'S TWITTER WAR WITH IRAN President Donald Trump has launched an exceptionally raw attack on Iran, in a tone reminiscent of his war on words with North Korea last year -- sparking questions about US strategy towards the Islamic republic. The threatening tweet, sent late Sunday and written in all capital letters, was quickly hailed Monday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who praised the US leader's "tough stand." But some analysts warned that Trump's words could backfire if they are not followed up with action. A war of words has erupted between US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani The saber-rattling began when Iranian President Hassan Rouhani cautioned Trump not to "play with the lion's tail," saying that conflict with Iran would be the "mother of all wars" -- prompting the furious salvo from the US leader. "NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE," Trump warned Rouhani. "WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!" Advertisement The comments, the company argues, can either happen in the open, on Twitter, or behind closed doors. The blog post, written a year after Trump became president, does not reference him. But it's a clear response to calls to remove him, by liberal activists, writers and Twitter users even before he became president. And it nods to criticism that Twitter is only keeping on Trump because as arguably the world's best-known tweeter he's made the service more visible. 'No one person's account drives Twitter's growth, or influences these decisions. We work hard to remain unbiased with the public interest in mind,' the policy says. So what about regular users? Twitter bans 'specific threats of violence or wishing for serious physical harm, death, or disease to an individual or group of people.' It also prohibits users from affiliating with organizations that 'use or promote violence against civilians to further their causes.' This policy is in part to keep what Twitter calls 'extremist groups' off its service. It defines them as groups that subscribe to violence to advance their cause. Calls to ban Donald Trump from Twitter are as old as his presidency. But it's not going to happen, at least not while he's president. Twitter's view is that keeping up political figures' controversial tweets encourages discussion and helps hold leaders accountable. But there's a big exception: 'This policy does not apply to military or government entities.' Since the president is obviously a government entity, and, as commander in chief, a military entity as well, a nuclear threat won't get him kicked off Twitter. That leads some to wonder if there is anything Trump could say on the platform to get himself banned. It's unclear, but unlikely. Twitter would not say whether it has ever deleted a tweet by the president, and it appears that it has not. While the company says it reviews tweets by world leaders within their political context and 'enforce our rules accordingly,' this leaves a lot of room for interpretation, likely just as the company intends. World leading scientists have warned that a hard or 'no deal' Brexit could cripple science in the UK. A survey of more than 1,000 staff at the Francis Crick Institute, the country's biggest biomedical research lab, reveals that 97 per cent of scientists fear for the future. It comes as 29 Nobel Prize winning scientists from across Europe have written to UK Prime Minister Theresa May and EU President Jean-Claude Juncker. They have urged the 'closest possible cooperation between the UK and the EU' after Brexit to preserve vital scientific research. The signatories include Nobel winner and Crick director Sir Paul Nurse and the letter is led by Venki Ramakrishnan, President of the Royal Society. Scroll down for video World leading scientists have warned that a hard or 'no deal' Brexit could cripple science in the UK. A survey of more than 1,000 staff at the Francis Crick Institute, the country's biggest biomedical research lab, reveals that 97 per cent of scientists fear for the future (stock image) NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS WARN OF BREXIT'S IMPACT ON SCIENCE Top scientists from around Europe warned that Brexit could leave Britain and the EU 'more insular,' harming research across the continent. The letter was signed by 29 Nobel laureates and six winners of the Fields Medal mathematics prize. It urged British Prime Minister Theresa May and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to ensure the 'closest possible cooperation between the UK and the EU' after Britain leaves the bloc. The letter said scientific innovation 'requires the flow of people and ideas across borders to allow the rapid exchange of ideas, expertise and technology.' 'Creating new barriers to such ease of collaboration will inhibit progress, to the detriment of us all,' said the signatories. The British government says it is seeking 'an ambitious relationship on science and innovation with our EU partners' after Brexit. But the details of new arrangements will not be worked out until after the UK leaves the bloc in March. The two sides hope to have the outlines of a deal on future relations in place by then. Advertisement Concerns about Brexit are high at the Crick, based in London, with only 10 per cent of scientists feeling confident in the future of UK science. Of the 97 per cent who believe a hard Brexit will be bad for science, 76 per cent said they felt very negative while 21 per cent responded that they felt negative. Only four per cent think that the government is committed to getting a good deal for science and only three per cent think the scientific community is being listened to. In a written statement, Sir Paul said: 'This survey reveals the depth of feeling amongst scientists that a hard Brexit will seriously damage UK research, and that the government is not paying enough attention to science in the Brexit negotiations. 'Science and research matter for the UK's economic growth, for the nation's health and quality of life, and for the environment. 'The overwhelming negativity of scientists towards a hard Brexit should be a wake-up call to the country and the government. 'A hard Brexit could cripple UK science and the government needs to sit up and listen. 'We need a deal that replaces the science funding lost because of Brexit, that preserves freedom of movement for talented scientists, and that makes them feel welcome in this country.' The 650m Crick Institute represents significant government investment in UK science, and is the largest biomedical research facility under one roof in Europe. Concerns about Brexit are high with only 10 per cent of scientists feeling confident in the future of UK science (stock) The 650m Crick Institute represents significant government investment in UK science, and is the largest biomedical research facility under one roof in Europe. One of the Crick's key aims is to act as a beacon for the best scientific talent from the UK and the rest of the world. It attracts leading scientists to the UK with the objective that many of them will eventually take their skills to other British institutions. However, the survey suggests that because of Brexit, many Crick scientists are now significantly less likely to remain in the UK when they look for their next role. Half of the Crick's scientists are less likely to stay in the UK when they leave the institute (25 per cent much less likely, 26 per cent less likely), and only seven per cent are confident that the UK will continue to attract top scientific talent. 'A hard Brexit raises the concern that there could be a significant loss of scientists from the UK, particularly the young scientific talent upon which the country's future will depend,' Sir Paul added. 'This will greatly diminish our ability to make scientific discoveries that will help our country prosper, and that means we will all suffer. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it had ordered Transdev North America to immediately stop transporting school children in Florida in a driverless shuttle as the testing could be putting them at 'inappropriate' risk. The auto safety agency known as NHTSA said in an order issued late on Friday that Transdev's use of its EZ10 Generation II driverless shuttle in the Babcock Ranch community in southwest Florida was 'unlawful and in violation of the companys temporary importation authorization.' 'Innovation must not come at the risk of public safety,' said Deputy NHTSA Administrator Heidi King in a statement. The NHTSA said it had ordered Transdev North America to immediately stop transporting school children in Florida in a driverless shuttle as the testing could be putting them at 'inappropriate' risk. THE EZ10 BUSES The EZ10 minibuses can carry up to six seated passengers and six standing. Like a metro, the shuttle buses run back and forth in a single traffic lane. Instead of a tram, the bus requires no infrastructure - instead follows a virtual route that can be changed at any time. Transdev said in Florida the 12-person shuttle bus would operate from a designated pick-up area with a safety attendant on board, would travel at a top speed of 8 miles per hour (13 kph), with the potential to reach speeds of 30 mph (48 kph) once additional infrastructure was completed. Advertisement 'Using a non-compliant test vehicle to transport children is irresponsible, inappropriate, and in direct violation of the terms of Transdev's approved test project.' In March, NHTSA granted Transdev permission to temporarily import the driverless shuttle for testing and demonstration purposes, but not as a school bus. The agency said the company had agreed to halt the tests. A spokeswoman for Transdev did not respond to several requests for comment on Monday. Transdev North America is a unit of Transdev, which is controlled by France state-owned investment fund Caisse des Depots et Consignations. The company in August issued a news release saying it would 'operate school shuttle service starting this fall with an autonomous vehicle, the first in the world.' Transdev said the 12-person shuttle bus would operate from a designated pick-up area with a safety attendant on board, would travel at a top speed of 8 miles per hour (13 kph), with the potential to reach speeds of 30 mph (48 kph) once additional infrastructure was completed. The EZ10 minibuses can carry up to six seated passengers and six standing There are numerous low-speed self-driving shuttles being tested in cities around the United States with many others planned. NHTSA previously said it was moving ahead with plans to revise safety rules that bar fully self-driving cars from the roads without equipment such as steering wheels, pedals and mirrors as the agency works to advance driverless vehicles. The agency has said it opposes proposals to require 'pre-approving' self-driving technologies before they are tested. NHTSA told Transdev that failure to take appropriate action could result in fines, the voiding of the temporary importation authorization or the exportation of the vehicle. Earlier this month, French utility Veolia agreed to sell its 30 percent stake in Transdev to Germanys Rethmann Group. World-leading scientists have warned Theresa May not to allow Brexit to create new barriers to collaboration across Europe. Dozens of winners of the Nobel Prize have written to the Prime Minister and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker setting out their concerns. Their message was echoed by the London-based Francis Crick Institute, which warned that a hard Brexit could cripple science across the continent. World-leading scientists have warned Theresa May not to allow Brexit to create new barriers to collaboration across Europe. Dozens of winners of the Nobel Prize have written to the Prime Minister setting out their concerns (stock image) Nobel winner and Crick director Sir Paul Nurse, one of the signatories to the letter, said scientists feared a hard Brexit would 'seriously damage research'. The letter to the Prime Minister, signed by 29 Nobel winners and six recipients of the Fields Medal awarded to outstanding mathematicians, said 'creating new barriers' to collaboration across the EU would 'inhibit progress, to the detriment of us all'. 'Many of us in the science community therefore regret the UK's decision to leave the European Union because it risks such barriers,' the group said. They urged both sides in the Brexit negotiations to ensure 'as little harm as possible is done to research'. The letter's signatories include biologist Venki Ramakrishnan, president of the Royal Society. Meanwhile, a survey of more than 1,000 staff at the Crick found 97% of them believed a hard Brexit would be bad for UK science and 82% thought it would have a detrimental effect on European science. Theresa May visited the Francis Crick Institute earlier this year with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. Scientists at the institute have now warned that a hard Brexit could cripple science across Europe The Crick is the biggest biomedical research lab under one roof in Europe and has been publicly praised by the Prime Minister, who toured the facility with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in April. Sir Paul said: 'This survey reveals the depth of feeling amongst scientists that a hard Brexit will seriously damage research, and that the UK Government is not paying enough attention to science in the Brexit negotiations. 'Science and research matter for economic growth, health and quality of life, and the environment. 'The overwhelming negativity of scientists towards a hard Brexit should be a wake-up call. 'A hard Brexit could cripple science and the UK Government needs to sit up and listen. 'We need a deal that replaces the science funding lost because of Brexit, that preserves freedom of movement for talented scientists, and that makes them feel welcome in this country.' A UK Government spokesman said: 'The UK plays a vital role in making Europe a pioneering base for research and values the contribution that international researchers make to the UK. 'This will not change when we leave the EU. We will seek an ambitious relationship on science and innovation with our EU partners, exploring future UK participation in mutually beneficial research programmes, and will continue to support science, research and innovation through our modern Industrial Strategy. 'We have a proud record of welcoming the world's brightest scientists and researchers to work and study here, and after we leave the EU we will have an immigration system to support this.' Scientists believe they've discovered a new method to pin down just how fast our universe is expanding over time. In a new study, a team of researchers from the University of Chicago found that studying the gravitational waves emitted by cosmic collisions could lead to more resolute predictions about how quickly the universe is expanding. The scientists are so confident in this method that they say they could have a 'precise measurement' of the universe's rate of expansion in roughly five to ten years. Scroll down for video Researchers found that studying the gravitational waves emitted by cosmic collisions could lead to more resolute predictions about how quickly the universe is expanding NEUTRON STARS Neutron stars are the small, dense remains of a once-massive star that exploded as a powerful supernova at the end of its natural life. They often spin very rapidly and can sweep regular pulses of radiation towards Earth, like a lighthouse beacon appearing to flash on and off as it rotates. These 'pulsars' can be found in stellar couples, with the neutron star cannibalising its neighbour. This can lead to the neutron star spinning faster, and to pulses of high-energy X-rays from hot gas being funnelled down magnetic fields on to the neutron star. Advertisement Courtesy: The University of Chicago Previously, scientists have relied on a variety of methods to prove the universe's exact rate of expansion, also known as the Hubble constant, which was first developed in 1929 and is named after famed astronomer Edwin Hubble. They've coupled the Hubble constant with other methodologies, such as measuring differences in brightness between variable stars and supernovae, to estimate how fast the universe is expanding. Another method involves examining the cosmic microwave background, or the pulse of light created at the very beginning of the universe. However, like the aforementioned method, it tends to 'spit out distressingly different results,' the University of Chicago explained. One says the universe is expanding almost 10 percent faster than the other, according to the researchers. 'This is a major question in cosmology right now,' said Hsin-Yu Chen, lead author of the study. Pinning down the universe's exact rate of expansion could come down to studying a breakthrough collision between two neutron stars, first observed in 2017. In a new paper published in scientific journal Nature, the University of Chicago scientists say the collision could be a new way to calculate the Hubble constant. The collision, first observed August 17th, 2017, marked the world's first-ever detection of two faraway neutron stars colliding, causing a massive blast that rippled through the fabric of space and time. Pinning down the universe's exact rate of expansion could come down to studying a breakthrough collision between two neutron stars, first observed in 2017 This image shows an artist's illustration of two merging neutron stars. Ligo, the world's largest gravitational wave observatory, picked up on the gravitational waves emitted by the explosion Ligo, the world's largest gravitational wave observatory, picked up on the gravitational waves emitted by the explosion. It occurred some 130 million light-years away, but given how quickly researchers observed the star collision, it could give them a 'very accurate measurement' of the Hubble constant within the next five to ten years, according to the study. The gravitational waves, or ripples through the fabric of space-time predicted by Albert Einstein a century ago, could be the key to determining a more accurate Hubble constant. 'When two massive stars crash into each other, they send out ripples in the fabric of space-time that can be detected on Earth,' the University of Chicago said. 'By measuring that signal, scientists can get a signature of the mass and energy of the colliding stars. 'When they compare this reading with the strength of the gravitational waves, they can infer how far away it is.' The 2017 collision marked the world's first-ever detection of two faraway neutron stars colliding, causing a blast that rippled through the fabric of space and time (artist's impression) WHAT ARE GRAVITATIONAL WAVES? Scientists view the the universe as being made up of a 'fabric of space-time'. This corresponds to Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, published in 1916. Objects in the universe bend this fabric, and more massive objects bend it more. Gravitational waves are considered ripples in this fabric. They can be produced, for instance, when black holes orbit each other or by the merging of galaxies. Gravitational waves are also thought to have been produced during the Big Bang. If found, they would not only confirm the Big Bang theory but also offer insights into fundamental physics. For instance, they could shed light on the idea that, at one point, most or all of the forces of nature were combined into a single force. In March 2014, a team operating the Bicep2 telescope, based near the South Pole, believed they had found gravitational waves, but their results were proven to be inaccurate. Advertisement The scientists say measuring gravitational waves could serve as a 'cleaner' way to infer how fast the universe is expanding. However, there are concerns about how often scientists could catch these cosmic collisions and how solid the data from them would be. They predict that once scientists have detected 25 readings from neutron star collisions, they can measure the expansion of the universe within a startling accuracy rate of 3 percent. With 200 readings, that reduces further to 1 percent, according to the University of Chicago. 'It was quite a surprise for me when we got into the simulations,' Chen said. 'It was clear we could reach precision, and we could reach it fast.' Planned upgrades to the Ligo should mean that the detectors' sensitivities will be much stronger. This could potentially lead to the number and distance of 'astronomical events' they can pick up and scientists can use to firm up their hypothesis around how fast the universe is expanding. 'With the collision we saw last year, we got luckyit was close to us, so it was relatively easy to find and analyze,' said Maya Fishbach, another author of the paper. 'Future detections will be much farther away, but once we get the next generation of telescopes, we should be able to find counterparts for these distant detections as well.' due to the lack of oxygen in the Black Sea's 'dead zone' Advertisement The oldest intact shipwreck ever found has been discovered at the bottom of the Black Sea. The 75ft Greek trading vessel was found lying whole with its mast, rudders and rowing benches after more than 2,400 years. It was found in a well known 'shipwreck graveyard' that has already revealed over 60 other vessels. D uring the most recent exploration in late 2017, the team discovered what has now been confirmed as the worlds oldest intact shipwreck a Greek trading vessel design previously only seen on the side of ancient Greek pottery such as the Siren Vase in the British Museum. The ship, found 1.3 miles under the surface, could shed new light on the ancient Greek tale of Odysseus tying himself to a mast to avoid being tempted by sirens. The vase shows Odysseus, the hero from Homers epic poem, tied to the mast of a similar ship as he resisted the Sirens calls. The 75ft shipwreck was been found lying whole with its mast, rudders and rowing benches after more than 2,400 years. The shipwreck was found nearly 7,000ft under the sea in 'remarkable' condition, with some suggesting it has similarities to a ship shown on an ancient vase that depicts Odysseus tying the mast of a similar ship as he resisted the Sirens calls A remote-controlled submarine piloted by British scientists spotted the ship lying on its side about 50 miles off the coast of Bulgaria. The ship lies in over 1.3miles of water, deep in the Black Sea where the water is anoxic (oxygen free) which can preserve organic material for thousands of years. A small piece of the vessel has been carbon dated and it is confirmed as coming from 400BC - making the ship the oldest intact shipwreck known to mankind. Jon Adams, the projects chief scientist, said the wreck was very well-preserved, with the rudder and tiller still in place. 'A ship, surviving intact, from the Classical world, lying in over 2km of water, is something I would never have believed possible,' he said 'This will change our understanding of shipbuilding and seafaring in the ancient world.' SHIPWRECK SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON THE SIREN VASE The Siren Vase on display at the Siren the ancient, shows a ship with a mast identical to the one now found on the seabed The ship, found 1.3 miles under the surface, could also shed new light on the ancient Greek tale of Odysseus tying himself to a mast to avoid being tempted by sirens. The image, most famously on the Siren Vase on display at the Siren the ancient, shows a ship with a mast identical to the one now found on the seabed. The Siren Painter, as he is known, has his most famous work exhibited in the British Museum. His real name is unknown, as are the date of his birth and death. The vase shows Odysseus, the hero from Homers epic poem, tied to the mast of a similar ship as he resisted the Sirens calls. In the Odyssey, Odysseus orders his men to plug their ears with beeswax. He himself, curious to know what the Sirens sounded like, asked to be tied tightly to the mast and leave him bound no matter how much he pleaded and begged to be released Advertisement Prior to this discovery ancient ships had only been found in fragments with the oldest more than 3,000 years old. The team from the Black Sea Maritime Archaeological Project said the find also revealed how far from the shore ancient Greek traders could travel. Adams told The Times the ship probably sank in a storm, with the crew unable to bail water in time to save it. Ulysses and the Sirens in another piece of Greek artwork The archaeologist believes it probably held 15 to 25 men at the time whose remains may be hidden in the surrounding sediment or eaten by bacteria. He said he plans to leave the ship on the seabed because raising it would be hugely expensive and require taking the pint joints apart. he ship was both oar and sail-powered. It was chiefly used for trading but the professor believes it may have been involved in a little bit of raiding of coastal cities. It was probably based at one of the ancient Greek settlements on what is now the Bulgarian coast. THE 'DEAD ZONE' With no light and no oxygen in the Black Sea's lower, anoxic layer, no life can survive. This means the environment cannot support the organisms that typically feast on organic materials, such as wood and flesh. As a result, there is an extraordinary opportunity for preservation, including shipwrecks and the cargoes they carried. Advertisement He said: Ancient seafarers were not hugging the coast timidly going from port to port but going blue-water sailing. The find is one of 67 wrecks found in the area. Previous finds were discovered dating back as far as 2,500 years, including galleys from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Scientists stumbled upon the graveyard while using underwater robots to survey the effects of climate change along the Bulgarian coast. Because the Black Sea contains almost no light or oxygen, little life can survive, meaning the wrecks are in excellent condition. Researchers say their discovery is 'truly unrivalled'. Many of the ships have features that are only known from drawings or written description but never seen until now. Carvings in the wood of some ships have remained intact for centuries, while well-preserved rope was found aboard one 2,000-year-old Roman vessel. The project, known Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project (Black Sea MAP), involves an international team led by the University of Southampton's Centre for Maritime Archaeology. Ed Parker, CEO of Black Sea MAP, said: 'Some of the ships we discovered had only been seen on murals and mosaics until this moment. The ship lies in over 2km of water, deep in the Black Sea where the water is anoxic (oxygen free) which can preserve organic material for thousands of years. 'There's one medieval trading vessel where the towers on the bow and stern are pretty much still there. 'It's as if you are looking at a ship in a movie, with ropes still on the deck and carvings in the wood. 'When I saw that ship, the excitement really started to mount what we have found is truly unrivalled.' Most of the vessels found are around 1,300 years old, but the oldest dates back to the 4th Century BC. Many of the wrecks' details and locations are being kept secret by the team to ensure they remain undisturbed. Black Sea water below 150 metres (490 ft) is anoxic, meaning the environment cannot support the organisms that typically feast on organic materials, such as wood and flesh. The wrecks, such as this one from the Medieval period, are astonishingly well preserved due to the anoxic conditions (absence of oxygen) of the Black Sea below 150 metres (490 ft). This trading vessel was found with the towers on the bow and stern still mostly in place Shown here is a shipwreck from the Ottoman period discovered 300 metres beneath the Black Sea. Many of the wrecks' details and locations are being kept secret by the team to ensure they remain undisturbed The researchers used two Remotely Operated Vehicles (pictured) to survey the sea bed. These have discovered a number of wrecks over a series of expeditions spanning three years, including the one pictured from the Byzantine period, found in October last year HISTORY OF THE BLACK SEA Many of the colonial and commercial activities of ancient Greece and Rome, and of the Byzantine Empire, centred on the Black Sea. After 1453, when the Ottoman Turks occupied Constantinople (and changed its name to Istanbul), the Black Sea was virtually closed to foreign commerce. Nearly 400 years later, in 1856, the Treaty of Paris re-opened the sea to the commerce of all nations. Advertisement As a result, there is an extraordinary opportunity for preservation, including shipwrecks and the cargoes they carried. Ships lie hundreds or thousands of metres deep with their masts still standing, rudders in place, cargoes of amphorae and ship's fittings lying on deck. Many of the ships show structural features, fittings and equipment that are only known from drawings or written description but never seen until now. Project leader Professor Jon Adams, of the University of Southampton, said: 'This assemblage must comprise one of the finest underwater museums of ships and seafaring in the world.' The expedition has been scouring the waters 1,800 metres (5,900ft) below the surface of the Black Sea since 2015 using an off-shore vessel equipped with some of the most advanced underwater equipment in the world. The vessel is on an expedition mapping submerged ancient landscapes which were inundated with water following the last Ice Age. While the primary focus of the project is to carry out geophysical surveys, shipwrecks, including this one from the Ottoman period, have given new insights into how communities live on the shores of the Black Sea The researchers had discovered over 40 wrecks across two previous expeditions, but during their latest trip, which spanned several weeks and returned this month, they uncovered more than 20 new sites. Returning to the Port of Burgas in Bulgaria, Professor Jon Adams said: 'Black Sea MAP now draws towards the end of its third season, acquiring more than 1300km [800 miles] of survey so far, recovering another 100m (330 ft) of sediment core samples and discovering over 20 new wreck sites, some dating to the Byzantine, Roman and Hellenistic periods.' The researchers are using two Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to survey the sea bed. SCANNING THE BLACK SEA BED The researchers are using two Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to survey the sea bed. One is optimised for high resolution 3D photography, while the other, called Surveyor Interceptor, 'flies' at four times the speed of conventional ROVs and carries an entire suite of geophysical instrumentation, as well as lights, high definition cameras and a laser scanner. Since the project started, Surveyor Interceptor has set new records for depth (1,800 metres) and sustained speed over six knots (seven miles/hour), and has covered 1,250 kilometres (776 miles). A collection of more than 60 shipwrecks has been discovered and inspected, many of which provide the first views of ship types never seen before. Among the wrecks are ships from the Roman, Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, which provide new information on the communities on the Black Sea coast. Advertisement One is optimised for high resolution 3D photography, while the other, called Surveyor Interceptor, 'flies' at four times the speed of conventional ROVs. The Interceptor carries an entire suite of geophysical instrumentation, as well as lights, high definition cameras and a laser scanner. Since the project started, Surveyor Interceptor has set new records for depth at 5,900ft (1,800 metres) and sustained speed of over six knots (7mph), and has covered 1,250 kilometres (776 miles). Among the wrecks are ships from the Roman, Ottoman and Byzantine Empires, which provide new information on the communities on the Black Sea coast. Professor Jon Adams of The Black Sea Maritime Archaeology project holding a 3D model of a Greek shipwreck from 400BC, officially the World's oldest intact shipwreck, at the Wellcome Collection, London After three years of highly advanced technological mapping of the Black Sea bed, scientists confirm that a shipwreck lying intact on the sea floor has been officially radiocarbon dated to 400BC Many of the colonial and commercial activities of ancient Greece and Rome, and of the Byzantine Empire, centred on the Black Sea. After 1453, when the Ottoman Turks occupied Constantinople - and changed its name to Istanbul - the Black Sea was virtually closed to foreign commerce. Nearly 400 years later, in 1856, the Treaty of Paris re-opened the sea to the commerce of all nations. The scientists were followed by Bafta-winning filmmakers for much of the three-year project and a documentary is expected in the coming years. Producer Andy Byatt, who worked on the David Attenborough BBC series 'Blue Planet', said: 'I think we have all been blown away by the remarkable finds that Professor Adams and his team have made. 'The quality of the footage revealing this hidden world is absolutely unique.' Twitter has removed some accounts thought to be used to circumvent a ban on conspiracy-monger Alex Jones and Infowars, the company said Tuesday. The company confirmed a CNN report , which said Twitter permanently suspended 18 accounts, partly because of their attempts to help Infowars and Jones circumvent the ban placed on them by Twitter in September. A Twitter spokesman confirmed that the accounts had been removed but provided no additional comment. FILE - In this Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, file photo, Alex Jones, the right-wing conspiracy theorist, walks the corridors of Capitol Hill after listening to testimony on Capitol Hill in Washington. On Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018, Twitter confirmed it has removed accounts linked to conspiracy-monger Alex Jones and Infowars. The company says it usually does not discuss specific accounts. Twitter permanently suspended @realalexjones and @infowars from Twitter and Periscope in early September. It said it based that action in reports of tweets and videos that violated its policy against abusive behavior. The company said it would continue to evaluate reports regarding other accounts potentially associated with @realalexjones or @infowars and would take action if it finds content that violates its rules or if other accounts are used to try to circumvent their ban. Other tech companies, including PayPal, YouTube, Apple and Spotify, have limited or banned Jones' activities on their sites. Last Thursday Twitter permanently banned Jones and his website from its platform and Periscope, saying that the accounts had violated its behaviour policies. The company announced its decision via a series of tweets (pictured) Infowars has said the moves are intended to sabotaging the site just weeks before the midterm elections. On Twitter and elsewhere, Jones has done such things as describe survivors of a shooting in Parkland, Florida, "crisis actors" and saying the mass killing at Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012 was fake. He had about 900,000 followers on Twitter. Infowars had about 430,000. Other tech companies, including PayPal, YouTube, Apple and Spotify, have limited or banned Jones activities on their sites. Breathing through your nose boosts your memory, according to new research. It improves the transfer of the events we experience in our daily lives to our long-term memory bank, say scientists. In the study, participants exposed to certain odours were better at recalling them if their mouths had been taped over. The findings add to a growing body of evidence that inhaling through the nose rather than the mouth enhances cognition. Intriguingly, recent studies have also suggested a fading sense of smell is one of the first signs of Alzheimer's disease. Scroll down for video Breathing through your nose boosts your memory, according to new research. It improves the transfer of the events we experience in our daily lives to our long-term memory bank, say scientists (stock image) Professor Artin Arshamian, of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, said: 'Memories pass through three main stages in their development - encoding, consolidation, and retrieval. 'Breathing through the nose compared to the mouth during consolidation enhances recognition memory. 'This demonstrates, first, that nasal respiration is important during the critical period where memories are reactivated and strengthened. 'Second, it suggests the neural mechanisms responsible may emerge from nasal respiration.' The experiment consisted of two separate sessions each including an encoding, a consolidation and a recognition phase. During encoding the 24 Swedish men and women aged 19 to 25 were presented with six familiar fragrances - such as strawberry - and six unfamiliar ones like the pungent alcoholic scent 1-butanol. They were asked to remember them and then rested for an hour during which time they either breathed through their nose or mouth - the consolidation period. Mouth tapes or nasal clips were used. The participants were then once again presented with the smells mixed with 12 new ones - six familiar and 6 unfamiliar odours. When asked to recognise if it was new or old they were almost twice as successful if they had breathed through the nose. In the study, participants exposed to certain odours were better at recalling them if their mouths had been taped over. The findings add to a growing body of evidence that inhaling through the nose rather than the mouth enhances cognition (stock image) Professor Arshamian said: 'Growing evidence from animal and human studies suggests respiration plays an important role in the behavioural and neural mechanisms associated with encoding and recognition. 'Specifically nasal, but not mouth, respiration entrains neural oscillations that enhance the encoding and recognition processes. We demonstrate that respiration also affects the consolidation stage.' In mammals smells are first processed by the olfactory bulb which starts inside the nose and runs along the bottom of the brain. This has direct connections to two brain areas that are strongly implicated in memory - the hippocampus. Professor Arshamian said hippocampal rhythms are implicated in the transfer of information between sensory and memory networks. He said: 'These oscillations are entrained by nasal respiration and driven by the olfactory bulb. 'They then travel to the piriform cortex where they propagate further downstream to the hippocampus and modulate neural processes critical for memory formation. 'In humans, bypassing nasal airflow through mouth-breathing abolishes these rhythms and impacts encoding as well as recognition processes thereby reducing memory performance.' HOW YOU CAN TRAIN YOUR BRAIN TO BANISH BAD MEMORIES A recent study led by researchers from Dartmouth and Princeton has shown that people can intentionally forget past experiences by changing how they think about the context of those memories. The researchers showed participants images of outdoor scenes, such as forests, mountains and beaches, as they studied two lists of random words. The volunteers deliberately manipulated whether the participants were told to forget or remember the first list prior to studying the second list. Right after they were told to forget, the scans showed they 'flushed out' the scene-related activity from their brains. But when the participants were told to remember the studied list rather than forget it, this flushing out of scene-related thoughts didn't occur. The amount people flushed out scene-related thoughts predicted how many of the studied words they would later remember, which shows the process is effective at facilitating forgetting. To forget those negative thoughts coming back to haunt you, researchers suggest trying to push out the context of the memory. For example, if you associate a song with a break-up, listen to the song in a new environment. Try listening to it as you exercise at the gym, or add to a playlist you listen to before a night out. This way, your brain will associate with a positive feeling. If a memory of a scene from a horror film haunts you, watch the same scene during the daytime. Or watch it without sound but play a comedy clip over the top. Advertisement It has been suggested similar behaviour should be observed for the consolidation process - the stage between encoding and recognition - where memory is reactivated and strengthened. Professor Arshamian said: 'However, direct evidence for such an effect is lacking in human and non-human animals. 'Here we tested this hypothesis by examining the effect of respiration on consolidation of episodic odour memory. 'Recognition memory significantly increased during nasal respiration compared to mouth respiration during consolidation. 'These results provide the first evidence that respiration directly impacts consolidation of episodic events and lends further support to the notion that core cognitive functions are modulated by the respiratory cycle.' The study, published in the journal JNeurosci, follows research by a US team two years ago that found one strong inhale through the nose sharpens memory. Individuals were able to identify a fearful face more quickly if they encountered it when breathing in compared to breathing out. People also were more likely to remember an object if they encountered it on the inhaled breath than the exhaled one. But the effect disappeared if breathing was through the mouth. More than 4,000 Swedes are being implanted with a microchip that contains details about their identity. The miniature technology bypasses the need for cash, tickets, access cards and even social media. BioHax International is the market leader in the innovate industry and has captured public imagination since it was started five years ago by Jowan Osterlund, a former professional body piercer. Some people argue the conveniences gained from the procedure by so-called 'body-hackers' do not outweigh the risks to their private data. Scroll down for video RFID implants (pictured) use Near Field Communication technology which is the same as in contactless credit cards or mobile payments. It is roughly the the same size as a grain of rice and the procedure costs about $180 (140) In June 2017, SJ Rail, the Swedish train operator, announced that around 100 people were using microchips to pay for their journey. Commuters with a microchip in their hand are able to have their ticket loaded directly onto the device. The train conductor can then read the chip with a smartphone to confirm the passenger has paid for their journey. This was one of the most widespread and mainstream uses of the technology and has seen it be adopted by a plethora of forward-thinking companies. Microchipping has even been adopted by professional social media platform LinkedI. Szilvia Varszegi, 28, said the chip 'basically solves my problems'. Touching an event attendee's smartphone will allow the information to be transferred without the need for typing. BioHax International is the market leader in the innovate industry and has captured public imagination since it was started five years ago by Jowan Osterlund (pictured), a former professional body piercer HOW DO MICROCHIPS IMPLANTED UNDER HUMAN SKIN WORK? Several Swedish firms are implanting their employees with microchips under their skin which can be used to replace keys, credit cards and train tickets. The small implants use Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, the same as in contactless credit cards or mobile payments. When activated by a reader a few centimetres (inches) away, a small amount of data flows between the two devices via electromagnetic waves. The implants are 'passive,' meaning they contain information that other devices can read, but cannot read information themselves. Near Field Communication (NFC) as contactless bank cards, and London's oyster cards, suggesting it could be used further afield one day. Advertisement Ms Varszegi said: 'When another phone reads the chip, they see the [link] and they can open it in the phone browser.' The futuristic project has not been without its hiccups, and has also generated concerns over passenger privacy. When it was launched lat year, one flaw in the system meant that rail staff would sometimes be shown a passenger's LinkedIn profile instead of their ticket information. While the scheme is currently only available in Sweden, the country's travel system uses the same Near Field Communication (NFC) as contactless bank cards, and London's oyster cards, suggesting it could be used further afield one day. The electronic tags are around the size of a grain of rice and are implanted via a syringe into the back of the hand - often above the thumb. Several companies in Sweden already offer the service to their employees - often for free - to help them quickly enter the building or pay for cafeteria food. Jowan Asterlund (right) is a tattooist and body piercing specialist turned biohacker, who has chipped most people in the world. An electronic implant is inserted under the skin to replace keys, business cards and train tickets WHY DID A SWEDISH FIRM INJECT ITS EMPLOYEES WITH MICROCHIPS? Swedish firm Epicenter hit the headlines in April for offering RFID implants to its employees. The Startup offers workers microchips the size of grains of rice that function as swipe cards, to open doors, operate printers, or buy smoothies with a wave of the hand. The injections have become so popular that workers at Epicenter hold parties for those willing to get implanted. But, experts say the ethical dilemmas will become bigger the more sophisticated the microchips become. Self-described 'body hacker' Jowan Osterlund from Biohax Sweden, holds a small microchip implant, similar to those implanted into workers at the Epicenter digital innovation business centre during a party at the co-working space in central Stockholm The technology in itself is not new. Such chips are used as virtual collar plates for pets. Companies use them to track deliveries, but it's never been used to tag employees on a broad scale before. Epicenter and a handful of other companies are the first to make chip implants broadly available. And as with most new technologies, it raises security and privacy issues. While biologically safe, the data generated by the chips can show how often an employee comes to work or what they buy. Unlike company swipe cards or smartphones, which can generate the same data, a person cannot easily separate themselves from the chip. Advertisement The implants were first used in 2015 - initially confidentially - before they were later rolled out. While concerns have been raised over potential personal data violations, many Swedes are favouring convenience over their privacy. Twenty-eight-year-old Ulrika Celsing had a microchip injected into her hand that allows her to enter her workplace without needing her security card. She said she is not concerned over the potential hacking of the data stored in the chip. 'I don't think our current technology is enough to get chip hacked,' she told AFP. 'But I may think about this again in the future. I could always take it out then.' To enter her workplace, the media agency Mindshare, Ms Celsing simply waves her hand on a small box and types in a code before the doors open. 'It was fun to try something new and to see what one could use it for to make life easier in the future,' she said. Mircrochip implants are not new in Sweden, and thousands already have them, using the devices to swipe in and out of the office, and even pay for food. Swedish nationals can embed microchips under the skin on the back of a person's hand. SJ Rail, a Swedish rail operator, uses the chips to allow customers to pay for tickets (pictured) Swedish citizens have long accepted the sharing of their personal details. The country has a track record for sharing of personal information, which may have helped ease the microchip's acceptance. Personal details in the Scandinavian state are registered by the social security system, with other administrative bodies. It is possible for people to find out each others' salaries through a quick phone call to the tax authority. Mr Libberton said: 'In Sweden, people are very comfortable with technology and I would say there is less resistance to new technology here than in most other places.' Some experts have urged caution with the burgeoning microchipping scene. Ben Libberton, a microbiologist at the MAX IV Laboratory in the Swedish city of Lund which provides X-rays for research, told AFP: 'At the moment, the data collected and shared by implants is small, but it's likely that this will increase. 'The more data is stored in a single place as could happen with a chip, the more risk it could be used against us. 'If a chip can one day detect a medical problem, who finds out and when?' He added that the chip implants could cause 'infections or reactions of the immune system'. The President of Sierra Leone, Mr Julius Maada Bio, yesterday began a two-day state visit to Ghana, saying he had been encouraged by Ghanas free senior high school (SHS) programme to adopt a similar policy for the people of Sierra Leone. He said although implementing a free SHS policy was not a mean task, the government and the people of Sierra Leone were determined to take the initiative because education and human resource were crucial for the development of the country. He said he also learnt lessons from Ghanas efforts at fighting corruption and skills training. President Bio made these remarks when he and President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo jointly addressed the Presidential Press Corps at the Jubilee House yesterday after the two leaders had held bilateral talks to discuss issues of mutual benefit, ranging from education to health, energy, agriculture and trade. After the press conference, a state banquet was held in honour of the visiting President. Addressing the press conference, Mr Bio stated that Sierra Leone was a country in need and wanted to learn from Ghana to be able to catch up with the rest of the world. He said corruption stifled development and that he was highly respectful of President Akufo-Addos fight against corruption and that he would emulate President Akufo-Addos example. He said he was in Ghana not only to deepen traditional ties but also look for other areas of mutual benefit. President Bio commended Ghana for supporting Sierra Leone during its elections through ECOWAS and the special support from Ghana when the country found itself affected by the Ebola virus, war and mudslide. President Akufo-Addo urged his visiting counterpart to be resolute in implementing free SHS education because that held the key to providing the people with skills and knowledge for them to contribute their quota to national development. Having followed, with keen interest, the structural programme being embarked upon by President Bios administration, President Akufo-Addo said, he was particularly happy about his free quality education initiative. I urge you to stand firm and see it through, regardless of the opposition you will face. For us in Ghana, our free senior high school education policy, within the first two years of its implementation, has ensured that 270,000 more students whose education would otherwise have been truncated for financial reasons have access to secondary education, the President added. President Akufo-Addo also assured President Bio that in the spirit of the excellent relations between the two countries, such assistance, as within Ghanas modest means, to support the education, health, sanitation and other initiatives of President Bios government would be forthcoming. It is my sincere desire that we set the tone for Ghana and Sierra Leone to search continually for ways to co-operate, irrespective of who is at the helm of affairs in our respective countries. I have no doubt, however, that together, the two of us can forge a new, strong partnership for cooperation between our two nations for the mutual benefit of our two peoples, the President said. He also urged President Bio to work hand in hand with Ghana on the process of UN Reform, especially of the UN Security Council, as set out in Africas Common Position on UN Reform, based on the Ezulwini Consensus. Source: Graphic.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A special issue of Nature has published a series of studies looking at how monitoring Antarctica from space is providing crucial insights into its response to a warming climate. Here are their key findings: Three trillion tonnes of ice has been lost from Antarctica since 1992 The Antarctic Ice Sheet lost around three trillion tonnes of ice between 1992 and 2017, according to research led by Leeds University. This figure corresponds to a mean sea-level rise of about eight millimetres (1/3 inch), with two-fifths of this rise coming in the last five years alone. The finds mean people in coastal communities are at greater risk of losing their homes and becoming so-called climate refugees than previously feared. In one of the most complete pictures of Antarctic ice sheet change to date, an international team of 84 experts combined 24 satellite surveys to yield the results. It found that until 2012 Antarctica lost ice at a steady rate of 76 billion tonnes per year - a 0.2mm (0.008 inches) per year contribution to sea level rise. However, since then there has been a sharp, threefold increase. At some point since the last Ice Age, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet was smaller than it is today Researchers previously believed that since the last ice age, around 15,000 years ago, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) was getting smaller However, new research published by Northern Illinois University shows that between roughly 14,500 and 9,000 years ago, the ice sheet below sea level was even smaller than today. Over the following millennia, the loss of the massive amount of ice that was previously weighing down the seabed spurred an uplift in the sea floor. Then the ice sheet began to regrow toward today's configuration. 'The WAIS today is again retreating, but there was a time since the last Ice Age when the ice sheet was even smaller than it is now, yet it didn't collapse,' said Northern Illinois University geology professor Reed Scherer, a lead author on the study. 'That's important information to have as we try to figure out how the ice sheet will behave in the future', he said. The East Antarctic Ice Sheet was stable throughout the last warm period The stability of the largest ice sheet on Earth is an indication to scientists that it could hold up as temperatures continue to rise. If all the East Antarctic Ice Sheet melted, the sea level would rise by 175 feet (53 metres). However, unlike the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets it seems it would be resistant to melting as conditions warm, according to research from Purdue University and Boston College. Their research showed that land-based sectors of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet were mostly stable throughout the Pliocene (5.3 to 2.6 million years ago). This is when carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere were close to what they are today - around 400 parts per million. 'Based on this evidence from the Pliocene, today's current carbon dioxide levels are not enough to destabilise the land-based ice on the Antarctic continent,' said Jeremy Shakun, lead author of the paper and assistant professor of earth and environmental science at Boston College. 'This does not mean that at current atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, Antarctica won't contribute to sea level rise. 'Marine-based ice very well could and in fact is already starting to contribute, and that alone holds an estimated 20 meters of sea level rise,' he said. Decisions in the next decade will determine whether Antarctica contributes to a metre of sea level rise One of the largest uncertainties in future sea-level rise predictions is how the Antarctic ice sheet reacts to human-induced global warming. Scientists say that time is running out to save this unique ecosystem and if the right decisions are not made in the next ten years there will be no turning back. Researchers from Imperial College London assessed the state of Antarctica in 2070 under two scenarios which represent the opposite extremes of action and inaction on greenhouse gas emissions. Under the high emissions and low regulations narrative, Antarctica and the Southern Ocean undergo widespread and rapid change, with global consequences. By 2070, warming of the ocean and atmosphere has caused dramatic loss of major ice shelves, leading to increased loss of grounded ice from the Antarctic Ice Sheet and an acceleration in global sea level rise. Under the low emissions and tight regulations narrative, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and implementation of effective policy helps to minimise change in Antarctica, which in 2070 looks much like it did in the early decades of the century. This results in Antarctica's ice shelves remaining intact, slowing loss of ice from the ice sheet and reducing the threat of sea level rise. What saved the West Antarctic Ice Sheet 10,000 years ago will not save it today The retreat of the West Antarctic ice masses after the last Ice Age was reversed surprisingly about 10,000 years ago, scientists found. In fact it was the shrinking itself that stopped the shrinking: relieved from the weight of the ice, the Earth crust lifted and triggered the re-advance of the ice sheet. According to research from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) this mechanism is much too slow to prevent dangerous sea-level rise caused by West Antarctica's ice-loss in the present and near future. Only rapid greenhouse-gas emission reductions can, researchers found. 'The warming after the last Ice Age made the ice masses of West Antarctica dwindle,' said Torsten Albrecht from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. 'Given the speed of current climate-change from burning fossil fuels, the mechanism we detected unfortunately does not work fast enough to save today's ice sheets from melting and causing seas to rise.' The world's ice shelves may be being destabilised by forces from above and below Researchers found that warm ocean water flowing in channels beneath Antarctic ice shelves is thinning the ice from below so much that the ice in the channels is cracking. Surface meltwater can then flow into these fractures, further destabilising the ice shelf and increasing the chances that substantial pieces will break away. The researchers, led by the University of Texas at Austin, documented this mechanism in a major ice break up, or calving, event in 2016 at Antarctica's Nansen Ice Shelf. The findings are concerning because ice shelves, which are floating extensions of continental glaciers, slow down the flow of ice into the ocean and help control the rate of sea level rise, according to the study. 'We are learning that ice shelves are more vulnerable to rising ocean and air temperatures than we thought,' said Professor Christine Dow, lead author of the study. 'There are dual processes going on here. One that is destabilising from below, and another from above. 'This information could have an impact on our projected timelines for ice shelf collapse and resulting sea level rise due to climate change', he said. YouTube's CEO has condemned new legislation that will heavily restrict the sharing of content online. Article 11 and 13 of the Copyright Directive were approved in June by officials in Brussels in an attempt to change online copyright law. The regulations may have dire implications for meme-lovers as well as YouTube users as websites will now be obligated to screen user-generated content, including text, audio, photos and video to protect copyrighted works. YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki focused on Article 13 in a recent blog post and said: '[Article 13] threatens to shut down the ability of millions of people from creators like you to everyday users to upload content to platforms like YouTube.' She added that 'hundreds of thousands of jobs' will be at-risk following the implementation of Article 13. Scroll down for video YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki focused on Article 13 in a recent blog post and said: '[Article 13] threatens to shut down the ability of millions of people... to upload content to platforms like YouTube' Article 13 places the impetus on the platform and the publisher to scan the work for any copyright infringement. It will likely apply to pictures, parodies and memes as well as videos - which is likely to be YouTube's biggest concern. Ms Wojcicki also noted the impact the legislation will have on job security as well as artistic expression. 'This legislation poses a threat to both your livelihood and your ability to share your voice with the world. 'If implemented as proposed, Article 13 threatens hundreds of thousands of jobs, European creators, businesses, artists and everyone they employ. 'The proposal could force platforms, like YouTube, to allow only content from a small number of large companies. 'It would be too risky for platforms to host content from smaller original content creators, because the platforms would now be directly liable for that content.' Article 13 has widely been referred to as a 'meme ban' and this refers to the internet trend that uses still images from popular television shows or films and combines them with quips, puns and topical humour. The popular format is inescapable on the web, but the changes brought about by Article 13 could force internet companies to ban their use. Critics and campaigners say the legislation, which the European Parliament approved earlier today, will prove to be an excessive restriction on free speech. The MEPs approved its position in a tight vote by 14 votes to 9, with 2 abstentions. According to the EU, the principle of fair pay for artistic work should apply to everyone, everywhere, whether in the physical or online world something it says the changes to regulations will enable. German MEP Axel Voss said: 'This vote marks the first step of the parliamentary procedure to adopt copyright laws fit to meet the challenges of the internet. 'The last laws to address copyright in the information society date back 17 years and the internet of today is fundamentally different to what it was in 2001.' But the new laws could spell an end to music remixes, memes, and other user-generated content that borrows from copyrighted works. YouTube's CEO has condemned new legislation that will heavily restrict the publication of information online. Article 11 and 13 of the Copyright Directive could have dire implications for meme-lovers, with websites now obligated to screen user-generated content (stock) With companies now required to screen content for copyright infringement, it's possible that smaller sites will be unable to pay enough staff to police the images, text, and video being routinely shared by its users. Some companies and sites have already had to shutdown as a result of the EU's new GDPR data rules. Earlier this year, more than 70 leading internet figures, including the creator of the world wide web Tim Berners-Lee and Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wale, signed an open letter against the law change. It read: 'By requiring Internet platforms to perform automatic filtering all of the content that their users upload, Article 13 takes an unprecedented step towards the transformation of the Internet, from an open platform for sharing and innovation, into a tool for the automated surveillance and control of its users.' Those behind the letter say they believe in the need for copyright, but having an automated screening process in place is not the correct way to enforce the law. 'We support the consideration of measures that would improve the ability for creators to receive fair remuneration for the use of their works online,' the letter reads. 'We cannot support Article 13, which would mandate Internet platforms to embed an automated infrastructure for monitoring and censorship deep into their networks.' Several other groups have lobbied the EU to scrap the reform, with Copyright 4 Creativity one of the leading firms campaigning against the new changes. 'Should Article 13 of the Copyright Directive be adopted, it will impose widespread censorship of all the content you share online,' it said before today's vote. Article 11 has been branded 'the link tax', or 'the snippet tax'. The legislative change is designed to mitigate the power that Google and Facebook have amassed in recent years. It codifies a new copyright rule that prevents technology companies lifting portions of copyrighted material from news organisations. Under the new rule, technology companies like Google will have get permission to use excerpts, and even may have to pay for a license in order to do so. The US military is chasing a 'third wave' of artificial intelligence (AI) that will see robots endowed with the basic common sense of a 10-year-old child. Its research branch the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, is calling for researchers to breed a new type of AI that can solve complex problems. The goal is to build AI that can 'communicate more effectively with people' and 'understand new situations' better than any previous machines. The project, called The Machine Common Sense Program, is part of a $2 billion investment in AI by Darpa - the military research branch that pioneered the internet. The US military is chasing a 'third wave' of artificial intelligence that will see robots endowed with common sense. Its research branch the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is calling for researchers to breed a new type of AI that can solve complex problems (stock) It aims to build AI that operates outside of the hyper-specific niches where it works well today - such as categorising photos, or playing chess. 'The absence of common sense prevents an intelligent system from understanding its world, communicating naturally with people, behaving reasonably in unforeseen situations, and learning from new experiences,' a Darpa spokesperson said. 'This absence is perhaps the most significant barrier between the narrowly focused AI applications we have today and the more general AI applications we would like to create in the future.' Darpa is aiming to help develop an AI with the common sense of a ten-year-old child. In other words, something that can draw on a multitude of facts and observations to find its own solutions to complex problems. AI submitted to the program will undergo rigorous intelligence testing courtesy of the Allen Institute for AI - a lab funded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Machines will answer more than 100,000 questions designed by the institute to test for the presence of common sense. HOW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCES LEARN USING NEURAL NETWORKS AI systems rely on artificial neural networks (ANNs), which try to simulate the way the brain works in order to learn. ANNs can be trained to recognise patterns in information - including speech, text data, or visual images - and are the basis for a large number of the developments in AI over recent years. Conventional AI uses input to 'teach' an algorithm about a particular subject by feeding it massive amounts of information. AI systems rely on artificial neural networks (ANNs), which try to simulate the way the brain works in order to learn. ANNs can be trained to recognise patterns in information - including speech, text data, or visual images Practical applications include Google's language translation services, Facebook's facial recognition software and Snapchat's image altering live filters. The process of inputting this data can be extremely time consuming, and is limited to one type of knowledge. A new breed of ANNs called Adversarial Neural Networks pits the wits of two AI bots against each other, which allows them to learn from each other. This approach is designed to speed up the process of learning, as well as refining the output created by AI systems. Advertisement One example reads: On stage, a woman takes a seat at the piano. She a) sits on a bench as her sister plays with the doll; b) smiles with someone as the music plays; c) is in the crowd, watching the dancers; d) nervously sets her fingers on the keys. While to a human the correct answer is clearly d, even top AIs only get this question right about 60 per cent of the time. Darpa believe the solution to this problem lies in mimicking the learning processes used by young children. 'During the first few years of life, humans acquire the fundamental building blocks of intelligence and common sense,' Mr Gunning said. 'Developmental psychologists have founds ways to map these cognitive capabilities across the developmental stages of a human's early life, providing researchers with a set of targets and a strategy to mimic.' The harvesting and sharing of data by mobile phone apps is out of control, Oxford researchers have warned. They found almost 90 per cent of free apps on the Google Play store shared data with Google parent company Alphabet. More than 40 per cent could transfer information about users to businesses ultimately owned by Facebook. The harvesting and sharing of data by mobile phone apps is out of control, Oxford researchers have warned (stock image) Researchers studied 959,000 apps on the US and Google Play Stores, 88 per cent of which could hand over data to Alphabet, which owns Google. The study found that most apps contained third party tracking while news apps and apps targeted at children were the worst in terms of the number of third party trackers associated with them. 'Billions of people use smartphones every day, generating vast amounts of data about themselves', scientists wrote in the paper. 'Much of the functionality afforded by these devices comes in the form of applications which derive revenue from monetising user data and displaying behaviourally targeted advertising.' The data, which can be used for targeted advertising, credit scoring, or targeted political campaign messages, is highly lucrative. Revenues from online advertising are more than $59billion (45billion) a year in the US alone, the researchers said. Their research found that firms which could collect data had become a 'signficant' part of the digital economy. Reuben Binns, the computer scientist who led the project, said that because most apps were now free, making money from advertising rather than from the cost of downloading them, data sharing had spiralled out of control. He said users, regulators and sometimes even the app developers themselves were unaware of the extent to which data flowed from smartphones. It feels like this legitimate business model has gone completely out of control and created a kind of chaotic industry that is not understood by the people who are most affected by it, he told the Financial Times. Researchers studied 959,000 apps on the US and Google Play Stores, 88 per cent of which could hand over data to Alphabet, which owns Google (stock image) It comes as websites are under growing scrutiny over how they use peoples data. But so far, the smartphone apps - of which there are millions - have received little attention. The researchers looked at the code in apps that indicates data is being transferred. They found data often flows upwards to a handful of companies, notably Googles parent company Alphabet, as well as Facebook, Twitter, Verizon, Microsoft and Amazon. Because data is ultimately transferred to the same businesses, it can be used to create detailed profiles, the academics said. For example, if information from a dating app was shared with the same parent company as data from a banking app, it could be possible to deduce the sexuality of a banks customers, the FT reported. Scientists found that third party tracking was highly trans-national, with many trackers operating in jurisdictions outside the EU. Joel Reardon, assistant professor of computer science at the University of Calgary, said: Mobile phone are stores of sensitive information and if your phone is on, theyre just sending the information all the time to the same third parties. Even just the characterisation of what apps you have on your phone is quite an insight into a persons life, you can learn information about their age, sexual orientation, health and link it back to their device. The researchers also found that 90 per cent of apps could transfer data to third parties in the US, with five per cent able to send data to third parties in China and three per cent to those in Russia. One in five apps were able to share data with more than 20 third parties. Researchers believe there are ' significant legal compliance challenges' facing the tracking industry. Google disputed the latest research, saying researchers mischaracterised ordinary functions such as an app reporting back when it had crashed and its analytics. A spokesman said: Across Google and in Google Play we have clear policies and guidelines for how developers and third-party apps can handle data and we require developers to be transparent and ask for user permission. If an app violates our policies, we take action. Scientists have developed an optical illusion that may explain how our eyes compensate for what they cannot see. Called Ninio's extinction illusion, it features 12 dots on a grey and white grid. However, there is a twist - it's impossible to see all 12 of the dots at once. Scroll down for video Called Ninio's extinction illusion, it features 12 dots on a grey and white grid. But, as frustrated onlookers will surely notice, it's impossible to see all 12 of the dots at once HOW DOES THE ILLUSION WORK? The illusion features 12 dots evenly spaced across the grid. But when users focus on one dot in particular, they'll notice many of the other dots fade away into the intersecting lines. Experts say the illusion represents an example of the limits of our vision. Humans have more neurons in the center of their vision than the outside. This means we can only see things within a certain range of the center of our vision. As a result, our brains try to compensate for our peripheral vision by 'filling in the blanks' for what it thinks it sees. Advertisement The optical illusion was created by French scientist Jacques Ninio and first detailed in a paper published in 2000. If the grid were to be removed, viewers could easily see all 12 of the black dots simultaneously. But when presented on a grid, our perception changes entirely. As you focus on one dot in particular, you'll notice many of the other dots fade away into the intersecting lines. Several adjacent dots may remain on the grid, but others that are farther away seem to disappear in an instant. The average user is only able to see up to four dots at one time. 'When the white disks in a scintillating grid are reduced in size, and outlined in black, they tend to disappear,' Ninio explained in the study. 'One sees only a few of them at a time, in clusters which move erratically on the page. Where they are not seen, the grey alleys seem to be continuous, generating grey crossings that are not actually present. 'Some black sparkling can be seen at those crossings where no disk is seen. The illusion also works in reverse contrast,' he added. Experts say the illusion represents an example of the limits of our vision. 'Our visual system is lazy,' Susana Martinez-Conde, a neuroscientist at the State University of New York's Downstate Medical Center, told Popular Science. The average user is only able to see up to four dots at one time in the extinction illusion. Experts say the illusion represents an example of the limits of our vision 'Regular patterns are tempting because you can look at a small portion and think you have the whole thing figured out.' Many scientists trying to figure out Ninio's work refer back to the conclusions made from an illusion called the 'Hermann grid.' The Hermann grid is a popular optical illusion, where users view a white grid on a black background. As users move their eyes around the image, dark dots quickly appear and disappear at the intersections. Like the Hermann grid, Ninio's extinction illusion demonstrates how our brain compensates for what we cannot see. Humans are believed to have more neurons in the center of their vision than the outside. This means we can only see things within a certain range of the center of our vision. Yahoo's historic hack has finally been brought to a close. The beleaguered internet firm has agreed to pay $50 million in damages as a result of a data breach that hit some 1 billion accounts, affecting approximately 200 million people. As a result of the settlement, Yahoo will also provide two years of free credit-monitoring services to those people, whose email addresses and other personal information were stolen as part of the biggest security breach in history. Scroll down for video Yahoo has agreed to pay $50 million in damages and provide two years of free credit-monitoring services to about 200 million people in the U.S. and Israel whose email addresses and other personal information were stolen as part of the biggest security breach in history. The restitution hinges on federal court approval of a settlement filed late Monday in a 2-year-old lawsuit seeking to hold Yahoo accountable for digital burglaries that occurred in 2013 and 2014, but weren't disclosed until 2016. In addition to email addresses, users' birth dates, names and telephone numbers were stolen, among other things. Yahoo, which is now owned by Verizon, later discovered that all 3 billion of its users had been affected by the breach - several billion more than it initially thought. The settlement reached in a San Francisco court covers about 1 billion of those accounts held by an estimated 200 million people. Some of the hackers were believed to be state-sponsored actors from Russia. Yahoo still hasn't figured out what intrusion led to the attack. The breach that hit 3 billion users was revealed as Yahoo completed its integration with Verizon. Once the deal closed, then-CEO Marissa Mayer (pictured) stepped down However, the company maintains that users passwords, credit card numbers and bank account information was not stolen as a result of the breach. It wasn't until 2017 that Yahoo revealed all 3 billion of its users had been hit by a data breach. Yahoo is now part of a Verizon unit called Oath. Once the deal was closed, then-CEO Marissa Mayer stepped down. Mayer was not paid her 2016 bonus, worth as much as $2million, nor her 2017 equity grants as a result of the hacking incidents. YAHOO'S 2014 MEGAHACK Yahoo began looking into the hack in August 2014. That was before it was officially announced in 2016 that a 2014 attack had hit its systems. It compromised the names, email addresses, telephone numbers, birthdays, encrypted passwords and security questions of its users. The internet firm said it learned of the breach in the summer of 2016 while investigating claims of a separate intrusion, but it has not provided a specific timeline of events. The data breach is still under investigation, and FBI officials confirmed there were signs of a 'state-sponsored' attack. Advertisement In court papers, Yahoo had argued that the breaches were 'a triumph of criminal persistence' by a 'veritable 'who's who' of cybercriminals' and that no security system is hack-proof. Last year, the US Department of Justice charged two officers of the Russian Federal Security Service and two hackers in connection with the second breach in late 2014. When Facebook bought Instagram for $1 billion in 2012, it seemed like a big gamble for an unproven little app. Six years later, that little app - along with Messenger and WhatsApp - are serving as Facebook's safety net for a future that could find its flagship service on the sidelines. Sure, Facebook reigns in social media today, and this is not likely to change soon. Scroll down for video Mark Zuckerberg concludes his testimony before a combined Senate Judiciary and Commerce committee hearing in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill April 10, 2018 in Washington, DC. Zuckerberg, 33, was called to testify after it was reported that 87 million Facebook users had their personal information harvested by Cambridge Analytica, a British political consulting firm linked to the Trump campaign. Still, amid the company's seemingly endless troubles over elections meddling, misinformation, privacy lapses, hacking and hate speech, the idea that Facebook may not always be on top has begun to take hold. 'Facebook could collapse,' said David Kirkpatrick, who wrote a 2010 book on Facebook's early history. In an interview, he said the elections manipulations issue 'could get so terrifying that advertisers could start to back away. That's nowhere near happening now, but it could happen.' That is, as Facebook stops being a virtual watercooler for friendly conversation, but a lair for trolls and misinformation - advertisers might find the service too dangerous to showcase laundry detergent and shoes. For now, Facebook is a social and advertising powerhouse. It has 2.23 billion users, a number that's still growing at a healthy pace outside of the U.S. Wall Street analysts project Facebook's 2018 revenue will top $55 billion. While the company doesn't break out revenue among its apps, eMarketer estimates that Instagram will bring in 16 percent of Facebook's advertising revenue this year and 25 percent by 2020. (The research firm does not have estimates for Messenger ads, which are still new and nascent, and WhatsApp, which doesn't have ads yet.) David Marcus, Facebook Vice President of Messaging Products, watches a display showing new features of Messenger during the keynote address at the F8 Facebook Developer Conference in San Francisco. On Tuesday, Facebook is announcing a redesign of its Messenger app with the stated goal of making it more simple to use. 'It really speaks to the fact that advertisers love Instagram,' eMarketer analyst Debra Aho Williamson said. 'It has the appeal of being a generally positive environment.' In fact, Instagram is becoming the top social media service for many brands to interact with consumers, said Yuval Ben-Itzhak, CEO of the social media marketing firm Socialbakers. So even though these companies are reaching a smaller audience than Facebook, these people are 'engaging,' or interacting, a lot more with the advertisers, he said. WhatsApp and Facebook app icons on a smartphone in New York. Instagram along with Messenger and WhatsApp are serving as the social media giant's insurance policy for a future that might not be dominated by its flagship service. Facebook is working hard to ensure that Messenger and later, WhatsApp, become viable businesses as well. On Tuesday, Facebook announced plans to make its Messenger app simpler and easier to use. But the redesign also makes it clear that messages from businesses - and ads - are becoming increasingly important. Such messages are now front and center alongside messages with friends and other individuals. The new Messenger features a 'dark mode' that lets people switch to white text on a black background. It has fewer 'tabs' - or words and icons to tap to get to different sections in the app. The previous version had nine, including 'messages,' ''active' to show ongoing conversations, 'groups,' ''games' and a 'discover' icon to find bots to chat with for everything from the weather to horoscopes to shopping. The new version has just three: 'chats,' ''people' and 'discover' to connect with businesses, follow the news or play games. Stan Chudnovsky, head of product for messaging at Facebook, said the primary intent wasn't to elevate messaging with businesses. But he said that 'when people spend more and more time communicating with each other on a platform, inevitably that is where businesses need to be. It's almost like print happened and then businesses needed to be on print.' Facebook, of course, is working hard to nudge people and businesses in this direction, convincing them that chatting on Messenger is more efficient than, say, emailing, calling - or tweeting at - an airline, a clothing store or even your bank. FILE- In this April 12, 2016, file photo, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg talks about the company's 10-year roadmap during the keynote address at the F8 Facebook Developer Conference in San Francisco. Instagram along with Messenger and WhatsApp are serving as the social media giant's insurance policy for a future that might not be dominated by its flagship service. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File) One thing Facebook has always understood is the importance of human connections and interaction. Chudnovsky considers one-on-one communications a 'basic human need.' Considering that people use Messenger, and not the main Facebook service, for such interactions, does this mean Messenger is more important than Facebook? 'We don't take a position on what is more important,' Chudnovsky said. Still, considering that people no longer need a Facebook account to use Messenger, maybe some day it will be. After all, people (especially younger ones) are using Facebook less frequently, even as they flock to Instagram and its messaging services. A Pew Research Center study recently found that just over half of teens use Facebook, while 72 percent use Instagram. 'The idea has always been not to replace Facebook, but to add to it,' said Nate Elliott, head of the market research firm Nineteen Insights. 'But now that Facebook's reputation has taken a beating, I'm sure that they see it as a very nice insurance policy.' British Airways is suspending its flights between London and Iran saying they are 'not commercially viable'. The airline has announced it will stop flying between Heathrow and Tehran next month. The move follows the U.S withdrawal from a nuclear deal with Iran and foreign companies subsequently backing out of the country. It apologised for the disruption to passengers due to travel on later flights and is offering refunds or the option to bring their itineraries forward. British Airways is suspending its London to Tehran flights next month, saying they are not 'commercially viable' US president Donald Trump recently reinstated financial sanctions on Iran and accused it of supporting terrorism and undermining global financial systems. In August 2015, the British embassy in Tehran reopened after it was ransacked by a mob in 2011. British Airways resumed London to Tehran flights after a gap of four years in September 2016. The service was suspended in October 2012 amid instability in Iran. It currently operates five flights per week in each direction. British Airways' last flight from London to Tehran, pictured, will be on September 22 The last outbound flight to Tehran will be on September 22, with the final inbound flight to London on the following day. A spokesman for the carrier said: 'We are suspending our London to Tehran service as the operation is currently not commercially viable. 'We are sorry for any disruption this may cause to our customers' travel plans and we are in discussions with our partner airlines to offer customers rebooking options. 'Alternatively, they will be offered a full refund or the opportunity to bring their flights forward.' Dutch carrier KLM announced last month that it will also suspend its Tehran flights in September due to 'negative results and financial outlook'. Advertisement A game of billionaire one-upmanship is raging on the high seas, with superyachts getting bigger and more extravagant. Global yacht management company Hill Robinson says demand for 328ft-plus mega yachts has surged over recent years. The firm's co-founder, Nick Hill, reveals that the vessels are becoming 'far more complicated' with high-tech navigation and communication systems and they're also decked out with increasingly luxurious toys, from submarines to helicopters. Currently the biggest player on the water is the Azzam, owned by the United Arab Emirates president, with the $600 million (462 million) vessel measuring 592ft Coming in at second place in the mega yacht stakes is the $450 million (346 million) Eclipse, owned by Russian oligarch and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich Commenting on the trend, he told the Superyacht Times: 'As the boats have got bigger, clients expectations have changed considerably. 'In many cases they're highly intelligent, extremely well-informed and well-connected - there's nothing that they can't find out after spending a few minutes online!' Industry experts from the Superyacht Intelligence Agency told MailOnline Travel it has 12 328ft-plus superyachts on its data base that are due to be delivered by 2022. In addition, there has also been growth within the 295ft-plus sector with 2019 'already set to be a strong year, with seven orders scheduled for delivery'. The Dubai measures 531ft and was built in 2006 for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates A view of the Dilbar, which is the world's fourth biggest yacht at 512ft. It was built in 2016 for Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov Industry experts from the Superyacht Intelligence Agency told MailOnline Travel it has 12 328ft-plus superyachts on its data base that are due to be delivered by 2022. In addition, there has also been growth within the 295ft-plus sector with 2019 'already set to be a strong year, with seven orders scheduled for delivery' THE WORLD'S BIGGEST SUPERYACHTS 1 Azzam - measuring 591ft and built in 2013 for Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan the United Arab Emirates president 2 Eclipse - measuring 536ft and built in 2009 for Russian oligarch and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich 3 Dubai - measuring 531ft and built in 2006 for for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates 4 Dilbar - measuring 512ft and built in 2016 for Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov 5 Al Said - measuring 509ft and built in 2007 for the sultan of Oman 6 Prince Abdulaziz - measuring 482ft and built in 1984 for the Saudi royal family 7 Topaz - measuring 482ft and built in 2012 for Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates 8 El Mahrousa - measuring 478ft and built in 1865 for the Arab Republic of Egypt 9 Yas - measuring 463ft and built in 2011 for Emirati politician Hamdan bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan De Schelde 10 Ocean Victory - measuring 459ft and built in 2014 for Russian iron and steel magnate Victor Rashnikov Advertisement Currently the biggest player on the water is the Azzam, owned by Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the United Arab Emirates president, with the $600 million (462 million) vessel measuring 592ft. It includes room for 36 guests and a crew of 60, with perks including a bullet-proof master suite, missile defense system and submarine. There are no interior shots available of the yacht in a bid to retain privacy, but the furnishings were given a lavish touch by French designer Christophe Leoni. Coming in at second place in the mega yacht stakes is the $450 million (346 million) Eclipse, owned by Russian oligarch and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. The 536ft-long vessel boasts two helicopter pads, cabins for 24 guests, two swimming pools and a disco hall, as well as a missile detection system. Both the Azzam and the Eclipse were built by specialist shipyards based in Germany. Sailing Yacht A is the world's largest sailing yacht at 468ft. The eye-catching floating home, which cost an estimated $450 million (346 million) and was designed by Philippe Starck for Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, is powered by hybrid diesel-electric The luxury yacht Al Said owned by the Sultan of Oman is seen sailing off the coast in Dubrovnik, Croatia. It is the world's fifth longest superyacht at 509ft Saudi Arabia's King Fahd's 482ft-long luxury yacht called Prince Abdulaziz lies in the harbour of Malaga, Spain The Topaz, from the German shipyard Lurssen, is owned by the Royal family of Abu Dhabi. It measures 482ft and was built in 2012 One of the biggest players in the superyacht construction industry is Lurssen, which is based in Bremen and prides its history on building the world's first motorboat in 1886. Last year the Dilbar - a yacht Lurssen built for Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov for an estimated $600 million (462 million) - was named Motor Yacht of the Year 2017 after the judges were dazzled by her lavish design. It is the world's fourth biggest yacht at 512ft, after the $300 million (231 million), 531ft-long Dubai, which was also built by Lurssen for the prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Rounding out the top ten is the Al Said (509ft), the Prince Abdulaziz (482ft), the Topaz (482ft), the El Mahrousa (478ft), the Yas (463ft) and the Ocean Victory (459ft). Incredibly the El Mahrousa, which serves as Egypt's presidential yacht, is the oldest active superyacht in the world and it was built by the London-based Samuda Brothers company in 1863. Now it's said that a new era of yacht building is on the horizon. In 2020, the longest superyacht in the world is set to be delivered. The El Mahrousa is the world's eighth biggest yacht, measuring 478ft. It was built in 1865 for the Arab Republic of Egypt Yas, which measures 463ft, was built in 2011 for Emirati politician Hamdan bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan De Schelde The seven-deck luxury superyacht Ocean Victory is owned by billionaire steel magnate Viktor Rashnikov, who is worth more than $8.3 billion (6.3 billion) according to Forbes. It is the 10th largest superyacht in the world The Rev, which will measure 599ft, was ordered by Norwegian businessman Kjell Inge Rkke. Instead of being a pleasure cruiser however, the Rev was designed as an exploration vessel to aid ocean research. In addition, she has been designed as an environmentally-friendly vessel, with a diesel-electric propulsion system and an exhaust cleaning system. She will be able to accommodate up to 90 people, including crew members, scientists and researchers. An equally cutting edge vessel is the Sailing Yacht A, which is the world's largest sailing yacht at 468ft. The eye-catching floating home, which cost an estimated $450 million (346 million) and was designed by Philippe Starck for Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, is powered by hybrid diesel-electric. All this week, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Weekend magazine, we're bringing the rib-tickling TV moments that had the nation in stitches. Today, we pick the finest moments of Les Dawson, Tony Hancock and, in John Cleese's finest hour as Basil Fawlty, the 'don't mention the war' scene from Fawlty Towers. In our first sketch, Dawson and Roy Barraclough play northern housewives Ada and Cissie reminiscing about their honeymoons. Les Dawson's Honeymoon Memories 'Sez Les' - Les Dawson as Ada and Roy Barraclough as Cissie. All this week, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Weekend magazine, we're bringing the rib-tickling TV moments that had the nation in stitches ADA Shufflebotham (Dawson) and CISSIE Braithwaite (Barraclough) are enjoying a meal, a glass of wine and sharing some romantic memories. CISSIE: Tell me, chuck, when you went to Blackpool for your honeymoon, were you this is girl talk really were you virgo intacta? ADA: No, it was just bed and breakfast. CISSIE: No, no, chuck. What I meant was, did Bert ever suggest pre- marital relations? ADA: He mentioned Uncle Arthur . . . little bald fella, with a stick. CISSIE: No, no, you misconstrue . . . ADA: I always do, with salmon paste. CISSIE: No, Ada, look, what I'm trying to say, is, did Bert ever . . . (Whispers in Ada's ear) ADA: Ooh . . . muck, muck, mucky muck muck! Bert was a perfect gentleman. He never laid a hand never laid a hand on me until we were married. CISSIE: Oh, well, like my Leonard, of course, he never laid a hand on me not until I'd got the ring on me finger. ADA: Bert were the same. CISSIE: Yes, yes, well, my Leonard always said he wanted to save himself for me. ADA: Exactly Bert's words. CISSIE: Yes, so considerate. ADA: Yes. ADA AND CISSIE: The fools! ADA: 'Ere (pointing to the wine glass) I've had a few too many of them . . . If I tell you something in (whispered) confidence . . . Bert didn't know how to. CISSIE: Your Bert? I find that hard to believe, I mean everybody knows your Bert's a bit loose. ADA: Happened in the Army he was trapped in Benghazi, with iron rations I mean everything went (motions downwards . . . ) CISSIE: No, no, what I meant to say was that he was a veritable Casanova. ADA: Well, he fancied himself with the ladies, but I'll tell you something. Bit indiscreet, no . . . on our honeymoon, he didn't know what to do CISSIE: Never! Never! ADA: Yeah. See, my mother said to me, she said: 'Remember this, on your first night with a man, you're on the Altar of Sacrifice.' She said: 'Just lie back on the bed and think of England.' I had time to think of Scotland, Ireland and Wales. CISSIE: You poor thing. Well, whatever did you do? ADA: Imagine the way I was: here I am, a young bride, faced with the prospect of being married to a man who could be, well, important. I mean, what a predicament this is. I didn't know what to do, there was nobody to turn to. So, I thought the best thing to do was to take him to see natural things you know, the way things are. CISSIE: I don't follow your drift. ADA: Yes, it was snowing that night . . . I took him to the Tower Zoo. And we walked past the monkeys. CISSIE: Oh, you led him by the baboons, did you? ADA: No, we just held hands. CISSIE: And so, did he learn anything from watching the monkeys? ADA: Well, that night, we were in Yates's Wine Lodge . . . CISSIE: Ooh . . . ADA: . . .with a little glass of Serbo-Croat rose with ice, a meat pie, some black tripe and black peas and I thought, well, it's time to go to bed now, before we have the orchestral symphony from below (nudges Cissie, with a knowing smile). We got in the bedroom and I started to undress. And, me mother'd always said to me: 'Whatever you do, when you're with a man, never take (mouths) everything off. You know and never be bare leave something on, as an air of mystery. CISSIE: So, did you? ADA: I left me hat on. He came out of the bathroom in a cloud of 4711 talc. His eyes were pits of lust. He reached out for me . . . (Cissie makes some sounds of encouragement) CISSIE: Go on, chuck. ADA: He pulled back the quilt off the bed, and leapt in the air. Then he swung on the light fitting and threw bananas at me. Europe? It's just a silly game Yes Minister and its sequel, Yes, Prime Minister, was said to be Mrs T's favourite viewing. In fact, the show is beloved of just about every parliamentarian. Paul Eddington, left, played put-upon politician Jim Hacker, with Nigel Hawthorne, centre, and Derek Fowlds, right, as the civil servants running rings round him The office of the Department of Administrative Affairs in Whitehall. Minister Jim Hacker (Eddington) is in discussion with his Permanent Secretary, Sir Humphrey Appleby (Hawthorne) and Principal Private Secretary Bernard Woolley (Fowlds). MINISTER: This Directive comes from Brussels, saying that all EEC Members must conform to some niggling European word processing standards. That we have to agree to the plans of masses of European Word Processing Committees at the forthcoming European Word Processing Conference in Brussels. (Silence from Sir Humphrey and Bernard.) MINISTER: Well, say something. SIR HUMPHREY: Yes Minister. BERNARD: Quite so. MINISTER: That all you've got to say? SIR HUMPHREY: Well, Minister, I'm afraid that is the penalty we have to pay for trying to pretend we're Europeans. Believe me, I fully understand your hostility to Europe. MINISTER: I'm not like you, Humphrey, I'm pro-Europe. I'm just anti-Brussels. I sometimes think you're anti-Europe and pro-Brussels. SIR HUMPHREY: Oh, Minister, I'm neither pro nor anti anything. I'm merely a humble vessel into which ministers pour the fruits of their deliberations. But, it could be argued that, given the absurdity of the whole European idea, that Brussels is, in fact, doing its best to defend the indefensible and to make the unworkable work. MINISTER: That is simply not true, Humphrey. I don't want to sound pompous, but the European idea is our best hope of avoiding narrow, national self-interest. SIR HUMPHREY: It doesn't sound pompous Minister . . . MINISTER: Good. SIR HUMPHREY: . . . merely inaccurate. MINISTER: Listen, Humble Vessel, Europe is a community of nations dedicated towards one goal . . . Laughter from Sir Humphrey. MINISTER: May we share the joke, Humphrey . . . SIR HUMPHREY: Well, Minister . . .may I? (Sits down.) Let's look at this objectively. It's a game played for national interests and always was. Why do you suppose we went into it? MINISTER: To strengthen the brotherhood of free Western nations. SIR HUMPHREY: Oh really we went in to screw the French, by splitting them off from the Germans. MINISTER: Well, why would the French go into it, then? SIR HUMPHREY: To protect their inefficient farmers from commercial competition. MINISTER: Well, that certainly doesn't apply to the Germans. SIR HUMPHREY: No, no, they went in to cleanse themselves of genocide and apply for re-admission to the human race. MINISTER: I've never heard such appalling cynicism. Well, at least the small nations didn't go into it for selfish reasons. SIR HUMPHREY: Oh really? Luxembourg's in it for the perks. The capital of the EEC, all that foreign money pouring in? MINISTER: Very sensible, central location. SIR HUMPHREY: With the administration in Brussels and the Parliament in Strasbourg? Minister, it's like having the House of Commons in Swindon and the Civil Service in Kettering. MINISTER: If this were true, why would the other nations have been trying to get in? SIR HUMPHREY: Such as . . . MINISTER: Take the Greeks . . . SIR HUMPHREY: Actually, I find it difficult to take the Greeks, open minded as I am about foreigners, as you both well know. But what will they want out of it? An olive mountain and a Retsina lake? MINISTER: I just don't accept any of this. SIR HUMPHREY: Oh, I'm so sorry, Minister, I suppose some of your best friends are Greeks. MINISTER: Very droll . . . the trouble with Brussels is not internationalism, it's too much bureaucracy. Whatever you do, don't mention the war! Only 12 episodes of Fawlty Towers were ever made, but every one of them is a classic. Of all the scenes in the series, a concussed Basil's desperate attempt not to offend a party of German guests is perhaps the most famous and the most wildly funny. Comedy historian Graham McCann calls it 'an unforgettable glimpse of what demons were straining to run riot inside Basil's benighted brain'. John Cleese based the character of manic hotelier Basil Fawlty, above, on Donald Sinclair, the real-life owner of a Torquay hotel where he and the rest of the Monty Python team had stayed Basil Fawlty is supposed to be running the hotel without Sybil, while she is in hospital, having an ingrown toenail removed. But he's just been in hospital himself, after Manuel the waiter accidentally knocked him unconscious with a frying pan. Instead of staying to recover, he's sneaked out and returned to work at the hotel still disorientated. He's just stepped behind the hotel's reception when he looks up to see a couple approaching the desk. He beams at them. ELDERLY GERMAN: Sprechen Sie Deutsch? BASIL FAWLTY: Beg your pardon? ELDERLY GERMAN: Entschuldigen Sie, bitte, konnen Sie Deutsch sprechen? BASIL FAWLTY: . . . I'm sorry, could you say that again? GERMAN LADY: You speak German? BASIL FAWLTY: Oh, German! I'm sorry, I thought there was something wrong with you. Of course, the Germans! GERMAN LADY: You speak German? BASIL FAWLTY: Well, er, a little. I get by. GERMAN LADY: Ein bisschen. ELDERLY GERMAN: Ah wir wollen ein Auto mieten. BASIL FAWLTY: (Nodding helpfully) Well, why not? ELDERLY GERMAN: Bitte. BASIL FAWLTY: Yes, a little bit tricky. Would you mind saying it again? GERMAN LADY: Please? BASIL FAWLTY: Could you repeat. Amplify, you know . . . reiterate? Yes? Yes? ELDERLY GERMAN: Wir . . . BASIL FAWLTY: Wir? Yes, well we'll come back to that. ELDERLY GERMAN: . . . Wollen . . . BASIL FAWLTY: (To himself) Vollen . . . voluntary? ELDERLY GERMAN: Ein Auto mieten. BASIL FAWLTY: Owtoe . . . Out to . . . Oh, I see! You're volunteering to go out to get some meat. Not necessary! We have meat here! (Pause, the couple are puzzled.) We haf meat hier, in ze buildink!! (He mimes a cow's horns) Moo! Polly enters. BASIL FAWLTY: Ah, Polly, just explaining about the meat. POLLY: (To Basil) Oh! We weren't expecting you. BASIL FAWLTY: Oh, weren't you? (Hissing through his teeth.) They're Germans. Don't mention the war. POLLY: I see. Well, Mrs Fawlty said you were going to have a rest for a couple of days, you know, in the hospital. Two more guests, Miss Gatsby and Miss Tibbs are in reception. The German couple leave. BASIL FAWLTY: (Firmly) Idle hands get in the way of the devil's work, Fawlty. Now . . . POLLY: Right, well why don't you have a lie-down, and I can deal with this. BASIL FAWLTY: Yes, yes, good idea, good idea, Elsie. Yes. Bit of a headache, actually . . . MISS TIBBS: We don't think you're well, Mr Fawlty. BASIL FAWLTY: Well, perhaps not, but I'll live longer than you. MISS GATSBY: You must have hurt yourself. BASIL FAWLTY: My dear woman, a blow on the head like that . . . is worth two in the bush. MISS TIBBS: Oh, we know, but it was a nasty knock. BASIL FAWLTY: Mmmm, would you like one? (Hits the reception bell) Next, please. Two men and two women come down the stairs. BASIL FAWLTY: (In a hoarse whisper) Polly! Polly! Are these Germans too? POLLY: Oh yes, but I can deal . . . BASIL FAWLTY: Right, right, here's the plan. I'll stand there and ask them if they want something to drink before the war . . . before their lunch . . . don't mention the war. Basil moves in front of the German guests, bows and mimes eating and drinking. 2nd GERMAN: Can we help you? BASIL FAWLTY: (Gives a startled jump) Oh, you speak English? 2nd GERMAN: Of course. BASIL FAWLTY: Ah, wonderful! Wunderbar! Ah please allow me to introduce myself. I am the owner of Fawlty Towers and may I welcome your war, your wall, you wall, you all, and hope that your stay will be a happy one. Now, would you like to eat first or would you like a drink before the war . . . ning that, er, trespassers will be tied up with piano wire. Sorry, sorry (clutches his thigh) bit of trouble with the old leg . . . got a touch of shrapnel in the war . . . Korean! Korean War! Sorry, Korean. 2nd GERMAN: Thank you. We will eat now. Basil bows gracefully and ushers them into the dining room. BASIL FAWLTY: Oh, good, please, do allow me. May I say how pleased we are to have some Europeans here now that we are on the Continent . . . They all go into the dining room. Polly, meanwhile, is on the phone. POLLY: (Into the receiver) Can I speak to Dr Finn, please? In the dining room, Basil is taking the guests' orders. BASIL FAWLTY: I didn't vote for it myself quite honestly but, now that we're in, I'm determined to make it work, so I'd like to welcome you all to Britain. The plaice is grilled, but that doesn't matter, there's life in the old thing yet. No, wait a moment, I got a bit confused there. Oh yes, the plaice is grilled . . . in fact the whole room's warm, isn't it? I'll open a window, have a look. And the veal chop is done with rosemary . . . that's funny, I thought she'd gone to Canada . . . and is delicious and nutritious. In fact, it's veally good. Veally good? 2nd GERMAN: The veal is good? BASIL FAWLTY: Yes, doesn't matter, doesn't matter, never mind. 1st GERMAN: May we have two eggs mayonnaise, please? BASIL FAWLTY: Certainly. Why not, why not indeed? We are all friends now, eh? 2nd GERMAN: (Heavily) A prawn cocktail. BASIL FAWLTY: . . . all in the Market together, old differences forgotten, and no need at all to mention the war . . . Sorry, sorry, what was it again? 2nd GERMAN: A prawn cocktail. BASIL FAWLTY: Oh, prawn, that was it. When you said prawn, I thought you said war. Oh, the war! Oh, yes, completely slipped my mind, yes, I'd forgotten all about it. Hitler, Himmler and all that lot, yes, completely forgotten it, just like that (snaps his fingers). Sorry, what was it again? 2nd GERMAN: (With some menace) A prawn cocktail! BASIL FAWLTY: Oh, yes, Eva Prawn, yes and Goebbels too, another one I can hardly remember. 1st GERMAN: And ein pickled herring. BASIL FAWLTY: Hermann Goering, yes, yes. And Von Ribbentrop, that was another one. 1st GERMAN: And four cold meat salads, please. BASIL FAWLTY: Certainly, I'll just get your hors d'oeuvres, hors d'oeuvres vich must be obeyed at all times without question. Sorry, sorry! POLLY: Mr Fawlty, would you please call your wife immediately? BASIL FAWLTY: Sybil! Sybil! She's in the hospital, you silly girl. POLLY: Yes, call her there. BASIL FAWLTY: I can't, I've got too much to do. Listen . . . (He whispers through his teeth) Don't mention the war. I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it all right. (He returns to his guests). So, it's all forgotten now and let's hear no more about it. So, that's two eggs mayonnaise, a prawn Goebbels, a Hermann Goering and four Colditz salads . . . no wait a moment, I got a bit confused there, sorry... (One of the German ladies has begun to sob.) I got a bit confused because everyone keeps mentioning the war, so could you . . . The second German, who is comforting the lady, looks up angrily. BASIL FAWLTY: What's the matter? 2nd GERMAN: It's all right. BASIL FAWLTY: Is there something wrong? 2nd GERMAN: Will you stop talking about the war? BASIL FAWLTY: Me? You started it! 2nd GERMAN: We did not start it. BASIL FAWLTY: Yes, you did, you invaded Poland . . . here, this'll cheer you up, you'll like this one. There's this woman, she's completely stupid, she can never remember anything, and her husband's in a bomber over Berlin . . . (The lady howls.) Sorry! Sorry! Here, she'll love this one. 2nd GERMAN: Will you leave her alone. BASIL FAWLTY: No, this is a scream, I've never seen anyone not laugh at this. 1st GERMAN: Go away! BASIL FAWLTY: Look, she'll love it she's German! (Places a finger under his nose preparatory to doing a Hitler impression.) POLLY: No, Mr. Fawlty . . ! Do Jimmy Cagney instead. BASIL FAWLTY: What? POLLY: Jimmy Cagney. BASIL FAWLTY: Jimmy Cagney? POLLY: You know (adopts Cagney voice), 'You dirty rat . . . ' BASIL FAWLTY: I can't do Jimmy Cagney! POLLY: Please try . . . (continues in Cagney voice) 'I'm going to get you . . . ' BASIL FAWLTY: Shut up. Here, watch who's this, then? (He places his finger across his upper lip and does his Fuhrer party piece. His audience is stunned.) BASIL FAWLTY: I'll do the funny walk. (He performs an exaggerated goose-step out into the lobby, does an about-turn and marches back into the dining room. Both German women are by now in tears, and both men on their feet.) BOTH GERMANS: Stop it! BASIL FAWLTY: I'm trying to cheer her up, you stupid Kraut! 2ND GERMAN: It's not funny for her! BASIL FAWLTY: Not funny? You're joking! 2ND GERMAN: Not funny for her, not for us, not for any German people. BASIL FAWLTY: You have absolutely no sense of humour, do you! 1ST GERMAN: (Shouting) This is not funny! BASIL FAWLTY: Who won the bloody war, anyway? (The doctor comes in with a hypodermic needle ready.) DOCTOR: Mr Fawlty, you'll be all right, come with me. BASIL FAWLTY: Fine. (Suddenly Basil dashes off through the kitchen, out across into the lobby and into the office. He spots the doctor in pursuit and leaves by the other door into reception. He meets Manuel under the moose's head and thumps him firmly on the head. Manuel sinks to his knees. The moose's head falls off the wall; Basil is knocked cold. The moose's head lands on Manuel. The Major, entering from the bar, is intrigued.) MANUEL: (Speaking through the moose's nose) Ooooooh, he hit me on the head . . . MAJOR: (Slapping the moose's nose) No, you hit him on the head. You naughty moose! 2ND GERMAN: (Sadly) However did they win? A pint? Have you gone mad? That's very nearly an armful! Ray Galton and Alan Simpson met as teenagers in a tuberculosis sanatorium where they were having treatment and became a successful comedy writing duo for Tony Hancock, Frankie Howerd and others. They invented the British sitcom with Hancock's Half Hour on radio. With the most famous line in The Blood Donor, Alan explained: 'One of us said, 'A pint? That's an armful.' The other said, 'Nearly an armful.' Then we agreed on, 'Very nearly an armful,' which is funnier.' They invented the British sitcom with Hancock's Half Hour on radio, and later on TV. Galton and Simpson always refused to reveal who wrote which lines Tony Hancock is waiting to give blood at a hospital . . . Nurse: Well, Mr Hancock, the doctor is ready for you now. Hancock: Who me? Now? Yes, well, I mean . . . is there no one before me? I'm in no hurry. Anybody else want to go in first? Nurse: There isn't anybody else. You're the last one. Hancock: Oh. Yes well. This is it then. Here we go then. (Laughs nervously.) Over the top. (Privately to the nurse.) What's he like on the needle this bloke, a steady hand? Nurse: There's nothing to worry about. Hancock: Is he in a good mood? Nurse: You'll be quite all right. Dr McTaggart is an excellent doctor. Hancock: McTaggart? He's a Scotsman. Oh, well that's all right. They're marvellous doctors the Scots. Like their engineers. First rate. It's the porridge you know. Lead on Macduff. (The nurse opens the door to the doctor's office.) Nurse: (To the doctor.) Mr Hancock. Hancock: (In an absurdly exaggerated Scottish accent) It's a braw bricht, moonlicht nicht, the nicht, this morning there's a bonny wee lassie out there hoots mon tha noo. DOCTOR: (Cut-glass English accent) Do you mind sitting down there, please, Mr Hancock? Hancock: Beg your pardon for lapsing into the vernacular, but the young lady did say you were a Scottish gentleman. DOCTOR: We're not all Rob Roys. May I have your card, please? Hancock: I'm ready when you are squire. DOCTOR: Hold out your hand, please. Now, this won't hurt. You'll just feel a slight prick on the end of your thumb. Hancock: Ow! Well, I'll bid you a good day, thank you very much. If you want any more, don't hesitate to get in touch with me. DOCTOR: Where are you going? Hancock: To have my tea and biscuits. DOCTOR: I thought you came here to give some of your blood. Hancock: You've just had it. DOCTOR: That's just a smear. Hancock: It may be just a smear to you, mate, but it's life and death to some poor wretch. DOCTOR: I've just taken a small sample to test. Hancock: A sample? How much do you want then? DOCTOR: Well, a pint of course. Hancock: A pint? Have you gone raving mad? Oh, you must be joking. DOCTOR: A pint is a perfectly normal quantity to take. Hancock: You don't seriously expect me to believe that? I came in here in all good faith to help my country. I don't mind giving a reasonable amount, but a pint why, that's very nearly an armful. I don't mind that much. (Holds out his finger.) But not up to here mate, I'm sorry. (Indicates just below his shoulder.) I'm not walking around with an empty arm for anybody. A joke's a joke and all that. DOCTOR: Mr Hancock, you obviously don't know very much about the workings of the human body. You won't have an empty arm or an empty anything. The blood is circulating all the time. A perfectly normal, healthy individual can give a pint of blood without any ill-effects whatsoever. After all, you do have eight pints of blood, you know. HANCOCK: Now look, chum, everybody to his own trade, I grant you. But if I've got eight pints, obviously, I need eight pints. And, not seven, as I will have by the time you've finished with me. No, I'm sorry, I've been misinformed, I've made a mistake, I'll do something else I think I'll be a traffic warden. DOCTOR: Well, I can't force you to donate your blood but it's a great shame. You're AB negative. HANCOCK: Is that bad? DOCTOR: No, no. You're rhesus positive. HANCOCK: Rhesus? They're monkeys, aren't they? How dare you? What are you implying? I didn't come here to be insulted by a legalised vampire. DOCTOR: Mr Hancock. That is your blood group. AB negative one of the rarest blood groups there is. HANCOCK: (Smiling) Really? DOCTOR: Yes, it is. Very rare indeed. HANCOCK: Well, of course, this does throw a different complexion on the matter. I mean, I am one of the few sources, one doesn't like to hog it all, so to speak. Very rare, eh? DOCTOR: Yes, there'll be no ill-effects, I assure you. You'll make up the deficiency in no time at all. HANCOCK: Well, in that case, I'll do it. I mean, after all, we AB negatives must stick together. Minority group like us, we could easily be persecuted. DOCTOR: Thank you very much, Mr Hancock, I'm very grateful to you. Now, if you'll just take off your coat and lie down over there, it won't take long. Rest for half an hour and, after that, you'll be free to go. Would you roll up your sleeve, please. HANCOCK: By the way, what group are you? DOCTOR: Group A. HANCOCK: Huh. (Derisory.) DOCTOR: Now, this won't hurt. Relax. HANCOCK: Ow! (He faints.) An ex convict, Frank Amegashie who was incarcerated for 14 years claims it is very easy for a prisoner to escape from the Nsawam Maximum Prisons. According to him, the prisoners are able to scale the high prison wall to gain their freedom. In our time, lots of the inmates tried to break jail but we stopped them, we reported them to the Prisons Management and they were severely punished. Mobile phones are very common in the prisons which should not be the case. Several of the prisoners who are foreigners are communicating with their relatives in Nigeria and the consequences could be dire. Im a trained security officer, weve told officials about what is going on in the prisons. Im telling you, it is very easy for prisoners at Nsawam Prison to break jail. Michael Power was the first person to jump the prison wall and go home, I can call him now for you to speak to him on air. He told Kasapa FM last Friday. But a member of the Ghana Prison Service Communications team who was also on the same show, ASP Adjetey Cyriano disputed that claim insisting that security in the prison is very tight. How many escape attempts have we heard so far, I wouldnt say there is a zero situation. There has been one or two but security in there is very tight, the officers are being very professional. Its not easy to scale Nsawam Prison wall or break jail in Nsawam prison. In November 2016, it was reported that following an attempted jail break by the notorious criminal, Johnson Kombian, and two others, the Nsawam Medium Security Prison was locked down. Eastern Region Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Prisons Service, DSP Courage Atsem, told News men that officers on duty at the prison foiled the jail break attempt. There was an attempted escape [on Sunday], which was foiled by the officers on duty. Everybody is in intact. The Police have begun a full-scale investigation into the incident to get the full details of what occurred, he confirmed. Johnson Kombian murdered two policemen at Nakpanduri in the Northern Region was sentenced to death by hanging by the Accra Fast Track High Court. The seven-member jury unanimously found Kombian, a convicted jail-breaker and notorious armed robber, guilty of conspiracy to commit crime and murder of the two police officers Constables Prince Agyare and Owusu Frimpong. He was also sentenced to 30 years for conspiracy to commit murder and to death by hanging for murder. 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 Dr Ranj Singh has defended his Strictly co-stars Seann Walsh and Katya Jones amid the feverish public backlash surrounding their kiss. The TV star, 39, praised the duo for putting on a brave face amid the criticism and pulling off a 'cracking' performance on Saturday night. 'Seann and Katya did really well, and that was wonderful to see given the week theyd had in the press,' he told this week's issue of Radio Times. Support: Dr Ranj Singh has defended his Strictly co-stars Seann Walsh and Katya Jones amid the feverish public backlash surrounding their kiss He went on: 'But talk backstage wasnt about that. It was back to everyone doing their best, working hard for the show and supporting each other and thats what Strictly is all about. 'Being on the biggest show in the country means being under an immense amount of pressure, and any faltering will be amplified massively.' Ranj added: 'Being able to carry on and still deliver a great Charleston wasnt easy, and they did a cracking job.' Hanging in there: The TV star, 39, praised the duo for putting on a brave face amid the criticism and pulling off a 'cracking' performance on Saturday night 'Seann and Katya did really well, and that was wonderful to see given the week theyd had in the press,' he told this week's issue of Radio Times Seann and Katya were seen being saved after dramatic dance-off on Sunday's instalment of Strictly, leaving fans furious that Vick Hope and her professional partner Graziano Di Prima were sent home instead. The judges were unable to make a unanimous decision, leading to head judge Shirley Ballas to make the final call to send the Capital FM presenter, 29, and professional dancer newcomer, 24. Comedian Seann and his Russian dance partner's shock reprieve comes just two weeks after pictures emerged of the pair passionately kissing on a London street despite them both being in serious relationships at the time. Shock reprieve: Katya and show partner Seann Walsh survive a dramatic dance-off on Sunday night's Strictly Come Dancing, which saw Vick Hope and Graziano Di Prima being sent home All over: Actress Rebecca Humphries confirmed that she had ended her relationship with comedian Walsh after details of the kiss emerged - they had been together for five years Candid: The actress heaped further condemnation on Walsh by revealing his passionate kiss with Katya happened on her birthday, while she sat alone in their London flat Read all about it: Read Dr Ranj's new interview in the Radio Times, on sale now The kiss took place on the 32nd birthday of his now ex-girlfriend of five years, actress Rebecca Humphries. They have since broken up and she alleges that Seann is yet to apologise to her a claim he denies. On an episode of Strictly sister show It Takes Two earlier this month, Katya apologised to 'everyone it hurt and involved', but said she and husband Neil were 'absolutely fine'. 'Obviously I apologise, and I can't apologise enough to everyone who it hurt and involved,' she said. He is set to take on the role of Becker in BBC's new spy thriller The Little Drummer Girl, which is spearheaded by prolific South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook. And Alexander Skarsgard revealed on Monday that it was his Big Little Lies co-star Nicole Kidman who persuaded him to accept the part, as she had previously worked with the director on his English-language debut Stoker. In an interview with Radio Times, the actor, 42, said: 'I was dying to work with Park I loved the Oldboy trilogy and The Handmaiden.' Do it: Alexander Skarsgard revealed on Monday that his Big Little Lies co-star Nicole Kidman persuaded him to take part in The Little Drummer Girl 'I was shooting Big Little Lies when I read the script and Nicole said, Dont even think about it you have to do this. Hes amazing amazing amazing 'And the fact that it was a John le Carre story, and a character like Becker... I couldnt have been more excited.' Based on John le Carre's novel of the same name, the plot, set in 1979, sees actress Charlie (Florence Pugh), meet Becker (Skarsgard) while on holiday in Greece. Don't pass it up: He explained: 'I was shooting Big Little Lies when I read the script and Nicole said, Dont even think about it you have to do this"' 'He's amazing': Nicole had previously worked with the prolific South Korean filmmaker on his english-language debut Stoker (pictured) which was released in 2013 She is offered a role in the 'theatre of the real', quickly becoming dangerously immersed in a complex plot masterminded by Israeli spymaster Kurtz (Michael Shannon). Alexander took part in the first season of Big Little Lies, before he met his demise when the female ensemble characters sought revenge on him for his abuse against Celeste (Kidman) in the finale. Speaking about working on the HBO show, and particularly on a female-led drama, he said: 'Not only are they extraordinarily talented women, theyre so supportive of each other. 'Ive been on sets with men where it gets very competitive, especially alpha dudes who want to make sure theyre the silverback gorilla in the room.' Dark role: Alexander starred in the first season of Big Little Lies, and he met his demise when the female ensemble characters sought revenge on him for his abuse against Celeste (Kidman) Out this week: Read the full interview in the new issue of Radio Times 'That can hurt the creative process, because egos and insecurities come in. So it was wonderful to be in a situation where people cared about the project more than their character.' Speaking on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Kimmel last month he hinted that his character might be returning for season two, as he confirmed that he had been on the set but wouldn't say what he was doing. 'Maybe I was acting,' the True Blood star conceded. 'I might just have been moral support. I might have made coffee for the ladies.' The Little Drummer Girl will premiere on BBC 1 on October 28 at 9pm. Coronation Street will air a special episode focusing the secrets and lies tearing the Barlow family apart. Homing in on Daniel Osbourne's shock discovery of Sinead Tinker's cancer diagnosis, the episode is set to come to ITV screens next Monday and will only feature the couple as well as Ken and Peter. The action-packed special picks up from mum-to-be Sinead (Katie McGlynn) breaking down to Ken in hospital after revealing she has cervical cancer before swearing him to secrecy. Explosive: Coronation Street will air a special episode focusing the secrets and lies tearing the Barlow family apart In the upcoming scenes, Sinead collapses and is rushed to hospital, but when Daniel arrives he is stunned to find out the truth about her illness - and that Ken knew all about it. Daniel's (Rob Mallard) devastation turns to fury, with him becoming horrified when Sinead reveals she's refused treatment as it would mean losing their baby. Beside himself, Daniel implores to his girlfriend to do whatever it takes to increase her chances of survival but Sinead is adamant their baby's life comes first. Emotional: Coronation Street will air a special episode focusing the secrets and lies tearing the Barlow family apart Shock discovery: In the upcoming scenes, Sinead collapses and is rushed to hospital, but when Daniel arrives he is stunned to find out the truth about her illness Devastated, and struggling to deal with the news, the waiter heads back to number 1 to have a war of words with his dad but, is intercepted by Peter in the backyard. In moving scenes, written by Chris Fewtrell and directed by Mickey Jones, Daniel and Peter dissect Kens fathering skills and their upbringing, unaware Ken has heard every word. William Roache said: 'When Daniel does find out, Ken gets the full blast of all the pent up resentment that Daniel has lurking, because he was an absent father. Worst heartache:: Daniel's (Rob Mallard) devastation turns to fury, with him becoming horrified when Sinead reveals she's refused treatment as it would mean losing their baby 'Its a great episode, drawing on their history and bringing all those things together. 'One of the things I love in Coronation Street is how it draws on its own history, in this case the history of Ken being a bad father.' Meanwhile soap star Katie who has played Sinead for five years, admits the sickness story might cause her to leave the cobbles. 'It could be my exit storyline - I don't know yet,' Katie, 25, told the Mirror. 'It's a long rocky road and I don't know where it'll end.' The Barlows Coronation Street episode will air on Monday October 29 at 8.30pm on ITV. Former SBS World News host Lee Lin Chin is famous for her quirky fashion sense. Less well known is her surprising nightly ritual that involves reading the complete works of William Shakespeare for up to two hours in bed. Speaking to Whimn on Monday, the newsreader said: 'I'm always discovering something new in the great bard's words.' Scroll down for video 'I'm always discovering something new': Lee Lin Chin (pictured) revealed her very surprising nightly ritual on Monday. Pictured in Bondi, Sydney on June 30, 2016 Lee Lin added that she wakes up at 4am every day to do yoga. She said: 'Sleep is more important than anything else. If I haven't had a good sleep it going to be a terrible day, not just for me but also the crew. I can get pretty grumpy.' The media personality, who departed SBS earlier this year after nearly four decades with the network, is currently hot property according to media experts. In bed with the bard: The former SBS World News presenter reads the complete works of William Shakespeare for up to two hours before going to sleep each night 'She was totally the face of SBS and they liked to keep her to themselves,' an insider told The Daily Telegraph recently. 'Since her popularity rose, there was an increased demand for a range of other projects. She can now work with whoever she wants.' It has previously been reported that she could land a role on Ten Eyewitness News. Striking a pose: Lee Lin (left, at the 2016 Logies) also wakes up at 4am every day to do yoga 'Her popularity with the younger demographic would be something Ten would be keen to capitalise on,' an industry source said. The claim was given further credence in late July when Lee Lin told Ten Daily that she would be 'happy' to move to the network. 'I'd like to point out that, once a newsreader, always a newsreader,' she said. 'I would be very happy to read the news on a casual basis in the future if someone were willing to have me... I'm sure I could give Ten a ratings boost.' She sparked backlash when she was pictured passionately kissing Seann Walsh despite them both being in serious relationships at the time. But Katya Jones proved she was moving on from the controversy as she left the Strictly Come Dancing spin-off show It Takes Two in London on Monday. The married Russian dancer Katya, 29, who flaunted her toned legs in a thigh-grazing polka dot dress as she stepped out with Seann, 32, following their TV appearance. Moving on: Katya Jones proved she was moving on from the Seann Walsh kiss scandal as she left the Strictly Come Dancing spin-off show It Takes Two in London on Monday Drawing further attention to her lean limbs, Katya added height with a chic pair of nude stilettos. She wrapped up against the October chill in a white boxy sweater and styled her glossy hair in tumbling waves. Seann, meanwhile, kept things casual in a trilby and blazer teamed with jogging bottoms and trainers. Their outing came days after it was reported that Strictly bosses have banned contestants from boozy nights out, and instilled a strict curfew, in the wake of Seann and Katya's kissing scandal. Turning heads: The Russian dancer, 29, flaunted her toned legs in a thigh-grazing polka dot dress Ready for her close-up: The brunette bombshell framed her features with mauve metallic shadow and pale pink lipstick A source told The Sun that stars were told not to attend a late night bash last Friday, as producers feared it would set a bad example the night before a live show. The source said: 'The dancers wanted to attend a late-night party on a Friday. It was suggested that it would not look good for them all to be seen out and about at a bash the night before the live BBC show.' Seann and Katya were seen being saved after dramatic dance-off on Sunday's instalment of Strictly, leaving fans furious that Vick Hope and her professional partner Graziano Di Prima were sent home instead. Everything ok, Katya? The Strictly Come Dancing professional appeared to be in good spirits Glam: She wrapped up against the October chill in a white boxy sweater and styled her glossy hair in tumbling waves Chic: Drawing further attention to her lean limbs, Katya added height with a chic pair of nude stilettos The judges were unable to make a unanimous decision, leading to head judge Shirley Ballas to make the final call to send the Capital FM presenter, 29, and professional dancer newcomer, 24. Comedian Seann and his Russian dance partner's shock reprieve comes just two weeks after pictures emerged of the pair passionately kissing on a London street despite them both being in serious relationships at the time. Seann's scandalous kiss took place on the 32nd birthday of his now ex-girlfriend of five years, actress Rebecca Humphries. Loving life: Seann Walsh cut a cheery figure as he joined Katya Relaxed: He kept things casual in a trilby and blazer teamed with jogging bottoms and trainers Oh dear: Their outing comes just two weeks after pictures emerged of the pair passionately kissing on a London street despite them both being in serious relationships at the time They have since broken up and she alleges that Seann is yet to apologise to her a claim he denies. On an episode of Strictly sister show It Takes Two earlier this month, Katya apologised to 'everyone it hurt and involved', but said she and husband Neil were 'absolutely fine'. 'Obviously I apologise, and I can't apologise enough to everyone who it hurt and involved,' she said. All over: Actress Rebecca Humphries confirmed that she had ended her relationship with comedian Walsh after details of the kiss emerged - they had been together for five years She's had the opportunity to meet countless A-list celebrities for her famous breakfast radio show And Jackie 'O' Henderson has recalled witnessing a very awkward encounter with Tom Cruise during a red carpet event in the past. During a segment on the Kyle and Jackie O Show on Tuesday, the 42-year-old talked about the moment the Hollywood star explosively snapped at her boss. 'Get your effing hands off me': Jackie 'O' Henderson recalls witnessing the VERY awkward moment Tom Cruise snapped during a red carpet event 'I remember we did a red carpet event and Tom Cruise was there... my boss went on the red carpet and he went up to Tom and just put his arm on his back,' she began. Jackie explained her boss was trying to score her an interview with the 56-year-old actor, but the attempt quickly turned awry. She recalled her boss nicely asking Tom: ''Hey, would you mind coming over and talking to this lovely girl here?'' Eek! During a segment on the Kyle and Jackie O Show on Tuesday, the 42-year-old stunner explained that the Hollywood star explosively snapped at her boss '(Tom is) smiling at everyone and waving at the cameras and through gritted teeth he goes ''Get your effing hands off me'',' Jackie explained. It's not the first time the star has lost his patience - he also snapped at Australian journalist Peter Overton during an interview on 60 Minutes Australia in 2005. Tom famously told the 52-year-old reporter: 'Put your manners back in'. Moments earlier - Peter inquired whether Nicole Kidman was the love of Tom's life, asking him: 'And do you have a relationship where you talk to parenting relationship and talk professionally about each other?' '(Tom is) smiling at everyone and waving at the cameras and through gritted teeth he goes ''Get your effing hands off me'',': She recalled her boss nicely asking Tom whether he would like to come over and be interviewed by Jackie O, before the Hollywood star lost his patience Quickly shutting him down, Tom said: 'Here's the thing Peter, you're stepping over the line now. You're stepping over line, you know you are.' 'I suppose they're questions people wanna know,' Peter responded, defending himself. 'Peter, you wanna know. Take responsibility for what you wanna know. Don't say other people, this is a conversation I'm having with you right now,' Tom sternly said. 'So I'm just telling you right now okay, just put your manners back in,' he added. Jamie Lee Curtis looked every inch the Hollywood superstar when she arrived at Sydney airport on Tuesday. Touching down ahead of the premiere of her new movie, Halloween, the 59-year-old actress was vibrant and refreshed as she made her way through the airport terminal and outside to a waiting car. Looking stylish in an all-black ensemble, Jamie Lee gave onlookers a small smile and a wave as she made a swift departure. Stepping out: Jamie Lee Curtis looked every inch the Hollywood superstar when she arrived at Sydney airport on Tuesday The legendary actress was dressed in a pair of black skinny leg jeans, which she teamed with black leather ankle boots. She wore a zip-up black jacket, and accessorised with a small black cross-body handbag, a black backpack and black sunglasses. Her short grey hair was neatly coiffed, and she appeared fresh-faced as she walked alongside a minder. It's been 40 years since the actress made her movie debut in the original Halloween film, and she's reprised her role as Laurie in the latest installment. Fresh-faced: The 59-year-old actress looked vibrant and refreshed as she made her way through the airport terminal Greetings: Looking stylish in an all-black ensemble, Jamie Lee gave onlookers a small smile and a wave as she made a swift departure The latest film in the hit horror franchise has already proven to be quite the success, with Jamie Lee celebrating its release on Instagram. 'Biggest horror movie opening with a female lead. Biggest movie opening with a female lead over 55. Second biggest horror movie opening ever. Second biggest October movie opening ever. Biggest Halloween opening ever,' she boasted. 'Couldnt be prouder of ALL who made this creative experiment have such a thrilling result!' Comeback queen: The latest film in the hit horror franchise has already proven to be quite the success, with Jamie Lee celebrating its release on Instagram. Seen here with co-stars Andi Matichak (left) and Judy Greer (right) One thing she's not quite as confident about though is her appearance. Despite her stunning good looks, Jamie Lee admitted she's insecure about ageing, just like many other women. In an interview with Good Housekeeping last month, the actress revealed she tries to avoid looking at herself in the mirror. Stepping out in style... Her short grey hair was neatly coiffed, and she appeared fresh-faced as she walked alongside a minder Evolution: Despite her stunning good looks, Jamie Lee admitted she's insecure about ageing, just like many other women 'I dont know if men wake up, look in the mirror and hate themselves. Most women do. So I have a big secret: I dont look in the mirror,' she told the publication. 'Im a 60-year-old woman. I am not going to look the same as I used to, and I dont want to be confronted by that every day! 'When I get out of the shower, I have a choice: I can dry myself off looking in the mirror, or I can dry myself off with my back to it. I turn my back to the mirror, and I feel great!' Bob Barker was rushed to the hospital in Los Angeles on Monday. The 94-year-old television legend was transported to Cedars-Sinai after paramedics responded to a call from his Hollywood Hills home around 1 p.m. According to his manager, the Price Is Right host 'woke up Monday morning with a major flare in back pain,' reported TMZ. Rushed: Bob Barker, 94, was rushed to the hospital in Los Angeles on Monday TV icon: The Price Is Right host woke up Monday morning with a major flare in back pain A source said: 'He was sitting up on a stretcher, and seemed responsive, as they wheeled him into the emergency room.' Just last year, he was hospitalized after a nasty fall in his bathroom. And in 2015, he split his head open after a fall during a morning walk near his home. Good sign: A source said: 'He (Barker) was sitting up on a stretcher, and seemed responsive' Health issues: Barker was also hospitalized after a nasty fall in his bathroom last year Scary: In 2015, Barker split his head open after a fall during a morning walk near his home Barker is best known for hosting CBS's The Price Is Right from 1972 to 2007, making it the longest-running daytime game show in North American television history. He won 14 individual Emmy awards for Outstanding Game Show Host and 5 for producing. He became an animal rights activist after going vegetarian 1979 where he would eventually sign off each The Price Is Right episode with: 'This is Bob Barker reminding you to help control the pet population have your pets spayed or neutered.' He also hosted Truth or Consequences from 1956 to 1974. Barker married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Jo Gideon in 1945. They remained together until her death in 1981, from lung cancer. Safe and secure: The 94-year-old television legend was transported to Cedars-Sinai Well wishes: Barker appeared to be alert as he was wheeled into the hospital emergency room Legend: Barker hosted The Price is Right from 1972 to 2007; he is pictured on the show in 2005 She's the older sister of 24-year-old fitness model Tammy Hembrow, who is set to welcome a baby boy into the world in the coming months. And on Monday, Emilee Hembrow, who is currently 31-weeks-pregnant, gave her fans an exclusive first look at her glamorous baby shower on the Gold Coast. The brunette model, 26, took to Instagram to show off her decadent celebration, complete with a pricey Gucci baby gifts, customised cookies, a mouth-watering juice station and an impressive flower laden grazing platter. Scroll down for video Gucci baby gifts, customised cookies, a juice station and a flower laden grazing platter: Inside Tammy Hembrow's model sister Emilee's glamorous baby shower. Emilee (second from the left) pictured alongside Tammy (second from the right), Amy, 28, and Starlette, 18 The raven-haired beauty posted a series of snaps to the photo-sharing app to document the lavish affair, located in a transformed factory space called The Borrowed Nursery. Emilee, who has earned her own fair share of modelling contracts and commercial work and even launched her own fashion line in 2015, was seen posing alongside her famous sister Tammy at the lush event. While Emilee's other siblings, Amy, 28, and Starlette, 18, also attended, it appears their younger sister, Ava, 13, was not at the soiree. The dress code for the special occasion appeared to be white and the stunning sisters certainly brightened up the room with their thigh-skimming ensembles. Gucci gifts: At one point, Emilee revealed she was gifted a costly Gucci baby sleepsuit for her bundle of joy At one point, Emilee revealed she was gifted a costly Gucci baby sleepsuit for her bundle of joy. Elsewhere, Emilee was seen posing next to a flower laden grazing platter filled with large slabs of cheese, bundles of bread sticks, dried fruit, berries and nuts. The fancy setting also appeared to be fitted out with a leafy hanging installation and bespoke metallic decorations. Meanwhile another one of her stories showcased the delicious juice station. Graze! Elsewhere, Emilee (pictured) was seen posing next to a flower laden grazing platter filled with large slabs of cheese, bundles of bread sticks, dried fruit, berries and nuts 'Custom cookie flavours': Emilee also revealed she had organised customised cookies for her guests, which sat neatly in a bowl in between an oversized teddy bear Details: The grazing platter was filled with berries and white candy emblazoned with the word: 'boy' Dreamy: The dress code for the special occasion appeared to be white and the stunning sisters certainly brightened up the room with their thigh-skimming ensembles. Emilee (centre) alongside Amy and Starlette Emilee also revealed she had organised customised cookies for her guests, which sat neatly in a bowl in between an oversized teddy bear. Elsewhere, the brunette beauty gave fans a glimpse at her mouth-watering multi-tiered cake. The towering white and gold three-tier creation was adorned with fresh blue orchids. The impressive dessert table also featured an assortment of sweet treats and desserts decorated in soft shades of white and blue. The sweet treat buffet was embellished with bouquets of pretty blooms and sat under a dreamy low-hanging flowering tree. Tammy, a mother-of-two from Queensland's Gold Coast, boasts a social media fan base of 8.6 million Instagram followers and 1.2 million subscribers on YouTube. She is the daughter of Australian director, screenwriter and musician Mark Hembrow, 63. Amy is the oldest Hembrow at 28, and has earned modest social media fame (123,000 followers) thanks in part to her younger sisters Emilee and Tammy. She's the general manager of popular clothing brand Saski Collection and has previously worked as a marketing coordinator and graphic designer. Claim to fame: Mother-of-two Tammy, 24, boasts more than 8 million Instagram followers, but rose to international attention after leaving Kylie's birthday face down on a stretcher. Pictured at a Cosmopolitan event in Sydney on August 2 Family: Tammy is the daughter of Australian director, screenwriter and musician Mark Hembrow, 63, who has seven children in total - including two young sons. His five daughters are pictured in 2015, including Ava, 13, second from the left Dream team! Amy (left) is the oldest Hembrow at 28, and has earned modest social media fame - 123,000 followers - thanks to her younger sisters Tammy (centre) and Emilee (right) Coming soon! Emilee' welcomed adorable little Aaliyah (left) in 2016 and is currently pregnant (right) with a baby boy Unlike younger siblings Emilee, 26, and Tammy, Amy's modelling resume is limited to a few small campaigns. Meanwhile just like Tammy, much of Emilee's social media success (865,000 followers) comes from documenting her two pregnancies on Instagram. She welcomed little Aaliyah in 2016 and is currently pregnant with a baby boy. Tammy made headlines after partying too hard at Kylie Jenner's birthday bash at celebrity hotspot Delilah in West Hollywood. The mother of daughter Saskia, two, and son Wolf, three, was identified by The Blast as the mystery blonde who was rushed from the venue to hospital in a stretcher. Do you have a story about Tammy Hembrow? Email tips@dailymail.com Alex Jones revealed that she found it 'annoying' that people thought that she and her The One Show co-host Matt Baker should date. And in an interview with Radio Times on Monday, the host, 41, slammed the idea by saying it's possible for a woman to be friends with a man. She explained: 'At the beginning people were asking if Matt and I had chemistry and I thought, "Oh God, well if you mean in the way that we fancy each other", no we don't! Frustrating: Alex Jones admitted on Monday that it was 'annoying' that people thought she and The One Show co-host Matt Baker should date... as she revealed they get equal pay 'It was annoying you can be friends with a boy! It's a different chemistry, we're just really good mates.' Discussing whether there was a pay gap between them, she admitted: 'Matt and I get paid the same. 'Our editor is a feminist he's got a very strong-willed wife and lots of daughters and he's an amazing man. He'd find it disgusting that we were paid differently.' Pals: She explained, 'It was annoying you can be friends with a boy! It's a different chemistry, we're just really good mates' She continued: 'Matt and I do a lot of separate projects outside of The One Show. Matt does Countryfile and a lot of sport whereas in the same year [that the BBC wages were disclosed], I'd had Ted. 'The One Show was all I could manage at the time. But on The One Show, certainly there is parity. The BBC has been transparent, more than a lot of other companies, and that did open up a can of worms somewhat but it needed opening.' Alex recently opened up about what it was like to be a first-time mother at the age of 39 to son Teddy. No disparity: Discussing whether there was a pay gap between them, she said: 'Matt and I get paid the same. Our editor is a feminist' Out soon: Read the full interview in this week's Radio Times Speaking to You magazine about the one-year-old in March, she admitted that her relationship with her husband, insurance broker Charlie Thomson, suffered. 'Charlie is a fantastic support and now I think our relationship is a lot stronger because of Ted, but we struggled to find a way to even like each other sometimes in those early days,' she said. 'Once I sat upstairs in our bedroom for about four hours trying to feed Ted, feeling so upset and isolated. Or there would be nights when I was waking to feed Ted every two hours; Charlie would be snoring beside me while I felt murderous. It's not your partner's fault he can't breastfeed, but it's tough.' They've been a rumored couple for months after they were spotted in August sharing a passionate kiss at Heathrow airport in London. And Cara Delevingne and Ashley Benson further fanned the flame by taking in a Magic Mike Live show together in Las Vegas. The model, 26, was seen pinching one of the dancer's nipples in a snap, while posing alongside the 28-year-old actress. Cheeky: Cara Delevingne was snapped as she pinched the nipple of a Magic Mike dancer while spending time with her rumored girlfriend Ashley Benson The British cover girl stuck out her tongue while holding dancer Jackson Williams' nipple in one hand. Cara, who sported a black jacket with jeans, held tight for another snap. Both images were shared by Magic Mike Live dancer Patrick Packing. Meanwhile, Ashley flashed a hint of her flat stomach while rocking a leather jacket and ripped denim. Having fun: The model, 26, was seen pinching one of the dancer's nipples in a snap, while posing alongside the 28-year-old actress In the second picture, Ashley stuck out her tongue while pointing at Cara's hands on the dancer's chest. In the third post by Patrick, Cara appears to be playing a water bottle game as she tries to lay down on the hotel floor without the bottle on her face falling. Cara and Ashley were spotted holding hands while leaving New York City hot spot Lucky Strike in May. The duo have been working on the film Her Smell, which is scheduled to be released next year. Interesting: In the third post by Patrick, Cara appears to be playing a water bottle game as she tries to lay down on the hotel floor without the bottle on her face falling Talented: Here Cara is laying down with the bottle still balanced on her head Three months later, the model and the former Pretty Little Liars star were seen sharing a kiss at Heathrow Airport in London. Just last week, the duo stepped out together in New York City; Cara strapped a large stuffed monkey to her face to completely conceal her features. Cara was previously linked to Paris Jackson; she has also dated St. Vincent. She stars on The Real Housewives Of Dallas. And during a recent sit-down with PEOPLE, Cary Deuber revealed she had a hysterectomysurgical removal of the uterusafter giving birth to daughter Zuri, now age five. The 42-year-old registered nurse explained that she had fibroids, noncancerous growths in her uterus, that made surgery unavoidable. Complications: During a recent sit-down with PEOPLE, Real Housewives Of Dallas' Cary Deuber revealed she had a hysterectomysurgical removal of the uterusafter giving birth to daughter Zuri, now age five Deuber told the magazine that her medical condition made it 'hard to get pregnant.' Prior to conceiving Zuri, the reality star had surgery to remove an existing fibroid on her uterus. 'I finally got pregnant and then I grew more fibroids after that so I had to have a hysterectomy,' she said. ' I can't have anymore children but pregnancy for me was not the most fun.' Tough times: The 42-year-old registered nurse explained that she had fibroids, noncancerous growths in her uterus, that made surgery unavoidable. Cary's hysterectomy prevents her from having more children Cary went on to reminisce about the tumultuous nine months. 'I am not one of those cute pregnant girls that runs around [excited],' she said. 'I was throwing up the entire time I had morning sickness until she came out.' The Ohio native added: '[Zuri] was breech, so she was butt first, and I swear she just sat on my bladder the entire time.' Lovebirds: The RHOD star shares her daughter, Zuri, with husband Dr. Mark Deuber The RHOD star shares her daughter, Zuri, with husband Dr. Mark Deuber. She is also step-mom to Deuber's eldest kidsGray, 21, and Lara, 18. This is Cary's third marriage and Mark's second. She's set to star alongside Alexander Skarsgard in the new BBC One spy thriller series, spearheaded by prolific South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook. Yet Florence Pugh has revealed that unlike some of the channels other racy shows, such as The Night Manager and the Bodyguard, they weren't allowed to show nudity in The Little Drummer Girl because 'America is quite scared of bums and nipples'. Talking to Radio Times this week about the forth-coming show, the 22-year-old actress said: 'America is quite scared of bums and nipples. 'Strange people': Florence Pugh has revealed they weren't allowed to show nudity in The Little Drummer Girl because 'America is quite scared of bums and nipples' 'We had to make sure there were no bums and nipples out. I dont know why. Such strange people.' She added: 'There was one scene we did where Alex and I were under the duvet and supposedly naked. I was wriggling down one end and Alex is wriggling down the other. 'Halfway through, I hear: "CUT! CUT!" Director Park says: "Florence, youve got to hide your nipples more!" Im like: "OK!" 'So we do it again, and again I hear: "CUT! CUT! Florence! It looks like youre hiding your nipples." Im like: "Arrrgh! Just let me get my breasts out, I dont care!" But America does care.' Candid: Talking to Radio Times this week about the forth-coming show, the 22-year-old actress said: 'America is quite scared of bums and nipples.' Nudity: The Night Manager, another hit adaptation of John le Carre starring Tom Hiddleston and Elizabeth Debicki featured steamy scenes Co-stars: 'We had to make sure there were no bums and nipples out. I dont know why. Such strange people,' she added to the publication (pictured with co-star Alexander Skarsgard) She added: 'My parents were very cool and made sure we watched lots of European films when we grew up, so nudity has never been a problem for me, as long as its done beautifully. 'Theres a reason why theres a problem with bodies and its because you never actually get to see any normal versions of them.' In the past, BBC thrillers have been the start of several stars' careers into Hollywood, with Tom Hiddleston finding fame in The Night Manager and Richard Madden with the Bodyguard. Romantic: Based on John le Carre's novel of the same name, the plot, set in 1979, sees actress Charlie (Florence Pugh), meet Becker (Skarsgard) while on holiday in Greece Read more: The full interview is available to read in the new issue of RadioTimes Yet Florence admitted that she doesn't think she's going to become an 'international sex symbol' after the series airs. 'I mean, I know Im not going to be an international sex symbol. But there is a big potential that when this series comes out, life will be very different,' she added to the publication. Based on John le Carre's novel of the same name, the plot, set in 1979, sees actress Charlie (Florence Pugh), meet Becker (Skarsgard) while on holiday in Greece. She is offered a role in the 'theatre of the real', quickly becoming dangerously immersed in a complex plot masterminded by Israeli spymaster Kurtz (Michael Shannon). The Little Drummer Girl will premiere on BBC 1 on October 28 at 9pm. The full interview is available to read in the new issue of RadioTimes. Freeform has revealed its cast to the forthcoming Party of Five pilot reboot. Brandon Larracuente, Emily Tosta, Elle Paris Legaspi, and Niko Guardado will take on their roles as the Salinger siblings in the upcoming drama. During the show's initial run from 1994 until 2000, each series tackled serious themes ranging from domestic abuse, parental loss, and depression, to name a few. It's back: Party of Five's Freeform reboot finally has a cast attached to its upcoming pilot And it appears the reboot isn't all that different. Serious topics are still the focus of the forthcoming series as five Sailing siblings struggle to survive on their own following the act of their parents being deported to Mexico. Emily, who will star as Lucia Buendia, is an impeccable student at her school but all of that changes when her parents get in trouble with the immigration law. Leading ladies: Unlike the original, producers are inviting a new dynamic to the show Desperate times call for desperate measures as Lucia decides to opt out of playing by the rules and becomes resilient to authority. Meanwhile, Elle is expected to take on the role of Valentina Buendia, a resourceful 10-year-old who struggles being kept away from her parents as she and her siblings are forced to fend for themselves. Valentina feels uncertain about what the future holds for her and requires ongoing support from those around her to assure things are going to be okay. Of course, that would be an assurance, not even her brothers and sisters can't guarantee. The boys: Brandon and Nick will take on their respective roles for the deportation-driven series Brandon stars as Emilio Buendia, and though he's the oldest sibling, he's also known to be the most irresponsible. He had attempted to jumpstart a career as a musician but is forced to return home after his parents find themselves being deported. Nick will star as Beto Buendia, who is more or less looked upon as the head of the house even though he's only the second oldest brother. He commands respect from those around him and has impeccable skills to keep the peace among his family members. Accolade: The cast picked up a win for Best Television Series - Drama at the 53rd Golden Globes in January 1996 Success: Six seasons were produced before Fox made the move to cancel show in 2000 Yet despite all of that, however, Beto's life isn't perfect either as girls and school begin to cause quite the disruption for him. The reboot is being put together by original series creators Amy Lippman and Christopher Keyser, who also co-wrote the script to the upcoming series, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The forthcoming run is being labeled as 'a modern twist on the original,' the site explains, with topics that are very much relatable to the current times of society. Party of Five is still in its pilot stage while an official premiere date has yet to be announced by Freeform. He left his role as Radio 1 Breakfast Show presenter in August. And Nick Grimshaw has now revealed his surprising new career path, as he has enrolled at a London university to study set design. The radio host, 34, who has been presenting the stations drivetime show for the last two months, has now signed up for the course at Central Saint Martins university. New beginnings: Nick Grimshaw has now revealed his surprising new career path, as he has enrolled at a London university to study set design Nick plans to juggle his course with his current job which he does Mondays to Fridays, and plans to study on Fridays and Saturdays. He said that he was going back to university but not forever, because he wants to do live music production. 'I did that before radio so now I basically need to go to uni to get all of the terminology and the language of it', Nick added. The star, who is often spotted mixing in celebrity circles on the London social scene, is already prepared for the degree and has been out to purchase essentials such as pencils, a scalpel and a lightbox to trace. Hosting duties: The radio host, 34, who has been presenting the stations drivetime show for the last two months, has now signed up for the course at Central Saint Martins university Discussing his previous experience with set design, he said: 'I did that (set design) before radio so now I basically need to go to uni to get all of the terminology and the language of it. A degree and a job aren't the only things Nick will be trying to balance when his course starts, he will also be trying to make time for his new boyfriend Nick has supposedly been romancing Meshach Henry, 22, spotted at the Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire last weekend with him. Off the market? Having garnered a reputation as being unlucky in the romance department, Nick is said to have found himself a man A source told The Sun: 'Nick has found dating quite tough in recent years because of his job. 'But he met Mesh a few months ago and although its still early days they are really enjoying their time together. They are taking things easy and not putting any pressure on anything. 'Nick really likes him, and his friends are thrilled he has found someone who makes him happy.' Treat yaself: Apparent new man Meshach Henry posted a candid snap of himself naked in the bath at the weekend from the Soho Farmhouse. 'Its my birthday and Im very happy,' he captioned the shot (failing, however, to raise a smile) Nick's early hours on the breakfast show was often cited as an excuse as to why he hadn't found love yet. He has been linked to the likes of One Direction star Harry Styles in the past - but always complained that his early mornings meant he couldn't get into dating. He said, after announcing he would step down from the breakfast slot and take over DriveTime instead: 'Now I can go for dates with people and the new show will help. 'I have been trying to date people, but you dont want to day date.' Is he/Isn't he? He was involved in the BBC Young Dancer 2015 competition and is a member of Rambert a major worldwide dance company Apparent new man Mesh posted a candid snap of himself naked in the bath at the weekend from the Soho Farmhouse - known as a favourite out-of-London getaway spot for celebs. 'Its my birthday and Im very happy,' he captioned the shot (failing, however, to raise a smile in the photo). He was involved in the BBC Young Dancer 2015 competition and is a member of Rambert a major worldwide dance company. MailOnline have approached Nick's reps for comment. Jack P Shepherd was said to have signed a 250,000 deal to stay on Coronation Street, reportedly making him one of the highest paid stars on the soap. And in the wake of the claims, Kym Marsh, 42, has said she doesn't care about Jack's reported 30,000 salary increase to play loveable rogue David Platt. Kym, who has played Michelle Connor since 2006, is believed to earn 150,000 for her role but insists the huge pay gap doesn't affect her. Pay gap: Kym Marsh has said she 'doesn't care' Coronation Street co-star Jack P. Shepherd is paid more than her... after he reportedly landed a 250,000 deal She told OK! Magazine: 'There were reports last week that stated that Jack P Shepherd was the highest paid actor on Corrie, but we dont talk about how much we earn at work. 'In the past Ive read I earn a different amount to what I actually do. No one knows and, actually, no one cares!' Jack was crowned the Best Actor for his character of David on the Manchester cobbles at the Inside Soap Awards on Monday night, with the soap's bosses being impressed at how the actor handled the male rape storyline. Lucrative deal: Jack P Shepherd was said to have signed a 250,000 deal to stay on Coronation Street, reportedly making him one of the highest paid stars on the soap Doesn't care: Kym, who has played Michelle Connor since 2006, is believed to earn 150,000 for her role but insists the huge pay gap doesn't affect her Hard-hitting: Jack was crowned the Best Actor for his character of David o at the Inside Soap Awards o, with the soap's bosses being impressed at how he handled the male rape storyline A source told The Mirror: 'Jack is going nowhere for the next year and the executives are very happy. 'His new deal is richly deserved...The bosses are aware that stars are keen to maximise their earnings and his new deal reflects their desire to keep top talent in the show.' The full story: Read Kym's column in OK! Magazine Coronation Street led the award wins as they took home the Best Soap title and scooped up eight gongs at the Inside Soap Awards 2018 held at 100 Wardour St, in Soho, London, on Monday night. The 30-year-old Coronation Street actor was involved in a hard-hitting male rape storyline, which was both criticised and praised by viewers for its no-holds barred portrayal. David was raped off-screen by the sinister Josh Tucker after he was drugged on a night out, with viewers seeing the horrific aftermath as he struggled to come to terms with what he had been through and bravely spoke out about his ordeal. Jack, who joined the cast back in 1999, will undoubtedly have huge storylines in the next year as he marks his 20th anniversary on the cobbles. Fans of the show had previously voiced concerns he would leave the show prior to the new deal, after Jack commented he didn't know what was next for his character. Jack said: 'Ultimately in soaps I think if it does change the character then you must see what you want from the character. 'Do you want David Platt to change and, if so why? If he does change, does he eventually have to leave?' Read the full story in OK! Magazine - out today. The Beckhams are certainly making the most of their visit to Australia for the 2018 Sydney Invictus Games. On Monday, David and Victoria took their children to Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures on the New South Wales central coast. According to company's Facebook page, the family enjoyed an adventurous day out involving a range of activities including abseiling and quad bike riding. Beckhams gone wild! David and Victoria took their children abseiling and quad biking through bushland in Glenworth Valley on Monday. Pictured: David Beckham with staff member Lauren from Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures 'The *other* British royal family, the Beckhams, took some time out on their visit to Australia for the Invictus Games to enjoy a day of quad biking and abseiling at Glenworth Valley together with three of their four children today,' the post read. 'David, Victoria and three of their children enjoyed a day of adventure with an adrenaline-charged abseiling experience followed by a ride through Glenworth Valley's bush trails and purpose-built circuit on our quad biking adventure. 'They even assisted our team with feeding some of our new spring foals. Our team certainly enjoyed hosting the Beckhams. The family were incredibly down-to-earth, friendly and appreciative and all thoroughly enjoyed their day with us.' David and Victoria share four children: sons Brooklyn, 19, Romeo, 16, and Cruz, 13, and seven-year-old daughter Harper. 'I am seriously still shaking from it': Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures staff member Lauren also posed for a photo with Victoria Beckham 'The family were incredibly down-to-earth': In a post shared to the Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures Facebook page, the Beckhams were described as 'friendly and appreciative'. Pictured (left to right): David, Harper, Romeo, Cruz and Brooklyn Beckham While the Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures Facebook page noted that the Beckhams asked them not to share photos of their visit, two images later surfaced. A pair of photos were posted to Sea FM Central Coast's Instagram account, which showed Victoria and David posing with a staff member called Lauren. Lauren later spoke to Sea FM about her celebrity encounter, admitting she was almost overcome with excitement after meeting Britain's 'other royal couple'. 'I am seriously still shaking from it,' Lauren said. 'I am a massive Spice Girls fan.' Down Under delights: The Beckhams are certainly making the most of their visit to Australia for the 2018 Sydney Invictus Games. Pictured (left to right): David, Brooklyn and Victoria Lauren added that she was lucky enough to take David and his children quad bike riding. 'They really wanted it low key, they just wanted a day out with the family,' she said. 'They didn't even book under their names. We just thought it was a normal family.' Earlier on Monday, the Beckhams were spotted having breakfast at The Butcher's Block cafe in Wahroonga on Sydney's Upper North Shore. The venue confirmed the sighting on Tuesday, sharing a post to Instagram of the 'green breaky bowl' that was ordered to their table. She's the Australian rapper known for her sexually-charged lyrics and risque Instagram snaps. And Iggy Azalea, 28, left little to the imagination on Monday when she stripped down to a white bathrobe for a daring social media post. The Fancy star flaunted her ample cleavage while clutching a bottle of Luvienz champagne and gazing suggestively at the camera. Hot and steamy! Iggy Azalea left little to the imagination while flaunting her ample cleavage in a white bathrobe in a series of photos shared to Instagram on Monday The bathrobe was left loosely tied, offering a generous glimpse of Iggy's decolletage She also posed with one leg crossed over the other, showing off her toned thighs and deep, golden tan. Iggy's blonde hair was wrapped in a towel and she added a pop of colour with a fluorescent yellow nail varnish. Sex appeal: Iggy also posed with one leg crossed over the other, showing off her toned thighs The songstress opted for a glamorous makeup look consisting of a bronzed complexion, rosy cheeks, winged eyeliner and lipstick. 'Caviar infused champagne is an official rich b**ch activity,' she captioned the snap. It comes after Iggy recently confirmed her relationship with 23-year-old American rapper Playboi Carti. Stunner: The rapper is known for her sexually-charged lyrics and risque Instagram snaps She was forced to defend the couple's five-year age gap on Twitter after being trolled by fans. 'He just turned 23, he's five years younger than I am,' she tweeted. 'Is that unusual to you? because almost everyone I know isn't the exact age as the person they date. 'You all act like he's some little kid that just left school or I'm some old ass woman. We are both in our twenties, get off my nuts.' She vowed to do her best against a debilitating disease. And on Monday Selma Blair continued to do just that, stepping out to grab a coffee with the aid of a cane. Just 48 hours earlier, the actress confirmed the devastating news she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Going forward: Selma Blair stepped out for coffee with the aid of a cane on Monday, just days after revealing her MS diagnosis The 46-year-old looked stylish nevertheless in white trainers and grey flared pants, a white tee and a thick black jacket, tying her look up in an over-sized grey scarf. On Saturday she confirmed her diagnosis in a heartfelt tribute to the people who have been helping her get by as she struggles in everyday life and on the set of Netflix's Another Life. She revealed she had received the news in August, after finally seeing a doctor at the urging of fellow actor and friend Elizabeth Berkley Lauren. 'I was in this wardrobe fitting two days ago. And I am in the deepest gratitude. So profound, it is, I have decided to share,' Blair wrote in an Instagram post. Awful news: Just 48 hours earlier, the actress confirmed the devastating news she had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis Style: The 46-year-old looked stylish nevertheless in white trainers and grey flared pants, a white tee and a thick black jacket, tying her look up in an over-sized grey scarf 'The brilliant costumer #Alisaswanson not only designs the pieces #harperglass will wear on this new #Netflix show [Another Life], but she carefully gets my legs in my pants, pulls my tops over my head, buttons my coats and offers her shoulder to steady myself. I have #multiplesclerosis.' In the days leading up to the post, she shared smaller pieces of a puzzle that made much more sense once her diagnosis was revealed. She said on Saturday she'd most likely had MS for the better part of the last two decades. She revealed on Saturday that she's been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, in a heartfelt tribute to those helping her through her struggles in life and on set of Netflix's 'Another Life,' along with a photo she took during a fitting on Thursday 'Since my diagnosis at ten thirty pm on The night of August 16, I have had love and support from my friends, especially @Jaime king @sarahmgellar @realfreddieprinze @tarasubkoff @noah.d.newman,' Blair wrote on Saturday. 'And the biggest thanks to @elizberkley who forced me to see her brother #drjasonberkley who gave me this diagnosis after finding lesions on that MRI. 'I have had symptoms for years but was never taken seriously until I fell down in front of him trying to sort out what I thought was a pinched nerve.' MS is defined as 'an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body,' according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The Cruel Intentions star got very candid about the challenges she's been facing while dealing with her MS. On Thursday, Blair shared an image of not the MRI, but an x-ray, ahead of her announcement on Saturday 'I am disabled. I fall sometimes. I drop things. My memory is foggy. And my left side is asking for directions from a broken gps. But we are doing it,' she wrote. 'And I laugh and I dont know exactly what I will do precisely but I will do my best.' On Thursday, Blair shared an image of not the MRI, but an x-ray, ahead of her announcement on Saturday. She wrote with the image: 'Throwback Thursday to mid August. My neck pain was so severe I finally got an x Ray. Notice that straightened neck. We dont want that. #kyphosis #stenosis #degenerativediscdisease and this was just the beginning. Btw. Arent x rays fascinating? Anyone have anything to add? This is fun #c4 #c5 #c6 smushed #aging #equestran #whiplash It is also how you can eventually get that awful hump you sometimes see [emoji with gritted teeth] with age.' On Friday, Blair shared a photo of her face in her hands, while still in bed, with her hair covering much of here eyes. She wrote, then: 'When you wake up and remember you have great hair color and a manicure that makes you feel polished. Makes scrambled brain of mine feel so much better.' On Friday, Blair shared a photo of her face in her hands, while still in bed, with her hair covering much of here eyes, writing: 'When you wake up and remember you have great hair color and a manicure that makes you feel polished. Makes scrambled brain of mine feel so much better' Blair shared on Saturday that as her symptoms are worsening, she remains thankful to the people on her team who have stood by her and enabled her to continue to make Hollywood magic. Blair is shown here attending Netflix's 'Lost In Space' premiere on April 9 in Los Angeles Blair shared on Saturday that as her symptoms are worsening, she remains thankful to the people on her team who have stood by her and enabled her to continue to make Hollywood magic. 'I am in an exacerbation. By the grace of the lord, and will power and the understanding producers at Netflix, I have a job. A wonderful job,' she wrote. She shared appreciation for virtually the entire team on Netflix's new production, Another Life, where Blair plays a 21st century influencer who uses every tool at her disposal in her efforts to break one of the biggest stories ever told. 'My producers #noreenhalpern who assured me that everyone has something. #chrisregina #aaronmartin and every crew member... thank you. I am in the thick of it but I hope to give some hope to others. And even to myself,' she wrote. In the heartwrenching post, Blair acknowledged that there are things she simply can't do by herself right now, and enduring exhaustion has been a particularly tough challenge for her. She's shown doing here in Los Angeles on October 14 What is multiple sclerosis (MS)? MS is an an immune system disorder. This is when something goes wrong with the immune system and it mistakenly attacks a healthy part of the body in this case, the brain or spinal cord of the nervous system. In MS, the immune system attacks the layer that surrounds and protects the nerves, called the myelin sheath. This damages and scars the sheath, and potentially the underlying nerves, meaning that messages travelling along the nerves become slowed or disrupted. Exactly what causes the immune system to act in this way is unclear, but most experts think a combination of genetic and environmental factors is involved. Advertisement In the heartwrenching post, Blair acknowledged that there are things she simply can't do by herself right now, and enduring exhaustion has been a particularly tough challenge for her. 'You cant get help unless you ask. It can be overwhelming in the beginning. You want to sleep. You always want to sleep. So I dont have answers,' she wrote. 'You see, I want to sleep. But I am a forthcoming person and I want my life to be full somehow. I want to play with my son again. I want to walk down the street and ride my horse. I have MS and I am ok. 'But if you see me, dropping cr** all over the street, feel free to help me pick it up. It takes a whole day for me alone. Thank you and may we all know good days amongst the challenges.' She ended the post with the stark realization that she's been battling this disease without even knowing it for a very long time, and now that she has the knowledge, she's also gained a small amount of relief. 'I have probably had this incurable disease for 15 years at least. And I am relieved to at least know. And share,' she wrote. '[Black heart emoji] my instagram family... you know who you are.' She's been making her rounds at several galas as of late. And on Monday, it was nothing different for Katie Holmes who arrived at the Arthur Miller Foundation in New York City. Compared to her recent red carpet outfits, Holmes donned a sophisticated but simple ensemble for the evening event in the Big Apple. Stunning: Katie Holmes looked sensational as she attended the Arthur Miller Foundation in New York City on Monday The mother-of-one wore a comfortable beige peacoat with the assistance of dark denim pants for the occasion. Her adornments were kept to a minimum while a patterned black handbag seemed to have finalized Katie's choice of attire for the night. The Ohio native's facial features were enhanced with a flawless dusting of makeup while her tresses had been styled to the tune of a classic sleek bob. Radiant: The mother-of-one's skin complexion was glowing while sporting a sleek bob cut Katie wasn't the only celebrity showing off their fashion at the event, though. Former Friends actress Courteney Cox stunned in formal attire as she made her arrival looking all kinds of beautiful. The Scream star donned an unbuttoned black blazer on top of her white shirt. A pair of black patterned trousers and heels of the same color were added to her apparel while a pink clutch brought some vibrancy to her dark outfit. I'm here! Courteney Cox wore a smart ensemble, donning a black suit with patterned pants and shiny black heels at the gathering Black on black: Courteney's long locks were marginally curled while she kept the left side tucked behind her ear to flaunt quite the expensive looking diamond earring Courteney's long locks were marginally curled while she kept the left side tucked behind her ear to flaunt quite the expensive looking diamond earring. The glitz and glam on the Hollywood beauty's clothes, however, seemed limited in what appeared to be an endeavor to keep the attention on her clothing. Alec Baldwin, his wife Hilaria and their five-year-old daughter Carmen Gabriela were likewise in participation. Family: Alec Baldwin looked dapper in his grey suit while wife Hilaria and daughter Carmen accompanied the actor to the occasion Nerves: The five-year-old appeared to have gotten shy in the midst of having her photo taken Opening up: The mother-daughter duo had shared an endearing moment as Carmen whispered in the socialite's ear Proud mama: it wasn't long before a brief prep talk had Carmen buzzing with a bright smile The television actor remained nonchalant while modeling for photographs with his leading ladies. Baldwin looked dapper in a grey suit with an accompanying purple dotted tie. A light blue shirt and black patent shoes appeared to have done it for Baldwin. Hilaria, on the other hand, dressed calmly in her wide-leg charcoal shaded pants and a soft pink short-sleeve top. Fashionista: Hilaria dressed calmly in her wide-leg charcoal shaded pants and a soft pink short-sleeve top. Beauty in all-black: Edie Falco wore an interesting ensemble to the gathering after having shown up in a black top with sheer sleeves In contrast to her significant other, the mother-of-four appeared cheerful during the public outing and endearingly held on to her daughter's hand while getting her photograph taken. Carmen wore a lovable flower printed red dress to the event while her footwear comprised of a shiny white shoes. The 5-year-old seemed to have turned out to be modest amidst all the blazing cameras as she whispered into her mother's ear. Pretty: The New Yorker wore a shining layer of cosmetics while including a little fabulousness through the assistance of two diamond earrings and a couple of adornments on her fingers Leading men: Steven Spielberg and Liam Neeson looked dapper in their tailored suits Cheerful: The film director seemed to be in a great mood as Rebecca Miller joined the couple at the photocall looking joyful The more the merrier: They were later joined by Tony Kushner and a guest Edie Falco wore an interesting ensemble to the gathering after having shown up in a black top with sheer sleeves. A figure-embracing dark pencil skirt was accompanied by her choice of attire while her feet were kept in a simple pair of glossy heels. The New Yorker wore a shining layer of cosmetics while including a little fabulousness through the assistance of two diamond earrings and a couple of adornments on her fingers. Mix-match attire: Other celebrities had donned rather unusual fashion choices Likewise there, Liam Neeson looked anything besides his age in a dark turtle sweater below his navy blue suit. Steven Spielberg followed a similar dress code wearing a patterned two-piece suit with his 64-year-old wife Kate Capshaw accompanying him to the social occasion. Nathan Lane wore a simply suit while smiling for photos with Rebecca Miller, who made an interesting fashion choice sorting all-black with the exception of a white blouse and hot red shoes. 39-year-old Tituss Burgees was a standout among guests as he arrived in patterned silver and black pants while a black shirt, matching shoes, and an accompanied cape is all it took for the actor to get ready for the event. Jamas nos callaran Fisica y culturalmente Nec plus ultra, nec variatur Precio del Brent To get the BRENT oil price, please enable Javascript. Precio del WTI To get the oil price, please enable Javascript. Paginas vistas en total Dolar USA Vs Euro Sin ellas, no seremos Deja vu Nada que celebrar Hasta cuando? Colombia Hoy Para nunca olvidar 'Parasite' painted on a statue of Queen, Elizabeth in Kent, England Sin palabras La UE le apunta a la paz Cada vez mas solo Precio del Oro To get the gold price, please enable Javascript. LULA y su Pueblo Bye Bye Homenaje al genial Quino Fueron ellos Una imagen que resume Tan bajo ha caido que se deja tocar el trasero? Porky y el Nene (archiconocido narcotraficante) Ladrones al poder Asi mira el perrito a su amo Crazy Clamor popular La nueva inquisicion Bolivia Chile Hoy Eso es todo amigos! Piensalo! Pinerachet No More Trump Adios Macri, hasta nunca La Marioneta se desinfla Asi o mas cinico Almugre Mexico en 1794 Mas arrastrado imposible Hasta cuando! La pura verdad Solidaridad con Palestina Serie Capitalismo Espejismos de la clase trabajadora Asi es! Comerciantes o delincuentes No pasaran! Asi es la vida USA HOY 01/01/1959 La avaricia no tiene limites AYUDA HUMANITARIA? Chile Hoy Asi son las cosas Mapa Electoral de Venezuela Patagonia argentina? Un aniversario mas del mayor genocidio de la Humanidad Retrato del franquismo en Espana Visca Catalunya! El Chulo de Madrid Cuando la policia se roba la democracia Una imagen dice mas que mil palabras La purita verdad Asi gobierna la maldita burguesia Mi pobre clase media Como Chavez nadie Comparte La Colmena via twitter Twittear Programa de la MUD Asi o mas clarito Por que Trump no ataco Corea del Norte? Hace 15 anos Por que la OEA no se pronuncio? Una verguenza nacional La luz que nos guia La Union Europea Premio Nobel de la Paz? Feudalismo ayer y hoy Obama, el mentiroso Curiosa coincidencia Un mundo de cerdos No es extrano? La Marioneta Los ricos protestan, los pobres celebran MARICORI Y OBAMA Cuantas muertes este ano? 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Por culpa de Chavez Cerveza Polar Algun dia Colombia volvera a la ideologia de Bolivar Translate LOS REVOLUCIONARIOS NO TOMAN CACA-COLA No se trata solamente de un capricho, sino de una sana actitud en todos los sentidos. Desde la solidaridad con el pueblo colombiano donde la empresa Caca-Cola ha cometido los mas grandes abusos contra sus trabajadores incluyendo el presunto secuestro y asesinato de los dirigentes del sindicato, hasta la proteccion de la salud de nuestros hijos, enviciados por ese jarabe de cola y azucar, que les produce obesidad prematura. Pensemos tambien los revolucionarios, que ese dinero que gastamos en los refrescos es utilizado por esas empresas para financiar el terrorismo en nuestro pais. Es cierto, no se trata solo de la Caca-Cola, sino tambien de la cerveza, de los cigarrillos y todos esos articulos innecesarios y mas que eso, daninos para nuestra salud. Podriamos incluso pensar en un dia de parada para cada uno de ellos. Es cuestion de irnos organizando. Pero para empezar, que tal si dejamos de comprar Caca-Cola y sus similares? Cuando lo extraordinario se vuelve cotidiano... Discurso del Acto de Grado en Barinas en 12 de Febrero del 2005 Queridos Graduandos: Mas que un discurso, quiero dirigirles algunas palabras que escribi anoche, despues de visitar en las clinicas, a los estudiantes heridos, a consecuencia de los enfrentamientos con la policia de hace apenas dos dias. Me ha tocado por razones del destino, ser la persona que les otorgue el titulo que bien merecieron con sus estudios. Y me siento sumamente orgulloso de serlo. Me consta que la Universidad de Los Llanos Occidentales Ezequiel Zamora, a pesar de lo dicho por los enemigos de esta universidad, es una universidad de primera. No tendremos la mejor planta fisica, en los salones hace calor. En el comedor hace calor. Pero no es en lo material que las cosas deben valorarse. El mayor capital es el ser humano. Y en eso, nuestra UNELLEZ, lo digo con conocimiento de causa, esta sobrada. Los llaneros venezolanos son nobles, valientes, de coraje. En la UNELLEZ hacen vida, en este momento, aproximadamente 67000 personas. El 97% de ellas son estudiantes. Jovenes que, como Ustedes hasta el dia de hoy, buscan ese titulo, que constata los anos de dedicacion y de estudio. Los jovenes son el rio de la vida, ustedes graduados deben ser los capitanes de esos barcos que naveguen por el rio de la vida. Nuestra Patria atraviesa momentos muy dificiles porque decidio dejar de ser esa matrona de edad vetusta y complaciente, para ser joven, rebelde y altanera. Nuestra imagen ya no es la de una acaudalada ricachona mayamera. En nuestro rostro brilla ahora la sonrisa del Che Guevara, con su diente delantero torcido, su pelo largo y su boina con la estrella. Entender esto, a mi me ha tomado practicamente toda la vida. Tengo 53 anos, y ya perdi mi oportunidad de derramar sangre joven a causa de un ideal. Ustedes son jovenes, estan en la flor de la vida. No cometan por favor el error de renunciar a su instinto de rebelion. El Che Guevara fue Ministro de a Economia en Cuba. Los billetes y las monedas se adornaban con su rostro. Nada de eso le importo. Primero fue a Angola donde paso un penoso ano de combate. Despues se fue a Bolivia, donde encontro la muerte. El Che era el ultimo que comia, el que cargaba la mochila mas pesada. Siempre se sacrificaba por los demas en un estoicismo que mas parecia fervor religioso que ideologia marxista. Si quieren un modelo de vida. Ahi lo tienen. Dije hace unos momentos que el 97% de la poblacion de la UNELLEZ es estudiante. Se imaginan Ustedes la Universidad que podriamos tener si todos los estudiantes tuvieran la abnegacion, la combatividad del Che? Los momentos que se avecinan van a requerir de una gran unidad del pueblo venezolano. La alternativa de continuar siendo libres o regresar a la pobreza se nos planteara en los proximos dias de forma enmascarada, o quizas peor, desenmascarada, vestida con uniforme de soldado del Imperio. Por nuestra parte podemos esperar lo mejor. La macroeconomia no podria ir mejor, la justicia social ha mejorado notablemente. Las misiones ocupan un papel muy importante en el pago de dicha justicia social. Aqui en Barinas ya hemos cumplido con dos de las misiones, la mision Robinson y la mision Sucre. No hay analfabetismo y no hay exclusion en la educacion superior, en estas tierras de Zamora. Pero ay malhaya! Son precisamente estos exitos los que nos hacen mas antipaticos al Imperio. Para ellos, somos inclusive un mal ejemplo que se esta contagiando al resto del continente y cuidado sino al resto del mundo. Nunca venceremos al Imperio. Estara siempre ahi, acechando. Por lo menos hasta que el mismo no se autodestruya. Porque, sepanlo senores, el neoliberalismo es canibal. Cuando le ataque el hambre, se devorara a si mismo. Ustedes, queridos graduandos, a partir de hoy pasan a conformar la elite profesional que debe sostener este pais en los proximos cuarenta o cincuenta anos. Anos decisivos para el logro de nuestra libertad y del rescate de nuestra Soberania. No se dejen comprar. No se dejen corromper. No se dejen gritar. No se dejen pisar. Que nadie les diga que comer, o que vestirse, o que leer. Sean siempre autenticos, rebeldes, contestatarios. Pero eso si, profundamente patriotas, dignos de ser hijos de Bolivar. Muchas gracias y que Dios los bendiga. Alguna duda? Medio siglo de Holocausto Palestino Oscar Zanartu Nacio en Caracas en 1960. Ha realizado exposiciones individuales en las galerias Minotauro, Clave y San Francisco, y en salas de Coro, estado Falcon, y Puerto Ordaz, estado Bolivar. En Paris su obra ha sido exhibida en el Centro Cultural Tanagra, en la Exposicion Cite Internationale des Arts, en las galerias De Mars y Arver Space, al igual que en la Galeria Municipal Levallois, en Levallois Perret (Francia). En muestras colectivas, su obra se ha expuesto en Belgica, Francia, Estados Unidos y Venezuela; en Caracas intervino en la exposicion "Del genesis a la memoria", 1995, organizada por la Fundacion La Previsora. En 1982 obtuvo el Premio Nacional Critven y en 1990 la Mencion de Honor Jose Antonio Paez, en la Embajada de Venezuela en Paris. En 1991 se le concedio el primer premio de Pintura Itinerante, en Levallois Perret, Francia. OZ1 OZ2 OZ3 OZ4 Homenaje a Jason Galarraga La Victoria de Samotracia Odalisca Mas fotos de la nevada del pasado agosto 2008 La Sierra Nevada de Merida Nuestro precioso Churum Meru Homenaje a Picasso Autoretrato Sabes lo que bebes en una Coca-Cola? La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar. Mi profesion? Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos. Sal en la Coca Cola? A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar. De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla: Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gusto Acido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido) azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa) Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantas Mucha Cafeina Conservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o Potasio Dioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebe Sal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracion El uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja. Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos. Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja. En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero). Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma. La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate. Bebidas Light? Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal. Publicado por loretahur En realidad, la formula secreta de la Coca-Cola se puede detallar en 18 segundos en cualquier espectrometro optico, y basicamente la conocen hasta los perros. Lo que ocurre es que no se puede fabricar igual, a no ser que uno disponga de unos cuantos millones de dolares para ganarle la demanda que te metera la Coca-Cola ante la justicia (ellos no perderian).La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gustoAcido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantasMucha CafeinaConservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o PotasioDioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebeSal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracionEl uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el aspartamo , despues de tres semanas mojado, pasa a tener gusto de trapo viejo sucio.Para evitar eso, se agregan una infinidad de otros productos quimicos, uno para alargar la vida del aspartamo, otro para neutralizar el color, otro para mantener el tercer quimico en suspension porque sino el fondo de la gaseosa quedaria oscuro, otro para evitar la cristalizacion del aspartamo, otro para realzar el sabor, dar mas intensidad al acido citrico o fosforito que perderia su sabor por el efecto de los cuatro productos quimicos iniciales... y asi sucesivamente.Un consejo final !!Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.Publicado por loretahur MARGARINA o MANTEQUILLA La margarina fue producida originalmente para engordar a los pavos; cuandolo que hizo en realidad fue matarlos.Las personas que habian puesto el dinero para la investigacion quisieronrecobrarlo asi que empezaron a pensar en una forma de hacerlo.Tenian una sustancia blanca, que no tenia ningun atractivo como comestible,asi que le anadieron el color amarillo, para venderselo a lagente en lugar de la mantequilla.Que tal esa?... Ahora han sacado algunos nuevos sabores para vender mas alos incautos como usted y yo.CONOCE USTED la diferencia entre la margarina y la mantequilla?Siga leyendo hasta el final... porque se pone bastante interesante!Comparacion entre mantequilla y margarina: 1.- Ambas tienen la misma cantidad de calorias. 2.- La mantequilla es ligeramente mas alta en grasas saturadas: 8 gramos,comparada con los 5 gramos que tiene la margarina. 3.- Comer margarina en vez de mantequilla puede aumentar en 53% el riesgo deenfermedades coronarias en las mujeres, de acuerdo con un estudiomedico reciente de la Universidad de Harvard. 4.- Comer mantequilla aumenta la absorcion de gran cantidad de nutrientesque se encuentran en otros alimentos. 5.- La mantequilla provee beneficios nutricionales propios mientras lamargarina tiene solo los que le hayan sido anadidos al fabricarla. 6.- La mantequilla sabe mucho mejor que la margarina y mejora el sabor deotros alimentos.7.- La mantequilla ha existido durante siglos mientras que la margarinatiene menos de 100 anos. Ahora... sobre la margarina: 1.- Es muy alta en acidos grasos trans. (Si, esos que recien ahora loscientificos descubrieron que son malisimos y los gobiernoscomenzaron a prohibirlos) . 2.- Triple riesgo de enfermedades coronarias. 3.- Aumenta el colesterol total y el LDL (el colesterol malo) y disminuye elHDL (el colesterol bueno). 4.- Aumenta en cinco veces el riesgo de cancer. 5.- Disminuye la calidad de la leche materna. 6.- Disminuye la reaccion inmunologica del organismo. 7.- Disminuye la reaccion a la insulina. Y he aqui el factor mas inquietante (AQUI ESTA LA PARTE MAS INTERESANTE! ):A la margarina le falta UNA MOLECULA para ser PLASTICO...!!Solo este hecho es suficiente para evitar el uso de la margarina de porvida, y de cualquier otra cosa que sea hidrogenada (esto significaque se le anade hidrogeno, lo cual cambia la estructura molecular de lassubstancias).Usted puede ensayar lo siguiente:Compre un poco de margarina y dejela en el garaje o en un sitio sombreado.Dentro de unos dias notara dos cosas: * No habra moscas; ni siquiera esos molestos bichos se le acercaran (esto yale debe decir a usted algo). * No se pudre ni huele mal o diferente porque no tiene valor nutritivo; nadacrece en ella. Ni siquiera los diminutos microorganismos puedencrecer en ella.Por que? Porque es casi plastico!! No a la guerra, Si a la Paz Misterios de la ciencia... Los costos de la guerra medicos y capitalismo... Capitalismo... medicos (2) Quien educa a nuestros hijos? Los Medios... Sin Palabras... Chistes feministas - Cual es el problema, Eva? - Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas. - Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas... - Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti. - Que es un hombre? - Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente. - Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente. - Cual es el truco?. - Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion. - Cual? - Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer. Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas? Porque todos son unos cerdos Un dia, en el Paraiso, Eva llamo a Dios: Tengo un problema.- Cual es el problema, Eva?- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.- Que es un hombre?- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.- Cual es el truco?.- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.- Cual?- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas? Porque todos son unos cerdos Ellas... Ellas (2)... Tres venganzas femeninas VENGANZA NUMERO 1 Hoy mi hija cumple 21 anos y estoy muy contento porque es el ultimo pago de pension alimenticia que le doy, asi que llame a mi hijita para que viniera a mi casa y cuando llego le dije: -Hijita, quiero que lleves este cheque a casa de tu mama y que le digas que: Este es el ultimo maldito cheque que va recibir de mi en todo lo que le queda de su puta vida!!! Quiero que me digas la expresion que pone en su rostro. Asi que mi hija fue a entregar el cheque. Yo estaba ansioso por saber lo que la bruja tenia que decir y que cara pondria. Cuando mi hijita entro, le pregunte inmediatamente: -Que fue lo que te dijo tu madre? -Me dijo que justamente estaba esperando este dia para decirte que no eres mi papa! VENGANZA NUMERO 2 Un hombre que siempre molestaba a su mujer, paso un dia por la casa de unos amigos para que lo acompanaran al aeropuerto a dejar a su esposa que viajaba a Paris. A la salida de inmigracion, frente a todo el mundo, el le desea buen viaje y en tono burlon le grita: - Amor, no te olvides de traerme una hermosa francesita Ja ja ja!! Ella bajo la cabeza y se embarco muy molesta. La mujer paso quince dias en Francia. El marido otra vez pidio a sus amigos que lo acompanasen al aeropuerto a recibirla. Al verla llegar, lo primero que le grita a toda voz es: - Y amor me trajiste mi francesita?? - Hice todo lo posible, - contesta ella - ahora solo tenemos que rezar para que nazca nina. VENGANZA NUMERO 3 El marido, en su lecho de muerte, llama a su mujer. Con voz ronca y ya debil, le dice: - Muy bien, llego mi hora, pero antes quiero hacerte una confesion. - No, no, tranquilo, tu no debes hacer ningun esfuerzo. - Pero, mujer, es preciso - insiste el marido - Es preciso morir en paz. Te quiero confesar algo. - Esta bien, esta bien. Habla! - He tenido relaciones con tu hermana, tu mama y tu mejor amiga. - Lo se, lo se Por eso te envenene, hijo de puta!!! machismo y cibernetica Chiste machista La NASA ha enviado al espacio una mision experimental tripulada por dos monos y una mujer.Apenas abandona la atmosfera, se establece comunicacion con Houston. -Atencion, simio 1, verifique sistemas hidraulicos, controle adecuada presion de los propulsores de arranque. A 60.000 pies disminuya un 25% la velocidad. El simio hace la sena de OK. -Atencion, simio 2, nivele al cruzar la estratosfera y active sistemas anticongelantes. No olvide monitorear sistemas de comunicacion e indicadores de presion. Comprendido?. El simio hace la sena de OK. -Atencion, Houston llamando a mujer: no se olvide. -Mujer: Si, si, ya se! -interrumpe enojada- que no me olvide darles de comer a estos monos de mierda y que no se me vaya a ocurrir tocar nada!. .Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti. Un abogado mantiene un romance con su secretaria.Al poco tiempo, esta queda embarazada y el abogado, que no quiere que su esposa se entere, le da a la secretaria una buena suma de dinero y le pide que se vaya a parir a Italia.Esta pregunta: Y como voy a hacerte saber cuando nazca el bebe ? El abogado responde: Para que mi mujer no se entere, tan solo enviame una postal y escribe por detras: Spaghetti. Y no te preocupes mas, que yo me encargare de todos los gastos. Pasan los meses y una manana la esposa del abogado lo llama al bufete, algo exaltada: Querido, acabo de recibir el correo y hay una postal muy extrana viene desde Italia. La verdad, no entiendo que significa.El abogado, tratando de ocultar sus nervios, contesta:Espera a que llegue a casa, a ver si yo entiendoCuando el hombre llega a casa y lee la postal, cae al suelo fulminado por un infarto.Llega una ambulancia y se lo lleva. Ya en el hospital, el jefe de cardiologia se queda consolando a la esposa y le pregunta cual ha sido el evento que precipito tan masivo ataque cardiaco. Entonces la esposa saca la postal y se la muestra diciendole: No me explico, doctor; el solamente leyo esta postal. Vea usted mismo lo que trae escrito.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti."Tres con salchicha y albondigas y dos con almejas Gol !!!! Chistes de Borrachos Entra un borracho a su casa todo manchado con lapiz labial por todos lados hecho un desastre, y la mujer le pregunta:-Hombre que te paso?Y el borracho le responde:-No me vas a creer, me pelee con un payaso! Este es un borracho que entra en un bar y le dice al camarero:-Me da cinco copas de whisky?Al rato:-Me da cuatro?Al rato:-Me da tres copas?Despues:-Me da dos copas?Luego le dice:-Me da una copa?Y le dice al camarero:-Ves? Cuanto menos bebo, mas borracho estoy! She juggles a successful Hollywood movie career with being a wife and mother. And it's clear that Natalie Portman manages to take things in her stride. The 37-year-old looked casually on trend as she ran errands Monday in Los Angeles in a t-shirt and ripped boyfriend jeans. Natural beauty: Natalie Portman, 37, looked casually on trend as she ran errands Monday in Los Angeles in a French language t-shirt and ripped boyfriend jeans The Black Swan Oscar winner, who's married to French dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied, had a message to the world on the front of her tee. 'C'est non non non et non' it read in French - translated as 'It's no no no and no.' Her baggy denims looked to be a size too large and she wore a pair of white sneakers. Portman wore her shoulder-length brunette hair loose and sported sunglasses as she stepped out carrying her smartphone and car keys in her hands. Casual style: Her baggy denims looked to be a size too large and she wore a pair of white sneakers. She wore her shoulder-length brunette hair loose and sported sunglasses Portman, who was born in Israel, lived in Paris with her husband from 2014 to 2016 after Millepied, 41, accepted a position at the Paris Opera Ballet. The two had met in 2009 on the set of Black Swan where the Frenchman choreographed the ballet scenes in the Darren Aronofsky movie. They wed in California in August 2011. Portman and Millepied share two children - seven-year-old son Aleph and 18-month-old daughter Amalia. On Saturday night, the actress joined her husband, who is artistic director of the nonprofit L.A. Dance Project, at the organization's annual fundraising gala. The couple put on a very loving display, cozying up for a kiss on the red carpet and inside the event during the evening program. Devoted: On Saturday night, Portman and husband Benjamin Millepied put on a loving display at the L.A. Dance Project Gala. The Frenchman serves as artistic director of the nonprofit So in love: The couple, who met in 2009 on the set of Black Swan and wed in 2012, also puckered up on the red carpet as they arrived at the fundraiser The Project host, Tommy Little missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their recent official tour in Australia. The 33-year-old took to his Instagram story to reveal he received an invitation to attend a very exclusive event in the presence of The Duke & Duchess Of Sussex in Melbourne...but days after the event took place. The funnyman adopted a rather somber tone as he explained he only acquired the prestigious offer on Monday October 22 despite the letter being sent last month. Scroll down for video 'What a royal cock up!' The Project's Tommy Little (pictured) revealed the annoying reason he missed an opportunity to meet Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their tour 'So this arrived today despite being sent last month,' Tommy announced in the clip as he zoomed in on the postage date, which read: '27/09/2018.' In the next clip, the Hit Network radio host read out the invitation and subsequently drew attention to the fact the event took place on Thursday October 18 in the Victoria capital. 'Oh this looks awesome...but it's for last Thursday! Oh what the f**k?! Oh s**t!' he exclaimed. However true to form, the stand-up comedian turned his negative experience into a comedy sketch with fellow comic, Luke McGregor. The last laugh! However true to form, the stand-up comedian (pictured) turned his sour experience into a comedy sketch with fellow comic, Luke McGregor 'I've got red hair so I could pretend to be Harry!' The ginger-haired comedian, 35, (pictured) offered to ease Tommy's disappointment by pretending to be Prince Harry in the comical clip The ginger-haired comedian, 35, offered to ease Tommy's disappointment by pretending to be Prince Harry in the comical clip. 'I know you're upset you didn't get to meet Harry...but I've got red hair so I could pretend to be Harry!' Luke said. The Network Ten television presenter took to the photo-sharing app again on Monday to lament the late invitation dilemma. 'Today I received my invite to hang out with Harry and Meghan! I was so stoked until I realised that the event was on last Thursday. What a royal cock up': The television presenter took to the photo-sharing app again on Monday to lament the late invitation dilemma 'Today I received my invite to hang out with Harry and Meghan! I was so stoked until I realised that the event was on last Thursday. What a royal cock up,' he captioned the image. On Tuesday, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle flew out of Australia bound for Fiji as they continue their first royal tour as a married couple. Pregnant Meghan's schedule was scaled back on Sunday and Monday in Australia, however the Duchess is expected to be by her husband's side at all their planned engagements in Fiji and Tonga. Her husband Chris Hemsworth may be adored by millions around the world thanks to his role as Marvel's Thor. But his wife, 42-year-old Spanish-born actress Elsa Pataky, is about to gain many more of her own fans as she plays an alluring siren in the highly anticipated Netflix series, Tidelands. The eight-part mini-series is set to debut on December 14, and is the first Australian Netflix original series. Scroll down for video Look away now Chris! Elsa Pataky appears in steamy love scene with a shirtless tattooed hunk as she plays an alluring siren in hotly anticipated Netflix mini-series Tidelands Coming soon: Elsa (left) has landed a starring role in the highly anticipated Netflix series, Tidelands, seen here with co-star Madeleine Madden Along with Elsa, the show also stars former Home and Away actress Charlotte Best as Cal McTeer, a young women who returns to her hometown of Orphelin Bay after 10 years locked up in prison. The town has its own secrets though, which are all laid bare after the body of a local fisherman washes ashore. Cal then sets to work uncovering the seaside town's mysteries, which leads her to a group of misfits known as the Tidelanders. The group resides a hidden pocket of the bay, and is made up of siren-human hybrids, who prove to be as dangerous as they are alluring. Queen: Elsa plays the sirens' cutthroat leader, Adrielle Cuthbert, who will do whatever it takes to protect her people Elsa plays the group's cutthroat leader, Adrielle Cuthbert, who will do whatever it takes to protect her people. The show, which was filmed entirely in Queensland, also stars Aaron Jakubenko, Peter O'Brien, Marco Pigossi and Mattias Inwood. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph back in March, Elsa revealed she was ready to return to work after taking some time off to look after her three kids with Chris, daughter India Rose, six, and twin sons Sasha and Tristan, four. Mysterious: The show is about a young women who returns to her hometown of Orphelin Bay after 10 years locked up in prison, and uncovers its secrets 'It came at the perfect moment,' she said at the time. 'My kids have started school and Im ready to get back to work. Im just excited to work in this market and to be able to work in what I call home now.' Elsa, who has been married to the Thor star for eight years, resides with her family in Byron Bay, on the far north New South Wales coastline. The actress appears to have embraced the laidback lifestyle, and is often spotted at the beach with her family. Shannon Beador flew into hysterics and drank vodka alone during Monday's explosive episode of The Real Housewives Of Orange County aptly titled Blow Up. The privileged crew were on a girls trip to Jamaica when things went sour. Shannon, a 54-year-old divorcee, had decided to get cosmetic surgery on her eyes as soon as she got back home. Blew up: Shannon Beador flipped out on Monday's episode of The Real Housewives Of Orange County when her friendship with Tamra Judge was called into question 'So this is my last night to drink,' she exclaimed as she enthusiastically downed her booze. Over dinner Shannon was sarcastic and obnoxious, saying: 'This is a really fun dinner, not.' 'Typical Shannon, the conversation is not revolving around her so she's bored,' said Tamra Judge, 51, Show newcomer Gina Kirschenheiter was irritated with Shannon's attitude saying: 'She's just, like, rude all the time.' 'You could just be like ''how are you doing?'',' suggested the Long Island transplant, who pointed out that Shannon hadn't offered Tamra enough consideration while her husband Eddie has been dealing with heart issues. Screaming match: Tamra yelled at Shannon to stop screaming and start listening 'What kind of friend are you?' she asked. Shannon was furious, but Tamra refused to defend their friendship. 'Everybody's got s*** on her plate,' Tamra yelled, while Shannon said she'd had the 'worst f***ing year' of her life. Good question: Gina Kirschenheiter asked Shannon what kind of friend she has been to Tamra after learning that she had not inquired about Tamra's husband and his health situation So awkward: Shannon insisted that she was a great friend to Tamra, but she didn't back her Plate full: The exercise enthusiast pointed out that everyone has stuff on their plate 'The constant negativityit's tiresome to me,' said Tamra in a side confessional. During their silent bus ride home Shannon was fuming on the back seat. 'This is the awkward bus,' cringed Emily Simpson. Silent ride: Emily Simpson rode back in silence with the others Awkward bus: The show newcomer didn't like the awkward silence Shannon then stormed off the bus and threatened to remove her microphone. 'Leave me alone,' she yelled. 'It's been six months, she can't keep treating people badly because she's getting divorced,' declared Tamra. Microphone off: Shannon asked for the cameras to stop rolling and took off her microphone 'In her head she's the busiest person in the entire worldshe's never worked, David [Shannon's ex] took care of everything,' she grumbled. 'She should probably get on something to settle,' mused Vicki Gunvalson who revealed going on anti-depressants to cope with her divorce. Back in their penthouse Shannon started screaming. Screaming session: Shannon started unloading on everyone back at the penthouse 'I am a good friend, I defended you until the end,' she told Vicki, who disputed that assertion bitterly. 'You were totally against me, you never gave me a call and asked me how I was doing, you never hugged me and you never told me you loved me,' raged Vicki. When Kelly Dodd suggested medication Shannon flew off the handle even more, calling it 'a f***ing straight jacket intervention.' Calm down: Kelly Dodd begged Shannon to calm down before she had a heart attack Medication suggestion: The reality star suggested medication to Shannon and she got further outraged Tamra said she was sick of receiving phone calls from Shannon in hysterics. 'She'll call me crying because her makeup didn't turn out right,' complained the fitness fanatic. 'She wants to b**** and complain all the time, but not fix anything. She calls all day long, all night long,' Tamra added. Getting ready: Tamra pulled denim shorts over her bikini Constant calling: The fitness fanatic revealed that Shannon constantly called her crying Good times: Tamra frolicked in a waterfall as Shannon stayed behind Vicki then told the group that she'd found Shannon drinking alone in their penthouse. 'Last night when I got my suitcase to leaveshe was pouring a glass of vodka, so that is her pain medication,' said Vicki, the 56-year-old 'OG of the OC' The next day Shannon isolated herself and refused to go on any excursions, missing Vicki's twerking moves and a bobsled ride. Bobsled ride: Gina rode solo on a bobsled down Mystic Mountain Drinking alone: Vicki told the group that she found Shannon drinking vodka alone Tamra speculated that Vicki secretly had gotten 'butt implants.' 'It's got this roundness that it never had before,' she observed. The RHOC continues next week on Bravo. Twerking it: The OG of the OC dropped her pants and twerked during the trip She skipped the ACRAs on Saturday, hinting she'd rather spend time at home. And after giving radio's night of nights a miss, Jackie 'O' Henderson shared several adorable photos of her family to Instagram over the weekend. But it was one snap that really caught fans' attention. Seeing double! Jackie 'O' Henderson (right) took to Instagram over the weekend to share a photo of herself with her lookalike seven-year-old daughter Kitty (left) In the photo, Jackie posed with her seven-year-old daughter Kitty, with the pair bearing a striking resemblance. The youngster was the spitting image of her famous mother, prompting several fans to point out their similarities. Jackie shares Kitty with her husband Lee Henderson, who she married in 2003. Family matters! Jackie shares Kitty with her husband Lee (left), who she married in 2003 Striking resemblance: Kitty appears to take after her stunning mother Jackie Jackie often speaks about her family on air, and last year discussed the dilemma of how much money the 'tooth fairy' should give Kitty when she loses a tooth. 'Well, I started off doing $1 to $2 for the bottom tooth, and then I found out that the market rate is $10 apparently for teeth these days!' she said. 'I didn't know I was underpaying - well the tooth fairy was. She just started saying her friends are getting $10.' Meanwhile, Jackie and her KIIS FM co-host Kyle Sandilands were noticeably absent from the Australian Commercial Radio Awards (ACRAs) in Melbourne on Saturday. Instead of turning up for the ceremony, where they eventually won the top prize, Jackie indicated that she was spending quality time at home. Meanwhile, Kyle was more blunt about he reasons for not showing up, describing the event as 'boring' on Monday's Kyle & Jackie O show. 'It's a piece of s**t event. That's why I never go. It's one of the world's most boring event,' he said. They have had an on again-off again relationship for about four years. But on Monday Gerard Butler and Morgan Brown looked to be very much an item when they hit the red carpet for the New York City premiere of Gerard's new submarine movie Hunter Killer. The couple packed on the PDA as they soaked in the bright lights of the big city at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum on the west side of Manhattan. Lovebirds: Gerard Butler and longtime girlfriend Morgan Brown packed on the PDA for the New York premiere of Hunter Killer The 48-year old Scottish born actor and Morgan couldn't keep their hands off of each other as they posed for photographers, and at one point Butler and his leading lady shared a passionate kiss. Butler looked handsome and dashing in a two-piece burgundy suit, a matching tie, white dress shirt and brown leather dress shoes. And he had his hair and his beard well manicured for the festive occasion. Morgan looked stunning an an elegant emerald green gown that showcased her lean figure, and had a slit on the left that allowed the beauty to reveal a little leg at a moments notice. The 41-year old wore her brown tresses long with a left part and had her hair on the left side stylishly pulled back behind her ear. Match made in heaven: Gerard looked dashing in a burgundy suit, while Morgan looked elegant in an emerald green gown Touchy-feely: The 48-year old Scottish born actor and his leading lady couldn't keep their hands off of each other as they posed for photographers A-list actor: Gerard is best know for his roles in 300, PS I love You, The Phantom of the Opera, Gods of Egypt and A Family Man Dashing: The Scottish born actor posed with co-stars Zane Holtz, Michael Trucco and Ryan McPartlin at the premiere Paying respect: Gerard also proudly stood side-by-side with Vice Admiral Frederick "Fritz" J. Roegge from the U.S. Navy Butler also shared the spotlight with co-stars Zane Holtz, Common, Michael Trucco and Ryan McPartlin. Other high-profile people on hand included Howard Stern's wife Beth Stern, model/actress Mariah Strongin, actress Christiane Seidel, and actor Dean Winters. Some of America's finest in the U.S. Navy were also invited to walk the red carpet for the premiere. The 300 star proudly posed with Vice Admiral Frederick "Fritz" J. Roegge, as well as sailors from the Royal Navy's HMS Queen Elizabeth. American heroes: Sailors with the Royal Navy's HMS Queen Elizabeth were invited to walk the red carpet America's finest: Hunter Killer co-star Common also took time out to honor sailors Pals: Butler embraced his friend and fellow actor Paul Sorvino Dapper dude: Gerard posed in front of a plane at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum Earlier this month Butler went to the U.S. Pentagon to thank the Naval officers and crew who allowed him to conduct a three-day visit to the USS Houston in 2016 to assist in making Hunter Killer look as realistic as possible. 'The platforms, the weaponry, the sub itself, is just - you're entering another country, another world, it's like an alien planet, but just fascinating,' Butler said during his briefing about the film and his naval advisors. The film is based on the 2012 novel Firing Point by Don Keith and George Wallace, and also stars Gary Oldman, Michael Nyqvist, Linda Cardellini and Toby Stephens. In the movie, the Russian President is captured by his own Defense Minister at a visit on a Northern Marine base. A U.S Submarine under the command of Commander Joe Glass, played by Butler, is then sent into Russian territorial waters to save the Russian President and avoid sparking World War III. Hunter Killer premiered in the UK on October 19. It hits theaters in the US October 26. Cool cat: Common looked stylish in a camouflage jacket and brown patterned pants Queen of all media: Howard Stern's wife Beth Stern looked adorable in a floral dress Fashionista: Model/actress Mariah Strongin showed off her physique in an sassy black number Stunning: Actress Christiane Seidel looked elegant in a black one-shoulder gown She's been traveling back and forth between her home in Los Angeles and New York City this month. And on Monday night, Courteney Cox was back in the Big Apple to attend the inaugural Arthur Miller Foundation Honors held at Manhattans City Winery. The former Friends star, 52, looked sleek in a tailored black jacket paired with black trousers that featured crisscross patterns. Smart: Courteney Cox put on a stylish show in New York as she was attended the inaugural Arthur Miller Foundation Honors held at Manhattans City Winery on Monday night Cox added a crew neck white top under her jacket and wore a pair of black heels. Her raven hair was worn loose with a center parting and tumbling down around her shoulders. The actress tucked her locks behind her ear on one side to show off her gorgeous leaf-themed diamond earrings. She was made up with shimmery shadow and black mascara, pink blusher and dark pink lip color and carried a pale pink shoulder purse. Looking good: The former Friends star, 52, looked sleek in a crew neck white top under a tailored black jacket paired with black trousers that featured criss-cross patterns Pretty: The actress wore her hair loose with a center parting and tucked her locks behind her ear on one side to show off her gorgeous leaf-themed diamond earrings On Saturday, Cox had been spotted arriving at LAX to catch her cross-country flight to the East Coast. She resides in Malibu, California, in a mansion she shares with her daughter Coco, 14, from her marriage to actor David Arquette. Earlier in the month, she'd swapped the West Coast for the Big Apple where she was seen heading to see Springsteen on Broadway October 16. Jetsetter: On Saturday, Cox had been spotted arriving at LAX to catch her cross-country flight to the East Coast Evening out: The actress was seen heading to Bruce Springsteen's one man show on Broadway in New York City last Tuesday night Cox first found fame at age 20 after being cast to star with rocker Bruce in the music video for his 1984 hit Dancing In The Dark. In his memoir Born To Run, Springsteen, 69, recalled how he thought that the young woman he was told by Brian DePalma to invite on stage to dance with him was a fan attending the concert. He only learned later from the director that he had, in fact, cast Courteney after she auditioned in New York for the part. Big break: Cox first found fame after starring with The Boss in his music video for Dancing In The Dark in 1984 Meanwhile, the actress has said that while she would love to star once again with Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc and Matthew Perry, she can't see a scenario in which that might happen. 'People ask us all the time, Will we ever do a remake? That was a story about these group of people that are friends in their 30s who are finding themselves. I dont know if theres a way to redo it,' she said at the Through Her Lens: The Tribeca Chanel Womens Filmmaker Program Luncheon in New Yorka week ago. 'Even though I would do anything to be in a room with all of those people acting and having a great time. But I dont see it happening,' she added. She's one of the most stylish Hollywood stars when it comes to red carpet fashion. And on Monday night, Julia Roberts paid homage to her red carpet stylist Elizabeth Stewart by arriving for the InStyle Awards in LA dressed to match her. The pair wore lavender pant suits with pink shirts. Julia Roberts paid homage to her red carpet stylist Elizabeth Stewart by arriving for the InStyle Awards in LA on Monday night dressed to match her. They even wore the same white lace up shoes. But when it came to their handbags, Roberts opted for blue while Stewart chose red. They also both wore black-framed spectacles and left their long hair loose. Twinning: The pair were dressed in lavender pant suits with pink shirts and stepped out in the same white lace up shoes. They both wore black-framed spectacles and left their hair loose Big night: The Pretty Woman star, 50, was honored at the event as 2018 Style Icon. She appeared to be in great spirits as she posed for photos at the gala held at The Getty Center Roberts and Stewart were both being honored by the fashion magazine during the event held the Getty Museum. The Pretty Woman and Erin Brockovich star was named as 2018 Style Icon, while her Stewart, whose clients also include Cate Blanchett, Jessica Chastain, Sandra Bullock and Viola Davis, was named Stylist Of The Year. Roberts also posed for photos with Clare Waight Keller, artistic director of Givenchy, who was honored as Fashion Designer Of The Year. Influencers: The actress also posed for photos with Clare Waight Keller, artistic director of Givenchy, who was being honored as Fashion Designer of The Year Meanwhile, Roberts's new series for Amazon Prime - Homeland - is set to premiere on November 2. She plays the lead in the thriller directed by Mr. Robot's Sam Esmail and based on the fictional podcast of the same name. 'I heard the podcast and loved it because it harkened back to listening to a story together on the radio or on books out loud and you're imagining everything,' the actress explained at an event promoting the show earlier this month. 'I think that is where the inspiration as artists starts, imagining what it would look like,' she added. She's the raunchy Instagram model who found love with Tammy Hembrow's ex-fiance Reece Hawkins. And on Monday, London Goheen decided to give Reece's famous ex a run for her money by taking to social media to share a pair of raunchy photos. In the first, the 20-year-old showcased her bronzed curves in a skimpy G-string bikini. 'Sorry dad!' Model London Goheen, who is currently dating Tammy Hembrow's ex-fiance Reece Hawkins, flaunted her physique on Instagram this week In the second image, London turned around with her derriere aimed squarely at the camera. The social media star captioned it: 'Sorry dad.' Reece - who split with social media star Tammy in June after four years together - debuted his relationship with London in September. Daring to bare! The 20-year-old Snapchat star left little to the imagination in a G-string bikini London, who shot to fame on Snapchat, was previously in a relationship with Vine star Twan Kuyper. In a YouTube video in June, Tammy clarified that her split with Reece was not due to infidelity. 'One or two months ago, I decided to end things with Reece. He didn't cheat on me, I didn't cheat on him. It wasn't like that at all,' she said. Instagram official! Reece - who split with social media star Tammy in June after four years together - debuted his relationship with London in September 'I don't want people to think we just gave up. Most people know relationships are very complex.' The former couple share two children: son Wolf and daughter Saskia. Just like Tammy and London, Reece is also a social media star with a sizeable following. She's spent a week in Mexico on a luxurious holiday alongside socialite Francesca Packer-Barham aboard her billionaire uncle James Packer's superyacht. And PR maven Roxy Jacenko chose to soak up the sunshine of her last day in Cancun-Isla Mujeres in a colourful bikini. The Sydney-based publicist, 38, showed off her toned physique in the bright two-piece as she stood on a platform over the clear-blue waters. Busty Betty! Bikini-clad Roxy Jacenko, 37, flaunts her incredible figure in cleavage-baring swimsuit as PR maven soaks up the sun aboard multi-million dollar superyacht in Mexico Posing in the stylish swimsuit, the blonde's flat stomach and surgically-enhanced assets were visible. Spending most of her days relaxing on the ocean, the mother-of-two indicated it was her last day via Instagram Story posts. She appeared to take a jet ski out for a spin on her last day, before tanning on the deck of the multi-million dollar vessel. One last ride! She appeared to take a jet ski out for a spin on her last day, before tanning on the deck of the multi-million dollar vessel Prepared! Roxy clearly packed plenty of options for her getaway, as she was pictured wearing eight different swimsuits during her trip Roxy clearly packed plenty of options for her getaway, as she was pictured wearing eight different swimsuits during her trip. On her last day, the fitness enthusiast also poked fun of her breakfast choice. 'Treat yourself,' the fitness enthusiast joked while sharing a photo of one small pikelet on a large plate. Coming home: The Sweaty Betty PR founder left Cancun International Airport on Monday night on a flight bound for Sydney Sweet surprise? Roxy bought sweets from Dylan's Candy Bar before boarding commenced, perhaps stocking up on treats for her two children The Sweaty Betty PR founder left Cancun International Airport on Monday night on a flight bound for Sydney. Roxy bought sweets from Dylan's Candy Bar before boarding commenced, perhaps stocking up on treats for her two children: Hunter, four, and Pixie, seven. Her children appeared to stay at home with their father; Roxy's husband of six years, Oliver Curtis. Our company is interested in buying fuel wood pellets A1 with certificate. Send your offer with production capacity (tons per period of time), cost, including delivery to Bad Iburg, Germany and EXW terms. They're three stars of the small screen. And on Monday night, Busy Philipps, Tracee Ellis Ross and Laverne Cox all chose floral-themed dresses as they attended the 2018 InStyle Awards in Los Angeles. The actresses put their best fashion feet forward at the star-studded event held at The Getty Center. Pretty as petals: Busy Philipps, Tracee Ellis Ross and Laverne Cox all chose floral-themed dresses as they attended the 2018 InStyle Awards in Los Angeles on Monday night Philipps, 39, flashed some leg in a striped frock slit to the thigh on one side. She paired the low-cut black, white and pale yellow number with a tan jacket with yellow stripes down the outside of the sleeves. The Freaks And Geeks alum carried a bright yellow clutch purse and accessorized with dangly earrings, while finishing the look off with a pair of black Stella Luna heels. Her dark blonde hair was worn back from her face with a center parting and she splashed red color across her lips. Leggy: Philipps, 39, flashed some leg in a striped frock slit to the thigh on one side. She paired the low-cut black, white and pale yellow number with a tan jacket and a bright yellow clutch Pretty Busy: The Freaks And Geeks alum wore her blonde hair back from her face with a center parting and she splashed red color across her lips. She accessorized with dangly earrings Ross, 45, put on quite a show in a full-length gown with dramatic fringed sleeves and fringes on the bodice. The dress had a collar and a skirt that fell from the waist in pleats with an asymmetrical hem that pooled around her feet. The gown had pink and green flower motifs and the Black-ish star added hot pink shoes. Theatrical: Ross, 45, put on quite a show in a full-length gown with dramatic fringed sleeves and fringes on the bodice Eye-catching: The Black-ish star's dress had pink and green flower motifs, a collar at the neck and a skirt that fell from the waist in pleats Cox, 46, flashed cleavage in a short-sleeved gown slashed to the waist and with a fishtail skirt. The outfit was decorated with colorful flowers and green leaves and was cinched at the waist. The transgender star, who found fame on Netflix series Orange Is The New Black, wore her hair in a top knot and accessorized with statement earrings. Dared to bare: Cox, 46, flashed cleavage in a short-sleeved gown slashed to the waist and wore her hair in a top knot Form-fitting: The transgender star, who found fame on Netflix series Orange Is The New Black, showed off her figure in the number cinched at the waist and that had a fishtail skirt The InStyle Awards celebrate stylish standouts in the film and fashion industries, according to the InStyle website. Honorees this year include Style Icon Julia Roberts, Man of Style Jeff Goldblum and Hairstylist of the Year Chris McMillan, who styles Jennifer Aniston's hair. British designer Clare Waight Keller, the Givenchy creative director behind Meghan Markle's wedding dress, was celebrated as Fashion Designer of the Year. It is easily one of the greatest casts every assembled. And its three top-billers Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie went retro in LA to film more scenes for Once Upon A Time in Hollywood on Monday. The trio once again slipped into wardrobe befitting the 1969 setting of Quentin Tarantino's upcoming crime mystery. Top three: Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie went retro on the set of Once Upon A Time In Hollywood on Monday Wardrobe: Leo and Brad were spotted in some new outfits Brad, 54, rocked the denim jacket he's oft been seen wearing on set, as well as his now familiar long blonde hair. The actor jumped behind the wheel of a sky blue classic convertible to shoot yet more night-time driving scenes. The screen vet seemed to be having a ball while doing so, grinning broadly between takes. Earlier in the day he got to try on a different outfit and car combo when he joined co-star Leo for another vehicle scene. Doomed: Margot got into character as Sharon Tate Denim dude: Brad, 54, rocked the denim jacket he's oft been seen wearing on set Old school: He also rocked his now familiar long blonde hair Cool: The actor jumped behind the wheel of a sky blue classic convertible Road movie: They shot yet more night-time driving scenes Happy: The screen vet seemed to be having a ball while doing so, grinning broadly between takes He looked even more flash in the all white ensemble of immaculate jeans and another denim jacket, paired with brown suede boots. Leo, 43, meanwhile could be seen in a new outfit, looking equally sharp in black slacks, shirt and jacket, and a fancy red neckerchief. His hair was also noticeably longer, now featuring a pair of sideburns. Twinning: His body double was standing by ready Close up: The car was hoisted onto a rail for some close-up shots Stunt driver: Pitt plays stunt double Cliff Booth in the upcoming crime mystery Action! Brad's car was rigged on a trailer Walk on: Brad looked in jovial spirits as he finished his scene Chilled: He placed his script into his jean jacket pocket The two megastars chatted before jumping into a white sedan, Brad driving with Leo in the back. Margo was another who appeared to enjoy filming in a retro roadster. The 28-year-old, who plays Sharon Tate in the movie, was seen beaming ear to ear as she was chauffeured around. Stepping out: Brad carefully stepped out of the car in his garb from yesteryear New look: Leo, 43, meanwhile could be seen in a new outfit Snazzy: He looked sharp in black slacks, shirt and jacket, and a fancy red neckerchief Bit of all white: Brad also got to try on a different outfit and car combo when he joined co-star Leo for another vehicle scene New look: He looked even more flash in the all white ensemble of immaculate jeans and another denim jacket, paired with brown suede boots New do: Leo's hair was also noticeably longer, now featuring a pair of sideburns Road trip: The two megastars chatted before jumping into a white sedan, Brad driving with Leo in the back She looked the part in a thick brown fur coat, oversized shades and a headscarf. The actress also carried a dog on her lap as she was ferried about in the army green MG convertible. Lorenza Izzo, who plays Francesca Cappuci, wore the most eye catching outfit of all, a sheer red body suit. Riding in cars with boys: Margo was another who appeared to enjoy filming in a retro roadster Let's go: The 28-year-old was seen beaming ear to ear as she was chauffeured around Pet: The actress also carried a dog on her lap Nice ride: She was ferried about in the army green MG convertible The 29-year-old was spotted sharing a laugh with the director between scenes. The film sees DiCaprio play Rick Dalton, the former star of a western TV series, while Pitt plays Cliff Booth, his long-time stunt double. The pair embark on an odyssey to make a name for themselves once again in the film industry they no longer recognize in the Hollywood of 1969, the year of the Charles Manson murders. Wow: Lorenza Izzo, who plays Francesca Cappuci, wore the most eye catching outfit of all, a sheer red body suit The boss: The 29-year-old was spotted sharing a laugh with the director between scenes Dapper: Leo cut a handsome figure as he walked along A-list: The two Hollywood icons dazzled in their retro get -up Waving it up: Brad struck a friendly pose for snappers Focus: The stars looked thoughtful as they filmed the tense scenes Wish you were here? Leo cracked a playful grin as he filmed with Brad Rick's is next door neighbor to Tate, who was murdered by the Manson family; she was eight and a half months pregnant with husband Roman Polanski's baby at the time. The super-stellar cast also features Al Pacino, Dakota Fanning, Kurt Russell, Damian Lewis, Michael Madsen, Tim Roth, Luke Perry, Timothy Olyphant, Emile Hirsch, James Marsden, James Remar, Lena Dunham, Rumer Willis, and Andie MacDowell's daughter Margaret Qualley Sadly, Burt Reynolds was also set to play a role but died last month before his scenes could be filmed; Bruce Dern will replace him. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is set for release on July 26, 2019. Coming soon: Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is set for release on July 26, 2019 Acclaimed: The Oscar winner was focused as he filmed the hotly anticipated film Chat: The star chatted with director Quentin Tarantino before changing into another outfit In depth: Leo looked at a few of his scenes between takes Iconic: Quentin was all smiles as he filmed scenes for the new film She has wowed audiences as a robot host for two seasons on the hit HBO sci-fi drama Westworld. And on Monday Angela Sarafyan stunned when she hit the red carpet at the 2018 InStyle Awards at The Getty Center. The Armenian-born star commanded attention in a purple fully embellished gown by Rhea Costa. Making a statement: Angela Sarafyan attended the 2018 InStyle Awards at The Getty Center in Los Angles on Monday The shiny number showed off her toned figure with it's plunging neckline and high slit that allowed her to flaunt just enough of her left leg. She accessorized with a pair of equally eye-grabbing dangling earrings that appeared to be hang down several inches. And on this night she pulled her long dark tresses back into a stylish ponytail and with a part in the middle. Dream role: The Armenian-born actress is best known for her role as a robot host on Westworld Shining star: The 35-year old star showed off her toned figure in a purple fully embellished gown with a high slit by Rhea Costa More pizazz: Angela accessorized with a pair of long dangling earrings Angela has gotten rave reviews for her role as Clementine Pennyfeather in the sci-fi western. 'I love everything about Clementine,' Angela confessed in an interview with Bazaar. 'She's a symbol of what happens to hosts whenI don't know if it's the death of a host, but the aftermath of getting a lobotomy and no longer having this loop, this identity.' She added: 'In Season 1, she was the first one that showed how strong they (robot hosts) are. She's the first one that broke, she was the first threat to humanity in Episode 7. So I think in this season (season two), she's an archetype, a representation of the hollow host.' Westworld was renewed for a third season in May. He was named the event's Man Of The Year. And Jeff Goldblum, 66, posed up a storm at Monday's InStyle Awards at Los Angeles' Getty Center with his 35-year-old third wife Emilie Livingston. The graying actor demonstrated his fashion icon credentials in an intricately floral patterned charcoal suit that featured a bit of sheen. Side by side: Jeff Goldblum, 66, posed up a storm at Monday's InStyle Awards at Los Angeles' Getty Center with his 35-year-old third wife Emilie Livingston That snappy little suit of his complemented a dazzling silvery tie and a slightly darker grey dress shirt that glinted under the lights. It was Jeff's shoes that were possibly the most idiosyncratic bit of the outfit - gorgeous zebra print numbers with black bows on top. Meanwhile, his dramatically younger wife slipped into a black lace dress with elegant white cuffs and a hemline cut off at the knee to show off her svelte legs. So snappy: The graying actor demonstrated his fashion icon credentials in an intricately floral patterned charcoal suit that featured a bit of sheen Balancing on a simply designed pair of black heels, Emilie cuddled up to her spouse of four years as the shutterbugs snapped away at them. Jeff gave marriage his first try from 1980 until 1986, tying the knot with actress Patricia Gaul, with whom he starred in the 1985 flick Silverado. A year after he and Patricia divorced, Jeff went down the aisle with Geena Davis, going on to play opposite her in the 1988 comedy Earth Girls Are Easy. Smashing: That snappy little suit of his complemented a dazzling silvery tie and a slightly darker grey dress shirt that glinted under the lights Before they were married, Jeff and Geena had already starred together in 1985's Transylvania 6-5000 and 1986's The Fly. It was only after marrying Emilie in 2014 that Jeff began having children - first little Charlie in 2015 and then River the following year. When Jeff and Emilie, a contortionist, first got married, she was exactly half his age - she was 31 and he was 62. She is currently enjoying a lavish European holiday with her family. And AFL WAG Jessie Murphy (nee Habermann) shared an envy-inducing snap to Instagram on Tuesday, while enjoying stunning views of Lake Como. The 28-year-old dressed for her impromptu photo shoot in a nothing more than a white bathrobe and slim cat eye sunglasses. La Dolce Vita! AFL WAG Jessie Habermann flashes her toned pins in a white robe as she enjoys stunning views of Lake Como on a luxury holiday She flashed her toned pins while posing on the balcony of her suite at the luxurious Grand Hotel Tremezzo. Jessie held a wine glass in one hand as she showed off her flashy engagement ring from Anton Jewellery. The blonde beauty let her luscious blonde locks cascade down her delicate shoulders. In the caption she wrote, 'A place you dream of'. When in Rome! Her AFL star husband Marc Murphy also took to Instagram to share a sweet family snap from the Collosium in Rome, ahead of their trip to Lake Como. Pictured: Marc Murphy with Jessie and their son Max Her AFL star husband Marc Murphy also took to Instagram to share a sweet family snap from the Collosium in Rome, ahead of their trip north to Lake Como. Jessie glamorous photo on their Italian getaway comes after their first stop over in London. The couple enjoyed a date night dinner at London's Sushi Samba, where the fashion blogger flaunted her eye-popping cleavage in a plunging crop top with billowy sleeves. Busting out! The couple recently enjoyed a date night dinner at London's Sushi Samba, where the fashion blogger flaunted her eye-popping cleavage in a plunging crop top with billowy sleeves Jessie was in high spirits as she enjoyed a luxury dining experience with her Carlton captain husband and several friends. The model paraded her svelte figure in the daring outfit, which clung tightly to her frame. Smiling for the camera, her makeup was flawlessly applied and her blonde hair fell over her shoulders in loose curls. A vision in white! Jessie paired her top with white linen trousers that highlighted her slim waist Still going strong! Jessie began dating Carlton captain Marc in 2011, following the end of her relationship with former Richmond player David Gourdis. Pictured: Jessie and Marc in 2016 Jessie's husband-of-two-years sat beside her at the restaurant and dressed casually in a grey jumper and black jeans. She began dating Marc in 2011, following the end of her relationship with former Richmond player David Gourdis. Marc proposed in September 2015 with a giant diamond sparkler and they married in December 2016. The couple welcomed their first child, son Max, in January this year. She is in the midst of her US tour, following the wildly successful launch of her memoir My Thoughts Exactly and her esteemed album No Shame. And Lily Allen has been ensuring she keeps her fans all over the world up to speed with the goings on at her dates as she took to Instagram on Monday night to share a series of shots from her date at Silver Spring, Maryland. The 33-year-old Smile songstress looked stunning as she hit the stage, while enjoying a cigarette behind-the-scenes and doing her own make-up. Stunner: Lily Allen has been ensuring she keeps her fans all over the world up to speed with the goings on at her dates as she took to Instagram on Monday night to share a series of shots from her date at Silver Spring, Maryland Lily has been pulling out all the stops during her glam tour, with Monday's show being no different as she stepped out in her racy sheer top. Each night, the songstress has been posting shots as she applies her own make-up while her hair is being teased into a bevy of stunning styles. Shortly after the show, she took to Twitter to give fans a glimpse into tour life, while revealing she has been enjoying the US cuisine slightly too much. She penned: 'I bought a nice red bra about 6 weeks ago, put it on this morning and couldnt do it up. I guess that what happens when you eat fried chicken, wings and burgers for a month straight.' Out and a pout: The 33-year-old Smile songstress looked stunning as she hit the stage, while enjoying a cigarette behind-the-scenes and doing her own make-up Chickening out: Shortly after the show, she took to Twitter to give fans a glimpse into tour life, while revealing she has been enjoying the US cuisine slightly too much Prior to hitting the road, Lily spoke with Fault Magazine, about her money troubles, her political views and her penchant for sex and drugs in her youth. She admitted in the interview that she was 'running out of money' so felt obliged to write her book before confessing she is still locked in a shocking five album record deal with just a 25K price tag. Lily has caused shockwaves with her new book, in which she confesses to a host of explosive secrets including flings with Mike Skinner and Liam Gallagher. When asked why she opted to write a memoir, she said: 'Money and running out of it! Not seeing many avenues to make it anymore... Tucking in: Prior to hitting the road, Lily spoke with Fault Magazine, about her money troubles, her political views and her penchant for sex and drugs in her youth Glamming it up: Each night, the songstress has been posting shots as she applies her own make-up while her hair is being teased into a bevy of stunning styles 'And also, aside from that I get really bored of repeating myself and I think that this period, the last four years at least, have been not only really important formative years for myself but for my children as well... 'And theyre going to ask questions about what happened with Mummy and Daddy and Im not going to want to go over it.' In the book, Lily revealed she signed a record deal for an extremely humble 25,000 for a whopping five albums 14 years ago - and she is still locked in the contract. She explained: 'Sign this record deal for 25,000 from my lawyer at the time In all seriousness I think theres a real issue with the legal firms that are giving advice to really young people... 'I signed that deal when I was 19 years old and Im still in it. It was a five-album deal for 25,000. And I paid for the advice to sign that deal and it was not good advice.' She is returning to screens in the eighth season of American Horror Story. And Emma Roberts enjoyed an afternoon off as she headed for an early dinner with a friend in Los Angeles on Sunday. The actress, 27, rocked a retro Seventies style look and sleek side plait as she grabbed an iced coffee on Monday. Gorgeous: Emma Roberts, 27, wore a retro Seventies top and denim mini skirt as she headed out in LA on Monday The Scream Queens star showed off her lithe limbs in a high-waisted denim mini skirt with a chic button detail and a leather heeled Freda Salvador loafers with a chunky black heel. Emma tucked a chestnut open-collared shirt into her shirt which highlighted her toned arms with a eye-catching purple detail. She wore her blonde locks in a side plait with a contrasting black hairband and shaded her eyes from the Californian sun with a pair of cool cat-eyed shades. On trend: Emma wore her blonde locks in a fashionable side plait, and accessorised with dark sunglasses and a contrasting black hairband while she enjoyed a stroll in the Californian sun The actress - who is the niece of Hollywood megastar Julia Roberts - carried her phone and car keys and later clutched an iced coffee and slung a golden bag over her shoulder. The Billionaire Boys Club star a is returning to TV screens in American Horror Story: Apocalypse, reprising her role as Madison Montgomery, who was first seen in Coven. As well as bringing her villainous character back to the small screen, her role on the latest season also re-teams her with her boyfriend Evan Peters, 31. The couple were previously engaged, but Emma has been spotted on occasion without her ring on. Back in 2013, the actress was arrested for domestic abuse in Canada after officers responded to a report of a fight in a hotel room. Emma was taken into custody after they allegedly found One Tree Hill star Evan with a bloody nose and a bite mark. He declined to press charges and she was released several hours later, with the couple saying in a joint statement that it was 'an unfortunate incident and misunderstanding.' The pair have remained famously tight-lipped about their relationship since. The Gatwick Hotel was once known as a 'festering fleapit' - a cheap St Kilda rooming house that was a refuge for Melbourne's down and out. But after its closure last year, the building has undergone a radical renovation for the current season of The Block, which saw it made over into a series of luxury apartments set to be auctioned in a matter of days. However that makeover came at a cost - such a high cost, that the project will lose millions, according to statements made by Kate Langbroek on The Hit Network's Hughesy and Kate radio program on Tuesday. 'I'm the stupidest property developer in Australia': The Block's executive producer Julian Cress reveals The Gatwick Hotel makeover cost $25million ...and will 'be lucky' to recoup $13million of those costs The radio personality met with The Block's executive producer Julian Cress to inspect the completed apartments. During the course of the tour, Kate says that Julia called himself the 'dumbest' and 'stupidest' property developer and revealed the project was losing millions. 'At one stage he said, 'I'm the dumbest property developer in Australia'. When he told us how much money they will lose doing this block, [it was] quite amazing,' Kate said on air Tuesday. Loss? The Block's latest project will lose millions, according to statements made by Kate Langbroek on The Hit Network's Hughesy and Kate radio program on Tuesday. Kate is pictured with co-star Dave Hughes (left) Prompted to reveal hard figures by her co-host Dave Hughes, Kate went on: 'He said we bought it for 10 [million], we've spent 15 [million]. 'That Block is worth 25 million. He said, 'We're lucky we'll get 13 million back'. Then he went: 'I'm the stupidest property developer in Australia.'' Kate added: 'If you think about that, that's not bad value if you're in the market.' New look: The radio personality met with The Block's executive producer Julian Cress to inspect the completed apartments Oh dear? During the course of the tour, Kate says that Julia called himself the 'dumbest' and 'stupidest' property developer and revealed the project was losing millions Prompted to reveal hard figures by her co-host Dave Hughes, Kate went on: 'He said we bought it for 10 [million], we've spent 15 [million]. 'That Block is worth 25 million. He said, 'We're lucky we'll get 13 million back'. Then he went: 'I'm the stupidest property developer in Australia'' Daily Mail Australia has reached out top Channel Nine for comment. Before the makeover, The Gatwick stood run down and derelict, covered in dirt and grime. A news.com.au report from May 2017 described the hotel as 'a place where you can be murdered in your room, robbed, bashed or offered a variety of drugs among the cockroaches, addicts and prison parolees.' Big job: Before the makeover, The Gatwick stood run down and derelict, covered in dirt A news.com.au report from May 2017 described the hotel as: 'a place where you can be murdered in your room, robbed, bashed or offered a variety of drugs Graffiti was visible on parts of the exterior, as crumbling paint gave away the age of the 80-year-old building. The Gatwick acted as a rooming house from the 1950s until its closure last year. The newly-renovated apartments are set to be auctioned on The Block's season finale on Sunday night. She is a doting mother to son Aleph, seven, and daughter Amalia, 20 months. And Natalie Portman delighted her eldest as she treated him to courtside seats as the Los Angeles Lakers took on the San Antonio Spurs at the Staples Center on Monday night. The Oscar-winning actress, 37, looked absolutely elated as she cheered on her team with enthusiasm, before they narrowly lost out to their rival. Go team! Natalie Portman delighted son Aleph, seven, as she treated him to courtside seats as the Los Angeles Lakers took on the San Antonio Spurs at the Staples Center on Monday night The Black Swan star, who shares Aleph and Amalia with dancer and choreographer husband Benjamin Millepied, 41, kept things casual for her evening outing in skinny jeans and an oversized black and cream Dior jumper. Natalie's outfit made a statement without saying a word, with the garment from the French fashion house featuring the slogan 'C'est non, non, non, non et non'. Inspired by the French women's liberation movement, the phrase translates as 'It's no, no, no, no, and no'. The Harvard-educated actress paired the top with chunky heeled black boots and small gold hoop earrings. Come on, Lakers! The Oscar-winning actress, 37, looked absolutely elated as she cheered on her team with enthusiasm, before they narrowly lost out to their rival Low-key: The Black Swan star kept things casual for her evening outing in skinny jeans and an oversized black and cream Dior jumper The talented actress wore her brunette locks loose and opted for minimal make-up. Little Aleph looked adorable in a purple Lakers jersey as the group cheered on their team from their prestigious courtside seats. Last week, Natalie took to her Instagram page to re-post a clip of her powerful speech given during Variety's Power Of Women summit. She said: 'I said it Friday at #PowerofWomen and think it's worth repeating, we need to listen to the message of the mammaries!' 'The more milk you give, the more you make. @variety.' Making a statement: Natalie's made a statement without saying a word, with the garment from the French fashion house featuring the slogan 'C'est non, non, non, non et non' Making a statement: Inspired by the French women's liberation movement, the phrase translates as 'It's no, no, no, no, and no' The actress was recently announced to be working on an upcoming TV series titled We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves. While Natalie is expected to star and executive produce the show, a release date for the project has yet to be announced. The actress met her now-husband on the set of Darren Aronofsky's ballet thriller Black Swan in 2010, for which she won an Academy Award. The couple tied the knot in a Jewish ceremony in Big Sur, California, in 2012 after welcoming son Aleph in June 2011. He recently attempted to set the music world on fire with self-penned rap song, Blue Tick, about his struggle to get verified as a celebrity on Instagram. And despite the track failing to secure him the online stamp of approval, Nasser Sultan is hoping a sexy photoshoot will help convince Instagram bosses he's a star. The former Married At First Sight groom, 51, who is currently on holiday in Bali, spent Tuesday afternoon striking several poses while poolside in Seminyak. Scroll down for video 'It's harder than it looks': MAFS' Nasser Sultan, 51, attempts to become an Instagram model during very awkward poolside photo shoot in Bali However, Nasser soon realised modelling isn't as simple as it may seem. 'Being an Instagram model is harder than it looks,' he captioned a series of photographs to his 43,000 followers. In one of the pictures Nasser attempted to prop a leg over the swimming pool's glass barrier, but looked uncomfortable while doing so. He then appeared to slip down from the ledge and back into the pool as his photo shoot came to an abrupt end. 'Being an Instagram model is harder than it looks,' he captioned a series of photographs to his 43,000 followers on Tuesday afternoon Not the most flattering! In one of the pictures Nasser attempted to prop a leg over the swimming pool's glass barrier, but looked uncomfortable while doing so Smiling bright: Nasser rose to fame on Married At First Sight in February Speaking about his song to Daily Mail Australia recently, Nasser said: 'I think becoming a rapper was the next step for me and I will get a blue tick now. 'I struggled with my timing a little bit recording but I am hoping to start touring.' The chorus of the song alludes to Nasser's ongoing battle with Instagram for 'blue tick' verification. He raps the lyrics: 'Blue tick, Sarah's got it, you know I want it, get in my life. And I'm just an old man ready to fight, you know I need it, I really need it.' The track namechecks MAFS co-stars Sarah Roza Tracey Jewel, Ryan Gallagher, Blair Rachael and even 'ex-wife' Gabrielle Bartlett. Looking rested and happy as ever, Meghan cradled her baby bump dressed in a striped linen dress by American eco-friendly brand Reformation, pairing it with the Sarah Flint Greargladiator sandals she wore earlier this summer to a polo match. And the couple has also planned their trip to Fiji and Tonga around the current Zika virus risk. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive in Fiji. Meghan and Harry and enjoyed an idyllic "babymoon" last night on one of the world's most handsome rainforest islands. The former Suits actress, who is expecting her first child in the spring, had skipped a morning of engagements in Sydney on Sunday and sat out the day's events on Fraser Island on Monday, before joining her husband for a walkabout at the end of the day. A day after Kensington Palace announced Meghan's pregnancy, Harry told fans in Australia, "We also genuinely couldn't think of a better place to announce the upcoming baby...whether it's a boy or a girl". Recall issued after exploding toilets injure at least 23 people Exploding toilets that have hurt 23 people have prompted the recall of 1.4 million pressure-assisted flushing systems. This is not to be confused with Flushmate III, of which the 503 series got recalled in 2012, 2014 and 2016. The World's Oldest Intact Shipwreck Discovered In Black Sea The wreck has been described by experts as the world's "oldest intact shipwreck" ( Black Sea MAP/EEF Expeditions). File photo - Stamnos (vase) depicting Odysseus tied to the mast listening to the songs of the Sirens, Greece. Saudi Arabia signs deals worth $50 billion in oil, gas and infrastructure In August, Saudi Arabia froze ties with Ottawa after Canada urged the release of jailed civil rights activists in the kingdom. He spoke hours after convening an emergency meeting of cabinet ministers and senior officials on the issue. She and Harry were met at Suva's Nausori Airport by Melanie Hopkins, the High Commissioner and chief of protocol, Jonetani Tagivetaua. The ceremony, known as the Veirqaraqaravi Vakavanua, exactly mirrors one attended by the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in 1953, and involves a number of traditional elements of Fijian culture, including the presentation of the Tabua, a Kava ceremony and a dance known as the Meke. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Australian tour has taken them to the Pacific island of Fiji as Meghan returns to royal duties. Do you like Meghan's blue dress? Kensington Palace announced that Meghan was expecting on the eve of the couple's first tour outside the United Kingdom and Ireland. He was in high spirits as he took home the Best Actor award for his portrayal as rape victim David Platt in Coronation Street. And Jack P Shepherd looked slightly worse-for-wear as he left the Inside Soap Awards with his co-star Julia Goulding at London's 100 Wardour St on Monday evening. The soap star, 30, appeared to have overindulged in his success as he made a bleary-eyed exit from the glitzy awards show with the 33-year-old actress. Bleary-eyed: Jack P Shepherd looked slightly worse-for-wear as he left the Inside Soap Awards with his co-star Julia Goulding at London's 100 Wardour St on Monday evening Jack opted for sophistication as he sported a satin tuxedo blazer with a crisp white shirt and black skinny jeans. Meanwhile, Middleton native Julia, who plays Shona Ramsey in the soap, displayed her toned figure in a plunging black crop top and slinky wide-leg trousers. Complementing her all-black appearance, the actress boosted her frame in a pair of strappy heels and carried her possessions in a plain clutch. Off they go: The soap star, 30, appeared to have overindulged in his success as he placed his head in his palms during a chat with the 33-year-old actress outside the venue She upped the style ante with flashy jewellery as she wore sparkling dangle earrings with a dainty bracelet. Julia accentuated her features with a soft pink make-up palette, which worked well with her voluminous curls. The pair enjoyed a chat outside the star-studded event before heading home in a black taxi with their pals. Sharp: Jack opted for sophistication as he sported a satin tuxedo blazer with a crisp white shirt and black skinny jeans Stepping out: Meanwhile, Middleton native Julia, who plays Shona Ramsey in the soap, displayed her toned figure in a plunging black crop top and slinky wide-leg trousers Turning heads: Complementing her all-black appearance, the actress boosted her frame in a pair of strappy heels and carried her possessions in a plain clutch Jack was involved in a hard-hitting male rape storyline in Corrie, which was both criticised and praised by viewers for its no-holds barred portrayal. David was raped off-screen by the sinister Josh Tucker (Ryan Clayton) after he was drugged on a night out, with viewers seeing the horrific aftermath as he struggled to come to terms with what he had been through and bravely spoke out about his ordeal. Jack's appearance comes as he has reportedly landed a '250,000 salary deal' to keep him on the ITV soap after his tragic male rape plot. Cosy: The pair enjoyed a chat outside the star-studded event before heading home in a black taxi with their pals Chatting it up: Jack appeared to pull a series of animated faces during their discussion According to The Mirror, the actor has been given a 30,000 pay rise for his award-winning portrayal of victim David. A source told the publication: 'His handling of the recent rape storyline has been moving and very well received by the audience. And his new deal is richly deserved.' 'Jack is going nowhere for the next year and the executives are very happy', the insider added. At the time of publication, MailOnline contacted a representative for Jack. Celebrations: Jack continued to bask in the success after winning Best Actor for his portrayal as David Platt Part of the furniture: The Pudsey native is set to celebrate his 20-year anniversary on the show, after being first introduced on the cobbles in 2000 The Pudsey native is set to celebrate his 20-year anniversary on the show, after being first introduced on the cobbles in 2000. While many viewers branded the rape storyline 'uncomfortable,' Jack revealed that he's received plenty of praise from fans and victims' support groups for taking on the plot. Speaking to the ITV soap's official blog, the actor recently detailed: 'People saying that they've enjoyed watching the storyline. Then they always hesitate and say, 'I shouldn't really say that as it's not something you should enjoy' but what they mean is that it's been a good topic and it needed to be addressed. Boozy night: He appeared to celebrate his success with an array of beverages as he placed his award next to glasses of beer 'It's interesting because when it was released in the press that we were going to do this storyline there was a lot of response with people saying it's disgusting, Corrie shouldn't be putting that on the screen, it's a family show. 'As soon as it went on screen people realised that you didn't see David get raped, all you saw was a door slamming shut and you knew what was going to happen after that. It let the audience use their own imagination. 'The storyline was more about the aftermath and the mental effect that happened with David. People got it and it was a good story, I think Corrie played it out really well.' Overwhelmed? David made a bleary-eyed exit from the glitzy awards show as he headed in a car with his fellow stars In good company: The star was joined by a bevy of actresses as he left the event in a black taxi Well-deserved award: Jack was involved in a hard-hitting male rape storyline in Corrie, which was both criticised and praised by viewers for its no-holds barred portrayal Racking it in: Jack's appearance comes as he has reportedly landed a '250,000 salary deal' to keep him on the ITV soap after his tragic male rape plot Vicky Pattison has just returned from a trip to Dubai with fiance John Noble, which was reportedly a 'make-or-break' holiday for the couple. Yet shortly before the trip, the star admitted that she is 'fighting a battle' in her relationship after being plagued by rumours of strife following the death of her best friend Paul Burns and two of John's grandparents' passing earlier this year. Speaking to New Magazine, the former Geordie Shore star was typically candid about her battles as she admitted the couple are struggling. Happy days: Vicky Pattison has just returned from a trip to Dubai with fiance John Noble, which was reportedly a 'make-or-break' holiday for the couple She said: 'We're going to Dubai, so we're out of the hardest bit. My birthday's coming up, his birthday is coming up, so we're on a nice run of seeing each other a lot. Everyone's fighting a battle to make it work. Their wedding planning has been a hot topic, as she admitted she has had to put their big day on ice as she has been struggling to focus on the wedding. The interview came shortly before, Vicky shared several loved-up snaps with her fiance as the pair enjoyed a luxurious holiday in Dubai. Their loved-up display comes amid claims the duo - who got engaged in July 2017 - were apparently not on speaking terms until Tuesday and had severed ties on social media, with sources claiming their relationship is 'hanging by a thread'. That was then: Yet shortly before the trip, the star admitted that she is 'fighting a battle' in her relationship after being plagued by rumours of strife following the death of her best friend Paul Burns and two of John's grandparents' passing earlier this year Struggling through: Speaking to New Magazine, the former Geordie Shore star was typically candid about her battles as she admitted the couple are struggling 'Vicky and John's relationship is hanging by the thinnest of threads, but they both think what they've got is worth fighting for,' an insider told The Sun. 'When they first rekindled their flame two years ago John was exactly the kind of stable man Vicky wanted, but as time's gone on she's found it harder to commit to a quiet life up North when all her mates are still down here in London. 'It's been causing massive rows and John has warned her if she doesn't start making him a priority over her pals and work it's over.' Vicky reportedly asked John to accompany her in Dubai where she's working at the moment so they can 'talk things through'. Make or break: John had allegedly felt like he was playing 'second fiddle' to Vicky's busy lifestyle in London John had allegedly felt like he was playing 'second fiddle' to Vicky's busy lifestyle in London. The businessman is also reportedly desperate to start a family while Vicky was said to be less keen. Vicky appeared to hint at troubles in their romance when she shared a cryptic post about the 'perfect relationship' on Instagram on Wednesday. Sharing a snap of the couple enjoying a rooftop dinner, she wrote: 'I can't promise you a perfect relationship, but what I can promise you is if you're trying, I'm staying.' Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is one of the most anticipated films of next year. And Brad Pitt was spotted filming for the upcoming moving in Los Angeles on Monday, getting behind the wheel of a vintage vehicle to shoot scenes as stunt double Cliff Booth. The actor, 54, has undergone a retro makeover to fit in with the 1969 backdrop of Quentin Tarantino's new project. In character: Brad Pitt was spotted filming for the upcoming moving in Los Angeles on Monday, getting behind the wheel of a vintage vehicle Brad was seen revving up the street in the blue car, smiling as he emerged from the driver's seat. The Hollywood favourite was perfectly in character, rocking a double denim look and a shaggy bob hairstyle. The film sees DiCaprio play Rick Dalton, the former star of a western TV series, while Pitt plays Cliff Booth, his long-time stunt double. Va-va-vroom! Brad was seen revving up the street in the vintage blue car Beaming: The Fight Club star flashed a big smile as he emerged from the driver's seat Retro style: The Hollywood favourite was perfectly in character, rocking a double denim look and a shaggy bob hairstyle The pair embark on an odyssey to make a name for themselves once again in the film industry they no longer recognize in the Hollywood of 1969, the year of the Charles Manson murders. Rick's is next door neighbor to Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), who was murdered by the Manson family; she was eight and a half months pregnant with husband Roman Polanski's baby at the time. The film was originally slated to premiere on the 50th anniversary of the murders until Sharon Tate's sister, Debra, asked for the date to be changed. Transformed: The actor, 54, has undergone a retro makeover to fit in with the 1969 backdrop of Quentin Tarantino's new project In the hot seat: The critically-acclaimed director was also spotted on the film set In character: The film sees DiCaprio play Rick Dalton, the former star of a western TV series, while Pitt plays Cliff Booth, his long-time stunt double Out of respect, Sony bumped up the premiere date to July 26, 2019 after Tate called it 'tacky and exploitative' to release the movie on the day of her sister's deathAugust 9. The super-stellar cast also features Al Pacino, Dakota Fanning, Kurt Russell, Damian Lewis, Michael Madsen, Tim Roth, Luke Perry, Timothy Olyphant, Emile Hirsch, James Marsden, James Remar, Lena Dunham, Rumer Willis, and Andie MacDowell's daughter Margaret Qualley. Sadly, Burt Reynolds was also set to play a role but died last month before his scenes could be filmed; Bruce Dern will replace him. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is set for release on July 26, 2019. Highly-anticipated: The much-hyped film is set for release next year Heavily pregnant WAG Phoebe Burgess has revealed she has just eight weeks to go until she welcomes her second child with Rabbitohs star husband, Sam Burgess. The former journalist - who is expecting a son with her man - took to Instagram on Tuesday to show off her burgeoning belly. Sharing a black and white snap, Phoebe stuns as she stands in a crop top and flowing skirt. 'Eight weeks to go': Heavily pregnant WAG Phoebe Burgess flaunts her burgeoning baby bump in a crop top... after Rabbitohs star husband Sam is cleared of THAT sexting scandal The beaming selfie comes weeks after Sam was cleared of any involvement in an NRL sexting scandal. 'Eight weeks to go... #How,' Phoebe captioned the image, which got more than 3,000 likes. In the sweet snap - which appeared to be taken in Fiji where the family recently holidayed - the blonde has her short locks out and in a messy style. She gazes off camera and holds her hands to her chest. Bumping along nicely! On Monday, Phoebe also shared a shot of herself in a bikini and side on, showing off her bump while on holiday Making headlines: It comes after Sam (pictured) was cleared of any involvement in a NRL sexting scandal On Monday, Phoebe also shared a shot of herself in a bikini and side on, showing off her bump while on holiday. 'Missing sunset swims with this huge little man camping out in here,' Phoebe wrote. She added: '(The best relief for my body this time around has been bobbing about in the ocean just weightless walking in water reduced my cankles back to ankles in the heat). Phoebe added the hashtag: 'Third trimester problems.' Downtime: Phoebe, Sam and their daughter Poppy, one, (pictured) enjoyed some time in Fiji together, at the $6900-a-night Fiji Kokomo Island Resort Phoebe, Sam and their daughter Poppy, one, enjoyed some time in Fiji together, at the $6900-a-night Fiji Kokomo Island Resort. They have since returned to Sydney, where they are based. The Fijian holiday comes after Sam was cleared of any involvement in a NRL sexting scandal. Two men, not Burgess, were believed to have exposed themselves to a woman over Facebook. The woman complained to the Rabbitohs football club via an anonymous email over a period of three months between May and August. She's best known for playing embattled launderette worker, Heather Trott in EastEnders. But after the character sadly met her untimely end in 2012, when Ben Mitchell whacked her round the head with a photo frame, Cheryl Fergison is looking for roles elsewhere. In an interview with Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, the 51-year-old teased upcoming soap roles, saying she would like to appear in Emmerdale or Corrie. Branching out: EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison, 51, discussed her dream Emmerdale role on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday as she said she wants to play a 'long-lost Dingle' If Cheryl has her way, she will be part of the famous Dingle family on Emmerdale She said: ' You've got people with funny bones up there. 'I wouldnt mind getting in another one of those soaps again. Corrie or Emmerdale. A long lost Dingle.' She previously dropped a major hint, saying: 'It seems many of the soap-watching public would like to see me on the cobbles or in the dales. '[Emmerdale and Coronation Street] worth considering if you are thinking of new characters? No return: Cheryl's EastEnders character Heather Trott was famously killed by Ben Mitchell in 2012 when he hit her over the head with a photo frame 'Heather was such a great character to play. Now it's time to create a new character. Time to see a completely different character in one of the other continuing dramas.' Still, she has a lot to be getting on with for the minute, as Cheryl is currently starring in he is starring in Maggie May The Musical in Liverpool. And she admitted her life isn't quite as glamorous as it used to be. Lots to get on with: Cheryl is currently starring in he is starring in Maggie May The Musical in Liverpool Talking about the NTAs which will take place in January 2019, Cheryl said: 'I don't get invited to these things anymore. Can I take your coats?' Cheryl is happily married for six years to Moroccan Yassine Al-Jermini, but she previously said she didn't reveal her celebrity status to him for five months. Talking to Loose Women last year, the actress said she enjoyed an 'old-fashioned' courtship with her 30-year-old toyboy. She said: 'We met online and wrote to one another on the computer and spoke on the computer. It was very old-fashioned. 'He didn't know what I did for a living. I didn't show him my picture. It was five months of chat before we met each other. 'I saw him and it was like "ping". I knew he was the man I was going to marry and I had been married once before.' Addressing the 21-year age gap, Cheryl said that 'age doesn't matter' and 'no one blinks when a man does it.' Russell Crowe leads an all-star cast that includes Nicole Kidman in the new drama, Boy Erased. And on Monday, the 54-year-old attended the premiere of the gay conversion therapy drama at the Whitby Hotel in New York City. The Australian actor posed happily alongside his co-star Lucas Hedges, who plays his son in the film. Proud moment! Russell Crowe (left) wears a black coat as he poses alongside co-star Lucas Hedges (right) at the premiere of gay conversion therapy drama Boy Erased in New York Russell was dressed in a casual look for the premiere, a long black wool coat over a dark blue shirt. The Gladiator star added a pair of crisp blue jeans to the ensemble, and completed the look with pointed black leather shoes. American actor Lucas looked dapper in a pale grey suit and maroon shirt underneath. High spirits: On Monday, the 54-year-old attended the premiere of the gay conversion therapy drama at the Whitby Hotel in New York City Neat: Russell was dressed in a casual look for the premiere, a long black wool coat over a dark blue shirt The 21-year-old added a pair of tan suede shoes with a pointed toe to the ensemble. The actors embraced as they posed for cameras on the red carpet, with Russell giving the younger actor a warm bear hug. In the lauded film, Nicole Kidman plays Nancy Eamons, Jared's conflicted mother in the drama film directed by Joel Edgerton. Neat: American actor Lucas Hedges (right) looked dapper in a pale grey suit and maroon shirt Close: The actors embraced as they posed for cameras on the red carpet, with Russell giving the younger actor a warm bear hug Cast and crew: (L-R) Actors Russell Crowe and Lucas Hedges, film subject Martha Conley, director and actor Joel Edgerton, film subject and memoir author Garrard Conley, and producer Kerry Kohansky-Roberts attend the New York screening of Boy Erased As much as Nancy loves her child, she struggles to come to terms with her son's homosexuality. Lucas Hedges, plays the role of a 21-year-old Jared Eamons, who is subjected to gay conversion therapy by his parents, with Russell Crowe playing his Baptist father. Australian actor-director Joel, 44, recently told news.com.au that he hopes the film will shed light on the extent of gay conversion therapy and become a 'great conversation starter'. She has a sensual sense of style which she shows off at the hottest parties and on her Instagram page. And Chloe Khan got pulses racing once again as she made her departure from an Italian restaurant, in Liverpool city centre on Tuesday. The Playboy model, 26, braved the chillier temperatures by putting her bare legs on display in just her thigh-skimming beige raincoat. Chloe Khan displayed her bare legs in her microscopic raincoat as she braved the cold after lunch, in Liverpool city centre on Tuesday Elongating her legs in her sand coloured boots, Chloe elevated her height in her heeled seasonal footwear. The Celebrity Big Brother star sculpted her features with her defining strokes of make-up and she styled her raven-coloured locks in a sea of loose curls. With her iPhone in one hand and her statement Chanel handbag slung over her right shoulder, the reality star was prepared for her low-key outing. Change of season: Elongating her legs in her sand coloured boots, Chloe elevated her height in her heeled seasonal footwear Chloe's sighting comes after fans accused the Celebrity Big Brother star, who has been the victim of botched cosmetic surgery, of having more work done after noticing her face look different in her Instagram snaps. One wrote: 'Your chin is too long now and your lips are not really good... too much surgery.' Another added: 'Stop abusing your body, one day you will regret.' 'Your chin its too long now and ur lips its not really good .. too much surgeries stop abusing ur body for too much operations one day u will regret..' a third chimed. Brilliant fun: Always out on the town socialising, Chloe joined forces with make-up artist Thomas Jack and Love Island finalist Katie Salmon for the Secret Sinner launch in Cheshire While Chloe hasn't confirmed any recent procedures, she has been open about having nose jobs, lip enhancements, breast augmentations and even a bottom enlargement in the past. In February, the jet-setter took a break from her travels to appear on Good Morning Britain to debate with Aisleyne-Horgan Wallace about corrective plastic surgery. Chloe, who has spent more than 100,000 on sculpting her figure, locked horns with the beauty when she argued the NHS shouldn't fund corrective procedures. Aisleyne said: 'People don't go abroad and think, I'm going to have real bad problems when I come back, I'm going to have to turn to the NHS.' Three's a crowd! The trio looked incredibly trendy in their ensembles on arriving at the glittering red carpet in Knutsford Chloe bit back: 'Do you not think that people should take responsibility for a choice, if you have surgery, it's your choice, you're taking a risk, you know that. 'I myself have had a very bad cosmetic surgery and I would never dream of looking to someone else to pay for it. It was abroad.' Aisleyne didn't hold back when she called out Chloe for getting expensive cosmetic procedures for free by advertising them. She called out: 'But you get your surgery for free because you advertise it!' leading Chloe to retort 'So, you've had things done for free as well! I've paid for surgery too.' Love Island's Georgia Steel reportedly met with Celebs Go Dating producers just one day after her explosive split from co-star Sam Bird. The 'loyal' star hit headlines last week when her ex claimed he broke off his relationship with her after finding a secret selfie of her in bed with her ex-boyfriend - although she staunchly denied the shock claims. Insiders revealed to The Sun that the controversial star reportedly met with E4 bosses just a day after her split from Sam, as she is said to be 'the type of character they look to have on the show; shes flirty, cheeky and doesnt hold back'. Shock: Love Island's Georgia Steel reportedly met with Celebs Go Dating producers just one day after her explosive split from co-star Sam Bird Last week, Sam claimed he broke off his relationship with Georgia after finding the selfie, as he claimed his suspicions were aroused after Georgia didn't return home from a PA, and went onto find secret messages to her ex on her phone. It comes after Georgia exclusively told MailOnline she did spent the night at her ex's but in the spare room, confessing she felt 'trapped' in their relationship and only stayed with Sam to prove a point to the public. Now however further explosive news has surfaced as it has been claimed she lacked remorse over the split after reportedly plotting her move into television. Revealing the news, a source said: 'Georgia is in the mix for the next series of Celebs Go Dating. She met with bosses just a day after her romance with Sam ended which will definitely come as a shock to him. Shock: The 'loyal' star hit headlines last week when her ex claimed he broke off his relationship with her after finding a secret selfie of her in bed with her ex-boyfriend - although she staunchly denied the shock claims Loyal? Insiders revealed to The Sun that the controversial star reportedly met with E4 bosses just a day after her split from Sam, as she is said to be ' the type of character they look to have on the show; shes flirty, cheeky and doesnt hold back' 'Celebs is a show Georgia would love to do especially now shes back on the market she didnt think twice before meeting producers... 'She is just the type of character they look to have on the show; shes flirty, cheeky and doesnt hold back on what she has to say.' MailOnline has contacted Georgia's representatives for comment. Cruel: After the split, Sam said: 'I looked at her phone and found messages she sent to her mates and one of them had a selfie of her in bed with her ex and she put the word 'oops' and joked about it and I thought that's not right' After the split, Sam said: 'I looked at her phone and found messages she sent to her mates and one of them had a selfie of her in bed with her ex and she put the word 'oops' and joked about it and I thought that's not right... 'Telling your ex you want their d*** isn't banter. I saw these messages late at night while she was asleep and I screenshot them so she couldn't lie about it... 'I wanted proof so she couldn't get out of it. My gut feeling was found to be true. She's not the person I thought she was.' But Georgia exclusively told MailOnline that while she did spend the night with her ex, it was in a spare room and did not cheat on him. Stunner: But Georgia exclusively told MailOnline that while she did spend the night with her ex, it was in a spare room and did not cheat on him The self-confessed 'loyal' star added that she fell out of love with Sam and that led to the split, admitting that she stayed in the 'loveless' relationship just to prove a point to the public. She said: 'There was NO third party involved in the break up between him and I. Sam thinks I cheated because he went through my phone and threatened to sell the screenshots to the press. 'He read and took screen shots of banter I had between me and my best mate. The banter was about my ex boyfriend from which he's then put two and two together and come up with an imaginary scenario.' Big Brother star Tomasz Wania was forced to leave the house this week for medical reasons. The Polish-born cleaner was rushed to hospital for a medical appointment in scenes which will not air on hit Channel 5 show. The 31-year-old TV personality returned to the Elstree compound shortly afterwards, and had 'minimal contact' with the outside world. Medical emergency: Big Brother star Tomasz Wania was forced to leave the house this week for medical reasons A spokesperson for Channel 5 told MailOnline: 'Tomasz left the Big Brother house briefly for a confidential medical appointment and returned shortly afterwards. 'At the time of leaving the house he was chaperoned by a member of production and had minimal contact with the outside world.' Tomasz was full of enthusiasm while discussing his reasons for going on Big Brother: 'Its an adventure of a lifetime, come on. Brief exit: The 31-year-old TV personality returned to the Elstree compound shortly afterwards, and had 'minimal contact' with the outside world 'You can only just get it once in your life, and if you dont get it then youre missing out. 'If youre chosen, then youre making memories for life.' Tomasz describes himself as gender fluid and is engaged to his partner of seven years. A Big Brother spokesperson said: 'At the time of leaving the house he was chaperoned by a member of production and had minimal contact with the outside world' He relocated to the UK from his native Poland after being subjected to homophobic abuse in the army. A ruthless game-player, Tomasz had no qualms about conning his fellow housemates out of big coins. There are only two more weeks left to go on the last ever series of the show. Big Brother continues tonight at 10.15pm on Channel 5. She is the reality star and I'm A Celebrity champion who is no stranger to a glitzy bash. And Georgia Toffolo unleashed her inner party animal as she enjoyed a raucous night out in Chelsea to celebrate her 24th birthday on Monday. The Made In Chelsea star was seen throwing some sultry shapes on a table at Brinkley's, drink in one hand, as she rang in her special day with family and friends. Dance in Chelsea: Georgia Toffolo unleashed her inner party animal as she enjoyed a raucous night out in Chelsea to celebrate her 24th birthday on Monday Good night? Looking bleary-eyed at the end of the night, the star couldn't keep the smile off her face as she climbed into a waiting cab The blonde beauty put on a jovial display as she danced the night away with pals, before being presented with sparklers. Having a whale of a time, Georgia put on a chic display in a glittering lavender bow top with ruffle detail. She revealed her lithe legs in a black mini skirt, paired with sheer tights and strappy heels. Groove: The Made In Chelsea star was seen throwing some sultry shapes on a table at Brinkley's, drink in one hand, as she rang in her special day with family and friends Animated: The star screamed for joy as she popped and locked on the table Energetic: Georgia was clearly having the time of her life on the table Shimmy: The star looked sensational in her chic get-up Party time: The star's loved ones were also seen getting their groove on Her blonde bob was styled sleek and straight while her pretty features were enhanced with fluttery lashes, bronzer and a slick of fuschia gloss. Looking slightly bleary-eyed at the end of the night, the star couldn't keep the smile off her face as she climbed into a waiting cab. Georgia is currently in a relationship with Jack Maynard, whom she met on I'm A Celebrity. Cutting a rug: The star lit up the room with her dance moves Glowing: Georgia was having a whale of a time on the table Chic: The star looked sensational as she partied the night away Dancefloor diva: The star showed off her best moves as she enjoyed the night Laugh out loud: The I'm A Celebrity champion laughed out loud as she chatted with pals Sultry: The blonde beauty looked gorgeous as she danced with her friends Earlier this month the television personality posted a loved-up snap with the vlogger, captioning it: 'On October 3rd, he asked me what day it was. On Wednesdays we wear pink', in reference to the film Mean Girls. They allegedly first met in a London club one evening last year, before both being enlisted for a stint in the jungle. Georgia recently told MailOnline that she will pause her reality TV career to make TV presenting her focus following her I'm A Celebrity success. Looking good: The star danced up a storm with a friend during the party Embrace: Georgia was in great spirits as she danced with her friend Chic: Having a whale of a time, Georgia put on a chic display in a glittering lavender bow top with ruffle detail Strut: She revealed her lithe legs in a black mini skirt, paired with sheer tights and strappy heels Centre of attention: Georgia looked sensational as she worked the dancefloor Cute: The star was surrounded by her loved ones as she danced Animated: She pointed her fingers in the air during one track Surprise: The star was presented with some sparklers on the night She confessed: 'I have stepped away from other things just to test the waters for now and see if I can get better at presenting and stuff. 'I do want to work more on projects to do with my skin. I felt that someone in my position who has that condition can help others. I had so much positive feedback from it.' But Georgia wouldn't rule out a return to the show that found her fame, Made In Chelsea, adding: 'I may have stepped away for now, but, as I say, it's to do other things and test things out.' Jive: The star looked over the moon as she danced with a pal Glee: Georgia couldn't keep the smile off her face as she changed Banter: The star was seen enjoying an animated chat with her friends Gesture: The star was having the night of her life as she partied Glow: The star looked pretty as she celebrated her big day Close pals: The star was celebrating her big day with pals Glowing: The star showed off her lithe frame in the stunning outfit These include China's DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), which has a maximum range of 4,000 km (2,500 miles) and which the Pentagon says can threaten USA land and sea-based forces as far away as the Pacific island of Guam. Beijing was not party to the INF treaty and has been fielding new and more deadly missile forces. "China will not tolerate any blackmail from any country", Hua Chunying said. A USA withdrawal from a Cold War-era nuclear arms treaty with Russian Federation could give the Pentagon new options to counter Chinese missile advances but experts warn the ensuing arms race could greatly escalate tensions in the Asia-Pacific. On Monday, US President Donald Trump said that China should be part of the INF treaty. On Monday, Trump doubled down on his threat to scrap the INF treaty, telling reporters that Russian Federation has not adhered to it. The INF treaty was signed by US President Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader, in the final years of the Cold War. Asked about Trump's comments, China's foreign ministry said a unilateral USA withdrawal would have a negative impact and urged the United States to "think thrice before acting". However, the fate of the latter is also uncertain, with US National Security Advisor John Bolton saying on Monday that Washington has yet to finalize its position on the treaty. "It's a threat to whoever you want". Bolton had talks in Moscow with Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of Russia's Security Council, and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Bartomeu: "Este escudo queda cerrado. No gusto a los socios, haremos otro" Ese es nuestro plan y no cambiara si no lo pide el cuerpo tecnico. No se presentara mas, no gusta a los socios. He hablado con Leo, es muy positivo . Trump administration considering curtailing legal recognition of transgender people The National Center for Transgender Equality labeled the proposal an attack on transgender people and vowed to fight. By Sunday evening, a rally for transgender rights took place in NY ; another took place Monday in Washington. FIFA World Cup: A tournament for everyone There are just too many teams, too many leagues, and too many competitions to keep up-to-date with all the major events and news. You can catch the best players, you can catch those players notorious for on field antics and also off field antics. Publicly at least, both the Pentagon and State Department have until now maintained that finding ways to compel Russian Federation to comply with the INF treaty was preferable than scrapping it altogether. In any case, he added, a bilateral treaty no longer met today's realities because unlike in the Cold War, multiple states are now developing intermediate-range nuclear missiles. "The US and the Russian Federation need to remain in a constructive dialogue to preserve this treaty and ensure it is fully and verifiably implemented", said Maja Kocijancic, the European Union spokeswoman for foreign affairs and security policy. Bolton, however, said Britain, Japan, and a number of other countries supported the U.S. position. Its demise could raise the prospect of a new arms race, and Gorbachev, now 87, has warned that unraveling it could have catastrophic consequences. "The aggressor will have to understand that retaliation is inevitable, that it will be destroyed and that we, as victims of aggression, as martyrs, will go to heaven", he said. The Trump administration has complained of Moscow's deployment of Novator 9M729 missiles, which Washington says fall under the treaty's ban on missiles that can travel distances of between 310 and 3,400 miles (500 and 5,500 kilometers). The 1987 pact helps protect the security of the U.S. and its allies in Europe and the Far East. They impressed Royal fans when they performed at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding back in May. And now the gospel group that performed a rendition of Stand By Me at the nuptials, The Kingdom Choir, are set to take on an Australian classic. According to News Corp, the group will include their take of John Farnham's You're the Voice, on their debut record. Royal tick of approval! Gospel group who performed at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding will sing a John Farnham classic ahead of Invictus Games closing ceremony It comes as the group prepare to perform at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games on Saturday. Conductor Karen Gibson said the group chose the song to mark their upcoming performance Down Under. 'When we got invited to sing at the Invictus Games, our manager suggested we sing a song the Australian people might like and that was the one,' Karen said. A lavish affair! The Kingdom Choir impressed Royal fans when they performed at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding back in May (The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are pictured on their wedding day) A classic! The group will include their take on John Farnham's You're the Voice on their debut record (John is pictured) Karen added how great it was to work with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their rendition of Stand By Me for the wedding, saying the couple would make changes to the song every now and then. It was reported that the song sung at the wedding was the 12th arrangement by the choir and the couple. 'Each time we would send a version, they would suggest changes to make it more stripped back and the Royal couple were spot-on with their decision,' she said. She added about the pair: 'I am a fan, I really am, I love the fact they are down to earth they are human.' 'I am a fan': Karen added how great it was to work with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their rendition of Stand By Me for the wedding, saying the couple would make changes to the song every now and then Harry and pregnant Meghan, 37, are currently in Fiji as part of an official Royal visit, with Meghan showcasing her baby bump in an elegant blue dress at a black tie reception on Tuesday. Fiji is the latest stop on Harry and Meghan's 16-day tour which will see them also travel to New Zealand, Tonga and then back to Australia. Earlier this week, a spectator at an Invictus Games event in Sydney commented to Prince Harry, 34, that they hope the couple welcome a daughter, with Harry agreeing. Royal tour: Harry and pregnant Meghan, 37, are currently in Fiji as part of an official Royal visit, with Meghan showcasing her baby bump in an elegant blue dress at a black tie reception on Tuesday In a candid moment captured on camera, a bystander was heard shouting: 'Congratulations, I hope it's a girl', to which Harry responded: 'So do I!' Comments from the father-to-be this week suggest the couple do not yet know the gender of their unborn baby. Kensington Palace confirmed the baby news last week, just hours after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex touched down in Sydney for their first major international tour since their wedding in May. A Kensington Palace said: 'Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019. 'Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public.' After soaking up the sun on a lavish holiday, she ditched the bikinis and it's business as usual. And Myleene Klass pulled off androgynous chic with ease as she opted for a smart business look for work at Smooth Radio in London on Tuesday. The 40-year-old was dressed in a white shirt with decorative frills on the cuffs and around the collar for an appealing feminine touch to her outfit. Specs appeal: Myleene Klass, 40, went for an androgynous business look as she headed to work at radio station Smooth Radio on Tuesday She added a thin black tie loosely fastened around her neck to create her own easygoing version of the classic business attire. Her black blazer was draped around her shoulders which she held onto by the collar to stop it from falling off. The radio presenter added smart, plain black trousers that stopped just above her stylish white Christian Louboutin heels. Best foot forward: Radio presenter Myleene teamed her smart black suit with a frilled white shirt, thick-rimmed glasses and white Christian Louboutin shoes Myleene's long brown hair was worn down and hooked on her right arm was a black handbag to complete her look. To really nail the office chic outfit, Myleene added a pair of trendy black thick-rimmed glasses. On Monday, the TV personality was joined on her communte to work by her daughters Ava, 11, and Hero, seven, during half term week. Family affair: Myleene was joined by her daughters Ava, 11,and seven-year-old Hero on her commute to work at the radio station the day before Despite just coming back to reality from a dream holiday, the former Hear'Say star looked happy and relaxed as her children accompanied her to the radio station. Just a week ago Myleene was sunning herself on holiday with her boyfriend Simon Motson and wasted no time in sharing pictures of the couple chilling in the pool. Getting away from the UK for a few days, the couple spent time together soaking up the sun in the United Arab Emirates. One of Myleene's holiday photos of herself enjoying a cocktail suggested that it was a bit of a boozy break, as she added the caption 'Gin-tervention'. Soak up the sun: Myleene and her fashion PR boyfriend Simon Motson put on a racy display as they chilled out in the pool on holiday just last week 'Gin-tervention': Lucky Myleene was sipping cocktails in the pool on holiday in the United Arab Emirates before jetting back to the UK and back to the day job Myleene is feeling happily loved up and recently paid tribute to her fashion PR boyfriend of two years, 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. 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.' She recently moved into a new house in Essex with boyfriend of two years, Joe Swash. And Stacey Solomon has made the candid confession that her love life with the I'm A Celebrity Extra Camp host is better than ever - because they now have sex in front of the TV. The presenter sent her fellow Loose Women panelists into hysterics with her frank admission on Tuesday's installment of the ITV chat show. Kinky: Stacey Solomon has made the candid confession that her love life with the I'm A Celebrity Extra Camp host is better than ever - because they now have sex in front of the TV Janet Street-Porter declared: 'Never have a television in the bedroom because you obviously don't want any kind of sex life if you want a telly in there.' Stacey retorted: 'Excuse me, my sex life is wonderful... and I get to watch my favourite films at the same time!' Chuckling to herself, Janet said: 'I'm just getting over that image of you, Joe and a 70 inch TV in there with loads of clothes around you.' Cheeky: The presenter sent her fellow Loose Women panelists into hysterics with her frank admission on Tuesday's installment of the ITV chat show Stacey gave fans a sweet yet candid insight into her new family home last week. She shared a picture of Joe and her two sons, Zachary, ten, and Leighton, six, posing in one of the rooms, which had a stylish brick wall. Perching on boxes and a cat basket, Stacey and her family posed while tucking into a Chinese takeaway using 'random Christmas dishes' as bowls. Janet Street-Porter declared: 'Never have a television in the bedroom because you obviously don't want any kind of sex life if you want a telly in there.' Stacey retorted: 'Excuse me, my sex life is wonderful... and I get to watch my favourite films at the same time!' She captioned the photo with: 'HOME SWEET HOME. Finally all in and ready to start a fresh together. If youre wondering whats going on here... 'We are eating a Chinese out of random Christmas dishes, using our hands, whilst sat on washing baskets and cardboard boxes eating off of a cat basket [crying laughing emoji] nothing to see here...[house emojis].' (sic) Stacey has two sons; Zachary, with her former teenage sweetheart Dean Cox, and Leighton with ex-fiance Aaron Barnha. Home sweet home: Stacey gave fans a sweet yet candid insight into her new family home last week after moving in together Milestone: The Loose Women panellist, 29, revealed earlier this month that she has moved in with her EastEnders boyfriend of two years, 36, just in time to celebrate her 29th birthday While Joe has son Harry, nine, with his former girlfriend Emma Sophocleous. Stacey revealed earlier this month that she had moved in with her boyfriend of two years just in time to celebrate her 29th birthday. The Loose Women panellist and EastEnders actor, who began dating in 2016 after meeting on Im A Celebrity in 2010, settled into their new home in Essex at the start of October. Happy: Stacey and Joe, who began dating in 2016 after meeting on Im A Celebrity in 2010, settled into their new home in Essex at the start of October And the former X Factor star gushed that waking up with Joe, 36, and her two sons was the 'best birthday present' ever. Sharing a sweet Instagram snap of her with Joe and Leighton on Instagram, she wrote: 'Happy birthday to me yaaay. Was imagining being surrounded by thousands of pink balloons when I woke up on a four poster bed. 'But I'm actually sooo much happier to be waking up on a mattress on the floor surrounded by brown boxes because we are about to move in together and blend our lives together which is the best birthday present I could have ever wished for.' Stacey previously revealed her plans to move in with Joe, telling new! magazine: 'We've actually got a date at the end of the month. It's in Essex I could never move out of Essex. 'I can't wait! You know when something's just been such a long time coming.' Stacey also admitted that she and Joe are 'always' thinking about having children. When asked if she wanted more, she said: 'It's always in the back of our minds. It's not something we're ready for just yet, but we hope in the future it would happen. We don't really have the time to make a baby.' Vick Hope's Strictly dance partner Graziano Di Prima has dismissed her various claims about her stint and eviction from the show. The radio host claimed judge Shirley Ballas 'relished' criticising her, while also alleging producers spoke to judges before her shock elimination - although the claims were shot down by her professional partner. Speaking to Bang Showbiz, the 24-year-old Italian dancer said: I dont really agree with [her comments]. Shirley is an amazing teacher and a professional teacher before. So if she said that its because its true.' Lashing out: Vick Hope's Strictly dance partner Graziano Di Prima has dismissed her various claims about her stint on the show Clearly perturbed, Graziano went on: Its her work, if you see on the show she really looked to the legs and the feet, the timing and everything. So for people who never dance before, you understand the feeling more than the technique... Also during the week when you dance with a person who has never danced before you have to understand also the feeling. Thats why its so hard for us, a pro dancer, its not just about the dance. The dance is the easy part. Vick bid adieu to the ballroom on Sunday night after her samba failed to set the judges pulses racing in the dramatic dance-off. She went after head judge Shirley was given the deciding vote and opted to save Seann Walsh, 32, and Katya Jones, 29, for another week. Putting on a brave face: The radio host claimed judge Shirley Ballas 'relished' criticising her, while also alleging producers spoke to judges before her shock elimination - although the claims were shot down by the professional Since her shock departure, Vick said that the ballroom expert was to rude to her and claimed that judges; Shirley, Darcy Bussell, Craig Revel Horwood and Alfonso Ribeiro spoke to producers before making their final decision. Weighing in on her Strictly experience, her co-host Roman Kemp asked the Strictly hopeful about her relationship with Shirley. He said: 'Shirley Ballas, one of the judges on Strictly I didnt see it live last night, I was on the plane, I came back, I landed, my mum called me saying "why does Shirley Ballas hate Vick Hope?" To which she answered: 'I wish I knew.' He asked: 'Is this a do you think, like, when shes talking to you, do you feel like its genuine? Or do you think theres something there?' Bye bye ballroom: She bid adieu to the ballroom on Sunday night after her and her dance partner Graziano Di Prima's samba failed to win over judges in the dance-off Judging: The broadcaster was sensationally booted off the BBC ballroom stalwart after head judge Shirley was given the deciding vote and opted to save Seann Walsh, 32, and Katya Jones, 29, for another week Vick shared: 'I think Ive gotta be careful what I say here, because you never know what someones thinking. 'And it was from week one that people were suggesting there was something there, I dont know. It's been consistent and Saturday night I really felt it was just weird, wasnt it? Adding: 'I'd never really been spoken to like that. She really relished in it.' Vick then claimed that producers were drafted in to talk to the judges before they gave their final decisions on who to save following the dance-off. She said: 'We had to have a dance off as well - it was very strange so after the dance off, then the judges have to give their decisions but there was a bit of a conflab with some producers and then they gave their decisions. 'And it was just stunned silence in the studio, it was a really weird atmosphere.' Chit chat: Since her shock departure, Vick has said that the ballroom expert 'relished' in being to rude to her and claimed that judges; Shirley, Darcy Bussell, Craig Revel Horwood and Alfonso Ribeiro spoke to producers before making their final decision Stepping out: Vick shared: 'I think Ive gotta be careful what I say here, because you never know what someones thinking Low-key: She added: 'And it was from week one that people were suggesting there was something there, I dont know. It's been consistent and Saturday night I really felt it was just weird, wasnt it? I'd never really been spoken to like that. She really relished in it' A spokesperson for Strictly Come Dancing told MailOnline: 'It is categorically untrue to imply that producers tell the judges how to score or who to save. 'Each judge votes on each dance independently, based on its merits and in their expert opinion alone. 'The Judges use an electronic voting pad to transmit their score or choice of who to save to the production gallery which is then locked in and cannot be changed. 'Only after this does a producer speak to the judges, advising them on how long they have to speak and reminding them to give a reason for their decisions. The process was exactly the same this weekend.' Vick's departure from the BBC Ballroom comes to the shock of viewers with former pros blaming her dance partner Graziano for her axing. Waltz on: The Newcastle native then claimed that producers were drafted in to talk to the judges before they gave their final decisions on who to save following the dance-off Former Strictly pro James Jordan, who left the series in 2013 after seven years, claimed that she would have gone further if she had a different dance partner. Taking to Twitter to discuss the result, he wrote: 'Shame, because with the right pro Vick could have been a potential winner. She has so much natural talent. 'Just to clarify Shirley 100% made the right decision in the dance off. However, Vick had the potential to be outstanding but thats not the point.' Disappointment: Her departure from the BBC Ballroom comes to the shock of viewers with many blaming Vick's dance partner Graziano Di Prima, 24, for her axing During Saturday night's show, he initially weighed in on dance and blasted Graziano's choreography and championed troupe member Neil Jones. He wrote: 'Vickie OMG!!!! She could be so good! I honestly cant tell which ones the pro..... it was so bad!!!! Off time again! Dancing on "1" at times..... OFF TIME! 'Cant score a dance thats off time.... and @Mr_NJones is a back up dancer.' James' wife, Ola, who appeared on the show from 2006 to 2015, reiterated her other half's sentiments. Blast: Former Strictly pro James Jordan, who left the series in 2013 after seven years, claimed that she would have gone further if she had a different dance partner Support: During Saturday night's show, he initially weighed in on dance and blasted Graziano's choreography and championed troupe member Neil Jones (Pictured in 2013) Sharing: James' wife, Ola, who appeared on the show from 2006 to 2015, reiterated her other half's sentiments She said: 'I suggest that @Mr_NJones goes to Vicks training room and shows her how to cha cha cha.' The furore comes as Seann Walsh and Katya Jones survived a dramatic dance-off on Strictly on Sunday night. The judges were unable to make a unanimous decision, leading to head judge Shirley Ballas to make the final call to send the Capital presenter and professional dancer newcomer. Comedian Seann, 32, and his 29-year-old Russian dance partner's shock reprieve comes just two weeks after pictures emerged of the pair passionately kissing on a London street - despite them both being in serious relationships at the time. Shock reprieve: Seann Walsh and Katya Jones survived a dramatic dance-off on Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday night On Saturday night, Seann and Katya found themselves in the bottom three on the leaderboard after failing to impress with their Quickstep to Lightning Bolt by Jake Bugg. Gaining just 24 points out of 40, the pair faced elimination as they prepared to take part in the dance-off against Capital DJ host Vick, 28, who scored 20 with her Cha Cha to More Than Friends. After both couples danced, the judges delivered their all important verdicts, with Craig kick-starting the vote by picking Vick and Graziano to save. Out: The judges were unable to make a unanimous decision, leading to head judge Shirley Ballas to make the final call to send Vick Hope and Graziano Di Prima home Scandal: Comedian Seann, 32, and his 29-year-old dance partner's shock reprieve comes just two weeks after pictures emerged of the pair passionately kissing on a London street 'Both dances were very different but both couples I thought need technique as well, but the couple I thought, for me on the night, Vick and Graziano,' he said. Meanwhile, Darcey Bussell chose to save Seann and Katya, saying the pair did a 'cleaner performance' and had improved since their dance on Saturday night. Guest judge, Alfonso Ribeiro, who was standing in for Bruno for one week, also chose to save the Mock The Week star. As their status in the show hung in the balance, Head Judge Shirley Ballas had the casting vote and sent them sailing through to next week. Suspense: Gaining just 24 points out of 40, the pair faced elimination as they prepared to take part in the dance-off against Capital DJ host Vick, 28, who scored 20 with her Cha Cha Bad timing: On Saturday night, Seann and Katya found themselves in the bottom three on the leaderboard after failing to impress with their Quickstep to Lightning Bolt by Jake Bugg Shirley said: 'Well I thought both couples put their best foot forward this evening, but due to the performance I enjoyed the most I am going to save Seann and Katya.' Show watchers were left furious over the result and argued that regardless of the kiss scandal, Katya and Seann had the weaker dance. One person said: 'As if the judges saved Sean and Katya over vick and graziano wtf #Strictly.' A different user put: 'Poor Vick and Graziano! They had more potential than Seann and Katya #Strictly. Improvement: Darcey Bussell chose to save Seann and Katya, saying the pair did a 'cleaner performance' and had improved since their dance on Saturday night She has the power: As their status in the show hung in the balance, Head Judge Shirley Ballas had the casting vote and sent them sailing through to next week Another show watcher commented: 'Woooooooow. Controversial decision.... I personally thought Seann & Katya were worse and Vick had much left to give. #Strictly.' While a different fan added: 'Seann and Katya. Sorry but ridiculous. Vick wasn't great but Seann's dance was awful. #Strictly.' On Saturday night, some viewers accused the show and the duo of using a guitar as a prop to keep them apart during the performance. The pair have brushed aside their cheating scandal since returning to the dance floor after they were caughtlocking lips in a drunken clinch earlier this month. Cheat: Katya and Seann have been the talk of Strictly after they were caught in an boozy clinch earlier this month with Katya's husband Neil (circled) maintaining a dignified silence The images, which emerged two weeks ago, led to the demise of Seann's long-term relationship with Rebecca Humphries and added strain onto Katya's marriage to Neil. Both parties have publicly apologised for the hurt they caused when they shared that secret kiss. Rebecca publicly dumped Seann in a lengthy social media statement, heaping further condemnation on the comic by revealing his passionate kiss with Katya happened on her birthday, while she sat alone in their London flat. Awkward: On Saturday night, some viewers accused the show and the duo of using the guitar prop to keep them apart during the performance Reflecting on his separation from his five-year girlfriend, he said on It Takes Two: 'I made a mistake, which Im very sorry for - sorry for the hurt that Ive caused. You never think about the extent of the damage that youre going to do, in a moment of, you know the mistake that youve made. 'Im not perfect, far from it. Our relationship wasnt perfect. That doesnt mean I wanted it to end the way it finally did, and Im very sorry for that. 'I feel its also important for me to say that the people that know me the most, that love me, they know that I am not the person Im being portrayed as. Im still sorry for what I did, but its very important for me to get that out there.' Carefully chosen prop: The funnyman,and Russian dancer decided to do a Quickstep to Lightning Bolt by Jake Bugg as their chosen routine After finding out they had survived another week, the pair looked thrilled as they hugged. Meanwhile, Vick looked devastated as she told Tess Daly said: 'I've loved it. I've had the time of my life so I want to thank everyone for being the best possible people I could spend all this time with. 'What an incredible team; the hair, the make-up, the clothes. Thank you for all of your guidance and the judging I appreciate it and of course, thank you Graz, you've been so patient with me and helped me so much, I've loved every last second of it so thank you.' Graziano added: 'You did brilliantly and you are brilliant, thank you. You really make me proud day by day.' Jonathan Cheban is walking in the footsteps of his best friend Kim Kardashian. On Monday the reality TV star revealed on Instagram he has purchased a $400,000 Rolls-Royce convertible in a cool moonlight blue color. In the social media clip, the vehicle can be seen coming out of a moving truck as the Celebrity Big Brother star says, 'It's finally here.' Money man: Jonathan Cheban is walking in the footsteps of his best friend Kim Kardashian. On Monday the reality TV star revealed on Instagram he has purchased a $400,000 Rolls-Royce convertible. Seen last week in LA Posh wheels: In the social media clip, the vehicle can be seen coming out of a moving truck as the Celebrity Big Brother star says, 'It's finally here' Kim has owned several Rolls-Royces in the past, though her latest car is a Mercedes=Benz G-wagen. Jonathan has been seen many times before in other people's Rolls-Royce's, but this is the first time he has owened one of his own. The star may have gotten a raise from his main show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, or his brand FoodGod may have taken off. Pals 4ever: The FoodGod also shared a sweet tribute to his best friend Kim Kardashian as she turned 38-years-old on Sunday Either way, he seems to be doing quite well financially. This comes after he paid a sweet tribute to Kardashian as she turned 38-years-old on Sunday. His tribute read: 'Happy Birthday legend @kimkardashian .. too much to write about how f***ing perfect you are as a friend a mother and a wife so I wont! As long as we all know its good enough for me!! Love you to death!! Best friends forever. Literally oh and that.' The two have been close for over a decade as he gave her publicity advice when KUWTK first starting airing. He has been at her wedding to Kanye West, her birthdays and he has serves as uncle to her three kids North, Saint and Chicago. This comes after he hit the Drake concert in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening. This could be seen as a betrayal as Kardashian and her husband Kanye West are not happy with the rapper after he insinuated he had slept with the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star with his song In My Feelings. The hit tune included the line, 'Kiki do you love me?' Kiki is Kim's nickname. Bad boy of rap? Drake is currently feuding with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian The way they were: In 2015 Kanye and Drake were seen with Kenny Burns in Atlanta Kim has denied she ever dated Drake. In September she said, 'Never happened.' Later Kanye said on a radio show that he didn't think it was right that Drake dropped a song hinting he had been in bed with Kim. Drake and Kanye have been feuding for years. On Tuesday, Jonathan looked stylish as he had dinner at Craig's in West Hollywood then headed to the Drake concert in Inglewood. She made a style splash at the Princess Eugenie's wedding when she donned a tailored Emporio Armani tails and top hat. Following her fashion moment, Cara Delevingne was back to her old sartorial tricks as she joined pal Rita Ora on Tuesday for the launch of Rimmel's new #IWILLNOTBEDELETED campaign at London's Mondrian Hotel. The 26-year-old model appeared in jovial spirits as she caught up with the British songstress as they kicked-off the global initiative to combat the growing issue of beauty cyberbullying. Catching up: Cara Delevingne was back to her old sartorial tricks as she joined pal Rita Ora on Tuesday for the launch of Rimmel's new #IWILLNOTBEDELETED campaign at London's Mondrian Hotel Cara donned a vibrant red semi-sheer blouse with a pair of black trousers for the occasion. The model-turned-actress complemented her grungy look with a chic leather jacket and statement boots while she posed with Rita. The Suicide Squad star worked her chin-length locks into a tousled style and sported a grey smokey eye. Offsetting Cara's rock chick look, Rita donned a statement colour blocked blazer with over-the-top shoulder pads. Chit chat: The 26-year-old model appeared in jovial spirits as she caught up with the British songstress as they kicked-off the global initiative to combat the growing issue of beauty cyberbullying Rock chick: Cara donned a vibrant red semi-sheer blouse with a pair of black trousers for the occasion Rita teamed her kooky jacket with a pair of oversized teal culottes and sky-high black heels. Slicking her peroxide blonde locks back, she completed her high-fashion look with a gold necklace and matching earrings. Cara has returned to her every day life following her exhilarating weekend at Princess Eugenie's much-talked about royal wedding to Jack Brooksbank. The blonde joined forces with fellow supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell at the glittering occasion hosted at Windsor Castle. Making a statement: Offsetting Cara's rock chick look, Rita donned a statement colour blocked blazer with over-the-top shoulder pads Work it: Rita teamed her kooky jacket with a pair of oversized teal culottes and sky-high black heels For months, the Suicide Squad star has been rumoured to be dating Pretty Little Liars star Ashley Benson. In April earlier this year, the couple were first spotted holding hands together during a late night in New York City. The lovebirds were also seen sharing a steamy smooch at London's Heathrow airport back in August. Charlotte Riley has revealed she won't be returning to BBC series Peaky Blinders for its fifth series. The actress, 36, gushed over her role as horse trainer May Carleton as she admitted she would 'go back in a heartbeat because I just love it so much.' Filming for the hotly-anticipated show kicked off earlier this month, with the crime drama set to return to the small screen in 2009. She's gone: Charlotte Riley has revealed she won't be returning to BBC series Peaky Blinders for its fifth series On the show, Charlotte, who is reportedly expecting her second child with husband Tom Hardy, embarked on romance with Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) in the second series, before reuniting with the gangster in season four after years apart. In an interview with Digital Spy, the Easy Virtue star shared details on her departure and revealed she would 'love' to make a comeback in a potential sixth series, as well as a movie edition. Charlotte explained: 'I wonder if they'll ever do a film of it? That would be quite good. There were rumours, but I don't know if any of them are true. 'I suppose, what would you gain from making it only 90 minutes long? That's kind of the argument in a nutshell, isn't it, of why people do long-form TV?', she added. Departure: The actress, 36, gushed over her role as horse trainer May Carleton as she admitted she would 'go back in a heartbeat because I just love it so much' (pictured with co-star Cillian Murphy) Charlotte is set to appear on six-part series Dark Heart later this month, where she will reprise her role as Juliette Wagstaffe. Meanwhile, the brunette is reportedly expecting her second child with husband Tom, 41. The couple have allegedly moved to the countryside after being 'distressed' by a female stalker. Pregnant: Meanwhile, the brunette is reportedly expecting her second child with husband Tom Hardy (pictured on July 4) A source told The Sun that the pair left their former home in south west London after being persistently contacted by a fan. The Mail On Sunday recently reported that Tom and Charlotte were looking for a new home to house their expanding brood. The source said: 'Tom is living his new life in the country and has been seen dog-walking every morning. He feels it's the perfect place for him and Charlotte to bring up their new baby.' The couple have been married since July 2014, and welcomed a child together in October 2015. She's brought Hollywood prestige to The Sunday Project with a series of exclusive interviews. But Lisa Wilkson's access to the A-list has reportedly 'irritated' executives at rival networks which have shows in the same time-slot, such as 60 Minutes and Sunday Night, The Daily Telegraph claims. The paper alleges that an unnamed TV executive called the 58-year-old's access to highly-sought interviews 'laughable'. 'What is the point when no one is watching?' Rival networks 'irritated' that Lisa Wilkinson is landing A-list interviews on The Sunday Project 'It is laughable that managers and brands are going with The Sunday Project when their ratings are so low,' the anonymous executive is claimed to have said. The unnamed TV source added: 'It seems like a waste of time. 'They are obviously going with that show because of the Lisa factor, and she has been going very soft on the talent but what is the point when no one it watching.' A Channel Nine spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday: '60 Minutes declines advertorial opportunities where no editorial control is given - something that 60 Minutes does not compromise on in the name of honest, quality journalism. 'For 40 years now, 60 Minutes has covered the biggest names from Australia and abroad, and in 2018 featured exclusives with Robbie Williams, Stormy Daniels and Ben Simmons to name a few. '60 Minutes strives to cover the biggest stories which matter to Australians, and in many instances led to breakthroughs in criminal cases, or affected change in a positive way.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for comment. Issues? Lisa Wilkson's access to the A-list has 'irritated' shows at rival networks on in the same time-slot, such as 60 Minutes and Sunday Night, The Daily Telegraph claims. Lisa is pictured with Bradley Cooper (left) on The Project Claims: 'It is laughable that managers and brands are going with The Sunday Project when their ratings are so low,' the anonymous executive is claimed to have said. Lisa is pictured with Jane Fonda (right) on The Project Travel: Lisa made her debut on the panel show in February and has scored a series of impressive interviews, often jetting overseas for the assignments In September, the Financial Review reported that ratings for The Sunday Project had halved since Lisa Wilkinson took over as host in January. Ratings recently reached as low as 281,500 viewers, with The Sunday Project regularly failing to make it into the top ten most-watched programs on Sundays. In October last year, Lisa abruptly departed the Today show, to join Channel Ten's The Project, making the announcement on Twitter. Tell-all: This year the journalist has sat down to two exclusive with controversial Bachelor Nick Cummins (right) An official statement from the Nine Network explained it was 'unable to meet her expectations' after the TV host was alleged to have demanded equal pay with co-host Karl Stefanovic. Lisa reportedly secured a $2.3 million salary to front The Sunday Project on weekends and helm the new digital site Ten Daily for Channel 10. She made her debut on the panel show in February and has scored a series of impressive interviews, often jetting overseas for the assignments. A-list interviewees: Lisa scored a candid interview with David Beckham (pictured) this week Easy going? However Lisa's interview with Serena Williams (pictured) on The Sunday Project in September garnered criticism from viewers at home for being too 'weak' This year the journalist has sat down with stars including with Serena Williams, Bradley Cooper, and David Beckham, and two exclusive with controversial Bachelor Nick Cummins. However Lisa's interview with Serena Williams on The Sunday Project in September garnered criticism from viewers at home. Fans took to Facebook to criticise Lisa for avoiding the tough questions relating to Serena's behaviour at the US Open, branding the interview 'weak journalism'. Gig: Lisa reportedly secured a $2.3 million salary to front The Sunday Project on weekends and helm the new digital site Ten Daily for Channel 10 She announced she was expecting her first child yesterday by digitally pasting her face onto an image of Meghan Markle. And in true Amy Schumer fashion, the actress, 37, confirmed her pregnancy by joking about the child's paternity and revealing she sees the Duchess Of Sussex as her rival. 'Chris and I are thrilled and almost positive he's the father,' Amy said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. 'I look forward to competing with Markle every step of the way.' Big news: In true Amy Schumer fashion, the actress confirmed her pregnancy by joking about the child's paternity and revealing she sees the Duchess Of Sussex as her rival (pictured June 2018 with husband Chris Fischer) Since the big reveal, Amy has been documenting her pregnancy in candid fashion on Instagram. The I Feel Pretty actress appeared to be suffering from morning sickness as she posted a topless snap of herself bent over the toilet on Tuesday. 'Today Markle is in Figi #same,' she wrote, adding, 'milf alert.' She also posted a photo of her husband sitting at his desk along with the message, 'find tats.' 'Milf alert': The I Feel Pretty actress appeared to be suffering from morning sickness as she posted a topless snap of herself bent over the toilet on Tuesday Hard at work: She also posted a photo of her husband sitting at his desk along with the message, 'find tats Mom-to-be: Amy announced Monday she and her husband Chris Fishcer are expecting their first child together Amy announced Monday she and her husband Chris Fishcer are expecting their first child together. The comic shared a picture of pregnant royals Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, digitally replacing their faces with those of herself and husband Chris Fishcer. Her caption told fans to visit the Instagram page of political journalist Jessica Yellin, where the announcement was made, amid campaigning for the midterm elections. The original: Amy chose this shot of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to share her good news 'I wanted to share some news from our community, maybe it's noise but it's happy noise,' Yellin said. 'So I'm not in the business of making voting recommendations, but these are the recommendations of Amy Schumer, one of the most consistent and earliest supporters of News Not Noise. 'Now read all the way to the bottom, you'll see there's some news down there. Congratulations, Amy.' Big news: Amid campaigning for the midterms, political journalist Jessica Yellin announced Amy's news, but fans will be wondering if it is another stunt by the actress Baby scoop: Yellin revealed Schumer's pregnancy on her Instagram page At the end of Shumer's list of voting reccomendations, it states 'I'm pregnant - Amy Schumer.' However fans will be left wondering if the talented actress' good news is genuine, after a pregnancy 'announcement' earlier this year turned out to be a simple promotional stunt. Back in July the newlywed I Feel Pretty star posed in a silky red dress with her hands around her stomach area, seemingly in the classic pregnancy pose. Her caption read: '@leesaevansstyle and i are cookin somethin Up.' Her followers rushed to congratulate her on the good news. Happy news: Schumer is seen on August 8 in New York Crying wolf? Back in July Amy's 'pregnancy announcement' turned out to be a promotional stunt for her new clothing range But later the Snatched star laughed as she claimed the post was simply meant to tease her new clothing line with stylist Leesa Evans, which includes plus sizes. In a clip she posted online, Amy was sitting in a bar. 'I am not pregnant, I am ... not pregnant, um, I'm sorry - my hands, friends said my hands were near, it looked like I was pointing to a bump or something but I am not.' The close friend of Jennifer Lawrence added: 'Lisa and I have created a clothing line and for all sizes and shapes and, um, at a chill price point. Um, that's what I was trying to allude to but thank you for thinking of my womb.' Eddie Redmayne was seen wearing a medical boot as he walked in London's Mayfair on Monday, after suffering a mystery injury. The Oscar-winning actor, 36, looked deep in thought as he stepped out with the plastic boot on his right foot. The Theory Of Everything star was clad in a red, blue and white checked flannel coat, paired with slim fit jeans for his outing in the capital. Mystery:Eddie Redmayne was seen wearing a medical boot as he walked in London's Mayfair on Monday, after suffering a mystery injury Keeping his look casual cool, he wore a vintage white trainer with white and red stripes as he tentatively made his way down the street. Medical walking boots are typically used to protect the foot and ankle after an injury or surgery. MailOnline has contacted representatives for the star for comment. The star is gearing up to reprise his role as Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald. The sequel by English director David Yates, 55, is scheduled for release on November 16. Outing: The Oscar-winning actor, 36, looked deep in thought as he stepped out with the plastic boot on his right foot The film follows Newt and Albus as they try to apprehend fugitive Grindelwald. It's a sequel to the 2016 fantasy film Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them that earned $814 million worldwide. The Fantastic Beasts franchise is a spin-off off the wildly popular Harry Potter film series and both films were written by British author J.K. Rowling, 53, who penned the Potter books. The star is married to Hannah Bagshawe, with the pair starting their romantic relationship in 2012, after previously being friends since their school days. Mystery injury:The Theory Of Everything star was clad in a red, blue and white checked flannel coat, paired with slim fit jeans for his outing in the capital Acclaimed actor: It is unknown how Eddie injured himself and MailOnline has contacted representatives for the star for comment They first met when Eddie was studying at Eton College, while Hannah was boarding at a nearby girls' school. However their friendship turned to romance when Eddie invited her to visit him in Italy while he was filming Les Miserables. Eddie and Hannah, who welcomed their first child Iris Mary in June 2016, wed in Babington House in Somerset just before Christmas 2014. Their second child, son Luke, was born in March 2018. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- China's vehicle outputs and sales in September amounted to 2,356,200 units and 2,394,100 units respectively, evidently dropping 11.71% and 11.55% compared with the performances a year ago, according to the data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). Gasgoo hereby summarized the sales data released by corresponding automakers. Five out of 10 Chinese automakers on the table suffered year-on-year (YoY) sales drop in September. The sales leader SAIC Motor encountered its first YoY decrease in monthly sales so far this year. Besides, Dongfeng Motor Group, Changan Automobile, Great Wall Motor and JAC Motors were all affected by the overall negative auto sales climate. SAIC Motor SAIC Motor reported a YoY drop of 8.2% in sales with 610,734 vehicles delivered in September. For the first nine months, the automaker delivered 5,146,556 vehicles in total, a YoY increase of 6.7%. The top 3 subsidiaries by September sales were SAIC Volkswagen, SAIC-GM and SAIC-GM-Wuling. The sales of all three subsidiaries were less than that of the same month a year ago. However, this was not a unique phenomenon for the top 3, in fact, except SAIC Motor PV and SAIC-CP, the other subsidiaries' sales in September all came across YoY decline. Thanks to the popularity of the Roewe and the MG, SAIC Motor PV's monthly sales kept rising with 52,006 units handed over in September despite the overall decline trend. The deliveries of the MG-branded cars soared 64% over a year ago to 20,205 last month and aggregated nearly 180,000 units for the first nine months. Dongfeng Motor Group Dongfeng Motor Group Company Limited (Dongfeng Motor Group) reported a YoY drop of 14.65% in sales with 271,134 vehicles delivered in September. For the first three quarters, the group's year-to-date (YTD) sales fell 3.47% from a year ago to 2,194,320 units. Dongfeng Motor Company Limited (DFL) gained a YoY increase of 8.09% with 1,084,898 units handed over from January to September. Apart from Dongfeng Infiniti, the other units under DFL all achieved positive YoY growth in YTD sales. Although Dongfeng Venucia's sales in September slumped 31.09% from the previous year, its Jan-to-Sept sales still represented a YoY growth of 3.42% thanks to the favorable performances in the previous months. Besides, Zhengzhou Nissan had double-digit YoY growth in both September sales and YTD sales. Three major joint ventures, namely, Dongfeng Honda, Dongfeng Renault and Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile (DPCA), all suffered YoY decline in terms of cumulative sales this year. Dongfeng Honda's sales in September climbed 4.52% from a year earlier. However, two Sino-French joint ventures, Dongfen Renault and DPCA saw their September sales plunge up to 61.44% and 56.23% from the previous year. GAC Group GAC Group posted a YoY growth of 5.84% in sales with 198,034 vehicles delivered in September, the automaker reported recently. From January to September, the group delivered 1,558,105 vehicles in total, achieving a YoY increase of 6.24%. As to the performances of subsidiaries, apart from GAC Honda and GAC Toyota, the other subsidiaries all suffered YoY decline in September sales. However, as to YTD sales, most firms attained positive growth except GAC FCA and Honda Automobile (China) Co.,Ltd. GAC Motor saw its sales fall 6.0% from a year earlier to 43,427 units last month, while climbed 4.88% over a year ago to 394,592 units for the first nine months. GAC Honda gained a YoY increase of 3.8% with 69,660 vehicles handed over in September. Besides, GAC Toyota's deliveries in September soared 48.4% over the year-ago period to 60,808 units, completing 72.7% of the updated sales goal. Changan Automobile Changan Automobile reported on October 9 a YoY sales drop of 32.4% with a total of 177,284 vehicles delivered in September, while the sales were 32.1% more than that of the previous month. For the first nine months, the automaker saw its cumulative sales fall 19.9% YoY to 1,647,616 units. The sales of Changan-branded vehicles recorded the best performance in the third quarter to 121,333 units, jumping 36% month on month (MoM), while still less than the performance of the same period last year. Among that, Changan-branded PVs (passenger vehicle) had sales of 80,188 units last month, a remarkable MoM growth of 50%. From January to September, Changan Ford delivered 308,597 vehicles in total with a YoY decrease of 46%. It is reported that Ford Motor has faced losses in markets of South America, Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific, thus plans to lay off employees around global market. In addition, Changan Mazda saw its sales in September shrink 19.3% over the year-ago period to 15,546 units. For the first three quarters, the joint venture's sales totaled 128,494 units, declining 6% YoY. Geely Geely announced a YoY growth of 14% in sales with 124,429 vehicles delivered (including the Lynk & Co brand) in September. Among that, 10,468 units were NEVs and electrified vehicles. For the first nine months, the automaker's deliveries totaled 1,136,858 units, surging 37% YoY and completing 72% of the 1.58 million-unit sales goal. The Geely Boyue still remained its leadership among the automaker's SUV products. Its sales totaled 198,801 units during the previous three quarters, up by 2.1% YoY. The Geely Emgrand GS urban crossover SUV saw its sales drop 4.4% YoY to 13,388 units in September, while surged 25.3% YoY for the first nine months. The Lynk & Co brand boasted a new high sales volume of 14,875 units last month, up by 8.8% compared with the August. The sales of the Lynk & Co 01 and 02 were 9,309 units and 5,566 units respectively. For the first three quarters, the brand's YTD sales amounted to 87,101 units in total. Great Wall Motor Great Wall Motor reported a YoY drop of 15.01% in sales with 86,723 vehicles delivered in September. For the first nine months, the automaker saw its YTD sales fall 4.09% from a year earlier to 676,668 units with 58.33% of sales target (1.16 million units) completed so far. Last month, its SUV deliveries totaled 72,206 units, jumping 35.98% MoM, while declining 19.56% YoY. The Haval SUV brand delivered 61,610 vehicles with an MoM leap of 43.53%. The sales of the hottest seller Haval H6 jumped to 35,499 units from 26,697 units in August, while compared with the same period a year ago, it still faced a decrease of 21.39%. In addition, WEY sales reached 10,596 units, maintaining the growing momentum from the 10,174 units in August. The WEY VV6 intelligent SUV, hitting the market in late August, had a sales volume of 3,002 units last month, thus somewhat counteracted the MoM decline from the VV7 and VV5. The WEY P8 plug-in hybrid SUV, with 415 units sold in September, remained steady in monthly sales. Chery Holding Chery Holding posted a remarkable YoY growth of 28.1% in sales with a total of 66,736 vehicles delivered in September, achieving positive increase for 7 consecutive months. Last month, the group had an export volume of 7,735 vehicles and saw its NEV sales skyrocket 249.1% from a year ago to 10,033 units. For the first nine months, Chery Holding witnessed its cumulative deliveries jump 15.4% over a year earlier to 528,811 units, among which 98,513 vehicles were exported to overseas markets, a YoY jump of 23.1%, and 59,679 units were NEVs with an amazing YoY growth of 233.9%. BYD BYD said its sales reached 47,913 units in September and totaled 351,571 units for the first nine months. Its PV sales jumped 38% year on year (YoY) to 45,029 units among which 25,019 units were new energy PVs, a remarkable YoY jump of 121%. The sales of BYD's new energy PVs rose from 18,203 units in July to 25,019 units in September. For the first three quarters, the automaker saw its NEV sales aggregate 143,418 units, accounting for 40.79% of the total YTD sales. With regard to the sales in September of each model, the sales of the all-new BYD Tang SUV amounted to 10,435 units and orders for the model has by far exceeded 35,000 units. The sales of the BYD Song MAX MPV reached 10,009 units, outnumbering 10,000 units for 11 consecutive months. The all-new BYD Song compact SUV and the Yuan EV360 SUV had sales of 6,303 units and 5,008 units respectively. Additionally, the deliveries of the BYD Qin and Qin pro totaled 6,076 units. JAC Motors JAC Motor's September vehicle sales dropped 16.14% YoY to 34,717 units, reaching a new low within the past three months. Its SUV sales were only 5,815 units, a sharp YoY decrease of 43.20%. The automaker's cumulative sales from January to September chalked up 361,559 units with a YoY decline of 5.53%. To be specific, the sales of SUVs and MPVs amounted to 73,030 units and 45,808 units, shrinking 19.34% and 4.2% respectively compared with a year ago. Many CV segments came across evident YoY drop as well. The sales of the medium-duty trucks and heavy-duty trucks presented YoY fall of 31.21% and 18.51%. A total of 37,767 all-electric passenger vehicles were delivered for the first nine months for JAC Motors, showing a YoY leap of 115.87%. As EV startup NIO's contract manufacturer, the Hefei-based automaker has initiated the production of NIO's first model the ES8, which has already been delivered to consumers. The SOL E20X all-electric passenger vehicle jointly developed by JAC Motors and Volkswagen rolled off the production line in April. 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 Golden Globe nominee Ryan Reynolds got political on his 42nd birthday on Tuesday by mailing in his absentee ballot alongside his wife of six years, Blake Lively. The Deadpool 2 action star holds dual citizenship in the US and his native Canada, thanks to his marriages to American actresses Blake and Scarlett Johansson. The Aviation Gin owner - who boasts 41.4M social media followers - gushed: 'What a birthday! I just smoked a huge bowl of early voting. #JustVoted @whenweallvote.' '#JustVoted!' Golden Globe nominee Ryan Reynolds got political on his 42nd birthday on Tuesday by mailing in his absentee ballot alongside his wife of six years, Blake Lively 'What a birthday!' The Deadpool 2 action star holds dual citizenship in the US and his native Canada, thanks to his marriages to American actresses Blake and Scarlett Johansson The 31-year-old LA native called Ryan '2018's Sexiest Voter Alive' and she Insta-storied a blooper captioned: 'Damn balloon. Tryin' to overshadow our birthday voting limelight!' On Monday night, Reynolds shared a childhood birthday snap beside his late father Jim, who died age 74 in 2015 from Parkinson's Disease. 'Happy Birthday to me,' the Kwantlen Polytechnic University drop-out wrote, 'Or as Dad used to affectionately say, "the condom broke."' The 31-year-old LA native called Ryan '2018's Sexiest Voter Alive' and she Insta-storied a blooper captioned: 'Damn balloon. Tryin' to overshadow our birthday voting limelight!' 'Happy birthday to me. Or as Dad used to affectionately say, "the condom broke"': On Monday night, the Aviation Gin owner shared a childhood birthday snap beside his late father Jim, who died age 74 in 2015 from Parkinson's Disease Ryan also got a Twitter shout-out from Hugh Jackman, who wrote: 'Because I'm told that I AM THE NICEST GUY and you're NOT...I will let you hug me. Just this once. On your birthday' Co-stars: Reynolds and the 50-year-old Australian famously acted opposite each other in X-Men Origins: Wolverine back in 2009 as Logan/Wolverine and Wade Wilson, respectively Ryan also got a Twitter shout-out from Oscar nominee Hugh Jackman, who wrote: 'Because I'm told that I AM THE NICEST GUY and you're NOT...I will let you hug me. Just this once. On your birthday.' Reynolds and the 50-year-old Australian famously acted opposite each other in X-Men Origins: Wolverine back in 2009 as mutant Logan/Wolverine and wisecracking mercenary Wade Wilson, respectively. The Green Lantern co-stars - who originally met in 2010 - will likely also spend time on his special day with their beloved daughters James, 3; and Ines, 2. Privileged princesses: The Green Lantern co-stars - who originally met in 2010 - will likely also spend time on his special day with their beloved daughters James, 3; and Ines, 2 (pictured September 25 in Paris) 'Tight squeeze shooting in this car': The Kwantlen Polytechnic University drop-out has been hard at work as 'One' on the set of Michael Bay's $150M-budget action flick Six Underground, which starts streaming next year on Netflix (pictured September 18 in Florence) The 6ft2in heartthrob has been hard at work as 'One' on the set of Michael Bay's $150M-budget action flick Six Underground, which starts streaming next year on Netflix. There's a strong chance both Ryan and Blake will attend the 44th annual People's Choice Awards happening November 11 in Santa Monica's Barker Hangar. Reynolds will compete for the action movie star trophy while Lively will compete for the style star trophy at the fan-voted ceremony broadcast on E! Date night? There's a strong chance both Ryan and Blake will attend the 44th annual People's Choice Awards happening November 11 in Santa Monica's Barker Hangar They were saved by judges following a dramatic dance-off against Vick Hope and Graziano Di Prima on Sunday's edition of Strictly Come Dancing. And Seann Walsh and Katya Jones are expected to set pulses racing with a romantic Viennese Waltz to Screamin Jay Hawkins' track I Put A Spell On You for Halloween week on Saturday. Comedian Seann, 32, and professional dancer Katya, 29, were recently met with backlash as they were pictured passionately kissing on a night out, despite them both being in serious relationships at the time. Setting pulses racing: Seann Walsh and Katya Jones are expected to perform the Viennese Waltz to Screamin Jay Hawkins' track I Put A Spell On You for Halloween week on Saturday's edition of Strictly Come Dancing The pair's upcoming performance dispels claims of producers' attempts to avoid assigning the pair with a racy dance, as they're set to take to the stage to the lyrics: 'I love you, I don't care if you don't want me, I'm yours right now.' The Viennese Waltz is a genre of ballroom which sees two people spin around the dancefloor, and is commonly recognised as one of the more romantic versions of the Waltz. At the top of the leader board from last week, Danny John-Jules and Amy Dowden will follow up their jive with an American smooth to Spirit In The Sky, while favourites Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev will take on the Charleston. Saved: The comedian, 32, and Russian pro, 29, were saved by judges following a dramatic dance-off on Sunday's edition of Strictly Come Dancing Scandal: The pair were recently met with backlash as they were pictured passionately kissing on a night out, despite them both being in serious relationships at the time While BBC producers were accused of ruling out 'sexy' dances for the pair in wake of the kiss scandal, Seann and Katya have since performed the Quickstep and Charleston. I Put A Spell On You by Screamin Jay Hawkins - Lyrics Uuuuu spell, Uuuuu spell..... I put a spell on you Because you're mine Stop the things you do Watch out I ain't lyin', yeah I can't stand No runnin' around I can't stand I can't stand No put me down I put a spell on you Because you're mine (oh yeah) Stop the things you do Watch out, Watch out I ain't lyin' I love you I love you I love you, yeah... I don't care if you don't want me I'm yours right now I put a spell on you Because you're mine Advertisement On last week's edition of Strictly Come Dancing, fans accused the show of using a guitar to keep Seann and Katya apart during their Quickstep routine - gaining just 24 points out of 40. During a previous performance, the pair wowed the judges with a Matrix-themed Paso Doble during Movie Week. Many fans were adamant that Seann and Katya would be eliminated after their drunken night out earlier this month. The highly-publicised scandal with Katya, who is currently married to fellow dancer Neil Jones, led to Seann's split from former girlfriend Rebecca Humphries. On Strictly's sister show It Takes Two, the Russian pro apologised to 'everyone it hurt and involved', but said she and husband Neil were 'absolutely fine'. This comes after axed contestant Vick, 29, claimed head judge Shirley Ballas 'relished' in criticising her and dance partner Graziano, 24, routines in a no holds barred interview on Capital Breakfast on Monday. The broadcaster was sensationally booted off the BBC ballroom stalwart after head judge Shirley was given the deciding vote and opted to save Seann and Katya for another week. Since her shock departure, Vick has said that the ballroom expert was to rude to her and claimed that judges; Shirley, Darcy Bussell, Craig Revel Horwood and Alfonso Ribeiro spoke to producers before making their final decision. Vick then claimed that producers were drafted in to talk to the judges before they gave their final decisions on who to save following the dance-off. Competition: Seann and Katya were sent through to the next round, sending TV presenter Vick Hope and Graziano Di Prima home Toning it down: While BBC producers were accused of ruling out 'sexy' dances for the pair in wake of the kiss scandal, they have since performed the Quickstep and Charleston (pictured on October 13) Romance life: Russian pro dancer is currently married to fellow dancer Neil Jones Break-up: The highly-publicised scandal led to Seann's split from former girlfriend Rebecca Humphries Apology: On Strictly's sister show It Takes Two, Katya apologised to 'everyone it hurt and involved', but said she and husband Neil were 'absolutely fine' A spokesperson for Strictly Come Dancing told MailOnline: 'It is categorically untrue to imply that producers tell the judges how to score or who to save. 'Each judge votes on each dance independently, based on its merits and in their expert opinion alone. 'The Judges use an electronic voting pad to transmit their score or choice of who to save to the production gallery which is then locked in and cannot be changed. 'Only after this does a producer speak to the judges, advising them on how long they have to speak and reminding them to give a reason for their decisions. The process was exactly the same this weekend.' Caitlyn Jenner has given a scathing response to President Donald Trump's controversial memo targeting transgender people. On Sunday, The New York Times reported that the Department of Health and Human Services was circulating a memo proposing that gender be defined as an immutable biological condition determined by a person's sex organs at birth. 'The Trump administration has ferociously attacked my community again. Just as an FYI Mr. President the military is the single largest employer of trans people in the world,' Caitlyn said in a statement given to People. 'This leaked memo is an unacceptable attack on my community. We will not be erased!' 'We will not be erased!' Caitlyn Jenner has given a scathing response to the president's controversial memo Caitlyn announced she would be transitioning into a woman in 2015, and unveiled her new identity to the world on the cover of Vanity Fair. Initially, the reality star supported Donald Trump's administration, given the new president promised to make LGBTQ rights a part of his platforms. But that soured in the months after he took office when he rolled back protections for trans-kids in schools and vowed to ban trans-people from the military. 'I honestly don't know what happened when he got in there,' she told Variety. 'It was extraordinarily disappointing.' The New York Times reported on Sunday that President Trump's administration is attempting to strip transgender people of official recognition by creating a narrow definition of gender as being only male or female and unchangeable once it is determined at birth. The New York Times reported on Sunday that President Trump's administration is attempting to strip transgender people of official recognition by creating a narrow definition of gender as being only male or female and unchangeable once it is determined at birth The Department of Health and Human Services has undertaken an effort across several government departments to establish a legal definition of sex under Title IX, the federal civil rights law that bans discrimination on the basis of sex, the Times said, citing a government memo that it obtained. That definition would be as either male or female, unchangeable, and determined by the genitals a person is born with, the Times reported. Any dispute about one's sex would have to be clarified through genetic testing, according to the Times' account of the memo. Such an interpretation would reverse the expansion of transgender rights that took place under the previous administration of President Barack Obama. Such a move would reverse the expansion of transgender rights that took place under the previous administration of President Barack Obama It would also set back aspirations for tolerance and equality among the estimated 0.7 percent of the population that identifies as transgender. Most transgender people live with a profound sense that the gender assigned to them at birth was wrong and transition to the opposite sex, while others live a non-binary or gender fluid life. A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declined to comment on what she called 'allegedly leaked documents' but cited a ruling by a conservative U.S. district judge as a guide to transgender policy. Ruling on a challenge to one aspect of the Affordable Care Act, U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor in Texas found in 2016 that there was no protection against discrimination on the basis of gender identity. A leading transgender advocate called the government's reported action a 'super aggressive, dismissive, dangerous move.' 'They are saying we don't exist,' said Mara Keisling, director of the National Center for Transgender Rights, in an interview. The Obama administration enacted regulations and followed court rulings that protected transgender people from discrimination, upsetting religious conservatives. The Trump administration has sought to ban transgender people from military service and rescinded guidance to public schools recommending that transgender students be allowed to use the bathroom of their choice. The Department of Health and Human Services is working to establish a legal definition of sex under Title IX, the New York Times reported Title IX is the federal civil rights law that bans discrimination on the basis of sex A draft of the Trump administration memo says gender should be determined 'on a biological basis that is clear, grounded in science, objective and administrable,' the memo says, according to the Times. Medical science seeking to explain what makes people transgender is in its infancy. Psychiatrists no longer consider being transgender a disorder and several U.S. courts have found the Obama interpretation of protecting transgender people against discrimination as sound. But the Trump administration has chosen to abide by the ruling of O'Connor, the Times said. 'The court order remains in full force and effect today and HHS is abiding by it as we continue to review the issue,' Roger Severino, the director of the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services, said in a statement. Lord Sugar has teased what's in store on Wednesday's next instalment of The Apprentice. And it's quite a treat. In a humorous tweet, the business mogul shared a GIF of Karren Brady inspecting a small pair of red leather pants. He captioned the GIF: 'Karren shopping for Claude.' The tweet referenced Karren's fellow-aide, Claude Littner. That's pants: Lord Sugar has teased what's in store on Wednesday's next instalment of The Apprentice. And it's quite a treat Playful: In a humorous tweet, the business mogul shared a GIF of Karren Brady inspecting a small pair of red leather pants This was met with a reply from Claude himself, who uploaded a picture of mannequins in skimpy sportswear. Captioning it, he wrote: 'So thoughtful of Karren! I would like to reciprocate. Which costume should I get for her?' Over on Karren's Twitter, the businesswoman posted the same GIF, explaining it more clearly for her followers. 'It can only be @bbcapprentice. BBC1 tomorrow night 9pm - we're off to the body building expo!!' Risque: This was met with a reply from Claude himself, who uploaded a picture of mannequins in skimpy sportswear Cheeky: 'It can only be @bbcapprentice. BBC1 tomorrow night 9pm - we're off to the body building expo!!' Karren explained over on her own Twitter page Colleagues: The tweet referenced Karren's fellow-aide, Claude Littner This shed a much-clearer light on precisely what she was doing with those pants. In last week's edition, the boys' team failed to win the doughnut task - leading to Frank Brooks facing Lord Sugar, Karren and Claude in the boardroom for the second time in the row, alongside Jasmine Kundra and Tom Bunday. In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, London native Frank claimed project manager Tom should have been evicted from the series instead over his 'lack of direction'. Day job: Karren's own tweet shed a much-clearer light on precisely what she was doing with those pants Fired: Frank Brooks claimed PM Tom Bunday should have been booted off for 'lack of direction' during disastrous doughnut task last week Week Three saw the candidates manufacture and sell upmarket doughnuts to both corporate clients and the public. Frank insisted Tom didn't his lead the team well during the task, and used his history in the boardroom as his justification to put him up for the boot. 'I just think we really lacked direction from our project manager Tom. We needed him to make a decision, and he just wasnt on the ball. You need someone to lead from the forefront, and he just wasnt fast enough with making decisions.' Fuming: In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, London native Frank claimed project manager Tom, 28, (pictured) should have been evicted from the series instead Claims: He hit out saying Tom had a 'lack of direction' during this week's bespoke doughnut challenge 'I think it also sucks that I was in the boardroom for a second time in the running, I think it was part of Toms justification to bring me back', he continued. Frank also placed the blame for the team's failure on sponsorship consultant Jackie Fast - due to her idea on shaping the doughnuts into the letter 'B', which in turn, costed a lot of money. He explained: 'If he didnt bring me back, he should have brought Jackie back. Her idea to shape the bespoke donuts into the letter B was a disaster. It was really frustrating that we didnt get enough money for that back.' Despair: Frank insisted Tom didn't his lead the team well during the task, and used his history in the boardroom as his justification to put him up for the boot Bad news: He joined Jasmine Kundra and Tom Bunday in the boardroom During the task, Frank was dubbed 'snappy' by his fellow candidates, who also claimed he couldn't deal with pressure well. However, the former Boots Dispenser defended his approach: 'When under pressure, I like to think Im good, but its not every day you get up at 2am and wake up to rolling, shaping and frying donuts! 'I think that was the pressure of the morning, it was justified as we were all running around like headless chickens! We just wanted to win, I think thats what the show is all about. Bad times in the boardroom: The senior marketing manager, 27, failed to wow Lord Alan Sugar and his advisers Karren Brady and Claude Littner after being called into the boardroom Not so tasty: Week Three saw the candidates manufacture and sell upmarket doughnuts to both corporate clients and the public 'Our problems could have been ironed out by better direction, but by midway we got into our flow, we started cooking on gas, but its a shame it took so long to get there', he added. This week's edition also saw business magnate Alan, 71, switch the groups around after the candidates were split into the 'Boys' and 'Girls' for he first two weeks. Frank insisted he was a fan of the shake-up, stating: 'Everyone needed to work across teams instead of being comfortable in the same groups.' Speaking on his opinions about Alan, Claude, 69, and Karren, 49, the evictee said he admires the professionals 'no nonsense' stance: Bad taste: Frank also placed the blame for the team's failure on sponsorship consultant Jackie Fast - due to her idea on shaping the doughnuts into the letter 'B', which in turn, costed a lot of money 'To be honest, my opinion on them is the same as it was before the show, Im a big apprentice fan and I admire them. 'They are there to do a job. If youre not what they want and you dont suit their preference, then so be it, but that doesnt mean youre not investable. 'Claude and Karen are very successful, a little intimidating yes, but they help Alan a lot. Because theyre present throughout the tasks, they will stand up for you if someone says something that isnt true', he elaborated. Proving to be a far from a sore loser, Frank revealed he would like to see nut milk brand owner Camilla Ainsworth win. Change of team: This week's edition also saw business magnate Alan, 71, switch the groups around after the candidates were split into the 'Boys' and 'Girls' for he first two weeks Utter shame: While he believes his time was cut short, he revealed he has a lot more in store for the future 'I jelled well with her shes a good balance between being business savvy and not taking herself to seriously. Im impressed with the way she approached things. She makes a good project manager. 'However, I got on well with everyone, we all have our own unique qualities. Im sure well all meet up when the process is over.' While he believes his time was cut short, he revealed he has a lot more in store for the future. 'Im gutted to leave, its pretty sad it ended so soon. I think what went wrong with the team wasnt necessarily my fault. 'I want to get my business plan off the ground, I would say in the next few years. I just need to get more experience in my field and I'm looking for new opportunities, hopefully theyll arrive from The Apprentice. On to bigger and better things!' The Apprentice continues on Wednesdays at 9PM on BBC One. There is a new single star on MTV. After just six months of dating, Teen Mom 2 star Leah Messer, 26, and Jason Jordan, 40, have ended their relationship, according to a Tuesday report from US Weekly. 'It just wasn't working,' a source said. 'They're just not a good fit.' Splitsville: Teen Mom 2 star Leah Messer and her boyfriend of six months Jason Jordan have called it quits, according to UsWeekly US Weekly first broke news they were dating in July, with the couple quietly dating for three months prior when Jordan's cousin, a friend of Messer's, introduced them. Jordan was described as a 'well-established professional' who lives in a city close to the West Virginia suburb where Messer resides. Despite the 14-year age difference, the pair reportedly had a lot in common, including religion. Single life: US Weekly first broke news they were dating in July, with the couple quietly dating for three months prior when Jordan's cousin, a friend of Messer's, introduced them 'Even though hes older, they have a lot in common,' said a source in July. 'They share the same faith and have gone to church together. 'They love hiking, cooking and are both very family oriented,' the source continued. 'Hes very attentive.' Messer and Jordan also reportedly bonded over their kids, with Messer the mom to eight-year-old twins Aliannah and Aleeah with her first husband Corey Simms, and five-year-old Adalynn with her second husband, Jeremy Calvert. Happy mom: Messer and Jordan also reportedly bonded over their kids, with Messer the mom to eight-year-old twins Aliannah and Aleeah with her first husband Corey Simms, and five-year-old Adalynn with her second husband, Jeremy Calvert Jordan is father to a two-year-old son from a previous relationship. He was also said to be a big hit with Messer's kids, with US Weekly's source from July claiming they, 'absolutely love him.' After splitting up with Calvert in 2015, Messer reportedly, 'hasn't really dated' much, but she told US Weekly just last week that Jordan is, 'a good person.' Ex was good with kids: He was also said to be a big hit with Messer's kids, with US Weekly's source from July claiming they, 'absolutely love him' 'I think hes definitely more mature than other guys that Ive dated that are my age,' Messer said. 'Its just a different responsibility, its a different life than someone thats single hes a good dad hes an all around good person.' She added, 'Im not rushing anything. I just want to enjoy the time now.' She won the British public over with her infectious cackle and love of Pot Noodle during her tenure on Channel 4's Gogglebox. But since quitting the hit series last year, Sandra Martin, 56, has revealed she's set to move into an old people's residence after being made homeless. Sandra - who is also affectionately known as Queen Bee - found herself back on benefits just before Christmas last year and has been living in budget hotels since she was forced to move out of her flat in Brixton, south London. Good news: Sandra Martin, 56, has revealed she's set to move into an old people's residence after being made homeless The fan favourite said she had blown her earnings from the Channel 4 show - thought to be around 1,500-a-month - on takeaways and getting her hair done. But now Sandra has revealed her new-found happiness after claiming a place at an old people's home, which she moves into next week. She told The Sun: 'It's an old people's home. I thought I'd go in now because the kids are going to put me in there anyway. Fame: Sandra shot to fame as the takeaway-munching telly addict on Gogglebox alongside best pal Sandi Bogle, which follows ordinary people watching the nation's favourite TV programmes Troubled times: Sandra - who is also affectionately known as Queen Bee - found herself back on benefits just before Christmas last year and has been living in budget hotels since she was forced to move out of her flat in Brixton, south London 'I've got a red button in each room, there's be everyone downstairs on their zimmer frames, I've got three three-course meals every day for a fiver. I love it. 'I'm so happy to be there and it's so warm and clean and it's brand new. There's security and a lift to go upstairs, there's a big front room and a shop downstairs.' The TV personality has just started production in a panto The Snow Queen where she plays Enchantress of the Ice. Next week she will appear on Celebrity First Dates with a man from Bolton, Greater Manchester. Fun times: The fan favourite said she had blown her earnings from the Channel 4 show - thought to be around 1,500-a-month - on takeaways and getting her hair done Meanwhile, Sandra recently revealed she is getting married for the fourth time after proposing to her boyfriend. She excitedly tweeted: 'NOT ONLY I GOT A NEW PERMANENT HOME WHOOP WHOOP. I GOT A NEW PERMANENT RELATIONSHIP WITH MY BOYFRIEND AND TING XXX.' The TV star then posted a video in which she explained that she was selecting an engagement ring for her unnamed beau. Sandra shot to fame as the takeaway-munching telly addict on Gogglebox alongside best pal Sandi Bogle, which follows ordinary people watching the nation's favourite TV programmes. New beginnings: The TV personality has just started production in a panto The Snow Queen where she plays Enchantress of the Ice Explaining how she quickly burned through her pay from the Channel 4 hit, Sandra told Loose Women in February: 'The money was coming in. The bank account was big, being in the community, all my friends on the social.' 'I never got help, but the money was squandering. The money went, taxis, hair, take away, friends that wanted money. The money just went. It was natural to help, I dont regret it.' Sandra added that at some points she wished she had never found fame, explaining: 'I wanted to burn it all and go back to it. I'm not the celebrity person. I do lots of charity work, they dont pay me, Sandi likes doing the red carpet.' While production continues on Sony's Charlie's Angeles reboot, the studio has pushed the release date ahead five weeks. Deadline reports that Sony pushed the movie from its original September 27, 2019 date to November 1, 2019, a date that was just vacated by Wonder Woman 1984. Warner Bros had pushed Wonder Woman 1984 from November 1, 2019 to June 5, 2020, matching the early June 2017 release of the first Wonder Woman movie. New release date: Sony has pushed Charlie's Angels, starring Kristen Stewart (seen on set with co-star/director Elizabeth Banks on the Hamburg set in October), to November 1, 2019 The release date shift gives Charlie's Angels less competition, since no other movies are currently slated to open on November 1, 2019. It would have faced Universal's animated movie Abominable and Universal's action-thriller The Hunt on September 27, 2019. While no other movies open on the first weekend of November, the rest of the month is quite competitive. Another Angel: New Angel Ella Balinska and co-star Noah Centineo are spotted relaxing at a bar in Hamburg shooting scenes for the reboot in early October Paramount's Sonic the Hedgehog and 20th Century Fox's Kingsman sequel open on November 8, 2019, with Paramount's new Terminator movie opening November 15, 2019 and Disney's long-awaited Frozen 2 debuting on November 27, 2019. Deadline also mentions that this release date brings the franchise full circle, since the original Charlie's Angels movie also opened in the first weekend in November back in 2000. That original movie starred Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu as the title characters, with Bill Murray as Bosley, but this movie will take a much different approach. Relaxing in Hamburg: Kristen Stewart (seen above in Hamburg in October), Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska have come aboard to play the three Angels Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska have come aboard to play the three Angels, with Elizabeth Banks pulling double-duty, both portraying Bosley and directing the movie. Unlike previous incarnations of the franchise, there will be more than one group of Angels, and more than one Bosley as well. While the additional Angels are currently unknown, Patrick Stewart and Djimon Hounsou have come aboard to play the other two Bosley characters. Hair adjustment: Kristen Stewart gets an on-set hair adjustment while filming scenes for the reboot in Hamburg The cast also includes Noah Centineo, who is playing one of the Angels' love interest, along with Luis Gerardo Mendez as a mystery character called The Saint. Sam Claflin and Jonathan Tucker also star in unspecified roles in this action-thriller, which Banks is directing from a script she worked on with Jay Basu. Stewart teased in an interview from September that this movie will be a 'woke' version of Charlie's Angels that will take a more global approach than its predecessors. With their perfect bone structure and smooth skin, they look more like sisters than mother and daughter. Jada Pinkett Smith and her lookalike mom Adrienne Banfield-Jones posed side by side as they attended an event on Tuesday. With their matching camera-ready poses and perfect pouts, the two smouldered on the red carpet at a Mamarazzi event with Denise Albert and Melissa Musen Gerstein. Spot the difference: Jada Pinkett Smith and her lookalike mom Adrienne Banfield-Jones pose side by side at an event in New York on Tuesday Jada wore a cream wrap coat and grey trousers for the morning outing, while her mom went for a patterned pink coat and silk slacks. Adrienne was still at high school when she welcomed Jada, now 47. While raising her infant daughter she successfully trained to be a nurse. Now retired, she joins Jada on her Facebook chatshow Red Table Talk. Stepping out: The actress recently revealed she resented having children. But while Adrienne had her daughter as a teen mom, it was Jada who says she 'resented' having children, despite being in a stable marriage to movie star Will Smith at the time. The Girls Trip star confessed she felt regret after becoming a mother, but eventually worked through those negative feelings. Asked by Raquel Harper on a round of BET's Raq Rants, 'did you ever resent just having kids sometimes?', Jada replied: 'Yeah - I had a lot of resentment... I had a lot of resentment, you know? 'And I used to have to work through regret, which I don't have anymore.' Stylish: Jada wore a cream wrap coat and grey trousers for the morning outing Open: The Girls Trip star confessed she felt regret after becoming a mother, but eventually worked through those negative feelings She added: 'What I had to realise was like, my life has happened exactly as it's supposed to. 'I got to a point in my life when it didn't make sense to think about what I could have done.' Jada's revelation about parenthood comes as the star admitted she 'cried the whole way down the aisle' because she didn't want to marry husband Will. The comedienne 'never really agreed' with the idea of tying the knot so she was 'so upset' at being put under pressure to wed Will in 1997, and to make matters worse she was undergoing a 'horrible' pregnancy with the couple's son Jaden, who is now 20, at the time. Mother and daughter: Adrienne was still at high school when she welcomed Jada, now 47. While raising her infant daughter she successfully trained to be a nurse She said: 'I was under so much pressure being a young actress - being young, pregnant, I was just like, I didn't know what to do. But I knew I never wanted to be married. 'My first trimester was horrible. And I was so upset that I had to have a wedding. I was so p***ed. I went crying down the freaking aisle, I cried the whole way down the aisle. 'I just never really agreed with the construct. I still don't. 'Till death do us part is real for me, but all of the rules and all of the ideas. This title, 'wife', the accepted conventional definition of wife in the paradigm - I'm not that.' Moms united: The two joined THE MOMS (Denise Albert and Melissa Musen Gerstein) to host a Mamarazzi So close: Adrienne was still in high school when she had her daughter However, Will, 50, had the opposite view to his wife about their wedding day, and couldn't wait to get hitched. He said: 'There wasn't a day in my life that I wanted anything other than being married and having a family. 'From literally five years old, I was picturing what my family would be.' A few months prior to their big day, Jada knew she had fallen pregnant with Jaden, after predicting the outcome just 'four seconds' after the couple had sex. In a joint chat on Facebook Watch series 'Red Table Talk', Will added: 'It was literally four seconds after we had sex and she was like, 'Gasp.' And I was like, 'Babe, you OK?' 'And she was like, 'I'm pregnant.' And I was like, 'Babe, I think scientifically you're not pregnant.' ' Shes known for her role as Patsy Mount on hit BBC1 show Call the Midwife. But Emerald Fennell has ditched the nurses uniform and is set to play Camilla Parker Bowles in season 3 of Netflixs The Crown. The British actress, 33, will be joining the likes of Olivia Colman and Tobias Menzies, as she portrays the Duchess of Cornwall in her earlier years. New casting: Emerald Fennell is set to play Camilla Parker Bowles in season 3 of Netflixs The Crown Speaking about her new role as Prince Charles second wife, Emerald said: Im absolutely over the moon, and completely terrified, to be joining so many hugely talented people on The Crown. 'I absolutely love Camilla, and am very grateful that my teenage years have well prepared me for playing a chain-smoking serial snogger with a pudding bowl hair cut.' Emerald previously played nurse Patsy for four years in Call The Midwife, a role she stepped down from last year. Spot the difference: Emerald has already been spotted on set with Josh O'Connor who has been cast as Prince Charles, pictures this month showed the actors recreating Charles and Camilla's famous Cirencester Park meeting in 1975 Close: Prince Charles Talking to Camilla Parker Bowles at the Polo Match in 1975 Meanwhile, the third and fourth series of The Crown, which is set to follow the monarch's rule across the 1960s and 1970s, will see an older Prince Charles played by Bafta nominee Josh OConnor, 28. Broadchurch star Olivia has taken over the lead role from Claire Foy and was confirmed to be playing Queen Elizabeth II in October. Delighted at her casting, Olivia said at the time: 'I'm so thrilled to be part of The Crown. I was utterly gripped watching it. The real couple: Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall pictured after their Service of Prayer and Dedication at St George's Chapel in 2005 'I think Claire Foy is an absolute genius - she's an incredibly hard act to follow. I'm basically going to re-watch every episode and copy her.' Filming began at the start of the July - with Emerald and Josh recently seen in their first scenes together. The pair will follow in their predecessor's footsteps and play the Royal couple for two seasons before the cast will change once again, in order to portray the characters accurately as they age. They are joined on the star-studded cast list by Helena Bonham Carter, who will star as Princess Margaret, and Jason Watkins as former Prime Minister Harold Wilson. It's over: Emerald previously played nurse Patsy for four years in Call The Midwife, a role she stepped down from last year The first series of The Crown was one of the most critically acclaimed dramas of 2016 - winning two Golden Globes and two SAG awards, and being nominated for four BAFTAs. Additionally, the first two seasons have collectively bagged a whopping 26 Emmy nominations over the last two years. The show, which has been met with overwhelmingly positive reviews, is the most expensive television series ever made - with the first series costing $100million to produce. The second series dealt with the scandal surrounding Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon, as well as swirling affair and divorce rumours between Elizabeth and Phillip. The new series is expected to land on the online streaming site in 2019. They surprised fans with their wedding announcement. Now, just days later, Karlie Kloss and Josh Kushner are settling into married life. The pair were pictured for the first time since their big day as they headed to pick up a morning coffee in New York on Tuesday. Look of love: Karlie Kloss is seen with Josh Kushner for the first time since their surprise wedding on morning coffee run in New York on Tuesday Model Karlie, 26, was casually dressed in bright patterned leggings and a sweatshirt, along with a simple pair of white trainers. She held on tight to her new husband's hand, as the two leant in together, exchanging a look of love as they chatted warmly. Josh seemed equally devoted to his new wife, smiling as they talked. Newlywed: She held on tight to her new husband's hand, as the two leant in together, exchanging a look of love as they chatted warmly New York morning: The two had a quick coffee before going their separate ways Smartly dressed in a woolen coat and black trousers, the 33-year-old businessman looked as if he was heading off to work. The husband and wife each took to Instagram and Twitter to confirm their wedding last week. Karlie shared a picture from their big day, showing her in a white lace Dior wedding dress while holding a bouquet, and her new husband looking dapper in a black suit. She simply captioned the snap: '10.18.2018'. The couple held a Jewish ceremony in New York with less than 80 people in attendance, and they are expected to have a larger event for friends and family next year. Stylish: Model Karlie, 26, was casually dressed in bright patterned leggings and a sweatshirt, along with a simple pair of white trainers A friend who attended told People magazine: 'The wedding was intimate and moving. The couple were beaming with happiness.' The former Victoria's Secret Angel and the entrepreneur - who met at a dinner party in 2012 - announced their engagement in July, weeks after Joshua had popped the question in the Big Apple. A source said at the time: 'They're both overjoyed and happily celebrating. Their hearts are full and they're excited to build their future together.' Honeymoon period: Karlie recently admitted she took inspiration from the Duchess of Sussex, who wed Prince Harry earlier this year, when picking out her wedding gown Karlie recently admitted she took inspiration from the Duchess of Sussex, who wed Prince Harry earlier this year, when picking out her wedding gown. She said: 'She looked gorgeous on her wedding day. I feel it's a day that you want to just feel happy, beautiful, and not stressed. I think what makes someone most beautiful, especially on their wedding day, is when that glow comes from the inside. 'I'm still kind of enjoying the engagement bliss, but I'm definitely somebody who opts for 'less is more' when it comes to beauty. I love a strong lip or a strong eye, but I would want to keep it more natural. For hair, an updo is pretty logical. Get it out the way, so you can dance and have a good time.' Vicki Gunvalson has denied getting butt implants after her costar Tamra Judge accused her of going under the knife. In Monday night's episode of Real Housewives of Orange County Vicki put on a saucy display in a lace bodysuit as her castmate commented on her more rounded derriere. But Vicki, 56, took to her Bravo blog on Tuesday to slam the speculation she'd had work done, writing: 'I was embarrassed by this stupid little 'twerking' thing that I did. What the heck was I thinking? And no, Tamra..I DO NOT have butt implants. I have always had a booty.' Always had a booty: Vicki Gunvalson has denied getting butt implants after her costar Tamra Judge accused her of going under the knife in Monday night's episode of Real Housewives of Orange County Twerking it: The OG of the OC dropped her pants and twerked during a trip to Jamaica Vicki also insisted that she's been working on her figure. 'And yes, Tamra, I have been working out more. I don't know what I was thinking. If Tequila makes Tamra's clothes fall off, I guess Red Stripe brings my inner twerker out' she joked. During the episode the ladies, visiting Jamaica, watched as Vicki twerked against the turnstile at an amusement park. Tamra speculated that Vicki secretly had gotten 'butt implants.' 'It's got this roundness that it never had before,' she observed. Tamra Judge said of Vicki's derriere, 'It's got this roundness that it never had before,' Grabbing hold: Tamra grabbed Vicki's behind as she wondered if she got 'butt implants' Tamra posted to Instagram on Monday night a separate video of her twerking with Vicki as the sun set during their trip to the beautiful island. 'Old ladies twerking or having a seizure?' she joked in the caption. Meanwhile Vicki has previously admitted to having her fillers removed and revealed she'd had a face-lift earlier this year. Meanwhile on Monday's episode Shannon Beador flew into hysterics and drank vodka alone during the girls' trip to Jamaica. 'Old ladies twerking or having a seizure?' Tamra joked in the caption for this video of another twerking session in Jamaica that she posted on Monday night Girls gone wild: Vicki, 56, wore a black and white maxi dress which clung to her figure as she busted a move Shannon, a 54-year-old divorcee, had decided to get cosmetic surgery on her eyes as soon as she got back home. 'So this is my last night to drink,' she exclaimed as she enthusiastically downed her booze. Over dinner Shannon was sarcastic and obnoxious, saying: 'This is a really fun dinner, not.' 'Typical Shannon, the conversation is not revolving around her so she's bored,' said Tamra Judge, 51, Show newcomer Gina Kirschenheiter was irritated with Shannon's attitude saying: 'She's just, like, rude all the time.' 'You could just be like ''how are you doing?'',' suggested the Long Island transplant, who pointed out that Shannon hadn't offered Tamra enough consideration while her husband Eddie has been dealing with heart issues. Blow up: Meanwhile Shannon Beador flipped out on Monday's episode of The Real Housewives Of Orange County when her friendship with Tamra Judge was called into question Screaming match: Tamra yelled at Shannon to stop screaming and start listening 'What kind of friend are you?' she asked. Shannon was furious, but Tamra refused to defend their friendship. 'Everybody's got s*** on her plate,' Tamra yelled, while Shannon said she'd had the 'worst f***ing year' of her life. Good question: Gina Kirschenheiter asked Shannon what kind of friend she has been to Tamra after learning that she had not inquired about Tamra's husband and his health situation So awkward: Shannon insisted that she was a great friend to Tamra, but she didn't back her Plate full: The exercise enthusiast pointed out that everyone has stuff on their plate 'The constant negativityit's tiresome to me,' said Tamra in a side confessional. During their silent bus ride home Shannon was fuming on the back seat. 'This is the awkward bus,' cringed Emily Simpson. Shannon then stormed off the bus and threatened to remove her microphone. 'Leave me alone,' she yelled. 'It's been six months, she can't keep treating people badly because she's getting divorced,' declared Tamra. Silent ride: Emily Simpson rode back in silence with the others Awkward bus: The show newcomer didn't like the awkward silence Microphone off: Shannon asked for the cameras to stop rolling and took off her microphone 'In her head she's the busiest person in the entire worldshe's never worked, David [Shannon's ex] took care of everything,' she grumbled. 'She should probably get on something to settle,' mused Vicki Gunvalson who revealed going on anti-depressants to cope with her divorce. Back in their penthouse Shannon started screaming. 'I am a good friend, I defended you until the end,' she told Vicki, who disputed that assertion bitterly. 'You were totally against me, you never gave me a call and asked me how I was doing, you never hugged me and you never told me you loved me,' raged Vicki. When Kelly Dodd suggested medication Shannon flew off the handle even more, calling it 'a f***ing straight jacket intervention.' Screaming session: Shannon started unloading on everyone back at the penthouse Calm down: Kelly Dodd begged Shannon to calm down before she had a heart attack Medication suggestion: The reality star suggested medication to Shannon and she got further outraged Tamra said she was sick of receiving phone calls from Shannon in hysterics. 'She'll call me crying because her makeup didn't turn out right,' complained the fitness fanatic. 'She wants to b**** and complain all the time, but not fix anything. She calls all day long, all night long,' Tamra added. Getting ready: Tamra pulled denim shorts over her bikini Constant calling: The fitness fanatic revealed that Shannon constantly called her crying Good times: Tamra frolicked in a waterfall as Shannon stayed behind Vicki then told the group that she'd found Shannon drinking alone in their penthouse. 'Last night when I got my suitcase to leaveshe was pouring a glass of vodka, so that is her pain medication,' said Vicki, the 56-year-old 'OG of the OC' The next day Shannon isolated herself and refused to go on any excursions, missing Vicki's twerking moves and a bobsled ride. The RHOC continues next week on Bravo. Johnny Depp has signed on to play famous war photographer W Eugene Smith in a new biopic in development entitled Minamata. Variety reports that production will begin this coming January in Japan before moving to Serbia, with HanWay Films handling international distribution and sales at the American Film Market, which starts October 31 in Santa Monica, California. Andrew Levitas is attached to direct from a script by David K. Kessler, who is adapting the book Minamata: The Story of the Poisoning of a City, and of the People Who Chose to Carry the Burden of Courage by W Eugene Smith and his wife Aileen Mioko Smith. Depp's new role: Johnny Depp has come aboard to play war photographer W. Eugene Smith in the new biopic Minamata; seen in early October in Switzerland Smith himself: This biopic begins in the 1950s, long past his 'glory days,' with Smith's (pictured above in an undated photo) Life Magazine editor Ralph Graves convincing him to investigate the widespread mercury poisoning in the coastal town of Minamata, Japan Smith came into prominence as a war photographer during World War II, credited with being a pioneer in developing the 'editorial photo essay.' This biopic begins in the 1950s, long past his 'glory days,' with Smith's Life Magazine editor Ralph Graves convincing him to investigate the widespread mercury poisoning in the coastal town of Minamata, Japan. Smith and his wife lived in Minamata for two years, revealing that a Chisso factory was dumping heavy metals into water sources in and around Minamata. In January 1972, Smith was violently attacked by members of the Chisso company to stop him from further publicizing the damage they were causing. Smith survived the attack, but he was left with just partial vision in one eye, leaving his wife to complete his work. Dark times: Smith came into prominence as a war photographer during World War II, credited with being a pioneer in developing the 'editorial photo essay'; seen in 1945 His image: American aircraft in flight during battle against Japanese for Iwo Jima during WWII. The image was taken by Smith Men in suits: Mayor Camillien Houde (R), standing behind desk. Another photo from Smith A 1972 photo was published months after the attack, which drew worldwide attention to Minamata. The Minamata photo essay was published in 1975. Depp developed the project through his Infinitum Nihil company, with Sam Sarkar, Bill Johnson and director Levitas serving as producers, with Jason Forman and Stephen Deuters on board as executive producers. Depp recently announced plans with producer Andrea Iervolino to develop and produce films and other forms of digital content. His fun summer: The artist just came off a long summer tour with his band Hollywood Vampires. Seen in London in June The first project through this pact will be Waiting for the Barbarians, which Depp is starring in alongside Mark Rylance and Robert Pattinson, with filming beginning in Morocco later this month. 'Working with Johnny to give voice to those who have been silently suffering is a responsibility we do not take lightly,' Levitas said. 'Much like Eugene Smith in 1971, we could not feel more privileged or humbled to be tasked with the mission of bringing this incredible story to the world,' the producer continued. 'Eugene Smith's personal redemptive story arc is really human and touching as he opens up and connects to the people in front of his camera, said HanWay Films' Gabrielle Stewart. 'His story is extremely relevant as it explores how a powerful image can spur the world into action.' Halle Berry is enjoying an exotic vacation in Morocco this week. The 52-year-old Oscar-winning star took to Instagram to share her mini photo album with followers. The images were breathtaking. This comes after the Catwoman actress failed to make court appearance with ex-husband Olivier Martinez with whom she shares son Maceo, aged five. A new look: Halle Berry is enjoying an exotic vacation in Morocco this week. The 52-year-old Oscar-winning star took to Instagram to share her mini photo album with followers Like a magazine cover: There was a purple scarf tied around her head and she had on heavy eye makeup that added even more allure In one image Berry was wearing a chic striped dress with pom poms on the hem. There was a purple scarf tied around her head and she had on heavy eye makeup that added even more allure. The Monster's Ball star was holding a black, grey and white cat. She was crouched down on a cobble stone street with a stucco background. Her caption read, 'One with the locals.' Good mood: There was also a fun image where she was on a camel with bare feet and a content smile. 'Im free here, Im me here,' wrote the siren who has two children At the shop: And there was also a photo of two wood Hamsa hands with the caption, 'Khamssas in the Souk' There was also a fun image where she was on a camel with bare feet and a content smile. 'Im free here, Im me here,' wrote the siren who has two children. And there was also a photo of two wood Hamsa hands with the caption, 'Khamssas in the Souk.' It must be a nice break for the award winner after a stressful week in LA. Berry and Olivier Martinez missed a court date on Tuesday. The actress and her 52-year-old Unfaithful actor ex failed to appear because of 'a clerical error' according to The Blast. Whoops: The 52-year-old Catwoman actress and her 52-year-old Unfaithful actor ex failed to appear because of 'a clerical error' according to The Blast. Seen here in 2012 Despite it not being their fault, the pair 'could face sanctions failing to comply with a court order and missing the hearing,' according to the gossip site. A new hearing date has been set for January 2019. Even though the couple have been divorced since 2016, they regularly put on a united front for the sake of their son, Maceo. Earlier this month, they celebrated the boy's fifth birthday at The Coop in Woodland Hills. Their son's lavish, Halloween themed bash included spooky decorations, scrumptious cupcakes, and even a petting zoo. No expense spared: Earlier this month, they celebrated the boy's fifth birthday at The Coop in Woodland Hills Olivier bravely draped a python over his neck as his ex stood close by. Halle gushed about her youngest child as she posted a clip of his candlelit cake. 'We love you SO much, Macey Mace!! Happy birthday!!!!!' she wrote. Halle married Olivier on July 13, 2013, and the couple welcomed Maceo a few months following their nuptials. Halle also has daughter Nahla, 10, from her previous relationship with model Gabriel Aubry. Meanwhile, the actress recently confirmed her 1992 movie Boomerang will be adapted into a TV series. He was sentenced to eight months in federal prison for tax evasion. And Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino won't have to surrender himself to the Bureau Of Prisons until January 15, 2019, according to TMZ The Jersey Shore star, 36, was charged with tax fraud associated with almost $9 million in income. Legal:Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino won't have to surrender himself until January 15, 2019, according to TMZ; pictured with fiancee Lauren Pesce on October 5 after his court appearance Mike will have to surrender himself to the Bureau of Prisons by that date in 2019. The date means the star can enjoy Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's with friends and family. Earlier this month, Mike announced his plans to wed fiancee Lauren Pesce on November 1, 2018. The star revealed the wedding date along with the nickname for the nuptials - '#Thehitchuation.' Court: In January, the Jersey Shore star, 36, was charged with tax fraud associated with almost $9 million in income; pictured April 4 Mike and Lauren have been engaged since 2016. Earlier this month, Mike and his brother Marc Sorrentino were sentenced after having pleaded guilty in January to multiple charges of tax fraud associated with almost $9 million of tax evasion. The judge handed down an eight-month prison sentence during the court hearing, which took place in Newark, New Jersey. Post court, Mike took to social media to say: 'We are very happy to put this behind us. Thank you so much for all the love & support.' After he is released, the star will have two years of supervised release, according to another TMZ report. Star power: Mike will have to surrender himself to the Bureau of Prisons by that date in 2019; pictured with his Jersey Shore cast mates Vinny Guadagnino, Paul 'Pauly D' DelVecchio, Angelina Pivarnick, Deena Cortese and Jenni 'J-Woww' Farley at Build Series on Aug. 22 His Jersey Shore cast mates were on hand for support, including Jenni 'J-Woww' Farley, Pauly D, Vinny Guadagnino, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi, Deena Cortese and Angelina Pivarnick. His brother Marc was sentenced to two years of prison with a $75,000 fine; he pleaded guilty to one count of assisting in the preparation of a false return. The siblings were arrested in 2014 over the tax offenses. Mike admitted in January that he hid his income in 2011 by making cash deposits that came under the amount that usually triggers bank federal reporting requirements. He had failed to pay his taxes on almost $9 million of income between 2010 to 2012. Advertisement From the street front, this plain red brick wall with unassuming glass windows looks like it might have been a textile mill or storage shed in the early 20th century. But despite the ominous 'keep clear' sign on the metal garage door, what lays inside is actually one of Melbourne's best kept secrets - and it's worth a staggering $2.8million. The block belongs to Roving Enterprises co-owner and The Project creator Craig Campbell, who purchased the property back in 1994. So can you guess what is inside? Under the hammer: From the outside it looks like an ordinary factory, but hidden inside this converted Melbourne warehouse are beautiful living spaces and even a secret courtyard - and it can be YOURS for $2.8million The property, located on 7 Balston Street in Balaclava, seven kilometres south of Melbourne's CBD, looks rather unassuming with its brick, factory-like exterior. But inside can be found three generously-sized bedrooms, an upper level cinema area with a fireplace, and sliding doors which lead out onto a hidden courtyard perfect for entertaining. High walls give the home a spacious feel, while greenery adds a touch of warmth to the industrial design. Perfect for entertaining: The Balaclava home owned by The Project creator Craig Campbell features sliding doors which lead out onto a hidden courtyard Stunning interiors: The renovated warehouse was Craig's first home. Pictured: The living room leading out onto the courtyard Exposed brickwork is a feature throughout the interior, alongside polished stone, timber floors and steel elements. An added plus is the property's location, just a short walk away from cafes and boutiques on Carlisle Street. The converted space goes to auction on October 27 with an asking price of between $2.6million and $2.8million. Warm industrial feel: Exposed brickwork is a feature throughout the interior, alongside polished stone, timber floors and steel elements Transformed: While the property has industrial roots, that isn't necessarily the feeling you get when you step inside the space TV executive Craig Campbell told Realestate.com.au that he would often invite celebrities over to his home. 'I have had a few famous faces through it,' he said. 'And that really appealed about the place - you could bring those people over and no one would know,' he added. Luxurious: The upper level includes a spacious bedroom (pictured) and separate cinema area Well-located: An added plus is the property's location, just a short walk away from cafes and boutiques on Carlisle Street. Pictured: The home's luxury living space Melbourne's Balaclava has changed its demographics in recent years, now attracting a younger crowd from sister suburb St Kilda. Wilson Real Estate director and auctioneer Adam Guest told Domain in January 2017: 'It's become a flow-through area from St Kilda, with very cosmopolitan shops, the lifestyle and the locality, also having the train station.' Prices have also jumped up significantly, with Adam revealing: '$1million-plus for single-fronted cottages. Apartments are still in the reasonable range. There are period homes, and still quite a few worker's cottages.' They've been dating for almost five years, after meeting in 2013 at Australia Zoo. And Bindi Irwin, 20, and her boyfriend Chandler Powell, 21, have been the subject of persistent engagement rumours over the past few months. So, the question on the lips of fans and media alike has been: When are you two getting married? Scroll down for video 'I really love this guy!' Bindi Irwin, 20, has addressed rumours she is getting engaged to Chandler Powell, 21, ahead of their five-year anniversary. Pictured in London last month Bindi addressed the question on Tuesday, telling People: 'I'm 20, I'm loving every minute of my life and I really love this guy. 'So I just want to take my time to enjoy the now.' Bindi, who is the daughter of late conservationist Steve Irwin, met wakeboarder Chandler in 2013 when he was visiting the Irwin family-owned Australia Zoo. And while they often share romantic tributes to each other on Instagram, Bindi insisted she is happy taking things slow. She added: 'As human beings we're always so rushed with things, so you know, "When are you going to get married?", "When are you going to have kids?" Every single step. And so I think we all need to just revel in the now.' Fans could be forgiven for thinking that an engagement is on the horizon for the young couple, as Bindi has hinted at an announcement in recent weeks. Putting a ring on it? Bindi (right) and her boyfriend Chandler Powell (left) have been the subject of persistent engagement rumours over the past few months Taking to Instagram on 4 October, she captioned a photo of herself holding a python: 'Diamonds are a girl's best friend.' While it's possible she was dropping hints to Chandler, she did hasten to add: 'Says the girl with a diamond python!' In June, the lovebirds celebrated their four-and-a-half-year anniversary. He shot to fame at the tender age of ten in Steven Spielberg's hugely successful 1993 film, Jurassic Park. And Joseph Mazzello, 35, looked absolutely dapper as he arrived to the World premiere of Bohemian Rhapsody at SSE Arena, Wembley, London on Monday night. Posing for cameras and chatting away to his co-stars, the former child star, who plays Queen's guitarist John Deacon in the biopic, cut a dapper figure in a slick John Varvatos suit on the red carpet. All grown up: Joseph Mazzello, 35, looked absolutely dapper as he arrived to the World premiere of Bohemian Rhapsody at SSE Arena, Wembley, London on Monday night Child star: He shot to fame at the tender age of ten in Steven Spielberg's hugely successful 1993 film, Jurassic Park Joseph looked undeniably handsome at the star-studded event and clad his physique in a dark maroon-coloured suit and matching tie. The American actor teamed the look with a matching tie and shoes as he posed for photographs. Joining Joseph at the premiere were his co-stars - Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy and Rami Malek. Joseph recently appeared on ITV's Lorraine with his Bohemian Rhapsody co-stars, where he likened the exciting new role to Jurassic Park. Dressed up to the nines: Joseph looked undeniably handsome at the star-studded event and clad his physique in a dark maroon-coloured John Varvatos suit and matching tie Squad: Joining Joseph at the premiere were his co-stars - (L-R) Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy and Rami Malek Acclaimed role: Joseph plays Queen's guitarist John Deacon in the biopic Handsome: Posing for cameras and chatting away to his co-stars, the former child star cut a dapper figure in a slick suit on the red carpet The screen star, who has seen roles on G.I. Joe: Retaliation and The Social Network, told the host: 'This is kind of the Jurassic Park of my adult career, I would say, just with the scope and scale of it and the sort of anticipation. Mazzello was just a ten-year-old kid when he starred in Jurassic Park in 1993 and was even too young to play Tim as he was originally written in the script. However, Spielberg was obviously impressed with the actor as he rewrote the part for him. Mazzello came back for more, briefly reprising his role in the second film in the dinosaur franchise, The Lost World: Jurassic Park in 1997. 'It's the same scope and scale': Joseph recently appeared on ITV's Lorraine with his Bohemian Rhapsody co-stars, where he likened the exciting new role to Jurassic Park Child star: Mazzello was just a ten-year-old kid when he starred in Jurassic Park in 1993 and was even too young to play Tim as he was originally written in the script Iconic role: In the film he played Tim Murphy, the grandson of Jurassic Park's billionaire creator John Hammond, who was played by Sir Richard Attenborough The Steven Spielberg special effects spectacular grossed a remarkable $369m off a $93m budget. In the film he played Tim Murphy, the grandson of Jurassic Park's billionaire creator John Hammond, who was played by Sir Richard Attenborough. The movie saw Tim and his sister (played by Ariana Richards) being forced to make their way to safety with the help of Dr Alan Grant (Sam Neill) when dinosaurs were loose in the park. Brigitte Nielsen welcomed her daughter Frida fourth months ago. And on Tuesday the 55-year-old bombshell shared two touching photos with the little girl in a bucolic outdoor setting. The Red Sonja actress lifted the child up in the sweet image with the caption, '4 months can't think of any happier time in my life #proudmom #happyness.' So much joy: Brigitte Nielsen welcomed her daughter Frida fourth months ago. And on Tuesday the 55-year-old bombshell shared two touching photos with the little girl at a bucolic outdoor setting The blonde beauty - who is best known for her marriage to Sylvester Stallone and working with him on the 1985 film Rocky IV - wore an emerald green off-the-shoulder dress that had a Chinese print on the hem. The Danish wonder added long earrings and neutral toned makeup. The Cobra star was in a large sofa in her back yard with two of her dogs by her side. Bundle of joy: The Red Sonja actress lifted the child up in the sweet image with the caption, '4 months can't think of any happier time in my life #proudmom #happyness' Brigitte became a mom of five over the summer. The star welcomed daughter Frida with her husband of over a decade, Mattia Dessi, 39, just three months ago. Brigittte conceived her youngest child through in vitro fertilization, having had the foresight when she was 40 to have her eggs frozen. Already slender: The movie icon lost the baby weight soon after giving birth Her age-defying pregnancy made headlines at the time since the star was in her mid-fifties when she conceived. Brigitte married Mattia in 2006. She was last seen spending some quality time with her son Douglas Meyers, 25, during a night out at the Carousel of Hope Ball in Los Angeles earlier this month. The mother-son duo looked the height of style in their coordinating black ensembles. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was spotted on the set of Netflix's Power for the first time last Monday, along with Jamie Foxx. While story details are being kept under wraps, neither of these characters seemed to be in good shape. Foxx, 50, was spotted wearing a bloodied white bandage on his right arm, while Gordon-Levitt, 37, was seen with a black eye. Bloodied and beaten: Jamie Foxx and his co-star Joseph Gordon-Levitt don't look to be in great shape in photos from the New Orleans set of Netflix's Power Foxx was seen wearing an orange and navy blue Hawaiian shirt with light grey pants and dark grey shoes. The actor was also wearing black sunglasses with gold trim, with a black watch on his left wrist. He was also seen holding a yellow cell phone while smiling and shaking hands with another man outside a Church's Chicken fast food restaurant. Joe on set: Gordon-Levitt was seen wearing a navy blue top and pants, with black Adidas sneakers, while holding a white piece of paper with both hands Gordon-Levitt was seen wearing a navy blue top and pants, with black Adidas sneakers, while holding a white piece of paper with both hands. The actor was seen talking with a woman wearing a colorful purple outfit as he strolled through the New Orleans set. The movie's cast also includes Rodrigo Santoro, Dominique Fishback, Machine Gun Kelly, Amy Landecker and Dominique Fishback. Cheerful on set: He was also seen holding a yellow cell phone while smiling and shaking hands with another man outside a Church's Chicken fast food restaurant The Hollywood Reporter revealed in late September that the movie is described as a 'heightened sci-fi thriller,' set in Portland during a widespread drug epidemic. The big twist is the drug in question gives people a range of dynamic super powers, with Gordon-Levitt playing a cop who realizes to stop the drug from spreading, he must take it himself. There is no word yet on who Foxx is playing, or if his character has a connection to Gordon-Levitt's cop character. Foxx on the set: There is no word yet on who Foxx is playing, or if his character has a connection to Gordon-Levitt's cop character Power is directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, perhaps still best known for their documentary Catfish that was later turned into the MTV TV series of the same name. They also directed Paranormal Activity 3, Paranormal Activity 4 and Nerve, plus they are attached to direct an adaptation of the classic video game Mega Man. The script by Mattson Tomlin sparked a bidding war by multiple studios last October, which was ultimately won by Netflix. Miranda Kerr stunned at the fourth annual InStyle Awards on Monday. The Australian model sported a gold metallic frock and black stiletto heels as she arrived at The Getty Center in Los Angeles. Posing for photographs, the 35-year-old mother-of-two completed her look with a black trench coat. Scroll down for video Beauty: Miranda Kerr looked stylish in a metallic gold frock at the fourth annual InStyle Awards in Los Angeles on Monday Miranda carried a black box clutch and accessorised with her sparkling wedding rings and delicate stud earrings. She styled her brunette hair into a sleek chignon at the nape of the neck. The beauty entrepreneur complemented her porcelain complexion with bold brows, lashings of mascara and a red lip. Coordinating style: The 35-year-old model draped a black trench coat over her shoulders Details: Miranda elongated her frame with black stiletto heels and carried her belongings in a black box clutch While at the event Miranda was spotted mingling with celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe and actress Angela Sarafyan. Rachel, 47, sported a plunging gold frock and accessorised with statement jewels. Her blonde locks fell loosely around her face and she opted for an elegant makeup palette. Sleek: The brunette styled her locks into a sleek chignon at the nape of the neck Makeup: Miranda complemented her porcelain complexion with bold brows, lashings of mascara and a red lip Miranda and her husband Evan Spiegel welcomed their first child together, son Hart, on May 7. She has a seven-year-old son, Flynn, from her previous marriage to Orlando Bloom. The former couple divorced in 2013. Famous friends: While at the event, Miranda posed with celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe (left) He's the marketing mastermind that helped a pair of stars become superstars. Scooter Braun, speaking with Variety on Tuesday, revealed how he helped Justin Bieber at a time the crooner was illegally in the country with his mother, as well as the lessons he gleaned when Ariana Grande fired him. The 37-year-old talent manager said that he 'really did come this close to failing' earlier in his career, when he was working on limited funds with two early clients: Bieber and rap artist Asher Roth. Scroll below for video Revelations: Scooter Braun, 37, speaking with Variety on Tuesday, revealed how he helped Justin Bieber at a time the crooner was illegally in the country with his mother, as well as the lessons he gleaned when Ariana Grande fired him. He was snapped in NYC earlier this month 'When I first struck out on my own, I was 24, and I had saved enough money to last me for 13 months,' Braun explained. 'I had Justin and his mom living illegally - dont tell Donald Trump this - in a townhouse under my name, I was paying all their bills.' Braun said he was 'at month 11 of the 13 months of money [he'd] saved up before [he'd] go broke,' and an emotional and encouraging discussion with his dad had him continue on his path in the face of financial disaster. Braun said that shortly thereafter, Roth emerged with a marketable track titled I Love College, which kept him in the business. 'The following month I was able to get so much hype from that record that I cut a publishing deal that saved the company, and the commission saved me,' he said. Dynamic duo: Braun posed with Justin Bieber at the One Love Manchester Benefit in 2017 Strong relationship: Scooter said that Ariana Grande's 2016 firing of him made him a better manager. The two were snapped in March at the March For Our Lives event in Washington DC with Parkland shooting survivor Cameron Kasky The New York City native also opened up to the publication about his February 2016 parting from Grande, and how professional problems between the pair eventually sorted themselves out by September of that year. 'With Ariana, I could have said a lot of stuff, and in fact my team wanted me to, because they were pissed,' Braun said. 'But I said, "Were not gonna say a word, and this is gonna come back around." 'They were like, "Never take her back!," but I just said, "Lets stay quiet and let our truth be our actions."' Scooter, who's expecting his third child with wife Yael Cohen, 31, said that Grande eventually saw 'the light on some stuff' and contacted him. 'She said, "Can I see you tomorrow?" and I said, "No, Im busy" - I actually couldnt, so I said, "I could see you Thursday" or whatever and I went over there and we had a very honest conversation,' he said. Braun said being fired by Grande provided an invaluable business lesson. 'It made me a better manager, number one, it allowed me to know that I can be fired - I had never been fired before,' he said. 'It made me know that as much as you give to people in a service business - we do a lot of asset business, but this is a service business - you can never expect anyone to reciprocate.' Braun said that working through the issues in 2016 galvanized their relationship ahead of the May 2017 tragedy at Grande's Manchester, England concert in which 22 people were killed and more than 800 hurt amid a suicide bomber's attack. 'That relationship we had, from being fired to getting back together, really gave us the strength for what we never imagined would come that following year,' said Braun, who went on to produce One Love Manchester a benefit show for the victims that included Bieber, Grande, Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry, among others. She was lauded for her youthful looks and trim physique for decades, but it is clear that Jamie Lee Curtis has had enough of shallow compliments. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday, the Halloween star, 59, took aim at society's obsession with youthfulness and called for people to grow old gracefully. 'The term "anti-ageing" makes me crazy, the amount of marketing towards anti-ageing and making it a pejorative,' she said. Scroll down for video 'The term "anti-ageing" makes me crazy': Jamie Lee Curtis has slammed society's obsession with youthfulness after swearing off beauty treatments. Pictured on Australian TV this week '[Ageing] cannot be the pejorative because it happens to everybody. It is like everything else, it is an evolution,' she added. There is no denying that Jamie Lee is blessed with good genes, being the daughter of movie legends Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. However, it is clear she has turned her back on Hollywood vanity in recent years by refusing to dye her hair, or to smooth the lines on her face with Botox or surgery. Taking a stand: 'The term anti-ageing makes me crazy, the amount of marketing towards anti-ageing and making it a pejorative,' Jamie said. Pictured: Jamie Lee in 1978 film Halloween Jamie Lee, who doesn't drink alcohol, also revealed she likes to keep physically fit. This proved particularly helpful with the action scenes in the new Halloween film. 'I am fit but I am not a gym rat,' she told The Daily Telegraph. Natural approach: '[Ageing] cannot be the pejorative because it happens to everybody. It is like everything else, it is an evolution,' she said Jamie Lee wasn't always so determined to age gracefully, however, as she previously admitted to having liposuction and anti-wrinkle injections in her forties. 'I've done it all. I've had a little plastic surgery. I've had a little lipo. I've had a little Botox,' she told The Telegraph in 2002. 'And you know what? None of it works. None of it.' The prime minister has assured Australians he doesn't want children on Nauru and signalled he is prepared to work with crossbench MPs to get asylum-seeker minors off the island. Scott Morrison has been under pressure from his own backbench to get asylum seekers off Nauru, as doctors say they are mentally "shattered" after years in limbo. "The government doesn't want to see children on Nauru ... We will continue to work closely with the crossbench members to get the right outcomes there," Mr Morrison told reporters in Sydney on Sunday. John Millman may get the chance to cap his career-best season with a second shock win over Roger Federer in eight weeks, this time on the all-time great's home court. At age 29, Millman is enjoying his best world ranking at No.33, having captured worldwide attention by ousting Federer in the US Open fourth round early last month. Now the Australian is drawn to meet the winner of 20 grand slam singles titles again in the second round of the Swiss Indoor tournament in Basel this week. That would be some feat, with Millman making his Swiss Indoors debut while Federer is chasing a ninth title, having made the final in his past 11 appearances at an event where he was once a ball boy. First Millman must get past Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff while Federer has to overcome Filip Krajinovic. Fellow Australian Matt Ebden will eager to continue his recent good form as he meets a qualifier in the opening round before a potential second round clash with German ace Alexander Zverev. The coalition heads back to Canberra staring down the probability of a minority government in federal parliament. After a record swing away from the Liberal Party to have independent Kerry Phelps on the cusp of victory in the Wentworth by-election, the coalition will hold just 75 seats in the House of Representatives. If Dr Phelps is confirmed the winner, there will be six crossbench members to go with Labor's 69 seats But if Prime Minister Scott Morrison is worried about what a minority government has in store, he is not showing it. "We have been at 75 (seats), not 76, since the former prime minister resigned," Mr Morrison told reporters on Sunday. "In that time we had been able to legislate, run the parliament and we haven't lost a single vote." Almost lost in the chaos of by-election fever is Mr Morrison will be on Monday delivering the national apology to victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. The government has already accepted 104 of the 122 recommendations addressed to the Commonwealth while the other 18 are being closely examined. The House of Representatives will sit from Monday to Thursday, with plans to introduce legislation increasing penalties for white collar crime. Criminal penalties for the corporate and financial sector misconduct are set to double in some cases after recommendations from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Independent MP Andrew Wilkie will present a private bill seeking to get all asylum seeker children off Nauru. Momentum has been gathering to remove all children from detention on the island, with Scott Morrison saying he is working hard to make it happen. "The government does not want to see children on Nauru. We didn't put them there," Mr Morrison told reporters on Sunday. "We will continue to work closely with the crossbench members to get the right outcomes there." Meanwhile, the Senate will be in estimates mode. On the agenda is hearings involving environment and energy, prime minister and cabinet, home affairs, communications, finance, foreign affairs and education. Senate reports are due on Thursday on toxic PFAS contamination and the private sector life insurers in worker rehabilitation. The defamation trial between actor Geoffrey Rush and a Sydney tabloid and journalist is about to begin almost a year after they published articles about an allegation he behaved inappropriately towards a female co-star. The 67-year-old is suing Daily Telegraph publisher Nationwide News and journalist Jonathon Moran for defamation over the 2017 articles he says made him out to be a pervert and predator. On Monday, following months of legal argument, Rush is expected to face a media scrum at Sydney's Federal Court as the judge-alone trial before Justice Michael Wigney gets underway. The Oscar-winner has kept a low profile since the tabloid's reports, with his lawyer previously describing him as "virtually housebound" and full of dread over the future of his career. The articles referred to an allegation Rush behaved inappropriately towards a fellow actor - later revealed to be Eryn Jean Norvill - during a Sydney Theatre Company production of King Lear in 2015 and 2016. Rush has vehemently denied the accusations but the Telegraph and Moran will now plead a defence of truth after Norvill agreed in July to give evidence. Norvill played Cordelia, the daughter of Rush's titular character in the Shakespearean production. According to a defence document, Rush allegedly made lewd gestures in her direction, simulated fondling and groping her breasts and regularly made comments or jokes about her involving sexual innuendo. He is accused of touching Norvill's lower back under her shirt when they were backstage and tracing his hand down her torso and across the side of her breast during a scene in which he was carrying her. Rush's lawyers have criticised the Telegraph for publishing last year's articles without speaking to her and said some of the claims against their client lacked precision. Prime Minister Scott Morrison will on Monday deliver a national apology to thousands of victims of child sexual abuse. Hundreds of victims will head to Canberra to hear the speech where Mr Morrison will tell them they have been believed and institutions failed them. Mr Morrison's apology in parliament - due at 11am - will be followed by an address from Opposition Leader Bill Shorten before the House of Representatives is adjourned. Question time has been moved back half an hour to 2.30pm. The apology follows the release of last year's report by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The inquiry received more than 40,000 phone calls, 25,000 letters and emails, and held about 8000 private sessions, resulting in 2575 referrals to authorities, including police. The government has accepted 104 of the 122 recommendations handed down by the royal commission, with the other 18 being closely examined in consultation with states and territories. Independent Kerryn Phelps' stunning by-election result in Wentworth could lead to another outsider putting their hand up for a safe Liberal Party seat in Sydney. Prominent media commentator Jane Caro is contemplating running against Tony Abbott for the seat of Warringah at the next federal election. The former prime minister has held the seat since 1994, but Ms Caro could put up her hand for a tilt. She received strong support on social media following Dr Phelps claiming victory on Saturday night. "I may not win. Not the point. I feel duty bound to do what I can to stop the climate deniers & the far right destroy my grandchildren's future. If I could help I ought to at least try," Ms Caro tweeted. She told The Guardian Australia that she would consider running as an independent. But first she would have to renounce her British citizenship as she was born in the United Kingdom and moved to Australia as a child. "The sense of urgency that I feel is felt by a great many people," Ms Caro told The Guardian. "Particularly climate change is concentrating people's mind. "Warringah has an awful lot of coast and people there are very much part of enjoying and experiencing and understanding the environment and how it's changing." The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's whirlwind Australian tour is set to get tropical on Monday with a day trip to Queensland's Fraser Island. On day seven of their visit Down Under, the royal couple will travel to Fraser Island island where they were to meet traditional owners and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk before touring the World Heritage-listed island. However, the pregnant duchess is expected to rest after a relentless six days of engagements. It may be a solo Prince Harry receiving a traditional Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony from the Butchulla people before a plaque is unveiled to dedicate the popular holiday spot's pristine rainforests to the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy project. The itinerary also includes a visit to Lake McKenzie before meeting national park rangers to learn about the iconic island's unique animal and plant life, along with its history of logging. Fraser Island's hardwood trees were used to build the London docks in the 1930s due to their famed toughness. Premier Palaszczuk will also present the newly-pregnant couple with a hand-made teddy bear from Tambo, in the heart of Queensland's sheep country. The tiny town of just 345 people rejuvenated their economy in the midst of crippling drought 25-years ago by crafting the unique teddy bears stuffed with local wool. Later in the day, Hervey Bay paramedics Graeme Cooper and Danielle Kellam will meet attend an official reception with the Duke and Duchess. They'll be recognised for their act kindness after a photo of them granting a dying woman's wish to see the ocean one last time went viral and captured hearts around the world. Independent Kerryn Phelps is expected to claim victory in Wentworth, robbing the coalition of its majority and forcing Prime Minister Scott Morrison to bargain with the crossbench. A late run of Liberal postal votes, which briefly reignited the prime minister's hopes that Liberal candidate Dave Sharma could overtake Dr Phelps, now appears unlikely to change the outcome. Dr Phelps claimed victory on Saturday night when she achieved an unprecedented swing of more than 20 per cent against the Liberal Party in the eastern Sydney seat. The celebrations were cut short on Sunday when the margin between her and Mr Sharma dramatically closed to less than 900 votes. However after postal ballots were counted on Sunday night, Dr Phelps held a lead of about 1600 votes. Liberal Party faithful admit that victory seems unlikely but the candidates aren't rushing to re-declare a winner until late postal votes are finalised. Earlier on Sunday the prime minister talked up his relationship with crossbenchers. "What I will continue to do is be working closely with the crossbenchers, as I have been doing, because ... we have been at 75 (seats), not 76, since the former prime minister resigned," Mr Morrison said. If Dr Phelps is confirmed the winner, there will be a cross bench of six members in the House of Representatives, with Labor holding 69 seats and the coalition one short of a majority with 75. Reaction to the by-election result from crossbench members has been mixed, with Bob Katter and Rebekha Sharkie joining Dr Phelps in saying they would prefer to see the government run its full term. Independent Andrew Wilkie said he would not guarantee confidence, while fellow crossbencher Cathy McGowan is yet to comment. But Greens MP Adam Bandt said a federal election had to be called and "the sooner we turf out this rotten government, the better". Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has not ruled out imposing further sanctions on Saudi Arabia after Australia boycotted an investment conference over the probable murder of a journalist. No government officials will attend next week's Future Investment Initiative forum in Saudi Arabia after Jamal Khashoggi died inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. "We will continue to review all settings but right now the government has sent a strong signal. We do urge Saudi Arabia to fully co-operate with the investigation that Turkish authorities are undertaking," Senator Birmingham told Sky News on Monday. A new push is underway to posthumously promote WWI military commander General Sir John Monash to the Australian Army's highest rank of field marshal. Independent MP Cathy McGowan will present a private bill to federal parliament on Monday in the hope politicians will clear the way to promote the man widely regarded as Australia's greatest-ever military commander. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull blocked a previous campaign for the posthumous promotion in April after military leaders lobbied against the change. Ms McGowan says the promotion would be deserved recognition for a great role model who not only served his country but also set up Victoria's electricity service. "John Monash was a Jew," she told ABC TV. "His family was from Germany and he settled in regional Australia. He was not only a soldier, but he was an amazing man of the people. "He's exactly the sort of man that our community needs to acknowledge and we need to have the discussion right across the community about what is being an Australian like." Ms McGowan has been working with former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer to have Sir John promoted, particularly for his contribution to the battle of Hamel. During the battle, which raged between July and October 1918, Sir John presided over a succession of victories as the Australian Corps, together with the Canadian Corps and several British formations, virtually spearheaded the British army in successful attacks on the German army. For this, he was knighted in the field and many other accolades followed for the former civil engineer. Melbourne's Monash University is named in his honour, as is a local government area in Melbourne, a town in South Australia, a suburb in Canberra and a new interpretive centre at Villers-Bretonneux in France. His face also graces the $100 note, while a new statue of Sir John is being placed in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial. Rumours that the Bureau of Meteorology is turfing local forecasters are untrue, the agency's head says. BOM CEO Andrew Johnson says the bureau is undertaking an internal review to increase efficiencies and stay on top of technological changes, which could involve moving functional roles to Melbourne or Brisbane - but won't affect local meteorologists. "This notion that the bureau is cutting jobs, that the bureau is cutting costs, they're completely false," Dr Johnson told a Senate estimates committee in Canberra on Monday. The hunt for the suspected killer of a young Cairns woman continues with police widening their search. Toyah Cordingley went missing while walking her dog on Sunday. On Monday, the 24-year-old's body was found in dunes at Wangetti Beach, 40km north of Cairns. Homicide detectives on Tuesday announced they had broadened their search beyond the isolated beach north to Port Douglas and south to Cairns. Police say Ms Cordingley's visit to Rusty's Markets in Cairns before heading to the beach is part of their investigation. "If anybody has spoken to her at that location please come forward," Detective Inspector Sonia Smith told reporters. Police are also appealing for dash cam footage from drivers who travelled between Smithfield and Port Douglas on Sunday using the Captain Cook Highway between 12pm and 7pm. Det Insp Smith said detectives were particularly interested in obtaining footage from the northern and southern car park areas of Wangetti beach. Police divers were also searching waters near where the body was found for Ms Cordingley's personal possessions, she said. The young pharmacy worker's body and dog were discovered on Monday morning by SES volunteers 800 metres north of her car, which was parked in a camping ground car park. Honduran migrants heading in a caravan to the US prepare to jump into the Suchiate River from the Guatemala-Mexico international border bridge in Ciudad Hidalgo, Mexico, on October 20, 2018 Mexican authorities allowed dozens of women and children from a US-bound Honduran migrant caravan to enter the country Saturday but thousands remain stranded on a border bridge between Guatemala and Mexico where riot police barred their progress. Mexico's ambassador to Guatemala Luis Manuel Lopez told AFP the women and children would be processed by immigration authorities and taken to a shelter in the city of Tapachula, 40 kilometers (25 miles) away. Mexican authorities said around 900 other migrants -- tired of waiting on the bridge -- resorted to crossing the Suchiate River below on makeshift rafts and police did not intervene as they clambered up the muddy riverbank on the Mexican side. Many of them had spent more than 24 hours on the packed bridge where heat and hunger was adding to a growing sense of despair. Efforts to retrieve them were ongoing, authorities said. - 'Politically motivated' - Honduran migrants sleep in the main square of Tecun Uman, Guatemala, on the border with Mexico US President Donald Trump, speaking at a rally in Elko, Nevada, kept up his rhetoric against the migrants and suggested the caravan was politically motivated. "The Democrats want caravans, they like the caravans. A lot of people say 'I wonder who started that caravan?'" he said. He thanked Mexico for blocking the caravan's progress. "Mexico has been so incredible. Thank you Mexico and the leaders of Mexico, thank you. And you know why, because now Mexico respects the leadership of the United States." Last week, Trump threatened to cut aid to the region, deploy the military and close the US-Mexican border if authorities did not stop them. Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez and his Guatemalan counterpart Jimmy Morales continued Trump's theme after they met in Guatemala to discuss the crisis Saturday. "This migration has political motivations," said Morales, "which is violating the borders and the good faith of the states and of course putting at risk the most important thing, people." Hernandez also deplored "the abuse of people's needs" for "political reasons." "Without a doubt, we have a lot to do so that our people can have opportunities in their communities," he said. The caravan originated in the Honduran town of San Pedro Sula a week ago, with about 2,000 would-be migrants drawn together by social media. It is notably different from the "Migrant Viacrucis" organized in April every year by NGOs to draw attention to the plight of Central American migrants. - Women, children allowed in - Honduran migrants prepare to board makeshift rafts to cross the Suchiate River on the border between Guatemala and Mexico in Ciudad Tecun Uman, Guatemala The women ran forward when immigration officers unchained a gate that had been pinning back migrants at the crossing. "I'm happy, happy! At last!" shouted a relieved Gina Paola Montes, 21, as she ran onto Mexican territory. The women and children had spent the night on the bridge where hundreds slept in the open, as well as in the main square of the Guatemalan border town of Tecun Uman. Mexican authorities insisted those on the bridge would have to file asylum claims one at a time in order to enter the country. Guatemala has organized a fleet of buses to take Hondurans back to their country. More than 300 people have taken up a government offer of a bus ride home to their country, police said. - A surge, then clashes - Honduran migrants use makeshift rafts to cross the Suchiate River that marks the border between Guatemala and Mexico The caravan of mainly Honduran migrants had surged through a series of police lines and barricades up to the final fence on Mexico's southern border on Friday. Sections of the crowd hurled rocks and other objects at hundreds of riot police, who responded with rubber bullets and tear gas -- stalling the caravan determined to reach the United States. Several people were injured. Police used tear gas to drive the migrants back and calm was restored. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto described the situation as "unprecedented." Organizers of the caravan said a section of the crowd had confronted the police and spoiled what had been an orderly attempt to cross into Mexico. Some, like 22-year-old Alex Benitez, paid locals to take him across the river border by raft. "They promised they will give us a visa but the people are there (on the bridge) since yesterday and they have not given us anything," Benitez said as he waited for friends who were crossing on another raft, made from huge truck tires. - Going home - A Guatemalan firefighter carries an ailing baby Some, like 25-year-old Honduran Bryon Rivera, had decided to give up on a long-held dream of a better life in America. "It is better to go back. It is very hard. There is a lot of disorder," said Rivera, who was hoping to get on a bus back to Honduras laid on by the Guatemalan government. The soft-spoken 25-year-old said he was traveling with three friends who decided to remain in the caravan, but that for him, the fear of being deported once he reached Mexico was too much. The migrants are generally fleeing poverty and insecurity in Honduras, where powerful street gangs rule their turf with brutal violence. With a homicide rate of 43 per 100,000 citizens, Honduras is one of the most violent countries in the world. President Donald Trump says the United States will pull out of a landmark nuclear deal with Russia Moscow on Sunday warned US President Donald Trump that his plan to ditch a Cold War-era nuclear weapons treaty with Russia was a dangerous step. Ex-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who signed the original document back in 1987, condemned the move as showing Trump's "lack of wisdom." Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov warned that withdrawal "would be a very dangerous step" and said Washington faced international condemnation in its bid for "total supremacy" in the military sphere. He insisted that Moscow observed "in the strictest way" the three-decade-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, known as the INF, while accusing Washington of "flagrant violations". The treaty was signed by then US president Ronald Reagan and Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader, who on Sunday told Interfax news agency that "dropping these agreements... shows a lack of wisdom" and is a "mistake". Germany "regrets the planned withdrawal" and it will require discussion among NATO countries, a government spokeswoman said, calling the treaty "an important element of arms control". But Trump on Saturday claimed Russia had long violated the treaty. "We're the ones who have stayed in the agreement and we've honoured the agreement, but Russia has not unfortunately honored the agreement, so we're going to terminate the agreement and we're going to pull out," he told reporters. "Russia has violated the agreement. They've been violating it for many years," he said. "And we're not going to let them violate a nuclear agreement and go out and do weapons (while) we're not allowed to." Trump's National Security Advisor John Bolton arrived in Moscow on Sunday and is set to meet Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies that President Vladimir Putin may also meet Bolton to seek "clarifications". The row comes ahead of what is expected to be a second summit between Trump and Putin this year. The Trump administration has complained of Moscow's deployment of Novator 9M729 missiles, which Washington says fall under the treaty's ban on missiles that can travel distances between 310 and 3,400 miles (500 and 5,500 kilometres). The INF resolved a crisis over Soviet nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles targeting Western capitals. The latest rift could have "the most lamentable consequences", political analyst Alexei Arbatov told Interfax news agency, dragging Russia into a "new cycle of the arms race". - US or Russia at fault? - Then Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev (R) and US President Ronald Reagan during welcoming ceremonies at the White House on the first day of their disarmament summit on December 8, 1987 A Russian foreign ministry official earlier accused Washington of implementing policy "toward dismantling the nuclear deal". For many years, Washington has been "deliberately and step by step destroying the basis for the agreement," said the unnamed official quoted by state news agencies. The official accused the United States of backing out of international agreements that put it on an equal footing with other countries because it wanted to protect American "exceptionalism". Russian Senator Alexei Pushkov wrote on Twitter that the move was "the second powerful blow against the whole system of strategic stability in the world" after Washington's 2001 withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty. Bolton himself is pressuring Trump to leave the INF and has blocked talks to extend the New Start treaty on strategic missiles set to expire in 2021, according to The Guardian newspaper. US withdrawal from the INF "will destroy any prospects of extending the New Start treaty," the head of the Russian Senate's foreign affairs committee Konstantin Kosachev warned on Facebook. The US plan to withdraw from the INF is also targeting China. As a non-signatory, Beijing can develop intermediate-range nuclear weapons without constraints. US-Russia ties are under deep strain over accusations that Moscow meddled in the 2016 US presidential election. The two countries are also at odds over Russian support for the Syrian government in the country's civil war, and the conflict in Ukraine. On Friday, the US Justice Department indicted the finance chief of Russia's leading troll farm for allegedly interfering with US congressional elections to be held in November. Russia accused the United States of fabricating the charges. While no new summit between Trump and Putin has yet been announced, one is expected in the near future. The two leaders will be in Paris on November 11 to attend commemorations marking 100 years since the end of World War I. A senior Trump administration official said another potential date could be when both presidents attend the Group of 20 meeting in Buenos Aires on November 30 and December 1. burs-oh/am/gd Voters in Atlanta, Georgia cast early ballots on October 18, 2018 With key US elections just over two weeks away, polls suggest the anticipated "blue wave" of Democratic voters might not be as powerful as it had seemed just a few months ago. Democrats, while still favored overall, have been unable to build a decisive edge over Donald Trump's Republicans, meaning that the president might avoid the severe electoral slap-down the opposition party had hoped to inflict. Republicans have controlled Washington politics since the 2016 election. In addition to the White House, they hold a comfortable majority in the House of Representatives and a narrow but important edge in the Senate (51-to-49). This could change on November 6, when the 435 seats in the House and one-third of those in the Senate (35) will be in play, along with numerous state and local positions. After a multitude of marches, demonstrations and angry protests that followed Trump's surprise presidential victory, this will be the first chance for US voters angered by the real estate billionaire's policies and personal behavior to express themselves at the ballot box. But it will also be the first chance for those thrilled by the nation's strong economy and full employment, as well as Trump's conservative court appointments, to show support for the president. "The Democrats seem less and less likely to win the Senate," said David Lublin, a professor of government at American University in Washington. If Republicans maintain control of the Senate, the chances that Trump might be impeached drop sharply -- barring any major new scandal -- because senators have the final word in these rare efforts to depose a president. Trump could also continue pushing through his conservative judicial nominees, especially if there is another opening in the powerful Supreme Court, the final legal arbiter on the country's biggest and most socially sensitive questions. "Democrats have lots of opportunities in the House, but not really the Senate," said Kyle Kondik, managing editor of a nonpartisan political newsletter at the University of Virginia Center for Politics. "The House and the Senate always seemed likely to produce somewhat differing outcomes, which complicates a 'blue wave' narrative." If Democrats do take control of the House they will be in a position to launch vigorous inquiries into the Trump administration's policies and behavior, and to block Republican-backed laws from passing, including a vote on the federal budget -- essentially giving them the leverage to paralyze Washington. - Urban vs. rural voters - Thousands of people marched in Chicago on October 13, 2018 to protest what they called the Trump administration's "anti-woman agenda" With an avalanche of Democratic candidates at all levels, including a historic number of women, and millions of dollars flowing into their coffers, the Democrats have aroused their base. For months this and expectations of a high voter turnout has led many to believe the party will at least retake the House. This summer Democrats let themselves dream that their charismatic young senate candidate in Texas, Beto O'Rourke, might be able to knock Republican Ted Cruz off his senate seat in that large, deeply conservative state. But polls have tightened in recent weeks, especially after the bitter fight in early October over conservative judge Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to the US Supreme Court. Still, history is on the Democrats' side. The first midterm election in a president's term traditionally favors the party out of power. And Trump, for all the boisterous support he gets at his frequent rallies, is among the least popular modern presidents at this point in his time in office, polls show. In the House, Democrats need to pick up 23 seats if they are to regain the majority, which analysts say is quite likely. The FiveThirtyEight political website, widely respected for its statistical analyses, gives the Democrats five chances in six to retake the House. But some 30 House races are still deemed too close to allow confident predictions. President Donald Trump addresses an outdoor rally in Missoula, Montana on October 18, 2018 The luck of the electoral calendar means Democrats face a much greater challenge in the Senate: they have to defend 26 of the 35 seats at stake, several of them in states that voted for Trump in 2016. FiveThirtyEight gives the Democrats only one chance in five of retaking the Senate. Republicans might even add to their lead there, pollsters say. Even if Democrats are expected to pick up votes -- especially in the residential suburbs where political centrists oppose many of the White House's policies -- they still face a structural disadvantage. The Democrats are "heavily concentrated in cities and urban areas ... (while) the Republicans are spread more evenly," said Lublin. And the tightest Senate races are taking place in more rural states. - Reinvigorated Republicans - With the stakes high, Trump has been holding almost daily rallies in key states. Trump supporters cheer at a rally in Missoula, Montana Before seemingly galvanized crowds, the president hammers away at key election themes: the threat of "radical Democrats," the influx of immigrants that will "infest our country," and the strength of the vibrant US economy. So even if Trump's name is not on ballots on November 6, there is no question his shadow will loom over the vote. "Come Election Day, Americans will remember Kavanaugh," Trump bellowed at a recent rally in Montana, pointing to signs that Republican voters were mobilized by the judge's rocky confirmation process that included allegations of sexual misconduct. It's unclear if this "Kavanaugh effect" will last until the election -- and whether it will be enough to overcome the Democratic voters outraged that the allegations against the judge were dismissed with little investigation. Participants watch a movie advertising a project on the sidelines of last October's Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh Saudi Arabia will host a key investment summit on Tuesday, overshadowed by the killing of critic Jamal Khashoggi that has prompted a wave of policymakers and corporate giants to withdraw. Just ahead of the three-day Future Investment Initiative (FII), dubbed "Davos in the desert", the kingdom sought to defuse the crisis with an about-face admission on Saturday that the journalist died in its consulate in Istanbul. But that has failed to stem an exodus from the summit, whose organisers have taken down a list of speakers from its website. Dozens of executives -- from bankers JP Morgan to carmaker Ford and ride-hailing app Uber -- scrapped plans to attend. Media powerhouses like Bloomberg, CNN and the Financial Times have also pulled out and on Saturday, Australia withdrew its representatives, saying it was "no longer appropriate" to attend, due to the Khashoggi affair. On Saturday, organisers said more than 120 speakers and moderators will participate. Last Monday, they had listed more than 150 speakers. The event seeks to project the historically insular kingdom as a lucrative business destination, in a bid to diversify its oil-reliant economy and set the stage for new ventures and multi-billion dollar contracts. At last year's inaugural FII -- a star-studded event at Riyadh's glittering Ritz-Carlton hotel -- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was lionised as a visionary as he wowed investors with talking robots and plans for a futuristic mega-city called NEOM. Billed last year as an economic coming-out party for the conservative petro-state, the FII has now come to symbolise global outrage over the silencing of critics. The prince, widely known as MBS, faces what the risk consultancy Eurasia Group calls "an acute public relations crisis". US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin attended last year's Future Investment Initiative in Saudi Arabia, but is one of several key personalities to have wuithdrawn from this year's event Khashoggi, who had criticised Prince Mohammed, was last seen walking into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. After weeks of vehement denials, the kingdom's assertion on Saturday that the journalist was killed in a "brawl and fist fight" inside the consulate -- without revealing the whereabouts of his body -- was met with scepticism around the world. "The Ubers and JP Morgans of the world have calculated that the cost of being currently associated with brand MBS is higher than the cost of losing out on taking a slice of Saudi Arabia's economy," said Michael Stephens, a Middle East expert at the Royal United Services Institute. - Investor uncertainty - Many Western firms have too much at stake to abandon the Arab world's biggest economy, and many are preparing to send lower-level executives to the summit. Senior investment bankers from HSBC and Credit Suisse are planning to attend the conference even though their chief executives have cancelled their attendance, Bloomberg News reported. Companies from China and Russia have shown little interest in withdrawing from the event, an organiser said. Although several Western leaders like International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde have pulled out, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan will attend the forum as Islamabad continues to seek funding to plug its deteriorating finances. Founder of Virgin group Sir Richard Branson poses with Saudi women during last year's "Future Investment Initiative" in Riyadh; Branson is another key personality to have withdrawn from this year's event. But a wider Western boycott of the conference suggests rising political risks in Saudi Arabia that could cast a shadow over foreign direct investment, which a UN body said plunged last year to a 14-year low. "Despite talk of reform, FDI inflows into Saudi have stayed low and the (Khashoggi) scandal will only increase investor uncertainty," said research firm Capital Economics. For now, the kingdom's finances appear well cushioned by a recent spike in oil prices, now over $80 (70 euros) per barrel, which analysts say has reduced the urgency for outside funding. "More speculative projects, like NEOM, will find it harder to attract investors, but 'meat and potatoes' diversification through heavy industry will probably continue unabated," said Steffen Hertog, an associate professor at the London School of Economics. - 'Business as usual?' - Khashoggi's killing fits a pattern of a recent crackdown on dissent in the kingdom, with Prince Mohammed, King Salman's son and the de facto ruler, arresting clerics, business high-fliers and women activists. Further stoking investor anxiety, the kingdom is embroiled in an expensive war in Yemen and is leading an embargo against Qatar. Riyadh has also engaged in diplomatic disputes with Germany and Canada that threatened business ties. "Cancellations at 'Davos in the Desert' by the likes of Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and BlackRock go beyond reputational issues," said Cinzia Bianco, a Middle East analyst at Gulf State Analytics. "Big businesses are telling MBS 'enough with the adventurism, instability and uncertainty -- our big foes.'" Demonstrators dressed as Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump pretend to kiss outside the White House in Washington, DC, on October 19, 2018, as protestors demand justice for Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. But western companies abandoning Saudi are causing "irreparable damage" to their own business interests in the kingdom, said Ghanem Nuseibeh, founder of London-based risk consultancy Cornerstone Global Associates who has vigorously defended the kingdom's stand on Khashoggi. "It will soon be business as usual," he said. Last week, pro-Saudi business figures on social media called for Gulf countries and allies of Riyadh to boycott companies that have pulled out of the FII. But the apparent arm twisting has not stopped the outcry over Khashoggi. "Business as usual?" said Gregory Gause, Saudi specialist at Texas A&M University. "Not in the short-term." Inmates at Mafanta prison in Magburaka. Over-crowding, poor hygiene and jungle-like violence are chronic problems in Sierra Leone's prison system, say detainees A shaft of light penetrates the foul air through a fist-sized vent. It reveals naked, sweating bodies packed side-by-side like sardines, lying in darkness on a greasy concrete floor. The stench of urine and excreta from a brimming plastic bucket -- just one for a cell containing perhaps 20 people -- claws at the throat. This was the scene at the Bo Correctional Facility in southern Sierra Leone. Stand and be counted: roll call at Kemena prison. The jail was built in 1826 during the British empire -- it accommodates four times its regulation capacity It was one of eight prisons that this reporter visited last week to assess the state of penitentiaries that independent voices say are a national scandal. The tableau that emerged was tropical Dickens -- crammed, poorly-lit cells, whose inmates said they were suffering with disease, rotten food, cockroaches and super-sized bedbugs, and a climate of jungle-like violence. "I was caught with two parcels of marijuana. I have spent three years on remand -- it's like living in Hell," one inmate said. "Lack of space is so bad that people have to take turns" to lie down, said another, who like many other inmates asked not to be named, explaining they feared reprisals by guards. "Blankets and mats are a luxury in our cell. Even some of the food we eat has an offensive smell," added another prisoner. A convict with crutches in a jail at Kenema, the West African country's third largest city, said "violence among inmates for food, water and space is common." An inmate at Kenema jail takes his turn in the prison courtyard "This is a jungle -- it's survival of the fittest," he declared. In 2016, Sierra Leone's Human Rights Commission denounced the squalor and lack of rehabilitative or educational programmes in the country's prisons as "inhumane." Walter-Neba Chenwi, a specialist in the rule of law at the UN Development Programme (UNDP), which has a project to improve Sierra Leone's jails, said the conditions "fall far below international standards of human rights." "We treat people in detention as if they don't exist," said Ahmed Jalloh, an activist with a local watchdog group, Prison Watch. - Packed - "Out of 4,525 inmates across Sierra Leone jails, we have an excess of 2,659 people in detention, forced into overcrowded cell blocks," the director of human resources at the Sierra Leone Correctional Services, Dennis Herman, said. Kenema prison, a stone-walled jail built in 1826 during British colonial rule, has a regulation capacity of 75 inmates, but accommodates around 300, prison director Lamin Sesay said. At Bo penitentiary, intended for 80 prisoners but housing 300, guard Mohamed Opinto Jimmy said between 15 and 20 people were being packed into cells that, according to regulations, should have a maximum of four. - Disease - Prison workers also point to disease which is rife and poor access to healthcare. In Bo, there is a single healthcare worker for 300 inmates, many of whom suffer from chronic illnesses such as TB, AIDS and malaria. "Some inmates are too weak from anaemia to walk around the cell blocks -- they wedge themselves into little corners for food, water and space," the healthcare worker said. A prisoner shows signs of skin disease to a health worker at Mafanta prison. Prisoners in Sierra Leone jails say their cells are often overrun with rats, cockroaches and bedbugs The skin disease scabies is commonplace, but inmates often can only shower once a week because water is rationed. Prisoners at Bo are tasked with trekking kilometres (miles) to polluted streams or hand-dug wells to fill jerricans and haul them back to the jail. Water is so scarce at Bo prison that inmates are sent out under escort to fill jerricans from streams or wells -- the trek can be several kilometres "Given the risk of escape, we usually assign many guards to escort inmates," said a prison guard, Jimmy. "But inmates are usually stigmatized by locals seeing detainees walking the streets in prison outfits." - Reform - Still within this grim picture, chinks of light are starting to emerge. Sierra Leone's Department of Justice has just completed a "From Prison to Corrections" programme, supported by UNDP and the United States, to train 30 prisoner officers and promote higher welfare standards. And UNDP is doing construction and rehabilitation work, mainly in water and sanitation, in eight out of the country's 19 jails. But appeals court Judge Nicholas Browne-Marke told AFP that help was also badly needed for Sierra Leone's under-funded, chronically-clogged judicial system. More than 85 percent of prisoners are aged between 15 and 35. Many of the young inmates are being held for petty crimes, and spend long periods in prison on remand or during their trial, and this causes congestion in jails, he said. "The majority of the inmates are in jail for loitering, snatching a phone, drugs or quarrels," Browne-Marke told AFP. "We are trying to decongest the facilities by expediting trials. A mobile application for pending cases has been developed for all judges and magistrates to encourage a speedy trial and case conclusion." Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison Morrison acknowledged voter anger over Malcolm Turnbull's removal, but said he was determined to stay on Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledged Sunday his embattled government would serve out a full term despite the conservative coalition looking set to lose its majority after a voter backlash in a crucial Sydney by-election. The Liberal-National coalition, which has a one-seat parliamentary majority, appeared headed for minority government status after a huge swing in a traditionally safe seat, fuelled by anger over the ousting of former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull. But despite the Liberal candidate conceding defeat Saturday after high-profile independent Kerryn Phelps captured an apparently unsurmountable lead in the seat of Wentworth, the count has narrowed sharply as postal votes are counted. Phelps' lead with more than 54 percent under Australia's voting system -- which allocates voters' second preferences if no candidate secures a majority -- shrank Sunday to just 50.61 percent, or 884 votes over her Liberal rival. While most analysts said it appeared likely Phelps would hold on to the win, Prime Minister Scott Morrison struck a more upbeat tone. "If it (the margin) gets as close as 100 then an automatic recount is triggered under the normal rules," Morrison told reporters. "I am not saying it will get to that." The prime minister, who must call national elections by mid-May, acknowledged voter anger over political infighting in Canberra but said he was determined to stay on even if the coalition becomes a minority government. "Australian people expect governments to serve their term. We are elected to serve our term and that is what we are going to do," he said. The by-election in the wealthy seat was triggered after Turnbull, the local MP, resigned after being toppled in a party coup in August. Turnbull had held the seat with a comfortable margin of 18 percent, but support for the Liberals tumbled over his treatment. Morrison signalled he was winning to work with minor parties and independents to address what Phelps said would be the first item on her agenda -- removing refugee children held in Australian detention camps on the Pacific island nation of Nauru. Canberra sends asylum-seekers who try to reach the country by boat to remote Pacific facilities including on Nauru to deter them from trying to come to Australia. There has been growing international and domestic pressure on Morrison to move the children to Australia amid reports they are suffering from serious health problems. A final count for Wentworth might only be declared after the November 2 deadline for postal votes has passed. The Kerem Shalom goods crossing with Gaza (pictured) and the Erez crossing for people were closed after a rocket from the Palestinian territory hit a home in southern Israel Israel ordered the country's goods and people border crossings with Gaza to be opened on Sunday, just four days after shuttering them following a Palestinian rocket attack that sparked retaliatory strikes. "The decision comes after a decrease in the violent events in Gaza over the weekend and efforts (militant Islamist Gaza rulers) Hamas made to restrain" demonstrators, a statement from Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman office read. On Wednesday, Lieberman had ordered the closure of the Kerem Shalom goods crossing and the Erez crossing for people, after a rocket from the Palestinian territory hit a home in southern Israel, prompting the Jewish state to strike 20 Hamas targets in Gaza. Hamas disavowed the launch and said it was investigating the incident, as fears of a new war rose. Near daily protests along the border since March 30 against Israel's crippling 11-year blockade of the impoverished enclave have sparked repeated clashes with the army. On Friday, thousands again gathered for protests in northern Gaza, but demonstrators largely remained at least 100 metres (yards) from the border. Hamas officials were seen discouraging protesters from nearing the fence. Israel had on Wednesday also suspended the delivery of fuel for the Palestinian territory's power plant that had been trucked daily into Gaza under a deal brokered by the United Nations. "The decision on the renewal of the fuel from Qatar has been put off as for the time being, and will be examined in a number of days based on the events," the Sunday statement from Lieberman said. A truck carrying goods to Palestinians arrives at Kerem Shalom crossing in the southern Gaza Strip on August 15, 2018 Israel ordered the country's goods and people border crossings with Gaza to be opened on Sunday, just four days after shuttering them following a Palestinian rocket attack that sparked retaliatory air strikes. The move followed efforts to prevent an escalation in violence that has raised fears of a new war between Israel and the Palestinian territory's Islamist rulers Hamas. "The decision comes after a decrease in the violent events in Gaza over the weekend and efforts Hamas made to restrain" demonstrators, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman's office said in a statement. On Wednesday, Lieberman had ordered the closure of the Kerem Shalom goods crossing and the Erez crossing for people, after a rocket from the Palestinian territory hit a home in southern Israel, prompting the Jewish state to strike 20 Hamas targets in Gaza. Another rocket fell in the Mediterranean off Tel Aviv, without causing casualties or damage. Hamas disavowed the launches and said it was investigating the incident, as alarm over a potential broader conflict rose. But Israel rejected their denial, saying they were the only groups armed with rockets of that range. Israel in any case holds Hamas responsible, as Gaza's de factor rulers, for all fire from the territory regardless of who launches it. Near daily protests along the Gaza border since March 30 against Israel's crippling 11-year blockade of the impoverished enclave have sparked repeated clashes with the army. More than 200 Palestinians and one Israeli have been killed in the violence. On Friday, thousands again gathered for protests in northern Gaza, but demonstrators largely remained at least 100 metres (yards) from the border. An Israeli army spokesman told AFP that while most of the protesters stayed back from the fence, some came close and threw explosive devices and hand grenades at troops, while burning tyres. At least 130 Palestinians were injured by live fire in clashes with Israeli soldiers, the Gaza health ministry said. Hamas officials were seen discouraging protesters from nearing the fence. Israel on October 12 already suspended the delivery of fuel for the Palestinian territory's power plant that had been trucked daily into Gaza under a deal brokered by the United Nations. A decision on renewed fuel deliveries "has been put off as for the time being and will be examined in a number of days based on events", Lieberman's office said Sunday. An Egyptian security delegation that visited Gaza on Thursday had encouraged Hamas leader Ismail Haniya to calm the protests, according to an Egyptian official. On Friday, UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov also urged all sides "to exercise restraint, to proceed in a peaceful manner, and to avoid escalation". Hamas has fought three wars with Israel since 2008 and fears of a fourth have spurred efforts by Egypt and the United Nations for a wider deal that would see Israel ease its blockade in exchange for a long-term truce with the Islamists. An election official scans a voter's face with a biometric device at a polling centre Hundreds of Afghan polling centres opened Sunday for a second day of voting in a chaotic legislative election marred by deadly violence and technical glitches that have eroded its credibility. Around three million people defied the threat of militant attacks to cast their ballot in the long-delayed poll on Saturday, official figures showed, but many polling sites opened several hours late or not at all. The Independent Election Commission (IEC), which has been lambasted for its chaotic organisation of the vote that is more three years late, said 401 polling centres would open Sunday until 5:00 pm (1230 GMT). "There was disorder, slowness, shortcomings and mismanagement by the IEC," said Ali Reza Rohani, a spokesman for the Electoral Complaints Commission. A Western official said the ballot was a "victory for the Afghan people who were not deterred" by the biometric machines, administrative incompetence and Taliban threats. Around three million people defied the threat of militant attacks to cast their ballot in the long-delayed poll on Saturday, official figures showed, but many polling sites opened several hours late or not at all Nearly 170 people -- civilians and security forces -- were killed or wounded in scores of election-related attacks across the country, official figures showed. A suicide bomber blew himself up inside a voting centre in Kabul, killing at least 15 people and wounding 20, while more than 70 rockets rained down on election sites elsewhere. Nearly nine million voters registered for the parliamentary election, the third since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. But many suspect a significant number of those were based on fake identification documents that fraudsters planned to use to stuff ballot boxes. Missing or incomplete voter registration lists, problems with biometric verification devices that were being used for the first time, and absent or poorly trained election staff were among a litany of setbacks. Turnout also was likely affected after the Taliban issued several warnings in the days leading up to the poll demanding candidates withdraw from the race and for voters to stay home. The militant group on Saturday claimed it carried out more than 400 attacks on the "fake election". Official observers described disorder and chaos at polling centres where election workers did not know how to use biometric devices that the IEC has said are required for votes to be counted. Many voters who had registered their names months ago were not on the roll, and the Taliban commandeered some polling centres and refused to let people cast their ballots. Registration lists "have been way off and with voting today nobody knows where people vote and how many voted", the Western official said. Afghan policemen carry out a ballot box as problems continue to plague the legislative elections on the second day of voting Problems plagued hundreds of Afghan polling centres Sunday in the shambolic legislative election's second day of voting, fuelling criticism of organisers and eroding hopes for credible results after a ballot marred by deadly violence. As voters once again braved the threat of militant attacks, an AFP tally of casualty figures from across the war-torn country showed the number of civilians and security forces killed or wounded in polling-related violence on Saturday was nearly 300. That was more than four times the latest figures released by the interior ministry. The huge discrepancy supports speculation that officials have deliberately downplayed the violence, adding to concerns about the lack of transparency and credibility of the long-delayed election that is seen as a dry run for next year's presidential vote. At some of the 253 polling centres opened for voting on Sunday, election workers still struggled to use biometric verification devices and voter rolls were "either incomplete or non-existent", Electoral Complaints Commission spokesman Ali Reza Rohani told reporters. Problems with biometric verification devices that were being used for the first time were among a litany of setbacks during the election "Most of the problems we had yesterday still exist today," said Rohani, adding some polling sites again opened late and had insufficient ballot papers. Another 148 polling sites that were supposed to open remained closed for security reasons, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) told AFP. The IEC's chronic mishandling of the parliamentary election, which is the third since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, has all but dashed hopes it can competently organise the presidential ballot, scheduled for April. "This does not bode well for next year," Afghanistan Analysts Network co-director Thomas Ruttig told AFP. "The IEC has clearly shown its lack of capacity to run acceptable and transparent elections, instead publishing doctored figures." A Western official, who had monitored the months-long preparations, told AFP they had no confidence left in the IEC. "None at all," they said on the condition of anonymity. "There are a lot of doubts that they would be able to handle the presidential election properly," political analyst Haroun Mir said. IEC figures show around four million Afghans risked their lives to vote over the weekend -- many waiting hours for polling centres to open -- despite scores of militant attacks. Elections will be held in the southern province of Kandahar on October 27 after voting was delayed by Thursday's assassination of a powerful police chief. - 'Fake election' - Nearly nine million voters registered for the parliamentary election, but many suspect a significant number of those were based on fake identification documents that fraudsters planned to use to stuff ballot boxes. Yet the fact any Afghans turned out to vote was an achievement in itself, some observers noted. Voters braved the threat of militant attacks to queue up and cast their votes "The people of Afghanistan showed that they are still hopeful for their future," Mir said. Speaking after polls closed Sunday, President Ashraf Ghani challenged the Taliban to "show if your way or the way of democracy is preferred by the people". The Taliban had issued several warnings in the days leading up to the poll demanding the more than 2,500 candidates for the lower house withdraw from the race and for voters to stay home. The militant group on Saturday claimed it carried out more than 400 attacks on the "fake election". There were no reports of poll-related violence on Sunday, but officials said a roadside bomb killed 11 members of a family driving in the eastern province of Nangarhar. - 'Important milestone' - As officials counted ballots from the first day, there were concerns that extending voting by a second day "provides opportunity for fraud and misuse" Official observers described disorder and chaos at polling centres on Saturday where election workers did not know how to use biometric devices the IEC had belatedly rolled out to appease political leaders and said were required for votes to be counted. Many voters who had registered their names months ago were not on the roll, and the Taliban commandeered some polling centres and refused to let people cast their ballots. There were concerns that extending voting by a day could provide "opportunity for fraud", Election and Transparency Watch Organization of Afghanistan said. Some 44 people already have been charged with "illegal interference in the election and fraud", the interior ministry said. As vote counting continued and officials began the process of transferring ballot boxes to Kabul, Afghan voters took to social media to vent their frustration at the debacle. "Shame on the IEC," Hosai Mangal wrote on the IEC's official Facebook page. "There was no order at all, I could not find my name at the polling centre where I registered." But embattled IEC chief Abdul Badi Sayyad on Sunday defended the organisation's handling of the election, saying the problems were not due to "weak management". Despite the chaos, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which has spearheaded international efforts to advise the IEC, said the election was "an important milestone in Afghanistan's transition to self-reliance". mam-us-emh-amj/gle Macau operates on the same "One Country, Two Systems" principle designed to safeguard local freedoms as Hong Kong China's top representative in Macau has fallen to his death from the building where he lived, authorities said Sunday. Zheng Xiaosong, 59, the Chinese government's liaison officer in the semi-autonomous former Portuguese colony, had been suffering from depression, Beijing said in a statement. Zheng "fell to his death from his Macau residence on the evening of October 20, 2018 due to depression", the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council said. The statement gave no more details but the wording suggested Zheng had killed himself. Mainland officials were to travel to Macau on Sunday to express their "condolences to comrade Zheng Xiaosong's family" on behalf of the Chinese government, it added. The director of Macaus judiciary police said they were investigating Zheng's death, Hong Kong media reported. Zheng, a member of the ruling Communist Partys Central Committee, was reportedly involved in talks between London and Beijing ahead of the handover of Hong Kong in 1997. He took up the post in the gambling enclave of Macau last year. The territory operates under the same "One Country, Two Systems" principle that governs Hong Kong. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said in a statement that she was "grieved to learn of his sudden departure". A resident looks on as Comoros Armed forces members search and patrol looking for weapons and armed men in the town of Mutsamudu on Anjouan island, scene of week of unrest Residents on the Comoros island of Anjouan slowly returned to their daily lives Sunday after a six-day siege in the old quarter of Mutsamudu city where soldiers had fought with rebels down narrow lanes. The island's governor Abdou Salami Abdou, a member of the opposition Juwa party, surrendered to the police, and rejected any "link whatsoever with the rebels". "I have never known them, I have never armed these people," he told AFP. "I challenge anyone to prove my involvement," Abdou, a fierce critic of President Azali Assoumani, said, adding that peaceful protests against the Comoros government had been infiltrated by militants. The army said it had regained control of the medina quarter on Saturday in the latest bout of instability to rock the coup-prone Indian Ocean archipelago. At least three people were killed in a week of violence. Anjouan's port re-opened Sunday after being closed for several days. Soldiers searched homes for suspected rebels, but no arrests were reported. Supermarket owner Mohamed Adinane said he had come "to check the condition of my store, to see if there were any breakages." "I found expired products because of the power cuts," he said, explaining he had lost a lot of money. "It's a shame but what can we do?" Military checkpoints were still in place around the medina and most streets were deserted. Stones and teargas cannisters littered the ground after the week of clashes. Residents, who had been cut off without power or water during the stand-off, emerged on balconies on Boulevard Mohamed Ahmed seeking updates on the security situation. A senior officer advised people to stay in their homes, saying "You never know until you are 100 percent sure that there is no risk from rebels." - 'Government tricked'? - Some locals expressed scepticism over whether the rebels had been vanquished by the military in an apparently peaceful operation on Saturday. One elderly man, who declined to be named, asked "how were these rebels able to melt away with their weapons and belongings when the medina was completely surrounded?" "The government was tricked," he said before closing his door. Tensions in Comoros have mounted in recent months as Assoumani bids to extend term limits through constitutional changes that could see him rule for 11 more years. Assoumani won a widely-criticised referendum in July allowing him to scrap the rotation of the presidency between Comoros' three main islands, disadvantaging opposition-leaning Anjouan, which was next in line. Map of the Comoros archipelago, showing the position of Mutsamudu, scene of days of clashes between rebels and security forces The president, who came to power in a military coup and was elected in 2016, has indicated that he plans to stage polls next year which would allow him to reset his term limits and theoretically rule until 2029. The Comoros islands -- Anjouan, Grande Comore and Moheli -- are located between Mozambique and Madagascar. President Assoumani won a July referendum allowing him to scrap the rotation of the presidency They have endured years of grinding poverty and political turmoil, including about 20 coups or attempted coups, since independence from France in 1975. The last coup was in 1999 when Assoumani, then the head of the army, seized power for the first time. He gave up power in 2006 before being elected two years ago. The fourth Comoros island, Mayotte, remains French. Assoumani's government accuses the opposition Juwa party of being behind the unrest on Anjouan. Former president Ahmed Abdallah Sambi who leads Juwa, is from Anjouan. He has been under house arrest since May on corruption charges All eight carriages on the Puyuma Express train in Taiwan were derailed and five flipped onto their side in the accident At least 17 people have died after an express train derailed and flipped over on a popular coastal route in Taiwan on Sunday. The Taiwan Railways Administration confirmed 17 people had been killed and said 132 people had also been injured in the accident in northeastern Yilan county. Authorities have not confirmed if any passengers remain trapped alive inside the train. An AFP reporter at the scene said that more bodies were being brought out of the wrecked carriages. Images from the site showed the Puyuma Express train completely derailed and lying zig-zagged across the track. All of the train's eight carriages had derailed and five had flipped onto their side at Xinma station, the railways administration said. One passenger told Apple Daily Taiwan that the train had been shaking during the journey. At least 17 people died and 132 were injured as the express train derailed Taiwan authorities said the accident had happened at 4:50 pm local time (0850 GMT) with no cause yet given. The railways administration said there had been 366 people on board the service en route to the southern city of Taitung. The defence ministry said it had sent in 120 soldiers to help the rescue. President Tsai Ing-wen described the accident as a "major tragedy" in a Tweet Sunday evening. "My thoughts are with all the victims and their families," she added. A soldier with the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo) takes cover during exchanges of fire with members of the ADF (Allied Democratic Forces) in Opira, North Kivu, on January 25, 2018 Rebels killed at least 11 people and abducted 15 others, including 10 children, in an overnight raid near Beni, near DR Congo's eastern border with Uganda, security sources said Sunday. Police recovered the bodies of 11 civilians killed in the town of Matete north of Beni, he said, adding that the missing children were from five to 10 years old, Beni police chief Colonel Safari Kazingufu told AFP. The attack, thought to have been carried out by members of the Ugandan Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), had targeted Beni, the regional army spokesman Captain Mak Hazukay told AFP. "We repulsed the attack but unfortunately, there were deaths among the civilians and soldiers," he said, without specifying how many soldiers had been killed. One local resident told AFP he had seen the bodies of two uniformed men at the site of the fighting. Earlier, a spokesman for the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO told AFP they had been involved in an exchange of fire with suspected rebels near Beni. Mexican authorities on Thursday had managed to block the "caravan" of migrants on a border bridge between Mexico and Guatemala, but many later entered via a river separating the two countries. Thousands of Honduran migrants resumed their march toward the United States on Sunday from the southern Mexican city of Ciudad Hidalgo. Mexican authorities on Thursday had managed to block the "caravan" of migrants on a border bridge between Mexico and Guatemala, but many later entered via a river separating the two countries. "No one is going to stop us, after all we've gone through, like crossing the river" said 21-year-old Aaron Juarez, who was accompanied by his wife and baby and was walking with difficulty because of an injury. "We are tired, but very happy, we are united and strong," added Edwin Geovanni Enamorado, a Honduran farmer who was part of the caravan, who said he was forced to leave his country because of intimidation by racketeering gangs. The caravan left San Pedro Sula in northern Honduras last week, following a call on social networks relayed by a former Honduran deputy. On Sunday morning, about a thousand migrants, including women and children, were still stranded on a border bridge hoping to enter Mexico legally via Guatemala. The day before, the Mexican authorities opened the border to women and children who were then taken to a shelter in the city of Tapachula, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Ciudad Hidalgo, Mexico. US President Donald Trump has been tweeting about the caravan's progress and thanked Mexican authorities on Saturday for their efforts to block it. "Mexico will not allow irregular entry into its territory, much less violent," Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said Friday evening in a video message. Indian Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh and actress Deepika Padukone have announced on their Twitter accounts that they will be married next month Bollywood superstars Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh announced Sunday that they are tying the knot, ending months of speculation about their relationship. The pair confirmed they will be married next month in a statement posted on their official Twitter accounts in Hindi and English. "With the blessings of our families, gives us immense joy in sharing that our wedding is set to take place on the 14th and 15th of November, 2018," it stated. Padukone, 33, and Singh 32, reportedly started dating in 2013 but had kept details of their relationship largely out of the public eye. Padukone is one of Bollywood's highest-paid stars and one to break into Hollywood, starring in "xXx: Return of Xander Cage" opposite Vin Diesel. The soon-to-be-weds have also shared the silver screen together, including a controversial Bollywood epic earlier this year that sparked violent protests in northern India. Padukone played a legendary Hindu queen and Singh a medieval Muslim ruler in the flick, which angered hardliners, some of whom burned down cinemas and made threats towards the two stars. Singh debuted in 2010 and has worked in 14 films. Padukone has acted in about 40 movies since 2006. Trump stepped back from his stance that Saudi Arabia's latest explanation for the death of the journalist inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was credible, but said he remained confident in the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman US President Donald Trump has accused Saudi Arabia of lying about the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, his strongest comments to date on the affair as pressure builds on the administration to strike a tougher line. In an interview with the Washington Post published late Saturday, Trump stepped back from his stance that Saudi Arabia's latest explanation for the death of the journalist inside their consulate in Istanbul was credible, but said he remained confident in the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "Obviously there's been deception and there's been lies," he said on the shifting accounts offered by Riyadh. Saudi officials originally said Khashoggi, who entered the diplomatic mission on October 2, had left unharmed, before announcing Friday he was killed inside the building in what they said was an altercation. "Their stories are all over the place," added Trump. But Trump stopped far short of calling for Prince Mohammed, the kingdom's de facto ruler, to be replaced, emphasizing as he has before how important the US-Saudi relationship is to Washington's regional strategic goals. He described the 33-year-old prince, widely known as MBS, as a "strong person; he has very good control." "He's seen as a person who can keep things under check," added Trump. "I mean that in a positive way." Trump added that he has yet to be shown any evidence by intelligence officials that would make him believe MBS had any direct role. "Nobody has told me he's responsible. Nobody has told me hes not responsible. We havent reached that point. I havent heard either way," the president said. "There is a possibility he found out about it afterward. It could be something in the building went badly awry. It could be thats when he found out about it. He could have known they were bringing him back to Saudi Arabia." Despite Trump's apparent equivocations, pressure has been building within his Republican Party to take a harsher stance. Speaking on ABC on Sunday, Republican Congressman Peter King said: "There's no way that one person, an overweight civilian, has to be killed. They could have brought him down with no trouble at all," adding he believed there was "an intent to kill." Asked if he thought Prince Mohammed was behind the killing, a fellow Republican, Senator Bob Corker, who is chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, told CNN: "Yes, I think he did it. Let's finish this investigation." An Iraqi Kurdish woman casts her ballot for the parliamentary election at a polling station in Arbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region, on September 30, 2018 The dominant party in Iraq's Kurdistan has secured the most seats in the autonomous region's parliament, despite its leader Massud Barzani having championed an ill-fated independence referendum last year, the local electoral commission said Sunday. Barzani's Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) won 45 of 111 seats in the September 30 elections, up from 38 at the last polls in 2013, according to final results announced by the commission. Barzani was the key backer of Kurdistan's independence vote in September 2017 that was deemed illegal by Iraq's central government and saw Baghdad impose economic penalties and retake disputed territory. The KDP's main rivals, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), likewise made gains and will see 21 of its lawmakers enter parliament, up from 18. The leaders of the region's top two political parties also took their rivalry to Baghdad, contesting the honorary role of Iraqi president. The PUK's candidate Barham Saleh won that race, maintaining a tacit accord between the two parties which sees the PUK take the federal presidency while the KDP holds the Kurdistan presidency. However, the Iraqi Kurdish presidency has been left vacant since Barzani stepped down following the failed independence referendum. But he still has clout in Iraq, with the KDP winning 25 seats in nationwide parliamentary elections in May. "Now that he is the great heavyweight of Kurdish politics, no-one can do without him in Baghdad," said Adel Bakawan, a research associate at the School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences in Paris (EHESS). "He lost the gamble of the referendum, but the legislative (elections) in May were a tremendous moment of grace; he was courted by the Americans and the Iranians," said Bakawan in reference to the two key powerbrokers in Iraq. - New Kurdistan movement - In Kurdistan's parliamentary vote, the main opposition Goran (Change) party lost half of its seats and was left with 12 lawmakers. Observers have put Goran's losses down to the arrival of another group standing in opposition to the KDP and PUK heavyweights. The New Generation movement, founded this year to channel public anger at the region's elite, won eight seats in the September 30 poll. The results mean the KDP could theoretically have the parliamentary majority without having to form an alliance with its political rivals, instead gaining the backing of minority lawmakers. The appointment of a new president to replace Barzani has been on hold, pending the drafting of a new Kurdish constitution for which no timetable has been set. Goran and numerous Islamist parties have said they will reject the results of the vote, which saw a 57 percent turnout according to official figures. The ethnic and religious minorities of Kurdistan's three provinces in northern Iraq -- which have been autonomous since 1991 -- are reserved 11 seats in parliament. Five each go to Turkmen and Christian candidates, with one for the Armenian community. The remainder of the seats were won by smaller, mainly Islamist parties. Saudi authorities admitted Saturday that journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed after entering the consulate in Turkey on October 2 Saudi Arabia's account of the death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside its Istanbul consulate is not credible and the culprits must be "held to account," a British minister said on Sunday. After a fortnight of denials, Saudi authorities admitted Saturday that the Washington Post columnist, a prominent critic of powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed after entering the consulate in Turkey on October 2. But it has faced a growing chorus of incredulity over its belated explanation that he died in a "brawl", as world powers demand answers and the whereabouts of his body. "I don't think it's credible," Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC, adding there was a "serious question mark over the account that has been given". "We support the Turkish investigation into it, and the British government wants to see people held to account for that death." After initially saying Khashoggi left the consulate unharmed, and then that they were investigating his disappearance, Saudi authorities conceded the 60-year-old was killed inside the diplomatic compound. But many questions have remained unanswered since the admission. Turkish officials have accused Riyadh of carrying out a state-sponsored killing and dismembering the body, with pro-government media in Turkey reporting the existence of video and audio evidence to back those claims. Police have searched a forest in Istanbul where they believe his body may have been disposed of. Ankara has vowed to reveal all the details of a two-week inquiry. Raab called the case "terrible" but said the government was not ending its relationship with the conservative kingdom, which buys hundreds of millions of pounds in weapons from Britain each year. Noting a "huge number of British jobs" depend on ties, he argued that British influence is best maintained by continuing to talk to the Saudis. "We have got one of the most rigorous export regimes in the world which makes sure arms are very carefully monitored," Raab added. The stance echoes that of American President Donald Trump, who has warned against scrapping a multibillion-dollar US-Saudi arms deal. Trump stepped back from his stance that Saudi Arabia's latest explanation for the death of the journalist inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was credible, but said he remained confident in the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman US President Donald Trump accused Saudi Arabia of lying about the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, his strongest comments to date on the affair, as pressure built Sunday on the administration to identify and punish those responsible. In an interview with The Washington Post published late Saturday, Trump stepped back from his stance that the Saudis had earlier provided a credible explanation for the death of the journalist inside their Istanbul consulate, but he said he remained confident in the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "Obviously there's been deception and there's been lies," he said of the shifting accounts offered by Riyadh. Saudi officials originally said Khashoggi, who entered the diplomatic mission on October 2, had left unharmed, before announcing Friday that he was killed inside the building in what they described as an altercation. "Their stories are all over the place," added Trump. Saudi Arabia faced a growing chorus of incredulity Sunday, with world powers including Britain and France demanding answers and some American politicians calling for tough, concerted action to punish the Saudi royal family if it were proven to be responsible. The Saudi version lacked "consistency and credibility," said Chrystia Freeland, Canada's foreign minister. - Growing pressure - Saudi officials originally said Khashoggi, who entered the diplomatic mission on October 2, had left unharmed, before announcing Friday he was killed inside the building in what they described as an altercation Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir insisted Sunday that the killing was "a tremendous mistake" -- part of a "rogue operation," he said -- and the crown prince had not ordered it. He also expressed confidence that the US-Saudi relationship would survive the crisis. "The strategic relationship is important for both countries," Jubeir told Fox News. "The relationship will weather this." But a series of US lawmakers of both parties expressed doubt, demanding a stronger stance against the longtime US regional partner. Several senior members of Trump's Republican Party said they believed Prince Mohammed, the kingdom's de facto ruler, was linked to the killing, and one called for a "collective" Western response if a link is proved. Trump emphasized the importance of the US-Saudi relationship to Washington's regional strategic goals. He described the 33-year-old prince, widely known as MBS, as a "strong person; he has very good control." Trump added that he has yet to be shown any evidence by intelligence officials that would make him believe MBS had any direct role. "Nobody has told me he's responsible. Nobody has told me he's not responsible. We haven't reached that point," the president said. "It could be something in the building went badly awry." - Republicans hit MBS - Demonstrators dressed as Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump (C) pretend to kiss outside the White House Amid Trump's apparent equivocations, several leading Republicans demanded a tougher stance. Asked if he thought Prince Mohammed was behind the killing, Republican Senator Bob Corker told CNN: "Yes, I think he did it. Let's finish this investigation." Corker, who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, added that if the prince is implicated, "There should be a collective response." "I think you're going to see the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany working collectively with others if he did this to respond in an appropriate way." Missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi's Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz is seen waiting in front of the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul Perhaps the strongest words came from Lindsey Graham, a strong Trump ally in the Senate who called for Prince Mohammed to "be removed." "I would like to punish those involved. It's impossible to believe the crown prince wasn't involved. I don't mind military sales but I object to business with the current leadership," he said. Trump has cited a planned $110 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia as a reason for a cautious approach, although many components of that package had been set in motion months or years before he took office. "This behavior is outside the norm to the point that the people involved need to be removed in my view. Saudi Arabia is a country and MBS is a person. I'm willing to separate the two," Graham continued, accusing the prince of acting in a "barbaric fashion." Democrats have repeatedly lashed out at Trump's response as weak and indecisive, and they said his latest reaction fell short as well. Barring an unlikely "confession" from Prince Mohammed, Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff said Sunday, "the president is going to accept the crown prince's denials like he's accepted Putin's denials and Kim Jong Un's denials." What happened to Jamal Khashoggi? "We have to see if financial motives are influencing the president," he said on ABC. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin called in a statement for the expulsion of the Saudi ambassador from the United States -- Prince Khalid bin Salman, the crown prince's younger brother -- pending completion of a "third-party investigation into the kidnap and murder of Jamal Khashoggi." Senator Lindsey Graham, who has become an outspoken ally of Trump's, said on "Fox News Sunday" that the president was making "absolutely the right move." A key Republican lawmaker on Sunday backed Donald Trump's plan to withdraw from a decades-old nuclear accord with Russia, saying the US needed to be free to respond to a Chinese nuclear build-up. The US president on Saturday confirmed his plan to withdraw from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, saying the Russians had been violating it "for many years" while China, not a signatory, remained free to develop such weapons. Russia denounced the US decision as "very dangerous." But Senator Lindsey Graham, who has become an outspoken ally of Trump's, said on "Fox News Sunday" that the president was making "absolutely the right move. "The Russians have been cheating; the Chinese are building up their missiles... and we need to counter it." Another senior Republican, Senator Bob Corker, agreed that "there's no question that for years Russia has been violating" the accord. He noted on CNN that some defense specialists say that "because China is not part of this (the INF) they're developing systems that will move beyond where we are." But Corker, who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, said he hoped Trump's stance was designed merely to pressure Russia to return into compliance. "I hope we'll be able to figure out a way to stay within the treaty." Indian Kashmiri residents look on as smoke billows from a house after a gunfight with Indian government forces in Kulgam town, some 65 kms south of Srinagar on October 21, 2018 Indian police said "leftover explosives" were responsible for a blast in Kashmir that killed at least five civilians Sunday as they protested against government forces shooting dead three alleged militants. Protesters had surged the site of a shootout in southern Kulgam town, chanting slogans against Indian rule and hurling rocks at troops as they fired at unidentified gunmen. Three alleged rebels were shot dead in the exchange but a subsequent explosion at the scene killed five demonstrators, said inspector-general of police Swayam Prakash Pani. "Protestors ignored warnings and soon overwhelmed the site, where five died after being hit when leftover explosives went off," he told AFP. At least 30 other civilians were wounded in clashes with police, another officer and witnesses at the scene said. Mobile telephone services were suspended in the area as protests spread. Many civilians in Kashmir support rebels who have been fighting for decades for independence or for a merger with Pakistan, which like India also claims the divided Himalayan territory in full. India has some 500,000 troops deployed in Kashmir. Popular unrest has been rising since 2016 when a charismatic young rebel leader was shot dead by Indian forces. More than 100 civilians died in subsequent weeks of protest. A civilian was among four people killed last week in a shootout in the heart of Srinagar, the main city in Indian-administered Kashmir. Tens of thousands, mostly civilians, have died in the decades of fighting across Indian Kashmir. This year at least 186 militants, 80 civilians and 75 government forces personnel have died in clashes across the Indian controlled part of the territory. India accuses Pakistan of arming and training militants to attack Indian forces. Pakistan says it only provides diplomatic support for Kashmir's right to self-determination. Speaking in an interview on Fox News, Jubeir said the Saudi leadership initially believed Khashoggi had left its diplomatic mission in Istanbul, where he was last seen on October 2. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Sunday the kingdom did not know where the body of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi was, despite admitting to the killing and calling it a "tremendous mistake." Speaking in an interview on Fox News, Jubeir said the Saudi leadership initially believed Khashoggi had left its diplomatic mission in Istanbul, where he was last seen on October 2. But following "reports we were getting from Turkey," Saudi authorities began an investigation, which discovered "he was killed in the consulate." "We don't know, in terms of details, how. We don't know where the body is," Jubeir said, adding that the Saudi public prosecutor had ordered the detention of 18 individuals, "the first step in a long journey." He termed the killing a "tremendous mistake" but one which the US-Saudi relationship would eventually overcome. "The individuals who did this, did this outside the scope of their authority. There obviously was a tremendous mistake made, and what compounded the mistake was the attempt to try to cover up," Jubeir said. "That is unacceptable in any government. These things unfortunately happen. We want to make sure that those who are responsible are punished, and we want to make sure we have procedures in place to prevent it from happening again." Jubeir insisted, however, that the operation was not ordered by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, despite reports tying some suspects to members of the de facto ruler's security detail. - 'They made a mistake' - "This was an operation that was a rogue operation, this was an operation where individuals ended up exceeding their authorities and responsibilities they had; they made a mistake when they killed Jamal Khashoggi in the consulate and they tried to cover up for it," he said. A growing chorus of US lawmakers including several from President Donald Trump's Republican Party have criticized the Saudi leadership over the affair, but Jubeir was confident the US-Saudi relationship would survive the crisis. "The strategic relationship is important for both countries," he said. "I believe when the investigation is over and the facts are revealed, people know who is responsible and see those individuals punished, that the relationship will weather this." He added that Saudi King Salman was "determined to see this investigation through, determined to ascertain the facts, determined to hold those responsible accountable and determined to put in place policies and procedures in the security services to prevent something like this from ever happening again." A mother mourns the death of two of her sons, killed in another attack earlier this month blamed on the Allied Democratic Forces in Beni Crowds protested in the streets in Beni, eastern DR Congo, after rebels killed at least 11 people and abducted 15 others, including children, in an overnight raid, local officials said. The attack, thought to have been carried out by members of the Ugandan Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), targeted Beni, the regional army spokesman Captain Mak Hazukay told AFP. Local people, carrying the bodies of three of the civilians killed in the attack, took to the streets following the attack, said Aloys Bwarara, the mayor of the district of Ruwezori. Other people, furious at the attack had set fire to the post office and a town hall, he added, "...which I deplore because we are doing everything to keep the population safe". "We went down with three bodies as far as the town hall," said one local man, motorbike-taxi driver Paluku Thaiswika. "The police came to break it up because another group of young people had burnt down the post office and two annexes of the town hall," he added. Law student Guillaume Saliboko said some local people had set up road blocks in the town's main street to make their anger known. "We can't understand how the ADF rebels can kill us in the middle of the town every time," he added. Police recovered the bodies of 11 civilians killed in the town of Matete north of Beni, Beni police chief Colonel Safari Kazingufu told AFP. The missing children were from five to 10 years old, he added. Army spokesman Hazukay said: "We repulsed the attack but unfortunately, there were deaths among the civilians and soldiers." He did not say how many soldiers had been killed, but one local resident told AFP he had seen the bodies of two uniformed men at the site of the fighting. Earlier, a spokeswoman for the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO told AFP they had been involved in an exchange of fire lasting several hours with suspected rebels near Beni. The ADF, which US authorities designated a terror group in 2001, is a militia created by Muslim rebels to oppose Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni but which also operates in the DRC. They are held responsible for a string of attacks in the region and are thought to have killed at least 700 civilians -- and 15 Tanzanian peacekeepers in a December assault last year -- in a string of attacks carried out since 2014. Uganda accuses the group of links to Somalia's Al-Shabaab Islamist insurgents. Kizito Din-Hangi, the chairman of a local community association, said residents had taken to the streets in a spontaneous expression of anger at the repeated bloodshed in their region. "Nobody called for a rally -- (this is) a protest against repeated killings in Beni," Din-Hangi said. The Lucha (Struggle For Change) protest group tweeted that the protest was "not particularly the solution -- but understandable for a population so shattered and scorned" by the authorities. MONUSCO, whose mission is now 17,000 strong and is among the UN's largest, have been in the DRC since 1999 with an annual budget of $1.153 billion. On Tuesday, MONUSCO head Leila Zerrougui told reporters that eventual "negotiations" were envisaged with the ADF without giving details of what they might entail. Jordan's King Abdullah II addresses political figures in the capital Amman King Abdullah II announced Sunday that Jordan has notified Israel it wants to reclaim two small plots of territory leased under their 1994 peace deal. "We have informed Israel (that we are putting) an end to the application of the peace treaty annexes regarding Baqura and Ghumar," said the king, quoted by official news agency Petra. But Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he wanted to open negotiations to keep the current arrangement in place. The land was leased to Israel for a 25-year renewable period under annexes of the 1994 peace treaty that lay down a one-year notice period, with Jordan retaining sovereignty. "Israel was informed today of the Jordanian decision," the monarch said, stressing that "Baqura and Ghumar are Jordanian land and will remain Jordanian". "Baqura and Ghumar have always been at the top of our priorities, and we have decided to put an end to the application of the peace treaty annexes regarding Baqura and Ghumar," he added. Netanyahu confirmed Sunday that he had been informed of Jordan's request. Jordan's King Hussein (R) and Israeli Premier Yitzhak Rabin (L) shake hands after they exchanged the documents of their countries' 1994 peace treaty on the shore of the Sea of Galilee "As part of the agreement between our two countries, Jordan kept the right to take back the two areas at the end of the 25-year period," the premier said. "We will open negotiations on the possibility of prolonging the existing agreement," he added, as Israel marked the anniversary on the Jewish calendar of former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin's assassination. Rabin signed the peace agreement with Jordan and was killed by a right-wing Jewish extremist in 1995. "There is no doubt that from an overall point of view, this agreement constitutes an important and valuable asset for our two countries," Netanyahu said. The agreement on Baqura and Ghumar is automatically renewable unless either side gives a year's notice to terminate the deal, "in which case, at the request of either party, consultations shall be entered into". - 'Positive step' - On Friday and Saturday hundreds of Jordanians took to the streets in the kingdom's capital Amman calling on authorities to reclaim the two territories. Ghumar, which covers four square kilometres in the southern Aqaba province, was taken by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War. Baqura, a border area of six square kilometres (2.4 square miles) in Jordan's northern Irbid province, was taken by Israeli forces in 1950. During the peace negotiations, Amman allowed Israel to keep temporary control of Ghumar and Baqura -- under the pretext that Israel had already built infrastructure and agricultural facilities in the areas -- as long as it recognised they were sovereign Jordanian territory. Lawmaker Saleh al-Armouti told AFP that deputies "had even called for an urgent meeting of parliament to discuss the issue". He welcomed the king's decision, hailing it as "a positive step that restores dignity to the Jordanian citizen and sovereignty over his land." Director of the Al Quds Center for Political Studies Oraib Rantawi said Jordan's request would be a "test of Israeli intentions". Political analyst Adel Mahmoud said Jordan could face "pressure" from the United States, a key backer of both parties, to push for new negotiations if the Israeli response was negative but that "the king's decision has full popular support". Christine Hallquist hopes to make history in Vermont as the first transgender governor of a US state, as the administration of President Donald Trump chips away at protections for the LGBTQ community The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering a proposal to narrowly define gender as a biological, immutable condition determined by birth genitalia, The New York Times reported on Sunday. According to a memo obtained by The Times, the Department of Health and Human Services is leading the effort to establish a legal definition of sex under federal civil rights law that bans gender discrimination in government-funded education programs. It is the latest effort by President Donald Trump's administration to chip away at protections for the LGBTQ community. The department's proposed definition of gender would define sex as either male or female, unchangeable, and determined by the genitals that a person is born with, according to a draft reviewed by The Times. "Sex means a person's status as male or female based on immutable biological traits identifiable by or before birth," the department proposed in the memo, which was drafted and has been circulating since last spring, The Times said. "The sex listed on a person's birth certificate, as originally issued, shall constitute definitive proof of a person's sex unless rebutted by reliable genetic evidence." Health and Human Services has called on its own department, as well as Education, Justice and Labor, to adopt its definition in regulations that will establish uniformity in the government and increase the chance that courts will accept it, The Times said. Trump has called for the ejection of transgender people from the military, backed away from anti-discrimination laws that protect gay workers and supported the right of businesses to cite religious principles in not serving gay couples. The State Department under Trump has not filled a position created by former secretary of state John Kerry of a special envoy advocating LGBTQ rights around the world. Official moves away from LGBTQ protection come as transgender people take on a higher national prominence. Last year a transgender Democratic Party member was lauded as a pioneer when she won a seat in the Virginia state legislature. In next month's midterm elections, Christine Hallquist hopes to become America's first transgender governor, in Vermont. German Chancellor Angela Merkel addresses a press conference in Berlin on October 21, 2018 ahead of next weekend's regional elections in the west German state of Hesse German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Sunday that Berlin would not export arms to Saudi Arabia for now in the wake of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi's violent death. "I agree with all those who say when it comes to our already limited arms exports (to Saudi Arabia) that they cannot take place in the current situation," she told reporters at her party headquarters. Her foreign minister, Heiko Maas, had already said on Saturday that he currently saw "no basis for decisions in favour of arms exports to Saudi Arabia". Germany last month approved 416 million euros ($480 million) worth of arms exports to Saudi Arabia for 2018. In the past, military exports by Berlin to Saudi have mostly consisted of patrol boats. Merkel reiterated that she condemned Khashoggi's killing "in the strongest terms" and saw an "urgent need to clear up" the case. "We are far from seeing everything on the table and the perpetrators being brought to justice," she said. Merkel added that she would continue to consult with international partners about a coordinated reaction to the case. 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. The Khashoggi case has opened a serious new rift with European partners Britain, France and Germany saying in a joint statement earlier that Saudi Arabia must clarify how Khashoggi died inside its Istanbul consulate, and its account must "be backed by facts to be considered credible". After a fortnight of denials, Saudi authorities admitted Saturday that Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and prominent critic of powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed after entering the consulate in Turkey on October 2. But it has faced a growing chorus of incredulity over its belated explanation that he died in a "brawl", as world powers demand answers and the whereabouts of his body. The Perry Funeral Home on Trumbull Avenue in Detroit is pictured on October 21, 2018, where it was reported that 63 remains of fetuses were removed, 36 stored in boxes and another 27 found in freezers, police say Police in the US city of Detroit have found 63 fetuses at a funeral home during a widening investigation of alleged malpractice at such facilities, US media reported. "This is larger than we might know," The Detroit News quoted Police Chief James Craig as saying. "It's unbelievable." He spoke to reporters after officers on Friday raided Perry Funeral Home, where they found the remains of 36 fetuses in boxes and an additional 27 in freezers. Michigan state regulators suspended the home's license, a week after investigators found the remains of 10 fetuses in a false ceiling at another funeral home in the city. "We're widening our investigation," Craig said, as cited by the News. "We want to understand the reasons. Was it financial? We don't know." State inspectors alleged the funeral home failed to file death certificates on time, did not secure permits for removal or burial of bodies, and did not have relatives' permission to deal with the remains. One parent has sued Perry Funeral Home, and other agencies, alleging that the home stored the remains of stillborn and live birth babies at a university morgue for up to three years without notifying parents, the News said. It added that the lawsuit further alleges the funeral home billed for services and burials that weren't performed. After the discovery of the remains on Friday, CNN cited a statement from the funeral home's lawyer, Joshua Arnkoff, as saying: "These allegations involve only unclaimed infant remains. Perry Funeral Home received these remains from local hospitals who had indicated to Perry that the remains were 'unclaimed' by the parents." Arnkoff added that, "We do not believe that any of these remains involve families that paid Perry for funeral services." French Senator Philippe Bonnecarrere (R), Iranian parliamentary member Kazem Jalali (C), and French parliamentarian Delphine O (L) give a joint press conference in Iran's capital Tehran on October 21, 2018 European nations are seeking to ensure at least one Iranian bank stays connected to the world after the US imposed new sanctions against the country, a French senator said in Tehran on Sunday. The United States pulled out of a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran in May and has been reimposing punishing sanctions on the Islamic republic, targeting in particular its financial system. The European efforts to help Iranians benefit from the nuclear deal despite the US sanctions is "difficult but it's possible", said French Senator Philippe Bonnecarrere. One way was "to have at least one Iranian bank remain connected to the international banking system through SWIFT to keep up commercial relations on goods or services that are not subject to sanctions," he added. Bonnecarrere, who heads the France-Iran friendship group in the upper house of parliament, made the remarks during a news conference with French and Iranian counterparts. The 2015 nuclear deal was agreed between Iran and the so-called 5+1 group -- UN Security Council permanent members Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, plus Germany. Bonnecarrere was in Iran with six other members of the French parliament. The visit was a sign of "all the determination and all the will of France to keep alive the nuclear agreement," said Delphine O, one of lawmakers. Yachts are moored in Egypt's Red Sea resort town of Hurghada, where British tourist David Humphries died before his body was repatriated and reportedly found to be without its heart and other organs Egyptian authorities on Sunday denied reports of alleged organ theft after the body of a British tourist who died suddenly while on holiday was returned home without some organs. David Humphries, 62, died in the seaside resort of Hurghada on the shores of the Red Sea on September 18. His body was returned to the UK where a second post-mortem ordered by a coroner discovered that his heart and some other organs had been removed, a British media outlet said in a report. Accusing the UK media of publishing "flawed reports", the Egyptian state information service (SIS) said allegations of "organ theft are unfounded". The statement said that samples were taken and the heart, parts of the liver, kidneys and other organs had been removed in order to establish the cause of death. It did not give an explanation as to why they had not been replaced. The service said the tourist had probably died of a heart attack, citing the medical report. It also quoted his daughter Anita Goodall as saying that she did "not accuse anyone of having a hand in the death of her father". In another case in Hurghada on August 21, travel operator Thomas Cook moved all its clients to another hotel after a British couple died in what their daughter called "suspicious" circumstances. Egyptian authorities say John and Susan Cooper, who fell ill and died suddenly while staying at the five-star Steigenberger Aqua Magic Hotel in the resort, succumbed to the effects of an E. coli infection. The BNP says police have arrested at least 4,000 of its activists on trumped-up charges since September Bangladesh police on Monday arrested a prominent critic of the government who recently helped the country's embattled opposition parties forge an alliance amid fears that dissent is being stifled in the South Asian nation. Police said Moinul Hosein, a top lawyer and a publisher of an English daily, was detained from Dhaka's Uttara neighbourhood hours after Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina slammed him for his comments against a pro-government female journalist. "He has been arrested after a warrant of arrest was issued against him", a senior Dhaka Metropolitan Police officer told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. Hosein, 78, who does not belong to any political party, emerged as a top critic of the government in recent months and was a key organiser of the recently formed alliance between the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and other centrist parties. Premier Hasina on Monday attacked Hosein for his comments against the woman journalist whom he described as "characterless", accusing him of collaborating with Pakistan during Bangladesh's war of independence against the Islamic republic, the state-run BSS news agency reported. She asked female journalists to protest Hosein's remark and urge them to file cases against him. "Lodge cases against him, the law enforcement agencies and the government will do whatever necessary in this regard," she said, according to BSS. Hosein has apologised for the remarks. News of the arrest comes as Bangladesh opposition parties accuse the government of a massive crackdown against their members. The BNP says police have arrested at least 4,000 of its activists including a prominent former minister on trumped-up charges since September. Earlier this month the acting head of BNP Tarique Rahman, who now lives in exile in London, was sentenced to life in prison over charges he plotted a grenade attack on Hasina in 2004 when she was the leader of the opposition. With a general election due in the next three months, Hasina expects a tough fight from the regrouped opposition, unlike in 2014 when the BNP and other parties boycotted the poll over fears of vote-rigging. Bangladesh's parliament recently ratified a new and stringent digital security law, despite widespread criticism by journalists and rights groups. The law was enacted weeks after top Bangladeshi journalist and activist Shahidul Alam was arrested during massive student protests in the capital Dhaka for making "false" and "provocative" statements on Al Jazeera and Facebook Live. The USS Curtis Wilbur and USS Antietam (pictured) conducted a routine transit through the Taiwan Strait to demonstrate US commitment "to a free and open Indo-Pacific," the US military said China said Tuesday it has expressed concern to the United States over what it considered an affront to its sovereignty after two US warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait. The move adds to increasingly fraught relations between the two countries, which have clashed over a number of issues, including trade, Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea and human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Monday was the second time in the space of three months that American warships had conducted so-called "freedom of navigation" exercises in the Taiwan Strait, a 180-kilometre wide stretch of water separating the Chinese mainland and the self-ruled democratic island. Beijing "expressed its concern to the US side" as "the Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity", Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular news briefing. Hua said Beijing urged Washington to "scrupulously abide by the one-China principle" and "carefully handle the Taiwan-related issues in an appropriate manner". China still sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified, despite the two sides being ruled separately since the end of a civil war on the mainland in 1949. Colonel Rob Manning from the US Department of Defense told reporters that the USS Curtis Wilbur and USS Antietam conducted a routine transit to demonstrate US commitment "to a free and open Indo-Pacific." Multiple Chinese warships shadowed the two US vessels during the transit, following at a safe distance, American defence officials told CNN. Beijing recently conducted a series of military manoeuvres, including a live fire exercise in the Taiwan Strait in April, declaring its willingness to confront Taiwan's "independence forces." Washington remains Taipei's most powerful unofficial ally and its main arms supplier despite switching diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979. The Trump administration has sought closer ties to the island, announcing plans last month to sell it $330 million spare parts for several aircraft including the F-16 fighter and the C-130 cargo plane. Taiwan's premier William Lai said during a parliamentary session Tuesday that Taiwan respected the US right of passage in international waters and recognised "the various efforts of the US in maintaining peace in the Asia-Pacific Region". Taiwan's defence ministry had said in an earlier statement that the military was "closely monitoring the US warships during their passage". Twitter and Facebook have shut down thousands of Russian-controlled accounts A concerted Russian hacking and online disinformation campaign in 2016 sought to tip the US presidential election toward Donald Trump. Two weeks ahead of midterm congressional elections, Moscow's operatives are at it again. The shutdown of thousands of Russian-controlled accounts by Twitter and Facebook -- plus the indictments of 14 people from Russia's notorious troll farm the Internet Research Agency -- have blunted but by no means halted their efforts to influence US politics. #MAGA -- Trump's rallying call to "Make America Great Again" -- remains the top hashtag among 18,000 tweets pumped out daily by hundreds of Russia-backed and allied Twitter accounts monitored by Hamilton 68, a tracking operation of the Alliance for Securing Democracy in Washington. The leading linked website this week? A Republican voter registration page. "After the election in 2016, there was a lot of talk about whether the Russians will be back in 2018," said Suzanne Spaulding, senior advisor on the Homeland Security Program of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "We now know: they never left." On Friday, the US Justice Department announced criminal conspiracy charges against the Internet Research Agency clerk who manages the tens of millions of dollars the outfit spends on information operations in the United States and Europe. The charges documented typical social media postings on IRA accounts that purported to be American and were mainly aimed at fanning the flames of political anger. "Just a friendly reminder to get involved in the 2018 Midterms," said a tweet posted earlier this year by @johncopper16, which prosecutors say was an identity created by the IRA. "They hate you. They hate your morals.... They hate the Police. They hate the Military. They hate YOUR President." Such divisive messages could influence the November 6 vote. While the presidency is not up for grabs, control of Congress is, making voter turnout in specific individual races important. - 'Campaign to undermine democracy' - The US Department of Justice has announced criminal conspiracy charges against the Internet Research Agency clerk who manages the tens of millions of dollars it spends on information operations in the United States and Europe That is not what has US experts worried the most, however. "The biggest concern is really about undermining public confidence in the credibility of the outcome of the election," said Spaulding. "It is really a broader campaign to undermine democracy." In 2016, according to US intelligence, Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw a concerted effort to disrupt the election and turn voters away from Hillary Clinton in order to help Trump's campaign. This included hackers of the GRU military intelligence body breaking into the computers and communications of Clinton's campaign to steal documents that were later leaked to embarrass her. Separately, the IRA ran a huge, innovative disinformation campaign on social media that stoked anger, confusion and divisions, and was also aimed at boosting Trump. On Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and elsewhere, they created online identities and groups, gathered followings, endorsing, cross-posting and sharing fake news stories and angry messages, to great effect. That continued after the election, until a year ago when Twitter shut down hundreds of accounts that it identified as part of Russia's political meddling. New accounts sprung up, many of them automated bots. Rather than creating content, they amplified the huge amount of divisive material already out there, said Bret Schafer, who oversees the Hamilton 68 website. "Now the people sitting at the IRA in St Petersburg, they don't even have to create this stuff. It's created for them." - Retweeting angry Americans - The confirmation of US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, pictured in September 2018, generated a huge amount of divisive online comment One example, said Ben Nimmo, who runs the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab, was the intense, two-week online battle over Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh in September. The massive amount of false reports and virulent personal attacks across social media came largely from American accounts, he said. The Russians needed only stir the pot by retweeting and reposting them, which can be done with bots. "There is a huge amount of angry Americans on both sides. They are more than capable of generating massive traffic on their own," he said. After Twitter launched a second sweep of fake accounts several weeks ago, the volume of Russian activity has fallen sharply, noted Nimmo. The platform closed thousands that were Russian-run and had been responsible for some nine million tweets, including those mentioned in Friday's criminal complaint. Since then, Nimmo said, "they have definitely been trying harder to hide their tracks." It's not clear, however, whether they are making a concerted "third wave" effort at the moment. Two weeks before the election, the Hamilton 68 site shows Moscow has not given up, even if the intensity of its activity has waned. This week, the top 10 themes and linked articles in the accounts it monitors were strongly pro-Trump, pro-Republican: they highlighted Trump's most recent rally, the alleged threat of a migrant caravan in Mexico, and a hashtag newly favored by Trump, #jobsnotmobs. James Lewis, a Russia and cyber expert at CSIS, thinks the Russians are honing their skills for the next presidential race, rather than attempting to impact the current election cycle. "They may be saving their best tricks for 2020, he said. French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, left, with Burkina Faso's Foreign Affairs Minister Alpha Barry at the inauguration of an education and start-up incubator in Ouagadougou on October 19, 2018 No one was killed when gunmen on motorcycles stormed a police station in Burkina Faso's restless north last week -- but only because the outnumbered officers quickly fled the scene, allowing an unknown number of detained terror suspects to escape. The attack in the heart of Djibo on Thursday night came just hours after French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian arrived in the capital Ouagadougou, his second visit this year to address deteriorating security in the country since a deadly assault on the French embassy last March. French officials say the raid was a "catastrophe", signalling a growing boldness of jihadist fighters in the north of the former French colony, while also broadcasting the government's apparent inability to protect its citizens. "Clearly Burkina Faso is now the main worry" among the G5 Sahel nations trying to fend off jihadism and lawlessness in five nations on the Sahara's southern rim since 2015, a top French diplomatic source said, warning of a "very long" anti-terrorist fight. Already around 220 schools have been closed in the north and up to 40,000 people have been driven from their homes toward Djibo, a town that is home to one of the biggest cattle markets in West Africa. In September, a spate of near-daily roadside bomb attacks erupted along the eastern border with Niger, a sparsely populated area of national parks with a history of smuggling activities. Although attacks in the area have subsided in recent weeks, NGOs have told their workers to remain in larger cities for fear of landmines. So far no group has claimed responsibility for the bombings, which officials say could be the work of Ansarul Islam -- normally based in the north -- or the Islamic State in the Greater Sahel, the group behind a deadly ambush on US soldiers in western Niger in October 2017. But the violence has prompted two of Burkina Faso's neighbours to the south, Togo and Benin, to start moving troops to their northern borders, according to a French diplomatic source. And on the eve of Le Drian's visit, defence and foreign ministers from Togo, Benin and Niger met their Burkinabe counterparts in Ouagadougou to discuss security strategy and cooperation -- for the first time in recent memory. - 'Can't do anything' - Adding to the unease, President Roch Marc Christian Kabore has refused to address the surge in attacks, declining to appear alongside Le Drian for a press briefing after their meeting last week. Few people believe his claim that partisans of former president Blaise Compaore are at work, trying to destabilise his government. "People are scared," said a local journalist in Ouagadougou who asked not to be quoted by name, calling Kabore's silence "an admission of weakness". "He can't do anything -- he doesn't have the resources," the senior diplomatic source added. "We'll see how they are going to respond, what they're going to ask of us," he said, noting a planned visit by Kabore to Paris in December. His government has recently taken the notable step of calling on France's Barkhane anti-terror force in the Sahel for air strikes and other assistance, after refusing for years to seek help from Paris. For now, no Barkhane troops are stationed in Burkina Faso, where the focus has been on training an army which was severely curtailed after the 2014 ouster of Compaore, who used elite forces as his personal militia. Kabore remains wary of giving too much power to his own army, in a country which has suffered several attempted or successful coups, notably the 2015 uprising staged by members of Compaore's former presidential guard. In the meantime, Le Drian announced during his trip a 30 million euro ($34 million) "Three Borders" aid package for Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to help spur development, seen as essential for easing the conditions which have allowed the jihadist insurgencies to thrive. Poverty remains endemic in Burkina Faso, and around half its population of some 20 million people are younger than 17 years old. But officials admit that even projects as simple as digging wells were not currently possible given the security risks, which are heightening a sense that entire swathes of the country are being abandoned by Ouagadougou. "We're going to have to stand together," Foreign Minister Alpha Barry said of the risks of attacks as he and Le Drian inaugurated an education and start-up hub in the capital on Friday. Palaeontologist Jonah Choiniere says a student noticed a 'few (fossilised) bones coming out' of a massive rock on a remote farm in central South Africa. 'It turned out to be a hip of a species we've never seen before' The sun rises over the South African bush as scientists laden with backpacks climb a hillside. They get down to work, carving into two immense blocks of stone that have concealed the secrets of an ancestor of modern-day crocodiles for some 200 million years. Jonah Choiniere and his team from Johannesburg's Witwatersrand University had tracked the reptile from another age for three years. The search brought them to a stretch of farmland in the central town of Rosendal, where they are surrounded by cattle and impalas. "In 2015, one of my students just saw a few (fossilised) bones coming out," said Choiniere, his shirt sticking to sweat from the morning's hike. The stone surrounding must be enveloped in a protective layer of plaster before it is taken to Johannesburg, where lab technician Wilfred Bilankulu uses dental tools to expose the fossil "We started to excavate it and we brought it back to the lab and it turned out to be a hip of a species we've never seen before," said the palaeontologist, who is originally from the United States. The delicate excavation process at the site is grindingly slow and continues today. Before being extracted, the stone surrounding a fossil is carefully enveloped in a protective layer of plaster. After five hours of drying time, the stone is chiselled free, lifted by three strong people, and then transported by road nearly 300 kilometres (185 miles) to Johannesburg into the expert hands of Wilfred Bilankulu. "My job is to make the fossils visible," said the former fine arts student. "I'm taking off the jacket that has been put in place around the fossil, and after I prepare them using dental tools." - Rare specimen - The herculean task will take between eight and 12 months. A similar amount of time will be needed to meticulously examine, compare and describe the find. Choiniere expected a bountiful haul even before he had the discovery in hand. "This is a pretty good harvest for us. We didn't know what to expect when we came into this quarry... I can say it's much better than what we were expecting, very promising," he said. Given the bones already uncovered, Choiniere's research student Rick Tolchard can barely hide his excitement. Jonah Choiniere said the find was much better than expected He knows he is in the presence of a rare specimen, the improbable forefather of the crocodile family which today stalks African waterways. "Two hundred and fifty to 200 million years ago, these animals were the dominant land carnivores and they were found all over the world... (but) in South Africa we don't have a record of them," he said. "Some of them were, I imagine, sort of like a crocodile crossed with a lion, a very large quadrupedal, legs under the body, with these massive big jaws -- a very intimidating animal. "The one here would have stood on his hind legs, it would have looked more like a theropod dinosaur, almost like a raptor." In recent years, South Africa has become a top destination for dinosaur hunters. Just an hour's drive from the Rosendal farm, Choiniere's team has already unearthed fossils belonging to a newly discovered type of dinosaur that roamed the earth 200 million years ago. - 'Giant thunderclap at dawn' - Measuring four metres (13 feet) to the shoulder and weighing 12 tonnes -- twice the weight of a modern elephant -- the giant herbivore known in the local Sesotho language as Ledumahadi mafube ("a giant thunderclap at dawn") shook up the family tree of extinct monsters. Choiniere said it could well be "the first of the true giants". The beast is a forerunner of the 60-tonne sauropods familiar from Steven Spielberg's blockbuster "Jurassic Park" series. Experts say the southern tip of Africa is an ideal place to study the transition between the Triassic and Jurassic periods, when mass extinction events shaped the evolution of the planet. Fossils are present in about two-thirds of South African territory, according to Jonah Choiniere "One of the reasons is that about 66 percent of the surface of South Africa has fossils on it -- there are a lot of fossil-bearing areas," Choiniere said. "We don't get much rainfall, especially in the interior, so we have areas that erode rapidly -- and that erosion exposes fossils." "It's phenomenal, it's really great," said palaeontology masters candidate Cebisa Mdekazi, a young student flying the flag for the next generation of South African palaeontologists. "It also instills pride for your country -- you have all those amazing things in our country, and we can show the world." Her professor, Choiniere, is far from finished with South Africa. "Every time we go out into the field and we dig something up, there's a pretty good chance that it might be something new," Mdekazi said. "It's dinosaur country, and there's no way we'll ever finish the work in my lifetime." A file picture taken on February 13, 2018 shows a prisoner suspected of collaborating with the Islamic State group in the custody of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) at Rmelan in northeastern Syria Syria's Kurds are holding hundreds of alleged foreign fighters from the Islamic State group, but say they will not try them and have urged their home countries to repatriate them. Here is what we know: - Hundreds in jail - Kurdish forces who have been fighting IS in Syria with backing from the US-led coalition say they hold around 900 of the organisation's foreign jihadists from 44 countries. The most infamous captives include Alexanda Amon Kotey and El Shafee el-Sheikh, two survivors of the IS kidnapping quartet dubbed "The Beatles" due to their British accents. The group was notorious for videotaping beheadings. Among the detained French jihadists is Adrien Guihal, who is said to have claimed a truck-ramming attack in the French city of Nice that killed 86 people in 2016. A woman walks with a child at a camp for people linked to the Islamic State group in the village of Malikiya in northern Syria near the border with Turkey on September 29, 2018 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. Many of the detainees do not have identity papers, Omar says. "Some of the women have four children, each from a different father and each father from a different country," he says. - No trials - Since 2014, IS has lost most of a cross-border proto-state they once held in Syria and neighbouring Iraq to various offensives. Iraq has sentenced dozens of foreigners to death or life in jail over belonging to the extremist group. But the Kurdish authorities in northeastern Syria have repeatedly said they will not try any foreign fighters. Kurdish foreign affairs official Abdel Karim Omar, seen here during an interview with AFP on September 24, 2018, says his US-backed administation will not try any of the hundreds of foreign jihadists in its custody "We try the local Syrian IS mercenaries, but we won't try the foreigners," Omar said. "There are too many of them. It's a heavy burden we can't carry on our own," he said. "We don't have any laws for capital punishment... If we did try them and their jail sentence ended, then where would they go?" he asked. The Kurds were trying to exert "pressure on the international community and countries that have nationals in our region," Omar said. "We are trying by all means for those countries to take back their nationals." - 'Political considerations' - Russia, Indonesia, and Sudan have agreed to take some nationals back, Omar said, and these have been mostly women and children. But overall, Western countries, reeling from deadly attacks claimed by IS on home soil, have been reluctant. On Tuesday, Pentagon Joint Chiefs chairman Joe Dunford said the delay in repatriating the foreign captives home for prosecution was due to "political considerations and inconsistent legal frameworks". A mother sits with her children in a tent at a Kurdish-run camp for people linked to the Islamic State group in the northern Syrian village of Ain Iss on February 15, 2018 Concerns included "how we identify, prosecute, deradicalise and reintegrate foreign fighters", he said. Two Americans -- a man and a woman -- were transferred back to the United States in July to be tried. France has insisted any French adults held by Kurdish authorities should be tried where they are, so long as they face a "fair trial". Britain has reportedly stripped Kotey and Sheikh of their citizenship, and made no efforts to repatriate them. American media reported in August that the US administration was considering sending them to Guantanamo Bay. - Talks? - Omar says the Kurds "have been in touch with the Danish, Dutch and Canadian governments", but so far without results. "After advancing past many stages, the Canadian government halted everything," he said. Canadian official Stefano Maron however told AFP that "any information on an understanding towards repatriating Canadian citizens from Syria was unfounded". Beyond those three countries, the Kurds appear to be showing more leniency with two key member states of the anti-IS coalition. In recent months, the Kurds have selected and brought out several captives for interviews with the international media. But a Kurdish military commander told AFP an agreement had been reached so "no French or American IS fighters were brought out in front of the media to avoid pressure" on both governments, he said. The commander, who asked to remain anonymous, did not however give more details. Canada last Wednesday became the world's first major economy to fully legalise cannabis, including for recreational use South Korea has warned its citizens against smoking marijuana in Canada, telling them that even though the country legalised weed last week, using it there was still an offence under Seoul's own laws. Consumption, possession or sale of illegal substances are criminal offences under South Korea's tough drugs legislation. Last Wednesday, Canada became the world's first major economy to fully legalise cannabis, including for recreational use, sparking celebrations as the nation embarked on the controversial policy experiment. But South Korea's criminal laws apply both territorially and personally, officials said, meaning that its citizens would still face punishment for smoking weed even if they did so in Canada. "South Korean individuals who use marijuana (including purchase, possession and transport) -- even in regions where such acts are legal -- are violating the law and will be punished accordingly," the South Korean embassy in Canada tweeted last week. "So please beware," it said. In South Korea, prominent figures or celebrities have often made headlines for smoking marijuana at home or abroad, with offences in foreign countries revealed by tip-offs to police. Some spent years in jail during the 1970s or 80s when the country was under military rule, but in recent years many were merely fined or given suspended terms. The South Korea is not the only country that punishes people for foreign narcotics use. In Singapore, which has some of the toughest drugs laws in the world, citizens and permanent residents face up to 10 years in prison if found to have consumed illegal substances outside the city-state. Random urine checks are carried out at Changi Airport and other entry points. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri (L) seen here with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) at a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron on April 16, 2018 has backed the kingdom over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi Lebanon's premier-designate Saad Hariri threw his support behind Saudi Arabia Tuesday as it faces outrage over the murder of Saudi journalist and government critic Jamal Khashoggi at its Istanbul consulate. Hariri's comments came less than a year after he resigned in mysterious circumstances in a televised address from the Saudi capital, sparking rumours he was being held there against his will. "The measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the case of journalist Jamal Khashoggi... come within the framework that serves the path of justice and the disclosure of the whole truth," a statement from his office quoted him as saying. On Tuesday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir pledged a "thorough and complete" investigation into Khashoggi's murder. A tough critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Khashoggi disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to collect paperwork for his marriage. A few days later, a Turkish government source said police believed he was murdered by a team sent to Istanbul, and on October 17, a Turkish newspaper said he was tortured and decapitated inside the consulate. The case has tarnished the image of the crown prince, and caused policymakers and business titans to cancel their plannned attendance at a key investment forum that opened in Riyadh on Tuesday. Hariri said the directives of "King Salman bin Abdulaziz would put things in the right direction and contribute to respond to the malicious campaigns targeting the kingdom", the statement said. Turkey has said the murder of Khashoggi was "savagely planned", and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to reveal what he has said was the "naked truth" about the killing later Tuesday. Saudi Arabia has long been a key ally of Hariri, while Riyadh's regional foe Iran backs Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah. But in November last year, Hariri announced he was stepping down in a televised address from the Saudi capital, causing observers to speculate he was being held against his will. After French mediation, he rescinded his resignation the following month, and Saudi Arabia has denied intimidating Hariri into quitting his post. Hariri was named premier for a third term in May after Lebanon's first parliamentary elections in nine years, but has since struggled to form a cabinet. "I have come to see for myself. Nothing beats physically being on the ground," Assoumani, flanked by troops, said as he toured Mutsamudu's old town Comoros President Azali Assoumani on Tuesday visited areas of Anjouan island that security forces recaptured from rebels after clashes last week in which at least two civilians died. "I have come to see for myself. Nothing beats physically being on the ground," Assoumani, flanked by troops, said as he toured the medina, or old town, of the Anjouan capital Mutsamudu. "I've seen normal life resume. Above all I want to congratulate the people of Mutsamudu for coping with the situation as well as our security forces, who have shown great professionalism," he said. The army regained control of the densely populated medina on Saturday following the latest bout of instability to rock the coup-prone Indian Ocean archipelago. At least two civilians were killed in a week of violence that pitted troops against Assoumani's opponents. Assoumani told journalists that the priority was to "recover weapons and seek out rebels... who fled with their guns." He noted that an amnesty for rebel fighters to surrender their weapons without fear of prosecution was still in force. Assoumani cut a calm figure, wearing a floral shirt and sunglasses and stopping to laugh with local shopkeepers and residents. The rebel force was estimated to have numbered around 30, of whom 20 have been positively identified, according to a security source. Following a deal between the national government and the island's authorities, controlled by the opposition Juwa party, Anjouan governor Abdou Salami Abdou was arrested on Sunday. He is now under house arrest pending a court appearance but has denied any links to the rebels. "I think it's regrettable that political leaders can be implicated in these incidents," Assoumani said. Anjouan's chief prosecutor Mohamed Abdallah said the governor's case would be heard by a judge in the state security court. "The charges are numerous: complicity in rebellion, disorder, possession of weapons, threatening territorial integrity," he said. "This won't be a political prosecution... just the application of law." Assoumani won a widely criticised referendum in July allowing him to scrap the rotation of the presidency among Comoros' three main islands, disadvantaging opposition-leaning Anjouan, which was next in line. Anjouan's governor, Abdou, has bitterly opposed Assoumani's measures. The government had sent in reinforcements to quell the unrest in the old quarter of Mutsamudu after rebels erected barricades last Monday and repelled attempts by the security forces to regain control. Over the past six days, many have civilians fled as a curfew was imposed and water and power supplies were cut. The president, who came to power in a military coup and was elected in 2016, has indicated that he plans to stage polls next year which would allow him to reset his term limits and theoretically rule until 2029. Two Iranian Revolutionary Guard officials have been included in a sanctions list developed by the Riyadh-based Terrorist Financing Targeting Center The US Treasury and allies in the Gulf took aim at Iran's support for the Taliban Tuesday with new sanctions against nine individuals from both countries. The Riyadh-based Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) said the sanctions aimed to "expose and disrupt Taliban actors and their Iranian sponsors that seek to undermine the security of the Afghan Government." The list included two Iranian Revolutionary Guard officials identified as Mohammad Ebrahim Owhadi and Esma'il Razavi. According to a TFTC statement the two involved in providing training, financial and logistical support to the Taliban. It said Owhadi arranged a deal in 2017 with a top Taliban official in Aghanistan's Herat Province in which the Revolutionary Guard would provide military and financial support to the Taliban in return for them attacking government forces in Herat. Razavi provided similar support to other Taliban groups across the Iran-Afghanistan border, the statement said. Also named were the Taliban's deputy shadow governor for Herat, Abdullah Samad Faroqui; Mohammad Daoud Muzzamil. who holds the same position in Helmand province, Naim Barich, who manages Taliban-Iran relations, and three other senior Taliban officials. The blacklist also included Abdul Aziz, accused of paying the Taliban for protection for his narcotics trafficking and gemstones businesses. "Iran's provision of military training, financing, and weapons to the Taliban is yet another example of Tehran's blatant regional meddling and support for terrorism," said US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. "The United States and our partners will not tolerate the Iranian regime exploiting Afghanistan to further their destabilizing behavior," he said in the statement. The sanctions were announced during Terrorist Financing Targeting Center meeting in Riyadh. Some of those mentioned were already on US and UN sanctions lists. The Targeting Center was launched in May 2017 and includes the United States, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Iraqi mourners attend a funeral after a car bomb attack on October 23, 2018 killed and wounded dozens at a market in Al Qayyarah, 60 kilometres south of the Islamic State group's former Iraqi capital of Mosul A car bomb attack Tuesday killed six people and wounded 26 more at a market in a town near the Islamic State group's former Iraqi capital of Mosul, medics said. Images of the scene posted on social media showed a devastated market in the town of Al Qayyarah, 60 kilometres (40 miles) south of Mosul, with wounded being evacuated as bystanders watched on. "The attack killed six people and wounded 26," doctor Abdelmoneim Majid al-Tabu, who heads the town's health service, told AFP. Al Qayyarah was held by IS after they swept through northern Iraq in 2014. The jihadists were ousted from the town in 2016, almost a year before they were driven out of Mosul. While IS has now lost all its urban footholds in Iraq, it retains the capacity to launch deadly attacks, with cells operating in desert areas along the border with Syria. LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AP) - President Donald Trump on Friday called Saudi Arabia's announcement that suspects are in custody in the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi a "good first step" and said he would work with Congress on a U.S. response. The president spoke to the media at a defense roundtable in Arizona hours after Saudi Arabia claimed that Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor last seen on Oct. 2, was killed in a "fistfight" at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The kingdom also said that 18 suspects were in custody and that intelligence officials had been fired. Asked by a reporter whether he thought Saudi Arabia's explanation for Khashoggi's death was credible, Trump said, "I do. I do." But he said before he decided what to do next, he wanted to talk to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "Saudi Arabia has been a great ally, but what happened is unacceptable," Trump said. Regarding the Saudi arrests, he said, "It's a big first step. It's only a first step, but it's a big first step." On Capitol Hill, lawmakers including Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham expressed skepticism of the Saudi account, which was vastly different than that given by Turkish officials, who had said an "assassination squad" sent by the kingdom had killed and dismembered Khashoggi. "First we were told Mr. Khashoggi supposedly left the consulate and there was blanket denial of any Saudi involvement," Graham, R-S.C., tweeted Friday. "Now, a fight breaks out and he's killed in the consulate, all without knowledge of Crown Prince." President Donald Trump talks to reporters as before boarding Air Force One, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Andrews Air Force Base, Md., en route to campaign stops in Montana, Arizona and Nevada. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Khashoggi, a prominent journalist and royal court insider for decades in Saudi Arabia, had written columns critical of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the kingdom's direction while living in self-imposed exile in the U.S. He went to the Saudi consulate to obtain paperwork for his upcoming marriage. "The Saudi 'explanation' for murdering journalist and Virginia resident Jamal Khashoggi in a consulate_a fistfight gone wrong_is insulting," tweeted Sen. Tim Kaine, the 2016 Democratic vice presidential nominee. "Since the Trump Administration won't stand up against atrocity, Congress must." Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff of California said Saudi Arabia's claim that Khashoggi died in a brawl wasn't credible. "If Khashoggi was fighting inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, he was fighting for his life with people sent to capture or kill him," said Schiff, the ranking member of the House intelligence committee. "The Kingdom and all involved in this brutal murder must be held accountable, and if the Trump Administration will not take the lead, Congress must," Schiff said. In a statement Friday night, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the U.S. will closely follow international investigations into Khashoggi's death and will advocate for justice that is "timely, transparent and in accordance with all due process." Earlier Friday, Sanders said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had spoken to the crown prince and briefed the president and John Bolton, Trump's national security adviser. Trump dispatched Pompeo earlier in the week to Saudi Arabia and Turkey to speak to officials about the case. ___ Thomas contributed from Washington. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives to speak with reporters about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, after meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) ADDS NAME OF SUSPECT - In a frame from surveillance camera footage taken Oct. 2, 2018, and published Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, by the pro-government Turkish newspaper Sabah, a man identified by Turkish officials as Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb, walks toward the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul before writer Jamal Khashoggi disappeared. Saudi Arabia, which initially called the allegations "baseless," has not responded to repeated requests for comment from The Associated Press over recent days, including on Thursday over Mutreb's identification. (Sabah via AP) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo walks off after speaking with reporters about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, after meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) A Turkish forensic officer arrives at the Saudi consulate to conduct a new search over the disappearance and alleged slaying of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, in Istanbul, early Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. Pro-government newspaper Yeni Safak on Wednesday said it had obtained audio recordings of the alleged killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Republicans running in Nevada's hotly contested races for governor and U.S. Senate are taking aim at a common target as they try to maintain GOP control of the seats: California. As more Californians have poured across the state line over the past few years, many of them escaping sky-high housing costs, some Nevada Republicans fear a state that already has become a political battleground will begin to resemble its deep blue neighbor. GOP candidates are appealing to conservative voters with warnings about life in California: sanctuary cities, crippling business regulations, out-of-control housing prices and a worsening homeless crisis. Republican Sen. Dean Heller, who is in a tight re-election battle against Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen, has highlighted his opponent's support from California billionaire Tom Steyer and Hollywood celebrities, while warning on Twitter that the state could become "CaliforNevada" if Rosen is elected. Politicians on the right have for years demonized California as a conservative's worst nightmare. In 2003, as a joke, a Republican state lawmaker in Nevada requested a bill be drafted to rename the state "East California," along with making The Beatles' song "Taxman" the official state song. The California-bashing takes on added weight in Nevada, which has seen a greater-than-normal wave of Californians recently as housing prices and rents have soared in the Golden State. At the same time, transplants from Silicon Valley have followed Tesla, Apple and other California-grown companies as they have expanded in the Reno area. In this Sept. 20, 2018, photo, Nevada state Attorney General Adam Laxalt waits to take the stage before a campaign rally with President Donald Trump in Las Vegas. In the Nevada Governor's race, Laxalt has frequently included anti-California messages in campaign appearances and statements.(AP Photo/John Locher) This year, with California emerging as a political bulwark against the Trump administration, the state has become a political bugaboo for conservatives around the country. They paint it as a cautionary tale of taxes, regulation, environmentalism and illegal immigration run amok. In Georgia, Republican candidate for governor Brian Kemp has cast his Democratic opponent, Stacey Abrams, as a tool of "billionaires and socialists who want to turn Georgia into California." Texas Gov. Greg Abbott this summer declared that "California appears to have raised the leadership in the United States of America for socialism." The Republican State Leadership Committee, which works on electing Republicans to state offices around the country, declared in a campaign email that California has turned into a "liberal wasteland" of "garbage-strewn streets, never-ending tax increases, and lax immigration laws" that Democrats would replicate if they took control of state legislatures. In Nevada, California has become a special source of angst. Californians have long made up at least one-third of new residents to Nevada, but this year are on track to comprise 40 percent of new residents, according to drivers' license data from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. That influx comes as Nevada has been trending more Democratic in its politics over the last decade, swinging for the Democrat in the past three presidential elections and giving Democrats full control of the Legislature in 2016 - the first time since 1992. It's unclear whether the latest California influx will move the state firmly into the Democratic column this November. Nevada's races are at the center of the political universe again this year: The U.S. Senate race is a pivotal one for determining whether Republicans maintain control of that chamber, and whichever party wins the governor's seat will have veto power over legislative and congressional redistricting following the 2020 Census. "A lot of people left California because of what they didn't like, but then they got to Nevada and said, 'Oh, in California, we had this. Oh, in California we had that.' The things that they left, they want to bring here," said Chuck Muth, a conservative activist and blogger in Las Vegas. "I think everybody has known about it, but now the candidates at the top of the Republican ticket are actually making a campaign issue out of it." In the governor's race, Nevada's Republican attorney general, Adam Laxalt, has frequently included anti-California messages in campaign appearances and statements, even when endorsing other candidates. Laxalt cites sanctuary cities and burdensome regulations as ill-considered California policies that Nevada should avoid. "Do you think it should be a crime in a restaurant to give you a straw when you're trying to have a drink? How about cancer warnings on your coffee?" Laxalt said at a campaign appearance in May. "These are things we're seeing in our neighbor, California. These are the things I'm willing to fight against so Nevada does not become like California." He told The Associated Press that while there's a concern that Californians moving to the state could import liberal politics, he meets new Nevada residents "all the time that have decided that they're utterly fed up with California" and "a lot of the just really extreme liberal policies that continue to flourish in that state." He said his main worry is that Nevada progressives will see California as a model. He cited the 2017 session of the Democratic-led Legislature as an example of the state "going the way of California." Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval, a moderate, nearly set a state record by vetoing 41 bills. ___ Associated Press writer Paul Weber in Austin, Texas, contributed to this report. ___ Follow Michelle Price at https://twitter.com/michellelprice ___ This report is part of a series on how California's struggles with soaring housing costs, job displacement and a divide over liberal policies are affecting the November election. See full coverage at: https://apnews.com/CaliforniaataCrossroads In this Oct. 12, 2018, photo, homes fill a small valley in Reno, Nev. A population inrush to Nevada has been driven by people seeking more affordable housing and a growing tech industry around Reno. (AP Photo/John Locher) In this Sept. 20, 2018, photo, Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., walks on stage during a rally with President Donald Trump in Las Vegas. Heller, who is in a tight re-election battle against Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen, has highlighted his opponent's support from California billionaire Tom Steyer and Hollywood celebrities, while warning on Twitter that the state could become "CaliforNevada" if Rosen is elected. (AP Photo/John Locher) In this Oct. 13, 2018, photo, a sign marks the entrance to the Tesla Gigafactory in Sparks, Nev. A population inrush to Nevada has been driven by people seeking more affordable housing and a growing tech industry around Reno. (AP Photo/John Locher) In this Oct. 13, 2018, photo, a Switch facility sits in the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center in Sparks, Nev. A population inrush to Nevada has been driven by people seeking more affordable housing and a growing tech industry around Reno. (AP Photo/John Locher) SAO PAULO (AP) - Thousands of people took to the streets in Brazil Saturday to protest the candidacy of presidential front-runner Jair Bolsonaro, shouting "Not him!" which has become the rallying cry against the far-right former army captain. In Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia and 24 other cities, large crowds filled avenues and squares a week before the Oct. 28 second-round vote polls suggest Bolsonaro is likely to win. Bolsonaro, who has angered many Brazilians by praising the country's 1964-1985 military dictatorship and making comments offensive to gays, women and blacks, won the first round of voting on Oct. 7, getting 46 percent against 29 for Fernando Haddad of the Workers' Party. In front of the Sao Paulo Art Museum, people beat drums and waved gay pride flags as they denounced Bolsonaro. Many carried cardboard signs bearing Haddad's name and photo. Tiago Silva, a 27-year-old philosophy teacher, said Bolsonaro "represents the fascism, intolerance and violence we are seeing in Europe and in the United States." "It will be a disaster if he wins - and it looks like he will," he added. With a banner in Portuguese that reads "More Love and Less Hatred," hundreds of demonstrators marched during a protest called "Women against Bolsonaro," in Brasilia, Brazil, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. Women and left-wing militants held protests across the country against the right-wing presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) Vinicius Bento, a 27-year-old lawyer, said voting for Haddad is "the only way to stop Bolsonaro and his racist, misogynist and fascists views from reaching the presidency." "We have to get Haddad elected," he said, acknowledging that he didn't vote for him in the first round because he'd "lost faith" in the Workers' Party as a result of the corruption scandals it has been involved with. The left-leaning party governed Brazil between 2003 and 2016, and has been dogged by the massive "Carwash" corruption investigation. Bolsonaro has appealed to many Brazilians weary of crime and corruption by promising a violent crackdown on drug gangs and other criminals, and by highlighting the corruption that took place under past Workers' Party administrations. He has also promised a return to "traditional Brazilian values." Haddad, the hand-picked successor to jailed former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has promised to bring back the boom times Brazil experienced under da Silva, fight inequality, invest more in education and improve state services. ___ AP writer Marcelo Silva de Sousa in Rio de Janeiro contributed to this report. Women carry signs that read in Portuguese "Dictatorship Never Again" during a protest called "Women against Bolsonaro," in Brasilia, Brazil, on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. Women and left-wing militants held protests across the country against the right-wing presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) Women carry signs that read in Portuguese "Anti Fascism, Haddad Yes", during a protest called "Women against Bolsonaro," in Brasilia, Brazil, on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. Women and left-wing militants held protests across the country against the right-wing presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) A woman shows a sign that reads in Portuguese "Women Against Bolsonaro" during a protest in Brasilia, Brazil, on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. Women and left-wing militants held protests across the country against the right-wing presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) A woman shows a Brazilian flag with text written on it that reads in Portuguese "Not him" during a protest called "Women against Bolsonaro," in Brasilia, Brazil, on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. Women and left-wing militants held protests across the country against the right-wing presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) A demonstrator walks with an umbrella that has text written in Portuguese that reads "Dictatorship No, Haddad Yes", during a protest called "Women against Bolsonaro," in Brasilia, Brazil, on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. Women and left-wing militants held protests across the country against the right-wing presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres) SNELLVILLE, Ga. (AP) - Two teen-aged suspects have been charged, including one man who remains on the loose, in connection with the fatal shooting of a George police officer who was killed while responding to a suspicious vehicle parked near a middle school, authorities said Sunday. Gwinnett County Police said in a statement that Isaiah Pretlow, 19, was arrested about 11:30 p.m. Saturday and charged with aggravated assault. A second suspect Tafahree Maynard, 18, has been charged with aggravated assault and felony murder but remains on the loose. Both men are suspected in the afternoon shooting near Snellville of Officer Antwan Toney, the Gwinnett County Police Department said in a news release. Toney died at a hospital from his injuries, police said. The 30-year-old from Southern California had been with the Gwinnett County Police Department for nearly three years. It was his first police job. "The people that worked with Officer Toney on a daily basis recalled a very jovial person who was dedicated to his job and dedicated to his community," Gwinnett County Police Chief Butch Ayers said. The shooting happened near Shiloh Middle School, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Atlanta. At least one officer returned fire. This undated photo provided by the Gwinnett County Police Department on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018 shows Officer Antwan Toney. On Saturday, Toney was killed after being shot while responding to a suspicious vehicle parked near a middle school. (Gwinnett County Police Department via AP) The suspects crashed their vehicle a short time later and witnesses reported seeing as many as four people running from the scene, police said. It's unclear if any of the suspects were injured. This undated photo provided by the Gwinnett County Police Department on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018 shows Officer Antwan Toney. On Saturday, Toney was killed after being shot while responding to a suspicious vehicle parked near a middle school. (Gwinnett County Police Department via AP) This undated photo provided by Gwinnett County Police Dept. shows Tafahree Maynard. Authorities say two suspects, including Maynard still being sought by police, have been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a George police officer. Gwinnett County Police said in a statement early Sunday that Isaiah Pretlow, 19, was arrested about 11: 30 p.m. Saturday and charged with aggravated assault. Maynard, has been charged with aggravated assault and felony murder but remains on the loose. (Gwinnett County Police Department via AP) STUART, Fla. (AP) - Police in South Florida say a suspect fired at an officer, led authorities on a lengthy chase on Florida's Turnpike and then suffered an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Miami-Dade County Police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta tells The Miami Herald that the suspect began to fire Saturday at an officer who tried to approach the driver after noticing a crash. The resulting high-speed chase stretched north across four counties on the Turnpike before ending Saturday evening in Martin County, more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of the initial crash. As officers approached the car, they found that the suspect had sustained an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police have not released the name of the suspect or the status of the suspect's injuries. SNELLVILLE, Ga. (AP) - The Latest on the fatal shooting of a Georgia police officer (all times local): 12:40 a.m. Authorities say two suspects, including one still being sought by police, have been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a George police officer. Gwinnett County Police said in a statement early Sunday that 19-year-old Isaiah Pretlow was arrested about 11:30 p.m. Saturday and charged with aggravated assault. A second suspect, 18-year-old Tafahree Maynard, has been charged with aggravated assault and felony murder but remains on the loose. Police say both men are suspected in the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Officer Antwan Toney, who was shot while responding to a suspicious vehicle parked near a middle school in the Snellville area. At least one officer returned fire. Authorities say the suspects crashed their vehicle a short time later and witnesses reported seeing as many as four people running from the scene. It's unclear if any of the suspects were injured. This undated photo provided by the Gwinnett County Police Department on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018 shows Officer Antwan Toney. On Saturday, Toney was killed after being shot while responding to a suspicious vehicle parked near a middle school. (Gwinnett County Police Department via AP) Snellville is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Atlanta. ___ 10:40 p.m. Authorities say multiple people have been interviewed about their possible involvement in the shooting death of a George police officer, but no formal charges have been made. In a news release Saturday night, the Gwinnett County Police Department said authorities are still searching for those involved in the afternoon slaying of 30-year-old Officer Antwan Toney. Police say Toney was shot while responding to a suspicious vehicle parked near a middle school in the Snellville area. At least one officer returned fire. Authorities say the suspects crashed their vehicle a short time later and witnesses reported seeing as many as four people running from the scene. It's unclear if any of the suspects were injured. Snellville is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Atlanta. ___ 9:40 p.m. A Georgia police officer has been fatally shot while responding to a suspicious vehicle parked near a middle school. News outlets report multiple law enforcement agencies are searching for suspects following the Saturday afternoon shooting near Snellville. WSB-TV reporter Rikki Klaus tweeted Saturday night that authorities had surrounded a nearby residence and were waiting for a search warrant. Police say Gwinnett County police officer Antwan Toney died at a hospital. The 30-year-old had been with the department for nearly three years. The shooting happened near Shiloh Middle School. Authorities say the suspects crashed the vehicle a short time later and witnesses reported seeing as many as four people running from the scene. It's unclear if any of the suspects were injured. Snellville is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Atlanta. This undated photo provided by the Gwinnett County Police Department on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018 shows Officer Antwan Toney. On Saturday, Toney was killed after being shot while responding to a suspicious vehicle parked near a middle school. (Gwinnett County Police Department via AP) This undated photo provided by Gwinnett County Police Dept. shows Tafahree Maynard. Authorities say two suspects, including Maynard still being sought by police, have been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a George police officer. Gwinnett County Police said in a statement early Sunday that Isaiah Pretlow, 19, was arrested about 11: 30 p.m. Saturday and charged with aggravated assault. Maynard, has been charged with aggravated assault and felony murder but remains on the loose. (Gwinnett County Police Department via AP) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Two men have been found guilty in the home-invasion deaths of a father and his two sons in Sacramento. The Sacramento County Superior Court jury found 26-year-old David Nguyen and 24-year-old Elijah Johnson guilty of murder and robbery on Friday following more than two weeks of deliberations, The Sacramento Bee reported . They face life in prison at their sentencing hearing, which will be set on Monday. Prosecutors say Nguyen, a marijuana dealer, planned to steal $30,000 in cash from the home of his partner, Dong Le. He enlisted the help of Johnson and two women, 21-year-old Amanda Tucker and 17-year-old Tayler Coately. Within minutes of entering the home in 2016, prosecutors say Nguyen fatally shot 32-year-old Le and his 21-year-old brother as they slept in their beds. They say Nguyen shot their father, Thanh Le, three times in the head as he tried to flee, while Le's mother escaped by hiding behind a car. Johnson, who prosecutors say was armed but never fired his gun, testified in his defense that there was no plan to hurt anyone and that he was scared for his own life. "I was terrified that if I tried to help them that I'd be the next victim," he testified in September. "It was the most belligerent, terrifying thing in my whole life ... This family did not deserve this." FILE - In this Wednesday, May 24, 2016 file photo, Elijah Johnson is arraigned in the Sacramento Main Jail in Sacramento, Calif. On Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, Johnson and 26-year-old David Nguyen were found guilty of murder and robbery following more than two weeks of deliberations. They face life in prison at their sentencing hearing, which will be set on Monday. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./The Sacramento Bee via AP) The case took on political significance when Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law in September that would curtail the ability of prosecutors to charge accomplices like Johnson with murder. When the law goes into effect in January, it will mean a person can only be convicted of felony murder if they directly helped in a killing or if they're "a major participant in the underlying felony and acted with reckless indifference to human life." Sacramento County Deputy District Attorney Jeff Hightower said his office doesn't believe the law would have made a difference in Johnson's case because of his participation in the crime. Jamila Land, a community activist who allowed Johnson to live with her when he was a homeless teenager, argued that his lack of criminal record and that he didn't pull the trigger should have made a difference. Tucker and Coately are serving seven-year prison sentences in the case after they pleaded guilty to robbery. ___ Information from: The Sacramento Bee, http://www.sacbee.com A ragged, growing army of migrants resumes march toward US TAPACHULA, Mexico (AP) - A ragged army of Honduran migrants streamed through southern Mexico on Sunday heading toward the United States, after making an end-run around Mexican agents who briefly blocked them at the Guatemalan border. They received help at every turn from sympathetic Mexicans who offered food, water and clothing. Hundreds of locals driving pickups, vans and cargo trucks stopped to let them clamber aboard. Besi Jaqueline Lopez of the Honduran city of San Pedro Sula carried a stuffed polar bear in a winter cap that seemed out of place in the tropical heat. It's the favorite - and only - toy of her two daughters, 4-year-old Victoria and 3-year-old Elisabeth, who trudged beside her gleaming with sweat. A business administration graduate, Lopez said she couldn't find work back home and hopes to reach the United States, but would stay in Mexico if she could find employment here. "My goal is to find work for a better future for my daughters," she said. ___ Bolton faces tense talks with Russia over nuclear treaty MOSCOW (AP) - U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton faces two days of high-tension talks in Moscow beginning Monday after President Donald Trump announced his intention to withdraw from a landmark nuclear weapons treaty. Trump's announcement that the United States would leave the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces, or INF, treaty brought sharp criticism on Sunday from Russian officials and from former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, who signed the treaty in 1987 with President Ronald Reagan. Trump said Russia has violated terms of the treaty that prohibit the U.S. and Russia from possessing, producing or test-flying ground-launched nuclear cruise missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometers (300 to 3,400 miles). Russia has repeatedly denied allegations that it has produced and tested such a missile. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as telling state news agency Tass that leaving the treaty "would be a very dangerous step." ___ Democrats look to Latinos to provide midterm support LAS VEGAS (AP) - Patricia Lugo rattled off a string of fierce adjectives describing life under the Trump administration - "ugly," ''bad," ''terrible." She joined a cluster of other Latinos in a Las Vegas shopping center in listing grievances against the president that included referring to Mexican immigrants as rapists and separating parents from children at the border. Lugo is determined to support Democrats as they fight back, but she's alarmed that a handful of friends and family have given up on voting. "They say it doesn't do anything," said Lugo, 56, a promoter for a footwear chain. "And it doesn't matter who votes because (politicians) do whatever they want anyway." Trump rode to his improbable victory in 2016 by winning a troika of Rust Belt states where there are relatively few Latinos. This was supposed to be the election Latinos struck back. ___ Dozens hurt in floor collapse at S. Carolina condo party CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) - The floor of a condominium clubhouse near Clemson University collapsed during a large private party early Sunday, hurtling dozens of people into the basement, authorities said. About 30 people were taken to local hospitals after the center of the floor caved in at the clubhouse near the South Carolina university. Clemson City Police said nobody was trapped and none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening. Video posted on social media shows a large part of the first floor falling as people danced, causing many of them to tumble to the floor below. Clemson sophomore Larissa Stone told the Independent Mail of Anderson that the room was "packed" and a popular song was playing when the floor collapsed. "So everyone was jumping. The beat was about to drop and literally the whole floor collapsed," she said. "It happened so quickly. I stood up, and everyone was trying to climb out. People are under other people. People are hurt. People are bleeding. I had blood on my sneakers. It was really bad." ___ One of Taiwan's fastest trains derails, killing at least 18 DONGSHAN TOWNSHIP, Taiwan (AP) - One of Taiwan's fastest passenger trains derailed Sunday on a curve along a popular weekend route, killing at least 18 people and injuring more than 170 others, authorities said. The Puyuma express was carrying more than 360 passengers from a suburb of Taipei in the north to Taitung, a city on Taiwan's southeast coast, when it went off the tracks shortly before 5 p.m., the government said in a statement. There was no immediate word on the cause of the accident. Most of the deaths were in the first car, and it was unclear whether other people were trapped in the train, according to a government spokesman, who spoke on the customary condition of anonymity. Some passengers were crushed to death, Ministry of National Defense spokesman Chen Chung-chi said. ___ "I don't feel real": Mental stress mounting after Michael PANAMA CITY, Fla. (AP) - Amy Cross has a hard time explaining the stress of living in a city that was splintered by Hurricane Michael. She's fearful after hearing gunshots at night, and she's confused because she no longer recognizes the place where she's spent her entire 45 years. "I just know I don't feel real, and home doesn't feel like home at all," Cross said. Health workers say they are seeing signs of mental problems in residents more than a week after Michael, and the issues could continue as a short-term disaster turns into a long-term recovery that will take years. Tony Averbuch, who leads a disaster medical assistance team that is seeing 80 to 100 patients daily in tents set up in a parking lot of the badly damaged Bay Medical Sacred Heart hospital, said some people are showing signs of fraying. It's not hard to imagine: Just getting to the treatment site involves navigating streets with roadblocks and fallen utility lines, and the hospital building itself was ripped open by Michael's powerful winds. ___ Turkey to reveal details of probe into Khashoggi's killing ISTANBUL (AP) - In a sign of growing pressure on Saudi Arabia, Turkey said it will announce details of its investigation into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Tuesday and U.S. congressional leaders said the Gulf kingdom - in particular its crown prince - should face severe consequences for the death of the writer in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The announcement on Sunday by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he will "go into detail" about the Khashoggi case in a speech in parliament heightened hopes for some clarity in a case that has been shrouded in mystery, conflicting accounts and shocking allegations since Khashoggi, a critic of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, disappeared after entering the consulate on Oct 2. Erdogan spoke after Saudi Arabia, in a statement early Saturday, finally acknowledged that 59-year-old Khashoggi had died in the consulate, though its explanation that he was killed in a "fistfight" was met with international skepticism and allegations of a cover-up designed to absolve Prince Mohammed of direct responsibility. Saudi Arabia said 18 Saudis were arrested and that several top intelligence officials were fired. Pro-government media in Turkey have reported a different narrative, saying a Saudi hit squad of 15 people traveled to Turkey to kill the columnist for The Washington Post before leaving the country hours later in private jets. "Why did these 15 people come here? Why were 18 people arrested? All of this needs to be explained in all its details," Erdogan said. ___ Coalition airstrike targets mosque used by Islamic State AL-UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar (AP) - An airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group targeted a mosque in Syria last week because it was determined to be an insurgent command-and-control center, the U.S. said Sunday. The coalition said in a statement that while the law of war protects mosques, the use of the building as a headquarters by IS caused it to lose that protected status. It said a dozen fighters were killed. U.S. Army Gen. Joseph Votel, the top American commander for the Middle East, said Sunday that he is very satisfied that commanders went through the proper procedures to determine that the mosque was being used by IS and that it was a legitimate target. "The determination that was made by the leadership on the ground that this was this mosque was not being used as a mosque," Votel told reporters traveling with him in Qatar. "These aren't hastily made decisions." Syrian state media and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said last week that a series of strikes in Sousa near the Iraq border killed and wounded dozens; civilians as well as IS fighters. ___ AP Analysis: Saudi prince likely to survive worst crisis yet DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - The killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul is unlikely to halt Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's rise to power, but could cause irreparable harm to relations with Western governments and businesses, potentially endangering his ambitious reform plans. International outrage over Khashoggi's Oct. 2 slaying at the hands of Saudi officials, under still-disputed circumstances, has marked the greatest crisis in the 33-year-old's rapid rise, already tarnished by a catastrophic war in Yemen and a sweeping roundup of Saudi businessmen and activists. The prince had hoped to galvanize world support for his efforts to revamp the country's oil-dependent economy, but now the monarchy faces possible sanctions over the killing. Saudi Arabia has threatened to retaliate against any punitive action, but analysts say that wielding its main weapon - oil production - could backfire, putting the prince's economic goals even further out of reach. "The issue now is how Western governments coordinate a response and to what extent they wish to escalate this in a coordinated fashion," said Michael Stephens, a senior research fellow who focuses on the Mideast at London's Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies. "Would financial sanctions be considered sufficient as to have sent a message to Saudi Arabia that this will never happen again?" Stephens added. "Some may feel this is inadequate, while others, like the Americans, may feel this is going too far." ___ Dodgers-Red Sox: Rich histories, but little crossover Sandy Koufax, Jackie Robinson and the Boys of Summer. Ted Williams to Yaz and the Impossible Dream. Manny Ramirez. Pedro Martinez. Bill Buckner. Fenway Franks and Dodger Dogs. Ebbets Field, the Green Monster. "Sweet Caroline" or "I Love L.A." Yet for all their rich history - dating back to Babe Ruth on the mound - the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers have rarely crossed paths heading into this World Series. Only once before in October, and that was more than a century ago. In fact, Clayton Kershaw has never even pitched at Fenway Park. BEIJING (AP) - Two people died and 18 were trapped in a coal mine in eastern China on Sunday after a rock burst destroyed part of a mining tunnel, state broadcaster China Central Television reported. The spontaneous fracturing of rock - a kind of earthquake induced by excavation - took place around 11 p.m. Saturday in Shandong province. Part of a water drainage tunnel was destroyed in the burst, said the official Xinhua News Agency, and two people were killed by fractured rocks that fell in the tunnel. More than 300 people were working inside the mine at the time of the rock burst, and most were successfully lifted to safety. Eighteen remained trapped underground late Sunday. Two people who were trapped have been rescued, according to China Central Television. The incident "has nothing to do with workers' operations," an official with the Shandong Coal Mine Safety Supervision Bureau told The Associated Press by phone. The official, surnamed Tian, said nearly 140 rescuers were dispatched. Ventilation has returned to around 200 meters (656 feet) of the damaged tunnel, Xinhua said. In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, a worker is carried on a stretcher out of the Longyun coal mine in Yuncheng County, east China's Shandong Province, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. Twenty were trapped in the coal mine Sunday after a rock burst destroyed part of a mining tunnel. (Guo Xulei/Xinhua via AP) The cause of the accident was being investigated. BEIJING (AP) - China's head representative to Macau died after a fall from his residential building, the central government said Sunday. Zheng Xiaosong, the director of China's liaison office in semiautonomous Macau, was suffering from depression, according to the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of China's State Council. Zheng, 59, died on Saturday evening at the building where he lived. The statement did not give further details. He assumed his post last September and was part of the ruling Communist Party's elite Central Committee. A notice on the liaison office's website said Zheng was still working on Friday, when he met with representatives of a think tank. Like Hong Kong, Macau has a separate legal system from mainland China. The former Portuguese territory's economy has boomed over the past decade as supercharged growth in the casino industry transformed the seedy backwater into a glitzy gambling powerhouse. SNELLVILLE, Ga. (AP) - The Latest on the fatal shooting of a Georgia police officer (all times local): 1:44 a.m. Authorities say two teen-aged suspects from Snellville, including one still being sought by police, were both in a vehicle during a shooting that left one George police officer dead. Gwinnett County Police said in a statement early Sunday that they believe 18-year-old Tafahree Maynard fatally shot 30-year-old Officer Antwan Toney, who was responding to a suspicious vehicle parked near a middle school in the Snellville area. Police say Maynard remains at large and should be considered armed and dangerous. A second suspect, 19-year-old Isaiah Pretlow, faces an aggravated assault charge related to an incident following the fatal shooting. Police say Pretlow drove the vehicle from the scene, crashed a short distance away and fled along with other occupants. An officer who was searching the area encountered Pretlow about 3 p.m. Police say Pretlow pointed a gun at the officer, who fired shots. Pretlow was not hit and fled into a wooded area. He was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals about 11:30 p.m. This undated photo provided by the Gwinnett County Police Department on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018 shows Officer Antwan Toney. On Saturday, Toney was killed after being shot while responding to a suspicious vehicle parked near a middle school. (Gwinnett County Police Department via AP) Snellville is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Atlanta. ___ 12:40 a.m. Authorities say two suspects, including one still being sought by police, have been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a George police officer. Gwinnett County Police said in a statement early Sunday that 19-year-old Isaiah Pretlow was arrested about 11:30 p.m. Saturday and charged with aggravated assault. A second suspect, 18-year-old Tafahree Maynard, has been charged with aggravated assault and felony murder but remains on the loose. Police say both men are suspected in the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Officer Antwan Toney, who was shot while responding to a suspicious vehicle parked near a middle school in the Snellville area. At least one officer returned fire. Authorities say the suspects crashed their vehicle a short time later and witnesses reported seeing as many as four people running from the scene. It's unclear if any of the suspects were injured. Snellville is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northeast of Atlanta. This undated photo provided by the Gwinnett County Police Department on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018 shows Officer Antwan Toney. On Saturday, Toney was killed after being shot while responding to a suspicious vehicle parked near a middle school. (Gwinnett County Police Department via AP) This undated photo provided by Gwinnett County Police Dept. shows Tafahree Maynard. Authorities say two suspects, including Maynard still being sought by police, have been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a George police officer. Gwinnett County Police said in a statement early Sunday that Isaiah Pretlow, 19, was arrested about 11: 30 p.m. Saturday and charged with aggravated assault. Maynard, has been charged with aggravated assault and felony murder but remains on the loose. (Gwinnett County Police Department via AP) ISTANBUL (AP) - In a sign of growing pressure on Saudi Arabia, Turkey said it will announce details of its investigation into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Tuesday and U.S. congressional leaders said the Gulf kingdom - in particular its crown prince - should face severe consequences for the death of the writer in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The announcement on Sunday by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he will "go into detail" about the Khashoggi case in a speech in parliament heightened hopes for some clarity in a case that has been shrouded in mystery, conflicting accounts and shocking allegations since Khashoggi, a critic of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, disappeared after entering the consulate on Oct 2. Erdogan spoke after Saudi Arabia, in a statement early Saturday, finally acknowledged that 59-year-old Khashoggi had died in the consulate, though its explanation that he was killed in a "fistfight" was met with international skepticism and allegations of a cover-up designed to absolve Prince Mohammed of direct responsibility. Saudi Arabia said 18 Saudis were arrested and that several top intelligence officials were fired. Pro-government media in Turkey have reported a different narrative, saying a Saudi hit squad of 15 people traveled to Turkey to kill the columnist for The Washington Post before leaving the country hours later in private jets. "Why did these 15 people come here? Why were 18 people arrested? All of this needs to be explained in all its details," Erdogan said. Meanwhile, Istanbul's chief prosecutor summoned 28 more staff members of the Saudi consulate, including Turkish citizens and foreign nationals, to give testimony on Monday, Turkish state broadcaster TRT reported. Prosecutors have previously questioned consulate staff; some Turkish employees reportedly said they were instructed not to go to work around the time that Khashoggi disappeared. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, delivers a speech at supporters in Istanbul, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. Erdogan says he will announce details of the Turkish investigation into the death of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi's on Tuesday. (Presidential Press Service via AP, Pool) Turkish news agency Anadolu Agency reported Sunday that Khashoggi's fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, has been given 24-hour police protection. Also Sunday, images that were obtained by TRT World, a Turkish news channel that broadcasts in English, showed Khashoggi as he arrived at a police barrier before entering the consulate on Oct. 2. The images, taken from security camera video, show the writer being searched before continuing toward the building. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Fox News that Khashoggi's killing was "a rogue operation" and that "we don't know where the body is.'" "The individuals who did this did this outside the scope of their authority," he said. "There obviously was a tremendous mistake made and what compounded the mistake was the attempt to try to cover up. That is unacceptable to the government." However, a leading U.S. Senate Republican said the Saudi explanation, which followed initial denials from the kingdom that it knew anything about Khashoggi's fate, wasn't credible. Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Saturday on CNN's "State of the Union" that he believed Prince Mohammed, the heir-apparent of the world's largest oil exporter, was behind the killing. The crown prince has "now crossed a line and there has to be a punishment and a price paid for that," Corker said. He also urged Turkey to turn over purported audio recordings of Khashoggi's killing inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The existence of such evidence has been reported in Turkish media in a series of leaks, though Turkish officials have yet to confirm they have recordings. "The Turks have been talking more to the media than they have us," Corker said of the NATO ally. California Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee, said on ABC's "This Week" that the killing should be a "relationship-altering" event for the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, which has said it will retaliate against any economic sanctions or other moves against it. "We ought to suspend military sales, we ought to suspend certain security assistance and we ought to impose sanctions on any of those that were directly involved in this murder," Schiff said. U.S. President Donald Trump had also talked about possible punishment but said he didn't want to halt a proposed $110 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia because, he maintained, it would harm U.S. manufacturers. He initially said he believed the Saudi account. Speaking late Saturday after a campaign rally in Nevada, Trump said he needs to learn more about the killing and will be working with Congress on the U.S. response. He also said he will talk soon to Prince Mohammed. Britain, Germany and France issued a joint statement condemning the killing of Khashoggi, saying there is an "urgent need for clarification of exactly what happened." In a statement Sunday, the governments said attacks on journalists are unacceptable and "of utmost concern to our three nations." They said the "hypotheses" proposed so far in the Saudi investigation need to be backed by facts to be considered credible. German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters in Berlin on Sunday that she supports a freeze on arms exports to Saudi Arabia. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, delivers a speech at supporters in Istanbul, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. Erdogan says he will announce details of the Turkish investigation into the death of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi's on Tuesday, in a speech to ruling party members in parliament. (Presidential Press Service via AP, Pool) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, waves following his speech at an opening ceremony for a new metro station in Istanbul, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. Erdogan says he will announce details of the Turkish investigation into the death of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi's on Tuesday. (Presidential Press Service via AP, Pool) A security guard patrols outside Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee says Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman "crossed a line" in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and must pay a price. Tennessee Republican Bob Corker says that based on his briefings he believes the royal known as MBS was behind the killing of the Saudi critic. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) Media report outside Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee says Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman "crossed a line" in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and must pay a price. Tennessee Republican Bob Corker says that based on his briefings he believes the royal known as MBS was behind the killing of the Saudi critic.(AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) Barriers block the road leading to Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee says Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman "crossed a line" in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and must pay a price. Tennessee Republican Bob Corker says that based on his briefings he believes the royal known as MBS was behind the killing of the Saudi critic. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) This image taken from CCTV video obtained by the Turkish broadcaster TRT World and made available on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, purportedly showing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi before passing barriers that block the road leading to the Saudi consulate, in Istanbul, before entering, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. (CCTV/TRT World via AP) This image taken from CCTV video obtained by the Turkish broadcaster TRT World and made available on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, purportedly showing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, being allowed to pass barriers that block the road leading to the Saudi consulate, in Istanbul, before entering, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. (CCTV/TRT World via AP) This image taken from CCTV video obtained by the Turkish broadcaster TRT World and made available on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, purportedly showing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi talking to his fiancee Hatice Cengiz, seen in expanded view, before entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. (CCTV/TRT World via AP) This image taken from CCTV video obtained by the Turkish broadcaster TRT World and made available on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, purportedly showing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, is allowed to pass barriers blocking the road leading toe the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. Khashoggi's fiancee Hatice Cengiz, with headscarf, is partially seen to his right. (CCTV/TRT World via AP) This image taken from CCTV video obtained by the Turkish broadcaster TRT World and made available on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, purportedly showing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018.(CCTV/TRT World via AP) This image taken from CCTV video obtained by the Turkish broadcaster TRT World and made available on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, purportedly showing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018.(CCTV/TRT World via AP) WARSAW, Poland (AP) - The governing populist party, which has repeatedly clashed with European Union institutions, was the top vote winner in local elections Sunday, according to an exit poll, but it was headed to lower support than it got in Poland's 2015 parliamentary elections. The Ispos survey said that in lower level elections for provincial assemblies, the ruling conservative Law and Justice party received the highest backing, with 32.3 percent. In the 2015 national elections it had almost 38 percent support. Party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski said it was a "good result that bodes well for the future. It's a good sign." But he stressed that the exit poll result might differ from the official returns expected Tuesday or Wednesday. In many ways it was a disappointing showing for the party, which has at times received more than 40 percent support in opinion polls and had hoped to increase its hold on power. Instead, it may have difficulty finding coalition partners, an obstacle to exercising real power. Commentators noted the party was supported in villages and small towns, where its policy of social benefits has had the most effect, while big cities backed the pro-EU opposition party. "Disappointing result for Law and Justice despite total control on state media and unprecedented resources invested by the government," political analyst Marcin Zaborowski said. People check voting lists during the first round of the local elections in at a voting station in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. Poland's ruling conservative Law and Justice party, whose policies have drawn massive street protests and repeated clashes with its European Union partners, faces a major test of support in Sunday's local elections, the first in a string of votes that can strengthen or chip its firm grip on power.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) Its drop in support comes despite generous government handouts and a booming economy and it suggests some Poles do not like the constant tensions with the EU, which has condemned an overhaul of the justice system by Law and Justice, calling it a systematic threat to the rule of law and inconsistent with democratic European values. Opposition supporters said they hope this is a sign the tide is turning. Some commentators also suggested that this indicates the ruling party will not be able to win majority support in Poland and will have to find a way to coexist with the opposition. A pro-EU opposition candidate won Warsaw's mayoral race outright in the first round, according to the exit poll. Rafal Trzaskowski, a former European lawmaker and member of the Civic Platform party, garnered 54.1 percent support, which would mean he would become Warsaw mayor without having to take part in a Nov. 4 runoff. Civic Platform also won races in some other cities like Poznan, Lodz and Lublin, giving the party a boost for more elections next year. "We are very happy," said party leader Grzegorz Schetyna. "We can be a real hope to the Poles in next elections." Trzaskowski, whose party governed Poland for eight years before Law and Justice came to power in 2015, ran against the ruling party's candidate, Deputy Justice Minister Patryk Jaki. Jaki had attracted attention by heading a special commission for reversing housing decisions by the city's Town Hall under Civic Platform. In Gdansk, one of the sons of democracy icon Lech Walesa, Jaroslaw Walesa, had a disappointing result, only taking third place, and leaving two others to face off in the runoff Nov. 4. Lech Walesa, the founder of the Solidarity movement that helped topple the communist regime in the 1980s, voted wearing a T-shirt with the word "Konstytucja" - or constitution - a popular sign of opposition to the ruling party. Sunday's elections were the first nationwide test of support for Law and Justice since it gained control of the national government. Its policies have produced street protests and repeated clashes with EU leaders. Nationwide turnout was 51.3 percent, higher than in 2014, according to the exit poll, which questioned voters as they were leaving polling stations in 1,160 locations across Poland. The election was for offices ranging from city mayors to village councilors. Law and Justice party was hoping to strengthen its firm grip on power, which has been buoyed by handing out social benefits and questioning how much authority the EU should have over member nations. Campaigning targeted Poland's largest cities - such as Warsaw, Poznan, Krakow, Wroclaw and Gdansk - which are traditionally pro-EU, and where the opposition is in control of local governments. In Warsaw, in a rare sight, voters had to stand in lines at many voting stations to get their ballots. They said voter mobilization was very high in the race between the EU-skeptic and pro-EU main political forces. "I have never seen so many people voting, this is a good thing. The question is will this be enough for (pro-EU Civic) Platform to keep power" in Warsaw, Aneta Benedyk said as she stood in line in southern Warsaw. Poland's local elections kick off a string of crucial votes that include the European Parliament vote in May, the national parliament vote in the fall of 2019 and Poland's presidential election in the spring of 2020. The leader of Poland's ruling right-wing party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, casts his ballot in local elections that were the test of support for the party, whose policies have produced street protests and repeated clashes with European Union leaders,in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) The leader of Poland's ruling right-wing party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, casts his ballot in local elections that were the test of support for the party, whose policies have produced street protests and repeated clashes with European Union leaders,in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) The candidate for Warsaw mayor for the pro-European Union Civic Platform party, Rafal Trzaskowski, with his son Stasio, check voting lists in local elections that were the test of support for the ruling right-wing Law and Justice party, whose policies have produced street protests and repeated clashes with European Union leaders, in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) The candidate for Warsaw mayor for the pro-European Union Civic Platform party, Rafal Trzaskowski, with his son Stasio, his ballot in local elections that were the test of support for the ruling right-wing Law and Justice party, whose policies have produced street protests and repeated clashes with European Union leaders, in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) People cast ballots during the first round of the local elections in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. Poland's ruling conservative Law and Justice party, whose policies have drawn massive street protests and repeated clashes with its European Union partners, faces a major test of support in Sunday's local elections, the first in a string of votes that can strengthen or chip its firm grip on power.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) People check voting lists during the first round of the local elections in at a voting station in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. Poland's ruling conservative Law and Justice party, whose policies have drawn massive street protests and repeated clashes with its European Union partners, faces a major test of support in Sunday's local elections, the first in a string of votes that can strengthen or chip its firm grip on power.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) People check voting lists during the first round of the local elections in at a voting station in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. Poland's ruling conservative Law and Justice party, whose policies have drawn massive street protests and repeated clashes with its European Union partners, faces a major test of support in Sunday's local elections, the first in a string of votes that can strengthen or chip its firm grip on power.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) People cast ballots during the first round of the local elections in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. Poland's ruling conservative Law and Justice party, whose policies have drawn massive street protests and repeated clashes with its European Union partners, faces a major test of support in Sunday's local elections, the first in a string of votes that can strengthen or chip its firm grip on power.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) People check voting lists during the first round of the local elections in at a voting station in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. Poland's ruling conservative Law and Justice party, whose policies have drawn massive street protests and repeated clashes with its European Union partners, faces a major test of support in Sunday's local elections, the first in a string of votes that can strengthen or chip its firm grip on power.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) In this Oct. 18, 2018 photo people walk past electoral posters in Pultusk, Poland. Local elections on Sunday are expected to measure popular support for Poland's conservative ruling party, whose policies have produced street protests and repeated clashes with European Union leaders. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) Warsaw city mayor candidate in the upcoming local elections Patryk Jaki, right, from the Law and Justice party meets supporters during campaigns in the last minutes in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. Poland's ruling conservative Law and Justice party, whose policies have drawn massive street protests and repeated clashes with its European Union partners, faces a major test of support in Sunday's local elections, the first in a string of votes that can strengthen or chip its firm grip on power.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) Warsaw city mayor candidate in the upcoming local elections Patryk Jaki, left, from the Law and Justice party meets supporters during campaigns in the last minutes in Warsaw, Poland, Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. Poland's ruling conservative Law and Justice party, whose policies have drawn massive street protests and repeated clashes with its European Union partners, faces a major test of support in Sunday's local elections, the first in a string of votes that can strengthen or chip its firm grip on power.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) People speak with electoral campaign workers in Pultusk, Poland, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2018. Local elections on Sunday are expected to measure popular support for Poland's conservative ruling party, whose policies have produced street protests and repeated clashes with European Union leaders. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) FILE - In this Sept. 2, 2018 file photo Jaroslaw Kaczynski, leader of the ruling Law and Justice party speaks during his party's electoral convention ahead of the Oct. 21 local elections, in Warsaw, Poland. Poland's ruling conservative Law and Justice party, whose policies have drawn massive street protests and repeated clashes with its European Union partners, faces a major test of support in Sunday's local elections, the first in a string of votes that can strengthen or chip its firm grip on power. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz, file) JERUSALEM (AP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he has decided to postpone the planned demolition of a West Bank hamlet to allow time for a negotiated solution with its residents, in a move that appeared aimed at staving off the fierce international condemnation such a demolition would likely entail. Israel has come under heavy criticism, with major European countries urging it to avoid the demolition of Khan al-Ahmar. The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor recently said such a move could constitute a war crime. Israeli officials said alternative solutions have arrived in recent days from various sources and Netanyahu wanted to give them a chance. That sparked criticism from Netanyahu's hard-line coalition partners who are demanding decisive action. In response, Netanyahu clarified that the hamlet would be razed, and his delay was not open-ended. "Khan al-Ahmar will be evacuated, it's a court ruling, that's our policy and it will be done," he said. "I have no intention of postponing this until further notice, contrary to reports, but rather for a short, defined period of time." Netanyahu's Cabinet decided on Sunday to postpone the demolition by "a few weeks" to allow a negotiated settlement. Israel says the Palestinian Bedouin encampment of corrugated shacks outside an Israeli settlement was illegally built in an unsafe location near a major highway. It has offered to resettle residents a few miles (kilometers) away in what it says are improved conditions - with connections to water, electricity and sewage treatment they currently lack. But critics say it's impossible for Palestinians to get building permits and that the demolition plan is meant to make room for the expansion of an Israeli settlement. Palestinians sit outside their school in the West Bank Bedouin community of Khan al-Ahmar, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he has decided to postpone the planned demolition of a West Bank hamlet to allow time for a negotiated solution with its residents, in a move that appeared aimed at staving off the fierce international condemnation such a demolition would likely entail. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) Israel's Supreme Court recently rejected a final appeal, paving the way for Khan al-Ahmar's demolition. The encampment of 180 residents has become a rallying cry for Palestinians, who have staged large-scale protests at the site for the past few months. Much of the high-level European engagement derives from concerns that such demolitions could threaten the prospect of a contiguous Palestinian state, at a time of already fading hopes for a two-state solution. For the Palestinians, it is seen as part of a creeping annexation of territory they seek for a future state. The village is in the 60 percent of the West Bank known as Area C, which remains under exclusive Israeli control and is home to dozens of Israeli settlements. Israel places restrictions on Palestinian development there and home demolitions are not unusual. As part of interim peace deals in the 1990s, the West Bank was carved up into autonomous and semi-autonomous Palestinian areas, known as Areas A and B, and Area C, which is home to some 400,000 Israeli settlers. The Palestinians claim all the West Bank and say that Area C, home also to an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 Palestinians, is crucial to their economic development. Waleed Assaf, who heads the Palestinian department of settlement affairs, welcomed the Israeli announcement but said opposition would continue "until the Israelis completely revoke the demolition order." "I think the international pressure, particularly from the EU, and the clear warning from the ICC that the removal of this West Bank hamlet amounts to a war crime prompted the new Israeli decision," he said. Israel says the case of Khan al-Ahmar is a simple matter of law and order. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman made it clear he favors demolishing the hamlet without delay. Naftali Bennett, head of the pro-settler Jewish Home party, adopted an even stronger tone. "This is illegal building whose destruction was approved by the Supreme Court," he tweeted. "In a nation of laws, you enforce the law even if the international community objects and threatens." FILE -In this Oct. 7, 2018 file photo, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem. On Sunday, Oct, 21, 2018, Netanyahu postponed the planned demolition of a West Bank hamlet to allow time for a negotiated solution with its residents. Israel has come under heavy criticism, with major European countries urging it to avoid the demolition of Khan al-Ahmar. The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor recently said such a move could constitute a war crime. (Abir Sultan/Pool via AP, File) Palestinians activists sit in front of a tent for supporters of the West Bank Bedouin community of Khan al-Ahmar, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he has decided to postpone the planned demolition of a West Bank hamlet to allow time for a negotiated solution with its residents, in a move that appeared aimed at staving off the fierce international condemnation such a demolition would likely entail. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) Palestinian activists sit in front of a tent of supporters of the West Bank Bedouin community of Khan al-Ahmar, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he has decided to postpone the planned demolition of a West Bank hamlet to allow time for a negotiated solution with its residents, in a move that appeared aimed at staving off the fierce international condemnation such a demolition would likely entail. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - The Latest on Afghanistan's parliamentary elections, which were extended into a second day after technical issues led to hours of delays at voting stations (all times local): 7 p.m. The Independent Elections Commission chairman has announced the end of two days of parliamentary elections across the country. Abdul Badi Sayat congratulated voters for turning out, saying that around 4 million people cast their votes at some 4576 polling centers. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani also thanked citizens for participating, saying it showed they didn't fear threats from extremist groups. ___ Afghan women line up to cast their votes, outside a polling station during the Parliamentary election at a polling station in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. Tens of thousands of Afghan forces fanned out across the country as voting began Saturday in the elections that followed a campaign marred by relentless violence. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) 12 p.m. Afghan officials say a roadside bomb has killed at least 11 civilians in the eastern Nangarhar province. Attahullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor, says the victims of Sunday's blast include six children. The attack occurred on the second day of Afghanistan's parliamentary elections, which were extended because of attacks on Saturday and technical issues that caused hours of delays. No one immediately claimed the attack. The Taliban and an Islamic State affiliate are both active in Nangarhar. Afghan civilians are often killed by roadside bombs intended to target security forces. ___ 9 a.m. Parliamentary elections in Afghanistan have entered a second day following violence and chaos that caused delays and interruptions on the first day of polling. Independent Elections Commission Chairman Abdul Badi Sayat says over 3 million people out of 8.8 million registered voters cast their ballots on Saturday. The biggest turnout was in Kabul and the lowest in the southern Uruzgan province. Polling on Sunday continues in 401 voting centers, including 45 in Kabul. Polls close at 4 p.m. (1130 GMT). Results will be announced next month. Twenty-seven civilians and 11 Afghan security forces were killed and more than 100 others wounded in nearly 200 attacks on election day across the country. SHANGHAI (AP) - Danielle Kang shot a 3-under 69 on Sunday to win the LPGA Shanghai by two strokes for her second career title. Kang, who started the final round one stroke off the lead, offset a lone bogey on the par-5 fourth hole with four birdies after the turn to finish at 13-under 275 and hold off a late charge by Lydia Ko, who had the day's lowest score of 66. "I hope I win more," Kang said. "I did the best I can. I'm going to keep working hard and keep giving myself chances and keep putting myself in contention. I'll win more. I'll play better." Kang becomes the seventh player from the United States to win on the LPGA tour in 2018. Ko, who had seven birdies and a lone bogey, tied for second at 11 under with a group of seven players that included Brittany Altomare (71), Ariya Jutanugarn (71) and overnight co-leader Sei Young Kim (72). I played really solid," Ko said. I gave myself a lot of opportunities for birdies, and there was a string there that I felt like I should have made birdies that I didn't." Carlota Ciganda, who also held a share of the lead after the third round, shot a 73 to fall into a tie for ninth with Bronte Law and local favorite Lu Liu. Paula Creamer carded three birdies against a pair of bogeys for a 71 to finish in sole possession of 12th place. The tournament is the second of five being played in South Korea, Japan, China and Taiwan in the LPGA's annual Asian swing. JOHANNESBURG (AP) - Congolese rebels killed 15 civilians and abducted a dozen children in an attack at the epicenter of the latest deadly Ebola outbreak, Congo's military said Sunday, as the violence again forced crucial virus-containment efforts to be suspended. "It will be very hard to stop the outbreak if this violence continues," said the World Health Organization's emergencies chief, Peter Salama. A regional WHO official told The Associated Press that it was difficult to say how long work would be affected. Confirmed Ebola cases have reached 202 in this outbreak, including 118 deaths. Allied Democratic Forces rebels attacked Congolese army positions and several neighborhoods of Beni on Saturday and into Sunday, Capt. Mak Hazukay Mongha told the AP. The U.N. peacekeeping mission said its troops exchanged fire with rebels in Beni's Mayangose area. Angry over the killings, residents carried four of the bodies to the town hall, where police dispersed them with tear gas. While some health workers took refuge in a local hospital, the protesters destroyed a number of government buildings and blocked all traffic, Congo's health ministry said. In this photo taken Friday, Oct 5, 2018, family members and onlookers mourn over the bodies of civilian killed by The Allied Democratic Forces rebels in Beni, Eastern Congo. Congo' military said Sunday Oct. 21, 2018, that rebels attacked an Ebola treatment centre in Beni, leaving over a dozen civilians dead and abducted about a dozen children, which could force crucial virus containment efforts to be suspended in the area. (AP Photo/Al-hadji Kudra Maliro) Vehicles of aid organizations and the U.N. mission were pelted with stones, the U.N.-backed Radio Okapi reported. The ADF rebels have killed hundreds of civilians in recent years and are just one of several militias active in Congo's far northeast. Another deadly attack last month in Beni forced the suspension of Ebola-containment efforts for days, complicating work to track suspected contacts of infected people. Since then, many of the new confirmed Ebola cases have been reported in Beni, and the rate of new cases overall has more than doubled, alarming aid groups. Health efforts in recent weeks had started to show results, and this new attack "will bring us back," Dr. Michel Yao, WHO's incident manager for Ebola in North Kivu province, told the AP. Work in Beni was suspended on Sunday and "tomorrow, we don't know yet," Yao said, noting that the burials of victims can be tense. "We understand. We are sympathetic. It's not easy to lose relatives. At the same time, it could affect the (outbreak) response." The attack came after two medical agents with the Congolese army were shot dead by another rebel group - the first time health workers have been killed in this outbreak. Congo's health minister called it a "dark day" for everyone fighting Ebola. Mai Mai rebels surged from the forest and opened fire on the unarmed agents with the army's rapid intervention medical unit outside Butembo city, the health ministry said. Health workers in this outbreak, declared on Aug. 1, have described hearing gunshots daily, operating under the armed escort of U.N. peacekeepers or Congolese security forces and ending work by sundown to lower the risk of attack. Community resistance is also a problem, and Congo's health ministry has reported "numerous aggressions" against health workers. Early this month, two Red Cross volunteers were severely injured in a confrontation with wary residents in a region traumatized by decades of fighting and facing an Ebola outbreak for the first time. "Our agents will continue to go into the field each day to fulfill the mission entrusted to them," Health Minister Oly Ilunga said. "They are true heroes, and we will continue to take all necessary measures so that they can do their job safely." On Wednesday, WHO said it was "deeply concerned" by the outbreak but that it does not yet warrant being declared a global emergency. An outbreak must be "an extraordinary event" that might cross borders, requiring a coordinated response. Confirmed cases have been found near the heavily traveled border with Uganda. In the latest example of the rumors that pose another serious challenge to containing the virus, the health ministry said 22 young people in Butembo dug up an Ebola victim and opened the body bag to verify that health workers had not taken organs from the body. They ended up touching highly infectious bodily fluids, the ministry said. "The next day, they agreed to be vaccinated," joining the more than 20,000 people who have received vaccinations so far. ___ Maliro reported from Dakar, Senegal. ___ Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa In this photo taken Friday, Oct 5, 2018, family members and onlookers mourn over bodies of civilians killed by The Allied Democratic Forces rebels in Beni, Eastern Congo. Congo' military said Sunday Oct. 21, 2018, that rebels attacked an Ebola treatment centre in Beni, leaving over a dozen civilians dead and abducted about a dozen children, which could force crucial virus containment efforts to be suspended in the area. (AP Photo/Al-hadji Kudra Maliro) In this photo taken Friday, Oct 5, 2018, Congolese Soldiers patrol in an area civilians were killed by The Allied Democratic Forces rebels in Beni, Eastern Congo. Congo' military said Sunday Oct. 21, 2018, that rebels attacked an Ebola treatment centre in Beni, leaving over a dozen civilians dead and abducted about a dozen children, which could force crucial virus containment efforts to be suspended in the area. (AP Photo/Al-hadji Kudra Maliro) In this photo taken Friday, Oct 5, 2018, Congolese Soldiers patrol in an area civilians were killed by The Allied Democratic Forces rebels in Beni, Eastern Congo. Congo' military said Sunday Oct. 21, 2018, that rebels attacked an Ebola treatment centre in Beni, leaving over a dozen civilians dead and abducted about a dozen children, which could force crucial virus containment efforts to be suspended in the area. (AP Photo/Al-hadji Kudra Maliro) In this photo taken Friday, Oct 5, 2018, family members and onlookers mourn over the bodies of civilians killed by The Allied Democratic Forces rebels in Beni, Eastern Congo. Congo' military said Sunday Oct. 21, 2018, that rebels attacked an Ebola treatment centre in Beni, leaving over a dozen civilians dead and abducted about a dozen children, which could force crucial virus containment efforts to be suspended in the area. (AP Photo/Al-hadji Kudra Maliro) ERBIL, Iraq (AP) - The Iraqi Kurdish party behind last year's ill-fated independence referendum has won the most seats in parliamentary elections held in the autonomous Kurdish region, authorities said Sunday. The elections commission says the Kurdistan Democratic Party won 45 seats, 12 short of an outright majority in the 111-seat body. Kurdish voters endorsed independence in a referendum last year that was marked by low turnout. Iraq's central government refused to accept the results, and responded by seizing control of the mixed, multi-ethnic oil-city of Kirkuk and other territories. The elections commission announced the results of the September 30 vote on Sunday. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan came in second, with 21 seats. The Gorran party came in third. It accused the PUK and KDP of vote-rigging and fraud. FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2018 file photo, an Iraqi Kurd casts his ballot during parliamentary elections in Irbil, Iraq. The government of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region said Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, that the party that led the region into its ill-fated independence referendum last year has won the most seats in regional parliamentary elections. The elections commission says the Kurdistan Democratic Party won 45 seats, 12 seats short of an outright majority in the 111-seat body. (AP Photo/Salar Salim, File) "We believe that over 200,000 IDs were faked for the benefit of the two main political parties," said Fakir Mohammed, the head of public relations for Gorran. The Kurdish region's electoral commission was divided over whether to ratify the results. Four commissioners - two from Gorran, one from the party Komal and one from the Kurdistan Islamic Union - said they voted against endorsing the outcome, alleging ballot box tampering and the use of intimidation tactics against observers on polling day. They said they did not accept the results, in a statement carried in the semi-official media outlet Rudaw. But the commission proceeded to ratify the vote, with the other five commissioners, each from the KDP and PUK, voting in favor. Mohammed said Gorran was considering whether to boycott parliament. The party lost half its seats in the body, to hold just 12. Mohammed added that his party was weakened by the passing of its charismatic founder, Nawshirwan Mustafa. He died in May 2017. VATICAN CITY (AP) - Catholic bishops are entering their final week of debate over hot-button issues facing young Catholics, including how the church should welcome gays and respond to the clerical sex abuse scandal that has discredited many in the church hierarchy. The monthlong synod of bishops ends next Saturday with the adoption by the 260-plus cardinals, bishops and priests of a final document and approval of a separate, shorter letter to the world's Catholic youth. Some of the youth delegates to the meeting have insisted that the final document express an inclusive message to make LGBT Catholics feel welcome in a church that has often shunned them. The Vatican took a step in that direction by making a reference to "LGBT" for the first time in its preparatory document heading into the meeting. But some bishops have balked at the notion, including Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput, who insisted in his speech that "there is no such thing as an 'LGBTQ Catholic' or a 'transgender Catholic' or a 'heterosexual Catholic,' as if our sexual appetites defined who we are." But other bishops have expressed a willingness to use the language, though it remains to be seen if the final document or the letter will. Each paragraph will be voted on one by one and must obtain a two-thirds majority. Bishops attend a canonization ceremony in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018. Pope Francis declared Pope Paul VI and slain Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero saints, reciting in Latin the rite of canonization at the start of Mass in St. Peter's Square. After hearing brief biographies of Paul, Romero and five other people canonized Sunday, Francis declared them saints and "decreed that they are to be venerated as such by the whole church." (Giuseppe Lami/ANSA via AP) "The youth are talking about it freely and in the language they use, and they are encouraging us 'Call us, address us this because this is who we are,'" Papua New Guinea Cardinal John Ribat told a press conference Saturday. One of those young people, Yadira Vieyra, who works with migrant families in Chicago, said gays often feel attacked and shunned by the church. "We know that's not true, any Catholic knows that's not true," she said. But she added bishops need to communicate that "the church is here for them." Catholic church teaching holds that gays should be loved and respected but that homosexual acts are "intrinsically disordered." The Oct. 3-28 synod has unfolded against the backdrop of the clergy sex abuse scandal exploding anew in the U.S., Germany, Poland and other nations. Some conservatives have charged that a gay subculture in the priesthood is to blame, even though studies have shown that gays are not more likely than heterosexuals to abuse. Many of the young delegates have insisted that the final document address the abuse scandal straight on, and Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli hinted that it would. "One of the key things that will be important going forward is not just that there might be a word of apology, of recognition and of aiming for better practices, but that there is action associated with that," he said. Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich said young people are also demanding accountability and transparency from the church's leadership, which has been excoriated for having covered-up the abuses of predator priests for decades. He repeated his call, first made in an interview last week with National Catholic Reporter, for bishops to cede their own authority and allow an external process involving lay experts to investigate them when an accusation against them has been made. "Lay people want us to succeed. People want us to get this right," Cupich said. "Yes, there's a lot of anger out there. But beneath that anger there's a sadness. There's a sadness that the church is better than this, and that we should get this right." BERLIN (AP) - Swedish prosecutors say they have indicted a 21-year-old woman for breaking aviation laws after she blocked the deportation of an Afghan asylum-seeker earlier this year. Prosecutors said Friday the woman failed to comply with orders from the plane's crew to sit down as it was preparing to take off from Gothenburg airport on July 23. The woman, Elin Ersson, had intentionally purchased a ticket for the flight, saying the Afghan man would "most likely get killed" if he was sent home. Ersson live-streamed her protest to Facebook from inside the Turkish Airlines plane that was due to fly from Goteborg to Istanbul, and then on to the Afghan capital of Kabul. The man and Ersson were eventually both removed from the plane after a tense standoff. LONDON (AP) - Britain's defense secretary says the U.K. stands "absolutely resolute" with the United States as President Donald Trump announced he will pull out from a landmark arms control agreement with Russia. Gavin Williamson blamed Russia for endangering the arm control pact, agreed between the U.S. and the Soviet Union in 1987, and called on the Kremlin to "get its house in order." Trump said he will exit the pact because Russia has violated it "for many years" and it's preventing the U.S. from developing new weapons. Backing Trump, Williamson told the Financial Times on Sunday that Moscow had made a "mockery" of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. The 1987 pact prohibits the United States and Russia from possessing, producing or test-flying a ground-launched cruise missile with a range of 300 to 3,400 miles. AMMAN, Jordan (AP) - Jordan's King Abdullah II on Sunday said he has decided not to renew parts of his country's landmark peace treaty with Israel. Abdullah released a statement that he intends to pull out of two annexes from the 1994 peace agreement that allowed Israel to lease two small areas, Baqura and Ghamr, from the Jordanians for 25 years. The leases expire next year, and the deadline for renewing them is Thursday. The lands were leased to Jewish farmers early last century, but then became part of Jordan after the kingdom gained independence in 1946. Baqura, in the northern Jordan Valley, was captured by Israel in 1950. Ghamr, near Aqaba in southern Jordan, was seized in the 1967 Mideast War. Under their peace agreement, Jordan agreed to grant Israeli farmers and military officers free access to the enclave. Abdullah said he informed Israel of his decision. "We are practicing our full sovereignty on our land," he said. "Our priority in these regional circumstances is to protect our interests and do whatever is required for Jordan and the Jordanians." FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2018 file photo, Jordan's King Abdullah II arrives to attend India Jordan business meeting in New Delhi, India. Abdullah said Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, that he has decided not to renew parts of his country's landmark peace treaty with Israel. In a statement Jordan's King said that he would be pulling out of two annexes from the 1994 peace agreement that allowed Israel to lease two small areas, Baqura and Ghamr, from the Jordanians for 25 years. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup, File) Abdullah did not give a reason for his decision, but he has faced escalating domestic pressure to end the lease and return the territories to full Jordanian control. Last week, demonstrators demanding an end to Israeli ownership of the lands marched in Jordan's capital of Amman last week. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that "Jordan reserved the right to receive the territory," but said he expected to enter negotiations with Jordan "about the possibility of extending the existing agreement." Netanyahu said the "accord as a whole is an important thing," and called the peace deals with Jordan and Egypt "anchors of regional stability." He spoke at a memorial for the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who signed the peace deal with Jordan. Israel's former ambassador to Jordan, Oded Eran, said he was not surprised by Jordan's decision, and said there was still time for the two countries to re-negotiate the agreement. He dismissed the possibility that Jordan might pull out of other parts of the broader peace treaty. "For its own interests, the continuation of the adherence to the peace treaty is in Jordan's interest as indeed it is in the interest of Israel," Eran added. Tensions between Israel and Jordan have mounted in recent months over such issues as the contested status of Jerusalem and its holy sites, stalled Mideast peace talks, and last year's shooting of two Jordanian citizens by an Israeli embassy guard in Amman, which ignited a diplomatic crisis. Relations thawed after Israel replaced its ambassador to Amman and Netanyahu met with Abdullah last summer to stress the importance of economic and security cooperation between the two countries. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump's decision to pull the U.S. from an arms control agreement with Russia (all times local): 10:45 a.m. There doesn't seem to be a consensus in Congress about whether President Donald Trump is making the right move when he says he will withdraw the United States from an arms control agreement with Russia. Sen. Rand Paul says he thinks it's "a big, big mistake to flippantly get out of this historic agreement." He tells "Fox News Sunday" that both sides accuse the other of violations, and he wants to have "a rational discussion" with experts to see if Washington and Moscow can settle their differences. The chairman off the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hopes Trump's step is just a negotiating maneuver. Sen. Bob Corker tells CNN's "State of the Union" that "this could be something that's just a precursor to trying to get Russia to come into compliance." Corker says he hopes "we're going to be able to figure out a way to stay within the treaty." President Donald Trump dismbarks from Air Force One, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Andrews Air Force Base, Md., en route to Washington returning from a campaign rally in Elko, Nev. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) But backing Trump is Sen. Lindsey Graham, who tells Fox News: "Absolutely the right move." Graham says "the Russians have been cheating." ___ 9:05 a.m. Germany's foreign minister says President Donald Trump's intention to pull out of an arms control agreement with Russia is "regrettable." Heiko Maas says in a statement that the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty is "an important pillar of our European security architecture." He says Trump's announcement "raises difficult questions for us and Europe." The 1987 treaty prohibits the United States and Russia from possessing, producing or test-flying a ground-launched cruise missile with a range of 300 miles to 3,400 miles. Maas says Germany has repeatedly urged Moscow to "clear up the serious allegations of breaching the INF treaty, which Russia has so far not done." He says Germany is urging Washington to "consider the possible consequences" of its decision, including for a U.S.-Russian nuclear disarmament treaty beyond 2021. ___ 8:10 a.m. Britain's defense secretary says his country stands "absolutely resolute" with the United States as President Donald Trump says he'll pull out from a landmark arms control agreement with Russia. Gavin Williamson blames Russia for endangering the treaty. He's calling on the Kremlin to "get its house in order." Trump says he'll exit the agreement because Russia has violated it "for many years" and it's preventing the U.S. from developing new weapons. Backing Trump, Williamson tells the Financial Times that Moscow has made a "mockery" of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. The 1987 pact prohibits the United States and Russia from possessing, producing or test-flying a ground-launched cruise missile with a range of 300 miles to 3,400 miles ___ 5 a.m. A top Russian diplomat says President Donald Trump's intention to withdraw from a landmark treaty on nuclear weapons is a perilous move. And a Russian senator says the U.S. move to leave the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces treaty would undermine nuclear nonproliferation efforts. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as telling state news agency Tass that "this would be a very dangerous step." He says the move "will cause the most serious condemnation from all members of the international community who are committed to security and stability." Konstatin Kosachev is head of the foreign affairs committee in Russia's upper house of parliament. He says on Facebook that a U.S. withdrawal from the treaty would mean "mankind is facing full chaos in the nuclear weapons sphere." ___ 12:30 a.m. President Donald Trump says he will exit a landmark arms control agreement the United States signed with the former Soviet Union. He says Russia is violating the pact and it's preventing the U.S. from developing new weapons. The 1987 pact helps protect the security of the U.S. and its allies in Europe and the Far East. It prohibits the United States and Russia from possessing, producing or test-flying a ground-launched cruise missile with a range of 300 miles to 3,400 miles. Trump is saying that "Russia has violated the agreement. They have been violating it for many years." The agreement has constrained the U.S. from developing new weapons, but Trump said America will begin developing them unless Russia and China agree not to possess or develop the weapons. BERLIN (AP) - German police say a 19-year-old man has died after blowing up a ticket machine at a railway station in the eastern city of Halle. A spokesman for Halle police, Ralf Karlstedt, said Sunday the man was trying break open the ticket machine, together with two others aged 15 and 20. The alleged accomplices have been arrested. The local man was discovered lying in a pool of blood by a train driver shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday. He died shortly afterward in the hospital. Karlstedt told The Associated Press the ticket machine was "completely destroyed" in the explosion. Police said they are investigating whether the suspects were also involved in the destruction of six other ticket machines and an ATM in Halle earlier this month. TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) - The Latest on a train derailment in Taiwan (all times local): 11:30 p.m. Authorities in Taiwan have lowered the death toll in a train derailment to 18. The National Fire Agency had earlier cited the Cabinet spokesman's office as saying 22 people were killed when the Puyuma express train went off the tracks late Sunday afternoon, but later lowered the toll to 18, saying there was a mistake in the calculations. Some 171 others were injured in the disaster. The train was carrying more than 366 passengers from a suburb of Taipei toward Taitung, a city on Taiwan's southeast coast, when it derailed. In this photo released by Military News Agency, rescue workers tend to the injured at the site of a train derailment in Lian in northern Taiwan on Sunday, Oct. 21 2018. The Puyuma express train was carrying more than 300 passengers toward Taitung, a city on Taiwan's southeast coast, when it went off the tracks on Sunday afternoon. (Military News Agency via AP) Authorities are investigating the cause of the derailment. ___ 10:05 p.m. Authorities in Taiwan say the injury toll in a deadly train derailment has climbed to 171. The National Fire Agency cites the Cabinet spokesman's office as saying 22 people were killed when the Puyuma express train went off the tracks late Sunday afternoon. It says 171 others were injured. The train was carrying more than 366 passengers from a suburb of Taipei toward Taitung, a city on Taiwan's southeast coast, when it derailed. Authorities are investigating the cause of the derailment. ___ 9:45 p.m. Authorities in Taiwan say the death toll in a train derailment has climbed to 22. The National Fire Agency cites the Cabinet spokesman's office as saying 22 people were killed when the Puyuma express train went off the tracks late Sunday afternoon. Some 160 people were injured. The train was carrying more than 366 passengers from a suburb of Taipei toward Taitung, a city on Taiwan's southeast coast, when it derailed. Authorities are investigating the cause of the derailment. ___ 8:35 p.m. The death toll has climbed to 18 and the injury toll has risen to 160 in a train derailment in Taiwan. The Taiwan central government says the Puyuma express train was carrying more than 366 passengers from a suburb of Taipei toward Taitung, a city on Taiwan's southeast coast, when it went off the tracks late Sunday afternoon. The National Fire Agency cited the Cabinet spokesman's office as saying 18 people were killed and 160 injured. ___ 7:30 p.m. Taiwan's railway administration says 17 people were killed and 101 injured after a train derailed. The Puyuma express train was carrying more than 300 passengers toward Taitung, a city on Taiwan's southeast coast, when it went off the tracks on Sunday afternoon. The railway administration, citing the fire department, said the 17 people died of cardiac arrest. The injured are being treated in four different hospitals. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On October 23, local media reported that Ford Motor has the intent to increase the stake in Changan Ford, its joint venture with Changan Automobile and the American automaker might use new models as bargaining chips. However, both Changan Ford and Ford China denied the report shortly afterwards. Fang Juntao, vice president of communications and public affairs, Ford China, said in an interview, We never said that. We will not comment on the speculation. Currently, we are satisfied with the cooperation in China and will continue to work with our partners to meet the market demands. Another executive from Changan Ford replied bluntly, Its impossible. On October 11, BMW announced that it intends to increase the stake in BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA), its joint venture with Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd. Both parties signed a corresponding agreement on that day. BMWs intent to raise stake raised the speculation that more foreign automakers will increase the stake in their China joint ventures. In the first three quarters this year, Ford China sales plunged 43% from a year ago while the cumulative sales declined 30% year on year. Industry analysts said that since Ford is under great pressure to restore sales, the dispute with local partners could worsen the situation. LONDON (AP) - Britain's Brexit Secretary has urged rebellious Conservative lawmakers to stop attacking Prime Minister Theresa May and "play for the team." Dominic Raab also said that talks about the U.K.'s exit from the European Union must be tied up by the end of next month to allow enough time for new laws to be put in place. Many of May's pro-Brexit Conservative members are angry after she said she would consider extending a transition period that kicks in after Britain exits the EU on March 29. Raab told the BBC on Sunday such an extension mustn't run indefinitely, and it must resolve the question of the Irish border, a key sticking point stalling negotiations. Raab said it was "understandable that there are jitters" but urged fellow Conservatives to "hold our nerve." A British Union flag is held aloft bearing slogans including "Democracy", "Rule of Law", "Liberty", "Tolerance" and "Fish 'n' Chips", during the People's Vote March, in London, Saturday Oct. 20, 2018. Some thousands of protesters are marching through central London, Saturday, to demand a new referendum on Britain's Brexit departure from the European Union. (Yui Mok/PA via AP) An anti-Brexit campaigner with his face painted in the colours of the European Union flag, during the People's Vote March, in London, Saturday Oct. 20, 2018. Some thousands of protesters are marching through central London, Saturday, to demand a new referendum on Britain's Brexit departure from the European Union. (Yui Mok/PA via AP) Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum, in London, Saturday Oct. 20, 2018. Thousands of protesters gathered in central London on Saturday to call for a second referendum on Britain's exit from the European Union. (Yui Mok/PA via AP) AL-UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar (AP) - An airstrike by the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group targeted a mosque in Syria last week because it was determined to be an insurgent command-and-control center, the U.S. said Sunday. The coalition said in a statement that while the law of war protects mosques, the use of the building as a headquarters by IS caused it to lose that protected status. It said a dozen fighters were killed. U.S. Army Gen. Joseph Votel, the top American commander for the Middle East, said Sunday that he is very satisfied that commanders went through the proper procedures to determine that the mosque was being used by IS and that it was a legitimate target. "The determination that was made by the leadership on the ground that this was this mosque was not being used as a mosque," Votel told reporters traveling with him in Qatar. "These aren't hastily made decisions." Syrian state media and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said last week that a series of strikes in Sousa near the Iraq border killed and wounded dozens; civilians as well as IS fighters. The coalition's statement, focused on the mosque, said monitoring of the building "made us aware" of when only IS fighters were present. It said the strike took place Thursday when it was being used to coordinate attacks on the coalition and on U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. Sousa is in the last IS-held pocket in Syria and Syrian Democratic Forces have been on the offensive for weeks trying to clear the area of the extremists. The statement did not acknowledge or refute the reports of civilian deaths from coalition airstrikes in the area. "We conduct inquiries into all credible allegations of civilian casualties," it said. IS fighters recently stormed a settlement for displaced people in the area and kidnapped 130 families. BURLINGTON, Mass. (AP) - Chris Wysopal and his Boston hacker collective pals from the L0pht sounded the alarm on the sad state of software vulnerability in a now-legendary 1998 appearance before Congress. Then-Sen. Joe Lieberman hailed the group as "modern-day Paul Reveres." Wysopal remains active in cybersecurity today as chief technology officer of Veracode, now part of CA Technologies. He spoke with The Associated Press recently on the state of security. Questions and responses have been edited for clarity and length. Q: How did Microsoft in 2002 come to embrace the mindset of allowing friendly, "white-hat" hackers to pick apart software to expose flaws? A: White hats go after the thing that is going to get the biggest bang for the buck, generate the most impact. That's why we targeted Microsoft and that's why Microsoft was under the most pressure. Q: And the rest of the industry followed suit? A: Every (big) company that grew up after Microsoft got to start from scratch - the Googles and the Facebooks, the Amazons. The mindset had already changed. You have to build software and systems securely or you're doomed. This undated photo provided by VeraCode shows Chris Wysopal, chief technical officer of Veracode. Wysopal was in his early 30s when he and his cohorts from the Boston hacker collective pals L0pht formed the early cybersecurity firm @stake. In 2006, after Symantec bought the company, Wysopal co-founded Veracode. Last year, CA Technologies acquired his 700-employee company. (Veracode via AP) Q: Can you explain your support of "ethical" software development - making programs secure from the get-go? A: Often startups, in order to get off the ground, have to do some harm or they would never be able to build anything. But we also have large companies that aren't doing the right thing. They've built a product and amassed a massive amount of revenue but they still aren't securing that. Q: The cybersecurity industry has exploded. How can people know which firms to trust? A: Once you get past the well-categorized security products such as firewalls, IDSes (intrusion detection systems) and anti-virus, it seems like a free-for-all. No one wants to talk about their security failures publicly. So if a product failed on them and they get breached they're probably not going to talk about it. Most customers rely on a handful of analyst firms for guidance. But thousands of new products come out every year. It's a real challenge. Q: One of the worst-known security breaches, at Equifax, occurred in part because company workers failed to install security patches. What are information-technology departments to do when there's a steady stream of patches that need to be constantly applied to maintain security? A: They don't necessarily need to do that. I recommend pushing back on the vendors and saying, "You need to show me you have a secure development process that is lessening the amount of patches that I have to deal with." Q: What should be done to improve the security of U.S. election systems? A: I would require (companies) selling this equipment to show they have a process where they're deploying adversarial testing against themselves. If they don't have that in-house they should be hiring someone - a third party - to do that for them and show evidence they're doing that. Chris Wysopal was in his early 30s when he and his cohorts from the Boston hacker collective pals L0pht formed the early cybersecurity firm @stake. In 2006, after Symantec bought the company, Wysopal co-founded Veracode. Last year, CA Technologies acquired his 700-employee company. The Associated Press recently interviewed Wysopal, who is 52 and remains chief technology officer of Veracode. Questions and responses have been edited for clarity and length. Q: You were relatively young when you formed @stake and then co-founded VeraCode. What did you wish you knew then about managing people and running a business? A: A big mistake was not recognizing that you need a well-rounded leadership team to have a successful company. Coming from the technical side, I initially thought, just build a great product and the sales will come. But you need a great marketing team, a great sales team, a great people team, or it doesn't matter. Another important thing I learned is you need to have a great company culture to attract talented people and get them to do their best. I have been fortunate enough to take some of the great culture that I was part of building at @stake and bring it to Veracode. Employees feel empowered to do the right thing to make the business successful, to communicate across teams and put in a little extra time. Q: What have you learned from your competitors over the years? This undated photo provided by VeraCode shows Chris Wysopal, chief technical officer of Veracode. Wysopal was in his early 30s when he and his cohorts from the Boston hacker collective pals L0pht formed the early cybersecurity firm @stake. In 2006, after Symantec bought the company, Wysopal co-founded Veracode. Last year, CA Technologies acquired his 700-employee company. (Veracode via AP) A: You learn about your competitors best through your prospects and customers. If they are telling you that you are deficient in an area, it is likely because they have either experienced something better from a competitor or at least have been sold a promise. Always be responsive to customer needs. The more responsive you are, the more trust you build, and the more they will tell you about their needs and what they are seeing from competitors. Q: What advice would you have for to someone trying to launch a cybersecurity startup these days? A: Do it! Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing markets. Every time new tech is created, we have to figure out how to secure it. My advice is to be prepared to spend five to 10 years building your company. The problems to solve are difficult and take time, but the silver lining is you will have a competitive moat. CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) - The floor of a condominium clubhouse near Clemson University collapsed during a large private party early Sunday, hurtling dozens of people into the basement, authorities said. About 30 people were taken to local hospitals after the center of the floor caved in at the clubhouse near the South Carolina university. Clemson City Police said nobody was trapped and none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening. Video posted on social media shows a large part of the first floor falling as people danced, causing many of them to tumble to the floor below. Clemson sophomore Larissa Stone told the Independent Mail of Anderson that the room was "packed" and a popular song was playing when the floor collapsed. "So everyone was jumping. The beat was about to drop and literally the whole floor collapsed," she said. "It happened so quickly. I stood up, and everyone was trying to climb out. People are under other people. People are hurt. People are bleeding. I had blood on my sneakers. It was really bad." Partygoers screamed, and those who didn't fall stood around the remaining edges of the floor and stared below in shock. Some people standing on the sidelines pulled out their cellphones to record the floor collapse. This frame from video shows a floor that collapsed during a party at an apartment near the campus of Clemson University early Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, in Clemson, S.C. (Jeremy Tester via AP) A witness who attended the party said people were jumping and he heard a sudden "boom." "All you seen was falling, everybody's hands up in the air," Franzie Pendergrass told WYFF News 4. Leroy Pearson said he went to try to help injured people and saw what he thought looked like broken ankles and legs. "It was crazy," Pearson said. Police said the clubhouse at The Woodlands, about three miles from Clemson, had been leased for a private party. Property manager Tal Slann told The Associated Press that the condominium complex was built in 2004-2005. He said he could not comment on whether there was a limit on the number of people who were supposed to use the clubhouse at one time. "I can tell you there was a party. I can tell you there was a floor collapse. There were injuries. They were not life-threatening. Nobody was trapped," he said. Police said they were called about 12:30 a.m. Sunday. Ambulances rushed to the scene. Slann sent residents of The Woodlands an email saying the floor in front of the clubhouse fireplace had collapsed during a party. "The Clubhouse and pool area is OFF LIMITS to all," said a copy of the email texted to the AP. "The clubhouse will be inspected by structural engineers as soon as possible. From there, the homeowner's association will determine how to rebuild the clubhouse to make it safe for all residents. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who were injured and we apologize for any inconvenience." ___ Associated Press writer Janet McConnaughey contributed to this report from New Orleans. BEIRUT (AP) - A Syrian war monitor and an opposition paramedics group say an explosion in the rebel-held northwestern city of Idlib has killed at least three people and wounded others. The Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, said Sunday's blast occurred near a mosque killing three people, including a child. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said four people were killed, including a child and a foreign fighter whose nationality was not immediately clear. The Observatory said the blast occurred in al-Qusour neighborhood that is inhabited by many fighters from Uzbekistan and China. Idlib province is the last major stronghold of insurgents and home to many foreign fighters with al-Qaida linked groups. A deal between Russia and Turkey last month averted a government offensive on the area. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - The killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul is unlikely to halt Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's rise to power, but could cause irreparable harm to relations with Western governments and businesses, potentially endangering his ambitious reform plans. International outrage over Khashoggi's Oct. 2 slaying at the hands of Saudi officials, under still-disputed circumstances, has marked the greatest crisis in the 33-year-old's rapid rise, already tarnished by a catastrophic war in Yemen and a sweeping roundup of Saudi businessmen and activists. The prince had hoped to galvanize world support for his efforts to revamp the country's oil-dependent economy, but now the monarchy faces possible sanctions over the killing. Saudi Arabia has threatened to retaliate against any punitive action, but analysts say that wielding its main weapon - oil production - could backfire, putting the prince's economic goals even further out of reach. "The issue now is how Western governments coordinate a response and to what extent they wish to escalate this in a coordinated fashion," said Michael Stephens, a senior research fellow who focuses on the Mideast at London's Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies. "Would financial sanctions be considered sufficient as to have sent a message to Saudi Arabia that this will never happen again?" Stephens added. "Some may feel this is inadequate, while others, like the Americans, may feel this is going too far." Senior aides close to the prince have been fired over Khashoggi's killing, and 18 suspects have been arrested. But the prince himself, protected by his 82-year-old father, King Salman, has been tapped to lead a panel to reform the kingdom's intelligence services, a sign he will remain next in line to the throne. FILE - In this April 12, 2018, file photo, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prepares to leave after a signing ceremony with Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in Madrid, Spain. The killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, 2018, is unlikely to halt Salman's rise to power, but could cause irreparable harm to relations with Western governments and businesses, potentially endangering his ambitious reform plans. (AP Photo/Paul White, File) The king has the authority to change the line of succession - as he did when he appointed his son crown prince in the first place, upending the previous royal consensus. But any direct challenge to Prince Mohammed's succession "may be destabilizing for the kingdom as a whole," said Cinzia Bianco, a London-based analyst for Gulf State Analytics. "Being young and being so close to his father, there is a chance that his behavior can be constrained with the influence of his father and other actors around the world," Bianco said. That only holds as long as King Salman remains in power. If Prince Mohammed ascends the throne, he could be in power for decades, longer than any other royal since the country's founding in 1932, including its first monarch, King Abdul-Aziz Al Saud. The firing and arrests announced by the kingdom appear to be at least an acknowledgement by the royal family of how serious the crisis has become. "While it might be too early to evaluate the reaction of the international community, these moves might be read as a serious initial signal that the Saudi leadership is course correcting," wrote Ayham Kamel, the head of Mideast and North Africa research at the Eurasia Group. "Despite speculation that the crisis spells the end of Mohammad bin Salman, the recent announcements prove that the king still believes that the current line of succession is suitable." The Saudis' greatest concern is the United States, a crucial military ally against archrival Iran and a key source of the kind of foreign investment they will need to reform the economy. A strong American response could encourage other Western countries to follow suit, further amplifying the crisis. President Donald Trump has thus far sent mixed signals, vowing "severe punishment" over the death of the Washington Post columnist but saying he doesn't want to imperil American arms sales to the kingdom. Trump chose Saudi Arabia as his first overseas trip as president, and his son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner has developed close ties with Prince Mohammed, apparently seeing him as an ally in advancing his yet-to-be-released peace plan for Israel and the Palestinians. But even if the Saudis keep Trump on their side, they could face a reckoning from the U.S. Congress, where Republicans and Democrats alike have expressed outrage over the killing. Some have suggested using the 2016 Global Magnitsky Act, which makes it possible to impose entry bans and targeted sanctions on individuals for committing human rights violations or acts of significant corruption. Saudi Arabia last week threatened "greater action" if faced with sanctions. While no official has explained what that would entail, the general manager of a Saudi-owned satellite news channel suggested it could include weaponizing the kingdom's oil production. Forty-five years ago, Saudi Arabia joined other OPEC nations in an oil embargo over the 1973 Mideast war in retaliation for American military support for Israel. Gas prices soared, straining the U.S. economy. But it's unclear whether such a move would work in today's economy. Saudi Arabia has been trying to claw back global market share, especially as Iran faces new U.S. oil sanctions beginning in November. Slashing oil exports would drain revenues needed for Prince Mohammed's plans to diversify the economy, while a spike in oil prices could revive the U.S. shale industry and lead other countries to boost production. "The Saudis have been very helpful by accelerating oil production, especially as sanctions on Iran ramp up," said Kristin Diwan, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington. "It would be very foolish of Saudi Arabia to forfeit the trust of the oil market earned over decades by injecting politics into their oil policy." ___ EDITOR'S NOTE - Jon Gambrell, the acting Gulf news director for The Associated Press, has reported from each of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Iran and other locations across the world since joining the AP in 2006. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellap BERLIN (AP) - A U.N.-backed fund has approved more than $1 billion for 19 new projects to help developing countries tackle climate change, officials said Sunday. During a four-day meeting in Bahrain that ended late Saturday, officials overseeing the Green Climate Fund also agreed to start seeking fresh money next year as its initial capital of about $6.6 billion will soon be used up. The South Korea-based fund, considered a key vehicle for climate-related development programs, was originally meant to receive over $10 billion from rich countries by 2018. But U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withhold $2 billion of the $3 billion pledged by his predecessor, Barack Obama, has contributed to a shortfall in its projected assets. Funding approved at the meeting in Manama includes projects linked to geothermal energy in Indonesia, greener cities in Europe and the Middle East, and protection for coastal communities in India. But delegates sparred over a request from host country Bahrain to receive funding to protect its freshwater resources. Environmentalists had pointed out that the Gulf nation could pay for the project itself using money it has made off its vast reserves of oil and gas. The project was eventually approved, but with only $2.1 million of the $9.8 million requested by Bahrain. Decision on a funding bid by China was postponed after concerns from Japan and the United States about the possibility that the money could be used to subsidize research into new technology. Debates within the fund have sometimes split Western countries and large emerging economies such as China, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The fund's last director, Howard Bamsey, resigned in July after what officials described as a "very difficult and disappointing" meeting. The latest meeting took place weeks before a summit in Katowice, Poland, on the future of the 2015 Paris climate accord. Funding for developing countries to mitigate and adapt to global warming will be at the heart of the discussion of that meeting, too. SANTA FE, Texas (AP) - Crosses and flowers are part of a memorial for 10 people slain this spring in a shooting at a Texas school. The Galveston County Daily News reports that dedication ceremonies were held Saturday at Maranatha Christian Center in Santa Fe, 30 miles (50 kilometers) southeast of Houston. About 40 people were present to remember those killed on May 18 at Santa Fe High School. A student was indicted in August and remains jailed on capital murder and other charges in the attack that also left 13 wounded. Pastor Alex Yovan says the memorial includes a landscaped pavilion that faces 10 white crosses with victims' names. Donations from the church and businesses funded the memorial. Santa Fe Mayor Jason Tabor says the community is slowly healing "one moment at a time." ___ On Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, raindrops hang from a cross dedicated to Jared Black during a memorial dedication at Maranatha Christian Center for the 10 people killed in a shooting at Santa Fe High School in May, in Santa Fe, Texas. (Kelsey Walling/The Galveston County Daily News via AP) This story has been updated to correct the spelling of the church. ___ Information from: The Galveston County Daily News, http://www.galvnews.com LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - For nearly a decade, opposition to former President Barack Obama's health care law has been a winning message for Nebraska Republicans. It's helped them win every statewide office, control the Legislature and hold all the state's congressional seats. So it was something of a surprise for Bob Tatum when he set out to ask his fellow Nebraskans if they would back a ballot initiative to expand Medicaid, one of the pillars of Obama's health overhaul. "There seems to be a lot more support than I anticipated," said Tatum, who lives in a remote town near the Colorado border. It took him little more than a week to gather over 100 petition signatures in Perkins County, where roughly 70 percent of the 1,963 registered voters are Republicans. Tatum, 66, also is a Republican but differs from most of his party's elected officials. He supports the Medicaid expansion because his job as an ambulance driver brings him into frequent contact with working people who can't afford insurance but earn too much to qualify for regular Medicaid. "When I was circulating petitions, pretty much everyone signed it without objection," Tatum said. "I didn't expect that to be the case in rural Nebraska." Nebraska isn't the only conservative state where residents are bypassing a legislature that has refused to expand Medicaid. FILE - In this June 27, 2017 file photo, protesters block a street during a demonstration against the Republican bill in the U.S. Senate to replace former President Barack Obama's health care law, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) Voters in two other Republican-dominated states, Idaho and Utah, also will decide in November whether to expand the health insurance program to more lower-income Americans. Another ballot initiative, in Montana, seeks to raise a tobacco tax to keep funding a Medicaid expansion that is set to expire. It also has become a focal point in numerous governor's races. The election-year push in conservative-leaning states for one of the main aspects of Obama's health care law has surprised many Republican lawmakers after they spent years attacking it. Most GOP lawmakers in Idaho staunchly opposed expansion efforts there and cast it as a welfare program that would deepen the state's reliance on the federal government. Supporters responded by gathering more than 75,000 petition signatures, far exceeding the minimum threshold to qualify for the ballot. Expansion advocates launched a petition drive in Utah after continued resistance from the Republican-dominated Legislature. Utah lawmakers did expand coverage to about 6,000 of the state's neediest residents last year and approved another expansion measure with work requirements, but the federal government hasn't yet accepted that plan. Expansion advocates say it still leaves tens of thousands of people without insurance. Other states have seen Medicaid expansion become a top issue in their governor's race, with Democratic candidates forcing Republicans to defend their opposition. In Tennessee, Democratic contender Karl Dean argues that the state already has lost out on $4 billion in federal money by refusing to participate. "That money is being spent in other states," Dean said in a recent debate. "We need to get our Medicaid dollars back here." His Republican opponent, Bill Lee, noted that Tennessee had expanded its Medicaid program long before Obama was even in office, but rolled it back in 2003 to balance the budget. "We expanded Medicaid before, and it ended up failing and it almost broke the state," he said. Democrat Stacey Abrams is promoting expansion as a way to improve health care access in rural parts of Georgia where hospitals have closed, partly due to the expense of caring for the uninsured. Republican Brian Kemp said Abrams wants to "double down on big government programs that cost too much and fail to deliver." Medicaid expansion also has been in the spotlight in the Florida, Kansas and Wisconsin governor's races. About 12 million Americans have gained coverage under the expansion in the 33 states that opted for it under the Obama health care reforms. The program extends Medicaid to cover more low-income adults, including those with no children at home, and the federal government picks up most of the cost. A government report released this past week found that lower-income people in states that did not broaden access to Medicaid were much more likely to skip needed medical care than people in states that did. In Nebraska, Amanda Gershon is among those who went without. As a single, childless adult, she wasn't eligible for regular Medicaid after a series of autoimmune disorders in 2013 rendered her too sick to work. The Lincoln resident remained uninsured for two years before she qualified for Social Security disability benefits that allowed her to receive coverage. Even then, the enrollment process took nine months. Without the prescription drugs, tests and surgeries that could have helped her earlier, Gershon said she suffered needlessly and wasn't able to hold a job. A co-sponsor of the petition drive to qualify the initiative, she said she grew frustrated with lawmakers who opposed the Medicaid expansion because none of them proposed alternatives that would have helped her. "It's hard to understand," said Gershon, now 36. "They are there to represent the people, and it does seem like a majority of people see this as a good thing." Kathy Campbell is among the few Republicans who were not surprised by the citizen effort to circumvent the Legislature. As a state lawmaker, she had pushed repeatedly for Medicaid expansion before being termed out of office last year. "People want good health care policy," she said. "They're much more informed about it than you might think. I think that's why you had so many people sign the petition." Politicians who steadfastly opposed the Medicaid expansion in Nebraska say the initiative's supporters don't understand the consequences. "I don't believe anybody (in the Legislature) who voted against it is really opposed to helping people," said Sen. Mark Kolterman, a Republican. "But how are we going to pay for it?" The estimated annual cost of expanding the program in Nebraska is $40 million to $69 million, roughly 1 percent of the state budget. State Sen. John Stinner, a Republican who heads a budget committee, cited voter frustration that so many people lack health care as a driving force behind the initiative. "Believe me, I'm frustrated with it, too," he said. "I don't want to be insensitive to people out there in that Medicaid expansion group. I just don't think this is sustainable." If passed, the measure would add about 90,000 Nebraskans to the Medicaid rolls. Organizers with Insure the Good Life, a Nebraska group formed to back the expansion, said many of those people work in jobs with no health benefits, such as in hotels, restaurants and construction. "Almost every single person in Nebraska probably knows somebody who's directly affected by the unaffordability of health care," said Meg Mandy, campaign manager for Insure the Good Life. ___ Associated Press writers Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho, Kimberlee Kruesi in Nashville, Tennessee, and Lindsay Whitehurst in Salt Lake City contributed to this article. Mulvihill reported from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. ___ Follow Grant Schulte on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GrantSchulte In this Oct. 16, 2018 photo, yard signs are stacked outside a public hearing in Lincoln, Neb., for Initiative 427, the Medicaid Expansion Initiative. For nearly a decade, opposition to Obama's health care law has been a winning message for Nebraska Republicans, helping them take every statewide office, dominate the Legislature and hold all of the state's congressional seats. But in the upcoming general election, even the most strident opponents of the Affordable Care Act are acknowledging an odd reality: there's a good chance the voters who support them will also approve a ballot measure expanding Medicaid. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) In this Oct. 16, 2018 photo, Amanda Gershon, of Lincoln, testifies at a public hearing in Lincoln, Neb., on Initiative 427, the Medicaid Expansion Initiative. Gershon worked in various low-wage jobs while struggling with a rare autoimmune disorder that eventually led to $60,000 in medical debt and bankruptcy when she was 22 years old. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) In this March 13, 2018 photo, Nebraska state Sens. John Stinner of Gering, right, and Mark Kolterman of Seward follow debate in the Legislative Chamber in Lincoln, Neb. Faced with the possibility that Neb. voters might approve a ballot measure expanding Medicaid, Stinner says he does not want to be insensitive to people in that Medicaid expansion group, but he does not think it is sustainable. Kolterman does not believe anybody (in the Legislature) who voted against extending Medicaid is really opposed to helping people, but wonders how the state is going to pay for it. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) AL-UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar (AP) - Turkish and American troops could begin conducting joint patrols in a matter of days around the northern Syrian city of Manbij within the coming days, the top U.S. commander for the Middle East said Sunday. Army Gen. Joseph Votel, head of U.S. Central Command, told reporters traveling with him that the soldiers' training is expected to last "several more days," and then will transition to combined patrols. The Manbij patrols are part of a road map that Ankara and Washington agreed on in June to defuse tensions amid Turkish demands for the withdrawal of a U.S.-backed Kurdish militia that freed the town of Manbij from the Islamic State group in 2016. The U.S. and the Turks have been conducting independent patrols along the border, and joint patrols are considered a way to tamp down potential violence between the various groups there. "We're right on track with where we want to be," Votel said. "We've been through a very deliberate and mutually agreed upon training program." He said the platoons will include security personnel. He did not provide details on the size of the units or how many U.S. and Turkish forces will be involved in the program. U.S. platoons can often include a couple dozen soldiers. FILE - In this March 13, 2018, file photo, U.S. Central Command commander Gen. Joseph Votel testifies at the Senate Committee on Armed Services on Capitol Hill in Washington. Votel, the top U.S. commander for the Middle East says Turkish and American troops could begin joint patrols in a matter of days around the northern Syrian city of Manbij. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) The initial instruction of Turkey's military trainers began at the beginning of the month, then all the troops were brought together for training to ensure they can all communicate, work together and operate with the same military tactics and procedures, particularly if there is an attack or other incident. The training had been delayed a bit while equipment was brought in and the two countries worked out the details of how the operations would be conducted. Manbij has been a major sticking point in the strained relations between the U.S. and Turkey. Ankara considers the U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish militia, the People's Protection Units, or YPG, a terror group that is linked to a Kurdish insurgency within Turkey. The patrols will add to the security of the are, Votel said, adding that right now Manbij is stable and "we want to double down and consolidate our gains." In July, the Manbij Military Council, which administers the town, said the YPG units once stationed there had completed their withdrawal. Turkey's Foreign Ministry called reports of the alleged withdrawal "exaggerated" and said they didn't "reflect the truth." SOTOGRANDE, Spain (AP) - Sergio Garcia was on course to win a third Andalucia Valderrama Masters on Sunday when play was suspended due to heavy rain and the threat of lightning in southern Spain. The 2017 Masters winner will take a three-shot lead over Lee Westwood into Monday at the Real Club Valderrama. Garcia had one birdie and one bogey over seven holes on the final round before play was halted. Westwood hit four birdies to move into second place. Shane Lowry and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano are tied for third at four shots back. Tournament officials reduced the event to 54 holes on Saturday after bad weather had forced several delays at the tournament hosted by Garcia, who won the event last year and in 2011. Flash flooding in southern Spain on Sunday led to the death of a firefighter who was swept away by rushing waters. ___ More AP sports: https://apnews.com/tag/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports LAS VEGAS (AP) - Patricia Lugo rattled off a string of fierce adjectives describing life under the Trump administration - "ugly," ''bad," ''terrible." She joined a cluster of other Latinos in a Las Vegas shopping center in listing grievances against the president that included referring to Mexican immigrants as rapists and separating parents from children at the border. Lugo is determined to support Democrats as they fight back, but she's alarmed that a handful of friends and family have given up on voting. "They say it doesn't do anything," said Lugo, 56, a promoter for a footwear chain. "And it doesn't matter who votes because (politicians) do whatever they want anyway." Trump rode to his improbable victory in 2016 by winning a troika of Rust Belt states where there are relatively few Latinos. This was supposed to be the election Latinos struck back. Many Democrats presumed that Latinos, who are largely clustered in a handful of states, would be better-positioned to flex their muscles and punish the president for his actions and rhetoric targeting Latino immigrants - most recently when he pledged to send troops to the border to block a northbound caravan of Central American migrants. In this Oct. 17, 2018, photo, members of the Culinary Union prepare packets before canvassing for Democratic candidates in Las Vegas. Some Latinos are infuriated by President Trump and eager to vote in the midterms. Some are too demoralized to go to the polls. And some still like the president. (AP Photo/John Locher) Latinos had been poised to play a prominent role in several House races in California and Senate races in Florida and the southwest. But as Election Day nears, polling shows it's more affluent and predominantly white college-educated women with whom Democrats have made the most inroads, while Latinos haven't fully turned against Trump and his Republican Party. "Donald Trump is the most hostile president to Hispanics in American history, yet Donald Trump has between a 25 percent and 35 percent approval rating among some Hispanics - higher than 40 percent in Florida," said Fernand Amadi, a Florida-based Latino pollster. About 25 percent of Latino voters are reliable Republicans, but others seem willing to support the GOP amid the solid economy. "From their perspective, this Trump's crazy and a bigoted loudmouth, but we deal with people like this in every day of our lives," Amadi said. The relatively tepid showing for Democrats so far from some Latino voters was evident this month when the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which supports House candidates, trimmed its financial support from candidates trying to oust Republican congressmen in one west Texas district and another in California's Central Valley. In Texas, polls indicate enough Latinos are sticking with Republican Sen. Ted Cruz that he is likely to fend off a challenge from Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke. And in Florida, Arizona and Nevada, Democrats remain neck-and-neck with Republicans in Senate races. Still, there are positive signs for Democrats among Latinos. Gil Cisneros, a former Naval officer and philanthropist, more than doubled Latino turnout when he won the June primary for a formerly GOP open House seat in Southern California. Democrats report initial signs that Latinos are requesting ballots at a higher clip in California - home to several competitive House races - and that early Latino voting is strong in a district in southern New Mexico that has long been held by the GOP. Democrats predict there will be a significant bump in Latino turnout, but they're not sure it'll be enough. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is spending $25 million to reach out to Democratic voters who normally sit out midterms, including Latinos. Rep. Ben Lujan of New Mexico chairs the organization. Executive director Dan Sena says the group understands that Latinos need extra attention and candidates they can believe in. "You can show up to vote against the president, but you also need a candidate who shares your values," Sena said. The politics of Latinos are diverse, ranging from older, GOP-leaning Cuban emigres in Florida to newly naturalized Democratic-leaning Mexican immigrants in the Southwest, to families in Texas, New Mexico and Colorado that have lived in the country for generations. Politically, they have one thing in common: They vote less in midterm elections. Latinos lag behind blacks and whites in turnout and their participation typically plummets in non-presidential years. In 2014, for example, only 27 percent of eligible Latinos cast a ballot compared to 46 percent of whites and 41 percent of blacks. Polls show elevated excitement about voting in November among all groups, but Latinos still lag. "We're younger. We haven't voted as much. There's an intimidation factor," said Chuck Rocha, a Democratic strategist who noted the average age of a typical Latino eligible to vote is 27, while the typical white is 40. Rocha and other Latino Democratic strategists worry the party has taken the community for granted rather than wooing them with the intensity with which it has targeted white college-educated women. Trump can contribute to Latinos' reluctance to dive into politics. Multiple Democrats said in interviews that the president's hardline immigration policies and dalliance with white supremacists can demoralize Latinos. "I've seen it firsthand in focus groups - the visceralness of the reaction to his face and his picture, where I have Latino voters who won't even read the mailer," Rocha said. Matt Barreto of the Hispanic polling firm Latino Decisions said Trump's immigration policies are sowing fear among Latino voters, many of whom have members of their extended family threatened by the president's attempts to deport immigrants. That doesn't necessarily mean these voters will automatically turn out at the polls. "There's a fine line between voter anger, which can be mobilized and lead to people wanting to take action, and alienation, where people feel the system doesn't work for them and they withdraw," Barreto said. "We are observing both this cycle." Alma Landaverde feels anger and alienation clashing in her constantly, but anger has won out. The 31-year-old hotel worker is a legal immigrant from El Salvador with four U.S.-born children, but other members of her family rely on temporary protected status to remain in the country - a protection Trump is trying to end. Landaverde can't vote, but after seeing images of children the Trump administration separated from immigrating parents and placed behind bars, she started canvassing for the Culinary Union, a powerful pro-Democratic union of which she is a member. "I imagine it happening to one of my kids," Landaverde told a crowd of workers at a union hall. "I feel like I want to do more - but I can't because if I say something they'll arrest me." Landaverde overcame her fear and now canvases for her union but can still feel afraid when she talks to minority voters. "Some people say, 'because of all the racism, I'm scared,'" Landaverde said. "But when they see you believe in something, they say 'yes, I'm a voter.'" Nevada is a state where Democrats must turn out Latinos to win. Latinos delivered the state for President Obama twice, Hillary Clinton in 2016 and former Sen. Harry Reid, who won a surprise victory against an immigration hardliner in 2010. To many Latino Democrats, Reid's victory is a case study in how the party needs to appeal to the demographic. The senator invested early in continuous contact with the community and promised concrete actions, in his case, introducing pro-immigration bills. But even in Nevada, Latinos sometimes don't turn out. In the 2014 midterm elections, their participation rate plummeted and Democrats were wiped out, losing a congressional seat in a majority-minority Las Vegas district and all statewide races. This year the state is the site of one of the hottest Senate races in the country. Republican incumbent Dean Heller is facing Democratic Rep. Jacky Rosen. In Heller's last race, in 2012, he barely survived in a presidential year when Barack Obama won Nevada with heavy Latino turnout. Heller softened his tone on immigration in that campaign, but in a reflection of how midterm Nevada electorates are less Latino, he has now embraced Trump and the president's tougher rhetoric. Heller and the president have Latino supporters in Nevada. "We're not all Democrats," said Laura Nowlan, a Latina who runs a staffing firm in Las Vegas and is staunchly opposed to abortion rights - like Heller and Trump. Still, Las Vegas' diverse neighborhoods are the heart of the state's Democratic party, and there are plenty of voters like Klaudia Chavez, a 58-year-old grocery worker who registered to vote for the first time in 2016 to cast a ballot against Trump. She's ready to do so again by opposing Heller and any other Republicans. "We kind of woke up a bit," said Chavez, who's already made plans to vote with her daughter and mother. In this Oct. 17, 2018, photo, members of the Culinary Union listen to Democratic candidates during an event at the union hall in Las Vegas. Latinos have a spotty track record in midterm elections. The Democrats need heavy Latino support to win several senate races and take back control of the House. (AP Photo/John Locher) WASHINGTON (AP) - A Republican senator says the U.S. needs a president who "celebrates the First Amendment," not one who "pretends that beating up a reporter is OK." Nebraska's Ben Sasse (sas) has frequently criticized President Donald Trump for what he considers Trump's uncivil rhetoric. Sasse has said he "regularly" considers leaving his party and becoming an independent. Last week in Montana, Trump praised a congressman who, as a candidate last year, body-slammed a reporter. Trump called Greg Gianforte (jee-an-FOR'-tay) a "tough cookie" and "my kind of guy." Gianforte pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault. Sasse says many consider Trump's raw rhetoric "playful" and "tune most of it out." But Sasse tells CNN's "State of the Union" any president should be a steward of a free press and not joke about an assault. SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - The U.S. Coast Guard is honoring a coastal Georgia community for its longtime support. Chatham County, which includes Savannah, was designated during a ceremony Thursday as an official "Coast Guard Community." The honor was established by Congress in 1998 to recognize American communities that make extra efforts to embrace the Coast Guard's service members. Cmdr. Brian Erickson is the commanding officer of the Coast Guard's Air Station Savannah. He said in a news release that "all of our local Coast Guard men and women are privileged to serve a community that cares so much for their local military." One other Georgia county has received the "Coast Guard Community" designation. That's Camden County in Georgia's southeastern corner and home to Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base. MADRID (AP) - The Latest on Europe's migration crisis (all times local): 9:55 p.m. Greek police say 11 migrants and one trafficker have been injured when the SUV that was carrying them at high speed overturned on a highway in northern Greece. Police say the car, which was carrying the migrants from the border with Turkey toward Thessaloniki, had previously not stopped at a police checkpoint, but there was no chase. The car caught fire but all occupants managed to get out. All 12 - the Bulgarian driver and migrants from Pakistan and Senegal - were driven to a local hospital. Hospital officials say one is in serious condition. The crash took place on the same road and nearly the same location where another car carrying 10 migrants and a trafficker collided with a truck on Oct. 13, killing all of the car's occupants. ___ 1:40 p.m. Spanish authorities say one migrant has died and 200 others have entered Spain when a large group of migrants attacked a fence separating Spain's North African enclave of Melilla from Morocco. A representative of Spain's government in Melilla says the migrant appears to have died from a heart attack. Officials are waiting for an autopsy to confirm the cause of death. The representative says at least three other migrants were injured when some 300 sub-Saharan Africans tried to climb the high border fence on Sunday. The official says 200 migrants managed to reach Spanish territory. Spain this year has seen a spike in migrants who try to reach the European Union nation either via its two North African enclaves or by crossing the Mediterranean Sea in small boats. NEW YORK (AP) - Richard Violette Jr., a thoroughbred trainer who advocated tirelessly on behalf of racetrack backstretch workers and improved care for retired racehorses, has died. He was 65. Violette died Sunday at his home in Delray Beach, Florida, after a long struggle with lung cancer, according to the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. Violette had trained Diversify to victories in the Grade 2 Suburban and Grade 1 Whitney handicaps last summer, as well as last year's Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup. The 5-year-old gelding has earned nearly $2 million, with 10 wins in 16 starts. Earlier this month, it was announced that Diversify would not run in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3 because he had not been training well. Violette began his career in June 1977 and less than two months later he saddled his first winner in Rockingham, New Hampshire. He had 870 career victories and purse earnings of $44,521,759. Among his other Grade 1 winners were Dream Rush and Man From Wicklow, whom Violette also owned. His final winner was Byself on Oct. 14 at Belmont Park. "Rick Violette embodied New York racing, and his commitment to the men and women who are the backbone of our sport was unparalleled," NYRA CEO and president Chris Kay said in a statement. "Knowing how hard he worked, and the determination he showed throughout his life, it was particularly fitting to see the success Rick enjoyed over the past year with multiple Grade 1 winner Diversify." Born Jan. 30, 1953, in Worchester, Massachusetts, Violette showed hunters and jumpers as a teenager. After graduating from Lowell University, he turned his attention to thoroughbred racing. Violette later worked as an assistant trainer before going back out on his own in 1983. He retired in 2017 after 10 years as president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and more than 25 years as a member of its board. He oversaw the expansion of several initiatives, including the group's college scholarship program and racehorse aftercare. "Rick was a champion, plain and simple. His work, largely unnoticed and often unrecognized, made the lives of the backstretch workers better," NYTHA president Joe Appelbaum said. "He was their promoter and defender - creating and solidifying programs that have real impact on people's lives - health care, college scholarships, rider safety, substance-abuse counseling. These programs would not exist without Rick's foresight and perseverance." Violette sought and secured funding for an education program for backstretch workers that offered English-language classes and a groom development program. He was co-chair of a nonprofit based at Belmont Park that provides free health and social services to backstretch workers at all New York Racing Association tracks. Violette was a founding member of the board for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and co-created the Take the Lead Thoroughbred Retirement Program. In 2012, he co-founded TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program with a focus on providing an avenue for the retraining of retired racehorses for the show-horse world. He served as the organization's president until his death. WASHINGTON (AP) - House Democrats are expected to re-open the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election if they win the majority in November. But they would have to be selective in what they investigate. California Rep. Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House intelligence panel, has said his party would have to "ruthlessly prioritize the most important matters first." The Republican-led Intelligence Committee was the only House panel to investigate Russian meddling, and its investigation is now closed. Republicans say they found no evidence of collusion between Russia and President Donald Trump's campaign. Democrats say Republicans ignored key facts and important witnesses and want to restart parts of the investigation if they win the House. But some Democrats also worry that there could be a political cost if they overreach. Schiff and other lawmakers say they are closely watching special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation and the Senate's Russia probe to look for gaps that they could fill. And if Mueller issues any findings, their investigative plans could change. "My sense is that we want to be precise," says California Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democratic member of the intelligence panel. FILE - In this March 22, 2018 file photo, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, exits a secure area to speak to reporters, on Capitol Hill in Washington. House Democrats are expected to re-open the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election if they win the majority in the November midterms, but they would have to be selective in what they investigate. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Here's a look at what Democrats are likely to investigate if they take the House majority. ___ MONEY LAUNDERING Schiff has repeatedly said a priority for Democrats would be investigating whether Russians used laundered money for transactions with the Trump Organization. Trump's businesses have benefited from Russian investment over the years. Schiff said he wants to know whether "this is the leverage that the Russians have" over Trump. Other committees might also want to look into money laundering, including the House Financial Services panel. It's unclear whether Mueller is probing money laundering related to the president's business. ___ MORE WITNESSES The Democrats issued a list in March of several dozen people whom the committee hadn't yet interviewed when the Russia investigation was shut down. Democrats would want to call in some - but probably not all - of those witnesses. Former Trump campaign advisers Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort, Rick Gates, and George Papadopoulos are among them. They all pleaded guilty to various charges in the Mueller probe and have cooperated with prosecutors. Important witnesses whose credibility Democrats have questioned might also be called back. That includes Trump's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, who pleaded guilty in federal court in August to campaign-finance violations and other charges, and prominent Trump supporter Erik Prince, who met with Russians during the campaign. Prince was defiant in an interview with the intelligence panel in December. "I believe there are those who were less than candid with us," says Illinois Rep. Mike Quigley, a Democratic member of the committee, referring to Cohen and Prince, among others. Democrats have said they also want additional documents that Republicans refused to subpoena. ___ PUBLIC HEARINGS House Republicans limited their Russia investigation to the intelligence panel, which traditionally conducts most of its business in secret. Democrats would probably spread the investigation over several other committees, opening it up and allowing for public hearings with top Trump officials. Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Democratic member of the intelligence panel, says they would try to be more transparent. The Republican investigation was "a way to keep everything behind closed doors," he said. Democrats would also push to provide interview transcripts to Mueller, a step Republicans had resisted. The committee recently voted to make most of its Russia transcripts public, but it's unclear when that will happen. ___ DONALD TRUMP JR. Democrats have pushed for more information about the president's son, Donald Trump Jr., and communications with his father and other aides related to a June 2016 meeting between Trump campaign officials and a Russian lawyer. According to phone records he provided to Congress, Trump Jr. had a call with a blocked number several days before the meeting took place; he said he didn't recall with whom. Democrats want to subpoena additional phone records because Trump Jr. has insisted he didn't alert his father to the meeting beforehand. They also want more information about his communications with former Trump communications aide Hope Hicks. Democrats may also look into direct messages on Twitter between Trump Jr. and WikiLeaks, the website that released emails from top Democratic officials during the 2016 campaign. Trump Jr. has released those direct messages, in which the website urged him to publicize its leaks. ___ TRUMP'S TAXES Democrats in the majority would probably push for the release of Trump's tax returns, a task that would be up to the House Ways and Means Committee. Trump broke a decadeslong tradition by declining to release his returns during the campaign. The Republican House and Senate have declined to ask for them. Lawmakers hope that access to Trump's taxes would reveal information about his financial entanglements with other countries, among other things. But getting them may not be easy. The tax-writing committees in Congress can obtain tax records from the IRS under the law, but it is possible the Trump administration would refuse to hand them over, prompting a court fight. ___ ISSUES RELATED TO COLLUSION Since Republicans closed the Russia investigation earlier this year, Democrats on the intelligence panel have conducted some of their own investigations despite not having subpoena power. They have made some progress in probing Cambridge Analytica, a data analytics firm once employed by the Trump campaign that improperly gained access to data from millions of social media profiles. They have also investigated Republican operative Peter W. Smith, who worked to obtain Democrat Hillary Clinton's emails from Russian hackers, according to The Wall Street Journal. Smith died shortly after talking to the paper. ___ PROTECTION FOR ROBERT MUELLER A Democratic House would probably try to move legislation to protect special counsel Mueller. Trump has repeatedly criticized Mueller and his investigation, calling it a witch hunt. Prompted by concerns that Trump may try to fire Mueller, the GOP-led Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation in April that would give any special counsel a 10-day window to seek expedited judicial review of a firing. The bill would put into law existing Justice Department regulations that a special counsel can only be fired for good cause. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has refused to take up the bill in the Senate. But House Democrats would be expected to pass their own special counsel protection bill if they take the majority. ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - The Latest on migration into Europe (all times local): 11:45 p.m. Several dozen migrants, including women and children, have arrived near the border with Croatia after walking for several hours from a migrant center in Bosnia. Bosnian police on Monday evening stopped the migrants before they reached the border crossing in the village of Izacic, in northwestern Bosnia. Police are trying to persuade the migrants to go back to the migrant center. The group walked toward the border some 15 kilometers (9 miles) to draw attention to their plight and the fact that borders remain closed for people trying to reach Western Europe. Locals along the way have offered food and drinks, showing sympathy with the migrants. A migrant woman holds her children near a police barricade at the border crossing of Izacici, Bosnia, on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. Several dozen migrants, including women and children, have arrived near the border with Croatia after walking for several hours from a migrant center in Bosnia, Bosnian police on Monday evening stopped the migrants before they reached the border crossing in the village of Izacic, in northwestern Bosnia.(AP Photo/Amel Emric) Several thousand migrants are staying in Bosnia and are unable to cross to neighboring European Union member Croatia and proceed to the west. ___ 8:15 p.m Morocco's Interior Ministry says a migrant has died and 22 others have been injured while climbing a fence separating the Spanish enclave of Melilla from Morocco during a mass attempt to cross the border. Twelve Moroccan border guards were wounded as they tried to prevent up to 300 migrants from climbing the seven-meter (23-foot) high border fence on Sunday. The injured migrants and border officers were taken to Nador hospital for treatment. The ministry said in a statement that 141 migrants were arrested and will be "returned to their countries of origin." According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 36,600 migrants arrived in Spain by sea during the first nine months of the year, a sharp rise from previous years that has put a strain on public services. ___ 4:55 p.m. Bosnian police have blocked some 200 migrants from reaching the border with neighboring Croatia, which is a member of the European Union. The migrants marched Monday from the northwestern town of Velika Kladusa toward Croatia in protest that the border remains closed for people trying to reach Western Europe. They turned back after spending a few hours near the Maljevac border crossing. Also Monday, another group of 89 migrants, including children, left a camp in the town of Cazin, apparently to march toward another border crossing. Thousands of migrants are staying in northwestern Bosnia while trying to reach wealthy EU nations. Local residents held protests last weekend in the town of Bihac over the rising number of migrants in the town. Migrants have turned to war-ravaged Bosnia to avoid more heavily guarded routes in the Balkans. ___ 10:40 a.m. Turkey's state-run news agency says coast guards have rescued some 20 people after a boat carrying migrants sank off Turkey's Aegean Sea coast. Two of the migrants later died in the hospital. Anadolu Agency said the boat, believed to be carrying around 30 people, sank early Monday near the resort of Gumbet, near Bodrum. The area is close to the Greek island of Kos. Anadolu said residents in Gumbet alerted authorities after hearing cries for help and some took part in the rescue operation. Rescue crews were searching the area for more survivors. There was no immediate detail on the migrants' nationalities. Although their numbers have decreased in recent years, migrants still try to cross into Greece from nearby Turkey in the hopes of making their way to other European countries. A migrant girl looks on as she sits with her family near a police barricade at the border crossing of Izacici, Bosnia, on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. Several dozen migrants, including women and children, have arrived near the border with Croatia after walking for several hours from a migrant center in Bosnia, Bosnian police on Monday evening stopped the migrants before they reached the border crossing in the village of Izacic, in northwestern Bosnia.(AP Photo/Amel Emric) A migrant girl looks on as she sits with her family near a police barricade at the border crossing of Izacici, Bosnia, on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. Several dozen migrants, including women and children, have arrived near the border with Croatia after walking for several hours from a migrant center in Bosnia, Bosnian police on Monday evening stopped the migrants before they reached the border crossing in the village of Izacic, in northwestern Bosnia.(AP Photo/Amel Emric) A migrant girl looks on as she sits with her family near a police barricade at the border crossing of Izacici, Bosnia, on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. Several dozen migrants, including women and children, have arrived near the border with Croatia after walking for several hours from a migrant center in Bosnia, Bosnian police on Monday evening stopped the migrants before they reached the border crossing in the village of Izacic, in northwestern Bosnia.(AP Photo/Amel Emric) MOSCOW (AP) - The Latest on John Bolton's meetings in Moscow (all times local): 8:50 p.m. U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton says he raised the issue of the Russian meddling in the U.S. election during meetings in Russia, emphasizing that it has been detrimental to Moscow's own interests. Bolton, speaking Tuesday after two days of talks in Moscow, said he made the point during the discussions that the Russian meddling has been "particularly harmful for Russian-American relations without providing anything for them in return." He emphasized that the Russian interference has caused "distress and animosity" across the U.S., effectively blocking the possibility of improving Russia-U.S. ties. Bolton noted that it has been a huge loss for both countries but particularly for Russia, adding that the lesson is "Don't mess with American elections." Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and U.S. National security adviser John Bolton during their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) ___ 8:30 p.m. U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton says that Washington is convinced that Russia has violated a pivotal nuclear arms pact, citing it as the main reason for U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to dump it. Bolton, speaking Tuesday following two days of talks in Moscow, said the U.S. has determined that Russia has been in violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty since 2013. He said the threat to Europe isn't the prospective U.S. withdrawal from the pact but "the threat is the Russian missiles already deployed." Moscow has denied any violations. Asked if the pact could be rescued if Russia comes back to compliance, Bolton said it's hard to expect that given Russian denials. Bolton also cited China's massive intermediate-range missile capability as another key concern. ___ 6:55 p.m. President Vladimir Putin says he would be ready to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump when they both visit Paris next month. Speaking at the start of Tuesday's meeting with Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, Putin said that it's important to maintain Russia-U.S. dialogue despite their differences. Bolton's visit follows Trump's statement over the weekend that he intends to pull out of a key nuclear arms pact, the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Putin said his last meeting with Trump in Helsinki in July was useful, adding that he would be open to meet with Trump in France if he agrees. Bolton responded that Trump would look forward to seeing Putin in Paris on the sideline of events marking 100 years since the armistice ending World War I. ___ 6:40 p.m. Russian President Vladimir Putin says he would like to continue a dialogue with U.S. President Donald Trump despite what he described as unfriendly moves by Washington. Putin told Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, on Tuesday that Russia was puzzled by the U.S. "unprovoked moves that are hard to call friendly." He mentioned possibly meeting Trump in Paris next month. Speaking at the start of a meeting with Bolton, Putin said he would like to discuss various arms control issues, including Trump's declaration over the weekend that he intends to pull the U.S. out of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. He alluded to the U.S. coat of arms, which shows an eagle holding a bundle of 13 arrows in one talon and an olive branch with 13 olives in another. Laughing merrily, Putin asked if the eagle ate all the olives. ___ 5:15 p.m. Germany's foreign minister has told his U.S. counterpart that a 1987 nuclear weapons treaty the Trump administration wants to abandon touches on core European interests. The Foreign Ministry said minister Heiko Maas spoke by phone Tuesday with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and stressed that Washington need to coordinate further steps closely with European partners. President Donald Trump on Monday restated his threat to pull out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty because of alleged Russian violations. The German Foreign Ministry said Maas reminded Pompeo "that the treaty affects core interests of the European security architecture." The treaty prohibits the U.S. and Russia from possessing, producing or test-flying ground-launched nuclear cruise and ballistic missiles with a 500 to 5,500-kilometer (300 to 3,400-mile) range. ___ 2:20 p.m. Poland's president says President Donald Trump's announcement that he intends to pull the United States out of a 1987 nuclear weapons treaty is "understandable" in light of Russian activities. President Andrzej Duda was asked in Berlin on Tuesday whether Poland would be prepared to host new U.S. medium-range missiles if Washington withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Duda said: "We have not taken this matter into consideration." Trump says Russia violated the treaty that prohibits the U.S. and Russia from possessing, producing or test-flying ground-launched nuclear cruise and ballistic missiles with a 500 to 5,500-kilometer (300 to 3,400-mile) range. Duda, whose country is a close U.S. ally, said Trump is "speaking of a firm reaction" and that "in the light of such attitude on Russia's part, it is understandable." ___ 1:05 p.m. The Kremlin has rejected a suggestion that U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of a major arms control deal could pave the way for a new treaty. Trump announced on Saturday that Russia violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force (INF) Treaty and that the U.S. should leave it. He warned that the U.S. will begin developing such weapons unless Russia and China agree not to possess or develop them. China wasn't a party to the treaty. Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters on Tuesday that right now "there are no prospects for a new deal" to replace the INF and that it is a "dangerous position" to give up the INF treaty without an alternative in sight. Trump's National Security Adviser John Bolton is in Moscow this week to discuss security cooperation with Russia and is expected to meet Putin later on Tuesday. ____ 11:50 a.m. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has told U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser that Moscow hopes to join the United States in nonproliferation efforts. Bolton flew to Moscow less than 48 hours after Trump announced his intention to pull out of a key nuclear arms control deal that helped to ease Cold War tensions in the late 1980s. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty has been a cornerstone of global security since it was signed in 1987 between the United States and the Soviet Union. Trump said in a speech on Saturday that Russia has violated it and that is why the U.S. should withdraw. Shoigu also said in comments carried by Russian news agencies on Tuesday that Russia and the U.S. also should build up on their cooperation in Syria. ____ 10:55 a.m. U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser is meeting with Russia's defense minister in Moscow just a few days after Trump announced that he intended to pull the United States out of a landmark nuclear weapons treaty. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Tuesday lauded National Security Adviser John Bolton for his two-day visit. Russian news agencies quoted Shoigu as saying that "even small steps will benefit our relations and help restore trust" between the two countries. Bolton arrived in Russia on Monday and met Security Council chairman Nikolai Patrushev. He is expected to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin later on Tuesday. Trump over the weekend declared his intension to pull out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty because he claims Russia has violated it. U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, second left, and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, right, attend the talks in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser Bolton struck a conciliatory note Tuesday in talks in Moscow, just days after Trump vowed to pull out of a key arms control treaty with Russia. (Vadim Savitsky, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) Poland's President Andrzej Duda addresses the media during a joint news conference with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, left, and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu shake hands during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser Bolton struck a conciliatory note Tuesday in talks in Moscow, just days after Trump vowed to pull out of a key arms control treaty with Russia. (Vadim Savitsky, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, left, gestures while speaking to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, right, back to a camera, during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser Bolton struck a conciliatory note Tuesday in talks in Moscow, just days after Trump vowed to pull out of a key arms control treaty with Russia. (Vadim Savitsky, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, left, gestures while speaking to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, back to a camera, during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser Bolton struck a conciliatory note Tuesday in talks in Moscow, just days after Trump vowed to pull out of a key arms control treaty with Russia. (Vadim Savitsky, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with U.S. National security adviser John Bolton during their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, left, listens to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser Bolton struck a conciliatory note Tuesday in talks in Moscow, just days after Trump vowed to pull out of a key arms control treaty with Russia. (Vadim Savitsky, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, right, attends a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin wall in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser Bolton struck a conciliatory note Tuesday in talks in Moscow, just days after Trump vowed to pull out of a key arms control treaty with Russia. (Kirill Kudryavtsev/Pool Photo via AP) U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, second from right, arrives for a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin wall in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser Bolton struck a conciliatory note Tuesday in talks in Moscow, just days after Trump vowed to pull out of a key arms control treaty with Russia. (Sergei Karpukhin/Pool Photo via AP) U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, fourth from right, walks with U.S. Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman, second from right, as they arrive for a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin wall in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser Bolton struck a conciliatory note Tuesday in talks in Moscow, just days after Trump vowed to pull out of a key arms control treaty with Russia. (Sergei Karpukhin/Pool Photo via AP) U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton attends a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin wall in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser Bolton struck a conciliatory note Tuesday in talks in Moscow, just days after Trump vowed to pull out of a key arms control treaty with Russia. (Kirill Kudryavtsev/Pool Photo via AP) U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, left, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov talk to each other during their meeting in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser has met with top Russian officials after Trump declared he intended to pull out of a 1987 nuclear weapons treaty. (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP) U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, left, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov enter a hall for their talks in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser has met with top Russian officials after Trump declared he intended to pull out of a 1987 nuclear weapons treaty. (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP) U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, left, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov shake hands prior to their talks in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser has met with top Russian officials after Trump declared he intended to pull out of a 1987 nuclear weapons treaty. (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and U.S. National security adviser John Bolton during their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with U.S. National security adviser John Bolton during their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with U.S. National security adviser John Bolton during their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) IZACIC, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) - Bosnian police blocked hundreds of migrants from crossing into European Union member Croatia on Tuesday, reflecting tensions as the war-ravaged country struggles with the influx. Some 300 to 400 migrants, including woman children, lit fires and set up make-shift tents on Tuesday evening after police stopped them near the border crossing with Croatia. The migrants blocked the road and police reported minor squabbles when migrants tried to push through toward the border near the town of Velika Kladusa. "They attempted three times to break through the police cordons but they were pushed back," said border police spokeswoman Saneta Dujkovic. "There were no major incidents." Earlier on Tuesday, a separate group of several dozen migrants, including children, were bused away from another border crossing in the village of Izacic where they had camped overnight. Police there also stopped the migrants from advancing toward the border and children could be heard shouting "Croatia, Croatia." Bosnian police prevent migrants from crossing the border near Maljevac, Bosnia, on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. Hundreds of migrants sought to be allowed to cross from Bosnia into Croatia Tuesday after dozens spent the night in the open near the border between the two countries, Bosnian police stopped some 300-400 migrants, who gathered just few hundred meters from the Maljevac border crossing. (AP Photo/Amel Emric) The migrants want to enter Croatia and continue west on to other EU countries. Croatian police said in a statement they would not allow illegal entry to the country. They warned of false rumors being spread that Croatia's borders would be opened to allow people to enter freely. "Our situation is very bad, so we came here because of our situation and maybe they have to understand what we are going through," Ezent Laue, who said he was from Syria, said. The migrants walked some 15 kilometers (9 miles) Monday from the asylum center to draw attention to borders remaining closed to people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East, Africa or Asia. They set up small tents, put out blankets and slept rough by the road as cars and trucks passed by. Parents wrapped children in warm clothes and blankets to protect them from the autumn chill. Sympathetic locals offered food, beverages and blankets. Several thousand migrants are staying in war-ravaged Bosnia, unable to continue their westward journey. Authorities have struggled to keep the situation under control amid protests by citizens in northwestern Bosnia where migrants are mostly located. Migrants have turned to Bosnia to avoid more heavily guarded routes in the Balkans. Hundreds of thousands passed through the region before countries stepped up border controls in 2016. Migrants eat after having camped near a police barricade at a border crossing in Izacici near Bihac, on Bosnia's border with Croatia, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. Several dozen migrants, including children, have spent the night out in the open near Bosnia's border with Croatia after walking for some 15 kilometers (9 miles) to draw attention to their plight and the fact that borders remain closed for people trying to reach Western Europe. (AP Photo/Amel Emric) A woman carries a sleeping child as migrants camped near a police barricade at a border crossing in Izacici near Bihac, on Bosnia's border with Croatia, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. Several dozen migrants, including children, have spent the night out in the open near Bosnia's border with Croatia after walking for some 15 kilometers (9 miles) to draw attention to their plight and the fact that borders remain closed for people trying to reach Western Europe. (AP Photo/Amel Emric) Migrants are camped near a police barricade at a border crossing in Izacici near Bihac, on Bosnia's border with Croatia, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. Several dozen migrants, including children, have spent the night out in the open near Bosnia's border with Croatia after walking for some 15 kilometers (9 miles) to draw attention to their plight and the fact that borders remain closed for people trying to reach Western Europe. (AP Photo/Amel Emric) Migrants are camped near a police barricade at a border crossing in Izacici near Bihac, on Bosnia's border with Croatia, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018. Several dozen migrants, including children, have spent the night out in the open near Bosnia's border with Croatia after walking for some 15 kilometers (9 miles) to draw attention to their plight and the fact that borders remain closed for people trying to reach Western Europe. (AP Photo/Amel Emric) A migrant girl smiles on her way toward the border crossing of Izacici, Bosnia, on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. Several dozen migrants, including women and children, have arrived near the border with Croatia after walking for several hours from a migrant center in Bosnia, Bosnian police on Monday evening stopped the migrants before they reached the border crossing in the village of Izacic, in northwestern Bosnia.(AP Photo/Amel Emric) A migrant boy looks on as he travels toward the border crossing of Izacici, Bosnia, on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. Several dozen migrants, including women and children, have arrived near the border with Croatia after walking for several hours from a migrant center in Bosnia, Bosnian police on Monday evening stopped the migrants before they reached the border crossing in the village of Izacic, in northwestern Bosnia.(AP Photo/Amel Emric) Young migrants enjoy a snack on their way toward the border crossing of Izacici, Bosnia, on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. Several dozen migrants, including women and children, have arrived near the border with Croatia after walking for several hours from a migrant center in Bosnia, Bosnian police on Monday evening stopped the migrants before they reached the border crossing in the village of Izacic, in northwestern Bosnia.(AP Photo/Amel Emric) A migrant walks with her child on their way toward the border crossing of Izacici, Bosnia, on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. Several dozen migrants, including women and children, have arrived near the border with Croatia after walking for several hours from a migrant center in Bosnia, Bosnian police on Monday evening stopped the migrants before they reached the border crossing in the village of Izacic, in northwestern Bosnia.(AP Photo/Amel Emric) Naomi Campbell has revealed her shock at seeing an issue of Hello! magazine that she said presented a completely whitewashed London. The supermodel said diversity in fashion and advertising has improved but that progress has come late and there is more to be done. The catwalk queen spoke ahead of an appearance at the One Young World (OYW) summit closing ceremony, an organisation she said is needed now more than ever in a divided political world. In an interview with the Press Association on Saturday in The Hague she said: I picked up a Hello! magazine today and if I was not from London I would think My god, London is completely whitewashed. Thats what it sells you, its awful. London is one of the most diverse cities and cosmopolitan cities in the world and we have a huge diversity of people. Naomi Campbell addressing the One Young World summit in The Hague (One Young World/PA) Of the magazine she said: I was shocked. I was just like wow. Campbell credited her friend Edward Enninful who took over as editor of British Vogue last year, with helping to bring about change in the industry. She said: Its (his editorship) uniting a whole different culture of people and innovations, and young people coming together and speaking out and I hope that it continues, it will continue to stay that way, not going back. Campbell, who began modelling as a young teen, said while she is an optimistic person, change with regard to diversity in fashion has been a long time coming. She said: Im more the person that will say better late than never but its late. She added: This season was a great improvement, and when I say great improvement, not just in fashion shows, in seeing diversity in advertisement. OYW, a global gathering of young leaders, will take place in London next year after the UKs planned departure from the EU, timing Campbell described as perfect. She said bringing young people together from across the world to share ideas and work for change is fantastic. I think its the perfect time if we do go through with it (Brexit), she said. Im not going to go into politics, I never do. But I just feel that its a very important time for everyone to be united together on a platform like this. And I think its wonderful that they (young people) have a place that they can come and view their opinions, share their stories, their strengths, their hopes and see what other peers come on board with them. The annual summit, which has previously featured speakers including Meghan Markle, before she became the Duchess of Sussex, will celebrate its 10-year anniversary next year. It brings together young people from across 196 countries who are already making efforts to tackle issues ranging from climate change to conflict resolution, and human rights to diversity. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has said it is very important there is a full explanation into the death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi at Saudi Arabias Istanbul consulate. It has been claimed on Saudi state television that the Washington Post columnist died after a fight broke out, but the explanation has been met with widespread scepticism. US president Donald Trump said he thought Saudi Arabias explanation was credible, but that what happened was unacceptable. Asked by the Press Association if he agreed with Mr Trump on the credibility point, Mr Williamson said the UK was looking very closely at the information that had been released and was obviously talking with allies. It is very important that there is a full explanation that is offered, and that is something I am sure the Foreign Office is looking at as we speak, he added. Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) Saudi Arabia is the UKs key ally in the region and a significant trading partner with Britain also rolling out the red carpet for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. During his state visit he was granted rare access to a briefing on foreign policy issues by national security officials alongside his meetings with the Queen and Prime Minister Theresa May. Pressed on whether he thought Britain was at risk of hypocrisy if the Government failed to hold Saudi Arabia to the same standards demanded of Russia following the Salisbury attack, Mr Williamson said: Wherever there is an injustice done there has to be action that is undertaken and there has to be a proper and formal investigation. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt is considering the next steps in Britains response to the case, officials said. Mr Hunt has previously warned there would be consequences for the UKs relationship with Saudi Arabia if it was found the journalist was murdered. Shadow international trade secretary Barry Gardiner said he thought the Government should suspend all arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Mr Gardiner acknowledged there were a lot of jobs in the UK linked to the defence trade but said this is about who we are as a country. Asked if he agreed that UK arms sales to the kingdom should be suspended, Mr Williamson said: We are very fortunate in Great Britain that we have the very highest standards of any western nation in terms of defence exports, and it is always something that is constantly kept under review. But we have to look at where the information has come in terms of this investigation, and I know that is what the Foreign Office is currently doing. A number of Saudi nationals have been arrested and deputy intelligence chief Ahmad al-Assiri and Saud al-Qahtani, a senior aide to the Crown Prince, have been dismissed, state TV reported. Turkish government sources have alleged that Mr Khashoggi, a critic of the prince and the Saudi government, was tortured and murdered by a hit squad flown in from Riyadh. Jamal Khashoggi (Johnny Green/PA) The Saudis first dismissed the claims as baseless, without providing an explanation as to how he disappeared after entering the consulate on October 2. Members of the suspected hit squad reportedly came to Britain during the princes state visit. At least three of the suspects First Lieutenant Dhaar Ghalib Dhaar Al-Harbi, Sergeant Major Walid Abdullah Al-Shihri and Abdul Aziz Muhammad Musa Al-Hawsawi were part of his entourage, the news site Middle East Eye reported. Another suspect, Major General Mahir Abdul Aziz Muhammad Mutrib, was seen emerging from a car in Downing Street during the visit, according to the Daily Mail. Brexit tensions reaching boiling point make headlines across many of the Sunday papers. Conservative MP Johnny Mercer has written in The Sunday Times calling for fellow Tories to oust Theresa May, accusing her of an abject failure to govern. Tomorrow's Sunday Times front page: PM enters killing zone pic.twitter.com/KqOLtAf7O8 The Sunday Times (@thesundaytimes) October 20, 2018 The Mail on Sunday reports that the PM has been told she has one chance left to save her leadership, but needs to persuade Tory MPs she is right for the job at a meeting of the 1922 backbench committee on Wednesday. Boris Johnson has told Conservative MPs that the Governments planned Brexit deal will be a stich-up, the Sunday Express reports. The Observer leads with the march by 700,000 people in London demanding a second referendum on Brexit. The Brexit Secretary, Dominic Raab, has written in The Sunday Telegraph, suggesting the UK should only accept an extended transition period if the EU drops its demand for a backstop for the Irish border. What the papers say - October 21 The front page of tomorrow's Sunday Telegraph 'Raab: Drop the backstop or UK will leave on time' #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/FFQ577H9WF The Telegraph (@Telegraph) October 20, 2018 In other news, the Sunday People carries the story of a grandmother given a bionic arm. The Sunday Mirror reports on drug abuse by inmates at a jail. And the Daily Star Sunday has spoken to a baby-care guru about the Duchess of Sussexs pregnancy. Actress Selma Blair has revealed she has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). The 46-year-old, who has starred in films such as Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde, said she had suffered symptoms of the condition for years but was diagnosed in August. Sharing an emotional post on Instagram, Blair said she was OK, but admitted it had been overwhelming in the beginning. I am disabled, she said. I fall sometimes. I drop things. My memory is foggy. And my left side is asking for directions from a broken GPS. But we are doing it. And I laugh and I dont know exactly what I will do precisely but I will do my best. The actress is due to star in Netflixs upcoming sci-fi drama series Another Life, and she told how the shows costume designer had been helping to dress her. Actress Selma Blair shared the news of her MS diagnosis on Instagram (Yui Mok/PA) She carefully gets my legs in my pants, pulls my tops over my head, buttons my coats and offers her shoulder to steady myself, she said. Despite the diagnosis, Blair said she was relieved to find out and wanted to provide hope to others. I want my life to be full somehow, she added. I want to play with my son again. I want to walk down the street and ride my horse. MS is an incurable condition of the central nervous system, which causes symptoms such as vision loss, pain, fatigue, muscle weakness and impaired coordination. More than 100,000 people in the UK suffer from MS, and it affects three times as many women as men. Genevieve Edwards of the MS Society said: We know lots of people in the MS community will be really grateful to Selma Blair for her decision to speak out. Shell raise vital awareness of a condition that affects more than 100,000 people in the UK. MS is unpredictable and different for everyone so, as the actress revealed, you can live with symptoms for years and not receive a diagnosis. While theres no cure, there are a range of treatments available for the relapsing form of MS, and new developments are happening in research all the time. Whats most encouraging about Selmas post is the attitude of her colleagues. Having the right support around you is crucial because, when your employer takes time to understand MS, you can enjoy a full working life for as long as you want or are able to. Parliamentary elections in Afghanistan have entered a second day following violence and chaos that caused delays and interruptions on the first day of polling. More than three million people out of 8.8 million registered voters cast their ballots on Saturday, Independent Elections Commission chairman Abdul Badi Sayat said. The biggest turnout was in Kabul and the lowest in the southern Uruzgan province. A woman casts her vote in Jalalabad, capital of eastern Nangarhar province (Mohammad Anwar Danishyar/AP) Polling on Sunday continues in 401 voting centres, including 45 in Kabul. Results will be announced next month. Twenty-seven civilians and 11 Afghan security forces were killed and more than 100 others wounded in nearly 200 attacks on election day across the country. A roadside bomb on Sunday killed at least 11 civilians in eastern Nangarhar province, officials said. Attahullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor, said the victims include six children. President Donald Trump has said he needs to learn more about the killing of a Saudi journalist and will be working with Congress on the US response. Speaking after a campaign rally in Nevada, Mr Trump said he will be talking to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman soon. Saudi authorities announced that Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, died in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul after a fight with officials there. That explanation has sparked allegations of a cover-up intended to shield the powerful crown prince. Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul (Lefteris Pitarakis/AP) Mr Trump initially said he believed the Saudi account, but has now said he still does not know where Mr Khashoggis body is. The president said: Wed like to find out where it is and what happened And I think were inching our way there. It comes as Germanys foreign minister called into question the sale of arms to Saudi Arabia. Heiko Maas told German public broadcaster ARD that as long as these investigations continue, as long as we dont know what happened there, theres no basis for reaching positive decisions on arms exports to Saudi Arabia. Mr Maas spoke after he and Chancellor Angela Merkel released a joint statement calling on Saudi Arabia to hold to account those responsible for the Washington Post columnists death. Saudi Arabia is one of the biggest buyers of German arms. Asked whether German companies should decline attending a business conference in Saudi Arabia next week, Mr Maas said he certainly wouldnt be attending any events in Riyadh at the moment. The European Union said the emerging details of Mr Khashoggis death are deeply troubling and that a continued thorough, credible and transparent investigation is needed. The EU said the continuing investigation should bring proper clarity on the circumstances of the killing and ensure full accountability of all those responsible for it. A woman has died after a suspected gas explosion tore through a flat in north-west London, setting the building on fire. The victim was found inside a flat in Fulbeck Way, Harrow, as firefighters searched the property on Sunday morning. A baby was among three people who had to be rescued from the first floor of the two-storey building as emergency services, including 70 firefighters, responded to the incident. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said: The first floor partially collapsed due to the force of the explosion. Sadly, one woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Firefighters using an aerial ladder platform and breathing apparatus rescued a man, woman, and a baby from the first floor. The woman and baby were assessed at the scene and taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews. Firefighters had brought the fire under control by about 3.30am (@rahmanalanezi/PA) Local resident Rahman Alanezi told the Press Association: Everyone was screaming that there was a baby inside and they took him out. He added that an old lady was missing after the blast. Around 40 people were evacuated from nearby properties as a precaution as crews tackled the blaze for several hours. The LFB said the fire had been brought under control by about 3.30am. The womans body was found at about 4am as firefighters searched the property, the Metropolitan Police said. The LFB and the Met are probing the cause of the blast and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed. About 2,000 Central American migrants who circumvented Mexican police at a border bridge and swam and rafted across the river from Guatemala have decided to re-form their mass caravan and continue their trek towards the US. The migrants, who said they gave up trying to enter Mexico legally because the asylum application process was too slow, gathered at a park in the border city of Ciudad Hidalgo. They voted by a show of hands to continue north en masse, then marched to the bridge crossing the Suchiate River and urged those still on it to join them. We are going to reach the United States, said Erasmo Duarte, a migrant from Danli, Honduras, despite warnings to turn back this week from US President Donald Trump. The migrants gather in Ciudad Hidlago (Oliver de Ros/AP) He has sought to make the caravan and border security in general into a campaign issue a little over two weeks before midterm elections. The decision to re-form the migrant caravan capped a day in which Mexican authorities again refused mass entry to migrants on the bridge, instead accepting small groups for asylum processing and giving out 45-day visitor permits to some of them. Authorities handed out numbers for people to be processed in a strategy seen before at US border posts when dealing with large numbers of migrants. But many became impatient, and circumventing the border gate, swarmed across the river on rafts, swimming or wading in full view of the hundreds of Mexican police manning the blockade on the bridge. Some paid locals the equivalent of 1.25 dollars to ferry them across the muddy waters. They were not detained on reaching the Mexican bank. A Honduras migrant is comforted by a Mexican paramedic (Oliver de Ros/AP) We couldnt wait because we had already waited too long and they only told us lies, said Mr Duarte, who joined the caravan with his wife and children six days ago. Sairy Bueso, a 24-year-old Honduran mother of two, was another migrant who abandoned the bridge and crossed into Mexico via the river. She clutched her two-year-old daughter Dayani, who had recently had a heart operation, as she got off a raft. The girl suffered greatly because of all the people crowded on the bridge, Ms Bueso said. There are risks that we must take for the good of our children. Group leaders said the caravan, which will be smaller than the original one, would head for the city of Tapachula. The caravan elicited a series of angry tweets and warnings from Mr Trump early in the week, but Mexicos no-nonsense handling of the migrants at its southern border seems to have satisfied him more recently. So as of this moment, I thank Mexico, Mr Trump said on Friday. I hope they continue. But as of this moment, I thank Mexico. If that doesnt work out, were calling up the military not the Guard. Theyre not coming into this country, Mr Trump added. The Mexican government is fully engaged in finding a solution that encourages safe, secure, and orderly migration, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said, and both the United States and Mexico continue to work with Central American governments to address the economic, security, and governance drivers of illegal immigration. Theresa May has been warned she is drinking in the last chance saloon as furious Tories demanded she attends a so-called show trial. The Prime Minister has been urged to face her backbenchers after tensions flared over her Brexit plans following a Brussels summit. David Davis, who is tipped as possible successor to Mrs May, said the PM had managed to anger not just Leavers but ardent Remainers as well. The former Brexit secretary insisted we should not allow ourselves to be bullied by the EU and warned the bloc has plenty to lose from a no-deal Brexit. We're delighted to announce that @DavidDavisMP has pledged to #StandUp4Brexit Thank you so much for you support, David, and for continuing to push for the Brexit that the British people voted for.#ChuckChequers #BinTheBackstop pic.twitter.com/FoRop3xFDA #StandUp4Brexit (@StandUp4Brexit) October 17, 2018 Writing in the Mail on Sunday, he warned: There have been claims that planes will not fly between the UK and EU. This is extremely improbable as it would undermine the Spanish and other European tourism markets as well as Mediterranean property markets. Furthermore, European flights would still need our airspace in order to fly to the USA. That should be enough to focus minds on a sensible outcome. Critics of the PM claim the 48 letters needed to trigger a no confidence vote could soon be reached. Andrew Bridgen, a long-standing critic of Mrs May, told the newspaper she must attend a meeting of the Tory 1922 committee of backbenchers on Wednesday. He said: This week Theresa May will find that she is drinking in the last chance saloon and the bad news for her is that the bar is already dry. If she doesnt turn up to the 22 that will only make the letters go in even faster. No 10 sources said Mrs Mays diary would be set out on Monday. Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab indicated the UK must not extend the transition period unless Brussels drops its demand for a backstop on the Irish border. In The Sunday Telegraph, he wrote: The Prime Minister has rightly refused to rule out considering different approaches including extending the implementation period, as an alternative to the backstop. But we wont sacrifice Northern Ireland, and we must have finality to any backstop whether through a time limit or a mechanism that enables the UK to leave, in case the EU doesnt live up to its promise to get the future relationship in place swiftly. (PA Graphics) Meanwhile, former Brexit minister Steve Baker is attempting to block the backstop with changes to legislation being heard by Parliament. His proposed amendments to the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Bill would make it a legal requirement for the Stormont Assembly to agree to any plan to treat Northern Ireland differently to the rest of the UK. The devolved legislature has not sat at Stormont since power-sharing broke down in January 2017. The Bill is due to go before the House of Commons on Wednesday. The logjam in the Brexit negotiations has left the PM fighting criticism on several fronts, including from an MP seen as a rising star in the Tory party. Johnny Mercer, who earlier this week branded the Government a shitshow, said he had received overwhelming support from within the party after speaking out. He told The Sunday Times: I cannot continue to support an administration that cannot function. Labour, meanwhile, warned Mrs May that if she is hoping they will help pass her Brexit blueprint she can think again. Sir Keir Starmer said the current deadlock is a mess of the Prime Ministers own making and warned she is unlikely to survive if she cannot secure support for her plans. The shadow Brexit secretary dismissed claims that 90% of the exit agreement is complete because the remaining chunk is the difficult bit. In an article for the Sunday Times, he wrote: To say that things have gone very wrong is an understatement. He added: Things could and should have been different. But at no stage has the Prime Minister ever reached out to Parliament or sought to build a national consensus on our future relationship with the EU. The current deadlock is a mess of the Prime Ministers own making. And if she thinks Labour should prop her up because her own team wont back her, she can think again. Sir Keir said Labour has been clear that it would support a Brexit deal that builds an economically close relationship with the EU, but claimed the PM had never taken up the challenge of negotiating that deal in the national interest. She is fast running out of road, he added. There can be no more failed summits. If she cant command the support of her cabinet, her party or parliament, more fundamental change will inevitably follow. House of Commons staff will have little other choice than to go on strike unless tough action is taken to address the culture of bullying and sexual harassment, union leaders have warned. Amy Leversidge, assistant general secretary of the FDA which represents civil servants, said workers had been pushed to breaking point and the organisation would support members if they decided to stage a walkout. It follows a probe by High Court judge Dame Laura Cox that lifted the lid on a toxic environment in Westminster. Failure by the House of Commons Commission, which meets to discuss how to respond to the report on Wednesday, to back the full and immediate implementation of the recommendations would leave staff with little other choice than to strike, Ms Leversidge said. She told The Sunday Times: Industrial action is always a last resort and nobody would take the decision lightly, especially Commons staff, who are immensely loyal to Parliament. It comes after a former Commons clerk said Commons Speaker John Bercow called her a little girl when he could not find the envelope he was looking for. Dame Laura Coxs report looked at bullying within the Commons (PA) Libby Bradshaw said Parliament is haemorrhaging talent as a result of the way staff are treated. Conservative MPs have called for Mr Bercow to quit, but senior Labour figures said keeping him in post to deal with Brexit legislation was top priority. Dame Lauras report found a culture of deference, subservience, acquiescence and silence had allowed the mistreatment of staff in the House of Commons to thrive. It is imperative that the House Commission vote to accept Dame Lauras recommendations in full and implement them immediately. Anything less will be continuing to tolerate and conceal abuse. Amy Leversidge (@Amy_Leversidge) October 20, 2018 She said it was difficult to envisage how the reforms needed could be delivered under the current senior House administration. Ms Bradshaw, who contributed to the Cox Report, said she knew of dozens of former colleagues who had been bullied, assaulted and abused while working in Parliament. The House of Commons Commission will have a large role in what happens next, she told HuffPost UK. The Commission is made up of some of these senior managers along with the Speaker who, when he was just a regular backbencher, once screamed at me and called me a little girl simply because he had been unable to find an envelope (which was exactly where I said it was, for the record). A spokeswoman for Mr Bercow said: The Speaker has absolutely no recollection of this alleged incident and its not, in his experience, the sort of statement he would make. A House of Commons spokeswoman said: We thank Dame Laura Cox for her report. Bullying and harassment have no place in the House of Commons. We recognise the impact of bullying and harassment described in the report and plan to work closely with staff, unions and Workplace Equality Networks to address these issues. Staff must be confident that unacceptable behaviour will be dealt with seriously, independently and with effective sanctions. Urgent work has already been undertaken to improve internal processes including the introduction of new confidential support services and helplines run by external, independent specialist providers. The findings of this report will be discussed at a House of Commons Commission meeting on Wednesday. The Democratic Republic of Congos health minister declared it a dark day for everyone fighting the deadly Ebola outbreak after rebels shot and killed two medical agents with the Congolese army. It appears to be the first time health workers have been killed by rebels in this outbreak, which is taking place in what has been compared to a war zone. Multiple rebel groups are active in Congos far north east. Mai Mai rebels surged from the forest and opened fire on the unarmed agents with the armys rapid intervention medical unit at an entrance to Butembo city, the health ministry said. The daytime attack appeared premeditated, with civilians present left unharmed, the statement said. The medical agents had been placed in dangerous zones to assist national border health officials. A health worker sprays disinfectant on his colleague after working at an Ebola treatment centre in Beni (Al-hadji Kudra Maliro/AP) Confirmed Ebola cases have now reached 200, including 117 deaths. Aid groups have expressed alarm after the insecurity and sometimes hostile community resistance led the rate of new cases to more than double this month. Health workers in this outbreak, declared on August 1, have described hearing gunshots daily, operating under the armed escort of UN peacekeepers or Congolese security forces and having to end work by sunset to lower the risk of attack. The health ministry has reported numerous aggressions against health workers, and early this month two Red Cross volunteers were severely injured in a confrontation with wary community members in a region traumatised by decades of fighting and facing an Ebola outbreak for the first time. A deadly rebel attack against civilians in Beni late last month forced the suspension of Ebola containment efforts for days, and the effects are still seen. Many of the new confirmed cases this month, including six reported on Saturday, have been in Beni, where most of the Ebola work is based. Health agents are not a target for armed groups, health minister Oly Ilunga said. Our agents will continue to go into the field each day to fulfil the mission entrusted to them. They are true heroes and we will continue to take all necessary measures so that they can do their job safely. I have accepted the Emergency Committees recommendation not to declare a public health emergency of international concern. But this does not mean WHO is not taking the #Ebola outbreak in #DRC seriously. We still have more than 250 people working in DRC to end this outbreak. pic.twitter.com/MkWhOD1g78 Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) October 17, 2018 On Wednesday, the World Health Organisation said it was deeply concerned by the outbreak but that it does not yet warrant being declared a global emergency. An outbreak must be an extraordinary event that might cross borders, requiring a co-ordinated response. Confirmed cases have been found near the heavily travelled border with Uganda. In the latest sign of the rumours that pose another serious challenge to containing the deadly virus, the health ministry said 22 youths in Butembo dug up the body of an Ebola victim and opened the body bag, wanting to verify that no organs had been taken from the body by health workers. They ended up touching the highly infectious bodily fluids, the ministry said. The next day, they agreed to be vaccinated, it added, joining the more than 20,000 people who have received vaccinations so far. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has rejected calls for an early election despite the likelihood of his coalition government losing its majority after a weekend by-election. Mr Morrisons Liberal Party, the senior half of the ruling coalition, conceded defeat on Saturday in a by-election for the former seat of Malcolm Turnbull, who quit politics after being deposed as Liberal leader and prime minister in an internal party vote in August. Early counting on Saturday showed a swing against the Liberals of more than 20%. Postal votes counted on Sunday, however, showed the result might still be in doubt, tipping the balance back the way of Liberal candidate Dave Sharma. Most analysts were still predicting victory for independent candidate Kerryn Phelps, although the official result might not be known for days. Independent candidate Kerryn Phelps (Chris Pavlich/AAP Image via AP) Losing Mr Turnbulls old Wentworth electorate for the first time in its 117-year history would give the government only 75 of the 150 seats in Australias lower chamber, the House of Representatives, with one of their seats being held by the speaker. The opposition Labour Party has 69 seats, while independents or minor parties hold six. Addressing the prospect that his government would lose Wentworth, Mr Morrison rejected calls for an early election from the Labour Party. He vowed to work with the independents and minor parties to ensure his government could still function. We have been at 75 (seats), not 76, since the former prime minister resigned, Mr Morrison told reporters. In that time we had been able to legislate, run the parliament and we havent lost a single vote. Earlier, Labours manager of opposition business Tony Burke said that Mr Morrison should call an election before the next one is due in May, saying the coalition had said strongly in the Wentworth campaign that an independent victory would bring more uncertainty to Australia. I dont see how he can argue that and then not say we have to have an election, Mr Burke told reporters. The likely result in Wentworth has been seen as a major backlash from the public against the government, after the countrys fourth change of prime minister in eight years via an internal party vote. The likely winning candidate, Ms Phelps, said on Sunday she did not support an early election. All governments should go full term unless there are exceptional circumstances, and the next election is due in May next year and thats time enough, she told reporters. Mr Morrison conceded the by-election showed voters were furious about Mr Turnbull being ousted. Liberal voters expressed their anger at the parliamentary Liberal Party and we copped that fairly on the chin, Mr Morrison said. The events of two months ago angered and outraged many Liberals and particularly those in the seat of Wentworth, he said. Bank of England governor Mark Carney and two of his US advisers have racked up more than 100,000 on travel costs and taxis in just three months, figures have revealed. It comes just four months after the Bank was slammed by MPs over its staggering expenses. The latest figures released by the Bank show Mr Carney claimed 50,664 in expenses between March and May, while US-based Financial Policy Committee (FPC) member Donald Kohn spent nearly 31,000 on travel including just three return flights from Washington to London. Governor Mark Carney claimed nearly 51,000 in expenses between March and May (Matt Dunham/PA) It emerged in a hearing with MPs on the Treasury Select Committee in June that external FPC members Mr Kohn and Anil Kashyap spent 390,000 in travel expenses over the past two-and-a-half years. This included more than 11,000 on one flight for Mr Kashyap from Chicago to London branded staggering by Simon Clarke MP, who said it had disturbing echoes of the MPs expenses scandal. The most recent figures reveal further eye-watering expenses at the Bank, with Mr Carney spending 49,876 on foreign business travel between March and May and a further 781 on car hire and taxis. This follows the central bank bosss revelation in June that his own expenses totalled 312,000 over the past two years. Nicky Morgan, chairwoman of the influential Treasury Select Committee, said the Banks staff expenses remain staggeringly high. Mr Kohn spent 595 on car hire and taxis on top of his mammoth flight expenses to attend FPC meetings between March and May. Mr Kashyap, meanwhile, forked out 22,266 on travel costs including three return flights from Chicago to London. His car hire and taxi costs added 337 on top. The Banks chair of court, Bradley Fried, assured the Committee in a letter following the June hearing the Bank would review and refresh its travel and expenses policy and report back. Ms Morgan said: The Committee will keep a watchful eye on the review, and its impact on the Banks expenses. Mr Carney has already sought to defend the Banks spending, claiming in June the foreign travel expenses were justified. He said at the time the Bank is the worlds leading international financial centre and the most complex in the world. Mr Carney said the Bank was at the top table of key global meetings and added we cant have all of them meet in London. He added that he also receives a salary from the Bank for International Settlements where he acts as chair of the Global Economy Meeting (GEM) and the Economic Consultative Committee (ECC)- which he can use to offset Bank expense costs. Mr Fried further attempted to defend the costs for Mr Khon and Mr Kashyap, saying their expenses should be considered in the context of their contribution to financial stability in the UK. He has also since sought to correct the revelation over the 11,000 flight taken by Mr Kashyap, claiming the cost in fact covered four transatlantic airfares and has now been amended on the Banks website. Jayne-Anne Gadhia has said a more diverse City leadership would have helped during the financial crisis, but she stopped short of recommending a woman be installed as the next Bank of England governor. The Virgin Money chief executive said the shortlist for Mark Carneys replacement should be evenly split between men and women, with each candidate assessed on their merits alone. I think that the shortlist should be equal, there should be two or three men and two or three women and everyone should then be judged according to their capability and ability to do the job in the best interest of the country, she told the Press Association. So yes, of course, I back a balanced list but I dont believe in positive discrimination, I believe in discriminating to find the best possible person. However, the gender equality champion did not put her full support in the idea that a woman should be chosen for the post in order to boost diversity at the central bank. Jayne-Anne Gadhia said women and men should be short-listed for the position of governor (PA) What Im fighting for is that the capability, skill and trustworthiness etc of men and women is measured equally so that each gets an equal opportunity to get jobs big and small. So I dont think its necessary that the next Bank of England governor is a woman. I think its very necessary that men and women have an equal opportunity to go for the job and the best person gets it, male or female. The Treasury has come under fire in recent months for failing to appoint enough women to the Bank of Englands senior ranks, despite having drawn up a female-dominated shortlist for one of the newer members of the interest-rate setting Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). There is only one woman on the Banks nine-strong MPC Silvana Tenreyro. Silvana Tenreyro is the only female member of the Monetary Policy Committee (PA) But Mrs Gadhia said more diversity in City boardrooms including at her former employer Royal Bank of Scotland could have made a difference in the lead up to the 2008 financial crisis. Of course more women would have helped but so would more diversity in every respect. She added: Its much more to do with diversity of thought, diversity of background particularly social background is really important, ethnicity, sexuality. Organisations, in my view, need to mirror the customer base that theyre serving and the society that we operate within. So I think thats really important and that would have made a difference, and that certainly didnt exist at RBS 10 years ago. Afghanistans parliamentary elections have entered a second day after delays caused by violence and technical issues. Independent Elections Commission chairman Abdul Badi Sayat said more than three million people out of 8.8 million registered voters cast their ballots on Saturday. The biggest turnout was in Kabul and the lowest in southern Uruzgan province. A woman casts her vote in Jalalabad, capital of eastern Nangarhar province (Mohammad Anwar Danishyar/AP) Polling on Sunday continues in 401 voting centres, including 45 in Kabul. The results of the polling will not be released before mid-November and final results will not be out until December. The first parliamentary elections since 2010 are being held against a backdrop of near-daily attacks by the Taliban, who have seized nearly half the country and have repeatedly refused offers to negotiate with the Kabul government. The US-backed government is rife with corruption and many Afghans have said they do not expect the elections to be fair. Officials at polling stations struggled with voter registration and a new biometric system that was aimed at stemming fraud but instead created enormous confusion because many of those trained on the system did not show up for work. The biometric machines arrived just a month before polls and there was no time to do field testing. The UN mission in Afghanistan praised those who had made an effort to vote despite the technical issues, many of whom waited in long lines for hours as polling stations remained open late. Afghan men line up to cast their votes in Helmand province (Abdul Khaliq/AP) Those eligible voters who were not able to cast their vote, due to technical issues, deserve the right to vote, it said in a statement. The Taliban had vowed to attack the election, and on the first day of polling at least 36 people were killed in nearly 200 attacks, including 27 civilians, according to deputy interior minister Akhtar Mohammed Ibrahimi. He said security forces killed 31 insurgents in gun battles. On Sunday, a roadside bomb in eastern Nangarhar province struck a vehicle filled with civilians, killing 11 people, including six children, according to Attahullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor. The Taliban and an Islamic State affiliate are both active in Nangarhar. Afghan civilians are often killed by roadside bombs intended to target security forces. Rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo have killed 15 civilians and abducted a dozen children in an attack at the centre of the latest deadly Ebola outbreak, the military said. The Allied Democratic Forces rebels attacked army positions and several neighbourhoods of Beni on Saturday and into Sunday, Captain Mak Hazukay Mongha said. The rebels have killed hundreds of civilians in recent years and are just one of several rebel groups active in the countrys far north east. Angry over this latest attack, Beni residents on Sunday morning carried four of the bodies to the town hall, where police dispersed them with tear gas. Late last month, Ebola outbreak containment efforts had to be suspended for days in Beni after a deadly rebel attack, deeply complicating work to find and track suspected contacts of infected people. Since then, many of the new confirmed Ebola cases have been reported in Beni as the rate of new cases overall has more than doubled. A health worker sprays disinfectant on his colleague after working at an Ebola treatment centre in Beni (Al-hadji Kudra Maliro/AP) The new attack comes as another armed group shot and killed two medical agents with the army the first time health workers have been killed by rebels in this Ebola outbreak. It was a dark day for everyone fighting the deadly virus, the health minister said. Mai Mai rebels surged from the forest and opened fire on the unarmed agents with the armys rapid intervention medical unit at an entrance to Butembo city, the health ministry said. The daytime attack appeared premeditated, with civilians present left unharmed, the statement said. The medical agents had been placed in dangerous zones to assist national border health officials. Confirmed Ebola cases have now reached 200, including 117 deaths. Aid groups have expressed alarm after the insecurity and sometimes hostile community resistance led the rate of new cases to more than double this month. Health workers in this outbreak, declared on August 1, have described hearing gunshots daily, operating under the armed escort of UN peacekeepers or Congolese security forces and having to end work by sunset to lower the risk of attack. The health ministry has reported numerous aggressions against health workers, and early this month two Red Cross volunteers were severely injured in a confrontation with wary community members in a region traumatised by decades of fighting and facing an Ebola outbreak for the first time. Health agents are not a target for armed groups, health minister Oly Ilunga said. Our agents will continue to go into the field each day to fulfil the mission entrusted to them. They are true heroes and we will continue to take all necessary measures so that they can do their job safely. I have accepted the Emergency Committees recommendation not to declare a public health emergency of international concern. But this does not mean WHO is not taking the #Ebola outbreak in #DRC seriously. We still have more than 250 people working in DRC to end this outbreak. pic.twitter.com/MkWhOD1g78 Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) October 17, 2018 On Wednesday, the World Health Organisation said it was deeply concerned by the outbreak but that it does not yet warrant being declared a global emergency. An outbreak must be an extraordinary event that might cross borders, requiring a co-ordinated response. Confirmed cases have been found near the heavily travelled border with Uganda. In the latest sign of the rumours that pose another serious challenge to containing the deadly virus, the health ministry said 22 youths in Butembo dug up the body of an Ebola victim and opened the body bag, wanting to verify that no organs had been taken from the body by health workers. They ended up touching the highly infectious bodily fluids, the ministry said. The next day, they agreed to be vaccinated, it added, joining the more than 20,000 people who have received vaccinations so far. Ryanair has sparked outrage after apparently failing to remove a passenger from a plane after he launched a racist tirade against the woman in the seat next to him. The man was filmed by a fellow passenger calling the elderly woman an ugly black bastard, and shouting dont talk to me in a foreign language you stupid ugly cow. The footage was recorded on October 19 on Ryanair flight FR015 from Barcelona to London Stansted by Kent resident David Lawrence who uploaded it on to social media. It shows the man shouting at the woman to move seats while her daughter tries to stand up to him, telling him her mother is disabled. He replies: I dont care whether shes f****** disabled or not if I tell her to get out she gets out. The man then calls her an ugly f****** c*** and tells staff to move the woman to another seat, adding: if you dont go to another seat Ill push you to another seat. Staff on the flight seemed to do little to silence the man during the footage, leaving a passenger in the row behind to try and deal with the situation. The passenger accused of shouting abuse (David Lawrence/PA) The cabin crew can be heard to say: Dont be so rude, you have to calm down while other passengers call for the man to be thrown off the flight. The victim can be heard telling the man he stinks and needs a wash, before asking to be moved so she can sit next to her daughter. The daughter of the woman who was targeted said she believed if a black person had behaved in the same way they would have been thrown off the flight immediately. The woman, 53, told the Huffington Post the row had started because her 77-year-old mothers arthritis meant it took her some time to move out of the way so the man could reach the window seat. The daughter said she had taken her mother, who is a Windrush Generation migrant who came to the UK from Jamaica in the 1960s, on holiday to mark one year since the death of her father. My parents were married over 50 years. Shes been feeling really down and depressed, so I thought the trip would raise her spirits. She continued: I know that if I was behaving like he was or any other black person for that matter, police would have been called and we would have been kicked off the flight. Mums really feeling upset and very stressed about this situation, on top of the grief shes already experiencing. As for me, Im upset about the whole thing too the fact that the passenger wasnt taken off the plane and how the situation was dealt with, she said. The woman said that when she had complained to cabin crew they denied hearing any racial slurs and they told her to ring customer services on Monday. News of the incident was retweeted 18,000 times after a user with the handle @StanceGrounded uploaded Mr Laurences clip, prompting widespread condemnation of Ryanair for failing to act swiftly. A number of politicians voiced their concern at Ryanairs apparent lack of action. He should have been removed from the flight and handed over to the police. We assume the aircraft was in the UK. If it was, he definitely committed criminal offences. I fully expect @Ryanair to confirm the situation if In fact it was their flight? https://t.co/ORfww9ZiPg Karl Turner MP (@KarlTurnerMP) October 21, 2018 Labour MP for East Hull and shadow Attorney General Karl Turner tweeted: He should have been removed from the flight and handed over to the police. We assume the aircraft was in the UK. If it was he definitely committed criminal offences. I fully expect @Ryanair to confirm the situation if in fact it was their flight. MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde Stuart McMillan posted: This is really appalling @Ryanair . You will know the identity of the man and the level of training given to your staff. This really is appalling @Ryanair . You will know the identity of the man and the level of training given to your staff! https://t.co/DyMleXQ0vD Stuart McMillan MSP (@StuMcMillanSNP) October 21, 2018 Fellow MSP politician Margaret Ferrier said: Just watched the shocking footage on a @Ryanair aircraft, utterly disgusting. Racist male passenger should have been put off flight before it departed. Flight attendant incapable of responding appropriately. However well done to passenger with black t-shirt that intervened #hero. Just watched the shocking footage on a @Ryanair aircraft, utterly disgusting. Racist male passenger should have been put off flight before it departed. Flight attendant incapable of responding appropriately. However well done to passenger with black t-shirt that intervened #hero Margaret Ferrier MP (@MargaretFerrier) October 20, 2018 The budget airline tweeted on Sunday that it had seen the footage and reported the incident to Essex police. It added: As this is now a police matter, we cannot comment further. A spokeswoman for Essex police said: This incident, which we were made aware of this morning, is believed to have taken place on a plane at Barcelona Airport. Essex Police takes prejudice-based crime seriously and we want all incidents to be reported. We are working closely with Ryanair and the Spanish authorities on the investigation. Saudi Arabias explanation about the death of a dissident journalist is not credible but the UK is not preparing to terminate it relationship with the state, a Cabinet minister has said. The Gulf kingdom admitted on Friday that Jamal Khashoggi was killed at its Istanbul consulate but claimed he died after a fight broke out. Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab said it was a terrible case but the UK government was not throwing our hands in the air because thousands of jobs depended on relations with the country. Jamal Khashoggi was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul (PA) He said the government supported an investigation into the killing. Asked if he believed the Saudi governments explanation, Mr Raab said: No, I dont think its credible. We are not throwing our hands in the air and terminating the relationship with Saudi Arabia, not just because of the huge number of British jobs that depend on it but also because if you exert influence over your partners you need to be able to talk to them, he told BBC Ones The Andrew Marr Show. The government has come under pressure from Labour and the Liberal Democrats to ban arms sales to the kingdom but Mr Raab insisted the UKs export regime was one of the most rigorous in the world. The problem with Labours position is it would cost thousands of British jobs. So, what we would rather do is support the investigation, find out what happened. Turkish government sources have claimed that Mr Khashoggi, a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the Saudi government, was tortured and murdered by a hit squad flown in from Riyadh. Barriers block the road leading to Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul (Lefteris Pitarakis/AP) The Saudis initially dismissed the allegations as baseless, without providing an explanation as to how the Washington Post columnist disappeared after entering the consulate on October 2. A number of Saudi nationals have since been arrested while deputy intelligence chief Ahmad al-Assiri and Saud al-Qahtani, a senior aide to the Crown Prince, have been dismissed, state TV reported. Saudi Arabia is the UKs key ally in the region and also a significant trading partner. Britain rolled out the red carpet for the Crown Prince in March. During his state visit he was granted rare access to a briefing on foreign policy issues by national security officials alongside his meetings with the Queen and Mrs May. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt is considering the next steps in Britains response to the case. Mr Hunt has previously warned there will be consequences for the UKs relationship with Saudi Arabia if it was found the journalist was murdered. US President Donald Trump suggested sanctions against Saudi were a possibility but said that halting arms deals would hurt us more than it would hurt them. Oliver Sprague, Amnesty International UKs arms expert, said the UK should have halted arms sales to Saudi Arabia long ago over its military intervention in Yemen. He added: On the one hand, ministers defend weapons sales to the Saudi coalition with claims that the coalition properly investigates when airstrikes kill Yemeni civilians. Yet, on the other, ministers are quite rightly sceptical over Saudi Arabias ability to properly investigate over a high-profile case like Jamal Khashoggi. This issue boils down to trust: the Government has time and time again been willing to trust Saudi promises over proper investigations despite overwhelming evidence of its reckless military behaviour in Yemen. Opposition cross-party foreign affairs representatives have written to Mr Hunt demanding he condemn the reckless and barbaric behaviour of the Saudi government, halt arms sales to, and UK military operations in, the Gulf kingdom and support efforts for an independent inquiry into Mr Khashoggis death. The letter states: It cannot be business as usual with a regime that displays blatant contempt and disregard for international law and human rights. Victims of one of the most notorious IRA bombings of the Northern Ireland conflict have said they are still awaiting proper justice. A devastating blast reduced Frizzells fish shop on the Shankill Road in West Belfast to a pile of rubble and took nine innocent lives 25 years ago on Tuesday. The killer served less than a year in prison for every life he ended. A series of events is planned to mark the anniversary, including a memorial walk and a special church service. Charlie Butler, 64, scrambled through the rubble along with hundreds of others searching for the wounded. He later discovered his niece, her partner and her child aged just seven had died. Mr Butler said: We did not get justice when a man who walked past women and kids into a shop to blow people to bits, did a couple of years in jail and walked out, never to be repentant. Who drove them there, who made the bomb, who gave the orders? Maybe if we got those questions answered, maybe then things could settle a bit. We have moved on, we want to move on. The Government is considering establishing institutions to seek fresh prosecutions and retrieve more information about thousands of Troubles-era killings. Charlie Butler has organised a series of events marking the 25th anniversary of the Shankill bomb (Michael McHugh/PA). The IRA said it was targeting an Ulster Defence Association (UDA) leadership meeting due to be held above the Shankill fish shop when the device exploded prematurely. IRA man Thomas Begley also died in the blast. Another, Sean Kelly, walked free from prison early as part of the Good Friday Agreement deal, struck in 1998, which largely ended decades of violence. He served less than a year for each life he took. Mr Butler said the perpetrators had to walk past women and kids, people with prams and into a packed shop. I think lunatics are the name for them, I dont think you could describe them as anything else. He had hoped that would be the end of the bloodshed. It continued, a few days later loyalists opened fire in the Rising Sun bar in Greysteel on the north coast. The victims of the Shankill have shared their grief with others caught up in atrocities. Mr Butler said: We have told each other, it was not done in our name, and what we are saying is, if it was not done in our name then whose name was it done in? We were both sides of the community here, Catholics and Protestants, whose name was it done in, why was it done? Those are the answers we want. He recalled the day of the bombing, when he was running a taxi company. I got to the bottom of the street and within seconds saw nothing but clouds of dust and smoke. I saw a girl lying in the middle of the road with really bad head injuries and other injuries. I ran over and there were people attending to her. I looked over to where Frizzells shop was, through the dust and smoke saw nothing except ruins. It just looked as if the whole shop had come down on top of anyone that was there. His instinct to help kicked in. I along with hundreds of other people got on the rubble, climbed through it. Unfortunately we knew there were fatalities because as I was digging I came across the body of little Leanne Murray, a 13-year-old schoolgirl. I am not a medic but I knew nothing could be done. He carried her on a stretcher to an ambulance, noticing another three bodies inside the vehicle. He later realised his niece Evelyn Baird, 27, her partner Michael Morrison and her child Michelle Baird aged seven were missing. They had been ordering a wreath for Mr Morrisons father, who had died two days earlier. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a splash as they watched the sailing final of the Invictus Games on a boat alongside the parents of one of the competitors. The couple braved the choppy seas and took a boat out to a 40ft Hanse 400 yacht, where they laughed and smiled while watching the race, standing up at times for a better view of the action. Prince Harry was seen helping Meghan onto the yacht to watch the race, which saw host country Australia take first place. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex cheer on competitors taking part in a sailing event at the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney harbour (Chris Jackson/Invictus Games Foundation/PA) Meghan, wearing an Invictus waterproof jacket and Outland jeans, had missed Sundays first engagement to rest, but she and Harry took a Rib (rigid inflatable boat) out to watch the races. And it was on the water that Harry received a massive bear hug from a competitor after he boarded their boat. Video from the harbour shows the man boarding their vessel and putting his arms around the duke before lifting him off the ground. He also embraced the duchess. The Duchess of Sussex hugs a man as she and the Duke of Sussex watch competitors taking part in the sailing event (Chris Jackson/Invictus Games Foundation/PA) Carrie and Bill Novack, from Illinois, had no idea that the duke and duchess would be joining them on the boat. Their 26-year-old son Ryan was a first lieutenant in the US air force, before suffering a spinal cord injury in 2016. Mrs Novack said: They were so lovely. Harry asked what Invictus has meant to our family, about our sons journey and he also asked after his mental health. It was so easy to talk to them. Harry said it was good that he had been brought in to the programme early on people can plateau or spiral downwards. We were watching the race and Australia was winning, he said, Sorry about that. Meghan was asking where we were from, she had gone to university in Chicago near us, and said that she loved Chicago. Mr Novack told the couple that his son had to wear a Thoracic Lumbar Sacral Orthosis (TLSO) like a big turtle shell as part of his treatment and had written the Invictus poem on the back of it. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex greet competitors taking part in the event (Chris Jackson/Invictus Games Foundation/PA) He said: We showed Harry pictures, we didnt know he would be a part of it back then. This is the first year there has been sailing at the Invictus Games. The boat was owned by Cam Wayland and his partner Aisleen Patterson. Mr Wayland is part of the organisation RANSA (the Royal Australian Naval Sailing Association) and had volunteered his boat to be used by Invictus family and friends. On Monday, he was informed two VIP guests would be joining the boat and was told not to tell anyone. He said: But people did start noticing when teams came and swept the boat with a bomb dog, they even sent divers underneath it. Mr Wayland said Harry called the boat beautiful. The team event was raced in Elliott keelboats with a mixed gender four-person crew in the open category. Each boat was allocated a World Sailing accredited instructor to act as a fifth member of the crew and to provide guidance on safety if required. Brexit negotiations must be tied up by the end of next month to allow new laws to be put in place in time for exit day, Dominic Raab has said. The Brexit Secretary urged restive Tory MPs circling around Theresa May to play for the team and called on them to wait for the deal to be struck before taking action. Furious backbenchers have warned the Prime Minister she is drinking in the last chance saloon after tensions flared over her negotiating strategy following a Brussels summit. Mrs May said she was open to the possibility of extending the transition period that kicks in after exit day by a matter of months. Mr Raab suggested the extension could run for three months but said the move would have to solve the Irish backstop issue. There must also be a route out of it so it did not run indefinitely, he said. Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab (Aaron Chown/PA) It could be time limited, there could be another mechanism, he told BBC Ones The Andrew Marr show. A meeting of EU leaders in December has been talked of as the final deadline for striking a deal. But Mr Raab said he believed the exit agreement needed to be done towards the end of November to allow time for legislation to be passed. Asked about the growing criticism of Mrs May, he replied: We are at the end stage of the negotiation. It is understandable that there are jitters on all sides of this debate. We need to hold our nerve. The end is in sight in terms of a good deal, the prize we want. I think colleagues should wait and see what that looks like. It wont be a question of a fait accompli. They will have their full say over it. He added: Now is the time to play for the team. Brexit minister Suella Braverman said any extension to the transition period must not leave us exposed to indefinite membership of the customs union. Brexit Minister @SuellaBraverman says the UK will be able to "survive" a no-deal Brexit, saying it's not ideal but "it won't be a disaster either" #Ridge pic.twitter.com/ZfvnPvsHdB Trevor Phillips on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) October 21, 2018 Mrs Braverman, a leading Tory Brexiteer, said there are many views about the Prime Ministers Chequers proposals for future trade relations. She told Skys Sophy Ridge On Sunday: I see Chequers as a pragmatic proposal. Mrs Braverman did not condemn anonymous Tory MPs who have told Sunday newspapers that Mrs May is in a killing zone and should bring her own noose to a meeting with backbenchers. Colleagues are free to express themselves in the way they wish, but I am very clear that our party is stronger when its united, she said. But Tory former minister Robert Halfon said: I say to the people giving those quotes, this is not the way to change things. Mr Halfon said the Conservatives had a serious image problem and warned that voters think the party is just about austerity or Brexit. But he dismissed suggestions it was time to replace the PM. I dont think a change of leader would particularly help, particularly in the middle of Brexit, he said. Labour, meanwhile, warned Mrs May that if she is hoping they will help pass her Brexit blueprint she can think again. Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said there is a real lack of confidence that Mrs May can bring back anything by way of a good deal. He said it was not in the national interest to back a bad deal. What were going to see is even if theres a deal, the Tory Party will try to rip it up next year some of them are already saying theyre going to do that so this idea of an historic moment just before Christmas in the national interest isnt going to happen, he told Marr. They will not stop fighting about this. Scottish Conservatives MPs would vote down a Brexit deal if it includes extending the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The policy sets out the rules governing fishing across the EU to manage fish stocks and fleets, including the setting of quotas. The partys Douglas Ross, MP for Moray, said he could not support any deal which includes staying part of the CFP past the current exit date of 2020. Concerns were raised this week over the possibility of the UK remaining part of the controversial policy beyond this date, after the Prime Minister indicated the transition period could be extended to secure a Brexit deal. Speaking on the BBCs Sunday Politics Scotland programme, Mr Ross said: I could not support a deal that would include staying in the Common Fisheries Policy beyond December 2020. He said an extension of even three months would be too long. Douglas Ross said even a three-month extension to the policy was too long (Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/PA) Questioned if there was unanimity among the Scottish Conservative MPs for this view, he said he understood they could not support such a deal. If the partys 13 MPs vote against the Brexit deal, it would lead to the government losing their House of Commons majority. Mr Ross added: I think whats important is that we send out a very strong signal to everyone who is negotiating on behalf of the UK that this is an issue that is extremely important for our Scottish communities that we represent. My view is it will not come to that (a hard Brexit rather than staying in the CFP). They will see that there is a very clear, distinct message from the Scottish Conservatives, and indeed Scotland, that we cannot have the CFP. SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford told the same programme: What Douglas Ross and the Conservatives have to recognise is that they are threatening a hard Brexit. The Irish Government has warned against complacency as strong favourite Michael D Higgins enters the last week of campaigning for the Irish presidency. The incumbent is in pole position to win the race following next Fridays election and has received the backing of ministers as well as most of the Irish establishment. He is one of six candidates bidding for the largely ceremonial and ambassadorial role. Another wonderful afternoon meeting supporters in Bray! And stunning weather too! #michaeldforpresident #aras18 pic.twitter.com/4TxxGOnCGM Michael D Higgins (@MichaelDHiggins) October 20, 2018 Controversial outsider Peter Casey confirmed in an interview with a Sunday newspaper that he would remain in the race. He recently drew measures of criticism and support after denying that Irish Travellers could be considered members of an ethnic minority. Fine Gaels Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty said: While the polls look very good for Michael D at the moment, elections are decided by who turns up on the day so we cannot be complacent. The Irish Government has warned against complacency as strong favourite Michael D Higgins enters the last week of campaigning for the Irish presidency (Niall Carson/PA) The other candidates include Sinn Feins Liadh Ni Riada, businessmen Sean Gallagher and Gavin Duffy and Senator Joan Freeman. The Sunday Business Post newspapers RED C poll surveyed 1,000 voters from Thursday October 11 to Wednesday October 17 and poll findings published suggested that support for Mr Higgins stood at 68%. Pre-election comment has partly centred on Mr Higgins expenses while in office. On Saturday it emerged the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had disputed Mr Higgins claim that he had to use a private jet to get to an engagement in Belfast for security reasons. Ms Doherty said she was unconditionally supporting Mr Higgins re-election. Combining intellect, empathy, passion and a fantastic fluency with words, he has proven to be a true statesman who reflects the best of what this country is all about, she said. All his life Michael D. Higgins has been an advocate for justice and progress. Both as a member of Seanad Eireann and a TD for Galway West he was fearless in challenging inequity and injustice. For decades he championed issues including decent employment, public housing provision, the rights of people with disabilities and ethical standards for public office holders. As a consistent voice for equality, he fought for elimination of poverty and a citizenship floor of basic rights and participation below which no citizen should fall. He has always maintained a strong interest in justice and peace worldwide. Meanwhile, in the Sunday Independent, Mr Casey refused to apologise for his Travellers remarks. He said: We have become a nation of people who expect, no demand, that the State looks after them. Pay all their bills, provide them with homes, provide all sorts of social benefits. A former senior Deutsche Bank trader has been extradited to the UK to face charges of manipulating a key lending rate. Andreas Hauschild is accused of trying to influence Euribor the European Interbank Offered Rate following an investigation by the UKs Serious Fraud Office (SFO). He appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday. Hauschild was arrested in Italy in August 2018 after a trip to the country activated a European Arrest Warrant secured by the SFO in February 2016. Extradition was initially refused by the German courts but granted by the Italian authorities during a hearing on October 12. His next court appearance will be at Southwark Crown Court on October 24. The family of a vulnerable 90-year-old woman fears lives will be put at risk due to care services being withdrawn during a planned strike. Glasgow City Council has sent letters to those affected informing them their care will be withdrawn for two days next week as around 8,000 workers walk out in an equal pay row. The letter states: The strike action is definitely taking place and unfortunately we have been unable to secure sufficient homecare staff to provide the cover we expected to. Amy Coid, 90, was told her care would be withdrawn for two days (Coid family/PA) It asks recipients to make alternative arrangements with family, carers or friends if possible, apologises for the disruption and warns there will be no response to calls or emails regarding homecare arrangements during the strike on Tuesday and Wednesday. The family of one woman who received the letter said they fear lives will be put at risk as people may not be able to access medication. Amy Coid, 90, is recently out of hospital and normally receives four care visits a day as she is blind in one eye and suffers from slight confusion, so is given meals and help to dress and get to bed. She is not allowed to deal with her own medication which is kept in her house in a padlocked box to which only her carers have the combination. Her family is now trying to get the code for this so they can give her the 14 tablets a day she needs but are worried for others who will be left without care. A relative said: It looks like lives of many old people will be put at risk as they will not receive their medication. We are fortunate and will be able to make two 30 mile round trips each day to give her meds in morning and night. But how will confused elderly people with no relatives, neighbours or friends cope? Some will be on meds without which they might become seriously ill or worse. Some might not even understand the letter or not be able to do anything about it. UPDATE: Industrial action, 23-24 October Due to industrial action, there is likely to be significant disruption to education and care services on 23-24 October. Please find more information and updates about the strike here: https://t.co/XjiAUJYf2L Glasgow City Council (@GlasgowCC) October 10, 2018 He added: I wonder how many lives may be at risk as a result and the council seems to be washing their hands of the potential deadly consequences for these vulnerable people who live alone. A Glasgow City Council spokesman said the way the union leaders had approached the strike was hugely disappointing. He said: We believed we had an agreement on providing life and limb cover for our most vulnerable citizens indeed, the unions told the public that cover would be in place. It wont. There has been absolutely no meaningful effort from the unions to work with us and their membership to ensure that life and limb cover will be in place. As a result, we are writing urgently to many of the most vulnerable people in the city to tell them that we now have no way to provide them care they desperately need during the strike. Rather than the reduced service we expected to be able to deliver with support from the trade unions, for many more people, there will now be no service at all. We are deeply concerned about the impact but we have absolutely no alternative. Around 6,000 people have homecare services affected. The unions have agreed to all council requests to support the life and limb plan, the GMB union said, adding the offer from union members to work through the strike to support vulnerable homecare users still stands. Rhea Wolfson, GMB Scotland organiser, said its members would never do anything to cause harm to homecare clients. Glasgow City Council management is in meltdown, she said. It has misrepresented the offer our members have made to keep services running for our most vulnerable clients. She added: The councils officers have been incapable of putting in place the most basic cover despite having three weeks to prepare and the offers we have made every single day to resolve the dispute. US President Donald Trump has said his intention to scrap a landmark arms control agreement with Russia follows years of violations by Moscow in developing prohibited weapons. The Kremlin said the pullout would be a very dangerous step. Britain said it stood absolutely resolute with the US, while Germany called Mr Trumps move regrettable. Heiko Maas said in a statement that the three-decades-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty is an important pillar of our European security architecture and Mr Trumps announcement raises difficult questions for us and Europe. The 1987 pact prohibits the United States and Russia from possessing, producing or test-flying a ground-launched cruise missile with a range of 300 miles to 3,400 miles. Mr Maas said Germany has repeatedly urged Moscow to clear up the serious allegations of breaching the INF treaty, which Russia has so far not done. Donald Trump (Niall Carson/PA) He said Germany is urging Washington to consider the possible consequences of its decision, including for a US-Russian nuclear disarmament treaty beyond 2021. Russia has violated the agreement. They have been violating it for many years, Mr Trump said after a rally in Elko, Nevada. And were not going to let them violate a nuclear agreement and go out and do weapons and were not allowed to. The agreement has constrained the US from developing new weapons, but America will begin developing them unless Russia and China agree not to possess or develop the weapons, Mr Trump said. China is not a party to the pact. Well have to develop those weapons, unless Russia comes to us and China comes to us and they all come to us and say lets really get smart and lets none of us develop those weapons, but if Russias doing it and if Chinas doing it, and were adhering to the agreement, thats unacceptable, he said. Mr Trump is sending his national security adviser, John Bolton, to Moscow for meetings with Russian leaders, including foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev, and was expected to relay the news about the presidents decision. This would be a very dangerous step, Russias deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov was quoted as telling state news agency Tass. He said a US withdrawal will cause the most serious condemnation from all members of the international community who are committed to security and stability. Britains Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said his country stands absolutely resolute with the United States on the treaty dispute. He blamed Russia for endangering the arms control pact and he called on the Kremlin to get its house in order. US-Russia relations are already strained as a result of the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria and allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential race and upcoming US midterm elections. Mr Trump did not provide details about violations. But in 2017, White House national security officials said Russia had deployed a cruise missile in violation of the treaty. Earlier, the Obama administration accused the Russians of violating the pact by developing and testing a prohibited cruise missile. Russia has repeatedly denied that it has violated the treaty and has accused the United States of not being in compliance. The Scottish Government has scrapped plans to appoint an energy specialist to help boost exports to Saudi Arabia. The government said concerns following the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi on October 2 were behind the decision. Saudi Arabia said on Friday that Mr Khashoggi was killed at its Istanbul consulate after a fight broke out. The UKs Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab said the Gulf kingdoms explanation for the death of the dissident journalist is not credible. @PaulWheelhouse visited @WhittakerEng today to announce funding to appoint five international energy specialists. These energy experts will maximise export opportunities for the Scottish supply chain in markets with significant growth potential. https://t.co/mpvKvXxpoE pic.twitter.com/lQOS9qcFZp Scottish Government Finance and Economy (@scotgoveconomy) October 10, 2018 The Scottish Government announced plans earlier this month to appoint five new in-market energy specialists in countries seen as having significant growth opportunities for energy supply chain exports from Scotland. The were to be based in the US, Mexico, India, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia but recruitment for the Saudi post will now not go ahead. A man waits to enter Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul (Lefteris Pitarakis/AP) A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: We share the widespread international concern following the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, and in light of those concerns Scottish Development International will not be proceeding with this particular appointment. The proposed appointments for the other countries will proceed as planned and are being jointly funded by the Scottish government, Scottish Development International and Opportunity North East. The captain of Britains biggest and most powerful warship has said it would be lovely if the Royal Navy had an extra 10,000 personnel. With more than 32,000 people making up the full time force of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, Captain Jerry Kyd said retention and recruitment is a constant battle. Speaking as aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth was anchored off the island of Manhattan for a week-long New York visit, Captain Kyd said he would like to grow the size of the Navy over the coming years. This again is why we are looking at innovative manning, he said. It is a constant battle you have to have a strategy which balances your ends, ways and means. The UKs new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is visiting New York City (LPhot Kyle Heller/Royal Navy/MoD/PA) It would be lovely if we had another 10,000 people in the Navy we are OK, we are balanced, we are getting back into balance. What is probably the most challenging is making sure there is balance across the different branches of the Navy. It is not numbers as such, it is the right quality of people in the right numbers in the right areas. He said retention rather than recruitment is more of an issue, and that they are constantly looking for ways to make it more attractive as a career. Commodore Mike Utley, the commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group, said the armed forces need highly qualified, highly motivated people and they are also usually attractive to industry. We are in competition, it is a marketplace, he said, but added that the global deployments on offer, as well as new ships, aircraft carriers and F-35 jets, are a draw. The UKs new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has been praised by Gavin Williamson (Georgina Stubbs/PA) Captain Kyd also revealed that the sister ship of HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Prince of Wales, is on the gradual build up with more than 500 personnel forming the ships company so far. With HMS Queen Elizabeth due to enter operational service in 2021, he said the combination of aircraft carriers, cutting-edge jets, Type 45 destroyers and astute class submarines will probably mean it is the most potent a military task group we will have put together since 1982. He added: It is a strategic and political tool it is all about deterrence. Discussing the two new aircraft carriers which cost 3.1 billion each, Captain Kyd said they mark a truly profound change for the Royal Navy. He added: And I think very much signposts the future for the Royal Navy for the next 50 years. It is transformational for us in so many ways. This sentiment was mirrored by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, who visited the ship on Saturday and said it is a clear sign and clear demonstration of Britains capability Britain. It is quite obvious to me that she is going to be an enormous asset to the Royal Navy, and really is an outward sign of rebirth of the Royal Navy, and actually a much more global Navy, he said. You can see so much of that happening already in the last year, with HMS Sutherland and HMS Albion playing an important role in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. This is the clearest demonstration that we are back in the league of being a great global navy that is able to project power, project influence and make a difference in every sea and ocean. A 68-year-old woman has died following a road crash that saw her car overturn onto its roof. Lily Thom was critically injured in a collision in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, on Thursday and died in hospital the following day. Police Scotland said the driver was travelling north on Silvertonhill Avenue, near Avonbank Crescent, at around 11.20am when her car appeared to lose control and collided with a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction. The red Honda overturned onto its roof and a blue Nissan Micra driven by an 84-year-old woman left the carriageway. The Nissan driver suffered a chest injury and both were taken to University Hospital in Wishaw. Officers in Motherwell are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them on 101, quoting incident number 1157 of October 19. Russian court dismisses IKEAs appeal against recovery of $254,000 flickr.com/kaktuslampan 10:59 23/10/2018 MOSCOW, October 23 (RAPSI) The Moscow Regional Commercial Court has dismissed an appeal filed by IKEA Centers Rus Property A against a ruling on recovery of 16.6 million rubles ($254,000) in favor of Gazprom corporations subsidiary Gazprom Gas Distribution Voronezh, the court documents read. In April, the Moscow Commercial Court ordered IKEA Centers Rus Property A to pay a 16.6-million-ruble debt to the subsidiary. Moreover, the court dismissed a counter claim filed by IKEAs affiliate seeking recovery of the unspent part sum of advance payment worth 6.7 million rubles ($102,600) under a distribution connection agreement plus 126,600 rubles ($1,900) of interest. In July, the Tenth Commercial Court of Appeals upheld this order. According to the subsidiary of Gazprom, on December 16, 2015, the company concluded a contract with the defendant. Under the agreement, the plaintiff assumed an obligation to carry out technological connection of IKEAs capital construction projects in the Voronezh Region to its network. IKEA Centers Rus Property A in turn was obliged to pay services of providing connection and all accompanying expenses of the plaintiff. The defendant paid over 7 million rubles (about $107,100) as a down payment. As the Gazprom subsidiary incurred expenses totaling to 23.6 million rubles ($361,400), the defendant owed 16.6 million rubles to the plaintiff. Courts accorded the plaintiff saying that the defendant had not introduced evidence supporting compensation for the Gazprom subsidiarys expenses. A ferry company whose ship ran aground after it collided with several boats has confirmed passengers who were on-board have been safely discharged. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) received reports shortly after 8am on Sunday that the Red Falcon ferry had collided with at least two yachts in Cowes Harbour. The ferry, operated by the Red Funnel Ferry company, had arrived in to East Cowes from Southampton during heavy fog. A spokesman for HM Coastguard said around the same time they had received a 999 call from a member of the public reporting they had heard cries for help within the harbour. The coastguard has since confirmed that nobody was in the water or missing. They said they have made contact with the person, reported to be safe and well, who was on-board his own vessel and was crying out to try and alert the master of the ferry of the situation. The Red Falcon was re-floated with the assistance of tugs shortly before 11am and is safely alongside in East Cowes. The Red Falcon passes the mast of a submerged yacht (Andrew Matthews/PA) Surveyors from the MCA have completed an initial assessment of the vessel and it has been cleared to be relocated to Southampton to undergo further inspections. Fran Collins, chief executive of Red Funnel, said the boats involved in the collision were unmanned, moored yachts and that there were no reported injuries due to the incident. A coastguard search and rescue helicopter was initially deployed to the area but had to turn back due to low visibility caused by heavy fog. The UK Coastguard said that the Cowes RNLI lifeboat, Calshot RNLI lifeboats and coastguard rescue teams from Bembridge, Needles and Ventnor were involved in the extensive search. INCIDENT UPDATE MCA surveyors complete initial assessment of #RedFalcon and clear its relocation to Southampton, without passengers, to undergo further inspection. Once the in water survey has been successfully completed the vessel will be cleared to return to passenger service. Maritime and Coastguard Agency (@MCA_media) October 21, 2018 Ms Collins said: On behalf of Red Funnel, I would like to sincerely apologise to all those affected by this incident. Our staff are contacting passengers to offer them alternative sailings and service details are also available on our website. She said Red Funnel places the safety of passengers and crew as their highest priority and have commenced a full investigation into the incident. Englands rugby league players have visited the Western Front in Ypres as part of plans to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War. Members of the squad paid their respects at the Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery and Memorial to the Missing. Handout image from the RFL The team will also wear a special commemorative jersey for the third Test against New Zealand at Elland Road on Remembrance Sunday, November 11, as a show of support for the Royal British Legions Thank You movement. The England squad visited Ypres to honour our fallen soldiers today. Sean OLoughlin pays his respects to a soldier of the Great War, while Damien Clayton pays his respects to M. Kaye a Northern Union player who is commemorated at Menin Gate. pic.twitter.com/p4GCEHAtkh England Rugby League (@England_RL) October 20, 2018 Former England captain Jamie Peacock, now team manager, said last week: The sport of rugby league and the England team, are proud to be associated with the courage and sacrifices of our Armed Forces. Handout image from the RFL England begin their three-Test series against New Zealand on Saturday following a dominant 44-6 warm-up win against France. A growing throng of Central American migrants have resumed their advance towards the US border despite Mexican efforts to stop them. Their numbers swelled to about 5,000 overnight and at first light they set out walking towards the Mexican town of Tapachula, 10 abreast in a line stretching approximately a mile. It was not immediately clear where the additional travellers had materialised from since about 2,000 gathered on the Mexican side on Saturday night. They seemed likely to be people who had been waiting on the bridge over the Suchiate River or in the Guatemalan town of Tecun Uman and who decided to cross during the night. At dawn there were still an estimated 1,500 migrants on the Guatemalan side hoping to enter Mexico legally. The migrants gather in Ciudad Hidlago (Oliver de Ros/AP) They marched on through Mexico shouting slogans like Si se pudo! or Yes, we could! As they passed through Mexican villages on the outskirts of Ciudad Hidalgo, they drew applause, cheers and donations of food and clothing from Mexicans. Maria Teresa Orellana, a resident of the neighbourhood of Lorenzo handed out free sandals to the migrants as they passed. Its solidarity, she said. Theyre our brothers. Olivin Castellanos, 58, a truck driver and mason from Villanueva, Honduras, said he took a raft across the river after Mexico blocked the bridge. No one will stop us, only God, he said. We knocked down the door and we continue walking. He wants to reach the US to work. I can do this, he said, pointing to the asphalt under his feet. Ive made highways. A Honduras migrant is comforted by a Mexican paramedic (Oliver de Ros/AP) The migrants, who said they gave up trying to enter Mexico legally because the asylum application process was too slow, gathered on Saturday at a park in the border city of Ciudad Hidalgo. They voted by a show of hands to continue north en masse, then marched to the bridge crossing the Suchiate River and urged those still on it to join them. The decision to re-form the migrant caravan capped a day in which Mexican authorities again refused mass entry to migrants on the bridge, instead accepting small groups for asylum processing and giving out 45-day visitor permits to some. Authorities handed out numbers for people to be processed in a strategy seen before at US border posts when dealing with large numbers of migrants. But many became impatient and circumvented the border gate, crossing the river on rafts, by swimming or by wading in full view of the hundreds of Mexican police manning the blockade on the bridge. President Donald Trump has criticised the Democratic Party over the mass movement of migrants. He has seized on the caravan and border security as a campaign issue ahead of midterm elections in early November. The president tweeted that The Caravans are a disgrace to the Democrat Party. Change the immigration laws NOW! In a separate tweet, he said that Full efforts are being made to stop the onslaught of illegal aliens from crossing our Souther (sic) Border. Mr Trump added that the United States will turn migrants away if they do not apply for asylum first in Mexico. The killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was a rogue operation, Saudi Arabias foreign minister said. Adel al-Jubeir said that those responsible will be held accountable for this huge and grave mistake. He extended his condolences to the family of the journalist. We can feel their pain and we wish this didnt happen and I wish that this could have been avoided, he said in an interview with Fox News. His comments came as it was reported that Mr Khashoggis fiancee has been given 24-hour police protection. Hatice Cengiz, a Turkish national, waited for the journalist outside the Saudi consulate where he was to get papers for their planned marriage. She alerted authorities after the writer did not emerge from the building. Saudi Arabia finally admitted on Friday that its agents killed Mr Khashoggi after he entered the consulate on October 2, but denies that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman or King Salman were involved. Mr Al-Jubeir echoed President Donald Trumps warnings against rushing to judgment against Saudi leaders, saying there is the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, and that some have turned that upside down. He added that Saudi officials do not know the whereabouts of Mr Khashoggis remains. The kingdom has also said 18 suspects are in custody and that intelligence officials have been fired. A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has accused the Crown Prince of directing the operation. South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham said: I find it impossible to believe that the Crown Prince was not involved. Barriers block the road leading to Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul (Lefteris Pitarakis/AP) Mr Trump said he would talk to the Crown Prince very soon before deciding what to do next. He said he planned to consult with Congress to devise a response. Well have an answer by probably Tuesday or so, he said. Mr Trump has repeatedly said over the last week that he opposes any effort to impede more than $100 billion in US arms sales to Saudi Arabia, but that he would consider sanctions on the kingdom. On Friday, asked if he believed whether the Saudi explanation that Mr Khashoggi was killed during a fistfight with more than a dozen agents was credible, he said: I do. I do. But on Saturday, in an interview with The Washington Post, Mr Trump said, Obviously theres been deception and theres been lies. A security guard stands at the entrance to Saudi Arabias consulate in Istanbul (Lefteris Pitarakis/AP) Mr Khashoggi, a prominent journalist and royal court insider for decades in Saudi Arabia, had written columns critical of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the kingdoms direction while living in self-imposed exile in the US. He went to the Saudi consulate to obtain paperwork for his forthcoming marriage. The Saudi explanation for murdering journalist and Virginia resident Jamal Khashoggi in a consulate a fistfight gone wrong is insulting, tweeted Senator Tim Kaine, the 2016 Democratic vice presidential nominee. Since the Trump Administration wont stand up against atrocity, Congress must. The Saudi explanation for murdering journalist and Virginia resident Jamal Khashoggi in a consulatea fistfight gone wrongis insulting. Since the Trump Administration wont stand up against atrocity, Congress must. Tim Kaine (@timkaine) October 20, 2018 Democratic Representative Adam Schiff of California said Saudi Arabias claim that Mr Khashoggi died in a brawl was not credible. If Khashoggi was fighting inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, he was fighting for his life with people sent to capture or kill him, said Mr Schiff, a member of the House Intelligence Committee. The kingdom and all involved in this brutal murder must be held accountable, and if the Trump Administration will not take the lead, Congress must, he said. Peter Casey has said he received thousands of messages asking him not to pull out of the Irish presidential race. The Londonderry-born businessman commands around 2% of the vote and is trailing the other five candidates, polling has shown. He was criticised after saying Irish Travellers should not be treated as members of an ethnic minority. On Sunday he added: I respect the Travellers culture and traditions, but I will always think them first and foremost as Irish too. If that is wrong, I am not apologising. He also touched on issues like homelessness and rural broadband during a lengthy message posted on Twitter. Peter Casey said he received `thousands of messages asking him not to pull out of the Irish presidential race (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr Casey said hard working taxpayers should be acknowledged and rewarded. The Irish President is a largely ceremonial office but Mr Casey said, if elected, he could influence the Government. He alleged: Ireland is slowly becoming a welfare-dependant state, with a sense of entitlement. Politicians are focusing all their interests on welfare and social housing but have forgotten about the bill payers. The number of long-term unemployed on the Live Register at the end of September was 86,406, which equated to an annual decrease of nearly 18%. Mr Casey asked: Where is the incentive to work in this country? We have become a nation of people who expect, no demand that the (state) provide them with homes, provide all sorts of social benefits. As proud Irish people, we are better than that. Former Metropolitan Police commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe has called for an urgent review of the evidence around legislation of cannabis. Lord Hogan-Howe, who has always supported tough laws on cannabis, investigated the issue for Channel 4s Dispatches programme. He said if he was home secretary he would have an urgent commission of experts to look at the evidence about whats happening about cannabis in North America. Lord Hogan-Howe said: We already know from the evidence around the world that where people use it for medicinal purposes, it slides into recreational. Surely its better that we get ready for that potential change. Ive not seen clear evidence to say change the law now. But I have seen clear evidence to say lets review it, but in a time-limited way, not a kicking into the long grass way. Bernard Hogan-Howe was commissioner of the Met Police for almost six years (Stefan Rousseau/PA) I think we need to get on with it, now the Government has made it easier to get medical cannabis on prescription. Were lucky were not the pioneers and we can learn from others mistakes. The evidence is out there and it shouldnt be ignored. Doctors will be able to prescribe cannabis products to patients in England, Wales and Scotland from November 1. Home Secretary Sajid Javid decided to relax the rules on when cannabis products can be given to patients, after considering expert advice from a review following a number of high-profile cases. A spokesman for the Home Office said the Government has no plans to decriminalise recreational cannabis. He said: The decriminalisation of cannabis would not eliminate the crime committed by the illicit trade, nor would it address the harms associated with drug dependence and the misery they can cause to families and society. Decriminalisation or legalisation would send the wrong message to the vast majority of people who do not take drugs, especially young and vulnerable people, with the potential grave risk of increased misuse of drugs. Lord Hogan-Howe was a police officer for nearly 40 years and for nearly six years he was commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. Cannabis: Time To End The Ban? Channel 4 Dispatches will air on Channel 4 on Monday 22 October at 8pm. Theresa May will insist the Brexit deal is 95% complete as she faces MPs after a weekend of vicious attacks from within her own ranks. In a Commons statement after talks with EU leaders in Brussels, the Prime Minister will say the shape of the deal across the vast majority of the withdrawal agreement is now clear. She will tell MPs that since last months fractious summit in Salzburg, important progress has been made on issues like security, transport and services. (PA Graphics) Protocols have been developed on how Brexit will impact Gibraltar and the UKs military base in Cyprus. And all of this from the last three weeks alone, is in addition to the agreements we had already reached, she will say. Mrs May will tell the Commons that taking all of this together, 95% of the withdrawal agreement and its protocols are now settled. But she will add: As I set out last week, the original backstop proposal from the EU was one we could not accept, as it would mean creating a customs border down the Irish Sea and breaking up the integrity of the UK. I do not believe that any UK prime minister could ever accept this. And I certainly will not. Brexiteer Theresa Villiers (Owen Humphreys/PA) Furious backbenchers warned the Prime Minister she is drinking in the last chance saloon after tensions flared over her negotiating strategy following a Brussels summit. Senior Brexiteer Theresa Villiers criticised disturbing anonymous briefings to Sunday newspapers, including claims the PM was entering the killing zone. But Brexit minister Suella Braverman said her colleagues were free to express themselves in the way they wish and repeatedly refused to say she would back Mrs May in a confidence vote. Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab said the exit agreement must be finalised by the end of next month to allow new laws to be put in place in time for exit day. Mr Raab suggested a transition extension could run for three months, but said the move would have to solve the Irish backstop issue. Labour has warned Mrs May that it will not back her Brexit blueprint when it reaches the Commons. Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said there is a real lack of confidence that Mrs May can bring back anything by way of a good deal. Plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds could be banned in a years time. Environment Secretary Michael Gove has launched a consultation on the Governments plan to ban the items, which he said can devastate the worlds oceans and wildlife. The ban could be put in place at some stage between October next year and October 2020, the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs said. The consultation will consider exemptions to make sure people who need plastics to deal with medical conditions or accessibility issues are not affected. Under Government plans, pharmacies would still be able to sell plastic straws and restaurants, pubs and bars could stock the items to be used on request. It is estimated that 4.7 billion plastic straws, 316 million plastic stirrers and 1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton buds are used each year in England. Environment Secretary Michael Gove (Aaron Chown/PA) Mr Gove said the ban would be a boost to efforts to turn the tide on plastic pollution. He said: Our precious oceans and the wildlife within need urgent protection from the devastation throw-away plastic items can cause. In England we are taking world-leading action with our ban on microbeads, and thanks to the publics support have taken over 15 billion plastic bags out of circulation with our 5p charge. I commend retailers, bars and restaurants that have already committed to removing plastic straws and stirrers. But we recognise we need to do more. Today we step-up our efforts to turn the tide on plastic pollution and ensure we leave our environment in a better state than we inherited it. Around 10% of cotton buds are flushed down toilets, often ending up in waterways and oceans, the Government said. It is hoped millions of pounds could be saved annually on clean-up efforts of used plastics, which can take years to break down. Greenpeace UKs political adviser Sam Chetan Welsh commended ministers for doing the sensible thing, but urged big companies to do more by cutting down on plastic packaging. He said: Our societys addiction to throwaway plastic is fuelling a global environmental crisis that must be tackled. Ministers are doing the sensible thing by looking to ban single-use plastic items that can be easily replaced with better alternatives or that we can simply do without. But this should be just the start. If we are to protect our oceans from the scourge of plastic, the flow of waste needs to be cut off at the tap. And that means the companies producing and selling all this packaging must take responsibility for it and cut down the amount of plastic ending up in our shopping baskets. Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality, welcomed the consultation, saying many restaurants and hotels have already begun taking action to cut down on plastics. She said: We wholeheartedly welcome this consultation on an issue of vital importance and one which hospitality has already taken significant action. Since UKHospitalitys Unpack the Future of Hospitality summit in the spring, thousands of pubs clubs, restaurants and hotels across the UK have changed their straws and stirrers to biodegradables, or adopted policies that cut or eliminate their use in their venues. The Government is seeking views on how we can cut plastic waste and we look forward to continued engagement to play a part in achieving that goal. The Governments post-Brexit agriculture plans will have a serious impact on farms in Northern Ireland, MPs warned. The Governments proposals will see money redirected from direct payments under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which are based on the amount of land farmed, to a new system of paying farmers public money for public goods principally their work to enhance the environment and invest in sustainable food production. The typically small farms in Northern Ireland rely on subsidies for survival. A Northern Ireland Affairs Committee report said: The Committee heard evidence that the UK Governments public money for public goods proposal and its desire to improve farm efficiency, while broadly welcomed, was designed with England in mind and could have a serious impact on farms in Northern Ireland if the scheme is not modified to reflect the very different character of farming in Northern Ireland. The Committee urges the Government to revise its definition of public goods to include the survival of farms as essential rural assets, and to commit area payments beyond 2022, with small farms and those reliant on pasture and husbandry on marginal land particularly in mind. The committee chairman, Andrew Murrison, said ministers had not adequately addressed issues facing Northern Ireland farmers. The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee said the UKs agriculture authorities had not engaged enough over farms in the region post-Brexit (Dan Law/PA) We are concerned that its uniqueness, challenges and vulnerabilities have not been fully hoisted in by ministers. We heard evidence about Defras lack of engagement with Northern Irelands civil service and with the sector. We were left with the impression of drift and delay at a critical time and an over-reliance on the much hoped for restoration of an Executive. Stormont powersharing has been suspended since early last year in a row over a botched green energy scheme. Thanks to Wesley Aston, Chief Executive of Ulster Farmers Union @UFUHQ for meeting myself and @NiallCollinsTD to discuss #brexit and the implications for Northern Ireland farmers. @fiannafailparty pic.twitter.com/HoUFcP1guK Lisa Chambers (@lichamber) October 17, 2018 The chairman urged the UK Government to provide clarity and confidence for the Northern Ireland agricultural sector by making plain how a post-Brexit agricultural policy for Northern Ireland will be devised if the political impasse continues into the New Year. The Committee expressed disappointment about Defras insufficient approach to considering specific agricultural concerns in Northern Ireland and called for speedy action. The predominance of smaller farms means that the sector is particularly reliant on direct financial support to maintain a steady income. The Committee expressed concern at Defras limited engagement with farmers in Northern Ireland. Almost 900 million worth of food and live animals were exported to the Republic of Ireland from Northern Ireland last year. A no-deal could affect that trade. Much of Northern Irelands agricultural workforce is drawn from the EU. The Committee called on the Government to establish mechanisms to allow skilled workers access to Northern Ireland. A DAERA spokesperson said it had engaged with interested parties on what the future would look like for Northern Ireland. Over 1,300 responses have been received and work has now commenced on analysing their content. This will be used to inform further developmental work by the Department, but DAERAs guiding principle is that its stakeholder engagement process does not, and will not, in any way prejudge or constrain the ability of an incoming minister, NI Executive and NI Assembly to decide what is appropriate for NIs agricultural industry. In keeping with this principle, the Northern Ireland schedule within the Agriculture Bill does not change the current support arrangements in Northern Ireland but creates the ability for a future DAERA Minister and NI Assembly to make certain policy changes should they so decide. A Defra spokesperson said: We are in close contact with counterparts in DAERA on the implications for farmers as we leave the European Union, including fortnightly meetings at an official level. We also fully recognise the differences between the needs of Northern Irelands agriculture sector and that of other parts of the UK. That is why we support and embrace the principles of devolution. On the Agriculture Bill, there were 20 meetings at official level between Defra and the devolved administrations at which officials from the DAERA have been present between May 2018 and introduction of the Bill. Since introduction of the Bill, official level meetings have continued on a fortnightly basis in addition to bilateral discussions with DAERA colleagues, including in Belfast. Serial stalkers and domestic abusers should be placed on a new national register and monitored under the same arrangements as rapists and paedophiles, according to a Commons report. MPs backed calls for a strengthened regime to ensure greater protection for victims who live in fear of their tormentors. The Commons Home Affairs Committee recommended that a national register of serial stalkers and domestic violence perpetrators be introduced as a matter of urgency. Under the proposals, individuals on the register would be managed through multi-agency public protection arrangements (Mappa). This is the system used by police, probation and prison services to manage the risks posed by violent and sexual offenders living in the community. The report said: Stalking is a serious crime which can have a devastating impact on the lives of victims. Victims of stalking often endure years of abuse before the crime is taken seriously. We were told that existing criminal justice responses were often ineffective in stopping perpetrators. Calls for a register have been led by Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service, which told the committee in a written submission: A radical cultural shift is needed as current police practice is dire and not working. The register will save lives and money. In another recommendation, the Committee urged the Government to consult on introducing paid domestic abuse leave to help victims keep their jobs and maintain economic independence while escaping abuse. Noting that legislation to introduce such a measure was recently passed in New Zealand, the report said: We believe this has the potential to save lives. The findings were set out in a wide-ranging assessment of the Governments strategy for tackling domestic abuse. Plans unveiled by ministers earlier this year include new orders to place restrictions such as electronic tagging on abusers, a new statutory definition of domestic abuse including a reference to economic abuse, and tougher sentences for crimes that affect children. The Committees report flagged up a desperate shortage of refuge accommodation and raised concerns that welfare reform policies are making it more difficult for victims to leave their abusers. It also said that while evidence indicates the police response to victims of domestic abuse is improving, there continue to be instances where it is inadequate. Yvette Cooper chairs the committee (Joe Giddens/PA) Labour MP Yvette Cooper, who chairs the Committee, said: Domestic abuse is one of the most dangerous and the most common crimes there is. The Government is rightly proposing new legislation and a new strategy, but our inquiry found much stronger action is needed across the board. An estimated 1.9 million adults experienced domestic abuse in the previous 12 months, according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales for the year ending March 2017. A Government spokesman said: Domestic abuse is a devastating crime that shatters the lives of victims and families. We are determined to transform our response so we welcome the Committees support for the Governments planned Domestic Abuse Bill. The landmark bill will create stronger powers to protect and support victims and survivors, pursue perpetrators and ensure agencies are able to respond effectively. It is right that the bill, and the new Domestic Abuse Commissioner, focus solely on supporting the near two million victims and working towards tackling this crime. Specialist Jobcentre staff work tirelessly to ensure people fleeing domestic abuse get the help they need, including enabling urgent payments and transferring someones claim to a different Jobcentre. Split payments are available but cannot be the only solution to what is a criminal act. This Government has launched a 18.8 million fund this summer to help survivors rebuild their lives. Since 2016, we have also spent 20 million to creating over 2,200 bed spaces in refuges, supporting more than 19,000 victims. Earlier this year, we confirmed that refuge places will continue to be part-funded through housing benefit and we are committed to delivering a sustainable funding model to support these services across the country. The Government said improving the management of serial domestic abuse perpetrators and stalkers is high on its agenda, adding that it has been working to examine the current framework in detail and acknowledges there is scope to improve information sharing, risk assessment and disclosure. National Police Chiefs Council lead for domestic abuse Deputy Chief Constable Louisa Rolfe said inspections on the police response to domestic abuse have acknowledged substantial improvements in leadership, training, initial response, safeguarding of victims and investigations, adding that successful prosecutions, particularly for coercive and controlling behaviour, have increased substantially. She said: Crime is rising and so is the demand on our service but our commitment to safeguarding victims of domestic abuse and bringing perpetrators to justice is evident. Katie Ghose, chief executive of Womens Aid, said: The domestic abuse bill is a golden opportunity to transform the lives of survivors and tackle the root causes of domestic abuse once and for all. To achieve this, the bill must reflect the reality of survivors experiences. Dagestan banker to stand trial in $4 million embezzlement case RIA Novosti, Maksim Bogodvid 11:51 23/10/2018 MOSCOW, October 23 (RAPSI) - A criminal case against a Dagestan commercial bank director, who stands charged with embezzling 272 million rubles (over $4 million), has been sent to court for hearing, the Investigative Committees press service reports. According to investigators, between July 1, 2016, and April 25, 2018, the woman ordered her subordinates, a credit office chief and a bank branch treasurer, not to make entries concerning new deposits on the bankers' automated service but to lay the funds received in a specially allotted place of the bank branch vault. The accused later spent the money for her own purposes. Thus, she stole about 272 million from 342 clients, the statement reads. Moreover, on April 24, 2018, the bank director allegedly provided a 15-million-ruble loan ($230,000) without bond to her mother. Westminster must scrap 157-year-old abortion laws to protect the rights of women in Northern Ireland, according to a Labour former minister. Outdated abortion laws must be modernised to protect women, Hull North MP Diana Johnson has said, as she prepares to bring forward her Abortion Bill to the Commons on Tuesday. Northern Ireland is still ruled by an 1861 Act threatening anyone performing abortions with life imprisonment, which was ruled as a breach of human rights by the Supreme Court this summer. Diana Johnson MP, who has launched a Private Members Bill (David Mirzoeff/PA) The ruling followed a landslide referendum vote to legalise abortion in the Republic of Ireland, which Ms Johnson said means now is the right time to act. Ms Johnson wants to remove the section of the 1867 Act that criminalises abortion and bring in her own, modernised Act in England and Wales, hoping Northern Ireland will consider following suit. She also wants to make it a criminal offence for someone to force a non-consensual abortion such as someone who is violent towards a pregnant woman or puts tablets in someones drink punishable by life imprisonment. Ms Johnson told the Press Association: It never seems to have been the right time to address the inequality in Northern Ireland, until now. The Irish abortion referendum has made the difference north and south of the border very stark. The 1861 Act is more than 150 years old it is the oldest healthcare regulation in the country. Why should it be the case women, who could go to jail for life for seeking an abortion, could get a harsher sentence than her abuser or rapist? People celebrate in Ireland after the abortion referendum (Brian Lawless/PA) Ms Johnson cited a recent Amnesty International poll indicating 66% support for Westminster intervention on the issue and 65% support for decriminalising abortion in Northern Ireland as a reason to intervene in the controversial area. Westminster has a role to play in breaches of human rights in Northern Ireland, she insisted. Im certainly not telling Northern Ireland what they need to put in place but if the courts are saying its a breach of human rights to criminalise women for seeking abortion then we need to act. Westminster has always retained the ability to instruct departments on things like this where it is a human rights issue. Brilliant stats produced by Amnesty today showing that a clear majority here think that abortion should be decriminalised and that in the absence of Stormont, Westminster should legislate. It's time for choice! #FreeSafeLegal pic.twitter.com/DqiSBixQWx Cllr Fiona Ferguson (@fiona_ferg) October 10, 2018 Ms Johnson also highlighted how the 1967 Act, which allowed women in England, Scotland and Wales to have an unwanted pregnancy terminated legally, was designed at a time where abortion was a surgical procedure. Now, 80% of abortions are performed in the first 10 to 12 weeks using tablets, she said, and access to tablets is particularly important for women trapped in abusive relationships or living in isolated areas. She said: We need better regulations relevant to the internet age, not a 50-year-old Act designed for when abortion required surgery. Clearly there are some desperate women going on the internet we need to help. We need laws that are fit for purpose and having a vote on this will allow the Government to see what the strength of feeling is in the Commons and hopefully strengthen their resolve to act. Former Liberal leader Lord Steel, who was the architect of the 1967 act, told the Press Association he was happy to be on the record as supportive of Ms Johnsons Bill because it is much-needed. A homelessness charity wants ministers to bring forward legislation to place a seven-day limit on the use of unsuitable temporary homeless accommodation, such as B&Bs. Crisis surveyed homeless people living in B&Bs, hotels or unsupported hostels in six council areas in Scotland and found many felt isolated and depressed and were subject to curfews and bans on visits. The interviews with 74 people in Aberdeenshire, Edinburgh, East Lothian, Glasgow, Highland and Midlothian found 60% were subject to a curfew and three-quarters were not allowed visits from family or friends. More than four in five (84%) said they felt isolated and almost nine in 10 (88%) felt depressed due to their living situation. Just under half (45%) of those interviewed said they had no access to a kitchen, causing more than half to regularly skip meals and four in 10 said this happened daily or most days. Slightly more than third (34%) of people had no access to a fridge. One of those interviewed, Katie, has been stuck in a B&B for more than a year. She said: Its really depressing and youre just stuck there and you dont even have any cooking facilities all youve got is a kettle and thats it. So, when youre on a budget, how can you eat properly? You cant. Crisis wants the Scottish Government to commit to changing the law this parliamentary year to bring in a seven-day limit for the use of unsuitable temporary accommodation for homeless people. A week-long restriction is currently in place for families and pregnant women but there is no limit for other homeless people who can be stuck in such accommodation for lengthy periods. Ministers have accepted in principle the recommendation of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group that the seven-day limit should apply to all homeless people but there has been no indication of when this might happen. Official statistics show a 9% increase in homeless B&B use in Scotland from 2016/17 to 2017/18 with 1,215 people accommodated there at any one time, up from 1,113. In 2017/18 4,730 households entered B&B accommodation but only 2,510 left. Homeless households in temporary accommodation in Scotland (Crisis/PA) Crisis chief executive Jon Sparkes said: Access to housing is a human right, yet this report shows that homeless people are being let down across Scotland, trapped in inhumane conditions for far too long. Lengthy stays in B&Bs, unsupported hostels or hotels are destructive, demoralising and stop people moving on with their lives. We know councils are working on rapid re-housing plans that will enable homeless people to be housed faster, but there must be a legal backstop which will restrict the use of unsuitable temporary housing to just seven days for everyone. Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: While temporary accommodation provides an important safety net in emergency situations, we want the time anyone has to spend there to be as short as possible. We are investing 6.5 million to support a Housing First approach, which focuses on getting a a person into settled accommodation first so they can then access support from the security of their own home. A Northern Ireland veteran charged with attempted murder has reportedly turned down medical treatment so that he can appear in court. Dennis Hutchings, a 77-year-old former member of the Life Guards regiment, is accused in relation to the fatal shooting of a man with learning difficulties in 1974. The Daily Express reported that he is refusing treatment for kidney disease for fear it would get his case dismissed on medical grounds. Dennis Hutchings in September 2017 when a bid to halt the prosecution of the former British solider was rejected (Gareth Fuller/PA) Mr Hutchings told the newspaper: I will fight them to the death. This is not about me any more. Its about all the others behind me. As long as I can keep fighting it, it will hopefully end up with somebody making a commonsense decision and drawing a line under it all. He added: I want to prove my innocence and show the nonsense behind these legacy cases. Somebody has got to stand up and fight this lot. Mr Hutchings, from Cawsand in Cornwall, is due to stand trial in Belfast charged with attempted murder and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. He denies the charges. John Pat Cunningham, 27, was shot in the back in Co Armagh as he ran away from an Army patrol. His family argued that he ran across a field because he feared men in uniform. Mr Hutchings told the Express: I have thought about going to one of those clinics in Switzerland. I have chronic kidney disease and an aneurysm which is growing. If that bursts I am dead anyway. Last week I was diagnosed with the early stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and I have problems with a valve in my heart which they cannot fix. At the opening of a critical week for the Prime Minister and her Brexit plans the issue leads a number of papers. An attempted break-in at the Beckhams also makes headlines, along with a surge in cases of life-threatening knife attacks. Theresa May has told The Sun she will make the right choices, not the easy ones as she pursues a Brexit deal my way. Theresa May vows shell risk her job to ensure Brexit happens in a powerful exclusive article for @TheSun tomorrow. Plus, Paddy and Freddie shock pick to replace Matt LeBlanc on Top Gear. And the inside story about why the Beckhams marriage is in crisis. https://t.co/xrT4MNOHtB pic.twitter.com/0zkobqcRcS Dan Wootton (@danwootton) October 21, 2018 The Prime Minister held a conference call with senior Cabinet ministers on Sunday night, with some expressing serious concerns over any extension to the transition, the Daily Telegraph reports. The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph 'May's call to Cabinet as Brexit rebels plot' #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/AE2P4yXKy4 The Telegraph (@Telegraph) October 21, 2018 The Times says Mrs May is facing rebellion from more than 40 Tory MPs if she does not bow to Brexiteers demands in the next two days. Tomorrow's Times front page: Back down on Brexit or face revolt, May warned pic.twitter.com/LpLiY7OzgK The Times (@thetimes) October 21, 2018 Meanwhile The Metro reports that some Tory MPs have been criticised over vitriolic anonymous briefing to Sunday papers about the PMs plans. What the papers say - October 22 The Daily Mirror leads with an attempted break-in at one of David and Victoria Beckhams homes. There has been a 34% rise in the number of life-threatening stab injuries being treated by trauma doctors in two years, The Guardian reports. Mondays GUARDIAN: doctors treat huge rise in cases of life-threatening stab injuries #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/eVJmQ6Tu3B Helen Miller (@MsHelicat) October 21, 2018 In other news, The Independent says tower blocks across the UK that were built using a particular method in the 1960s and 1970s could be at risk of collapse due to a systemic defect. Mondays INDEPENDENT digital: Hundreds of highrises at risk of collapse across UK pic.twitter.com/jqBWt6gKF5 Helen Miller (@MsHelicat) October 21, 2018 The Daily Mail leads with fresh revelations about the treatment of victims in the tainted blood scandal, reporting that those with HIV had to sign away legal rights before being told hey had contracted a second deadly condition, hepatitis C. The Daily Express says a Northern Ireland veteran charged with attempted murder has turned down medical treatment so that he can appear in court. And Russia has warned Donald Trump that pulling the US out of nuclear pact will risk a military escalation that will harm global security, the Financial Times reports. The King and Queen of the Netherlands have begun a state visit to the UK aimed at strengthening the bonds between the two nations. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were welcomed to Britain by the Queen during a ceremony full of pomp and pageantry but set against the political backdrop of Brexit. The visiting head of state kissed the Queen warmly on both cheeks and clasped her hands with his, a gesture that was repeated by his wife. On Horse Guards Parade, the king making his first official trip to the UK was also greeted by Britains political leaders including Prime Minister Theresa May, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and the Home Secretary Sajid Javid. The Band of the RAF outside Buckingham Palace (Victoria Jones/PA) The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall had escorted Willem-Alexander and Maxima from the Dutch embassy to Whitehall. Waiting on Henry VIIIs former jousting yard was the guard of honour formed by the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards, in their scarlet tunics and bearskins. Nearby was the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in their shining breast plates and plumed helmets and the Band of the Household Cavalry. The trip follows a pattern that has been dubbed Brexit diplomacy where either members of the British royal family visit EU countries or their heads of state travel to the UK, in an apparent bid to strengthen national friendships as the UK leaves the EU. The Honour Guard line up at Horse Guards Parade (Victoria Jones/PA) King Willem-Alexander has spoken of his, and the Dutch governments, regret about Britain withdrawing from the EU. In a press briefing with journalists earlier this month, the foreign head of state said he would have liked the British people to have voted to remain in EU but they respected their choice. The faint sound of royal gun salutes could be heard during the ceremonial greeting 41 volleys fired by the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery in Green Park to mark the official welcome, and a further 41 fired by the Honourable Artillery Company from their position near the Tower of London. Charles accompanied the king when he inspected the guard of honour, walking a few metres behind the visiting head of state as he strode past the ranks of guardsmen and officers. Major Gerald Johnston, captain of the guard of honour, presented his men to the king in fluent Dutch, after taking lessons in the language for the event. Willem-Alexander walked briskly past the men, who are fighting soldiers when not performing ceremonial duties. The royal party left Horse Guards Parade in a carriage procession with the Queen and the king travelling in the Diamond Jubilee state coach. The visiting head of state had offered the Queen his arm in assistance before she climbed the carriages steps but she declined. Charles and Camilla followed in the Australian state coach with Maxima. In the Picture Gallery at Buckingham Palace, The Queen shows King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima an exhibition that showcases Dutch related items in the Royal Collection. #NetherlandsStateVisit pic.twitter.com/2dc3xargdq The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 23, 2018 Later, the traditional exchange of gifts saw the Queen present her guests with a bound album celebrating ties between the Netherlands and the UK, and the royal houses of each country. It featured facsimiles of documents and portraits from the royal archives of 12 members of the House of Orange, past and present, who have been Knights or Ladies of the Order of the Garter from Maurice, Count of Nassau to Queen Beatrix, who abdicated in favour of her son King Willem-Alexander in 2013. In return, Hollands King and his wife gave their host a bronze statue of a horse by the artist Marja Smits. After a private lunch, the Queen joined her guests as they viewed items from the Royal Collection that celebrated links between the Dutch and British royal families. Among the items on display was a picture of the Queen and her former counterpart Queen Beatrix, and an image from the Duchess of Cambridges 2016 visit to the Netherlands when she was pictured with Vermeers painting Girl with A Pearl Earring. Its a measure of our attitude to neighbours that the outcome of the third, and possibly most consequential general elections in Bhutan that took place last Thursday, hardly figured in the Indian media the day the results came out, last Friday. Bhutan Election hardly figured in the Indian media. (Photo: AP) The decisive victory of a party, Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT), which was set up only in 2013, is a signal that the voter is looking for change, both within the country, as well as in its relationship with the outside world. Indo-Bhutan relation The DNT, headed by surgeon Lotay Tshering, won 30 out of the 47 seats to the National Assembly, while its rival Druk Phuenseum Tshogpa got the other 17 in a run-off, which is limited by the Bhutanese law to just two parties that got the maximum number of votes in the first primary round of the election that was held September 2018 and that saw the shock exit of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party. That round saw the DNT and DPT neck and neck, but in the final round, the DNT has surged ahead. The DPT had won the first election in 2008 and sat in the Opposition in the 2008-2013 period. It is a measure of Bhutans size that the total electorate is 4,38,663 only, of which 3,13, 473 cast their votes. Dr Lotay Tshering (Right), the Prime Minister-designate, is an MBBS from Dhaka University. (Photo: Facebook of Dr Lotay Tshering) The DNTs slogan Narrow the Gap focused on the need to reduce inequalities, promote affordable healthcare and restructure the economy. It clearly struck a chord with the electorate. Dr Lotay Tshering, the leader of the party and the Prime Minister-designate, is a noted urologist who worked at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital till 2013. Selected by the party to contest the elections, he paid the equivalent of Rs 60 lakh indemnity to leave the Royal Civil Service. It was only in May 2018 that he was elected as the head of the DNT. Tshering is an MBBS from Dhaka University, Bangladesh and has another degree from Australia. Reports suggest that India was not a factor in the elections this time, though there should be no doubts that the elections can and will have consequences for Indo-Bhutan relations. In 2013, Bhutan was hit by high fuel prices when India withdrew subsidies for kerosene and gas on the eve of the elections. The move was seen as a signal of New Delhis annoyance with the Bhutan PDP. The party lost the election that year, even though India claimed that the subsidy withdrawal was a technical lapse. The DPT, which was seen in the past to be leaning towards China, made it clear in its election manifesto that it sought to maintain and further excellent relations with the people and government of India. The voters were looking for change, both within the country, as well as in its relationship with the outside world. (Photo: Facebook of Dr Lotay Tshering) Doklam problem It proposed to enhance electricity production through three new hydropower projects, which would boost Bhutans primary exports electricity to India. The DNT had no section on external affairs in its manifesto. However, it pointedly sought to focus on internal affairs such as balancing the economy, which, in its view, was too dependent on hydropower exports. The Bangladesh, Bhutan India (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement did not figure in the elections. It may be recalled that in 2017, the Bhutan PDP government had failed to pass an enabling legislation in the National Council, Bhutan Parliaments upper chamber. There was clearly popular sentiment against the agreement which would have smoothed the motor vehicle movement between the three countries. The defeat of the incumbent government headed by Tshering Tobgay could not have been comfortable for New Delhi. This is especially because along with the Bhutanese government, New Delhi had managed the crisis over Doklam successfully last year. The DNTs attitude towards India is not clear, and neither is its position on Bhutans border problems with China that gave rise to the Doklam problem. But it is seen as a party that seeks to focus on economic change. Chinese connect Bhutans politicians have observed self-restraint in not openly discussing relations with India or its other giant neighbour China. Doklam, which was ostensibly about Bhutanese territory claimed by China, did not figure in the elections. But Bhutan is in the social media age, and there has been a lesser degree of restraint. Foreign policy issues have been raised, even though Bhutan election officials have levied fines on candidates, some for making charges relating to ties with India. Bhutan presents a unique challenge for India. On the surface, relations between the two countries are excellent and Bhutans geography ensures that India holds it tightly. Nevertheless, things are not exactly what they appear, and so, the upset defeat of the PDP, which was seen as being close to India, must be carefully analysed. The DNT is a new factor and New Delhi must resist the temptation to look at relations with Bhutan through only the lenses of security. (Courtesy of Mail Today) Also Read: Why Bhutan's 2018 general election results could concern India The Central Bureau of Investigation, CBI, is the premier investigative agency in the country, with a dual responsibility to investigate grievous cases and provide leadership and direction in fighting corruption to the Police force across the country. It is indeed an honour to be heading such an agency which houses the country's best investigative minds to fulfil this mission: These were the words of CBI director Alok Kumar Verma, when he assumed the charge as the chief of the agency in 2017. But for the last few months, CBI is in news for all the wrong reasons and the credit goes to Verma and his second-in-command, Rakesh Asthana. The infighting between the top two powerful officers of the organisation has crossed all the limits and the dirt is now out in public. In a bizarre and historic turn of events, the CBI conducted raids inside their own headquarters. Raids were carried out in the office of Devinder Kumar, deputy superintendent of Police. Eight mobile phones, a laptop and a few documents have been seized. Devinder was arrested by the agency on charges of fabricating the statement of Satish Sana, a key witness in Moin Qureshi case. Devinder Kumar, IO of the case, created statement of Satish Sana under CrPC 161. During investigation CBI found that Devinder was not present in Delhi on 26.09.2018 as claimed in the statement. He joined the investigation on 1.10.2018 and recorded statement on 3.10.2018. It was found during investigation that Devinder fabricated the statement as an afterthought to corroborate allegations made by Special Director, Rakesh Asthana against Director, Alok Verma before CVC, said the CBI. This Devinder case is not a separate one. It's part of the ongoing battle between Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana a clear case of CBI vs CBI. It all started a few months ago when Verma sent a complaint to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), bringing corruption charges against Rakesh Asthana. Before joining the CBI, Asthana had served at some crucial positions in Gujarat and has been tagged by the Congress as PM Narendra Modis blue-eyed boy. What went wrong between Alok Verma (Left) and Rakesh Asthana (right)? (Photo: India Today) The issue of Vermas complaint against Asthana was initially confined within the CBI headquarters. But later, it was leaked in public. Asthana, on the other hand, complained to the CVC against his chief, demanding a fair investigation by an SIT in the eight cases of alleged corruption by Alok Verma. Things started getting uglier and everyone from officers to politicians to media started talking about the number 1 and number 2 of the CBI. In the officers circle, the buzz is that Asthana is one of the frontrunners to replace Verma, who will be retiring in January, 2019, this murky episode is allegedly aimed to sabotage his chances. This infighting took its ugliest turn when Asthana was booked by his own agency on bribery charges. In this FIR, the CBI alleged that Asthana took bribe of Rs 3 crore to give a clean chit to Satish Sana. Here comes the twist. On October 19, Asthana sent a letter to the CVC, marked as top secret. In this letter (DailyO has a copy of it), he claimed that his chief Alok Verma has taken a bribe of Rs 2 crore to settle the Satish Sana case. The letter also mentioned that during the interrogations in January, Satish Sana recorded a statement in which he allegedly said that to settle the case, he met an MP of the Telugu Desam Party (CM Ramesh) who, in turn, met the director of CBI for settlement of case. But to save himself, Verma has accused Asthana, the latter said. On receipt of information that Satish paid illegal gratification to Alok Verma, CBI director, the same was brought to the notice of Cabinet Secretary on 24.08.2018 by Rakesh Asthana, reads the letter. It is clear that the active efforts are underway to falsely implicate me (Rakesh Asthana). In the light of above, the commission may kindly expeditiously transfer the investigation and supervision of 8 case to the SIT as requested by undersigned (Rakesh Asthana) in the earlier letters in the interest of justice and in the spirit of principles of nature of justice, reads the letter. CBI is choosing its side carefully. (Photo: PTI) The CBI has a different story. In a statement to DailyO, it said that the allegations by Asthana against director Verma are false and malicious. On September 20, the arrest proposal for custodial interrogation of Satish Sana was moved for approval of the director, CBI by Rakesh Asthana. But after four days, the file was moved to director of prosecution. CBI said, Contention that Director, CBI made an attempt to stop arrest of Sana is false and malicious. The allegation has been made to deflect the charge of receipt of bribe money by CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana. The case against the public servants relates to transactions beginning in December, 2017, in a case registered in Feb 2017, whereas the arrest proposal was moved only on 12.9.2018. Asthana, in his letter, also claimed that on September 25, Satish Sana tried to flee to Dubai from Hyderabad airport. He was prevented by the immigration because of the Look-out Circular issued against him on the instructions of Rakesh Asthana, which Verma was allegedly not even aware of. The CBI, however, said that the allegations that the director CBI was not aware of this is incorrect. He had seen and ratified the proposal to issue the circular. The allegations and the counter-allegations have tarnished the image of the CBI. Using the opportunity, Congress president Rahul Gandhi in a tweet targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said, the PMs blue-eyed boy, Gujarat cadre officer, of Godhra SIT fame, infiltrated as No 2 into the CBI, has now been caught taking bribes. Under this PM, the CBI is a weapon of political vendetta. An institution in terminal decline thats at war with itself. The agency which has faith of over 125 crore people; which has responsibilities to probe white-collar crime and corruption has itself tarnished its image. And there is no sign of it getting better. With each passing day, its just getting murkier. Also Read: Why we need a law to free CBI from government's grip The BJP, whose poll machinery keenly combs the ground for trigger issues, failed to nurture its most favourable constituency Uncontested as the local body elections in Kashmir were by the Peoples Democratic Party and National Conference, the BJP was expected to romp home in an unprecedented manner which it did on an embarrassingly low voter turnout ranging from five to nine per cent of those eligible to vote. In the bargain, it scored what is likely to turn out be a pyrrhic victory in 20 civic bodies including in the militancy-hit districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian of the Valley. But the real story of these polls lies in the fact that the disappointed Kargil and Ladakh voter hit back savagely at the BJP which failed to open its account in the region, considered simpatico to the saffron outfit. Of the total 26 wards in this region, the Congress bagged all the 13 seats in the Leh municipal committee and won five wards in neighbouring Kargil. That this result came about despite the dangling of promises and having the local MP Thupstan Chhewang in its ranks, the message is that the BJP cannot take Ladakh for granted anymore and has to think about acceding to the regions autonomy aspirations. Ladakhis have upped their demands for Union Territory status in recent months, something the BJP had promised while campaigning for the last General Election. The demand for UT status which many observers thought would subside after the approval to the draft Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (Amendment) Bill, 2018, which enables councils to collect and levy taxes and control various government departments in districts, shows no signs of doing so. At least partly because there has been no move to actualise it. Also, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not mention it when he laid the foundation stone for a tunnel at Zoji La which connects the Kashmir Valley to Ladakh and is expected to make the landlocked region more accessible during the five-month-long, snowy winter and is one of the necessary infrastructural moves to mainstream the region. The BJP perilously ignored warning bells of popular discontent when it was unexpectedly defeated by the Congress in byelections for the Shey-Thiksay seat in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), which runs the key district of Leh. The defeat was humiliating for more reasons than one. It happened despite the personal watch kept on the electoral battle by Chhewang and the Congress scored a win in a seat that had been held by the National Conference for long. Clearly, the BJP, whose poll machinery keenly combs the ground for trigger issues and has the number-game on its finger tips, has failed to nurture what could be its most favourable constituency, what with Buddhists and Hindus having a combined population of nearly 1,41,968 in Leh and Kargil districts; Muslims are 1,27,295. Ladakh is a bulwark region against Chinas expansionist intentions, a spill-over from the 1962 war. Besides, the strategic Siachen Glacier is located right next to it. Politically, then, the party ruling at the Centre cannot afford to loosen its grip on Ladakh. It is time for the BJP to demonstrate its actionable capabilities considering the Congress is inching ahead promising the real, not the unattainable. Leave aside the demand for UT status, the BJP has also not moved to fulfil pledges like including the Bhoti language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and opening up the Kailash Mansarovar route via Ladakh. Amid the increasing uncertainty over the future of the Grand Alliance of Opposition parties in Telangana over thorny issue of seat sharing, Telugu Desam president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu held a crucial meeting with the Telangana unit leaders of his party in Hyderabad on Monday. Addressing the meeting at the party headquarters in Hyderabad, Naidu said the alliance with the Congress was crucial, as it would have a far-reaching impact at the national level. While the TDP was demanding 30 odd Assembly seats the major partner Congress was willing to give it only 12 seats. According to the sources Naidu said that in the larger interest of alliance the TDP might settle for 18 seats. Naidu assured the state leaders that it would talk to the top leadership of Congress to sort out the issues. You focus on working hard to ensure the victory of the Grand Alliance, Naidu told the party leaders. Those not getting the tickets should not be disappointed. Once the alliance comes to power justice would be done to them. Telangana TDP leaders requested Naidu to campaign in Telangana and he responded positively, party sources said. They proposed at least four meetings by Naidu in the State. Telangana TDP senior leader R Chandrasekhar Reddy told the media after Naidus meeting with the party leaders that the seat sharing issue will not become an obstacle in the way of the alliance. Naidus address to the meeting has boosted the morale of the party, he said. The list of constituencies TDP was keen to get includes six in Hyderabad. Naidu also decided to field a prominent industrialist and Bhavya Cement Company owner Anand Prasad from Serilingampally. Naidus comments on importance of opposition unity came at a time when the Grand Alliance appears to be on the verge of collapse as other partners- Communist Party of India and the Telangana Jana Samiti were all unhappy with the big-brotherly attitude of the Congress. In fact TJS president Kodnadaram was under tremendous pressure from his own party leaders to quit the alliance and contest the election alone. A similar feeling was prevailing in the Communist Party of India that if Congress does not show it the due respect it would go its own way. A meeting of CPI leaders chaired by party general secretary S Sudhakar Reddy has warned that if Congress does not allocate at least ten seats to the party it will contest 25 seats on its own. While TJS was demanding 36 seats Congress was willing to give it only 8 or 9 seats. Similarly CPI was keen to fight on 12 seats and Congress has offered it paltry three seats. The differences has led to inordinate delay in finalizing the seat sharing agreement even as the Congress was in the final stages of choosing its own candidates. Congress was keen to contest at least 90 seats to have a fighting chance to secure majority on its own. The party, which has already shortlisted the candidates, was also facing a challenge of giving representations to all the major castes. While a lions share was likely to go to the powerful Reddy caste, the central leadership of party was also keen to get adequate share to the weaker sections. According to the formula under consideration of the leaders, backward class candidates will be nominated from at least two assembly segments in each Lok Sabha constituency. Thus 34 tickets will be given to the BCs. Of the 19 tickets for the scheduled castes 12 will be given to Mala and seven to Madigas. Similarly a total of 12 tickets will be given to the scheduled tribes and they will be divided equally among the Lambadas and Adivasis.. Hundreds of posters terming Priyanka Gandhi Vadra an "emotional blackmailer" were seen on Monday in Rae Bareli, the parliamentary constituency of her mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. The posters which literally cropped up all around the Uttar Pradesh town overnight, showed her as "missing", and said while many tragedies struck the constituency since her last visit, Vadra has not bothered to reach out to the people in the Congress borough where she is seen as her mother's heir. In a reference to her last minute visits to Rae Bareli during successive polls and trying to pitch in for her mother by striking the emotional chord of the relationship of the Gandhis with the area, the posters also called her an "emotional blackmailer". They said Vadra plays with the sentiments of the Rae Bareli people only to garner votes. Carrying pictures of Congress President Rahul Gandhi's sibling the posters also asked her when would she visit Rae Bareli next. These posters have been plastered on walls on major thoroughfares, markets, public places like Tripula square and Hardaspur. They questioned her absence after major train accidents, including at Harchandpur, and the NTPC blast in Unchahar. They posed queries whether she would be present in her mothers constituency on Eid since she has not turned up on Hindu festivals like Navratri, Durga Puja and Dusshehra. Congress leaders and workers called the posters yet another "dirty trick" by opponents who were petrified by the "comeback prospects of the Gandhis and the party to power in 2019 (after the Lok Sabha polls)". District Congress chief V.K. Shukla said the party will give a befitting reply to such slandering. For now they would ask the district administration to act against people involved in putting up the posters, Shukla said. Relatives of Sochi crash victims to seek $79 mln from insurers flickr.com/Sergey Podatelev 15:51 23/10/2018 MOSCOW, October 23 (RAPSI) Relatives of people killed in a TU-154 military plane crash near Sochi in December 2016 will demand in court about $79 million in compensation from insurance companies, according to their attorney Igor Trunov. An exact sum is yet to be updated, the lawyer told RAPSI on Tuesday. The claims are expected to be lodged with Moscows Meshchansky District Court on October 29. Defendants are SOGAZ insurer, Amlin reinsurance holding and the crashed planes owner, the Defense Ministrys 223rd Flight Unit. The plane, which was carrying out a planned flight to Syria with 8 crew members and 84 passengers on board including journalists, musicians from the famous Alexandrov military ensemble and Elizaveta Glinka, widely known as Doctor Liza, the Fair Aid charity executive director and the inaugural winner of Russia's state prize for achievements in human rights, crashed into the Black Sea on December 25, 2016. The aircraft refueled at Adlers airport and shortly after disappeared from radars. No one survived in the crash. According to investigators, 156 persons have become victims in the case. Results of 356 forensic medical, 1 phonoscopic, 3 explosive and 23 molecular genetic examinations have been received. There are about 100 witnesses in the case, the Investigative Committee said earlier. The admit card of CAT 2018 is scheduled to be released on October 24, 2018. Students can download their admit card by visiting the official website of CAT and entering their registered login credentials. The admit card is a very important document which must be carried by the candidate on the exam day. Latest Updates here-> Get CAT 2018 Admit Card latest news here CAT 2018 will be held on 25th November 2018 through CBT mode in two sessions. The exam paper will contain subjective and objective type of questions. There will be total of 100 questions of 3 marks each. No marks will be deducted for wrong responses in the subjective type of questions. Whereas for the MCQs, -1 mark will be deducted for incorrect responses. Candidates will be given 3 hours to complete the test. IIMs conduct CAT every year on rotation basis. CAT is a national level entrance test organised to provide admission into management programmes in various prestigious management colleges of the country. IIM Calcutta is going to conduct CAT 2018. Candidates can download the admit card of CAT 2018 from the website. To download the admit card, candidates can follow the given below procedure: Visit official website of CAT. Click the link CAT 2018 Admit card provided on the website. Enter your registered User id, Password and other details. Now after submitting the details, the admit card will be displayed on the screen. Verify all the details present in the admit card. In case of any discrepancy in the admit card, contact the officials. Now download the admit card and take its print out for further use in admission process. CAT 2018 Admit card is an important document which has to be shown to get entry into the examination hall. Candidates along with the admit card have to carry their valid photo id proof on the exam day. Without admit card and id proof, no candidate will be allowed to enter the examination hall. For the id proof, candidates can bring their PAN Card, Aadhar card, Passport, Voter Id card, Driving License or any other id proof issued by Govt. of India. Candidates must affix their passport size photograph on the admit card before showing it to invigilator. Satish Babu Sana is at heart of ongoing tussle, apart from CM Ramesh, Mohammed Ali Shabbir The vortex of internal war in the premier investigation agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, is threatening to suck in many prominent political figures of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. While a controversial businessman from Andhra Pradesh, Satish Babu Sana, is at the heart of the ongoing war between the two top officials of CBI Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana over an alleged bribery case within the agency, many more names from the two Telugu States have cropped up. They include CM Ramesh, Telugu Desam Party MP and a close associate of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, and Mohammed Ali Shabbir, senior Congress leader in Telangana. Another interesting name coming up in the context of raging controversy is that of former Joint Director of CBI VV Lakshminayrana, who recently took voluntary retirement from service to enter active politics. Different stories are doing the rounds about each of these key players whose profile make interesting reading: Satish Babu Sana: He has emerged as a pivotal figure in the entire sordid drama as it was based on his complaint that the CBI registered FIR against its number 2 officer Special Director Rakesh Asthana. Sana reportedly told the CBI he paid a bribe of Rs 2 crore to Alok Verma to be spared in a case under CBI investigation. Asthana complained to the Cabinet Secretariat that Sana had reached a settlement with the CBI Director Alok Verma to avoid his arrest through TDP member of Rajya Sabha and industrialist CM Ramesh. Sana has now become a complainant against Asthana and accused that at his behest Sanas statement was falsified by Deputy SP Devender Kumar to frame the CBI boss in meat exporter Moin Qureshi case. The Hyderabad-based industrialist, Sana, is quite an influential and well connected figure. From his humble start as an employee of Government electricity department at Kakinada a job he got on compassionate ground after the death of his father Sana went places and today he is a director of half a dozen companies and was closely associated with several top politicians and people from Telugu film industries. List of his friends in high places include late Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy, his son YS Jaganmohan Reddy, present Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, KVP Ramachandra Rao, MP, CM Ramesh, noted film producer D Suresh and prominent industrialist Nimmagadda Prasad and controversial meat exporter Moin Qureshi, who is now facing charges of tax evasion and illegal transfer of money. It was in a money laundering case related to Moin Qureshi that Sana was facing a CBI investigation. The CBI FIR booked against Asthana says that a Dubai-based middle man had paid Rs 3 crore as a bribe to a conduit named Somesh Prasad for settling the case in his favour. Controversies are not new for Satish Babu Sana. Earlier, he was under CBI scrutiny in one of the cases of disproportionate assets of YS Jaganmohan Reddy. It was alleged that the YSR Government had allocated 22,000 acre land to industrialist Nimmagadda Prasad in Guntur-Prakasham belt and in quid pro quo the industrialist made an investment of Rs 854 crores in Jagans companies. In its chargesheet in this case, the CBI had said that Sana had paid Rs 50 lakh to Moin Qureshi to settle the case and appoint the VV Lakshminarayna as the CBI Joint Director in Hyderabad. Later Lakshminarayana had led the investigations into cases against Jagan. But Sana denied the allegation and said that he had made a legal investment in Moin Qureshis meat export company. CM Ramesh: Industrialist-turned-politician CM Ramesh was recently in the news when the Income Tax department and Enforcement Directorate carried out raids against his companies and claimed financial irregularities in his record. Now his name has again cropped up in the context of infighting in the CBI. While Asthana alleged that he mediated on behalf of Sana, Ramesh has alleged that there was a high-level conspiracy hatched by BJP president Amit Shah to frame him. Ramesh, who is in Vienna along with his family, said in a statement that he was being targeted systematically by Amit Shah and the BJP Government ever since he contested and was elected to the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament. I won despite opposition of Amit Shah and I was warned of consequences, he said. Ramesh also said the BJP Government was going after him because he took up the case of steel plant in Kadapa and sat on a hunger strike to press the issue. The allegation that I mediated between the CBI Director and Sana is fabricated and baseless, he said, adding that the BJP is trying to suffocate the TDP leaders. Mohammed Ali Shabbir: Shabbir is presently the Leader of Opposition in Telangana Legislative Council and is likely to contest Assembly elections. His name was mentioned in the purported statement Sana gave to the CBI alleging that Shabbir had accompanied him to the CBI office in Delhi to lodge a complaint against Asthana and Deputy SP Devendar Kumar. Shabbir strongly denied allegation that he visited the CBI office with Sana. Interestingly Shabbirs name already figures in the Enforcement Directorate chargesheet in which it was claimed that Shabbir and Moin Qureshi had visited the CBI office to help Hyderabad-based jeweller Sakesh Gupta of MBS jewellers. Shabbir said he did not receive any notice from the CBI but confirmed that he knew both Sakesh Gupta and Sana. He served as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand for the maximum time and is one of the stalwart leaders of the BJP. Now he has turned as starcampaigner for the candidates in fray for Chhattisgarh elections. Munda went to Dantewada today and went to the Deputy Commissioner's office to during nomination of candidate Bhima Mandvi. The party's candidate along with Munda participated in padh yatra. Before start of the campaign he went to Maa Danteshwari temple. In his own style, he is talking to the voters in their local language. His reach has expanded. The idea behind the campaign is to woo the voters, which can play a significant role in party's victory. The partys star campaigners list includes 40 names, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah. In addition to the Union Ministers, veteran leaders in the list are Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states. List also includes Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Uma Bharti, Smriti Irani, Sushma Swaraj, Dharmendra Pradhan, Yogi Adityanath, Hema Malini. Apart from this, leaders like Bihar MP Hukumdev Narayan Yadav, Arjun Munda and Manoj Tiwari have also been given place in this list. There are 29 Scheduled Tribes seats for the 90-member assembly. Elections will be held in two phases in Chhattisgarh on November 12 and 20, while counting will take place on December 11. In 2013, the BJP got 49 seats, Congress 3, BSP 1 and others got one seat. Under the leadership of Raman Singh, BJP formed the government for the third consecutive term by defeating Congress in the last elections. Taking the cause-which saw the noted environmentalist Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand sacrificing his life-forward, a Matri Sadan ascetic Brahmchari Atmabodhanand has written a four-page letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that he would start his fast unto death from October 24. In the letter, he demanded immediate and complete ban on mining in Ganga riverbed in Kumbh Nagar Haridwar and scrapping of all hydro-power projects operating on Ganga and its tributaries. The copy of the letter has been sent to many others, including the Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for drinking water Uma Bharti, MP from Haridwar Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Addressing the media persons at Matri Sadan ashram in Jagjeetpur on Tuesday, Brahmchari Atmabodhanand said, We have categorically told the PM in the letter that Matri Sadan would continue the crusade undertaken by Swami Sanand. We would not allow his sacrifice to go in vain. The founder of Matri Sadan Swami Shivanand said that they were shocked to be informed that the Government had not acted on the fast of Sanand because it was ek admi ki jidd (stubbornness of one man) according to it. Nothing can be more unfortunate in a democracy than this nonchalance on the part of the Government, he said. Notably, Atmabodhanand had started a fast on October 30 last year with a seven-point charter of demands which included steps to make the stone crushers to comply with the norms laid down by the Central Pollution Control Board. The mission director of National Health Mission ( NHM), Yugal Kishore Pant has said that regular review of mother and infant mortality rates is extremely important and the chief medical officers (CMOs) should send regular reports of the review done by them so that reasons of death of mother and infants is known at the state level. It would also help in effective implementation of the schemes of NHM, he said. Pant gave these directions while reviewing progress of schemes of NHM and the status of budget and its use by the districts at state health directorate here on Tuesday. On the day, the NHM Mission director met the CMOs and district programme managers of the districts under Kumaon division. On Wednesday, he would meet the district officials of Garhwal division. Pant directed that all inactive delivery points should be made operational so that the reach of mother health services is extended to all parts. He said that pre-natal health checkups should be given importance for safe delivery as it would ensure that anaemia levels improve with the help of haemoglobin check-up. Emphasising on effective coordination between ANMs and Anaganwadi workers for implementation of National Nutrition Mission and Anaemia Free India programmes, he directed that weight and nutrition-related data should be shared. Pant said that the block and the district level officers should attend the meetings of village sanitation and nutrition committees for implementing schemes of NHM on the ground. He added that the suggestions given in these meetings should be compiled for inclusion in the annual work plan of NHM so that facilities at village level are provided on the basis of actual requirements. He also directed that the meetings of the village committees are held at regular intervals of time. The meeting was also attended by the director NHM Dr Anjali Nautiyal, additional project director (APD) Dr Abhishek Tripathi, additional director National Programmes Dr Saroj Naithani, joint director Dr Bagesh Kala, Dr V S Tolia and Dr Amit Shukla among others. Giving the clarion call of Ab ki baar Hindu sarkar, Antarrashtriya Vishwa Parishad (International Hindu Council) chairman Praveen Bhai Togadia declared that he would float a new party and contest the next Lok Sabha election but stopped short of naming the proposed outfit. Hitting out at the BJP but without naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi or others, Togadia, former Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international general secretary, alleged that the present regime had ditched the Hindus by backing away from constructing the Ram temple at Ayodhya. Addressing a mammoth Sankalp Sabha on the banks of Saryu river in Ayodhya on Tuesday, Togadia said that it was unfortunate that Lord Rama failed to get justice in the last four-and-a-half years. Those people who promised to construct Ram temple at Ayodhya and came to power, forgot the promise they made to the people. Instead, they constructed a lavish party office by spending Rs 500 crore while Lord Rama still has to do with a tent in Ayodhya, he lamented. Togadia announced his entry into active politics and to contest the Lok Sabha elections and said that the name of his party would soon be announced in New Delhi. If we come to power, our main focus will be on Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura. We will also bring a law to control population of minorities and end minority status of Muslims, Togadia said underlining his partys priorities and appealing to all Hindu organisations to join his party. Raising the slogan of Abki Bar Hindu Sarkar, the International Hindu Council chairman said that if his party came to power in 2019, then construction work in Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura would commence in three months. He said that his outfit would continue raising the issue of Ram Mandir nahi to vote nahi. He also gave the slogan of Ek booth, 25 youth. We have to give a new alternative before the majority Hindu voters as the present government has failed to honour its promise, he said. Prior to the rally, the police had a hard time controlling supporters of Togadia as they suddenly changed their route and decided to go for a darshan of Ram Lalla at the dispute site. The exuberant supporters scuffled with the police as the latter used mild force to disperse them. The situation was, however, brought under control after Togadia intervened and decided not to go for Ramkot Parikarma for darshan of Ram Lalla. Security personnel also took several stringent measures to prevent any untoward incident near the disputed site and, for some time, they only allowed the locals to enter Ayodhya. The Supreme Court Tuesday said that it would hear on November 13 the petitions challenging its Sabarimala verdict allowing women of all age groups entry into the temple. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul told lawyer Mathews J Nedumpara that it has already passed an order with regard to listing of petitions on November 13. Earlier the court had noted that there were 19 review petitions pending in the matter, filed by National Ayyappa Devotees Association and others seeking a review of its verdict. A five-judge constitution bench by a ratio of 4:1 had held that women of all age groups should be allowed entry into Kerala's Sabarimala Temple. China warned on Tuesday it would never accept any form of blackmail after US President Donald Trump said his decision to withdraw from a nuclear pact with Russia was also linked to Beijings arsenal. China is not a signatory to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), which the United States signed with the then-Soviet Union in the 1980s, but Trump said Monday that Beijing should be included in the accord. The landmark treaty was signed by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev and led to nearly 2,700 short- and medium-range missiles being eliminated. Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe makes a rare trip to China this week hoping improved relations will lead to new economic partnerships, as the two countries come under US pressure on trade. The visit is the first by a Japanese Premier since 2011 and is part of a years-long process of repairing ties in the wake of a disastrous falling-out in 2012, when Tokyo nationalised disputed islands claimed by Beijing. The incident prompted anti-Japanese riots in China, and kicked off a frosty spell that has only gradually and recently begun to thaw. Ex-Fundservicebank top managers to remain under house arrest until end of year RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 16:43 23/10/2018 MOSCOW, October 23 (RAPSI) The Moscow City Court has upheld extension of house arrest for ex-president of Fundservicebank Alexander Volovnik and his former deputy Pyotr Ladonshchikov charged with embezzlement and gang organizing, the courts press service has told RAPSI. The former bank executives will stay under house arrest until December 25. According to investigation, Volovnik and Ladonshchikov are involved in embezzlement of more than 6 billion rubles ($92 million) deposited by Russias space agency Roscosmos in the bank. Investigators believe that they have granted firms non-performing loans, and the funds have been moved overseas. The defendants have pleaded not guilty. The Moscow Commercial Court declared Volovnik bankrupt in December 2017. 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. MAXIMUS, Inc. engages in the operation of government and human services programs. It operates through the following segments: U.S. Services; U.S. Federal Services; and Outside the U.S. The U.S. Services segment offers a variety of business process services, and appeals and assessments for state, provincial and national government programs. The U.S. Federal Services segment includes process solutions, program management, as well as system and software development, and maintenance services for various United States federal civilian programs. The Outside the U.S segment comprises of national, state, and county human services agencies with a variety of business process services, and related consulting services for welfare-to-work, child support, higher education institutions, and other human services programs. The company was founded by David V. Mastran in 1975 and is headquartered in Reston, VA. Read More iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF's stock was trading at $37.46 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, EEM stock has increased by 35.7% and is now trading at $50.84. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. European prosecutors complied with 78 Russias requests in 2018 official RAPSI 17:46 23/10/2018 MOSCOW, October 23 (RAPSI) - EU countries complied with 78 requests by Russian prosecutors during this year, the spokesperson of Russias Prosecutor Generals Office Alexander Kurennoy told journalists on Tuesday. As of 2017, over 350 requests were granted including 49 by Cyprus, 33 by France and 14 by Austria and Poland each. Through this year, Cyprus fulfilled 13 letters of inquiry, France 6, Austria 3 and Poland - 4. The leader of honoring the requests is Germany. German prosecution authorities complied with 55 requests in 2017, and with 52 this year. For the first time in recent years, British authorities extradited a person charged with commission of a serious crime to Russia. Moreover, U.S. and Canada fulfilled 46 requests filed by Russian prosecutors, the official said. According to Kurennoy, anti-Russian sanctions policy has not influenced on legal cooperation between Russian and foreign prosecutors. 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 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 Hecla Mining Co. operates as a silver and gold production company. The firm produces lead, zinc and bulk concentrates for custom smelters and brokers; and develops unrefined precipitate and bullion bars for precious metals traders. It operates through the following business segments: The Greens Creek, The Lucky Friday, The Casa Berardi, The Nevada Operations, and The San Sebastian. The Greens Creek segment is located on Admiralty Island near Juneau in southeast Alaska. The Lucky Friday segment is located in northern Idaho. The Casa Berardi segment is located in the Abitibi region of northwestern Quebec, Canada and is operated by Aurizon. The San Sebastian segment is located in the state of Durango, Mexico and contains underground mines. The Nevada Operations segment is located in northern Nevada. The company was founded by Amasa B. Campbell, Patsy Clark, and John Finch on October 14, 1891 and is headquartered in Coeur d'Alene, ID. Read More iShares MSCI Canada ETF's stock was trading at $23.42 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, EWC shares have increased by 67.9% and is now trading at $39.33. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. In order to maintain this blog I have to pay for its upkeep including a hosting company, support services, virus and other malicious hackers. If you appreciate what I write please make a donation. Intro Greetings! I am a political scientist , specializing in International Relations , my research and teaching focus on ethnic conflict and civil-military relations . I watch way too much TV, and I like movies as well so I tend to write about both and find IR stuff in pop culture. I rant alot about American politics and sometimes about Canadian politics. I like to take ideas I once learned a long time ago and apply them to whatever strikes my fancy. The following companies are subsidiares of Abbott Laboratories: 3A Nutrition (Vietnam) Company Limited, ABON Biopharm (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., AGA Medical Belgium, AGA Medical Corporation, AGA Medical Holdings Inc., ALR Holdings, AML Medical LLC, APK Advanced Medical Technologies LLC, ATS Bermuda Holdings Limited, ATS Laboratories Inc., Abbott, Abbott (Jiaxing) Nutrition Co. 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Ltd, Abbott Vascular Limitada, Abbott Vascular Netherlands B.V., Abbott Vascular Solutions Inc., Abbott Ventures Inc., Abbott West Indies Limited, Abbott drustvo sa ogranicenom odgovornoscu za trgovinu i usluge, Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc., Alere, Alere (Shanghai) Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Healthcare Management Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Medical Sales Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Technology Co. Ltd., Alere A/S, Alere AB, Alere AS, Alere AS Holdings Limited, Alere BBI Holdings Limited, Alere Bangladesh Limited, Alere China Co. Ltd., Alere Colombia S.A., Alere Connect LLC, Alere Connected Health Limited, Alere Connected Health Ltd., Alere Diagnostics GmbH, Alere DoA Holding GmbH, Alere GmbH, Alere GmbH (Austria), Alere GmbH (Germany), Alere HK Holdings Ltd., Alere Health B.V., Alere Health BVBA, Alere Health Corp., Alere Health Sdn Bhd, Alere Health Services B.V., Alere Healthcare (Pty) Limited, Alere Healthcare Connections Limited, Alere Healthcare Inc., Alere Healthcare Nigeria Limited, Alere Healthcare S.L., Alere Holdco Inc., Alere Holding GmbH, Alere Holdings Bermuda Limited, Alere Holdings Pty Limited, Alere Home Monitoring Inc., Alere Inc., Alere Informatics Inc., Alere International Holding Corp., Alere International Limited, Alere Lda, Alere Limited, Alere Limited (New Zealand), Alere Medical BVBA, Alere Medical Co. Ltd., Alere Medical Pakistan (Private) Limited, Alere Medical Private Limited, Alere North America LLC, Alere Oy Ab, Alere Philippines Inc., Alere Phoenix ACQ Inc., Alere Pte Ltd, Alere S.A., Alere S.r.l., Alere S/A, Alere SAS, Alere San Diego Inc., Alere Scarborough Inc., Alere Spain S.L., Alere Switzerland GmbH, Alere Technologies GmbH, Alere Technologies Holdings Limited, Alere Technologies Limited, Alere Toxicology AB, Alere Toxicology Inc., Alere Toxicology S.r.l., Alere Toxicology Services Inc., Alere Toxicology plc, Alere UK Holdings Limited, Alere UK Subco Limited, Alere ULC, Alere US Holdings LLC, Alere s.r.o., Alisoc Investment & Co, Amedica Biotech Inc., Ameditech Inc., American Generics S.A.S., American Medical Supplies Inc., American Pharmacist Inc., Antares S.A., Apica Cardiovascular Limited, Aquagestion Capacitacion S.A., Aquagestion S.A., Arriva Medical LLC, Arriva Medical Philippines Inc., Arvis Investments Limited, Atlas Farmaceutica S.A., Avee Laboratories Inc., Axis-Shield AD III AS, Axis-Shield AD IV AS, Axis-Shield AS, Axis-Shield Diagnostics Limited, Axis-Shield Ltd., BBI Animal Health Limited, BBI Diagnostics Group 2 Public Limited Company, Banco de Vida S.A., Bioabsorbable Vascular Solutions Inc., Bioalgae S.A., Biohealth LLC, Biosite Incorporated, Bosque Bonito S.A., Branan Medical Corporation, Brandex Europe C.V., British Colloids Limited, CFR Chile S.A., CFR Interamericas EL Salvador Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, CFR Interamericas Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CFR Interamericas Panama S.A., CFR Pharmaceuticals, California Property Holdings III LLC, CardioMEMS LLC, Caripharm Inc., Cephea Valve Technologies, Cephea Valve Technologies Inc., Colibri Medical Aktiebolag, Comercializadora y Distribuidora CFR Interamericas Honduras S.A., Concateno South Limited, Concateno UK Limited, Consorcio Tecnologico en Biomedicina Clinico-Molecular S.A., Continuum Services LLC, Cozart Limited, Dextech S.A., Diagnostik Nord GmbH, Distribuciones Uquifa S.A.S., Domesco Medical Import-Export Joint-Stock Corporation, Duphar International Research B.V., Endocardial Solutions, Epocal (US) Inc, Esprit de Vie S.A., European Chemicals & Co, European Drug Testing Service EDTS AB, European Services S.A., Evalve Inc., Evalve International Inc., FARMINDUSTRIA S.A., Fada Pharma Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Fadapharma del Ecuador S.A., Farmaceutica Mont Blanc S.L., Farmacologia Em Aquicultura Veterinaria Ltda., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV Ecuador S.A., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV S.A., Fernwood Investment S.A., First Check Diagnostics LLC, Focus Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Forensics Limited, Forestcreek Overseas S.A., Fournier Pharma Corp., Fournier Pharma GmbH, Fournier Pharmaceuticals Limited, Framed B.V., Gabmed GmbH, Garden Hills LLC, Global Analytical Development LLC, Globapharm & CO LP, Glomed Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Golnorth Investments S.A., Gynocare Limited, Gynopharm Sociedad Anonima, Gynopharm de Centroamerica S.A., Gynopharm de Venezuela C.A., Hi-Tronics Designs Inc., IDEV Technologies Inc., IG Innovations Limited, IMTC Finance B.V., IMTC Holdings B.V., IMTC Technologies Inc., Ibis Biosciences LLC, Igloo Zone Chile S.A., Igloo Zone S.L., Inmobiliaria Naknek S.A.C., Innovacon Inc., Instant Tech Subsidiary Acquisition Inc., Instant Technologies Inc., Instituto de Criopreservacion de Chile S.A., Integrated Vascular Systems Inc., Inverness Canadian Acquisition Corporation, Inverness Medical (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Australia Pty Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Hong Kong Limited, Inverness Medical Innovations SK LLC, Inverness Medical Investments LLC, Inverness Medical LLC, Inverness Medical Shimla Private Limited, Inversiones K2 SpA, Inversiones Komodo S.R.L., Ionian Technologies LLC, Irvine Biomedical Inc., Kalila Medical, Kangshenyunga S.A., Knoll UK Investments Unlimited, LLC VeroInPharm, Laboratoires Fournier S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano Lafrancol S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano del Ecuador S.A., Laboratorio Internacional Argentino S.A., Laboratorio Synthesis S.A.S., Laboratorios Lafi Limitada, Laboratorios Naturmedik S.A.S., Laboratorios Pauly Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Laboratorios Recalcine S.A., Laboratorios Transpharm S.A., Laboratory Specialists of America Inc., Lafrancol Dominicana S.A.S., Lafrancol Guatemala S.A. Sociedad Anonima, Lafrancol Internacional S.A.S, Lafrancol Peru S.R.L, Lake Forest Investments LLC, Lightlab Imaging Inc., Limited Liability Company Abbott Laboratories, Limited Liability Company Abbott Ukraine, Limited Liability Company VEROPHARM, Lung Fung Hong (China) Limited, Mansbridge Pharmaceuticals Limited, MediGuide LLC, MediGuide Ltd., Medscreen Holdings Limited, Metropolitana Farmaceutica S.A., Midwest Properties LLC, Murex Argentina S.A., Murex Biotech Limited, Murex Biotech South Africa, Murex Diagnostics Inc., Murex Diagnostics International Inc., Natural Supplement Association LLC, Negocios Denia Sociedad Anonima, Neosalud S.A.C., Nether Pharma N.P. C.V., NeuroTherm LLC, Normann Pharma-Handels GmbH, North Shore Properties Inc., Novamedi S.A., Novasalud.com S.A., Nutravida S.A., OJSC Voronezhkhimpharm, Omnilab Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OptiMedica, Orgenics France SAS, Orgenics International Holdings B.V., Orgenics Ltd., PBM-Selfcare LLC, PDD II LLC, PDD LLC, PT Alere Health, PT. Abbott Indonesia, PT. Abbott Products Indonesia, Pacesetter Inc., Pantech (RF) (PTY) LTD, Pembrooke Occupational Health Inc., Penagos S.A., Pharma International Sociedad Anonima, Pharmaceutical Technologies (Pharmatech) S.A., Pharmatech Boliviana S.A., Polygon Labs S.A., Quality Assured Services Inc., RF Medical Holdings LLC, RTL Holdings Inc., Ramses Business Corp., Recben Xenerics Farmaceutica Limitada, Redwood Toxicology Laboratory Inc., Rich Horizons International Limited, SC VEROPHARM, SJ Medical Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., SJM International Inc., SJM Thunder Holding Company, SPDH Inc., Saboya Enterprises Corporation, Salviac Limited, Scanax AS, Sealing Solutions Inc., Selfcare Technology Inc., Shandong Abbott Dairy Product Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Medical Devices Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanghai Si Fa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sinensix & Co., Spinal Modulation LLC, St. Jude Medical, St. Jude Medical AB, St. Jude Medical ATG Inc., St. Jude Medical Argentina S.A., St. Jude Medical Asia Pacific Holdings GK, St. Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Brasil Ltda., St. Jude Medical Business Services Inc., St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Colombia Ltda., St. Jude Medical Coordination Center, St. Jude Medical Costa Rica Limitada, St. Jude Medical Europe Inc., St. Jude Medical Export Ges.m.b.H., St. Jude Medical GVA Sarl, St. Jude Medical Holdings B.V., St. Jude Medical India Private Limited, St. Jude Medical International Holding, St. Jude Medical LLC, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings II, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings NT, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings SMI S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings TC S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Mexico Business Services S. de R.L. de C.V., St. Jude Medical Middle East DMCC, St. Jude Medical Operations (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC, St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc., St. Jude Medical Systems AB, St. Jude Medical Turkey Medikal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Standard Diagnostics Inc., Standing Stone LLC, Swan-Myers Incorporated, TC1 LLC, Tendyne Holdings Inc., Tendyne Medical Inc., Thoratec Delaware LLC, Thoratec Europe Limited, Thoratec LLC, Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, Tobal Products Incorporated, Topera GmbH in Liquidation, Topera Inc., Tremora S.A., Tuenir S.A., TwistDx, UAB Abbott Laboratories, UAB Abbott Medical Lithuania, Union-Madison Realty Company Inc., Unipath Limited (dba Alere International/aka Cranfield), Unipath Management Limited, Unipath Pension Trustee Limited, Veropharm, Veropharm Limited Liability Partnership, Vida Cell Inversiones S.A., Vida Cell S.A., Vivalsol, W&R Pharma Handels GmbH, Western Pharmaceuticals S.A., X Technologies Inc., Yissum Holding Limited, ZonePerfect Nutrition Company, eScreen Canada ULC, eScreen Inc., ( ), and Abbott Laboratories Baltics. The following companies are subsidiares of Kroger: 84.51 HQ Building Company LLC, 84.51 LLC, Alpha Beta Company, Ansonborough Square Investors I LLC, Ansonborough Square Retail LLC, Ardrey Kell Investments LLC, Bay Area Warehouse Stores Inc., Beech Tree Holdings LLC, Bell Markets Inc., Bleecker Ventures LLC, Bluefield Beverage Company, Box Cutter Inc., Brier Creek Arbors Drive Retail LLC, CB&S Advertising Agency Inc., Cala Co., Cala Foods Inc., Cheeses of All Nations Inc., Country Oven Inc., Crawford Stores Inc., Creedmoor Retail LLC, Dillon Companies LLC, Dillon Real Estate Co. Inc., Dillons, Distribution Trucking Company, Dotto Inc., Edgewood Plaza Holdings LLC, Embassy International Inc., FM Inc., FMJ Inc., Farmacia Doral Inc., Food 4 Less GM Inc., Food 4 Less Holdings Inc., Food 4 Less Merchandising Inc., Food 4 Less of California Inc., Food 4 Less of Southern California Inc., Fred Meyer, Fred Meyer Inc., Fred Meyer Jewelers Inc., Fred Meyer Stores Inc., Glasswing Labs LLC, Glendale/Goodwin Realty I LLC, Grubstake Investments LLC, HT Fuel DE LLC, HT Fuel NC LLC, HT Fuel SC LLC, HT Fuel VA LLC, HTGBD LLC, HTP Bluffton LLC, HTP Plaza LLC, HTP Relo LLC, HTPS LLC, HTTAH LLC, Harris Teeter, Harris Teeter LLC, Henpil Inc., Home Chef, Hood-Clayton Logistics LLC, Hughes Markets Inc., Hughes Realty Inc., I.T.A. Inc., IRP LLC, ITAC 119 LLC, ITAC 265 LLC, Inter-American Foods Inc., Inter-American Products Inc., J.V. Distributing Inc., Jondex Corp., Jubilee Carolina LLC, KCDE 2012 LLC, KCDE 2013 LLC, KCDE-2 LLC, KCDE-3 LLC, KCDE-4 LLC, KCDE-5 LLC, KGO LLC, KPF LLC, KPS LLC, KRGP LLC, KRLP Inc., KV Anderson LLC, Kee Trans Inc., Kessel FP, Kiosk Medicine Kentucky LLC, Kirkpatrick West Retail LLC, Kroger Community Development Entity LLC, Kroger Dedicated Logistics Co., Kroger Fulfillment Network LLC, Kroger G.O. LLC, Kroger LM Real Estate Holdings LLC, Kroger Limited Partnership I, Kroger Limited Partnership II, Kroger MC Holdings LLC, Kroger MTL Management LLC, Kroger Management Co., Kroger Management Corryville LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Athens I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Champaign I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Champaign II LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Cincinnati I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Dallas I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Danville I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Logansport I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Missouri I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Oak Ridge I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Olney I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Omaha I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Portsmouth I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Starkville I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Topeka I LLC, Kroger Management NMTC Warrenton I LLC, Kroger NMTC Fremont I LLC, Kroger OZ1 Inc., Kroger OZ1 LLC, Kroger OZ2 Inc., Kroger OZ2 LLC, Kroger OZ3 Inc., Kroger OZ3 LLC, Kroger Opportunity Fund I Inc., Kroger Prescription Plans Inc., Kroger Specialty Infusion AL LLC, Kroger Specialty Infusion CA LLC, Kroger Specialty Infusion Holdings Inc., Kroger Specialty Infusion TX LLC, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy CA 2 LLC, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy CA LLC, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy FL 2 LLC, Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings 2 Inc., Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings 3 Inc., Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings I Inc., Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Holdings Inc., Kroger Specialty Pharmacy Inc., Kroger Specialty Pharmacy LA LLC, Kroger Texas L.P., LCGP3 Home Cooking Inc., Latta Village LLC, Local Mkt LLC, Main & Vine LLC, Matthews Property 1 LLC, Mega Marts LLC, Michigan Dairy L.L.C., ModernHealth LTC, Murrays Cheese LLC, Murrays LIC LLC, Murrays Table LLC, Pace Dairy Foods Company, Paramount Logistics LLC, Pay Less Super Markets Inc., Peyton's-Southeastern Inc., Plum Labs LLC, Pontiac Foods Inc., Queen City Assurance Inc., RBF LLC, RGC Southeast Properties LLC, Ralphs Grocery Company, Relish Labs LLC, Rocket Newco Inc., Roundy's, Roundys Acquisition Corp., Roundys Illinois LLC, Roundys Inc., Roundys Supermarkets Inc., Second Story Inc., Shop-Rite LLC, Smiths Beverage of Wyoming Inc., Smiths Food & Drug Centers Inc., Southern Ice Cream Specialties Inc., Stallings Investors I LLC, Sunrise R&D Holdings LLC, Sunrise Technology LLC, TLC Corporate Services LLC, TLC Immunization Clinic LLC, TLC of Georgia LLC, The Kroger Co. of Michigan, The Little Clinic LLC, The Little Clinic Management Services LLC, The Little Clinic of Arizona LLC, The Little Clinic of Colorado LLC, The Little Clinic of IN LLC, The Little Clinic of Kansas LLC, The Little Clinic of Mississippi LLC, The Little Clinic of Ohio LLC, The Little Clinic of TX LLC, The Little Clinic of Tennessee LLC, The Little Clinic of VA LLC, Topvalco Inc., Ultimate Mart LLC, Ultra Mart Foods LLC, Vine Court Assurance Incorporated, Vitacost, Vitacost.com Inc., Woodmont Holdings LLC, and YOU Technology. Nabors Industries Ltd. engages in the provision of platform work over and drilling rigs. It operates through the following segments: U.S. Drilling, Canada Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. The U.S. Drilling segment includes land drilling activities in the lower 48 states and Alaska, as well as offshore operations in the Gulf of Mexico. The Canada segment consists of land-based drilling rigs in Canada. The International segment focuses in maintaining a footprint in the oil and gas market, most notably in Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Argentina, Colombia, Kazakhstan, and Venezuela. The Drilling Solutions segment offers drilling technologies, such as patented steering systems and rig instrumentation software systems that enhance drilling performance and wellbore placement. The Rig Technologies segment comprises Canrig, which manufactures and sells top drives, catwalks, wrenches, drawworks, and drilling related equipment, such as robotic systems and downhole tools. The company was founded by Clair Nabors in 1952 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Read More iShares North American Tech-Software ETF's stock was trading at $211.67 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, IGV stock has increased by 108.8% and is now trading at $442.00. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. The following companies are subsidiares of Accenture: 2nd Road, 2nd Road Pty Ltd., ?What If!, ?What If! China Holdings Ltd, ?What If! Holdings Limited, ?What If! Innovation Singapore Holdings Pte, ?What If! Limited, ?What If! Shanghai Co. Ltd, ?What If! USA LLC, ACN Consulting Co Ltd, AD Dialeto Agencia de Publicidade SA, AD.Dialeto (Digital Agency acquired by Accenture), AGS Business and Technology Services Limited, ASM Research Inc., ASM Research LLC, ATAN, Accenture (Beijing) Mobile Technology Co Ltd, Accenture (Botswana) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (China) Co Ltd, Accenture (Shenzhen) Technology Co. Ltd., Accenture (South Africa) (Proprietary) Limited, Accenture (South Africa) Pty Limited, Accenture (UK) Ltd, Accenture 2 Business Process Services S.A., Accenture 2 LLC, Accenture A/S, Accenture AB, Accenture AG, Accenture AS, Accenture Africa Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Holding B.V., Accenture Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, Accenture Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Azerbaijan Ltd, Accenture BPM Operations Support Services S.A., Accenture BPM S.C.R.L., Accenture BV, Accenture Branch Holdings B.V., Accenture Bulgaria EOOD, Accenture Business Services for Utilities Inc, Accenture Business Services of British Columbia Limited Partnership, Accenture Business and Technology Services LLC, Accenture C.A, Accenture CAS GmbH, Accenture Canada Holdings Inc., Accenture Capital DAC, Accenture Capital Inc, Accenture Central Europe B.V., Accenture Chile Asesorias y Servicios Ltda, Accenture Cloud Services GmbH, Accenture Cloud Software Solutions Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions Australia Pty Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions LLC, Accenture Cloud Solutions Ltd, Accenture Cloud Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd, Accenture Co Ltd., Accenture Communications Infrastructure Solutions Ltd, Accenture Company Ltd, Accenture Consulting Services Ltd Tanzania, Accenture Consultores de Gestao S.A., Accenture Consultoria de Industria e Consumo Ltda, Accenture Consultoria de Recursos Naturais Ltda, Accenture Credit Services LLC, Accenture Customer Services Distribution SAS, Accenture Customer Services Limited, Accenture Danismanlik Limited Sirketi, Accenture Defined Benefit Pension Plan Trustees Ltd, Accenture Defined Contribution Pension Plan Trustees Ltd, Accenture Delivery Poland sp. z o.o., Accenture Dienstleistungen GmbH, Accenture Digital France Holdings SA, Accenture Digital Holdings GmbH, Accenture East Africa Limited, Accenture Ecuador S.A., Accenture Egypt LLC, Accenture Enterprise Development (Shanghai) Co Ltd., Accenture Federal Services LLC, Accenture Finance (Gibraltar) III Ltd, Accenture Finance GmbH, Accenture Finance GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Finance II GmbH, Accenture Finance II GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Finance II Ltd, Accenture Finance Limited, Accenture Finance and Accounting BPO Services S.p.A., Accenture Finance and Accounting Services Srl, Accenture Flex LLC, Accenture GP LLC, Accenture Ghana Limited, Accenture Global Holdings Ltd., Accenture Global Services Ltd, Accenture Global Solutions Ltd, Accenture GmbH, Accenture HR Services Ltd, Accenture HR Services S.p.A., Accenture Healthcare Processing Inc., Accenture Holding GmbH, Accenture Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Accenture Holding GmbH in liquidation, Accenture Holdings (Iberia) S.L., Accenture Holdings B.V., Accenture Holdings France SAS, Accenture Holdings plc, Accenture Hungary Holdings Kft, Accenture Inc, Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company (Accenture Endustriyel Yazylym Cozumleri Limited irketi), Accenture Industrial Software Limited Liability Company (Accenture Endustriyel Yazlm Cozumleri Limited Sirketi), Accenture Industrial Software Solutions Kft, Accenture Industrial Software Solutions SA, Accenture Insurance Services LLC, Accenture Insurance Services SAS, Accenture Insurance Services SpA, Accenture International BV, Accenture International Capital SCA, Accenture International LLC, Accenture International Limited, Accenture International Sarl, Accenture Japan Ltd, Accenture Korea BV, Accenture LLC, Accenture LLP, Accenture Lanka (Private) Ltd, Accenture Limited, Accenture Ltd, Accenture Ltda, Accenture Maghreb S.a.r.l., Accenture Managed Services SRL, Accenture Managed Services SpA, Accenture Management GmbH, Accenture Middle East B.V, Accenture Middle East BV, Accenture Minority I BV, Accenture Minority III Ltd, Accenture Mozambique Limitada, Accenture Mzansi (Pty) Ltd, Accenture NV/SA, Accenture NZ Limited, Accenture Newco LLC, Accenture Nova Scotia Unlimited Liability Co., Accenture OOO, Accenture Operations Sp. z o.o., Accenture Outsourcing SRL, Accenture Outsourcing Services, Accenture Outsourcing Services S.A., Accenture Oy, Accenture Panama Inc, Accenture Participations BV, Accenture Participations II Limited, Accenture Peru S.R.L, Accenture Peru S.R.L., Accenture Post Trade Processing SAS, Accenture Post-Trade Processing Limited, Accenture Process Ltd, Accenture Product Lifecycle Services, Accenture Properties, Accenture Pte Ltd, Accenture Puerto Rico LLC, Accenture S.A., Accenture S.C., Accenture S.L., Accenture S.R.L., Accenture SAS, Accenture SG Services Pte Ltd, Accenture SRL, Accenture Saudi Arabia Limited, Accenture Sendirian Berhad, Accenture Service Center SRL, Accenture Services (Mauritius) Ltd, Accenture Services AB, Accenture Services AG, Accenture Services AS, Accenture Services GmbH, Accenture Services Ltd, Accenture Services Morocco SA, Accenture Services Oy, Accenture Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Services S.r.l., Accenture Services SRL, Accenture Services Sp. z o.o., Accenture Services Sp. z.o.o., Accenture Services and Technology Srl, Accenture Services fur Kreditinstitute GmbH, Accenture Services s.r.o., Accenture Servicos Administrativos Ltda, Accenture Servicos de Suporte de Negocios Ltda, Accenture Solutions Co Ltd, Accenture Solutions Private Limited, Accenture Solutions Pte Ltd, Accenture Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Solutions Sdn Bhd, Accenture Sp. z o.o., Accenture Sp. z.o.o., Accenture SpA, Accenture State Healthcare Services LLC, Accenture Sub II Inc., Accenture Sub Inc, Accenture Sub LLC, Accenture Systems Integration Limited, Accenture Sarl, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Accenture Tanacsado Kolatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag KFT, Accenture Technologia, Accenture Technologia Consultoria e Outsourcing S.A., Accenture Technology Infrastructure Services Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions (Dalian) Co Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions (HK) Co. Ltd., Accenture Technology Solutions (Thailand) Co. Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas, Accenture Technology Solutions - Solucoes Informaticas Integradas S.A., Accenture Technology Solutions GmbH, Accenture Technology Solutions Oy, Accenture Technology Solutions Pty Ltd, Accenture Technology Solutions S.A. de C.V., Accenture Technology Solutions SAS, Accenture Technology Solutions SRL, Accenture Technology Solutions Sdn. Bhd., Accenture Technology Solutions Slovakia s.r.o., Accenture Technology Ventures BV, Accenture Technology Ventures S.P.R.L., Accenture Uruguay SRL, Accenture Vietnam Co., Accenture Vietnam Co. LTD, Accenture Zambia Limited, Accenture do Brasil Limitada, Accenture plc, Accenture s.r.o., Acceria, Acquity Customer Insight Limited, Acquity Group, Adaptly LLC, Adaptly UK Limited, AddVal Technology, Adqptly, Advantium Inc., Agave Consultants Limited, Agilex Technologies Inc., Allen International, Allen International Consulting Group Ltd, Alnova Technologies Corporation S.L., AlphaBeta Advisors, Altima, Altima Asia Ltd., Altima SAS, Altitude, Altitude LLC, Analytics 8 LP, Analytics 8 Pty Ltd, Analytics8, Aorui Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Apis, Appaloosa Technology SAS, Arca, Ariba - BPO, Arismore, Aspiro Solutions (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Avanade, Avanade (Guangzhou) Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd., Avanade (Thailand) Co Ltd, Avanade Asia Pte Ltd, Avanade Australia Pty Ltd, Avanade Belgium SPRL, Avanade Canada Inc., Avanade Denmark A/S, Avanade Denmark ApS, Avanade Deutschland GmbH, Avanade Europe Holdings Ltd, Avanade Europe Services Ltd, Avanade Federal Services LLC, Avanade Finland Oy, Avanade France SAS, Avanade GZ Computer Technology Development Co. Ltd. (SH), Avanade Guangzhou, Avanade Holdings LLC, Avanade Hong Kong Ltd, Avanade International Corporation, Avanade Ireland Limited, Avanade Italy SRL, Avanade KK, Avanade Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avanade Netherlands BV, Avanade Norway AS, Avanade Poland Sp. z o.o., Avanade Poland Sp. z.o.o., Avanade Schweiz GmbH, Avanade South Africa, Avanade South Africa Pty Ltd, Avanade Spain SL, Avanade Sweden AB, Avanade UK Ltd, Avanade do Brasil Limitada, Avanade Osterreich GmbH, AvantBiz Consulting Limited, Avenai, Axia Ltd., BABCN LLC, BCT Solutions, BCT Solutions Pty Ltd, BPO Servicos Administrativos Ltda, BRIDGE Energy Group, Beacon Consulting Group Inc., Beijing Genesis Interactive Technology Co. Ltd., Benext, Bionic, Blue Horseshoe, Boomerang Pharmaceutical Communications, Boomerang Pharmaceuticals Communications Ireland Limited, Bow & Arrow, Brand Learning, Brand Learning Group Limited, Brand Learning LLC, Brand Learning Ltd, Brand Learning Partners Limited, Brand Learning Pte Limited, Bridge Energy Group LLC, Brightstep AB, Byte Prophecy, CAS, CRMWaypoint, CadenceQuest Inc., Capable Marketer Limited, Capgemini - North American health practice, Capital Consultancy Services Inc., Certus Solutions Consulting Services Ltd, Certus Solutions Ltd, ChangeTrack Research Pty Ltd., Chaotic Moon Studios, Chengdu Mensa Advertising Co. Ltd., Cimation, Cimation UK Limited, Cirruseo, Cirruseo SAS, Clarity Insights, Clearhead, Clearhead Group, Clearhead Group LLC, ClientHouse GmbH, Cloud Sherpas, Cloud Sherpas (GA) LLC, Cloud Sherpas (SN) (PTE.) Limited, Cloud Sherpas New Zealand Ltd., Cloud Talent Limited, Cloudsherpas, Cloudsherpas Inc., Cloudworks, Codagenic Pty. Ltd., Computer Research and Telecommunications LLC, Concrete Desenvolvimento de Sistemas Ltda., Concrete Solutions, Concrete Solutions Ltda., Context Information Security, Coritel S.A., Corliant Inc., CreativeDrive, CustomerWorks Europe SL, Cutting Edge Solutions Ltd, D5 Global Holdings LLC, DAZ Systems Inc, DAZ Systems LLC, DAZSI Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd., DMA Solutions Limited, Davies Consulting, DayNine Consulting, DayNine Consulting (Australia) PTY LTD, DayNine Consulting (Deutschland) GmbH, DayNine Consulting (New Zealand) Limited, DayNine Consulting France SAS, DayNine Consulting Japan K.K., DayNine Consulting LLC, Declarative Holdings, Declarative Holdings LLC, Defense Point Security, Deja vu Security, Design Strategy and Research de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Designaffairs LLC, Digiplug S.A.S., Digiplug SAS, Digital Consulting & Software Services LLC, Droga5, Droga5 LLC, Droga5 Studios LLC, Droga5 UK Ltd., Duck Creek Technologies, Duck Creek Technologies LLC, Deja Vu Security LLC, ESR Labs, Elcurator SAS, Enaxis Consulting, Enaxis Consulting L.P., End-to-End Analytics, Energuia Web, Energuia Web S.A., Energy Management Brokers Ltd., Energy Quote Private Ltd., EnergyQuote JHA, EnergyQuote JHA Ltd., EnergyQuote Trading Ltd., Enimbos, Enkitec, Enterprise System Partners, Enterprise System Partners B.V. , Enterprise System Partners Bilisim Danismanlik Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Enterprise System Partners Global Corporation, Enterprise System Partners Limited, Enterprise System Partners PR LLC, Enterprise System Partners S.A.S., Entropia, Epylon, Ethica Consulting Group, Evopro Group, Exactside Limited, Exton Consulting, Fairway Technologies Inc, Fairway Technologies LLC, Filmproduction ApS, First Annapolis Consulting, First Annapolis Consulting Inc., First Annapolis Consulting LLC, First Annapolis International, Fjord, Focus Group Europe, Focus Group Europe Limited, Formicary, Formicary Holdings Limited, Formicary Limited, FusionX, FutureMove Automotive, Gapso Servicos de Informatica Ltda., Genfour, Genfour Limited, George Group Consulting L.P., Gestalt LLC, Gestion Altima Canada Inc., Gevity, Global Public Firm S.L., GlobalView SAS, GoodFilm GmbH Filmproduktion Stuttgart, H.B. Maynard and Co. Inc., HRC Retail Advisory, Hagberg Consulting Group, Hangzhou Aiyunzhe Technology Co. Ltd., Happen, Hjaltelin Stahl, Hjaltelin Stahl K/S, Hytracc Consulting AS, Hytracc Consulting Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Hytracc Consulting UK Limited, Hytracc Holding AS, I-Faber S.p.A., IBB Consulting, IMJ Corp, IMJ Corporation, INCAD, INSITUM, IT One Company Limited, ITBS Servicios Bancarios de Tecnologia de la Informacion SL, Icon Integration, Imagine Broadband (USA) Ltd, Imagine Broadband USA LLC, Imaginea Inc, Industrie&Co, Infoman AG, Infoman Schweiz AG, Informatica de Euskadi S.L., Infusion Development Inc., Infusion Development UK Limited, InfusionDev LLC, Innoveer Solutions India Pvt Ltd, Insitum Consultoria Argentina SRL, Insitum Consultoria Brasil LTDA, Insitum Consultoria Colombia SAS, Insitum Consultoria Europa SL, Insitum Consultoria Peru SAC, Insitum Consultoria S.A. de C.V., Intrepid, Intrigo Systems Inc, Intrigo Systems India Pvt. Limited, Intrigo Systems LLC, Inventor Advertisement (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inventor Technology Limited, InvestTech, Investtech Systems Consulting LLC, Javelin Group, Javelin Group (Bulgaria) EOOD, Javelin Group Limited (UK), Javelin Group SASU, K Comms Group Limited, KCS.net AG, KCS.net AG West, KCS.net Deutschland GmbH, KCS.net Holding AG, KCS.net Osterreich GmbH, Kaper Communications Limited, Karma Communications Debtco Limited, Karma Communications Group Limited, Karma Communications Holdings Limited, Karmarama, Karmarama Comms Limited, Karmarama Limited, Knowledge Rules Inc., Knowledgent, Knowledgent Group LLC, Kogentix, Kogentix LLC, Kogentix Ltd, Kogentix Singapore Pte. Ltd, Kogentix Technologies Private Limited, Kolle Rebbe, Kolle Rebbe GmbH, Kream Comms Limited, Kunstmaan, Kunstmaan NV, Kurt Salmon, Kurt Salmon Canada LTD, Kurt Salmon UKI, Kurt Salmon UKI Ltd., Kurt Salmon US LLC, LEXTA, LINKBYNET, LabAnswer, LabAnswer Government, LemonXL Limited, Logistics Market Place Limited (UK), Loud & Clear Creative Pty Ltd, MAXIM Systems Inc., MCG US Holdings LLC, Mackevision CG Technology and Service (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Mackevision Corporation, Mackevision Japan Co. Ltd., Mackevision Korea Ltd, Mackevision Medien Design, Mackevision Medien Design GmbH, Mackevision Singapore Pte. Ltd., Mackevision UK Ltd, Maglan, Maglan Information Defense Technologies Research Ltd., Maihiro, Matter, Matter Llc, Maud Corp Pty Limited, Maxamine International, Media Audits Ltd., Media Hive, Mediasenz Pty Ltd., Meredith Specialty LLC, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, Meredith Xcelerated Marketing Corporation, Meridian Informed Purchasing Ltd., Mindtribe, Mindtribe Product Engineering LLC, MobGen, MobGen Technology S.L, Moonrise NV, Mortgage Cadence, Mortgage Cadence an Accenture Company, Most Champion Ltd, Mudano, N3 LLC, NBS Marketing Inc., NYTEC, Nanjing Demeng Advertising Co. Ltd., Nashco Consulting, NaviSys Inc., NellArmonia, Neo Metrics Analytics S.L., Neo Metrics Chile, Neo Metrics Chile S.A., New Content, New Content Chile SpA, New Content Editora e Produtora Ltda., New Energy Aborda, New Energy Associates Ltd, New Energy Group, New Energy S.r.l., NewsPage, NewsPage (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, NewsPage China Ltd., NewsPage Pte Ltd, Nice Agency Limited, Northstream, Northstream AB, Northstream Holding AB, OCTO Technology, OPS Rules Management Consultants, Octagon Research Solutions Inc., Octo Technology LTDA, Octo Technology Pty Ltd, Octo Technology SA, Octo Technology SPRL, Octoman SAS, Odgaard ApS, Olikka, Openmind, Openminded, Operaciones Accenture S.A. de C.V., OpusLine, Orbium, Orbium Consulting Ltd, Orbium GmbH, Orbium Holding AG, Orbium Inc., Orbium International AG, Orbium International sp. z o.o., Orbium Licences AG, Orbium Limited, Orbium Pte. Ltd., Orbium Pty Ltd, Orbium Services sp. z o.o., Orbium Sarl, Origin Digital, PCO Innovation, PCO Innovation Canada Inc., PCO Innovation EURL, PIXO PUNCH Limited, PLM Systems S.r.l, POC Holdings, PRION GmbH, PT Accenture, PT Asta Catur Indra, PT Kogentix Teknologi Indonesia, Pach Invest SARL, Pach Invest SAS, PacificLink Group, PacificLink iMedia Ltd., Paja Finanssipalvelut Oy, Parker Fitzgerald Inc, Parker Fitzgerald Inc., Parker Fitzgerald International Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Limited, Parker Fitzgerald PTY Ltd, Parker Fitzgerald Services Limited, Parker Fitzgerald Solutions Limited, Partners Technology Mexico Holdings BV, Pecaso Ltd., Pegasus Production K/S, Perseroan Terbatas. Accenture, Phase One Consulting Group, Pillar Technology, Pollux, Pragsis Bidoop, Pragsis Bidoop UK Ltd, Pragsis Technologies S.L, PrimeQ, PrimeQ Australia Pty Ltd, PrimeQ Ltd, PrimeQ NZ Pty Ltd, Procurian Germany GmbH, Procurian Inc., Procurian International I LLC, Procurian International II LLC, Procurian LLC, Procurian Singapore Pte. Ltd., Procurian Switzerland GmbH, Procurian USA LLC, Proquire LLC, PureApps Ltd., Qi Jie Beijing Information Technologies Co Ltd, Radiant Services, Radiant Services LLC, Random Walk Computing Inc., Reactive Media Limited, Reactive Media Pty Ltd., Real Protect, Realworld OO Systems Ltd., Redcore, Redcore (Asia) Pte Ltd, Redcore (India) Private Limited (India), Redcore (New Zealand) Limited, Redcore Group Holdings Pty Ltd, Redcore Pty Ltd, Renacentis IT Services, Revolutionary Security, RiskControl, Rothco, Rothco Holdings Designated Activity Company, Rothco Unlimited Company, S.C. EnergyQuote S.r.l., S3 TV Technology Limited, S3 TV Technology Ltd., SEC Servizi, SEC Servizi S.p.A., SOPIA Corp., Sagacious Consultants, Sagacious Consultants LLC, Salt Solutions, Sanchez Capital Services Pvt Ltd, Schlumberger Business Consulting, Seabury Airline Planning Group, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace (UK) Limited, Seabury Aviation & Aerospace Asia (Hong Kong) Limited, Seabury Aviation Consulting LLC, Seabury Cargo Advisory B.V., Seabury Consulting, Seabury Corporate Advisors LLC, Seabury Human Capital LLC, Seabury Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Seabury Structured Finance LLC, Search Technologies BPO, Search Technologies BPO Inc., Search Technologies GmbH, Search Technologies International LLC, Search Technologies LATAM, Search Technologies LATAM S.A., Search Technologies LLC, Search Technologies Limited, Sente Partners LLC, Sentelis, Servicios Tecnicos de Programacion Accenture S.C., Shackleton, Shackleton Barcelona S.L., Shackleton Chile S.A., Shackleton Madrid S.L., Shackleton S.A., Shanghai Baiyue Advertising Co. Ltd., Shun Zhe Technology Development Co. Ltd., Silveo, Simian Pty Limited, SinnerSchrader, SinnerSchrader AG, SinnerSchrader Commerce GmbH, SinnerSchrader Content GmbH, SinnerSchrader Deutschland GmbH, SinnerSchrader Praha s.r.o., SinnerSchrader Swipe GmbH, Sistemes Consulting S.L., Solutions IQ, Solutions IQ LLC, SolutionsIQ, SolutionsIQ India Consulting Services Private Limited, Storm Digital, Storm Digital B.V., Structure Consulting Group, Structure Consulting Group LLC, Sutter Mills, Systor AG, TQuila Limited (UK), Tadata Creative Unlimited Company, Tara Insurance DAC, Tara Risk DAC, TargetST8, TargetST8 Consulting LLC, Tech - Avanade Portugal Unipessoal Lda, Tecnilogica Ecosistemas S.A., Tecnilogica Ltd., Tecnilogica, The Brand Learning Partners Limited, The Callisto Integration Corporation, The Monkeys, The Monkeys Pty Limited, The Myrtle Group, Total Logistics, Total Logistics Supply Chain Consultants Limited, Tquila, Trivadis AG, Troop Studios Pty Ltd, VanBerlo, Verax Solutions, Verax Solutions Corporation, Vertical Retail Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd., Vertical Retail Consulting Hong Kong, Vertical Retail Consulting Hong Kong Ltd., Vertical Retail Consulting Ltd., Vivere Brasil Servicos e Solucoes SA, Vivere Brasil Solucoes De Credito Ltda., Wabion GmbH, Weblinc Pty Ltd, Wire Stone, Wire Stone LLC, Wire Stone Sarl, Wolox, Workforce Insight, Yesler, Zag, Zenta, Zenta Global Philippines, Zenta Global Philippines Inc., Zenta Mortgage Services LLC, Zenta Recoveries Inc, Zenta US Holdings Inc., Zielpuls, Zielpuls (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zielpuls GmbH, avVenta, designaffairs, designaffairs Business Consulting (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., designaffairs GmbH, designaffairs group China Co. Ltd., dgroup, i4C Analytics, iDefense, and solid-serVision.com GmbH. Airbus SE designs, manufactures, and distributes aerospace products and solutions in the Netherlands and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Airbus, Airbus Helicopters, and Airbus Defence and Space. The company's Airbus segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells commercial jet aircraft of approximately 100 seats; and regional turboprop aircraft and aircraft components, as well as provides aircraft conversion and related services. Its Airbus Helicopters segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells civil and military helicopters; and provides helicopter related services. The company's Airbus Defence and Space segment designs, develops, delivers, and supports military aircraft, such as combat, mission, transport, and tanker aircraft; and provides unmanned aerial systems and their associated services. It also offers civil and defense space systems for telecommunications, earth observations, navigation, science, and orbital systems; missile systems; and missile and space launcher systems, as well as services around data processing from platforms, secure communication, and cyber security. The company was formerly known as Airbus Group SE and changed its name to Airbus SE in April 2017. Airbus SE was incorporated in 1998 and is headquartered in Leiden, the Netherlands. Read More Alerian MLP ETF shares reverse split on the morning of Monday, May 18th 2020. The 1-5 reverse split was announced on Monday, April 27th 2020. The number of shares owned by shareholders was adjusted after the closing bell on Friday, May 15th 2020. An investor that had 100 shares of Alerian MLP ETF stock prior to the reverse split would have 20 shares after the split. The following companies are subsidiares of American International Group: AGC Life Insurance Company, AIG APAC HOLDINGS PTE. LTD., AIG Advisors S.r.l., AIG Aerospace Insurance Services Inc., AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte. Ltd., AIG Asset Management (Europe) Limited, AIG Asset Management (U.S.) LLC, AIG Assurance Company, AIG Australia Limited, AIG Brazil Holding I LLC, AIG CIS Investments LLC, AIG Canada Holdings Inc., AIG Capital Corporation, AIG Capital Services Inc., AIG Claims Inc., AIG Egypt Insurance Company S.A.E., AIG Employee Services Inc., AIG Europe (Services) Limited, AIG Europe Holdings S.a.rl., AIG Europe S.A., AIG Federal Savings Bank, AIG Financial Products Corp., AIG General Insurance Co. Ltd., AIG Global Asset Management Holdings Corp., AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp., AIG Global Reinsurance Operations, AIG Holdings Europe Limited, AIG Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, AIG Insurance Company China Limited, AIG Insurance Company JSC, AIG Insurance Company of Canada, AIG Insurance Company-Puerto Rico, AIG Insurance Hong Kong Limited, AIG Insurance Limited, AIG Insurance Management Services Inc., AIG Insurance New Zealand Limited, AIG International Holdings GmbH, AIG Investments UK Limited, AIG Israel Insurance Company Ltd, AIG Japan Holdings Kabushiki Kaisha, AIG Kenya Insurance Company Limited, AIG Korea Inc., AIG Latin America I.I., AIG Latin America Investments S.L., AIG Lebanon SAL, AIG Life Holdings Inc., AIG Life Insurance Company (Switzerland) Ltd, AIG Life Limited, AIG Life South Africa Limited, AIG Life of Bermuda Ltd., AIG MEA Holdings Limited, AIG MEA Limited, AIG Malaysia Insurance Berhad, AIG Markets Inc., AIG Matched Funding Corp., AIG PC Global Services Inc., AIG Philippines Insurance Inc., AIG Property Casualty Company, AIG Property Casualty Inc., AIG Property Casualty International LLC, AIG Property Casualty U.S. Inc., AIG Re-Takaful (L) Berhad, AIG Resseguros Brasil S.A., AIG Seguros Brasil S.A., AIG Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., AIG Shared Services Corporation, AIG South Africa Limited, AIG Specialty Insurance Company, AIG Technologies Inc., AIG Travel Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., AIG Travel Assist Inc., AIG Travel Assist Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., AIG Travel EMEA Limited, AIG Travel Inc., AIG Uganda Limited, AIG Vietnam Insurance Company Limited, AIG WarrantyGuard Inc., AIG-FP Pinestead Holdings Corp., AIG-Metropolitana Cia. de Seguros y Reaseguros S.A., AIGGRE EOLA LLC, AIGGRE Europe Real Estate Fund I GP S.a r.l., AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund I GP LLC, AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund I LP, AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund II GP LLC, AIU Insurance Company, AM Holdings LLC, Ageas Protect, AlphaCat Managers Ltd., American General Corporation, American General Life Insurance Company, American Home Assurance Co. Ltd., American Home Assurance Company, American Home Assurance Company Escritorio de Representacao no Brasil Ltda., American International Group Inc., American International Group UK Limited, American International Overseas Association, American International Overseas Limited, American International Realty Corp., American International Reinsurance Company Ltd., American International Underwriters del Ecuador-Holding S.A., American Security Life Insurance Company Limited, Arthur J. Glatfelter Agency Inc., Avondhu Limited, Blackboard Customer Care Insurance Services LLC, Blackboard Insurance Company, Blackboard Services LLC, Blackboard Specialty Insurance Company, Blackboard U.S. Holdings Inc., Chartis Takaful Enaya B.S.C. (c), Commerce and Industry Insurance Company, Crop Risk Services Inc., Eaglestone Reinsurance Company, Ellipse, Fortitude Group Holdings LLC, Fortitude Life & Annuity Solutions Inc., Fortitude Reinsurance Company Ltd., Franklin Life Insurance Company, Fuji Fire and Marine, Glatfelter Insurance Group, Globe and Rutgers Insurance Group, Grand Isle SAC Limited, Granite State Insurance Company, Group Risk Services Limited, Group Risk Technologies Limited, Illinois National Insurance Co., Jefferson Eola Venture LLC, Johannesburg Insurance Holdings (Proprietary) Limited, Laya Healthcare Limited, Lexington Insurance Company, MG Reinsurance Limited, Mt. Mansfield Company Inc., National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh Pa., National Union Fire Insurance Company of Vermont, New Hampshire Insurance Company, PT AIG Insurance Indonesia, Pine Street Real Estate Holdings Corp., Private Joint-Stock Company AIG Ukraine Insurance Company, Risk Specialists Companies Insurance Agency Inc., SA Affordable Housing LLC, SAFG Retirement Services Inc., Service Net Warranty LLC, Stratford Insurance Company, SunAmerica Affordable Housing Partners Inc., SunAmerica Asset Management LLC, Talbot Holdings Ltd., Talbot Underwriting Holdings Ltd., Talbot Underwriting Ltd., Thai CIT Holding Company Limited, The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania, The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York, The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company, Travel Guard, Travel Guard Group Canada Inc./Groupe Garde Voyage du Canada Inc., Travel Guard Group Inc., Tudor Insurance Company, VALIC Financial Advisors Inc., Valic Retirement Services Company, Validus Holdings, Validus Holdings (UK) Ltd., Validus Holdings Ltd., Validus Reinsurance (Switzerland) Ltd, Validus Reinsurance Ltd., Validus Ventures Ltd., Volunteer Firemen's Insurance Services Inc., Western World Insurance Company, and Western World Insurance Group Inc.. Vanguard Mid-Cap Value ETF's stock was trading at $91.71 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, VOE stock has increased by 62.2% and is now trading at $148.79. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. According to analysts' consensus price target of C$2.63, Africa Oil has a forecasted upside of from its current price of C$0.00. 4.4 Community Rank Outperform Votes Africa Oil has received 90 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Africa Oil has received 47 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Africa Oil has received 65.69% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Africa Oil and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe AOI will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe AOI 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 BlackRock: Acero Cooperatief U.A., Acero Holdings I B.V., Amethyst Merger Sub LLC, AnalytX Hosting LLC, AnalytX LLC, AnalytX Software LLC, Aperio, Aperio, Aquila Heywood, Asia-Pacific Private Credit Opportunities Fund I (GenPar) Ltd., BAA Holdings LLC, BFM Holdco LLC, BLK (Gallatin) Holdings LLC, BLK SMI LLC, BR Acquisition Mexico S.A. de C.V., BR Jersey International Holdings L.P., Beijing eFront Software Company Limited, BlackRock (Barbados) Finco 1 SRL, BlackRock (Channel Islands) Limited, BlackRock (Luxembourg) S.A., BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V., BlackRock (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., BlackRock (Singapore) Holdco II Pte. Ltd., BlackRock (Singapore) Holdco Pte. Limited, BlackRock (Singapore) Limited, BlackRock AP Investment Holdco LLC, BlackRock Advisors (UK) Limited, BlackRock Advisors LLC, BlackRock Advisors Singapore Pte. Limited, BlackRock Alternative Advisors GP Holdings LLC, BlackRock Alternatives Management LLC, BlackRock Argentina Asesorias Ltda., BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Deutschland AG, BlackRock Asset Management International Inc., BlackRock Asset Management Investor Services Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Ireland Limited, BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Schweiz AG, BlackRock Asset Management UK Limited, BlackRock Australia Holdco Pty. Ltd., BlackRock Brasil Gestora de Investimentos Ltda., BlackRock Cal 1 Investor LLC, BlackRock Canada Holdings LP, BlackRock Canada Holdings ULC, BlackRock Capital Holdings Inc., BlackRock Capital Investment Advisors LLC, BlackRock Capital Management Inc., BlackRock Cayco Limited, BlackRock Cayman 1 LP, BlackRock Cayman Capital Holdings Limited, BlackRock Cayman Finco 2 Limited, BlackRock Cayman Finco 3 Limited, BlackRock Cayman Finco Limited, BlackRock Cayman West Bay Finco Limited, BlackRock Cayman West Bay IV Limited, BlackRock Cayman Z Limited, BlackRock Channel Islands Holdco Limited, BlackRock Chile Asesorias Limitada, BlackRock Colombia Holdco LLC, BlackRock Colombia Infraestructura S.A.S., BlackRock Colombia SAS, BlackRock Company Secretarial Services (UK) Limited, BlackRock Corporation US Inc., BlackRock Delaware Holdings Inc., BlackRock Enterprise Management Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., BlackRock Europe Development Management Limited, BlackRock Execution Services, BlackRock Finance Europe Limited, BlackRock Financial Management Inc., BlackRock Finco LLC, BlackRock Finco UK Ltd., BlackRock First Partner Limited, BlackRock France SAS, BlackRock Fund Advisors, BlackRock Fund Management Company S.A., BlackRock Fund Managers Limited, BlackRock Funding International Ltd., BlackRock Funds Services Group LLC, BlackRock Germany GmBH, BlackRock Group Limited, BlackRock HK Holdco Limited, BlackRock Holdco 2 Inc., BlackRock Holdco 3 LLC, BlackRock Holdco 4 LLC, BlackRock Holdco 5 LLC, BlackRock Holdco 6 LLC, BlackRock Hungary Kft, BlackRock Index Services LLC, BlackRock Infrastructure Management I LLC, BlackRock Institutional Services Inc., BlackRock Institutional Trust Company National Association, BlackRock International Holdings Inc., BlackRock International Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (Dublin) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (Korea) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., BlackRock Investment Management (Taiwan) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management Ireland Holdings Limited, BlackRock Investment Management LLC, BlackRock Investments LLC, BlackRock Japan Co. Ltd., BlackRock Japan Holdings GK, BlackRock Jersey Finco 2 Limited, BlackRock Latin America Holdco LLC, BlackRock Latin American Holdings B.V., BlackRock Life Limited, BlackRock Lux Finco S.a r.l., BlackRock Luxembourg Holdco S.a r.l., BlackRock Mexican Holdco B.V., BlackRock Mexico Infraestructura I S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Infraestructura II S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Infraestructura III S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Manager II S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Manager III S. de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Manager S de R.L. de C.V., BlackRock Mexico Operadora S.A. de C.V. Sociedad Operadora de Fondos de Inversion, BlackRock Mortgage Ventures LLC, BlackRock Niagara LLC, BlackRock Operations (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., BlackRock Overseas Investment Fund Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., BlackRock PC Holdings LLC, BlackRock Pensions Limited, BlackRock Peru Asesorias S.A., BlackRock Property Consulting (Beijing) Co. Ltd., BlackRock Property France S.a.r.l., BlackRock Property Lux S.a.r.l., BlackRock Property Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., BlackRock Realty Advisors Inc., BlackRock Saudi Arabia, BlackRock Scale Holdings LLC, BlackRock Services India Private Limited, BlackRock Singapore III Pte. Ltd., BlackRock Slovakia s.r.o., BlackRock Strategic Investors GP LLC, BlackRock Strategic Investors LP, BlackRock Trident Holding Company Limited, BlackRock UK (Alpha) Limited, BlackRock UK (Beta) Limited, BlackRock UK (Delta) LP, BlackRock UK (Gamma) Limited, BlackRock UK (Sigma) Limited, BlackRock UK 2 LLP, BlackRock UK 3 LLP, BlackRock UK 4 LLP, BlackRock UK A LLP, BlackRock UK Holdco 2 Limited, BlackRock UK Holdco Limited, Blackhawk Investment Holding LLC, CIE Automotive, Cachematrix Holdings, Cachematrix Holdings LLC, Cachematrix Integrations Private Limited, Cachematrix Software Solutions LLC, Cachematrix UK Limited, FutureAdvisor Inc., Glass Mountain Pipeline, Global Energy & Power Infrastructure Advisors LLC, Global Energy & Power Infrastructure II Advisors LLC, Grosvenor Alternate Partner Limited, Grosvenor Ventures Limited, HLX Financial Holdings LLC, MGPA (Bermuda) Limited, MGPA (Exec) Limited, MGPA Limited, Mercury Carry Company Ltd., Mercury Private Equity MUST 3 (Jersey) Limited, Object Capital Technology Inc., Phoenix Acquisition B.V., Phoenix Acquisitions Holdings LLC, Portfolio Administration & Management Ltd., Prestadora de Servicios Integrales BlackRock Mexico S.A. de C.V., SVOF/MM LLC, St. Albans House Nominees (Jersey) Ltd., State Street Research & Management, Tennenbaum Capital Partners LLC, Tennenbaum Capital Partners LLC, Tlali Acero S.A. de C.V. SOFOM ENR, Trident Merger LLC, eFront, eFront, eFront (Jersey) Limited, eFront DMLT Holdings LLC, eFront DMLT Holdings S.R.L, eFront DR S.R.L, eFront Do Brasil Solucoes Informaticas Para Sistemas Financeiros Ltda., eFront FZ-LLC, eFront Financial Solutions Inc., eFront GmbH, eFront Holding II SAS, eFront Holdings SAS, eFront Hong Kong Limited, eFront II SAS, eFront Kabushiki Kaisha, eFront Ltd, eFront SAS, eFront Singapore Pte. Ltd, eFront Software Luxembourg S.a r.l., eFront Solutions Financeieres Inc., eFront d.o.o. Beograd, iShares (DE) I Investmentaktiengesellschaft mit Teilgesellschaftsvermogen, and iShares Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC. The following companies are subsidiares of WESCO International: 1502218 Alberta Ltd., ALLNET Technologies Pty. Ltd., AXE Distribution Solutions Trinidad Ltd., Accu-Tech Corporation, Anixter (Barbados) SRL, Anixter (CIS) LLC, Anixter (Switzerland) Sarl, Anixter (U.K.) Limited, Anixter Argentina S.A., Anixter Asia Holdings Limited, Anixter Australia Pty. Ltd., Anixter Austria GmbH, Anixter Bahamas Limited, Anixter Belgium B.V.B.A., Anixter Cables y Manufacturas S.A. de C.V., Anixter Canada Inc., Anixter Canadian Holdings ULC, Anixter Chile S.A., Anixter Colombia S.A.S., Anixter Communications (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Anixter Communications (Shanghai) Co. Limited, Anixter Costa Rica S.A., Anixter Czech a.s., Anixter Danmark A/S, Anixter Deutschland GmbH, Anixter Distribuidor de Soluciones Empresariales e Industriales S.A., Anixter Distribution Ireland Limited, Anixter Dominicana SRL, Anixter Egypt LLC, Anixter Espana S.L., Anixter Eurotwo Holdings B.V., Anixter Fasteners Deutschland GmbH, Anixter Financial Inc., Anixter France SARL, Anixter Guatemala y Compania Limitada, Anixter Holdings Inc., Anixter Holdings Mexico LLC, Anixter Hong Kong Limited, Anixter Iletisim Sistemleri Pazarlama ve Ticaret A.S., Anixter Inc., Anixter India Private Limited, Anixter Information Systems LLC, Anixter International, Anixter Italia S.r.l., Anixter Jamaica Limited, Anixter Japan KK, Anixter Jorvex S.A.C., Anixter Limited, Anixter Logistica do Brasil LTDA, Anixter Logistica y Servicios S.A. de C.V., Anixter Magyarorszag Elektronikus Halozati Rendszer Kereskedelmi es Szolgaltato Kft, Anixter Mid Holdings B.V., Anixter Middle East FZE, Anixter Morocco SARL AU, Anixter Nederland B.V., Anixter New Zealand Limited, Anixter Norge A.N.S., Anixter Operaciones y Logistica s De RL De CV, Anixter Panama S.A., Anixter Pension Scheme Trustees Limited, Anixter Pension Trustees Limited, Anixter Peru S.A.C., Anixter Philippines Inc., Anixter Poland Sp.z.o.o., Anixter Portugal S.A., Anixter Power Solutions Canada Inc., Anixter Power Solutions Inc., Anixter Procurement Corporation, Anixter Puerto Rico Inc., Anixter Real-Estate LLC, Anixter Receivables Corporation, Anixter Saudi Arabia Limited, Anixter Singapore Pte. Ltd., Anixter Slovakia s.r.o., Anixter Sub Holdings B.V, Anixter Sverige AB, Anixter Thailand Inc., Anixter U.S. LLC, Anixter Venezuela Inc., Anixter de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Anixter do Brasil Ltda, Atlanta Electrical Distributors, Atlanta Electrical Distributors LLC, Atlas Gentech (NZ) Limited, Avon Electrical Supplies, B.E.L. Corporation, Brews Supply, Brown Wholesale Electric, Bruckner Supply, CBC LP Holdings LLC, CDW Holdco LLC, Calvert Wire & Cable Corporation, Carlton-Bates Company, Carlton-Bates Company (CBC), Carlton-Bates Company de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Carlton-Bates Company of Texas GP Inc, Central Security Distribution Pty. Ltd, Communication Cables LLC, Communications Supply Corporation, Conney Investment Holdings LLC, Conney Safety Products, Conney Safety Products LLC, Distribuidora Materiales Electricos E-Supply Limitada, EECOL Electric, EECOL Electric Bolivia Ltda, EECOL Electric Corp., EECOL Electric Peru S.A.C, EECOL Industrial Electric (SudAmerica) Limitada, EECOL Industrial Electric Ecuador Limitada, EECOL Industrial Electric Limitada, EECOL Power S.A., EECOL Properties Corp, Eurinvest B.V., Eurinvest Cooperatief U.A., Fastec Industrial, HMH Pension Trustees Limited, Hazmasters, Hazmasters Inc., Herning Underground Supply, Hi-Line Utility Supply, Hi-Line Utility Supply Company LLC, Hill Country Electric Supply, Hill Country Electric Supply L.P., ICV GP Inc., Infast Group Limited, Inner Range Pty. Ltd, Itel Container Ventures Inc., Itel Corporation, Itel Rail Holdings Corporation, J-Mark Inc., LaPrairie, Liberty Wire & Cable Inc., Monti Electric Supply, Needham Electric Supply, Needham Electric Supply LLC, Obras Y Servicios Sunpark S.A.C., PT Anixter Indonesia, Potelcom Supply, Pro Canadian Holdings I ULC, RECO LLC, RS Electronics, Reily Electrical Supply, SASK Alta Holdings S.A., Services Voice Video and Data Distribution de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Servicios Anixter S.A. de C.V., Signal Capital Corporation, Signal Capital Projects Inc., Stone Eagle Electrical Supply GP Inc., Stone Eagle Electrical Supply Limited Partnership, TVC Communications, TVC Communications L.L.C., TVC Espana Distribucion y Venta De Equipos S.L., TVC International Holding L.L.C., TVC UK Holdings Limited, Tri-Ed Puerto Rico Ltd. Inc., Trydor Industries, Voice Video and Data Distribution de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., WDC Holding Inc., WDCH LP, WDCH US LP, WDI USVI LLC, WDI-Angola LDA, WDINESCO B.V., WDINESCO II B.V., WDINESCO III B.V., WEAS Company S. de R.L., WESCO (Suzhou) Trading Co. Ltd., WESCO Australia Pty Ltd, WESCO Canada GP Inc., WESCO Canada I LP, WESCO DC Holding I LP, WESCO DC Holding II LP, WESCO DC Holding III LP, WESCO DC Holding IV LP, WESCO Distribution Canada Co., WESCO Distribution Canada LP, WESCO Distribution HK Limited, WESCO Distribution II ULC, WESCO Distribution III ULC, WESCO Distribution IV Inc., WESCO Distribution Inc., WESCO Distribution Ireland Limited, WESCO Distribution NL B.V., WESCO Distribution Pte. Ltd., WESCO Distribution de Mexico S. de R.L., WESCO Distribution-International Limited, WESCO Enterprises Inc., WESCO Equity Corporation, WESCO Holdings LLC, WESCO Integrated Supply Inc., WESCO Integrated Supply Polska Spolka z o.o., WESCO Netherlands B.V., WESCO Nevada Ltd., WESCO Nigeria Inc., WESCO Procurement Canada ULC, WESCO Real Estate I LLC, WESCO Real Estate II LLC, WESCO Real Estate III LLC, WESCO Real Estate IV LLC, WESCO Receivables Corp., WESCO Services LLC, WESCO TLD Holdings Co. Ltd., WND Nigeria Limited, WireXpress Ltd., Xpress Connect Supply Hong Kong Limited, XpressConnect Holdings B.V., XpressConnect International B.V., XpressConnect Supply B.V.B.A., XpressConnect Supply Colombia S.A.S., XpressConnect Supply Inc., XpressConnect Supply Mexico S.A. de C.V., and XpressConnect Supply do Brasil Ltda. Our portfolio of high quality UK commercial property is focused on London Offices and Retail around the UK. We own or manage a portfolio valued at A13.7bn (British Land share: A10.3bn) as at 30 September 2020 making us one of Europe's largest listed real estate investment companies. Our strategy is to provide places which meet the needs of our customers and respond to changing lifestyles - Places People Prefer. We do this by creating great environments both inside and outside our buildings and use our scale and placemaking skills to enhance and enliven them. This expands their appeal to a broader range of occupiers, creating enduring demand and driving sustainable, long term performance. Our Offices portfolio comprises three office-led campuses in central London as well as high quality standalone buildings and accounts for 65% of our portfolio. Our Retail portfolio is focused on retail parks and shopping centres, and accounts for 31% of our portfolio. Increasingly our focus is on providing a mix of uses and this is most evident at Canada Water, our 53 acre redevelopment opportunity where we have plans to create a new neighbourhood for London. Sustainability is embedded throughout our business. Our places, which are designed to meet high sustainability standards, become part of local communities, provide opportunities for skills development and employment and promote wellbeing. In April 2016 British Land received the Queen's Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development, the UK's highest accolade for business success for economic, social and environmental achievements over a period of five years. Read More iShares Russell Mid-Cap ETF's stock was trading at $48.20 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, IWR stock has increased by 74.9% and is now trading at $84.32. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Daimler AG, together its subsidiaries, develops and manufactures passenger cars, trucks, vans, and buses in Germany and internationally. It operates through Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans, Daimler Trucks and Buses, and Daimler Mobility segments. The Mercedes-Benz Cars segment offers premium and luxury vehicles of the Mercedes-Benz brand, including the Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach, and Mercedes-EQ brands; small cars under the smart brand name; and ecosystem of Mercedes-Benz under the Mercedes me brand, as well as vans and related services under the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner brands. Daimler Trucks and Buses segment offers its trucks and special vehicles under the Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Western Star, FUSO, and BharatBenz brands; and buses under the Mercedes-Benz, Setra, Thomas Built Buses, and FU brands, as well as bus chassis. The Daimler Mobility segment provides financing and leasing packages for end-customers and dealers; and automotive insurance brokerage, banking, investment, and fleet management services under the Athlon brand. It also sells vehicle related spare parts and accessories. Daimler AG was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany Read More Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Eaton Vance Management. It is co-managed by Parametric Portfolio Associates LLC. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United States. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund also writes call options on one or more U.S. indices on a substantial portion of the value of its common stock portfolio. It benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the S&P 500 Index, the CBOE S&P 500 BuyWrite Index, the NASDAQ-100 Index, and the CBOE NASDAQ-100 BuyWrite Index. Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Buy-Write Opportunities Fund was formed on June 30, 2005 and is domiciled in the United States. Read More Seguin, TX (78155) Today Decreasing cloudiness and windy. High near 65F. Winds NNE at 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.. Tonight Some passing clouds. Low 44F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. engages in global investment banking, securities, and investment management, which provides financial services. It operates through the following business segments: Investment Banking, Global Markets, Asset Management, and Consumer & Wealth Management. The Investment Banking segment serves public and private sector clients around the world and provides financial advisory services, help companies raise capital to strengthen and grow their businesses and provide financing to corporate clients. The Global Markets segment serves its clients who buy and sell financial products, funding and manage risk. The Asset Management segment provides investment services to help clients preserve and grow their financial assets. The Consumer & Wealth Management segment helps clients to achieve their individual financial goals by providing a wealth advisory and banking services. The company was founded by Marcus Goldman in 1869 and is headquartered in New York, NY. Read More SunTrust Banks, Inc. operates as the holding company for SunTrust Bank that provides various financial services for consumers, businesses, corporations, institutions, and not-for-profit entities in the United States. It operates in two segments, Consumer and Wholesale. The Consumer segment provides deposits and payments; home equity and personal credit lines; auto, student, and other lending products; credit cards; discount/online and full-service brokerage products; professional investment advisory products and services; and trust services, as well as family office solutions. This segment also offers residential mortgage products in the secondary market. The Wholesale segment provides capital markets solutions, including advisory, capital raising, and financial risk management; asset-based financing solutions, such as securitizations, asset-based lending, equipment financing, and structured real estate arrangements; cash management services and auto dealer financing solutions; investment banking solutions; and credit and deposit, fee-based product offering, multi-family agency lending, advisory, commercial mortgage brokerage, and tailored financing and equity investment solutions. This segment also offers treasury and payment solutions, such as operating various electronic and paper payment types, which comprise card, wire transfer, automated clearing house, check, and cash; and provides services clients to manage their accounts online. The company offers its products and services through a network of traditional and in-store branches, automated teller machines, Internet, mobile, and telephone banking channels. As of December 31, 2018, it operated 1,218 full-service banking offices located in Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia. SunTrust Banks, Inc. was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Read More 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 The following companies are subsidiares of IQVIA: 159 SOLUTIONS, 159 Technology Solutions Private Ltd, AHM Global Operations Inc., AHM Global Services LLC, AHM Logistics Inc. (Canada), AIECO IT Solutions India Private Ltd., ALIMED Egeszsegugyi Szolgaltato Kft., Advanced Health Media LLC, Advanced Health Media Services, Aileron Solutions, Albatross Financial Solutions Limited, Appature, Ardentia International Limited, Ascott Sales Integration, Asesorias IQVIA Solutions Chile Limitada, Asserta Centroamerica Medicion de Mercados, BUZZEOPDMA LLC, Battaerd Mansley Pty. Ltd., Benefit Canada, Benefit Holding, BioFortis, CDS - Center de Service SAS, COORDINATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, CRM Health Korea Ltd., CSD Health Korea Ltd., Cambridge Pharma Consultancy, Cambridge Pharma Consultancy Limited, Cegedim Venezuela C.A., Cenduit (India) Services Private Company Limited, Cenduit Limited, Cenduit Mauritius Holdings Company, Clinical Financial Services, Clinical Lab Minority Shareholder Limited, Coordinated Management Holdings L.L.C., Cote Orphan, Cote Orphan Consulting UK Limited, DATA NICHE ASSOCIATES, Datadina Ecuador S.A., Dataline Software Limited, Datec Industria e Comercio, Dimensiions Healthcare LLC, Drug Dev Inc., DrugDev, DrugDev Limited, EA Institute L.L.C., ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATES, EPS Research Limited, EPS Software Limited, Epernicus, Forcea NV, Foresight Group International UK LTD, Foresight Group Japan G.K., Foresight IT Solutions Consulting India Private Limited, GRACE DATA CORPORATION, Global Crown Investment Limited, HIGHPOINT SOLUTIONS, Hospital Marketing Services Ltd., Hotel Lot C-8B, IMS (GIBRALTAR) HOLDING LIMITED, IMS (UK) Pension Plan Trustee Company Limited, IMS AB, IMS CHINAMETRIK INC., IMS HEALTH GROUP LIMITED, IMS HEALTH KOREA LTD, IMS HEALTH KOREA LTD., IMS HEALTH PUERTO RICO INC., IMS HEALTH TAIWAN LTD., IMS Health (Australia) Partnership, IMS Health Analytics Services Private Limited, IMS Health Bangladesh Limited, IMS Health Bolivia S.R.L., IMS Health Cyprus LTD, IMS Health Egypt Limited, IMS Health Information Solutions Argentina S.A., IMS Health Information Solutions Australia Pty. Ltd, IMS Health Information Solutions India Private Ltd., IMS Health Information Solutions Japan K.K., IMS Health Lanka (Private) Limited, IMS Health Networks Limited, IMS Health Pakistan (Private) Limited, IMS Health Paraguay SRL, IMS Health Surveys Limited, IMS Health Technology Solutions (China) Co. Ltd., IMS Health Technology Solutions Australia Pty. Ltd, IMS Health Technology Solutions Colombia Ltda., IMS Health Technology Solutions Holdings AB, IMS Health Technology Solutions Hungary Ltd., IMS Health Technology Solutions India Private Ltd., IMS Health Technology Solutions Japan K.K., IMS Health Technology Solutions Kazakhstan, IMS Health Technology Solutions LLC, IMS Health Technology Solutions Sweden AB, IMS Health Technology TUNISIA, IMS Health Tunisia sarl, IMS Health Uruguay S.A., IMS Health de Venezuela C.A., IMS Holdings (U.K.) Limited, IMS Hospital Group Limited, IMS Information Solutions Medical Research Limited, IMS Information Solutions UK Ltd., IMS International (Proprietary) Limited, IMS Market Research Consult (Beijing), IMS Meridian Limited, IMS Meridian Research Limited, IMS Republica Dominicana, IMS SOFTWARE SERVICES LTD., IMS Technology Solutions UK Limited, INTERCONTINENTAL MEDICAL STATISTICS INTERNATIONAL, IPP Informacion Promocional y Publicitaria S.A. de C.V., IPP Technology Solutions Mexico SA de CV (FKA Cegedim Mexico SA de CV), IQVA Romania S.R.L., IQVIA (Thialand) Co. Ltd., IQVIA AB, IQVIA AG, IQVIA AG (Mexico Branch), IQVIA AG (UK Branch), IQVIA Adriatic d.o.o. za Konzalting, IQVIA Asia Pacific Commercial Holdings LLC, IQVIA Beteiligungs-gesellschaft mbH, IQVIA BioSciences Holdings LLC, IQVIA CHINAMETRIK INC., IQVIA COMMERCIAL FINANCE INC., IQVIA COMMERCIAL INDIA HOLDINGS CORP., IQVIA COMMERCIAL LICENSING ASSOCIATES LLC, IQVIA COMMERCIAL SERVICES LLC, IQVIA COMMERCIAL TRADING CORP., IQVIA Clinical AB, IQVIA Commercial Deutschland GmbH, IQVIA Commercial GmbH & Co. OHG, IQVIA Commercial I LLC, IQVIA Commercial Software GmbH, IQVIA Commercial Sp. z.o.o., IQVIA Commerical Consulting Sp. z.o.o., IQVIA Consulting Solutions bvba, IQVIA Consulting and Information Services India Private Limited, IQVIA Finance Ireland Designated Activity Company, IQVIA GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS INC., IQVIA Healthcare QFC branch, IQVIA Hellas Technology Solutions S.A., IQVIA Holdings France SAS, IQVIA IES (UK) Limited, IQVIA IES Brasil Ltda., IQVIA IES Europe Limited, IQVIA IES European Holdings, IQVIA IES Italia S.r.l., IQVIA IES OY, IQVIA IES Overseas Holdings Limited, IQVIA IES Portugal, IQVIA IES Portugal Unipressoal Ltda., IQVIA IES Puerto Rico Inc., IQVIA II Technology Solutions Portugal, IQVIA INC., IQVIA INFORMATION MEDICAL STATISTICS (ISRAEL) LTD., IQVIA Information, IQVIA Information Solutions (China) Co., IQVIA Information Solutions GmbH, IQVIA Informations Solutions France SAS, IQVIA Istanbul Saglik Hizmetler Arastirma ve Danismanlik Limited Sirketi, IQVIA Korea Co. Ltd., IQVIA LTD, IQVIA Market Intelligence LLC, IQVIA Marktforschung GmbH, IQVIA Maroc SARL, IQVIA Mauritius Holdings, IQVIA Medical Communications & Consulting, IQVIA Medical Development (Dalian) Co., IQVIA Medical Education Inc., IQVIA Medical Radar AB, IQVIA Operations France SAS, IQVIA PHARMA Inc., IQVIA Partners AS, IQVIA Pharma Services Corp., IQVIA Pharmaceutical Marketing Services Ltd., IQVIA Phase One Services LLC, IQVIA RDS (India) Private Limited, IQVIA RDS (Pty.) Limited, IQVIA RDS AG, IQVIA RDS Argentina S.A., IQVIA RDS Asia Inc., IQVIA RDS Austria GmbH, IQVIA RDS BT Inc., IQVIA RDS Brasil Ltda., IQVIA RDS Bulgaria EOOD, IQVIA RDS Canada ULC, IQVIA RDS Chile, IQVIA RDS Colombia S.A.S., IQVIA RDS Consulting Inc., IQVIA RDS ESTONIA OU, IQVIA RDS East Asia Pte. Ltd., IQVIA RDS Eastern Holdings GmbH, IQVIA RDS Finland OY, IQVIA RDS France SAS (formerly, IQVIA RDS Funding LLC, IQVIA RDS GesmbH, IQVIA RDS GesmbH Greek Branch, IQVIA RDS Guatemala S.A., IQVIA RDS Holdings, IQVIA RDS Hong Kong Limited, IQVIA RDS ISRAEL LTD., IQVIA RDS Inc., IQVIA RDS Ireland (Finance) Ltd., IQVIA RDS Ireland Ltd., IQVIA RDS Italy Srl, IQVIA RDS Latin America LLC, IQVIA RDS Latvia SIA, IQVIA RDS Magyarorszag Gyogyszerfejlesztesi es Tanacsado Kft., IQVIA RDS Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., IQVIA RDS Moscow, IQVIA RDS Novosibirsk, IQVIA RDS Panama Inc., IQVIA RDS Peru S.r.l., IQVIA RDS Philippines Inc., IQVIA RDS Poland Sp. Zoo, IQVIA RDS Pty. Limited, IQVIA RDS Slovakia s.r.o., IQVIA RDS Spain, IQVIA RDS Spain S.L., IQVIA RDS St. Petersburg, IQVIA RDS Support Sarl, IQVIA RDS Switzerland sarl, IQVIA RDS Taiwan Ltd., IQVIA RDS Transfer LLC, IQVIA RDS UAB, IQVIA RDS UK Holdings Ltd., IQVIA RDS and Integrated Services Belgium NV, IQVIA RDS d.o.o. Beograd, IQVIA SOLUTIONS ASIA PTE. LTD., IQVIA SOLUTIONS CANADA INC., IQVIA SOLUTIONS JAPAN K.K., IQVIA SOLUTIONS OPERATIONS CENTER PHLIPPINES INC., IQVIA SOLUTIONS PHILIPINES, IQVIA SOLUTIONS PHILIPPINES, IQVIA Services Japan K.K., IQVIA Solutions (NZ) Limited, IQVIA Solutions (Pty.) Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Argentina S.A., IQVIA Solutions Australia Holdings Pty. Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Australia Pty. Ltd., IQVIA Solutions B.V., IQVIA Solutions Belgium S.P.R.L., IQVIA Solutions Bulgaria EOOD, IQVIA Solutions Colombia S.A., IQVIA Solutions Consulting Myanmar Company Limited, IQVIA Solutions Denmark AS, IQVIA Solutions Enterprise Management Consulting (Shanghai) Co., IQVIA Solutions Finance B.V., IQVIA Solutions Finance UK I Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Finance UK II Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Finance UK III Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Finance UK V Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Finland OY, IQVIA Solutions Global Holdings UK Ltd., IQVIA Solutions GmbH, IQVIA Solutions HQ Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Holdings (Pty.) Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Hong Kong Limited, IQVIA Solutions Ireland Limited, IQVIA Solutions Italy W.r.l., IQVIA Solutions Kazakhstan LLC, IQVIA Solutions LLC, IQVIA Solutions Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., IQVIA Solutions Norway AS, IQVIA Solutions Pharmaceutical SRL, IQVIA Solutions Portugal, IQVIA Solutions Regional Pte. Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Services Ltd., IQVIA Solutions Sweden AB, IQVIA Solutions UK Investments Ltd., IQVIA Solutions UK Limited, IQVIA Solutions a.s., IQVIA Solutions del Peru S.A., IQVIA Solutions do Brasil Ltda., IQVIA Solutions s.r.o., IQVIA Solucoes de Tecnologia DO Brazil Ltda., IQVIA Staff Services Sp.A., IQVIA TRANSPORTATION SERVICES CORP., IQVIA Technology Services Ltd., IQVIA Technology Solutions Egypt LLC, IQVIA Technology Solutions Finland OY, IQVIA Technology Solutions Poland SP. z.o.o., IQVIA Technology Solutions Romania Srl, IQVIA Technology Solutions S.R.O. Branch Bulgaria, IQVIA Technology Solutions Ukraine LLC, IQVIA Technology Solutions s.r.o., IQVIA Technology and Services AG, IQVIA Tibbi Istatistik Ticaret ve Musavirlik Ltd. Sirketi, IQVIA Trading Management Inc., IQVIA World Publications Ltd., IQVIA Zagreb d.o.o., Iasist Holdco Limited, Iasist Potugal, Iasist SAU Agencia en Chile, Iasist Sociedad Anonima Unipersonal, Impact RX, Infocus Health Limited, Infopharm Ltd., Innovex Holdings I LLC, Innovex Merger Corp., Innovex Saglik Hizmetleri Arastirma ve Danismanlik Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Innovex Saglik Urunleri Pazarlame ve Hizmet Danismanlik Anonim Sirketi, Institute of Medical Communications NCO, Interstatistik AG, Kun Tai Medical Development Hong Kong Limited, Kun Tuo Medical Research & Development (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Laboratorie Novex Pharma Sarl, Laboratorio Commuq Pharma SL, Linguamatics, M&H Informatics (BD) LTD., M-TAG Australia Pty. Ltd., MED-VANTAGE, MG Recherche, Mecurial Insights Holding Pty. Ltd., Mecurial Insights Pty. Ltd., Mercados Y Analisis, Meridian Research Vietnam Ltd., Nordisk Medicin Information AB, Novella Clinical LLC, Novella Clinical Ltd., Novex Pharma Gmbh, Novex Pharma Laboratorio S.L., Novex Pharma Limited, Nuevo Health Pty Ltd, Onkodatamed GmbH, Operaciones Centralizadas Latinoamericana Limitada, Optimum Contact Limited, Outcome Sciences LLC, PILGRIM SOFTWARE HOLDING B.V., POLARIS MANAGEMENT PARTNERS LLC, POLARIS SOLUTIONS LLC, PR Editions S.A.S., PT IMS Health Indonesia, PT Quintiles Indonesia, Penderwood Limited, PharmARC Consulting Services GmbH, PharmARC Inc., Pharma Deals Limited, Pharma Strategy Group Ltd., Pharmadata s.r.o., Pharmaforce, Pilgrim Quality Solutions EMEA BV, Pilgrim Software Asia PVT, Polaris Solutions BV, Polaris Solutions Ltd., Primeum IQVIA SAS, Privacy Analytics Inc., Professional Pharmaceutical Marketing Services (Pty.) Ltd., Pygargus AB, Q Squared Solutions (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Q Squared Solutions (India) Private Limited, Q Squared Solutions (Quest) LLC, Q Squared Solutions (Quest) Limited, Q Squared Solutions (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Q Squared Solutions B.V., Q Squared Solutions BioSciences LLC, Q Squared Solutions China (Quest) Limited, Q Squared Solutions China Limited, Q Squared Solutions Expression Analysis LLC, Q Squared Solutions Holdings B.V., Q Squared Solutions Holdings LLC, Q Squared Solutions Holdings Limited, Q Squared Solutions K.K., Q Squared Solutions LLC, Q Squared Solutions Limited, Q Squared Solutions Proprietary Limited, Q Squared Solutions Pte. Ltd., Q Squared Solutions S.A., Q2 Metrics, Q2 Solutions, QIMS Pharma Services SA DE CV, QUINTILES MEXICO, QUINTILESIMS EUROPEAN HOLDINGS II C.V., Qcare Site Services, Quintiles B.V., Quintiles Benin Ltd., Quintiles Clindata (Pty.) Limited, Quintiles Clindepharm (Pty.) Limited, Quintiles Clinical and Commercial Nigeria Limited, Quintiles Commercial ApS, Quintiles Commercial Germany GmbH, Quintiles Commercial Rus LLC, Quintiles Commercial South Africa (Pty) Limited, Quintiles Commercial US. Inc., Quintiles Costa Rica S.A., Quintiles Czech Republic, Quintiles Denmark, Quintiles East Africa Limited, Quintiles Egypt LLC, Quintiles Enterprise Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Quintiles Finance Sarl, Quintiles Finance Uruguay, Quintiles GmbH, Quintiles Holdings S.a.r.l., Quintiles IMS European Holdings C.V., Quintiles Lanka Private Limited, Quintiles Latin America Inc., Quintiles Luxembourg European Holding, Quintiles Luxembourg European Holding S.a.r.l., Quintiles Luxembourg France Holdings SARL, Quintiles Medical Development (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Quintiles Netherlands, Quintiles New Zealand, Quintiles Norway, Quintiles Phase One Clinical Trials India Private Limited, Quintiles Russia LLC, Quintiles S.a.r.l., Quintiles Site Services, Quintiles South Africa (PTY.) Limited, Quintiles UK (Japan Holdings) Limited, Quintiles Ukraine, Quintiles Vietnam, Quintiles West Africa Limited, RX India LLC, Radar Acquisition Blocker, Redsite Limited, Reportive SA, STI Technologies Limited, Schwarzeck Verlag GmbH, Secureconsent, Shanghai IMS Market Research Co. Ltd., Source Informatics Limited, Spartan Leasing Corporation, Statfinn Oy, Strategique Sante, THE AMUNDSEN GROUP, Targeted Molecular Diagnostics, Tarius A/S, Temas Srl - Societa Unipersonale, TforG Connect BVBA, Themis Limited, UAB IQVIA Commercial, VALUEMEDICS RESEARCH, VCG&A Inc., and iGuard. iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF's stock was trading at $32.80 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, EZU stock has increased by 54.8% and is now trading at $50.77. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Magna International Inc. designs, engineers, and manufactures components, assemblies, systems, subsystems, and modules for original equipment manufacturers of vehicles and light trucks worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Body Exteriors & Structures, Power & Vision, Seating Systems, and Complete Vehicles. Its Body Exteriors & Structures segment provides body and chassis systems, as well as engineering and testing services; exterior systems, including fascia and trims, front end modules, front integration panels, liftgate modules, active aerodynamics, engineered glass, running boards, truck bed access products, and side doors; and roof systems, such as modular and textile folding roofs, and hard and soft tops. The company's Power & Vision segment offers dedicated hybrid, dual and e-clutch, and manual transmissions; engine drive plates and accessories; AWD/4WD products, rear drive modules, and hybrid and battery electric drive systems; transmission, engine, and driveline components; advanced driver assistance systems, camera systems, ultrasonic sensors, and electronic controllers; interior and exterior mirrors, actuators, door handles, overhead consoles, and camera monitoring systems; head, tail, and fog lamps; signal and other lighting products; and latching systems, door modules, window systems, power closure systems, hinges and wire forming, and handle assemblies. Its Seating Systems segment provides seat structures, mechanism and hardware solutions, and foam and trim products. The company's Complete Vehicles segment offers vehicle manufacturing and engineering services. It also designs, engineers, and manufactures tooling products. Magna International Inc. was founded in 1957 and is headquartered in Aurora, Canada. Read More American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at [email protected]tbeat.com | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. Our Accessibility Statement | Terms of Service | Do Not Sell My Information 2021 Market data provided is at least 10-minutes delayed and hosted by Barchart Solutions. Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes, not for trading purposes or advice, and is delayed. To see all exchange delays and terms of use please see disclaimer. Fundamental company data provided by Zacks Investment Research. The painting was auctioned at the starting price from EUR 50,000-80,000. It has smashed the record for the most expensive painting by Nguyen Nam Son sold at an international auction so far. Paintings sold at the auction also included works by Tran Van Can, Nguyen Tien Chung, Vu Cao Dam, Le Pho, Mai Trung Thu, Alex Ayme, Tran Van Tho and French painters who lived in Vietnam, Jean-Louis Paguenaud (1876-1952), Henri Mege (France, 1904-1984), Maurice Menardeau (1897-1977). Tran Van Can (1910-1994) was one of the famous artists of the Vietnam contemporary fine arts, such as To Ngoc Van, Tran Van Can, Nguyen Sang, Nguyen Van Ty, Ta Thuc Binh, Tran Dinh Tho, Huynh Van Thuan and others. He worked as the headmaster for the Fine Arts College from 1954 to 1964 and was the general secretary of the Vietnamese Fine Arts Association between 1958 to 1983. In 1996 he was posthumously awarded the Ho Chi Minh Award, the most noble distinction for Vietnamese artists. His best known work, Em Thuy (Little sister Thuy) that was recognized as the national treasure in 2013. A painting titled Return from the Market (Retour du marche) by Tran Van Can was sold for EUR230,000 at the auction. The painting, "Tonkinoise a leventail by Nguyen Nam Son shows a young girl sitting on a divan with a paper fan in her right hand. The girl is crouching, with her left foot flat on the ground, and her right foot bent under. She is wearing a green traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai and white trousers. Her face is imbued with sweetness and a subtle, elegant beauty. Her long hair is wound around her head like a crown. The picture depicts a peaceful atmosphere that highlights the models tender beauty. Her lips seem on the point of smiling, and she seems blissfully happy. The artwork on silk, measuring 43 x 61.5 cm, was painted in 1935-1936, according to the artist family. Silk was one of Nguyen Nam Sons favorite materials. The painting was bought by French battalion commander Mallet, who was posted to Hanoi between 1936 and 1938. He has kept it at his home in France. Painter Nguyen Nam Son whose real name is Nguyen Van Tho was born in Hanoi. He was one of the first Vietnamese contemporary artists. He was a co-founder of the Indochine Fine Arts College with French professor Victor Tardieu. Nam Son worked as a lecturer for the Indochina Fine Arts College since its opening to 1945, closing the 20 years of operation of the college. In March, another his painting titled Peasants of Tonkin" was sold at EUR 205,000 at an auction which was also held by the Aguttes company in Paris. The silk painting titled Tonkinoise a leventail (Tonkin girl with a fan) by Nguyen Nam Son The silk painting titled Tonkinoise a leventail (Tonkin girl with a fan) by Nguyen Nam Son The painting titled Return from the Market (Retour du marche) by Tran Van Can By MINH AN Translated by Khanh Nevsun Resources Ltd. engages in the mining and development of mineral properties in Europe, Africa, and North America. It explores for gold, copper, zinc, and silver deposits. The company's principal assets include Timok project, a copper-gold development project in Serbia; and Bisha copper- zinc mine in Eritrea. It also holds exploration licenses and permits in Serbia and Macedonia, as well as in the Bisha mining district. The company was incorporated in 1965 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. As of January 7, 2019, Nevsun Resources Ltd. operates as a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group Company Limited. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Quest Diagnostics: AmeriPath, AmeriPath Cincinnati Inc. (OH), AmeriPath Cleveland Inc. (OH), AmeriPath Consolidated Labs Inc. (FL), AmeriPath Florida LLC (DE), AmeriPath Hospital Services Florida LLC (DE), AmeriPath Inc. (DE), AmeriPath Indianapolis PC (IN), AmeriPath Kentucky Inc. (KY), AmeriPath Lubbock 5.01(A) Corporation (TX), AmeriPath New York LLC (DE), AmeriPath Texas Inc. (DE), AmeriPath Tucson Inc. (AZ), American Medical Laboratories, American Medical Laboratories Incorporated (DE), Associated Clinical Laboratories L.P. (PA), Associated Clinical Laboratories of Pennsylvania L.L.C. (PA), Athena Diagnostics, Athena Diagnostics Inc. (DE), Blueprint Genetics, Blueprint Genetics FZ-LLC (UAE), Blueprint Genetics Inc. (DE), Blueprint Genetics Oy (Finland), California Laboratory Associates, Cape Cod Healthcare - Business, Celera, ClearPoint Diagnostic, Clearpoint Diagnostic Laboratories LLC (TX), Cleveland HeartLab, Cleveland HeartLab Inc. (DE), Clinical Laboratory Partners, Colorado Pathology Consultants P.C. (CO), ConVerge Diagnostic Services, Consolidated DermPath Inc. (DE), DFW 5.01(a) Corporation (TX), DGXWMT JV LLC (DE), Dermatopathology of Wisconsin S.C. (WI), Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma LLC (OK), Diagnostic Pathology Services Inc. (OK), Diagnostic Reference Services Inc. (MD), ExamOne Canada Inc. (New Brunswick), ExamOne LLC (DE), ExamOne World Wide Inc. (PA), ExamOne World Wide of NJ Inc. (NJ), Focus Diagnostics, HemoCue, Hoffman M.D. Associated Pathologists Chartered (NV), Institute for Dermatopathology Inc. (PA), Isabella Street Urban Renewal LLC (NJ), Kailash B. Sharma M.D. Inc. (GA), Kilpatrick Pathology P.A. (NC), LabOne, LabOne LLC (MO), LabOne of Ohio Inc. (DE), Laboratorio de Analisis Biomedicos S.A. (Mexico), Lancet Labs, MACL, Med Fusion LLC (TX), Med fusion, MedPlus, Mid America Clinical Laboratories LLC (IN), Nomad Massachusetts Inc. (MA), Nuclear Medicine and Pathology Associates (GA), Ocmulgee Medical Pathology Association Inc. (GA), Pathology Building Partnership (MD) (gen. ptnrshp.), PeaceHealth Laboratories, PhenoPath Laboratories, PhenoPath Laboratories PLLC (WA), Q Squared Solutions Holdings LLC (DE), Q Squared Solutions Holdings Limited (UK), Quest Diagnostics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. (China), Quest Diagnostics Brasil Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics Clinical Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics Clinical Laboratories Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics Domestic Holder LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics HTAS India Private Limited (India), Quest Diagnostics Health & Wellness LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Holdings Incorporated (DE), Quest Diagnostics Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (MD), Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NV), Quest Diagnostics India Private Limited (India), Quest Diagnostics Infectious Disease Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics International Holdings Limited (UK), Quest Diagnostics International LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Investments LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Ireland Limited (Ireland), Quest Diagnostics LLC (CT), Quest Diagnostics LLC (IL), Quest Diagnostics LLC (MA), Quest Diagnostics Massachusetts LLC (MA), Quest Diagnostics Mexico Holding Company Trust (Mexico), Quest Diagnostics Mexico S de RL de CV (Mexico), Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute (CA), Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute Inc. (VA), Quest Diagnostics Receivables Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics Subsidiary Holdings Ltd. (UK), Quest Diagnostics TB LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Terracotta LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics Venture LLC (PA), Quest Diagnostics Ventures LLC (DE), Quest Diagnostics do Brasil Ltda. (Brazil), Quest Diagnostics of Pennsylvania Inc. (DE), Quest Diagnostics of Puerto Rico Inc. (PR), Quest HealthConnect LLC (CA), ReproSource, Reprosource Fertility Diagnostics Inc. (MA), Solstas Lab Partners, Sonora Quest Laboratories LLC (AZ), Specialty Laboratories Inc. (CA), Summit Health, UMass Memorial Medical Center - Anatomic Pathology Outreach Laboratory Business, Unilab Corporation, and Unilab Corporation (DE). Westpac Banking Corp. engages in the provision of banking and financial services. It operates through the following segments: Consumer Bank, Business Bank, BT Financial Group (Australia), Westpac Institutional Bank, Westpac New Zealand and Group Businesses. The Consumer Bank segment covers consumer banking products and services under the Westpac, St. George, BankSA, Bank of Melbourne and RAMS brands. The Business Bank segment involves in sales and customer service of small-to-medium enterprise, commercial and agribusiness customers under the Westpac, St.George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA brands. The BT Financial Group (Australia) segment manages wealth and insurance division. The Westpac Institutional Bank segment delivers a range of financial services to commercial, corporate, institutional, and government customers. The Westpac New Zealand segment comprises sales and service of banking, wealth, and insurance products for consumer, business, and institutional customers. The Group Businesses segment treasury which is responsible for the management of the Group's balance sheet, group technology which includes functions for the Australian businesses, and core support which covers Read More President Energy Plc engages in the exploration, evaluation, and production of oil and gas properties primarily in South America. The company holds exploration assets in Argentina, the United States, and Paraguay. It also sells hydrocarbons. The company was formerly known as President Petroleum Company PLC and changed its name to President Energy Plc in September 2012. President Energy Plc was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Leeds, the United Kingdom. Read More First BanCorp (Puerto Rico) is a holding company, which engages in the provision of personal, commercial, and corporate banking services through its subsidiaries. It operates through the following segments: Commercial and Corporate Banking, Consumer (Retail) Banking, Mortgage Banking, Treasury and Investments, United States Operations, and Virgin Islands Operations. The Commercial and Corporate Banking segment consists of the company's lending and other services for large customers represented by specialized and middle-market clients and the public sector. The Consumer (Retail) Banking segment includes consumer lending and deposit-taking activities conducted mainly through FirstBank's branch network in Puerto Rico. The Mortgage Banking segment focuses on the origination, sale, and servicing of a variety of residential mortgage loan products and related hedging activities. The Treasury and Investments segment deals with treasury and investment management functions. The United States Operations segment represents all banking activities conducted by FirstBank on the United States mainland. The Virgin Islands Operations segment includes all banking activities conducted by FirstBank in Read More The decree raised the ceiling for the rate of Vietnamese students at kindergartens, primary, secondary and high schools to 50 percent from the previous quotas of 10 percent for the primary level and 20 percent for secondary and high schools. Troy Griffiths, Deputy Managing Director at real estate company Savills Vietnam, said with a young population of over 94 million, Vietnam has advantages to develop the education sector. He said Ho Chi Minh City is among 27 cities worldwide which house more than 50 international schools, adding that it reflects the big appeal of the local education market. The limit on Vietnamese student enrollment was once a barrier to overseas capital flow into the sector, he said, hailing the new decree as opening up big opportunity for investors who want to build international schools in Vietnam. The education-training sector saw 46 foreign-funded projects worth 51 million USD licensed in the first nine months of 2019, according to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment. To date, the country has attracted 437 projects of this kind, with total registered capital amounting to 4.3 billion USD. Most of the investments have been channeled into the area of foreign language education, particularly English. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City now have about 450 English language centres. Reports from Savills Vietnam showed a number of merger and acquisition (M&A) activities taking place in the field. The UK-based Cognita group acquired the International School Ho Chi Minh City and International School Saigon Pearl, while Hong Kong-based provider of international schools Nord Anglia Education bought up the British International School (BIS), among others.-VNA 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.. The following companies are subsidiares of Quanta Services: (De) Lazy Q Ranch LLC, 1 Diamond LLC, 1Diamond AS, 618232 Alberta Ltd., 8246408 Canada Inc., Advanced Electric Systems, Advanced Electric Systems LLC, Advanced Utility Testing & Maintenance LLC, Alexander Publications LLC, Allteck GP Ltd., Allteck Limited Partnership, Apprenticeship Programs Inc., Arby Construction, Arcanum Chemicals LLC, Arnett & Burgess Oil Field Construction Limited, Arnett & Burgess Pipeliners (Rockies) LLC, Arnett & Burgess Pipeliners Ltd., B&N Clearing and Environmental LLC, Banister Pipelines Constructors Corp., Banister Pipelines Constructors GP Ltd., Banister Pipelines Limited Partnership, Brent Woodward Inc., Brink Constructors Inc., Brink Constructors Inc. A Corporation Of South Dakota, Brown Engineering and Testing, CAT SPEC Ltd., CAT-SPEC Limited Partnership, CAT-SPEC Limited Partnership (Regd Name) CAT SPEC Ltd., CAT-Spec Limited Partnership, Canadian Utility Construction Corp., Cat Spec Limited LP, Cat Spec Ltd, Cat Spec Ltd. L.P., Cat Spec Ltd. LP, Cat Spec. Ltd. LP, Cat-Spec Ltd (A Domestic limited Partnership), Cat-Spec Ltd LP, Cat-Spec Ltd., Cat-Spec Ltd. L.P., Cat-Spec Ltd. LP, Cat-Spec Ltd. Limited Partnership, Catalyst Changers Inc., Chatham Electric, Citadel Industrial Services L.P., Citadel Industrial Services Ltd., Citadel Industrial Services Ltd. L.P., Citadel Industrial Services Ltd. Limited Partnership, Coe Drilling Pty Ltd., Computapole, Conam Construction Co., Consolidated Power Projects Australia Pty Ltd, Conti Communications Inc., Crux Subsurface Canada Ltd., Crux Subsurface Inc., Cutting Technology - 1 Diamond LLC, DB Utilities Inc., DE Lazy Q Ranch LLC, DNR Pressure Welding Ltd., Dacon Corporation, Dashiell (DE) Corporation (Dashiell Corporation), Dashiell Corporation, Dashiell Corporation DBA Dashiell (DE) Corporation, De Mears Group, De Mears Group Inc., Delaware Quanta Technology LLC, Delaware Underground Construction Co., Didado Utility Company Inc., Digco Utility Construction L.P. Digco Utility Construction Limited Partnership, Dorado Specialty Services L.P., Dorado Specialty Services Ltd., Dorado Specialty Services Ltd. L.P., Dorado Specialty Services Ltd. Limited Partnership, Dorado Specialty Services. Ltd. L.P., Driftwood Electrical Contractors, EHV Power ULC, ELITE PIPING & CIVIL L.P., ELITE TURNAROUND SPECIALISTS LTD, Elite Fabrication Ltd. Elite Fabrication LP, Elite Piping & Civil Limited Partnership, Elite Piping & Civil Limited Partnership, Elite Piping & Civil Lp, Elite Piping & Civil Ltd L.P., Elite Piping & Civil Ltd., Elite Piping & Civil Ltd. L.P., Elite Piping & Civil Ltd. Limited Partnership, Elite Piping and Civil L.P., Elite Turnaround Specialists L.p., Elite Turnaround Specialists Limited Lp, Elite Turnaround Specialists Limited Partnership, Elite Turnaround Specialists Limited Partnership, Elite Turnaround Specialists Ltd Lp, Elite Turnaround Specialists Ltd., Elite Turnaround Specialists Ltd. L.P., Elite Turnaround Specialists Ltd. LP, Elite Turnaround Specialists Ltd. Limited Partnership, Energy Consulting Group LLC, Enscope, Enscope Pty Ltd, FIC GP LLC, Field Personnel Services LLC, First Infrastructure Capital Advisors LLC, First Infrastructure Capital GP L.P., Five Points Construction Co., G-Tek, G-Vac, GEM Engineering Co., Grand Electric Inc., Great Lakes Line Builders, Grid Creative Inc., Grid Manufacturing Corporation, Grid Training Corporation, H.L. Chapman Pipeline Construction Inc., Haverfield Aviation, Haverfield Aviation Inc., Haverfield International Incorporated, Heritage Midstream LLC, IM Electric Inc., IUC ILLINOIS LLC, IUC Nebraska LLC, InfraSource Construction LLC, InfraSource Field Services LLC, InfraSource Services LLC, InfraSources Construction LLC, Infraestructura ETP de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V, Infrasource Engineering Company PC, Infrasource Iowa Underground LLC, Infrasource Of Pa LLC, Integracion Tecnologica del Peru SAC, Intermountain Electric Inc., Intermountain Electric Inc. A Corporation of Colorado, IonEarth LLC, Irby Construction Company, Irby Construction Company Inc., Iron Mountain M.J. Electric LLC, Island Mechanical Corporation, J.C.R. Construction Co. Inc., J.C.R. Utility Construction Co., J.W. Didado Electric Inc., J.W. Didado Electric LLC, J.w. Didado Electric, JBT Electric LLC, Kingston Contracting Inc., Lazy Q Ranch LLC, Lazy Q Training Center LLC The Lazy Q Lineman School, Legend Foundation Services, Lex Engineering Ltd., Lindsey Electric L.P., Logical Link, Longfellow Drilling, M. G. Dyess Inc., M. J. ELECTRIC LLC IRON MOUNTAIN, M. J. Electric LLC, M. J. Electric LLC - Iron Mountain, M. J. Electric LLC DBA M. J. Electric Iron Mountain LLC, M.J. Electric LLC DBA M.J. Electric Iron Mountain, M.J. Electric LLC Iron Mountain, MTS Field Services, MTS Field Services (Richmond Co), MTS Quanta LLC, Manuel Bros. Inc., Marathon Construction Services, Mears Canada Corp., Mears Equipment Services LLC, Mears Group Inc., Mears Group Pty Ltd, Mears Installation LLC, Mearsmex S. de R.L. de C.V., Mejia Personnel Services LLC, Mercer Technical Services, Microline Technology Corporation, Mid America Energy Services Inc., NACAP Niugini Ltd., NC Northstar Energy Services Inc, NGI Construction, NGI Construction Inc., NGI Construction Inc. (FN), NLC CA. Inc., NLC FL. Inc. Northwest Lineman Center, NLC ID. Inc. Northwest Lineman College, NLC TX. Inc., NPC Energy Services LLC, Nacap Australia, Nacap PNG Limited, Network Communication Services, North Houston Pole Line L.P., North Houston Pole Line Limited Partnership, North Sky Communications, NorthStar Energy Services Inc., Northern Powerline Constructors Inc., Northstar Energy Solutions LLC, Northwest Lineman Center, Northwest Lineman College, Northwest Lineman Training Center, Northwest Lineman Training Center Inc., Nova Constructors LLC, Nova Constructors LTD, Nova Equipment Leasing LLC, Nova Group Inc, Nova Group Inc (CA), Nova Group Inc., Nova Group Inc. DBA NGI Construction, Nova NextGen Solutions LLC, O. J. Pipelines Canada Corporation, O. J. Pipelines Canada Limited Partnership, O.J. Industrial Maintenance, O.J. Pipelines Canada, One Call Locators Canada Ltd., P.D.G. Electric, PAR Electrical Contractors Inc., PDG Electric Co., Par Internacional S. de R.L. de C.V., Performance Energy Services Guyana Ltd., Performance Energy Services L.L.C., Phasor Engineering Inc., Phoenix North Constructors Inc., Phoenix Power Group Inc., Potelco Inc., Potelco Incorporated, Power Delivery Program Inc., Price Gregory International Inc., Price Gregory Services LLC, Probst Construction Inc., Probst Electric Inc., QEPC, QEPC Power Solutions LLC, QES GP LLC, QP Energy Services LLC, QPS Engineering LLC, QPS Engineering LTD., QPS Engineering PLLC, QPS Environmental, QPS Flint Construction, QPS Flint Tank Services, QPS Global, QPS Global Services, QPS Global Services (Richmond Ci), QPS Professional Services, QPSE, QS Mats, QSI Engineering Inc., QSI Finance (Australia) Pty Ltd., QSI Finance (Cayman) Pvt. Ltd., QSI Finance Canada ULC, QSI Finance GP (US) LLC, QSI Finance I (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., QSI Finance I (US) LP, QSI Finance II (Australia) Pty Ltd., QSI Finance II (Lux) S.a r.l, QSI Finance II (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., QSI Finance III (Canada) ULC, QSI Finance III (Lux) SARL, QSI Finance IV (Canada) ULC, QSI Finance IX (Canada) Limited Partnership, QSI Finance V (US) L.P., QSI Finance VI (Canada) ULC, QSI Finance VII (Canada) Limited Partnership, QSI Finance VIII (Canada) ULC, QSI Finance X (Canada) ULC, QSI Inc., QSN Lux Holdings I SCSp, QSN Lux Holdings II SCSp, QSN Lux Holdings III SCSp, QSN Lux Holdings IV SCSp, QTSL LLC, QUANTA FOUNDATION SERVICES, Quanta APL GP II Ltd., Quanta Asset Management LLC, Quanta Associates L.P., Quanta Aviation Services LLC, Quanta Canada GP ULC, Quanta Canada Holdings III Limited Partnership, Quanta Canada Holdings LP, Quanta Canada III GP Ltd., Quanta Capital GP LLC, Quanta Capital LP L.P., Quanta Capital Solutions Inc., Quanta Cares, Quanta EPC Services, Quanta Electric Power Construction LLC, Quanta Electric Power Construction Management Inc., Quanta Electric Power Services LLC, Quanta Electric Power Services West LLC, Quanta Energized Innovations Ltd., Quanta Energized Services U.S. LLC, Quanta Energized Services of Canada Ltd., Quanta Energy Services LLC, Quanta Environmental Solutions, Quanta Equipment Company LLC, Quanta Government Solutions Inc., Quanta Holdings I (Netherlands) B.V., Quanta Holdings II (Netherlands) B.V., Quanta Infraestructura de Chile SpA, Quanta Infrastructure Services LLC, Quanta Infrastructure Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Quanta Inline Devices LLC, Quanta Inspection Services, Quanta Insurance Company Inc., Quanta International Holdings (US) LLC, Quanta International Holdings II Ltd., Quanta International Holdings Ltd., Quanta International Limited, Quanta Kingsvale LP Ltd., Quanta Lines Pty Ltd., Quanta Maine Services LLC, Quanta Middle East LLC, Quanta Pipeline Services Inc., Quanta Power Australia Pty Ltd, Quanta Power Generation Inc., Quanta Power Inc., Quanta Power Solutions India Private Limited, Quanta Resource Development, Quanta Services Africa (PTY) Ltd., Quanta Services Australia Pty Ltd., Quanta Services Chile SpA, Quanta Services Colombia S.A.S., Quanta Services Costa Rica Ltda., Quanta Services Guatemala Ltda., Quanta Services International Holdings II LP, Quanta Services International Holdings LP, Quanta Services Management Partnership L.P., Quanta Services Netherlands B.V., Quanta Services Panama S. de R.L., Quanta Services Peru S.A.C., Quanta Services Puerto Rico LLC, Quanta Services of Canada Ltd., Quanta Subsurface Canada Ltd., Quanta Subsurface LLC, Quanta Tank Services, Quanta Technology Canada ULC, Quanta Technology LLC, Quanta Technology UK Ltd., Quanta Tecnologia do Brasil Ltda., Quanta Telecom, Quanta Telecom Services, Quanta Telecommunication Services, Quanta Telecommunication Services LLC, Quanta Telecommunications Services LLC, Quanta Underground Services, Quanta Underground Services (Culpeper Co), Quanta Underground Services (Spotsylvania Co), Quanta Underground Services Inc., Quanta Utility Engineering Services Inc., Quanta Utility Installation Company Inc., Quanta Utility Operation LLC, Quanta West LLC, Quantecua Cia. Ltda., R. R. Cassidy Inc., RMS Holdings LLC, RMS Holdings LLC (Delaware), RMS Welding Systems, RMS Welding Systems LLC, Ranger Directional, Realtime Engineers Inc., Realtime Utility Engineers Inc., Redes Andinas de Comunicaciones S.R.L., Riggin & Diggin Line Construction, Rms Welding LLC, Rms Welding Systems LLC, Road Bore Corporation, Ryan Company Inc. The, Ryan Company Inc. of Massachusetts, Ryan Company Inc.(The), Seaward, Seaward Corp, Seaward Corporation, Service EC (DE) Inc., Service Electric Company (DE), Service Electric Company Inc., Service Electric Company of Delaware, Servicios Par Electric S. de R.L. de C.V., Servicios de Infraestructura del Peru S.A.C., Southwest Trenching Company Inc., Specialty Tank Services L.P., Specialty Tank Services LP, Specialty Tank Services Limited Partnership, Specialty Tank Services Limited Partnership, Specialty Tank Services Ltd., Specialty Tank Services Ltd. (LP), Specialty Tank Services Ltd. L.P., Specialty Tank Services Ltd. LP, Specialty Tank Services Ltd. LP, Specialty Tank Services Ltd. Limited Partnership, Stronghold General LLC, Stronghold Holdings (BVI) Limited, Stronghold Inspection L.P., Stronghold Inspection Limited Partnership, Stronghold Inspection Limited Partnership, Stronghold Inspection Lp, Stronghold Inspection Ltd L.P., Stronghold Inspection Ltd., Stronghold Inspection Ltd. L.P., Stronghold Inspection Ltd. Limited Partnership, Stronghold Limited Partnership, Stronghold Ltd., Stronghold Ltd. Limited Partnership, Stronghold Management Holdings LP, Stronghold Specialty General LLC, Stronghold Specialty Ltd., Stronghold Specialty Ltd., Stronghold Specialty Ltd. Limited Partnership, Stronghold Tower Group LP, Stronghold Tower Group Ltd LP, Stronghold Tower Group Ltd., Stronghold Tower Group Ltd. LP, Stronghold VI LLC, Subterra Damage Prevention Specialists Ltd., Summit Line Construction, Sumter Utilities Inc., T. G. Mercer Consulting Services Inc., TA Construction, TC Infrastructure Services Ltd., Taylor Built, Texas Specialty Tank Services Ltd. LP, The Aspen Utility Company LLC, The ComTran Group Inc., The Hallen Construction Co. Inc., The Massachusetts Ryan Company Inc., The Ryan Company Inc Of Massachusetts, The Ryan Company Inc., The Ryan Company Inc. (Massachusetts), The Ryan Company Inc. of Massachusetts, The Ryan Company Incorporated of Massachusetts, The Ryan Company Of Massachusetts Inc., The Ryan Company of Massachusetts, The Ryan Company of Massachusetts (FN), Tom Allen Construction Company Inc., Tom Allen Construction Company of Delaware, Trans Tech Electric, TurnKey Automation Limited Partnership, TurnKey Automation Limited Partnership, TurnKey Automation Ltd., TurnKey Automation Ltd. Limited Partnership, TurnKey Automation Ltd. Limited Partnership, TurnKey I&E Ltd., Turnkey Automation Ltd. L.P., Turnkey Automation Ltd. LP., UCC Underground Construction Co. Inc., Ucc - Underground Construction Co., Underground Construction Co. Inc., Underground Construction Co. Inc. (Delaware), Underground Electric Construction Company LLC, Utilco Inc., Utility Fleet Services, Utility Line Management Services Inc., Utility Testing & Maintenance LLC, Utility Training Services Corporation, VALARD Polska sp. Z o.o., Valard, Valard, Valard Construction (Ontario) Ltd., Valard Construction (Quebec) Inc., Valard Construction 2008 Ltd., Valard Construction Australia Pty Ltd, Valard Construction LLC, Valard Equipment (AB) Ltd., Valard Equipment GP Ltd., Valard Equipment Limited Partnership, Valard Geomatics (Ontario) Ltd., Valard Geomatics BC Ltd., Valard Geomatics Ltd., Valard Mechanical Ltd., Valard Norway AS, Valard Sweden AB, Valard Zagreb d. o. o., Wade D. Taylor Inc., West Coast Communications, Winco Helicopters, Winco Inc., Winco Inc. an Oregon Based Corporation, Winco Powerline Services, Winco Powerline Services Inc., Winco Powerline Services Inc., Winco Services Inc., World Fiber Inc., and mmit Line Construction Inc.. iShares MSCI South Korea ETF's stock was trading at $52.04 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, EWY stock has increased by 49.9% and is now trading at $78.01. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. 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 Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on October 23, 2018 2018/10/23 Q: The US navy warships yesterday sailed through the Taiwan Strait. Does China consider this a provocative move by the United States? A: The Chinese side has been closely monitoring from start to end the passage by the US warships through the Taiwan Strait. We have expressed our concern to the US side. The Taiwan issue concerns the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China. It is the most important and sensitive issue amid China-US relations. We urge the US to observe the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-US joint communiques and prudently and properly handle Taiwan-related issues so as to avoid undermining China-US relations and the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Q: According to reports, on October 22, the ROK Defense Ministry said that the ROK and the DPRK confirmed the completion of the de-mining operations in the Joint Security Area. They agreed to take measures of withdrawing military posts, armed forces and firearms by October 25 and will conduct a joint verification for the following two days. In accordance with the agreement on military affairs under the Panmunjom Declaration, starting from November 1, the DPRK will close coastal artillery guns deployed in the west coast and completely stop firing onto the buffer zones. What is your comment? A: We have noted relevant reports. We welcome and commend these positive efforts and latest achievements as the DPRK and the ROK work to implement the Panmunjom Declaration and the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration. People on the Peninsula and in the region have all been longing for peace, prosperity, reconciliation and cooperation. As a close neighbor to the Korean Peninsula, China firmly supports the DPRK and the ROK in translating their leaders' consensus into concrete actions, consolidating political mutual trust, and moving forward the process of reconciliation and cooperation on the Korean Peninsula. We hope that the DPRK and the ROK could follow through on their agreements reached in the relevant declarations, continuously push forward DPRK-ROK interactions and cooperation, and play a positive role in politically resolving the Peninsula issue and realizing enduring peace for the region. Q: It is learnt that the 16th Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) on the Implementation of the DOC will soon be held. Do you have more information on that? A: China and ASEAN countries will hold the 16th Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) on the Implementation of the DOC in Manila, the Philippines on October 26. Senior diplomatic officials of China and ASEAN countries will attend the meeting. The 26th Joint Working Group (JWG) on the Implementation of the DOC will be convened back to back before that. China will have an in-depth exchange of views with ASEAN countries on the further implementation of the DOC, promoting maritime practical cooperation and the consultations on the COC. Q: Reports say that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be accompanied by about 500 Japanese business leaders during his upcoming visit to China this week. Does this mean that the two sides will achieve many outcomes in the economic and trade areas during this visit? A: Economic and trade cooperation is an important part of China-Japan relations. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the inking of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship as well as China's reform and opening-up. During the past four decades, Japan's business community has taken an active part in China's reform and opening up and conducted economic, trade and investment cooperation with China, which has contributed to the respective development of our two countries as well as the growth of China-Japan ties and delivered tangible benefits to the two peoples. China boasts a huge consumer market of nearly 1.4 billion people. Now China is implementing new measures to expand the opening-up, which will provide China-Japan economic and trade cooperation with greater opportunities and broader prospects. When Premier Li Keqiang visited Japan in May this year, China and Japan reached a series of consensus on expanding investment and financial cooperation and conducting the third-market cooperation. During Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to China this time, our two sides will hold the First China-Japan Third-Market Cooperation Forum and explore how to step up cooperation in such areas as high and new technology and finance. We believe that this visit will help elevate and upgrade our bilateral practical cooperation and make China-Japan ties continue to grow after our bilateral relations came back to the right track. Q: On October 22, US President Donald Trump said that the US would withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and China should be included in the treaty. On the same day, US National Security Adviser John Bolton also said that the US is faced with a very real threat from China and it does not want to be the only country bound by the treaty. 33 to 50 percent of the overall number of China's ballistic missiles was out of line with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. What is your comment? A: We have noted the relevant statements made by the US side on its announcement to unilaterally withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which mentioned China many times. Yesterday I made clear China's position on this issue. The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which was signed by the United States and the former Soviet Union, is a bilateral treaty. Now it is the US that wants to unilaterally withdraw from the treaty, but it makes an issue out of other countries. Shifting blames to others does not make any sense. China pursues a national defense policy which is defensive in nature and firmly safeguards its legitimate national and security interests. We will by no means accept any form of blackmail. I once again urge the US to refrain from going against the trend of the times and think twice before taking any action on this issue. Q: It is reported that the Chinese and Japanese governments are negotiating an end to the 40-year-old Official Development Assistance (ODA) in hope of finding a new cooperation model. What is your comment? How do you comment on Japan's ODA to China? A: Japan's ODA cooperation with China has played a positive role in China's reform and opening-up and economic development. Japan has also reaped tangible benefits from such cooperation which constitutes an important part of the mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation between China and Japan. In light of the latest situation, China would like to remain in communication with Japan on the relevant dialogue and cooperation. Q: State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi is currently on a visit in New Delhi. He held talks with India's Home Minister Rajnath Singh yesterday. The two sides signed the cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Republic of India. How does China view the significance of this agreement? Can you provide more details about it? A: On October 22, China and India held the high-level meeting on law enforcement and security for the first time. State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi and India's Home Minister Rajnath Singh signed the cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Republic of India, which is of great importance to promoting the growth of bilateral ties and elevating our cooperation in law enforcement and security. Now China-India relations enjoy a sound momentum of growth. In April this year, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi held a successful informal meeting in Wuhan. Enhancing bilateral cooperation in such areas as law enforcement and security will certainly create a secure and stable environment for the common development and prosperity of our two countries. According to the readout that has been released, going forward, our two sides will focus on strengthening practical cooperation on counter-terrorism, combating separatist forces and cracking down on transnational crimes and jointly prevent and fight separatist forces and transnational crimes such as counterfeiting offenses, telecommunications fraud and drug crimes. Meanwhile, we will expand the communication channels and cooperation areas between our law enforcement departments and effectively protect the security of the projects, institutions and personnel on each other's territory. Q: Reports say that during the meeting, the Indian side sought China's support for Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)'s leader, Masood Azhar, to be designated as a terrorist at the UN. Reports also say that India has asked China not to give shelter to the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA)'s leader Paresh Baruah. Do you have any comment on this? A: Like I said just now, the readout on State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi's meeting with Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh has already been released by the Chinese side. You can get a main picture of the meeting in the readout. As to whether the two specific issues you raised were talked about at the meeting, I am not aware of the relevant information for the moment. As for India asking for China's support at the UN to list Masood as a terrorist, we have reiterated our position many times. China always takes an active part in the international counter-terrorism cooperation, and meanwhile we will base our decisions on the merits of each case. We would like to strengthen counter-terrorism and security cooperation with India and jointly safeguard regional peace and security. You also mentioned that India asked China not to offer cover to the leader of the United Liberation Front of Assam on its territory. I want to stress that the Chinese government always adheres to the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs. This position has not changed and will not change. The following question was raised after the press conference: Today the Japanese government held a commemoration to mark the 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended and addressed the event. What is your comment? Hua Chunying: We have noted that the Japanese government held a commemoration to mark the 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration. The Chinese side hopes that the Japanese side can view that historical period in a correct and objective way, stay committed to the path of peaceful development and take concrete actions to promote the improvement and development of Japan's ties with its neighbors. iShares MSCI Japan ETF's stock was trading at $49.67 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, EWJ shares have increased by 39.9% and is now trading at $69.50. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF's stock was trading at $109.01 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, VIG stock has increased by 53.3% and is now trading at $167.07. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Anadarko Petroleum Corporation engages in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of oil and gas properties. It operates through three segments: Exploration and Production, WES Midstream, and Other Midstream. The company explores for and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids (NGLs). It is also involved in gathering, processing, treating, and transporting oil, natural-gas, and NGLs production, as well as the gathering and disposal of produced water. The company's oil and natural gas properties are located in the United States onshore and deepwater Gulf of Mexico; and Algeria, Ghana, Mozambique, Colombia, Peru, and other countries. As of December 31, 2018, it had approximately 1.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent of proved reserves. The company was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas. Read More Sanchez Energy Corporation, an independent exploration and production company, focuses on the acquisition and development of U.S. onshore unconventional oil and natural gas resources. It engages in the horizontal development of resources from the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas. It also holds an undeveloped acreage position in the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale (TMS) in Mississippi and Louisiana. As of December 31, 2017, the company had assembled approximately 285,000 net acres in the Eagle Ford Shale; and owned approximately 37,000 net acres in the TMS. Sanchez Energy Corporation was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Read More 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 Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various personal and commercial banking products and services in Canada and the United States. It operates through three segments: Canadian Retail, U.S. Retail, and Wholesale Banking. The company offers personal deposits, such as chequing, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases through auto dealer network. It also provides credit cards; real estate secured lending; auto finance; consumer lending; point-of-sale payment solutions for large and small businesses; wealth and asset management products, private banking, investment advisory, and trust services to retail and institutional clients; and property and casualty insurance, as well as life and health insurance products. The company also provides capital markets, and corporate and investment banking services, including underwriting and distribution of new debt and equity issues; advice on strategic acquisitions and divestitures; and trading, funding, and investment services to companies, governments, and institutions. It offers its products and services under the TD Bank and America's Most Convenient Bank brand names. The company operates through a network of 1,085 branches, 3,440 automated teller machines, and 1,223 stores, as well as offers telephone, digital, and mobile banking services. The Toronto-Dominion Bank was founded in 1855 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF's stock was trading at $75.66 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, VYM stock has increased by 44.5% and is now trading at $109.32. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. His Highness Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II Head of State Statement at the Presentation of Credentials of Mira Woldberg, Ambassador-designate of Netherlands I am pleased to accept the Letter of Credence accrediting you as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Netherlands to the Independent State of Samoa. I also extend my sincere thanks for presenting the Letter of Recall for your predecessor and would humbly ask that you convey my best wishes and good health of His Majesty King Willem Alexander. Excellency, Samoa and Netherlands established diplomatic relations since April 1979. However, relations between Samoa and Netherlands have been long established in the early 18th century. As you have mentioned, Jacob Roggeveen, became the first European to witness firsthand our islands and its people in 1722. In furthering our mutual relations, Samoa and Netherlands shares common values within the United Nations, and that includes strengthening our cooperation on global security, rule of law, freedom, democracy and human rights. Samoa acknowledges and appreciates Netherlands multilateral development assistance through the EU partnership. Samoa being a small island state like the rest of our Pacific neighbors is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change such as rising sea level, unprecedented weather temperatures and frequent cyclones outside our normal cyclone season. Samoa commends the commitment of Netherlands to assist our joint efforts to deal with the challenges of climate change. Samoa would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Netherlands in election as a member to the United Nations Security Council in 2018. We acknowledge with appreciation your advocacy of issues important to SIDs and Samoa during your membership within the UN Security Council. Next week, Samoa will be hosting the SAMOA Pathway SIDS Review which will invite all small island developing states to discuss issues on climate change, security, sustainable development and other important matters. We hope your SIDs islands will participate and add to our collective efforts and stance. Excellency, I wish you the very best in your tenure as the Ambassador of Netherlands to Samoa. I am confident that during your tenure, your office will continue to push the warm relations that our two countries enjoy to new heights and in promoting areas for further cooperation between our Governments. I hope that you will enjoy the rest of your visit in Samoa. Soifua. The following companies are subsidiares of Pearson: AEL (S) PTE Limited, ATI Professional Development LLC, Addison Wesley Longman Inc., Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers Inc., Aldwych Finance Limited, Americas Choice Inc., Atkey Finance Limited, Author Solutions, Axis Finance Inc., CAMSAWUSA Inc., CTI Education Group (Pty) Limited, Camsaw Inc., Casapsi Livraria e Editora Ltda, Centro Cultural Americano Franquias e Comercio Ltda., Century Consultants Ltd., Certiport, Certiport China Co Ltd, Certiport China Holding LLC, Certiport Inc., Cogmed Systems AB, Connections Academy of Arkansas LLC, Connections Academy of Florida LLC, Connections Academy of Iowa LLC, Connections Academy of Maine LLC, Connections Academy of Maryland LLC, Connections Academy of Minnesota LLC, Connections Academy of Missouri LLC, Connections Academy of Nevada LLC, Connections Academy of New Jersey LLC, Connections Academy of New Mexico LLC, Connections Academy of New York LLC, Connections Academy of Oregon LLC, Connections Academy of Pennsylvania LLC, Connections Academy of Tennessee LLC, Connections Academy of Texas LLC, Connections Education Inc., Connections Education LLC, Connections Education of Florida LLC, Dominie Press Inc., Dorian Finance Limited, Dorling Kindersley Australasia Pty Limited, EBNT Canada Holdings ULC, EBNT Holdings Limited, EBNT USA Holdings Inc., Edexcel Limited, Edexcel South Africa Pty Ltd, Education Development International plc, Education Resources (Cyprus) Limited, Educational Management Group Inc., Educational Publishers LLP, Embanet ULC, Embanet-Compass Knowledge Group Inc., EmbanetCompass, Embankment Finance Limited, English Language Learning and Instruction System Inc., Escape Studios Limited, FBH Inc., Falstaff Holdco Inc., Falstaff Inc., GED Domains LLC, GED Testing Service LLC, George (Shanghai) Commercial Information Consulting Co. Ltd, Global Education, Global George I Limited, Global George II Limited, GlobalEnglish, Globe Fearon Inc., Guangzhou Crescent Software Co. Ltd, Heinemann Education Botswana (Publishers) (Proprietary) Limited, Heinemann Publishers (Pty) Ltd, INTELLIPRO INC., Icodeon Limited, IndiaCan Education Private Limited, Integral 7 Inc., Integrated Analytics LLC, J M Solucoes Exportacao e Importacao Ltda, K12 Learning Services LLC, Kagiso Education Pty Ltd, Knowledge Analysis Technologies LLC, LCCI International Qualifications (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., LCCIEB Training Consultancy. Ltd, Learning Catalytics, LessonLab Inc., Lignum Oil Company, Linx Brasil Distribuidora Ltda., Longman (Malawi) Limited, Longman Australasia Pty Ltd, Longman Group(Overseas Holdings)Limited, Longman Indochina Acquisition L.L.C., Longman Kenya Limited, Longman Mocambique Ltda, Longman Romania S.R.L., Longman Swaziland (Pty) Limited, Longman Tanzania Limited, Longman Zambia Educational Publishers Pty Ltd, Longman Zambia Limited, Longman Zimbabwe (Private) Ltd, Longmaned Ecuador S.A., Major123 Limited, Maskew Miller Longman (Pty) Limited, MeasureUp LLC, Modern Curriculum Inc., Multi Holding, Multi Treinamento e Editora Ltda, NCS Information Technology Services (Beijing) Co Ltd, NCS Pearson Inc., NCS Pearson Pty Ltd, NCS Pearson Puerto Rico Inc., National Computer Systems Japan Co. Ltd, Ordinate Corporation, PN Holdings Inc., PT Efficient English Services, Pearson (Beijing) Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Pearson (Guizhou) Education Technology Co. Ltd., Pearson Affordable Learning Fund Limited, Pearson America LLC, Pearson Amsterdam B.V., Pearson Australia Finance Unlimited, Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd, Pearson Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, Pearson Australia Pty Ltd, Pearson Benelux B.V., Pearson Books Limited, Pearson Brazil Finance Limited, Pearson Business Services Inc., Pearson Canada Assessment Inc., Pearson Canada Finance Unlimited, Pearson Canada Holdings Inc, Pearson Canada Inc., Pearson Central Europe Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Pearson College Limited, Pearson DBC Holdings Inc., Pearson Desarrollo y Capacitacion Profesional Chile Limitada, Pearson Deutschland GmbH, Pearson Digital Learning Puerto Rico Inc., Pearson Dollar Finance Two Limited, Pearson Dollar Finance plc, Pearson Educacion SA, Pearson Educacion de Chile Limitada, Pearson Educacion de Colombia S A S, Pearson Educacion de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Pearson Educacion de Panama SA, Pearson Educacion de Peru S.A., Pearson Education (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Pearson Education Achievement Solutions (RF) (Pty) Limited, Pearson Education Africa (Pty) Ltd, Pearson Education Asia Limited, Pearson Education Botswana (Proprietary) Limited, Pearson Education Hellas SA, Pearson Education Holdings Limited, Pearson Education Inc., Pearson Education Indochina Limited, Pearson Education Investments Limited, Pearson Education Korea Limited, Pearson Education Limited, Pearson Education Namibia (Pty) Limited, Pearson Education Publishing Limited, Pearson Education S.A., Pearson Education SA, Pearson Education South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Pearson Education South Asia Pte. 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Xcel Energy, Inc. operates as a holding company, which engages in the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity. It operates through the following three segments: Regulated Electric Utility, Regulated Natural Gas Utility and All Others. The Regulated Electric Utility segment generates, transmits and distributes electricity primarily in portions of generates, transmits and distributes electricity in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Texas and New Mexico. In addition, this segment includes sales for resale and provides wholesale transmission service to various entities in the United States. It also includes commodity trading operations. The Regulated Natural Gas Utility segment transports, stores, and distributes natural gas primarily in portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Michigan and Colorado. The All Others segment engages in steam, appliance repair services, nonutility real estate activities, processing solid waste into refuse-derived fuel and investments in rental housing projects that qualify for low-income housing tax credits. The company was founded in 1909 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN. Read More Their birth certificates dont accurately represent their gender identity, and theyre looking to make that right. Currently, Kansas does not permit transgender citizens to fix their drivers licenses and state identification cards, according to LGBTQ Nation. Lambda Legal is filing a federal lawsuit on behalf of four transgender people who arent allowed to update their birth certificates. There are two trans men and two trans women on the suit. By not allowing transgender people like me to correct our birth certificates, the state complicates every aspect of our lives, said plaintiff Luc Bensimon. He expressed that having female on his birth certificate made it easier for people to know he is trans and, therefore, discriminate against him. The complaint states: Put simply, all people need access to a birth certificate that accurately reflects their identity. However, transgender people born in Kansas, unlike cisgender people born in Kansas, do not have access to accurate birth certificates. As an example of discrimination created by the failure to correct the birth certificates, [plaintiff Nyla] Foster has been required to present her birth certificate during job application processes. Because her birth certificate inaccurately states that she is male, providing this document has led directly to Ms. Foster being outed as transgender, and subsequently treated suspiciously and disrespectfully by prospective employers. Omar Gonzalez-Pagan of Lambda Legal believes the current policy is archaic and discriminatory and shows that Kansas needs to catch up with the rest of America. Forty-seven states, DC, and Puerto Rico acknowledge the importance of individuals having access to essential government identity documents that accurately reflect their sex, consistent with their gender identity. It is about time Kansas joins them, he said. Members of the Florida Panhandles LGBT community are trying to pick up the pieces from Hurricane Michael that devastated the region earlier this month. The LGBTQ Center of Bay County, which board secretary Cherie Crim described to the Washington Blade on Monday during a telephone interview as Bay Countys first safe space for LGBT youth, rented a room at an Episcopal church in Panama City. Michael destroyed a portion of the churchs roof. Pictures that Crim sent to the Blade also show several large trees fell into the side of the church during the hurricane. Our center really took a hit, she said. Crim told the Blade she and her colleagues have salvaged everything that we could from the church. She also said one of the LGBTQ Center of Bay Countys leaders held a youth group meeting at their home on Monday. We want to get the center up as fast as we can, said Crim. We want to be able to get things back up to the way they were, but it will take time. Drag queen, partner, friends evacuated to Ala. Michael had winds of 155 mph when it made landfall in Mexico Beach, which is roughly 20 miles southeast of Panama City, on Oct. 10. The hurricane caused widespread destruction in Floridas Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Liberty and Jackson Counties. Michael also devastated portions of southern Georgia as it moved inland.Damage was less widespread in Panama City Beach, a popular tourist destination that is roughly 10 miles west of Panama City. Michael caused some tidal flooding in Destin and in Pensacola Beach, but reports indicate damage was minor. China Moon is a drag queen who performs at Splash Bar Florida, a gay bar in Panama City Beach. She, her partner and two of their her best friends who live in the same mobile home park in Panama Citys St. Andrews neighborhood evacuated to Alabama before Michael. Moon told the Blade last week during a Facebook Live interview that she, her partner and one of their best friends returned to Panama City on Oct. 11, the day after the hurricane made landfall. Moon said one of their mobile homes was a total loss and they could not reach hers because there were too many trees down on the street. The third was accessible, she said. So, we as a group have all moved in there. Moon said Michael damaged Splash Bar Floridas ceiling and roof. A 10 p.m. 6:30 a.m. curfew remains in effect in Panama City Beach. Michael damage is insane Melanin Manreaux is another drag queen who has performed at Splash Bar Florida. She lives in Abbeville, Ala., which is two hours from Panama City, with her husband and daughter. Manreauxs parents home is in the Panama City suburb of Lynn Haven. Manreaux told the Blade on Oct. 19 during a Facebook Messenger interview that her parents boarded up the windows of their Panama City home and prepared for Michael, but chose not to evacuate. Manreaux said her parents were okay after Michael, even though it destroyed their home. The entire second level of their house is completely gone, she said. My childhood room is completely gone. Manreaux on Monday told the Blade her parents and other relatives had been living in what she described as FEMA-sponsored suites in a high-rise condominium building in Panama City Beach. Manreaux said they are now living in a hotel room because the condos board kicked my parents and a bunch of my family members and others out. A local television station reported an eviction notice was issued on Oct. 16 because of recently discovered water damage throughout the building. Manreaux saw her parents home on Monday for the first time since Michael made landfall. Im having a hard time keeping it together, said Manreaux. Im glad my daughter is at school and doesnt have to see this. Damage is devastation like Ive never seen Brandon Wolf, a Tallahassee-based activist who survived the Pulse nightclub massacre in 2016, told the Blade last week during a telephone interview from his home that roughly half of his Starbucks colleagues in Panama City are currently homeless because of Michael. Wolf and his colleagues brought employment applications, cell phones, water, portable WiFi hotspots and whatever we could bring to Panama City in the days after the hurricane made landfall. Wolf said they did not try to go to the area around Tyndall Air Force Base, which is between Panama City and Mexico Beach, because the damage was too extensive. I recognize the signs of shock and trauma from my own experience with it, Wolf told the Blade as he discussed his experience in Panama City after Michael. It was almost as though they couldnt acknowledge they were a person in need. Fifty percent of the people we talked to are homeless. Its devastation like Ive never seen, added Wolf. Poverty to hinder hurricane recovery efforts Michael killed at least 36 people: 26 in Florida and another 10 in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Reports indicate Michael caused billions of dollars in damage throughout the Southeast. Western Cuba experienced heavy rains and strong winds before Michael moved into the Gulf of Mexico and strengthened. Gulf Power, which is the Panhandles utility company, on Monday said 17,711 of its customers remain without electricity. Wolf, Crim and Moon all said cell phone reception and Internet access remains spotty in the region. Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, a Democrat who is running against former Congressman Ron DeSantis to succeed Florida Gov. Rick Scott, has said most residents of his city, which is roughly two hours east of Panama City, have had their electricity restored. Gillums campaign is also accepting donations for Michael victims at its offices across the state. President Trump and first lady Melania Trump visited the Panhandle on Oct. 15 with Florida Gov. Rick Scott and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Brock Long. The Trumps also visited areas of Georgia that Michael devastated. Equality Florida CEO Nadine Smith, who grew up in Panama City, noted high rates of poverty in the Panhandle will make post-Michael recovery difficult for many residents. The U.S. Census Bureau indicates 22 percent of Panama Citys residents live below the poverty level, compared to 7 percent of Panama City Beachs residents and 11.8 percent of Mexico Beachs residents. Statistics also indicate 35.1 percent of people who live in Marianna, a small city that is the county seat of Jackson County, live below the poverty level. Its not a wealthy area, Smith told the Blade last week, referring to the areas of the Panhandle that Michael devastated. Smith said she has not heard of any reports of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity at shelters or at distribution centers in the Panhandle. Manreaux expressed frustration and outrage over her familys post-Michael housing situation. I have a large family in PC (Panama City) that was hit extremely hard, she told the Blade on Monday. And to know that they were evicted from the residences that they were given as emergency housing infuriates me. Wolf added people in the Panhandle who are poor have been impacted more directly by the hurricane than those with higher incomes. Thats the way it goes, Wolf told the Blade. We saw it with Hurricane Katrina. We saw it in Puerto Rico (with Hurricane Maria). Wolf and Moon both noted many people simply could not afford to evacuate before Michael. Wolf also told the Blade that many of the damaged homes he saw in Panama City were built before the areas stronger building codes took effect. I saw so many mobile homes when I was there that were tossed around like match sticks, he said.Moon said she and her colleagues are doing the best they can to start recover from Michael. She and two other drag queens from Splash Bar Florida on Oct. 19 performed at a gay bar in Dothan, Ala., in order to make money they could use to purchase gas for their generator and other supplies. Moon said a patron gave each of them $100. For us to get out of the devastation of the city and to see some normalcy it was very therapeutic, she told the Blade on Sunday night. Moon nevertheless said most of Splash Bar Floridas 10 employees are struggling after Michael, in part, because they live paycheck to paycheck. Honestly, we are blessed compared to some others, she said. So, we have been giving back and helping where we can. Le Collectif Cheikh Yassine a organise un certain nombre dactivites et de festivites pour les enfants de Gaza sous le theme La joie des enfants de Gaza pour lAid . Ces activites ont commence le premier jour de lAid et continue jusquau 4eme jour de lAid dans la bande de Gaza. Plusieurs activites, ont ete organisees parmi lesquelles : des competitions recompensees par des prix, des jeux, des animations et des chants presentes par un groupe ainsi que des distributions de cadeaux et daides financieres. IceBridge's Airborne Topographic Mapper instrument, or ATM, has two lasers that shoot thousands of pulses of light per second in a circular motion that, combined with the plane's forward motion, result in spiral patterns of height measurements over Earth's surface. At the altitude that IceBridge typically conducts polar surveys, the lasers' swaths are 650 feet and 130 feet wide, respectively. Each single measurement, or laser pulse, for either instrument has a 3-foot footprint on the ground. In contrast, ICESat-2 takes measurements following six unique lines on the ground, one for each of its laser beams. The footprint of each ICESat-2 laser pulse is about 56 feet in diameter. Credits: NASA/Kelly Brunt, Adriana Manrique NASA's decade-long airborne survey of polar ice, Operation IceBridge, is once again probing Antarctica. But this year is different: it is the first time that the IceBridge team and instruments survey the frozen continent while NASA's newest satellite mission, the Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2), studies it from space. After successfully flying over the Bailey Ice Stream and Slessor Glacier in East Antarctica on Oct. 10, IceBridge will spend the next five weeks measuring changes in Antarctic sea and land ice while precisely flying under orbits of ICESat-2 to compare measurements. IceBridge began flying in 2009 to maintain continuity of laser-altimetry measurements between NASA's ICESat missions. The original ICESat mission ended in 2009, and its successor, ICESat-2, was launched this past Sept. 15. Since then, ICESat-2 has successfully collected its first height measurements across the Antarctic Ice Sheet on Oct. 3. "After a decade of flying both poles every year, we're finally bridging the two ICESat satellite missions," said Joe MacGregor, IceBridge's project scientist and a glaciologist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "It's hugely satisfying to be part of building this key observational record of change in the polar regions." "This campaign is our second-to-last Antarctic campaign and it is arguably the most scientifically diverse that IceBridge has ever done," MacGregor said. "We're going to be revisiting classic IceBridge targets: flights along glacier flowlines that have been surveyed since 2002, long-term sea ice flights, and new targets across West Antarctica. More than two dozen of these mission designs are relevant to both IceBridge and ICESat-2." IceBridge and ICESat-2 both use laser altimeters that fire pulses of light toward the ground and measure how long it takes for that light to bounce off the ice and return to the instruments' sensors. Scientists can then calculate the distance between the aircraft or the satellite and the ice surface, which gives them the ice height. When IceBridge flies along a track over Antarctica that ICESat-2 has either just or is about to pass over as it orbits in space, pilots will align the plane so that the swath fired by IceBridge's laser altimeter encompasses the tracks of two of ICESat-2's six laser beams. Researchers will then look for overlap between the IceBridge and ICESat-2 returns and compare their measurements of ice height. During this year's Antarctic campaign, the IceBridge team will fly under some of ICESat-2's orbits over sea and land ice. The underflights over sea ice to collect measurements of freeboard -- the total height of the snow cover and sea ice that floats above the ocean -- are particularly tricky. The ice that floats over the Southern Ocean is in constant motion, so in order to survey the same patches of sea ice that ICESat-2 will have flown over a few hours earlier or later that day, the IceBridge scientists will first have to figure out where that sea ice has drifted. "We're going to be chasing sea ice," said Linette Boisvert, IceBridge's deputy project scientist and a sea ice researcher at Goddard. "To do so, we will take the plane down to a lower altitude and remain there for a few seconds to measure wind speed and direction. We'll plug these data into a code that accounts for drift and other forces, calculating where the sea ice that ICESat-2 flew over is currently located. Then, we'll adjust our route to fly over it. On the way back to base, we'll drop lower again to measure wind speed, readjust our trajectory and chase sea ice again." Another modification to meet ICESat-2's needs will be performing a sea ice survey at twilight. Normally, IceBridge only conducts its flights in broad daylight, but, since ICESat-2 will be taking measurements around the clock, the scientists want to check whether laser data are more accurate at low light, when there is less interference on the laser instrument's sensors from the Sun. Over land ice, IceBridge will retrace some of ICESat-2's tracks over the ice sheet and its outlet glaciers, with a particular interest in areas of blue ice. Those are sections of the ice sheet where the wind has scoured the snow off and exposed nearly pure ice. The intercomparison of measurements of blue ice, with no snow interference, will help ICESat-2 researchers understand how much the laser signal can penetrate ice. While flying over Antarctica, IceBridge will also collaborate with satellite missions and international research groups as weather and time allow. During the sea ice surveys, the IceBridge plane may also fly under the tracks of ESA's (European Space Agency) CryoSat-2 and the European Union's Sentinel-3 satellites. During a survey flight over Thwaites Glacier, one of the fastest-changing glaciers in West Antarctica, IceBridge may collect seafloor measurements to support the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration, a joint campaign between the United States and the United Kingdom. This year, IceBridge flights to Antarctica will begin first from Punta Arenas, in southern Chile, and later from Ushuaia, in southern Argentina. The surveys will be conducted from NASA's DC-8 airborne science laboratory. The plane, managed by NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Palmdale, California, carries IceBridge's full instrument suite. IceBridge's main instrument is a dual-color laser altimeter from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia that measures surface elevation by transmitting both infrared and green laser pulses. The airborne mission also uses two types of radar systems from the Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets at the University of Kansas to study ice layers and Antarctica's bedrock. Wallops also contributes a high-resolution camera to collect color images of the ice surface and infrared cameras to read surface temperatures of sea and land ice. Goddard provides a hyperspectral imager to the mission that takes measurements over hundreds of wavelengths and Columbia University in New York manages a gravimeter to map the seafloor underneath the ice shelves. For more information on IceBridge, and to follow the 2018 Antarctic flights, visit: www.nasa.gov/icebridge Banner image: An icefall along the edge of Bailey Ice Stream in East Antarctica, as seen during an Operation IceBridge flight on Oct. 10, 2018. Credit: NASA/Jeremy Harbeck Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. NASA has announced a call for Lunar Surface Instrument and Technology Payloads that will fly to the Moon on commercial lunar landers as early as next year or 2020. The agency is working with U.S. industry and international partners to expand human exploration from the Moon to Mars. It all starts with robotic missions on the lunar surface, as well as a Gateway for astronauts in space orbiting the Moon. NASA is preparing to purchase commercial lunar payload delivery services for small payloads, and develop lunar landers for large payloads, to conduct more research on the Moon's surface ahead of a human return. The agency is seeking investigations that advance capabilities for science, exploration, or commercial development of the Moon. This call is specifically geared towards small payloads that can be ready for early commercial flights. Future calls for lunar payloads will occur at regular intervals for later missions, with the next call released in approximately one year. "We are looking for ways to not only conduct lunar science but to also use the Moon as a science platform to look back at the Earth, observe the Sun, or view the vast Universe," said Steve Clarke, Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "In terms of technology, we are interested in those instruments or systems that will help future missions--both human and robotic--explore the Moon and feed forward to future Mars missions." On early missions, science instruments will likely gather data related to heat flow within the Moon's interior, solar wind and atmosphere as well as dust detection. Lander payloads could also conduct technology demonstrations, using the Moon as a technology testbed for Mars. "The strategy is that these early missions will help us prepare for more complex future missions such as searching for useable resources, building up a seismic network to understand the Moon's internal structure, and studying the lunar mineralogy and chemistry to understand the Moon's origins," Clarke said. "NASA is also looking forward to supporting U.S. industry efforts to provide more commercial exploration services for multiple customers, including NASA." The agency requests payloads be ready for delivery and integration into lunar landers no later than December 2021. In most cases, payloads will be delivered in place and remain under the principal investigator's control until they are selected for a specific flight. The call for payloads falls under the Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES) funding program and requests proposals for principal investigator-led science instrument and technology investigations. The initial proposal deadline is November 19, 2018. The United States has not soft-landed on the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972. The Moon has scientific value and the potential to yield resources, such as water and oxygen, in relatively close proximity to Earth to help sustain deep space exploration. For more information on the call for proposals, please go to: https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary!init.do?solId={2D390C4D-39F9-E880-34C8-C07DC523698E}&path=open For more information on NASA's Exploration program, please go to: https://www.nasa.gov/topics/moon-to-mars Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. We can't seem to find the page you are looking for. You may have typed the address incorrectly or you may have used an outdated link. Legendary pacer and the richest Standardbred of all time, Foiled Again notched his 105th career win Monday (Oct. 22) at Harrington Raceway in 1:55.1 in a $10,000 conditioned race. The venerable pacer took the lead near the quarter-mile for driver Montrell Teague and dug in gamely to hold off all comers to a half-length victory, one of four for Teague on the program. He paid $12 to win. It was a fitting finish for his stop on his "farewell tour," where he greeted fans after the race in a temporary stall near the grandstand after the race. Harrington Raceway has a history with the pacer, as he is the only three-time winner of the track's signature event, the Bobby Quillen Memorial. The well-mannered 14-year-old son of Dragon Again has been a worthy ambassador for racing and his extremely favourable temperament has lent itself to an abundance of interaction with racing fans. As has been widely publicized, the pacer will be retiring from racing at year end. Foiled Agains visit to Harrington was coordinated by local television host Heather Vitale, who was instrumental in scheduling the appearance. Owners Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi and JJK Stables' have been generous with the pacer's schedule to accommodate various requests. Trained by Ron Burke, the immortal Foiled Again has banked more than $7.6 million his illustrious career. (Harrington Raceway) Free Event The Yellow Cab presents Handmade Holiday Dayton The Yellow Cab Creative Arts Building will present its 2019 Holiday craft show, Handmade Holiday Dayton, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held at the Yellow Cab, 700 E. Fourth Street, Dayton, Ohio 45402. This years Handmade Holiday will feature wares from dozens of local artisan vendors, craft displays, holiday desserts, and more. Food and refreshment will be available on site. Admission is free and open to the public. Prizes from local businesses will be raffled off. Handmade Holiday began in 2008. The first event, called 50 Under 50, was held in the former c{space and bolstered 50 crafters and artisans. In 2009 the name was changed to Handmade Holiday. In 2010 the show was moved to the Cannery building then to St. Clair Lofts in 2011. In 2012, Handmade Holiday was moved to its current home, the Yellow Cab Building. For 8 years, Handmade Holiday has become a staple in your holiday shopping experience. Handmade Holiday consists of only local artisans with their handmade wares. By purchasing products at Handmade Holiday, customers are supporting local small businesses while providing their loved ones with a unique cherished gift handmade by someone within their own community. Yellow Cab is a community art space in Dayton, Ohio in the Motor Car District near the Oregon District. Formerly, home to a taxi business for more than 40 years, we now host a variety of events art shows, live music, classes, movie night, food truck rallies and much more. The move is seen to push setting up of wifi services in the country and facilitate development of 5G ecosystem. New Delhi: The government has freed a set of spectrum in the 5 Gigahertz (Ghz) band from licensing for providing wifi and partially 5G services by telecom companies. No permits would be required for the spectrum in the range of 5150-5250 megahertz band, 5250-5350 Mhz and 5725-5875 Mhz, according to an official notification. No licence shall be required under indoor and outdoor environment to establish, maintain, work, possess or deal in any wireless equipment for the purpose of low power wireless access systems, including radio local area networks operating in the frequency band 5150-5250 MHz; 5250-5350 MHz; 5470-5725 MHz; and 5725-5875 MHz, the government notification said. The move is seen to push setting up of wifi services in the country and facilitate development of 5G ecosystem. The frequency range 5.1-5.3 Ghz and 5.7-5.8 Ghz is used for wifi services all over the world. It is a highly appreciable move from government to de-licence these bands. The frequency range between 5.3-5.7 Ghz can be used for 5G services, SN Gupta, secretary general, APT foundation of India under International Telecommunication Union, said. The 5 Ghz spectrum frequency can be used for short range communications like for coverage within an apartment or shopping centres. The government under Bharat Net project is planning to roll out 1 crore wifi hotspots in the country in rural area. Besides, it is in discussion with telecom operators to roll out wifi in urban centres too. Freeing of spectrum 5 Ghz range will also facilitate indoor communications services and reduce load on telecom networks. Besides, the government is also planning to start field trials of 5G services to develop its ecosystem in the country. In the notification, the government has clarified the power of device or equipment that should be used for accessing the free spectrum. According to the notification devices that use wideband digital modulation techniques and provide a wide array of high data rate in mobile and fixed communications for individuals, businesses and institutions can be used in the de-licensed spectrum range. Gupta said telecom companies can use the de-licensed spectrum range for free. Mumbai: Disha Patani who is prepping up for her upcoming film 'Bharat' is leaving no stone unturned in giving her best and her recent Twitter post proves the same. The actress took to her social media sharing a video of hers performing a sidekick with great strength and intensity. Sharing the video, Disha tweeted captioning, "#dropkick just chilling #rakeshyadav13 #bharatthefilm". Disha will be seen portraying the role of a trapeze artist in the film and has been currently training for the same. The actress has time and again been treating the audience with the insights into her training sessions for Bharat. One of the most anticipated films of the upcoming year, Bharat has been creating a buzz ever since the announcement of the film. Bharat's release brings back Salman Khan and director Ali Abbas Zafar for an Eid release after the 2016 Blockbuster Hit, Sultan. The hit director-actor duo will be marking a hattrick with Bharat after their last outing Tiger Zinda Hai. The film will feature Salman Khan sporting five different looks spanning 60 years, wherein a crucial part will showcase the actor in his late 20s, looking much leaner and younger. Salman Khan will be recreating his 'Karan-Arjun' look which has created immense excitement amongst the audience. The film is set to have a character-driven story spanning across many periods. Bharat will be shot across exotic locations in Malta and Abu Dhabi, besides Punjab and Delhi in India. Including stellar performers like Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Disha Patani, Tabu and Sunil Grover, the Ali Abbas Zafar directorial boasts of an ensemble cast promising power-packed performances. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, 'Bharat' is produced by Atul Agnihotri's Reel Life Production Pvt. Ltd and Bhushan Kumar's T-Series releasing Eid 2019. The fate of the biopic based on the life of Bihari mathematician Anand Kumar, has been in a state of flux for a while now, but it looks like the film will finally see the light of day. The project was derailed earlier this month when director Vikas Bahl was accused of sexual misconduct by an unnamed employee of Phantom Films. But since then, the lady has declined to initiate legal proceedings against the filmmaker, thus clearing the coast for him to return to the project. Vikas Bahl Says a source close to the development, Vikas is not being taken back into the production company. But since the lady has withdrawn her case, the project needs to be completed and released. To get the project back on track, producer Madhu Matena is said to have flown to Lisbon, where the films lead actor Hrithik Roshan is currently stationed, to convince him to get back on board. After a long meeting, the star is reported to have agreed to return and complete the film with Vikas. HT13 Amidst speculations of whether Nana Patekar will be replaced in the Sajid Nadiadwala film or not, Baahubali star Rana Daggubati is being considered as a possible alternative. While director Sajid Khan has been replaced by Farhad Samji, the director of the third film of the Housefull franchise, there was uncertainty regarding Nanas role following Tanushree Duttas allegations against the actor. Interestingly, the name of Rana came as a sudden choice. Ranas name sounds like Nana, and then the makers decided to ask the south actor if he was keen on working in the film and whether he would have the dates for the same. While Rana seems to have agreed, the paperwork and other details are being worked out at the moment and an official announcement will come soon, says an industry source. Rana is expected to join the team of Housefull 4 in the coming week. Sanskriti Media HT13 Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani Monday said writers should receive the maximum remuneration for a film as they are the backbone of any project. Hirani said Bollywood writers often tend to work on several scripts simultaneously as there is no guarantee which one will be backed by a production house. "I think writers need to be respected a little more, financially. They are the foundation of every film. Unless you pay the writers, probably the maximum amount of money in your film, you won't find good writers. It's a big struggle for them. "People here write four scripts at the same time because they aren't sure which one will start and which one will work. You cannot write four scripts at the same time," he said. The "Sanju" director was speaking at the announcement for second edition of Cinestaan script contest. "An initiative like this is extremely encouraging. I hope more people in the country write scripts, so that someday we have better cinema than we have today," he said. Hirani, who has often collaborated with writer Abhijat Joshi, said filmmakers are on the lookout for stories as they cannot always write one. "We need many more scriptwriters. I strongly believe stories come from the small towns. People have more exposure to life there. In big cities, especially like Mumbai, all the time goes in travelling. "I grew up in a small town and we could just walk into a neighbour's house. Here, we don't have the time to even meet our friends. Stories out there and it's just that they have to be found. Talent needs to taught in a way that the stories turn into proper screenplays," he added. Also present at the event were jury members Anjum Rajabali and Juhi Chaturvedi. Dresden Agricultural Society President Lucille Laprise has commented on the recent agreement-in-principle that will see the Ontario PC Government continue to support live racing at Dresden Raceway. Laprise explained that the agricultural society, which runs live racing at the track, opted to choose extra funding instead of slot machines, and that the decision will help the track be more secure heading into the future. Details in regard to funding amounts have not been divulged publicly. They (the Ontario Government) made a great presentation on both sides, Laprise has been quoted as saying in an article by Blackburn News. But we elected to accept the extra funding because it was more viable to the sustainability of harness racing here in Dresden. Laprise explained that she is positive about the future of racing at Dresden and in the province going forward. Racing is on the up and up, and people seem to be investing more in horses again, Laprise was quoted as saying. So, this is really encouraging for the harness racing, not just in Dresden, but all over. (With files from Blackburn News) Museums across the world contain a treasure of marble statues from various times in history. Those sculptures are depicted in books and TV as being whitewashed. However, experts reveal these pieces of art from ancient Rome and Greece, presumed to be white, were once very colourful works of art, the Daily Mail reported. Academics have found microscopic evidence of a variety of colours on many statues using ultra-high resolution imagery to "detect the presence of past pigmentation", the report revealed. "[It] is the most common misconception about Western aesthetics in the history of Western art," Mark Abbe, now a professor of ancient art at the University of Georgia, who has been investigating this subject, told The New Yorker. He has studying the pigmentation on ancient pieces of art for decades. However, when he re-examined the ruins at Aphrodisia, which was destroyed by an earthquake in seventh century AD, he found many pieces had flecks of colour. "Saying you've seen these sculptures when you've seen only the white marble is comparable to somebody coming from the beach and saying they've seen a whale because there was a skeleton on the beach," Jan Stubbe stergaard, a former curator at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek museum in Copenhagen, is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. stergaard is also a founder of an international research network on polychromy - art of painting in several colours. Vinzenz Brinkmann, a master's student in classics and archaeology from Ludwig Maximilian University and his wife have started the exhibition'Gods in Colour' to bring awareness to this fascinated almost lost piece of history. A new study now concludes that targeting the source of advanced prostate cancer with radiotherapy after the disease has spread can increase survival chances by 11 per cent. According to experts, the discovery could change how advanced cancers are treated. Patients whose prostate cancer has spread are typically given hormone therapy to reduce or stop the production of testosterone, as the molecule can encourage the cancer's growth. However, findings suggest radiotherapy which uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells is also effective. Professor Charles Swanton, Cancer Research UK's chief clinician, said, 'This is a monumental finding that could help thousands of men worldwide. Adding radiotherapy to current treatment shows clear benefit for this subgroup of men with prostate cancer. In the study, scientists enrolled 2,000 men who were all at an advanced stage of the disease in the clinical trial. Half were given standard treatment while the other half received standard treatment and radiotherapy to the prostate the site of the primary tumour. Among men treated with additional radiotherapy whose cancer had spread to their lymph nodes and or bones nearby, researchers found that around 80 per cent survived for at least three years. This fell to 70 per cent of men who were given the standard hormone treatment. No benefit was seen among men whose cancer had spread further, according to the findings published in The Lancet. The research, presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress in Munich, Germany, suggests radiotherapy as well as hormone therapy should be standard care where prostate cancer has spread nearby. The course, designed for the winter semester by Assistant Professor Shouvik Kumar Guha, attempts to serve as a breather from the orthodox law school curriculum. New Delhi: Potterheads take note! A law university in Kolkata is offering a new course on Harry Potter which will encourage students to explore legal aspects of J K Rowling's fictional world and its many real life lessons. The course titled "An interface between Fantasy Fiction Literature and Law: Special focus on Rowling's Potterverse" will be offered as an elective to 4th and 5th year students of the B.A LL.B (Hons) programme at the National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) in Kolkata. The course, designed for the winter semester by Assistant Professor Shouvik Kumar Guha, attempts to serve as a breather from the orthodox law school curriculum. "This course is meant to be more of an experiment. It will take both me and the students out of our comfort zones," Guha said. "In law schools, people get a very specific set of subjects. The curriculum revolves around the hard letter of the law, case laws etc. Given the fact that this course lasts about five years, students also get bored," he said. Students will learn to apply legal principles in a completely new scenario, and understand how things will work through insights into a wizarding world constantly under government surveillance. Given the many societal, legal and political changes, including the slew of landmark Supreme Court judgements, law students need to learn to adapt and respond to events unfolding around them, Guha said. "I could have designed the course based on our real political situation but it is not necessary that all my students will share my political leanings," he said. Guha decided instead to turn to a fictional universe, which would not create political controversies but help students learn to apply their legal knowledge to a completely alien set of scenarios. According to a statement by NUJS, the Harry Potter series vividly exposes the limitations of laws and institutions. In Potterverse for example, The Ministry of Magic uses its representatives to torture children for daring to tell the truth, and imprisons or even executes its citizens without the benefit of due process of law. Its infamous prison Azkaban is designed to drive inmates to despair and suicidal tendencies without any hope of reformation. In numerous instances, the wealthy control and influence government policy. Freedom of the press in Potterverse is curtailed, and the major newspaper 'The Daily Prophet' is used to spread propaganda. The series thus provides a unique platform for students to reflect and compare the legal situations with their own government. The course aims to cover legal traditions and institutions, crimes and punishments, economy, politics, contracts in the Potterverse. Guha says his assignments to the students would be very creative in nature, and hopes that some of the works can eventually be published. "I was introduced to Potterverse in my tenth standard. Since then I have read the books multiple times. I am familiar with each and every line of all the seven books. So it will come to me naturally," said Guha, quipping that he probably knows Harry Potter literature better than Company Law. Classes for the course are due to start this December. This is not the first time in India that a professor has turned to the magical world of Harry Potter to pique student interest. Rashmi Raman, a former student of NUJS, first started a Potterverse-centric elective law course at the Jindal Global Law School in Sonipat in 2012. The course was one of the most popular among students in the law school, Raman told PTI. "I have not offered it for the last two semesters because it always exceeds the class limit, and I end up having to teach a class of 40-45, when I could teach another elective and get away with 15-20 students," she said. Raman said she plans to bring back the course again in the spring semester. Rowling's series of seven books which were made into eight films about the boy wizard Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermoine has already found its way into classrooms abroad. The Kansas State University in the US, for instance, offers a class called "Harry Potter's Library," where students have the opportunity to examine political themes that reoccur in the series. Frostburg University, also in the US, offers "Science of Harry Potter" which teaches students about the scientific concepts behind the magical events in the series. For example, students explore the physics that makes Quidditch possible and the possible genetics associated with magical creatures. Those against the Supreme Courts ruling cite the celibate state of the deity, Lord Ayyappa, to oppose the entry of women of menstruating age. (Photo: File | PTI) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on November 13 will hear a slew of review petitions filed against its September 28 verdict where the apex court allowed women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple lifting the centuries-old ban. Women of menstruating age, between 10 to 50 years were banned from entering into the Lord Ayyapaa temple under the temple rules a fact challenged in the Supreme Court as violation of the right to equality of women. Those against the Supreme Courts ruling cite the celibate state of the deity, Lord Ayyappa, to oppose the entry of women of menstruating age. No woman has been allowed to enter the hill-top shrine of Lord Ayyappa in Kerala so far amid a standoff between devotees over the wisdom of the court ruling. At least 19 petitions have been filed seeking review of the top courts judgment delivered by a 4:1 majority bench led by former Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra. Review petition is usually heard by the same bench, but in this case CJI Misra has demitted office and the plea will be expected to be heard by incumbent CJI Ranjan Gogoi. Chennai: The Madurai International Airport in the State has joined the other international airports in TN such as Chennai, Tiruchi and Coimbatore in getting the e-Visa facility. This would benefit a large number of tourists who arrive from Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Mauritius, US and the UK. It will be done online and it does not require any facilitation by an intermediary or agent. The move is the latest initiative of the Union Civil Aviation Ministry which has launched the UDAN scheme linking Chennai with Salem. During the month of March, this year, a total of 2.46 lakh tourist arrived on e-Tourist Visa compared to 1.46 lakh during the month of March, 2017 registering a growth of 68.8%. From January-March 2018, a total of 7.62 lakh tourists arrived on e-Tourist Visa as against 4.67 lakh during January-March 2017, registering a growth of 63.0% The percentage shares of top 15 source countries availing e-Tourist Visa facilities during March, 2018 were highest from UK (19.6%) followed by USA (9.8%), Russian Federation (6.0%), France (5.5%), China (5.3%), Germany (5.3%), Canada (4.8%), Australia (3.3%), Thailand (2.8%), Italy (2.2%), Malaysia (1.9%), Spain (1.9%) Oman (1.9%), Republic of Korea (1.9%) and Singapore (1.9%). The judges wife died on October 14 and his son was in a critical state and on life support. (Photo: Screengrab | ANI) Gurgaon: The 18-year-old son of the Gurgaon judge who was shot at by a policeman on October 13, died of his injuries at a hospital on Tuesday morning. Additional Sessions Judge Krishna Kants 38-year-old wife and son were shot at by his official security guard, Mahipal Singh in Gurgaons Sector 49 when they were coming out of a shopping mall. The judges wife died on October 14 and his son was in a critical state and on life support. Heart, liver and a kidney of the judge's son have been donated. The gunman was arrested soon after the incident and was later sent to judicial custody. He had been working for the judge for over two years and had worked as personal security officer to various officials for the last four years. Police take Mahipal, who was accused of shooting the judge's wife and son, to a court, in Gurugram. (Photo: PTI) Police said the attack was the result of a "sudden provocation" when Mahipal Singh lost his temper when the judge's wife Ritu and son Dhruv scolded him for being untraceable after they had finished their shopping. In video footage of the incident recorded by an eyewitness, the guard was seen with the gun in his hand. He was also seen trying to push the teenager inside the car. The accused who has shared morphed picture of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has been identified as Lucky Verma and he was the administrator of the WhatsApp group. (Photo: File) Indore: A man has been charged for allegedly posting a morphed picture of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on a WhatsApp group on October 19, police said on Monday. Raoji Bazaar police station in charge Santosh Singh Yadav said that the accused has been identified as Lucky Verma and he was the administrator of the WhatsApp group. He said that a case under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 505 (2) (to disseminate information that creates hatred among various sections) and section 67 (dissemination of obscene material) of Information Technology Act was registered on Sunday. Lucky Verma is absconding, Yadav added. Sangh volunteer Shailendra Sharma had filed a complaint at Raoji Bazaar Police Station. Meanwhile, the RSS' local spokesman Sagar Chouksey claimed that the accused is a worker of NSUI, the student wing of the Congress. Hoshiarpur: Dasuya police on Tuesday said that the postmortem of Fr Kuriakose Kattutharas body, a witness in the Kerala nun rape case against Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal, will be completed today and if any foul play is found, no one will be spared. Postmortem of the body will be completed today and further investigation will continue. If any foul play is found, no one will be spared, said deputy superintendent of police (DSP) A R Sharma. Fr Kuriakose Kattuthara, 61, died on Monday under mysterious circumstances. He was found unconscious in his room in the morning and was taken to a local hospital in Dasuya in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district where he was declared brought dead. Though relatives of Fr Kattuthara suspected a homicide, the police said there were no visible injury marks on his body. Fr Kattuthara was transferred 15 days back to the church at Dasuya and was staying on the premises of the church. A school is also located in the church premises at Dharampur in Dasuya. His relatives said he was concerned about his safety after coming out openly against the bishop. They also demanded a thorough probe into the death and the postmortem conducted at the Alappuzha Medical College. "He feared vengeance from the bishop on the family members when he obtained bail and went to Jalandhar," his elder brother Joy Kurian told Deccan Chronicle. Their rivalry began during the time of the first bishop of the Jalandhar diocese Fr Symphorian Keeprath. My brother was the second in charge was to become his successor. However, he sabotaged his chances," Joy Kurian added. The police had recorded his statement in the rape case. Cherthala DySP AG Lal said they received no petition from his family or relatives. According to the relatives, apart from age-related problems, he was healthy. Bishop Mulakkal had last week received a rousing welcome from his followers and supporters when he reached Jalandhar. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said those who do not believe in democracy can never be well-wishers of people. (Photo: Twitter | ANI) Srinagar: The Centre is ready to hold talks with anyone including Pakistan but terror and dialogue can never go together, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in Srinagar on Tuesday. Singh, who met representatives of various political parties in Srinagar, said he has appealed to all of them to participate in the upcoming panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir. "Biggest of problems can be faced and issues resolved through democratic means. Many problems of Jammu and Kashmir can also be addressed through democracy. I appeal to people of the state to take part in this festival of democracy," he said at a press conference. Singh said those who do not believe in democracy can never be well-wishers of people. The National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party had boycotted the recent urban bodies election in Jammu and Kashmir. Singh told reporters that as far as talks are concerned, the government has no problem in holding dialogue with anyone. "At least, they should see that Pakistan is sponsoring terrorism in India and promoting terrorism also. Give us this much of assurance that there will not be any such attempt by Pakistan. Terror and dialogue both can never go together," he said. Asked if there was any initiative to hold talks with separatists, Singh said the government will talk to anyone who is willing to enter dialogue. Rajnath Singh also termed as "very unfortunate" the death of seven civilians in a blast after an encounter had ended in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir and appealed to people not to venture such places where security operations were on. The minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for next of kin of the deceased. "If there is an operation by security forces, I appeal the people that they should not try to go there. The security forces do take precautions and we have repeatedly directed them to do it," he said. Asked about the Modi government's performance, Sharad Pawar said people's expectations from the government of the day were not fulfilled. (Photo: File | AFP) Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said on Tuesday that if the central government was "effective", there would not have been bribery charges at the highest level in the CBI. Pawar asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to act swiftly over the matter. He also attacked the BJP-led government at the Centre over the Rafale jet deal and demanded an investigation by a joint parliamentary committee over the issue. Pawar was replying to queries during an interaction at the "Mumbai Manthan" conclave organised by television news channel Aaj Tak. The tussle between Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana turned ugly with the arrest of a deputy superintendent of police in the Special Investigation Team headed by Asthana over bribery charges. Asked about the Modi government's performance, Pawar said people's expectations from the government of the day were not fulfilled. "What was promised in 2014 is not seen on the ground after four years. (Former prime minister) Manmohan Singh tried his best to give a good government, intentions were best. That is not the situation today," Pawar said. "If the present government was effective, there would not have been bribery charges at the highest level in the CBI. Still the prime minister is silent. He should act," the former Union minister said. Pawar claimed that PM Modi was a strong leader for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but not the country. "His ministerial team does not have the capacity to deliver. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is the most powerful. All decisions are taken there and the files are sent to the ministers to sign. The present government does only 'mann ki baat' and does not listen to 'jan ki baat' (people's voice)," he added. Taking a dig at the government over the Rafale fighter jet deal, Pawar said the Centre should clarify why the price of one aircraft increased from Rs 570 crore to Rs 1,600 crore. "There is room for suspicion. So there should be a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe. If the BJP stalled Parliament for three weeks for a JPC probe in (the) Bofors (case), why should the BJP, now in power, oppose a JPC?" he asked. Asked if he felt there was corruption in the Rafale deal as alleged by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Pawar said he had no information about it. "I only know that the aircraft is good. Rahul Gandhi may have more information than me about corruption," he said. Led by the Congress, the opposition parties have been attacking the Modi government, alleging that it is procuring 36 Rafale jets from France at an exorbitantly high price. The Congress has also accused the PM Modi of "corruption", and "gifting" the offset contract for Rafale jets to Anil Ambani. The government has denied the allegations of irregularities in the Rafale deal and industrialist Anil Ambani has also dismissed the Congress's charge that he got undue benefits from it. Longtime Standardbred Canada Identification Technician Edward Vanderveer passed away on Monday (Oct. 22) at the age of 74 after suffering a massive heart attack. Vanderveer worked as an Identification technician for Standardbred Canada for 18 years before retiring in 2015. He was hired in 1997 when Peter Crinion, who was the ID technician at the time, became ill and had to retire. Vanderveer came highly recommended by Yves Filion, the owner of Bayama Farms. Vanderveer started by lip tattooing and then moved to freeze branding, serving eastern Ontario and the province of Quebec. Vanderveer was active in the Standardbred industry for many years prior to becoming an ID tech. He trained horses up until 2010 and was an active owner/breeder up to the time of his passing. Horses bred by Eddy and his wife Suzanne were named after his wife's last name, Lavictoire, including the last horse that he trained himself, Robert Lavictoire. There will be no funeral, as per Eddys wishes. He leaves behind his wife, Suzanne Lavictoire, and many friends. He will be missed by all who knew him. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Eddy Vanderveer. Hyderabad: A Hyderabad man reached out to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Twitter in a bid to rescue his stranded sister who has been living in Somalia since 2013. Mohammad Wahiuddin, brother of Mohammedi Begum, alleged that his sister's in-laws mistreat and torture her as well as do not provide adequate food. "My sister Mohammedi Begum married a Somalian national Sayeed Hassan Ibrahim in 2003 in Hyderabad and they stayed with us at our residence in Hyderabad for around ten years. They were blessed with three sons and two daughters. Later, in 2013, my sister's husband said that his parents in Somalia wished to see their children. So, my sister along with her five children went to Somalia on April 1, 2013. However, Sayeed stayed in Hyderabad for one year and then moved to America. Since then my sister and her kids are stuck in Somalia and facing lots of problems. She is being tortured by her in-laws, they are not even providing adequate food to eat," Wahiuddin told ANI. He also urged External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Embassy of India in Somalia to intervene in the matter and rescue his sister and her children. "My only appeal is that they should rescue my sister and her kids and bring them back home to India as soon as possible without any further delay," he added. Chennai: Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) leader TTV Dhinakaran on Monday asked the 18 disqualified MLAs in his party to move to a resort at Courtallam in Nellai district amid fears that the 'strategists' in the ruling AIADMK were plotting to poach some of them. We have been told to move and a safe place has been identified. We will be there till the (Madras) high court delivers verdict on the disqualification case, said a TTV loyalist requesting anonymity. He refused to elaborate. Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) leader TTV Dhinakaran on Monday asked the 18 disqualified MLAs in his party to move to a resort at Courtallam in Nellai district amid fears that the 'strategists' in the ruling AIADMK were plotting to poach some of them. "We have been told to move and a safe place has been identified. We will be there till the (Madras) high court delivers verdict on the disqualification case", said a TTV loyalist requesting anonymity. He refused to elaborate. However, Perambur legislator P Vetrivel, a prominent member of the TTV camp, said the disqualified MLAs would stay at a Courtallam resort owned by former minister Isakki Subbiah near Tenkasi. Many of them are presently worshipping at the Tamirabharani Maha Pushkaram (at Papanasam) and would move to the Courtallam resort in a day or two, Vetrivel said. According to Vetrivel, senior party leader S Thangatamilselvan (Andipatti) had invited about eight disqualified MLAs to go with him to worship at the Pushkaram. TTV then told them it would be better they all stayed together and Subbiah's resort was chosen for the safe stay. When Vetrivel expressed desire to spend a couple of days in Maldives, TTV told him it would not be wise to undertake a foreign trip at this juncture as it would be difficult to return to Chennai in a hurry in the event of the high court delivering verdict. "I am staying put at Chennai for now and could be joining the party colleagues (at the resort) in a couple of days", Vetrivel said. He added that TTV had held a meeting of his disqualified MLAs on Sunday to plan a daylong fasting in Chennai to protest against the "blatant and deliberate" neglect of their constituencies by the government. "In all, 23 constituencies are denied development, including those of the 18 disqualified MLAs, TTV's R K Nagar and those represented by the four MLAs supporting our party (Karunas, Kalaiselvan, Ratnasabapathy and Prabhu)", he pointed out. With the high court ordering a CBI probe into the allegations of corruption and nepotism in the award of road contracts by the Chief Minister to his close relatives, the AIADMK government has been under attack from opposition parties. The 'strategists' in the ruling camp are said to be working overtime to ensure stability in the government and the verdict on the disqualified MLAs would be one of their focus areas, sources said, adding that TTV's move to shift his loyalists to a safe resort is meant to counter any poaching plans. TTV had met his aunt and party president V K Sasikala at the Bengaluru prison on Monday and may meet up with his team at the Courtallam resort shortly. On June 14, the high court had passed a split verdict on the MLAs disqualification case, taking the case to be heard by a third judge. While (then) Chief Justice Indira Banerjee had upheld the disqualification of the 18 legislators ordered by Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal, Justice M Sundar disagreed with her and struck down the Speaker's order. The political crisis in Tamil Nadu began in September last year, when Dhanapal disqualified 18 AIADMK MLAs under the 1986 Tamil Nadu Assembly Members Party Defection Law. They were disqualified after they submitted a letter to then Governor C Vidyasagar Rao, expressing no confidence in Chief Minister K Palaniswami. The disqualified MLAs include: S Thangatamilselvan (Andipatti), R Murugan (Harur), S Mariappan Kennedy (Manamadurai), K Kadirkamu (Periyakulam), Jayanthi Padmanabhan (Gudiyattam), P Palaniappan (Pappireddypatti), V Senthil Balaji (Aravakurichi), S Muthiah (Paramakudi), P Vetrivel (Perambur), NG Pathiban (Sholingur), M Kodandapani (Tiruporur), TA Elumalai (Poonamallee), M Rengasamy (Thanjavur), R Thangadurai (Nilakottai), R Balasubramani (Ambur), SG Subramanian (Sattur), R Sundaraj (Ottapidaram) and Uma Maheswari (Vilathikulam). Post disqualification, the MLAs asked Governor Rao to remove Palaniswami from the CM post. Alleging mala fide intention by the Speaker, the rebel MLAs moved the Madras HC to reinstate them. Subsequently, the high court reserved its order. If the final verdict goes against the TTV party, the 234-seat State Assembly's strength would come down to 214 (two seats vacant) thereby ensuring stability for the Edappadi regime. Kochi: Ernakulam District Auto Rickshaw Drivers Trade Unions Co-ordination Committee has signed an agreement with Kinetic Green Energy Power Solutions on Monday for engaging auto drivers to run the E-Auto services as part of Kochi Metro feeder network. As per the agreement, the co-ordination committee will take the auto rickshaws on hire/rent and Kinetic has agreed to let it on hire on a pilot basis for 90 days. The agreement will be reviewed and extended on mutual terms and conditions. Kinetic will provide 20 E-autos During the first phase. The committee will be responsible for aggregating the auto rickshaw drivers in the Greater Kochi area. The drivers will be provided with government notified uniform and name plate. The committee will ensure that E auto rickshaw is only used as Metro feeder services, as specified by the owner. Earlier, the Kochi Metro Rail Limited has signed an agreement with Kinetic Green Energy and Power Solutions to launch E-Autos in Kochi to support last mile connectivity. The autos will be distributed in six metro stations such as Aluva, Kalamassery, Edappally, Kaloor, MG Road and Maharajas College. The vehicle uses latest technology ensuring good performance and efficiency. With one single charge the autos can run for above 70 kilometres. Hyderabad: M. Sarangapani, a sub-inspector serving with the Mirchowk police station was caught red-handed by the Anti Corruption Bureau sleuths, accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000. Ironically, the accused cop was recently awarded and given the title Key performance indicator for solving cases in a short span. After the arrest, pictures of him receiving the appreciation letter from TS director general of police went viral. The sleuths of Anti- Corruption Bureau laid a trap and caught the cop while he was accepting Rs 50,000 from a person against whom a case of cheating was registered following a court-referred complainant. The bribe amount was reportedly the first instalment. In total, Rs 2 lakh were demanded. A police constable K. Kiran Kumar who allegedly worked as his conduit (mediator) carried the money from complainant Kotte Anil Kumar ex-employee of HPCL,Amberpet. The cop demanded a bribe to perform his duty improperly, that is recovering the amount due to the complainant from the accused in a case of cheating. According to the police, the complainant invested Rs 37 lakh in a chit fund company that allegedly cheated the complainant. He filed a case in the court and the court referred the complainant to the police station. The S-I and constable were produced before the ACB special court. Srinagar: Home minister, Rajnath Singh, on Tuesday said India was ready to resume peace talks with Pakistan but reiterated terror and dialogue can never go together. While addressing a press conference at the end of his daylong visit of Srinagar for an on-the-spot assessment of the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the home minister said that New Delhi is ready to talk to anyone to resolve the issues. There is no bar on holding dialogue but there is a condition from our side for it. They (Pakistan) should, at least, see that they cant sponsor and promote terrorism directed against India and, at the same time, also talk about holding dialogue with us. The two things cant go together, Mr. Singh said. The Home Ministers assertions came hours after Pakistans Prime Minister Imran Khan while speaking at an investment conference in Saudi Arabias capital Riyadh said that his country is hoping to resume efforts to improve ties with India after the national elections in India next year. He said, One thing Pakistan needs more than any other country right now is peace and security. The Home Minister said that Pakistan should assure India that it will not do anything to promote terrorism in the country (India). If you talk about India we made broad effort to improve relations with Pakistan. Our Prime Minister broke all protocols and went to Pakistan to meet its Prime Minister but nothing positive came from their side, Mr Singh said. Hyderabad: TPCC chief N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said on Tuesday that the Congress will form the government on December 12 and one lakh jobs will be provided in the first year itself. He said a notification will be issued to recruit 20,000 teacher posts. Several student leaders of various universities joined the Congress in the presence of Mr Reddy on Tuesday. Addressing the students, the PCC chief alleged that caretaker CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao and his son minister K.T. Rama Rao are cheaters and liars and have looted more than the erstwhile Andhra rulers. The PCC chief said that after the Prajakutami comes to power there will be no private universities and government universities will be strengthened. He demanded Mr Rao tenders apology to the student community for not providing unemployment allowance in the last four and half years. Hyderabad: AICC general secretary and Telangana Congress affairs incharge R.C. Khuntia said that the Congress was ready to sacrifice some seats to protect the common goal of the Mahakutami to defeat the TRS in the upcoming Telangana state Assembly elections. Mr Khuntia denied reports of differences among the allies of Mahakutami over seats sharing. He said the common agenda of Mahakutami was to defeat Mr Chandrasekhar Rao and TRS. And for this, the Congress is ready to sacrifice some seats. He asked other political parties to come together to achieve this. He expressed the hope that the seat adjustment among the parties of the Mahakutami would be finalised soon. Speaking to the media on Tuesday in Delhi, Mr Khuntia denied reports of differences among the allies of Prajakutami over seats sharing. He said the common agenda of Prajakutami was to defeat Mr Chandrasekhar Rao and TRS. And for this, the Congress is ready to sacrifice some seats. He asked other political parties to come together to achieve this. He expressed the hope that the seat adjustment among the parties of the Prajakutami would be finalised soon. He said that they would discuss over seat adjustment on the basis of social communities and winning candidates. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had said that there should be no insistence on seats and that everyone should prepare for sacrifice to protect the Prajakutami. TPCC election strategy committee chairman and AICC secretary V. Hanumantha Rao welcomed Mr Naidus statement. Caretaker minister Jogu Ramanna sells vegetables as part of his campaign in Adilabad on Tuesday. (Photo: DC) Hyderabad: In the upcoming Telangana Assembly elections, the TRS will follow the Telugu Desam poll management strategy. TRS candidates were directed to ensure that all beneficiaries of several schemes vote for the TRS without fail. TRS candidates were given constituency-wise and scheme-wise beneficiary list. The TRS leadership feels that if the party candidates succeed in getting beneficiaries to vote, it will ensure the party victory in the Assembly elections. Caretaker minister Jogu Ramanna sells vegetables as part of his campaign in Adilabad on Tuesday. (Photo: DC) The TRS leadership told party candidates that on the polling day, the first hour of voting is crucial and beneficiaries of old age and physically challenged pension schemes should vote in the first hour. The TRS leadership is confident that farmers will vote for the TRS as government has waived Rs 1 lakh farm loans and given Rs 8,000 per acre per year as investment subsidy under the Rythu Bandhu scheme in addition to Rythu Bheema. In the last four and half years, the TRS government has spent more than Rs 2 lakh crore on various schemes for individual beneficiaries. The TRS leadership directed the candidates to concentrate on neutral voters and voters of opposition parties. It warned party candidates not to be over confident and said that in crucial elections, each vote is valuable. TRS candidates were also directed to meet every voter during the election campaign, particularly beneficiaries of government schemes. Beneficiaries of some important schemes n Old age pension: 13,36,918 n Pension for physically-challenged: 4,96,215 n Widow pension: 14,40,367 n Bidi workers under Aasara: 4,08,635 n Arogya Lakshmi: 18,05,634 n Kalyana Lakshmi: 3,43,059 n Rythu Bheema: 28,00,000 n Rythu Bandhu: 49,49,000 n KCR kits: 3,18,742 Microchip firm Qualcomm Inc is joining Amazon.com Inc to spread the use of Amazons Alexa voice assistant in wireless headphones, the companies said on Monday. Under the deal, Qualcomm will release a set of chips that any maker of Bluetooth headphones can use to embed Alexa directly into the device. When the headphones are paired to a phone with the Alexa app on it, users will be able to talk to the voice assistant by tapping a button on the headphones. The functionality would be similar to Apple Incs AirPods wireless earbuds, which enable users can tap the devices to talk to Apples virtual assistant, Siri. Amazon and Alphabet Incs Google, whose voice assistants have most often been found in their respective smart speakers for the home, are rushing to partner with headphone makers. Models from Bose Corp and Jabra feature Alexa built in, and Sony Corp said earlier this year that a software update will make some of its headphone models work with Alexa. Google Assistant can be used on headphones from Bose, JBL and Sony, along with Googles own Pixel Buds. The Qualcomm partnership could expand that lineup. Qualcomm has developed a pre-made circuit that headphone makers can drop into their device to imbue it with Alexa. This radically reduces their [engineering] cost and time to market, Anthony Murray, senior vice president and general manager of voice and music for Qualcomm, told Reuters in an interview. It makes it simple for the industry to adopt this. Murray declined to comment on whether Qualcomm would make a similar offering for Google Assistant but said the chip firm plans to support other partners in the future. The move is part of a broader push by Qualcomm to diversify away from its dependence on the processor and modem chips for mobile phones. That business proved lucrative for Qualcomm, but its patent licensing model drew regulatory fines and lawsuits from customers such as Apple Inc. At a conference in Hong Kong slated for early Tuesday local time, Qualcomm also said it is working with action camera maker GoPro Inc to put more Qualcomm chips for image processing in the devices. The firm has said it expects about $5 billion in revenue from non-mobile sources this year, or more than 20 per cent of the $22.4 billion in sales that analysts expect. 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. Sony expects unconditional approval or for the Commission to open a full-scale investigation on Oct. 26 at the end of its review. Sony Corp has not offered concessions to European Union antitrust regulators reviewing its USD 2.3 billion offer for control of EMI to become the worlds largest music publisher, the European Commission website showed on Monday. EU antitrust regulators earlier this month asked rivals and users whether they think the Japanese group would use its greater market power to win better terms in digital media deals. The deadline for proposed concessions in the European Commissions preliminary assessment of the deal was Oct. 19. The EU executives website showed that Sony had not submitted any. This could either mean Sony expects unconditional approval or for the Commission to open a full-scale investigation on Oct. 26 at the end of its review. Sony, which owns a 30 per cent stake in EMI, wants to buy Mubadala Investment Cos 60 per cent stake. In July, it acquired the estate of Michael Jacksons minority share of EMI. Sonys new CEO Kenichiro Yoshida is making his boldest strategy move with the deal, which would give the company rights to 2.1 million songs from artists such as Drake, Sam Smith, Pharrell Williams and Sia. Independent music labels group Impala and the European Composer and Songwriter Alliance have called for the EMI deal to be either blocked or cleared only with major concessions. 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. Samsung has explained that their upcoming handset will feature four new technologies FoD, HoD, SoD and UPS. (Samsung Galaxy S10 Concept: dbsdesigning) Over the last few months, there have been sporadic leaks about the Samsung Galaxy S10 with all information pointing to a radically new handset come 2019. The Samsung Galaxy S10 is expected to feature not only a new design but also an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, a triple rear camera system, a gradient coloured back panel and lastly come with 5G technology built-in. Now, at a private event held at the Shenzhen Marriott Hotel in China for its top 20 business partners, Samsung has showcased some of the features that could come bundled in with the upcoming Galaxy S10. Serial Samsung tipster, Ice Universe has got exclusive information as to what was showcased and in typical fashion has let the information spill on to Twitter, as per a report by Forbes. 1.FoD, that is, the fingerprint technology under the screen. 2. UPS, under-screen sensor (including camera) technology. 3.HoD, the touch-sensitive touch-sensitive technology. 4.SoD, screen sound technology. UPSUPS Ice universe (@UniverseIce) October 19, 2018 Ice Universe has shared that Samsung will not only go for a bezel-less display but the brand will continue to stay away from the notch by launching a notch-less handset. This display will not just feature the in-display fingerprint scanner but also feature the front-facing camera and the speaker as well. Samsung has detailed how this all comes together. Samsung has explained that their upcoming handset will feature four new technologies FoD, HoD, SoD and UPS. Fingerprint on Display (FoD) With this feature, Samsung aims to use Ultrasonic pulses which reverberate in order to build a complex and also highly secure 3D map of the users fingerprint. This is believed to be a much better approach than the optical in-display fingerprint scanners that are found on current handsets. Haptics on Display (HoD) Samsung has illustrated a more physical feeling controller buttons for games. And, it is said to be a lot different than the current vibration feedback we are accustomed to. Sound on Display (SoD) Samsung is believed to have eliminated the need for external speakers and instead will use the display itself as a single surface to conduct sound, something similar to what Vivo has done with the NEX handset. Under Panel Sensors (UPS) Cameras and other sensors have been a limiting factor when it came to smartphones. Even Apple could not escape it and launched the iPhone X with a notch. Samsung is believed to have found a way to bypass this limitation and have discovered a way to add the camera lens and facial recognition sensor behind the display so they are hidden. However, it can see through the glass when employed. Now the question remains to be seen if Samsung does launch these features with the Galaxy S10. Since Samsung provided an incremental update with the Galaxy S9, a lot of the signs point to the South Korean brand saving these features for the 10th anniversary Galaxy S flagship, the same way Apple did when they introduced the iPhone X in 2017. What makes us think that Samsung will, in fact, blow away the competition was because Samsungs Mobile Division CEO DJ Koh promised, Its time to deliver. Disclaimer: The above report is completely based on online rumours and leaks from the respective sources. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Deccan Chronicle and/or other staff and contributors to this website. 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 President Donald Trump has said he was 'not satisfied' with the response of Riyadh over Khashoggi's death. (Photo: File) Washington: US President Donald Trump has said he believes the death of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was the result of a "plot gone awry," and that he opposes ending the USD 110 billion mega arms deal with Riyadh over the issue. Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post, was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. The Saudi government initially said he left the consulate through the back door. Following a global outrage, the Saudi government on Friday in a statement acknowledged that Khashoggi was killed in a fistfight inside the consulate and noted that an interrogation went wrong. Turkish officials have said they have evidence Khashoggi was tortured, dismembered and murdered inside the consulate. US President Donald Trump has said he was "not satisfied" with the response of Riyadh over Khashoggi's death. The president also said a group of US officials are in Saudi Arabia and another group of investigators in Turkey are trying to gather information on this issue. "I am not satisfied with what I've heard," Trump told reporters at the White House before leaving for an election rally in Texas Monday. "We will know very soon. We have tremendously talented people very well. They're coming back tonight or tomorrow and I will know very soon," he said responding to a question. He also said that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has told him that neither he nor the king were involved in this. "He (Crown Prince) says he is not involved nor is the king," Trump told USA Today, a popular American daily, in an interview. If their involvement was proven, "I would be very upset about it. We'll have to see", the president said. Trump, who has said he wants to get to the bottom of the case, told the daily that he still believed it was "a plot gone awry". He reiterated that he would oppose efforts to cease arms sales to the kingdom. Over the past few days, Trump has spoken with the Saudi prince and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. More details of the incident would be known in a day or two, the US president said. Responding to questions, Trump said he was against making any move on the USD 110 billion mega arms deal with the Saudis. "I don't want to lose all of that investment that's being made in our country. I don't want to lose a million jobs, I don't want to lose USD110 billion in terms of investment, but it's really USD450 billion So that's very important," he said. Calling for the release of information regarding the US intelligence community's advance knowledge of Saudi Arabia's plot to capture Khashoggi, over 50 US lawmakers, led by Indian-American Ro Khanna and Mark Pocan, have written to Daniel Coats, Director of National Intelligence, "In weighing the merits of US-Saudi military cooperation, it is imperative that Members of Congress have a full, detailed grasp of the intelligence community's knowledge of Saudi actions and their potentially harmful impact on the wellbeing of US residents and citizens, as well as any US intelligence failures pertaining to Saudi activities that may have contributed to needless loss of life," the letter to Coats said. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the senate foreign relations and armed services committees, said Saudi Arabia's alleged murder of Khashoggi while visiting its consulate in Istanbul "demonstrates a combination of brutality and lies" that must not be tolerated. 'I am not satisfied with what I've heard,' Trump told reporters at the White House before leaving for an election rally in Texas Monday. (Photo: AP | File) Washington: US President Donald Trump has said he was "not satisfied" with the response of Riyadh over the death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in a Saudi consulate in Turkey. The president also said a group of US officials are in Saudi Arabia and another group of investigators in Turkey are trying to gather information on this issue. "I am not satisfied with what I've heard," Trump told reporters at the White House before leaving for an election rally in Texas Monday. "We will know very soon. We have tremendously talented people very well. They're coming back tonight or tomorrow and I will know very soon," he said responding to a question. Khashoggi, a writer for The Washington Post, was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, where he had gone to collect some papers related to his marriage. For the first two weeks, the Government of Saudi Arabia had said Khashoggi left the consulate through the back door. Following a global outrage, a few days ago, the Saudi government in a statement acknowledged that Khashoggi was killed in a fistfight inside the consulate and noted that an interrogation went wrong. Except for Trump administration officials, lawmakers and think-tanks are saying that the Saudi explanation is not credible. Trump had told reporters that he has spoken to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who wields the real power in Saudi Arabia after the King. "We have people over in Saudi Arabia now. We have top intelligence people in Turkey. We're going to see what we have. "I'll know a lot tomorrow, they'll be coming back either tonight or tomorrow morning," the US president said. Responding to questions, Trump said he was against making any move on the USD 110 billion mega arms deal with the Saudis. "I don't want to lose all of that investment that's being made in our country. I don't want to lose a million jobs, I don't want to lose USD110 billion in terms of investment, but it's really USD450 billion So that's very important, he said. However, "we're going to get to the bottom of it", Trump said. Calling for the release of information regarding the US intelligence community's advance knowledge of Saudi Arabia's plot to capture Khashoggi, over 50 US lawmakers, led by Indian American Ro Khanna and Mark Pocan, have written to Daniel Coats, Director of National Intelligence, In weighing the merits of US-Saudi military cooperation, it is imperative that Members of Congress have a full, detailed grasp of the intelligence community's knowledge of Saudi actions and their potentially harmful impact on the wellbeing of US residents and citizens, as well as any US intelligence failures pertaining to Saudi activities that may have contributed to needless loss of life, the letter to Coats said. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the senate foreign relations and armed services committees, said Saudi Arabia's alleged murder of Khashoggi while visiting its consulate in Istanbul demonstrates a combination of brutality and lies that must not be tolerated. After claiming that Khashoggi left the consular office on his own and that they knew nothing of his condition, the Saudis now offer up the inane lie that he was killed in a fistfight within the consulate. "If so, where is the body? And why did they lie about their complicity in Khashoggi's death in the first place? he asked. Senator Mike Lee called for an end to United States involvement in Saudi Arabia's war on Yemen. Killing a United States resident is never acceptable behaviour, and the repeated failure to be honest about the incident should call into question the extent of our relationship with Saudi Arabia, Lee said. B ut setting aside the extent of our alliance generally, why should we continue to support Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen when the kingdom is killing our residents and lying about it? It is far past time that the United States Senate had a serious debate regarding our military involvement in Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen, he said. President Donald Trump has signalled he may soon give the Pentagon a freer hand to confront those advances, if he makes good on threats to pull out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which required elimination of short- and intermediate-range nuclear and conventional missiles. (Photo: AFP | File) Washington: A US withdrawal from a Cold War-era nuclear arms treaty with Russia could give the Pentagon new options to counter Chinese missile advances but experts warn the ensuing arms race could greatly escalate tensions in the Asia-Pacific. US officials have been warning for years that the United States was being put at a disadvantage by China's development of increasingly sophisticated land-based missile forces, which the Pentagon could not match thanks to the US treaty with Russia. President Donald Trump has signalled he may soon give the Pentagon a freer hand to confront those advances, if he makes good on threats to pull out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which required elimination of short- and intermediate-range nuclear and conventional missiles. Dan Blumenthal, a former Pentagon official now at the American Enterprise Institute, said a treaty pullout could pave the way for the United States to field easier-to-hide, road-mobile conventional missiles in places like Guam and Japan. That would make it harder for China to consider a conventional first strike against US ships and bases in the region. It could also force Beijing into a costly arms race, forcing China to spend more on missile defences. "It will change the picture fundamentally," Blumenthal said. Even as Trump has blamed Russian violations of the treaty for his decision, he has also pointed a finger at China. Beijing was not party to the INF treaty and has been fielding new and more deadly missile forces. These include China's DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), which has a maximum range of 4,000 km (2,500 miles) and which the Pentagon says can threaten US land and sea-based forces as far away as the Pacific island of Guam. It was first fielded in 2016. "If Russia is doing it (developing these missiles) and China is doing it and we're adhering to the agreement, that's unacceptable," Trump said on Sunday. John Bolton, White House national security advisor, noted that recent Chinese statements suggest it wanted Washington to stay in the treaty. "And that's perfectly understandable. If I were Chinese, I would say the same thing," he told the Echo Moskvy radio station. "Why not have the Americans bound, and the Chinese not bound?" Growing Threat US officials have so far relied on other capabilities as a counter-balance to China, like missiles fired from US ships or aircraft. But advocates for a US land-based missile response say that is the best way to deter Chinese use of its muscular land-based missile forces. Kelly Magsamen, who helped craft the Pentagon's Asian policy under the Obama administration, said China's ability to work outside of the INF treaty had vexed policymakers in Washington, long before Trump came into office. But she cautioned that any new US policy guiding missile deployments in Asia would need to be carefully coordinated with allies, something that does not appear to have happened yet. Mismanagement of expectations surrounding a US treaty pullout could also unsettle security in the Asia-Pacific, she cautioned. "It's potentially destabilizing," she said. Experts warn that China would put pressure on countries in the region to refuse US requests to position missiles there. Abraham Denmark, a former senior Pentagon official under Obama, said Guam, Japan and even Australia were possible locations for US missile deployments. "But there are a lot of alliance questions that appear at first glance to be very tricky," he cautioned. Still, current and former US officials say Washington is right to focus on China's missile threat. Harry Harris, who led US military forces in the Pacific before becoming US ambassador to Seoul, said earlier this year that the United States was at a disadvantage. "We have no ground-based (missile) capability that can threaten China because of, among other things, our rigid adherence ... to the treaty," Harris told a Senate hearing in March, without calling for the treaty to be scrapped. Asked about Trump's comments, China's foreign ministry said a unilateral US withdrawal would have a negative impact and urged the United States to "think thrice before acting." "Talking about China on the issue of unilaterally pulling out of the treaty is completely mistaken," spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. On India's request for China's support to declare Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist by the UN, Hua said she has to check the specific details of the talks between the two ministers. (Representational Image) Beijing: China said on Tuesday that its first internal security cooperation agreement with India will provide an institutional guarantee to combat trans-border crimes, but remained defiant to any change in its stance on blocking India's efforts to list Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. The agreement was inked during the first India-China high-level meeting on bilateral security cooperation which was co-chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Zhao Kezhi, State Councillor and Minister of Public Security, China, in New Delhi. "This cooperation treaty is very important in terms of advancing law enforcement and security cooperation so that the two countries enjoy the sound development of bilateral relations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing answering a question on the pact and the talks between the two ministers. Referring to the April informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Hua said, "We believe this cooperation on security and law enforcement will help us to combat crimes as it will provide more institutional and systematic guarantee on this". "We will continue to step up our cooperation in combating separatist forces, telecom fraud the drug crimes and other trans-border crimes. We will explore more areas for security and law enforcement cooperation and ensure the security of our personnel that carrying projects in each other's countries," she said. On India's request for China's support to declare Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist by the UN, Hua said she has to check the specific details of the talks between the two ministers. "As per to India's request for the listing of Masood (Azhar), we already stated our position for many times," she said. "On the counter terrorism issue, China has always actively participated in international anti-terrorist operations. We have always made our decisions and judgements on the merits of the matter itself," she said. "We will continue to step up the security cooperation to uphold the regional peace and stability with parties," she said. A veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has repeatedly blocked India's bid at the United Nations to list Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. On reports that India has requested China to not to give shelter to United Liberation Front Of Assam (ULFA) terrorist Paresh Baruah, Hua said, "I shall stress that the Chinese government has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. This remains unchanged." Maas told the Funke Mediengruppe newspaper chain that Germany would fight with 'all diplomatic means' to keep alive the 1987 pact, which rid Europe of land-based nuclear missiles, noting it touched on existential European interests. (Photo: AP) Berlin: Germany will seek NATO's help to maintain a nuclear arms treaty between Russia and the United States, and is ready to take action to force Moscow to comply with the pact, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Tuesday. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Washington would withdraw from the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty because Russia was violating it, an accusation Moscow denies. Maas told the Funke Mediengruppe newspaper chain that Germany would fight with "all diplomatic means" to keep alive the 1987 pact, which rid Europe of land-based nuclear missiles, noting it touched on existential European interests. "We will put the issue high on the NATO agenda," he said. "We are ready to work with Russia to force its compliance with the INF. We are not ready to set off a new arms race." Russia said on Monday it was ready to work on addressing mutual grievances with the way that the treaty is being implemented. Maas said he understood Washington's disquiet after years of Russia's failure to address reports it was violating the treaty. "The American frustration is not unfounded. But that should not result in throwing the baby out with the bath water. That would be a huge mistake," he said. Signed by then-President Ronald Reagan and reformist Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, the INF treaty required the elimination of all short-range and intermediate-range land-based nuclear and conventional missiles held by both countries in Europe. Gorbachev, now 87, has warned that unravelling it could have catastrophic consequences. Erdogan added he still wanted answers on numerous issues including 'who gave orders' to the team and where the corpse is. (Photo: AFP | File) Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday called for the trial in Istanbul of the Saudi suspects in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a crime that he said was intricately planned days in advance. Erdogan had promised that his speech in Ankara would give the "naked truth" about the killing and he gave a host of new details while still saying Turkey wanted answers to key questions, including who gave the orders. Hours before Erdogan delivered his speech to ruling party lawmakers, a major Saudi investment forum opened in Riyadh under the heavy shadow of the murder after key delegates pulled out. The murder of the Washington Post contributor has damaged the international reputation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has spearheaded a reform drive in the kingdom. "My demand is that 18 people be tried in Istanbul," Erdogan said in a speech to ruling party lawmakers in Ankara, referring to 18 people including security officials who have already been detained by Riyadh. He added that "all those who played a role in the murder" had to face punishment. Erdogan said that the murder was "planned" days in advance according to a "roadmap" set up by a Saudi team who were sent to Istanbul for the purpose. The surveillance system at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was deactivated on purpose, he said. "First they (the Saudis implicated) removed the hard disc from the camera system," Erdogan said. "This is a political murder," he added. But Erdogan added he still wanted answers on numerous issues including "who gave orders" to the team and where the corpse is. Erdogan did not mention Prince Mohammed by name in the speech but said he was confident of the full cooperation of his father Saudi King Salman in the probe. "Must never happen again" Saudi Arabia only confirmed the killing more than two weeks after the event. The killing has alarmed even Saudi Arabia's staunchest Western allies. US President Donald Trump said he was "not satisfied" with Riyadh's explanations. A former royal family insider turned critic of the Saudi crown prince, Khashoggi, 59, disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to collect a document for his upcoming marriage. The case has shone the spotlight on the crown prince, who was credited with reforms including giving women the right to drive but is now accused of having ordered Khashoggi's murder -- a claim Riyadh denies. The timing of the controversy could not be worse for Prince Mohammed as the investment summit, dubbed "Davos in the desert", began in Riyadh, overshadowed by big name cancellations and Erdogan's threat of revelations. Dozens of executives, including from banks Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, ride-hailing app Uber and Western officials such as International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde have pulled out of the three-day Future Investment Initiative (FII). French energy giant Total's head Patrick Pouyanne, however, said he would attend the meeting, arguing that "empty chair politics" do not advance human rights. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Berlin would not export arms to Riyadh "in the current situation," despite Germany's approval last month of 416 million euros' ($480 million) worth of arms exports in 2018. Despite also pulling out of the summit, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin met the crown prince behind closed doors for bilateral talks in Riyadh. CIA Director Gina Haspel, meanwhile, headed for Turkey, although details of her trip were not immediately clear. White House advisor and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, believed to have close ties with the crown prince, said he had urged him to be "fully transparent", stressing that "the world is watching". Speaking in Jakarta, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir vowed "a thorough and complete investigation". He said procedures would be put in place to "ensure that something like this can never happen again." Abandoned Saudi car With Khashoggi's remains still missing, Turkish police have found an abandoned car belonging to the Saudi consulate in an underground car park in the Sultangazi district of Istanbul, state media said. CNN broadcast images apparently showing a Saudi official playing a body double for Khashoggi, wearing the journalist's clothes, exiting the consulate. Khan is in Saudi Arabia for the second time this month seeking to shore up financial aid as the country reels from a looming balance of payments crisis. (Photo: File) Riyadh: Pakistan is hoping to resume efforts to improve ties with India after the national elections in India next year, the country's Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday. Khan said he had tried to extend hand of peace to India, and had not received a response, but hoped to resume efforts to improve bilateral ties. "One thing Pakistan needs more than any other country right now is peace and security," he said at an investment conference in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh. In September, India called off the meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries, planned for the sidelines of the UN General Assembly the same month. The foreign ministry in New Delhi said at the time its decision was to protest against the killing of security personnel in Kashmir and a Pakistani postage stamp that it said was "glorifying" a terrorist. Khan is in Saudi Arabia for the second time this month seeking to shore up financial aid as the country reels from a looming balance of payments crisis. Khan at the conference also said that Pakistan is seeking loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and friendly countries to reservice debt and shore up its economy. "What we are hoping is that we do a bit of both, get a loan from IMF and other loans from friendly governments," Khan told an audience in Saudi Arabia. Islamabad has already asked the IMF to open negotiations for the country's second potential bailout in five years. Khan, who took office in July, has also been seeking alternatives to the tough conditions the IMF is likely to impose for loans. Khan said the country also needs two oil refineries to meet demand, and it was talking to Saudi investors about the projects. Khan said Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was organising a delegation of Saudi businessmen to invest in Pakistan. A court in the Maldives has freed an opposition leader, setting aside a lower court's conviction for bribery. The High Court, in hearing an appeal by Qasim Ibrahim, said on Monday that there were procedural violations by the Criminal Court in convicting him. Ibrahim, a political party leader and businessman owning a chain of tourist resorts, was sentenced to more than three years in prison last year after he joined forces with the opposition in trying to unseat President Yameen Abdul Gayoom. He was accused of offering to fund re-election campaigns of government lawmakers in return for voting for an opposition-sponsored no-faith motion against the parliamentary speaker. Ibrahim was exiled in Germany following heart surgery in Singapore and only returned home earlier this month after Yameen's presidential election defeat. Pakistan will launch an aggressive campaign against India to highlight its concerns over the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) after New Delhi failed to let Pakistani officials visit two hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir, a media report said on Tuesday. Pakistans Commissioner on Permanent Indus Water Commission Syed Mehr Ali Shah said the Indian water commissioner had promised on the conclusion of the August 29-30 annual meeting to arrange a visit to the 1,000 MW Pakal Dul and 48 MW Lower Kalnai, in Jammu and Kashmir, in the last week of September. But the visit was delayed to October 7-12, due to the local government elections in Jammu and Kashmir, he said. Shah alleged that the Indian side did not honour its revised schedule as well, saying Panchayat elections were being held in the state after 20 years. Shah said he wrote a letter of disappointment and then talked to his counterpart a few days ago on phone and based on that discussion he did not expect a visit soon, Dawn newspaper reported. "We do not foresee an inspection visit of (the two projects being executed by India over) the Chenab River in the near future based on my telephonic discussions with my Indian counterpart," Shah said. Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda said that he did not want to go into a threatening mode, but would launch an aggressive campaign at home and abroad as India had seriously violated the 1960 treaty to Pakistan's disadvantage. Without explaining, the minister said he would trap India to its own bluff card because the matter also pertained to Pakistans security and he was in the process of consultations with stakeholders to resolve the challenges with India on a war footing. India and Pakistan signed the Indus Waters Treaty in 1960 after nine years of negotiations, with the World Bank being a signatory. The water commissioners of Pakistan and India are required to meet twice a year and arrange technical visits to projects' sites and critical river headworks. The treaty sets out a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between the two countries regarding their use of the rivers. However, there have been disagreements and differences between India and Pakistan over the treaty. The South Bay Boardriders Club, a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating the history of South Bay surfing culture, will donate the statue to honor the men and women who paddle 32 miles from Catalina Island to the Manhattan Beach Pier during... Even as the CBI claimed that extortion was being done in the garb of investigations, its Special Director Rakesh Asthana and Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar on Tuesday were slapped with charges of extortion and forgery in the FIR against them in a corruption case. The CBIs move came as Asthana and Kumar knocked on the doors of Delhi High Court separately challenging the FIR and the latters arrest, with both sides intensifying the turf war. While Asthana, the CBI second-in-command who is at loggerheads with Director Alok Verma, sought a direction from the high court that no coercive action be taken against him, Kumar, who was arrested on Monday, challenged his arrest in a separate plea. The high court did not stay the ongoing probe but directed the CBI to maintain status quo on the criminal proceedings initiated against Asthana till next Monday while a local court sent Kumar to seven days CBI custody, saying the offences were grave in nature. The CBI promptly suspended Kumar following his remand even as it informed the local court that it has invoked Sections 384, 388, 389 (all related to extortion) and 468 and 471 (related to forgery). The CBI had earlier invoked charges of criminal conspiracy and relevant sections of Prevention of Corruption Act. The agency registered a case against Asthana and others on October 15. Kumar, earlier the investigating officer in a case involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi, was arrested on allegations of forgery in recording the statement of businessman Sathish Sana. Sana alleged that he paid a bribe to get relief. Sending Kumar to CBI custody, the court said, Considering the gravity of offence and seriousness of allegations about the involvement of public servants, including the accused, I am of the opinion that police custody of Kumar is necessary for proper investigation. The court also rejected the contention that prior permission was needed for Kumars arrest. Earlier, Kumars lawyer claimed that he was falsely implicated and was a victim of rivalry between two officers. He also claimed that there was a big conspiracy to derail the case against Qureshi because two former directors are involved. Former CBI directors A P Singh and Ranjit Sinha are facing CBI cases in connection with charges against Qureshi. In the high court, while giving Asthana relief from arrest, Justice Najmi Waziri also sought response of the probe agency and its Director Verma and Joint Director A K Sharma as well as the DoPT, which is the CBIs administrative arm. The judge also turned down the plea of Asthanas counsel seeking to stay further proceedings in the matter. Nothing will happen. Tomorrow is Maharshi Valmikis birthday, nothing will happen, Justice Waziri said while directing CBI not to disturb the equilibrium. Authorities on Tuesday sealed city center Lal Chowk in Srinagar to thwart a march called by Kashmiri separatist leaders against the killing of seven civilians in Kulgam on Sunday. Seven civilians were killed in a blast at the site of a gunfight in Laroo village of south Kashmirs Kulgam district on Sunday morning after three Jaish-e-Mohammad militants were killed in an encounter with security forces. The separatists had called for a state-wide shutdown on Monday and a march to the city center on Tuesday. The police imposed stringent curbs in Lal Chowk and adjoining areas and parts of old city fearing protests and clashes, while separatist leaders were either confined to their homes or taken into preventive custody. Last evening, the police had issued an advisory, asking commuters to use an alternate route as the stretch of road from Amira Kadal to Regal Chowk will be blocked for traffic Barricades have been erected by the police at Amira Kadal (bridge) and the Regal Chowk to prevent any movement towards the historic Lal Chowk. Spools of concertina wire were placed on roads to block movement of people and prevent large gatherings. Police detained pro-independence JKLF chief Yasin Malik on Tuesday morning after he tried to march towards clock tower in Lal Chowk along with his dozen-odd supporters. Malik, who had gone into hiding to evade his arrest, appeared at a mosque in Kokerbazar early today. Addressing reporters before his detention, Malik warned of an agitation if the killings were not stopped in Kashmir. Authorities also suspended the high-speed Internet service in Srinagar in view of proposed separatist march and sit-in. An official said that the speed of mobile Internet service has been throttled to 2G in the capital city as a precautionary measure. Schools and colleges have been closed for the day in Srinagar district. Normal life remained affected for the second consecutive day on Tuesday in Kashmir as authorities foiled a march by separatists at city centre, here, against the killing of seven civilians in southern Kulgam on Sunday. Seven civilians were killed while a dozen others were injured in a blast at the site of a gunfight in Laroo village of south Kashmirs Kulgam district on Sunday morning after three Jaish-e-Mohammad militants were killed in an encounter with security forces. The separatists had called for a state-wide shutdown on Monday and a march to city centre Lal Chowk on Tuesday. The police imposed stringent curbs on Lal Chowk and adjoining areas and parts of old city fearing protests and clashes, while separatist leaders were either confined to their homes or taken into preventive custody. Read more: All roads leading to Lal Chowk's historic Ghanta Ghar (clock tower) were sealed with concertina wires while police and paramilitary personnel were deployed to foil any attempt by the separatists to reach there. Police also foiled protest march of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) against the Kulgam civilian killings. KCCI Secretary-General, Farooq Amin, in a statement said that Chamber members were prevented from proceeding towards Lal Chowk. Despite strict restrictions, a large number of members of the Chamber participated in the protest march, he said. Reports said Army resorted to aerial firing after mob hurled stones at them in Chadoora area of central Kashmirs Budgam district. Police detained pro-independence JKLF chief Yasin Malik on Tuesday morning after he tried to march towards clock tower in Lal Chowk along with his dozen-odd supporters. Addressing reporters before his detention, Malik warned of an agitation if the killings were not stopped in Kashmir. Authorities also suspended the high-speed Internet service in Srinagar in view of proposed separatist march and sit-in. An official said that the speed of mobile Internet service has been throttled to 2G in the capital city as a precautionary measure. Schools and colleges have been closed for the day in Srinagar district. Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday withdrew a circular that copies of religious scriptures Ramayana and Bhagwad Gita should be made available at all educational institutions hours after it evoked a controversy in the Muslim majority state. Circular issued by the education department regarding the introduction of some religious books stands withdrawn ab initio under the orders of the chief secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Police said in a tweet today. Circular issued by the education department regarding introduction of some religious books stands withdrawn ab initio under the orders of the chief secretary. J&K Police (@JmuKmrPolice) October 23, 2018 The order to introduce Urdu version of Ramayana and Bhagwad Gita in schools/colleges and public libraries had been issued after the decision was taken in a meeting chaired by advisor to Governor B B Vyas on October 4. In wake of the meeting, the administrative department of education has shot a letter to the directors of the school education department in both Kashmir and Jammu divisions. The school education department will consider purchasing a sufficient number of copies each of Urdu version of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Koshur Ramayan authored by Shri Sarwanand Premi for making these available in schools/colleges and public libraries etc, reads an official communique dated 22.10.2018 signed by the under-secretary school education department. The officers have been asked to initiate further process after following all codal formalities required as per rules. Director Colleges Zahoor Ahmad Chatt and Director School Education Kashmir, G N Itoo feigned ignorance about the matter saying they have not received any such order. The order triggered a storm on social media with former chief minister Omar Abdullah questioning why only selective religious books are to be placed in schools colleges and government libraries. Why just the Gita and Ramayana? If religious texts are to be placed in schools, colleges and government libraries (and Im not convinced that they need/should be) then why is it being done selectively? Why are other religions being ignored (sic), he tweeted. Raja Muzafar Bhat, an RTI activist, lambasted the government for issuing such order. When the local Government is controlled by RSS lead Modi, Rajnath and Yogi new disasters are bound to take place. Now Kashmiri Muslim students will have to read Ramayana and Bhagwad Gita , but no mention of Quraan? Why this religious divide? Inspite of Muslims being in majority local Governments never in Past enforced teaching of Quran for minorities in Kashmir (sic)? he wrote on his Facebook timeline. Earlier the education department had decided to introduce Vedic and Buddhist studies at the higher secondary level in the state. According to the 2011 Census, Muslims form around 68%m of the population in Jammu and Kashmir and Hindus are a little over 28 per cent. Sikhs and Buddhists form 1.9 per cent and 0.9 per cent of the state's population respectively. The order to purchase the Gita and Ramayan was bound to evoke sharp reactions from separatists as they would have deemed the move as an attempt by the BJP to 'saffronise' education in the Muslim-majority state. Underlining his commitment towards a peaceful and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that stone pelting incidents and local recruitment into militancy have come down in recent months. "As far as the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, there has been a major shift in the last four months. There has been a decrease in the number of stone pelting incidents. Also, I have got information that there has been a fall in the number of militant recruitment in the state," he said while addressing a press conference here. Rajnath, who was on a day's visit to Kashmir, said that earlier this year, there were reports of increased militancy-related activities here. "The regional parties in the state and the central government have not always nodded heads in agreement, but the central leadership remains committed to the cause of the people here," he said. The home minister said that both state and central governments are working towards the development of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh regions. "It is our aim to make Jammu and Kashmir a developed state," he said. While hailing peaceful election process during urban local body polls in the state, he said, "Now the stage is all set for historic Panchayat elections aimed at the devolution of power to ground level in the state." On the death of seven civilians in a blast in southern Kulgam district on Sunday, the home minister said, "We are deeply hurt due to the unfortunate incident and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Though life can't be replaced by money, we announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia for the bereaved families," he said. On Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's offer of dialogue with India, he said, "There is no harm in talks, but terror and dialogue can't go together. Our prime minister broke all protocols (in December 2015) and met the then Pakistani prime minister and his family. But what was the outcome of this?" Without naming Hurriyat Conference leaders, the home minister said, "We are ready to talk with anyone who wants to talk. I can't elaborate it further." Earlier, Rajnath reviewed the security situation with senior officials from security forces, police and civil administration in the state, and also met Governor Satya Pal Malik at the Raj Bhawan. The home minister also met PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. This was the first meeting between the two leaders after the fall of PDP-BJP alliance in the state in June this year. An official spokesperson said the two leaders held discussions on various important issues relating to security management, implementation of development programmes and positive engagement of the youth in the state. The outcome of the crucial November 3 bypoll to five seats in Karnataka could have an impact on the Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana Assembly elections ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said here Tuesday. The bypoll to Ballari, Shimoga, Mandya (Lok Sabha), Jamkhandi and Ramanagara (Assembly) seats, scheduled on November 3, are seen as a litmus test for the Congress-JD(S) alliance against the BJP. This alliance is seen as a precursor to a grand alliance of secular parties ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Karnataka politics will define the course of national politics. It wont be wrong to say that the upcoming bypoll might have an impact on the outcome of the three Assembly elections coming up, Kumaraswamy told reporters during an interaction. Read more: Ballari bypoll: A Sriramulu vs DKS contest He pointed out that his swearing-in ceremony, which saw the coming together of leaders of several regional parties, as well as Congress president Rahul Gandhi, sent out a message across India, for the making of a Mahagatbandhan against the BJP. Kumaraswamy also said that the Narendra Modi wave on the back of which the BJP rode to power in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, had faded. The 2014 trend doesnt exist anymore. In the 12-13 elections that were held since, the BJP won only one, he said. Elaborating on the influence of Karnataka politics at the national level, Kumaraswamy pointed out that V P Singh became prime minister in the late 1990s, although for a short period, because the stage was set by Karnataka. Read more: Karnataka bypolls: The battle lines are drawn Kumaraswamy, who had earlier publicly cribbed about the circumstances in which he became the chief minister, said it was a God-given opportunity. The Congress may have given me support (to become CM), but this is a God-given chance. God has already decided how long Ill be here (as the CM), he said. He also hit out at the BJP, for mocking the bonhomie between JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda and his one-time bete noire, Congress leader Siddaramaiah. The two recently shared the stage for a joint press conference in a show of unity, despite having been bitter political rivals. Read more: Shimoga bypoll: Battle of the sons The same B S Yeddyurappa (BJP state president) had declared in 2013 that even his dead body wouldnt be a part of the BJP when he had quit the party. Similarly, B Sreeramulu had formed his own BSR Congress. Everybody knows what they all had said back then. In politics, there will be attacks and counterattacks, he said, defending the Deve Gowda-Siddaramaiah friendship. Nokia and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited have signed an exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly explore opportunities in the public safety arena. Under the agreement, Nokia will become BSNLs Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) technology partner for public safety projects. The collaboration will assist in advancing public safety standards in the country and supports the Indian governments Smart Cities Mission. Often during a disaster situation communications networks can be hampered, impacting relief and rescue efforts. A reliable and robust LTE public safety system is therefore critical in these situations to aid public safety workers. Leveraging the Nokia ViTrust critical communications portfolio, in particular, the Nokia Ultra Compact Network, Nokia and BSNL will explore solutions that help first responders more swiftly locate people and assist affected communities. The Nokia Ultra Compact Network (UCN) is a portable solution that allows first responders to set up a reliable mission-critical mobile broadband network in minutes. By establishing an LTE network, first responders can securely transmit large images and videos in real-time to other workers and command centres, providing vital insight into a situation to aid public safety and rescue efforts. Under the agreement, Nokia and BSNL will explore public safety opportunities for various industry segments including Smart City deployment, border-related activities, and mines and quarries in remote areas with limited connectivity. In addition, they will establish a mission-critical government network, allowing ministers and other officials to communicate securely across the country. The companies will also work with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to help them leverage the benefits of LTE technology in public safety communications systems. Anupam Srivastava, Chairman and Managing Director at BSNL, said: As a trusted telecom service provider, BSNL is committed to providing the best technology solutions for public safety professionals. Our technology partnership with Nokia is a crucial step in this direction. We have a longstanding working relationship with Nokia, and this project starts a new chapter in our journey. Nokias innovation and leadership in mission-critical communications will allow us to deliver a best-in-class public safety network. JP Singh, head of Nokias customer team for the Government Business in India, said: We have been working closely with BSNL for more than 25 years and this agreement further strengthens our relationship. This is the first time our public safety solution will be used in India, and we are excited to leverage our ViTrust critical communications portfolio, working with BSNL to enhance public safety work and aid vital rescue operations. Technuter.com News Service Accusing the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) of insulting warrior queen Kittur Rani Channamma, when the state is celebrating Kittur Utsav, members of various Kannada organisations staged a flash protest and blocked a busy road in Belagavi on Tuesday. Kannada activists blocked traffic at the Rani Channamma circle, to express their ire against BCC's neglect in maintaining the statue. Activists said that the civic body had failed to maintain the Rani Channamma statue. The statue had not been given a facelift. The paint on the statue had peeled off, making it an eye sore, the activists said. "Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy himself inaugurated the three-day utsav. But BCC has failed to give the statue a makeover," activists added. BCC had only spray washed the statue, one day before the utsav. The statue was disfigured by the wash. The issue came to fore, when Kannada activists visited the spot to garland the statue. They were shocked to see the utter disregard shown by BCC. They formed a human chain and blocked traffic. Police tried to pacify the protesters but in vain. The protesters demand that BCC officials visit the spot. The protest was withdrawn after BCC officials arrived and assured action. Traffic was disrupted for an hour. DARBY BOROUGH The body of a man found in a car on Fern Street has been identified as 25-year-old Hassan Kadeem Noaks, according to the Delaware County Medical Examiners Office. Noaks death by multiple gunshot wounds was ruled a homicide, according to the official Findings of the Medical Examiner document. According to the document, Noaks was shot by other, in a car in front of a residence in the 200 block of Fern Street. The time of his injury was 12:30 a.m. on Oct. 20. Noaks was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedic Joe Crawford about 12:39 a.m. A complete autopsy was performed by assistant Delaware County Medical Examiner Dr. Bennett Preston. Attempts to reach Darby Borough police Monday for additional details into the shooting were unsuccessful. He was a father, he was a son, he was a brother, his grieving mother, Catrina Noaks, said Monday night. She said her son recently moved to the borough from Philadelphia. He was always good to everyone around him. Everyone loved him, Laquan Noaks, 26, said of his younger brother. Hassan was the father of two boys, ages 7 and 2, according to his brother. The victims family is requesting anyone with information pertinent to the case to contact borough police at 610-586-1100 or 911. Hassan Noaks death brings the homicide toll for Delaware County to 28 this year. ROSE QUINN The Pennsylvania Senate last week did what they too often do best. They recessed. They packed their bags and fled Harrisburg. After all, half of them are running for re-election in a couple of weeks. But they left behind a bit of unfinished business. And some frustrated members. And the hopes of the victims of childhood sexual abuse that they may finally get a chance at justice. The Senate was debating legislation that would have opened a two-year window for past victims of sexual abuse to file suit against their molesters and the institutions that enabled and protected them. Instead they got the window slammed shut in their face. The Pennsylvania House had passed H.B. 261, which would eliminate the statute of limitations on criminal charges in cases of sex abuse, and also expand the period when victims could file civil actions. Right now state law mandates a victim file an action by age 30. This bill would expand that window until age 50. But only for future cases. Thats why state Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, added a controversial amendment that would have lifted the cap for filing actions for two years. Many experts believe victims of childhood sexual abuse do not come to grips with their ordeal until well into adulthood, long after they turn 30. The measure passed overwhelmingly in the state House, and had considerable support in the state Senate, including the backing of two Delaware County Republican senators, Sen. Tom Killion, R-9 of Middletown, and Sen. Tom McGarrigle, R-26 of Springfield. But the measure was vehemently opposed by the Catholic church and the insurance industry. Republican leaders in the state Senate also opposed the measure, fearing it would not pass constitutional muster. Instead they backed a plan that would see the Catholic church set up a special Victims Compensation Fund that would be administered by a third party. Eventually state Sen. Joe Scarnati, R-25 of Jefferson County, offered a compromise that would allow victims to sue priests that had abused them, but not the church itself. Both solutions were rightfully mocked by victims and advocacy groups who have waited for years for the opportunity to face their abusers in a court of law. This is as close as they got. And then state Senate Republican leaders slammed the window shut in their face. Now it appears the process will have to start all over again in the next legislative session. After pushing that boulder all the way up the hill, victims and their supporters looked on as it rolled all the way back to the bottom again. The push for opening a window for victims took on a new level of widespread support after the latest grand jury report on abuse by Catholic priests in six Pennsylvania parishes. The results were hauntingly familiar to previous probes that uncovered problems in both the Philadelphia and Altoona-Johnstown dioceses. But the latest report spearheaded by Attorney General Josh Shapiro seemed to strike a nerve. The damning findings showed clear evidence of more than 300 priests who abused at least 1,000 children for decades. Even worse, it again underscored something seen before, that church officials were complicit in policies meant to protect the church, not help the young, innocent victims of sexual abuse. In fact, one of the recommendations made by the latest grand jury was specifically that state law be modified to allow victims of decades-old abuse to have their day in court. Forget their day in court. This time they couldnt even have their day in the Pennsylvania. Despite widespread support, the bill never made it to the Senate floor for a vote. Both Killion and McGarrigle issued angry responses aimed at their own party leaders. Theres absolutely no excuse for this, Killion said. We are denying justice for victims who have suffered immensely. McGarrigle vowed to sponsor legislation for a two-year window as the first order of business in the next session. Shapiro put it a bit more bluntly. They stood with the powerful institutions over the people of Pennsylvania, the attorney general said of the move by Senate GOP leaders. They turned their backs on these victims. But it was left for Rozzi, himself a victim of abuse at the hands of his parish priest as a child, to put the bitter lack of action in the proper perspective. And they call themselves leaders, Rozzi said in a guest column that appeared on these pages Monday. What cowardice that Sens. Joe Scarnati and Jake Corman couldnt bring the statute of limitation reform bill up for a vote. Rozzi is asking the Senate to come back into session and vote on the measure. Otherwise the effort will have to start all over again in January with a new session, which no doubt will also feature new members. The negotiations, arm-twisting and vote tabulations will have to start all over again. And the anguished wait for justice for the victims will go on. Thats what happens when you get the window slammed shut in your face. Last year I had the privilege of performing at a womens event in New Mexico where I met Elizabeth Smart. We talked briefly, and as we walked the halls down to the stage to get ready for our individual appearances me singing, her speaking I was struck with how calm and collected she was. Nothing about her demeanor seemed aggressive, resentful or angry, although she certainly had every excuse to be that way. I knew her story well. I had cried and prayed with the rest of the nation as news broke of her kidnapping back in 2002. At only 14 years old, Smart was taken from her home, raped and abused daily by her captors, and lived a homeless life for nine months in hellish conditions until her rescue in March 2003. Her eyes said she knew tragedy, the deepest, most horrific kind. But there was something else there, too. It was a resolute strength, a burning indignation that wasnt so much fiery as it was focused and fierce. As Smart delivered her address, she never not once raised her voice in rage. She didnt swear. She didnt pound her fists on the podium. She explained what happened to her in a direct, informative way. She shared her feelings of terror and agony, wondering if she would ever see her family again. She didnt weep. She didnt scream. She stood strong and immovable. This woman was the definition of resilient. Right now, rage is all the rage when it comes to women expressing themselves and standing up for our rights. There is no question we have much to be angry about in this unjust world. We have fought for and continue to fight for equality and progress in pay, political position, social status, religious recognition and the opportunity to have the same privileges those of the opposite sex enjoy. The #MeToo movement has ignited an attitude of enough is enough and encouraged women to open up and speak out against sexual abuse. But Im worried. Im worried that the justifiable frustration and fight weve had boiling in our bellies might overtake us. Im worried that if not kept in check, this applause of anger can drown out our strongest quality: the ability to affect true change through love. I truly believe there is nothing greater than goodness. Please hear me being opposed to evil is absolutely appropriate and necessary and fighting against the darkness that is ever-encroaching is crucial. I do not think we need to be quiet or passive when it comes to womens rights. But there is certainly a difference between fighting for a righteous cause and letting anger consume us like wildfire until we have burned ourselves out. In her book Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women's Anger, author Soraya Chemaly argues that, By effectively severing anger from good womanhood, we choose to sever girls and women from the emotion that best protects us against danger and injustice. Chemaly goes on to say, Anger isnt what gets in our way it is our way. Im not sure I agree. In a recent interview with Gayle King for CBS, Smart expressed concern and frustration about her former captor Wanda Barzees release from prison. Was Smart mad that Barzee was out? Absolutely. Did she use rage to get her point across? Not even close. If youre too angry, then people dont pay attention to you, she told King. Rage is defined as violent, uncontrolled anger. If this is how we are choosing to fight, we will not be successful. We will not truly be heard. What can we do as women that will show the world what our strengths really are, and how can we use the most powerful tool of all love to combat the opposition around us? In her October 2000 general conference address to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints titled "The Joy of Womanhood," Sister Margaret D. Nadauld, then Young Women general president, said: The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. Resilient. Not rageful. Like Elizabeth Smart, this is how we overcome. This is how we fight like girls. This is how we win. SALT LAKE CITY The Rev. Tuesday Jane Rupp's new job came with an interesting perk: an invitation to live in an 181-year-old house. Like many faith communities, her new employer, Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Woodbury, Connecticut, owns a parsonage and offers it to rectors as part of their compensation package. "I had the option of living in it or receiving a housing allowance that would be financially equivalent," she said. At her previous job in New York City, she took the allowance, which eased the burden of navigating the city's pricey housing market. Housing benefits help ensure clergy members can afford to live close to the churches they serve and reflect the congregation's partial claim on the space. Pastors are often expected to treat their home like a second office and host scripture study groups or parties. "So much of my work is location-based," the Rev. Rupp said. Because of these expectations, the Internal Revenue Service doesn't tax ministers' housing-related compensation, just as it doesn't tax similar benefits offered to members of the military or foreign service. The current exemption has been in place since 1954, but its days could be numbered if a legal challenge from the Freedom From Religion Foundation succeeds. The foundation, which advocates on behalf of atheist and agnostic Americans and has filed multiple lawsuits contesting tax breaks for faith groups, argues the IRS unlawfully gives ministers special treatment, making it much easier for them to receive housing-related tax breaks than others who do a lot of work at home. "Many of us could argue that we need to live close to our place of employment," said Annie Laurie Gaylor, one of the organization's co-presidents. In Gaylor v. Mnuchin, the Freedom From Religion Foundation is pitted against the federal government and a group of faith leaders, represented by The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, who both say current tax law prevents improper government meddling in church business. They argue that ministers don't seem special when compared to Army officers or university presidents. "People hear about tax doctrine and think 'That's not fair. That's special treatment for ministers.' But, in reality, this is allowing ministers to receive the same tax treatment as hundreds of thousands of nonreligious workers," said Luke Goodrich, vice president and senior counsel at Becket. What's at stake in the case, which was heard by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday, is more than how easy it is for faith leaders like the Rev. Rupp to relocate. It could redefine how religious organizations are treated under the law, threatening any policy that singles out faith groups from others. Key arguments In general, housing-related tax benefits are only available to employees who meet a variety of eligibility requirements. They have to be full employees, not independent contractors, live in a house or apartment owned by their employer and show that habitation is a condition of employment. "If your employer is providing your housing to enable you to carry out your job rather than to compensate you, the housing is not treated as income," Goodrich said. For example, a university president usually doesn't pay taxes on the home that comes with the job. Religious leaders, on the other hand, like government workers overseas or members of the military, are automatically exempted from taxes on housing allowances. Congress decided that housing was so core to the work ministers do that they didn't need to evaluate individual circumstances, Goodrich said. "It made sense as a matter of administrability to just say everybody qualifies," he said. The Freedom From Religion Foundation has been fighting tax breaks for ministers for more than seven years. An earlier lawsuit was thrown out due to lack of standing, so foundation leaders filed amended tax returns requesting the tax benefits available to ministers just to prove they couldn't get them. The current lawsuit against Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin began in April 2016. The goal of this legal wrangling isn't to expand the government's definition of a minister, explained Gaylor, who is one of the plaintiffs in the case. It's to ensure that faith leaders must jump through the same hoops as everyone else if they want tax-free housing. "There's a disparity between 501(c)(3) churches and other 501(c)(3) groups," she said. In Gaylor v. Mnuchin, which centers on pastors receiving housing allowances, not those who live in a church-owned house, the foundation argues that the tax code violates the First Amendment's establishment clause, which prohibits the government from privileging one faith group over others or religious Americans over nonreligious ones. The automatic tax exemption for ministers singles them out for special treatment, the lawsuit claims. "It saves churches money, and they can use that money to further their religious aims," Gaylor said. But the government and Becket claim just the opposite: that the blanket exemption prevents unlawful government entanglement with religious institutions. Without it, IRS workers would have to figure out how often pastors host Bible studies or write their sermons from home, determining how vital a house is to a church's religious mission, Goodrich said. "The IRS deciding how important is what this minister is doing in his or her home to the mission of the church is a religious question. The Supreme Court has said we shouldn't have the government (asking) those sorts of religious questions," he said. Or, as the brief from the federal government put it: "Permitting ministers to exclude parsonage allowances rather than forcing them to rely on the generally available deduction for business use of the home may also prevent more intrusive government inquiries into the church-minister relationship." Tax exemptions for ministers who live in a house owned by their employer or receive a cash allowance for housing amount to around $800 million each year, according to data from the Treasury department. If the federal government and Becket lose in Gaylor v. Mnuchin, houses of worship, which rarely have money to spare, would have to pay ministers higher salaries to help cover the new taxes. Or seminaries would need to start recruiting people with money to spare. "Historically, salaries (for ministers) are very small," the Rev. Rupp said. Housing benefits boost the compensation package, easing the financial tensions that can arise when you dedicate your life to serving the Lord. What's next? The Rev. Rupp's favorite part of her new home is the kitchen, which feels huge compared to the "teeny tiny" space she used in New York City. There's an old, large hearth along one wall and lots of counter space to use when she's baking bread, one of her favorite hobbies. About two months after she and her husband moved in, they hosted an open house for congregation members. Members of the community chatted, shared snacks and drank wine, forming the connections that come to define a house of worship. "We wanted to let (the congregation) know that we're taking good care of their beautiful property and that they are welcome guests in our home," she said. Moving forward, the Rev. Rupp can't wait to further incorporate the house into her ministry, whether by having people over to sit and chat by the large hearth in the kitchen or hosting guests from churches around the world. Her housing benefits allow her to practice the spiritual art of hospitality, she said. As the Rev. Rupp's recent party and future plans illustrate, a minister's home often becomes an extension of the church, enabling them to make deeper connections with the people they serve. The Freedom From Religion Foundation doesn't dispute that purpose, but it argues that similar arguments could be offered for a number of jobs, Gaylor said, noting that she lives close to the foundation's office so she's able to respond quickly to emergencies. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb agreed with this assessment in October 2017, ruling in favor of Gaylor. "Any reasonable observer would conclude that the purpose and effect of (the current tax code) is to provide financial assistance to one group of religious employees without any consideration to the secular employees who are similarly situated to ministers," she wrote. "That type of provision violates the establishment clause." The federal government appealed to the 7th Circuit, which heard oral arguments Wednesday. Goodrich compared the case to other religious freedom lawsuits in recent years, such as ones dealing with whether business owners who are religious objectors to birth control have to provide it to employees. Exemptions to the birth control mandate were presented like a special privilege for faith groups, even though many large, secular companies already had the same exemption for different reasons. "It's common nowadays to look at only part of the picture and consider only the part of the picture that you might not like," he said. "We're trying to encourage everybody to look at the whole picture and view religious practice within the broader context of the entire legal system." Gaylor clearly has a different take on the current tax code, and she's fighting for a different outcome in the case. "We want them to find this unconstitutional," she said. "We've got so many needs and so much infrastructure that needs to be repaired. I think everybody should pay their fair share." Dan Barker, who is also a co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation and a co-plaintiff in the case, said he felt that attorneys for both sides did a "very good job" explaining their views during oral arguments. He added that members of the judicial panel seemed engaged and asked interesting questions, such as whether tax breaks for faith leaders have a secular purpose since church programs serve members and nonmembers. "Some churches do a lot of good, but so do secular groups," Barker said. In some brief remarks posted to Becket's Twitter account Wednesday, Goodrich said he's optimistic about the case. "We were very encouraged by how the argument went today," he said. "We're confident that the court will do the right thing and ultimately uphold this housing allowance." The United States has been a beacon of hope for people who are poor, mistreated or persecuted. That is a unique position on the world stage that must not be abdicated. Many Americans trace their roots to people who left harsh conditions in other countries in search of a better life in the United States, and their migration, despite often-harsh opposition, ultimately has blessed the nation and its economy. So the first reaction upon seeing thousands of people marching from Honduras and through Mexico with hopes of reaching the U.S. border should be compassion. Journalists interviewing these people have uncovered stories about families fleeing gang violence and seeking hope for children whose future looks bleak in a country where the World Bank estimates 66 percent of the people are in poverty. In rural Honduras, about 20 percent of the people live on less than $1.90 per day. The people who make up the caravan are suffering deprivations and health problems, including swollen feet, lacerations and infections, as the Red Cross told politico.com. People dont voluntarily endure such hardship unless their lives reach a critical level of desperation. They speak about the hope of a better life in the United States. The second reaction should be concern about the need to handle these people in an orderly and humane manner if they should make it to the U.S. border. For obvious reasons, the United States cannot allow thousands of people to storm their way in with no vetting. People dont voluntarily endure such hardship unless their lives reach a critical level of desperation. They speak about the hope of a better life in the United States. But the nation also should not cruelly separate families at the border, as it has in the past, while determining who stays and who is sent back. The long-term implications of such separations on the psyches of children and parents alike are likely to lead to many unintended consequences in the future. An asylum-vetting process already is in place. The truth is that most in the caravan are not likely to be granted their wish. Using statistics provided by the Syracuse University Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, The New York Times earlier this year said 75 percent of asylum cases originating with nationals from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala were denied between 2012 and 2017. Despite President Trumps assertions that Democrats are behind the current wave, most of those years were during the Obama administration. Merely being impoverished or fearing for ones life is not an official reason to seek asylum. An immigrant must prove he or she is part of a persecuted group that is being targeted because of religion, race, nationality or as retaliation for political speech. That does not mean the nation should turn its back on those who are desperate. While the president obviously sees the emerging caravan as an opportunity for political gain ahead of midterm elections, his tweets, including unsubstantiated fears that the caravan is being infiltrated by international terrorists, are not helpful. However, his threats to withhold international aid to Honduras and other Central American countries come closer to a productive response. Those nations are rife with official corruption that makes life unbearable for many of their citizens. Pressure could spur substantive changes that might make migration unnecessary. Meanwhile, Congress and the president should lay politics aside and resume efforts to pass meaningful immigration law. That would include a guest-worker system and a more realistic, fair and compassionate asylum policy. Compassion for others and safety for all on both sides of the border should be the true measure of our nations rich immigrant heritage. SALT LAKE CITY After years of debate over Medicaid expansion at the Utah Legislature, the state's voters have a direct say this Nov. 6 over the federal program's future in the Beehive State. If approved, Proposition 3 will raise the state sales tax to expand Medicaid eligibility to all Utahns in households earning 138 percent or less of the federal poverty level. Utah Decides Healthcare, the campaign that collected more than 147,000 signatures to get Proposition 3 on the ballot, estimates the widened eligibility criteria would lead to 150,000 additional Utahns signing up for health insurance coverage through Medicaid. The campaign also estimates the sales tax increase from 4.7 percent to 4.85 percent on nonfood purchases will raise $91 million in revenue, triggering more than $800 million in federal matching funds to pay for the costs incurred by new Medicaid enrollees. What is expansion? The Affordable Care Act required states to expand Medicaid eligibility to all residents at or under 138 percent of the federal poverty level. However, a 2012 Supreme Court ruling effectively made Medicaid expansion optional for each state. Multiple attempts at expansion have failed to gain enough support at the Legislature in recent years, including Gov. Gary Herbert's Healthy Utah plan that he pushed for in 2015. In 2016, state lawmakers passed a limited form of expansion, designed to bring Medicaid eligibility to 4,000 to 6,000 of Utah's very poorest, including the homeless, in an effort to improve behavioral health and substance abuse treatment options. This year, the Legislature passed a more extensive form of Medicaid expansion, instructing the Utah Department of Health to submit a federal waiver requesting to make all Utahns earning 100 percent or less of the federal poverty level eligible for Medicaid. But the federal government has yet to approve the waiver, which could provide a 90 percent federal matching rate despite not expanding coverage eligibility to the full extent under the ACA. Proposition 3 would eliminate the need for a waiver, or undergoing that same approval process. The state coverage plan awaiting federal approval would leverage existing funding streams in the state budget and not need a tax increase, according to its supporters. It would also require the state to rescind Medicaid expansion if the federal matching rate dropped below 90 percent. Its supporters have estimated it would lead to 70,000 to 90,000 additional Utahns enrolling in Medicaid. As of fiscal year 2017, 308,701 Utahns were enrolled in Medicaid, according to Utah Department of Health data. Prop. 3 arguments As of mid-October, there are no groups registered in Utah to campaign against Proposition 3 that have reported raising money. The lack of vocal opposition to Proposition 3 in Utah stands in contrast to coordinated efforts to defeat the state's medical marijuana initiative. But the lack of an organized opposition does not mean Proposition 3 is without critics. Among those who wish to see it voted down is Rep. Jim Dunnigan, R-Taylorsville, architect of the targeted Medicaid expansion that passed in 2016. "I think my biggest concern is the lack of accurate information that's being disseminated, the numbers that are being thrown out," Dunnigan said. He calls it is disingenuous to claim Proposition 3 would bring Medicaid coverage to 150,000 additional Utahns, because some of those calculated in that number are children, all of whom are already eligible. "There won't be one new child eligible under the initiative who's not already eligible today," Dunnigan said. "Don't tug at the heartstrings that this is going to help the kids because the kids can't get health care. Those kids are eligible right now." RyLee Curtis, campaign manager for Utah Decides Healthcare, said about 22,500 children are included in the campaign's estimate of 150,000 new Medicaid enrollees resulting from Proposition 3. Curtis said they are part of what is called "a woodwork effect," which refers to an estimated increase in enrollments among those who are already eligible that often accompanies Medicaid expansion. Rather than an attempt to exaggerate Proposition 3's effects, she said, the children are included in the new enrollment figure as a way of being upfront about the extent of new costs expected to be associated with the proposed expansion. She added that using such methodology to predict new enrollments is standard practice. "The campaign wanted to be honest about the expected cost to the state, and expected enrollment and 'woodwork,' including those 22,500 children is certainly going to be a part of those estimates," Curtis said. "So we wanted to make sure Utah voters knew exactly who they were going to extend coverage to and how much that would cost the state." She said strong evidence exists showing parents are much more likely to enroll their children in Medicaid when they themselves are eligible for the program. "Once their parents are covered they gain access to health care coverage," Curtis said, and if the campaign's estimates are correct, "that nearly cuts the uninsured rate for (Utah) children in half." A frequent argument made on behalf of full Medicaid expansion is that it will provide better access to health care for low-income Utahns who fall into a so-called "coverage gap" by earning too much to be eligible for Medicaid, but too little to qualify for essential cost-saving subsidies on plans sold on the Affordable Care Act's federal health exchange. But Dunnigan says that approximately 30,000 Utahns who would qualify for Medicaid under Proposition 3 are not in a coverage gap, and rather belong to households earning between 100 and 138 percent of the federal poverty level and are eligible for heavily subsidized private sector insurance plans from the exchange. He said it is not wise or compassionate to disqualify those people from getting the subsidies on the federal health exchange by virtue of qualifying them for Medicaid. "I support covering the people in the Medicaid coverage gap," Dunnigan said. "If we're going to do that, we should do it the smartest way possible, and it doesn't make sense to cover people who aren't in the gap." Curtis said in response that expanding eligibility to everyone up to 138 of the federal poverty level, as legally provided for under the Affordable Care Act, is the state's only realistic hope of expanding Medicaid in Utah while maintaining a 90-10 federal funding match. She said other states recently tried to secure a 90-10 federal match with partial expansions of Medicaid, but there is no provision in the law for them to do so, and their requests have been rejected by the Trump administration. As a result, she said, the Legislature's version of expansion is unworkable and destined to fail. Supporters of the Legislature's 2018 plan have said the Trump administration showed initial encouraging signs that it will seriously consider approving it. Dunnigan said "we did hear a couple months ago that some of the senior officials liked the idea, but they were tasked with not doing anything until after the election." Dunnigan said it is noteworthy that the Legislature-approved expansion would also be able to use existing state Medicaid funds and money used for a service called the Primary Care Network to avoid a tax increase. Gov. Gary Herbert also feels strongly about expansion's effect on taxes, his deputy chief of staff Paul Edwards says, which is why Herbert favors the Legislature's plan and not Proposition 3. "The governor will not be voting for the initiative because he believes Medicaid expansion can and should be paid for without raising sales taxes," Edwards said. Under Proposition 3, Dunnigan said, Utah is too vulnerable to being hurt by a drop in federal matching rate, whereas the Legislature's version has "circuit breakers" that prepare for federal fund cutbacks. A higher number of enrollees than expected has been a difficulty for other states and could also make Utah's budget vulnerable under Proposition 3, he said. Curtis said the Utah Decides Healthcare campaign crafted its estimated number of new enrollees prudently, and that "history is a really good indicator" that the federal matching Medicaid rates will hold relatively steady. "Since the 1960s the Medicaid program has held really good on their federal match rate promises to the states," she said. SALT LAKE CITY Utah public schools' access to the EBSCO Information Services educational database has been restored after its use was blocked for nearly a month following complaints that the database contained inappropriate material. On Friday, the Utah Education and Telehealth Network Board voted unanimously to restore schools' access to the K-12 database after it was temporarily halted while officials reviewed the complaints and worked with the provider to upgrade filters intended to block access to inappropriate material. Ray Timothy, the executive director of the board, said his own grandchildren use the databases that the educational network contracts with so he takes complaints of access to inappropriate materials seriously. But in this case, "we have not been able to replicate" access to inappropriate materials that resulted in the temporary shuttering of the database. He assured the board that enhanced controls are in place. "It has been locked tight. I feel comfortable that my grandchildren and other children are not being exposed to content that is inappropriate. Obviously I say that recognizing that you cant guarantee that 100 percent," he said. Timothy encouraged anyone who sees or accesses anything inappropriate "to bring that to us so we can review it." Working with the database, the educational network now has "an instantaneous block on those terms so that is no longer available. Then well go through the review and see if it is content we need to remove from the EBSCO database," Timothy said. Board members thanked staff for working quickly to review the complaints and make changes that further safeguard Utah public schoolchildren from accessing inappropriate material. "They have taken every precaution and step possible under the circumstance," said board member David Long of the Logan City School District. Board member Tami Pyfer, education adviser to Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, concurred. "I was impressed with a great deal of work done in a very short period of time," she said. The educational database has vast collections of published content from popular magazines to scientific journals. It provides different tiers of access to its products: one for K-12 students, another for higher education and public libraries. Peter Bromberg, executive director of the Salt Lake City Library and advocacy chairman for the Utah Library Association, said the database provides "extremely granular controls" to tailor access to materials in its collections. "EBSCO provides an extremely safe research experience for students," Bromberg said. Long cautioned that "filtering can only do so much. That's always been the case and will be the case going forward." Ensuring proper use of the educational network also requires supervision and direct involvement with students as they use the resources, he said. Following the public comment period of Friday's meeting, Utah Education and Telehealth Network Board Chairman Raymond Walker, who is chief information officer for Utah Valley University, said he "was a little troubled by misleading and misinformation that has actually been perpetuated by both sides." One woman read aloud to those attending the meeting excerpts of very explicit content she said she found on the database at 10 p.m. Thursday. Walker reminded the board and audience members that access to the K-12 database had been shut down since Sept. 22 so anyone who had accessed such materials found them elsewhere. Parley Pratt, right, plays a game with his sisters Alice, left, and Naomi, and his mother, Lori, in the dinning room of the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Salt Lake City on Monday. The Pratt family is staying in the house while Parley visits Shriners Hospitals for Children - Salt Lake City for therapy on his leg. The Ronald McDonald House, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, will host a fall carnival on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities will include a petting zoo, carnival, games, food trucks, tours of the facility, live music and a brief program at noon. On Monday, Gov. Gary Herbert signed a declaration marking Oct. 22 Ronald McDonald House Charities Day. The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities is to surround families with the support they need to be near and care for their seriously ill or injured children. See the world through the eyes of award-winning photojournalists. Click through the gallery above to view the unique images our visual storytellers captured today. Follow the official Deseret News Instagram account for more photographs and videos from the staff. MIDVALE For nearly three decades, Midvale has been working to make use of hundreds of acres of what city leaders felt could be prime real estate in the Salt Lake Valley that had been made uninhabitable following decades of industrial usage that left the land barren and polluted. On Monday, Midvale City, the Environmental Protection Agency and Utah Department of Environmental Quality, along with the KC Gardner Company, Wasatch Group and Midvale City Redevelopment Agency, formally announced a plan to create the next high-profile, mixed-use project that will become an economic engine and residential haven for thousands of people in the years to come. The redevelopment of Jordan Bluffs, a former EPA Superfund site, helped Midvale reclaim what is now known as Bingham Junction by reusing 351 acres of formerly contaminated land. Repurposing the land will serve the community for decades to come, said Midvale Mayor Robert Hale. Speaking at a ceremony to commemorate the start of the phase 2 redevelopment, Hale said today Bingham Junction is a national example of what a community can achieve, and the second phase will exceed even those successes. "We are going to see development here that will carry on in its support of Midvale and its residents and its businesses for 20, 30 or more years, perhaps before it gets repurposed again," he said. "It took some creative drive and engineering." The same collaborative efforts of these agencies and developers are at it again, transforming another former Superfund site into a successful redevelopment model at View 72, phase 2 at Jordan Bluffs, Hale said. "It will change this community (to make it) much, much better!" Hale said. "It will give new drive and verve to our city," he added. Located adjacent to View 72 Corporate Center in Bingham Junction, the site is in the middle of the Salt Lake Metropolitan area along the banks of the Jordan River with access to regional transportation networks, explained Midvale City Economic Development Director Christopher Butte. The master-planned, mixed-use development includes more than 1,000,000 square feet of office, data center, commercial and residential components around a mile-long, linear park, he noted. "We're not just creating new houses, we're also creating new employment," Hale said. Upon completion over the next few years, there will be essentially a new community within the city that provides high-paying, high-tech jobs with easily accessible on-site housing nearby, he said. "(This redevelopment and Bingham Junction) helps change people's whole perception of the city," Butte added. Over the next few years, the development could add thousands of white-collar jobs to the area, he said. Once rife with contaminants like lead and arsenic and plagued by a toxic reputation that derailed neighboring home sales, the sprawling Bingham Junction site now supports a $300 million tax base and is being heralded as a national model for cleanup and site redevelopment. The Midvale slag site, first named to the EPA's Superfund list in 1991, was removed from the list in spring 2015. The land once sported a smelter that operated from 1871 to 1958, and an ore processing mill that left behind 14 million cubic yards of contaminated tailings. The redevelopment site now supports more than nearly 6,000 jobs, Butte said, as part of a thriving commercial development that has earned the city the Environmental Achievement Award for Excellence in Site Reuse. In 1984, studies revealed that groundwater and soils were contaminated with heavy metals that were a legacy from processing the ore that came out of Bingham Canyon. Ultimately, the tailings at the adjacent Sharon Steel site were capped and extensive remediation was carried out throughout the entire site, the heavy metals buried and held in place under layers of protective soils to prevent disturbance, said EPA Superfund Division Director Betsy Smidinger. By 1999, the site became a Superfund redevelopment initiative as part of a pilot project for the EPA in the Western U.S. and was featured as a case study for the agency in 2011 and 2012 as an example for reuse of contaminated lands. "What's important to remember is that this was once a viable part of the community and then became a Superfund site," explained Fran Costanzi, EPA Superfund Redevelopment Coordinator. "After the clean up, now we're able to bring it back." "It's really important to us through this program to get land back into use and redevelop it, but at the same time human health and the environment are still protected," Smidinger said. Projects like Bingham Junction and Jordan Bluffs are examples of how the state can work with the federal government and local municipalities to reclaim and redevelop formerly prosperous acreage that had been damaged and make it flourish once again, said Department of Environmental Quality Executive Director Alan Matheson. "This is a great opportunity to turn blight into an amenity, to turn problem into promise," he said. SALT LAKE CITY A man is facing charges 12 years after he allegedly sexually assaulted an intoxicated woman in his home, according to court documents. Kasim Maklai, 39, was charged Thursday in 3rd District Court with rape, a first-degree felony. According to the charges, police met with the woman this June to discuss the alleged assault after DNA analysis of her sexual assault kit was completed May. The 12-year-old sexual assault kit was processed through the Salt Lake County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, said Krystal Hazlett, site coordinator for the initiative. According to police, the woman said that in April of 2006 "she was at (Maklai's) home and was extremely intoxicated, to the point of being in and out of consciousness." The woman said she awoke to find Maklai sexually assaulting her, court records state. She said she told him no and unsuccessfully tried to get away from him, charges state. When police interviewed Maklai this June, he told them he'd participated in sexual activity with the woman and "agreed that she did not want to have sexual intercourse with him," police said. He denied having sex with her, according to the charges. But Maklai's DNA was found when the woman's sexual assault kit was tested, police said. Since the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative was first funded to begin work in Salt Lake County in 2015, more than 2,000 previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits have been identified and sent to the Utah State Crime Lab for DNA testing. Once a kit is tested, it is reviewed by the initiative's case review committee. If a case is deemed a candidate for prosecution, officers contact the victim in person to ask whether they would like further investigation to be done, Hazlett said in January. Victims can check on the status of their sexual assault kits through the initiative's hotline, managed by victim advocate Lauren DeVries, by calling 801-893-1145 or emailing ldevries@utah.gov. Those who have experienced sexual abuse or assault can be connected to trained advocates through 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. 23. Our top headlines: The University of Utah campus went on lockdown after a fatal shooting Monday night. The suspect was killed. Read more. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is helping the blind to see in South America. Read more. Theres a reason why faith leaders and the federal government will be in court this week defending the tax code. Read more. The Utah Jazz lost 92-84 to the Memphis Grizzlies Monday night. Here are three takeaways. Take a look at what the new Salt Lake City International Airport will look like. BYU is looking to build on the momentum as it prepares for Northern Illinois. Read more. Our most popular: Education: Some national headlines: TEA WITH THE DAMES 3 stars Eileen Atkins, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, Maggie Smith; PG-13 (brief strong language and references to adult subject matter); in general release Tea with the Dames lives up to its title. Throughout this documentary, we see four powerhouse British actresses sipping tea while spilling tea and it's just as charming as you'd expect. Set in Dame Joan Plowrights British countryside home, Roger Michell's film shuffles between an idyllic array of cozy outdoor and indoor settings. Friends Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Eileen Atkins join Plowright to reflect on the experiences and lessons of their decadeslong careers. That reflection comes with plenty of casual banter and even some interaction with the crew at one point, we see Smith chide an overenthusiastic photographer offscreen. It's a casual tea party, but we get a broad view of these four beloved actresses. We learn how Dench and Smith met in the late 1950s, and how Atkins spent her early childhood as a dancer before discovering a love of the stage at 10 years old. We also learn that most of the actresses initially sought careers on the stage, though each eventually made her way into film. Although the scope is wide, the ebb and flow of Michell's effort does periodically zero in on insightful topics. One such topic is fear. At one point, Plowright complains that while critics assume actresses all have tremendous egos and self-confidence, they dont realize were shaking inside. This fear is explored as the dames share their grapples with offers to portray Cleopatra on stage, shying away from a role associated with superior physical beauty. Beauty is another fascinating topic. Atkins shares a moving experience where she overheard people discussing her looks, and how without her knowing it, that conversation wound up driving much of her career. Such moments show us just how driven and inspiring these actresses are, to have overcome the criticism that runs rampant in the performing industry to establish such accomplished careers. Aside from the actresses, Tea with the Dames most frequent subject is Plowrights husband, distinguished actor Laurence Olivier. Prompted by the director's offscreen questions, all the dames reflect on performing alongside their significant others, but Plowright gets many opportunities to reflect on her relationship with the famous actor. We see clips of Olivier in famous Shakespearean roles, and footage of the dames performances on stage and in film is scattered throughout the films 84-minute running time. Its interesting to hear the veteran actresses share their thoughts on what constitutes natural acting, the proper way to perform Shakespeare and the honor of getting royal titles. Observations like these feel like random gems sifted from the filler. The casual format is almost too laid back and scattered at times, but for those who may only know Smith and Dench from their characters in franchises like Harry Potter and the recent James Bond films, Tea with the Dames is an endearing introduction to a wealth of celebrated performances. And for those who are well-acquainted with the dames, the film is everything you'd expect it to be and more. "Tea with the Dames" is rated PG-13 for some brief strong language and references to adult subject matter; running time: 84 minutes. SALT LAKE CITY Its not even Thanksgiving yet, but Joanna Gaines says shes thankful for her husband. What happened: The Fixer Upper star shared a sweet message to her husband, Chip Gaines, on Instagram this week, thanking him for the last 15 years as they helped grow their company, Magnolia. It all started with a dream that I jotted down on a legal pad back in 2003, Joanna Gaines wrote. Thank you Chip Carter for helping me turn what was on that piece of paper into a reality. These last 15 years have been equal parts scary and exciting and theres no one else Id rather by my side than you. Bigger picture: The Gaines family hosted their annual Silobration event in Waco, Texas. The event includes the Magnolia Market, where there are food trucks, vendors and live music, People magazine reports. Joanna Gaines posted a slew of photos to Instagram of her and Chip to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their company. Celebration: 2018 has been a banner year for the couple. As I wrote about before, they ended their run on Fixer Upper amid giving birth to a new child, named Crew, back in June. The Supreme Court of India has ruled in favour of extending RComs deadline to repay its INR5.5 billion ($74.8 million) debt to Ericsson. The payment, which was agreed as part of a settlement deal, had been due on 30th September. Ericsson brought a case to the Supreme Court after RCom failed to meet the deadline, as it refused to grant the operators request for a 60 day extension. The Supreme Court ruling supports RComs argument that it was unable to pay as a result of actions by the DoT (Department of Telecommunications) which held up the sale of its assets to Reliance Jio. RCom had planned to use the funds from this deal to pay Ericsson. Justice Rohinton Nariman chaired the two-judge bench which ruled on the case, and was quoted as saying to RCom: You ask for a reasonable period, we will give you and after that its over. The operator now has until 15th December to pay its debt to Ericsson along with interest at a rate of 12% per annum. Narimans statement underlined that no further extensions will be granted. Once RCom has paid the debt, its legal problems may not be over its chairman Anil Ambani was targeted by Ericsson with a contempt petition for the operators failure to pay. The case will be heard after the new deadline. Minister Ciaran Cannon announces over 5.2 Million in ESP Funding to the Irish Community in the UK Press release Minister of State Ciaran Cannon announces over 5.2 Million in ESP Funding to the Irish Community in Britain Over 5.2 million in grants under the Departments Emigrant Support Programme provided to 108 organisations in Britain; Demonstration of the Governments strong commitment to supporting our emigrants, particularly the most vulnerable, and the wider Irish diaspora community across Britain Irelands Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Mr Ciaran Cannon T.D., has announced details of over 5.2 million in funding for the Irish community in Britain during a visit to London today. In 2018, grants have been made to 108 organisations in Britain in support of a range of projects through the Governments Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) which is operated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Minister said I am pleased to announce the Governments contribution via the Emigrant Support Programme to over 100 organisations in Britain which support both our emigrants and the broader Irish community. The diverse range of projects funded reflect the Governments continued commitment to these organisations, in particular those which provide frontline advisory services and community care to those in greatest need of support. They offer invaluable assistance to our emigrants, especially the most vulnerable, through advice and welfare programmes combatting loneliness, homelessness, addiction and mental health issues. In 2018, for the first time, dedicated funding was provided to collaborative projects which brought together a range of organisations to address a particular need. In addition, grants have been made to Irish cultural and sporting organisations as well as business networks. It is my hope that this funding will assist in the promotion of a vibrant and active Irish community in Britain, whose contribution the Government values highly, and who have an important role to play in the challenging period ahead. ENDS Press Office 23 October 2018 Note for Editors: Emigrant Support Programme: Since 1984, the Irish Government has given financial support to voluntary agencies providing advice and welfare services to Irish emigrants overseas. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade working through Irelands Embassy Network coordinates the provision of support to communities abroad and administers the programme. The main focus for funding under the Emigrant Support Programme remains the frontline welfare service providers that support elderly Irish emigrants, and other vulnerable members of our communities worldwide. In more recent years the programme has also recognised the importance of strong and active Irish communities more generally, funding projects which foster a sense of community, promoting vibrant networks and a sense of Irishness among the Irish abroad. The Emigrant Support Programme funding year runs from 1 July 30 June. Further details can be found on www.dfa.ie Almost 30 million has been provided to organisations in Britain through the ESP over the past six years. Please see a list of organisations awarded funding in the 2018-2019 Grant Round: Four years after phasing out the popular Santro Xing, Hyundai has launched the All New Santro hatchback in India. With the new model, Hyundai intends to revive the iconic brand that has existed in India since September 1998. The new Santro is built on a new K1 platform that allows the car to be wider and more spacious than its predecessors. Debuting on the new Santro is the Smart Auto AMT feature, which an automated manual transmission developed in-house by Hyundai. The new Hyundai Santro comes with a few features that are new in its segment of cars: rear air-conditioning vents, impact-sensing automatic door locks, camera-enabled rear parking assist, and an eco-coating on the air conditioner. The Santro also comes with a new audio video system in the centre console that features a 7-inch touchscreen, dedicated voice recognition button (on the steering wheel), and support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The all new Santro is a true example of Hyundais Made-in-India philosophy and a shining result of our numerous product clinics and rigorous durability test on various terrains in India. Our R&D centre in Namyang (S. Korea), Chennai and Hyderabad have put strong efforts for product supremacy and utmost customer delight, commented YK Koo, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hyundai Motor India Limited. The new Hyundai Santro comes with anti-lock brakes (ABS with EBD) and an airbag for the driver as standard across all variants. While an updated version of the Epsilon 4-cylinder 1.1-litre petrol engine powers the new Santro, Hyundai is also offering a factory-fitted CNG option. The engine produces a maximum power of 69 horsepower. Prices start at Rs 3.89 lakh for the base D-Lite variant of the Santro and go up to Rs 5.45 lakh for the top-end Asta variant. The new Smart Auto AMT option is available on the two variants Magna and Sportz just below Asta. OnePlus will launch its upcoming flagship phone, the OnePlus 6T on October 29 but it wont be 5G enabled. During the Qualcomms 4G/5G summit, the companys co-founder, Carl Pei, announced that the OnePlus will be one of the first companies to launch a 5G enabled phone next year. Pei said that back in August, OnePlus already conducted a 5G test at Qualcomm's headquarters in San Diego. Back in June, at MWC Shangai's Global Device Summit, Founder and CEO of OnePlus Pete Lau had announced that the company could launch a 5G-ready OnePlus device as early as next year. Since OnePlus only launches flagship phones, following the pattern, the 5G enabled OnePlus phone is expected to be the OnePlus 7. It could be running on next-generation Snapdragon platform and it will most likely make use of the Snapdragon X50 5G modem and the QTM052 mmWave antenna module. However, the first 5G enabled phone could most likely be launched by Xiaomi as the company will be announcing its Mi Mix 3 smartphone on October 25, which is confirmed to come with 5G support and 10GB RAM. If this happens, the company could have a head start in the 5G smartphone race. At the Qualcomms event, many other OEMs announced a roadmap for 5G devices in 2019. HMD Global, HTC, ASUS, Fujitsu, Inseego/Novatel Wireless, LG, Motorola, NetComm Wireless, NETGEAR, OnePlus, OPPO, Sharp, Sierra Wireless, Sony Mobile, Telit, Vivo, WNC, and Xiaomi are the companies that have commenced testing the Snapdragon X50 5G NR modem already. Qualcomm president Cristiano Amon announced that the company is expecting at least two major smartphones with 5G support next year, with the first one being released in the first half and the other one late next year. As mentioned above, the Mi Mix 3 will most likely be the first 5G enabled smartphone. It could also be the first smartphone to ship with 10GB RAM. The company has revealed the smartphone in a video, showcasing its slider display and near bezel-less design. The phones display slides down to reveal a 24MP dual camera setup. You can read everything we know about the Mi Mix 3 here. Source: Engadget Two Koreas, UN forces agree on weapons-free border post North Korea and South Korea along with the UN Command on Monday announced an agreement to withdraw all firearms and guard posts in the demilitarised zone village of Panmunjom this week, as the two Koreas fast-track mover to improve relationship. The neighbours are looking to withdraw 11 guard posts within a 1-km radius of the Military Demarcation Line on their border by the end of the year. They also plan to pull out all firearms from a Joint Security Area (JSA) at Panmunjom and cut the numbers of personnel stationed there to 35 each and share information on surveillance equipment. At Mondays meeting, the three sides agreed to remove firearms and guard posts from the JSA by Thursday, and carry out a joint inspection over the following two days, South Korean defence ministry said. The announcement comes after the three sides held a second round of talks at Panmunjom to discuss ways to demilitarise the border in line with a recent inter-Korean pact reached at last months summit in Pyongyang. Seouls defence ministry said the decision to demilitarise the border is in line with a recent inter-Korean pact reached at last months summit in Pyongyang. The US-led UNC, which has overseen affairs in the DMZ since the end of hostilities in the 1950-53 Korean War, said on Friday it supported the two Koreas efforts to implement their arms reduction agreement. The US, however, remained concerned that the inter-Korean military initiative could undermine defence readiness as it comes without substantial progress on North Koreas promised denuclearisation. The two Koreas have been removing landmines around the area as part of the agreement and they confirmed the completion of the demining operation at the talks with the UNC. We discussed the timeline of the pullout of firearms and guard posts, as well as ways to adjust the number of guard personnel and conduct joint inspections, the ministry said in a statement. The agreement also includes a halt in all hostile acts and a no-fly zone around the border. While North and South Korea are technically still in conflict in the absence of a peace treaty, relations between the two Koreas have improved considerably in the past year. After his third summit in Pyongyang, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said the North was ready to invite international experts to watch the dismantling of a key missile site and would close the main Yongbyon nuclear complex if Washington took reciprocal actions. Those actions could include putting a formal end to the 1950-53 war, opening of a US liaison office in North Korea, humanitarian aid and an exchange of economic experts, Moon said. But Washington demands North Korea takes irreversible steps to scrap its arsenal, such as a full disclosure of nuclear facilities and material. Japan, India likely to sign military logistics pact India and Japan are finalising a military logistics pact that will allow access to each others bases as the two countries tighten their military ties to ward off emerging security threats in the region. The two countries are expected to sign a base sharing agreement at an upcoming bilateral summit meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe, later this month, reports citing official sources said. The 13th India-Japan summit to be held in Tokyo on 28-29 October is expected finalise deeper military cooperation between the two countries, including the sharing of military assets and capabilities in the logistical sphere. The so-called acquisition and cross-servicing agreement (ACSA) would allow the Indian military and the Japan Self Defence Force (JSDF) to use each others bases for logistic support. Such an agreement would allow the Indian Navy access to a Japanese base in Djibouti, while the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) would be permitted to use Indias military installations on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands located in the Indian Ocean, next to other naval facilities. Incidentally, China, which has been locked in territorial disputes with both India and Japan, also maintains a military base in Djibouti. The agreement, however, would not in any way commit either country to any military action. While the exact nature of discussions is not known, the two countries are likely to seek a rapid conclusion of negotiations given mutual plans to increase the number of joint military exercises in 2019 and 2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Japan this weekend for an annual summit with his counterpart Shinzo Abe, and the proposed Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement between the two militaries is on the agenda. During the summit meeting, Japan is also expected to push a$1.35 billion defense deal involving the sale of 12 Shinmaywa US-2i amphibious search-and-rescue/maritime surveillance aircraft for the Indian Navy. The US-2is are slated to be stationed on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.. If concluded, the government-to-government contract would be Japans first major overseas defence deal since the lifting of a self-imposed embargo on arms exports in 2014. Under Modi and Abe, bilateral relations have rapidly expanded and the two countries conduct three-way naval exercises involving the United States in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. Under the framework of the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan, the two leaders will have wide-ranging discussions over two days on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest, an October 12 Indian government press release about the upcoming bilateral summit states, without offering details. Delhi HC grants CBI's Rakesh Asthana relief from arrest in bribery case The Delhi high court has granted Central Bureau of Investigation special director Rakesh Asthana relief from arrest after he moved the court against the lodging of an FIR against him in a bribery case A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon granted him relief from arrest till 29 October after Asthana sought the high courts direction that no coercive action be taken against him. Justice Menon allocated the matter to an appropriate bench that will hear it in a post-lunch session. This is a case of illegal registration of FIR. The person whose arrest was recommended by Asthana has now been made a complainant and based on his complaint this FIR has been filed. Any investigation without proper permission will be illegal, Asthanas counsel reportedly told the court. Responding to this allegation, the counsel for CBI said, The charges very serious against the accused, including that of bribery. Charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act along with criminal conspiracy, charges of extortion and forgery will be added. The matter will now be heard on 29 October when CBI director Alok Verma will have to respond to the allegations levelled by Asthana, the court directed that no action can be taken against him till then. The court also directed the CBI to maintain status quo on the criminal proceedings initiated against Asthana. Although the CBI cannot arrest Asthana till 29 October, the high court clarified that there is no stay on the probe considering the nature and gravity of the case. The CBI had yesterday arrested its deputy SP Devender Kumar in connection with bribery allegations involving the investigative agencys second-in-command, Asthana. Kumar, earlier the investigating officer in a case involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi, was arrested yesterday by the CBI on the allegations of forgery in recording the statement of businessman Sathish Sana, who had alleged to have paid bribe to get relief in the case. In his statement, Sana had said that in June this year, he had discussed his case with Telugu Desam Partys Rajya Sabha member CMRamesh who, after speaking to the CBI director, had assured him that he would not be summoned again. From June onwards, I was not called by the CBI. I was under the impression that investigation against me is complete, he is believed to have said. The CBI has now alleged that Kumar had fabricated this statement as an afterthoughtto corroborate the baseless allegations made by Asthana against Verma to the CVC (Central Vigilance Commissioner). They said the agency was also looking into the alleged role of other members of the special investigation team headed by Asthana. Asthana, who was booked by the agency on bribery charges in an unprecedented action, had complained against Verma on 24 August 2018. Asthana had complained against Verma on 24 August 2018 that the latter had taken a bribe of Rs 2 crore from Sana to give him relief in the matter. He had informed the cabinet secretary nearly two months ago that Sathish Sana had allegedly bribed CBI Chief Alok Verma to get relief in the case. A report by Times Now said Asthana had levelled charges of influencing probe by taking a bribe that CBI chief Alok Verma had allegedly taken bribe in the Moin Qureshi case. Also, he had levelled charges of Verma excluding suspects from the FIR - Claims name of senior Railways official omitted from the FIR in IRCTC case. It also alleges that the CBI chief tried to call off raids at Lalu Yadavs premises. Asthana also alleges transfer of bank fraud case that a bank fraud case against CBI officer has been transferred to Delhi under accused officer. It also alleges that despite warning the accused in coal scam, the accused fled and no lookout notice has been served. Besides, Asthana has alleged illegal gratification and closure of a case involving Illegal land acquisition, which, he said, was closed allegedly after money changed hands. Enquiry against gold smuggler in 2016 never reached logical end when Verma was Delhi Commissioner of Police. Asthana also said Verma had attempted to induct tainted officers, and cited attempt to allegedly induct 2 tainted officers during his tenure. The petition alleges undue interference in cases by Enforcement Directorate to exert alleged pressure on CBI cases against certain ED officers. The CBI on Monday arrested Kumar in connection with the bribery allegations. Kumar, who was earlier the investigation officer in a case involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi, has been arrested on the allegations of forgery in recording the statement of Sana, police said. A Donegal Town woman, who was originally charged with 45 counts of theft from the County Donegal Education Centre has pleaded guilty to two sample counts, at the circuit court in Donegal Town today. 45-year-old Tara Sweeney, The Glebe Donegal Town, has pleaded guilty to 45 counts of theft from The County Donegal Education Centre, Floor 2/3, Pier 1, Quay Street, Donegal Town. The thefts happened over a period of six years in a period from June 2009 to June 2015. The court was told the defendant would be pleading guilty to all charges, but she was arraigned on two sample counts at this mornings court. She pleaded guilty to stealing 25,000 from the Centre on November 8, 2010 and documentation from the Centre on a date unknown between June 2 and June 26, 2015. Defence Counsel Peter Nolan said a psychiatric report was available and he applied for another psychiatric report to find out the motivation behind the matters before the court. He also asked for a Probation and Welfare report. Judge John Aylmer approved the preparation of the reports and adjourned the case to April 2. Louth Independent TD Peter Fitzpatrick has issued a statement this morning on abortion legislation presently being debated in Dail Eireann. Speaking on the abortion bill Deputy Fitzpatrick said, "Its only five months since the referendum on the 8th Amendment and already TDs are being asked to vote on legislation to introduce abortion. "We are being rushed to vote on this legislation, with very little time being given to debating its contents. The Government is clearly rushing it through because they are afraid voters will be appalled if they find out the full details of what is proposed in the small print. He continued, "as a member of Dail Eireann I have looked at the proposals and I am alarmed by some of its contents. "I am deeply disturbed at how extreme the legislation is proposed to be, in spite of assurances from the Government during the referendum campaign that reasonable restrictions would be put in place. "Many decided to vote Yes last May because they were promised these restrictions, most of which are not now included. The regime being put in place is one of the most permissive abortion regimes anywhere in Europe. Fitzpatrick went on to say, "This legislation defines abortion as a medical procedure intended to end the life of a foetus. Terminations are going to be available on request, with no reason needed. "The babys humanity and right to life is totally ignored, and unborn babies are to be made legally invisible by the legislation. "The Government insists that abortion is just healthcare, but this is simply not true. They know full well that the legislation allows abortions even where they are not a necessary treatment for the mother. "A doctor with a pregnant woman has two patients, the mother and the baby. Are we expected to pretend it is acceptable for a doctor to intentionally end the life of one patient as healthcare for the other? Deputy Fitzpatrick mentioned that, "Its worth looking closely at some of the restrictions which we were promised during the referendum campaign. "The Government assured us time and again that abortion would not be legal solely because a child was a girl, or because a baby had Down Syndrome or suffered from a disability. "We know that all over the world that these are grounds on which abortions are carried out in other jurisdictions, with 90% of all children diagnosed with Down Syndrome in the UK being aborted. "Sadly, this legislation does not contain any restrictions on these grounds for abortion. For baby girls, for babies with Down syndrome or with a disability theres no compassion, no respect, no concern. He noted, "we also know from international experience that sometimes babies are born alive after failed abortions. According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information there were 766 babies born alive after failed abortions between 2013 and 2018. "In Britain, according to information published by the UK Department of Health, in 2007 alone 66 babies were born alive after a failed abortion and left to die. "If we were serious about having respect for life, then surely, at the very least, the legislation could include an amendment requiring doctors to intervene and provide life-saving care to the baby in such circumstances. As it stands, this legislation has no such provisions. "I believe that the only right thing to do is for the doctors to be required to intervene with the needed life-saving care when a baby survives abortion said Fitzpatrick. Concluding the local Independent TD said, "Sadly, the Government is giving no indication that it will accept amendments which will limit the damage which this new law will do. "I cannot but vote against this extreme proposal and encourage other TDs to do likewise." Local weather expert Louth Weather has predicted that the wee county will see temperatures drop over the coming bank holiday weekend, as colder Arctic winds are swept into Ireland. By Thursday Louth weather says we can expect: "Much colder air with max temperatures of 9C, but feeling more like 4C in a fresh NW wind." Louth weather's prediction is as follows: "MONDAY: After a sunny morning, the afternoon will be mostly cloudy. Dry. Max 12C. Light to moderate westerly winds. TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy with just a few sunny breaks. Dry. Max 13C. Moderate westerly winds. WEDNESDAY: Cloudy. Dry. Max 12C. Light to moderate westerly winds. THURSDAY: A similar day to Wednesday. FRIDAY: A mix of cloud and sunny spells. Much colder air arrives with max temperatures of 9C, but feeling more like 4C in a fresh NW wind. THE WEEKEND: Lots of sunshine, but feeling very cold, with temperatures struggling to 7 or 8C. Cold nights too, but the wind may help prevent widespread frost forming. Dry overall with a low risk of showers, most likely in northern parts. Fresh NW winds on Saturday, veering northerly on Sunday and easing." The forcast continued: "High pressure remains SW of Ireland Monday to Thursday. On Thursday night it drifts north and as it does, it will pull down much colder winds from the Arctic." Louth weather also provided an overview of the week's weather saying: - High pressure ensures fine settled conditions - Very little rainfall, with many areas ( especially further south) staying totally dry for the next seven days - Temperatures around average up to Thursday, then cold to very cold - Winds about average, picking up later in the week - Average sunshine Sinn Fein TD Gerry Adams this morning met with the liquidators appointed on Friday, in relation to the closure of the Authentic Food Company in Dundalk. Mr. Adams also spoke to Enterprise Ireland and held a meeting with UNITE this afternoon. The Louth TD, along with party colleague Imelda Munster, will be raising this issue later this afternoon in the Dail with the Minister responsible under Topical Issues. Gerry Adams said: I first wrote to the company on 21 September having been contacted by workers and their representatives about rumours that Authentic Food was closing. "The company did not respond to my initial correspondence or to representations from Sinn Fein Councillors Ruairi O Murchu and Anne Campbell. "Instead last Friday the company went to the High Court, a liquidator was appointed and staff were told that the company was insolvent and unable to pay wages Deputy Adams has accused the company of treating the workforce shamefully. "As a result, and on the cusp of Christmas", he said, "they are 'caught in a limbo'. "Technically they are still in the employment of the company though they will not be paid a wage. They cant get their P45 to secure alternative employment, and they cant access social welfare. "The Minister for Social Protection must use her discretion to ensure that workers get their social welfare payments as soon as possible. Concluding Deputy Adams said: The Minister must do everything possible to have this workforce reemployed as quickly as possible. "She also has to take steps to prevent liquidations being used in a tactical manner for the benefit of a company and to the disadvantage of workers, their families and community." Social media is the cause of much discussion between small business owners. Some business owners dont see the value in social media and others point to social media as the main reason for their startups success. But, social media requires skill (with full university degrees on the topic!) and there is a science to it even if it doesnt seem so. Social media can be the easiest way to reach an audience but it can also be the easiest way to isolate a business from a particular audience. Unfortunately, some businesses have suffered from bad social media backlash due to some horrid mistakes made. Social media can be an essential tool for all businesses but it is also essential to get it right and stay true to your brand. Dynamic Business asked experts what mistakes businesses make when engaging on social media? Tracy Hall, Marketing Director, GoDaddy ANZ: One of the mistakes that businesses make is that they think of social media as free. I think its fair to say that in 2018, theres no such thing as free social. On Facebook a number of algorithm changes have driven organic reach towards zero, making the platform a pay-to-play advertising environment for brands. If you want your customers and potential customers to see what you have to say on social media platforms, you will need to pay to reach them. You dont need to put a huge amount of money behind social posts, but putting some budget towards strategically targeting customers can bring rewards. It might also be worthwhile investing some time to learn about the back-end of your chosen social media platforms and how they work to see exactly how your marketing dollars are impacting your bottom line or business objectives. Michelle Gallaher, Managing Director of The Social Science, said: 1. Im a B2B organisation, therefore social media has limited value for us: Wrong! LinkedIn is business critical for those in B2B or B2G. LinkedIn has a high page rank with search engines, which means your personal LinkedIn profile or your company page will often appear above your website on a search. A LinkedIn company page validates your business, particularly if you are a startup or small business. An active company LinkedIn page may be a far more effective driver of sale or service enquiries than a website particularly if you utilise the ads or sponsored content functions. B2B organisations often say that Facebook is not a social media option for their organisation. The line between personal and business on social media has become far more blurred with many professionals following work-related Facebook pages with their personal Facebook profile. 2. Social media is a huge database of facts, information and opinion invaluable to market researchers: Social listening is an incredibly valuable skill for any business in understanding their customer or client base, observing competitors or researching unmet market opportunities. In the old days, we used to pay market research companies vast sums of money for access to opinions, behaviour and data. Now smart organisations use social media as a key market research tool that, at a fraction of the cost, delivers fast, deep and lasting insights. 3. Leaving social media to the receptionist or the junior members of staff: Social media needs to be led from the very top of the organisation. Younger people (digital natives) may have the skills but they rarely have the insight or strategic approach to managing brands and client relationships in the digital landscape. When a CEO or Director of an organisation is comfortable and present on social media, the value derived from the channel is very significant. Leading by example also ensures that others within the business understand the social media policies, behaviours and content that is valuable to the organisation. When CEOs tweet, post, like and share, the organisation often delivers better customer service, manages relationships with stakeholders and investors, as well as has greater access to new ideas, technologies, opportunities and people. Amy Walker, Co-founder and Head of Growth, Cognitives: For me there are two key mistakes that brands make when engaging on social media. The first is treating the social team as separate from other marketing channels, and not ensuring brand alignment and consistency. As we all know, brand consistency is essential to providing a cohesive story, and that needs to hold true across all marketing channels, including your marketing content, from your creative to your tone and brand personality. The second mistake I see is brands getting too up close and personal on social media. This is essentially another brand consistency problem. To put it simply, you shouldnt be best buds with your customers on social media if thats not how your brand interacts with its customers on every other channel. The most successful brands Ive seen have a clearly documented brand guide, outlining how their brand communicates across all marketing channels, including social. Charles Tidswell, VP for JAPAC, Socialbakers: The question is no longer whether businesses should be on social media, but how can businesses make sure they are getting the most out of their social media investment, folding insights from 30% of the worlds population who access social platforms on a monthly basis back into their marketing and business operations. Insights from social media are advancing rapidly, too frequently these insights are not identified or shared, they are managed in isolation. Jake Colvin, Co-Founder and Director of International Operations, Owlet: Social media can be invaluable, but it can also be stressful. As a company that has built out a 750,000+ following across Facebook and Instagram, we know this first-hand. I managed our channels when we were starting out and I used to pour over every single word. We now have an extremely talented, dedicated social media team in-house who are naturals at it. Because social media moves incredibly quickly, businesses need to ensure theyre extremely responsive. Diffusing fires quickly and acknowledging your loyal followers who comment, share, or send direct messages can set you apart. In this age, your followers can often be your biggest brand advocates, so keep them onside. Businesses may initially struggle to find a good voice that represents their audience. At Owlet, were extremely family-oriented, so we ensure our social team speaks with that same tone to enable our customers (mostly new parents) to feel empowered. Knowing who you are as a business and what your tone of voice is, is imperative. Having a cohesive voice across all channels including your customer service and online chat agents truly enhances the customers experience. Kirsty Jackson, Chief Marketing Officer, Cohort Go: Social media is a fast-paced and public channel; meaning that mistakes can be made easily. While some can be forgiven or even go by undetected, others can be damaging to the reputation of a brand. Brands can often make the mistake of simply promoting themselves on social media rather than focusing their messaging to their followers. Engaging content is key on social media and each post should be written with the purpose of offering value such as education, entertainment or humour. Here's the story so far. We have the chief legal representatives of the eighth 8 and 16th largest economies on Earth (California and New York) probing the biggest fossil fuel company on Earth (ExxonMobil), while both Democratic presidential candidates are demanding that the federal Department of Justice join the investigation of what may prove to be one of the biggest corporate scandals in American history. And that's just the beginning. As bad as Exxon has been in the past, what it's doing nowentirely legallyis helping push the planet over the edge and into the biggest crisis in the entire span of the human story. As bad as Exxon has been in the past, what it's doing nowentirely legallyis helping push the planet over the edge and into the biggest crisis in the entire span of the human story. Photo credit: Minale Tattersfield / Flickr Back in the fall, you might have heard something about how Exxon had covered up what it knew early on about climate change. Maybe you even thought to yourself: that doesn't surprise me. But it should have. Even as someone who has spent his life engaged in the bottomless pit of greed that is global warming, the news and its meaning came as a shock: we could have avoided, it turns out, the last quarter century of pointless climate debate. As a start, investigations by the Pulitzer-Prize winning Inside Climate News, the Los Angeles Times and Columbia Journalism School revealed in extraordinary detail that Exxon's top officials had known everything there was to know about climate change back in the 1980s. Even earlier, actually. Here's what senior company scientist James Black told Exxon's management committee in 1977: "In the first place, there is general scientific agreement that the most likely manner in which mankind is influencing the global climate is through carbon dioxide release from the burning of fossil fuels." To determine if this was so, the company outfitted an oil tanker with carbon dioxide sensors to measure concentrations of the gas over the ocean and then funded elaborate computer models to help predict what temperatures would do in the future. The results of all that work were unequivocal. By 1982, in an internal corporate primer," Exxon's leaders were told that, despite lingering unknowns, dealing with climate change "would require major reductions in fossil fuel combustion." Unless that happened, the primer said, citing independent experts, "there are some potentially catastrophic events that must be considered ... Once the effects are measurable, they might not be reversible." But that document, given wide circulation" within Exxon, was also stamped Not to be distributed externally." So here's what happened. Exxon used its knowledge of climate change to plan its own future. The company, for instance, leased large tracts of the Arctic for oil exploration, territory where, as a company scientist pointed out in 1990, potential global warming can only help lower exploration and development costs." Not only that but, from the North Sea to the Canadian Arctic," Exxon and its affiliates set about raising the decks of offshore platforms, protecting pipelines from increasing coastal erosion and designing helipads, pipelines and roads in a warming and buckling Arctic." In other words, the company started climate-proofing its facilities to head off a future its own scientists knew was inevitable. But in public? There, Exxon didn't own up to any of this. In fact, it did precisely the opposite. In the 1990s, it started to put money and muscle into obscuring the science around climate change. It funded think tanks that spread climate denial and even recruited lobbying talent from the tobacco industry. It also followed the tobacco playbook when it came to the defense of cigarettes by highlighting uncertainty" about the science of global warming. And it spent lavishly to back political candidates who were ready to downplay global warming. Its CEO, Lee Raymond, even traveled to China in 1997 and urged government leaders there to go full steam ahead in developing a fossil fuel economy. The globe was cooling, not warming, he insisted, while his engineers were raising drilling platforms to compensate for rising seas. "It is highly unlikely," he said, "that the temperature in the middle of the next century will be significantly affected whether policies are enacted now or 20 years from now." Which wasn't just wrong, but completely and overwhelmingly wrongas wrong as a man could be. Sins of Omission In fact, Exxon's deceitits ability to discourage regulations for 20 yearsmay turn out to be absolutely crucial in the planet's geological history. It's in those two decades that greenhouse gas emissions soared, as did global temperatures until, in the twenty-first century, hottest year ever recorded" has become a tired cliche. And here's the bottom line: had Exxon told the truth about what it knew back in 1990, we might not have wasted a quarter of a century in a phony debate about the science of climate change, nor would anyone have accused Exxon of being alarmist." We would simply have gotten to work. But Exxon didn't tell the truth. A Yale study published last fall in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed that money from Exxon and the Koch Brothers played a key role in polarizing the climate debate in this country. The company's sinsof omission and commissionmay even turn out to be criminal. Whether the company lied to the public" is the question that New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman decided to investigate last fall in a case that could make him the great lawman of our era if his investigation doesn't languish. There are various consumer fraud statutes that Exxon might have violated and it might have failed to disclose relevant information to investors, which is the main kind of lying that's illegal in this country of ours. Now, Schneiderman's got backup from California Attorney General Kamala Harrisand maybeif activists continue to apply pressurefrom the Department of Justice as well, though its highly publicized unwillingness to go after the big banks does not inspire confidence. Here's the thing: all that was bad back then, but Exxon and many of its Big Energy peers are behaving at least as badly now when the pace of warming is accelerating. And it's all legaldangerous, stupid and immoral, but legal. On the face of things, Exxon has, in fact, changed a little in recent years. For one thing, it's stopped denying climate change, at least in a modest way. Rex Tillerson, Raymond's successor as CEO, stopped telling world leaders that the planet was cooling. Speaking in 2012 at the Council on Foreign Relations, he said, I'm not disputing that increasing CO2 emissions in the atmosphere is going to have an impact. It'll have a warming impact." Read page 1 Of course, he immediately went on to say that its impact was uncertain indeed, hard to estimate and in any event entirely manageable. His language was striking. We will adapt to this. Changes to weather patterns that move crop production areas aroundwe'll adapt to that. It's an engineering problem and it has engineering solutions." Add to that gem of a comment this one: the real problem, he insisted, was that we have a society that by and large is illiterate in these areas, science, math and engineering, what we do is a mystery to them and they find it scary. And because of that, it creates easy opportunities for opponents of development, activist organizations, to manufacture fear." Right. This was in 2012, within months of floods across Asia that displaced tens of millions and during the hottest summer ever recorded in the U.S., when much of our grain crop failed. Oh yeah and just before Hurricane Sandy. He's continued the same kind of belligerent rhetoric throughout his tenure. At last year's ExxonMobil shareholder meeting, for instance, he said that if the world had to deal with inclement weather," which may or may not be induced by climate change," we should employ unspecified new technologies." Mankind, he explained, has this enormous capacity to deal with adversity." In other words, we're no longer talking about outright denial, just a denial that much really needs to be done. And even when the company has proposed doing something, its proposals have been strikingly ethereal. Exxon's PR team, for instance, has discussed supporting a price on carbon, which is only what economists left, right and center have been recommending since the 1980s. But the minimal price they recommendsomewhere in the range of $40 to $60 a tonwouldn't do much to slow down their business. After all, they insist that all their reserves are still recoverable in the context of such a price increase, which would serve mainly to make life harder for the already terminal coal industry. But say you think it's a great idea to put a price on carbonwhich, in fact, it is, since every signal helps sway investment decisions. In that case, Exxon's done its best to make sure that what they pretend to support in theory will never happen in practice. Consider, for instance, their political contributions. The website Dirty Energy Money, organized by Oil Change International, makes it easy to track who gave what to whom. If you look at all of Exxon's political contributions from 1999 to the present, a huge majority of their political harem of politicians have signed the famous Taxpayer Protection Pledge from Grover Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform that binds them to vote against any new taxes. Norquist himself wrote Congress in late January that a carbon tax is a VAT or Value Added Tax on training wheels. Any carbon tax would inevitably be spread out over wider and wider parts of the economy until we had a European Value Added Tax." As he told a reporter last year, I don't see the path to getting a lot of Republican votes" for a carbon tax and since he's been called the most powerful man in American politics," that seems like a good bet. The only Democratic senator in Exxon's top 60 list was former Louisiana solon Mary Landrieu, who made a great virtue in her last race of the fact that she was the key vote" in blocking carbon pricing in Congress. Bill Cassidy, the man who defeated her, is also an Exxon favorite and lost no time in co-sponsoring a bill opposing any carbon taxes. In other words, you could really call Exxon's supposed concessions on climate change a Shell game. Except it's Exxon. The Never-Ending Big Dig Even that's not the deepest problem. The deepest problem is Exxon's business plan. The company spends huge amounts of money searching for new hydrocarbons. Given the recent plunge in oil prices, its capital spending and exploration budget was indeed cut by 12 percent in 2015 to $34 billion and another 25 percent in 2016 to $23.2 billion. In 2015, that meant Exxon was spending $63 million a day as it continues to bring new projects on line." They are still spending a cool $1.57 billion a year looking for new sources of hydrocarbons$4 million a day, every day. As Exxon looks ahead, despite the current bargain basement price of oil, it still boasts of expansion plans in the Gulf of Mexico, eastern Canada, Indonesia, Australia, the Russian far east, Angola and Nigeria. The strength of our global organization allows us to explore across all geological and geographical environments, using industry-leading technology and capabilities." And its willingness to get in bed with just about any regime out there makes it even easier. Somewhere in his trophy case, for instance, Rex Tillerson has an Order of Friendship medal from one Vladimir Putin. All it took was a joint energy venture estimated to be worth $500 billion. But, you say, that's what oil companies do, go find new oil, right? Unfortunately, that's precisely what we can't have them doing any more. About a decade ago, scientists first began figuring out a carbon budget" for the planetan estimate for how much more carbon we could burn before we completely overheated the Earth. There are potentially many thousands of gigatons of carbon that could be extracted from the planet if we keep exploring. The fossil fuel industry has already identified at least 5,000 gigatons of carbon that it has told regulators, shareholders and banks it plans to extract. However, we can only burn about another 900 gigatons of carbon before we disastrously overheat the planet. On our current trajectory, we'd burn through that budget" in about a couple of decades. The carbon we've burned has already raised the planet's temperature a degree Celsius and on our present course we'll burn enough to take us past two degrees in less than 20 years. At this point, in fact, no climate scientist thinks that even a two-degree rise in temperature is a safe target, since one degree is already melting the ice caps. (Indeed, new data released this month shows that, if we hit the two-degree mark, we'll be living with drastically raised sea levels for, oh, twice as long as human civilization has existed to date.) That's why in November world leaders in Paris agreed to try to limit the planet's temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius or just under three degrees Fahrenheit. If you wanted to meet that target, however, you would need to be done burning fossil fuels by perhaps 2020, which is in technical terms just about now. That's why it's wildly irresponsible for a company to be leading the world in oil exploration when, as scientists have carefully explained, we already have access to four or five times as much carbon in the Earth as we can safely burn. We have it, as it were, on the shelf. So why would we go looking for more? Scientists have even done us the useful service of identifying precisely the kinds of fossil fuels we should never dig up andwhat do you knowan awful lot of them are on Exxon's future wish list, including the tar sands of Canada, a particularly carbon-filthy, environmentally destructive fuel to produce and burn. Read page 1 Even Exxon's one attempt to profit from stanching global warming has started to come apart. Several years ago, the company began a calculated pivot in the direction of natural gas, which produces less carbon than oil when burned. In 2009, Exxon acquired XTO Energy, a company that had mastered the art of extracting gas from shale via hydraulic fracturing. By now, Exxon has become America's leading fracker and a pioneer in natural gas markets around the world. The trouble with fracked natural gasother than what Tillerson once called farmer Joe's lit his faucet on fire"is this: in recent years, it's become clear that the process of fracking for gas releases large amounts of methane into the atmosphere and methane is a far more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. As Cornell University scientist Robert Howarth has recently established, burning natural gas to produce electricity probably warms the planet faster than burning coal or crude oil. Exxon's insistence on finding and producing ever more fossil fuels certainly benefited its shareholders for a time, even if it cost the Earth dearly. Five of the 10 largest annual profits ever reported by any company belonged to Exxon in these years. Even the financial argument is now, however, weakening. Over the last five years, Exxon has lagged behind many of its competitors as well as the broader market and a big reason, according to the Carbon Tracker Initiative (CTI), is its heavy investment in particularly expensive, hard-to-recover oil and gas. In 2007, as CTI reported, Canadian tar sands and similar heavy oil" deposits accounted for 7.5 percent of Exxon's proven reserves. By 2013, that number had risen to 17 percent. A smart business strategy for the company, according to CTI, would involve shrinking its exploration budget, concentrating on the oil fields it has access to that can still be pumped profitably at low prices and using the cash flow to buy back shares or otherwise reward investors. That would, however, mean exchanging Exxon's Texan-style big-is-good approach for something far more modest. And since we're speaking about what was the biggest company on the planet for a significant part of the twentieth century, Exxon seems to be set on continuing down that bigger-is-better path. They're betting that the price of oil will rise in the reasonably near future, that alternative energy won't develop fast enough and that the world won't aggressively tackle climate change. And the company will keep trying to cover those bets by aggressively backing politicians capable of ensuring that nothing happens. Can Exxon Be Pressured? Next to that fierce stance on the planet's future, the mild requests of activists for the last 25 years seem ... well, next to pointless. At the 2015 ExxonMobil shareholder meeting, for instance, religious shareholder activists asked for the umpteenth time that the company at least make public its plans for managing climate risks. Even BP, Shell and Statoil had agreed to that much. Instead, Exxon's management campaigned against the resolution and it got only 9.6 percent of shareholder votes, a tally so low it can't even be brought up again for another three years. By which time we'll have burned through ... oh, never mind. What we need from Exxon is what they'll never give: a pledge to keep most of their reserves underground, an end to new exploration and a promise to stay away from the political system. Don't hold your breath. But if Exxon seems hopelessly set in its ways, revulsion is growing. The investigations by the New York and California attorneys general mean that the company will have to turn over lots of documents. If journalists could find out as much as they did about Exxon's deceit in public archives, think what someone with subpoena power might accomplish. Many other jurisdictions could jump in, too. At the Paris climate talks in December, a panel of law professors led a well-attended session on the different legal theories that courts around the world might apply to the company's deceptive behavior. When that begins to happen, count on one thing: the spotlight won't shine exclusively on Exxon. As with the tobacco companies in the decades when they were covering up the dangers of cigarettes, there's a good chance that the Big Energy companies were in this together through their trade associations and other front groups. In fact, just before Christmas, Inside Climate News published some revealing new documents about the role that Texaco, Shell and other majors played in an American Petroleum Institute study of climate change back in the early 1980s. A trial would be a transformative eventa reckoning for the crime of the millennium. But while we're waiting for the various investigations to play out, there's lots of organizing going at the state and local level when it comes to Exxon, climate change and fossil fuelseverything from politely asking more states to join the legal process to politely shutting down gas stations for a few hours to pointing out to New York and California that they might not want to hold millions of dollars of stock in a company they're investigating. It may even be starting to work. Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin, for instance, singled Exxon out in his state of the state address last month. He called on the legislature to divest the state of its holdings in the company because of its deceptions. This is a page right out of Big Tobacco," he said, which for decades denied the health risks of their product as they were killing people. Owning ExxonMobil stock is not a business Vermont should be in." The question is: Why on God's-not-so-green-Earth-anymore would anyone want to be Exxon's partner? YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE 6 Reasons Al Gore Believes 'We Will Prevail' in Climate Fight Greenpeace Asks Hillary Clinton to Say No to Fossil Fuel Money Harvard Study: U.S. 'Likely Culprit' of Global Spike in Methane Emissions Ford Motors Dumps Right Wing Climate Denial Group ALEC Whether on Twitter or on the rope line at a campaign event, people are using any means necessary to ask Hillary Clinton to stop taking money from the fossil fuel industry. This week, Greenpeace tried a new methodflying a banner attached to a thermal airship launched 1,000 feet into the Las Vegas skies days before the Nevada caucus. The Greenpeace A.E. Bates thermal airship flies over Las Vegas, Nevada Feb. 16, 2016 urging Hillary Clinton to reject fossil fuel money. The airship carried two messages, one for all candidates and local politicians which reads "Don't Gamble With Our Democracy" and a second message to Secretary Clinton urging her to "Say No To Fossil Fuel Money". Photo credit: Steve Marcus / Greenpeace. Last month, Greenpeace and more than 20 partners launched a pledge asking all candidates to commit to fixing democracy by rejecting campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies and protecting voting rights. After outreach to all the presidential campaigns, Sen. Sanders is still the only Democratic candidate to sign the pledge. No Republican candidates have signed it. Secretary Clinton responded to Greenpeaces request last week committing to initiate a process that would reverse the effect of the Citizens United decision and restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act. However, the statement did not include a commitment to reject fossil fuel money. Secretary Clinton will attend a fundraiser tomorrow afternoon in Las Vegas and well be there too asking her to say no to fossil fuel money. Tell all the presidential candidates to say no to fossil fuel money and protect voting rightstwo big steps on the way to fixing our democracy! Thanks to the Las Vegas Suns Steve Marcus for the photos in flight and to Arrow Schammel for the photos on the ground. Photo credit: Steve Marcus / Greenpeace Photo credit: Steve Marcus / Greenpeace Photo credit: Arrow Schammel / Greenpeace YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Lawsuit Filed Over Oklahomas Fracking Earthquakes as Its Third Largest Quake Is Felt in 7 Other States Bernie Sanders: If We Can Rebuild Villages in Iraq, We Can Damn Well Rebuild Flint, Michigan ExxonMobil, Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Terry Tempest Williams Ups the Ante on the Crime of Americas Lands Being Sold to the Highest Bidder Far away from TV cameras and under the radar of the nightly news, oil has been continuously leaking from a damaged production platform located just 12 miles off the coast of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexicocausing an oily sheens on the surface that stretch for miles and are visible from space. Taylor Energy's Mississippi Canyon 20 platform, before its destruction in 2004. Photo credit: Taylor Energy These underwater oil wells have been leaking since 2004 and continue to leak as you read this. Unless it is plugged, the government estimates the leak might continue for 100 years until the oil in the underground reservoir is finally depleted. The platforms owner, Taylor Energy, has no plans to stop the leak and is lobbying behind the scenes for permission to walk away from its mess. The Risks of Offshore Oil Production In September 2004, Hurricane Ivan slammed into the Gulf and unleashed an underwater mudslide which toppled the Mississippi Canyon 20 (MC20) oil platform. The offshore platform was located in 450 feet of water near the outlet of the Mississippi River. After the mudslide, the platform ended up on the seafloor, 900 feet from its original location and plumes of oil began seeping from the broken well casings of more than 20 wells that had been connected to the platform. Although the company began working to contain the leak, the mudslide made traditional well containment tactics difficult. Taylor Energy was more effective at keeping the oil spill under wraps and information about it was not made public until 2010, when BPs Deepwater Horizon disaster brought added scrutiny to the region. While reviewing satellite imagery of BPs oil slick, the watchdog group SkyTruth noticed a smaller slick coming from the MC20 location. Measuring the size of the oil slick in satellite images, SkyTruth was able to estimate a leakage rate ranging from 37 to 900 gallons per day. Over the years, that rate adds up to between 300,000 and 1.4 million gallons of oil spilled into the Gulf. To put those numbers into perspective, the MC20 leak could be the equivalent of last years Refugio Beach spill in Santa Barbara, Californiahappening every year for a decade. Dodging Their Responsibilities Even after it was finally revealed to the public in 2010, the leak has been shrouded in a frustrating level of secrecy. For years, Taylor Energy had reported estimates of the spilled oil to the National Response Center that were extremely smalland in many cases flatly contradicted by the images analyzed by SkyTruth. In 2015, following rigorous documentation by SkyTruth and an investigation by the Associated Press, the U.S. Coast Guard released a leak estimate that was 20 times larger than what had been claimed by Taylor Energy in court filings. Landsat 8 image from June 21, 2014 showing the oil slick from the Taylor Energy site. Photo credit: SkyTruth The Associated Press also reported that the company has been reluctant to share information about the leak and their attempts to plug it, citing trade secrets and proprietary information. The lack of transparency led to a lawsuit by Waterkeeper Alliance and other environmental groups. As part of that settlement, Taylor did host a public meeting on Jan. 20 and provided some additional information to the public. Although the flow of oil shows no signs of abating, its clear that the company would like to wash its hands of the whole situation. Taylor Energy has mostly ceased to exist as a company and company president William Pecue is its last remaining employee. Pecue has called the leak an act of God for which Taylor cannot legally be held responsible. The company and their hired experts maintain that any further action to halt the leaks would be worse for the environment and therefore they propose to not take any affirmative action at the site. Read page 1 Phyllis Taylor, the widow of the companys founder, is a well-known philanthropist and a major donor to Louisiana politicians. As a result of those connections, a number of Louisiana officials have lobbied the government to consider Taylors proposal. The company is also suing the federal government to recover $432 million in a trust fund that had been set aside for responding to the leak. However, in public statements the U.S. government maintains that there is still more that can be done by Taylor to control and contain the oil and that they are committed to ensure Taylor Energy will work to permanently stop the ongoing oil spill. There Will Be Spills The MC20 leak is a prime example of how chronic oil pollution is a constant presence in areas where oil and gas are produced. The media pays close attention when mega-spills like the Deepwater Horizon disaster occur, but the normal day-to-day operations of offshore oil companies inevitably lead to a constant stream of releases and small spills from pipelines, tankers, ships, decommissioned equipment and other sources. SkyTruth has mapped the nearly 10,000 spills reported to the National Response Center from July 2010 (after the Deepwater spill) to April 2015. The connection between spills and oil production is clear when comparing different regions of the Gulf. In the western gulf, spills are common, especially in the waters off Texas and Louisiana. By contrast, oil exploration is currently banned in the eastern gulf near Florida and, as a result, oil spills are much rarer. A 2011 Bloomberg investigation found that the culture of non-compliance and lax enforcement in Louisiana meant that companies responsible for persistent pollution were rarely held accountable. One marine biologist summarized the impacts, stating, When you spill any amount of oil in a marine system, organisms die and that chronic spills are a huge problem and far more damaging than most people suspect. From Cradle to Grave, Oil Production is Harmful The production and use of oil is harmful to the environment at every stage of its lifecycle, from cradle to grave. Seismic blasting is used to discover new deposits of oil and gas below the seafloor, significantly disrupting and even injuring marine life, especially whales and dolphins. When those oil and gas deposits are extracted, transported, refined and burned as fuel they release the greenhouse gases that are causing our climate catastrophe. At each stage of the process, oil spills and toxic contamination are all-too-common impacts on human health and the environment. Taylor Energy has demonstrated that pollutionand lack of accountabilitycan continue for years even after the company has ceased operations. All the more reason to keep fossil fuels where they belongunderground. Send an urgent message to President Obama right now to stop all new offshore oil & gas leases. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE Koch Brothers Plotting Multimillion Dollar War on Electric Vehicles Why Would the New York Post Plug Climate Denier Profiteers? Bill McKibben: Its Not Just What Exxon Did, Its What Its Doing Greenpeace Asks Hillary Clinton to Say No to Fossil Fuel Money In the days after the mass school shooting in Parkland, Fla., Principal Andy Jacks huddled with members of his staff at Ashland Elementary School to see how they were processing the event. Although the Manassas, Va., school was 1,000 miles away, teachers and parents had already carefully reflected on the horrific details. They wanted to know that I was listening to them, that I was taking their ideas in, that I was doing something about it, Jacks said. Along with his reassurance, the teachers wanted radios for every staff member to make it easier to communicate in times of crisis. Jacks agreed. Takeaways for Principals Here are some methods principals can utilize to keep schools safe: Clearly explain to parents what the schools existing safety measures are Invite feedback from parents, students and teachers on how to improve safety Practice with staff how to respond to unexpected events, not just shootings Around the country, school leaders had similar discussions with anxious parents and staff to answer questions theyve had to answer before. How do our classroom doors lock? What kind of drills should our students do? Are we ready? Fears about student safety that follow mass school shootings can put principals in a difficult position. Decisions about safety protocols, school police, and equipment are often out of their hands, shaped by mandates set by state legislatures, superintendents offices, and school boards. But its principals who are closest to the fear and angst of parents, students, and teachers. They are most often the ones being questioned about how safe their buildings are and if their staff is prepared for the unthinkable. Some school leaders say their role in those situations is to offer reassurance. Principals can communicate all the ways they work to keep their schools safe, clearly explain how those safety-related decisions are made, and invite feedback from parents and the public. Any time theres an event, there seems to be a surge in concern about safety, Jacks said. Parents and teachers both want to make sure that we take it seriously and that we have a sense of urgency in our responses. Heightened Public Fear School safety shouldnt be reduced to a scramble to buy expensive metal detectors and equipment after a deadly incident somewhere else in the country grabs headlines, many principals said. Rather, creating a safe environment is best achieved through an ongoing process of carefully refining how staff prepare for unexpected events, they said. And inviting the publicespecially parentsinto that process helps build their confidence in times of crisis. School leaders finished the 2017-18 school year in a climate that put their abilities to convey calm to the test. And the public fear of mass violence in schools last spring remains at high levels. Most schools will never experience a school shooting, and even fewer will experience the kind of large-scale, random rampage that drives the passionate public debates about school safety. But two of those events ruptured the last school year, inspiring new state laws, renewing arguments about gun policy, and sparking a new youth activism movement. In February, 17 people were killed and 17 others were injured in a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. In May, 10 people were killed and 13 others were injured in a shooting at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas. Having two attacks that were so large, so close together made school violence seem inevitable to some, though federal data show that, by many indicators, schools have gotten safer over time. About a third of parents responding to a recent poll conducted by PDK International said they fear for their childs safety at school. Thats almost triple the 12 percent of parents who said they feared for their childrens school safety when the organization asked the same question in 2013, following the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., that left 26 young students and educators dead. In this years poll, taken during a period that overlapped with the Santa Fe shooting, just 27 percent of respondents said they were very confident or extremely confident about their schools ability to deter a gunman. Its so easy to get caught up in the feeling that after a shooting occurs, there has to be something you can do, said Wesley Weaver, the principal at Licking Valley High School in Newark, Ohio. Its a human tendency to react emotionally, viscerally even, to events like shootings, which can drive parents in some places to push for a big, visible change in schools, like new metal detectors, he said. But one thing that I find reassuring is that there is a deep and growing body of knowledge about school shootings, about school shooters, and there are characteristics that are suggesting better ways to stop these things, Weaver said. After shootings like those in Parkland and Santa Fe, school leaders in Licking Valley send email messages to parents, explaining how they have prepared for similar scenarios. After the Sandy Hook shooting, the district installed shatter-resistant film on school windows to make it more difficult for a would-be assailant to enter the building and installed panic alarms in its buildings. The Parkland shooting happened as students were evacuating the building in response to a fire alarm, creating even more confusion about what was unfolding. Licking Valley has practiced for unpredictable scenarios by holding lockdown drills during passing periods and while students are at lunch, Weaver said. Sensitive to Parents Concerns In addition to inviting input from parents, Weaver opens a channel for teachers and students. After each drill, he shares a Google doc schoolwide, allowing them to give feedback on things that could have been done differently. The districts investment in safety and security is huge, but its in a lot of physical things, like equipment, Weaver said. The things that arent physical are 100 percent in my control. That openness to student input should carry throughout the school, Weaver said. Every time educators in his school have learned that a student had a knife or had plans to harm a peer, they heard about it from another student, he said. How school leaders handle safety must also be responsive to the needs of their community, principals said. Many parents of Ashland Elementary School students, for example, work at places like the Pentagon, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Secret Service, and other federal agencies. That means many of them are especially mindful of security and risk, and many are trained to protect others on the job, Jacks said. He remembered a conversation with a parent who carries a gun at work everyday. They said they couldnt live with themselves if something happened to their kid and every day theyre armed to protect other people, Jacks said. Jacks carries an attitude of openness in his work as a principal. He posts frequently on Twitter and keeps a blog. And he extends that openness to his efforts to keep his school safe by sharing information in meetings, messages and casual interactions and by capitalizing on ideas from the community. Ashland has an active Watch D.O.G.S. program, through which fathers volunteer in the school and do occasional perimeter checks to ensure that the building is safe. One parent volunteer, a retired military officer, gave Jacks advice on how to tune the radios teachers would use to communicate during a crisis, and he immediately made a change. The more confidence they have in your regular practices, the more confidence they will have in an emergency with you, Jacks said. Jacks also works to build confidence in his staff members by preparing multiple people to handle the same responsibilities in a crisis. Sometimes he lets teachers run lockdown drills. That duplication ensures someone will always be prepared, he said. Preparing for unlikely events like school shootings and complying with state safety mandates that center on gun violence are heavy responsibilities for principals, said Lenore Kingsmore, principal of the Henry Hudson Regional School in Highlands, N.J. Those mandates come on top of juggling accountability and new education policies in their primary work as educators, she said. The last five years has made it very difficult to think that Im an instructional leader and that thats why I became a principal, Kingsmore said. There are just so many things that you have to focus your attention on. When Kingsmore took on her role in 2010, she faced requirements to perform and carefully document at least one type of safety drill every month. While some of those requirements have eased, new ones have taken their place. Kingsmore now also serves as the districts school safety coordinator, a state-mandated position that required her to complete 32 hours of training at the state police academy, she said. Kingsmore also decided to work with local law enforcement to hold an annual, unannounced drill during the school day to test their shooting response plans. The drill is realistic, including the sounds of bullets firing and older students serving as actors in the scenario. But schools are more likely to deal with issues like suicide, mental health crises, and self-harm than shootings. Kingsmore, originally trained as a counselor, prepares her school for those events, too. She regularly meets with a team of school support staff that helps students in crisis. She implemented a social-emotional learning program, and she set up peer-mentoring relationships between 12th grade and 7th grade students. The last school lockdown was spurred not by a gun, but by a student having a mental health crisis. As the student made his way through school hallways, teachers followed up on what theyd practiced, quietly closing doors and covering classroom windows so that he could discretely leave the building to get help out of view of other students. It was a love of children that drew Kingsmore to become a principal, and her safety work makes the most sense when she sees it as an extension of that love. You cant learn if youre feeling unsafe, she said. Its a balancing act. You have to love kids and know thats why youre doing this. Dozens of Colorado school districts are asking voters next month for more funding for education through bond issues, mill levy overrides, or renewal of a city sales tax. The Colorado Sun reports nearly 40 ballot measures are set to go before voters across the state. District leaders say the states school funding system has left them strapped for cash to replace old buildings, recruit and retain teachers, improve security, or hire enough mental health counselors. Colorados per-pupil funding is about $2,800 below the national average. The states population has boomed, adding 6,000 to 7,000 students each year. When running for state superintendent in 2016, Jennifer McCormick, a Republican, told Education Week that if elected, shed work to heal the sour relationship between the states department of education, the state board, the legislature, and the governors office. The two prior state chiefsTony Bennett and Glenda Ritzhad rocky tenures, marred by disputes with other state officials over the role of charter schools, communication with districts, and the states accountability system, which eventually lost legitimacy with the public. To all the other elected and appointed officials, I promise to be a good partner to the state of Indiana so we can move forward, McCormick said at her inauguration. To Indiana schools, I am proud to be one of you and I look forward to working with you. Conflicts Over Governance But earlier this month, after disputes with the state board over the states accountability system and other policies, McCormick said she wont run again for state superintendent in 2020. She also resigned her position as the chair of the state board of education. My whole goal was to help kids, calm the field down, and provide guidance and resources that were lacking, McCormick said in a recent interview. The government structure in Indiana is quite difficult. It causes confusion and it stretches resources. See Also: State Schools Chiefs: Whos Elected, Whos Not, and Races to Watch This Year Indiana is one of several states thats grappling with how to best structure the system that oversees education policy. Since the passage of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, many states have either stripped state boards of their power or propped up state superintendents with more power. Indiana decided last year to have its state chief be appointed rather than elected as early as 2025, though the legislature in recent months has gone back and forth over when to institute that change. Unlike most states, Indianas state board of education has its own staff, complete with a spokesperson and director of accountability. That stems in part from partisan battles in the period of 2013 to 2017 between then-Gov. Mike Pence, a Republican, and Ritz, a Democrat who was then superintendent, over who created and implemented state policy. McCormick said in an interview that she and the board early on in her tenure had disagreements over what ESSA and the states laws required when it came to holding schools accountable. In the end, the states education department created an ESSA-compliant accountability system while the state board kept its prior accountability system with promises to work with the legislature to make changes to it in the coming years. We tried really hard to make it one system, but were philosophically a little different [from the state board], McCormick said. Katie Mote, a member of Indianas state board of education, in an interview this past summer agreed that there are philosophical differences in the goals of the two accountability systems. Our states accountability system is designed to assess school performance, and ESSA is designed to support students in order to direct federal dollars, Mote said. We believe its not possible to align those two separate philosophical purposes. Its like apples and oranges. Tricky Balance McCormick said the department and the board in recent weeks have disagreed over which underperforming schools should get extra federal money for improvement. Part of that, she said, is due to what she sees as mixed messages on compliance the state department and board are getting from the U.S. Department of Education. When the signals are changing literally on a monthly, weekly basis, its very difficult to implement ESSA to the extent we should, McCormick said. McCormick, the former district superintendent of Yorktown Community schools in Indiana, said the political battles over the states accountability system will ultimately hurt schools. Theres a balance in Indiana thats especially tricky, McCormick said. My concern is that you have kids that are in the middle of that. Im a mom and an educator. When it starts to impact the local classroom, theres a problem. Research shows more people are feeling anxious about the climate crisis and their numbers will only increase in the coming years. Experts are concerned it's taking a toll on mental health. Caracas, Oct 23 (EFE).- Relatives of political prisoners, along with opposition leaders, on Tuesday gathered at the United Nations headquarters in Caracas to ask the international body to announce the date on which UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet will visit Venezuela. Lawmaker Gilbert Caro and Lilian Tintori, the wife of imprisoned opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, headed the group that assembled for the second time this month at the entrance of the UN headquarters in Caracas to demand the visit that was approved on Sept. 27. Tintori said UN representatives in Venezuela informed her that preparations are being made for Bachelet, the two-time former president of Chile, to "verify in person the human rights violations" in the oil-rich country. "It has to happen because it's not a request from Venezuelans, it's a resolution already given by the (UN) Human Rights Council," Tintori told reporters. Caro, who was also imprisoned for 18 months, added that Caracas city councilman Fernando Alban died while he was in the custody of the intelligence service and that there is still "no verification of what happened there" and "nobody has been found to be to blame." Washington, Oct 22 (EFE).- The American Civil Liberties Union reacted strongly on Monday to reports that President Donald Trump's administration is working on redefining the concept of gender to restrict rights for transgender people. Transgender activist and ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio criticized the content of a government memo leaked to The New York Times. The Department of Health and Human Services, according to the story in Sunday's Times, is seeking to establish a legal definition for gender under Title IX of the Civil Rights Act, which bans educational institutions from receiving federal funds based on sex or sexual orientation. The memo states that gender should be defined according to a clear biological basis and an unchangeable factor that is determined at birth, a move that would de facto eradicate the recognition of transgender people. "We know the federal government is poised to attack us for the duration of this administration, and we absolutely must preserve the rights we have secured at the state level, inconsistent as they may be across the country," Strangio said. The lawyer cited a recent bill cleared by the New York City Council that would allow "non-binary" citizens to obtain gender neutral birth certificates in 2019. Strangio pointed out that nothing indicates that the federal government is going to reject the New York City norm because it has a non-binary framework and that states will, in all likelihood, be able to maintain their protections. Thomas Ulbrich, Volkswagen: "Volkswagen will move the electric car out of its niche and into the wider market." Thomas Ulbrich, member of the Volkswagen Board of Management, responsible for the e-mobility brand and managing director of VW Sachsen, wants to be responsible for the breakthrough of e-mobility on the mass market. To achieve this, he relies on new strategies - and old virtues. Markt&Technik: Mr. Ulbrich, in February 2018 VW introduced its own board position for e-mobility. Why? Thomas Ulbrich: For the Volkswagen brand, e-mobility is the central element of the upcoming transformation of the company into a new automotive age; it has the highest strategic significance. It is therefore only logical that the issue should also be anchored centrally in the Board of Management. However, this realization is still quite fresh. What led to this change of heart? There are several reasons for the shift towards electromobility: We want to and must make our contribution to climate protection; there is a general change in social awareness and we now see the necessary technical progress - in conjunction with significantly lower costs. The time has simply come. The diesel scandal played no part in this? The diesel crisis was not the trigger for our push towards e-mobility. After all, Volkswagen has been offering electric vehicles for years - well before 2015. However, the developments in recent years have certainly helped to push the topic of e-mobility even further and very intensively within the company. Tesla's success must also have played a role. The head of Tesla, Elon Musk, has paved the way for e-mobility in the automotive sector. We will now continue to do so consistently. Volkswagen will be the manufacturer with a high level of competence in development, production, sales, and, above all, in scaling large volumes, which will lead the electric car out of its niche and into a wider market. What is your specific contribution to this ambitious goal? On the Board of Management of the Volkswagen brand, I am responsible for the entire spectrum of electric mobility issues. My specific product responsibility extends to all 27 vehicles and derivatives that will be based worldwide on the Modular E-Drive Building Block (MEB) over the next three years. We will start our cross-brand mission at the end of next year at our production site in Saxony - at our plant in Zwickau. And by 2025 we will be producing more than one million Volkswagen electric vehicles per year. The individual brands are responsible for the vehicle design of the electric fleet. Where exactly does your responsibility lie? At the Zwickau plant alone, we will produce six MEB models for a total of three Group brands over the next three years. These are Volkswagen, SEAT, and Audi. My responsibility is to ramp up the production of these vehicles precisely and on schedule. This also includes ensuring that design requirements can be implemented in production at an early stage of the product development process. In recent months, I have therefore intensively discussed all the necessary product details with the participants in the other brands in order to be able to produce the MEB vehicles economically. However, this sometimes seems somewhat confusing to the outside world. Your brand management colleague Jurgen Stackmann, for example, with responsibility for Sales, Marketing, and After Sales, has announced a purely electric carsharing offer based on the WE customer platform. At the same time, however, you will also be responsible for the electromobile environment. How do the different responsibilities in the field of electromobility demarcate themselves? Jurgen Stackmann presented the WE car sharing platform a few weeks ago in Berlin, but we are working together on this topic. This overarching project for an intermodal transport solution, which will start within the next two to three years, is a close merger between our e-mobility and sales departments. The colleagues from the sales department control the design of the WE project - vehicle technology and all associated processes, however, come from my department. In the course of the upcoming corporate transformation, in future, we will see that classic divisional thinking will become increasingly blurred. . A future-oriented company can no longer afford categorical demarcations between individual departments. That is why it is clearly part of my job to actively provide the appropriate interfaces that make such cooperative work possible. Your previous activities have primarily focused on the areas of production and logistics. In addition, you have also worked in China for several years. What experience did you bring from there? China is a long way ahead of us when it comes to e-mobility. There I saw, for example, how important political framework conditions are - from the charging infrastructure to special usage zones for e-vehicles within cities. China has implemented this very consistently; we have a lot to catching up to do. Do you see China at least in this respect as a model for Western democracies? One should be careful simply to compare political systems with each other. It is true that China is already taking full advantage of existing political opportunities to expand e-mobility. In our western environment, on the other hand, at the moment the car manufacturers still have a lot of convincing to do at the moment in order to work together with politicians to spread e-mobility. Specifically what do you expect from politicians? I think it is excellent that the current government has set itself the goal to massively increase the number of public charging points. I also very much welcome the fact that we are now beginning to put our money where our mouth is when it comes to other ideas in the coalition agreement, such as the taxation of company cars. These are all projects that will help e-mobility achieve a breakthrough in the medium term. Seite 1 von 2 Breakthroughs in the field of nanophotonics -- how light behaves on the nanometer scale -- have paved the way for the invention of "metamaterials," man-made materials that have enormous applications, from remote nanoscale sensing to energy harvesting and medical diagnostics. But their impact on daily life has been hindered by a complicated manufacturing process with large margins of error. Now a new interdisciplinary Tel Aviv University study published in Light: Science and Applications demonstrates a way of streamlining the process of designing and characterizing basic nanophotonic, metamaterial elements. The study was led by Dr. Haim Suchowski of TAU's School of Physics and Astronomy and Prof. Lior Wolf of TAU's Blavatnik School of Computer Science and conducted by research scientist Dr. Michael Mrejen and TAU graduate students Itzik Malkiel, Achiya Nagler and Uri Arieli. "The process of designing metamaterials consists of carving nanoscale elements with a precise electromagnetic response," Dr. Mrejen says. "But because of the complexity of the physics involved, the design, fabrication and characterization processes of these elements require a huge amount of trial and error, dramatically limiting their applications." Deep Learning a key to precision manufacturing "Our new approach depends almost entirely on Deep Learning, a computer network inspired by the layered and hierarchical architecture of the human brain," Prof. Wolf explains. "It's one of the most advanced forms of machine learning, responsible for major advances in technology, including speech recognition, translation and image processing. We thought it would be the right approach for designing nanophotonic, metamaterial elements." The scientists fed a Deep Learning network with 15,000 artificial experiments to teach the network the complex relationship between the shapes of the nanoelements and their electromagnetic responses. "We demonstrated that a 'trained' Deep Learning network can predict, in a split second, the geometry of a fabricated nanostructure," Dr. Suchowski says. The researchers also demonstrated that their approach successfully produces the novel design of nanoelements that can interact with specific chemicals and proteins. Broadly applicable results "These results are broadly applicable to so many fields, including spectroscopy and targeted therapy, i.e., the efficient and quick design of nanoparticles capable of targeting malicious proteins," says Dr. Suchowski. "For the first time, a novel Deep Neural Network, trained with thousands of synthetic experiments, was not only able to determine the dimensions of nanosized objects but was also capable of allowing the rapid design and characterization of metasurface-based optical elements for targeted chemicals and biomolecules. "Our solution also works the other way around. Once a shape is fabricated, it usually takes expensive equipment and time to determine the precise shape that has actually been fabricated. Our computer-based solution does that in a split second based on a simple transmission measurement." The researchers, who have also written a patent on their new method, are currently expanding their Deep Learning algorithms to include the chemical characterization of nanoparticles. ### American Friends of Tel Aviv University supports Israel's most influential, comprehensive and sought-after center of higher learning, Tel Aviv University (TAU). TAU is recognized and celebrated internationally for creating an innovative, entrepreneurial culture on campus that generates inventions, startups and economic development in Israel. TAU is ranked ninth in the world, and first in Israel, for producing start-up founders of billion-dollar companies, an achievement that surpassed several Ivy League universities. To date, 2,500 US patents have been filed by Tel Aviv University researchers -- ranking TAU #1 in Israel, #10 outside of the US and #43 in the world. WASHINGTON, D.C., OCTOBER 23, 2018 -- The American Institute of Physics (AIP) and the American Physical Society (APS) announced today that Bill Sutherland of the University of Utah, Francesco Calogero of the Sapienza University of Rome and Michel Gaudin of the Commissariat a l'energie atomique (CEA) Saclay are the winners of the 2019 Dannie Heineman Prize for Mathematical Physics. Awarded annually by AIP and APS on behalf of the Heineman Foundation, the prize honors significant contributions to the field. Sutherland, Calogero and Gaudin were cited "for profound contributions to the field of exactly solvable models in statistical mechanics and many body physics, in particular the construction of the widely studied Gaudin magnet and the Calogero-Sutherland, Shastry-Sutherland and Calogero-Moser models." They will share the prize's $10,000 award and will be honored in a special ceremonial session next year at the APS March Meeting in Boston. "On behalf of AIP and the Heineman Foundation, I am pleased to congratulate Drs. Sutherland, Calogero and Gaudin for their key contributions to mathematical physics," said AIP CEO Michael Moloney. "Each of these three arrived at this pinnacle in their careers following separate paths, along the way making numerous invaluable contributions to science and humanity." "On behalf of APS, I congratulate the winners of the 2019 Dannie Heineman Prize. I am delighted that the outstanding research contributions of Sutherland, Calogero, and Gaudin have been recognized in this way," said APS CEO Kate Kirby. The breakthrough accomplishments by Calogero, Sutherland and Gaudin are still influential today among physicists as well as applied and pure mathematicians worldwide. BACKGROUNDER: Adding to the House that Hans Bethe Built Michel Gaudin began his studies working on random matrices. He built on the work of Hans Bethe by refining the elder scientist's equations that predicted collective behaviors in electrons while trying to solve some of the earliest problems of quantum mechanics. This approach enabled him to obtain the solution of the Schrodinger equation for a system of spin one-half fermions with a delta (attractive) potential. Based on his thesis work, he later developed a magnet model (the Gaudin magnet) that opened the door to thermodynamics. "It is not specifically one-dimensional," Gaudin said. "It has a large number of parameters that allows for the description of interactions of a photon mode with a mix of atoms represented by two-level systems." In 1971, Calogero developed the first nontrivial many-body problem with two-body forces that could be exactly solved. Sutherland independently obtained the identification and solution of a variant of this model in a statistical mechanics context. "I am interested in statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics and the connections between the two," Sutherland said. "In this way, I have proceeded throughout my career." During his graduate studies with professor C.N. Yang, Sutherland developed an exact solution of a model of two-dimensional ferroelectrics in an arbitrary external electric field. Working one summer with the brothers C.N. Yang and C.P. Yang, Sutherland extended these solutions, showing the connection with the one-dimensional quantum Heisenberg-Ising model. Soon after, he came across Calogero's work using an exact wave function of a one-dimensional quantum system. While Calogero's solution was an unbound scattering state, Sutherland figured out how to put the model "in a box" and calculate the thermodynamics for the Calogero-Sutherland model that has been applied in many branches of physics, including quantum fractional Hall effect, generalized exclusion statistics and even black hole physics. Later the theoretical Shastry-Sutherland model was introduced and became important with the discovery of magnetization plateaus obtained with SrCu2 (BO3)2 under high magnetic ?elds. This technique enabled various experimental studies, including magnetization, specific heat, inelastic neutron scattering, far-infrared studies of electron spin resonance, Raman scattering and nuclear magnetic resonance. Finally, the Calogero-Moser model is a one-dimensional many-body problem that can be explicitly solved. The model touches many fields of mathematics, including algebraic geometry, representation theory, deformation theory, homological algebra and Poisson geometry. It now plays a role in research areas from theoretical physics, including soliton theory, quantum field theory, string theory, solvable models of statistical mechanics, condensed matter physics and quantum chaos, to pure mathematics, including representation theory, harmonic analysis, theory of special functions, dynamical systems, random matrix theory and complex geometry. "I feel, at my old age, greatly honored by this recognition," Calogero said. "Particularly so given the list of previous awardees." ### ABOUT THE WINNERS Bill Sutherland is an emeritus professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Utah. He was a National Science Foundation Fellow, as well as a Fellow of the American Physical Society and Honorary Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences. He has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed scientific articles and a book, titled Beautiful Models: 70 years of exactly solved quantum many-body systems. Sutherland received his bachelor's degree from Washington University in 1963, a master's degree from the State University of New York, Stony Brook in 1965 and his doctorate from the State University of New York, Stony Brook in 1968. http://www.physics.utah.edu/index.php/undergraduate-program/research-opportunities/173-people/emeritus-faculty/569-bill-sutherland Michel Gaudin is a professor in the Department of Physics at the Commissariat a l'energie atomique (CEA) Saclay. He has authored 65 peer-reviewed scientific articles, with the most prominent collected in the book Modeles exactement resolus and the monograph La fonction d'onde de Bethe. Gaudin received degrees from the Ecole Polytechnique in 1951. He took his "These d'etat" (reproduced in Modeles exactement resolus) at the University of Orsay in 1967. Gaudin was promoted to the position of Of?cier de l'ordre des Palmes Academiques in 1994. Francesco Calogero is an emeritus professor in the Department of Physics at the Sapienza University of Rome. He has served on the five-member Board of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) for two consecutive five-year terms (1982 to 1992) and is currently a member of the European Leadership Network. From 1989 to 1997, he served as the Secretary General of Pugwash (Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs), which shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995 with Joseph Rotblat for their efforts to diminish the part played by nuclear arms in international politics and work toward elimination of their production. He has authored more than 400 peer-reviewed scientific articles and several texts, including Verification: monitoring disarmament, a feat of international cooperation. Calogero received his Laurea in Fisica from the Sapienza University of Rome in 1958. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesco_Calogero ABOUT THE HEINEMAN PRIZE The Heineman Prize is named after Dannie N. Heineman, an engineer, business executive and philanthropic sponsor of the sciences. The prize was established in 1959 by the Heineman Foundation for Research, Education, Charitable and Scientific Purposes, Inc. The Prize will be presented by AIP and APS on behalf of the Heineman Foundation at the APS March 2019 Meeting in Boston. A special ceremonial session will be held at the meeting where Sutherland, Calogero and Gaudin will share the $10,000 award. https://www.aps.org/programs/honors/prizes/heineman.cfm ABOUT AIP The American Institute of Physics is a federation of scientific societies in the physical sciences, representing scientists, engineers, educators, and students. AIP offers authoritative information, services and expertise in physics education and student programs, science communication, government relations, career services, statistical research in physics employment and education, industrial outreach and history of the physical sciences. AIP publishes Physics Today, the most closely followed magazine of the physical sciences community and is also home to the Society of Physics Students and the Niels Bohr Library and Archives. AIP owns AIP Publishing LLC, a scholarly publisher in the physical and related sciences. http://www.aip.org ABOUT APS The American Physical Society is a non-profit membership organization working to advance and diffuse the knowledge of physics through its outstanding research journals, scientific meetings and education, outreach, advocacy and international activities. APS represents more than 53,000 members, including physicists in academia, national laboratories and industry in the United States and throughout the world. Society offices are located in College Park, MD (Headquarters), Ridge, NY and Washington, DC. Prizes go to David Baron, Jason Palmer, Claire Eamer and Wyatt Channell for their works on a solar eclipse, quantum tech, garbage dumps and the secret history of Pluto. WASHINGTON, D.C., OCTOBER 23, 2018 -- The American Institute of Physics announced today the four winners of its 2018 Science Communication Awards for works on planetary astronomy, cutting-edge quantum technology and the detritus of human society. The awards carry a $3,000 prize, an engraved Windsor chair and a certificate of recognition for each category. The 2018 winners are - BOOKS: David Baron for "American Eclipse: A Nation's Epic Race to Catch the Shadow of the Moon and Win the Glory of the World" (Liveright Publishing Corporation/ W. Norton & Company), https://www.american-eclipse.com/ - ARTICLES: Jason Palmer for "Here, there and everywhere" (The Economist), https://www.economist.com/news/essays/21717782-quantum-technology-beginning-come-its-own - WRITING FOR CHILDREN: Claire Eamer for "What a Waste! Where Does Garbage Go?" (Annick Press), http://www.annickpress.com/What-a-Waste and - BROADCAST AND NEW MEDIA: Wyatt Channell for "How the Universe Works - 'Secret History of Pluto'" (Science Channel), https://www.sciencechannel.com/tv-shows/how-the-universe-works/full-episodes/secret-history-of-pluto. "We are thrilled to congratulate the winners of this year's writing awards," said AIP CEO Michael Moloney. "Through great storytelling, their works show us how science can be both familiar and simple, complex and strange, otherworldly and everyday, and above all fascinating and filled with human drama." 2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the awards, which have been given continuously since 1968. BOOK WINNER: AMERICAN ECLIPSE The books prize was awarded to David Baron for "American Eclipse: A Nation's Epic Race to Catch the Shadow of the Moon and Win the Glory of the World," published June 6, 2017, by Liveright Publishing Corporation/ W. W. Norton & Company. The book was supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. "American Eclipse" tells the story of the total solar eclipse of July 29, 1878, which crossed the wilds of America's western frontier. The judges had trouble putting Baron's book down, stating that it was more than an eclipse story. It captured the excitement of a young nation exploring the frontiers of science as well as an entire continent. In telling the story, Baron said he "came to appreciate how a small band of men and women in the 19th century paved the way for the emergence of the United States as the world leader in science." Baron was inspired to write the book after observing a total solar eclipse in Aruba in 1998, a spectacle he described as "both jaw-droppingly beautiful and deeply moving." He has since traveled the world to witness total solar eclipses across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia. A former NPR science correspondent, Baron serves as a scholar in residence at the Center for Environmental Journalism at the University of Colorado Boulder. His written work has appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, Outside, Daily Beast and other publications. He is a three-time recipient of the annual journalism prize from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. ARTICLES WINNER: HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE The articles prize goes to Jason Palmer for "Here, there and everywhere," published March 9, 2017, in The Economist. The judges noted, "Palmer's comprehensive and detailed discussion of actual and potential applications of quantum information technology allows a general reader to grasp its significance and to distinguish aspects that are already practical from other [aspects] whose promise has yet to be realized." After years of writing disparate pieces on various quantum-technology advances, Palmer decided to develop a larger article tying together all the ways in which quantum technology was set to make the leap into the future. "I look forward to taking a look in a few years' time, just to see how these early shoots branch out," Palmer said. "It's a fascinating interplay of complexity science, mathematics and computer science, all riding on top of some of the trickiest physics going." Palmer studied physics and mathematics at the University of Florida and earned a doctorate in physical chemistry from Imperial College London. He worked as a science and technology reporter at the BBC before accepting a Knight fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2013. After stints as a science correspondent and editor at The Economist, he will be the host of its upcoming flagship podcast. WRITING FOR CHILDREN WINNER: WHAT A WASTE! WHERE DOES GARBAGE GO? The writing for children prize was awarded to Claire Eamer for "What a Waste! Where Does Garbage Go?" published March 2017 by Annick Press. Eamer has a particular interest in the detrimental impact of human actions on the environment, including energy use and waste creation. She believes that empowered young people are critical to solving many of the problems that plague the country and the world. "Our awareness of the impact of waste on global systems is growing rapidly," Eamer said. "I was surprised and pleased with how many people around the world are working in imaginative and creative ways to reduce the amount of waste we create and to mitigate the harm we do to our world through producing so much garbage." She hopes future books on global waste will have more positive results to report and might even be written by one of today's readers of "What a Waste!" Eamer is a freelance writer, reporter and an award-winning children's author with a long-standing interest in science, particularly environmental science. She has authored 10 children's books, including five books on science and history and three books on evolution, biodiversity and adaptation and one picture book. She holds two degrees in English. BROADCAST AND NEW MEDIA WINNER: HOW THE UNIVERSE WORKS - SECRET HISTORY OF PLUTO The broadcast and new media prize goes to Wyatt Channell for "How the Universe Works - 'Secret History of Pluto,'" which aired in March 2018 on the Science Channel. The judges cited the easy-to-follow storyline that made the video "effortless to watch." This video series depicts how the universe is put together and works. It provides information about the inner workings of outer space using techniques of modern astronomy. "Each season we begin the production process by identifying topical, compelling stories in astronomy and cosmology," Channell said. "Covering a once-in-a-lifetime mission like New Horizons [the NASA space probe] was probably the easiest decision we made for that entire season of 'How the Universe Works.'" Channell is a George Foster Peabody Award-winning production executive, specializing in science and factual programming. He's executive produced more than 900 hours of content for Discovery Channel, Science Channel, Velocity, Investigation Discovery and the American Heroes Channel. He is currently an executive producer at the Science Channel. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland and an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Channell is donating the prize money to Iridescent Learning. ### ABOUT THE AWARDS AIP has presented its Science Communication Awards every year since 1968 to recognize the best science writing of the previous year. The award recognizes the writers' efforts to improve the general public's appreciation of the physical sciences, astronomy, math and related scientific fields. For more information, contact writing@aip.org or visit https://www.aip.org/aip/awards/science-communication. ABOUT AIP The American Institute of Physics advances, promotes and serves the physical sciences for the benefit of humanity. AIP offers authoritative information, services, and expertise in physics education and student programs, science communication, government relations, career services for science and engineering professionals, statistical research in physics employment and education, industrial outreach, and the history of physics and allied fields. http://www.aip.org Washington, DC - October 23, 2018 - Scientists expect climate change influences the geographical distribution of microbes in the soil, but few studies have dug deeply into that relationship. A study published this week in mSystems suggests the connection can drag across decades. After sequencing soil samples from North American and the Tibetan plateau, and comparing those to historical climate records, an international team of researchers found that today's mix of soil bacteria is strongly influenced by the climate of 50 years ago. "The past climate can better predict bacteria distribution than today's climate," says biostatistician Katherine Pollard, senior author of the study and Director of the Gladstone Institute of Data Science & Biotechnology in San Francisco, California. Previous studies have shown a lag in plants and animals, in which organisms take years or decades to adjust to the changing climate, but this study is the first to show such a legacy effect for soil-based prokaryotes. "We found these surprisingly long lags in how the distribution of microbes responds to shifts in the climate and the environment," says microbial ecologist and study leader Joshua Ladau, who worked on the study while at Gladstone. Assuming the relationship between climate and soil microbes isn't changing, he says, it can be used to predict the future. "If climate change were to stop today, what would happen to the microbial distribution if it has time to catch up?" Ladau asks. "What have we already signed up for?" To find out, he and his collaborators designed a statistical model built on the relationship they observed and plugged in the current climate conditions. The model predicts that as soil microbes adjust to today's climate over the next few decades, their diversity will increase over the next half-century across most of the Tibetan Plateau and northern North America. Those findings, says Ladau, are connected to the idea of extinction debt, which has been widely studied in macroorganisms like plants and animals, but not in microbial systems. "Extinction debt" describes a scenario in which an organism lives in a place where it can no longer persist, but may take years or decades to disappear. The study didn't begin with a focus on climate change. Microbiologist Haiyan Chu, senior author on the study, together with his graduate student Yu Shi, both at the Chinese Academy of Science's Institute of Soil Science in Nanjing, had sequenced 180 soil samples from 60 sites on the Tibetan plateau. They reached out to Pollard, at Gladstone, to work on a descriptive analysis of the microbes from different parts of the region. Ladau, then a postdoctoral researcher in Pollard's lab, became curious about the climate connection to those samples, and analyzed global maps of climate records dating back to 1950. The researchers obtained North American samples for comparison. The researchers are taking a similar approach to other microbial communities, including marine microorganisms. Ladau says he'd also like to look at soil samples and climate records from further back in time to see "How far back can we push these things?" he asks. "Decades? Hundreds of years? Millions?" ### The American Society for Microbiology is the largest single life science society, composed of more than 30,000 scientists and health professionals. ASM's mission is to promote and advance the microbial sciences. ASM advances the microbial sciences through conferences, publications, certifications and educational opportunities. It enhances laboratory capacity around the globe through training and resources. It provides a network for scientists in academia, industry and clinical settings. Additionally, ASM promotes a deeper understanding of the microbial sciences to diverse audiences. SAN ANTONIO, October 23, 2018 -- A highly sensitive blood test that detects minute traces of cancer-specific DNA has been shown to accurately determine whether patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) are free from cancer following radiation therapy. Findings will be presented today at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). The sophisticated, new liquid biopsy test - which measures fragments of DNA shed by cancers cells in the blood - could save thousands of dollars per patient by reducing the need for costly radiological studies such as PET/CT scans following radiation therapy and greatly increase patients' peace of mind. "We've developed a highly specific, sensitive liquid biopsy blood test for people with HPV-associated OPSCC," said Bhisham Chera, MD, an associate professor of radiation oncology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a member of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. "This blood test had exceptional performance in monitoring patients for cancer recurrence after radiation therapy. If the circulating tumor HPV DNA is undetectable, there is a high likelihood that the patient is in remission and cancer-free." The number of oral cancer cases associated with HPV has been climbing over the past several decades, even as head and neck cancers have generally been declining. Oropharyngeal SCC is the most common HPV-related cancer, and it is five times more common among men than women. This type of cancer affects the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils, and it is most prevalent in younger, non-smoking men (median age of diagnosis in the 50s). Radiation therapy has been shown to be a highly effective treatment, but patients must be monitored for recurrence for up to five years to ensure their cancer doesn't return. The liquid biopsy test developed by Dr. Chera and his colleagues to monitor patients following radiation therapy is a digital polymerase chain reaction assay for HPV DNA that is highly specific, in that it does not cross-detect other types of cellular DNA; precise, in that it can be consistently reproduced; and sensitive, in that it has the ability to detect as few as six molecules of HPV DNA in a blood sample. The test was able to predict whether a patient was cancer-free with very high accuracy, indicated by a negative predictive value -- the probability that patients with a negative screening test truly don't have cancer -- of 100 percent. That type of accuracy in a liquid biopsy test, said Dr. Chera, could potentially reduce the need for costly radiological studies during post-treatment surveillance, reserving them only for patients with detectable ctHPVDNA. The cost for a liquid biopsy test of this type is in the hundreds of dollars, compared to several thousand for radiological studies. In other types of liquid biopsy tests, explained the researchers, it can be difficult to differentiate between DNA coming from normal cells and that coming from tumor cells, making it tough to get an accurate picture. "Viruses circulating in the body can be derived either from tumors or from normal infections, and a key challenge for post-treatment care is distinguishing between these two very different sources," said Gaorav P. Gupta, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of radiation oncology at UNC and also a member of the Lineberger Cancer Center. "Our approach makes it possible to distinguish between tumor-derived and non-tumor sources of HPV." Their multianalyte assay also tests the same piece of DNA twice, allowing for verification, said Dr. Gupta. "As a result, we can now detect minute amounts of cancer in patients from a simple blood draw. In our clinical study, every patient who developed a recurrence scored positively for the test - in some cases many months before their tumors would be clinically detectable. Not a single patient that was negative for our test developed a recurrence." The test also uses technology that allows for a more precise count of how many pieces of tumor DNA are in the blood at any given time, said Dr. Chera. "You can see the number of fragments growing or declining, and we can make comparisons over time. Older techniques gave you a relative quantification and had limited sensitivity. Our test is providing absolute quantification, so you can actually measure how much tumor-derived HPV DNA is there each time." This prospective biomarker trial included 89 patients with HPV-associated OPSCC whose cancer had not spread distantly to other organs. All patients received definitive chemoradiation therapy (CRT), with 78 receiving de-intensified CRT to 60 Gray (Gy) total radiation dose and 11 receiving standard CRT to 70 Gy. Beginning three months after treatment completion, patients were monitored with a combination of PET/CT scans, CT scans and chest x-rays every six months. Additionally, patients underwent clinical exams every two to four months for two years, and every six months for the following three years. The average follow-up time for patients on the study was 19.8 months (range: 3.7-44.7). Blood was drawn and tested for ctHPVDNA in all patients during each follow-up visit after treatment. If ctHPVDNA was detected, additional imaging tests were performed. Following the three-month, post-CRT scans, 70 of the 89 patients in the surveillance cohort had undetectable levels of ctHPVDNA at every follow-up visit. None of these 70 patients showed any sign of cancer recurrence. The remaining 19 patients developed a positive ctHPVDNA test result with a median interval from CRT of 16.7 months (range: 7.8-30.4) and a median value of 75 copies/mL (range 9-28,369). Eight of the patients who developed a positive test result were diagnosed with cancer recurrence (0 local, 1 regional, 7 distant). The other 11 patients showed detectable levels of ctHPVDNA (range: 23-28,369 copies/ml) but no other evidence of cancer recurrence; they are being monitored with repeat blood tests and imaging. The test could provide patients with much-needed peace of mind, said Dr. Chera. "We are showing in this abstract that the blood test performs very well. It detects cancer before the scan detects cancer. Using this test, I can walk into a patient's room and say, 'You are more than likely cancer-free at this point.'" In the future, ctHPVDNA testing may also potentially be used to screen for cervical cancer or anal cancer, which are also frequently associated with HPV infection, the authors said. They recommend further research to see if it could improve early detection of cancer recurrence and reduce costs by targeting radiographic surveillance to the subset of patients who are at greatest risk of relapse. Intellectual property related to the test and held by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has been licensed to Naveris, a company in which Dr. Chera and Dr. Gupta hold equity stakes. The abstract, "Plasma circulating tumor HPV DNA for the surveillance of cancer recurrence in HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer," will be presented in detail during a news briefing and the late-breaking abstract special session at ASTRO's 60th Annual Meeting in San Antonio. To schedule an interview with Dr. Chera, Dr. Gupta and/or outside experts in oral cancer or liquid biopsy, contact ASTRO's media relations team on-site at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center October 21 through 24, by phone at 703-286-1600 or by email at press@astro.org. ### Attribution to the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting requested in all coverage. This news release contains additional and/or updated information from the study author(s). Study Presentation Details --News Briefing: Tuesday, October 23, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. CT, Room 225-D, http://bit.ly/ASTRO18-3 --Scientific Session: Tuesday, October 23, 7:45 - 9:00 a.m. CT, Room 007 C/D ABOUT ASTRO The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is the world's largest radiation oncology society, with more than 10,000 members who are physicians, nurses, biologists, physicists, radiation therapists, dosimetrists and other health care professionals who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies. The Society is dedicated to improving patient care through professional education and training, support for clinical practice and health policy standards, advancement of science and research, and advocacy. ASTRO publishes three medical journals, International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics, Practical Radiation Oncology and Advances in Radiation Oncology; developed and maintains an extensive patient website, RT Answers; and created the nonprofit foundation Radiation Oncology Institute. To learn more about ASTRO, visit astro.org or RTanswers.org, sign up to receive our news and follow us on our blog, Facebook and Twitter. Scientists at ASU are celebrating their recent success on the path to understanding what makes the fiber that spiders spin - weight for weight - at least five times as strong as steel. One of the fundamental mysteries of spider silk which has limited scientists' ability to produce artificial silks of the quality of natural silks has just been explained by researchers in ASU's School of Molecular Sciences in collaboration with a team from San Diego State University and Northwestern University. Their results, published online today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) is entitled "Hierarchical Spidroin Micellar Nanoparticles as the Fundamental Precursors of Spider Silks." "Spider silk has a unique combination of mechanical strength and elasticity that make it one of the toughest materials we know," says Jeff Yarger, professor in the School of Molecular Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Spider silk is an exceptional biological polymer, related to collagen (the stuff of skin and bones) but much more complex in its structure. The ASU team of chemists is studying its molecular structure in an effort to produce materials ranging from uses in civil and mechanical engineering to artificial, yet biocompatible, tendons. "Everybody's familiar with silk, because they're familiar with silkworm silk. The silk trade has been around for a long time. But spider silk has a much larger variety in its properties," explains Yarger. Unfortunately, spiders don't produce silk in large quantities. "You can put lots of silkworms in a small area and genetically modify them to go from the larval state to a moth in 20-30 days. Spiders take longer. But let's get to the crux of it--spiders don't like each other. They eat each other," states Yarger. This of course eliminates the possibility of farming them en masse. Scientists have come up with ingenious ways to get around this problem. They have genetically engineered silkworms, E. coli, and even goats to produce spider silk. Unfortunately, while these organisms produce the same proteins that spiders make, they don't have the same mechanical properties as the natural product. They aren't as strong, for instance, or as flexible. This is where the current research comes in - Professor Yarger was joined by Dian Xu, Samrat Amin and Brian Cherry, all also from ASU, associate professor of chemistry from San Diego State University, Gregory Holland, and professor of chemistry from Northwestern University, Nathan Gianneschi. "In a matter of milliseconds, a spider can take a concentrated protein solution stored in its abdomen and pull this material rapidly through ducting and spinnerets to produce silk fibers," enthuses Yarger. "Understanding at the molecular level how spiders perform this complex process, and reproducing it in the lab, is the primary research objective within our group." The team employed a suite of magnetic resonance tools- NMR (or MRI) at ASU and San Diego State as well as cryo transmission electron microscopy at Northwestern University. They studied the precursor solution of the dragline silk of local Black Widow (or Latrodectus Hesperus) spiders. "We are now a step closer to a molecular understanding of this process," explains Yarger. We have discovered a hierarchical micellar nanoparticle structure based on the molecular organization of the proteins stored in the abdomen of spiders. This has led us to the first molecular level model of spider silk protein fiber formation and hopefully one step closer to lab production of spider silk protein fiber." ### This research was primarily funded by grants from the Department of Defense, Air Force Office of Scientific Research (https://www.wpafb.af.mil/afrl/afosr/), the US National Science Foundation (Division of Materials Research, Biomaterials) and ASU (Magnetic Resonance Research Center). Since institutional investors own the bulk of the world's equity capital, it is important to understand how they affect the behavior of the companies they invest in. A study of over 3,000 firms across 41 countries by Hannes Wagner (Professor of Finance, Bocconi University) and colleagues shows that they can be a force for good. The study, available online before press (DOI: 10.1016/j.jfineco.2018.08.013) in the Journal of Financial Economics, shows that investors have a positive and causal effect on firms' environmental and social (E&S) performance. Investors, in turn, are motivated both by financial considerations and by social attitudes, to promote these two pillars of corporate social responsibility. These surprising findings matter because they demonstrate that mainstream institutional investors care about E&S issues, and actively push firms to improve their E&S performance. While one might expect activist investors, such as environmental and social impact funds, to push for such changes, the study instead finds that a broad range of mainstream investors do this. In particular, the effect is driven by institutional investors from countries with social norms that deem strong E&S performance valuable. These are mostly European countries--they fill the first 17 positions in a country ranking of attitudes towards E&S issues, produced by the authors. Only pension funds, with their long investment horizons, have a positive effect on E&S regardless of their country of origin. Institutional investors from countries above the median in the E&S ranking improve their companies' environmental performance by 7.4% and social performance by 5.2%. "We show that the color of money matters", Prof. Wagner says, "and this 'color of money' effect is unlikely to be without conflict". To see this, compare a Dutch mutual fund investing in a US firm with a US mutual fund investing in a Dutch firm. The Dutch fund, and others like it, will successfully push the US firm towards better environmental and social performance--but likely against resistance of US executives. The rationale for this is that the Dutch fund caters to the social norms of its Dutch constituents. Instead, the US fund will not exert any such pressure on the Dutch firm, since US social norms towards environmental and social issues are relatively weak. "Interestingly", Prof. Wagner says, "we find that institutional investors don't influence the E&S performance by buying shares of good companies and selling those of bad ones, but by engaging with firms they already own. Furthermore, their engagement is private and they turn to public pressure only occasionally, to increase leverage in private negotiations". The authors single out the financial motivations of investors by using the shock of the global financial crisis as an experiment. Firms with greater institutional ownership pushed harder for improved E&S performance after recognizing the value of E&S during the crisis (companies with high E&S scores proved to be more resilient and performed better in the wake of the financial bust). The paper also helps inform the recent debate about regulatory changes to deter foreign ownership. The finding that foreign investors, specifically European investors, have a positive effect on corporate social responsibility casts a doubt on the opportunity of such regulations. ### Alexander Dyck, Karl Lins, Lukas Roth, Hannes Wagner, Do Institutional Investors Drive Corporate Social Responsibility? International Evidence, forthcoming in the Journal of Financial Economics, DOI: 10.1016/j.jfineco.2018.08.013 People of color are incarcerated at disproportionately higher rates than White people, and men of all races have higher rates of recidivism. A new study that estimated the effects of risk factors for Black and White men and women found that Black men were reincarcerated more often and more quickly than all others, despite having lower risk scores on nearly all of the variables on a standardized tool that assesses risk. The study, by researchers at Florida State University, the University of Connecticut, and the University of Iowa, appears in Justice Quarterly, a publication of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. "By looking solely at recidivism rates, we don't consider the heterogeneity of the people released from jails or prisons," explains Stephanie C. Kennedy, assistant professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Connecticut, who coauthored the study. "This view obscures the influence of race and gender on recidivism." "In our study, the most potent predictor of recidivism was being a Black male, even though Black men had less contact with the criminal justice system and few of the risk factors traditionally associated with recidivism," Kennedy adds. "This suggests that beyond individual risk, other factors, including racism and implicit bias, as well as poverty and employment opportunities in the local community, are driving recidivism." The study estimated the effects of various risk factors on the time it took 21,462 Black men, White men, Black women, and White women released from North Carolina state prisons from 2000 to 2001 to return to prison. The risk factors included individual-level risk factors drawn from a standardized risk assessment tool used by most state correctional systems. Risk factors included individuals' prior convictions, financial situation, marital status, attitude (as provided by an officer's subjective opinion of the offender's motivation to change), history of drug addiction, employment in the past year and currently, high school completion or dropout, age of entry, and gender. The researchers removed the gender variable from their risk assessments and calculated the level of risk for recidivism, from minimal/low to high. The study also looked at the type of crime individuals had committed, the total number of offenses, alcohol problems, and mental health diagnoses, as well as whether individuals had children and the size of the county where they were released. More than 58% of Black men in the study were reincarcerated in a North Carolina state prison within the 8-year follow-up period, compared to fewer than half of the White men and White women, and just over 41% of the Black women released during the same time frame. That occurred even though Black men were less likely to be identified as high risk and had lower scores on all but two risk factors that are thought to drive recidivism--age at intake and marital status. Moreover, White women were more likely to be identified as high risk (the result of higher number of current offenses; lower rates of high school graduation, past and current employment, and financial self-sufficiency; a greater likelihood of having a history of drug addiction, alcohol problems, or to have been intoxicated at the time of arrest). But they had the lowest rates of recidivism and the longest time to reincarceration of any of the groups examined. The ways that race and gender influenced each other served as an independent risk factor for Black men, in a way that was not reflected among other groups. The effects of all other risk factors included in the models were statistically insignificant but marginal, suggesting that these risk factors did little to meaningfully predict the likelihood of recidivism. "In light of our findings, we need to look beyond individual-level risk and begin to explore the individual, community, and policy-level factors--including pervasive racism and increased surveillance--that result in reincarceration for people of color, and specifically for Black men," suggests Katie Ropes Berry, doctoral candidate in the School of Social Work at Florida State University, who led the study. "As we move work to end mass incarceration, we need to offer anti-racism training at every level of the criminal justice system as a vehicle for destabilizing deeply ingrained implicit and explicit racial biases. And we need to work toward an equitable system that honors human dignity and ensures public safety." ### Summarized from Justice Quarterly, Intersectional Effects on Time to Reincarceration by Berry, KR (Florida State University), Kennedy, SC (University of Connecticut), Lloyd, M (University of Connecticut), Veeh, CA (University of Iowa), and Tripodi, SJ (Florida State University). Copyright 2018 The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. All rights reserved. Carnegie Mellon University Physics Professor Randall Feenstra has been awarded the 2019 Davisson-Germer Prize in Atomic or Surface Physics from the American Physical Society. The award recognizes Feenstra's distinguished career in surface science, particularly his "pioneering developments of the techniques and concepts of spectroscopic scanning tunneling microscopy." A scanning tunneling microscope (STM) images surfaces at the atomic level. Unlike an optical microscope that provides a direct image of an object, the STM uses a stylus and electric current to scan the surface and record each atom. The STM was invented at IBM Zurich by Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer in 1981; they received the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work in 1986. After receiving his doctorate from the California Institute of Technology in 1982, Feenstra began his career at IBM labs in Yorktown Heights, New York. He traveled to Zurich to study Binnig and Rohrer's STM and returned to the United States where he reconstructed the STM, making his lab one of only a few in the country to have the technology. Over the years, Feenstra and his colleagues worked to continue to develop STM, with a particular emphasis on refining the specifications for the microscope and improving the computational tools that would convert STM data into images. He developed new STM systems that were used to study semiconductor surfaces in an ultra-high vacuum. Along with his postdoc Joseph Stroscio, he created new techniques that allowed them to make novel observations about specific materials, including gallium arsenide, a semiconductor used in integrated circuits, light emitting diodes (LEDs) and solar cells. Feenstra joined the faculty of Carnegie Mellon's Department of Physics in 1995. In his early work at CMU, Feenstra, with Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor David Greve, developed a molecular beam epitaxy system to grow gallium nitride films, which are essential components of blue LEDs and microwave transistors. The system included a STM, which they used to image the surface atomic arrangement and thereby understand and optimize the growth procedures. Feenstra's current research focuses on the development of two-dimensional (2D) materials. Two-dimensional materials are made by stacking one-atom-thick layers of different materials, creating a heterostructure. By carefully selecting the materials in each layer, scientists can create specific electronic properties that can enhance a material's performance and create new functionalities. Feenstra uses low-temperature STM to study these semiconductor heterostructures and determine their unique electronic properties. A native of Vancouver, Canada, Feenstra earned his bachelor's degree in engineering physics from the University of British Columbia, and his master's and doctorate degrees in applied physics from the California Institute of Technology. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the Alexander Von Humboldt Foundation Research Award, the Peter Mark Memorial Award of the American Vacuum Society and the IBM Outstanding Innovation Award. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and the American Vacuum Society. Feenstra has published more than 230 papers in peer-reviewed journals and contributed seven book chapters, which have been cited more than 10,000 times. ### The Davisson-Germer Prize was established in 1965 to recognize and encourage outstanding work in atomic or surface physics. The prize is named after Nobel laureates Clinton Davisson and Lester Germer who first measured electron diffraction. Davisson was a physics faculty member at the Carnegie Institute of Technology, which merged with the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research in 1967 to form Carnegie Mellon University. The precision medicine platform developed at the Center for Infection and Immunity is 1,000 times more sensitive than conventional screening methods and can detect signs of antibiotic resistance Scientists at the Center for Infection and Immunity (CII) in the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health have developed the first diagnostic platform that can simultaneously screen for all known human pathogenic bacteria as well as markers for virulence and antibiotic resistance. A study in the journal mBio provides details on the performance of the BacCapSeq platform. "Once approved for clinical use, BacCapSeq will give physicians a powerful tool to quickly and precisely screen for all known pathogenic bacteria, including those that cause sepsis, the third leading cause of death in the United States," says first author Orchid M. Allicock, PhD, a post-doctoral researcher at CII. "This platform is 1,000 times more sensitive than traditional unbiased testing, at a level comparable to tests that screen one bacterium at a time." Currently, the most common method used to test for sepsis can take as long as three days, and even longer to provide information on antibiotic resistance. While physicians wait for a result, they usually prescribe broad spectrum antibiotics, a practice that contributes to the growth of antibiotic resistance. BacCapSeq provides results in 70 hours, but the researchers believe that the platform will become faster with advances in computing power. Each year, antibiotic-resistant infections claim 100,000 lives in the United States, and 700,000 globally, with the highest burden in the developing world, according to World Economic Forum estimates. The direct annual impact of antibiotic resistance in the U.S. is $20-35 billion with an additional $35 billion in lost productivity, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Absent an effective response to limit further growth in antimicrobial resistance, the challenge will continue to increase. The World Bank issued a report in 2017 projecting an impact on the GDP between $1.1 trillion and $3.4 trillion. BacCapSeq contains 4.2 million genetic probes used to detect the signature DNA of all 307 pathogenic bacteria, as well as biomarkers for antibiotic resistance and virulence. Each probe binds to a corresponding sequence; when a particular bacterium and biomarker is present in a sample, a magnetic process "pulls out" its unique sequences, which can then be used to identify the bacterium and its characteristics. To date, even the most advanced multiplexed polymerase chain reaction systems are only able to screen for up to 19 pathogenic bacteria, and none can assess virulence and antimicrobial resistance. In the study, the researchers assess the performance of BacCapSeq in several ways: using nucleic acid from blood spiked with DNA from several different bacteria, blood spiked with bacterial cells, blood culture samples, and blood samples from patients with unexplained sepsis. In each case, the platform performance exceeded traditional methods, sometimes detecting infections that were missed by the alternative method. In one case, the test implicated the bacterium Gardnerella vaginalis, which is only rarely associated with significant disease, as the cause of unexplained sepsis in an individual with HIV/AIDS. BacCapSeq is a complement to VirCapSeq, a similar test developed at CII that screens for all known human viral infections. Recent published studies have reported on that test's performance in Tanzania and Uganda. A test for differential diagnosis of fungal infections is in development. "Microbiological intelligence must be an integral component of precision medicine," says W. Ian Lipkin, MD, director of CII and the John Snow Professor of Epidemiology at Columbia Public Health. "Accurate, early differential diagnosis of infectious diseases and knowledge of drug sensitivity profiles will reduce mortality, morbidity, and health care costs." ### Co-authors include Cheng Guo, Lokendra V. Chauhan, Joel Garcia, Adam Price, Stephen Morse, Nischay Mishra, and Thomas Briese at CII and/or Columbia Mailman; and Anne-Catrin Uhlemann and Susan Whittier at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. The study was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (Center for Research in Diagnostics and Discovery grant AI109761) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (OPP1163230). Schadenfreude, the sense of pleasure people derive from the misfortune of others, is a familiar feeling to many -- perhaps especially during these times of pervasive social media. This common, yet poorly understood, emotion may provide a valuable window into the darker side of humanity, finds a review article by psychologists at Emory University. New Ideas in Psychology published the review, which drew upon evidence from three decades of social, developmental, personality and clinical research to devise a novel framework to systematically explain schadenfreude. The authors propose that schadenfreude comprises three separable but interrelated subforms -- aggression, rivalry and justice -- which have distinct developmental origins and personality correlates. They also singled out a commonality underlying these subforms. "Dehumanization appears to be at the core of schadenfreude," says Shensheng Wang, a PhD candidate in psychology at Emory and first author of the paper. "The scenarios that elicit schadenfreude, such as intergroup conflicts, tend to also promote dehumanization." Co-authors of the study are Emory psychology professors Philippe Rochat, who studies infant and child development, and Scott Lilienfeld, whose research focuses on personality and personality disorders. Dehumanization is the process of perceiving a person or social group as lacking the attributes that define what it means to be human. It can range from subtle forms, such as assuming that someone from another ethnic group does not feel the full range of emotions as one's in-group members do, all the way to blatant forms -- such as equating sex offenders to animals. Individuals who regularly dehumanize others may have a disposition towards it. Dehumanization can also be situational, such as soldiers dehumanizing the enemy during a battle. "Our literature review strongly suggests that the propensity to experience schadenfreude isn't entirely unique, but that it overlaps substantially with several other 'dark' personality traits, such as sadism, narcissism and psychopathy," Lilienfeld says. "Moreover, different subforms of schadenfreude may relate somewhat differently to these often malevolent traits." One problem with studying the phenomenon is the lack of an agreed definition of schadenfreude, which literally means "harm joy" in German. Since ancient times, some scholars have condemned schadenfreude as malicious, while others have perceived it as morally neutral or even virtuous. "Schadenfreude is an uncanny emotion that is difficult to assimilate," Rochat says. "It's kind of a warm-cold experience that is associated with a sense of guilt. It can make you feel odd to experience pleasure when hearing about bad things happening to someone else." Psychologists view schadenfreude through the lens of three theories. Envy theory focuses on a concern for self-evaluation, and a lessening of painful feelings when someone perceived as enviable gets knocked down a peg. Deservingness theory links schadenfreude to a concern for social justice and the feeling that someone dealt a misfortune received what was coming to them. Intergroup-conflict theory concerns social identity and the schadenfreude experienced after the defeat of members of a rival group, such as during sporting or political competitions. The authors of the current article wanted to explore how all these different facets of schadenfreude are interrelated, how they differ, and how they can arise in response to these concerns. Their review delved into the primordial role of these concerns demonstrated in developmental studies. Research suggests that infants as young as eight months demonstrate a sophisticated sense of social justice. In experiments, they showed a preference for puppets who assisted a helpful puppet, and who punished puppets that had exhibited antisocial behavior. Research on infants also points to the early roots of intergroup aggression, showing that, by nine months, infants preferred puppets who punish others who are unlike themselves. "When you think of normal child development, you think of children becoming good natured and sociable," Rochat says. "But there's a dark side to becoming socialized. You create friends and other in-groups to the exclusion of others." Spiteful rivalry appears by at least age five or six, when research has shown that children will sometimes opt to maximize their gain over another child, even if they have to sacrifice a resource to do so. By the time they reach adulthood, many people have learned to hide any tendencies for making a sacrifice just for spite, but they may be more open about making sacrifices that are considered pro-social. The review article posits a unifying, motivational theory: Concerns of self-evaluation, social identity and justice are the three motivators that drive people toward schadenfreude. What pulls people away from schadenfreude is the ability to feel empathy for others and to perceive them as fully human and to show empathy for them. Ordinary people may temporarily lose empathy for others. But those with certain personality disorders and associated traits -- such as psychopathy, narcissism or sadism -- are either less able or less motivated to put themselves in the shoes of others. "By broadening the perspective of schadenfreude, and connecting all of the related phenomena underlying it, we hope we've provided a framework to gain deeper insights into this complex, multi-faceted emotion," Wang says. "We all experience schadenfreude but we don't like to think about it too much because it shows how ambivalent we can be to our fellow humans," Rochat says. "But schadenfreude points to our ingrained concerns and it's important to study it in a systematic way if we want to understand human nature." ### Tortoises are a group of terrestrial turtles globally distributed in habitats ranging from deserts to forests and include species such as the Greek and the Galapagos tortoise. Some species evolved large body sizes with a shell length exceeding 1 metre whereas others are no larger than 6-8 centimetres. Despite a particular interest from naturalists ever since the times of Darwin, the evolution of gigantism in tortoises remains enigmatic. The fact that all living giant tortoises are insular may suggest that their evolution followed the so-called island rule: a trend toward dwarfism of large animals and gigantism of small animals on islands. An example of insular dwarfism is the Florida key deer, a dwarf version of the mainland white-tailed deer; its small size may be an adaptation to the limited resources found on the islands. Insular gigantism is best exemplified by the famous dodo, an extinct flightless pigeon from Mauritius, probably evolving large body size due to release from predatory pressure. Previous studies on extant tortoises were partly inconclusive: giant size has been linked to the absence of predatory mammals in islands but it has been also proposed that tortoises were already giants when they reached the remote archipelagos. Since very few giant tortoise species survive to the present, these hypotheses are impossible to test without analysing extinct species through the help of the fossil record. In a recent study in the journal "Cladistics", Dr Evangelos Vlachos from the Paleontological Museum of Trelew, Argentina, and Dr Marton Rabi from the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), funded by the German VolkswagenStiftung, assembled the most comprehensive family tree of extinct and extant tortoises so far. The researchers analysed genetic data from living species together with osteological data from fossil and living tortoises. This is the first study of such global scale to allow for investigating body size evolution in tortoises. The fossils reveal a very different picture of the past compared to the present. Giant size evolved on multiple occasions independently in mainland Asia, Africa, Europe, North and South America at different times of Earth history. However, all of these species went extinct at latest during the Pleistocene ice age. "The fossils highlight a great number of extinct mainland giant species and suggest that the evolution of giant size was not linked to islands," says Dr Evangelos Vlachos. Instead, living insular giant tortoises, such as the ones from Galapagos and Seychelles, more likely represent survivors of unrelated giant species that once inhabited South America, East Africa, and/or Madagascar. "Giant tortoises may have been better island colonizers because they can tolerate water and food shortage during an oceanic dispersal for a longer period than smaller species. Giant tortoises have been reported to survive 740 km of floating in the ocean," says Dr Marton Rabi. What led to the extinction of these mainland giants remains enigmatic. For the ice age species, it may have been a combination of predatory (including human) pressure and climate change. It is likewise unclear, if not the island rule, then what is driving tortoises to repeatedly evolve into giant forms? "We expect that warmer climate and predator pressure plays a role in the evolution of giant size but the picture is complex and our sampling of the fossil record is still limited." - Vlachos adds. An unexpected outcome of the study was that the Mediterranean tortoises (familiar due to their popularity as pets) actually represent a dwarf lineage as their ancestors turned out to be considerably larger. "Tortoises have been around for more than 55 million years and we are now able to better understand the evolution of this successful group. Today, however, out of the approximately 43 living species 17 are considered endangered and many more are vulnerable largely due to human-induced habitat loss; this is a disappointing fact." - Rabi points out. ### This study was made available online as an accepted manuscript in November 2017 ahead of final publication in print in August 2018. Technique from MIT could lead to tiny, self-powered devices for environmental, industrial, or medical monitoring.Technique from MIT could lead to tiny, self-powered devices for environmental, industrial, or medical monitoring CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Tiny robots no bigger than a cell could be mass-produced using a new method developed by researchers at MIT. The microscopic devices, which the team calls "syncells" (short for synthetic cells), might eventually be used to monitor conditions inside an oil or gas pipeline, or to search out disease while floating through the bloodstream. The key to making such tiny devices in large quantities lies in a method the team developed for controlling the natural fracturing process of atomically-thin, brittle materials, directing the fracture lines so that they produce miniscule pockets of a predictable size and shape. Embedded inside these pockets are electronic circuits and materials that can collect, record, and output data. The novel process, called "autoperforation," is described in a paper published today in the journal Nature Materials, by MIT Professor Michael Strano, postdoc Pingwei Liu, graduate student Albert Liu, and eight others at MIT. The system uses a two-dimensional form of carbon called graphene, which forms the outer structure of the tiny syncells. One layer of the material is laid down on a surface, then tiny dots of a polymer material, containing the electronics for the devices, are deposited by a sophisticated laboratory version of an inkjet printer. Then, a second layer of graphene is laid on top. Controlled fracturing People think of graphene, an ultrathin but extremely strong material, as being "floppy," but it is actually brittle, Strano explains. But rather than considering that brittleness a problem, the team figured out that it could be used to their advantage. "We discovered that you can use the brittleness," says Strano, who is the Carbon P. Dubbs Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT. "It's counterintuitive. Before this work, if you told me you could fracture a material to control its shape at the nanoscale, I would have been incredulous." But the new system does just that. It controls the fracturing process so that rather than generating random shards of material, like the remains of a broken window, it produces pieces of uniform shape and size. "What we discovered is that you can impose a strain field to cause the fracture to be guided, and you can use that for controlled fabrication," Strano says. When the top layer of graphene is placed over the array of polymer dots, which form round pillar shapes, the places where the graphene drapes over the round edges of the pillars form lines of high strain in the material. As Albert Liu describes it, "imagine a tablecloth falling slowly down onto the surface of a circular table. One can very easily visualize the developing circular strain toward the table edges, and that's very much analogous to what happens when a flat sheet of graphene folds around these printed polymer pillars." As a result, the fractures are concentrated right along those boundaries, Strano says. "And then something pretty amazing happens: The graphene will completely fracture, but the fracture will be guided around the periphery of the pillar." The result is a neat, round piece of graphene that looks as if it had been cleanly cut out by a microscopic hole punch. Because there are two layers of graphene, above and below the polymer pillars, the two resulting disks adhere at their edges to form something like a tiny pita bread pocket, with the polymer sealed inside. "And the advantage here is that this is essentially a single step," in contrast to many complex clean-room steps needed by other processes to try to make microscopic robotic devices, Strano says. The researchers have also shown that other two-dimensional materials in addition to graphene, such as molybdenum disulfide and hexagonal boronitride, work just as well. Cell-like robots Ranging in size from that of a human red blood cell, about 10 micrometers across, up to about 10 times that size, these tiny objects "start to look and behave like a living biological cell. In fact, under a microscope, you could probably convince most people that it is a cell," Strano says. This work follows up on earlier research by Strano and his students on developing syncells that could gather information about the chemistry or other properties of their surroundings using sensors on their surface, and store the information for later retrieval, for example injecting a swarm of such particles in one end of a pipeline and retrieving them at the other to gain data about conditions inside it. While the new syncells do not yet have as many capabilities as the earlier ones, those were assembled individually, whereas this work demonstrates a way of easily mass-producing such devices. Apart from the syncells' potential uses for industrial or biomedical monitoring, the way the tiny devices are made is itself an innovation with great potential, according to Albert Liu. "This general procedure of using controlled fracture as a production method can be extended across many length scales," he says. "[It could potentially be used with] essentially any 2-D materials of choice, in principle allowing future researchers to tailor these atomically thin surfaces into any desired shape or form for applications in other disciplines." This is, Albert Liu says, "one of the only ways available right now to produce stand-alone integrated microelectronics on a large scale" that can function as independent, free-floating devices. Depending on the nature of the electronics inside, the devices could be provided with capabilities for movement, detection of various chemicals or other parameters, and memory storage. There are a wide range of potential new applications for such cell-sized robotic devices, says Strano, who details many such possible uses in a book he co-authored with Shawn Walsh, an expert at Army Research Laboratories, on the subject, called "Robotic Systems and Autonomous Platforms," which is being published this month by Elsevier Press. As a demonstration, the team "wrote" the letters M, I, and T into a memory array within a syncell, which stores the information as varying levels of electrical conductivity. This information can then be "read" using an electrical probe, showing that the material can function as a form of electronic memory into which data can be written, read, and erased at will. It can also retain the data without the need for power, allowing information to be collected at a later time. The researchers have demonstrated that the particles are stable over a period of months even when floating around in water, which is a harsh solvent for electronics, according to Strano. "I think it opens up a whole new toolkit for micro- and nanofabrication," he says. ### In addition to Strano, Pingwei Liu, who is now at Zhejiang University in China, and Albert Liu, a graduate student in the Strano lab, the team included MIT graduate student Jing Fan Yang, postdocs Daichi Kozawa, Juyao Dong, and Volodomyr Koman, Youngwoo Son PhD '16, research affiliate Min Hao Wong, and Dartmouth College student Max Saccone and visiting scholar Song Wang. The work was supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the Army Research Office through MIT's Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies. ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND: ARCHIVE: Cell-sized robots can sense their environment http://news.mit.edu/2018/cell-sized-robots-sense-their-environment-0723 CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Spectrometers -- devices that distinguish different wavelengths of light and are used to determine the chemical composition of everything from laboratory materials to distant stars -- are large devices with six-figure price tags, and tend to be found in large university and industry labs or observatories. A new advance by researchers at MIT could make it possible to produce tiny spectrometers that are just as accurate and powerful but could be mass produced using standard chip-making processes. This approach could open up new uses for spectrometry that previously would have been physically and financially impossible. The invention is described today in the journal Nature Communications, in a paper by MIT associate professor of materials science and engineering Juejun Hu, doctoral student Derek Kita, research assistant Brando Miranda, and five others. The researchers say this new approach to making spectrometers on a chip could provide major advantages in performance, size, weight, and power consumption, compared to current instruments. Other groups have tried to make chip-based spectrometers, but there is a built-in challenge: A device's ability to spread out light based on its wavelength, using any conventional optical system, is highly dependent on the device's size. "If you make it smaller, the performance degrades," Hu says. Another type of spectrometer uses a mathematical approach called a Fourier transform. But these devices are still limited by the same size constraint -- long optical paths are essential to attaining high performance. Since high-performance devices require long, tunable optical path lengths, miniaturized spectrometers have traditionally been inferior compared to their benchtop counterparts. Instead, "we used a different technique," says Kita. Their system is based on optical switches, which can instantly flip a beam of light between the different optical pathways, which can be of different lengths. These all-electronic optical switches eliminate the need for movable mirrors, which are required in the current versions, and can easily be fabricated using standard chip-making technology. By eliminating the moving parts, Kita says, "there's a huge benefit in terms of robustness. You could drop it off the table without causing any damage." By using path lengths in power-of-two increments, these lengths can be combined in different ways to replicate an exponential number of discrete lengths, thus leading to a potential spectral resolution that increases exponentially with the number of on-chip optical switches. It's the same principle that allows a balance scale to accurately measure a broad range of weights by combining just a small number of standard weights. As a proof of concept, the researchers contracted an industry-standard semiconductor manufacturing service to build a device with six sequential switches, producing 64 spectral channels, with built-in processing capability to control the device and process its output. By expanding to 10 switches, the resolution would jump to 1,024 channels. They designed the device as a plug-and-play unit that could be easily integrated with existing optical networks. The team also used new machine-learning techniques to reconstruct detailed spectra from a limited number of channels. The method they developed works well to detect both broad and narrow spectral peaks, Kita says. They were able to demonstrate that its performance did indeed match the calculations, and thus opens up a wide range of potential further development for various applications. The researchers say such spectrometers could find applications in sensing devices, materials analysis systems, optical coherent tomography in medical imaging, and monitoring the performance of optical networks, upon which most of today's digital networks rely. Already, the team has been contacted by some companies interested in possible uses for such microchip spectrometers, with their promise of huge advantages in size, weight, and power consumption, Kita says. There is also interest in applications for real-time monitoring of industrial processes, Hu adds, as well as for environmental sensing for industries such as oil and gas. ### The team also included MIT undergraduate David Favela, graduate student Jerome Michon, former postdoc Hongtao Lin, research scientist Tian Gu, and staff member David Bono. The research was supported by the National Science Foundation, MIT SENSE.nano, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the Saks Kavanaugh Foundation. ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND: Researchers develop flexible, stretchable photonic devices DeKalb, Ill. -- Wide variations among the 50 states when it comes to the ease of casting a ballot are impacting the quality of democracy in the United States, a new study shows. Forget voter fraud. States are influencing who votes by making it easier or harder to cast a ballot, and that's likely shaping election results, said study lead author Scot Schraufnagel, chair of the Department of Political Science at Northern Illinois University. He worked on the study with co-authors Michael J. Pomante II and Quan Li. Pomante II earned his doctorate from NIU in 2016 and works as a professor at Jacksonville University in Florida, while Li is a professor at Wuhan University in China. They created a "Cost of Voting Index"--using what is described in the study as "the largest assemblage of state election laws"--to rank each state according to the time and effort it took to vote in each presidential election year from 1996 through 2016. They analyzed the impact of 33 different variables dealing with registration and voting laws, with differences in registration deadlines carrying the most weight. Oregon took top honors for making it easy on voters in 2016--followed by Colorado, California, North Dakota and Iowa. Illinois was tied for 12th overall with Minnesota. Voters in 2016 faced the most inconveniences on the way to the ballot box in Mississippi--followed by Virginia, Tennessee, Indiana and Texas. While the rankings themselves--as well as several significant changes in ranks through the years--are telling, there's an underlying message in the study, published online ahead of print in Election Law Journal: Rules, Politics, and Policy. As an open access research study, it is available for free to the public. "The ballot box is the central democratic institution," Schraufnagel said. "Voting and elections are key to democracy. One of the things that define the competency of an electoral system and the legitimacy of governing institutions is the ease in which you can vote. "The study does give us some very substantive findings that we can report about the effect on voter turnout. But we created this index with the idea in mind that it's going to have a lot of interest for reasons beyond voter turnout because it helps to define an electoral climate, which might influence whether people are willing to run for public office or who is willing to run for office. There also are implications for civil rights. We know, anecdotally, states with larger African-American populations have higher 'cost of voting' values." Improving the ease to vote nationwide potentially could bump presidential election turnout from an average of about 55 percent to more than 65 percent, Schraufnagel said. What seems to have generally evolved is a push by some liberal states to make it easier to vote, he said, while some conservative states have made it harder. Washington jumped from a rank as the 46th most difficult state to vote in during the 1996 presidential election to a rank of 11th in 2016. Among those states changing in rank the most during that timeframe, West Virginia, California, Louisiana and Connecticut also moved up in rank when it came to the ease of casting a ballot. On the flip side, Tennessee had the largest drop--ranking 10th during the 1996 election and dipping to 48th in 2016. Other states dropping in rank in that timeframe included New Hampshire, Texas, Wyoming and Kansas. Illinois moved 21 places from 1996 to 2016--from a rank of 33rd to 12th, mainly because of its same-day and online registration options, absentee and early voting offerings, as well as its voter identification law, which does not require voters to present a form of photo ID at the polls unless they did not provide proof of identity at registration. With registration deadlines as a main factor, the index also looked at voter-registration restrictions, voter ID laws, early and mail-in voting and automatic voter registration, among other characteristics largely shaped by states and lower courts. Perhaps surprising to some, polling hours aren't a huge factor, Schraufnagel said. "Particularly, since 2008, there has been a flurry of new laws which change the relative cost of voting in each state," the study states. "Some changes, such as mail-in voting, have reduced costs while others, like registration drive restrictions and more stringent voter identification laws, have increased the 'cost' of voting." National voting standards make sense, Schraufnagel said, adding other countries make voting much easier. Automatic voter registration is the norm in much of Europe and Latin America. In South Korea, Election Day is a national holiday--a suggestion in a 2001 National Commission on Federal Election Reform study by former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford on how to increase voter turnout in the U.S. "For now, we can safely argue that if states desire higher citizen participation rates in elections, a reasonable place to start would be a same-day voter registration policy," the new study states. "Beyond voter registration considerations, early voting polling stations and mail-in voting will, on average, increase citizen participation in elections." The benefits of making it easier to vote outweigh any potential risk of voter fraud, Schraufnagel said. "Studies show voter fraud has never been widespread and is largely a figment of people's imaginations," he said. "There have been people who voted fraudulently, but the volume is so minimal that, if it has made a difference, it's in some obscure relatively inconsequential election. Voter fraud is just not an important issue. The big picture is about the quality of our democracy moving forward." ### EVANSTON, Ill. -- Are you taking your time when feeding your pet? Fluffy and Fido are on to you -- and they can tell when you are dawdling. A new study from Northwestern University has found some of the clearest evidence yet that animals can judge time. By examining the brain's medial entorhinal cortex, the researchers discovered a previously unknown set of neurons that turn on like a clock when an animal is waiting. "Does your dog know that it took you twice as long to get its food as it took yesterday? There wasn't a good answer for that before," said Daniel Dombeck, who led the study. "This is one of the most convincing experiments to show that animals really do have an explicit representation of time in their brains when they are challenged to measure a time interval." The research was published online this week in the journal Nature Neuroscience. Dombeck is an associate professor of neurobiology in Northwestern's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. When planning the study, Dombeck's team focused on the medial entorhinal cortex, an area located in the brain's temporal lobe that is associated with memory and navigation. Because that part of the brain encodes spatial information in episodic memories, Dombeck hypothesized that the area could also be responsible for encoding time. "Every memory is a bit different," said James Heys, a postdoctoral fellow in Dombeck's laboratory. "But there are two central features to all episodic memories: space and time. They always happen in a particular environment and are always structured in time." To test their hypothesis, Dombeck and Heys set up an experiment called the virtual "door stop" task. In the experiment, a mouse runs on a physical treadmill in a virtual reality environment. The mouse learns to run down a hallway to a door that is located about halfway down the track. After six seconds, the door opens, allowing the mouse to continue down the hallway to receive its reward. After running several training sessions, researchers made the door invisible in the virtual reality scene. In the new scenario, the mouse still knew where the now-invisible "door" was located based on the floor's changing textures. And it still waited six seconds at the "door" before abruptly racing down the track to collect its reward. "The important point here is that the mouse doesn't know when the door is open or closed because it's invisible," said Heys, the paper's first author. "The only way he can solve this task efficiently is by using his brain's internal sense of time." By using virtual reality, Dombeck and his team can neatly control potentially influencing factors, such as the sound of the door opening. "We wouldn't be able to make the door completely invisible in a real environment," Dombeck said. "The animal could touch it, hear it, smell it or sense it in some way. They wouldn't have to judge time; they would just sense when the door opened. In virtual reality, we can take away all sensory cues." But Dombeck and his team did more than watch the mice complete the door stop task over and over again. They took the experiment one step further by imaging the mice's brain activity. Using two-photon microscopy, which allows advanced, high-resolution imaging of the brain, Dombeck and Heys watched the mice's neurons fire. "As the animals run along the track and get to the invisible door, we see the cells firing that control spatial encoding," Dombeck said. "Then, when the animal stops at the door, we see those cells turned off and a new set of cells turn on. This was a big surprise and a new discovery." Dombeck noted these "timing cells" did not fire during active running -- only during rest. "Not only are the cells active during rest," he said, "but they actually encode how much time the animal has been resting." The implication of the work expands well beyond your impatient pooch. Now that researchers have found these new time-encoding neurons, they can study how neurodegenerative diseases might affect this set of cells. "Patients with Alzheimer's disease notably forget when things happened in time," Heys said. "Perhaps this is because they are losing some of the basic functions of the entorhinal cortex, which is one of the first brain regions affected by the disease." "So this could lead to new early-detection tests for Alzheimer's," Dombeck added. "We could start asking people to judge how much time has elapsed or ask them to navigate a virtual reality environment -- essentially having a human do a 'door stop' task." ### This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (award number 1R01MH101297), the McKnight Foundation and the Chicago Biomedical Consortium. Scientists from the NUST MISIS Laboratory of Inorganic Nanomaterials together with their international colleagues have proved it possible to change the structural and conductive properties of nanotubes by stretching them. This can potentially expand nanotubes' application into electronics and high-precision sensors such as microprocessors and high-precision detectors. The research article has been published in Ultramicroscopy. Carbon nanotubes can be represented as a sheet of graphene rolled in a special way. There are different ways of folding it, which leads to the graphene edges interconnecting at different angles, forming either armchair, zigzag or chiral nanotubes (Pic.1). Nanotubes are considered to be promising materials for use in electronics and sensors because they have high electrical conductivity, which would work well in things like microprocessors and high-precision detectors. However, when producing carbon nanotubes it is hard to control their conductivity. Nanotubes with metallic and semiconducting properties can grow into a single array while microprocessor-based electronics require semiconducting nanotubes that have the same characteristics. Scientists from the NUST MISIS Laboratory of Inorganic Nanomaterials jointly with a research team from Japan, China and Australia, led by Professor Dmitri Golberg, have proposed a method that allows for the modification of the structure of ready-made nanotubes and thus changes their conductive properties. The basis of the nanotube - a folded layer of graphene - is a grid of regular hexagons, the vertices of which are carbon atoms. If one of the carbon bonds in the nanotube is rotated by 90 degrees, a pentagon and a heptagon are formed at this [junction] instead of a hexagon, and a so-called Stone-Wales defect is obtained in this case. Such a defect can occur in the structure under certain conditions. Back in the late 90s, it was predicted that the migration of this defect along the walls of a highly heated nanotube with the application of mechanical stress could lead to a change in its structure - a sequential change in the chirality of the nanotube, which leads to a change in its electronic properties. No experimental evidence for this hypothesis has previously been obtained, but our research paper has presented convincing proof of it, said Associate Professor Pavel Sorokin, Doctor of Physical & Mathematical Sciences and head of the Theoretical Materials Science of Nanostructures infrastructure project at the NUST MISIS Laboratory of Inorganic Nanomaterials. Scientists from the NUST MISIS Laboratory of Inorganic Nanomaterials have conducted simulations of the experiment at the atomic level. At first, the nanotubes were lengthened to form the first structural defect consisting of two pentagons and two heptagons (a Stone-Wales defect, pic.2a), where the prolonged lengthening of the tube began to spread to the sides, rearranging other carbon bonds (pic.2b). It was at this stage that the structure of the nanotubes changed. With further stretching, more and more Stone-Wales defects began to form, eventually leading to a change in the nanotubes' conductivity (Pic. 2). We were responsible for the theoretical modeling of the process on a supercomputer in the NUST MISIS Laboratory for Modeling and Development of New Materials for the experimental part of the work. We are glad that the simulation results [support] the experimental data, added Dmitry Kvashnin, co-author of the research work, Candidate of Physical & Mathematical Sciences and a researcher at the NUST MISIS Laboratory of Inorganic Nanomaterials. The proposed technology is capable of helping in the transformation of metallic nanotubes' structure for their further application in semiconductor electronics and sensors such as microprocessors and ultrasensitive detectors. ### NEW YORK, NY (October 23, 2018) - The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) announced the 2018 class of NYSCF - Robertson Investigators, welcoming six of the most talented stem cell researchers and neuroscientists into the NYSCF Investigator Program. The NYSCF Investigator Program fosters and encourages promising early career scientists whose cutting-edge research holds the potential to accelerate treatments and cures, and provides support for the NYSCF - Robertson Stem Cell Investigator Awards and the NYSCF - Robertson Neuroscience Investigator Awards. The awards provide critical seed funding - $1.5 million over five years - to outstanding young scientists as they move beyond their postdoctoral training to establish their own, independent laboratories. This year, three scientists joined the ninth class of NYSCF - Robertson Stem Cell Investigators and three others joined the eighth class of NYSCF - Robertson Neuroscience Investigators. "The NYSCF - Robertson Investigators are made up of leaders in the stem cell and neuroscience fields," said Susan L. Solomon, CEO and Co-founder of NYSCF. "The award allows this dynamic community of innovators to pursue high-risk, high-reward research that traditional funding does not support, pushing the limits of what we believe is possible." To date, the NYSCF global community includes 53 NYSCF - Robertson Investigators and Alumni at 36 institutions throughout the world. "The NYSCF - Robertson Investigator Program selects supremely creative people and pairs them with the resources that allow them to do their work at the absolute highest level," stated Leslie Vosshall, PhD, Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Robin Chemers Neustein Professor in the Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior at The Rockefeller University and NYSCF - Robertson Neuroscience Awards jury member. "It is rare for young scientists to have the financial and intellectual freedom to pursue their biggest and most promising ideas so early in their careers, and the results have been extraordinary." Catherine Dulac, PhD, Harvard University, chaired the NYSCF - Robertson Neuroscience Investigator Awards selection committee and was joined on the jury by Jonathan Flint, MD, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics and the University of California, Los Angeles; Ricardo Dolmetsch, PhD, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research; and Dr. Vosshall. The NYSCF - Robertson Stem Cell Investigator Awards selection committee included recipient of the Inaugural 2011 NYSCF - Robertson Stem Cell Prize Pete Coffey, DPhil, University College London and the University of California, Santa Barbara; 2015 MacArthur Fellow Lorenz Studer, MD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Center for Stem Cell Biology; NYSCF - Robertson Stem Cell Investigator Alumnus Ravi Majeti, MD, PhD, Stanford University; and 2013 NYSCF - Robertson Stem Cell Prize recipient Amy Wagers, PhD, Harvard University. "Being a recipient of the NYSCF - Robertson Investigator Award had a profound impact on my early career. This award allowed me to pursue innovative, high-risk avenues of research that I would not have otherwise been able to explore," Dr. Majeti. "I was honored to be asked to serve on the selection jury for the 2018 awards and was impressed by the quality of the applicants and their approaches to solve challenging problems in biomedicine." The 2018 NYSCF - Robertson Stem Cell Investigators: Vikram Khurana, MD, PhD, Chief of the Movement Disorders Division at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, is using patient stem cells to model and observe the misfolded forms of alpha-synuclein, a protein that becomes toxic in Parkinson's patients, with the goal of developing patient-specific therapies. Vijay G. Sankaran, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Boston Children's Hospital, uses human genetics to better understand hematopoiesis and how it goes awry in human disease. In particular, he seeks to gain molecular insight into how hematopoiesis varies in humans both in health and disease, and to develop improved therapies for a variety of blood disorders. Kevin C. Wang, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine, focuses on how various dynamic epigenetic changes in chromatin structure impact gene expression during stem cell pluripotency, cellular differentiation, and reprogramming, and how novel growth factors participate in this process. His long-term goal is to translate the understanding of these complex mechanisms to study and treat human diseases. The 2018 NYSCF - Robertson Neuroscience Investigators: Dmitriy Aronov, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at Columbia University, is seeking to overcome the major challenges to hippocampal research by using a unique model system: the black-capped chickadee. He aims to study food-caching in chickadees - a process of hiding thousands of food items in scattered, hidden locations, and finding them up to a month later - to obtain general insight into how neural networks store and recall episodic memories in other animals, including humans. Elaine Y. Hsiao, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology at University of California, Los Angeles, is studying the gut microbiota, examining the microbiome as an interface between gene-environment interactions in neurological diseases. She aims to dissect biological circuits for communication between the gut microbiota and nervous system toward understanding fundamental biological pathways that influence brain and behavior. Carolyn (Lindy) McBride, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Princeton University, studies the recognition of human odor by disease vector mosquitos and, more generally, how olfactory systems have evolved to process biologically relevant odor blends. This work will inform efforts to curb the spread of mosquito-borne disease, such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. ### About The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute is an independent organization accelerating cures and better treatments for patients through stem cell research. The NYSCF global community includes over 140 researchers at leading institutions worldwide, including the NYSCF - Druckenmiller Fellows, the NYSCF - Robertson Investigators, the NYSCF - Robertson Stem Cell Prize Recipients, and NYSCF Research Institute scientists and engineers. The NYSCF Research Institute employs over 45 researchers in New York, and is an acknowledged world leader in stem cell research and in developing pioneering stem cell technologies, including the NYSCF Global Stem Cell ArrayTM. NYSCF focuses on translational research in a model designed to overcome the barriers that slow discovery and replace silos with collaboration. For more information, visit http://www.nyscf.org ATHENS, Ohio (Oct. 23, 2018) - Ohio University Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Peggy Zoccola has determined that those who identify as LGBT and have come out to their family carry less stress hormones than those who have not come out, which may ultimately benefit their health. The recent study by Zoccola and coauthor Andrew Manigault, M.S., published in the October issue of Psychosomatic Medicine, journal of the Psychosomatic Society, discusses how feeling able to comfortably talk about your sexual identity with family members specifically, appears to be most linked to output of the stress hormone cortisol, a hormone that if too much is produced, it can damage an individual's health. "The real stress punch seems to be with the family," said Zoccola when referencing how greater disclosure of a LGBT individual's sexuality to their family is strongly linked to lower cortisol. She points out that there has been sparse research on how the aspects of coming out by LGBT adults affect the release of stress hormones, however, some early studies have shown that if people who identify as sexual minorities feel acceptance from their families, they have higher self-esteem, lower depression and substance use rates and are less likely to think about suicide. For the study, Zoccola had 121 sexual minority adults ages 18 to 35 take a survey about their depression and anxiety levels, sociodemographic factors and how much support they felt. They were also asked how out they were to family, friends, acquaintances, coworkers and clergy in religious organizations, as well as provided their age when they came out. Following the survey, 58 individuals from the group were randomly selected to provide a saliva sample to show their cortisol levels. The results of Zoccola's research showed that the more open people were to disclosing their sexuality with their family, the lower cortisol levels they had. "For these emerging adults, the family provides a foundation of support," said Zoccola. "If they're comfortable disclosing to their family, they seem to have a protective stress profile." ### Free virtual reality experience explores a South African cave where some of history's most famous ancient human fossils were discovered; app provides global access to researchers, students and amateur explorers to a place few have visited DALLAS (Oct. 23, 2018) - Ever wondered what it's like to delve deep within a South African cave to discover and recover some of the most famous ancient human fossils in scientific history? The opportunity is now at your fingertips - and it's free via the Apple App Store and Google Play! Internationally renowned paleoanthropologist Professor Lee Berger and Perot Museum of Nature and Science leaders, in partnership with South Africa's University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University), today announced a world-first virtual reality (VR) app to view "bones that are shaking up our family tree." Berger - who recently dominated world science headlines with his discovery of Homo naledi, a new species of human relative - was joined by Perot Museum CEO Dr. Linda Silver and Perot Museum research scientist and Director of the Center for the Exploration of the Human Journey Dr. Becca Peixotto for a Facebook Live news conference watched by journalists and academics from across the world. The free app, which is optimized for Google cardboard but compatible with any headset, allows people all over the globe to virtually tour the cave that very few people - including "underground astronaut" Dr. Peixotto - have visited in person (due to the extremely narrow, 8-inch "chute" through which it is accessed). "As I would never be able to actually get into the Dinaledi Chamber, one of the most exciting things for me, personally, is that through the Dinaledi app I can actually see and experience what it is like to be in the Chamber where these wonderful discoveries were made," says Berger. "And, even more exciting, I can share this first-time experience with young fossil hunters from all over the world." The Museum collaborated with Wits University to initially create this experience, which was brought to fruition by Dallas creative-technology company Groove Jones, for the Museum's newly transformed Being Human Hall. However, they also wanted to extend the VR journey beyond the walls of the Museum. Thanks to an app with narration in six languages from some of the actual explorers and scientists from Berger's Rising Star expedition, viewers can explore and even "virtually" hold fossils from the remote cave. The translated experiences are available on the app in English, American and European Spanish, and the African languages of isiZulu, Setswana and Sesotho. "It's important for young people, from the U.S., South Africa and around the world, to see themselves as the next generation of scientists through innovative, multilingual experiences like this," said Peixotto. "I hope that allowing fellow researchers to virtually examine this important fossil site in a different way may lead to exciting, new insights." Today's unveiling comes just six months after the Perot Museum announced its new Center for the Exploration of the Human Journey. In April 2018, the Museum named Peixotto as director and formed a partnership with Berger to serve as the Center's Distinguished Science Advisor. Weeks later, the Museum's Being Human Hall reopened to rave reviews, featuring the popular VR experience of the Dinaledi Chamber (which has since been translated into Spanish by one of the Dinaledi team scientists). In August, the Museum and Wits University, a widely respected public university known for its research achievements, signed a Memorandum of Understanding that launched a dynamic relationship for future international collaborations. Additionally, as part of the Museum's In the Field research initiative, Peixotto will return to South Africa Oct. 25-Nov. 18. She and the team, including four new "underground astronauts" will return to the Rising Star Cave system with plans to excavate a known fossil area in the Dinaledi Chamber and explore other parts of the cave. Giving real time updates on their expedition, the team may also spend time in the lab with the collection of more than 2,000 H. naledi fossils and revisit a large mass of fossils and sediment extracted earlier this year that potentially contains several dozen remains. To further expand learning opportunities, the Perot Museum is planning numerous outreach programs for students in North Texas and beyond as well as collaborating with National Geographic Explorer Classroom programs for and with students across the U.S., Canada and parts of Europe. The Museum will also collaborate with Berger and Wits University on a major traveling exhibition for fall 2019 that explores the study of human origins and the dynamic research of Berger's and Peixotto's team on H. naledi. The exhibition will invite visitors to celebrate emerging scientific discoveries, experience the thrill of discovering, understand the possibility within scientific analysis, and imagine the future of technology's impact on science. "This virtual reality app and our partnership with Wits University is just the beginning. It demonstrates our desire to communicate in an innovative, engaging way that reduces barriers and makes science exploration universally accessible and exciting," said Silver. "It also represents our commitment to work with international colleagues to advance our collective understanding of the world." ### The free-to-download app for Android and iOS devices can be found by searching for Perot Museum in the Google Play and Apple App Store. Learn more about the cave exploration experience at perotmuseum.org/DinalediVR. NOTE: To obtain the news release, video, photos and more, please go to perotmuseum.org/press. About the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. The top cultural attraction in Dallas/Fort Worth and a Michelin Green Guide three-star destination, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science is a nonprofit educational organization located in the heart of Dallas, Texas, with campuses in Victory Park and Fair Park. With a mission to inspire minds through nature and science, the Perot Museum delivers exciting, engaging and innovative visitor and outreach experiences through its education, exhibition, and research and collections programming for children, students, teachers, families and life-long learners. The 180,000-square-foot facility in Victory Park opened in December 2012 and is now recognized as the symbolic gateway to the Dallas Arts District. Future scientists, mathematicians and engineers will find inspiration and enlightenment through 11 permanent exhibit halls on five floors of public space; a children's museum; a state-of-the art traveling exhibition hall; and The Hoglund Foundation Theater, a National Geographic Experience. Designed by 2005 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate Thom Mayne and his firm Morphosis Architects, the Victory Park museum has been lauded for its artistry and sustainability. To learn more, please visit perotmuseum.org. About the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Wits University is a research-intensive University, one of the leading institutions on the African continent that produces world-class research that is locally relevant and globally competitive. Wits is a global leader in the palaeosciences, one of its key research areas. Wits' research output has increased by over 45% in the last four years with more than 85% of its research published in international journals. Wits offers a free space for the exchange of ideas and a vibrant intellectual community that fosters debate and knowledge transfer both within and beyond our lecture halls. For more on Wits' latest research visit http://www.wits.ac.za/research. About Homo naledi. Homo naledi is a newly discovered species of an extinct homonin that was first discovered in 2013 in the Rising Star cave system, near the world-famous Sterkfontein Caves, about 40 km North West of Johannesburg in South Africa. It was unveiled to the world at a ceremony at Maropeng in the Cradle of Humankind in South Africa in 2105. The species has some physical characteristics that are very human-like and others that resemble our more ancient ancestors. Fossils from the find date between 336,000 and 230,000 years old, and were unearthed and described through the collaboration of nearly 150 scientists from all over the world. The original discovery that dominated world headlines was excavated by a team of six underground astronauts, paleoanthropologists and archaeologists who were able and willing to pass through an 18cm wide, 12-metre-long "chute" to get to the dig site in the remote Dinaledi Chamber. CONTACT: For Perot Museum Becky Mayad work: 214-352-1881 cell: 214-697-7745 becky@mayadpr.com For Wits University Schalk Mouton Work: +27 11 717 1017 cell: +27 82 739 9637 schalk.mouton@wits.ac.za New research, published today (Wednesday 24 October) in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, has found evidence for a large number of double supermassive black holes, likely precursors of gigantic black hole merging events. This confirms the current understanding of cosmological evolution - that galaxies and their associated black holes merge over time, forming bigger and bigger galaxies and black holes. Astronomers from the University of Hertfordshire, together with an international team of scientists, have looked at radio maps of powerful jet sources and found signs that would usually be present when looking at black holes that are closely orbiting each other. Before black holes merge they form a binary black hole, where the two black holes orbit around each other. Gravitational wave telescopes have been able to evidence the merging of smaller black holes since 2015, by measuring the strong bursts of gravitational waves that are emitted when binary black holes merge, but current technology cannot be used to demonstrate the presence of supermassive binary black holes. Supermassive black holes emit powerful jets. When supermassive binary black holes orbit it causes the jet emanating from the nucleus of a galaxy to periodically change its direction. Astronomers from the University of Hertfordshire studied the direction that these jets are emitted in, and variances in these directions; they compared the direction of the jets with the one of the radio lobes (that store all the particles that ever went through the jet channels) to demonstrate that this method can be used to indicate the presence of supermassive binary black holes. Dr Martin Krause, lead author and senior lecturer in Astronomy at the University of Hertfordshire, said: "We have studied the jets in different conditions for a long time with computer simulations. In this first systematic comparison to high-resolution radio maps of the most powerful radio sources, we were astonished to find signatures that were compatible with jet precession in three quarters of the sources." The fact that the most powerful jets are associated with binary black holes could have important consequences for the formation of stars in galaxies; stars form from cold gas, jets heat this gas and thus suppress the formation of stars. A jet that always heads in the same direction only heats a limited amount of gas in its vicinity. However, jets from binary black holes change direction continuously. Therefore, they can heat much more gas, suppressing the formation of stars much more efficiently, and thus contributing towards keeping the number of stars in galaxies within the observed limits. ### Media contacts Ms Rebecca Cussens Media and PR Officer University of Hertfordshire Tel: +44 (0)1707 286 476 (internal 3476) r.cussens@herts.ac.uk Dr Robert Massey Royal Astronomical Society Tel: +44 (0)20 7292 3979 Mob: +44 (0)7802 877 699 press@ras.ac.uk Dr Morgan Hollis Royal Astronomical Society Tel: +44 (0)20 7292 3977 x118 Mob: +44 (0)7802 877 700 press@ras.ac.uk Science contacts Dr Martin Krause University of Hertfordshire m.g.h.krause@herts.ac.uk Image and caption https://ras.ac.uk/sites/default/files/supermassive_black_hole.jpg Jets from double black holes change direction continuously. The effect can explain features in this 5 GHz radio map of 3C 334 and many powerful radio sources in the sky. The jet emanates from the nucleus of a galaxy (its stars are not visible at radio frequencies) about 10 billion light years from our own. The image spans five million light years from left to right. The peculiar structure of the jets signifies a periodic change of the direction of the jet (precession), an effect that is predicted for jets from black hole pairs. The inset diagram schematically illustrates the physical processes in the black hole pair. Jets may form in gas discs around black holes. The direction of the jets is tied to the spin of the black hole. The spin axis is shown as a red arrow. The latter changes direction periodically due to the presence of the second black hole. Credit: M. Krause / University of Hertfordshire Further information The new work appears in: "How frequent are close supermassive binary black holes in powerful jet sources?", M.G.H. Krause, S.S. Shabala, M.J. Hardcastle, et al., Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2018), in press (DOI: 10.1093/mnras/sty2558). A copy of the paper is available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/sty2558 Notes for editors About the University of Hertfordshire: The University of Hertfordshire is a vibrant, inclusive, campus-based institution with a vision to be internationally renowned as the UK's leading business-facing university. It is innovative and enterprising and challenges individuals and organisations to excel. All courses are underpinned by industry insight and powerful research ensuring our student community of over 24,600 graduates are equipped with the skills and attributes for successful professional lives. The University has excellent progression rates to employment - 96.5% of students are in employment or further study six months after graduating* - and its teaching expertise has recently been awarded the top gold ranking in the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2018. It is one of the top 150 universities in the world under 50 years old, according to the new Times Higher Education 150 under 50 rankings 2018. For more information visit: http://www.herts.ac.uk The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS, http://www.ras.ac.uk), founded in 1820, encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science. The RAS organizes scientific meetings, publishes international research and review journals, recognizes outstanding achievements by the award of medals and prizes, maintains an extensive library, supports education through grants and outreach activities and represents UK astronomy nationally and internationally. Its more than 4,000 members (Fellows), a third based overseas, include scientific researchers in universities, observatories and laboratories as well as historians of astronomy and others. The RAS accepts papers for its journals based on the principle of peer review, in which fellow experts on the editorial boards accept the paper as worth considering. The Society issues press releases based on a similar principle, but the organisations and scientists concerned have overall responsibility for their content. Twitter: https://twitter.com/royalastrosoc Facebook: https://facebook.com/royalastrosoc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/royalastrosoc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RoyalAstroSoc/feed The industry has been traditionally deploying platinum alloys as catalysts for oxygen reduction, which is for example essential in fuel cells or metal-air batteries. Expensive and rare, that metal imposes strict restrictions on manufacture. Researchers at Ruhr-Universitat Bochum (RUB) and Max-Planck-Institut fur Eisenforschung have discovered an alloy made up of five elements that is noble metal-free and as active as platinum. They published their paper in the journal Advanced Energy Materials on october 21, 2018. New neighbours form active centres The catalytic properties of non-noble elements and their alloys are usually rather poor. To the researchers' surprise, one alloy made up of five almost equally balanced components offer much better properties. This is because of the so-called high entropy effect. It causes multinary alloys to maintain a simple crystal structure. "Through the interaction of different neighbouring elements, new active centres are formed that present entirely new properties and are therefore no longer bound to the limited properties of the individual elements," explains Tobias Loffler, PhD student at the RUB Chair of Analytical Chemistry - Center for Electrochemical Sciences headed by Professor Wolfgang Schuhmann. "Our research has demonstrated that this alloy might be relevant for catalysis." Generating alloy nanoparticle libraries Searching for an alternative to platinum, researchers at the RUB Chair of Materials for Microtechnology headed by Professor Alfred Ludwig deployed a special method to generate an alloy nanoparticle library of five source elements. Their atoms blend in plasma and form nanoparticles in a substrate of ionic liquid. The liquid is placed in small cavities on a carrier. If the nanoparticles are located in the vicinity of the respective atom source, the percentage of atoms from that source is higher in the respective particle. In the centre of the carrier, all five elements are present in more or less equal quantities. "This combinatorial process enables us to precisely control the composition of the alloy nanoparticles anywhere in the material library," says Alfred Ludwig. Optimised composition Headed by Professor Christina Scheu, the research team at the Max-Planck-Institut fur Eisenforschung analysed the thus generated nanoparticles using transmission electron microscopy. RUB chemists determined their catalytic activity and compared it with that of platinum nanoparticles. In the process, they identified a system made of up five elements where the high entropy effect results in catalytic activity for an oxygen reduction that is similar to that of platinum. By optimising the composition further, they successfully improved the overall activity. Far-reaching consequences for electrocatalysis "These findings may have far-reaching consequences for electrocatalysis in general," surmises Wolfgang Schuhmann. The researchers are hoping to adapt the properties for any required reactions by taking advantage of the almost infinite number of possible combinations of the elements and modifications of their composition. "Accordingly, the application will not necessarily be limited to oxygen reduction," says Ludwig. The research team has already applied for a patent. However, as the interplay of the elements is not fully understood, the researchers cannot develop any specific catalysts as yet. "This research project lays the foundation for further studies to gain a better understanding of the process, and it introduces high-entropy alloys made up of multiple elements as a new catalyst category," point out the researchers. ### Funding The project was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (NEMEZU, FKZ 03SF0497B and Mangan (FKZ 03EK3548)) and by the German Research Foundation (LU1175/23-1, SCHE634/21-1, Exploring Multinary Nanoparticles by Combinatorial Sputtering into Ionic Liquids and Advanced Transmission Electron Microscopy) as well as under the umbrella of the Transregio Collaborative Research Centre 247 and the Cluster of Excellence Ruhr explores Solvation, short Resolv (EXC1069). Original publication Tobias Loffler, Hajo Meyer, Alan Savan, Patrick Wilde, Alba Garzon Manjon, Yen Ting Chen, Edgar Ventosa, Christina Scheu, Alfred Ludwig, Wolfgang Schuhmann: Discovery of a multinary noble metal free oxygen reduction catalyst, in: Advanced Energy Materials, 2018, DOI: 10.1002/aenm.201802269. Press contact Prof. Dr. Alfred Ludwig Materials for Microtechnology Institute for Materials Department of Mechanical Engineering Ruhr-Universitat Bochum Germany Phone: +49 234 32 27492 Email: alfred.ludwig@rub.de Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schuhmann Analytical Chemistry - Center for Electrochemical Sciences Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry Ruhr-Universita?t Bochum Germany Phone: +49 234 32 26200 Email: wolfgang.schuhmann@rub.de (MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Oct. 23, 2018) St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators have developed a new class of compounds that extended the lives and eased symptoms of mice with a progressive neurodegenerative human disorder. The findings appear today in the journal Nature Communications. The rare, inherited disorder, pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), affects up to three in a million individuals and is caused by mutations in the PANK2 gene. Iron accumulates in brain cells, and patients have difficulty walking, swallowing, chewing and performing other activities. There is no treatment. PKAN is thought to occur when neurons lack an adequate supply of the molecule coenzyme A (CoA), preventing them from functioning normally. PANK2 is one of three closely related proteins (isoforms) that regulate CoA production. "We have developed a class of small molecules called pantazines that penetrate the blood-brain barrier and elevate CoA levels using a novel mechanism," said senior author Suzanne Jackowski, Ph.D., a member of the St. Jude Department of Infectious Diseases. St. Jude has patented the pantazines and their use for treatment of PKAN and related CoA disorders. The hospital has licensed the compounds to CoA Therapeutics of Palo Alto, CA, which has begun planning clinical trials. The start CoA is a helper molecule essential for carbohydrate and fat metabolism. "Just like things go wrong when oil in your car gets low, problems develop in cells when levels of CoA get low," said corresponding author Charles Rock, Ph.D., a member of the St. Jude Infectious Diseases department. CoA also plays a role in epigenetic regulation of gene expression, which is disrupted in many cancers. Jackowski has studied CoA production (biosynthesis) and PANK for decades. In 1981, shortly after she and Rock joined St. Jude, they published evidence that PANK was a pivotal regulator of CoA production in bacteria. Then in 2001, research led by Oregon Health and Science University investigators reported that mutations in PANK2 were associated with the neurodegenerative disorder that came to be known as PKAN. Before long, Jackowski was invited to the annual conference of a patient advocacy group and met individuals and families affected by the disorder. "After that, Chuck and I were walking back from lunch in the St. Jude cafeteria one day and I raised the possibility of treating this devastating disease by stimulating or activating an alternative pantothenate kinase to make up for the CoA deficiency." Jackowski said. She was referring to the PANK1 or PANK3 enzymes that can also trigger CoA synthesis. "That's when we launched the side project that led us to pantazines." The search The researchers joined forces with colleagues in the St. Jude departments of Structural Biology and Chemical Biology and Therapeutics. Co-author Richard Lee, Ph.D., and others in Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, carefully crafted the pantazines based on a compound first identified in a screen of the hospital's library of more than 500,000 drugs and small molecules. The pantazines were carefully optimized to increase cellular CoA levels, cross the blood-brain barrier to reach the affected neurons, work as a pill, and have minimal side effects to become a novel drug candidate for PKAN treatment. As researchers analyzed possible drug candidates, co-authors Stephen White, D.Phil., and Mi-Kyung Yun of the St. Jude Structural Biology department captured images of candidate compounds bound to PANK to guide compound optimization. The image showed the compound, PZ-2891, bound to the protein structure in a unique way to temporarily lock PANK in the "on" position to promote CoA production. The evidence In the laboratory, CoA levels increased in cells treated with PZ-2891. Levels also increased in the brains of normal mice as well as mice St. Jude researchers developed to model PKAN in humans. The treated mice lived longer, grew more normally and resumed walking. There were no apparent side effects. "Science helps us understand how to do medicine," Rock said. "Reading that paper in 1981 about regulation of CoA biosynthesis in E. coli you might have wondered, who cares? But basic research is what made this discovery possible." Jackowski said, "As a basic scientist, you always have the hope in the back of your mind that something you do will reach the clinic and make a difference in peoples' lives. I feel fortunate to be where we are in this project. "We were lucky to be at St. Jude where we are all on a mission to help children with catastrophic diseases and have been given the resources and colleagues necessary to tackle challenging diseases such as PKAN," she said. ### The first author is Lalit Kumar Sharma, formerly of St. Jude, and now of Nurix Inc., San Francisco. The other authors are Chitra Subramanian and Matthew Frank, all of St. Jude. The research was funded in part by CoA Therapeutics; a grant (CA21765) from the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health; and ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and cures childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food -- because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. To learn more, visit stjude.org or follow St. Jude on social media at @stjuderesearch. BELLINGHAM, Washington, USA and CARDIFF, UK - SPIE Journal of Micro/Nanolithography, MEMS, and MOEMS (JM3) today publishes an open-access English translation of Walter H. Schottky's key 1918 Annalen der Physik article "Uber spontane Stromschwankungen in verschiedenen Elektrizitatsleitern" 362 (23), pp. 541-567. The English text, "On spontaneous current fluctuations in various electrical conductors," was translated from the original German by Martin Burkhardt, a JM3 editorial board member, with additional editing by SPIE Fellow Anthony Yen. In his 1918 paper, Schottky, a student of Max Planck and Heinrich Rubens, described the stochastic effect, or shot noise, a concept which, today, is a growing and prevalent challenge for the lithography industry; the paper's more than 450 citations in the last decade reflect its ongoing integral worth to the field. The evolution of semiconductor manufacturing, often described in terms of Moore's Law, has become increasingly reliant on shorter wavelengths and higher photon energy, increasing the impact of the Schottky-observed stochastic effects. "Today, we see evidence of stochastic effects in lithographic patterning because a single layer of contact holes or vias can contain tens of billions of holes" says Burkhardt, who is also a research staff member at IBM. "No redundancy in those holes can be assumed - every one of them is supposed to be used for making an electrical connection - and each such hole has to be exposed in photo-resist with the right number of photons so that, after development, the hole in the photoresist is of the target size. Schottky's work describes the statistics that can be applied to the incoming photons onto the photoresist." Even though the topic of shot noise is very important by itself, Burkhardt continues, "Schottky is actually better known for his theory of electron and ion emission, and his work on vacuum tubes. Electron and ion emissions were critical to understand rectification in semiconductors - the Schottky barrier - but it can also be applied for field electron emissions in a vacuum - the Schottky-Nordheim barrier." ### The rights to make this English-language translation open access have been generously granted by John Wiley & Sons, publisher of Annalen der Physik. About SPIE SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics, an educational not-for-profit organization founded in 1955 to advance light-based science, engineering, and technology. The Society serves nearly 264,000 constituents from approximately 166 countries, offering conferences and their published proceedings, continuing education, books, journals, and the SPIE Digital Library. In 2017, SPIE provided more than $4 million in support of education and outreach programs. http://www.spie.org. Contact: Daneet Steffens Public Relations Manager daneets@spie.org +1-360-685-5478 @SPIEtweets A parasitic fungus that grows wild throughout the Himalayas and sells for more than its weight in gold could vanish if current harvesting and climate trends continue, according to new research from Stanford University. The fungus, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, survives by preying on ghost moth caterpillars in some of the highest reaches of the Himalayas. The fungus infects and eats the insides of a caterpillar that burrows underground for winter. What the parasite does next may be too gruesome to mention over a supposedly healing bowl of aphrodisiac soup (price: $688) made in Las Vegas with a mere quarter-ounce of the stuff. "It kills them and then sprouts out of their heads, like a unicorn horn," said lead author Kelly Hopping, an ecologist who conducted the research as a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences (Stanford Earth). Beginning in the 1990s, demand for the fungus as an aphrodisiac, impotence cure and remedy for the deadly SARS virus - while unsupported by scientific evidence - helped to jumpstart a global trade. Since then, belief in a wide range of healthful effects from the fungus has fueled a market valued at some $11 billion, as well as concern that harvesting rates have become unsustainable. Official harvest records are unreliable, however, because much of the caterpillar fungus trade goes through illegal channels. This new study, published in the peer-reviewed Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, presents the most comprehensive data to date addressing whether and why caterpillar fungus production might be on the decline, and the likely consequences of a possible crash on the communities that depend on the fungus for their livelihood. Species and livelihoods under threat Hopping and study co-author Eric Lambin, a Stanford professor of Earth system science, became interested in the fungus as a way to understand what happens when a niche biological product gives wealthy consumers outsized influence over rural livelihoods, land-use choices and ecosystems in producer regions. Research on ecosystem degradation tends to focus on the expansion of globally traded agricultural commodities such as oil palm, soy, cattle and timber - the biggest drivers for deforestation. The ripple effects of commodities that grow and trade on a smaller scale are less understood - but potentially profound, Lambin said. He points to rhinoceros horn as an example. "An emblematic mammal species is being brought to extinction due to the demand for a product which is viewed in some traditional cultures as having virtues," Lambin said. Caterpillar fungus may lack the charisma of a rhinoceros, but as one of the world's most expensive biological commodities, it has become a primary source of income for hundreds of thousands of collectors. And at a time when up to one-third of the world's parasite species could go extinct within a few decades - potentially opening new niches for other, invasive parasites to exploit - conservation biologists increasingly see a need to protect parasites as well as their hosts. According to Lambin, who is also a senior fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, there's no question intensive harvesting takes a toll on both people and the environment across an increasingly vulnerable landscape. While many local collectors try to minimize impacts, he said, large influxes of people drawn to the Himalayan rangelands during the peak harvest season can end up degrading ecosystems by disturbing fragile soils, cutting swaths of shrubs and trees for fuel and leaving trash around their harvesting camps. 'Himalayan gold' Widely known in Tibet as yartsa gunbu, or "summer grass, winter worm," caterpillar fungus has been used in traditional medicine throughout the Himalayan region and in China for centuries to treat ailments ranging from cancer and kidney disease to inflammation and aging. In more recent years it has earned the nicknames "Himalayan Viagra" and "Himalayan gold." To get around the problem of patchy trade data for the valuable fungus, the team turned to collectors' own knowledge of production trends in China, Bhutan, Nepal and India, as reported in dozens of case studies. The researchers then bolstered the published accounts by interviewing 49 collectors across the Tibetan Plateau. With this data and 400 records of where the fungus has been found throughout the four countries since the 1970s, the group built models predicting how much fungus would grow in a given area based on factors like climate and elevation. The results show the fungus tends to be more prolific in higher, colder areas around the margins of areas underlain by permafrost. Warmer winters Currently, caterpillar fungus is sufficiently abundant in springtime in prime production areas that many people can collect enough in a month or two to support themselves for the rest of the year. However, production is already on the decline due to intensive harvesting - and warming winters may be exacerbating that trend. In a region where average winter temperatures in some places have already increased by as much as 4 degrees Celsius since 1979 - "an enormous amount of warming," Lambin said - the researchers found that every degree of winter warming makes it makes it harder for the fungus to thrive. As permafrost disappears from lower elevations, the fungus can adapt by shifting to colder upslope habitats only if its caterpillar hosts - and the vegetation and seasonal patterns on which they depend - shift upward, too. In the long term, if income from caterpillar fungus can be sustained, the study suggests, it could provide an important financial cushion for those whose livelihoods herding livestock on high-altitude grasslands face mounting threats from climate change. "Caterpillar fungus collection has emerged as a way for people in these areas to make relatively easy money," Hopping said, "and in some cases to really raise their standard of living." However, if demand continues to grow as supplies decrease, it could aggravate tensions over who has access to harvesting areas, Hopping said. "Communities in areas where it's still growing will need to remain vigilant about potential conflicts and poaching as people seek to harvest this increasingly rare and valuable species." Lambin is also the George and Setsuko Ishiyama Provostial Professor. Hopping is now an assistant professor at Boise State University College of Innovation and Design. Study co-author Stephen Chignell is now a PhD student at the University of British Columbia. ### Tsetse are blood-feeding insects that transmit trypanosome pathogens which cause sleeping sickness in humans across sub-Saharan Africa; without treatment, the disease is fatal A new study, based on 27 years of data from Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe, suggests that temperature increases over the last three decades have already caused major declines in local populations of tsetse flies. This analysis, published in the journal PLOS Medicine this week, provides a first step in linking temperature to the risk of sleeping sickness in Africa. Tsetse are blood-feeding insects that transmit trypanosome pathogens which cause sleeping sickness in humans across sub-Saharan Africa. Without treatment, the disease is fatal. Parasites of this genus also cause nagana, animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT), in livestock. The most recent global estimates indicate that AAT kills approximately one million cattle per year. The study is based on prolonged laboratory and field measures of fly densities from the 1990s, and nearly continuous records of climatic data since 1975, recorded by researchers based at the Rekomitjie Research Station in the park. Since the 1990s, catches of tsetse flies from cattle in the park declined from more than 50 flies per animal per catching session in 1990, to less than 1 fly per 10 catching sessions in 2017. Since 1975, mean daily temperatures have risen by nearly 1 C and by around 2 C in the hottest month of November. Researchers from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), the South African Centre of Excellence for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA) at Stellenbosch University, and the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Greenwich, developed a mathematical model, which showed that recent increases in temperature could account for the simultaneous decline of tsetse. The results provided evidence that locations such as the Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe may soon be too hot to support tsetse populations. "If the effect at Mana Pools extends across the whole of the Zambezi Valley, then transmission of trypanosomes is likely to have been greatly reduced in this warm low-lying region", says Dr Jennifer Lord, lead author and postdoctoral fellow at LSTM. While this would be good news for the disease situation in Zambezi Valley, rising temperatures may have made some higher, cooler parts of Zimbabwe, more suitable for the flies. Professor John Hargrove, Senior Research Fellow at SACEMA, says the effect of recent and future climate change on the distribution of tsetse flies and other vectors, particularly mosquitoes, is poorly understood: "We don't know, for example, whether the resurgence of malaria in the East African highlands in the 1990s was caused by rising temperatures or by increasing levels of drug resistance and decreasing control efforts. "In general, the ways in which climate change will affect the spread of infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa is poorly understood because of sparse empirical evidence," he adds. However, work on tsetse and trypanosomiasis carried out at Rekomitjie over the past 59 years has produced long-term datasets for both vector abundance and climate change. The research station is located inside a protected area and has been free of agricultural activities since 1958. In 1984, the area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As not much has changed other than climate, the data from the site provided the ideal opportunity to develop a temperature-driven model for tsetse population dynamics. Unlike mammals and birds, insects such as tsetse flies cannot regulate their own body temperatures, and their development and mortality rates are therefore strongly influenced by environmental temperatures. Pupae cannot survive at sustained temperatures below 16 or above 32 C. In addition, tsetse populations can become established in an area only if there are sufficient numbers of host animals and suitable vegetation to support tsetse, Prof. Hargrove explains. He warns, however, that the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and Kruger National Park in South Africa are examples of areas where suitable hosts and habitat for tsetse are abundant. "Tsetse flies did occur in these areas in the 19th century, but they were always marginal because the winters there were rather too cold. With the massive rinderpest outbreak of the middle 1890s, when the vast majority of ungulates died, tsetse disappeared from these areas and have never established themselves again. But if temperatures continue to increase there is a danger that they may re-emerge." While tsetse-borne disease holds no danger for wildlife, as they have adapted to each other over millennia, control measures might have to be adopted in case tsetse re-occupy these parks and threaten cattle and humans nearby. According to Prof. Hargrove prophylactic drugs can protect livestock from the tsetse, but no such drugs are available for humans. The only sure way of protecting both livestock and humans is to attack the fly. ### Texas A&M University researchers will be collecting important atmospheric data from a high-altitude NASA aircraft thanks to recent funding received from NASA's Earth Venture program. Dr. Kenneth Bowman, professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at Texas A&M, will lead the $30 million research project on the impact of strong storms on the stratosphere. Dr. Frank Keutsch, professor of engineering and atmospheric science at Harvard University, will be the deputy team leader. Titled "Dynamics and Chemistry of the Summer Stratosphere," the project will investigate how strong summertime convective storms over North America can change the chemistry of the stratosphere. This is a large and complex effort, Bowman said, with field deployments scheduled for the summers of 2020 and 2021. A kick-off meeting for the research team will be held at Texas A&M in early 2019. "Intense thunderstorms regularly penetrate deep into the lower stratosphere, carrying water and pollutants that can change the chemical composition of this important atmospheric layer, potentially affecting stratosphere ozone," Bowman said. At Texas A&M, this research will also involve Dr. Anita Rapp, two graduate students, a postdoctoral research scientist, and several undergraduate students. An additional goal of the study is to better understand aerosol composition in the central U.S. "Currently the composition and sources of aerosol in this region are very poorly understood, resulting in large uncertainties in their impact on the chemistry and radiative properties of the stratosphere," Keutsch said. "This study will provide unprecedented insights into this problem." Data will be collected across the central U.S., using the NASA ER-2 high-altitude aircraft, with operations based out of Salina, Kansas. The project will also involve data from NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellites, conventional weather observations and forecast models, and ground-based meteorological radars. In addition to researchers from Texas A&M and Harvard, the project team will include university participants from MIT, the Universities of Miami, North Dakota, and Oklahoma, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Government participants will include scientists from NASA's Ames, Armstrong, Goddard, and Langley research centers, as well as the National Center for Atmospheric Research and NOAA. This project is one of five new NASA Earth science campaigns that will begin in 2019 to investigate a range of pressing research questions, from what drives intense East Coast snowfall events to the impact of small-scale ocean currents on global climate. These studies will explore important, but not-well-understood, aspects of Earth system processes and were competitively selected as part of NASA's Earth Venture-class program. "Atmospheric levels of harmful ozone-depleting chemicals continue to decrease due to successful limits on their production under international agreements," Bowman said. "But, important aspects of the dynamics and chemistry of the stratosphere are not well understood. This project will use new approaches to investigate how strong convective storms may potentially impact the global stratosphere." "These innovative investigations tackle difficult scientific questions that require detailed, targeted field observations, combined with data collected by our fleet of Earth-observing satellites," Jack Kaye, associate director for research in NASA's Earth Science Division in Washington said. ### Earth Venture investigations are part of NASA's Earth System Science Pathfinder program, managed at Langley for the agency's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. Learn more about NASA's Earth science activities, and read NASA's news release about all of the recently funded projects. Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology, RIKEN and Tohoku University have developed a silicone polymer chain that can self-assemble into a 3D periodic structure. They achieved this by using their recently reported self-assembling triptycene molecules to modify the ends of the polymer chains. The development of novel soft materials for various optical, mechanical, heat/charge transportation and nanotechnological applications would greatly benefit from techniques to create polymer assemblies in periodically ordered structures. Such ordered structures are created using molecular scaffolds or by modifying certain parts of the polymers used so that they self-assemble into the desired shape. However, researchers nowadays consider that terminal functionalization (modifying both ends of a polymer chain) is not very effective for creating periodically ordered structures. That's why scientists from Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech), led by Fumitaka Ishiwari, were interested in revisiting one of their recently developed triptycene molecules, called 1,8,13-Trip. The team had already demonstrated that this molecule can reliably self-assemble into a periodic 3D structure made of parallel 2D sheets separated from each other by a fixed distance (see Fig. 1). "We were interested in investigating whether the powerful self-assembling ability of this triptycene motif would also operate in polymer systems," explains Ishiwari. Therefore, the team designed polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chains with the ends replaced by a triptycene molecule. They hoped that these modified silicone chains would also exhibit the promising self-assembling behavior observed for 1,8,13-Trip alone, and thus had to run many different experiments to prove it, including Synchrotron-Radiation X-ray diffraction/scattering using the BL45XU beamline at SPring-8 (Hyogo, Japan), differential scanning calorimetry and spectroscopy measurements. Fortunately, all results seemed to indicate that the modified PDMS chains had self-assembled into the 3D periodic structure shown in Fig. 2. This was also verified by analyzing the differences in the flow characteristics of the modified PDMS chains and regular PDMS chains. The team's findings are very promising because the triptycene motif used is simple and easy to synthesize via short steps, and may provide a powerful tool for organizing polymers and reinforcing their structural and physical properties. "The present finding will update the general notion that terminal functionalization is not effective for achieving the controlled assembly of polymers into a periodically ordered structure," concludes Ishiwari. The team will carry on investigating the self-organization of polymers, and it is hoped that the results will lead to the development of novel materials and synthesis techniques. Professor Masaki Takata of Tohoku University attributed the success of the study to the collaborative efforts of the Network Joint Research Center for Materials and Devices and the large scale Synchrotron Radiation facility, SPring-8, managed by RIKEN. He added that "this would hopefully also trigger a big demand for further high quality materials, which can be developed at the next-generation 3GeV synchrotron facility, due to begin construction at Tohoku University next year." ### About Tokyo Institute of Technology Tokyo Tech stands at the forefront of research and higher education as the leading university for science and technology in Japan. Tokyo Tech researchers excel in fields ranging from materials science to biology, computer science, and physics. Founded in 1881, Tokyo Tech hosts over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students per year, who develop into scientific leaders and some of the most sought-after engineers in industry. Embodying the Japanese philosophy of "monotsukuri," meaning "technical ingenuity and innovation," the Tokyo Tech community strives to contribute to society through high-impact research. Website: http://www.titech.ac.jp/english/ About RIKEN RIKEN is Japan's largest research institute for basic and applied research. Over 2500 papers by RIKEN researchers are published every year in leading scientific and technology journals covering a broad spectrum of disciplines including physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and medical science. RIKEN's research environment and strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and globalization has earned a worldwide reputation for scientific excellence. Website: http://www.riken.jp/en/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RIKEN.english Twitter: @riken_en About Tohoku University Tohoku University was established in 1907 as Japan's third national university, and is proud to be ranked No.2 on the 2017 Times Higher Education list of top universities in Japan. Tohoku University has a history of innovation and continues to lead in traditional fields of research, is committed to contributing to its local and global communities, and encourages academic-industry-government cooperation to help strengthen and develop new areas of research. Website:https://www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/ A KAIST research group presented a molecular sensor with a microbead format for the rapid in-situ detection of harmful molecules in biological fluids or foods in a collaboration with a Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) research group. As the sensor is designed to selectively concentrate charged small molecules and amplify the Raman signal, no time-consuming pretreatment of samples is required. Raman spectra are commonly known as molecular fingerprints. However, their low intensity has restricted their use in molecular detection, especially for low concentrations. Raman signals can be dramatically amplified by locating the molecules on the surface of metal nanostructures where the electromagnetic field is strongly localized. However, it is still challenging to use Raman signals for the detection of small molecules dissolved in complex biological fluids. Adhesive proteins irreversibly adsorb on the metal surface, which prevents the access of small target molecules onto the metal surface. Therefore, it was a prerequisite to purify the samples before analysis. However, it takes a long time and is expensive. A joint team from Professor Shin-Hyun Kim's group in KAIST and Dr. Dong-Ho Kim's group in KIMS has addressed the issue by encapsulating agglomerates of gold nanoparticles using a hydrogel. The hydrogel has three-dimensional network structures so that molecules smaller than the mesh are selectively permeable. Therefore, the hydrogel can exclude relatively large proteins, while allowing the infusion of small molecules. Therefore, the surface of gold nanoparticles remains intact against proteins, which accommodates small molecules. In particular, the charged hydrogel enables the concentration of oppositely-charged small molecules. That is, the purification is autonomously done by the materials, removing the need for time-consuming pretreatment. As a result, the Raman signal of small molecules can be selectively amplified in the absence of adhesive proteins. Using the molecular sensors, the research team demonstrated the direct detection of fipronil sulfone dissolved in an egg without sample pretreatment. Recently, insecticide-contaminated eggs have spread in Europe, South Korea, and other countries, threatening health and causing social chaos. Fipronil is one of the most commonly used insecticides for veterinary medicine to combat ?eas. The ?pronil is absorbed through the chicken skin, from which a metabolite, ?pronil sulfone, accumulates in the eggs. As the ?pronil sulfone carries partial negative charges, it can be concentrated using positively-charged microgels while excluding adhesive proteins in eggs, such as ovalbumin, ovoglobulin, and ovomucoid. Therefore, the Raman spectrum of fipronil sulfone can be directly measured. The limit of direct detection of fipronil sulfone dissolved in an egg was measured at 0.05 ppm. Professor Kim said, "The molecular sensors can be used not only for the direct detection of harmful molecules in foods but also for residual drugs or biomarkers in blood or urine." Dr. Dong-Ho Kim said, "It will be possible to save time and cost as no sample treatment is required." This research was led by graduate student Dong Jae Kim and an article entitled "SERS-Active Charged Microgels for Size- and Charge-Selective Molecular Analysis of Complex Biological Samples" was published on October 4, 2018 in Small and featured on the inside cover of the journal. ### A research group at KAIST applied polydopamine as an effective infiltrate binder to achieve high mechanical and electrical properties for graphene-based liquid crystalline fibers Researchers demonstrated the mussel-inspired reinforcement of graphene fibers for the improvement of different material properties. A research group under Professor Sang Ouk Kim applied polydopamine as an effective infiltrate binder to achieve high mechanical and electrical properties for graphene-based liquid crystalline fibers. This bio-inspired defect engineering is clearly distinguishable from previous attempts with insulating binders and proposes great potential for versatile applications of flexible and wearable devices as well as low-cost structural materials. The two-step defect engineering addresses the intrinsic limitation of graphene fibers arising from the folding and wrinkling of graphene layers during the fiber-spinning process. Bio-inspired graphene-based fiber holds great promise for a wide range of applications, including flexible electronics, multifunctional textiles, and wearable sensors. In 2009, the research group discovered graphene oxide liquid crystals in aqueous media while introducing an effective purification process to remove ionic impurities. Graphene fibers, typically wet-spun from aqueous graphene oxide liquid crystal dispersion, are expected to demonstrate superior thermal and electrical conductivities as well as outstanding mechanical performance. Nonetheless, owing to the inherent formation of defects and voids caused by bending and wrinkling the graphene oxide layer within graphene fibers, their mechanical strength and electrical/thermal conductivities are still far below the desired ideal values. Accordingly, finding an efficient method for constructing the densely packed graphene fibers with strong interlayer interaction is a principal challenge. Professor Kim's team focused on the adhesion properties of dopamine, a polymer developed with the inspiration of the natural mussel, to solve the problem. This functional polymer, which is studied in various fields, can increase the adhesion between the graphene layers and prevent structural defects. Professor Kim's research group succeeded in fabricating high-strength graphene liquid crystalline fibers with controlled structural defects. They also fabricated fibers with improved electrical conductivity through the post-carbonization process of polydopamine. Based on the theory that dopamine with subsequent high temperature annealing has a similar structure with that of graphene, the team optimized dopamine polymerization conditions and solved the inherent defect control problems of existing graphene fibers. They also confirmed that the physical properties of dopamine are improved in terms of electrical conductivity due to the influence of nitrogen in dopamine molecules, without damaging the conductivity, which is the fundamental limit of conventional polymers. Professor Kim, who led the research, said, "Despite its technological potential, carbon fiber using graphene liquid crystals still has limits in terms of its structural limitations." This technology will be applied to composite fiber fabrication and various wearable textile-based application devices." This work, in which Dr. In-Ho Kim participated as first author was selected as a front cover paper of Advanced Materials on October 4. ### This research was supported by the National Creative Research Initiative (CRI) Center for Multi-Dimensional Directed Nanoscale Assembly and the Nanomaterial Technology Development Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT. CHAPEL HILL - A new blood test developed by University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers shows promise for tracking HPV-linked head and neck cancer patients to ensure they remain cancer-free after treatment. Researchers will present preliminary findings at the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology in San Antonio on Tuesday, Oct. 23. Their study evaluated a blood test for HPV-linked oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, which is a cancer of the back of the throat. The findings demonstrated the test could be an effective and less costly alternative for monitoring for cancer recurrence after radiation treatment. "The goal of this study was to evaluate whether this test can be used to track patients who are completely asymptomatic, and thought to have no active cancer," said UNC Lineberger's Gaorav P. Gupta, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the UNC School of Medicine Department of Radiation Oncology. "We already knew that our test was very sensitive and specific, but we did not know the degree to which it would be useful in early detection of disease recurrence in patients who are otherwise thought to be disease-free." HPV, or the human papillomavirus, is the most common cause of sexually transmitted infection in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infection with certain strains of HPV can cause cervical cancer in women, genital cancers in both men and women, and cancer of the oropharynx, which is the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils. The CDC estimates that approximately 70 percent of oropharyngeal cancer cases diagnosed in the United States are probably caused by HPV, which accounts for nearly 13,000 cases per year. Gupta and his colleagues developed a blood test that can detect fragments of HPV's genetic material that have been released into the blood by dying cancer cells. "We realized it is important to distinguish HPV DNA that's being released by dying tumor cells from the natural HPV DNA that is present during a viral infection," Gupta said. "Our method accomplishes this feat, thus making it a more sensitive and specific test for cancer." For their study, the researchers followed 89 patients with HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who received chemotherapy and radiation treatment. They administered the blood test before and during treatment, and then during follow-up visits. The patients received scans three months after treatment, and then came back for clinical exams every two to four months during the first two years, and then every six months in years three through five. Patients received X-rays or CT scans every six months, and again if they had positive HPV results. "We are detecting subclinical disease with this blood test, and the imaging patients received confirmed those findings, said UNC Linebergers Bhishamjit S. Chera, MD, associate professor in the UNC School of Medicine Department of Radiation Oncology and the studys co-corresponding author. Chera presented the findings from the study at the ASTRO meeting. Of the 70 patients whose blood tests were negative three months after treatment, none developed recurrence. Nineteen patients had positive blood tests, and eight of those patients developed recurrence. Physicians are continuing to monitor the remaining eleven who had positive blood tests but no evidence of recurrence. "The most striking finding of our study is that of the patients who did not have any signal using our blood test, none of them developed disease recurrence," Chera said. "That raises the question: Do we need to be scanning these patients? Scans come with a lot of cost, and because of the cost, we're not able to do it as frequently. Patients end up having a lot of anxiety from one scan to the next, wondering if their cancer has come back. This blood test could spare patients the need for additional imaging and potentially alleviate some anxiety." The researchers say the next steps will involve investigating whether the test can be used prospectively to monitor patients and to make decisions that could avoid unnecessary imaging, thereby reducing costs. They also see additional applications for the blood test, including monitoring for other HPV-linked cancers, including cervical cancer. "We are confident this blood test will be translatable to other cancers driven by HPV, and as a monitoring tool for cancer diagnosis," Chera said. "We strongly believe that this test may also have a role in screening, not just for oropharyngeal cancer, but also cervical or anal cancers, possibly in a general population setting, or at least in patients who may be at higher risk of developing these conditions." In addition to Chera and Gupta, other authors include Sunil Kumar, PhD; Colette Shen, MD, PhD; Robert Amdur, MD; Roi Dagan, MD; Jared Weiss, MD; Juneko Grilley-Olson, MD; Adam Zanation, MD; Trevor Hackman, MD; Jeff Blumberg, MD; Samip Patel, MD; Brian Thorp, MD; Mark Weissler, MD; Nathan Sheets, MD; and William Mendenhall, MD. The study was supported by the University Cancer Research Fund, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, the University of North Carolina School of Medicine Department of Radiation Oncology, UNC Lineberger and the University of Florida School of Medicine Department of Radiation Oncology. Intellectual property related to the test and held by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has been licensed to Naveris, a company in which Chera and Gupta hold equity stakes. ### The lakes in the north of Greece and in the south of the Balkans are a unique archive of European cultural and environmental history which have hardly been explored until now. Now this international team, created at the initiative of the University of Bern, wants to use this treasure trove of information. The five-year project is named EXPLO (Exploring the dynamics and causes of prehistoric land use change in the cradle of European farming) and will break new ground by combining underwater archeology with methods used by ecologists, biologists and climate scientists for the very first time. And it employs dynamic computer models in order to reconstruct the interaction between the climate and humans. The aim is to try to understand the adjustment strategies used by early farming communities to react to changing climate and environmental conditions. This innovative approach won over the experts on the European Research Council. EXPLO is one of 27 European projects that has been awarded an "ERC Synergy Grant" this week. This grant is the highest level of the Excellence Funding of the European Commission. The generously equipped funding instrument supports interdisciplinary projects, which must satisfy the highest scientific criteria, and is highly coveted among researchers. Less than 10 percent of the applications submitted are approved. The "Synergy Grant" was given out for the second time and was awarded to the University of Bern for the first time. EXPLO was initiated by Albert Hafner, professor of prehistoric archeology, and Willy Tinner, professor of paleoecology, both from Bern. Professors Amy Bogaard and Kostas Kotsakis, from the Universities of Oxford and Thessaloniki respectively, are also involved in the project. The cradle of European agriculture Albert Hafner has made a name for himself internationally as a prehistorian and specialist in lakeside settlements and underwater archeology, amongst other things. The UNESCO World Heritage Site "Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps", comprising of 111 sites in the six Alpine states, is an initiative that Albert Hafner came up with. The shores of roughly a dozen lakes in the South Balkans were settled during the Neolithic period and the Bronze Age. But in comparison to the excavation sites which have been explored in the Alps over the past 150 years, very little is known about these lakeside settlements. "The excavation sites which have virtually not been studied at all until now are of outstanding scientific value", explains Albert Hafner. "They could prove to be just as important as Neolithic and Bronze Age lakeshore settlements around the Alps." EXPLO wants to examine prehistoric settlement sites in lakes and shore zones. Here, thousands of wooden building structures have been preserved. This wood is used as a base for dendrochronology, a method which uses the growth rings of oak and conifer trees to work out the age of the wood. This method allows for a highly precise dating and is the backbone of the project. Excavations and sample collections are planned in the large lakes; Ohrid, Prespa and Orestiada. All of these sites are in an incredibly interesting historico-cultural area: the cradle of European agriculture. Here, agricultural techniques from Western Asia reached Europe over 8,000 years ago. The analysis of lake sediments should show how land use and also how the climate conditions in this region have changed over time. Learning from prehistoric farmers Willy Tinner is a world-leading paleoecologist who has studied climate and vegetation history in many regions of the world. He wants to draw useful lessons for the future from the eventful past. "The aim of EXPLO is to understand the complex relationship between the prehistoric people and their environment", says Tinner, "and to gain new information about the long-term consequences that the transition to agriculture had on the ecosystem." Conversely, the project should also show how early agriculture coped with environmental changes. Knowledge about how human societies reacted to such challenges in the past is becoming increasingly important in view of the effects of climate change happening at the moment. The project that has been awarded funding from the European Commission is the result of years of research and establishing and maintaining contacts. Albert Hafner built a scientific network in the Southern Balkans through projects funded by the Swiss National Fund, and trained underwater archeologists on-site. Teams from the University of Bern performed test drillings and excavations in the lakes in Northern Greece and in Lake Ohrid in 2016 and 2018. These tests showed that the sediment cores collected represented an incredibly rich environmental archive and that the archeological sites were of the highest quality. Albert Hafner and Willy Tinner are members of the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research (OCCR) at the University of Bern. Their interdisciplinary orientation will be vitally important when it comes to the evaluation of the data sources collected as part of EXPLO. More than 1000 radiocarbon datings will be carried out in the OCCR's C14 dating laboratory. ### With an estimated 120 million prescriptions filled each year, the thyroid medicine levothyroxine (marketed as Synthroid ) is one of the most popular prescription medicines in the United States. Most patients who suffer from hypothyroidism--a shortage of thyroid hormone, usually caused by a damaged or missing thyroid gland--respond favorably to treatment with this drug. Nearly 15 percent of patients, however, get only limited benefit from levothyroxine. Their symptoms, such as fatigue, weakness, weight gain, cramps, irritability and often memory loss, persist, even among patients who take this affordable medicine consistently. On October 23, 2018 the Journal of Clinical Investigation will post an 'in-press preview" of this multi-institutional study, describing how one dysfunctional protein can disrupt the efficacy of this otherwise highly effective treatment. The damage is caused by an inherited mutation in a critical enzyme that puts nearly one out of five patients at risk for not being able to experience the established benefits of levothyroxine. "Even though they take their medications, many hypothyroid patients continue to have problems," said thyroid specialist Antonio Bianco, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at the University of Chicago and senior author of the study. "They lack energy, they feel unfocused and they have trouble losing weight. They are properly taking thyroid hormone but their problems aren't going away. They get frustrated when they see little change, only limited improvement. Many change physicians multiple times, sometimes more than 10 times." "In this study, using mice," he added, "we found compelling evidence that the explanation for this problem is a genetic polymorphism that significantly alters the crucial enzyme that metabolizes thyroid hormone. We are seeking ways to fix this." How it doesn't work The primary hormone secreted by the thyroid gland is thyroxine, also known as T4; levothyroxine is the pharmaceutical version of T4. Soon after a patient takes the levothyroxine tablet, T4 is absorbed and enters the circulation, but to gain full biological activity, T4 must be converted to T3 (triiodothyronine). This task is carried out by many cells, including the glial cells in the brain. The conversion relies on an enzyme known as type-2 deiodinase (D2). Inside these cells, small membrane-wrapped vesicles shuttle D2 back and forth between two intracellular organelles, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi apparatus. In as many as 20 percent of people who rely on levothyroxine, however, the tiny genetic flaw in D2 causes the shuttling process to go astray. Those patients have a single-nucleotide substitution in the DNA that encodes D2. As a result, one amino acid, threonine, is replaced by a different amino acid, alanine. This amino-acid switch, known as the Thr92Ala-DIO2 polymorphism, results in a misfolded D2 protein. Because cells recognize it as an abnormal protein, it gets pushed out of the ER and accumulates in distal portions of the Golgi apparatus. Misfolded D2 is less active. It converts some T4 to T3, but the result is a significant overall decrease in the amount of available T3. "Indeed, the brains of mice carriers of the polymorphism exhibit signs of hypothyroidism," said Bianco. The buildup of misfolded D2 in the ER and Golgi "disrupts the protein homeostasis of the cells, probably complicating things long term for patients who carry this polymorphism." Patients with the polymorphism, for example, have been reported to be "at higher risk for problems including hypertension, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and multiple cognitive issues. A previous Bianco-led study, performed at Rush University Medical Center, found that African Americans carriers of this polymorphism have a 30 percent higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Going back to the mice These findings led the team to create mice with the threonine-to-alanine polymorphism so they could probe its effects on the brain. "You can't easily study this in humans," Bianco explained, "so we turned to the brains of gene-altered mice." They were surprised to see that test mice behave in many ways like humans with hypothyroidism. Their activities seemed to coincide with how patients feel. They sleep four times as much during day and night. They stay quiet, don't move around much. They lack the motivation to jump on the spinning wheel and play. They also exhibit memory problems. A logical explanation is that these mice have brain hypothyroidism, despite having normal thyroid hormone levels in the blood. The researchers tested this theory by screening different parts of the brain for signs of hypothyroidism. The brains of mice carriers of the D2 polymorphism clearly had areas with hypothyroid-like features, specifically in the striatum, pre-frontal cortex and amygdala, areas involved in motivation and decision-making processes. To confirm this, they treated these animals with T3, and many of the aspects indicating hypothyroid-like behavior were normalized. Unfortunately, long-term treatment of patients with T3 has its drawbacks. T3 has a short half-life. The tablets are rapidly absorbed, which causes levels to spike in the blood. Even at low doses, this can induce palpitations, anxiety, sweating and tightness of the chest. "We do not know what damage these spikes can cause long-term," Bianco said. "Because people didn't appreciate that T3 was important for hypothyroid patients, the safety studies were never performed." He expects to open a clinical trial of a new agent in 2019. "We hope that understanding these mechanisms will accelerate development of new therapeutic approaches for the millions of patients with hypothyroidism," the authors conclude, "and provide justification for clinical studies to assess the utility of customization of thyroid replacement therapy based on their Thr92Ala-DIO2 status." ### The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health. Additional authors of the study were Tatiana Fonseca, Barbara Bocco and Gustavo Fernandes from the University of Chicago Medicine; Elizabeth McAninch, Anaysa Bolin, Rodrigo Da Conceicao, Sungro Jo, Joao De Castro and Daniele Ignacio from Rush University Medical Center; Peter Egri, Dorottya Nemeth, Csaba Fekete and Balazs Gereben from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences; Maria Bernardi from Universida de Paulista, Brazil; Victoria Leitch, Naila Mannan, Katharine Curry, Natalie Butterfield, Duncan Bassett and Graham Williams from Imperial College, UK; and Miriam Ribeiro from Mackenzie Presbyterian University, Brazil. The trillions of bacteria in the human gut affect our health in multiple ways including effects on immune functions and metabolism. A rich and diverse gut microbiota is considered to promote health providing the human host with many competences to prevent chronic diseases. In contrast, poor diversity of the gut ecosystem is a characteristic feature of chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes, asthma and gut inflammatory disorders. Due the general bacterial-killing nature of antibiotics, it has been speculated that repetitive use of antibiotics deprives people of a rich gut bacterial environment and through this lead to adverse health effects. Now, an international team of researchers led from the University of Copenhagen and Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen report when 3 antibiotics were given to young healthy men for 4 days it caused an almost complete eradication of gut bacteria, followed by a gradual recovery of most bacterial species over a period of six months. After the six months, however, the study participants were still missing nine of their common beneficial bacteria and a few new potentially non-desirable bacteria had colonized the gut. The findings are published today in Nature Microbiology. "We show that the gut bacterial community of healthy adults are resilient and able to recover after short-term simultaneous exposure to three different antibiotics However, our findings also suggest that exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics may dilute the diversity of the intestinal bacterial ecosystem. Antibiotics can be a blessing for preserving human health but should only be used based upon clear evidence for a bacterial cause of infection," explains study lead , Professor Oluf Pedersen, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research. Is the missing beneficial gut microbes in the Western world due to over usage of antibiotics? The study is a four-day intervention with three broad-spectrum so-called "last-resort" antibiotics in 12 adult healthy men. The method with a cocktail of three antibiotics was designed to mimic actual treatments in intensive care units. The gut is a reservoir of hundreds of different bacterial species with antibiotic-resistant genes. This was confirmed in the study as these bacterial genes were the initiating force that led to the replenishment of bacteria in the gut. "In this case, it is good that we can regenerate our gut microbiota which is important for our general health. The concern, however, relates to the potentially permanent loss of beneficial bacteria after multiple exposures to antibiotics during our lifetime. There is evidence that Western populations have a considerably lower diversity of their gut microbiota that native people living in certain parts of Africa and Amazonas. One possible explanation for this may be the widespread use of antibiotics in treatment of infectious diseases," says Oluf Pedersen. ### Study investigators were from Denmark, China and Germany and the study was funded among others by the Danish Diabetes Association and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Is big-city living eroding our nice instinct? A new study by University of Miami psychology researchers of anonymous interactions suggests that humans switch off their automatic inclination to share in dealings with strangers. Would you tip your waitress if you knew you'd never return to her restaurant? Probably, because that's how most of us are socialized. But what if you knew the waitress would never know if you left a tip? Without the incentive of her approval, would you still be generous? Researchers in the University of Miami's Evolution and Human Behavior Laboratory who set out to answer that question found that we humans, who learned long ago to instinctively be generous and fair to others, can quickly unlearn that cooperative behavior when encountering strangers if we know we won't benefit from our actions. Lead author William H.B. McAuliffe, a Ph.D. candidate in psychology, and senior author Michael E. McCullough, professor of psychology, say their study published October 22 in the journal Nature Human Behavior, supports the theory that our ingrained cooperative spirit is a remnant of our evolutionary past. When we lived in small groups, we knew every person in our social circle--or someone who knew them--and we never knew who we might need to help us. Over time, we automatized the decision to be kind out of self-interest. "We are actually walking around with Stone Age minds," said McCullough, director of the lab in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology. "Our minds still think how we treat everyone we meet could have consequences--that everyone we run across and are either mean to or nice to will somehow pay us back. We have a natural karma built into us because our minds have evolved into thinking that what goes around really does come around." But their study, "Experience with anonymous interactions reduces intuitive cooperation," shows that the "cognitive shortcut" we have built into our brains to be generous or fair can be easily switched off if we learn there won't be any payback, either positive or negative. The researchers demonstrated this point by exposing 200 volunteers to a social environment devoid of any incentive or punishment for how they treated others, and tracking how their behavior changed over time. The volunteers, who came to the laboratory in small groups on two separate occasions about a month apart, were asked to play three games that required them to make decisions about investing money and sharing the windfalls with others in the room, and eventually with a charity. But, sitting at consoles with headphones, the participants did not interact with each other. They made all their decisions and collected all their winnings anonymously and privately. During the first round, the study showed, participants behaved predictably: Acting on habits shaped by their everyday experiences, they split windfalls with strangers fairly and shared about half their earnings with charity. But on their return visit about a month later, they weren't as generous, sharing, on average, about 20 percent less. "After acclimating to the situation, they realized this was extraordinarily different from the situations they find themselves in everyday life," McAuliffe said. "They realized, 'What I do doesn't really matter. It has no social consequences. Nobody is going to pat me on the back if I am generous. No one is going to think I'm stingy if I'm not.' So, when they come back, they don't act on that cognitive shortcut because they've learned that the same rules don't apply." McCullough, who has devoted his career to shedding light on human behavior by examining our evolutionary past, said the study could explain why big-city dwellers have a reputation for being more hurried and less friendly to strangers than small-town folk. "I think what this study says isn't that generosity towards strangers is part of what humans evolved into, but instead that we evolved in a world where there really weren't strangers," McCullough said. "We knew everybody. They knew us, and if we didn't know everybody directly, we knew somebody they knew, so if we were bad to someone they could say, 'That is a terrible person.' Now we live in cities with millions of people and you can legitimately encounter a stranger and say 'I'll never see that person again--and get away with treating them poorly.' That's less so in small towns, where almost everybody does know everybody." ### In addition to McAuliffe and McCullough, the study co-authors include recent UM psychology graduates Daniel E. Forster, now with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, and Eric J. Pedersen, now with the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder. LOWELL, Mass. - A team of UMass Lowell students, graduates and researchers working to stop young people from joining terrorist organizations has been awarded $1 million from the U.S. Department of Justice to support that goal. Operation 250 - named for the number of Americans believed to have left the U.S. to join the Islamic State group (ISIS) when the venture launched in 2016 - was created by UMass Lowell students to teach youths, parents and educators how to recognize and avoid falling prey to radicals' recruitment methods. Originally, the UMass Lowell students behind the project built Operation 250 as an educational website while they were interning in UMass Lowell's Center for Terrorism and Security Studies (CTSS) for Assistant Prof. Neil Shortland, the center's director. Today, it is a full-fledged nonprofit organization that educates the public about the dangers behind terrorist recruitment through its website, educational materials it provides to teachers and visits by its team members to schools and community groups. Over the next two years, the $1 million grant from the Department of Justice will allow Operation 250 to expand and evaluate how effective it is in educating its various audiences. Shortland will lead that study with Jason Rydberg, also an assistant professor of criminology at UMass Lowell. "The two main goals of Op250 are increasing safety and decreasing risky decision-making online. Ultimately, we want a program that we can take anywhere," Shortland said Tyler Cote, an Operation 250 co-founder and 2017 UMass Lowell graduate, now works full time for the nonprofit as its director of education. He said the DOJ grant will help the organization ramp up its efforts. "Now we can develop everything we've done tenfold. Most importantly, the grant involves us in going into classrooms, interacting with students, teachers and our community partners." said Cote, a Clarksburg native who double-majored in criminal justice and political science as a member of UMass Lowell's Honors College. Other UMass Lowell alumni who helped launch and remain involved in Operation 250 include Jaime Keenan of Westford, Jonas Pierribia of Lowell and Danielle Thibodeau of Methuen. Nicolette San Clemente, a business administration major from Northborough who is Operation 250's director of operations, headed its incorporation as a nonprofit and this summer, led a workshop in internet safety for Boston teens with Cote. During the course of their research, Operation 250 team members will test how effective their educational materials are on hundreds of students at a Massachusetts high school. The team will then follow up and compare the online behavior of those who participate in Operation 250's educational sessions to a group that does not receive the training. The DOJ award is just the latest recognition for the organization. Last year, Operation 250 was a winner in a national competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that recognizes college students' best new ideas in how to counter terrorism. Also in 2017, Operation 250 took home the top prize in UMass Lowell's DifferenceMaker Program, through which students gain entrepreneurial skills and launch ventures in business and the community. ### UMass Lowell is a national research university located on a high-energy campus in the heart of a global community. The university offers its more than 18,000 students bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences. UMass Lowell delivers high-quality educational programs, vigorous hands-on learning and personal attention from leading faculty and staff, all of which prepare graduates to be leaders in their communities and around the globe. http://www.uml.edu A University of Oklahoma sociologist, Meredith G. F. Worthen, examines how measures of social contact and social distancing relate to attitudes toward lesbian, gay and transgender individuals in a new study. Worthen uses a scale she developed and data from college students in the United States (Oklahoma and Texas), Italy and Spain to offer the first cross-cultural comparisons of attitudes toward transgender people in the United States and European Union. The goal is to develop a more in-depth understanding of global LGT prejudices and to promote future research that better counteracts negative prejudices toward these groups. "The findings suggest that measures of desired social contact with LGT people are more strongly related to LGT support than simple measures of knowing LGT people. This is likely because more and more people know LGT people than in the past. But as demonstrated in this study, these patterns differ based on cultural climate and by stigmatized group (lesbian, gay or transgender)," said Worthen, professor in the Department of Sociology, OU College of Arts and Sciences. While there is a great deal of variation in attitudes toward LGT people across the globe, the United States and the European Union have been actively working toward more support of LGT people in the past decade. Even so, cultural tensions remain high, and in certain parts of the United States and the European Union, negative attitudes toward and public support of LGT issues persist. This study shows some locations are especially supportive, while others have yet to adopt widespread policies that support LGT people. Oklahoma is known for its conservative perspectives, while Texas has 'liberal pockets' that support LGT issues. In the European Union, Italy is dominated by traditional cultural attitudes, while Spain was among the first locations in the world to recognize same-sex marriage. In addition, most Americans and Europeans know someone who is gay or lesbian, but a smaller percentage know someone who is transgender. This study suggests that especially in liberal cultural climates, simply knowing a gay or lesbian person may no longer serve as a correlation of supportive attitudes toward LGT people. Instead, desired social contact may be a more salient measure of understanding attitudes toward gays and lesbians in both conservative and liberal cultural climates. In contrast, because a minority of Americans and Europeans indicate they know a transgender person, actual social contact may still correlate with attitudes toward and desired social contact with transgender people in both conservative and liberal cultural climates. ### Worthen's paper, "Social Contact, Social Distancing, and Attitudes Toward LGT Individuals: A Cross-Cultural Study of College Students in the United States, Italy, and Spain," has been published in the Journal of Homosexuality. Support for this study was provided by the Faculty Enrichment Grant and Faculty Summer Fellowship from the OU College of Arts and Sciences and the Presidential International Travel Fellowship. For more information about this study, contact Meredith Worthen at mgfworthen@ou.edu. A study by researchers at the University of Waterloo reiterates the need for health care professionals, including pharmacists, to take certain precautions to minimize the risk of their patients suffering shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). SIRVA is an uncommon and understudied phenomenon that people may experience after receiving an improperly administered vaccination. It occurs when an injection is administered too high in the arm, and the vaccine is delivered to the shoulder capsule instead of the deltoid muscle. "With flu season underway and flu vaccinations widely available, both the public and health care providers should understand how to recognize and respond to SIRVA," said Kelly Grindrod, a professor in the School of Pharmacy at Waterloo. "There are strategies we can adopt to decrease the likelihood of experiencing SIRVA. "When going for your flu shot, wear a sleeveless shirt or a shirt where the sleeves can easily be rolled up. Don't pull the neck of your shirt down as this can lead to a vaccine being injected into the shoulder instead of the arm. Putting your hand on your hip with your elbow out and away from the body will also help relax the deltoid muscle where the injection is going." It is common to experience a dull muscle ache after a vaccine injection, but that pain disappears within a few days. By contrast, SIRVA will result in pain that begins within 48 hours of vaccine administration and does not improve with over-the-counter painkiller medications "In patients who experience SIRVA, months may pass by, and patients will still complain of increasing pain, weakness, and impaired mobility in the injected arm. Simple actions like lifting your arm to brush your teeth can cause pain," said Grindrod. "It's important that we learn to recognize these signs of SIRVA so that we can access appropriate treatment." People experiencing these symptoms should talk to their doctor. An ultrasound scan is necessary to diagnose SIRVA and determine the level and type of damage. Treatment includes a corticosteroid injection to the shoulder or physiotherapy. Though SIRVA is fairly uncommon, it also often goes undiagnosed. Improved awareness about SIRVA is necessary for health care providers as well as patients. Grindrod and co-authors conducted a review of the literature to develop resources that teach health care providers about SIRVA and how to avoid it by using proper vaccination landmarking techniques. The article, Getting it in the right spot: Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) and other injection site events, recently appeared in the Canadian Pharmacists Journal. ### Gold maintaining tight range, probable breakout ahead Gold maintains 1225 value area. Global political risks at play. Gold technical shows possible consolidation prior to rally Above: Bullish pennant formed daily gold chart. Gold has been maintaining a tight trading range around the 1225 value area for the past seven trading days. After a major +2.48% rally on October 11th, prices have maintained that rally without and strong corrective move lower. Price action is showing bullish pennant forming on the daily chart, an indication that prices are pausing before another major move. Bullish pennants are strong continuation patterns. While the near-term resistance is the major 4/8th harmonic at 1232.5, that is not the primary factor keeping prices from trading higher. The key variable that is keeping prices within the pennant is the outer Gann arc (blue arc). Prices have been repeatedly halted against that arc. There is a bullish sign that prices will move higher. The 180-day Gann cycle that began off of the last major swing high of 1365.37 on April 11th completed on October 9th (two days before the major +2.48% rally). Gann wrote that the 180-day cycle was the 2nd most powerful division of a yearly cycle after the 90-day cycle and that it was to be viewed the same as the 90-day cycle. The 90- and 180-day cycles have the highest probabilities of support or resistance and that traders should look for reversals. There is certainly some evidence that this 180-day cycle is showing a major trend reversal and that it could last for up to 90-days. If that is the case, then we can expect continued strong and measured move to the nearest extreme at the 1275.22 level. The next square of price and time within the Law of Vibration appears at 1275.22 on November 13th, 2018. The end of the current Law of Vibration cycle ends on January 1st, 2019 and I would expect the highest value zone to be near the 1317.94 value area around that date. Political Risks Continued political and economic risks have caused a significant amount of concern for traders and investors. The murder of a Saudi journalist has caused many nations and corporations to pull out of a massive Saudi conference. Additionally, the US is considering pulling out of an existing arms treaty with Russia. Many traders and investors are looking at important economic data being released later in the week. US 3rd Quarter GDP and Canadian rate decisions are the top economic news release risks that are on traders minds. Multi-week support zone holding for EURUSD. Brexit news, ECB causing market uncertainty. EUR/USD Technicals Above: EURUSD testing weekly lows and support. The EURUSD FX pair has maintained support at multi-week lows. After a very bullish drive towards the 1.1784 value area in late September, the EURUSD has moved lower to test existing lows. The inner 6/8th harmonic of 1.1467 (red horizontal line) is proving to be a tough nut to crack for Euro bears. The difficulty of pushing it lower is exacerbated by the presence of a strong 45-degree angle and a Gann arc. This is a very strong supportive confluence zone that will eventually weaken in time, but not in price. The major harmonic of 1.1689 has been tested with prices falling back down to the present value area. The price action that has happened since the retracement to this present value area was expected and if prices can hold above the 1.1467 value zone, it will create substantial support to any move above 1.1689. The RSI and the Composite Index are showing some similar moves and have been absent of any divergence during the day's trade. There is some concern about the present value of the Composite Index falling below a supportive trend line. Key fundamental data wearing down Euro bulls One of the most important and key fundamental factors affecting the EURUSD trade is the developments of the Brexit deal. Traders and investors have heard continued whipsawing news release of positive and negative developments over the past couple of years with specific finalization dates being move or adjusted. While the effect on these news releases has had a decreased effect, there remains significant nervousness from all involved. That may change though. The BBC reported that Prime Minister Theresa May informed MPs that 95% of the Brexit deal is done the EUs Brexit coordinator, Guy Verhofstadt reported it was 90%. It is unclear where the discrepancy, if any, is at. The biggest factor impeding finalization continues to be concerns of the Irish border. Prime Minister May did report that there may be an extension of the transition period beyond 2020 this news has had mixed reactions. EUR/USD traders are also looking towards key data in the week, specifically Wednesday's release of French Manufacturing and Services PMI. Friday will also see the ECBs president, Mario Draghi speak and host a presser. This news will come after Thursday comments from FOMC members Clarida, and Mester in the US. The British Pound has rather dramatically reversed course Whereas a few weeks ago it was rising rapidly and looked to try and clear 1.33 against the US Dollar, it is now back below psychological support at 1.30. The British Pound came under serious pressure on Monday, lagging the entire Major FX space, losing 0.8% as Cable dropped to 1.2980. As hundreds of thousands march in London and the Brexit talks stall, the risks of a leadership challenge are growing in the UK, and Scotiabank sees weakness continuing while the British Pound faces considerable uncertainty and Hard Brexit risks are rising once more. In their Daily FX review, economists at Lloyds indicated that in their view, a break of 1.29 would likely be a catalyst for a freefall as low as 1.26 to the downside Next support between 1.2925 and 1.2905. A subsequent break would suggest a new dynamic shift back towards lower supports around 1.2800, and then the 1.2660 lows. Not to exclude the possibility of the bullish side of GBP/USD, they see the point of view that 1.31 is a likely sticking point to the upside, A rally back through 1.3120 would alleviate the current pressure and return us to a sideways consolidation under 1.3250-1.3325 key range resistance. In the rather less likely possibility of a rally beyond this level, analysts at Lloyds would see 1.37 as the top end of their bullish forecast, Above there, 1.35 and then 1.37 are the main resistance regions of interest. There is next to no significant data out of the United Kingdom this week, and the US Dollar and Political headlines are therefore expected to be the most significant generators of volatility in the British Pound this week. The danger of a DUP rebellion also seems very real, with Arlene Foster totally opposed to anything that would treat Northern Ireland differently from the rest of the United Kingdom. Brexiteers are growing increasingly frustrated with Theresa Mays Via Media and it seems the Pound is now pricing in both the growing odds of a no-deal and the odds of a challenge to Theresa Mays leadership. Pound Sterling (GBP) Exchange Rates Muted as Brexit Remains in Focus The GBP-to-USD exchange rate was left range bound on Tuesday morning as Sterling was left to lick its wounds after the hammering it took at the start of the week. The Pound (GBP) continued to tread water against the US Dollar (USD) on Tuesday, leaving the pairing close to a two-week low amidst growing political uncertainty in the UK. Sterling was laid low on Monday as reports suggested that Theresa May could face a vote of no confidence by the end of the week over growing criticism of how she is handling Brexit. The pressure against the Prime Minister continued to grow throughout the afternoon as it emerged that the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) would back an amendment tabled by rebel Tories that would effectively make any backstop on the Irish border illegal. Not only would this make it more difficult for May to negotiate with her counterparts in the EU, the willingness of the DUP to oppose the government was also seen as weakening her position as PM. Any attempts by Sterling to rally on Tuesday morning where then cut short as these Brexit jitters were then highlighted by the release of Hargreaves Lansdown latest Investor Confidence Index, which fell to a record low in October. Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown commented on the release: Investors are in grim mood, as time is running out on Brexit negotiations with little progress on show. Sentiment was dented by the financial crisis, but not to the extent we are seeing today. Italy Concerns Continue to Lend Support for US Dollar (USD) Exchange Rates Meanwhile while the US Dollar (USD) gave some ground on Tuesday morning it ultimately remained well positioned against the Pound (GBP) and most of its other currency peers thanks to a backdrop of growing global uncertainty. This came as not only a result of growing Brexit worries but also due to jitters over the drama surrounding Italys draft budget which saw markets also increasingly shun the Euro (EUR). The European Commission is set to deliberate on whether or not to reject Italys draft budget on Tuesday, with markets fearing that Romes resolve to push forward with its budget could result in some sparks with Brussels should the EC reject the budget as expected. Naeem Aslam, Chief Market Analyst at Think Markets said: Geopolitical tensions, Italian budget woes and the ongoing standoff between the European Commission and Italy are making investors nervous. Given that there is no solution about the trade war between the US and China stand is making things a bit more arduous today. We need to have a solution to the Italian budget. Investors are going to keep a close eye on the European Commissions decision today about the Italian budget. It is widely expected that the commission is going to have a negative opinion about the budget, but the question is if Italy will be ready to comply with the request? GBP/USD Exchange Rate Forecast: Will Bumper US Growth Carry Over into the Third Quarter? Looking ahead, the main focus for markets this week is likely to be the release of the latest US GDP estimate on Friday. Fridays figures will be the first look at how the US economy fared in the third quarter and USD investors will be eager to learn whether the second quarters bumper growth will have carried forward or whether the jump will have been temporary. Fortunately for GBP investors this may result in the US Dollar (USD) letting up on the throttle a little, granting some much needed respite for the ailing Pound (GBP). However in the meantime the outlook for Sterling is looking pretty dire, with a lull in domestic data leaving attention entirely focused on Brexit, which given the increasingly bleak outlook for negotiations will likely result in GBP/USD losing additional ground before Fridays potential reprieve. Pound Sterling Euro (GBP/EUR) Exchange Rate Holds 1.132 Handle Despite ongoing Brexit uncertainty and weaker-than-estimated UK mortgage approvals, which fell to a six-month low in September, GBP/EUR managed to advance to 1.13281 on Wednesday. The euro tumbled across the board following the release of a report that showed a slowdown of eurozone manufacturing. EUR/USD tumbled to fresh 2-month lows. Scotiabank analysts said "Eurozone preliminary PMI data for Oct continue to point to slowing growth momentum; French services and composite readings actually came in a little stronger than forecast (and above Seps readings) but German data was broadly softer (albeit from still relatively elevated levels seen earlier this year). Recall also that the Bundesbank noted earlier this week that the German economy may have stalled in Q3. Overall, Eurozone manufacturing and services growth slowed more than expected and the composite PMI reading dipped to a two-year low of 52.7." Pound Sterling Euro (GBP/EUR) Exchange Rate Gives up Gains to Trend Around 1.131 UPDATE: The Pound to Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate is seen just -0.03% lower on Wednesday morning's session, quoted at 1.13117. Analysts at Lloyds, in a brief on Wednesday, said "The support the pound found yesterday on the back of positive-sounding Brexit headlines, was mostly given back towards the end of the session. Both it and the euro remain pressured by political uncertainty. Like Brexit, the Italian budget debacle too looks set to continue to be the main focus following the European Commissions rejection of the budget. The nation now has three weeks to provide a revised plan, with a drawn-out process off talks now set to commence." UPDATE: Despite market anxiety about tensions between Italy and the EU regarding Italys budget plan, the British Pound to Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate has still fallen this week and struggled to recover today. This has been due to the latest Brexit concerns, as well as signs that UK confidence is slumping. Unless there is a recovery in the coming days, GBP/EUR could be in for another week of losses. GBP/EUR slipped from 1.1372 to 1.1341 last week and briefly slumped to a low of 1.1293 on Monday. At the time of writing on Tuesday, GBP/EUR trended closer to the region of 1.1340 again. Pound (GBP) Exchange Rates Fail to Recover as Brexit Imminence Causes Investor Sentiment to Slump On Monday, investors sold the Pound amid concerns that domestic opposition to the UK-EU Brexit plan could sink the possibility of a deal being reached. Northern Irelands DUP Party indicated it would block the EUs Irish backstop proposal from entering law, in the latest obstacle to UK Prime Minister Theresa Mays Brexit negotiations. The opposition Labour Party has also indicated there are certain parts of the deal it cannot agree to. This means Prime Minister May could have significant difficulty passing her Brexit plan into UK law even if UK-EU Brexit negotiations escape ongoing deadlocks. As the perceived obstacles to a smooth Brexit pile up with only around half a year until the Brexit is set to formally begin, investors are increasingly concerned about the Brexit outlook again and the Pound has very little appeal supporting it. According to a new report from Hargreaves Lansdown, UK investor sentiment is actually at its worst levels in over 23 years even worse than during the 2008 financial crisis. Laith Khalaf from Hargreaves Lansdown explained: Investors are in grim mood, as time is running out on Brexit negotiations with little progress on show. Sentiment was dented by the financial crisis, but not to the extent we are seeing today. UK factory optimism is slumping too, according to a fresh report from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). According to Rain Newton-Smith from the CBI, the upcoming UK Budget presentation should try to soothe fears: This is a sobering set of figures demanding immediate action at home and abroad. Planned investment is being scaled back in the face of deepening Brexit uncertainty, so its vital that the Chancellor incentivises manufacturers to spend in areas that will help them become more productive. On Tuesday afternoon, Sterlings rebound versus the Euro extended a little due to a report that the EU was preparing to offer the UK a UK-wide customs arrangement, but its gains may be limited without a deal being confirmed. Euro (EUR) Exchange Rates in Limbo as Investors Await EU Decision on Italy Budget Demand for the Euro briefly strengthened on Monday as the Italian government attempted to defend its budget plans to a critical EU. The EU had called Italys budget plan an unprecedented breach of rules. However, Euro movement has been mixed since then as the EU was not convinced by Italys attempts to reassure. Markets remain concerned that the EU could outright reject Italys budget plan, a move which would also be unprecedented. There are also concerns that due to these uncertainties and others in the Eurozone, the European Central Bank (ECB) may be pressured to take a more dovish stance on its monetary policy outlook. According to Thu Lan Nguyen from Commerzbank: The prospect of a normalisation of monetary policy was the main reason why the euro was able to appreciate over the past year. However, there is a rising risk that this support is now going to crumble, GBP/EUR Exchange Rate Forecast: Italian Budget Developments and ECB Decision in Focus Eurozone data which would be typically influential will be published in the coming days, including Eurozone PMI projections and German business confidence figures. However, amid this weeks tensions between Italy and the EU, as well as the upcoming European Central Bank (ECB) policy decision, those stats may be brushed over in favour of more major Eurozone news. If the EU rejects Italys budget this could cause further Euro losses and make investors even more anxious that the ECB may be pressured into taking a more cautious stance on Eurozone monetary policy. The ECB policy decision on Thursday will of course be highly influential if it surprises investors. If the bank takes a more dovish stance on monetary policy the Euro could weaken and the Pound to Euro exchange rate may recover later in the week. The Pound to Euro exchange rates recovery would be even stronger if there was any kind of major agreement between the UK and EU on a Brexit deal. More people are arriving in New Zealand to work, especially from the UK, but overall the country is seeing migration fall from record levels last year, official figures show.Annual net migration was 62,700 in the 12 months to September 2018, down 8,300 from the previous year, according to the figures published by Statistics New Zealand.Migration has continued to ease from the record levels seen last year with more people leaving, according to population insights senior manager Brooke Theyers.The figures show that there were 129,000 migrant arrivals, down 2,600, and 66,200 migrant departures, up 5,600, in the year ended September 2018 compared with the same period last year.Of the 66,200 migrant departures, more than half were New Zealand citizens at 34,500. However, non-New Zealand citizens leaving the country rose to 31,800 over the 12 months.The increase in migrant departures, and decrease in migrant arrivals, both contributed to a lower net migration level. However, the increase in migrant departures had a greater effect as the change was larger, particularly for non-New Zealand citizens, Theyers explained.Non-New Zealand citizen departures were up 4,800 for the September 2018 year compared with the September 2017 year, whereas departures for New Zealand citizens only rose 800.However, people arriving with work visas increased 2.5% to 46,900 in the year ended September 2018. This included visas for working holidays, seasonal workers or other working schemes.Indeed, these visa types were the most popular for permanent and long term arrivals into New Zealand, accounting for 36% of all migrant arrivals.The largest group of migrants arriving on work visas was from the United Kingdom at 7,200, followed by 3,800 from France, 3,200 from Australia and 3,200 from Germany.Immigration officials are also warning travellers that from 05 November this year, those leaving New Zealand will no longer need to complete a passenger departure card.This will improve the experience of all travellers departing New Zealand, enabling a faster and smoother process ahead of the busy holiday period. It will also save more than 100,000 hours of time currently spent by travellers completing more than 6.5 million departure cards per year, said Immigration Minister Iain-Lees Galloway.Meanwhile, Customs Minister Meka Whaitiri said that the removal of departure cards will align with international best practice. Few other countries have departure cards with the level of detail required by the New Zealand one, she pointed out.This also brings us closer to seamless travel between Australia and New Zealand for the benefit of Trans-Tasman travellers and businesses. Travellers will be able to travel departure card-free on both sides of the Tasman. Australia removed their departure card last year, she added.The cards are no longer needed for their original purpose, which was to account for all passengers crossing the New Zealand border. We have smarter systems now that capture passenger identity information and travel movement records electronically, added Whaitiri. 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. Welcome to the News Release Wire Selection Control Panel. Instant News Wire Roll into your companys parking lot in the morning, press a button on a mobile phone app and, voila, a tanker truck of gasoline appears to fill up your car. Or, if home convenience is preferred, download another app and have your gas tank topped off in the driveway. These services sound like work of the latest band of Silicon Valley disruptors aiming to upend a long-established industry, but they are, in fact, offered or backed by two of the largest oil companies in the world, Royal Dutch Shell and Exxon Mobil. Shell, which introduced its app-based fueling service last year in the Netherlands, will soon introduce it in Houston, while Exxon Mobil, in addition to providing the fuel, has invested some $4 million in the gas-up-without-leaving-home company Yoshi. Big Oil is moving into the on-demand economy at a time when energy companies are fighting to hold onto market share as gasoline demand plateaus with the spread of hybrid, electric and other fuel-efficient vehicles. With high real estate costs and razor-thin profit margins forcing 25 percent on the nations gas stations out of business over the past 25 years, oil majors are seeking new models for selling their product while looking to stay ahead of the type of technological changes that have refashioned retail, taxi, hotel and other industries. Analysts said that oil companies have little choice but to experiment with new products and business models as growing concerns about climate change and increasing pressure to shift away from fossil fuels create what are perhaps the most uncertain times in the industrys history. It makes sense for Shell, Exxon Mobil and other oil majors to at least try various technologies and not ignore trends that have the potential to reshape how companies and their customers do business, said Claudio Galimberti, head of demand and refining for S&P Global Platts Analytics in Houston. You need to hedge your bets, Galimberti said, and you need to start early to avoid missing the train entirely. Ripe for disruption Fill-ups on demand seemed only a matter of time as consumers get food from favorite restaurants delivered, chores around the house done and grocery shopping completed with the touch of a mobile phone. The concept of bringing the gasoline to the car, instead of vice versa, surfaced about four years ago and has slowly gained traction. Yoshi was founded in 2015 in San Francisco. It expanded into Houston in August and now operates in more than 20 cities across the country, including Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth. Exxon Mobil, along with General Motors, bought stakes in the company this year. Yoshi charges a membership fee of $20 a month, plus the price of gasoline. Bryan Frist, co-founder and president of the company, said he and his partners decided that on-demand fueling offered opportunity because the gas station model has been largely unchanged for more than a century, making it ripe for disruption. We were looking at industries that had not been touched by technology, Frist said. Its a time suck for people and usually at the most inopportune times. Rather than invest in another company, Shell started its own program called Shell TapUp near its corporate headquarters in the Netherlands. Now, Shell is ready to roll out a pilot program of TapUp in Houston, starting with Shell employees in December and expanding to other companies early next year. Shell will fill up the vehicles of participating employees in companies parking lots or garages and eventually expand to serve other customers while theyre shopping at the grocery or dining at a restaurant. Even though Shell has more than 14,000 U.S. gas stations in 50 states, people still like having options and convenience, said Istvan Kapitany, Shells executive vice president of global retail. We are here to offer choices to our customers, Kapitany said. You just dont know what will happen, so we take small steps to learn. Earlier this year the Houston startup GasMob lauched on-site refueling services at several Houston office buildings and apartment complexes, including the Greenway Plaza, which has close to 5 million square feet of office space and parking for some 15,000 cars. Evolving, changing GasMob, which also operates in Miami, partners with landlords of office and apartment complexes, which see the service as an amenity for their tenants. GasMob estimates people fill up an average of twice a week, spending 15 minutes or so each trip, and its app-based service will save people the time equivalent of a day over a year. GasMob, which doesnt have membership fees, charges prices similar to those at gas stations. Adam Cooper, GasMobs co-founder, said hes not worried about competing with some of the biggest companies in the world. I see the oil companies investing in this market as a positive thing, Cooper said. They see the industry evolving and changing. Silicon Valley companies such as Filld, which operates on the West Coast and in Washington, D.C., and Booster, which began its service fueling corporate fleets and clients in Fort Worth, are also confident they can more than hold their own against much larger competitors. Big Oil wont be able to innovate as quickly as the smaller players, Filld CEO Michael Buhr said, adding the on-site fueling is just part of the broader energy transition toward cleaner energy and greater convenience. Its fuel-charging today, but EV-charging tomorrow. Shell, however, already has plans to add electric vehicle charging to its refueling service. And, as Shell and Exxon show, major oil companies are unlikely to cede their business to Silicon Valley interlopers easily, said Denton Cinquegrana, chief oil analyst for the OPIS by IHS Markit energy consulting firm. Fuel on demand could be the wave of the future, Cinquegrana said At the end of the day, no one likes going to a gas station. Katherine Feser contributed to this report. Federal prosecutors allege Carlos Uresti co-defendant Gary Cain has used friends and family including Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood to leverage assets as a way of avoiding paying victims in his criminal fraud case. Cain, LaHood, his father former Judge Michael LaHood, and others are barred from dissipating, transferring or concealing property belonging to Cain under a restraining order recently issued by Senior U.S. District Judge David Ezra. The order also prevents them from saddling any debt on Cains property. In a Sept. 21 court filing just unsealed, prosecutors allege a Cain-related entity that owns a Shavano Park house engaged in a series of transactions that appear designed to strip the equity from the property. Its valued at almost $1.3 million by Bexar County. Prosecutors say Cain encumbered the home with more than $1 million in liens in June, about three weeks before he was sentenced to 68 months in federal prison, or more than five and a half years. He doesnt have to report to prison until Nov. 9. As part of their sentence, Cain, Uresti the former Democratic state senator and four others were ordered to pay $6.3 million in restitution to victims in the fraud case. In one of the transactions, 414 Bentley Manor Holdings, which took title to the house on June 8, conveyed a deed of trust to LaHoods father Michael, for $850,000 that same day. A deed of trust is essentially evidence of a debt. Its not clear why 414 Bentley Manor Holdings would owe Michael LaHood nearly $1 million. Nico LaHood is intimately involved in the bizarre transaction, listed as the trustee on the deed of trust, according to the document. A trustee in a deed of trust has authority to take back a property on behalf of a lender in the event of a default. I have not seen nor been served a restraining order in regards to Mr. Gary Cains criminal case, LaHood said in an email. I have no connection to Gary Cains case or him, other than personal friendship. Cain, LaHood and his father are among those identified in Ezras order as the Restrained Parties. Various Cain entities also are named. The order was issued ex parte, meaning attorneys for the parties named in the motion for a restraining order did not have a chance to oppose it. Also bound by the restraining order is Forestt Ronald Ronnie Cain, the former Windcrest city manager who stepped down in 2010 in the midst of a scandal. 414 Bentley Manor Holdings issued a mechanics lien contract for $170,309 in favor of Ronnie Cain on June 8. He is listed as the entitys sole manager on the document, which prosecutors submitted with the court. Even more strangely, prosecutors say, Ronnie Cain transferred that interest to Michael LaHood the same day. Ronnie Cain also signed the deed of trust that has Michael LaHood as the beneficiary. Gary Cain may argue that he has no ownership interest in the property, prosecutors say in their motion. However, such a justification should be cold comfort to the Court. The reality, prosecutors add, is that Cain resides in the home and placed title in the property to 414 Bentley Manor Holdings. State corporate records show the entity is managed by Cains business partner, Brandy Houston, who is also is bound by the restraining order. His friends are now his creditors, and the only ones who stand to lose through this convenient arrangement are his victims, prosecutors allege. Stephanie Stevens, Cains lawyer, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Michael LaHood also didnt immediately return a call. Ronnie Cain and Houston couldnt be located for comment. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Geise declined to comment. The restraining order, signed by Ezra on Sept. 27, also names various entities connected with Gary Cain including Trinity Global Funding. Cain and LaHood became business partners in Trinity Global Funding & Consulting, a financial services company that did work for FourWinds Logistics an oil field services company that defrauded investors and led to the filing of criminal charges against Cain, Uresti and others. LaHood, while an attorney in private practice, successfully defended Cain in a criminal case accusing him of defrauding Rackspace Hosting Inc. in a 2007 land deal. Ronnie Cain also was charged in the case, but the seven felony charges against him were dropped for insufficient evidence. In September 2014, just a couple of months after he was acquitted by a Bexar County jury, Gary Cain was retained as a consultant by FourWinds. FourWinds was set up to buy and sell sand used in hydraulic fracturing for oil production. But the company was actually a Ponzi scheme. Investor money was used to support the lavish lifestyle of CEO Stan Bates, who pleaded guilty to eight felonies rather than stand trial with Cain and Uresti. Bates received a 15-year prison term. A FourWinds investor reported his concerns about the company to District Attorney Nico LaHood. But LaHood never mentioned to the investor his connection to FourWinds, lead prosecutor Joseph Blackwell said at Cains sentencing. Cain and Uresti in February were convicted by a federal jury on combined 20 felonies, including money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Cain is appealing his conviction. Uresti, who served as FourWinds outside counsel and recruited investors, was sentenced to 12 years in prions. He dropped his appeal earlier this month. A similar restraining order was issued against Uresti earlier this year. On Friday, he asked for court to partially lift the restraining order so he can sell his former law office building at 924 McCullough Ave. The offer Uresti received for the building has not been disclosed. The judge has yet to rule on the request. Staff writer Guillermo Contreras contributed to this report. 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 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 Okin BPS, a European company that provides business processing services, will establish its U.S. headquarters in San Antonio, officials announced Monday. The headquarters will bring more than 1,400 jobs and a capital investment of about $23 million to the South Side, officials with San Antonio, Bexar County and the state said at an event at the Brooks mixed-use development. This is a big win for San Antonio, for South San Antonio, but I think even further that it showcases our competitive nature as a global city, Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, president and CEO of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation, said. More and more, international companies are selecting San Antonio, and thats what matters. Hopefully, others will follow. Okin, based in the Czech Republic, picked San Antonio after a two-year search for a U.S. headquarters, officials said. The European company which handles services including customer support, billing and project management for information technology and telecommunications firms plans to invest about $23 million in the San Antonio headquarters. More than half the positions are expected to pay more than $50,000 a year, according to figures provided by the city. The positions include human resources, tech and accounting. Dont worry, Im only flying two or three people from the Czech Republic, Michal Jelinek, majority owner of Okin, told a crowd at the historic Hanger 9 at Brooks. Our business is going to be very local. Brooks will renovate two buildings for temporary use as Okins office space, financed by the Brooks Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, before the company establishes a permanent presence at Brooks. This is a big deal and something that we havent seen in terms of scale since Toyota or Medtronic in terms of a new company coming to San Antonio with that kind of growth projection, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said. Okin will likely receive tax abatements and grants from city, county and state entities worth millions to locate in San Antonio. The state will grant $6.6 million from the deal-closing Texas Enterprise Fund to the project. Gov. Greg Abbott, who is running for re-election against Democratic challenger Lupe Valdez, touted local leadership and the states low tax and regulatory environment as reasons San Antonio landed Okins U.S. headquarters. In Texas, we have created a very business-friendly climate that attracts businesses like Okin, Abbott said. As a result, our economy is stronger than its ever been. Texas leads the nation in new job creation. We lead the nation in economic development, and todays announcement will make those numbers even better. City and county officials are still hammering out the specific incentives packages they plan to offer Okin. But both San Antonio and Bexar County are expected to give grants to Okin and exempt the companys personal property and equipment from taxes. Land at Brooks is already tax-exempt. San Antonio also plans to nominate it as a Texas Enterprise Zone Program, giving it access to state incentive funds worth $1.25 million over a five-year period, Dominguez said. City Council members are expected to vote on an incentive package Nov. 1. We have to be judicious, but we also have to be competitive, Nirenberg said. We are constantly calibrating the use of incentives to make sure that the cost and benefit weigh on the side of the citizens in San Antonio, not just the people who will work there but also the rest of the community. County commissioners could vote on Bexars package Nov. 13. But Wolff said the regions growing population and increasingly educated and young workforce make it more attractive to companies than incentives offered by local authorities. What we do on incentives and whatnot is kind of like icing on the cake, but thats the major reason they come, Wolff said. Within the last year, officials with San Antonio and Bexar County have used incentive packages worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to lure foreign companies to the area, including British companies Ernst & Young and The Hut Group. 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 Carlos Uresti was nowhere near a San Antonio federal courtroom Tuesday when the trial of his co-defendant in a bribery case got under way, but the ex-lawmaker figured prominently in the proceedings. Uresti, the longtime San Antonio Democrat who was convicted on 11 felony counts in a separate fraud case earlier this year, avoided this latest trial by entering a guilty plea on a single charge of conspiracy to commit bribery Oct. 12. Lead prosecutor Joseph Blackwell mentioned Urestis name often during opening statements to jurors in the trial of Lubbock businessman Vernon Trey Farthing III. Farthing is accused of paying bribes that were shared by Uresti and Jimmy Galindo, a former county judge in Reeves County. Galindo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery last year. Farthing is the only one of the three to fight the charges. Federal prosecutors allege the trio conspired to ensure that Farthings company Physicians Network Associates was awarded a contract to provide medical services for inmates at the Reeves County Correctional Center. At its core, this case is about the public trust, Blackwell told jurors. When a public official solicits something of value, to use their official position to solicit something of value for themselves or somebody else, there is a corrupting influence over that official position. Attorney Gerald Goldstein, part of Farthings defense team, said during his opening statement that the evidence will show Galindo was just a con-artist who had all sorts of legal problems. Galindo offered up the bribery scheme to federal investigators as a way out of his various troubles. He was hanging on to anything or anybody that might save his rear end, Goldstein said of Galindo. He has given the government story after story after story. Seven different occasions, seven different stories.... He changes his story on what the bribe was for five different times. Galindo is expected to testify for the government, but Uresti will not take the stand. Both Blackwell and Goldstein told Senior U.S. District Judge David Ezra during a pretrial conference Friday that they would not be calling Uresti as a witness. Ezra advised the lawyers during that hearing to stay away as much as possible from (Urestis) conviction, which occurred earlier this year in a fraud trial not connected with the Reeves County case. A jury convicted Uresti of 11 felonies, including securities fraud. He was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison. Blackwell said in his opening statement that in 2005 Galindo, whose 12 years as county judge were coming to an end, started to ingratiate himself with Uresti a state representative who was running for state senate at the time by suggesting they go into business together. Galindo even came up with a name for a consulting business: Turning Point Strategies. He sees Uresti as a real up-and-comer, Blackwell said of Galindo. In 2006, Reeves County officials learned about the Bureau of Prisons plan to award contracts to detention centers to hold immigrants who were in the country illegally. Galindo, seeing an opportunity, solicited Farthing to hire Uresti as a $120,000-a-year consultant, Blackwell said. Farthing says, That sounds like a great idea, getting the next potential state senator as a consultant on our payroll, but how are we going to pay for this, Jimmy? Blackwell told jurors. And Mr. Galindo says, Just run it through the prisons. Galindo advised Farthing to increase the amount PNA charged the county each day for each inmate, but to make sure the amount remained under $6, Blackwell said. The increased price came out of the countys end, Blackwell added. The county commissioners voted to award the contract and Galindo later signed the contract with PNA without ever mentioning the increased price. Uresti then started receiving $10,000-a-month consulting check from PNA. He sent roughly half the amount to Galindo, Blackwell said. Youll even see it on the wire: One-half of PNA check, Blackwell told jurors. Clear as can be. For about 10 years, PNA benefited from the increased price on the contracts. Uresti ended up getting about $800,000, which he shared with Galindo, Blackwell said. There was nothing nefarious about the contracts between PNA and the county or the payments to Uresti, Goldstein told jurors. These were arms length transactions, Goldstein said. These werent under-the-table cash payments. The evidence is going to show this was detailed and documented. Farthing is charged with conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The former charge carries a maximum prison sentence of five years, while the latter carries a maximum prison term of 20 years. The trial is expected to last two to three weeks. Galindo is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 7, while Uresti is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 14. 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 Former South San Antonio Independent School District Superintendent Abelardo Saavedra was paid more than $138,000 after leaving the district, according to a resignation and separation agreement with the board. Under the agreement, Saavedra was owed $50,575 in salary he would have earned had he stayed at South San through Dec. 21, plus $88,237 for his 82 unused days of leave. His contract was to expire in March and he gave up $49,499 in pay he was entitled to in an effort to exit the district amicably, the agreement said. The amount of the buyout was mutually agreed upon by both parties, district officials said in a prepared statement issued Tuesday in response to questions about Saavedras severance package. The agreement required that he be paid within five days of his last day on the job, which was Oct. 12. Alexandro Flores, the former superintendent of Palacios Independent School District, started at South San as Saavedras replacement on Oct. 15. Flores will be paid $190,000 annually, with a one-time $5,000 moving allowance, according to his contract. Flores also will be eligible for annual payments of $6,000 for each of the districts Lone Star Governance annual goals that are met each year. Those goals will be made public and available to the community, the districts statement said. South San has not previously offered a goals-based incentive for superintendents. If the district is indeed performing at high levels and achieving the goals it has set for itself, then the superintendent should be rewarded accordingly instead of the superintendent automatically receiving compensation regardless of whether the district is reaching its goals or otherwise, the South San statement said. Trustees voted unanimously to approve Flores contract earlier this month. They voted 6-1 to approve Saavedras separation agreement, with Connie Prado the lone dissenter. She cited the districts poor performance under the states accountability system this summer as one of 46 that received a D grade. Five of its campuses were rated Improvement Required. The one thats responsible, ultimately, for that, is of course the superintendent, Prado said. Why do we pay him money to leave when hes left our district in bad standing? The other six trustees praised Saavedras efforts to stabilize and improve the district. The Texas Education Agency was investigating South San ISD and he was its fifth superintendent in less than three years when he was hired in 2014, having recently retired as superintendent of Houston ISD, the states largest. Saavedra plans to teach at Texas A&M University. He announced in June that he would not seek an extension to his South San contract and the board launched a search and hired Flores. Houston ISDs board, meanwhile, voted this month to bring Saavedra back as an interim superintendent but reversed itself within days amid trustee infighting that prompted him to announce he wouldnt take the job. Because South San is facing declining enrollment and got a poor academic rating from the state, the Board ultimately determined that it would be in the best interest of the District to have the new incoming Superintendent come in and take stock and make any necessary changes moving forward with enough time to make an impact in the current academic year, the districts statement said. LTeitz@express-news.net | @LizTeitz Early voters in the San Antonio area poured into polling sites across the city Monday, breaking a record as they waited patiently for the most part for their chance to make a difference. This is somewhat unexpected but, boy, does it feel good, a smiling Elections Administrator Jacque Callanen told reporters at a hastily called news conference, referring to the turnout. There were high turnouts across the state, energized by Democrats seeking to take control of Congress and Republicans fighting against the hyped blue wave. In Houston, thousands of voters were already waiting in line at one polling site hours before it opened, and more than 60,000 votes had been cast as of 4:30 p.m., smashing its first-day early voting record for a midterm. The hotly contested U.S. Senate race between incumbent Ted Cruz and Congressman Beto ORourke is driving much of the excitement in Texas, where just a third of registered voters turned out for the last midterm election, in 2014. Democrats havent won statewide office in Texas since 1994. On ExpressNews.com: Everything you needed to know about early voting In San Antonio, voter enthusiasm also is being driven by three charter amendments supported by the firefighters union and opposed by a broad coalition of business and community leaders. The final count for Bexar County at the end of Monday was 34,021 voters, not quite beating the previous record of 35,431 for first-day early voting, set in the 2016 general election, a presidential election year. That first day in 2016, when then-Republican nominee Donald Trump was taking on Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, was marred by confrontation among San Antonio voters, but Monday was relatively peaceful. Bexars record for a midterm general election was crushed by 1 p.m. Monday, when 14,851 people had cast their ballots. The previous record for the whole day was 14,672 set in the 2010 midterm. While most of the delays reported in Bexar were caused by the sheer number of people who descended on popular polling sites such as the Lions Field on Broadway north of downtown, Las Palmas on the West Side and the Tobin Library on the North Side, there were a few problems that drew the ire of U.S. Rep Joaquin Castro, state Sen. Jose Menendez and others. This has been a recurrence, a constant thing in Bexar County elections for several cycles now, and it needs to stop, Castro said at a news conference outside Las Palmas, where a broken printer and lack of equipment forced some people to wait up to 90 minutes to vote. Callanen said the elections department had planned for a presidential election but was still surprised by the number of voters. Everyones forgotten what a large turnout looks like. Thats not to say that we dont understand the people standing in line and some of their frustration, she said at her news conference, (but) we should be celebrating the lines because it means people are finally engaged. Callanen said most of the long lines were caused by high turnout and election judges developing their sea legs. She said printing issues occurred at the Encino, Somerset and Las Palmas polling places earlier in the morning, exacerbating lines. At those three sites, poll workers couldnt print voters labels after verifying their registration status. The labels are used to ensure that each voter gets the correct ballot. Poll workers were forced to write that material by hand Monday morning. The situation at Las Palmas was further worsened by the fact that poll workers had only one laptop to check registrations. As a result, only two of the sites eight voting machines were being used at any one time. Weve known for a long time that this was going to be a huge turnout for the midterms, Castro said. And theres no reason why there should have been only one laptop to check people in. What it becomes is another barrier to the vote, he added. The county has got to do better. Both Castro and a poll worker there said the site usually has more laptops, but Callanen denied those assertions at her news conference later in the day. She said the site normally has one laptop; the department deployed staff and another laptop in the afternoon to expedite the voting process. Castro said he worried that people who were forced to leave because of the delays would not return again to cast their ballots. Callanen said she doubted that, noting that early voting continues through Nov. 2 and theres still Election Day, Nov. 6. On ExpressNews.com: Despite outdated voting technology in San Antonio, officials say November elections will be secure A few people at the end of the long line at Lions Field who decided to leave around 2 p.m. said they would try again later, as cars navigated the crowded parking lot. Voters just outside the entrance said they had been waiting at least an hour. Ernestina Jacobs, 71, said she usually votes on the first day of early voting at Lions Field. She said she cant remember waiting longer than five minutes in the past. She attributed the delays to the amount of races on the ballot this year. I wish I wouldve timed it better, said Rachel Nichols, 66, a counselor who came to vote between patients. Nichols said she was forced to push back her afternoon appointments, but like others in the crowd didnt express frustration or exasperation at the wait times. They said, if anything, it actually made them hopeful. It doesnt seem like a bad thing that people are turning out to vote, said Jennifer Hermann, 36, who was holding a baby at the front of the line. Two miles away from Lions Field, voters seamlessly entered San Antonio Colleges Eco Centro Building and voted without lines. Callanen said her department would post how many people voted at each site to help voters plan where to go. Its just the first day of a very busy election, Callanen said at the news conference. And Ill say here: I hope it continues. Ahead of the Nov. 6 election, voter registration in Texas spiked, reaching a record of more than 15.7 million. From the primary elections until the final day of voter registration this month, roughly 400,000 people were added to the rolls, election records show. Democrats and Republicans turned out in droves during the March primaries. More than 1 million Democrats cast a ballot, the highest turnout in a midterm since 2002. Similarly, Republican voters cast 1.5 million ballots for governor, the most since at least 1970. The Texas secretary of states office wont release final numbers for the first day of early voting until Tuesday, but early reports showed that the states largest cities easily crushed previous records for first-day early voting in a midterm year. Dallas saw 55,384 ballots cast by the close of polls Monday, nearly twice as many votes as those logged on the first day of early voting in the 2014 general election. And there were still an untold number who were being allowed to vote because they were waiting in line before 7 p.m., according to the Dallas Morning News. In the states capital, the Austin American-Statesman reported that 32,696 people had cast ballots as of 6 p.m., more than three times the number that voted in first-day early voting in 2014. Fort Worth saw more than 40,400 votes Monday, nearly tripling the midterm election record, set in 2014. But it was shy of the record of 43,149 set on the first day of early voting in the 2016 presidential election, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. Dylan McGuinness covers local politics and the Bexar County government for the Express-News. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | dylan.mcguinness@express-news.net | Twitter: @DylMcGuinness If Sen. Ted Cruzs core supporters are so devoted to a movement that was founded on contempt for government spending, what do they see in President Donald Trump? Urged by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to come to Cruzs rescue, Trump descended on the Houston Toyota Center on Monday for a rally with the Republican senator, who is facing a robust challenge from Democrat Beto ORourke. Hundreds lined up overnight to get into the 18,000-capacity arena; 100,000 reportedly tried to get tickets. A decade earlier, the same type of Texas voter was motivated by other concerns. In September 2009, in the wake of a recession and the election of then-President Barack Obama, hundreds of tea party activists rallied in Alamo Plaza. Mic in hand, one woman there echoed the new movements defining ethos: Our government has to start learning to live fiscally responsible, she told the crowd. They are completely out of control with the spending that is going on. They have got to get on a clear-cut budget and do not spend any more than what they take in. READ ALSO: Trump knocks O'Rourke, gives light attention to Houston congressional races Riding that wave of grassroots energy, Cruzs insurgent campaign rose to victory in 2012. Then came an insurgent of a different type: Trump. Two years into his presidency, the deficit has swelled to $779 billion, the largest since 2012, an increase driven by the Trump tax cuts and a rise in spending. In March, Trump signed a $1.3 trillion spending bill, directing $700 billion toward the military and $591 billion to domestic agencies a $66 billion and $52 billion increase, respectively, over the previous year. Allen Tharp, the longtime president of the San Antonio Tea Party, wasnt pleased by that development. Now, we wish Trump, when he signed the omnibus last year, he said it would be the last one he signed, Tharp said Monday. Were disappointed he signed one this year. Tharp and his ilk, though, arent disappointed enough to dump Trump. Weve been very happy with what hes done for the most part, Tharp said, citing the presidents tax cuts, reshaping of regulations and hard-line immigration policy as bright spots. Tharp rejected the fact that Trumps $1.5 trillion tax cut, which lowered corporate rates from 35 to 21 percent, added to the federal budget deficit. Tax cuts dont increase the deficit, he said, echoing a false claim made by Cruz himself. What increases the deficit is spending. Tax cuts actually boost the economy. Tharps willingness to brush aside the swelling deficit is emblematic of a new era in Republican politics. First and foremost: Unlike in 2009, the Republicans are in power. The Republican Party realized in the early 2000s that deficits were flexible politically, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston. It is a political pawn in the Republican Party that can be used effectively or ignored as the strategic situation dictates. READ ALSO: Near-record turnout in San Antonio accompanied by printing issues, delays and wait times He added, The Republican Party is different than it was a decade ago. This is Trumps Republican Party, which has a more keen focus on social issues, especially immigration, and economic solvency is not on the top of the list. Ten years ago, in the aftermath of the Great Recession and bank bailouts, the dissatisfaction of the tea party was driven largely by the context of that federal intervention, Rottinghaus said. And above that, it was about Obama, above all, he added. At the time, the tea party was fueled by its hatred of Obama, its members rallying behind outlandish depictions of the former president as a fiendish outsider trying to control the internet and restrict gun ownership and who might have been born in Kenya. Considering a prominent espouser of that racist birther theory was Trump himself, perhaps its not surprising that Cruzs tea party supporters would flock to the president now. Tharp, for one, has embraced Trumps most recent conspiracy theory: that Democrats are funding the caravan of migrants traveling north toward the U.S. It appears there is some Democrat money going into organizing this caravan, Tharp said. Theres some evidence that (Democratic donor George) Soros might be behind some of this funding. Those people didnt organize all by themselves. Theres no evidence for this wild claim, of course, beyond Trump tweeting it. For the tea party today, as 10 years ago, thats evidence enough. Sergio Flores / Bloomberg President Donald Trump surprised some onlookers by calling himself as a nationalist in his Houston speech on Monday, the first time he has ever done so, according to CNN, though others have used it to describe Trumps populist rhetoric and his approach to foreign policy and immigration. "I am a nationalist," Trump said, though he allowed that "we're not supposed to say that word." In the second debate between Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Beto ORourke, Cruz erroneously called J Street, which has endorsed ORourke, rabidly anti-Israel. Actually, J Street is a pro-Israel and pro-peace organization. It maintains that a two-state solution is the only way to end the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Its goal is to assure that Israel will remain both Jewish and democratic. In addition, J Street strongly opposes BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions), which anti-Israel organizations advocate. Rabbi Samuel M. Stahl Compost good Re: Pairs food-waste compost feeds the land, front page, Friday: This article reminded me of an excellent documentary by Deborah Koons Garcia called Symphony of the Soil. I am very glad to see there are people such as Kate Gruy Jaceldo helping to restore health to the soil. Lucy Sim, Kerrville Enabling the Saudis In general, whatever ugly behavior one political party accuses the other of, they have both been guilty of at some time. But now Donald Trump is pulling his party ahead. So the Democrats acted like a mob over Brett Kavanaugh? Well, Trump is now acting like the mob of history and story. He gives the Saudis more than twice as long to make up a story explaining Jamal Khashoggis disappearance as he gave for the investigation of Christine Blasey Fords testimony. That tops every lie and cheat hes ever done. The character of our Supreme Court is at least as valuable as all the exaggerated amount of money the U.S. makes from Saudi Arabia. If the Saudis indeed were at fault and they are allowed to get away with it, then we might as well install a drug cartel or the Mafia at the head of our government. Jane Clark, Kerrville North American Construction Group Ltd. provides mining and heavy construction services to the resource development and industrial construction sectors in Canada and the United States The company's Heavy Construction & Mining division offers constructability reviews, budgetary cost estimates, design-build construction, project management, contract mining, pre-stripping/pit pioneering, overburden removal and stockpile, muskeg removal and stockpile, site preparation, air strip construction, site dewatering/perimeter ditching, tailings and process pipelines, haulage and access road construction, tailings dam construction and densification, mechanically stabilized earth walls, dyke construction, and reclamation services. Its Equipment Maintenance Services division provides fuel and lube servicing, portable steaming, equipment inspections, parts and component supply, major overhauls and equipment refurbishment, onsite haul truck brake testing, onsite maintenance support, under carriage rebuild, machining, hose manufacturing, and technical support services, as well as welding, fabrication/repairs, weld certification, and inspection services. As of December 31, 2020, the company had a heavy equipment fleet of 626 units. The company was formerly known as North American Energy Partners Inc. and changed its name to North American Construction Group Ltd. in April 2018. The company was founded in 1953 and is headquartered in Acheson, Canada. Read More Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company's personal banking products and services include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and financial and investment advice services; and commercial banking products and services comprise business deposit accounts, commercial credit cards, business loans and commercial mortgages, cash management solutions, foreign exchange, specialized banking programs, treasury and payment solutions, and risk management products for small business and commercial banking customers. It also offers investment and wealth advisory services; digital investing services; financial services and solutions; and investment management, and trust and custody services to institutional, retail, and high net worth investors. In addition, the company provides life insurance, accident and sickness insurance, and annuity products; creditor and travel insurance to bank customers; and reinsurance solutions. Further, it offers client's debt and equity capital-raising services, as well as loan origination and syndication, balance sheet management, and treasury management; strategic advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and recapitalizations, as well as valuation and fairness opinions; and trade finance, risk mitigation, and other operating services. Additionally, the company provides research and access to markets for institutional, corporate, and retail clients; trading solutions that include debt, foreign exchange, interest rate, credit, equity, securitization and commodities; new product development and origination services, as well as risk management advice and services to hedge against fluctuations; and funding and liquidity management services to its clients. It operates through approximately 1,400 bank branches and 4,800 automated banking machines in Canada and the United States. The company was founded in 1817 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Read More by Chol Souders | Lakers Correspondent | Mon, Oct 22nd 9:51pm EDT Malik Monk contributed 10 points off of the bench for the Hornets in their blowout loss to the Raptors on Monday. Fantasy Impact: Monk seems to be the first man off of the bench this season for the Hornets. The opportunity for success is going to be there more than it was last year. It will be interesting to see if Monk can make his mark in other ways or if his role will be as a primary scorer for the second unit. by Anthony Cervino | Mon, Oct 22nd 5:57pm EDT ESPN's Field Yates is reporting the Oakland Raiders have placed RB Marshawn Lynch (groin) on the injured reserve list. (Field Yates on Twitter) Fantasy Impact: An expected move, Lynch was placed on the injured reserve list on Monday, likely ending his season with a groin injury. With Lynch out, Doug Martin is expected to step into Lynch's role as the Raiders' featured back. However, it wouldn't surprise me to see Jalen Richard get more involved in the offense as well. Richard has played well in the pseudo-Chris Thompson role in John Gruden's offense and it could expand moving forward. Both Richard and Martin should be added in all fantasy formats. by Christopher Bunch | Cardinals Correspondent | Tue, Oct 23rd 4:05am EDT Jordan Hicks recorded four solo tackles, three assisted tackles, and one tackle for loss in the Philadelphia Eagles' Week 7 loss to the Carolina Panthers. The upcoming Autumn Budget's proposal to raise Insurance Premium Tax will hit farmers and rural businesses "hard", NFU Mutual has warned. Increasing the rate of Insurance premium Tax (IPT) in the Chancellors forthcoming pre-Brexit budget is "very concerning", the rural insurer said. NFU Mutual, which protects over 75% of the UKs farmers, is concerned that the chancellor could be planning a further rise in the rate of Insurance Premium Tax in the forthcoming budget on October 29. The organisation highlighted how repeated rises in IPT are putting an "unfair burden" on people who live and work in rural areas. Since 2005, the Chancellor has doubled IPT from 6% to 12% as a means of increasing Government funds without increasing income tax or VAT Lindsay Sinclair, NFU Mutual Chief Executive said: Many people probably dont realise that their insurance premiums already include hundreds of pounds of hidden tax every year. For farmers, small businesses, homeowners and motorists this stealth tax unfairly penalises all those who act responsibly by taking out insurance. He added: Its especially hard on people living in the countryside who need to use vehicles to get to work, take children to school or are using tractors, quad bikes and combine harvesters to produce food for the nation. For a rural homeowner with a medium-sized car, IPT typically adds over 200 to their annual costs at todays rates. For a large farm business with a fleet of tractors, a quad bike a 4 x 4 vehicle and a combine harvester in addition to buildings, stock and equipment, IPT could add over 1,000 to their annual costs. Next week's Budget will be the final government spending plan announcement before the UK officially leaves the EU in March 2019. A hill farmer has been ordered to pay over 16,000 after he was found guilty of damaging the vegetation on a site of special scientific interest (SSSI). Cumbrian hill farmer Bill Potter, 79, has been ordered to pay the sum of money after allowing his Fell ponies to graze on SSSI land, on Birkbeck Common, without the consent of Natural England. He was convicted in September. Mr Potter's solicitor, Elyned Ashcroft, told Horse and Hound that the farmer is now appealing the "excessive" decision. Fell ponies are recognised as an endangered species by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, and some say they are beneficial to the mixed vegetation on the upland commons. But Natural England says Mr Potter's actions took place over a number of years, having a "damaging effect" on the special vegetation at the site. An online fund raiser was created last month to help Mr Potter, which has raised nearly 2,000. Facebook users have left comments on the page, calling the decision by Natural England "unjust" and "heartbreaking". However, Helen Kirkby, Natural Englands Area Manager for Cumbria said: Natural England are supportive of Fell Ponies as an important part of the cultural heritage of the area and for the conservation benefits they can bring through appropriate grazing. We are always disappointed by having to bring prosecutions, as it means that some of Englands most important sites have been damaged. We hope that the affected area will now be able to recover as far as possible and look forward to working closely with Mr Potter so that the land can be returned to its original condition, she added. Mr Potter has lodged an appeal against the court's decision. A farmer's son who "doesn't like cows" is in the middle of a court battle fighting his own parents for his right to inherit the family farm. Clive Shaw, 55, from New York, Lincolnshire, brought a proprietary estoppel claim against his parents on discovering that they have written him out of their wills. Mr Shaw claims that he worked on his parents farm from a very young age without pursuing any other career opportunities based on a promise that he would inherit the 1m farm. The parents wills do not provide for him at all and leave the bulk of the estate to his sister, who together with Mr Shaws mother claims that Mr Shaw "hated the cows" on the farm and that he was incapable of managing the business. His sister, Cheryl Hughes, told the High Court in London that he often calls cows "stinking, horrible, rotten creatures". But Mr Shaw argues that the dispute has arisen due to his mothers dislike of his girlfriend and her belief that she is a "gold digger." 'Farming disuptes' The case highlights the importance of "early action" where families wish to protect their family wealth, according to national law firm, Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth. Nazia Nawaz, farming will disputes specialist, said: "Were seeing increasing numbers of similar claims in farming disputes where the parties fail to formalise agreements in writing at the time the promise is made. "While such cases were historically brought on the death of the person that made the promise, this case is one of many where the claim has been brought in the lifetime of both parties to enforce the promise as soon as there is an indication that the promise has not been honoured in a will. She added: "This case also highlights the importance and need for early action where families wish to protect their family wealth. It goes to show why it is worth hiring a solicitor when it comes to wills - they are able not only to advise and represent parties in such disputes but also on strategies to minimise the risk of disputes arising in the first place. The High Court's Judge will conclude the case on a later date. The Scottish farming industry is upbeat and confident despite labour concerns, according to a recent industry event held in Glasgow. The agriculture sector in Scotland feels confident about the next 12 months following a sustained period of pricing increases witnessed this year. However, concerns over the labour pool and access to existing export markets remain. This was the view shared by many at a recent industry lunch held by Clydesdale Bank, in Glasgow. The event brought together key stakeholders and small-to-medium sized farm businesses across Scotland. They discussed a wide range of topics, including the strength of the food manufacturing sector, the potential implications of Brexit and the availability of labour. Those in attendance spoke about the sustained improvement the industry has enjoyed recently - due to strong demand in the food sector, supported by a period of price stability aided by currency - and most were optimistic that there is a platform to build on in the coming year. Farmers are also looking to improve productivity by further investment, utilising new technology and, where possible, developing economies of scale. However, it was noted that labour in the industry would be a major challenge going forward, which will increasingly impact both the associated food manufacturing industry and farmers. The event was hosted by Brian Richardson, the bank's new Head of Agriculture. He said: Its important we are talking to business leaders and stakeholders in the Agriculture sector about what they are seeing day-to-day. The event has given us the chance to discuss the challenges on the horizon, but also the positive sentiment surrounding the industry at the moment, despite the uncertainty around Brexit. Mr Richardson added: Farmers are adaptable and once we understand the direction of travel and the requirements of the market we will be able to plan for the future of the sector. However, there needs to be clarity on existing export markets remaining open and the availability of labour remains an issue for both manufacturers and farmers. Senior vets have called on Defra's Farming Minister to withdraw his statement claiming that badger culling lowered bovine TB cases in cull zones. In an open letter published in The Observer on Sunday (21 October), veterinary and animal welfare figures called on George Eustice to retract the statement he made in September. Mr Eustice announced reductions in new outbreaks of bovine TB were recorded in Gloucestershire and Somerset following the completion of their licensed four-year badger culls. The data, published on 13 September, showed a decline in TB incidence in the first two cull areas with the rate of new confirmed breakdowns now at about half the level they were before culling began. In the Gloucestershire cull area, the data showed TB incidence fell from 10.4% before culling started to 5.6% in year four of the cull, while in Somerset it has reduced from 24% to 12%. However, the open letter criticises Defra's data for using "complex and obscure" calculations. It says: "These calculations have been made using data which are, by Defras own admission, unstable over time. "The prevalence in cattle is no lower than it was before culling, despite the killing and removal of 1879 badgers in Gloucestershire and 1777 in Somerset. A total of 3656 badgers have been killed with no perceivable disease control benefits. It adds: "When ministerial statements are used as justification for the slaughter of badgers on an industrial scale across swathes of England, it is vital that they are accurate and reflect the best available veterinary and scientific advice." The open letter has requested that Defra release the data upon which their calculations for incidence and prevalence are based. England has the highest incidence of bovine TB in Europe and the disease costs taxpayers over 100m every year. In 2017 more than 33,000 cattle had to be slaughtered in England to control the disease. There are certain types of food and drink that most of the British public think of as typically British, but is that still the case? Trade data from the Royal Institute of International Affairs and other governmental sources show which commodities the UK imports and consumes. Financial broker Moneypod has used these sources to find out where dinner time favourites come from, such as fish and chips, Sunday dinner and cups of tea. Figures show that the UK now produces less than half of its own pork, with 54% imported from Denmark, the Netherlands and other European countries. Thats around 1.5bn worth of pork every year. Denmark is also the UKs biggest importer of bacon, accounting for around 16% of what Brits consume. The bulk of the sausage consumed in the nation is still produced in the UK, as well 92% of eggs. However, tomatoes show the biggest variation in terms of where they are sourced. Brits eat more tomatoes produced in the Netherlands than from the UK. Overall, the UK produces less than 30% of the tomatoes Brits consume. The vast majority of cod consumed in Britain is still caught in the UK, which imports around 9.6% ever year. Similar to an English breakfast, the Netherlands is one of the UK's major importers, accounting for 6.5% of potatoes and 2.7% of peas. Belgium is the other main importer when it comes to fish and chips, supplying 13% of peas, 7.7% of salt and 4.1% of potatoes. The UK produces around 94% of the milk it consumes, worth a massive 4.6bn. When it comes to tea, Kenya is by far our biggest importer, supplying 21% and India 6.1%. France supplies a large amount of the sugar consumed in the UK every year, accounting for 15%. There are many components to a Sunday dinner. In terms of meat, 95% of lamb is produced in the UK. Interestingly, New Zealand is the biggest importer of lamb into the UK, accounting for 3.4%. Spain is the biggest importer on the list, shipping in a massive 58.7% of the UKs cauliflower and broccoli. Around 95% of barley is produced in the UK, with Sweden and Ireland account for 1.1% respectively. However, the UKs wheat production accounts for a much smaller percentage of overall consumption. Only 81% of the barley consumed in the UK is produced on these shores, with Germany, Canada and France its main importers. Popular BBC Two series This Farming Life back on screens Fifth series of show to be aired next week 2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning -- 4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS. We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover. We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come. 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. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Honeymoon Cut Short, Sad! Post their wedding, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh will cut short on their honeymoon, as Ranveer Singh has to attend the promotional events for his upcoming movie, Simmba. The movie also stars debutante Sara Ali Khan and it is directed by Rohit Shetty. Duty Comes First For Ranveer Singh "The couple will head for a brief honeymoon before Ranveer dives into the promotions of Simmba which opens on December 28," said a source to Mumbai Mirror. The Big Fat Indian Wedding Coming back to their wedding, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are all set to tie the knot in the breathtaking Lake Como in Italy. The couple has invited only their near and dear ones and reports state that they have asked all the guests to not carry their mobile phones to the venue. They'll Throw A Grand Reception In Mumbai Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone will throw a reception on December 1, at the Grand Hyatt in Mumbai and the who's who of B-town will be present at the venue. The Name Is... Any guesses? Well, it was a 1976 Telugu film called Bhakta Kannappa! Is It A Co-incidence? Not many know that Prabhas too has some interesting facts which makes him one of the respected superstars of the nation. Fascinatingly the classic Bhakta Kannapa is based on a life of a Shiva Devotee. And the actor in real life is a Shiva Bhakt. The actor played the character of a huge Shiva Bhakt in his last release Baahubali. Even one of the characters which he played in the film was named Shiva. His scene of carrying a Shivling in Baahubali: The Beginning became one of the most loved scenes. There were many idols made on the same pose across the nation. Baahubali Was A Life-Changing Experience "Without that film, people wouldn't have recognised me across the country. I have done good Tamil films, too, but after Bahubali, people across cultures and languages started recognising me, including the overseas audience. SS Rajamouli (director) knew that he was making something big, given the budget and scale of both the films, but the response that we got was beyond expectation," the actor was quoted as saying to Bombay Times. The Actor Had Earlier Turned Down The Film In a GQ interview Prabhas revealed that when SS Rajamouli approached him for a double role in Baahubali, the actor's first instinct was to turn down the offer. "After four films continuously flop, you think, Something is definitely wrong with me. You have to think before doing a film," he was quoted as saying. However, the filmmaker wasn't one to give up easily. He persisted and took the film's script, which then was only 30 to 40 pages long, to Prabhas repeatedly before the actor finally gave in and the rest is history! Bollywood Dreams Recently while talking to a leading daily, Prabhas confirmed that a Bollywood debut is up next on the cards after he wraps up Saaho. He was quoted as saying, "I watch a lot of Hindi films; I live in Hyderabad, where 60 per cent of the people speak in Hindi. I am getting good offers from Bollywood; I had okayed a script three years ago. It is a love story that I will do post Saaho." We Are In Awe Of His Down-To-Earth Nature "I hope that I never let stardom get to my head. I always have my childhood friends around me; some of them are my producers, too, and for them, it doesn't matter if I am doing films. They just feel happy for me. I have grown up with them, so they don't see me as a star. I have the best people around me, so if I let success go to my head, they will be the first to put a hammer to my head," the actor was quoted as saying in an interview. Discussions On Kapils New Show Is On! Kapil is back in Mumbai and it was said that he would soon start shooting for his new show! But, looks like it will take some time because of Kapil's wedding and also lots of pending work. A source was quoted by IE as saying, "The makers do not want to start the show in a haste. As of now, the final creatives haven't been locked." Kapils New Show Delayed! "There's a lot of pending work regarding the cast and the format and it's not possible to go on floors so soon. Even the set hasn't been erected yet." Apparently, the makers and Kapil have taken a mutual decision to postpone the show! Kapil Sharma Wedding Coming to Kapil's wedding with his girlfriend Ginni Chatrath, the actor confirmed that his wedding will be on December 12, in Jalandhar, and it will be a lavish affair. Why The Actor Didnt Talk About His Wedding? Kapil didn't want to talk about the wedding earlier, as he was busy with his maiden Punjabi venture. He was quoted by IANS as saying, "For the past few weeks, I've been promoting my Punjabi film. I didn't want to talk about the wedding during the promotions, although the media repeatedly kept asking." Kapil-Ginni Marriage On December 12 Now that his film has been released, the actor confirmed his wedding. He said, "The wedding is on December 12 in Jalandhar. That's Ginni's hometown. We wanted to keep it low key." It Will Be A Lavish Wedding! "But Ginni is the only daughter in her family. Her folks wanted the wedding to be on a lavish scale. And I completely understand their sentiments. My mother also wants the wedding to be lavish." Kapil Adds He further added, "During the time when my brother married, I had not started earning well. We just went as a small baraat (wedding procession) and got bhabhi (sister-in-law) home. But by the time my sister got married, I had begun to earn well. So we had a fairly large wedding. It was lavish by our standards." Kapils Reception On December 14 He adds that he is happy he is getting married to his girlfriend, but more than him the happiness that he saw on his mother's face is what makes it special. Apparently, the wedding will be followed by a reception party on December 14. Earlier this year, the dashing Mahesh Babu became the talk of the town for all the right reasons when his eagerly awaited film Bharat Ane Nenu opened to an awesome response at the ticket window and received rave reviews from all quarters. Directed by the ace film-maker Koratala Siva, the film featured 'Prince' in the role of a CM and clicked with the fans big time. With Bharat Ane Nenu in the rear-view, Mahesh Babu is currently shooting for Maharshi. The film is a Vamsi Paidapally directorial and features Mahesh Babu in a new avatar. The film's first look was released on the star's birthday (August 9, 2018) and it created a great deal of buzz amongst the movie buffs. Now, here is some terrific news for all you Mahesh Babu fans out there. In an exciting development, a few photos from the shoot location of Maharshi are creating a buzz on the social media for all the right reasons. In them, Mahesh Babu can be seen in a smart and youthful avatar that he carries off like a boss. His lively body language gels quite well with the look and ups its recall value in a big way. He sure knows how to make an impact! Besides Maharshi, Mahesh Babu also has a film with SS Rajamouli in his kitty. However, that film is likely to take off only after the Baahubali director wraps up his film with Ram Charan and Jr NTR. Temasek raised W895 billion $793 million from another partial sale in South Korean biopharmaceutical firm Celltrion on Monday, moving quickly to sell the shares shortly after the lockup period for its previous sale expired last month. Through an accelerated bookbuild offering, Singapores sovereign wealth fund sold 3.63 million shares in the Korea-listed firm at W247,000 per share -- at the widest end of the marketed 5% to 8% discount range against the stocks W268,500 Monday close. Sources familiar with the situation said the transaction, which was made through Temaseks subsidiary Ion Investments, was upsized from 3.39 million shares after being oversubscribed multiple ... Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 22, 2018) - Sojourn Exploration Inc. (TSXV: SOJ) ("Sojourn") announces that it has granted 5,550,000 stock options to officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Company at an exercise price of $0.15. The stock options have been granted pursuant to Sojourn's stock option plan and will expire five years from the date of grant. All of the stock options vest as to one-sixth immediately, and one-sixth each quarter thereafter. "Tyler Ruks" Tyler Ruks, Chief Executive Officer and President and Director For further information please contact: Tyler Ruks, Telephone: 1 (604) 649-8778, Email: truks@sojournexploration.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 accuracy or adequacy of this release. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information (forward-looking statements). These statements can be identified by expressions of belief, expectation or intention, as well as those statements that are not historical fact. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on our current estimates, expectations and projections, which the company believes are reasonable as of the current date. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements and as a result undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information. Immuta, the leading provider of enterprise data management solutions for artificial intelligence (AI), today announced the details of its participation at the 2018 Gartner Data Analytics Summit in Frankfurt, Germany, taking place October 23-24th. Named a September 2018Gartner Cool Vendor in Data Science and Machine Learning, and recognized by CNBC as one of the most promising up-and-coming companies with the potential to transform industries, Immuta enables algorithm-driven enterprises to quickly operationalize data for increased access and control to drive their machine learning and advanced analytics programs. In turn, this frees up data science teams to work with all of an organization's data without being hamstrung by complex security regulations or information governance policies. Who: Immuta, the leading provider of enterprise data management solutions for artificial intelligence (AI) Immuta, the leading provider of enterprise data management solutions for artificial intelligence (AI) What: Will showcase its data management platform that enables the legal and ethical use of data in machine learning and AI at the 2018 Gartner Data Analytics Summit Will showcase its data management platform that enables the legal and ethical use of data in machine learning and AI at the 2018 Gartner Data Analytics Summit When: Tuesday, October 23 Wednesday, October 24, 2018 Tuesday, October 23 Wednesday, October 24, 2018 Where: Kap Europa Congress Centre, Frankfurt, Germany Kap Europa Congress Centre, Frankfurt, Germany Details: Immuta Booth (S18) Immuta activities at the Gartner Data Analytics Summit in Frankfurt include: Booth S18: The company will showcase its data management platform that enables the legal and ethical use of data in machine learning and AI. The company will showcase its data management platform that enables the legal and ethical use of data in machine learning and AI. Wednesday, October 24, 10:05 10:25 AM: Matt Vogt, Immuta's Sr. Solution Architect, will present, "Machine Learning Is Your Privacy at Stake?" The session will focus on the conflicts between privacy and machine learning and common concerns such as link attacks and profiling. Vogt will also explore strategies that allow usage of personal information while protecting privacy, including concepts around consent and analytical context and techniques for implementing privacy by design a cornerstone of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance. For more information and updates follow @ImmutaData or visit https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences/emea/data-analytics-germany. Additional Resources: For more information about Immuta's data management platform for AI, visit www.immuta.com. Click here to request an Immuta demo. Visit our blog, and join the conversation on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Vimeo. Gartner Disclaimer Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. About Gartner Data Analytics Summits 2018 Data and analytics leaders are fueling digital transformation, creating monetization opportunities, improving the customer experience and reshaping industries. The conference will give you the tools to build on the fundamentals of data management, BI, and analytics; harness innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT); and accelerate the shift toward a data-driven culture to lead the way to better business outcomes. Find out more information about your nearest event: https://www.gartner.com/events/. About Immuta Immuta is the fastest way for algorithm-driven enterprises to accelerate the development and control of machine learning and advanced analytics. The company's hyperscale data management platform provides data scientists with rapid, personalized data access to dramatically improve the creation, deployment, and auditability of machine learning and AI. Founded in 2014, Immuta is headquartered in College Park, Maryland. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181022005980/en/ Contacts: fama PR for Immuta Jake Schuster, 617-986-5021 Immuta@famapr.com Group revenue up 13.4%, order intake up 13.3%; earnings margin 1) 25.5% Strong growth in sales and order intake for the Bioprocess Solutions Division Growth dynamics of the Lab Products Services Division in the third quarter impacted by softer European demand Group full-year guidance confirmed Sartorius, a leading international partner of biopharmaceutical research and the industry, continued on the growth track, with double-digit gains in sales revenue and earnings. "In the first nine months of 2018, Sartorius achieved excellent organic growth," said Dr. Joachim Kreuzburg, Chief Executive Officer. "This applies particularly to the Bioprocess Solutions Division, which grew dynamically across all product categories and geographies. For the Lab Products Services Division, growth in the third quarter was below our expectations due to softer demand in Europe. At the Group level, however, this effect will be largely compensated for by the strong development of our bioprocess business so that we confirm our ambitious full-year forecast." Business development of the Sartorius Group In the first nine months of 2018, Sartorius increased its sales revenue by 13.4% in constant currencies to 1,153.7 million euros (reported: +10.9%). The majority of growth was achieved organically, while acquisitions contributed close to 1.5 percentage points. In the same period, order intake also increased significantly, up 13.3% to 1,215.2 million euros. Geographically, all regions contributed to consolidated growth. Especially in the Americas, sales revenue rose significantly by 20.1% to 387.9 million euros against a moderate prior-year base, and Asia|Pacific again saw double-digit growth of 13.4% to 281.7 million euros, despite strong performance in the previous year. EMEA2) recorded a solid gain of 8.6% to 484.1 million euros (all growth rates for the regions and order intake in constant currencies). The Sartorius Group also substantially increased its earnings in the first nine months of 2018. Underlying EBITDA rose overproportionately relative to sales by 15.0% to 294.2 million euros; the respective margin was 25.5% compared with 24.6% a year ago. Relevant net profit3) for the Group grew significantly by 21.8% to 126.3 million euros. Earnings per ordinary share totaled 1.84 euros (9M 2017: 1.51 euros) and earnings per preference share 1.85 euros (9M 2017: 1.52 euros). The Group's key financial indicators continued to remain at robust levels. At the end of the reporting period, the company's equity ratio was 35.6%, and its ratio of net debt to underlying EBITDA stood at 2.4 (Dec. 31, 2017: 35.1% and 2.5, resp.). The capex ratio was 13.0%, slightly below the year-earlier figure of 13.6%. Investment activities continued to focus on expansion of the plant for manufacturing single-use bags and filters in Puerto Rico, as well as on the consolidation and expansion of Group headquarters in Gottingen, Germany. Business development of the divisions The Bioprocess Solutions Division, which offers a wide array of innovative technologies for the manufacture of biopharmaceuticals, recorded double-digit growth in sales revenue and order intake in the first nine months of 2018. After the previous year's comparably moderate performance, momentum considerably picked up in the reporting period. The division's sales revenue rose in constant currencies by 14.8% to 843.0 million euros (reported: +12.2%) and was driven by strong demand for equipment and single-use products. The increase in sales revenue was achieved almost completely organically, whereas the software company Umetrics acquired in April 2017 contributed around half a percentage point of non-organic growth. Order intake also rose at a very dynamic rate by 15.0% to 901.8 million euros. Despite negative currency effects, and driven by economies of scale and positive product mix effects, underlying EBITDA of the Bioprocess Solutions Division rose overproportionately relative to sales, by 16.5% to 239.1 million euros. The Group's respective margin increased significantly year over year from 27.3% to 28.4%. The Lab Products Services Division, which offers laboratory technologies primarily for the pharma sector and life science research, recorded an increase in sales revenue in constant currencies by 9.7% to 310.7 million euros (reported +7.4%), following high growth in the prior-year period. After a strong first half, development was dampened in the third quarter as a result of softer demand in Europe. Finalized in March 2017, the acquisition of Essen BioScience, a specialist in cell analysis, contributed non-organic growth of close to 3.5 percentage points in line with expectations. The division's nine-month order intake grew in constant currencies by 8.7% to 313.4 million euros. Underlying earnings for Lab Products Services rose 9.0% to 55.0 million euros. Despite negative currency effects, the division's earnings margin increased slightly from 17.5% to 17.7%, which was driven by economies of scale and product mix effects. Full-year guidance confirmed; division forecasts adjusted In view of the company's performance in the first nine months of 2018, management confirms its full-year projections, substantially raised at mid-year, that consolidated sales will grow by about 12% to 15%. The Group's underlying EBITDA margin remains forecasted to increase by about 0.5 percentage points compared with the year-earlier figure of 25.1%. Based on the dynamic growth recorded for the Bioprocess Solutions Division in the reporting period, management now projects that the division's sales revenue will increase at the upper range of the previously targeted bandwidth of about 12% to 15%. This figure includes a non-organic growth contribution of slightly less than 0.5 percentage points. The division's underlying EBITDA margin is forecasted to further gain about half a percentage point over the prior-year figure of 28.0%. For the Lab Products Services Division, management reduces growth projections for sales due to softer demand in Europe, to 8% to 10% (previous guidance: about 12% to 15%). Essen BioScience consolidated since March 2017 is forecasted to contribute a good 2.5 percentage points of non-organic growth, as expected so far. The division's underlying EBITDA margin is projected to further rise; due to the division's lower sales growth, however, this increase will now be around half a percentage point over the prior-year figure of 18.0% (previous forecast: one percentage point). All forecasts are based on constant currencies. As a result of changes in the currency exchange rates, reported figures in actual currencies may differ from constant currency guidance. 1) Sartorius uses underlying EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and adjusted for extraordinary items) as the key profitability indicator 2) EMEA Europe Middle East Africa 3) After non-controlling interest, adjusted for extraordinary items and non-cash amortization, as well as based on the normalized financial result and corresponding tax effects. This earnings release contains statements about the future development of the Sartorius Group. The content of these statements cannot be guaranteed as they are based on assumptions and estimates that harbor certain risks and uncertainties. This is a translation of the original German-language press release. Sartorius shall not assume any liability for the correctness of this translation. The original German press release is the legally binding version. Furthermore, Sartorius reserves the right not to be responsible for the topicality, correctness, completeness or quality of the information provided. Liability claims regarding damage caused by the use of any information provided, including any kind of information which is incomplete or incorrect, will therefore be rejected. Current image files https://www.sartorius.com/en/company/newsroom/downloads-publications Conference call Dr. Joachim Kreuzburg, CEO, and Rainer Lehmann, CFO, will discuss the company's business results with analysts and investors on Tuesday, October 23, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. Central European Time (CET) in a teleconference. You may register by clicking on the following link: http://services.choruscall.de/DiamondPassRegistration/register?confirmationNumber=6785779&linkSecurityString=2c6a4a5c7 Alternatively, you can dial into the teleconference, without registering, at: +49 (0) 69 566 03 6000 To view the presentation, log onto: https://www.sartorius.com/en/company/investor-relations/sartorius-ag-investor-relations Upcoming financial dates January 29, 2019 Publication of preliminary figures for 2018 A profile of Sartorius The Sartorius Group is a leading international partner of biopharmaceutical research and the industry. With innovative laboratory instruments and consumables, the Group's Lab Products Services Division concentrates on serving the needs of laboratories performing research and quality control at pharma and biopharma companies and those of academic research institutes. The Bioprocess Solutions Division with its broad product portfolio focusing on single-use solutions helps customers to manufacture biotech medications and vaccines safely and efficiently. The Group has been annually growing by double digits on average and has been regularly expanding its portfolio by acquisitions of complementary technologies. In fiscal 2017, Sartorius earned sales revenue of more than 1.4 billion euros. Currently, more than 8,000 people work at the Group's approximately 60 manufacturing and sales sites, serving customers around the globe. Key Performance Indicators for the 9-Month Period of 2018 Sartorius Group Bioprocess Solutions Lab Products Services In millions of (unless otherwise specified) 9M 2018 9M 20171) in % Reported in % cc2) 9M 2018 9M 20171) in % Reported in % cc2) 9M 2018 9M 20171) in % Reported in % cc2) Sales Revenue and Order Intake Sales revenue 1,153.7 1,040.4 10.9 13.4 843.0 751.1 12.2 14.8 310.7 289.3 7.4 9.7 EMEA3) 484.1 448.9 7.8 8.6 342.5 308.6 11.0 11.5 141.6 140.3 0.9 2.1 - Americas3) 387.9 335.1 15.8 20.1 306.6 263.7 16.3 20.8 81.3 71.5 13.8 17.3 - Asia Pacific3) 281.7 256.5 9.8 13.4 193.9 178.9 8.4 11.9 87.8 77.5 13.2 16.9 Order intake 1,215.2 1,096.4 10.8 13.3 901.8 802.0 12.5 15.0 313.4 294.4 6.4 8.7 Earnings EBITDA4) 294.2 255.8 15.0 239.1 205.3 16.5 55.0 50.5 9.0 EBITDA margin4) in 25.5 24.6 28.4 27.3 17.7 17.5 Net profit for the period5) 126.3 103.7 21.8 Financial Data per Share Earnings per ordinary share5) in 1.84 1.51 21.9 Earnings per preference share5) in 1.85 1.52 21.7 1) The previous year's figures have been restated due to finalization of the purchase price allocations for the acquisitions of 2017. 2) In constant currencies; abbreviated as "cc" 3) Acc. to the customer's location 4) Adjusted for extraordinary items (underlying) 5) After non-controlling interest, adjusted for extraordinary items and non-cash amortization, as well as based on the normalized financial result and corresponding tax effects View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181022006008/en/ Contacts: Sartorius Petra Kirchhoff Head of Corporate Communications +49 (0)551.308.1686 petra.kirchhoff@sartorius.com www.sartorius.com Resinco Capital Partners Inc.: erwirbt 49 % des Cannabis-Pharmaunternehmens ReFormation Pharmaceuticals Corp DGAP-News: Resinco Capital Partners Inc. / Schlagwort(e): Expansion Resinco Capital Partners Inc.: erwirbt 49 % des Cannabis-Pharmaunternehmens ReFormation Pharmaceuticals Corp 23.10.2018 / 08:57 Fur den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent / Herausgeber verantwortlich. Resinco Capital Partners erwirbt 49 % des Cannabis-Pharmaunternehmens ReFormation Pharmaceuticals Corp 23. Oktober 2018. - Vancouver, British Columbia. - Resinco Capital Partners Inc. (CSE: RIN) (das "Unternehmen" oder "Resinco") gibt bekannt, dass es eine Investition in das in Toronto, Ontario und in Oxford, Vereinigtes Konigreich, ansassige Cannabis-Pharmaunternehmen ReFormation Pharmaceuticals Corp. mittels der Akquisition von 49 % der ausstehenden ReFormation-Aktien getatigt hat. Resinco wird fur den 49 %-Anteil 27.000.000 neu ausgegebene Aktien an die Aktionare der ReFormation Pharmaceuticals Corp. ausgeben. Uber ReFormation Pharmaceuticals Corp. ReFormation Pharmaceuticals Corp. ist ein Pharmaunternehmen aus dem Bereich medizinisches Marihuana mit Sitz in Toronto, Ontario. Sein Forschung- und Entwicklungsteam ist an der University of Oxford ansassig. Das Unternehmen konzentriert sich auf eine innovative Vorgehensweise zur Reparatur lebenswichtiger Organe durch Kombination von Cannabinoiden und einem endogenen Reparaturausloser (HMGB!). ReFormation beruht auf disruptiver Technologie, die eine neue therapeutische Klasse bieten wird. Das Unternehmen hat ein Molekul identifiziert, das die korpereigenen Stammzellen aus einer breiten Palette an Gewebe vorbereitet, um die Reparatur und Regeneration nach einer akuten oder chronischen Verletzung zu beschleunigen. Die Research-Pipeline des Unternehmens wird weitere IP liefern, die auf Materialzusammensetzung beruhen und es hat ein umfangreiches Arbeitspaket von Tests an Tiermodellen fur Krankheiten, wofur keine vergleichbare Behandlung besteht. ReFormation Pharmaceuticals wird von einem Weltklasse-Wissenschaftler, CEO und CSO Professor Jagdeep Nanchahal von der University of Oxford geleitet. Webseite: https://www.reformationpharma.com/ ReFormation befasst sich mit zahlreichen unerfullten klinischen Belangen und konzentriert sich auf Behandlungen von: Herzinfarkte - Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen sind die Hauptursachen der Mortalitat im Westen. Laut Schatzungen erleidet in den USA alle 40 Sekunden eine Person einen Herzinfarkt.i Typ 1 Diabetes - Typ 1 Diabetes betrifft ungefahr 1 in 300 Personen unter 18 Jahren in den USA und ist fur 10 % aller Diabetesfalle verantwortlich.ii Parkinsonkrankheit - Parkinsonkrankheit ist die zweithaufigste neurodegenerative Erkrankung und wird bis 2020 in den USA beinahe 1 Million Personen befallen und diese Zahl wird laut Schatzungen bis 2030 auf 1,24 Millionen steigen.iii Leberschaden - Ungefahr 60 % der Patienten mit NAFLD werden eine nicht alkoholische Steatohepatitis (NASH) entwickeln und 25 % dieser werden eine Leberzirrhose entwickeln, was 1,5 bis 2 % der Gesamtbevolkerung entspricht.iv Uber Resinco Capital Partners Resinco Capital Partners ist ein globales Investmentunternehmen, das sich darauf spezialisiert, Privat- und Aktiengesellschaften sowie Pharmaunternehmen aus dem Bereich medizinisches Marihuana eine fruhzeitige Finanzierung zu bieten. Das Unternehmen beteiligt sich an neuen fruhzeitigen Investmentmoglichkeiten in bislang unterentwickelten Assets und dem Erwerb signifikanter Positionen in fruhzeitigen Investmentmoglichkeiten, die das Risikoprofil adaquat reflektieren. Webseite: www.resincocp.com Stammzellenmoglichkeit Der globale Stammzellenmarkt hatte im Jahr 2017 einen Wert von 5,17 Milliarden USD und wird laut Schatzungen bis auf 9,03 Milliarden USD anwachsen bei einer CAGR (jahrliche Wachstumsrate) von 9.74 % zwischen 2017 und 2023.v Stammzellen sind fur die Reparatur und die Heilung des gesamten Gewebes verantwortlich. Wahrend die Stammzellentherapie jetzt zum Behandlungsstandard vieler Blutkrankheiten geworden ist, so hat die Zelltherapie fur vollstandige Organe trotz der erkannten Aussicht, des Medienrummels und riesiger Investitionen nicht die erwarteten Vorteile geliefert. Stammzellen verandern sich, wenn sie kultiviert werden und nur sehr wenige transplantieren auf das vernarbte oder entzundete Gewebebett. Ferner wurde eine individuell angepasste Therapie unerschwinglich und jenseits der Moglichkeiten aller Gesundheitsvorsorgesysteme liegen angesichts der zunehmenden und uberwaltigenden Belastung vieler degenerativer Krankheiten aufgrund unserer alternden Bevolkerung. Marktgelegenheit fur medizinisches Marihuana Die medizinische Marihuanabranche wachst rasch. Zurzeit liegt der Marktwert bei 14,3 Milliarden USD. Laut Schatzungen wird der bis 2027 der Marktwert bis auf 74,3 Milliarden USD steigen bei einer projizierten CAGR von 17,9 % von 2017 bis 2027. 1,2 Millionen Personen verwenden bereits medizinisches Marihuana fur medizinische Probleme. Die Zunahme der Anwendung wird durch zahlreiche Faktoren untermauert, da zum Beispiel die Gesetze die Anwendung fur eine medizinische Nutzung erlauben. Die zunehmende Forschung im medizinischen Bereich hat Marihuanas Wirkung bei der Unterdruckung des Brechreizes und der Ubelkeit, bei Schmerzlinderung gezeigt, wahrend ebenfalls eine wachsende Zahl therapeutischer Anwendungen bei Entzundungen, HIV/AIDs, Krebs, multiple Sklerose, Epilepsie, Huntington-Krankheit und Parkinsonkrankheit generiert wurden. Prof. Jagdeep Nanchahal, CEO und CSO von ReFormation, sagte: "Wir sind begeistert, diese Investition von Resinco erhalten zu haben, was Bande fur den pharmazeutischen Cannabissektor im Allgemeinen und unsere wegweisende Arbeit darin spricht. Wir freuen uns, sie an unserer Seite zu haben, wahrend wir an der Entwicklung lebensverandernder Therapeutika arbeiten." Alexander Somjen, President und CEO von Resinco, sagte: "ReFormation arbeitet an hochinnovativen pharmazeutischen Cannabistherapien, die von einigen der klugsten Kopfe in der Pharmabranche betreut werden. Dies ist eine sehr aufregende Gelegenheit fur Resinco und ihre Aktionare." Im Auftrag des Board of Directors RESINCO CAPITAL PARTNERS INC.: Herr Alexander Somjen, CEO Fur weitere Informationen: Theo van der Linde Tel.: 604.336.3196 ihttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5408160/ ii https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2925303/ iiihttp://parkinson.org/Understanding-Parkinsons/Causes-and-Statistics/Statistics iv https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5924851/ vhttps://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-stem-cells-market-research-report-2018-300708743.html Dies ist eine Ubersetzung der ursprunglichen englischen Pressemitteilung. Nur die ursprungliche englische Pressemitteilung ist verbindlich. Eine Haftung fur die Richtigkeit der Ubersetzung wird ausgeschlossen. 23.10.2018 Veroffentlichung einer Corporate News/Finanznachricht, ubermittelt durch DGAP - ein Service der EQS Group AG. Fur den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent / Herausgeber verantwortlich. Die DGAP Distributionsservices umfassen gesetzliche Meldepflichten, Corporate News/Finanznachrichten und Pressemitteilungen. Medienarchiv unter http://www.dgap.de 736479 23.10.2018 ISIN CA76112T2002 AXC0065 2018-10-23/08:58 Data from first in-human clinical trial of SNF472 in haemodialysis patients published in British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Palma, Spain and San Diego, USA, 23 October, 2018 - Laboratoris Sanifit S.L., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on treatments for calcification disorders, today announces that data from a phase I study assessing the safety and tolerability of its lead drug candidate SNF472 in haemodialysis patients has been published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. SNF472 is a novel calcification inhibitor being developed for the treatment of cardiovascular disease linked to calcification in haemodialysis (HD), a major factor in morbidity and mortality among the HD patient population. This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study investigated the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered SNF472 in 28 healthy volunteers and HD patients. Data from this study demonstrated acceptable safety and tolerability with no significant adverse events, as well as a lack of significant removal of IV SNF472 drug during dialysis at the selected doses. Pharmacodynamic analyses also demonstrated that SNF472 administration reduced hydroxyapatite crystallization potential in HD patients. "We are pleased with the promising results of this first-in-human study," commented Dr. Joan Perello, Chief Executive Officer of Sanifit"These data clearly show that SNF472 has strong potential as a novel treatment for cardiovascular calcification in end-stage renal disease; a significant, underserved market with no approved therapies. This provides us with further validation as we progress SNF472 through the clinic." The full article; First-time-in-human randomized clinical trial in healthy volunteers and haemodialysis patients with SNF472, a novel inhibitor of vascular calcification, published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology can be accessed here . SNF472 is currently being assessed in the Phase 2b CaLIPSO clinical trial, for the treatment of cardiovascular disease linked to calcification in end-stage-renal-disease patients on haemodialysis and completed enrolment in July 2018 and final data will be available in Q4 2019. SNF472 is also in development for the treatment of calcific uraemic arteriolopathy (CUA), also known as calciphylaxis. Sanifit is currently in preparations for a pivotal phase 3 CUA study which will begin in H1 2019. For media enquiries: Sanifit Joan Perello, CEO Antonio Jimenez, VP Operations Consilium Strategic Communications Julia Wilson, Chris Welsh Tel: +44 About SNF472 SNF472 is an intravenous formulation of myo-inositol hexaphosphate with a novel mechanism of action for the treatment of haemodialysis patients with cardiovascular diseases linked to calcification. SNF472 is being developed for two indications: calciphylaxis and cardiovascular disease in end stage renal disease (CV-ESRD) patients undergoing dialysis. SNF472 has orphan drug status for the treatment of calciphylaxis from both the EMA and FDA. SNF472 selectively blocks the progression of pathological cardiovascular calcification, and poses an innovative solution for these unmet medical needs. About Sanifit Sanifit is a biopharmaceutical company focused on calcification disorders. The company was founded in 2007 as a spin-off of the University of the Balearic Islands and expanded its activities in the USA in 2016 with the incorporation of a subsidiary with offices in San Diego. The company's lead asset, SNF472, has successfully completed a Phase 2 proof of concept study in calciphylaxis, with a Phase 3 pivotal study planned to initiate in H1 2019. The company is also investigating SNF472 in a Phase 2b study in CV-ESRD, with results expected in Q4 2019. Sanifit has raised more than $50M, including a series C funding of $41.3M Bank of Aland Plc Interim Report October 23, 2018 9.00 am Interim Report for the period January - September 2018 "During the first nine months of 2018 we improved our net operating profit by 12 per cent to EUR 21.9 M. We achieved this level of earnings in spite of a large-scale implementation of new regulations, a sharply increased EU Single Resolution Fund fee and a significantly weaker Swedish krona, which adversely affected both our business volume and our earnings." A few years ago, the Bank of Aland was the first bank in the Nordic countries to begin partnering with new fintech companies. Our first such cooperation was with the company Dreams Nordic - a partnership that has developed nicely. During the third quarter, the Bank of Aland chose to become a part-owner of the company" Peter Wiklof, Managing Director January - September 2018 compared to January - September 2017 Net operating profit increased by 12 per cent to EUR 21.9 M (19.5). Profit for the period attributable to shareholders increased by 11 per cent to EUR 17.2 M (15.5). Net interest income decreased by 1 per cent to EUR 41.2 M (41.8). Net commission income increased by 2 per cent to EUR 37.8 M (37.1). Total expenses decreased by 3 per cent to EUR 72.6 M (74.6). Net impairment losses on financial assets (including recoveries) totalled EUR 0.9 M (1.5), equivalent to a loan loss level of 0.03 (0.05) per cent. Return on equity after taxes (ROE) amounted to 9.9 (9.2 per cent). Earnings per share amounted to EUR 1.12 (1.01). The common equity Tier 1 ratio amounted to 13.2 per cent (12.9 on December 31, 2017). Unchanged future outlook: The Bank of Aland expects its net operating profit in 2018 to be at about the same level as, or better than, in 2017. The third quarter of 2018 compared to the third quarter of 2017 Net operating profit decreased by 3 per cent to EUR 7.0 M (7.2). Profit for the period attributable to shareholders decreased by 3 per cent to EUR 5.6 M (5.8). Net interest income decreased by 6 per cent to EUR 13.3 M (14.3). Net commission income decreased by 1 per cent to EUR 12.1 M (12.2). Total expenses decreased by 7 per cent to EUR 22.7 M (24.4). Net impairment losses (including recoveries) totalled EUR 0.3 M (0.6), equivalent to a loan loss level of 0.03 (0.06) per cent. Return on equity after taxes (ROE) amounted to 9.4 (10.1) per cent. Earnings per share amounted to EUR 0.36 (0.38). Financial summary Group Q3 2018 Q2 2018 % Q3 2017 % Jan-Sep 2018 Jan-Sep 2017 % EUR M Income Net interest income 13.3 13.8 -4 14.3 -6 41.2 41.8 -1 Net commission income 12.1 12.6 -4 12.2 -1 37.8 37.1 2 Net income from financial items 0.6 1.7 -67 1.8 -70 3.8 2.1 78 Other income 4.1 4.4 -7 3.9 4 12.5 14.6 -14 Total income 30.0 32.5 -8 32.2 -7 95.4 95.6 0 Staff costs -13.2 -14.5 -8 -14.1 -6 -42.8 -45.0 -5 Other expences -7.7 -8.3 -7 -8.3 -8 -24.3 -24.4 0 Depreciation/amortisation -1.8 -1.8 0 -2.0 -8 -5.5 -5.3 5 Total expenses -22.7 -24.5 -7 -24.4 -7 -72.6 -74.6 -3 Profit before impairment losses 7.3 8.0 -9 7.8 -6 22.8 21.1 8 Net impairment losses on financial assets -0.3 -0.5 -44 -0.6 -55 -0.9 -1.5 -40 Net operating profit 7.0 7.5 -7 7.2 -3 21.9 19.5 12 Income taxes -1.5 -1.6 -11 -1.5 0 -4.7 -4.0 17 Profit for the report period 5.6 5.9 -5 5.8 -3 17.2 15.5 11 Attributable to: Shareholders in Bank of Aland Plc 5.6 5.9 -5 5.8 -3 17.2 15.5 11 Volume Lending to the public 3,978 3,963 0 3,967 0 Deposits from the public 3,085 3,095 0 3,230 -4 Actively managed assets 1 5,849 5,650 4 5,700 3 Equity capital 237 230 3 230 3 Balance sheet total 5,484 5,302 3 5,356 2 Risk exposure amount 1,565 1,575 -1 1,553 1 Financial ratios Return on equity after taxes, % (ROE) 2 9.4 10.2 10.1 9.9 9.2 Expence/income ratio 3 0.76 0.75 0.76 0.76 0.78 Loan loss level, % 4 0.03 0.05 0.06 0.03 0.05 Liquidity coverage ratio (LCR), % 5 131 135 109 Loan/deposit ratio, % 6 129 128 123 Core funding ratio, % 7 91 90 91 Equity/assets ratio, % 8 4,3 4,3 4.3 Common equity Tier 1 capital ratio, % 9 13.2 12.8 12.6 Earnings per share, EUR 10 0.36 0.38 -5 0.38 -4 1.12 1.01 10 Earnings per share after dilution, EUR 0.36 0.38 -5 0.37 -3 1.11 1.00 11 Equity capital per share, EUR 11 15.34 14.92 3 14.98 2 Equity capital per share after dilution, EUR 15.25 14.81 3 14.82 3 Market price per Series A share, EUR 14.70 14.50 1 14.86 -1 Market price per Series B share, EUR 13.85 13.50 3 14.90 -7 Number of shares outstanding (not own shares), 000s 15,472 15,448 0 15,335 1 Number of shares outstanding (not own shares), after dilution, 000s 15,580 15,586 0 15,588 0 Working hours re-calculated to full-time equivalent positions 702 693 1 702 0 689 691 0 1 Actively managed assets encompassed managed assets in the Group's own mutual funds, as well as discretionary and advisory securities volume 2 Profit for the report period attributable to shareholders / Average shareholders'portion of equity capital. 3 Expenses / Income. 4 Impaiment losses on loans and other commitments from lending to the public / Lending to the public at the beginning of the period. 5 Liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) = liquid assets, level 1 and 2 / 30-day net outflow 6 Lending to the public / Deposits from thepublic 7 Lending to the public / Deposits including certificates of deposit, index bonds and debentures issued to the public plus covered bonds issued 8 Equity capital / Balance sheet total. 9 (Common equity Tier 1 capital / Capital requirement) x 8%. 10 Shareholders' portion of earnings for the period / Avarage number of shares. 11 Shareholders' portion of equity capital / Number of shares less own shares on closing day. IFRS 9 has been applied starting on January 1, 2018. Figures from historical periods have not been restated. The Bank of Aland Mariehamn, October 23, 2018 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS For more information please contact: Peter Wiklof, Managing Director and Chief Executive, Bank of Aland, tel. + 358 (0)40 512 7505 Attachment SINGAPORE / ACCESSWIRE / October 23, 2018 / The Vertex Ventures network has announced a strategic investment in Binance and will jointly set up Binance Singapore to expand into the region. Recognized as a leading international financial center, Singapore has begun to play a significant role in the blockchain technology sector and is often seen as a gateway for Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia is a fast developing region with over 650 million population and has significant potential for the development and adoption of blockchain technology. Funding from the Vertex Ventures network will support Binance in building a fiat-crypto exchange in Singapore, as well as other fiat-crypto gateways and services throughout Southeast Asia. Announced in September by CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ), Binance plans to bring its fiat-crypto exchange in Singapore live by the end of this year. Singapore operations will undergo KYC/AML in strict accordance with local regulations. The investment is a joint effort between Vertex Ventures China and Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India . 'Changpeng Zhao is one of the most well-respected entrepreneurs in blockchain with high inspiration to build and promote the blockchain ecosystem. He represents the new generation of China-originated entrepreneurs building products for the world,' said Choon Chong Tay, Managing Partner at Vertex Ventures China. 'Binance has a relentless focus on developing platforms with strong technology, the highest levels of security and an absolute focus on customer service. We look forward to working with Changpeng Zhao and his team to drive innovation in the space while building a sustainable and compliant platform in Singapore,' said Joo Hock Chua, Managing Partner at Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia & India. 'Vertex Ventures, which partners closely with Temasek Holdings, is the leading early-stage venture investment fund with deep roots in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Vertex has an experienced team of investment experts in the region and a strong track record of supporting innovative startups that address real world, practical issues. We look forward to building up the blockchain ecosystem and working with all stakeholders in Singapore to support continued innovation in the local fintech space,' said Wei Zhou, CFO at Binance. About Binance Binance is a blockchain ecosystem comprised of Exchange, Labs, Launchpad, Info, Academy, Trust Wallet, and Blockchain Charity Foundation (BCF). Binance Exchange is one of the fastest and most popular cryptocurrency exchange platforms in the world, capable of processing over 1.4 million orders per second. The platform focuses on security, robustness, and execution speed - attracting enthusiasts and professional traders alike. About Vertex Ventures Vertex Ventures is a global network of operator-investors who manage portfolios in the U.S., China, Israel, India and Southeast Asia. The firm is a trusted partner to some of the world's most innovative entrepreneurs, supporting them with unmatched operating experience and deep access to the capital, talent, partners and customers they need to build truly global businesses. Contacts: For Binance: Leah Li pr@binance.com For Vertex Ventures: Minh Do amdo@vertexholdings.com SOURCE: Binance PR View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/526021/Vertex-Ventures-Makes-Investment-in-Binance Leader in Connected Vehicle Services Will Showcase Uptane Security Framework and SafeRide Multi-Layer Security Integration into its OTAmatic Software Update and Data Management Offering SEATTLE, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Airbiquity, a global leader in connected vehicle services, will sponsor and attend escar Europe in Brussels, Belgium on November 13-14. The world's leading two-day automotive cybersecurity event is an open forum that gathers automotive manufacturers, suppliers, analysts, researchers, and government transportation representatives to collaborate on connected vehicle cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities, risk mitigation, and countermeasures. At the conference, Airbiquity will demonstrate its industry-leading OTAmatic over-the-air (OTA) software update and data management offering for connected vehicles featuring the compromise-resilient Uptane Security Framework. OTAmatic reliably and securely orchestrates and automates vehicle software updates and data management from the cloud, utilizing Uptane along with security signing management tools and processes to guarantee authenticity and integrity of software updates transmitted and installed in the vehicle. Uptane's open standard automotive software update security framework was developed with support from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, New York University (NYU) Tandon School of Engineering, University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), Southwest Research Institute (SWRI), and leading automakers and suppliers. Uptane provides the foundation for Airbiquity OTAmatic's defense-in-depth security approach for automotive OTA leveraging automotive grade standards-based certification, authentication, and encryption technologies and processes. Airbiquity will also demonstrate OTAmatic data management and edge analytics module integration with the SafeRide vSentry Multi-Layer Cybersecurity Solution to deliver a robust end-to-end and future-proof cybersecurity system for connected and autonomous vehicles. SafeRide vSentry provides deterministic and heuristic cyberthreat protection using AI Machine Learning and Deep Learning technology that reliably monitors vehicle security in real-time and uncovers vulnerabilities. When the vSentry anomaly detection module running in OTAmatic's Data Agent detects a vehicle cyberattack exploiting a new vulnerability the system sends an alert to Airbiquity's OTAmatic service which then transmits and installs the appropriate vehicle software update to remedy the vulnerability and restore protection of the vehicle asset and occupants. To learn more about Airbiquity and OTAmatic visit www.airbiquity.com or contact sales@airbiquity.com. To learn more about SafeRide and vSentry visit www.saferide.io or contact info@Saferide.io About Airbiquity Airbiquity is a global leader in connected vehicle services and pioneer in the development and engineering of automotive telematics technology. At the forefront of automotive innovation, Airbiquity operates the industry's most advanced cloud-based connected vehicle service delivery platform, Choreo, and supports all leading use cases including over-the-air (OTA) software update and data management. Working with Airbiquity, automakers and automotive suppliers have deployed highly scalable, manageable, and secure connected vehicle service programs meeting the needs of their customers in over 60 countries around the world. Learn more about Airbiquity at www.airbiquity.com or join the conversation @Airbiquity. Airbiquity is a trademark of Airbiquity Inc. CONTACT: Shelby Simonson Airbiquity PR 1-206-264-8220 media@airbiquity.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/770234/Saferide_Airbiquity_Logo.jpg Post-stabilisation notice 23 October 2018 Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. Commerzbank AG EUR 500,000,000 Senior Non Preferred Green Bond due 2023 Launched pursuant to the Issuer's MTN Programme, dated 16 August 2018 Post-Stabilisation Notice Commerzbank (contact: Daniela Olt-Farrelly; telephone: +49 69 13623492) hereby gives notice that no stabilisation (within the meaning of Article 3.2 (d) of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation 596/2014) was undertaken by the Stabilising Managers named below in relation to the offer of the following securities. Issuer: Commerzbank AG Guarantor (if any): none ISIN: DE000CZ40NG4 Aggregate nominal amount: EUR 500,000,000 Description: 1.25 % green non preferred senior Notes due 2023 Stabilisation Coordinator: Stabilisation Managers: Commerzbank AG ABN AMRO Bank N.V. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank ING Bank N.V. 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 the Issuer in any jurisdiction. This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. LONDON, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Itiviti, the leading global provider of multi-asset trading technology and financial infrastructure, today announced the addition of the Hudson River Trading Systematic Internaliser (HRSI) venue to its expanding connectivity offering. The connection, which is now live, provides Itiviti clients with access to liquidity sourcing from Hudson River Trading, one of the largest Electronic Liquidity Provision (ELP) Systematic Internalisers, covering more than 1,000 European stocks. HRSI was previously operating as Sun Trading International SI (STSI) before its migration on October 1st, 2018. As the market structure evolves rapidly in Europe following MiFID II implementation in early 2018, access to relevant liquidity through both traditional trading venues and new Systematic Internalisers has become a cornerstone of successful Best Execution strategies. "MiFID II has brought sweeping changes industry-wide, with increased counterparty transparency available through the SI regime," said Jamal Tarazi, Director of European Business Development at Hudson River Trading. "The continued demand for our bespoke liquidity offering is a testament to the execution quality offered by our SI. We are pleased to offer clients seamless and cost-efficient connectivity to Hudson River Trading's liquidity through Itiviti's connectivity solutions." "Hudson River Trading SI is a very welcome addition to our comprehensive connectivity offering," said Richard Bentley, Chief Product Officer, Itiviti. "Making Hudson Rover Trading liquidity available to our clients will be an attractive option for firms exploring the reshaped European market landscape. Itiviti's commitment to quickly providing access to new Systematic Internalisers as and when they become available provides a distinct advantage to our clients, adding business value beyond regulatory compliance.' Increased market fragmentation driven by MiFID II has necessitated for new ways and tools for efficient access to global liquidity. Itiviti's broad connectivity offering gives low-latency access to over 150 exchanges and alternative trading venues. This is complemented by solutions for rapid client onboarding, standardization across heterogeneous formats and protocols, and a Smart Order Router engine providing optimized order execution for multi-listed securities combined with flexible Best Execution strategies. For further information, please contact: Richard Bentley Chief Product Officer, Itiviti Tel +44-20-7743-7223 Email: Richard.bentley@ullink.com Kelly Johnson Territory Head of Sales, Itiviti Tel +44-20-774-37231 Email: Kelly.johnson@ullink.com Amal Ahmed Senior Marketing Manager EMEA Itiviti Tel: +44-20-794-209-56 Email: amal.ahmed@itiviti.com Jamal Tarazi Director of European Business Development Hudson River Trading Tel+44-20-8323-0826 Email: jtarazi@hudson-trading.com About Hudson River Trading Hudson River Trading (HRT) is a multi-asset class quantitative trading firm based in New York City. Founded in 2002, HRT develops automated trading algorithms that provide liquidity and facilitate price discovery on exchanges and alternative trading systems. With offices in New York, London, Chicago, Singapore, Shanghai and Austin, HRT trades equities, futures, options, currencies and fixed income on over 100 markets worldwide. For more information, please visit www.hudson-trading.com About Itiviti Itiviti is a market-leading global provider of multi-asset trading technology and financial infrastructure solutions for buy-side and sell-side market participants, including NYFIX, one of the industry's largest FIX-based trading communities. Serving around 2,000 clients worldwide, we provide consistent, reliable access to the most up-to-date and innovative order routing, connectivity and trading solutions available. Top-tier trading firms, banks, brokers, exchanges and institutional investors rely on our technology, solutions and expertise to streamline their daily operations, connect to their desired markets, and trade when and where they want. All while being able to comply with global regulation. With global offices in 18 locations covering all major financial centres, the merger of Itiviti and ULLINK in March 2018 created a full-service technology and infrastructure provider, covering all asset classes, geographies and regulatory landscapes. For more information, please visit www.itiviti.com or www.ullink.com . Itiviti is owned by Nordic Capital. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/itiviti-group-ab/r/itiviti-announces-connectivity-to-hudson-river-trading-si,c2651417 The following files are available for download: LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Global management consulting firm, Avasant, and the Institute for Robotic Process Automation and Artificial Intelligence (IRPA AI), are proud to announce a partnership and launch of their UK Chapter. The first official event of the chapter, the Automation Innovation Summit, will be held in London on November 6, 2018. Under the partnership, Avasant will lead IRPA AI's UK Chapter and collaborate with IRPA AI to leverage content and thought leadership of both organisations in the field of RPA, AI and Blockchain. Avasant advises organizations on planning and implementing Intelligent Automation and Artificial Intelligence to drive digital transformation. Their strategic advisory expertise coupled with their Intelligent Automation Value Acceleration framework enables successful Automation programs across industries. By collaborating with the industry's leading authority on RPA and AI, Avasant continues to build an ecosystem of partners that enterprises can leverage to drive innovation and business value. "We're extremely pleased to lead the UK chapter for IRPA AI," says Kevin Parikh, Global CEO of Avasant, "as RPA and Artificial Intelligence continue to expand in adoption and influence of business outcomes, successful enterprises of the future will manage their processes as strategic assets and will view them as integral to maintaining a competitive advantage." The UK Chapter of IRPA AI will focus on building a national knowledge platform to drive Intelligent Automation, cognitive computing and artificial intelligence. The activities of the UK Chapter include: developing a knowledge sharing forum for enterprises and technology providers, thought leadership events and webinars for different players to exchange ideas and success stories, and a development of innovative solutions and use cases in the fields of intelligent automation, cognitive computing and artificial intelligence. About IRPA AI The Institute for Robotic Process Automation and Artificial Intelligence (IRPA AI) is an independent professional association and knowledge forum for the buyers, sellers, influencers and analysts of RPA, cognitive computing and artificial intelligence. Their global network and advisory services offer leading-edge market intelligence, industry research, sourcing assistance, events as well as offer opportunities to learn and network with stakeholders across service industry functions. About Avasant Avasant is a leading management consulting firm focused on translating the power of technology into realizable business strategies. Specializing in digital and IT transformation, sourcing advisory, global strategy, and governance services, Avasant is recognized for delivering high-value engagements through industry-focused innovation and flexible client-based solutions. CONTACT: Nicole Dulay, nicole.dulay@avasant.com, (310) 643-3030 23 October 2018 Acron's Shareholders Approve Dividends PJSC Acron (Veliky Novgorod) summed up the results of its extraordinary general meeting held on 19 October 2018 in the form of absentee voting. The shareholders approved distribution of a part of Acron's profit for previous years as proposed by Acron's Board of Directors. Dividends on Acron's outstanding ordinary shares will amount to RUB 40 per share. The record date for persons entitled to dividends is set for 30 October 2018. The total amount allocated for dividends is RUB 1.6 billion. Media contacts: Sergey Dorofeev Anastasiya Gromova Tatiana Smirnova Public Relations Phone: +7 (495) 777-08-65 (ext. 5196) Investor contacts: Ilya Popov Investor Relations Phone: +7 (495) 745-77-45 (ext. 5252) Background Information Acron Group is a leading vertically integrated mineral fertiliser producer in Russia and globally, with chemical production facilities in Veliky Novgorod (Acron) and the Smolensk region (Dorogobuzh). The Group owns and operates a phosphate mine in Murmansk region (North-Western Phosphorous Company, NWPC) and is implementing a potash development project in Perm Krai (Verkhnekamsk Potash Company, VPC). It has a wholly owned transportation and logistics infrastructure, including three Baltic port terminals and distribution networks in Russia and China. Acron's subsidiary, North Atlantic Potash Inc. (NAP), holds mining licenses for 13 parcels of the potassium salt deposit at Prairie Evaporite, Saskatchewan, Canada. Acron also holds a minority stake (19.8%) in Polish Grupa Azoty S.A., one of the largest chemical producers in Europe. In 2017, the Group sold 7.3 million tonnes of various products to 65 countries, with Russia, Brazil, Europe and the United States as key markets. In 2017, the Group posted consolidated IFRS revenue of RUB 94,342 million (USD 1,617 million) and net profit of RUB 14,260 million (USD 244 million). Acron's shares are on the Level 1 quotation list of the Moscow Exchange and its global depositary receipts are traded at the London Stock Exchange (ticker AKRN). Acron employs approximately 11,000 people. For more information about Acron Group, please visit www.acron.ru/en. LONDON, Oct. 23, 2018 App rebuild includes new features giving passengers more options when booking their journey Groups of over five people can now pre-book the Taxi XL through the order screen and there is now the option to specifically book a wheelchair accessible taxi The new look app informs drivers of passenger's needs as soon as they order Passengers can input the destination and the app will estimate the fares and ETA Simply update to the latest version to access the new options available /PRNewswire/ -- mytaxi, Europe's leading e-hailing app, has unveiled a full rebuild, including a new look and feel giving customers the ability to book a new variety of updated options when taking a cab. Passengers now will have the choice when booking their journey with Taxi XL and wheelchair accessible vehicles displayed directly at the order screen within the app. Making those booking options more prominent, gives both passengers and drivers new increased visibility of the journey needs, making the ride more comfortable and suitable for all. Along with the look and feel changes, the app is technically able to offer a broader variety of service types in the future. Johannes Mewes, Chief Product Officer at mytaxi said:"mytaxi has always been about convenience, flexibility and reliability. Whilst we wanted to keep it as easy and quick as possible to order a taxi, we also wanted to display the various options we offer more prominently. "With this rebuild, we have laid the foundation to become an even broader mobility service provider in future. In the end it is all about serving the various needs of passengers while also improving urban mobility." David Savage, UK General Manager of mytaxi said:"The new app shows each of the types of taxi available, making it easier for people to book but also reminding people of the choice available to them. For example, black cabs have always been wheelchair accessible but not everyone is aware of this. This app rebuild is about showing passengers the options for their journey and informing drivers of the passenger's needs. "In 2018, we have launched in six new cities in six months outside of London; Nottingham, Manchester, Brighton, Edinburgh, Oxford and Reading. The new look app, which displays the different vehicles represents a shift towards personalisation so that our passengers will find it easier to book exactly the service which suits them best." The new update for the mytaxi app is available on iOS and android from today. While introducing a new look and feel with easier ordering options, the main purpose of the app remains the same: It directly links a passenger with a driver around the corner. On average, mytaxi users wait less than four minutes for their taxi. The app offers in-app payment, full Google maps integration for both passengers and drivers as well as a fare estimate to calculate the costs in advance. About mytaxi mytaxi was founded in June 2009 and was the world's first taxi app that established a direct connection between a passenger and a taxi driver. With more than 10 million passengers and 100,000 drivers, mytaxi is the leading taxi e-hailing app in Europe. Mytaxi works with licensed black cabs in the UK. In 2018, we have launched in six new cities in six months outside of London; Nottingham, Manchester, Brighton, Edinburgh, Oxford and Reading. Since September 2014, mytaxi has been part of Daimler Mobility Services GmbH (part of the Daimler Group). In July 2016, mytaxi announced a merger with Hailo, the leading taxi app in the UK and Ireland, an important step in becoming the leading taxi e-hailing app in Europe. mytaxi today works with 500 employees in 26 offices and is available in around 100 European cities. Eckart Diepenhorst is the CEO of mytaxi. More information is available at: www.mytaxi.com (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/773350/Accessible_Option.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/773351/Vehicle_Options.jpg ) PGIM Investments is expanding its distribution footprint throughout Europe, adding a team dedicated to Germany. The firm has hired as vice president Thiemo Volkholz, who will be based in Frankfurt and focused on growing the firm's presence with global, regional and local banks and financial intermediaries throughout the region. Together with Cvjetko Zecevic, hired as assistant vice president, the team will market PGIM's asset management capabilities including PGIM Funds throughout the region. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005327/en/ Thiemo Volkholz (Photo: Business Wire) PGIM Investments is the global manufacturer and fund distributor of PGIM Inc., the $1 trillion global investment management business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU). Volkholz and Zecevic's arrival represent the next step in the growth of PGIM Investments' European operations. These hires mark PGIM Investment's second dedicated team in Europe, with plans to add two additional regional teams in Europe by early 2019. The team will report to Kimberly LaPointe, executive vice president and head of global accounts. "We have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the growth of our business, further enabling local sales and service support as well as cross-border distributor access to our funds by registering them in key European financial centers," said LaPointe. "These experienced professionals will help us establish a strong foothold in the important German markets to meet global client needs." While PGIM has had a longstanding institutional presence across Europe, PGIM Investments' growth outside the U.S. is anchored in its UCITS product suite launched in 2013, totaling $3.0 billion in UCITS assets under management as of August 30, 2018. Registered in 16 countries across Europe, Asia and Latin America, with 26 funds domiciled in Ireland, PGIM Investments' products offer investors access to multiple share classes and currencies. Both Volkholz and Zecevic join the firm from Capital Group, where Volkholz was a managing director responsible for relationships with banks, wealth managers and multi-family offices. He has more than a decade of investment industry experience, including roles at MainFirst Asset Management, JPMorgan and Helaba Landesbank Hessen-Thuringen. Zecevic was a business development associate covering financial intermediaries, global financial institutions, banks, multi-family offices, independent asset managers and IFAs. About PGIM Funds PGIM Funds plc is an Ireland-domiciled UCITS umbrella fund serving institutional and wholesale investors across the globe. PGIM Funds plc has country registrations in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, France, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, Chile and Taiwan. PGIM Funds plc is also offered to institutional investors only in Singapore and Switzerland. For a full list of funds available in your region, please visit pgimfunds.com. About PGIM and Prudential Financial, Inc. With 15 consecutive years of positive third-party institutional net flows, PGIM, the global asset management businesses of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), ranks among the top 10 largest asset managers in the world* with more than $1 trillion in assets under management as of June 30, 2018. PGIM's businesses offer a range of investment solutions for investors around the world across a broad range of asset classes, including fundamental equity, quantitative equity, public fixed income, private fixed income, real estate and commercial mortgages. Its businesses have offices in 15 countries across four continents. For more information about PGIM, please visit pgim.com. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of capital. Prudential Financial, Inc. of the United States is not affiliated with Prudential plc, which is headquartered in the United Kingdom. As ranked in Pensions Investments' Money Managers list, May 2018; based on Prudential Financial, Inc. total worldwide assets under management as of December 31, 2017. 1010943-00001-00 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005327/en/ Contacts: MEDIA: Judith Flynn 973-802-9939 judith.flynn@prudential.com SELBYVILLE , Delaware, October 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Market Insights, Inc. forecasts autonomous cars market to cross shipments of over 60 million units by 2024. The level 1 autonomous cars are expected to account for over 90% of the autonomous industry. The autonomous cars market is driven by the growing number of vehicle safety concerns around the world. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/661916/GMI.jpg ) The government authorities are consistently working on improving the safety of these cars by mandating the use of ADAS systems in the vehicles. This has led automakers to launch their own level 1 self-driving solutions. The level 4 cars are still in the development phase and are expected to be commercially available by 2022. The automakers have increased their R&D spending to intensify their efforts for the development of self-driving cars. The companies are obtaining licenses from various local authorities to test their level 4 self-driving technology. Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/1224 On the other hand, the level 2 autonomous car market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 45% during the projected period. The advancements in the automotive technology such as the integration of artificial intelligence, GPS, and advanced electronic sensors such as radar, LiDAR, and ultrasonic sensors promote the market growth. Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars hold a majority share in the autonomous cars market with a market share of over 95% in 2017. This growth is attributed to the high demand for ICE-based cars in emerging nations such as India and Brazil. However, the rising concerns toward environmental safety and the increasing number of government regulations to reduce carbon emissions have restricted the growth of the ICE cars market. The supportive government policies such as tax benefits and subsidiaries are fostering the growth of the Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) market, which is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 60% during the forecast timeline. Browse key industry insights spread across 230 pages with 298 market data tables & 31 figures & charts from the 2018 report in its research report "Autonomous Cars Market Size, By Level of Autonomy ( Level-1, Level-2, Level-3, Level-4), By Type (Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, UAE, South Africa), Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2018 - 2024". in detail along with the table of contents: https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/autonomous-car-market Europe holds a major share in the autonomous cars industry with a share of over 40% in 2017. The market growth is attributed to the presence of large number of automakers. The auto manufacturers have invested significantly in the autonomous vehicle technology to accelerate the innovative processes in the self-driving vehicle landscape. The governments in the region are investing in improving the road & telecom infrastructure, enabling the self-driving vehicles to better interact with its surroundings. The Netherlands government has invested over 100 million to install new traffic lights across the nation to help self-driving cars better interact with its surroundings. The North American market is expected to register a high growth rate with a CAGR of over 14% in 2017. The growth in the region can be attributed to the supportive government policies, which have allowed automakers and tech companies in the region to conduct testing of autonomous technologies on public roads and freeways. The major companies working on the autonomous cars market are Volkswagen, BMW, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Mazda, Daimler, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota, Volvo, Bosch, Waymo, Baidu, Uber, Continental GT, Aptiv, NVIDIA, Intel, and Autoliv. The technology players and OEMs are acquiring and forming alliances with various automakers to develop their own self-driving vehicles. These players are also partnering with regional and technology startups to develop AI-based solutions for autonomous vehicles. Make an Inquiry for purchasing this report @https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/1224 Browse Related Reports: Autonomous Farm Equipment Market Size By Operation (Fully Autonomous, Partially Autonomous), By Products (Tractors, Harvesters, UAV), By Technology (Software, Hardware) Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, France, Russia, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa), Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2017 - 2024: Fully autonomous will depict a strong growth at over 40% up to 2024 in the next seven years. Implementation of precision farming system offering the vehicle to drive on its own avoiding obstacles and other vehicles without supervision of the driver will boost the autonomous farm equipment market demand. UAV is anticipated to witness robust growth at over 35% up to 2024. Usage of drones for the hazardous works such as fertilizer and pesticides spraying will propel the business demand. https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/autonomous-farm-equipment-market Automotive LiDAR Market Size By Type (Mechanical, Solid-State), By Vehicle (Autonomous, Semi-Autonomous), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Sweden, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brazil, Mexico, UAE), Growth Potential, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2018 - 2024: The semi-autonomous vehicle segment held more than 40% of the total stake in the automotive LiDAR market in 2017. The industry is driven by the rapid integration of the advanced driving assistance systems into the vehicles. North America has dominated the automotive LiDAR market with over 70% of the total market share. Asia Pacific will grow at a CAGR of over 60% during the projected timeline. https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/automotive-lidar-market About Global Market Insights Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology. Contact Us: Arun Hegde Corporate Sales, USA Global Market Insights, Inc. Phone: +1-302-846-7766 Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688 Email: sales@gminsights.com FLORENCE, Italy, October 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Muslim World League (MWL), one of the world's largest Muslim NGO's, has signed a cooperation agreement with the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most visited art museums in the world. The Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy is one of the oldest and most famous art institutions in Europe and the second largest and most important museum in the world after the Louvre. The Gallery is visited by millions from around the world. The Secretary General of the Muslim World League, Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, signed the agreement on behalf of the Muslim World League, while the Uffizi Gallery was represented by its Director Dr. Eike Schmidt. The agreement aims to support educational and cultural initiatives to do with Islamic civilization, support initiatives aimed at developing education and promote and deliver training that promotes intercultural dialogue. The agreement also aims to raise awareness of Arab and Islamic culture in order to deepen the bonds of friendship and mutual understanding among communities from differing regions. Through this agreement, both parties seek to organize seminars and training courses and stress the importance of museums in promoting cultural exchange and educational activities. Dr. Schmidt emphasized the Uffizi Gallery's deep awareness of the importance of the cultural exchange project with the Muslim World League, stressing the Gallery's keenness to organize joint initiatives with the Muslim World League to achieve the objectives of both parties. The Uffizi Gallery was founded in 1560 and contains a myriad of world-famous works. Notes to Editor The Muslim World League is one of the world's largest Muslim NGO's active in over 60 countries. Under the leadership of His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the Muslim World League has renewed its worldwide mission to promote interfaith dialogue, peace-building, and cultural diplomacy. Del Mar, California--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2018) - Defense Technologies International Corp. (OTC Pink: DTII) (The Company) is pleased to provide an update on its progress. Presenting the 'Passive Portal' at the TASBO Convention, Corpus Christi Tx. TASBO is an independent, not-for-profit professional association that is dedicated to being the trusted resource for school finance and operations for schools in Texas and represents the Texas branch of ASBO Intl. (Association of School Business Officials International). Currently TASBO has approximately 6,500 members representing more than 1,200 school districts in Texas. Our 'Passive Portal' was presented to the public for the first time with great success. Beta-Test On October 2, 2018, The Company completed a successful two-day Beta Test at a Highschool near Austin, TX. The Company's 'Passive Portal' performed as designed and expected at the School and the Test provided important insight into the 'Passive Portal' technology, its multiple potential uses in the educational environment as well as other public venues. Service Agreement with Hanover International, Inc. Defense Technologies entered into a service agreement with Hanover International, Inc. located in LaQuinta, California. Hanover will operate as an independent contractor to the company, providing consulting services related to business and finance strategy. For further information see our 8K filing at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1533357/000109690618000563/defense.htm Lease of Assembly/Production Plant On October 16, 2018, Defense Technologies entered into a Commercial Lease Agreement with RDS Rental GP, whereby we procured a lease of commercial property located in Rexburg, Idaho. The lease consists of approximately 4,700 square feet and will commence on November 1, 2018 for a term of 36 months at the rental rate of $3,250.00 per month. For further information see our 8K filing at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1533357/000109690618000571/defense.htm For more information on the Passive Security Scan Technology and the Passive Portal, visit www.passivesecurityscan.com. The "Passive Portal" technology is based on the 'Earth's Magnetic Fields' with no emissions emitted for detection and is therefore extremely safe for any person passing through the 'Passive Portal'. The Passive Security Scan system uses highly developed field sensing technology using patented methods to sense and pin point the location of contraband detected. We are pleased to present the Company's Subsidiary's Video Production about the "Passive Security Scan" Project. Please view the VIDEO at: YouTube Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking" statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are no guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Contact: Defense Technologies International Merrill W. Moses, President & CEO Phone: 800 520-9485 Email: dtii@defensetechnologiesintl.com NET ASSET VALUE BLACKROCK COMMODITIES INCOME INVESTMENT TRUST PLC 54930040ALEAVPMMDC31 The unaudited net asset values for BlackRock Commodities Income Investment Trust plc at close of business on 22 October 2018 were: 80.35p Capital only 81.32p Including current year income XD Notes: 1. Investments have been valued on a bid price basis. 2. Revenue items included in net asset value, with dividends payable deducted on the ex-dividend date. 3. Following the Buyback of 37,897 ordinary shares on 22 October 2018, the Company now has 116,126,515 Ordinary Shares in issue (excluding 2,839,485 Ordinary Shares which are held in Treasury). 4. For the latest daily net asset value, previous month end performance statistics, asset allocation and ten largest holdings of the BlackRock managed Investment Trusts; see BLRKINDEX on Reuters or page 8800 on ICB (Topic 3). NET ASSET VALUE BLACKROCK GREATER EUROPE INVESTMENT TRUST PLC 5493003R8FJ6I76ZUW55 The unaudited net asset values for BlackRock Greater Europe Investment Trust plc at close of business on 22 October 2018 were: 340.41p Capital only (undiluted) 340.41p Capital only (Diluted for treasury shares) 344.86p Including current year income (undiluted) 344.86p Including current year income (Diluted for treasury shares) Notes: 1. Investments have been valued on a bid price basis. 2. Revenue items included in net asset value, with dividends payable deducted on the ex-dividend date. 3. Following the Tender Offer of 2,317,172 ordinary shares on 01 June 2018, the Company now has 86,459,691 Ordinary Shares in issue (excluding 23,869,247 Ordinary Shares which are held in Treasury). 4. For the latest daily net asset value, previous month end performance statistics, asset allocation and ten largest holdings of the BlackRock managed Investment Trusts; see BLRKINDEX on Reuters or page 8800 on ICB (Topic 3). NET ASSET VALUE BLACKROCK WORLD MINING TRUST PLC LNFFPBEUZJBOSR6PW155 The unaudited net asset values for BlackRock World Mining Trust plc at close of business on 22 October 2018 were: 400.51p Capital only (undiluted) 410.84p Including current year income (undiluted) Notes: 1. Revenue items included in net asset value, with dividends payable deducted on the ex-dividend date. 2. Following the buyback of 10,000 ordinary shares on 18 October 2018, the Company has 176,355,242 ordinary shares in issue, excluding 16,656,600 which are held in treasury. 3. For the latest daily net asset value, previous month end performance statistics, asset allocation and ten largest holdings of the BlackRock managed Investment Trusts; see BLRKINDEX on Reuters or page 8800 on ICB (Topic 3). 4. Investments have been valued on a bid price basis. NET ASSET VALUE BLACKROCK THROGMORTON TRUST PLC 5493003B7ETS1JEDPF59 The unaudited net asset values for BlackRock Throgmorton Trust plc at close of business on 22 October 2018 were: 534.25p Capital only 541.99p Including current year income 534.25p Capital only (adjusted for treasury shares) 541.99p Including current year income (adjusted for treasury shares) Notes: 1. Investments have been valued on a bid price basis. 2. The Company's issued share capital comprises 73,130,326 Ordinary Shares and 7,400,000 Treasury Shares. 3. Revenue items included in net asset value, with dividends payable deducted on the ex-dividend date. NET ASSET VALUE BLACKROCK EMERGING EUROPE PLC 549300OGTQA24Y3KMI14 The unaudited net asset values for BlackRock Emerging Europe plc at close of business on 22 October 2018 were: 409.95c per share (US cents) - Capital only 316.03p per share (pence sterling) - Capital only 421.77c per share (US cents) - Including current year income 325.14p per share (pence sterling) - Including current year income Notes: 1. Investments have been valued on a bid price basis. 2. Revenue items included in net asset value. 3. Following the cancellation of 400,000 treasury shares on 17 February 2017, the Company's share capital consists of 35,916,028 Ordinary shares (excluding 5,000,000 ordinary shares held in treasury) carrying one vote each. 4. As announced on 17 August 2018, the Company intends to put forward proposals which will result in the liquidation of the Company's assets. Effective 17 August 2018 the daily valuation includes an accrual in respect of expected costs associated with the liquidation. This accrual accounts for costs directly attributable to the liquidation. It is expected disposal costs will also be encountered while selling down the portfolio however such costs cannot be reliably estimated until the sale is executed. Consequently disposal costs have not been accrued in the valuation at this point." NET ASSET VALUE BLACKROCK NORTH AMERICAN INCOME TRUST PLC 549300WWOCXSC241W468 The unaudited net asset values for BlackRock North American Income Trust plc at close of business on 22 October 2018 were: 173.52p Capital only 174.81p Including current year income Notes: 1. Investments have been valued on a bid price basis. 2. Revenue items included in net asset value, with dividends payable deducted on the ex-dividend date. 3. Following the buyback of 75,000 ordinary shares on 14 June 2017, the Company has 68,874,044 ordinary shares in issue, excluding 31,487,261 which are held in treasury. NET ASSET VALUE BLACKROCK LATIN AMERICAN INVESTMENT TRUST PLC UK9OG5Q0CYUDFGRX4151 The unaudited net asset values for BlackRock Latin American Investment Trust plc at close of business on 22 October 2018 were: 680.82c per share (US cents) - Capital only 680.82c per share (US cents) - Including current year income XD 524.85p per share (pence sterling) Capital only 524.85p per share (pence sterling) - Including current year income XD Notes: 1. Investments have been valued on a bid price basis. 2. Revenue items included in net asset value, with dividends payable deducted on the ex-dividend date. 3. Following the Buyback of 20,000 ordinary shares on 24 May 2018, the Company now has 39,259,620 Ordinary Shares in issue (excluding 2,181,662 Ordinary Shares which are held in Treasury). 4. For the latest daily net asset value, previous month end performance statistics, asset allocation and ten largest holdings of the BlackRock managed Investment Trusts; see BLRKINDEX on Reuters or page 8800 on ICB (Topic 3). NET ASSET VALUE BLACKROCK INCOME AND GROWTH INVESTMENT TRUST PLC 5493003YBY59H9EJLJ16 The unaudited net asset values for BlackRock Income and Growth Investment Trust plc at close of business on 22 October 2018 were: 186.60p Capital only (undiluted) 191.16p Including current year income (undiluted) Notes: 1. Following the buyback of 41,500 ordinary shares on 08 October 2018, the Company has 24,059,668 ordinary shares in issue excluding 8,874,264 shares in treasury. 2. Investments have been valued on a bid price basis, with the exception of the holding in Patisserie Valerie which has been valued at a directors' valuation following its suspension from trading on AIM on 10 Oct. The portfolio's holding in Patisserie Valerie at 22 October 2018 represents 0.16% of the Company's total portfolio following this revaluation 3. Revenue items included in net asset value, with dividends payable deducted on the ex-dividend date. NET ASSET VALUE BLACKROCK SMALLER COMPANIES TRUST PLC 549300MS535KC2WH4082 The unaudited net asset values for BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust plc at close of business on 22 October 2018 were: 1433.84p Capital only and including debt at par value 1427.56p Capital only and including debt at fair value 1459.46p Including current year income and debt at par value 1453.19p Including current year income and debt at fair value Notes: 1. Investments have been valued on a bid price basis. 2. The total number of ordinary shares in issue excluding treasury shares is 47,879,792. The total amount of ordinary shares held in treasury is 2,113,731. 3. For the latest daily net asset value, previous month end performance statistics, asset allocation and ten largest holdings of the BlackRock managed Investment Trusts; see BLRKINDEX on Reuters or page 8800 on ICB (Topic 3). NET ASSET VALUE BLACKROCK FRONTIERS INVESTMENT TRUST PLC 5493003K5E043LHLO706 The unaudited net asset values for the ordinary shares of BlackRock Frontiers Investment Trust plc at close of business on 22 October 2018 were: 164.30c Capital only USD (cents) 126.66p Capital only Sterling (pence) 171.13c Including current year income USD (cents) 131.92p Including current year income Sterling (pence) Notes: 1. Investments have been valued on a bid price basis. 2. Revenue items included in net asset value, with dividends payable deducted on the ex-dividend date. 3. Following the share issuance of 250,000 ordinary shares on 16th October 2018, the Company has 203,491,108 ordinary shares in issue. BINGEN, Washington, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Insitu, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, has successfully completed the first interim Type Certification Board Meeting (TCBM) in support of the ScanEagle3 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification program. Recently, key FAA teams including Aircraft Certification (AIR), Aircraft Flight Status (AFS), Air Traffic Organization (ATO), and Aircraft Unmanned Systems (AUS) came together at Insitu's headquarters in Bingen, Washington for the TCBM, a first for the group of FAA teams. The FAA teams participated in an overview of Insitu's Project Plan for Certification, examining Insitu's "Detect and Avoid" (DAA) capability planning, along with its Safety Management System and proprietary model-based engineering. The three-day agenda included launch-to-capture flight tests, as well as standards, flight training and technical publications and manuals reviews to ascertain Insitu's proposed basis for 2019 UAS Type Certification. Insitu demonstrated its stringent culture of safety which mirrors the FAA's extremely strict safety standards, exhibited the ScanEagle3's innovative design and technology milestones that it has reached, as well as the fact that it is a mature aircraft company. The aircraft type certification (TC) under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 21.17(b) requires that an aircraft and its subassemblies are manufactured according to the approved design (known as the "type") and that the design ensures compliance with appropriate standards. At that point a standard Certificate for a special class vehicle (UAS) will be issued by the FAA. "This exercise was to underscore our collaboration with the FAA, and to be completely transparent with our engineering details, software, and proprietary information," said Jeff Raymond, Insitu Program Manager. "We are very forward thinking in working with the FAA to ensure UAS safe integration into the National Airspace System (NAS), enabling the many uses for UAS. These uses include data collection, analysis and delivery; aerial infrastructure survey; disaster recovery; wildfire suppression, and many more," Raymond continued. "This certification will allow us to operate UAS without delay - which currently is due to seeking permits and temporary flight restrictions - making us agile and ready to serve at a moment's notice." About Insitu Insitu is an industry-leading provider of information for superior decision making. With its headquarters in Bingen, Wash., and offices in the U.S., U.K., and Australia, the company creates and supports unmanned systems and software technology that deliver end-to-end solutions for collecting, processing and understanding sensor data. We proudly serve the diverse needs of our global customers in the defense, government and commercial industries. To date, our systems have accumulated more than one million flight hours. Insitu is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company. For more information, visit insitu.com. Follow us on Vimeo, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. CONTACT: Monica Golden Insitu Media Relations +1 509.637.6574 monica.golden@insitu.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/685528/INSITU_Logo.jpg Creator of leading digital ad platform, AdVantage, continues its winning streak. SANTA MONICA, California, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- At the Search & Information Industry Association (SIINDA) Media Conference held in Dubrovnik, Croatia this week, MatchCraft was awarded two Platinum Industry Excellence Awards. This is MatchCraft's third time being recognized at the conference. This year, the judges created a new higher award category, Platinum, as they deemed MatchCraft's products worthy of more than Gold. The SIINDA conference is Europe's most prestigious local search event. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/428589/MatchCraft_Logo.jpg SIINDA's Industry Excellence Awards honor member companies that have proven to be innovative, customer centric and results oriented. The independent judging panel was a mix of media professors and industry experts from across the European continent. MatchCraft won the following awards: 1) Platinum in the Attribution & Engagement category for its Customizable Merchant Reporting Dashboard. 2) Platinum in the Sales & Marketing Automation category for its social offerings, AdVantage Social Connect & AdVantage Social Express. These awards highlight MatchCraft's continued dedication towards providing its customers with the best possible products and services. "Having been long standing SIINDA partners, we understand how valuable their recognition is. As such we are thrilled that our efforts to introduce new ways to help local businesses be successful with marketing solutions have been recognized by SIINDA," said Sandy Lohr, MatchCraft's CEO. The newly launched Social Express enhances MatchCraft's Social solutions and takes advantage of CitizenNet, an inaugural Facebook Partner since 2010. CitizenNet has developed patented systems that automate targeting and optimization. Recently, MatchCraft celebrated its 20th Anniversary and launched the French & Portuguese versions of its website. Earlier this year, MatchCraft was honored with the Global Growth Hacker of the Year Award at the annual Bing Partner Summit held in Seattle. "These awards come at a very important time for our company as we celebrate 20 years of excelling in business," said Lohr. "It is an exciting time for MatchCraft!" About SIINDA SIINDA (Search & Information Industry Association) is the leading Europe based non-profit association bringing together companies in the search (digital, mobile, print, vertical directories and platforms), information, and telecommunication sectors as well as businesses providing "on demand" services. They have global members and SIINDA's Media Tech conference explores everything from what the Cloud means for Local Search, to data security, why location matters with perspectives on cross media advertising. Attendees include some of Europe's greatest digital companies and minds. About MatchCraft Founded in 1998, MatchCraft celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. MatchCraft provides a best-in-class marketing platform that enables companies to successfully sell and manage search, display, and social campaigns for their advertisers. Unlike other marketing technology platforms, MatchCraft's platform AdVantageTM helps organizations efficiently manage campaigns of all sizes, enabling clients to deliver spectacular results to their advertisers. MatchCraft's sophisticated real-time bidding algorithms, and team of digital marketing enthusiasts, work relentlessly to deliver exceptional ROI for merchants around the world. MatchCraft has headquarters in the heart of "Silicon Beach," in Santa Monica, Calif., with additional offices in The Netherlands, India and Brazil. For digital marketing news, advice and to stay in the loop on product rollouts, follow MatchCraft on Facebook, MatchCraft on Twitter, or visit www.MatchCraft.com Contact: U.S.: 310-314-3320 Europe: +31 71 760 16 34 info@matchcraft.com NEW YORK and TEL AVIV, Israel, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Team8 , a leading think tank and company creation platform specializing in cyber resilience and data science, today announced the launch of an international coalition incorporating Walmart, Airbus, Softbank, Moody's, Dimension Data, Munich Re, Scotiabank and Barclays. Team8's existing investors, including M-12, Microsoft's venture-capital arm, Cisco Investments, Nokia, Bessemer Venture Partners, Temasek and Innovation Endeavors have also joined the coalition. By bringing together leaders in finance, technology, retail, aerospace, risk and insurance, the coalition aims to build technology companies to create secure and agile environments that empower enterprises to realize the true benefits of digital transformation and leverage data to create real business impact. The coalition formed with this unprecedented approach after respective member organizations concluded that the formidable threat posed by cyber crime inhibits enterprises' ability to maximize digital transformation opportunities due to inherent risks. Rather than simply viewing cybersecurity as a necessity, the Coalition will unlock its value through rethinking enterprise infrastructure, enabling new growth opportunities through infrastructure for networks, the Cloud, data and computing. The Coalition's "Thrive by Security" approach focuses on three areas: 1. Cyber as a catalyst for growth instead of as a defense mechanism 2. Infrastructure that is resilient by design rather than requiring additional layers of security 3. Data Science as a prime enabler of business growth if utmost security is built-in to the infrastructure The Coalition members have secured $85M in capital to fund and build a series of companies that accelerate secure digital transformation through Team8's company-building model, driven by its dedicated team of researchers, scientists, engineers and analysts. Chief Information, Technology, Data and Security Officers from each of the member organizations will work together with Team8's research, recruiting and business development teams to identify problems, ideate on disruptive solutions, validate technology, hire talent and plan go-to-market approaches. The committed $85 million will be invested at seed-level into each of the solutions, resulting in independently operating companies with shared ownership by the investors. "The commitment from our new partners illustrates the significance of our work to galvanize digital transformation across all industries," says Team8 CEO Nadav Zafrir. "The synergy and insight from leaders in retail, aerospace, insurance, financial services and technology combined with our unrivalled cyber and data expertise at Team8 will enable companies to adopt new data-driven methods of working, ensuring they can retain their competitive advantage and thrive, in spite of cyber threats." "Rogue states, hackers, terrorists and criminals are intent on wreaking physical, financial and societal havoc and catastrophic damage on governments, corporations and individuals," said Eric Schmidt, Founding Partner of Innovation Endeavors, a lead investor in the Team8 Coalition. "As data continues to proliferate and our technical capabilities expand, cyber attacks and wars will increase in number and intensity. Team8 has gathered the brightest minds from Israel and around the world to drive its think tank, industry coalition and innovation foundry. We, at Innovation Endeavors, are proud to partner with Team8 as it expands beyond cyber to solve imminent threats around data sharing, collaboration and machine learning." "Walmart's readiness to experiment with and adopt emerging technologies such as blockchain, VR and robotics is pivotal to continually improve our customer shopping experience, stay ahead of the curve and drive market share," said Jerry Geisler, Walmart's Chief Information Security Officer. "Our digital transformation is underpinned by more connectivity than ever before. We're joining Team8's coalition because of their cybersecurity expertise, proven ability to integrate their viewpoints into leading technology solutions and unique access to insights from other sectors." "The power of data collaboration and analytics is core to the future of Airbus as it enhances our operations across the board. Therefore, the production of our assets and executing our operations in the most secure way possible plays a decisive and ever-increasing role for us," says Dirk Hoke, CEO of Airbus Defense and Space. "In order to swiftly and securely identify, build and integrate new technologies into our business, we believe combining our expertise with that of Team8's cyber veterans and world-leading business and technology companies that form the Coalition is the optimal route. Each perspective brings a unique vantage point from hardware, software, networking, communications and overall experience of business decision-making." "As the digital threat landscape is constantly evolving, we're rethinking insurance with smarter use of our data and collaboration for better assessment, comprehensive service offering and tailored product design," says Torsten Jeworrek, Member of Munich Re's Board of Management. "We're looking forward to fusing our own long-standing expertise in insurance and risk assessment with the unmatched security and data intelligence foundation from Team8 to tackle cyber related risks. Together, we will expand the limits of insurability and enable our clients to deal with one of the most pressing challenges of the interconnected economy." "Safeguarding and accelerating the transition to the cloud as well as integrating advanced capabilities in security and data science into our platforms and services, is a top priority for Microsoft," said Mony Hassid, general manager and managing director of EMEA at M12. "Team8's powerhouse of security veterans and data scientists will bring innovative solutions to the market that will help organizations as they pursue their digital transformation initiatives." "Cybersecurity can often be an afterthought; with digitalisation, our clients must now be secure by design," said Matthew Gyde, Group Executive - Security, Dimension Data. "Team8 is managed by global pioneers in the global cybersecurity space and we've already experienced swift traction with two of their portfolio companies' technologies in the market. We feel confident that investing in Team8 will ultimately shape the future of enterprise security technology / cybersecurity and the capabilities that align to the current and future needs of our clients. "We are pleased to partner with Team8 to accelerate the development of innovative approaches to cybersecurity that can help unlock the full potential of digital transformation," said Derek Vadala, Global Head of Cyber Risk for Moody's Investors Service (MIS). "Moody's has a unique perspective on the importance of cybersecurity to the capital markets and its increasing impact on the health and resilience of businesses globally. We look forward to engaging with business, technology and security leaders as part of Team8's network to help the market better quantify cyber risk and build a secure and growing digital future. "Cybersecurity has been a focus topic for years and will only become increasingly important in future society," said Ben Davey, CEO of Barclays UK Ventures. "We've been incredibly impressed by Team8's approach and track record in this area, and feel they are the ideal partner to help think through some of the challenges and opportunities we all face. We're excited to play our part in developing cyber as a catalyst for growth, ultimately for the benefit of consumers and businesses." Marcus Weldon, CTO Nokia & President, Bell Labssaid, "The next digital era will be defined by the evolution of IoT, matched by a surge in digital information analysis centered around a convergence of consumer and enterprise data. It is imperative that a set of standard, scalable, value-added technologies are developed to serve these needs. The pace of Team8's agile company-building model and pre-market validation of their forward-thinking solutions is unrivalled and our continued partnership will enable us to stay a step ahead in this new era of connectivity, be it in digital healthcare or sensor-related infrastructure." "At Scotiabank, the trust we have earned from our customers over 186 years in business is our most valuable asset," said Michael Zerbs, Group Head and CTO, Scotiabank. "We work constantly with regulators, governments and other stakeholders to protect the security of our customers and the bank. Participating in Team8's new security partnership is an important part of Scotiabank's ongoing work to build advanced, resilient security into our digital transformation." Last week, Team8 announced that former NSA Director, Admiral Mike Rogers is joining its Board of Advisors. The company creation platform also announced the acquisition of its first portfolio company Sygnia by Temasek, the global investment company headquartered in Singapore, for $250 million. Team8 was founded by former leaders of Israel's military intelligence Unit 8200 including former Commander, Brig. Gen Nadav Zafrir, along with Israel Grimberg and Liran Grinberg. The leadership team also includes Executive Chairman serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist Yuval Shachar, Assaf Mischari, former technology leader in Unit 8200, and Lluis Pedragosa, former Partner at Marker LLC. To date, Team8 has launched four disruptive companies, with four more operating in stealth mode, each with an innovative approach for organizations to build resilience against cyber warfare and that today protect dozens of Fortune 100, 500 and other leading companies. Including the new $85M investment, the group has raised more than $260M to date and employs more than 370 people worldwide. About Team8 Team8 is a leading think tank and company creation platform specializing in cyber resilience and data analytics. Leveraging the expertise of former leaders from Israel's elite military intelligence Unit 8200, Team8 is supported by an in-house team of top researchers, engineers and analysts. Team8 combines its in-depth understanding of the attacker perspective, data science AI to develop disruptive technologies and category-leading companies that enable businesses to reap the benefits of digital transformation in an agile and secure manner. Team8 is backed by some of the world's most renowned businesses including Cisco, Microsoft, AT&T, Walmart, Airbus, Softbank, Accenture, Qualcomm, Moody's, Munich-Re, Dimension Data, Nokia and Scotiabank. For more information, please visit www.team8.vc . Media Contact: Diane Mckaye Silicon Valley Communications Diane@siliconvpr.com +44-7771-926726 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 23, 2018 / Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. (TSX-V: BAY; OTCQB: ATBHF) ("Aston Bay" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of its 3,135-metre, nine-hole 2018 summer exploration drilling program at its Aston Bay Property located on Somerset Island, Nunavut. The property is underlain by Paleozoic carbonate rocks prospective for high-grade copper and zinc mineralisation, with demonstrated affinities to the nearby past-producing Polaris zinc mine. The program comprised seven holes at the Storm copper prospect and two along strike from the Seal zinc deposit. Targets were based primarily on interpreted gravity gradiometry anomalies proximal to known mineralisation at Storm and Seal. Unusually challenging weather reduced the planned meterage for this drill season and several anomalies remain untested. The majority of the drill holes were relatively shallow at approximately 300m or less (Table 1). VTEM and gravity gradiometry delineate copper mineralization at Storm At Storm, hole AB18-09 targeted a 200 by 200 metre VTEM anomaly coincident with the western flank of a gravity anomaly, ~2.2 kilometres along strike from the 2750N zone (Figures 1 and 2). An historical drill hole, ST97-15, was drilled northwards to intersect local copper mineralisation (3m grading 1.5% Cu) on what Aston Bay's modelling interpreted as the flank of the VTEM anomaly. Drill hole AB18-09 was drilled southwards and intersected significant copper in variably brecciated dolomudstone of the Allen Bay Formation from 39 to 83 metres downhole, primarily as fracture-controlled chalcocite with lesser to minor chalcopyrite, native copper and cuprite. Significant results within the 44m copper mineralized zone include: from 39.0 to 40.5m, 1.5 m grading 4.39% Cu and 9.76 g/t Ag and, from 62.5 to 83m, 20.5m grading 0.56% Cu including, from 74.0 to 76.0m, 2.0m grading 2.54% Cu These results demonstrate the continued effectiveness of VTEM, in conjunction with modelled gravity gradiometry, in detecting shallow copper sulphides. The remaining holes at Storm intersected local pyrite mineralisation, primarily in Allen Bay dolomudstones (Figures 2 and 3). The origin of these targeted gravity gradiometry anomalies remains unclear: variations in bulk rock density, topography and depth to target are possible explanations being investigated in advance of targeting and drill planning for the 2019 season. Density data obtained from this year's core drilling will be instrumental in improving the targeting. Numerous gravity targets in the vicinity of the ~5km-long Storm graben remain untested, and drilling to date has been shallow relative to the prospectivity for stratiform mineralisation at depth. Gravity target yields new zinc mineralized zone south of Seal At Seal, only two holes were completed due to challenging weather conditions and an initial focus on Storm targets (Figures 4 and 5). Nonetheless, drilling was successful in discovering an interpreted extension of the Seal mineralised system approximately 1.2 km southwards along strike, in the northernmost part of the Seal South area and adjacent to tidewater. Drill hole AB18-06B targeted the extreme northern end of an 800m long positive gravity gradiometry anomaly (S12 on Figure 5) coincident with local subcropping sphalerite-pyrite mineralisation. After passing through locally weakly mineralised sandstone and dolomite of the lower Ship Point Formation, host to the Seal deposit, the drill hole intersected significant sphalerite mineralisation between 109.5 m and 136.0 m within moderately to strongly altered pseudobreccia, pyrite/marcasite and rubbly dolostone and limestone of the Turner Cliffs Formation. Results include: from 125.0 to 131.0m, 6.0m grading 0.67% Zn, including from 127 to 129m, 2.0m grading 1.11% Zn. As at Seal, the mineralised pseudobreccia in AB180-06B is considered analogous to pseudobreccia present at the Polaris deposit, where it occurs as a lateral hydrothermal alteration equivalent to ore. The discovery of mineralised pseudobreccia at Seal South in the Turner Cliffs Formation is interpreted as a favourable indicator of hydrothermal alteration and the potential for additional stratiform zinc mineralisation in vicinity of Seal. The last hole of the 2018 Seal program, AB18-08, was collared 100 m southeast along strike from AB18-06B. It intersected, at a similar position in the Turner Cliffs Formation, a 1m zone of sphalerite mineralisation from 132.0 to 133.0m grading 0.16% Zn, within a broader zone of weak mineralisation. Core recoveries in the zone were poor, only 38% in the specified interval. The remaining ~700m strike length of the S12 gravity anomaly is untested and is a promising drill target for 2019. Four additional priority anomalies, S13 - S16, occur in close proximity to the Seal deposit (Figure 5) and also are untested, as are several other anomalies at Seal North (see August 1, 2018 press release). "Aston Bay is very encouraged by the discovery of zinc mineralisation coincident with Polaris-type pseudobreccia spatially associated with the S12 gravity anomaly at Seal South, at this early stage of testing the multiple anomalies in the vicinity of the Seal deposit," commented Dr. David Broughton, Chief Geologist. "Results at Storm will provide impetus for continued improvement of geophysical modeling, and refinement of drill targets for the 2019 season." "These results demonstrate that we now better recognize the signature of both copper and zinc mineralization in our data," stated Thomas Ullrich, CEO. "We are eager to apply these insights to drilling throughout this large and prospective property." Table 1: Drill hole summary, Aston Bay Property 2018 drill program Hole ID Prospect Easting Northing Inclination Azimuth Depth (m) AB18-01 Storm East 472370 8169732 -80 180 191 AB18-01B Storm East 472370 8169732 -79 181 308 AB18-02 Storm West 462933 8175743 -80 180 167 AB18-02B Storm West 462933 8175743 -85 180 185 AB18-02C Storm West 462933 8175743 -85 180 158 AB18-03 Storm East 474362 8169596 -79 193 316 AB18-04 Storm West 459523 8176883 -80 179 473 AB18-05 Storm West 462701 8175131 -80 180 322 AB18-06 Seal South 439445 8182722 -59 244 51 AB18-06B Seal South 439445 8182722 -60 240 171 AB18-07 Storm East 471300 8170850 -80 176 300 AB18-08 Seal South 439525 8182655 -60 241 296 AB18-09 Storm Centre 464016 8173190 -58 183 200 Figure 1: Storm area 2018 drill collar locations and location of detailed figures Storm West and Storm East. Inset map shows the location of Aston Bay's Seal zinc and Storm copper projects south of the Polaris mine and the community of Resolute Bay in the Polaris mining district, Nunavut. Figure 2: Storm West area: gravity targets, vertical gravity gradient, select VTEM anomalies and 2018 drill collar locations. Figure 3: Storm East area: gravity targets, vertical gravity gradient, select VTEM anomalies and 2018 drill collar locations. Figure 4: Geological map of Seal and Seal South areas. Inset map shows the location of Aston Bay's Seal zinc and Storm copper projects south of the Polaris mine and the community of Resolute Bay in the Polaris mining district, Nunavut. Figure 5: Gravity gradiometry map of Seal deposit and Seal South prospect, with 2018 drill collar locations, select geology, and historical drilling. The surface projection of the Seal deposit is shown in grey. QUALIFIED PERSON As per National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Michael Dufresne, M.Sc., P.Geol., P.Geo., a Director of and a consultant to Aston Bay, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has prepared, validated and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release. The Company strictly adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines in conducting, documenting, and reporting its exploration activities on the Storm Project. ABOUT ASTON BAY HOLDINGS LTD. Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. is a publicly traded mineral exploration company exploring for large, high-grade, sediment-hosted copper and zinc deposits in North America. Aston Bay is 100% owner of the 1,024,345-acre (414,537-hectare) Aston Bay Property located on western Somerset Island, Nunavut. The Aston Bay Property hosts the Storm Copper Project and the Seal Zinc Prospect, with historical drilling confirming the presence of sediment-hosted copper and zinc mineralization. The Company has also entered into an agreement to acquire exclusive rights to an integrated geophysical, geochemical and geological dataset over a 1.2 million-acre (0.5 million-hectare) area located in central Virginia, USA. The Company's public disclosure documents are available on www.sedar.com. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Statements made in this press release, including those regarding the completion of the acquisition, management objectives, forecasts, estimates, expectations, or predictions of the future may constitute "forward-looking statement", which can be identified by the use of conditional or future tenses or by the use of such verbs as "believe", "expect", "may", "will", "should", "estimate", "anticipate", "project", "plan", and words of similar import, including variations thereof and negative forms. This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect, as of the date of this press release, Aston Bay's expectations, estimates and projections about its operations, the mining industry and the economic environment in which it operates. Statements in this press release that are not supported by historical fact are forward-looking statements, meaning they involve risk, uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Although Aston Bay believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which apply only at the time of writing of this press release. Aston Bay disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by securities legislation. We seek safe harbour. 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 news release. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer thomas.ullrich@astonbayholdings.com Telephone: (416) 456-3516 SOURCE: Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/526091/Aston-Bay-Announces-Results-of-2018-Summer-Drilling-Program LONDON, October 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- (For downloading the complete press release including photos, click here) Named after a healing angel of the Roman mythology, Bona Dea International hospital is a new structure recently opened in Azerbaijan's capital Baku and is the largest private hospital in the country. This modern health facility takes advantage of the aesthetic and functional qualities of Corian Solid Surface which has been used widely used inside and on the facade of the building for creating many different design solutions. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/773389/Corian_Logo.jpg ) The creative possibilities of Corian Solid Surface - which give it numerous uses in commercial and residential applications worldwide - are equally important in the healthcare environment. At Bona Dea hospital, the leading surface material has been the ideal solution for a great variety of installations in many environments throughout the hospital, such as wall cladding, bedheads, patients' room furniture, bathroom countertops, window ledges, laboratory counters, nursery desks, as well as outdoor column cladding. As Corian can be thermoformed and joined without visible seams, almost any design application is possible - from large, continuous surfaces to stylish signage to ergonomically shaped edges and decorative exterior cladding. The combination of three colours from the large palette of Corian Solid Surface (Glacier White, Grape Green and Dove) allowed achieving a clean, reassuring and calming atmosphere combined with exceptional aesthetics. Helping with infection control is also an important issue in hospital interior design. Corian Solid Surface helps creating inviting environments that meet the tough demands of healthcare. It ensures superior hygiene of every installation in the hospital thanks to its nonporous surface that, with proper cleaning, is able to resist the growth of mildew and bacteria. Being a solid material with the same properties - both in its nucleus and on its surface - it is a long-term solution, resistant to chemicals and liquids that is also renewable and can be repaired if needed. Also, inevitable scratches and stains could be removed easily by the maintenance staff. Bona Dea hospital benefits from Corian Solid Surface great aesthetics even for the decorative white facade made with the Glacier White colour. The material has been used to create geometric pattern that give a unique identity to the hospital facade which will remain bright and beautiful for many years to come. Besides the great aesthetics that Corian Solid Surface offers when used as an exterior solution, its superior properties include high resistance to UVs and extreme atmospheric conditions. 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. Participating investors include MizMaa Ventures, GP Bullhound, Fly Forever, GV, Partech, Bonnier Ventures, Creandum, Sisu Game Ventures and Unity Founder, David Helgason STOCKHOLM, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) games company, Resolution Games, today announced it has closed a $7.5 million series B round of funding led by MizMaa Ventures. The round also includes new investors from venture capital firms GP Bullhound and Fly Forever, as well as industry thought leader David Helgason, the founder of Unity. Prior round investors GV, Partech, Bonnier Ventures, Creandum and Sisu Game Ventures also participated in the round. "We're very excited to have these high-caliber thought leaders join our team, and to see the continued support from our current investors," said Tommy Palm, CEO and co-founder of Resolution Games. "With this group behind us, we can work towards scaling and being better prepared to take advantage of the maturing market." With this latest infusion of capital, the company's total funding comes to $13.5 million, which will allow Resolution Games to further grow and expand its portfolio of intellectual property (IP) for both VR and AR. In their first three years, the studio has produced one of the most popular VR titles of all time (Bait!), and their games are among the highest-rated on their respective platforms. The company recently launched the first-ever third-party developer app, Angry Birds FPS: First Person Slingshot, on Magic Leap. "The Resolution Games team is taking the lead in innovation for VR and AR games. Their team's background, market leadership position and ability to innovate in the space is unmatched. We are thrilled to be joining their team as they set out to establish even more standards for the VR and AR games markets," said Catherine K.C. Leung, co-founder and general partner of MizMaa Ventures. "Every one of our investors shares our incredible enthusiasm about the future of visual computing. With the amount of interest we're seeing from the industry around our titles, coupled with the exciting new platforms like the Oculus Quest coming to market, we foresee larger volumes of players and a viable multiplayer market. Needless to say, these are exciting times," added Palm. For more information, follow Resolution Games on Facebook and Twitter. About Resolution Games: Resolution Games is a VR and AR games studio and publisher aimed at creating immersive experiences for all - from gamers to non-gamers alike. The studio continues to push the limits of the emerging visual computing space with titles ranking among the highest rated and most downloaded across every major VR and AR platform. Their games include Angry Birds FPS: First Person Slingshot, Bait!, Bait! Arctic Open, Wonderglade, Narrows and Solitaire Jester, with several more on the horizon. The studio is composed of game industry veterans, serial entrepreneurs and thought leaders with a proven track record of widely acclaimed success spanning across mass market and AAA games, free-to-play games, hardware and more. Resolution Games is privately held and based in Stockholm, Sweden. Follow the company at www.resolutiongames.com and on Twitter and Facebook . Press Contacts: Jill Rountree for Resolution Games Tel. 210-602-4245 jill@carvecom.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/460262/Resolution_Logo.jpg VANCOUVER, British Columbia, October 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ParcelPal Technology Inc. ("ParcelPal" or the "Company"), (CSE: PKG) (FSE: PT0) (OTC: PTNYF) - As part of ParcelPal's national rollout strategy, the Company is pleased to announce they will be launching into Saskatchewan within the coming weeks. The company has been operating successfully in Vancouver and Calgary and is now expanding to Saskatoon as part of its continuing strategy for Canada-wide distribution. Over the next few weeks, ParcelPal will be launching with all verticals the company currently offers (food, alcohol, grocery and, soon, get anything) on its platform for both iOS and Android. As per the Company's prior press release on their cannabis strategy for legalization in Canada (https://www.stockwatch.com/News/Item.aspx?bid=Z-C:PKG-2658675&symbol=PKGion=C), ParcelPal will be the first company in Canada to offer on-demand delivery of cannabis and fully intends to launch this program as soon as possible. Further details with regards to the Company's partnerships in the Cannabis space will be released once they go live. The Company has secured an operating location and is currently hiring and on-boarding key staff members for the launch. As with every province, the Company is looking to expand with existing and new partnerships within this region. President and CEO Kelly Abbott states, "We are very excited to launch in such an under served region in Canada. Saskatoon is currently under served in nearly all verticals, which poses an ideal opportunity for quick penetration into this city. In light of the recent shortcomings of delivery and the shortage of supply of cannabis in the province, we feel confident that we can offer the residents of Saskatoon a cheaper, quicker, safer and more anonymous service than current providers. Saskatoon residents will be able to order directly from our app and can expect to get their cannabis delivered safely and securely in an hour or less!" Saskatoon residents can download the app by visiting the ParcelPal website or by visiting the app store on their mobile devices. About ParcelPal Technology Inc. ParcelPal is a technology-driven logistics company that connects consumers to the goods they love. Customers can shop at partner businesses and through the ParcelPal technology receive their purchased goods within an hour. The Company offers on-demand delivery of merchandise from leading retailers, restaurants, medical marijuana dispensaries and liquor stores in Vancouver and soon in major cities Canada-wide. ParcelPal Website: http://www.parcelpal.com The Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") or any other securities regulatory authority has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release that has been prepared by management. CSE - Symbol: PKG FSE - Symbol: PT0 OTC - Symbol: PTNYF Forward Looking Information This news release contains forward looking statements relating to the Proposed Transaction, and the future potential of ParcelPal. Forward looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "intends", "anticipates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the risk that the Proposed Transaction will not be completed due to, among other things, failure to execute definitive documentation, failure to complete satisfactory due diligence, failure to receive the approval of the CSE and the risk that ParcelPal will not be successful due to, among other things, general risks relating to the mobile application industry, failure of ParcelPal to gain market acceptance and potential challenges to the intellectual property utilized in ParcelPal. There can be no assurance that any 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 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 laws. Contact: Peter Hinam, Director Investor Relations peter@parcelpal.com +1-604-401-8700 ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / October 23, 2018 / Findit, Inc. (OTC PINK: FDIT) a Nevada Corporation offers insight into how Findit is differentiating itself from Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking platforms when it comes to censorship of selected members and its effects on freedom of speech. Google is the internet's Wizard of Oz, the main force determining its future. Every now and then, we get a glimpse behind the curtain. A presentation put together by employees of Google was recently leaked to the public; it illustrated the extent that the tech juggernaut is wrestling with decisions around censorship and freedom of speech. In Google's case, the first slide of the presentation said their aim is to "reassure the world that Google protects users from harmful conduct, while still supporting free speech." Facebook is dealing with the same issues. Twitter is as well. In fact, Twitter banned conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and Infowars back in September, citing abusive behavior. In July, Twitter banned Conservative actor James Woods for retweeting a satirical meme that the platform stated could impact the midterms. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai4kjy72YgU Many other notable personalities have been banned from these platforms, leading some to speculate that there is a politically-motivated application for the account bans and page removals. To their credit, Facebook and Twitter moderate an enormous amount of human interactions. All of these platforms are attempting to navigate the darkest side of free speech - fake news, bots, violent threats, trolling, election interference, and propaganda, while still leaving enough room for their users to operate freely. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVnFNoS1OfI It's an extremely precarious balance and a difficult position to be in. Who and what they choose to censor illustrates that even in the data-driven environment of Silicon Valley, human bias seeps into decision-making. That isn't to say who's right and who's wrong. In fact, that's exactly what Findit doesn't do - tell its members who's right and who's wrong. The social networking platform isn't here to tell you what to think, how to interpret information, or to position itself as a moral authority. Findit operates with the philosophy that the truth will eventually surface and people will be able to see it for themselves. "If people want to say crazy things, let them," says Findit Marketing Director Peter Tosto. "If Alex Jones believes that Sandy Hook was a conspiracy or that Hillary Clinton has 50% reptile DNA, I'd rather know that he thinks that, so I can make a decision as to whether or not I want to be associated with him." Tosto adds that what makes Findit unique is that it doesn't just claim to support freedom of speech. It embraces freedom of speech wholeheartedly. "If someone offends you, block them," says Tosto. "It's the same thing you'd do if someone you don't want at your house rings your doorbell - don't let them in. I watched the Bill Maher 25 year anniversary show and Bill seems to share similar views on this. Although I don't agree with Maher on everything certain things in my opinion are always agreeable." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbwn2LSJDvc Findit is making social networking great again by bringing it back to its core purpose - connecting people with people of different nationalities, political affiliations, and ideologies. What Findit represents is one of the few places left on the internet where moderation and censorship hasn't eliminated the opportunity for meaningful dialogue. About Findit, Inc. Findit, Inc., (OTC PINK: FDIT) 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 OTCPinksheets. 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 By Connor Judson Garrett SOURCE: Findit, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/526013/FindIt-Encourages-Freedom-of-Speech-as-Google-Facebook-Twitter-and-Other-Social-Networking-Platforms-Escalate-Censorship Trio of Executives at Leading Scholarly Publishers Address What It Takes to be Smart About Plan S Copyright Clearance Center, Inc. (CCC), a leader in advancing copyright, accelerating knowledge, and powering innovation, is sharing results from its "Get Smart About Plan S" program from the 2018 Frankfurt Book Fair during International Open Access Week, October 22-28, 2018. Panelists were Tim Britton, Managing Director of the Open Research Group, Springer Nature; Malavika Legge, Acting Director of Publishing, Portland Press; and David Ross, Executive Publisher for Open Access, Sage Publishing. CCC's Rightsholder Sales Director, Chuck Hemenway, moderated the discussion. For a full transcript from the panel, click here. CCC also recently hosted a "pop-up" webinar in early October featuring Open Access expert Rob Johnson, founder and director of the UK's Research Consulting. Johnson offered a 30-minute crash course full of details and insights about Plan S. Plan S is one of the most important developments in OA publishing since the Finch Report. Announced in September, Plan S is an initiative of cOAlition S, a consortium launched by the European Research Council and major national research agencies and funders from 12 European countries. It puts pressure on OA publishing business models by capping article fees, ending embargoes, and withdrawing support for "hybrid" OA journals. CCC is monitoring Plan S and will work closely with all parties to address the accelerated transition to Open Access publishing. As business models and workflows evolve, CCC supports the collaboration of industry stakeholders by creating forums and tools that promote sustainable, transparent, and streamlined practices. CCC is an active partner in the information industry's transition from subscription content to hybrid and pure open access content. The company has built RightsLink Author, the leading industry solution for managing Open Access and related publication charges. For years it has brought together key Open Access stakeholders from the author, publisher, institution, funding and vendor communities through roundtables, panel events, webinars, podcasts, and published pieces. CCC is a member of OASPA (Open Access Scholarly Publishers Association), ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers) and STM (International Association of STM Publishers). ABOUT COPYRIGHT CLEARANCE CENTER Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) builds unique solutions that connect content and rights in contextually relevant ways through software and professional services. CCC helps people navigate vast amounts of data to discover actionable insights, enabling them to innovate and make informed decisions. CCC, with its subsidiaries RightsDirect and Ixxus, collaborates with customers to advance how data and information is integrated, accessed, and shared while setting the standard for effective copyright solutions that accelerate knowledge and power innovation. CCC is headquartered in Danvers, Mass. and has offices across North America, Europe and Asia. To learn more about CCC, visit www.copyright.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005165/en/ Contacts: Copyright Clearance Center, Inc. Craig Sender, 978-646-2605 Director, Public Relations csender@copyright.com DETROIT, October 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Stratview Research announces the launch of a new research report on Automotive Active Safety Sensors Market by Vehicle Type (Passenger Car, LCV, and M&HCV), by Sensor Type (Radar Sensor, LiDAR Sensor, Camera Sensor, and Others), by Application Type (Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning and Others), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World), Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2018-2023. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660595/Stratview_Research_Logo.jpg ) This market report, from Stratview Research, studies the active safety sensors market in the global automotive industry over the trend period of 2012 to 2017 and forecast period of 2018 to 2023. The report provides detailed insights on the market dynamics to enable informed business decision making and growth strategy formulation based on the opportunities present in the market. The Global Automotive Active Safety Sensors Market: Highlights With more than 1 million annual road fatalities worldwide, safety has become important for the automotive industry. Various safety regulatory organizations, such as NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), are imposing stringent safety regulations on automakers, which are encouraging automakers to incorporate active safety systems into their new cars. Sensors are nowadays considered a very crucial product for passenger safety as they recognize accident hazards or events in milliseconds. The main function of active safety sensors is to help the driver control the vehicle to avoid accidents and enhance the driving experience under various road conditions. As per Stratview Research, the global automotive active safety sensors market is likely to witness an excellent double-digit growth over the next five years to reach US$ 18,554.5 million in 2023. Increasing usage of active systems in passenger cars to reduce the number of accidents, implementation of stringent regulations regarding passenger safety, growing trend towards advancing of vehicles by making it autonomous, and market entry of technology-driven companies like Apple and Google are some of the major factors that are proliferating the growth of active safety sensors in the automotive industry. Organic growth of the automotive industry further substantiates the demand for active safety sensors in the industry. Click here and Run Through the Complete TOC of the Report The author of the report cited that passenger car is expected to remain the growth engine of the market during the forecast period. High production of cars coupled with an increased adoption of active safety systems is driving the segment. Passenger car has been undergoing the most disruptive advancements in areas of electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and enhancements in fuel efficiency. Active systems are going to play a mammoth role in achieving such areas. Based on the sensor type, radar is expected to remain the dominant sensor type in the market during the forecast period. The sensor type is also likely to grow at an impressive rate during the same period. Radar sensors have longer and higher resolution properties that allow them to easily distinguish between multiple objects in real time. They are also not very much affected by environmental conditions, such as lighting, weather, and particles. These factors are some of the key whys and wherefores for higher growth of radar sensors as compared to other sensors. Another factor evoking interest towards the usage of radar sensors is its large-scale adoption in ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) technologies. Click Here and Register for a Free Sample of the Report Based on the application type, the market is segmented as braking system, adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, lane departure warning, and others. Braking system is expected to remain the most dominant segment of the market during the forecast period and is also likely to grow at an impressive rate during the same period. In terms of region, Europe is expected to remain the largest automotive active safety sensors market during the forecast period, owing to the high adoption of active safety systems to address the stringent regulations of safety standard of Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) and increasing share of autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles in the region. However, Asia-Pacific is likely to experience the highest growth during the same period. Major automotive active safety sensor suppliers are Continental AG, Autoliv Inc, Robert Bosch GmbH, Valeo Group, and Aptiv PLC. Development of low-cost sensors and formation of strategic alliances with OEMs and active safety system suppliers are the key strategies adopted by the major players to gain a competitive edge in the market. Report Features This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights on the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report: Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis Market trend and forecast analysis Market segment trend and forecast Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc. Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities Emerging trends. Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players Key success factors This report studies active safety sensors market in the global automotive industry and has segmented the market in four ways, keeping in mind the interest of all the stakeholders across the value chain. Following are the four ways in which the market is segmented: By Vehicle Type Passenger Car (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Light Commercial Vehicle (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Medium- & Heavy-Duty Commercial Vehicle (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) By Sensor Type Radar Sensor (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) , , , and RoW) LiDAR Sensor (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Camera Sensor (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Others (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) By Application Type Braking System (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Adaptive Cruise Control (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Blind Spot Detection (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Lane Departure Warning (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) Others (Regional Analysis: North America , Europe , Asia-Pacific , and RoW) By Region North America (Country Analysis: The USA , Canada , and Mexico ) Europe (Country Analysis: Germany , France , The UK, Italy , Russia , and Rest of Europe ) Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: China , South Korea , and Rest of Asia-Pacific ) Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil , Argentina , and Others) Stratview Research has several high value market reports in the global automotive industry. Please refer to the following link to browse through our reports: Click Here for Other Reports from Stratview Research in the Automotive Industry Some of our other premium reports in the automotive industry: Automotive Airbag Inflators Market by Vehicle Type, by Airbag Type, by Inflator Type, and by Region, Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2018 - 2023 Automotive Headlamp Reflector Market by Vehicle Type, by Light Type, by Material Type, by Manufacturing Process, by Region, Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2018 - 2023 About Stratview Research Stratview Research is a global market intelligence firm providing wide range of services including syndicated market reports, custom research and sourcing intelligence across industries, such as Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Automotive & Mass Transportation, Consumer Goods, Construction & Equipment, Electronics and Semiconductors, Energy & Utility, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Oil & Gas. We have a strong team of industry veterans and analysts with an extensive experience in executing custom research projects for mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies, in the areas of Market Assessment, Opportunity Screening, Competitive Intelligence, Due Diligence, Target Screening, Market Entry Strategy, Go to Market Strategy, and Voice of Customer studies. Stratview Research is a trusted brand globally, providing high quality research and strategic insights that help companies worldwide in effective decision making. For enquiries, Contact: Stratview Research E-mail: sales@stratviewresearch.com Direct: +1(313)307-4176 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 23, 2018 / Alliance Mining Corp. (TSX.V: ALM) ("Alliance" or the "Company") is applying to list on the on the OTCQB Venture Market. The OTCQB Venture Market provides efficient access to U.S. investors, helping Canadian companies build shareholder value with a goal of enhancing liquidity and achieving fair valuation. Through trading on OTCQB, companies can engage a far greater network of U.S. investor, data distributors and media partners, ensuring U.S. investors have access to the same high-quality information that is available to investors in Canada, but through U.S. platforms and portals used to conduct research. Havilah Mining's True North Mine/Mill Complex 4 kilometres from Alliance's Packsack Property Alliance Mining has an option to acquire 100 per cent of the Red Rice Lake property located in the centre of the Bissett gold camp in Manitoba. The property is located close to the town of Bissett, Man., and just four kilometres south from Havilah Mining's True North gold mine. The Red Rice Lake gold property claims are located within the Archean Rice Lake greenstone belt in southeastern Manitoba. This belt forms part of the Uchi subprovince that includes the Red Lake and Pickle Lake belts in Northwestern Ontario. Alliance Mining Corp. has recently signed a letter of intent with Jadestone Energy LLC to acquire a 100-per-cent interest in Jadestone's Tonopah uranium project. The Tonopah uranium project is located in the Tonopah mining district in Nye county and Esmerelda county, Nevada. The company is working with Jadestone to finalize a definitive agreement. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Al Beaton Director FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Alliance Mining Corp. (604) 488-3900 Investor Relations: Antony Claydon: 604-488-3900 E-mail: ir@alliancemining.com 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 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, continued availability of financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. 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. Alliance Mining Corp. 888 Dunsmuir Street - Suite 888, Vancouver, B.C., V6C 3K4 SOURCE: Alliance Mining Corp View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/526078/Alliance-Mining-Corp-to-Apply-to-List-on-the-OTCQB-Venture-Market 23 October 2018 Acacia Mining plc LSE:ACA ("Acacia" or the "Company") Senior Manager of Acacia's Tanzanian Businesses Charged The Company advises that a senior manager of its Tanzanian businesses, a Tanzanian national, has been arrested and charged today by the Tanzanian Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB). The senior manager has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The Company believes that the senior manager has been charged as an additional accused to some (but not all) of the 39 criminal charges brought by the PCCB on 17 October against a current employee and a former employee of Acacia group companies, as well as Pangea Minerals Limited ("PML"), Bulyanhulu Gold Mine Limited ("BGML") and North Mara Gold Mine Limited ("NMGML"). We understand that he has been charged with various counts of tax evasion, forgery and money laundering, but have not yet seen a copy of the charge sheet. The Company notes again with concern that offences under the Tanzanian Anti-Money Laundering Act are not bailable and, accordingly, the senior manager charged today has not been released on bail. Acacia is deeply concerned about the increasing risks to the safety and security of its people given the criminal charges being brought by the Government of Tanzania ("GoT"). The Company believes that these recent actions represent a significant escalation of governmental pressure, as the Company's 19 month dispute with the GoT remains unresolved and as the discussions between Barrick Gold Corporation ("Barrick") and the GoT have not yet been concluded. As previously advised, Barrick has not yet provided to the Company a proposal for a comprehensive resolution of the disputes that Barrick has been able to agree in principle with the GoT, despite their direct discussions since announcements were made in October 2017. As the Company has previously announced, senior officials from the PCCB have recently been reported in Tanzanian media to have stated that the current arrests and charges form part of their "ongoing investigation into natural resources exploitation" and as part of the "war that the government is waging in the Minerals sector". Acacia is committed to running its business to the highest ethical standards and is taking these matters extremely seriously. While the Company remains of the view that a sustainable negotiated resolution of its disputes with the GoT is the preferred outcome, the interests of stakeholders have been protected in the meantime through the contractual arbitrations commenced in respect of the Bulyanhulu and Buzwagi businesses in July 2017 immediately prior to the GoT's introduction of new legislation seeking to prohibit international arbitration of such disputes. Acacia notes that all of the matters that are the subject of criminal proceedings by the GoT relate to matters now being considered in the contractual arbitrations, with the majority relating to the historical structuring and financing of PML, BGML and NMGML dating back as far as 2008, prior to the IPO of the Acacia Group. These contractual arbitrations have continued through 2018, with the GoT participating, including by serving its Defence immediately after the filing of the criminal charges over the past two weeks. The Company is continuing to reach out to the GoT to seek the opportunity for direct dialogue regarding the ongoing disputes between the GoT, the Company and the broader Acacia Group. The Company has also advised Barrick of these latest charges, including the allegations being made by the GoT regarding the historical structuring and financing of PML, BGML and NMGML, and is seeking to understand Barrick's proposals for the next steps in its direct discussions with the GoT, in which the Company is not directly involved. The Company will provide further updates 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. Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2018) - FluroTech Ltd. (TSXV: TEST), ("FluroTech" or the "Company"), a developer of a human saliva-based testing device designed to accurately measure concentrations of 9-tetrahydrocannabinol ("THC"), methamphetamines and cocaine, is pleased to report that it has achieved the proof of concept to specifically detect cocaine below the 50 ng/ml cut-off, as required for roadside testing by the Canadian Society of Forensic Science Drugs and Driving Committee ("DDC") for Drug Screening Equipment. The development team will continue to validate the cocaine test and prove concept for THC and methamphetamines prior to commercialization of the drug test kits. Once the drug test kits are complete, they can be modified for employee testing with the CompleTest devices that are currently in production. "With recreational cannabis legalized, law enforcement agencies and drug recognition experts will be under the microscope to correctly identify drivers who are under the influence of any drug that impacts their ability to drive in a safe and responsible manner," said FluroTech CEO Danny Della-Longa. "Having a device to definitively, quickly and accurately measure various drug levels in saliva to assist the drug recognition experts is a benefit to all members of society. Adding the ability to detect methamphetamines and cocaine to the ability to detect THC on a parts per billion (ppb) basis will help keep the streets safe." The design of the roadside testing device for the drugs required by the DDC is complete and prototyping is underway. The device was designed with the following goals: Accurate testing in a wide range of ambient temperatures Effectively suppresses background substrates Limited wait time before commencing the testing process Saliva swabs to be completed in under two minutes Entire test to be completed in under 10 minutes Ease of training of law enforcement personnel The Company anticipates submitting an application in response to current requests for submissions of testing devices for consideration to the DDC in Q4 2018. About FluroTech (TSXV: TEST) FluroTech is a technology and marketing company whose core business is focused on the commercialization of new spectroscopy-based technologies for cannabis quality control testing and human saliva testing for 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, methamphetamines and cocaine to determine levels of impairment. FluroTech's proprietary spectroscopy-based technology allows for the testing and identification of organic and inorganic compounds contained within biological samples. Using the technology that was developed at the University of Calgary in conjunction with the University of Alberta, FluroTech has developed a two-part solution comprising an instrument called the CompleTest and consumable testing kits. To learn more, visit www.FluroTech.com. Contact Information FluroTech Ltd. Alistair Ross Technology Centre Suite 111, 3553-31 Street NW Calgary, AB T2L 2K7 info@flurotech.com Danny Dalla-Longa Chief Executive Officer 403.680.0644 danny@flurotech.com Prit Singh IR - Thesis Capital Inc. 905.510.7636 psingh@thesiscapital.ca Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information generally refers to information about an issuer's business, capital, or operations that is prospective in nature, and includes future-oriented financial information about the issuer's prospective financial performance or financial position. The forward-looking information in this news release includes disclosure about timing of submission its application for consideration to the Drugs and Driving Committee, timing to commercialization of the CompleTest device, the future performance of the Company and the effect of the October 17, 2018 legislation on demand for the Company's products. The Company made certain material assumptions, including but not limited to prevailing market conditions and general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties to develop the forward-looking information in this news release. 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. Actual results may vary from the forward-looking information in this news release due to certain material risk factors. These risk factors include, but are not limited to, adverse market conditions and regulatory and other risks associated with the medical cannabis industry in general, failure to meet certain timelines for commercialization, failure to submit its application for consideration on time or at all, and failure to achieve the anticipated benefits of the October 17, 2018 legislation. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material risk factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information in this news release, unless it is required to do so under Canadian securities legislation. 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 of this release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES LONDON, October 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- COMPASS Pathways, a life sciences company dedicated to accelerating patient access to evidence-based innovation in mental health, has received Breakthrough Therapy designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/733890/COMPASS_Pathways_Logo.jpg ) The FDA designates a drug as a Breakthrough Therapy if preliminary clinical evidence shows that it may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapy. Breakthrough Therapies are supported by the FDA throughout the clinical development programme to ensure as efficient a process as possible. Breakthrough Therapy designation is a significant milestone for psilocybin therapy and psilocybin research, and a testament to the work done over many years by research teams in the US, the UK and Switzerland. The Heffter Research Institute was the first to fund research in this field, and supported early studies at Johns Hopkins University, New York University, and Harbor-UCLA. In the UK, the Medical Research Council backed the proof-of-concept study of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression at Imperial College London in 2015. COMPASS Pathways is now running the first large-scale psilocybin therapy clinical trial for treatment-resistant depression, which will take place in Europe and North America over the next year or so. George Goldsmith, Executive Chairman, COMPASS Pathways, said, "This is great news for patients. We are excited to be taking this work forward with our clinical trial on psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression. The FDA will be working closely with us to expedite the development process and increase the chances of getting this treatment to people suffering with depression as quickly as possible." Treatment-resistant depression is a huge unmet need, affecting 100 million people around the world who do not respond to existing treatments. Depression is one of the fastest growing health problems we face today, and the leading cause of ill-health and disability worldwide. The Breakthrough Therapy designation for psilocybin therapy highlights the importance of supporting early research that can be translated to clinically meaningful outcomes. Dr Robin Carhart-Harris, Head of the Psychedelic Research Group, Imperial College London, said, "In our 2015 study, we provided psilocybin to 19 patients in a clinical setting, coupled with psychological support, and found promising signals of efficacy and safety as treatment for treatment-resistant depression. The Breakthrough Therapy designation is a strong endorsement for the potential of psilocybin therapy. We look forward to learning more as further clinical studies are carried out, by our team at Imperial College as well as in COMPASS's multi-centre trial." Dr David Nichols, Chairman of the Board, Heffter Research Institute, said, "Since its inception in 1993, Heffter has been helping to design, review, and fund the early phase clinical studies on psilocybin at research institutions in the US and Europe. We are delighted that psilocybin is being recognised as a Breakthrough Therapy and look forward to continuing our work with researchers and partners around the world so that we can alleviate the suffering caused by mental illness." About COMPASS Pathways COMPASS Pathways is a life sciences company, founded in 2016 to accelerate patient access to evidence-based innovation in mental health. We are developing psilocybin therapy through a late-stage clinical trial in Europe and North America for patients with treatment-resistant depression. We will improve mental health through the development of new patient care pathways, based on advances in neuroscience, psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and technology. www.compasspathways.com Enquiries: Tracy Cheung, tracy@compasspathways.com , +44-7966-309-024 Chris Strutt, chris@compasspathways.com , +44-7850-546-135 CHICAGO, October 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Industrial Vacuum Cleaner Market by Type (Dry and Wet & Dry), Power Source (Electric & Pneumatic), Industry (Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, Manufacturing, Metalworking, and Building & Construction), and Region - Global Forecast to 2023", published by MarketsandMarkets, the industrial vacuum cleaner market is expected to grow from USD 536.9 million in 2018 to USD 681.3 million by 2023, at a CAGR of 4.88%. Benefits offered by industrial vacuum cleaners that include removal of tough deposits and hard stains from industries, continuous cleaning operations, and saving on the labor and man hours, which drive the industrial vacuum cleaner market. Increasing awareness about hygiene and safety requirements at the workplace and rising labor cost in developing countries are also fueling the growth of industrial vacuum cleaner market. Dirty and contaminated areas in industries can impact significantly on the health of an employee. Further, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), an agency of the United States Department of Labor, has stated the rules for clean and hygienic workplaces. Therefore, many industrial cleaning equipment manufacturers offer industrial vacuum cleaners that comply with OSHA standards. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg ) Don't miss out on business opportunities in Industrial Vacuum Cleaner Market. Speak to Our Analyst and gain crucial industry insights that will help your business grow: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=246927309 Market for food & beverages industry expected to capture largest market share during the forecast period The housekeeping activity in the food & beverages industry is a regulatory requirement. The industry is more particular in its cleaning solutions. In the food & beverages industry, vacuum cleaners need to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and must implement Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) in their process. The food & beverages industry is always in spotlight owing to the health and safety of consumers. OSHA estimates that every year foodborne illnesses cost the food industry more than USD 15.6 billion and send many Americans to the hospitals. Therefore, food processing facilities need to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in all food processing areas. Browse in-depth TOC on "Industrial Vacuum Cleaner Market" 62- Tables 40- Figures 138- Pages Industrial vacuum cleaner market in Asia Pacific to grow at highest CAGR during forecast period The global industrialization in emerging countries, such as China and India, has led to increasing demand for quick cleaning solutions. The setting up the special economic zones (SEZs) and dedicated industrial corridors in India fueling the growth of the manufacturing sector. Therefore, there has been an increase in micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises in the country. This has increased the demand for commercial cleaning equipment, such as vacuum cleaners. The adoption of advanced cleaning equipment is expected to rise in the coming year in these countries, especially in India. Ask for PDF @https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=246927309 Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), Nilfisk A/S (Denmark), and Tennant Company (US) are among the key players in this market. Other companies covered in this report are Comac SpA (Italy), Nederman Holding AB (Sweden), Suiden Co., Ltd. (Japan), Hako GmbH (Germany), Eureka Forbes Limited (India), EXAIR Corporation (US), Diversey, Inc. (Tasky) (US), Numatic International Ltd. (UK), Delfin Industrial Vacuums (Italy), Ruwac Industriesauger GmbH (Germany), Kraenzle (Germany), Sibilia S.r.l. (Italy), American Vacuum Company (US), Debus GmbH (Germany), RGS Vacuum System (Italy), Depureco Industrial Vacuums (Italy), and Ghibli & Wirbel (Italy). Please explore relevant report "Cleaning Robot Market"also. 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/industrial-vacuum-cleaner-market.asp Visit Our Web Site: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com LAS VEGAS, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Elixxir blockchain - launched during Consensus Singapore by legendary cryptographer David Chaum - has announced strategic investments from lead players in the blockchain industry. David Chaum will be at Money 20/20 on Tuesday, October 23 from 9:00 am to 9:30 am PST where he will speak on the "Privacy in the Digital Age" Panel alongside Charlie Lee, Founder of Litecoin and David Bailey, Founder of BTC Media. Mr. Chaum will be able to discuss this announcement further, in person. The investments come after years of platform architecture design in "stealth mode" dating back to 2015, with specific development on the Elixxir project beginning in early 2016. The funding comes from leaders both in Asia and the United States who share a common vision of a blockchain platform capable of supporting confidential and secure communication of sensitive financial information at the scale required for mainstream adoption. H&D Company Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based entity and Chris Larsen, a leading privacy advocate and Ripple co-founder, have emerged as seed investors in project. H&D Company Pte Ltd spoke enthusiastically about the investment, "H&D Company Pte Ltd and Elixxir are working together to give everyone the opportunity to build wealth by investing in products that are currently out of reach. We value David Chaum's experience and innovations in cryptography and shared vision to create a more vibrant and sustainable future." Echoing a similar sentiment, Larsen said, "David Chaum has been a defender of privacy in the digital world for almost forty years. I am proud to be an early backer of Elixxir and look forward to seeing this consumer-facing blockchain open the door to secure use by millions of individuals in their daily lives." Within just 10 days of Elixxir's launch, over 1,500 interested parties signed up to run Elixxir network nodes, while over 500 developers declared interest in developing decentralized applications on Elixxir*. The Elixxir design is capable of processing hundreds of thousands of confidential, quantum-resistant transactions in a matter of seconds. No existing blockchain platform has been capable of achieving this scale to-date. The Elixxir blockchain can also operate at a fraction of the energy of the bitcoin, addressing concerns over the energy consumption of the bitcoin network. About Elixxir's Founder, Dr. David Chaum David Chaum is a serial entrepreneur who first proposed the idea of blockchain technology in 1982 while a graduate student at the University of California Berkeley. Chaum is widely recognized as the inventor of digital cash, is a renowned expert in cryptography and secure election systems, and is a leading proponent of blockchain technology. Chaum also founded the International Association for Cryptologic Research, the cryptography group at the Center for Mathematics and Computer Science in Amsterdam, DigiCash (issuer of eCash cyberbucks and fiat-backed digital currencies in the 90's), the Voting Systems Institute and the Perspectiva Fund. About Elixxir Elixxir's mission is to fulfill the dream of decentralization, enabling people to message and transact securely, with the confidentiality they expect, at speed they need. Elixxir's technology is a leap forward in the technological evolution of humanity, enabling the freedom of digital sovereignty. Media Contact Amanda Cavaleri, Elixxir CMO media@elixxir.io Asterisks: *For context, after 10 years of existence, the bitcoin network is comprised of around 10,000 nodes. (Source: https://bitnodes.earn.com/ ). The Elixxir blockchain network should not be confused with the Elixir programming language. The two are in no way related. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/773255/David_Chaum_Elixxir.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/747191/Mixxchain_Elixxir_Logo.jpg DUBAI, UAE, October 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- October 20-21, Bangalore played host to the Global Investment Immigration Summit which brought together over 500 Bollywood industry professionals, lawyers, direct investors, immigration and investment agents, students and their families seeking greater global mobility. The two-day conference was organised by London-based BLS Media and saw experts in the investor immigration industry share the latest developments in residence and citizenship by investment. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/773386/CS_Global_Partners.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/773387/CS_Global_Partners.jpg ) Leading international advisory CS Global Partners were headline sponsors of the event, supporting the governments of St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and St Lucia as the official marketing promoters of their citizenship by investment programmes. One very special guest - famous Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon - delivered the opening speech and attended the displays of the Caribbean countries that are said to offer the best second citizenship for investors and their families. "We appreciate Miss Tandon's kind gesture of helping promote the citizenship by investment programmes of Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis and St Lucia, as these countries are known for giving back to the community, whether local or global," says Paul Singh, Director of CS Global Partners. He further adds that this could be a result of the three countries upholding the highest industry standards: "Dominica has seen incredible solidarity lately as it makes impressive strides in promoting climate resilience and using citizenship by investment funds to do this. Namely, their Economic Diversification Fund is made up of applicants' contributions worth at least US$100,000 each, which have helped build stronger homes in Dominica, better infrastructure, sponsor bright students and even save the lives of several critically-ill children." In return, investors that succeed in passing the due diligence checks are offered greater visa-free travel, new avenues for wealth diversification, such as investing in the tourism sector of these Caribbean islands, and a legacy for their families and future generations to benefit from. As the inventors of the concept of citizenship by investment, St Kitts and Nevis is a constant attraction for businesspersons at all conferences, and the Global Investment Immigration Summit was no exception. This twin-island nation recently introduced a new investment option - the Sustainable Growth Fund - which requires for a US$150,000 contribution per main applicant in exchange for its valuable citizenship that can offer visa-free/visa-on-arrival travel to over 155 countries. Fellow Caribbean island of St Lucia continues to appeal to globally minded individuals by offering a wider choice of investments, amongst which are world-class real estate brands that, besides being eligible for the St Lucian citizenship by investment programme, also double as a luxury second homes or an income-generating investment. As the Bollywood star discovers the stars of the citizenship by investment programmes, CS Global Partners advises clients on finding the most suitable solution for their global lifestyle. CS Global Partners is an international, award-winning, industry-leading, legal consultancy firm specialising in citizenship and residence solutions. Headquartered in the heart of London with ten offices worldwide, CS Global Partners offers tailored, strategic advice to both the clients and the countries it represents. Driving economic prosperity and transforming lives in the process, CS Global Partners transcends the traditional investment immigration industry framework, supporting the governments of Dominica, Saint Lucia and St Kitts and Nevis to promote their CBI programmes. In doing so, CS Global Partners leads by example, providing investors and governments alike with unparalleled, intelligent citizenship solutions. Visit the official website - http://www.csglobalpartners.com - for more information. Contact information: pr@csglobalpartners.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2018) - Global UAV Technologies Ltd. (CSE: UAV) (OTC: YRLLF) (FSE: YAB2) (the "Company" or "Global UAV"), a diversified and vertically integrated drone technology company, recently completed a 4G drone technology proof of concept mission with Jost Vineyards, VineView - Scientific Aerial Imaging, Inc., ("VineView") and a major Canadian Telecommunications partner. Global UAV provided the 4G enabled Procyon 800E helicopter drone platform and specialized imaging payload, pilots and engineering support for the project. The mission demonstrated a real word application of cutting-edge drone technology for the "Digital Vineyard of the Future" project. The mission provided valuable quantitative scientific data to the vineyard. Global UAV flew a 4G enabled multi-spectral imaging survey over Jost Vineyards in Nova Scotia with a Procyon 800E helicopter, the company's proprietary drone that is designed, engineered and manufactured by Global UAV's subsidiary, NOVAerial Robotics Inc. A key factor and technical aspect of the mission was to demonstrate drone-enabled real-time data transfer capabilities over the 4G cellular network. The project partners included one of Canada's largest telecommunications companies. Global UAV worked with VineView and the telecommunications partner to integrate the 4G technology onto the Procyon 800E UAV platform, fly the survey and transfer the data over the 4G network in real-time during flight. VineView post-processed and interpreted the multi-spectral imagery and produced diagnostic maps used by Jost Vineyards for crop uniformity optimization, irrigation management, harvest planning, and plant health information. By completing this project Global UAV has established an additional business opportunity vertical it can access by providing "high value crop" surveys which can be managed within the existing business units of Global UAV. The survey was flown over the Jost Vineyards in Malagash, Nova Scotia, part of the Devonian Coast Wineries group. Jost Vineyards will use the optimized data to determine plant health and harvest information as a part of the "Digital Vineyard of the Future" project on which all the above companies and partners are collaborating. "This is a pivotal opportunity for Global UAV and emphasizes the broad exposure to major telecom partners that our innovation and 4G technology development efforts have landed. In addition, we are excited to reveal the new technology our Company brings to the viticulture and agriculture industry. Collaboration with VineView, Jost Vineyards and the major telecom partner confirms Global UAV's emergence as an industry leading drone technology company with wide technology applications across many industry verticals. The application of this technology demonstrates Global UAV's ability to deploy "real world" solutions that can extend and accelerate our business opportunities," commented Michael Burns, CEO, Global UAV Technologies Ltd. "Fine wine making is in the growing of grapes with specific qualities, where many variables have to be taken into consideration. We see these emerging technologies offering excellent opportunities for integrated measurement and management of our vineyards and focus on Precision Viticulture," stated Jonathan Rodwell, Director of Viticulture and Winemaking, Jost Vineyards. About Global UAV Technologies Ltd. Global UAV Technologies Ltd. is a diversified, vertically integrated drone technology company within the commercial Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ("UAV") sector. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries - Pioneer Aerial Surveys Ltd., High Eye Aerial Imaging Inc., UAV Regulatory Services Inc., and NOVAerial Robotics Inc.- Global UAV Technologies Ltd. provides a full spectrum of UAV-based services and products including drone research and development and manufacturing, flight services and regulatory compliance. Global UAV Technologies Ltd. will continue its growth through technology development, expanding the business of its current divisions and the continued evaluation of potential acquisitions. Global UAV is well positioned for growth as a vertically integrated drone technology company. About Jost Vinyards The largest of Devonian Coast Wineries vineyards, Jost Vineyards is nestled in the gentle hills and sheltered coastal inlets of the Northumberland shores. The longest operating and largest winery in Nova Scotia, Jost Vineyards is a pioneer of the Nova Scotia wine industry producing distinctive wines and styles, which have won hundreds of national and international awards. For more information visit: www.devoniancoast.ca. About VineView VineView has emerged as the leading provider of crop diagnostics for vineyards, working with some of the most prestigious wine brands in the world. Backed by over 15 years of unparalleled industry experience, VineView delivers innovative, custom data solutions that assist in crop uniformity optimization, irrigation management, harvest planning, disease mapping, and much more. For more information visit www.vineview.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors, "Michael Burns" Michael Burns CEO & Director For additional information please contact: Global UAV Technologies Ltd. Investor Information Telephone: 1 888-905-7011 Email: ir@globaluavtech.com www.globaluavtech.com We invite all shareholders and stakeholders to join the Global UAV Technologies Ltd. portal on 8020 Connect. Connect here: http://bit.ly/GlobalUAV Neither Canadian Securities Exchange (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. Forward-Looking Statement Statements in this press release, other than purely historical information, including statements relating to the Company's future plans and objectives or expected results, may include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties inherent in public markets, service industries, manufacturing and the UAV Sector. As a result, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Solutions Include Smartcool, Power Factor Correction and Nano LiquiTec Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2018) - Smartcool Systems Inc. (TSXV: SSC) (OTC Pink: SSCFF) (FSE: R3W) is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Total Energy Concepts (TEC) has successfully installed a number of solutions at a metal fabrication business and a grocery store. Both of these businesses have multiple locations and should result in additional installations. Total sales for these initial two locations exceeded $100,000 USD. Upon completion of a comprehensive energy audit, a number of energy efficiency technologies were recommended and implemented, with expected savings of greater than 15% of the total energy costs. TEC installed the Smartcool's technology as well as TEC's propriety Power Factor Correction (PFC) technology, Voltage Conditioning Units (VCU), LED lighting and Nano LiquiTec. PFC's are a proprietary engineered product manufactured by TEC, that reduces energy consumption at the device level by improving the power factor at large inductive loads such as electric motors and compressors. Nano LiquiTec is a breakthrough synthetic catalyst with graphene and nanotechnology, engineered to create nano-convection for enhanced heat transfer by removing oil fouling, which generates energy saving of up to 40% of the HVAC or refrigeration system. Damian Smith, CEO of Total Energy Concepts commented: "These two businesses are representative of the types of customers we assist with our holistic approach to energy efficiency. They join the over 5,000 installations that TEC have completed in the last 15 years. By combining a number of energy solutions we are able to achieve greater economic benefits for our customers. We're looking forward to assisting these two customers in their other locations." About Smartcool Smartcool Systems Inc. provides cutting edge energy efficient and energy cost reduction solutions for businesses around the world. The ECO3, ESM and ECOHome are Smartcool's unique retrofit technologies that reduce the energy consumption of compressors in air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump systems by up to 40%. Total Energy Concepts (TEC) is a national leader in Power Protection, Energy Management, Power Quality, Facility Grounding, and Lighting Solutions that help companies improve their bottom line by reducing expenses that drastically cut into company profits. TEC focuses on a holistic approach to energy efficiency with proprietary technologies for power factor correction and third party technologies including LED, voltage conditioning and intelligent motor controls. For more information please visit www.smartcool.net and http://totalenergyconcepts.com. For further information WEB: www.smartcool.net and www.smartcooleco3.com EMAIL: info@smartcool.net Investor inquiries Mike Kordysz Vice President, Investor Relations TEL: +1 604 904 8632 EMAIL: mike.kordysz@smartcool.net Legal Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward looking statements". Forward-looking statements are projections of financial performance or future events. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "believe", "estimate" and words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and they are subject to risks that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include those concerning the company's belief in the growth opportunities in the USA. These statements are subject to risks that may cause the actual results to be materially different in future periods from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Risks that may prevent or delay the forward looking statements from coming to fruition as anticipated include the availability of working capital, risks inherent in product development, as well as market factors that may increase costs or time to market. It is our policy not to update forward looking statements except to the extent required under applicable securities laws. Further information on the Company is available at www.sedar.com or at the Company's website, www.smartcool.net. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. LUGANO, Switzerland, October 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Value of misappropriated TIO stands at maximum potential value of 230K USD, but could be substantially lower. No customer wallets or the trade.io exchange were breached. In the latest response to the recent unauthorized access of 50M TIO from a single trade.io cold storage third party hardware unit, trade.io has clarified public information surrounding the attempt, the potential value of TIO taken, and the effect on TIO holders. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/592785/trade_io_Logo.jpg ) Value of TIO Taken Stands at 230,000 USD Although the 50M TIO tokens that were taken had a potential value of approximately 11.5M USD, only around 1M TIO were completely accessed before action taken by trade.io and its partners thwarted any further attempted trading of the misappropriated tokens, thereby limiting the loss to an absolute maximum of 1M TIO, with an estimated potential maximum value of around 230,000 USD, before all associated parties could fully lock down the activity. The final value once the full effect of measures taken by trade.io have been assessed is likely to be significantly lower. No Hack On tade.io Security Systems or Client Wallets Jim Preissler, trade.io CEO, explains that the unauthorized access had no bearing on client accounts, the trade.io exchange or liquidity pool, and all remain operational. "Thanks to the fast action by management and partners, it's important to note that although the theft of TIO from a cold storage wallet is a major crime and inconvenience, at no point were client assets under threat. Technical security on the exchange and client funds were never compromised and have not been affected. The TIO that was taken was owned by trade.io and reserved for our lending facility, the liquidity pool, which has been operating smoothly and also remains unaffected. Protocol was followed to a T, and thanks to the good work of our team and partners, we're now very close to a complete and swift resolution for more than 95% of TIO holders. All remaining cases will be dealt with on an urgent, case by case basis." Roy Gutshall, COO, adds ""Investigations are ongoing, but have so far concluded that there was no technical hack on the third party cold storage unit, and trade.io systems remain secure and unbreached. All exchanges listing TIO were immediately alerted to disable deposits, withdrawals and trading of TIO, and our security team began its investigation. The responsiveness by the various teams within trade.io prevented the situation from deteriorating and helped quarantine the issue. We are providing regular updates to media and our community, and have announced a detailed plan of action to fork TIO." Resolution for TIO Holders In order to protect all TIO holders, trade.io management has decided to fork TIO. The name of the forked token will be Trade Token X with the ticker TIOx. The fork will occur on 24 October 2018 by end of day New York time. TIOx will begin trading on 31 October 2018 exclusively on trade.io exchange, with the exact time to be announced. Given the fact that TIO was traded on multiple exchanges outside of trade.io, and some have been helpful in assisting trade.io, while others have not with respect to containing the breach, trade.io has devised a customized approach to reduce the impact as much as possible on TIO holders and make sure everyone is treated fairly. Full details on TIO/TIOx fork have been released to TIO holders: https://medium.com/@trade.io/important-update-tio-tiox-fork-1be3df8f0394 trade.io Offering $250,000 Bounty trade.io is offering a $250,000 USD equivalent bounty to anyone who supplies information that leads to the legal arrest of the bad actors involved in the attempted breach on trade.io on Saturday October 20th, 2018. About trade.io trade.io is a next-generation financial institution based on blockchain technology, comprised of its Exchange, Consulting Services, Incubator and Liquidity Pool which allows holders of its utility token "TIOx" the ability to participate in the growth of the company. By leveraging decades of experience in the investment banking, trading, fintech and compliance and combining them with the power and transparency of the distributed ledger, trade.io has created a truly unique platform built to grow and adapt as the blockchain industry continues to mature. Regulatory News: NOXXON Pharma N.V. (Paris:ALNOX) (Euronext Growth Paris: ALNOX), a biotechnology company focused on improving cancer treatments by targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME), announced today that the company will attend the BIO-Europe Conference and the Salon Actionaria in November 2018. NOXXON will attend BIO-Europe, one of the largest partnering conferences in Europe dedicated to life sciences, on Monday and Tuesday, November 5-6, 2018, held at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark. NOXXON will be available for meetings with investors during the conference. NOXXON will also attend the Salon Actionaria, an event dedicated to individual shareholders and held at the Palais des Congres in Paris, France, on November 22-23, 2018. Aram Mangasarian, Chief Executive Officer at NOXXON Pharma, will present an overview of the company as well as welcome visitors at the company stand. About NOXXON NOXXON's oncology-focused pipeline acts on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the cancer immunity cycle by breaking the tumor protection barrier, blocking tumor repair and exposing hidden tumor cells. Through neutralizing chemokines in the tumor microenvironment, NOXXON's approach works in combination with other forms of treatment to weaken tumor defenses against the immune system and enable greater therapeutic impact. Building on extensive clinical experience and safety data, the lead program NOX-A12 will deliver top-line data from a Keytruda combination trial in metastatic colorectal and pancreatic cancer patients in 2018. The company plans to initiate further studies with NOX-A12 in brain cancer in combination with radiotherapy, for which an orphan drug status has been granted in the US and EU. The company's second asset, NOX-E36 is a Phase 2 TME asset targeting the innate immune system. NOXXON plans to test NOX-E36 in pancreatic cancer patients both as a monotherapy and in combination. Further information can be found at: www.noxxon.com Keytruda is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp Dohme Corp. https://www.linkedin.com/company/noxxon-pharma-ag https://twitter.com/noxxon_pharma Disclaimer Certain statements in this communication contain formulations or terms referring to the future or future developments, as well as negations of such formulations or terms, or similar terminology. These are described as forward-looking statements. In addition, all information in this communication regarding planned or future results of business segments, financial indicators, developments of the financial situation or other financial or statistical data contains such forward-looking statements. The company cautions prospective investors not to rely on such forward-looking statements as certain prognoses of actual future events and developments. The company is neither responsible nor liable for updating such information, which only represents the state of affairs on the day of publication. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005837/en/ Contacts: NOXXON Pharma N.V. Aram Mangasarian, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer Tel. +49 (0) 30 726 247 0 amangasarian@noxxon.com or MC Services AG Raimund Gabriel, Managing Partner Tel. +49 (0) 89 210228 0 noxxon@mc-services.eu or Trophic Communications Gretchen Schweitzer or Jacob Verghese Tel. +49 (0) 89 2388 7730 or +49 (0) 173 364 1607 schweitzer@trophic.eu or NewCap Alexia Faure Tel. +33 (0) 1 44 71 98 51 afaure@newcap.fr Cash position of EUR 44.2 million as of September 30, 2018 Revenue of EUR 44 million for the first nine months of 2018 Regulatory News: Adocia (Euronext Paris: FR0011184241 ADOC), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on diabetes treatment and other metabolic diseases with innovative formulations of approved proteins, announced today third quarter revenue and net cash position as of September 30, 2018. Detail of revenue for the third quarter of 2018 In K IFRS rules 3 months 9 months (unaudited) 09/30/18 09/30/17 09/30/18 09/30/17 Licensing revenue 11 096 0 43 896 18 819 Research and collaboration 0 0 0 650 Other revenue 41 43 128 130 Revenue 11 137 43 44 024 19 599 Revenue of 44 million euros was primarily comprised of 33.6 million euros from licensing agreements signed with Tonghua Dongbao (THDB) at the end of April 2018. The non-refundable upfront payment provided for in the contract in the amount of 50 million dollars, or 41.1 million euros, is partially recognized as revenue (33.6 million euros) over the first nine months of 2018. It reflects the rights thus granted to THDB to develop, manufacture, and commercialize BioChaperone Lispro and BioChaperone Combo in China and other territories in Asia and the Middle-East. The remaining non-amortized amount of the initial payment will be recognized upon provision of research and development services by Adocia related to the transfer and development of the products. As of September 2018, licensing revenue also included 11.6 million dollars (10.3 million euros) corresponding to a contractual milestone payment from Eli Lilly for which Adocia obtained a favorable arbitration judgement in August 2018. The payment is expected to be received in 2019. Last year, revenue for the first nine months of 2017 was impacted by the end of the collaboration with Eli Lilly which resulted in the recognition of the not-yet-amortized balance of the 50 million dollars upfront payment received in 2014 (no cash impact as payment had been received upon contract signature in December 2014). Net cash position As of 30 September 2018, including the 37.1 million euros received end of April 2018 from Tonghua Dongbao upon signing the licensing agreements, the Company has a cash position of 44.2 million euros, compared to 34.8 million euros as of January 1st 2018, representing an increase of 9.4 million euros. Net cash flow for the first nine months of the year was 27.8 million euros. Excluding 5.6 million euros paid in legal fees, net cash flow was 22.2 million euros compared to 21.6 million euros for the same period last year. Cash position at end of September 2018 does not include the research and tax credit ("Credit d'Impot Recherche") generated from 2017 expenses in the amount of 7.6 million euros, for which payment is expected in the coming weeks. It also does not include the contractual milestone payment of 11.6 million euros from Eli Lilly, which is expected in 2019 upon conclusion of the second phase of the arbitration proceedings. Financial debt as of 30 September 2018 amounts to 7 million euros compared to 7.5 million as of December 31, 2017. Debt mainly consists of a loan secured in 2016 to finance the acquisition and renovation of the building in which the headquarters and the research center of the Company are located. About ADOCIA Adocia is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that specializes in the development of innovative formulations of already-approved therapeutic proteins and peptides for the treatment of diabetes and other metabolic diseases. In the diabetes field, Adocia's portfolio of injectable treatments is among the largest and most differentiated of the industry, featuring six clinical-stage products. Additionally, Adocia recently expanded its portfolio to include the development of treatments of obesity and short bowel syndrome. The proprietary BioChaperone technological platform is designed to enhance the effectiveness and/or safety of therapeutic proteins while making them easier for patients to use. Adocia customizes BioChaperone to each protein for a given application. Adocia's clinical pipeline includes five novel insulin formulations for the treatment of diabetes: two ultra-rapid formulations of insulin analog lispro (BioChaperone Lispro U100 and U200), a combination of basal insulin glargine and rapid-acting insulin lispro (BioChaperone Combo), a rapid-acting formulation of human insulin (HinsBet U100), and a prandial combination of human insulin with amylin analog pramlintide (BioChaperone Pramlintide Insulin). It also includes an aqueous formulation of human glucagon (BioChaperone Glucagon) for the treatment of hypoglycemia. Adocia preclinical pipeline includes combinations of insulin glargine with GLP-1 receptor agonists (BioChaperone Glargine GLP-1) for the treatment of diabetes, a ready-to-use combination of glucagon and a GLP-1 receptor agonist BioChaperone Glucagon GLP1) for the treatment of obesity and a ready-to-use aqueous formulation of teduglutide (BioChaperone Teduglutide) for the treatment of short bowel syndrome. Adocia and Chinese insulin leader Tonghua Dongbao recently entered into a strategic alliance. In April 2018, Adocia granted Tonghua Dongbao licenses to develop and commercialize BioChaperone Lispro and BioChaperone Combo in China and other Asian and Middle-Eastern territories. The agreements included a total of 50 million dollars upfront and up to 85 million dollars development milestones, plus double-digit royalties on sales. In June 2018, Tonghua Dongbao agreed to manufacture and supply active pharmaceutical ingredients insulin lispro and insulin glargine to Adocia globally, excluding China, to support Adocia's portfolio development in these territories. Adocia aims to deliver "Innovative medicine for everyone, everywhere." To learn more about Adocia, please visit us at www.adocia.com Disclaimer This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Adocia and its business. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Adocia considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that the estimates contained in such forward-looking statements will be verified, which estimates are subject to numerous risks including the risks set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of the Reference Document filed with the French Autorite des marches financiers on April 19, 2018 (a copy of which is available on www.adocia.com) and to the development of economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Adocia operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Adocia or not currently considered material by Adocia. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause actual results, financial conditions, performance or achievements of Adocia to be materially different from such forward-looking statements. This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy Adocia shares in any jurisdiction. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181023005871/en/ Contacts: Adocia Gerard Soula Chairman and CEO contactinvestisseurs@adocia.com Ph. +33 4 72 610 610 or Adocia Press Relations Europe MC Services AG Raimund Gabriel adocia@mc-services.eu Ph. +49 89 210 228 0 or Adocia Investor Relations USA The Ruth Group Tram Bui tbui@theruthgroup.com Ph.: +1 646 536 7035 RALEIGH, North Carolina, October 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Beroe Inc, a premium Procurement Intelligence service provider, has opened its new technology hub in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina, which is home to some of the fastest growing companies in the world. The procurement function is on the verge of major technological transformation, which comes with its own process as well as operational challenges. Besides providing insightful market intelligence to procurement professionals across the globe, Beroe now focusses on creating technology solutions for a number of process inefficiencies that hinders the smooth functioning of purchasing function, leading to, at times, sub-optimal business outcome. Research conducted at Beroe's technology and innovation hub in Raleigh will focus on automating and optimizing processes for the company's customers while providing them with fresh business opportunities. Products developed in Raleigh include Beroe LiVE X -- an upgraded version of the current Beroe LiVE product -- which will offer real-time market information, category intelligence, price forecast, supplier intelligence, supplier compliance and risk ratings - all in a user-friendly dashboard format. "The Research Triangle region offers an enabling environment for innovation, research and a culture of collaboration. The region's resources will help us to create next-gen solutions that will help our customers overcome thorny operational challenges," said Supriyo Mukhopadhyay, Beroe's Head of Technology and U.S. operations. Beroe leverages its on-demand procurement intelligence platform, Beroe LiVE, to craft content which is more relevant and contextual for the procurement teams. "Our new innovation hub at the North Carolina State University will further strengthen our tech capabilities to deliver advantage to procurement," said Anand Narayanan, Beroe's Head of Marketing and Human Resources. Beroe LiVE is world's largest procurement-only community; procurement professionals from 9,000+ companies contribute to, and obtain, market intelligence, supplier reviews and supplier risk to help them take smarter decisions based on smarter insights. Beroe LiVE provides: Accurate and unbiased ratings on 25,000+ Suppliers Market Intelligence on 260+ categories Access to 800+ pieces of thought leadership Procurement-only community for peer networking About Beroe Beroe's unique business model involves providing market intelligence and analytics to the procurement teams of businesses across the globe. It boasts of more than 80 of the Fortune 500 companies as its clients. Are you a Procurement or Supply Chain professional? You are eligible for Beroe LiVE membership: https://www.beroeinc.com/beroe-live/ https://www.beroeinc.com Media Contact: Debobrata Hembram debobrata.hembram@beroe-inc.com SAINT HELIER (dpa-AFX) - Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX, ABX.TO) said that Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. or 'ISS', an independent proxy advisory firm, has recommended that shareholders of Barrick and Randgold Resources Limited (RRS.L, GOLD) vote FOR shareholder resolutions in relation to the proposed merger of the two companies. Following minor revisions to advance notice provisions for the nomination of directors contained in Barrick's proposed articles, ISS also recommended that Barrick shareholders vote FOR the continuance of Barrick to the Province of British Columbia. In September 2018, Barrick Gold and Randgold Resources said that they reached agreement on the terms of a recommended share-for-share merger of Barrick and Randgold. The New Barrick Group would operate under the branding of the Barrick Group. The Merger is expected to close by the first-quarter of 2019. As per the terms of the Merger, each Randgold Shareholder would receive 6.1280 New Barrick Shares for each Randgold Share. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX 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. The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. ?Aeromexico closes a collaboration agreement with Elena Reygadas, one of the most famous chefs in Mexico.?The new meal menus are available for customers traveling in Clase Premier to Europe (Madrid, Paris, London and Amsterdam), departing from Mexico Mexico City, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mexico City, October 23, 2018. - On October 16, Aeromexico customers traveling in Clase Premier started to enjoy an exclusive menu designed by Elena Reygadas, considered one of the most prestigious chefs in Mexico. This menu is only available on flights to Europe, including the Madrid, Paris, London, and Amsterdam routes, departing from Mexico City. The menu will be redesigned on a quarterly basis and according to the four seasons of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter), in order to continue offering differentiated services to our passengers. The meals are produced in Chef Elena Reygadas' kitchens, following the Restaurant in the Sky concept, an initiative that was born as part of the Delta Air Lines service standardization process that consists of bringing the restaurant on board. Aeromexico customers now have the option to choose between four lunch or dinner options, plus three breakfast choices. Lunch or Dinner Cheeses Rosemary bread St. Maure, Camembert, Oatcakes, Tomato and fennel-seed spread Entree Hummus, Cauliflowers, Carrots, and Chia tostadas. Arugula, Parmesan and Baked Tomatoes. Main Course a. Braised Short Rib with Potatoes, and Leeks b. Spinach, Tomato, and Ricotta Lasagna c. Roasted Vegetables, Barley, and Red Curry d. Corned Beef Sandwich Dessert Chocolate and Hazelnut mousse Pain d'epices Snacks Stuffed Focaccia, Hazelnut biscotti Breakfast Pulque Bread, Conchas (mexican Sweet Bread) Seasonal Fruit, Yogurt, and Granola a. Tomato and Goat Cheese Quiche b. Smoked salmon, avocado puree, and multi-seed bread c. Baked oatmeal with almond milk. Antonio Fernandez, VP Product Design and Service Standards at Aeromexico, spoke about the new menu and said: "It is a pleasure to be able to work with one of the most famous chefs in Mexico. Elena uses organic products that are locally grown in Mexico, so all of the raw materials used in her cooking processes are of the highest quality." "The chef is keenly focused on the diners' well-being. She looks after all of the elements that are used to create her dishes so our passengers will enjoy an enhanced experience that will improve their perception of the service offered by Aeromexico," added the director. Aeromexico's implementation of this type of initiatives confirms the carrier's commitment to staying at the forefront of the industry by offering passengers innovative customer experiences. IDx-DR, the first FDA-cleared AI system for the autonomous detection of diabetic retinopathy, is now available to Harmony users in Europe OAKLAND, NJ and CORALVILLE, IA / ACCESSWIRE / October 23, 2018 / Topcon Healthcare Solutions (THS) announced today that it has partnered with IDx, a privately held AI diagnostics company, to expand the Harmony imaging platform to include IDx-DR, a state-of-the-art AI system that detects diabetic retinopathy in digital fundus images, for its European customers. IDx-DR is the first AI-based diagnostic system with U.S. FDA clearance and a Class IIa CE mark for the autonomous detection of diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes and a leading cause of blindness. In addition to being available as a stand-alone image-analysis solution, IDx-DR is now accessible in Europe via Topcon Harmony, THS' solution for ophthalmic data viewing, archiving, and clinical decision support. "We are excited to provide Topcon Harmony customers in Europe with even greater value by expanding the platform's offerings to include IDx-DR," said John Trefethen, Vice President of Global Marketing and Product Design at THS. "The Harmony application is designed to provide medical professionals with excellent usability, performance, and easy access to the tools they need to optimize their practice. With IDx-DR, we are continuing this commitment by providing customers with convenient access to cutting-edge automated image-analysis technology." IDx-DR analyzes images of the retina for the same signs of disease an ophthalmologist looks for, providing a reliable output for clinical decision-making. To administer the IDx-DR exam, clinic staff capture two images per eye with Topcon's robotic fundus camera and then submit the exams to the IDx-DR client via a standard internet connection. In less than a minute, a disease output will populate. The software also provides immediate feedback on image quality to allow for more accurate disease detection and for poor quality images to be retaken while the patient is in the office. The system is currently used in clinical practices across Europe. "Making IDx-DR available via Topcon Harmony will help improve the accuracy and efficiency of diabetic retinopathy screening for Harmony users in Europe," said Arlette Goddijn, President of IDx Europe. "IDx believes it is important to integrate with large platforms such as Harmony so that more healthcare professionals can leverage artificial intelligence to manage the rapidly growing number of people with diabetes." There are more than 58 million people with diabetes in the European region and this number is expected to grow to 71 million by 2040, according to the International Diabetes Federation. About Topcon Topcon is a comprehensive ophthalmic device manufacturer within the worldwide ophthalmic community. It introduced the world's first commercial back-of-the-eye spectral domain (SD) and swept source (SS) optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems, which have driven innovation in eye-care. More recently, Topcon Healthcare Solutions started to enhance not only its hardware but also its software solutions. To become the leader in diagnostic software, Topcon has developed a new strategic division whose primary objective is to create world-class software solutions for the eye-care industry and beyond. The company's products enable the collection and visualization of a wide range of imaging and clinical data while providing quantitative and clinical analysis capabilities. Topcon's software gives clinicians access to patient exam data captured from OCTs, Visual Fields, Fundus cameras, and other Topcon and third-party devices. Topcon leverages its image management software called Synergy, where practitioners gain access to DICOM and non-DICOM information stored in a central, cloud-based environment. Additionally, Topcon now provides an integrated service that connects practitioners to an extensive network of reading services to assist in the management of sight-threatening eye diseases. About IDx IDx is a leading AI diagnostics company on a mission to transform the quality, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare. Founded in 2010 by a team of world-renowned clinician scientists, the company is focused on developing clinically-aligned autonomous algorithms that detect disease in medical images. By enabling diagnostic assessment in primary care settings, IDx aims to increase patient access to high-quality, affordable disease detection. The company's first product, IDx-DR, is an FDA-cleared and EU class IIa certified AI-based diagnostic system designed for use at the front lines of care to detect diabetic retinopathy. IDx is developing additional AI-based diagnostic algorithms for the detection of macular degeneration, glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, and stroke risk. Topcon Healthcare Solutions, Inc. 111 Bauer Drive Oakland, NJ 07436 Phone: (201)599-5100 www.topconhealth.com Topcon Media Contact: John Trefethen Vice President, Global Marketing & Product Design 1-201-599-5100 jtrefethen@topcon.com IDx 2300 Oakdale Blvd, Coralville, IA 52241 Phone: 319-248-5620 www.eyediagnosis.net IDx Media Contact: Laura Shoemaker Director of Marketing Communications 1-319-248-5620 lshoemaker@eyediagnosis.net Contact Topcon Healthcare Solutions: John Trefethen 415.404.0365 jtrefethen@topcon.com 111 Bauer Drive Oakland, NJ 07436 SOURCE: Topcon Healthcare Solutions View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/526113/Topcons-Harmony-Imaging-Platform-Users-in-Europe-Now-Have-Access-to-IDx-DR Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2018) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced it has agreed to a settlement with Christopher A. Faulkner-the self-proclaimed "Frack Master"-in connection with his wide-ranging securities-fraud scheme that raised over $80 million from hundreds of investors nationwide. Faulkner has simultaneously entered into a plea agreement relating to the same misconduct under which he will serve 12 years in federal prison for securities fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion. According to the SEC's June 2016 complaint, Faulkner systemically deceived investors across the country by disseminating false and misleading offering materials, misappropriating millions of dollars of investor funds, and manipulating the stock of Breitling Energy Corporation (BECC), a publicly traded company Faulkner controlled. Faulkner started the scheme in 2011 through privately held Breitling Oil and Gas Corporation (BOG), which offered and sold "turnkey" oil-and-gas working interests to investors using a team of commissioned cold-callers. As part of these offerings, Faulkner lied to investors about his experience, the drilling-cost estimates for the prospects, and the use of their invested funds. Over time, the scheme evolved to include BOG's successor, BECC and two affiliated entities that he secretly controlled, Crude Energy LLC and Patriot Energy Inc. Faulkner, with the assistance of others, used these entities to raise more than $80 million and then he misappropriated approximately $23.8 million to fund his lavish personal lifestyle. The SEC also charged 11 other individuals and entities for their roles in the misconduct, reaching settlements with a majority of them. In August 2017, on an emergency motion filed by the SEC, the court froze Faulkner's assets and placed them, as well as BECC and BOG, under the control of a court-appointed receiver due in part to Faulkner's continued misappropriation of investor funds. The court also preliminarily enjoined Faulkner and the two companies from violating antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws. A month later, the Commission obtained emergency relief against Faulkner and others for a separate offering fraud in California involving real estate. "Faulkner first proclaimed himself the "Frack Master' in order to deceive investors about his expertise and steal millions of dollars to fund his lifestyle, and the SEC put an early end to his second effort to defraud investors in a real estate scheme," said Shamoil T. Shipchandler, Director of the SEC's Fort Worth Regional Office. "Today's serious civil and criminal sanctions serve as a warning to anyone who intends to target retail investors." Under the agreed final judgment, which is subject to court approval, Faulkner would be ordered to disgorge $23.8 million; permanently enjoined from violating various provisions of the federal securities laws and from participating in any unregistered securities transactions; and barred from serving as an officer or director of any SEC-reporting company and from participating in any offering of a penny stock. The SEC's litigation has been handled by B. David Fraser, Scott F. Mascianica and Timothy S. McCole, and supervised by Eric R. Werner. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas. GOLDEN, CO / ACCESSWIRE / October 23, 2018 / Vitro Diagnostics, Inc. (OTC PINK: VODG), dba Vitro BioPharma, today announced the engagement of a senior Sales and Marketing Director. The company has engaged Keith V. Burge to be its full time Director of Sale and Marketing. Mr. Burge has a B.S. in biology and has extensive experience in building sales channels and providing market branding for new products going to market. He has an entrepreneurial background and has been responsible for growing companies from start up to over $250 Million in Sales. Mr. Burge has a results-driven background and is committed to customer satisfaction in the marketplace. He comes on board to drive the company's offshore AlloRx TM allogeneic stem cell therapy business. He will be responsible for expanding the stem cell therapies with our offshore partner in the Cayman Islands. Mr. Burge has background in the nutraceutical industry and will be working towards partnerships and distribution channels for our Nutra-Vivo Brain Grow Technologies Brand; which is a stem cell nutraceutical activator. Mr. Burge will also be spear-heading the launch of our new cosmetic stem cell product. The new product line is now being tested and we plan to launch it in the 1st quarter of 2019. C.E.O. Jim Musick says, "we are very glad to have Mr. Burge on board as he fills in a key executive management level team member for the company. The company now has a complete complement of managers with expertise spanning manufacturing operations, stem cell science, research & development, regulatory and patent expertise, sales, marketing, finance and accounting." Mr. Burge stated, "I'm very pleased to join the Vitro team and contribute immediately and directly to growing our sales through our stem cell products and therapies that have just started to come to market in a meaningful way." Forward-Looking Statements Statements herein regarding financial performance have not yet been reported to the SEC nor reviewed by the Company's auditors. Certain statements contained herein and subsequent statements made by and on behalf of the Company, whether oral or written may contain "forward-looking statements." Such forward looking statements are identified by words such as "intends," "anticipates," "believes," "expects" and "hopes" and include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's plan of business operations, product research and development activities, potential contractual arrangements, receipt of working capital, anticipated revenues and related expenditures. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, acceptability of the Company's products in the market place, general economic conditions, receipt of additional working capital, the overall state of the biotechnology industry and other factors set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulations, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. CONTACT: Dr. James Musick Chief Executive Officer Vitro BioPharma (303) 999-2130 Ext. 3 E-mail: jim@vitrobiopharma.com www.vitrobiopharma.com SOURCE: Vitro Diagnostics, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/526115/Vitro-BioPharma-Engages-Senior-Director-of-Sales-and-Marketing Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2018) - White Metal Resources Corp. (TSXV: WHM) ("White Metal" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into an option agreement (the "Option") for a 100% interest in the Little Joanna Gold Property (the "Property"), Central Newfoundland. The Property is approximately 25 km northeast of the town of Glenwood, is accessible by resource roads that originate from either Glenwood or Birchy Bay, and comprises 280 claim units, covering 7,000 hectares. The Property is approximately 45 km northeast of the Moosehead Gold Project of Sokoman Iron Corp. ("Sokoman Iron"). Sokoman Iron recently announced their gold-bearing discovery hole (Sokoman Iron Corp. news release, dated July 24, 2018), reporting an assay result of 44.96 g/t Au over 11.90 metres (from 109.00 to 120.90 metres). The Little Joanna property is a new high-grade gold discovery in an area with little known exploration. The main Little Joanna showing is a 25 to 31 cm wide compact quartz vein within a highly altered, carbonated sedimentary melange of shale, conglomerate and siltstone. Hand trenching by the vendors exposed the vein for a couple of metres. Fine, visible gold is observed throughout the vein and selected grabs samples by the Vendor assayed up to 734 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au) (23 oz/ton Au); average sampling of the quartz vein is approximately 189 g/t Au (5.9 oz/t Au.). As much of the Property is covered by overburden, the Company believes that significant potential exists for the discovery of additional gold-bearing quartz veins. In conjunction with the original Option of 27 claim units, White Metal subsequently staked an additional 253 claim units extending the Property to the northeast and southwest and covering historical work done by Noranda Exploration (1988-1989). Noranda reported up to 44g/t Au in boulder samples and outlined 1.15 g/t Au and 5.2 g/t Au basil till sample anomalies. The Property is largely underlain by Early to Late Silurian siliciclastic sediments and lesser subaerial mafic and felsic volcanic rocks including the Silurian Botwood Group (Wigwam and Lawrenceton formations), similar to the geology and northeast-trending structures found on Sokoman Iron's Moosehead gold project to the southwest. To exercise the Option the Company is required to complete a series of cash payments totaling $170,000 and share issuances totalling 1,800,000 shares to the optionor of the Property (the "Optionor") as follows: a) $15,000 and 300,000 shares upon receipt of regulatory approval; b) $25,000 and 300,000 shares on or before the first anniversary; c) $30,000 and 300,000 shares on or before the second anniversary; c) $40,000 and 400,000 shares on or before the third anniversary; and d) $60,000 and 500,000 shares on or before the fourth anniversary. The Optionor will retain a 2% Net Smelter Return Royalty ("NSR") of which White Metal will have the right to purchase 1% for $1,000,000.00 and have the first right of refusal on the remaining 1%. The Option is subject to an advanced royalty payment of $7,000 per year, payable in cash or shares, after year 5 of the Option. This Option Agreement is pending TSX approval. Technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans (P.Geo.), Vice President Exploration and a Director of White Metal, who is a Qualified Person under the definitions established by the National Instrument 43-101. About White Metal Resources Corp. (TSXV: WHM): White Metal Resources Corp. is a junior mineral exploration company exploring for gold in Canada. For more information in regards to White Metal Resources Corp. you can visit the company's Web Page at www.whitemetalres.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors of White Metal Resources Corp. "Jean-Pierre Colin" Jean-Pierre Colin, President, CEO and Director For further information contact: Jean-Pierre Colin President, CEO & Director White Metal Resources Corp. (416) 573-4300 Jpcolin.whitemetal@gmail.com or Michael Stares Director White Metal Resources Corp. 684 Squier Street Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, P7B 4A8 Phone: (807) 628-7836 Fax (807) 475 7200 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. VICTORIA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 23, 2018 / Renee Gagnon, founder and CEO of HollyWeed North Cannabis Inc. ("HollyWeed" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce the Company has signed a mutual referral fee agreement dated October 2, 2018 with Toronto-based Cannabis Compliance Inc. ("CCI"), one of the first cannabis consulting firms in Canada and abroad. CCI offers advice on ACMPR applications, medical import and export, quality assurance, business planning, security and facility design, and other services for cannabis businesses large and small in Canada and across the globe. "CCI is a true leader in assisting applicants and existing producers get into the cannabis industry and evolve. HollyWeed North is excited to build this relationship and to become part of their solution stack," said Renee Gagnon, CEO of HollyWeed North. "CCI will leverage its extensive network within the cannabis sector to assist HollyWeed North with their growth strategy. This is partnership is mutually beneficial for both parties and we look forward to navigating this changing landscape together," said Edward Collins, Global Vice President, Sales & Marketing of Cannabis Compliance Inc. About HollyWeed North Cannabis Inc. HollyWeed North is a private Canadian company incorporated in British Columbia, established in 2016, with operating subsidiaries specializing in the growth, manufacturing, licensing and production of cannabis and other pharma grade products. HollyWeed North's subsidiaries include HollyWeed Manufacturing and Extracts Inc., a federally dealers' licensed company incorporated in British Columbia specializing in cannabis extraction and product manufacturing; HollyWeed Grow Inc., a late stage federal ACMPR applicant, also a private company incorporated in British Columbia specializing in the growth of medical cannabis and cannabis products; HollyWeed Retail Inc., a retail strategies provider and supply chain management company incorporated in British Columbia; HollyWeed Bakery Inc., a developer and manufacturer of unique cannabis baked goods and edibles incorporated in British Columbia; and Terracube International Inc., a manufacturer and developer of proprietary scalable, sanitary grow facilities incorporated in British Columbia. HollyWeed North is currently restructuring its capital such that, upon execution of the Definitive Agreement, all the subsidiaries will be wholly-owned by HollyWeed North. About Cannabis Compliance Inc. Cannabis Compliance Inc. offers risk mitigation, due diligence regulatory compliance and Staffing Solutions for commercial cannabis producers and resellers around the world. We operate in the Global market and provide our clients with trusted and comprehensive solutions. CCI has extensive expertise in regulatory compliance, cultivation/horticulture, security designs/tender, facility designs/build-outs, and quality assurance programs, Import & Export, staff recruitment and financial planning. CCI exists to empower the future leaders in the global cannabis industry. For further information: Cannabis Compliance Inc.: Deepak Anand, Vice President, Government Relations, 236-889-4000, deepak@cannabiscomplianceinc.com http://www.cannabiscomplianceinc.com/ HollyWeed North Cannabis Inc: Kate Dalgleish, Director of Legal Affairs and Government Relations, 250-889-7044 kate@hollyweednorth.com http://hollyweednorth.com Contact: Deborah Radel at DRPR, Deborah@drpr.us SOURCE: HollyWeed North Cannabis Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/526125/HollyWeed-North-Cannabis-Inc-Signs-a-Mutual-Referral-Fee-Agreement-with-Cannabis-Compliance-Inc NEW YORK, October 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade, The Right Honourable Liam Fox MP and Consul General,Anthony Phillipsonwelcomes the British luxury sector toNew York, at reception at Hearst Tower. Walpole, the sector body for the British luxury industry which counts 250 of the UK's finest luxury brands amongst its members, today launches its second annual trade mission to New York with a reception hosted at Hearst Tower to honour Glenda Bailey OBE, editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar and attended by Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade, The Right Honourable Liam Fox MP and Consul General, Anthony Phillipson. (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/773758/Anthony_Phillipson__Helen_Brocklebank__Liam_Fox__Glenda_Bailey.jpg ) "UK luxury is a jewel in the crown of British businesses, generating more than 50 billion in sales annually and employing more than 113,000 people," the Secretary of State said. He added: "The partnership between the GREAT Britain Campaign and Walpole is an excellent example of government and industry working together to increase exports as a proportion of GDP to 35% as set out in our ambitious Export Strategy. I look forward to the commercial outcomes of DIT's continued partnership with Walpole and its member companies." Helen Brocklebank, CEO, Walpole said: "As the UK looks beyond its borders into its future global trading relationships, it's particularly important that British luxury, a sector with an export value of over 25 billion, shows how successful high-end British brands are at doing business overseas. Not only is the US the single biggest market for British luxury, but also it offers a huge growth opportunity for the sector, as the appetite of the US customer for our brands and services grows every year. I'm hugely excited about returning to New York to show the creativity and innovation that typifies luxury in the UK, and to fly the flag for Britain for US visitors thinking of making a trip here." 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 United Kingdom 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). The leisure market leads the reasons to visit the UK and holidays account for 45% of all visits to the UK. When here, American travellers show a strong emotional connection to luxury, with rich history and collectability leading the reasons to buy luxury products (Source: YouGov Affluent Perspective). 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 will hold a programme of events in New York to build long-term relationships that drive export opportunities by engaging with top business leaders, buyers and media. The three-day event spans an insights briefing on US media and the luxury landscape, commercial and diplomatic meetings, and an experiential media showcase at The Glass Houses. Glenda Bailey OBE, editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar, will be honoured with an Award for Excellence for her work to promote British luxury overseas. 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. Sarah Anderson, Head of Brand Partnerships, GREAT added: "The GREAT Britain campaign celebrates the best of the UK overseas so we are delighted to partner with Walpole to present this outstanding showcase of British luxury to US audiences. We look forward to promoting British craftsmanship, quality and heritage in beautiful settings and with the valuable expertise of the industry's finest talent." About Walpole Walpole is the official sector body for UK luxury. Founded in 1992 as a not-for-profit organisation, it counts more than 250 British brands in its membership and is recognised in both Westminster and Brussels. As the voice of British luxury, Walpole's purpose is to promote, protect and develop a sector worth 32.2 billion to the UK economy and the jewel in the crown of UK business. Walpole actively seeks out UK and international business opportunities, promoting growth in the industry through a programme of initiatives, including the annual trade mission and press showcase to the US. As founders of the European Cultural and Creative Industries Alliance (ECCIA), Walpole cements and champions relationships with Europe's luxury and creative sectors, lobbying the EU on key policy issues like selective distribution and IP protection, and supporting pan-European business and cultural connections post-Brexit. Dedicated to creating a pipeline of growth for Britain's luxury brands, Walpole also runs the annual mentoring programmes Brands of Tomorrow and the Programme in Luxury Management at London Business School. About the GREAT Britain campaign The GREAT Britain campaign is the UK Government's ambitious international marketing campaign and showcases the very best of what Britain has to offer in order to encourage the world to visit, study and do business with the UK. The campaign unites the international growth promotion efforts of the Department for International Trade, VisitBritain, British Council, FCO and is currently active in over 144 countries. Visit http://www.great.gov.uk for more information. GREAT aims to deliver significant and long-term increases in trade, tourism, education and inward investment in support of HMG's prosperity and growth agenda. GREAT messages are organised around a series of 'pillars' - Heritage, Culture, Countryside and Sport for tourism audiences, Innovation, Business, Entrepreneurs, Technology, Creativity and Green for businesses and investors and Knowledge and Education for students. For further information contact: Dominic McCarthy, ANM Communications LLP +44-(0)-20-7940-2918 dmccarthy@anmcomms.com Carly von Speyr, Walpole +44(0)-207-803-1389 carly.vonspeyr@thewalpole.co.uk VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 23, 2018 / Vangold Mining Corp. (TSX-V: VAN) ("Vangold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to its news release of earlier today, effective at the open, Thursday, October 25, 2018, shares of the Company will resume trading; transfer agent services have now been reinstated. About Vangold Mining Corp. Vangold Mining Corp is a Canadian-based precious metal mining company with a goal to acquire significant exploration opportunities supported by a defined set of geological principals. The Company has a diverse range of quality projects in Mexico and is now expanding with a significant land package in Nevada, USA and near production properties in Guyana, SA. Vangold will continue to expand its portfolio with near production opportunities that bring value to shareholders by providing longer term exploration upside and mineral resource growth potential. The Company's Common Shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "VAN" and on the OTC American Exchange under the symbol "VGLDF". ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Cameron S. King" President, CEO and Director For further information regarding Vangold Mining Corp, please contact: Cameron King, +1 (604) 499-6545 Email: cking@vangoldmining.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. 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. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements". This forward-looking information includes, or may be based upon estimates, forecasts and statements of management's expectations with respect to, among other things, the completion of the proposed Transaction, the issuance of permits, the size and quality of mineral resources, future trends for the company, progress in development of mineral properties, future production and sales volumes, capital costs, mine production costs, demand and market outlook for metals, future metal prices and treatment and refining or milling charges, the outcome of legal proceedings, the timing of exploration, development and mining activities, acquisition of shares in other companies and the financial results of the company. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially and substantially from those anticipated in such statements. Investors should not rely on forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Vangold's expectations, and expressly does not undertake any duty to update forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to the following, limited operating history, proposed exploration and/or drill programs and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Vangold to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. SOURCE: Vangold Mining Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/526143/Vangold-Mining-Provides-Update-on-Trading-Halt Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 23, 2018) - Ely Gold Royalties Inc. (TSXV: ELY) (OTCQB: ELYGF) ("Ely Gold") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding letter agreement (the "Agreement") with a private individual ("the Owner") whereby Ely Gold, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Nevada Select Royalty, Inc. ("Nevada Select"), a Nevada corporation, will acquire 100% of all rights and interests in the 0.75% (three quarters of one percent) Gross Receipts Royalty (the "Royalty") of the Isabella Pearl Property ("Isabella Pearl" ), operated by Gold Resource Corp. ("GORO") (NYSE American: GORO). Isabella Pearl is located in Mineral County, Nevada (see Figure #1) and GORO anticipates mid-year 2019 production. Ely's purchase of the Isabella Pearl Royalty marks the fifth transaction that the Company has completed in concert with GORO's consolidation of its Nevada Mining Unit (see figure #1). Total Ely Gold property sales to GORO of US$1,500,000 have created the following royalty structure: 0.75% GRR on current reserves on the Isabella Claims; 2.5% NSR on the exploration ground at Isabella Pearl; 2.5% NSR at County Line; 2-3% NSR at Mina Gold; and 2% NSR on certain claims at Camp Douglas. Trey Wasser, President and CEO of Ely Gold Royalties commented, "We are very pleased to add this near-term production royalty to our rapidly growing portfolio. Our relationship with GORO continues to be an important part of our strategic growth profile. The purchase of the Isabella Pearl near-term producing royalty, and the other development assets operated by GORO, are one of the important foundations of our royalty portfolio.In addition to GORO, several of our option partners have now purchased multiple properties on which we hold option contracts or royalties. The ongoing purchases of multiple projects speaks to the quality of our properties and supports Ely Gold's unique option model for generating revenue and royalties" Under the Agreement, Ely Gold will pay the Owner a cash consideration of US$300,000. The closing date of the proposed transaction is expected to be on or around November 15, 2018 and is subject to completion of a definitive purchase and assignment agreement, Letters of Administration or Letters of Testamentary in the estate of John C. Longhurst, allowing for transfer of the Isabella claims and the Isabella Lease. The Royalty was created through a 0.125% (1/8%) interest in ten unpatented mining claims (the "Isabella Claims"), which are part of the property and a 0.125% (1/8%) interest in the Lease of Isabella Claims (the "Isabella Lease") dated April 12, 1992. The Isabella Lease reserves a six percent (6%) Gross Receipts Royalty ("GRR") on the Isabella Claims. From a press release issued by GORO and dated June 18, 2018; "GORO has officially begun construction activities with the Ledcor Group commencing clearing and grubbing operations in preparation of heap leach pad construction. Processing equipment including the crushing plant and radial stackers, previously purchased are being stored in a nearby laydown yard, are being readied for transport to the Project site. One of two previously drilled water wells have had its pump set and completed for on-site water supply. The Isabella Pearl Gold Project is GORO's flagship property in its Nevada Mining Unit, which also contains the Mina Gold, County Line, and East Camp Douglas properties. Production is expected to begin in June 2019." For information on Isabella Pearl Mineral Reserves and production estimates refer to report dated December 31, 2017 "Report on the Estimate of Reserves and the Feasibility Study on the Isabella Pearl Project" at http://www.goldresourcecorp.com/NV-development.php Jerry Baughman, President of Nevada Select commented: "We continue to see robust demand for our U.S. properties. The strong, continuous growth in revenue from our royalty and option portfolio is now allowing us to purchase near-term production royalties such as Isabella Pearl and Fenelon (refer to news release dated October 10, 2018). Ely Gold has now successfully transitioned from a prospect generator to a royalty company with assets in production and steady exploration news flow". Stephen Kenwood, P. Geo, is a director of the Company and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Kenwood has reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release. About Ely Gold Royalties Ely Gold Royalties Inc. is a Vancouver-based, emerging royalty company with development assets focused in Nevada and the Western US. Its current portfolio includes 27 Deeded Royalties and 24 properties optioned to third parties. Ely Gold's royalty portfolio includes fully permitted mines, mines under construction and development projects that are being permitted for mine construction. The Company is actively purchasing existing third-party royalties for its portfolio and all the Company's Option Properties will produce royalties, if exercised. The royalty and option portfolios are currently generating significant revenue. Ely Gold is well positioned with its current portfolio of over 20 available properties to generate additional operating revenue through option and sale transactions. The Company has a proven track record of maximizing the value of its properties through claim consolidation and advancement using its extensive, proprietary data base. All portfolio properties are sold or optioned on a 100% basis, while the Company retains net smelter royalty interests. Management believes that due to the Company's ability to generate royalty transactions, its successful strategy of organically creating royalties, its equity portfolio and its current low valuation, Ely Gold offers shareholders a low-risk leverage to the current price of gold and low-cost access to long-term mineral royalties. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Signed "Trey Wasser" Trey Wasser, President & CEO For further information, please contact: Trey Wasser, President & CEO trey@elygoldinc.com 972-803-3087 Joanne Jobin, Investor Relations Officer jjobin@elygoldinc.com 604-488-1104 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. Disclaimer: This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the Company's contemplated acquisition of the Royalty relating to Isabella Pearl, and GORO's stated plans for further near-term exploration and development of the Isabella Pearl, Property. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; 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, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that 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. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the risk of accidents and other risks associated with GORO's mineral exploration, development and extraction operations, the risk that GORO will encounter unanticipated geological factors, or the possibility that GORO may not be able to secure permitting, financing and other governmental clearances, necessary to carry out its stated plans for the Isabella Pearl Property, the Company's inability to secure the required TSXV acceptance required for the Transaction, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal disputes or changes in the jurisdictions where the Company carries on its business that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects Figure #1 GORO Nevada Mining Unit Ely Gold Royalty Structure To view an enhanced version of Figure #1, please visit: http://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4181/40572_a1540325248198_58.jpg By Hideyuki Sano TOKYO (Reuters) - Asian shares edged lower on Tuesday as earnings season nerves in the U.S. dented Wall Street, while a cocktail of negative factors from Saudi Arabia's diplomatic isolation to concerns over Italy's budget and Brexit talks depressed sentiment. That rolled back some of the previous session's strong rally led by China stimulus hopes, with the MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dropping 0.4 percent By Hideyuki Sano TOKYO (Reuters) - Asian shares edged lower on Tuesday as earnings season nerves in the U.S. dented Wall Street, while a cocktail of negative factors from Saudi Arabia's diplomatic isolation to concerns over Italy's budget and Brexit talks depressed sentiment. That rolled back some of the previous session's strong rally led by China stimulus hopes, with the MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dropping 0.4 percent. Japan's Nikkei fell 1.25 percent. U.S. stock futures dropped 0.5 percent in early Asian trade. On Monday the S&P 500 lost 0.43 percent as investors kept a wary eye on earnings amid global growth worries. Enthusiasm over some of the upbeat results was also tempered by the growing political uncertainty around the world. "In short, the world seems to be getting into a chaos," said Akira Takei, bond fund manager at Asset Management One. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he was still not satisfied with what he has heard from Saudi Arabia about the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at its consulate in Turkey. Trump has expressed reluctance to punish the Saudis economically. But while Saudi Arabia has sought to shield its powerful crown prince from the killing, many officials have cast doubt on Riyadh's narrative. Several countries, including Germany, Britain, France and Turkey, have pressed Saudi Arabia to provide all the facts. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said he will release information about the investigation in a speech on Tuesday. Any signs of instability in the kingdom, a major oil producer as well as a big investor in financial markets, could have wide-ranging repercussions. "I would think this issue could drag on for some time," said Asset Management One's Takei. In Europe, the European Commision will decide on Tuesday the next steps in the procedure for assessing Italy's 2019 draft budget, which has come in for sharp criticism from the EU as it breached its rules. The euro traded at $1.1466, having lost 0.44 percent the previous day to edge near its Oct. 9 low of $1.14325, its lowest level since mid-August. Although Italian bond prices rose on relief after Moody's did not slap on a negative outlook as the market had feared, investor concerns were palpable in European stock markets. France's CAC closed at the lowest level in more than a year while Italian shares hit 1-1/2-year lows and Spanish shares ended at their weakest level since late 2016. The British pound stood at $1.2965, hovering just above this month's low of $1.2922 on fears the Irish border issue and disagreements within Britain's ruling Conservatives over Brexit could see Prime Minister Theresa May face a serious leadership challenge. The yen eased to 112.82 per dollar, touching its lowest levels in about two weeks. Oil prices were little changed, with WTI trading at $69.86 per barrel, up 0.2 percent and off two-month low of $68.27 touched on Monday. (Editing by Shri Navaratnam) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. GoAir launched its domestic operations in November 2005 and was granted rights in August 2016 to operate to nine countries. Mumbai: Budget carrier GoAir, which started its international operations this month, will connect Phuket in Thailand with eight more Indian cities by the end of next year, a top company executive said on Monday. Soon, the airline would also be flying to Bangkok. Currently, the Wadia group-promoted carrier flies to Phuket and Male in the Maldives from Mumbai and New Delhi. It commenced international operations on October 11. "We announce that Phuket is our first international route... we are making Phuket our Thailand hub. We already have routes from Mumbai and Delhi to Phuket, and by the end of next year, we will increase this to 10 cities flying direct to Phuket," GoAir Managing Director Jeh Wadia said. With the introduction of these flights, GoAir aims to amplify and replicate its domestic success story, he was quoted as saying in a release issued by Royal Phuket Marina. According to Wadia, the airline would soon be flying into Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok. Royal Phuket Marina is a luxury marina and Wadia addressed a press meet there on Monday. "Thailand is a big part of our international expansion, it is a destination popular with Indian travellers and Phuket is at the heart of that," Wadia said. He said that 90 per cent of the airline's fleet is new and within six months, it would be 100 percent. "We placed an order for 164 planes and have taken delivery so far of 41. Our plans for Phuket and the region are big," he added. GoAir launched its domestic operations in November 2005 and was granted rights in August 2016 to operate to nine countries. These include China, Vietnam, Maldives, Kazakhstan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The city-based carried had qualified for overseas flights two years ago when it took delivery of its 20th aircraft, which was also its first Airbus A320 neo. At present, the no-frills carrier operates over 1,550 weekly flights to 23 domestic and two international destinations. It has a fleet of 41 Airbus A320 planes, including 22 A320 neos. BENGALURU (Reuters) - Gold prices inched up early Tuesday as Asian stocks faltered, weighed down by political tensions between Saudi Arabia and Western powers, uncertainties around Brexit and Italy's budgetary woes. FUNDAMENTALS * Spot gold was up 0.1 percent at $1,222.53 an ounce at 0056 GMT. * U.S. BENGALURU (Reuters) - Gold prices inched up early Tuesday as Asian stocks faltered, weighed down by political tensions between Saudi Arabia and Western powers, uncertainties around Brexit and Italy's budgetary woes. FUNDAMENTALS * Spot gold was up 0.1 percent at $1,222.53 an ounce at 0056 GMT. * U.S. gold futures edged up 0.1 percent to $1,225.30 an ounce. * Palladium eased 0.2 percent to $1,119.50 an ounce, having hit a nine-month high of $1,124.40 in the previous session. * Asian shares were listless on Tuesday, a day after a strong rally led by stimulus hope in China, with MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dropping 0.5 percent. * U.S. President Donald Trump said he was still not satisfied with what he has heard from Saudi Arabia about the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey, but did not want to lose investment from Riyadh. * Russia said it would be forced to respond in kind to restore the military balance with the United States if Trump carried through on a threat to quit a nuclear arms treaty and began developing new missiles. * The United States sent two warships through the Taiwan Strait on Monday in the second such operation this year, as the U.S. military increases the frequency of transits through the strategic waterway despite opposition from China. * Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House as he left on a campaign trip to Texas, said on Monday his administration planned to produce a resolution within two weeks calling for a 10 percent tax cut for middle-income people. * Prime Minister Theresa May urged restive lawmakers to back her in the final stages of Britain's exit from the European Union, saying talks were in their most difficult phase even if a deal was close. * Italy told the European Commission on Monday it would stick to its contested 2019 budget plans in defiance of EU fiscal rules, but promised not to inflate its deficit any further in the years ahead. * Lonmin Plc on Monday signed a $200 million metal purchase agreement, which will provide the platinum miner better liquidity as it awaits the closure of Sibanye-Stillwater's takeover of the company. * Holdings in SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, rose 0.28 percent to 747.88 tonnes on Monday. [GOL/ETF] DATA/EVENT AHEAD (GMT) 0600 Germany Producer prices Sep 1400 Euro zone Consumer confidence Oct 1400 U.S. Richmond Fed composite index Oct (Reporting by Vijaykumar Vedala in Bengaluru; editing by Richard Pullin) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The revival plan could include selling big stakes in its businesses, including IL&FS Financial Services and IL&FS Energy Development, or even closing them, the official said. New Delhi/Mumbai: The new board of debt-laden Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) will come up with a revival plan for the lender that could include selling stakes in some of its businesses, an Indian government official said. The official, who declined to be named, ruled out any budgetary support for IL&FS, an infrastructure financing and building company, which has 348 businesses and debts of 910 billion rupees ($12.39 billion). State-owned firms own nearly 40 percent of the company. In a court-led process, the government this month replaced IL&FSs board with six industry professionals to tackle the debt crisis at the company which has spooked markets and triggered fears for the stability of Indias shadow banking sector. We are confident that the new management will come up with a roadmap for the revival of the company, the official told Reuters on Monday. The government will not give any money from its budget. Finance Ministry spokesman D.S. Malik declined to comment. The official said state-controlled Life Insurance Corp of India (LIC), which holds a 25.34 percent stake in IL&FS, could pump more money into the troubled company. The revival plan could include selling big stakes in its businesses, including IL&FS Financial Services and IL&FS Energy Development, or even closing them, the official said. He said the government could also ask state-run road developer, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), to take over some of IL&FS incomplete road projects and award them to other companies. Separately, IL&FS said on Monday that its board had appointed Arpwood Capital and JM Financial Consultants to provide financial and transaction advice. Arpwood Capital is a boutique investment bank and JM Financial is a financial services group operating across investment banking, asset management and broking. The IL&FS board also said it had retained consultancy firm Alvarez and Marsal, which was hired by the previous board, as restructuring advisers to the group. The telecom sector, which has been witnessing rough weather in terms of profitability due to rising competition and lower margins, has witnessed large scale lay-offs making job scenario uncertain. Job losses will be severe in the telecom sector due to consolidation. By the end of this financial years, the sector may lose over 60,000 employees, according to media reports. Due to consolidation, operators, infrastructure providers, tower companies and associated retail units are forced to optimise their staffing, experts said to the Economic Times. Job losses are expected in two segments -- customer support and financial functions, which together will let go of 15,000 employees, the report said. Faced with uncertainty, the once-sunshine telecom sector will continue to witness decline in headcounts for the next six-nine months, taking the total number of job losses to 80,000-90,000, a CIEL HR Services report had said. The sector, which has been witnessing rough weather in terms of profitability due to rising competition and lower margins, has witnessed large scale lay-offs making job scenario uncertain. The report is based on a survey among around 100 senior and mid-level employees of 65 telecom and software and hardware service providers to telecom companies. According to the report, since last year the sector has already lost around 40,000 people and the trend is likely to continue for the next six-nine months and may see the culling touching 80,000-90,000. "The attrition rate is like to remain high at least for the next two-three quarters and the sector is likely to reduce around 80,000-90,000 people," the Bengaluru-based company's chief executive Aditya Narayan Mishra told PTI. He said employees worried over the uncertainties about their career with their present employer and the increased levels of anxieties are contributing to speculation. High cost of loan servicing, aggressive competition for market share, uncertainty of mergers among others have been hindering further investment by telcos resulting in layoffs, the report said. Further, the report said, salary hikes have been muted compared to other sectors and about 69 percent got annual salary hike of 7 percent, while almost one-third of them received less than 5 percent hike, it added. The report also revealed that most people leaving their telecom jobs are seeking opportunities outside the sector. "This trend highlights the fact that the sector is not recruiting unless it is a critical need that has to be filled by external talent," it added. "The telecom industry has lost its lustre and this negative sentiment is failing to attract any talent into the sector. The vacant seats continue to remain vacant with no fresh applications," Mishra said. The report estimates that 25 percent of people leave or lose their jobs in the telecom sector without having another at hand. However, 69 percent feel that they can find employment in other sectors. This points to the fact that skilled employees are quick to find jobs in other sectors, hence, the sector has to put additional measures to retain their top talent. Going forward, Mishra said, the sector will begin to recruit, which will mostly be freshers from campuses. "Except for a few critical positions, we expect telcos to hire freshers. However, there is likely to be 25 per cent reverse movement mostly comprising those who had gone into consulting or not with any employment," he added. --With PTI inputs RBL Bank's core net interest income rose 41 percent to Rs 592.97 crore, while the non-interest income was up 38 percent Rs 333.11 crore New Delhi: Private sector RBL Bank on Tuesday reported a 36 percent rise in its September quarter profit to Rs 204.54 crore backed by rise in interest income. The bank had earned a net profit of Rs 150.62 crore in the same quarter a year ago. Its core net interest income rose 41 percent to Rs 592.97 crore, while the non-interest income was up 38 percent Rs 333.11 crore. On assets quality front, it reported a marginal decline in the gross non-performing assets (NPA) at 1.40 percent from the 1.44 percent in the year-ago period. Even the net NPA improved to 0.74 percent as against 0.78 percent at the September-end 2017. The bank's growth in advances portfolio rose by a 37 percent on year-on-year basis, RBL Bank said in a statement. "The net advances as at 30 September, 2018 were Rs 45,872.66 crore as against Rs 33,576.01 on 30 September, 2017, with all-round growth observed in all business segments," it said. The net interest margin of the bank expanded to 4.08 percent from the 3.74 percent in the year-ago period, it said. The capital adequacy ratio on 30 September, 2018 was 13.12 percent and Tier-1 capital adequacy ratio was 11.84 percent, significantly higher than the regulatory requirements, it said. By Andrew Torchia and Marwa Rashad RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia brushed off a Western boycott over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi as it prepared to launch an investment conference on Tuesday that has been overshadowed by the withdrawal of dozens of top business and government leaders. Hundreds of bankers and company executives are still expected to join officials at a palatial Riyadh hotel for the Future Investment Initiative, an annual event designed to help attract billions of dollars of foreign capital as part of reforms to end Saudi dependence on oil exports. But while last year's inaugural conference drew the global business elite, earning it the informal title 'Davos in the Desert', this year's event has been marred by the pullout of more than two dozen high-level speakers following an international outcry over Khashoggi's killing By Andrew Torchia and Marwa Rashad RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia brushed off a Western boycott over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi as it prepared to launch an investment conference on Tuesday that has been overshadowed by the withdrawal of dozens of top business and government leaders. Hundreds of bankers and company executives are still expected to join officials at a palatial Riyadh hotel for the Future Investment Initiative, an annual event designed to help attract billions of dollars of foreign capital as part of reforms to end Saudi dependence on oil exports. But while last year's inaugural conference drew the global business elite, earning it the informal title "Davos in the Desert", this year's event has been marred by the pullout of more than two dozen high-level speakers following an international outcry over Khashoggi's killing. Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi Arabia's crown prince, disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 to obtain documents for his upcoming marriage. After two weeks denying any involvement in his disappearance, Riyadh on Saturday said Khashoggi died during a fight in the consulate. Later, a Saudi official attributed the death to a chokehold. The weeks of denial and shifting explanations have strained ties between the West and the world's top oil exporter. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and senior ministers from Britain and France pulled out of the event along with chief executives or chairmen of about a dozen big financial firms such as JP Morgan Chase and HSBC, and International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde. Total Chief Executive Patrick Pouyanne said on Monday he would attend. Russia is sending a big delegation led by Direct Investment Fund head Kirill Dmitriev. Top executives of Asian companies were hesitant to pull out, so the participation of Chinese and Japanese institutions may keep the three-day conference - which has no connection to the World Economic Forums annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland - busy enough for Riyadh to claim it as a success. Many Western banks and other companies, fearful of losing business such as fees from arranging deals for Saudi Arabia's $250 billion sovereign wealth fund, are sending lower-level executives even as their top people stay away. For these reasons, the Western boycott may have little long-term impact on Saudi economic prospects. But the conference comes as many foreign investors are see a risk that the Khashoggi affair could damage Riyadh's ties with Western governments. Foreigners sold a net 4.01 billion riyals ($1.07 billion) of Saudi equities last week, by far the biggest pull-out of overseas money since the stock market opened to direct foreign investment in mid-2015. The event is being held at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh, where scores of princes, businessmen and officials were detained in a crackdown on corruption just days after last year's conference ended. Authorities said the crackdown extracted over $100 billion from suspects in financial settlements. But that figure has not been verified, and details of the alleged crimes were never made public, fuelling investors' concern about legal transparency. (Writing by Andrew Torchia; Editing by Robin Pomeroy) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Negative global cues along with a worrying macroeconomic situation and mixed start to the corporate earnings season subdued key domestic indices during the afternoon trade session Mumbai: Negative global cues along with a worrying macroeconomic situation and mixed start to the corporate earnings season subdued key domestic indices during the afternoon trade session on Tuesday. "The weakness in the market is because of the overall negative trend in the market, domestic as well as globally. The quarterly results are mixed adding to the negative sentiments among the investors but it is just the start of the results season..," Astha Jain, Hem Securities told IANS. Heavy selling pressure was witnessed in IT, healthcare, oil and gas counters. The Sensex opened at 33,935.88 points from its previous close of 34,134.38 points and at 1.38 pm. It traded at 33,825.80 points down 308.58 points or 0.90 percent. It touched an intra-day high of 34,073.92 points and a low of 33,807.05 points. The NSE Nifty50 traded at 10,130.60 points during the afternoon trade session, down 114.65 points and 1.12 per cent. Asian Paints, after its quarterly result announcement on Monday, lost 6.03 per cent. It was trading at Rs 1,129 a share from its previous close of Rs 1,201.45, while HCL Technologies Ltd, which is expected to declare its quarterly results later in the day was marginally down. SpiceJet has sought a three-month moratorium from a leasing company as 'a delay in delivery of 737 Max planes by Boeing Co. has caused liquidity issues' Budget airline SpiceJet has reportedly sought a three-month moratorium from a leasing company as "a delay in delivery of 737 Max planes by Boeing Co. has caused liquidity issues", rating agency Crisil Ltd said. According to Business Standard, Jet Airways has also sought a moratorium on lease rent payment in order to avoid a default on loan payments. The report said that a weakened rupee, the surge in crude oil prices and the inability to raise fares have put pressure on all airlines. Crisil has also downgraded the SpiceJet's loan facilities to 'CRISIL BB-/Negative/CRISIL A4' from 'CRISIL BBB/Stable/CRISIL A3+'. "The downgrade reflects CRISIL's belief that SpiceJet's operating performance will remain under pressure in the near to medium term, driven by significant increase in the operating cost and limited ability to pass on the increased cost to customers due to intense competition, Crisil said in its report. The rating agency said that Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices have increased by 10 percent and Indian rupee depreciated 7.9 percent over the last three months. "Despite such a sharp increase, airlines could not increase prices due to intense competition, with the second quarter being inherently weak, " Crisil said. SpiceJet recently inducted its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft that forms part of a $22 billion purchase deal signed with the American aircraft manufacturer. "SpiceJet had signed a $22 billion deal with Boeing for up to 205 aircraft in 2017 and this is the first aircraft delivery from that order," a company statement said on 12 October. "These new aeroplanes will enable us to open new routes, and will dramatically reduce noise pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Passengers will benefit from a large number of premium seats and, for the first time in India, broadband internet on board," SpiceJet Chairman Ajay Singh said in a statement. The budget airline reported a standalone net loss of 38.06 crore for the quarter ended 30 June, 2018. The airline had reported a net profit of Rs 1,75.23 crore during the corresponding month of the previous fiscal. With inputs from IANS. Tata Teleservices suffered a jolt after its three licences were cancelled by the Supreme Court in 2012 for irregularities in spectrum allocation to the company and several other new entrants. New Delhi: Tata group holding company Tata Sons has written off its entire investment of Rs 28,651.69 crore in loss-making telecom arm Tata Teleservices, according to a regulatory filing. Tata Sons is in the process of transferring the consumer mobile business of Tata Teleservices to Bharti Airtel and hiving off the enterprise segment to merge with the group's networking arm Tata Communications. "The company has considered it appropriate to write off the entire investment of Rs 28,651.69 crore in Tata Teleservices Limited," Tata Sons said in a filing. The effect of impairment was reflected on Tata Sons' consolidated net profit which dropped to Rs 4,379 crore at the end of 2017-18 from Rs 18,432 crore in 2016-17. On a standalone basis, the net profit of Tata Sons increased by 6 percent to Rs 873 crore in 2017-18 from Rs 824 crore in 2016-17. According to the filing, Tata Teleservices recorded an impairment loss of Rs 16,891.28 crore, including Rs 1,265.81 crore pertaining to the prior period, on the consumer mobile business assets based on an assessment of its recoverable value. Tata Sons has also made a provision for claims of Rs 4,393.45 crore for the year ended 31 March 2018, after considering various factors " including the without prejudice discussions with the relevant counterparties". The filing said that a subsidiary company had evaluated the recoverable value of spectrum that Tata Teleservices acquires in March 2015 and recorded an impairment loss of Rs 905.41 crore around the same. Taking the factors at Tata Teleservices into account, Tata Sons said that "the company considered inappropriate to write off the entire investment of Rs 28,651.69 crore in the subsidiary company in its standalone financial statements." Tata Teleservices suffered a jolt after its three licences were cancelled by the Supreme Court in 2012 for irregularities in spectrum allocation to the company and several other new entrants. Following the development, Tata Teleservices ran into a tussle with its partner NTT Docomo which decided to withdraw its investment in the telecom firm. Tata Teleservices became subsidiary of Tata Sons from an associate firm with effect from February 2017 after its arrangement with NTT Docomo ceased. The heavy tariff war triggered by the entry of Reliance Jio in 2016 led to Tata Sons signing a pact with Bharti Airtel to hive off consumer mobile business of Tata Teleservices without any debt transfer to the Sunil Bharti Mittal-led firm. 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: During the period under review, the TVS Motor Company's overall two-wheeler sales including exports grew by 13.6 percent to 10.49 lakh units from 9.23 Lakh units in the quarter ended September 2017 New Delhi: TVS Motor Company on Tuesday reported a marginal decline in its profit after tax (PAT) at Rs 211.3 crore for the second quarter ended on 30 September, 2018. The Chennai-based company had posted a net profit of Rs 213.2 crore for the same period of previous fiscal. Total revenue, however, grew to Rs 4,994 crore for the second quarter from Rs 4,098 crore in the July-September quarter of last financial year, TVS Motor Company said in a statement. During the period under review, the company's overall two-wheeler sales including exports grew by 13.6 percent to 10.49 lakh units from 9.23 Lakh units in the quarter ended September 2017. Motorcycle sales grew by 14.9 percent to 4.20 lakh units during the quarter as compared with 3.65 lakh units registered in the same period of previous fiscal. The company said its scooter sales grew by 18.2 percent to 3.88 lakh units in second quarter from 3.28 lakh units in the quarter ended September 2017. Besides, the company's total exports during the period under review grew by 35.2 percent 1.99 lakh units from 1.48 lakh units in the same period of previous financial year. The company's board declared an interim dividend for the financial year ending 31 March, 2019 at the rate of Rs 2.10 per share (210 percent) on 47,50,87,114 equity shares of Re 1 each , absorbing a sum of Rs 120.28 crore. The interim dividend declared will be paid on or after 3 November, 2018, it said. Shares of the company on Tuesday ended 3.75 percent up at Rs 536.05 on BSE. The tyre industry is expecting "not so promising second half" due to rising crude oil prices and the falling rupee which has made matters worse for it as the industry is largely dependent on import of raw materials, a media report said. "We are facing pressure from both sides. Vehicle sales are down and the operations cost has gone up. It looks like the third quarter will be a difficult one," Ashish Pandey, VP-materials, JK Tyres was quoted as saying by The Economic Times. In September, a report said the industry would be adversely hit due to estimated lower rubber output by 18-20 percent following Kerala floods. According to rating agency Icra's report, the natural rubber which accounts for 35 percent of the overall input costs in value for manufacture of tyres, is expected to witness considerable shortage. This is due to inundation resulting in pressure on operating margins for tyre manufacturers. Natural rubber accounts for over 20 percent of Kerala's total area under cultivation and the southern state contributes the largest share of 84 percent of output in the country followed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and North-Eastern states like Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya etc. "We expect the natural rubber output to decline by 1.2-1.4 lakhs MT (or) 18-20 percent fall during FY2019. With the natural rubber being a critical raw material, the sharp fall in output will have consequent impact on the Indian tyre industry. It accounts for 32 percent and 35 percent of total inputs, in volume and value terms, respectively," agency's Vice President (Corporate ratings) K Srikumar said had said. India is the second largest consumer, consuming 8 percent of global natural rubber output, after China. Despite India also being one of the key producers contributing to over 5 percent of global output, it remains a net importer. "During FY2018, India produced 6.9 lakh MT of natural rubber but consumed 11.1 MT, with the supply gap being fully met through imports from Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, etc, the agency said. Imports have accounted for 40 percent of consumption in the last five years and the same is expected to reach 50 percent during the current fiscal with the shortfall envisaged in output. With inputs from IANS In an interview, Congress leader Nana Patole highlighted problems with the BJP government's policies for farmers and said his party is planning a massive farmers' rally in January 2019. The Congress has started wooing farmers aggressively ahead of the 2019 general elections. The All India Kisan Khet Mazdoor Congress, the party's organisation that takes the lead in agriculturist constituencies, held a protest rally in Delhi on Tuesday to highlight the plight of farmers across the country. Speaking to Firstpost, Nana Patole a former BJP MP and now the chairman of the All India Kisan Khet Mazdoor Congress said the party has also planned a mega rally led by Congress president Rahul Gandhi in January 2019, in which more than 10 lakh people are expected to participate. The Congress will also share its vision for the farming sector in the proposed rally. What is your farmers protest rally on 23 October all about? At the farmers' agitation of the All India Kisan Khet Mazdoor Congress at Sansad Marg (Parliament Street) in Delhi, aggrieved farmers and farm labourers from various parts of the country from Tamil Nadu and Kerala to North Eastern states will surround Parliament as a mark of protest against the Narendra Modi government. After reaching the venue, a rally will be held where we will seek answers from the prime minister "hisaab do, jawab do" on the poor state of farmers at present. What has made farmers across the country angry? Both while campaigning ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and in his first speech in Parliament after becoming prime minister, Modi had promised that the recommendations of the Swaminathan Committee would be implemented. The biggest issue is related to the price of farm produce. Farmers were assured that they would get a minimum support price (MSP) 50% higher than the cost of production. But nothing happened. Farmers of Bihar sell their produce in markets in Punjab as they don't get MSP in Bihar. The irony is that the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Radha Mohan Singh is from Bihar. The exorbitant rise in fuel prices, especially that of diesel, has made it immensely expensive for farmers to use tractors and diesel pumps for irrigation. Farmers are debt-ridden and incidents of farmer suicide are on the rise. There is no improvement at agriculture mandis either. Demonetisation and GST resulted in the shutdown of small industries, and children of farmers lost their jobs. No new jobs have been created. The government took out the money from farmers pockets, put it in banks and made them stand in queues for long hours to withdraw their own money, which is ridiculous. The government has waived loans of crony capitalists, but is unwilling to do it for farmers. There's palpable anger among farmers across the country because of this. The BJP would say it is a legacy issue. What is your response? I agree that during Congress rule, mistakes happened. But thats the reason the public ensured BJPs victory with a majority. Now, instead of taking welfare measures for farmers, the present government is only engaged in criticising the Congress. The Modi government should follow its Raj Dharma, as stated by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, instead of making false promises and levelling allegations against the Opposition. Take the case of MNREGA. The prime minister had criticised it. This welfare scheme was implemented during the UPA regime, and 100-day employment was ensured. But today, labourers fail to get employment for even 10 days. The NDA government cant get away by blaming the Congress for its failures. The government has revised MSP. Why are farmers not happy yet? See, Im a farmer myself, and I know where the shoe pinches. I was a BJP MP (from the Bhandara-Gondia constituency in Maharashtra). I quit the BJP after I failed to convince Modi at his residence on the growing distress of farmers. The government had imposed 12% GST on tractors, which was a huge burden on farmers because a tractor is a basic tool of agriculture and is used by nearly by every farmer nowadays. As I represent the farmers' community, I'm accountable to them. Now, coming down to the MSP issue. The MSPs in India are recommended by a statutory body known as the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). It gives recommendations to the government on MSPs for Kharif and Rabi seasons, and the state commissions give their individual recommendations. But now, the MSPs on crops declared by the government are not in accordance with the Swaminathan Committee's recommendations. The prices offered to farmers are much lower than what they should be. Loan waivers can only be a limited move, and it has disastrous impacts on the economy. Is it sustainable? Loan waivers are neither the best solution, nor the last solution. It's an emergency step to help the farmers who have been adversely affected by the BJP's policies. The UPA government did it in the past, and if the Congress comes to power, it will implement waivers for the benefit of farmers, apart from a host of other measures. Will you take up farmers' issues in the upcoming five Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram? Sure. During election campaigns in poll-bound states this year, and also ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress will raise issues related to farmers' distress and the pathetic conditions they face. In Madhya Pradesh, we witnessed a massive outburst in the form of a farmers' agitation and violence in Mandsaur district in June 2017, which later spread to other districts. Six farmers were killed in police firing, and the BJP government in the state filed FIRs against 7,000 people. Whether it is in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh or Rajasthan, or in any other BJP-ruled state, farmers are in an impoverished state. What is the Congress' solution to the problem? We will declare it in public in January 2019. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi promised loan waivers in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan during his poll campaigns. The Congress-ruled Punjab government has waived electricity charges of farmers. Any government whether it is BJP- or Congress-ruled must remember that a farmer always gives and never demands. So it is the duty of a government to take care of the agriculture sector. What is your party's next move? We are planning a mega rally in January 2019, in which 10 lakh farmers, agricultural labourers and those associated with the farming sector are expected to participate. It will basically be Congress president Rahul Gandhi's rally as he will be leading it. At that rally, we will announce the party's vision plan related to agriculture and farmers. If the Congress comes to power, it will ensure the implementation of this vision plan. At least 60 organisations, including the Congress, have called a 12-hour Assam bandh on Tuesday to protest against a meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee with the Ministries of Home and External Affairs over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. At least 60 organisations, including the Congress, have called a 12-hour Assam bandh on Tuesday to protest against a meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee with the Ministries of Home and External Affairs over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. The bill seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, drawing opposition from several organisations in Assam. The BJP government in Assam, led by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, has made adequate preparations to maintain peace and normalcy in the state. However, the BJP-led state government has made it clear that it is compulsory for its employees to attend offices. The government has also said that trade licences of businesses could stand cancelled if they were found backing the bandh. The bandh called by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) is supported by at least 60 organisations and pressure groups in Assam. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which is a partner of the BJP-led alliance government in the state, is organising a rally in protest against the JPC's proposed meeting with the MEA and MHA on Tuesday. The AGP said that at least 50,000 people will participate in the rally. The organisations have called the bandh against the JPC meeting with the officials of MHA and MEA without visiting Assam for a second time to take on board every shade of opinion. Although the JPC, led by BJP MP Rajendra Agrawal, had visited Assam in May this year, not all organisations and leaders could meet it. Sonowal on Monday held a meeting with senior ministers and BJP leaders to discuss the bandh called by different organisations. The government also issued directives to employees to report for duty on Tuesday. Police have been asked to arrest the bandh supporters, and traders told to keep shops and business establishments open, failing which their trade licences will be cancelled. The BJP leaders who met the Chief Minister on Monday also urged the government not to accord permission to a November 17 meeting of Bengali organisations in Guwahati, supporting the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. "The proposed meeting on November 17 is likely to result in law and order issues. We will not allow the November 17 meeting," said Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. He said that according to a Gauhati High Court order, calling a bandh is illegal. "The court has termed the bandh as illegal. We have to follow the court's order. Those calling a bandh will have to pay for the damages that they cause," he added. The KMSS clarified that the organisation does not support calling bandhs, but a bandh call on Tuesday was necessitated as the BJP-led government in Assam is behaving in a dictatorial manner. "We cannot allow the government to make Assam a second Jammu & Kashmir or a Tripura, where the indigenous people have become a minority," said KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi. Follow LIVE updates on Assam Bandh here Forty-six organisations called for a 12-hour strike in Assam to protest against the Centre's bid to pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, in the Winter Session of Parliament. Protesters tried to put up blockades on railway tracks and disrupt train services across Assam on Tuesday as part of the 12-hour statewide bandh called by 46 organisations opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. Police officials said they were evicting demonstrators trying to prevent trains from running by squatting on the tracks. While protesters also burnt tyres on roads in various places in Assam, police escorts were provided to public transport vehicles to ensure that transport services functioned normally during the bandh. The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) and 44 other organisations called the 12-hour strike to protest against the Centre's bid to pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, in the Winter Session of Parliament. Political parties, including the Congress and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), have extended their support to the bandh in the interest of Assam and its indigenous people. All district magistrates and superintendents of police have been instructed by the BJP government in Assam to take measures to maintain public utility services in view of the call for the bandh. Dibrugarh was one of the worst-hit districts during the bandh. All business establishments, schools and colleges remained closed, but hospitals stayed open. Several protesters were detained at the Dibrugarh Police Station after they tried to block highways and forced shopkeepers to shut down the market. Guwahati was partially affected, but security was beefed up at all public places, including at Fancy Bazar, where Durga Puja festivities were hit by an explosion that left four injured on 13 October. The blast was carried out by the banned United Liberation Front of Assam, which is also against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill. Market in several areas remained closed as a result of protesters' calls for shut down. Dramatic visuals emerged from Tinsukia distric, where protests spilled over the road. Members of the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samitee agitated on the street. Jorhat and Dhubri, too, were only partially affected, and the bandh failed to elicit substantial response in Silchar district and the Barak Valley till late morning. Although, Cachar unit of Assam Indigenous People Protection Committee along with some other local organisations blocked NH-37 and Silchar Airport Road for more than two hours in support of the Bandh. They also burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Tires were also burnt as a part of the protest but no arrests yet. Silchar MP Sushmita Dev and said "Bandh is all about public sentiment. If the people of Cachar are not supporting it, I am also not supporting, even if the Assam Pradesh Congress is in favour of the Bandh. In some cases, the opinion of my own people is more important for me than a state committee of my party." She is also a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Normal life affected in Dibrugarh and security has been beefed up. By Avik, 101Reporters What is Citizenship amendment bill 2016? The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955, to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before 31 December, 2014. However, Assams indigenous groups oppose the bill as they believe it will marginalise them by encouraging more migrations of Hindus from Bangladesh. The current call for a shutdown comes in the wake of a meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) scheduled to be held in New Delhi later on Tuesday. At the JPC meeting, representatives of the ministries of home affairs, law and justice and external affairs will discuss the Citizenship Amendment Bill. The JPC is to submit its report on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 to the representatives of the Ministry of Home, Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Law and Justice at 3pm Tuesday. Government takes tough stand against protesters A government communique in this regard had said that necessary preemptive and preventive measures to thwart the call for the bandh must be taken in view of the judgment of the Gauhati High Court, banning bandhs in the state, calling them "unconstitutional and illegal". The communique also said that shops, business establishments and educational institutes should remain open, and transport facilities should function normally. Referring to the high court verdict on bandhs, state Finance and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday had said that the shutdown cannot be allowed as it would amount to contempt of court. He added that given the law and order situation in the state, the government will not allow the 17 November convention being organised in support of the citizenship bill by the Citizen Right Protection Forum, Assam, a conglomeration of 26 Bengali organisations. Meanwhile, the deputy police commissioners of districts had issued orders that all government officials should attend to their duties and steer clear of the call for the strike. Various district administrations in Assam had also asked all essential service providers to continue their services on Tuesday and renounce the call for the bandh. "The police commissioner of Guwahati, Pradip Chandra Saloi, assures that adequate security measures will be taken to ensure law and order in the district during the bandh," a release issued by the Kamrup Metro district administration said. Saloi and Deputy Commissioner Virendra Mittal had also asked members of different business organisations to keep their establishments open on Tuesday. Protesters threaten to intensify movement if Citizenship Amendment Bill is forced on Assam KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi said this was the first time they had called for a bandh, and they would not call it off as the very "existence of Assamese people and their identity was at stake with this bill". Khabir Mandal, KMSS secretary in Darrang district, said: "The Centre is conspiring to settle one crore, ninety lakh Hindu Bangladeshis, which will not be allowed here. This protest is just an example of what the government will face if it tries to pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill." Arindom Gogoi, general secretary, KMSS, Jorhat, said, "I would like to thank the people of Assam for making the bandh call a success. This is not just a normal shut down, this is an answer to the BJP led centre and the state against its anti state policies. We will not allow the Citizenship bill 2016 which is aimed at destroying the fabric of Assamese community." Chandan Saikia, an adviser to the Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad in Darrang said people were "extending full support to the bandh" even though the government had threatened to cancel the trade license of business-owners if they kept their establishments closed in protest. Meanwhile, the ruling BJP's alliance partner, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) organised a separate rally on Tuesday to protest against the proposed bill, party president and state, Agriculture Minister Atul Bora said. A team of AGP ministers, MLAs and leaders also went to Delhi to meet members of the JPC to discuss the bill. The party, however, has not extended support to the larger bandh called by 46 organisations. AGP president Bora said that the Assam Accord is the Gita, Bible and Koran for all the people living in the state and no stone will be left unturned to stop the Citizenship Amendment Bill. He urged the JPC to visit Assam again to collect more public opinion and to respect the people's sentiment. The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) is also not supporting the bandh as the students' body has a policy of not calling for strikes. But "others have the democratic right to protest", AASU general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi said. "However, we are opposed to the bill and will, in no way, accept it," he added. Assam Congress president Ripun Bora said the party has extended its support to the bandh protesting the bill. "If the bill is passed, it will go against the provisions of the historic Assam Accord," he added. The AIUDF has also extended its moral support to the bandh. With inputs from PTI and 101Reporters According to the official, the incident occurred between platform numbers two and three at Santragachi station of South Eastern Railway, about 10 km from Howrah station. Two people were killed and at least 15 others, including two women, including two women, were injured in a stampede on Tuesday evening on a foot overbridge at Santragachi railway station in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said. Banerjee, who rushed to the station from a Durga puja immersion carnival, blamed negligence and callousness on the part of the railways for the incident. "Two persons have died in a stampede at Santragachi this evening," she said. The two deceased have been identified as Kamlakant Singh (32) and Taser Sardar (61). While 12 injured were admitted to a hospital, three persons were administered first aid at the station, South Eastern Railway spokesman Sanjay Ghosh said. Banerjee announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of each of the dead persons and Rs 1 lakh each to the injured from the state government. The Railways also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of those who died, Rs 1 lakh to each of the grievously injured and Rs 50,000 for persons who sustained minor injury. Ghosh said that "medical expenses for the injured will be borne by the Railways." Blaming the incident on negligence and callousness on the part of Railways, the chief minister said there should be more internal coordination to prevent such situation. "I feel there is a gap in coordination and the Railways should look into it. They should have given some time gap between the arrival of two trains when the passengers have to change platforms," the chief minister said. "Such situations occur due to negligence and callousness. The Railways should act in a more responsible way," Banerjee, herself a former Railway minister, said. "The Nagercoil-Shalimar Express and two EMU locals arrived at the station at the same time, while Shalimar-Vishakhapatnam Express and Santragachi-Chennai Express were scheduled to arrive shortly," Ghosh said. According to the official, the incident occurred between platform numbers two and three at Santragachi station of South Eastern Railway, about 10 km from Howrah station. A large number of passengers either deboarded or were waiting to board trains at the same time, leading to a rush on the foot overbridge. "While 11 injured persons were taken to Howrah General Hospital for treatment, three others were administered first aid at the station," he said. Several express trains stop at the station, apart from numerous EMU locals of SER. Thousands of people use the station everyday since it is easier to travel to and from south and central Kolkata from Santragachi. With inputs from PTI Left-wing activist Sudha Bhardwaj was responsible for raising funds and transferring them to interior areas besides sending new recruits to forests, the prosecution told a sessions court on Monday and opposed her plea for bail. Pune: Left-wing activist Sudha Bhardwaj was responsible for raising funds and transferring them to interior areas besides sending new recruits to forests, the prosecution told a sessions court on Monday and opposed her plea for bail. Public prosecutor Ujjwala Pawar also opposed the bail applications of activists Shoma Sen, Surendra Gadling, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Farreira in the court of District and Sessions Judge KD Vadane. Pawar cited a letter purportedly written by Bhardwaj which was seized by police. "The letter addressed to one comrade Prakash talks about providing monetary support to comrades working in interiors on the lines of the financial aid being given to the stone pelters, militant organisations and their family members by Kashmiri separatists," Pawar said. In the same letter, Bhardwaj is seeking funds from the underground comrade. "One of the new recruits Degree Prasad Chavan, who was sent by me, has returned from the interior after successful completion of the operation and as per the promise made to him, a financial aid needs to be given to him," said Pawar quoting the letter. The letter also talk about the need for sending funds to the research fellows from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in interior areas, the prosecutor said. Pawar said Bhardwaj was given the responsibility to provide funds to interior areas. "In the same letter, Bhardwaj is informing comrade Prakash that the work of Jagdalpur Chattishgarh Legal Aide and Bastar Solidarity Network is going good," Pawar said. "I myself am looking after sending the information as well as financial aid to the interior areas," Pawar said quoting the letter. Bhardwaj's lawyer on 17 October questioned the veracity of the seized letters and termed Pune Police's evidence against activists "flimsy". Police had raided the homes of prominent Left-wing activists in several states in August and arrested at least five of them for suspected Maoist links. The raids were carried out as part of a probe into an event Elgaar Parishad organised in Pune on 31 December last year, a day before the caste violence broke out between Dalits and the upper caste Marathas at Bhima Koregaon village near the city. Near simultaneous searches were carried out at the residences of prominent Telugu poet Varavara Rao in Hyderabad, activists Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira in Mumbai, trade union activist Bhardwaj in Faridabad, and civil rights activist Gautam Navalakha in New Delhi. Rao, Bhardwaj and Farreira were subsequently arrested. Gadling and Sen, arrested in the Elgaar Parishad case in March this year, are currently in judicial custody of Pune Police. Farreira, Gonsalves, Rao, and Bhardwaj are under house arrest at their respective residences. On 28 September, the Supreme Court had extended the house arrest of the activists by four weeks. At a meet between Rajnath Singh and Chinese home minister Zhao Kezhi, India urged China to back its pending UN application to list Masood Azhar as an international terrorist. Beijing: China on Tuesday said it has told India many times that it has issues in declaring Pakistan-based Masood Azhar a global terrorist, and it will take its own call on the merits of the matter, a day after New Delhi nudged Beijing again to blacklist him. Beijing also denied giving shelter to Paresh Baruah, the chief of banned Indian outfit ULFA, saying it does not interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries. At a high-level meet between Indian home minister Rajnath Singh and his visiting Chinese counterpart Zhao Kezhi, New Delhi urged Beijing to back its pending application at the UN to list LeT chief Azhar as an international terrorist. "As to India's request for the listing of Masood Azhar, we have already stated our position many times. On the issue of counter-terrorism, China has always actively participated in international anti-terrorist operations," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying. "We have always made our judgment and decisions on the merits of the matter itself." Azhar is believed to be the mastermind of the deadly attack at an Indian Army base in 2016. He also plotted the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. China, Pakistan's main ally, has repeatedly blocked India's application at the UN to get him declared an international terrorist. It says there is not enough evidence against Azhar, frustrating India. This has become one of the major issues between New Delhi and Beijing. Asked about India telling China at the same meeting not to give shelter to Baruah, Hu said: "The Chinese government has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in other countries' affairs. This remains unchanged." Baruah is reportedly making frequent visits to China and smuggles arms to India's Northeast. CBI DSP Devendra Kumar was arrested on Monday on allegations of forgery in a bribery case, which also involves special director Rakesh Asthana. A special court in Delhi on Tuesday sent Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar to seven-day custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation in a bribery case. The CBI had arrested Kumar on Monday on charges of forgery and corruption. Earlier on Tuesday, Kumar the second-in-command to CBI special director Rakesh Asthana, who is the prime accused in the bribery case had moved the Delhi High Court, seeking to have his arrest in the matter nullified. The CBI had sought 10-day custody of Kumar, citing some evidence it recovered from raids on Kumar's home and office. The agency told the high court that Kumar is part of an alleged extortion racket being run in the garb of the investigation. It also sought the court's nod to add a few more sections in the current FIR against the accused in the bribery case, including Kumar. At the Delhi High Court hearing, the CBI said it had discovered "incriminating documents and evidence" in raids conducted on his office and residence on 20 and 21 October. The agency sought 10-day custody of Kumar and alleged that Kumar was running an "extortion racket" under the "guise of investigation". A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice VK Rao heard the matter related to Kumar's arrest. The matter relates to an investigation into a case involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi, which was headed by Asthana, while Kumar was its chief investigating officer. Kumar was arrested on allegations of forgery while in recording the statement of Satish Sana, another accused in the case. Sana had alleged that he had paid bribes to the officials to get a clean chit in the case, the CBI said. According to India Today, the CBI said that it needed the time to confront other accused and Kumar in light of the evidence recovered from his home and office. CNN-News18 reported that the agency sought Kumar's custody to ascertain the roles of senior officials involved in the case. However, Kumar argued that he was being "falsely implicated". #BREAKING Extortion racket under the guise of the investigation, says CBIs in Delhi High Court. Arrested CBI DSP claims hes being made a scapegoat. | @Nitisha_Kashyap and @bhupendrachaube with more details pic.twitter.com/Jv8Zk050op News18 (@CNNnews18) October 23, 2018 The CBI had registered the case FIR RC 13(A) of 2018 on 15 October on the basis of a complaint from Sana. This comes as Delhi High Court refused to grant interim relief to Asthana in the bribery case, but said the CBI cannot take action against him till the next hearing on 25 October. Asthana had moved the high court seeking interim relief from arrest after the CBI filed an FIR against him in relation to the bribery case,. He also sought to have the FIR against him quashed. With inputs from agencies 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. In a fresh twist to the tussle within the Central Bureau of Investigation involving the agency's number 1 and number 2 officials, the investigative agency has divested Special CBI Director Rakesh Asthana of all charges. The move is the latest in a series of development that split open the rift within the top ranks of CBI. In a fresh twist to the tussle within the Central Bureau of Investigation involving the agency's number 1 and number 2 officials, the investigative agency has reportedly divested Special CBI Director Rakesh Asthana of all responsibilities, according to CNN-News18. The move is the latest in a series of development that split open the rift within the top two ranks of the CBI. Asthana, who along with his deputy, Devender Kumar, has been named as the main accused in a bribery case by his own agency, challenged the First Information Report (FIR) against him in the Delhi High Court. The court posted the matter for next hearing 29 October and ruled that status quo should be maintained till the next hearing when CBI Director Alok Verma has to respond to the counter allegations levelled by Asthana. Asthana has alleged that it was the CBI chief who took the bribe but framed him to jeopardise his future career prospects. Asthana had sought interim relief from court claiming that the criminal investigation against him was on 'flimsy grounds' and motivated. ANI reported that Asthana's advocate told the Delhi High Court that the case was an instance of the "illegal registration of an FIR" based on a statement of an accused. The advocate also said that it was a matter of "great urgency". "The person whose arrest was recommended by Asthana has now been made a complainant, and based on his complaint, this FIR has been filed. Any investigation without proper permission will be illegal," Asthana's lawyer said. However, the counsel representing the CBI said, "The charges against the accused, including that of bribery and criminal conspiracy, are very serious. The charges (have been framed) under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Charges of extortion and forgery will also be added." Meanwhile, Kumar, who was arrested on Monday by the agency, was produced before a special court on Tuesday. The CBI is seeking a 10-day remand of its own deputy superintendent of police, citing some evidence it recovered from raids on Kumar's home and office. The CBI told the court that Kumar is part of an alleged extortion racket being run in the garb of the investigation. It also sought the courts nod to add some more sections in present FIR against accused including Kumar. The matter relates to a case involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi, which was headed by Asthana, while Kumar was its chief investigating officer. The CBI has accused the duo of forgery in recording the statement of Satish Sana, another accused in the case. Sana had alleged that he paid bribes to the officials in order to get a clean chit in the case, CBI said. In retaliation, Asthana wrote to the government last week listing several charges against his boss and CBI director Verma. Asthana was leading the investigation against Sana, when he claimed to have discovered proof that Sana paid off Rs 2 crore in bribe to Verma with the help of a Rajya Sabha member belonging to a regional party. Asthana communicated this to the CVC on 24 August and on 26 September, Sana allegedly admitted to the charges relating to payment of bribe. "It is clear the active efforts are underway to falsely implicate me (Rakesh Asthana). In the light of above, the commission may kindly expeditiously transfer the investigation and supervision of 8 case to the SIT as requested by undersigned (Rakesh Asthana) in the earlier letters in the interest of justice and in the spirit of principles of nature of justice," reads the letter as quoted by India Today. In his statement, Sana had purportedly said that in June this year he discussed his case with Telugu Desam Party's Rajya Sabha member CM Ramesh who, after speaking to the CBI director, had assured him that he would not be summoned again. "From June onwards, I was not called by the CBI. I was under the impression that investigation against me is complete," he is believed to have said. But in a dramatic turn of events just 19 days later, the CBI has now alleged that Kumar had fabricated Sana's statement as an "afterthought...to corroborate the baseless allegations made by Asthana against CBI Director Alok Verma to the CVC (Central Vigilance Commissioner)", News18 reported. Another report in The Times of India cites unknown sources to suggest that Asthana's initial list of allegations incriminated more than one public servants including additional director AK Sharmas family members, whom he accused of running shell companies. The newspaper further reported that over the last 6-7 months, important cases handled by Asthana have been taken away from him, a fact about which Asthana complained to the cabinet secretary in one of his letters to the latter on 24 August. Asthana claimed that there were concerted efforts "to tarnish his image. " Asthana, a Gujarat-cadre IPS officer, is heading the Special Investigating Team handling crucial cases such as the AgustaWestland chopper scam and loan fraud by business tycoon Vijay Mallya. With inputs from agencies This sordid drama strips the CBI of its last vestiges of credibility and integrity. The ongoing CBI mess has dispelled at least one myth. That the Centre exerts total control over Indias premier investigative agency. It has been one of Congress president Rahul Gandhis oft-repeated charges against the government. In his inimitable style, not bothering about irrelevant things such as evidence, the grand old party chief has at various times accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using the CBI to suit political ends. For instance, Rahul accused the prime minister of controlling SP and BSP; going after RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav (who is now in jail); changing CBIs name into Central Bureau of Illegal Mining or diluting the lookout notice against Vijay Mallya. These are just some examples. Rahul should rest easy. Far from being in control, the NDA government appears clueless on how to react to the CBIs unprecedented meltdown. As the top two officers of Indias federal probe agency declare war against each other and draw into the vortex officers from other premier investigative agencies such as the R&AW and ED, a right royal drama has unfolded, and the government has been reduced to the role of an onlooker. Its condition best described by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisis jibe of the CBIs internal civil war being a reflection of the BJP governments weakness and helplessness. Far from initiating any concrete steps to firefight and arrest the crisis, the governments actions mirror that of a deer caught in headlights: A stunned paralysis. The party has released a cautious reaction, refusing to take sides and appealing to people not to lose their faith in the institution. Speaking to reporters Monday, BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi restricted her statement to central government will be putting forth its views on the matter and the party will speak on such a serious matter later. This does not inspire confidence. Congress charges of government puppeteering CBI might look unfounded, but that is of little comfort to the Modi government. The opposite of control isnt chaos. The CBI might be autonomous (at least on paper) but it is the Prime Minister's Office that takes care of the appointments. The self-inflicted woundthat bore deeper Tuesday and shifted to the judicial arenathreatens to create complications for the Centre on several counts. One, the ongoing strife erodes the NDAs image of a strong government and paints an unflattering image of the PMO, whose aura of potency is diminishing by the hour. One of Modis biggest campaign promises in 2014 was restoring the primacy of PMO which under Manmohan Singh had been superseded by Sonia Gandhi-led unelected body of rights activists. It doesnt say much for the Modi-led PMOs authority when CBI Director Alok Verma and Special Director Rakesh Asthana (the top two officers) throw allegations and counter-allegations at each other and trigger a crisis of confidence in the governments handling of institutions. Media reports say the prime minister met both warring officers and asked Verma to let the law take its own course. Critics might say that is not a good enough response from the prime minister when the immediate need is to restore a sense of order amid chaos and halt the complete erosion of the agencys integrity. That, one suspects, wont be possible unless the bickering officers are sacked or at least sidelined, and a full investigation led by handpicked officers is ordered to look into some serious allegations. Two, the civil war within CBI endangers the fate of the some of the most politically sensitive cases. Asthana, the special director against whom CBI chief Verma filed an FIR, was handling the cases involving fugitive tycoon Vijay Mallya, land deals of Sonia Gandhis son-in-law Robert Vadra, the Aircel Maxis case involving former Union finance minister P Chidambaram, the Agusta-Westland chopper scam and the coal scam, among others. With the CBI divesting Asthana of all responsibilities and charges (according to a CNN-News18 bulletin), the fate of these super sensitive cases that carry far-reaching political ramifications now hangs in balance. Three, the ongoing feud between CBIs number 1 and number 2 officers lowers further the credibility of an organisation that has remained rife with problems and could never steer clear of the perception of a caged parrot. The chain of events triggered by the CBI raiding its own headquarters Monday reached the culmination in the judicial arena on Tuesday. On a day of fast-paced developments, the CBI managed to get the custody of its Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar for seven days. The DSP, who was part of a CBI special investigation team (led by Asthana) probing charges against controversial Hyderabad-based meat exporter Moin Qureshi in a money-laundering case, was arrested earlier in connection with bribery charges involving Asthana. CBIs charge against DSP Kumar is that he falsified the statement of a Hyderabad-based businessman named Sathish Sanaa key witness in the Moin Qureshi case to implicate CBI director Alok Verma, according to reports. In a statement released Monday, the CBI said: It was found that Kumar had fabricated the statement... to corroborate the baseless allegations made by Rakesh Asthana against Alok Verma to the Chief Vigilance Commission. Asthana, meanwhile, moved to get the FIR against him quashed in courts but managed to receive only interim relief from the Delhi High Court. The CBI cant arrest him till 29 October, when the hearing will resume. According to media reports, the court asked Asthana and Kumar to ensure safe custody of all evidence, electronic items, phones, laptops, etc., in their possession. The Delhi HC also ruled that status quo should be maintained in the case and asked Verma, the agency director, to respond to counter-allegations leveled against him by Asthana. The CBI number 2 alleged that Verma and his allies had launched a vicious effort to derail his career, frame him in a false case and stop him from becoming the next CBI chief. Asthana has also brought bribery allegations against Verma. This sordid drama strips the CBI of its last vestiges of credibility and integrity. Despite its status as Indias premier investigative agency, CBI action carries a reflexive taint of political vendetta among Opposition. The turn of events gives more teeth to arguments that dismiss CBI as a political tool and compromises further the fight against corruption and serious crime. Sensing an opportunity to fish, the Congress jumped into the troubled waters. Rahul Gandhi levelled a fresh charge calling Asthana the PMs blue-eyed boy, Gujarat cadre officer, of Godra SIT fame and accused him of infiltrating as number 2 into the CBI. He took the battle to Modi by repeating that under this PM, the CBI is a weapon of political vendetta. An institution in terminal decline thats at war with itself. Whether or not Modi has tried to undermine CBI or caused it terminal decline, the fact remains that it was during UPA-II that the Supreme Court called CBI a caged parrot and its masters voice and gave credence to allegations that for years the Congress-led government had been using the investigating agency to cover up wrongdoing, keep fickle coalition allies in line and political opponents at bay. It might also interest the Congress president to know that Vijay Shanker, CBI director between 2005 and 2008, said there was no question that political pressure was brought to bear on the agency, according to the Reuters report. The Supreme Court had, lest the Gandhi scion has forgotten, also said that the heart of the (Coalgate probe) report was changed on suggestion of government officials. On the current CBI mess, the Congress is in no position to take the moral high ground. The current imbroglio revolves around controversial meat exporter Moin Qureshi, against whom the SIT led by Asthana was conducting a probe. Qureshi is a known wheeler-dealer and a political fixer and his proximity with a former CBI director and ministers from erstwhile UPA government is well known. An alumni of the prestigious Doon School and St Stephens College, Qureshi was arrested in 2017 on charges of money-laundering. As Kundan Jha wrote in a report for Sunday Guardian quoting a source from Enforcement Directorate, The cases against Qureshi were twisted and turned during the second term of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and that is proving to be beneficial for Qureshi. Recent ED investigations have revealed how Qureshi was saved from any action due to his proximity to politicians and several bureaucrats. In 2011, Qureshi tried to get clearance for running lounge services from Terminal 3 at Delhi Airport through his company India Premier Services Pvt. Ltd. According to a report in India Today, Qureshi requested (former CBI director) AP Singh to help him out and was trying to prevail over Singh to persuade top politicians and officials to use their influence into giving the requisite permissions. Singh was responding to Moin's requests and passing on all necessary information in this regard to him. Some media reports even claim Qureshi is said to be in the good books of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Even though Rahul may well try to lay the terminal decline of CBI at Modis door, it is a disease that afflicts all public institutions in India. And as the president of a party that has been in power for the longest time since Independence, all of these charges boomerang on Rahul. Political grandstanding apart, the CBI mess presents a sorry picture of the way accountability in fixed in the highest echelons of investigative agencies. That is a bigger and more worrisome concern. Top stories on 23 October: Police probe in Father Kuriakose's sudden death in Jalandhar underway, Supreme Court verdict likely to come today on ban on firecrackers ahead of Diwali Investigation into prime witness's death in Kerala nun rape case continues A day after key witness Father Kuriakose Kattuthara in the rape case against Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulakkal was found dead in a school in Hoshiarpur which was run by the diocese of Jalandhar, the investigations into the death is ongoing as the priest's family alleges foul play. Kattuthara's family filed a police complaint and claimed that the priest had expressed concern for his safety and that he had been attacked earlier. Initial investigations by the police revealed that there were no signs of any injury. SC to give a date of hearing review petitions against Sabrimala verdict A total of 19 review petitions have been brought before the court. On 28 September, a Supreme Court bench headed by former chief justice Dipak Misra in a 4:1 majority granted women of all ages the right to enter Sabarimala temple, reversing the Kerala shrines tradition of barring girls and women of menstruating age. Supreme Court to decide on ban on firecrackers during Diwali The apex court on Tuesday is expected to pronounce its verdict on a plea to ban the manufacture, sale, and possession of firecrackers across the country, in view of the upcoming Diwali festival. The court will consider reports put forward by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and other environmental organisations. The ruling will be significant with the pollution level in Delhi and other places nearing the danger mark. 12-hour long bandh in Assam in protest of JPC meeting on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 At least 60 organisations, including the Congress, have called a 12-hour Assam bandh on Tuesday to protest against a meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) with the Ministries of Home (MHA) and External Affairs (MEA) over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. The bill seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, and has drawn opposition from several organisations in Assam. The BJP government in Assam, led by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, has made adequate preparations to maintain peace and normalcy in the state. The ruling BJP's alliance partner, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), though not supporting the bandh, has called a separate rally to protest against the proposed Bill. All Opposition parties, including the Congress and the All India United Democratic Front, oppose the move based on the fact that it seems to grant citizenship to an individual on the basis of religion. Congress rallies for farmers in Delhi The Congress has organised a farmers rally in Delhi on Tuesday against the BJP government. The party claims it has the support of 43 farmer organisations. The Congress has accused the government of failure to fulfill his 2014 poll promises, including fixing the minimum support price (MSP) for crops with more resulting profit for farmers. It has also charged the government of hurting the farmer expenditure by not checking the rise in prices of diesel and fertilisers. Rajnath Singh to visit Jammu and Kashmir to review security Home Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday during which he will review the security situation in the state and interact with political leaders. During the day-long visit, Singh will attend a high-level meeting with Governor Satya Pal Mailk and top civil, police and security forces officials and assess the prevailing situation. He will hold a security review meeting and review important initiatives from 11.30 am to 1.30 pm. Kapil Sharma to get married on 12 December Comedian Kapil Sharma will get married to his steady girlfriend Ginni Charath on 12 December in Jalandhar. Opening up on the topic of his marriage, Kapil said: "The wedding is on 12 December in Jalandhar. That's Ginni's hometown. We wanted to keep it low key. But Ginni is the only daughter in her family. Her folks wanted the wedding to be on a lavish scale. And I completely understand their sentiments. My mother also wants the wedding to be lavish." The wedding will be followed by a reception on 14 December. Calls for taking down Bloombery spy chip story increase Apple CEO Tim Cook called for the takedown of Bloomberg's cover story which claimed that spy chips were found in servers inside Apple's data centres. Now executives from Amazon and Super Micron (the server manufacturer) have also called for the retraction of the same story. Fuel prices cut on fifth consecutive day State-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) cut the prices of key domestic transport fuels -- petrol and diesel -- for the fifth consecutive day on Monday on lower global crude oil prices. According to the IndianOil Corp data, petrol prices were cut by 30 paise to Rs 86.91 per litre in Mumbai. Across the other major metros, petrol was priced at Rs 81.44 per litre in Delhi, Rs 83.29 in Kolkata and Rs 84.64 in Chennai on Monday. With inputs from agencies The air quality in Delhi had shown signs of improvement on Monday as it moved from 'very poor' to 'poor' category, but experts said it could deteriorate in the coming days due to toxic air coming out of a fire at Bhalswa landfill site. New Delhi: Delhi's air quality continued to be in the "poor" category Tuesday, a day after it had improved from "very poor" Air Quality Index (AQ1) zone. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded the city's overall AQI at 252 at 11 am. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'. The air quality in the national capital had shown signs of improvement on Monday as it moved from 'very poor' to 'poor' category, but experts said it could deteriorate in the coming days due to toxic air coming out of a fire at Bhalswa landfill site. The fire was extinguished Monday by a team of firefighters even as the area's civic body said it was keeping a watch on it, while Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain directed the municipal corporation to work on preventing landfill site fires. The Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) also reported an AQI in the 'poor' category. On Sunday, the AQI had oscillated between 'poor' and 'very poor' categories. On Saturday, a haze had engulfed the national capital and the worst air quality of this season was recorded at 324. Anumita Roychowdhury of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Monday said, as winter approaches, toxic air emanating out of such landfill fires is likely to affect the air quality. "If the wind speed is lower and the temperature dips, the polluted air coming out of landfill fires will get trapped, which would severely affect the air quality," she said. The Supreme Court-appointed Environment Protection Control Authority (EPCA) had last week held a meeting with officials of Punjab, Haryana and the Delhi governments to discuss the pollution situation in the national capital. It is easy to criticise why farmers burn stubble when it equally impacts their health but the major problem is with the small farmers who are at the receiving ends. With the onset of winters, the great smog of North India is also back. Every year during this time, the air pollution reaches levels that are unimaginable in most parts of the world. The last two years were the worst in terms of air pollution. The Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) has claimed that the smog in the year 2016 was worse than the Great Smog of London, 1952. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi was recorded at 301 on Sunday, which falls in the 'very poor' category, according to the data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Burning of paddy straw in the nearby states of Punjab and Haryana every year during the months of October and November is a major contributor to air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region. It mixes with fog and creates a toxic smoggy winter every year. This has become a trend every year. October-November marks the end of Kharif season as paddy is harvested leaving the stem portion on the fields which is burnt by the farmers to sow Rabi season crops of wheat and potato. Satellite imagery by NASA shows countless spot fires already burning in Haryana and Punjab. However, the problem is not limited to stubble burning alone and has multiple facets. As winter descends, cooler air traps car fumes, industrial pollution, construction dust, generating a toxic brew of harmful pollutants that regularly exceed 30 times the World Health Organisations safe limit. Siddharth Singh, the author of The Great Smog of India, said, The average range of how much paddy burning has contributed to air pollution last year during the same time is about 1050 percent depending on different studies done at different weeks. There is no one sector of the economy which can be blamed entirely. There are various sectors that contribute to air pollution. The only way to overcome this smog is to ensure that all these sectors are working in coordination with each other. Anumita Roychowdhury, member of Supreme Court mandated Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority said, Crop burning has begun and will only increase by the end of October and the beginning of November. Steps have been taken by the government to minimise it but more has to be done to exterminate this problem. Though I really doubt if we will be able to stop it completely. Both the Punjab and Haryana governments have taken several measures to discourage paddy burning. The Haryana government has proposed 900 CHCs (Custom Hiring Centre) across the state, with 120 in Karnal and 112 in Kaithal districts, under a new scheme called Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue in the States. The CHC is a machine bank, created to offer equipment to individual farmers at a reasonable rate. However, there are several reasons why farmers cant completely abandon stubble burning. The one and the prime reason is the time period. The interval between the harvesting of the paddy crop and sowing of the next round of crops is just 20-25 days. This is the only time the farmers get to clear the paddy from their fields and prepare it for the next sowing. Second, the farmers are reluctant to use the straw management machines. Though the government is giving ample subsidies on these machines, even after that the cost is too expensive for the farmers. And, even if they hire the machines, it will cost them around Rs 5,800-6,000 per acre. Mehtab Kadyan of Bhartiya Kisan Union said, Farmers believe a fine of Rs 2,500 on paddy burning is anyway lower than the cost of hiring machines so, why should they spend Rs 6,000 on the machines? Farmers dont always pay the fine also because at times when an official comes to collect it, they start protesting. The official is then forced to leave without collecting any fine, he said. Jagdish Ghai a farmer from Kachhwa village of Karnal who owns one of the CHC said, The project cost him and the other eight farmers Rs 53 lakh. Jagdish has received the first part of subsidy but is worried if he will be able to recover even half of the amount he has spent to set up the CHC." Ghai said, The Kachhwa village is also known as Baoni for it has a total area of 52,000-acre land. How will one CHC be able to fulfil the demand of an entire village when one machine can only work on 10-acre of land in a day? We farmers do understand how much this impacts the air but what option we have? The government should first provide us with an alternative and then expect something from us. Around 10 years back, we used to burn the wheat straw too but the government has given us an effective mechanism to convert it into fodder. Today we are earning by selling that fodder. Similarly, give us an alternative for stubble and we will stop burning it. Anumita said, This CHC has to be operated at the panchayat level so that every farmer can utilise it. It is easy to criticise why farmers burn stubble when it equally impacts their health but the major problem is with the small farmers who are at the receiving ends. Kadyan said, Most of the farmers have small land holdings, how will he be able to buy such expensive implements which also require a tractor of at least 70-75 horsepower and which costs around Rs 10 lakh? Over the years be it the price of gold, the salary of government employees or the MGNREGA worker everything has increased except for the income of a farmer. Burning stubble also reduces the fertility of soil to some extent but then what choice do we have? This whole act of removing paddy crop residue needs multiple machines and not one. But why will a farmer spend a huge amount for machines that he needs only once in a year? The process of removing paddy crop residue involves multiple machines, such as Mulcher, Reversible Plough, Disc Harrow and Happy Seeder. The hiring rate is as fixed by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for renting out the agricultural implements to the farmers. Pankaj Bhatia, another farmer from the same village said he is happy with the Super SMS (Straw Management System) and he did not burn the crop residue this year. However, he added, It is still happening in the village and will take a long time to completely eradicate this. Even the farmer who has this machines will only be able to remove 50 percent of the stubble and for the remaining 50, he has to use the old ways only. Ratan Man, state chief, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Haryana) said the government should motivate farmers for other crops and for that the government needs to increase the MSP on other crops such as Jowar, Bajra. The only reason farmers are inclined towards rice is the MSP in the market. It ensures a farmer a particular amount that he will earn for sure and gives him a feeling of security. Delhi's air quality remained in the "very poor" category for the second consecutive day on Sunday even as authorities warned that it may further deteriorate in the next couple of days. The AQI of Mundka while writing this piece was 378. CPCB officials have identified Anand Vihar, Mundaka, Narela, Dwarka Sector-8, Nehru Nagar and Rohini as the worst-affected areas, warning that it won't be long before the air quality levels there turn severe. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 severe. An emergency action plan has been rolled out in Delhi by Central Pollution Control Board from 15 October. Anumita explained, there are two plans to tackle the problem this year, the one is the emergency plan and the other is the comprehensive plan. "We know the air quality is at its worst during winters, due to many reasons such as changes in metrological changes. The emergency plan is to tackle the pollution level on a daily basis so we can maintain this day-by-day. The steps we have initiated under this plan is shutting down of Badarpur power plant, ban on mud brick furnaces and garbage burning, mechanised sweeping of roads. The other is the comprehensive plan that is around the year action plan and is meant to tackle this problem in the longer term. So we dont need this emergency plan year after year. We have the plan now to tackle this problem, we know what needs to be done. The problem now is its implementation. For this, the four state governments present in the NCR needs to enforce this, she said. Kriya Labs, a start-up by three IIT graduates is working to make cellulose, pulp from different agro residue. Ankur Kumar, one of the founders, said, We realise that stubble burning is one of the major reasons for pollution in Delhi-NCR and our technology is to make pulp of that rice straw which is a raw material for different industries. This pulp can be used to make table-wares, papers, fabric, bio-ethanol etc. We dont see this as a waste but as an asset and it has a huge potential to go towards the circular economy. Our motto is to stop burning, start earning. Farmers can get a good compensation of around Rs 3,000-5,000 per acre. The biodegradables made through this pulp dissolves in the soil in 60 days and can be a good substitute for plastic, we use every day." Environment and health experts welcomed the Supreme Court's order on Tuesday on the sale and manufacture of low-emission 'green' firecrackers. New Delhi: Environment and health experts welcomed the Supreme Court's order on Tuesday on the sale and manufacture of low-emission "green" firecrackers, with some terming it a "spectacular" decision and others saying it was time the society celebrated festive occasions "more responsibly". The apex court, besides imposing decibel limits on firecrackers that could be sold in the market across the country, in its verdict also fixed a two-hour time period from 8 pm to 10 pm for bursting them on Diwali and other festivals. D Saha, an environmental scientist who previously worked with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), welcomed the judgment and said the authorities would now have to ensure that the norms are adhered to more strictly, especially at the manufacturing level. "As a society, we have been using firecrackers to celebrate occasions, from festivals to landmark days and weddings to grand events, but there is a much bigger cost involved, the damage the bursting causes to the environment and of course the health hazards. And, so we must behave more responsibly," he told PTI. When asked how the decibel norms could be checked for compliance, Saha said there is an old organisation, the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), which works on the regulation of public safety aspects related to explosive substances. Set up in 1898, the PESO's objectives include ensuring public safety in the areas of manufacture, transport, storage, handling, of explosives, petroleum, carbide of calcium, inflammable substances and compressed gases. The court, in its order, said that the permissible limit of sound and smoke will be approved by the PESO. "The PESO already has a centre in Sivakasi (Tamil Nadu), home to some of India's largest fireworks manufacturer. And since Diwali is approaching, the authorities would have to work quickly to ensure compliance," he said. Other environmental experts also hailed the decision, saying anything that cuts emission level should be welcomed. Gufran Beig of Centre-run System of the Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) said use of 'green firecrackers' and restriction on timing of the use are good steps. When asked what a 'green firecracker' is, he said, "Any such item which produces minimal toxicity and minimal fumes can be termed as a green firecracker." "The decision by the court is welcoming and we as scientists can produce a model in advance to tell the impact on the air quality due to reduction in the use of firecrackers, and also can alert authorities accordingly to take steps," he said. Lung surgeon at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) in New Delhi Arvind Kumar hailed the court's verdict, terming it as a "spectacular decision". "I think it's a landmark decision given the ill-effects the use of firecrackers has on the health of people. The court, in its ruling, has made it clear that the use of crackers amounts to serious health hazard. Lungs are the worst affected from their fumes, besides injuries they can cause to eyes and eardrums," he said. They have also specified decibel norms, limited their use during Diwali and other festive occasions. "Many current generation firecrackers have large levels of heavy metal in them which pose serious threat to health. There has been a study which shows that the exposure to the person bursting the firecrackers is also extremely high, and therefore we need to behave more responsibly as a society," Kumar told PTI. The bench, comprising Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan, also restrained e-commerce websites like Flipkart and Amazon from selling firecrackers with emission levels beyond the permissible limit. Saha said aerial firecrackers like those used in firework shows in big cities around the world cause less damage as compared to those used at the ground-level. "We have a tradition of celebration but we need to strike a balance given the environmental and health impact involved," he said. The Punjab Police registered a case of unnatural death under Section 174 of the CrPC in the death of Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, the prime witness he case of a Kerala nun's rape The Punjab Police on Tuesday registered a case of unnatural death under Section 174 of the CrPC over the death of Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, the prime witness in the case of a Kerala nun's rape, News18 reported. The police also initiated inquest proceedings, which is done in cases where there may be circumstantial evidence surrounding the death, according to the report. This comes just hours after Jose Kurian, brother of Kattuthara, said he has no faith in Punjab Police. Speaking to media, the brother said, "I have no faith in Punjab Police. I want to bring the body to Alappuzha and bury it. If they want to do postmortem without letting us know, is there any guarantee that it will be done without foul play?" Kattuthara was found dead in Punjab's Jalandhar on Monday. He was the witness in the alleged Kerala nun rape case. The exact cause of death is yet to be ascertained. Earlier in the day, the brother of the Kerala nun who had accused former Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal of rape alleged that the sudden demise of Kattuthara is a "pre-planned murder". Speaking to ANI, the nun's brother demanded a thorough investigation into the death of Kattuthara. Bishop Mulakkal was released from Kottayam jail on 16 October, a day after being granted conditional bail. Bishop Mulakkal is facing allegations of repeatedly raping a nun of his own congregation, a charge that he denies. With inputs from IANS With the situation now back to normal, the events of the past few days may as well become a forgotten blip in the minds of everyone but those who were directly impacted. Editor's Note: The rape of a 14-month-old girl by a migrant labourer from Bihar in Idar town of Sabarkantha district on 28 September gave way to the persecution of migrant labourers in seven of the 33 districts of Gujarat. This incident ignited anger against migrant workers whom the locals believe are the real reason for unemployment in the state. This multi-part series will examine issues concerning migrant workers and the animosity they face from locals. Ahmedabad: About 715 people were arrested following the rape of a toddler in northern Gujarat, allegedly by a Bihari factory worker, which sparked off attacks and threats against migrants in the neighbouring districts. Around 60 of them were Congress workers, claimed Minister of State for Home Affairs Pradipsinh Jadeja, which further increased the pressure on MLA of Radhanpur, Alpesh Thakor, who was already under fire for stoking nativist sentiments during speeches to his Thakor Sena cadre, post the rape incident. Mukesh Bharwad, who is the vice-president of the OBC/SC/ST Ekta Manch (of which Alpesh Thakor is the president), called a press conference to rake up a conspiracy theory and implicate Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel. He said that during the entire episode many north Indian workers migrated from Mehsana region which is Patels Assembly constituency. He accused the deputy chief minister of allowing the attacks and exodus to happen with the intention of embarrassing Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Speaking over the phone, he said, It is very evident that there is a rift between the chief minister and deputy chief minister and it is known that Patel harbours a desire to be the chief minister soon. Providing further arguments to substantiate this claim, he said that despite the major exodus of north Indians, the deputy chief minister has neither launched helplines nor established any relief camps for those affected. Bharwad alleged that while Patel was sceptical that those leaving Gujarat were actually going home for holidays, he also did not push the entire the state machinery that is at his disposal to prevent the exodus, at the very least in his own constituency. No efforts were made to stop those leaving Mehsana by stopping them at railway stations or bus stands, he said, lamenting the law and order situation in the state. He reiterated that neither Thakor nor his workers have made any efforts to provoke the population against migrants. On the contrary, we launched a helpline for the sake of those in trouble and tried to persuade them not to leave their places of work as it is their constitutional right to freely move anywhere in the country, Bharwad said. He further accused the BJP of targetting a poor community like the Thakors for political ambition. Blaming a poor community like Thakors and singling out MLA Alpesh Thakor will not yield the BJP anything conducive, as they do not have any evidence to prove their point. While he did not comment on the video of Thakor during a protest organised to condemn the rape, in which he is seen raging against how migrants were depriving the locals of their rightful jobs, Bharwad said the duplicity the BJP has shown in their attempt to put Thakor on the crosshairs is obvious for all to see. "In a video from 1 October, BJPs Himmatnagar MLA Rajendrasinh Chavda announced that the Rupani government is planning to ensure that Gujarat-based companies give 80 percent of the available jobs to locals. He said if this is not implemented, he will support the agitation by the youth. But no action was taken on him. But Thakors video from 17 September shows him only talking about unemployment and not targetting anyone, he said. While no action was taken against him by the government, on the suggestion of his party Bharwad took out a peace rally and observed one days sadbhavan fast demanding the release of Thakor Sena men who, he said, were wrongfully arrested. Last week, Bharwad filed a complaint with the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Cell against BJP Yuva Morcha member Vikas Patel for instigating Thakors against migrants through his Facebook post that proclaimed Kadava hatao, Gujarat Bachao (Remove north Indians, save Gujarat). In the very least, he wanted to show BJPs hidden hand in the events that unfolded since 28 September. Soon after, an off-the-cuff remark by Chief Minister Rupani that laid the blame for the violence on the feet of Bihar ka Prabhari (party in-charge for Bihar). This drew a sharp response from AICC state-in-charge for Bihar, Shaktisinh Gohil, who had been supporting Thakor against the allegations from the BJP. Gohil called a press conference to rubbish the claims and said a civil defamation suit has been filed against the chief minister. He also took the opportunity to illustrate how various people connected with the BJP were spreading venom on social media. With the situation now back to normal, the events of the past few days may as well become a forgotten blip in the minds of everyone but those who were directly impacted. New Congressman Thakor, the partys blue-eyed-boy during last years Assembly elections, may have put the party on the backfoot in the state, but it wont be for long as Thakors popularity supercedes his alleged misdemeanours. Senior Congress leaders in Gujarat, however, are reportedly not happy with how the whole series of events have played out and have asked Rahul Gandhi to take a decision regarding Thakor. "Traditionally, Thakors are Congress voters and this situation will not change drastically after the rape incident in Sabarkantha, as Thakor leader Alpesh Thakor, newly inducted into the Congress, has a stronghold in North Gujarat. BJP had been unable to show a satisfactory political performance in north Gujarat during the recent elections," according to Ahmedabad-based political analyst Jaywant Pandya. The author is an Ahmedabad-based freelance writer and a part of 101Reporters grassroots network. IIM Calcutta, which is conducting CAT 2018 exams this year, will release the admit card of Common Entrance Test also known as CAT on 24 October in online mode from 1 pm onwards. IIM Calcutta, which is conducting CAT 2018 exams this year, will release the admit card of Common Entrance Test also known as CAT on 24 October in online mode from 1 pm onwards. The same will be made available only to those applicants who have successfully filled and submitted the online CAT application form within the deadline along with the stipulated registration fee. To download the CAT admit card, candidates need to log onto their web account using CAT user ID and password. Its a mandatory document that one has to carry to the test centre on the day of examination. IIM Calcutta will not send the admit card to any candidate via post. It will be available in online mode alone. How to Download the CAT 2018 Admit Card? Visit the official website https://iimcat.ac.in Click on tab "Download Admit Card 2018", from the options displayed on the notice board. Enter the user ID and password created during the registration process After filling in the details, you will be redirected to the Admit Card page. Review all printed details Post review, click on the tab Download Admit Card Download and save it for future correspondence. Print two or more copies of the CAT hall ticket to be taken to the exam hall Details mentioned on the CAT Admit Card 2018 Following are the information mentioned in the CAT admit card/hall ticket 2018 Candidates name Date of Birth CAT 2018 registration number and user ID Category Whether the applicant belongs to General category or Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe or Differently Abled Date and slot of CAT 2018 exam Name of exam centre and address Test system number Candidates photograph Candidates signature Exam day guidelines/instructions How to correct errors in CAT Admit Card 2018? In case candidates find any discrepancy in the CAT Admit Card, they must immediately contact the exam authority (IIM Calcutta) to get it rectified. Contact the CAT Helpdesk for any corrections that must be made in the hall ticket. Here's how you can reach them. CAT Toll-Free Number:1800-266-3549. Call on the Toll-free number, Monday to Saturday 9:00 AM to 6:00 pm (excluding national holidays) CAT Helpdesk email address: cathelpdesk@iimcat.ac.in Result of CAT 2018 CAT result is expected to be declared in the second week of January 2019. The result will be displayed online in the form of a scorecard. For downloading the result, candidates will need to login using the user ID and password. The result or scorecard of CAT 2018 will carry details of sectional and overall scaled scores and percentiles. The result will be available in online mode only and IIM Calcutta wont send it to any candidate by post. Candidates must take print out of the CAT 2018 scorecard and preserve it until the admission procedure gets over. How to Download CAT 2018 Result? Visit the CAT 2018 official website Login by entering ones CAT user ID and password Click on the tab Score Card Check and download your result of CAT 2018 About CAT IIMs conduct CAT on a rotational basis every year for admission to 20 IIMs and over 100 B-schools across India. Around 4,000 seats are offered through the 20 IIMs for PG management programmes. CAT 2018 will be administered on Sunday, 25 November in two sessions across 147 exam cities. The Common Admission Test or CAT is the most competitive yet coveted MBA entrance exam of India taken by around 2 lakh aspirants every year. India on Monday asked China to support the pending application in the United Nations (UN) to designate Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group leader Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, officials said. New Delhi: India on Monday asked China to support the pending application in the United Nations (UN) to designate Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group leader Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, officials said. It also asked Beijing not to give shelter to hardline United Liberation Front Of Assam (ULFA) leader Paresh Baruah on its soil, they said. The two key issues were raised at the first India-China high-level meeting on bilateral security cooperation which was co-chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Zhao Kezhi, China's State Councilor and Minister of Public Security. "The key concerns of both the countries were flagged and both the sides assured each other full cooperation," an official, who was part of the Indian delegation, said. The key Indian concerns are China's objection to the application to designate JeM chief Azhar as a terrorist under the Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the United Nations Security Council, frequent visit of (ULFA) leader Paresh Baruah to China and smuggling of arms and narcotics to the Northeast, the official said. A veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has repeatedly blocked the bid at the United Nations to list Azhar as a global terrorist. The official said that Chinese concerns included insurgency in Xinjiang by Uyghur extremists. After two rounds of meetings, restricted talks between Singh and Zhao followed by delegation-level parleys, the home ministry said in a statement that the two sides discussed issues of mutual interest, including bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation, and welcomed increased security cooperation between India and China. An agreement on security cooperation between the Home Ministry and China's Ministry of Public Security was also signed by the two ministers. This was first ever India-China security cooperation pact. "The agreement will further strengthen and consolidate discussions and cooperation in areas of counter-terrorism, organised crimes, drug control and other such relevant areas," the statement said. Even though a MoU had been signed by the two sides in the spheres of security years ago, it had lapsed a few years ago. The Monday's pact may lead to the signing of a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in future, another official said. Zhao Kezhi is on a bilateral visit to India from 21 to 25 October during which he will also travel to Mumbai. The meeting comes just a year after a two-month-long border stand-off between the India Army and China's People's Liberation Army at Doklam on the India-Bhutan-China tri-junction. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held an informal summit in Wuhan, China, in April which helped repair bilateral ties. The Chinese delegation also visited the headquarters of the CRPF, the country's largest paramilitary force, where they were given a presentation about the functions of the force. Marathwada, North Maharashtra and parts of Vidarbha and West Maharashtra are some of the regions facing a drought-like situation this year as they have received 23 percent less rainfall than normal. The Maharashtra government on Tuesday declared 180 tehsils in the state drought hit. Marathwada, North Maharashtra and parts of Vidarbha and West Maharashtra are some of the regions facing a drought-like situation this year, as several of them received rainfall 23 percent less than the normal for the year, according to the state agriculture department. After chairing a state cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that his government will take several efforts to assist the affected farmers, including providing concessions in land revenue, irrigation pumps, educational fees, continuous power supply, and also ensure availability of tankers for drinking water. CM @Dev_Fadnavis announced #drought like situation in 180 talukas of #Maharashtra . These villages were selected after strictly following scientific norms of GoI of trigger 1 & 2 and also various mitigation measures will be implemented in these villages from today. pic.twitter.com/6epFNegZya CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) October 23, 2018 Fadnavis also said that a central government team will visit the regions identified as drought-hit soon. These regions, he said, were chosen after strictly following scientific norms of Trigger 1 and Trigger 2 classifications, which are drought identifiers, as laid down by the Government of India. This comes after a study by the Groundwater Survey and Development Agency, an arm of the Water Resource Department in Maharashtra, found that in at least 3,342 villages of Maharashtra, the groundwater level has dropped by over 3 meters, while in 3,430 villages the level of groundwater has reduced by 2 to 3 meters. In 7,212 villages in Maharashtra, groundwater level has reduced by over 1 metre. Overall, 13,984 villages from 252 talukas in the state Maharashtra has 353 Talukas have witnessed a depletion by more than 1 meter as compared to the average of the past five years. By that calculation, 3,342 villages have begun to experience acute drought starting October this year, which is 71 percent of the area of Maharashtra. The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that there will not be a complete ban on the firecrackers and instead has opted to regulate their sales. The court in its order has put restrictions on the timings from which firecrackers can be burst on festivals. The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that there will not be a complete ban on the firecrackers and instead has opted to regulate their sales. The court in its order has put restrictions on the timings between which firecrackers can be burst on the occasion of festivals. On Diwali, the court has said that the use of firecrackers would only be allowed from 8 pm to 10 pm. Whereas on Christmas and New Years, they will be used only from 11.45 pm to 12.45 am. However, the court has disallowed the online sale of firecrackers. Meanwhile, the court also maintained that the order is not confined to Diwali only and is applicable to all religious events. The court said that the duration of burning firecrackers will remain between 8 pm to 10 pm for all other religious events. The court also put out guidelines on what products could be ignited. Barium salt and other substances producing a lot of noise are banned and only crackers with lower emission levels are allowed. Also, the manufacturing of green and safe crackers is allowed, but the sale would only be done through licensed owners. When it comes to Delhi-NCR, only designated and handpicked areas by CPCB will be allowed to burst crackers in the allowed timeframe of 8 pm to 10 pm. The two-judge bench of Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan directed the Centre to encourage community cracker bursting during festivals in Delhi-NCR, The Indian Express reported. The court has maintained that "all state pollution boards and the Central Pollution Control Board will regulate and measure the particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and PM 10 in the air, seven days ahead and after Diwali", Vijay Panjwani, Advocate of Central Pollution Control Board told the reporters outside court. While not ordering for a blanket ban on the sale of firecrackers, the apex court observed that the Article 21 of the Constitution applied to the firecracker manufacturers as well and hence a balance was needed while considering a countrywide ban. Although the police say they have filed a final report declaring the case as false, but a challan hasnt been submitted to the court yet. Jaipur: The family of a Dalit woman of the Sansi nomadic community, who was allegedly raped in the Bijarsar village in Churu district of Rajasthan late August, is facing ostracisation from the dominant caste groups of the village in an attempt to force her to withdraw the case against the accused. The Bijarsar village panchayat ordered that the survivors family must be denied any work in the village, should not have access to essential commodities and imposed a fine of Rs 1,100 for anyone trying to help them. A video, where the panch of the village was seen threatening the survivor and her husband to withdraw the case or else face excommunication, has also surfaced. Narrating the incident, the survivor, Santoshi Devi (name changed), 32, says her husband had gone to wash utensils at a funeral ceremony in the village on 27 August. At 11 in the night, Naresh Potliya of our village raped me and threatened to kill if I told about it to anybody. When my husband returned home that night, I narrated the entire incident to him and we tried lodging an FIR at the Bhanipura police station next morning, but the police filed our FIR only on 29 August. Devi says the perpetrators then forced them to compromise and when she didnt agree, her family was socially boycotted by those from the dominant caste groups in the village. The perpetrators havent been arrested even after two months. We are unable to get ration, medicines and other essential items in our village, she says. In a recent development, the police say they have filed a final report declaring the case as false, but a challan hasnt been submitted to the court yet. Devis husband, Phoolaram, 35, says they were pressurised to not lodge a police complaint after the rape, but persisting to do so led the village panchayat to stop their hukka-pani. For the last two months, we have been unable to get ration, medicines or work in our village and are forced to find work in another village five km away. For five days (after the panchayat diktat), we couldnt even get drinking water from the public tap, but later, they let us have it, says Phoolaram. The only other Sansi family in the village is that of Phoolaram's brothers, who died earlier this year. Both the families have been facing this boycott for the past few weeks. No arrests, police claim false case The Bijarsar village lies in Sardarshahar tehsil of Churu district. While the FIR filed at the Bhanipura police station on 29 August named the accused, Naresh Patoliya, of the Jat community of the same village, no arrests have been made by the police over the last two months. A medical examination of the rape survivor was conducted and her statement recorded by the judicial magistrate under section 164 of the CRPC. Station house officer of Bhanipura PS Ragiw Royal says that the case was found to be false after investigation and hence, an FR has been filed in this case. As the police havent submitted the challan to the court, the details of the final report are not public yet. The investigating officer, Bhanwar Lal, refuses to divulge any details of the investigation that led the police to conclude the case as deemed false. Royal, however, says the case involves false accusation because of a previous dispute between the two parties. While Devis husband alleges that they are being constantly threatened by the powerful in the village, Teraram Potliya, a former sarpanch of the neighbouring Ransisar gram panchayat, who is a native of Bijarsar and a current panch, says the family in question has been only stopped from begging for alms in the village and no social boycott has been imposed on them. Even after the survivors incriminating statement under Section 164, the accused hasnt been arrested, rather the police have filed an FR in this case. I visited her village and saw that the survivor was socially boycotted when she refused to compromise, says Suman Devathia of the All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch, who visited Bijarsar on 20 October. "Attempts are being made to falsify the allegations of the survivor by producing witnesses to bolster the case of the accused. Devi and her family are running from pillar to post to seek justice while being forced to depend on the neighbouring village of Sadasar for food and other essentials," she says. Who are the Sansis? The Sansi community is included in the Scheduled Caste category in Rajasthan and it is one of the 32 nomadic tribes of the country. The exact numbers of this tribe are not known and the former president of the Rajasthan Nomadic Board, Gopal Kesawat, says many from this socially backward community skin dead animals or beg for alms to earn their livelihood. Kesawat says during the era of kings, the Sansi and other nomadic tribes were trained as auxiliary fighting units when deemed necessary and were left to their own devices during peace times. The colonial government had notified the Sansis as a criminal tribe because some sections of the tribe took up crime for survival. While they were notified after independence and brought into the ambit of reservations (though this happened only recently in 2008), police usually treat any case related to the Sansi with the traditional bias. The social stigma of being a criminal tribe has kept the Sansi community marginalised and ostracised. The author is a Jaipur-based freelance writer and a part of 101Reporters' grassroots network. Since launching a strategic partnership in 1998, India and France have built a relationship based on trust and mutual understanding, a shared commitment to liberal values and a clear vision of their converging geopolitical interests The Rafale controversy should not overshadow the significance of the relationship between India and France. Since the launching of their strategic partnership in 1998, the two countries have built a solid relationship based on trust and mutual understanding, a shared commitment to liberal values and a clear vision of their converging geopolitical interests. Top government leaders of India and France have constantly been involved in the relationship as reflected by the frequent interactions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French president Emmanuel Macron. Earlier this year, the two states agreed to institutionalise biennial summits between the two leaders thus acknowledging the role top government leaders have in driving the bilateral relationship. Contributing to India's rise Over the past two decades, France has regarded India as a rising power or, to put it more precisely, as an emerging power whose rise it wishes to support for its own strategic benefit. Indeed, Indias attachment to its strategic autonomy and preference for multipolar order resonate well with the French approach to world affairs. Paris has thus supported New Delhi on many crucial issues, including its bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council (UNSC) and its integration into various nuclear export control regimes such as the Nuclear Supplier Group. France also shares Indias abhorrence of terrorism. Along with the US and UK, it presented a resolution to list Jaish-e-Mohammed founder-leader Masood Azhar as a terrorist under the 1267 Committee of the UNSC. In a very different area, France has engaged India as a special partner to take the lead on climate change through the International Solar Alliance. The French readiness to support Indias rise to power has also manifested itself in the provision of high-end technology. In the space sector, where there has been long-standing bilateral cooperation, France agreed last month to contribute expertise to the Gaganyaan project. In the field of civilian nuclear power, Nuclear electric power generation company Electricite de France is negotiating with Nuclear Power Corporation of India to expedite the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project, which involves construction of six high-power reactors. Finally, in the defence sector, Frances main corporations Dassault Aviation, Thales Group and Naval Group to cite a few have for long supplied India with complex armament systems such as the Scorpene submarines as well as the Mirage-2000s and Rafale combat aircrafts. Maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean Maritime cooperation has been a major pillar of the bilateral partnership as illustrated by the two decades-and-a-half of Indo-French naval exercises. This long-standing naval cooperation has allowed for a discussion on the security of the Indian Ocean and, eventually, the identification of converging geopolitical interests in the region. With its overseas territories of La Reunion and Mayotte, as well as its military bases in Djibouti and Abu Dhabi, France has a substantial footprint in the Indian Ocean. In its strategic assessment of this vast maritime area, it sees India as an emerging security provider and indispensable partner. As a result, the French rationale has been to develop a close operational partnership with the Indian Navy with a view to conducting joint missions to address non-traditional threats such as piracy, illegal fishing and trafficking. Since 2015 and the launching of a bilateral maritime dialogue, further progress has been made in strengthening maritime cooperation. In March 2018, France and India signed a reciprocal logistics support agreement which will allow the Indian Navy access to French bases in the western Indian Ocean and promote greater interoperability. The two nations have also developed cooperation in the field of maritime domain awareness and intelligence gathering. They have signed a white shipping agreement to share information on maritime traffic, and the Indian Space Research Organisation and the National Centre for Space Studies have concluded a MoU with a view to co-developing a maritime surveillance satellite system focussed on the Indian Ocean and related data fusion mechanisms. Cooperation in hydrography and marine cartography has also been part of the bilateral agenda of cooperation. Finally, it may be argued that, for India, cooperation with France usefully complements its naval partnership with the US. This may be especially true for those in New Delhi who have expressed frustration with the fact that India-US cooperation developed in the framework of the Indo-Pacific Command and centred on the Bay of Bengal. In contrast, India has a partner in France which is more than willing to push cooperation in the Western Indian Ocean. Thus, to a certain extent, Indo-French naval cooperation can fill the vacuum left by the India-US partnership in the Western Indian Ocean. This is especially welcome as Chinas growing presence in this part of the world is a matter of concern not only for India, but also for France. Indeed, the French 2017 defence and national security strategic review states, Rising Chinese military capabilities and their potential consequences in new areas of interaction in Africa (Djibouti) and in the Indian Ocean must be closely monitored. India as a pillar of French Indo-Pacific strategy? During his various trips across Asia this year, Macron started laying out his governments strategy for the Indo-Pacific, a notion that has eventually entered the French official narrative. His vision has been informed by the notion that France has to protect its interests in the Indo-Pacific and uphold a multilateral, rule-based order where all stakeholders respect the freedom of navigation and overflight as well as the peaceful settlement of conflicts. As underlined by the French President, this ambition requires that Paris strengthen cooperation with its main partners in the Indo-Pacific, ie Australia and India. Indeed, Macrons visits to India and Australia in March and May respectively revealed a certain parallelism in his approach. In both countries, he called for a stronger commitment to promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and upholding international norms and law. More to the point, he urged that Frances bilateral cooperation with India and Australia associates other strategic partners thus paving the way for a putative trilateral format between Paris, New Delhi and Canberra. While Macrons proposal for a Paris-New Delhi-Canberra axis seems a long way off, the idea of initiating consultations between the three countries makes sense given their common interest in a stable and rule-based Indian Ocean. However, such discussion should not be conceived of merely as a reaction to Chinas presence in the region; it should rather been envisioned as a new initiative adding up to the network of minilaterals that have developed between like-minded countries and that may eventually contribute its share to the emergence of a security architecture in the Indo-Pacific. The writer is an associate research fellow with IFRI, Paris There are 19 petitions before the top court seeking the recall of the verdict that had junked the centuries-old practice prohibiting the entry of women who are in the of menstruating age. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday will decide on hearing of a batch of petitions seeking recall of a Constitution Bench verdict permitting women in the age group of 10 to 50 years entry into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjay Krishan Kaul said the bench-led by former Chief Justice Dipak Misra that pronounced the landmark verdict on 28 September has to be reconstituted. A review petition is normally considered by the judges of the same bench that had delivered the verdict. A call on hearing the plea would be taken up, the Chief Justice said after the National Association of Aayappa Devotees sought an early hearing of their review pleas. There are 19 petitions before the top court seeking the recall of the verdict that had junked the centuries-old practice prohibiting the entry of women who are in the of menstruating age. Contending that religious practices cannot be "tested on the basis of rationality", the petitioners have sought a recall of the verdict raising points of procedural error in the judgment. The five-judge Constitution Bench headed by then Chief Justice Misra had junked the age old tradition of the Lord Ayyappa temple by a majority verdict of 4:1. It said that the ban on women in menstruating age group, whose presence at the Sabarimala temple was considered to be "impure", violated their fundamental rights and constitutional guarantee of equality. The review plea by the Nair Service Society, one of the petitioners, said "without holding that the questions raised related to matters of religion which are not within judicially manageable standards, the majority decision in substance effectively has the effect of holding that the character of the deity can be altered based on individual faith and belief, in violation of the tenets of a particular religion and or religious sect". The petitioners have also argued that besides "patent legal errors" in the verdict, the assumption that the temple practice is based on notions of menstrual impurity is "factually erroneous". Pointing to massive protests against the verdict by women worshippers, the petitioners have contended that "the subsequent events that transpired after the judgment clearly demonstrate that overwhelmingly large section of women worshippers are supporting the custom of prohibiting entry of women..." As the stand-off over the entry of women of menstrual age into Kerala's Sabarimala temple continued, Union Minister Smriti Irani, responding to the controversy, said that everyone has the right to pray, not to desecrate. As the stand-off over the entry of women of menstrual age into Kerala's Sabarimala temple continued, Union minister Smriti Irani, responding to the controversy, said that everyone has the right to pray, not to desecrate. "I believe I have right to pray, but I don't have a right to desecrate. And that is the difference we need to recognise and respect. So the difference is... I am nobody to speak on Supreme Court verdict because I am a current serving cabinet minster. But just plain common sense... Would you take sanitary napkins soaked in menstrual blood and walk into a friend's home? You would not. And would you think it is respectful to do the same when you walk into the house of God?" Irani was quoted by the Indian Express as saying, at the Young Thinkers Conference organised by the British Deputy High Commission and the Observer Research Foundation in Mumbai. #WATCH Union Minister Smriti Irani says," I have right to pray,but no right to desecrate. I am nobody to speak on SC verdict as I'm a serving cabinet minster. Would you take sanitary napkins seeped in menstrual blood into a friend's home? No.Why take them into house of God?" pic.twitter.com/Fj1um4HGFk ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2018 Although responding to an audience question, she talked about her own multi-faith family and how she would not be allowed into temples with her husband and child. Irani's remarks drew sharp criticism on Twitter. Much ado about nothing and something god-given. Smriti Irani being a speaker at the Young Thinker's Conference while airing regressive opinions is the important issue here. Mickie Merchant (@MickieMerchant) October 23, 2018 Young Thinkers Conference is discussing womens menstrual cycle and that too in such derogatory terms. I am ashamed of our women leaders. SB (@shraddhs) October 23, 2018 A theist would say "God has no problem ,as god has made human this way." Reactionaries wanted to keep women as second class citizen in the name of tradition. Being a woman and being a feminist is totally different thing.Irani is batting for patriarchs. Mukesh (@Mukesde7) October 23, 2018 Wasnt God the one who created women and their menstrual cycle? so not only must women hide something as natural as menstruation.. but we must also keep it away from the house of God right. French. (@Jinx_Crimson91) October 23, 2018 Oh boy. Indian govt minister on whether menstruating women should be allowed into famous temple: It is plain common sense. Would you take sanitary napkins soaked in menstrual blood into a friends home? So why would you take them into the house of God" https://t.co/4uc1IaNo9c michael safi (@safimichael) October 23, 2018 "Would you wear a sanitary pad and go to a friend's house?" asks Smriti Irani. Duh. Yes. Most women do. What about you ma'am, would you wear one and go to work, or stay home for 5 days a month? https://t.co/lUC1CXPefu Prasanto K Roy (@prasanto) October 23, 2018 Smriti Irani must be the only woman in India to get a period leave. I mean she won't take her blood-soaked napkins inside the sacred walls of her ministry building. pic.twitter.com/W0Y0RaSyf7 Dr Rama S (@ramasriniv) October 23, 2018 Live visuals from inside Smriti Irani's brain when she finds out human bodies carry about 5 liters of blood that we perforce "take" to a friend's house or a house of God when we go there pic.twitter.com/nAecjKzUwk Neha Yadav (@nay_yeah) October 23, 2018 But some also came to the defense of Minister of Textiles, arguing that her quote was being misrepresented. I too thought @smritiirani was talking about allowing women into Sabrimala but she's not. She's talking about desecration. Context: female activist wanted to take a blood soaked sanitary pad into the shrine. https://t.co/WteMHWfw10 Rupa Subramanya (@rupasubramanya) October 23, 2018 U need to undrstnd the context she has spoken wth. Putting pad where it belongs has no issue but if some1 keeps pad in hands wanting to enter temple is disrespect of Dharma. So before U say anything else I want you understand whole case here.. @smritiirani explained it perfectly. https://t.co/jxsJKZ4wp0 Harshal Purohit (@iPurohitHarshal) October 23, 2018 Later, Irani herself tweeted addressing the reports and calling it "fake news". She said she will soon release a video to address the controversy. Fake news ...... calling you out on it. Will post my video soon. https://t.co/ZZzJ26KBXa Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) October 23, 2018 Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said that it would hear on 13 November the petitions challenging its Sabarimala verdict allowing women of all age groups entry into the temple. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice SK Kaul told lawyer Mathews J Nedumpara that it has already passed an order with regard to the listing of petitions. Earlier the court had noted that there were 19 review petitions pending in the matter, filed by National Ayyappa Devotees Association and others seeking a review of its verdict. A five-judge constitution bench by a ratio of 4:1 had held that women of all age groups should be allowed entry into the temple. With inputs from Press Trust of India. There is no intention, Khalid al-Falih told Russias TASS news agency when asked whether there could be a repeat of the oil embargo. Top US lawmakers turned their ire on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday and said they believed he ordered the killing of Khashoggi, although the administration of US President Donald Trump maintained a more cautious stance. London: Saudi Arabia has no intention of unleashing a 1973-style oil embargo on Western consumers and will isolate oil from politics, the Saudi energy minister said on Monday amid a worsening crisis over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. There is no intention, Khalid al-Falih told Russias TASS news agency when asked whether there could be a repeat of the oil embargo. Top US lawmakers turned their ire on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday and said they believed he ordered the killing of Khashoggi, although the administration of US President Donald Trump maintained a more cautious stance. Several US lawmakers have suggested imposing sanctions on Saudi Arabia in recent days while the kingdom, the worlds largest oil exporter, has pledged to retaliate against any sanctions with bigger measures. This incident will pass. But Saudi Arabia is a very responsible country, for decades we used our oil policy as a responsible economic tool and isolated it from politics, Falih said. My role as the energy minister is to implement my governments constructive and responsible role and stabilizing the worlds energy markets accordingly, contributing to global economic development, Falih said. He said that if oil prices went up, it would slow the global economy and trigger a recession. In a column published last week, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya channels General Manager Turki Aldakhil warned that imposing sanctions on Riyadh could spark global economic disaster as oil could jump to $200 per barrel. The 1973 oil crisis began when Arab producers led by Saudi Arabia slapped an oil embargo on Western supporters of Israel in its war with Egypt, targeting Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, Britain and the United States. Oil prices spiked on the move, as they did later in 1979 because of the Iranian revolution. The efficiency of the embargo was far from obvious as higher prices led to the development of new oil provinces outside the Middle East and encouraged alternative energy. Riyadh has refrained from using oil as a direct weapon since then. If oil prices will go too high, it will slow down the world economy and would trigger a global recession. And Saudi Arabia has been consistent in its policy. We work to stabilize global markets and facilitate global economic growth. That policy has been consistent for many years, Falih said. No Guarantee Falih said that with sanctions on Iran coming into full force next month, there was no guarantee oil prices would refrain from going higher. I cannot give you a guarantee, because I cannot predict what will happen to other suppliers, Falih said, when asked whether the world can avoid oil hitting $100 per barrel again. We have sanctions on Iran, and nobody has a clue what Iranians exports will be. Secondly, there are potential declines in different countries like Libya, Nigeria, Mexico and Venezuela, he said. If 3 million barrels per day disappear, we cannot cover this volume. So we have to use oil reserves, he said. Falih said Saudi Arabia would soon raise output to 11 million barrels per day (bpd) from the current 10.7 million. He added that Riyadh had capacity to increase output to 12 million bpd and its Gulf OPEC ally, the United Arab Emirates, could add another 0.2 million bpd. We have relatively limited spare capacities and we are using a significant part of them, he said. Global supply next year could be helped by Brazil, Kazakhstan and the United States, he added. But if you have other countries to decline in addition to the full application of Iran sanctions, then we will be pulling all spare capacities, Falih said. The injured students have been admitted to a hospital in Aurangabad and given first aid while the ones who are critical have been referred to Jamui. Aurangabad (Bihar): A school student was killed while 20 others were injured when their bus collided with a truck late on Monday night in Bihar's Aurangabad district. The students were returning from Rajgir after an educational trip. The injured have been admitted to a hospital for medical treatment. Speaking on the matter, Aurangabad sub-divisional officer (SDO) Pradeep Kumar said, "One child has died. Those who were admitted at the hospital have been given first aid while the ones who were critical have been referred to Jamui. A team of doctors is looking after all of them." India alleged that Pakistan is still aiding and abetting terrorism and it reveals the recent attack on Indian soldiers by Pakistani terrorists in Jammu region while they were trying to infiltrate into Indian side. New Delhi: The ministry of external affairs summoned a senior official of the Pakistan High Commission in the national capital and a demarche was made lodging strong protest at the fatal casualties of Indian soldiers during an attempted cross-border infiltration by Pakistani terrorists in Sunderbani sector of Jammu and Kashmir on 21, October. Five to six Pakistani armed intruders tried to cross the Line of Control (LoC) and fired on an Indian Army patrol in the Sunderbani sector of Jammu region. Three Indian Army soldiers were killed and one suffered injuries in the unprovoked cross-border action by Pakistan. Two intruders were also killed by the Indian armed forces. The Pakistani side was informed that two of their armed intruders have been killed by the Indian security forces during the ensuing firefight and the Government of Pakistan should take custody of the bodies of its nationals, the MEA statement said. "(The) Ministry condemned in the strongest terms such provocative action by Pakistan, which reveals their complicity in aiding and abetting terrorism and exposes the hollowness of Pakistan's deceitful claims to promote constructive engagement and desire for peace," the statement added. "Our grave concern at the continuing incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Pakistan forces along the LoC and the International Border (IB) was also shared," it said. Despite repeated calls for restraint and adherence to the ceasefire understanding of 2003 for maintaining peace and tranquility, Pakistani forces have carried out 1591 incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations along the LoC and IB in 2018 so far. The MEA said that Pakistan was called on to "abide by its bilateral commitment not to allow any territory under its control to be used to support terrorism against India in any manner". By Trend The first forum of women entrepreneurs from the Caspian countries is planned to be held in Astrakhan in April 2019. This idea has already been supported by the Astrakhan region and the Azerbaijani side, the coordinator of women's entrepreneurship in the region Irina Bryntseva told reporters Oct. 22, TASS reported. "The Azerbaijani side has already agreed; they are ready to become our strategic partner to attract neighboring countries and create even some kind of union - a union of women of the Caspian countries, which are united by business," Bryntseva said after the Astrakhan-Azerbaijan women's entrepreneurship forum. She noted that the forum will help organize the exchange of information and will promote the development of trade relations and attraction of investments in the regional economies. The Astrakhan-Azerbaijan Women's Entrepreneurship Forum, where about 350 people are participating, will be held during two days. Master classes, expert sessions and presentation of business projects by women entrepreneurs of the Astrakhan region are planned to be held in the event. A bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said it was compelled to pass the order because Rajasthan has taken the issue 'very lightly'. The apex court also referred to a central empowered committee report that 31 hills or hillocks have vanished in the state's Aravalli area. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Rajasthan government to stop illegal mining in a 115.34-hectare area in Aravalli hills within 48 hours. A bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said it was compelled to pass the order because Rajasthan has taken the issue "very lightly". The apex court also referred to a central empowered committee report that 31 hills or hillocks have vanished in the state's Aravalli area. The disappearance of hills in Rajasthan could be one reason for the rise in pollution levels in Delhi, the court said. The bench directed the chief secretary of Rajasthan to file an affidavit regarding compliance of its order. The court was hearing a matter related to illegal mining activities in Aravalli hills. Scrolling through a few regular WhatsApp windows in local Bundelkhand could give more than a few fiction writers more than their fair share of story ideas. Snippets of juicy, enticing information masquerading as news theres even a term for it, WhatsApp news, aka Whats App mein padha tha, khoob chal raha hai that are, needless to say, untrue and extremely harmful, again needless to say. Rate card for conversion of innocent Hindus with different rates for converting Brahmins, Punjabis, Gujaratis, and Kshatriyas, unearthed in Kerala. In a masterstroke, PM Modi helps the UAE Government in seizing assets worth 15,000 crore rupees of Indias most wanted criminal, Dawood Ibrahim. Akhilesh Yadav slaps Neta ji aka Mulayam Singh Yadav. Scrolling through a few regular WhatsApp windows in local Bundelkhand could give more than a few fiction writers more than their fair share of story ideas. Snippets of juicy, enticing information masquerading as news theres even a term for it, WhatsApp news, aka Whats App mein padha tha, khoob chal raha hai that are, needless to say, untrue and extremely harmful, again needless to say. With a smartphone in hand, hordes of young men in the hinterlands pose as journalists, and with the deluge of content that the local Bundeli is currently used to, in fact hungers for, checks, and source-whetting or corroborations arent exactly built into the fabric of news-making in Bundelkhand. Or news-breaking, as the heartland prefers to call it. Breaking Mahoba, a local popular WhatsApp media group with 208 members (at last count), is one of the most happening spaces where news is often broken, written expressly for WhatsApp sharing, complete with videos and legit-looking links to read more. In fact, Breaking Mahoba might have been playing on his mind when BJP chief Amit Shah said at an event in Kota, Rajasthan in September, With our army of 32 lakh WhatsApp personnel, we can send whatever message we like to the public be it sweet or bitter, be it true or false! Especially since Shah went on to cite the Akhilesh Yadav slaps father message as proof pausing ever so effectively for the audiences laugh-out-loud moment. Even as Facebook finds itself in crisis reputation-saving mode, putting together a task force specifically designed to combat the spread of fake news in the country in the run up to the upcoming 2019 elections, WhatsApp news, and its instant spread, continues to be the demon that seems impossible to vanquish. As Mahobas Chandreshekhar Namdev, a reporter for Hindi Khabar, says, Take any major political party today, they all have their own specialised IT cells. They have experts tailoring photos, videos and news pieces to suit their interests and subsequently pushing these to the public through various social media channels. These doctored news pieces having no basis in truth or facts whatsoever are continuously shared, and before you know it, half the world believes them to be true. This is particularly true alarming you could say in the Hindi belt, where a limited access to education, coupled with the inability to speak and understand English, makes WhatsApp the preferred app for the rural and small town populace, who choose it over other platforms like Facebook and Twitter. WhatsApp news hence becomes nothing short of everyones favourite go-to news feed. It could be the doctored video on a viral WhatsApp message that had all the residents of Banda believing that a witch had actually intercepted a police car one night video recorded by brave police officer, or the stroke of good luck news piece that had, allegedly, blessed an entire town in Mahoba only to become Breaking Mahoba a fake sense of sensationalism that courses through the veins of a local news group. Ziya-ul-Haq of National Live, elaborates further, We often receive calls from Lucknow or Delhi inquiring about certain events that have allegedly taken place in our Chitrakoot, and we ourselves have never heard of any such thing. They all believe it and we have to inform them that it is all fake. The thing is that everything invariably gets sensationalised on WhatsApp groups and Facebook, but when you come and look at the ground reality, it is nothing like what it is made to sound like, and is actually quite calm. Uttar Pradesh accounts for 15% of all mobile phones in the country; the state is also the leader in the total number of telecom subscribers in the country. As life gets busier and people trade off time and patience for their screens, quick and easy social media news is clearly where the bite is. Nobody wants to make the effort of actually reading a newspaper, is a common enough observation. And while this may be true nationally, even globally, there is a method to the mania, employed solely for the heartland. There are certain antisocial elements whose only job is to spread rumours and sensationalise things. Such people get themselves added on to WhatsApp groups and so on and start pushing fake content. In all their naivety, people do not care to verify such information coming their way and blindly believe it. Not only do they believe it, but unknowingly also spread fake news by sharing it further, says Vijay Pratap Singh who is a journalist at the Mahoba office of Dainik Bhaskar. This is something that Shah has hinted at, which news portals have analysed again and again. The BJP, with its massive organisational structure comprising of technicians and designers responsible for creating desirable content, employed an army of over 5,000 workers at the regional, district and Assembly levels whose only job in the run-up to the 2017 state elections was to spread content through WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms. An election that instated Yogi Adityanath as Chief Minister, who very recently, encouraged the BJP youth wing members to use social media as a weapon to expose opposition parties and to promote the welfare schemes of the BJP government. Martial arts trainer and Banda resident Suman Singh, also a social media enthusiast, is dismissive of the panic though. She places her faith in being alert, laced with a dash of cynicism, Whichever political party may come into power, they have all sold fake news to us, and they have all ended up forming our government in the end. Suffice to say that Singh, tough as she is, does not speak for the Bundeli populace. Khabar Lahariya is a women-only network of rural reporters from Bundelkhand. Amid the Zika outbreak in Rajasthan, scientists are looking at genetic modification as a probable solution as mosquitoes have developed resistance to the standard ways of extermination. Editor's note: The Zika virus outbreak in Rajasthan has affected around 80 people in the state so far. This article is the second one in a multi-part series which focuses on the causes of the outbreak and the measures taken against it. *** As mosquitoes have developed resistance to the standard ways of extermination, scientists are looking at genetic modification as a probable solution. Spraying and fogging, which have been commonly used to check the spread of Aedes Aegypti species (the one responsible for spread of diseases), have failed partly because the species has developed resistance to these chemicals. This has compelled scientists to toy with the idea of genetic modification. Theoretically, here is how it's supposed to work: male mosquitoes are injected with a self-limiting gene and are released. They mate with females and the progeny inherit the modified genes. With the altered genes, the hatchlings have a reduced lifespan and do not reach adulthood. In theory, this species of mosquitoes would go extinct over two or three generations. This, in turn, will reduce and prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as zika, malaria and dengue. Dr Himanshu Jaiswal, state programme officer for Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme in Madhya Pradesh, said experiments with genetic modification of mosquitoes are going on but are at a primary stage. He said currently, experiments are underway on a small number of mosquitoes. For the next stage, permissions from relevant agencies would be sought, he said. The government of India has set up various committees to deliberate upon the matter, including an ethical committee, technical committee and a committee that looks after conflict of interest. Generally, such experiments are sponsored by some big pharma giants, and therefore the conflict of interest angle is looked into carefully, Jaiswal informed. Offering more insights into this mode of checking the spread of mosquito population, he said alteration in genes can reduce the reproduction capacity of mosquitoes. But there could be some negatives of the experiments that need to be looked into. It is quite possible that decreasing reproductive capacity might increase the lifespan of mosquitoes. What effect it would have needs to be studied too, Jaiswal cautioned. Dr Ramesh Bhagat, an epidemiologist in Ludhianas health department, put forward another view. He said the Indian governments focus at present is to curb the outbreak of dengue and malaria and that no major research on genetic alteration of mosquitoes is being carried out. Even during the workshops of the Union health ministry, we were told to curb the outbreak of vector-borne diseases. So far, genetic alteration of mosquitoes is not the priority and I do not remember any major research going on on the subject in India, he said. However, he added that research on this aspect is indeed going on in a few countries and they have recorded positive results. He agreed that with the help of genetic mutation, population of mosquitoes could be checked. Dr Narendra Gupta, an adviser to NGO Prayas, sounded a note of caution. With limited understanding in the aftermath of releasing genetically modified mosquitoes, going into the dark could be dangerous, he said. Conducting such experimentations is like travelling into uncharted territory, he added. We introduced GM in cotton and later in maize and brinjal but had to withdraw, essentially because of possible long-term harmful effects. A bio-medical solution based on technology cannot be a substitute for a natural and socially determined approach to control large-scale reproduction of disease-carrier mosquitoes, he said. Global research A report published in journal Nature Biotechnology last month described how a London-based laboratory registered a successful experiment when releasing genetically modified mosquitoes into cages filled with normal mosquitoes led to a virtual wipeout of the insects. International researchers have dubbed genetic modification of mosquitoes a game changer, an extraordinary weapon and a major development in tackling the mosquito menace. They too have noted that many years of research are required to identify if there could be any side-effects of releasing genetically altered organisms into the environment. Nevertheless, some parts of the world are already seeing governments going ahead with this method. Last month, news came out that African country Burkina Faso would have 10,000 genetically engineered mosquitoes released to deal with vector-borne diseases, which affected 98 lakh people last year and killed about 4,000. Every year, mosquito-borne diseases kill about a million people across the world. Inputs by Shahroz Afridi, Arjun Sharma and Dr Valsalan Nair The authors are members of 101Reporters Congress leaders called Ajit Jogi's Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC) the B-team of the BJP, while the BJP insists JCC will not make any impact in the Assembly polls. Raipur: All calculations of three-time winner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and efforts of the Opposition Congress to win the upcoming Chhattisgarh polls may come to nought if the uncanny political alliance between the newly constituted Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (JCC), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) clicks with the state electorate. Chhattisgarh long considered a fort of the Congress, even in undivided Madhya Pradesh when the party used to win the maximum seats from the region was created in 2000 and got its first chief minister in Ajit Pramod Kumar Jogi, a bureaucrat-turned-politician then part of the Congress. Three years of his tenure saw plenty of ups and downs and a turn towards caste politics. As a result, in the 2003 Assembly polls, a public in turmoil brought the BJP to power, and the saffron party has been ruling the state for 15 years now under Raman Singh. Ajit Jogi, the spoilsport Two years ago, Jogi and his son Amit broke away from the Congress over allegations of anti-party activities, and Jogi was quick to form the JCC, a regional outfit with a national outlook. Today, he is a liability to both the BJP and Congress, though both refuse to admit it. Congress leaders called his party the B-team of the BJP, while the BJP insists JCC will not make any impact in the state polls. Yet, Jogi has played his cards tactfully, allying with Mayawatis BSP and the CPI, with the coalition likely to mar the prospects of the two main parties. For this election, the JCC and BSP have decided to go for a 55:35 seat-sharing ratio, with JCC getting the chunk of seats and the chief minister's chair. Their alliance is expected to capitalise on 15 seats a number large enough to alter the course of government formation in Chhattisgarh. Jogi also recently announced withdrawal from the election fray, saying he would fully concentrate on the alliances election campaign in 90 seats, after challenging Chief Minister Raman Singh to an open contest in his home turf of Rajnandgaon. However, by Monday, there were speculations that Jogi may take a U-turn on his earlier stand, after people from his traditional stronghold of Marwahi constituency approached him and requested his nomination. Going by the 2013 election math, the BSP has a considerable presence in 11 Assembly constituencies, with its vote share ranging from 1 percent to 30 percent in these seats. Currently, the partys lone MLA is Keshav Chandra, who has been retained as a candidate from Jaijaipur. In 2003, the BSP had won two seats in the Assembly Kamda Jhole from Sarangarh (Scheduled Caste) and Lalsay Khunte from Malkharoda (SC) and in 2008, it had bagged the two seats of Akaltara and Pamgarh under Saurabh Singh and Dujram Bouddh. The BJP had won 50 seats that year, while the Congress held 38. In 2013, Saurabh quit the BSP and joined the Congress. Jhole was expelled from the BSP for anti-party activities. Traditionally speaking, Jogis supporters have been seen gravitating towards the BJP, but with the JCC in action, all such votes are expected to shift back to his party, hitting at the BJP and Congress vote-bank both parties had a vote difference of just below 1 percent in the last elections. Jogis family itself has considerable influence in the Marwahi and Kota constituencies of Chhattisgarh. On Congress tickets, Jogis son Amit had won from Marwahi, while Jogis wife Renu had emerged victorious in Kota. Amit is now with Jogis JCC, but Renu has expressed her wish to go for a Congress ticket again. Two sitting Congress MLAs, Siyaram Kaushik from Bilha and RK Rai from Gunderdehi constituencies, are with Jogi now, but his daughter-in-law Richa Jogi is in the fray from Akaltara on a BSP ticket. JCCs former candidate from Chandrapur, Gitanjali Patel, also joined the BSP a few days ago and has been retained on the party ticket. However, Chhattisgarhs poll history shows that candidates have rarely won elections unless they have been mass leaders. CPI, the add-on On Sunday, Jogi announced a pre-poll alliance with the CPI for the Chhattisgarh elections, with the Left party getting two seats to contest in South Bastar Dantewada and Konta where it already has considerable influence. CPIs Manish Kunjam, a former MLA, will fight against Deputy Leader of Opposition and Congress sitting MLA Kawasi Lakhma from Konta. CR Bakshi, central control commission secretary of the CPI, said the party would field candidates on other seats, too, such as Jagdalpur, Kondagaon and Keshkal, and the alliance will support them. Candidates have already been declared for these seats, as well as for Dantewada. The Janjgir-Champa district is also being considered for the polls. Likely to join the JCC-BSP-CPI coalition is the Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha, whose president Janak Lal Thakur confirmed that they had held talks with CPI leaders. He hopes a final decision on the alliance will be made soon. BSP supremo Mayawati plans to hold around six meetings in the state, with two on 4 November in Dongargarh and Bhilai, in which CPIs star campaigner T Raja will also participate. Jogi has expressed hope that people will develop a sense of belonging with the alliance, headed by the regional JCC. Jogis father has a following among Dalits, Muslims and Christians and, he said, the three parties are cadre-based, having a direct link with the poor and downtrodden, as well as an understanding of local aspirations. In his manifesto, Jogi has already submitted an affidavit, listing the 12 things he would do if he comes to power. He pointed out that no other political party has clarity on promises to voters as they have to look towards New Delhi for decision-making, whereas his JCC has no such compulsions. BJP state general secretary Santosh Pandey admitted that the JCC-BSP-CPI alliance has an influence in around 11-12 SC-dominated seats, mainly in the Janjgir-Champa region and the Left-favoured three seats in the Bastar region, including Bilaspur. The alliance will be concentrating on these winnable seats. But it would not have much impact on the BJP, Pandey insisted. Another entrant in the Chhattisgarh political arena with much fanfare is the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which claims to be a favourable alternative to both the BJP and Congress. Its state in-charge, Gopal Rai, has already termed the JCC-BSP-CPI alliance a sinking boat. Clearly, AAP is expecting to repeat its New Delhi performance in Chhattisgarh, but going by the party's performance in the Karnataka Assembly polls, even opening their account in Chhattisgarh will be an achievement. The author is a Raipur-based freelance writer and part of 101Reporters Maharashtra finance minister and BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar expressed confidence that his party and the Shiv Sena would stay united in future polls. Mumbai: Maharashtra finance minister and senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar on Tuesday expressed confidence that his party and the Shiv Sena would stay united in future polls, against the backdrop of the Uddhav Thackeray-led party's stand to go solo. Speaking at the "Mumbai Manthan" conclave organised by news channel Aaj Tak, the minister sought to downplay the criticism of the BJP government by the Sena, a constituent of the Central and Maharashtra governments and the oldest member of the NDA (National Democratic Alliance). "There was a fiercer criticism even between the Congress and the NCP during their rule. If one expects complete equilibrium then there wouldn't be two different parties," he said. "While we expect that there shouldn't be criticism everyday, the Sena is only doing its work. But we (the BJP) have decided among ourselves that we will refrain from such things in the interest of people," he said. Mungantiwar further said that both the parties are together now and will remain so in future as well. "I am confident that we will remain together in the upcoming elections. However, instead of criticism, there should be better work done," he said. He further said the Opposition is not ready to introspect that they lost the elections because of their "attitude". "Instead, they are wasting their time by blaming EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) and alleging that the BJP had spent money (to win polls)," he said. Sena MP Arvind Sawant said when his party criticises the BJP, it is not out of enmity. "We view the criticism as our duty to bring an erring friend back on the right track," he said. He credited Sena for the farm loan waiver announced by the BJP-led state government last year. Sawant reiterated that his party would come to power on its own in the state in the assembly polls, due next October. Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan said while the Sena agrees to the decisions taken in the Cabinet, the party criticises them outside. "There are so, so many failures of this government from mob lynching to suicides by farmers. People will decide their fate," he said. Chavan claimed the election machinery, including returning officers, are under immense pressure so much so that they can't work independently. "Why can't the EC switch to paper ballots even after a written demand was raised by the entire Opposition?" the former chief minister asked. Mungantiwar said the EVMs were introduced by the Congress which is now criticising them. "We are ready for ballot papers for elections," he said. Chavan said all the secular and like-minded parties, including the CPI, CPM, SP, BSP, should come together. Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal said BJP and Sena had made many promises in the run-up to 2014 elections but later accepted that they were nothing but poll 'jumlas' (gimmick). "The Sena criticises BJP everyday in its newspaper edits. The manner in which the BJP is attacked, they should be praised for tolerating Sena. Either you are in government or in the Opposition. You cannot be in both folds," he said. The Cabinet takes decision collectively. So if the BJP has erred, so is the Sena, he said. "Uddhavji (Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray) wants to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya. While we extend our well wishes for that, but why a memorial for Balasaheb Thackeray has not been constructed till now?" questioned Bhujbal, a former Shiv Sainik. "Development was their agenda in 2014. Now when they know they are in trouble, they are remembering god now," Bhujbal said, referring to raking up of the Ram Mandir issue ahead of polls. The Goa Congress Sunday said it would seek an appointment with ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to apprise him of how BJP leaders and state bureaucrats were taking 'advantage' of his absence from office. Panaji: The Goa Congress Sunday said it would seek an appointment with ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to apprise him of how BJP leaders and state bureaucrats were taking "advantage" of his absence from office. Congress' Goa unit spokesperson Swati Kerkar said the chief minister's office and the BJP have been claiming that Parrikar's health was improving but appointments sought by her party had been denied on health grounds. Parrikar is suffering from a pancreatic ailment and is currently being treated at his residence here after returning to the state on 14 October from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. "We want to bring to the Chief Minister's notice how his office and the party are taking undue advantage of his absence to threaten staffers whose family members are associated with the Congress," Kerkar said. She alleged that the state administration had "collapsed" and bureaucrats were taking advantage of the situation as there was "no one" to hold them accountable. "Today, if the chief minister's health is improving and he is clearing files and chairing meetings through video-conferencing, then the Congress delegation should be allowed to meet him," Kerkar said. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of trying to make Sabarimala a place of violence for gaining political mileage out of it. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of trying to make Sabarimala a place of violence for gaining political mileage out of it. He said that any such bid by the Sangh Parivar would be defeated and the interests of the devotees wold be protected. "Nobody should think that Sabarimala can be converted into a place of violence. Criminals will not be allowed to concentrate at the shrine. If some criminals think so, they will be thrown out from there and the devotees shall be protected," Vijayan told media persons in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. Condemning the protests against the women devotees between the age of 10 and 50 in the past one week when they tried to go to Sabarimala, Vijayan said that the women were turned away by protestors when they had reached for darshan even after the Supreme Court order. He said that the state government cannot ignore the Suprme Court order allowing entry of women of all age groups, and it is committed to implement the court order. "Any woman devotee who wishes to go to Sabarimala will be given protection in the background of the SC order. It's a govt which functions under the Constitution and it is bound to implement the SC order," he said. The chief minister alleged that Sangh Parivar was trying to divide the people of Kerala on communal lines and it even tried to communalise even the police force, which has been doing a commendable job for the devotees at Sabarimala for decades together. He alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party's state president PS Sreedharan Pillai called upon the devotees in the police force to "think over the issue" and thus tried to create a mutiny in the force. The chief minister said that police have no religion or caste and any efforts to destroy the force's basic nature should be thwarted. He also ruled out any intelligence failure in Sabarimala and said that the police had succeeded in maintaining law and order at the shrine despite all protests. Ruling out the Pandalam royal family's claims over the shrine, Vijayan has made it clear that Sabarimala temple is the property of Devaswom Board and other claims have no basis. He also flayed the stand of the temple priests, or the tantris, who staged a protest and threatened to close the temple when two women under heavy police protection reached very close to the temple for the first time after the Supreme Court order. The chief minister alleged that the priests tried to defeat the SC order and said that this stand could not be accepted. He reiterated that Devaswom Board is the sole authority to decide about closing and opening of Sabarimala temple, not the trantris. "Their primary duty is to allow devotees for a smooth darshan, not to prevent them," he said. Ruling out the allegations that the government was utilising temples' revenue, the chief minister said that government spent Rs 302.18 crore for making arrangements at Sabarimala for devotees last year. He also said that the Devaswom Board would take appropriate measures against its officials if they tried to stop women officials from entering Sabarimala as part of their duty. Taking note of the protests by the devotees against the SC order, the chief minister said that initially people would not accept a change and it happened in the past also. Citing the example of the Guruvayoor satyagraha of 1932, he said that the movement seeking entry for the people belonging to SC/ST and other lower castes faced massive protests from conservatives. He also noted that non-believers were leading the Guruvayoor satyagraha. Vijayan alleged that BJP and Congress were trying to gain political mileage out of Sabarimala row. AICC and BJP supported the SC order initially and even termed it a historic verdict. Later they made a u-turn from their early stand and tried to create rioting in the holy shrine, he added. Carrying out a scathing attack on Congress, he said some Congressmen tried to join Sangh Parivar in the Sabarimala agitation and it was not fair. The chief minister pointed out that so many people filed review petition and Congress and BJP are yet to join them. "We are committed to preserve and protect our secular nature of the state. Sangh Parivar is trying to destroy it. It tries to bring back conservative thinking. Congress tries to destroy itself by joining Sangh," he said. Majoirity of the people in Kerala want to upkeep the secular nature of the state and the government is is with them, he said. Reuters British chip designer Arm chief executive officer Simon Segars has pulled out of the Saudi Arabia investment conference this week, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on 22 October. Segars is the latest among several high-profile company executives to pull out of the conference amid mounting pressure on Riyadh over the disappearance and alleged killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Arm Holdings was acquired by SoftBank Group in 2016 for $32 billion. Bloomberg reported earlier on 22 october that SoftBank chief operating officer Marcelo Claure will not be attending the Saudi Arabia investment conference this week. Softbanks Vision Fund, nearly half of whose $93 billion in funding came from Saudi Arabia, acquired a 25 percent stake in Arm from SoftBank last year, among the funds largest deals to date. tech2 News Staff Google Assistant has had support for Hindi since March this year. While one would think that when the Google Home and Mini speakers were launched in India a month later in April, they would come with support for Hindi, but that wasnt the case. Google Assistant on phones has been keeping up with the Hindi speakers in India, but the smart speakers are only able to comprehend English (India) at most. Until now. As first pointed out in a report by Android Police, the smart speakers language settings now let you set Hindi as the language. Google Home speaker allows users to choose any two languages in which you would like to give commands and get responses from the speakers. People in India can now choose a pair of English (India) and Hindi. In order to change the language settings on your Google Home or the Mini, head to the Google Home app > Accounts > Settings. Here scroll down to find the Assistant tab, and then select Languages. Here you can choose any two languages that work best for you. The support for Hindi has been rolled out to all users as of now. You dont need to update the app for the language support, the same will be automatically added to your app. By Trend Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has had a 90-minute meeting with visiting US National Security Adviser John Bolton, TASS reported. The consultations were held behind closed doors, with the side making no statements either before or after the meeting. Earlier in the day, Bolton had talks with Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev. Later on, the US security official is planned to meet with Russian presidents foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov. Apart from that, he is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, such a meetin is being prepared. Boltons visit has a special importance on the background of his countrys plans to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty). Indo-Asian News Service Japan on Monday urged Facebook to improve the protection of personal data following a string of incidents in which the information of millions of users of the social networking site was leaked. The Personal Information Protection Commission adopted a resolution on Monday asking Facebook to take measures to prevent similar incidents, the first such warning by the body to the social media giant, reports Efe news. The document said that personal data of Facebook users included in their profiles or browsing history were automatically transferred to Facebook when they viewed an outside website that had Facebook's "Like" button, even when the users did not click on the button. The Commission asked Facebook to provide clear explanations about how it uses personal data, take the consent of users to transfer their data to other platforms and to respond properly to those who make a request for their data to be deleted. Around 29 million Facebook accounts were hacked in September, including several million in Japan, while around 100,000 Japanese users were affected by the Cambridge Analytica data scandal, according to the report by the Japanese commission. The panel also ordered Facebook to report the conclusions of its internal investigation into the breach by the political-data firm. The committee is a supervisory body responsible for the protection of personal data in Japan and is also responsible for issuing orders to companies based in the country, linked to compliance with national regulations. Vivan Sharan The digital economy is receiving a lot of attention of late. The recently approved National Digital Communications Policy 2018, an imminent data protection law, and policy conversations on e-commerce are examples of this. The public interest implications of rapid internet adoption are driving this momentum. Internet adoption displays an S-shaped curve globally representing initial moderate growth, steep growth in the middle-phases and stable growth towards the end. The plummeting cost of data and devices seem to have catapulted India to the middle of this curve, a path of frenetic activity, and equally of heightened risks. In many ways, the pace and pattern of internet adoption in India seem to mirror the process of urbanisation which has been equally feverish for longer. The prospects of efficiency, connectivity and progress have driven urban migration, and are the drivers of digital migration as well. A citizen experiencing in-situ urbanisation is similar to a digital native experiencing swift and inexorable technological change. Finding itself amidst such fundamental transitions, the Indian State is trying to discover legitimate levers of regulatory control, balancing consumer aspirations with the security and stability of the digital ecosystem. This balancing act is going to be particularly hard when it comes to regulating device ecosystems. Smartphones are at the epicentre of consumer aspirations, with low-cost Chinese brands accounting for nearly 60 percent of the Indian smartphone market. These brands manage to offer hardware specifications comparable to higher-end smartphones and remain profitable despite unfavourable customs duties for equipment imports and lack of a localised components base. But there is a trade-off. Specifically, low-cost brands derive their margins by bundling applications, operating systems, and user consent a combination that facilitates cross-subsidisation at the cost of ecosystem integrity, as explained below. Firstly, many low-cost smartphone brands pre-bundle third-party applications that range from news aggregators to social media services. Such pre-installed software, also called bloatware in technology circles, not only takes up an asymmetric amount of processing memory relative to functionality, it often creates ecosystem vulnerabilities. For instance, according to a Pew Research Center study, the most common permission sought by application providers is to access information related to Wi-Fi connections. Such requests can enable access to device data from an entire network, with only one users permission. Digital advertising, unfortunately, thrives on such unethical collection of data. And the companies that make data-collection applications, in turn, cross-subsidise device makers. This grand-bargain of pre-bundling deprives users of any choice in the matter. A second challenge is the prevalent practice of pre-bundling of older generation operating systems (OS) on low-cost smartphones. Again, owing to their own unit economics, smartphone makers often make important qualitative choices of behalf of unsuspecting users. This is problematic because low-cost devices running old software on cheap chipsets, often form the weakest link in interconnected digital communications ecosystems. This challenge is exacerbated by the fact that a single OS provider accounts for 90 percent of the mobile-OS market in India. Earlier this year, a comprehensive study by German researchers found that low-cost smartphone brands running this OS often failed to update relevant software patches that guarantee user-security. Additionally, there is little monetary incentive for OS providers to indefinitely support their old products. Low-cost device manufacturers, on the other hand, benefit from installing old systems, which are naturally cheaper as the level of support offered by OS providers is minimal. Indians have already suffered significant financial harm owing to the prevalent use of outdated OS on ATM machines. Consequently, the Reserve Bank of India mandated immediate action to control vulnerabilities from unsupported versions of OS running on ATMs, in June this year. Lastly, some smartphone manufacturers bundle the consent provided by users while first accessing their devices, with blanket permissions given to pre-bundled software, aggravating the aforementioned risks. Indias imminent data protection law is expected to mandate separation of such consent requests from the standard device-level service terms and conditions. Although this is a commendable step, it may not reduce take-it-or-leave-it consent propositions. This is because consumers tend to value convenience over security, expecting established brands to underwrite their security. It is evident that disallowing pre-bundling practices may lead to higher costs being passed on to consumers. This may not be a politically acceptable outcome. Therefore, India must rely on setting requisite quality standards for smartphones. Several international templates exist for this, such as ISO-approved Common Criteria standards. However, the sheer pace of digital adoption means that enforcement of such standards will remain challenging until the requisite testing infrastructure is developed. In fact, implementation of a comprehensive regime for mandatory certification and testing of smartphones and other devices, envisioned by the Department of Telecom, has been inordinately delayed owing to this infrastructural gap. This is an opportunity for building deeper public-private partnerships for Digital India, much like Smart-Cities, and scaling up testing infrastructure. Industry must participate meaningfully in building such capacity, a process that perhaps remains contingent on the State articulating a multi-stakeholder approach towards digital economy regulation. Vivan Sharan is a Partner at Koan Advisory Group, New Delhi. The views expressed here are personal. tech2 News Staff Mozilla is testing an integrated VPN with Firefox to enable even more secure browsing. The service is designed to allow users to browse securely without worrying about the kind of network theyre on or the security of the site theyre visiting. A VPN or virtual private network acts as a middle-man between you and the internet. All your internet traffic is encrypted and routed to a VPN providers servers, the traffic is then allowed to get to its actual destination. Data coming back is handled in the same fashion. A secure and private VPN will not keep a record of your traffic, ensuring absolute privacy. Anyone who tries to trace your traffic will only be able to trace it to the VPN and no further. The implementation of the VPN is also rather unusual. The service itself is simply ProtonVPNs premium package. Proton, if you remember, is the maker of one of the worlds largest secure email services, ProtonMail. If you subscribe to the service via Firefox, Proton still gets the lions share of the revenue, but Mozilla takes a cut. Mozillas implementation means that the VPN service will be activated when its detected that youre using an unsecured internet connection, using public WI-Fi or browsing privacy-related sites. Sites like Hulu and Netflix can also trigger the VPN, reports MSPowerUser. Testing for the service is happening in phases in the US. Users who are picked for the test will see a notification recommending that they try ProtonVPN. While its great that Mozilla is considering bundling a VPN service with its browser, and recommending that people try a VPN service, its also a somewhat disturbing choice from a company whose products target the enthusiast crowd and whose community abhors ads. This same community will now see an ad from Mozilla that pushes for a VPN service that they may not need or want. Yes, Mozilla could certainly use the additional revenue and the support of its users in this regard, and they did pick a VPN service that is very secure. However, the way theyre going about it might land the company in more trouble with its community. tech2 News Staff The Oppo R 17 Pro was announced in China back in August, however, its been almost two months with the company never officially announcing the date of launch and availability of the device. Until now. According to a teaser shared by Oppo on Weibo, the Oppo R17 Pro smartphone will be going up on its first sale on 11 November in China. As announced back in August, the 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage variants of the phone will cost CNY 4,299, which translates to about Rs 45,600 as per current rupee rate. Once the device is out and about in the Chinese market, we are expecting that the company will expand the devices availability to other markets as well. Oppo R17 Pro specifications and features The Oppo R17 Pro has a 6.4-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 91.5 percent screen-to-body ratio, thanks to the drop-like notch which was also seen on the F9 Pro. The display is protected by the latest Corning Gorilla Glass 6 which certainly makes the screen durable. Under the hood, the R17 Pro is powered by a Snapdragon 710 SoC and has 8 GB of RAM along with 128 GB of internal storage. Android 8.1 Oreo is running on the phone out of the box with Oppo's own ColorOS 5.1 system overlay. The camera on the R17 Pro is a spectacle on its own. Oppo has included a system similar to Samsung Galaxy S9 and Note 9's variable aperture mechanism on the center camera present in the triple camera alignment. This camera has a 12 MP sensor and can switch between f/1.5-f/2.4 aperture. The primary camera on the phone is a 20 MP sensor with fixed aperture while the third camera looks to be meant for 3D DOF depth sensor. Oppo hasn't revealed the pixel count on this third sensor but has said that it will assist with 3D photo capturing. On the front, we see the drop-like notch that houses a 25 MP camera like the one we saw on the Oppo F9 Pro. The entire setup is powered by a 3,700 mAh battery which supports SuperVOOC charging technology that will charge your phone from 0-40 percent in 10 minutes. As if all this wasn't enough, the Oppo R17 Pro has also thrown in an in-display fingerprint reader on the device. tech2 News Staff Qualcomm has just unveiled the Snapdragon 675, its latest high-end mobile computing platform. The highlights of the chip include vastly optimised gaming and AI performance as well as a host of tweaks to image processing, i.e. the camera. In fact, the new platform now natively supports triple camera setups (wide, ultra-wide, tele, etc.). The new chip is the first one to incorporate Qualcomms semi-custom 4th generation Kryo 460 cores. Essentially, these are ARM Cortex A76 and A55 cores that are customised to suit Qualcomms chipset architecture. As usual, the new platform employs the big.LITTLE architecture where high-performance cores are paired with energy-efficient cores. In this case, we see two A76-based high-performance cores and six A55-based energy-efficient cores. Interestingly, the chip is built on an 11 nm process, which we havent seen before. As Qualcomm explained on a call, the company has to balance demand for billions of chips. It's not commercially viable to have each and every one of them built on the very best process node or technology available. The launch of the SD675 is a little odd given that the SD670 was announced just a few months ago. From what weve learned, the 675 is, overall, better than the SD670, and especially so in the gaming department. Gaming We havent seen the previous generation Snapdragon 660 platform on many phones in India, with the most notable device being the Nokia 7 Plus, and weve seen nothing of Snapdragon 710 platform. The SD660-based Nokia 7 Plus, however, did impress us with its performance, especially in gaming. As Sheldon Pinto noted in his review, the phone barely heated up when playing games. The relatively demanding and ever-popular PUBG was the only phone that pushed the phone, and by extension the chipset, hard, and even in that case, gaming performance at max settings was unhindered. The SD675 intends to better the 660 with further optimisations to gaming performance, most notably in PUBG, as well as introduce better optimisations for everyday tasks. In effect, Qualcomm is promising faster load times app load times (15-30 percent) and a much faster browsing experience (35 percent). The biggest update to gaming that Quaclomm is promising is 90 percent fewer janks. When it comes to gaming, frame-time is a more important metric than frame-rate. While frame-rate is a measure of the number of frames per second that are rendered, frame-time refers to the time it takes to render each frame. In competitive games, frame-time is critical. Bad frame-time is seen as stuttering in games, and its these instances of stutter that Qualcomm claims to have reduced. Qualcomm has done this by optimising its chipset with better support for game engines (Unity, Unreal Engine 4, etc.) and specific optimisations for certain games, including PUBG, QQ Car Racing, Cross Fire Mobile and so on. Display resolutions of up to FHD+ are supported. Camera Another major upgrade is seen in the camera department. The new features, and there are a lot of them, are powered by Qualcomms Spectra ISP (Image Signal Processor). New features include optimisations for 4K video capture, high-resolution depth-sensing, bokeh, HDR, 3D face unlock, multi-cam support, etc. These are features that are available on previous and competitor platforms as well, but the major difference is that the chip is now better optimised to handle such content. The biggest highlight could very well be limitless slo-mo, which would allow users to record extended 720p videos at an incredible 480p. Such videos were earlier limited to bursts of a second or less. Another important feature is zero shutter lag for certain types of cameras (single 25 MP or dual 16 MP). AI AI updates are usually hard to quantify. Youll experience faster AI as more responsive voice inputs, real-time style-transfer, enhanced security, and so on. On the iPhone XS, for example, Face Unlock is faster only because of advances in AI processing. With the SD675, Qualcomm claims 50 percent better AI performance, 3x faster secure unlock, improved payment security, better support for multiple voice assistants (via Qualcomm Aqstic Voice UI), and so on. Qualcomms Aqstic and aptX audio technologies are, of course, fully supported. Network and battery life Snapdragon 675 supports Qualcomms X12 LTE modem (600 Mbps) for connectivity and Quick Charge 4+ for the battery. The latter will apparently let you go from 0-50 percent in 15 minutes. The new platform is expected to ship in Q1 2019. Hopefully, we'll be seeing Snapdragon 675-powered devices at MWC next year. Reuters Richard Branson is quitting as chairman of Virgin Hyperloop One, saying the company, that plans to build a supersonic transport system in the United Arab Emirates and other countries, needs a more actively involved leader, the firm said on Monday. The Financial Times reported last week that Saudi Arabia had terminated a planned deal with Virgin Hyperloop One after Branson halted investment talks with Riyadh over the Jamal Khashoggi affair. The company made no reference to that in its statement on Monday. At this stage in the companys evolution, I feel it needs a more hands-on Chair, who can focus on the business and these opportunities, the statement quoted Branson as saying. It will be difficult for me to fulfil that commitment as I already devote significant time to my philanthropic ventures and the many business within the Virgin Group. Virgin Hyperloop Ones biggest shareholder, Dubais DP World, said the company was seeking a new chairman. Earlier this month Branson said his Virgin Group would suspend discussions with Saudi Arabias Public Investment Fund over a planned $1 billion investment in the groups space ventures, in light of the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was killed inside the consulate in Istanbul. Branson also suspend his directorship in two Saudi tourism projects around the Red Sea. tech2 News Staff Super Micro Computer recently announced that it would review its motherboards for any proof of malicious chips that were alleged by a report claiming that Chinese spies had placed chips inside the computer hardware maker's products. While the company did deny the allegation, it has now called for the retraction of the story. By doing this Super Micro joins Amazon Web Services CEO Andy Jassy, and Apple CEO Tim Cook who also asked the publication to retract the spy chip story by Bloomberg. In a statement made to CNBC, Super Micro CEO Charles J Liang noted at the lack of evidence by the publication saying that it has not produced a single affected motherboard, to support its claims. NEW: The CEO of Super Micro joins Apple CEO @tim_cook and Amazon Web Services CEO @ajassy in calling for Businessweek to retract its China chip story pic.twitter.com/dk8VdTtkxG Steve Kopack (@SteveKopack) October 22, 2018 Earlier this month, Bloomberg Businessweek published a report citing 17 unidentified sources from intelligence agencies and businesses claiming that Chinese spies had placed computer chips inside equipment used by about 30 companies. The companies under question included Apple, Amazon, Super Micro and many other government agencies in the US. The report said that these organisations would give Beijing secret access to internal networks. Denying the allegation, Tim Cook told BuzzFeed in an interview on 19 October that the story should be taken down. He said, "I feel they should retract their story. There is no truth in their story about Apple. They need to do the right thing." Apple also published a statement saying, "What Bloomberg is reporting about Apple is inaccurate." Amazon Web Services CEO Andy Jassy, on the other hand, also tweeted on 22 October that Tim Cook is right, and the allegations are faulty. @tim_cook is right. Bloomberg story is wrong about Amazon, too. They offered no proof, story kept changing, and showed no interest in our answers unless we could validate their theories. Reporters got played or took liberties. Bloomberg should retract. https://t.co/RZzuUt9fBM Andy Jassy (@ajassy) October 22, 2018 Britains national cybersecurity agency backed the two companies, saying that it had no reason to doubt the assessments made by Apple and Amazon that refuted the allegation. Reuters Computer hardware maker Super Micro Computer said on 22 October it would review its motherboards for any proof of malicious chips as alleged in a recent media report. Despite the lack of any proof that a malicious hardware chip exists, we are undertaking a complicated and time-consuming review to further address the article, the server and storage manufacturer said in a letter to its customers, dated 18 October. Shares of the San Jose, California-based company rose 4.3 percent to $14.70 on 22 October. A Bloomberg report on 4 October cited 17 unidentified sources from intelligence agencies and businesses that claimed Chinese spies had placed computer chips inside equipment used by about 30 companies, including Apple and Amazon and multiple US government agencies, which would give Beijing secret access to internal networks. Super Micro denied the allegations made in the report. The company said the design complexity makes it practically impossible to insert a functional, unauthorized component onto a motherboard without it being caught by the checks in its manufacturing and assembly process. It is entirely plausible that a malicious chip can be placed on a motherboard but it will be at a very high cost, and the risk of detection increases with every such chip in the field, said Jake Williams, a former National Security Agency analyst and founder of the cybersecurity firm Rendition Infosec. This technique would only be used for high-value targets that couldnt be easily compromised via another attack vector, Williams said. The Bloomberg report also said Apple in 2015 had found malicious chips on Super Micro motherboards and added that Amazon uncovered such chips the same year while examining servers made by Elemental Technologies, which Amazon eventually acquired. Both Apple and Amazon have denied the allegations. Apple chief executive officer Tim Cook told online news website BuzzFeed on 19 October that Bloomberg should retract the story. Amazon Web Services CEO Andy Jassy also joined Cook in asking Bloomberg to retract the report. Bloomberg story is wrong about Amazon, too ... Reporters got played or took liberties. Bloomberg should retract, Jassy said in a tweet on Monday. Bloomberg had previously said it stood by its report and was confident of its reporting, which was conducted for more than a year. Security experts, as well as the US and UK authorities, have said they had no knowledge of the attacks. Reuters Hundreds of drivers for ride-hailing giant Uber and its local rival Ola went on strike in the two biggest Indian cities, Delhi and Mumbai, on 22 October, demanding higher fares to meet rising fuel costs that are eating away at their incomes. Fuel prices in India have risen more than 20 percent since the start of the year but drivers say fares have not grown at the same rate, making it difficult for them to meet expenses despite working longer hours. The companies dont understand the issues drivers face ... they have reduced fares when they should be paying a higher rate, said Sunil Borkar, secretary at Mumbai taxi drivers union Maharashtra Rajya Rashtriya Kamgar Sangh. Borkar said there have been calls from some drivers for an indefinite strike in Mumbai until demands for higher fares are met. He was unsure about how many drivers would eventually join the strike, he added. Uber said in a statement: We regret the disruption caused to our rider and driver-partner community, due to a small group of individuals. It is committed to ensuring that drivers continue to access a stable income, it added. Ola did not respond to an email seeking comments. In both cities, passengers said they had to wait longer than normal for Uber and Ola cars. At a protest outside Ubers office in Mumbai, dozens of drivers held up placards with messages including Uber go back and Ola is the biggest thief while shouting slogans like down with Uber, according to a Reuters witness. One protestor was seen angrily beating a poster of Olas founder Bhavish Aggarwal with a flip-flop. Some drivers who were still ferrying passengers were pulled up by protesters and asked to stop working, the witness said. In Delhi, the strike by drivers was exacerbated by a separate stoppage by fuel pump owners demanding the city government cut the price of petrol and diesel in line with neighboring states. The rising cost of fuel, caused by higher oil prices and a weak rupee, is the latest setback for drivers already operating on thin margins. Their incomes have plunged over the past two years after Uber and Ola cut incentives to boost profitability. When incentives were high many drivers quit well-paying jobs and took out loans to buy cars in the hope of higher earnings. As more drivers joined the platforms and the supply of cars increased, the companies started scaling back on incentives. Some drivers say they are forced to work for up to 16 hours a day to make enough to pay interest on their loans, meet expenses and provide for their families. Uber should consider increasing fares to make the situation sustainable, said one Uber driver who has been operating on the platform for three years, and who did not join the strike. He did not wish to be named. He said some drivers stayed off the roads because they feared they would be targeted by those striking if they continued working. tech2 News Staff Researchers have invented a camera technology that has helped them film a species of sea cucumber popularly called the headless chicken monster in ocean waters off Antarctica. The organism Enypniastes eximia has only ever been spotted before in the Gulf of Mexico in 2017, and captured on camera for the first time in Antarctic waters this week using a new technology. The finding could add weight to the ongoing effort to create a new conservation zone in the Antarctic, according to a CNN report. The underwater camera technology was developed by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) to make long-range commercial fishing applications sustainable. "The cameras are providing important information about areas of seafloor that can withstand this type of fishing, and sensitive areas that should be avoided," Dirk Welsford, AAD leader was quoted in a statement. "Some of the footage we are getting back from the cameras is breathtaking, including species we have never seen in this part of the world." Data from this and previous studies by the AAD will be presented at an annual meeting of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), where new protection areas for maritime fishing will be proposed. The CCAMLR is an international convention comprising 24 member nations, including India, and was established as a regulatory committee to protect marine life and integrity of the Antarctic ecosystem. The large area off the Antarctic coast, where the headless chicken monster was tracked, also houses other delicate species like cold-water corals and penguin foraging grounds. It has long been pitched as a strong Marine Protected Area (MPA) candidate. Regions off the East Antarctic coast region have been part of past dialogues at CCAMLR thrice only to have been rejected by China and Russia, both of which have fishing interests in the region, a Nature report said. All 24 CCAMLR member nations must agree on a proposal for it to be accepted, and conservation groups are confident that this will be the year for the coast off East Antarctica to be green-lit. "Many changes have been made to the original proposal to address concerns by countries. Almost all CCAMLR Members have agreed it is ready to be adopted," Claire Christian, executive director of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, said in a statement. "We are therefore optimistic that any remaining concerns can be addressed". The species in the area are prized, and in need of dedicated conservation efforts, Gillian Slocum, CCAMLR Commissioner for Australia, said in the statement. "The Southern Ocean is home to an incredible abundance and variety of marine life, including commercially sought-after species, the harvesting of which must be carefully managed for the future. ATHENS More than ever Greek officials and business leaders emphasize the importance of help from the Hellenic Diaspora for Greece to recover and thrive. Elias Spirtounias, Executive Director of the American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) and Grigoris Stergioulis, Chairman of Enterprise Greece, a government agency designed to attract and assist foreign investors, recently discussed the main matters with The National Herald. The issues brought up by potential investors include frustrating bureaucratic red tape, maddeningly-slow law courts, sluggish bank lending, and questionable growth prospects. Investors also emphasize the importance of the rule of law and stable conditions necessary for company forecasts, including tax rates and the regulatory environment, and they cite the long-delayed Hellenikon development as a litmus test for Greeces seriousness about generating large investments. We all have to understand that Greece is competing for investments with more than 100 countries. If we dont improve our business environment and make it more friendly to investors, it will not happen,said Spirtounias. Stergioulis knows well the pain of Greeces courtsfrom his days as CEO of Hellenic Petroleum, but this bothers all of us. Those problems are not characteristics of a serious country. There are good intentions and numerous politicians and ministers have attempted to improve the situation, Spirtounias said, but they are blocked by the whole political mechanism and the expectations of the people. He asked rhetorically who will come out to explain to the average citizen,guys, forget about the past. Up to now the state could feed you, but now it cannot. But as a business organization this is what Amcham tries to covey somehow. There are reports of progress, especially with tourism investments, and the success stories of young entrepreneurs suggest mindsets are changing. At a recent press conference on Mediterranean hotels and resortsI was shocked to hear that the Greek hotel sector will gain the lions share of new investments approximately 22 billion euros in the next six years, Stergioulis said. MAKING FAST TRACK FASTER Stergioulis says there can be special arrangements for the legal requirements of foreign investors, and regarding bureaucratic obstacles, I must note that Enterprise Greece includes a program called Fast Track. It began five years ago an initiative of the prior government and we are currently strengthening it. With Fast Track, every businessman will receive rapid answers regarding issues or problems with their investmentswe also make efforts to coordinate with other agencies at all levels of government so that it can truly be a one stop shopOur aim is to monitor and assist investments from start to finishwe know it is easy say thisnow we must show this, he said. These are crucial developments for Greeces future, and Spirtounias said speaking of American companies, they are not governmental driventhey are looking for profits. In order to make their investments here, they will check off all the prerequisitesthey will plug in the numbers and only if they are ok will they make investments. As Greeks we need to understand that. And Stergioulis agrees, saying investments illustrate all the issues with a countrys economic development, but Islands of excellence and people who get it do exist. ENTREPRENEURIAL DIAMONDS Spirtounias told TNH that as a chamber, we are in contact with all kinds of companies, including startups, and you cant believe how many diamonds we have here in Greece, especially in the periphery far from Athens. The Diasporas help is needed to educate foreigners of Greeces diversity of goods and services and Greek excellence in IT and other fields in science and technology, and about the successes of young entrepreneurs. Stergioulis noted that groups like The Hellenic Initiative (THI) have helped tremendously, but we must all help the startups. Spirtounias added there are great businesses that few people know about. We usually spotlight these kinds of businesses at Chamber events, especially with the diaspora, but he acknowledged that You cant think about Greek-Americans only when you need them, when there are catastrophes and disasters. He recently emphasized on Greek TV the importance of reaching out to the diaspora and bringing them closer to the motherland, for example, by giving them the right to vote. To strengthen the bonds with the second and third generation, its a matter of strategy, but we dont have that strategy. Stergioulis also emphasizes thatwe must address the bad perceptions of Greece in the diaspora, and they are correct, based on their experiences. They have lost money. We must be fair, because Greece cannot exist without the Diaspora. He has a personal incentive: my daughter lives in Los Angeles, so I know about the reality of the brain drain. I want to reassure the diaspora that we will protect their investments and guard their interests. But there are more positive things for Stergioulis to accentuate, like the tremendous potential of the agricultural sector where young people are pursuing opportunities and thought is being given to overcoming challenges like the sectors fragmentation and the predominance of small plots which interfere with marketsrequirements for large scale operations. The EU is funding a number of smart farming pilot projects in Greece through Greek companies like Intrasoft. Returning to recent tourism gains Stergioulis urges American investors not be left out, citing not only direct investments in five-, six-, and seven-star hotels, but the accompanying needs for food service, medical care, spas and other areas. Amcham has helped with its investment road shows to the U.S. in conjunction with the Athens Stock Exchange and its annual Greek Economy Conference in Athens which will be held December 3-4. Among the positive recent developments Stergioulis says is that Greek relations with the United States are the best ever, thanks to efforts of both countries, but he warnedwe must be careful to maintain them and the recent deepening and strengthening of relations with Israel is on all levels. 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 tech2 News Staff Over the past four decades, probes and rovers have gathered more and more evidence that Mars was once home to some or the other form of life. Scientists now think the planet may have all the ingredients for life to exist and now. A researcher at the Jet Propulsion Lab, the division of NASA that spearheads its Mars missions, published evidence in support of this seemingly out-there theory in Nature Geoscience on 22 October. The study looks into how much oxygen the Martian soil has in the form of oxides, nitrides or other compounds that could be mined (biologically) by tiny life forms today, or humans in the future. The oxygen content and two key discoveries made about Mars in recent years are the crux of why JPL researchers think the planet could be host life invisible to us. The first find, made by NASAs Curiosity rover, found rocks abundant in oxides. These rocks could have once had water running through it, research has found. The second discovery is that of salty water that once ran on Marss surface. These reservoirs in Mars's ancient past left behind traces of their existence in the form of salt and mineral compositions of rocks that formed the bed for these brine water deposits. Compelling as the evidence may be, proving these theories could be difficult, researchers think, as the process of collecting samples from what could be wet or moist regions is currently not in the cards for researchers. The Mars missions are designed to avoid areas that could have life so there isnt any contamination of life on Mars from any hardy bacteria from Earth. Since the first Mars missions in 1960, life on Mars had the connotation of being rugged and hardy, and the planet dry and desolate. Finding oxygen on Mars would mean that Martian life forms neednt necessarily be survivors that have beaten all the odds. Instead, life and habitability may simply be elsewhere on the planet maybe underground, after the Martian surface grew increasingly inhospitable. tech2 News Staff When someone says iceberg, it may remind you of the famous image of a massive chunk of ice floating in the water, seven-eighths of it submerged; or it may even remind you of the Hollywood hit Titanic. However, in neither of the visual systems that register in your brain, will you ever see what NASA just saw. Nature has strange ways of reminding us of its aesthetic nature, and this time it chose to express it by showing a rather symmetric iceberg. NASA ICE on Twitter, shared an image of a tabular iceberg floating in the sea, freshly separated off the Larsen C ice shelf. The slab appears to be cut precisely at 90-degree angles, making it look like someone deliberately did it. From yesterday's #IceBridge flight: A tabular iceberg can be seen on the right, floating among sea ice just off of the Larsen C ice shelf. The iceberg's sharp angles and flat surface indicate that it probably recently calved from the ice shelf. pic.twitter.com/XhgTrf642Z NASA ICE (@NASA_ICE) October 17, 2018 The image was discovered by NASA as part of 'Operation IceBridge.' It is an ongoing mission to monitor changes in polar ice. Developments and changes in ice are followed in an airborne mission to the ICESat satellite. The objective is to document Earth's polar regions in images so that researchers can study changes in ice, in terms of thickness, location, accumulation, and more The iceberg may seem odd to you, but it appears that it is a natural phenomenon. Icebergs are known to have two shapes, tabular and non-tabular. Tabular icebergs generally have steep sides and a flat top. They look much like a plateau and the length-to-height ratio above water is more than 5:1. According to a report by Live Science, Kelly Brunt, an ice scientist with NASA and at the University of Maryland, there is a possibility that this iceberg was formed by a process that's quite common along the edges of icebergs. "Tabular icebergs form, through a process that's a bit like a fingernail growing too long and cracking off at the end. They're often rectangular and geometric as a result. What makes this one a bit unusual is that it looks almost like a square," Brunt said. It is not easy to tell the actual size of the iceberg from the photo, but it sure is unlike what we've seen and it's pretty cool. Dinesh C Sharma Indian farmers usually do not wear any protective gear while spraying chemicals in fields. This exposes them to harmful toxics contained in pesticides, causing severe health impacts and even death in extreme cases. Indian scientists have now developed a protective gel to address this problem. The gel can be applied on skin and can break down toxic chemicals in pesticides, insecticides and fungicides including the most hazardous and widely used organo phosphorous compounds. The gel deactivates these chemicals, preventing them from going deep into the skin and organs like the brain and the lungs. It has been found to be effective in tests done in rats and researchers hope to soon test it in humans. Exposure to chemicals contained in pesticides interferes with an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase (AChE) which is present in the nervous system and is critical for neuromuscular functions. When its functioning is disrupted by chemical pesticides entering the body through the skin, it can cause neurotoxicity, cognitive dysfunction and even death in severe cases. When the gel was applied on rats and they were exposed to a lethal dose of pesticide MPT, it did not lead to any change in their AChE level, showing it could prevent penetration of the pesticide into the skin. The gel, named poly-Oxime, has been prepared by researchers at the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem), Bangalore from a nucleophilic polymer. In lab studies, rats treated with poly-Oxime gel survived pesticide treatment, whereas rats with no gel or sham gel showed symptoms of poisoning or died. The results of the study were reported in journal Science Advances on Thursday. The gel does not act like a physical barrier, but it acts like a catalyst to deactivate organophosphate. An oxime could hydrolyze multiple organophosphate molecules, one after another. And it can do so at temperatures ranging from 20 to 40 degrees, and even after long exposure to ultraviolet light. Our data suggests that a thin layer of poly-Oxime gel can hydrolyze organophosphates on the skin; therefore, it can prevent AChE inhibition quantitatively in blood and in all internal organs such as brain, lung, liver, and heart, the study notes. It has also been found that the catalytic gel can work against a range of commonly used commercial pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides. At present, we are conducting extensive safety studies in animals which will be completed in four months. Subsequently we plan a pilot study in humans to demonstrate efficacy of the gel, Praveen Kumar Vemula, a senior member of the research team, told India Science Wire. As the next logical step, the research group plans to develop an active mask to deactivate pesticides since the gel now developed does not provide any protection from inhalation of pesticide vapours, according to Vemula. In order to understand the problem of toxicity caused by pesticides, researchers interacted with several farmers and their families. While many of them said they experienced pain right after spraying pesticides, they had no access to protective means. Farmers, according to researchers, showed willingness to adopt any low-cost topical methods that can prevent pesticide exposure. NEW YORK (Reuters) - Federal agents were piecing together on Tuesday how a small bomb ended up in a mailbox outside a New York home owned by billionaire financier George Soros. Soros, one of the world's biggest donors to liberal groups and causes, was not there at the time on Monday NEW YORK (Reuters) - Federal agents were piecing together on Tuesday how a small bomb ended up in a mailbox outside a New York home owned by billionaire financier George Soros. Soros, one of the world's biggest donors to liberal groups and causes, was not there at the time on Monday. Investigators have not named any suspects or disclosed a possible motive, but Soros has become a hated figure among some right-wing activists in the United States and Eastern Europe, and the target of a hostile media campaign by the nationalist government in his native Hungary. An employee at the home in Katonah, an upscale hamlet about 41 miles (66 km) north of New York City, opened a package at around 3:45 p.m. ET (1945 GMT) on Monday and found what appeared to be an explosive device, the Bedford Police Department said. Bomb squad technicians detonated it in a nearby wooded area, police said. There was no warning of a possible threat to Soros, and there was no continuing threat to Soros or the public, a law enforcement official said. The FBI's New York field office did not respond to a request for comment. Soros has donated billions of dollars to his Open Society Foundations, a grant-making organization that funds civil society groups around the world. It has clashed with Hungary's government over its restrictions on immigration and asylum seekers. "In this climate of fear, falsehoods and rising authoritarianism, just voicing your views can draw death threats," Open Society Foundations said in a statement. "George Soros deplores violence of any kind, and urges politicians across the political spectrum to tone down their rhetoric." U.S. President Donald Trump, a Republican, said earlier this month, without citing evidence, that Soros had paid protesters who confronted senators at hearings for Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh. Open Society Foundations has denied the claim. Agents described it as a small pipe bomb made from about 6 inches (15 cm) of pipe filled with explosive powder, and said the package appeared to have been hand-delivered rather than sent through the mail, the New York Times reported, citing unnamed law enforcement officials. Images of the address published by Google Maps show a mailbox on the side of the road in front of a gated driveway. A Jew who survived the Nazi occupation of Hungary, Soros is a frequent target of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories that circulate in right-wing forums online. In July 2010, a convicted bank robber named Byron Williams told police in California that he was planning to attack the San Francisco offices of the Tides Foundation because of the donations it had received from Soros. According to media reports, Williams was sent to prison for 401 years. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee Additional reporting by Mark Hosenball in Washington and Jonathan Allen, Jennifer Ablan and Peter Szekely in New York Editing by Bernadette Baum and Jeffrey Benkoe) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The Bangladesh Police has arrested prominent pro-opposition newspaper editor and lawyer Moinul Hosein on a defamation charge, days after he was exposed to massive criticism for calling a woman journalist 'characterless' on a TV talk show. Dhaka: The Bangladesh Police has arrested prominent pro-opposition newspaper editor and lawyer Moinul Hosein on a defamation charge, days after he was exposed to massive criticism for calling a woman journalist "characterless" on a TV talk show. Hosein, the owner and editor of the Daily New Nation, is a well-known critic of the government and though he does not belong to any party, the 78-year-old is known for his right-wing political views. The barrister, who had served as an adviser with ministerial status in the past caretaker government, was arrested Monday night by police's Detective Branch. "We have arrested Barrister Moinul Hosein in compliance with an arrest warrant issued by a court in (northwestern) Rangpur," Joint Commissioner at the Detective Branch Mahbub Alal told reporters. Hosein would be kept in police custody overnight at the Detective Branch office to be produced before a court Tuesday for subsequent legal procedures, he said. On a talk show on 16 October midnight journalist Masuda Bhatti had asked Hosein if he represented fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami in the newly-floated Unity Front, as being speculated on the social media. In his reply, Hosein had said, "I thank you for your audacity (in asking the question) and want to call you a characterless (person)." Hosein had a played a key role in the formation of the recently-floated Unity Front, an alliance between the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and other centrist parties. He was arrested around 10 pm from the residence of left-leaning opposition politician ASM Abdur Rab of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), which is also a part of the alliance. "He came out of the house as the plainclothesmen laid a siege around the house and sent him the message that they awaited outside with the warrant," a witness to the arrest process told PTI. The Unity Front comprises main opposition outside parliament BNP and several other political groups led by prominent lawyer Kamal Hossain. Hosein is also a former chairman of the Board of Editors of the Daily Ittefaq, one of Bangladesh's oldest newspapers. Earlier, Masuda Bhatti had said Hosein had called her to apologise. But, his move could help him little to evade a spate of massive disparagement and a series of defamation cases filed by women rights groups and the one lodged by the woman journalist. A police officer said at least six defamation cases were filed against Hosein for his comments while he managed to secure bail in three of them. "We arrested him in one of the cases where he was not protected under the High Court order," the officer said. Hosien's younger brother Anwar Hossain is a senior minister in the cabinet as his faction of Jatiya Party (JP) is a partner of the Awami League-led ruling coalition. Hours ahead of the arrest Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told a news conference that Hosein deserved punitive actions for his defamatory comments against a lady colleague of yours. She also described him an agent of the 1971 Pakistani forces and no less responsible for the killing of martyred journalist Serajuddin Hossain during the 1971 Liberation War. By Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - CIA Director Gina Haspel, in Turkey to investigate the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, has sought to hear a purported audio recording of his torture and murder, four sources familiar with her mission told Reuters on Tuesday. Haspel flew to Turkey on Monday for what one source called a brief visit, three weeks after Khashoggi disappeared in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and days after U.S. By Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - CIA Director Gina Haspel, in Turkey to investigate the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, has sought to hear a purported audio recording of his torture and murder, four sources familiar with her mission told Reuters on Tuesday. Haspel flew to Turkey on Monday for what one source called a brief visit, three weeks after Khashoggi disappeared in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and days after U.S. President Donald Trump asked Turkey to share evidence it had collected. Despite extensive news leaks alleging that Turkey has audio recordings documenting Khashoggi's demise, neither U.S. nor allied government agencies have been granted access as of late Monday to such evidence, Western security officials said. Saudi Arabia said on Saturday that Khashoggi - a U.S. resident, columnist for the Washington Post and critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - died inside the consulate after a fight. U.S. and allied intelligence agencies possess little hard evidence as they examine what role the crown prince, 33, may have played, officials have told Reuters. Trump, who has forged closer ties with Saudi Arabia and the crown prince, last week said the United States had asked Turkey for any audio or video evidence. Some evidence has been verbally described to U.S. officials. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday dismissed Saudi efforts to blame the killing on rogue operatives but stopped short of mentioning the crown prince. He did not refer to an audio recording in his speech in parliament. There are no plans for Haspel to travel to Saudi Arabia during her trip, sources familiar with the mission said. (Reporting By Mark Hosenball; Editing by Mary Milliken and Howard Goller) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. HERAT, Afghanistan (Reuters) - A Czech member of the NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan was killed and two others wounded on Monday in the western province of Herat, the Czech Defence Ministry said. Earlier, the Resolute Support headquarters in Kabul said initial reports indicated the attack was carried out by a member of the Afghan security forces. It had not released the nationality of the service members. HERAT, Afghanistan (Reuters) - A Czech member of the NATO-led Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan was killed and two others wounded on Monday in the western province of Herat, the Czech Defence Ministry said. Earlier, the Resolute Support headquarters in Kabul said initial reports indicated the attack was carried out by a member of the Afghan security forces. It had not released the nationality of the service members. The Czech ministry said in a statement that the two injured soldiers had been taken to Bagram military hospital and did not face life-threatening injuries. The attack was on a vehicle, it said but gave no further details although a spokeswoman said the incident occurred on a base. The Czech ministry and local officials said the attack happened in Shindand district to the south of Herat city, an area with heavy Taliban presence. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, a spokesman for the insurgents said in an emailed statement. The attack was the latest in a series this year in which U.S. or coalition troops have been killed by Afghan soldiers or police. Last month, U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis said training and vetting of Afghan forces was being stepped up to minimise the so-called insider attacks. The incident came only days after the NATO commander in Afghanistan, General Scott Miller, escaped unhurt when the bodyguard of a provincial governor opened fire on a group of U.S. and Afghan officials in the southern province of Kandahar. In August, three Czech soldiers were killed in a suicide attack, the deadliest incident involving the Czech army's foreign missions in four years. (Reporting by James Mackenzie and Jalil Ahmad Rezayee; additional reporting by Jason Hovet in Prague; Editing by Mark Heinrich and David Stamp) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Americas news networks are running out of things to hash over and are instead warming up leftovers that Donald Trump serves up on his Twitter handle and via his army of White House loyalists. With less than 15 days to go before the 2018 midterms which will decide control over the twin houses of US Congress, Donald Trump continues to drive the agenda as his ratings soar and he frames the race once again in terms of race, immigration and jobs - his winning themes in 2016. New York: Americas news networks are running out of things to hash over and are instead warming up leftovers that Donald Trump serves up on his Twitter handle and via his army of White House loyalists. With less than 15 days to go before the 2018 midterms which will decide control over the two chambers of US Congress (House and Senate), Donald Trump continues to drive the agenda as his ratings soar and he frames the race, once again, in terms of race, immigration and jobs - his winning themes in 2016. Using racially charged language, the Trump stump for this election cycle goes something like this: Elect Democrats and you'll have mob rule, a socialist takeover and maybe even terrorists marching on the US border. From breakfast shows to late night prime-time, television pundits are talking up an alphabet soup of headlines - all scripted by Trump where the Opposition comes away looking like it doesn't have an agenda of its own; all it does is lead an anti-Trump gabfest. In the middle of all this whataboutery, Donald Trump's A team is whipping out reports at top speed to align with Trumps campaign themes and lend both intellectual heft and data to Trumps flame throwing on immigration, jobs and anything else he chooses. Its a classic 1-2 maneuvre, its only getting smoother with time. In getting after what they call Donald Trump's "lies", most of the left leaning networks have themselves stopped talking about issues. Bright and early on Tuesday morning, a formidable pack of economy specialists conducted an hour-long background briefing on the the opportunity cost of socialism at a time when they assess that detailed policy proposals from self-declared socialists are gaining support in Congress and among much of the younger electorate. Interesting that the report talks of voters right up front instead of making it seem like a purely academic exercise. This kind of methodical yet bare-knuckle approach to government statements has become a signature of the White House over the past year or so. Trump has always preferred one pagers, has openly slammed long reports as ridiculous and shown his irritation often. But these reports, when they act as force multipliers to Trumps own Twitter rants, make for a heady combination of political craft and persuasive ability. Take the tweet below, for instance. In reponse to many of these Trumpisms, CNN has been running wall to wall coverage on how the US President is "spreading lies" and spooking the American public ahead of the election. Every time you see a Caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, into our Country illegally, think of and blame the Democrats for not giving us the votes to change our pathetic Immigration Laws! Remember the Midterms! So unfair to those who come in legally. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2018 Trump claimed there were Middle Easterners in the migrant caravan and networks go chasing the story to Mexico and beyond to prove there arent any Middle Easterners. What do viewers get? Powerful visuals of the 7,000 or more ragged and thirsty folks risking all they have to trudge thousands of miles to America. Trump says this proves Americas immigration laws are bad. Yes, of course theyre horrible, agree voters everywhere. Theres no ambiguity there. Trump now owns this issue the way no other President has in several years and armies of news camera crews at the border are only helping Trump's narrative. Within hours of the socialism briefing, the White House whipped out another report to accompany Trumps border security claims. As a result of Democrat-supported loopholes in our federal laws, most illegal immigrant families and minors from Central America who arrive unlawfully at the border cannot be detained together or removed together, only released, said Trump. Here are the numbers White House supplied: "We have seen a record-shattering surge in the arrival of family units, with more than 161,000 family unit apprehensions and inadmissibles in fiscal year (FY) 2018. This historic surge was 42 percent higher than any previous year on record. In the last three months, family unit apprehensions made up the highest percentage of total apprehensions in history. Tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors continue to stream across our borders. Unaccompanied minor apprehensions and inadmissibles totaled 58,660 in FY 2018, an increase of nearly 10,000, or approximately 20 percent, compared to FY 2017." Somethings clearly working, and just in time for the 6 November election. Trump is posting some of the best job approval numbers of his presidency. His approval rating is currently 43.1 - 47 % according to a variety of polls but in any case, its the highest its been since March 2017. For those whore saying this doesnt matter because Republicans are all set to lose the House, Trump has his answers ready - get ready for the big election in 2020, this one wasnt about me, it was about all these other people whove messed up. In midterms, American voters have historically tended to seek a balance of national political power, even if they like the president. Secondly, the presidents approval ratings and the House results dont typically travel in the same direction. History books also tell us Republicans are going to lose the House, the same way history whispered to us that Donald Trump wouldn't win the presidency. Under the previous government there was an emphasis on infrastructure schemes, but the current government of Khan wanted projects involving agriculture, job creation and foreign investment take centre stage, the report said. Pakistan has already approached the International Monetary Fund for a bailout to stabilise the economy. Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan would tell the Chinese leadership that his government wants a "significant shift" in the infrastructure projects under the controversy-hit China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the country, according to a media report on Monday. The $60 billion CPEC is the flagship venture of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a pet project of Chinese president Xi Jinping aimed at enhancing Beijing's influence around the world through China-funded infrastructure projects. The CPEC is a planned network of roads, railways and energy projects linking China's resource-rich Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with Pakistan's strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea. Imran is set to embark on his first visit to China on 3 November during which he is expected to call on President Xi as well as meet his counterpart Li Keqiang. "During his meetings in the friendly country, Imran would inform the Chinese leadership that his government wanted to bring about a significant shift in the projects falling under the purview of the CPEC," the Dawn newspaper reported, quoting unnamed sources as saying. Under the previous government there was an emphasis on infrastructure schemes, but the current government of Imran wanted projects involving agriculture, job creation and foreign investment take centre stage, the report said. Pakistan has already approached the International Monetary Fund for a bailout to stabilise the economy. The US has said that the huge Chinese debt was responsible for the economic challenges in Pakistan, adding that it will review Islamabad's bailout plea to the IMF from all angles, including the country's debt position. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said that the US thinks that part of the reason for Pakistan's financial crisis is Chinese debt. India has protested to Beijing over the CPEC as it traversed through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Cash-strapped Pakistan has already announced plans to cut a $8.2 billion railway project between the Karachi and Peshawar the biggest under the CPEC by about $2 billion to reduce the debt burden. Meanwhile, the report also said that due to suspension of funding to CPEC's infrastructure projects, the National Highway Authority's road projects worth over Rs 1 trillion have been adversely affected. Many projects in the energy sector have also been hit. The affected projects include the 210km Dera Ismail Khan-Zhob road, the 110km Khuzdar-Basima road and a 136km portion of the Karakoram Highway. In a recent meeting about his visit to China, Imran said that early implementation of the CPEC projects would help realise the true potential of the economic ties between the two countries. He emphasised the need for early establishment of Special Economic Zones in various parts of the country and hoped these zones would help the local industry grow, creating huge employment opportunities for the youth, the report said. Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was attacked in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul within two minutes after he entered it and was dead in seven minutes, the New York Times reported. Washington: Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was attacked in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul within two minutes after he entered it and was dead in seven minutes, the New York Times reported. A person close to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan revealed "new specificity to the Turkish claims about the speed with which Khashoggi was killed and said (that) it also showed premeditation". According to the daily, Khashoggi came under attack within two minutes of entering the consulate on 2 October and was dead within seven minutes. He was dismembered in 22 minutes. Turkish officials have previously said that the Saudi killer team had finished its work and left the consulate within less than two hours. The New York Times also said that Saudi agents who killed Khashoggi brought a body double who resembled the dissident and wore his clothes as part of a cover-up. Turkey leaked security camera video footage on Monday showing the look-alike strolling the streets of Istanbul shortly after Khashoggi had been killed inside the Saudi consulate. "The inclusion of a body double in the squad is the latest indication that the death of Khashoggi, a Virginia resident and The Washington Post columnist last seen on 2 October, occurred during a premeditated plot by the Saudis to abduct or kill him and hide what they did." On Saturday, Saudi Arabia's rulers admitted for the first time that their agents had killed Khashoggi. They said he was accidentally strangled during a brawl that broke out in the consulate as the Saudi agents tried to persuade him to return to the kingdom. The Saudi officials have also said that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the 33-year-old de facto ruler of the kingdom, had no knowledge of the mission and that he learned of the killing only two weeks later. But this theory is widely challenged. The Times quoted a source as saying that Khashoggi's body was rolled into a rug before handing it over. Although President Erdogan has promised to reveal a truth "in full nakedness" on Tuesday, the daily said he does not intend to disclose the specific evidence other officials have cited. "Some of that evidence may have been obtained through audio surveillance of the consulate in violation of international agreements... "But he remains determined to try to assign the blame for the killing to the upper reaches of the Saudi royal court, as close as possible to the crown prince." Meanwhile, Khashoggi's fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, has been placed under police protection, a Turkish official said. The step had been taken not because of any specific threat but because Cengiz, who was to marry Khashoggi the day after he went to the Saudi Consulate, had been the target of online abuse, the Times said. First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the UAEs largest bank and one of the worlds largest and safest financial institutions, has reported third quarter earnings at Dh3 billion ($816 million), up 16 per cent year-on-year, a media report said. The group posted a net profit of Dh9.1 billion for the nine-month period ended September 30, up 12 per cent year-on-year and annualised Earning Per Share (EPS) at Dh1.07, reported Emirates news agency Wam, citing a FAB financial statement ''Nine-month operating income reached Dh14.6 billion, up 1 per cent year-on-year. Group revenue for 9M17 included opportunistic investment gains of around Dh400 million that were not repeated in 2018. Excluding these non-recurring items, 9M18 operating income is up 4 per cent year-on-year,'' the financial statement showed. The Group enjoys a strong liquidity position and remains well capitalised with total equity reaching Dh100 billion, and Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio at 13.6 per cent as of September-end 2018 Industry-leading asset quality metrics, operating efficiency and improved profitability. Abdulhamid Saeed, Group chief executive officer of FAB, said:"FABs performance in the first nine months of 2018 demonstrates the fundamental strength of the bank, as we grew our franchise and cemented our position as the UAEs largest listed company by market capitalisation. During this period, we continued to realise our business objectives, set goals and deliver key milestones on our integration journey while maintaining a strong balance sheet with healthy liquidity, asset quality and capital ratios, thereby laying solid foundations for future growth. Alongside our strong financial results, we are equally proud of our wider achievements, including being recognised by The Banker as the regions Most Innovative Investment Bank for the third year running and as the Safest Bank in Middle East for the second consecutive year by Global Finance, he added. "FAB continues to play an important role in advancing the economic goals of the country and in support of Abu Dhabis economic growth plans. We are committed to be a key delivery partner for the Ghadan 2021 development accelerator programme, which will enhance Abu Dhabis competitiveness in four key areas: business and investment, society, knowledge and innovation, and lifestyle. Furthermore, with our presence across five continents, we are well positioned to drive economic growth and innovation by facilitating business relationships across geographies, Saeed concluded. Saudi Arabia initially denied knowledge of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder, before claiming he was killed in a fistfight at its consulate in Istanbul. The explanation that drew scepticism from several Western governments. Amid growing controversy surrounding the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, there have been several reports on how the murder was orchestrated and what preceded it. The New York Times reported that Saudi agents behind Khashoggi's death had used a body double. Saud al-Qahtani, a top aide of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, led the operation via Skype, according to Reuters. A columnist for The Washington Post and critic of the Saudi government, Khashoggi disappeared soon after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October to obtain documents for his marriage. Saudi Arabia initially denied knowledge of his fate, but after nearly three weeks of denial, claimed he had died in a fistfight at the consulate. Turkish officials have said they believe that 15 Saudi men who arrived in Istanbul on two flights on 2 October were connected to Khashoggi's death. Several of the 15 men sent to Istanbul were from the personal security staff of the Saudi crown price. The Turks also said they have audio recordings of what happened. The Saudi consulate then said it has fired five top officials and arrested 18 others as part of its investigation into Khashoggi's killing. Saudi officials also asserted that Crown Prince Salman had no knowledge of the mission, and that he had learned of the killing only two weeks later. Saudi Arabia's contradictory explanations Saudi authorities first insisted that the journalist left its consulate in Istanbul alive, before admitting later that Khashoggi was murdered inside the building by individuals "outside the scope of their authority". After maintaining silence initially, Riyadh, on 4 October, said the journalist had disappeared "after he left the consulate building". The following day, the crown prince was quoted as saying by Bloomberg that Khashoggi was not in the consulate in the first place. On 13 October, Saudi Arabia's interior minister rejected accusations that Khashoggi was ordered murdered by a hit squad inside the consulate, dismissing them as "lies and baseless allegations". Finally, on the intervening night of 19 and 20 October, Saudi Arabia admitted that the journalist was killed inside its consulate in Istanbul, but claimed that he died in a fistfight. "Discussions that took place between him and the persons who met him... led to a brawl and a fistfight with the citizen, Khashoggi, which led to his death," Saudi Attorney General Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb said in a statement. However, Ali Shihabi, the head of pro-Saudi think tank Arabia Foundation, which is believed to be close to the government, contradicted the Saudi narrative. Citing a senior Saudi source, he said "Khashoggi had died from a chokehold during a physical altercation, not a fistfight". Khashoggi lookalike brought in to cover up murder According to a New York Times report, Khashoggi was attacked at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul within two minutes of entering the premises, was dead in seven minutes and dismembered in 22 minutes. A source close to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan revealed "new specificity to the Turkish claims about the speed with which Khashoggi was killed" and that these details "also showed premeditation". The report also said that the Saudi agents who killed Khashoggi brought in a body double, who wore the dissident's clothes as part of a cover-up. On Monday, Turkey leaked security camera footage showing the lookalike strolling the streets of Istanbul shortly after Khashoggi had been killed inside the Saudi consulate. "The inclusion of a body double in the squad is the latest indication that the death of Khashoggi, a Virginia resident and a Washington Post columnist last seen on 2 October, occurred during a premeditated plot by the Saudis to abduct or kill him and hide what they did," the report said. How the man behind Khashoggi murder ran the killing via Skype Saud al-Qahtani, a top aide of the crown prince who ran his social media accounts, allegedly led journalist Khashoggis brutal killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by giving orders over Skype. On Saturday, Saudi state media said King Salman had sacked al-Qahtani and four other officials over the murder, believed to have been carried out by a 15-man hit team. This episode wont topple the crown prince, but it has hit his image, which will take a long time to be repaired if it ever does. The king is protecting him, a source with ties to the royal court was quoted as saying by Reuters. Al-Qahtani himself once said he would never do anything without his boss approval. According to a high-ranking Arab source with access to intelligence and links to members of Saudi Arabias royal court, al-Qahtani was beamed into a room of the Saudi consulate via Skype. A Turkish intelligence source relayed that at one point, al-Qahtani told his men to dispose of Khashoggi's body. Bring me the head of the dog, the Turkish intelligence source says al-Qahtani instructed the other men. The Arab source and the Turkish intelligence source said the audio of the Skype call is now in Erdogan's possession. The sources said he is refusing to release the clip to Americans. Saudi Arabia reportedly deployed Twitter army against Khashoggi, other critics According to a New York Times report, the crown prince is believed to have ordered an online campaign to monitor and attack the dissident Saudi voices on Twitter. As part of the campaign, trolls would harass and silence critical voices, including Khashoggi's. The report details the grooming of a Twitter employee, Ali Alzabarah, who after being convinced by the Saudis, accessed a number of target Twitter accounts. Al-Qahtani allegedly led the group of Twitter trolls. According to the report, they used group chats to distribute lists of people to harass, topics to monitor and to issue pro-government messages across multiple accounts. On Sunday, the Turkish president had vowed to reveal within days the "naked truth" about Khashoggi's death, even as Riyadh said it did not know the whereabouts of his body, and that the crown prince had been unaware of any operation to murder the journalist. Erdogan is expected to reveal what he meant by "naked truth" on Tuesday. Omer Celik, a spokesperson for Erdogan's ruling party, said the killing "was planned in an extremely savage manner", and that "there has been a lot of effort to whitewash this". Meanwhile, US president Donald Trump, who had earlier said he found Riyadh's initial explanations credible, told reporters at the White House on Monday that he was "not satisfied" with what he had heard, and that he expected to know more "very soon". With inputs from agencies A number of Western politicians and global business chiefs stayed away from Saudi Arabias premier investment event over the Khashoggi case. Riyadh: Saudi Arabias crown prince trumpeted on Tuesday a conference that has drawn investment deals worth $50 billion despite a boycott over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, declaring the event as great - more people more money. This years Future Investment Initiative was overshadowed by the death of the Saudi journalist, a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who vanished after he entered the countrys consulate in Istanbul on 2 October. A number of Western politicians and global business chiefs stayed away from Saudi Arabias premier investment event over the Khashoggi case. After first denying any involvement, Riyadh said on Saturday Khashoggi died during a fight in the consulate. Later, a Saudi official attributed the death to a chokehold. On Tuesday the Saudi cabinet, after a meeting headed by King Salman, promised to hold to account those who where responsible for Khashoggis death and those who failed in their duties in the case that has provoked an international furore and strained ties between Riyadh and the West. Prince Mohammed, known as MbS, arrived at the conference late in the day after attending a meeting at which the king received members of Khashoggis family, including his son Salah. Many in the audience of over 2,000 clapped or cheered as the prince, the kingdoms de facto ruler and architect of its reform drive, entered the main hall, smiling as he sat down. The crown prince, who praised the conference in comments to reporters as he toured the venue, will participate in a panel on Wednesday. The event is being held at the opulent Ritz-Carlton, where scores of princes, businessmen and officials were detained in a crackdown on corruption soon after 2017 conference ended, unnerving investors and raising concern about transparency. Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, who was among those detained, appeared at the forum beside MbS, who led the anti-corruption drive. Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih assured the conference that the worlds top crude exporter was passing through a crisis of a sort but would power ahead with economic reforms. The chief executive of Saudi Aramco said the government remained committed to a partial flotation of the oil giant but that the timing would depend on market conditions and other factors. Stocks Fall Hundreds of bankers and company executives joined officials for the Future Investment Initiative. While inaugural conference in 2017 drew the global business elite, this years event has been marred by the withdrawal of more than two dozen high-level speakers. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday dismissed attempts by Riyadh to blame Khashoggis "savage" killing on rogue operatives, saying the person who ordered the death must "be brought to account". Many foreign investors see a risk that the Khashoggi case could damage Riyadhs ties with Western governments. Saudi Arabias stock index was down 1.3 percent in late trading on persistent investor concern. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and senior ministers from Britain and France pulled out of the event along with chief executives or chairmen of about a dozen big financial firms such as JP Morgan Chase and HSBC, and International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, who also withdrew from the event, said the firm was awaiting the full facts on Khashoggis case before deciding whether that would affect Saudi involvement in the ride-hailing service. Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth fund has invested in Uber and its managing director sits on the apps board. Saudi worth supporting Russia sent a large delegation led by Direct Investment Fund head Kirill Dmitriev. He said Khashoggis killing needed to be investigated and the culprits punished, but that the Saudi drive for economic and social reform could not be ignored. Lupin warns of more pricing pressure as fourth-quarter profit halves | Reuters By Zeba Siddiqui | MUMBAI MUMBAI Indian drugmaker Lupin Ltd expects to launch over 30 products in the United States this year, but warned revenue growth would remain muted due to growing pricing pressure and competition in the world's largest healthcare market."We've talked about medium single digits of price erosion in the past and I think we are now (seeing) high single digits," Managing Director Nilesh Gupta told Reuters after Lupin reported a quarterly profit that halved from a year earlier.The country's third-largest drugmaker has been working on building a pipeline of high-value complex generic drugs in the United States to offset growing competition in plain generics. But a consolidation among drug distributors has hit generic companies' ability to negotiate on prices, and price hikes have also become harder to justify amid regulatory scrutiny."Competition is increasing and (distributors) are getting more powerful than ever before," Gupta said. The company expects to launch more than 30 drugs this year, most of which would be small to medium-sized opportunities, with bigger, more lucrative launches planned for 2019, he added WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he will probably meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next month, when both leaders will be in Paris for the centenary of the end of World War One. After a meeting in Moscow between Putin and Trumps national security adviser John Bolton, officials on both sides said a preliminary agreement on a Nov WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he will probably meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next month, when both leaders will be in Paris for the centenary of the end of World War One. After a meeting in Moscow between Putin and Trumps national security adviser John Bolton, officials on both sides said a preliminary agreement on a Nov. 11 meeting in the French capital had been reached, and that detailed arrangements were underway. (Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Tom Brown) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Gulsen Solaker and Susan Heavey ANKARA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Turkey and the United States vowed on Tuesday to get to the bottom of the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and punish those responsible, after Saudi Arabia admitted that the prominent journalist died during a Saudi security operation in Istanbul. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan dismissed Saudi efforts to blame the murder on rogue operatives and urged Riyadh to search 'from top to bottom' to uncover those behind it, while U.S By Gulsen Solaker and Susan Heavey ANKARA/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Turkey and the United States vowed on Tuesday to get to the bottom of the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and punish those responsible, after Saudi Arabia admitted that the prominent journalist died during a Saudi security operation in Istanbul. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan dismissed Saudi efforts to blame the murder on rogue operatives and urged Riyadh to search "from top to bottom" to uncover those behind it, while U.S. Vice President Mike Pence described the killing as "barbaric." Graphic on Khashoggi killing - https://tmsnrt.rs/2NZDmEN Khashoggi's death in the Saudi consulate on Oct. 2 has caused global outrage and raised questions about the possible role of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the powerful de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia who tightly controls the kingdom's security services. Turkish officials suspect Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and critic of the crown prince, was killed and dismembered inside the consulate by Saudi agents. Erdogan stopped short of mentioning the crown prince who some U.S. lawmakers suspect ordered the killing of the Washington Post columnist. "The Saudi administration has taken an important step by admitting to the murder. From now on, we expect them to uncover all those responsible for this matter from top to bottom and make them face the necessary punishments," Erdogan said in a speech in parliament. "From the person who gave the order, to the person who carried it out, they must all be brought to account," he said, adding that Riyadh needed to "uncover all those responsible for this matter from top to bottom." Graphic on House of Saud - https://tmsnrt.rs/2OGPHTB Turkish sources have said that authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the killing. Erdogan made no reference to any audio recording. Riyadh initially denied knowledge of Khashoggi's fate before saying he was killed in a fight in the consulate, a reaction that has met with scepticism from several Western governments, straining their relations with the world's biggest oil exporter. The kingdom has since changed parts of its official narrative about the killing, further deepening international concern. A Saudi cabinet meeting chaired by King Salman said Riyadh would hold to account those responsible for the killing and those who failed in their duties, whoever they were. Turkish investigators searched a Saudi consulate vehicle in Istanbul that contained two suitcases and other items, according to broadcaster CNN Turk. It was not clear what was in the suitcases. 'BRUTAL MURDER' - PENCE I want to assure the American people: were going to get to the bottom of it. This brutal murder of a journalist, of an innocent man, of a dissident will not go without an American response and, I expect, without an international response," Pence said at an event hosted by The Washington Post. He said U.S. President Donald Trump would ultimately decide whether to impose economic sanctions on Saudi Arabia once all the facts were available, and called the killing "barbaric." A host of Western executives and governments have pulled out of a high-profile Saudi investment summit that started on Tuesday because of the Khashoggi affair. The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) nations called for a thorough and credible investigation, saying Saudi Arabia must ensure such an incident could never happen again. The Saudi king and crown prince received Khashoggi family members including his son Salah bin Jamal Khashoggi in Riyadh, state news agency SPA reported. Erdogan said the killing was planned from when the 59-year-old Khashoggi first went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Sept. 28 to obtain documents necessary for his marriage. He was told he would need to return later to collect the documents. A day before Khashoggi's death, agents arrived from overseas and began to scout locations, including the Belgrad Forest near Istanbul and the city of Yalova to its south, Erdogan said. Police have searched both areas for evidence of Khashoggi's remains, Reuters has reported. On the day Khashoggi arrived for his appointment and was later killed, the hard disk in the consulate's camera system was removed, Erdogan said. "Covering up a savage murder like this will only hurt the human conscience. We expect the same sensitivity from all parties, primarily the Saudi Arabian leadership." "We have strong signs that the murder was the result of a planned operation, not a spontaneous development." On the day of the killing, 15 people went to the consulate, including security, intelligence and forensic experts, Erdogan said. Consulate personnel were given the day off. "Why did these 15 people meet in Istanbul on the day of the murder? We are seeking answers to this. Who are these people receiving orders from?" Erdogan said. He added that he wanted Saudi Arabia to send the suspects to Turkey for trial. The White House and the State Department did not respond to a request for comment on Erdogan's remarks. Trump has played down any suggestion that the crown prince was involved in the killing but has also warned of possible economic sanctions. Trump has repeatedly highlighted the kingdom's importance as a U.S. ally and called Prince Mohammed a strong and passionate leader. King Salman, 82, has handed the day-to-day running of Saudi Arabia to the 33-year-old prince. Trump spoke with Prince Mohammed on Sunday. He told reporters on Monday that he had teams in Saudi Arabia and Turkey working on the case and would know more about it after they returned to Washington on Monday night or Tuesday. CIA Director Gina Haspel was travelling to Turkey on Monday to work on the Khashoggi investigation. On Saturday, Saudi state media said King Salman had fired five officials over the killing, including Saud al-Qahtani, a top aide who ran social media for Prince Mohammed. Riyadh is also working with Turkey on a joint investigation. (Additional reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu in Ankara, Ezgi Erkoyun, Daren Butler, Ali Kucukgocmen and Sarah Dadouch in Istanbul and Susan Heavey in Washington; Writing by David Dolan and Alistair Bell; Editing by Jon Boyle, Andrew Roche, Toni Reinhold) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Hours before Erdogan delivered his speech to ruling party lawmakers, a major Saudi investment forum opened in Riyadh under the heavy shadow of the murder after key delegates pulled out. Ankara: Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday called for the trial in Istanbul of the Saudi suspects in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a crime that he said was intricately planned days in advance. Erdogan had promised that his speech in Ankara would give the "naked truth" about the killing and he gave a host of new details while still saying Turkey wanted answers to key questions, including who gave the orders. Hours before Erdogan delivered his speech to ruling party lawmakers, a major Saudi investment forum opened in Riyadh under the heavy shadow of the murder after key delegates pulled out. The murder of the Washington Post contributor has damaged the international reputation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has spearheaded a reform drive in the kingdom. "My demand is that 18 people be tried in Istanbul," Erdogan said in a speech to ruling party lawmakers in Ankara, referring to 18 people including security officials who have already been detained by Riyadh. He added that "all those who played a role in the murder" had to face punishment. Erdogan said that the murder was "planned" days in advance according to a "roadmap" set up by a Saudi team who were sent to Istanbul for the purpose. "The surveillance system at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was deactivated on purpose," he said. "First they (the Saudis implicated) removed the hard disc from the camera system," Erdogan said. "This is a political murder," he added. But Erdogan added he still wanted answers on numerous issues including "who gave orders" to the team and where the corpse is. Erdogan did not mention Prince Mohammed by name in the speech but said he was confident of the full cooperation of his father Saudi King Salman in the probe. 'Must never happen again' Saudi Arabia only confirmed the killing more than two weeks after the event. The killing has alarmed even Saudi Arabia's staunchest Western allies. US President Donald Trump said he was "not satisfied" with Riyadh's explanations. A former royal family insider turned critic of the Saudi crown prince, Khashoggi, 59, disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October to collect a document for his upcoming marriage. The case has thrown the spotlight on the crown prince, who was credited with reforms including giving women the right to drive but is now accused of having ordered Khashoggi's murder - a claim Riyadh denies. The timing of the controversy could not be worse for Prince Mohammed as the investment summit, dubbed "Davos in the desert", began in Riyadh, overshadowed by big name cancellations and Erdogan's threat of revelations. Dozens of executives, including from banks Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, ride-hailing app Uber and Western officials such as International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde have pulled out of the three-day Future Investment Initiative (FII). French energy giant Total's head Patrick Pouyanne, however, said he would attend the meeting, arguing that "empty chair politics" do not advance human rights. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Berlin would not export arms to Riyadh "in the current situation," despite Germany's approval in September of 416 million euros' ($480 million) worth of arms exports in 2018. Despite also pulling out of the summit, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin met the crown prince behind closed doors for bilateral talks in Riyadh. CIA Director Gina Haspel, meanwhile, headed for Turkey, although details of her trip were not immediately clear. White House advisor and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, believed to have close ties with the crown prince, said he had urged him to be "fully transparent", stressing that "the world is watching". Speaking in Jakarta, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir vowed "a thorough and complete investigation". He said procedures would be put in place to "ensure that something like this can never happen again." Abandoned Saudi car "With Khashoggi's remains still missing, Turkish police have found an abandoned car belonging to the Saudi consulate in an underground car park in the Sultangazi district of Istanbul," state media said. CNN broadcast images apparently showing a Saudi official playing a body double for Khashoggi, wearing the journalist's clothes, exiting the consulate. By announcing its intent to withdraw from a decades-old nuclear weapons treaty, the United States is targeting Russia, which it says violated the bilateral deal but also China, which is developing arms that are banned under it. Washington: By announcing its intent to withdraw from a decades-old nuclear weapons treaty, the United States is targeting Russia, which it says violated the bilateral deal but also China, which is developing arms that are banned under it. Beijing is not a signatory to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), so it's Russia that has been singled out for violating the accord, signed in 1987 by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. At issue is Moscow's new 9M729 ground-based missile system, which Washington says has a reach that exceeds 500 kilometers (300 miles) a claim the Kremlin denies. "Russia has not unfortunately honored the agreement, so we're going to terminate the agreement and we're going to pull out," US President Donald Trump said Saturday at a campaign rally in Nevada. Trump did not say whether a new treaty could be negotiated, but he has repeatedly in recent days pointed the finger of blame at both Moscow and Beijing, saying the US would develop its own weapons until they stop. "Until people come to their senses, we will build it up," Trump told reporters Monday at the White House, referring to the US arsenal. "It's a threat to whoever you want. And it includes China and it includes Russia and it includes anybody else that wants to play that game." For several years, Washington has accused Russia of violating the INF Treaty, which banned an entire class of nuclear and conventional missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers (310-3,400 miles). The accord helped end a crisis begun in the 1980s with the deployment of Soviet SS-20 nuclear warheads targeting Western capitals. US National Security Advisor John Bolton was dispatched to Moscow for emergency talks, where he said there would be wider consultations with "other" participants. He told Moscow's Echo radio that "friends" in Europe and Asia could be involved. For John Lee, a senior fellow at the conservative Hudson Institute think tank who specializes in defense strategy, "the situation vis-a-vis China, uninhibited by any agreement, is very different and far more pressing" than that of Russia. In recent years, China has developed "land-based intermediate missiles (capable of carrying conventional and nuclear payloads)," Lee said in a column published Monday on CNN's website. About 95 percent of the missiles available to the Chinese People's Liberation Army Rocket Force would violate the INF Treaty if Beijing were a signatory, Lee charges. On the issue, the White House and the Pentagon are on the same wavelength. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis "is completely aligned with the president and he's in close contact with the president on this," said Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning. In its latest Nuclear Posture Review published in February 2018, the Pentagon said: "In the nuclear context, the most significant Russian violation involves a system banned" by the INF Treaty. But the document also refers to missiles developed by China, which has in recent years sought to assert its military supremacy in Asia. At the start of October, Mattis put Russia on notice that its continued alleged violation of the arms treaty would not be ignored. "Russia must return to compliance with the INF Treaty or the US will need to respond to its cavalier disregard for the treaty's specific limits," Mattis said after a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels. "Make no mistake the current situation with Russia in blatant violation of this treaty is untenable." In a sign that the Pentagon was preparing for an INF withdrawal for months, the new Missile Defense Review US policy on ballistic missiles has not yet been published, despite its expected arrival in early 2018. For months, the Defense Department has repeatedly said the policy document will be available "in a few weeks." When asked about the MDR, Manning said he had no precise publication date to announced, but he highlighted that "all factors will be taken into account before the Missile Defense Review is released." The upcoming OnePlus 6T might that will go official later this month might not faeture 5G support. OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei at the 4G/5G Summit 2018 in Hong Kong announced that OnePlus will be one of the first companies to launch 5G smartphones next year. He also said that OnePlus and his team had already conducted a 5G test at Qualcomms headquarters in San Diego back in August. This smartphone could be the successor of the OnePlus 6T that will likely arrive in mid-2019. This will likely be powered by the Snapdragon X50 5G modem and the latest QTM052 mmWave antenna module that was introduced today. Several OEMs including ASUS, Fujitsu, HMD Global, HTC, Inseego/Novatel Wireless, LG, Motorola, NetComm Wireless, NETGEAR, OnePlus, OPPO, Sharp, Sierra Wireless, Sony Mobile, Telit, Vivo, WNC, and Xiaomi are commited to 5G in 2019 and most have started testing Snapdragon X50 5G NR modem earlier this year. Qualcomm will be powering the upcoming Xiaomi Mi MIX 3 smartphone that will be the first commercial smartphone to support 5G. After Xiaomi and OnePlus, several other companies are expected to launch 5G smartphones in 2019. Qualcomm president Cristiano Amon said that the Qualcomm is expecting at least two major flagships with 5G radio next year, with the first one within the first half of the year, and the other in the holiday season. Via 1, 2 Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME), a top futures and commodities exchange in the Middle East, has signed an agreement with BSE, Indias premier exchange to explore ways in maximizing the potential of the commodities market in India. The strategic partnership, which comes on the heels of BSEs launch of its commodities derivatives trading platform on October 1, will help create a resourceful commodities derivatives market to facilitate tremendous growth in the countrys energy sector. Commenting on the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU), 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 countrys 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 derivates and better serve the needs and interests of the domestic derivatives market, he added. Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO, BSE, said: At BSE, we have always focused on identifying and creating new business opportunities that will contribute to the development of the nation. We believe that it is important to build mutually beneficial relationships in the journey of shared goals. 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. TradeArabia News Service Qualcomm has introduced a new addition to the Qualcomm QTM052 mmWave antenna module family of fully-integrated 5G NR millimeter wave (mmWave) modules for smartphones and other mobile devices. This is 25% smaller than the first QTM052 mmWave antenna modules that were announced in July 2018. The latest mmWave antenna module is engineered to enable mobile device manufacturers to address stringent mobile handset size requirements for 5G NR smartphones and mobile devices that are expected to launch in 2019. Thanks to these smaller antenna modules, OEMs now have more options for antenna placement, providing them with more freedom and flexibility in their 5G mmWave designs. The QTM052 mmWave antenna modules pair with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X50 5G modem to help address the challenges associated with mmWave. It packs a phased antenna array design in a small footprint, suitable for integrating up to four modules in a smartphone form factor. The modules support advanced beam forming, beam steering, and beam tracking technologies, designed to drastically improve the range and reliability of mmWave signals. They include an integrated 5G NR radio transceiver, power management IC, RF front-end components and phased antenna array as well as support up to 800 MHz of bandwidth in the 26.5-29.5 GHz (n257), 27.5-28.35 (n261), and 37-40 GHz (n260) mmWave bands. The new and smaller QTM052 mmWave antenna module family is expected to launch in commercial 5G devices in early 2019. Cristiano Amon, President, Qualcomm Incorporated said: At Qualcomm Technologies, were constantly looking for ways to innovate and revolutionize the mobile experience, and weve done that with the QTM052 mmWave antenna modules, which build on a major milestone that we introduced in July 2018 the announcement of the first commercial 5G NR mmWave and sub-6 GHz RF modules for smartphones and other mobile devices. We are dedicated to providing OEMs more versatility in their 5G smartphone form factor offerings, and thats made possible through Qualcomm Technologies groundbreaking innovations in miniaturizing 5G NR mmWave modules. This milestone reinforces leadership of Qualcomm Technologies in enabling the path to 5G commercialization in early 2019. Source Consumers are increasingly concerned about their health and what they eat and this focus is expected to remain for the years ahead, bolstered by the changes caused by... Read More Last week, Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET) emerged on the scene after the former Energy Transfer Equity completed the acquisition of its affiliate Energy Transfer Partners in a unit-for-unit exchange that simplified this complex midstream franchise. The transaction also created a much stronger company that has the financial resources to fund a significant slate of expansion projects. Because of that, it's in a much better position to generate strong total returns in the coming years, making it a more compelling income stock to consider buying. Energy Transfer LP 101 The new Energy Transfer is a behemoth in the midstream sector. It operates a fully integrated platform that spans the entire midstream value chain, with assets strategically located in all the country's top production basins. It's one of the largest natural gas gathering companies as well as a major producer of natural gas liquids (NGLs). It also operates a significant long-haul pipeline business that transports gas, oil, and NGLs from the country's major production basins to market centers. On top of that, it owns a large stake in Sunoco LP, which is one of the largest fuel distribution companies in the country. Energy Transfer's vast portfolio of midstream assets generates significant cash flow. Currently, the company estimates that it will haul in enough money to fund its lucrative 7.2%-yielding distribution while producing $2.5 billion to $3 billion of excess cash flow per year, which works out to a comfortable 1.6 to 1.9 times coverage ratio. That will give the company a significant portion of the funding needed to build several expansion projects. Further, Energy Transfer expects to have a much stronger balance sheet now, with it anticipating that its leverage ratio will be around 4.0 times debt to adjusted EBITDA. That's well within the comfort zone of most midstream companies and a significant improvement from the start of last year, when leverage was a concerning 5.54 times. Nearly unparalleled growth prospects Energy Transfer's much-improved financial profile will make it much easier for the company to fund growth in the future. That's worth noting, since it has several major projects under construction and in development. The company's expansions run the gamut from additional oil, natural gas, and NGL pipeline capacity to more processing plants and a major NGL export terminal. One of the biggest projects is the Permian Gulf Coast Pipeline, which will move crude from the fast-growing Permian Basin to the Gulf Coast. The company is teaming up with fellow MLPs Magellan Midstream Partners (NYSE:MMP) and MPLX (NYSE:MPLX) as well as refiner Delek US Holdings to build the 600-mile oil pipeline, which will help solve the Permian's pipeline capacity constraints. It's also an important project from a strategic standpoint for the MLPs, as it marks another step in MPLX's evolution into a more diversified midstream company while bolstering the downstream asset base of both Energy Transfer and Magellan Midstream, since crude from the pipeline will flow into their terminals near the coast. Meanwhile, Energy Transfer has an even bigger project in development, as it's hoping to build one of the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities in the U.S. at Lake Charles, Louisiana. The facility would have the capacity to export up to 15 million metric tons of LNG per year if built. With a projected LNG shortage expected in the coming years, this facility could help meet the market's anticipated need, which is why Energy Transfer has started to ramp up its efforts to move this project forward in recent months. It would add to an already impressive slate of expansions that the company has coming down the pipeline, which should drive strong growth rates for years to come. There's a lot to like about the new Energy Transfer The Energy Transfer of old was a complex midstream franchise that had a troubling financial profile, which often forced it to pay a high price to finance growth. The new Energy Transfer, on the other hand, has a much-improved financial profile that will allow it to fund a large supply of growth projects with internally generated cash flow. That tectonic shift sets it up to potentially produce lots of income and growth in the coming years, which could give it the fuel needed to generate market-beating total returns, making it a compelling stock to buy right now. Investors' positive feelings about any given stock may wax and wane over time, but for many well-established organizations, dividends are enduring. For such companies, that's what makes them so lucrative: the reliability of the paycheck they dole out even when times get tough. Investors looking for income from their holdings should go on the hunt for such companies in difficult times, as depressed stock prices can mean high yields. These Motley Fool contributors say that three high-yield stocks for the long haul are Ford (NYSE:F), Enbridge (NYSE:ENB), and General Mills (NYSE:GIS). An automaker down on its luck ... sort of Nicholas Rossolillo (Ford): The last few years have not been kind to Ford. Shares have tumbled 50% from their high-water mark reached back in 2014 as profitability has slowly declined. That has been a confounding situation for investors because, until just recently, global auto sales have been steadily increasing for years. Ford rode that wave here in the U.S. with the ever-popular F-150 trucks, Mustang, and SUV models. The story has been different in China, though, where an aging product lineup has consumers shopping elsewhere for a new car. That has also been the case as of late in the U.S., especially in the lagging sedan segment that's losing its luster to crossovers and SUVs. When you add to that Ford's tardiness in developing electric powertrain vehicles and an autonomous vehicle strategy, the worries over the automaker's fate mounted and have sent the stock on a slow downward spiral. Ford has begun to right the ship, but transforming a huge manufacturing operation doesn't happen overnight. New models will begin rolling out late this year, a makeover that Ford says will all but eliminate traditional sedans from North America. And electric and hybrid versions of all models should be available in the early 2020s. Ford has also been building its tech muscles by acquisition and launching new services in select markets like ridesharing and cars by subscription. Changes like that take time to bear fruit, and they cost money. In spite of the concerns, Ford still has a strong balance sheet and generates plenty of cash. That makes the dividend, which is yielding 6.6% as of this writing, an intriguing reason to bet on a rebound for the bludgeoned stock. Ford has been in tough spots before -- automaking is cyclical, after all. While holding through the ups and downs can be unnerving, Ford's dedication to an investor payday via that dividend is a great reason to own this one for a long time. Love it or hate it, you need it Chuck Saletta (Enbridge): Few companies inspire such an impassioned debate as energy pipeline companies like Enbridge do. On one hand, many environmentalists hate the fact that they make it easier and cheaper to transport (and thus use) oil and natural gas as sources of energy. On the other hand, pragmatists argue that if you're going to use oil and natural gas, pipelines are generally the safest and most reliable way to get them from where they're found to where they're needed. And we certainly do use oil and natural gas. Despite increases in energy efficiency and recent increased adoption of electric vehicles, the U.S. Energy Information Administration expects the net demand across oil and natural gas to increase through at least 2050. That means the need to move that oil and gas around will continue to be strong for decades to come. As the operator of the world's longest transport system for crude oil and liquids energy, Enbridge is well positioned to continue to thrive as long as the demand for that energy remains strong. From an investor's perspective, that strength has been reflected in a dividend that has been paid for 64 years, and has risen at a better than 11% average annualized clip for the past 20 years. That dividend currently offers investors somewhere in the neighborhood of a 6% yield, and the company expects to be able to continue increasing its dividend in the near future. With the long-term strength of its business supporting its dividend, Enbridge certainly looks like a candidate for consideration as a potential high-yield investment to buy and hold for the long term. Durable advantages Daniel Miller (General Mills): So much in the world can -- and does -- change seemingly overnight, that it's difficult for many companies to keep up. That makes picking long-term stocks difficult. But General Mills has durable competitive advantages that should enable it to deliver its high dividend yield, currently 4.4%, to investors for the long haul. One advantage General Mills has is its long list of powerful brands, including Haagen-Dazs, Cheerios, Yoplait, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Old El Paso, Pillsbury, and many more. Those powerful brands help retailers across the nation drive store traffic and inventory turnover, and it makes General Mills a valued partner. Through those long-standing relationships with retailers, General Mills is able to retain extremely valuable shelf space, a key factor to maintaining market share. General Mills also has advantages due to its sheer size. The company generated $15.7 billion in revenue during fiscal 2018, and its wide manufacturing and distribution network lowers its costs compared with smaller competitors. And all that enables it to invest in research and development at a higher rate to adapt more quickly to changing consumer tastes. One gripe from investors has been a mostly stagnant top line. And while you can argue that General Mills' $8 billion purchase of pet-food manufacturer Blue Buffalo was expensive, it was an intriguing move into nontraditional categories for the company that should support top-line growth, and will be accretive to earnings in 2020. Ultimately, with its long list of brands entrenching its relationships with retailers, economies of scale due to its sheer size and distribution network, and creative acquisitions to help drive top-line growth, General Mills has a stable business to offer investors. Its dividend, which the company has paid uninterrupted for 119 years, is simply icing on the cake. Dubai Government Workshop has signed an agreement with the Rochester Institute of Technology - Dubai (RIT Dubai), for cooperation across the efforts to develop highly qualified and skilled human resources for the future. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Humaid Sultan Al Mutaiwee, Dubai Government Workshop (DGW) CEO and Dr Yousif Al Assaf, president, RIT Dubai. Both parties agreed on the need to work closely together to provide academic education and executive development for employees, as well as practical training for students based on the highest standards of professionalism and excellence. Al Mutaiwee said, The signing of this new MoU opens new horizons for us in the move to support the national efforts towards strengthening the perfect investment of human capital to push comprehensive development, particularly, across providing the necessary academic training, executive development and practical training for employees and students, who will benefit from the latest technological innovations of the 21st century. Our collaboration with RIT Dubai demonstrates our continued commitment towards strengthening effective cooperative frameworks with the private sector, especially in our move to provide the highest functional, professional and technological skills for human resources, which supports our vision to help manage vehicle fleets with quality and efficiency to achieve customer satisfaction and happiness. We are committed to provide the practical training for these university students within an environment that is conducive to creativity and innovation to graduate generations capable of pioneering in various fields. Dr Al Assaf stated: We are very proud to have signed this new MoU with DGW, which is widely recognized as a pioneer in the adoption of the latest technological innovations in fleet management services. Through this joint cooperation, we seek to open new horizons for the use of joint capacities in academic and executive training and scientific research to serve our joint aspirations of serving the community and support the country's development process. We look forward to building a successful long-term cooperative relationship, renewing our commitment to putting our expertise, capabilities and educational and academic resources at the service of DGW, which we are confident to be a strategic partner in the thrust towards education, research and training. TradeArabia News Service Honeywell UOP and the Gulf Downstream Association (GDA) are planning to deliver a series of industry courses, catering to entry-level chemical engineers, as well as engineers from various disciplines moving into the refining and petrochemicals industry. These courses are being delivered at a time when regional governments in the Middle East are striving to address a growing industrial skills gap. The first course on refinery process fundamentals was held in two batches in the Kingdom of Bahrain during August and September of this year. A total of 45 delegates from Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO), Saudi Aramco, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company(KIPIC) benefitted from the course. The refinery process course provides a broad overview of the fundamentals of refinery operation and production, said Jim Moshi, regional general manager, Honeywell UOP, Middle East. Using the refinery schematic, key processes are examined as individual units and in the context of the whole refinery. This course is part of Honeywells investment in building up engineering talent in the Middle East, he added. By working with GDA we aim to reduce the industrial skills gap prevalent within the Middle East so younger talent can continue to improve the productivity and efficiency of the oil and gas industry. The three-day course illustrates how downstream units function, the effect of temperature and pressure parameters on unit performance, and the impact each unit has on the refinerys profitability. At the Gulf Downstream Association (GDA), we are committed to developing young talent in the Middle East and giving them the chance to explore specialist fields such as the refining and petrochemicals industry, said Audah Al Ahmadi, secretary general, Gulf Downstream Association. We are delighted to collaborate with Honeywell UOP, a company that has been a trusted advisor to the Middle East oil and gas industry for many years. This collaboration offers an academic experience to the younger generation of engineers looking to advance their careers in the oil and gas industry and supports GDAs mission to provide a platform for sharing knowledge, experience and best practices, he added. We are delighted to host participants from across the wider Middle East region and mentoring them to harness their interest and abilities within the industry. Honeywell UOP is a leading international supplier and licensor of process technology, catalysts, adsorbents, equipment, and consulting services to the petroleum refining, petrochemical, and gas processing industries. The Gulf Downstream Association (GDA) was founded as a non-profit organisation that aims at exchanging information, experiences, and outstanding technical practices, and raising the efficiency of employees in the sector of refining, distribution and associated facilities. TradeArabia News Service Global, regional and local pharmaceutical firms operating in the Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) region need to be able to change the tyres while driving if they are to benefit from doing business in a challenging, but also highly rewarding market, said Dr Ashraf Allam, vice president of Mundipharma in the META region. He added that doing business in the META region is not always straight forward, but if approached with the right strategy, the right team, and a willingness to quickly adapt to any challenges, companies will be able to successfully access a market worth $40 billion annually with 1.4 billion customers. Dr Allam said: Compared to other emerging markets, META is still a profitable region with a large growing middle class of potential customers. If you are doing business here, you need to rise to new challenges every day. I always say that you must be able to change the tires on your car while youre driving you cant stop the car because no one will give you time, not your shareholders, not your headquarters, not your customers, but it needs to be done and you have to be always ready, he added. The hurdles facing companies either looking to enter or currently doing business in META, range from having to work through a multitude of complex and lengthy national regulatory and compliance rules, to working amidst political upheaval, sometimes and even conflicts. Dr Allam said: Its a very complex region with more than 50 markets. There are markets in good shape, some are building very well, then there are markets which suffer from political instability, where you can find tanks in the streets. It can be extremely challenging from a political and economic point of view, but in the end you still need to find a reasonable and compliant way to do business, he added. Dr Allam noted that the key to navigating the myriad challenges facing businesses is hiring the right people. He continued: Invest in talent, bring in people who know the market and are able to have quick impact. And hire a mix. For sure you need staff with experience, sure, but mix it up with younger team members who have the hunger energy is just as important as wisdom in a successful company. I dont tend to delegate when it comes to hiring and firing, especially for key positions. Im proud of the fact that Mundipharma embraces Saudization as our team in Saudi Arabia is lead by our Saudi general manager, he added. While there is undoubtedly a wealth of talent in the region, finding and retaining the best people is another challenge that companies must learn to overcome. Dr Allam said: Youre building a brand as much as selling products. You have to be able to attract the best talents because if you hire mediocre, youll have mediocre results. Local knowledge is especially useful when navigating your way through the complicated government rules and regulations firms need to comply with to get a product to market. He said: The business in this region requires you to build strong business relationships and partnerships with the key stakeholders. This is where companies need to be able to adapt and be flexible. The most successful players in this market know how to adapt. They have locally adapted pricing and a customised strategy for each segment of the market, he added. The dynamics of the market are continuing to evolve; firms from emerging markets join companies from Europe and America in competition with family-run businesses in the Middle East for a share of the regions profits and potential. A lot of people are now looking to enter the healthcare market, so it is extremely competitive, crowded and complex, said Dr Allam. The era of only multi-national companies operating in the market is over. Among the positive trends currently shaping the business landscape across the META region are improved timelines for regulatory approval and increased awareness and enforcement of rules related to intellectual property, especially in the GCC. However, continued pressure on budgets has led to the introduction of wide-ranging cost containment measures in both the public and private sector limiting the government spending on healthcare. Companies are now seeing their profits come under increased pressure, said Dr Allam. In this economic environment profit margins and price competition is intense and it is proving difficult to pass on the rise in the otherwise regulated selling prices. To tackle this, businesses cant afford to fall into short-termism. This is as dangerous as exiting a market and can be just as costly as entering. They need to focus on growing their market share, motivating their staff and out-innovating and out-smarting the competition, he added. This region remains a brand loyal market, but firms cannot expect to lead the market automatically. They have to invest substantially in building their brand, even if it means lower profits initially, he said. To drive success at a regional level, businesses must have a portfolio tailored to the market, build lasting relationships with ministries of health and regulators, and pay special attention to employing talent and building capacity, says Dr Allam. When it comes to individual countries, market access depends on your ability to be local and manufacture your products in that country. This is a common request these days, as every country expects you to manufacture there. Alternatively, however, wherever you can, you can access the market via imports, he added. A good distribution network in the region is extremely important, said Dr Allam. While it can be hard sometimes to negotiate the right agreement with a financially sound distributor, it can result in increased, consistent and reliable countrywide coverage. Also, invest in awareness campaigns, educational activities from which physicians can learn more about brands that can help their patients, as well as developing partnerships with retail customers and hospitals to ensure they carry your products, he concluded. TradeArabia News Service Emirates Global Aluminium, the largest industrial company in the UAE outside oil and gas, and leading research academics from 10 local universities have met to plan how to enhance national academic research capabilities for industry in the UAE. EGA has focused on technology and innovation for the past 25 years. The company has worked with local universities since 2011 to combine the latest academic thinking with EGAs technology development and experience operating aluminium smelters. EGA also works with international academic institutions when there are no local academic research capabilities in specific fields. UAE Vision 2021 calls for innovation, research, science and technology to form the pillars of a knowledge-based economy, and for partnerships in these areas between the public and private sectors. Abdalla Alzrooni, vice president technology development and transfer, EGA, said: Our company is a major industrial company that focuses on research and development, and there is mutual benefit in working with UAE academic researchers. We hope by expanding our cooperation with local universities further we will both deliver breakthrough results for our company and help boost academic research capabilities for the nation to achieve the innovation goals of UAE Vision 2021, he added. EGA and the academics agreed to launch two graduate research projects focused on developing engineering solutions to specific technical challenges in aluminium smelting. Engineering undergraduates and post-graduate students are required to complete research projects as part of their studies, and tying them to real-world challenges is intended to strengthen the links between academia and industry. During the workshop, the EGA team also presented the universities with examples of research projects undertaken in the last five years with international university partners, which could ultimately be carried out in the UAE if sufficient local academic research capability is developed. EGA currently has local academic partnerships with institutions including the American University of Sharjah, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, and Rochester Institute of Dubai. Internationally, EGA has long-term collaborations with the University of Auckland, University of New South Wales, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. EGAs research and technology development focuses on continual improvements in the aluminium smelting processes. EGAs latest technology is amongst the most energy-efficient in the global industry. In 2016, EGA became the first UAE industrial company to license its core process technology internationally, in a major milestone in the development of a knowledge-based economy, it added. TradeArabia News Service The UAE Maritime Week 2018, a major event that will highlight Dubai and the UAE as a leading maritime destination, is set to kick off on Sunday, October 28. The first-of-its-kind event in the region will gather a number of local, regional, and international maritime pioneers to identify current and future status of the industry in light of the major trends of innovation, knowledge and smart transformation. The city has been named one of the top five maritime centres in the International Shipping Centre Development Index (ISCD) and one of the five most competitive and attractive maritime communities in the world. Amer Ali, executive director of Dubai Maritime City Authority, said: "We cannot wait to welcome the world's leading maritime industry leaders, decision-makers, policy makers, innovators, and influential figures to Dubai where we will convene to explore new horizons as well as accelerate growth of the international maritime economy based on the latest smart and innovative technologies. The agenda of the UAE Maritime Week 2018 will include major global maritime issues and topics. Ali Added: "As a proud host of the UAE Maritime Week 2018, we promise an exciting agenda that will enhance further the regions communication channels with the global maritime community. We are keen to focus on ways to facilitate, promote, and support the global maritime trade movement, scientific and technical developments in alternative marine fuels, and regulatory frameworks and initiatives in keeping with the sustainable development process. We are confident that the outputs of the current session will be up to expectations as we renew our commitment to enrich knowledge and exchange experiences and best practices. This commitment drives the advancement of smart transformation, promotes human investment, and instils a culture of innovation in the local, regional, and global maritime sectors. The UAE Maritime Week 2018 will facilitate exchange of best international practices and provide a platform to review the latest marine and technological innovations in support of a competitive, inclusive, and attractive investment community. To be held until November 1, the event will include a number of prestigious maritime events, including the Dubai Maritime Summit on the opening day, which will bring together local and international maritime leaders under one umbrella to discuss the issues and challenges of the sector. The UAE Maritime Future Leaders Seminars will also be held to discuss the best ways to employ innovation and smart technology to drive maritime growth and development, in addition to the Seatrade Maritime Middle East Exhibition and the Seatrade Maritime Middle East Awards. The Awards will be staged on October 29 at the Atlantis Hotel to honour industry excellence, creativity, and maritime innovation. About 850 international pioneers are expected to attend the Awards. The UAE Maritime Innovation Day, a day dedicated to maritime arbitration, will be held as well to help promote Dubai as a world-class venue for high-profile, state-of-the-art maritime forums. The UAE Maritime Week 2018 is expected to repeat, if not surpass, the achievements of the 2016 edition. During the previous edition, more than 350 exhibitors from around the world and around 7,000 top local, regional, and international experts gathered under one single platform to discuss the latest developments in the maritime community and review the most important local and global solutions and opportunities. TradeArabia News Service 'DMan' once owned a Unified Gaming book and worked in the same office as Sean "Tony" Creighton, separated only by a dirty old mattress that Sean would sleep on after first taking control of 5Dimes. Start Your Own Sportsbook Here for as Little as $5 Per Customer Per Week "I picked him up at the airport when he first came down to Costa Rica," the Abetz.com sportsbook owner tells Gambling911.com. "I was with him from Day 1. He did more good than bad." Creighton, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, was found dead late last week, three weeks after disappearing in what local law enforcement believe was a murder-for-hire. His wife and family in Costa Rica reportedly paid a ransom of $750K in bitcoin. They hired two security experts from the US via the Guidry Group, with up to 30 plus years of experience in the field. Many in the industry are still trying to make sense of it all. "He was the guy at the party who would do Rubick's Cub in 60 seconds," remarked one close friend. "And, on top of that, multiply 1.45 times 2.76 faster than you could type it in a calculator. Tuly like 'A Beautiful Mind'." "He was a tough cookie," Dman added. "But he would help anybody. If you tried to get one over on him, he would clamp down on you though." Someone who had dealings with Creighton back home tells Gambling911.com "the local West Virginia bookmakers would not do business with him, he was that good". That individual said he hopes "folks in the US Would be in the contact with the embassy in Costa Rica to make sure this gets resolved properly." Up until two years ago, Sean owned property in Morgantown, West Virginia along with his one-time girlfriend. The couple eventually sold that home with all the proceeds going to the girlfriend. The house was sold after the feds were onto a money laundering scheme involving Amazon gift cards and 5Dimes. They were able to trace Sean down after his real identity was mentioned in his mom's obituary. On Tuesday, Gambling911.com will go into further detail as to what could become of 5Dimes based on information we have obtained from those who did business with Sean. - Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher UAEs Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA) has signed 10 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and strategic partnership agreements that aim to develop national capabilities in the field of statistics. The announcement was made on the first day of the second UN World Data Forum, launched in Dubai yesterday (October 22) and taking place over the course of three days until October 24, reported Emirates news agency Wam. The MoUs aim to promote coordination, harmonise efforts and strengthen partnerships among various government and private entities to improve statistical practices in the UAE, in addition to developing a database using state-of-the-art data-collection technology, and developing indices that reflect the UAEs achievements towards meeting the SDGs 2030. The MoUs and strategic partnership agreements were signed at the UAE pavilion in the Forum, in the presence of Mohammad Abdulla Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, chairman of the FCSA; and Abdullah Nasser Lootah, FCSA director general and chairman of the Organising Committee of the UN World Data Forum 2018, along with several senior officials and corporate managers. The agreements include a partnership with the Ministry of Interior, whereby the FCSA will work on surveying the Ministrys basic performance indicators during 2018 and 2019. It will also work on how that contributed to enhancing the UAEs competitive position, making it a safe business environment to attract investments, in alignment with the UAE Vision 2021 that will complement the UNs SDGs 2030. The FCSA also signed a MoU with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), to provide updated and periodical data on air traffic and air transport at the local, regional and international levels, thus establishing a periodic and regular database in this field. Furthermore, the FCSA signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI) to exchange knowledge and expertise and enhance cooperation in developing innovative mechanisms to analyse trends and address challenges in innovative ways, based on best practices in statistics and competitive policy-making. The agreement is an essential step in supporting the realisation of the UAEs National Innovation Strategy, which seeks to strengthen partnerships between various public and private entities and institutions, support innovation incubators, build specialised national capabilities, stimulate the private sector and build global research partnerships to change the governments work ecosystem towards further innovation. In addition, the agreement promotes bilateral work, unifying the efforts of both entities to design creative and innovative systems that drive the collection of statistics and accurate data and employs them in developing long-term strategic visions and plans to overcome the challenges facing society in many sectors, which, in turn, enhances the UAEs status on global competitiveness indexes. The FCSA signed a partnership agreement with the British Office for National Statistics to promote cooperation, update databases and information, improve the implementation of statistics for data production and collaborate to support the United Nations Global Platform for Data in secure and reliable ways. Furthermore, it aims to develop national capabilities in the fields of statistics and facilitate the exchange of best practices on open data. The Authority also signed an MoU with DeepAI to use artificial intelligence technology and its applications in statistics and provide accurate statistical data. As per the MoU, DeepAI will provide technological services and develop prototypes of automated learning and population forecasting tools. The agreements include a strategic partnership with Esri, which aims to strengthen cooperation to implement a unified system that complies with the best international practices in government statistics around the world to enhance SDG-related data on the United Nations Web Portal. Under the terms of the agreement, Esri will start developing the system, the first of its kind in the region, which aims to create a Geographic Information System (GIS) road map in the field of national statistics. It will also implement the UAE SDGs Plan, and other projects of geographical analysis using case studies that serve the economic and social goals of SDGs at the local and global levels. The FCSA signed another MoU with Cloudera, whereby the American company will work with the Authority to develop a big data ecosystem by introducing state-of-the-art technology, including machine learning and advanced analytics. It will also develop the "Data Lake" Platform Project, whereby data from multiple sources are collected to be verified, providing deep and accurate workable and implementable forecasts. The FCSA signed another MoU with the Nielsen Media Survey Foundation, whereby Nielsen will cooperate with the FCSA in the areas of data exchange and development of innovative methods to collect data and studies on consumption behaviour and product demand, thus contributing to the transition from fieldwork data collection to automated data collection. The FCSA signed an MoU with Delta Technology and Management Services Pvt. Ltd. that provides all the requirements to promote statistical process through digital transformation, including the collection of big data processes and official statistics that serve in meeting the UNs SDGs. The MoU provides for the adoption of global practices on open data and commits to highest international standards to ensure data integrity, and reporting analyses and forecasts. During the first day of the UN World Data Forum 2018, the FCSA signed a partnership agreement with Statistics Denmark, to optimise the use of data and statistics in meeting the SDGs 2030 by implementing the UAE Department of Statistics Programme based on best global practices and developing capabilities to implement statistics and collect large administrative data. Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. Masdar City, Abu Dhabis flagship sustainable urban development, has embarked on the next phase of its sustainable mobility network with the formal unveiling of its first Navya autonomous vehicle. Capable of transporting up to 12 people, the Autonom Shuttle was inaugurated in the presence of dignitaries representing the Department of Transport, Abu Dhabi Police, and the French Embassy, said a statement. Also attending were Khaled Al Qubaisi, chief executive officer for Aerospace, Renewables & ICT at Mubadala Investment Company; Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, chief executive officer of Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company); Mohammed Darwish Al Qamzi, general manager of Integrated Transport Center, Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi; and Jerome Rigaud, deputy chief executive officer of Navya Group, it said. Designed by the French autonomous vehicle pioneer Navya, the Autonom Shuttle is a self-driving electric vehicle dedicated to first and last-mile transportation. It carries up to 12 people with eight seated, is fully autonomous and has a top operational speed of 25 km per hour. Having successfully completed a rigorous pilot phase, the Navya shuttle will shortly begin a regular all-day service linking Masdar Citys parking areas with its main podium. The service will be the first operational use of the technology in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena). Yousef Baselaib, executive director for sustainable real estate at Masdar, said: Masdar City is built on the three pillars of economic, societal and environmental sustainability and the introduction of our first NAVYA vehicle perfectly illustrates this philosophy in action. With urban mobility at the forefront of the sustainability conversation in the UAE and worldwide, and with the business, residential and research community here at Masdar City continuing to flourish, Masdar is building on its legacy as a catalyst for clean-tech innovation to bring cutting-edge and commercially viable autonomous mobility to the streets of Masdar City, he added. Masdar Citys iconic Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system, which has carried more than 2 million passengers in eight years of operations, established a benchmark for driverless and sustainable mobility in the UAE, added Baselaib. The introduction of our first Navya shuttle represents the next exciting phase of the citys mobility journey. Working closely with Abu Dhabi Department of Transport and Navya Group, the Navya shuttle was customised to mitigate the effects of the Gulfs extreme heat and humidity on battery performance. Rigorous health and safety testing was also carried out to safeguard passengers and pedestrians. The vehicle uses on-board cameras and sensitive LIDAR sensors creating 3D and 2D perception maps to detect obstacles and their position relative to the vehicle. GPS technology further allows the vehicle to define its precise location, as well as V2X to communicate with traffic lights. Mohammed Darwish Al Qamzi, general manager of integrated transport center, Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi (DoT), said: The arrival of autonomous mobility at Masdar has been the result of a highly successful collaboration between the DoT, Masdar and NAVYA, which has further raised the profile of Abu Dhabi as leader in environmental best practice and sustainable urban development. Todays launch supports Abu Dhabis strategic aim to realize a world-class transportation system for the benefit of both residents and visitors, unlocking in the process further social and economic gains for the emirate of Abu Dhabi and the UAE, he added. At Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2018 in January, Navya was selected as the winner of a global industry competition to supply Masdar City with the latest models of autonomous electric vehicles. Jerome Rigaud, Navya group deputy CEO, said: We are proud to be working with Masdar, a global leader in renewable energy and sustainable real estate. We are delighted to provide Masdar City with its fully autonomous and smart solutions, providing users with a new way of getting around. Masdar City is the perfect place to commemorate the first deployment of the Navya Autonom Shuttle in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, where we expect expansion within Masdar City to be broad and decisive in the coming months, he added. Implementation of Masdar Citys wider transportation strategy will see the arrival of a fleet of seven Autonom Shuttles from next year. Over time the shuttle route map will be expanded to connect the Etihad Eco Residence complex above the citys North Car Park with the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Majid Al Futtaims My City Centre Masdar shopping mall due for completion in the first half of 2019, it stated. TradeArabia News Service Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has installed a total of 595,755 smart water meters across Dubai, said a top official at the 20th Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (Wetex 2018), which opened today (October 23). This is 80.6 per cent of the total number of water meters in the emirate, said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the managing director and chief executive of Dewa, adding that Dubai was on track to become a smart water meters city by the end of 2019. All of Dewa's projects are aligned with the Dubai Plan 2021, which aims to make it a smart, integrated and connected city. "We are working to make Dewa the worlds first digital utility to use autonomous systems for renewable energy and storage, while expanding our use of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital services. The Smart Applications via Smart Grids and Meters is one of the initiatives, Dewa launched to support the Smart Dubai initiative to make Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world," remarked Al Tayer. "In addition to their role in the smart transformation, operational efficiency and reducing water losses, smart meters provide many benefits to customers and help them monitor their consumption accurately and instantaneously, anytime, anywhere. This contributes to promoting the responsible use and sustainability of resources," added Al Tayer. Abdullah Obaidullah, the executive vice-president of water and civil at Dewa, said the Dubai utility had an advanced infrastructure for smart water meters that has so far identified 20,000 water leakage cases, 4,700 faults, and 1,400 extra-load cases. "This resulted in total savings of about Dh52.6 million ($14.6 million). The High Water Usage Alert, under Dewas Green Dubai, helps customers discover possible leaks in their water connections. The system sends instant notifications to the customer if there is any unusual increase in consumption, to check the internal connections and repair any leaks. This contributes to reducing incurred costs by limiting water wastage," he explained. Dewa recently won the Smart Water Company Award of the Year at the Global Water Summit 2018 that took place recently in Paris, France. "This was in recognition of the utilitys efforts in implementing one of the largest smart water meter infrastructure projects in the world, allowing it to increase availability of meter readings to 99.9 per cent," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Radisson Hotel Group has announced the signing of two hotels in Saudi Arabia, taking up the groups portfolio in the kingdom to 41 hotels and more than 10,000 rooms in operation and under development. The new properties - the Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Al Qurtuba and the Radisson Hotel, Qurayat - are scheduled to open in 2020 Elie Younes, executive vice president and chief development officer, Radisson Hotel Group, said: Were 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 were supporting the needs of business and leisure travellers. 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. Were 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 centre with direct access to the road that links the city centre and the international airport, which is just 12 km away. The hotel will feature 103 rooms and suites, as well as 16 villas. Dining options will include an international restaurant and a business lounge for corporate travellers. The flexible meeting room space will cover 600-sq-m, and the hotel will also feature a gym. Radisson Hotel, Qurayat The Radisson Hotel, Qurayat will have 137 rooms and suites. The hotels 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. - TradeArabia News Service Honor to unveil a smartwatch alongside the Magic 2 smartphone News oi-Vishal Kawadkar Honor to launch a new smartwatch with its latest smartphone. Honor has teased a promotional image, first spotted by GizmoChina, that suggests that the company is planning to unveil a smartwatch alongside the Honor Magic 2 smartphone on October 31. The image shows the outline of the device, and the name Honor Watch followed by the launch date. While the image gives away no other info is given, the outline of the image hints a similar form factor as the Huawei Watch GT. Given the fact that Honor is Huawei's sub-brand, it's likely that both Honor Watch and Watch GT have similar design and features. To recall, Huawei Watch GT runs the company's Lite OS, offers GPS functionality, heart rate monitoring, AMOLED screen, and a battery that claims to offer two weeks of moderate usage. The company is yet to share any detail about the launch date, availability, or price of the watch. While the promotional image seems to be aimed at the Chinese market, Honor has previously launched smartwatches in the international market. In 2016, the company launched its Band Z1 in the US, while Honor S1 smartwatch was given an international release dubbed as the Huawei Fit. Speaking of the Honor Magic 2, the device has been leaked in several recent leaks. It is said to feature an all-glass back panel complemented by a triple camera setup with AI Vision features, which was seen on the Huawei P20 Pro. It will come in gradient blue and gradient red color options. The smartphone will feature a 6.4-inch FHD+ OLED display, powered by the HiSilicon Kirin 980 SoC with up to 8 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of internal storage. It will come equipped with a triple camera setup on the rear panel (16 MP monochrome sensor + 24 MP RGB sensor + 16 MP telephoto sensor). For selfies, the company has placed a 16MP sensor up front. The smartphone will be fuelled by a 3400mAh battery and will support fast charging which claims to fully charge the device within an hour. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Qualcomm confirms at least two 5G smartphones in the coming days News oi-Vishal Kawadkar Qualcomm is all set for the 5G smartphone game. You might have come across many reports about 5G smartphones slated to launch next year. But none of them were certain, however, Qualcomm might have made this official. Speaking at the 4G/5G Summit in Hong Kong, Qualcomm president Cristiano Amon said the company is expecting "at least two major flagships" with the 5G radio next year. Amon also told that one of the devices might launch within the first half of the year and the second one in the holiday season. We wouldn't be surprised if manufacturers like Vivo, Oppo or Xiaomi would be one of the first one to launch a 5G device. Even Motorola is said to be Qualcomm's Snapdragon X50 5G modem into a Moto Mod. Meanwhile, there are few major names missing from Qualcomm's list of OEMs, namely Apple, Samsung, and Huawei. But if the rumors are to be believed, Huawei is already working on a foldable 5G smartphone slated for a 2019 launch, while Samsung is already pushing ahead with its very own 5G modem. Qualcomm has also announced a smaller version of its QTM052 mmWave antenna module, which will be crucial to enabling 5G connectivity on mobile phones. Qualcomm is also working closely with OnePlus with respect to 5G technology. The company could bring the new functionality with its OnePlus 7. Huawei CEO Richard Yu has also confirmed that the company has a 5G foldable smartphone in works. At the Mate 20 Pro launch event, Yu said: "We are working on foldable phones. Foldable phones with 5G," reported Digital Trends. The company has been previously reported to be working on a 5G smartphone and foldable phones. However, this is the first time we've come across a report that claims that both technologies will feature in the same device. If the reports are to be believed, Huawei might launch its foldable smartphone in the first quarter of 2019. However, the reports also suggested that the 5G smartphone from the company won't see the light of day until June next year. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Xiaomi launches flagship Mi 8 Pro in Taiwan News oi-Sandeep Sarkar The smartphone will be up for grabs online on Mi Store and Xiaomi Mall. Xiaomi, the Chinese tech giant is all set to launch its flagship smartphone the Mi 8 Pro outside China. Xiaomi has launched the Mi 8 Pro in China only a couple of weeks ago which makes it the latest offering by the company. Now, Xiaomi plans to launch the Mi 8 Pro outside China and has released the Mi 8 Pro in Taiwan. The flagship device by the tech giant is an upgraded version of the Xiaomi Mi 8 and it packs some top-notch features such as an in-display fingerprint scanner among others. As for the pricing and availability, the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro is available in two RAM variants including an 8GB RAM variant and a 6GB RAM variant both of which are paired with 128GB of internal storage. The 8GB RAM variant is expected to be priced at NT$15,999 (Rs 38, 155 approx), whereas, the 6GB+128GB variant will be available for a price tag of NT$14,210 (Rs 33, 905 approx). The smartphone will be up for grabs online on Mi Store and Xiaomi Mall. As for the availability of the device in India, it is expected that the device will be launched on 28 November 2018. Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro Specs: The Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro packs a 6.21-inch Super AMOLED display which has a notch on top and offers a screen resolution of 2248 x 1080 pixels. Powering the Mi 8 Pro is a Qualcomm's high-end Snapdragon 845 SoC which is paired with Adreno 630 GPU to take care of all the graphics. As mentioned above, the smartphone is available in two RAM variants including 8GB RAM and 6GB RAM variants. The device comes with 128GB of onboard storage which is not further expandable. The Mi 8 Pro runs on Android 8.1 Oreo based on MIUI 10. For imaging, the Mi 8 Pro makes use of a dual rear camera setup comprising of dual 12MP sensors with OIS and optical zoom. Up front, there is a 20Mp camera with a wide f/2.0 aperture to capture selfies. The smartphone is backed by a 3,000mAh battery which also has a support for fast charging technology. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Movenpick Hotels & Resorts is gearing up for the opening of a new hotel apartment tower in Downtown Dubai. Expected to open by year end, the 244-key property, which will be within walking distance of the world's tallest building - Burj Khalifa - and the Dubai Mall, will become the operators sixth property in the emirate. Movenpick Hotel Apartments Downtown Dubai's rooms range from 38-sq-m deluxe rooms to 265-sq-m three-bedroom apartments, and feature amenities such as fully-equipped kitchens with induction cooker and oven, microwave, washing machine, dishwasher and cooking utensils, fast and free wi-fi and LED HD TVs The hotel also offers an all-day-dining restaurant and a pool lounge, as well as an outdoor swimming pool, gym and sauna. Dining Bien all-day dining restaurant Great food throughout the day is what one can expect in the hotel's all-day dining restaurant at Movenpick Hotel Apartments Downtown Dubai. Natural light fills up the airy interiors where creatively prepared feasts are enjoyed. Along with an a la carte menu, the restaurant features an extensive salad bar with wonderful variety. Fresh honeycomb and on-demand freshly juiced concoctions are favourites during breakfast, while evenings are ideal to try regional specialties. The restaurant also serves coffee and fragrant teas alongside an indulgent assortment of freshly baked pastries, cakes and savoury treats throughout the day. Check out our Power Bites kids menu and Movenpicks popular Go Healthy options. Movenpick Hotels & Resorts is ideally situated in Downtown Dubai, one of the citys most vibrant and central districts. It is in close proximity to business areas such as Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC, Business Bay and City Walk, which are all inside a 5 km radius. Close landmarks include Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, KidZania Dubai, Souk Al Bahar and many others. - TradeArabia News Service Amazon offers: You can pre-order a brand new iPhone XR from Amazon. The device is retailing at Rs 76,900. The iPhone XR comes in six color variants; however, the e-commerce giant has listed only four color variants of the device. As for the offers, upon pre-ordering the iPhone XR on Amazon, you can get up to Rs 15,900 exchange value on your old devices. You also get no-cost EMI offers on the purchases made using HDFC debit and credit cards, or via Bajaj Finserv EMI card. Airtel Online Store offer: Apart from Amazon, the iPhone XR pre-orders are also live on Airtel Online Store. The device is retailing at a same price tag of Rs 76,900 and Airtel is also giving an exciting bundle offer if you opt for a postpaid plan if you pre-order the device from the platform. To avail the offer, you will need to make a down payment of Rs 14,999 and go for the Airtel postpaid plan which is going to cost you Rs 3,499 every month for a duration of 24 months. Notably, the EMI of the device is included in this price. The other benefits which you will receive along with the postpaid plan will include unlimited calling, Netflix Subscription for 3 months, 100GB data per month and 1 year of Amazon Prime subscription. You also get free Handset Damage Protection' bundled along with the postpaid plan. iPhone XR specs: The Apple iPhone XR packs a 6.1-inch IPS LCD (Liquid Retina HD Display) which offers a screen resolution of 828 x 1792 pixels. The smartphone is powered by a hexa core A12 Bionic CPU which is paired with 3GB of RAM. The device is available in three storage variants including 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. For imaging, the iPhone XR makes use of a 12MP primary rear lens with f/1.8 aperture. Up front, there is a 7MP camera with a wider f/2.2 aperture to capture selfies and to make/receive video calls. U.S. Forces Ready for NATO Exercise Trident Juncture 18 Navy News Service Story Number: NNS181022-17 Release Date: 10/22/2018 11:27:00 AM From U.S. Joint Information Center Trident Juncture 18 Public Affairs KEFLAVIK, Iceland (NNS) -- More than 14,000 U.S. service members from the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps will take part in Exercise Trident Juncture 18, which begins Oct. 25, 2018. The month-long exercise will take place in Norway and the surrounding areas of the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea, including Iceland and the airspace of Finland and Sweden. The exercise will include a live portion, from Oct. 25-Nov. 7 and a command post exercise from Nov. 14-23. Trident Juncture 18 is designed to test NATO's ability to plan and conduct a major collective defense operation from troop training at the tactical level, to command over large elements of a NATO force. "Trident Juncture demonstrates our credible capability, and together we deter potential adversaries," said U.S. Navy Adm. James Foggo, commander of NATO's Allied Joint Force Command-Naples and the senior NATO commander overseeing the exercise. "All 29-member NATO nations will participate in the exercise, along with our partners from Sweden and Finland and we are delighted about that." U.S. military personnel and equipment began their movements from their U.S. and European bases to Norway in September, with II Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, executing the complex and logistically intensive task of transporting thousands of Marines and their equipment across the Atlantic Ocean. The transition to prepare for the exercise was in itself for these Marines a test of their ability to rapidly deploy to Norway and quickly integrate into the NATO command structure, should they ever be called upon to fight. Last week, the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group carried out a simulated air assault, employing naval assets, tactical aircraft and Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to seize a simulated military objective in Iceland. The Marines then proceeded to undergo two days of cold-weather training. Trident Juncture 18 involves both a command post exercise and a live-execution portion, with the live-execution to begin Oct. 25 with U.S. forces training alongside NATO allies to work effectively, swiftly and collectively, to respond to threats from any direction and in any location. Some major U.S. elements of the exercise include: a naval exercise in the Norwegian Sea involving the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group and the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group working alongside allied and partner navies, a large-scale amphibious assault and combat operations in Norway; U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft flying from locations throughout Norway, Sweden and Finland, and U.S. Army Apache helicopters flying in support of a NATO allied ground forces. Exercising those tactics and procedures in different environments, as well as understanding the layout of the landscape, enables NATO forces to improve their readiness and interoperability. The United States stands firm with our NATO allies and partners and looks forward to taking part in this historic training opportunity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Navy Holds Ceremony to mark First Dedicated UAS Test Squadron Navy News Service Story Number: NNS181022-18 Release Date: 10/22/2018 12:08:00 PM From Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Public Affairs NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. - (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy commissioned its first Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) test and evaluation squadron during a ceremony Oct. 18, at Naval Air Station Patuxent River's Webster Outlying Field. The new unit, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (UX) 24, flies over 23 fixed and rotary wing UAS including the MQ-8 Fire Scout, RQ-20 Puma, RQ-21 Blackjack, RQ-26 Aerostar and a number of commercial systems. During the ceremony, Cmdr. Matthew Densing officially assumed leadership of UX-24. "This squadron centralizes the Navy's technical excellence in unmanned aviation," said Densing. "As the Navy continues to require the broad range of capability offered by UAS, UX-24 will always challenge the status quo." In April 2018 Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. John Richardson, approved establishment of UX-24 to provide research, development, test and evaluation support for Navy and Marine Corps UAS as growth in the field required establishment of a command dedicated solely to that mission. The ceremony marked the squadron's official transition from what was formerly known as NAWCAD's UAS Test Directorate. Densing previously oversaw the former UAS Test Directorate. Under his leadership, the directorate executed more than 2,200 flight hours and 2,000 ground test hours in support of UAS developmental test. NAWCAD supports the research, development, engineering, test and evaluation of all Navy and Marine Corps air vehicle systems and trainers. With facilities in Patuxent River, Maryland; Lakehurst, New Jersey; and Orlando, Florida, the command delivers high-quality, affordable products in support of military operating forces worldwide. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BLACK REPUBLICAN BLOG - The Republican Party is the party of civil rights and the four Fs: faith, family, freedom and fairness. The Democratic Party is the party of the four Ss: slavery, secession, segregation and socialism (Quote By Author Michael Scheuer). UAEs Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has announced that Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme goes into effect on November 18, allowing eligible tourists to request refunds of the value-added tax (VAT) incurred on their purchases. The first phase will see the digital system of the Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme implemented at Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah International Airports, reported Emirates news agency Wam. As of mid-December, the system will be fully operational to include all airports and land and sea ports in the UAE, as stipulated in the Cabinet Decision which aims to strengthen the UAEs leading position as a major destination on the global tourism map. The Authority explained that tax invoices issued starting from November 18, 2018, will qualify tourists who are eligible for a tax refund to reclaim taxes incurred on their purchases. FTA director general Khalid Ali Al Bustani asserted that more than 4,000 retail outlets across the UAE will be connected electronically to the system, clarifying that only the invoices issued by retail outlets registered in the Scheme and connected to the system are eligible for a refund. These eligible outlets can be identified with posters displayed on their storefronts and visible to visitors. "The electronic Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme, which is implemented by the FTA in collaboration with Planet, the global operator of the system, is currently being finalised," Al Bustani added. "The Scheme will be fully operational as per the timeline we set for it and will include integrated electronic programmes and mechanisms for direct connection between retailers and tax refund offices for tourists at airports and land and sea ports." He noted that this important step is in line with the UAE leaderships directives to strengthen economic diversification and increase the contribution of non-oil sectors to GDP especially the tourism sector, where the UAE has set an ambitious vision to attract increasing numbers of tourists and to raise the competitiveness of the national economy. Implementing the Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme helps attract larger numbers of tourists and allows them to enjoy the UAEs unique tourism offering, especially in retail. "Over the last period, there has been a significant increase in the number of agreements signed with retailers to register in the digital system of the Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme. This will equip them with the systems advanced technologies, which are connected with airports and land and sea ports. The exact refundable taxes are identified, and the payments are received through the electronic system, which is the latest of its kind in this field," he added. Al Bustani stressed that the high demand for registration is a healthy indicator of the business sectors cooperativeness during the large-scale campaign launched by the Authority to introduce the Scheme, outline the steps for registration, and highlight the requirements listed in induction programmes through the official website of the Authority, social networking sites, newspapers and audio-visual media. Extensive meetings were held with representatives of retail companies, outlets and shops in all seven emirates as part of the direct and continuous communication with business sectors to familiarise them with the conditions and steps of registration in the digital system of the Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme. Al Bustani asserted that the Authority intends to continue holding ongoing meetings during the next phase to provide the opportunity for the largest number of retail companies to be part of the new system. The new system is characterised by simple and fast digital procedures through which the VAT is refunded for tourists on their purchases made during their presence in the UAE, he asserted, adding that this step comes in line with the Governments efforts to support the application of the tax system in the country, ensuring that it conforms to the best international standards. The FTA explained that the Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme is applied once they leave the UAE, where tourists will receive their refunds through a special device at the departure port (airport, seaport, or border port), by submitting the tax invoices for their purchases from the outlets registered in the Scheme, along with copies of their passport and credit card. Once these documents are submitted, tourists can either recover the VAT in cash in UAE dirhams, or have it transferred to their credit card. The Authority noted that Cabinet Decision No. (41) of 2018 outlined a clear set of standards for transparency and accuracy in the procedures to refund VAT to tourists visiting the UAE, and who are not residents in the country. It stressed the need for a set of basic conditions to determine that the tourist is eligible for tax refund through the system. These include: The purchases in question must be subject to the Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme; the supplies are bought in the UAE by a tourist coming from abroad; the tourist has the explicit intention at the date of purchase to leave the country within 90 days; and that the tourist takes with him/her the purchases within three months from the date of purchase. In accordance with the Decision, the Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme requires that all the purchases are made from outlets registered in the system. The FTA said that each retailer fulfilling the requirements may register in the scheme. If tourists express their desire to these registered retailers to make purchases with tax refunds, the concerned retailers must submit the required documents to claim the tax refund through the Scheme as specified by the FTA, including tax invoices that meet all the legal requirements. Tourists must then apply for a refund of the tax directly from the operator and provide sufficient and convincing evidence. NATO soldier killed in Taliban-claimed attack in Afghanistan's Herat Iran Press TV Mon Oct 22, 2018 06:19PM A NATO soldier has been killed and two others wounded in the western Afghan province of Herat, in an attack claimed by the Taliban militant group. Local officials said on Monday that the attack took place in Shindand district to the south of Herat city, an area with heavy Taliban presence. The Taliban group claimed responsibility for the attack in an emailed statement, claiming it killed or wounded "a large number of American soldiers." NATO's Resolute Support Mission (RSM) did not immediately release the nationalities of the three soldiers, but claimed in a statement that "initial reports indicate the attack was committed by a member of the Afghan security forces." The attack comes a few days after a gunman opened fire on a gathering of security chiefs, including General Scott Miller, the top US and NATO commander in the southern city of Kandahar. Miller was not hurt in the shooting that killed three people, including a powerful Afghan police chief. Brigadier General Jeffrey Smiley was among 13 wounded in the Taliban-claimed shooting. Smiley suffered non-life threatening gunshot wounds and was "in Germany receiving further treatment," a statement from Resolute Support said. Overall, 3,555 US-led troops, including 2,414 American soldiers, have been killed since the US-led war on Afghanistan began in 2001 following the 9/11 terror attacks, according to iCasualties website. The US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washington's so-called war on terror. The war removed the militant group from power but some 17 years on the Taliban are still active in two-thirds of the country and involved in widespread militancy, killing thousands of civilians as well as Afghan and US forces despite the presence of foreign troops. Last year, the United States added thousands of additional troops to its forces in Afghanistan. Washington claims the American troops are deployed in Afghanistan to train Afghan forces and conduct counter-terrorist missions against militant groups. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, ASEAN states start inaugural joint maritime exercises Iran Press TV Mon Oct 22, 2018 03:54PM China and Southeast Asian states have kicked off their first joint maritime exercises as part of efforts to promote stability and ease tensions across the disputed South China Sea. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said on Monday that eight warships had set sail from the port of Zhanjiang, with 1,200 military personnel taking part in the event. According to China's Defense Ministry, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines deployed ships to participate in the exercises. Meanwhile, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Myanmar sent observers. In a speech during Monday's opening ceremony, Singapore's chief of navy, Rear-Admiral Lew Chuen Hong emphasized the security benefits, as well as economic growth to be reaped from regional collaboration. "To allow the stable and collective use of a shared space, a set of common rules and understanding is very important," the Singapore-based Strait Times quoted the admiral as saying. The Chinese Defense Ministry said in a statement late Sunday that the exercises were expected to include a joint search and rescue operation and communication exercises while in formation. The ministry stressed the exercises would "enhance mutual trust" and "help promote military relations between China and ASEAN countries, strengthen maritime security cooperation, and enhance the ability to jointly respond to security threats." At a ministerial meeting on Friday, the navies of China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to hold the week-long maneuvers. The joint naval exercises are taking place after preparatory tabletop exercises were held in Singapore in August between ASEAN and China. Beijing has repeatedly asserted its sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea, which serves as a crossing for more that $5 trillion worth of maritime trade annually. The sea is also claimed in part by the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan. The US has been taking sides with several of China's neighbors in their territorial disputes in the busy sea, and stepped up its military presence in the South China Sea under the pretext of freedom of navigation operations in international waters. The US has also raised concerns about China's installation of military facilities in artificially-built islands in the South China Sea. Beijing has on numerous occasions stressed that its military drills in the South China Sea are part of routine military training. The Chinese Foreign Ministry defended the country's peaceful construction on the islands, including "the deployment of necessary national defense facilities." China calls the US military presence in the region an instance of meddling and warns it's likely to stir regional tensions. Beijing's deployment of defensive facilities in the region is believed to be partly motivated by the US military build-up. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Afghan Leaders Say Election Turnout Shows Voters Are Rejecting The Taliban RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan October 22, 2018 Senior Afghan officials have praised voters who cast ballots in weekend parliamentary elections that were plagued by violence and organizational problems, saying the turnout shows that Afghans are rejecting the ideology of Taliban militants. "The Taliban wanted to build a stream of blood, but the Taliban was defeated and the Taliban's thoughts and ideas were rejected," Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah told a cabinet meeting on October 22. Around 4 million out of 8.8 million registered voters in a country of more than 30 million cast their ballots over the two-day voting at more than 4,500 polling centers across the country, according to election authorities, despite deadly militant attacks in which dozens of people were killed and delays caused by technical and organizational problems. The Taliban had issued several warnings in the days leading up to the poll demanding the more than 2,500 candidates for the lower house of parliament withdraw from the race and for voters to stay home. Preliminary results of the parliamentary elections, which were seen as a key test of the government's ability to provide security across the country, were expected to be released on November 10 at the earliest. Final results will likely be out sometime in December, an election commission spokesman has said. Originally scheduled for 2015, the vote was delayed for three years amid disputes over electoral reforms and because of the instability following NATO's handover of security responsibilities to Afghan forces at the end of 2014. "The Afghan people want a system based on the people's vote, and in fact, we have witnessed a historical moment," said Abdullah, who also admitted there were shortcomings during the vote. Voting was extended to a second day on October 21 after hundreds of polling stations were closed on the first day of voting due to technical and security issues. But only 253 of the 401 polling centers that were scheduled to be open on October 21 were operational, with the remainder closed for security reasons, election authorities said. At some of the centers that opened for voting, there were insufficient ballot papers and voter rolls were "either incomplete or nonexistent," Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) spokesman Ali Reza Rohani said, adding, "most of the problems we had yesterday still exist today." The ECC said it had received more than 5,000 complaints of irregularities from voters and candidates, and the Interior Ministry said 44 people had been charged with "illegal interference in the election and fraud." However, President Ashraf Ghani said in a televised address to the nation after polls closed on October 21 that the election turnout showed that voters "have the power and will to defeat their enemies." Ghani also challenged the Taliban to "show if your way or the way of democracy is preferred by the people." In a tweet on October 21, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg commended "the millions of Afghan men & women who have exercised their democratic right to vote & the Afghan security forces who have provided security for the elections despite great challenges." The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a statement released on October 20 that it was "encouraged by the high numbers" of Afghans who braved security threats and waited long hours to cast their votes. UNAMA said the elections, which it described as "the first completely run by Afghan authorities since 2001," were an "important milestone in Afghanistan's transition to self-reliance." With reporting by TOLOnews Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghan- leaders-say-election-turnout-shows-voters-are- rejecting-the-taliban/29557289.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pentagon Acknowledges U.S. General Hurt In Kandahar Attack RFE/RL October 22, 2018 U.S. Army Brigadier General Jeffrey Smiley was wounded in the attack in Afghanistan's southern city of Kandahar last week that killed two senior Afghan officials, the Pentagon says. "I can confirm that he is recovering from a gunshot wound he received during the attack in Kandahar," U.S. military spokesman Navy Commander Grant Neeley said on October 21. "He is being treated at a Resolute Support hospital in Kandahar," Neeley added. The Pentagon said one U.S. civilian and a coalition contractor were also wounded in the October 18 attack that was claimed by the Taliban. The police chief and intelligence head of Kandahar Province were killed in the assault, which came just two days before Afghanistan's parliamentary elections. The vote was delayed in the province as a result of the attack. Afghan officials told RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan that a bodyguard opened fire after a high-level security meeting in the governor's compound. The gunman was shot and killed almost immediately by security forces. The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General Scott Miller, was present at the gathering but was unhurt, spokesman Neeley said at the time. However, Kandahar Province's police chief, General Abdul Raziq -- one of Afghanistan's most powerful commanders, with a fearsome reputation as an enemy of the Taliban -- and provincial intelligence head Abdul Momin Hassankhail were shot and killed. Neeley provided no other details on the wounding of Smiley. The Washington Post first broke the story and reported that the U.S. general was recovering after suffering at least one gunshot wound. Smiley, who has served in the Army for 30 years, became a general in May 2017. He was assigned in the summer to lead the Kandahar-based unit known as Train, Advise, Assist, and Command-South. The Kabul government has struggled to fend off a resurgent Taliban, as well as Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qaeda militants, nearly two decades after a U.S.-led coalition drove the Taliban from power in Afghanistan in 2001. U.S. officials have attempted to bring the Kabul government and Taliban leaders together for negotiations, but little progress has been made. With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan, The Washington Post, AP, and CNN Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us -military-says-general-wounded-in- kandahar-attack/29555927.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 Belgium Reportedly Picks US F-35 Over Eurofighter Typhoon Sputnik News 13:18 22.10.2018(updated 13:31 22.10.2018) In February, the US defense contractor Lockheed Martin and a European consortium of aerospace manufacturers became the only two participants in a competition to provide state-of-the-art warplanes to Belgium, pitting the F-35 against the Eurofighter Typhoon. Brussels has picked the advanced US F-35 Lightning II fighter jet to replace Belgium's aging fleet of F-16 jets, the Belgian newspaper DeMorgen cited several government sources as saying on Monday. "The decision has already been made in favor of the F-35," the sources pointed out. Last month, US Ambassador to Belgium Ronald Gidwitz urged the Belgian government to make a decision on the tender for acquiring 34 new fighter jets by mid-October. The latest deadline for the decision was reportedly scheduled for October 29. His remarks came after the US aerospace company Lockheed Martin and the European consortium which manufactures the Eurofighter Typhoon became the only participants in the competition to re-equip the Belgian Air Force with new-generation fighter bombers. The consortium is a joint project between the UK's BAE Systems, France's Airbus, and the Italian aerospace firm Leonardo. The new aircraft are due to replace the fleet of F-16 fighters that have been in service with the Belgian Air Force since the early 1980s. The Belgian government reportedly plans to allocate a total of 15 billion euros (17.2 billion dollars) for the purchase and maintenance of the 34 new warplanes. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Darfur: Inter-communal tensions still high despite improved security, Mission head tells Security Council 22 October 2018 - While security has improved in Darfur, inter-communal tensions in the conflict-plagued region of Sudan are still high, with clashes over land and livestock, the head of the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission said on Monday. Briefing the Security Council, via video conference, Jeremiah Mamabolo the head of the AU-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) also said there was "continuing concern" voiced by displaced civilians (IDPs) over continued attacks and harassment, the destruction of farms, land occupation and livestock theft. "UNAMID continues to focus on early warning, preventive measures, capacity-building and efforts to address the root causes of conflicts," he said. The Mission was established in 2007 following a brutal civil war that broke out in 2003 and led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Darfuris and the displacement of nearly two million civilians, amidst allegations of ethnic cleansing of non-Arabs. Widespread atrocities, including murder and rape were reported in the fighting between Sudanese Government troops and militias and other armed rebel groups. Mr Mamabolo told Council Members that on the humanitarian front, aid agencies continue to provide assistance to people in need, despite limited funding and problems accessing some affected areas. Drawing attention to the importance of upholding the highest principles of human rights, the senior UN official noted a decrease in new cases of human rights violations and abuses in the areas the Mission is responsible for. Some 134 new cases involving 304 victims were documented by UNAMID during the current reporting period, compared to 169 cases involving just 508 victims in the period 16 February-10 June, he said, noting that most violations were reported in and around internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. "Our focus should be on building the capacity of the Government of Sudan to deal squarely with these challenges and to discharge its primary responsibility of protecting civilians and IDPs, providing security, addressing lack of confidence in reporting cases to authorities and lack of adequate law enforcement authorities and inability to provide basic social services." In his briefing, Mr. Mamabolo also told the 15-member Council that the Mission has embarked on its reconfiguration and drawdown, and is in the process of relocating its headquarters from El Fasher to Zalingei. Alongside the reduction of military personnel at the Mission, the process is being finalized to reduce civilian staff both national and international, he added. In addition, ten team sites are slated for closure by the end of the year and three sector headquarters by June next year. "We continue to monitor the impact on the security situation and protection of civilian in areas from which UNAMID has withdrawn. So far, we have not witnessed any adverse impact," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South China Sea Code of Conduct Gains Momentum as China Moves to Complete Militarization By Nike Ching October 22, 2018 As China moves to complete the creation of military outposts in the South China Sea, Beijing's negotiation with southeastern Asian nations over a binding code of conduct is gaining momentum. But U.S. officials and experts warn China's insertions in the draft South China Sea code of conduct may put Washington and Beijing on a collision course. The text of the draft also shows that deep divisions remain among claimants. One of the Chinese provisions in the text states, "The Parties shall not hold joint military exercises with countries from outside the region, unless the parties concerned are notified beforehand and express no objection." China also proposed cooperation on the marine economy "shall not be conducted in cooperation with companies from countries outside the region." A State Department spokesperson told VOA the United States is concerned by reports China has been pressing members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations "in the closed-door talks, to accept restrictions on their ability to conduct exercises with security partners, and to agree not to conduct oil and gas exploration in their claimed waters with energy firms based in countries which are not part of the ongoing negotiations." "These proposals, if accepted, would limit the ability of ASEAN nations to conduct sovereign, independent foreign and economic policies and would directly harm the interests of the broader international community," added the State Department spokesperson. Competing for influence For China, the benefits are apparent. The United States and China are competing for influence in the Indo-Pacific region. China and Southeast Asian navies are heading to their first joint exercises from October 22 to 28. An inaugural ASEAN-U.S. maritime exercise will be held next year. "In other words, China would like a veto over all the military exercises held by ASEAN countries with other nations. I think this really provides some evidence that China indeed is trying to limit American influence in the region, one might go so far as to say to push American military presence out of the region eventually, but certainly in the area of the South China Sea," said Bonnie Glaser, director of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. While the United States is not a claimant to the sovereignty of disputed islands in the South China Sea, Washington has said China's efforts to militarize outposts in the contested waters endanger the free flow of trade and undermine regional stability, a claim Beijing rebuts. The United States is also calling for ongoing discussions on the South China Sea code of conduct to be transparent and consultative with the rest of the international community. U.S. officials said the international community has direct stakes in the outcome. Code of conduct draft In August, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan announced China and ASEAN's 10 member countries had reached a draft agreement. (Single Draft South China Sea Code of Conduct Negotiating Text or SDNT). ASEAN leaders are to meet next month in Singapore. Highlighting the importance of such a draft, a Center for Strategic and International Studies report said for the first time in many years, an effective diplomatic process to manage South China Sea disputes seems possible. ASEAN and China have been discussing a potential code of conduct (COC) to manage the South China Sea maritime and territorial disputes for more than two decades. Leaked details of the draft state the code of conduct is "not an instrument to settle territorial disputes or maritime delimitation issues." Managing disputes The draft shows deep divisions among South China Sea claimants over many issues, according to experts, especially over the most sensitive issues like the agreement's geographic scope, potential dispute settlement mechanisms, and details of resource exploration. "What the code of conduct is intended to do is to manage the disputes to prevent them from escalating, and basically to allow the freezing of the thorny territorial questions, while states can manage the resources and manage tensions in the near to medium term," said Gregory Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative" at Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). In August a trilateral statement from Japan, Australia and the United States called for the Code of Conduct "to not prejudice the interests of third parties or the rights of all states under international law; to reinforce existing regional architecture; and to strengthen parties' commitments to cease actions that would complicate or escalate disputes." Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Amy Searight said Washington's "concrete position" on no prejudice against third parties "is to really criticize China's attempt to marginalize U.S. influences" in the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Seaplane to boost maritime capability, firefighting People's Daily Online (China Daily) 07:45, October 22, 2018 China will have better capability in maritime search, rescue and firefighting as it moves closer to putting the world's largest amphibious aircraft into use. Developed and built by State-owned aircraft giant Aviation Industry Corp of China, the AG600 carried out its first water-based takeoff and landing at Jingmen Zhanghe Airport, one of China's leading amphibious airports in Jingmen, Hubei province, on Saturday. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to researchers and engineers of the program to express his congratulations, encouraging them to continue to strive to build a strong aviation industry. The success of the first waterborne flight of the AG600 marked another significant achievement through independent innovation by China's aviation industry, Xi said. Leng Yixun, a senior project manager in charge of the AG600, said on Saturday after the water test that AVIC is poised to speed up the aircraft's flight tests and plans to deliver it to users as soon as possible. Once delivered, the AG600 will mainly be tasked with performing maritime search and rescue operations as well as firefighting activities. It can also be refitted to conduct environmental inspections, resource surveys, anti-smuggling operations as well as personnel and supply transport, said Huang Lingcai, chief designer of the AG600. Lu Guangshan, AVIC's chief engineer, explained that the seaplane is very suitable for maritime operations as it is much faster than ships and is more flexible, being able to land on waters that some ships have difficulty approaching. The aircraft is 37 meters long with a wingspan of 38.8 meters, which makes it roughly the size of a Boeing 737. Powered by four domestically designed WJ-6 turboprop engines, the seaplane has a maximum takeoff weight of 53.5 metric tons. These specifications make it the world's largest amphibious aircraft, surpassing Japan's ShinMaywa US-2 and Russia's Beriev Be-200. The aircraft is designed for land and water takeoffs and landings, and has an operational range of more than 4,000 kilometers. It is capable of carrying 50 people, besides the crew. When assigned to fight forest fires, it can collect 12 tons of water from a lake or sea in 20 seconds and then use the water to douse blazes over an area of about 4,000 square meters, according to AVIC. A market prospect report by AVIC forecasts that the market will need about 280 AG600s in the coming decade. Development of the AG600 was approved by the central government in June 2009. Construction of the prototype began in March 2014 and was completed in July 2016. The seaplane made its maiden flight in December in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, taking off and landing at an airport, and it has conducted many land-based test flights since then. The amphibious plane is one of three large-sized aircraft to emerge from the nation's effort to become a top-tier player in the global aviation sector, joining the Y-20 strategic transport plane delivery of which began in July 2016 to the People's Liberation Army Air Force and the C919 narrow-body jetliner, which is being flight-tested. The AG600 has become China's second amphibious aircraft after the SH-5, which was developed in the 1970s for military use. More than 10,000 researchers and engineers took part in the AG600 program, AVIC said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Indian Shipyard Seeks Foreign Partner for $1.3 Bln Naval Fleet Support Project Sputnik News 14:23 22.10.2018(updated 14:24 22.10.2018) The fleet support ships, capable of carrying ballistic weapons will deliver fluids such as low speed and high-speed diesel, aviation fuel, fresh water, and feed water ships, will be crucial to the Indian Navy in boosting warfare capabilities in the southern Indian Ocean Region including the Mediterranean Sea. New Delhi (Sputnik) India's state-owned Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) has issued a fresh global tender seeking collaboration in building five fleet support ships for the Indian Navy. According to the document, HSL is seeking as collaborator a reputed shipyard that can provide design, KME, and technical assistance for implementation of this project. The vessels would be used by the Navy to support the operations of carrier groups planned for the future. "The collaborator has to provide a design from a source who has designed a ship with similar capabilities which is in service with any Navy. Collaborator should have constructed and delivered a naval vessel of similar capabilities/capital warships on or after 01 Jan 2005 which should have been completed within four years of build period," the document issued by HSL reads. An earlier tender was scrapped after an expected collaboration agreement between HSL and South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) fell through on the disagreement over work share and local content sharing. While the old tender envisaged the rolling out of the first ship constructed at the Hyundai facility in South Korea by October 2022 and the rest were to be subsequently rolled out from the HSL facility in India, the new tender provides for all the ships to be built at an Indian facility. The Indian Navy had issued a request for information in 2011 for underway replenishment capability from these ships aimed to boost its warfare capabilities in the Southern Indian Ocean Region. The 200 meter long ships having the displacement capacity of around 40000-ton will play a critical role of fuelling at sea through the delivery of fluids. These five ships will be capable of handling multirole helicopter at sea and also perform tasks typically carried out by combat store ships and ammunition ships. It must be crewed by 190 sailors, including 24 officers. These ships will be equipped with India's own developed advanced torpedo defense system, two 30 mm guns and two 12.7 mm guns in addition to four chaff launchers besides one expendable conductivity depth temperature profile launcher. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India-Russia Military Cooperation to Soar Higher With New Technical Wing Sputnik News 14:20 22.10.2018(updated 14:21 22.10.2018) The new department under the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Co-operation will be headed by a high-level official of the integrated defense staff. The integrated defense staff acts as a single point organization for jointmanship in defense ministry which integrates policy, doctrine, warfighting and procurement. New Delhi (Sputnik) India and Russia have decided to launch an all-new department under the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Co-operation (IRIGC-MTC) to bring each other's militaries closer than ever before. The department will focus on enhancing military interactions, reviving lapsed bilateral military programs and providing a further boost to joint training and military exercises. "The new department is aimed to create more jointmanship at the military level of the two countries. The first meeting is expected in December this year," an official source told Sputnik. The two countries have also decided to rename the 18-year-old IRIGC-MTC as "India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation" to emphasize the military aspect of the relationship. During the annual bilateral summit held in New Delhi earlier this month, the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to enhance military-technical cooperation considered an important pillar of strategic partnership. The new roadmap for military cooperation has paved way for greater interaction between the militaries of both countries, including in training, exchange of senior functionaries of the militaries, staff talks, and exercises. "Both sides expressed satisfaction at the significant progress made on the ongoing projects of military-technical cooperation and recognized the positive shift towards joint research and joint production of military-technical equipment between the two countries," the joint statement issued after the Putin-Modi meet read. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 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. IRGC commander arrives in Pakistan IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Islamabad, Oct 22, IRNA -- Commander of the Ground Forces of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour arrived in Islamabad on Monday to discuss with Pakistani officials the fate of abducted Iranian border guards. High-ranking Pakistani army officials and Iran's ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost received IRGC commander upon his arrival at Nur Khan Airbase of Islamabad. On October 16, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said terrorists had kidnapped the Iranian forces, including local Basij volunteer forces and border guards, near the town of Mirjaveh on the Pakistani border. Jaish al-Adl Terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the act. In this regards, there has been contact between the Directors General (Military Operations) of Iran and Pakistan. The IRGC spokesman Brigadier General Ramazan Sharif has said Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour during his visit is supposed to discuss the issues related to releasing of Iranian border guards and taking joint and firm measures against terrorism and maintaining sustainable border security with Pakistan military and security officials. Meanwhile, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri had also spoken to Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa asking Pakistan for taking prompt action to arrest kidnappers of Iranian border guards. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a phone conversation with his Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mehmood Qureshi had also called for urgent measures by the Pakistani government to ensure the safety and health of the kidnapped border guards. 272**6125**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zarif confident about Iran's overcoming US, allies sanctions Iran Press TV Mon Oct 22, 2018 05:24PM Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has expressed confidence that the Islamic Republic will manage to overcome sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies. "Many countries have shown readiness to do business with Iran," Zarif said in an interview with Kyodo News published on Monday. In response to a question about efforts by Britain, France and Germany to preserve a 2015 nuclear agreement after the United States' unilateral move to withdraw from the deal, the foreign minister said "serious measures" must be taken before a second round of US sanctions in November. Zarif said the three European signatories to the deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), have made commitments and proposals, but some technical details still need to be worked out. He criticized "US massive illegal interference" in the process, but emphasized, "For the time being, we are selling our oil (and) we are able to maintain our economy." In addition to the three Europeans, other countries that attach great importance to the JCPOA, including Russia, China and Japan, "are ready to implement their part," Zarif added. The JCPOA was signed between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China -- plus Germany in 2015. US President Donald Trump announced in May that Washington was pulling out of the nuclear agreement, which lifted nuclear-related sanctions against Tehran in exchange for restrictions on Tehran's nuclear program. A first round of American sanctions took effect in August, targeting Iran's access to the US dollar, metals trading, coal, industrial software, and auto sector. A second round, forthcoming on November 4, will be targeting Iran's energy sector and financial transactions. On September 24, Iran and its five partners released a joint statement announcing the setting up of a "Special Purpose Vehicle" to facilitate continued trade with Iran, bypass the US's financial system, and avoid any impact of America's secondary sanctions. That statement did not provide details and EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said technical talks would ensue. Participants in the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) on Friday reaffirmed their "collective support" for the multilateral nuclear agreement, saying the lifting of sanctions against Tehran is an essential part of the deal. "Leaders recognized that, alongside full and effective implementation by Iran of its nuclear related commitments, the lifting of sanctions including the consequences arising from it constitutes an essential part of the JCPOA," the European and Asian leaders said in a joint statement issued at the end of their two-day meeting in Brussels. Asked about the possibility of an Iranian withdrawal from the JCPOA, Zarif said Tehran must determine for itself whether the economic and political benefits of staying in the deal exceed the costs, adding, "We will make (that) decision based on our own evaluation of (our) national security and interests. We are not working against any deadline." Iran has stayed in the deal but has emphasized that the other parties to the agreement have to work to offset the negative impacts of the US pullout for Iran if they wanted Tehran to continue to remain in it. Europe has been taking a range of measures to meet the Iranian demand for practical guarantees. Iran open to dialogue but no sign of readiness from US: Zarif Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian foreign minister said Tehran is open to dialogue with Washington without any preconditions, but such talks remain elusive so long as the US fails to respect Iran. "We do not have preconditions, but we can say that what is required for dialogue is mutual respect, not mutual confidence," Zarif said, adding, "Usually people (who) engage in negotiation do not necessarily have trust and confidence in each other, but it requires mutual respect." Although the Trump's administration "illegally" pulled out of the JCPOA, it still could pave the way for dialogue by adhering to the deal and halting its unilateral sanctions, the Iranian foreign minister explained. He said if a new US administration is authorized to suddenly abandon the fruit of two-and-a-half years of intensive negotiations, it brings into question whether Washington can be relied on other international agreements reached with it. "The United States has failed to respect its legal obligations, [and] its treaty obligations. Unfortunately, the way that the United States has acted...has created conditions that would basically undermine the utility of negotiation," Zarif pointed out. 'US has lost respect' Meanwhile, Robert Fantina, a political commentator, told Press TV in an interview that the US had lost global credibility as a result of constantly violating its commitments. "The US has lost a tremendous amount of respect. People around the world and governments around the world know that commitments made by the US will not be kept," Fantina said. He said the US sanctions against in Iran would have "minimal effect" because as stated by Foreign Minister Zarif other countries were willing to do business with Iran. "The leaders of various countries that are remaining within the JCPOA have stated more than once that they supported [the deal, and] they are looking for ways to get around sanctions because the US has said that it will sanction them as well if they continue to do business with Iran," he said. "Because these other world leaders are very anxious to continue with the agreement and have the support of most of the international community in doing so, it is likely that Mr. Zarif's prediction that the sanctions will have minimal effect will be the case." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran says has 'strategic partnership' with Russia in Syria Iran Press TV Mon Oct 22, 2018 07:09AM (This is the fourth news article in the series "Iran's point man on Middle East." To read the third, click here; the second, here; and the first, here. To read a report of the interview with Hossein Jaberi Ansari, see here.) Iran has been working with Russia in a "strategic partnership" format based on mutual interests but is in no such "alliance" with any Eastern or Western power, says Iran's point man on the Middle East, who has been working closely with the Russian Federation on Syria's dossier. Asked about the nature of Iran's relationship with Russia, Hossein Jaberi Ansari, a top aide to the Iranian foreign minister, told Press TV's website in an exclusive interview on October 10 that the Islamic Republic has since its foundation defined itself as nationally independent of any global power but has recognized and duly employed "partnerships" with countries within the framework of its national interests. He meticulously differentiated between a "strategic alliance" which he said was an obsolete practice of the Cold War era and never in the policy toolkit of the Islamic Republic and "strategic partnership." "Russia is not our strategic ally; neither are we Russia's strategic ally, in the sense that was very popular particularly in the bipolar era [of international politics], in the era of blocs and great [] alliances," he said. "We don't have a strategic alliance with Russia, but we have strategic partnership [with it], in specific projects, based on specific mutual interests and in spite of the differences we have [with Moscow] and we can continue to have [such partnership] in the future, too," Jaberi Ansari said. He said Iran "exited the framework of alliances and affiliations with powers in the West and the East" after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. The Islamic Republic, he said, has achieved its national independence "at great cost" and will not let that independence be dented in any shape or form. "Neither in its relations with Russia, nor in its relations with any other power will Iran step toward violating its own national independence," he said. 'The facts' But Iran highly values its relationship with Russia for a number of factual reasons, he said. "Russia is our neighbor to the north, [and] Russia is a large neighbor and a global power. These are facts," Jaberi Ansari said. "As such, the same rule that governs our relations with all our neighbors applies to Russia all the more." "No [Iranian] administration or politician can afford not to insert into its/his calculations the fact that Russia is our globally powerful neighbor." In his official capacity as senior assistant to the Iranian foreign minister on special political affairs, Jaberi Ansari has been working with Russia and Turkey in a peace process for Syria. Iran and Russia, allies of the Syrian government, have been giving Damascus advisory military help in coordination with one another. Russia has also been carrying out an aerial bombardment campaign in Syria on behalf of the Syrian government. 'Iran subordinate to no country' Jaberi Ansari said China, too, is another neighbor that, although not in Iran's immediate neighborhood, has on various occasions "in times of difficulty, at times of sanctions, conflicts, and wars" been willing to cooperate and is thus well looked upon inside Iran. "But none of that means that we are part of global blocs, or [involved in] East-West disputes, or that we have become subordinate to the East or the West," he said. Jaberi Ansari seemed to say that Iran considered its interests above all. "Iran's interests are in employing all the capacities that really exist in its international relations with Eastern and Western powers according to Iran's national agenda. Whatever window is open, Iran and its wise politicians will use that window," he said. The Iranian official said while Russia has been willing to cooperate with Iran in economic, political, and security areas, the West, particularly America, has consistently sought to confront and contain Iran since 1979. "When the Westerners close the windows [], Iran [] will find its own breathing room, will use the realities within the framework of its own interests, and activate the maximum capacity in its relations with Russia and China and all of its [other] neighbors," he said. "Iranian politicians," Jaberi Ansari said, "make decisions based on the realities." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian Attack Boats Reportedly Confront UK Destroyer in the Persian Gulf Sputnik News 11:57 23.10.2018 The incident came after Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri pledged in late August that the ships of "hostile countries" will be confronted when crossing through the Strait of Hormuz. Three Iranian fast attack boats confronted a UK Royal Navy destroyer as she was escorting a trio of British vessels through the Strait of Hormuz near the Persian Gulf, according to the Telegraph. During the incident, the Iranian speed boats halted the HMS Dragon's course and demanded that the warship must remain 1,000 yards (0.9 kilometers) clear of the port side. After Dragon commander Michael Carter Quinn ordered five blasts of the ship's horn as a warning, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy responded by radioing that they are "here to safeguard our national sovereignty and we are doing routine operations." Quinn told The Telegraph that if the Iranian attack boats did not move aside in the long run, the Dragon crew would have to fire flares and warning shots. "You have to provide a robust response. The day you don't take it seriously is the day you become unstuck," he underscored. In late August, Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri said that thanks to the IRGC's Navy, "the hostile countries are worried before crossing the Strait of Hormuz." He noted that last year, these countries had abided by international law, but if they breached them, they would be confronted and dealt with. Earlier, Alireza Tangsiri, the IRGC's navy chief, said that Iran has full control of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. The statement came after Iranian officials threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off the main oil shipping route, in retaliation for any hostile moves from the US. Already-strained relations between Tehran and Washington became further exacerbated in early May, when US President Donald Trump announced a US pullout from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. He also promised to reinstate anti-Iranian sanctions, including those preventing other countries from doing business with the Islamic Republic. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Australia slaps sanctions on Myanmar officers over Rohingya Iran Press TV Tue Oct 23, 2018 07:23AM The Australian government has announced sanctions against five military officers in Myanmar who are accused of leading brutal atrocities against minority Rohingya Muslims in the Southeast Asian country. Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne unveiled the sanctions on Tuesday, also saying that the army officers were "responsible for human rights violations committed by units under their command." She identified the five as Aung Kyaw Zaw, Maung Maung Soe, Aung Aung, Than Oo, and Khin Maung Soe. The punitive measures include asset freezes and bans on their entry into Australia. Some of the targeted officers are believed to have quit their positions since carrying out the cruel operation against the minority Muslims. There has been no official reaction so far from Myanmar's authorities to the measures announced by Canberra. Tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslims were killed, injured, arbitrarily arrested, or raped by Myanmarese soldiers and Buddhist mobs mainly between November 2016 and August 2017, when many of the surviving members of the community started fleeing to Bangladesh en masse. The United Nations (UN) has concluded that the atrocities constitute genocide. Australia's move came just over a week after Myanmar's extremist Buddhists waged a rally in the city of Yangon to express support for the military's state-sponsored crackdown campaign against Rohingya Muslims, vowing to "fight back" any international attempt to punish their top generals for the atrocities. Several thousand anti-Muslim and pro-military Buddhists marched through Yangon on October 14, holding portraits of Myanmar's military chief, General Min Aung Hlaing, who has been referred by the UN to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for prosecution. Also last week, the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced that mostly female Rohingya Muslim refugees are being sold into forced labor to make income for desperate families living in squalid border camps in Bangladesh. IOM added that it had identified 99 cases of human trafficking since September 2017, warning that realistic figures are probably much higher. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan, Russia Begin Joint Anti-Terror Military Drills By Ayaz Gul October 22, 2018 Pakistan and Russia have begun annual joint military drills to boost counterterrorism cooperation to tackle the growing threat of Islamic State stemming from neighboring Afghanistan. Officials said the "Druzhba-III" (Friendship-III) drills went into action Monday at the National Counter-Terrorist Center in the mountain town of Pabbi, where the Pakistan army's commando unit, the Special Services Group, is headquartered. Chief army spokesman Major-General Asif Ghafoor said this is the third exercise of the Pakistan-Russia bilateral training cooperation. Russian military officials said during the two week exercises more than 70 Russian commando troops and their Pakistani counterparts will undertake joint tasks at an altitude of 1,400 meters. Moscow and Islamabad launched the joint drills in 2016, a year after the local branch of Islamic State, known as Khorasan Province or ISK-P, unleashed its regional terrorist operations from bases in "ungoverned" border districts of Afghanistan. ISK-P has carried out some of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan in recent months. Russia maintains the Middle Eastern-based terrorist group is trying to use volatile Afghan regions next to the border with Central Asian countries to threaten Russian regional security interests. Pakistan blames ISK-P for plotting terrorist attacks in the country from its Afghan bases. The Islamabad-Moscow security partnership has strengthened and expanded since late 2014, when the two former rivals signed their defense cooperation agreement. In August, Moscow concluded an unprecedented contract with Islamabad, opening doors,for the first time,for Russian military training of Pakistani army officers. The deal came amid Islamabad's deteriorating relations with Washington, which has resulted in the halt of all military exchange programs with Pakistan and left a void that Moscow has stepped in to fill. Moscow and Islamabad have been pushing for starting peace negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban insurgency for ending the war and preventing Islamic State from using the turmoil-hit country as a sanctuary. Russia acknowledges its contacts with the Taliban, while Islamabad is accused of covertly supporting the insurgents to sustain and expand the 17-year-old Afghan war. The United States is critical of Russia's growing contacts with the Taliban, alleging Moscow is trying to undermine international efforts aimed at stabilizing Afghanistan. Washington has also cut defense ties with Islamabad for not doing enough to prevent Taliban insurgents from allegedly using Pakistani soil for deadly cross-border attacks. Russian and Pakistani officials deny they are providing any military assistance or shelter to the Taliban and insist their ties with insurgents are meant to influence them to engage in an Afghan peace process. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian, Pakistani Forces Launch Joint Exercise In Northwestern Pakistan RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal October 23, 2018 Around 200 Russian and Pakistani troops have kicked off annual joint exercises in the mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in northwestern Pakistan. A contingent of more than 70 mountain troops from a motorized rifle brigade based in the North Caucasus republic of Karachai-Cherkessia is participating in the Druzhba-2018 exercises, Russia's Southern Military District said in a statement on October 22. The military exercises are set to run through November 4. The Dryuzhba (Friendship) drills have been held annually since 2016. Last year, more than 200 troops took part in the exercises held in mountainous Karachai-Cherkessia. The purpose of the war games is to strengthen cooperation between the two countries' militaries and exchange professional experience, particularly in counterterrorism. There are Islamist militants in both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and the North Caucasus. Pakistan and Russia signed a defense cooperation agreement in 2014 that provides for cooperation on promoting international security. The accord calls for the intensification of counterterrorism efforts and arms control activities as well as strengthening military cooperation and sharing experiences in counterterrorism operations. Warm ties between Moscow and Pakistan's regional rival India go back to the Soviet era, but Russia has also sought to improve relations with Pakistan in recent years. With reporting by TASS and Dawn Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-pakistani-forces-launch- joint-exercise-in-northwestern-pakistan/29558995.html Copyright (c) 2018. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia will act to restore balance of military power if US exits nuclear treaty: Peskov Iran Press TV Mon Oct 22, 2018 11:00AM Moscow has warned Washington against a plan to leave a landmark Cold War-era nuclear arms control treaty with Russia, saying it will be forced to respond in kind if the US goes ahead with the plan and begins producing the types of missiles banned by the agreement. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, "Such steps [US quitting the deal], if they are undertaken, will make the world a more dangerous place." Moscow, he added, would be forced to respond in kind and act to restore the balance of military power should Washington choose to exit the agreement, formally called the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). US President Donald Trump said Saturday that Washington would withdraw from the INF, which was signed towards the end of Cold War in 1987 by then President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. The treaty -- seen as a milestone in ending the Cold War arms race between the two superpowers -- banned ground-launch nuclear missiles with ranges from 500 kilometers to 5,500 kilometers and led to the elimination of nearly 2,700 short- and medium-range missiles. Leaving the INF "means that the United States is not disguising, but is openly starting to develop these systems in the future, and if these systems are being developed, then actions are necessary from other countries, in this case Russia, to restore balance in this sphere," said Peskov. Gorbachev had earlier condemned the US planned withdrawal as a "mistake" and said it shows Trump's "lack of wisdom." Trump cited Russia's "violations" of the deal as the reason behind the plan to exit the INF. "We'll have to develop those weapons. We're going to terminate the agreement and we're going to pull out," he said. Peskov, however, rejected Trump's claims and reaffirmed Moscow's commitments to its obligations under the treaty and its intention to keep doing so. The Russian official further said Moscow would ask the US for explanations on such a plan during talks with Trump's national security adviser John Bolton in Moscow later in the day. Referring to the legal procedures the US is required to follow before exiting the treaty, Peskov said the US has six months to pull out after giving an official notification, but it has not yet done so. China urges US to 'think twice' Earlier, Chinese Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular news briefing that it is wrong for the US to leave the treaty and that Beijing was opposed to the decision. "The INF Treaty is an important arms control agreement reached by the US and the USSR during the Cold War," said the official, using an acronym for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, commonly known as the Soviet Union, which existed from 1922 to 1991. "This agreement has played an important role in stabilizing international relations, maintaining global strategic balance and stability. Today it is still extremely important," said Hua, expressing hope that the relevant parties can "think twice about the issue of withdrawing," in an apparent reference to the US. Germany has become the first US ally to criticize the move, calling on the Trump administration to consider the consequences of such a move both for Europe and the future disarmament efforts. Experts warn that leaving the agreement could provoke a dangerous arms race across Europe, akin to the one that was unfolding during 1980, but was ended by the INF. The Trump administration's decision seems to be consistent with its foreign policy agenda, under which it has unilaterally scrapped the 2015 multilateral deal on the Iranian nuclear program as well as the Paris climate deal and the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. Europe defends INF Besides Russia and China, US allies took turns to warn against the security risks the collapse of the INF could pose to Europe. Germany has become the first US ally to criticize the move, calling on the Trump administration to consider the consequences of such a move both for Europe and future disarmament efforts. French President Emmanuel Macron also held a phone conversation with Trump on the matter. "The president noted the importance of this treaty, in particular for European security and our strategic stability," Macron's office said of the call between the two leaders on Sunday. The European Commission's spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic also stressed the need for keeping the treaty in place. "The US and the Russian federation need to remain in a constructive dialogue to preserve this treaty and ensure it is fully and verifiably implemented," she told reporters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi investigation on Khashoggi entails hypotheses: UK Iran Press TV Mon Oct 22, 2018 06:49PM The British government has called on Saudi Arabia to go beyond pure hypotheses while investigating the mysterious death of a dissident journalist. A spokesman of British Prime Minister Theresa May said Monday that Saudi Arabia must provide the world with "urgent clarification" on how Jamal Khashoggi was killed in the kingdom's consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul earlier this month. "There remains an urgent need for clarification of what happened beyond the hypotheses raised so far in the Saudi investigation," the spokesman told reports on Monday. May's government has been accused of doing "too little" in dealing with Saudi Arabia since the kingdom admitted last week that Khashoggi had been killed on October 2 in its Turkish diplomatic mission, where he was seeking documents for a forthcoming marriage. The death of Khashoggi, an exiled journalist who had been living in the United States since last year, has sparked huge international outrage. However, London, a major ally of Riyadh, has acted reservedly while condemning the murder. It has also refused to consider an arms sale ban on Saudi Arabia, saying it would benefit rivals in the international weapons market. Five major opposition parties wrote a letter to UK foreign minister Jeremy Hunt on Sunday, calling on him to act seriously in dealing with Saudi Arabia and its crimes. The five parties, which included the Labour, said Riyadh had already crossed boundaries in violating human rights. The Labour had said earlier this month that Britain needed to show a stronger response to the disappearance of Khashoggi. The party said it would ban the sale of weapons to the Saudis if it was in power. Britain is a major arms supplier to Saudi Arabia. Rights campaigners have repeatedly called on the government to stop providing the regime in Riyadh with weapons that it uses in a one-sided war on the civilian population in Yemen. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Riyadh tried to 'trap' us in overseas embassies: Saudi dissidents Iran Press TV Mon Oct 22, 2018 03:17PM The murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's consulate in Turkey's Istanbul has sent a shock wave through Saudi critics in exile, with many revealing discreet government attempts to entice them into the kingdom's diplomatic missions in a bid to either force them to return or expose them to potentially the same fate as Khashoggi. Khashoggi -- a US resident, The Washington Post columnist, and a leading critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman -- entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to obtain documents for his pending marriage, but he never left the mission. Saudi officials originally said Khashoggi had left the diplomatic mission unharmed, before announcing on October 19 that he had been killed inside the building in what they described as an altercation. Saudi exiles told AFP that Khashoggi's death had caused such a wave of fear that some of them are cautious about visiting their country's overseas missions. "The horrid story of Jamal Khashoggi has sent many activists into a state of shock," said Amani al-Ahmadi, a 27-year-old Saudi exile in Seattle. "Many activists abroad don't speak up, fearful of bringing harm to their families back home, losing their scholarships or worse abduction and arrest," she added. Saudi exiles also said that official attempts had been underway to "trap" overseas critics of the government or lure them to return to the kingdom since Bin Salman became crown prince last year. Omar Abdulaziz, a 27-year-old Saudi activist exiled in Canada, said he was approached earlier this year by Saudi officials who urged him to visit their embassy with them to collect a new passport. "They were saying 'it will only take one hour, just come with us to the embassy'," Abdulaziz, who had published derisive comments about the Saudi leadership, said in a video posted on Twitter. Fearing a trap, Abdulaziz said he had refused to go and later two of his brothers and a handful of his friends were arrested in the kingdom. Abdullah Alaoudh, a Saudi scholar, said he was subjected to a similar "plot" as he had applied to renew his passport at the Saudi embassy in Washington. "They offered me a 'temporary pass' that would allow me to return to Saudi Arabia," Alaoudh told AFP. "I knew it was a trap and just left with my expired passport." In yet another case, Manal al-Sharif, a Saudi woman activist exiled in Australia, said she had narrowly escaped the kingdom's dragnet in September last year when government officials sought to lure her to a Saudi embassy. "If it weren't for the kindness of God I would have been (another) victim," Sharif said in a tweet. Khashoggi, a Virginia-based journalist and a staunch critic of Riyadh, fled Saudi Arabia last September. The number of asylum seekers from Saudi Arabia globally has more than doubled since the Saudi crown prince ascended to power, from 575 cases in 2015 to 1,256 in 2017, according to the United Nations' refugee agency. 'Crown prince enemy of Turkey' Abdulkadir Selvi, whose columns in Turkey's English-language Hurriyet Daily News newspaper are closely watched for indications of the Turkish government regarding Khashoggi's case, said new details had emerged and the crown prince had to take responsibility. Selvi said the dissident journalist had been strangled by a Saudi assassination squad, in a process that took up to eight minutes. Then Salah Muhammed al-Tubaigy, a lieutenant colonel in the Saudi forensic department, had cut the body into 15 pieces while listening to music. "We cannot close this file until the crown prince is brought to account and removed from his post. For 50 years we cannot live with a crown prince who is an enemy of Turkey," said Selvi. Turkish officials have said they believe that 15 Saudi men, who arrived in Istanbul on two flights on the day when Khashoggi entered the consulate, were connected to his death. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he will release information about his country's investigation into the murder case in a speech on Tuesday. Turkey aide rejects Riyadh's Khashoggi death story An adviser to Turkey's president rejected Riyadh's assertion that Khashoggi had died in a fight, saying the claim had "mocked" world opinion. "One cannot help but wonder how there could have been a 'fistfight' between 15 young expert fighters ... and a 60-year-old Khashoggi, alone and defenseless," Yasin Aktay, a friend of Khashoggi's, wrote in the pro-government Yeni Safak newspaper. "The 'fistfight' argument regarding Khashoggi's death is a scenario which was hastily made up, as it became clear that all the details of the incident will soon come out," Aktay wrote. "The more one thinks about it, the more it feels like our intelligence is being mocked." After more than two weeks of lies and denials, Riyadh claimed on Saturday that Khashoggi had died during a "brawl" inside the consulate. Khashoggi's murder 'planned in savage manner' A Turkey's ruling party spokesman said on Monday that the murder of the Saudi journalist inside the kingdom's mission in Istanbul had been planned in a "savage manner." "This was planned in an extremely savage manner, and we are faced with a situation where there has been a lot of effort to whitewash this," Justice and Development Party (AKP) spokesman Omer Celik told reporters in Ankara. "This is a very complicated murder," Celik added, warning that Ankara would not be drawn into speculation. "Everyone (else) can speculate but we cannot speculate," he noted. The official also dismissed claims of "bargaining" between Saudi Arabia and Turkey as "immoral." Celik also pointed to CCTV footage published by CNN on Monday, purportedly showing one of the Saudi officials acting as a body double for Khashoggi and leaving the consulate. A senior Turkish official was quoted by CNN as saying that the Saudi official was "brought to Istanbul to act as a body double" for Khashoggi, adding, "This was a premeditated murder and the body was moved out of the consulate." In the video a man, named by CNN as Mustafa al-Madani, left the consulate by the back exit wearing what appeared to be Khashoggi's clothes -- although the shoes do not match those the journalist appeared to be wearing in CCTV footage of him entering the consulate. 'Abandoned Saudi consulate car' found in Istanbul car park In a related development on Monday, Turkish police announced they had found an abandoned car belonging to the Saudi consulate at an underground car park in Istanbul, three weeks after Khashoggi's murder. The car, which had diplomatic number plates, was found in an underground car park in the Sultangazi district of the city, AFP quoted the state-run Anadolu news agency and TRT World channel as saying. According to the report, registration documents showed that the vehicle belonged to the Saudi consulate. Turkish police say they have asked prosecutors and the Saudi consulate for permission to search the vehicle, after cordoning off access to the car park. That permission, however, was not given to Turkish authorities by the Saudi consulate and they were not able to search the Saudi diplomatic car on Monday, said private broadcaster NTV. The car Saudi diplomatic car was found in the Sultangazi district of Istanbul with CNN Turk reporting that Turkish authorities will be able to search it on Tuesday. Turkey says will shed light on Khashoggi's 'nefarious murder' A Turkish official said on Monday that the country will go until the end to enlighten the "nefarious murder" of Khashoggi. Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting, a spokesman for President Erdogan, Ibrahim Kalin, said nothing would remain in the dark about Khashoggi's case, adding that Saudi officials were responsible for giving an account on the truths about his killing. Khashoggi's murder 'wake-up call': Qatar Qatar's Foreign Ministry also said on Monday that the murder of Jamal Khashoggi should act as a wake-up call. The ministry's spokeswoman, Lolwah al-Khater, said Doha had faith in Turkey's probe into Khashoggi's death inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Noting that "we would like to see a transparent investigation," Khater added, "We have faith in the legal system in Turkey and I guess everyone is anxiously waiting to hear what is going to be announced tomorrow." Answering a question about the relations between Doha and Riyadh in light of Khashoggi's death, Khater said, "I don't think anything has changed dramatically. We're just hoping that there is a wake-up call for everyone." Khater was speaking at Chatham House, which is a London-based think tank affiliated with the Royal Institute for International Affairs, in a discussion entitled "Qatar's foreign policy: balancing new alliances in a contested region." Asked what she thought Britain and other European countries should do in response, she added: "There was a joint statement that the UK, France and Germany issued and I think this statement, for the time being, summarizes all the actions that everyone wants to see." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Germany calls for European arms embargo on Saudi Arabia Iran Press TV Mon Oct 22, 2018 11:14AM German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier has called for a European ban on arms sales to Saudi Arabia following the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Altmaier said on Monday Berlin "at this stage will not approve further arms exports because we want to know what happened," adding that all explanations so far have been unsatisfactory. He echoed earlier remarks by Chancellor Angela Merkel who vowed to suspend arms exports to Riyadh until uncertainty over the fate of Khashoggi vanishes. "When it comes to our already limited arms exports ... they cannot take place in the current situation," she said at a news conference on Sunday. But Altmaier, a close Merkel confidant, emphasized that "there won't be any positive effects if only we halt exports and then other countries fill the gap." "Only when all European nations are in agreement will this make an impression on Riyadh," he said, speaking on public broadcaster ARD. Last month, Germany approved 416 million euros ($480 million) worth of arms sales to Saudi Arabia for 2018, going back on a ban that the European country had ordered on the sale of weapons to the countries involved in the war on Yemen. Germany, one of the world's biggest arms exporters, had ordered the ban on the weapons delivery in March in an apparent reaction to the Saudi invasion of Yemen. The case has opened a serious new rift with Britain, France and Germany which are urging Saudi Arabia to provide "credible" facts for its explanation about the killing of Khashoggi. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to US President Donald Trump on Khashoggi's death on Monday. Trump on Sunday delivered his strongest comments yet about the affair in an interview with The Washington Post, saying, "Obviously, there's been deception and there's been lies." Saudi Arabia on Saturday admitted that the critic had died in its consulate in Istanbul after "discussions" turned into "a brawl and a fist fight." It followed Saudi Arabia's denial for two weeks of its role in Khashoggi's disappearance. Khashoggi was a Washington Post columnist and lived in the US, having fled Saudi Arabia last September. The kingdom's explanation on Khashoggi's death has been met with skepticism with world powers demanding answers and the whereabouts of his body. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US lawmakers want MBS's role in Khashoggi case clarified Iran Press TV Mon Oct 22, 2018 08:18AM Lawmakers on both sides of the US political spectrum continue to demand answers over Saudi Crown Prince bin Salman (MBS)'s role in the murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey, even as President Donald Trump tries his best to protect the prince from criticism. Top Republican Senator Bob Corker, one of the first lawmakers to speak up after Khashoggi went missing, said Sunday that MBS should be held into account if he indeed ordered the hit job. "If he's gone forth and murdered this journalist, he's now crossed the line. And there has to be a punishment and a price paid for that," Corker told CNN. "I'm not rushing to judgment," added the senator, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee "Do I think he did it? Yes, I think he did it." Another senior Republican to address the issue on Sunday was Senator Rand Paul, who said he was certain MBS ordered and directed the murder and that Washington needed to punish Riyadh. "I feel certain that the crown prince was involved and that he directed this," Paul told Fox News. Trump said last week that both MBS and his father, King Salman, had no knowledge of Khashoggi's fate. However, the kingdom gave into mounting international pressure on Friday and admitted that the journalist had been killed at the Saudi consulate in Turkey's Istanbul after entering the mission on October 2 to sort out his marriage documents. The admission forced Trump to change his narrative, saying he would consult with Congress for possible sanctions and other punitive measures. He also made it clear that he would not go as far as imperiling major arms deals with Riyadh. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin also went on record on Sunday and told NBC News that the 33-year-old prince "has his fingerprints all over this." Durbin, the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate, even suggested the Trump administration should expel the Saudi ambassador from the US "tomorrow morning." Republican Senator Thom Tillis made a similar assessment. "It looks like it based on the people who were involved in the actual act," the North Carolina lawmaker said when asked if MBS had ordered the killing. The senator indicated that he would be open to exploring the crown prince's removal depending on the outcome of an independent investigation. Turkish authorities reportedly have audio they say proves Khashoggi was killed and dismembered at the facility. In an attempt to contain the damage, Riyadh said it had sacked several officials, including Ahmad al-Assiri, a top general in the General Intelligence Agency (GIA) and a close aide to bin Salman. Furthermore, Saudi King Salman ordered the formation of a ministerial committee to restructure the GIA. Ironically enough, the committee would be headed by none other than bin Salman himself. US lawmakers did not buy into the explanation, pointing to bin Salman's history of cracking down on political opponents. In doing so, MBS has even detained other royals and prominent figures in Saudi Arabia to consolidate his grip on power as the de facto king of his country. Senator Lindsey Graham, another top Republican, said last week that MBS has "got to go" before further tarnishing the Riyadh regime's image. Late Saturday, Trump said in an interview with The Washington Post that he still had confidence in the crown prince although the Saudis' "stories are all over the place." "Nobody has told me he's responsible," Trump said. "Nobody has told me he's not responsible. We haven't reached that point ... I would love if he wasn't responsible." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump 'Not Satisfied' With Saudi Explanation On Missing Journalist RFE/RL October 22, 2018 U.S. President Donald Trump says he is still not satisfied with what he has heard from Saudi Arabia about the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but he also does not want the United States to lose investments from Riyadh. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, disappeared on October 2 after he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul to pick up documents for his upcoming marriage. Riyadh initially denied knowledge of his fate before saying he was killed in a fight in the consulate -- a changing position that has been greeted skeptically by several Western governments. "I am not satisfied with what I've heard," Trump told reporters at the White House on October 22. "I don't want to lose all that investment that's been made in our country. But we're going to get to the bottom of it." Trump said he spoke with the crown prince on October 22. He also said there are Americans in Saudi Arabia and U.S. intelligence officers in Turkey working on the Khashoggi case who will return to Washington by October 23. Turkish officials suspect Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate by Saudi agents and that his body was cut up. Turkish sources say authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the murder of the 59-year-old. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he will release information about the investigation in a speech on October 23. Turkish surveillance video leaked on October 22 shows a man leaving the diplomatic post apparently wearing Khashoggi's clothes as part of a deception aimed at spreading confusion about his fate. Meanwhile, Turkish crime-scene investigators late on October 22 had surrounded a Saudi consular vehicle parked at an Istanbul garage. The Saudi Consulate on October 22 was refusing to grant Turkish investigators permission to search the car, which has diplomatic license plates. Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-not-satisfied-with-saudi -explanation-on-missing-journalist/29558033.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 HRH the Crown Prince meets US Treasury Secretary and stresses importance of Saudi-US strategic partnership, future role of this partnership according to the vision of the Kingdom 2030 Saudi Press Agency Monday 1440/2/13 - 2018/10/22 Riyadh, Safar 13, 1440, October 22, 2018, SPA -- His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, the Crown Prince, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense, met in Riyadh today with United States Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin. During the meeting, they stressed the importance of the Saudi-US strategic partnership and the future role of this partnership in accordance with the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America were also reviewed on both the trade and investment sides and the opportunities for their development. The meeting touched on a number of issues, including joint efforts in the fight against corruption and the financing of terrorism. The meeting was attended by Prince Khalid Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the United States of America, Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan and other officials. --SPA 22:29 LOCAL TIME 19:29 GMT 0040 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump: 'I'm Not Satisfied' With Saudi Explanations of Khashoggi's Death Sputnik News 22:14 22.10.2018(updated 22:31 22.10.2018) Speaking on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, Monday, US President Donald Trump told reporters, "I'm not satisfied" with the explanation he received from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death earlier this month at their consulate in Istanbul. Noting that Saudi Arabia had indicated its investigation into Khashoggi's death might take one month, Trump told reporters "that's a long time" and that he thought more would be known about the controversial case "very soon." After disappearing on October 2, Khashoggi was finally confirmed dead by the Saudi public prosecutor on October 19, who said on Saudi state media that the journalist had died during an altercation between him and other people inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul when he came to get necessary papers for his upcoming marriage. Saudi state television announced Monday that the Saudi Crown Prince had met with US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. The US Treasury is responsible for managing economic sanctions against other countries, which Trump previously said he would not rule out. On Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel sounded the tocsin for European Union member states to halt weapons sales to the Saudi state. "I agree with all those who say that the already limited arms exports [] can't take place in the situation we're currently in," Merkel told reporters in Berlin, Sputnik reported. "Concerning arms exports: that is impossible under the circumstances we see." Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address CIA Director Travels to Turkey Over Death of Saudi Journalist By VOA News October 22, 2018 U.S. media reports say CIA director Gina Haspel is traveling to Istanbul to meet with Turkish officials who are investigating the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Sources told news outlets that Haspel departed Monday for Turkey to work on the investigation into Khashoggi's death. U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that he has "top intelligence people in Turkey," but did not give further details. Trump said he is still not satisfied with the explanation he has heard about Khashoggi's death, but said "we're going to get to the bottom of it." The president said he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler since Khashoggi's death. He said he will know more about the death once U.S. teams investigating the killing return to Washington from Saudi Arabia and Turkey. In another development Monday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin met Saudi Arabia's embattled crown prince in Riyadh. The Saudi Foreign Ministry posted a photograph of the meeting on its Twitter account. Mnuchin canceled his plans to attend a three-day investment conference hosted by Saudi Arabia beginning Tuesday, but said he would meet the Saudi crown prince to discuss counterterrorism efforts. New surveillance video released Monday from Istanbul appears to show a Saudi agent wearing Khashoggi's clothing and leaving Riyadh's consulate on Oct. 2, an apparent attempt to cover up his killing by showing he had left the diplomatic outpost alive. The video was taken by Turkish law enforcement and shown Monday on CNN, suggesting Saudi agents used a body double in an effort to conceal the killing. The video surfaced as Saudi officials offered yet another explanation for the death of the 59-year-old Saudi journalist who had been living in the U.S. in self-imposed exile while he wrote columns for The Washington Post that were critical of the Saudi crown prince and Riyadh's involvement in the conflict in Yemen. The Saudis at first said Khashoggi had left the consulate and that they did not know his whereabouts. Later, they said he died in a fistfight after an argument inside the consulate. Now, the Saudis are saying Khashoggi died in a chokehold to prevent him from leaving the consulate to call for help. It is not known what happened to Khashoggi's remains, although Turkish officials say he was tortured, decapitated and then dismembered. One Saudi official told ABC News that Khashoggi's body was given to a "local cooperator" in Istanbul for disposal, but Saudi officials have said they do not know what happened to his remains. In Washington, White House adviser Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, told CNN the U.S. is still in a "fact-finding" phase in trying to determine exactly what happened to Khashoggi. "We're getting facts in from multiple places," Kushner said. He said that Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will then decide how to respond to Saudi Arabia, a long-time American ally. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is vowing to reveal details about the case in a Tuesday speech to his parliament. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bin Salman's top adviser ordered Khashoggi's murder via Skype: Report Iran Press TV Tue Oct 23, 2018 07:32AM A top aide to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is said to have ordered the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi via a Skype call to the kingdom's Istanbul consulate. Arab and Turkish intelligence sources told Reuters on Monday that Saud al-Qahtani, who was dismissed last week as the kingdom's royal court adviser, had hurled insults at Khashoggi via Skype as the critic was being interrogated by a 15-man team. Khashoggi answered Qahtani's insults with those of his own, the sources added. A Turkish intelligence source said that Qahtani had instructed his men to dispose of Khashoggi, saying, "Bring me the head of the dog." However, it was not clear if Qahtani had watched the entire proceedings, which a high-ranking Arab intelligence source described as a "bungled and botched operation." According to the sources, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is in possession of the audio of the Skype call but is refusing to release it to American officials. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, vanished at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. After long insisting that Khashoggi had exited the consulate alive, Riyadh finally admitted on October 20th that he had been murdered inside the mission, blaming the killing on a "rogue operation." Saudi officials alleged that "discussions" at the mission had turned into "a brawl," resulting in the journalist's murder. Speaking on the case in Indonesia, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir promised a "thorough and complete" investigation into the death. He added that, "Mechanism and procedures are put in place to ensure that something like this can never happen again." Eight Saudi, Arab and Western diplomatic sources also confirmed to Reuters that Qahtani is the same person who led the interrogation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri during his last year's reported detention in Saudi Arabia. Hariri stunned Lebanon on November 4, 2017 by announcing his resignation in a live television broadcast from Saudi Arabia. He, however, managed to get out of the kingdom amid international pressure on Riyadh and rescinded his resignation. Three Arab sources familiar with the incident said that upon arrival in Riyadh, Hariri had been ushered into a room where Qahtani was waiting for him with a security team. "He (Qahtani) told him you have no choice but to resign and read this statement," one of the sources said. "Qahtani oversaw the interrogation and ill-treatment of Hariri." Qahtani was also said to have played a role in the Saudi-led boycott of Qatar and the alleged "anti-corruption campaign" spearheaded by bin Salman last November. Saudis burn documents at Istanbul mission Separately on Monday, Turkish broadcaster A Haber released footage showing Saudi consular personnel burning documents a day after Khashoggi's disappearance. The video purportedly recorded from a nearby high-rise in Istanbul shows two men burning papers in a trash container. Saudi 'body double' in Khashoggi's clothes Additionally, CNN published surveillance footage that showed a member of the Saudi hit squad leaving the Saudi consulate by the back door, wearing Khashoggi's clothes, a fake beard and glasses on the day he was killed. A Turkish official identified the man as Mustafa al-Madani and said that he was a "body double." "You don't need a body double for a rendition or an interrogation," the official said. "Our assessment has not changed since October 6. This was a premeditated murder and the body was moved out of the consulate." Turkish police on Monday found an abandoned car bearing a diplomatic plate in a private Istanbul parking lot, matching a car seen outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkish media reported. Another vehicle, carrying no license plate, was removed from the consulate with a tow truck, according to the Hurriyet Daily News. CIA chief heads to Turkey In another development, a source familiar with the plans of CIA Director Gina Haspel said that she was traveling to Turkey to address a probe into Khashoggi's murder. US President Donald Trump had initially said that the Saudi account of Khashoggi's death was "credible," but later noted that he was "not satisfied" by the narrative. Mnuchin meets bin Salman as Riyadh confab boycott widens Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has arrived in Riyadh, where he met with bin Salman. The US official has, however, said that he would not attend the Future Investment Initiative conference, which opened earlier on Tuesday amid an international boycott of the event. Many high-ranking figures and companies have dropped their plans to take part in the three-day event amid an international outcry over Riyadh's admission of Khashoggi's murder. The CEOs of Siemens, Total and French state-owned utility EDF are the latest to pull out of the summit. "Siemens is a reliable and committed partner of the kingdom and its VISION 2030. But for now, truth needs to be found out and justice applied," Siemens CEO Joe Kaeser said in a statement on his LinkedIn account. Summit website hacked Separately, hackers briefly defaced the website of the Riyadh investment conference on Monday. Visitors to the site on Monday saw a picture of bin Salman holding a curved sword over the head of Khashoggi, as a masked figure in the background waved the black flag of the Daesh terrorist group. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address CIA Chief Traveling to Turkey Over Khashoggi Case - Reports Sputnik News 01:37 23.10.2018(updated 02:05 23.10.2018) CIA Director Gina Haspel departed for Turkey on Monday to work on the case of dead Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Reuters reported, citing a source familiar with the matter. US President Donald Trump told reporters earlier on Monday that Washington had sent a group of "very talented people" to collect the facts in Turkey about death of Khashoggi, adding that the team would be returning later on Monday or on Tuesday. Meanwhile, senior White House adviser Jared Kushner said in an interview on Monday that the US was still collecting the facts in the controversial killing of the Washington Post columnist. Last week, Saudi Arabia said that Khashoggi was killed at the consulate in a fist fight and pledged to investigate the case and punish those responsible for the murder. But US lawmakers say that many questions about the columnist's murder remain unanswered, and therefore, Washington should take serious action in response. Khashoggi, who has been working for The Washington Post newspaper and was known for his criticisms of Saudi authorities, went missing in Istanbul on October 2 after he entered the Saudi consulate and never came out. The incident caused a significant public outcry in Turkey as well as many Western countries. US media has reported that Turkey had shared with the United States audio and video recordings suggesting the journalist had been tortured and violently murdered inside the Saudi consulate. US companies and officials have been withdrawing from projects and events related to Riyadh in the wake of the disappearance of the Saudi journalist and emerging claims that the Saudi government was complicit in his murder. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday that he would deliver a statement on the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Tuesday. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK Doubts Journalist Khashoggi Died in Fight in Saudi Consulate Sputnik News 01:35 23.10.2018 LONDON (Sputnik) - The United Kingdom does not believe Saudi Arabia's claims that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi died in a fight in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, and it will choose the measures it will take against Saudi Arabia when full information on the matter is revealed, UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Monday. Khashoggi, The Washington Post newspaper columnist known for his criticism of Saudi policies, was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. On October 19, Saudi Arabia, which has initially denied any involvement, admitted that the journalist had been killed in a fight inside the consulate. Riyadh also said that 18 people had been arrested over their involvement in the incident. "But whilst we will be thoughtful and considered in our response, I have also been clear that if the appalling stories we are reading turn out to be true, they are fundamentally incompatible with our values and we will act accordingly," Hunt told lawmakers at the UK parliament's House of Commons, as quoted in the Foreign Ministry's statement. He added that the Saudi government's claims that Khashoggi died in a fight did not "amount to a credible explanation." "But on top of our concerns about the appalling brutality involved lie two other points. Firstly, Mr Khashoggi's horrific treatment was inflicted by people who work for a government with whom we have close relations. And secondly, as well as being a critic of the Saudi government, he was also a journalist Because in this country we believe in freedom of expression and a free media, the protection of journalists who are simply doing their jobs is of paramount concern," Hunt added. On Sunday, Hunt and his German and French counterparts issued a joint statement, demanding for more details on Khashoggi's death. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Erdogan: Khashoggi Killing a Premeditated Act By VOA News October 23, 2018 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that the killing of U.S.-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was a premeditated act, and that all those responsible, including whoever ordered the operation, should be punished. In an address to his country's parliament, Erdogan gave details about what happened starting the day before Khashoggi visited the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He said multiple teams flew to Istanbul to meet Khashoggi at the diplomatic outpost and removed the hard drive from the site's surveillance system. Erdogan said Khashoggi's fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, waited outside for hours before contacting Turkish authorities to say Khashoggi was being held against his will and was in danger. From there, the investigation was slow, with Erdogan citing the diplomatic protections in place at the consulate. But he said Turkish police were certain Khashoggi had not left the building on his own, as Saudi Arabia first claimed. The Turkish leader stressed the need for his police and intelligence services to conduct a thorough probe, both to avoid falsely accusing anyone and to fulfill a responsibility to the international community. Saudi Arabia admitted last week that Khashoggi did in fact die inside the consulate, initially saying that happened after a fight, then later changing to say he died in a chokehold to prevent him from leaving the building to call for help. Erdogan said Tuesday that Saudi Arabia took an important step by admitting the killing took place, but that he expects the country's leaders to hold all those involved responsible, no matter their rank. He said blame cannot only be put on some intelligence agents, and he suggested any trials take place in Istanbul because that is where Khashoggi died. Erdogan finished his speech with a series of outstanding questions about the case, including where Khashoggi's body is located, who instructed the Saudi team to go to Istanbul, and why Saudi Arabia gave shifting answers about what happened. The various explanations have been met with skepticism from the international community and allegations Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman the country's de facto ruler ordered Khashoggi be killed. New surveillance video released Monday from Istanbul appears to show a Saudi agent wearing Khashoggi's clothing and leaving Riyadh's consulate on October 2 in an apparent attempt to cover up his killing by showing he had left the diplomatic outpost alive. The video was taken by Turkish law enforcement and shown Monday on CNN. The 59-year-old Khashoggi had been living in the United States in self-imposed exile while he wrote columns for The Washington Post that were critical of the Saudi crown prince and Riyadh's involvement in the conflict in Yemen. Ahead of Erdogan's speech, U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday that he was "not satisfied" with what he has heard, but that he expected to find out a lot more in the next few days. "I have a great group people in Turkey right now and a great group of people in Saudi Arabia. We will know very soon," Trump said. Trump has said there would be consequences if Saudi Arabia was found to be responsible for Khashoggi's death, but also made it clear he has no intention of doing anything that would affect lucrative arms deals. "I don't want to lose all of that investment that's being made in our country," he said Monday. U.S. media reports said CIA Director Gina Haspel left the United States on Monday to go to Turkey to meet with officials there who are investigating Khashoggi's death. The Trump administration did not publicly say anything about her trip. In another development Monday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin met the Saudi crown prince in Riyadh. The Saudi foreign ministry posted a photograph of the meeting on its Twitter account. Mnuchin canceled his plans to attend a three-day investment conference hosted by Saudi Arabia beginning on Tuesday, but said he would meet the crown prince to discuss counterterrorism efforts. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nearly 8k terrorists killed in clashes with Syrian army IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Damascus, Oct 22, IRNA -- The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Monday 7,569 members of Daesh Takfiri terrorist groups have thus far been killed in clashes with the Syrian troops in several areas of the country. [Nearly 8k terrorists killed in clashes with Syrian army] The organization announced those people were members of the terrorist groups Tahrir al-Sham, Turkistani and Daesh who have been killed in Syria since October 2014. Several thousand terrorists have been killed in Syrian air strikes on the terrorist headquarters. Since March 2011, Syria has been embroiled in a crisis backed by some Arab neighbors, Western nations and the Zionist regime. Over the last eight years, the presence of more than 360,000 terrorists, affiliated to 103 terror groups from 120 countries in several areas in Syria, has razed the country to the ground, leaving vital infrastructure destroyed. More than 70 percent of the Syrian territory has thus far been liberated from terrorists and efforts are underway to free the rest. 9477**1420 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syria never used chemical weapons despite terrorists' threats: Deputy FM Iran Press TV Mon Oct 22, 2018 06:20PM Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mikdad says Damascus has never used chemical weapons in its war against foreign-backed terrorists and it will never use any such banned munitions in the future. The high-ranking Syrian official made the remarks at the signing ceremony of a book at the al-Assad National Library in capital Damascus on Sunday evening. The book's title in English is "Syria and the Chemicals with Facts and Documents," which has been written in Arabic by lawmaker, Dr. Ahmad Abdul-Salam Mar'ai. Mikdad, who heads the National Committee on Implementing Syria's Commitments according to Convention on Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, affirmed that his country's decision to join the convention was made "freely and willfully within framework of its sovereignty, independence and response to the developments of situations in Syria, the region and the world." Syria surrendered its stockpiles of chemical weapons in 2013 to a joint mission led by the US and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which oversaw the destruction of the weaponry. Damascus has consistently denied using chemical weapons over the past years of conflict in the country. Western governments and their allies, however, have never stopped pointing the finger at Damascus whenever an apparent chemical attack takes place. Elsewhere in his remarks, Mikdad said using banned white phosphors munitions by the US-led military coalition in Syria's troubled eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr earlier this month was another evidence showing that the current US administration and the previous administrations resort to use any weapon that might serve their interests. For his part, Dr. Mar'ai said his book, which is in fact his PhD thesis, came as a modest contribution to disclosing the facts in the face of a misleading campaign that targets Syria, accusing it of using chemical weapons during its seven-year-long war against terrorists. He added that the book, which covers both theoretical and legal aspects of the subject, concluded that the Arab country had fully adhered to the obligations of the Convention on Prohibition of Chemical Weapons due to its belief in the equality in sovereignty for the states and in the support and respect for the joint collective values of the international community, including the international peace and security. In April 2017, a suspected sarin gas attack hit the Syrian town of Khan Shaykhun in the northwestern province of Idlib, killing at least 80 people. Accusing Damascus, the US then launched nearly 60 Tomahawk cruise missiles at a Syrian air base, taking the lives of about 20 people including both Syrian soldiers and civilians. On April 14, the US, Britain and France launched a coordinated missile attack against sites and research facilities near Damascus and Homs with the purported goal of paralyzing the Syrian government's capability to produce chemical arms. The strike came one week after an alleged gas attack on the Damascus suburb town of Douma. Western countries have blamed the incident on the Syrian government. Damascus rejected the accusations as "chemical fabrications," which were made by the terrorists themselves in a bid to halt pro-government forces' advances. Damascus said that the so-called Jaish al-Islam Takfiri terrorist group, which has dominant presence in Douma, was repeating the accusations "in order to accuse the Syrian Arab army in a blatant attempt to hinder the Army's advance." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia curbs Israeli flights near Syrian skies: Paper Iran Press TV Mon Oct 22, 2018 10:46AM Israel's leading newspaper Haaretz says Russia has been taking a more forceful stance toward flights by Israeli aircraft near the Syrian border in the north. Russia's behavior, the paper said, is being interpreted in Israel as a response to the downing of an Ilyushin intelligence-gathering plane on September 17 at the end of an Israeli airstrike near Latakia in northwest Syria. "There have been several instances in which Russian air defense radars in Syria were activated in connection with Israel's air force activity in the north," Haaretz reported. The Russians are demanding further clarifications from the Israeli military via the "hotline" that is meant to prevent any aerial clashes between the two parties, it said. Moscow has blamed the downing of its aircraft on Israel, saying Israeli jets used the landing Russian plane as a "cover" which resulted in the Il-20 being struck by a Syrian air defense missile. Following the incident, Russia delivered its S-300 surface-to-air missile defense system to Syria, saying it was aimed at ensuring the safety of Russian forces in the Arab country. Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and minister of military affairs Avigdor Lieberman said last week that Israel will continue its aerial incursions into Syria. Israeli authorities have boasted that F-35 jets supplied by the US can beat S-300 in light of their alleged stealth capabilities, but no incursion has been reported since the deployment of the new missile defense system. Russia's Izvestia newspaper reported last week that three air defense systems supplied to Syria were of the most advanced model of the S-300 missiles with the highest radar and target-identification capabilities. According to the paper, the missile batteries will initially be operated by Russian experts and the process of training Syrian soldiers to operate them is expected to take some time. Through the move, however, Moscow is mainly "signaling to Israel that it intends to limit Israel's freedom to maneuver in the Syrian skies," it said. Netanyahu plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin soon but no date has been announced yet. A Haaretz report last month said Russia had warned senior Israeli officials before the downing that attacking targets in Syria would harm Moscow's interests. According to the paper, Moscow had conveyed a message to Tel Aviv that Israel's attacks were against Russia's goal to strengthen President Bashar Assad's legitimate government and end fighting in the country. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Air Defense Boost to Syria Seen Unlikely to Shield Iran's Forces from Israel By Michael Lipin October 22, 2018 Israel is expressing confidence that it can pursue attacks on Iran's forces in Syria even after Iranian partner Russia transferred an advanced air defense system to Syrian territory earlier this month. In a recent interview with VOA Persian in Jerusalem, Israeli Deputy Minister for Diplomacy Michael Oren said Russia's transfer of the S-300 system "will pose a challenge, but not an insurmountable challenge." "Israel has been overcoming such challenges since the day of its creation in 1948," Oren said. "We will overcome this one as well, if we are forced to do so." Speaking separately to VOA Persian in Tel Aviv, Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett, who is part of an 11-member Security Cabinet, reacted to the S-300 move by saying Israel will not allow Iran, its main regional rival, to build a stronghold in Syria, adjacent to Israeli territory. "We are going to fight to defend Israeli citizens, just as Iran would do if an enemy would create a big build-up on its borders. Just put yourself in our shoes," Bennett said. Russia says it delivered the S-300 system to its regional ally Syria on October 1, in response to a September 17 incident in which Syrian forces accidentally downed a Russian surveillance plane using a less-advanced S-200 system as they responded to an Israeli air strike. Israel said its warplanes had struck Syrian-allied Iranian military targets and returned to Israeli airspace before Syrian forces carried out what it described as "indiscriminate" fire that downed the Russian plane. Moscow accused Israel of creating a "dangerous" situation leading up to the incident. Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani described the S-300 transfer as a blow to Israel's years-long campaign of air strikes on Iran's forces and suspected weapons shipments to Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in Syria. The Israeli military said last month that it had struck 202 targets in Syria since 2017. "I don't think that the Israelis are able to take a serious step (after the S-300 transfer)," Larijani said, in an October 9 interview with the Russian TV channel RT's Arabic service in Turkey. But Iran has little cause to celebrate the Russian move, according to Iranian American analyst Nader Uskowi, a former senior civilian advisor to the U.S. military's Central Command. Speaking at an October 17 panel discussion at the Atlantic Council in Washington, Nader said Iran is "very surprised" that Russia has not used its most advanced S-400 air defense system in Syria to challenge Israeli strikes on Iranian positions there in recent years. "Russia does not see itself as an enemy of Israel. Iran does," Nader said. "So Iranians are not counting on Russia to go all the way in alignment with their policy." Israel's former chief of military intelligence Amos Yadlin told VOA Persian in a recent interview in Tel Aviv that Iran cannot count on its forces being protected by the newly-installed S-300 batteries in Syria, either. Russian officials have said those batteries will be operated by Russian forces as they train their Syrian allies to use the system in the coming months. They also have said the S-300 transfer is primarily meant to ensure the safety of Russian aircraft and personnel operating in the area. "I don't think the Russians want to challenge the Israeli air force, which is very capable," said Yadlin, who serves as executive director of Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies. "And the Russian strategic goal is to stabilize Syria. The worst scenario that Russia can see is more instability. So from what I know of how the leaders in Moscow are thinking, they will not allow their military to fire at Israelis." Israeli Deputy Minister Oren said the Israeli and Russian militaries have been in daily contact at the level of deputy chiefs of staff to try to avoid confrontations between their forces. "We will continue to do our uppermost to prevent that," he said. "We have no interest whatsoever in a military confrontation with Russia." Yadlin said Israel would face a challenge if and when Russia were to allow Syrian forces to fully operate the S-300 system, a move that would improve the capabilities of Syria's air defenses. But, he said that challenge would be mitigated by the age of the system, first deployed by the Soviet Union in 1978. "S-300 is not very advanced. I was chief of intelligence for the air force in the late 1990s. At that time, it was called SA-20," Yadlin said. "So we know how to deal with it. And if they (use it to) fire at the Israeli air force now, I guess these batteries will be destroyed." This article originated in VOA's Persian Service. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Warships Sail Through Taiwan Strait Amid Trade War With China Sputnik News 20:25 22.10.2018 While a US Pacific Fleet representative claimed that the ship's journey "demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific", Taiwanese officials claimed that the island's defense ministry was in full control of the situation and "has the ability to maintain the security of the seas." A pair of US naval vessels sailed through Taiwan Strait in a move that may further exacerbate the already strained relations between Beijing and Washington, with Taiwan's defense ministry claiming that it was in full control of the situation. "The Ministry of National Defense stressed that the army was in full control when the US warships passed through the seas around Taiwan and has the ability to maintain the security of the seas and the airspace to ensure regional peace and stability," the ministry said in a statement. Commander Nate Christensen, deputy spokesman for US Pacific Fleet, also said that "the ships' transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," adding that "the US Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows." Earlier, Beijing expressed concern over the presence of a US vessel in the Taiwanese port of Kaohsiung and called on Washington and Taipei to stop all military contacts. The United States, along with many other countries, does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation and officially sticks to the "One China" policy. Despite this, Washington has kept informal relations with the island nation after severing diplomatic ties with it in 1979. Over the past several months, relations between Washington and Beijing have sharply deteriorated over trade disagreements. In September, the United States imposed a new round of tariffs on Chinese goods and retaliatory restrictions on US imports to China. This happened amid the further escalating trade dispute which the parties have so far failed to resolve, despite holding numerous consultations. Trump was the first president since Jimmy Carter to directly speak with the Taiwanese leader, and last year, the US Congress passed the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act which authorized naval cooperation between the US and Taiwanese militaries. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US warships sail through Taiwan Strait amid tensions with China Iran Press TV Tue Oct 23, 2018 05:33AM Two US warships have sailed through the Taiwan Strait, according to an American military spokesman, amid heightened tensions with China. The USS Curtis Wilbur and USS Antietam carried out a routine transit on Monday to prove US commitment "to a free and open Indo-Pacific," Colonel Rob Manning told reporters at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. "The ships' transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," Commander Nate Christensen, deputy spokesman for US Pacific Fleet, said in a statement. "The US Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows," he added. Several Chinese warships shadowed the American vessels during the transit, military officials told CNN. The US warships had conducted so-called "freedom of navigation" exercises in the 180 kilometer wide stretch of water. In July, a pair of the US Navy's guided-missile destroyers passed through the Taiwan Strait. China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, and almost all world countries recognize that sovereignty under a policy known as "One China." US expresses 'serious concern' to US China had already expressed "serious concern" to the United States, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters on Tuesday. "The Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territory, and is the most important, most sensitive issue in China-US relations," she said. She added that Beijing had called on Washington to appropriately handle the Taiwan issue to promote peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. China recently conducted a series of military exercises, including a live fire exercise in the Taiwan Strait in April. Chinese officials warned late last month that a State Department-approved sale of F-16 fighter jet spare parts to Taiwan would violate international law and damage US-China relations. US Assistant Secretary of Defense Randall Schriver told Reuters recently that Defense Secretary James Mattis assured his Chinese counterpart that Washington's stance on Taiwan remains unchanged. Tensions between the US and China in the South China Sea have been on the rise in recent months. The US Navy is also reportedly planning to launch a global show of force to demonstrate its forces readiness for military confrontation, warning adversaries about America's ability to take on enemies on several fronts. Early this month, a Chinese warship had an "unsafe" encounter with a US destroyer near disputed islands in the South China Sea. In September, US B-52 bombers flew over the South China Sea and East China Sea, according to US military officials. The US military officials added that the operations were routine and "designed to enhance our readiness and interoperability with our partners and allies in the region." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Beijing Expresses Concerns to US Over Taiwan Strait Warship Operation Sputnik News 10:20 23.10.2018(updated 11:15 23.10.2018) The Pentagon confirmed that it had sent two US Navy vessels through the Taiwan Strait, making it the second such operation this year. Hua Chunying, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, has expressed serious concern over the US Navy sending two warships through the Taiwan Strait on Monday. Taiwan's Defense Ministry, for its part, said in a statement that they were aware of the "routine" operation and that the Taiwanese army "has the ability to maintain the security of the seas and the airspace to ensure regional peace and stability." Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning, in turn, confirmed that "in the Taiwan Strait, earlier today, the USS [guided-missile destroyer] Curtis Wilbur and USS [guided-missile cruiser] Antietam conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit in accordance with international law." He described the transit as "the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," pledging that "the US Navy will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law permits. Manning also referred to the US maintaining "coordination and contact with the appropriate nations, authorities and parties" when conducting the transit, saying that it was "certainly not the Department [of Defense]'s intention to raise tensions or any kind of escalation" across the Taiwan Strait. Earlier, Beijing expressed concern over the presence of a US vessel in the Taiwanese port of Kaohsiung, urging Washington and Taipei to end all military contact. The US, along with many other countries, does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation and officially adheres to the "One China" policy. However, Washington has maintained informal relations with the de facto government of Taiwan despite breaking diplomatic ties with Taipei in 1979. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin Signs Decree On 'Special Economic Measures' Against Ukraine RFE/RL October 22, 2018 Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree setting the stage for "special economic measures" in response to what the document calls Ukraine's "unfriendly actions" against Russian citizens and companies. In the decree signed and posted on the Kremlin website on October 22, Putin instructs the government to draft a list of Ukrainian firms and individuals to be targeted for economic sanctions. The decree also orders the government to outline the sanctions and says it can be cancelled if Ukraine lifts all restrictions it has imposed against Russian citizens and companies. Like the United States and the European Union, Kyiv has imposed sanctions on Russian tycoons, companies, and other entities in response to Moscow's seizure of the Crimean Peninsula in March 2014 and its support for armed separatists in eastern Ukraine. In June, Putin signed a law on countermeasures against the United States and other countries that have sanctions against Russia. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-signs -decree-on-special-economic-measures against-ukraine/29557738.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 UK backs US withdrawal from nuke pact, accuses Russia of breach Iran Press TV Mon Oct 22, 2018 12:12PM The United Kingdom has defended US President Donald Trump's decision to drop out of a decades-long agreement with Russia to control proliferation of nuclear weapons, accusing Moscow of violating the deal. British Defense Minister Gavin Williamson said while he wanted the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty to stay in place, Trump had made the right call. "Our close and long-term ally of course is the United States and we will be absolutely resolute with the United States in hammering home a clear message that Russia needs to respect the treaty obligation that it signed," he told the Financial Times on Sunday. Trump announced Saturday that he was pulling out of the deal because it kept Washington from developing new nuclear weapons while Moscow was free to "do weapons (while) we're not allowed to." "We'll have to develop those weapons," he then vowed. The INF, which was signed in 1986 between then US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev, banned deploying nuclear-capable missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers (310 to 3,420 miles). The US claims that Russia's newly-deployed Novator 9M729 cruise missiles fall in the banned category and pose a direct threat to members of the NATO military alliance. Russia finished testing the missile in 2014. US Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison stirred tension earlier this month by warning that Washington would "take out" the missiles if necessary. Russian President Vladimir Putin hit back by threatening to use nuclear weapons if it was attacked in any way. Williamson said London stands "absolutely resolute" with Washington because Russia had made a "mockery" of the INF. He also called on the Kremlin to "get its house in order" and observe the deal. "We of course want to see this treaty continue to stand but it does require two parties to be committed to it and at the moment you have one party that is ignoring it," Williamson said. "It is Russia that is in breach and it is Russia that needs to get its house in order," he added. Gorbachev warned Sunday that the move was a "mistake" that demonstrated Trump's "lack of wisdom." Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said later in the day that Trump's withdrawal was "very dangerous" and could lead to a "military-technical" retaliation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Withdrawal Syndrome: Experts On Possible U.S. Exit From INF Treaty Robert Coalson October 22, 2018 Experts and analysts are struggling to grasp the implications of the growing likelihood that the United States will withdraw from the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. As U.S. national-security adviser John Bolton holds talks on the matter with counterparts in Moscow, RFE/RL takes a look at some of the more interesting reactions. Political Ploy? While most Russian analysts have been slow to comment, state media in Russia have been putting forward the notion that U.S. President Donald Trump's statements against the INF Treaty are not to be taken at face value. The state RIA Novosti news agency quoted an unidentified "diplomatic source" in Brussels as saying Trump's statement has "an election context." "Just days before the elections to Congress, he wants to show his electorate that he can make decisions that will upset the president of Russia," the source was quoted as saying. The pro-Kremlin tabloid website Argumenty Nedeli quoted an unidentified "high-ranking Russian diplomatic-military source" as saying that Trump's statement was a ploy to get the upper hand in talks with Russia on nuclear issues. "The business president is simply raising the stakes before negotiations like he always does," the source said. "Now a banal exchange of concessions both by us and by the Americans will begin." Thomas Graham, former specialist on Russia for the National Security Council under President George W. Bush, told the daily Kommersant that the withdrawal indications could just mean that Bolton, who has long opposed any arms-control treaties with Russia, has caught the president's ear. "Only time will tell if this decision is final," he said. "In the administration there are high-ranking figures who support the treaty and who would like to continue working with Russia to regulate contentious issues." Russian Violation? Since 2014, the United States has argued that Russia has been in violation of the INF Treaty because it is developing an intermediate-range, ground-launched cruise missile that is provisionally known as the 9M729. The Trump administration said last year that Moscow had begun deploying the new weapon. Russia has denied that it was violating the treaty and has countercharged that some elements of a U.S. antimissile system in Europe violate it. Writing for the Brookings Institution, former high-ranking U.S. diplomat Steven Pifer has argued that unilaterally withdrawing from the agreement in this way would be a mistake that would leave Washington to blame for killing a major element of global arms control. Withdrawing from the treaty would also enable Moscow to deploy the 9M729 without any restraints, Pifer added. It could also further the erosion of U.S. relations with its allies in Europe, he said, noting that no European countries have expressed concerns over the 9M729. Pifer concludes that a smarter approach would be to get on one page with Europe and urge NATO allies to raise the possible violation directly with Moscow. At the same time, Washington could take "treaty compliant" steps such as deploying additional bombers in Europe that would send a serious signal to Russia. "The INF Treaty likely has entered its final days," Pifer wrote. "That's unfortunate. The Trump administration should make one last push, with the help of allies, to get Moscow back into compliance. And, if that fails, it should have ready a presentation that will win the inevitable fight over who killed the treaty." Demonstrating Russia's alleged violations would probably require the United States to declassify some sensitive intelligence information, Pifer noted. Stephen Sestanovich, a former U.S. National Security Council senior director for policy development under Reagan, writing in The American Interest, largely agreed with Pifer, saying that keeping the treaty is important because it "keeps Russian capabilities under legal limits." "Yes, Moscow will probably keep nibbling at the edges of the INF deal, but the only way it can launch a big buildup is by withdrawing from the treaty itself -- something it clearly hesitates to do," he wrote. China Gambit Sestanovich notes that U.S. military planners are concerned about the INF Treaty because it restricts Russia and the United States but leaves China free to develop the weapons it bans. "Military competition between China and the United States will obviously be the Pentagon's top priority in coming years," he wrote. "But the idea that this need decisively devalues the INF Treaty seems -- at the very least -- premature." He says that for the foreseeable future, the United States and its allies deter China with a combination of air- and sea-launched weapons. "It's not impossible to imagine that over time we and our allies will come to think that medium-range, ground-based missiles -- the kind the INF Treaty keeps us from having -- would add meaningfully to deterrence of China," he wrote. "But this is not a near-term prospect. In fact, virtually every U.S. ally in the region would reject the idea." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/withdrawal -syndrome-experts-weigh-in-on-possible-u-s- exit-from-inf-treaty/29557785.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 Bolton Says U.S. Not Blackmailing Russia With INF Pullout Pledge RFE/RL October 22, 2018 U.S. national-security adviser John Bolton has denied Russian allegations the United States is threatening to withdraw from a nuclear arms treaty in an attempt to blackmail Moscow over what Washington says is a new medium-range nuclear missile being developed by Russia. Bolton was quoted as making the comment late on October 22 after talks in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov -- two days after President Donald Trump declared that the United States would withdraw from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). Bolton also said Washington has not yet made any decision to deploy missiles in Europe targeting Moscow if the Trump administration scraps the 1987 treaty. Russia's Foreign Ministry said Lavrov and Bolton on October 22 discussed "the prospect of interaction between our countries, including in the interests of settling regional conflicts, effectively fighting against terrorism, and the maintenance of strategic stability." Earlier on October 22, Lavrov and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that a U.S. withdrawal from the INF treaty could make the world "more dangerous" and force Moscow to take steps to restore the balance of power. European allies of the United States also have expressed concern and the European Union's Executive Commission urged Washington and Moscow to negotiate to "preserve this treaty." Peskov said Russia wants to hear "some kind of explanation" of the U.S. plans from Bolton, who was expected to meet on October 23 with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu before heading into talks with President Vladimir Putin. "This is a question of strategic security. And I again repeat: such intentions are capable of making the world more dangerous," Peskov said. "Any action in this area will be met with a counteraction, because the strategic stability can only be ensured on the basis of parity," Lavrov said on October 22 before his talks with Bolton. "Such parity will be secured under all circumstances. We bear a responsibility for global stability and we expect the United States not to shed its share of responsibility either." The INF treaty prohibits the United States and Russia from possessing, producing, or deploying ground-launched cruise missiles with a range of between 500 kilometers and 5,500 kilometers. Peskov repeated Russian denials of U.S. accusations that Moscow is in violation of the treaty and said that the United States has taken no formal steps to withdraw from the pact as yet. Before meeting with Lavrov on October 22, Bolton also met with his Russian counterpart Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of Putin's Security Council. Russian Security Council spokesman Yevgeny Anoshin said Bolton and Patrushev discussed "a wide range of issues [involving] international security and Russian-American cooperation in the sphere of security." Ahead of the meetings, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov also said Russia hoped Bolton would clarify the U.S. position on the treaty. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to Trump on October 21 and "underlined the importance of this treaty, especially with regards to European security and our strategic stability," Macon's office said in a statement on October 22. European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters the United States and Russia "need to remain in a constructive dialogue to preserve this treaty and ensure it is fully and verifiably implemented." The German government regrets the U.S. plan to withdraw, spokesman Steffen Seibert said on October 22, adding that "NATO partners must now consult on the consequences of the American decision." German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said a day earlier that Trump's announcement "raises difficult questions for us and Europe," but added that Russia has not convincingly addressed the allegations that it had violated the treaty. U.S. officials say Russia has been developing a nuclear-capable missile system known as 9M729 for years in violation of the INF treaty. Washington made its accusations public in 2014. Russia denies the U.S. accusations and claims that some elements of the U.S. missile-defense systems in Europe violate the INF treaty -- a charge that Washington denies. NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said on October 22 that "in the absence of any credible answer from Russia on this new missile, allies believe that the most plausible assessment would be that Russia is in violation of the INF Treaty." The INF, agreed four years before the Soviet Union's collapse, was the first arms-control treaty to eliminate an entire class of missiles. "Russia has not, unfortunately, honored the agreement. So we're going to terminate the agreement and we're going to pull out," Trump told reporters on October 20 during a campaign stop in the state of Nevada. The United States is "not going to let them violate a nuclear agreement and go out and do weapons [when] we're not allowed to," Trump said. The announcement brought sharp criticism from former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who signed the treaty in 1987 with U.S. President Ronald Reagan. "Getting rid of the treaty is a mistake" that would reflect a "lack of wisdom" in Washington, said Gorbachev, 87, adding that leaders "absolutely must not tear up old agreements on disarmament." In Britain, Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson said on October 21 that his country stands "absolutely resolute" with Washington on the issue and called on the Kremlin to "get its house in order." U.S. Senator Rand Paul (Republican-Kentucky) criticized Bolton, and said on Fox News he believes the national security adviser was behind the decision to withdraw from the treaty. "I don't think he recognizes the important achievement of Reagan and Gorbachev on this," Paul said. Bolton has been a critic of a number of treaties including arms-control pacts. Many U.S. critics of Trump's promise to withdraw say that doing so now hands a victory to Russia because Moscow, despite evidence that it is violating the treaty, can blame the United States for its demise. Critics also charge that withdrawing from the pact will not improve U.S. security and could undermine it. Aside from the INF dispute, other issues are raising tensions between Moscow and Washington at the time of Bolton's visit, including Russian actions in Ukraine and Syria as well as alleged Kremlin interference in U.S. elections. Lavrov said October 22 that Russia would welcome talks with the United States on extending the 2010 New START treaty, which limits numbers of Russian and U.S. long-range nuclear weapons such as ICBMs, beyond its 2021 expiration date. Meanwhile, Peskov, when asked to comment on remarks Putin made on October 18, said Putin stated that Russia would not launch a nuclear strike unless it is attacked with nuclear weapons or is targeted in a conventional attack that threatens its existence. With reporting by Reuters, Interfax, TASS, RIA, AFP, RBC, The Guardian, The New York Times, The Financial Times, and Mike Eckel in Washington Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-russia -bolton-meeting-moscow-lavrov-putin- trump-inf-nuclear-gorbachev/29556555.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 Mattis Sides With Trump on US Withdrawal From INF Treaty With Russia - Pentagon Sputnik News 23:59 22.10.2018 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Secretary of Defense James Mattis' position on a possible US exit from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Russia is similar to President Donald Trump's stance on the matter, Pentagon spokesman Col. Rob Manning told reporters on Monday. "Sec. Mattis and the president talk a broad range of issues continuously and their position on this particular issue is aligned," Manning said as quoted by The Hill. On Saturday, Trump said Washington would likely leave the INF treaty because of Russia's continuing violations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the withdrawal would force Moscow to take steps to ensure its security. Over the weekend, US media reported Mattis was unaware of Trump's decision. Manning underlined the secretary is always in contact with the White House. National Security Adviser John Bolton is currently visiting Moscow and discussing the future of the INF treaty with senior Russian officials. The INF treaty was signed between the Soviet Union and the United States in December 1987, and required the parties to destroy their ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of between 500 and 5,500 kilometers (from 310 to 3,417 miles). Moscow and Washington have repeatedly accused each other of violating the treaty. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US ready to bolster nuclear arsenal: Trump Iran Press TV Tue Oct 23, 2018 07:49AM President Donald Trump has said the United States is ready to bolster its nuclear arsenal after announcing it is ditching a Cold War-era nuclear weapons agreement with Russia. Trump on Saturday said that he was planning to abandon the decades-old Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), over claims that Moscow violated it. The key arms control treaty was signed by President Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader, in 1986. Trump told reporters in Washington on Monday that Russia had "not adhered to the spirit of that agreement or to the agreement itself." "Until people come to their senses, we will build it up," he said, referring to the US stockpile of nuclear weapons. "This should have been done years ago." "It's a threat to whoever you want. And it includes China. And it includes Russia," he continued. "And it includes anybody else who wants to play that game. You can't do that. You can't play that game." "Until they get smart, there's going to be nobody that's going to be even close to us," the US president said. The 1986 treaty banned all land-based missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers (310 to 3,420 miles) and included missiles carrying both nuclear and conventional warheads. The original ban between Moscow and Washington led to the elimination of 2,692 missiles. The US claims that Russia's newly-deployed Novator 9M729 cruise missiles fall in the banned category and pose a direct threat to members of the NATO military alliance. Russia finished testing the missile in 2014. US Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison stirred tension earlier this month by warning that Washington would "take out" the missiles if necessary. The issue is expected to overshadow US National Security Adviser John Bolton's trip to Moscow. Bolton, who is believed to have persuaded Trump to quit the INF, arrived in Moscow on Monday. He met with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Ahead of Bolton's arrival, Lavrov said Russia will be forced to take action if the United States begins developing new missiles after abandoning the treaty. "Any action will face a reaction because strategic stability could be ensured only on the parity basis. Such parity will be maintained under any circumstances. We are responsible for global stability and expect that the US won't renounce their share of responsibility as well," Lavrov told reporters. The Pentagon has announced it wants to replace or modernize its nuclear attack force, which is expected to reach the end of its useful life during the next decade. Experts estimate the program will cost $1 trillion over the next 30 years. The modernization plan has come under criticism from opponents of nuclearization, who warn it may prompt a new arms race with Russia and China. The US currently has an arsenal of about 7,000 nuclear warheads, second only to Russia, which has a few hundred more. Washington and Moscow finalized New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) five years ago. The nuclear arms reduction treaty was signed in 2010. The treaty entered into force in 2011 and is expected to last at least until 2021. Nearly 26 years after the end of the Cold War between the United States and the former Soviet Union, Washington and Moscow reportedly still have some 2,000 atomic weapons ready to fly at a moment's notice to destroy each other. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NISSAN Australia, currently in eighth position in the marketplace, is gunning for a top-three spot in future with forthcoming new models, clear messaging and strong customer support, according to managing director Stephen Lester. Speaking exclusively to GoAuto, Mr Lester laid out Nissans ambitions to take on market leaders including Toyota, Mazda and Hyundai, but stopped short of confirming exact details. We need to strive to be on the podium in terms of the top volume brands in the country, theres no question about that, he said. Weve got to add products to the right segments, weve got to continue to do a good job from a marketing standpoint with our advertising, we need to obviously do a good job with PR so the public will endear themselves to Nissan and we will endear ourselves in return to our customers by treating them very well at our dealers. So far in 2018, Nissan Australia sales are up a modest 2.9 per cent to 43,594 units in an overall market that remains strong but has slipped 0.9 per cent to the end of September. This puts Nissan well off the pace of Toyota (164,988), Mazda (86,074) and Hyundai (73,120), while Mitsubishi which is outperforming all the leading brands with 8.5 per cent growth (to 64,468 units) is a clear fourth, ahead of a struggling Ford (52,970) and Holden (45,548). A strong-performing Kia (45,374) is also ahead of Nissan this year, although the different between sixth and eighth is just 1954 units. Last year, Nissan finished in eighth position with 56,594 new vehicle registrations, the brands lowest year-end tally since 2009 where it hit 52,901 coming off the back of the global financial crisis, which Mr Lester said was the low point from which the car-maker will now increase its share. It was a challenging time for the brand as a whole having gone through the reduction in the model line-up, it got to the point, from a performance basis, (where) we do have to treat it as the bottom and look to grow up from there, he said. What we have to do is to be laser-focused on our core product Qashqai, X-Trail and Navara performance and look at how Pathfinder and Patrol in particular as well as Juke, support that build-up. The others, of course, 370Z and GT-R, these certainly fall in much smaller categories but Im not going to define success or failure based on the ebbs and flows of those niche vehicles. The core models that we have are in the segments that are all growing, we need to capture our own fair share, and in a market that is challenged means that weve got to find that in other ways and thats really through a balanced portfolio. Last month, Nissan surged to fifth place on 5167 sales, up 29.1 per cent on September last year. Mr Lester said he was pleased with the result, but is clearly wary of unsustainable growth. As I remind the team and remind the group, theres really only about 600 units between fifth and 12th in the market at this point and, therefore, that is a small number to be considering in your actual position, he said. What Im much more focused on is how we help support the balanced and consistent volume growth. The reality is that September as a market last year we only did four per cent share. Were not a four per cent brand, so we believe we are above a five per cent share brand and we need to work towards that. Its a big number (September sales), its obviously not the expectation of the number of every month going forward. The dealers did a fantastic job, we have excellent performance through the vast majority of the network, were not all the way there yet, and so were going to continue working with those dealers to support them and to do a better job. Mr Lester confirmed the company had looked into the business case of returning to the passenger car segment since the discontinuation of the Pulsar, Micra and Altima in the previous few years, and hinted an announcement on Nissans mainline car future beyond the Leaf electric vehicle is forthcoming. We certainly have (looked at bringing back the Micra and Pulsar), he said. Well have some more details to announce at a later date Whilst those segments are in decline, they still represent a significant portion of the overall market and would still be important to any car brand including ourselves. It still remains part of our mid- and long-range plan. As for the Kicks, which replaced the Juke in the United States and could be sold in Australia as a more conventionally styled small SUV, Mr Lester said the local appetite for crossovers helps its case. I cant really comment on Kicks status, but I will say that the migration of customers in Australia away from passenger cars and into crossovers is well documented across the region, he said. We dont see that trend coming to an end any time soon, so we will continue to look at all crossover opportunities for future models that we can bring into Australia. Whether that is Kicks or Juke or both will be determined over time. The Navara-based Terra is also a model which could come to Australia to bolster the brands already strong SUV line-up if it were made available. When asked if any existing models such as the struggling Juke (-49.1%) and Pathfinder (-17%) are at risk of being discontinued like its former passenger car offers, Mr Lester said he did not see any models at risk. We feel that we dont cover as much of the market as we should in this market, and therefore it is our job to rebuild that portfolio, he said. And were actively doing that. Whether other cars come and go from our line-up, especially small-volume ones, we work on a vehicle-by-vehicle basis thats a long and ongoing process at all times. (But) I dont see any models at risk at this point. At the end of the day, we have to look at the maximum coverage by segment that we can achieve, and how best to create innovation that excites through those models. However, Mr Lester dismissed the idea of introducing a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty to rival Mazda, Hyundai, Ford and Honda, insisting that its current three-year/100,000km offering matching Toyotas assurance period will suffice. When you take care of your customers very, very well, when you have tremendously reliable product and when you stand behind and take care of your customers even in situations outside of their warranty you dont need to hide behind a warranty, he said. We focus on the customers through the entire life and we will continue to do that going forward. The Road to Recovery podcast series Latest Headlines Reserve Bank plans new rules on bank breaches The Reserve Bank has proposed changes to the way banks report regulatory breaches, to place more focus on serious cases. Tuesday, October 23rd 2018, 5:50PM Under the current system, banks in breach of regulatory rules are required to notify the central bank promptly of any violations and publish them in disclosure statements. The central bank could shake-up the old system, prioritising more prominent breaches. RBNZ is reviewing whether a materiality threshold should be enforced. The central bank has proposed that "material" breaches will continue to be reported and published, while "minor" infractions will not be posted on its website. A materiality threshold would mean banks minor breaches are not disclosed to the public. The central bank said one of the conclusions of its Regulatory Stocktake, and Bank Financial Strength Dashboard was that banks should be formally required to notify of any breaches, and RBNZ should draw on that reporting to publish collated information on bank breaches on a dedicated new page on its website. RBNZ argues the new model will help the public and boardroom executives focus on more serious cases. In its consultation paper, RBNZ: For banks, this will mean that the market discipline imposed by the need to disclose breaches will focus on the issues that really matter. Having to disclose trivial breaches perversely worsens the distortion of incentives. Hence, bringing in a materiality threshold for disclosure will allow banks to allocate their risk-management efforts more efficiently to where the most important risks arise, the central bank added. Special Offers Comments from our readers No comments yet Sign In to add your comment The Robertson family of "Duck Dynasty" fame is welcoming its newest member, Rowdy, to the family. As earlier reported, in January, Willie and Korie Robertson announced they were in the process of adopting a 13-year-old boy, named Rowdy, to join their five biological children John Luke, Sadie, and Bella, adopted son Will, and their foster daughter, Rebecca, who first came to the family as an exchange student from Taiwan in 2004. Last week, Korie took to Instagram to announce the adoption was finally complete by posting a new family photo: "It's official!!" she wrote. "Today Rowdy officially became a Robertson! So thankful for Godly attorneys and judges that made the day extra special. We told stories of the past year, we laughed, we cried, we hugged, we swore to love Rowdy forever and ever. #Godisgood (missed having @young_and_beardless @marykaterob and @johnreedloflin with us)." Korie's biological daughter Sadie welcomed the newest Robertson on her personal Instagram account (@legitsadierob) as well. "Just landed back in Louisiana to take a good ole garage pic with the family to celebrate Rowdy's official adoption day!! Welcome to the family Rowdy Robertson," she wrote. Rebecca also expressed her excitement over gaining a new brother, reposting Korie's photo to her Instagram page (@rebeccarobertson): "Photo taken right before we all cried our eyes out with joy in the courtroom. Rowdy's official adoption day! Love you Rowdy! We have loved you since the first time we saw you, but now you are bind to the law to love us back too," she wrote. Earlier this year, Korie revealed that Rowdy - who she referred to as "amazing" - had been with their family since last May, and even attended their son John Luke's wedding to Mary Kate McEacharn. He "walked my grandmother down the aisle," said Korie. During the Angels in Adoption Event last fall, Korie hinted about her family's plans to welcome another addition sometime soon, reports Country Rebel. "We are always open to adoption. We feel like adoption has blessed our family in so many ways. And we are so thankful for our kids both biological and adopted. So 'never say never.' That's for sure." The family also 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." Why Did Naidu Change His Mind On T'gana? All these days, Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu had been keeping away from the active politicking in Telangana, though his party is contesting the assembly elections in Telangana. He had left the battle field to his Telangana TDP leaders, whether it is seat sharing with the Congress and other allies or the campaigning in the constituencies. Of course, he was giving directions to the Telangana TDP leaders from Amaravati itself and he did not even evince interest in campaigning for the party in Telangana. Now, Naidu seems to have changed his mind altogether. Reason: Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and his Telangana Rashtra Samithi leaders have started attacking Naidu directly, rather than tackling the Telangana TDP leaders. Initially, Naidu did not react strongly and even asked his party leaders not to make any counter attack on the TRS or KCR. But after KCR intensified his attack on him at the public meetings and at the press conferences, accusing him of damaging the Telangana interests, Naidu decided to shoot back. Another reason for Naidu changing his mind is the support extended by Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan to the TRS and indirect support from YSR Congress party as well. He is perhaps apprehensive that Pawan might eat into the votes of Andhra settlers by campaigning for the TRS. That is precisely why Naidu readily agreed to campaign in Telangana, when the Telangana TDP leaders requested him to do so. Though he did not indicate specifically, he would address at least half a dozen public meetings in the areas dominated by Andhra settlers. During the public meetings, Naidu wants to convey to the people of Telangana that his party will not be a hurdle to any of the projects or development in the state and his interest was only to see that Telugus in both the states prospered. Secondly, he wants to convey that the TDP had joined hands with the Congress not to rule the Telangana, but as part of his nation-wide mission to create an anti-BJP coalition. And to appease the Seemandhra settlers, Naidu is planning to send the message that the presence of the TDP in Telangana was essential to protect their interests. Click Here for Latest Direct-to-OTT Releases (List Updates Daily) Emerging Fuels Technology, Inc (EFT) has executed a license agreement with Red Rock Biofuels LLC (RRB) under which EFT will provide its second-generation TL8a Fischer-Tropsch (FT) technology to provide additional FT capacity for RRBs biorefinery in Lakeview, Oregon. EFT has also received a notice to proceed from RRB to commence design of its FT system to be installed at the Lakeview biorefinery. RRB is a subsidiary of IR1 Group LLC (IR1), which has built and operated more than 325 million gallons of biofuels production capacity and is constructing the Lakeview biorefinery. IR1 will build a global portfolio of biorefineries to convert waste woody biomass into renewable jet and diesel fuels. IR1 says that through a proprietary integration of existing technologies, it makes the long-commercialized Fischer-Tropsch process economic at the biomass scale. By using forest and sawmill residues, IR1 will also reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires by removing waste biomass from overstocked forests. OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- Although not far from completion, Ocean Springs' $1.8 million Government Street improvement project has been in limbo for at least a year awaiting the final phases of construction to be completed. The board of aldermen awarded the $1.2 million construction contract to D O'Brian Construction out of Gulfport in 2013. The project included new sidewalks along a roughly four-mile stretch of Government Street from Hanley Road to Ocean Springs Middle School, along with a wooden pedestrian bridge across Davis Bayou to match the one already constructed across Heron Bayou. According to City grants administrator Carolyn Martin, most elements of the project were complete a year ago, save for the two bridges, when what she called "paperwork issues" began to surface between the City and the contractor. Then, in December of last year, D O'Brian owner Dennis O'Brian went on a Christmas vacation, suffered a heart attack, and died. "His death was certainly a part of (the delay)," Martin said. "There are attorneys involved, so I have to say this carefully, but there were issues with the project prior to that, but we were trying to work those issues and move past it. "But then, when he died, it became more difficult to have that conversation." Jackson County contractor Jimmy Lane, a personal friend of O'Brian's, stepped in to help mediate the issues between the City and the contractor. Now, Martin says, she believes they are close to resolving the issue. "There isn't much more to do. It's just the sidewalks over the two bridges," she said. "That's actually the agreement we've reached, that we'll take those two elements out of the contract. "With the owner gone and things the way they are, it's just not going to be that easy for them to complete. So we'll adjust those items out and then do what's called a termination of convenience so they can finish up and be done." One that's happened, the City will "repackage and rebid" the work to remaining to be completed. D O'Brian Construction will still be paid in full for all the work completed. "The widow has people in helping her now to finish it and we've reached some understanding as to how we can move forward," Martin added. "The attorneys are working out that deal now and we should be able to get this moving soon." The project -- including all engineering and planning -- was funded largely through two Mississippi Department of Transportation grants totaling $1.4 million, along with $146,929 in total contributions from the City and another $273,000 from Jackson County. Yesterday, US President Donald Trump said he was not satisfied with Saudi Arabias explanation of the Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggis murder, but did not want to lose investment in the US economy made by the kingdom. Meanwhile, the new details appeared in the investigation of the murder - the Turkish police found a car with the diplomatic numbers in the underroof parking in one of the districts of Istanbul, registered to the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia, in which, according to a preliminary version, the remains of Khashoggi were transported. Also, the rumors about the double of Khashoggi, who was dressed in a journalist's clothes, were spread to prove that he had allegedly left the consulate safe and sound ... As Bloomberg writes in the article Turkeys Leaks Are Undermining the Khashoggi Investigation with a reference to the ABC News U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, on his recent visit to Istanbul, heard a recording of the Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi being murdered in the Saudi consulate. The State Department denied the report. Pompeo, asked about it during a trip to Mexico City, was emphatic: Ive heard no tape. Ive seen no transcript. On Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said his government has not shared any recordings with U.S. officials. The incident was typical of how information, mixed bewilderingly with misinformation, has emerged The stated position of the Turkish government is that it is working with the Saudis to get to the bottom of what happened to Khashoggi. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after initially announcing his personal interest in the case (I am chasing) has been more circumspect. This suggests that the Turkish leader is more carefully evaluating the leverage he now has over Saudi Arabia. It may be in his power to direct the finger of blame toward Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman or to help deflect the spotlight from him. The leaks, and the motivation behind them, have become subject of much speculation. A common assumption is that the leakers are indulging in schadenfreude by putting out information embarrassing to the Saudis, and especially those linking Khashoggis murder to the crown prince, better known by his initials as MBS. Relations between the countries, never especially warm, have recently worsened over Turkeys support for Qatar in its dispute with other Persian Gulf states and Saudi backing of Kurdish rebels in Syria. MBS was reported to have told a group of Egyptian papers in March that Turkey was part of the contemporary triangle of evil, along with Iran and extremist religious groups. There is an obvious way to stop them - conclude the investigation and bring all the evidence to light. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for the quickest clarification of the circumstances of the incident with Khashoggis disappearance. "I support the calls for the investigation to take place as soon as possible. We welcome the agreement between Turkey and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the steps to carry out this investigation. I expect the results to be known to the world community," Lavrov told Euronews. Recent economic data from Russia shows that US-led Western economic sanctions that have hit the ruble might actually be working in Moscow's favor, TRT World writes in the article Can sanctions work in favor of Russian economy? US policy makers, including President Donald Trump, have defended the decades-old American approach that harsh economic sanctions could convince adversaries such as Russia and Iran to change course. But recent economic data from Russia shows otherwise. A combination of factors that have led to an increase in the price of oil and depreciated the ruble have helped Russia's finances, according to the latest economic indicators. Washington's decision to renew sanctions against Iran after the Trump administration withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal has pushed up the price of oil. Iran, a key member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has seen a drop in its oil exports, which in turn has jacked up its price by 14 percent in international markets. One of the biggest benefactors of increasing oil prices is Russia, a major energy exporter. At the same time, Western sanctions led by Washington against Moscow are making the Russian currency, the ruble, lose its value. A depreciated ruble means Russia will be earning more on its energy exports, which make up 40 percent of state revenue. This year, both Rosneft and Lukoil, Russias state-run oil companies, have seen the value of their shares rise compared to their Western counterparts. Under these circumstances, it is quite unlikely that Russia will change its position on controversial issues ranging from the Ukrainian conflict to the Syrian civil war. Many experts including prominent American political scientists have argued for years that sanctions are usually not effective to force adversary states to change their undesired policies. Russian economic buildup has further confirmed the scientific approach that sanctions are not helping the cause of the sender state, which is the US in this case, instead, its benefiting the target country, which is Russia, on the receiving end of sanctions. In 2014, Manuel Oechslin, a Dutch professor on international economics, published a comprehensive study on the effects of economic sanctions. In his study Targeting autocrats: Economic sanctions and regime change, Oechslin argued that in most cases sanctions have failed to achieve stated goals. It appears that many of these sanctions episodes ended prematurely, i.e., the sanctions were lifted after a couple of years even though the intended goal had not been achieved, wrote Oechslin. Oechslin's conclusion heavily relies on data collected and examined by Gary Hufbauer, one of the leading experts on US sanctions. A former senior US treasury official, Hufbauer examines 57 cases of US sanctions from 1914 to 2000 in a book titled "Economic Sanctions Reconsidered," which is regarded as one of the most influential takes on the subject. Out of 57 cases, he found only 12 cases, or 21 percent, being partly successful, while in 37 cases, which corresponded to 65 percent, sanctions could not even partly accomplish its defined objectives. Hufbauer continued his research on the subject, taking up new cases from 2000 to 2010. The findings were strikingly similar to that of the pre-2000 period. We analysed data actually before Trump came in the office," Hufbauer told TRT World. "We could not see a big difference on the success rate or the characteristics of success between post-2000 and before 2000. Its far less than half of the time, [that] sanctions succeed to achieve their foreign policy goals. In the Russian case, US-led Western sanctions have even more reasons to fail according to criteria set up by Hufbauer. First of all, the American political scientist says that sanctions are mostly effective on small or medium size countries. So there are many small African countries, Latin American countries, smaller countries even some Asian countries where this has been the case, Hufbauer said. Russia, which is one of the largest countries with a population of over 140 million people, does not fit this criterion. Second, the target state needs to have a fair amount of conflict or political turmoil inside its territory in order to make sanctions successful according to Hufbauer. Again Russia currently has no significant internal strife at all. Third, sanctions paradoxically work against friends more than rivals in most cases, Hufbauer underlined. The logic behind this is that the leaders of the adversary countries have prepared for a sanctions regime more than friendly nations. Moscow was ready for the sanctions. Overall, there are considerable reasons in the Russian case that sanctions have met failure. Recent economic data from Russia, which shows US sanctions ironically help the Russian economy grow, backs up the argument that US sanctions against Moscow have already failed. If the target country is a large country which has a very strong leader, and has no internal political dissent or conflict, then, in those circumstances, the sanctions are unlikely to produce regime change. There are very few cases where regime change has occurred in such cases, Hufbauer said. [As a result] sanctions against Russia or China didnt change the political situation very much if at all. So those are the two extremes, Hufbauer concluded. Mike Sacks is a 49-year-old successful, if slightly obscure humor writer. He is on staff at Vanity Fair and his 2014 book "Poking a Dead Frog," a collection of interviews with big-name comedians, was a bestseller. People like David Sedaris think he is hilarious. His work is idiosyncratic, drawing on his experiences growing up in the 1970s and '80s in the Washington, D.C., suburbs. The most recent example is "Randy," a faux memoir of a guy from Poolesville, Maryland, who loves the Redskins and Outback Steakhouse, and going to the club Seacrets in Ocean City. "This is basically me if I stayed in Maryland," Sacks explains. In September - as the lives of privileged kids in Reagan-era suburban Washington. D.C., became something of a national obsession after Christine Blasey Ford accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her at a party in 1982 - the outside world seemed to invade Sacks' turf. At one point during Ford's testimony, a map flashed across the screen identifying where Ford, Kavanaugh and other people she'd said were at the party all lived. "I could see where I grew up," Sacks says. "That was all very surreal . . . to hear very specific elements of my childhood mentioned before the Senate and the world." When Kavanaugh's high school friend (and a witness, Ford said, to the alleged assault) Mark Judge was found far from the hearing, in Bethany Beach, Delaware, with a car strewn with comic books and clothes, Sacks tweeted, "how ... is this not Randy's story?!" Later, he added: "I wrote about Brett Kavanaugh and Mark Judge and their type in my new book. I didn't. But I did. If that makes sense. Maryland!!!" For the record, Sacks didn't go to Georgetown Preparatory School in Bethesda, Maryland, the school Kavanaugh and Judge attended. He went to public school. He didn't belong to a country club, just the neighborhood pool. But growing up in Montgomery County, Maryland, he says he spent time with "this entitled type," as he referred to Kavanaugh. "Things had a tendency to happen while you were around them," he says. "When they got drunk, all bets were off." As the Kavanaugh spectacle unfolded, Sacks was in the midst of recording "Passable in Pink," an audiobook "prom-com" that satirizes the work of John Hughes - whose movies, including "Pretty in Pink" and "Sixteen Candles," were classic depictions of 1980s teenage life. (Hughes references have also been a recurring theme in Kavanaugh-related commentary.) Sacks had gotten the idea for it months earlier, after he tried playing "Sixteen Candles" for his 9-year-old daughter, Daphne. She watched for a few minutes before wandering off to read Harry Potter. Sacks, who hadn't seen it in years, kept watching. But he couldn't enjoy it. "There are elements in some Hughes films that bring to mind a world that doesn't exist anymore and shouldn't," he said in an email the day after the Kavanaugh hearing. "When the Geek sleeps with Jake's girlfriend. She's handed over as if she's some sort of discarded object and is, essentially, raped. Not funny. . . . A lot of the humor just doesn't hold up." So he set out to write what he calls "a more realistic version." "Passable in Pink" is a follow-up to "Stinker Lets Loose!" - an audiobook of a novelization of an imaginary '70s long-haul trucker movie, featuring the voices of Jon Hamm, Andy Richter and Paul F. Tompkins, which Audible released in January. Richter said in an email that he was drawn to Sacks' work because he is "the best kind of comedy writer; a bona fide weirdo with virtually no interest in satisfying anything other than his own personal obsessions." "Stinker" was inspired by novelizations Sacks would pick up in used-book stores in Ocean City, Maryland, and Virginia Beach, Virginia, while on summer vacation. There's a subplot about getting a six-pack of beer to Jimmy Carter. But that's about as political as his work usually gets. "Political humor gets stale," Sacks says. When asked what real-life events influence his work, he's more likely to cite his obsessive-compulsive disorder, which he's had since the sixth grade. When you have OCD, he explains, "you come at things differently. And I think that helps if you want to be a comedy writer." The best treatment, he's found - other than medication - is channeling his anxious energy into writing. Sedaris, who also has OCD, says that undercurrent of honesty is what makes Sacks' work so funny. "There's a vulnerability there," Sedaris says. "You get the sense that there's something at stake." They first connected when Sacks interviewed Sedaris for a book and spent nearly five hours on the phone. Sacks says they talked so long that "I had to urinate into my trash basket. Twice." Inevitably, all the attention on the lives of suburban D.C. teenagers in the '80s will fade, and Sacks will get his literary turf back. "I've lived in New York for almost 20 years, and I still - my mind is back in Maryland and Virginia. I just know that sensibility," he had told me a few weeks before the Ford-Kavanaugh hearing. "That's where I feel most comfortable. Going to Ocean City, going, not necessarily to club Seacrets -" He paused. "Have you been to club Seacrets?" I haven't. "Yeah, don't go. But this is the world I know. I love it. And I love writing about it." Among the numerous flights that are expected to be launched to accommodate the increasing number of tourists visiting Sharm El-Sheikh are flights from Azerbaijan to Sharm El-Sheikh that will start operating on November 8, according to South Sinai Governor Khaled Fouda, Egypt Today writes in the article Azerbaijan to launch direct flights to Sharm El-Sheikh in Nov. South Sinai Governor Fouda revealed on Monday, Oct. 22 that Sharm El-Sheikh attracts global interest, confirming that the city will witness a huge number of tourists, including Russian tourists, in 2018-2019 winter season. In the same context, many Russian tourism companies expect that once charter flights to Egyptian resorts are resumed by the end of 2018, tourist inflow to several cheap world resorts such as the United Arab Emirates, India, Vietnam, and Thailand will decline. The tourism sector is one of Egypts main foreign currency earners; it has suffered badly from the travel ban that turned the once 100 percent occupied resorts to empty buildings. Tourist inflow to Egypt peaked in 2010, when 14.7 million tourists visited the country, but the number fell to 4.5 million in 2016. Russian and British tourists capture the largest portion of tourist inflows to Egypt. According to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), the Russian tourist inflow to Egypt reached its peak in 2014, with tourists recording 3.1 million. Following the Russian plane crash, this number plummeted to 2.38 million in 2015. The British tourist inflow used to range between 800,000 and 1 million tourists, but this number also declined after the suspension of flights to Sharm El-Sheikh. British flights are now limited to the tourist landmarks in the Red Sea and the Upper Egyptian cities of Luxor and Aswan. Government efforts During the 26-month air traffic suspension, a lot of false reports about the expected resumption of direct flights between Egypt and Russia circulated in the media. During that period, the Egyptian government spared no effort to settle the case and speed negotiations with the Russian side, as well as other countries that imposed a ban on direct flights to Egypt. Russian authorities always stressed that the resumption of flights would only be possible after Egypt satisfies all the demands of Russian experts on ensuring security at domestic airports. Since the crash, Egypt has been implementing new, tighter security measures at all of its airports to meet the Russian demands for the resumption of flights, with multiple visits by Russian security to behold changes implemented by the government. During these visits, the Russian side affirmed that Egyptian aviation authorities have made significant progress in complying with Russias aviation safety requirements. In mid-December 2017, Russia and Egypt signed an agreement on aviation security and a special protocol on restoring air service between the two countries. Russian President Putin signed the decree on resumption of scheduled flights to Cairo on January 4, 2018. The special projects director of the Caspian Expert Club, Gulnara Mamedzade, who arrived in Moscow to present the report 'New tools of expert-informational work in the Greater Eurasia', prepared by the Caspian Expert Club jointly with the Information Analysis Center for the study of the post-Soviet space and the Center for International Public Policy Studies 'Caspian-Eurasia' (Astrakhan), visited the studio of Vestnik Kavkaza yesterday. - Gulnara khanum, first of all, what do you mean by 'Greater Eurasia', how can we outline its boundaries? - It is very difficult to outline boundaries within a transboundary world. As for Greater Eurasia, this expression was used by the Russian president, and was picked up by the expert community, especially since it really fits into modern geopolitical realities. Initially, we mainly talked about the format of the Eurasian Economic Union, but after 2014 the global situation has seriously changed, and now we can say that the boundaries of interests of the main participants of the Eurasian process in the region are expanding, I mean such geopolitical projects as the SCO and BRICS, which involve Russia and Kazakhstan. It seems that the concept of the EEU somewhat narrows the integration possibilities, when, in fact, they are expanding in the framework of new logistic large transnational projects, which knit the entire large region together. The projection of the region is expanding, and therefore we are starting to think in different terms, including accumulating expert potential not only in the format of post-Soviet countries, which make up the Eurasian Union, but also within a broader framework of interaction. Now we may talk about cooperation with such countries as China, Turkey and India, which have their own interest in the Greater Eurasia region. As you can see, the boundaries are really expanding, while opportunities and interests are developing in accordance with new geopolitical trends. - What new trends are most visible in the mass media and among experts? - First of all, it is important to emphasize that new technologies open a lot of new directions in the media and expert space. In our report, we note some trends, including those related to the fact that government structures are losing their dominant position in the wide media space, as space of great opportunities, because it has so many players, for which information technologies create unprecedented opportunities to realize interests and positioning. I mean the blogosphere and other areas of this very complex mechanism, where tracking trends is becoming increasingly difficult. All this together allows us to classify the present period as a post-truth civilization. - Do you have any tools to monitor it? - We tried to think over such tools, a lot of expert platforms work in the Eurasian area, a huge amount of media resources monitors it. Now, of course, much attention is paid to the blogosphere, in particular, to influencers - public opinion leaders, but we are trying to shift this research from the commercial use of technology into the political arena, since it is important to use all existing areas with the maximum efficiency. It is very important to work with the audience, keep a dialogue open and manage information. If we talk about the geopolitical dimension, then we have worked out several new formats which entail creating new dialogue opportunities and expert corridors, in particular, in Eurasia. These are Eurasia + 3, Eurasia + 5 in the SCO format, in the format of the North-South project with the participation of Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan, each of these sites accumulates both expert and public opinions. It is very important to give as much reliable information as possible in multidirectional flows of information, especially since sources of reliable information are being lost. If today we say that state structures and certain political elites have a certain monopoly on targeted information, then it is very important to provide communication channels between those who have information sources and an expert and intellectual community, which formulates certain meanings and translates them to a wider audience. We are currently working on a definite set of these new mechanisms, and I think that in the near future it will be applied more specifically. - Another problem is protecting the media space in conditions of constant pressure from the West. What should be used in this case? - Indeed, the competition in the media space is very high, and we cannot deny that Western media resources and information structures are increasingly penetrating our media space, many editorial offices work remotely. There are many sites with their own semantic brand like the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus or Eurasia, but, in fact, created and controlled from the outside. This is an attempt to formulate alternative opinions in the media space. The same applies to the Eurasian Economic Union - this geopolitical project, initiated by Russia and Kazakhstan, supported by other participants, in fact, was at the epicenter of information attacks. It was subjected to certain informational and expert blows aimed at devaluing the significance of the Eurasian Economic Union in the perception of a wide audience. By the way, it happened not just from the outside: there had been criticism even at the level of the post-Soviet countries involved in the integration process. Fortunately, there are other opinions. The expert community works very effectively in the Russia-Kazakhstan direction, a huge number of expert platforms and media resources, providing information in support of the Eurasian project and values that it is ready to offer its participants, have been created. Our report "New tools of expert-informational work in the Greater Eurasia" was prepared by an integrated working group, and this format of work is very important. If earlier we only had intentions to create such formats, today these formats are already operating: we prepare expert reports, accumulating joint potential, bringing there the practice implemented in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Russia, as well as a generalized material that allows us to get a more objective understanding of these processes. - Are there any regional features of the media space within the Greater Eurasia? - It is very important to differentiate the range of media space problems. There are problems that are specific to each country, but there are also problems that unite us as post-Soviet countries. There are certain trends that can be traced in each of our countries, but there are also regional peculiarities, whether it's the South Caucasus or Central Asia. It is very important to consider interests of major players, which also affect the socio-political situation in individual countries and in the region. Through the influence of external players, attempts are being made to fragment the informational and socio-political field. We live in a time of increased geopolitical and economic competition for dominance in the markets of the future and in information management. Now we talk about the digitalization of certain processes, the use of digital methods in managing political and information systems, even about artificial intelligence abilities, which creates new forms of competition. I would like to emphasize that Azerbaijan has made serious progress in drawing increased attention to the Eurasian processes. Azerbaijan is already close to the status of observer to the SCO and exploring other opportunities related to participation in Eurasian projects. If we follow the dynamics of Azerbaijans interest in this direction, then it has shifted to a positive direction. The Russia-Azerbaijan information background is more than favorable at this stage, there is a trend towards a qualitative improvement in bilateral information realities since 2013. This year the Azerbaijani President visited Russia and the Russian President visited Azerbaijan, the publicity was positive on the threshold of these events, most of the content of Azerbaijani news outlets was devoted to this topic, and almost all news were presented in a positive manner. And we see that the emphasis on these events in Russia has also been mostly positive. - If we talk about the Russia-Azerbaijan and Russia-Kazakhstan cooperation in the media space, which areas should be mentioned? - The expert community is very active within the framework of the Russian-Kazakhstan cooperation, a whole range of joint media resources have been created with the participation of experts, in particular, the IQ-Club. Given the lack of high-quality content and reliable information, such resources provide very balanced expert assessments; no bias is felt, which is very important. As for the Russian-Azerbaijani direction, we have Russian resources that work in Azerbaijan, in particular, Sputnik. Previously, there was the News-Azerbaijan agency, which worked in the associated partnership with RIA Novosti. We also have not even offices, but representative offices of other Russian resources, for example, Interfax-Azerbaijan, as well as various international organizations in which Russia and Azerbaijan participate together. It is very important to emphasize that there is a very significant Russian-speaking segment of Azerbaijan's media space, and in this sense, the situation of parity between the Russian-speaking segment and national resources in Azerbaijan is really favorable in comparison with other post-Soviet countries. The national segment has been increasing in recent years, which is quite natural, but, nevertheless, the Russian-language media outlets keep the interest of their audience. By Vasia Orion | Published on 2018/10/22 Upcoming fantasy romantic comedy "Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter" has released stills of the two men who could be the reincarnation of the titular woodcutter that his also titular fairy wife is waiting for. The news bring us some words from the actors, who chatted about their casting in the drama, and their characters as people. Advertisement Yoon Hyun-min plays Jeong Yi-hyeon, the youngest associate professor at Leewon University. The actor spoke on his role choice, saying that "Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter" came around at a time when he was craving an acting transformation, and wanting to do a romantic comedy. He added that he felt it would be a turning point where he could perform meaningful acting through a role that he has been wanting to do. Focusing on his character, Yoon Hyun-min said he hides boyish sensibility underneath his tough behavior, and evokes interest and sympathy. He also dropped a tease about Yi-hyeon's interesting story, and said that he is a good person when one gets to know him. He wants to bring out the warmth, but also humanity in someone who he feels would lose his charm without it. Basically, a tsundere we'll eventually love. For me, the caveat is "as long as he's not too much of a jerk to begin with". Seo Ji-hoon, who plays the bright and well-mannered graduate student Kim Geum, said that he was excited to see the webtoon made into a drama, and that his chance to be in it felt like an unexpected gift. The actor described his character, saying Geum is a model student with a good heart and a caring personality, who is also clumsy and aloof. He added that acting in this role warms his heart. Seo Ji-hoon also commented on this being his first leading role. While originally very nervous, he became confident in his syncing with Kim Geun as time went by. Since Geun is an altruistic person, the actor tried to approach him from the perspective of others. Seo Ji-hoon even shared a little anecdote about getting a driver's license for the role. His first real drive was for the drama's shooting, but he was so nervous about it, that the car beginning to move startled him. That's pretty much how I'd react as well, so I feel you there. These descriptions and the actors' words reinforce the feeling I've been getting so far; that these two are like night and day, at least to begin with. I hope that their characters and chemistry will be entertaining, and can't wait to meet them when "Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter" begins airing on November 5th, on tvN. Written by: Orion from 'Orion's Ramblings' Sources (1) (2) Published on 2018/10/22 | Source On the latest episode of the MBC drama "Bad Papa", Yoo Yeong-seon (Shin Eun-soo) made it to finals. Advertisement Yoo Yeong-seon asked Choi Seon-joo (Son Yeo-eun) to wake her up at 9 AM because she had to go and warm up before auditions. However, Choi Seon-joo woke up at 11 AM because she was up writing all night. She rushed to Yoo Yeong-seon's room to wake her up. Yoo Yeong-seon headed to the auditions in Kim Yong-dae's (Lee David) car. The audition staff thought Yoo Yeong-seon wasn't there and was going to skip her turn. Kim Sang-ah (Kwon Eun-bin) offered to switch turns. When Kim Sang-ah was done, Yoo Yeong-seon went on stage. She made a mistake in the middle and two judges criticized her and didn't give her a pass. However, the last judge put her in the finals as a wild card. Published on 2018/10/22 | Source Kim Dong-young is starring in the new SBS drama "My Strange Hero" as Yoo Seung-ho's best friend. Advertisement This actor has taken on characters such as a deaf person in "Believer", a secret detective in "Return", a serial killer in "Children of a Lesser God", and a chaebol in "Let's Eat - Season 3". "My Strange Hero" is a school romance drama about Kang Bok-soo (Yoo Seung-ho) whose life is messed up because he was kicked out of school for alleged school violence and returns to schoo,l but gets involved with another unexpected incident. Kim Dong-young plays Yoo Seung-ho's best friend Kyeong Hyeon. He's the only one Bok-soo can really relate to. He's clumsy and a troublemaker, but whenever Bok-soo needs him, he's there to support him. "My Strange Hero" is coming out at the end of November. Havre Police Department An arrest was made or summons issued after Animal Control picked up a dog on Second Street Northeast at 12:30 p.m. Monday. No further details were provided on the charges. -- Randy Hawley of Hays, 36, was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence after a caller at a First Street business reported an unconscious man in a vehicle at 1:10 p.m. Monday. -- An arrest was made during a vehicle stop near the viaduct Monday at 5:08 p.m. No further details were provided on the charges. -- A Fifth Street caller reported a peeping tom at 7:14 p.m. Monday, and the call was referred to another agency. Hill County Sheriff's Office Deputies were called Monday at 9:29 p.m. to assist another agency on Birch Street. -- Rocky Boy Police Department requested assistance Monday at 10:09 p.m. with a drunk driver on U.S. Highway 87 and the call was referred to another agency. Havre Fire Department Emergency medical personnel responded to three calls Monday and one call early this morning. -- Firefighters responded to an alarm at a facility on the 20 Block of 13th Street. Wiring in an electrical box arced and the smoke set off the alarm but did not start a fire. Havre Animal Shelter The shelter this morning held one Himalayan, one long-hair, four medium-hair and two short-hair cats and a short-hair 6-month-old kitten all of unknown gender, a male and a female 10-month-old short-hair kittens and a female medium-hair cat, as well as six 4-week-old kittens being fostered until ready for adoption. -- The shelter this morning also held a male German shepherd dog, a female pit bull-terrier-German shepherd dog, a male shepherd 22-week-old puppy, a female German shepherd-Bernese mountain dog 7-week-old puppy, a female mixed-breed 8-month-old puppy, a female mixed-breed dog and a female mixed-breed 10-month-old puppy. "The American Dream is coming back," U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., said Monday at the Quality Inn in Havre. Gianforte, who is facing a re-election challenge by former state Democratic lawmaker Kathleen Williams and Billings attorney Elinor Swanson, a Libertarian, came to Havre to speak with local Republicans about his campaign and the progress that he has made in the past year in the U.S. House of Representatives. He said he wanted to thank everybody who supported him during the special election last year. The economy is on the rise, unemployment is at a 49-year low and wages are rising fast for low-income families, Gianforte said, showing the country is becoming stronger. "We have always believed in this country that if you work hard and you persevere and you follow the rules, you can make a better life for yourself," he said. "That's the American Dream." Tax Reform and "The Wall" Gianforte said he recently heard a story about a single mother who is raising three kids. "That's a tough job," Gianforte said. He added that he heard that after the tax reform passed, which doubled the child tax credit to $2,000 per child and doubled the standard deduction for a single individual to $12,000, her monthly paycheck saw a $400 increase. That is the success of the tax reform, Gianforte said "(It) made the light at the end of the tunnel a little brighter," he said. He added that not a single Democrat voted for the tax reform and it was passed entirely by the Republicans in Congress and the president. Gianforte said that as he has traveled through Montana he has talked to law enforcement officers who told him that Montana methamphetamine has nearly been completely replaced with "Mexican meth" that is coming across the southern border. He said that is why it is vitally important for Montana to support securing the border. He said that he was proud the country gave the president $1.5 billion for the wall to be built along the U.S.-Mexican border, adding that this investment will pay dividends in reduced law enforcement and the destruction that drugs are causing. Military and human trafficking The U.S. military has also received the largest raise in nine years, Gianforte said, adding that the military was starved under the continuous resolution but now there is an effort to rebuild the armed forces. "If we have to send them in harm's way, they gotta be able to go there, get the job done and get home safely," Gianforte said. Another issue that is being worked on is human trafficking, he said. Gianforte said a loophole existed that was abused, although earlier this year Congress closed that loophole. He added that within 30 days 80 percent of the major websites in the United States that were trafficking humans, mostly girls and young women, were shut down. One of the largest shut down was Backpage, he said. "I'm proud that we got that done and, as a result, our communities are safer," Gianforte said. Forest service and electronic logging data Six months ago, he was also appointed as chair of the interior energy and environment congressional subcommittee, Gianforte said, adding that the committee's jurisdiction includes the Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency. He said with him in that position, Montana now has a "bright light to shine in dark places." The first hearing Gianforte chaired was about the Forest Service putting gates across 21,000 miles of road in Montana, he said, cutting off access to public lands. He has also dealt with grazing allotments and hearings on energy development on reservation lands, he said. He said he introduced a bill last summer to end the practice of paying legal fees to people or groups he called environmental extremists. Gianforte said the government does a good job managing the forest and effectively removing hazardous fuels. The problem is that whenever the Forest Service puts timber up for sale the department gets sued by these groups, he said, and after a fire it is difficult to utilize the timber because of these lawsuits. It's not a forest management problem but a litigation problem, Gianforte said. His Resilient Federal Forest Act has passed through the House and is attached to another appropriation that is going through the Senate, he said. The bill allows for landscape-size salvage timber operations, Gianforte said, and requires reforesting 75 percent of the timber harvested so the process is effective and the timber can be salvaged when it is still profitable. He added that this bill would exclude judicial review so "extremists" can't sue and shut down work. "I believe when you manage forests, that is to remove hazardous fuels and all the dead, down, trees, it is a healthier forest," Gianforte said. "There is more wildlife. The conservationists win, we have timber going to our mills and the fires are less severe, everyone wins except the environmental extremists and the lawyers who represent them." Electronic log data recording requirements for vehicles hauling livestock and agricultural products is another example of federal overreach, Gianforte said, and it negatively impacts Montana life. Electronic logging limits how long a user can operate a truck, he said, and has no accommodation for rural America or the ag industry. He said he and other members of the House sent four letters to the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration in order to get an exemption for agricultural producers, and they are still woking on the issue. He added that he has also introduced and co-sponsored several bills that would exempt anybody with 10 or fewer trucks and a bill to make ag producers completely exempt. Gianforte said what needs to happen is a change to loosen some of the rules so loading time does not count and local transportation on a truck prior to loading does not count. He said this effort is pushing forward and there has been some encouraging feedback from the Federal Motor Carriers. Campaign, Social Security and Medicare "I will always protect Social Security for seniors," Gianforte said. He added that Social Security is a contract citizens have with the federal government and the only thing that jeopardizes Social Security is the growth of government and access spending. The economy under the Trump Administration is the best possible thing for the some programs such as Social Security and Medicare, he said. He added that there is no reason to touch the funding for seniors' Medicare. Democrats want to provide Medicare for everyone, Gianforte said, and that will bankrupt the program and make people pay a large amount of taxes, such as a higher income tax. Gianforte said the race has some real consequences. This election is about competing ideas, he said, adding that Montana's lone seat in the House can either stand with the president or it can be part of the resistance and stand with U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Gianforte said the Trump Administration has delivered results and has created a stronger country but the Democrats can't see past their own plans. He said their plan is to impeach the president, which he has voted against twice since he has been a member in the House; raise taxes and repeal the tax reform; open borders; provide single-payer health care, which he added would bankrupt the country, and threaten the Second Amendment. Elections are important, local or federal, and people should get out and vote, Gianforte said after the event, adding that he fully endorses state House District 32 Republican candidate Gilbert Bruce Meyers, who is challenging incumbent Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, in his bid for re-election and was at the event. Since getting elected into the House, Gianforte said, he has traveled to all 56 counties of Montana, he said, and added that he is proud to have not spent a single weekend in Washington, D.C. "I'm proud to stand with the president and continue to deliver results," Gianforte said, adding that it is a great pleasure to serve the people of Montana. Montana State University-Northern students Wade Schneider, front from left, and Kegan Strop and Northern plumbing professor Lorren Schlotfeldt, back, pose for a photograph in Brockman Center on the Northern campus. Schneider and Strop were the only Montana students out of nationwide applicants to receive scholarships this year from the Mike Rowe Foundation. A pair of Montana State University-Northern students were awarded national-level scholarships from a high-profile source that will help them build toward future careers within the trades. The Mike Rowe Foundation was founded by Mike Rowe, who is best known for his show "Dirty Jobs." The foundation's goal is to help students who are pursuing degrees in the trades industry and who feel like a traditional four-year degree is not for them. Kegan Strop, a freshman working on his plumbing degree, and Wade Schneider, a senior working toward degrees in plumbing, welding and pipefitting, received scholarships from the Mike Rowe Foundation this fall. Out of 187 applicants who were awarded a scholarship nationally, Strop and Schneider are the only two from Montana to receive a scholarship. Schneider is from Hogeland and Strop is from Belt. Schneider said he was honored that he and Strop were awarded scholarships. "Going forward with it, it's really helping me out, financially and the fact that I am able to go out and pay for, basically, my whole school year through the scholarship," he added. Strop said he, too, was honored at receiving the scholarship and was inspired by what the Mike Rowe Foundation stands for. "There's a huge demand for these kinds of jobs, and with our generation there's just a lack of people wanting to go into this field, but it has a huge amount of opportunities," Strop added. Lorren Schlotfeldt, a plumbing professor at Northern, said he was impressed with what Strop and Schneider were able to accomplish. "It's pretty cool that two Montana kids can make enough of an impact on the national level to win a scholarship," he said. "It takes some diligence. Got to fill out everything and you got to do it right, but they were rewarded with some pretty nice scholarships." The process to receive the scholarship was extensive, Schneider said. "There was a bunch of different, little essays that they had you fill out," he said. "I think it was four essays about 400 words each. Then you had to go in and make a video between 30 seconds and a minute long and explain what makes up a good work ethic." The applicants also had to get two letters of recommendation, Schneider said. Schlotfeldt wrote one of the letters for Schneider. Schneider added it took him a week to get all the letters and write out the essays and answers to other questions from the foundation. "My video I had to take about four times to get it all straight and how I wanted it," he said. Strop said he had heard about the Mike Rowe Foundation from his counselor at Northern. He had previous employers write his letters of recommendation, he added. The money from the scholarship didn't just cover academic expenses, Schneider said, but professional costs, too. Schneider added the Mike Rowe Foundation encourages its recipients to utilize their scholarships for any tools or supplies they might need. Schneider said he would use his to find something to make it easier to carry his tools around. Schneider said he began considering plumbing because the family ranch he grew up on only had enough land to be left to his brother. "I had to find something to do," he added. "Plumbing, it's not sit at the desk all day and sit there and stare at a computer screen. It's you're getting in there, you're getting dirty and you're actually using your knowledge towards something that's going to benefit the nation as a whole." In his junior year at Northern, Schneider said, he met with some with employers in the trades industry at an expo and gained valuable insight. He said he was considering majoring in plumbing and electrical engineering but, after speaking to several professionals, found they had earned degrees in other areas and still received good jobs. Schneider said he then added welding to his degree and is also planning on getting a degree in pipe fitting. "So I get to graduate college with three degrees in under three years," he added. Schlotfeldt said it is not the norm nor is it required that plumbing students earn degrees in multiple areas. He added there are more people coming to Northern and they're focused and they want to have as many opportunities as they can on their plate. Strop said he knew in high school that this was something he wanted to do. He added that taking welding class in high school also helped with his decision to enroll in the plumbing program a Northern. Schneider said he spent summers doing internships with various companies and the experience itself was rewarding. He added that he would recommend internships not just for the academic experience but just to be able to see if this is a career worth pursuing. Strop said he is taking that advice into consideration as he progresses with his degree. "Just being open to everything. Just to try it out and to learn it. It might make you a better person in that field," he added. There are numerous opportunities for work for plumbers across the United States, but both Strop and Schneider agree they would like to stay in-state if possible after they graduate. They also said they understand that opportunities are important and they would go wherever they are needed. Schneider's advice to any underclassmen is to just try it out and be mindful of the ever-changing landscape of the more traditional careers like business or engineering. "There's always going to be houses that need to be built. There's always going to be different buildings that need to be remade or remodeled. There's always going to be that need there," he said. Strop added that people shouldn't be afraid to seize the opportunities that are there. While the money may be good, he said, it is more rewarding to know that you're earning every dollar. "You're working hard, but you're earning what you're working for. It's not just given to you," he added. Press release The Montana State Univesity-Northern Diversity Committee is requesting community support for minority students scholarships. A Pizza Hut fundraiser will run Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. People making purchases this day can mention the Northern Office of Diversity Awareness and Multicultural Programs and Pizza Hut will donate 20 percent of the purchase price of any dine-in and carry-out orders to the fundraiser. Then, Thursday, Nov. 1, the fundraising will be Crunch for a Cause with Taco Johns. This time, between 5 and 7 p.m., 50 percent of the purchase price will be donated when the cashier is presented the small flyer, posted on the Northern Multicultural Center website at https://www.facebook.com/MSUNMultiCenter, or when the purchaser mentions the programs. The fundraisers will go to scholarships that are dedicated to support the academic success of minority students, who, according to higher education literature, are at a higher risk of dropping out or taking longer than expected to complete their degrees because of specific challenges they typically encounter during their college years such as cultural shock, lack of financial means, or being first college generation, just to mention some. The Diversity Committee has established that students who apply for this scholarship will identify themselves as an ethnic or racial minority, should demonstrate financial need, and have at least a 2.5 GPA. Interested Northern students should apply in a timely manner according to the deadlines determined by the Financial Aid Office. They should complete the scholarship application, write an essay of no more of 500 words explaining their needs and how this scholarship will help them meet their academic goals. People who are awarded the scholarship will receive them during Northerns scholarship reception in April. Last year was the first year this committee started these scholarships, and the members said they would like to continue increasing the amount and the number of students who would benefit from it. The recipient of last years scholarship was Darcy Joseph Azure, community leadership major. People who want to make donations to this fund can contact ODAMP at 265-3589 or [email protected] So there is real process around talent acquisition, particularly for what I would call professional hires. Thakur added that HPE also have a graduate program which is an important pipeline to build diversity and attract more innovative minds. Indeed, HPE recently had their graduate recruitment event in Australia and Thakur participated in the Sydney program. It was good to see there was a healthy mix in terms of gender balance, he added. It was quite surprising given we are in IT and you will find less young females wanting to move into the sector, but we actually had a good balance of applicants when we went to that process. CIA Director Gina Haspel was traveling to Turkey to help investigate the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Reuters reported with reference to two sources familiar with the matter, as security agencies examined what role Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman may have played in the case. Khashoggi disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to get documents for his forthcoming marriage. Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump said he was still not satisfied with what he had heard from Saudi Arabia about the killing. Saudi Arabia said on Saturday that Khashoggi was killed in a fight in the consulate. A Saudi official later said that 15 Saudi nationals sent to Turkey to confront Khashoggi had threatened him with being drugged and kidnapped and then killed him in a chokehold when he resisted. Three weeks after Khashoggi disappeared, U.S. and European security agencies still have an incomplete picture of what happened at the consulate. Six U.S. and Western officials said they believed the crown prince, who is Saudi Arabias de facto ruler, was ultimately responsible for Khashoggis disappearance because of his role overseeing the Saudi security apparatus but that they lacked hard proof. The Western security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they were far from having a complete picture of what happened to Khashoggi. They do not know how he died and where his body was taken. Despite extensive news leaks alleging that Turkey has audio recordings documenting Khashoggis torture and murder, neither U.S. nor allied government agencies had been granted access as of Monday to such evidence, the officials said. The Western government experts confidence that Prince Mohammed had some responsibility for the operation relies heavily on their assessment of the dominant role he plays in running the Saudi government, said two sources familiar with intelligence reports. But U.S. and allied intelligence reporting that details any specific instructions the crown prince might have issued about the Khashoggi incident is not conclusive, the sources said. Despite Australias sustained economic growth in the past 27 years which raised the living standards for the average citizen there was a disconnect between this period of growth and peoples perceptions of how wealthy they were. The Committee for the Economic Development of Australia reported: Only 5% of respondents believe they benefited greatly from the countrys economic growth 31% find it difficult to survive on their present income. Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory have been affected by income decline the most. In terms of industries where income has been falling, mining has registered the highest percentage (35%) of people experiencing an income decline. The data showed the decline occurred around the time the mining boom had ended. This may be the reason WA and Queensland, which rely on mining, have had a higher incidence of an income decline among residents. Moreover, data on income decline by occupation revealed farmers and farm managers have been grappling with falling income in the same five years. When alcohol enters the brain, it causes neurons in a specialized region called the ventral tegmental area, or VTA also known as the pleasure center to release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that produces those feel-good sensations, and tells the brain that whatever it just experienced is worth getting more of. Scientists have long sought the first step in the molecular pathway by which alcohol causes neurons in the VTA to release dopamine. Now, researchers in the Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics at the University of Illinois at Chicago report in the journal Neuropharmacology, that alcohol blocks a potassium channel called KCNK13 that sits within the membrane of dopamine-releasing neurons in the VTA. When the potassium channel gets blocked, the neurons increase their activity and release more dopamine. The KCNK13 channel is absolutely required for alcohol to stimulate the release of dopamine by these neurons, said Mark Brodie, professor of physiology and biophysics in the UIC College of Medicine and lead author of the study. Without the channel, alcohol cant stimulate the release of dopamine, and so drinking is likely less rewarding. We think that the KCNK13 channel presents an extremely exciting new target for drugs that could potentially help people with alcohol use disorder to stop drinking. Other drugs on the market to treat alcohol use disorder cause feelings of nausea with drinking, or interfere with the action of alcohol in other parts of the brain. Currently available drugs reduce the impact of alcohol on the brain that is akin to turning down the volume on a stereo, he said. A drug that would target KCNK13 would be different in that it would be like an on/off switch. If its turned off, alcohol just wouldnt trigger increased dopamine release. Brodie explained that without the channel, the VTA would still be able to release dopamine in response to other pleasurable indulgences, like chocolate cake. This channel seems to be specific to alcohol effects in the VTA, so targeting it with a drug would dampen the effects of alcohol only, he said. Brodie and his colleagues used genetic techniques to reduce KCNK13 in the VTA of mice by about 15 percent compared with normal mice. When allowed to binge on alcohol, these mice drank 20 percent to 30 percent more than normal mice. We believe that mice with less KCNK13 in the VTA drank more alcohol in order to achieve the same reward from alcohol as normal mice, presumably because alcohol was triggering the release of less dopamine in their brains, Brodie said. In another experiment, the researchers examined the response of neurons in the VTA region taken from the mice that expressed less KCNK13. When these neurons were exposed to alcohol, they were 50 percent less responsive to alcohol than VTA neurons from normal mice. Brodie speculates that variations in the amount of the KCNK13 channel could be involved in predisposing certain people to binge drinking. If someone has naturally lower levels of this channel, then in order to produce the pleasurable effects of alcohol, that person would have to drink much more, and may be at higher risk for binge drinking disorder, he said. Brodie and his colleagues will continue to investigate the role of KCNK13 and examine how selective manipulation of the channel in other brain areas and cell types might alter alcohol-related behaviors. We are the first to show that KCNK13 is a primary, direct target of alcohol and that this channel is important for regulating alcohol consumption. KCNK13 represents a novel target for the development of alcohol use disorder drugs, of which we have relatively few today, Brodie said. Chang You, Bertha Vandegrift, Donghong He, Subhash Pandey and Amy Lasek of the University of Illinois at Chicago and Antonia Savarese (currently at Oregon Health and Science University) are co-authors on the paper. This research was funded by Grant R01AA05846 and P50AA022538 from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health. The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois Patients with human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive throat cancer should receive chemoradiotherapy rather than cetuximab with radiotherapy, according to research led by the University of Birmingham. An abstract of the Cancer Research UK-funded study, which was carried out in collaboration with the University of Warwick, was delivered today at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2018 Congress in Munich, Germany. The trial aimed to compare, for the first time, the outcomes of using two different kinds of treatment for patients with HPV-positive throat cancer cetuximab and cisplatin. Study lead Professor Hisham Mehanna, Director of the University of Birminghams Institute of Head and Neck Studies and Education, said: Many patients have been receiving cetuximab with radiotherapy on the assumption that it was as effective as cisplatin chemotherapy with radiotherapy and caused less side effects but there has been no head-to-head comparison of the two treatments. Throat cancer is one of the fastest rising cancers in Western countries. In the UK, incidence was unchanged between 1970 and 1995, then doubled between 1996 and 2006, and doubled again between 2006 and 2010. The rise has been attributed to HPV, which is often a sexually transmitted infection. Most throat cancer was previously caused by smoking and alcohol and affected 65 to 70 year old working class men. Today HPV is the main cause and patients are aged around 55, middle class, working, and have young children. HPV-positive throat cancer responds well to a combination of cisplatin chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and patients can survive for 30 to 40 years, but the treatment causes lifelong side effects including dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, and loss of taste. Patients deemed unable to tolerate chemotherapy, for example because of poor kidney function or older age, often receive cetuximab, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, and radiotherapy. The De-ESCALaTE HPV study compared the side effects and survival of 334 patients, 166 of which were treated with radiotherapy and cisplatin and 164 and of whom were given radiotherapy and cetuximab. The patients were enrolled from 32 centres in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands. Patients were randomly allocated to radiotherapy and either cisplatin or cetuximab. Eight in ten patients were male and the average age was 57 years. During the six-year study there were ten recurrences and six deaths with cisplatin compared to 29 recurrences and 20 deaths with cetuximab. Patients on cisplatin had a significantly higher two-year overall survival rate (97.5 per cent) than those on cetuximab. Cancer was three times more likely to recur in two years with cetuximab compared to cisplatin, with recurrence rates of 16.1 per cent versus six per cent, respectively. There were no differences between groups in the overall number of side effects, or of acute or late severe (grade three to five) toxic events including dry mouth and difficulty swallowing. There were significantly more serious adverse events such as renal and haematological problems with cisplatin than with cetuximab. Professor Mehanna added: Cetuximab did not cause less toxicity and resulted in worse overall survival and more cancer recurrence than cisplatin. This was a surprise we thought it would lead to the same survival rates but better toxicity. Patients with throat cancer who are HPV positive should be given cisplatin, and not cetuximab, where possible. Ends For more information please contact Emma McKinney, Communications Manager (Health Sciences), University of Birmingham, tel: +44 (0) 121 414 6681, or contact the press office out of hours on +44 (0) 7789 921 165 . Notes to Editors William Barber bringing 'Poor People's' campaign to Hendersonville William Barber II, the civil rights activist who founded the Moral Majority movement, is bringing his national Poor People's Campaign to Hendersonville. Activists decided that Barber needed to visit Western North Carolina and first considered an event in Asheville, said Melinda Lowrance, president of the Henderson County NAACP branch and a regional leader of the organization. Instead, the local NAACP decided on Hendersonville. He is scheduled to speak at 6 Friday evening at Thomas Auditorium at Blue Ridge Community College in a "Moral Revival for Voting Rights." "It's get out the vote (message) and the Henderson County banch is co-sponsoring it," Lowrance said. "Im hoping that it will bring some unity. Hes a unifier and it would motivate all us to get out and vote. We to need to get out and vote whats good for the people. I feel like hell be a real a motivator for people." Lowrance said other speakers plan to cover Medicaid expansion and how many middle-class families and needy people expansion would cover in North Carolina and talk about laws proposed by the Republican-controlled Legislature that the NAACP regards as voter suppression. While some details remain to be worked out, Lowrance said she is scheduled to sign a contract for Barber's appearance on Wednesday. The event is sponsored by NAACP branches in Henderson and seven other counties, the N.C. Poor People's Campaign and Democracy NC. Barber, a minister from Goldsboro, led the Moral Mondays movement that protested Republican policies starting in April 2013. Last year, Barber stepped down as state president of the NAACP to start the national Poor People's Campaign, reviving the name of the campaign Martin Luther King Jr. led in 1968. Three weeks ago the 55-year-old pastor was named one of 25 winners of the MacArthur Fellowship's "Genius Grant," which grants recipients $625,000 over five years. GORING Parish Council has been threatened with legal action after failing to provide a resident with emails between one of its volunteers and a developer. The council is to appeal against an order by the Information Commissioners Office to confirm whether or not it holds the correspondence. It says it has already told the complainant that it does not have it as the volunteer was operating in a private capacity using a personal email address. The row was prompted by a complaint in July from a villager who had submitted a request to the council under the Freedom of Information Act for all communications between developer Bramhill, of Blewbury, and members of its neighbourhood plan steering group. The company wants to develop a field to the east of Wallingford Road, behind the houses in Springhill Road. It submitted the 3.8-hectare site for inclusion in the neighbourhood plan and a section of the field was included in the final draft earmarked for about 46 homes. The council sent Bramhills site plans and drawings to the resident but said it didnt have copies of all emails sent to the steering group members. The resident queried this, saying the council was obliged to provide them. The council replied that one group member had contacted Bramhill to arrange a study into the landscape impact of the development but it couldnt release the emails as the individual was refusing to release them and it didnt have copies. It had no direct contact or legal arrangement with the company. The Information Commissioners Office accepted that the council didnt have the information on its systems but added: The council ultimately carries legal responsibility for the neighbourhood plan, even where it has appointed community groups to work on it. The fact that it paid for works instigated by the steering group supports this contention. Any information held by the steering group is for the business purposes of the council. It follows, therefore, that any information held by a working group member is held on behalf of the council under regulations. The council is required to confirm or deny whether the information is held and issue a fresh response that complies. The council was given until Wednesday this week to comply or face possible legal action but it decided to appeal against the ruling. Chairman Kevin Bulmer said: Theyre asking us to do something which we have no power to do. Even the police have no power to demand emails from private citizens so it seems unfair for us to be taken to task over this. The ICO is treating us as though we were a district council or even a governmental body with no limit on our time and resources. Nigel Gilson, co-chairman of the neighbourhood plan steering group, said the group member had declared their intention to release the emails within the next few weeks. The draft neighbourhood plan has gone forward for independent examination but has been held up by a European court ruling on wildlife habitats. War and Peace | New Theatre Oxford | Saturday, October 13 WELSH National Operas production of Prokofievs epic War and Peace in Oxford, was a triumph. The director, David Pountney, has achieved a masterpiece with pace, intensity, visual spectaculars and occasional references to Prokofievs and Tolstoys lives. All of which provide a rich backdrop for the stunning singing and wonderful orchestra. The huge cast of characters entered the stage while the masterful conductor, Tomas Hanus, waited and then wham, we were into this exhilarating music and high intricate drama. The music was loud, excitingly discordant, alerting us to the personal anguish of characters in peace as well as the horror that was to befall Russia. The first and final choruses celebrating Mother Russia, which were probably inserted under Soviet instructions, were emotional, melodic and deeply patriotic. The finale was sung amid a forest of flags on stage and projected onto the back of the stage where the occasional tinge of red was a reminder of the time the opera was written, 1941-6. In act one, Peace, the drama sweeps through the domestic liaisons and hinted debauchery of wealthy aristocrats. Act two presents the violence and cruelty of War as the imaginative staging takes us from ballroom to battlefield. The portrayal of war was greatly aided by projecting scenes from Sergei Bondarchuks 1966 film onto the back of the stage just in front of which was a permanent semi-circular higher tier, a sort of viewing balcony, which contributed to the sense of a story being observed as it unfolds. This is a love story as well as a story of national pride and war. Although ostensibly about the failed French invasion of Russia in 1812, Prokofiev was composing this as the Germans were preparing to invade Russia. Here then is one of the themes, the ever presence of the enemy without and the need to defend Russia whatever the cost. Peasants, as well as aristocrats, are dramatically important not only in the defence of Moscow but also to Pierres philosophical development. The dramatic, passionate music swirls along, loud clashes conveying Pierres mental anguish (excellently portrayed by Mark Le Brocq) and the hideous consequences of war but there are also beautiful lyrical stretches, both characteristic of Prokofievs music. The love duet between the charming Natasha (Lauren Michelle) and Andrei (Jonathan McGovern) is sung with great tenderness as the strings quietly shimmer. This is an outstanding production by a truly excellent company. A triumph indeed. Susan Edwards Kenneth OBrien had been living like a king in Australia, according to Paul Wells who is accused of murder. Murder accused Paul Wells initially told gardai the last time he saw Kenneth O'Brien was over a cup of coffee days before he went missing and his gut instinct when he found out he was gone was that he had "done a runner". Wells, who has admitted killing Mr O'Brien and dismembering his body, told detectives when he was first questioned that Mr O'Brien had been "living like a king" in Australia, and hated being home in Ireland. The jury in his trial heard memos of two of the interviews he gave gardai after he was arrested on suspicion of Mr O'Brien's murder. Wells (50), of Barnamore Park, Finglas, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr O'Brien (33) at that address between January 15 and 16, 2016. Panicked He has admitted he shot him dead but said it happened when they struggled during a row after Mr O'Brien turned up at his home with a gun. The accused claimed Mr O'Brien had wanted to have his own partner Eimear Dunne murdered and Wells refused to kill her. He said after he shot Mr O'Brien he "panicked" and dismembered the remains, which were later found in a suitcase and shopping bags in the canal in Co Kildare. The Central Criminal Court heard the first two interviews were carried out on February 6, 2016 at Naas Garda Station. Wells said he and Mr O'Brien "struck up a friendship and became very close". He said Mr O'Brien "eventually got caught" having an affair by Ms Dunne and "there was murder" between them. Mr O'Brien had a "roving eye", would show him "pictures of girls he was with" and "some of them were distasteful", he said. The affair seemed to blow over, but Ms Dunne had felt betrayed, Wells continued in the interview. He and Mr O'Brien stayed in contact when he went to work in Australia. Mr O'Brien "could be secretive, he would tell you what he wanted to tell you", Wells said. He had "no empathy but if you asked him to do something, pull out an engine, he would do it", Wells told gardai. "He got carried away with the bright lights of Perth - he didn't want to come home," he said. He "had everything over there" and was "living like a king" with "constant good weather, playing around to his heart's content". Asked when he last saw Mr O'Brien, he said it was the Monday before he went missing - January 11, 2016, in Mr O'Brien's kitchen. Mr O'Brien was quiet and it was "hard to get conversation out of him". Asked if Mr O'Brien had any enemies, he told gardai "Kenneth was volatile with drink" and would have "run-ins". Detective Garda Declan O'Brien agreed with Michael O'Higgins SC, defending, that it was not unusual for people to hold back in earlier interviews before disclosing material later. In his second interview, Wells told gardai Mr O'Brien had missed his son Charlie. Volatile "He was volatile, he could turn on a whim," he said, but he never saw him being violent to Ms Dunne. On the day Mr O'Brien went missing, Wells went to Ms Dunne's house and "for once in my life I broke" and he showed her the pictures on his phone. The next day he showed her the photos again as there was no point in hiding. "The poor girl was in tears and truth be told, so was I," he told gardai. Gardai asked Wells what his gut instinct was when Ms Dunne told him Mr O'Brien was missing. "Done a runner," he replied. The trial continues. Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) has issued a stark warning to parents thinking about buying illegal fireworks for their children this Halloween. At its Be Safe Stay Safe campaign launch, firefighters demonstrated how easily people can sustain serious injuries by using fireworks. "We see kids, adults and young teenagers with their fingers blown off," said David Kavanagh, District Officer with DFB. "Their whole arm can even be blown off." Fireworks, because they are illegal in this country, don't come with a safety certificate and even though some people think they can light them and throw them, sometimes they explode straight away. Devastation "It is terrible to see the devastation that a firework can do," he added. Gardai said that last year saw the largest amount of firework seizures in five years while anti-social attacks on DFB were at their highest in four years Some 183 firework seizures were made last year compared to 132 in 2016 and just 92 in 2015. Dublin Mayor Nial Ring has also encouraged children to stay away from fireworks. "I encourage young people and their families to stay away from illegal bonfires and fireworks and to make sure the only toil and trouble you get into this year is deciding which of our free family friendly events you want to attend," he said. Kathleen Chada spoke out after her concerns for the future. Photo: Moya Nolan A grieving mum whose two sons were murdered by their father fears she will meet her killer former husband at their graveside. Kathleen Chada says she dreads the day Sanjeev Chada will be given parole - and believes he should never be freed. Ms Chada's world was shattered when her husband, who was facing fraud charges, murdered Eoghan (10) and Ruairi (5) on July 29, 2013. He killed the boys at Skehanagh Lower in Ballintubber, Co Mayo, and their bodies were found in the boot of Chada's car, which he had crashed near Westport. Chada received a double life sentence for his crimes, but he will be eligible for parole after serving 10 years. Ms Chada said she realised there was a real possibility that her children's killer will walk free one day. "He just shouldn't be released," she said. "My biggest fear is that he'll turn up to the boys' grave and that either I or my family will bump into him there. He has no right to mourn the boys. "I think he should be in jail for the rest of his natural life. It's not about vengeance, it's about fairness and what's right. "This country doesn't have minimum tariffs unfortunately, which means he can apply for parole after a number of years. I know he won't get it, but why put myself and my family through that process?" Faith Ms Chada, who was a guest speaker at the Safe Ireland, Safe World Conference in Dublin this week, added that her strong faith allows her to believe her children are being looked after. However, she said she will never forgive her former husband for his horrific crimes. "I have no fear of death because it will mean being with my children again," she said. "I don't need to forgive Sanjeev in order to live. As human beings, our ability to forgive is finite whereas God's is infinite, so I'll leave it in God's hands. "Does he deserve forgiveness? I don't believe so, but I do believe that he has been forgiven by Eoghan and Ruairi." Earlier, Ms Chada hit out at the justice system following the recent eight-year sentence a man received for attempting to murder his four children. The stay-at-home father, who cannot be named, admitted four counts of attempted murder at his family home in the south-east of the country in June 2016. "Every line [in the media reports] resonated with me because it was relatively similar to my own situation," she said. "He was a stay-at-home dad and there were not any long-term issues in the relationship, just like my own. "The judge set a sentence to 12 years and then brought it down to eight. And out of those eight years, he'll get a quarter off, which brings it down to six. "He's already been in prison for a year so in five years' time he'll potentially be out and on the streets again." Ms Chada also criticised the suspended sentence given last week to Atilia Kerekes (44), who violently beat his wife after she refused to have sex with him. President Michael D Higgins is to face more questions over a culture of "extravagance" in Aras an Uachtarain after shifting the blame for flying to Belfast from the PSNI to his own officials. As the election race enters its final days, the five challengers are set to focus heavily on Mr Higgins's use of public funds while in office. Mr Higgins has already changed his story as to why he flew to Belfast last May to give a lecture at Queen's University. Last week he indicated that the decision was made on foot of consultations with the PSNI, which was not in a position to provide security for him to travel by road. However, he has now said the government jet, which costs 4,000 an hour to operate, was called upon because of advice from his own officials. "I have visited Northern Ireland many times in the last seven years and I take the advice from my office ... the considerations they take into account are logistics and security," Mr Higgins said. The President was asked on three occasions to clarify on what basis the jet was deemed necessary but refused. "No, I've answered the question. I really don't... quite frankly to say, now and in the future, I am very happy to accept the advice of my office, they balance the issue, their considerations are ones of logistics and security," he said. He was "very happy with the official PSNI statement", which said it could not comment on the security arrangements made for individuals. Seismic However, PSNI sources separately said there was anger at the suggestion that the force did not have sufficient resources to provide a police escort. Another source said: "It would be inconceivable that the President of Ireland would not have been afforded security if it had been requested." Questions over the use of the jet are likely to feature in the final televised debate tonight. Businessman Gavin Duffy said extravagance "seems to be embedded in the culture of Aras an Uachtarain". He said controversies over the use of the jet and an unaudited 317,000 Aras fund "are starting to register with people". "At the moment we don't know what the money is being spent on," he said. Asked whether there was any hope of unseating Mr Higgins on Friday, the Dragons' Den investor admitted it would take something "seismic". Ahead of the RTE debate, Sinn Fein candidate Liadh Ni Riada has written to Mr Higgins asking that he explain the "huge public expense to fly within the island of Ireland". "It is my view that discussing these issues publicly is the only means left to reassure our citizens that public finances are being properly used, particularly at a time of huge difficulties for many families," she said. However, Joan Freeman has appealed to candidates to move back to debating their vision for the presidency. Azerbaijan is ready to continue substantive negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement with the aim of beginning a process of phased settlement of this conflict, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said. "Moreover, if you follow the recent negotiations, you will notice that Baku has repeatedly voiced the position on the need to promote a responsible result-oriented dialogue the end of the occupation of Azerbaijani territories, the creation of conditions for the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons, including representatives of the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh, to their homes, followed by ensuring broad rights of self-governance for the population of the Nagorno Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, composed of Armenian and Azerbaijani communities," RIA Novosti cited the Azerbaijani Foreign Minister as saying. Elmar Mammadyarov pointed out that the high-level conversation held between Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the CIS summit in Dushanbe is a good example of Azerbaijans readiness for meaningful dialogue. "Alas, the change of power and the political turbulence observed in Yerevan so far have slowed down the process to a certain extent. We hope that the Armenian leadership in the near future will be able to demonstrate the political will to continue the negotiation process within the framework of the existing format and on the basis of a well-known agenda," the minister noted. Turkeys ruling AK Party will not form an alliance with the nationalist party for the 2019 local elections, but cooperation between the two parties will continue, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, after the nationalists pulled out of the alliance earlier. Speaking to members of his AK Party in parliament, Erdogan said he wanted to carry the alliance into the future, but added that it would run independently from the MHP in the March 2019 local election, Reuters reported. Erdogans AK Party and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) formed an alliance ahead of June elections, but have since been at loggerheads over a disagreement about the MHPs call for an amnesty for some jailed criminals. Today MHP leader Devlet Bahceli said his party would not seek an alliance in the 2019 local election. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan thanked the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in connection with the construction of the Star oil refinery in Izmir. "I am grateful to my brother, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for the construction of the Star oil refinery, which was opened on October 19," Erdogan said at a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party in the country's parliament. The head of state noted that the Star oil refinery is an important project for Turkey, as it will provide 25% of the country's demand for petroleum products. Russians blowing up satellites used to mean something in this country Khojaly tragedy was one of the most terrible crimes against humanity, the head of the Russian-Azerbaijani parliamentary group, State Duma Deputy Dmitry Savelyev told Vestnik Kavkaza following his visit to Turkey's Kayseri, where the monument to Khojaly victims was unveiled. "Obviously, this absolutely monstrous tragedy was genocide, and all those involved in the commission of this terrible crime should be held accountable. In fact. the Khojaly massacre determined the essence of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. It was one of the most terrible crimes against humanity, a demonstration of what happens when political ambitions are placed over the value of human life. This is a memory of the fact that some statesmen need to realize that violence only begets violence," the MP stressed. According to him, the decision to create a park and a monument to the Khojaly victims in Kayseri cannot be overestimated. "This is a vivid reminder of how fragile our world is, a reminder of the need to protect it together. 26 years ago, the people of Azerbaijan experienced a terrible tragedy. The peoples of Russia and Turkey, as well as the entire civilized world, have been grieving with the fraternal Azerbaijani people. We are unanimous in the fact that this horror should never be repeated," Dmitry Savelyev noted. On February 26, 1992, Armenian military committed an act of genocide against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. As many as 613 people were killed and 487 were injured as a result of the massacre. Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostage. OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi -- Ocean Springs campus police arrested a man shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday morning after he hopped a fence and walked across the grounds of Ocean Springs Upper Elementary. The incident was not terribly newsworthy -- until the man's identity was released. It was Timothy McGillivray -- a man accused in the 2002 murder of 20-year-old Ocean Springs resident Anthony James. McGillivray ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter in exchange for his testimony against LeBarron Chatman, who police said fired the fatal shots from McGillivray's shotgun. Chatman was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison. McGillivray was sentenced to 17 years, with 10 years suspended, which made him eligible for release in 2011. Law enforcement officials say there doesn't appear to be anything sinister involved with McGillivray's presence on school grounds. Instead, they say he appears to have hopped a school fence in the hopes of using the school grounds to take a shortcut on foot. "I got a call that our campus police had apprehended a man on the backside of the upper elementary near the cafeteria and storage buildings," said superintendent Bonita Coleman via phone from Chicago, where she is attending a conference. Neither she nor The Mississippi Press knew the suspect's identity at the time of the call. Nevertheless, Coleman said all precautions were taken, including placing OSUE, Oak Park Elementary and the school administration building all on lockdown at 8:05 a.m. until 8:17 a.m., when they received the all-clear from Ocean Springs police officers, who arrived on the scene to take McGillivray into custody. The district also sent out an automated call to parents of students at OSUE and Oak Park advising them of the incident. Police Chief Mark Dunston said McGillivray was charged with disorderly conduct, explaining that a trespassing charge did not apply for walking across school grounds. McGillivray was also found to have outstanding warrants through other agencies on charges including driving under the influence of narcotics and public intoxication. He was transported to the Jackson County Adult Detention Center, where he will remain with holds placed on him for the other agencies. In June 2002, McGillivray, Chatman and a third man, Michael Burbage, went to James' apartment, apparently over James failure to repay Chatman a $30 loan. When James' failed to pay, Chatman grabbed McGillivray's shotgun from the trunk of the vehicle they were riding in and fired three times into James' apartment, striking James who was near a window after running inside. Burbage, like McGillivray, pleaded guilty to manslaughter through a plea agreement with prosecutors and received the same sentence as McGillivray. Chatman appealed his murder conviction to the Mississippi Court of Appeals, which upheld the conviction. The EU-proposed financial mechanism that will enable countries to bypass U.S. sanctions on trade with Iran will be launched next month, Irans ambassador to Russia Mehdi Sanaei said. "This mechanism will be launched in November 2018," the diplomat told Russias Izvestia newspaper. "Iran is a responsible member of the international community. The reports by the IAEA there are more than 12 prove that Iran complies with its obligations. So the EU is working on a financial-economic plan for trade cooperation with Iran," Sanaei said. EU's plan was announced in September by its foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini after a meeting of Chinese, French, German, Russian and UK foreign ministers. The new payment system will comply with international standards and will be open other partners in the world, Sputnik recalls. The 2nd youth exhibition titled 'Through the eyes of students: Environmental problems and ways of addressing them' has opened at Baku Crystal Hall yesterday. Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder and head of the International Dialogue for Environmental Action Public Union (IDEA) Leyla Aliyeva, Minister of Youth and Sport Azad Rahimov, officials, MPs, foreign ambassadors in Azerbaijan attended the exhibition. Organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sport, the exhibition aimed to encourage youth interest in and raise awareness of environment-related issues, support their creative potential and stimulate social initiative. Vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva and Minister of Youth and Sport Azad Rahimov viewed works showcased at the exhibition. On display at the exhibition were nearly 200 handiworks by young people aged between 14 and 29. The event also featured a ceremony to award winners of the exhibition. The countersanctions against Ukraine that President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian government to elaborate will be endorsed shortly, and relevant resolutions have been drafted, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said. "Proposals in fulfillment of this order will be prepared very soon. I already have drafts of several government resolutions. They will impose sanctions on persons who harm the Russian Federation," Interfax cited the PM as saying. According to him, the countermeasures against Ukraine will not harm average Ukrainians. "Neither the order nor the government resolutions will apply to Ukrainians as a whole. This cannot happen; we feel absolutely amicable towards the people of Ukraine," Medvedev said when asked whether the countersanctions will affect average Ukrainians. At the same time, he added that "certain citizens who are damaging Russia's interests and acting to the detriment of our country will fall under these resolutions." On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree to introduce special economic measures against Ukraine. Departmental leaders are among the most qualified public servants in the Federal Government. They are dedicated to ensuring the guidance and management necessary to support the health and well-being of the nation. Learn more about the Department's leadership: Secretary and Deputy Secretary China's banks have the strongest credit profile among the emerging market BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), while Russia's banks - the weakest profile in the group, Moody's Investors Service said in a report. According to Moody's, Russian banks have the lowest Adjusted BCA of ba3, due to their relative weakness in asset quality, liquidity and profitability. By contrast, China's banks have the highest asset-weighted average Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA) of baa2 mainly thanks to the dominance of large state-owned banks. In the group, China's banks have the highest quality of assets. The aggregate ratio of non-performing loans to total loans at the nation's banks is 1.5%. By contrast, the ratio for Russian banks is 11.8%, the Star reported. South African banks, together with Brazilian banks, are also the most profitable. In profitability, Indian banks are distinctively weaker than others. In the last four years, at least 61 people across 11 states died of hunger or destitution. Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand top the list with 16 deaths each. The majority of the victims were adivasis or Dalits who lived on the margins. For example, all the families of Jharkhand that had such deaths had inadequate access to food and nutrition, employment and public health services. While several of the 61 deaths were investigated by independent researchers and activists, some are yet to be thoroughly inquired into. But the pattern in the deaths is hard to miss. The state of hunger worsened for the victims families after they were denied their grain entitlement under the Public Distribution System (PDS) and/or social security pensions. All those who succumbed to starvation could barely get anything to eat in the days before they died. At the time of the deaths, their families neither had food nor money. Even though most of them worked as agricultural workers, none of them got work under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in the recent past. A few children who starved to death were denied basic nutrition entitlements under the Integrated Child Development Services (anganwadi programme). In all the deaths, investigations by the Right to Food Campaign found out, the denial of socio-economic entitlements was due to poor implementation of the welfare programmes, exclusion due to their limited coverage or because of their mandatory linkage with Aadhaar. Despite fulfilling the eligibility criteria, some households were not issued ration cards. For example, some families of Odisha were struck off the PDS list during the rollout of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in the state. Similarly, some elderly and widows were not enrolled in social security pension. An important reason could be the cap on the total number of beneficiaries allowed under this scheme. Three musahar victims of a family in Uttar Pradesh fell prey to lack of public health services. Of the 61 deaths, at least 21 took place as the victim or her family was denied an entitlement due to the mandatory linkage of welfare programmes with Aadhaar, our research shows. Some households could not buy subsidised foodgrain as their rations cards were cancelled for want of Aadhaar linkage. Some cardholders could not authenticate themselves at the Aadhaar based biometric point-of-sale (PoS) machine at the ration shop. Similarly, a few persons were denied their social security pensions as their pension accounts were not linked with their Aadhaar or the money was credited to someone elses bank account linked to their Aadhaar without their knowledge. Some elderly victims failed to authenticate themselves at the PoS machines at the local banking correspondent. These deaths are only the tip of the iceberg of the acute deprivation in India. They came out because of whistle-blowers or reports by the local media. But the responses of the central and respective state governments to these deaths have been abysmal, ranging from blatant denial to misguided and token actions, to say the least. The state governments wasted no time in blaming illnesses for the deaths. In the 2017 winter session of the Parliament, the government denied the incidences of starvation deaths. After the death of Jharkhands 11year-old Santoshi Kumari in September 2017, the food ministry issued a clarification that cardholders are not to be denied ration for the want of Aadhaar or failure of biometric authentication. Even after this order, at least 14 families across the country were denied their grain entitlement due to Aadhaar-related issues. Rather than addressing the issues in the PDS, the food minister, Ram Vilas Paswan, suggested doorstep delivery of ration as a solution to eliminate exclusion. Problems related to social security pensions have not even been acknowledged. And the prime minister is yet to comment on these deaths. Most of the Opposition parties have failed to take the central government to task on starvation deaths and the widespread deprivation indicated by these incidents. Even though there were some protests locally, most notably in Jharkhand, they failed to generate adequate political action on issues of widespread starvation in the states. The exclusion in PDS and social security pensions can be addressed by universalising these entitlements and removing the mandatory requirement of Aadhaar. One can draw a leaf from the recent decision of Odisha to fund inclusion of a large proportion of families in the PDS that were left out because of cap in the NFSA. Also, even though the Supreme Court has upheld that Aadhaar is mandatory for receiving government subsidies, the legislature can always rise to the occasion to give the poor respite from Aadhaar. The current set of entitlements also needs to be expanded to enhance access to nutrition and employment. For improving access to medical services, public health infrastructure and services need to be strengthened and, of course, budgetary allocations have to be substantially increased. Unfortunately, Ayushman Bharat does little to address these. Hunger needs to be tackled for its own sake. But there might also be some electoral gains in the process. With the general and several state elections looming, can one expect some action? Note: The list of 61 deaths can be downloaded from https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8BOT0emNxfqQkt6N243MFBMY1pGbndQVVZBakR1ZnYtdno4/view . It was compiled by Reetika Khera and Siraj Dutta, with contributions from Swati Narayan and the right to food campaign in Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Delhi Siraj Dutta works on social policy in Jharkhand The views expressed are personal Mobility has been a hall mark of growth and democracy. The myth of mobility is one of the moral myths of the growth century around the legend of Horatio Alger. Even Benjamin Franklins moral adages were tips for upward mobility. The study of mobility once caught in acts of storytelling has now become a methodological conscious exercise. The search for certified indices of mobility is acute, and a study by Sam Asher, Paul Novosad and Charlie Rafkin is a methodologically self-conscious about mobility. The research focuses on upward mobility of an inter-generation kind and the insights it offers are revealing. In fact, in its neutrality, the Asher study amplifies its political implications. The study focusses not on the income, but educational mobility. The three findings must be stated explicitly. Firstly, if one separates Muslims and the SC/ST from the rest of the population, upward mobility for the rest of the population is happily comparable to the United States. Secondly, upward mobility has improved significantly for the SC/ST population. Almost all the mobility gains that have accrued are a result of political mobilisation. Oddly the upper classes have not suffered though they have mobilised against affirmative action. It is the third finding which is devastating to swallow. Intergenerational mobility has been negligible for Muslims. It is as if democracy in an electoral sense has worked more for OBCs and SC/STs but not for Muslims. Neither liberalisation nor democracy has offered much to Muslims in terms of opportunity. The Asher study is based on educational mobility because economic income data has been sparse. Educational mobility can be measured more precisely than income mobility. While parsing the data one also finds that mobility in urban areas is significantly higher than rural areas. The gap between urban and rural is equivalent to the gap between upper castes and SCs. The gap is also higher in the North rather than the South. The study argues that the historical and political marginalisation of Muslims is significant. It emphasises that the political mobilisation around communities explicitly work against Muslims. The discrimination is overt. A paper in the Economic and Political weekly estimated that displacement from riots is the second biggest demographic displacement after dams. Studies of riots especially in Gujarat reveal that victims unlike earlier do not return to their homes. Violence not only breaks the mentality of hope but prevents a consolidation of income which mobility requires. Social policy has been as relevant as violence. Group strategies have targeted people belonging to the SCs/STs. Asher states that he can cite no major policy which specifically works on the amelioration of Muslim disadvantages. This is a point that social critique has to recognise and discuss. Muslims in India face the stark fact of stagnation, if not downward mobility. The nature of education may also be problematic. SC/ST groups tend to access secular mainstream schools which are more open to the society. Madrasa education tends to be provincial, often regressive, and makes only nominal acknowledgements to the demands of education and mobility. To this regressive policy, we now have to add the fact, that the current regime polices food, dress and the real estate of the city in a way that it becomes disadvantageous to this religious minority. The Muslim status in an inter-generational sense offers little hope. The situation of women must be even more hopeless. What one senses is a missing-ness of both strategies to improve Muslim education and strategies to link this to the political economy. Democracy as an imagination has failed Muslims. This I believe is one of the biggest benchmarks of the Indian democracy. It is a fact democracy needs to discuss. Shiv Visvanathan is professor, Jindal Global Law School and director, Centre for Study of Knowledge Systems, OP Jindal Global University The views expressed are personal Shahid Kapoor and his wife Mira Rajput were blessed with their second child in September this year. In the run up to her childbirth and in the days just after Zain Kapoor was born, Mira was everywhere. From her pregnancy fashion to the first look of Zain, the Kapoor household was the favourite of the nation. Then, Mira didnt make any public appearances, taking care of her newborn baby and her two-year-old daughter Misha. We found the next best thing in the meanwhile -- a throwback video where Shahid can be seen holding Miras hands and trying to gently pull her towards himself as a coy Mira tries to avoid him, blushing all the while. Mira looks gorgeous in a purple long dress and Shahid has eyes only for his wife. Mira is fast emerging as a star in her own right. All through her pregnancy, her fashion sense was noticed by one and all. She also shot for her first solo advertisement for an anti-ageing cream. However, the move didnt go down well with many on Twitter who slammed her for taking to anti-ageing products at a tender age of 23!The birth of her son and his name turned out to be quite a sensation with tabloids covering it with endless enthusiasm. Shahid, meanwhile, had one release after Zains birth, Batti Gul Meter Chalu, which unfortunately sank without a trace. The actor is currently busy shooting for his next film Arjun Reddy, a Hindi remake of the Telugu original of the same name. Follow @htshowbiz for more Rishi Kapoor may be battling illness in faraway New York but that hasnt stopped his friends in Bollywood, visiting him every now and then to boost his spirits. One such a person is veteran actor Anupam Kher, who is currently based in New York, where he is shooting for his new NBC medical drama series called New Amsterdam. On Tuesday, he shared a new picture of the three of them Rishi, Neetu Singh and himself on Twitter and wrote: Dearest @chintskap & #NeetuJi. Thank you for a great evening full of anecdotes about love, life, hindi songs & desi food. Your laughter warmed my heart in freezing New York. Good luck with the hospital visit tomorrow. Looking forward to another great evening soon. Love. Dearest @chintskap & #NeetuJi. Thank you for a great evening full of anecdotes about love, life, hindi songs & desi food. Your laughter warmed my heart in freezing New York. Good luck with the hospital visit tomorrow. Looking forward to another great evening soon. Love. pic.twitter.com/toNbrG4AG9 Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) October 23, 2018 In the picture, Rishi is seated on a chair with Anupam and Neetu huddling around him. All are dressed in black but Rishis receding silver hairline is quite obvious. Neetu looks young as ever while Anupam looks dapper. A few days back, veteran Bollywood lyricist Javed Akhtar came visiting the couple in New York. Sharing a picture with him, Rishi wrote on Twitter: Thank you Javed Sahab for entertaining and making us laugh so much. Thank for visiting us! Wish you all super luck for your block buster musical shows. Believe me-your show is a break through idea. Thank you Javed Sahab for entertaining and making us laugh so much. Thank for visiting us! Wish you all super luck for your block buster musical shows. Believe me-your show is a break through idea. pic.twitter.com/X4tVoj9LSa Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) October 19, 2018 Going by Rishis tweet, Javed was in the US for his musical shows. Meanwhile, Anupam is quite excited about his role in New Amsterdam. Anupam plays an Indian doctor called Dr Vijay Kapoor. Speaking about the show, he told PTI, It is a different horizon for me as an actor. I have worked for 34 years in India and abroad and I wanted to challenge myself, reinvent myself. Then this opportunity came. "The elegance under pressure is the result of fearlessness." It was so wonderful & refreshing to have dinner with the most beautiful, inspirational & courageous @iamsonalibendre along with the compassionate @GOLDIEBEHL & ever smiling Rupa. #DeliciousFood #RichConversations #NYC pic.twitter.com/9Wv8sfuHAx Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) October 9, 2018 Not just Rishi, Anupam has been visiting Sonali Bendre too, like he did on October 9 and shared a picture in which both are twinning in black (and baldness). Follow @htshowbiz for more Sonali Bendre is the perfect example of grace under pressure. The actor, battling cancer, has been undergoing treatment in New York. She often shares uplifting Instagram posts about life and dealing with the disease, but always with the sunshine switched on. On Monday evening, she shared a photo with her wig maker Bok-Hee, writing, Sometimes, in the most unlikely of circumstances, you meet the most amazing people... someone who meets you as a stranger but very quickly becomes a friend. One such person is @bokheehair, genius hairstylist and wigmaker. She has been absolutely amazing; indulging me with various looks... short hair or long hair. Sonali went on to share a photo while sporting a short hairdo, Shes been so understanding, supportive and empathetic throughout it all. Thank you so so much Bokhee, I cant tell you how much our sessions together mean to me. You truly are an angel. #SwitchOnTheSunshine. Earlier, about choosing to wear a wig or sporting her bald is beautiful look, Sonali had written. Vanity is my favourite sin, Sonali began her post by quoting Al Pacino. Well, it might not be my all-time favourite sin (that would be gluttony), but who doesnt like looking good? she continued. The way we look has a profound psychological impact on us... A little vanity here and there does no one any harm. Its important to do what makes you happy, even if its something as simple as wearing a wig, bright red lipstick, high heels.... All that white noise doesnt make a difference in the larger picture. No one can tell you whats right or wrong for you. Actor Tanushree Dutta has said that many big stars who have kept silent about the ongoing #MeToo movement in India are complicit or uncomfortable. Tanushree was speaking at the Aaj Tak Mumbai Manthan 2018, where she expressed her disappointment at how she was treated a decade ago, when she first said that she had suffered harassment in the industry. The actors allegations against her Horn OK Pleassss co-star Nana Patekar have effectively opened the door for the #MeToo movement in India. She said, They are considering it a controversy, not a revival. You wait for it to pass over - when you consider it a controversy. I was on national TV 10 years ago for three days - I had a lot to lose back then. I was moving to better and bigger projects back then. I had so much to lose. But I was put in a situation because I was subjected to it. I had to defend myself. I wanted to speak to protect myself from the damages. But the whole thing blew over. While several A-list actors such as Akshay Kumar and Aamir Khan have responded to the movement and even taken action - Akshay halted work on Housefull 4 after similar allegations came out against director Sajid Khan and Aamir backed out of the Gulshan Kumar biopic - many such as Salman Khan have kept silent. They [big stars] are uncomfortable; some of them are complicit. A lot of people dont have my phone number [to ring me up]. Some people have come forward on social media to provide support; some have taken a stand by not working with the perpetrators. I am not on social media so I escape reading that kind of stuff [the backlash]. But I am also aware of the encouragement I am receiving, she continued. Tanushree had said in a Hindustan Times interview that she was disappointed by actor Amitabh Bachchan, whose response to the controversy was: Neither is my name Tanushree Dutta nor Nana Patekar. She says, Im hurt, as these are people who do movies on social causes. They play roles in films and the audience applauds. But when it comes to standing up and doing something about what is happening in front of you, there are these evasive statements that dont make sense. Follow @htshowbiz for more Actor Tanushree Dutta, whose allegations of sexual harassment against Nana Patekar are said to have opened the doors for the #MeToo movement in India, has filed a Rs 10 crore defamation lawsuit against Rakhi Sawant. Rakhi had taken Patekars side after the allegations were first made a few weeks ago and had insinuated that Tanushree was seeking fame. Tanushrees lawyer in a statement to a news channel said, We have filed a criminal and civil defamation case against Rakhi Sawant for maligning my clients character and image. Rakhi, who replaced Tanushree on the film in which the alleged harassment took place, had previously said, These are fake allegations on Nana Patekar ji and Ganesh Acharya (choreographer). Tanushree had alleged that Nana Patekar, a National Award-winning actor, had made her feel uncomfortable on the sets of the 2008 film Horn OK Pleassss by inserting lewd dance steps at the last moment and threatening her with goons. Tanushree Dutta has gone mad. She was in a coma for 10 years. She has just woken up after a coma of 10 years. I dont like saying such things about a woman. I respect women. But this Tanushree Dutta who has returned from America after 10 years is vomiting such things, because she has exhausted all the money from her bank account and has no work, has nothing and is blaming Nana Patekar ji. She is talking about the past, which has nothing to do with the incident. Nothing of this sort ever happened. If something like this would have happened...have you seen my song with Nana Patekar...he did not even touch me a little, added Rakhi. Tanushrees allegations empowered several other women to accuse their alleged harassers in the film industry. Since then, Bollywood personalities such as directors Subhash Ghai, Sajid Khan, Rajat Kapoor, Vikas Bahl, actor Alok Nath, musicians Anu Malik and Kailash Kher, among many others have been named. Tanushree has also filed a police complaint against Patekar, who has denied all allegations and has quit the film he was working on, Housefull 4. Rakhi, in response, has threatened to sue Tanushree for Rs 50 crore. In a series of social media videos, Rakhi said, She has filed a Defamation case against me for 10 crores I will file a 50 crore defamation case against Tanushree for calling me a lower class girl. Follow @htshowbiz for more Bringing up children is a roller coaster ride with its share of ups, downs, and upside downs. And keeping a firm grip on the bar gets harder when you are a single parent. Besides the daily juggling of the kids routines and ones own life roadmap, theres one essential aspect that most single mums or dads cannot ignore: money management. Taking charge Rajagopalans assets are chiefly divided among fixed deposits, mutual funds, and insurance policies. (Anita Rajagopalan) When Anita Rajagopalan came to Mumbai from Singapore with her one-year-old son a decade ago, she had all of 50,000 in the name of savings. I had no money, no job and pretty much had to start from scratch. As a single mother, it is absolutely essential for me to provide for my sons education as well as save up for my own retirement, says the 47-year-old. Expecting money when my divorce proceedings ended would have delayed the process by another 20 years, so I decided not to take a single penny and move on, she adds. Rajagopalans hectic job as Group Creative Director with a leading advertising firm in Mumbai, and a little boy to look after, left her with little time to manage her savings. One of her best decisions has been getting a financial planner to manage her money. Now, over 60 percent of my income goes into varied investments. I dont need to worry about my sons schooling and am very comfortable on my savings, she adds. Rajagopalans assets are chiefly divided among fixed deposits, mutual funds, and insurance policies . The last, of course, is a no-brainer for anyone with dependants, and more so for single parents who are most likely the only source of income in the household. In addition, Anitas family avoids wasteful expenses and stays away from mortgages. The Mumbai-based executive doesnt own a car or a fancy phone. I stay away from heavy assets which would require me to take a loan, she adds. Being independent Kaur invests in fixed deposits, mutual funds, and a good insurance plan to secure herself and her seven-year-old son. (Jaspreet Kaur) Having your financials in place is more than half the battle won, especially when you are the sole bread earner. Its very important to be financially independent. Being a single parent has brought its share of struggles but financials are something I have never had to worry about. I have been working for many years and my salary is more than enough to cover all our expenses. This has been a very big blessing for me, says 38-year-old Jaspreet Kaur, who works as a Director with an IT firm in New Delhi. She invests in fixed deposits, mutual funds, and a good insurance plan to secure herself and her seven-year-old son. I fortunately had a good education and have worked throughout. Our set-up works just like any regular family, the difference is that I am taking the financial decisions alone. So, I allocate time every other month to planning where I want to park my money, she says. Planning ahead Sharma was determined to not take financial support, and so borrowed money from her father, strictly as a loan. (Shefali Sharma) Forty two-year old Shefali Sharma chose an aggressive career in sales to make sure the cash flows were enough to provide for her daughter, who is now 19. When I returned to my parents with a three-year-old child, I didnt even have enough to pay for her preschool. Shefali was determined to not take financial support, and so borrowed the money from her father, strictly as a loan. Now, I have enough savings to send my daughter to study at any university of her choice, she adds. Being frugal with your expenditure, cutting down on fancy vacations, and investing a significant part of your monthly income are some ways in which these mums have built a corpus. My father is from the armed forces, and for years, I packed off my daughter to wherever he or my brother was posted so that I could finish all my work assignments. With comfortable savings now, she has already visited 12 countries in the last decade, adds Sharma, now Director and Head of Region with a leading personal care brand. Experts recommend getting a good life insurance cover and also a health plan to provide for any medical exigencies for you and your children. These are important for everyone, but more so for single parents as they are the only ones providing for their children. The other important thing to remember is planning for a retirement corpus. In trying to make up for being the only parent for my daughter, sometimes I would go overboard getting her things while with myself, I was very frugal. I had to check myself there. Now that my daughter is well provided for, I am planning for my own retirement. Her two cents: We are not super humans. I am not good with financial management so I got expert help. For us single parents who want ourselves and our dependents to be financially secure, its a great idea to find financial instruments that can offer us the dual benefit of insurance and investments. And tax benefits are the cherry on the cake! For example, unit linked insurance plans (ULIPs) encourage goal-based savings, offer tax benefits, and offer flexibility. The best part is you can choose where to invest (equity, debt, etc.) based on your risk appetite. Several insurers like HDFC Life , in fact, enable you to easily invest in a ULIP. Because a ULIP helps inculcate financial discipline in you as a parent, you can easily save for your childs higher education or your own comfortable retirement. Isnt that great? Heres how YOU can smash stereotypes and manage your money like these tiger mums: Balance your cheque book. Schedule bill payments with paydays to ensure there are no deficits Save for a rainy day. Every month, allocate a fixed sum towards savings. Else cut down other variable expenses for that month Get expert help if numbers are not your expertise. A financial planner can help you pick the right investment products best suited for your risk appetite and time horizon Insurance is an absolute must to ensure a worry-free future. Here, a unit linked insurance plan can offer the best of both worlds. Buy what you really need. Dont clutter your house with things you can do without Compare prices online. Browse around for the best deals before making any big spends Invest in a good life insurance and proper health cover since your children are dependent on you A child plan can help you save for higher education Save for your retirement. The children can get a study loan, you wont get one for old age The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been, irrespective of the government of the day, accused of targeting the ruling dispensations political opponents. It is also no stranger to controversy. Most of those controversies deal with specific cases, the federal investigation agencys investigations into these, the motivations of these investigations, corruption, and the like. The appointment of the director of CBI has been, irrespective of the government of the day, a political one. Thats not to comment on the qualifications or standing of the people chosen for the post some have gone on to serve the agency well but merely a statement of fact; the government gets to choose the CBI chief. This is an important preamble because never in the agencys 55-year old history has it witnessed the situation it is doing so now, which is reminiscent of a succession battle in a company. The facts of the case are simple: the government wanted a certain person for the job; it couldnt give it to him because he wasnt senior enough; it, therefore, found someone else, whom it thought would be a good fit for the top job at CBI; when its own candidate became senior enough, it promoted him to the No.2 post, presumably hoping that he would take over after No.1s term ended (at the end of 2018). Unfortunately, because its preference was known, No.1 never trusted No.2. And the stage was set for a drama of Shakespearean proportions. The CBI is today an organisation through which a deep wedge has been driven. There are people who are loyal to and support the director, Alok Verma. There are those who are loyal to and support the special director, Rakesh Asthana. Each has levelled allegations against the other. And the agency went to the extent of filing a complaint against one of its own. The matter has reached the Delhi High Court, which seems to have restored some sense of proportion to events rapidly spiralling out of control by asking everyone to maintain status quo till October 29. Otherwise, it is entirely possible that Mr Asthana would have been arrested, amplifying the ongoing and unseemly controversy. What now? The government, which has so far remained silent, should order an enquiry by the Chief Vigilance Commissioner into the charges and the counter-charges; it could (and should) ask both Mr Verma and Mr Asthana to go into silent mode (it could even ask them to proceed on leave); and it should, once the CVC submits its findings, act on them. The agency reports to the Prime Ministers Office, which should now move quickly to address the controversy. Irrespective of what politicians and political parties think of the CBI, the federal investigative agency is trusted by most Indians (which explains the frequent pleas for CBI investigations). That trust shouldnt be sacrificed at the altar of what is essentially a battle of egos. Russian and Turkish presidents, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit on Syria in Istanbul involving Russia, Turkey, France and Germany on September 27, Deputy Director of the Fourth European Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry Andrei Buravov told a conference 'Russia and Turkey: strategic areas of multi-faceted partnership.' The diplomat noted that political dialogue between Moscow and Ankara has reached a high level. "This is confirmed first of all by active dynamics of contacts between our countries leaders. As we know, these days our presidents will meet in a multilateral format. On its sidelines, a separate bilateral meeting between Putin and Erdogan is expected to be held," TASS cited Buravov as saying. "Despite permanent contacts, our leaders always have something to discuss. This contributes to fostering Russian-Turkish relations," he stressed. Last Friday evening, a train tore through a Dussehra celebration, which was in progress next to a rail track, at Amritsars Dhobi Ghat, killing at least 61 people and injuring many others. The celebration has been taking place at the same location for four decades; its sheer luck that such a mishap did not happen earlier. The driver in his statement said he applied the emergency brakes as he saw the crowd on the tracks but still some people were caught in the path of the train. Several arms of the state are responsible for this disaster. First, the Indian Railways. The rail tracks are its property. As an official told the newspaper Mint, if anyone steps on to the tracks, it amounts to trespassing. Its on humanitarian grounds that Indian Railways dont penalise them [those who come on tracks], the officer said. By not penalising them, as the Amritsar accident showed, the Railways has not been doing anyone any favour. In fact, it has only encouraged such unacceptable behaviour. Second, the local police. Why on earth did they give permission to hold a function so close to the tracks when they dont have enough manpower and adequate training to ensure people dont get in the way of moving trains? Third, the local administration. It seems the organisers of the event did not bother to seek written permission from either the district administration or the municipal corporation. Effectively, there was no prior arrangement to deal with any untoward incident. If the event has been taking place at the same venue, then the local authorities must have known about it. Why were safety measures not in place? This catastrophe will be forgotten before long. People will move on. Many of those killed were poor, migrant workers. It is shocking how cheap lives in India can be. There are several learnings from this tragedy. Organisers of such events must seek permission. Events should only be held in grounds that are safe for attendees. The police must ensure proper crowd control and management at large events. The organisers of the programme and the attendees must also shoulder part of the blame. In a country where basic safety protocols are not in place and adequate arrangements are usually never made on time, it is important that one uses his/her better judgment to stay safe. This lack of sense of personal safety does not, however, absolve the State of its responsibility of ensuring the safety of all citizens. Former finance minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambarams comment that the party will not project Rahul Gandhi as a Prime Ministerial candidate ahead of the 2019 elections is entirely appropriate. As is another senior Congress leader Salman Kurshids comment that the Congress cant win 2019 on its own. Both should be seen as a pragmatic assessment of the political situation. Mr Gandhi himself has twice said he is open to the countrys top elected job (during the campaigning for the Karnataka elections in May and at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in October ) but both times he has qualified this by adding that it is a function of the numbers and the approval of allies. Both Mr Chidambaram and Mr Gandhi recognise that the important thing for the Congress and other opposition parties is to defeat the BJP. As the latter said at the Hindustan Times event, This is a two-stage process one is to get together and defeat the BJP and stage two is, once the election is over, decide what happens. The truth is, it is to the BJPs advantage to push the Opposition parties to name a Prime Ministerial candidate ahead of the elections. At one level, this will force them into a mano a mano contest with prime Minister Narendra Modi, who remains hugely popular. At another, it is likely to increase tensions within any grand alliance-in-the-making because there are several leaders across parties who have prime ministerial ambitions. Sure, the Congress and the Opposition will be handicapped by not naming a PM candidate ahead of the elections, but this is something they can manage. The choice between fighting the election in an alliance but without a prime ministerial candidate and fighting the election separately is a no-brainer, although it is not an easy trade-off to make. Should the alliance win theres no certainty that it will, although it is a given that an alliance will make the contest tougher theres the risk of post-election squabbling. For the Congress, theres also the additional risk of accommodating allies at the cost of its own relevance. In Karnataka, for instance, the partys desire to keep the BJP out of power meant relinquishing pole position in the government to the Janata Dal (S) despite having more representatives. Its 2019 gambit, then, will be worthwhile for the party only if it is accompanied by efforts to strengthen the organisation across states -- and it manages to not give up too much political space in a desire to keep the BJP out. The son of a Gurugram judge who was shot at by the latters official security guard on October 13 succumbed to his injuries at a hospital on Tuesday morning. The heart, liver and a kidney of the deceased have been donated. The wife and son of the judge were shot at by his official security guard in Gurugrams Sector 49. While the woman died on the spot, her 18-year-old son was admitted to hospital in a critical condition. The gunman, identified as Mahipal, was arrested soon after the incident and later sent to judicial custody. As Rajasthan inches closer to assembly elections to be held on December 7, a third front has begun to take shape. The Left parties have already forged an alliance with the Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and the Janata Dal (Secular). The alliance is open to more parties joining it to rid the state of the BJP and Congress, who, the alliance leaders say, are two sides of the same coin. This week will be important for the third front to take a formal and bigger shape. Jat leader Hanuman Beniwal is holding a rally in Jaipurs Mansarover area on October 29 to announce a new political party. A day before, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will be in Jaipurs Ramlila ground to kick off the Aam Aadmi Partys campaign. Beniwal is already in talks with Ghanshyam Tiwari, the BJP MLA from Sanganer (Jaipur), who quit the ruling party a few months ago and floated a new outfit, Bharat Vahini Party (BVP). Beniwal is popular among the Jat youth and Tiwari aims to pocket votes of 7% Brahmins in the state. Former prime minister and JD (S) leader HD Deve Gowda announced the Rajasthan Loktantrik Morcha (RLM) in Jaipur in September first week. The forum comprises four Left parties Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) and Marxist Communist Party of India (United) besides the SP, RLD and JD (S). Both the Congress and the BJP are like two sides of the same coin. When we agitated for 13 days in September last year over demands of farmers from across the Shekhawati region, none of the Congress leaders spoke in our favour. The government gave in to our demands on September 14 and the Congress jumped in to claim credit, said Amra Ram, president of CPI (M)s farmer body, the All India Kisan Sabha, which led the agitation. We are open to more parties joining the alliance to defeat the BJP and the Congress in the state, Ram added. Beniwal said he would open channels of dialogue with the alliance and other parties after announcing a party on October 29. It will be a historic event in Rajasthans political history, he said, claiming that the October 29 Maha-hunkar Rally will be the biggest political gathering in recent past. After the Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) ruled out alliance with the Congress in Rajasthan, Beniwal and the Loktantrik Morcha are also trying to get Mayawatis party on their side. We have not spoken to any party in the state. Our leader Ma- yawati has said that BSP will contest on all 200 seats. If the leader gives any orders in future, we will abide by them, said BSP state president Sitaram Meghwal. Rajasthans political history shows the state has been a bi-polar state, with a third front never tasting success. The best show by any non-BJP, non-Congress party was in 1993, when the Janata Dal won six seats with 6.9% votes, and in 2008, when the BSP won six seats with 7.6% votes. Independents have been the third front in Rajasthan. In election after election, the independent candidates together formed the third front, winning an average of 10% votes, said political expert ML Yadav. Beniwal, Tiwari and CPM have pockets of support but whether that will convert into votes is questionable, said Jitendra Rajoria, another expert. In 2013, Kirodi Lal Meena, then state president of National Peoples Party (NPEP), claimed that the assembly election will result in a hung assembly and he will be the kingmaker. That didnt happen Kirodi barely managed to win his own seat (Lalsot) by a narrow margin of 491 votes. This proves that people of Rajasthan believe in voting either the BJP or the Congress, he added. Lucknow Rebel Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Shivpal Yadav declared on Tuesday that the name of his new political party is Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia), setting the stage for a fresh stand-off with his nephew and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. Yadav, the younger brother of SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav and a former heavyweight Uttar Pradesh minister, made the announcement at a membership drive for his Samajwadi Secular Morcha, which he had formed on August 29. He has already announced the intention of contesting all 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state in the 2019 polls. He said on Tuesday that his party had been registered with the Election Commission. The SSM and the new party will co-exist, and the morcha will try and bring more like-minded parties under the same umbrella, sources said. Yadav said he tried his best to hold the SP together but that he decided to chart his own course after being pushed into a corner. As a minister in SP government, I must say I did a credible job and worked hard to consolidate the party, but ultimately the sycophants prevailed. I was insulted in the party, Netajis (Mulayam Singh Yadav) honour too was compromised. I waited for very long but ultimately decided to take this step. There is uncertainty over whether telcos will delete all biometric data and Aadhaar details of subscribers following the Supreme Courts September 26 judgment. The courts judgment upheld the constitutional validity of the nations ambitious biometrics and demographic information project, Aadhaar. Its majority order, delivered by then Chief Justice Dipak Misra, and Justices AK Sikri, AM Khanwilkar and Ashok Bhushan upheld the constitutional validity of Aadhaar. It also said section 57 of the Aadhaar Act that allows private firms to collect Aadhaar data by contract is unconstitutional; private firms collection of Aadhaar data must be backed by law, it added. Justice DY Chandrachud, in the only dissent judgment, said the government and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India must also direct all telecom service providers to delete the biometric data and Aadhaar details of all subscribers within two weeks. The confusion over the deletion is about whether a minority judgment can be seen as an extension of the majority judgment when the bench concurs on a particular aspect, and whether quashing of mobile linkage with Aadhaar automatically means deleting all Aadhaar data collected for this. There are votaries for all three outcomes. Minority judgment is binding law: Prasanna S The judgment is clear. Just because its a minority judgment, it does not stop being a Supreme Court judgment, said Prasanna S, a lawyer who has assisted petitioners in the Aadhaar case. You can find what is law declared also in a minority judgment, and that principle has been set in stone in Indian jurisprudence since the 1950s, said Prasanna S., a lawyer who has assisted petitioners in the Aadhaar case. In this case as far as telecom linking is concerned, we saw that all five were in concurrence that it was unconstitutional. One judge says you need to delete the data. Therefore, that direction is to be read as the view of the court, said Prasanna. Minority judgments of the highest court of the land cannot by any stretch be treated as mere academic writing. There are several high court and Supreme Court precedents that have treated declarations and directions of a minority judgment to be binding law - and with good reason, he added. The judgment is unclear, will need clarification: Arghya Sengupta The judgment isnt clear on this question. It is clear on the fact that the circular that mandated Aadhaar linkage is unconstitutional. If that is bad in law, then actions taken under that law are also illegal. The court has not said whether this applies prospectively, or if theres going to be some time period for compliance, said Arghya Sengupta, research director, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, which provided assistance to the UIDAI in drafting the Aadhaar Act. The SC has scrapped the department of telecommunications circular, but hasnt specified what happens to actions taken under that circular, he said. I would say that if the SC were to order someone to delete data that has been collected, then that would be one thing. On the other hand, to keep data when there is no clear direction to that effect may not also be correct. Since this aspect has not been deliberated upon, and is one that is quite significant for public interest, a clarification must be sought from the court, Sengupta added. In the silence of the majority, you cant say this one aspect of the minority could plug this void. Thats a wrong way to read the judgment. Telcos dont have to delete Aadhaar data: Rahul Matthan Reading the text of the judgment closely, Rahul Matthan, a partner-lawyer in technology and media practice at the law firm Trilegal, and author of Privacy 3.0., said, I dont think telcos need to delete Aadhaar data. The majority opinion is the operational part of the judgment. Justice Chandrachud wrote the dissent and so what he said cannot alter the operational part of the judgment. One argument being used is that when the minority concurs with the majority on an issue, anything additional it says on that point amplifies the majority. The majority says Aadhaar should not be linked to mobile numbers and because the dissent not only agrees with this but goes further and asks for Aadhaar data to be deleted, some are arguing that telecom data should be deleted. I disagree. A dissent cannot be a partial dissent. Justice Chandrachud disagrees with the majority and has recorded his views without any attempt to impose them on the majority. We have to respect that and trust that if the majority had agreed they would have reflected his views in the operational judgment, Matthan said. Matthan also highlighted some of the gaps in the judgment. In reading down section 57, the judgment has only said that private companies cannot use the authentication system. Nowhere has it said that data previously collected by them must be deleted. In fact, in para 367, they say that a person may use his Aadhaar card voluntarily as a proof of identity. Justice Chandrachud is the only one who speaks of deletion and even he only speaks of it in the context of telcos. Nothing has been mentioned in the context of banks or anything else. There is no positive obligation on telcos to delete: Zoheb Hosain There is no positive obligation on telcos to delete the Aadhaar data. If the court has intended for the data to be deleted, then there would be suitable directions to that effect. Usually there is something known as judicial conference. There is a presumption that judges have read each others judgment even though they may not say so explicitly. And under this presumption, if the majority judgment has not reiterated the views of Justice Chandrachud, then it can be presumed that directions of the minority view cannot be construed as the law declared by the SC, Zoheb Hosain, a lawyer for UIDAI in the SC case, said. Deletion only on request: Govt and Industry bodies The Unique Identification Authority Of India (UIDAI), the department of telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), an industry body of mobile service bodies, have all said telcos will not delete data unless requested by the customer. The Honourable Supreme Court in its judgment in Aadhaar case has nowhere directed that the mobile number which has been issued through Aadhaar eKYC has to be disconnected. If anybody wishes to get her/his Aadhaar eKYC replaced by the fresh KYC, s/he may request the service provider for delinking of her/his Aadhaar by submitting fresh OVDs as per earlier DoT Circulars on mobile KYC, UIDAI said in a joint statement with the department of telecommunications last week. Meanwhile, COAI has confirmed that telcos would not be deleting Aadhaar data unless specifically requested for. There is no question of delinking Aadhaar en-masse. Delinking will be done only on the customers request, said Rajan Mathews, director general, COAI. The Assam government suspended additional deputy commissioner Pulak Mahanta posted in Kamrup (metropolitan) on Monday after local television channels showed a video clip where he is seen referring to Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi in a disrespectful way. A top government official who did not wish to be named confirmed that Mahanta has been suspended for misbehaviour and protocol lapse. Earlier, two officials, including a deputy commissioner of police (DCP) and an additional deputy commissioner of Guwahati, were suspended for alleged lapse in security arrangement during the CJIs visit to the famous Kamakhya temple on October 17. The alleged lapse involving Mahanta happened when BJP chief Amit Shah and chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal were also visiting the temple. Shah was visiting the temple ahead of heading for Aizawl. Former chief minister Tarun Gogoi demanded that the state government tender an unconditional apology to CJI Gogoi. It was a matter of reckoning for us when Justice Ranjan Gogoi became #CJI. But unfortunately the State Govt didn't accord him the honour he richly deserves & the disgraceful incident took place in front of CM @sarbanandsonwal. State Govt must tender unconditional apology to him. Tarun Gogoi (@tarun_gogoi) October 22, 2018 Normal life across most parts of Assam was affected on Tuesday due to a 12-hour shutdown from 5 am called by 46 indigenous groups against the proposed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. Hundreds of protesters belonging to these groups took to the streets since early morning and burnt tyres on roads, prevented the movement of vehicles and disrupted trains at some places. Essential services were kept outside its purview. The spontaneous response to the shutdown despite government threats of crackdown shows mass opposition of the bill in Assam. I want to thank everyone for their support, farmers rights activist Akhil Gogoi of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), one of the groups that had called the shutdown, said. The bill proposes to grant citizenship to religious minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Assams indigenous groups, 46 of whom are supporting the shutdown, oppose the bill as they feel it will marginalise them by encouraging more migrations of Hindus from neighbouring Bangladesh. Tuesdays shutdown coincided with a joint parliamentary committees (JPCs) meeting over the bill ahead of its expected tabling during Parliaments winter session in December. Opposing the shutdown, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led ruling coalition in the state had ordered all government employees to attend offices and threatened traders and business establishments of revoking their licenses if they downed shutters. But despite assurances of safety most business establishments and transport operators across the state chose to shut down their shops and keep vehicles off the roads. Most offices also reported low attendance. The shutdown was by and large peaceful apart from incidents of stone pelting at vehicles reported from few areas. We had arrested around 700 protesters across the state in order to maintain law and order, director general of police Kuladhar Saikia said. While the effect of the shutdown was felt in 30 of the 33 districts of the state, it was seen in three districts in Bengali-speaking majority Barak ValleyCachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi. Unlike other parts of the state, most organisations in Barak Valley support the bill as they feel it is needed to give citizenship to people who migrated to India due to Partition and religious persecution in Bangladesh. Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which is part of the ruling coalition, also carried out a separate rally in Guwahati on Tuesday expressing opposition to the controversial bill. The bill threatens to violate the Assam Accord of 1985, which sought to protect rights of indigenous Assamese. If the Centre is serious about upholding provisions of the accord, it should throw the Bill to the dustbin, AGP president Atul Bora, who is also the agriculture minister, said. Clause 6 of the Assam Accord provides that constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of Assamese people. Indigenous groups feel the bill will violate this clause. Tuesdays shutdown also had the support of opposition Congress as well as the pro-talks faction of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA). The BJP, which supports the bill, has, however, said the shutdown was politically motivated, against the state and its people and misleading. Surprisingly, the shutdown received maximum support in minority-dominated areas. Those same people who failed to close shops during the Assam Agitation (against illegal immigrants) are today supporting the shutdown, BJP state unit chief Ranjit Dass said while speaking to journalists. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Alok Verma on Tuesday divested special director Rakesh Asthana of all cases he is overseeing and recommended that he be transferred out of the agency, hours after the Delhi high court refused to halt an investigation against the latter that has turned out to be one of the most controversial chapters in the agencys history, complete with a raid on its own headquarters and the arrest of a deputy superintendent of police (DSP). Asthana, the second senior-most officer in the federal agency who has been accused of taking bribes, secured protection from arrest from the high court, which ordered a status quo until the next hearing on October 29. According to a CBI official who asked not to be named, Asthana will no longer be in charge of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) handling sensitive investigations like the AgustaWestland bribery case, the Vijay Mallya loan default case and the IRCTC land-for-contract case against Bihar politician Lalu Prasad. The allegations against Asthana are part of an unprecedented feud within the agency between him and Verma, the agencys top two officers. Asthana, the agency has alleged, took bribes to help a suspect, while Devender Kumar, the DSP, conspired with him to fabricate evidence in order to implicate the CBI director. The agency told high court justice Najmi Waziri that more sections related to forgery and extortion were being added in the case against the special director and the DSP. In his petition filed through advocate Amit Anand Tiwari, Asthana said the case against him was malafide and that the highest officer of the CBI (Verma) was trying to falsely implicate him (Asthana) to hide his own criminal misconduct of influencing investigation in exchange of money. Read | In corruption case against CBI no.2 Rakesh Asthana, PM Modis clear-cut order The order for status quo means Asthana cannot be arrested for now, but the CBI can continue with the investigation against him and he can be questioned. The status quo also does not apply to administrative aspects. Initially, the director was planning to recommend suspension of Asthana. But there was re-thinking on the issue. Even if the government agreed with the recommendation in this regard, Asthana would have remained in the CBI; therefore, it was decided to recommend his transfer outside the agency, said the CBI official cited above. Any curtailment of the tenure of any CBI officer of or above the rank of superintendent of police needs to be cleared by a panel led by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). The agency formally informed the CVC, which oversees the CBI in corruption cases, about the FIR against Asthana. Therefore, the proposal will finally land in the CVC. Since a copy of the FIR registered against Asthana too has been sent to the CVC formally, the commission may call for details of the case, said the official. The recommendation for Asthanas transfer will be sent to the CVC on Wednesday, this person added. Besides divesting Asthana of all the cases he is overseeing, the CBI official quoted above said the CBI director also removed joint director A Sai Manohar from SIT. Manohar too is under scanner in the case against Asthana. The SIT is not being disbanded, the official added, and additional director Nageswar Rao will take over the cases being handled by the SIT. Read | CBI case against its top official Rakesh Asthana rests on 9 calls, many WhatsApp messages For now, the most serious implication in this saga has been for DSP Kumar, who was arrested on Monday and remanded to CBI custody on Tuesday after his plea separate from Asthanas for the FIR to be quashed was rejected by the Delhi high court. Justice Waziri directed the CBI to file a response to Kumars plea. The court also asked both Asthana and Kumar to preserve all their electronic devices, including mobile phones, after the counsel for CBI sought such directions from the court . Shortly after the HC order, a special CBI court remanded Kumar to the agencys custody for a week. Considering the gravity of offence and seriousness of allegations, I am of the opinion that police custody of the accused is necessary for proper investigation, special judge Santosh Snehi Mann wrote in his order. The remand meant Kumar was automatically suspended as per protocol that says any public servants questioning for more than 24 hours will lead to suspension. Justice Mann also addressed the issue of the law invoked by the CBI to prosecute the officers, saying the allegations did not require sanction from the government since they did not relate to discharge of duty. Under changes to the Prevention of Corruption act earlier this year, the government needs to clear the prosecution of public servants for corruption in the performance of their duty. The Congress accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah of being responsible for dismantling, denigrating and destroying the CBI, and demanded an impartial inquiry into the entire mess in the countrys premier probe agency. Habitual misuse of CBI by Modi and Shah for fixing political opponents and illegal intervention to tamper with fair investigation of serious criminal cases has landed the investigation agency in an unfathomable mess, Congresss chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala told a news conference in Delhi. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokespersons werent immediately available for a comment on the allegations by the Congress. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) also spoke against the controversy. CBI director Verma met Prime Minister Modi on Sunday to brief him on the developments. Modi, officials aware of the meeting said, asked him to let the law take its own course. The parliamentary faction of the Republican Party of Armenia will not put up its candidate for the prime-ministerial position, head of the faction Vahram Baghdasaryan said. The nomination deadline is 18:00 today. The prime-ministerial election is scheduled for yesterday. If the parliament fails to elect a prime minister within two weeks after the resignation of the premier, then it is dismissed in accordance with the law, ARKA reported. Nikol Pashinyan resigned as prime minister on October 16. This means that the deadline for nominating candidates is October 23, and a special session will be convened on October 24. Let me be clear that we cannot fight the next war like we fought our last, said General Bipin Rawat in an exclusive interview, explaining the significance of the biggest exercise in independent Indias history to restructure the army and why it tops his priorities as army chief. The mammoth drill, based on four comprehensive studies led by the armys topmost generals, will change the complexion and direction of the 1.2 million- strong force and transform it into a deadlier fighting machine fully prepared for future wars, Rawat added. So whats on the menu? The army chief said the implementation of the four studies in their totality would reduce troops (by about 100,000), allow the army to tap technological advances in warfare, create integrated brigades that can be mission-deployed swiftly, cut down the size of the army headquarters, improve the armys tooth-to-tail ratio and enhance career prospects. We have to change as the nature of warfare is changing. New structures have to be created incorporating modern technology. Thats the way forward. These changes, reforms, will not happen overnight, but they will happen, said General Rawat, in his first public comments on the restructuring drive. All four studies have reached the army chiefs desk in his South Block office and the first, Reorganisation of the Army Headquarters, will be sent to the defence ministry for approval soon and the restructuring could kick off early next year. The remaining three Reorganisation and Rightsizing of the Indian Army, Cadre Review of Officers and Review of Terms of Engagement of Rank and File will come up for government approval by the middle of 2019, Rawat said. The studies are being validated. The army chief said he discussed the studies comprehensively with his seniormost commanders at the recently-concluded Army Commanders Conference and that everybody is on the same page. He said a proposal in one of the studies to abolish the rank of brigadier to smoothen career progression did not find favour within the force; the one-star rank would stay, he added. We are trying to figure out a formula that allows the brigadiers rank to stay and still leaves room for improved career progression, he said. One of the proposals being considered is to promote colonels directly to the rank of major general and those approved for the two-star rank would first be assigned to command integrated brigades as brigadiers before they go on to command divisions as major generals. You can call these integrated brigades lighter divisions or heavier brigades, he said. The army could cut over one lakh troops over the next three to five years and some of them could be assigned new roles in domains such as cyber, information and psychological warfare, said Rawat. It will result in saving money that can be used for upgrading capabilities. A jawan costs the army Rs 6-8 lakh a year, compared to an officer who earns Rs 20-22 lakh annually. Simply put, cutting down four or five officers will help save a crore, Rawat said. And if the army is saving that money, it should come back to it for taking up modernisation projects. We have limited resources. I will call it rightsizing the army to strengthen its capabilities, Rawat said. The troop reduction is likely to be achieved through restructuring different parts of the army, including directorates at the army HQs, logistics units, communications establishments, repair facilities and other administrative and support wings. The restructuring of the army seeks to streamline the procurement process too. Thats part of the army headquarters restructuring. And it is a very important facet of the restructuring that we are talking about. We are creating structures at the top levels that will help provide the right equipment to the right troops, Rawat said. For example, if the army wants to buy rocket launchers (RL). It is basically an infantry weapon. That means the infantry should get top-of-the line RLs. But if an engineers unit wants RLs, thats primarily for illumination and not for direct strike. So they can also be given a good RL but the infantry deserves the best because of the job it does. The same goes for assault rifles and other weapons, he said. Former army chief General Deepak Kapoor (retd) said several western armies had restructured their forces keeping emerging battlefield scenarios in mind and the Indian Army should also explore if such models could prove useful. Modern armies are doing away with large-sized formations as future wars will be fought differently. We are talking about space-age weapons, precision targeting, battlefield transparency and other critical dimensions of warfare. So we need to examine restructuring issues in detail, said Kapoor, who was at the armys helm during 2007-10. Lieutenant General AB Shivane (retd), who was heading the armys mechanised forces directorate until last December, said the restructuring exercise was a positive and relevant development but there are some caveats. There has to be absolute clarity about the outcomes, which have to be discernible and benchmarked with time. It must also relate to the overall national security strategy framework. And rightsizing must have a tri-service flavour, said Shivane, who was involved in a study on rightsizing and rebalancing of the army in 2014-15. The armys restructuring was kicked off on a small scale last year. In August 2017, the government announced that 57,000 soldiers would be redeployed in combat roles to sharpen the forces fighting edge. This was done following the recommendations made by the Shekatkar committee on enhancing the armys combat potential and trimming its revenue expenditure. The committee also listed out measures to bring down the budget for meeting day-to-day expenses and making more money available for weapons and equipment. The restructuring of the army headquarters will see the role of the Director General of Military Training being given to the Shimla-based Army Training Command and Director General of Rashtriya Rifles being moved to Jammu and Kashmir under the Udhampur-based Northern Command. The Congress-led Maha Kootami or grand alliance is struggling to reach a consensus over sharing of seats enabling the ruling Telangana Rastra Samithi to gain a head start in campaigning for the assembly elections less than six weeks away in Telangana. The one-time rivals - Congress, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS ) and the Communist Party of India - have come together on the eve of the state election to fight a common enemy in chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, popularly known as KCR. TJS founder Prof Kodandaram, an ideologue of Telangana movement and an ally of KCR during the statehood movement before falling out with him, is reportedly seeking 35-40 seats, while TDP wants 20-25 seats and even the CPI has laid claim for 12 seats. All the smaller parties are demanding that Congress make sacrifices to ensure that the alliance prevails. The Congress, according to sources, wants its alliance partners to be realistic and is ready to concede three to seven seats to the TJS, four to CPI and 12 seats to the TDP. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president N Uttamkumar Reddy said, while speaking to the media, on Tuesday he is confident that the Maha Kootami will turn out to be a well-oiled machine to face the elections and will shortly overcome all the minor hiccups in seat sharing. The TDP president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday asked his partys leaders from Telangana to be pragmatic in staking the claim for seats and keep in mind its winning prospects, lest it benefits the TRS. He was speaking at a meeting with the leaders in Hyderabad. The TDP, the once predominant regional party in undivided Andhra Pradesh formed on an anti-Congress plank, is now facing an existential problem in the new state forcing it into an alliance with the grand old party in contravention of its core ideology. We are ready for give and take. We are fully flexible so as to pursue our common election objective of defeating the TRS, TDPs Telangana unit president L Ramana said. Prof Kodandaram expressed hope that the Congress, as a major partner, will honour the self-pride of his party by ensuring a fair deal in seat sharing. Congress spokesperson Sravan Dasoju justified the delay in seat sharing within the grand alliance. After all, its a democratic platform which believes in mutual consensus and respect for sentiments of others unlike the TRS led by a despot-like KCR, he added. The TRS, on the other hand, has already released a list of candidates for the 112 seats out of 119. And, KCR has launched a whirlwind campaign and covered five districts nearly a month and a half before the announcement of the election date. Its spokesperson P Sudhakar Reddy said the grand alliance lacks harmony in terms of common ideology and common agenda as being witnessed during the wrangling over sharing of seats. The alliance partners are worried over internal contradictions that will rock the boat soon after the allotment of seats, hence the delay. K Nageswar, a political analyst, said while the grand alliance does face challenges in seat sharing even the TRS is facing its own set of issues. KCR, by announcing candidates early, thought he would be free of dissidence and discontent. But it didnt work out that way as TRS MLC Ramulu Naik and its Khanapur MLA Ramesh Rathod deserted TRS and shifted loyalties to Congress recently. Another lady MLA Konda Surekha representing Warangal quit the TRS a while ago, he added. So ensuring a smooth ticket distribution is a challenge facing both the grand alliance as well as the TRS. Assembly elections are scheduled to be held in Telangana on December 7 and the result will be declared on December 11. The Congress on Tuesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the Centre of ignoring farmers interests and vowed to waive all farm loans if the party returns to power in 2019. Addressing a Kisan and Khet Mazdoor Cell rally of the party in Delhi, Congress leaders said the government had failed to fulfil promises made to the farmers ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Congress leaders from across the country attended the jawab do, hisab do (answer and accountability) rally and sansad gherao agitation. The partys chief spokesperson, Randeep Singh Surjewala, attacked the governments alleged anti-farmer agricultural policy. He said the ruling dispensation had waived loans worth crores of industrialist friends but not those owed by distressed farmers. If the Congress comes to power at the Centre, then our first priority will be to waive loans of farmers. Our party president Rahul Gandhi has already announced this, he said. Every 24 hours, 12 farmers commit suicide across the country. The Modi government is responsible for the plight of farmers in the 53 months of its rule, he said. Surjewala said the minimum support price of paddy is Rs 1,700 per quintal, but farmers sell this in the market at Rs 1,250 to Rs 1,300 per quintal. Farmers are compelled to sell their products for much lower than the production cost. The rising price of diesel also adds to it. Matsya state during the British rule included Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur and Karauli as the dots joining the location of these four places formed the picture of a fish. The region that is the most backward in Rajasthan is often in the news for wrong reasons. It was once a haven for dacoits who terrorised people, while of late the region is making headlines over cow smuggling and violence by alleged cow vigilantes. Alwar has 11 assembly constituencies. In 2003 assembly elections, Congress won seven seats, while the BJP and an independent candidate in Alwar bagged one each. In 2008 assembly elections, the BJP won on seven seats, while the Congress won three and BSP one. In 2013, the BJP made its presence stronger by winning nine seats, while the Congress tally went down to one and National Peoples Party won one seat. After the independence, till the 1990s, people of Alwar used to cast their votes based on party ideologies. It was pure politics. But now votes are based on religion and caste, said political analyst Hari Shankar Goyal. It further shifted on communal grounds, he added. Political analyst Narayan Bareth said the politics of Alwar, Bharatpur and Dholpur districts are also influenced by the bordering states Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. People of Bharatpur are politically more aware compared to other parts of Rajasthan as the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh is politically active than other states. Even people belonging to the Schedule Castes (SCS) in this region are politically aware because of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati in Uttar Pradesh. The erstwhile royal family of Alwar was against the Congress but later it joined the party. The Bharatpur royals have their influence on the general public and people still vote for the candidate that the member of erstwhile royal family supports. The members of the former royal family usually contest from Kumher Deeg and Nadbai seats of Bharatpur, which has an influence on other seats, too, due to domination by the Jat community. Prior to delimitation, Bharatpur had nine assembly constituencies. In 2003 elections, Congress and BJP won three seats each, while two seats were bagged by Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and one by an independent candidate. After delimitation in 2008, it became seven assembly constituencies in Bharatpur district and 2008 assembly elections, BJP won six seats and Congress one. In 2013 assembly elections, BJP won six seats and Congress one. Karauli district has four assembly constituencies -- Karauli, Hindaun, Sapotara and Todabhim. In 2003 assembly elections, BJP won two seats, while Congress and INLD won one seat each, while in 2008 elections, BJP, ongress, BSP and independent won one seat each. In 2013, the Congress won three seats and BJP one. Bareth says that the entire Karauli district, covered by hills and ravines, is remaining backward. No development took place, because of caste politics. The district has Meenas, Gurjars and schedule castes. Meenas and Gurjars have been strong here, but now other schedule castes are also getting stronger. The Congress and the BJP have been playing caste politics here instead of development issues, he said. In Dholpur, there were three assembly constituencies prior to delimitation -- Dholpur, Bari and Rajakhera. After elimitation, Dholpur got the fourth assembly constituency of Baseri. In the 2003 assembly elections, Congress on all the three seats in Dholpur district, while post-delimitation in 2008, the BJP won three seats and BSP one. In 2013, Congress won two seats, while BJP and BSP won one each. It is believed that in Karauli, voters decide the fate of the candidate as per the atmosphere favouring whichever party during election. Here votes are on the basis of caste and face, not on development issues, Bareth said. It applies to Dholpur also but this time, the BJP seems to have emerged stronger there. People say that chief minister Vasundhara Raje spent many days in Dholpur this year and took up development works. She announced a medical college in Dholpur and took initiative to improve the facilities at the district hospital. People of Dholpur want Raje to contest elections from Rajakhera assembly constituency or allow her daughter-in law Niharika to contest from here because of a sizeable number of Gurjars in the constituency, said Jitendra Rajoria, a political analyst. Both the Congress and the BJP in this region focus on caste politics instead of development. Nobody talks of roads, education, employment and others issues, but only caste permutations and combinations, he said. Earlier a part of Barmer, Gudamalani and Pachpadra assembly constituency, Baytoo, bordering the Barmer district, came into existence after the delimitation in 2007 with the first election being held in 2008. The Jat community holds sway over this constituency sharing approximately 40 per cent of the total vote share. Both BJP and Congress fielded Jat candidates in the last two elections and the situation is likely to remain the same in their bid for a third term. However, in the 2014 general elections, when people of other communities had an option other than Jat candidates, they chose to bank on that candidate. In 2014, BJPS rebel and veteran leader Jaswant Singh bagged the maximum number of votes of the other communities than the Jat candidate of BJP and Congress. A break-up of the social matrix pegs the number of Jat voters at 78,000, Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribes at 35,000, Rajputs at 20,000 and Muslim voters at 25,000. Like many other constituencies, Baytoo has been long grappling with lack of drinking water supply and unemployment. Read more: Hadoti, the power centre of Rajasthan politics Ahead of 2013 elections, oil refinery was also a big issue. In March 2012, the then Congress government in state had announced an oil refinery at Lilala village in Baytoo. The locals, who had been crying hoarse over this issue, refused to give away their land for the refinery project. They even took to streets against land acquisition after which the government was forced to shift the project to Pachpadra constituency. This acted as a heavy blow on the Congress which lost the seat in 2013 elections. BJPS sitting MLA Kailash Choudhary said although the refinery site was shifted, it was very much within the limit of Baytoo constituency. Congress candidate Colonel Sonaram Choudhary, who lost 2004 Lok Sabha election against BJPS Manvendra Singh, contested for the seat in 2008 against BJPS Kailash Choudhary and won. In the next elections in 2013, both the parties banked on the same candidates where BJPS Kailash Choudhary defeated Sonaram Choudhary. In 2013, BJP candidate Kailash Choudhary outpaced Congress rival Sonaram Choudhary by 13,974 votes. Total casted votes were 14,3236, out of which BJP candidate secured 73,097 while Congress received 59,123 votes. After facing defeat ahead of 2014 election, Sonaram Choudhary moved to BJP from Congress and contested Lok Sabha elections against BJPS rebel and veteran leader Jaswant Singh and won. BJP MLA Kailash said that he has fulfilled all the promises he made. He, however, said that development is an ongoing process and there are many works yet to be done to boost development. Kailash said that he has ensured completion of the drinking water project bringing relief to the people of this region. Apart from this , he has ensured opening of the Government College in Baytoo. Earlier, in absence of the government college, students had to either quit pursuing higher studies or go outside. He further said that most of the schools have been promoted. Apart from the new primary health centres, he has also set up community health centers at two locations. Constructions of roads, electrification are among the other achievements claimed by the Baytoo MLA. One more interesting fact of this constituency is that after Sonaram Choudhary, another former MP Harish Choudhary, who lost election in 2014, is hopeful of winning this seat. Another prominent Congress hopeful is Simaratharam Choudhary. Harish Choudhary, Congress national secretary and former Barmer MP said, during BJPS tenure over the past five years, law and order situation in the region was pathetic. He said if Congress comes to power, his first priority would be to improve the law and order situation. He further alleged that BJP leaders have betrayed the people and misled them in the name of development. He alleged that during BJPS regime, most of the projects, including the oil refinery were put on hold. Harish announced that with Congress coming into power, he would ensure completion of all the stalled projects. Like other constituencies in Rajasthans Hadoti region, the Sangod seat in Kota district has been a stronghold of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Of the 12 assembly polls held here after the independence, the Jana Sangh and later the BJP won 9 times and the Congress thrice. The Republican Party of India, which had its roots in the Scheduled Castes Federation led by BR Ambedkar, had won the first assembly poll held in 1952. Many stalwarts in state politics had fought their poll battle in the Sangod constituency. Earlier it was known as the Digod seat. BJP leader and Member of Parliament from Kota Daudayal Joshi won from Digod twice in a row in the 1980s. In the 2003 assembly polls, Congress leader Bharat Singh defeated BJP heavyweight and former minister Lalit Kishore Chaturvedi in the seat. Singh won again in 2008 and became a cabinet minister for panchayat raj and PWD in the former Congress government. He lost to BJP candidate Heeralal Nagar in the 2013 assembly polls by a margin of 29232 votes. Read more: Smart plans on tardy lane, Ajmer battles woes Dhakars (an OBC community) and Dalits dominate Sangod. The constituency has around 40000 Dhakar, around 38000 scheduled caste and around 22000 scheduled tribe voters. It has also around 18000 Mali, about 17000 Muslim and some 15000 Gujjar voters. Considering the caste calculus, the BJP fielded Heeralal Nagar, a Dhakar, from Sangod in the last two assembly polls. Bharat Singh is hopeful of the Congress ticket from Sangod in the assembly elections to be held on December 7. The BJP may bank upon Nagar. We have ensured irrigation water to every village from the Parwan irrigation project, Nagar said. Bharat Singh said the BJP government failed to provide irrigation water to Sangod from the newly constructed Bhavrasa dam. Nagar said, Compared to the Congress government, Raje government has spent triple amount on panchayat raj works and double amount on public works. Defence and connectivity, with an eye to China, will top the agenda when Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes his two-day state visit to Japan from October 28. The two governments will make announcements regarding two agreements allowing closer naval cooperation. Modi and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, said Japanese ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu, will unveil a concrete infrastructure project implemented together in South Asia. He said Abe, who had been impressed at the crowds who had greeted him when he visited Gandhinagar last year, was planning a very personal arrangement and discussion. Japan, say Indian officials, has become Indias most important strategic partner in Asia. Few governments align their foreign policies as closely to New Delhis as Tokyo. Even fewer have committed as much aid and investment to boost Indias economy. A strong India is in Japans best interest and for that, we must provide even more support, said Hiramatsu. Trade and investment have dominated relations. Defence and security now need to catch up, the ambassador added. An agreement on maritime domain awareness will be signed while talks on another on naval logistics will be initiated. Japan declined to bid for a recent Indian Navy submarine tender because, the ambassador indicated, New Delhi was holding separate talks over Japans Soryu-class attack submarine. This is now being processed internally by India, he said, and talks were on with a private sector Indian partner. Besides the high-profile trilateral Malabar Exercises, this month India and Japan are holding bilateral maritime exercises and the first-ever joint army exercises in November. Indian officials have in the past expressed unhappiness at Tokyos reluctance to provide defence equipment and technology. While Abe has been enthusiastic, his bureaucrats have dragged their heels citing the countrys pacifist constitution. Japan is a world leader in anti-submarine warfare and maritime awareness equipment. Its fifth-generation fighter prototype is undergoing flight tests. India and Japan have made common cause in countering the geopolitical consequences of Chinas Belt Road Initiative. Hiramatsu noted the two countries have an agreement to carry out joint connectivity and infrastructure projects in the Indo-Pacific area. He indicated a new project would be announced at the summit in Tokyo. Expectations are that it would help connect India with one of its smaller neighbours. Japan recently identified more roads it would build or upgrade in the Northeast, including connectors to Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Future discussions will identify more such projects. Indo-Japanese strategic cooperation has had its share of problems. Plans for India to buy and manufacture a Japanese maritime seaplane have foundered on technology issues. Nothing has come out of a civil nuclear agreement signed two years ago, in part because a key Japanese firm sold off its reactor business. The most ambitious project, a high-speed train between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, is facing land acquisition problems. Hiramatsu said he was confident the train project will be completed as scheduled. This will be Modis third visit to Japan as the Prime Minister . Lawyer Ramesh Chandra Pandey, who was a former chief standing counsel for the Uttar Pradesh government, died after jumping off the third floor of the new building of the Allahabad high courts Lucknow bench Tuesday afternoon, police said. Inspector, Vibhuti Khand, Mathura Rai said the initial inquiry suggested that Pandey jumped from a window of the third floor of the C block of the building in Gomti Nagar at around 1.45 pm after visiting his juniors chamber on the floor. The reason behind Pandey taking the extreme step was not immediately known, he added. While some lawyers claimed that he jumped to death on his own as he was under some pressure, others alleged foul play and demanded that the police should register a murder case. However, no formal complaint was immediately lodged with the police. Some lawyers said they saw Pandey near the window and tried to stop him from jumping but failed. Pandeys chamber was on the first floor of the same building, Rai said. Some lawyers rushed Pandey to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, nearly a kilometre away from the high court premises, where doctors pronounced him dead. After getting the consent of his wife and family, the body was taken to the King George Medical University for a post-mortem examination, he said. Rai said Pandey fell on grassy ground due to which no external injury was visible on his body. He added that the high court authorities had said the spot where Pandey fell was under CCTV surveillance and the footage will be checked to ascertain the exact sequence of events. Lawyers who reached the hospital after the incident however had various versions of the sequence of events leading to Pandeys death. Appointed chief standing counsel last year after the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power, Pandey had resigned on July 19 this year. According to lawyers, Pandey was planning to contest the election for the president of Oudh Bar Association after resigning from the post. He had been elected the associations general secretary earlier. Delhi journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, who was in the centre of controversy in Odisha over his allegedly derogatory tweets on the Jagannath and Konark temples, was arrested Tuesday by the Bhubaneswar police after hours of questioning. Bhubaneswar police commissioner Satyajit Mohanty said Iyer-Mitra was arrested in connection with a case registered against him in the state capital for allegedly making offensive remarks that could cause communal disturbances and sent to judicial custody. The case was filed at Saheed Nagar police station September 20 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act by activist Manoranjan Swain. Earlier in the day, Iyer-Mitra had appeared before a house committee of the Odisha assembly and apologized for his remarks against the MLAs as well as the Jagannath temple. Standing before the committee set up last month by assembly speaker Pradeep Amat over alleged breach of privileges of the MLAs, he admitted that the comments were indeed stupid. Leader of opposition Narasingha Mishra, who headed the committee said that Iyer-Mitra accepted all the charges against him, but he would have to submit an affidavit and may have to re-appear again. In the video posted on Twitter, the journalist said the temple was a humple (a slang for sex). Here people are seen having sex. You see all these statues where the women, men and the animals are having sex. Can this temple be an auspicious place? Never. These statues are against the tradition of the Hindu community. It is the conspiracy of the Muslims who want to denigrate us. All I want to say is Jai Shree Ram. At least such statues will not be found in our new Ram temple, he said. But soon after, in a subsequent tweet he clarified that it was meant to be a joke. Jokes aside this temple is just mind-blowing. The sculptures are exquisite & it has a great sense of symmetry & gravitas. On September 16 he had posted tweets about the erotic sculptures of Sun temple at Konark as well as another disparaging tweet on the 12th century Jagannath temple. On September 20, a team of cops from Konark police station had arrested Iyer-Mitra from his Delhi residence. Though he was granted bail by chief metropolitan magistrate of Delhis Saket court, the bail was subsequently cancelled by Supreme Court and he asked to join the investigation. Political analysts said Iyer-Mitra may have been collateral damage for taking the chopper ride with former Biju Janata Dal MP Baijayant Panda, who has been facing the heat for railing against chief minister Naveen Patnaik and his bureaucrats. The state police have locked the hangar at Bhubaneswar airport having three choppers of Panda over his alleged low-flying over eco-sensitive Chilika lake. Had Iyer-Mitra not flown with Panda in his chopper, then its possible that no one would have noticed. Though his comments are idiotic, its possible that he may have been caught in the political crossfire, said Bhubaneswar-based analyst Rabi Das. A fringe Kannada outfit Tuesday threatened to disrupt actor Sunny Leones event on November 3 in protest against her playing the role of Veeramahadevi in a multi-lingual film. Kannada Rakshana Vedike president K Harish told reporters that the forum does not have any objection to Leone performing in the event in Bengaluru , but would oppose her playing the character as Veeramahadevi, a historical icon, who is revered as a goddess figure by the Kannadigas. It will be inappropriate for Leone to don the role of Veeramahadevi who had championed the cause of Hindus, he said. Commissioner of police T Suneel Kumar had said police had given the nod for Leones event, but with conditions. Earlier this month, members of the Kannada Rakshana Vedike had staged an agitation against Leone and burned her posters here. On December 31 last year, a new years eve show featuring Leone, organised by Time Creations, was cancelled following protests by the KRVYS and denial of permission by the authorities. The Russian-Turkish cooperation plays a crucial role both in the economy and policy of the Eurasian macro-region, chairman of the Russian-Turkish Business Council Akhmet Palankoev and the expert on Russian-Turkish relations from Syasa Times, Dr Basel Haj Jasem, told Vestnik Kavkaza on the sidelines of the International Conference titled "Russia and Turkey: Forging Multidimensional Partnership,' organised by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC). Ahmet Palankoev stressed the importance of developing economic contacts between the two countries. "Over the past few years, among other things, Russia-Turkey economic relations have changed for the better. Our trade turnover is growing, new sectors of the economy, which we jointly develop, are emerging. I dont see any factors that would impede the development of these relations now, because our economies are complementary, not competing. This is a unique situation where geography and economy of our countries contribute to mutual development," he said. In this regard, the chairman of the Russian-Turkish Business Council highly appreciated today's conference. "The dialogue allows us to identify and discuss all the issues arising in the process of cooperation, as well as to find ways to solve the problems, which we need to overcome in order to develop our relations," Ahmet Palankoev stressed. Basel Haj Jasem also drew attention to many factors uniting Russia and Turkey. "We have a lot in common. The joint work of Moscow and Ankara is very important for the South Caucasus, as well as for Syria. If we look at the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the crisis between Azerbaijan and Armenia, it is clear that the situation would be much more tense without active mediation Ankara and Moscow, which would cause a huge conflict involving not just Armenia and Azerbaijan. Such a conflict would have affected the entire region of the Greater Caucasus, including Turkey, Russia and Iran," he explained. "The joint work of Russia and Turkey in Syria is also very important. Both countries look at Syria quite differently than the United States does. Russia and Turkey need peace in this region, especially in Syria, the continuation of this conflict means more victims among Russian military personnel and the expansion of instability and terrorism in the Middle East. I should also note the importance of cooperation between Russia and Turkey in the field of energy and pipelines. Of course, the United States does not like the Turkish Stream pipeline to go through Turkey, which indicates that Russia gives another card to Ankara for the balance of power in the relations with the U.S. and the EU," Basel Haj Jasem concluded. The 3rd International Conference titled "Russia and Turkey: Forging Multidimensional Partnership,' jointly organised by the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) and the Centre for Strategic Research Republic of Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was held in Moscow today. The conference participants analyzed the political, economic and humanitarian base of bilateral relations, as well as identified ways for their further development and prepared specific practical proposals for the governments of the two countries. They also discussed the approaches of Russia and Turkey to the formation of a regional security system in Europe and the Middle East, as well as cooperation in the economic and energy sectors at a new stage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi told CBI chief Alok Verma on Sunday to let the law take its own course when the latter briefed him on the allegations against agency special director Rakesh Asthana, an official familiar with the development said on Monday. The CBI expanded its probe into the case on Monday by arresting a deputy superintendent of police (DSP)-rank official. Investigators are preparing to question two supervisory officers one of superintendent of police rank and the other of inspector general in the case. The agency will also seek a clarification from a senior intelligence official who investigators suspect may have been acting in his individual capacity. Director Verma sought an appointment with the PM to brief him on the case against Asthana. Following the briefing, the PM told the CBI chief to let the law take its own course. Director Verma separately met national security adviser Ajit Doval too, said the CBI official cited above. He spoke on the condition of anonymity. The Prime Ministers Office did not offer any comment on the meeting. But a senior official confirmed that the PM met the CBI chief. The CBI official said Verma was likely to recommend the suspension and immediate repatriation of Asthana to his parent cadre of Gujarat in a day or two. The case against Asthana has been registered on a complaint by a Hyderabad-based businessman, Sana Satish Babu, who alleged that two Dubai-based brothers Manoj Prasad and Somesh Prasad claimed that they were acting on behalf of the CBI special director and allegedly struck a deal for Rs 5 crore to protect him in a case that the agency registered against controversial meat exporter Moin Qureshi. Former CBI director AP Singh is also an accused in the case. Two months before the registration of the case, Asthana complained to cabinet secretary Pradeep Sinha that it was Verma who called him in February to call off the questioning of the Hyderabad-based businessman. Asthana alleged that Sana Satish Babu was being protected by Verma under a monetary deal of Rs 2 crore. The cabinet secretary forwarded this complaint to the central vigilance commission (CVC). Asthana cited nine other instances where he alleged that Verma and agency joint director Arun Kumar Sharma were trying to interfere in investigations with ulterior motives. The CBI has formally denied the charges against Verma and Sharma. The agency has now named Sana Satish Babu as a witness in the case against Qureshi. Asthana wrote to the CVC that he recommended Sana Satish Babus arrest in the case in September . After the registration of an FIR against Asthana, the CBI arrested the alleged middleman in the case, Manoj Prasad, who is in the agencys custody for interrogation. On Monday, the CBI arrested Devender Kumar and named him an accused in the case on charges of fabricating records. Kumar was the designated investigation officer in the case against Qureshi. The agency in a formal statement said: The matter relates to the creation of a statement under section 161 (Criminal Procedure Code) of Shri Sathish Sana, a witness in Moin Qureshi case, showing it to be recorded on September 26, 2018 at Delhi. During the investigation, it has been found that Shri Sana was not present in Delhi on that day and was in Hyderabad. Shri Sana actually joined investigation at Delhi on October 1. The CBI statement linked the fabrication of evidence charge against Kumar to the allegations and counter-allegations that the CBIs two top officers have been hurling at each other. It (CBI) found that Devender Kumar had fabricated this statement as an afterthought plan to corroborate the baseless allegations made by Special Director Rakesh Asthana against Director Alok Kumar Verma to CVC, the statement said. An investigator said Kumars office was searched on Monday and a few documents recovered. If Kumar agrees to come clean, we intend to make him an approver in the case, said an investigator. In the statement, the CBI added the role of other officers of SIT (special investigation team) CBI, then supervising the Moin Qureshi case was also being probed. Asthana headed the SIT. We will question the SP and IG to whom Devender reported in the case now, said the investigator. He said the agency would also seek a clarification from a senior intelligence officer of a sister agency who may have acted in his individual capacity in the case. NCP chief Sharad Pawar Tuesday indicated that a national level pre-poll opposition alliance for the 2019 general elections was unlikely but said he was trying to bring the non-BJP parties together on a common platform in a bid to defeat the ruling NDA. Pawar was speaking at Mumbai Manthan organised by news channel Aaj Tak in Mumbai. Todays political situation is much more like the one in 2004. It does not seem possible for a single party to remain in power in 2019. No party would have that mandate, Pawar said. It will be like 2004 when no party got the majority but a government under Manmohan Singh was formed and continued to rule for 10 years. Pawar also rejected the theory of grand alliance of opposition parties at national level adding that the situation would be different in each state and regional parties would play significant role. He further said that no one will be projected as prime ministerial candidate by the Opposition for the upcoming 2019 elections. In fact, even the Congress leadership is of the same view and PM will be decided by the coalition partners after the elections, he pointed out. I agree with P Chidambaram (former union finance minister) that no leader would be projected as PM candidate from the opposition for 2019 elections. PM will be decided by the coalition partners post polls. I have had talks with Congress president Rahul Gandhi and his thoughts are not very much different with what Chidambaram had said, Pawar said. He also criticized Modi government over the ongoing row in the CBI. He also said leaders like H D Deve Gowda and Inder Kumar Gujral became prime ministers by accident and that he did not want to be part of accidents. Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said Haryanas ruling BJP and opposition INLD and Congress have been seeking votes by dividing people on caste lines. The INLD and Congress ask for votes saying they are the party for Jats. The BJP seeks votes in the name of non-Jats. Important issues such as health and education are not on their agenda. Thats why the condition of government schools in Haryana is so abysmal, Kejriwal said at a gathering of supporters at Beri in Jhajjar. Accompanied by Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and health minister Satyendra Kumar Jain, he inspected three government schools in Beri and said they were being run in damaged buildings without electricity and with fewer teachers than required. People from Haryana asked me to see the condition of government schools. Parents told me that the authorities conducted repairs after learning that Id be visiting. Even then the condition is poor. If the BJP government cant maintain schools and hospitals, it should hand over the charge to us. We will improve things in a month, he said. With the 2019 assembly elections in sight, Kejriwal said, People tell me I should start working hard to get Haryana. I tell them I dont work for power. Its the responsibility of the people of Haryana to make us win if they want good schools and cost-effective healthcare. He said his government had built schools and hospitals that could give private counterparts a run for their money. Talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the event, Kejriwal said INLD member of Parliament Dushyant Chautala, who is facing backlash in his party, is welcome to join the AAP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi contributed Rs 1,000 to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday through an eponymous app and requested his party workers to join the initiative for bringing in transparency. The party has started a microdonation drive through the app, which it claims has the twin purpose of allowing supporters to donate money to the party and ensure transparency in fund collection. Contributed to @BJP4India, via the Narendra Modi Mobile App. I urge you all to contribute to the Party through the App and spread the message of transparency in public life. You can contribute any amount from Rs 5/- to Rs 1000/- via the Narendra Modi Mobile App., the PM tweeted. Similar messages were posted by BJP president Amit Shah, and several union ministers such as minister for external affairs Sushma Swaraj and urban development minister Hardeep Puri. According to a party functionary, donations from Rs 5 to Rs 1,000 can be made through the app. On the cap that is imposed, the party functionary said: The idea is to encourage microdonations and hence the cap. There is no restriction on the number of times donations can be made through the app. In 2017, election watchdog, the association for democratic reforms (ADR), in its report on political funding, had revealed that the BJP, which has been in power at the Centre since 2014 and in over a dozen states, is the richest among Indias seven national parties, having declared assets worth nearly Rs 894 crore in 2015-16. Earlier this year, another ADR report showed that the BJPs reported income of Rs1,034.27 crore was 4.6 times that of the Congress. In 2016-17, the BJP got Rs 532.27 crore in donations above Rs 20,000, which is more than 12 times the money Congress got in similar donations. Commenting on the donation drive launched by the party ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and the upcoming assembly elections in five states, Jagdeep Chhokar of the ADR said: Transparency will be ensured when all the political parties start disclosing the source of all the money they receive through electoral bonds and other means. At present political parties have the option of not disclosing donations up to Rs 20,000, but they can only accept cash donations up to Rs 2,000. The firework industry in manufacturing hub Sivakasi were Tuesday relieved that the Supreme Court has not imposed a blanket ban on bursting of firecrackers but said the uncertainty led to a dip in orders this year, forcing lower production volumes and entailing a loss of Rs 2000 crore for the sector. The manufacturers are actively considering to file a review petition in the apex court, as the stipulations on the use of chemicals are a cause of worry for them. Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association (TANFAMA) president T Asaithambi said that firecracker production has dipped by about 30-40% this year as compared to the previous years, leading to the loss. Earlier, every year, we used to do business of Rs 6000 crore. While eight percent of our total production is for Tamil Nadus consumption, the remaining is for other parts of the country. Due to the ban imposed by the SC last year in Delhi NCR and the petition seeking a blanket ban, our dealers were reluctant to take orders... the cumulative loss of business was around Rs 2000 crore, he told Hindustan Times. Earlier, a week after every Diwali, dealers will make advance payments for their next purchase. The total advance amount would be about Rs 1500 crore which had helped us to start production for the next Diwali. However, this year, no dealer has come forward to make the advance payment. Therefore, fireworks units have reduced their production by 30-40% which is worth around Rs.2000 crore. As such, this year the volume of production stood at Rs.4,000 crore, he explained. Also the restricted timings to burst crackers, as announced by the Supreme Court, would affect sales, he pointed out. TANFAMA general secretary Mariyappan also said that filing a review petition is necessary since the verdict has barred the use of chemicals like barium nitrate and aluminium, the main ingredients in the manufacture of crackers till now. Around 40% of popular crackers and firework varieties (worth around Rs 1900 crore this year) are manufactured with aluminium and barium nitrate. Based on the report of the Council for Scientific and Research Institute, the SC has banned these two... manufacturers have been asked us to use magnesium and water. Our studies have shown that use of magnesium is harmful. Further, the SC has banned garland crackers, which accounts for 5% of the total production., Mariyappan told Hindustan Times. Maintaining that barium nitrate and aluminium are safe chemicals, he said they provide the whitish silver colour in ground spinners, pencil crackers, and other fireworks. On high decibel crackers, he noted that they have not exceeded the norms in force. When the issue of decibel levels came to the fore in 1997, the committee formed by the Centre then had stipulated that it should not exceed 125 decibels. We are following that until now, he said. Mariyappan also bemoaned the lack of consistency in the policies regulating manufacture and sale of fireworks. Whether it is the court or the government, changes are effected just days before Diwali, making life difficult for us, he said adding that over five lakh people are dependent upon the fireworks industry in the region. Business has come down in this fireworks hub with 842 fireworks employing over five lakh labourers. Penetration of cheap Chinese crackers has further added to their woes. Despite the gloom that has set in following the stringent rules imposed by the Supreme Court, the manufacturers havent disappointed cracker enthusiasts waiting for the festival as this this time too, they have come up with new varieties of fireworks. As Diwali is festival of lights, we are always keen to offer new varieties with a few innovations. This year, we have produced five new cracker varieties in ground chakra and sky crackers. These new varieties will emit purple, orange and pink colours. Ground chakras used to emit only silver colour flames. The new ground chakras emit more colours, offering a visual treat. The price of these new products is in the range of Rs 30 to Rs 1500, Adhi Roopan of Aiyyan Fireworks told HT. Meanwhile, fireworks dealers and traders are also having their own tale of woes. About 90% of those engaged in crackers business are holding only temporary licenses. Though we submit applications for renewal with the authorities in January itself, they are clearing it only a week before Diwali. Because of this, we have to cough up more on transportation of crackers. For, in the days preceding the festival, the demand goes up from the usual 5% to 10%, N Elangovan, general secretary, Federation of Tamil Nadu Fireworks Traders told HT. He also expressed grave concern over the dumping of Chinese crackers. Even as the government claims to have stopped the entry of Chinese fireworks, the reality in the market is different. Since Chinese crackers are made for children, they are penetrating through the toy shops, Elangovan said. Hindustan Times tried to contact Tamil Nadu industries minister MC Sampath but he could not be reached. However, a top official in the department said the government was taking measures to rectify these issues. We have advised the district administrations to give licenses without any delay. Further, we have controlled the entry of Chinese crackers to a large extent. If there are any complaints, we will take prompt action, the official said. Shivpal Yadav, 63, was often called Uttar Pradeshs de facto chief minister when his brother and Samajwadi Party (SP) founder Mulayam Singh Yadav was in power from 2003 to 2007. He has since fallen out of favour with SP chief and his nephew, Akhilesh Yadav, and forced to quit the party he helped Mulayam nurture. Shivpal has launched the Samajwadi Secular Morcha (SSM) to reclaim his honour. Sushant Kumar, who is likely to be the SSMs candidate for the 2019 Lok Sabha election from the Yadavs pocket borough of Etawah, warned against taking Shivpal lightly. Shivpal ji is not Amar Singh. Amar Singh was not into electoral politics, he said, referring to former SP leader Amar Singh, who quit the party to float the Lok Manch to contest the 2012 assembly polls but failed to win any seat. Shivpal ji has been a grassroots level politician. He is a force to reckon with in this region for years. Shivpal plans to field candidates in Agra, Etawah, Mainpuri, Firozabad, Farrukhabad, Etah, Badayun, Kannauj and Aurraiya, which are part of the Yadav belt because of his familys influence. The Morcha has said it would also field a winnable candidate from Kannauj from where Akhilesh is likely to contest the Lok Sabha election. Bharatiya Janata Partys Kannauj unit president Narendra Rajput said the SP split in Kannauj would benefit his party. Shivpal is likely to contest from Firozabad or Farukkhabad. Raghuraj Shakya, one-time Parliament and two-time state assembly member, is likely to contest from Kanpur or Kanpur Dehat seat. Many like Shakya and Sukhdevi Verma, 66, a four-time SP MLA, have left the SP to join Shivpal. Thousands of people who quit SP... are now joining Shivpal ji. Many SP leaders will join Shivpal ji in future after being denied tickets by their party, said Sukhdevi Verma. A sleeper SP cadre organisation, Shri Krishna Vahini (SKV), has also been activated to further Shivpals political ambitions. Ribu Srivastava, an SP leader from Varanasi who enjoyed the rank of minister of state in the Akhilesh Yadav government, recently joined Shivpal with her supporters. A number of SP workers are in touch with me and will join the Morcha as it is expanding, said Srivastava. Mulayam, who had been with Shivpal during the Yadav family feud, has been backing his son, Akhilesh, ever since his brother announced his Morcha. But last week, he sent the Akhilesh camp in a tizzy by showing up at a Morcha event. Mulayams younger daughter-in-law, Aparna Yadav, who unsuccessfully contested the 2017 assembly polls, is seen as a Shivpal supporter. She shared the dais with him last fortnight. In the past, whosoever has defected from the SP to form a separate political outfit has failed. Beni Prasad Verma floated the Samajwadi Kranti Dal ahead of the 2007 Uttar Pradesh elections, but could not even win a single seat. Amar Singhs Lok Manch, which was floated ahead of 2012 assembly elections, lost deposits on all the seats. Akhilesh came to power with a majority and both Beni and Amar returned to the SP. While Beni stays on, Amar is out again. Former Lucknow University political science department head S K Dwivedi said Shivpal may not be in a position to become a political force against Akhilesh. But he added Shivpal is in a position to inflict substantial damage, which in turn will benefit the BJP. He has many supporters in SP. He can damage the party and its vote bank a bit. The BJP seems to be the only gainer in all that is going on. Many say the Yadavs have accepted Akhilesh as the natural successor of Mulayam. We support the SP and its chief ,Akhilesh Yadav. We cannot think of supporting any other party... the (Morcha) has been floated to negatively impact the SP. But Yadavs understand it well, said Ramjanm Yadav, a farmer. He insisted the Morcha would not impact the SPs prospects. Amid mounting anger over civilian deaths in Sundays Kulgam blast, a shutdown was observed and attempts made to hold protest rallies in Kashmir as Union home minister Rajnath Singh arrived on Tuesday to review the security situation. Protests were held by traders, mainstream politicians and separatist leaders in Srinagar despite the authorities imposing restrictions and diverting traffic to prevent a rally in Lal Chowk, the city centre. Separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik of the Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) had asked people to converge at Lal Chowk to hold a sit-in against the killings in Kulgam and unabated state violence against people of Kashmir. Seven civilians were killed in south Kashmirs Kulgam on Sunday in an explosion at the site of a gun battle between militants and security forces immediately after the encounter had ended with the death of three Jaish-e-Mohammed militants. The deaths triggered anger across the Valley and prompted a shutdown on Monday on a call by the JRL. Despite restrictions by authorities in Srinagar, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik separately attempted to take out protest rallies towards Lal Chowk. Mirwaiz was detained by police as he tried to defy his house detention at Nigeen to march towards Lal Chowk. Yasin Malik was detained near the Clock Tower after he managed to reach Lal Chowk in the morning along with a handful of supporters. JRL has decided that if these killings and human rights violations dont stop, we will have to tell people to remain ready for a massive agitation... Malik said before his detention. Syed Ali Geelani was not allowed to move out of his residence in Hyderpora where he has been under house detention. Leaders of the mainstream National Conference also took out a protest rally in Srinagar, led by party general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar. We are protesting against the bloodshed in Kashmir. We are protesting on the arrival of the home minister and will convey to him that the hardline policy of the government of India is resented by people here... Sagar said. Singh arrived on a day-long visit and reviewed the security situation ahead of the upcoming panchayat polls. He also met leaders of various political parties, including the NC , Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party. While there was no call for a shutdown on Tuesday, normal life was disrupted in Srinagar and many parts of south Kashmir due to a spontaneous strike. Shops and businesses were closed and traffic movement was disrupted. Authorities closed schools and colleges in Srinagar other parts of the Valley while Kashmir University postponed examinations scheduled for the day. The movement of traffic was restricted from Regal Chowk to Amira Kadal Bridge Road, the route separatists were expected to take for their protest rally.A police official said commercial vehicles travelling to Srinagar from south Kashmir were not allowed through Sonwar but asked to take an alternate route. Manufacturers in the countrys fireworks production hub in Tamil Nadus Sivakasi are saying they will file a review petition challenging a ban on using certain chemicals for the production of firecrackers the Supreme Court imposed on Tuesday. The court barred the use of barium nitrate and aluminium in all firecrackers while setting nationwide guidelines for the use and purchase of crackers during Diwali season to check air and noise pollution. Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association (TNFAMA) general secretary K Mariyappan called a review petition necessary. Around 40% of popular crackers and firework varieties (worth around Rs 1,900 crore this year) have been manufactured using aluminium and barium nitrate, he said. He said the court banned barium nitrate and aluminium based on a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR) report that said magnesium should be used instead. [We have] been asked to use magnesium and water. Our studies have shown that use of magnesium is harmful..., he added. Former Central Pollution Control Boards air quality laboratory head D Saha said compounds like barium nitrate are used in crackers to emit green colour while aluminium for white and silver colours. They are not at all mandatory. Instead, the fumes they produce are toxic... Whether it is the court or the government, changes are effected just days before Diwali, making life difficult for us, he said, pointing out over 500,000 people in Sivakasi are dependent on the manufacturing industry. Fireworks dealers and traders say they have their own problems. About 90% of those engaged in crackers business have only temporary licenses. Though we submit applications for their renewal with the authorities in January, they clear them only a week before Diwali..., said N Elangovan, general secretary of the Federation of Tamil Nadu Fireworks Traders. The government claims to have stopped the entry of Chinese fireworks, the reality is different... State industries minister MC Sampath could not be reached for a comment but an official with the industries department said the government is taking measures to rectify some of these issues. A remark by Union minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday in connection with the entry of women of all ages to the Sabarimala temple triggered a controversy. The Supreme Court last month lifted a centuries-old ban on women aged between 10 and 50 years from entering the hill shrine in Kerala, where the chief deity is considered eternally celibate. The verdict prompted protests by traditionalists who said the courts order went against their religious sentiments. I have the right to pray but no right to desecrate. This is my personal opinion, Irani said at an event in Mumbai, where she also spoke about her husbands Zoroastrian faith in connection with the Sabarimala verdict, and made a remark about sanitary pads that triggered the controversy. She said she was nobody to speak against the Supreme Court verdict on womens entry to the shrine as she was a serving cabinet minister. The SC order remained unimplemented as protesters stopped women from proceeding to the shrine. Irani defended her remarks after they drew criticism from many on social media. As a practising Hindu married to a practising Zoroastrian I am not allowed to enter a fire temple to pray. I respect that stand... and do not approach any court... Similarly, Parsi or non Parsi menstruating women irrespective of age DO NOT go to a Fire Temple. These are 2 factual statements. Rest of the propaganda / agenda being launched using me as bait is well just that ... bait, Irani tweeted later on Tuesday. Two persons died and more than a dozen injured in a stampede at Santragachi rail station in West Bengals Howrah on Tuesday evening. Two persons have died and several have been injured. The state government would give Rs 5 lakh to the families of the dead. We would conduct an inquiry into the incident, said chief minister Mamata Banerjee. She also announced compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the injured. Local Trinamool Congress MLA Jatu Lahiri said 2 children are among the injured. The incident took place around 8 pm at Santragachi rail station, about 4 km from Howrah. The stampede was triggered by announcement of two trains arriving simultaneously at the station. The chief minister said the foot overbridge was too narrow to handle the pressure of the passengers. Railways is the main lifeline of the nation. Lifeline of the nation should not be derailed. Railways must take proper care for passengers. I cant blame railways. Let them investigate. If there is a rush,they must clear the rush, Banerjee said, reported ANI. The injured were rushed to the railways Howrah General Hospital, said Sanjay Ghosh, spokesperson of South Eastern Railway of which Santragachi is a part. He also said that the station has old infrastructure that is being modernised. On behalf of the state government we have told the railways that footbridges connecting the platforms should be widened as the number of passengers have gone up in the station, alleged Lahiri. Incidentally, in September, a 50-year-old woman out for Durga Puja shopping, was killed when a concrete slab fell on her from a foot overbridge in the southern fringes of Kolkata. We would cooperate with the railways in sorting out coordination troubles, if there are any, added the chief minister. Russia Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is holding talks with U.S. President Donald Trumps national security adviser John Bolton in Moscow. Their meeting is being held just a few days after Trump announced that he intended to pull the United States out of a landmark nuclear weapons treaty. Russian news agencies cited Shoigu as saying that even small steps will benefit our relations and help restore trust between the two countries. Bolton arrived in Russia yesterday when he met Security Council chairman Nikolai Patrushev. He is expected to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin later on Tuesday. Trump over the weekend declared his intention to pull out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty because he claims Russia has violated it, the Washington Post recalls. Diwali celebrants nationwide will get two hours between 8pm and 10pm to burst crackers during the festival in November, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday, and made only the sale of green and improved fireworks mandatory at least in the national capital region (NCR) centred on New Delhi, in a ruling that could significantly reduce air pollution that peaks in the festive season but could dent the business of cracker manufacturers and distributors. Justice AK Sikri and justice Ashok Bhushan also imposed stringent restrictions on the chemical materials that are used in firecrackers, hearing a 2015 plea by three toddlers filed through their parents who sought a complete ban on the manufacture, sale and bursting of fireworks on account of the health risks they pose to citizens. The court order means firecrackers that will emit fewer toxic pollutants will be manufactured and sold across India in the future although it wasnt clear if the ruling on the sale of green fireworks will extend beyond the national capital and surrounding cities this coming Diwali, which is on November 7. Last year, the top court ruled against the sale of firecrackers in NCR, which includes Gurugram and Faridabad in Haryana, and Noida and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh. We on behalf of three toddlers who filed this petition, welcome this judgment. There is nothing called green firecrackers (as of now)... Until they (the government) come up with green firecrackers, this judgment is as good as a ban on polluting firecrackers. Its a small but significant step in our fight against air pollution, said Gopal Shankarnarayan, a lawyer for the petitioners. In another significant step, the apex court encouraged the Centre and state governments in the NCR to consider permitting community fireworks displays wherever possible. A venue, such as an open field, would be identified by the authorities and the exercise should be completed within a week beginning on Tuesday, the court said. The areas designated now for the purpose of Diwali shall be valid for community fireworks on other occasions/festivals as well, it ruled. The two judges said other festivals, and even weddings, will have to stick to the 8pm-10pm window. On Christmas Eve and New Years Eve, the window will open at 11:55pm and close at 12:30am across the country. The police will have to ensure that fireworks are burst in the allotted slot and they can take action against people bursting crackers beyond the designated time. In case of failures, the station house officer (SHO) of the police station in a particular area will be held personally liable for violations that will be treated as contempt of court. The two judges also said manufacturers will have to stick to permissible noise levels as they banned the sale of firecrackers online through e-commerce portals, which could face contempt of court charges if they failed to obey the directive. They fixed December 11 for further arguments. Manufacturers in the countrys fireworks production hub in Tamil Nadus Sivakasi said they were likely to file a review petition challenging the ban on using certain chemicals. The court also examined the interplay between right to environmental protection under Article 21 and right to profess ones religion freely under Article 25. We feel that Article 25 is subject to Article 21 and if a particular religious practice is threatening the health and lives of people, such practice is not entitled to protection under Article 25. In any case, balancing can be done here as well by allowing the practice subject to those conditions which ensure nil or negligible effect on health, the bench said. The proposal to allow the sale of only green and improved crackers earlier came from the Centre, which was responding to the petition in court. We had recommended restrictions on the use of barium, aluminium and iron because these three compounds were dominant in air quality monitoring after Diwali last year. Their health effects are also serious. The SC has accepted our recommendations, said Prashant Gargava, member-secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), the government body authorised to monitor explosives, will ensure that fireworks with permitted chemical content are produced, sold, purchased and used. It will have to check for banned elements such as lithium, arsenic, antimony, lead, mercury and barium. The court asked PSEO to review the composition of fireworks and submit a report in two weeks. PESO has not yet not identified which are the less polluting crackers, said JN Mishra, its deputy controller . In southern India, where crackers are burst on Diwali in the morning hours, the top court judgment prescribing a two-hour time limit at night left many unhappy. K Amase Gowda, a resident of Karnatakas Chamrajnagar district, said, What is the harm in celebrating a once-in-a-year festival? The courts should stop interfering in everything. In a diverse country like India.., how can the court decide everything? But not everyone complained. Shyamala Pai, a resident of Bangalore, said, ...most of our cities are polluted. Why add more to it in the name of festival? Also animals suffer because of crackers. D Saha, an environmental scientist who previously worked with CPCB, welcomed the judgment and said the authorities would now have to ensure the norms were adhered to more strictly, especially at the manufacturing level. As a society, we have been using firecrackers to celebrate occasions, from festivals to landmark days and weddings to grand events, but there is a much bigger cost involved, the damage the bursting causes to the environment and, of course, the health hazards. And, so we must behave more responsibly, he told news agency Press Trust of India. Environmentalist Vimlendu Jha said there was no such thing as an environmentally safe firework, according to news agency Reuters. Some also wondered about how the order can be enforced. Your one decision to allow sale and use of firecrackers in current times, while half of our country turns into a gas chamber, will kill toddlers, children and elderly, Jha said in a tweet. In the last 13 years, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has tried to wean tribals away from the Congress by pumping in money in the states tribal-dominated constituencies. The tribals have stuck with him in the last two assembly elections but Chouhan may not get a thumbs-up from them this time. Take, for instance, the members of the Baiga tribe in Tikaria village, 15 kms from district headquarters in Dindori. They are not happy with the homes constructed for them under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY). They complain of corruption in implementing the scheme and claim that the concrete structures built under the scheme are too hot in summers and too cold in winters, and the locals prefer to stay in traditional mud houses. Even the village pradhan, Sukarobai, and her deputy, Phulobai, are yet to shift to their new homes constructed under the scheme. We are six members in the family. Its difficult for all of us to live in such a small house, said Phulo Bai, who uses the new home to store fodder for animals. Sitting in the village chaupal with other Baiga tribals, considered the most backward tribe in central India, Phulo Bai lists other reasons for not using the home. From where will we get water for the toilets? she asks, adding the village women have to fetch water even for drinking. Sukarobai says the tribals find these two-roomed homes very cramped and highly uncomfortable to live in as they get very hot in summers and very cold in winters. We prefer our mud homes as they adapt well to seasonal weather changes, she says. There are about 0.13 million Baiga tribals living in six MP districts -- Dindori, Mandala, Shahdol, Umaria, Anuppur, Balaghat. For them, corruption in administration of the PMAY scheme is an election issue. Ramesh Baiga, a tribal from the village, alleges that members of the community have to pay to get instalments under the scheme that are directly transferred to banks. The next step is to use the money to buy building materials, whose prices are marked up by local traders. This is why his house remains incomplete, Ramesh claims. Social activist Balwant Rahang Dale said, Besides the bribe a tribal has to pay to get his own money, he has to pay higher prices for building materials as local traders have increased prices arbitrarily after implementation of PMAY. Hence, he runs short of money to construct his house. Several houses are incomplete. However, panchayat and rural development minister Gopal Bhargava disagreed. I am not aware that the tribals are not living in their houses and they are facing problems like arbitrary hike in prices of building materials by local traders and corruption and that they are not using the toilets. I will look into it. State Congress spokesperson Bhupendra Gupta said, The houses built under PMAY are highly sub-standard and they have been built by BJP governments just for the sake of votes. There should be a special audit of the money spent on the PMAY and quality of the houses. The former head of Allahabad Universitys anthropology department, Vijoy Sahay, said that the rehabilitation plan for tribals had hardly been successful anywhere in the country given the flawed schemes. Schemes for tribals cannot be and should not be made from Delhi or Bhopal without a proper study of their society, climate and local ecology... India, Afghanistan and Iran on Tuesday decided to hold a meeting within two months to finalise a protocol on transit, customs and consular matters for operationalising the agreement on Chabahar port. This was decided at a meeting in Tehran of senior officials of the three sides. The Indian side presented the protocol to make the route attractive, decrease logistic costs and pave the way for smooth implementation of the Trilateral Chabahar Agreement, the external affairs ministry said. This was the first trilateral meeting of the coordination council for the Chabahar Agreement. Detailed discussions were held between the three sides on full operationalisation of the trilateral agreement for international transit and transport through Chabahar port, said a statement from the external affairs ministry. The three sides decided to constitute a follow-up committee that will hold its first meeting within two months in Chabahar and aim to finalise (the) protocol to harmonise transit, roads, customs, consular matters that was shared by the Indian side. They also decided the coordination councils next meeting will be held in the first half of 2019 in India. The Indian delegation was led by TS Tirumurti, secretary (economic relations) while the Iranian side was led by deputy minister of urban development Mohammad Rastad, who called for modifying and adjusting the transportation and customs tariffs between the three countries for developing regional transit, according to Irans Mehr news agency. Rastad reiterated Irans commitment to fully implementing the provisions of the Chabahar Agreement. Chabahar is crucial to Indias plans to ferry supplies to Afghanistan while bypassing Pakistan. Under an agreement signed between India and Iran in May 2016, New Delhi is to equip and operate two berths in the first phase of Chabahar port with a capital investment of $85.21 million and annual revenue expenditure of $22.95 million on a 10-year lease. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is making a determined bid to become an alternative political force in Haryana. Party national convener Arvind Kejriwals visit to Jhajjar on Monday was his seventh to the state in three months. The Delhi chief minister sees a window of opportunity for expanding the partys base in his home state of Haryana that goes to the polls next year. But the challenge before the party in Jat land is the lack of a prominent and credible face to lead and connect with hinterland voters. The party needs a dedicated cadre and funds for expansion. With Punjab slipping away from his grip with Kejriwal accused of muffling the voice of a section of party leaders in the border state, the focus has shifted to Haryana where he is hoping to find favour as he takes on the BJP, Congress and INLD. Haryana AAP is led by a political greenhorn, Navin Jaihind, who hopes to win over the National Capital Region (NCR) by selling the AAPs Delhi model of governance. The challenge before Kejriwal, who is from Siwani Mandi near Hisar, is to make inroads in the hinterland. AAP supporters in Haryana are banking on the Kejriwal governments gains in education and health. With this in mind, Kejriwal visited government schools and hospitals in the state on Monday. Haryana is the focus area. There is a political vacuum here. AAPs Delhi model of governance is our USP. Our volunteers are engaged in door-to-door campaigns, Jaihind, who was jailed during the 2011 Anna Hazare movement, said. Kejriwal will visit government schools and hospitals at Tosham in Bhiwani on Tuesday. He will visit Hisar, Fatehabad, Kaithal and Ambala on October 29 and 30. Personality, jat factors Professor Ranbir Singh, a senior fellow at the Institute of Social Sciences in Delhi, says the political scene in Haryana is different from Delhi and Punjab. Haryana politics is personality-driven, which is a disadvantage for the AAP. The AAP doesnt have bright chances. The party will have to offer something different and credible. It lacks leadership, cadre and organisation in Haryana. The only plus is that it is a new party with a clean slate. This may help in the urban areas, he says. In Haryanas caste and class-driven politics, Jats play a formidable role. It is believed that the Jat vote can impact the outcome of elections in 35 of the 90 assembly segments. In 15 segments of south Haryana, Ahirs play a deciding role, Punjabis dominate 15 seats. In the 2014 assembly elections in which the BJP won 47 segments, analysts say the deciding factor was the consolidation of non-Jat votes in its favour. There was a division of Jat votes between the Congress and the INLD. Chance and challenge The Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP government is battling anti-incumbency and the perception of mediocre performance. The BJP cadre is cribbing. The Congress with 17 MLAs is locked in a factional feud. Former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and state party chief Ashok Tanwar are at loggerheads. Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Kiran Choudhry, All India Congress Committee (AICC) chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala and former Union minister Kumari Selja are also in the race to head the party that is in disarray. No better is the political health of the INLD, the principal opposition. Rebellion within the family has dented its image. The leadership of Abhay Chautala, the face of the party in the absence of party supremo Om Parkash Chautala, lodged in Tihar jail for 10 years since 2013, is being challenged by nephew and Hisar MP Dushyant Chautala. Capturing this political space is at the heart of Kejriwals visits. He hopes to give fillip to door-to-door programmes. The AAP performance in Haryana in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections was unimpressive. Its candidates in the 10 seats were relegated to fourth and fifth spots. Unlike Punjab, where the AAP caused a political upheaval in the Lok Sabha and later the 2017 assembly elections, its a bumpy road ahead. But Kejriwal is known for springing surprises! Lance Naik Ranjeet Singh was to come home to his village in Jammu and Kashmirs Ramban on Monday on two-month leave to attend to his pregnant wife and hold his child in his arms. However, it was his body that returned and his wife delivered a baby girl, hours before his last rites were held with full military honours. Singh was among three soldiers, all from Jammu and Kashmir, killed by Pakistans notorious border action team (BAT) Sunderbani area of Rajouri district on Sunday. After his wife Shimpu Devi developed labour pains around midnight on Monday, she was admitted to Ramban hospital where she delivered the baby at 4.15 am on Tuesday. The daughter I have given birth today is the nations daughter and I wish she becomes an army officer, she said at the hospital. She also said that she wants her daughter to be looked after by the army so that she gets all the facilities before joining it as an officer. In a state of shock, Shimpu Devi then went to the cremation ground at Seri Ghat on the bank of Chenab in the afternoon to bid a tearful adieu to her husband. They got married in 2006. Shimpu Devi looks at the casket of her husband Lance Naik Ranjeet Singh in Ramban on October 23. (HT Photo) The mortal remains of the slain soldier were cremated with full military honours and amid slogans of Shaheed Ranjeet Amar Rahe and Bharat Mata Ki Jai. Officers from army, police and civil administration besides local residents attended the last rites of the slain soldier. The last rites of the other two soldiers - havildar Kaushal Kumar of Nowshera and rifleman Rajat Kumar Basan of Pallanwala in Akhnoor - were performed with full military honours at their native villages on Monday. Union Minister Smriti Irani posted a video of her interaction at a Mumbai event after she was trolled on social media for her comment that people had a right to pray but not desecrate. As a practising Hindu married to a practising Zoroastrian, I am not allowed to enter a fire temple to pray. I respect that stand by the Zoroastrian community / priests and do not approach any court for a right to pray as a mother of 2 Zoroastrian children. Similarly Parsi or non Parsi menstruating women irrespective of age DO NOT go to a Fire Temple, she said in a string of tweets on Tuesday evening. These are 2 factual statements. Rest of the propaganda / agenda being launched using me as bait is well just that ... bait, the minister said in her comeback. The minister had earlier declined to speak on the Supreme Court verdict on allowing women into Sabarimala temple since she was part of the Union cabinet. But she had underlined that the right to pray did not mean the right to desecrate. But just plain common sense. Would you take sanitary napkins steeped in menstrual blood and walk into a friends home? You would not. And would you think that is it respectful to do the same when you walk into the house of god? So that is the difference. I have a right to pray but I dont have the right to desecrate that is my personal opinion, the 42-year-old minister had said earlier. Iranis remarks came at a Young Thinkers Conference organized by the British Deputy High Commission and think-tank, Observer Research Foundation (ORF). I am yet to find a person who takes a blood soaked napkin to offer to any one let alone a friend, Smriti Irani said, getting back at those who she said had jumped the gun. The Supreme Court had in September lifted the ban that prevented women of menstruating age from entering the 800-year-old Sabarimala temple in a 4-1 majority verdict, saying divinity and devotion cannot be subject to the rigidity and stereotypes of gender. The court said the exclusion on the basis of biological and physiological features was unconstitutional and discriminatory because it denied women the right to be treated as equals. However, no woman was able to enter the shrine amid protests by devotees, the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and various Hindu organisations. Kolkata Police plans to build two watchtowers near the residence of chief minister Mamata Banerjee to raise the security level of the house where the 63-year-old has lived since her childhood. Opposition parties quickly trained their guns on the Bengal government saying the decision flies in the face of the administrations claims of peace in the state. The public works department floated a tender earlier this month to erect two towers overlooking the single-storey house. According to the tender document, the project will cost Rs 74.02 lakh. Work is supposed to be completed within three months from the start of construction. Banerjee is protected by Z-plus security cover but aerial vigil around her house has been missing from the security drill. The western side of the chief ministers residence, along which a canal popularly known as Tolly nullah, is totally unguarded. Surveillance is necessary to ensure her security. The watchtowers will ensure round-the-clock vigil of the entire premises on all sides, said an official of the home department who did not want to be named. On the other side of the canal is the Alipore Central Correctional Home. A part of the house on narrow 30B Harish Chatterjee Street which has tiled roof, has served as one of the symbols of the spartan lifestyle that the Trinamool Congress chief regularly highlights. The chief minister has an office at her residence where dozens of visitors pour in every day. There is a permanent police picket in front of the house. Opposition parties were quick to criticise the plan to build the watchtowers. Siddhartha Shankar Roy was the chief minister of the state from 1971 and 1977, a period marked by urban terror in the form of Naxalite activity. But he never felt the necessity to install watchtowers at his residence. The current chief minister repeatedly claims that peace prevails in every corner of the state. So what is the necessity of this initiative? said Congress legislator Manoj Chakraborty. The BJP took a satirical jab at the Trinamool Congress with the partys general secretary of the state unit, Sayantan Basu saying that the towers were needed to keep a watch on her own party workers. Every day there are headlines about Trinamool workers and leaders being attacked by their own men. Against this backdrop, the government cannot be complacent about the security of the chief minister, he said. Leader of the Left parties in the Assembly Sujan Chakraborty said that even after the convoy of former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was targeted by the Maoists in Salboni in West Midnapore district on November 2, 2008, where he had a narrow escape, he did not feel the need to install watchtowers at his residence. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee also did not agree to increase the number of security personnel for himself. This proves the difference of priorities between our government and the current government, Chakraborty claimed. While Bhattacharjee got Y category security, his successor enjoys Z category. Y category involves security cover of 11 personnel, while Z category involves 22 personnel. Mamata Banerjee is the eighth chief minister of the state. She was sworn in on May 20, 2011 and retained power in 2016. Trinamool leaders and ministers were tight-lipped. Repeated calls and text messages to PWD minister Arup Biswas went unanswered. Actor Ajaz Khan, 37, was arrested by the Navi Mumbai crime branch late on Monday for the alleged possession of 3,4-methylenedioxy-metamphetamine (MDMA) popularly known as ecstasy tablets, a banned narcotic from a hotel in CBD Belapur. The former reality TV contestant, a resident of Yari Road, Versova, was produced in a Belapur court on Tuesday and has been remanded in police custody for two days. The actor told the court that the government was trying to frame him. According to the deputy commissioner of police (crime) Tushar Doshi, We received information that a person possessing narcotics would be at the hotel. Hence, shortly after midnight, we conducted a raid and found the drugs on Khan. While we had information that there was a larger quantity of drugs involved, we found only 8 tablets (2.3g) on him. According to the police, the drugs were worth Rs1 lakh and the police also seized two phones, collectively worth Rs1 lakh, from the actor. Khan has been booked by the police under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS). According to Doshi, Based on the quantity found on him, he can be imprisoned for up to six months or fined up to Rs10,000 or both. While being taken from the crime branch office to the CBD court, Khan said, Saazish hai, phasaya jaa raha hai (Its a conspiracy, I am being framed). Khans lawyer Mahesh More Patil said, Khan had come to the hotel to party with his friends. He said that two girls had asked for an autograph from him at the lobby. After he signed it, they gave him a packet as a gift. Soon, the police arrived at the spot, checked the packet he had and found the drugs in it. Ajinkya Gavane, another lawyer of Khan, said, Khan had no knowledge of the drugs and was surprised when the police said what it was. We will ask for CCTV footage, which will help support Khans stance. Speaking to a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue recently, I realised two things they have absolute contempt for both Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray and yet will make ample use of both to gain electoral majority everywhere. Moreover, while RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat might contradict the Modi-Shah duo on a Congress-mukt Bharat, they harbour a fear of the dynasty that survives and endures despite all setbacks and failures and is the one thing that stands between the RSS and the complete takeover of the nation. They try to cover up their fear of the Nehru-Gandhis in ridicule but their ridicule of Pawar and Uddhav is unfettered by any such sentiment. Mark my words, this insider told me. No matter what Uddhav Thackeray might say or do now, the Shiv Sena has no choice but to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the next elections. So while BJP president Amit Shah may see the Senas return to the Ram temple issue as a softening of its stance by the party and Uddhav might use it as a hard bargaining chip with the BJP, the fact remains that for the moment both need each other for survival. Whose need is greater is a matter of perception but the final outcome on this alliance will depend on who stares whom down and who blinks first. But while that is par for the course in this long-troubled relationship between the Shiv Sena and BJP, my conversations with this insider succeeded in surprising me about their untrammelled contempt for Sharad Pawar. His entire astitva (raison detre) is the Italian origin of Sonia Gandhi. But still, he had no problem becoming a minister and staying in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) for 10 years with the largesse of that very Sonia Gandhi. And all that time he continued to help us in various ways. The bottom line is, they are willing to do business with Uddhav Thackeray despite all his barbs but will not trust Pawar beyond a foot or two. Today, while the RSS is pretty sure of the stands and ideologies [and sincerity] of various political parties and regional leaders bitterly opposed to them, they have forewarned themselves about Pawar. He seems to be returning to the Congress but you can never be sure where or with whom he will finally stand. Only one thing is certain, he will not allow Rahul Gandhi to become the leader (of opposition unity), this insider told me. I have heard Pawar supporters in the past spin tales of how, while he teamed up with Narendra Modi and Arun Jaitley, the latter did not realise how he was manipulating them to his own interest. But now I am beginning to think that even in a leader with more political acumen than most and formidable networking skills, the law of diminishing returns could kick in eventually. The RSS might have been quite happy to make use of and benefit from Pawars power networking in the past but today, for the first time since he entered politics, Pawar has been unable to play and manipulate the BJP-led government as he did during other regimes in the state as well as the Centre including those of Bal Thackeray and Atal Behari Vajpayee. The saffron forces ridicule Rahul Gandhi for political reasons and believe they have manipulated him to a pro-Hindutva stance (Janeudhari Brahmin, Shiv Bhakt etc), that dilutes the Congresss secular image but they have no time anymore for someone like Pawar, whom they believe really has no ideology but for commitment to just self. If what I have gathered from these RSS insiders is really the general line of thinking within the organisation for within the RSS, the right hand never knows what the left is contemplating then it is clear that Congress leaders at least in Maharashtra will have an uphill task in the next elections if they put all their eggs in Pawars basket as they are hoping to do. The assertion that Pawar while getting every benefit from the Congress actually helps the victory of the saffron forces rings true when one examines the Nationalist Congress Partys (NCP) role during the Gujarat assembly elections and now in Madhya Pradesh where it plans to contest nearly 200 seats without even having a party organisation or network to show for it. He could be used and discarded again by the saffron forces. His best bet now is to stick with the Congress with a measure of sincerity or risk being cut out of the picture forever. Former finance minister P Chidambarams remarks that the Congress has not declared Rahul Gandhi as its prime ministerial candidate for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections is in tune with the partys stand. Weakened after its worst-ever electoral defeat in the 2014 national elections and the setbacks in subsequent state polls, the Congress is not in a position to dictate terms to its potential allies. From ruling 17 states in 2013, the party is now in power in just Punjab and Puducherry. The Congress is a junior partner in the Janata Dal (Secular)-led government in Karnataka despite winning more seats than its ally. Hence, the big brother attitude no longer works. A grand alliance against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2019 elections amid all the contradictions is not an easy task either. It could be achieved only through consensus. The onus of firming up a formidable alliance comprising different national and regional outfits ahead of the next general elections is completely on the Congress. For his part, Gandhi has maintained that the issue of projecting a prime ministerial candidate is divisive that could derail the formation of the oppositions grand alliance plan. He has suggested a two-stage process to deal with the issue. Stage one is to get together to defeat the BJP and the second is to choose the leadership after the polls, he said at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit on October 5. A majority of the Opposition parties have backed the suggestion. But taking all of them on board on every contentious issue seems to be an onerous task for the Congress. For one, there are several claimants for the prime ministers post and the division within the opposition camp is quite apparent. Janata Congress Chhattisgarh chief Ajit Jogi has projected Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati as the prime ministerial candidate. Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K Chandrasekhar Rao is said to be backing Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav for the post. Trinamool Congress leaders say their party president and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is best suited to be the next prime minister. The Left, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the SP have echoed the Congress view that the issue could be settled after the elections like in 2004. Being a national party with pan-India presence, the Congress has to work towards consensus building and also show its large-heartedness in ceding some political space to defeat the BJP. NCP chief Sharad Pawar has offered to mediate between the Congress and parties like Biju Janata Dal in Odisha, TRS in Telangana and Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi. But so far, the Congress has failed in its efforts to stitch alliances at least in the three poll-bound states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, where the BSP is contesting on its own. BSP chief Mayawati has said the Congress was two steps ahead of the BJP in the attempts to finish her party politically. She, however, praised United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for their honest intentions. She had even called the Congress arrogant and under an illusion that it will defeat the BJP on its own. Delhi-based political analyst N Bhaskara Rao said it is too early to talk about the leadership issue. They should not put the cart before the horse. They need to keep aside the contentious issues and focus more on evolving a common agenda. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Armenia's National Assembly failed to pass the government-proposed amendments to the electoral code at the first reading yesterday. As many as 54 MPs voted for the bill and 3 voted against it, while to pass the amendments at least 63 voted were needed. Most of the Republican Party (RPA) faction MPs did not attend the voting in an apparent boycott. The parliamentary majority of Armenia spares no efforts to pursue a policy of sabotage, Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said in a Facebook live broadcast. "The amendments of the Electoral Code proposed by the Government have been wrecked. I want to say that the amendments were aimed for making the Electoral Code more democratic, simple and clear," Pashinyan noted. "The parliamentary majority and their supporters spare no efforts to pursue a policy of sabotage. This was evident in the past few days. They hope that they will be able to turn the early parliamentary elections into revenge," News.am cited the Armenian PM as saying. Pashinyan stressed that if the early elections take place with the current Electoral Code, nothing will change, since the victory of the people is inevitable. Earlier this day members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation/Dashnaktsutiun the party members said they have decided to run in the snap parliamentary elections, thought they were opposed to the amendments proposed in a hurry. Tsarukyan and Yelk blocs said that they are ready to run in the snap elections either under the present electoral code or under the amended code. Nikol Pashinyan resigned as prime minister on October 16. This means that the deadline for nominating candidates is October 23, and a special session will be convened on October 24. Pashinyan resigned for dismissing the National Assembly and conducting snap parliamentary elections in mid-December to put an end to the absurd and dangerous situation when the prime minister and executive instructions are supported by the countrys population, while the parliament continues operating amid widespread disaffection, ARKA recalls. Ex-mayor of Yerevan Vahagn Khachatryan, speaking with Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that indeed, the Republican Party of Armenia may prevent the adaption of the new Electoral Code. "There is information that an extraordinary meeting of the National Assembly will be devoted to another attempt to adopt the amendments, and it will be possible only if the meeting is attended by all other deputies and at least some Republicans. I understand that the Republicans dont want to give up, but even if they derail the electoral reform, they wont get a seat in the new parliament," he said. "Moreover, such actions of the Republicans only weaken their position. Politically it can be understood that they want to prove once again that they have an authority in parliament. But the population think that the Republicans just want to remain in power. If a few days ago they had a chance to get 3-4% of the vote, which would allow them to enter the parliament as the fourth mandatory party under the new code, now they have lost this opportunity and are unlikely to remain in the parliament, Vahagn Khachatryan said. Former head of the Central Bank of Armenia Bagrat Asatryan, in turn, agreed that blocking amendments to the Electoral Code is the last thing Republicans can do. Nobody doubts that the election will take place, the only question is whether it will be held under the new legislation or not. The RPA may boycott all the meeting, but one shouldnt see it as a tragedy. I think the parliament will be temporary in this case, aimed at changing the Constitution, improving electoral legislation, restoring the rule of law and fighting corruption. After this, the transitional parliament will open the way for new elections that will be much better," he said. "Now the entire electoral scheme is designed to reproduce the current government at the expense of administrative resources and money. It is clear that neither people with money nor criminals will follow the non-existent force in the person of the Republican Party now. Republicans have become the past, they must realize that they need leave for Armenia to move forward," Bagrat Asatryan urged. "The majority in the parliament under any Electoral Code will be received by the force headed by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. At the same time, the Pashinyan team's proposals are quite reasonable: the amendments aim to have at least 4 forces present in the parliament. And the current opposition benefits the most from it - but instead it boycotts the adoption of the amendments," the former head of the Armenian Central Bank concluded. The state prosecution on Monday furnished before the Sessions Court in Pune the intercepted email communication which allegedly took place between Telugu poet Varavara Rao and Comrade Chandrasekhar, leader of Maoist central committee. Varavara Rao is currently under house arrest in Hyderabad for his alleged maoist links. Prosecution claimed that the email communication established the links between Rao and other arrested activists with the Maoists. Ujjawala Pawar, special public prosecutor, in her submission before district sessions judge Vadane, said that the two email communications dated July 4 and July 14, 2018 were intercepted by the investigating agencies. According to prosecution, in the first email communication dated July 4, 2018, Comrade Chandrashekar alias Ganpathi while addressing Rao in the email said, The central committee is deeply concerned about the recent arrests from Delhi and Maharashtra. The urban movement is already facing lot of difficulties for the past few years. Situation is out of control now. CC has also received new copies of this... The point of great concern is how these letters have been leaked and by whose negligence. We need to put in place methods to understand the breach including methods used by the investigative agencies.Please ensure confidentiality of this communication channel, any report or message is sent outside through microchip through and encrypted and short password. Even it is better to use.. The CC also expects your reports to assess the damage caused by the recent arrests to take immediate steps. Need to boost the morale of urban cadre. (Sic) The CC wants your suggestion to formulate short and long term action plan to systematically We must take this as challenge without fearing tactics.. by undemocratic state machinery. The entire CC leadership stands in solidarity.. CC ensures all kind of support to the families of the prisoners. Please delete this email after reading, the first email communication stated said Pawar while quoting the excerpts from the communication. (Sic) Quoting the second email dated July 14, 2018 which was a reply to Chandrashekhar by Rao, advocate Pawar told the court that Rao in his answer to the email stated Revolutionary greetings to all .. Struggle under the guidance of Chairman Mao. In the coming days I will send detailed reply with my own assessment. I agree that any comrades between us must be secure unfortunately I dont know how to set up multiple PGP for single message. I will try to get the help from the student.. Madhu..maintaining extra cautiousness has become necessary. I will put in strict rules for use of personal mobile phones and computers , Raos email stated. (Sic) Meanwhile,advocate Ragini Ahuja who represented activist Sudha Bharadwaj sought ten minutes time to present her case and trashed the arguments put forth by advocate Pawar. The prosecution has presented unverified, unauthenticated and undated letters claiming the involvement of my client in the case. She has nothing to do with the case and Pune Police investigation in this case is untrustworthy and aimed at framing her in a false case. She is entitled to interim bail and there is precedence to that effect in the higher courts in recent past, she said. Meanwhile, the court hearing will resume on Tuesday. Three days after the Dussehra tragedy in Amritsar in which a speeding train killed 61 people and left more than a hundred injured, Jalandhar divisional commissioner B Purushartha, who has been appointed as special executive magistrate by the Punjab government, on Monday initiated a magisterial probe into the incident. Purushartha on Monday held preliminary discussion with Amritsar police commissioner SS Srivastva, deputy commissioner Kamaldeep Singh Sangha, municipal commissioner Sonali Giri and senior railway officials. The probe, he said, will look into the role of the Dussehra event organisers, the train driver, Amritsar police, and state cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhus wife and former MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who was chief guest at the function on Friday evening. October 25 and 29 have been fixed for public hearing. During the hearing, the relatives of the deceased or injured and eyewitnesses can record their statements and also provide evidence. Any other person who wants to share evidence is also welcome, he said. The special executive magistrate will also summon the Dussehra event organiser, local Congress councillor Vijay Madans son Saurabh Madan alias Mithu who has gone underground since the tragedy took place. In the coming days, the inquiry will proceed further and we will examine the case from all angles to ensure that a fair and transparent probe is held. The probe will examine all acts of omission and commission, be it by an individual or agency, he said. Cops didnt remove people from tracks A deputy superintendent of police (DSP) and two station house officers (SHOs) were among nearly 100 policemen deployed there for security at the Dussehra function. Eyewitnesses say the policemen at the spot did not bother to remove the people from the rail tracks. It was the city police that had granted no-objection certificate (NOC) for organising the event. The Dussehra committee in an application had demanded security for the event saying around 20,000 people would come to see the event. However, the ground where the function was held can barely accommodate more than 1,000 people. While MC commissioner Sonali Giri had denied having given permission to organise the event, mayor Karamjit Singh Rintu had sent an MC fire tender for the function. Navjot Kaur Sidhu has been blaming Indian Railway for the lapses due to which the incident took place. She said, The guard of the railway at Jaura Phatak could give signal to the train for making a halt as hundreds of people were standing on the Amritsar-Jalandhar rail route. The #MeToo and Times Up movements have finally amped up conversation and awareness about sexual harassment, gender inequality, and misuse of power, all of which have been going on for decades. Since September 2018, powerful men in India celebrities, politicians, journalists, and others have been the subject of sexual harassment, assault, or other misconduct allegations. More survivors are coming forward nearly every day, many of them inspired and emboldened by those who have gone before. While the discussion around sexual assault and consent has been on our collective mind, how we, as a society, deal with these issues has a very long way to go. It may be a hot topic right now, but sexual harassment is something parents should be talking about with their children all the time. Kolkata-based child psychologist and parenting expert Polli Dasgupta says teaching children about sexual safety should be thought of as being as necessary as teaching them about other types of safety, such as road safety. If you assumed (or hoped) it was okay for a family discussion about sexual assault to sit on a back burner for the next few years, Dasgupta points out its important to talk to kids as early as possible in an age-appropriate way. She says if you broach the topic now, it wont be as uncomfortable for children or their parents to discuss sexual assault when theyre older. Age-appropriate discussions about sexual assault should happen as soon as your child is able to understand the concept of privacy and should continue to be an ongoing conversation. Talking with your child, even at a young age, can instill in them a sense of ownership over their bodies and a respect for others, says Dasgupta. Conversations about safe touch and consent should be interwoven in casual conversations with your child. (Shutterstock) From an early age, its important to explain to children that their private parts are just that: private, and not for others to touch/ see. However, she advises differentiating between private and shameful. The conversation evolves as your child grows, so always be sure to keep it age-appropriate. For a very young child (about three-year-old), you might begin to identify their privates parts and explain who is allowed to see/touch them. Start with the basics, and make it a casual, normal conversation, says Dasgupta. Experts recommend using the terms safe/unsafe touch as opposed to good /bad touch, because, for instance, if a child has to get a vaccination in the buttocks, that is a safe, albeit seemingly bad, touch. Of course, awkwardness comes with the territory when you talk about anything of a sexual nature with your child. But you should not avoid this very important issue, just so no one feels weird. If you feel uncomfortable, you are doing it right, Dasgupta assures parents. Your child may feel uncomfortable talking about sexual assault with you. Thats okay. Drop it for now, and bring it up later. Kids have questions about sex, so remember, if your son or daughter isnt talking about this with you, he/she is talking about it with someone else, she says. While many women with daughters are proactive about teaching their children to stand up for their bodily autonomy and talking about private parts, boys arent given quite the same message, according to Dr Aparna Sengupta, a clinical psychologist. She says regardless of gender, children must be taught healthy boundaries and feel empowered to protect their bodies. Although, knowing how to talk to your son about sexual consent, heartbreaking current events around #MeToo, and respecting bodies in an age-appropriate way can feel tricky, Dr Sengupta says. These conversations dont have to be scary and can even be quite relaxed, Dr Sengupta, says, adding The sooner you introduce your child to the idea of body safety and consent, the more comfortable he will be with the topic. Remember that our kids are looking to us to gauge how they should react to certain subjects if you feel uncomfortable talking about sexual abuse, your son will take notice. Once boys get to the age of being active on social media or the internet, its important to broach the topic of pornography. (Shutterstock) She suggests conversations about safe touch and consent should be interwoven in casual conversations. If youre watching the news with your child and sexual assault is being discussed, ask, What do you think of that? Or, What would you do in that situation? Dr Sengupta recommends that parents use the following phrases as often as they can, to make sure theyre casual but still reinforcing consent and bodily autonomy: No means no and Please respect my boundaries. The above statements help model boundaries and consent. Not only are you teaching your child to protect his/her own body, but youre also educating him/her on the importance of consent and how to respect other peoples bodies, says Dr Sengupta. As your child gets older, monitor what they watch. Dr Sengupta say once boys get to the age of being active on social media or the internet, its important to broach the topic of pornography. If you suspect your son is looking at porn or may accidentally stumble across it, explain that you want him to have a positive and realistic experience with sex. Even if you see nothing morally wrong with it, I recommend explaining that pornography can be harmful to a developing brain and likely reinforces rape and sexual harassment. It has explicit themes that arent healthy for a young person whos just beginning to understand sex, says Dasgupta. She recommends setting up limits in your household and blocking pornography websites so your young child doesnt have the ability to access them. Pornography often emulates rape and molestation culture. Porn is also often a boys first introduction to sex, and it can be highly influential in his expectations about sex. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Game of Thrones star Hafor Julius Bjornsson has tied the knot with his girlfriend Kelsey Henson. The 29-year-old actor, known for playing Gregor Clegane/The Mountain in the hit HBO show, shared the news on Instagram on Sunday. It is with great pleasure that I now get to call Kelsey Morgan Henson my wife! I get to hold this beautiful woman through thick and thin for the rest of our lives! Im so excited for all of the future adventures we will tackle side by side, Bjornsson said. The duo got hitched in a romantic ceremony in the actors native Iceland. He also posted a greyscale photograph with his wife. Henson too shared another picture from their nuptials. Looking forward to pulling this big guy around for the rest of my life. @thorbjornsson I love you now and forever and promise to stand by your side through all that life throws at us. I love you baby, she captioned the photo. While The Mountain can be seen wearing a dapper suit and tie, Henson looks a perfect bride in a white bridal gown. The couple has been in a relationship since 2017 after they met in a bar in Canada. Kelsey was working as a waitress in that bar. According to the reports, Henson, who stands at 52 had asked Bjornsson , 69, for a picture and the two eventually fell in love with each other. The actor was named Worlds Strongest Man in 2018 and is expected to return in the eighth and final installment of Game Of Thrones next year. (With HT inputs) Follow @htshowbiz for more China indicated on Tuesday it will continue blocking efforts to list Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist despite Indian concerns, a day after the two sides signed their first security cooperation pact aimed at combating terrorism. The foreign ministry was also dismissive about the status of ULFA chief Paresh Baruah, who is believed to have a base in China. Several moves by India and other countries over the past few years to sanction Azhar at the UN Security Council have been blocked by China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the body, with observers saying it was acting to save its all-weather ally Pakistan from embarrassment. Despite the signing of the security cooperation agreement in New Delhi on Monday by home minister Rajnath Singh and Chinas visiting minister of public security Zhao Kezhi, differences clearly remain on certain issues. Responding to a question on Azhar at a news briefing on Tuesday, the foreign ministry indicated the proof collected against the Pakistan-based terror suspect did not merit a listing. In the counter-terrorism issue, China has always actively participated in international anti-terrorist operations. We have always made our decisions and judgments on the merits of the matter itself. We will continue to step up the security cooperation to uphold regional peace and stability with parties, ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said. On Baruah and allegations that China supplies weapons to insurgents in northeast India, Hua was dismissive. I shall stress that the Chinese government has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. This remains unchanged, she said. Hua hailed the new security pact as a reflection of the sound ties between the two countries, saying the mechanism will help the two sides combat terror and trans-border crimes and tackle separatist forces, telecom fraud and narcotics-related crimes. This cooperation treaty is very important in terms of advancing law enforcement and security cooperation. Now the two countries enjoy the sound development of bilateral relations, she said. The listing of Azhar and Baruahs shadowy status in China were two major concerns that India conveyed to China during the landmark bilateral meeting on security in New Delhi on Monday. Referring to the informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Wuhan in April, Hua said: We believe this cooperation on security and law enforcement will help us to combat crimes as it will provide more institutional and systematic guarantee in this regard. She added, We will explore more areas for security and law enforcement cooperation and ensure the security of our personnel carrying out projects in each others countries. China warned on Tuesday it would never accept any form of blackmail after US president Donald Trump said his decision to withdraw from a nuclear pact with Russia was also linked to Beijings arsenal. China is not a signatory to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), which the United States signed with the then Soviet Union in the 1980s, but Trump said Monday that Beijing should be included in the accord. Now that the United States want to unilaterally withdraw from the treaty, they start to inappropriately speak about other countries, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular press briefing. This approach of shifting the blame on others is utterly unjustifiable and unreasonable, Hua said. She said China had always pursued a defensive national defence policy. We will never accept any form of blackmail, Hua said. The landmark treaty was signed by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev and led to nearly 2,700 short- and medium-range missiles being eliminated. It put an end to a mini-arms race in the 1980s triggered by the Soviet Unions deployment of SS-20 nuclear missiles targeting Western European capitals. Until people come to their senses, we will build it up, Trump told reporters Monday at the White House, referring to the US nuclear arsenal. Its a threat to whoever you want. And it includes China. And it includes Russia. And it includes anybody else that wants to play that game, he said, adding that China should be included in the agreement. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday there were strong signs Jamal Khashoggis killing was planned and attempts to blame it on intelligence operatives - Riyadh has suggested it was a rogue operation -- will not satisfy us. In a speech to parliament, Erdogan did not mention Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who some U.S. lawmakers suspect ordered the killing. But he said Turkey would not complete its investigation into Khashoggis death until all questions were answered. He said Khashoggi was killed in a savage way. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of the crown prince, the kingdoms de facto ruler, disappeared three weeks ago after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain documents for his upcoming marriage. Turkish officials suspect Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the consulate by Saudi agents. Turkish sources say authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the killing of the 59-year-old. Riyadh initially denied knowledge of his fate before saying he was killed in a fight in the consulate, a reaction greeted sceptically by several Western governments, straining relations with the worlds biggest oil exporter. Following the global outrage prompted by the journalists disappearance, U.S. President Donald Trumps comments have varied from playing down Riyadhs role to warning of possible economic sanctions. Trump has also repeatedly highlighted the kingdoms importance as a U.S. ally and said Prince Mohammed was a strong and passionate leader. For Saudi Arabias allies, the question will be whether they believe that Prince Mohammed, who has painted himself as a reformer, has any culpability. King Salman, 82, has handed the day-to-day running of Saudi Arabia to the 33-year-old prince. Uber Technologies Inc. will increase the cost of taking a ride in London by 15 pence (20 cents) per mile to create a 200 million pound ($260 million) fund to help drivers switch to all-electric vehicles. The announcement comes days before Uber heads to a London court to appeal a court ruling that its drivers should be entitled to benefits, including overtime and paid vacation. In a briefing with journalists in London Tuesday, Uber Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi said the money would not accrue to the benefit of Uber, but be put in individual savings account for each driver. Khosrowshahi was also asked about his decision not to attend Saudi Arabias Davos in the Desert event. We pulled out of the conference because we were deeply worried about the news we were reading, he said. Having pulled out were now in a position to wait and understand what happened. Ubers new fund is part of its plan to only have EVs on Londons roads by 2025. But the availability of affordable EVs remains a challenge for the company and its all-electric ambition, Khosrowshahi said, adding that Uber is in discussions with manufacturers to provide electric vehicles, and is also working with charging companies such as BP Plcs Chargemaster. Uber was in early talks to buy food-delivery company Deliveroo for several billion dollars, Bloomberg reported in September. Is something going to happen with Deliveroo and Uber, who knows, said Khosrowshahi. But at this point the focus is on organic expansion. I dont want to comment on specifically who, but we are constantly talking to any and every player out there. Jamie Heywood, Ubers European boss, said an average driver working 40 hours a week over three years could expect to save 4,500 pounds on the cost of an EV. He said that when a driver upgrades to an electric vehicle using that fund, theyre completely free to work whenever and wherever, adding that there are no obligations to use the vehicle for only Uber journeys. If a driver stops working for the company before taking advantage of the fund, the money will be spent on other clean air initiatives. Were not going to bank it, Khosrowshahi said. Uber is set to appeal a court ruling that its drivers should be entitled to benefits, including overtime and paid vacation. The court is expected to hear Ubers arguments on Oct. 30. Top U.K. judges ruled in June that London-based Pimlico Plumbers Ltd. shouldve treated one of its tradesmen as a worker, giving him the right to vacation pay and to sue the company. And in May, taxi service Addison Lee Ltd. lost an appeal over whether drivers were independent contractors or employees with rights to benefits. I think its a concern, sure. We have to take these things seriously, said Khosrowshahi. But I think how our platform is structured is quite different to Pimlico Plumbers, and I hope that comes out in court appropriately. Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel said the Cabinet is set to co-fund the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipping terminal this month. The $576 million project would be located in northern Germany, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing the sources familiar with the meeting. According to the newspaper, one of the first applications was received from an international consortium in mid-October. It plans to construct an LNG terminal in the town of Stade, close to one of the countrys biggest cities, Hamburg. The decision is to be made by yearend. This move is expected to ease tensions between the US and Germany, and even shield the Russian-European joint venture Nord Stream 2 from possible U.S. sanctions, according to the WSJ sources. The chancellor herself reportedly perceived this measure as a strategic decision rather than a diplomatic defeat from the U.S. The opioid crisis has become a top-of-mind issue for schools across the country coping with orphaned children and with others facing serious emotional trauma. Congress recently passed legislation that will help schools and communities cope with some of the challenges of educating kids from families grappling with opioid addiction. The legislation authorizes $50 million in grants per year for the next five years to help states and school districts implement schoolwide behavioral interventions and supports for students who have experienced trauma. The money could be used to develop partnerships between school districts and mental health programs to help with screening, referral, and treatment., or to provide professional development to teachers, school leaders, and others to help students cope with trauma. The grants are supposed to be equitably distributed among urban, rural, tribal, and suburban areas. And the measure also authorizes $10 million per year for five years, to help school districts and nonprofit organizations treat and prevent substance abuse disorders in children and young adults. The grants will be awarded competitively by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and can be used for counseling, job-training, and more. HHS will create a resource center to help disseminate best practices in substance abuse treatment and prevention in states and school districts. (More in this analysis from Results for America .) The money is a good start, but states and districts will still need to devote significant resources to helping school districts cope with the fallout from the opioid crisis, said Kelly Vaillancourt Strobach, the director of government relations for the National Association of School Psychologists. She said shes had more and more questions from counselors about how to cope with parents becoming less involved in school, and grandparents taking over parenting duties. I do think this is a pretty large problem, she said. Even though [this legislation includes] a large sum of money, states and localities should not feel that they should also be making investments to address this. We know the problem is really significant in Appalachia. This investment will really be a drop in the bucket. What I hope is that states dont turn their back on what the federal government needs to do to address this crisis just because Congress has passed this bill. Norwin School Distict Superintendent of Schools, William H. Kerr shows materials being considered in use in the development of a curriculum for educating students in the district about opioid drug addiction at his office on Jan. 23, 2017, in North Huntindon, Pa. Schools across the country are teaching children as young as grade school about opioids as the nations deadly drug crisis rages on. --Keith Srakocic/AP Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . The Yelk parliamentary faction has nominated Armenias acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan as a candidate for the post of prime minister, the head of the faction Lena Nazaryan said. "We have nominated the candidacy of the acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. As we have already noted, the nomination, of course, is formal aimed at ensuring the procedures provided for by the Constitution," ARKA cited Nazaryan as saying. Under the Armenian Constitution, early elections are held if lawmakers fail twice within 14 days to appoint a prime minister. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan resigned October 16 to clear way for the dissolution of the parliament and holding early parliamentary elections on December 10. The volatility in the global oil market will continue, as long as the U.S. targets Iran with sanctions, Iran's oil minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said, warning that such restrictions will ensure the market remains volatile. "As long as America targets Iran, one of the biggest crude producers, with sanctions, the volatility in the oil market will continue," the oil minister stressed. "Iranian oil exports cannot be stopped," Tasnim news agency cited him as saying. Zanganeh reiterated that Iranian oil output cannot be replaced by that of other oil-producing countries if Tehran is hit by U.S. sanctions. Now Open 23 October 2018 The new urban-inspired Aloft Hotel Miami Aventura opened its doors on July 27, 2018, making it the fifth Aloft in South Florida. The 207-room hotel, designed by Boston based, Group One Partners and managed by Pyramid Hotel Group, is inspired by the hyper-connected global traveler and emits an industrial aesthetic, sophisticated sense of design and savvy use of space. As one of the first entities completed in the highly anticipated wellness-centered community, Aventura ParkSquare, Aloft Hotel Miami Aventura is surrounded by various South Florida hotspots including Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Sunny Isles Beach and Aventura Mall. An upbeat, modern hotel concept for the next generation of travelers, the Aloft brand takes the hospitality industry by storm in the city of Aventura with its vibrant social scene, trendy design atmosphere, and urban experience all at an affordable price. Lobby: Located on the second floor, Aloft Miami Aventura's lobby space features raw, urban decor alongside contemporary art creating colorful accents throughout. Featuring an inner salt-water aquarium, grab and go eatery, access to the pool deck, pool table, board games, bar, and scattered seating supplied with outlets to power up from any spot in the house, the lobby is the social hub of the property. Guest Rooms: The Guest rooms at Aloft Miami Aventura will feature loft-inspired rooms with ultra-comfortable plush platform beds, Bliss Spa amenities, fast & free Wi-Fi, flat-screen televisions, and SPG Keyless, the industry's first truly mobile check-in system where guests can utilize their mobile phones as room keys. Appointment 23 October 2018 Embassy Suites by Hilton Secaucus Meadowlands, managed by Hilton Management Services, today appointed Rebecca Kirisits as the hotel's new General Manager. Embassy Suites by Hilton is a global brand of upscale, all-suite hotels from Hilton (NYSE: HLT). In her new role, Kirisits will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the 261-suite hotel including guest services, hotel administration and marketing efforts. A 25-year hospitality veteran, Kirisits began her career in hospitality as a Front Desk Manager at Hotel Edison. She later held positions such as Executive Housekeeper at Waldorf Astoria New York, Director of Front Office at Hilton Times Square, and Director of Rooms at The Beverly Hilton before working at Hilton as Director of Brand Standards and Operations for Waldorf Astoria. Kirisits then joined Sofitel Los Angeles, Wyndham Santa Monica at the Pier and Wyndham Hamilton Park Hotel and Conference Center in Florham Park New Jersey. Most recently she served as General Manager at Wyndham Atlanta Galleria. Kirisits holds a Bachelor of Science from Syracuse University and a Master of Science in Hospitality Industry Studies from New York University. She has also received a Certificate in Interior Design from Otis College of Art and Design. Located near MetLife Stadium and Teterboro Airport, Embassy Suites by Hilton Secaucus Meadowlands is a ten-minute drive from New York City and a two-minute walk from Harmon Meadow Plaza which features a movie theatre, The Mall at Mill Creek and multiple shopping and dining outlets. Guests can experience its two-room suites where travelers are able to spread out, enjoy a free, cooked-to-order breakfast each morning, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary drinks and snacks during the evening reception. Additional amenities include a fitness center and heated indoor pool. Embassy Suites by Hilton Secaucus Meadowlands is located at 455 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, New Jersey. Supplier News 23 October 2018 Our.Guide offers unique software for every hotel website. It is a unique solution that has numerous advantages for every type of accommodation providers. It is considered to be number one of local widgets in the industry that helps to attract the new hotel guests and provides lots of information. What makes it special? The Our.Guide is not only a simple widget like the weather widgets. It is a reliable source of knowledge on the given area around the hotel. When your hotel has the Our.guide widget, the hotel guests 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. It may be also one of the reasons they will decide to stay in your hotel instead of other hotels! On the other hand, it is also a useful tool for the hotel managers/owners because: It boosts 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. The hotel managers may analyze the results provided by the Our.Guide widget - the professional software provides lots of data about the most popular subpages, tourist attractions, itinerary and a lot more. Everything is presented in a transparent dashboard and send weekly for the e-mail address. - the professional software provides lots of data about the most popular subpages, tourist attractions, itinerary and a lot more. Everything is presented in a transparent dashboard and send weekly for the e-mail address. It may be installed fast - the Our.Guide widget may be installed at every kind of website. It works at every CMS system and also in Google Tag Manager. Who are the inventors of Our.Guide? Our.Guide was established in Warsaw, the capital of Poland, Europe from the passion of traveling and discovering new places. Nowadays, the Our.Guide widget can be found at more than 500 hotel websites, such as the Rilano Hotel Hamburg, Hotel Marco Polo Rome, MCC Mazurkas and a lot more. The majority of the hotels that use the widget are from Poland, but the company enters the international markets as well. The Our.Guide widget may be seen in hotels placed in Germany, Austria and Italy and the number of interesting hotel owners is growing rapidly. The growth statistics may be also noticed in the clients' comments section that is full of positive feedback. One of the example: "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." Opinion Article 22 October 2018 Our role as Xotels has developed over time from revenue management into a full hotel management company, we are now looking way beyond pricing and distribution for hotels. We are actually also developing new hotel concepts, and for this it is important to keep up to date with the latest developments in the hospitality industry. Advertisements The hotel industry has welcomed an unprecedented level of luxury. The rising demand for this extravagance is the increasing guest pursuit of meaningful, personalized experiences that are at the same time unique, exclusive and memorable. Join me in this post and discover 10 of the most brilliant hotel offerings that deliver the ultimate experience in luxury. Hotelier insider tip At Xotels, we work with a number of hotels that offer such services. From this first-hand experience, we have seen that luxury hotel guests don't want to be seen as capricious and wasteful. They value their privacy, yet seek out luxury stays for the unique surprises and thrills that hotel management can offer. By surpassing your guests' expectations with a spectacular 5-star hotel service, your hotel will quickly gain a reputation for an unforgettable, must-have experience. We have gathered some examples from hotels around the world to inspire you; 10 OUTSTANDING LUXURY HOTEL SERVICES 1. PAPARAZZI POLICE Keeping their vacation private is the minimum that your guests can ask of your luxury hotel, right? But, if for instance you have celebrity guests whose daily life involves being followed by paparazzi, maintaining such privacy presents challenges. To solve this paparazzi problem, the Las Ventanas hotel in Los Cabos, Mexico came up with an innovative solution to ensure their guests' privacy and an enjoyable stay. This hotel's staff are equipped with reflective screens, which protect their guests from prying photographers. These "Paparazzi Police" use their screens to shine light at the photographers, which ruins their photos. Not only that, it also works as a deterrent, as photographers know that there is now little point in trying to take photos at Las Ventanas. 2. PERSONALIZED FIREWORK DISPLAY We focus on Las Ventanas again, as the luxury hotel offers a spectacular personalized, private fireworks show. Costing around $1,700 per minute, guests can easily personalize it to their liking. It is another service that helps create a truly unique, unforgettable experience in a part of the world that is known for its mesmerizing natural beauty. 3. ONSITE GIRAFFES Located in the Langata suburb of Nairobi, Giraffe Manor is an exclusive boutique hotel. Like its name suggests, it is home to a large group of giraffes, which can be seen walking around the 12 acres of hotel land, and are known to greet guests by frequently poking their heads into their windows! Giraffe Manor is one of Nairobi's most iconic buildings, hosting international guests since the 1930s when affluent Europeans began to visit for a safari trip. But, by far the hotel's most stunning attraction is its beautiful and friendly group of giraffes, which year after year continues to entice guests in search of luxury hotel experiences. While you may not be able to offer onsite giraffes at your own hotel, perhaps Giraffe Manor can inspire you to come up with your own unique offering. 4. HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE Breathtaking experiences are a favorite of luxury hotel guests prepared to pay extra for the privilege. One such experience is a ride in a hot air balloon. And one such hotel that offers this service is the Kale Konak Hotel, located atop Cappadocia in Turkey. Leveraging its position amid a location of natural splendor, this hotel helps its guests by organizing a hot air balloon ride, which promises a stunning experience of a lifetime. How can your hotel take advantage of its surroundings to offer thrilling adventures and experiences? 5. SUNSCREEN-SPRAYING BOOTHS Hotel guests don't want to worry about anything when they enjoy the beach or the resort pool at remote and exclusive locations. And if there's one thing that can ruin a vacation, it's sunburn. Proactive hotels take it upon themselves to help guests prevent burning up by including sunscreen-spraying booths as a standard luxury hotel service. In particular, many Caribbean hotels offer this service, loved by solo travelers, couples and families alike. After all, even if a guest carelessly forgets to apply sunscreen and suffers the consequences, they are much more likely to associate your hotel with the negative experience. By offering sunscreen-spraying booths, you cancel out this possibility and create a value-added service for your guests, so they can enjoy their vacation in full. 6. PARAGLIDING For hotels that are located with expansive countryside hills nearby, paragliding is a luxury service that ticks all the boxes. It can be relatively inexpensive to run, offers a riveting add-on experience, and will hep move you head and shoulders above your competition. A novel twist is to offer a paragliding route from atop a hill to the hotel entrance at the bottom. With the help of a professional paragliding expert, the most demanding and fearless of guests can enjoy an extreme sport and make a rock-star entrance at your hotel. 7. SECRET, INVITE-ONLY ROOM It is an increasing trend to offer a secret or hidden service. But the catch is that it can't be bought by money. Certain luxury desires can only be attained with the right contact, recommendation, knowledge or invite. Think of the appeal of speakeasy bars, or exclusive, secret societies. Take advantage of this winning trend by creating a secret, invite-only room in your hotel. Make it exceptionally beautiful or intriguing, or offer services that are unobtainable to "regular" guests. Choose a secluded or forbidden area of your hotel for its location. And of course, this secret room cannot be advertised on your official channels, such as your website. 8. IN-SUITE SHOPPING Luxury is never having to pack a suitcase, no matter where you go or for how long. Take inspiration from London's Hotel Cafe Royal, which offers its guests a personalized, curated styling service for all occasions during their stay. Guests check in without luggage and find a selection of clothes handpicked by a personal stylist to choose from in their suite upon arrival. By offering your guests this luxury option, you make them feel like pop stars. And not only is it extremely convenient, everyone loves discovering a new outfit to wear and feeling like a VIP. 9. COMPLIMENTARY LUXURY CAR DRIVES Some of the very best 5-star luxury hotels offer their guests luxury cars during their stay too, for free. Hotels like The Peninsula Beverly Hills in California provide their guests with Rolls-Royce and Infiniti cars, having developed a strong relationship with the high-end car manufacturers. If you have the budget to ramp up your luxury hotel with this complimentary service, it will help serve as a magnet for guests eager for exclusive experiential stays. And if not, there are other options. For instance, you can approach high-end car leasing companies to enquire about reaching an agreement. And it doesn't have to be luxury cars. You could also tap into the growing importance of sustainability to guests by offering premium eco-friendly cars. 10. NO-INTERNET DIGITAL DETOX ZONE C-suite executives and stressed millionaires with companies and scores of people dependent on their decisions and attention find it difficult if not impossible to disconnect. With so much responsibility on their shoulders, they are often available around the clock, seven days a week. Even if they do get an opportunity to get some much needed time off, they are often interrupted by a colleague who needs their input on the latest emergency or major decision at their company. Cue the growing prevalence of no-internet resorts. No WiFi, no mobile internet signal and no onsite computers to access the web. Completely and utterly offline. This digital detox is increasingly sought after by hyper-connected individuals who want to get away from it all, even if only for a few days, offering them total peace and quiet, without the fear of their phone blowing up with calls, messages and emails. For typically busy company executives and such individuals in an ultra-connected world, this kind of opportunity to unwind and relax "off the grid" is an increasingly exclusive luxury. THE FINAL WORD More and more hotels are trying to make their guests' stay as special as possible so in the near future, many of these unconventional services will be offered by more luxurious hotels all over the world. This being said, a great hotel manager goes beyond what customers say they want, helping them to realize their wildest dreams by combining fun, joyful experiences with exclusive, unique services that make them feel important. More ideas? Let me know them in the comments... Cheers, Patrick Landman @ Xotels.com JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You should upgrade or use an You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser Prior to using Hotelogix, the management at the property handled its operations using an on-premise system. But, they soon found it not up to the mark as they ran into several operational bottlenecks. Hotelogix, a leader in cloud-based Property Management Systems has announced the adoption and successful use of its PMS has helped US-based Biltmore Greensboro Hotel to generate 40% more revenue that comprises 40% increase in direct booking. Opened in 1903, located in North Carolina, the Biltmore Greensboro Hotel is a 3-star boutique hotel with 26 rooms. With an impeccable guest service, this century-old property strives to offer a pleasant and memorable stay experience to its patrons. Prior to using Hotelogix, the management at the property handled its operations using an on-premise system. But, they soon found it not up to the mark as they ran into several operational bottlenecks. They could not ensure the real-time update of rates and rooms on OTAs as the PMS was unable to integrate with a channel manager. It also restricted their capabilities to set up required POS outlets. Due to the lack of automation capabilities, they had to manage operations manually. Moreover, they were unable to access the PMS and hotel data from outside of the property. Commenting on his decision to adopt Hotelogix, Brian Coleman, General Manager at the Biltmore Greensboro Hotel said, Our search for the right cloud PMS led us to review few popular PMS providers. But we decided to go with Hotelogix due to its user-friendliness, rich and insightful reporting features and comprehensive automation capabilities. Biltmore Greensboro Hotel has been able to see many benefits in the last three years since they started using Hotelogix. They have registered an overall increase in revenue by 40% which comprises 40% increase in direct booking and 20% increase in booking coming from OTAs. With real-time and error-free distribution over OTAs, overbooking has become zero. Our operating costs have come down drastically since weve cut down on commissions, labor and overall reservation costs. It has also helped us save numerous man-hours, and we now get to spend the same building guest experience, Brian added. Commenting on this, Aditya Sanghi, Co-founder & CEO at Hotelogix said, Benefits witnessed by the Biltmore Greensboro Hotel is a testimony to our commitment towards empowering progressive hotels achieving desired business goals. We will continue to help our customers the way they leverage todays smart hospitality technology via our cloud PMS. About Hotelogix Hotelogix provides a robust cloud-based Hotel PMS that helps hotels to automate and manage their end-to-end operations with ease. It also assists hotels to drive growth, increase revenue and to enhance their online reputation. The PMS is hosted on Amazon Web Services, and thus offers the much-needed stability and security to hoteliers. The company has rich experience in serving global markets with customers in 100 plus countries including developed geographies such as North America and Europe. Media Contact Debi Prasad Sarangi Corporate Communications Email: debiprasad.sarangi@hotelogix.com Ph: +91 9986496849 Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource The Radisson Blu Hotel, Rome Fiumicino International Airport will be operated by Radisson Hospitality AB under an International Sub-Concession Agreement with the Rome Fiumicino airport manager, Aeroporti di Roma SpA. The hotel will be designed and developed by Aeroporti di Roma in collaboration with the Civil Aeronautical National Authority (ENAC) for the formal and final approvals. Radisson Hospitality AB announced the signing of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Rome Fiumicino International Airport. The fourth Radisson Blu to arrive in Italy, the new hotel will be part of a long-term plan to strengthen the brand's presence in the country. Rome is Italy's most important tourist destination, while its airport was recently awarded Best Airport 2018 in the 'over 25 million passengers' category by ACI Europe as well as being recognized as the world's most improved airport and the airport with the best quality of services by Skytrax. Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group, said: "Rome Airport has transformed itself and recently took pole position in Europe in terms of customer service and experience. Italy is now a key focus market for our organic growth and will soon see a wider range of Radisson Hotel Group properties arriving in key cities and destinations. This is a journey that we're sure will excite all of our stakeholders!" Due to open in Q2 2022, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Rome Fiumicino International Airport will be linked to the terminal, offering visitors a top-quality location and hospitality experience during their stay. The hotel will feature 289 rooms, an all-day restaurant, lobby bar, and gym. Guests arriving for meetings & events will enjoy a unique space that includes a ballroom and foyer. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Rome Fiumicino International Airport will provide guests with easy access the airport's terminals and will be within easy reach of Rome city center via a short journey on the Leonardo Express. Guests will also have high-speed train access direct from Fiumicino to Florence, Bologna and Venice. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Rome Fiumicino International Airport will be operated by Radisson Hospitality AB under an International Sub-Concession Agreement with the Rome Fiumicino airport manager, Aeroporti di Roma SpA. The hotel will be designed and developed by Aeroporti di Roma in collaboration with the Civil Aeronautical National Authority (ENAC) for the formal and final approvals. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Google rolled out a new algorithm update that is already causing widespread changes in both organic and local search engine rankings. This article originally appeared on Tambourine. In August, Google rolled out a new algorithm update that is already causing widespread changes in both organic and local search engine rankings. Although some specific types of websites appear to be affected more than others, all websitesincluding hotel and travel-related sitesshould factor the latest criteria into their ongoing development and content plans. Centered on the acronym E-A-T (expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness), the latest update is placing still-more emphasis on content quality and sourcing, as part of the search engines perpetual work to boost the relevance of its results. The new algorithm also appears to be favoring local business sites over broader, corporate pages. It would appear that the algorithm changes apply to both organic and local searches, rather than just organic searches, said Sean Cornilliac, SEO Manager here at Tambourine. Google says that it is trying to prioritize relevance, and we can surmise that it perhaps sees local businesses as being more relevant to searchers than large multi-nationals. The algorithm update is also connected to Googles sustained efforts to prevent the practice of keyword stuffing, in which content is overloaded with targeted search terms, but may offer minimal information of use. Thus, the goal of E-A-T is to make hotel website designers write copy intended for real users, instead of search engine crawlers. So now more than ever, its best to strike a careful SEO balance, adding keywords carefully, while writing in a natural way. The T in E-A-T also becomes more important, as Google is working harder to determine which websites are the most trustworthy to show searchers, according to another expert recent post on the subject. Hotels need to pay attention to EAT and take action to improve their trustworthiness in Googles eyes. Sean Cornilliac SEO Manager @ Tambourine Focused on Health & Finance At the moment, it seems the new algorithm is primarily affecting health and medicine-related websites, earning it the nickname, The Medic Update. It is also significantly impacting search rankings for what is known as Your Money or Your Life (YMYL) websites, such as those that handle online banking, e-commerce and investing, as well as sites that offer tips and advice on such subjects. Hotel websites, while also impacted, are reportedly being affected at relatively lower levels than other websites. Still, there is a definite hotel/travel impact to the new Google algorithm, and therefore its essential to factor these changes into your companys ongoing digital initiatives. Theres no silver bullet for the situation, Google says, other than continued content and website development. Google clearly states that there is no fix for pages that perform less well, said Cornilliac, Other than to remain focused on building great content. How To E-A-T Like A King Google search relevance and site quality is primarily determined according to its Google Search Quality Evaluation Guidelines, which are used by more than 10,000 reviewers tasked with rating Googles search results. Among those guidelines, E-A-T is cited as one of the key factors that determine the resulting Page Quality Ratings generated by reviewers. Fortunately, there a number of things you can do to ensure great hotel website and search engine performance under the latest E-A-T algorithm criteria: 1. Commit to quality content Granted, its easier said than done, but creating engaging, factual content about your region and destination is the key to driving hotel SEO rankings under the E-A-T algorithm and should be a main priority. Thin, outdated and spotty content simply isnt going to cut it anymore; its vital to ensure the information presented in your content is current, robust and factual. Leverage inter-linking between posts on your site to make the content more comprehensive, provide links to sources and author bios for the purposes of fact-checking, and in the case of opinions, offer your justification/credentials to support those opinions. For example, The Lotte NYC produces consistent, compelling content about New York City events and attractions that help the property build its (E) Expertise and (A) Authority for relevant NYC-related keyword searches: 2. Make your website trustworthy There are also some technical, site-related steps you can take to improve your websites E-A-T allure in the eyes of Google. This includes website trust-builders like converting the site to HTTPS and embracing GDPR regulations. You can also add or emphasize information on business policies like money-back guarantees, customer satisfaction promises, etc. Visitors to non-secure hotel website pages will see this message sure to cause abandonment 3. Reach your customers on social media Social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube should be used in conjunction with hotel website content, in order to promote and validate the website. And as with your web content, social postings should strive to educate, inform and engage your users; misleading, untruthful and poorly sourced content should be avoided at all costs. If applicable, investigate plugins and apps that facilitate easy sharing of web content on social channels. 4. Add an FAQ page Devote time and resources (if needed) to create or expand your websites frequently asked questions (FAQ) page, addressing the common concerns voiced by your customers. This bolsters your sites perceived credibility in the eyes of Google, while also offering a genuinely valuable piece of content. Maintaining a solid FAQ is also linked to voice search optimization, so this effort can yield numerous benefits. 5. Revisit your Contact Us page The new Google algorithm is highly optimized for local SEO, with the idea that websites offering local information are more useful to searchers than sites that are decentralized or widespread. Therefore, its important to make sure that all local information for your business is up to date, including your Contact Us page. This includes embedding a Google map of your hotels location on the page, and updating/posting address info on each page, preferably in the footer. This is especially important for hotels with significant F&B revenue and local visitation. 6. Cultivate your Google reviews No one knows how much, but reviews certainly play a part in Googles EAT score for your property. Encourage customers to leave Google reviews for your hotel, including as always, a post-stay link for easy access to your reviews form or directly on Google or TripAdvisor. If your hotel is worth its salt, you neednt worry about having perfect reviews; even neutral reviews are better than no reviews, according to Google, and a perfect score looks fake. Honesty and transparency are always the best policies. For more on the effects of reviews on your Google results, check out this great article from the folks at Trust You. 7. Add/enhance your About Us page Creating and/or beefing-up your hotel websites About Us page offers numerous benefits, most notably, it adds credibility and relevance to the sites content, so be sure to include all social proof: press mentions, awards, years in business and staff bios, in order to substantiate your standing as an expert source and trusted business. And remember: This isnt the first or last time Google will change its algorithm, so instead of trying to specifically game the new criteria, its always best to simply focus on employing a sound digital content strategy. If you continue to offer users transactional value and rich information, perpetually adding new useful content over time, the rest will fall in place. About Tambourine Tambourine uses technology and creativity to increase revenue for hotels and destinations worldwide. The firm, now in its 34th year, is located in New York City and Fort Lauderdale. Please visit: www.Tambourine.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 Currently out doing his promo run for his newly released Immigrant album, Belly made his way by the Power106 LA studios recently and chopped it up with the LA Leakers. While there, Justin Credible & DJ Sourmilk asked the Canadian rapper to spit some bars for their latest LA Leakers freestyle segment, which he happily obliged to. Going in over Drakes Free Smoke instrumental, Belly shows off his lyrical prowess and reminds any doubters that he really bout that life, proving once again that hes one of the nicest on the mic today. Switching up his flows & cadence, Belly raps, I'm in California house shopping, I remember I was couch hopping/ still sippin still poppin, fuck it I aint never stoppin, he spits. "Yeah they in love in with my frequency, she a freak and I need this shit frequently/ I got a main bitch, side bitch and I hate them both equally," he continues. The way hes able to flow makes it seem these bars could be memorized or possibly some prewritten verses, but nonetheless it's still pretty fire. Check out the near 3-minute freestyle (below) and let us know what you think. Immigrant, which features Meek Mill, The Weeknd, French Montana & more, is available now on iTunes. Lil Tay's Instagram account has been placed back in motion since this past weekend when an unnamed person took control of her profile. They have been posting incendiary remarks about the young girl's father, accusing him of various kinds of child abuse. The man's personal information was also posted on the social media platform, encouraging Lil Tay's 2.5 million followers to take action against him. The man in question, Chris Hope, has reportedly taken action to retaliate against the social media account's activity by sending a cease and desist letter to Instagram. Hope, who is a lawyer in Canada, claims the account "encouraged others" to "conduct criminal extortion and harassment." He also claims to have received "threats, including death threats and other threats of bodily harm against" himself. According to the document, the father believes Lil Tay's older brother is responsible for the virtual attacks while specifying that he may have also given access to the profile to another party. The child star's manager, Chris Jones "The Promoter," is said to have confirmed that her account has been hacked for the second time. Hope is also holding Instagram accountable, stating that their willingness to host the offending account makes them complicit to the alleged illegal activity. If you're a fan of Love & Hip-Hop and you follow the personalities on social media, you were likely a little worried when Shay Johnson posted up from the hospital over the weekend. The reality TV star cryptically told fans to pray for her without offering much insight into what was going on at first. Complete with a cap over her hair and a hospital gown, Johnson posted a video of herself in a medical facility, which prompted many to look for more information. According to People Magazine, the entertainer was hospitalized as she required a blood transfusion. The Love & Hip-Hop Miami star explained what was going on on her Instagram story, telling fans about the transfusion in a series of updates. She opened up, telling her supporters, "Now I have to have a blood transfusion because my blood is low, Im dizzy. So I have to have a blood transfusion." The entertainer is currently surrounded by friends and family as she's taken videos of her brother and mother cheering her up and keeping her in good spirits while nurses and doctors monitor her health. We're wishing a speedy recovery to Shay. Hopefully, she's out of the hospital soon. We'll keep you updated on any news regarding her health. https://www.instagram.com/p/BpJNc7_DfZI Vans is going to the moon and beyond with their latest sneaker collab. According to reports, a multi-sneaker NASA x Vans collection is in the works, featuring classic silhouettes like the Vans Old Skool, Vans SK8-Hi and Vans Slip-on. The NASA x Vans Old Skool features an all-white, astronaut-inspired construction complete with NASA branding, a shuttle mission tag on the grey tongue and a removable American flag patch on the heel. There's also a similarly styled Old Skool in an orange spacesuit colorway. Other kicks that will reportedly be included in this space-themed collection include Space Voyager/Black and Space Voyager/True White/Marshmallow colorways of the Sk8-Hi 46 MTE, and a Sk8-Hi MTE in Space Voyager/True White/Black." Additionally, a "Galaxy/Black" Vans Slip-On is also in the works, as well as a backpack and duffel bag. Vans has not yet confirmed release details for this upcoming project but rumors suggest the kicks will arrive on November 2nd. https://www.instagram.com/p/BpQh52SB-jb A new oil pricing benchmark launched Monday that could make Houston the new hub for U.S. oil pricing. The commodities trading firm Intercontinental Exchange Inc, initiated the West Texas Intermediate pricing guide that will price oil based on volumes produced from the Permian Basin and delivered to Houstons refining and export hub. The new ICE Permian WTI futures contract will price West Texas oil delivered to Magellan Midstream Partners large terminal in East Houston along the Houston Ship Channel. With most of the nations oil exports shipped from the Gulf Coast, ICE sees Houston as a more accurate delivery point than the current West Texas Intermediate benchmark thats delivered to Cushing, Okla. Cushing is a major storage and trading hub nicknamed the pipeline crossroads of the world. The Houston futures contract is another sign of the Gulf Coasts emergence as a global hub on energy exports rivaling the Middle East. West Texas booming Permian Basin is producing a record of 3.5 million barrels of oil a day nearly one-third of the nations total. With those rising volume, much more oil is headed to export destinations out of Houston and Corpus Christi. Increasing volumes of liquefied natural gas, natural gas liquids and petrochemical products are also being shipped to global markets from Houston and other Gulf Coast ports. U.S. crude exports have climbed to an average of nearly 2 million barrels day, most shipped from the Gulf Coast. Permian crude exports from the U.S. Gulf Coast increasingly define the oil market for the worlds largest producer, so Im not surprised to see a Houston contract, said Ethan Bellamy, an energy analyst at Robert W. Baird & Co. Financial markets evolve to match risk in the physical markets. This is a natural evolution as U.S. crude exports grow. At least three projects are proposed for the Texas Gulf Coast to allow some of the worlds largest oil tankers, capable of carrying up to 2 million barrels of crude, to be fully loaded. They include two offshore loading terminals, proposed by Enterprise Products Partners of Houston and the Swiss company Trafigura, and an expansion by the Port of Corpus Christi, which would develop a loading and storage complex on Harbor Island, near Port Aransas. Were offering customers a trusted standard for WTI straight from the Permian Basin, and over time, its one that we think could develop into a benchmark for other grades to price around, said Jeff Barbuto, vice president of oil markets at ICE. jordan.blum@chron.com twitter.com/jdblum23 Oil traded at the lowest level in more than a month after Saudi Arabia reiterated its plan to lift oil output and as tumbling equities weakened sentiment. Futures in New York fell as much as 1.8 percent. Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said the worlds biggest oil exporter will meet any shortfall in supply as a result of Iranian crude sanctions. Stock markets in Europe and Asia declined alongside U.S. futures as investors flocked to haven assets. Oil has dropped after reaching a four-year high earlier this month as fears over demand persist. Al-Falihs promise of adequate supply comes even as crude inventories in the U.S. are forecast to have increased for a fifth week, the longest streak since March 2017. Concerns about the health of the world economy, leading to the equities selloff, are seeping into the oil market. AT HOME: Gasoline prices continue to slide in Houston area Equities are weighing on oil prices, said UBS Group AG analyst Giovanni Staunovo. We likely will have more equity volatility going forward with higher rates. West Texas Intermediate for December delivery fell as much as $1.27 to $68.09 a barrel, and traded at $68.32 on the New York Mercantile Exchange at 11:38 a.m. London time. The November contract expired on Monday after nudging up less than 0.1 percent. Total volume traded Tuesday was about 10 percent above the 100-day average. Brent for December settlement was $1.38 lower at $78.45 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. It earlier fell below its 50-day moving average for the first time since August. The global benchmark crude traded at a premium of $10.11 to WTI. STRONG DEMAND: Brent oil could hit $100 by end of 2019, report says Saudi Arabia may boost its oil output by between 1 and 2 million barrels a day in the future, Al-Falih said at a conference in Riyadh. He said earlier this week that OPECs largest producer would continue to separate oil and politics. The comments come as the oil market remains on edge following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. In the U.S., crude stockpiles probably increased 3 million barrels last week, according to a Bloomberg survey before a government report due Wednesday. Inventories have risen more than 22 million barrels over the past four weeks as domestic drillers raised output, while refineries halted some operations for seasonal maintenance. 2018 Bloomberg L.P. Chevron says it plans to demolish the three-story Shelor Motor Company Building at 1621 Milam Street and Pease Avenue. According to a spokesperson for Chevron, which has owned the property since 2013, the building does not fit the corporation's needs for the site. Home to the Houston Press offices from 1998 to 2013, the Shelor Building is one of two remaining structures in the Milam Street auto row, which emerged in the second half of the 1920s as the corridor where Houston auto dealers constructed their newest, most modern car showrooms. If Chevron demolishes the building, downtown will be left with yet another hole in its historic fabric. The 41,000-square-foot building, of concrete frame construction, is surfaced with a mixed blend of brown tapestry brick accentuated with brick bonding patterns and limestone Jacobean ornament. Structural piers on the Milam and Pease street fronts frame wide openings originally outfitted with plate-glass display windows on the ground floor, where the car showroom was located, and steel-sash industrial windows on the upper floors. An innovation, according to an article published in the Chronicle on Jan. 8, 1928, to mark the building's opening, was that the roof was to be used as a parking deck, accessible by an interior ramp serving all floors. The rush to Milam Street began at the end of 1926 when the Meador Motor Company, Houston's Packard dealer, announced it would build a showroom and garage at 1316 Milam and Clay, designed by architect Alfred C. Finn. Shelor was next, followed by the Brazos Valley Buick Co. (subsequently Earle North and then Al Parker) by Joseph Finger, Hargis Chevrolet by Hedrick & Gottlieb (1928), the flamboyant Art Deco A. C. Burton Motor Co. at 1414 Milam (1929) by Joseph Finger, and the sedate J. S. Tamborello Building (1930), still standing at 1901 Milam and St. Joseph and designed by the Russell Brown Company. These dealerships were an urban building type, two- and three-stories high, with sales floors at ground level, and engine and body maintenance-and-repair facilities on their upper floors. Though architectural themes varied, the concrete-framed buildings adhered to the Shelor Building's format with vertical piers, infilled with glazing, subdividing the street fronts. The exteriors of these showroom buildings were straightforward but designed to frame new cars with scintillating architectural detail. PRESERVATION REPUTATION: How Houston stopped tearing down its history The Shelor Company sold Dodge Brothers cars and Graham Brothers trucks. J. W. Shelor claimed that he introduced Dodge vehicles to Texas in the course of a career that began in El Paso during the first decade of the 20th century. Shelor subsequently moved to Dallas and then in 1921 to Houston when he purchased an existing Dodge dealership. The Milam Street auto row (which spilled over onto adjacent Travis Street) mirrored similar corridors in other Texan cities that developed in the late 1920s, such as Broadway in San Antonio and W. 7th Street in Fort Worth. In the immediate postwar period, Houston car dealers began to "suburbanize," erecting new dealerships in Midtown (where Central Houston Cadillac, amazingly, is still in business) before skipping west to Kirby Drive in the early 1950s. But some of the Milam Street showrooms were used as car dealerships as late as 1970. Frank Gillman Pontiac was the last car dealer to occupy the Shelor Building, remaining until 1967. Why preserve the Shelor Building? Because demolishing it leaves another hole that downtown Houston doesn't need. The lively brick curtain walls, the limestone sculptural punctuation and the building's handsome proportions architecturally compensate for the dreary surfaces of adjoining parking garages. Godofredo A. Vasquez/Staff photographer The Shelor Building complements the scale of the Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA Building across Pease Avenue. It invites redevelopment that makes use of existing architectural resources rather than wastefully condemning them to the landfill. And it is a reminder that cars once contributed to the urbanization of American cities rather than reducing them to a bleak landscape of asphalt flatlands, what the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas aptly calls "junkspace." Stephen Fox is an architectural historian and a Fellow of the Anchorage Foundation of Texas. This article originally appeared on OffCite, a publication of the Rice Design Alliance, the community engagement program of Rice Architecture. Get the Gray Matters newsletter. It has an interior ramp serving all floors. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - The police came for Samar Badawi in the middle of the night in July, pulling her out of her house carrying her crying 3-year-old daughter. They set up klieg lights and filmed the arrest of Badawi, 37, a prominent human rights activist. Curious neighbors were forced to sign agreements to never discuss what they had seen, said Yahya Assiri, a Saudi human rights activist and longtime friend of Badawi's. The jailing of Badawi, who has been honored by the U.S. State Department and has spoken at the United Nations Human Rights Council, is emblematic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's relentless crackdown on those seen as challenging his authority, according to human rights groups. "He is trying to silence everyone," said Assiri, who lives in self-exile in London. "There are no human rights defenders still free in Saudi Arabia. They are all behind bars." The Oct. 2 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul has focused a harsh international spotlight on Saudi Arabia and forced Riyadh's allies, especially in Washington, to take a more critical look at the record of Mohammed, or MBS, as the powerful 33-year-old prince is known. He has been widely lauded, by Saudis and others, as a reformer who has brought long-overdue social and economic change to the kingdom. Young people in particular support him. President Donald Trump has hailed him as a key partner in Middle East peace efforts and in countering Iran's influence, as well as a deep-pocketed customer for U.S. arms manufacturers. But the Khashoggi case - and the arrests in the past year of Badawi and dozens of other human rights and women's rights activists, as well as clerics and even wealthy businessmen and princes - have brought new attention to Mohammed's record of crushing dissent since he became crown prince in June 2017. Saudi officials have acknowledged that Khashoggi, who contributed opinion columns to The Washington Post, was killed by Saudi agents. Riyadh describes it as a "rogue" operation gone wrong; 18 people have been arrested, and five officials have been fired, including two very close to Mohammed. But critics, including in the U.S. Congress, are demanding further investigations into whether Mohammed may have ordered a covert action against a journalist who frequently criticized him. "If there is no punishment for this, they will think they can do anything and nobody can stop them," Assiri said. Saudi governments have long quashed criticism, but those efforts have intensified under Mohammed, who has consolidated vast amounts of power, especially over national security, in his hands. Badawi, who remains in prison without charge, was one of at least eight women's rights activists arrested earlier this year. Several of them headed a campaign that ultimately led Mohammed to give Saudi women the right to drive - a popular move that won praise from around the world. It has never been made clear exactly what Badawi's alleged crime was, or why the others were detained. In an interview with Bloomberg this month, Mohammed said those detained were not arrested for their rights activism but because they had "connections" with and were being paid by intelligence agencies from countries such as Saudi rivals Iran and Qatar. "The evidence and the investigations proved that they did know it was intelligence work against Saudi Arabia," he said. Mohammed echoed comments in August from Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir. "These were people who have contacts with outside powers," Jubeir told reporters, adding that the arrested women had been "trying to obtain information that would be passed on to elements hostile to Saudi Arabia." Gen. Mansour al-Turki, spokesman for the Saudi Interior Ministry, said in an interview that Qatar and other rivals, including the Muslim Brotherhood, have a long history of trying to sow discord in Saudi Arabia. He said he was not familiar with the details of the current cases, but he said Saudi Arabia's rivals have an "information machine" designed to feed disinformation to Saudis about their leaders. "We have been faced with this for years," Turki said. State-aligned Saudi media called those arrested, who had been campaigning for women's right to drive, "traitors." One Saudi paper put photos of two of the women on its front page with the caption: "You & your betrayals failed." Human Rights Watch called it "a chilling smear campaign." "Paranoia and ruthlessness," Adam Coogle, the rights group's Middle East researcher, said in an interview, adding that Mohammed, "seems to have utter contempt for human rights and the rule of law, and anyone who is critical is not acceptable to him." Ensaf Haidar, wife of Raif Badawi, who is Samar Badawi's brother and is also in a Saudi prison, for criticizing the government, laughed when asked whether her sister-in-law and the others in jail were paid agents for Qatar or Iran. "I hear that all the time," she said in a telephone interview from Montreal, where she now lives with their three children. She said she receives a torrent of abuse from pro-government social media trolls. "It's just silly," she said of the spying allegations. Haidar now travels the world advocating for justice for her husband, for Samar Badawi and for the others she believes have been unfairly imprisoned. But asked in the interview what she thinks of Mohammed, she was silent for a moment. "I'm sorry," she said. "I don't want to answer this question." Samar Badawi is a longtime women's rights advocate and has been targeted by previous Saudi rulers, although never as aggressively as in the past year, Coogle said. It is unclear why she is being detained now. She has been virtually sidelined since she signed a pledge in January 2016, after a brief detention, to refrain from public activism. Friends said she agreed to lower her profile to protect her young daughter and teenage son from any trouble. Her most recent tweet, a week before her arrest, featured pictures of cats. "I think the stature she had been able to establish bothered them," Coogle said. In 2012, Badawi traveled to Washington to receive the State Department's International Women of Courage Award from then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and then-first lady Michelle Obama. Assiri said that global attention surrounding the award was deeply irritating to Saudi leaders. Badawi's brother, Raif, perhaps the kingdom's most famous prisoner, was sentenced in 2014 to 10 years in prison, plus 1,000 lashes in public and a fine of about $250,000, for blog posts that were critical of the country's powerful religious leaders. There was a massive international outcry after he received the first 50 lashes in a public square outside a mosque in the city of Jiddah in January 2015. Haidar, his wife, said he has received no more. He remains in prison and is allowed to call his family in Canada once a week for five minutes, Haidar said. Samar Badawi's former husband, Waleed Abulkhair, a human rights lawyer, has been in jail since April 2014. He was convicted of "disrespecting the authorities" and "disobeying the ruler" after he criticized the government's rights record and founded a human rights organization. He is serving a 15-year sentence. They were married and Badawi was pregnant when he was arrested. The couple have since separated. Although Badawi has been locked in a prison near Jiddah since July, she became the focus of a strange spat between Saudi Arabia and Canada a few days after her arrest. The Saudi government reacted with unusual fury after Chrystia Freeland, the Canadian foreign minister, called on Aug. 2 for the release of Samar and Raif Badawi, tweeting, "Canada stands together with the Badawi family in this difficult time and we continue to strongly call for the release of both." The Saudis recalled their ambassador from Ottawa, expelled the Canadian ambassador in Riyadh and froze trade and investment. In the Bloomberg interview, Mohammed continued his tough line, saying Canada must apologize because it "interfered in issues that are not Canadian issues." Badawi has basically been out of the public eye for almost three years. In January 2015, she spoke to The Washington Post by telephone from her home in Jiddah. At the time, the government of the late King Abdullah had rounded up about a dozen activists, including her husband and brother. She said the Saudi leadership was trying to make an example of them. "The government wants to send a message to the people," she said. "If you think like them [dissidents], if you talk like them, you will spend all your life in the jail." Asked why she was willing to speak to a reporter under the circumstances, she said that she had to let the world know what was going on in Saudi Arabia. "I must take this risk," she said, "and we will hope that they do not do anything to me." President Donald Trump on Monday called Rep. Beto O'Rourke "a stone-cold phony" and took a few sharp jabs at Sen. Ted Cruz's Democratic opponent, but otherwise focused on national issues while praising Cruz and a laundry list of Texas Republicans. Trump, in Houston for a rally to support Cruz, also encouraged the Toyota Center crowd to vote for Rep. John Culberson, acknowledging the nine-term Republican faces a tough re-election challenge. He is up against trial lawyer Lizzie Pannill Fletcher, a Democrat, in the 7th Congressional District. Cruz ticked through his top hits from the stump, continuing to cast O'Rourke as too far liberal for Texas. Trump echoed Cruz's harsh criticism for O'Rourke's stances on gun control and immigration, denouncing the El Paso Democrat for saying immigrant gang members are "people," not "animals." At the end of his speech, Cruz indicated he would not seek the Republican presidential nomination next election. "I'm going to make a prediction to every person here: In 2020, Donald Trump will be overwhelmingly re-elected as president of the United States," Cruz said. "I look forward to campaigning alongside him in 2020." ALSO MONDAY: Harris County smashes early voting record Trump acknowledged that he and Cruz "had our little difficulties" and "it got nasty" during the 2016 Republican presidential primary, when Trump called Cruz "Lyin' Ted." But he commended Cruz for doing a "beautiful job staring down an angry left-wing mob" during the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Now Playing: President Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz rally in Houston Video: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle "Nobody has helped me more with your tax cuts, with your regulations, with all of the things that we're doing, including military and our vets, than Senator Ted Cruz. Nobody," Trump said. Trump also told the crowd to vote for Rep. Ted Poe, who is not seeking re-election to Texas' 2nd Congressional District. Republican Dan Crenshaw is battling Democrat Todd Litton for the seat. Aside from his praise for members of the Texas congressional delegation, Trump lauded Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Trump's 2016 Texas campaign chair and Sen. John Cornyn. The three Republicans spoke Monday before Cruz and Trump's stump speeches. Otherwise, Trump continued to claim the caravan of migrants heading from Central America to the U.S. was supported by Democrats, without evidence to back up the claim. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders on Monday said the administration has evidence that people from the Middle East are part of the caravan, but did not provide evidence. Abbott, Cornyn and Patrick, appearing in that order, freely bashed O'Rourke while lauding Trump's record and his impact on the Texas economy. "Isn't it great to have a president who lives up to his campaign promises? He promised you he would cut your taxes, and he did," Abbott said. "He promised you that he would cut regulations, and he did." At one point, Trump said Abbott asked him for $10 billion in federal funding for an infrastructure project, which he jokingly said should be called "the Trump Dam." FACEOFF: Trump supporters and foes exchange words outside President's rally Patrick addressed the crowd with the most gusto of the three, railing against Democrats who are hoping for a "blue wave" in Texas. And he joked that O'Rourke's name stands for "Border Enforcement Totally Optional." "Why are we here? To tell Beto O'Rourke and the Democrats we're not turning Texas into California," Patrick said. Near the end, he led the crowd in a chant of "We love Trump!" and said emphatically, "We will never give up Texas!" Meanwhile, O'Rourke pushed back over the weekend against the partisan undertones in Abbott's and Cruz's message. In an interview with the Houston Chronicle on Sunday night in Sugar Land, he said this election isn't about Texas being red or blue. "Who cares about the partisan color of Texas?" O'Rourke said. "I could give a damn about what party you are in." The rally, Trump's 29th of the year, drew what appeared to be a mostly full crowd at an arena that holds about 18,000 people. Trump's campaign reported thousands more had signed up in the hopes of attending. Cornyn followed Abbott onstage and warned of "job-killing California-style mandates," calling Texas "the firewall in this midterm election." "I need Ted Cruz back in the Senate," Cornyn said. "Texas needs Ted Cruz back in the Senate." CONSERVATIVE APPAREL: Trump supporters poke fun at liberals Some of Abbott's Republican allies from the Texas Legislature attended, including state Sens. Paul Bettencourt, Dawn Buckingham, Donna Campbell and Bryan Hughes. Newly elected state Sen. Pete Flores also attended the rally. Members of the crowd donned "Trump-Pence 2020" and pink "Women for Trump" shirts. They held up signs reading "Finish the Wall" and "Stand for America." Chants of 'USA' repeatedly echoed through the arena. Outside but away from the line to enter the arena, protesters and conservative provocateurs, including Infowars host Alex Jones, verbally jousted. Staff writers Jeremy Wallace and Nicole Hensley contributed reporting. Montgomery County residents who took advantage of the first day of early voting Monday may have noticed something unusual on their ballots: a lot more choices. The Democratic Party, which has not been represented in elected office in the deep-red county since the early 1990s, is running its fullest slate in years. Democrats are on the ballot in races for county judge, Precinct 2 commissioner, district clerk, county treasurer, and four state legislative seats partially or fully within Montgomery County. Jay Stittleburg, an oil and gas industry project manager making his initial bid for elected office, is the first Democratic candidate for county judge since 1990. Whether Stittleburg or other Democrats have a realistic chance at winning, of course, is another question. The number of contested races and robust fundraising by some of the Democratic candidates, however, is encouraging to those who have been adrift in the countys political wilderness for decades. This is by far a stronger presence than weve had in the past, said Marc Meyer, the Montgomery County Democratic Party chairman. He attributed the larger slate in part to reaction to the policies of President Donald Trump, who carried Montgomery County by a 3-to-1 margin over Hillary Clinton in 2016, as well as those of Texas Republican leaders, such as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Meyers Republican counterpart, Dr. Walter Wally Wilkerson, said he and his colleagues welcome the increased competition, but he does not expect it to affect the outcome. Were going to elect every Republican on the ballot in Montgomery County, said Wilkerson, who has led the county Republican Party for 54 years. Split in candidates The countys most meaningful local election continues to be the Republican primary, which this year featured a split between candidates favored by far-right tea party organizations and those considered more mainstream. The tea party-favored candidate, Mark Keough, who served two terms as a state representative from The Woodlands, prevailed over incumbent Craig Doyal in a primary runoff for county judge, the countys chief administrative officer. Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley, however, won in a runoff against former Comal County Commissioner Greg Parker, who had the tea partys support in a campaign waged largely over the issue of toll roads. Riley faces a Democratic challenge from Ron Keichline, an environmental health and safety professional. The other contested county races are those for district clerk, where Republican Melisa Miller faces Democrat John-Brandon Pierre, and county treasurer, with Republican Melanie Bush facing Democrat Mandy Sunderland. The contested legislative seats partially or fully in the county are those of state Senate District 3, where incumbent Republican Robert Nichols faces Democrat Shirley Layton and Libertarian Bruce Quarles; House District 3, where GOP Rep. Cecil Bell Jr. is being challenged by Democrat Lisa Seger; House District 15, where Republican Rep. Steve Toth is being challenged by Democrat Lorena Perez McGill; and House District 16, where Republican incumbent Will Metcalf is opposed by Democrat Mike Midler. Also on the ballot are two contested seats on the board of the Woodlands Township, the governing body in the master-planned community. In nonpartisan races, incumbent Brian Boniface faces Treva Taglieri for Position 2, while incumbent Bruce Rieser faces Francis Frank Dargavage for Position 4. Fundraising totals Some of the Democratic candidates have reported respectable fundraising totals though generally below those of their opponents despite their built-in disadvantage in a GOP-dominated county. In the most recent reporting period, from July 1 through Sept. 27, Stittleburg raised $15,502, spent $39,210 and had $9,251 on hand, according to his campaign finance report. Keough, who borrowed heavily from his personal funds to finance a hard-fought primary campaign, raised $52,149, spent $20,873 and had $63,518 on hand. In the House District 15 race, McGill, a lawyer, raised $38,735 from July through September, spent $41,895 and had $46,358 on hand. Incumbent Toth raised $65,756, spent $7,026 and had $56,896 on hand. Stittleburg, who lives in Porter in eastern Montgomery County, said he is running in part because he believes residents are poorly served by single-party governance. In fact, he said, the county judge should not be elected on a partisan basis. The county judge is an administrative job about transparent spending of tax dollars and doing the county business, he said. Abortion, immigration, gun control we will never take a vote on those things in Montgomery County. Keough did not return a call seeking comment. Mark Jones, the political science fellow at Rice Universitys Baker Institute for Public Policy, said Wilkersons prediction another Republican sweep probably is correct. By fielding an increased number of credible candidates, Jones said, the Democrats are at least laying the groundwork to begin to have success in Montgomery County. mike.snyder@chron.com twitter.com/chronsnyder A Livingston man who fatally stabbed his girlfriend 50 times in November 2016, told a Galveston County jury on Monday that he snapped after she called him a rapist and that stabbing her so many times was an out of body experience. Jesse Dobbs, 23, who on Sept. 11 pled guilty to the murder of Kirstin Fritch, 16, and is standing trial to determine punishment, took the stand for the first time in his punishment trial for nearly two hours of cross-examination. He described a childhood of neglect and transience that included him committing sex crimes against minors, stints in juvenile detention and rehab, and eventually spiraled into a full-blown crystal meth addiction. Dobbs was the last of over 30 witnesses to testify on the sixth day of the trial, which included closing arguments from both the prosecution and defense before the jury broke for deliberations on Dobbs punishment. Judge Lonnie Cox, who is presiding over the trial in the 56th District Court in Galveston, ended the days proceedings at 6 p.m. because the jury had not yet reached a verdict. Deliberations are set to continue Tuesday. Dobbs, who took the stand Monday morning wearing a black shirt and pants with a striped tie, was initially questioned by his attorney, Jyll Rekoff, who had him detail his upbringing in Florida, where Dobbs engaged in sexual acts with minors that he said he learned from watching pornography. By the time, Dobbs moved to Texas with his father, his family wanted little to do with him, leading him to start using meth regularly. The Livingston mans drug addiction served as the backdrop to a series of decisions, failed job opportunities and broken relationships that led him to Houston and eventually, Baytown. While living in Baytown in September 2016, he met Kirstin Fritch via Facebook he said she initially messaged him somehow whom he began dating shortly after. Dobbs told the jury that Fritch was different than other girls he had dated in the past because she didnt judge him for his criminal history. I told her everything in my past, Dobbs said. I felt like if I tell you this and you accept me, then its meant to be. But Dobbs later testified that Fritch breaking that trust is what led him to snap and stab her repeatedly. He said that the weekend of Fritchs murder, he and Fritch planned to run away to Dallas after she got in a big argument with her mother, Cynthia Morris, 37. While driving around aimlessly with Fritch, Dobbs received a phone call from the mother of his two children, Dallas Hay. She asked if he knew anything about an Amber Alert posted about Fritchs disappearance and that he was a person of interest in the murder of Morris and Fritchs 13-year old sister, Breanna Pavilicek, who were shot to death in Morris home in Baytwon. Those murders remain unsolved, though Baytown Police have maintained that Dobbs is the primary suspect. In the car, Dobbs said that he asked Fritch about what happened to her mother and sister and she began acting weird and paranoid. He suggested they split up temporarily, and meet back up in the woods near Texas City so he could call a friend for advice. When they met again, Dobbs told Fritch he called a friend and that Fritch got really mad and started yelling and screaming at him, eventually wrestling on the ground as she tried to break his phone. Dobbs said eventually Fritch told him that she killed Morris and Pavilicek for me, and that they had to go. She kept saying, If you leave me, Im gonna tell them you did it and theyre not gonna believe you, Dobbs said, his voice trembling. Dobbs added that Fritch said to him, theyre not going to believe you because youre a rapist, adding an expletive. I just got so mad, I pulled out my knife and started stabbing her, Dobbs said, saying it was like an out of body experience. In their closing arguments, prosecutors Bill Reed and Matthew Shawhan casted Dobbs account as one of pure fantasy spun by a master manipulator who wiped out an entire family. At the end of the day, this person entered these peoples lives, theyre dead within a month and hes still standing, Shawhan said. While Dobbs could face 5 to 99 years or life on the first-degree murder charge, if the jury agrees to a sudden passion finding, the prison term would be capped at 20 years. Prosecutors gave a blow-by-blow description Tuesday of the way Terry Thompson, the husband of a fired sheriffs deputy, suffocated a young Houston father last year by applying a chokehold while straddling him in the parking lot of a Crosby-area restaurant. The details came in the first day of testimony as Thompsons second murder trial began in earnest. They tried to pull Terry Bryan Thompson off John Hernandez, prosecutor Sarah Mickelson Seeley told jurors in opening statements. Terry Bryan Thompson was too big. Too strong. Now Playing: The attorney for the family of John Hernandez, a man allegedly beaten and killed by the husband of a sheriff's office deputy, says a new cellphone video has surfaced of the incident. Video: Chron.com It is the second time Thompson, a 42-year-old railroad worker, has been tried on allegations that he intentionally killed 24-year-old Hernandez on May 28, 2017, a death that triggered protests over disparate treatment of law enforcement personnel and their family. Thompson entered a plea of not guilty as the proceedings began Tuesday. His attorney, Scot Courtney, did not give an opening statement. He has long maintained that Thompson had the right to hold Hernandez down after Thompson apparently punched him in the eye during the late-night confrontation. Clearly it was too forceful because it resulted in Mr. Hernandezs death, Courtney has said. But he had every right to restrain him until the police got there. Hernandezs family and supporters filled one side of state District Judge Kelli Johnsons court while a half-dozen of Thompsons supporters sat on the other side. Seeley acknowledged that Hernandez was so intoxicated that his wife directed him to take her and her daughter to the Dennys near their home in Crosby instead of the restaurant they were planning to go to. Hernandez was apparently urinating in the parking lot when Thompson, his teenage daughter and two of her friends drove up. The teens went inside while Thompson confronted Hernandez an exchange that was caught on surveillance video. You can see him on the video, she said. Hes making loud, big gestures. Seeley said jurors would see several videos, including camera phone video that ignited a series of protests in downtown Houston with activists wearing Justice for John T-shirts and signs. The high-profile case made national headlines after that video, filmed by a bystander, was released showing a chaotic 53 seconds of the 15-minute encounter on the sidewalk outside the restaurant. In June, a mistrial was declared after a Harris County jury could not agree on a verdict, although Thompson came within a few votes of being acquitted. Thompsons defense lawyer said he does not expect prosecutors to bring any new evidence during the second trial. I dont think theres any smoking gun or unknown witnesses or anything like that, Courtney said. Read more: Defense attorney: Houston man punched fellow Dennys patron and sparked fight leading to his choking death Courtney has maintained that Thompson was attacked and responded by taking an intoxicated Hernandez to the ground and holding him down as they waited for deputies to come. A crowd gathered around the two men, and several pleaded with Thompson and his wife to release Hernandez as he struggled to breathe. Thompsons wife, Chauna Thompson, who was then a Harris County sheriffs deputy, is also charged with murder, accused of helping to hold Hernandez down. She was fired by Sheriff Ed Gonzalez after the incident. The fatal encounter began when Thompson called out to Hernandez for urinating in the parking lot. Hernandez responded by apparently striking the rail worker in the face, and blood tests later showed he had a large amount of alcohol in his system. Evidence showed that Thompson quickly took the intoxicated man to the ground and held him until he lost consciousness on the pavement outside the restaurant. He died days later in a hospital. Read more: Harris Co. sheriff's deputy, husband charged with murder in choking death of man at local Denny's The first trial ended in a mistrial when 11 jurors voted not guilty on the murder charge. Ten voted not guilty for the lesser charge of manslaughter, and eight agreed Thompson was not guilty of criminally negligent homicide. The prosecutors who first took it to trial, Patrick Stayton and Jules Johnson, have been replaced by veteran prosecutors John Jordan and Sarah Mickelson Seeley. Last week, more than 100 prospective jurors answered a questionnaire and were selected Friday. There are 12 jurors and 3 alternates. Of the 15, eight are women and seven are men. They were told the trial may last three weeks. If convicted of murder, Thompson faces the possibility of life in prison and would have to serve half of his sentence before he would be eligible for parole. brian.rogers@chron.com President Donald Trump played his greatest hits with a Texas twist at his Houston rally Monday night. The President took the usual jabs at the Democratic party, with his usual comments about a border wall and the usual calls to "Make America Great Again." TRUMP: Many Texans watched Harvey from their boats, requiring Coast Guard rescue But while supporting Senator Ted Cruz's re-election bid at the massive rally at the Toyota Center, Trump acknowledged his predominantly conservative Texas audience several times with references of Hurricane Harvey and the Battle of the Alamo. His most controversial statements about Texas came when he brought up the Hurricane Harvey response. Trump, who previously faced backlash for saying that Texans watched the storm from their boats, re-upped those comments on Monday. He said "these guys with little boats" wanted to go into the hurricane's path to "show their wife how great they are." "They think they have this great boat," Trump said. Trump used those comments to highlight the U.S. Coast Guards rescue efforts. He also applauded all first responders involved in the storm recovery. RELATED: Trump knocks O'Rourke, gives light attention to Houston congressional races Later in the speech, Trump decided to give a brief Texas history lesson. "This is the state where William Travis, James Bowie and Davy Crockett made their last stand at the Alamo," he said. "This is the state where a small band of patriots at the Battle of Gonzalez, armed with a single canon, stared down a foreign army and declared "come and take it." View the gallery to see what else Trump said about Texas during his speech. 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 | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message President Donald Trump rallied with Sen. Ted Cruz in Houston on Monday. Thousands of Houstonians and Texans showed up to the Toyota Center to show their support for both politicians. While Trump hurled insults at Beto O'Rourke, protesters and devoted supporters showed off elaborate displays, and the faithful lined up for a chance to see the president. To see how the rally unfolded through social media, we gathered some of the best reactions and photos posted about the event. Check out the gallery above. Fernando Ramirez is a digital reporter for Chron.com and Houstonchronicle.com. Read him on our breaking news site and on our subscriber site. Follow him on Twitter at @fernramirez93 or email him at Fernando.ramirez@chron.com. Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday unanimously adopted new rules to prevent so-called "robot brothels" from opening and more strictly regulate sexually oriented businesses in unincorporated areas. The county already had been revising its sexually oriented business rules, first adopted in 1996, but decided to specifically address lifelike sex dolls for rent after Toronto-based company KinkySdollsS considered opening a Houston branch where patrons could try out human-like "adult love dolls" in private rooms at the shop. The dolls, unlike their inflatable forebears, are made of synthetic skin and have highly articulated skeletons. Houston City Council earlier this month amended its sexually oriented business rules include "robot brothels" in its ban on arcades and theaters. City inspectors in September stopped construction on the KinkySdolls storefront at Richmond and Chimney Rock saying the project lacked proper permits. No company has expressed interest in opening such an establishment in Harris County, but court members said they wanted to eliminate that possibility in the future. KinkySdolls did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. SOUTHWEST RESPONDS: Lawsuit filed over alleged 'whites-only' break room Assistant County Attorney Celena Vinson said the county largely adopted language Houston's legal department had written. "We wanted to address the sex robot shop that was allegedly going to open in the city, and wanted to ensure our regulations were consistent with what the city of Houston was doing," Vinson said. The changes now clearly define sex dolls like the ones advertised by the Toronto firm as "anthropomorphic devices" and prohibit companies from renting them out to customers. Residents of the city and county remain free to purchase such devices for use in their own homes. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez praised the new rules for their clarity, which he said will allow deputies to more aggressively target illicit red light businesses that largely operate in the shadows. "Before, everything was lumped together and was ambiguous," Gonzalez said. "Now, that's no longer the case." The sheriff said he is pleased the new rules, which take effect Jan. 1, explicitly ban sexual services at massage parlors and clearly define adult motels, theaters, bookstores and cabarets. A vice squad with seven deputies and a sergeant works closely with Houston police to enforce the regulations. Harris County has two licensed sexually oriented businesses. Both are strip clubs that fall under the cabaret rules: St. James and Houston Dolls, which are on the same street off Interstate 45 in north Harris County. The permit has expired for a third, Joy of Houston in Jersey Village, and Vinson said the county attorney's office on Wednesday will ask a judge to shut down the club. She said more county establishments may need to apply for sexually oriented business permits because the new rules aim to prevent topless clubs from masquerading as bikini bars, for example. "We're hoping this amendment clears up any confusion about whether they need a permit or not," Vinson said. "It's not as arguable to say 'I don't fit into this category.'" At the previous Commissioners Court meeting Oct. 9, anti-human trafficking advocates said allowing a so-called "robot brothel" to operate where patrons can have sex with lifelike dolls would make trafficking worse. The rules also now require permitted sexually oriented businesses to post signs displaying an educational information regarding human trafficking, including the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Zach Despart covers Harris County for the Chronicle. You can follow him on Twitter or email him at zach.despart@chron.com. President Donald Trump accomplished his primary mission on Monday night, firing up the Republican base at the Toyota Center with a mix of tough talk on immigration, praise for the economy and his usual contempt for Democrats like U.S. Senate candidate Beto ORourke, whom he called a stone-cold phony. He pretends to be a moderate but hes actually a radical open borders left winger, said Trump, who promised the rally earlier this summer in a bid to help U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz win re-election. That Trump would be dispatched to reliably red Texas to defend Cruz seemed improbable a year ago. Cruz, 47, won his first term in the Senate six years ago by nearly 15 percentage points. And Texas hasnt elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1988. Yet Texas Republicans starting ringing alarms in the summer, warning that Democratic energy is high for the midterms and could threaten not only Cruz, but Republicans down the ballot unless Trump himself could fire up his supporters to get to the polls. For subscribers: Cruz allies double down, energized by O'Rourke's mountain of cash Throughout his 76-minute speech, Trump continually returned to immigration, a topic that GOP voters have routinely ranked as a top priority in polling. We need a wall built fast, Trump said. Fast. We have to protect our borders. Trump hammered Democrats for policies that he says are encouraging the caravan of migrants from Central America and gang members to cross the border. I think the Democrats had something to do with it, and now theyre saying I think we made a big mistake, Trump said. Because people are seeing how bad it is, how pathetic it is, how bad our laws are. They made a big mistake. And look this is an assault on our country. Now Playing: President Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz rally in Houston Video: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle Trump surprised some onlookers by referring to himself as a nationalist in his Houston speech, the first time he has ever applied that label to himself, according to CNN, though others have used it to describe his populist rhetoric as well as his approach to foreign policy and immigration. "I am a nationalist," Trump said, though he allowed that "we're not supposed to say that word." The topic came up as Trump referenced the tariffs he has implemented, the need for the border wall, and U.S. exports of natural gas to Germany. "America is winning again. America is respected again, because we are putting America first," Trump said. "We're taking care of ourselves for once." Moments later, he made fun of Democrats for being concerned about the perception of his administration in other countries. "Of course I'm unpopular with foreign nations, because we're not letting them rip us off anymore, folks," Trump said, to chants from the crowd of "USA, USA." But left uncertain was whether any of the tough talk would be enough to protect Republicans up and down the ballot from a Democratic wave that was already producing record early voting turnout in Harris County and other major cities. Turnout was another theme of Trumps speech. Get out there and vote, Trump said. It is underway as we speak. If youd like to leave now, go ahead. As he set out for Houston, Trump walked back the nickname that he gave Cruz in 2016 when the two were rivals for the Republican presidential nomination. "He's not Lyin' Ted anymore," Trump told reporters while boarding Marine One. "He's Beautiful Ted." At the rally, Trump brushed off their enmity. It got nasty, and then it ended, Trump said. And Ill tell you what, nobody has helped me more with your tax cuts, with your regulation, with all of the things were doing including the military and our veterans, than Sen. Ted Cruz. Nobody. Cruz likewise used his speech before Trump took the stage to assure the crowd jammed into the 18,000-seat Toyota Center that he works hand-and-hand with Trump on cutting taxes and reducing regulations. Cruz warned that ORourke winning in Texas would threaten Trumps presidency. If elected, ORourke has said he would vote to impeach Trump. Democrats need to hold onto all 49 seats they currently hold in the U.S. Senate and pick up at least two others held by Republicans. Political experts say their best chance is to win tight battles for the Senate in Arizona and Nevada. Texas, however, has fast turned into one of the hottest races in the entire nation because of ORourke, an El Paso Congressman who has shattered fundraising records with a social-media-driven campaign that has rejected political action committee funding and help from the national Democratic Party. For subscribers: 2018 Houston Chronicle Voter Guide For subscribers: 2018 San Antonio Express-News Voter Guide Democrat Hillary Clinton won Harris County by 12 percentage points in 2016. The mission to stop ORourke extends beyond the President. In the last month, Vice President Mike Pence, the president's son Donald Trump Jr., and his daughter Ivanka Trump have all been in Texas for events with Cruz. In a show of defiance, ORourke, 46, spend much of the 24 hours before Trump arrived in and around Houston, hosting rallies and visiting early polling sites throughout Harris, Montgomery and Fort Bend counties to get his supporters to the polls. There were signs it was working. Even before voting was to begin, nearly 2,000 people stood in line outside of the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center on West Gray near River Oaks in a scene that looked more like a Black Friday shopping morning. Now Playing: Sen. Ted Cruz speaks in Houston during a rally with President Donald Trump Video: Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle In Harris County, a record 65,000 voters cast ballots on the first day of early voting, more than double the previous record for a midterm election. Harris overwhelmingly favored Hillary Clinton in 2016. While the Toyota Center was filled to almost capacity, police estimated about 3,000 people who were late to line up for Trumps rally watched it outside on a TV towering over the crowd. Among the crowd was Matt Guse and his four children from Pearland. "I've never seen a live sitting president before. Close counts," Guse said. Staff writers Jasper Scherer, Nicole Hensley and Kevin Diaz contributed to this report. Each election cycle brings a mix of good and bad, but there's always some candidates who are so awful, so toxic, that they don't deserve your vote no matter which political party you prefer. You don't have to vote for their opponents, but you absolutely shouldn't vote for them. United States Representative, District 18, Ava Reynero Pate - Republican Party: "It's not that Pate, a hairdresser, was merely ignorant about the issues plenty of upstart candidates are guilty of that. What truly shocked us was, despite bringing a Bible to the meeting, she expressed brazen heartlessness to the plight of global refugees. She even said the United States shouldn't have welcomed Jews trying to flee the Holocaust because that was the responsibility of the United Nations, which didn't exist at the time." Sometimes it can feel mean to point out the flaws of amateur candidates, but dismissing the plight of Holocaust refugees merits special attention. Attorney General, Ken Paxton - Republican Party: "Paxton has been a model of the worst possible attorney general." What's there to say about Attorney General Ken Paxton that one day won't be explained to a jury? He's facing two charges for felony investment fraud and another count of failing to register as an investment adviser. He accepted massive amounts of money from the Empower Texans political activist group and then conveniently refused to defend the Texas Ethics Commission against their attacks. He's trying to get rid of protections for people with preexisting conditions. Oh, and he once stole another lawyer's $1,000 pen. Agriculture Commissioner, Sid Miller - Republican Party: "In what world do Texans vote for a man who raised fees on farmers and declared your local pitmaster public enemy number one?" From Jesus shots to fake news on Facebook, Miller has littered the agriculture commissioner's office with the political equivalent of cow pies. And taxpayers get stuck with the cleanup bill. State Representative, District 135, Gary Elkins - Republican Party: "We've never understood how Elkins keeps getting re-elected, given his minimal accomplishments during his 12 terms in office and his questionable dealings for the payday loan business in which he is an empresario. In the 2017 session of the Texas Legislature he added to the mystery when, ironically, as chairman of the Government Transparency and Operations Committee he kept all proposed open government bills bottled up until they died at session's end. That performance earned him his latest of several appearances on Texas Monthly's worst legislators list." When Gary Elkins met with the Houston Chronicle editorial board for a candidate screening in 2014, he told us that his biggest accomplishment after 20 years in the Legislature was the elimination of lower speed limits at night. Voters shouldn't have to wait another 20 years to see what grand legislative accomplishment he'll have next. District Judge, 228th District Court, Frank Aguilar - Democratic Party: "Aguilar has no campaign website that we could find and doesn't seem to be actively running for this bench. However, we did find that a former magistrate Frank Aguilar was charged in 2010 with assault on a family member. We wish we could ask Aguilar about this, but we couldn't get him in for an endorsement meeting." It can be tough to run a campaign for a judgeship. Ethical codes prohibit you from talking about case specifics, it is hard to convince donors and you're basically at the whim of partisan sweeps. But Frank Aguilar is basically a ghost. District Judge, 263nd District Court, Charles Johnson - Republican Party: "[...] Charles Johnson has been publicly reprimanded by the Texas State Bar and forced to refund client money for not delivering on his promises. He also has been sued repeatedly for not paying his bills." Sure, you could argue that Charles Johnson's experience as both a lawyer and a defendant in lawsuits makes him a well-rounded candidate for judge, but the jury probably won't buy it. Small-scale fisheries event to focus on innovation, capacity October 18,2018 | Source: Undercurrent News Over 300 researchers, practitioners, small-scale fishers, civil society organizations, environmental organizations, and government representatives are set to gather on Oct. 22-26, 2018, to discuss transdisciplinary strategies to sustain small-scale fisheries as a global food production system. They will meet at the third world small-scale fisheries congress in Chiang Mai, Thailand, under the theme "transdisciplinary and transformation for the future of small-scale fisheries". The congress aims to facilitate information exchange, knowledge sharing, and discussion among participants who come from more than 50 countries for the viability and sustainability of small-scale fisheries worldwide. The congresss main theme is addressed by focusing on knowledge, innovation and capacity in the context of science, community, and policy. The congress will be opened by three plenary speakers to set the stage on recent developments in these area: Svein Jentoft of the Arctic University of Norway will present on the state-of-the-art in small-scale fisheries research. Editrudith Stephen Lukanga, of the World Forum of Fish Harvesters and Fish Workers, Tanzania, will speak about the latest activities that civil society organizations have been engaging in to support and promote sustainable small-scale fisheries. Nicole Franz, from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Italy, will provide an overview and update about the voluntary guidelines for securing sustainable small-scale fisheries since its adoption in 2014. Theme(s): Others. The path to sustainable fisheries runs through Viet Nam - Q&A with UNCTAD economist October 19,2018 | Source: UNCTAD The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) recently formed a partnership with the Nha Trang University of Viet Nam to open a new centre of excellence to train people working in fisheries and aquaculture in African and Asian least developed countries. With the first training course set to kick off on 29 October, we sat down with Mussie Delelegn, an UNCTAD economist working on the programme, to discuss why Viet Nam is such a success story and why the UN body concerned with development through trade chose to partner with this particular university. Q: Why Viet Nam? A: I think Viet Nam is one of the few developing countries in the world that has made significant progress in tapping into the potential of the fisheries sector for social development. Viet Nam is the fifth largest producer of fish in the world and the fourth largest producer of aquaculture, and there is a lot that countries can learn from the Vietnamese experience. Related News: 9 Mar 2018 - UNCTAD and Vietnamese university to create a sustainable fisheries training centre Related Link: Building the capacities of selected LDCs to upgrade and diversify their fish exports I think the official production for the last ten years has been growing on average by 10%. This is huge by any standard. And the exports of the official sector in Viet Nam today generate close to $10 billion. That is huge coming from one sector from one of the developing countries in the world. About a decade ago, Vietnams total fishery exports in value terms were not more than $2 bilion. And the biggest success for Viet Nam is not from the catch fish. It's from aquaculture. Today, aquaculture production accounts for 55% of the total fishery production in the country and generates close to 80% of export revenue. Also, the fishery sector along the value chain employs as many as 10 million people. Close to 80% of the employment is in the aquaculture sub-sector. Now, the success for Viet Nam from aquaculture and also from the catch fish has led Viet Nam to transform the sector into one of the vibrant manufacturing hubs in terms of producing seafood for example, processed food and frozen fish. Q: What are the development aspects of Viet Nams success? A: I had the opportunity to visit a processing firm based in the city of Nha Trang that employs 3,000 people, and 98% of the workforce are women. So, it has a social and gender dimension as well. Also, the income level for people working in the fishery sector is comparable to those working in the manufacturing sector. So, it has substantial impact on poverty reduction. Theres also the notion of sustainability because the more you develop aquaculture the more you can reduce tensions on the natural catch. Overfishing is a problem. The depletion of the fish stock is a challenge. One point which distinguishes Viet Nam is the degree of market penetration. Viet Nam exports to almost all over the world, to developed countries. For one of the firms I was talking about, 50% of the exports are destined to the United States, 30% to the European Union, 20% shared between Japan and South Korea. This means that Viet Nam has managed to meet high food safety and quality standards required by developed country markets and consumers. And they are not only exporting to these countries but are exporting to the high-end market to the hotels directly, to the supermarkets. Many developing countries, especially in Africa, are not able to do this and are there unable to get the higher prices offered by high-end markets. Q: How does Viet Nams story differ from the other developing countries experience with fisheries? A: For example, in Africa, one of the countries with the longest coastline and with huge marine resources is Mozambique. Weve estimated that Mozambique has the capacity to produce two million tonnes of aquaculture fish and an additional two million from freshwater fisheries. This is our estimate. But what Mozambique is able to produce today is not more than 70,000 tonnes from aquaculture. Another country that has rich potential in the sector is the island nation of Comoros. But there is no single fish that Comorians export to international markets because they cant meet international standards. More than 70% of exported fish from Africa, on average, are destined for the European market, yet there is no single fish that comes from Comoros. So, there is huge potential but untapped potential. Bangladesh, on the other hand, has done fantastic work in terms of exporting shrimps to the international markets. But the Bangladeshi fish is most of the time destined to wholesale markets, which do not provide premium prices. You must go to the high-end markets, such as supermarkets and hotel chains, to maximize export revenues from the sector Q: How did Viet Nam achieve its success? A: There are several factors. One is that the they really followed the export-led investment strategy. They targeted the fisheries sectors that have global demand the big shrimp prawns and the pangasius and they deliberately expanded the production and the export of the sectors that bring high value, high return. The government of Viet Nam has also provided incentives to mobilize the countrys private sector in the production and export of fisheries, which most developing countries in Africa could not afford to do partly due to limited financial resources and partly due to misguided policies. Now, the problem in most of the African countries is that even when they farm fish, they only raise the fish that they have. Viet Nam also created vibrant institutions the training centres, the universities, the laboratories to make sure the fish produced either from aquaculture or from catch fish is safe to consume and meets international standards. Q: Why did you decide to partner with Nha Trang University? A: The university is one of the largest institutions in Viet Nam it was established in 1959. It hosts a 15,000-strong student population and has many faculties with expertise and experience in fishery sciences, fishery food processing technologies, aquaculture. Secondly, it already has an international network of universities. I met students from Namibia pursuing their Master's degree in marine sciences and environmental policies. I met students from Nigeria. I interviewed students from Liberia, and there are students from Sri Lanka. There are even students from developed countries, such as Norway. We would like to harness this potential for the benefit of the trainees we will be bringing from least developed countries in Africa and Asia. Q: What will the training courses cover? A: The first module looks at the fisheries sector as a major economic sector. The second component deals with the methods and systems necessary to develop the aquaculture sector. And the third module will consider the social dimensions, as I was saying, the gender aspect, the potential poverty reduction and employment generation, as well as some of the labour standards applicable to the fisheries sector. And well bring in the certification process meeting international standards is going to be one of the modules. So, the course is going to have between five and seven modules. Now, one important element of the training course is that its not only theoretical. They will have on-the-job exposure. They'll visit the processing sites, the fish landing sites, the aquaculture farms, the fish feed processing plants. Q: How long will the course be? A: The minimum will be two weeks and the maximum three weeks for the initial phase. That is what we are planning for now. Gradually, the course is going to expand. In fact, the intention from the Vietnamese side over the next two or three years is to transform the regional centre of excellence into a major training in fisheries sciences at Masters and PhD levels. Theme(s): Fisheries Development and Aquaculture. Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor revealed Tuesday that she has been diagnosed with dementia and would be stepping aside from public life, including as leader of iCivics, the organization she founded to improve civic education for the nations students. I can no longer help lead this cause, due to my physical condition, the 88-year-old OConnor said in a letter to the public released by the court. It is time for new leaders to make civic learning and civic engagement a reality for all. OConnor said in the letter that some time ago her doctors diagnosed her with dementia that is probably Alzheimers disease. I will continue living in Phoenix, Arizona, surrounded by dear friends and family, she wrote. While the final chapter of my life with dementia may be trying, nothing has diminished my gratitude and deep appreciation for the countless blessings in my life. OConnor stepped down from the court in January 2006 upon the confirmation of her successor, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. This was after she had announced her retirement in the summer of 2005 but extended her tenure when Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist died that September. OConnor had retired to help care for her husband, John OConnor III, who had Alzheimers and died in 2009. Upon her retirement, OConnor occasionally served as a visiting federal appeals court judge around the country and spoke out on causes such as bringing an end to popular election of state judges. But her true passion became improving civics. I will make it my primary focus now to work on civics education in America, OConnor told the National School Boards Association in 2008. We have some work to do. In 2009, OConnor said in an interview with Education Week that her initial efforts were aimed at middle school students, because they were not yet bored with school. They are soon going to be the adults running the nation, and we want our nation to function, OConnor said in the interview. Her efforts led to the 2009 creation of iCivics , a nonprofit that promotes learning about government through online games such as We the Jury and Do I Have a Right? Today, iCivics reaches half the youth in our country, OConnor said in her letter to the public. We must reach all our youth. ... There is no more important work than deepening young peoples engagement in our nation. Louise Dube, the executive director of iCivics, said in an interview Tuesday that OConnor has been a force of nature and someone who did not take no for an answer as she pursued her cause. Not only did she found this organization, she made it a success, Dube said. I have the utmost respect for her. I am very sad about the current state of her health. Dube recalled that OConnor was last in Washington for two events in 2015, including a tribute held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in which the three women who followed OConnor onto the Supreme CourtJustices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kaganwere in attendance. She was frail then, and getting tired more easily, but she was still very active, Dube said. The Associated Press reported this week that two of OConnors sons, Jay and Brian, had cleared out their mothers office at the Supreme Court, a chambers reserved for retired justices that has now been turned over to newly retired Justice Anthony M. Kennedy. Sotomayor joined the board of iCivics in 2015 , and Dube said the justices service was just renewed for another three-year term. Justice Neil M. Gorsuch has also participated in iCivics events, while Kennedy has also promoted civics education. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said in a statment that he was saddened to learn that OConnor, like many Americans, faces the challenge of dementia. But I was not at all surprised that she used the occasion of sharing that fact to think of our country first, and to urge an increased commitment to civics education, a cause to which she devoted so much of her time and indomitable energy. In her letter, OConnor called for efforts to improve civics education to move to the next level. I hope that private citizens, counties, states, and the federal government will work together to create and fund a nationwide civics education initiative, she wrote. To that end, Dube said, a new organization is being created, called CivXNow.org , that will focus on making civics a greater priority in schools. The new group has more than 40 partnering organizations. We honor our founder and support her call, Dube said. We are determined to use this moment in time, when our democracy is clearly under pressure, to make it clear that a democratic republic requires an investment in civic education. Photo: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor is shown before administering the oath of office to members of the Texas Supreme Court in Austin, Texas, in 2003. --Harry Cabluck/AP-File The Museum will be opening the Hawker Hunter F Mk.4 cockpit for close viewing, allowing visitors to take a seat inside the McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG1 and running tours on board the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod R.1 XV249. Date: 27 October to 4 November 2018 Time: 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm Cost: Suggested donation of 3 / Entry to Museum is FREE Explore a selection of Cold War aircraft throughout half term week at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, when families will be given rare access to fighter jets and a reconnaissance plane. The Hunter was a transonic British jet powered fighter aircraft developed for the RAF in the late 1940s/early 50s. The Mk.4 as seen at Cosford was the first version that could carry drop tanks or bombs on under-wing pylons. The variant equipped 13 German based RAF day fighter/ground attack squadrons plus 9 others in Fighter Command, including the Museums example (Hawker Hunter F Mk. 4 XE670). The Phantom is one of the most successful and widely-used warplanes of all time, originally designed to meet a US Navy requirement for a supersonic two-seat carrier-borne air defence fighter, entering US Navy service in July 1961. The example on display at Cosford (Phantom FG.1 XV591) is one of 48 production Phantom FG.1 aircraft purchased for British service, 20 for the RAF initially and 24 of the remainder, including XV591, for the Royal Navy. The Hunter (close view only) and Phantom cockpits are both located inside the National Cold War Exhibition and will be opened daily from 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm. Both cockpits will be manned by a Visitor Experience Assistant and Volunteer who will be on hand to answer any questions. Visitor Experience Supervisor, Sam Barrett said: Its important visitors not only get to see the aircraft and exhibits we have on display, but they get to experience them too. By allowing families to step onboard the specially prepared Hunter, Phantom and Nimrod its gives an extra level of understanding and undoubtedly inspires the next generation. Tactile access sparks curiosity and encourages more questions and in turn allows visitors to learn more about the history and the role of the RAF, as well as it being a fun experience! Alongside the Hunter and Phantom cockpits will be a Cold War handling collection consisting of helmets, life jackets and a collection of photos, for visitors to try on, and take photos. There is no need to pre-book, just turn up on the day and head into the National Cold War Exhibition. Children must be a minimum of one metre tall in order to sit inside the cockpit and must be accompanied by an adult. Suggested donation of 3 per person. Daily tours on board the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod R.1 XV249, will run throughout half term week and families will have the exciting opportunity to learn about its intelligence gathering role in the Royal Air Force. During the tours lasting around 15 minutes, aviation fans will learn about the history of the aircraft, hear about the crews on board and view some of its sophisticated surveillance equipment. The Nimrod flew in both the Maritime patrol and electronic intelligence gathering role. Maritime surveillance, anti-submarine operations and intelligence gathering have been key tasks for the Royal Air Force for much of its long history. When the Nimrod was finally retired from service in 2011, the type had operated with distinction for over 40 years in all these roles, and more. Tickets cost 5 per person and are available to purchase online a www.rafmuseum.org/cosford or on the day, subject to availability and weather permitting. By The Associated Press By The Associated Press Oct. 22, 2018 | 10:26 AM | CARBONDALE President Donald Trump will stop in southern Illinois this weekend to support Republican Rep. Mike Bost's re-election bid. Trump has scheduled a rally with Bost on Saturday at Southern Illinois Airport, between Carbondale and Murphysboro. His campaign says he's expected to discuss his America First agenda and the need for Illinois voters to help protect and expand the Republican majority in Congress. Bost is in a tight race against Democrat Brendan Kelly, the St. Clair County state's attorney. The 12th Congressional District is one of four GOP-held seats that Democrats are targeting as they try to take control of the House. Voters in the once reliably Democratic district supported Trump in 2016. By West Kentucky Star Staff Oct. 22, 2018 | 11:24 AM | GRAVES COUNTY In response to a request from the media and many concerns from community members regarding the Samantha Sperry missing persons case, the Graves County Sheriff's Office has prepared the following statement: The Sheriff's Office received a complaint of Rhen Hendrickson disappearing into the woods off Dooms Chapel Road on March 28, 2018. When our deputies responded, they learned that Hendrickson had contacted his mother via FaceTime and stated that he had taken several pills and was going into the woods to die. The Sheriff's Office has had past interactions with Hendrickson when he was violent and armed. Hendrickson is well known to law enforcement and is considered an officer safety risk. As Emergency Management Director, Chief Deputy Davant Ramage, made the decision that night not to go into the woods to look for Hendrickson, due to officer safety and the safety of other individuals who would be assisting in a search. We would have had to ask volunteer fire departments to come help look for Hendrickson as well. Again, knowing he has a violent past, we couldnt put unarmed civilians in the woods at night. At this point, Samantha had not yet been reported missing. It was not until Thursday, March 29, 2018, that Mr. and Mrs. Artis reported her missing. On the night of March 29, 2018, Samantha's abandoned car was impounded. It was searched by one of our deputies. At that same time, two deputies traveled to Paducah. They interviewed an individual to verify information that we had been given about the whereabouts of Dusty Holder during the time frame of the previous days. Another person was being interviewed in Graves County about Samantha's disappearance. On March 30, 2018, the first search was done for Samantha. It was done by the Graves County Sheriff's Office. On that date, Dusty Holder met with Detective Steve Halsell, Deputy Brooke Nelms, Deputy Richard Edwards and Chief Deputy Ramage. They went to the Kaler Bottoms area where Samantha was allegedly last seen by Holder. Holder said that he and Samantha had ridden a four-wheeler into the woods, gotten stuck and stayed there the rest of the night. According to him, they left on foot the next morning. Chief Ramage asked an unnamed individual to conduct a search independent of Sheriff's Office. This individual has extensive knowledge of the area due to him being raised nearby and hunting there throughout his life. Chief Ramage had explained to him what deputies were looking for. While the deputies and Holder were searching for the four-wheeler Holder said had been left in the woods, the other unnamed party located said four-wheeler. He came back and reported this to the deputies. He also reported that there was only one set of footprints around the four-wheeler and one set of footprints coming out of the woods. This information was not revealed to Holder. The important facts that were learned here are as follows: Holder's story did not match up with the physical evidence at the scene or in the surrounding area. There was absolutely no proof that Samantha was ever there or in that area. There was evidence of a small fire. In that fire we located two cell phones identified as belonging to Dusty Holder. They were collected and are being analyzed. Once Holder's four-wheeler was recovered, all parties left the woods. Holder was allowed to leave and agreed to meet detectives at the Sheriff's Office later for an interview. When Hendrickson went missing, it was not known to the Sheriff's Office that Samantha was missing. However, when Samantha's missing person's report was taken, an investigation began immediately. Persons of interest were being developed and questioned. Evidence was being collected. In under 24 hours of the report being taken, deputies and one private citizen were in the woods searching for Samantha. Several different individuals were being interviewed on that Friday afternoon. We were able to find someone who was of solid character who had seen Samantha recently. From his account, we were able to put Samantha in Graves County early Tuesday morning, but not in the same area where we were told she went missing. At this point, the last place she was seen by a credible source was in a car, and a day earlier than when Holder stated he and she were in the woods for the night. To this day, there has been no physical evidence to suggest Holder's statement was true or that Samantha was ever in those woods that night. Deputies interviewed Dusty Holder at the Sheriff's Office on the night of March 30, 2018. Holder gave the story that he and Samantha had entered the woods on the four wheeler, became stuck, stayed the night and walked out the next morning (note the above-mentioned physical evidence at the site indicated that only one persons footprints were in the vicinity). Holder stated that Samantha headed south on State Route 131 and he headed north. According to Holder, this was the last time he saw Samantha. During this interview, deputies from the Sheriff's Office applied for, and obtained a search warrant for Samantha's home in Murray. Accompanied by deputies from Calloway County, the warrant was executed. Several items were seized to be sent to the Kentucky State Police Lab for analysis. These activities lasted until the early morning hours of Saturday, March 31, 2018. The Kentucky Revised Statute 39F.180, states that a search may be (not shall be) conducted as soon as a missing person is reported. It states that there is nothing that prevents a search from being done immediately. In this particular instance, there was no statute requiring a search be done; however, the Graves County Sheriffs Office completed a search and conducted interviews in an attempt to locate Samantha. To our knowledge, on Saturday, March 31, 2018, there was no searching done. Then on April 1, 2018, a group of people went out and entered the woods and searched. On Sunday night, April 1, 2018, Hendrickson came out of the woods and acknowledged having been there for five days. He was taken to the hospital that night and brought to the Sheriff's Office on Monday for questioning. Hendrickson gave his account of the events surrounding Samantha's disappearance, as well as his own disappearance. It was in that interview that we learned that Hendrickson himself had taken items of Samantha's and his own into the woods and lost them. As far as we can prove, these items were taken into the woods by Hendrickson. There is no evidence to dispute this. If these items, in fact, existed, they would be valuable evidence for our case. Deputies asked a search party to look for these items, and they were found. Jeremy Blansett, who is the Area 1 Emergency Management Coordinator for Kentucky, asked Chief Ramage if the Sheriff's Office wanted him to step in to coordinate and oversee the ground search activities. This was a welcomed request as it allowed Sheriff's Office investigators to follow up on other leads and possible sightings, as there were many. We did, however, have a deputy at every search of which we were made aware. The Graves County Sheriff's Office is a small department, and at the same time these searches were going on, there were also calls for service throughout the county. Deputies were needed to answer these calls and provide services to its citizens. Chief Ramage continued to speak to Tina Artis, keeping her up to date on a regular basis. For some time, they spoke every Thursday around 10 am. That was the arrangement that was made between the two of them. There were times she gave information for us to follow up on, and we did. As a matter of fact, Chief Ramage has spoken to her within the last two weeks, updating her and answering questions. During this investigation, we were contacted by the FBI, who offered their assistance. The FBI reviewed the case. They stated that it appeared we were doing everything they would do and that if we needed help to call them. They could find no fault with our actions. We have been working with the Kentucky State Police as well. They have reviewed the file in its entirety and arrived at the same conclusion as the FBI. Recently, through combined efforts, we have been able to generate another lead. We were able to track down some possible evidence in another county. It has been collected and sent to the Kentucky State Police Lab. Over the past seven months, we have not quit looking for and following up on any lead, no matter how small it may have been. There are numerous other search warrants that have been executed during this time that we cannot presently elaborate on. To sum up, the search for Samantha Sperry continues. The Graves County Sheriff's Office performed the first search two days before anyone else searched. We have collected many, many pieces of evidence and sent items that can be analyzed to the lab for examination. As of now, we have sent a total of 39 pieces of evidence to the lab. From our initial search we were able to develop other possible leads and persons of interest. We followed up with those and all that have developed since. We sympathize with how difficult this situation must be for the family, and we will continue to work to resolve the disappearance of Samantha Sperry. 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7 Sep (15) 24 Aug - 31 Aug (14) 17 Aug - 24 Aug (9) 10 Aug - 17 Aug (5) Imperial Valley News Center Eight New Orleans-Area Defendants Plead Guilty to Scheme to Possess Oxycodone by Fraud New Orleans, Louisiana - Eight New Orleans, Louisiana-area defendants have pleaded guilty for their participation in a conspiracy to obtain oxycodone through fraud by using fictitious prescriptions. Six of the eight defendants have also pleaded guilty for the roles in a scheme to possess with intent to distribute oxycodone on the black market. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser of the Eastern District of Louisiana, Special Agent in Charge Eric J. Rommal of the FBIs New Orleans Field Office, Special Agent in Charge C.J. Porter of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector Generals (HHS-OIG) Dallas Field Office and Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)s New Orleans Field Division made the announcement. Jesse J. Wildenfels, 39, of Metairie, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today to a dual-object conspiracy to acquire and obtain possession of oxycodone by fraud and to possess oxycodone with the intent to distribute. On Oct. 17, Luis R. Cabrera Jr., 38, of Norco, Louisiana; Vicki J. Skeldon, 44, of Metairie; Stephanie N. Free, 28, of Gretna, Louisiana; Jarrod A. Doubleday, 47, of Livingston, Louisiana; John A. Doubleday, 52, of Place, Louisiana; Whitney J. Swan III, 48, of Saint Rose, Louisiana; and Cynthia B. Foret, 41, also of Norco, pleaded guilty to their roles in violating the Controlled Substances Act. Cabrera, Skeldon, Free, John Doubleday and Swan pleaded guilty to a dual-object conspiracy to acquire and obtain possession of oxycodone by fraud and to possess oxycodone with the intent to distribute. Jarrod Doubleday and Foret pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obtain possession of oxycodone by fraud. These defendants were responsible for over 10,000 Oxycodone pills flowing onto the streets in and around New Orleans, said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. I commend the prosecutors in the Medicare Fraud Strike Force and the U.S. Attorneys Office, along with our law enforcement partners, for their outstanding efforts to disrupt the illegal sale of opioids on the black market. The proliferation of illegally obtained opioids flooding our community has made a significant contribution to the abuse of prescription drugs which plagues many families, said U.S. Attorney Strasser. Cases such as this shows the commitment DOJ has to our community by combating this growing threat. Driven by greed and addiction, these eight defendants manipulated a system established to assist patients with legitimate medical conditions, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Rommal. Through their illicit gains, these defendants contributed to the daily oxycodone epidemic taking this nation by storm. By removing these defendants from our streets and communities, the FBI, in conjunction with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners were able to take the drugs out of an addicts hands and hopefully save a life or two. The eight individuals involved in this scheme heartlessly contributed to the opioid epidemic plaguing our society today, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Azzam. This malicious conduct puts lives at risk and wont be tolerated. DEA, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively pursue those who seek to perpetuate and profit from the opioid crisis in this country and bring them to justice. The charges stem from the defendants involvement in a prescription drug diversion conspiracy in the greater New Orleans area. The conspiracy in total resulted in the diversion of approximately 10,000 oxycodone pills on the black market. In pleading guilty, Cabrera, Skeldon, Free, John Doubleday, Swan and Wildenfels admitted that, between February 2017 and June 2018, they either provided their personal identifying information for the purpose of having fictitious prescriptions for oxycodone created in their names or referred co-conspirators for the purpose of having fictitious prescriptions for oxycodone written in their co-conspirators names. The prescriptions were then filled at area pharmacies and a portion of oxycodone pills obtained with those prescriptions were subsequently sold on the black market. Additionally, in pleading guilty, Jarrod Doubleday admitted to filling fictitious prescriptions for oxycodone in his own name between April 2017 and May 2017. And, in pleading guilty, Foret admitted to forging prescriptions for oxycodone in her own name and in the name of her co-conspirators between February 2015 and October 2016, which were ultimately filled. U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk for the Eastern District of Louisiana set sentencing for Cabrera, Skeldon, Free, Doubleday and Swan on Jan. 24, 2019, and for Doubleday, Foret and Wildenfels on Feb. 7, 2019. This case was investigated by the FBI, HHS-OIG, the DEA and the Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office. Trial Attorney Jared Hasten of the Criminal Divisions Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Myles Ranier of the Eastern District of Louisiana are prosecuting the case. The Criminal Divisions Fraud Section leads the Medicare Fraud Strike Force. Since its inception in March 2007, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, now operating in 12 cities across the country, has charged nearly 4,000 defendants who have collectively billed the Medicare program for more than $14 billion. Imperial Valley News Center NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support Reforming Wholesale Predictive Model for Improved Readiness Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania - The U.S. Navy has a global reach with nearly 300 deployable battle ready ships, 92 submarines, and more than 3,700 operational aircraft operating in oceans and waterways around the world. Each year there are more than 500,000 equipment and repair part demands from a $34 billion inventory of more than 30 million individual parts in support of Navy, Marine Corps, Joint and Allied Forces customers worldwide. Ensuring the Navy has the right materiel, when they need it, and where they need it, falls to the Navys only Program Support Inventory Control Point (PSICP), NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support (WSS). In recent years, the Department of Defense and Navy have looked for operating efficiencies while increasing readiness, leading to increased focus by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) on metrics like wholesale demand forecast accuracy. Through the DoD Comprehensive Inventory Management Improvement Plan (CIMIP), a set of defense department wide metrics were created to measure forecasting performance. Through its Reform process, NAVSUP WSS has targeted wholesale predictive modeling as a focus area for improved planning and forecasting ability. Refining the ability to more accurately plan what customers need will lead to a more agile and lethal Navy. By refining its wholesale predictive model, NAVSUP WSS may be part of the solution to meet Secretary of Defense James Mattis requirement he recently outlined in a memo to several undersecretaries. In the memo Mattis writes that in order to see effective and efficient change, the departments must focus on meeting most critical priorities first. He wants to see reduced operating and maintenance costs and 80 percent mission capability on the Pentagons F-35, F-22, F-16 and F-18 inventories platforms. According to Lt. Cmdr. Duncan Ellis, an operations research analyst in NAVSUP WSS, trying to determine what to buy, how much to buy and where to put it, is challenging to say the least. Duncan said NAVSUP WSS can have a greater success by leveraging more of its available data as a springboard to build better predictive models; enabling greater accuracy and efficiency and thus helping commanders determine risks when it comes to inventory policy decisions. Working with the Navy Post Graduate School and Penn State University, Duncan is leading a team developing a new model for NAVSUP WSS to replace the current Wholesale Inventory Optimization Model (WIOM 4.0). Our goal is to be ahead of the problem, said Duncan. The new model will help us better look at risks to material availability caused by uncertainty in both fleet demand patterns and our repair and procurement pipelines, with the goal of helping NAVSUP WSS make more sophisticated investment decisions. We need to ensure we make efficient use of the Navy Working Capital Fund to invest in the right material to support future warfighter requirements. But understanding and managing the hulking beast which are the hundreds of thousands of National Item Identification Numbers (NIINs), and the factors affecting the supply chain, is a formidable task. At any given time the Navys inventory is distributed across the entire global operating environment. Some is in warehouses, some is with the customer on ships or forward deployed, and some is at organic and commercial repair sites, said Duncan. Managing this rotational pipeline of stock is a challenging task. Additionally, we support material over a diverse demand portfolio. While some material has predictable regular and steady customer demand, a large proportion of our items have irregular, episodic, or very limited demand. Essentially, there is no easy way to go about creating a model to account for everything. Duncan quotes George Box, a man often referred to as one of the great statistical minds of the 20th century. Box stated that All models are wrong, but some are useful. Duncan said the point Box was making is that models cannot account for every variable or piece of data affecting the outcome theyre modeling, but that doesnt mean they arent useful. Model design is an exercise in determining the required complexity to inform a particular task. Models are a bit like maps, said Duncan. Maps contain a level of complexity required to solve a particular problem, for example locating a position or navigating between points. A map with insufficient detail to perform the required task is useless. However, a map with the same level of detail as reality is too complex, and equally as useless as the map with insufficient detail. Models, like maps, are purposeful simplifications designed to provide insights into the behavior of complex systems and aid decision making. The new wholesale model, WIOM 5.0, Duncan said, will enable NAVSUP WSS to directly leverage the millions of rows of transactional data the ERP system accumulates. This broad data set will enable us to better understand the range of effects across multiple metrics of interest for potential inventory investment decisions. Duncan added, previous models like WIOM 4.0 rely on fairly simple input data sets, and often make suspect assumptions about forecast accuracy or variation. A big change in moving to WIOM 5.0, is rather than relying on forecasting data, it looks directly at historical transactional records to provide a robust solution that relies on a minimal number of assumptions. WIOM 5.0 combines a sophisticated inventory simulation tool with a resource optimization model. The simulation will leverage current asset posture with historical transactional data to include demand, procurement, and repair times, to assess the performance of inventory level decisions. The optimization will use the performance metrics from the simulation to help NAVSUP WSS make efficient and effective inventory policy tradeoffs. The NAVSUP WSS WIOM Development Team has an aggressive timeline. The current plan is to have a prototype version of the new model completed by the end of 2018. Following initial release, technical testing, fine-tuning, and integration is planned for the spring with production implementation scheduled for late summer of 2019. As the critical link between the supply chain and the warfighter, NAVSUP WSSs launch of WIOM 5.0 will translate directly to warfighter readiness and Navy lethality. Building Bridges: A Symposium on Global Cultural Heritage Preservation Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of State, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Member Agencies of the Cultural Heritage Coordinating Committee (CHCC) will host Building Bridges: A Symposium on Global Cultural Heritage Preservation on October 23-24, at the Smithsonian Castle located at 1000 Jefferson Dr. SW, Washington, D.C. 20560. The Symposium will cultivate an open dialogue about cultural heritage preservation and protection among government and non-government organizations, the private sector, and the university and research community. Attendees will explore how the United States can better help protect and preserve culture around the world and the role cultural heritage protection plays in advancing foreign policy. State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert and Smithsonian Provost John Davis will deliver opening remarks at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, October 23. Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Marie Royce, Chair of the CHCC, will lead the closing panel discussion, which is open to the public, A Discussion on Cultural Heritage Preservation and Foreign Policy, on Wednesday, October 24 at 4:00 p.m. Four current and former U.S. ambassadors will describe how they leveraged cultural heritage to advance foreign policy in the Near East, Balkans, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The closing panel discussion will be livestreamed at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/si-public and a full agenda for the Symposium can be found here: https://www.si.edu/events/building-bridges. Follow the event on social media at #CulturalHeritage and #CHCCBuildingBridges. Cameroon's Presidential Election Results Washington, DC - The United States congratulates the people of Cameroon for largely peaceful elections on October 7. We urge all parties including the government to respect the rule of law, resolve peacefully any disputes through established legal channels, and avoid hate speech. While we welcome the Cameroonian Election Commissions demonstrable improvement over the 2011 elections, there were a number of irregularities prior to, during, and after the October 7 election. These irregularities may not have affected the outcome but created an impression that the election was not credible or genuinely free and fair. We commend the African Union Election Observation Mission for its preliminary statement, notably that the current framework needs to be strengthened in order to safeguard the democratic principles of separation of powers, fairness, and independence and impartiality. With the conclusion of the presidential election, the United States strongly encourages both sides involved in the conflict affecting the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon to focus on resolving differences through peaceful dialogue and to allow unhindered access to humanitarian aid workers. In a perfect world, the best people would work for the greatest leaders and enjoy optimal conditions. But if your definition of "greatest" involves genius and wild ambition, then the working conditions may be horrible. Some of the most brilliant, creative entrepreneurs have subjected employees to humiliation and driven them to exhaustion for the sake of their world-changing visions. Often, employees have been OK with that. In his new book Leaders: Myth and Reality, General Stanley McChrystal poses this provocative question: "If leadership is so dependent on people, why are we so energized by leaders who prioritize their mission over their people?" McChrystal, who led the Joint Special Operations Command in Iraq and was top commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, approaches this topic through case studies of Walt Disney and Coco Chanel, two trailblazing founders who created heavenly products while putting employees through hell. Disney refused to share credit, was often ornery and unsociable, and was aggressive with criticism while withholding of praise. Chanel made nasty remarks about workers' appearance, forced models to stand for hours, and required everyone to operate on Coco time. (The book addresses other tensions of leadership through 13 case studies ranging from Robespierre to Margaret Thatcher.) Yet both Disney and Chanel attracted employees who were the best in their fields. In an interview, McChrystal explained that "there is something in all of us that just wants to be part of something special." People value the esteem of outsiders, who admire the innovation or craft of their employer, he says. More important, they want to be on a top-notch team doing work unmatched in quality and ambition. "Coco Chanel was very difficult to work with, but if you were on her team you were playing for the New York Yankees of fashion," McChrystal says. "These leaders can be a net negative in every way except that they have created something special." McChrystal compares employees' willingness to sacrifice their happiness--and even their health--to the attitudes of members of elite military units. "The discipline may be tighter. The work may be harder. The danger may be more intense," he says. "And you say, well, why would someone do that?" His answer: When it comes to the most brilliant leaders doing groundbreaking work, people don't perform a cost-benefit analysis on their decisions to stick. "It is almost a spiritual feeling they get from certain leaders and causes," McChrystal says. Leader as teacher Some people follow leaders they can learn from, even if those lessons come at a price. McChrystal cites as examples judges' clerks, aides to generals, and White House staffers. Such people put in insane hours under intense pressure not to burnish their resumes but for the opportunity to observe top-notch talent operating at the epicenter of things. "They go in saying, 'I'm going to do this for a limited time because I'm going to come out so prepared for other things,'" he says. "You can work for a terrible leader and learn a ton if you just sort of tolerate the leadership part." McChrystal says most leaders who believe they're extraordinary enough to inspire cult-like devotion probably aren't. But even those who are in a position to get away with inconsiderate behavior should resist. He acknowledges that in any organization, particularly scaling companies, there will be periods that require intense work, where the potential for abuse is great. "Leaders smell success, and it can get kind of brutal if they have to push people extraordinarily hard," he says. "But on the other side they have to come back to a more rational place." At an earlier time in his life, McChrystal says, he was willing to rationalize pushing people to the brink in the name of an important cause. "Now," he says, "I think the organization exists for the people." McChrystal quotes the leader of a counterterrorism force for whom he worked in the '90s: "Your importance to the mission is not determined by your proximity to the objective." What that means, he explains, is that commandos who go out on a mission do so on the backs of procurement, logistics, HR, and many other functions. Good leaders, he says, point constantly to the contributions that all employees--even at the lowest levels--make to the organization and, by extension, to the leader's success. Followers are complex In the end, McChrystal comes back to the followers, people who remain extraordinarily loyal to leaders who are abusive to them. He mentions the enduring popularity of Robert E. 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29 (1) Oct 01 (1) Jul 29 (1) May 11 (1) Jul 11 (1) The sixth and final season of House of Cards arrives on Netflix on 2 November, bringing to an end an extraordinary political drama. Derived from a 1989 novel by Conservative Party aide Michael Dobbs a special advisor to Margaret Thatcher, who spun his experiences inside Westminsters corridors of power into a trilogy of thrillers House of Cards has become its own beast since its restaging in Washington, DC, by Beau Willimon, finding Shakespearean intrigue in the machinations of Democratic whip Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey). As the show has progressed, with Underwood conniving his way to a Nixonian presidency, focus has increasingly turned towards the character of his wife Claire (Robin Wright), the First Lady Macbeth of the piece. Following allegations of sexual harassment against Spacey in 2017, House of Cards looked in jeopardy but Netflix has pressed ahead without him, casting the spotlight on the Claire Underwood presidency for its eight-part concluding instalment. After 65 hours of television, youd be forgiven for having lost the thread, so heres a reminder of the story so far. Season 1 South Carolina Democratic congressman and House majority whip Frank Underwood has masterminded the election victory of Garret Walker (Michael Gill) on the understanding he will be appointed secretary of state as his reward. Recommended Claire Underwood trashes Oval Office in latest House of Cards trailer When Walker reneges on the deal, saying he wants Underwood to enforce his agenda in Congress, Underwood graciously accepts but seethes in private, plotting revenge. He begins an affair with junior reporter Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara), leaking stories to her to embarrass and undermine the Walker administration. Underwood also inveigles alcoholic Pennsylvania congressman Peter Russo (Corey Stoll) into his web of intrigue, compromising him with the aid of escort Rachel Posner (Rachel Brosnahan). When Russo threatens to come clean, Frank kills him, arranging the murder scene to look like a suicide. He subsequently befriends tycoon Raymond Tusk (Gerald McRaney), an influential adviser to the president, and uses the partnership to oust and replace the vice-president. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Season 2 When Zoe becomes too close to the truth about the Russo murder, Frank meets her on a darkened subway platform and shoves her into the path of an oncoming train. Her death does not deter fellow journalist Lucas Goodwin (Sebastian Arcelus) from continuing the hunt for Rachel, whom he believes holds the key to the mystery, seeking help from hacker Gavin Orsay (Jimmi Simpson). Rachel has been concealed in a safe house by Doug Stamper (Michael Kelly), Franks trusted right-hand man, who has developed an unhealthy obsession with her. Gavin uses this fact to extort Doug, prompting tensions to escalate and Rachel to flee, leaving him for dead. Frank and Claire scheming in the White House (Netflix) Frank and Claire head of NGO the Clean Water Initiative drive a wedge between President Walker and Tusk as a trade war with China erupts, using Chinese businessman Xander Feng (Terry Chen) for leverage and exploiting Claires discovery of the Walkers marital problems to engineer his impeachment. Tusk ultimately delivers the fatal blow to his old friend after being secured a presidential pardon over his alliance with Feng and Frank takes the Oval Office. Season 3 As president, Frank faces a tanking economy and a challenge from solicitor-general Heather Dunbar (Elizabeth Marvel) in the Democratic primaries. Doug, kept at arms length by Underwood over the Rachel affair, continues to search for her with Gavins help, tracking her to New Mexico and finally killing her in the desert. Viktor Petrov visits the White House (Netflix) Claire becomes US Ambassador to the UN and crosses paths with Putin-esque Russian president Viktor Petrov (Lars Mikkelsen), facing diplomatic crises over military action in the Jordan Valley and the arrest of an American gay rights activist in Moscow. When Petrov requests Claires resignation, she agrees but feels betrayed by Frank and, having fallen for biographer Tom Yates (Paul Sparks), announces her intention to leave him. Season 4 Claire, thwarted in her hopes of running for Congress in her native Texas, leaks information to the Dunbar campaign but agrees to stop if Frank makes her his running mate. Lucas, released from prison after being framed by Frank, attempts his assassination in revenge for Zoes murder, only injuring the president but killing bodyguard Edward Meecham (Nathan Darrow), Franks sometime lover, who in turn fatally wounds the assailant. Doug subsequently leaks evidence of a secret meeting between Lucas and Dunbar, ending her challenge for the Democratic nomination. With Frank in recovery, editor Tom Hammerschmidt (Boris McGiver) picks up the investigation begun by the late Zoe and Lucas and appeals to embittered ex-president Walker for help in exposing Underwoods crimes ahead of the election. Frank meets Republican presidential adversary Will Conway (Netflix) Meanwhile, a strong Republican nominee emerges, Governor Will Conway (Joel Kinnaman), as the radical Islamic Caliphate Organisation (ICO) kidnaps a family of American tourists, executing a hostage on live TV as Frank and Claire send in the military, declaring total war. Season 5 President Underwood orchestrates a campaign of fear as the election nears, having Doug instigate a cyberattack to be blamed on ICO. The Underwood camp then stages a terror attack in the crucial swing state of Tennessee. Frank then orders Ohio and Tennessee to close the polls early as a precaution against further terror, leaving the election undecided and the country in disarray after a nine-week stalemate, unsure of who is rightfully president. To ease the situation, Claire steps up as acting president and calls a special election to decide the two states outstanding. As Conway cracks under the pressure, the Underwoods win out and Frank returns to the White House. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events When Hammerschmidts article finally appears, the resulting scandal sees an impeachment motion drawn up. The Underwoods move to tie up loose ends allowing Doug to take the fall for Zoes murder, pushing secretary of state Catherine Durrant (Jayne Atkinson) down the stairs before she can testify against them and having Yates poisoned. Frank resigns in disgrace, fully expecting a pardon from Claire as she succeeds him to become the 47th president. My turn, she says, turning to the camera. At the conclusion of the third and final instalment of A Dangerous Dynasty: House of Assad we had a better idea than we did at the start about the fundamental question, as stated by one of the many experts interviewed for the documentary: How does this mild mannered eye doctor end up killing hundreds of thousands of people? Why indeed. How did Bashar (once employed at the Western Eye Hospital in Marylebone), and his smart westernised wife Asma, end up this way, cowering in their presidential palace from so-called Islamic State (of Iraq and Syria)? Another way of asking the question and the one well posed as the Arab Spring blew into Syria was why Bashar reacted the way he did to some of the small peaceful protests that started to erupt about petty corruption and abuse of power by local officials. There was a moment, around the middle of 2011, according to one ex-cabinet minister in exile, when Bashar a youngish leader by Arab standards could have posed as the leader of youth, and pledged to side with the people against the predations of his police and bureaucracy apparatus. They would have carried him shoulder high, according to this witness. Instead, Bashar made a speech in the Syrian parliament that amounted to a declaration of war: Putting down rebellion is a national, moral and religious duty. Bashars posters got the slipper treatment, shortly before entire towns were reduced to dust. And so he went to war, sending mortars and sarin gas into civilian areas, and torturing, maiming and killing opponents. British and American former diplomats and security agents (including the former boss of MI6), and former friends and associates of the Assads were on hand to attest to what he did, and what he knew. There are documents to show that he personally approved any major decision with his own signature. His spooks used the sat nav co-ordinates of the mobile phone of the brave Sunday Times correspondent Marie Colvin to murder her. Marie Colvin's On The Front longlisted for Orwell prize Show all 12 1 /12 Marie Colvin's On The Front longlisted for Orwell prize Marie Colvin's On The Front longlisted for Orwell prize 079703-FC222.jpg Marie Colvin's On The Front longlisted for Orwell prize 33605_large.jpg Marie Colvin's On The Front longlisted for Orwell prize 9780224096881-large.jpg Marie Colvin's On The Front longlisted for Orwell prize {5B0D19C9-6608-4128-A756-BCBF1B5C59F1}Img100.jpg Marie Colvin's On The Front longlisted for Orwell prize Trilling__Bloody_Nasty_People.jpg Marie Colvin's On The Front longlisted for Orwell prize 105.jpg Marie Colvin's On The Front longlisted for Orwell prize burying-the-typewriter-978144721083201.jpg Marie Colvin's On The Front longlisted for Orwell prize images.jpg Marie Colvin's On The Front longlisted for Orwell prize images_1.jpg Marie Colvin's On The Front longlisted for Orwell prize images_2.jpg Marie Colvin's On The Front longlisted for Orwell prize Injustice-jacket1.jpg Marie Colvin's On The Front longlisted for Orwell prize 9781594204098_custom-4347d732791dd814982ef542e10066a91715d22e-s15.jpg Why? Because he knew no other way. It was the family way, following his fathers methods (his father, Hafez, had been dictator for the previous three decades). His mother and then his wife shoved Bashar towards such cruelty the ghoulish voices of his daddy. His brother joined in the fighting, even personally going into the field to fire at protesters. Bashars brother-in-law also helped him subdue whole cities, until he began to voice doubts and was murdered by Bashars secret police. The Syrian civil war and the subsequent rise of so-called Islamic State had much to do with the counterproductive decision early on by a security cop in one Syrian town to torture a 13-year-old boy to death and then deliver the corpse to his parents complete with cigarette burns and his penis chopped off. That was one of the atrocities that set the whole thing off. The cop was Bashars cousin once removed. Evil and stupidity was in his DNA too. I have a dream. That one day theyll make a TV drama where the copper doesnt punch a mirror, shred his knuckles and then have to make excuses about an accident with the cheese grater, or just go all moody and refuse to discuss, or slam the door and go out and get drunk. I have a dream. By the looks of episode 2 of Informer, that dream may not be realised for a while. For reasons that were not clear, troubled counter-terrorism officer Gabe Waters (Paddy Considine) does indeed punch a mirror in the office toilets and spends the rest of the episode bleeding all over the place (in every sense). It didnt help me take it seriously. I have a strong feeling, but not much of a memory, because such scenes all tend to blur into one shattered kaleidoscope, that somewhere during the six hours I spent watching Bodyguard, troubled counter-terrorism officer David Budd (Richard Madden) also punches a mirror. Maybe its a wall. Or a wardrobe. Anyway, mirror, mirror on the wall, whats the most boring telly cliche of them all? So I wasnt quite convinced by Considines DS Waters. Hes too identikit, if youll pardon the expression. Ever since Jack Regan in The Sweeney TV series (circa 1976), police officers have been prone to unhappy marriages, drinking too much and punching inanimate objects. Ive had enough. I also wanted to punch his putative informer Raza Shar (Nabhaan Rizwan), being groomed as part of an all-too-vague counter-terrorism operation. Rizwan is an excellent actor, but there arises another problem. You see, Rizwan plays the part of Shar as incompetent ingenue so well that you wonder why an apparently tough, ruthless but still intelligent member of the security services Waters/Considine would want to recruit this idiot. Shar actually has to practise his patois before he goes anywhere near his mark, Dadir Hassan, a drug dealer in the East End of London (and possibly with a more serious second job, waging jihad). This dude is portrayed as a figure of towering criminal brilliance, an operational genius and, in his own depraved world, a successful businessman. Roger Jean Nsengiyumva makes a good job of Dadir, but makes you wonder why he isnt running PR for Facebook or something, instead of committing random acts of violence in fried chicken shops and poncey degree shows. Maybe he is a master terrorist. Must be, I suppose. By the end of it, after Raza has joined in a fracas over the fricassee and knocked a tooth out of a hapless KFC cook, you can just about believe that these two Ali G meets Osama bin Laden have bonded in some way. But only just. There were no suicide bombs, exploding trains or assassination attempts on the Home Secretary, but the episode had its moments. The wonder of it, I suppose, is that the writing supplied by Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani, and Sam Mendes as executive producer, make you believe that there are social housing flats out there with samurai swords mounted handily on living room walls for an impromptu decapitation, as Raza discovered, and that people really could live such lives at the triangulation point of drug dealing, 3.99 fried chicken meals and terrorism. They certainly give one the creeps. Bodyguard: the hit BBC series in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Bodyguard: the hit BBC series in pictures Bodyguard: the hit BBC series in pictures Audiences were gripped by the BBC series about controversial Home Secretary Julia Montague, played by Keeley Hawes, and her PTSD-suffering protection officer David Budd (Richard Madden BBC/World Productions Bodyguard: the hit BBC series in pictures A scene from the first episode of 'Bodyguard' which featured Nadia, a timorous suicide train bomber, played by Anjli Mohindra, who was talked down by officer Budd in the toilet of a train BBC Bodyguard: the hit BBC series in pictures The drama, written by Line Of Duty creator Mercurio, focuses on Afghanistan war veteran Budd and his personal battles, and Montague, whose decision to hand the investigation of recent terror events to the Security Service ruffles feathers BBC Bodyguard: the hit BBC series in pictures Gina McKee played a scheming head of the Metropolitan Police, Comm Anne Sampson BBC/World Productions Bodyguard: the hit BBC series in pictures The evening after a sniper attempts to take Montague's life, she sleeps with Budd in episode 2 BBC Bodyguard: the hit BBC series in pictures The BBC claims that Bodyguards first episode accumulated 10.4 million viewers BBC/World Productions Bodyguard: the hit BBC series in pictures The series killed off its deuteragonist, Julia Montague, in episode four BBC/World Productions/Sophie Mutevelian Bodyguard: the hit BBC series in pictures Vincent Franklin was Montagues scheming junior minister Mike Travis and after her death became acting home secretary BBC/World Productions/Sophie Mutevelian Bodyguard: the hit BBC series in pictures Richard Madden as David Budd, covered in blood in the finale after he had been Budd is abducted and fitted out in a suicide bomb vest similar to the one Nadia was wearing in the first episode Sophie Mutevelian/World Producti/PA Wire Bodyguard: the hit BBC series in pictures The character of Nadia revealed herself to be the terrorist mastermind and bomb-maker at the end of the series. BBC Not having spent much time dealing narcotics, nor even hanging around chicken shops, I am in a poor position to judge, so I have to give the creators of Informer the benefit of the doubt. I might as well be asked to judge whether those bores you find at sci-fi conventions speaking Klingon and making Klingon jokes and getting into Klingony arguments with each other are the Klingon real thing or just charlatans. Ive no idea, and Ive no idea what to make of Informer, to be honest. Sorry. Now Ill just go and punch the mirror in the gents. Thats what us troubled journalists do. Didnt you know? A popular fungus farmed for use in various herbal remedies and known colloquially as Himalayan viagra is at risk of vanishing if current harvesting and climate trends continue, scientists have warned. The fungus, ophiocordyceps sinensis, is worth three times more than gold by weight, and survives by preying on ghost moth caterpillars in some of the highest reaches of the Himalayas. Its unique survival technique depends on its spores landing on the caterpillars skin, which infect it, with the fungus eventually erupting out of the dead creatures head. It kills them and then sprouts out of their heads, like a unicorn horn, said the studys lead author Kelly Hopping, an ecologist who conducted the research as a postdoctoral scholar at Stanfords School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences. It is at this stage that the fungus is prized by collectors, who are able to sell a supposedly healing bowl of aphrodisiac soup for over 500. As well as being highly regarded in traditional Asian medicine as an aphrodisiac, it is also sold as a remedy for afflictions including impotence, the deadly SARs virus, kidney disease, inflammation and is sometimes said to stop the ageing process. However, the fruiting caterpillar bodies harvested usually contain high amounts of arsenic and other heavy metals so they are potentially toxic. The parasite has become a primary source of income for hundreds of thousands of people in China, Bhutan, Nepal and India, with the market valued at $11bn (8.5bn). Glacier collapse shows climate impact Show all 20 1 /20 Glacier collapse shows climate impact Glacier collapse shows climate impact An iceberg floats in a fjord near the town of Tasiilaq Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Meltwater pools on top of the Helheim glacier near Tasiilaq Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Safety officer Brian Rougeux works with student Febin Magar to assemble a radar dome while working in a science camp on the side of the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Airplane Mechanic, David Fuller, left, works with a local worker to move a Nasa Gulfstream III during a pre-flight inspection before a flight to support the Oceans Melting Greenland research mission Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Meltwater pools on top of the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Earth Science Flight Programs Director at Nasa, Eric Ianson, looks out at the Greenland ice sheet Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Glacial ice is seen from the window during the Nasa flight Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Oceanographer David Holland's science camp on the side of the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact An iceberg floats in a fjord near the town of Tasiilaq Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact A large crevasse forms near the calving front of the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Safety officer Brian Rougeux uses a drill to install antennas for scientific instruments that will be left on top of the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Tabular icebergs float in the Sermilik Fjord after a large calving event at the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Radar Engineer, Ron Muellerschoen, monitors data collection inside a NASA Gulfstream III flying above Greenland to measure loss to the country's ice sheet Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact GPS tracking equipment is left on top of the Helheim glacier REUTERS Glacier collapse shows climate impact Sunshine lights up the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact A glacial terminus above the east coast of Greenland REUTERS Glacier collapse shows climate impact Student Febin Magar watches as leftover wood burns in a research camp Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Tabular icebergs float in the Sermilik Fjord after a large calving event Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Oceanographer David Holland repairs a broken GPS module at his research camp Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact An iceberg floats in a fjord near the town of Tasiilaq Reuters Caterpillar fungus collection has emerged as a way for people in these areas to make relatively easy money, Dr Hopping said. And in some cases to really raise their standard of living. But there are mounting concerns harvesting rates have become unsustainable. Recommended Climate change means chicks hatch too late to eat caterpillars This is partly due to warmer winters in the Himalayas. Winter temperatures in some parts of the worlds tallest mountain range have already increased by as much as 4C since 1979, the study noted. Using existing location records combined with interviews of collectors, the research team built models predicting how much fungus would grow in a given area based on factors including climate and elevation. They found the fungus tends to be more prolific in higher, colder areas around the margins of areas underlain by permafrost. The studys co-author, Eric Lambin, a Stanford professor of Earth system science, said one aspect of the research was to examine how a niche biological product such as the fungus gives wealthy consumers large amounts of influence over rural livelihoods, land-use choices and ecosystems in certain regions. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events An emblematic mammal species is being brought to extinction due to the demand for a product which is viewed in some traditional cultures as having virtues, Professor Lambin said. The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Scientists have discovered up to nine different types of plastic in the faeces of every person who took part in a Europe-wide study. On average, researchers found 20 microplastic particles in every 10 grams of stool, suggesting humans are swallowing them in food. Particles between 50 and 500 micrometres across were found, the most common being polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Diaries kept by each participant in the week before the stool tests showed that they were all exposed to plastic by consuming plastic-wrapped food or drinking from plastic bottles. Plastic in the gut could suppress the immune system and aid transmission of toxins and harmful bugs or viruses, experts believe. Lead researcher Dr Philipp Schwabi, from the Medical University of Vienna in Austria, said: "Of particular concern is what this means to us, and especially patients with gastrointestinal diseases. Wave of floating plastic in Dominican Republic shows extent of ocean pollution "While the highest plastic concentrations in animal studies have been found in the gut, the smallest microplastic particles are capable of entering the blood stream, lymphatic system and may even reach the liver. "Now that we have first evidence for microplastics inside humans, we need further research to understand what this means for human health." The pilot study recruited eight participants from the UK, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia and Austria. None were vegetarians, and six ate sea fish. It is estimated up to 5 per cent of all plastics produced end up in the sea. Once in the oceans, plastics are consumed by sea animals and move up the food chain. Significant amounts of plastic have been detected in tuna, lobster and shrimp. Food is also likely to be contaminated with plastic as a result of processing or packaging, say the researchers whose findings were presented at UEG Week, the largest meeting of gastroenetrology experts in Europe. Environmental expert professor Alistair Boxall, from the University of York, said: "I'm not at all surprised or particularly worried by these findings. Microplastics have been found in tap water, bottled water, fish and mussel tissue and even in beer. "We will also be exposed to particles from house dust, food packaging materials and the use of plastic bottles. It's therefore inevitable that at least some of these things will get into our lungs and digestive systems." Additional reporting by PA Elon Musk has claimed Twitter locked his account fearing it had been hacked following several bizarre posts about anime. The Tesla and Space X chief appeared to profess his love for the Japanese style of animation in a tweet sent on Monday. A second post, apparently written by Musk around 40 minutes later, stated he owned a wolverine, describing it as chibi a Japanese slang term for short or small. Hours later, Musk tweeted again, claiming Twitter had locked his account, seemingly in the belief the unusual messages meant the billionaire's profile had been hacked. Twitter thought I got hacked & locked my account haha, he wrote. The entrepreneur, worth an estimated $19.5bn (15bn), has built a reputation for his unpredictable behaviour on the social media platform in recent months. In September, Musk was forced to step down as Tesla chairman and personally pay $20m (15m) to settle a US government lawsuit alleging he misled investors in tweets about a potential buyout of the firm. The billionaire tweeted in August he was considering taking the company private once shares reached $420 (323), causing share prices to spike, before he subsequently backtracked. Elon Musk branded 'a liar' by investor as US regulators seeks to oust Tesla boss Musk is also currently being sued by British cave diver Vern Unsworth, who he branded a pedo guy on Twitter after the rescue worker criticised his plan to save 12 Thai boys trapped underground using a miniature submarine. Initially issuing a retraction and apology over the statement, Musk then went on to revive the claim the following month in a series of emails to Buzzfeed News, in which he alleged Mr Unsworth was a child rapist. HTC has launched the Exodus 1 smartphone, which it is billing as the first ever phone dedicated to cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. The Taiwanese phone maker describes it as a "smartphone experience fit for a modern user and the new internet age," and in keeping with that the device is only available to buy using bitcoin or ethereum tokens. "It's been both 10 years since the launch of the first Android phone by HTC and nearly 10 years since the launch of bitcoin and the genesis block," said Phil Chen, HTC's decentralised chief officer. Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Satoshi Nakamoto creates the first bitcoin block in 2009 On 3 January, 2009, the genesis block of bitcoin appeared. It came less than a year after the pseudonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto detailed the cryptocurrency in a paper titled 'Bitcoin: A peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System' Reuters Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin is used as a currency for the first time On 22 May, 2010, the first ever real-world bitcoin transaction took place. Lazlo Hanyecz bought two pizzas for 10,000 bitcoins the equivalent of $90 million at today's prices Lazlo Hanyecz Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Silk Road opens for business Bitcoin soon gained notoriety for its use on the dark web. The Silk Road marketplace, established in 2011, was the first of hundreds of sites to offer illegal drugs and services in exchange for bitcoin Screenshot Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures The first bitcoin ATM appears On 29 October, 2013, the first ever bitcoin ATM was installed in a coffee shop in Vancouver, Canada. The machine allowed people to exchange bitcoins for cash Reuters Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures The fall of MtGox The world's biggest bitcoin exchange, MtGox, filed for bankruptcy in February 2014 after losing almost 750,000 of its customers bitcoins. At the time, this was around 7 per cent of all bitcoins and the market inevitably crashed Getty Images Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Would the real Satoshi Nakamoto please stand up In 2015, Australian police raided the home of Craig Wright after the entrepreneur claimed he was Satoshi Nakamoto. He later rescinded the claim Getty Images Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin's big split On 1 August, 2017, an unresolvable dispute within the bitcoin community saw the network split. The fork of bitcoin's underlying blockchain technology spawned a new cryptocurrency: Bitcoin cash Reuters Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin's price sky rockets Towards the end of 2017, the price of bitcoin surged to almost $20,000. This represented a 1,300 per cent increase from its price at the start of the year Reuters Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures What goes up... Bitcoin price crashes spectacularly, losing half of its value in a matter of days Getty Images Bitcoin's volatile history in pictures Bitcoin plunges The cryptocurrency eventually bottoms out below $4,000 in 2019 before slowly rebuilding momentum to outperform more traditional assets Getty Images "Exodus 1 is a foundational element of the crypto internet. For digital assets and decentralised apps to reach their potential, we believe mobile will need to be the main point of distribution. We look forward to partnering with developers in the blockchain community to usher in this vision." The smartphone will look and function much like any other high-end phone, with a 6-inch Quad HD display, a 16-megapixel rear camera and a powerful Snapdragon 845 processor. The HTC Exodus is part of a new wave of smartphones incorporating blockchain technology into its device (HTC) However, it will also include a "secure enclave" that is separate from the Android operating system, where cryptocurrency can be securely stored. The Exodus 1 will also support decentralized, blockchain-supported apps that the firm hopes will help "reshape the internet." The HTC Exodus will be the first major smartphone to embrace blockchain technology, which the Taiwanese firm hopes will 'reshape the internet' (HTC) HTC may be the first of the major smartphone makers to integrate blockchain technology into its device, but it is not the only one. Earlier this year, Israeli startup Sirin Labs announced the Finney phone a $1,000 smartphone that its creators hope will simultaneously revolutionise smartphones and deliver cryptocurrency to the masses. "We're blockchain enthusiasts," Nimrod May, Sirin Labs' chief marketing officer, told The Independent in July. "We want this phone to make all the benefits of blockchain technology available to as big an audience as possible, while making cryptocurrency accessible to the mainstream." Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Whether any of this new generation of phones catch on will depend on the success of the cryptocurrency space more broadly. Development for both phones would have begun when the market was experiencing a seemingly unending surge, however 2018 has seen a steady decline that has left bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies trading at around a third of their peak value. The future success of cryptocurrencies will equally depend on whether new technologies like the Finney phone and the Exodus 1 can establish a foothold in an already crowded smartphone market. Amy Schumer has revealed that shes expecting a baby with her husband Chris Fischer. The comedian hinted at the news with an Instagram post, humorously superimposing her and her husbands faces on top of photo of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who are also expecting their first child next year. She then enlisted the help of a friend, journalist Jessica Yellin, to make the announcement official. "About to announce some exciting news on @jessicayellin insta page," she wrote in the caption of her post. When fans clicked on Yellin's Instagram story, they were then able to see a list of Schumer's recommendations for Democratic candidates to vote for in the upcoming US midterm elections, including a note at the bottom with the words: "I'm pregnant - Amy Schumer." Schumer married chef Fischer in February 2018 in Malibu, California. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The Trainwreck star is very outspoken about her political views, having been arrested earlier this month in Washington DC for protesting against the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. Prior to her arrest, Schumer expressed her opposition to Kavanaugh during a speech at a rally, saying: "A vote for Kavanaugh is a vote saying women don't matter." Yellin, who was chief White House correspondent for CNN in Washington DC from 2011 to 2013, was promoting political site NewsNotNoise.org in her Instagram story alongside the announcement of Schumer's pregnancy. 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. 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 per cent 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. Recommended Six ways social media negatively affects your mental health 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. James Wallace is a PhD researcher at Cardiff University. This article first appeared on TheConversation.com American comedian and actor Rosie ODonnell has announced that she is engaged to girlfriend Elizabeth Rooney after a year of dating. Speaking to People magazine, ODonnell confirmed their engagement but explained that a date has not yet been set. This is a long time in the future. We both decided that that would be best, ODonnell said at the 15th anniversary celebration of her organisation, Rosies Theatre Kids, in New York City. Recommended These are the three engagement ring trends of 2019 The 56-year-old actor reportedly asked Rooney, 33, to marry her over the summer, but the two decided to keep their news under wraps. Describing her now-fiance as a wonderful woman, the SMILF star revealed that they have been living in separate cities since they went public in November 2017. She lives in Boston now and I live here in New York. Its been a long-distance thing. Its been great. I think shes a wonderful woman, said ODonnell. Shes very much an equal, shes very much her own person and loves what she does. Shes a pretty unbelievable young woman, she added. ODonnell went on to joke about the 23-year age gap between the pair, adding: I keep telling her Im too old for her. But she doesnt seem to care. Shes like, I was in the Army! I put my life on the line every day you think I dont know who I want to date? Im like, Alright I guess thats true. She has a lot of good points. Rooney also shared the news on her Instagram account with a picture showing off her engagement ring alongside the caption YES and an engagement ring emoji. The photo has since received hundreds of likes and comments from people offering their congratulations. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Wow that is awesome. Love that beautiful ring. I wish you both nothing but the very best. Congratulations, one person wrote. Another added: If Rosie wants any tips on being a cops wife, give me a call. Over a three-month period, how much would your travel and transport expenses amount to? 50? 500? Maybe even 5,000? I doubt it would come anywhere close to the staggering 50,000 bill Mark Carney, Governor at the Bank of England, recently racked up. And unfortunately, the Bank of England's incident isnt a one-off. Back in 2016, MPs were still submitting petty expense claims my favourite was a 40p toilet brush. Then earlier this year, an FoI investigation revealed Britains highest paid vice-chancellor, Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell, claimed dozens of first class train journeys and flights on expenses in 2017, paid for using students and taxpayers money. It's clear some public sector bodies havent learnt their lessons from the 2009 MP expenses scandal and the infamous 1,600 duck island, as it's still one rule for the private sector, and another for the public sector when it comes to expenses. Indeed, after the 2009 scandal, politicians promised a complete reform of their process and said they would address three key areas: transparency, rules and culture. Fast-forward eight years and little has changed in the rules and culture for politicians and other public sector departments. Of course, there are legitimate claims made. And like any employee in the private sector, public servants, like Carney, are entitled to claim for anything work-related. But just because you can claim something, doesn't mean you should. The Bank of Englands employees may have been following the rules, but in an era of austerity and when businesses are delaying decisions, hires and investments due to Brexit uncertainty, senior members of staff should show greater self-awareness. ave no doubt Carneys diary is jam-packed with meetings across the world. But with an eye-watering total of 50,000, just covering travel expenditure, how much thought if any has he or his team given to finding the best deal? Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events What's more, this behaviour has a trickle-down effect, permeating the entire organisation. If employees see their boss taking a flippant attitude to the organisations expenditure, why should they bother in taking the time to save the Bank of England money? Somethings got to give In the private sector, expense policies vary greatly. On the one hand, youve got some firms who use tools to monitor what employees are spending on. Then on the other hand, many policies are formed on the basis of trust, whereby businesses don't even have a formal policy in place. Most business owners trust their employees to treat business expenditure as they would their own money. But this clearly isnt the cultural norm for some senior staff n the public sector. And it should be a norm being led by the top down. The current public sector expenses process is archaic and problematic for two reasons. First, how can we analyse the spending of government if we have to sift through 16,000 line IPSA spreadsheets every quarter, for example? With many tools on the market automating these jobs, the fact spreadsheets are still used seems ludicrous. Second, how can we expect these busy individuals to sit down after hours and file away for stationary and mileage? I've spoken to care workers travelling around the country who have to drive all the way back to the office after a job just to submit an expense claim because it's paper-based. To highlight this level of bureaucracy, the official IPSA mileage submission document for politicians is over four pages long. Overall, this incident cements the need for the expenses process in the public sector to be consistent, simplified and brought into line with modern life and business practice. Taxpayers need transparency, visibility and accountability over what is being claimed for and why, when it comes to their money. Simple. Dafydd Llewellyn is managing director of UK and France SMB at SAP Concur When Welcome to Our Woods started in the South Wales Valleys 22 years ago it had one simple aim: to stop young people from setting fire to the forest. Locals from Treherbert, a former coal-mining village at the head of the Rhondda Fawr Valley, remember the forest as a no-go area. It had been planted to grow pine for pit props, the timber splints used to prop up the coal pits. After the mines closed, the forest became wild and overgrown. It was littered with burned-out cars and scarred by uncontrolled blazes that ripped across the mountains. Until two decades ago, when Ceri Nicholas, a project worker in the Valleys, had an idea to stop bored teenagers from setting it alight: start an official firepit and teach them to make fires properly. There was a lot of controversy about whether he should be doing it, says Ian Thomas, director of Welcome to Our Woods. But we havent had an arson attack on the site since. Welcome to Our Woods has transformed this patch of the Valleys. It generates income from a hydroelectric scheme, rents growing spaces in polytunnels and its just bought a library in the centre of Treherbert to host yoga classes, a pay as you feel cafe and other community groups. The project has also been awarded 1.2m from Create Your Space, a Big Lottery fund that enables people to improve their natural environment. Thomas and his colleague Martyn Broughton, a person trainer who runs exercise and wellbeing classes for Welcome to Our Woods, joined with Project Skyline, which is looking at the possibilities for people from South Wales to manage the land around their town or village, on a recent trip to community forests in Scotland. Over the course of three days and many miles, the group from South Wales visited the Kilfinan Community Forest in Tighnabruaich and the North West Mull Community Woodland Company on the Isle of Mull. Thomas had driven up to join the project through bad weather, dodging landslides that blocked some of the roads to this remote part of the Scotland. One day, after lunch of soup and sandwiches at the Bellachroy Hotel overlooking the loch, Skyline Project members listened attentively as John Addy and Ian Hepburn, directors of the company, explained how they took a nearby forest on Mull into community ownership. When the assets are managed by the community, the conflict between regeneration and repopulation is minimised, Hepburn said. You only have to look at the children here. They look after the forest because they feel it is theirs. The forest on North West Mull, which was overdue for felling, has provided an income for the group since they built 17 kilometres of roads to get the timber out. It is also home to archaeological sites, wood-fuel processing, nature trails and an eagle watch point that is popular with visitors hoping to see eagles Hope and Star and their two chicks. There are plans for nine forest crofts or areas of land lived on and farmed by crofter tenants on a very long time lease, plus additional plans for five affordable homes. We dont intend to run everything, Addy, a former marine biologist, said. Its about creating an opportunity for people to come in and run it. Treherbert, a former coal-mining village at the head of the Rhondda Fawr Valley in South Wales (Courtesy Photo) This year, thanks to the success of the community forest, the group voted to buy the Isle of Ulva, a neighbouring island that was formerly owned by a private landlord. The prospect was that the island was bought by an oligarch or a sheikh and use it as a private playground, says Hepburn. We were very fortunate in Scotland as there are laws for us to use, but it was still an enormous amount of paperwork. The group were the first to employ the Scottish Land Reform Act in the sale. This creates the legal grounds to force the sale of private land to community bodies who have an interest in its sustainable development. The community raised 4.65 million to buy the island, the bulk of it from the Scottish Land Fund, with funding set aside for another two years to conduct land surveys and explore ideas for what to do next. Unlike in Scotland, there is no legal basis for communities who want to own their land in Wales. Project Skyline is the first attempt to produce a feasibility study to describe what community ownership might look like in the Valleys, with their long history of coal mining and private ownership. Thomas remembers: The chief executive of Natural Resources Wales, when it got when it got created, stood with Ceri and said, All of this land here is uneconomic. If you can think of a better idea of how to use it, tell us and well work with you on it.' Thomas joined Welcome to Our Woods in 2013, just as the Forestry Commission merged with the Countryside Council and the Environment Agency to create Natural Resources Wales. The new body, which was created to manage Waless natural resources in a more joined-up way, was launched from the community building at Welcome to Our Woods. Since Thomas became a director of Welcome to Our Woods, he has been keen to wean the project off the grant funding on which it relies to survive. There are obvious opportunities that are not being realised, he says. Weve got a hugely productive community, lots of tradesmen and skilled practical workers, but they leave the valley each morning in white vans driving over the mountain. This project is all about realising the very obvious opportunities that are there. Thomas can already see the impact that Welcome to Our Woods is having in the community. Every Thursday afternoon, volunteers create space for people with mental health issues to come and spend time outdoors, weaving, enjoying the fire, drinking tea and chatting. Its at these quiet moments that Thomas knows theyre on the right track: I look up at all these different things going on and I think, This is right." European markets fell to a 22-month low on Tuesday, driven by fears over Italys budget, which is expected to be rejected by the EU. Germanys Dax, Frances Cac and Spains Ibex all fell in early trading, bringing the Euro Stoxx 600 index down 1.4 per cent to its lowest level since December 2016. Were reaching peak stress in the Italian budget situation and that ugly tail risk carries a lot of headlines which in turn can drive flows, said John Roe, head of multi-asset funds at Legal & General Investment Management. Italys dangerous game of chicken is weighing heavily on eurozone risk, as evidenced by the banks underperformance. The European Commission is due to give its opinion on the 2019 Italian draft budget on Tuesday, and is widely expected to reject it, after deeming Italys fiscal demands unprecedented. Italy is aiming to lift its public deficit from 1.8 per cent to 2.4 per cent of GDP. If the EU does ask Rome to revised its budget plan, the Italian government will have three weeks to come up with new ideas. A refusal to comply with the commissions rules could cost Italy millions of euros in fines. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The euro tumbled against the pound on Tuesday, and could fall further if no agreement is reached between Italy and the EU. The prospect of a normalisation of monetary policy was the main reason why the euro was able to appreciate over the past year, said Commerzbank analyst Thu Lan Nguyen. However, there is a rising risk that this support is now going to crumble. Additional reporting by newswires Premier Inn owner Whitbread has announced plans to expand the hotel chain after selling its Costa coffee business to Coca-Cola for 3.9bn. The group also revealed a modest rise in profits in the first six months of the financial year. On Tuesday, Whitbread boss Alison Brittain called the Costa deal, which was struck in August, the highlight of the first half. The sale has been approved by shareholders but now requires regulatory approval from authorities in the EU and China. Much work still remains to be done to ensure a smooth and successful separation from Whitbread at completion and during the following transitional service period, which we are confident in our ability to execute efficiently, said Ms Brittain. She added: Following the sale of Costa, Whitbread will be a focused hotel business with operations in the UK, Germany and the Middle East. The company said its UK network has grown to more than 74,000 rooms, with a further 13,000 in the pipe line and long-term plans to increase the total to 100,000. The plans tie in with Whitbreads recently introduced hotel brand Zip, which will offer no-frills rooms from 19 a night. The group is also aiming to expand in Germany, with a target of almost 6,000 rooms. In its interim report for the first half of the financial year, Whitbread revealed revenue was up 2.6 per cent to 1.08bn, compared with 1.05bn in the same period of last year, while pre-tax profit edged up 0.2 per cent to 257m. Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said flat sales at existing Premier Inn hotels are not to be sniffed at given the weak consumer environment. He also noted that Whitbread has added 14,000 new rooms over the last three years, 2.5 times the number added by Travelodge, Holiday Inn Express and Ibis combined over the same period. Mr Khalaf said there is real growth opportunity in Germany, where the hotel market is 35 per cent larger than the UKs and has a lack of branded budget options. The expansion will be helped by cash from the sale of Costa but Mr Khalaf noted that it is unclear just how much of those funds will be available for investment. He added: Whitbread will be a slower and steadier business once Coke has swallowed Costa. Saudi Arabias Davos in the desert investment conference kicked off on Tuesday with talk of inward investment deals worth more than $50bn. Dozens of Western business leaders and politicians have pulled out of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference, organised by the countrys sovereign wealth fund, in the wake of the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi earlier this month at the Saudi embassy in Istanbul. Nevertheless a host of energy sector companies such as Trafigura, Total, Schlumberger, Halliburton and Baker Hughes said that they had signed agreements with Saudi state-backed firms adding up to $50bn. The Saudi oil giant, Aramco, whose blockbuster flotation was postponed earlier this year, said it had signed memoranda of understandings with foreign firms worth $34bn. However, analysts pointed out that some of the billion dollar deals had already been announced. The Saudi energy minister, Khalid al-Falih, addressed the murder of the dissident journalist and former royal advisor while speaking on a panel. Nobody in the kingdom can justify it or explain it, he said. He added: These are difficult days for us in Saudi Arabia. We are going through a crisis. Lubna Olayan, a Saudi business leader, said the killing was alien to our culture and our DNA. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events An official Saudi investigation into the disappearance of Mr Khashoggi stated last week that he had died after a fist fight in the embassy and that 18 Saudi nationals had been arrested The countrys deputy intelligence chief Ahmad al-Assiri and Saud al-Qahtani, a senior aide to the crown prince, Mohamed bin Salman, were sacked. The Saudis had previously insisted that Mr Khashoggi had left the embassy safely. The FII conference, which is in its second year, was conceived by the crown prince, the de facto political leader of Saudi, as a crucial element of his long-term programme to diversify the domestic economy away from its overwhelming reliance on oil and to encourage foreign investment in the kingdom. The conference is being held at a site next to the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh, where dozens of wealthy Saudis were detained last year as part of bin Salmans anti-corruption drive. Tiny creatures living on the bank notes have helped experts locate stolen money buried in a secret location underground. In 2016 a criminal gang in Germany made off with at least half a million euros, which they took abroad and buried for safe keeping. When police caught one of the perpetrators carrying a portion of the money in plastic-wrapped 500 banknotes, the thief claimed the rest was hidden somewhere in Spain. However, forensic analysis of microscopic mites found on the money allowed the investigators to pinpoint the real location of the loot on the other side of the globe in Thailand. After confiscating the money and processing it at a bank, the police handed it over to the German Forensic Institute for further examination. Most of the notes were discoloured and partially destroyed,even thought they were kept in plastic bags. Among them scientists examining the evidence found dozens of dead Rhizoglyphus howensis Manson mites. This discovery aroused the suspicions of the experts who examined them, as this species is not only never found in Europe, it is typically seen feeding on seeds of palm trees in the Australasia region. 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 Initially, the scientists thought the mites must have colonised the notes when the suspects travelled to Australia or New Zealand, but the size of the colony indicated they had infested the bank notes while they were buried underground. Moisture that made its way into the plastic bags containing the money while in the soil allowed the growth of fungi that provided the optimum feeding conditions for the tiny creatures. Following the lead of the mites, the scientists had successfully established that not only was the rest of the loot buried underground, the culprit was not telling the truth about its location. In a later confession to the police, they revealed the truth the money was buried in Thailand, a statement that this time could be verified by the findings from the forensic team. Mite specialist Professor Alejandra Perotti of the University of Reading, who co-authored the report documenting the case, said they had demonstrated that mites can be big players in investigations into high-profile crimes. This case highlights the importance of carefully identifying and preserving minute organisms found at crime scenes, something which until now has been overlooked by investigators or police," she said. Although the scientists had managed to identify around 30 mites from the notes, they noted that if the money had not gone through the process of sorting at the bank they likely would have found more evidence. The results of their study were published in the journal Forensic Science International. The study's authors said they could not reveal where the money had been stolen, or the full amount, due to an agreement with the German authorities. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Medjedline Hani, a PhD student in Professor Perotti's lab who conducted most of the research, said that while soil is commonly used in forensic analysis, mites and other creatures were often overlooked. The distinctive biological traits of organisms within the soil make them an untapped area that could offer vital clues, she said. Professor Perotti added their techniques had all sorts of potential applications. We could be using these microscopic animals to recover cash, drugs or even corpses, which are often buried by criminal gangs to hide evidence or be retrieved later, she said. This breakthrough was made possible by the work of a talented scientist who fully dedicate their research to unravel these mysteries. Nasa has spotted a huge, mile-wide iceberg with edges so smooth they look like they have been cut with a knife. The "monolith" was seen floating in the Antarctic among sea ice and seems to have broken off the Larsen C ice shelf. The clean and clear cut of the edge of the ice shows that the iceberg is relatively freshly broken off from the shelf, said the Nasa scientists who spotted it from a plane. 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 Images taken during that trip show what is known as a "tabular iceberg". Unlike the iconic shape that might be full of crags and breaks, such objects are distinguished by their long flat tops and clean-cut edges and can extend hundreds of miles wide, as well as reaching deep beneath the surface. The tabular icebergs form when their weight snaps them off from the ice shelves they were once part of, often breaking off with the kind of clean precision as seen in the new image. They can then drift off on their own, and might smash apart once they do into the more rough-looking icebergs that are famous for sinking the titanic. Though a mile-wide might sound like a lot, icebergs formed by calving events such as this can actually be far more vast, and this might even be a relatively small specimen. Last summer, a different iceberg known as A-68 detached from the same Larsen C ice shelf and that had a surface area of over 2,000 miles, with much of its giant size being underwater. Close Tommy Robinson arrives at Old Bailey court to large crowd of supporters Tommy Robinson has walked free from court again after his contempt case was referred to the Attorney General. The far-right figurehead appeared at the Old Bailey over allegations he violated reporting restrictions on grooming trials at Leeds Crown Court in May. The 35-year-old, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was jailed in May but freed after the Court of Appeal ruled that procedural failings had "given rise to unfairness". A major police operation was put in place around the Old Bailey amid fears of disorder. More than 1,000 of Robinson's supporters had said they would attend a demonstration outside the London court on Tuesday. City of London Police closed two surrounding roads and officers have been visiting nearby pubs, bars, restaurants and businesses to offer them advice, The Independent understands. Many were expected to close or stop serving alcohol in glasses during the protest, while Robinsons supporters and counter-demonstrators were to be kept apart by significant numbers of police officers. Recommended Why Tommy Robinson could find himself in jail again Robinson, who founded the English Defence League (EDL), was jailed in May for allegedly violating blanket reporting restrictions on a set of linked trials at Leeds Crown Court. The 35-year-olds barrister admitted contempt of court on Robinsons behalf after he broadcast a Facebook Live video outside the court, talking about the case and jihad rape gangs. The reporting ban was lifted on Friday, after three trials saw 20 men convicted of committing offences including child rape, abduction and trafficking as members of a grooming gang operating in Huddersfield. Lawyers for the defendants, who have so far been jailed for more than 220 years, applied for the jury in the second trial to be discharged over Robinsons video. The attempt would have caused the trial to be reheard at a cost of hundreds of thousands of pounds, but judge Geoffrey Marson QC refused the application. Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Show all 16 1 /16 Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey A Tommy Robinson supporter in London after former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson left the Old Bailey where his contempt of court case was adjourned PA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey A Tommy Robinson supporter outside the Old Bailey in London where the former English Defence League (EDL) leader is accused of contempt of court PA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Tommy Robinson supporters outside the Old Bailey in London before former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson arrives accused of contempt of court PA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson protest at the Old Bailey Courthouse EPA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of former English Defence League leader Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, or 'Tommy Robinson', who was jailed for contempt of court in May and later released, wait for him to arrive at the Old Bailey to attend a court hearing Reuters Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Tommy Robinson arrives for his hearing at the Old Bailey Reuters Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right spokeseman Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon, AKA Tommy Robinson, the former leader of the right-wing EDL (English Defence League) wave flags as they demonstrate outsise The Old Bailey AFP/Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey EPA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey EPA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Robinson gestures to supporters from inside the Old Bailey AFP/Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey AFP/Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey EPA Robinson was handed a 13-month prison sentence but was freed in August after the Court of Appeal found that procedural failings gave rise to unfairness and meant proceedings were fundamentally flawed. Senior judges ordered the matter to be reheard before Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC, the Recorder of London, at the Old Bailey. Speaking on Tuesday, Judge Hilliard said the case should go to the Attorney General for his consideration after receiving a statement from Robinson on Monday. The court heard that in the current setting, lawyers would not be able to perform an appropriate cross-examination of the evidence. "I think it necessary to look at quite a lot of the detail of what Mr Yaxley-Lennon said in the broadcast as to come to the overall picture as to what happened," the judge said. "I'm satisfied in the light of the issues as they now appear as they emerged from the statement of yesterday, that cross-examination of Mr Yaxley-Lennon is necessary for a proper and thorough examination and resolution of the case that is in the public interest." Robinson was released on bail. Contempt of court laws aim to ensure fair trials in Britain by preventing juries from being swayed by information from outside the hearing, and apply to all forms of online and offline publications. The offences are covered by a strict liability rule, meaning that intent and knowledge of committing them are not necessary for a conviction, nor is proof that a jury was prejudiced. The Court of Appeal refused to quash a separate finding of contempt from Canterbury Crown Court in May 2017, saying criticism by Robinsons legal team had no substance. In that case he was handed a three-month suspended sentence for trying to film defendants inside the court during jury deliberations, after being told to stop and warned filming was against the law. Judge Heather Norton said at the time: This contempt hearing is not about free speechit is about justice, and it is about ensuring that a trial can be carried out justly and fairly. Tommy Robinson has walked free from court once more after a judge referred his contempt case to the attorney general. Nicholas Hilliard QC, the recorder of London, had planned to decide whether Robinson should be jailed for a second time himself. But after receiving a statement from the far-right figurehead, the judge said the way he is able to hear cases himself is too restricted. The nature and extent of the controversies to be considered emerge to my eye far more clearly from that statement than ever before, Judge Hilliard said. In my judgment the proper course is now for the matter to be referred to the attorney general and I should not after all proceed to conduct a rehearing myself. He added that cross-examination of Robinson would be necessary for there to be a proper and very necessary resolution of the underlying facts. All the evidence must be very rigorously tested on both sides, he told the court. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is accused of breaking a blanket reporting restriction on a series of linked grooming gang trials in Leeds with a Facebook Live video in May. Judge Hilliard said the footage also allegedly gave rise to a substantial risk of serious prejudice, which is a separate form of contempt of court. Mr Yaxley-Lennon contests both allegations, he added. Detective Chief Inspector Ian Mottershaw of West Yorkshire Police speaking outside Leeds Crown Court about Huddersfield grooming gang The judge said he received a statement from Robinson yesterday dealing with the issues as he sees them that changed his mind on how the matter should be dealt with. On 16 October, he refused submissions from Robinsons barrister, Richard Furlong, that it should be referred to the attorney general for his consideration. I was satisfied that in these very special circumstances I had jurisdiction to hear the two allegations, he added. But after receiving the statement he believes it necessary to look at the detail of Robinsons broadcast so to come to an overall picture of what happened. Recommended Why Tommy Robinson could find himself in jail again If the attorney general takes the case forward, counsel for him would be able to lead evidence and cross-examine witnesses. A spokesperson for the attorney generals office said: This matter has been referred to the attorney generals office. A law officer will consider all material afresh, and make a decision whether or not to refer Stephen Yaxley-Lennon to the high court for contempt. Robinson was freed again on bail, on the condition that he must attend the next hearing where he is required and not approach Leeds Crown Court. The 35-year-old, who spoke only to confirm his name during the hearing, wore a suit and sat with his lawyers rather than in the dock. Robinsons parents watched the hearing from the public gallery alongside other supporters, while alternative media journalists from countries including Canada and Australia also attended. He left court escorted by a group of police officers, who had also guarded the entrance to the courtroom during the hearing. As news of the outcome reached supporters gathered outside the Old Bailey a huge cheer went up, with protesters waving flags and placards. Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Show all 16 1 /16 Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey A Tommy Robinson supporter in London after former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson left the Old Bailey where his contempt of court case was adjourned PA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey A Tommy Robinson supporter outside the Old Bailey in London where the former English Defence League (EDL) leader is accused of contempt of court PA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Tommy Robinson supporters outside the Old Bailey in London before former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson arrives accused of contempt of court PA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of former English Defence League (EDL) leader Tommy Robinson protest at the Old Bailey Courthouse EPA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of former English Defence League leader Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, or 'Tommy Robinson', who was jailed for contempt of court in May and later released, wait for him to arrive at the Old Bailey to attend a court hearing Reuters Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Tommy Robinson arrives for his hearing at the Old Bailey Reuters Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right spokeseman Stephen Christopher Yaxley-Lennon, AKA Tommy Robinson, the former leader of the right-wing EDL (English Defence League) wave flags as they demonstrate outsise The Old Bailey AFP/Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Supporters of far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson demonstrate outside the Old Bailey EPA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey EPA Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey Robinson gestures to supporters from inside the Old Bailey AFP/Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey AFP/Getty Tommy Robinson supporters protest outside the Old Bailey EPA Robinson later spoke to them from a small stage, attacking mainstream news outlets as the crowd chanted scum and shame on you. He claimed he had not gone to Leeds Crown Court with the intention of breaking reporting restrictions or undermining its authority. I believe I acted in good faith within the parameters of the reporting restriction, Robinson added, claiming the material in his broadcast was already in the public domain. He called the Huddersfield grooming gang an Islamic rape jihad gang and condemned the media as the enemy of the people. Recommended Huddersfield grooming gang convicted of abusing vulnerable girls In bizarre scenes, the crowd sang the Leonard Cohen song Hallelujah. Then, as a man wearing a Donald Trump mask stood next to Robinson on stage, they chanted: We love Trump! Groups represented in the crowd of Robinsons supporters included Ukip and leader Gerard Batten For Britain and the ethno-nationalist organisation Generation Identity, which has branches across Europe. Asked what its flag meant, a supporter told a Press Association reporter: F*** off and look it up on the internet. Another man asked why he was protesting said: We are supporting a prosecuted journalist. A man beside him called an end to the interview. Nonce, he said, clutching a can of Strongbow. A supporter wearing a union flag suit said: I have come here to support Tommy Robinson because theres so many injustices going on in the world today. Ive learned so many things in the last two years, such as the killings of anyone thats not of the Islamic faith. A passing cyclist called out: Fascist. Tommy Robinson with a supporter dressed as Donald Trump addressing a crowd outside the Old Bailey from a stage on 23 October (AFP/Getty Images) (AFP/Getty) There appeared to be fewer protesters than at Robinsons last hearing in September, where there were clashes with counter-demonstrators and they caused a busy road to be closed. City of London Police estimated that 500 of Robinsons supporters and 50 counter-protesters were outside Tuesdays hearing. Officers mounted a significant operation for Tuesdays hearing, closing surrounding roads and advising nearby pubs and bars to close if needed to safeguard against potential disorder. Counter-protesters said they were called f***ing scum by Robinsons supporters. Weyman Bennett, joint secretary of Unite Against Fascism, told The Independent the crowd appeared to have an alt-right contingent. There was a natural class element there, with the football firms, but there were also middle-class people wearing suits, he added. The alt-right element of this has been underestimated. They are all working together. Reporting restrictions on the Huddersfield grooming case were lifted on Friday. Out of 20 men convicted of offences including child rape and trafficking, 16 have so far been jailed for 220 years in total. Lawyers for the defendants applied for the jury in the second trial to be discharged over Robinsons video. The attempt would have caused the trial to be reheard at a cost of hundreds of thousands of pounds, but a judge refused the application. Robinson was handed a 13-month prison sentence but was freed in August after the Court of Appeal found that the way his case was handled was fundamentally flawed. Senior judges ordered the matter to be reheard and said Robinson may have committed contempt both by violating reporting restrictions and with generally prejudicial remarks, including on the ethnic and religious backgrounds of the defendants. These comments were, at least potentially, capable of amounting to a freestanding contempt of court, it continued. Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who goes by the name Tommy Robinson, speaks to supporters as he arrives to face contempt of court charges at the Old Bailey in London, on 23 October ( REUTERS/Henry Nicholls) (REUTERS/Henry Nicholls) The alleged contempt was serious and the sentence might be longer than that already served if a finding is again made against [Robinson]. Contempt of court laws aim to ensure fair trials in Britain by preventing juries from being swayed by information from outside the hearing, and the laws apply to all forms of online and offline publications. The offences are covered by a strict liability rule, meaning that intent and knowledge of committing them are not necessary for a conviction, nor is proof that a jury was prejudiced. The Court of Appeal refused to quash a separate finding of contempt from Canterbury Crown Court in May 2017, saying criticism by Robinsons legal team had no substance. In that case he was handed a three-month suspended sentence for trying to film defendants inside the court during jury deliberations, after being told to stop and warned filming was against the law. Judge Heather Norton said at the time: This contempt hearing is not about free speech it is about justice, and it is about ensuring that a trial can be carried out justly and fairly. While on bail, Robinson has triggered a furore over far-right sympathies in the British army by posting footage of recruits he ran into at a motorway service station online. This weekend, he attended a rally held by the German anti-Islam group Pegida and gave a speech that ended with the slogan: Wir sind das Volk [we are the people]. Now is the time for things to turn, a revolution is on the cards, Robinson told the crowd in Dresden. The Muslim invaders want your country for themselves peace with Islam is a false peace. He attempted to found a British offshoot of the group in 2015, having left the EDL two years before. The Luton father-of-three styles himself as a reporter, raising cash for his work by crowdfunding via his website, which has seen a dramatic increase in donations since his imprisonment. Robinsons activism has been interrupted by jail sentences for entering the US with a false passport and mortgage fraud, while he has also been convicted of offences including actual bodily harm, threatening behaviour and drug possession. A man went viral after tweeting an image of what he thought was a mouse in a package of microwaveable rice from Lidl - but a supermarket investigation discovered it was mouse-shaped mould. Richard Leech posted a photo of the cooked Golden Sun pilau rice on Twitter, where he wrote: Hi Lidl I wonder if you could let me know how this mouse got into my packet of rice? According to Leech, the rice, which was cooked, left his house smelling of cooked mouse and had a terrible effect on his wife. Recommended Woman sues Zara after finding dead mouse sewn into her dress My wife is uncontrollable (sic) vomiting, he concluded his complaint. The customers tweet was liked thousands of times - with many people finding humour in the incident. Many news outlets also reported on the apparent discovery. However, Lidl says it investigated after being alerted to the find and found that it was actually mould. Before Lidl's investigation, people on Twitter piled in with rodent-based puns and jokes. Poor Stuart Little. Pray for Stuart, one person wrote in reference to the 1999 movie Stuart Little starring a mouse that's adopted by a human family. Others chose to use the German discount supermarkets name in their puns. At least it was only a Lidl mouse it could have been a big mouse, another person joked. A common method of cooking rice can leave traces of arsenic in food, scientists warn The supermarket promised to investigate, asking Leech in a Twitter reply to send more details via private direct message. Just a few hours later, a spokesperson for Lidl told The Independent that it was not a mouse. The mouse that caught a cold... and may help us find a cure Show all 2 1 /2 The mouse that caught a cold... and may help us find a cure The mouse that caught a cold... and may help us find a cure 14902.bin Digital Vision / Alamy The mouse that caught a cold... and may help us find a cure 14901.bin Independent Graphics "It is never our intention for a customer to be dissatisfied in any way, and we were extremely sorry to see that this particular product did not meet the high standards that both we and our customers expect. "Following contact with the customer, the matter was immediately escalated to our quality assurance team who, through their initial investigation with the supplier, were able to identify the foreign substance as mould. Whilst very rare, this can occur as a result of an extremely small hole in the pack. "We only ever work with reputable accredited suppliers who have extensive controls and procedures in place to verify the quality of products. We are, therefore, very disappointed that our expected high standards were not met on this occasion, and are in ongoing contact with the customer on the matter." Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The Independent has contacted Richard Leech for comment. A man has been charged with murder after the body of 25-year-old woman's was discovered in east London. Nazia Ali was found dead at a property in Bow earlier this week Scotland Yard said. Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command launched an investigation and have since charged Mohammed Anhar Ali, 32, with murdering her at the address. The cause of her death has not been revealed, and a post-mortem is due to take place on Wednesday. Police said they are not seeking anyone else in connection with her killing. Mr Ali, Barking, will appear at Thames Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. Press Association Each autumn, it seems, Britain's patriots think of creative new ways to deploy poppies in honour of the countrys war dead. And this year, it is a curious blend of Remembrance Day and Christmas on display at a Salisbury shopping centre. Old George Malls poppy tree forms part of First World War centenary events planned to take place in the Wiltshire city. The centres manager, Jon Osgood, said he hoped the display would not only inspire people to donate to the Royal British Legion, but to learn more about the war. It has also inspired a fair amount of bemusement, with the reaction on social media ranging from ridicule to offence. One Twitter user described the tree as undignified to the point of being disrespectful. "People are really starting forget the meaning of remembrance," wrote another, Dominic Cox. "Things like this turn it into a joke." A third Twitter user said: Christmas and Remembrance Sunday, together at last in one oddly conceived package. In others, the tree inspired new adaptations of classic seasonal songs. Not everyone was unimpressed. The Salisbury Business Improvement District said the poppy tree was "looking fantastic". Tom Sykes added: "I think its fab! Anything that tastefully remembers our brave solders has my blessing." Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Each year, the use of poppies prompts controversy and debate ahead of Remembrance Day on 11 November. Some feel the wearing of the flower has become political, and public figures who choose not to have been accused lacking of respect. In 2015, Asda removed a tribute depicting a dead soldier lying next to a tree of poppies from one of its supermarkets after it was branded "disgusting" and in "bad taste". A woman is searching for a dressmaker who is able to create a bespoke ball gown with design features using her dead mothers hair. The 61-year-old woman from Bristol, who wants to remain anonymous, collected her mothers hair over a four-year period, and is willing to pay a skilled designer up to 15,000 to manufacture the garment. She posted the unusual request on fashion design website Sewport, where she admitted her request was "quite weird. She wrote: Im looking for someone to recreate my mothers wedding dress from 1953 which she wore when she married my father. My mother passed away recently and I'd like to create a special memento of her life. The dress will serve as this, however I need a specialist as the material Id like to create it from is admittedly quite weird. She added: I found out my mother was ill in 2014 and from that point onward I began to collect her hair. At the time I wasnt sure why I was collecting it, however now I think I do. The post includes a sketch of the floor-length gown which will feature human hair on the collar, sleeves and at the hem, and with a central frieze of patterned hair around the midriff. She said she would like the bodice around the midsection of the dress to have a lacy, floral design made with the hair. Ideally the dress will be ready to wear by August 2019 for the anniversary of her mothers death, she added. Recommended Wedding dresses with pockets are now a thing Boris Hodakel, founder of the Sewport website, told the BBC most design requests were typically snapped up by manufacturers within six hours. He said: We deal with quirky and wonderful designs every day - that's fashion. But human hair is a tricky substance to use as a fabric. Social designer Alix Bizet, a former designer in residence at the Design Museum London, who has previously made a clothing collection from human hair, told The Independent: It is hard to use human hair as a fibre to create garments, as hair is not adapted to the textile technique we have today. It required a lot of research (and still does) to reach the quality to make wearable material. Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Show all 12 1 /12 Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress Bride surprises grandmother by wearing her wedding dress She added: "Hair is full of keratin and does not have the natural bond that wool has, like microscopic hooks that help the material to be stable and strong like in a classical felt." Ms Bizet, whose work focuses on material and identity, said she empathised with the womans decision to remain anonymous. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Using human hair is often perceived as gross and unethical, due to the past history in Europe (the Nazis used murdered Jews hair to make various items during the Second World War) but also because it has been associated with cannibalism," she said. All this said, hair is a highly emotional subject that for some people is closely linked to the identity of a person - like an extension of their existence. It can be almost spiritual. Support free-thinking journalism and subscribe to Independent Minds We often forget that in the Victorian time it was normal to have the hair of a loved one or lost one turned into objects like jewellery or just worn as ornaments on clothes, such as a braid on a brooch. She added: I think making this dress will be a quite emotional process that might feel a little odd at first but which will make her dress very special and giver her a unique bond with her mother. MPs have voted in favour of legalising abortion in Northern Ireland after a number of Tory ministers broke ranks to back demands for change, creating a potential headache for Theresa May. The House of Commons voted by 208 votes to 123 in favour of a bill introduced by Labour MP Diana Johnson that seeks to scrap 157-year-old laws that make the practice illegal. The laws no longer affect women in England, Scotland and Wales because of changes that were made in 1967, but continue to apply in Northern Ireland. Recommended Why abortion remains illegal in Northern Ireland While Ms Johnsons bill is unlikely to become law, the vote highlights support in the Commons for bringing the law in Northern Ireland in line with the rest of the UK. It is also likely to cause a major headache for Ms May, who has insisted that the controversial changes are a matter for the Northern Ireland executive. But the backing of ministers including Penny Mordaunt, the women and equalities minister, for Ms Johnsons bill reveals a split at the heart of government and will pile pressure on the prime minister to act. Any move to change the law would place her firmly on a collision course with the DUP, which is propping up her government. The Northern Irish party is fiercely anti-abortion and had insisted that any changes are a matter for the devolved government. Matters are complicated further by the fact that the Stormont assembly in Belfast has not sat since January 2017 after power-sharing collapsed. Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Show all 8 1 /8 Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Campaigners intervene after police try to lead away one of the three women (centre with sunglasses) who publicly took an abortion pill during a demonstration outside Belfast's Crown and High Courts, where counter-demonstrations were held by both sides of the Northern Irish abortion argument. PA Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Police officers watch on from close by as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity hold a protest in Belfast Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Eleanor Crossey Malone takes an abortion pill as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Ruth Coppinger TD addresses the crowds outside Belfast's Crown and High Courts where counter-demonstrations were held by both sides of the Northen Irish abortion argument. PA Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Eleanor Crossey Malone displays an abortion pill packet after taking a pill Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills Protestors dressed as hand maidens stand as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills from a touring bus Getty Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills An unidentified woman takes an abortion pill as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills from a touring bus Getty Images Northern Irish women protesting anti-abortion laws take illegal pills A robot drone delivers abortion pills as abortion rights campaign group ROSA, Reproductive Rights Against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity distribute abortion pills Getty Ms Johnson is hoping to change the law through a 10 minute rule bill, although she is likely to need government support if she is to succeed. She told the Commons: Abortion in our country is underpinned by the oldest legal framework for any healthcare treatment, with the harshest criminal sentence in the developed world for women having an illegal abortion. Our current abortion law dates back to the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 a time when Queen Victoria was on the throne and women were still decades away from getting the right to vote. Under that law, she said, anyone having an abortion or helping someone to do so can be sent to prison for life. In addition to Ms Mordaunt, Home Office minister Victoria Atkins and sports minister Tracey Crouch also voted in favour of the bill, as did health minister Caroline Dinenage and transport minister Jo Johnson. Calls for changes to the law in Northern Ireland grew louder after the Republic of Ireland voted in a referendum in May to abolish its ban on the practice. Speaking after the Commons vote, Ms Mays official spokesman suggested Ms Johnsons bill was unlikely to receive the government backing it will need to become law. He said: It is a Private Members Bill which will proceed in the usual Private Members Bill way. He added: The prime minister has consistently said that abortion has always been a devolved matter for the Northern Ireland Executive and the best way forward is that this issue should be decided by locally-accountable politicians in the Northern Ireland Assembly. The stepfather of a boy in hospital has demanded an apology from David Daviss former chief of staff after he appeared to call the child a pathetic cretin. Stewart Jackson, a former Conservative MP, was responding to a tweet by Anthony Hobley who had posted a picture of his ill stepson draped in an EU flag. MPs have also demanded the former Brexit secretarys aide make a grovelling apology. Mr Jackson's post was in response Mr Hobley saying his stepson had been gutted to miss Saturdays March for the Future, organised jointly by the Peoples Vote campaign and The Independent, which saw 700,000 take to the streets of London to demand a fresh referendum on Brexit. Mr Hobley tweeted: My stepson had an operation yesterday at Great Ormond Street. Hes incredibly brave but gutted he cant be at the Peoples Vote march today with his brothers and sisters. You can see hell be there in spirit and his brothers are saluting him with a dab. Editor of the Independent Christian Broughton speaks at the People's Vote march in London The post was accompanied by a photo of the child in a hospital bed, covered with an EU flag. Another image showed two other children dabbing while wearing Bollocks to Brexit hats and standing behind the same flag. What a pathetic cretin," responded Mr Jackson. After an angry backlash, the former MP deleted the tweet and said the jibe had been aimed at the boys stepfather. Mr Hobley called on him "to apologise, not for me, but for both my family and the tone of political debate in this country". "Comments like these from senior people in political life set the tone of political debate in our country and I believe harm politics in our country," he added. "Whatever our views on Brexit we need to talk about the problems of Brexit and the case for a People's Vote by debating the facts and issues, not with schoolyard abuse." A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Show all 65 1 /65 A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit An estimated 700,000 people marched through London to demand a final say on the withdrawal agreement Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Red smoke from a canister hangs in the air as around 100,000 demonstrators march through London during a People's Vote anti-brexit demonstration savings banners and placards Anti-Brexit People's Vote March for the Future in London Rex A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Mayor of London Sadiq Khan takes part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 Protesters wearing final Say shirts and holding placards Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit MP Chuka Umunna (left) and MP Vince Cable (right) as MP Anna Soubry (centre) addresses Anti-Brexit campaigners at a rally after the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A Peoples Vote march attendee calls for a Final Say Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators with banners 'We're with EU' during the People's Vote March for the Future in London, Britain, 20 October 2018. Reports state that the 'March for the Future' is to be led by a column of young people and call for a Peopleas Vote on the Brexit deal. After marching through central London, there will be a rally on stage in Parliament Square, including speeches from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. EPA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Protesters at Londons march for the future in October The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Editor of The Independent Christian Broughton speaks to demonstrators in Parliament Sqaure after they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A poster at the March for the Future in October The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 campaigner wrapped in EU flag Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators pass Trafalgar Square as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators wave Union and European flags and hold up placards as they pass Trafalgar Square, taking part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A demonstrator holds a message during a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators take part in the 'People's Vote March for the Future,' in central London, Britain, 20 October 2018. Reports state that the 'March for the Future' is to be led by a column of young people and call for a Peopleas Vote on the Brexit deal. After marching through central London, there will be a rally on stage in Parliament Square, including speeches from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan EPA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A protester brandishes an Independent t-shirt during the Brexit March Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Tens of thousands of people take part in People's Vote March for the Future in central London. The march organised by the People's Vote campaign is led by young people calling for a People's Vote on the Brexit deal Rex A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum PA Labour MP Wes Streeting said Mr Jackson should issue a "grovelling apology". He added: "Whatever your views on what's gone wrong with Brexit, attacking the family of a child recovering from an operation in hospital is a new low. "There is a vicious tone to much of our political debate today and that has been often been driven by Brexit supporters like Stewart Jackson. "But this latest episode goes far beyond the usual rough and tumble of politics. Stewart Jackson should apologise to this boy and his parents." Former Conservative MP Stewart Jackson has become the Brexit Secretarys top adviser (PA) Mr Jackson, who was appointed to work for Mr Davis after losing his seat in 2017, has refused to apologise. He wrote on Twitter: What sort of individual invades their sick childs privacy at a sensitive time to make a political point about the so called Peoples Vote? Really. Awful. It is not the first time that Mr Jackson, who was MP for Peterborough between 2005 and 2017, has insulted a member of the public. Days after losing his seat last year, he called one of his former constituents a thick chav on Facebook. The cabinet will now have specific weekly updates on Britains preparations for Brexit amid concerns the country will not be ready by the time it leaves. Theresa Mays top team of ministers will be given the briefing by Brexit secretary Dominic Raab as part of the wider cabinet meeting each week. Key Brexit-backing cabinet figures like Penny Mordaunt, Andrea Leadsom and Esther McVey have been pushing for a greater role in Brexit policy in recent weeks, with it having previously been kept between members of the inner cabinet. It also follows discontent when Brexit was not put on one cabinet meeting agenda at a crucial moment in negotiations, with ministers left feeling robbed of the chance to challenge Ms May over her strategy. A spokesman for the prime minister said: As we move towards exit day, it makes sense that all ministers are informed all thats taking place in relation to all scenarios. He explained that the briefings would take in what preparations and developments are taking place both in relation to no-deal planning and also for planning for a deal. On Tuesday Mr Raab told ministers that good progress was being made, but it comes amid concern that the UK is not ready for the March 29 2019 departure day. A Hansard Society report on Tuesday suggested that of the 800 changes to legislation through statutory instruments (SIs) needed for Brexit before that date, only 71 have been passed so far. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Ms Mays spokesman said there would be an up-tick in the number of SIs dealt with as Brexit approaches, but a further report on the countrys preparedness is expected from the National Audit Office spending watchdog later this week. The NAO has previously warned that particular government departments are at risk of being caught out on Brexit day because of the slow pace of preparations. Key figures in the cabinet, including Ms Mordaunt, Ms McVey and Ms Leadsom, have been pushing Ms May to change tack in her approach to the Bexit negotiations, with the weekly meetings also offering them a new chance to question her and the Brexit secretary more regularly. There have been reports that the three are on the brink of resigning over the prime ministers potential concessions to Brussels, made as part of any bid to secure a withdrawal deal in the coming weeks. At a cabinet earlier in the year that was billed as a crunch Brexit meeting the issue was not put on the agenda and Ms May left immediately afterwards leaving some ministers feeling that a key opportunity for scrutiny was missed. The PM told Tuesdays cabinet meeting in 10 Downing Street that preparations for the no-deal scenario continue to be essential, but stressed that the governments priority is to secure a deal. She told ministers that European Council president Donald Tusk had declared himself ready to call a special Brexit summit if there was decisive progress in negotiations, which continue at official level in Brussels. The government was working intensively to find a way on the issue of the backstop which the EU is demanding to keep the Irish border open, she said. Theresa May has confirmed she will attend a showdown meeting with rebellious MPs at the Conservative backbench 1922 Committee on Wednesday. It means the prime minister will have to speak to and take questions from her backbenchers behind closed doors, with many of them said to be plotting her downfall. On Tuesday morning she emerged from what several sources later told The Independent was a cabinet meeting punctuated with feisty exchanges, during which she agreed ministers would receive weekly updates on her Brexit strategy. It comes after she managed to sidestep a Commons rebellion over her proposals planned for Wednesday, amid a backlash against critics using unsavoury language about her. Both Ms Mays aides and sources at the powerful 1922 Committee confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the prime minister would now be attending the meeting, despite signs in the morning that she would not. Until now it looked as though Conservative party chair Brandon Lewis would go in her stead, but the prime ministers decision to go herself suggests confidence that she can face down her critics. Once her attendance was announced, a No 10 source said: The prime minister is taking the opportunity to talk to her colleagues. The last time she attended a 1922 Committee, the meeting was also preceded by rebellious noises from her backbenches, but it ended with supportive MPs banging the desks in a show of solidarity. Aides are unlikely to have agreed to the PMs attendance had they expected any different from tomorrow. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Ms May survived spirited exchanges with several members of her cabinet on Tuesday morning, with one telling The Independent: Its fair to say they were feisty. Ministers will now receive weekly briefings from Brexit secretary Dominic Raab over progress in talks with Brussels. Its fair to say they were feisty Cabinet source Key figures in the cabinet, including Penny Mordaunt, Esther McVey and Andrea Leadsom, have been pushing Ms May to change tack in her approach to the Brexit negotiations, with the weekly briefings now offering a chance for them to question her more regularly. Over the weekend, media reports emerged with Tory rebels using aggressive and violent language to attack the prime minister, including one who warned that Ms May should bring her own noose if she decided to come to the 1922 meeting. MPs were quoted as saying she was now entering the killing zone and that assassination is in the air, while another unnamed Tory was quoted as saying: The moment is coming when the knife gets heated, stuck in her front and twisted. Shell be dead soon. With the planned rebellion also looking likely on Wednesday, this week appeared to be the toughest Ms May would face yet. But on Monday she won a reprieve when she promised to enshrine in law her plans for the Irish border. A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Show all 65 1 /65 A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit An estimated 700,000 people marched through London to demand a final say on the withdrawal agreement Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Red smoke from a canister hangs in the air as around 100,000 demonstrators march through London during a People's Vote anti-brexit demonstration savings banners and placards Anti-Brexit People's Vote March for the Future in London Rex A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Mayor of London Sadiq Khan takes part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 Protesters wearing final Say shirts and holding placards Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit MP Chuka Umunna (left) and MP Vince Cable (right) as MP Anna Soubry (centre) addresses Anti-Brexit campaigners at a rally after the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A Peoples Vote march attendee calls for a Final Say Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators with banners 'We're with EU' during the People's Vote March for the Future in London, Britain, 20 October 2018. Reports state that the 'March for the Future' is to be led by a column of young people and call for a Peopleas Vote on the Brexit deal. After marching through central London, there will be a rally on stage in Parliament Square, including speeches from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. EPA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Protesters at Londons march for the future in October The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Editor of The Independent Christian Broughton speaks to demonstrators in Parliament Sqaure after they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A poster at the March for the Future in October The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 campaigner wrapped in EU flag Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators pass Trafalgar Square as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators wave Union and European flags and hold up placards as they pass Trafalgar Square, taking part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A demonstrator holds a message during a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators take part in the 'People's Vote March for the Future,' in central London, Britain, 20 October 2018. Reports state that the 'March for the Future' is to be led by a column of young people and call for a Peopleas Vote on the Brexit deal. After marching through central London, there will be a rally on stage in Parliament Square, including speeches from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan EPA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A protester brandishes an Independent t-shirt during the Brexit March Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Tens of thousands of people take part in People's Vote March for the Future in central London. The march organised by the People's Vote campaign is led by young people calling for a People's Vote on the Brexit deal Rex A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum PA Lead Brexit rebel Steve Baker MP called off plans to demand a vote on a motion that would have severely restricted her ability to manoeuvre after hearing of her announcement. In a further boost, reports on Tuesday that enough MPs had submitted letters to trigger a vote of no confidence in Ms May appeared not to hold water. Under party rules 15 per cent of sitting MPs, currently 48, must submit letters to the chair of the 1922, Sir Graham Brady, after which he would announce a vote of no confidence. Elsewhere, Irish broadcaster RTE reported that the EU is ready to agree the UK-wide backstop proposed by Ms May, but only as part of a separate treaty including a backstop applying to Northern Ireland only. But Ms May's official spokesman said: "The prospect of Northern Ireland being placed in a different customs arrangement to the rest of the UK is unacceptable." Close Theresa May delivers Brexit statement to MPs A Conservative MP has warned that the party must either change Theresa May's Brexit policy or change the prime minister. Andrew Bridgen, who had submitted a letter of no confidence in Ms May earlier this summer, added he had not changed his mind over her leadership. His remarks came as the prime minister convened her cabinet on Tuesday morning, telling her top team they will be given a weekly update on Britain's preparations for a no-deal Brexit. A spokesman for the prime minister told journalists at a regular briefing: As we move towards exit day, it makes sense that all ministers are informed all thats taking place in relation to all scenarios. He explained that the briefings would take in what preparations and developments are taking place both in relation to no-deal planning and also for planning for a deal. On Tuesday Mr Raab told ministers that good progress was being made, but it comes amid concern that the UK is not ready for the March 29 2019 departure day. Recommended Cabinet to get weekly Brexit updates amid fears country not ready The meeting came as the Prime Minister faced increasing pressure for a breakthrough in talks with the EU, after last week's summit ended with no deal. Mrs May told MPs on Monday that the terms of Britain's withdrawal from the EU were 95% agreed but the "sticking point" remained the issue of the Irish border. On Wednesday - after prime minister's questions - Ms May will also attend the 1922 committee of Conservative backbench MPs It means the prime minister will have to speak to and take questions from her backbenchers behind closed doors with many of them said to be plotting her downfall. Please see below The Independent's live coverage of today in Westminster The government is failing to tackle harassment of women and girls in public places despite the problem being "routine and sometimes relentless", a damning report by a committee of MPs has warned. Ministers have committed to tackling harassment overseas but are not doing enough to address the problem at home, the Commons women and equalities committee said. It demanded urgent action to tackle sexual harassment, which it said was ingrained in British culture. This should include tougher action on pornography and against people taking sexual photos of women, it said. The cross-party MPs warned that, while the government has signed up to international goals that include a pledge to eliminate sexual harassment by 2030, there is no evidence of any programme to achieve this in the UK. Recommended Labour activist claims party failing to tackle sexual harassment Instead, they said, the government's "foot appears to be almost entirely off the pedal" when it came to tackling harassment, with ministers risking giving the impression that they consider the issue "too trivial to address". The warning follows a nine-month inquiry by the committee into sexual harassment of women and girls in public places. It found evidence of relentless harassment of females on public transport, in bars and clubs, at universities, in parks, on the street and online. MPs warned that harassment of women had become normalised and demanded the government take a series of steps to tackle it. This should include a new law to ban the creation and distribution of sexual images taken without the persons consent, they said. At the same time, the government should seek evidence on the dangers of pornography, which the committee said should be treated as a public health issue like road safety and smoking, and launch a long-term programme of public campaigns to change attitudes towards women. Train operators and universities should be forced to have clear policies on tackling sexual harassment, and viewing pornography on buses should be banned, the MPs suggested. In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Show all 28 1 /28 In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters In Colombia, victims of sexual abuse speak out Reuters The women and equalities committee has already published reports on sexual harassment in schools and in the workplace. Commenting on its latest inquiry, former culture secretary Maria Miller, who chairs the committee, said: Sexual harassment in public places is a regular experience for many women and girls in the street, in bars and clubs, on buses and trains, at university and online. It is the most common form of violence against women and girls and the damage is far-reaching. And yet most of it goes unreported. It can make women and girls scared and stressed, avoid certain routes home at night or certain train carriages, wear headphones while out running; women feel the onus is put on them to avoid risky situations. "It is not acceptable that women have to change their behaviour to avoid sexual harassment. It has a wider effect on society, contributing to a culture in which sexual violence can be normalised or excused. All of this keeps women and girls unequal." Surveys suggest that 64 per cent of women, including 85 per cent of 18-24-year-olds, have suffered unwanted sexual attention in public places, including 35 per cent who said they had experienced unwanted touching. More than 60 per cent of girls and young women say they do not feel safe walking home. Catcalling: Women write in chalk to stop street harassment Ms Miller said:The #MeToo movement shows that we must confront some deeply uncomfortable truths about our society and the attitudes some men hold. Laws alone cannot solve the cultural acceptability of sexual harassment. "That is why we have set out a series of practical measures that government, public transport operators, local authorities and universities should implement immediately. Public places must be made safe for all women and girls. The committee called it "astonishing" that the issue of sexual harassment is almost entirely absent from the governments strategy for tackling violence against women and girls. In its report, it said: The UK government has a strong reputation for taking seriously the prevention of sexual abuse and violence overseas, but the domestic Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy does not reflect the same focus at home in relation to sexual harassment." The committee welcomed new laws on problems such as upskirting and revenge porn, but said ministers were "too often racing to catch up with these developments". It also criticised the lack of data on sexual harassment and said current laws send inconsistent messages For example, the committee said, there is a proven link between pornography and "sexist attitudes and sexually aggressive behaviours, including violence". It questioned why the government restricts access to offline pornography but has no plans to restrict adult men's use of online pornography. The report said: "Sexual harassment is never acceptable, and women and girls should not be expected to endure it. It should matter to us that women and girls are respected, not forced to change the way they live to avoid daily sexual harassment and abuse. "As with any social harm, prevention of sexual harassment should be the governments aim. In order to do this, it is necessary to understand why it happens and this may involve confronting deeply uncomfortable truths about British society and the attitudes some men hold towards women." The committee welcomed changes that will force schools to teach relationships education as part of a government promise to eradicate sexual harassment by 2030, but added: "More widely than this, it is not clear to us what other specific actions the government is taking to meet its objective. "Opportunities to embed a preventative approach, for example through media regulation, public awareness campaigns and crime and licensing policy, are being missed." The government has been contacted for comment. A man accused of groping a woman on a plane later told authorities that the president of the United States says its okay to grab women by their private parts, it is alleged. Bruce Alexander was on a flight travelling from Texas to New Mexico when he leaned forward twice and grabbed the womans breast, according to documents filed at New Mexicos US District Court. The woman, who has not been named, told investigators she initially believed the first touch was accidental. About 30 minutes later she said she felt the 49-year-old grope her again and rose from her seat. She then told the passenger behind her that she didnt know why he thought it was ok [to touch her] and he needed to stop. A fellow passenger who witnessed the incident corroborated the womans story, the documents claim. The woman was helped by a Southwest Airlines flight attendant, who found her a seat in a different section of the plane. Mr Alexander was detained by police officers when the plane landed in Albuquerque. After he was handcuffed he allegedly referenced Mr Trumps comments about sexual assault. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events In a 2005 conversation with TV host Billy Bush that was caught on a live microphone, the billionaire businessman bragged about groping women without waiting for their consent. He said that when he met beautiful women he felt able to grab them by the pussy. You can do anything, he told the host, who was fired by NBC News after the recording emerged shortly before Mr Trump was elected as US president. He subsequently apologised for the vulgar remarks. Mr Alexander has been charged with abusive sexual contact and a preliminary hearing has been scheduled for 23 October. Fear-mongering is not new in American politics. This midterm election season American voters have seen a growing number of candidates - nearly all Republican - smearing their political opponents either as terrorism threats or with Islamophobic rhetoric. But according to a new report, the politics of anti-Muslim fear will no longer win campaigns. On Monday, ahead of the midterm Election Day, Muslim Advocates, a legal advocacy group in Oakland, California, released their Running on Hate 2018 report noting a sharp increase in anti-Muslim rhetoric from election campaigns in the state and local level. In the report, Muslim Advocates observed and analysed more than 80 candidates that used Islamophobic narratives in their campaigns. Forty of these candidates are running for seats in Congress and about 23 of them have made it to the general election. Thirteen of these candidates are incumbents. Weve seen anti-Muslim candidates running in every region, Muslim Advocates Public Advocacy Director Scott Simpson told The Guardian. Weve seen them running at every level of office, from the school and planning boards all the way to governor and Congress. Weve seen it in liberal places and conservative places. It has really taken root and become very widespread. The lot of these 80 candidates espoused typical Islamophobic narratives and conspiracy theories often insinuating that Muslim extremists were infiltrating the US federal government. Throughout the election cycle, Muslim-American candidates were the subject of fake news from anti-Muslim websites, online harassment and armed protests. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar - who are both projected to be the countrys first Muslim congresswomen - were smeared with false accusations of being jihadis, anti-semitic or working for terrorist groups. Deedra Abboud, an attorney who ran for the US Senate seat in Arizona, was subjected to an onslaught of ant-Muslim cyber-harassment. In addition to the racist vitriol online, right-wing militia groups staged armed protests outside of Abbouds campaign stops. But Islamophobic campaigns did not just attack Muslim candidates. In a desperate attempt to save Republican Dave Brats re-election in Virginias 14th district, the Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF) superPAC accused his Democratic opponent Abigail Spanberger has terrorist sympathies. While awaiting for her CIA security clearance to process, Ms Spanberger used to work as a substitute teacher at the Islamic Saudi Academy in Alexandria, Virginia. CLF broadcasted a 30-second ad smearing the former CIA official for teaching at Terror High and described the school as a terrorist breeding ground. California Republican Duncan Hunter is running the most notable anti-Muslim campaign, according to Muslim Advocates. In his latest campaign ad, Mr Hunter has accused his Democratic challenger Ammar Campa-Najjar of legally changing his name several times to hide his familys ties to terrorism and described him as a national security threat. Mr Campa-Najjar is a Christian of Palestinian-Mexican descent. But heres the thing: Stoking anti-Muslim fear into the hearts of American voters is a losing strategy. According to the report, only 11-14% of the 80 candidates that ran on Islamophobic campaigns were elected or safely projected to win their elections come around Election Day next month. The report also found core anti-Muslim voters to only represent a small--albeit a conscientious--and fringe electorate, and attempts to demonise the Muslim community does more to turn vex constituents than gain voter support. Many candidates faced serious repercussions from voters and a backlash from even members of their own party, the report added. Some faced recalls and pressure to withdraw, or their entire campaign became largely defined by their anti-Muslim rhetoric. In fact, the report found super-majorities from both parties, of every demographic and region, preferred the candidate who defended Muslims. This even includes Trump voters. Out of the 80 candidates that ran on Islamophobic campaigns, 52 of them have either lost their primaries, are projected to lose, withdrew or were recalled. While President Donald Trumps anti-Muslim campaign might have won him Florida, Georgia, Wyoming, South Dakota, Arkansas, Michigan and South Carolina in 2016, many Republican candidates that ran on anti-Muslim conspiracy theories lost their primaries in those same exact states this election season. In North Dakota and Tennessee, Nebraska and Michigan, several candidates either lost their elections, dropped out or had to resign for their anti-Muslim rhetoric. Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures London A young boy holds a placard reading 'migration is beautiful' during the march against racism demonstration in London. Getty Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Warsaw Protesters rally in Warsaw under the slogan 'Tired of racism and fascism'. AFP/Getty Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures London An anti-racism demostrators chants with chains around his neck during a march against racism. Getty Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Vienna People getting ready to march against racism in Vienna. Twitter/Wriseup Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Glasgow Anti-racism demonstrators take part in a rally through the city centre of Glasgow. Getty Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures London An anti-racism demostrator holds a placard readin 'Laundry is the only thing that should be seperated by colour'. Getty Images Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Paris Thousand of protesters demonstrate against police brutality and in defense of migrants and those without papers in Paris. EPA Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures London Anti-racism demostrators hold placards and chant during a march organised by the group Stand Up to Racism as an expression of unity against racism, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. Getty Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Athens A girl poses for a photo during a rally against the EU-Turkey deal blocking mass migration into Europe in Athens. AP Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Glasgow Aamer Anwar a prominent Scottish lawyer joins an Anti-racism rally through Glasgow city centre. Getty Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures London Anti-racism demostrators hold placards and chant in London's march against racism. Getty Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Glasgow A man in Glasgow holds a banner reading 'refugees welcome'. Getty Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures London Anti-racism demostrators let off flares during the march against racism in London. Getty Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Paris A protester in a grim reaper disguise holds a shield reading 'State racism, no impunity for police brutality against those without papers' in Paris. EPA Anti-racism demonstrations across Europe: in pictures Athens Migrants who live in Greece chant slogans during a rally against the EU-Turkey deal blocking mass migration into Europe, in Athens. AP Shahed Amanullah, an adviser to national grassroots organization Muslim Caucus of America, told the Independent the intensity of anti-Muslim feelings among fringe groups mistakenly convince some candidates that they will get greater traction in the mainstream. In the wake of the Trump era, those wishing to leverage anti-Muslim sentiment are finding out that a large swatch of the American public is now keenly aware of Islamophobia and is now willing to push back on it in ways that werent possible a few short years ago, Mr Amanullah said. The energy generated by anti-Muslim sentiment online can give candidates a false sense of security. The data backs Mr Amanullahs assessment. Included in the 51-page report are survey results from Probolsky Research, a Republican polling firm, that prove fewer and fewer Americans harbor negative feelings towards Muslims. Out of 1000 survey participants, only 7 percent had a negative impression of Muslims. Furthermore, 71 percent said it is inappropriate for candidates to speak ill of Muslims during their candidates. If candidates spoke negatively about Muslims, 57.6 percent said they would be more likely to vote against candidate. Only seven percent said they would more likely vote for the candidate if they did. While President Donald Trump might have won the 2016 presidential election with a campaign run almost entirely on fear on immigrants and Muslims, the report reveals a seismic shift in how American voters view their Muslim neighbors and whether or not they are capable of honorably serving public office. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Shahed Amanullah pointed out that in 2006, the election of Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn), a black Muslim-American, stunned much of the political establishment to the point where there were open debates about his loyalty and oath of office. But now, the nation anticipates having two Muslim women--one of whom wears the hijab--serving their congressional districts on Capitol Hill. The most notable thing about this occurrence is how uncontroversial it seems, Mr Amanullah added. But what does this mean for the future of American electoral politics? Its likely well see more Muslim Americans in public office. Aside from partisan grumbling, we have no uprising against the presence of Muslims in high political office, Mr Amanullah said. So it is safe to say that American of all stripes, both conservatives and liberals, now accept that American Muslims can serve honourably in governance. A caravan of approximately 7,000 refugees and migrants is around a thousand miles away from the US-Mexico border, but the migrants' presence is felt almost everywhere on the campaign trail just a few weeks ahead of the 2018 midterms. Most of the people are fleeing rampant poverty and gang violence in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador as they travel by foot, truck, and river to search for work or asylum in Mexico or the US. They appear to be undeterred at the prospect of family separation or detention which is part of Donald Trump's "zero tolerance" stance on immigration, but their journey is a central issue in several midterm election campaigns from Texas, Arizona, California, and during any of the many "Make America Great Again" political rallies Mr Trump has held recently. Here are four things you should know about the group: Trump has alerted the US military Sadly, it looks like Mexicos Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border, Mr Trump tweeted after Mexican riot police failed to contain thousands of people from crossing into the country at its own southern border with Guatemala. The caravan, mostly Hondurans, crowded into the Mexican border city of Tapachula over the weekend after trekking on foot over the Suchiate River which separates the two countries. I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Emergy [sic]. Must change laws! Mr Trump said. Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were not able to do the job of stopping people from leaving their country and coming illegally to the US. We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them. Melania Trump: I really dont care jacket was message for media, not separated migrant children Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in, the president wrote, although no evidence has been provided for either claim. Mr Trump has repeatedly called the thousands on the Mexico border criminals. It is unclear what military action would entail at the US-Mexico border but Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said that while National Guard troops are currently supporting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on the border, the Pentagon had not been asked to provide additional support. There are currently 2,100 National Guard troops along the border in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, according to the Pentagon. Republicans are using it as a campaign line ahead of the midterms Mr Trump has repeatedly called for immigration law reform in light of the influx of undocumented immigrants fleeing rampant gang violence and poverty in Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. He has made the issue and his hardline stance central to the upcoming midterm elections in Congress. He has been speaking about the issue of immigration at dozens of political rallies across the country ahead of the 6 November midterm elections. He also held another Make America Great Again rally in Texas earlier in the week. Every time you see a Caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, into our Country illegally, think of and blame the Democrats for not giving us the votes to change our pathetic Immigration Laws!, Mr Trump said, as a reminder his supporter base in a series of tweets to begin the week. Bernie Sanders: Trump has been tougher on immigrant children than on Putin Republicans running for office in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona have mimicked the politics of fear rhetoric as well, painting the migrants as members of the violent MS-13 gang coming to hurt Americans. An online anti-immigrant advertisement tracker shows the number of messages not just targeted to incite xenophobia among voters but aimed at painting Democrat opponents as allowing criminals into the US with open border policies. One ad, paid for by the National Republican Congressional Commission and in support of candidate Lea Marquez Peterson, shows a white American woman locking all her doors and windows in fear of undocumented immigrants and paints opponent Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick as not having that voting blocs safety in mind. The ad is titled Forgotten. Texas Senator Ted Cruzs re-election campaign has run an ad painting opponent Democrat Beto ORourke as being weak on criminalising illegal entry into the US but also shows a series of undocumented immigrants who were deported multiple times and convicted of felonies like sexual assault. Conditions these refugees and migrants are fleeing in their home countries As media use the terms flood, deluge and army of migrants to describe the massive movement of people towards the US, voters may not understand the conditions the migrants are fleeing. Gang violence related to narcotics is rampant in that part of Central America and particularly in Honduras where the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18 gangs rule among a host of others. As National Geographic reported: Its in places like this where generations of young people have realised that in Honduras the self-perpetuating cycles of violence, corruption, and poverty have robbed them of their right to grow old. The gang violence is in a vicious cycle with rampant poverty from an economy dependent on a flailing agricultural system, malnutrition, lack of work opportunities for the non-wealthy classes, and poor public services in education and allocation of public funds. Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Show all 14 1 /14 Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Immigrant children, many of whom are separated form their parents, are housed in Texas' tent city Reuters Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border A two-year-old Honduran asylum seeker cries as her mother is searched and detained near the US-Mexico border Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Undocumented migrants ride on the top of a freight train referred to as the beast, or La Bestia Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border A cage inside a US Customs and Border Protection detention facility in Texas Reuters Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US Border Patrol Academy All new agents must complete a months-long training course at the New Mexico facility before assuming their posts at Border Patrol stations, mostly along the US-Mexico border Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US-Mexico border fence A group of young men walk along the Mexican side of the US-Mexico border fence in a remote area of the Sonoran Desert Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US-Mexico border fence in the US Man looks through US-Mexico border fence into the US in Tijuana, Mexico Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US-Mexico border fence US Border Patrol agent Sal De Leon stands near a section of the US-Mexico border fence while stopping on patrol on in La Joya, Texas Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border US Border Patrol Academy US Border Patrol instructor yells at trainees after their initial arrival to the academy Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Memorial service in Guatemala Families attend a memorial service for two boys who were kidnapped and killed in San Juan Sacatepequez, Guatemala. Crime drives emigration from Guatemala to the United States, as families seek refuge from the danger Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Arrests on the border Undocumented immigrants comfort each other after being caught by Border Patrol agents near the US-Mexico border Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Detention holding facility A boy from Honduras watches a movie at a detention facility run by the US Border Patrol Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Mexican farm workers Mexican migrant workers harvest organic parsley at Grant Family Farms in Wellington, Colorado Getty Undocumented immigration across the US-Mexico border Mexican family in Arizona A Mexican immigrant family sits in the living room of their rented home in Tuscon, Arizona. The family that Arizona's new tough immigrant law had created a climate of fear in the immigrant community. Getty There is no indication this particular group of migrants is armed in any way. Many are parents travelling with children and the barest of necessities - a bit of food, water, and often just a few pieces of clothing - to survive the thousands of miles needed to go before reaching the border. Many of the approximately 7,000 migrants will also likely not make the full journey to the McAllen, Texas, or Tijuana, Mexico, entry points either. After around 1,500 migrants were seen travelling through Mexico last year, only a few hundred made it to the border crossing where - this past summer - they faced Mr Trumps zero tolerance and family separation policies. Asylum is not actually a crime For the migrants who do make it to the border - likely only a small percentage of the 7,000 in this particular group - many will probably attempt to seek asylum. Per US Citizenship and Immigration Services, asylum seekers must "demonstrate [they] have suffered persecution or fear that they will suffer persecution due to" five factors: race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. The majority of migrants in the caravan are fleeing some of the world's most violent areas in terms of gang violence, murders per capita, and drug cartel control. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events They have up to one year to apply for the status after they arrive in the US. The process can take up to 180 days and involves being fingerprinted and government officers running a check on all the claims being made in the application. It is not a crime to enter the country without documentation if that person declares they are seeking the protected status. During the administration of Barack Obama, undocumented immigrants would be detained initially but then released pending a court hearing to begin the process of granting asylum. However, Attorney General Jeff Sessions has instituted a policy which essentially makes it a violation requiring detention. It was what led to more than 2,000 children being taken away from families at the border as parents were jailed immediately and children cannot enter the US criminal justice system. Instead, they were housed in separate tent cities and centres along the border but also as far away as Chicago and New York. After a massive public outcry from both Democrats and Republicans, Mr Trump signed an executive order this past June to end the policy, however, he has floated the idea of restarting it as he has been on the campaign trail. A key witness in the trial of a Indian Roman Catholic bishop, who is accused of repeatedly raping a nun, has been found dead. Kuriakose Kattuthara, a priest who worked in India's Punjab state, died in his room just weeks after providing testimony against Franco Mulakkal. The cause of death remains unclear. Bishop Mulakkal is accused of repeatedly sexually abusing a 44-year-old nun at a convent in the state of Kerala for over two years. She claims that he raped her 13 times between 2014 and 2016. Recommended Indian bishop accused of repeatedly raping nun Police are investigating charges of rape, illegal confinement, unnatural sex and intimidation in relation to the case. The case attracted national attention in India when the woman filed a police complaint in June. She claimed that church authorities had failed to take action when she approached them. Other nuns in Kerala took an unprecedented step and staged protests outside the state's high court in early September, demanding the bishop's arrest. Mr Mukkal was arrested and was released on bail last week. A crowd of supporters showered him with rose petals when he returned home. The bishop, who denies the allegations against him, is currently awaiting trial. Bishop Franco Mulakkal, dressed in white, is escorted by police in Kochi, India (Reuters) Mr Kattuthara was among the witnesses scheduled to testify at the trial and in an earlier five page statement had said that nuns had told him many times about the bishop's "immoral behaviour", The Times of India reported. An investigation has been opened into the 61-year-old's death. His brothers have claimed that he was threatened over his decision to testify. There was an attempt on his life earlier too," one, Joy Kurien, said. "His house and car were vandalised. We have no trust in the probe by Jalandhar police." The Vatican temporarily removed Bishop Mulakkal from his post in the diocese of Jalandhar in northern India in September. On Friday, voters in Ireland are going to the polls in a referendum to decide whether the offence of blasphemy should be removed from the countrys constitution. Blasphemy is generally defined as the act of insulting or speaking sacrilegiously about God or other sacred things. In an era where religious freedom and freedom of speech often find themselves coming into conflict, its no surprise that blasphemy is back as a point of debate. While this is seen to be another step on Irelands road to modernising its law and indeed highlighting the separation between church and state over a quarter of countries around the world are still maintaining and introducing laws prohibiting blasphemy. Blasphemy laws around the world A 2017 report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom found 71 countries to have laws which criminalised views deemed to be blasphemous, across all religions. Blasphemy laws are most common in majority Muslim countries of the Middle East and North Africa, as well as regions of southeast Asia. However, they are also to be found in pockets of the west, such as Poland, Italy, and Ireland. The punishments for these transgressions vary from fines, to prison sentences, to the death penalty. A 2016 study by the Freedom of Thought report found that 43 countries allow a prison term for blasphemy, while it is punishable by death in six countries: Afghanistan, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Somalia. Blasphemy was abolished as an offence in England and Wales in 2008, but it remains in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Famous blasphemy cases in recent years Various high profile blasphemy cases from around the world have drawn international attention in recent years. When the BBC broadcast Jerry Springer: The Opera on UK television in 2005, they received over 63,000 complaints about the shows depiction of Christian figures including Jesus but attempted charges were rejected. There was global backlash from Muslims in 2005 over the depiction of the Prophet Muhammed as a cartoon in a Danish newspaper. This brought the clash between freedom of speech and freedom of religion to the fore of international debate, and reared its head again with devastating consequences when the staff of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo were murdered in Paris in 2015 by Islamic extremists. In Denmark in 2017, a man who posted a video of himself burning the Quran on Facebook avoided trial when politicians abolished a centuries-old blasphemy law. In Indonesia this summer, a Buddhist woman named Meiliana was sentenced to 18 months in prison for complaining about a noisy mosque in 2016 something which sparked the burning and ransacking of Buddhist temples as a public response at the time. In Pakistan, a Christian woman called Asia Bibi has been facing execution for six years after allegedly insulting the Prophet Mohammed during a row with other women over water in 2009. She would become the first woman executed under the countrys blasphemy laws. In August 2018, Pakistans new prime minister Imran Khan pledged to revive a campaign to impose global blasphemy laws at the UN. A previous attempt, spearheaded by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, ended in failure in 2011. Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Show all 55 1 /55 Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis celebrates the Holy Mass at the Phoenix Park, in Dublin AP Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis arrives at Phoenix Park for a Papal Mass of the World Meeting of Families in Dublin EPA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures A vigil takes place at the site of the mass grave which contained the remains of 796 named babies from the Bon Secours Mother and Baby home in Tuam. The vigil coincides with the Phoenix park mass which is taking place in Dublin held by Pope Francis. Excavations at the site in 2017 revealed underground structures which held babies bodies with ages ranging from 35 weeks to three years old with most of the dead buried in the 1950s when the facility was run by the Bon Secours Sisters, a Catholic religious order of nuns who received unmarried pregnant women to give birth Getty Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures An aerial view of the crowd at Phoenix Park Getty Images Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Children queue for communion during Pope Francis' closing Mass PA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures The Stand4Truth rally gathers outside a former Magdalene laundry in Dublin as part of the demonstrations against clerical sex abuse PA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis leads the Holy Mass at Phoenix Park AFP/Getty Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis arrives to celebrate the Holy Mass at the Phoenix Park AP Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures The names of the victims are read out as a vigil takes place at the site of the mass grave which contained the remains of 796 named babies from the Bon Secours Mother and Baby home Getty Images Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis leads the Holy Mass at Phoenix Park AFP/Getty Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures A member of the clergy carries a bowl of incense PA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures AP Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures A vigil takes place at the site of the mass grave which contained the remains of 796 named babies Getty Images Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Members of the public pray as they watch Pope Francis deliver a Papal Mass of the World Meeting of Families at Phoenix Park EPA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis attends the closing Mass at the World Meeting of Families at Phoenix Park in Dublin PA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis passes by a banner of a protester as he leaves St Mary's Pro-Cathedral AP Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis speaks during his visit to the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless in Dublin AP Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis waves to the waiting crowds on Christchurch PA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis waves to the waiting crowds on College Green PA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Members of the public wave at Pope Francis as he travels through the city Getty Images Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis laughs as he leaves St Mary's Pro Cathedral during his visit to Dublin Reuters Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Two boys wave flags after climbing a post as they wait for Pope Francis Getty Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pairs of baby shoes are hung from black ribbons on Gardiner Street in Dublin in memory of the children who died at the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, Co Galway PA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Crowds on O'Connell Street PA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures WMOF2018/Maxwell Photography/Getty Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis memorabilia on sale on O'Connell Street PA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis arrives at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral during his visit to Ireland to attend the 2018 World Meeting of Families AFP/Getty Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis waves to the waiting crowds on O'Connell Street PA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis addresses the congragation at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral AFP/Getty Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Stephen O'Brien selling bottles of holy water from the St Mary's Pro Cathedral PA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis prays inside St Mary's Pro Cathedral Reuters Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures A man waves a rainbow flag behind a model of a pope which stands in the window above a bar Getty Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures People hold a banner against Pope Francis on the way to St Mary's Pro-Cathedral AP Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Nuns wait by the side of the road for Pope Francis Reuters Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures A model of a pope is placed in the window above a bar as crowds wait for Pope Francis to travel through the city Getty Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Crowds on O'Connell Street, Dublin waiting to see Pope Francis as he travels in the Popemobile PA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis waves to wellwishers as he arrives at Dublin Airport Getty Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures His visit, the first by a Pope since John Paul II's in 1979 is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of Catholics to a series of events in Dublin and Knock PA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis talks to journalists aboard a plane flying from Fiumicino aiport to Dublin AFP/Getty Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures LGBT protestors from Dublin Pride and We Are Church with flags and umbrellas on Ha'Penny Bridge, Dublin to remember the victims of clerical sex abuse ahead of the start of the visit to Ireland by Pope Francis PA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis disembarks from the aircraft as he arrives at Dublin Airport Getty Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Woman wait for Pope Francis to drive past, in Dublin Reuters Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Reuters Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Taoiseach Leo Varadkar delivers a speech watched by Pope Francis in St. Patrick's Hall at Dublin Castle WMOF2018/Maxwell Photography/Getty Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Protesters hold banners during a demonstration against clerical sex abuse, in Dublin Reuters Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis plants a tree during a meeting with Irish President Michael D Higgins, at Aras an Uachtarain PA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis walks with the President of Ireland Michael Higgins at Aras an Uachtarain WMOF2018/Maxwell Photography/Getty Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Reuters Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis, center, is flanked by Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, right, as they arrive to meet authorities, in Dublin AP Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Protestors wearing baby shoes, to signify the children who died in mother and baby homes in Ireland, protest in Dublin ahead of the start of the visit to Ireland by Pope Franci PA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis exchanges gifts with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar AFP/Getty Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Pope Francis speaks with President Michael D Higgins in his study during a visit to Aras an Uachtarain in Phoenix Park, Dublin PA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Navy band march prior to the arrival of Pope Francis at the Presidential residence in Dublin AP Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures Eddie McGuinness from Dublin LGBTQ Pride carries a rainbow flag across Ha'Penny Bridge, Dublin ahead of the start of the visit to Ireland by Pope Francis PA Pope Francis visits Ireland in pictures A message left by Pope Francis in the visitors book at Aras an Uachtarain in Phoenix Park PA Irelands blasphemy law Irelands ban on blasphemy was included in the countrys constitution of 1937, which states that the publication or utterance of blasphemous, seditious, or indecent matter is an offence which shall be punishable in accordance with law. The Defamation Act of 2009 clarified that someone would commit this offence if they publish or utter matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion. In 2017, Irish police looked into complaints over comments made by Stephen Fry about God on an RTE interview, but did not pursue the matter. In fact, no one has ever been charged over blasphemy in the history of the Irish state, leading many to view the law as redundant. The constitution which cemented blasphemy as an offence is often seen as quite an old-fashioned, conservative text, and has been slowly undergoing a process of renewal. Alterations to the constitution require a referendum, such as those in recent years on same sex marriage and abortion. Fridays referendum is being held alongside the Irish presidential election, which is one reason why it has not been as discussed as previous votes on social issues. Another reason for the low key campaign is because it is generally accepted people will vote to remove the offence. A poll last week by The Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI showed 51 per cent of the public would vote to remove the offence, with 19 per cent in favour of retaining it: the rest are undecided. Clad in identical polyester robes printed with pixelated pictures of Christ, the pilgrims on either side of the Jordan River gingerly nose their toes into its pea-green waters. Separated by just three metres of swamp, this border has to be the strangest and shortest in the world. Opposite us is the West Bank, in the occupied Palestinian Territories, where a large group sings hymns on manicured decking that trips up to an enormous Israeli flag. With a toll of 10 dead, more than 200 injured and an estimated cost of $20bn (15.4bn), the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge has not had the easiest start in life. Nonetheless, the 55km bridge one of the 10 longest in the world is set to officially open this week, a key part of Chinas plan to build a Greater Bay Area, and a move which would integrate Hong Kong and Macau and Zhuhai with eight other major cities in south China in a Silicon Valley-esque tech hub. Having lived in Hong Kong for five years now, I, like many others, have come to see the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge as a physical manifestation of Beijings tightening grip on the city. I originally moved to Hong Kong for the career prospects. At a time when the UKs economy was slowing, Asias was on the rise. The media market in the UK in particular was saturated to the point of not being a feasible career option journalists dropping their rates, or even working for free, just to get a byline. In comparison, Hong Kong boasted plentiful growth, with generous salaries, stable positions, opportunities for regional coverage and, most importantly, the satisfaction to write freely and critically on any topical issue. It was an easy move as a former British colony, Hong Kong offered a comfort and familiarity that mainland China lacked. People in Hong Kong spoke English, there was a Marks & Spencer down the road, and the visa-friendly policies for foreigners confirmed the citys status as the gateway to Asia. Perhaps for these reasons, Hong Kong has always felt more reassuring and more stable than China. When I first arrived, China felt like a little brother playing catch up Hong Kong was already an established player on the global stage, with a developed economy and, to an extent, distinct political and legal systems. China, on the other hand, was still carving out its identity, experiencing rapid growth and change, and was so busy grappling with internal politics that looking beyond its own borders was not a priority. But all of that has changed quite significantly, even in the past half-decade. China has asserted itself as a global power, with an international outlook. The development of the bridge is a physical sign of this change. Has this complicated relationship with China had an impact on those living and working in Hong Kong? Absolutely, not least for those in the media industry. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Along with the political clashes and protests over the years, there has been increasing pressure to silence journalists some attempts more subtle than others and in 2015, five Hong Kong booksellers who sold books banned in mainland China were kidnapped; unofficially taken over the border to China and detained by mainland agents. Even writing this piece, I have stalled as I ask myself about potential backlash the consequences on my job, my visa, my security in Hong Kong. Self-censorship has become a very real issue, and is spreading fast. That would not have been the case five years ago. Take the South China Morning Post for example, Hong Kongs leading English-language newspaper. The paper was founded by Australian-born revolutionary Tse Tsan-tai and British journalist Alfred Cunningham in 1903. In 2015, the paper was bought over by Alibaba Chinas biggest online commerce platform, raising understandable questions of objectivity and free press. Its not that journalists want to abandon their ethics, but the options are binary: ensure your story is sensitive to China, or risk not being published at all. There is no independent media in Hong Kong anymore. Until now, it has been easy to ignore this gradual erosion, but the opening of the bridge solidifies this change to Hong Kongs landscape. What the bridge will lead to remains unclear, but one thing is certain: these are troubled waters indeed. Lucy Cookes is a pseudonym Fog in Channel, Continent cut off is a headline that, so I always thought, appeared in the Yorkshire Post in about 1910. Apocryphal, actually, I now find. Still and all, it sums up the Anglo-centric mindset very well. Nowadays, the headline might better read: Fog over Brexit, Britain cut off. Point being that the British, and especially the nations journalists, always believe that Europe indeed, the whole world revolves around Great Britain. Sometimes it might do, but increasingly seldom so. The truth today, had we the humility to admit it, is that the Italian budget crisis as part of a wider economic calamity is bigger than Brexit. How so? Simple: because Italy has the capacity to blow up the European single currency, the euro. Britain, fairly obviously, cant. Italys public finances, like its banking system, are a mess. Its economy is a mess. Maybe it is healthier than others (and may find itself soon enjoying some superior performance over post-Brexit Britain), but its problems are well known, deep seated and long standing. Aside from terrible demographics, sluggish growth and weak productivity, there are immediate and acute financial problems. The Italian banks hold lots of Italian government debt that is in danger of devaluation, or default. The Italian government relies on the banks to lend it money to carry on. The Italian banks and treasury are like two drunken giants propping each other up, inextricably linked by mutual weakness. When the crisis hits, they will go down together. The Italian government now wants to borrow more than European guidelines permit, and more than the European authorities feel comfortable with. None of your business, say the Italians, who increasingly loudly resent the interference of the EU Commission and the European Central Bank. Oh yes it is, say the EU officials, pointing out that the Italians have solemn commitments to honour to ensure the viability of the euro long term. Thus far, the crisis has not turned critical because the European Central Bank has been willing (well not willing exactly, but obliged) to buy Italian bonds to help keep the country and its banking system going. That policy is being wound down, and is in any case unsustainable without a wider reform of the eurozone into a fiscal union, as President Macron proposes (and Chancellor Merkel rejects). Protests after Domenico Lucano, mayor of Riace, Italy, arrested for 'aiding illegal migration' But still, regardless, Italy wishes to borrow and spend more cash. It might not be so bad if the money were to be targeted on investment in infrastructure projects; it is more likely to be in the form of cash handouts to Italian voters. The populist Five Star/Northern League coalition government is determined to be seen to do something tangible for its demanding supporters. It is even threatening to print its own euro banknotes, outside the control of the ECB, a fundamental breach of the European Monetary System rules. The EU and ECB says no. Hence the political crisis. The Italians do not want to leave the EU or even the euro area; rather, they want to make it work their way. It is the opposite to the British, who just want to get out. The British option is easier to deal with for the EU. It is like the awkward member of the house share just finally moving out. The Italians are deciding to stay put, yet not doing their share of the washing and not chipping in to the house share budget. They sit in the corner and grumble about the housemates, or insult them, keeping them up at night with the noise. It is getting uncomfortable. Sooner or later, Italy will provoke another eurozone crisis. The flaws in the single currency are real, and have not gone away since the Greek and other crises a few years ago. It requires its members to deflate when they become uncompetitive; they cannot devalue their own currencies because they no longer exist. Deflation cutting public services and wages is always painful, governments fall into paroxysms as they try to cope with conflicting domestic and international obligations. The Italians are trying simple defiance. It wont satisfy investors. Greece, crucially, was small enough to save. Italy is too big to fail, yet too big to save, also. As the third largest economy in the eurozone and with a vast national debt, it is beyond the means of the Germans to bail out, even assuming they wished to. Markets fear some sort of breakup of the eurozone, banks collapsing, political instability and much else spreading out from Italy towards the rest of Club Med and the EU in a wildfire of economic contagion. It could finish the euro; and that really does terrify Frankfurt, Brussels, Berlin and Paris and financial players globally. Add the migrant crisis, though it is abating, and the march of neo-fascists grabbing chunks of seats in virtually every legislature, and you have a packed EU agenda that leaves little time for the stale, circular arguments of Brexit. They delegate those to Michel Barnier, and tell him to come back to them when something is agreed. Contrast Brexit. Even under the nastiest of hard Brexits, the UK will make its own way in the world, and, with some adjustments to budgetary arrangements and voting rights, the EU will carry on pretty much as it did before (providing the Italians behave themselves). The EU will welcome new members to the east; conclude new trade deals with Africa and Asia; extend the single market to more service sectors; deepen defence and security co-iteration. It will be, more or less, business as usual for Jean-Claude Juncker and his mates. They care little for what the Sun says about them. Yes, the Germans, Dutch and Finns will soon enough find themselves paying more in to the EU to cover the hole left by the British contributions, but, despite the moaning, they can manage that, one way or another. The UK and EU will trade, though both will lose out and the UK may find itself much the more damaged through loss of markets, investment and jobs. Britains exit will do the EU comparatively little harm, simply because the EUs GDP is 10 times larger. A chaotic euro collapse would be far, far worse. Indeed, many European federalists quietly welcome the departure of the sceptical, whingeing, obstructive, negative British, the better to pursue their integrationist project. It is the neo-fascistic Italians, and the rising tide of populism in arc From Sweden and Denmark, across Germany, Poland and Austria and down to the Czech Republic and Hungary that really freaks them out. Matteo Salvini and Marine Le Pen scare the hell out of them, not Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage. Thats why they have other, better, more urgent things to chew over at their summits. The Francis Crick Institutes research, and letter this week from the Nobel laureates, has exposed a critical issue facing not just science in Britain, but science around the globe (Hard Brexit could cripple UK science, warn Nobel laureates). A hard Brexit would be near-fatal for scientific endeavour in Europe, and the consequences would be felt even further afield. Successful research relies heavily on successful collaboration some of the biggest breakthroughs in science have come from joint international efforts. It is vital that all of those involved in the pursuit of new knowledge and discovery from the life science and pharmaceutical industry to startups, academic institutions and global regulators can continue to work together and advance research. Whether its curing cancer, treating rare diseases, or stopping the spread of pandemics, the pooling of our knowledge is vital. We join the Francis Crick Institute and Nobel winners in urging the government to ensure scientific collaboration is a key facet of any Brexit agreement. Failure to reach a deal will stifle innovation and leave Britain severely disadvantaged, and ultimately, it will be patients across the UK who will pay the price. Sir Alasdair Breckenridge and Dr Steve Arlington, The Pistoia Alliance The nightmare can stop Our parliament is leading the breakup of the EU just at the time when China and Russia are competing with Trumps US for political instability and chaos. It is the beginning of an Orwellian nightmare. What hope then for us little Englanders? But, apart from that little matter, democracy demands a second referendum because of the contentious nature of the negotiations and the wishes of those who were too young to vote in 2016. Tony Moy Honiton I had cancer. Now Im being punished financially Relating to your article about cancer survivors demanding the right to be forgotten we do and we should. I have been clear of cancer since 21 January 2014. I have, however, had ongoing treatment due to being fitted with synthetic meshes twice. Recently, I left a job that had provided me with private medical care. Bupa contacted me, offering the opportunity to continue my cover at special rates. One policy is based on me having hit the magical five years, the other not (and much more expensive). Im a non-smoker, who doesnt drink alcohol or take recreational drugs it does rather feel like Im being punished. The same applies to holiday insurance: cover for me is more than my husband and two children together. Samantha Butterworth Address supplied Power to the people I marched for a peoples vote last Saturday. It was my first ever protest march and though the atmosphere was determined and good-natured, there was also an almost palpable sense of frustration. Frustration that we seem to be sliding inexorably towards a place of nobodys choosing. After two and a half years, which incidentally is longer than the interval between some general elections, people have changed their opinions and there have been significant demographic changes as well. Against this backdrop, politicians bicker and plot, deaf to the cries of young people, in particular, who desperately want to stop this madness from damaging our country and their futures. Notions that we cannot vote on the outcome of Brexit negotiations because it would be an affront to democracy are frankly silly. The people began this process. Surely it is their right to end it. Colin Attree Bracknell SMEs will be hit hard by Brexit As someone who has spent the last 12 years building a small specialist import/export business and having done what the government has told us to do build business with the EU I think Brexit is frankly a complete disaster, and not only for my business (which will lose over 40 per cent of its business overnight unless we have a permanent free trade arrangement with the EU). The arguments to leave make no sense whatsoever. I trade with Japan, the US, South Africa, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand in addition to many EU counties. I do not need trade deals with any of these countries to do business now, so why do I want to leave my largest market for a bunch of trade deals which will take years to bring to fruition? There are many businesses in the UK in exactly the same boat as myself. We have suffered a massive drop in the value of sterling already and after a screwed up Brexit, it will probably fall to parity with the US dollar, which will not only screw my business even further but will escalate import prices on all goods including raw materials, oil and associated products (further increasing inland UK distribution costs) and many consumer goods, all of which are paid for in US dollars. This government is being driven by the wealthy far right whose only concern is to protect their ill-gotten gains in offshore accounts which, strangely, will come under EU legislation on the date we are due to leave the EU. Andrew Brown-Searle Address supplied Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Trump has odd priorities Maybe if the US spent an equal amount of money creating jobs to avert climate change, they would not be experiencing ever-increasing bad weather events. No matter how much they get in arms deals with various countries, no amount of hi-tech military equipment is going to be a match for category five hurricanes. Liam Power County Louth, Ireland Matt Hancock is a decent enough chap. Young-ish, smart, articulate, got his own app, likes to jump off park benches at the weekend. If you were being wheeled into theatre, a big black felt tip arrow pointing the way to your defective kidney, and standing there in his scrubs in front of a row of gleaming scalpels was someone just like Matt Hancock youd probably think, Fine. Its a serious but routine operation. The risk of death, which in the metaphor that follows will be represented by no deal Brexit, is relatively low. Youve been told that countless times but, though you know you should know better, in your final moments before the anaesthetic is applied you decide to ask Matt Hancock for some more detail on this troublesome subject. So just how reassured might you be then if you, who in the metaphor that really is about to follow are represented by the Health and Social Care Select Committee, who were questioning Matt Hancock, who is the Health Secretary, on preparations for a No Deal Brexit, receive the following answers: We do not expect a No Deal Brexit. I remain optimistic that well be able to get a good deal. But, Matt Hancock what if, what if we dont get a good deal? As a responsible government we ought to be preparing, even though we dont see a No Deal Brexit as the most likely outcome. But, what are the chances, Dr Hancock? We need to make sure we in government do whats necessary. And, if its a No Deal, Dr Hancock, what happens then? We are confident we are getting on with it. But what if its not fine, Dr Hancock, what if its not fine? Im confident as long as everybody does what they need to do everything will be fine. The main problem Dr Hancock (who is not a real doctor) had, in convincing the patient that everything would be fine, is that for two long hours before his arrival, the patient had been hearing from a whole range of people, experts in the field, heads of massive pharmaceutical companies, that kind of thing, who told them it absolutely would not be fine. For example, Matt Hancock admitted the government is spending tens of millions of pounds buying cold warehouses in order to stockpile drugs if, by March 29th next year, the UK leaves the EU without any kind of deal in place for ongoing trade between them, an outcome that is widely perceived at present to be about 50/50. Which was good of him, but the very fact that hes admitting the government is doing that only leads on to the independent evidence that indicates that to do the job properly, as the Committee Chair Dr Sarah Wollaston (who is a real doctor) told him, would take more than a year, and there are only 157 days left until Brexit. We are now beyond the date at which the UKs EU withdrawal agreement was meant to have been negotiated down into a firm agreement, to then be ratified by all of the EUs member states and other institutions. The October summit has been and gone. The special emergency November summit to replace it looks like it wont be convened. November then becomes Christmas. And here was a chap called Martin Sawer, head of the Healthcare Distribution Association, suggesting that if progress hasnt been made by January, then perhaps patients might wish to consider stockpiling outside the supply chain. Which is to say, the elderly, the infirm or indeed anyone who requires medication, might wish to consider making plans for the possibility that come March they might not be readily available. Of course, it probably wont happen. Matt Hancock, after all, remains optimistic well get a good deal. So dont worry. Everythings going to be fine, isnt it, Dr? Isn't it? More than 7,000 refugees from Central America are currently travelling towards the southern border of the United States, and President Trump isnt happy about it. He has been talking about a lot over the past few days, claiming everything from it being infiltrated by terrorists (untrue), to it being encouraged by the Democrats (also untrue). But his real ire has been towards the home countries of these refugees, the Northern Triangle of Central America for not stopping their citizens from leaving. They have not done their job. Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador theyre paid a lot of money, every year we give them foreign aid and they did nothing for us, nothing, Trump said yesterday. The president dances near the truth with this statement. The countries of the Northern Triangle routinely rank among the most corrupt in the world. But government corruption alone doesnt explain the ongoing crisis, nor does it account for the human toll. The United States has some responsibility for what is happening, and we are long overdue a reckoning. To understand the current crisis in the Northern Triangle, one must go back to the 1960s. Guatemala and El Salvador both experienced civil wars which spanned decades and killed hundreds of thousands of people collectively. In Guatemala, the US helped stage a coup against the democratically-elected government in favour of a military junta, which it then spent decades supporting despite well-documented human rights abuses. Its a similar story in El Salvador. Honduras did not have a civil war, but it was used as a staging ground for the Contras, a far-right guerrilla group backed by the Reagan administration in neighbouring Nicaraguas civil war. These wars backed by the American intelligence agencies destabilised the region and subjected generations to a cycle of extreme poverty and violence. Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US Show all 20 1 /20 Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US The caravan heads towards the US as they leave Arriaga in southern Mexico AFP/Getty Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US Honduran migrants rest in a basketball pitch in San Pedro Tapanatepec, southern Mexico AFP/Getty Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US The caravan heads towards the US as they leave Arriaga in southern Mexico AFP/Getty Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US A truck carrying migrants departs from Mapastepec, Mexico EPA Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US The caravan heads through Mapastepec, Mexico AFP/Getty Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US Migrants cross the Suchiate River in Tecun Uma, Guatemala EPA Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US Migrants rest in Mapastepec, Mexico AFP/Getty Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US Migrants strike the border fence between Tecun Uman, Guatemala and Hidalgo, Mexico AFP/Getty Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US Guatemalan soldiers stand guard at the Guatemala-Mexico border as the Caravan arrives EPA Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US Migrants bathe in a river in Pijijapan AP Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US Washing clothes in a river near Pijijiapan, Mexico AFP/Getty Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US Walking in Mapastepec, Mexico EPA Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US A truck carries migrants in Mapastepec, Mexico AFP/Getty Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US The caravan passes through Mapastepec, Mexico AFP/Getty Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US The main square of Pijijiapan, Mexico AFP/Getty Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US Migrants walk on the road from Usumatlan to Guatemala City AFP/Getty Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US Migrants hang on to the back of a truck in Mapastepec, Mexico AFP/Getty Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US Migrant woman and child in Mapastepec, Mexico AFP/Getty Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US A truck carries migrants in Mapastepec, Mexico AFP/Getty Honduran migrant caravan heads to the US Migrants rest in Mapastepec, Mexico AFP/Getty This power vacuum has allowed organised crime to thrive in the Northern Triangle, but even here, the United States is partly responsible. The presidents favourite bogeyman is an American export. MS-13 got its start in Los Angeles in the 1980s. Through American deportations, it was repatriated to the region, where the carnage and corruption made it rife for an organised crime syndicate to thrive and terrorise the local population. And terrorise they have. El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala have the highest female homicide rates in the world. Of the four most dangerous countries for women, three are in the Northern Triangle. (The other is South Africa, which narrowly edges out Guatemala for third place.) Rape is used as a weapon of war and punishment. Children are ripped from their parents arms and trafficked to profit the gangs. Innocent people routinely face extortion and threats of death if they dont acquiesce to the demands of some of the most brutal groups found anywhere on earth. But if America has helped cause this tragedy, it can also help solve it. Following the 2014 arrival of 68,000 unaccompanied minors from the Northern Triangle on the Texas border, the Obama administration worked with the governments of these countries to tie aid to concrete, measurable improvements on human rights in the region. The US Congress provided $750m in aid to the Northern Triangle countries to specifically address this crisis. By the end of the Obama Administration, as former vice president Joe Biden wrote earlier this year, the murder rate in Honduras had dropped by a third, and massive improvements were being made in Guatemala and El Salvador. This was only a start, and not nearly enough, considering how grave the circumstances were. But Trumps threat to cut aid would only make the situation worse, and as history shows, it is incumbent on America to make the situation better. We must be the solution to a problem we helped cause. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Long term, though, America must acknowledge the role we played in creating this crisis over the past half-century and find a way to solve it. It isnt only our raison d'etre, its our moral responsibility. There is a humanitarian crisis in our own backyard, one we helped cause, and we must be willing to do our bit and help these desperate people any way we can. But more urgently, we must be willing to take Central American refugees. The current migrant caravan making its way towards the Rio Grande isnt the first, and it wont be the last. America should receive these 7,000 or more refugees with open arms, in keeping with our national creed of taking the worlds tired, poor, and huddled masses yearning to be free. Skylar Baker-Jordan is a freelance writer based in North Carolina Construction Industry to Catapult France Silica Sand Market The France silica sand market has witnessed a positive growth in the recent years. This can be attributed to the growth in the construction industry, initiatives by the French government and support from mega-infrastructural projects. The recent report by IMARC Group, titled France Silica Sand Market: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2018-2023, estimates that the France silica sand market reached a volume of X Million Tons in 2017. Silica sand is mainly composed of silicon dioxide or silica along with general impurities like lime and metal oxides. It occurs in both the crystalline state and amorphous form as a result of plankton fossilization or weathering. Silica sand possesses non-reactive properties and high silica content which make it an indispensable material to be used in the manufacturing of construction materials, electronics, glass, renewable materials, etc. France is considered to be one of the largest ceramic industries in Europe which is mainly driven by the increasing manufacturing of sanitaryware, brick and roof tile, and tableware. This has majorly contributed in boosting the demand for silica sand market in the region. France Silica Sand Market Drivers: In the year 2014, the performance of the French construction sector deteriorated due to municipal elections, failure of Duflot tax exemptions program along with a decrease in housing permits and renovation projects. In order to boost the depressed housing market in the region, the government introduced the Simplification of the Regulation policy in the same year. The main objectives of the policy were to lower construction costs and simplify building regulations. This policy provided a thrust to the housing sector, in turn, stimulating the demand for silica sand. Additionally, extension of the Pinel buy-to-let incentive and PTZ scheme (interest-free loan for first-time buyers) till 2021 is envisaged to bolster the market growth. Moreover, upcoming infrastructural projects, such as EuropaCity, and the construction of Grand Paris Express, The Nimes-Montpellier rail bypass, Tour Triangle and the ASVEL arena, are further anticipated to contribute to the growth of the silica sand in the country. As a result, the market is projected to reach a volume of X Million Tons by 2023, expanding at a CAGR of X% during 2018-2023. Request For Free Sample Pdf Copy @ https://www.imarcgroup.com/request?type=report&id=1024&flag=B France Silica Sand Market Summary: The France silica sand market has been categorised on the basis of end-use into glass industry, foundry, filtration, abrasives and others. Amongst these, the glass industry represents the largest end-use segment as silica sand has resistance to high temperature levels. On account of these factors, it is majorly used to produce flat glass which is further employed in automobile, construction, food and beverage, and chemical industries. The competitive landscape of the market has also been analysed with some of the major players being Sibelco France, SAMIN, Solvay France, Imerys, Silmer, Fulchiron Industrielle, Argeco Developpement and Sablieres Palvadeau Les Douemes. Find more related reports on chemicals and materials industry: https://www.imarcgroup.com/categories/chemicals-market-reports About Us IMARC Group is a leading market research company that offers management strategy and market research worldwide. We partner with clients in all sectors and regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their businesses. IMARCs information products include major market, scientific, economic and technological developments for business leaders in pharmaceutical, industrial, and high technology organizations. Market forecasts and industry analysis for biotechnology, advanced materials, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, travel and tourism, nanotechnology and novel processing methods are at the top of the companys expertise. Media Contact Company Name: IMARC Group Contact Person: Anand Ranjan Email: Send Email Phone: +1-631-791-1145 Country: United States Website: https://www.imarcgroup.com/ The UK's Northern Ireland secretary, Karen Bradley, has said the British government accepts an insurance policy is needed for the people of Northern Ireland post-Brexit. However, she said no solution on the backstop can undermine the integrity of the UK. Her comments came as Theresa May moved to rein in Tory rebels, insisting that 95pc of the deal is done, with only the Irish question still to be solved. Speaking in Westminster - amid warnings from arch- Brexiteers that she is "drinking in the last-chance saloon" - Mrs May again rejected the EU's backstop proposals. Following a weekend of savage attacks from colleagues, Mrs May took to her feet against a backdrop of speculation that a no confidence motion in her may be tabled. Work is continuing on a so-called EU-UK wide shared customs territory proposal, but the EU is insisting that is in addition to - and not instead of - a Northern Ireland backstop. It is hoped the movement from the EU side will prove enough to help Mrs May get an Irish protocol across the line with her own party and the DUP, on whom she relies for a majority. The EU's shift is part of what one senior negotiator calls a "jigsaw" solution that it is hoped will form a package both sides can live with. However, during her address Mrs May said: "We would not accept a position in which the UK, having negotiated in good faith an agreement which prevents a hard Border in Northern Ireland, nonetheless finds itself locked into an alternative, inferior arrangement against our will." Meanwhile, Ms Bradley attended the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA) plenary session in London, where she said the UK is committed to upholding the Good Friday Agreement and to avoiding a hard Border. But she warned "we cannot accept any proposal that threatens the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom". "Both the EU and UK are in agreement that our future partnership is the answer to this and will provide the solutions in the long term," she said. "But to cater for a situation where a future relationship is not in place in time, we accept that an insurance policy is needed for the people of Northern Ireland." Meanwhile, Ireland's Ambassador to the UK, Adrian O'Neill, said there was no mention of a time limit on the backstop protocol in either the agreement reached last December or in March when Theresa May wrote to Donald Tusk committing to a legally operable backstop. "Since the backstop is designed to operate in all circumstances, a prescribed time limit would rather defeat the stated purpose," he said. Last night a Government spokesman struck a measured tone in response to Mrs May's speech and said "Ireland will listen to proposals that the UK brings forward, but any proposal has to be legally operative in ensuring that we avoid a Border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. It has to protect the integrity of the single market and the customs union, and it has to apply unless and until we have a new relationship that supersedes it." The outbreak of African Swine Fever in China could lead to increased exports for Irish pigmeat to the country in the medium term, Director of Meat Industry Ireland (MII) Cormac Healy has said. In recent weeks more than 200,000 pigs have been culled in the northern region of China due to the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) and on Sunday it was announced that the disease has spread to the southern region of the country. While Mr Healy said in the short-term the Chinese situation could lead to increased domestic production which would dampen demand, he added that Ireland has the potential to take advantage of the situation in the medium term if significant culling occurs in the Asian country. The ASF outbreaks in China have created a great deal of uncertainty there in the short-term. It presents a major challenge to Chinas pig sector and will certainly have an impact on domestic production and output there, he said. In the short-term it could lead to more domestic product coming onto the market which would dampen import demand. That said, restrictions on movement of pigs within China could lead to some regional shortages. However, in the medium term, as we move into next year, if significant culling within the domestic Chinese pig herd takes place, then it should create greater import opportunities. However, Mr Healy said it is important that the Irish industry is conscious of ASF closer to home as last month it was announced that the disease had spread from eastern Europe to wild boar in Belgium. The recent outbreak of ASF in wild boars in southern Belgium has the EU pig sector on edge. The response of most international markets has been to close there border to Belgian pork. Should ASF spread into neighbouring France or Germany and international markets close to their exports, then we face a massive surplus of Pigmeat on the EU market. The jump of ASF from Eastern EU member states to Belgium should be a wake-up call to everyone. Maximum vigilance is essential in terms of imports, controls and biosecurity, he explained. According to Bord Bia exports to China in 2017 amounted to 93m and it is the key export market for Irish pigmeat in international markets, with Chinese meat consumption continuing to rise due to rising living standards and increasing urbanisation. Bord Bia's Mike Neary pointed out while Chinese is traditionally self-sufficient in pig-meat production, he said that any local issue in supply could be of benefit to Irish pig-meat exporters. "Any issues that impact the local Chinese industry and local supply could potentially lead to an increased demand for imports. For Irish pigmeat exporters, challenges lie in competition from other EU competitors, domestic supply and increased consumption of poultry and beef by Chinese consumers," he said. "In the medium to longer term it is expected that Irish pigmeat exports to China will increase." Teagascs Head of Pig Knowledge Transfer Ciaran Carroll said Irish farmers are hopeful that the spread of the disease will lead to an increase in pig prices, which currently stand at around 1.40/kg, 40c below the price 12 months ago and well below the break even price of 1.60/kg. Somebodys cloud is somebody elses silver lining. China will have to import more as they are culling due to their being 100pc mortality rate on farms. So Irish farmers are hopeful this spread will leads to an increase in price for pigs at home, he explained. The difference in price in affected Chinese regions compared to non affected is 23 per pig, so Irish pig farmers might be able to gain from this. Mr Carroll said the risk that the disease could spread to Ireland is minimal but that farmers and workers still need to be vigilant as on affected Chinese farms mortality rates have been 100pc. The disease has been contained to wild boar in the southern region of Belgium and is being dealt with by the government there. We are at an advantage because we are an island nation and farmers are well tuned in to risks but they still have to be vigilant as the disease can be passed on through bi-products and if this gets in to the pigs feed it can be fatal, he warned. EU Commission officials are pushing for a ban on the chemical, chlorothalonil. File photo Proposals for an EU ban on the key tillage fungicide chlorothalonil will be put to officials from member states at a meeting in Brussels today, reports Sarah Collins. EU Commission officials are pushing for a ban on the chemical which is due for re-authorisation at the end of this year, but its not clear if a majority of member states will support the move. Ireland, the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands, the blocs major users of the chemical most commonly branded as Bravo are lobbying to keep it on the market. The European Food Safety Agency found that the chemical is very toxic and that available data does not permit the conclusion that any harmful effect on human or animal health can be excluded. A Teagasc report has warned that banning chlorothalonil would have a devastating impact on the tillage sector. It estimates that net margins for wheat and barley growers would decline by 50pc and 65pc respectively without access to the chemical. Ireland, the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands - the bloc's major users of the chemical - are lobbying to keep it on the market. But the positions of France and Germany, key players needed for a majority decision, are unclear. Chlorothalonil is the main ingredient in Bravo, a fungicide made by global agri-chemical giant Syngenta. It's most commonly used on cereals, tomatoes and potatoes. It is also produced by US-based Arysta LifeScience. A study published in January by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) found that the chemical causes kidney tumours in rats, and is "very toxic", even fatal, if inhaled. It recommends farm workers wear protective equipment when spraying. EFSA also cited concerns over missing information in the studies conducted by the manufacturers. The data "does not permit the conclusion that any harmful effect on human or animal health can be excluded," EFSA said. A Teagasc report has warned that banning chlorothalonil would have a devastating impact on the Irish tillage sector, saying it could reduce net margins for wheat and barley growers by 50pc and 65pc respectively. "Cereal production would only be economic on the highest yielding sites with low costs of production as the risks of economic loss will increase dramatically on other sites," Teagasc said. Irish growers would also "lose competitiveness as it is anticipated that other regions outside Ireland will not suffer the same losses, and consequently grain prices will not rise in Ireland to offset yield losses". Chlorothalonil is widely used in the US, and one EU source said there is growing fears that a ban would damage transatlantic trade relations at an already sensitive time. Phased out The Trump administration and EU officials are in talks on a limited trade deal, which does not include agriculture (except soybeans). But a row over US steel and aluminium tariffs (and EU retaliatory measures) threatens to escalate this autumn. "That whole relationship is already difficult enough," one EU source told Farming Independent. "If we ban it now, how will that help talks with the US?" Any ban would apply gradually, with a phase-out period. Last year, the Commission reauthorised the use of the herbicide glyphosate for five years but intends to phase out its use in the future. The Commission will make its case on banning Chlorothalonil at a two-day meeting this week of the EU's Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed which is responsible for all chemical approvals. The Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament has voted in favour of an agreed EU/UK approach on trade policy post-Brexit as applied via the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Mairead McGuinness MEP and First Vice-President of the European Parliament, who led on the file for the EPP Group in the Committee, has confirmed. The EU conducts trade policy on behalf of its Member States, allowing EU countries to take advantage of being part of a much larger bloc when negotiating globally. But after Brexit, the UK will determine its own trade policy. "This means that the EU and the UK have to separate out the current joint commitments in place via the WTO. These so-called schedules describe measures governing how each WTO member must trade with other WTO members. "They include Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs) which allow certain limited amounts of products - many of them agricultural - to be imported at a lower tariff level," said McGuinness, speaking from Strasbourg on Tuesday. She said that the EUs approach, agreed with the UK, is to split these TRQs between the EU-27 and the UK based on previous usage. The Agriculture Committee has endorsed the agreed EU-UK approach to the tariff-rate quotas, helping move forward preparations for Brexit. But the Committee also noted that it is important that this technical exercise does not amount to any re-opening of negotiations over market access. "The current agricultural TRQs were negotiated at the WTO from 1986 to 1994: now is not the time for a wholesale re-negotiation. This is important in order to protect the EU market in certain sensitive agricultural products." Countries including Argentina, Australia and New Zealand are allowed specific access for sheep and goat meat into the EU at a lower tariff rates. For example, New Zealand's sheep and goat meat quota, the EU and UK have agreed to split the quota 50:50. As a Committee, we voted to maintain the European Parliaments right of scrutiny over negotiations, with the ability to use a veto over any changes to the TRQs as laid out by the Commission in this file, following negotiations at the WTO. "This is particularly important as a number of WTO members, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, Thailand, the US, and Uruguay, have individually objected to the agreed EU and UK's approach. These countries argue that their current access to the EU-28 market will decrease, as they will lose the flexibility to export either to the UK or to an EU-27 member, depending on factors like price at a particular time," MEP McGuinness said. "Negotiations at the WTO might result in changes so it is important that the Parliament oversees the result of negotiations. "The Commission, as the EUs trade negotiator, will then be in a position to go ahead with negotiations to finalise the TRQs at the WTO and ensure continuity regardless of the outcome of Brexit negotiations," she added. Wayne Smyth of GWM Smyth contractors cutting the second crop of silage in Knockdrumagh Co Carlow last month. Some contractors expect to be working into November on a third cut as autumn grass growth eases fodder concerns in the south and east. Photo: Roger Jones Fodder prices have dropped sharply over the last month as the volume of silage harvested has taken the edge off the market. Round bales of silage were making 40-45/bale in the south and south-east particularly but are now trading for 30-32/bale collected. Around 300/ac has been paid in south Munster for recently cut silage for the pit, with 1,200/ac paid for maize. Demand for straw has also eased, with 75/bale being quoted for 8x4x3 bales of barley straw. This is back 10/bale from the height of the market. Fodder traders report that farmers are in no rush to purchase stocks at the moment and are "standing back" from the market in the expectation that prices will fall further if the current fine weather continues into November. The fodder situation in the south-east, the worst-affected region during the summer drought, has bounced back over the last month on the back of excellent maize and silage yields and very strong grass growth. The proportion of farmers who are facing serious winter feed deficits has fallen to around 15-20pc. The average deficit for stockowners who are short of fodder is around 20pc, but Teagasc advisors in the region said the situation varied greatly from farm to farm. Wexford-based drystock advisor Kay O'Connell said fodder supplies in the county had been helped by strong yields in recently cut silage and maize crops. Farmers were expecting silage yields of five to six round bales to the acre, she explained, but they generally got seven or eight bales an acre. Dungarvan-based dairy advisor Brian Hilliard said the overall fodder situation has been helped by the excellent grass growth. Spring grass covers Teagasc's Pasturebase service put current grass growth levels in the south-east at 36-40kg/ha/day, and the fine conditions are forecast to hold for another week at least. However, Mr Hilliard said the fear now is that farmers will continue grazing for as long as possible over the next month to minimise their winter fodder needs and will consequently deplete spring grass covers. Ms O'Connell warned that while the situation had improved over the last month, around one-fifth of farmers were still short of fodder. "Hope isn't a strategy, and farmers won't be able to depend on their neighbours this year. So we're warning everybody to prepare for a five-month winter," she said. Ms O'Connell said farmers will have to prepare a fodder budget at housing. Where farmers have to restrict silage feeding, they should do so early on before cows start calving. Farmers are also being urged to build in a fodder buffer where possible. People from every section of the community last respects to much-loved former local champion Seymour Crawford. Pic Tom Burke 16/10/07 Farm union leaders and politicians were joined by the local Co Monaghan community in paying tribute to a man described as a bridge builder committed to justice and peace. The life of Seymour Crawford, a long-time Fine Gael TD for Monaghan and former vice-president of the Irish Farmers Association, was celebrated at his home village in Newbliss, Co Monaghan. A large crowd of local people formed a guard of honour as his remains arrived at the village Presbyterian Church. Rt Rev Dr Charles McMullen, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, played a glowing tribute to Mr Crawford who died last Saturday aged 74. Dr McMullen noted that he had served the church in a number of capacities throughout his life. His manner and demeanour was gentle and soft-spoken, able to express his strong convictions with a gracious civility, Dr McMullen said. Members of various religious faiths attended. The local Catholic priest, Fr Sean Nolan, a life-long friend of Mr Crawford, read a lesson during the funeral service. Enterprise Minister, Heather Humphreys, led tributes to her old political mentor whom she had succeeded on Monaghan County Council and later in Dail Eireann. She was joined by other local representatives, Niamh Smith of Fianna Fail, Caoimhgin O Caolain and Fine Gael Senator Joe OReilly. A large group of former Fine Gael TDs were gathered from every corner of the country. They included former ministers, Nora Owen and Alan Dukes, Tom Hayes, John Perry, Paul Bradford, Paul McGrath, Padraig McCormack, Dinny McGinley, Louis Belton. IFA members from Co Monaghan and all over Ireland were led by their president, Joe Healy. President Higgins was represented by his ADC, Comdt Brian Walsh, and the Taoiseach by his ADC, Comdt Caroline Burke. Fine Gael secretary general, Tom Curran, also attended. Mr Crawford was first elected to Monaghan County Council in in 1991. He was elected a TD in 1992, serving until his retirement in February 2011. He was praised by Fine Gael colleagues for his wry good humour as he uniquely offered a voice for Ulster Protestants at Leinster House. He was also an active member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Association, of which he was vice-chair. In his eulogy, Rev Colin Anderson, said Seymour Crawford was a true believer in public service and promoting community development and unity. He noted that he was also devoted to his late parents and his older siblings who had pre-deceased him. Pressure: Ryanair CEO Michael OLeary believes that more airlines will go bust this winter as high fuel prices bite Ryanair could launch another share-buyback programme in response to a hard Brexit scenario and also aims to win any fare war that erupts during the winter, according to CEO Michael O'Leary. As the airline reported first-half results yesterday, the aviation boss also insisted that rivals will continue to go bust due to high oil prices. He again claimed that Scandinavian carrier Norwegian will be among the likely casualties in what Mr O'Leary said would be a "grim winter" for the industry. Ryanair's first-half profit fell 7pc to 1.2bn, as it was hit by higher fuel and staff costs, as well as bigger payouts to customers under the EU261 regulation that enables passengers to claim expenses from airlines in some cases when their flights are delayed. The profit decline was less than the 9pc drop that was feared by analysts. The first half of the year is traditionally the most profitable for airlines. Revenue rose 8pc to 4.79bn, while ancillary revenue was 27pc higher at 1.3bn. It maintained its full-year financial guidance given earlier this month, when it slashed its profit forecast by 12pc to between 1.1bn and 1.2bn. Mr O'Leary said Ryanair would "speed up the consolidation process by being very aggressive on pricing". Ryanair's average fares fell 3pc during the first half of its financial year and it expects them to fall by at least another 2pc in the second-half, particularly over the October school break and Christmas. The CEO said Ryanair would target lower fares in markets where rivals can't compete with it on pricing and are "essentially unhedged on oil". Read more: Analysis: Ryanair betting on new Poland and Austria units to fuel growth In the past few weeks, a number of European carriers have failed, including Cobalt Air, Primera Air and SkyWork. The spot price of Brent crude was just under $80 a barrel yesterday compared to about $57 a year ago. Mr O'Leary said this winter will be characterised by falling airfares. He said that Ryanair believed earlier this month that declining fares were a "Ryanair phenomenon", due to a lack of customer confidence fed by industrial unrest and the threat of disruption. "We now believe it's a much wider industry phenomenon," he said, adding that short-haul capacity in Europe is up about 8pc this winter and airfares everywhere are falling. "If there's going to be a fare war, we want to lead it and win it," he said. Ryanair has just completed a 750m share buyback, and Mr O'Leary added that the timing of a further move on that front will be Brexit dependent. "It's appropriate given how close we are to Brexit, we should wait and get some certainty at the outcome," he said. "It's likely the UK will stumble into transition. Therefore the can will get kicked down the road for at least another 21 months. "Once we have some bit of certainty on that, I think then we then begin to probably look at another buyback in the spring of next year that will run through the summer. A share buyback might be one of the ways we respond to a no-deal, or hard Brexit." Senior TED fellow Dr Rachel Armstrong said that it was inspiring to see that Vodafone Ireland's sustainable business report "goes beyond business and technology". The author gave the key note speech at the launch of the report, unveiled at a special event hosted at the 'Cool Planet Experience' In Co Wicklow. Vodafone Ireland's report, the launch of which marks the International Day of Climate Action, outlines a number of goals for sustainable transformation to achieve by 2025. Tracking the company's progress in this regards across three 'pillars of responsibility', the strategy intends to leverage technology, network and services to achieve the greatest positive impact in Ireland. "We need to build partners with whom which we can have a common vision for our future, and that includes people in all kinds of walks of life," Dr Armstrong, Professor of Experimental Architecture, Planning and Landscape in Newcastle University, told Independent.ie. "It was very inspiring hearing the focus of [Vodafone Ireland's report]. Going beyond business and technology and exploring the areas of diversity and equality, energy and environment, and the education of the youth. "They are really talking about how the they would school young people in sustainability, how they see biology in the living world. We haven't got a final platform we know that this is a research areas but we need to empower young people in that immersive space." Dr Armstrong explores sustainable futuristic concepts such as "living" buildings which can respond to their environment and repair themselves, a vision of linking the organic world with the digital world. She is a coordinator for the 3.2m 'Living Architecture' project, an ongoing collaboration of experts that began in April 2016 and runs to April 2019. Read More The EU-funded project is seen as a next-generation, programmable bioreactor capable of extracting valuable resources from sunlight, wastewater and air, generating oxygen, proteins and biomass. "Biotech is kind of slimy but if we can have an interface with some beautiful animations, a bit like a game or a Tamagotchi. Imagine a house being like that, a digital house that can tell you something, it's about establishing a more organic relationship with technology; an interface that is bringing together the green and grey, bridging the gap between the smart city and the sustainable one," she said. Vodafones target transformational goals for 2025 include becoming Irelands best employer for women by 2025 and to be recognised as a leading place to work for LGBT + people here. The company also aims to reduce GHG emissions by 40pc and have 100pc renewable electricity by 2025, driving transport, waste and energy initiatives in line with ISO14001. It intends to reach 10,000 young people through work experience programmes, and help 37,500 15-24 year olds gain access to digital skills by 2025. Vodafone Irelands Head of Sustainability and Foundation, Natalie Hodgess said that the new report reflects the long-term commitment towards a sustainable Ireland. "Our vision is to lead change by working with our colleagues, customers and communities to deliver positive social, environmental and economic outcomes whilst reducing our negative impacts. The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report clearly laid out the immediate need for government, businesses, and nonprofit organisations to work together on the pressing challenges we face and we are up for the challenge." Exploration Update Perth, Oct 23, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Rumble Resources Limited ( ASX:RTR ) ("Rumble" or "the Company") is pleased to provide an update on its exploration activities.In line with Rumble's strategy of generating and drill testing a pipeline of exploration projects capable of high-grade world-class discoveries, Rumble recently completed RC drill programs on the Braeside and Nemesis projects, and is fast tracking drill targetting on the Barramine, Munarra Gully, Earaheedy, Long Lake and Panache Projects.HighlightsBraeside Zn-Pb-Cu-Ag-V Project- RC drilling completed on E45/2032 with 14 (fourteen) targets tested over a strike of 35km within a mineralised corridor up to 6km in width at Braeside.o A total of 61 (sixty-one) slimline RC drill-holes were completed for 5108m.o Drill assays expected by late November.- Stream sediment sampling programme completed on E45/4874 - Final results and interpretation pending.Lamil Cu-Au Project- Strategic exploration license applications located between the Telfer Gold Mine (Newcrest) and Nifty Copper Mine (Metals X) secured, expanding Rumble's footprint by 1375km2 in the Pilbara Region.Barramine Cu-Pb-Zn-Ag Project- Regional soil sampling completed covering potential north extension of the Braeside base metal mineralised system - Final results and interpretation pending.Munarra Gully Cu-Au Project (White Rose Prospect)- Multi-element assays confirmed elevated platinum/palladium (PGM's), Ag, Mo and Re are associated with the recent significant copper-gold discovery at the White Rose prospect which included 22m @ 1% Cu coincident with 19m @ 2.19 g/t Au.- XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) has highlighted idaite (supergene mineral of bornite) and chalcopyrite as the main copper minerals.- Downhole TEM of large conductor 600m west of the White Rose Prospect has outlined low order gold mineralisation (up to 1.08 g/t Au) associated with pyrrhotite in shear zones which are not associated with the White Rose Prospect Cu-Au mineralisation.- The White Rose Prospect is a copper-gold mineralised mafic intrusion (norite) which has been defined by only 4 drill-holes to date (two sections 160m apart). The mineralisation is completely open along strike and at depth. The discovery may potentially represent a new style of mafic hosted Cu-Au deposit.- Rumble is fast tracking systematic exploration at White Rose and 8km of strike at E51/1677 identified by lag and grab sampling, generating first order targets for drill testing.Nemesis Au Project- No significant gold mineralisation intercepted in RC drilling. The depth extension to mineralisation below the Nemesis high-grade gold mine is interpreted to have been terminated by sub-parallel faulting.Earaheedy Zn Project- Infill ground gravity with partial leach geochemistry program completed over main zones where previous explorers have defined significant Zn mineralisation including: 7.3m @ 6.12% Zn, 0.77% Pb (inc. 3.3m @ 11.2% Zn, 0.93% Pb).- Gravity modelling is scheduled to aid in final drill target delineation prior to upcoming RC/Diamond Drilling program, which has $100,000 EIS funding available towards drilling costs.Long Lake and Panache Cu-Ni-PGE-Co Projects (Ontario Canada)- Ground TEM has been planned (awaiting tenders) to test significant Ni, Cu and PGE surface mineralisation (to 6.01% Cu, 1.47% Ni, 3.5 g/t PGE & 1.1% Co) at the Panache Project and to test a north trending zone of prospective Sudbury Breccia (elevated PGE's) with a coincident VTEM conductor at Long Lake, with the aim of generating high order conductors for subsequent diamond drill testing.Exploration UpdateBraeside - Zn-Pb-Cu-Ag-V Project (see image 1 & 2 in link below)Exploration target(s) are:- Porphyry related structurally controlled high-grade Zn-Pb-Cu-Ag-V breccia pipes- High level (epithermal) base metal veins- Sediment hosted disseminated base metal replacement zones- Porphyry related stock-worksRC Drill Programme - E45/2032 (see image 2 in link below)Rumble completed a total of:- 61 (sixty-one) slimline RC drill-holes for 5108m testing 14 targets/prospects over a strike of 35 km and up to 6 km in width.- The drill holes were designed to test up to four mineralization styles within extensive highly mineralised altered structures.The targets/prospects (see image 2 in link below for targets/prospects) tested by the recent drilling are predominantly high-grade base metal geochemical anomalies that have been defined by intensive surface exploration conducted by Rumble within the current field season (commenced April 2018). The mineralization is interpreted to represent various deposition levels along multiple strike extensive fractures associated with deep lying porphyry systems.CSIRO investigation into the alteration mineral footprints at Braeside - E45/2032CSIRO is conducting a multi-spectral alteration and mineral mapping study of mineralization and geology within E45/2032. The study is near completion with the aim to:- Evaluate spectral alteration and mineral mapping with respect to known base metal mineralization to ascertain potential signatures that will aid in further exploration.- Review the response of the various mineral mapping signatures to outcrop, sub crop and shallow covered regolith with the aim to extrapolate into other prospective regions.- Compile all available information (generated by Rumble), including surface geochemistry, aero-magnetics and VTEM along with publicly available GSWA regional geological mapping and then correlate with the CSIRO generated mineral mapping /alteration imagery to highlight potential associations.Next Steps - E45/2032- Final RC Drilling assay results are expected in mid-November.- Collaborate with CSIRO to finalise research reportRumble has applied for an exploration license application immediately west and contiguous to E45/2032, the main Braeside tenement - See image 1 in link below.Stream Sediment Sampling Survey - E45/4874 (see image 1 in link below)Stream sediment sampling has covered amenable drainages within the entire area of E45/4874. A total of 188 samples were collected. Multi-element analysis with additional bulk cyanide leach (for precious metals) has been completed.Next Steps E45-4874- Final results and interpretation pending for stream sediments.Lamil Cu-Au Project (see image 1 in link below)Exploration target(s) includes stratiform base metal and Telfer Cu-Au deposit types.Rumble has applied for strategic exploration license applications (Lamil Project) that lie approximately 30km to the south east of the main Braeside Project area (see image 1 in link below) in the east Pilbara region of Western Australia. The applications cover an area of 1375km2 over the highly prospective Paterson Province terrane located between the major mining operations of the large Telfer Gold Mine owned by Newcrest and the Nifty Copper Mine owned by Metals X Limited.The highly mineralised Paterson Province region has recently been subject to extensive exploration from various groups targeting large scale stratiform Cu, sediment hosted Zn-Pb, potential iron oxide copper gold (IOCG) and sediment hosted vein copper - gold Telfer Style deposits.With the addition of the Lamil Project, Rumble has extended its footprint to over 2400km2 in the highly prospective east Pilbara/Paterson region.Next Steps- Complete a review of all historical exploration through open file- Follow protocol necessary from application through to the grantBarramine Cu-Pb-Zn-Ag Project (see image 1 in link below for location)Exploration target(s) are the same as at the Braeside Project:- Porphyry related structurally controlled high-grade Zn-Pb-Cu-Ag-V breccia pipes- High level (epithermal) base metal veins- Sediment hosted disseminated base metal replacement zones- Porphyry related stock-works.Regional Soil Geochemistry- Regional soil sampling on a staggered 400m by 400m pattern with areas of 200m infill has been completed within E45/4368 (Barramine JV Project with RTR).- A total of 286 samples were collected and submitted for multi-element analysis.Next Steps- Final results and interpretation pending for soil samplingMunarra Gully Cu-Au Project (Cue District, Murchison, WA) - image 3(see link below).Exploration target(s) are multiple copper-gold bearing mafic (norite) intrusions.Four RC drill-holes returned significant copper-gold mineralisation from a fine to medium grain intrusive pyroxenite (norite) at the White Rose Prospect (ASX announcement - Significant Cu-Au Discovery at Munarra Gully - 30th Aug 2018).Results included 22m @ 1.00% Cu from 29m coincident with 19m @ 2.19 g/t Au from 33m - hole WRRC001. See image 3 in link below for significant intercepts.White Rose Prospect - Multi-Element Geochemistry and XRD resultsAs part of the systematic approach to understand the mineralised systems Rumble completed:Additional multi-element geochemistryThe results confirmed elevated platinum/palladium (PGM's) with the recent copper-gold mineralisation discovered at the White Rose prospect:- Pt + Pd (to 96ppb), Ag (to 11.4 g/t), Mo (to 116ppm) and Re (0.28ppm).Low level elevated element associations also noted include Co, Se and REE's.XRD (X-ray Diffraction)This was completed on copper - gold mineralised samples which highlighted idaite (supergene mineral after bornite) and chalcopyrite as the dominant copper minerals in the transitional zone. Note that the deepest mineralisation intercepted at the White Rose prospect was just above the primary zone.Style of MineralisationThe style of mineralisation appears to be magmatic and is atypical with respect to mineralised mafic intrusive systems due to high Cu:Ni ratios, high Au and Ag, low S and various elevated other elements that suggest strong melt contamination.The likely style is as announced previously (ASX announcement - Significant Cu-Au Discovery at Munarra Gully - 30 Aug 2018) which is similar to known large copper rich mafic intrusive (ortho-pyroxenite) deposits in Brazil (Caraiba mining district - 96Mt @1.82% Cu reserve and production) and South Africa (Okiep mining district - Koperberg - 94Mt @ 1.75% Cu historic production). Gold, silver and PGM's are associated with the copper deposits.Munarra Gully Ground TEM Conductor - image 3(see link below).Results of the ground TEM (transient electro-magnetic) survey on drill-hole WRRC006 has outlined at least two north northeast trending (local foliation trend) pyrrhotite bearing shear zones within mafic volcanics/volcaniclastics and dolerite. Low order gold mineralisation is associated with the shearing (WRRC006 - 4m @ 0.68 g/t Au from 221m).The mineralised shear zones are not considered to be related to the White Rose copper-gold mafic intrusive hosted discovery.White Rose Potential (see image 3 in link below.)The White Rose Prospect has been defined over 160m in strike and is completely open along strike and at depth. The mineralised norite has intruded east-west into a sequence of north-northeast trending mafic volcanics and volcaniclastics. The prospect may potentially represent a new style of mafic copper-gold bearing intrusive system.E51/1677 Potential (see image 4 in link below)West and southwest of the White Rose Prospect, Rumble recently conducted limited lag geochemistry along the inferred mafic/ultramafic lithological horizon with additional grab sampling within E51/1677. The area is located 4km southwest of the White Rose Prospect. Lag sampling (107 samples taken) returned significant copper, nickel and gold anomalism. Copper returned up to 721 ppm in lag, nickel to 1800 ppm and Au to 72 ppb (ASX announcement - Significant Cu-Au Discovery at Munarra Gully - 30 Aug 2018)Copper anomalism over 3.5km in strike coincides with inferred mafic/ultramafic (orthopyroxenites) from aero- magnetics. Grab sampling along the copper in lag anomalism (only 3 samples collected) returned up to 2.11 g/t Au and 0.28% Cu. There were no previous exploration or historic workings associated with the grab sampling.Lag and grab sampling by Rumble has outlined over 8km of strike potential coinciding with a partly buried strong magnetic anomaly which has been inferred as the same host - ortho-pyroxenite which is yet to be tested.Next Steps- White Rose Prospect: Aircore Drilling program for strike extension of mineralised zone to generate drill targets for deeper RC Drilling- E51-1677 - Lag and grab sampling to cover the full 8km of strike potential to generate drill targetsNemesis Au ProjectNo significant gold mineralisation was intercepted from RC drilling on the Nemesis Project. Drilling beneath the main Nemesis shaft intercepted granite. The depth extent of the high-grade gold mineralisation has been interpreted to be terminated by a sub-parallel fault/shear zone.As part of its strategy of generating and drill testing a pipeline of exploration projects, Rumble aims to structure deals on projects, including Nemesis, that provide optionality to complete low cost exploration to test for discoveries, and that the Company can then exit from if exploration and/or drilling if unsuccessful. Rumble will relinquish the option on the Nemesis Project and focus on the pipeline of projects it has acquired which provide near term opportunities for world class discoveries.Earaheedy Zn Project (see image 5 in link below)Exploration target(s) are flat lying MVT (Mississippi Valley Type) carbonate hosted Zn-Pb deposits and associated higher angle Zn-Pb fault breccias.- In-fill gravity surveys down to 100m by 100m and 200m by 100m stations have been completed at Earaheedy (E69/3464).- In total, 1080 gravity stations cover two areas (total of 24km2) with the focus on the Navajoh, Magazine and Chinook Zn-Pb Prospects.- Rumble also collected a total of 372 partial leach samples on a 200m by 200m spacing over the Navajoh and Magazine Prospects. The samples were analysed using the "Terraleach" methodology designed to leach secondary iron and associated metal ions from soils and regolith.The Navajoh, Magazine and Chinook Zn-Pb Prospects are associated with the Navajoh Dolomite Member (also known as the Sweetwaters Well Member) of the Yelma Formation. The Yelma Formation is the lower unit of the 5000m thick Earaheedy Basin (Palaeoproterozoic). Sphalerite, galena, pyrite and marcasite (coarse grain) occurs as stratiform/stratabound ore fill veins and breccias, dissolution cavity fill, disseminated, stylolitic and fault fill mineralisation styles.Rumble is targeting both high-grade base metal flat lying sediment hosted and high to low angle fault breccias MVT style deposits.The partial leach geochemistry has highlighted the contact position between the underlying carbonate sediments (Navajoh Dolomite Member - Yelma Formation)) and the overlying iron rich sediments of the Frere Formation. A strong base metal halo has developed along the contact - see image 5 in link below). The overlying iron rich sediments have effectively chemically masked any potential base metal leakage haloes along inferred faults.Rumble considers the Earaheedy Project as highly prospective based on very significant Zn-Pb mineralisation outlined on broad spaced drilling (completed in the 1990's) that has defined the Navajoh, Magazine and Chinook Prospects. These prospects contain oxidised and primary Zn-Pb mineralisation (zinc dominant) associated with a flat lying to shallow northeast dipping laterally continuous dolomite horizon with over 20 kilometres strike. The initial drill spacing was 5 to 10km. The current drill spacing is approximately 1km by 1km. Significant intercepts are presented in image 5(see link below).Next Steps- Gravity inversion modelling is planned to aid in optimising better drill targets- RC/Diamond drilling program- Rumble has received EIS (Exploration Incentive Scheme) funding for half the drilling costs, up to $100,750Long Lake and Panache Cu-Ni-PGE-Co Projects (Ontario, Canada) - (see Image 7 in link below)Exploration target(s)- Long Lake Project - Target blind Sudbury "Offset Dyke" style massive Ni - Cu - PGM type deposits- Panache Project - Target high order base metal with PGM surface anomalism inferred to be potential feeders to gabbroic intrusionsPanache ProjectStrong surface geochemistry at Panache is associated with a large gabbroic intrusion.Grab sampling returned up to 6.01% Cu, 1.47% Ni, 3.5 g/t PGE and 1.1% Co over exposed sulphidic gabbro. No previous drilling has been completed.Long Lake ProjectPrevious VTEM (Versatile Time Domain EM) highlighted a conductor associated with outcropping Sudbury Breccia at Long Lake.Sudbury Breccia is associated with known Cu-Ni-PGE deposits of the Sudbury Basin Cu-Ni-PGE province. A single shallow diamond drill-hole hole tested the outcrop returning elevated PGE's and blebby sulphides.Next Steps- Panache Project: A deep penetrating ground TEM survey has been planned to test the strong surface geochemistry intrusion with the aim of generating high order conductors for subsequent diamond drill testing.- Long Lake Project: A deep penetrating ground TEM survey has been planned to test the VTEM conductor and outcropping Sudbury Breccia with the aim of generating high order conductors for subsequent diamond drill testing.To view images, please visit:About Rumble Resources Ltd Rumble Resources Limited (ASX:RTR) (FRA:20Z) is an Australian based exploration company, officially admitted to the ASX on the 1st July 2011. Rumble was established with the aim of adding significant value to its current gold and base metal assets and will continue to look at mineral acquisition opportunities both in Australia and abroad. US software firm Citrix has announced 30 new roles as it officially opened its Dublin centre after a 6.7m revamp. It follows the recruitment of 150 employees at Dublin's East Point Business Park, announced last year. The upgraded 49,500 sq ft facility is Citrix's largest European centre. Technical support, consulting services, HR, shared services and a new EMEA digital sales hub are some of the functions available. The new roles, across areas including network engineering, technical support, finance and sales, are immediately open for application. IDA CEO Martin Shanahan said that the decision "endorses Dublin's reputation as a premier EMEA location for global software companies". Citrix first came to Ireland in 1999 and its Dublin facility now has the capacity to hold 400 employees. Communications, Climate Action and Environment Minister Richard Bruton was at the official opening of the company's expanded Dublin office. "This is an important centre for Citrix and positions Dublin as a strategically important location from which the company can serve and grow its customer base," he said. A Kildare-based tech firm is to create 35 new jobs as it embarks on expansion plans across Europe. Established in 2010, VEI Global also has offices in Belfast and London but have plans to open another office in EMEA early next year. The Enterprise Ireland supported company delivers projects for clients in the US and Europe which includes telecoms and IT installation, project and account management, and solution design. Minister of State for Trade, Employment and Business Pat Breen welcomed the new jobs which are expected to be filled over the next two years. "It is always heartening to see regionally-based companies grow in scale, providing jobs and contributing to the economic and social wellbeing of their locality," he said. In an effort to support more businesses in the region Minister Breen is meeting staff from the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) and the local business community to discuss a number of plans. The LEO in Kildare supported 41 different business projects with financial aid worth 456,435 last year, while its 171 client companies created 128 new jobs across the county for the same period. "To support the growth plans of even more locally-grown enterprises, an extra 5m in funding was secured for the 31 LEO in Budget 2019, which is up 22pc on 2018," Minister Breen said. Meanwhile, Dublin-based Azon Recruitment Group has created another 35 roles with the opening of new offices at Henry Street in Limerick. CEO Ronan Colleran said that the investment is a testament to "the renewed employment activity in the region and to the attractiveness of Limerick". "With the economy recovery, the Mid-West is now a location of choice for many of our clients. We are delighted to be working with them in sourcing quality talent to support their business growth." Kinzen has been launched by Mark Little and Aine Kerr A Dublin-based online news service called Kinzen has been launched by Mark Little and Aine Kerr. Little is a former RTE news journalist, founder of Storyful and Twitter Ireland boss. Kerr is a former Irish Independent journalist and Facebook executive. The duo are joined by Paul Watson, who worked with them at Storyful. The new service, which aims to develop as a subscription news app, wants to sift out junk and promote high-grade news and information from around the web. It plans to do this through the services users, around whom the system is based. Users will share and discuss quality news links in what amounts to a top-down, curated organisation: users motivation for doing this might be borne of a sense of expertise or community. Just over a year ago, we created NevaLabs with the goal of empowering people who want to take control of their news experience, said a company statement. We soon realised that we were not just building another news app. We were building a news community with a radically different approach than the social platforms that have come to dominate our experience of news. The service, which was called Neva Labs up until today, will be structured in a way to allow for a personalised news feed, based on a users preferences and what others are interested in. The website will be free to use for the first few months. Early next year, the app will be launched on a subscription basis: 5 per month is a likely fee level, according to the founders, in tandem with what is commonly charged on systems such as Patreon. While the services founders are emphasising a clampdown on false news and dishonest sourcing, they say that they will not police the tone or content shared from across the political spectrum. With no ads, it is being styled as an antidote to social network news delivery which, the founders say, is based on grabbing and holding a persons attention for as long as possible, regardless of content. The founders, who worked together at Storyful, also say that current news publishers may be interested in Kinzen, possibly in subscription partnerships. Our mission is to put every individual in control of a daily news routine that respects their time, rewards their trust and broadens their minds, said the company statement. The Kinzen community will grow out of the positive choices of its members. Their feedback will guide technology. Those who promote shared facts and valued sources will be rewarded. Privacy and security are central to our work. We wont depend on advertisers. Our only agenda is yours. The news is broken. Lets fix it, together. Lets start again. Lawyers are supporting a move to bring in a perjury act to punish people who make false personal injury claims. It comes after a private members' bill, which would make perjury a statutory offence, was recently introduced in the Oireachtas. The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Isme) has been arguing that the current perjury laws are too difficult to prosecute. There is only one known case of a person being convicted for providing a false statement in a personal injuries case. This is despite the fact several claims have been thrown out in recent years after evidence emerged clearly contradicting the plaintiff's version of events. The Perjury and Related Offences Bill 2018 was introduced by Senator Padraig O Ceidigh and co-sponsored by Senator Michael McDowell, Senator Ian Marshall and Senator Victor Boyhan. The second stage debate will take place this week. The bill would make perjury a statutory offence, as opposed to being an offence under the common law, which is law that is derived from custom and judicial precedent rather than statutes. This means common law is less defined than a statutory offence, and so harder to secure a prosecution under. Ken Murphy, director of the Law Society, the body which represents solicitors, said the society has long been on record as supporting the criminal prosecution of fraudulent claimants. "Accordingly, we completely support this bill's objective of facilitating such prosecutions where the evidence exists to warrant them," he said. He added the Government has promised committee stage amendments designed to make the bill more effective. "We look forward to reviewing the bill in its final amended form," he said. Isme chief executive Neil McDonnell said: "We have campaigned for more than a year for the introduction of a statutory offence. "It is a disgrace that our courts are weekly hosts to a tragicomedy of lies, told in order to extort damages from innocent motorists, business owners and householders for false or exaggerated personal injuries." He said a statutory offence of perjury will not eliminate these claims, but it will place dishonest claimants in real moral hazard when they go before a judge. "We also look forward to the impact a robust perjury statute will have in tackling white-collar crime." Mr McDonnell pointed out that most other western jurisdictions have perjury on the statute books, including the UK, where it appears to be much easier to prosecute the offence. The call for a perjury act echoes a submission on white-collar crime by the Competition Authority in 2011, which pointed out a new act would make it easier to prosecute the offence rather than having to do so under the existing common law. Cllr Martin Miley said the cabins would be a cheaper solution to tackling rising rents and housing supplies Councillors in Co Kildare have agreed to look at building log cabins as a cheaper alternative to building houses in a bid to tackle the housing crisis. It comes as the Irish Independent revealed yesterday that the local authority had left a three-bed house empty for more than two years while homeless families lived in a nearby hotel. Fianna Fail Cllr Martin Miley, who submitted the proposal, said the cabins would be a cheaper solution to tackling rising rents and housing supplies if developers are given the option to build them. "In rural areas you're not allowed to put in a log cabin at all under the county development plan, 'undesirable' is the word they use," Cllr Miley said. "You could put in a three-bed log cabin that will last for 80 years for about 50,000 and the equivalent for a house would be 150,000." Previous applications have been shot down by the council. However, following a majority support from councillors, council management has agreed to a review in 2019. However, Sinn Fein Cllr Mark Lynch said it was simply a short-term solution to the housing crisis and "we need to look at what housing stock the council has". Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the council said a vacant property in Leixlip that has been empty for more than two years had been allocated to a tenant, but the process had been delayed as a result of lengthy "legal discussions". "The council anticipates that this matter will be resolved and the house occupied by year end," it said. Next year, Ryanair will take delivery of the first of its Boeing 737 Max jets, which offer 4pc more seats and 16pc less fuel burn. It's one of the ways the carrier is planning to continue beating rivals on its unit costs as it faces higher fuel prices and wages. But Ryanair's future growth may not come from where you'd expect. Ryanair chief commercial officer David O'Brien yesterday pointed to expansion possibilities in France and other established markets. The airline recently announced that two bases will open in France next year, with more to follow. Mr O'Brien said that Ryanair is likely to double its presence in France over the next 18 months. Next summer, more that 50pc of the airline's growth is targeted at its top three markets. But Michael O'Leary said that the group's real growth will come from outside the main Ryanair operating unit. Ryanair acquired 75pc of Austrian low-cost carrier Laudamotion this year. According to Mr O'Leary, Ryanair is likely to acquire the remaining 25pc of Laudamotion from Niki Lauda in the next 12 to 24 months. Ryanair is doubling the size of its Ryanair Sun scheduled and charter operation in Poland next summer to about 20 aircraft. Laudamotion will be a similar size next summer, but Mr O'Leary has previously signalled that it will eventually increase to at least 30 aircraft. Meanwhile, Ryanair also expects to have a UK air operator's certificate (AOC) by the end of this year that will allow it to keep operating its domestic routes there post-Brexit. "We expect over the next number of years that much of our growth will take place through either the Ryanair Sun vehicle in Poland, and/or, LaudaMotion in Austria and in Germany," said Mr O'Leary. "I think that's a more sensible way for us to grow - to have multiple AOCs, a number of different brands within the business." The CEO also expects to have signed union agreements in Germany and Belgium around Christmas time. 'Netflix's market value has soared almost 70pc this year to about $140bn'. Photo: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg NETFLIX is once again turning to the junk-bond market to fund new programming as the streaming-video giant seeks to maintain its subscriber growth. The $2bn (1.74bn) bond offering, which will be issued in dollars and euros, comes just a week after tit reported a bigger jump in subscribers than expected. The bonds would push the cash-burning company's debt load above $10bn for the first time. Netflix's market value has soared almost 70pc this year to about $140bn. The US portion of the 10.5-year bond may yield around 6.375pc, while the euro notes could pay 4.625pc, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Netflix paid less than 6pc when it last tapped the market in April, in part because underlying Treasury yields were lower. Bloomberg Economy Minister Giovanni Tria said he realised Italys budget plans breached EU rules, but said his Government had to respond to years of anaemic growth Italian government bonds and stocks rallied after a credit ratings decision by Moody's Investors Service removed the immediate threat of a downgrade to junk. Yields on 10-year securities fell to their lowest level in over two weeks following Friday's cut to Baa3 - its lowest investment-grade rating - with a "stable" outlook instead of a two-notch cut as had been expected and that was enough to tempt back investors. Italy is due to be reviewed by S&P, who have the nation two notches above junk, on Friday. The country yesterday told the European Commission it would stick to its 2019 budget plans in defiance of EU fiscal rules, but promised not to inflate its deficit any further in the years ahead. In a letter to the commission, Economy Minister Giovanni Tria said he recognised that the budget, which is set to hike next year's deficit to 2.4pc of gross domestic product (GDP), was not in line with the EU Stability and Growth Pact. However, looking to silence growing alarm from EU allies, he said the government had to respond to years of anaemic growth in the eurozone's third-largest economy. "(The budget) was a hard, but necessary decision in light of Italy's delay in catching up to pre-crisis levels of GDP and the desperate economic conditions in which the most disadvantaged citizens find themselves," Mr Tria wrote. The commission sent Rome a warning letter about the budget last week - the first formal step of a procedure that could lead to Brussels rejecting the package and imposing fines. An EU spokesman said the commission would decide today its next step. Underscoring the tensions, German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said Italy had to be "careful" over its debt, while Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz called on the commission to reject the budget unless changes were made. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte dismissed Mr Kurz's criticism as "incautious" and reiterated that Rome wanted to have "constructive dialogue" over the budget, which includes tax cuts, welfare hikes and a rolling back of tough pension reform. Conte also stressed that his government had no intention of abandoning either the euro currency or the EU. "Read my lips. There is no way Italy will leave the euro," he said. However, he added that the EU was damaging itself by not meeting the needs of ordinary people. Italy's economy is still some 6pc smaller than it was at the start of 2008, hobbled by a slew of long-standing problems, including a national debt mountain at around 131pc of GDP - the second-highest in Europe after Greece. Mr Conte predicted that growth would "take off" once government reforms were enacted. To help fund its expansionary programme, the Treasury sharply hiked the deficit goal from a targeted 1.8pc this year. "For us, 2.4pc is the ceiling," Mr Conte said. Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) European shares fell in afternoon trading yesterday as relief over Moody's decision to keep Italy's sovereign rating outlook stable was short-lived and the focus turned to Europe's response to Rome's budget plans. The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.27pc, near the close, on track for its fourth day of losses. The European benchmark index rose as much as 0.7pc in early deals after the rating agency on Friday cut Italy to one notch above junk status because of concerns over government budget plans, but said the outlook was stable. That was initially met with relief as investors priced lower risks of a junk rating for Italy, a prospect that would trigger some fund managers to sell Italian debt. "These are rollercoaster days. There was euphoria this morning and now we're back down to earth. The truth is that nothing has really changed," said Carlo Franchini of Banca Ifigest in Milan. "Probably someone has started to think that Moody's rating move is not that positive after all." In Ireland, the Iseq Overall Index was 0.4pc higher at 6,024.38 just before the close. Shares in Ryanair shot 4.1pc higher to 11.98 as it posted first-half results that saw profits decline 7pc. The fall wasn't as bad as analysts had expected, however. Shares in travel software firm Datalex were 2.6pc higher at 2.39, while packaging giant Smurfit Kappa was up 2.1pc at 28.70. Decliners included Paddy Power Betfair, which lost 2.8pc to 74.20. The UK's Ftse-100 was 0.1pc higher close to the bell, while Germany's DAX was flat. France's CAC-40 was down 0.3pc. Poland's biggest construction firm Budimex has become the first in its sector to offer cash incentives to anyone who helps it find new workers at a time of the lowest unemployment in decades, the company said on Tuesday. Almost half of Polish companies in Poland face problems finding new employees, a report showed in August. The construction industry has been particularly affected, as infrastructure funding from the European Union has driven growth at a time that it has been losing workers to higher-paying EU markets such as Germany and Britain. "We are the largest employer in the construction market in Poland and a responsible employer," Budimex said in a statement. "We were one of the few companies on the market that did not reduce employment in 2014-2016 when the construction industry faced a reduction in the number of orders." The company, which recruits through agencies, internal recommendations and job advertisements, said it will now pay up to 2,000 zlotys ($534.00) to anyone who helps it employ a worker for a specific job. "We are currently looking for specialised construction managers, engineers and masters in many branches, especially in the field of rail and buildings construction," Budimex said. The company has increased its average pay for manual workers by 20pc over the last year, it said. Budimex, which is owned by Spain's Ferrovial, said it plans to hire 1,100 workers by the end of 2019. The group has already increased employment to more than 7,000 people from 4,500 four years ago. It mostly employs Polish workers but last year started hiring foreign staff, mostly from Ukraine, as Poland struggles to compete with other European Union countries in attracting EU workers. The unemployment rate in Poland, which has one of the fastest aging societies in the European Union, has for months been the lowest since 1990, at 5.7pc in September. Poland's construction industry needs an extra 100,000 workers to handle a surge in public sector projects and save more companies from bankruptcy, Budimex's chief executive told Reuters in June. Israel Romero, a retired teacher, church trustee, and grandfather, withdrew his bid to be South Carolinas next state superintendent last week after a local newspaper revealed that he has a prior felony conviction and placed on his resume at least one degree that cant be substantiated. Romero is a Democrat. His withdrawal from the race comes just a few weeks before South Carolina voters will decide whether to keep the state schools chief position an elected one. South Carolina is among a small handful of states where voters elect statewide superintendents. Romero, according to the Anderson Independent Mail , was convicted of a felony in 2008 for falsely presenting himself in federal court as an attorney for a client involved in an immigration case. He was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution and spend three months in jail, according to the paper. Romero up until last week was running against incumbent state chief Molly Spearman, a Republican who is now running unopposed. He was little known in the state and didnt have a campaign website but posted frequently on his Facebook and LinkedIn pages essays in Spanish about the many issues that plague South Carolinas public school system, including a widespread teacher shortage, funding issues, and lagging academic performance. Candidates for public office in South Carolina arent eligible for running for office up to 15 years after serving time. In addition to the felony, the paper revealed that his juris doctor dogree from La Salle University in Pennsylvaniaat least one of the five degrees listed on his resume could not be substantiated since the school has never offered a juris doctor degree. In an interview with the newspaper, Romero said, degrees and experience aside, he has a good grasp on the multitude of K-12 issues throughout the state. Real people ask about real situations and real issues, and they have been asking me a lot, and as far as I know, they are satisfied with my answers, Romero told the newspaper. Romero, who withdrew from the race a day after the Independent Mail published its report, told the Charleston Post and Courier , I am really withdrawing because I do have some illness problems and Im in treatment and thats why. Candidates for state chief are only required to be 18 years old. Proponents of a ballot measure to make the state chief appointed by the governor instead of elected have said such minimal qualifications for the job are a hindrance to attracting the best person to lead the states department of education. The education department has been strapped with more and more responsibilities in recent years under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act and the state chief is now tasked with setting statewide education initiatives. But opponents to the measure say voters, not the governor, are best suited to decide who should manage its $1.81 billion K-12 budget, more than half the states spending. Presentation to the Australian Nickel Conference Perth, Oct 23, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Ardea Resources Ltd ( ASX:ARL ) ( OTCMKTS:ARRRF ) provides the Company's presentation to the Australian Nickel Conference.Investment Summary- Advanced Australian nickel and cobalt project at Goongarrieo 141,912 m of RC drilling completed, plus diamond and sonic drilling for bulk metallurgy sampleso The Goongarrie Mineral Resource contains 1.5 million tonnes of nickel and 130,700 tonnes of cobalt- Prefeasibility Study completedo 1Mtpa and 1.5Mtpa case studies offer significant economic opportunityo Scoping Study completed on 2.25Mtpa case shows excellent upside- DFS Programs underway- Positive metallurgical factors and test-work- Leveraged to increasing nickel and cobalt demand from the rapidly growing EV and Static Storage Battery marketsTo view the full presentation, please visit:About Ardea Resources Ltd Ardea Resources Ltd (ASX:ARL) (OTCMKTS:ARRRF) (FRA:A91) is an ASX listed resources company, with 100% controlled Australian based projects, prioritising a three-pronged value creation strategy which is: - development of the Goongarrie Nickel Cobalt Project, which is part of the Kalgoorlie Nickel Project, a globally significant series of nickel-cobalt deposits which host the largest nickel-cobalt resource in the developed world, coincidentally located as a cover sequence overlying fertile orogenic gold targets; - advanced-stage exploration at WA gold and nickel sulphide targets within the Eastern Goldfields world-class nickel-gold province; and - the demerger of the NSW gold and base metal assets with planned in-specie share distribution, with projects located within the Lachlan Fold Belt world-class gold-copper province. Whitbread has ground out a small increase in half-year profit as it prepares to focus on the growth of hotels business Premier Inn following the sale of Costa Coffee to Coca-Cola. The group posted a 2.6pc rise in revenue to 1.08bn in the six months to August 30, while pre-tax profit nudged up 0.2pc to 257m. Costa, which Whitbread is selling to Coca-Cola for 3.9bn, saw profit grow 3.5pc to 47m in the period. Premier Inn saw total UK accommodation sales growth of 4.8pc, but like-for-like revenues rose just 0.2pc, which Whitbread said was due to weaker consumer demand. Chief executive Alison Brittain said: "The highlight of the first half was the announcement of our agreement for the sale of Costa to the Coca-Cola Company for 3.9bn, which received the overwhelming approval of our shareholders in October. "We intend to return a significant majority of the net cash proceeds to shareholders, although the exact amount, timing and method will be determined following discussions with stakeholders, including our shareholders, pension fund and debt providers." Ms Brittain added that, following the sale of Costa, Whitbread will look to expand Premier Inn. The UK arm has more than 74,000 rooms, with a further 13,000 rooms in the pipeline and international growth also on the agenda. It caps a lively few months for Whitbread, which earlier this year said it would split off Costa and list it as a separate entity, following pressure from activist investor Elliott. But in August the company announced the sale to Coca-Cola, claiming it is "in the best interests of shareholders". Proceeds of the deal, which requires regulatory approval in the EU and China, will be used to pay down debt and boost the pension fund. Whitbread acquired Costa in 1995 for 19m from founders Sergio and Bruno Costa when it had only 39 shops. It now has more than 2,400 outlets and is embarking on overseas expansion. Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami Malek has said Freddie Mercury was an immigrant who wanted to transcend his background. Malek, himself the son of Coptic Christian emigres to the US, has spoken about Mercurys cosmopolitan background. Born in Zanzibar of Parsi heritage, and educated in India, Mercury was, in the view of the man playing the rock star, an immigrant kid seeking his identity. Speaking at the world premiere of Bohemian Rhapsody, yards away from the site of the former Wembley Stadium which hosted Queens 1985 Live Aid gig, Malek said the frontman was a revolutionary. Expand Close Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Rami Malek and Joe Mazzello star as members of Queen in Bohemian Rhapsody (Matt Crossick/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Rami Malek and Joe Mazzello star as members of Queen in Bohemian Rhapsody (Matt Crossick/PA) He said: I think he was all about liberating himself, doing exactly what he wanted. The name like Freddie Mercury is synonymous with being otherworldly. Thats exactly what he was. I think the guy knew exactly what he was doing. Thats why were celebrating him. He was a revolutionary. He refused to be marginalised or defined by any one thing, so perhaps he still is Farrokh Bulsara. Hes an immigrant kid struggling to discover his identity. Brian May attended the red carpet event, and spoke of his old friend and bandmate. Video of the Day He said: I think we have done Freddie proud. Expand Close Brian May with wife Anita Dobson at the Bohemian Rhapsody world premiere (Matt Crossick/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Brian May with wife Anita Dobson at the Bohemian Rhapsody world premiere (Matt Crossick/PA) Another star of the film said Mercury can still inspire members of the LGBT community nearly 30 years after his death. Allen Leech plays Paul Prenter, Mercurys personal manager, and said it would be inspiring for members of the LGBT community to see this portrayal of Mercury. He said: I think a lot of people have said how once his diagnosis was made public and when he passed away and even just as a gay person, he gave them incredible pride in themselves that this icon of world music was gay and had Aids. A lot of people who were incredibly saddened by his passing were inspired by him. Mercury was one of the worlds best-loved entertainers when he died in November 1991 following complications from Aids. Expand Close Allen Leech said Freddie Mercury can still inspire the LGBT community (Matt Crossick/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Allen Leech said Freddie Mercury can still inspire the LGBT community (Matt Crossick/PA) He was one of the most high-profile victims of the epidemic and Leech said Bohemian Rhapsody will bring back the terror of the disease to modern audiences. He said: Its well captured in the movie. It was a completely different world to the world we live in today and how the stigma attached to having Aids and even the stigma back then to be gay itself, it was a different world. We have come on a long way. Leech said Mercurys story is tragic but hopes Bohemian Rhapsody will bring his and Queens work to a new audience. He said: It is tragic. Its tragic that Freddie is not still around but people will leave the cinema feeling elated and invigorated and hopefully with a newfound appreciation for Freddie and Queen. Bohemian Rhapsody will be released in the UK on October 24. Westlife have revealed how Ed Sheeran came to write their comeback single. One of the worlds biggest boybands last week announced they were reforming on the bands 20th anniversary with a new tour and new music, including two Belfast dates and a massive gig at Croke Park. The Twenty Tour will be the first time they will perform together in seven years and will feature their greatest hits as well as new music, including a song written by Ed Sheeran. Last year band members Kian Egan, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, and Nicky Byrne approached long-time Westlife collaborator Steve Mac, who had penned and produced several of their hits including Flying Without Wings and Swear It Again, to write new music. He was writing with Ed Sheeran who turned around to him one day in a songwriting session and said, I'd love to write a Westlife style song, and they went off and wrote a Westlife style song, revealed Kian. We didnt know any of this was happening and we got back together, behind closed doors, and went to see Steve and he played us a few songs and he was like, This is actually an Ed song that Ed wrote saying he wanted to write a Westlife style song. Nicky revealed that he had had a conversation with Kian two years ago about reforming and his concerns about where Westlifes music fits into the current market and not wanting to be simply a nostalgia act. [I said] we need Ed Sheeran or someone of that ilk. Little did we know Ed was in the background saying, I want to write a Westlife tune, he said. Really there was only two people who could get Westlife back out of bed Steve Mac and Ed Sheeran, and were in that position, thankfully. Kian said that fans would be taken aback by the new track while Shane added, its exactly where Westlife need to be. Video of the Day Tickets for Croke Park go on sale on Thursday October 25 at 9am via Ticketmaster and the band admitted they are nervous about sales even though it will be the fifth time they will play the Dublin stadium. We dont take that lightly, said Shane. The main thing well be thinking about on Thursday morning is probably Croke Park and what the effect of that will be. "It will set up an awful lot for us going forward as in what we want to achieve next year. The BBC has denied allegations that it fixed the result of Sunday night's episode of Strictly Come Dancing. The four judges chose to send home DJ Vick Hope (29) and her professional partner Graziano Di Prima (24), therefore saving comedian Seann Walsh (32) and his dance partner Katya Jones (29). Judges Shirley Ballas, Dame Darcey Bussell and guest Alfonso Ribeiro voted to save Seann and Katya. Craig Revel Horwood was the only judge to choose the Capital FM DJ, who had previously been one of the highest scoring contestants. Last week, she secured a cumulative total of 29 points out of a possible 40 from the judges, placing her in joint second place. Expand Close Seann Walsh and Katya Jones were saved by the judges while Vick Hope and Graziano Di Prima were ousted from the competition (Guy Levy/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Seann Walsh and Katya Jones were saved by the judges while Vick Hope and Graziano Di Prima were ousted from the competition (Guy Levy/PA) However, the judges opted to save Walsh and Jones, who have been at the centre of a media storm after they were photographed kissing two weeks ago. Jones is married and Walsh had a long term girlfriend at the time. Viewers took to social media to express their surprise and anger at the judges reasoning following the result, and speaking on Capital FM Vick Hope said that she saw the judging panel having a "very strange" conversation with producers before the result was announced. It was very strange, because after the dance-off the judges have to give their decisions, but there was a bit of a conflab with some producers and then they gave their decisions, she said. It was just stunned silence in the studio, it was a really weird atmosphere. However, the BBC issued a statement denying the allegations. Video of the Day It is categorically untrue to imply that producers tell the judges how to score or who to save, read the statement. Each judge votes on each dance independently, based on its merits and in their expert opinion alone. The judges use an electronic voting pad to transmit their score or choice of who to save to the production gallery, which is then locked in and cannot be changed. Only after this does a producer speak to the judges, advising them on how long they have to speak and reminding them to give a reason for their decisions. The process was exactly the same this weekend. The 11 remaining couples will return to the dancefloor next week for the Strictly Come Dancing Halloween special episode on BBC One at 6.50pm on Saturday. An expert whose evidence was key in the trial of murderer Molly Martens features in part two of Netflix's true crime series Making a Murderer. The work of blood pattern analysis expert Dr Stuart James was pivotal in helping to convict Martens (34) and her father Tom (68) for the murder of Martens' husband, Limerick man Jason Corbett (39), in North Carolina last year. Dr James, a world-renowned expert in blood pattern analysis with more than 40 years experience, pieced together the likely sequence of blows sustained by Mr Corbett in the lead up to his death. His evidence was pivotal to the prosecution's case and ultimately the father and daughter were convicted of murder. Expand Close Convicted: Martens is led from court after being found guilty / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Convicted: Martens is led from court after being found guilty Dr James has consulted on cases across the world including in the US, Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Newfoundland, South Korea and the US Virgin Islands. He has also co-authored several books on the subject and he testified for the defence in the murder trial of music producer Phil Spector in 2007. The first episode of the second series of Netflix's Making a Murderer sees Dr James' expertise employed by lawyer Kathleen Zellner who has launched her own investigation into Steven Avery's case. Avery, along with his nephew Brendan Dassey, was convicted of the 2005 murder of photographer Teresa Halbach, who had visited his property to view a car, and whose burnt remains were found outside his trailer. Expand Close Making A Murderer: Part 2. Pictured: Luke Haag, Kathleen Zellner. PA Photo/Netflix / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Making A Murderer: Part 2. Pictured: Luke Haag, Kathleen Zellner. PA Photo/Netflix The Wisconsin prosecution's case against Avery centred on DNA evidence found in the victim's car. Avery had claimed he had never been in her car, but his blood was found in the vehicle. In the first episode of the new series Zellner buys car identical to Teresa Halbach's RAV4 to carry out some re-enactments of what may have happened. Expand Close Making A Murderer: Part 2. Pictured: Kathleen Zellner. PA Photo/Netflix. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Making A Murderer: Part 2. Pictured: Kathleen Zellner. PA Photo/Netflix. Video of the Day Dr James is among the experts enlisted to help find out whether or not Avery could have caused the six spots of blood in the car, found by police, from a cut on his finger, as claimed by prosecutor Ken Kratz during the trial. Dr James finds that the blood on the steering wheel does not fall in a pattern that would have happened if Avery had dripped blood on it. He also claims that the blood pattern on the back door of the victim's car suggests that the blood came from Teresa being killed beside her car, which is not what was claimed by the prosecution. Making a Murderer Part 2 is available to stream now on Netflix. A number of religious groups have expressed support for the removal of the term blasphemy from the Constitution. On Friday voters will be asked whether they want to remove the reference to blasphemy from the Constitution, which dictates that it must be provided for elsewhere in law as a criminal offence. The Irish Catholic Bishops Conference is in support of removing blasphemy from the Constitution, describing the current law as "obsolete". The influential Catholic think-tank the Iona Institute has also said it will not be opposing its removal because the "principle behind it isn't strong enough to make it worth fighting for regardless". However, the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland (ICCI) said it will not be campaigning for or against the removal, but believes the current inclusion of blasphemy is "of vital importance". Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan, who is leading the campaign for a Yes vote, said: "It doesn't sit well in a modern Constitution, it hasn't had any effect in any event... it's outmoded and inconsistent with a society that values freedom of expression and freedom of belief." Mr Flanagan also expressed concern about low turn-out: "I accept that it's not an earth- shattering question and of course my concern is because it's not hugely controversial that the turn-out will be low." He said the inclusion of blasphemy puts our international reputation at stake with countries such as Pakistan, where blasphemy is treated as a very serious crime, pointing to its place in the Irish Constitution. The minister said the Garda investigation into comments made by Stephen Fry on RTE showed "just how difficult it is just to have an adequate definition of blasphemy when it is minded to have one in law". A 31-year-old has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering a man following a drunken row over a cigarette. Following the verdict the deceased's daughter Shawna Byrne gave an emotional statement, telling the court her family's world stopped the day he died, "his life and his dignity taken in an absolutely savage way." Anthony Walsh (31) was found guilty of the murder of 54-year-old Dermot Byrne at North St, Swords, Co Dublin on July 16, 2017 by a unanimous jury verdict. The six men and six women spent two hours and 41 minutes considering their verdict. Shawna told prosecuting counsel Vincent Heneghan SC that her family had tickets to the Dublin GAA semi-final the day their dad was murdered. "He was one of the most important people in our lives, as a father but also as a husband, a brother and a son," she said. The days after his death were a blur as they dealt with the garda investigation and tried to figure out why their dad was beaten to death in such a "savage" way. Slowly they realised that he would not return. She said: "His white van would no longer be parked outside the house. The familiar sound of his voice, joking about one thing or another was gone. He will not be there for our milestones," she said, adding: "Our dad will not be there to walk us up the aisle like he was supposed to." The family no longer feels safe in the town they grew up in. Their local credit union and dentist are across the road from where their dad was beaten to death at the steps to Fingal College. They still have questions and nightmares. She added: "Both his life and dignity were taken in an absolutely savage way that is unbearable to think about." Walsh's life sentence is insignficant compared to the "tragedy that arrived on our doorstep that day." Justice Eileen Creedon sympathised with Mr Byrne's family and commended Shawna for making the statement. Sergeant Killian Leydon told the court that Walsh had multiple previous convictions including for public order, burglary, criminal damage and misuse of drugs. Justice Creedon sentenced him to the mandatory life imprisonment for Mr Byrne's murder and seven years for stealing a bank card, Zippo lighter and keys from the man he had beaten to death. She said it would be difficult to think of a more heinous circumstance in which a person could take another man's property. Walsh did not react as he was sentenced and led away by prison guards. More to follow David Roche, an Irish MMA fighter, today withdrew from a legal fight for 60,000 damages in the Circuit Civil Court and walked away, almost cashless from another. Mr Roche, who shares the services of Conor The Notorious McGregors trainer, had sued policy holders of AXA and AIG insurance companies for a total of 120,000 damages relating to two accidents which occurred only two months apart. Barrister Jennifer OConnell, who appeared with Ennis and Associates Solicitors, for Darren Doyle and AIG Insurance, told Judge Kathryn Hutton that the defendant was consenting to Mr Roches claim against her client being struck out. It was learned afterwards the AIG claim had been settled for a minimal amount which included a contribution towards Mr Roches legal costs. Neither defendant sought in court or obtained orders for legal costs against Roche. John Martin, counsel for another motorist, Ms Uduak Madudu and her insurer, AXA, told the court the defendant was consenting to Mr Roche, of 33 Mountjoy Square, Dublin, withdrawing his separate 60,000 damages claim against her. Mr Roches legal team and counsel for both defendants, including solicitors Nathaniel Lacy for AXA, had taken part in negotiations in the corridor outside the court just prior to the settlement of one and withdrawal of the other Mr Roche claim. Orlene Cox, of Nathaniel Lacy, said their AXAs clients defence had been based on an alleged improbability of Mr Roches injuries, while alighting from a parked car at the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre in January 2015, having been as serious as he was alleging. In both his rear-ending claims, the first having happened on Kimmage Road, Terenure, in November 2014, Mr Roche had claimed he suffered a similarity of injuries to his neck and body. Following the development in both cases Mr Colm Featherstone, on behalf of AXA, said the insurer welcomed the result. He said it fully vindicated the stance taken by the companys Special Investigation Unit in probing such claims. The company had prepared video material of a martial arts fight between Mr Roche and Paddy Holohan which had taken place in March 2018 just over two years after the accidents in which Mr Roche had been injured. Kenneth OBrien had been living like a king in Australia, according to Paul Wells who is accused of murder. MURDER accused Paul Wells denied having anything to do with the death of Kenneth OBrien in a series of garda interviews the day after he was arrested, a jury has heard. Mr Wells told detectives he did not know what the 52,000 Mr OBrien had transferred into his account was for, but repeatedly said it wasnt mine. He told gardai he was not a middle man, I was a friend and that he was not involved in any of the activities of Kenneth OBrien." The memos of the accused's interviews were being read out at his trial at the Central Criminal Court today. Mr Wells (50), of Barnamore Park, Finglas, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr OBrien (33) at that address between January 15 and 16, 2016. He has admitted 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. The accused claimed Mr OBrien had wanted to have his own partner Eimear Dunne murdered and Mr Wells refused to kill her. He said after he shot Mr OBrien, he panicked and dismembered the remains, which were later found in a suitcase and shopping bags in the canal in Co Kildare. The first two interviews took place on the day of his arrest, February 6, 2016. Those memos were read to the jury yesterday. The court heard today that in the the third interview, on February 7, 2016, gardai asked Mr Wells about his movements during the week before Mr OBrien went missing. He told them after he left Mr OBriens house on Monday, January 11, 2016 he got his social welfare out at a post office, went home and collected his son Andrew from school. He watched TV later and said he was an insomniac. Of Tuesday January 12, he said I cant remember, more of the same. He got up and took his son to school, collected him and possibly saw a friend. Wednesday, he said, I cant remember and agreed with gardai he was a creature of habit. He would walk his dog most days before bed. On Thursday, January 14, he said he probably dropped Andrew to school and pottered around the house. He may have seen someone, he said, but his routine was more or less the same. On Friday, January 15, she said he probably rose at 8.30am and drove his wife Audrey and their son Andrew to Heuston Station at around 11.45am as they were going to Cork. He said he headed into town and parked near the Jervis Centre, walked around window shopping and then went to Clearwater shopping centre in Finglas where he got chops and burgers in the butchers before going home. His son Gary came home and changed clothes before going to his girlfriends house, the accused continued in the interview. Mr Wells said he cooked the chops he got for his dinner, had a shower and vegged out for the night, watching TV and going to bed late. He said nobody called to him that night. Mr Wells told gardai the phone he gave them was his only phone. He said his wife rang him the next day, Saturday January 16, and told him Ms Dunne was looking for him. He told gardai Ms Dunne was hysterical when he called her. He met her the following day and she wanted to know more about what Kenneth was doing, he said. It wasnt my thing to betray people, but she was in tears and he showed her texts on his phone, he had said. Ms Dunne was gutted and angry at (Mr O'Brien) for being at it again. She told Mr Wells a gun had been found in the safe at her house and he said he told her to get rid of it, throw it away, but he did not know the conclusion of that. After his last text contact with Ms Dunne, he thought she was upset with him because sometimes when you are the bearer of bad news that equates you with the incident," he continued. Mr Wells told gardai he could not say what was in Mr OBriens head, and Im not my brothers keeper. He was heading off to have a good time, he was rewarding himself, the accused said of Mr OBrien. Asked about Mr OBriens son, Mr Wells said if he had the liaisons, he wasnt thinking of Charlie. The accused said Mr OBrien had not called over to him in over a year and was not a frequent visitor to his house. Asked if he had learned about Mr OBriens death from a news report, he said; yeah, confirmed, they had to do a DNA sample. Speaking about his arrest on suspicion of Mr OBriens murder, Mr Wells said; I am the one who knew most of his secrets. The garda interviewer said they could not find anyone as close to him as you. That is why I am a target, he replied. It was put to him that on the Sunday when he showed Ms Dunne the pictures (of Mr OBrien and the other woman), he put the knife in his back because he knew he was dead. I deny it, Mr Wells replied. You werent betraying him at that stage because you knew he was dead, the interviewer said. That is what you think, the accused replied. In the fourth interview, also on February 7, gardai asked the accused about his finances. Mr Wells told them Mr OBrien had not owed him any money. He said he gave his wife Audrey his 320 weekly jobseekers allowance. The balance would be a couple of hundred and would go up depending on what he put into it, he said. Gardai showed him details of his account and asked him if he bought anything in January that cost 14,500. He said he did not, and did not know what happened to it, saying its not my money. He said the money had nothing to do with the disappearance or murder of Mr OBrien. When asked if if was Mr OBriens money, he said: I wasnt involved in any of those activities. Asked what activities, he replied; I dont know. He was asked how thousands of euros of deposits came to go into his account in 2014 and 2015. I wasnt involved in any of the activities of Kenneth OBrien, he said. Are you saying the deposits had anything to do with Kenneth OBrien? he was asked. It wasnt my money, he replied. Asked if it was right that 52,000 was transferred into his account by Mr OBrien, he replied: I couldnt say, but he certainly didnt have it. He said he could not say what it was for, but it wasnt mine, its nothing to do with me. It was put to him that he got half of the money Mr OBrien transferred from Australia, while Ms Dunne got a quarter. Again, Ill say it wasnt mine, Mr Wells replied. Asked if it was connected to drugs, he replied no. Asked if it was money laundering, he said I couldnt say. I wasnt a middle man, he said. I was a friend, that is all." Asked if Mr OBrien putting the money into his account had put Mr Wells in danger, he replied: he put me in a world of sh**, that is for sure. Gardai asked him about the random amounts, in thousands of euros, he wirthdrew from his account, he said I dont know I dont have it. He said his own children were not involved. It was news to me that 5,000 came from Mr OBriens Irish PTSB account, he said. Gardai asked if he believed the 52,000 lodged into his account led to Mr OBriens murder. No, he replied. He was asked if it had anything that he knew to do with firearms or explosives. No, the accused said. Gardai asked him when he last fired a gun. Mr Wells told gardai he went on a stag weekend for his son Paul Jnr to Riga in August 2015. Part of the package was they went to a firing range. I couldnt hit the broad side of a barrel or a tank, he told gardai. He said he had also shot a legally held gun on private land in south Armagh. He did not shoot on this side of the border, he said. He was asked if he had an interest in guns. I would, yeah, Mr Wells replied. Of the manner in which Mr OBrien died, he said he was only aware of what he had read. He was asked what his take on it was. Im sick, he said. What way could I feel? He was my friend. The accused said he thought Mr OBrien was already rich. Somebody has an awful lot of money belonging to him but its not me, he said. Gardai asked him where he thought Mr OBrien was murdered. I dont know, he replied. He was asked if he had anything to do with Mr OBriens murder. No, he said. I kept trying to keep him out of trouble. The trial continues, with evidence of further interviews being heard today. Considering the financial relevance of climate-related risks and opportunities, as clearly outlined in the recent climate warning by UN scientists, this exposes almost 90% of assets managed on behalf millions of savers worldwide to potential losses in the long term. According to AODP, part of the responsible investment organisation ShareAction, pension funds are most aware of the risks associated with fossil fuel dependent investments. However, this awareness does not yet seem to have translated into action, with 85% of funds having no formal policy for excluding thermal coal. Among the range of formal climate policy commitments made by pension funds, those related to fossil fuels are among the least popular, while company engagement features as the most popular. 50% of pension funds have been found to undertake some form of company engagement with high-carbon companies. However, despite recognising the regulatory and transition risk of fossil fuel investments, these efforts focus largely on improving disclosure, instead of driving action. Furthermore, results indicate an escalation gap, with only a minority of pension funds (18%) escalating their engagements in case of failure, such as by using votes at AGMs, co-filing key climate resolutions, or setting time-bound objectives. With almost 200 nations having ratified the Paris Agreement, only 10% of the largest public pension funds have made formal pledges to align their portfolios with the goals of the Paris Agreement, including Swedens AP7 and Finlands Varma. A further 25% of funds have developed various forms of formal climate-related policies, while a staggering 65% of funds either have no policy, or a broad ESG or responsible investment policy that contain no specific references to climate change. Promisingly, almost a fifth of pension funds are already performing climate scenario analysis in their investment portfolios, despite the TCFD recommendations only coming out last year, with a further 10% considering how to approach it. The responsible investment group recently published a global ranking of these public pension funds on their overall climate performance, and found that European funds were leading the pack, and three UK funds achieving disappointing results. Peter Uhlenbruch, AODP investor engagement officer, said: The large public pensions funds we assessed are universal owners of our global economy. Though almost a third have identified the physical and transition risks facing their portfolios, their policies on fossil fuels and engagement pale in comparison to challenge we face. As a sector, pension funds need to summon the courage to transform this knowledge into action, through taking real steps forward in their company engagement and asset allocation to ensure the retirement pots of their beneficiaries are truly protected and preserved. Killer: Brian Rattigan after his conviction for murder in 2009. That was appealed and he has now pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Photo: Collins Courts Convicted criminal Brian Rattigan could walk free from prison as early as next year after pleading guilty to manslaughter. Gang leader Rattigan admitted the manslaughter of Declan Gavin, whose death sparked the major Crumlin- Drimnagh feud which went on the claim 16 lives over a 10-year period. Rattigan was the leader of the Drimnagh faction, which engaged in a long and violent gang war with its opposition in the neighbouring Crumlin suburb. Both sides had once been involved together in the lucrative Dublin drugs trade. But the split that divided them stemmed from a Garda drugs raid on a Dublin city hotel in 2000. Declan Gavin was one three men who were at the hotel, but he was not in the room when the bust took place. The two others were later convicted but Gavin was not prosecuted, leading to allegations within the gang that he was a Garda informer. Expand Close Victim Declan Gavin was killed in 2001. Photo: RTE / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Victim Declan Gavin was killed in 2001. Photo: RTE Declan Gavin was only 21 when he was stabbed to death outside the Abrakebabra fast food restaurant in Crumlin in August 2001. Rattigan was tried and convicted of murder, and sentenced to mandatory life in 2009. But he appealed the conviction all the way to the Supreme Court and won last December. The appeal was won on the basis that the trial judge had unintentionally engaged in advocacy that favoured the case of the prosecution. The court decided that the case should be retried and it was expected that the case would be heard in the new year. However, at a sitting of the Central Criminal Court yesterday Rattigan was arraigned, and when asked if he pleaded guilty or not guilty to murder he replied: "Not guilty to murder, guilty to manslaughter". Counsel for the prosecution told Judge Michael White that the guilty plea to manslaughter was being accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Dressed in dark blue jeans, white trainers, and a blue and white striped jumper with red flashes on the sleeves, Rattigan stood and spoke clearly when pleading. Looking older, but fit and healthy, Rattigan, from Cooley Road in Drimnagh, had a neatly trimmed beard and neatly styled haircut, now greying, and wore glasses in court. He remains in prison having been convicted in 2013 of organising a 1m heroin deal from within prison. He was sentenced to 17 years, backdated to 2008. But he has also appealed that conviction and is awaiting judgment. His barrister, Brendan Grehan, said Rattigan wanted to say sorry to the Gavin family and anyone else hurt by his action. As he was being led from the court in the Criminal Courts of Justice, he looked towards the back of the room and gave a thumbs-up signal to somebody. The case is due back before the court for sentencing on December 20, when the Gavin family will have an opportunity to submit a victim impact statement. Members of the Gavin family were in court for yesterday's arraignment, sitting quietly on the opposite side to where Rattigan occupied the dock. They left without comment. A young Spanish woman has told a court she believed she was going to be killed during a 21-hour rape ordeal while she visited Ireland last summer. In a moving victim impact statement, the student said she "still wakes up at night scared", no longer trusts male friends and cannot walk to college on her own as a result of what happened to her. She said that after the attack by Eoin Berkeley (25) she "did not want to live" and that he had "stolen all of the confidence" she previously had. "The experience I went through was terrifying," she said. The young woman watched with her parents and two brothers as her statement was read out at the Central Criminal Court by prosecution counsel Caroline Biggs SC. Earlier this year, Berkeley, originally from Finglas but now of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to three counts of raping the then 18-year-old at the Irish Glass Bottle Company site, off Pigeon House Road in Ringsend, at a time unknown between July 15 and 16, 2017. At a sentencing hearing yesterday, Mr Justice Michael White considered victim impact statements from the woman and her parents, evidence from an investigating garda detective, and submissions from Berkeley's counsel, Michael Bowman SC. From a small town in Spain, she had never been away from home before she came to Ireland to do a summer course to improve her English. She had only been in Dublin for a fortnight when she encountered Berkeley by chance at a Luas stop in the city centre. He lured her to the disused site where he tied her hands with a dog lead, raped her three times and threatened to kill her by bashing her head with a rock. The court heard Berkeley did not admit to the crime while in Garda custody and gave a false alibi. But he would later make an admission of sorts, taking what his counsel described as "the grotesque step" of cutting himself and writing "I am so sorry" in his own blood on the wall of a courtroom holding cell. Detective Garda Brian Hunt told the court the young woman had been staying with a host family in Finglas and travelled into Dublin city centre on July 15, 2017, to do some shopping. She bumped into Berkeley and they began talking. The court heard Berkeley offered to show her the beach and she agreed to go with him. Under examination from Ms Biggs, the detective agreed that the young woman was from a small town where people did not lock their doors and was a trusting individual. The woman told gardai she had no cause for concern until Berkeley brought her to the glass bottle factory site. He pushed her to the ground and dragged her into one of three tents he had pitched there. Det Gda Hunt said the woman recounted how Berkeley told her he had killed six people before and had enjoyed doing it. He tied her hands behind her back with a dog lead and produced a small yellow saw, saying he would cut off her hands. The court would hear she was raped three times in the following 21 hours, only escaping when Berkeley fell asleep. As she ran from the scene she rang her father in a terrible state. She told him: "I am going to be killed, I am going to be killed. I have been kidnapped and he has killed others. He tried to strangle me. He raped me. I am scared. I don't know what to do." She ran until she came to a house where she was able to raise the alarm. After hearing submissions, the judge said he would need time to consider the appropriate sentence and adjourned the matter until November 1. A former model, and wife of a man described in court as a "notorious criminal", was told by a judge she was part of a contrived accident that led to claims by herself and three of her sisters-in-law for damages totalling 240,000. The judge's comments illustrate the need for a perjury act. Julieanne Joyce (23) and her in-laws were ordered in June to pay legal costs which will total close on 100,000 after all of their claims were thrown out by Judge Terence O'Sullivan in the Circuit Civil Court. Judge O'Sullivan told Ms Joyce her case against the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) and a taxi driver had all the hallmarks of an exaggerated claim to maximise injuries. He accepted that as the four women had sat in the taxi moaning and shouting following a set-up collision, firefighters had been asked to remove the roof because of alleged spinal injuries. When cross-examined by Conor Kearney, counsel for the taxi driver, all four told the court they had stepped out of the taxi after medics ruled out any possibility of spinal injury. Barrister Michael Murray, for the MIBI, told Ms Joyce that her husband Patrick Joyce was a notorious criminal who was jailed for 14 years for his part in an aggravated burglary in Co Tipperary in which a couple had been put through a terrifying ordeal. Ms Joyce, of Edenmore Walk Apartments, Raheny, Dublin, and her sisters-in-law Elizabeth Ward (28), of Priorswood, Coolock, Dublin, Kathleen O'Reilly (30), of Clongriffen, Dublin, and Philomena Joyce (19), of Moatview Avenue, Dublin, had each sued the defendants for 60,000 arising from a rear-ending on May 5, 2014 on Clonshaugh Road, Dublin. Gardai are hunting for two men involved in a robbery of a 79-year-old pensioner which left her hospitalised with broken bones. The incident happened in the Gurranabraher area of Cork city last night at around 6.30pm. A man approached the pensioner and pushed her to the ground before robbing her handbag. He then fled into a waiting car which was driven away by another man. The victim was hospitalised with broken ribs and fractures to her pelvis. Gardai confirmed they are following a definite line of inquiry in relation to the incident and that investigations are currently ongoing. The womans daughter, Yvonne, said that her mother was currently being treated in Cork University Hospital following the ordeal. She told The Neil Prendeville Show on Cork's RedFM 104-106 that her mother was about to enter her home when she was approached by a man. She put the key into the front door and a man came up behind her and pushed her to the ground and took her bag. Shes in the hospital now with three broken ribs and two fractures to the pelvis, Yvonne said. She also said that her mother had been returning from hospital visiting a sick relative when the robbery happened. Another man, Paul Hogan, described how he witnessed a vehicle speeding away from the scene. I saw a car travelling at speed trying to move its way between a taxi and a lamp post. Eventually it managed to do it. I saw another guy running around the road after (the car) and eventually (it) stopped for him to get into the car and drove off at speed, Mr Hogan told the Neil Prendeville Show. A garda spokesman said: Gardai in Gurranabraher are investigating a robbery incident at Spriggs Road, Gurranabraher, Co Cork on the 22nd of October 2018 at approximately 6.30pm. A woman in her 70s had her handbag stolen and was knocked to the ground by a man. The suspect then got into a silver car and fled the scene. The woman was brought to Cork University Hospital with non life threatening injuries, the spokesman said. The site of the mass grave at the Tuam mother and baby home. Picture: PA An announcement could be made today on whether the remains of hundreds of young children feared buried in a mass grave will be exhumed. Children's Minister Katherine Zappone is expected to brief Cabinet members after considering legal advice on what action to take in relation to the remains, discovered at the site of the former Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, Co Galway. An international Expert Technical Group (ETG) report, which was prepared for Ms Zappone last year, gave a menu of five options for the site, ranging from memorialisation with no further excavations to exhumation, forensic examination and further investigations. The ultimate decision is expected to take into account advice received from Special Rapporteur on Child Protection Dr Geoffrey Shannon, who was asked by the minister to examine human rights issues raised by the ETG. Sources said it was expected ministers would agree on the best way forward at today's Cabinet meeting. Ms Zappone will then brief the various parties involved in the campaign to remember the Tuam babies before making a public announcement. Sources said the decision would be "extremely sensitive" and financial implications were likely to be down the list of priorities. They noted that it would be "impossible" to take an option that will please all of the interested parties. Should the exhumation option be taken, it is likely to be a difficult task. The ETG report found the site in Tuam site would test the boundaries of forensic investigation. The Department of Education is to carry out urgent structural examinations of 30 schools built by the same firm over the past 10 years. It follows the discovery of structural problems at Ardgillan Community College, a 900-pupil post-primary school in Balbriggan, Co Dublin, forcing it to close a section and tell some students to stay at home. The department has also confirmed that it is pursuing the same company, Western Building Systems (WBS), to carry out fire safety works at four schools, including Ardgillan, arising from checks conducted in the past year. The Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO) initiated legal action on behalf of the department last month and is in ongoing consultation in respect of these four cases. The other three schools are Gaelscoil Clocha Liatha, Greystones, Co Wicklow; Mullingar Educate Together National School, Co Westmeath; and Tyrellstown Educate Together, Co Dublin. The Co Tyrone-based WBS has been given an opportunity to remedy the issues. If it does not agree to carry out the work, the department will source teams to do it and will pursue the firm in the courts. Last year, the department ordered fire safety checks in a total of 55 schools built in the past 20 years, and particularly between 2009 and 2013, including 30 built by WBS. This followed the revelation of non-compliance with fire safety standards in a number of schools built under its 'rapid build' programme between 2009 and 2013. The department has received final reports in six cases and 40 initial reports, which identified various works to be addressed. Housekeeping and maintenance issues were identified in all schools, and small scale remedial issues were identified in many schools, typically relating to the absence of appropriate maintenance and refurbishment of fire doors and inadequate or absent fire-stopping around fire doors. More extensive remedial issues were identified in eight 'rapid build' schools built between 2009 and 2013. Examples are inadequate fire protection around emergency escape routes, such as glazing on stairwells not being fire rated, inadequate or absent fire-stopping in wall cavities, and inadequate fire alarm or emergency lighting systems. All the fire safety reports received by the department have been provided to school authorities, patrons and fire officers. The department said that at all times the number one priority was the safety of students and staff. Following on from the fire safety assessment programme, the discovery at Ardgillan has led to a round of structural checks in 30 WBS schools. Last Friday, during the course of works arising from the fire safety assessment, a consultant engineer discovered "significant structural issues" behind plasterwork in two classrooms. Further examination is under way at the Ardgillan school. It has closed the Phase 1 section of its school, built in 2009. Phase 2 was completed in 2015. The school is open but some 90 transition year students have been asked not to attend. WBS could not be reached for a comment last night. Two more schools are closing immediately because of concerns about structural issues. The closures follow building inspections carried out today by a team appointed by the Department of Education. The schools are Tyrrelstown Educate Together in west Dublin, built in 2011, and St Lukes National School in the same locality, built in 2012. Tyrrelstown Community Centre, which is on the same campus as the two primary schools, is also closing temporarily following the identification of structural issues in the schools. Expand Close St Luke's National school Photo: Google Maps / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp St Luke's National school Photo: Google Maps A Department of Education spokesperson said: The investigations at Tyrrelstown today, while not identifying any imminent danger, suggest that those two schools should close as a precautionary measure to allow for further detailed investigations at both schools. Following advice from a consultant structural engineer and in consultation with the school authorities a decision was taken to close both schools with immediate effect. It follows the closure of part of Ardgillan Community College, Balbriggan, Co Dublin since Monday for similar reasons. Engineers found significant structural issues during an inspection in Ardgillan last Friday, relating to the placing of ties between the outer block work and the inner timber frame. All three schools were built by the same firm, Co- Tyrone-based Western Building Systems (WBS), and after last Fridays discoveries, the Department ordered structural checks on 30 schools built by WBS over the past decade. The Department is working closely with the school authorities in Tyrrelstown in relation to interim accommodation solutions for the over 1,200 affected pupils. The target is to have interim accommodation solutions in place for when pupils return to school after the mid-term break next week. At all times the key priority of the Minister and the Department is the safety of pupils and staff, the spokesperson said. Education Minister Joe McHugh told the Dail today that a previously announced inspection of 30 schools built by WBS between 2009 and 2013, is being extended to 40 schools, covering the period up to 2018. Mr McHugh also told the Dail that he met with Attorney General today and talked to him about future contracts for WBS. The minister said, at a personal level, he could not stand over a situation that was emerging, where he claimed there were no wall ties and wooden panels not bolted to steel girders; It is unacceptable. He alleged that the lives of students, teachers and staff were put at risk. WBS has defended its record and states that it wants to get to the bottom of this. The company said in a statement that they are responsible, solutions-focused professionals operating for 35 years. We place considerable emphasis on delivering high quality work on each of our projects, always ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. These include projects which had met the Department of Educations compliance standards. We fully recognise that this is a very important matter, not least for the pupils, parents and teachers of the schools involved. The company added that until now, our integrity has never been questioned. Each of our Department of Education and Skills projects, both before and since the amendments to building regulations in 2014, were subjected to inspections during construction. Every time, each was certified as meeting compliance standards. WBS said it was interested in getting to the bottom of this and that starts with establishing the facts. We are moving to intensify our engagement with the Department and other relevant bodies to better understand the issues which have now arisen and to work to resolve them. The statement added that WBS had received some rather than all of the individual school fire audit reports. Of those we have received, we have responded with two exceptions which have only recently been issued to us. We are writing to the Minister for Education and Skills on the matter and remain available to meet with him and his officials. Every time Gina Murray hears Brown Eyed Girl she remembers her 13-year-old daughter Leanne. The Van Morrison song conjures up for her an image of the "bubbly" teenager with dark eyes who was "very fussy" about her long brown hair. But it also reminds heartbroken Gina of how much she lost on October 23, 1993. Tuesday marks 25 years since the Shankill bombing, when a no-warning IRA device exploded on a busy Saturday afternoon - but the passage of time barely registers with Gina, who has "lived two separate lives". "There's the life I had before Leanne was murdered and the one after her death," she said. "That day is always at the front of my mind. It will stay with me for the rest of my life." Gina (67) told how she had popped into a fruit and veg shop while Leanne had gone into Frizzell's fish shop to buy whelks just before the blast. "I used to call her my brown-eyed girl because she had brown eyes like me," she recalled. "After the explosion I couldn't find her anywhere. Panic and trauma set in; I spent so long searching. I didn't know what to do. I was yelling her name but it was no use. I didn't know it then, but my little daughter was dead." The grandmother-of-four added: "Eventually two CID officers took us to the mortuary. It was terrible. She was in a black bag. I was crying and screaming." She also recalled how Sean Kelly, one of the bombers, had asked her for help as she frantically searched for her daughter. She only found out exactly who he was "a few days later". Describing the "very close" relationship she had with her daughter, Gina said she would have "been lost" without her son Gary (now 40) over the years. Immediately after the bombing Gina and Gary, then 15, moved to England for nine months. They returned, to the Kilcooley estate in Bangor, where they still live. "Grief brought me back to Northern Ireland; I came back because I wanted to be near Roselawn Cemetery," she said. It was not the family's first heartbreak. Gina's husband Thomas (47) died from a stroke eight months before the Shankill bomb. She also lost her five-year-old son Paul in a road accident, and a baby boy was stillborn. Now a great-grandmother to six girls aged between six and three weeks old, she said it's "hard" to be surrounded by children, but it's "what you need". "You need to see that smile on their faces, you need to hear them say: 'Nana, I love you'. It's the best thing in the world." Still, it makes her think about what Leanne would have been like if she were here today. "She was headstrong; I think she would've gone out and done what she wanted," she said. "Like any 13-year-old, she had dreams. She was just back from a cross-community trip to Chicago and she wanted to return to America on work experience as a nursery school teacher." That dream, and countless others, were cruelly taken from the Murray family on that dark October day when two IRA men, Thomas Begley and Kelly, carried a bomb into the fish shop. The IRA said the intended targets were UDA leaders it thought were meeting in an office above the shop, but it was empty. Instead nine people, including two children, lost their lives. Shop owner John Frizzell, his daughter Sharon McBride, along with Leanne, Michael Morrison and his partner Evelyn Baird and her seven-year-old daughter Michelle, married couple George and Gillian Williamson, and Wilma McKee were killed. Begley also died after the device exploded prematurely, while Kelly, who admitted he set out to kill loyalist paramilitaries, was freed from jail under the Good Friday Agreement early release scheme. Gina said there's "not a chance" of her ever forgiving the bombers, adding: "A mother should never have to bury a child." Her daughter-in-law Lynn (45) introduced her to Kilcooley Women's Centre, which she said has been a source of solace for victims like her, and that's where she met Patricia Downey, the accomplished director and writer. The Belfast woman is the artistic director of the Spanner In The Works theatre company, which is putting on a play tonight called What If about Gina's life experiences up until the present day. It is one of a series of events taking place around Belfast this weekend to commemorate 25 years since the Shankill bomb, but Gina is not without her reservations. "I'm extremely nervous about the play because it's my life story," she said. "But I hope it'll show people that you can get there. It takes a long time but you can do it... I'm honestly not sure I'll ever really get there but I'm trying the best I can." Patricia, who was awarded the highly commended community impact award from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in 2015, said the play is "about the people left behind". "I have gone for the human side of it - it's her story, her pain and her son's pain," she said. "There are two actors, somebody playing Gina and someone playing her son Gary." The 50-minute performance is part of a project between Spanner In The Works and the women's centre. For workshop facilitator Patricia, the most poignant part of its production was meeting Gina. "She's such a genuine, humble lady and I'm so proud that this has given me an opportunity to work with her and put this out so the audience can see the pain that's left," she said. "Every time I did a scene I acted it for her so that she was happy with it and I did the same with her son because I wanted them both to be happy with it. The play allows you to get to know Gina and her son before what happened." Patricia said it took three months to complete the three different sets of scenes, and she's pleased with the results. She added: "It's heartbreaking. I'm just proud that I worked with her." Gina admitted that she's also delighted with the end product. "Patricia has done a good job," she said. "She even got me to write a poem about how I feel about losing Leanne - something I thought I could never do." She added: "I'm doing this so that, hopefully, my daughter's memory will live on forever." Cash flowing into pensions on Zurichs investment platform soared 98% in September compared to the annual average. The value of one-off pension contributions also jumped 161% from the 12 month average as savers invested larger amounts. Alistair Wilson, Zurichs Head of Retail Platform Strategy, said: Savers are making the most of the higher pension savings cap while they still can. Investors are clearly worried that the Government could slash the savings limit in the upcoming budget and are rushing to top-up their pots. The amount of money flowing into pensions doubled last month even outstripping peaks seen ahead of tax-year end. Many savers are also paying in more than the current 40,000 annual limit to take advantage of unused allowances from previous years before its too late. Wilson said that consumer uncertainty over pensions is costing the Treasury more in tax relief as savers up their contributions over fears perks will be axed. Theres been a sharp increase in pension contributions since speculation began over a potentially lower savings cap. Far from reducing the cost of tax relief, the Governments continued tinkering with pensions is pushing the bill up, he said. The Chancellor should end the uncertainty for savers and give them the confidence and stability they need to make long-term plans for their retirement. Although any reduction in the annual allowance would be targeted at wealthy savers, Wilson said that self-employed workers will suffer the most. Not everyone pays into a pension in the same way. Self-employed workers often have to choose whether to contribute to a pension or invest in their business. This means they may only be able to make ad hoc contributions as they go or larger payments nearing retirement, he said. Britains growing population of self-employed workers already misses out on benefits such as auto-enrolment, making it harder for them to save for retirement. Restricting the amount they can save would penalise them further. To soften the blow of any lower annual allowance, the Chancellor should consider increasing the number of years people can carry forward unused allowances, or introducing an age-related allowance that rises as consumers near retirement. Daniel Gorry (28) pictured with his wife Rachel and three children, Leah (7), Holly (4) and Hannah (2) The wife of a 28-year-old man who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer said they were devastated to discover what they believed was a gut infection turned out to be something more sinister. Daniel Gorry (28), from Tullamore in Co Offaly, was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer in September, and the disease has since spread to five other areas of his body. Daniel's wife Rachel (27) said they were on holidays in Portugal when his condition started to deteriorate. He was back and forward to the doctor from June onward with a gut infection, and he missed an appointment in September while we were on holidays in Portugal, Rachel told Independent.ie. He was having pain in Portugal and it was so bad that he couldnt sleep, so we went to the hospital where they put a camera in. He was bleeding internally and had lost so much blood that he needed two blood infusions. Rachel explained that after seven days in a Portuguese hospital, they were told it looked like cancer was a possibility, but they didnt receive confirmation until he returned for a biopsy in Dublin. "They told us the cancer had spread to his lung, his bones, his lymph nodes. They said an operation is off the table as there were too many areas affected, she said We asked them to be brutally honest - they said if the chemotherapy works, hell live for a couple of years. If it doesn't, well send him home and make him as comfortable as possible. The news was a shock for the couple, who have three young children under the age of eight. He had no major symptoms - he said he had a sore stomach, but it wasnt too bad. The doctors thought it was a gut infection. He wasnt in agony, and now its after spreading like wildfire, Rachel said. He's devastated, hes so upset that the kids might forget him. Leah (7) knows her daddy is very sick, that hes been in and out of hospital. We told her they were giving him strong medicine that may make his hair fall out and she was worried he would be bald for her birthday. Relatives of the couple have since started a fundraising page to raise money for the familys expenses while they are both out of work. A local barbershop, McIvor's Barbers in Tullamore has also decided to donate all of their takings next Saturday October 27 to the family. "We cant believe the support from the community, its been overwhelming and helping us get through," Rachel said. Were staying positive and not accepting the odds. Daniel is young, strong and doesnt smoke and we believe we have a fighting chance. Rachel's sister Aimee Nolan, who created the fundraising page, said Daniel will do anything to spend as much time as possible with his family and thanked the public for their help so far. "Daniel is a strong young man who will not give up this fight to easy and will do anything to get more time to spend with the four women in his life," the page reads. "As we all know trips to hospital are draining both emotionally and physically also financially. Obviously Daniel cannot work at this present time and his wife had to leave her job to care for Daniel and their three small children. "They would appreciate any support big or small you could offer to help pay for bills, travel expenses etc.. A big thank you to everyone who has helped so far, it doesnt go unnoticed." Historian Catherine Corless at the site of a mass grave for children who died in the Tuam mother and baby home. Photo: Niall Carson Catherine Corless stands beside the list of childrens' names at the Tuam Mother and Babies site after hearing the news of the exhumation Photo Andy Newman THE remains of hundreds of children feared buried in a mass grave at a former Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home are to be exhumed as part of a major forensic investigation. The measure was approved by the Cabinet today after it was recommended by Minister for Children Katherine Zappone. A significant quantity of human remains were discovered in underground chambers thought to have been used for the treatment of sewage waste water at the Catholic institution in Tuam, Co Galway. Ms Zappone said the Government had agreed to implement a multi-disciplinary framework, known as humanitarian forensic action, as the appropriate response to the discover of the remains of children there. The actions to be taken include: * A phased forensic investigation and recovery of the juvenile remains in so far as is possible; * The use of systematic on-site ground-truthing and test excavations to effectively locate potential burials; * The forensic analysis of any recovered remains and, where possible, individualisation and identification; * Arrangements for a respectful burial and memorialisation and the appropriate conservation of the site. She said the Governments decision was informed by detailed technical advice on international best practice and, most importantly, out of compassion for the rights and dignity for the children believed to be interred there. Expand Close The site of the mass grave at the Tuam mother and baby home. Picture: PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The site of the mass grave at the Tuam mother and baby home. Picture: PA The remains were found at the Tuam site by the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, vindicating painstaking research conducted by local historian Catherine Corless. Unmarried pregnant women were sent to the institution to give birth between 1925 and 1961. After giving birth they were separated from their child and required to do unpaid work in the home for a year. The children stayed until they were fostered, adopted or old enough to go to an industrial school. But Ms Corless discovered 796 juvenile deaths at the institution were registered where no burial location was recorded. In March of last year the commission reported that significant quantities of human remains had been discovered at the site. Ms Corless welcomed the announcement that the grave will be exhumed. We couldnt ask for more. We really couldnt, she said. Ms Corless told Independent.ie that the Government decision meant that a much wider area than just the sewage tank chambers would be investigated for remains. I have been adamant all along that there were burials in the surrounding area as well as in the tank, she said. They have decided to do test excavations there [in the surrounding area] to find out exactly where they are. I have been saying all along that they cant leave the rest of the burials. The Tuam Babies Family Group, made up of over 20 people who had relatives in the home, also welcomed the announcement. In a statement the group said: This is an exceptionally important decision and will pave the way for all the other mother and baby homes, and the lost children of Ireland. We want all of the children found, if they are not in the grave, where are they? All of the children must be found and we would like to see a full excavation of the entire site as we believe there are many graves in the area, not just at the site we have all come to know. We want to thank Minister Zappone and Professor Geoffrey Shannon, whose work on human rights has heavily influenced todays decision. We met with the Taoiseach last night, and we believe he showed empathy. We are very grateful for this decision. The lost children of Ireland deserve truth and recognition and dignity in their shameful deaths, which was no fault of their own. We hope this decision will bring peace to the families of these children. An international Expert Technical Group (ETG) report prepared for Ms Zappone said the situation in Tuam was unprecedented and that no comparable case could be identified either nationally or internationally. It found there were a number of factors which made it unique. These included the significant quantity of juvenile remains, the commingled or intermixed state of the remains, and the position of the remains within subsurface chambers, with limited access. The ETG report gave a menu of five options for the site, ranging from memorialisation with no further excavations to exhumation, forensic examination and further investigations. However, it cautioned that the complexities of the site could not be understated and outcomes may be more limited than expected. Ms Zappone said she wished to offer her solidarity and an apology to all of those affected. Every effort will be made to locate the juvenile remains at the site. She said these were lost children, lost sisters and lost brothers and there was a need to respond with empathy and compassion to those who have been previously ignored. The minister said it was one of the dark chapters of Irelands history and steps must be taken to ensure something like it can never happen again. Ms Zappone said the project to exhume and identify the remains is expected to cost between 6m and 13m. She said the Bon Secours Sisters had offered a voluntary contribution of 2.5m towards this. The offer has been accepted in principle by the Government, but Ms Zappone stressed it was not a settlement and not an indemnity of any type. Denial: David McCourts spokesperson said no canvassing or lobbying has taken place in connection with the NBP Contacts involving David McCourt, whose company is leading the last remaining National Broadband Plan (NBP) bid, and politicians and officials have been recorded on the lobbying register eight times. Denis Naughten resigned as communications minister amid the controversy over his meetings and dinners with Mr McCourt. There were Opposition claims in the Dail that the Irish-American businessman had been lobbying and the NBP process has been contaminated. Mr Naughten has rejected suggestions the project has been compromised, while Mr McCourt has denied lobbying. The returns to the Register of Lobbying mentioning Mr McCourt were made over the last two years by Enet, a company that has been involved in the NBP bid. Five of the contacts relate to the State-owned Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) infrastructure, which is managed by Enet. Three of the Enet returns listing Mr McCourt relate to the NBP. Department officials Mr McCourt was in contact with at various times include secretary general Mark Griffin. Enet lists a number of meetings at the beginning of 2018 on the topic of the NBP. Mr Naughten, Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley and Fianna Fail's Timmy Dooley are named as politicians Mr McCourt met at the time. The intended result is listed as giving an update on the consortium's participation in the NBP and to outline its "ongoing commitment and capacity to deliver the project". Earlier this month, Mr Stanley criticised Mr Naughten in the Dail saying: "He [Mr McCourt] sought a meeting with me this week but I refused." The Irish Independent challenged him on why he made this argument given his own meeting with the businessman earlier this year. Sinn Fein said the issue isn't with politicians meeting Mr McCourt, rather "it is with the minister who is charged with overseeing the tendering process meeting with one of the main bidders". A spokesperson for Mr McCourt's company, Granahan McCourt, said certain meetings were registered "as a precautionary measure". "Generally speaking, none of the meetings discussed any 'relevant matter' - as defined in the Lobbying Act - and were not registrable," he said. "Mr McCourt has not canvassed or lobbied in connection with the MANs or NBP." The Department of Communications said contact with Enet would be expected in relation to the MANs as it manages the network. It said that the tender process for the NBP is in the form of a competitive dialogue that requires "extensive engagement between bidders and the department". Junior Business Minister Pat Breen is under growing pressure to provide more details of his meetings with businessman David McCourt to the Dail. The Labour Party is demanding that he appear before TDs to outline the reasons for the meetings. Mr Breen got dragged into the controversy over the National Broadband Plan (NBP) after it emerged he had invited then-communications minister Denis Naughten to a dinner in Mr McCourt's Irish home last year. Mr Breen said that to his knowledge the NBP was not discussed. Mr McCourt's company Granahan McCourt leads the last remaining NBP bid. Mr Naughten resigned amid criticism of his meetings with McCourt. Mr Breen subsequently revealed he also had three meetings with Mr McCourt, including a breakfast meeting in October 2016. Labour TD Sean Sherlock said Mr Breen must make "a clear statement to the Dail, outlining the purposes of all these meetings, and the topics of discussions". Meanwhile, Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy has lodged a complaint with the Ceann Comhairle's office accusing Mr Breen's office of refusing to answer questions on the meetings within time-lines set out in Dail rules. She said this was "simply not acceptable and is a highly unusual occurrence". Last night, a Department of Business spokesperson said it had apologised to Ms Murphy for the delay, which it said occurred due to an "administrative oversight", and a reply was sent yesterday. Mr Breen has previously pointed out that he has no role in the NBP, its rollout or its procurement. Line up: The Presidential candidates with Pat Kenny (centre) for the TV debate on Wednesday. Photo: Brian McEvoy President of Ireland is a pretty powerless position, but it is not wise to write it off as entirely ineffectual. The election, role and powers of the president are dealt with in a small number of articles in the Constitution. These amount to about a dozen pages. The president has formal constitutional powers, a small number of ceremonial roles and has reasonable scope to exert soft power. 1. Dail The president dissolves the Dail on the advice of the Taoiseach - but there is one circumstance in which the president has a powerful say. When a Taoiseach loses the confidence of the Dail, the president has absolute discretion as to whether a dissolution is granted. In the rare circumstances when this arises, the political judgement of the president is crucial in determining whether an election is needed or whether an alternative government might be possible. Ireland has had coalitions for decades and it looks like minority government could be the new normal, so this is a power that is likely to come into play more frequently. It is one of the reasons why a deep understanding of politics is an important pre-requisite. 2. Legislation The president is responsible for signing bills that pass through the Dail and the Seanad into law. If a president considers that a bill is not compatible with the Constitution, following consultation with the Council of State, they may refer it to the Supreme Court. There are important limits to this power. First, bills to amend the Constitution and budget matters are exempt. Second, it applies only where a president believes that there might be a constitutional problem. Disagreeing with or disliking a bill are not grounds for referring it to the Supreme Court. And there is a sting in the tail that might inspire caution: if the bill is deemed constitutional, it cannot be challenged in the courts again. 3. Addresses Following consultation with the Council of State, the president may address the Houses of the Oireachtas. Eamon de Valera, Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese all did this. Presidents may also address the nation. When the Constitution was being drafted, they were probably thinking about radio, but there is nothing to stop any president using social media. But, an important caveat is included in the Constitution, all such communications must be approved by the government. This is a crucial point and no doubt intended to ensure the State does not have a president and government in regular, public dispute. 4. Mediation There are also a couple of powers that have never been used and are unlikely to be invoked. The president has a role in mediating disputes between the Dail and the Seanad and a role in referring a bill to the people by way of an ordinary referendum. 5. Ceremonial roles The ceremonial roles of the president include appointing the Taoiseach following his nomination by the Dail and formally appoints all ministers, presenting them with their seal of office. The president receives the credentials of all ambassadors and has the formidable-sounding power of supreme command of the Defence Forces. However, the next sentence in the Constitution makes clear that this "supreme" power is regulated by law. There are also potent constitutional restrictions, including that the president cannot leave the State without the consent of the government. There is absolutely no question of any president leading either a military or diplomatic campaign that has not been sanctioned by the government. 6. Soft powers Presidents do have considerable soft powers and indeed as the office holders have become more active and media coverage of the presidency more extensive, these powers have come to be very influential. The president can become patron of charities, discuss social and cultural causes, attend events and receive guests at Aras an Uachtarain. These allow a president to pursue important issues and promote values and attitudes. Presidential patronage can be a powerful support in advancing a cause or agenda. Dr Theresa Reidy is a political scientist at University College Cork In a significant u-turn in the final days of his campaign, Sean Gallagher has said he will participate in all remaining debates. Previously he ruled out taking part if all candidates were not appearing. Incumbent Michael D Higgins will not attend the final debate on Wednesday night on Virgin Media One. In a video on Twitter Mr Gallagher attributed his change of heart to feedback from the electorate. Following our national canvass weekend we have received thousands of messages of support. I am very grateful for this support and having listened to all your comments I can confirm that I am taking part in all the remaining debates. #TimeforChange #Aras18 #sean4president pic.twitter.com/54uU2uG0yd Sean Gallagher (@seangallagher1) October 23, 2018 "This election will be decided in the coming days. I have heard your overwhelming feedback and I will indeed be participating in the remaining debates," he said, adding that questions remain over spending in the Aras. In his video Mr Gallagher says: "Questions continue to emerge about extravagant use of taxpayers money in the office of the President: the use of the Lear Jet to Belfast, expensive 3,000 a night rooms in Geneva - questions that remain unanswered. That demonstrates more than ever the need for change." Previously the Irish Independent reported that the president stayed in a luxury hotel where rooms cost up to 3,000 a night. Mr Higgins has said that he does not make travel arrangements for his trips abroad and pointed out that he has never requested a specific hotel. The issue of Aras spending and transparency around the use of public funds in the office of the President has emerged as a key issue throughout the presidential election, with challengers to Michael D Higgins questioning the way in which money was spent. Mr Higgins has said his use of the Government Jet to fly from Dublin to Belfast to deliver a lecture was based on the advice of his office. Earlier Taoiseach Leo Varadkar defended President Michael D Higgins use of the Government jet claiming that the added costs for when its used for official travel are "actually very small" and was often used as a means of fitting in more functions. Meanwhile, Labour party politicians who are canvassing for the re-election of their former party member branded questions over spending a "distraction". Limerick TD Jan OSullivan said: "Michael D has explained the situation with regard to the use of the jet and Michael D went to Northern Ireland on many, many occasions and on this one occasion, as he has said, for security and logistical reasons he used the Government jet. That is the explanation. "I think this is really about very desperate other candidates who are trying to punch a hole in the success of Michael Ds campaign," she said, Among the public there is very clear confidence in the incumbent, she said. When asked why the taxpayer should not be able to see the travel logs for presidential use of the jet, when the travel logs for the Taoiseach and government ministers are available she said: "I presume there are security reasons for that." Senator Ged Nash said that the message the party are getting back is that people believe that he is best placed to do the job of president. "People have warmed to his generosity, his ideas, this is a campaign about ideas and unfortunately some of the remarks weve seen from some of Michael Ds opponents in recent days really are revealing in terms of the imagination and ideas they have. Its kind of sad that the campaign has been brought to this level." A spokesperson for Mr Higgins' campaign said: "The President set out his intentions to do one TV debate with each of the two national TV stations hosting debates some weeks ago. There is no intention to alter the arrangements." All six candidates will take part in the debate on RTE One tonight at 9.45pm. President Higgins has changed his story as to why he flew to Belfast last May to give a lecture at Queens University. Photo: Tony Gavin President Michael D Higgins is to face more questions over a culture of "extravagance" in Aras an Uachtarain after shifting the blame for flying to Belfast from the PSNI to his own officials. As the election race enters its final days, the five challengers will focus heavily on Mr Higgins's use of public funds while in office. Already, Mr Higgins has changed his story as to why he flew to Belfast last May to give a lecture at Queen's University. Last week, he indicated that the decision was made on foot of consultations with the PSNI, which was not in a position to provide security for him to travel by road. However, he has now said the Government jet, which costs 4,000 an hour to operate, was called on because of advice from his own officials. "I have visited Northern Ireland many times in the last seven years and I take the advice from my office and my office judges these trips in terms of... the considerations they take into account are logistics and security," he said. The President was asked on three occasions to clarify on what basis the jet was deemed necessary but refused to answer. "No, I've answered the question. I really don't ... quite frankly to say, now and in the future, I am very happy to accept the advice of my office, they balance the issue, their considerations are ones of logistic and security," Mr Higgins said. The President added that he was "very happy with the official PSNI statement" which said it could not comment on the security arrangements made for individuals. However, PSNI sources separately told the BBC there was anger at the suggestion that the force did not have sufficient resources to provide a police escort. Another source said: "It would be inconceivable that the President of Ireland would not have been afforded security if it had been requested." Questions over the use of the jet are likely to feature in the final televised debate tonight. Businessman Gavin Duffy said extravagance "seems to be embedded in the culture of Aras an Uachtarain". He said the use of the jet and an unaudited 317,000 fund for the Aras "are starting to register with people". "We don't know what the money is being spent on," he said. Asked whether there was any hope of unseating Mr Higgins on Friday, the 'Dragons' Den' investor admitted it would take something "seismic". Ahead of the RTE debate, Sinn Fein's candidate Liadh Ni Riada has written to Mr Higgins asking that he explain the "huge public expense to fly within the island of Ireland, to places like Belfast and Kerry". "It is my strong view that discussing these issues publicly is the only means left to reassure our citizens that public finances are being properly used, particularly at a time of huge difficulties for many families," she said. However, Joan Freeman has appealed for candidates to move back to debating their vision for the presidency. The senator said she and the other candidates "keep getting dragged into all the controversies - whether it's Peter Casey or Michael D Higgins". At the same time, Ms Freeman predicted that Mr Higgins would have to provide more details on his use of taxpayers' cash at tonight's debate. Asked whether the media had been lenient with Mr Higgins, she replied: "Probably there's this element of respect there but the thing is, it eventually will come out how it has been spent." Worried: Marie Ryan and her daughter Karen are struggling to find a landlord that will accept the HAP. Photo: Mark Condren A cancer survivor who will be evicted from her home just two days before Christmas fears she will be left homeless due to the reluctance of landlords to accept the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). Marie Ryan (63), from Malahide, Co Dublin, has been renting her home for the past two years and regularly cares for her daughter Karen, who has special needs. However, her world turned upside down earlier this year when her landlord issued her with an eviction notice for December 23. Ms Ryan has found it so difficult to find an alternative home that she's stopped telling landlords that she is entitled to HAP. "I honestly never thought I'd be in this situation," she told the Herald. "Everything was going so well with my landlord and I thought he'd be thrilled to know I was entitled to HAP," Ms Ryan said. "However, they were pressuring him to commit to another two years in my lease, which he wasn't prepared to do. "I then got notice that he wanted his place back for his own personal use by December 23. I was shocked." Ms Ryan, who looks after her daughter at weekends, added that she required a home which is suitable for Karen's special needs. Because of this, the pressure to find an alternative dwelling has vastly increased. "I've been looking for a place to live for months now but I've had no luck at all," she said. "There was one house that I was very interested in and when I went to enquire about it the girl on the phone asked me if I was on any entitlements. "When I told her I was on HAP, she replied that it wasn't available to me, but suggested a cheaper place in Holywell which wasn't suitable at all. "I found out very quickly that landlords aren't accepting people on HAP. "I've even stopped mentioning it and had more luck getting replies and viewings." The mother-of-three is also on the Fingal housing list but, so far, it has been unable to find her an adequate property for her and her daughter. "Time is running out for me and I honestly fear I'll become homeless if I can't find another place to live," she said. "There is a huge discrimination towards people on HAP and I really think the Government should take more measures to ensure people like myself get more support." Some 6,000 affordable homes were announced in Budget 2019 for couples earning up to 75,000, with 2.3bn going into housing overall - an increase of 470m. A further 60m will go into emergency accommodation, with an additional 121m for HAP expected to create 16,760 tenancies. Homelessness charity the Peter McVerry Trust welcomed the changes, saying it was "delighted" with the measures. Since about four weeks ago when James Aylward announced that he would be resigning as leader of the Progressive Conservative Party,there have been no official announcements as to which candidates would be stepping forward to contest for the partys leadership. However,there have been ample speculations on the issue. The Guardian, confirms that at least five candidates have shown an interest in running for the position. The possible candidates are: Kevin Arsenault Allan Dale Dennis King Sarah Stewart-Clark Bloyce Thompson Dennis King King started his career as a journalist with various Island media outlets, which include the Eastern Graphic, the Guardian and CFCY/Magic 93. He served for almost 10 years in various roles with the Pat Binns' government, where he handled such posts as Public Relations Coordinator with the Department of Transportation and Public Works. He also served as the Director of Communications for the Department of Development and Technology to Director of Communications and Executive Assistant to the Premier. He told The Guardian that he is thinking about running, due to pressure from people. He said several hundred people have asked him to run "People are encouraging me to run but it's not moved much beyond that," King told The Guardian. "If that many people are thinking I should think about it, perhaps I owe it to them to think about it," King said. "I'm a long way from a decision." Sarah Stewart-Clark She is employed as an associate professor at the faculty of agriculture at Dalhousie University. Her research program aims at helping Maritime oyster and mussel sectors get ready for climate change. She had earlier been nominated in July, as the PC candidate in Charlottetown-Hillsborough Park. Stewart-Clark has openly declared her intention of running for the party's leadership. Seeking the leadership is something I'm giving serious consideration to due to the number of Islanders who are asking me to be their voice, She told the Guardian, Now more than ever, Islanders are seeking leaders with integrity and whose motivations are to truly serve in the best interests of all Islanders. Allan Dale Dale, a retired Navy officer, describes himself as a Connector with solid judgement, plenty of experience, and good perspective.He suggested to the Guardian, that he was consulting with family and colleagues about running for the position. "I'm just looking at what's happening, looking at the landscape, putting that into the context of what's happening in P.E.I., but I certainly haven't declared anything yet," Dale said. "[Im] certainly watching what's coming with some interest." Bloyce Thompson Thompson who is a Frenchfort dairy farmer said some individuals in the farming community had been approaching him about running for the open position. He, however, failed to confirm if he was considering running. Probably still premature to say Im considering, he said in an email to The Guardian. Kevin J. Arsenault Arsenault, unlike most of the other likely candidates, openly confirmed to the Guardian that he would be vying for the position of party leader. "I am all in in terms of the intent at this point, but I'll have to go through the process and ultimately be confirmed by the search committee of the PC Party," Arsenault said. He says he intends to use the position to fight against government corruption if elected. "People are hungry for a government and a leader of a party that will put an end to government corruption, said Arsenault. I intend to do that. We moved into our new home on Christmas Eve 2006. It was a new beginning for us. We wanted to live in the countryside but close to my hometown Moville and to develop an organic garden. We were all full of hope that this was to be a new, healthy and exciting move. We put a lot of work into making this newly built house our home. We were blessed with the arrival of our fourth child in June 2007, but unfortunately around this time we noticed large cracks on the outside of the house. I knew it wasn't normal. The builder got an engineer in to take a look and he told us it was nothing to worry about, that it was natural subsidence. I knew it wasn't. The scale of the cracks' opening was dramatic. But after further tests and reports over a period of time, the engineer signed off that the house was perfect. A number of years later, an article in a local newspaper by a structural engineer raised my concerns again. He visited us and told us there was a real issue, not only with our house, but with lots of other houses in Donegal. It was because of blocks that were not fit for purpose due to the high content of muscovite mica in them. The house had been continually getting worse. It was categorised as a code red - the most severe indicator of structural damage - and our hearts sank with this news. It got worse as we soon realised that this issue was not covered by insurance or building warranty. We simply couldn't understand that having paid all the professionals, nobody was responsible. I started getting in contact with other people and we found out it was a story. I was selected as the chairman of the newly formed Mica Action Group. I took this role very seriously and worked tirelessly to seek a redress scheme for all homeowners that were affected. I took responsibility and led the way in exposing this issue in the media. I became completely absorbed and obsessed with it and did as much research on it as I could. Like many homeowners, my own health started to deteriorate. This was brought on by my fear that our house was becoming structurally unsafe to live in. The choice was either to expose my family to this potential risk or leave our home. I was also becoming more and more concerned about our livelihood. I'd spent a couple of years developing an idea for a seaweed cafe, which I had secured planning permission for. This now all stopped as the house was valueless - it was the collateral to develop the business. My wife Trish and I became increasingly worried we had no safety net for our children Realtin (19), Niamh (17), Oisin (14) and Cahir (11). By 2014 it was so bad that I could fit my fingers into cracks in my bedroom walls. I remember the night of a big storm in Moville - it actually made the national news - I didn't sleep. I thought as a father "is this house safe?". I couldn't cope in it anymore. By now, nobody would sign off and say "this house is structurally safe". There was also lateral movement in the house where the walls were literally pulling away. There was a risk of imminent collapse. We had no option but to get out. We moved out in November 2014. It was absolutely traumatic. I felt, as a father, I'd let the kids down. I told them I'd go to the media and sort this out. The Government had just kept kicking the problem down the road. I had exposed my children's home. It was in the papers and everybody knew about their house. As a father, you want to be the person who fixes things. I felt I wasn't fixing things. Three months after we moved out, my wife Trish was in a car accident with our daughter Niamh. After that, I decided life was more important. I'd been lucky: my wife is still here and my daughter is still here. I had to take a step back from the Mica Action Group because I was losing confidence in their approach. The impact of the crash has had a huge impact on our lives. A year later, my wife - who's a teacher - had to stop work and hasn't been able to return. Our problems multiplied. We were renting a house eight miles out of town. Our medical bills began to escalate beyond our means. The bank wouldn't engage with me. The only route for us was to apply for bankruptcy in 2016. We were at rock bottom. The Government has only now approved a redress scheme for homes affected by mica, which I am genuinely delighted about. However, I want the Government to tell us as a family - who have been left with nothing financially and been made homeless - will we receive any help or compensation? Last year, I won a National Heritage Award for a project I did on fishermen who fished salmon on Lough Foyle. I said in my acceptance speech that I couldn't give up on my dream to develop a tourism and education project based on seaweed called Wild Strands. Earlier this year, I also secured European FLAG funding to develop my ideas further. Three weeks ago, I opened a cafe at Malin Head Community Centre - it's called Wild Strands Caife. I've been able to set up purely with the help of friends and the goodwill of the people of Malin Head. Without their help, support and generosity, this would not have been possible. Words can't actually express the stress of everything our family has had to go through. I'd like to think if I can keep the cafe going I can show people you can be resilient and there's a great community out there. Reach out and genuine people will come and have your back. I want to turn this nightmare around. If I end up with nothing, I want people to realise that the nothing I have is worth more than what a lot of people have. It's worth a hell of a lot more. I want to explore and showcase Irish food. I'm an expert in how to use seaweed. Nearly all of the stuff in the cafe is organic. If it's not organic, it's local and it's seasonal. I need to somehow give back to the friends that have helped me. I want to tell a bit of my story to inspire others not to give up. In conversation with Kathy Donaghy "In every sample investigated, scientists discovered tiny particles of up to nine different types of plastic." (Lynne Cameron/PA) A study of human poo from around the world has found evidence of microscopic plastic particles swallowed in food. In every sample investigated, scientists discovered tiny particles of up to nine different types of plastic. Plastic in the gut could suppress the immune system and aid transmission of toxins and harmful bugs or viruses, experts believe. Lead researcher Dr Philipp Schwabi, from the Medical University of Vienna in Austria, said: "Of particular concern is what this means to us, and especially patients with gastrointestinal diseases. "While the highest plastic concentrations in animal studies have been found in the gut, the smallest microplastic particles are capable of entering the blood stream, lymphatic system and may even reach the liver. "Now that we have first evidence for microplastics inside humans, we need further research to understand what this means for human health." The pilot study recruited eight participants from the UK, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia and Austria. Each person kept a food diary for a week before having their stools samples. The diaries showed that every participant was exposed to plastic by consuming plastic-wrapped food or drinking from plastic bottles. None were vegetarians, and six ate sea fish. Particles between 50 and 500 micrometres across of up to nine different plastics were found, the most common being polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). On average, the scientists found 20 microplastic particles in every 10 grams of stool. It is estimated up to 5% of all plastics produced end up in the sea. Once in the oceans, plastics are consumed by sea animals and move up the food chain. Significant amounts of plastic have been detected in tuna, lobster and shrimp. Food is also likely to be contaminated with plastic as a result of processing or packaging, say the researchers whose findings were presented at UEG Week, the largest meeting of gastroenetrology experts in Europe. Environmental expert Professor Alistair Boxall, from the University of York, said: "I'm not at all surprised or particularly worried by these findings. Microplastics have been found in tap water, bottled water, fish and mussel tissue and even in beer. "We will also be exposed to particles from house dust, food packaging materials and the use of plastic bottles. It's therefore inevitable that at least some of these things will get into our lungs and digestive systems." Action on Salt said some veggie burgers contain on average more salt than meat burgers. (Stock image) Many processed meat-free alternatives, seen by some as a "healthier" option, are exceeding maximum recommended salt levels, with some being saltier than seawater, a campaign group has warned. Action on Salt said that meat-free burgers contain on average more salt than real meat burgers. Beef burgers tested by Action on Salt, the expert group based at Queen Mary University of London, had an average salt content per serving of 0.75g, lower than that of meat free burgers at 0.89g. Meanwhile, many other products are exceeding maximum salt targets, it said. The campaign group has called for action from Public Health England (PHE) to address its concerns over meat-free products. It said that one in five of the products it tested do not have any front of pack colour-coded labelling. Action on Salt said processed meat alternatives, including meat free burgers, sausages and mince, are "concealing" high levels of salt after analysing information on 157 meat alternative products. It said the saltiest products in the survey - Tofurky's Deli Slices Hickory Smoked and Tesco's Meat Free 8 Bacon Style Rashers - both contain much more salt per 100g than seawater. There were large variations between products in the same category, it said. For instance, experts found an 83% difference between the saltiest and least salty meat-free mince products. "The food industry have ensured greater availability of meat-free alternatives, but now they must do more to ensure that meat free alternatives contain far less salt - at the very least lower than their meat equivalents," said Action on Salt nutritionist Mhairi Brown. "This survey drives home the urgent need for Public Health England to reinvigorate the UK's salt reduction strategy." Graham MacGregor, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Queen Mary University of London and chairman of the campaign group, added: "Reducing salt is the most cost-effective measure to reduce the number of people dying or suffering from entirely unnecessary strokes and heart disease. "Given the vast amounts of strokes and heart disease that could be avoided and huge savings to the NHS, it is incomprehensible that Public Health England are not doing more to reduce the amount of salt in our food. We are again calling on PHE to take urgent action." Professor Louis Levy, head of nutrition science at PHE, said: "Our salt consumption has decreased over the last decade but there is still a long way to go, as some foods still contain too much salt. "Government has been clear with the food industry on the importance of meeting the 2017 salt targets. Since taking over salt reduction, PHE has been collecting data on industry's progress and we'll report later this year as planned." Marian Power had to travel to the US to find out about the illness PBC. She now works to raise awareness here. Photo: Damien Eagers Marian Power had to travel to the US to find out about the illness PBC. She now works to raise awareness here. Photo: Damien Eagers Feeling tired is part and parcel of the modern world - our lives are so full and busy that we constantly feel exhausted and often long for nothing more than a good night's sleep. So when Marian Power complained of feeling tired in her mid-forties, neither she nor anyone else thought twice about it. But she seemed to be more exhausted than her friends and family and no matter how much rest she got, never felt refreshed and to make matters worse, also began to suffer from joint pain and feel very run down all the time. On a hospital visit, a doctor mentioned that her liver function was very high and after running further tests, discovered that she was suffering from a very rare condition called Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC). "I had been suffering from endometriosis and was in hospital for treatment when a doctor told me that my liver function was off the scale," says the 64 year old. "I said I was always tired and went to bed by 8pm every evening and often would need a nap as soon as I came in the door from work - I literally seemed to do nothing else but work and sleep. I knew something wasn't right, but whenever I told someone that I was tired, they said they were too, so I thought maybe it was just something everyone went through to a degree. "The hepatologist said my liver function was off the wall and after doing some blood tests told me I had PBC. I didn't have a clue what it was and was offered no information at all so I had to go to the library to do some research. I actually found out very little apart from the fact that life expectancy was just five years, which needless to say was very depressing." Marian, who is married to Philp, was determined to find out more about her condition and eventually travelled to the US where she discovered all she needed to know about the illness which would rule her life. "I got no support initially so I changed hospitals, but they also knew very little about PBC," she says. "We had only just got a computer so I did whatever bit of research I could and then discovered there was a conference taking place in Las Vegas in 2000, so I told Philp that we were going to America for our holidays and booked a place at the event. "This was really helpful as I learned all the facts and figures I needed and the speakers were all very approachable. I also discovered the PBC Foundation in the UK which helped with information and support, but it was upsetting to learn there isn't any cure for the condition. I was put on Urso, a daily tablet for life, which helps to slow down the progression and while this was some comfort, I realised that I would have to learn to live with this for the rest of my life." The Dublin woman, who used to work in pharmaceutical sales, also suffers from fibromyalgia, osteoporosis and has an under active thyroid - so had to give up work because of the debilitating nature of her illness. "Since my diagnosis, nothing has really changed apart from the fact that I've had to give up work so my life is fairly limited," she says. "I suppose my social life suffers the most as I am always too tired to do anything. If I have a wedding or something coming up, I'll have to rest for a few days beforehand and on the day itself, will have to have naps throughout. I put on a good front and for the most part, people wouldn't be aware if they didn't know me as it's not something you can see just by looking at someone. So I tend to hide it from people as much as I can - only Philip really sees how much of a toll it's taking on me as there are some days even the thought of a shower is too exhausting. "Also, another side effect of PBC is itching and there are times where it can drive you mad - I know people whose skin is raw from scratching themselves, often with a brush or something hard, and this can be very distressing." Due to the rare nature of the condition, there was no support available in Ireland so Marian volunteered to hold monthly meetings on behalf of the PBC foundation and to put up notices in hospitals and GP surgeries to raise awareness and offer support to other sufferers. There are currently about 90 members in Dublin, a similar number in Cork and more dotted around the country, but there are no official figures so many people may still be undiagnosed. Marian says while symptoms can be vague, anyone who is concerned should visit their GP and ask for tests to be carried out. "Tiredness and aching joints are something many of us just brush aside," she says. "But if they persist or worsen, I would advise people to seek advice from their doctor. The GP won't be able to diagnose PBC as it isn't widely known about, but anyone who is worried should pursue it as a hepatologist can do an AMA (Antimitochondrial Antibody) test which is 95pc accurate. We have a monthly meeting in Brooks Hotel, Drury St, Dublin 2 at 12 noon on the second Saturday of every month where people can get advice and support from others - it may be a rare condition but it is important for people to know that they are not alone." What is PBC? Move over, gin the new on-trend tipple is apple cider vinegar Move over, gin - the new on-trend tipple is apple cider vinegar. Hollywood stars such as Jennifer Aniston, Katy Perry and Miranda Kerr have long touted its benefits. Now, apple cider vinegar sales are booming here. Many believe taking a shot of apple cider vinegar containing "the mother", which is a colony of bacteria - diluted in water, salad or tea - helps alleviate cold symptoms, arthritis symptoms and skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Nourish health food shop says has seen a 240pc increase in demand in the last two years. Tesco has seen "at least double-digit growth for the product since last year," a spokesperson said. Supervalu says sales have increased 20-fold in three years. Paddy Curran, Supervalu's buyer for health and wellness said: "We've gone from stocking one brand to stocking five brands." However, Sarah Keogh, a Dublin-based nutritionist, says that, scientifically speaking, studies have not yet proved the health claims. "It serves its purpose as a popular natural remedy, but there are no studies supporting any of the claims," she said. "If you're taking it and you feel better on it, great, but from a professional point of view, a lot of the studies don't prove the claims that are made." The largest spa in Ireland is coming to Longford following a 10m investment by the Center Parcs group. The company will open its new holiday village near Ballymahon next summer. Today it is announcing the new spa facility called Aqua Sana, which when completed will be the biggest in Ireland, measuring more than 2,500 square metres. Guests will be able to enjoy 14 treatment rooms, as well as a large number of other spa experiences. There are already Aqua Sana spas in Center Parc's British resorts, which offer massages, facials, body pampering and a selection of treatments just for men. The group has also confirmed that Irish beauty brand Voya has been selected as a supplier for the spa, as well was UK brand Elemis. Expand Close Lap of luxury: The Aqua Sana spa in Center Parcs in Longford will offer 14 treatment rooms, as well as a large number of other spa experiences / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lap of luxury: The Aqua Sana spa in Center Parcs in Longford will offer 14 treatment rooms, as well as a large number of other spa experiences Announcing the investment and welcoming Voya on board, Kay Pennington, Aqua Sana group spa manager, said that the company was "excited" to be introducing Aqua Sana to Ireland in 2019. "We are thrilled to announce Voya and Elemis as the Aqua Sana spa suppliers for Center Parcs Longford Forest. "Aqua Sana will offer a variety of treatments and we know that Voya and Elemis are the ideal beauty brands to provide our guests with the best possible spa experience," Ms Pennington said. When it opens next year, the Longford Forest resort will include 466 lodges and 30 apartments that will accommodate up to 2,500 guests. Expand Close Lap of luxury: The Aqua Sana spa in Center Parcs in Longford will offer 14 treatment rooms, as well as a large number of other spa experiences / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lap of luxury: The Aqua Sana spa in Center Parcs in Longford will offer 14 treatment rooms, as well as a large number of other spa experiences Kira Walton, Voya founder, said the group was "delighted" that it had been chosen as a partner to Aqua Sana Ireland. "We have worked with Aqua Sana since 2017 and we know how committed they are to providing guests with a best-in-class experience," Ms Walton said. Founded in the Netherlands over 50 years ago, Center Parcs Group offers holiday breaks in a number of locations around Europe, including Germany, Britain, Belgium, France, and its native Netherlands. The Center Parcs Longford Forest resort is the group's first foray into the Irish market. In 2015 Center Parcs UK, under whose management the Irish resort falls, was acquired by commercial real estate company Brookfield Property Partners. Last week the group started its recruitment drive for the 1,000 roles at the resort, and had a turn-out of over 4,000 people. The aim is to fill a diverse variety of jobs at the sprawling 233m complex which includes lodges, apartments, a subtropical swimming pool and a range of shops and restaurants to cater for the 2,500 guests. The Longford Forest resort in Ballymahon has been likened to "a new city for the midlands" by local TD and Minister for the OPW, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran. Local lollipop man, David Mitchell from St. Andrews National School, Asbourne, Co.Meath with Twins Conor and Tara Ocks - the first children to try out the cars featured at the Nissan Driving School at Tayto Park, when it launched this year. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland. Roe and Co taps into the booming popularity of the tipple (Diageo/PA) Lonely Planet has named Dublin's forthcoming Roe & Co Distillery among the 10 best new openings in the world for 2019. The 25 million distillery and visitor centre, backed by Diageo and named after legendary Irish distiller, George Roe, will open next April at the former Guinness Power Station on James's Street. Lonely Planet's 'Best in Travel' is an annual collection of the top travel destinations, trends, journeys and experiences for the year ahead. The recognition comes at a heady time for Irish whiskey and whiskey tourism, with Teeling's Distillery, the Pearse Lyons Distillery and the newly rebooted Jameson Distillery Bow St. all within walking distance of the venture. Expand Close Roe and Co taps into the booming popularity of the tipple (Diageo/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Roe and Co taps into the booming popularity of the tipple (Diageo/PA) Theres no better indication that Irish whiskey is back in fashion than the fact that drinks giant Diageo, which owns Guinness, has got in on the act, Lonely Planet says. The travel publisher's list of Top 10 new openings for 2019 is topped by the Academy Museum in LA, followed by Dubai's Museum of the Future. Lonely Planet's Top 10 New Openings 2019 Academy Museum, Los Angeles, USA The Museum of the Future, Dubai, UAE Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory, Australia Bangkok Observation Tower, Thailand Statue of Liberty Museum, New York, USA Commercial Space Flights, varied locations Roe & Co Distillery, Dublin, Ireland Taman Tugu Park, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Solar Eclipse Tours. Argentina and Chile The Climate House, Oslo, Norway In other lists, Sri Lanka is named the No.1 country to visit in 2019, followed by Germany and Zimbabwe, while Copenhagen takes the title of Top City, ahead of Shenzhen in China and Novi Sad in Serbia. Expand Close Local lollipop man, David Mitchell from St. Andrews National School, Asbourne, Co.Meath with Twins Conor and Tara Ocks - the first children to try out the cars featured at the Nissan Driving School at Tayto Park, when it launched this year. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Local lollipop man, David Mitchell from St. Andrews National School, Asbourne, Co.Meath with Twins Conor and Tara Ocks - the first children to try out the cars featured at the Nissan Driving School at Tayto Park, when it launched this year. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland. Lonely Planet has also given a nod to Tayto Parks new 'driving school' as one of the world's best new attractions for kids in the coming year. The school, already open at the Co Meath theme park, is a partnership with Nissan that gives kids the chance to learn the rules of the road and test their driving skills on a 1,000m2 track in battery-operated mini-cars. The Asbourne attraction features alongside new openings like Lego House in Billund, Denmark and Disney's soon-to-open Star Wars Galaxys Edge. Lonely Planet's 10 Best New Attractions for Kids 2019 Lego House, Billund, Denmark Live Wire Park, Victoria, Australia Sports Legends Experience, Indianapolis, USA Kidzania, Doha, Qatar Dippy on Tour, around the UK Monopoly Mansion, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sloth Preserve, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica Driving School, Tayto Park, Ireland Star Wars Galaxys Edge, Disney (California & Florida) Bear Grylls Adventure, Birmingham, UK Earlier this year, Lonely Planet listed "Irish stew and a pint of the black stuff" at No. 47 on a list of the world's Top 500 food experiences. See more at lonelyplanet.com/bestintravel. Watch more: Wastewater from the country's two biggest cities is failing to meet treatment standards, damaging the environment and posing a health and safety risk. And the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says raw sewage from the equivalent of 88,000 people living in 38 towns and villages continues to flow into waters every day. Despite a "legacy of under- investment" and the State facing legal action from the European Commission for failing to meet mandatory standards, the EPA says improvements are not happening at a fast enough pace. "It is unacceptable that, 13 years after the final deadline to comply with treatment standards, there are still large towns and cities discharging inadequately treated sewage that fails to meet these standards," director of the EPA's office of environmental enforcement Dr Tom Ryan said. "This is putting our health at risk and is having an impact on our rivers, lakes and coastal waters." The Urban Wastewater Treatment in 2017 report shows that wastewater generated in 28 large towns and cities - which accounts for more than half of the total sewage collected - failed to meet mandatory standards. These areas include Dublin, Cork, Arklow and Tralee. Expand Close Environment: Upgrades are required to protect four beaches across the State. Photo: Tony Gavin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Environment: Upgrades are required to protect four beaches across the State. Photo: Tony Gavin Ireland was supposed to comply with the required standards by 2005, and is currently before the EU Court of Justice for breaching these requirements. Some 38 towns and villages are also discharging raw sewage, including Roundstone and Spiddal in Co Galway, Kilmore Quay in Co Waterford, Falcarragh in Co Donegal and Castletownbere in Co Cork. Irish Water has been prosecuted for delays in providing treatment in six of the 38 areas. In another 57 locations, wastewater discharges are the only environmental threat to rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Upgrades are required to protect four beaches across the State, including Clifden in Co Galway and Merrion Strand, Loughshinny and Sandymount Strand in Co Dublin. There are also risks to freshwater pearl mussels and shellfish habitats, while 13 sewer networks also need to be upgraded. The report says that Irish Water has made progress in reducing the number of priority areas where treatment needs to improve, down from 148 to 132. In addition, the number of areas not meeting the EU directive fell to 28 from 40, while investment in upgraded and new treatment plants is yielding results. But the EPA said a "substantial increase" in investment was required to provide the necessary infrastructure. In addition, Irish Water needed to improve its understanding of the condition of sewers to help focus upgrades to where they were most needed. Head of asset management at Irish Water, Sean Laffey, said it had built or upgraded 55 wastewater treatment plants at 55 locations across the country since 2014. He said the utility focused investment on areas not compliant with European standards and where raw sewage was being discharged. Admitting that progress had been slow in some cases, he insisted it had a plan to deal with non-compliance. "In some cases, progress has been slower than we would like due to complex conditions, planning and other issues, but Irish Water has a plan for every area," he said. "The size and scale of the challenge we have faced has been considerable, but we have developed solutions to support the safe return of wastewater to the environment." From a luxury spa in central Bangkok, Wei Siang Yu hopes to lure Thailand's latest tourist target: couples needing a bit of extra magic to make babies. Billed as "second honeymoon" breaks, Wei provides wellness treatments in tranquil surroundings designed to boost the chances of naturally conceiving and bearing a healthy child. The Singaporean national has ambitions of hosting thousands of couples next year paying 30,000 yuan (3,770) each for a three-day programme, and reckons around half of them will travel from China. "We see a huge market in this new topic of lifestyle modification, which requires a balance of body, mind and soul," said Wei, a doctor who fronted TV programmes in Singapore such as 'Dr Love's Super Baby Making Show.' Thailand's fertility industry is chasing a new client: Chinese couples finally free to have more than one child. Chinese travellers are an obvious target for new business as they make up the bulk of overall visitors to Thailand, where tourism underpins a fifth of the economy. Having already ditched its one-child policy, China is planning to scrap all limits on the number of children a family can have in order to slow the pace of its ageing population. "Most healthcare operators are rushing to tap this vast market," said Tanatip Suppradit, acting CEO of Thonburi Healthcare Group, which is this month opening a $93m (81m) fertility centre in Bangkok. "The reasonable costs, good service and beautiful nature will definitely make Thailand the top destination for Chinese couples seeking these services." Bangkok Dusit Medical Services' shares have climbed about 20pc this year thanks partly to medical tourism, helping it become the most valuable hospital operator in the developing world. Foreign patients accounted for almost a third of sales which jumped 10pc in the first half of 2018 from a year earlier. Growth from China was 30pc. Wei, also founder of the Borderless Healthcare Group, offers his pre-pregnancy package in contracted day spa facilities and is planning a formal launch by the end of the year. Initial social media promotion fronted by Wei has already helped attract couples seeking the second honeymoon experience, he said. The facilities may eventually expand to include overnight accommodation - guests currently stay off-site. "The couples are highly stressed because they have limited time" to have a child before ageing complications set in, said Wei. "The gene pool needs to be maintained," he said, adding that many couples just lack the knowledge when it comes to doing the groundwork for a healthy birth. Wei and his rivals face a tough challenge. China's decision three years ago to allow two-child families hasn't managed to boost baby numbers. Births fell 3.5pc to 17.2 million nationwide last year, according to the Bureau of National Statistics. ( The Washington Post) Anti-poverty activists poured out on Kent Street recently to demand an end to poverty in Canada. The activists were distributing paper bags with the words Chew on this! written on them. According to the activist website, chew on this is a national campaign to raise awareness of food insecurity, and call for the implementation of an effective and comprehensive national anti-poverty plan to address the systemic issues poverty in Canada. Thousands of Canadians are demanding the federal government build on the first federal poverty reduction plan to eradicate poverty and hunger for the nearly 900,000 people in Canada who use food banks each month and for the millions of others struggling to get by. The Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy is the first step but we need a plan that can end poverty in Canada. The Guardian reports that the bags contained a postcard to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as well as fridge magnets and Halloween candy. The Charlottetown protesters said the Island has one of the chief rates of food insecurity in Canada. On P.E.I. alone, about 22 percent of children live in food insecure households. About 5.8 million people, or one in six in Canada, live in poverty. Similar, thousands of people representing 100 groups across Canada marked the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty with protests all across the country, terming poverty a violation of human rights and calling on the Federal Government to take immediate action on this ongoing violation of human rights. According to the release on the Canada Without Poverty Website, each month, over 850,000 people in Canada visit the food bank and one in eight families struggle daily to put food on the table. According to the latest data, over 16 percent of the population lives in poverty, roughly 5.8 million people in Canada. Chew On This! events are held by 100 groups in 65 cities across the country. Volunteers hand out 25,000 campaign lunch bags which contain snack, a magnet, and a postcard to send to the federal government demanding stronger national action on poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness. The activists are calling on the federal government to further develop the countrys first Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy (CPRS), which was released last August by making sure anti-poverty processes are fully-funded in Budget 2019, and that the plan is all-encompassing and based on human rights. Were seeing more groups than any previous year participating in the campaign, said Harriett McLachlan, Deputy Director of CWP. That tells us that people across Canada from lifetime anti-poverty activists to students to people whove experienced poverty first-hand know that the CPRS in its current form cannot achieve an end to poverty. "Ending poverty in Canada must be a federal priority," said Joe Gunn, Executive Director of CPJ. "As shown in CPJ's Poverty Trends 2018 report, Canada's current poverty plan lacks essential pieces. This year's Chew On This events is telling the federal government that to truly end poverty, adequate funding and a multipronged approach is needed." Why are we surprised at the failure of Britain to honour the 'backstop' for the Irish Border? In the words of Theodore Hoppen in his book 'Governing Hibernia', the Irish Border was described as 'Partition or squaring (some) circles'. The long-held view in British political circles - especially, but not exclusively, among Conservatives - is that Ireland being an island was not in itself proof that it was a nation. This, Hoppen states, was not accepted by nationalists. He goes on to say that this almost self-willed blindness was in common with O'Connell, Parnell, Redmond and de Valera. However, as time went on this kind of view was more and more obliged to overlook the growing fissures that were developing between the Protestants in the North and the Catholics/nationalists in the south. Each side felt its view was so obvious that no explanations were necessary. The nationalists saw the Ulster Unionists as 'suffering a species of false consciousness' and thought that the 'Irish Problem' would be solved by Sinn Fein members taking their seats in Westminster; failing to realise that if after Griffith's election victory in 1918, that had they taken their seats in Westminster we would be still part of the UK as much as Yorkshire is today. Solutions will not be found by Mr Varadkar stating in the Irish Independent that: "The Border issue is about much more than trade and money." Our politicians and the EU experts should know that the Irish Border would not have happened except that the 'cream of the officer class based in The Curragh led by General Gough had mutinied'. A look at Britain's performance in the Middle East where at the end of world War I 'Agreements were torn up like yesterday's newspapers' - causing millions of deaths and drownings in the last 10 years - is further proof of the UK's respect for agreements, not to mention its exit from India in 1948, where Mountbatten's partition caused one million deaths. Hugh Duffy Cleggan, Co Galway The North is trampled in this Brexit circus blaze The empty chambers of Stormont are a damning indictment of all its abstentionist MLAs, especially given the gravity of current events, a defining moment for the people of Northern Ireland. These good people are now reduced to peripheral bystanders in the much greater process of Brexit, the final outcome of which could affect them the most. To make things worse, the Stormont abstentionists allow the DUP to speak unanimously on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland. These are the people who, along with some Conservative MPs, care nought for Ireland and sought to have the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement repealed or renegotiated as a means to facilitate a total Brexit. Have we forgotten the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement, the internationally recognised and irrevocable concord, so hard won by so many, a lasting instance of an instituted, safeguarded, democratic consent? Do we remember the central principle of these agreements; the tenet that no change in the status of Northern Ireland can occur without a majority of the people of Northern Ireland willing it? And is now not a moment perfectly appropriate for an invocation of the powers instituted in these accords? Brexit is a British crisis, far removed and elevated from provincial concerns. But the circus fire of Brexit threatens to trample over the hard won and precious peace and stability that the people of Northern Ireland and beyond have enjoyed in the last few decades. It is worrisome that the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement has been so neglected and even trivialised in the desperate narrative of Brexit. It is worrisome because Stormont is cold and silent. Its representatives, for whom the agreements have delivered the art of the possible - a forum for all its people - have spurned it. The people of Northern Ireland have the power to dictate their future if the MLAs would only take their seats and invoke the agreements. These agreements are uniquely by and for the people of Northern Ireland, made necessary by history, they are inviolable, superceding all partisan, party-political wranglings - they acknowledge the special status of Northern Ireland; that any change(s) in the status of the province must be settled by the majority of its citizens. Of course, the UK government and the DUP will not countenance this as a means for resolving the Brexit impasse, for different reasons, as it would shatter their already fragile, self-serving alliance and their grip on power. Name, address with editor Little logic to removing blasphemy at this stage It is hard to see the point of voting to remove the word 'blasphemous' from the Constitutional article on decorum in public life. For the religiously minded, God does not need legal protection, but the clause at least requires some level of respect towards the sensitivities of the religious to the things they regard as truly sacred. Removing it sets a jarring note of contradiction in an age that is otherwise so very careful to avoid giving offence. The argument has been made that blasphemy laws are so weak as to be unenforceable anyway, and therefore, no merit in keeping them in the Constitution. For sure, not a single prosecution over blasphemy has taken place, and that despite the determined efforts of some to make themselves into a cause celebre on these grounds. But surely this argument could be extended to blasphemy's constitutional travelling companions of 'sedition' and 'obscenity' - both of which are alive and well in this State. Nick Folley Carrigaline, Co Cork Katie snub by RTE tells us all we need to know Watching the RTE One sports report on Sunday night, I expected Katie Taylor's achievement to make the headlines, instead RTE choose to show the Leinster/Toulouse game first. Women sports stars deserve more respect. Incidentally Leinster lost their match. Alison Hanrahan Drumcondra, Dublin Let's vote on who picks up bill for economic crash Recently we have had the marriage and abortion referendums. Now it's time we had the 'Emergency Tax Prohibition Referendum' to ensure those responsible for the crash pay for the recovery. Desmond Nolan Annaghdown, Co Galway Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Official opening of ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park, on October 20, 2018 in Sydney, Australia Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walking along Kingfisher bay walk about on October 22, 2018 in Fraser Island, Australia There's a Meghan Markle Halloween costume. But of course there is. The costume is from the people who brought us the 'Sexy Handmaid' a few years ago, a questionable cashing-in on The Handmaid's Tale success and somewhat at odds with its themes. And, again, their latest costume has caused some consternation. The 'American Princess' dress is, from the waist up, a cheap-fabric imitation of the Duchess of Sussex's wedding dress. Like the Givenchy creation Meghan wore up Windsor Castle aisle in May, it is white, with tight sleeves and a just-off-the-shoulder neckline. The skirt is lacking, though. As in, it's short, and tight and sexy, the last of which seems to be bothering people. Well, it's disrespectful of the princess, isn't it? Though, in fact, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is not a princess at all. Expand Close Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Official opening of ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park, on October 20, 2018 in Sydney, Australia / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend the Official opening of ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park, on October 20, 2018 in Sydney, Australia Not officially, maybe, but that Halloween costume doesn't just give her the nod as a famous person who needs no introduction. It also gives Meghan the nod as a princess. Official be damned, when it comes to princess, it's all about perception. And on the Halloween racks and on her Australian tour with Harry last week, Meghan Markle was embraced as a princess. You could say it's Diana all over again. She will be forever Princess Diana, despite the fact that she never was. Married to Charles, she was Diana, Her Royal Highness, Princess of Wales. Once they divorced, Diana lost the HRH and became simply Diana, Princess of Wales. No one ever really called her that, though. The official was irrelevant. She was a princess by perception, fat lot of good it did her. In Australia last week, where Meghan mania was at fever pitch, the like of which the royals haven't experienced since Diana, the Aussies defiantly referred to her as Princes Meghan. They even said explicitly in the papers that this was an act of defiance, and if The Firm has any sense they will leave this spouse of Windsor off to woo the world. The Diana comparisons come easily, but there is one major difference between Meghan and her late mother-in-law. Meghan isn't trying to fit in. Meghan is blithely breaking the mould and Harry, son of the woman broken by her desire to be accepted, is encouraging his wife every step of the way. Video of the Day Some ill-intent has been read into Meghan and Harry's pregnancy announcement, made at the wedding of Princess Eugenie two Fridays ago. Admittedly, as soon as Meghan stepped out of the car at the steps of the church she last ascended as a bride, she looked suspiciously expectant. People weren't really wearing coats. Expand Close The fancy dress costume / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The fancy dress costume It was a windy day, but not cold. Other women seemed comfortable in just their dresses. Meghan's coat seemed like a cloak, a covering garment. The coat was a bit of a giveaway, but given her willowy figure, even the tiniest bit of belly must have been obvious on Meghan at the wedding. Everyone must have known, she probably felt compelled to tell, and surely she had no intention of upstaging Eugenie on her big day. That's Eugenie who got married the other week. Eugenie, daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, whom people never referred to as Princess Sarah. Expand Close File photo dated 19/05/18 of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry leaving St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle after their wedding. During their wedding ceremony / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp File photo dated 19/05/18 of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry leaving St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle after their wedding. During their wedding ceremony Eugenie, who stopped being a princess once she married and is now just Mrs Brooksbank. She remains @princesseugenie on Twitter, though, but where's the dignity in that? And no matter how much her parents push that Eugenie and her husband Jack are more popular than Harry and Meghan - as her father did in suggesting that's why his girl had a bigger wedding - that's not how it's playing out. Further, Sarah Ferguson's tweeting of Eugenie's wedding pictures last Monday, only minutes after Harry and Meghan's official baby announcement, smacked mostly of indignation and frustration. You can't force popularity. Which is what makes it so galling when some seem to achieve it effortlessly. Fergie was always the one in Diana's shadow and now Meghan's pulling off a similar popularity coup. As Zara Tindall was lip-read pointing out to Harry in the Windsor chapel last week, as their mutual cousin Eugenie emerged to the small crowd: "The screaming was much louder for you." The screaming was loud for Harry and Meghan last May in Windsor, but it was even louder in Oz last week. They arrived in Australia just hours before their baby announcement, beaming and holding hands at the airport and there was a winning confidence about the couple. Of course, Australia is a good fit for the likes of Harry and Meghan. The rebellious former colony is characterised by its contrary nature. They love the idea of Harry as a ginger underdog, Meghan as his non-establishment bride. To have her pregnancy announced on the day of their arrival would speak to the Aussies of new beginnings, clean slates. They like that. And how they liked Harry and Meghan. It wasn't just in the glowing press and TV coverage, but also down with the public. Characteristic Australian lack of regard for convention was in evidence, with more than a few stepping forward for verboten physical contact. All of which the pair coped with gamely. Harry made jokes about his wife talking too much. They were undeniably warm and at ease with the little boy with Down syndrome who wanted to stroke Harry's beard. They attended a "no bad vibes" barefoot circle time on Bondi Beach. They held hands a lot and Meghan, a few times, seemed to cradle her barely there belly. The fact that the two make no bones about their mutual affection of course has an effect on people. That kind of effortless happiness is very easy to be around. A baby is like the icing on the cake, even if naysayers suggested they should have taken time to settle in to married life before having a baby. It's a further sign of Harry doing it his way, breaking the mould to reshape it. Meghan will be the princess his mother was never allowed to be. The world has already said it's so. They are winsome as a pair, there is no denying it, and Meghan is the making of the popularity. What it amounts to, really, is that Meghan is making the rules. There's no man on a white steed saving the day here. There's one worldly wise young American standing The Firm on its head. Officially, you only get the title of princess before your name if you're born into it. Meghan Markle may not have been born into it, but she certainly seems born to it. Kate Middleton attends a State Banquet in honour of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands at Buckingham Palace (Photo by John Stillwell / POOL / AFP) Queen Maxima of the Netherlands wears the Steward Tiara as she attends a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain October 23, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/Pool (left to right) Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Queen Elizabeth II, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall attend a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace in London, during their State Visit to the UK Queen Maxima of the Netherlands wears the Steward Tiara as she attends a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace in London, during their State Visit to the UK The Duchess of Cambridge during the State visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, at Buckingham Palace, London The Queen of the Netherlands walks with the Prince of Wales during the state visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, at Buckingham Palace, in London, Britain, October 23, 2018. John Stillwell/Pool via REUTERS Kate Middleton attends a State Banquet in honour of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands at Buckingham Palace (Photo by John Stillwell / POOL / AFP) Kate Middleton attends a State Banquet in honour of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands at Buckingham Palace (Photo by John Stillwell / POOL / AFP) Kate Middleton made a dramatic entrance at a state dinner in Buckingham Palace wearing one of the late Princess Diana's tiaras. Britain's Duchess of Cambridge was one of the high ranking royals honouring the arrival of The Netherlands' Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander this evening, debuting a new gown for the occasion. She sparkled in the Lover's Knot tiara, a piece belonging to Queen Elizabeth, with a long history in the royal family, dating back to 1914. It was one of Diana's preferred jewels, but remains in the British monarch's personal collection and is loaned out on special occasions when tiaras are required. Her Alexander McQueen gown was a new piece for the duchess, who has been keeping a low profile in recent months since giving birth to her third child and allowing Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to find their feet in their new roles. Expand Close Kate Middleton attends a State Banquet in honour of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands at Buckingham Palace (Photo by John Stillwell / POOL / AFP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kate Middleton attends a State Banquet in honour of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands at Buckingham Palace (Photo by John Stillwell / POOL / AFP) Queen Maxima also debuted a dramatic crown all her own, the Stuart Tiara, which has captivated Dutch royal watchers. Much has been made by the arrival as it marks the first official visit by the Dutch royal family to the UK in 35 years. A number of European royals have visited Britain in recent months as royals on both sides attempt to foster a positive working relationship in preparation life post-Brexit. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walking along Kingfisher bay walk about on October 22, 2018 in Fraser Island, Australia Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex walk along Kingfisher Bay Jetty during a visit to Fraser Island on October 22, 2018 on Fraser Island, Australia Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex walk along the picturesque Kingfisher Bay Jetty on October 22, 2018 in Fraser Island, Australia Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex disembark from their plane on their arrival in Suva on October 23, 2018 in Suva, Fiji Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex wave from the balcony of the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva October 23, 2018 in Suva, Fiji Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attends a welcome ceremony in Albert Park on October 23, 2018 in Suva, Fiji Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (not in picture) and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend welcome ceremony in Albert Park on October 23, 2018 in Suva, Fiji Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive for the State dinner on October 23, 2018 in Suva, Fiji Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive for the State dinner on October 23, 2018 in Suva, Fiji Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex wave from the balcony of the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva October 23, 2018 in Suva, Fiji Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, arrive for a reception and state dinner at Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji October 23, 2018. Ian Vogler/Pool via REUTERS Britain's Prince Harry attends an event to unveil the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy plaque at Pile Valley on Fraser Island on October 22, 2018 Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, arrives for a reception and state dinner at Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji October 23, 2018. Ian Vogler/Pool via REUTERS Meghan Markle is earning her stripes as a fashion force to be reckoned with. Britain's Duchess of Sussex (38) made a scene-stealing appearance at a state dinner in Fiji on Monday night, wearing a Safiyaa gown in 'Fijian Blue' in a subtle nod to the country she will spend the next number of days in. But it wasn't just the tailored fit, cap sleeves or floor length cape that made this arguably her best look yet, it was also that money-can't-buy glow which comes from genuine happiness as she cradled her growing baby bump at the exclusive event at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva. She was joined by her husband Prince Harry, dressed typically dashing in a classic black tuxedo, and accessorised with a pair of diamond drop earrings which she reportedly borrowed from a close friend. The royal couple have been thrown into public life with aplomb since their May wedding, but their first lengthy trip Down Under has given their fans daily coverage of their working lives. After deciding to pull back from some of her duties due to her pregnancy "taking its toll", Meghan still made three appearances in the last 24 hours, with three different and equally glamorous outfits for each occasion. Expand Close Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, arrive for a reception and state dinner at Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji October 23, 2018. Ian Vogler/Pool via REUTERS / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, arrive for a reception and state dinner at Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji October 23, 2018. Ian Vogler/Pool via REUTERS Before changing into her dramatic blue dress, she was dressed in a white Zimmermann midi dress, with a matching Stephen Jones fascinator as she touched down in Fiji with Harry and embarked on day one of their duties. At last night's dinner, Harry said he was "overwhelmed" by the "warm welcome" he and his wife received on arrival. "It is a great pleasure for Meghan and me to be your guests here tonight on our first visit to Fiji. We were overwhelmed by the warm Fijian welcome we received from the people of these beautiful islands this afternoon in Albert Park, and all the way from the airport," he said. "It really is a privilege to be here. "This visit is particularly nostalgic for us as a young married couple my grandparents stayed in this very hotel, the Grand Pacific, a number of times over the years. " Expand Close Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrives for the State dinner on October 23, 2018 in Suva, Fiji / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrives for the State dinner on October 23, 2018 in Suva, Fiji Meanwhile, it's also been reported that the newlyweds are hoping to raise their future child without a title in order to give them as much of a regular life as possible. "That word 'normal' looms very large for Harry and Meghan when it comes to their child's future," a source told the Sunday Times. Video of the Day It could mean that Meghan and Harry will follow in the footsteps of his aunt Princess Anne, who chose not to give her children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, a royal title. Fashion is all about the new, the next and the now, yet Vogue editor Edward Enninful has already managed to break entirely new ground, while somehow doffing a cap to the past. It's safe to assume that the entire fashion world has been anticipating Enninful's first Vogue issue since he was confirmed to take over the rudder back in April. That he would make his mark after Alexandra Shulman's quarter-century reign was a given. What appears to have discombobulated everyone is that Enninful has delivered a Vogue cover in the classic mould. Photographed by stalwart Steven Meisel, model/activist Adwoa Aboah is seen in a classic head and shoulder shot: a cocktail of fine-boned beauty, glamour and glittery peacock-blue eye-shadow that wouldn't be out of place in the 60s or 80s. Others have likened the image to a January 1971 Vogue Italia cover, which featured Studio 54 regular Donna Jordan. The coverlines make no reference to mascara, hair or this season's trends. Instead, there's a roll-call of power players in the politics and arts, as featured inside: Skepta, Zadie Smith, Steve McQueen, Sadiq Khan, Christopher Bailey: a knowing nod to Vogue's one-time reptuation as a home for intellectual heavyweights. So will the magazine's new direction have repercussions beyond British shores? "The interesting thing is that he has somehow reverted to the golden age of magazine and print journalism," agrees Rosie McMeel, editor of Irish fashion bible Image. "Adwoa is certainly a young, up-and-coming model, but the make-up, headscarf and jewellery is quite high glamour. Print is in a very difficult phase right now, so to revert to the thing that makes print so special is exactly what's making it [his first cover] exciting. "The younger members of my staff are especially enthused by it, which is interesting because I thought it would have been oldies like me who would get it." Expand Close December issue of Vogue / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp December issue of Vogue Shelly Corkery, fashion director at the Brown Thomas Group, observes that, crucially, Aboah isn't on the cover simply because she is biracial, it's because she is hands-down the model of the moment. "We've gone through the Naomis and Kate Mosses, and while they'll be in British Vogue in another way, Adwoa is the newest, coolest model with the most [social media] followers, and everyone is chasing her." There is further buzz and excitement in Issue 1 beyond Aboah's cover image. Ever since he started working on his first edition back in August, Enninful went through his bulging Rolodex and made a number of high-profile hires: Naomi Campbell has been made contributing editor, while renowned make-up artist Pat McGrath is now beauty editor-in-chief. Industry heavy-hitters like Sam McKnight, Charlotte Tilbury and Val Garland have also joined the ranks. And to make way for them, Enninful - himself a former model and stylist - had the none-too-pleasant task of sweeping out some of the old guard. Famously, fashion director Lucinda Chambers vented her fury in an online publication after allegedly being sacked by the new editor after 36 years of service. Video of the Day And reading between the lines, there appears to be little love lost between Enninful and his predecessor. Last month, Shulman wrote a column in which she said: "It's certainly not a job for someone who doesn't wish to put in the hours and thinks that the main part of their job is being photographed in a series of designer clothes with a roster of famous friends," which many took to be a pot-shot at the well-connected Enninful. High-profile pals aside, the 45-year-old London-Ghanaian is already known in the industry for his political activism, and promised he would be an advocate for diversity in his new job. And boy, did he deliver. He has stellar form in this respect already: he and Meisel delivered a barrier-busting 'All Black' issue of Vogue Italia in 2008. Not only is his maiden voyage at Vogue diverse in terms of ethnicity: it also features people of different ages, genders and body types. On Shulman's watch, British Vogue had been criticised for a lack of diversity - there had been no solo black model on the cover between Naomi Campbell in 2002 and Jourdan Dunn in 2014. Dunn said of Enninful's appointment: "He's going to bring freshness, which is way overdue. The thing I love about him is that he really does love women and wants you to feel comfortable, asking if you feel good. He doesn't want women to look like little boys." Corkery has already seen Enninful on duty at the fashion shows at close range: "I was at an Yves Saint Laurent show last month and he was in the front row with Kate Moss," she recalls. "What's interesting is that he was immersed in the action, very casual, and doesn't position himself in a hierarchical way. "I think his whole thing is that he won't be preaching to anyone," she adds. "He will talk with people, not at them, and that's definitely a big change." Already, speculation is rife Enninful's groundbreaking ways will have a knock-on effect in the wider fashion industry. "Change doesn't happen overnight, but it's a massive statement of intent from a publishing house like Vogue to put a black gay man at the helm of a powerful female title. That in itself is huge," observes TV presenter/entrepreneur Darren Kennedy. "Straight away, you can tell he'll be about championing everyone and making Vogue more friendly and approachable. I think this will definitely be reflected in Ireland - it will encourage people here in the industry to be more daring." The strong setting out of his stall is likely a strategy on Enninful's part to safeguard British Vogue against challenging times for the glossy magazine business. With some Conde Nast titles like Teen Vogue and Glamour resorting to a 'digital-first' strategy, it will be interesting to see how British Vogue's print-heavy strategy plays out. And, to paraphrase Dunn, if he manages to steer Vogue into a territory where women who don't look like little boys feel included, British Vogue is in for an exciting time ahead. "I'll certainly be curious to see what he does with issue 2," observes McMeel. "It will be interesting to see if this diversity is reflected in the content. He has a humble background that will definitely be brought to the table in terms of accessible glamour, and in the [wider fashion] industry, I've witnessed a lot of people waiting and hungry for that. It's great to see magazines continue to have that kind of impact, which fills me with hope." High fashion: Vogue's iconic editors Anna Wintour Referred to as 'Nuclear Wintour', she is famed for nurturing new creative talents in photography and style, but also for her glacial, no-nonsense way of doing things. Diana Vreeland The Empress Of Fashion propelled Lauren Bacall into fame when she made her the cover girl of the March 1943 issue. Grace Mirabella Mirabella replaced Vreeland as editor-in-chief in 1971 after working diligently as her assistant. In 17 years, she tripled the magazine's circulation. Franca Sozzani Sozzani broke ground as the editor of Vogue Italia by featuring multiple plus-sized models on covers and devoted an entire issue to all-black models and an issue of L'Uomo Vogue to African culture. She died last December, aged 66. Carine Roitfeld She went to Harper's Bazaar in 2012 after editing Vogue Paris from 2001 to 2011. With an impeccable personal style of her own, she found herself front and centre in the style press plenty of times. Desperate: Central American migrants on their way towards the US border, in Tapachula, Mexico. Photo: Reuters Donald Trump yesterday said he will "now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given" to Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, after they failed to halt the progress of a migrant "caravan", heading towards the US border. The group of Central American migrants was 200-strong when they left San Pedro Sula in Honduras a week ago, but by last night it had swelled to 7,000 people, the United Nations said. The US president, whose approval rating appears to be rising due to his stance against the caravan, said the migrants presented "a national emergency". Mr Trump wrote on Twitter yesterday: "Sadly, it looks like Mexico's police and military are unable to stop the caravan heading to the southern border of the United States". He added: "Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in. I have alerted Border Patrol and military that this is a national emergency. Must change laws!" Journalists with the caravan have not found anyone from the Middle East among the Central Americans. Mr Trump, whose approval rating ahead of November midterm elections has jumped to 47pc - a higher level than Barack Obama's before the 2010 midterms according to a new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll - has taken advantage of the caravan's progression to attack the Democrats. He wrote on Twitter: "Every time you see a caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, into our country illegally, think of and blame the Democrats for not giving us the votes to change our pathetic immigration laws! "Remember the midterms! So unfair to those who come in legally." Members of the caravan, exhausted from the hours-long trek on foot from the Guatemalan border, mostly ignored police offers to board buses heading to a migrant shelter because of suspicions they might be deported instead. The migrants have defied threats by Mr Trump that he will close the US-Mexico border if the caravan advances, as well as warnings from the Mexican government that they risk deportation if they cannot justify seeking asylum in Mexico. In southern Mexico, police in riot gear shadowed the caravan's arrival along a southern highway, but did not impede their journey. Among the throngs hiking into the centre of the city was Roger Pineda, a 16-year-old Honduran. "I just want to find some food and a place to sleep," he said, explaining he joined the caravan last week with five family members and a group of friends from the violent city of San Pedro Sula. "I hope Trump allows us to make it to the other side," he said. Many migrants said they were fleeing a toxic mix of violence, poverty and corruption in Central America. Most said they felt safer advancing in a large group. "We're going to make it, we're going to keep moving so long as they don't stop us," said Honduran Jaffe Borjas (17), marching alongside a childhood friend at the head of the column that stretched to the horizon. Along the route north to Tapachula, about 40km northwest of the border, some broke into song. "If you send us back, we will return!" a large crowd shouted in unison. Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez supported the caravan and promised to provide people with work permits in a speech to supporters in Tuxtla-Gutierrez, about 290km north of Tapachula. "I want to tell them they can count on us," said Mr Lopez Obrador, who will take office in December, to a smattering of applause. ( Daily Telegraph, London and agencies) Telegraph Media Group Limited [2021] North and South Korea and the UN Command (UNC) have agreed to withdraw firearms and guard posts in the demilitarised zone village of Panmunjom this week, Seoul's defence ministry has said, the latest move in a fast-improving relationship. The three sides held their second round of talks at Panmunjom to discuss ways to demilitarise the border in line with a recent inter-Korean pact reached at last month's summit in Pyongyang. The US-led UNC, which has overseen affairs in the DMZ since the end of hostilities in the 1950-53 Korean War, was not immediately available for comment, but said last week it supports the two countries' efforts to implement their military deal. The announcement comes amid US concerns that the inter-Korean military initiative could undermine defence readiness and comes without substantial progress on North Korea's promised denuclearisation. The neighbours are looking to withdraw 11 guard posts within a 1km radius of the military demarcation line on their border by the end of the year. They also plan to pull out all firearms from a Joint Security Area (JSA) at Panmunjom and cut to 35 each the numbers of personnel stationed there and share information on surveillance equipment. At yesterday's meeting, the three sides agreed to remove firearms and guard posts from the JSA by Thursday, and carry out a joint inspection over the following two days, the ministry said. The two Koreas have been removing landmines around the area as part of the agreement and confirmed the completion of the operation at the talks with the UNC. "We discussed the timeline of the pull-out of firearms and guard posts, as well as ways to adjust the number of guard personnel and conduct joint inspections," the ministry said. The agreement also includes a halt in "all hostile acts" and a no-fly zone around the border. North and South Korea are technically still at war because the 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, but relations have improved considerably in the last year. After his third summit in Pyongyang, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said the North was ready to invite international experts to watch the dismantling of a key missile site and would close the main Yongbyon nuclear complex if Washington took reciprocal actions. Those actions could include putting a formal end to the 1950-53 war, opening of a US liaison office in North Korea, humanitarian aid and an exchange of economic experts, Mr Moon said. But Washington demands North Korea takes irreversible steps to scrap its arsenal, such as a full disclosure of nuclear facilities and materials. Australian actor Geoffrey Rush said he was distraught when he read newspaper articles accusing him of inappropriate conduct, as a court began a hearing into his lawsuit against the publisher. In the first such case in Australia of the #MeToo era, Rush is suing News Corporation's Australian arm over a series of articles saying he was the subject of a complaint to the Sydney Theatre Company in relation to its 2015 production of 'King Lear'. Under the headline 'King Leer', and in later articles, Sydney's 'Daily Telegraph' said the Oscar-winning actor had been accused by a co-star of unspecified inappropriate conduct. "It was devastating," Rush, dressed in a navy suit, told the Federal Court in Sydney, where the hearing began yesterday after several months of pre-trial arguments. "I felt as though someone had poured lead into my head, I went into a kind of - this can't be happening - I was numb," he said, adding he felt the stories implied he was a "major pervert" or guilty of major depravity. "It just didn't relate to the experience that I'd had doing the production of 'Lear'," he said. News Corporation is defending itself, standing by the stories. The company's lawyers have yet to make their arguments in court. Filed defence documents set out allegations Rush touched his co-star on the lower back while waiting in the wings and made groping gestures above her breasts during rehearsals. None of that detail was published in the vague, original news reports and Rush did not address it in his testimony, which continues. His lawyer had earlier said he denied all such behaviour. Theres a lot of preparing you need to do before you make the move to Canada. Some of it makes sense, like packing boxes and canceling utilities, but there are some other things you should know about this country before you call it home. 1 - You Have to Apply for a Visa No matter what country youre moving to, you have to look into getting a visa. Unfortunately, it requires a lot more than just filling out a little paperwork. You will be required to provide things you might expect, like a photocopy of your passport and visa application fees, but there are some other things you need that you might not expect. For example, "As of July 31, 2018, if you are a national of a country or territory in Europe, the Middle East, or Africa, you may also be required to submit certain biometrics, including fingerprints and a photograph." When applying for a visa, the sooner, the better. The process can take weeks or even months, so its important to get the process started as soon as you know youre moving. 2 - It can get really cold during winter months Canada is a northern country. As you might expect, it can get cold, but a lot of newcomers are surprised at just how cold the temperatures can get. It does depend on where you live. Some of the southerly cities enjoy average lows around 30 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, but other areas of the country can sustain negative degree temperatures for days and weeks on end. If you dont like hot weather, youll love Canada! Even the warmest areas of the country see averages in the mid 70s in the summer, with many areas only reaching 50 or 60 degrees. 3 - Theres a Lot to Explore Canada is huge. As a matter of fact, its the second largest country in the world, after Russia. That means there is a lot to explore as a new resident! A few places to check out include: Niagara Falls The Rocky Mountains in Banff National Park The CN Tower in Toronto The village and ski resort in Whistler See the polar bears in Northern Manitoba Canada sometimes gets a bad rap for being full of reclusive cabins in the woods. Although there are plenty of those to go around, if thats your thing, there are plenty of world-class cities to visit and call home as well. From Montreal to Toronto, Ottawa Quebec City, and Vancouver, there are plenty of bustling cities within Canada that have everything you would expect from a large city. Many of the cities in Canada have added charm with historic buildings that have been around for 100 years or more. Theres a lot to look forward to if youre planning a move to Canada! Just make sure you know what youre getting into. With the tips on this list, you can fully prepare yourself for your new life as a Canadian citizen. The woman who was subjected to a racist tirade on board a Ryanair flight said that she feels "very low" after the incident. British police have launched an investigation after mobile phone footage emerged of a man calling 77-year-old Delsie Gayle an "ugly black b******" and a "stupid ugly cow" during the shocking encounter. The story has gone viral, with US media networks including CNN and ABC News reporting on the incident, heaping pressure on the airline to explain why he was not booted off. Instead, Ms Gayle of Leyton, East London, was forced to move from her seat after the man threatened to push her, on the plane from Barcelona to London. The man had demanded that she get out of his way and became angry when she did not move quickly enough for him. He warned her not to speak in a foreign language although the Jamaican-born woman was speaking English. The torrent of abuse continued despite the efforts of a crew member and a passenger sitting behind. It later emerged that Ms Gayle had travelled to Barcelona to commemorate the one-year anniversary of her husband's death. She told ITV News yesterday that she felt "very low" since the incident. "I was shocked, nobody ever said those words to me," she said. "I feel very low. He paid a fare to go on holiday, I've paid mine, so why does he abuse me for that due to the colour of my skin?" "He does it with me and he gets away, he'll do it to somebody else," she added. A Ryanair spokesman last night told the Irish Independent that its customer care team had contacted the Gayle family on Sunday. It has also reported the incident to police in Essex. "As this is now a police matter, we cannot comment further," he added. Essex Police said it had launched an investigation and was working closely with Ryanair and the Spanish authorities. British Labour MP David Lammy backed a boycott of the airline, and recalled Rosa Parks's famous stand against discrimination and said "we ain't going back". The party's transport spokesperson, Karl Turner, claimed Ryanair "failed spectacularly" and he suspected pressure to take off meant the alleged offender stayed on board. He said the man may "get away with it" because the incident happened in Spain, and he probably could not be prosecuted in Britain. The Irish Labour Party's transport spokesperson Kevin Humphries said he would not back a boycott until he knew the full facts. However, he described the incident as horrendous and said the captain should have put the man off the plane. "I want to see a full investigation," he said. "This is an Irish-based company and we can't tolerate things like that happening on a plane. The captain is in charge at the time of the incident, but the airline needs to set down clear guidelines." Fianna Fail's transport spokesperson, Robert Troy, said it was beyond question that Ryanair should have handled the situation better. He said there were questions over whether aviation laws were fit for purpose to deal with such incidents. "I will be seeking assurances from Ryanair management that proper protocols and training are now in place to ensure there is no repeat of this incident and that racism is appropriately dealt with any time it raises its ugly head," he said. Paddy McGuinness who is to be one of the new hosts of the BBC's Top Gear from next year. PRESS ASSOCIATION 'Take Me Out' host Paddy McGuinness and England cricket great Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff are to host the new series of 'Top Gear', the BBC has confirmed. The pair will replace current presenter Matt LeBlanc, who quit the show earlier this year. His co-hosts Chris Harris and Rory Reid will continue, though Reid will move to the spin-off show 'Extra Gear'. McGuinness and Flintoff are expected to earn around 500,000 (565,000) each for their initial two-year contract. They were signed, according to 'The Sun', after "a secret run-through at a test track near London". McGuinness said: "To be hosting a show I've watched and loved from being a small boy is beyond exciting." A BBC source told 'The Sun': "Paddy's one-liners and Fred's sense of adventure should bring back the old days of 'Top Gear'." David Lawrence had just settled into seat 22F when he heard a commotion on the other side of the plane. A few rows behind him, a ruddy-faced man with grey hair and glasses was shouting at a black woman seated along the aisle. "I heard this man shouting at this woman, saying, 'You're in my way, get out! I don't want you here next to me!'," Mr Lawrence said. "I couldn't believe what I heard." Mr Lawrence grabbed his phone and started to record the encounter, which took place before the Ryanair flight from Barcelona to London Stansted Airport. By then, the woman's daughter had come up and confronted the man. "She said, 'Who are you talking to? Don't shout at her, that's my mother, she's disabled'," Mr Lawrence recalled, noting that the elderly woman had boarded the plane in a wheelchair. "He then was saying, 'I don't care'." In the video, the man can be heard shouting back at the younger black woman, all while other passengers continue shuffling down the aisle. A male flight attendant with his back to Mr Lawrence's camera attempts to calm the situation, to little effect. "I tell you, I hope somebody sits there," the man tells the elderly woman, gesturing toward the empty middle seat between them. "Because I don't want to sit next to your..." The rest of the sentence is unclear, though he appears to call her "sickly", "fat" and "ugly". The flight attendant then asks the woman whether she would like to sit elsewhere. "Put her to another seat!" the man shouts, before turning to the woman. "I tell you this. If you don't go to another seat, I'll put you to another seat!" The elderly woman says something back, prompting the man to retort angrily: "Don't talk to me in a f***ing foreign language, you stupid ugly cow!" and then "Ugly black bastard!" The shouting had a mixed effect on surrounding passengers. One man, wearing a black T-shirt and sitting in the row directly behind, physically tried to intervene, sticking his hand between the seats in front of him and telling the man to keep his voice down. "Stop," the man in the black shirt pleads. "There's no need for that at all. Just stop. It's really easy to close your mouth." Mr Lawrence, while recording the video, can be heard saying, "Throw him off the flight. Get rid of him!" Eventually, the elderly woman asks to sit next to her daughter and begins to move out of the row, visibly fed-up. To his surprise, Mr Lawrence said, the flight took off shortly afterward, with no apparent repercussions for the male passenger. "I thought the flight attendant was going to call someone and escort the man off the flight," Lawrence said. "They moved the woman instead of moving him. That was shocking to me." He decided to upload his video to Facebook the following day out of frustration. "It was just so disturbing," he said. "Because there was no response from the other passengers on the flight at the time, I thought, OK, well, somebody needs to know what happened here. That's why I kept the video running and captured as much as I could." Over the weekend, the video had nearly three million views and has been shared tens of thousands of times. Mr Lawrence later uploaded the video to YouTube, where it has more than 100,000 views. Scores of commenters expressed outrage over how the matter was handled and demanded to know why Ryanair's flight crew didn't remove the male passenger before the plane took off. Representatives for Ryanair did not immediately respond to requests for comment. However, the Irish airline said in a Twitter post that it had reported the incident to Essex Police. "We operate strict guidelines for disruptive passengers and we will not tolerate unruly behaviour like this," Ryanair told the BBC. "We will be taking this matter further and disruptive or abusive behaviour like this will result in passengers being banned from travel." The elderly woman was later named as Delsie Gayle. Her daughter told HuffPost UK that her mother is a 77-year-old retiree who immigrated to Britain from Jamaica in the 1960s. They were returning from a holiday to mark the anniversary of the death of Ms Gayle's husband, she said. Mr Lawrence (56) said he spoke to Ms Gayle and her daughter after the flight and said they were both disappointed and disgusted. His parents also were part of the 'Windrush generation', immigrants who moved from the Caribbean to Britain from 1948 to 1971, so Mr Lawrence said he could understand why the Ms Gayle agreed to switch seats rather than escalate the situation. "The racism they suffered on a daily basis is historic. Our parents have learned over the years - because they have never received any kind of justice - they've just learned to live with it," Lawrence said. "They kind of have this attitude, like, 'Well, what can we do?' sort of thing. The lady was like, 'this has happened so many times. I just want to go home'." ( Washington Post Service) Emmanuel Macron has ordered that ceremonies in France marking the centenary of the end of World War I next month must avoid commemorating it as a military triumph. Some 60 heads of state and government including US President Donald Trump will attend ceremonies in Paris on Armistice Day, November 11. The French president will make a speech at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the Arc de Triomphe. But Mr Macron's office said an "overly military" ceremony would risk offending the French, who view World War I as a "mass slaughter" rather than as a victory. An Elysee Palace source said: "The combatants were mainly civilians who had been armed." About 40 million soldiers and civilians were killed or injured in the conflict. Mr Macron communicated his decision to downplay the commemorations to Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, who agreed. However, the move is likely to disappoint Mr Trump, who was so delighted to attend the Bastille Day military parade in Paris on July 14 that he announced plans to introduce a similar event in the United States. Mr Macron was keen to avoid any homage to Marshal Petain, a hero of World War I reviled for his later role as head of the Vichy government that collaborated with the Nazis. Mr Macron was criticised on social media, with Michel Goya, a historian and former infantry colonel, accusing him of "insulting the soldiers of 1918". Benedicte Cheron, a military historian and author, said the Elysee was making a faux pas. An object that appeared to be an explosive device has been found in a mailbox near the New York state home of philanthropist George Soros, the FBI and local police said. Bedford police responded to the address in the town of Katonah on Monday afternoon after an employee of the residence opened the package. The person placed the package in a wooded area and called police, who alerted the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives. Officers said the FBIs terrorism task force is investigating. We are conducting an investigation at and around a residence in Bedford, NY. There is no threat to public safety, and we have no further comment at this time. FBI New York (@NewYorkFBI) October 23, 2018 The FBIs New York field office said on Twitter that it was conducting an investigation at and around a residence in Bedford, NY. There is no threat to public safety, and we have no further comment at this time. Neither local nor federal authorities would say whether the object was capable of exploding. Mr Soros, a billionaire who made his fortune in hedge funds, has donated heavily to liberal causes and is vilified on the right. He is also the subject of many unfounded conspiracy theories. Recently, conservative critics have, without evidence, accused him of secretly financing a caravan of Central American migrants to make their way north towards Mexico and the US. Others have falsely accused him of being a Nazi collaborator during the Second World War, when he was a child in Hungary. Right-wing activists frequently post the addresses of homes he owns in Westchester County, north of New York City, on social media. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Saudi officials planned to murder journalist Jamal Khashoggi days before his death in Saudi Arabias Istanbul consulate. Mr Erdogan told Turkeys parliament that the Saudi officials began plotting against Mr Khashoggi in late September, days ahead of his disappearance after he entered the consulate on October 2. He said the Saudis used a body double as a decoy after Mr Khashoggi was killed. Expand Close Jamal Khashoggi has not been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday October 2 (CCTV/TRT World/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jamal Khashoggi has not been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday October 2 (CCTV/TRT World/AP) Mr Erdogan called on Saudi Arabias King Salman to allow 18 suspects in the journalists killing to be tried in Turkish courts. Turkeys president said the writer was the victim of a savage murder. He said diplomatic immunity is not armour for murder. Mr Erdogans comments contradicted Saudi accounts that Mr Khashoggi died accidentally in a fistfight in the consulate. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. https://t.co/VOam8X3xei Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) October 23, 2018 Addressing lawmakers of his ruling party, Mr Erdogan said all those responsible for the killing must be punished regardless of rank from the person who ordered his death to those who carried out the killing. He asked: where is the body of Jamal Khashoggi? Turkeys president has said Saudi officials murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi in their Istanbul consulate after plotting his death for days. Recep Tayyip Erdogan contradicted Saudi Arabias explanation that the writer was accidentally killed and demanded that the kingdom reveals the identities of all involved, regardless of their rank. Mr Erdogan also said he wants Saudi Arabia to allow 18 suspects that it detained for the Saudis killing to be tried in Turkish courts. The Saudi government has said it is conducting its own investigation and will punish those involved. To blame such an incident on a handful of security and intelligence members would not satisfy us or the international community, Mr Erdogan said in a speech to ruling party MPs in parliament. Saudi Arabia has taken an important step by admitting the murder. As of now we expect of them to openly bring to light those responsible from the highest ranked to the lowest and to bring them to justice, the Turkish president said. Expand Close Jamal Khashoggi has not been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday October 2 (CCTV/TRT World/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jamal Khashoggi has not been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday October 2 (CCTV/TRT World/AP) Mr Erdogans speech was previously pitched as revealing the naked truth about Mr Khashoggis death. Instead it put a named source to information already circulated by anonymous officials and the Turkish press in the days since the columnist for The Washington Post walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. However, he kept pressure on the kingdom with his demands for Turkish prosecution of the suspects as well as punishment for the plots masterminds. All evidence gathered shows that Jamal Khashoggi was the victim of a savage murder. To cover up such a savagery would hurt the human conscience, Mr Erdogan said. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. https://t.co/VOam8X3xei Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) October 23, 2018 He did not mention Saudi Arabias assertive Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in his speech, though officials linked to the royal have been implicated in the killing. The kingdom has said the heir-apparent of the worlds top oil exporter was not involved, but any major decision must be signed off by the highest powers within its ruling Al Saud family. International scepticism has intensified since Saudi Arabia said on Saturday that Mr Khashoggi died in a brawl. The case has shocked the world and raised suspicions that a Saudi hit squad planned Mr Khashoggis killing after he walked into the consulate on October 2, and then attempted to cover it up. Foreign ministers from the G7 said the explanations offered for the killing leave many questions unanswered and those responsible for the death must be held to account. A joint statement from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, along with the European Union, condemned Mr Khashoggis killing in the strongest possible terms. They called Saudi Arabias confirmation of the writers death inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul a first step towards full transparency and accountability. The statement issued on Tuesday reiterated the need for a thorough, credible and prompt investigation done with the full collaboration of Turkish authorities. The G7 ministers said Mr Khashoggis killing demonstrates the need to project journalists and to reaffirm the right to free expression. The United Nations said secretary-general Antonio Guterres stands by his earlier call for an independent and transparent investigation into the death. UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq reiterated that the secretary-general can initiate an investigation if key parties request it or if there is a legislative mandate from a UN body. Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an interview with the state-run Anadolu Agency that if a request for an international investigation is made we would co-operate. Mr Haq said that did not constitute a formal request from Turkeys government, which Mr Guterres would need to consider authorising an international investigation. Trail-blazer: Rashida Tlaib is set to be the first Muslim woman in US Congress Barring a freak result, Rashida Tlaib is set to be the first Muslim woman in US Congress, and for this she has to thank the unlikely figure of Donald Trump. "Trump was a bit of a Bat-Signal for women in general of being engaged," she says, talking while out on the campaign trail in Detroit. Congress as it stands is far from diverse - over 90pc of members are Christian, 5.6pc are Jewish and the Muslim members (both of them) are heavily outflanked by Mormons, of whom there are 13. Despite the fact there are more women in the Senate and House of Representatives than at any other point since 1789, they still only make up 20pc of its membership. Looking across the country, Ms Tlaib believes there is a "sense of urgency" driving left-wing and female voters in the midterm elections, which will see seats in the Senate, House and state-wide positions up for grabs. "I remember when people came to vote for Barack Obama and there was kind of a waltz to it, it was like this confidence and people were excited to vote," she says. "This time, people are marching. It's like, 'move out the way I've got to do this.'" Ms Tlaib's ascent came after five years in local politics, when a wave of grassroots support saw her win the Democratic nomination for the House of Representatives in her home district in Detroit, Michigan. A surge in first-time voters was credited with giving her the win. Now, since there is no Republican opponent standing in the deeply blue district, she is all but sure to win a seat in Congress on November 6. Ms Tlaib is just one of a number of 'firsts' that could come this year - the first Native American congresswoman, the first transgender governor and the first black female governor could all be elected at the midterms on November 6. Change is afoot, not just when it comes to gender. Around 90 Muslim candidates are running for elected office this year - the highest number at any point since the September 11 attack in 2001, according to political group JetPac. Born to Palestinian immigrants and the eldest of 14 children, Ms Tlaib first garnered national attention two years ago when she was arrested for heckling Mr Trump during a speech in Detroit. Ms Tlaib is not a particularly conservative Muslim but her faith is an important part of her life. The gruelling campaign schedule did not stop her from fasting for Ramadan this June, ahead of the Democratic primary vote. "It's not about just being out there and flaunting your faith," she told CNN earlier this year. "I always tell people that I'm exposing Islam in such a pivotal way, an impactful way, through public service." Her election success is part of a wider trend - a swell of women, people of colour and first-time candidates have won Democratic primaries. She points to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, her friend and fellow member of the left-wing group Justice Democrats, who at 29 is set to become the youngest ever congresswoman. The group have been campaigning on a promise to shake up Congress with vows to abolish America's Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known by its acronym ICE, refusing to take donations from corporations. Ms Tlaib believes a deeper momentum has been building for years, but she credits part of the surge to the Trump presidency. "I think he pushed us over the cliff," she says. "I feel like we go through stages in the United States with all parties where a new group or generation - in this case a generation of women - who are running for office because they see injustice and they feel a sense of need to speak up and not be silenced". She accepts that there is still Islamophobia, but she draws hope from the Muslim candidates now becoming politicians. "Muslims are now saying: 'Okay we're not going to be still'," she says. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has said the Trump administration is revoking the visas of some Saudi officials implicated in the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Mr Pompeo announced the step at a State Department news conference. Vice President Mike Pence said earlier that Mr Khashoggi's death at Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, "will not go without an American response". The visa revocations are the first punitive measures taken by the administration against the Saudis since Mr Khashoggi disappeared. Visa records are considered confidential and Mr Pompeo did not say which or how many Saudi officials would have their visas revoked. Saudi authorities have detained 18 people in connection with Mr Khashoggi's death, which officials say was accidental despite Turkish allegations that Mr Khashoggi was intentionally killed. US President Donald Trump earlier criticised the Saudi operation that killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi, calling it one of the "worst cover-ups in the history of cover-ups". Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he is expecting a full report on the killing soon. But he said "they had a very bad original concept" and it was "carried out poorly". He called the events after Mr Khashoggi's death "the worst cover-up ever". Saudi Arabia has claimed Mr Khashoggi, a writer for The Washington Post who wrote critically about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, died accidentally in a brawl at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. But Turkish officials say a 15-man team tortured, killed and dismembered the writer and say Saudi officials had planned the killing for days. Date: 19 September, 2018. Place: Raymond, Province of Alberta, Canada. Last month, more specifically on 19 September, a very unusual incident was reported in the small town of Raymond, Alberta. According to an anonymous testimony published on Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) online database, a group of friends who were returning home after going to a bar saw what they described as small, very thin humanoid beings near a famous party spot. I and a couple of my friends were coming back from the New Dayton bar from picking up a case of beer each for the party our friend and bandmate was having on his farm as his parents were on holidays in California, the author of the report explained. As we got close to Raymond, on the southeast access road, I think it was the driver who suggested that we stop by Aldreds Coulee, a popular party spot just a few miles south of town, to see if anyone we knew was there. However, when we got there, there wasnt a person to be seen; instead what we saw was a group of small, (approximately 4ft and 2 tall), very thin beings with large heads and big, black, almond shaped eyes, he added. According to the witness, when the alleged extraterrestrial entities saw them the group, they took off towards the tree line. As we started to reverse, I could see the aliens taking off towards the tree line. I remember that they didnt move like we do; it was a lot more fluid, like they were floating, he expressed. They almost had what seemed to be a blurry trail behind them but that could have just been my imagination as Im sure I was in shock from encountering these beings, he continued. It was a very quick sighting, but Ill never forget the look of those beings. They looked just like the pictures others have drawn of them, so I know others have seen them too, the Alberta resident wrote. Draw your own conclusions For more information: https://mufoncms.com/cgi-bin/report_handler.pl?req=view_long_desc&id=94977&rnd= Russia said last night it would be forced to respond in kind to restore the military balance with the US if President Donald Trump carried through on a threat to quit a nuclear arms treaty and began developing new missiles. But Moscow signalled it may be willing to give some ground, with a senior official telling Trump's national security adviser John Bolton that Russia was ready to address US concerns about how the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty was being implemented. In Washington, Mr Trump reiterated his concern about the treaty, telling reporters: "Russia has not adhered to the agreement. ... When they do, then we'll all be smart and we'll all stop." He said China, too, should be included in the accord and that until all sides stopped trying to develop new intermediate nuclear arms "there will be nobody that's going to even be close to us". Mr Trump drew a warning of "military-technical" retaliation from Moscow after saying on Saturday that Washington would withdraw from the Cold War-era pact which rid Europe of land-based nuclear missiles. Signed by then-US president Ronald Reagan and reformist Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, the treaty required the elimination of all short and intermediate-range land-based nuclear and conventional missiles held by both countries in Europe. Its demise could raise the prospect of a new arms race, and Mr Gorbachev, now a frail 87-year-old, has warned that unravelling it could have catastrophic consequences. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called Mr Trump's withdrawal plan a matter of deep concern for Moscow. "Such measures can make the world more dangerous," he told reporters. Despite repeated Russian denials, US authorities believe Moscow is developing and has deployed a ground-launched system in breach of the treaty that could allow it to launch a nuclear strike on Europe at short notice. Washington has not yet taken any decision on deploying missiles in Europe targeting Moscow in the event that the INF treaty is scrapped, Russia's RIA news agency quoted Mr Bolton as saying after meetings in the country. Police in the US have launched a massive search for a 13-year-old girl who vanished from her home. According to CNN, police in Wisconsin asked for 2,000 volunteers to search for Jayme Closs. The teenager vanished on October 15 , the same day her parents James (56) and Denise (46) were found fatally shot in their home near the city of Barron in northwestern Wisconsin. Local authorities are also tracking two "vehicles of interest" that were seen near the family's home at the time of the killings. CNN is also reporting that authorities received a 911 call from Denise Closs's phone, but that all the 911 dipatcher could hear was disturbance in the background. Police arrived at the family home, where they discovered the bodies of James and Denise Closs. An Amber Alert was issued for Jayme on the day she disappeared, and the FBI has added her to its online list of kidnapped or missing people. Despite more than 400 tips from across the US, a Wisconsin sheriff said he had few solid leads about Jayme's whereabouts. "We believe Jayme was in the home at the time of the homicides and we believe she's in danger," Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald, who is leading the search, said. Online fashion retailer Asos has appointed Mathew Dunn as its new finance chief. Mr Dunn, most recently chief financial officer of drinks firm Britvic, will take up his role in the spring of 2019. He replaces Helen Ashton, who notified the groups board of her desire to move on from her current role earlier this year. Expand Close Asos chief executive Nick Beighton (Asos/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Asos chief executive Nick Beighton (Asos/PA) Asos chief executive Nick Beighton said Im looking forward to working with Mathew. He brings us a totally relevant mix of operational experience together with a history of implementing and overseeing finance systems at an international level. Mr Dunn said: Im very much looking forward to working with the Asos team. Im motivated by their ambitious plans to realise the significant potential still ahead for the company. The news comes a week after Asos reported another year of double-digit sales and profit growth despite ongoing investment in increasing capacity. Group revenues climbed 26% to 2.42 billion in the year to the end of August. Retail sales were up 26% to 2.36 billion, supported by growth of more than 20% in both the UK and international markets. Expand Close A woman browses the Asos website (Tim Goode/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A woman browses the Asos website (Tim Goode/PA) This marked the groups third consecutive year of sales growth in excess of 20%. Meanwhile, pre-tax profits were broadly in line with market expectations, coming in 28% higher than last year at 102 million. A US appeals court has upheld the conviction and life prison sentence given to radical cleric Abu Hamza for supporting terrorism. The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals said there was overwhelming evidence against Hamza, who was tried under the name Mustafa Kamel Mustafa. The court also ruled that Hamzas 2012 extradition to the US from England did not come with conditions preventing his incarceration at the Supermax prison in Florence, Colorado. Expand Close Abu Hamza (John Stillwell/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Abu Hamza (John Stillwell/PA) Hamza is missing both hands and his lawyers say he belongs at a prison better suited to people with disabilities. He was convicted in 2014 of ensuring there were satellite communications for kidnappers during a 1998 attack that killed four tourists in Yemen, of supporting plans to open an al Qaida training camp in Bly, Oregon, and sending someone to an Afghanistan training camp. Hamza led the Finsbury Park Mosque in the 1990s. Saudi Arabias foreign minister said the investigation into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi will produce the truth about what happened. Adel al-Jubeir also pledged that mechanisms will be put in place so that something like this can never happen again. He spoke on Tuesday in Indonesia, just hours before Turkeys president Recep Tayyip Edrogan is expected to detail his own countrys findings into the matter. Expand Close Jamal Khashoggi has not been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday October 2 (CCTV/TRT World/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jamal Khashoggi has not been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday October 2 (CCTV/TRT World/AP) Mr al-Jubeir said Saudi Arabia is committed to ensuring that the investigation is thorough and complete and that the truth is revealed and that those responsible will be held to account. Saudi Arabia has acknowledged that Mr Kashoggi died on October 2 during a visit to the kingdoms consulate in Istanbul. The country maintains he died in a fistfight. Turkish officials said the 59-year-old was attacked and killed by a 15-man Saudi team. Expand Close Donald Trump has said he is not satisfied by the explanations he has heard (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Donald Trump has said he is not satisfied by the explanations he has heard (AP) Mr Erdogan has said he will go into detail about a case that has shocked the world and raised suspicions that a Saudi hit squad planned Mr Khashoggis killing after he walked into the consulate, then attempted to cover it up. The Turkish president promised the case will be revealed in all its nakedness in a speech to ruling party members. A stream of leaks to national and international media has increased pressure on Saudi Arabia, which is hosting a glitzy investment conference this week which many dignitaries have decided to skip because of the scandal. Saudi Arabia said 18 Saudis were arrested and that several top intelligence officials were sacked over the killing, but critics have alleged that the punishment was designed to absolve Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdoms heir-apparent, of any responsibility. Expand Close Turkeys president has pledged to reveal the case in all its nakedness (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Turkeys president has pledged to reveal the case in all its nakedness (AP) On Monday, leaked surveillance video showed a man strolling out of the diplomatic post hours after Mr Khashoggi disappeared into the consulate, apparently wearing the Washington Post columnists clothes as part of a macabre deception to sow confusion over his fate. Mr Khashoggi had gone to the embassy to pick up some papers he needed in order to get married. US president Donald Trump said he is not satisfied with the explanations he has heard about Mr Khashoggis death. Mr Trump said: Were going to get to the bottom of it. We have people over in Saudi Arabia now. We have top intelligence people in Turkey. Theyre coming back either tonight or tomorrow. Were going to know a lot over the next two days about the Saudi situation. Its a very sad thing. Mr Trump spoke on Sunday with Crown Prince Mohammed. He says he is not involved nor is the king, Mr Trump told USA Today. The newspaper said Mr Trump declined to say whether he believed the princes denials. If their involvement was proven, Mr Trump said: I would be very upset about it. Well have to see. A high-profile economic forum has got under way in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Future Investment Initiative forum is the kingdoms first major event on the world stage since the killing of writer Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. Mr Khashoggis death loomed large over the forum and coincided with Turkish President Recip Tayyip Erdogans claim that Saudi officials murdered the journalist in their consulate after plotting his death for days. The Turkish leader demanded the kingdom reveal the identities of all involved in the killing, regardless of rank. Expand Close Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses members of his ruling party in Ankara (AP Photo/Ali Unal) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses members of his ruling party in Ankara (AP Photo/Ali Unal) Saudi Arabia, which for weeks maintained Mr Khashoggi had left the consulate, acknowledged on Saturday he was killed there in a fistfight. Turkish media and officials say a 15-member Saudi team was flown in to kill Mr Khashoggi and accosted the writer in the consulate, cutting off his fingers before killing and dismembering the 59-year-old Washington Post columnist who wrote critically about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. As the Riyadh conference opened, Saudi energy minister Khalid Al-Falih described the killing as abhorrent in his speech. From the leadership on down, we're very upset at what has happenedSaudi energy minister Khalid Al-Falih The forum kicked off without some of its keynote speakers after numerous Western executives and officials cancelled plans to attend over Mr Khashoggis death. As we all know, these are difficult days for us in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr Al-Falih said to attendees seated in the forums ornate hall. Nobody in the kingdom can justify it or explain it. From the leadership on down, were very upset at what has happened. The forum is the brainchild of Prince Mohammed and is aimed at drawing more foreign investment into the kingdom to help create desperately needed jobs for millions of young Saudis entering the workforce in the coming years. Expand Close The conference has been boycotted by some prominent global figures (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The conference has been boycotted by some prominent global figures (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) International pressure is mounting against the prince, who did not attend the start of forum. Critics suspect the powerful crown prince ordered Mr Khashoggis killing or at the least had knowledge of it. Despite the absence of key executives and speakers from the United States and other Western partners, some 50 billion US dollars in deals were signed on Tuesday at the forum with Russian and Asian businesses and officials eager to do business with the kingdom. Those partners who are here with us today to continue that journey with us are certainly going to look back and find out how committed the kingdom is to its partners that stay the course, Mr Al-Falih said, just moments before several deals were signed on stage. The forum last year grabbed headlines when Prince Mohammed wowed the crowd of global business titans with pledges to lead the ultraconservative kingdom toward moderate Islam. He also announced plans to build a 500 billion dollar futuristic city in the desert. Russia has warned the US against withdrawing from the treaty without proposing improvements or a substitute (Vadim Savitsky/Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) The Kremlin has said US President Donald Trump took a dangerous position by deciding to abandon an existing nuclear weapons treaty with Russia without offering anything to replace it. As Mr Trumps national security adviser prepared to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mr Putins spokesman acknowledged the 1987 arms control deal had weak spots. But Dmitry Peskov warned Washington against withdrawing from the agreement without proposing improvements or a substitute treaty. Right now, we dont have any prospects whatsoever for a new deal, Mr Peskov said. Its important to figure out if its possible or not. Expand Close Mr Bolton has already met foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and will later meet Vladimir Putin (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mr Bolton has already met foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and will later meet Vladimir Putin (AP) Mr Trump restated on Monday his threat to pull out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty because of alleged Russia violations. He said the United States would start developing the type of ground-launched nuclear cruise and ballistic missiles the treaty banned until people come to their senses and then well all stop. In Moscow, Mr Peskov said that sacrificing the landmark pact for a hypothetical better deal was a dangerous position. The treaty was signed by then US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, prohibiting the US and Russia from possessing, producing or test-flying ground-launched nuclear cruise and ballistic missiles with a range of 300 to 3,400 miles. Expand Close John Bolton, left, and Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu (Vadim Savitsky, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John Bolton, left, and Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu (Vadim Savitsky, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) China was not a party to the original agreement, and Mr Trump said it should be included in the treaty. US national security adviser John Bolton is scheduled to meet with Mr Putin in Moscow on Tuesday. Mr Bolton struck a conciliatory note in his talks with senior Russian officials earlier in the day. Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu lauded Mr Bolton for making a two-day visit and said that even small steps will benefit our relations and help restore trust between the two countries. He also said that Russia and the US should build up their co-operation in Syria that helped to prevent major incidents in the sky or on the ground. Mr Bolton told Mr Shoigu he was in Moscow to work on Mr Trumps commitment to improve security co-operation with Russia. We certainly share your view that the US-Russian discussions with respect to Syria have been useful, productive and professional, and we hope we can extend those conversations through a number of other ways that you mentioned, and even more, he said. In televised comments, neither Mr Bolton nor Mr Shoigu mentioned Mr Trumps announcement on the INF treaty. People hold signs during a protest at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Turkeys president has pledged to reveal the case in all its nakedness (AP) Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan revealed this morning there were strong signs Jamal Khashoggi's killing was planned and attempts to blame it on intelligence operatives "will not satisfy us". In a speech to parliament, Erdogan did not mention Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who some U.S. lawmakers suspect ordered the killing. But he said Turkey would not complete its investigation into Khashoggi's death until all questions were answered. "Intelligence and security institutions have evidence showing the murder was planned.... Pinning such a case on some security and intelligence members will not satisfy us or the international community," he said. Erdogan said the whereabouts of Khashoggi's body were still unknown and he demanded Saudi Arabia reveal the identity of a "local cooperator" who purportedly took the body. Expand Close Jamal Khashoggi. Photo: Johnny Green/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jamal Khashoggi. Photo: Johnny Green/PA Wire Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of the crown prince, the kingdom's de facto ruler, disappeared three weeks ago after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain documents for his upcoming marriage. Turkish officials suspect Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the consulate by Saudi agents. Turkish sources say authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the killing of the 59-year-old. Erdogan made no reference to any audio recording in his speech. Riyadh initially denied knowledge of his fate before saying he was killed in a fight in the consulate. That version of events was greeted sceptically by several Western governments, straining relations with the world's biggest oil exporter. Expand Close People hold signs during a protest at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp People hold signs during a protest at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Erdogan said three operatives arrived in Istanbul the day before his killing on an apparent reconnaissance mission. The next day 15 people came to the consulate. "Why did these 15 people meet in Istanbul on the day of the murder? We are seeking answers to this. Who are these people receiving orders from?" Erdogan said. Following the global outrage prompted by the journalist's disappearance, U.S. President Donald Trump's comments have varied from playing down Riyadh's role to warning of possible economic sanctions. Trump has also repeatedly highlighted the kingdom's importance as a U.S. ally and said Prince Mohammed was a strong and passionate leader. For Saudi Arabia's allies, the question will be whether they believe that Prince Mohammed, who has painted himself as a reformer, has any culpability. King Salman, 82, has handed the day-to-day running of Saudi Arabia to the 33-year-old prince. Read More Who is Jamal Khashoggi? Jamal Khashoggi is a well-known Saudi Arabian journalist and author, who served as editor-in-chief of Al-Arab News Channel and editor for Saudi newspaper Al Watan. Mr Khashoggi is best known for his critical reporting of the Saudi Arabian government and in particular their Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman, and king, Salman of Saudi Arabia. He also opposed the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen. Fearing arrest and even fearing for his life, the journalist fled his native country to the United States and lived there for over a year in self-imposed exile. In that time, the 59-year-old was a regular columnist in the Washington Post. In an article for the newspaper titled Saudi Arabia wasnt always this repressive. Now its unbearable, he criticised the Crown Prince, bin Salman. Donald Trump weighs in US president Donald Trump said he is not satisfied with the explanations he has heard about Mr Khashoggi's death. He said: "We're going to get to the bottom of it. We have people over in Saudi Arabia now. We have top intelligence people in Turkey. They're coming back either tonight or tomorrow." "We're going to know a lot over the next two days about the Saudi situation. "It's a very sad thing." Mr Trump spoke on Sunday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is the son of Saudi King Salman. "He says he is not involved nor is the king," Mr Trump told USA Today . The newspaper said Mr Trump declined to say whether he believed the crown prince's denials. If their involvement was proven, Mr Trump said: "I would be very upset about it. We'll have to see." Sandra Day OConnor, the first woman on the US Supreme Court, has announced she has the beginning stages of dementia. The 88-year-old said in a public letter that her diagnosis was made some time ago and that as her condition has progressed she is no longer able to participate in public life. While the final chapter of my life with dementia may be trying, nothing has diminished my gratitude and deep appreciation for the countless blessings in my life, she wrote. She added: As a young cowgirl from the Arizona desert, I never could have imagined that one day I would become the first woman justice on the US Supreme Court. Sandra Day OConnor exemplifies excellence in public service, & she continues to be a role model to women & an inspiration to young people. I am saddened to hear of my friends diagnosis, but not surprised she is facing it with the strength & bravery that have defined her life. pic.twitter.com/iHrAX4IfIy Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) October 23, 2018 Justice OConnors announcement of her diagnosis came a day after a story by The Associated Press that she had stepped back from public life and in which her son Jay OConnor said that his mother had begun to have challenges with her short term memory. He also said that hip issues have meant she now primarily uses a wheelchair and stays close to her home in Phoenix. Justice OConnor last spoke in public more than two years ago. Justice OConnor was a state court judge before being nominated to the Supreme Court in 1981 by then US president Ronald Reagan, who fulfilled a campaign promise by nominating a woman to the Supreme Court. She had graduated third in her class from Stanford Law School and was the first woman to lead the Arizona state senate. She was 51 when she was unanimously confirmed to the high court. On the Supreme Court, her votes were key in cases about abortion, affirmative action and campaign finance as well as the Bush v Gore decision effectively settling the 2000 election in George W Bushs favour. Justice Sandra Day OConnor is a trailblazer in every sense. It's a testament to her patriotism that she is approaching this difficult new chapter w/ the same selflessness that defined her legal career. I pray that she continues to be blessed w/ her trademark strength and grace. Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) October 23, 2018 Justice OConnor was 75 when she announced her retirement from the court in 2005. It was a decision influenced by the decline in the health of her husband, John OConnor III, who himself had been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. Chief justice John Roberts said in a statement that he was saddened to learn that Justice OConnor faces the challenge of dementia. Although she has announced that she is withdrawing from public life, no illness or condition can take away the inspiration she provides for those who will follow the many paths she has blazed, Mr Roberts wrote. After a gala wedding in Mumbai which lasted over a week and a fantastic reception in Prince's home town Chandigarh, love birds Prince and Yuvika are headed on a honeymoon. They were clicked early in the morning on the airport ready to board a flight to Maldives. They looked like the perfect match for each other once again. While Prince carried all the big bags, Yuvika walked by his side hand-in-hand. They were color coordinated as both of them sported black. Prince wore a black tee along with denims and a red cap and his better half wore a black printed kaftan top. Her beautiful chuda perfectly complemented her western style and the shades of black that they both were wearing. Take a look: A long-time personal secretary to Paytm founder, Vijay Shekhar Sharma, was arrested along with two others in Noida on Monday for allegedly trying to extort Rs 20 crore from him. The trio claimed to have possession of sensitive information on founder Sharma which his former secretary, Sonia Dhawan suspected to have stolen as she had access to his laptop, phone and office desktop. Devender Kumar, another Paytm staffer of the administration department- was involved in the extortion and both Sonia and Devender were taken into custody from companys Noida Office. Founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma, AFP The third accused is Sonias husband Rupak Jain who is a property dealer and the fourth suspect is an associate of Jain who is believed to be in Kolkata. "We are in touch with Kolkata police for help," Noida police chief Ajay Pal Sharma told TOI. Police said Sonia has been working with Sharma for the last ten years which comprises the entire period Paytm was founded in 2010 including its rise after demonetisation. Devender too has been with Paytm for seven years, almost since its inception. The arrests were made after Sharma lodged a complaint who said his brother got the first extortion call on September 20 by a person who identified himself as Rohit Chopal which might not be his real name. The caller allegedly asked Ajay Sharma, founder Sharmas brother who is also the Vice President in the company to pay up for the data stolen from the founders laptop. Speaking to TOI, Ajay Sharma said, "I received the first call on September 20, around 4pm when the man demanded Rs 10 crore for the information. When I refused to pay, he called Vijay." Chopal repeated the same demand of Rs 10 crore to the founder before ratcheting it up to Rs 20 crore over the next few calls he made. afp After several interactions, Chopal settled for Rs 2 lakh to be transferred initially. "We made the offer for Rs 2 lakh as we wanted to get more information from the man making the demands," explained Ajay. The money was transferred online. "After the transaction was made, we requested Chopal to tell us how he stole the data but he wanted more money. We convinced him that after he revealed the source of the data to us, we would transfer more money. That's when he told us that Sonia, Rupak Jain and Devender had stolen the data from the company and handed it over to him. They had hired Chopal to make the extortion call," said Ajay. Noida police chief Ajay Pal Sharma said all three had admitted to their involvement in the extortion plot after interrogation. According to the police chief, Sonia was the mastermind behind the extortion plan. Sonia and Jain live in Prateek Laurel in Sector 120. As personal secretary, Sonia had access to the Paytm chief's laptop and mobile phone, office desktop and other financial information. It was easy for her to steal data and pass it to Chopal. "Both Vijay Sharma and his brother Ajay submitted the recording of the extortion calls and the complaint with a profile of those involved. We based our arrests on the investigation after the complaint was filed," said the police chief. Can a hill vanish? Apparently yes! At least that is what the Rajasthan government has told the Supreme Court. During the hearing of a case related to the illegal minings in Aravalli, the Rajasthan Government told the Apex Court that 28 out of 138 hills in Aravalli region near Delhi border have disappeared. The Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta was, however, not convinced, and asked the government if people had become Hanuman and they are running away with the hills. The court which observed that Rajasthan has taken the issue of illegal mining "very lightly" and ordered the government to stop all illegal mining in a 115.34-hectare area in Aravalli hills within 48 hours. The apex court also referred to a central empowered committee report that 31 hills or hillocks have vanished in the state's Aravalli area. The court also noted that the disappearance of hills in Rajasthan could be one reason for the rise in pollution levels in Delhi. Across the world, there's everything from pubs to bars and theme parks based on JK Rowling's hugely popular book Harry Potter. But, a university in Kolkata has now offered a new course on Harry Potter, which will encourage students to explore legal aspects of the fictional world and its many real life lessons. BCCL The course titled "An interface between Fantasy Fiction Literature and Law: Special focus on Rowling's Potterverse" will be offered as an elective to 4th and 5th-year students of the B.A LL.B (Hons) programme at the National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS) in Kolkata. The course, designed for the winter semester by Assistant Professor Shouvik Kumar Guha, attempts to serve as a breather from the orthodox law school curriculum. "This course is meant to be more of an experiment. It will take both me and the students out of our comfort zones," Guha told PTI in a phone interview. "In law schools, people get a very specific set of subjects. The curriculum revolves around the hard letter of the law, case laws etc. Given the fact that this course lasts about five years, students also get bored," he said. Students will learn to apply legal principles in a completely new scenario, and understand how things will work through insights into a wizarding world constantly under government surveillance. Given the many societal, legal and political changes, including the slew of landmark Supreme Court judgements, law students need to learn to adapt and respond to events unfolding around them, Guha said. BCCL "I could have designed the course based on our real political situation but it is not necessary that all my students will share my political leanings," he said. Guha decided instead to turn to a fictional universe, which would not create political controversies but help students learn to apply their legal knowledge to a completely alien set of scenarios. According to a statement by NUJS, the Harry Potter series vividly exposes the limitations of laws and institutions. In Potterverse for example, The Ministry of Magic uses its representatives to torture children for daring to tell the truth and imprisons or even executes its citizens without the benefit of due process of law. Its infamous prison Azkaban is designed to drive inmates to despair and suicidal tendencies without any hope of reformation In numerous instances, the wealthy control and influence government policy. Freedom of the press in Potterverse is curtailed, and the major newspaper 'The Daily Prophet' is used to spread propaganda. The series thus provides a unique platform for students to reflect and compare the legal situations with their own government. The course aims to cover legal traditions and institutions, crimes and punishments, economy, politics, contracts in the Potterverse. Guha says his assignments to the students would be very creative in nature and hopes that some of the works can eventually be published. "I was introduced to Potterverse in my tenth standard. Since then I have read the books multiple times. I am familiar with each and every line of all the seven books. So it will come to me naturally," said Guha, quipping that he probably knows Harry Potter literature better than Company Law. Classes for the course are due to start this December. AFP Ahead of Diwali, the Supreme Court has refused to put a blanket ban on sale of firecrackers in the country. The apex court, on Tuesday, allowed a conditional sale of firecrackers stating that only green firecrackers will be sold, which are less polluting. Read more Here's more top news of the day: 1) Smriti Irani's Bizarre Statement On Menstruating Women At Sabrimala Temple Draws Ire The Union minister, in the middle of a fierce debate over the ban on women of menstrual age entering Kerala's famous Sabarimala shrine and a Supreme Court order overturning it, said that everyone has a right to pray, but not to desecrate. Read more 2) Himalayan Viagra Yarchagumba, Believed To Cure Impotency, Is Under Threat From Climate Change The prized caterpillar fungus that is more valuable than gold and is nicknamed "Himalayan Viagra" in Asia, is seen as a wonder drug. People in Nepal and China have been killed over the years for this rare drug. Read more 3) Sabarimala Temple Closes Without A Single Woman In 10-50 Age Group Entering The Shrine BCCL The Sabarimala temple in Kerala has closed for devotees on Monday night after completing routine prayers amid the high drama and tensions in the state after the Supreme Court allowed women of all age groups to enter the hill shrine. Read more 4) Former Secretary To Paytm Founder Steals Sensitive Data, Demands Rs 20 Cr From Boss, Arrested Founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma, AFP A long-time personal secretary to Paytm founder, Vijay Shekhar Sharma, was arrested along with two others in Noida on Monday for allegedly trying to extort Rs 20 crore from him. Read more 5) Close To 50,000 People Lost Their Lives In 3 Years After Being Hit By Trains AFP Amritsar train that rammed into hundreds of people who were celebrating Dusshera, shook the nation. The train mowed down at least 59 Dussehra revellers as they were watching a Ravana effigy being burnt while standing on railway tracks near Amritsar on October 19. Read more If India develops its alternative and sustainable sources of energy, the country does not require crude imports. The country has the alternative sources in abundance as crude substitution, said Dr Anjan Ray, Director of Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun. Crude import is a key factor in Indias current account deficit (CAD), which currently is 49 billion dollars or 1.9% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The increasing CAD is a cause of concern for the country and if it crosses the threshold of 3% of the GDP, it would badly affect the economic stability. Representational Purpose Besides, Indias import is hugely affected by the geopolitical situation, like the threat of sanctions by the United States on imports from Iran, the second biggest supplier of crude to India. We have alternative sources in abundance for substitution of crude (and natural gas) imports if we re-examine them as carbon atom imports and leverage all the carbon-containing solid wastes, liquid effluents and atmospheric emissions of methane and carbon dioxide arising out of anthropogenic activity within India, Dr Ray told Indian Science Journal. He, however, said the key for the successful transition depends on how soon the supply chains and business models that ensure sustainability are developed in the country. Dr Ray said, proven technology to develop crude substation sources are available indigenously in India, but those are currently at laboratory or pilot scales. These technologies need to be upscaled to meet the commercial requirement of oil. Indian Institute of Petroleum, IIP, under the CSIR has developed several technologies for green energy. Recently, Spicejet flew in to Delhi from Dehradun on Biojet fuel produced at the Institute from Jatropha. The right engine of the test flight was filled with a mixture of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and biojet fuel at a ratio of 75:25. IIP produced around 330 kg of Biojet fuel at its lab facility for the 45-minute flight. IIP has also developed the technology for producing diesel from waste plastic and plan to set up a technology demonstrator in Dehradun in the coming days. Another technology that has been unveiled by Indian scientists is the conversion of sewage into biofuels. A sewage treatment plant (STP) launched in Delhi would convert 10 lakh litres of sewage into three tonnes of biofuel per day. Dr Arvind Lali, Professor of Chemical Engineering and Head of DBT-ICT Centre for Energy Biosciences at Institute of Chemical Technology, who is setting up Indias first sewage-to-biofuel plant in Delhi, however, is a sceptic, though hope it would gain ground. If we are able to achieve 10% blending/substitution in the next three years, it will be a great achievement. Please note that while we are talking of replacing part of petrol and CNG/LPG, we do not have any viable alternative to substitute diesel which is the largest consumed transport fuel for the country, Dr Lali told Indian Science Journal. AFP Dr Lali said, the concept of biofuel generation from sewage would multiply rapidly especially since the DBT-ICT technology is seemingly quite robust. He however, said a lot needs to be done in terms of biofuel policies though a start has been made. The gap between new technologies and their groundbreaking and finally rapid expansion is still quite big. However, all said and done, we are going to see biofuels gaining ground every year, regardless of anything else, added Dr Lali. Anil Dussa, who steered the national bioenergy programmes including biogas, waste-to-energy and biofuels, as an advisor in the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, however, felt, the initiatives from the government is not moving beyond rhetoric and signing of MoUs and agreements. There is huge potential for producing liquid and gaseous fuels from biomass. This potential is more than the petrol consumption in the country. Government is ensuring that this is not done, rued Dussa. In 2014 they scuttled the proposal that was under consideration to invite bids on the basis of price at which entrepreneurs would sell their produce. This would have ensured that technologies available worldwide would get demonstrated in India at a price discovered through the competitive bidding process. Powers that be decided to work only with Indian technologies, of which there were none that have been tested at more than a pilot level. India has recently unveiled a National Policy on Biofuels, which maps a strategy for gradual reduction of import dependency, as the country would continue to remain vulnerable international situations. The policy targets to reduce import dependency by 10 per cent by 2022. It appears to be a good framework for upscaling both installation sizes and a number of installations for the most viable technologies, commented Dr Ray. A robust proposal appraisal and milestone-based review process can help accelerate this and focus public funds towards those projects that have better - and quicker -chances of success. However, the government efforts could find some resistance from oil majors, who have huge interest and investment in oil refining industry in India. A generational shift to new green fuel would first make their existing technology redundant and any new technology would require an injection of fresh investments. AFP But the returns on those investments could also be huge, especially if they effectively drive down Indias carbon demand and make a meaningful impact on India-bound crude oil shipment prices, felt Dr Ray. He expressed confidence that if India takes a leap into alternatives to fossil fuel, it could achieve the targets ahead of its international commitments. Besides biofuels, India has the potential to generate green energy from Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Ocean Thermal Energy, which are all non-carbon options and can help reduce carbon imports by demand substitution. Also, hybrids are expected to emerge in the energy sector like Wind-Solar and Wind-Solar-Biofuels. Road transport sector accounts for 6.7% of Indias Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Currently, diesel alone meets an estimated 72% of transportation fuel demand followed by petrol at 23% and balance by other fuels such as CNG, LPG etc. for which the demand has been steadily rising. The domestic crude oil production is able to meet only less one-fifth of the demand, while the rest is met from imported crude. Indias energy security will remain vulnerable until alternative fuels to substitute/ supplement petro-based fuels are developed based on indigenously produced renewable feedstock. This article was originally published by Indian Science Journal (ISJ), a niche digital publication devoted exclusively on news based on research in Science, Technology, Healthcare and Agriculture. Delhi is turning into a gas chamber and soon other metropolitan cities will follow. The Supreme Court of India delivered its verdict on Tuesday putting a conditional ban on the sale and distribution of firecrackers. Every year during the time of Hindu festival Dussehra and Diwali, thousands of crackers and effigies are burnt that deteriorate the nations air quality index and clog the atmosphere with toxic particles. For a days jovial celebration, the air quality is gravely affected for years to come. Not only this, animals and birds are panic-stricken during the four-day festival. The thud of bombs, crackers scare these vulnerable animals who hide in boroughs during Diwali. Photo: Sivaganga official website Birds and their nests fall prey to rockets that are released in random directions in the air. While Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu is known to produce eco-friendly crackers which are then transported to different parts of India, another district in the state has been celebrating a silent Diwali for years now. Kollukudipatti and Singampunari in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu stay away from firecrackers to harbour migratory birds who travel from North India, Siberia and New Zealand during the festive season. A forest watcher, Veeraiya told The Hindu that in 47 years of her life she has never seen people burst crackers in this village. Many migratory birds such as Asian open-billed storks, black-headed ibis, little cormorants and egrets come to the village to breed. They stay there until March after which they fly with their babies. Photo: Sivaganga official website Declared a bird sanctuary, Koonthankulam is being looked after by the people only. The villagers are protective about these birds and make sure that they do everything they can to save them. A resident expert on birds, S. Balpandi informed the Hindu that staying away from crackers was their way of sacrificing for the welfare of birds. A loud thud of a bursting cracker would shoo away the birds leaving the hatchlings and eggs exposed in the open. The children walk two-kilometres away from the village to burst crackers putting the safety of birds before celebrations. There is also an ancient tamarind tree in Kittampalayam, a village in Coimbatore that is protected like a treasure. Hundreds of bats take shelter in this tree which migrated from a nearby village. A colony of bats inhabited a tree in a nearby village but it was cut down due to the superstitious belief that bats are inauspicious. Photo: AFP The villagers say that the children do not complain about not bursting crackers at all. The villagers believe that birds do more good to nature than the harm done by bursting Diwali crackers. Birds keep their water clean and improve agricultural yield as well. A school in England banned students from getting bag packs to school on the pretext that it was causing harm to younger students. Vexed by the administrations decision, a student started carrying books in a microwave to school as a silent protest, the Daily Mail reported. Spalding Grammar school in Lincolnshire told youngsters that they could bring a bag to school with all their material but could not carry them, in-between classes, citing health risk as the main reason. The ban was imposed because it was believed that school bags larger than size of the students itself were knocking down small students in school corridors. In a statement the school said that students may use any size of bags to carry books and other material but bags are not permitted in lessons during the day. Photo: Dailymail.co.uk Pupils are encouraged to carry books by hand for a maximum of two lessons at a time. Dailymail reported. A few days after this rule, a sixth form student, Hannah Catterall began a petition online and another A-one student, Jacob Ford protested by using a microwave to carry his books in between the classes. The students who opposed this decision complained that being in the sixth form increased the study load and since children could no longer carry revision material in absence of a bag, their grades could dramatically reduce. Parents too protested against this decision calling it pathetic, disappointing and ridiculous. The petition gained 463 signatures following which it was taken down. Photo: Dailymail/Jacob Ford carrying books in a microwave 'How can you even get to places on time with all the right books, let alone do things like sanitary towels. This is something all of the girls and female teachers are talking about.' said a parent to media who has two children studying at the school. Many parents disapproved of the idea saying the school should put its students at priority since most of the sixth form students either walk to or from school or get public transport, without bags the school will be miserable. Parents also narrated their ordeal on social media bashing the school. Many students were left with no other option but to transfer their books into a plastic-carrier bag. A 17 year-old, Ford was suspended for two days for carrying out a silent protest. Photo: Dailymail/ Ford wrote a 3000-word essay penning down his thoughts He started using wicker baskets and even microwave to get his material to school. Ford penned down his thoughts in a document as defence titled, 'Bags in Sixth Form - My Thoughts and A Potential Solution' that he gave to headteacher Steven Wilkinson and other members of staff. Jacob argues that with the new policy regulations, a lot of money will be spent on purchasing new bags which will fit the schools regulations. 'These bags are effectively part of our school uniform and should be purchased once a year at a maximum. So me or my parents having to fork out around 40 for a new bag which fits with the school's policies is outrageous.' Ford reportedly wrote in his letter. The schools defence that sixth formers were swinging their bags around that was striking younger ones in the face rarely happened, he went onto say. The school guidelines although, indicate that carrying books on the back was the safest course. The schools website mentions a uniform policy for male and female sixth formers but doesnt mention anything on bags at all. By now most of us are aware of just how much data app developers get from us. That's why both Android and iOS offer in-depth controls to block app permissions, even after you've already approved them. But what about apps that track you after you've uninstalled? A recent report by Bloomberg Businessweek shows that a lot of developers are resorting to something called "uninstall tracking tools". Offered by companies like Adjust, AppsFlyer, MoEngage, Localytics, and ClaverTap, these let major companies like T-Mobile, Yelp and Spotify gather data from people that uninstall their apps, in order to find out why. Unfortunately, many smaller developers are also jumping on the bandwagon. Think about it. If you've ever found yourself seeing ads for an app online after you've uninstalled it, that's a good indication the app is stalking you. After all, a customer lost is the perfect one to advertise you. The developers know you're interested in their product, maybe you'll be convinced to come back after an update that fixes things you didn't like. Also Read: Over 3,300 Android Apps Are Spying On Kids, Tracking User Data Without Any Parent's Permission The thing is, this sort of technique abuses a perfectly innocent feature of both Android and iOS: push notifications. These are the updates that tell you there's a new email or chat waiting for you. The thing is, in the background the developer is pinging your app at intervals to refresh the feed or whatever, which is how a notification reaches you as soon as the message does. When that happens, the app responds to the servers. But if the app doesn't reply, it's logged as an uninstalled app, and the uninstall tracking tools log that change, as well as the mobile and the phone's unique advertising ID. Now, the developer has a way to pinpoint you as a newly lost user. For the most part, this tool is meant to gather data of what went wrong, without having to bother the user with surveys questions about why they uninstalled. Instead, these developers seem to just be going after them with refreshed ads. This practice actually goes against the policies of both Apple and Google, which say silent push notifications can't be used to build an advertising database. However, the two companies failed to respond to a comment on the report. One can only hope that, if they didn't know about the practice, that they're going to crack down on it ASAP. Then again, it's still unclear just how they'd go about enforcing this. In the meantime, the only way to avoid this is to disable ad personalization in your Google settings. This hides your unique advertising ID, so creepy apps can't harass you. When you think of an iceberg, you're probably picturing something like the jagged behemoth that crashed into Titanic (come on, did even one of you not see that movie?). But sometimes, nature gives you a geometric shape so exact you'd think aliens were behind it. Image courtesy: NASA That's exactly what this iceberg captured by NASA is, looking like it was carved using a giant chainsaw to exact proportions. Scientists have come across this phenomenon before, it's called a tabular iceberg. And it's actually not as uncommon as you'd think. While chunks of ice that break off the ice shelf are usually pretty irregular, sometimes a piece breaks off differently. These tabular icebergs are so named for their flat tops, steep sides and often massive sizes. Some have been measured to stretch hundreds of kilometres, and extend hundreds of feet below the surface of the ocean. This one is particular, which recently detached itself from Antarctica's Larsen C ice shelf, is actually an incredibly precise example of a tabular iceberg. NASA's Operation IceBridge program spotted it on October 16 while monitoring the polar regions for changes related to global warming. Also Read: We Need To Make Unprecedented Changes If We Want To Survive Global Warming Scientists call this "calving" when a strip of ice breaks off the shelf. In a quote to LiveScience, University of Maryland Earth scientist Kelly Brunt likened it to a piece of a long fingernail snapping off at the end. Similarly, they often show perfect geometric edges. Though this new iceberg hasn't officially been measured yet, Brunt estimates it to be about 1.6 kilometres across. That might seem very large, but it's actually only a fraction of a different iceberg that broke off the same glacier earlier this year. The A68, as that was called, measured in at a whopping 5,800 kilometers when it calved. Then again, don't be fooled by the new ice table's apparent size. At least 90 percent of its mass is still lurking below the surface. Still, the cheeky crop of the photo feels like NASA might be trying to hide a not perfectly geometric shape, for the sake of aesthetics. Not that it matters, this is still a great shot. Titanic II is set to take its maiden voyage in 2022. Clive Palmer, the Australian mining tycoon and politician behind the project pushed the idea back in 2012. The project came to a halt in 2015 because of a financial dispute with a Chinese company and Blue Star Lines parent company. According to a USAToday report, the new ship will carry almost exactly the same number of passengers (2,400) and crew (900) as the original and will retrace the route of the original ship. The ship will follow the original journey, carrying passengers from Southampton to New York, but she will also circumnavigate the globe, the WAFB quoted Palmer as saying. The original cruise liner sank in 1912 after it struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic killing 1,503 passengers and crew. The new version will have more lifeboats and a steel-reinforced hull. Millions have dreamt of sailing on her, seeing her in port and experiencing her unique majesty, Palmer said. Titanic ll will be the ship where those dreams come true, Clive Palmer told MSN The #MeToo movement has created a wave on social media as countless women and girls have come forward to narrate ordeals of sexual harassment. But despite that, there still remain cases where men just don't fear being caught. In another brave incident, a 14-year-old school girl helped police in Pune catch a man who was repeatedly abusing girls in her school. According to a Pune Mirror report, the man who works as a Poen in her school had been allegedly touching three girls inappropriately and harassing them to view pornographic material for the last three months. PTI/Picture for representation The man was identified as 47-year-old Raghunath Chowdhary, a resident of Shastri Nagar, Kothrud. The girls managed to escape him, but they claim to have been threatened for weeks when of they spoke a word about it. It was then when this 14-year-old mustered the courage and told her parents about the incident, who then took it to school authorities. The school, after getting the written complaints, informed the Kothrud police. The staffers employment was terminated immediately. He was booked by the Police under Section 7 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, for inappropriate touching and Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code for assault or criminal force to a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty. He was produced before a court for trial. This incident is just another reminder for all those girls and women to fearlessly speak up against sexual predators. The ocean is deep, dark and scary and almost like a parallel universe. Every now and then, scientists find the most unexplained creatures in the depths of the ocean. This time they spotted something that looks like a 'headless chicken monster' and it will give you the heebie-jeebies. Behold the majestic "headless chicken monster" or Enypniasties eximia, spotted recently in the Southern Ocean for the first time on an Australian fisheries camera. https://t.co/jQHv5L0uE3 pic.twitter.com/ZeChEiivCy Antarctic Division (@AusAntarctic) October 20, 2018 The deep-sea swimming sea cucumber, also known as a 'headless chicken monster', was filmed in Southern Ocean waters off East Antarctica, said the Australian Antarctic Division. The rare underwater creature, which looks like a bulbous, red creature with a webbed swimming fin resembling a collar, has only been filmed in the Gulf of Mexico in the past. Some of the footage we are getting back from the cameras is breathtaking, including species we have never seen in this part of the world, said Australian Antarctic Division Program leader Dr Dirk Welsford. The headless chicken sea monster, a fully transparent deep-sea creature can measure up to nearly 10 inches in length. The creature not only left people amazed but also started a string of hilarious memes: #1 We look for alien like forms yet we have these right under our noses #GTTO (@_jonesy_B) October 22, 2018 #2 Looks like Trump Jeff (@JMacArtist) October 21, 2018 #3 Another reason to never dip a toe in the water!!!! Mrs VS (@MrsVSNC09) October 21, 2018 #4 #5 #6 Most of us have grown up listening to a wide range of superstitions - you must turn around if a black cat crosses your path, you must not go out if you sneeze once and so on. But this robber took it a bit too far when he decided he would only carry out robberies on Tuesday afternoons. He chose afternoons to because he had a poor vision. Mohammed Sameer Khan and his accomplice Mohammed Shoaib were involved in robberies in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, but both ran out of luck on Monday when they were arrested - possibly, just before another loot. AFP-Representational Image The police told the reporters that he struck on Tuesdays as he thought it would be lucky for him. When the two were arrested the police seized around 700 gm gold worth Rs 21 Lakh from them. Both would go on a bike and target locked houses for burglary. The duo actually met in a jail and since then, have been involved in 13 cases together. Talk about meant to be. Tyrone McAllister (above), the18-year-old son of Union City, Calif., police chief Darryl McAllister, has been charged with several felony and misdemeanor counts for the brutal attack on elderly Indian American Sahib Singh Natt Aug. 6 in Manteca, Calif. (Manteca Police Department photo) Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri, seen addressing the media Sept. 16, 2013 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, is among the more notable Indian Americans who speak Telugu, which is the fastest growing language in the U.S., according to a recent study. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Indian American software engineer Daraius Sorabji is making a bid for a seat on the Campbell, Calif., city council. Were seeing first-hand how rampant development is affecting our quality of life. We cant do it without building infrastructure, Sorabji told India-West. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visits a Howrah hospital where victims of the Santragachhi train station stampede receive treatment Oct. 23. Two people were killed and a dozen others, including two children, were badly injured in the stampede. (IANS photo) Japanese Ambassador to India Kenji Hiramatsu has said that defense cooperation between India and Japan will be high on the agenda when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meet for their annual bilateral summit. (IANS photo) By Juan Carlos Zuleta What would you say are the main obstacles facing lithium developers in South America? Hurdles vary by country. Let us start with Chile. As I argued almost two years ago in a reply to a commentator of a report on lithium including my points of view published by UK newspaper, The Guardian, most predictions about lithium availability take Salar de Atacamas production for granted. Indeed, without significant production from the driest desert on earth, none of them make any sense. I then went on to ask myself: but what if Atacama fails to deliver the lithium necessary for all the different competing uses in the following years? And my answer was: I have reasons to believe that that could in fact be the case. This has nothing to do with reserves. It pertains to availability of a key element in brine production nowadays: water. This point was already raised in November 2010 by an executive of Sociedad Quimica de Minerales (SQM) at the Senior Expert Group Meeting on Sustainable Development of Lithium Resources in Latin America: Emerging Issues and Opportunities, held in Santiago, Chile. According to SQM, to evaporate two litres of brine, 100 litres of water from the borders of the salar are required. To this, we must add the regulatory measures in Chile that consider the lightest metal on earth as strategic limiting lithium concessions to only two operators, one of which (SQM) appears to have already reached the maximum possible level of extraction before it can affect the agricultural activities occurring on the borders of the salar. Indeed, between 2012 and 2013, the Chilean government tried to expand lithium production through the so-called Special Lithium Operation Contracts (CEOL, in Spanish). Unfortunately, this process was plagued with errors and accusations of conflicts of interest (involving precisely SQM) that in the end forced the government to abort it. Regarding Argentina, it is well known that until recently this country was thought of as almost the promised land for lithium. As I argued in a 2011 article, however, everything changed dramatically once the government decided to apply exchange rate controls to all mining operations in Argentina. The situation now is that most - if not all - mining operations have completed their exploration and pilot phases of development and are preparing to start producing lithium. Chances are that they wont produce anything unless those exchange controls are lifted, however. In this connection, I have just learned from a reliable source of information that many international companies operating in the Argentine Puna will put on hold their production plans until a new political situation is visualised in Argentina. That could only happen after presidential elections and an eventual change of government in 2015. Lastly, as I have written extensively over the last four years or so, Bolivia has missed a golden opportunity to become a lithium superpower following a failure to come up with a plausible technical approach to produce lithium carbonate on its own after six years of unfruitful experimentation. In sum, South America appears to have entered a sort of conundrum of which nobody knows it will be able to get out in the following three to four years, which leads me to forecast a virtual stagnation of lithium production from brine in the world in that time frame. Under these circumstances, Australia will eventually consolidate its leadership in the lithium market and Canada and other countries (possibly Serbia, the US, China?) are likely to emerge in the years to come as the new reliable sources of lithium (albeit mostly mineralised) on the planet. You have said in the past that you believe Japan will become more involved in the lithium resource market, are there any indications that this is happening? Not really, the only visible Japanese company with a significant investment in the lithium industry nowadays is Toyota, through its subsidiary Tsusho, in Salar de Olaroz, Argentina. At first sight, this move seems to be in contrast to what Toyota has been saying all along with respect to completely electric vehicles (EVs). However, Toyotas business strategy with this regard consists of three parts: one, prepare for the transition to electric propulsion, in which case it makes sense for the Japanese motor giant to invest in lithium (as part of a long-term perspective); two, delay as much as possible the up-coming EV revolution so as not to kill its hybrid Prius, which explains why Toyota doesnt like (at least in the medium term) pure EVs; and three, go beyond lithium, which clarifies Toyotas recent inclination toward fuel cells. Lastly, it remains a bit of a puzzle why other Japanese companies heavily involved in both Li-ion battery manufacturing (an argument that can be extended to electric car production as well) have not yet shown much interest in ensuring access to an adequate amount of lithium resources in different parts of the world. What about the current supply/demand situation and what does this mean for would be developers of lithium in South America? An interesting upward trend for battery-grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide prices is beginning to emerge which might be an indication of excess-demand for lithium in the near future. This could be of course exacerbated if Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, project to build the worlds largest Li-ion battery in North America is crystallised in the short term. But, in general, the horizon for junior lithium developers in South America doesn`t seem really bright unless they bet on production of high-purity lithium compounds, a task for which they are not likely prepared at the present time. So perhaps in order to survive some of them may be forced to get involved in strategic alliances with bigger partners - either in the lithium industry as such or in the downstream of the lithium value chain. Which South American country has the opportunity to exploit the most lithium resources? Is it doing so? If not, why not? After having realised that the lithium industry in South America is indeed confronting serious problems right now, I am hesitant to suggest which country would have an unambiguous competitive advantage to exploit the most lithium resources in the short or medium term. Nevertheless, there are reasons to believe that Chile still has the opportunity to increase its levels of production so long as it is able to put together a plan to recover its previous leadership of the market. After all, it is there where the most high-concentration lithium reserves are deposited and it is there where the most lithium is extracted from in South America. Time will tell, though, whether the up-coming government understands the new market conditions and acts accordingly. Can South America maintain its crown as lowest cost-per-tonne producer? The answer is a definitive no. Things have changed since the times South America became the lithium king as the lowest cost-per-tonne producer. In this sense, I foresee a situation in which the three countries, namely Chile, Argentina and Bolivia, forming the so-called lithium triangle, will have to develop a rather combined strategy of production where solar evaporation co-exists with other more sophisticated and costly methods of lithium extraction. Could you comment on the recent Tesla news? In recent times I have written extensively on Tesla Motors. Overall, my views have favoured a positive development of a start-up company that is beginning to change the whole spectrum of what could be called the new lithium economy in the world. In this connection, my findings have been astonishing. First, following my observation about nine months ago, that Teslas Model S had become a threat for Toyotas (TM) luxury hybrids (Lexus), I have since shown in my latest research that this can be extended not only to all luxury hybrids but also to all luxury internal combustion engine (ICE) cars of similar price to the Model S in the US market for the period January 2013-March 2014. Second, I have also discovered that, during the period January-November 2013, Tesla Motors consumed 2,090 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), which amounted to 72% of all the lithium required for the production of Li-ion batteries used by all the plug-in vehicles commercialised in the US and 68% of all the lithium required by all the hybrids and plug-ins sold in the same market. Assuming a lithium global demand of 168,000 tonnes for 2013, Teslas lithium consumption that year would have been 1.24% of the worlds lithium consumption. Hence to materialise its prospects to produce 500,000 EVs by 2020 in the US, Tesla would alone require between 40,800 and 59,442 tonnes LCE, which translates into between 24.29 and 35.38% of all LCE consumed in the world in 2013. These numbers were based on information on lithium content in Li-ion batteries using a Li-Ni-Co-Al chemistry as suggested by Argonne Laboratory. Third, after reviewing the scientific literature on disruptive innovation as applied to electric cars in general and Teslas Model S in particular, I have argued in a recent post that Clayton Christensens approach to this issue may be much more powerful than what most critics would believe, concluding that Teslas Model S may indeed be considered a disruptive innovation which in turn led me to establish also that Tesla Motors is a disruptive company. This, in essence, means that it is beginning to change the whole automotive industry with enormous implications for the lithium value chain. Lastly, in light of my previous comments, I am now of the view that Tesla Motors is indeed giving lithium and lithium producer countries (in particular, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina) a last chance to assume the challenge of being part of the new way of doing things in the world that we can foresee for the coming years. *Juan Carlos Zuleta is a Latin America economist Macy's, Kohl's post strong results heading into holidays AP - 55 minutes ago NEW YORK (AP) Department store chains Macy's and Kohl's delivered strong results for the fiscal third quarter as shoppers go back to buying dresses and other goods that fell to the bottom of the shopping... $SPX : 4,702.85 (+0.30%) $DOWI : 35,878.64 (-0.15%) $IUXX : 16,466.19 (+0.97%) M : 37.84 (+22.70%) Like Clockwork Monica Kingsley - 1 hour ago S&P 500 took a little breather, and sideways trading with a bullish slant goes on unchecked. Credit markets have partially turned, and Im looking for some risk appetite returning to HYG and VTV. Any... Nemenoff Report 11/18/2021 The PRICE Futures Group - 1 hour ago Financials: As of this writing (6:45am) Dec. Bonds are 10 higher at 16024, 10 Year Notes 3 higher at 13017 and 5 Year Notes 1 higher at 12116.25. One of the highlights for the week was the strong... Corn Rallies. The Corn & Ethanol Report 11/18/2021 The PRICE Futures Group - 1 hour ago We start off the day with Fed Bostic Speech at 6:30 A.M., Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index (Nov), Export Sales, Initial Jobless Claims (13/Nov), Jobless Claims 4-Week Average (13/Nov), Continuing Jobless... Oil Lays a Turkey Leg. The Energy Report 11/18/2021 The PRICE Futures Group - Thu Nov 18, 8:57AM CST What is it, Thanksgiving already? Oil prices plunged in what seemed like a holiday-like sell off. Oil prices fell below support as reports that China says that a release from its oil reserve is in the... Grain Express Blue Line Futures - Thu Nov 18, 8:43AM CST Oliver Sloup gives a rundown of his trade ideas for todays Corn, Soybeans & Wheat Markets. Richter International, founded in 2002 by Dave Richter, designs customized international benefits programs for both multinational companies and NGOs and their employees. The companys offerings include expatriate health plans, international employee assistance plans, international medical and security assistance programs, traveler medical insurance, business travel accident insurance, disaster preparedness and remote site medical facilities. A company release said that Dave Richter and his associates will continue to operate from their current location; they will report to Gallagher head of international region employee benefits consulting and brokerage operations Leslie Lemenager. Richter is one of the leading independent international benefits brokers on the West Coast, with particularly strong footprints in the technology and NGO sectors, commented Lemenager. I am delighted to welcome Dave and his associates to Gallagher. Last week, Gallagher acquired Tyler Insurance Agency, which provides P&C and risk management services to clients in southern and central California. Related stories: Gallagher acquires California agency Gallagher acquires Wellington Associates MuniPlus is available in select states via Allied Public Risks network of public entity broker specialists. The programs coverages include public officials liability, police professional liability, employment practices liability, property, general liability, auto and cybersecurity. Umbrella coverage under the program is also available, with limits of up to $10 million. We are very excited to bring the best of Zurich North America to the public sector through Allied Public Risk, said Zurich North America head of programs Greg Massey. Allied is strongly positioned to address public sector exposures and to provide innovative, responsive, and tailored protection for public sector customers, Massey added. Zurichs strengths combined with Allieds strong foothold in the public arena will help us create resilience for communities that face unique sets of risks on a daily basis. Together, Zurich and Allied are providing an all-inclusive value offering to our broker advocates and their policyholders, commented Allied Public Risk CEO Paul R. Fuller. Zurich offers a unique best-in-class combination of property capacity, risk engineering services, and coverage breadth. Related stories: Zurich reveals new cyber proposition Zurich establishes in-house cyber risk engineering team Wells Fargo & Co. will pay a $65 million penalty to New York state related to its cross-selling practices. The bank failed to disclose to investors that the success of its cross-selling the pitching of additional financial products to existing clients was built on sales practice misconduct at the bank, state Attorney General Barbara Underwoods office said in a statement Monday. The misconduct at Wells Fargo was widespread across the bank and at every level of management impacting both customers and investors who were misled, Underwood said in the statement. The settlement is the latest cost for Wells Fargo stemming from a consumer-banking scandal that erupted in September 2016 when the bank disclosed that it opened as many as 3.5 million fake accounts on behalf of customers who didnt want them. The San Francisco-based lender has faced elevated expenses over the past two years stemming from fines and legal costs. Earlier this year, Wells Fargo settled with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for an unprecedented $1 billion over issues in auto lending and mortgages. It also reached a $480 million settlement with investors who accused the bank of securities fraud related to the scandal. Wells Fargo still faces a bevy of other lawsuits and probes from federal, state and local government agencies on related matters. We are pleased to reach this agreement, Wells Fargo said in a statement about the settlement with New York state. Wells Fargo did not admit liability, and we believe that putting this matter behind us is in the best interest of all of our stakeholders, including customers. The settlement costs have been previously accrued. Wells Fargo said that its making strong progress in our work to rebuild trust, with the New York settlement representing another step forward. The claims in the settlement relate to product sales goals that were eliminated in 2016, the bank said. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics New York ACR Capital Holdings Pte shareholders are considering reviving a sale of the Singapore reinsurer, less than a year after a deal with Chinese buyers fell apart, people familiar with the matter said. The companys owners, which include Temasek Holdings Pte and Khazanah Nasional Bhd., have asked banks to pitch for a role on a potential transaction, according to the people. A deal could value ACR at about $800 million, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. A sale process could start as soon as early next year if they decide to proceed, the people said. No final decisions have been made, and theres no certainty the deliberations will lead to a transaction, according to the people. ACR announced an agreement to be acquired by Shenzhen Qianhai Financial Holdings Co. and Shenzhen Investment Holdings Co. in October 2016, following a Bloomberg News report that a $1 billion deal was imminent. About a year later the firm said the agreement between its owners, which also include Marubeni Corp. and 3i Group Plc, and the Chinese buyers had fallen apart. Representatives for Khazanah, Temasek and 3i declined to comment. Representatives for ACR and Marubeni said they couldnt immediately comment. ACR owns what it calls Asias first independent reinsurance company, serving clients from Korea to Vietnam in industries including real estate, engineering and agriculture, its website shows. It also holds a majority stake in Hong Kongs Concord Insurance Co. Related: Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Reinsurance A food distributor with warehouses in Cleveland, Ohio, and Detroit, Michigan, will pay $3.6 million to settle a class sex discrimination lawsuit filed by the filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC alleged that Sherwood Food Distributors LLC, one of the largest independent distributors in the U.S. meat and food industry, discriminated against a class of female applicants at its warehouses in Cleveland and Detroit by refusing to hire them for entry-level positions because of gender. The practice goes as far back as 2009, the EEOC said. Entry-level warehouse workers, also known as selectors or pickers, fulfill customer orders by collecting products from the warehouse storage systems, as described in the consent decree resolving the agencys lawsuit. According to the companys website, Sherwood operates distribution centers where products are stored in refrigerated warehouses. The agency also charged that Sherwood failed to make and preserve records related to the companys alleged discriminatory hiring practices. EEOC filed its lawsuit (EEOC v. Sherwood Food Distributors, LLC,Civil Action No. 1:16-cv-02386) on Sept. 27, 2016, in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, in Cleveland after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process. The suit was resolved by a five-year consent decree entered by Judge Donald C. Nugent on Oct. 16, 2018. Under the terms of the decree, Sherwood will pay $3.6 million to a class of females identified by the EEOC, and the company must offer jobs to at least 150 women identified by the agency during the claims process. The consent decree establishes hiring goals designed to increase the percentage of females hired for entry-level warehouse positions and maintain a higher representation of females in those positions over a period of years. The decree also requires Sherwood to create and produce to the EEOC electronic data such as applicant flow logs, and to disclose the number of female and male applicants who seek entry-level warehouse positions, the number of females and males hired for such positions, and the companys progress in meeting hiring goals. The EEOC will monitor Sherwoods hiring practices and the companys compliance with the decree for five years. Source: EEOC Topics Lawsuits USA Talent Gage Countys insurance policies from a Nebraska risk-sharing pool of companies dont cover $28.1 million that a jury awarded to six people who were wrongfully convicted in the 1985 rape and killing of a woman, a judge ruled. Judge Jodi Nelson, of Lancaster County District Court, dismissed the countys claim earlier this month, saying Gage County officials acted wrongly before the policies went into effect, the Lincoln Journal Star reported. The 2016 verdict was awarded to the so called Beatrice Six for their wrongful convictions in the 1985 rape and killing of a 68-year-old Beatrice resident, Helen Wilson. They spent more than 75 years, combined, in prison before DNA evidence cleared them in 2008. Wilsons death has since been linked to a former Beatrice resident who died in 1992. The six alleged in a lawsuit that law enforcement officials recklessly pushed to close the case despite contradictory evidence and coerced false confessions. After the 2016 verdict, attorneys for the county sued the Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association, a risk-sharing pool that offers insurance to most counties in the state. It began covering Gage County in 1997. Employers Mutual Casualty carried the countys insurance from Feb. 2, 1989, until Feb. 2, 1990. The county argued that the triggering incidents by county officials occurred after the March and April 1989 arrests of the six and after the Aug. 2, 1989, date the policies took effect. Last week, the judge ruled that Westport Insurance, American Alternative Insurance, United National Insurance and Travelers Indemnity companies that contracted with Gage County through the risk management association werent responsible for paying the judgment. The Beatrice Six were injured when Gage Countys employees charged and arrested them, Nelson wrote. This occurrence an event resulting in damage involved acts, errors, or omissions of Gage Countys employees. In July a federal appeals court upheld the jury award. County officials still hope the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn it, but the county board approved a plan last month to raise taxes to help pay the award. Related: Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Carriers Legislation Nebraska Bayer AG failed to persuade a California state judge to set aside a jurys verdict in the first trial over allegations that its Roundup weed killer causes cancer, but the judge said damages should be slashed to $78.6 million from $289 million. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Suzanne Ramos Bolanos on Monday rejected Bayers arguments that the jury didnt have any basis to conclude that the herbicide caused a former school groundskeepers cancer. The decision isnt a legal precedent for thousands of related lawsuits across the U.S., but it will encourage plaintiffs to press forward with their claims. Bayer said it plans to appeal the ruling. For Bayer, the ruling is not good news, said Thomas G. Rohback, a trial lawyer who isnt involved in the Roundup litigation. From Bayers perspective the bigger concern is its saying there was enough science to support the plaintiffs case. Jurors awarded $39.3 million to compensate Dewayne Lee Johnson for his lost earnings and enjoyment of life. They also concluded that Monsanto Co., which Bayer acquired this year, should pay $250 million as punishment for hiding the dangers of the herbicide. Bolanos said punitive damages more than seven times as large as the compensatory award arent legally justified. Instead, she said that under constitutional law, the ratio should be one-to-one. The judge set a Dec. 7 deadline for the plaintiff to accept a total of $78.6 million. If Johnson rejects it, Bayer is entitled to a new trial on punitive damages, she said. Johnsons attorneys said theyre weighing their options. Although we believe a reduction in punitive damages was unwarranted and we are weighing the options, we are pleased the court did not disturb the verdict, according to a statement issued by the law firms of Michael Baum and Michael Miller. The evidence presented to this jury was, quite frankly, overwhelming. Bayer stood by its position that the key ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, has been proven safe in studies required by regulators in the U.S. and Europe. The courts decision to reduce the punitive damage award by more than $200 million is a step in the right direction, but we continue to believe that the liability verdict and damage awards are not supported by the evidence at trial or the law and plan to file an appeal with the California Court of Appeal, the company said in a statement. Bayer sought to convince Bolanos that the jury wasnt presented with sufficient scientific evidence to hold Monsanto at fault for Johnsons non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He blamed his illness on exposure to glyphosate, which was first approved for use in 1974 and grew to become the worlds most widely used herbicide. In its challenge to the evidence, Bayer attacked the testimony of Johnsons expert oncology witness, whom the judge described as the linchpin of Johnsons case. Chadi Nabhan testified that Johnson was much younger than the average patient who develops non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which raised a red flag, according to the ruling. Dr. Nabhan did not need to eliminate every other possible cause of his cancer, Bolanos wrote. Because there is no substantial evidence of an alternative explanation for his cancer, the jury was free to give weight to Dr. Nabhans testimony that a glyphosate-based herbicide such as Roundup was a substantial factor in causing the cancer, the judge said. Bayer investors panicked at the jurys initial verdict, triggering a selloff in which shares plunged the most in seven years on Aug. 13. With more than 8,500 claims over the herbicide pending in the U.S., the company is preparing for the next test trials in St. Louis state court and San Francisco federal court in February. The case is Johnson v. Monsanto Co., CGC-16-550128, California Superior Court, County of San Francisco (San Francisco). Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics California Legislation Honeywell International Inc. said on Friday the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission had opened an investigation into its accounting for asbestos-related liabilities. The industrial conglomerates revised estimate for asbestos-related liabilities was $2.61 billion as of end-2017, some $1.09 billion higher than a prior estimate, a regulatory filing showed. The liabilities are related to Bendix Friction Materials, a business previously owned by Honeywell and sold in 2014, which made automotive brake linings containing asbestos. Thousands of individuals have alleged personal injury from exposure to asbestos from the brakes. The company has also revised its 2017 reported earnings per share lower by 14 cents to $2.00. Earlier on Friday, Honeywell reported quarterly results and said trade tariffs would squeeze profit margins and potentially cost it hundreds of millions of dollars in 2019. (Reporting by Sanjana Shivdas in Bengaluru; Editing by Sai Sachin Ravikumar) U.S. hog farmers are ramping up safety procedures and leaving animal-feed ingredients imported from China in storage in an attempt to keep out a highly contagious swine disease that is sweeping through Asia and Europe. U.S. government officials said in interviews on Friday they are also increasing their ability to test for the disease, African swine fever, and drawing up plans to respond quickly if a case is identified. Detection of the virus in the United States would curb shipments in the $6.5 billion export market for American pork at a time when the industry is already reeling from retaliatory tariffs imposed by China and Mexico. African swine fever is a devastating disease that can cause hemorrhaging in the skin and internal organs and death for hogs in as little as two days. China, the worlds top pork producer, culled 200,000 pigs following recent outbreaks, while France is building a fence after the virus was found in wild boars in neighboring Belgium. Though not harmful to humans, there is no vaccine for the disease, and transmission can occur in many ways, including direct contact between animals, through contaminated food and by people contaminated with the virus traveling from one place to another. This is a very serious disease that would have devastating economic consequences in the United States, said Greg Ibach, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Under Secretary for marketing and regulatory programs. The USDA is asking veterinarians and farmers to immediately report sick pigs to government officials so they can be tested for African swine fever. The agency is also planning its response to a potential infection and increasing its capacity to perform rapid tests at laboratories. Were looking at all of our gaps and possibilities, said Jack Shere, the USDAs chief veterinary officer. If we do get it, we have to be able to recognize it and respond to it. WH Group Ltds Smithfield Foods, the worlds biggest pork processor, has imposed strict restrictions on farm and facility visits to guard against African swine fever, spokeswoman Keira Lombardo said. People who recently traveled internationally are prohibited, she said. In Minnesota, hog farmer Randy Spronk said he asked feed brokers and manufacturers, such as Royal DSM, about the origin of the swine vitamins and feed additives he buys. If the products come from China, he wants them kept in storage because the virus is thought to die out when held in dry conditions. DSM does not quarantine products from China to prevent African swine fever because it takes 120 days to reach the U.S. market, said Hugh Welsh, president of DSM North America. That is thought to be long enough for the virus become ineffective. New Fashion Pork, which produces 1.4 million market hogs annually across seven U.S. states, is asking feed companies to keep ingredients from China in storage for at least 30 days, owner Brad Freking said. After that, Freking is holding the products in storage for another 45 days. We have asked our supplier to basically quarantine those ingredients, Freking said. Keeping feed in storage raises costs for farmers because it requires them to have more supplies on hand. It also ties up storage space in warehouses, sheds and barns. The need for quarantines is unclear, according to U.S. officials, because manufacturing processes often kill diseases. BASF SE, which sells feed ingredients, does not import products from China for the U.S. market, spokesman Tony Graetzer said. The company is not shipping products to the United States from European countries infected with African swine fever, he said. European governments and BASF are very concerned about the potential spread of the virus, Graetzer said. (Reporting by Tom Polansek Editing by Bill Berkrot) Topics USA Europe Agribusiness China Jurors have awarded $25 million to the parents of a University of Florida student who was run over and killed by a garbage truck near campus. The Gainesville Sun reports that an Alachua County jury awarded $12.5 million each on Oct. 5 to the parents of 20-year-old Abigail Dougherty. Dougherty was killed by a Waste Corporation of America garbage truck nearly two years ago. The jury found that WCA of Florida, LLC was 80 percent liable. Gainesville police say Dougherty was attempting to cross a busy intersection in October 2016 when the garbage truck hit her while making a right turn. The lawsuit filed by Pat Dougherty and Anita Forester says the truck driver was negligent in not yielding the right of way. WCAs attorney said he wasnt sure if they would appeal the decision. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Auto Florida Education Universities A survey of Big Island farmers has found that they suffered nearly $28 million in damages because of the months-long eruption earlier this year of the Kilauea volcano, the Hawaii Tribune Herald reported. The survey of 46 farmers by University of Hawaiis College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources found they collectively lost an estimated $27.9 million in destroyed property, the newspaper reported. Of the total damages reported, nearly two thirds, $17 million, was damage to crops, while destroyed land, buildings and inventory accounted for $4.1 million, $3.3 million and $3 million in losses, respectively, the Herald Tribune reported. The survey found that $13.3 million of the reported damages were from the floriculture industry, with another $6.5 from the papaya industry and $2.5 from the macadamia nut industry. The Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, which requested the University conduct the survey, advised that the data from the survey is not all-inclusive but provides a snapshot of how devastating the eruption was for the islands agricultural industries. Eric Tanouye, president of the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, told the newspaper that the Kapoho region, now mostly buried in lava, had ideal conditions for orchid growers. After the eruption, Tanouye estimated that 10 percent of the Associations roughly 300 statewide members had been affected. Even though Tanouye said some new nurseries are beginning to see new growth, it can take up to two years to grow an orchid from seed into a plant that can be sold under ideal conditions. The farmers starting out fresh will have no cash flow during that period. Its a big decision for anyone to choose to go back into debt, Tanouye said. Every farmer is going to have to make that ultimate decision themselves. The loss of equipment, land viability and inventory for the affected industries has left their future in doubt. Its hard to put into dollars and cents, said Eric Wienert, president of the Hawaii Papaya Industry Association. Related: Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Agribusiness A Grant County, Wash. vegetable-packing house will pay $525,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging a supervisor groped, propositioned and retaliated against female workers. The Seattle Times reports State Attorney General Bob Ferguson says the settlement announced with Quincy-based Horning Brothers is believed to be the largest civil-rights resolution for the state in Washington history. The suit named Horning and a supervisor as defendants. The initial complaint says allegations the supervisor included requiring or attempting to require that employees have sex with him to keep their jobs. The suit alleged that Cruz discharged those who opposed his unfair practices. A judge ruled that Horning Brothers had an ineffective discrimination policy and did not act promptly after being notified about alleged harassment by a worker. The settlement prohibits the supervisor working again in a oversight position at Horning Brothers. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Washington 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) Workers contribute to the Social Security fund through payroll taxes over a lifetime of work, so you might as well make the most of your benefits. This article contains nine ways you may be able to boost your Social Security benefits. Key Takeaways Retirees can boost their Social Security with a few key strategies. Wait to retire until full retirement age (FRA). Delay applying until age 70 and youll get your maximum amount. If you work while getting benefits, make sure you dont run into the earned-income limits that will reduce your benefits. If eligible, dont overlook spousal, dependent, or survivor benefits. Strategies to Boost Your Benefits There are steps that you can take that will go a long way toward helping you maximize your Social Security retirement benefits. You can use a combination of some of the following strategies, some of which have eligibility requirements: Work for 35 years Wait until at least full retirement age to start collecting Collect spousal benefits Receive dependent benefits Keep track of your earnings Watch out for tax-bracket creep if youre still working Apply for survivor benefits Check Social Security statement for mistakes Stop collecting benefits temporarily Let's take a look at each in more detail. 1. Work for 35 Years You can be eligible for Social Security benefits after working for as little as 10 years, and you can begin receiving benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70. Your benefit amount is based on the average of your 35 highest-earning years. If you work for fewer years, those zeros are averaged in. As your benefit is based on your highest-earning years, the more you earn, the higher your benefit. There are limits, though. The maximum benefits for 2021 are $2,324 for those retiring at age 62, $3,113 for those retiring at the full retirement age of 66, and $3,895 for those retiring at age 70. 2. Wait Until at Least Full Retirement Age As you can see from the maximum levels above, you can retire as young as 62 and collect Social Security, but your benefits will be reduced by 25% to 30%. For everyone born after 1942, the full retirement age is 66, with two months added for each year after 1954. For those born in 1960 and after, it is age 67. Its wise to wait until the full retirement age to start collecting to get the highest amount youre eligible to receive. Even better, you can wait even longer and become eligible for delayed retirement credits that increase your monthly payment. If you wait until you're 70 instead of 62 to collect benefits, you'll get an extra 8% a year. When you reach 70, the increases stop. 3. Sign Up for Spousal Benefits If you are married and have little earned income, you may be entitled to spousal benefits of up to 50% of your partners eligible amount. If youre at least 62 years old and have a child in your care, you may be eligible to receive benefits through your spouse. The spousal benefit can be as much as 50% of the partners benefit, depending on when the partner retires. Even divorcees are eligible. In fact, both parties in a divorce can claim spousal benefits based on the other spouses Social Security earnings. However, if you have remarried, you cannot collect your ex-spouses benefits. 4. Receive a Dependent Benefit If you are retired but still have dependents under age 19, they are entitled to up to 50% of your benefit. This dependent benefit doesnt decrease the amount of Social Security benefits that a parent can receive. They are added to what the family receives. 5. Monitor Your Earnings If you continue to work after your Social Security payments begin, keep track of your earnings to ensure they dont exceed the allowed limit. For 2021, the limit on earned income is $18,960 for recipients below full retirement age and $50,520 in the year when you reach full retirement age. Your benefit payment is reduced for the year if you exceed these limits. After that, however, there is no penalty for earned income at any level. 2022 Cost-of-Living-Adjustment According to the Social Security Administration, beneficiaries of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will receive a 5.9% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2022. The COLA adjusts for rising prices (called inflation) by increasing Social Security benefits. On average, a retired worker who earns $1,565 per month before the COLA will earn $1,657 monthly in 2022 after the COLA. 6. Avoid a Tax-Bracket Bump If youre still working while receiving benefits, you also have to watch out for tax-bracket creep. Your earnings plus Social Security could put you up a notch in the tax table. 7. Apply for Survivor Benefits If your deceased spouse (or ex-spouse) was eligible for a higher Social Security payment than you are, you might be eligible for that higher survivor benefit. You might qualify for the higher benefit even if your spouse died before applying for benefits. If you begin to collect Social Security benefits before you reach normal retirement age, not only will you receive a reduced benefit, but after your death, your surviving spouse will, too. 8. Check for Mistakes You get a Social Security statement every year. Do not assume it is accurate. Check the numbers and report any errors to the Social Security Administration. Remember, your benefits are based on the average of your 35 highest-earning years. A miscalculation for even one or two of those years could impact your benefit for the rest of your life. 9. Change Your Mind You may have the right to suspend your benefit, pay back the money youve already received, and start collecting benefits again later. You can do this as long as youve been receiving benefits for less than a full year. This could happen if you get a job after you retire or inherit money and decide you can afford to delay filing to get a higher benefit check. You do this by filing Social Security Administration Form 521, Request for Withdrawal of Application. When you file again later, your benefit should be substantially higher. The Bottom Line Social Security benefits are a crucial part of retirement planning. You may be entitled to more than you think. Implementing a combination of some of the above strategies can help you boost your monthly check when you start claiming retirement benefits. What Are Honor Societies? With the school year just beginning, many new students will be faced with the decision of whether or not to join college honor societies. Invitations to honor societies are typically earned through hard work, participation in leadership activities and academic accomplishments. Although these are all characteristics that can help anyone to excel in the working world, are honor societies really worth it in the long run? Key Takeaways Honor societies are organizations for like-minded students at colleges and universities. The honor societies rally groups based on similar interests, such as academics and leadership abilities. The acceptance process includes an invitation or application and a fee, but membership is generally for a lifetime. The benefits for students include prestige and access to social events, while alumni get the benefit of networking. How Honor Societies Work Many people are still unsure of exactly what honor societies are or do. Honor societies are organizations intended to benefit and group together like-minded individuals based on academic excellence, leadership abilities, and other similar interests or abilities. Some of these societies may be known as professional fraternities, depending upon the organization, and many are named using Greek characters. Acceptance into these groups usually comes as the result of invitation or application, followed by the provision that you must meet certain criteria in order to join. These societies often come with lifelong membership, allowing members who have long since graduated to stay active within the group. Special Considerations As with most things in life, college honor societies come with no guarantees. What you get out of a legitimate honor society depends on what you put into it. Many people who join college honor societies only do it to boost their resumes. However, its unclear exactly how much benefit joining will provide. Some employers may be attracted to the fact that you've been associated with a prestigious fraternity or honor society, while others may not care at all. If it's a professional society related to the field in which you hope to work after graduation, ask relevant professors and college job counselors about the group and whether joining it would be advantageous. If you're actively networking through the society in order to obtain scholarships and job opportunities after graduation, there's a good chance that joining will be worthwhile for you. This is an important question for you and your family to investigate. Perhaps there is a family history with a particular society and it will be meaningful to you on a different level. However, honor societies may not be the only means to your desired end. Advantages and Disadvantages of Honor Societies Benefits for Students Perhaps one of the most appealing benefits to students is the prestige that's often associated with joining a college honor society. Some academic societies only accept the top-performing students in terms of academics, which has the potential to be a real boost to your resume. Honor societies also generally come with opportunities to access a range of social events, leadership opportunities, and even international study programs over the duration of your college years. For some students, this might make these groups particularly alluring. In addition, members are able to network with other students who share similar interests or goals, as well as alumni already present in the workforce. Many honor societies also offer scholarships, grants, and other monetary awards to members to lessen the financial burden of post-secondary education. Benefits for Alumni The potential benefits for graduates could come as soon as you've graduated. These benefits could come in the form of internship opportunities, or perhaps even the opportunity to fast-track applications into some of the top companies if you've networked with particularly successful alumni or any of the group's corporate sponsors. Some employers may be attracted to the fact that you've been a member of an honor society since many do come with a certain amount of prestige. There is often an association between being a member of an honor society and leadership ability, or the ability to create effective working relationships and business networks. Both skills are highly important in a number of industries. Many alumni continue to stay active in their honor societies after graduation since many networking events are also open to college alumni. Scams It's a sad fact that not all honor societies are on the up-and-up. You can check with the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) to see if the society you've been invited to join is legit. This is the national organization that certifies honor societies to ensure that they're meeting standards. You can further ensure that the honor society is legit by checking its website, phoning the head office of the society and reviewing the society's chapter policies to ensure that everything looks authentic. You should also ensure that the honor society you're considering has a presence on your campus. Visit the campus office and talk to the members to understand their experiences. You should be wary of any society that does not have a physical street address listed on its website. Requirements for Honor Societies Some students may be invited to join more than one honor society. It's important to understand that you don't have to pick just one. Keep in mind that costs associated can add up and, in some cases, the time obligations of involvement might be more than you're willing to take on. Selecting the right honor society will take some careful research into which group most closely matches your goals and ideals, and which provides you with the most potential benefits. Every college honor society comes with a fee. Though these fees vary (anywhere between $20 and $130), it's important to investigate the costs before making the final decision to join. Besides the initial joining fee, which will likely be good for a lifetime, you may find that some honor societies charge chapter or national fees. October 23, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) With construction 40% completed, this gold explorer/developer is well on the way to getting the Yukon's next gold mine up and running. Construction crews are racing against Mother Nature, pouring concrete and erecting steel at Victoria Gold Corp.'s (VIT:TSX.V) Eagle Gold Project in the Yukon, in order to continue interior construction once the Yukon winter sets in. Concrete for the crushing plants should be completed by the end of October and steel is currently being erected at the gold plant. Construction has come a long way since March, Victoria CEO John McConnell told Streetwise Reports. "Once we had the financing in place in March, we immediately mobilized. In the spring we focused on earthworks, got roads in, worked on the heap-leach pad and leveled out areas for the crushing system." "Concrete works should be done by the end of October. The goal now is to erect steel and have the buildings clad by the end of November so we can be working indoors through the coldest months, doing the electrical and mechanical work. We are right on schedule," McConnell added. Primary Crusher Under Construction Victoria closed a comprehensive CA$505 million financing package in March with Orion Mine Finance, Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd. and Caterpillar Financial Services Ltd. that fully funds the Eagle Gold Project to commercial production. The financing included: two credit facilities totaling US$175 million (approximately C$219 million); an equipment financing facility for up to US$50 million (C$63 million); a C$98 million royalty financing; and, a private placement of Victoria common shares to two separate subscribers for a total of C$125 million. The Eagle Gold Project is part of Victoria's 100%-owned Dublin Gulch property, located in central Yukon Territory, about 375 miles north of Whitehorse. The roughly 555-square-meter property is accessible all year by road and is tying into Yukon Energy's electrical grid only 45km from site. A comprehensive cooperation benefits agreement with the First Nation of Na-cho Nyak Dun is in place, signed in 2011. The feasibility study for Eagle and Olive deposits estimates Proven and Probable reserves of 2.7 million ounces of gold, and if all goes according to plan, Victoria should produce its first gold in the second half of 2019. Eagle is projected to produce approximately 200,000 ounces of gold per year at the cash cost of US$550 per ounce. Permits are in place for construction and operations. The feasibility study, using a $1,250/oz gold price, projects an after-tax Net Present Value (5%) of $508 million, with an internal rate of return of 29.5%. With an eye on adding to the resource, exploration is continuing at Dublin Gulch. McConnell noted, "We spent $2 million this year on exploration, drilled 5,000 meters and conducted 8,000 meters of surface trenching. We've had far bigger programs the last two or three years, but have scaled back because our focus is on construction this year." Industry analysts have been closely following Victoria's progress. Richard Gray, an analyst with Cormark Securities, was impressed with Victoria's progress. On September 20 he wrote, "Victoria has delivered an impressive summer of development at its Eagle gold project, de-risking its expectation for first pour in H2/19 and putting it well on track to become Canada's next gold mine. Despite a fully financed project that is already 1/3rd through its expected total build hours, Victoria continues to trade at just 0.36x NAV and should re-rate as it closes in on production." Cormark has a Buy recommendation and target price of C$0.70 on Victoria's shares. Gary Sidhu of PI Financial found Victoria's September construction update. He wrote on September 19, Victoria "has provided an update outlining the progress of development since commencing construction on March 15, 2015. Impact: Positive: Construction is proceeding on schedule. The majority of the earthworks is complete and critical path items are on schedule to be completed before the end of October (within the weather window.) The first gold pour is expected in H219." PI Financial has a Buy rating on Victoria and a price target of C$0.80. Disclosure: 1) Patrice Fusillo compiled this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise reports as an employee. She or members of her household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. She or members of her household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. 2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: Victoria Gold. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. 3) Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific experts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. 4) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports. 5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article, until one week after the publication of the interview or article. Disclosures from Cormark Securities, Victoria Gold Corp., Morning Meeting Notes, September 20, 2018 Analyst Certification: We, Richard Gray and Alex Hunchak, hereby certify that the views expressed in this research report accurately reflect our personal views about the subject company(ies) and its (their) securities. We also certify that we have not been, and will not be receiving direct or indirect compensation in exchange for expressing the specific recommendation(s) in this report. During the last 24 months, has Cormark provided financial advice to and/or, either on its own or as a syndicate member, participated in a public offering, or provided private placement of securities of this issuer? Yes. During the last 24 months, has Cormark received or is expected to receive compensation for having provided investment banking services to this issuer? Yes. During the last 24 months, has the analyst of this company received compensation from a pool that included investment banking revenue from this issuer earned by Cormark or entities affiliated with it? Yes. Does the analyst, associate or any individual responsible for the preparation of this research, or a member of that person's household, have a financial interest in the securities of this company? Yes. RG-Long position, Common shares. Disclosure Statements and Dissemination Policies: A full list of our disclosure statements as well as our research dissemination policies and procedures can be found on our website. Disclosures from PI Financial, Victoria Gold Corp., Research Flash, September 19, 2018 Analyst Certification: I, Gary Sidhu, hereby certify that all of the views expressed in this report accurately reflect my personal views about the subject securities or issuers. I also certify that no part of my compensation was, is, or will be, directly or indirectly related to the specific recommendations or views expressed in this report. I am the research analyst primarily responsible for preparing this report. Research Disclosures: Victoria Gold: PI Financial Corp. and/or its affiliates expect to receive or intend to seek compensation for investment banking services from the subject company. 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. 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Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Hampshire, UK - October 23, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) A new study from Juniper Research has found that revenues generated by IoT retail platforms will exceed $4.3 billion by 2023, up from an estimated $890 million in 2018. According to the research, IoT in Retail: Strategies & Forecasts for Retailers & Platform Providers 2018-2023, challenging retail conditions, exacerbated by strong competition in the retail sector, the rise of eCommerce (the Amazon effect) and spiralling rental costs are acting as a 'push factor' for retailers to adopt IoT platforms. For more market insights, download the free whitepaper: 'The IoT Retail Revolution'. The research found that IoT platform implementation will allow retailers to unlock efficiencies, particularly in the supply chain, which will improve operational margins. Juniper anticipates that this push for efficiency will drive the total number of IoT platform connected assets to almost 25 billion units by 2023, up from just over 5 billion in 2018. ERP Software Spend to Reach $13 billion by 2023 The report stated that the rise of compelling ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems, leveraging IoT sensors to enhance resource utilisation, will drive overall IoT retail software spend rapidly, with annual retail spend on these ERP solutions reaching over $13 billion by 2023. Research author Nick Maynard explained: "Retailers are facing a perfect storm of pressures and challenges, which IoT implementation can help them navigate successfully. ERP and retail platform providers are a compelling proposition in enabling successful IoT transformation." RFID Leads IoT Retail Technology Index The research also carried out an assessment of the extent to which retailers have implemented the various technologies, based on factors such as technological clarity, cost barriers and existing deployments. This assessment found that RFID will continue to have the biggest impact on the retail space. This is due to the positive impact RFID implementation can have, in not only logistical and warehousing operations, but also as part of 'Just Walk Out' shopping experiences (Amazon Go). Resource optimisation and heat sensor technologies were also found to be highly mature and disruptive. Juniper Research provides research and analytical services to the global hi-tech communications sector; providing consultancy, analyst reports and industry commentary. Contact: sam.smith@juniperresearch.com www.juniperresearch.com TechSectorStocks.com - investing ideas in tech stocks - mobile payments, social media, AI and Robotics, Drone Stocks, GPS, Internet of Things (IoT) Like Tech Stocks? View our Tech Stocks Directory Get News Alerts on Tech Stocks 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 The rate of growth at 15% was particularly striking the average industrial growth rate recorded across all EU countries was a mere 1.2% in the period. To put the performance in perspective, manufacturing now accounts for almost a third of all economic output by GDP, double of the share of a decade ago of 17%, and well above the global average, leaving countries such as Germany, the US, and the UK well behind. The dramatic growth in Irish industrial production shows that Government policies to rescue the sector after decades of neglect and decline have borne fruit. There has been a push by many governments across the world, and not just in President Donald Trumps America, to pull their economies out of the recession by pushing for more manufacturing in their home bases. The results in Ireland have come about by incentivising foreign companies such as Intel, Medtronic, Schneider Electric, Cook medical Ireland, Boston Scientific, to name just a few. But the indigenous sector has also moved significantly into the holy grail of advanced manufacturing and robotics with strong support from Enterprise Ireland. Making it in Ireland; Manufacturing 2020 was the policy document released in the thick of the recession in 2012 as the Fine Gael Government came to power and needed to get Ireland back to work quickly. Abroad, Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister, introduced his Make in India programme in 2016 achieving spectacular success attracting investments from firms such as General Motors, and from Koreas oldest car manufacturer KIA. In August, the Chinese government launched Made in China 2025, a state-led industrial policy that seeks to make China dominant in global manufacturing. The Chinese move, in particular, enraged President Trump who sees the move as one that may undermine his Make America Great Again mantra. However, behind the bluster, US administrators know that manufacturing has become a very competitive game. Earlier this month, Washington released its Strategy for American Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing. The US administration said at the time: This century saw dramatic changes with significant decline in US manufacturing employment starting in the 1990s and accelerating losses during the 2008 recession. In the face of intense global competition, the Trump Administration has taken strong action to defend the economy... strong actions are required to combat unfair global trade practices and help US manufacturers reach their full potential. The UK has shown up as one of the laggards with industrial production growth of 1.6% in the year to August. It is finding difficulty moving up its production base from below 10% of national output where it has been stuck for the past decade. Amid weaker international demand for British goods, its manufacturers have suffered negative growth in the first six months this year meeting definitions for an economic recession in the sector. They face a difficult autumn as the Brexit deadlock continues and Trumps trade sanctions hit exports. Englands misfortune could be Irelands opportunity. But the fight for manufacturing jobs has become a key focus of so many major economies that it may not be a case of jobs moving from Britain to Ireland, but from Europe to Asia, or to the US. On the immediate horizon, there is the worrying move by the White House which last week notified US Congress of its intent to start three separate trade agreement talks with Japan, the EU, and the UK. The US has a trade deficit with all three of these regions. That means the US will buy fewer products made in Ireland, the rest of the EU, as well as from the UK and Japan. John Whelan is a leading consultant on Irish and international trade. Farming families tend to understand instinctively that good times never last forever. Last years bumper crop, or price, gives way to this years shortage or revenue meltdown. Those living in cities are perhaps less likely to accept that this is simply a fact of life and more likely to play the blame game when things go wrong. We are five to six years into an economic recovery which many regard as our due after the big economic freeze of 2008 to 2012. A variety of events starting with a mishandled Brexit, a conflict and-or financial meltdown could serve as the trigger, but the truth is that the good times do not go on forever, regardless of the circumstances. Naturally, people focus on the problems that accompany prosperity, in particular, in the area of housing. But we need to take care to curb public and private spending so as to give ourselves room for manoeuvre in a downturn. The recent crash taught us some hard lessons. We learned about the dangers of over borrowing at personal, household, corporate and national level. We discovered just how quickly borrowing costs can soar as confidence evaporates. It is sound economics to keep back funds for difficult times. The finance minister has recognised this by allocating 500m a year to a rainy day fund, though 1.5bn is coming from the countrys sovereign wealth fund, a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul. Are we really doing enough to put aside funds for this event? Governments need to keep decent reserves for priming the pump when finances are tight. It makes sense from a business point of view. In harder times, you get far more bang for the taxpayers buck. Capital projects are less costly. Labour is cheaper. But could the Government go further by selling off more State assets at a time of buoyancy in the property market and putting the proceeds into an enlarged fund? Total public expenditure in Ireland is now close to 60bn a year. In this context, an annual 500m down payment is a modest sum indeed. In the US, there is concern that only eight states have rainy day funds equivalent in size to 10% of annual expenditures. We are still way off what in our case would be a 6bn target. We need to learn the lessons from previous recessions on the best methods of combating downturns. The Hamilton Project at the US Brookings Institute has come up with interesting findings. It examined measures undertaken during the great recession in America 10 years ago. While the US Feds easy money strategy primed the pumps, then President Barack Obama administrations fiscal stimulus also helped to shorten the downturn. The US emerged from the crash much more quickly than Europe. And the most effective individual measures? Programmes aimed at lower income people much more inclined to spend those funds quickly and in their local districts. Economists such as Alan Blinder have concluded that public spending was more efficient than tax cuts in fostering recovery. However, well-targeted tax cuts also helped. The most effective being increases in child tax credits (seen as six times as effective as accelerated depreciation aimed at boosting capital investment by firms). However, economists also concluded that safety net programmes varied greatly in their effectiveness. In the great recession, employment among males without a high school qualification fell 13%. The already poor and the young were hit hardest and have been slowest to feel the benefit of recovery, though most of the US is now at full employment. The next downturn could be accompanied by a rapid increase in the use of artificial intelligence leading to a sudden displacement in middle-level jobs. Policymakers could face different challenges. One piece of advice to households would be to keep levels of debt at modest levels. There are signs that Irish people have learned the lesson of 18 years ago and that debt is still being paid down. But there should be real concern about the Governments failure to run a surplus at the top of the cycle, given the size of our national debt. Businesses too should be alert to the experience of firms during recessions across the past few decades. Harvard academics Ranjay Gulati and Nitin Nohria studied 4,700 companies, examining their response to recession. They looked at three American recessions: 1980 to 1982; 1990-1991; and 2000 to 2002. The periods covered included the three years before the recessions and the three years after the recessions. The picture is not a pretty one. Four in five of those that did not regain pre-recession sales levels. Interestingly, firms that cut costs faster and deeper did not flourish. Such firms had only a one in five chance of pulling ahead of the competition when things got better. Equally, businesses that boldly invested more than their rivals did not fare particularly well either. The real winners were those companies that combined defence and offence, cutting costs while investing for the future and when it comes to cutting g costs, securing efficiencies in operations and in supply chain management would appear to be the way to go. Firms that slashed their workforce ended up with lower staff morale and found that they had lost much of their expertise. When the recovery came, they often had difficulty filling the gaps that had opened up. As the authors conclude: Confronted by recession, many CEOs shift into crisis mode. They lowered head-counts, preserved cash, shut down businesses, postponed fresh investment in research and development (R&D) or the purchase of assets. Sony is cited as a company that struggled to regain momentum following heavy cutbacks during the 2000 and 2008 recessions. Hewlett Packard is cited as an example of a company that suffered from an overly aggressive, optimistic strategy. It ramped up spending on R&D by almost 10%, spent billions on acquisitions and on IT. However, these initiatives strained the organisation. Top managements attention was spread too thin. The authors cited the US retailer, Target which thrived through a clever mix of expansion and contraction. It actually increased its workforce by 10% while also shutting down underperforming facilities. It boosted service and shifted to high-end products. The company was able to take advantage of depressed prices to pick up property, plant, and equipment on the cheap. It turns out that those who box clever win out during recessions which are often times of deep business transformation. But a good strategy will not suffice without sufficient financial firepower. The best generals can do little without weaponry at their disposal. A good general knows that an army needs decent food, clothing, and shelter. This is something that cutback merchants tend to neglect as they set out to shred the cost base. That said, whether one is a nation, an individual, or a corporation, it does not do to enter a tougher environment without the financial wherewithal and without a plan. Geoff Percival Ryanair has warned of further base closures and capacity cuts in the coming months if oil prices continue to rise and air fares continue to fall. The airline yesterday followed up its full-year profit warning from earlier this month by reporting a 7% year-on-year fall in first-half, post-tax profit to 1.2bn for the six months to the end of September. Revenues rose 8% on the same period last year to 4.79bn. These were heavily driven by ancillary revenues which were up by 27% at 1.3bn. However, revenue growth was eaten into by higher fuel, staff and passenger costs. As expected Ryanairs average air fares fell by 3% in the first half, to under 46, and a near 2% fall is expected in the second half. The airline said that fares remain soft this winter, due to excess capacity in Europe. Despite the figures, Ryanairs share rose over 4% yesterday aided by the company reiterating confidence in reaching agreements with worker unions by Christmas and nearing a potential end to a long-running series of labour disputes which have caused flight disruptions and investor unease, which has led to a near 30% drop in its share value in the past year. We cannot rule out further base closures or capacity cuts this winter if oil prices rise or air fares fall further, said Ryanair. It recently closed its bases in Eindhoven and Bremen. It also said that winter trading could be positively impacted by the rate and timing of other airline failures. Ryanairs passenger numbers rose, in the first half, to 76.6 million passengers, but chief executive Michael OLeary said traffic was repeatedly impacted by the worst summer of air traffic control disruptions on record. Ryanair said it has made good progress in pilot and cabin crew union negotiations in Ireland, Italy, the UK, Germany and Portugal and is hopeful of concluding others this side of Christmas. While we hope to finalise more union agreements in the coming months, we cannot rule out occasional industrial action, but we expect their impact to be very limited, he said. Ryanair, earlier this month, significantly cut its full-year profit guidance to between 1.1bn and 1.2bn, which would be down from 1.45bn for its last full financial year. It also said, at that time, that further strike action may require full-year guidance to be lowered further. Ryanair also said that it will resist making further share buybacks, pending the outcome of Brexit. We view this as a modestly positive update but refrain from getting bullish on Ryanair just yet, said Merrion analyst Darren McKinley. By Liam Heylin A former officer of Gurranabraher credit union who confessed to the theft of more than 300,000 from her employer over a period of several years said through her barrister that she would have 10,000 compensation in court by Friday. Leona Daly, aged 36, with an address at 4 Meadow Avenue, The Meadows, Knocknaheeny, Cork, appeared at Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday where her previously entered a plea of guilty to 167 theft charges was confirmed. Niamh Stewart, defending, said Daly had brought 2,000 to court yesterday and would have a further 8,000 by Friday. Judge Sean O Donnabhain referred to the substantial nature of the thefts before the court yesterday and he was concerned about the level of compensation. The judge said he needed to be convinced about the reality of the accused compensating the credit union in full over a period of time. Judge O Donnabhain said it would not be sufficient for the defence to simply outline the proposed repayment plan on Friday. He said they would need to furnish proposed details to the State before Friday so that the prosecution could check out the reality of the plan before it is mentioned in court. It will be back before Cork Circuit Criminal Court for that purpose on October 26. Detective Garda Maura ORiordan of the Garda Economic Crime Investigation Unit formally arrested and charged Daly with the counts on July 23 outside the Bridewell garda station. Some 109 of the charges relate to theft and 58 are for false accounting. They relate to a period from 2011 to 2016 and the amounts of money on the charges varied from 500 to 11,000. The charges are of theft contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, and false accounting contrary to Section 10 of the same act. The first charge, for instance, states that on March 2, 2016 at the Knocknaheeny/Hollyhill office, she did steal 1,700 from a credit union account (number) the property of Gurranabraher Credit Union. The other type of charge against Daly states, for instance, that, on November 12, 2014, at the same location, she did dishonestly, with the intention of making a gain for herself or another, in furnishing information for Gurranabraher credit union account (number) produce or make use of said account by withdrawing the sum of 4,000 which to your knowledge was, or could have been, misleading, false or deceptive, in a material particular. By Olivia Kelleher A Go Fund Me page which was set up just two days ago for a young Corkman who incurred a traumatic brain injury after an accident involving an electric scooter while on a long weekend in Los Angeles earlier this month, has raised 66,000. Liam OConnell from Ballincollig has been employed as a civil engineer in Vancouver, Canada, for the past eight years. The accident occurred on October 5. Liam, who is known to friends and family as Doug, was taken by ambulance to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Centre. He was diagnosed with a fractured skull, subdural bleeding, and traumatic swelling of the brain. Doctors performed an emergency decompressive craniectomy procedure where a section of his skull was removed to relieve intracranial pressure. He is in a medically induced coma. His friend, Cian OCallaghan, told Corks 96FM that subsequent battles with pneumonia and other direct complications have prevented doctors from reducing sedation. Liam is expected to be in the induced coma for an extended period but there is a slight progression in his condition. Doctors are said to be cautiously optimistic in relation to his recovery. Cian said he is blown away by the amount raised for his lifelong friend in the space of just 48 hours. He said Liam has an extensive circle of friends and the generosity being shown in the wake of the accident is a true testament to his character. We have known each other since junior infants, said Cian. He is loved by so many people. He is very creative. Extremely funny. He is extremely generous. Liams family are currently in Los Angeles at his bedside. His sister, Caitriona, gives friends in Ireland updates every day. Cian says he hopes to travel to LA further down the line in Liams recovery when he can be of more practical assistance to him. From our perspective, not being able to do anything we want to help out as much as possible, said Cian. We are going to help Liam with the recovery. The cost incurred with that is incredible. The road to recovery is going to be long and strenuous for Liam. It is expected that Liam will undergo rehab in Canada. Costs will mount in the US and for the rehabilitation in Canada. Liam, who is in his late 20s, is a Canadian citizen. Cian says it is very hard to quantify the upcoming costs for Liam. He paid tribute to the dozens of people who have contributed to the campaign. My phone has been hopping in my pocket, he said. We reached 25,000 in two hours. We are unbelievably blown away by the generosity of people. Not just donations but sharing it on social media and raising awareness of the campaign. -Contributions can be made gofundme.com/fight-of-his-life-liam-doug A man in his fifties has appeared at Cork Circuit Criminal Court charged with possession of child pornography at his home in Douglas on the southside of Cork city. Des Breen of Calderwood Road, Donnybrook, Douglas, Cork pleaded guilty to the single count on the indictment against him. The councillor who led criticism of the We Are Cork branding exercise wants the city to ask for a refund from the consultants who worked on the logo. Fianna Fail councillor Ken OFlynn made the call last night after city council chief executive Ann Doherty addressed the controversy following the Irish Examiners revelations that the initiatives logo bears remarkable similarities to a British chefs group and to a cultural initiative in Barcelona. This newspaper also revealed that the exercise cost 300,000 and that the tag line, We Are Cork, has been used by Corks 96fm and 103fm for several years. Mr OFlynn said: I am not satisfied that we got the best value for money for this particular product. I am calling for a refund of those monies. He was one of several councillors who criticised the handling of the branding initiative after Ms Doherty presented a two-page report to council on the issue. Ms Doherty insisted that We Are Cork is one part of a two-pronged Cork Placebrand strategy, which involves the city and county council, Cork Airport, Port of Cork, UCC, CIT, Cork Chamber, Cork Business Association, Ibec, Enterprise Ireland, Failte Ireland, and Visit Cork. She said Belfast-based foreign investment and economic development services firm OCO Global linked with Belfast-based design studio, Collaborate, worked on the project. OCO Global were paid just over 200,000 for the work on the logo. Ms Doherty told councillors that the costs of the entire exercise are being shared between the city and county councils. Documents released under Freedom of Information show the total cost to the city will be 139,000. Ms Doherty said she was satisfied that all relevant trademark searches were done and the new logo was cleared for use as a placename brand. Reducing the place brand to just a new logo is not representative of the scope of this two-year project, she said. Place branding and marketing is not simply about development of a new visual identity or logo. The We Are Cork brand and website project the power of the people of Cork through the message Cork Can. It is a celebration of all the positive and unique things happening throughout Cork highlighted through videos and images showcasing our amazing talents. She said she is confident that the return on investment will pay dividends over the years as the rolling out of a single brand to sell Cork at home and abroad continues. However, councillors Tim Brosnan, Thomas Gould, and Fiona Ryan all said councillors should have been consulted on such an important project before the spend was signed off. Mr Brosnan said he had concerns that decisions had been made in backrooms in the absence of consultation with city councillors. I would appeal to management to consult with councillors on an equal footing with the stakeholders that were involved in this, he said. Mr Gould said councillors were sidestepped and that their mandate should have been respected. Two weeks ago, it was the 200,000 spent on the Charles and Camilla visit, then its Save Cork City legal costs, and now its this, he said. Ive been nine years trying to get traffic calming on north ring road, and I cant get any of them done, and yet were spending thousands here. Councillors Terry Shannon, Des Cahill, and Kieran McCarthy said councillors should be supportive of the marketing initiative. By Sean ORiordan A county councillor has described as mind-boggling the alleged failure of City Hall and County Hall in Cork to acquire an iconic site to alleviate the housing crisis. The arson-destroyed red brick building, known as St Kevins Asylum, has been on the market since early this year. However, the HSEs reported offer of the building and 14 acres for 2.95m to both Cork City Council and Cork Council Council was rejected, according to Fine Gael councillor Deirdre Forde. The site is now on the open market. Ms Forde succeeded yesterday at County Hall to have standing orders suspended to discuss the matter. It was mind-boggling, she said, in the midsts of a housing crisis, that neither council made an offer on the building and its land overlooking the Lee Fields. I am calling now for the local authorities to come together with the HSE to acquire this valuable, iconic, site adjacent to all services and walking distance of city and suburbs and declare it a strategic housing zone, so development there can be fast-tracked, she said. The building was badly damaged by fire last year. Ms Forde claimed she had been advised the HSE offered the site to statutory bodies, including the councils. Theres potential to develop new residential units in sections of the grounds, including multi-level apartment blocks, as well as in a reinstated and adapted main building, she said. Her party colleague, Derry Canty, supported her call but said the site in the city area was primarily a matter for the city council. The fire at St Kevin's Asylum However, county council chief executive Tim Lucey asserted that the land was never offered to the council by the HSE. Sinn Fein councillor Melissa Mullane said that both local authorities should have an input into transforming it into social housing. Its owned by one arm of the State, we need to be more proactive in building houses, it should be handed over free of charge, she said. Fine Gael councillor Kevin Murphy believed the local authorities should acquire the building through a compulsory purchase order. Members backed Fine Gael councillor Michael Hegartys proposal for the councils property section enter into talks with counterparts in the HSE and city council to develop the site. Any new proposal from British prime minister Theresa May about the backstop proposal to avoid a hard border will be considered by the EU taskforce on Brexit, the Government has said. Ms May told MPs yesterday that the issue of the border and the last resort to guarantee a frictionless border remained the sole issue to resolve in the withdrawal deal for Britain. But Dublin reiterated that any negotiations would take place in Brussels, behind closed doors and that a backstop could not be temporary in nature. Tanaiste Simon Coveney yesterday said that any move by Britain to move away from the backstop is not going to fly with Ireland or the EU as a whole. Furthermore, the deputy Fine Gael leader stressed that commitments made still need to be honoured. Mr Coveney will this week lead further Brexit conferences in Dublin and Monaghan, where businesses and the public will discuss how to prepare for Britains withdrawal from the EU. There has been speculation this week that Ms May could face a vote of no confidence from Tory Brexiteers. The embattled prime minister will hold further talks with her cabinet over the impasse to agreeing a withdrawal deal with EU negotiators. Speaking yesterday, she said she was prepared to explore every possible option to break the deadlock in Brexit talks. She told MPs 95% of the terms of the exit were agreed but the Irish border issue was still a considerable sticking point. She again ruled out supporting a second referendum. EU leaders last week discussed extending the Brexit transition period, due to end in December 2020, to resolve future contingency plans, including the so-called Irish backstop. EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier says the taskforce is ready to resume talks. But no dates have yet been agreed. Dublin sources last night said they had listened to Ms Mays comments and that any fresh proposals should be considered by Mr Barnier and his team. Irelands position remained the same and as part of an overall future relationship between the EU and Britain, there was still a need for a backstop to avoid a hard border, a spokesman said. By Fiachra O Cionnaith and Juno McEnroe Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are set to hold the first confidence and supply renewal talks on Thursday amid an ongoing stand-off between the parties over how long the negotiations will last. Senior officials from both parties last night confirmed the start date for the high-profile negotiations, which are crucial to avoiding a snap general election in the middle of the Brexit crisis. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, a number of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail sources said that while no start date has been formally agreed, the first stage of talks are almost certain to begin on Thursday. This is because of the need for both parties four-TD negotiating teams to speak with parliamentary party colleagues at scheduled weekly private meetings today and tomorrow, and to finalise their own plans on Thursday morning. While no itinerary for the first meeting has yet been agreed, it is expected both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail will use the first talks meeting to push for a clear schedule on what the upcoming discussions will involve. However, it is understood that the parties are still far apart on key issues, with Fine Gael insisting on a two- year extension and Fianna Fail demanding a lengthy review of the initial arrangement before any extension is considered. While Taoiseach Leo Varadkar initially issued a Halloween deadline for the completion of talks, he backed down on the suggestion last week, saying it was a target, not a deadline. The row-back came after Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin insisted any talks must only take place after a lengthy review of the existing confidence and supply deal and its potential failures to date is completed. The outcome of the negotiations will be crucial to avoiding a general election in the middle of the Brexit crisis, with ongoing fears this could still occur. However, Fine Gael TD and Culture Minister Josepha Madigan said that while there are still issues to resolve, she believes the fact the parties are meeting shows that progress on a new deal is being made. I think its going to be up to the negotiating teams to iron out any differences, but its a really positive step that the teams are going to be meeting this week, she said. The Taoiseach has said he would like to have a target for when the talks will be finished, just that as you know we can provide some certainty with Brexit at the moment and the challenges that we are facing. So I think the sooner the talks are concluded the better. It remains to be seen, but I think its achievable. By Liam Heylin Coldplay tickets, rolls of silage wrap, and car parts were fraudulently offered online by a man who had money transferred to his account by buyers who never received the goods. Sean ONeill, of 1 Sunday School Lane, Blackpool, Cork, pleaded guilty to 10 charges of theft arising out of these fraudulent sales. He also pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to a charge of having heroin for sale or supply at his home in Blackpool on May 30. One of the theft charges related to March 22, 2017, where he induced a man to purchase car parts for 300. The other nine theft charges related to dates in June 2017, when he induced four people to buy pairs of Coldplay concert tickets when he had no tickets. Sums of around 250 were transferred by each injured party to his account on the promise of the tickets. Injured parties paid sums ranging from 250 to 1,050 for rolls of silage wrap, also in June last year. Defence barrister Alan ODwyer asked Judge O Donnabhain to direct a prison governors report in advance of sentencing. The judge declined to do so but said ONeills rehabilitation in prison could be raised at the sentencing hearing. ONeill, 32, was remanded in custody until November 16 for sentence on the theft charges and on one count of drug-dealing. By Ann O'Loughlin The president of the High Court has said the director general of the Heath Services Executive must inform him as a matter of urgency how it plans to deal with the impact of Brexit on wards of court who are placed in specialist units the UK. Mr Justice Peter Kelly said he had been previously told the matter was "under consideration" by the HSE but it would have to be "more proactive". He is concerned about "what is going to happen" as a result of Brexit, he said. He directed the general solicitor for wards of court to write on Tuesday to the director general of the HSE asking what plans it has to deal with the situation. If there is no response within 14 days, he will list the matter, the judge added. He made the comments when dealing with the situation of an adolescent girl who is receiving treatment in a specialist unit in the UK for an eating disorder. Several other young people from here are receiving similar treatment while other children and adults are receiving specialist treatment there not available here for a range of conditions. The judge said he would be reviewing the adolescent girl's case just a month before Brexit and wanted to know the HSE's plans in relation to wards of court who are either in the UK now or who are likely to be subject of applications to be placed there between now and the Brexit date of March 2019. It is important there is "some clarity" concerning the legal regime, he said. If there was no response from the HSE within 14 days, he would list the matter because the court needed to know and could not have a "legal vacuum". Those wards of court who are in the UK now were placed there under European Framework legislation and avail of services provided by the NHS in the UK, he said. That system had to date worked very well but he did not know if it would still be available post Brexit or if it would function in the same way. He suspected things would not be as simple as they are now where wards can be speedily moved to the UK when their circumstances are urgent, he added. By Ann O'Loughlin The president of the High Court has refused to permit a private nursing home to discharge an elderly woman from its premises because of arrears in meeting its costs of her care. The woman, in her eighties and a ward of court since Spring 2017, requires to be hoisted and needs two carers to look after her and it would be difficult to find an alternative public nursing home facility for her, the court heard. The nursing home had complained of arrears which at one stage were some 28,000 but had been cut to about 10,150. Her care costs are 350 weekly, plus 46 expenses to meet hairdressing and other needs, it said. The home is a business which cannot be expected to continue to incur such costs, its counsel said. It wanted to be permitted to discharge her and for the HSE to seek an alternative public facility. Refusing to permit her discharge, Mr Justice Peter Kelly said the nursing home should be a bit patient and wait for completion of legal steps to realise the womans interest in her late husbands estate which was "a mess". The woman has some 10,300 left in cash funds out of which 6,000 will be paid towards reducing the current arrears of 10,150 to some 4,000, he directed. Her weekly care costs will be paid for out of the remaining 4,000 so the arrears as of now will be just over 4,000, he said. It could be said, because the nursing home is a business, it should be entitled to the discharge order even if one cent was owed to it, he also said. If this matter was looked at "solely in commercial terms", that would be so but the court must look to the woman's care. Any company incurred risk when it goes into business and he was sure other nursing homes, because of the nature of their business, have and are experiencing payment arrears. He was asking the nursing home to be "a bit patient" and wait for the 4,000 and in the interim he would direct weekly payments to it out of the woman's remaining funds so no further arrears would incur. The 4,000 sum would be repaid in full once the woman's late husband's estate is probated and her legal right share is exercised, he said. The nursing home company appeared to have the view the court was "some sort of shadow Department of Social Protection" which could "conjure up funds or nursing home placements which don't exist", he added. The court had no funds apart from the woman's own funds and this unfortunate lady finds herself with a valuable asset on paper which has yet to be realised, he said. To have the arrears cut to about 4,000 was "not unreasonable". The judge also said he was sure every nursing home who takes on the care of a patient is dependent to an extent on their ability, or the ability of their family, to pay the liabilities and was also sure liabilities are not unknown. That was one of the risks of running a nursing home. Earlier, he stressed the arrears were not due to any neglect or default of the general solicitor for wards of court who was doing her best to unravel "the mess" that was the woman's late husband's estate. The woman's family had not shown any willingness to assist in funding her nursing home care pending the estate issues being sorted out, he was told. By Eoin Reynolds A 31-year-old has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering a man following a drunken row over a cigarette. Following the verdict, the deceased's daughter Shawna Byrne gave an emotional statement, telling the court her family's world stopped the day he died, and that "his life and his dignity taken in an absolutely savage way." Anthony Walsh (31) was found guilty of the murder of 54-year-old Dermot Byrne at North St, Swords, Co Dublin on July 16, 2017 by a unanimous jury verdict. The six men and six women spent two hours and 41 minutes considering their verdict. Shawna told prosecuting counsel Vincent Heneghan SC that her family had tickets to the Dublin GAA semi-final the day their dad was murdered. "He was one of the most important people in our lives, as a father but also as a husband, a brother and a son," she said. The days after his death were a blur as they dealt with the garda investigation and tried to figure out why their dad was beaten to death in such a "savage" way. Slowly they realised that he would not return. She said: "His white van would no longer be parked outside the house. The familiar sound of his voice, joking about one thing or another was gone. He will not be there for our milestones," she said, adding: "Our dad will not be there to walk us up the aisle like he was supposed to." The family no longer feels safe in the town they grew up in. Their local credit union and dentist are across the road from where their dad was beaten to death at the steps to Fingal College. They still have questions and nightmares. She added: "Both his life and dignity were taken in an absolutely savage way that is unbearable to think about." Walsh's life sentence is insignficant compared to the "tragedy that arrived on our doorstep that day." Justice Eileen Creedon sympathised with Mr Byrne's family and commended Shawna for making the statement. Sergeant Killian Leydon told the court that Walsh had multiple previous convictions including for public order, burglary, criminal damage and misuse of drugs. Justice Creedon sentenced him to the mandatory life imprisonment for Mr Byrne's murder and seven years for stealing a bank card, Zippo lighter and keys from the man he had beaten to death. She said it would be difficult to think of a more heinous circumstance in which a person could take another man's property. Walsh did not react as he was sentenced and led away by prison guards. Evidence in trial Mr Byrne was well known in Swords and spent many weekends at the local GAA club and in various pubs. Although he was barred from the Harp Bar, head of security John Burke said he would still enjoy a bit of banter with door staff every weekend. They barred him because he was a "messy" drunk, but he was friendly. On the night he died, however, he was highly intoxicated and "looking for trouble" according to defence counsel Remy Farrell SC. There was evidence that Mr Byrne threatened to kill a 24-hour garage shop worker, annoyed customers queuing at the hatch, urinated on the garage forecourt and got into an argument with a motorist. He was caught on CCTV outside the Harp Bar coming up behind Mr Walsh and grabbing a cigarette from his mouth. Door staff held him back and he later complained to one of them: "Why did you do that? I can look after myself." Following that confrontation, Walsh went off in the direction of Main St and was seen arguing with a friend who he had earlier been drinking with. Walsh, who was homeless at the time and carrying his belongings in a black holdall bag, sat down at the steps to the Community College and his friend left to get a taxi. According to Walsh's statements to gardai, Mr Byrne then attacked him, cornered him and kept coming at him, throwing punches, kicks and rugby tackling him. Prosecution counsel Vincent Heneghan SC said this version of events was not realistic given that Walsh is taller than six feet one inch while Mr Byrne stood at five feet and four inches. He said it would have been easy for Walsh to get away and asked the jury whether they thought a man with as much alcohol in him as Mr Byrne would have been able to do that to Walsh. Walsh beat Mr Byrne to death. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster identified multiple fractures to the face and ribs. Some of the bones in his face had been broken into little bits. He died from traumatic brain injury complicated by intoxication and the inhalation of blood. Following the beating Walsh stripped Mr Byrne of his clothes and put his bank card, Zippo lighter and keys into the holdall bag. He got a taxi to a friend's house and the next day confessed what he had done to his parents. He did not explain to gardai why he stripped Mr Byrne's clothes. Mr Heneghan suggested it was to destroy forensic evidence but Mr Farrell pointed out that Walsh left his mobile phone beside the body. Walsh's defence team argued that he was provoked to the point where he lost all self control by Mr Byrne repeatedly "going after" him and then punching him, leaving him with a "burst lip". Justice Eileen Creedon told the jury that if he was provoked to the point where he was no longer in control of his own actions they should find him not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter. To convict of murder the jury was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that Walsh intended to kill or cause serious injury to Mr Byrne and that he was not acting in self defence and was not provoked to the point where he lost control. Full text of Victim Impact Statement by Shawna Byrne, daughter of the deceased: On the 16th July 2017 we had tickets to attend the Dublin GAA semi-final. Our world stopped when we found out what happened to our Dad. He was one of the most important people in our lives - as a father but also as a husband, a brother and a son. We found out that we would never see him again. The days after this were a blur. Gardai and detectives called to our house along with family and neighbors. We had to try to wrap our head around what had happened. This was with great difficulty. We had no answers to our questions, the predominant one being why or how could this happen to our Dad? His funeral was held on the 27th of July 2017. This was 11 agonizing days after the incident. 11 days where he lay in a morgue alone. When we saw him privately for the last time we were told to prepare ourselves. He was bruised and had cuts and stitches on his face. He did not look like himself. This is the last memory I have of my Dad and is something I'll never forget. After the finality of the funeral, reality set in. We had significant time off work to try to begin to deal with our grief, but slowly we realized that this feeling doesn't ever go away. Our Dad would no longer return home in the evening from work. His white van would no longer be parked outside the house. The familiar sound of his voice, joking about one thing or another was gone. He will not be there for future milestones in our lives. Buying our first car, new jobs, graduations and having children. Our Dad will not be there to walk us up the aisle like he was supposed to. The toughest part of this is knowing how much he would have wanted to be there. A distressing part of all this is that we pass the scene where the incident occurred often, because it is in the center of our town. Our local credit union and dentist are directly across from the Fingal College steps. Simple appointments such as these and even going to work in this direction are met with anxiety. We no longer feel safe in the town we live in knowing this kind of act can happen to anyone. We still have so many questions that will never be answered for us, and still have nightmares about what happened that night. Both his life and his dignity were taken in an absolutely savage way that is unbearable to think about. Whatever sentence comes out of this trial will be insignificant to the tragedy that arrived on our doorstep that day. Our Dad did absolutely everything for us and the hole in our lives will never go away. The HSEs commitment to public accountability has been called into question by a support network for family carers whose request for data on home care waiting lists was met with delays and piecemeal responses. Care Alliance Ireland (CAI) sought information on the average waiting time to access home care in each of the nine HSE regions and for the difference between the number of hours of home care people were assessed as needing, compared to the number of hours they actually got. Despite submitting freedom of information queries to all nine regions, just three provided the full data requested to CAI. It showed non-priority clients wait, on average, over three months for home care, but with far longer waits in some regions, up to two years in one area for low priority clients. The average gap between assessed need and actual provision was 15%, but only four regions provided data in this respect. In light of the piecemeal information and delays, CAI said it was their view that some of the responses were not in keeping with the spirit of the Freedom of Information Act. For us, this raises questions about public accountability, transparency, and lack of willingness to engage with civic not-for-profit organisations in areas of legitimate public interest, CAI said in a statement. The author of the report, Liam OSullivan, executive director of CAI, said around 6,000 people are waiting for home care and it was important to know how long they are waiting and whether they will get the support required. The HSE said that, at any given time, 52,000 people are in receipt of home support. The HSE said the numbers on the waiting list reflect a point in time and people who are on the waiting list are reviewed, as funding becomes available, to ensure that individual cases continue to be dealt with on a priority basis. CAI sought the information from the HSE in preparing a briefing paper, published today, on the current level of provision of publicly funded home care in Ireland. The paper is in the context of the Government currently considering plans for a new statutory scheme for home care services. CAI acknowledges that the level of resourcing of home care has risen significantly since 2013, but says there needs to be a 3%+ increase in provision annually just to stand still. CAI estimates that a deficit in provision of between 1.5m and 4m hours in 2018 and 2019. The HSE said the budget for home care rose from 306m in 2014 to almost 420m in 2018. The CAI report calls for additional resourcing of home care and for the Department of Health to prioritise its review of the home care scheme in 2019. In June, Jim Daly, the minister of state with responsibility for older people, said he expected it would be two to three years before the new scheme, a Fair Deal-type scheme for people in their own homes, was up and running. Under Fair Deal, the State can claim back 22.5% of the value of a persons home for the first three years (7.5% per year) they spend in a nursing home. Gardai have launched a murder investigation after a post mortem showed a mother of two died from asphyxiation. While there were initial indications 33-year-old Amanda Carroll may have suffered a cardiac arrest, suspicions were aroused after bruising was spotted on her neck. Her body was discovered on Sunday afternoon after a relative raised the alarm on entering her apartment in Cabra, in Dublins north inner city. The Dublin Fire Brigade was called to the scene. On examining the body, they alerted gardai. Gardai said there had been signs suggesting Ms Carroll, who had two sons, aged five and 16, had been dead from the previous night. There were no signs of a break-in. It is understood one of her children discovered her body and contacted a relative. A 35-year-old man known to Ms Carroll was arrested soon after the grim find. He was due to be either released overnight or charged at the station and held in custody pending a court appearance. It is understood members of Ms Carrolls wider family are caring for her children as they await the release of her body and the making of funeral arrangements. Ms Carroll was originally from Champions Avenue in the north-east inner city but had been living in Homestead Court on Quarry Rd, Cabra, for the last 11 years. Ms Carroll attended secondary school at Larkin Community College and, almost 10 years ago, completed a child development course at Marino College. The Garda Technical Bureau continued a detailed forensic examination at her apartment in the gated complex yesterday. An autopsy was conducted yesterday morning and found Ms Carroll had died as a result of asphyxiation, or suffocation. The findings directed the garda investigation which was formally upgraded to a murder hunt. The investigation is being led by detectives at Mountjoy Garda Station, who are understood to be following a certain line of inquiry. Gardai had arrested a man shortly after her body was discovered and detained him under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. Amanda Carroll It allows for a maximum detention period of up to 24 hours, excluding sleep breaks. The man opted for a break overnight on Sunday, which meant his detention period ran up until around 1.30am today. He was due to be either released without charge, pending a file to the DPP, or charged at the station and held before being brought to court this morning. DNA samples and fingerprints will have been taken from the man which will be compared against any forensic evidence gathered by the Technical Bureau or Forensic Science Ireland. Detectives will speak to people close to Ms Carroll in a bid to piece together events leading up to her violent death. Tusla received an average of 10 child protection and welfare referrals a month in the first half of this year relating to homeless children half of which were for neglect. Figures provided by Tusla in response to a freedom of information request show 61 mandated reports made to the agency by managers and people in charge of homeless provision or emergency accommodation centres 29 for neglect, 17 for physical abuse, 13 for emotional abuse, and two relating to sexual abuse. Tusla only began collating the data at the start of this year, and while the monthly figures have fluctuated, they peaked in May, when 17 reports were made. The figures prompted the Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) to query whether homelessness itself was a contributory factor to some of the reports. Aine McGuirk, chairwoman of the IASW, said that while family homelessness was a relatively recent phenomenon, it was now in danger of becoming normalised, even though it was a completely unnatural environment. Its impossible to look after your childrens basic needs in that environment, Ms McGuirk said. There is a very high chance that these families are being put under more stress if they have no appropriate housing. She said there is a concern that children may have to enter care in circumstances where the homeless stressor is the one that breaks that camels back, adding that the family may have been OK if they had the support, but you cant put the supports in if they are going from hotel bed to hotel bed. Mike Allen, director of advocacy at Focus Ireland, said staff in his organisation were concerned that people running hotels were not submitting these notices in the way NGO emergency accommodation providers might do. However, he welcomed the fact that the figures were being collated and said: The vast majority of families are doing a very good job under extreme difficulties, but some are under enormous stress and these issues arise and they need to be responded to in the appropriate way. This is not an indication of how bad these people are, this is an outcome of the stress they are put under. The second Dublin Region Homeless Executive Quarterly Activity Report for this year, published last Friday, outlined how the number of children in emergency accommodation rose from 2,509 in January to 2,858 by June. The numbers of adults with no children still outnumber those with children, however the number of adults with children has grown significantly, it said. The report also said that in the first six months of 2018 a total of 554 families were accommodated in emergency accommodation in the Dublin Region who were new to homelessness. A review of the initial assessments conducted with families upon their presentation to homeless services reveals two primary reasons for homelessness 52% of families stated that the primary reason... related to a loss of or inability to secure private rented accommodation; for 41% of families, homelessness had its origins in relationship breakdown, family conflict and/or overcrowding; 7% of families reported other reasons for homelessness. There were 9,527 people in emergency accommodation in August, including 3,693 children. The overall figure fell slightly compared to the figure for July, when 9,891 people were homeless. Earlier this year the now-departed CEO of Tusla, Fred McBride, said he believed the homeless crisis had been a factor in the overall rise in referrals. A spokesperson for Tusla said: As per Children First, Tusla accepts reports which are deemed to be either reasonable grounds of concern or mandated reports of child harm and will review each report it receives. Junior business minister Pat Breen is coming under increasing pressure to answer more questions about his actions and meetings related to the national broadband plan. Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy has lodged an official complaint with the Ceann Comhairles office after a refusal, she says, by Mr Breens office to answer, in the specified timeframe, a parliamentary question she had asked regarding his engagements with Mr David McCourt and bidders in the National Broadband Plan process. Denis Naughten was forced to resign as communications minister earlier this month after it emerged he had a number of meetings and dinners with Mr McCourt, a US businessman and lead figure in the sole remaining bid for the 1bn broadband plan. The meetings, it emerged, had not been disclosed to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. It was further disclosed that Mr Naughten and Mr McCourt had discussed the broadband plan. However, the opposition is seeking more answers from Mr Breen, the junior minister in the department, after it transpired he also held private meetings with Mr McCourt. Mr Breen maintains that he has no role in the bidding process. But opposition TDs are still demanding answers. The Social Democrats want the junior minister to publish minutes and a schedule of meetings he had with Mr McCourt or his representatives, and if Mr Breen will make a statement on the matter. Ms Murphy has also sought clarity on whether Mr Varadkar and any other department officials met Mr McCourt or company representatives in the past two years to date. Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy The Dublin TD said she wants the Taoiseach to publish a schedule of any meetings and the associated minutes and if he also will make a statement on the matter. However, despite the questions and a period of time to answer them, Ms Murphy will now make a formal complaint about the lack of any answers from the minister and others in the Dail or through written statements. Ms Murphy explained: The parliamentary questions process is a vitally important one and that it might be circumvented in any way is a cause of grave concern. It is exceptionally unusual for a PQ not to be replied to within the specified timeframe and for me to then see that the same minister has spoken with a journalist on the topic whilst neglecting his duties under the parliamentary questions process. It is hugely frustrating. President Michael D Higgins use of the Government Learjet to an event in Belfast cost the taxpayer about 5,670. The President is under fire from his rival candidates over his use of the jet to fly to an event in Belfast, which they have branded as extravagance and a waste of taxpayers money. The Department of Defence refuses to publish details of the Presidents use of the jet because of what it called long-standing practice but, according to official figures, the return trip to Belfast would require up to 90 minutes of flight time. President Higgins flew to Belfast from Dublin airport on the Learjet on May 29 to deliver a speech at Queens University. His presidential car was driven from Dublin to Belfast to pick him up at the airport. During a televised presidential debate on Virgin Media Television last Wednesday, President Higgins claimed his staff had been advised that for security reasons I couldnt be picked up at the border to be escorted to Belfast. The Government jet costs 3,780 per 60 minutes of time in flight. Therefore, the estimated cost to the taxpayer was 5,670. There was mounting criticism yesterday from his rivals and the matter is likely to dominate the final TV debate on RTE tonight. Sean Gallagher said the use of the jet amounted to extravagance in the office of the Aras. It is a waste of taxpayers money, he added. Sinn Feins Liadh Ni Riada made it known that she had written to President Higgins about the use of the jet. Ms Ni Riada said she sent the letter to the President in relation to a number of very serious questions that were raised over the weekend. Among the issues which have been raised in the media were the use by the President of the Governments aircraft at huge public expense to fly within the island of Ireland, to places like Belfast and Kerry, she said. In response, President Higgins insisted he acted on the advice of his office. He said: As far as I am concerned, I am very happy with the official PSNI statement. I welcome it, I agree with it, and I am happy to reciprocate to it by again expressing my thanks for their co-operation and courtesy. He was asked for clarity over previous comments that his staff were advised that for security reasons I couldnt be picked up at the border during the trip. I have visited Northern Ireland many times in the last seven years and I take the advice from my office and my office judges these trips in terms of the considerations they take into account are logistics and security, he added. Aras an Uachtarain said it had nothing to add to what the President said in relation to the use of the jet. Update 10.30am: The Government jet was flown around empty during the recession to keep up flying hours, according to the Taoiseach. Leo Varadkar was addressing criticism of the President for using the Lear jet on a trip to Belfast. He says the costs associated with using the plane are minimal. The Taoiseach says travelling by land would also have cost the taxpayer money. "I know there is an understandable public concern around the cost of using a jet but bear in mind that the jet is owned by the government, the pilots are paid anyway," said "We had a very strange situation during the recession when it was actually being flown around empty because the pilots have to keep up a certain number of flying hours and the added cost is actually very small. "And there is obviously security costs associated with travelling by land as well." Were having Tea for Michael D this morning. Vote No. 1 @MichaelDHiggins this Friday, October 26th. pic.twitter.com/tkMoj5JxWW Fine Gael (@FineGael) October 23, 2018 Digital Desk Earlier: Presidents use of jet cost taxpayer over 5,600 President Michael D Higgins use of the Government Learjet to an event in Belfast cost the taxpayer about 5,670. The President is under fire from his rival candidates over his use of the jet to fly to an event in Belfast, which they have branded as extravagance and a waste of taxpayers money. The Department of Defence refuses to publish details of the Presidents use of the jet because of what it called long-standing practice but, according to official figures, the return trip to Belfast would require up to 90 minutes of flight time. President Higgins flew to Belfast from Dublin airport on the Learjet on May 29 to deliver a speech at Queens University. His presidential car was driven from Dublin to Belfast to pick him up at the airport. During a televised presidential debate on Virgin Media Television last Wednesday, President Higgins claimed his staff had been advised that for security reasons I couldnt be picked up at the border to be escorted to Belfast. The Government jet costs 3,780 per 60 minutes of time in flight. Therefore, the estimated cost to the taxpayer was 5,670. There was mounting criticism yesterday from his rivals and the matter is likely to dominate the final TV debate on RTE tonight. Sean Gallagher said the use of the jet amounted to extravagance in the office of the Aras. It is a waste of taxpayers money, he added. Sinn Feins Liadh Ni Riada made it known that she had written to President Higgins about the use of the jet. Ms Ni Riada said she sent the letter to the President in relation to a number of very serious questions that were raised over the weekend. Among the issues which have been raised in the media were the use by the President of the Governments aircraft at huge public expense to fly within the island of Ireland, to places like Belfast and Kerry, she said. In response, President Higgins insisted he acted on the advice of his office. He said: As far as I am concerned, I am very happy with the official PSNI statement. I welcome it, I agree with it, and I am happy to reciprocate to it by again expressing my thanks for their co-operation and courtesy. He was asked for clarity over previous comments that his staff were advised that for security reasons I couldnt be picked up at the border during the trip. I have visited Northern Ireland many times in the last seven years and I take the advice from my office and my office judges these trips in terms of the considerations they take into account are logistics and security, he added. Aras an Uachtarain said it had nothing to add to what the President said in relation to the use of the jet. This story first appeared in the Irish Examiner. We are Cork. Were Pure Cork. Were on the Wild Atlantic Way, in Irelands Ancient East, living in a city rising on an island of discovery. Or so the number of marketing initiatives, slogans, and brands aimed at promoting Cork will tell you, writes Joe Leogue Recent revelations in the Irish Examiner about the spending on Corks marketing has prompted questions about the various different campaigns aimed at promoting the city and county and what exactly makes them any different from each other. Here we attempt to settle the confusion, parse out the messages, and teach you how to know your tourism pushes from your city centre initiatives. PURE CORK Pure Cork is the leisure tourism brand promoted by Visit Cork, a public-private partnership. The brand imaginatively embraces the spirit of the Wild Atlantic Way and Irelands Ancient East, according to its website, and is designed to service the tourism needs of the region and it is strategically aligned with the overall Cork placebrand. That Cork placebrand is We are Cork more on that later. Visit Cork also oversees the Cork Convention Bureau a similar, but separate undertaking tasked with attracting business tourism such as industry events and conferences. Visit Corks 2016 accounts the most recent available says the company is heavily reliant on the ongoing financial support of its members particularly Cork City Council, Cork County Council and Failte Ireland which is not guaranteed. The Irish Examiner asked these bodies how much financial support it gives Visit Cork. Corks local authorities pay a total of 400,000 to the company for its tourism work. Cork city and county councils each pay Visit Cork 100,000 towards leisure tourism, and 100,000 towards the Cork Convention Bureau. Failte Ireland provides funding of 115,000 per annum for the Cork Convention Bureau. It also provides a programme of support and promotion through its business tourism team, and a range of strategic supports to the board and the wider Visit Cork plan. As per its own website, Visit Cork is governed by a board of directors made up of the chief executives and councillors from Cork city and county councils and representatives from the private sector and Failte Ireland. Its 15-strong board includes Cork City Council chief executive Ann Doherty; her County Council counterpart Tim Lucey; city and county councillors Tom ODriscoll and Alan Coleman; with the rest comprised of Failte Ireland representatives and members from the private sector. Seamus Heaney, who previously headed up the Cork Convention Bureau, now oversees both it and Visit Cork with the support staff of three. Mr Heaney said the board are there on an unpaid, voluntary basis, and paid tribute to the huge work they do for the promotion of Cork tourism. The 2016 accounts state that Visit Cork paid a directors remuneration of 72,953. Mr Heaney confirmed to the Irish Examiner that this was paid to him in respect of his work. He said the success of the leisure tourism push which puts a particular emphasis on Corks coastal and maritime assets is harder to gauge than the Cork Convention Bureaus work, given the latters outcomes are more tangible. Business tourism, he said, can be measured more directly in terms of the conferences and delegates attracted to Cork through the bureaus marketing. Mr Heaney has just returned from the IMEX America event in Las Vegas, which is billed as one of the worlds largest incentive travel, meetings and events trade shows. He said the event was an opportunity to sell Corks business tourism benefits to a large audience over five days, and that the Cork Convention Bureaus positioning at IMEX was covered by Failte Ireland. WE ARE CORK We are Cork is Corks placebrand in other words, a package deal that aims to encapsulate everything the city and county are about. Its led by Cork city and county councils, and stakeholders include UCC, CIT, Cork Airport, Port of Cork, Cork Chamber, Cork Business Association, Ibec, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Failte Ireland and Visit Cork. Those involved say We are Cork is a partnership that brings together all the stakeholders of the Cork Region under one brand. This new brand for Cork will help us tell the big picture of who we are and why we are a great place to live, work, study, visit, invest and do business in, they said. It was launched last month, and as this newspaper previously revealed, the campaign has cost 290,305.10. Of that, 200,033.88 went to consultants OCO Global, 45,505.42 was spent on the Vat on those fees, and the rest went on videos, photography, PR support and other event and promotional work. Cork City Council is to pay 139,407.34 of the final cost, Cork County Council will put up 115,897.78, and a further 35,000 is to come from the other stakeholders. AND THE REST... - A City Rising Is A Wonderful Thing this is Cork City Councils catch-all slogan to highlight various developments which are planned, under construction or have been recently completed in the city and ties in with the imminent expansion of the local authoritys boundary next year. - Island of Discovery this is a recent marketing push that includes cinema ads to encourage people to come into Cork city centre. It is being promoted by Transport for Ireland and CORE. CORE is made up of the City Council, Cork Chamber, Cork Business Association, an Garda Siochana, Bus Eireann, and representatives from retail and hospitality sectors in the city. - Another similar group is the City Centre Steering Group, which is made up of senior management of Cork City Council and it focuses on the implementation of the Cork City Centre Strategy. This strategy divides the City Centre into six character areas or quarters Shandon, MacCurtain St/Victorian Quarter, the Heart of the City, North Main Street/The Marsh, Grand Parade, South Mall, and the South Parish. - Meanwhile, Cork county is also marketed as part of the Wild Atlantic Way, which stretches all the way to the trails end in Kinsale, and is included in the Irelands Ancient East promotion, which comes in as far as Blarney and Mallow in terms of the places of interest championed under this tourism campaign. This Friday, voters will be asked if they want to delete the reference to blasphemy in the Constitution and thereby decriminalise it. While most attention is focused on the heated race for the presidency, voters at the ballot box will be given a second slip of paper, regarding the referendum on blasphemy. The Constitution currently says that publishing or saying something blasphemous is punishable by law. While the Constitution does not define blasphemy, Article 40.6.1 reads: The publication or utterance of blasphemous, seditious, or indecent matter is an offence, which shall be punishable in accordance with law. This is the second referendum this year. In May, the electorate overwhelmingly backed removing restrictions on abortions. But this vote is relatively straightforward and little attention has been given to it, in the shadow of the presidential contest. The legal definition of blasphemy, contained in the Defamation Act 2009, says it is an offence if a person publishes or utters something that is grossly abusive or insulting, in relation to matters held sacred by any religion and which causes outrage among a large number of followers of that faith and also where that material or comment intends to cause outrage. A convicted person may be fined up to 25,000, but there is no stated prison sentence under the act. Nonetheless, a person may claim defence, if they can prove that a so-called reasonable person would find genuine literary, artistic, political, scientific or academic value in what they published or said. The Government notes that other countries that enforce a similar law cite Irelands rule as a justification or example. This damages Irelands global reputation, yes campaigners claim. It has also been pointed out that the last conviction for blasphemy was in 1855 and that it has had very little relevance in recent times. However, campaigners for the no side, such as Senator Ronan Mullen, argue that the vote is a vanity or even a nonsense project for the Government. The one-word reference in the Constitution has not caused anyone problems, insists Mr Mullen. Ronan Mullen was also on the 'No' side during the Eighth Amendment referendum The vote is to placate certain groups, who have some sort of God itch, he also suggests. Leaving aside the contrasting views, voters will be asked on Friday to remove the word blasphemous from the Constitution. Article 40.6.1 of the Constitution would then read: The publication or utterance of seditious or indecent matter is an offence which shall be punishable in accordance with law. An Irish Times/MRBI opinion poll last week predicted that voters will remove the offence in Fridays vote, with just over half of those asked saying they will back the deletion of the reference to blasphemy from the Constitution. Polling would suggest there are regional differences to the yes and no sides for the vote. Up to a quarter of those polled said they were undecided. Polling also suggests that older voters are less likely to support the deletion of blasphemy from the Constitution. If there is a yes vote, the Oireachtas will change the law and thereby remove the act of blasphemy as a criminal offence. A no vote would leave the offence in place. Dont be fooled by the confidence and supply talks spin. The general election is just around the corner, writes Political Correspondent Fiachra O Cionnaith. As any general knows, even when you want peace, you prepare for war. The Greeks knew it in Platos Nomoi (Laws), the Romans knew it in Renatus De Rae Militari (Military Matters), and Michael Corleone and Don Vito knew it. And while your average Fine Gael and Fianna Fail voters are unlikely to be in the habit of dusting down ancient Greek and Latin texts or flicking on The Godfather while having their dinner in the middle of the day, they will soon know it too. Today, four-TD negotiating teams from each party will finalise their plans at internal meetings before sitting down at the table for the first real meeting of the confidence and supply renewal talks between Irelands warring houses on Thursday. However, while party leaders Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin are approaching the talks by trying to play the role of responsible leader due to the howling wolves of Brexit on Irelands doorstep, it is a safe bet that the internal party discussions are a far murkier affair. Despite calls from both sides to extend the confidence and supply deal by two and one years respectively in the countrys interests, it is an open secret in both parties that an election is still near. They may deny it publicly and commit without any pre-conditions to sitting down and breaking bread together as they discuss the first two and a half years of confidence and supply and how it could be improved. But no one in Fine Gaels or Fianna Fails hierarchy is under any delusions that the smiles and handshakes are anything but the start of a strategic battle designed to prepare for an instant election the moment a real window of opportunity arises. And voters shouldnt be, either. For Fine Gael, the tactic is straightforward: Push for a quick agreement on an unreasonably long-term deal which will further damage its opponent, while leaving open the option of catching Fianna Fail off-guard with a snap election if there is any Brexit breakthrough early next year. Since Taoiseach Leo Varadkar first suggested a deal extension to 2020 during his Italian mid-summer sojourn and his subsequent autumn letter to Mr Martin, the message has been repeated ad nauseum by the party faithful. A new two-year confidence and supply deal, they say, would give the country stability throughout the Brexit negotiations, a view further underlined by Mr Varadkar on Sunday when he said that it would be in the countrys advantage to have certainty. It may sound reasonable, and in many ways it is. But Fine Gael will also be well aware that Fianna Fail is highly unlikely to agree to a two-year extension that will make its own attempts to block off the growth of Sinn Fein into the opposition gap more difficult, meaning the olive branch is almost certain to be rejected. Such a scenario would give Mr Varadkar ample cover to call a forced snap election he will claim is of the oppositions making the moment a Brexit breakthrough appears, thereby resolving the partys still wafer-thin Dail support and taking advantage of the recent giveaway election budget at the same time. Fianna Fails tactic is similarly doubled-handed, but has an added element thrown into the mix, which is key to how the entire process plays out: Drag the talks through the mud of every slip-up and controversy of the first two and a half years of confidence and supply before only then signing up to a shorter-term renewal once voters have been reminded of what life under Fine Gael involves. Unlike Fine Gaels two-year extension proposal, Fianna Fail sources have indicated that a one-year deal is as far as they will stretch giving the same reason of stability during the Brexit crisis to explain why. The length of time involved is meant to allow Ireland to overcome the Brexit crisis hurdle while not forcing Fianna Fail to sign up to a deal any longer than absolutely necessary. However, like Fine Gael, Fianna Fail eyes are just as firmly on an earlier timeline than official comments suggest. Crucial to Fianna Fails approach to the confidence and supply talks will be a detailed review of the existing confidence and supply deal, which will highlight problems with housing and health and Dail debates, which are unlikely to show the Government in a positive light. And the partys negotiators will be fully aware of the need to make hay with these issues in drawn-out discussions over the coming weeks, giving Mr Martin ample ammunition to fire in the likely event any eventual agreement isnt worth the paper it is written on. Over the coming days and weeks, you can expect Fine Gael and Fianna Fail to emphasise the need for stability in Ireland at the time of Brexit and to forget about an election any time soon. You can even believe some of it. But dont be fooled into thinking the prolonged discussions, or even any potential one or two year confidence and supply deal extension, mean a lengthy ceasefire is set to occur. Si vis pacem, para bellum. If you want peace, prepare for war. Brandis M. Ansley, Georgia State University; Joel Meyers, Georgia State University; Kate McPhee, Georgia State University, and Kris Varjas, Georgia State University When a traumatic event such as the Florida school shooting takes place, often the focus afterward is on finding ways to make sure students and teachers are safe from violence and physical harm. But theres another danger that threatens teacher well-being that is often overlooked. The threat is stress and it is something that nearly half of all teachers say they experience at a high level every day. Teachers are actually tied with nurses, with 46 percent of both groups reporting high daily stress. Such reports are comparable with other notoriously demanding occupations, such as physicians and business managers. Its not hard to understand the reasons why. Teachers do much more than teach academic lessons. They must also manage classroom behavior and keep an eye on helping students grow and develop socially in a healthy way. On top of that, they must coordinate with other adults and keep records of just about everything they do. Teachers are expected to perform these tasks effectively, even when their students face difficulties outside the classroom, from unmet needs to mental health issues. The more needs students have, the more teachers are expected to do. If teachers already face high levels of occupational stress, its not hard to see how the recent spate of deadly school shootings coupled with the idea that teachers should arm themselves to protect themselves and their students can elevate their stress levels even higher. We make these observations as researchers affiliated with the Center for Research on School Safety, School Climate, and Classroom Management at Georgia State University. Among other things, our research focuses on fostering better school and workplace relationships and cultivating safe learning environments. The consequences of teacher stress are far-reaching and adversely impact not just the teacher, but everyone around them, most notably their students. Threats to teacher wellness For starters, chronic stress triggers a range of physical and mental health symptoms. Physically, stress weakens the immune system and increases susceptibility to illness. Stress also exacerbates pain and reduces physical stamina. Prolonged stress may increase risk of chronic fatigue, heart disease and other ailments. Stress also depletes mental stamina. Common symptoms include irritability, mood swings and exhaustion, which may escalate into depression, anxiety and lower quality of life. These symptoms have been identified by teachers reporting high stress. The consequences, however, do not stop with teachers. Threats to teacher job performance Chronic stress can also impact teachers job performance. Unwell teachers have a reduced ability to teach and therefore call in sick. The more absences teachers rack up, the less time they spend with their students. Excessive teacher absences disrupt the flow of instruction, behavior management and connection with students. Research has confirmed that excessive teacher absences are linked to student underachievement. Stress is also associated with high teacher turnover. Nearly half of all new teachers leave the field within the first five years. Among those who stay, nearly two-thirds were found in a 2015 poll to be not engaged, or mentally and emotionally disconnected from their teaching role and their students needs. If nearly half of teachers leave the field within five years, and most who remain are disengaged, there is an epidemic of teachers who are stressed out, burned out and merely going through the motions Research suggests that active teacher engagement and positive teacher-student relationships result in high student achievement. Similarly, without active engagement, teachers cannot connect with their students and teach them effectively. What can be done to reduce teacher stress? There are ways to lessen teacher stress and boost their capacity to perform their best. School leaders can help reduce teacher stress by cultivating working conditions that support teachers. Teachers experience less stress and commit to jobs more often under satisfactory working conditions. The working conditions that lead to the most job satisfaction involve administrative and collegial support. In other words, teachers need their leaders to provide constructive feedback that helps improve their performance. Schools can also help reduce teacher stress by promoting effective teacher-student interactions. One way to accomplish this is by using strategies that reward positive student behaviors. Teachers in schools with that utilize positive strategies on a schoolwide basis to support student behavior experience significantly lower levels of burnout. To promote positive teacher-student relationships, experts recommend a ratio of five positive supports for each punitive action. In other words, teachers should be commending students for doing the right thing five times as often as they take away privileges or scold them for doing the wrong thing. Teachers also need to make sure they take care of themselves so that they can take care of others. Without actively caring for themselves, teachers lose the capacity to care for others Given the demands of teaching, it may be easy for teachers to put their own needs last. A comprehensive self-care plan may help teachers identify signs of stress and improve their stress management skills. Examples of stress-reducing strategies with the most scientific support include yoga, exercise and mindfulness meditation. Yoga and exercise require physical exertion and have benefits beyond physical fitness. Both also trigger hormones that relieve stress and are associated with better mental focus and mood. No specific skills are required for mindfulness meditation, and with even a few minutes of practice most days, benefits include improvements to self-awareness, mental concentration and emotion regulation. Brandis M. Ansley, Graduate Research Assistant, Georgia State University; Joel Meyers, Regents Professor, Center for Research on School Safety, School Climate and Classroom Management, Georgia State University; Kate McPhee, Graduate Research Assistant, Georgia State University, and Kris Varjas, Professor and Director of the Center for Research on School Safety, School Climate and Classroom Managment, Georgia State University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Withdrawal from 1987 pact with Russia would see a new generation of lethal weapons developed and deployed in Europe, says David A Andelman. IT may be the highest-stakes move of Donald Trumps entire presidency: Unilaterally removing the US from yet another international treaty, this time with immediate and potentially existential consequences. Trumps announcement that Washington would withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) with Russia, a landmark 1987 agreement, signed by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev to remove nuclear weapons from Europe, eliminates whatever curbs may be left on the development and deployment of a new generation of lethal and more readily deployable nuclear arms. Gone will be any restraints on Russian president Vladimir Putin from modernising and updating his nuclear arsenal, thereby reviving the nuclear arms race, at a time when new nuclear forces, North Korea and Iran, threaten the world and when new missile technologies are proliferating. Trumps ill-conceived and poorly thought-out action plays directly into Putins hands. As much as the Russian leader may already be flouting the principles and provisions of that treaty, he can now do so with impunity and with none of the consequences of being labeled the transgressor. Fortunately, since this was a treaty ratified by a two-thirds vote of the US senate, it cannot be formally ended without a similar two-thirds vote, which seems most improbable in todays divided political environment. Still, Trump can, in theory, begin violating the provisions of the treaty without any Senate action, which if Russia keeps its threats to match it tit-for-tat will have the equivalent impact of tearing up the document. And the costs of a new nuclear arms race could be astronomical. The nonpartisan Arms Control Association has estimated that updates to the US nuclear arsenal would cost US taxpayers upwards of $1.2tn over the next 30 years. Trumps withdrawal from the INF treaty can only send chills up the spines of the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, as well as Ukraine and Georgia, all former Soviet republics, which Putin would love to reel back into some newly constituted Russian empire. Europeans, who will suddenly find themselves within range of the weapons previously banned by the treaty, can only be equally concerned. The weapons in question include all shorter-range missiles with capabilities of 500km-1,000km and intermediate-range missiles with capabilities of 1,000km-5,500km, both nuclear- and conventional-armed. Some 2,692 were eliminated by 1991. Mikhail Gorbachev The origins of the INF treaty can be traced to the two-day Reagan-Gorbachev summit, held in Reykjavik, Iceland, in October, 1986. As it happens, I am the translator of a remarkable book on that meeting, An Impossible Dream: Reagan, Gorbachev and a World Without the Bomb, by French journalist-historian, Guillaume Serina. To be published next year, it includes an introduction by Gorbachev and material obtained from the opening of a number of Kremlin archives, as well as the assistance of several of the surviving aides from both delegations, including the former Soviet leader himself. At the time, Gorbachev surprised and stunned the Americans, when he proposed a total elimination of all nuclear arms by both super powers. It was a daring and unprecedented Hail Mary move. But it would have required Reagan to give up his beloved Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), the ill-fated and ill-conceived space weapons defence system, which never really worked. Reagan declined, but agreed to the more limited INF pact. (Gorbachev, now 87, has condemned the US withdrawal, with Russias Interfax news agency quoting him as saying: Do they not understand in Washington what this could lead to?) Inspections under this treaty were guaranteed for 10 years and ended officially in 2001. Both sides largely respected its provisions in the years after, but in July, 2014, the Obama administration accused Russia of testing a prohibited, ground-launched cruise missile, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead with a range of some 2,000km. When I visited the Baltic republics two years later, leading defence officials told me that while they had been aware of Russias capacities, they relied on its adherence to the INFs treaty provisions to guarantee their security. Still, last year, the Pentagon publicly accused Russia for the first time of deploying the Novator 9M729, referred to by Nato as an SSC-8 missile. This led, last December, to a series of sanctions against Russian companies that had been involved in the development and production of the weapon. The Russians insisted the missiles range and fixed-base deployment in Kaliningrad did not breach the treaty. Still, with the Russian enclave nestled between Nato members Lithuania and Poland, the development of the SSC-8 did raise some serious issues. None of these are solved by Trumps threatened unilateral withdrawal from the INF treaty. What the world needs now is more, not less, arms control. China, not a signatory of the INF treaty, has a range of missiles that would be banned under its provisions; US officials cited Chinas arms build-up in the Pacific as a central reason for scuttling the Russia pact and pressing ahead with expanding the American arsenal. Mr Bolton has already met foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and will later meet Vladimir Putin (AP) This is a terrible, potentially lethal idea. Trump needs to find a way to reel in these nations to such an agreement, not just arbitrarily pull out and torpedo it. US national security advisor John Bolton is currently on a visit to Moscow, where, on Monday, he formally told his Russian counterpart of Trumps plans. A diplomat who has rarely seen a treaty that he does not want to scuttle or a battle that he is not prepared to fight, Bolton is unlikely to consider any talks with Russia of the sort that launched the INF accord three decades ago. Yet that sort of deft and intelligent diplomacy may be the only real route to security in this increasingly unstable world. David A. Andelman, a former foreign correspondent for the New York Times and CBS News, is visiting scholar at the Center on National Security at Fordham Law School and author of A Shattered Peace: Versailles 1919 and the Price We Pay Today. @DavidAndelman The shame that continues to shroud sexual discourse in this country forces children to turn to the internet for information in lieu of formal sex education, writes Joyce Fegan. In the absence of proper sex education our children are turning to the internet for information. Thats the view of Caroline West, who is completing her PhD in Dublin City University (DCU) on porn studies. However, she is unwilling to criticise parents because they often received no sex education themselves. Instead, she is planting the blame directly at the feet of shame. We need to move to a place, where theres less shame and stigma to one where sex is grand, its no big deal, she says. Why shame something that is natural, something that is the most fundamental part of human existence? We literally would not be here without it. From her research, she has examined the course of Irish sexuality over the last century. She has also looked at our conversation, or lack of conversation around sex and where we are today. The way we used to talk about sex was: Have your 12 babies, be a good Catholic woman, lie back and think of Ireland. Weve had that discourse for so long, we have a long history of banning books that talk about sex too, says Ms West. And recently weve shifted from absolutely no conversation to now having the internet with absolutely everything about sex instantly accessible on peoples smartphones. Now we have the material, we have everything, but we havent turned it into a healthy conversation. In the absence of proper sex education and unable to talk to their caregivers, children will seek out information online. If this happens it is crucial not to fear-monger, says Ms West. If you find out your 11-year-old is watching porn, have a conversation with them, dont fear-monger. It can be them finding a way to explore their sexuality, the only place where they can find information in the absence of education. "Create a space where your child can come to you. She believes it is also unfair to assume parents are equipped to talk about sexuality, consent and porn with their children, when they often have their own hang-ups as a result of lack of education. However, she adds that saying nothing isnt good enough and directs parents to websites such as thepornconversation.org or thetalk.ie, created by her colleague, Sarah Sproule, for helpful information. Children and teenagers aside, Ms West believes that Irish adults need to come out from under the decades of shame around sexuality and change their own conversations. In Ireland, where we have quite a repressive relationship with sex, she says. The conversation is only about STIs [sexually transmitted infections] and recently, abortion, never about pleasure. We need to change our conversation about sex to one where its about sexuality, desire, consent and pleasure as opposed to a wall of silence or negativity. We went from having sile na gigs [12th century carvings of naked women displaying their vulvas] displayed on walls and above doorways all around Ireland to viewing sex as just for pro-creation purposes, something you couldnt have any pleasure from. However, despite our repressive relationship with sex, Ms West says most people she meets are fascinated by her area of research. When people find out what I do, the conversation isnt necessarily about porn as such, she says. Its a great way to get people to talk about sex. Porn is the most visible flashpoint we have in our society and people are more comfortable talking about that than they are sex. I often end up acting as a listening board for people, its amazing how hungry people are to talk, they tell me about their issues and how they often feel they cant talk about sex honestly. Her own research deals specifically with performers voices in the porn industry and, as part of her PhD, she has carried out interviews with women working in pornography. My research isnt looking at whether porn is right or wrong, good or bad, says Ms West. However, it does exist and we need to look at it. I had noticed that when we talk about porn, you never heard from the performers; there was no representation or discussion about what it was like for them. Of the women she interviewed, there was no one story or reason for entering the industry. They all had a range of education levels, from having no second-level schooling to holding PhDs. Some ventured into the industry after trying mainstream modelling and others actively chose to go into it. Some of the women planned to stay working in it and others aimed to leave after two years. When it came to the negatives, the women interviewed said stigma around their work meant they had been fired from teaching and real estate jobs when their pasts were revealed and also said they were viewed as tainted when it came to having their own relationships with a partner. Ms West says that while we may be reluctant to talk openly about sex in Ireland, porn can often be an entry point into a conversation around sexuality. She argues that fear-mongering and sensationalism must not be a part of it if we are to have a healthy and healing discussion. In October 2016, when the then taoiseach Enda Kenny said we need to have a national conversation about pornography, the reaction was fascinating, she says. It triggered a lot of conversations, particularly in the media, but at that time the media failed to have honest, healing conversations about sex, it was more about fear-mongering. Ms West. however, acknowledges that it is hard to be calm about the issue because of the decades of silence in Irish society. I was in the Late Late Show audience when the panel spoke about porn almost exclusively in a negative, sensationalist way and everyone was squirming, she says. It is hard to have a calm conversation about sex when there has been so much shame and silence surrounding it. But saying all that, we do now have a thirst to talk about it, so lets go for it. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Saudi officials planned to murder journalist Jamal Khashoggi days before his death. The Turkish president is giving details on the investigation into the death of Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He said that Jamal Khashoggi was "the victim of a very cruel murder". He said that the people involved "should be held responsible in front of the law." "We have all the evidence," he said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Jamal Khashoggi first went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 28 September at 11.50am to get papers for his wedding On 1 October at 4.30pm three people flew to Istanbul from Riyadh and went to a hotel and then to the Saudi consulate. On 2 October at 1.45pm the second team of three people flew to Istanbul, followed by a team comprising generals on a private plane. Mr Erdogan says a team of 15 Saudis met at the consulate between 9.50am and 11am. They took the hard disc out of the consulate's CCTV system and called the writer to tell him he had an appointment on that day. Mr Khashoggi arrived at the consulate on foot at 1.08pm and was not seen again. He said the Saudis used a body double as a decoy after Mr Khashoggi was killed. Jamal Khashoggi has not been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday October 2 (CCTV/TRT World/AP) Mr Erdogan said that they will continue to question why exactly those 15 people got together in Istanbul on the day of the murder. "Who instructed these people is the answer we want," he said. - Digital Desk In Person I Dont Think the West Understands Myanmar Kavi Chongkittavorn. / The Irrawaddy How would you describe the Thai-Myanmar relationship at the moment? Thai-Myanmar relations at the moment are excellent. The relationship hasnt been this strong at any time since 1962. I am very happy because it has taken a long, long time for the two countries, which were bitter enemies for the past four centuries or more, to become really trusted friends. I think the two countries have a natural strategic partnership. One of the biggest challenges that the countries have joined hands to settle is the issue of migrant workers from Myanmar. I think over the past three or four years, Myanmar migrant workers living and working conditions in Thailand have improved. More than 2.3 million have been registered and given protection by the Thai government. I think the government will try to further improve their overall condition, because Thailand needs these workers to maintain economic growth amid a labor shortage. Migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos and even Vietnam would like to do the same, though they have fewer workers here [in Thailand]. Beyond the issue of migrant workers, Thailand and Myanmar are cooperating in lots of areas, especially capacity building and human resource development. For example Thailand has been the leading ASEAN member helping Myanmar to restore peace and stability in Rakhine State. Thailand is helping with education, public health and community-building efforts because it has a lot of experience with such projects. Of late, Myanmar has also become interested in the sufficiency economic model that Thailand has been practicing for decades. It could easily be applied to rural areas in Myanmar. These activities were conducted without scrutiny from the media. So there are lots of activities going on. Thailand and Myanmar share a porous, 2,400-km-long border. [It has] not yet been [fully] demarcated, but there is no war between the countries. Indeed, they have decided to postpone this issue and focus on economic development. That tells you that the two governments value the friendship and want to move ahead with cooperation in other areas and leave the demarcation for later. Why has there been such a dramatic change in the relationship? Is it because of Myanmars opening up in 2010, or is it due to improved ties between the two militaries? I think both reasons are valid. Relations between Thailand and Myanmar in the past were confined to military-to-military ties. They were not real relations. It was a dysfunctional cooperation without the involvement of civilian governments. It was not a good transaction at all. In the past, Thailand changed leadership and governments quite often. Therefore, there has not been any consistency except for the military-to-military ties. However, now that Myanmar has opened up and democratized, it has allowed Thailand and the international community to interact with Naypyitaw in diplomatic and holistic ways. The ties have transformed; they are not transactional, as in the past. They have been normalized. Thailands military regime has pursued a clear policy toward neighboring countries, trying to loop them into a broader economic integration using various frameworks. That helps explain why Thailand has been working hard to improve relations. Thailand and Myanmar are two major Buddhist members of ASEAN. Their close relations and cooperation are crucial for the unity of ASEAN and stability in mainland Southeast Asia. Their relationship is the foundation of stability in the region. Thailand is under a military regime. There has been a lot of talk about how much the two sides appreciate, learn from and copy each other. Since he became the commander-in-chief of Myanmars armed forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has made 10 or 11 visits to Thailand. He has made many overseas trips, to the West as well as to ASEAN countries, but Thailand has been his most frequent destination. Do you think the two countries have learned a lot from each other? Definitely. Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing follows political and economic developments in Thailand closely. He has learned a lot from Thailands experience in handling various crises. One of the most important takeaways for him is that you have to engage foreign countries; you cannot run away. Whether you like it or not, you have to face your problems and discuss them with the international community. If need be, you can ask for assistance. That is exactly what Thailand has done in the past, allowing it to settle its differences with foreign countries and supporters. Can you imagine that 30 years ago, we had over 3 million refugees from Cambodia on our eastern border? Everybody attacked and criticized Thailand over its refugee policy. But in the end, everybody appreciated Thailand and helped to repatriate all the refugees. Why? It was for a simple reasonThailand continued to engage the international community despite criticism and prejudices. We need to engage and talk to the international community. You know, Westerners, the international community and NGOs want information, and they also want to know what your policy is, what you intend to do. I think Thailand has been very good in explaining its policy and I think Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing has learned from that. And the second lesson is that if you cannot handle a situation yourself, you need help from friends; you need to discuss it and ask for help. Do not be shy, because countries in the region share similar challenges and destinies. Take Indonesia, for example. Thailand and other ASEAN members are facing similar issues. In fact, during Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaings visit to Thailand last year, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit [Wongsuwon] told him about Thailands past experiences handling the Cambodian refugees. He said Thailand trusted ASEAN and subsequently, ASEAN helped Thailand. Another example was in Indonesia. Jakarta had a problem with East Timor. It asked Thailand for help because Indonesia wanted ASEAN peacekeepers, not Western peacekeepers. So, Thailand helped to convince the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore to help with their peacekeepers. And I think it is time that Myanmar asked for help, more help from ASEAN on the Rohingya, because ASEAN can help in all kinds of ways. So far, Myanmar is still reluctant, thinking that this is an internal issue that it should handle alone. But ASEAN will not be able to help if Myanmar does not discuss it or ask for help. Myanmar must learn from Cyclone Nargis that international assistance is pivotal. Does this mean that ASEANs non-interference policy has been abandoned? Because when Myanmar was a closed country, we continually heard about the non-interference policy, and that Myanmar handled its internal affairs without interference. Has this changed? No, no. The non-interference policy remains. If Myanmar approaches ASEAN and asks for assistance, it is not considered interference in internal affairs, just like in the case of East Timor. Therefore, what Myanmar needs to do is to be more open and have more confidence in its ASEAN counterparts. Because Myanmar has been living in isolation for too long, the government is used to going it alone. But Myanmar needs ASEANs help. And it needs it now. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Myanmar needs ASEAN and ASEAN can help. ASEAN seldom disappoints its members. Have both the Myanmar government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the military led by Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing openly asked ASEAN for help with the Rakhine issue? I dont think they have reached that level. I think there is a better understanding between ASEAN and Myanmar over the Rohingya crisis now. But if you compare it with the previous government, I must say that the government of [former President] U Thein Sein had a much better policy toward ASEAN than the current government. Thein Sein engaged ASEAN and has been very supportive and he knows that ASEAN can help Myanmar. And this is very important. He was very enthusiastic and pro-ASEAN. He learned valuable lessons from the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis. There have long been rumors about the possibility of a coup detat in Myanmar. The Myanmar and Thai militaries are now best friends and collaborate, with lots of exchange going on. What are your thoughts? Well, Thailand will support Myanmar no matter what the circumstances. During the most difficult times, I remember in 1988, [Thai] General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh was really the lone supporter of Myanmar when the government came out and cracked down on the students. I hope that a coup-detat wont happen in Myanmar, because you do not have that kind of history, as in Thailand. [Former Myanmar strongman] General Ne Win staged a coup in 1962 and its implications lasted for over six decades. Thailand, however, has gone through 18 coups without the kind of long-lasting implications as in Myanmar. Pleaseno coup in Myanmar. Myanmar people go to Thailand and they are surprised to see that the country is still being run by a military government after four years. But its very different from what they have experienced in their own country. This is very interesting. In Thailand, you have to admit that [the military] has a lot of experience with coups. So we in general got used to coup-making and its aftermath. But [the most recent] coup was different. It was brought about by a series of political disagreements and polarization. The military government came to power on the promise that it would bring about political reform and also try to raise standards of living and heal the political rifts. And they have tried. The first year it did not succeed. The second year it continued and did not succeed. The third year yielded limited results with some changes in development and societal policies. With the military in charge, certain aspects of life are obviously tougher. Certain media are under government pressure not to write too muchthis can anger the government, thats all. In Thailand, the government does not arrest journalists for being critical or publishing confidential documents. They issue warnings. The biggest complaint has been the violation of human rights. I think Thai culture is quite accommodating to any new circumstance or environment. In the past four years, the military leaders have used Article 44 to ensure that policies get implemented, especially those involving influential people. How can the two countries learn from each other? In particular, what can Myanmars National League for Democracy-led government as well as its military learn from Thailand? Thailand can offer some good lessons, particularly on interfaith dialogue and community building. Of course, Thailand has its own problems [with a Malay-Muslim separatist insurgency] in the south. In general, people of different faiths should be able to live together. Thailands lessons in handling its ethnic groups could provide some valuable lessons. The second area is in the field of press freedom. I think Myanmar learned a lot during the U Thein Sein years. Thailand sent many media experts, especially in broadcasting, and tried to help draft a public broadcasting law. But [the current Myanmar] government has not yet taken any actionits pretty sad really. The previous government learned from Indonesia, Thailand and developed countries; it is the learning process that counts. What is the significance of the fact that Myanmar experienced more than a century of colonial rule, and took many lessons from this? Thailand was never colonized and had a more flexible attitude in terms of dealing with colonial powers in the 1930s, with the French, the British and the US. Is this something that we should handle better? Each country has its own rules for engaging and handling foreign countries as well as foreign pressure. Myanmar has a particular way of handling great powers and neighboring countries. Indeed, we can learn from each other. Thailands experience with great powers and neighboring countries has been rather unique. Thailand has never been colonized so our attitude to foreigners is less hostile. We are friendly towards foreigners. That helps explain why more than 35 million tourists have visited Thailand in each of the past three years [in 2016, 2017, and projected for 2018]. Thais are not afraid to engage foreigners, whether they are Russian, Chinese or American. That is why Thailand seeks friendship with all. We dont have any hang-ups with [former] colonial powers, even though their behavior in the past was disgusting. If you are good to Thailand, the Thais will be good to you. In some cases, they will try to do even more and offer more. Indeed, that is the easiest way to approach Thailand. Dont make Thai people mad. If you make them mad, they can be nasty. If you make them happy, they will respond in kind. I think that is the basic template. These are the basic tenets of Thai diplomacy. That is why sometimes foreign countries dont trust Thailand very much because they think Thailand changes like bamboo bending in the wind. Thailand has learned from past experience that you can only say something that you believe truly. Otherwise, you will be accused of lying. Thais have diverse opinions [and Thailand is home to] a variety of NGOs, grassroots groups and all forms of stakeholders. Its not easy. Everybody has a strong opinion. You have to remember, Thailand is not a country of one-party rule like Singapore, in which the party says something and the people follow. Thailand is not like Vietnam under the Communist Party. Thailand is not like Cambodia. Thailand has a very revered monarchy. Thailand has its military. Thailand has a strong bureaucracy. Thailand has uncompromising political parties. So, whenever you want to implement a national policy, it is very difficult to carry it out. Thats why no one will ever commit to or say anything ahead of time. They leave some room for interpretation. So you have to listen carefully to what Thais say and interpret it for yourself. Foreigners often say that Thais are ambivalent. Regarding the Rohingya issue, what are your views on the UNs damning report, calls for the International Criminal Court to prosecute Myanmars military leaders, and the criticism of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for not speaking out more? We see Thailand as having much more leverage in terms of dealing with the West, in terms of balancing powers, even though it is not a major power. But it has more potential, more economic power and political leverage in dealing with superpowers like China, the US and Russia. In particular, under the Prayuth administration, we have seen Thailand move closer to China and away from the US for a brief period, before returning to a more balanced position. Prayuth was then invited to the White House. What is Myanmar missing? It is interesting that you say that. You know in our relations with foreign countries, Thailand wants to be friends with everybody, with every country. But after the coup in 2014, the US decided to punish Thailand harshly. According to US law, Washington must cut off aid, and military training and exchanges. But some of the law-enforcement programs and humanitarian projects are still running. The regions largest military exercise, known as Cobra Gold, has continued without interruption. So in the absence of the US, Thailand continues its relations with China, India and Japan. In Japans case, it was very interesting. After two months of very tough policy towards Thailand, similar to the US, Japan suddenly changed its position to re-establish contact with Thailand. Tokyo realized [soon after the 2014 military coup] that military rule would last longer than usual. Just imagine: After four years, if Japan had maintained the same position as Washington, it would have lost everything it had nurtured in the past 70 years with Thailand. So Thailand continues its ties with the rest of the world, except for the US and the EU. It is only in the past year-and-a-half that the US and the EU have realized that they have been too harsh with Thailand. Of course, for them it is unacceptable that Thailand, being one of the democratic models [in the region] in the early 1990s, was still experiencing coups detat after so many years of democratization. I think in the future making coups will be more difficult. People wont tolerate it. At the moment, Thailand has a 20-year national strategy. I think every new government that comes in will have to follow and implement it. These strategies could be changed in Parliament. This is something new. A lot of people dont like it because the government was not elected. So after Thailand holds an election in February, the country will return to normal and its true democratic self will emerge again. I think it will be interesting to watch. Do you think the election is going to happen next year? It will definitely happen in February, because it is important. On the previous four occasions, the government has postponed and procrastinated due to technical problems. Now I think the government has confidence. The government has to make sure that the upcoming election is peaceful and provides the stability that everybody needs. You dont want political polarization or conflicts or street protests again. What Thailand needs most is the continuity of stability and democratization. Do you think the West understands Myanmar? No, I dont think the West understands Myanmar as Myanmar people understand themselves. Just like the Thais. I think in the West, when they look at Thailand or Myanmar, they see two things: The first is the normal stereotyped view; and the second is the country as they think it ought to be. For example, in the case of Myanmar, the West would like to see Myanmar become a democracy under Daw Aung San Suu Kyiat one time the worlds most famous political icon. In reality, that is not happening. Just like Thailand back in the late 1980s, when it had the worlds highest economic growth rate of nearly 13 percent. Everybody was saying Thailand was a good example of a developing country, adopting Western-style democracy with the most liberal democratic values. Our press is so free. Now we have been through that experience and realized that this kind of system was not sustainable, as other societal factors still lagged behind. So Thailands democracy fell back. Now we are trying to build it up again with a better foundation. So well wait and see The local press in Myanmar described a very different narrative [than the West did] after terrorists launched attacks in northern Rakhine. They didnt oversimplify the issues and nuances in northern Rakhine State. But many citizens despise the Western press coverage and were outraged. Many were also disappointed with the Ministry of Information, which they saw as doing nothing to provide news, or any counter-narrative, while also denying reporters access to the area. For me this is the outcome of the failure of the Myanmar government to provide quick information, access to informationand complete information. I think the country that Myanmar should learn from is Singapore. Whenever Singapore faces any problem, whether its about the quarrels within the Lee family or the sour relationship with China, the government tries to supply as much information as possible and in a very timely manner to the local press. The Singapore press is a bulwark against the Wests stereotyping and narratives. In the case of Thailand as well as Myanmar, the narratives shaped by the international press grabbed the headlines. In the case of the Rohingya, there are two failures. First of all, the government failed to provide adequate information at the right time. It was pivotal to provide information to the local media at the earliest possible time. Second, there is no access to the conflict areas for local media. That was the worst part. The government does not trust local reporters. The duty of the government is to make sure they provide enough and sufficient information as the situation continues to develop. If local journalists have better access early, it will help to improve two conditions. First, it would help to get information out through eyewitness accounts. Their reports could halt unsubstantiated or fake news circulating on social media. So these reports with updates will serve as monitoring. You know we journalists in the area are witnessing a lot of things. It keeps violence or conflict from happening when there are a lot of eyewitnesses. There are a lot of things happening that nobody sees, so with the advent of social media, both sides can put out anything, can talk about anything. Of course some of it is real and some of it is not real. What is your view of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who refuses to hold any press conferences or give interviews to local journalists? She only talks to selected foreign journalists and reporters. Secondly, whats your view of Myanmars Ministry of Information? The first thing is, she has the wrong idea about local media. She does not trust local media, because she does not trust the local medias ability to report her opinion or her views accurately. She feels that giving interviews to the BBC and other Western journalists is better because they are more professional. I think local journalists can also do a good job, given the opportunity. Just talk to them and find out which journalists are good, and which are not professional. After all, the media is a product of the country and its political system and culture. The leaders today failed to reflect the reality in Rakhine State. Thats why Naypyitaw does not have any credibility at all. So if the government had been more open in earlier days, I dont think the situation would have come this far. Local journalists must be given the opportunity to do the job. The worst thing about Rakhine is that nobody has reported it accurately. Now we have to try to figure out what went on, and interview refugees, interview whoever took part and interview all kinds of people, but without real eyewitnesses; the role that should have been played by journalists at the time. I think the Ministry of Information lacks a communication strategy. They are also scared of the government, because Daw Aung San Suu Kyi herself does not speak much. Everybody should have access to leaders so that the leaders can communicate with the people, and the Ministry of Information should provide the necessary information and also access to key people in the government. But the ministry has not yet done so. And this is very sad. I think the ministry has to be more active, more engaged. They do understand the situation and I think they have problems trusting local journalists. One of the things missing is mutual trust between media and the government. If you look at Thailand, there is a certain level of trust, even though the Thai prime minister criticizes the media all the time. But he is still talking to the media. Kavi Chongkittavorn was editor-in-chief of the Myanmar Times from February to December 2017. He was a journalist with the Bangkok-based English-language daily The Nation from 1984-2013. From 1994-95, he served as a special assistant to the ASEAN secretary general based in Jakarta. He is now a columnist for the Bangkok Post. His expertise is in ASEAN affairs, US foreign policy toward Southeast Asia and regional security issues. Tuesday, October 23rd, 2018 (4:36 pm) - Score 4,805 The Welsh Government has today announced that BT (Openreach) have won LOT 1 and LOT 3 of the new Phase 2 Superfast Cymru contract, which will initially work to expand fast broadband (FTTP dominated) ISP network coverage to reach an additional 16,000 premises by the end of March 2021. The original contract, which was supported by a public investment of 225m (including some from Broadband Delivery UK), required Openreach to deploy a mix of their superfast Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC / VDSL2) and ultrafast Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) ISP technologies (48,700 premises of the total got the latter). The aim was to put superfast broadband speeds within reach of 95% and theyve almost achieved that (here), although todays update uses the figure of 92% that seems to come from Ofcoms older data (see bottom of this article). Overall the Superfast Cymru project resulted in 733,000 premises (i.e. additional homes and businesses on top of the existing commercial coverage) from across Wales being put within reach of faster broadband ISP speeds, which drops to 717,000 for those able to access superfast speeds of 30Mbps+. These represent areas that might have originally been deemed economically unviable to reach via a purely commercial model. Naturally this still leaves around 5% (or 8% if using the older data) of premises stuck on sub-30Mbps speeds, which reflects many of the most remote rural communities that are often even more expensive to tackle due to their sparse populations (i.e. significantly harder for operators to gain a return on their investment). In response the Welsh Government proposed a new Phase 2 project at the start of 2018 (here), which initially aspired to make 30Mbps+ broadband available to every property and to focus on 100Mbps+ full fibre (FTTP) connectivity. The original tender valued this project at up to 200m, but so far its only confirmed about 62.5m and the first phase was said to be targeting around 88,000 premises (still not enough for universal cover). NOTE: Officially the WG has already committed tentative public funding worth up to 80m (i.e. 2m from BDUK, 20m from the EU, 20m from the WG and a 37m public reinvestment from gain-share / Officially the WG has already committed tentative public funding worth up to(i.e. 2m from BDUK, 20m from the EU, 20m from the WG and a 37m public reinvestment from gain-share / BT clawback via the original contract). This doesnt include any expected match-funding from commercial operators. Lot 1 North West Wales (Estimated value: 14.858m) Intervention Area of 21,125 NGA white premises has been identified with an additional 29,820 premises potentially available pending further information. Lot 2 East Wales (Estimated value: 21.706m) Intervention Area of 30,862 NGA white premises has been identified with an additional 21,183 premises potentially available pending further information. Lot 3 South West Wales (Estimated value: 25.436m) Intervention Area of 36,166 NGA white premises has been identified with an additional 17,552 premises potentially available pending further information. However Julie James AM, Leader of the House and Chief Whip, has previously admitted that the funding available is unlikely to deliver fast broadband to every premises that we have identified and as a result weve long expected a mixed technology strategy (i.e. it wont all be FTTP). On top of that the original announcement proposed to introduce a new scheme to help communities establish their own local projects. The New Phase 2 Contract According to todays announcement, BT has been selected to supply the new contract for LOT 1 and 3 above but so far this only covers 13 million of the available public investment (we dont yet know how much, if any, private investment they will contribute to this, but have asked). The bad news is that theyve currently only agreed to do almost 16,000 premises at fast speeds (whatever fast means?), which is many times less than the 88,000 that had been originally proposed. Some Welsh Ministers have already expressed concern at this result and Julie James AM appeared to show some solidarity with that feeling. The good news is that the vast majority of this will be done using Gigabit capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) technology (we assume FTTC / VDSL2 for the rest). Julie James AM said: The broadband market in Wales has seen a rapid change over the last five years. Superfast Cymru has transformed the digital landscape of Wales with the vast majority of premises across the country able to access superfast broadband. But there is more to do to reach the remaining premises. Given the scale of the task in providing fast reliable broadband to those premises currently unable to access it we are going to need a range of interventions in future. There is no one size fits all solution. This will include publicly funded roll-outs as announced today, our ABC and ultrafast voucher schemes and support for community projects through our voucher schemes. For many a community based scheme is going to be the best route to fast broadband connectivity. We will work with communities and local authorities to provide advice and funding to bring fast broadband where its needed. Kim Mears, Openreachs MD for Strategic Infrastructure, said: Were delighted to be partnering with the Welsh Government once again on the continued roll out of fibre broadband across Wales. After the successful delivery of Superfast Cymru to date, to be awarded the first lots of this next phase confirms that Openreach is at the very forefront of building infrastructure thats fit for the future. While the vast majority of the country both urban and rural can already access superfast broadband thanks to the work Openreach engineers have already completed in Wales we appreciate that there is still more to do. This is the next step in the process of making decent broadband available for all across Wales on an open network with a choice of providers. Apparently the first homes and businesses to benefit under this next phase should begin to go by the end of 2019, although there was no clear mention of what might happen with respect to completing some of the unfinished or partially built deployments from Phase 1. BT is also certain to pick up the LOT 2 contract since at present they appear to be the only serious supplier taking part and bidding. Meanwhile the Welsh Government appears to be holding back making all of their public money available until LOT 2 is confirmed, which means we may see extensions to the new contract in the future (i.e. just like we did with the original one). The reason Im not able to say how much money Im putting into that is I want to see how much the final lot thats left actually costs and then all the rest of it will be put into the community pot. So, we are determined to spend all the money on the table on fast broadband connection, said Julie. A Few Other Points from Todays Announcement: * The evaluation of tenders for lot 2 covering East Wales is ongoing, and Julie was only able to say that she will make a further announcement on this as soon as this process has been completed. * Both the ABC and Ultrafast Connectivity Voucher schemes are currently being reviewed so as to streamline them with this project and that of the UK Governments new Gigabit Voucher Scheme (they also want to make them quicker to use). Apparently a number of options have already been explored, with both the WG and UK Governments meeting last week to finalise a proposal. We expect an update on this soon. * The WG met with members of the Llandewi Rhydderch community in Monmouthshire to explore the prospect of helping them to build their own FTTH broadband network, which would use a similar approach to B4RN and Michaelston-y-Fedw (here). Other communities have expressed a related interest. * In a bizarre comment on universal coverage, Julie James decided to mix up expensive Leased Lines with residential connectivity. The statement speaks for itself: In terms of the availability at 100 per cent, I dislike saying this, Deputy Presiding Officer, because, to some extent, it is a little disingenuous, but, of course, it is available, its just a question of how much youre prepared to pay for it. So, at this point in time, were you prepared to pay for it, you could get a fast fibre connection to your premises via the Ethernet network, which would cost you quite a lot of money, but it is available. That network has been facilitated across Wales, but its out of the reach of many of the people of Wales, but it is available if they wanted it, and we have facilitated that. I agree with this; thats true, but it is, nevertheless, true that that is available, and that has been no small feat in itself, as well. Its no consolation to Mrs Jones of wherever that she still hasnt got it. ISPr Editors Note: Its a touch more than a little disingenuous Julie! You could also build a base on the Moon, if you had enough money, but thats not even remotely realistic for ordinary people. Politicians should not be confusing residential connectivity and high capacity business leased lines, which require significantly expensive civil engineering at huge cost to reach remote individual homes. UPDATE 24th October 2018 9:09am We asked the Welsh Government a few questions yesterday afternoon and now have their reply, which clarifies a few things but dodges a few others. Q. The figure of 16,000 is significantly below the expected up to 88,000 that had been promised. What has happened to the rest? A: The grant agreement is one part of a suite of measures to bring faster broadband to the remaining premises. The number of premises covered in the two lots are based on what the successful bidder felt they could deliver within the timeframe of the grant agreement. Our statement is clear there is no single solution and we are looking at a range of measures to reach the final premises. Q. How much private investment is BT contributing, if any? A: Thats a commercial matter. Q. What technology split does that 16,000 represent (i.e. how many are FTTP, how many FTTC etc.?)? A: 90% across the 16,000 are FTTP. Q. What % of superfast broadband (30Mbps+) coverage do you expect to achieve once todays contract has completed in 2021? A: As many as possible. Q. Will this contract include any provision for completing the unfinished / partially built deployments from the original contract? A: The grant agreement is part of a suite of measures to reach the final premises. It is not the only solution. All premises without access to superfast broadband are a priority and these have been captured as eligible for government intervention. They may be part of the grant agreement or one of the other solutions we are working on. Any partially built deployments are a matter for Openreach and have not been paid for by the Welsh Government. We expect an update on the LOT 2 next week. UPDATE 31st October 2018 One of the uncertainties with the WGs existing ABC voucher scheme surrounds the question of whether having a voucher (i.e. so as to increase local speeds in the intervention area from 2Mbps to 10Mbps or 9Mbps to 20Mbps etc.) then excludes related properties from the Superfast Cymru Phase 2 intervention area for future deployments. The WG has kindly clarified. A Welsh Government spokesperson said: Premises without access to superfast speeds of over 30Mbps, which are not in any private sector roll-out plans for the next three years, have been captured as eligible for government intervention. Use of the ABC voucher scheme will not exclude premises from the rollout it they are part of it. Now the grant agreement has been awarded we are working with Openreach on confirming the premises which will benefit from the rollout. A new online presence is being prepared for the suite of interventions, including the successor project with Openreach. People will be able to check online whether their premises is scheduled to be completed under this project or if another intervention would be more suitable. This facility should be available within the next few weeks. UPDATE 5th November 2018 Weve had a further update concerning Under Review premises (credits to Steve). Under review premises that cannot get a fibre broadband service under the first contract are not included in the second contract. The mechanism to have them included appears to necessitate an Open Market Review (OMR). After that, eligible properties could then be brought in the scope of the second contract. It is presently unclear how many premises unable to order fibre broadband, that were in the scope of the first contract, fall outside of the scope of the second contract. OMRs tend to occur roughly every 3 years (depending upon the authoritys desire) and we suspect that the next one may happen in 2019. UPDATE 27th November 2018 The Welsh Government has recently clarified which counties were in which Lots of the new Superfast Cymru contract. Lot 1: Ceredigion; Conwy; Denbighshire; Gwynedd; Isle of Anglesey Lot 2: Cardiff; Flintshire; Monmouthshire; Newport; Powys; Vale of Glamorgan; Wrexham Lot 3: Blaenau Gwent; Bridgend; Caerphilly; Carmarthenshire; Merthyr Tydfil; Neath Port Talbot; Pembrokeshire; Rhondda Cynon Taf; Swansea; Torfaen Meanwhile weve included Ofcoms most recent (May 2018) coverage data for Wales below, although its worth noting that this is several months behind the latest official information from other sources. Canada has ignored an attempt by two US politicians to push it to omit Chinese telecommunications equipment supplier Huawei Technologies from the country's 5G networks, deciding instead to continue using the company's products, albeit under existing conditions. These conditions stipulate that the company cannot bid on federal contracts, cannot manage equipment from abroad, and cannot supply gear for the countrys core networks. US senators Marco Rubio and Mark Warner, both members of the US Senate Intelligence Committee, wrote to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this month, asking him to follow the lead of the US and Australia and ban Huawei from any role in Canada's 5G networks. The Globe and Mail reported that the Canadian signals intelligence agency that protects telcos, the Communications Security Establishment, had told Trudeau and MPs that Canada had a robust system of testing facilities for Huawei equipment and software to prevent any security snafus. The new head of the CSE, Scott Jones, had indicated that these facilities were much better than those which many of Canada's allies had. Huawei has a facility in the UK at which British security agencies can evaluate the company's technology. A similar facility is to be opened in Germany on 16 November, ahead of that country's 5G mobile spectrum auction. Trudeau told parliament: "First of all, we make our decisions based on evidence, based on the recommendations of our extraordinarily effective Communications Security Establishment. We listen to them. "Its very easy in discussions like this to let politics slip into decisions and positioning like that, and as Ive been saying for more than three years, we try to base our decisions on evidence and data. And that means listening to the experts and trusting them." The opposition Conservative Party had called on the government to follow the lead of the US and Australia and ban Huawei from Canada's 5G networks. Kim Richard Nossal, an analyst with the Australian think-tank The Lowy Institute, said Trudeau's decision may have also been partly influenced by the way the Americans had sought to constrain Ottawa's independence in negotiating trade deals. In the recently renegotiated NAFTA trade deal, one clause specified that parties would have to inform each other if they planned to negotiate any free-trade deals with any non-market country, and also said they could opt out of the new deal if any other party signed a deal with a non-market country. Nossal said this had been widely reported in Canada as a bid to try and prevent Canada from striking a free-trade deal with China. "The Huawei decision thus had a number of important political purposes," he said. "First, taking a stance in sharp opposition to the US (which has, like Australia, banned Huawei and other Chinese telecommunications firms from involvement in 5G networks) allowed Trudeau to paint his government as both willing and able to stand up to [US President Donald] Trump, who is widely despised in Canada for a variety of reasons, including his ad hominem attacks on both Trudeau himself and Chrystia Freeland, Canadas foreign minister." Australian-listed software as a service company ShareRoot is collaborating with St Vincents Hospital in Melbourne to apply its MediaConsent platform as a way to improve the dynamics of clinical trial recruitment. The Silicon Valley-based ShareRoot (ASX:SRO) Medi Consent platform is also designed to improve patient engagement in and around clinical trials and understanding of patients health-related behaviour through the use of social media and the proper accompanying consent processes. Under the collaboration, St Vincents' is working with MediaConsent to offer the first solution within its respective industry to ensure compliance with human research ethics committees, while enhancing the relationship development between the hospital and its patients. The collaboration, led by Michelle Gallaher, managing director of The Social Science, a Melbourne-based digital agency acquired by ShareRoot in April, includes a group of specialist advisers representing St Vincents Hospitals Research Directorate who ShareRoot says have invaluable knowledge and networks within the global clinical research and clinical trials industry. St Vincents, ShareRoot and The Social Science have identified the urgent need the industry has for a technology that can protect patient data and privacy on social media while supporting the advancement of clinical research by gaining access with consent to this global data set. The three companies say the growing interest in real world data and real world evidence in the pharmaceutical and medical technology industry by regulators and technology developers worldwide is remarkable and RWD can be derived, for example, from a number of sources such as wearable technologies and social media. Valuable health-related data and content is shared online every day by millions of people via social media, said ShareRoot chief executive Noah Abelson-Gertler. That is where MediaConsent comes into play: our goal is for MediaConsent to be a reliable, sensitive, and ethical platform that reduces the barriers and encourages doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to engage in clinical research with a far wider scope while ensuring that patients and their carers are in control of their data. Google has cut a deal with the New Zealand Ministry of Education to supply its Chrome notebooks to all students of state and state-integrated schools in the country. Commencing from 1 November, all these schools will be able to start claiming Chrome Education licences to manage new and existing unmanaged Chromebooks, a blog post from Google's head of education for Australia and New Zealand, Suan Yeo, said. The licence allows schools to update any number of Chromebooks using a cloud-based management console. The blog post quoted Dorothy Burt, education program lead in the Manaiakalani Innovation team, as saying: "This is fantastic news for the Manaiakalani Schools. "We have been using Chromebooks since they first became available to New Zealand schools in 2013 and have relied on the devices having the Chrome Education licence to ensure the focus remains on learning and teaching. She added: "The positive impact of the licence to schools is experienced in our big schools, with large fleets of Chromebooks to manage, and equally in our very small rural schools where the sole charge teaching principal has more important matters to focus on than the status of learner devices. Smartphone shipments in India grew 24% sequentially in the third quarter of 2018 and 5% year-on-year ahead of the festive season, the analyst company Counterpoint Research claims. Chinese brand Xiaomi enjoyed its highest shipments in a quarter in India, with 27% of market share in the third quarter of 2018, a big rise from its 22% share in the corresponding quarter a year ago. Counterpoint said this was driven by its new Redmi 6 phones and expansion of sales in offline channels. Xiaomi also launched a sub-brand, Pocophone, which experienced strong initial shipments. Following some distance behind was South Korean titan Samsung with 23% market share in Q3 2018, the same as it enjoyed in Q3 2017. Its J series drove shipments and also enjoyed success in the sub-US$100 market through its Android Go edition, the Galaxy J2 core. Another Chinese brand, Vivo, took third spot (10% in 2018 against 8% in 2017), followed by Indian brand Micromax (9% in 2018 against 6% in 2017) and China's OPPO (8% in 2018 and also 2017). Vivo's success was due to refreshing its V series with the V11 and the V11 Pro, which included features like in-display fingerprint sensors, fast-charging and better cameras. Indian firm Micromax returned to the top five after two years. Along with local MVNO Reliance Jio, the company has won a contract from the state of Chhattisgarh to supply five million devices for women and students. OPPO's figures were bolstered by its new product lines, mostly the F9 series. The remaining 23% of market share in Q3 2018 was taken up by other brands who had held 33% of the market in Q3 2017. Other highlights of the research: Transsion Group, led by the itel, Tecno, Infinix brands continued to grow in the smartphone segment in India. Infinix grew 65% YoY as it expanded its product portfolio in online channels to take ground in the sub-$150 segment. Tecno shipments also doubled YoY driven by the Camon series. Other brands that did well during the quarter included, Realme, Honor, Asus, and Nokia HMD. Realme became the first ever smartphone brand to hit one million shipments within five months of launch across online channels. Realme 2 was the most popular model as users found the build quality (diamond design) and features (battery life) of the device attractive enough to drive upgrades in the sub-$150 segment. Honor shipments were driven by Honor 7A and Honor 9N. The breadth of its portfolio in India has increased in the past year. Asus Zenfone Max Pro drove the shipments for Asus as it was one of the popular devices with 6GB RAM in the sub-$200 segment. OnePlus 6 shipments in the premium segment remained strong as it launched multiple offers during the quarter. This helped the brand to retain its number one spot in premium smartphone market. Nokia HMD refreshed its portfolio with the launch of 6.1 and 5.1 Plus, both of which started well. Nokia pivoted to a new design language for the launches, which was received positively by its target audience. Commenting on the figures, Counterpoint research analyst Anshika Jain said: Even though the quarter started modestly, smartphone shipments picked up and reached an all-time record due to strong sell-in by brands in August and September. Key brands kicked-off their festive campaigns early this year by launching new models as early as August. This has given them ample time to prepare and align with festive season sales across online channels that started from early October. The record shipments happened at a time when the Indian rupee hit a record low against the US dollar. This is already impacting supply chains and product planning for the brands. Any inventory accumulation after the festive season will put brands under pressure as they may need to pass on the resulting price rises to consumers. Hence, this festive season is not only crucial for brands to target new customers but also navigate the external headwinds," she added. Regarding the brand performance, research analyst Karn Chauhan said: Indias shipments surpassed those of the US during the quarter, the second time this has occurred. India is already the second largest smartphone market in the world after China; it exceeded 400 million smartphone users in June. "Nevertheless, the market is under-penetrated relative to many other markets. As a result, top brands are expanding their reach in the country in a bid to acquire more customers and sustain growth. The success of new brands, like Realme, highlights the fact that the market still offers growth opportunities to new players if they have the right mix of market-entry strategies. Chauhan added, Four of the top five brands recorded their highest ever shipments in a single quarter. The volume growth happened in the mid-tier due to the consumers steadily migrating toward higher price points. The US$150 to US$250 segment contributed to almost a third of the volume during the quarter as many new products are launching at this level. Counterpoint's research is based on sell-in (shipments) estimates based on vendors IR results, vendor polling triangulated with sell-through (sales), supply chain checks and secondary research. Chinese telecommunications equipment maker Huawei has lost a legal battle over the theft of smartphone technology that enables access to 3G and 4G networks, and could face a ban on sale of such devices in the UK. A report in the British daily The Telegraph said the suit dated back to 2014 when Samsung, Google and Huawei were sued by a small American company, Unwired Planet. Samsung and Google settled with Unwired in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Huawei has argued that it should only be charged fees for using the technology in the UK. It sells devices using these technologies mostly in South America and Southeast Asia where Unwired has no patents. But a British Court of Appeal dismissed Huawei's arguments on Tuesday, and said it would have to pay global licence fees to avoid having its 3G and 4G devices banned from sale in the UK. Huawei has sought permission to appeal the decision in the British Supreme Court. The judgment said Huawei would have to pay between 0.03% and 0.06% of its handset sales as licence fees, much lower than what the Nevada-based Unwired had sought. In 2014, Huawei was asked to pay 2.9 million in interim costs to Unwired but that amount would now be much more. The Telegraph quoted a Huawei spokesman as saying: "Huawei remains committed to provide its cutting-edge products and services to our customers without interruption. "Irrespective of the ultimate outcome of the case, Huawei does not believe that the Courts decision will adversely affect its business operations either in the UK or in other countries. Unwired bought thousands of patents from Ericsson in 2013. It is owned by PanOptis, a Texan patent company. Fake websites, bogus telephone calls and fake emails are part of the scam inventory being used in Australia as scammers increasingly use fake charities or impersonate real charities on unsuspecting victims, according to a new report. The report, from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, reveals that so far in 2018, Scamwatch has received 689 reports of fake charities scams with more than $320,000 in reported losses. This compares to the whole of 2017 where reported losses were $313,563. The ACCCs report with Charity Fraud Awareness in Australia, and ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard says, Australians are very generous, donating billions each year to thousands of different charities. Unfortunately scammers are increasingly using peoples generosity against them by setting up fake charities to fleece them. This is a particularly appalling scam as beyond just stealing money from unsuspecting victims, the scammers also take money meant for legitimate charities. Donations are the lifeblood that supports charities and their ability to help people in need. Rickard says that fake charities operate in a number of different ways. Scammers may approach people on the street (for example, posing as a monk, or a collector for a specific cause) or at their front door. Scammers may also set up fake websites which look similar to those operated by real charities. Some will call or email people requesting donations. Fake charity approaches occur all year round and often take the form of a response to real disasters or emergencies, such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes and bushfires. The ACCC has seen horrific examples of charity scammers taking advantage of high profile tragedies like the Black Saturday bushfires and following last years Bourke Street tragedy. Weve also seen some recent examples of charity scammers using the current drought to rip off people, Rickard said. The scammers have no shame. If theyre not creating fake charities, they will impersonate real ones like the Red Cross, RSPCA, or Rural Fire Service, Rickard says warning that its important people are aware of these scams and take precautions to ensure their money is going to a genuine charity. The ACCC advises that people can ensure their donation is going to a legitimate charity by phoning them directly or making a donation via their website. They can check the charity is legitimate by first looking up their credentials on the publicly available Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission. Legitimate charities do employ door knockers and street collectors. But rather than just hand your money over, ask to see their identification and dont be shy about asking questions about the charity such as how the proceeds will be used. If you have any doubts about who they are, do not pay, go the charitys legitimate website and pay through there. Rickard said. Also, avoid any arrangement with a stranger that asks for up-front payment via money order, wire transfer, international funds transfer, pre-loaded card or electronic currency, like Bitcoin. Legitimate charities dont solicit donations in this way. Burning malware is like Hercules fighting the nine-headed Hydra. For every head he cuts off, two more grow back in its place. That's the lesson from a new report by Cylance today, and one both enterprise network defendersand the public at largeshould pay attention to. Cyber mercenaries sell malware to oppressive regimes in the Middle East, which then use that malware to attack their own citizens, research from the Citizen Lab suggested earlier this year. The current regimes in Turkey and Egypt compel local ISPs to run Canadian-made Sandvine/Procera deep packet inspection middleboxes that inject the malware into unencrypted HTTP downloads of popular software like Avast, VLC Player and WinRAR. Large numbers of users in Egypt, Turkey and Syria (near the border with Turkey) are affected. For the last six months, Cylance has been studying how the malware, known as Promethium or StrongPity, has changed as a result of the Citizen Lab report. "Even though the indicators of compromise seem to disappear off your radar screen [it] doesn't mean they're gone," Kevin Livelli, director of threat intelligence at Cylance, tells CSO. Instead, the malware group, widely believed to be developed by a cyber mercenary group, tweaks a little code to fly under the radar again and continues to sell to oppressive regimes. Assigning attribution? Oppressive regimes without the resources to develop their own malware instead turn to the grey market, where any number of cyber mercenary groups provide the software and hardware needed to identify, hack, stalk, harass, disappear, torture and murder dissidents, journalists, political opponents and anyone else the regime of the day doesn't like. Explosive reporting from Israel's Haaretz newspaper exposed the dark underbelly of the cyber mercenary business in that country. Israel is far from the only country that permits cyber mercenaries to operate. Countries like Canada, Germany and Italy tolerate such activity as well. Cylance declined, as a matter of company policy, to attribute the malware to a particular group of cyber mercenaries, but its report hints that it might be Hacking Team, the Italian cyber mercenary group that got hacked by a vigilante hacker by the name of Phineas Phisher and had 400GB of its source code, internal documents and emails dumped online. "We have reason to believe [this malware group] bears a strong connection to a company based in Italy, a lead we hope to investigate in the near future," the Cylance report said. What happens when you burn a malware group? Within a short time after the Citizen Lab report, the cyber mercenary group's malware was back at full throttle. "Two months after the Citizen Lab report, Cylance found new Promethium/StrongPity activity, utilizing new infrastructure," the report said. "The observed domains all appeared to have been registered about two weeks after Citizen Lab's report. The malware has continued to adapt as new information is published." The retooling required to continue to operate was low, the report noted. "Minimal effort and code changes were all that was required to stay out of the limelight. Cylance observed new domains, new IP addresses, filename changes and small code obfuscation changes." Cyber mercenary groups now have the resources of a small-to-medium nation-state, and should be considered an advanced persistent threat (APT), whose weapons are used against civilians with total disregard for the rule of law. "So often when security researchers publish reports, threat actor activity seems to disappear," Livelli says. "People move on and turn the page." "Our research demonstrates how important it is, how powerful for network defenders and researchers to occasionally look backwards, and see what happened after research was published," Livelli adds. Cyber mercenaries: A menace to society Cyber mercenaries are willing accomplices to crimes against humanity. When Western nations that profess to promote human rights not only permit such mercenaries to operate but enable them by approving export licenses for such technologyhacking tools used to identify and torture people for exercising their freedom of consciencethen we become complicit in those atrocities. Attempts to rein in the practice have so far failed. The proposed 2015 amendments to the Wassenaar Arrangement, an international accord that bans export to certain countries of dual-use technologies like fissile material and centrifuges, would have also forbidden export of a great deal of harmless security software as well, and were thus abandoned. The plausibly deniable nature of government hacking means that it is impossible to govern such uses, even in a free society. Power unchecked will always be abused. "There's no way that technology of this sort will not be wrongfully abused. The only question is in what way," a former cyber mercenary turned whistleblower identified as "Gal" told Haaretz. "I don't want to be part of that agonizing." Almost lost in the noise about Microsoft yanking Windows 10's latest upgrade from distribution was the Redmond, Wash. company's decision to do the same thing with the newest Windows Server editions. Both Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 1809 remained in limbo as of Monday. "We have temporarily removed all media for Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server, version 1809," the company said in an Oct. 12 update to a blog post. "If you have already downloaded media, please don't install it and wait until more information is available to proceed. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused." Windows Server 2019 is the on-premises, perpetual-license successor to Server 2016, and like that software, will be supported using the standard 5+5 scheme, with five years of "Mainstream" support and another five years of "Extended" support. The former will expire Oct. 10, 2023, while the latter ends Oct. 10, 2028. Windows Server 2019 is akin to the LTSC, or "Long-term Servicing Channel," version of Windows 10; LTSC is maintained with security-only updates but is not offered feature upgrades. It is a static OS that resembles Microsoft's pre-Windows 10 model. The same holds true for Windows Server 2019, which will not be offered new features or functionality. Organizations that want access to feature changes sooner than the next edition - which, if Microsoft sticks to its practice, would be Windows Server 2022, available in the fall of 2021 - must instead adopt the Semi-annual Channel (SAC) version. Again, like Windows 10, the Windows Server SAC delivers an upgrade twice each year, in the spring and fall (April and October, typically). The spring SAC is supported for only 18 months, but the fall SAC will be serviced with security and non-security updates for 30 months. Windows Server 1809, the first SAC of the Windows 2019 line - admittedly, the numeric labels can be confusing - was also removed from distribution shortly after its early-October debut. Microsoft has restarted delivery of Windows 2019's version 1809 only to the Windows Insider beta testing program. It will use that forum to determine when to renew general shipment. Guest Speaker and Music to be Featured During Saint Johns Bible Event Ruth and Naomi, Suzanne Moore, Copyright 2010, The Saint Johns Bible, Saint Johns University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. BLOOMINGTON, Ill. Illinois Wesleyan Universitys Evelyn Chapel will host Illuminating Justice, Inspiring Music: An Afternoon with the Saint Johns Bible on Sunday, Oct. 28 at 3 p.m. in Evelyn Chapel (1301 N Park St, Bloomington), as part of their Religion, Music, and the Humanities Series. This event is free and open to the public. The afternoon will feature speaker Jonathan Homirghausen, author of Illuminating Justice: The Ethical Imagination of The Saint Johns Bible, and choral music directed by Tim Fredstrom. Illinois Wesleyan currently has the Heritage Edition of The Pentateuch volume of The Saint John's Bible the first handwritten and hand-illuminated Bible produced by a Benedictine community in over 500 years available for viewing on campus through December 2018. This work of religious and artistic significance has sparked modern-day conversations about interreligious dialogue and social justice among both Christian and Jewish theologians, scholars, and artists involved in the Bibles production, as Homrighausen will expand upon during his talk. Following Homrighausens presentation, the choral group Cantus Novus, directed by Tim Fredstrom, will perform music of Christian and Jewish origin inspired by the vibrant illuminations in The Saint John's Bible. These illuminations will be projected during the performance, and attendees will also have an opportunity to closely view the Bible before and after the program. I am thrilled that we have the opportunity to celebrate the creative achievements of The Saint John's Bible through both intellectual reflection and musical offerings, said University Chaplain Elyse Nelson Winger. The music will be glorious and will remind us, I hope, of the living spirit of music and the arts that is always being made new as new voices and visions embody these sacred stories. This event will be held as part of Evelyn Chapels annual Religion, Music, and Humanities series, which presents an innovative and engaging program that celebrates intellectual and artistic contributions to a multifaith and multicultural world. By Rachel McCarthy 21 Mendez-Carbajo Takes on New Opportunities in Economics Oct. 23, 2018 Diego Mendez-Carbajo BLOOMINGTON, Ill. Professor of Economics Diego Mendez-Carbajo has been appointed Chair of the Research Committee of the National Association of Economic Educators (NAEE), one of the nations leading organizations in its field. Starting in January 2019, Mendez-Carbajo will take charge of organizing some of the largest research conferences for economists and educators, including annual meetings for the American Economic Association and the Council for Economic Education. He will also help shape the organizations long-term vision by advising the Executive Committee on existing and future economic education research opportunities for NAEE members. "I am very excited about the opportunity to work more closely with instructors and researchers interested in discovering new and better ways of teaching," said Mendez-Carbajo, who is currently Chair of the Council for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Illinois Wesleyan University. Mendez-Carbajo has also been invited to serve as Associate Editor for The American Economist , published by the Academic Honors Society in Economics, Omicron Delta Epsilon. Since 1960, this academic journal has published original research and review articles from all schools of economic thought, which Mendez-Carbajo will review in collaboration with the Chief Editor. Furthermore, Mendez-Carbajo has accepted an invitation from the University of Delaware for a Visiting Scholar in-residence at the Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship. In partnership with faculty, staff and graduate students at the university, he will build upon his previous work with the Center and its unique masters degree program in Economics & Entrepreneurship for Educators. My work as Chair of NAEE's Research Committee aligns very well with my responsibilities as Associate Editor of The American Economist and with my appointment as Visiting Scholar in-residence at the University of Delaware, said Mendez-Carbajo. By simultaneously holding those three responsibilities, I will be able to assist in pedagogical innovation, publication and application, and I look forward to bringing the fruits of my work in these three areas back to Illinois Wesleyan. By Rachel McCarthy 21 iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- Nearly one year after he signed the Republican tax cuts into law, President Donald Trump has now repeatedly floated another round of tax cuts -- this one just for middle-income Americans, he claims -- just two weeks from the midterm elections. While he acknowledged at the White House on Monday that the proposal wouldnt receive a vote from Congress before the midterms, Trump said he would send the proposal to Capitol Hill before the midterms. Were putting in a resolution sometime in the next week-and-a-half, or two weeks, he told reporters as he left for a campaign rally in Texas. Trump said the proposal would aim to give a middle-income tax reduction of about 10 percent. We're doing it now for middle income people. This is not for businesses." "We will do the vote after the election," Trump said, after reporters questioned how he could make the claim when neither the House nor the Senate will be in session until one week after the midterm elections on Nov. 6. Trumps remarks coming after saying he and GOP lawmakers were working on a very major tax cut in Nevada on Saturday appeared to catch Capitol Hill off guard. Aides to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady referred questions about Trumps comments and any proposal back to the White House. Nicole Hager, a spokesperson for Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said in a statement to ABC News that the senator welcomes efforts to build on tax reforms success and will work with the administration and Finance Committee members about how to best proceed. Democrats criticized Trumps comments, with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, suggesting on Twitter that the president was making up the tax proposal. The top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, blasted the president's tax cut talk. This empty rhetoric is an admission by Donald Trump that his tax law only helps corporations and the donor class. The middle class will see straight through this scam just like they did with Trumps broken promise to deliver $4,000 wage increases. The $1.5 trillion tax cut passed by Congress and signed into law by Trump last December. Republicans and the administration have said the cuts would pay for themselves over time through economic growth. The Treasury Department said last week that the federal budget deficit reached $779 billion in fiscal year 2018, up from $666 billion in 2017. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Today Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. Slight chance of an afternoon shower. High 73F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Tonight Cloudy early, becoming mostly clear after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 33F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Tomorrow Sunny skies. High near 55F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Summerville, SC (29483) Today Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 77F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 53F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Vancouver British Columbia / TheNewswire / October 23, 2018 - Harvest Gold Corporation (TSX.V: HVG) ("Harvest Gold") is pleased to provide an update on the initial drilling program at the Cerro Cascaron gold and silver project in southwestern Chihuahua, Mexico. Harvest Gold and its Joint Venture partner and operator, Evrim Resources Corp. (TSX.V: EVM) ("Evrim"), have planned up to 3,000 metres of diamond drilling. Cascarita Silver Target The drilling is well underway and currently focused on completing three drill holes, totaling approximately 600 meters, at the Cascarita area, a high-grade silver-lead-zinc sheeted/vein breccia system (previously announced October 4, 2018). Once all three holes are completed, core samples will be processed. Sampling, Assaying and Quality Control Core logging, splitting and sampling are being conducted onsite. The samples will be first sent to the ALS Chemex preparation lab in Hermosillo, Mexico and then to the ALS Chemex lab in Vancouver, Canada for assay. Insertion of rig duplicates, standards and blanks will be included in the sample stream for Quality Assurance and Control. Cascaron Vein Field Gold Targets Schedule After completing the Cascarita silver target work, drill crews will move to the Cascaron Vein Gold Field, an area of high-grade gold and silver veins defined by channel sampling and gold, silver, and pathfinder soil geochemistry (previously announced October 4, 2018). Four drill holes, from one set up, are planned to test the San Pedro vein, where high grade gold and silver veins are defined by channel sampling, and by gold, silver, and pathfinder soil geochemistry approximately 800 metres to the north Three drill holes are planned to test 900 metres of strike along the Serpiente Dorada and Julieta structures, an area within a 1.8-kilometre-long gold-silver soil anomaly And, one drill hole is planned beneath an area of high-grade gold-silver surface samples across the Carabina vein. About the Cerro Cascaron Project The Cerro Cascaron property hosts a low to intermediate sulphidation epithermal gold bearing system and includes a high-grade gold vein field measuring 18 square kilometers in area on the eastern third of the property. Veining has been mapped over 900 vertical metres, with classic textural evidence of hydrothermal boiling accompanying the highest gold grades. This boiling zone has been established in the upper 380 metres of the vein field. Beneath the boiling zones, silver and base metal rich veins and breccias provide additional exploration targets. Cerro Cascaron's setting and mineralization are similar to many epithermal deposits in the Sierra Madre Occidental, including Minera Frisco SAB's Ocampo Mine to the northwest, Coeur Mining Inc.'s Palmarejo mine 115 kilometres northwest, and First Majestic Silver's San Martin de Bolanos silver mine in Jalisco State. The property is one of the few unexplored and undrilled opportunities in the region. Harvest Gold has the right to earn a 70% interest in Cerro Cascaron by incurring $6 million in exploration expenditures, making $900,000 in cash payments and issuing 2,000,000 shares over 4 years. It can earn an another 10%, to total 80%, by spending up to $10 million in exploration expenditures, paying another $200,000 and delivering a 43-101 compliant feasibility study within a nine-year period. If Evrim's interest in Cerro Cascaron is diluted to 10% or less, its interest will convert into a 2% net smelter royalty ("NSR"). Qualified Person Statement Harvest's disclosure of technical or scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Warren Bates, P.Geo. Vice President, Technical Services for the Company. Mr. Bates serves as a Qualified Person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101. Readers are cautioned that rock chip, grab and channel samples are selected samples and are not necessarily representative of the mineralization hosted on the property. About Harvest Gold Corporation Harvest Gold is a mineral exploration company presently advancing its Cerro Cascaron high grade gold/silver project in Chihuahua State, Mexico, where an initial 3,000 metre drill program is planned for 2018. Harvest Gold's Board of Directors and management team are experienced in successful exploration and have collective geological and financing experience exceeding 200 years. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Rick Mark, President and CEO For more information please contact: Rick Mark or Jan Urata @ 604.682.2928 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 23, 2018 / Vangold Mining Corp. (TSX-V: VAN) ("Vangold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that further to its news release of earlier today, effective at the open, Thursday, October 25, 2018, shares of the Company will resume trading; transfer agent services have now been reinstated. About Vangold Mining Corp. Vangold Mining Corp is a Canadian-based precious metal mining company with a goal to acquire significant exploration opportunities supported by a defined set of geological principals. The Company has a diverse range of quality projects in Mexico and is now expanding with a significant land package in Nevada, USA and near production properties in Guyana, SA. Vangold will continue to expand its portfolio with near production opportunities that bring value to shareholders by providing longer term exploration upside and mineral resource growth potential. The Company's Common Shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "VAN" and on the OTC American Exchange under the symbol "VGLDF". ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Cameron S. King" President, CEO and Director For further information regarding Vangold Mining Corp, please contact: Cameron King, +1 (604) 499-6545 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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. 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. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements". This forward-looking information includes, or may be based upon estimates, forecasts and statements of management's expectations with respect to, among other things, the completion of the proposed Transaction, the issuance of permits, the size and quality of mineral resources, future trends for the company, progress in development of mineral properties, future production and sales volumes, capital costs, mine production costs, demand and market outlook for metals, future metal prices and treatment and refining or milling charges, the outcome of legal proceedings, the timing of exploration, development and mining activities, acquisition of shares in other companies and the financial results of the company. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially and substantially from those anticipated in such statements. Investors should not rely on forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Vangold's expectations, and expressly does not undertake any duty to update forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to the following, limited operating history, proposed exploration and/or drill programs and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Vangold to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RedZone Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: REZ, Frankfurt: REZ, OTC: REZZF) (the Company or RedZone) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an option agreement with LRH Resources Ltd. (LRH), a private exploration company, to acquire up to 90% of the North West Leinster Lithium Property in the Republic of Ireland. LRH has applied for and has received an exploration licence which will allow us to begin work almost immediately. RedZone can, after funding an agreed amount of due diligence exploration work, exercise three options to enter a joint venture agreement and acquire up to 90% of the of the North-West Leinster Lithium (NWL) project on the terms summarized below. The NWL Property is comprised of 13 exploration licences, totalling 529 sq. km (52,900 hectares) and is located approximately 35km southwest of Dublin. The project is centred on similar geology to that which hosts International Lithium Companys (ILC) Avalonia Project, approximately 60km to the south. The Avalonia project is focussing on anomalous lithium bearing pegmatites and aplites that occur along the eastern and southern margin of the Devonian Caledonide granites, where they are in structural contact with Lower Palaeozoic meta-sediments. Ganfeng Lithium Co., one of the worlds leading lithium producers established in China in 2000 and listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange since 2010, has agreed to spend $10 million to earn 79% of ILCs Avalonia project. ILC are currently drilling on the property and have returned intersections of up to 2.23% Li 2 O over 23 metres (Source: ILC Corporate Presentation Oct 2018). Stream sediment sampling results on the NWL Property to date are plotted on the map below along with similar data reported for the ILC property: At the NWL property, regional stream sediment surveys (Geological Survey of Ireland) show anomalous Li in the target area with samples ranging from 9 to 501 ppm; supporting observations from regional soil sampling (TEAGASC the Agriculture and Food Development Authority) which revealed values ranging from 42 to 166 ppm Li in the same area. Subsequent reconnaissance prospecting by LRH has confirmed the presence of pegmatites and aplites as boulder float. The samples returned anomalous lithium values in the northern and north-western part of the massif with grab samples returning results ranging from 50 to 7680 ppm Li (1.66% Li 2 O equivalent) and 3030 ppm Li (0.65% Li 2 O). Note that these grab samples are not necessarily representative of the mineralization hosted on the property. The initial due diligence program is designed to conduct limited reconnaissance prospecting and geochemical sampling in drainages where the higher lithium values were identified. This work is being conducted to verify lithium anomalies and establish the geological setting of lithium mineralization. These surveys will then be followed-up with detailed prospecting, geological mapping and geochemical sampling (soil, deep overburden, stream sediment) that will guide further work if warranted. RedZone can, after a 10,000 payment and funding a minimum of 40,000 due diligence expense over an 18-month period, exercise three options (the Options) to acquire up to 90% of the of the NWL Property as follows: Redzone can earn a 51% interest in NWL by spending 1,000,000 within two years of the signing of a definitive option agreement giving effect to the Options (the Commencement Date); RedZone shall also make a payment to LRH of either in either (i) cash or (ii) subject to receipt of the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange or such other applicable stock exchange, a combination of a minimum of 10% in cash and the balance in common shares of RedZone at the applicable market price; within 14 business days of the Commencement Date; RedZone can earn a further 24% interest (for a cumulative 75% interest in total) in NWL by spending a further 2,000,000 within 5 years of the Commencement Date and paying LRH 200,000 (at the option of RedZone, in either (i) cash or (ii) subject to receipt of the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange or such other applicable stock exchange, a combination of a minimum of 10% in cash and the balance in common shares of RedZone at the applicable market price; and RedZone can earn a further 15% interest in NWL by completing a preliminary economic assessment and by paying LRH 500,000 in either (a) cash or (b) subject to receipt of the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange or such other applicable stock exchange, a combination of a minimum of 10% in cash and the balance in common shares of RedZone at the applicable market price. Upon RedZone earning its 51% interest in the NWL, a joint venture shall be formed between RedZone and LRH. Should LRHs interest be diluted below 10%, its interest shall convert to a 2% gross proceeds royalty (the GPR). RedZone shall have a buy-back right for a specified period on 1% of LRHs 2% GPR by paying LRH 1,000,000 in either (i) cash or (ii) subject to receipt of the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange or such other applicable exchange, a combination of a minimum of 10% in cash and the balance in common shares of RedZone at the applicable market price. The option agreement remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. RedZone may extend the required time frame to complete any earn in period for up to an additional 24 months, by making a cash payment to LRH of 250,000 per 12 months and maintaining a minimum expenditure of 250,000 per 12 months. Michael Murphy, President and CEO, says, "This project fits well with our strategy of acquiring early exploration properties for metals that make up the battery supply chain and we have structured the transaction on terms that mean the cash component is modest until we are more certain of the propertys economic viability." All scientific and technical information in this press release has been prepared under the supervision of Cameron Bell, P. Geo. a consultant and Director of RedZone, and a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. About RedZone Resources RedZone Resources is a mineral exploration company with a focus on metals that make up and support the rapid evolution to battery power. RedZones common shares are listed on the TSX-V: REZ, on the Frankfurt exchange: REZ, and on the OTC: REZZF. RedZone currently has three projects 1) Fortner-Boyd Lithium project in Arizona, 2) North-West Leinster Lithium property in Ireland and 3) a 55% stake in the Peru based Lara copper property, which has over 10,000 meters of drilling. More information about the Company is available on its issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or at www.RedZoneResources.ca. For further information please contact: Michael Murphy, President and Chief Executive Officer E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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 and/or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Statements Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to the potential for gold and/or lithium at any of the Companys properties, the prospective nature of any claims comprising the Companys property interests, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory approvals, uncertainty of sample results, timing and results of future exploration, and the availability of financing. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 22, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avrupa Minerals Ltd. (AVU:TSXV) ) (AVPMF:USOTC) (8AM:Frankfurt) is pleased to announce that it will complete a financing of $1.5 million to fund the drilling program at the Alvalade copper-zinc-lead VMS Project in Portugal and for general working capital. Drill Program at Alvalade Avrupa recently announced a 2,500 to 3,000-meter drill program to expand currently known mineralized areas and to determine the potential size of the mineralization found to date at its Alvalade VMS Project in Portugals Iberian Pyrite Belt. Most of the financing proceeds will be used for this drilling program, and positive results will determine the next steps for the program at Alvalade. Financing Terms Avrupa plans to issue 30 million Units at $0.05 per Unit. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant that will allow the holder to buy an additional share from the closing date for a 36 month period at a price of $0.10 each. Avrupa will have a provision to accelerate the exercise of the warrants if the common shares close at a price of $0.20 or greater for a period of 20 consecutive trading days. Insiders may be participating in this non-brokered offering, and Avrupa may also pay finders fees to qualified finders. Avrupa Minerals Ltd. is a growth-oriented junior exploration and development company directed to discovery of mineral deposits, using a prospect generator model. The Company holds one 100%-owned, self-funded flagship project, the Alvalade VMS Project. Avrupa focuses its project generation work in politically stable and prospective regions of Europe, including Portugal, Kosovo, and Germany. For additional information, contact Avrupa Minerals Ltd. at 1-604-687-3520 or visit our website at www.avrupaminerals.com. On behalf of the Board, Paul W. Kuhn Paul W. Kuhn, President & Director This news release was prepared by Company management, who take full responsibility for its content. Paul W. Kuhn, President and CEO of Avrupa Minerals, a Licensed Professional Geologist and a Registered Member of the Society of Mining Engineers, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. He has reviewed the technical disclosure in this release. Mr. Kuhn, the QP, has not only reviewed, but prepared and supervised the preparation or approval of the scientific and technical content in the news release. 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. Highlights: Numerous new discoveries made during the regional exploration program surrounding the past-producing Monique Mine, five kilometres east of the New Beliveau Resource Near surface discovery grading 24.8 g/t Au over 2.2 metres within a larger zone of 5.9 g/t over 10.5 metres, located 400 metres northwest of the Former Monique Open Pit Near-surface discovery grading 20.5 g/t Au over 2.0 metres , located 200 metres north of the Former Monique Open Pit A 350 metre-long gold structure intersected in five holes 50 to 200 metres southwest of the historic A and B gold zones (450-650 metres south of Monique Open Pit), includes near-surface intercepts grading 3.8 g/t Au over 7.0 metres, 1.1 g/t Au over 41.2 metres and 2.4 g/t Au over 12.8 metres Winter drilling program planned to follow-up on new zones. TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Probe Metals Inc. (TSX-V: PRB) (OTCQB: PROBF) (Probe or the Company) is pleased to provide new results from the 2018 drill program on the Val-dOr East Monique option property (the Property) located near Val-dOr, Quebec. Results from fourteen (14) drill holes, totaling 4,783 metres, were received and showed significant new discoveries northwest of the Former Monique open-pit gold mine and southwest of the A and B gold zones (see figure 1). The Company is now preparing for the 2019 winter drill program to follow up on the recent discoveries. Probe may earn a 60% interest in the Property by spending an aggregate of $2mm on exploration before January 2021 (see news release dated January 17, 2017). Significant drill results are presented below. David Palmer, President and CEO of Probe, states The initial results from the regional exploration program are very encouraging, with numerous new gold discoveries being made around the old Monique mine site. It increases our confidence in the exploration potential of the Val-dOr East area and the Companys large, consolidated land package. We are now designing an expanded winter drill program that will follow-up on these results as well as testing new targets in the area. Of the fourteen holes, seven were designed to test a large under-explored area North, West and northwest of the Former Monique Open Pit along the mineralized trend. Best assay results were from hole MO-18-03 at 159 metres depth (down hole), which returned 24.8 g/t Au over 2.2 metres in a larger interval grading 5.9 g/t Au over 10.5 metres. This hole is located 400 metres northwest of the Monique pit and proximal to our 100%-owned property. Hole MO-18-09 was drilled 200 metres North of the Monique pit and also returned encouraging results with two gold zones intersected at 175 and 373 metres depth (down hole) grading respectively 20.5 g/t Au over 2.0 metres and 2.1 g/t Au over 7.6 metres. The deepest intercept corresponds to the extension of the in-pit gold mineralization 50 metres to the North and the other intercept is possibly the lateral extension of the new gold structure intersected in hole MO-18-03. Five holes were drilled to test a weak IP anomaly located 50 to 200 metres southwest of the historic A and B gold zones, with all returning significant results between the surface and 130 metres depth. Gold mineralization is associated mainly with felsic dykes cross-cutting mafic volcanics. Holes MO-10-14, 11 and 10 returned the best intercepts grading respectively: 3.8 g/t Au over 7.0 metres, 1.1 g/t Au over 41.2 metres and 2.4 g/t Au over 12.8 metres. The remaining two holes were drilled 1 kilometre northeast of the Monique pit and tested a lone IP anomaly. Neither hole returned significant gold values. Mineralization intersected along the Monique Gold Trend is characterized mainly by sulphide-bearing quartz-carbonate-tourmaline veins and veinlets in mafic to ultramafic rocks or associated with mineralized dioritic or felsic dykes. Gold is generally associated with 1% to 5% finely disseminated pyrite, and visible gold is common. Rock units are generally altered with variable amounts of chlorite, carbonate, sericite and/or silica. Albite and fuschite alteration are locally observed. The orientation of the quartz vein systems is roughly parallel to the stratigraphy and to the deformation zones. Assay results from selected drill holes are reported in the following table: Selected drill results from the Monique Option drilling program1,2 Hole Number From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au (g/t) Area/Host Rock MO-18-01 125.0 131.0 6.0 2.4 SW of AB / Felsic Dyke MO-18-02 54.0 62.0 8.0 0.7 NW of OP / UM Rocks MO-18-03 158.5 169.0 10.5 5.9 NW of OP / UM Rocks including 162.8 165.0 2.2 24.8 NW of OP / UM Rocks MO-18-04 360.5 371.0 10.5 2.4 NW of OP / UM Rocks including 363.0 367.0 4.0 5.0 NW of OP / UM Rocks MO-18-09 175.0 177.0 2.0 20.5 N of OP / UM Rocks 373.4 381.0 7.6 2.1 N of OP / UM Rocks MO-18-10 108.0 120.8 12.8 2.4 SW of AB / Felsic Dyke including 117.2 119.0 1.8 12.3 SW of AB / Felsic Dyke MO-18-11 86.0 127.2 41.2 1.1 SW of AB / Felsic Dyke including 91.0 92.0 1.0 22.1 SW of AB / Felsic Dyke MO-18-12 123.5 130.7 7.2 1.9 SW of AB / Felsic Dyke MO-18-14 94.0 101.0 7.0 3.8 SW of AB / Felsic Dyke 136.0 145.0 9.0 1.0 SW of AB / Felsic Dyke (1) All the new analytical results reported in this release and in this table, are presented in core length and uncut. Additional drilling is planned for the immediate area which will enable the true width determination. (2) Definitions: SW of AB =southwest of the AB zones, NW of OP = Northwest of the Former Monique Open Pit, N of OP = Northwest of the Former Monique Open Pit Figure 1: Surface Map Monique Gold Trend Area About the Monique Property: The Monique property is located 25 km east of Val-dOr, in Quebec, and consists of 17 claims and one mining lease covering a total area of 546 hectares in the Louvicourt township. The property hosts a current inferred mineral resource of 107,500 tonnes at a grade of 4.88 g/t for 16,850 ounces of gold. From 2013 to 2015, the Monique open pit mine was in operation and a total of 0.58 Mt of ore was extracted at a grade of 2.5 g/t Au, from the surface to 100 metres depth for a total of 45 694 ounces of gold. Gold mineralization on the Monique property has been identified in 12 zones, which are generally hosted by one of three deformation zones that cross the property from east to west. Gold mineralization is defined by a network of quartz/tourmaline/carbonate veins and veinlets, with associated disseminated sulphides, in the altered wall rocks. Gold is frequently observed in the quartz-tourmaline veins. Qualified Persons The scientific and technical content of this press release has been reviewed, prepared and approved by Mr. Marco Gagnon, P.Geo, Executive Vice President, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Quality Control During the last drilling program, assay samples were taken from the NQ core by sawing the drill core in half, with one-half sent to a certified commercial laboratory and the other half retained for future reference. A strict QA/QC program was applied to all samples; which includes insertion of mineralized standards and blank samples for each batch of 20 samples. The gold analyses were completed by fire-assayed with an atomic absorption finish on 50 grams of materials. Repeats were carried out by fire-assay followed by gravimetric testing on each sample containing 3.0 g/t gold or more. Total gold analyses (Metallic Sieve) were carried out on the samples which presented a great variation of their gold contents or the presence of visible gold. About Probe Metals: Probe Metals Inc. is a leading Canadian gold exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of highly prospective gold properties. The Company is committed to discovering and developing high-quality gold projects, including its key asset the Val-dOr East Gold Project, Quebec. The Company is well-funded and controls a strategic land package of approximately 1,000-square-kilometres of exploration ground within some of the most prolific gold belts in Quebec. The Company was formed as a result of the sale of Probe Mines Limited to Goldcorp in March 2015. Goldcorp currently owns approximately 13.7% of the Company. On behalf of Probe Metals Inc., Dr. David Palmer, President & Chief Executive Officer For further information: Please visit our website at www.probemetals.com or contact: Seema Sindwani Director of Investor Relations This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. +1.416.777.9467 Forward-Looking Statements Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Companys future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as believes, anticipates, expects, estimates, may, could, would, will, or plan. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet managements expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information 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, the Companys objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to failure to identify mineral resources, failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves, the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, inability to fulfill the duty to accommodate First Nations and other indigenous peoples, 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, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and those risks set out in the Companys public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. MEDFORD, Ore.- This November, Jackson County voters are deciding between re-electing Sheriff Nathan Sickler or handing off the baton to challenger Bill Froehlich. Sickler has been with the department since 2006. In 2008 he was promoted to sergeant and worked as a patrol sergeant until October of 2012 when he was moved to the criminal investigations division. In March of 2015, he took a position as an interim captain, and in July of 2015 he was promoted to captain. In January of 2017, Sickler was appointed as the sheriff of Jackson County by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. He had been serving as the deputy chief of the sheriffs office since December 30th of 2016. One of Sickler's priorities as sheriff is building a new jail. In October of 2018, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners approved a plot of land in White City for it to be built. You can read more about Sheriff Sickler's priorities here. Sickler says one of his greatest accomplishments is the great work environment he's helped foster at the department. Sickler touts his deputy's work ethic and professional standards as part of the reason the department is getting more community support. Sickler says, "The men and women of the Sheriff's Office believe in our mission, and they support me. I think the majority of the public supports me you, know weve been working really hard to support our community and do the right things here and to you know improve on what we had before." On his opponent, Sickler says, "Weve made good progress, so I think, you know, nothing against him but I think right now thats not what our agency and our county needs. A change at this point, especially with somebody that might have reference to law enforcement 10 years ago, I mean theres more things thats changed in the last decade and with law-enforcement than the previous 50 years." Should Froehlich win, he would have to spend 12-14 weeks training to be certified as an Oregon law enforcement officer. Bill Froehlich lives in Jackson County and has enjoyed a three decade career in law enforcement prior to retiring. Froehlich retired as a lieutenant and watch commander, overseeing nearly 40 colleagues. Froehlich currently serves as a member of the Jackson County Public Safety Coordinating Council. When it comes to crime in Jackson County, Froehlich thinks more can be done right now. Froehlich says there are more than 10 solutions nationwide that provide for additional jail space. Some of those solutions are less expensive, require less operational costs, last more than 20 years and can happen faster than a traditional jail. Choosing one of these or another option with the County Staff, Commissioners and public input provides relief and time to build a longer-term plan. For an in depth look at two of those options, click here. Froehlich says he would be a sheriff of the people. Froehlich says, "My vision for the sheriffs office is to raise the professional standards so the officers understand the potential they can reach in any field they might want to attain. That vision includes the community and allows them to have what they want to see. It's important to understand the communities so the vision is not a very wide one but its focused and I think thats the important part to look at." BROOKINGS, Ore. The crew of a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) boat rescued an injured man Monday morning from a commercial fishing vessel 25 miles off the coast of Brookings. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Bend received word of an injured man from a crewmember aboard the fishing boat Arctic Storm at 9:55 a.m. The man reportedly suffered "blunt force trauma" to the face from a loose crane hook. The sectors flight surgeon recommended an immediate medevac, so USCG launched a 47-foot Motor Life Boat (MLB) crew to assist. An MLB from Station Chetco River launched and met with the Arctic Storm, taking aboard the injured 64-year-old man. The crew was able to stabilize the injured man before bringing him ashore for emergency medical services. USCG said that the man's current condition is unknown. "The Coast Guard reminds mariners to always keep up-to-date first-aid equipment readily accessible in case of medical emergencies while underway," USCG said in a statement. SALEM, Ore.-- Finding affordable housing can be a challenge in Oregon. Some people believe changes to how Oregon funds housing projects could help change that. Currently, governments in Oregon are not allowed to partner with a private business on construction projects funded by general obligation bonds. This means a city or county is require to be the sole owner of any projects using bond funds. Measure 102 would change that. The measure would make it easier for local governments to work with partners to build and preserve homes that are affordable. The partnerships could allow public bond dollars to go much further. Cities or counties could use bond revenue to fund construction of affordable housing without having to retain complete ownership. Voters would need to approve the use of the bonds and there would be certain restrictions. "If we were to issue those bonds for the purpose of creating housing, our ability to partner would more than likely mean we can get more units out of that. So every unit that we put in the ground. Every family that we're able to serve has some affect on the very large housing deficit that we're facing right now," said Oregon State Representative District 5-Ashland Pam Marsh. Affordable Housing Partners, Oregon Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity Oregon, and Oregon Nurses Association are just some of the many organizations that have come out in support of the measure. In a statement, the Habitat for Humanity Oregon said, The amendment would lift the current ban on the ability of local governments to work with nonprofits and local businesses to build affordable housing with bonds. This small change means local housing bond dollars can go farther, helping communities address the need for homes that people can afford." According to ballotpedia.org, the Bike Party is the only organization to oppose the measure. Measure 102 was introduced by the Portland City Hall to allow the city to use its affordable housing bonds in combination with certain money provided by the federal government. Start your Black Friday shopping early Black Friday is the day, people eagerly look forward to; when patrons get the best deals and businesses turn their books to black. With online... Spindle Items ..SWITCHING HANDS I am honored to assume the responsibilities of the editor of the Ken-Ton Bee. I would like to begin by thanking the... Out of the Past 25 Years AgoNov. 20, 1996 Despite hearing the Department of Transportations modified proposal of the widening of a 1.5-mile stretch of Niagara Falls Boulevard, the... Inclusive playgrounds will bring families together Last month we celebrated the official opening of the much-anticipated Playground for All at Chestnut Ridge Park, a project that came to fruition thanks to... Reflections on 2021 November elections America is special for many reasons. Chief among them is our belief in democracy and our commitment to free and fair elections. On Nov. 2nd... EUGENE, Ore. -- Kids need good advice when it comes to personal finances. KEZI 9 News spoke to Oregon Pacific Bank President and CEO Ron Green to learn more about how to encourage kids to start saving. What are some good ways to teach children how to save money? You can never start too early with savings and children. Getting children to save starts with the parents. Youve got to give them great advice on how to save, when not to spend frivolously but when to reward them when things are going well in life. They need your input. They need your guidance and a good foundation for when they get older. A great place to start right now is opening a savings account. A minor can have an account as long as a parent or guardian is on the account with them. Ron Green said to be there and help them out when you can. If you have banking or finance questions for Ron Green, click here. PORTLAND, Ore. (KGW) -- A pre-trial hearing for self-proclaimed white supremacist Jeremy Christian began Monday in which his attorney will argue against a potential death penalty. On Monday, the closest Christian's defense lawyers got to arguing against the death penalty was a motion to disallow victim impact evidence and aggravating evidence in the penalty phase of the trial, should it come to that. In the following days, the defense will argue that capital punishment is unconstitutional in Oregon, based on several principles, including that lethal injection can cause severe pain. The lawyer will also argue that Christian has mental health issues. The hearing is expected to last three days. There are 51 items on the pretrial agenda, a majority brought by Christian's defense attorneys. The murder trial for Christian is set for June 2019. Unlike past appearances, during Monday's hearing, Christian remained calm. On May 26, 2017, Christian spewed hate speech at two black teenage girls on a MAX train in Portland, and then allegedly stabbed three men who stepped in to intervene. Two of the victims, 53-year-old Ricky John Best and 23-year-old Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, were killed. The third victim, 21-year-old Micah Fletcher, was wounded but survived. Police say Christian confessed to the killings. Before the fatal attack, Christian was arrested multiple times over a decade and a half. The day before the stabbings he was accused of throwing a bottle of Gatorade at a black woman on a MAX train. Christian was also thrown out of an alt-right event in Portland in April 2017 for making racist comments. Saudi Arabia dressed Jamal Khashoggi look-alike in dead mans Western clothes Did Saudi Arabia use a body double to pose as Jamal Khashoggi, the US-based Saudi journalist last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Turkey around three weeks ago and now dead, presumed murdered? Is this footage of a body double wearing the newly dead mans clothes? EXCLUSIVE: Surveillance footage shows Saudi operative in Jamal Khashoggis clothes in Istanbul after the journalist was killed, Turkish source says.@ClarissaWard has more, live from Istanbul: pic.twitter.com/AYZwmqNezf New Day (@NewDay) October 22, 2018 And vitally, what does it mean for the moralising West, which can turn a blind eye to mass killing, murderous homophobia, a virulent and open anti-Semitism to which the Labour Party can only aspire, misogyny and slavery, but is aghast at the death of one man ? For their part and lets be fair the Saudis say Khashoggi was not tortured did not have had his fingers cut off before being dismembered by a team of Saudi agents armed with a bone saw. He left the place fully intact and in good health, they said. Then they said he perished in a fist fight. Khashoggi was at the consulate to finalise his divorce. Those things can be tough, and when the other partys lawyers look like trained killers, it might be time to let her keep the house and car. The Saudis reviewed the matter and decided Khashoggi was offed by rogue Saudi agents a hard bunch to find in an absolute monarchy. But thanks to Turkeys vigilance and Saudi Arabias burning desire for justice, 18 men had been arrested in connection with the incident and two senior officials dismissed. The individuals who did this did this outside the scope of their authority, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told Fox News. There obviously was a tremendous mistake made, and what compounded the mistake was the attempt to try to cover up. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has got a few servants to wash his hands and embarked on an urgent review of Saudi intelligence. Hell have the report into his actions ready for his own desk to review very soon. Fingers stuck back on and crossed it can be proven that the Crown Prince is an okay kinda guy. I would love if [he] wasnt responsible, said Donald Trump, showing that he possesses the power to duck the big decisions. As we await the result of the whitewash, sorry, investigation, into a mans vanishing, the worlds super-rich are shunning the meeting, the so-called Davos in the Desert which they signed up to when Saudi Arabia was merely killing Yemenis, executing people for such crimes as incitement to protest, chanting slogans hostile to the regime, attempting to inflame public opinion and filming protests and publishing on social media, and having lifted the ban on women drivers, arresting the campaigners (aka traitors) who campaigned for that very change. So which side are we supporting: the women and men who want democracy or the Divine Right of Kings to murder at will in it role as go-ahead partner against Arab nationalism and Iranian power? Anorak Posted: 23rd, October 2018 | In: Key Posts, News Comment | TrackBack | Permalink The field names of County Kilkenny are celebrated in a new short film, The Whispering Fields which will be premiered in Lisdowney on Friday, November 2. Beautifully made by the Kilkenny based film maker, Kevin Hughes, the film celebrates the recording of field names in the areas of Clontubrid, Gathabawn and Lisdowney in the north of the county. It was commissioned by the Heritage Office of Kilkenny County Council to highlight the deep relationship between people and place, language and landscape and this disappearing part of our cultural heritage. Some of the local volunteers, who recorded over 1,450 field names in the area as part of the Kilkenny Field Names Recording Project, participated in the making of the film. Of all the projects I have been involved with this is the one which has given the most satisfaction says one volunteer, Eilis Costelloe. It is fitting then that young local musicians Jack Grace, Shane Grace and Holly Moore helped to create the films soundtrack. Written and devised by Alan Counihan, Project Coordinator with the Kilkenny Field Names Recording Project, the film explores the effect of recent changes to the landscape and the importance that field names play in shaping a sense of place. "We want to let more people know about, and get involved with, recording the field names before they are lost says Dearbhala Ledwidge, Heritage Officer and Creative Ireland Coordinator. The premiere of the film will take place in Lisdowney National School on Friday, November 2 at 8.15pm. There will be refreshments and music on the night. The event is free but registration is required. RSVP to Kilkenny County Council Heritage Office, heritage@kilkennycoco.ie, Tel: 056-7794938. Three Chinese influencers and a senior editor at National Geographic Traveller magazine (China edition) with a combined audience of more than 60 million readers have been visiting Ireland, as guests of Tourism Ireland, Failte Ireland and Cathay Pacific. They flew to Dublin on the Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong, which launched in June 2018. The aim of their visit was to highlight the new flight and ease of access from southern China to Ireland to their readers, as well as some of the many great things to see and do here for Chinese holidaymakers. Their busy itinerary took them to Kilkenny, where they visited the National Design & Craft Gallery and some of the studios in the Castle Yard, including Castle Arch Pottery and JMK Goldsmiths. They also did a walking tour of the city. They enjoyed dinner in the Butcher Restaurant and stayed in the Pembroke Hotel. James Kenny, Tourism Irelands Manager in China, said: Seeing is believing so were delighted that these Chinese influencers have had the opportunity to experience some of the many things to see and do in Kilkenny and Ireland. The aim of their visit was to increase awareness of Irelands culture, heritage and cuisine and to help secure a greater share of the 4 million Chinese visitors to Europe each year. China is the largest outbound travel market in the world and one that Tourism Ireland is committed to growing over the coming years. In 2017, we welcomed around 90,000 Chinese visitors to the island of Ireland; Tourism Ireland aims to grow Chinese visitor numbers to 175,000 per year, by 2025. Given that theres a proven direct correlation between access and growth in visitor numbers, we believe Cathay Pacifics flight from Hong Kong to Dublin will be a major game-changer in helping to grow visitor numbers from China. Foroige volunteers from all over Ireland gathered in the Hotel Kilkenny last weekend, for Foroiges annual volunteer conference. Kevin Gleeson, Shauna Pollard, Emma Murphy, Brendan Delaney, James Campion, Lauren OMeara, Patricia Healy, Rita McCabe, Mairead Eachthigheirn, Gina Kennedy, John Sullivan, & Arianna Doran attended from Kilkenny. Mairead Eachthigheirn, John Sullivan, & Shauna Pollard all addressed the delegates from the podium to share their vast volunteering experience and expertise with the audience. Foroige has over 5,500 volunteers working in its 600 youth clubs, 160 projects and programmes such as the Aldi Foroige Youth Citizenship Programme; Leadership for Life; Be Healthy Be Happy; and Entrepreneurship. They are instrumental to Foroiges engagement with over 50,000 young people, or one in ten Irish teenagers, year on year. Above: Mairead Eachthigheirn, Piltown Foroige; Dr. Mark Brennan, Professor and UNESCO Chair in Community, Leadership, and Youth Development, at Pennsylvania State University; & John Sullivan, Cuffesgrange Foroige This was the 48th annual Foroige volunteer conference and the delegates enjoyed a variety of guest speakers, workshops, and the exchange ideas on best practice in youth work. David OReilly, Chairperson of the National Council of Foroige, speaking at the conference said Foroige volunteers are extremely special. They are thoroughly dedicated to providing young people with opportunities which will empower them to reach their full potential in a safe and understanding space. Without our army of 5500 volunteers a gapping hole would exist in youth work in Ireland and I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every volunteer who braves the winter nights, becomes a mentor, and empowers Irelands young people to believe in their own potential. Last year volunteers in Foroige gifted almost 400,000 hours to help support and develop young people the length and breadth of Ireland. This type of commitment doesnt just happen, it must be co-ordinated and given the support it deserves. Dr. Mark Brennan, Professor and UNESCO Chair in Community, Leadership, and Youth Development, at Pennsylvania State University, speaking at the conference said, Community is developed, created and recreated through social interaction. Local people through interacting and effective community leadership have the power to transform and change society. Volunteering can be central to developing a strong backbone to communities and moulding them into the best that they can be. I commend each and every person in this room for making themselves accountable for creating a world where young people not only survive but thrive. (Kitco News) - Just returned from an investment conference in Bermuda, where the mood among some of the biggest names in the industry was definitely bullish. To be taken in context, most players in the metals space are generally neutral in a worst-case scenario but almost always bullish albeit sometimes with the caveat if you are a long-term investor. Metals dealers do not make money telling investors that gold is a negative play. But as we discussed last week, the macro landscape remains constructive for higher prices in the short term. The unsettled global equity market, Italys budget issues and the unresolved Brexit issue all combine in attracting flows into gold. The mid-term election a few weeks away may produce a swing in the power dynamics in Washington, with Democratic gains creating at best a lame-duck administration. Technically our level of $1,220 held up and $1,237 was touched overnight. A break here may see a quick move to the $1,250 level. Palladium continues to power on touching an all-time high in overnight trade. By Peter Hug Contributing to kitco.com Follow @KitcoNewsNOW www.kitco.com 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. * Glencore received subpoena for documents in July* Trading firm said probe relates to corrupt practices act* Sources identify three intermediaries in focus By Dmitry Zhdannikov and Julia Payne LONDON, Oct 23 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Justice is seeking documents from Glencore about intermediary companies that the commodities firm has worked with in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Venezuela and Nigeria, sources familiar with the matter said. The investigation is not directed at Glencore's own activities or its senior executives, two sources told Reuters, giving no further detail about the type of information sought. "The investigation focuses on intermediaries," one source familiar with the probe said. A banker working with Glencore also said the focus was on three intermediary firms. In mining and other extractive industries, intermediaries are firms or individuals paid a fee by producers, buyers or both for services such as brokering deals. Glencore said on July 3 it had been subpoenaed for documents relating to its business in the three countries since 2007, sending its shares down 13 percent and leaving investors guessing about the direction of the investigation. The Switzerland-based firm had said the subpoena related to compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and money-laundering statutes but did not indicate the Department of Justice was focused on intermediaries or give further details. Glencore, which said on July 11 it would cooperate with the U.S. authorities after receiving the subpoena, declined to offer additional comment for this article. The Department of Justice declined to comment. A third source, who was familiar with the Nigerian element of the probe but not other areas, said the Department of Justice wanted Glencore to hand over documents related to associates of former Nigerian oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, namely the owners of Nigeria-based Atlantic Energy Holdings. The U.S. authorities are investigating alleged bribery of the former minister and alleged money-laundering by her associates, who include Olajide Omokore and Kolawole Aluko, according to U.S. court documents seen by Reuters. Glencore was a buyer of oil from Atlantic Energy Brass Development, a subsidiary of Atlantic Energy Holdings, which was owned by Omokore and Aluko. Glencore declined to comment on its oil dealings with Atlantic Energy. A lawyer representing both Atlantic Energy and Omokore also declined to comment. A lawyer for Alison-Madueke requested Reuters send questions by email, but did not respond when that email was sent. A lawyer for Aluko could not be identified, as court documents did not name a representative and other lawyers involved in the case could not offer guidance. Nigeria's government referred requests for comment to the justice minister, who is also attorney general. He did not respond to requests for comment. For Congo, the U.S. authorities were seeking documents from Glencore relating to Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler, while for Venezuela they wanted documents from Glencore relating to Miami-based trading firm Helsinge Inc, the first source and the banker said. The sources declined to disclose any more information about the probe into these two intermediaries. Gertler, who was a partner in Glencore's cobalt and copper mines in Congo until 2017, could not be reached for comment. His spokesman in London declined to comment. Congolese government spokesman Lambert Mende said Gertler had business in Congo and that any investigation into his activities had nothing to do with the government. For Venezuela, Helsinge acted as an intermediary for Glencore's fuel sales to state energy firm PDVSA, according to PDVSA's internal trade documents seen by Reuters. Helsinge did not respond to telephone or email requests for comment about the Department of Justice probe. A spokesman for PDVSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Additional reporting by Giulia Paravicini in Kinshasa, Marianna Parraga in Houston, Sarah N. Lynch in Washington and Alexis Akwagyiram in Lagos Editing by Dale Hudson and Edmund Blair) (ANSA) - Rome, October 23 - The college of European Commissioners is set to decide on Italy's budget plan at a meeting on Tuesday. The Commission is expected to give the thumbs down to the package. On Monday the 5-Star Movement-League government said it had no intention of changing the plan in its response to the Commission's letter of reproach over it. The Commission has said that Rome's plan to run a deficit of 2.4% of GDP next year is a major deviation from the agreed targets that could mean it breaks the Stability and Growth Pact. In the reply, Economy Minister Giovanni Tria said that Italy's 2019 budget plan "does not expose the financial stability of Italy, nor that of the other countries of the European Union, to risk. "In fact, we think that the reinforcement of the Italian economy is in the interest of the whole European economy". (Kitco News) - Gold prices are solidly higher and have hit a nearly three-month high in early U.S. trading Tuesday, boosted by safe-haven demand amid keener geopolitical uncertainty in the marketplace. December gold futures were last up $17.20 an ounce at $1,241.70. December Comex silver was last up $0.223 at $14.805 an ounce. Buckle your seat belts today, folks. Global stock markets were mostly lower overnight as risk aversion has returned to the marketplace amid geopolitical tensions. Chinas stock indexes were sharply down after good gains posted Monday. South Koreas and Japans stock markets were also sharply lower. U.S. stock indexes are pointed toward solidly lower openings when the New York day session begins. The U.S. indexes are back near their October lows. The S&P 500 stock index has just dropped below what was strong chart support at its October low. Such suggests a new leg down in prices is coming for the U.S. stock market. Thats bullish for hard assets such as gold and silver. The Turkish president went on television overnight to explain that the Saudi journalist that was killed in a Saudi consulate in Istanbul was brutally slain in a planned attack. The Saudi kingdom denies involvement in the murder. The U.S. and other Western nations are trying to get to the bottom of the matter, but President Trump has been cautious about the situation, what with the strong U.S. business ties to Saudi Arabia. The China-U.S. trade showdown is negatively impacting Chinas economy and weighing on Asias stock markets. Two U.S. warships are presently traveling near China and through the Taiwan Strait, to amplify tensions. Thursdays European Central Bank regular monetary policy meeting will be closely watched by the marketplace. No change in EU monetary policy is expected, but ECB chief Mario Draghis press conference could provide clues on future moves by the central bank. Also, Draghi could comment on the rift between Italys new government and the EU. European stock markets are wobbly this week as the Italian government is scoffing at EU budget rules. The U.S. economic highlight this week will be the first estimate of third-quarter GDP due out Friday morning. GDP is seen up 3.4% in the third quarter, on an annual basis. The key outside markets today find the U.S. dollar index weaker. Meantime, November Nymex crude oil prices are lower and trading just above $68.00 a barrel. U.S. economic data due for release Tuesday includes the weekly Johnson Redbook and Goldman Sachs retail sales reports, and the Richmond Fed business survey. Technically, gold bulls have the near-term technical advantage and gained more power today as prices saw a bullish upside breakout from the recent sideways trading range. Bulls next upside price objective is to produce a close in December futures above solid resistance at $1,275.00. Bears' next near-term downside price breakout objective is pushing prices below solid technical support at $1,220.00. First resistance is seen at $1,250.00 and then at $1,260.00. First support is seen at $1,236.90 and then at $1,230.00. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 6.5 December silver futures bears still have the overall near-term technical advantage. Silver bulls' next upside price breakout objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $15.00 an ounce. The next downside price breakout objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at the September low of $13.965. First resistance is seen at last weeks high of $14.88 and then at the October high of $14.95. Next support is seen at the overnight low of $14.54 and then at last weeks $14.47. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 4.0. B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO, NYSE American: BTG, NSX: B2G) says an expansion study points to a longer life for the El Limon Mine in Nicaragua, and the company also renewed a two-year collective bargaining agreement with labor unions. The study evaluated the life-of-mine options for combining the remaining underground inferred mineral resources with the new El Limon central zone open-pit inferred mineral resource, B2Gold explains. The results of this study recommend the expansion of the existing plant from 485,000 tonnes per annum to 600,000 tpa and addition of a third stage of milling to achieve a fine grind, B2Gold says. The result would be a much longer mine life with significantly higher gold production and lower cash operating costs and all-in sustaining costs. The third stage of milling also allows for the reprocessing of old tailings at the end of the mine life. The company estimates that the mine life can be extended over 10 years. B2Gold estimates an increase in average annual gold production to approximately 75,000 ounces during roughly 10 years of mining. In addition, production would average over 18,000 ounces of gold per year for 11-plus years when subsequently processing tailings. B2Gold now projects total gold production of approximately 985,000 ounces of gold over 21-plus years. By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com Iamgold: Study Points To Improved Economics For Boto Project Iamgold Corp. (TSX: IMG; NYSE: IAG) says it will apply for a mining concession in the fourth quarter after a feasibility study for its Boto gold project in Senegal, West Africa. The company says the study suggests a low cost of production and long operating life. Proven and probable reserves increased by 0.51 million ounces to 1.93 million ounces grading 1.71 grams of gold per tonne, compared to the pre-feasibility study. Indicated resources were put at 2.49 million ounces grading 1.61 g/t. The mine life was projected at 12.8 years with mill throughput of 2.75 million tonnes annually. The company says the study points to average annual production of 140,000 ounces, with an average of 160,000 during the first six years. Life-of-mine cash costs were put at $714 an ounce and all-in sustaining costs at $753. Initial capital expenditures are projected at $254 million. Boto Gold has evolved from a grassroots exploration discovery to a robust development project with nearly 2 million ounces in reserves, says Steve Letwin, president and chief executive officer. He later adds, This is a solid, low-cost project which is expected to deliver 140,000 ounces annually, on average, for nearly 13 years. While a final investment decision is yet to be made, and there is still permitting work to be done, were looking at a high-value project. (Kitco News) - Hecla Mining Co. (NYSE: HL) met its expectations for third-quarter output of 2.5 million silver ounces and 72,995 gold ounces, the company said Tuesday. The preliminary consolidated silver output was a 24% decline from the same period of 2017, with output at the Greens Creek Mine falling by 467,899 ounces, which the company blamed on lower ore grades and milled tonnage as a result of mine sequencing. Company-wide gold production rose by 16%, getting a boost from new operations in Nevada. July-September silver-equivalent production came in at 10.9 million ounces, while gold-equivalent production was 135,096 ounces. The company also mined 4,239 tons of lead and 12,795 tons of zinc. Our gold and silver production met our expectations, with gold production increasing due to the addition of two months of production from the Nevada operations and silver production declining due to lower expected grades at Greens Creek, said Phillips S. Baker, Jr., president and chief executive officer. We are on track to meet annual production estimates at all operations. At our new Nevada assets, we are focusing on completing enough underground development at Fire Creek so by about mid-2019 we should have consistent production with an expected 50% higher throughput. The company reported 13,789 ounces of gold and 84,145 ounces of silver from Nevada operations since the acquisition on July 20. A strike continues to mean limited output at the companys Lucky Friday Mine in Idaho. Salaried workers are undertaking some production, which came to 31,639 ounces of silver. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russias Vladimir Putin met U.S. President Donald Trumps national security advisor on Tuesday after the Kremlin said that Trumps talk of quitting a landmark arms treaty that scrapped nuclear missiles in Europe was dangerous. In opening remarks, Putin told John Bolton that Russia was sometimes surprised by what he said were unprovoked steps that Washington took against Moscow. But he said he wanted to hold new talks with Trump, possibly in Paris next month - a meeting which Bolton said he thought Trump would welcome. We barely respond to any of your steps but they keep on coming, Putin told Bolton. On the coat of the arms of the United States theres an eagle holding 13 arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other. My question is whether your eagle has gobbled up all the olives leaving only the arrows? Bolton, who told Putin he hoped to be able to address some of Putins concerns about the troubled state of U.S.-Russia relations, quipped that he hadnt brought any olives. Boltons visit to Moscow comes a day after Russia said it would be forced to respond in kind to restore the military balance with the United States if Trump followed through on his threat to quit the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty and began developing new missiles. Before the talks began, a Kremlin spokesman said the landmark INF treaty had its weak points, but the U.S. approach of talking about leaving it without proposing a replacement was dangerous. The spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said he expected Bolton to explain the U.S. stance to Putin. Of course there are weak points (in the treaty), but tearing up the agreement without plans for anything new is what we dont welcome, Peskov told reporters. To first reject the document and then (talk of) ephemeral possibilities to conclude a new one is a dangerous stance. Signed by then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan and reformist Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987, the INF required elimination of all short- and intermediate-range land-based nuclear and conventional missiles held by both countries in Europe. Its demise could raise the prospect of a new arms race and of Europe once again hosting U.S. land-based ballistic and cruise missiles. Gorbachev, now 87, has warned that unraveling it could have catastrophic consequences. Countries such as Poland have, however, backed Trumps move. Bolton has said he thinks the treaty is outdated because it does not cover countries such as China, Iran and North Korea which he says remain free to make intermediate-range ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. EUROPEAN ALARM Russia and the United States have long accused each other of violating the terms of the treaty, something they both deny. Trumps withdrawal announcement is causing particular concern in Europe which was the main beneficiary of the INF treaty as a result of the removal of Pershing and U.S. cruise missiles from Europe and of Soviet SS-20 missiles from the European part of the then Soviet Union. Without the treaty, some European countries fear that Washington might deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe again and that Russia might move to deploy such missiles in its exclave of Kaliningrad which would once again turn Europe into a potential nuclear battlefield. German lawmakers, who are keenly aware that Berlin would be within strike-range of any such missiles deployed in Kaliningrad, are among those worried. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Tuesday that Germany would seek NATOs help to maintain the treaty between Russia and the United States, and was ready to take action to force Moscow to comply with the pact. Others, such as Poland, were supportive of Trumps stance. If this treaty doesnt work because it has already been broken, theres a clear question about whether or not it should be kept, said Polands Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz on Monday, according to Polish Radio. Polish President Andrzey Duda said in Berlin that his country had not discussed the possibility of hosting U.S. intermediate-range missiles, but said Trumps stance made a certain amount of sense. Trumps withdrawal statement puts the rest of NATO in a difficult position however as the alliance has always sought the political high ground on the issue and NATO leaders said in July they were committed to preserving the landmark pact. (ANSA) - Brussels, October - The European Commission has decided to reject the Italian budgetary planning document and to ask for a new one which must be sent to Brussels within three weeks, the EC said Tuesday - spurring Italy to say the package would not be changed. European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said that the EU executive had no choice but to reject Italy's budget plan. "I'm very sorry to be here today," Dombrovskis told a press conference after a meeting of commissioners. "For the first time the Commission is forced to request a State to revise its budget plan document. But we don't see any alternatives. Unfortunately, the clarification received yesterday was not convincing". Dombrovskis said "the Italian government is openly and consciously going against the commitments made towards itself and towards the other member States" after rejecting the 2019 budget. In May the European Commission decided not to open an infraction procedure for excessive debt "because Italy was substantially in line with the rules" but "the current plans are a material change that could require a revaluation", Dombrovskis said, saying "the ball is now in the Italian government's court, we have three weeks for an intense dialogue which we face in a constructive way". Dombrovskis said "breaking the rules may seem a temptation at first glance, it may give the illusion of getting off without consequences", just like trying "to cut the debt with more debt", but "at a certain point the the debt gets so close that it becomes too heavy and ends up not having freedom for all". He said "we have been tasked by all member States with maintaining the common commitments", it is "our duty", because "confidence is crucial". Dombrovskis said the Italian budget plan risked harming the whole bloc as he explained the decision to give the package the thumbs down. "Europe is built on cooperation. The eurozone is built on close bonds of trust... with rules that are the same for everyone," Dombrovskis told a press conference. "If the trust is eroded, all the member States are damaged, our union is damaged. "If a looser fiscal policy hits confidence, in reality it can have the opposite effect on growth". European Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said that "we are leaving a chance for dialogue". The decision to reject the budget, he said, "doesn't mean that our doors are closed", on the contrary it is an invitation for "constructive dialogue" on which "I welcome (Economy) Minister (Giovanni) Tria's commitment in that direction" in Monday's letter to the EC. "I'm certain the European Commission is not a brake" but "an ally for growth", he said. Tria remains a "credible interlocutor" even after Italy's budget rejection, Moscovici said. Tria, he said "is still a credible and legitimate interlocutor" and "we hope that he is able to convince the Italian government of the need" that the budget should be "compatible" with EU rules and "the common commitments taken". The Commission said that "Italy will not respect the benchmark for the reduction of the debt either in 2018 or in 2019". It said "the forecast reduction of the debt/GDP ratio is subject to broad risks, since it is based on optimistic growth forecasts, privatisations of 0.3% of GDP a year from 2019 to 2021 and the activation of safeguard clauses in 2020 and 2021, which have been sterilised for 2019". Reacting, Premier Giuseppe Conte said "the budget has not been improvised. To say today that we will revise it makes no sense". Conte said he trusted that the spread would drop amid dialogue between Italy and the EC on the 2019 budget which was rejected by the EU executive. "I have always said I would be irresponsible if I were not concerned" at the rising spread but "when we succeed in pursuing this dialogue" with the European Commission "I trust it may drop". Conte said "the critical opinion of the Commission was in the air, we decided to elaborate a budget that rejects austerity and embraces growth. "We will evaluate on the merits and will present ourselves in three weeks to pursue a frank dialogue". Conte said "we will evaluate the criticism of the Commission on the merits, we will reserve the right to respond in the next few days, in the next few weeks, we will assess the data and the growth estimates". Deputy Premier Luigi Di Maio said that "it's the first budget that the EU doesn't like. I'm not surprised: it's the first Italian budget that was written in Rome and not in Brussels". Di Maio, leader of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) and also labour and industry minister, said the government is on the right track with the budget that was rejected by the EU and won't stop. "We know we are the last bulwark safeguarding Italians' social rights. And that's why we won't disappoint you. We know that, if we were to give in, the pro-banks and pro-austerity 'experts' would swiftly return. And so we won't give in. We know that we are on the right track. And so we won't stop". Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini said after the EC rejection that "they're not attacking a government, but a people. They are things that make Italians even more irritated and then some people complain that the European Union is at the lowest point of its popularity. "We're going forward with a smile, the Italians are asking that of us," said Salvini, leader of the anti-migrant Euroskeptic League party and also interior minister. "We are convinced we are right #TeamItaly". An economy ministry spokesman said the rejection of the budget "in the way it was presented was largely anticipated and does not surprise us". The ministry will weigh the EC's request for changes and monitor market reaction, he said. Talks with the EC, in any case, will not slow the budget's expected presentation in parliament at the end of this week or at the start of next week, he said. President Sergio Mattarella said no one can shirk the responsibility of balancing budgets. "The logic of a balanced budget is not that of an abstract rigour," he said. "We must always be guided by a longer view of development, its equity and sustainability," he said. Mattarella also underscored the importance of thinking of savers. The budget's rejection was widely expected because of what the EC sees as an unacceptably high deficit of 2.4% of GDP next year. The EC said last week this amounted to an "unprecedented" breach of the Stability and Growth Pact. The EC also says the budget's growth forecasts are unreasonably optimistic. The spread between Italian and German 10-year bond yields, a gauge of investor confidence, closed at 318 points with a yield of 3.59% after the EC's thumbs down. Premier Giuseppe Conte said ahead of the rejection that "there is no plan B." Taking to Bloomberg, he said "I have said that the deficit at 2.4% of GDP is the ceiling. I can say that this will be our ceiling". Asked if there might be substantive change to the budget after the EC's No, Conte said "for me that would be difficult, I couldn't accept it". Conte added that "we are not gamblers gambling our children's future on the roulette wheel" and stressed that "economic growth is the best way to get out of the debt trap". He added: "I can assure you that this executive will not take Italy out of Europe. We feel at home in Europe and think the euro is and will be our currency, the currency of my son who is 11 and that of my grandchildren". Conte also said that the government would conduct a spending review if necessary. "We are ready to make spending cuts in 2019," he said. There is no turning back on the 2019 budget plan, Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini said ahead of the EC rejection. "The only organism that can improve the budget is the Italian parliament," he said. "We're not going to take even a cent from the pockets of the Italians. We listen to everyone but we won't go back". (ANSA) - Rome, October 23 - Deputy Premier and Labour and Industry Minister Luigi Di Maio said Tuesday that Italy must "defeat fear" as he commented on the volatility of the nation's bond spread amid EU concerns about the government's budget plans. "The only thing that we should be afraid of at the moment is fear itself," said the 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader. "The way the spread has been going over the last few days shows that the markets love Italy more than they do the top European commissioners". Di Maio also promised the government would clamp down on tax evaders. "By the end of next year a bill will be approved so evaders go to jail," Di Maio said, adding that an existing bill on corruption will be amended. "You have my word. A criminal-law measure of this nature could not be inserted into the (government's recently approved) fiscal decree". (ANSA) - Genoa, October 23 - The Rome prosecutor's office has opened an inquiry into the case of Aldo Revello and Antonio Voinea, two yachtsmen from La Spezia who disappeared on May 2 off Portugal. The file was opened after an anonymous source sent a tip-off to Revello's wife, Rosa Cilano Revello, that the yacht had been rammed by a cargo ship. The first contact with the source happened a month ago via Facebook in a post that said that the two men were dead after their yacht was rammed by a cargo ship. The post was in English and provided many details. The woman later contacted the Rome prosecutor's office, which has opened an inquiry. Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) condemn the prosecution for delaying investigations on labor disputes in KB AutoTech and Yoosung Enterprise, at a press conference held in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Seocho District, Seoul, in this July file photo. Yonhap By Jung Da-min North Korea's party mouthpiece Rodong Sinmun ran a series of articles on South Korea's political situation in its Monday edition, suggesting social rights of the disadvantaged, including workers and disabled, are being neglected in the South. The articles cited South Korean media's recent reports. Out of the six articles about South Korea in the newspaper's page for foreign affairs, one article highlighted a South Korean civic group's recent press conference that denounced Yoosung Enterprise for destroying trade unions. The conflicts between the workers and the management started in 2011 when the company established a separate trade union to overcome workers' requests to reduce working hours. Although the Supreme Court sentenced a Chairman Yoo Shi-young to 14 months' jail last December, workers have continued to demand direct negotiations with management. At another press conference in Monday morning in front of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, Seoul, the workers said Yoosung Enterprise's discrimination against workers, including wage reductions, was continuing. The article in Rodong had been released a day earlier in the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Rodong's Monday edition also ran two other articles from KCNA one from a Saturday report on an assault at a special education school for the disabled in Seoul; the other from a Wednesday report on the South's minor progressive Minjung Party's separate organization of "the poor," newly formed on Oct. 12 to fight for rights of underprivileged. While North Korean media highlights the minor progressive party's recent activity suggesting the North's support for "anti-capitalism" campaigns in the South, they continued to slam the South's conservatives, especially the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP). Rodong's Monday edition ran an editorial titled "Anti-unification groups' unedifying complaints" to condemn the LKP for disrupting the progress of the Panmunjeom Declaration that came after the April 27 inter-Korean summit. Meanwhile, the newspaper also ran articles on the South's Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union's fight to be recognized as a legitimate organization, as well as on the South's organizations' "anti-U.S." rallies condemning the U.S. for infringing on the South's sovereignty by intervening in inter-Korean affairs. By Kim Yoo-chul President Moon Jae-in plans to use the upcoming APEC summit as a platform to win support for loosening sanctions on North Korea, a senior Cheong Wa Dae official said, Tuesday. "President Moon is hoping leaders in the Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia region will back his approach emphasizing dialogue and greater engagement, as sanctions relief could speed up North Korea's denuclearization," the official added. President Moon used his nine-day tour of European capitals including Paris, Rome, Vatican City, Brussels and Copenhagen to urge greater engagement with North Korea. But his attempts to rally European support for easing sanctions on the North appeared to fall flat after French President Emmanuel Macron and British Minister Theresa May responded coolly to Moon's "sanctions easing" message. They said sanctions will remain in place until North Korea abandons its nuclear and missile programs entirely. (ANSAmed) - Turin, October 23 - The Red Cross said Tuesday that 21 migrant minors have been pushed back since the start of the year at the French border at Monginevro, and intercepted by its stations at Oulx and Bardonecchia, in upper Val di Susa. The accompanied minors were taken with their parents to migrant centres while the unaccompanied ones were entrusted to the social services. Interior ministry sources said earlier that France is suspected of having tried to send minors back over the Italian border. The sources said Italian officials are running a series of checks on an incident that took place on October 18 at around 22:30. Officials are said to have stopped the attempted pushback during a visit by experts sent by the ministry to the town of Claviere, near the French border. There has been tension between Rome and Paris after Interior Minister Matteo Salvini reported incidents of French police entering Italian territory to drop off migrants on the other side of the border. Salvini said he wondered whether European Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici will come out against France over this. He linked the incident to the case of the Italian city of Lodi, where migrant children for a period were unable to benefit for discounts on school meals for low-earning families after the local authority requested they provide documentation of their assets in their home countries for the means-testing process. Moscovici, a Frenchman, said he was shocked by that case. "Who knows if Moscovici will be also shocked about France's attempt to expel foreign minors or whether the European commissioner only troubles himself for a just battle like the one by the mayor of Lodi," said Salvini, the leader of the League party. "What is emerging at Claviere confirms that no one can allow themselves to give lessons to Italy, including on the issue of human rights". Cinema: 'Il ladro di spezie', a film on fear of Arab world The 'thief of spices', filmed in Marrakech against prejudice (ANSAmed) - RABAT, OCTOBER 23 - The film 'Il ladro di spezie' (the thief of spices) directed by Elia Bei, and co-written with Alessandro Lui, vies to fight fear, making it ridiculous. The trailer is online on social media ahead of the release of the short film produced by Alea in cooperation with 8 Production. ''The film started out as a sort of game, in the attempt to talk about prejudice towards a little-known culture'', explained Bei. The idea to make the film came during a trip to Marrakech, where Alessandro Lui's sister lives and works. Friends and family wondered how prejudice is experienced while living in an Arab culture and how those who are judged react The movie, said Lui, who is also the protagonist, ''is our way of playing with very serious issues and, most of all, of discovering the beauty of Morocco through images of the city of Marrakech''. The storyline talks about a misunderstanding that ends in laughter. A young Italian tourist, who has just arrived in Morocco, is warned about the dangers posed by the Muslim world: the folly of terrorism, the risk of attacks and cultural ''diversity''. The protagonist becomes extremely anxious and flees and has a ''misunderstanding'' with a spice seller. (ANSAmed). Exhibits: 'Roads of Arabia' to open in Louvre Abu Dhabi The show will be inaugurated by Crown prince on november 7 (ANSAmed) - GEDDA, OCTOBER 23 - A joint team of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Natural Heritage (SCTH) and the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum continue their final preparations for the inauguration of the 'Roads of Arabia: Archaeological Treasures of Saudi Arabia' exhibition at the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum. The show, Arab news reports, will be inaugurated under the patronage of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and in the presence of Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of SCTH, on November 7 and continue until February 16, 2019. The exhibition's pieces arrived from Riyadh at the Louvre Museum last week, and a joint team from SCTH and the museum will install the pieces in accordance with the museum's requirements. In addition to the exhibition's 466 artifacts, some pieces have been added, reflecting a part of the lifestyles in shared cultural heritage in the Arabian Peninsula, especially those related to the desert, horse and camel riding, falconry and other hunting methods in the desert. The exhibition will also include a stand for the shared cultural heritage between the Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. This exhibition is considered one of the most renowned Saudi exhibitions on a global scale, introducing the Kingdom and the Arabian Peninsula's cultural heritage to more than five million visitors worldwide. The exhibition will present more than 460 artifacts from the National Museum in Riyadh and a number of other museums in the Kingdom. It was first presented at the Louvre Museum in Paris, followed by La Caixa Foundation in Barcelona, then Hermitage Museum in Russia and Pergamon Museum in Berlin before moving to the US. The exhibition at the Louvre in Abu Dhabi will be part of exchanging exhibitions and activities between the two brotherly countries that share common history and heritage, Arab News says. (ANSAmed). 21 migrant minors pushed back to Val Susa - Red Cross (ANSAmed) - Turin, October 23 - The Red Cross said Tuesday that 21 migrant minors have been pushed back since the start of the year at the French border at Monginevro, and intercepted by its stations at Oulx and bardonecchia, in upper Val di Susa. The accompanied minors were taken with the parents to migrant centres while the unaccompanied ones were entrusted to the social services. PARIS - French police on Tuesday morning cleared between 1,800 and 2,000 people from the migrant camp Grande-Synthe, near the port city of Dunkirk in northern France. The migrants were taken to other centers in northern France. Those evacuated include many families and minors who were hoping to reach Great Britain. They will now be temporarily hosted by the State while their individual cases and asylum applications are processed. The objective of the large operation, French authorities said, was to crack down on a network of people in the area aiding migrants to travel illegally. The operation on Tuesday was the sixth eviction of migrants from the Grande-Synthe camp since May 24. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner is expected to visit. ANSAmed - Today's events in the Mediterranean (ANSAmed) - ROME, OCTOBER 23 - These are the main events scheduled in the Euro-Mediterranean area for today: BIZERTE (TUNISIA) - 'Forum de la Mer - Bizerte 2018, Euromediterranean Meetings on the Sustainable Blue Economy'. VAN (TURKEY) - Anniversary of the earthquake that killed over 600 people and wounded over 4,000. TRIPOLI - Anniversary of Libya's declaration of freedom. ROME - IFAD headquarters - International Conference "Leaving no one behind - making the case for adolescent girls," organized by IFAD, Save the Children, comes to an end. NAPLES - 2nd edition of Nazra, the short film festival on Palestine, continues (until 24/10). GENEVA - World Investment Forum (until 26/10). STRASBOURG - European Parliament, Plenary Session (until 25/10). CARTHAGE (TUNISIA) - Acropolium hosts the 24th edition of Musical October (until 31/10). ROME - Exhibition at Istituto Cervantes 'The Poetry Between Abstraction and Figuration' on contemporary art in Madrid in the post-WW II era (until 12/01). MADRID - Exhibition titled 'El jardin secreto', vintage female portraits on photographic plates (until 20/12). (ANSAmed). ISTANBUL - The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was carefully planned days before it took place and the areas of Yalova and the Belgrad Forest were inspected as possible burial sites, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday, addressing the parliamentary group of his AKP party. Erdogan is giving a highly anticipated speech on the case, starting with the days before the reporter's visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. ''By admitting the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi Arabia took a meaningful step'' but now ''we expect all those responsible, from the lowest to the highest levels, to be found'', added the Turkish president. Khashoggi: prince's advisor 'organized murder on Skype' 'Get me that dog's head. Erdogan 'has recording' (ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, OCTOBER 23 - Saud al Qahtani, a close advisor of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who is in charge of communication on social media, allegedly guided operations via Skype that led to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkish intelligence sources claimed on Tuesday. The sources said that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has the recording proving the advisor's virtual presence, at least at the beginning of the operation. Qahtani allegely ordered the hit squad to ''bring me back the head of that dog''. According to the allegations, Qahtani - among five high-ranking officials who were fired last weekend over their suspected responsibility in the death of the Saudi reporter - allegedly insulted him, then ordering his murder. Saudi sources accused him of pushing forward the plan to abduct the journalist without an authorization, claiming the plan went awry and culminated in the murder. (ANSAmed) Jammu, Oct 23 (PTI) Pakistani troops Tuesday violated the ceasefire along the LoC in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir with one of the shells landing inside the brigade headquarters in the town but causing no casualties, a defence spokesman said. The ceasefire violation came just two days after three Indian soldiers and two heavily-armed Pakistani intruders were killed in a gunfight along the Line of Control (LoC) in nearby Rajouri district. "Pakistani troops fired rocket propelled grenades (RPG) and small arms at around 1035 hours during ceasefire violation. One round landed on a barrel type store shelter in Poonch causing it to catch fire," Jammu-based defence spokesman Lt Col Devender Anand said on Tuesday evening. "Initial analysis indicates caliber of 105/106 mm RCL (recoilless gun). Further details are being ascertained," he added. Earlier in the day, when the blast was reported inside the 93rd brigade headquarters at Moti Mahal in Poonch, the spokesman had said that it had nothing to do with cross-border shelling from Pakistan. However, Senior Superintendent of Police, Poonch, Rajiv Pandey later told reporters that initial investigation suggested that a bomb fired from across the border landed inside the brigade headquarters of the Army casing a minor fire. In another ceasefire violation, Anand said one round of 82 mm mortar landed in Jhalas in Krishna Ghati sector in the evening. "One muffled blast around 1800 hours was misconstrued as blast in the garrison, the spokesman said adding there was no casualty reported. On Sunday, two Pakistani intruders believed to be members of border action team comprising Pakistani army and terrorists opened fire on an army patrol along the LoC in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri killing three soldiers and injuring another. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Washington, Oct 23 (PTI) US President Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will meet at the G-20 summit in Argentina next month, the White House announced Tuesday, amid an escalating trade war between the world's two largest economies. The G-20 Summit, comprising top 20 economies of the world including India, is scheduled to take place in Buenos Aires in Argentine on November 30 and December 1. Trump's top economic advisor Larry Kudlow told reporters at the White House that the two leaders are scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit. "The two presidents will meet for a bit in Buenos Aires, Argentina at the G-20, other than that, nothing I can say," he said. He, however, gave no details of the meeting. The announcement came amidst high tensions between the US and China. Responding to questions, Kudlow reiterated the common American concerns with regard to China, including Beijing's unfair trade practices, cyber theft and Intellectual Property rights protection. "Our asks are on the table, I would live to see them respond. Thus far they haven't," he said. The anticipated meeting between Trump and Xi comes as the Trump administration is signalling that it will treat China more aggressively. Earlier this month, US Vice President Mike Pence gave an entire speech laying out the perceived failures of China to adapt to a more liberal world order, and how the administration will respond accordingly. The US imposed a tariff on steel and aluminum and other tariffs totalling about USD 50 billion of goods from China. President Trump in September imposed tariffs on Chinese products worth about USD 200 billion, on top of USD 50 billion already targeted. China hits back at the US with USD 60 billion of new tariffs, a move which further escalated the full-scale trade war between the world's two biggest economies. Trump has threatened to slap tariffs on virtually all of China's exports to the United States in the tit-for-tat trade conflict. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Five Indian fishermen belonging to Nagapattnam apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy along with one mechanised boat while they were fishing near Neduntheevu early this morning. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday responded to Pakistan Imran Khans tweet blaming India for killing Kashmiris. The ministry strongly condemned Khan for his tweet. The MEA said that instead of making remarks on Indias internal affairs, the Pakistan leadership should look inward and address its own issues. Reiterating the quid pro quo charge against Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Centre allowed loan-fraud accused Mehul Choksi to flee as Jaitley's daughter was on the diamantaire's "payroll". Choksi was allegedly a client of legal firm Jaitley and Associates, whose operations pro-actively involve Sonali Jaitley, the daughter of the Finance Minister. Some big developments that are expected to happen today are: Due to repair & maintenance work on the intersection to be done from 1100 hrs to 1700 hrs today at Mumbai Airport. Several flights have been rescheduled. Petrol, diesel prices dropped for the sixth straight day on Tuesday bringing relief to customers who have been reeling under high fuel prices. We at LatestLY will bring all the breaking and latest news and updates around the world. Stay with us for the latest updates of the day. Guwahati, October 23: In the wake of a 12-hour statewide bandh in Assam on Tuesday, shops in Guwahati remained shut which disrupted normal lives in several areas of the state. The bandh has been called by over 46 organisations in Assam against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. As part of the bandh, agitators tried to put up blockades on railway tracks and disrupted train services. The angry protesters also burnt tyres on roads in various places of the state. Police officials said that the demonstrators, who were trying to prevent train movement by squatting on tracks, were being evicted. Heavy security arrangements were made across the state during the bandh on Tuesday. While the ruling BJP opposed the bandh, AGP and Congress extended their support to the protestors. The organisations that have called the bandh include Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) and other 44 organisations against the Centre's bid to pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, in the Winter Session of Parliament. Assam NRC List: Out of 40 Lakh People Excluded From the Draft, Only Over One Lakh Have Filed Claims So Far. Assam: #Visuals from Guwahati as a 12-hour statewide bandh has been called by over 40 organisations against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 pic.twitter.com/EmLx8kIPYA ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2018 The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014. According to a PTI report, KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi said this was the first time that a bandh and they would not call it off as the very "existence of Assamese and their identity was at stake by the Bill". (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2018 12:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Bhubaneshwar, October 23: Delhi-based journalist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra was again arrested by Odisha Police on Tuesday for hurting religious sentiments. Mitra will now be produced in a Bhubaneshwar court. The defence and international security journalist was arrested after he was asked to join the probe into the alleged derogatory comments he made about Odisha politicians. Earlier in the day, He appeared before a House Committee of the Odisha Assembly and tendered an unconditional apology for his derogatory remarks against the Jagannath and Konark temples comments on legislators. The committee of legislators was headed by leader of opposition Narasingh Mishra. He asked Mitra to appear before the panel on November 2, reported India Today. Action Sought Against Panda's Friend for 'derogatory' Remarks on Sun Temple According to a report of The Hindu, the journalist was arrested by the Saheed Nagar police in connection with the case registered on September 20 under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including 294, 295A and 500, and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act. He posted a video on Twitter in which he said derogatory remarks on the temple. After it sparked the controversy, he clarified that he was joking. World Heritage Day 2018: List of Historical Heritage Monuments of India On September, he was arrested from his Delhi residence. The journalist was granted bail by a chief metropolitan magistrate of Delhis Saket court. However, the bail was subsequently cancelled by the Supreme Court, and he was asked to join the investigation. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2018 10:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). New Delhi, October 22: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday responded to Pakistan Imran Khans tweet blaming India for killing Kashmiris. The ministry strongly condemned Khan for his tweet. The MEA said that instead of making remarks on Indias internal affairs, the Pakistan leadership should look inward and address its own issues. The ministry also asked Pakistan to take credible action against all kind of support to terrorism and terror infrastructure from all territories under its control rather than supporting terror activities against India and its other neighbours. Pakistan PM-Elect Imran Khan Holds Courtesy Meet With Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria Earlier in the day, The Pakistan Prime Minister tweeted, Strongly condemn the new cycle of killings of innocent Kashmiris in IOK by Indian security forces. Khan in its tweet also asked India to resolve the Kashmir dispute through dialogue in accordance with the United Nations Security Council regulations. Khan tweeted a day after six civilians were killed after an explosive went off at an encounter site in Kulgam district of South Kashmir. Pakistan 'Desperate For Loans', Says Imran Khan Before Leaving For Saudi Arabia, Sidesteps Question on Jamal Khashoggi's Death Strongly condemn the new cycle of killings of innocent Kashmiris in IOK by Indian security forces. It is time India realised it must move to resolve the Kashmir dispute through dialogue in accordance with the UN SC resolutions & the wishes of the Kashmiri people. Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 22, 2018 Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also asked the international community to take cognisance of the alleged human rights violations in Kashmir. Incidentally, Khans tirade against India came on a day when Black Day was observed in Kotli and Rawalkot in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) to mark invasion of Kashmir by Pakistan in 1947. Black Day was observed in Kotli and Rawalkot in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir today to mark invasion of Kashmir by Pakistan in 1947. pic.twitter.com/aaYZr2Mnhk ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2018 Last month also, when India cancelled foreign ministerial level talks with Pakistan, Khan took to Twitter to express his frustration. However, in his victory speech, the Pakistan PM expressed his willingness to improve ties with India. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 22, 2018 11:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Doctors in Ethiopia extracted over a hundred nails and other similar sharp objects from the stomach of a patient. Dawit Teare, a surgeon at St. Peters Specialised Hospital, said the patient suffers from a mental illness and had apparently consumed metals, sharp objects including 10 centimetre-long nails, four pins, a toothpick and pieces of broken glass. Talking about the 33-year-old patient, Dawit told AFP, "The patient has been suffering from mental illness for the last 10 years and had stopped taking his medication two years ago, one probable reason he started consuming inanimate objects." Man Nearly Dies After He Bites His Nails: 8 Horrible Things Nail-Biting Does to Your Health. It was a two-and-a-half long operation and Dawit added that the patient was now recovering well. He further said, "I'm guessing he consumed the objects with the help of water, however, he is a lucky person that those sharp objects didn't cut his stomach. That could have led to serious infections and even death." The surgeon further said that he has attended similar cases where people with mental illness have swallowed multiple sharp objects. This was his first surgery where the number of harmful objects was quite a lot. In a similar incident, doctors at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) had successfully removed 639 nails from the stomach of a 45-year-old man with mental illness in 2017. Only after the doctors began the operation they realised that his stomach was full of nails. The man had schizophrenia but the doctors suspected that he could also be suffering from Pica disorder, associated with the appetite for non-food items. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2018 07:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Seoul, October 23: South Korea has warned its citizens against smoking marijuana in Canada, telling them that even though the country legalised weed last week, using it there was still an offence under Seoul's own laws. Consumption, possession or sale of illegal substances are criminal offences under South Korea's tough drugs legislation. Last Wednesday, Canada became the world's first major economy to fully legalise cannabis, including for recreational use, sparking celebrations as the nation embarked on the controversial policy experiment. But South Korea's criminal laws apply both territorially and personally, officials said, meaning that its citizens would still face punishment for smoking weed even if they did so in Canada. "South Korean individuals who use marijuana (including purchase, possession and transport) -- even in regions where such acts are legal -- are violating the law and will be punished accordingly," the South Korean embassy in Canada tweeted last week. "So please beware," it said. In South Korea, prominent figures or celebrities have often made headlines for smoking marijuana at home or abroad, with offences in foreign countries revealed by tip-offs to police. After Uruguay, Canada Become the Second Country to Legalise Cannabis. Some spent years in jail during the 1970s or 80s when the country was under military rule, but in recent years many were merely fined or given suspended terms. South Korea is not the only country that punishes people for foreign narcotics use. In Singapore, which has some of the toughest drugs laws in the world, citizens and permanent residents face up to 10 years in prison if found to have consumed illegal substances outside the city-state. Random urine checks are carried out at Changi Airport and other entry points. Riyadh is facing growing condemnation over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and now countries are following up their words with actions. Germany is freezing arms exports to Saudi Arabia as every day brings up new grisly details over what is now almost obvious to be a pre-meditated murder. Speaking to reporters in Berlin on Sunday, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced the arms freeze and said she will continue working with international allies to coordinate their response to Khashoggis murder inside a Saudi consulate. I agree with all those who say when it comes to our already limited arms exports [to Saudi Arabia] that they cannot take place in the current situation, Merkel said, according to AFP. Germany last month approved $479 million worth of arms exports to Saudi Arabia for 2018. Berlins previous military exports to the kingdom primarily consisted of patrol boats, AFP reports. Merkel also said there is an urgent need to clear up what happened to the prominent commentator on Saudi affairs. We are far from seeing everything on the table and the perpetrators being brought to justice, Merkel said. German politicians have also called on Joe Kaeser, the CEO of German conglomerate Siemens, to withdraw from a Saudi investment conference planned this week. While other Western business leaders, as well as politicians, have pulled out due to the Khashoggi case, Siemens is one of the conferences main partners. Kaesers predecessor at Siemens, Klaus Kleinfeld, is now economic adviser of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. But, even as European countries are carrying out these measures against Saudi Arabia, Riyadhs main ally in the West the U.S. is yet to move in any direction on the killing of Khashoggi. There seems to be growing bipartisan support among American legislators for sanctions against Saudi Arabia, to the extent of calling for the resignation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in the face of continuing vacillation from U.S. President Donald Trump. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2018 05:58 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Canada, October 23: Canada became the second country in the world to legalise marijuana last week, but for South Koreans hoping to try the drug, their hopes have vanished. Police in South Korea has repeatedly told their citizens not to take part in this newfound freedom, with the latest warning coming this week. Cannabis Ice Cream? Florida Doctors Are Prescribing Weed-Infused Desserts To Reduce Pain and Anxiety. According to reports, South Korea has warned its citizens that even though marijuana in Canada was legalised, but using it is still an offence under Seoul's laws. The South Korean Embassy in Canada tweeted saying, " South Korean individuals who use marijuana (including purchase, possession and transport) even in regions where such acts are legal are violating the law and will be punished accordingly." South Korea is not the only country that punishes people for smoking weed or dealing with it, other countries are also very stringent when it comes to drug laws. For e.g. in Singapore, citizens can face upto 10 years imprisonment if found consuming illegal substances. (With inputs from agencies) (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2018 05:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Riyadh/Islamabad, Oct 23: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that he would once again extend a hand of friendship to India after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as he believed New Delhi rebuffed his offer of talks because Pakistan is an issue in the elections in the neighbouring country. Speaking at the high-profile Future Investment Initiative forum in Riyadh, Khan said Pakistan wants "peace with all our neighbours particularly India and Afghanistan for regional peace and stability." "Peace with India would help the two countries to divert their resources towards human development instead of indulging in arms race," Khan was quoted as saying by state-run Radio Pakistan. Similarly, peace in Afghanistan would help Pakistan to have an easy access to the Central Asian states for bilateral economic and trade activities, he said. Khan said he had extended a hand of friendship to India, which rebuffed the move. MEA Hits Back At Pakistan PM Imran Khan For Blaming Indian Forces For 'Killing of Innocents' in Kashmir. After assuming power in August, Khan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting a meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers on the margins of the UN General Assembly in September. India accepted the proposal but, within hours of its acceptance, terrorists killed three policemen in Jammu and Kashmir, prompting New Delhi to cancel the foreign ministers' meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA. "He (Khan) attributed this (cancellation) to anti-Pakistan rhetoric raking in votes in India," the Express Tribune newspaper reported, citing the prime minister. Prime Minister Khan said he would try once again following the conclusion of the general elections in India. The general elections are due to be held in India next year. The ties between the two countries had strained after the terror attacks by Pakistan-based groups in 2016 and India's surgical strikes inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In his victory speech after the July elections, Khan expressed his willingness to improve Pakistan's ties with India and said that his government would like the leaders of the two sides to resolve all disputes, including the core issue of Kashmir, through talks. Speaking at the summit, which is the brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to attract foreign investment into the kingdom, Khan said that his government is approaching the IMF and the friendly countries to seek loans to plug the financial gap. The three-day summit, nicknamed "Davos in the desert", has been overshadowed by raging global outrage over the murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Several investors and international figureheads have cancelled their plans to attend the summit in an apparent protest against the killing of Khashoggi. International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin have also pulled out. Khan, who attended the summit, is visiting close ally Saudi Arabia for the second time since assuming power in August. Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Smiley (third from left) with the Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine. (Photo: Facebook, 40th Infantry Div) The Pentagon has confirmed that a U.S. general was shot and wounded in a Taliban attack that killed two Afghan leaders in Kandahar province this week. Army Brigadier General Jeffrey Smiley was shot, Department of Defense spokesman Commander Grant W Neeley said on Sunday, providing no other details. The Washington Post reported earlier that Gen Smiley was recovering after suffering at least one gunshot wound while inside the Kandahar governors compound. Smiley is assigned to lead a Kandahar-based command with a mission to train and advise Afghan security forces and help with counter-terrorism operations in southern Afghanistan. The attack claimed by Taliban saw Kandahars Police Commander Abdul Raziqs body guard turn on those he was supposed to protect. The body guard attacked Raziq and intelligence chief General Abdul Momin, both of whom died in the attack. Kandahars Governor Zalmai Weser and regional army commander Nabi Elham were wounded. These men had just finished attending a high-level security conference that was also attended by U.S.s top commander in Afghanistan, General Scott Miller. The attack was so close that Gen Miller too had to pull out his fire-arm, a rare occurrence but which highlights the precarious situation currently prevailing in Afghanistan. Miller later told an Afghan TV channel: It was a very close confined space. But I dont assess that I was the target. Since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001, Afghanistan has never been as insecure as it is now. The Taliban control more territory than at any point since the removal of their regime 17 years ago. The attacks carried out by Taliban fighters are becoming bigger, more frequent, more widespread and much deadlier. The brazen attack in Kandahar forced the postponement of voting in parliamentary elections, scheduled for Saturday, by a week in Kandahar province. About 5 million people voted across Afghanistan over the weekend. At least 44 people were killed in violence at voting stations, including a suicide bombing attack at a polling station in Kabul, after both the Taliban and Islamic State group vowed to disrupt the first parliamentary vote in the country in eight years. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2018 06:53 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). by People regularly complain that art criticism displays an off-putting insider-y tone, complete with jargonbut thats not what I am about to talk about here. Im going to mention a few display touches and the like that I notice, when they are good, at exhibitions that I review but rarelyfor space reasonshave the opportunity to write about. The most recent case was at the Toledo Museum of Art, which I visited to see Frans Hals Portraits: A Family Reunion. My review of that exhibit, which reunites three paintings (one purchase by the Toledo museum in 2011, at left) that were split from one canvas by the end of the 18th century, was published in the Oct. 22 issue of The Wall Street Journal. Here are a key paragraphs explaining the show. Then the discoveries, presented here for the first time, began. Belgian conservatorscleaning their painting for this exhibitiondiscovered the presence of about half of a girl on the far right of their canvas who had been painted over. Adding to the excitement, her lace collar matched a fragment visible in Head of a Boy, cementing his presence as part of this family portrait. Cleaning also revealed two hems on the left of the Belgian work that complete the dresses of two girls on the right of the Toledo paintingleaving no doubt that these paintings were all once part of a whole [see first picture below]. Hung here so that each work occupies the same place it would have in the intact work, the paintings show the great portraitist at his best. Rather than depict the sitters looking at the vieweronly three of the 14 figures stare out, one being the obviously proud patriarchHals creates a lively scene of merry faces, twinkling eyes, and dynamic hand gestures that signal family interactions.he deploys a more controlled style of brushwork than the thick, bold strokes that made many of his portraits famous, but its never stilted. The three fragments account for 12 children, but what of the other two, both girls? They must have occupied the lost, lower-right corner. In Toledo, a freestanding panel illustrates an educated possibility: a sitting girl with a youngster on her lap [see bottom picture]. Other artworks by Hals and a few others, plus a few Dutch decorative art objects, form the core of this exhibition. However, Toledo has also given visitors two other galleries that wrap the coreone interrogating the meaning of family with other family-related artworks from the museums permanent collection and the other other, a family activity room inviting visitors to reflect on the meaning of family. Both were superfluous for me, but maybe Im not the target audience. Further, they didnt really detract from the core because of those touches I referenced above. Here are some of them: The Hals and the other Dutch art was installed in galleries painted a deep red (the beating heart!), picking up small touches in some of Halss paintings; while the wraps were installed in white galleries. As visitors come around a corner from the first wrap gallery, they get a glimpsebut just a glimpse of the reconstructed painting at the center. Other, equally appropriate sight lines in the core exhibit. There are no didactics on the wall where the reconstructed painting (that isthe three paintings, aligned as one work) hangs. A nice long bench sits before the reconstructed paintingfor contemplationwith nothing between you and the art. The didacticswhich explain much of what I have excerpted from y revieware mounted on a long, freestanding panel behind the bench. There youll find information covering these topics: bringing the pieces back together; possible explanations for why it was cut apart; the secrets new research revealed; the Van Campen family; a proposed reconstruction. Occasionally, I do get a chance to mention such thingsas I did in July, with my review of Spain: 500 Years of Spanish Painting From the Museums of Madrid at the San Antonio Museum of Artbriefly. Then, I wrote the curators accomplished a lot with 43 paintings, which are hung with great care for sightlines, echoes and engaging juxtapositions. Did everyone notice these (and there were probably others) niceties? Its doubtfulbut I believe that museum-goers appreciate them intuitively. And we appreciate them. I hope you will read my review to learn about the fascinating origin story for the Toledo exhibit. Photo Credits: Top and bottom, Toledo Museum of Art; middle, me Oct 23, 2018, 10:24am ET Uber to raise London fares to raise $260M for EV incentives The increase will add 20 cents per mile. Uber has announced plans to raise fares in London to cover the cost of a $260 million incentive fund for electric vehicles. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi told reporters the additional fees would not benefit the company. Instead, the money will be put into savings accounts for each driver. The money will be used to help drivers cover the additional costs of leasing or buying an electric vehicle. Uber hopes to have only EVs driving around London by 2025. Uber says an average driver who works 40 hours a week over three years can expect to save nearly $6,000 to offset the price premium of electric vehicles. There are no obligations, such as minimum hours, that drivers must meet to use the EV fund. If the money isn't used by the driver, it will be spent on other clean-air initiatives. Anywhere in the world, Nollywood actors and actresses are always recognised and honoured for standing out tall in their endeavours. This winning spirit yet again accompanied several Nigerian movie stars to the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) 2018 held in Rwanda. The 14th edition of the award night took place at the Intare Conference Arena in Kigali, Rwanda. At this illustrious event, many Nollywood stars did not disappoint as they bagged several awards and accolades. Some of the many who carted away honours include Dakore Egbuson, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Joke Silva, and several others. Joke Silva, for one, won an award as the Best Actress in a Supporting Role award for the part she played in a movie titled Potato Potahto. On the other hand, Richard Mofe Damijo was tagged as the overall Best Actor in a Leading Role, for his character in Cross Roads. Rita Dominic Source: UGC READ ALSO: Full list of winners at the AMVCA 2018 edition There were other anticipated and unexpected wins at the award. Even more, the red carpet of AMAA 2018 was plush with elegantly dressed celebrities. Many of the Nigerian stars slayed in Rwanda as they would in any other place. Very significant amongst those whose dresses turned heads were Rita Dominic, the Aneke twins, Juliana Oloyede and Kunle Afolayan who wore his signature Kembe alongside a suit. Kunle Afolayan in signature Kembe trouser Source: UGC PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Nigeria See the full list of winners at AMAA 2018 as well as the red carpet dresses donned by various celebrities. Actress slays in AMAA 2018 Source: UGC Nollywood's bests bag awards at AMAA 2018 held in Rwanda (photos) Source: UGC Best actor in a supporting role: Gideon Okeke Cross roads Tony Elumelu Award for Best Comedy: Banana Island Ghost Best Young/ Promising Actor: Amine Lansari The Blessed Vost (Les Bienheureux) Award For Achievement In Editing: Hotel Called Memory Award For Achievement In Cinematography: Five Fingers For Marseille Award For Achievement In Sound: Hotel Called Memory Nollywood's bests bag awards at AMAA 2018 held in Rwanda (photos) Source: UGC Award For Achievement In Editing: Lucky Specials Award For Achievement In Costume Design: Isoken Award For Best Diaspora Narrative Feature: Angelica (Puerto Rico) Award For Best Diaspora Documentary: Barrows: Freedom Fighter (Barbados) Award For Best Diaspora Short: Torments Of Love (Guadeloupe) Nollywood's bests bag awards at AMAA 2018 held in Rwanda (photos) Source: UGC Nollywood's bests bag awards at AMAA 2018 held in Rwanda (photos) Source: UGC PAY ATTENTION: Get hottest gist on Naija Uncensored Facebook Group. Join here. Michael Anyiam Osigwe Award For Best Film By An African Living Abroad: Alexandra Nigeria/US Ousmane Sembene Award For Best Film In An African Language: Five Fingers For Marseilles South Africa Award For Best Documentary: Uncertain Future Burundi Efere Ozako Award For Best Short Film: Tikitat Soulima Morocco Jubril Mailafia Award For Best Animation: Belly Flop South Africa Nollywood's bests bag awards at AMAA 2018 held in Rwanda (photos) Source: UGC Nollywood's bests bag awards at AMAA 2018 held in Rwanda (photos) Source: UGC Award For Best First Feature Film By A Director: Michael Matthews- South Africa (Five Fingers For Marseille Award For Best Director: Frank Rajah Arase In My Country Award For Best Film: Five Fingers For Marseilles South Africa. The Aneke twins Source: UGC Nigeria News Today: Peter Okoye - Receiving His First Major Award For His Solo Act | Legit TV Source: Legit - Presidential aide, Ms Lauretta Onochie has launched a scathing attack on Atiku Abubakar - Onochie says the PDP presidential candidate symbolizes corruption, greed and deception - She went on to say the former vice president is too unpatriotic to lead Nigeria Controversial presidential aide, Ms Lauretta Onochie has launched a scathing attack on Atiku Abubakar via social media. Onochie was reacting to a tweet by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate urging his supporters to support him without resulting to insults before the elections. She said the former vice president symbolizes corruption, greed and deception adding that he is too unpatriotic to lead Nigeria. READ ALSO: 2019: Fresh trouble in southeast for Atiku as party leaders accuse him of violating pre-convention agreements Onochie is one of the numerous social media aides to President Muhammadu Buhari. She is known for using uncomplimentary remarks while engaging members of the public or the opposition via social media. A former member of the Bring Back Our Girls movement, Onochie was recently shamed on social media after she was nabbed peddling fake news. Onochie, tweeting via her verified handle @Laurestar shared photographs of a Nasarawa-Jos road construction project purportedly done by the Muhammadu Buhari administration. However, the images posted by Onochie were images from a foreign construction project lifted from iStock photos. Smart Nigerians on social media busted Onochie, pointing out the fraudulence in her tweet, which made her to later apologize. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Following Atiku's emergence as the presidential candidate of the PDP, Onochie took to social media, shortly after the declaration of the result, claiming that the former vice presidents emergence as his partys flag-bearer had made the job of the presidents team easier. You ran away from facing President Buhari in a primary, now youll meet him at the presidential elections. 14.8 million people made President Buhari their candidate, 26,584 people made Atiku their candidate. Bearing in mind that you cant go to America to represent us at the United Nations, nor meet with Nigerians in America, our job is made easy, she tweeted. Nigeria Latest News: PDP Convention: Atiku Elected as Presidential Candidate | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has warned Nigerian politicians against using her name for their personal benefits - The former minister urged the public to disregard fake quotes and comments attributed to her in the media The former minister of finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has warned Nigerian politicians to desist from using her name for their personal benefits. The ex-minister claimed that her words were being edited and distorted by politicians trying to use her name and reputation to advance their objectives. In a statement signed by her media adviser, Paul Nwabuikwu, the former minister said that fake newspaper articles, quotations and audios were being circulated in her name and that the public should disregard them. READ ALSO: Amosun addresses defection rumour after meeting with Buhari She said: In spite of several rebuttals and clarifications that we have issued over the past months, some groups and individuals are still misusing the name of former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to further partisan political objectives. We would like to alert Nigerians that this unfortunate practice has increased significantly in this political season. This misuse of the ministers name comes in many forms. There are fake newspaper articles published under her name. Fake quotations canvassing certain views which are falsely attributed to her. Even fake audios in which someone pretends to be the former finance minister have been going round. Most of these are typically disseminated on WhatsApp and other forms of social media. In one recent example, a video of the minister was cleverly edited, leaving out crucial information and context to give a totally false impression. These shenanigans are designed to give the impression that she supports one particular political interest or position or the other. We urge Nigerians to ignore these mischievous antics by political peddlers of fiction. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is very capable of speaking for herself if and when she wants to and does not need the help of anyone to do that. In this political season of forged and fake news, we urge the media and the public to crosscheck the authenticity of any quotations, articles, audios and videos attributed to Dr Okonjo-Iweala before giving them credence or going public with them. If it does not come directly from Dr Okonjo-Iwealas twitter account, then kindly discount it. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Legit.ng earlier reported that former president, Goodluck Jonathan, congratulated Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for her appointment into the board of twitter. Jonathan in a message to the former minister congratulated her on her appointment, noting that she performed excellently in her capacity in Nigeria. He also expressed confidence in her ability to perform well in her new appointment. Lagos Governor: Is Sanwo-Olu a Better Candidate Than Ambode?| Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - Tunde Bakare has said the some religious leaders visit President Buhari for photograph session - The pastor said Nigerians must always speak the truth - He also said these religious leaders have failed to take advantage of their visits to President Buhari to convey the true feelings of the people about the perceived excesses of those in power The senior pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly, Tunde Bakare, has revealed why most religious leaders visit President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Villa in Abuja. Bakare also urged Nigerians to always speak truth to power and put aside what he called the culture of hypocrisy. READ ALSO: Governor Amosun dismisses defection rumour after meeting Buhari Speaking at the Thanksgiving service on Sunday, October 21, to mark the 16th anniversary of the Foursquare Gospel Church, Asokoro Abuja, Bakare accused religious leaders of failing to take advantage of their visits to President Buhari to convey the true feelings of the people about the perceived excesses of those in power. Bakare said: Look at the nation; look at those playing god; look at the godfathers who loom larger than life because of the level of authority they have. They forget that God brought them there and he has a way of removing them. When Samuel (in the Bible) entered the city, the king trembled but when some pastors visit Aso Villa, they are the ones shaking. All they want is photo opportunity (with the President), Bakare said. READ ALSO: Breaking: Abductors of Kaduna monarch releases wife There is so much corruption in this country. But show me a country in the world which has no corruption. What is the solution? We are the answer to the dilemma of Nigeria but we keep playing church. We are the reason Nigeria is the way it is. You and I are responsible." Meanwhile, Legit.ng Bakare had said that Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of education, would be stepping into politics to contest for the office of the president of the federal republic of Nigeria. The fiery preacher said the former vice president of the World Bank would seek the highest political office in the land. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! He said that Nigeria has been structurally skewed to run a system that perpetuates bad leadership. President Buhari on 2019 Presidential Election: Will You Vote For Him? | - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - The PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has promised to revamp the Nigerian economy - Abubakar also pledged to fight corruption if elected as the president in 2019 The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, will revamp the Nigerian economy through the creation of qualitative employment for the youths if elected into government in 2019. The party gave the assurance in a statement issued by its national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Sunday, October 21, in Abuja. The party said that Abubakar would also implement the political and economic restructuring of the nation in a manner that would engender unity, inclusiveness in governance and uplift the general standard of living for all. READ ALSO: President Buhari reacts to killings in Kaduna Ologbondiyan added that if elected Abubakar would immediately commence the marketing of Nigeria to the international business community, as well as providing a clement environment for businesses to thrive in Nigeria. Abubakar will open a system-wide fight against corruption as soon as he is elected into office by strengthening the institutions empowered by our laws to do their jobs. He will do this while he also concentrates on the onerous duty of governance and rescuing our people from hunger, starvation, bloodlettings and wanton killings," he said. Ologbondiyan assured that rebranded PDP would ensure that all those looting the national treasury, would definitely face the wrath of the law and go to jail. He added that Abubakar administration would not only fight poverty but will also uncompromisingly fight corruption. He said that a combination of Abubakar and his running mate, Peter Obi, known internationally for their forthrightness, hardwork, ingenuity and managerial competencies, would liberate Nigeria from the economic wastage and notoriously incompetent. Abubakar comes with the Nigerian resilient entrepreneurial spirit to once again open up our economy, attract investments, create jobs and unite our citizenry for a more productive nation," Ologbondiyan said. He added that as a successful entrepreneur, Abubakar had perfected an economic template that would reduce the cost of governance, plug wastages, tackle corruption, and channel resources for the welfare of the people. Ologbondiyan said what Nigerians earnestly desire now was a resourceful president. Our youths are earnestly seeking for an in-charge President, not one who rules by proxy. They look forward to a president who will give hope in the face of a consuming despair and one, whose words resonate with their aspirations in life," he said. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app He said that the 2019 election was, therefore, a direct referendum on the determination of Nigerians to choose a new leader who would rescue the nation from hunger and starvation. The 2019 election will never be about character assassination or mouthing some worn-out sloganeerings about corruption but will be about a demonstrable capacity to deliver on the mandate, he said. Legit.ng earlier reported that Atiku distanced himself from an online grant scheme that purports to disburse grants to unsuspecting Nigerians. In a statement, the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organization (APCO), said that neither the candidate nor his organization was in any way involved with the scheme or any other in such manner. 2019 Election: Is Atiku the right man to defeat Buhari? - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit Nigeria - The ECOWAS has promised to support INEC in the 2019 general elections - It promised to send 200 election observers for the general elections - Gen. Francis Behanzin commended the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for his contributions to the improvement of the electoral process The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has assured the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of its support, including finance, for the conduct of the 2019 general elections. A statement issued by the chief press secretary to INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, on Sunday, quoted, Gen. Francis Behanzin as making the promise when he led a delegation of the sub-regional body on a courtesy visit to INEC headquarters in Abuja. Behanzin also disclosed that ECOWAS would send 200 observers for 2019 general elections. He said the purpose of the visit was to, among other things, find out about INECs preparation for the 2019 general elections and the challenges it was facing, in view of Nigerias large voter population of over 80 million. READ ALSO: Atiku will revamp Nigerian economy, fight corruption PDP He expressed appreciation to the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, for his contributions to the improvement of the electoral process and sustenance of democracy across the West African sub-region. Oyekanmi quoted Yakubu in his response as explaining the Commissions preparations for the 2019 polls. Yakubu said the Commission had developed, validated and was already implementing its 2017 2021 Strategic Plan, the Election Project Plan and had also released the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2019 General Elections since Jan. 9. He said the Commission also carried out the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) that allowed citizens who just turned 18 years and other Nigerians who had never registered the opportunity to do so. Yakubu informed the delegation that over 14.5 million voters were registered during the exercise between April 2017 and August 2018. This new figure will be added to the almost 70 million citizens already in the national Voter Register after due processes. He added that the country might have about 83 million voters after the register had been cleaned up. Yakubu observed that conducting general election in Nigeria could be likened to conducting an election for the whole of ECOWAS. He informed the delegation that Nigeria currently has 91 registered political parties out of which 89 will field candidates for various positions in the next year general elections. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Yakubu, who is also the president, ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC), said Nigeria has fulfilled its promises to the body since his election as its President in Cotonu, the Republic of Benin in March 2017. These, according to him, include the location of the ECONEC Secretariat in Nigeria and the organisations visit to many member countries. He expressed the hope that by the end of March 2019 when his tenure would end, more countries would have been visited. Yakubu said the electoral commission in Guinea Conakry recently asked INEC for help to clean up the countrys voter register, which was done, while Nigeria also observed the elections in Mali. He said that INEC had supported other electoral commissions in the ECOWAS sub-region, especially in the area of voter registration. He added that Burkina Faso and Ghana were also provided with ballot boxes. He identified finance as the major challenge facing ECONEC. He said that while each member country is expected to pay $5,000 per annum, he was of the opinion that ECONEC would still require some support from ECOWAS. Yakubu said he leant that ECOWAS had promised to support ECONEC with $1 million dollars and expressed the hope that with the Generals visit, the account of ECONEC would be credited within a short time. Legit.ng earlier reported that President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians and the international community that the 2019 general elections will be free and fair. This was contained in a statement by Femi Adesina on Tuesday, October 16. Buhari to Contest for Presidency in 2019! Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - Troops of the Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have killed wife of Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as Ghana - The troops attacked the criminals without much casualty on their side - Several arms and ammunitions were recovered by troops in the three states of its coverage Wife of most wanted militia leader in Benue state, Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as Ghana has been killed by troops of the Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) in Sai community of Kastina-Ala local government area. Major General Adeyemi Yekini, Force Commander of OPWS who disclosed this Makurdi said the killing occurred after four simultaneous raids against the gang.The gang is believed to be terrorising some parts of the state. READ ALSO: Sarakis anointed candidate for Kwara governorship, Razak Atunwa, allegedly skips NYSC, forges certificate At the end of four simultaneous assaults, OPWS troops killed 12 militia men loyal to Gana at Sai while we recorded one case of a soldier who got missing, he said. He also disclosed that the troops attacked the criminals without much casualty on their side, adding that wive of the wanted man, Queen, was believed to have been killed during the two hour cross fire the militias engaged with troops. He also disclosed that several arms and ammunitions were recovered by troops in the three states of its coverage which are; Benue, Nassarawa and Taraba in the latest encounter with criminal elements, Daily Trust reports. NAIJ.com had reported that the police have arrested a woman, Hawa Yinusa said to be the leader of a vicious gang specialising in kidnapping and robbery in Nasarawa-Abuja-Plateau axis. Hawa was arrested along with two other suspects, Nura Dahiru and Buhari Hamisu. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app One other gang member was killed in the exchange of fire with the Inspector General of Police Strike Force. Police said they recovered from them three AK47 Rifles, 38 bullets and a Honda Hennessey car belonging to one of their latest victims, a businesswoman identified as Aisha Haruna. Nigeria news: IDPs in Plateau getting ready for the elections | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - An aide to Governor Ambodes special adviser on food security, Rasaq Akinwale has been remanded in prison on the orders of an Igbosere magistrates court - The accused is facing a four-count charge bordering on attempted murder and conduct likely to cause breach of peace - Akinwale pleaded not guilty, when the matter came before the court Rasaq Akinwale, 42, an aide to Ganiu Sanni, the special adviser on food security to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, is to be remanded in prison, on the orders of an Igbosere magistrates court. According to Vanguard, Akinwale and others at large, have been accused of attempting to kill one Ibrahim Mustapha with a knife and other dangerous weapons, on October 4 at Anthony Village in Lagos, during the National Assembly primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC). READ ALSO: FG demands investigation into alleged killing of Nigerian by Kenyan police Legit.ng gathers that the accused is facing a four-count charge bordering on attempted murder and conduct likely to cause breach of peace. The Special Tactical Squad of the IGPs office also sent an invitation to Sanni, to come explain his role in the said incident. The matter was brought before the chief magistrate, Folashade Botoku; and Akinwale pleaded not guilty, during the hearing. The victim of the attack, Ibrahim Mustapha, is still receiving treatment in a private hospital. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app This development follows a previous report by Legit.ng, that the Lagos state police command said it arrested 84 persons allegedly involved in violence during the just concluded APC governorship primaries in the state. The state commissioner of police, Imohimi Edgal, told newsmen that the timely arrest of the hoodlums at various spots saved the state from what he described as 'destructive violence. See the faces of newly arrested criminals in Lagos state - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit - Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria lamented that the number of Nigerians issued visas to Norway has been quite small - He noted that out of the 870 visa applications from Nigerians last year, only 370 were issued - The ambassador, however, promised that more visas will be issued to Nigerians to promote people-to-people relationships, trade, investment opportunities, etc The Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Jens-Petter Kjemprud, on Monday, October 22, disclosed the plan by the Embassy to increase visas issuance to Nigerians. Kjemprud told the News of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the embassy would soon be discussing the possibility with the VFS Global and the Nigerian-Norwegian Chambers of Commerce (NNCC). According to him, the number of Nigerians issued visas to Norway has been quite small. READ ALSO: Breaking: Fayose pleads not guilty to N30.8bn fraud charge, remanded in EFCC custody (photos) We really want to see more Nigerians engage with Norwegians in the near future. But we know that the visas issued to Nigerians have been quite few. The embassy is planning to discuss with VFS Global and the Nigerian-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce(NNCC) to increase the number of visas to Nigerians soon, he said. The ambassador noted that out of the 870 visa applications from Nigerians last year, only 370 were issued, adding that more Nigerians needed to be issued visas. Kjemprud also disclosed that out of the 600 visa applications received by the embassy from Nigerians between January and August this year, only 290 of them were issued visas. He said that Nigerians were always applying to visit Norway for family, business and official as well as for tourism. The ambassador expressed optimism that the issuance of more visas to Nigerians would promote people-to-people relationships, trade, investment opportunities and other exchanges between both countries. He said that there was currently a growing interest of more Norwegian fishery companies in doing businesses in Nigeria, as well as promoting exchanges with their Nigerian counterparts. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Italian deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini, likened African immigrants to slaves at a European conference on Thursday, September 13. The deputy ministers words consequently drew an angry response from Luxembourg's foreign minister, Jean Asselborn, who cursed at him in frustration. Salvini has led a popular crackdown against immigration since Italy's coalition government took office in June. He was speaking at a closed-door session of a conference on migration and security hosted by Austria, which holds the rotating European Union presidency. Which country would you leave Nigeria for? - On Legit.ng TV Source: Legit Spirituality and religion is very much an emphasis in Africa. While several African pastors are living up to the standard expected, many more are also concerned about amassing a lot of riches at the same time, so that if a person's holiness could be measured by their wealth and luxuries, some of these pastors would be considered truly blessed. One of these wealth amassing minister is Pastor Shepherd Bushiri from Malawi. The pastor often makes headlines for his controversial approach to the gospel and some have accused him of making a profit off other believers. Regardless of the motives that guides his church, Bushiri is one wealthy man and he is not afraid to show it off. From his social media platforms to the reports about the Malawian man, it is known that wealth exudes from the minister. So, Legit.ng decided to take a look at the luxury lifestyle he is able to afford through the gospel. 1. Cars It comes as no surprise that the prophet has quite the impressive car collection. He owns a very expensive Rolls Royce worth 254 million naira. He also has a Black Badge of over 156 million naira, a Bentley Bentayga Limited Edition and an Aston Martin One, which costs over 305 million naira. Some of Prophet Bushiri's cars. Photo credit: Malawian Eye/Facebook Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Top 10 richest pastors in Nigeria However, the prophet shocked the internet when he bought his six-year-old daughter a Masserati for her birthday. Bushiri bought his daugther, 6, a luxury car for her birthday last year. Photo credit: IOL. Source: Twitter PAY ATTENTION: Save mobile data by installing Legit.ng News App to read Nigerian News 2. House According to a Facebook post by Zimbabwe Today, Bushiri splashed a whopping $12 million, which equals over four billion naira on a mansion. Although the Bushiri never confirmed the price tag on his home, the photos showed it is likely worth a lot of millions. Bushiri's mansion. Photo credit: Zimbabwe Today/Facebook Source: Facebook 3. Jets According to reports, Shepherd Bushiri owns three private jets, which he bought forover a period of two years. Who is The Most Influential Nigerian Pastor? | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - Israeli government has reacted to Nnamdi Kanu's alleged appearance in Jerusalem - Emmanuel Nashon, the spokesman of the Israeli foreign ministry, said there was no evidence that the leader of IPOB was in their country of recent - Nashon, however, said Israel is a peaceful nation that believes in the process of the world at this changing times The Israeli government on Sunday, October 21, said it has no evidence about the appearance of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu in the country. Leadership reports that the government said the pictures and videos showing Nnamdi Kanu praying in Israel could be old. Legit.ng gathered that while speaking during an interaction with some African journalists in Jerusalem, the spokesman of the Israeli foreign ministry, Emmanuel Nashon, said there was no evidence that the leader of IPOB was in their country of recent. READ ALSO: Sarakis anointed candidate for Kwara governorship, Razak Atunwa, allegedly skips NYSC, forges certificate There are no details about his recent visit to this country yet, Emmanuel said, adding that the pictures and videos could be old ones. Speaking on their relationship with Africa, Emmanuel said Israel has been misconstrued, adding that they are getting back to their old friends. Our relationship with Africa is extremely important, Emmanuel said insisting that the continent stand to benefit more from Israel. Israel is a peaceful nation that believes in the process of the world at this changing times, Emmanuel disclosed, adding that they have different religion such as: Judaism, Christianity and Islam that live peacefully with one another. "Jerusalem is one of the great cities in the world. We have Judaism, Christianity and Islam as religions. We are considering a lot of networks with Africa and African Journalists will get direct contact with Israel journalist so that you dont need to take news from a agencies. Our embassies will also provide you with information any time you want it. Israel is a place with a lot of diversity and you see Jews from Africa and other parts of the world. We have Christians we have Muslims also. We are united in Israel, he added. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that the four top members of IPOB, charged together with their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and detained at Kuje prison, Abuja since 2015 have left prison and returned to their various homes. The freed IPOB members are Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Bright Chimezie, David Nwawusi, and Benjamin Madubugwu, who were charged with offenses relating to preparations to secede from Nigeria and detained without bond since 2015. They were granted administrative bails last week but could not regain freedom due to the stringent conditions which was finally met on Thursday, July 5. Ex-prisoner turns advocate for release of former inmates - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - A southwest PDP chieftain, Adeseye Ogunlewe, has reacted to Atikus promise of giving SGF slot to the zone if elected in 2019 - Ogunlewe said PDP leaders in the southwest were satisfied with the promised slot - He said the southwest, apart from the SGF slot, is glad by Atikus promise to restructure the country A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Adeseye Ogunlewe, on Monday, October 22, commended the partys presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for promising to give the southwest the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) slot, if elected. Ogunlewe, a former minister of works, gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. NAN reports that the director-general of the Atiku Campaign Organisation (ACO), Gbenga Daniel, had revealed Atikus SGF plan to newsmen on Sunday, October 21, in Lagos. READ ALSO: Breaking: Fayose pleads not guilty to N30.8bn fraud charge, remanded in EFCC custody (photos) The southwest is at present not yet visible in PDPs power equation for 2019 as the presidential candidate is from the northeast, while his running mate, a former Anambra state governor, Peter Obi, is from the southeast. Also, the national chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, is from the south-south. Among present top government officials who are members of the party, the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, and speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, are from northcentral and northeast respectively. Ogunlewe said PDP leaders in the southwest were satisfied with the promised slot, as the SGF is the fulcrum of government. We thank our presidential candidate for the promised SGF slot. We are very satisfied with it and we are happy about it. You see, the office of the SGF is not just another office. It is the fulcrum of any government; it is the engine room. So, for our candidate to have promised the region the office, it means he holds us in high esteem. The promise is a just and fair move, we are impressed and we are pledging our total support to Atiku Abubakar to emerge as our president next year, he said. Ogunlewe said the selection Obi as Atikus running mate was fair and strategic, as it would guarantee an Igbo presidency after Atiku, if PDP wins. The former minister argued that the people of the southeast had contributed significantly to the development of the country, saying it was only fair they be allowed to produce a president soon. Ogunlewe said apart from the SGF slot, the southwest PDP was particularly glad by Atikus promise to restructure the country. The former minister said restructuring was the panacea to the avalanche of challenges facing the country, as it would empower federating units and institutions to function optimally for development. Ogunlewe said the All Progressives Congress (APC) had failed to deliver on their electoral promises to make the country better for citizens. He said the PDP had been rejuvenated and expressed the confidence that Atiku would win the presidential election. The former minister also boasted that the PDP governorship candidate in Lagos, Jimi Agbaje, would win the state for the party in 2019. We are going to win in Lagos in 2019. We are going to set the state free from APC; we have a candidate who can do it. Agbaje is a man of vision and he will deliver. He is a true indigene of Lagos with the interest of the people at heart. The people of Lagos want him and we are so confident it will be victory for the PDP in 2019, he said. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a fresh crisis was brewing up in the southeast for Atiku as the zones political leaders were allegedly accusing him of reneging on some pre-convention agreements. The alleged breach of the agreement is the cause of the bad blood generated in the zone by Atikus choice of former Anambra state governor Peter Obi as the running mate for the 2019 election. The deputy Senate president Ike Ekweremadu and some state governors are particularly displeased by the alleged breach of agreements. Associates of the deputy Senate president and some PDP leaders in the southeast have allegedly started putting pressure on Ekweremadu to review his status in the party. Nigeria Latest News: Buhari vs Atiku - 2019 Elections | Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit.ng - Members of Atiku Care Foundation in the north west geopolitical zone have denounced their support for the vice president - The group director, Comrade Sanusi Ababeil, disclosed this in Kano on Sunday, October 21 - The group that later declared its support for President Buhari accused Atiku of not doing the right things over the years Members of Atiku Care Foundation in the north west geopolitical zone have withdrawn their support for the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2019 general elections. Daily Sun reports that the pro-Atiku group on Sunday, October 21, denounced its support for the vice president and upheld President Muhammadu Buhari. The group director, Comrade Sanusi Ababeil, who disclosed this in Kano said the action was based on the fact that President Buhari meant well for all Nigerians and best position to lead the country to the Promised land. READ ALSO: Fayose pleads not guilty to N30.8bn fraud charge, remanded in EFCC custody (photos) Ababeil said they were not carried along by their former principal, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar while accusing him of neglecting their interests during over the years . They also accused him of several unfulfilled promises such as his failure to fulfill his promise to make food items available for distribution to the less privileged members of the society through their group. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that a pro-president Buhari group, Re-elect Buhari Movement, said the emergence Atiku Abubakar, as the presidential candidate of the PDP in 2019 general election is the strongest indication that the president would win the election on a platter of gold. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app While congratulating the president ahead of the election, the RBM, in a statement by its convener, Emmanuel Umohinyang, boasted that President Buhari would give the former vice-president a bloodied nose in the coming poll, Umohinyang said that the ratification of the president as the sole candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the election is a reward for good performance over the last three years. 2019 Presidency: Nigerians reveal why they prefer Atiku to President Buhari - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit.ng News - The acting chairman of the EFCC says the commission recorded over 172 convictions in 10 months - Magu says the convictions were recorded from January till date - He says the commission expects the figure to improve significantly before the end of 2018 The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said it recorded over 172 convictions from January to date. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the acting chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Magu, stated this in Gombe on Monday, October 22. Legit.ng gathers that Magu, who said this at an event to mobilise the people to take ownership of the fight against corruption, added: "I speak, EFCC has recorded over 172 convictions since the beginning of the year and we expect the figure to improve significantly before the end of 2018. READ ALSO: Kaduna violence: El-Rufai meets with victims following attacks on innocent people (photos) The chairman emphasised that every Nigerian should take ownership of the fight against corruption, adding that this is the right time to act to stem the tide of corruption as the 2019 general elections approach." He said: As we move closer to the general elections where Nigerians will vote for the present government or a new leadership to take control of governance, it is time that we all must be vigilant. We all must be careful as citizens to ensure that only people with proven records of integrity are elected into offices." Magu, therefore, called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), religious organisations, traditional leaders to help in sensitising voters to vote right and not to compromise. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app He said voters should not fall into the temptation of selling their votes. According to him, voters must be educated to realise that their voter cards represent the ticket for their future and healthy living if they use it wisely. The anti-graft commission chairman was in Gombe to mobilise the people to take ownership of the fight against corruption. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the acting chairman of the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, criticised some lawyers who he said specialise in frustrating cases". He made the criticism at the Fifth Criminal Justice Reform Conference in Asaba, the Delta state capital. The EFCC stages a walk against corruption - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - Senator Isa Yahaya Zarewa has quit the All Progressives Congress - Zarewa gives reasons for resigning his membership of the party - He said the party conducted primaries without regards to equality and justice Senator Isa Yahaya Zarewa, the former senator and an aspirant in the recently concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Kano state has defected from the ruling party. Daily Trust reports that Senator Zarewa who made this known on Monday, October 22, said his decision was based on the injustice meted to many aspirants who participated in the primaries. According to him, majority of the aggrieved party members have also decided to decamp for the partys inability to do justice to their grievances. READ ALSO: Pro-Atiku group withdraws support for him, upholds Buhari Zarewa who had contested against the serving Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya added that, they have decided not to go to court for obvious reasons, but have set a committee that will find a way out for them. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that the APC announced the results of the senatorial primary election for Kano state, as the former governor of the state, Ibrahim Shekarau, and two incumbent senators, Kabiru Gaya and Barau Jibrin, won the party's tickets. Shekarau picked the ticket for Kano central senatorial district in the election scored 973,435, Gaya got 1,05057 votes and Jibril emerged unopposed. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app This was stated by the presiding officer of the primaries Garba Saleh while announcing the results after the election. Shekarau who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to APC said his decision was due to the injustice meted on him and his supporters by the PDP leadership. News Nigeria Today: Who is Nigerias Smartest Politician? | Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit.ng The 85-year-old Cameroonian head of state, Paul Biya, has again won the presidential election and ticket to run for the seventh term in office. It was reported that the poll was characterised by low turnout and voters' intimidation. President Paul Biya of Cameroon has won a seventh term in office in polls said to have been marred by low turnout and voter's intimidation. Going by official results, the 85-year-old Biya which is sub-Saharan Africa's oldest leader, took 71.3% of the votes, BBC reports. READ ALSO: Breaking: 300 APC aspirants dump party in Kano Agitation by the opposition for a re-run of the presidential election were rejected by the constitutional council. Thus, in a bid to halt any inkling of violent protest, riot police were deployed on Sunday, October 21, to the major cities of Yaounde and Douala. Cameroon's two English-speaking provinces have been hit by more than a year of violent protests and attacks by separatist rebels which have left hundreds dead. Two days before results were announced, Africa's longest-serving President Teodoro Obiang Nguema of neighbouring Equatorial Guinea congratulated Biya on his win. Biya's toughest opponent, Maurice Kamto of the MRC/CRM, claimed only 14.2% of the votes cast. Biya took the majority of votes in all but one of Cameroon's 10 regions, losing to Kamto by a small margin in the Littoral region the location of the economic capital of Douala. Across the country, only half of Cameroon's voting-age population took part in the polls. Tens of thousands of people were unable to cast their votes because of insecurity. Threats of violence made against would-be voters by rebels in the Anglophone regions reportedly deterred many from casting their ballot. On election day, three separatists who were accused of opening fire on passers-by were shot dead by security forces. Some rebels also tried to disrupt the transporting of ballot boxes by calling for a total ban on all travel. According to the international crisis group, voters' turnout in the country's two Anglophone regions was as low as 5%. Official figures give an almost 16% turnout in the English-speaking south-west region. Eyewitnesses informed newsmen that they heard gunfire in the morning of Monday, October 22, in Buea, the capital of the English-speaking south-west region. Added to this, Cameroon's electoral body Elecam also reduced the overall number of polling stations across the Anglophone north-west and south-west regions, and moved some others from turbulent zones to more secure areas. International crisis group says voter turnout was as low as 5% in the country's two Anglophone regions Moreover, seats kept for opposition representatives at the constitutional council were left empty as the results of the October 7 presidential election were read out, the BBC's Randy Joe Sa'ah reports from Yaounde. In the days before the results were published 18 petitions calling for the election to be re-run were lodged by opposition members, some alleging fraud, at the Constitutional Court, the body responsible for announcing the results, before the results were announced. Among those calling for a fresh vote were President Biya's two main challengers - Mr Kamto and Joshua Osih of the main opposition SDF/FSD. Kamto went as far as declaring himself the winner of the polls despite producing no evidence to prove this. Election observers from the African Union (AU) reported that the polls were "generally peaceful" but added that "most parties were not represented" when it came to who was allowed to oversee voting and ballot counts at polling stations. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! The only other group to send monitors was the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), whose head urged candidates and stakeholders to do their part in preserving peace and use legal channels in any challenges to the results (in French). False claims were made on Cameroon's state-owned television that Transparency International had deployed international observers, forcing the Germany-based campaign group to issue a statement denying them. Cameroon's parliamentary and legislative polls were due to take place at the same time as the presidential elections but have been postponed to 2019. Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Biya announced on Friday, July 13, his plans to run for a seventh consecutive term in office in the October 2018 presidential election. I will be your candidate in the next presidential election, Biya, who had been head of state in the West African country for 35 years, wrote on his Twitter page. Is Atiku the Right Man to Defeat President Buhari? 2019 Election - Nigeria Street Gist | Legit TV Source: Legit - Governor Samuel Ortom said Tiv people have nothing against the Fulani - The Benue governor, however, said his people are against President Buharis second term bid - He blamed this on the governments failure to protect the people Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue has said that the people of the state had nothing against Fulani people as it was being insinuated by people out to cause confusion. We have lived with the Fulani people for ages; we have nothing against them. Even the Fulani people know that we have nothing against them, Ortom said in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and ICT, Tahav Agerzua. The statement, which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, October 22, in Makurdi, recalled that Benue people voted overwhelmingly for former presidents Shehu Shagari and Umaru Musa YarAdua in 1979, 1983 and 2007 respectively. READ ALSO: 2019: Pro-Atiku group withdraws support for him, upholds Buhari We also voted for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, he said. He said that Shagari and Yaradua reciprocated the support they received by patronising Benue people through federal appointments and projects. But from my findings, majority of Benue residents are opposed to the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC, because they have failed to register any positive federal presence in the state. Many people also feel that the APC-led federal government has failed to secure lives and property, he claimed. The governor promised to work with his predecessor, Gabriel Suswam, to bring development to the state. The statement said that Ortom and Suswam had put the past behind them and had resolved to work together. READ ALSO: Jonathan invites President Buhari, Obasanjo, Atiku to his book launch Ortom thanked the Tiv Area Traditional Council for brokering peace between him and his predecessor, pointing out that the duo would be better off if they worked together. He assured workers that everything was being done to ensure that the last Paris Club Refund that was withdrawn by the federal government, was returned to the state so that part of their salary arrears would be cleared. In the meantime, Suswam has appealed to Ortoms close aides to educate the people on the governors achievements and his challenges. He also urged Ortom to entrust his fate in Gods hands so that the creator would always resolve challenges in the governors favour. Meanwhile, A group of herdsmen have said that they would do all within their power to ensure that Samuel Ortom does not return as governor in the state. The Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM) an umbrella organization of herdsmen in the state vowed to mobilise its members across Nigeria to unseat Ortom in the coming 2019 general election. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app A statement signed by the national president of FUNAM, Salisu Ahmadu, said the group would rally support for any governorship candidate who would ensure their safety and protect their business interest in the state. Accusing Ortom of not being interested in the safety of its members in Benue, Ahmadu said: We are aware that Governor Ortom is not only in support of the inhuman treatment and callous attacks on our members, but he is the major source of financial and logistical supports to the soldiers who are out to eliminate us from the state." Nigeria News: Buhari Reacted To APC Senators Betrayal | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - Chief Chinedu Eya of the PDP faults Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka for reportedly describing former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, as bureau de change - Eya accuses Mbaka of abandoning his mandate of propagating the gospel for meddling in politics - The PDP chief calls on the Catholic Bishop of Enugu to caution the cleric for his comments in the build-up to the 2019 elections A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu state, Chief Chinedu Eya, has called on the Catholic church to caution one of its clergymen, Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka, for allegedly meddling in politics instead of facing his religious mandate. Vanguard reports that Chief Chinedu Eya made the call in reaction to comments credited to Mbaka where the cleric was reported to have described President Muhammadu Buhari as change and former vice president Atiku Abubakar as bureau de change. The PDP chieftain accused Mbaka of abandoning his mandate of propagating the gospel for politics. He urged the cleric to leave politics for politicians. READ ALSO: Buhari, Oshiomhole meet APC stakeholders in Kwara, orders party to take over leadership Why it must be PDP in 2019 who spoke after the fiery Priest described President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as change and bureau de change respectively, wondered why the Rev. Father will not leave politics for politicians. Why is Fr. Mbaka describing my Partys candidate in the coming elections as bureau de change? If the PDP shared money during its primary election as the Rev. Father pointed out in his message, how does it now make a political partys affairs religious?" Chief Eya queried in a statement by his media aide, Gwiyi Solomon. The party chief said the Catholic Bishop of Enugu must caution cleric for his comments ahead of the 2019 elections. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Eya said Mbaka in the buildup to the 2015 elections had predicted victory for the current administration which has set the country backward. Meanwhile, controversial presidential aide, Lauretta Onochie has launched a scathing attack on Atiku Abubakar via social media. Onochie was reacting to a tweet by the PDP presidential candidate urging his supporters to support him without resulting to insults before the elections. She said the former vice president symbolizes corruption, greed and deception adding that he is too unpatriotic to lead Nigeria. Nigeria Latest News: Buhari vs Atiku - 2019 Elections | Legit TV Source: Legit - Ishaq Hadejia, a chieftain of APC in Jigawa state, accuses Suleiman Adamu, the minister of water resources, of failing to attend political meetings or activities in the state - Hadejia alleges that Adamu does not sympathise with the people of Jigawa state whenever they suffer from natural disasters - The APC chief alleges that the minister for water resources has failed to collaborate with the ministry for agriculture to harness the potentials in Jigawa state Ishaq Hadejia, a chieftain of All Progressives People Congress (APC) in Jigawa state, has asked the minister of water resources, Suleiman Adamu to resign his appointment as minister with immediate effect. Hadejia stated this when speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Monday, October 22. He alleged that Adamu has not been coming for political meetings or activities in the state because he said that he is not a politician. READ ALSO: Buhari, Oshiomhole meet APC stakeholders in Kwara, orders party to take over leadership If that is the reason for the minister, he should better resign it is because of politics he was given the appointment. It is really unfortunate that if something happened in the state, whether good or bad, you will never see the minister coming to rejoice or sympathise with the people. The recent flood which submerged over 500 communities in the state, with 40 deaths including lost of foodstuff, properties, farmlands, live stocks, the minister did not even bother to come and sypathise with the people." Hadejia stated that Jigawa is an agrarian state full of potentials, as minister for water resources he didnt care to collaborate with the ministry for agriculture to harness the potentials in it. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! He said that Jigawa state government is currently spending billions of naira on water projects across the state but pointed out that the minister should say what is his contribution in that regard. Meanwhile, about 300 aspirants who had contested on the platform of the APC in Kano state have dumped the party. The aspirants said their decision was due to gross injustice allegedly meted out to them during the recent primary elections. The spokesman of the aggrieved aspirants, Sen Isah Zarewa disclosed this while briefing newsmen shortly after a meeting of the aggrieved aspirants at his residence in Kano on Monday, October 22. He noted that the spate of internal wrangling in the party in the wake of the disputed primaries would not have arisen, if all the contestants in the state were fully convinced that there was no foul play or any gimmick. Nigeria Latest News: Buhari Reacts To APC Senators Betrayal | Legit TV Source: Legit - Peace has reportedly returned to Kaduna metropolis - This was after no less than 55 persons were reportedly killed in a crisis in the city - The GOC of Nigerian Army Kaduna confirmed the return of normalcy in the city Normalcy has returned to Kaduna metropolis following Sundays fracas, in which 23 people died and 17 were injured. This much was gathered during the tour of the metropolis by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1Division Nigerian Army Kaduna, Maj-Gen Mohammed Mohammed. The areas visited by the GOC include Kawo New Extension, Angwan Dosa, Badarawa, Malali and Anguwan Rimi. Also visited were Anguwan Baro, Sabon Tasha, Television garage, Kano road, Tudun wada and Nnamdi Azikiwe bye pass. READ ALSO: No plot by APC governors to remove me - Oshiomhole The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the residents said they are living in peace with their neighbours. Soldiers, policemen, civil defence personnel and other local vigilante groups patrolled major streets within the metropolis to maintain law and order. The youth leader of Narayi area, Emmanuel Godwin, said that the community has been peaceful. Godwin commended the state government for imposing curfew and said the community will cooperate with the security agencies in bringing lasting peace in the state. Also at Kawo, a resident, Abubakar Yahaya, commended the security operatives for taking proactive measures, without which the crisis could have escalated. Yahaya appealed to government to relax the curfew to reduce the hardship of the people. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app It would be recalled that there was an unrest within the state metropolis on Sunday evening, which prompted the state government to impose 24 hour curfew to prevent further escalation. Legit.ng earlier reported that President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday, October 21, condemned the violence in Kaduna state and commended the state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, for efforts made so far to prevent total breakdown of law and order. The president, in a statement released onhis social media pages, said the killings which started on Thursday, October 18, were in disregard for the sanctity of human life as exhibited in the Kaduna crisis. Nigeria news: IDPs in Plateau getting ready for the elections | Legit TV Source: Legit - President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly ordered APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, to solve the crisis in the party - The party was plunged into a deep crisis after it held its controversial primaries - According to a source, the president appears to be embarrassed and concerned by the continued controversy A source close to the Presidential Villa has reportedly claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari is embarrassed and worried by the ongoing crisis in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and has ordered the party's national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole to fix it. The source, according to a report by Vanguard, claimed that the president instructed the national chairman to ensure that all the controversies surrounding the governorship and state assemblies primary elections must be resolved this week. READ ALSO: Normalcy returns to Kaduna as army chief tours community The source said: The president appears to be embarrassed and concerned by the continued controversy, which keeps mounting by the day. "Even the latest embarrassment came on Sunday with the reported exit from the party of one of the Presidents staunch loyalists, Senator Shehu Sani. You have the vexed issue of Zamfara and Adamawa. Then you have the spectacle in Ogun state. Yes, the national chairman is insisting on doing what he claims to be the right thing, but in some of the cases in question, even the president is not too comfortable with the handling of the matter because some of the governors have made a very strong case on the impropriety of some of the decisions. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app The president has told him to clear the mess this week because the distraction the controversy continues to ignite does not bode well for the polity, presidency, the party and even the well-being of members." Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that Oshiohmole, on Monday, October 22, dismissed as untrue the reported gang-up by APC governors against his leadership of the party. Oshiomhole had on Sunday in a statement by his press secretary, Simon Ebegbulem, alleged that conservatives within the party are ganging up to pass a vote of no-confidence in him. Why President Buhari May Not Defeat PDP In 2019 - Agbor Residents Speak | Legit TV Source: Legit Nigeria - The deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, is allegedly plotting to dump the PDP for the ruling APC - Ekweremadu has reportedly been involved in high-level negotiations with top members of the APC - A source claims Ekweremadu is aggrieved about the way he has been treated by his party since Bukola Saraki defected to the PDP The deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, is reportedly plotting to defect from his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ekweremadu has allegedly been meeting with top members of the APC to ensure smooth defection to the party. Daily Sun reports that a source claimed the deputy Senate president is unhappy with the way his party has been treating him since the defection of Senate President Bukola Saraki from APC. READ ALSO: South-east leaders have the right to disagree with my nomination as Atiku's running mate - Obi The source said: "He was aggrieved about the way he has been treated since Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, defected to the PDP. Ekweremadu was not happy with the way he was used and dumped by the PDP. What is, however, unclear is the position the APC will give him upon defection." A chieftain of the APC from the southeast had earlier said: Look at the way they treated Ekweramadu. When all of them left, Ekweramadu remained to fight for the survival of this party. How many of them would have resisted the temptation not to defect in the face of the intimidation, harassment, prosecution and persecution meted out on him. As a person, he had nothing to lose if he had defected then. In fact, he had everything to gain. He probably would have been the senate president because he was offered the slot. Then, when you people now return, you feel that people who had helped this party to survive, did not matter, again, simply because you got a presidential ticket. Also, even Saraki knows that if the DSP had not been loyal, they would have gotten at him (Saraki), long ago. All the trials Ekweramadu was put through were all because of Saraki. But, when it was the turn of Saraki to be there for him, he failed him and as we speak, how many days is this after the primary. Atiku is yet to call DSP. You dont treat a man who has been taking bullets on you peoples behalf like that. Well, I wish them and PDP well, but, they should know that action begets reaction and they will pay the price for this mistreatment of people, who laboured for the party during the toughest time. And, if Ekweramadu leaves, we will hold these people responsible. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Legit.ng earlier reported that Ekweremadu and Senator Bassey Akpan, who represents Akwa Ibom northeast senatorial district, have been charged to court by the federal government for allegedly refusing to declare their assets to the special presidential investigation panel for the recovery of public property. Top 5 the Richest People of Nigeria: The Luxury of Corruption on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - President Muhammadu Buhari urges Nigerians to emulate late Maj Gen Tunde Idiagbon, who he describes as a very rare example of what loyalty to fatherland should be - Buhari says Idiagbon was strong, loyal and extremely committed to the cause of positively changing the narrative about Nigeria - The president calls on Nigerians to remain faithful and loyal to the country in all their dealings President Muhammadu Buhari has said Nigerians who felt that they had another country outside Nigeria might choose to go. Buhari in a statement on Monday, October 22, said he will rather choose to stay back and salvage Nigeria. The president made the statement when he received the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants and members of the party from the three senatorial zones of Kwara state at the presidential villa, Abuja, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. He urged Nigerians to emulate late Maj Gen Tunde Idiagbon, who he described as a very rare example of what loyalty to fatherland should be. Idiagbon, onetime chief of staff at supreme headquarters (de facto vice president) under the military regime of Maj Gen Muhammadu Buhari from 1983 to 1985, was an indigene of Kwara state. READ ALSO: Ishaq Hadejia calls on Minister Suleiman Adamu to resign Femi Adesina, the presidents special adviser on media and publicity in a statement in Abuja on Monday, October 22, quoted the president as describing late Tunde Idiagbon as strong, loyal and committed Nigerian. Tunde was strong, loyal and extremely committed to the cause of positively changing the narrative about Nigeria, which the administration set out to do at that time, he said. Buhari recalled how his former deputy, who, while on pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia when the administration was overthrown in 1985, insisted on returning to the country. He said Idiagbon returned to the country despite the political uncertainty, especially as he had learnt that he, as commander-in-chief at that time, had not been killed in the take-over. The president added that the late Idiagbon rejected the offer from the King of Saudi Arabia to bring members of his (Idiagbon) family from Nigeria to the kingdom, as he was his guest at that time, and eventually returned to Nigeria to suffer arrest like he (Buhari) did. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! The president further enjoined Nigerians to remain faithful and loyal to the country in all their dealings. He said: "You dont have to be in uniform to be loyal. What I said long ago in 1984 is still valid today. We have no other country but Nigeria. Others who feel they have another country may choose to go. We will stay here and salvage it together. Buhari thanked the APC stakeholders for the position they had taken to continue to support the party regardless of the outcome of the primaries. He assured them that, with the unity displayed so far, APC would form the government in Kwara after the 2019 general elections. Meanwhile, a source close to the presidential villa has reportedly claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari is embarrassed and worried by the ongoing crisis in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and has ordered party's national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole to fix it. The source, according to a report by Vanguard, claimed that the president instructed the national chairman to ensure that all the controversies surrounding the governorship and state assemblies primary elections must be resolved this week. Agbor Man Lists President Buhari's Achievements - Nigeria Street Gist | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - The DSS has denied that five of its personnel aided Nnamdi Kanu's escape - The DSS described the news as fake, mischievous and defamatory - Kanus whereabouts has been unknown, until he surfaced in Israel recently The Department of State Services ( DSS) has denied that five of its personnel aided Nnamdi Kanu, leader of proscribed the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to escape from his Umuahia home on last year. The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) reports that Kanus whereabouts was unknown, until he surfaced in Israel recently, after the alleged raid by a combined team of the army, police and the DSS at his home in Abia state. A statement by the public relations officer of the service, Peter Afunanya, said that the purported report was fake, mischievous and defamatory. READ ALSO: Those who feel they have another country are free to go - Buhari Afunanya said that the stock in trade of Kanu and his collaborators, was to peddle rumours, gossips and propaganda aimed at subverting the government, its key agencies and officials. He said that the service was aware of some unscrupulous elements keen on exploiting the situation to constitute a nuisance to the freedom of Nigerians as guaranteed in the Constitution. Afunanya said that the elements were also keen on disrupting the forthcoming 2019 general elections. The DSS will not idly standby and watch these undesirable elements achieve their aims," he said. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Meanwhile, the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Ralph Uwazuruike, has told the Igbo people to dismiss comments made by Kanu on Sunday, October 21. Speaking in Owerri, the Imo state capital, on Monday, October 22, Uwazuruike said that Kanus directive to the Igbo to boycott the 2019 elections except there is a referendum, is for his selfish gain. THE SCOOP: IPOB proscribed, Nnamdi Kanu vanishes, 2600 rifles from Turkey - On Legit TV Source: Legit - The US ambassador to Nigeria, William Stuart Symington, has described disregard for rule of law as the greatest problem of any country - He said disregard for rule of law is worse than corruption - Symington also noted that it was the responsibility of both the government and citizens to secure the country The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, William Stuart Symington, has said that injustice and disregard for the rule of law are worse than the stealing of public funds. Punch reports that Symington said this on Monday, October 22, at the convocation lecture of the University of Ilorin, Kwara state, where he delivered a lecture on Citizen leadership and the link between economic diversity and democratic good governance. Legit.ng gathered that the ambassador described disregard for justice and rule of law as more damning a corruption than stealing of public funds. READ ALSO: Ekweremadu allegedly set to dump PDP for APC What many consider as the great corruption is stealing of money but what to me is the great corruption is when people are deprived of justice, when you do things without regard for the rule of law, Symington said. Speaking on the security crisis in Nigeria, Symington said it was the responsibility of both the government and citizens to secure the country. He said there was no clime in the world where the police alone could ensure safety while urging Nigerians to support the security operatives. One of the most important things that I want you to leave today with is the idea that good governance can only come from strong and independent citizens. So, I think the right answer is there is no person who can make Nigeria more secure. There was that time in Nigeria when security was not the job of only the soldier and the police, but every village chief and every person who lived in the town was involved. There is no police force in the whole world that keep the neighbourhood safe all by itself. If you have such a police force, I would not want to live in that neighbourhood. Every security in the world derives from the support of the people in the place that is insecure. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported the United States of America (USA) said that it has no preferred candidate in the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria in 2019. Phillip Franz, a political officer in the U.S. embassy in Nigeria, said this during a visit to Katsina state Government House on Wednesday, October 17, in Katsina state. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Franz said that the USA was, however, interested in the electoral processes that would ensure credible elections. The Next President of Nigeria. Who Will Win the 2019 Elections? | - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - The Catholic archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev Mathew Ndagoso, says rumour-mongering is fuelling the crisis in Kaduna - He urged all Nigerians to reflect on the reality that violence only begets more violence - The cleric also thanked the Kaduna state government and security agents for their quick intervention in bringing the situation under control Most Rev Mathew Ndagoso, the Catholic archbishop of Kaduna, on Monday, October 22, appealed to the people of Kaduna state to shun rumour-mongering and acts fuelling crisis in the state. Ndagoso said in a statement in Kaduna, while reacting to recent violence in the state, that residents must learn to accommodate each other and settle their differences amicably, NAN reports. READ ALSO: Leave politics for politicians - PDP chieftain tells Father Mbaka Legit.ng gathers that he said: As members of one nation, we must seek ways of understanding, of building bridges to one another based on a solid foundation of truth. I am not oblivious of the pain that has been caused by the loss of loved ones, both Christian and Muslim. At the same time, I ask that all reflect on the reality that violence only begets more violence. This suffering has gone on for too long and we beg that it be stopped for the common good." He thanked the state government and security agents for their quick intervention in bringing the situation under control. The Kaduna state government on Sunday, October 21, imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna metropolis and environs, following violent clashes in parts of the metropolis. The violence erupted four days after 55 people were killed in Kasuwan Magani, Kajuru local government areas of the state. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that following the attacks on innocent people by hoodlums in Kaduna state, Governor Nasir El-Rufai went round the state to assess the areas affected and visit victims of the attacks. El-Rufai visited the victims receiving treatment at the Saint Gerards Hospital and Barau Dikko. Southern Kaduna killings: Part 1 - on Legit.ng TV: Source: Legit.ng - A senator representing Niger south in the Senate, Sani Mohammed, has resigned from the ruling APC - He attributed his resignation from the party to injustice during its recently conducted primaries in the state - Senator Shehu Sani representing Kaduna central had on Saturday, October 20, dumped APC, over what he termed as injustice meted at him during the party's primaries The senator representing Niger south, Sani Mustapha Mohammed, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in protest. TheCable reports that Mohammed is said to be angered by the decision of the ruling party to drop his name from the list of candidates cleared for the 2019 general election. Legit.ng gathered that Shehu Sani, the senator representing Kaduna central, also resigned from the party in protest on Saturday, October 20, over the removal of his name from the final list. READ ALSO: Ekweremadu allegedly set to dump PDP for APC Confirming his decision to leave the party, Mohammed told the online medium that he was leaving APC because of injustice. He did not reveal the party he would be moving to, despite speculations that he would join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). All the three Niger senators - namely Mohammed, David Umar and Senate spokesman, Aliyu Abdullahi - had been cleared in the list dated October 4, and signed by Adams Oshiomhole, the partys national chairman. However, Mohammed was replaced with Muhammad Bima Enagi while the two others were cleared. The primary elections ended in controversy. APCs primaries were dogged by controversies nationwide, with 15 governors now said to be moving for the removal of Oshiomhole as chairman. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that Sani, who is currently representing the Kaduna central senatorial district in the Senate announced the withdrawal from APC in a statement issued by his media aide, Abdulsamad Amadi, and made available in Kaduna. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app He said: We wish to inform the general public that Senator Shehu Sani is not part of, and is not participating in a purported Kaduna central APC senatorial primaries. Is Atiku the Right Man to Defeat President Buhari? 2019 Election - Nigeria Street Gist | - on Legit TV Source: Legit Newspaper - Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum has warned against peddling falsehood against the minister of state for petroleum resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu - Kachikwu was accused by an online media of lying about graduating with a first class degree in Law - The group described it as a smear campaign targeted against the minister Following report in a popular online media that the minister of state for petroleum resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, lied about graduating with a first class degree in Law, Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum (NDEF), has described it as a smear campaign targeted at him. Condemning the allegation, president of NDEF, Amaibi Hornby, on Monday, October 22, said the allegation was false and baseless, Vanguard reports. Legit.ng gathers that Hornby stated that the policy of transparency in the oil sector that was introduced by the minister had given some people discomfort, hence their resolve to peddle falsehood against the minister. READ ALSO: Offa bank robbery: Police are hiding something - Kwara state attorney general alleges Warning them to desist from the campaign of calumny against Kachikwu, he said it was unacceptable to the Niger Delta region. According to him, the recent threat by one of the groups engaged in the falsehood to embark on a protest to ground the operations of the petroleum resources ministry over the minister's degree classification, is provocative. Hornby warned that the minister should be left alone, adding the latter would not succumb to intimidation no matter the distraction. He added: We are very concerned that a man who has been exemplary has been exposed to attacks by those who feel aggrieved by his policies." PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Youths from the Niger Delta region on Sunday, October 14, expressed solidarity with Dr Ibe Kachikwu, minister of state for petroleum, and dismissed reports that he lied about his degree class. Pastor Tiedor Olayinka, the spokesman for Coalition of Niger Delta Youth Leaders, said in Yenagoa that reports that Kachikwu claimed to have obtained a first class degree was false and mischievous. The group noted that records of Kachikwus academic background were in the public domain, even as the minister clarified in a statement that he never claimed to hold a first class degree in law. Buhari to Contest for Presidency in 2019! on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit - These are troubled times for APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole as he seems to have gotten into the bad books of some party stakeholders - Oshiomhole has been asked by the coalition of 2019 APC presidential aspirants to resign - The group passed a vote of no confidence, adding that Oshiomhole had become cancerous thats endangering the survival of the party The coalition of 2019 APC presidential aspirants has described the embattled national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, as cancer plaguing the party, asking him to resign or the party will risk disgrace in the upcoming 2019 general elections. The threat was issued in a statement signed by Dr SKC Ogbonnia and Alh Mumakai Unagha on behalf of the coalition on Monday, October 22. The coalition had earlier called for the removal of the former governor of Edo state for his alleged ignoble role in the current crisis subsisting in the party. The group, however, said rather than finding a way to calm fray nerves, Oshiomhole rather issued a statement alleging a gang up against him in his subtle way to intimidate and harass his traducers. READ ALSO: 2 days after Shehu Sani dumps APC, another senator resigns over alleged injustice Unfortunately, however, instead of seeking peace and assuaging hurt feelings from the primaries, which left the party in crisis, Oshiomhole has resorted to the intimation, blackmail, and slander. If he is not using the name of President Muhammadu Buhari to blackmail governors serving under the platform of the party, Oshiomhole is busy throwing tantrums at aggrieved erstwhile aspirants and other party stakeholders, the group averred. The aggrieved APC aspirants, therefore, concluded that Oshiomhole had become cancerous thats endangering the survival of the party. The coalition handed a vote of no confidence and called the APC chairman to honourably resign or be disgraced out of office. It also warned that if Oshiomhole declined to bow out, the party will suffer disgrace, especially President Muhammadu Buhari, in the coming 2019 general elections. By all indications, Oshiomhole has become a visible cancerous tumour to our great party, and the earlier we cut it off; the better for the party and Nigeria. But Oshiomhole ought to understand that a broad-based gang-up among party faithful and stakeholders against the party chairman signifies a vote of no confidence. We, the coalition of aspirants under the All Progressive Congress (APC), wish to states here that the party has already passed a vote of no confidence on the national chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, therefore, he should resign honourably. We maintain that the party risk disgraces, losing the presidential election should Oshiomhole remain as the national chairman of the party. For every obvious reason, the level of division in the party as a clear testimony that the party cannot survive except the chairman resigns. Even if the party would rig the election in the 2019 general election which of course not, with the various factions and divisions created by the chairman, they are the pointer to the failure of the party," the group noted. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app The group further disclosed that after wide consultations among party stakeholders, it has resolved that President Buhari should call an emergency meeting of the partys National Executive Committee (NEC) to pass a vote of no confidence on Comrade Oshiomhole and relieve him of his position while an acting chairman should immediately be appointed. The NEC, the group added, should appoint a committee to review cases where Oshiomhole imposed candidates and refund the exorbitant fees to the aspirants who were denied free and fair participation in the primaries, maintaining that Oshiomhole should be compelled to fully account for all revenues accrued to the party since he resumed office in June 2018. Recent media reports had indicated that some members of President Muhammadu Buharis kitchen cabinet and a host of governors are plotting against Oshiomhole. Disturbed by their inability to have their way in the recent party primaries, 15 APC governors, along side their allies in the presidency are reportedly plotting Oshiomhole's ouster as soon as possible and replaced with someone more amenable to their demands and interests. According to the report, their disaffection with the former Edo state governor stems from their inability to impose their candidates on the party to fly its flag in various elective positions. Femi Kuti reveals Nigeria's major problem, proffers solutions | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng The president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame was seen doing a jogging exercise around the city of Kigali, the country's capital without security operatives. In a photo posted on his official Facebook , the 61 year-old politician and former military leader was seen jogging in Kigali devoid of the usual security details that usually accompany leaders.. READ ALSO: Fix this mess - Buhari orders Oshiomhole as APC crisis deepens President Kigame who is reputed to have turned the economy of the country around had served as minister of defence and vice-president in Rwanda. The East African leader has received global acclaim for returning Rwanda to normalcy decades after the genocide that claimed hundreds of lives between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups. The country is now regarded as a leading economy. Kigali is also known to be a major tourist attraction. Check the post: Recall that recently, President Buhari also walked 800m in his hometown, Daura in Katsina state. PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy latest news update Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the United Nation (UN) had named the capital city of Rwanda, Kigali as the most beautiful city in Africa. This announcement had, however, caused an uproar online as many Africans did not agree with the United Nations. They had come out in defense of their respective cities as the most beautiful in Africa. Osun Osogbo Festival 2018: How I got Powers to Deliver People Under Osun's Spirit | Legit TV Source: Legit - The presidency has reacted to the reappearance of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB - Garba Shehu, President Muhammadu Buhari's media aide said that the development proves that Kanu was neither killed nor kidnapped by the military - Shehu also said that if Kanu returns to the country, his trial will possibly be resumed What seemed like a suspense to some was put to an end when the presidency on Tuesday, October 23, made its first statement in reaction to the reappearance of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Independent People of Igbo (IPOB). Garba Shehu, the media aid to President Muhammadu Buhari, spoke on the development in a recent interview with BBC. READ ALSO: Sarakis anointed candidate for Kwara governorship, Razak Atunwa, allegedly skips NYSC, forges certificate If it happens to be true, the video footage showing Mr Nnamdi Kanu; the truth has been revealed about his alleged assassination against Nigerian government, Shehu said. Kanu's disappearance started in 2017 after clashes between his supporters and soldiers ensued in a military exercise in Abia state. A huge number of his supporters at the time claimed that the military had killed Kanu. His trial for felony was also stalled due to his absence as his lawyer insisted he was either killed or kidnapped by soldiers who attacked his family house during the military exercise. However, in a video on Friday, October 19, Kanu, alongside his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, said that he had since spoken to his client who apparently escaped out of Nigeria. Although the video showed him in Israel, the Israeli government has said Kanu had not entered the country recently and the video could be an old one. Kanu later did a broadcast on Sunday, October 21, from his hideout, saying: I have returned full-time and Im coming back home I will bring hell with me. He insisted on his groups demand for a referendum for Igbos to determine if they want to be part of Nigeria or want a separate Biafran nation. Speaking on Tuesday, Shehu said that the federal government was put under pressure on false accusations that Kanu had either been killed or kidnapped. Shehu said: This fairy tale went up to United Nations General Assembly where some IPOB members staged a protest accusing Nigeria government of kidnapping and even killing of Mr. Kanu. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! He said now that Kanu has appeared, people will know who lied between the government and those that made accusations. Asked what will happen if Kanu finally returns to Nigeria, the presidential aide said that his trial will possibly be resumed. Earlier, Legit.ng had reported that the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Ralph Uwazuruike, had told the Igbo people to dismiss comments made by Kanu on Sunday, October 21. Speaking in Owerri, Imo state capital, on Monday, October 22, Uwazuruike said that Kanus directive to the Igbo to boycott the 2019 elections except there is a referendum, was for his selfish gain. Kanu resurfaced in Jerusalem, Israel after 13 months absence, saying he would come back to Nigeria to oversee the emergence of Biafra. THE SCOOP: IPOB proscribed, Nnamdi Kanu vanishes, 2600 rifles from Turkey - Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - Police Service Commission has condemned reports suggesting a rancour between the commission and the Police Force - The commission said there is no tension between the commission and the inspector general of police, Ibrahim Idris - Its spokesman added that the commission is under no obligation to wholly approve all recommendations from the IGP for appointments, promotions or discipline The Police Service Commission has reacted to reports of brewing tension between the commission and the inspector general of police, Ibrahim Idris, over the nomination of Abdul Iyaji for the post of Deputy Inspector General of Police. The commission explained why it rejected AIG Abdul Iyaji, who was recommended by the Idris, for elevation to DIG. A statement by the spokesperson of the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, said the commission wished to state that there is no tension in the Nigeria Police Force. Ani explained that there is only a new wave of hope as the commission moves to sanitize the Force and return it to the path of rectitude. The statement read: "The new Management has since assumption of office insisted on working strictly with laid down rules and regulations guiding its Constitutional mandate of Appointment, Promotion and Discipline in the Nigeria Police Force. This procedure was observed in the promotion of three Assistant Inspectors General of Police to Deputy Inspectors General. READ ALSO: Call Father Mbaka to order - PDP chieftain tells Catholic church "Before the recent promotions, the Nigeria Police Force had four DIGs representing four geo-political zones. They are Maigari Dikko, from Katsina, representing the North West; Joshak Habila, from Plateau State, representing the North Central; Emmanuel T. Inyang, from Akwa Ibom State, representing South South; and Agboola Oshodi-Glover, from Lagos, representing South West. "The Commission considered the recommendations of the IGP of three AIGs for promotion to DIGs. They were Mohammed Sani Usman from Bauchi, representing North East; Peace Ibekwe-Abdallah, from Anambra, representing the South East and Abdul Salami Iyaji from Kogi, representing the north central. "At the time of the recommendation, Musa Katsina Mohammed was the most senior AIG in the Nigeria Police Force but was curiously not recommended. "The Commission in its wisdom and satisfying the necessary and relevant requirements approved the recommendations of Sani Usman to take the place of the North East and Ibekwe-Abdallah for the South East. It rejected the recommendation of Iyaji and in his place promoted the most senior AIG, Kastsina Mohammed from the northwest. READ ALSO: DSS speaks on Nnamdi Kanu's escape, issues strong warning "It is instructive to note that all the geo-political zones are currently fully represented in the DIG cadre in the Nigeria Police Force and the remaining vacant slot was ceded to the most senior AIG. It is further instructive to note that the IGP is also from Niger state, and invariably also representing the North Central. No Geopolitical Zone is therefore left out in the promotion. "The commission wishes to state that it is under no obligation to wholly approve all recommendations from the IGP for appointments, promotions or discipline. Such powers wholly reside according to the Law with the Police Service Commission. "The current commission is determined to commit itself to the letters of the Constitution and the Act in the discharge of its responsibilities, since it is by so doing that justice and equity will always be done to the entirety of officers and men of the Nigeria Police. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app "It will ensure as earlier stated that all promotions in the Nigeria Police Force from assumption of office of this management are based strictly on merit, seniority, availability of vacancies, even spread and attendance/successful completion of relevant courses." Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Nigeria Police Force has explained why IGP Ibrahim Idris was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, department of operations, Habila Joshak, at the Senate on Thursday, April 26. The Senate had earlier summoned the IGP over the ordeal of Senator Dino Melaye who was arrested by the police. The IGP who is on an official visit to Bauchi state delegated Joshak to represent him at the Senate. The Senate, however, failed to grant the DIG audience and insisted that the IGP must show up himself. Lagos Police Commissioner Parades Suspected Criminals (Nigeria News) | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit Davido's daughter Imade Adeleke may still be a kid but in all truth, she is indeed living her best life. Recently, her celebrity father returned from a trip in Ghana and to celebrate his return home, he surprised his first daughter in a big way. The proud father of the three-year-old beauty took to gifting her a bundle of $100 bills. Although the amount of the money could not be certified, it felt like a hefty sum. He did this after returning from his trip in Ghana where he went to give a beautiful performance. As soon as he landed in Nigeria, he picked up the little girl and treated her to a nice time. Then he went on to give her a dole of money which she was fiddling with in his car. He also took to admiring his daughter and calling her a fine girl. Davido praises Imade Source: Instagram READ ALSO: Davido shares lovely photo of his daughter Imade The young Imade was very shy as he flaunted her and teased her in an appraised manner. Davido who obviously loved and cherished his daughter did the kind act of gifting her money so that she can be part of his 30 billion gang. Davido returns from Ghana, gifts daughter Imade bundle of $100 bills Source: Instagram PAY ATTENTION: Read best news on Nigeria's #1 news app Davido who had gone to Ghana with his bae Chioma could obviously not get enough of her as he still took her out and had fun with her. Together, they shared a nice meal as well as a lot of love. Davido treats Chioma to a nice time Source: Instagram Davido treats Chioma to a nice time Source: Instagram PAY ATTENTION: Love, relationship, marriage on Africa Love Aid Earlier, Legit.ng had reported that Imade was hanging out with her father. She looked really great in the clothes she was wearing. In this and many more ways, it has been shown that the beautiful girl slays well despite her young age. Mom's Blog: How to Talk to Your Child | Legit TV Source: Legit - President Muhammadu Buhari is to inspect a guard of honour mounted by the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force at the Murtala Muhammed Airport - A high number of security operatives are deployed to strategic positions at the airport following Buhari's visit - The president is expected to perform the official hand over of the new ECOWAS border posts at Seme-Krake and Neope-Akanu in Badagry to his Republic of Benin counterpart, Patrice Talon President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly arrived Lagos state to inaugurate the new Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) border post in Seme. Channels TV reports that the president would be proceeding to the Seme border in a helicopter after inspecting a guard of honour mounted by the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force. Following the president's visit, a high number of security operatives were on Tuesday, October 23, deployed to strategic positions at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the operatives were already at their respective positions at 6.30am. They included officers from the Nigeria police, Nigeria Air Force, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. READ ALSO: Leave politics for politicians - PDP chieftain tells Father Mbaka Also on ground were officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps who were observed controlling the vehicular traffic within the airport and its environs, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! The president is expected to perform the official hand over of the new Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Border Posts at Seme-Krake and Neope-Akanu in Badagry to his Republic of Benin counterpart, Patrice Talon. Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has said Nigerians who felt that they had another country outside Nigeria might choose to go. Buhari in a statement on Monday, October 22, said he will rather choose to stay back and salvage Nigeria. The president made the statement when he received the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants and members of the party from the three senatorial zones of Kwara state at the presidential villa, Abuja, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. He urged Nigerians to emulate late Maj Gen Tunde Idiagbon, who he described as a very rare example of what loyalty to fatherland should be. EXCLUSIVE: Be patient with President Buhari, Femi Adesina tells Nigerians on Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - The EFCC has expressed its readiness to investigate more corruption in the country - The acting EFCC boss, Alhaji Ibrahim Magu, said that the anti graft agency will start to look into abandoned projects - Magu therefore called on Nigerians to help identify such projects in order to aid the agency's work The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has said that it has set up a team to commence the investigation of abandoned government projects across the country. Acting EFCC chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Magu, stated this in an interview with newsmen in Gombe on Monday, October 22, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. READ ALSO: Leave politics for politicians - PDP chieftain tells Father Mbaka He said this would help the anti-graft agency to know the level of completion of the projects, as well as the funds spent on them. The move is to ensure that the contractors complete the projects for the benefit of the people and the development of the country, he said. Magu said the agency was ready to fight corruption with the support of all stakeholders in the country. The EFCC boss, therefore, called on Nigerians to identify such projects in their respective areas and report to the commission, for necessary action. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! If there is an abandoned project, we will go after them because most people collect money and they dont execute the contract, he said. According to him, some contracts were awarded without the intention to execute them. Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Lere Olayinka, a media aide to the immediate past governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, had accused the EFCC of keeping his principal in detention just to satisfy the powers that be since it lacked the required evidence to prosecute him. Legit.ng gathered that Olayinka, said in a statement issued on Thursday, October 18, that it was laughable that EFCC had been unable to charge the former governor to court since Tuesday, October 16, despite that he willingly submitted himself to the commission. Governor Fayose Warns Nigerian Youths Ahead of 2019, Tells Them What to Do | Legit TV Source: Legit - The federal government has started disbursing N10,000 micro-credit each to traders in Bayelsa state - The disbursement is under a scheme operated by the federal government called TraderMoni - The federal government commenced the disbursement on Tuesday, October 23 TraderMoni, a scheme operated by the federal government through the Bank of Industry in collaboration with the GDM Group and a mobile money operator, Enyowo, has begun with the disbursement of N10,000 micro-credit each to traders in Bayelsa state. Punch reports that the Tombia market in Yenagoa was thronged by many traders for the commencement of disbursement on Tuesday, October 23. Legit.ng gathers that some of the beneficiaries of the scheme appreciated the federal government for its gesture. READ ALSO: 2019: Group advises Atiku, Obi to reconcile with southeast governors, PDP leaders One of the traders, Olugbo Timibara, said: I am into photography. I feel elated to receive the money. It was like a play when my sister introduced me to TraderMoni programme. She told me to register that it was real. Given the experience we had in the past with Ponzi schemes, I initially foot-dragged. But she convinced me that it was real and I decided to give it a shot and today, here I am, a beneficiary of TraderMoni. I thank the government for the money. It will no doubt boost my business as a photographer no matter how small it is. Another beneficiary, Ezekiel Ebi, said: I was given N10,000 to support my market. There is nothing like payback. It is a privilege to receive the grant. I thank God and the government for the package." PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a Nigerian conglomerate, the International Breweries Plc, gave out N132 million to sixty-four Nigerian youths from eight states in the south south and southeast under its Heros Foundation Kickstart Programme launched in 2015. The benefitting states which were in the same catchment area as the company were Abia, Anambra, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu and Imo. At the launch of the third edition of the programme at the Onitsha plant of the brewery, the company secretary and general counsel, Muyiwa Ayojimi, said that Rivers state was included in the programme which, he explained, was a corporate social investment initiative aimed at empowering and inspiring budding entrepreneurs in Nigeria. N-Power Project: I Graduated in 2005 and Have Been Unemployed Before N-Power Fixed Me Up - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng - Bukola Saraki is optimistic that the National Assembly will get presidential assent on the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) - The Senate president said the resolve by the legislature to get presidential assent has become necessary - President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier withheld assent on the PIGB following its passage by the National Assembly Senate president, Bukola Saraki, says the National Assembly will continue to mount necessary pressure to get presidential assent on the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB). Saraki spoke at a dinner as part of activities at the ongoing 24th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja on Monday, October 22. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dinner which ended late in the night, was attended by trade experts, industrialists, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operators and financial experts among other dignitaries. According to Saraki, the resolve by the legislature to mount pressure to ensure the bill gets presidential assent has become necessary, given its importance to development of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria. READ ALSO: Fulani people know we have nothing against them - Governor Ortom President Muhammadu Buhari had withheld assent on the PIGB following its passage by the National Assembly. The president had also communicated his decline of assent to the PIGB 2018, citing constitutional and legal reasons in the bill. The Senate president said that it was unfortunate that the bill had not been assented to, adding we took it as a responsibility to drive that bill to a level it has never been in a decade. He continued: That bill, a lot of people when we started said we cannot do it, but we demonstrated we have the political will and the commitment to do it. We passed the governance bill and it went to the executive. What I expected considering the kind of work that was done was for us both arms to seat down, because the issues that were raised are not issues that are not surmountable. Unfortunately, after so many months, the bill has come back with query that can easily be trashed out in a day session. Those in the petroleum sector will agree with me that they have never seen the engagement we saw in the governance bill." PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 news app Saraki said the intention of the National Assembly is to go back to the executive and seat down with them in the interest of Nigeria concerning the bill. He said the observation made on the bill was not enough reasons to stop its assent because of the huge positive impact it would make in investments in the sector. Because as you know, there is no serious investment going in the oil and gas sector because people are not sure of what to expect," he added. Meanwhile, some media reports have suggested that deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, is planning to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to the report, Ekweremadu has allegedly been meeting with top members of the APC to ensure his smooth defection to the party. A source claimed the deputy Senate president is unhappy with the way his party has been treating him since the defection of Saraki from APC. Nigeria News Today: Will Buhari Get Votes Of Nigerian Youth? | Legit TV Source: Legit - The defection of some APC members in Kano to other parties has been described as an unfortunate development - Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, one of President Muhammadu Buhari's aides, said that defection was caused by internal injustice - Kawu therefore called on the national leadership of the party to intervene in a bid to prevent further defection The massive defection of All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Kano to other parties in the state and parts of Nigeria has been described by the senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly matters (House of Representatives), Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila, as unfortunate. Kawu, a key APC aspirant for Kano south senatorial district, said that though the defections were regrettable, it was as a result of the perceived injustice meted out on the aspirants by leaders of the party, Daily Trust reports. READ ALSO: Buhari, Oshiomhole meet APC stakeholders in Kwara, orders party to take over leadership He said a situation where aspirants witnessed lack of due process and adherence to the partys guidelines in the recent primaries would lead to such. Speaking in Abuja, Kawu urged the partys leadership to intervene in order to avert further defection in view of the 2019 elections. The aggrieved aspirants are set to join the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), due to what they called injustice in their former party. One of the aspirants, Senator Isa Zarewa, is set to emerge as the PRP governorship aspirant for the state. The presidential aide said: I must say that for us to lose such people at this time, it is really a great political loss. It is highly regrettable that leaders of the party allowed things to go the way they did. I am pained beyond imagination over this sad development, but in democracy, everybody has the right of choice. It is their right, which they have exercised. APC was formed to provide level playing ground for Nigerians, but it was taken over by money bag and power drunk politicians. Internal democracy is something that shouldnt be taken lightly. I believe despite what happened during the primaries, there was still room to make amends. But the party leadership seemed to have done very little to stop this kind of situation. You cant treat people unjustly and expect them to fold their hands and look at you. We are all witnesses to the way the primaries were conducted in Kano State. There is need for us to follow the rules we set for ourselves in conducting our affairs. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! We can only achieve the objectives of APC if we build our house with solid foundation. Nigerians should not be taken for granted. I believe those that left the party felt that they were treated unfairly and unjustly. That shouldnt have happened because as a party, there must be an internal mechanism of resolving such issues. Earlier, Legit.ng reported that not less than 300 aspirants who had contested on the platform of the APC in Kano state had dumped the party. The aspirants said their decision was due to gross injustice allegedly meted out to them during the recent primary elections. The spokesman of the aggrieved aspirants, Sen Isah Zarewa, disclosed this while briefing newsmen shortly after a meeting of the aggrieved aspirants at his residence in Kano on Monday, October 21. Nigeria Latest News: Buhari Reacts To APC Senators Betrayal | Legit TV Source: Legit - The Nigerian Army has announced the commencement of Operation Python Dance III - The army said the aim is to stop illegal oil refineries and pipeline vandalism - It also said it will embark on medical outreach and sinking of boreholes The Nigerian Army says it has commenced Operation Crocodile Smile III exercise across the states of the Niger Delta to stem the tide of pipeline vandalism in the region. This is contained in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Uyo on Tuesday, October 23, by the acting assistant director, Army Public Relations, Lt. Tayo Oluwafemi of 2 Brigade Nigerian Army. According to him, the exercise which started on Monday October 22 would last till November 22, 2018. READ ALSO: JUST IN: Presidency finally reacts to Nnamdi Kanus reappearance In line with the Army Headquarters Training Directive for Year 2018 which tasked Headquarters 6 Division, Port Harcourt to organize above mentioned exercise, the exercise is going to take place within the States in the Niger Delta Region including Akwa Ibom State. In view of this, Headquarters 2 Brigade, Uyo will from Monday 22 October to 22 November 2018 conduct Exercise Crocodile Smile III. This is aimed at stemming the tide of pipeline vandalism, illegal refineries/bunkering, kidnapping, cultism and other related crimes," he said. He added that other activities to be carried out include; medical outreaches, sanitation exercise, distribution of items to orphanages, distribution of sporting equipment to schools, distribution of items to market women and sinking of borehole in selected local government areas. Oluwafemi warned members of the public that there would be movement of troops and equipment and advised them not to panic. He urged members of the public especially residents of Ikot Abasi and Mbo local government areas in Akwa Ibom to keep away from the exercise area. Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari arrived Lagos state to inaugurate the new Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) border post in Seme. PAY ATTENTION: Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet! Channels TV reports that the president would be proceeding to the Seme border in a helicopter after inspecting a guard of honour mounted by the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force. Following the president's visit, a high number of security operatives were on Tuesday, October 23, deployed to strategic positions at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. EXCLUSIVE: Be patient with President Buhari, Femi Adesina tells Nigerians on Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - Ebonyi state governor has doled out N500m cash gift to members of CAN and another Christian group in the state - Pastors and CAN members given the cash gift are expected to participate at the flag off of the governor's campaign rally on November 18 - CAN chairman in the state thanked Governor Umahi for the gesture and pledged the continued prayers and support of the church to his administration Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi on Tuesday, October 23, empowered pastors under his divine mandate campaign platform and members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, with N500 million. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the divine mandate pastors received N250million with each of the over 2, 500 members, receiving N100, 000 each while the five blocs of CAN shared N250 million. Umahi said during the disbursement that he decided to empower them in the realization that pastors and other members of the clergy were not exempted from the harsh challenges of life. READ ALSO: Breaking: Army begins Operation Crocodile Smile III, gives reasons One of the pastors sent me a text message that though they receive stipends to help in their monthly prayers, they were not Okada (commercial motorcycle) riders. I told him that I didnt know they get stipends and cautioned that he may be one of those who graduated from school, didnt secure a job and believe that pastoring was an easy way of life, he said. The governor noted that temptation, poverty, idleness and lack of knowledge do not know who a pastor is, as human challenges are products of the environment. It is therefore important that every pastor must be doing something because when you get involved in business, you will get more experience and training to mediate among brethren. Let this fund be a mustard seed and if it is too small to start something, aggregate it as I believe that the over N500 million we are disbursing presently would yield over N4 billion in two years, he said. He said that the pastors have been praying for his gubernatorial ambition not to be given cars and money but for good governance. Your prayers are not debts unto us, dont feel that you worked for me and got no reward but realise that your rewards are of compound interests before God. Money is however highly needed in the present day evangelism because if you are preaching to a hungry person and is not properly dressed, he will not believe you. He will say if God can do what you claim, why hasnt he done it for you and people disbelieve native doctors because they would claim to make one rich yet dress in rags, he said. Umahi noted that the pastors, CAN members, over 5, 000 empowered widows, government officials among others, would participate at the flag off of his campaign rally on November 18, at the Pa Ngele Oruta stadium. We would fast from 8am to 6pm on that day with the divine mandate pastors from the 13 local government areas of the state, subsequently fasting and praying for election successes in the state and country. Eunice Oyeyemi, coordinator of the divine mandate pastors, said that the prayer team was borne from the governors initiative and absolute trust in God for wisdom and direction. The governor is like the biblical King David who will not go into any battle until he has heard from God as he believes in the prayers of genuine men of God. These pastors devote their time and pray across the 13 LGA for the government while mobilising their faithful to regular praise nights and other activities of the government, she said. She noted that the empowerment would bring smiles and encourage the pastors who have been interceding for the government since its days of struggle till now. The governor believes that we should not depend on our churches and people around us for survival as we have our Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) to deliver on our mandate, she said. Rev. Fr Abraham Nwali, the chairman of CAN in Ebonyi thanked the governor for the gesture and pledged the continued prayers and support of the church to his administration. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Governor Ebonyi state accused opponents of his political party of hiding under the disguise of empowerment programme to engage in mass purchase of Permanent Voters' Cards to rig 2019 elections. The PDP governor said efforts were being made by opposition to rig the 2019 election and agents had been sent out to buy as many PVCs as possible. Umahi, who spoke while receiving the leadership of the National Council of Women Societies in Nigeria (NCWS), said an agent of the opposition party was recently caught in the act and handed over to the police. Nigeria Latest News: Buhari vs Atiku - 2019 Elections | Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng Supporters of Allentown's former mayor are speaking Tuesday morning, asking for leniency from a federal judge set to sentence Ed Pawlowski for leading a pay-to-play scheme from City Hall. "I'm simply arguing for fairness, which is what Ed Pawlowski has been all about his entire career," said Alan Jennings, executive director of the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley. "Please have mercy on Ed Pawlowski." The handful who spoke are part of 59 witnesses who showed up to court, including Pawlowski's daughter and his wife Lisa. That follows 111 letters the defense submitted to Chief U.S. District Judge Juan R. Sanchez ahead of Tuesday's hearing. Lisa Pawlowski asked the judge to allow her husband to be free while he appealed his conviction. The couple will have been married 30 years in December, and Lisa Pawlowski said she has been a stay-at-home mom while her husband devoted himself to Allentown. "If he can stay home, during the appeal process, he can work. He can help us," she said. Supporters of former Allentown mayor Ed Pawlowski on Oct. 23, 2018, outside the federal courthouse on his sentencing day. (Sarah Cassi | For lehighvalleylve.com) Sanchez confirmed the federal sentencing guidelines for Pawlowski are 12 years, 7 months to 15 years and 8 months in prison. Pawlowski was convicted on March 1 of 47 federal crimes including conspiracy to commit fraud, making false statements to the FBI and multiple counts of bribery, attempted extortion, mail fraud and wire fraud. He was found not guilty of seven crimes: attempted extortion, three counts of bribery and three counts of mail fraud. lene Wood, who has known Pawlowski for 13 years, called his conviction is a "miscarriage of justice." "He did nothing for personal gain," she said in court. Pawlowski has been re-elected four times, including fall 2017 while under federal indictment. Some of the supporters mentioned they were part of the 4,758 residents who voted for Pawlowski in the last election. He resigned on March 8. Pawlowski was prolific posting on his Facebook page. A post Sunday morning asked for people to speak on his behalf in court, and offered rides to the courthouse at Hamilton and Fifth streets for those that would need it. Defense attorney Jack McMahon has filed a motion to keep Pawlowski free on bail pending appeal of his conviction. Marcel Groen, former head of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, and others have asked the judge to be lenient, and keep Pawlowski out of prison while he appeals. Groen called Pawlowski an "unusual and tremendous public servant" with "a love and desire, intensely, to improve the city and its people." "Look at the man as a whole, not just what the convictions stand for," Groen said. Pawlowski is a tremendous family man, a deeply religious man that loved Allentown. "Look not only at the wrongs, but his life story," Groen added. Others spoke of being disenfranchised in Allentown politics, and running for office or getting involved because of Pawlowski. Phoebe Harris said she ran for Allentown school board because she didn't see anyone like her on the board. Pawlowski shepherded her around the city "Without vision, people perish. Ed Pawlowski had a vision. And we're not perishing. We're thriving," Harris said. While the hearing began with witnesses speaking one by one, a little before noon the defense began bringing in groups of five to speak before the judge. A line of supports waited outside the courtroom. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Allentown's former mayor is now facing more than a decade behind bars. Chief U.S. District Judge Juan R. Sanchez sentenced Ed Pawlowski on Tuesday to 15 years in federal prison. The 53-year-old will be on supervised release for another three years after he completes his sentence. The judge ordered Pawlowski to pay $93,740 in restitution, including $35,000 to the city of Allentown. The sentence came after a morning of hearing from a crowd of supporters. More than 50 people -- including Pawlowski himself, his daughter Mercy, and wife Lisa -- asked the judge for leniency. The outpouring of support didn't appear to sway the judge. He said before handing down the sentence that "there are serious consequence for individuals who engage in a fraud scheme called pay-to-play." Pawlowski and the co-defendants "acted more like a criminal organization than public servants," although Sanchez said none of the co-defendants would be before him if not for Pawlowski and his need to further his ambition. Because of his conviction, Pawlowski will likely never hold another public office, Sanchez added. During Pawlowski's testimony earlier in the day, he said, "in some small way I thought I could make a difference, that I could change the world." Pawlowski said he has no job, no pension, no savings. "All that I am is in your hands," he told the judge. "I ask you for mercy for me, for my family and for my community." Of Pawlowski's statement to the court, Sanchez said, "Quite frankly I was disappointed by his brief statement. I didn't sense any, any remorse. No apologies. No contrition." Defense attorney Jack McMahon said he had never seen such an outpouring for a defendant being sentenced, and remarked it was an ethnically diverse group from various socioeconomic statuses. McMahon claimed the case was not about Pawlowski lining his own pockets, although witnesses testified city action on contracts was dependent on donations to Pawlowski's campaigns. "Nothing that he has done in his life has been done for self financial, personal gain," McMahon said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Wzorek countered that Pawlowski was using the ill-gotten donations to "buy a seat on the United States Senate." Pawlowski had about $400,000 in campaign funds before the FBI's raid of City Hall in connection with this investigation, and wanted to get to $1 million. That was to try and scare people from running against him, Wzorek said. "You heard of his obsession with money on tape after tape after tape," the prosecutor said. "What (Pawlowski) was selling, was not his to give." Wzorek said Pawlowsk was not a victim, rather, he made cold, calculated decisions and "crossed that lawful line many times over an 18-month period." Supporters spoke of Pawlowski's humility and humbleness, but prosecutors said that was only part of the former mayor's public persona. In private, as the tapes showed during trial, Pawlowski was angry, bitter, vindictive, scheming and profane. "He was certainly not the person described in the letters," Wzorek said. Pawlowski was convicted on March 1 of 47 federal crimes including conspiracy to commit fraud, making false statements to the FBI and multiple counts of bribery, attempted extortion, mail fraud and wire fraud. He was found not guilty of seven crimes: attempted extortion, three counts of bribery and three counts of mail fraud. "The character of people comes out, after it doesn't go the way you want it to go," McMahon said of the verdict. Pawlowski didn't stay at home and commiserate, he went out into the community to serve, up to and including this past weekend. It is part of his dedication, McMahon said, "to his community, to his church and to his family." "This is real. This is in him and is part of his makeup," the defense attorney added. Federal sentencing guidelines called for a sentence of 12 years, 7 months to 15 years and 8 months in prison. Pawlowski was re-elected four times, including in the fall of 2017 while under federal indictment. Some of the supporters mentioned they were part of the 4,758 residents who voted for Pawlowski in the last election. He resigned on March 8. Wzorek said letter writers spoke of how it is common for contracts to be sold under the table, and the former mayor was the victim of a conspiracy against him. "That attitude is disgraceful and unacceptable and a cop out," the prosecutor said. "The accomplice to corruption is often our own indifference" but the jurors in this case said enough. "Now it's time for this court to also say enough. This behavior is not acceptable, We owe the citizens an honest job," Wzorek said. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Bethlehem Township warns motorists to expect delays at a major intersection Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. A township contractor is replacing the traffic signal at Easton Avenue and Willow Park Road. Easton Avenue will be down to one lane east and west, with flaggers controlling traffic, and there will be no access south onto Willow Park Road. Willow Park will be closed from Carter Road to Easton Avenue. Traffic is expected to be back to normal by 5 a.m. Wednesday. The contractor for the project is Signal Service Inc., based in West Chester, Pennsylvania. "This is a major intersection so the work will be completed during the overnight hours to minimize inconvenience to the public," township police posted on Facebook. Township Manager Doug Bruce asks drivers to use caution in the area for the protection of workers. The township in 2015 got a $45,000 federal grant to study possible improvements to the T-shaped intersection. It was the scene of a drunk-driving crash Jan. 28. 2010, that killed three people: Chad Horne, 23, of Freehold, New Jersey; Terri Buskirk, 43, of Allentown; and Robin Villegas, 52, of Staten Island, New York. Anthony R. Bruno, now 34, was sentenced in January 2012 to between 7 1/2 and 18 years in prison, including time served since his arrest the day of the crash. He was paroled in August 2017. Willow Park Road was also closed earlier this year, from March 19 until May 17 between Carter Road and Easton Avenue, for a bridge replacement. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. All that was left Tuesday morning was a large pile of rubble with a few distinguishing features of the detailed front porch at 1024 W. Berwick St. in Easton. The fire began Monday evening, but due to the amount of belongings packed into the house, city firefighters couldn't extinguish the blaze in the three-story single-family home without a demolition crew coming in, acting fire Chief Kevin Arnold said. By 5:30 a.m., the block was still closed to traffic but most signs of the intense firefighting effort were gone. The last firefighter cleared at 3:16 a.m., according to the Northampton County emergency dispatch center. The contractor was to return later Tuesday morning to remove the debris, Arnold said after viewing the site in daylight. A large equipment operator was able to "surgically" disassemble the house overnight and as parts came down firefighters were able to douse the debris, Arnold said. The acting chief called the equipment operator's precise efforts "fabulous." Arnold wasn't certain what the tear-down and removal will cost, but he authorized the work because firefighters couldn't get to the "seat" of the fire otherwise, he said. The homeowners told the fire department they had insurance, so that might cover the cost of the demolition, Arnold said. He had yet to speak to the residents on Tuesday, he added. Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr., who also wasn't certain of the immediate bottom line cost, said the city would put a lien against the property if there were any problem collecting from the insurance company. None of the residents was hurt in the fire, but a firefighter was injured when he fell from a ladder, Arnold said. While the smell of smoke was still evident early Tuesday morning, the rubble did not appear to be burning. Just after 7:30 a.m., firefighters were called back to the scene to wet down the debris as black smoke returned, Arnold said. The fire likely began in the kitchen area to the rear of the home and spread to piles of newspapers and magazines in the backyard, Arnold said. Heavy flames were visible as firefighters arrived, he said. A cause of the fire won't be determined from the debris, but Arnold said he has spoken to the couple's autistic adult son, who was there when the blaze began. Arnold will speak to other family members as well to determine why the home burned, he said. The home directly next door didn't sustain serious fire damage although the heavy equipment did rip up the rear lawn at 1022 W. Berwick, Arnold said. Panto said without the fire department's quick and professional actions, "the whole block could have gone up." "Our guys do a great job," he said in praising the department. A white porch rocker was on top of the stack, wrapped in yellow police tape. Bits of the gingerbread molding from the front porch and white railings were also evident. A few items reached out onto the sidewalk, but the fire scene was pretty much contained to the property. The home has been owned since 1989 by George and Nancy Moyer, county records show. Three residents were assisted by the American Red Cross, Arnold said. Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. The Lehigh Valley will have to wait an extra month to see Paula Abdul's first headlining tour in more than two decades. The pop star and former "American Idol" judge's performance at Sands Bethlehem Event Center, originally scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 23, has been postponed, the venue announced Monday, just a day before the show. The show is now slated to take place Friday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets purchased for the initial date will be valid for the rescheduled show. Sands Bethlehem Event Center attributed the delay to an "unforeseen scheduling conflict." The delay is the latest mishap for the "Straight Up Paula!" tour, which began on Oct. 18 in Tulsa Oklahoma. On Saturday, Abdul was reported to have fallen head-first off the stage at a performance in Biloxi, Mississippi. However, she reportedly got up and finished the concert. It wasn't the first issue the tour has suffered. The day before Abdul's fall, a performance in Louisiana was canceled because of a production issue at the venue, Abdul said in a statement on Instagram. Abdul, known for hits like "Straight Up" and "Opposites Attract," appeared in the Lehigh Valley last year, performing at the PPL Center with New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men as part of the "Total Package Tour." It marked her return to the road after 25 years. Andrew Doerfler may be reached at adoerfler@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @adoerfler or on Facebook. Having watched the entire Brett Kavanaugh proceedings, I was appalled how a person is guilty until proven innocent and how the media enhanced the accusations. I wonder if the same criteria will hold true amid an accusation by Rep. Keith Ellison's former girlfriend that he abused her. Sen. Corey Booker admitted in a column he wrote in college that he groped a girl while in high school. The Democrats' platform consists of impeaching President Trump, removing Kavanaugh from the Supreme Court, taking away the tax break and raising taxes, doing away with ICE, open borders, stronger gun control, socialist health care and government control. Sen. Nancy Pelosi stated if the Democrats gain control of Congress, there may be "collateral damage" for Democrats to obtain what they want. Rep. Maxine Waters called for people to harass Trump officials in restaurants or in public. And this will benefit America, how? Do you want them running our country? Democrats have voted against everything Trump has tried. Your vote counts in November. Hopefully naive voters will study the issues. Who is orchestrating and paying for a caravan of mostly young men heading to America from Honduras? Our country's military cannot be beaten, but we can lose our country by allowing non-citizens to take it from us. Current illegal immigrants cost America over $1 billion. Trump's demand for help from countries the caravan passes through, or risk losing America's support, is brilliant. Please vote for those who will put America's interest first instead of their own agendas. Bea Mackey Harmony Township A man who directed a drug-dealing operation from Portlaoise Prison has pleaded guilty to manslaughter outside a takeaway in Dublin. A previous murder charge for the killing was quashed in 2017. Pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Declan Gavin this week, Brian Rattigan said he is sorry for the victim's family and anyone else he has hurt. Rattigan's plea was accepted by the State and he remains in custody as he awaits a sentence hearing on December 20 when Mr Gavin's family will have a chance to tell the court of the impact his death has had on them. Mr Gavin was stabbed to death outside an Abrakebabra on Crumlin Road on August 25, 2001. Rattigan (39) went on trial for his murder and was convicted in 2009 but that conviction was successfully appealed last year. When arraigned on Monday, October 22, on the same murder charge Rattigan, replied: "Not guilty to murder, guilty of manslaughter." Pauline Walley SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions said the plea was acceptable. Brendan Grehan SC, on behalf of Rattigan, said his client wished to say, "he is sorry to the Gavin family and anyone else hurt by his actions". Justice Michael White told Mr Gavin's family that they will have a chance to speak of the effect the killing has had on them when the sentencing hearing takes place on December 20. Rattigan was previously given a life sentence for the murder of Declan Gavin, who was aged just 21 when he died. However, in December last year, the Supreme Court quashed the murder conviction over closing remarks made by the trial judge to the jury which, a majority of the Supreme Court found, had gone further than was desirable. The Court of Appeal recently dismissed an appeal by Rattigan against his conviction for directing the supply of drugs from Portlaoise Prison. The three-judge Special Criminal Court agreed with the prosecution case that Rattigan was the director of a drugs gang conducting a 1 million heroin deal. A big fundraiser with a farming flavour takes place this weekend in Ballyroan to help a local girl who is battling a severe illness. Scully's Bar in Ballyroan is the venue for the charity livestock and fodder auction being organised to raise funds for little Mary-Claire Knowles and her family, who also live in Ballyroan. Mary-Claire suffers from a rare but severe form of epilepsy which results in prolonged seizures. Eileen Scully is among the organisers of the event which has had a great response so far from the public. She said the community wanted to find a way to support a family who, alongside living in the village, have battled hard for the retention of services in the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise. As a community, we felt that we should be doing something to help them. We can see their struggle and we know them personally so people thought that we should do something, she said. Apart from inviting the public along to the auction, the organisers have also appealed to farmers to make donations to the sale. At each door called to Eileen said that there has been great support for the family. We've had a big response, she said. Eileen believes that by telling their story of how Portlaoise hospital has helped their daughter, Rose and Anthony Knowles have also helped the public campaign for the retention of services. They are the people who made us all sit up and made us realise how much we need our hospital, she said. The funds raised will go towards treatment the family hope to organise for Mary-Claire in the Netherlands. The family will have to travel with Mary-Clarie for the duration of her treatment. The event takes place in Scully's on Sunday, October 28 at 9pm. The auction of farming items is due to get underway by 9.30pm. Those attending are advised that fodder purchased on the night can be collected at a later date from donor farmers. Items have also been donated by many businesses in Ballyroan, Abbeyleix, Portlaoise and beyond. To donate, contact Eileen on 085 1641399 or 087 956 2491. Ceoil and craic is also promised. When politics descends to a level where cheap shots can be fired at certain religious or ethnic groups we are all in trouble. At the extreme end of the scale is Nazi fascism. Back in the 1930s a certain Adolf Hitler forced his way into power. During the Holocaust he directed, victims were targeted due to their ethnicity, religion, political beliefs, or sexual orientation. The Holocaust accounted for 6 million Jews. Up to half of the Jews who were murdered were Poles. Multiple other groups and nationalities were targeted, including Catholics. Apart from the killings the Nazis also carried out all sorts of other brutalities, including the forced sterilisation of those considered physically or mentally unfit for society. These practices escalated during World War II to include forced labor, sexual slavery and medical experimentation. Backboning the Nazi ideology was the concept of the Aryan race being superior, holding the highest position in the racial hierarchy and that the Germanic peoples were the most racially pure existing peoples of Aryan stock. What happened in Europe was ethnic cleansing at its extreme. But ethnic hatred happened before that, and is still going on. Irish people suffered centuries of discrimination and brutalisation. In the 1500s Portlaoise was chosen as a base for a military fort that would be used to clear out the natives. Thus the town became known as Maryborough and the county Queen's County. Ethnic cleansing continues into the 21st century. There were an estimated 1 million Rohingya people living in Myanmar before the 201617 crisis. By December 2017, an estimated 625,000 refugees from Rakhine, Myanmar had crossed the border into Bangladesh. The United Nations has described the Rohingya as one of the most persecuted minorities in the world. The civilian leader of Myanmar is Aung San Suu Kyi. A Nobel Peace prize winner, she has refused to accept that Myanmar's military has committed massacres. UN officials have described Myanmar's persecution of the Rohingya as ethnic cleansing. So here we are in 21st century Ireland and we have a candidate who uses the Traveller community as a means of getting votes. Peter Casey is a businessman. Like all good businessman he is good at making a sale. He decided he had to do something fast as he was at as he was bottom of the presidential race and facing the loss of the cash deposit he had to put forward to run. So, it's damage limitation time. Time to get populist. So, he thinks, let's pick a group that are easy to kick and that by doing so I 'll raise my profile, and, it will go down well in rural Ireland. He thinks: I could pick the immigrants - the Nigerians maybe, the Poles could fit, the unemployed possibly - no the Travellers will do perfect - shur nobody likes them. And hey presto there's a ready made issue he could connect to it - the housing crisis in Tipperary. If he was so concerned about the housing crisis why didn't he visit a hotel where some family is forced to live because the State cannot provide a home? But no, away he goes with some cheap old divisive poltical rhetoric that will get the media hopping and hanging on his every word. He even managed to have a pop at Irish born Taoseach Leo Varadkar as an 'Indian' during the ensuing circus. Mission accomplished. He'll probably get his deposit back now. If a candidate is elected, or gets more than 25% of the quota in the election, they can be reimbursed up to 200,000 by the State. Nobody is suggesting that the Travellers do not cause problems in society. However, much of the damage suffered by their actions is hidden and suffered by their own people. Peter Casey has set out a stall that the people of Ireland will judge upon at the polling booths.But consider this, Mr Casey, being a Catholic with roots in Ulster and Northern Ireland, must surely know the cost in lives of singling out a group because of their identity and not their humanity. Athy Model School and Scoil Phadraig Naofa, also in Athy, are two of 30 that the Department of Education has said it will examine after structural problems were found at Ardgillan school in Balbriggan. The 30 schools have all been linked to the same company, Western Building Systems (WBS). The Department of Education says it is asking WBS to carry out fire safety works at four schools, including Ardgillan, as a result of checks carried out in the past year. Its been reported that the Department has also initiated legal action, after three more schools, in Wicklow, Westmeath and Dublin were identified as having problems. Fire safety checks were ordered by the Department in a total of 55 schools after the revelation of non-compliance with fire safety standards in some schools built under the department's rapid build programme between 2009 and 2013. And what are described as housekeeping, maintenance and remedial works have been identified, typically relating to fire doors. Read also: Motorcyclist caught travelling over 200km/h and on wrong side of road arrested by Kildare gardai Concern has been expressed at comments by Bord na Mona that it could be looking at job losses of up to 300 in the midlands over the coming months. And Offaly FF TD Barry Cowen has earlier today suggested that hundreds of job losses could be announced tomorrow. The announcement is the consequence of a major change in focus for the company as it moves away from the harvesting and repackaging of peat products between now and 2030 the date it has set for officially transitioned away from peat. More specifically the company is responding to the need to de-carbonise its business. Concerned TDs and unions responded to the announcement, although a spokesman for Bord na Mona said the company would not be making any statement ahead of a board meeting tomorrow. Last Wednesday Trade union, Unite which is part of the Bord na Mona Group of Unions, called on the Government to intervene following the companys announcement. While Bord na Mona has given a commitment to engage in negotiations, Unite Regional Officer Ed Thompson predicted that de-carbonisation would result in further jobs losses, and said that workers and their communities would pay the price unless robust measures are put in place to ensure a Just Transition from fossil fuels. Those rural communities where Bord na Mona was previously an economic driver are bearing the brunt of de-carbonisation policies introduced to mitigate the effects of climate change, he explained. Climate change is a national, European and global problem, and the response must also be at a supra-national level. TD Martin Heydon met with Bord na Mona CEO Tim Donnellan on Friday. There is much support that Government can provide in that space and we wont be found wanting in supporting good innovative proposals through our Climate Action Fund of 500m under our ten year capital plan and Project Ireland 2040, he explained. Fiona OLoughlin, TD for South Kildare also met Mr Donnellan and noted speculation that up to 500 jobs could be lost. She reported that Mr Donnellan advised that the board of the company is meeting this week and that staffing is at the top of the agenda. Redundancies, he told her, will not be compulsory. She will join TDs from across the Midlands today, Tuesday, October 23, to look at every avenue to support the workers and the local economy across the region and in Kildare. Read also: Work ongoing to get Kildare school's special needs unit open Homes could be built for 50,000 in Kildare and last for a hundred years, Kildare County Council has been told. Cllr Martin Miley has proposed that the County Development Plan be varied to allow log cabins to be built in Kildare. There is opposition to the move, however, and part of the County Development Plan (CDP) will need to change, the Councils monthly meeting was told on October 22. Cllr Miley said that to solve the housing crisis the Council should vary its CDP to enable the building of wooden cabins as family homes. This would mean changing Section 16.4.1 of the CDP. Cllr Miley said cabins could be built for 50,000, compared to 150,000 for a standard house, and because the wood comes from Sweden would last 80-100 years. They can be built in six days and taken down in two, he said. He said the Council was granting permission for such buildings but was requiring them to be rendered or covered with a plaster material. He said local authorities in Wales are building log cabins. The Council has agreed to look at the issue but some councillors have worries. SEE ALSO: Unoccupied Leixlip house will have new tenant "by end of year" Cllr Reada Cronin said she would urge caution and worried about unintended consequences. Cllr Joanne Pender thought the principle was good but also urged caution. Cllr Mark Wall supported the idea, saying it might be suitable for rural areas. Cllr Naoise OCearuil said it was an excellent idea and Meath County Council was looking at it. Cllr Suzanne Doyle said the log house would not be a panacea for everything. Cllr Michael Coleman said it could do people a disservice over the long term. Cllr Maurice McCabe it was a brilliant idea and could be perfect for downsizing seniors. Also supportive was Cllr Bernard Caldwell: Id love to live in one myself, he said. We have an opportunity to do something about the housing crisis and we are knocking it, he said. Chief Executive, Peter Carey, said he had no problem in principle but he said he would have certain worries about a broad approach. He said Meath County Council are looking at it and they would touch based with them. Director of Services, Peter Minnock, said such a quick fix could have long term consequences. It is not the building but where to put it, he said. The Council will look at the proposal with a view to changing it with a forthcoming variation of the County Development Plan. Cllr Miley said he was somewhat happy and glad the proposal will be reviewed. But the Athy district councillor concerned about a long wait to see if the plans would come to fruition. Following on from last Fridays march in Kill village, residents are planning more protests for a pedestrian crossing, according to local councillor Fintan Brett. Agreements have been made to do a slow drive next Friday October 26, meeting at 3.50pm to commence at 4pm from Earls Court. Subsequent protests are planned every Friday until the issue is resolved. Resident Diana Maynard said this is to slow down the Bank Holiday traffic through the village. Were going to try keep the momentum up and go every Friday, theyre planning on getting new signs up for the village as well, said Diana. According to gardai, inestigations are ongoing into the traffic collision that took place in the village on Thursday at 3pm. A 10-year-old girl received leg injuries. It is believed she is making a good recovery. With Kill National school and Saplings special school situated side by side, Cllr Brett said there is an urgent need to have a crossing in the village, not alone for the kids but for adults also. It is Cllr Bretts understanding that Kildare County Council want to wait until 2019 and do any Crossing as part of the Kill-Naas Cycleway. Dep James Lawless said there have been numerous motions brought before the County Council over a number of years. He said because of the N7 roadworks, people are cutting through Kill and Johnstown. He said there is a large population of children and elderly residents in Kill, and to have not one controlled crossing in the village is not good enough. SEE ALSO: WATCH: Kill protesters take to the streets over road safety after child knocked down Progress is being made on the opening of the Special Needs Unit at St Conleths Community College in Newbridge, however parents have still not been informed of an opening date. Read also: Kildare teacher given award by French ambassador The parents of the six children enrolled to start school last month are urging the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) and the Department to get the unit open as quickly as possible. Their children are now almost nine weeks out of school. The unit is part of a new extension at St Conleths which remains closed at present. Read also: Delays over County Kildare special needs school unit slammed The Leader reported last week that the KWETB were going to open the new building in two phases with the ASD unit included in the first phase. Its understood the Department of Education received the drawings last Friday, October 19. The Design Team are reviewing them to check they are in order and then they will be forwarded to Kildare County Council. Dep Martin Heydon has said he has spoken to senior officials in the council to process the documents as quickly as possible. The process normally takes three weeks to complete. 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 murder trial has been adjourned at the Central Criminal Court after jurors were targeted in what is thought to be a phone scam, where the caller claimed to be from the Courts Service. The jurors were serving in the trial of a father-of-five, who shot his friend dead and dismembered his remains, which were later found in the Grand Canal. The jurors had spent the first part of the day hearing the contents of garda interviews carried out with Paul Well Snr, who was denying involvement in Kenneth O'Briens murder. The 50-year-old of Barnamore Park in Finglas has now admitted shooting dead his fellow Dubliner and dismembering his body. However, he has pleaded not guilty to murdering the 33-year-old at his home in Barnamore Park on 15th or 16th January, 2016. He claims that the deceased had wanted him to murder Mr OBriens partner, so that he could take their child back to Australia, where he had previously lived. The jury heard evidence today, Tuesday, August 23, of what Mr Wells had said in half a dozen interviews, including telling Gardai that they should go to Australia to find out why Mr OBrien was murdered. He also said he could not say why the deceased had transferred more than 50,000 into his account. The 11 jurors were asked to go to their jury room while the parties arranged the next portion of interviews to be played on DVD. However, when they returned to court, they informed the judge of other developments. The foreman said that both he and another juror had received missed calls from the same Dublin number in the space of half an hour. The other juror had also received a voicemail. It was distorted, he said. You could just make out Courts Service. Mr Justice Paul McDermott sent the jury away again, later calling all 11 back to say that a preliminary investigation had indicated that the call was part of a scam. He called the officer, who had carried out the enquiries, Sergeant Gerard Moore. It appears to be a scam, he testified, explaining that people would dial the number from which the missed call would come. Theyre eliciting information as opposed to giving information, he said of what would be heard on the other side. Justice McDermott said that it appeared that it was nothing to do with the murder case and nothing to do with anything the jury had heard in court. I hope youre reassured by that, he said. Yes we are, replied the foreman. Just a coincidence, he remarked. Just a coincidence, agreed the judge. He said that, in order for this investigation to be fully concluded, he would ask for the phones to be made available to a garda, who could listen to the voicemail. We can resume tomorrow when the investigation is completed, he said, adjourning the murder trial until Wednesday morning. Sgt Martin Long had testified earlier that he was involved in interviewing the accused following his arrest on suspicion of murder. He said that Mr Wells said that nobody else had access to his bank account and denied that Mr OBrien had owed him any money. He explained that he was in receipt of Jobseekers Benefit of 320 a week and that the most he would have in his bank account would be a few hundred euro. The gardai then asked if he could tell them about the 14,500 he had withdrawn from that account that January. No, I cant, he replied. Its not in my possession anyway. He was asked if it had anything to with the murder of Mr OBrien. No, he insisted. I wasnt involved in any of his activities. He agreed that the 52,925 that had been transferred into his account over the previous 18 months had belonged to Mr OBrien. A man was murdered. A lot of his money goes into your account, remarked the gardai, explaining that they needed to find out what happened. Youd better go to Australia then, replied Mr Wells. The trial continues. Get your blindfolds on and prepare to eat your dinner in the dark all in aid of a good cause. The Dine in the Dark fundraiser in aid of the National Council for the Blind of Ireland will take place at three Kildare restaurants during November. The fundraiser, where punters eat their meals without using their vision all the while guided by staff is now in its third year. Blindfolded before their food arrives, guests will dine in the dark, relying on senses of touch, smell, hearing and taste to experience dining in a completely new and evocative way. According to the organisers, over 2,000 people live with blindness or a serious vision impairment in County Kildare. Reservations can be made for the following Dine in the Dark experiences: Las Radas Wine and Tapas Bar, Naas, on November 1; Two Cooks Restaurant, Sallins on November 21; or Picaderos, Maynooth, on November 22. All listings are available on www.dineinthedark.ie. Each restaurant adds a 10 surcharge to the price of the meal which is donated to NCBI. Chris White, CEO NCBI, said: We warmly invite restaurants and diners throughout Kildare to feast with your imagination, and challenge your thinking around sight loss and the people affected by it. After all, one in six of us will start to literally see things differently during our lifetime. In recognition of "years of cultivating leadership, workplace diversity and inclusion," the Tennessee Hospital Association has bestowed Tom Ozburn, president and CEO of Parkridge Health System, with the Diversity Champion Award at the THAs annual meeting.The award recognizes Ozburns leadership and service to the communities in which he lives, officials said.I am deeply humbled by this award and consider it not only a recognition of my own work to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, but also a testament to the shared commitment of my hospital families where I have been fortunate to work, Mr. Ozburn said. I am encouraged by the progress we have made, and I am more committed than ever to champion inclusion and diversity in the workplace and in Chattanooga.Throughout his career in healthcare leadership, Mr.Ozburn has been an ardent proponent of inclusion. Prior to joining Parkridge Health, Mr. Ozburn served as CEO of TriStar Southern Hills, which is located in one of Nashvilles most diverse immigrant and refugee communities. Recognizing the community needs, Mr. Ozburn launched a campaign to make the hospital more accessible by posting Spanish-language signage.At TriStar Southern Hills and Parkridge Health, Mr. Ozburn has pushed for religious inclusivity, spearheading the formation of a spiritual life committee, growing the chaplaincy service to include offerings from many faiths and making spiritual materials from a multiplicity of faiths more readily available.Mr. Ozburn has also been actively engaged in Men of Valor, a Nashville-based ministry that reaches out to incarcerated men to, as the organizations mission statement articulates, help them become the men, husbands, fathers and members of society that God created them to be.Mr. Ozburn also led the Tennessee Hospital Associations Council on Inclusion and Health Equity from 2015 through 2017. He is a past board member for The United Way of Southern Kentucky; the Tennessee Christian Chamber of Commerce; YMCA; and Soles4Souls, a non-profit that creates sustainable jobs and distributes shoes and clothing to people in need around the world. Abtran, Irelands largest home grown Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) provider has welcomed its first 50 new employees to the companys newly established North Western Regional Operations Hub, at Finisklin Business Park, as the company sets about creating 350 new jobs in Sligo. Abtran announced its new centre for Sligo in June, as part of the Irish companys regional expansion strategy. The development is supported by the Government through Enterprise Ireland. The announcement in June was attended by Business, Enterprise and Innovation Minister, Heather Humphreys, T.D. Christina Kenny, Chief People Office of Abtran said, Were delighted to welcome this first group of colleagues to their new careers with Abtran in Sligo. Our growth plans are supported by our overall high quality of operations together with continued investment in technology and highly skilled people where we are also investing extensively in learning and development and the creation of career advancement opportunities throughout our organisation. "Our growth in Sligo provides a great opportunity for our people to grow their careers with us and I have no doubt, based on the quality of people joining our organisation, that our operations here will have a bright future. Abtran already employs over 2,000 people in Cork, Dublin, Kildare and Southern India. The company is Irelands leading Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) provider. Abtran has a proven capability in delivering transformative solutions with an extensive and diverse client base across regulated markets. Abtran is a specialist provider of services in sectors including government, transport, utilities and financial services. Established in 1997, the company marks its 21st anniversary this year. For more information on the variety of new roles available at Abtran in Sligo, click here or email Abtrans Talent Acquisition Team at sligocareers@abtran.com. We're sorry that the ministry you were looking for is no longer available on LightSource.com. However, below are some great ministries that offer related content. Enjoy the inspiration, encouragement, and Biblical challenge from these LightSource.com ministry partners! A LIMERICK man was granted bail after he appeared in court accused of defrauding more than 10,000 from an elderly woman. Frank Enright, aged 56, of Churchfield, Limerick was arrested on Friday evening in connection with the alleged offences, which involve a lady in her seventies from the Ennis Road area of the city. It is alleged he called to the womans home under under the pretence of carrying out contract work at the property. After being questioned by gardai, the defendant was later charged with three counts of deception under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice Theft and Fraud Offences Act 2001. The offences are alleged to have occurred on dates during September. Mr Enright made no reply to each of the three charges when they were put to him by Detective Garda Ronan OReilly at Henry Street garda station on Friday night. He appeared at a special sitting of Limerick District Court on Saturday October 20. There was no garda objection to bail and Judge Mary Cashin remanded Mr Enright to appear before the court again on November 21. He was directed to sign-on between the hours of 9am and 9pm Monday to Friday at Henry Street Garda Station. Mr Enright was also instructed by Judge Cashin to have no contact, direct or indirect, by any means or through any individual with the alleged injured party. A file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. THE CEO of migrants rights charity Doras Luimni has said more needs to be done to put an end to human trafficking and to support people affected by it. Leonie Kerins made the comments on Thursday to mark EU Anti-Trafficking Day, an annual celebration to reflect on progress made by European Union member states. Doras Luimni, based on O'Connell Street, actively campaigned for the criminalisation of the purchase of sex, signed into law in 2017. While Ms Kerins welcomed this progress, she said "our work is far from over". Since the introduction of the law, there have been just three prosecutions in Ireland, none of which have resulted in convictions. This year, the US State Department relegated Ireland from a Tier 1 to a Tier 2 in an annual Trafficking in Persons (Tip) report. Tip highlighted the country's poor record on prosecutions and convictions, as well as inappropriate use of Direct Provision centres to accommodate victims of trafficking, Ms Kerins said. Irelands relegation in the TIP report should be a wake-up call for the Government, and a call to action for organisations who support anti-trafficking efforts and campaigns," she said. She added that Doras Luimni has long opposed housing victims of trafficking in Direct Provision centres, which it believes can worsen "existing physical or mental health issues". "People who have escaped from a trafficking situation require specialised supports and accommodation while they recover from the trauma experienced. Doras provides dedicated support to people affected by human trafficking. Tell us a little about Guaranteed Irish: Guaranteed Irish is a non-profit business membership organisation championing more than 500 indigenous and international businesses in Ireland through the use of the Guaranteed Irish symbol. We award the Guaranteed Irish symbol to companies, across all sectors, which create sustainable jobs, contribute to local communities, and are committed to Irish provenance. What does a Guaranteed Irish accreditation mean? As one of Irelands most enduring, recognisable and authentic symbols, the Guaranteed Irish symbol helps consumers and businesses alike to identify products and services that are better choices for communities across Ireland. Tell us about the companys latest expansion: Guaranteed Irish rebranded and repositioned in late 2016. We wanted to reflect the business landscape of modern Ireland, and therefore, membership was opened up to international companies with significant operations in Ireland. The revival of Guaranteed Irish has been very warmly received. Weve doubled our membership since I joined the organisation in 2016 and hired four new team members in the same period. How many members do you have? Guaranteed Irish now has over 500 members, employing approximately 50,000 people in Ireland, generating a turnover of 11bn here, and 26bn globally. With over 40 years of heritage, the symbol is used by member companies as part of strategic brand-building, to support Corporate Social Responsibility activity and to communicate Irish provenance to consumers. What does your own role entail? My role is to deliver the vision and strategic direction of the organisation. I aim to bring Guaranteed Irish back to the forefront of the minds of Irish consumers and grow our network of companies. In such a fast-paced political climate, our economic outlook is constantly changing. In the context of Brexit, we must ensure we are constantly empowering communities across Ireland to drive through enterprise. Where were you born and raised? Im one of six daughters born and raised on a farm outside the village of Ardagh, but spent a lot of my time in Shanagolden and Foynes - where I went to school. My mother was a teacher in Shanagolden and we always popped into our grandmothers shop and pub, 'The Corner House', on the way home from primary school. I have lovely memories of that time. Then, I boarded in Mount Trenchard, Foynes, for second level. We had great fun there and I have great friends still from those days. We all worked hard from a young age and we all have a strong work ethic to this day. What is your educational background? I studied applied chemistry first in the Limerick Institute of Technology and went from there to the University of Limerick to study and graduate in quality management. From there I studied marketing with the Institute of Commercial Management and become a member of the Marketing Institute of Ireland. Following my move to Dublin, I studied public relations. I then undertook my MSc in marketing management at the Dublin Institute of Technology. I graduated in 2001 while 38 weeks pregnant with my first child! Life is for learning - you can never stop! How did you get to where you are today? I worked as a biochemist for a few short years before I moved into the world of business and marketing which I loved and knew I would never go back to the lab. I dipped my toe in Limerick City Council and moved from there to Meath County Council where I took up the role of tourism economic development officer for the Boyne Valley, across Meath and Louth. It was there I really learned how to design national communication campaigns that cut through all the noise. I had some great mentors along the way both in Limerick and Meath. I left my permanent and pensionable safe' job to go out on my own in 2001 and established Welcome Marketing, a consultancy which worked with local authorities and government departments. I later extended this to include private sector clients when the recession hit in 2007. Welcome Marketing specialised in the areas of tourism and retail. Why did you decide to join Guaranteed Irish? I had fond memories of Guaranteed Irish from my childhood. Originally a campaign funded by the Irish Goods Council, Guaranteed Irish became an independent organisation in 1984. I was sent the job advertisement by three different friends who encouraged me to go for it, as they believed I had the energy, vision and network for the role. At that time, I was looking for a new challenge that had a sense of purpose. I accepted the role in the understanding that I would have the freedom to broaden the interpretation of the symbol so that it reflected modern Ireland. I believe enterprise is at the heart of our communities. In the context of Brexit, Guaranteed Irish is a 'must have symbol for businesses in Ireland to help consumers who wish to make better choices to support local jobs and enterprises. What are your goals for the next 12 months? Our key goals are to drive brand awareness of Guaranteed Irish amongst consumers and to grow our membership network. In the coming year, we will continue our PR and marketing campaigns, networking events, information sessions, and lobbying activities. We believe in enterprise, empowerment and trust. And we invite businesses with these values to apply for membership to use the licensed symbol. Guaranteed Irish is the only national symbol of provenance and trust in business. Who do you admire in business? I genuinely admire Guaranteed Irish member companies - they value people and are committed to supporting their communities. These business leaders have a sense of social purpose within their business model which I admire. Another great example of community support can be seen by Limerick native, JP McManus. He is such a visionary for Limerick - we need more people like him. His recent contribution to the GAA clubs across the country was very generous. In business and life, are you guided by any particular motto? Always do the right thing Away from work, what are your pastimes and hobbies? Family, radio, and running. RAW, untreated sewage continues to enter the Shannon at Glin and Foynes every day, according to a report released by the Environmental Protection Agency. The two villages, which are on the Wild Atlantic Way, are among 38 towns and villages nationally where raw sewage is being decanted into waterways. But according to the report Irish Water has committed to provide treatment plants for 33 of these by the end of 2021. Herbertstown and Hospital are also among included in a list of priorities identified by the EPA in the report on Urban Waste Water Treatment in 2017, released this Tuesday. But the EPA is critical of the pace of improvements being carried out to address the countrys water treatment deficit. While over 50 improvement works were completed last year, the report says that less than half of the works due between 2009 and 2017 had been completed. In addition, the report points out that waste water treatment at 28 of Irelands 179 large towns and cities failed to meet standards set to prevent pollution and protect public health. Waste water from 57 areas caused significant impacts on our rivers, lakes and coastal waters, it also states. Commenting on the report Dr Tom Ryan, Director of the EPAs Office of Environmental Enforcement said: Ireland is not addressing the deficiencies in its waste water treatment infrastructure at a fast-enough pace. It is unacceptable that, 13 years after the final deadline to comply with treatment standards, there are still 28 large towns and cities discharging inadequately treated sewage that fails to meet these standards. This is putting our health at risk and is having an impact on our rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Ireland has been prosecuted by the EU on the matter but the outcome of that prosecution has yet to be made public. FOR the first time in decades, Fine Gael will run a candidate from the village of Castleconnell. At a selection convention in Castletroy this Monday night, the partys branches in the East selected Michael Murphy, a long time member of Fine Gael to contest the ward which is down from eight seats to seven in next Mays local election. Meanwhile, it is a case of as you were with sitting candidates Cllrs Michael Sheahan and Marian Hurley making up a three-person ticket for next Mays election. There were only three nominations, so no contest was required after former councillor Leo Walsh dropped out, and signalled his intention to stand in the Adare/Rathkeale area. Former An Post worker Mr Murphy, who lives in Gouig, the last townland before the Tipperary border, works for the Rehab care group looking after young adults with special needs. He is the chairman of the newly reconstituted Castleconnell/Montpelier Fine Gael branch. .@FineGael in #Limerick has unveiled its local election team for City East at the @CastletroyPark tonight. Cllrs Michael Sheahan, @MarianHurley6 and Castleconnell's @michael92378999 have signed party pledge and will go before the public next May. #le19 @Limerick_Leader pic.twitter.com/SoJp1LTP1I Nick Rabbitts (@Nick468official) October 22, 2018 Politically I have always voted Fine Gael and was greatly influenced by the willingness of Fine Gael to tackle the larger social issues of the day when in government. I admire the prudence of their approach to the national finances, the strong support for the farming community and of course their commitment to having a modern Ireland as a member of the European Union, he said. Cllr Hurley, who was first elected in 2014, said: It has been a privilege to have served as a full time councillor in the newly merged City and County Council since 2014. I was honoured to have followed in the footsteps of my predecessor Mary Jackman who has always been held in such high esteem in this constituency and beyond. Mary has been very supportive to me since taking up office. Finally, Cllr Sheahan will be running in his third election, having secured a seat in both 2009 and 2014. Senator Kieran ODonnell was the only Oireachtas member present at the convention. In his speech, he reiterated his desire that Limerick should aspire to become the second city in Ireland within the next 25 years. This is fuelled by the fact the city is enjoying improving road access, is just 30 minutes from Shannon Airport, and we have the second deepest sea port in Europe on our doorstep. Sympathies were also expressed to constituency vice-chair Sarah-Lee Kiely, Janesboro, and her family on the death of her husband Damien OShaughnessy, aged just 45, last week. Fine Gael will hold its conventions for City West next week, and City North early next month. The local election is scheduled for May 24, 2019. AZON Recruitment has officially opened its new Limerick offices on Henry Street. The new facility at Riverstone Clock Tower, Hartstonge Gate, has the capacity for some 35 staff. Azon Recruitment chief executive Ronan Colleran said: With a team on the ground in Limerick for the past 18 months, our further investment in the Mid-West is a testament to the renewed employment activity in the region and to the attractiveness of Limerick and the Mid-West as a location to base from for both Irish indigenous corporates and multinationals. With the economic recovery, the Mid-West is now a location of choice for many of our clients. We are delighted to be working with them in sourcing quality talent to support their business growth, he added. The company said Limerick was strong position to take advantage of market factors and events including the movement of UK-based firms to Ireland as a result of Brexit. Azon also said that continued investment in infrastructure in the region has led to a regeneration ensuring Limericks appeal to both businesses and professionals who are seeking career opportunities. Limerick Chamber CEO Dee Ryan welcomed that Azon has selected Limerick as its destination of choice for their first operations outside of Dublin. This is further evidence of the strong growth which we are experiencing in our local economy. Specialist recruiters like Azon are addressing the demand from national and multinational employers for an educated and skilled talent pool. The Mid-West offers candidates a better work life balance without sacrificing career progression prospects. We warmly welcome Azons expansion announcement today and the endorsement it is for the Limerick Region as a place where you can have a career and not just a job, she added. FOR the first time in Ireland, a new partnership at the University of Limerick will give students the chance to learn how to design and build legal solutions using artificial intelligence. Neota Logic, an AI software provider, together with law firm McCann FitzGerald plan to deliver the first-ever third-level legal tech course by Spring 2019, in partnership with the university. UL students will have the opportunity to learn how to design, build and test digital legal solutions using the Neota Logic System, a no-code development platform for the automation of professional services. Were delighted to partner with Neota Logic and McCann FitzGerald, commercial and company law lecturer at UL Sinead Eaton said. The introduction of this module, a first in Ireland, is testament to that commitment and will provide our law graduates with the skills they need to pursue careers in an ever-evolving industry. Through the programme, students will learn to develop solutions, or web applications, that will be built to the specifications of a local organisation acting as client. At the end of the semester, students will aim to have a set of apps ready to be deployed for their client to use. Barry Devereux, managing partner at McCann FitzGerald said: The future of law is not solely dependent on legal professionals as we need a variety of backgrounds to continue to drive innovation in our profession. Todays clients are redefining how they want their legal services to be delivered. While legal expertise is still paramount, clients now rightly demand more efficiency, flexibility and innovation. Its up to us to deliver that and that includes developing the next generation of legal talent to deliver it, he added. We feel passionately about empowering law students, Maeve Lavelle, Director of Education for Neota Logic in EMEA, said. The future of law is the cohort of students currently pursuing their law degrees or going through their professional training. How can we possibly expect the industry to evolve if it continues to be populated by people being taught the same way as those about to retire? UL launched Ireland's first MSc in Artificial Intelligence earlier this year. AT LEAST 1,200 patients aged over 75 were treated on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick so far this year, a figure which has been described as a disgrace. According to figures released by the HSE to Fianna Fail, UHL had the highest rate of over-75s being treated on trolleys nationwide. Between January and August, a total of 1,241 over-75s were treated on an emergency department trolley and on additional beds or trolleys in the wards at UHL. University Hospital Galway had the second highest rate, with 1,142 on trolleys, followed by the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital with 1,002 patients on trolleys. Nationally, there were 9,864 over-75s on a trolley, 12.6% of which was at UHL, the figures show. Fianna Fail TD Willie ODea said that he is deeply worried about the situation at UHL ahead of another winter period of overcrowding. It is a disgrace that University Hospital Limerick had the worst record in the whole country with 1241 people aged over 75 left on trolleys for longer than 24 hours out of a figure of 9,864 for the entire country. 2018 is already far worse than last year, and I really do fear for the coming winter. I fully expect the total number for this year to exceed 1,800 for UHLa shocking statistic in itself but even worse when we consider that these are our parents, our aunts and uncles left lying, often in a very vulnerable state, on uncomfortable and unsuitable trolleys. The winter crisis is now a 10-month-of-the-year emergency. Minister [Simon] Harris has been absolutely woeful and negligent in his preparations for, and attempts at dealing with this long term crisis. Older people are feeling the brunt of Minister Harris and the Governments failure to prepare for the never ending trolley crisis. Its time the Government started to deliver, concluded O'Dea. University Hospital Limerick and the HSE is currently in the process of selecting a contractor for the development of a 60-bed modular build, which will act as an interim measure to tackle imminent overcrowding this winter. THE GOVERNMENT of an African nation gripped by one of the worlds worst genocides almost a quarter of a century ago has enlisted the services of four Irish pedigree bulls to help break its rural poverty cycle. The Irish dairy and beef herd in Rwanda is set to grow after the countrys Ministry of Agriculture engaged Limerick aid agency Bothar to source bulls for its breeding programme. The two Holstein-Friesian and two Jersey bulls named Connacht, Laighean, Mumha and Uladh after the four Irish provinces have been sourced at Dovea Genetics in Tipperary, leaders in bovine artificial insemination and suppliers of dairy and beef semen. They will be transported 11,000 kms to Rwanda on Thursday a nation slightly larger than Munster but with a population of 12.2 million. The initiative is part of the Rwandan Governments One Cow Per Family programme aimed at reducing extreme rural poverty by providing families in rural areas with a cow. The GIRINKA programme, as it is known in Rwanda, has reduced rates of childhood malnutrition, increased employment and provides a stable income for the countrys poorest, many of whom live in desolate rural areas. To date, more than 300,000 families have benefited from it. Bothar has been bringing Irish dairy cows to Rwanda for 21 years and such has been the impact on families the Irish dairy cow having six times the yield of the local cow that the Rwandan Ministry approached the aid agency, which works mostly with genocide widows, with the unusual request. Bothars chief operating officer, Niamh Mulqueen, said they were delighted to respond. It was certainly a surprise call. Weve been working in Rwanda for the past 21 years and have built up a fantastic relationship with the government but to get a call from the Rwandan government to say that they want us to buy Irish bulls for them was a new departure for sure. We were, however, delighted to help as the call in the first instance was a real validation of what we do out there. They looked to Bothar for our help because we are the experts in the field out there and have been bringing top quality heifers there for years. We also send out artificial insemination straws to re-impregnate cows and we get those from Dovea. They are a key part of the Bothar story so when we were approached by Rwandan government to source four bulls we knew Dovea was the place to go, said Ms Mulqueen. Ger Ryan, general manager of Dovea Genetics, said they were delighted to be part of the project. We have a wonderful relationship with Bothar going back over 26 years. We've been a supplier to Bothar, which has developed breeding programmes and genetics in a lot of countries, he said. It's a tremendous endorsement of the work that Bothar is doing and it is wonderful to see some of our top Jersey and Holstein Friesian bulls going abroad and hopefully making an impact like they have in Ireland. It will elevate the quality in Rwanda of the offspring, the daughters that those bulls will produce. Speaking of the impact the bulls will make, Ms Mulqueen said: Rwanda is a recovering country that had its absolute terrible hardships over the years but it is progressing enormously well. We have seen the impact that one cow per family has. It's changed their lives. We know it works. Families go from the most abject poverty imaginable to being self-sufficient, able to feed and educate their children and provide them with safe, and proper facilitated housing. Over the years I would estimate we have provided thousands of Irish cows to Rwanda. And this has been largely due to the generosity of the Irish donor, be it through raising funds or Irish farmers donating their animals to us. THE chief executive of the Limerick Chamber has warned that developing a third terminal at Dublin Airport will undermine the National Planing Framework. Dee Ryan was speaking following comments from Transport Minister Shane Ross that an expansion of the capitals airport may be necessary, and could be built by 2030. Ms Ryan says Irelands largest airport is becoming a wrecking ball for balanced regional development. Airports are recognised as catalysts for growth. If a regions airport is strong, the regional economy will be strong, she said. A key factor in Dublins rapid economic growth is the growth of its airport. However, if one of the key goals of the Ireland 2040 is achieving greater economic balance across regions, then further expansion at Dublin Airport without a parallel investment in Cork and Shannon is unquestionably going to undermine this. Worse still, this is not alone going unchecked but todays reports suggest it is about to be sponsored further by Minister of Transport Shane Ross. She said if plans to increase Dublins capacity to 50 million by 2050, its hard to see how Shannon, Cork, Knock and other airports will be able to compete. If there is a requirement for additional capacity, theres plenty of it already in place at other airports so why not use that rather than spend over 1bn on lengthening queue congestion in Dublin? The potential benefit of spreading this growth across other Irish airports would be enormous for their regions and would be far more positive for the country overall, and for peoples prospects for getting improved work-life-balance by getting out of the Dublin commuter, she said. May 1, 2021, 2 PM On Jan. 1, 2019, France will raise the prices for two of its most commonly used domestic rates: green mail and first-class mail (called priority by La Poste). The nondenominated Marianne stamps for those rates are green and red, respectively. By Linn's Staff Frances La Poste has announced plans to increase postage rates on Jan. 1, 2019. The price of a green-letter stamp will go from 0.80 to 0.88, while the price for a first-class (called priority by La Poste) stamp will increase from 0.95 to 1.05. Mail sent using the green-letter rate is not carried by air and takes two days for delivery, as opposed to one day for first-class mail. La Poste reports that more than 60 percent of mail is sent using the green-letter rate. Among other changes, La Poste will merge two previous mail categories, mail to European Union countries and mail to the rest of the world, into a single international category. This international rate will be 1.30 for letters weighing up to 20 grams. Connect with Linns Stamp News: Sign up for our newsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter La Poste reports that the rates changes are due in part to the decline in letter-mail volume, adding that they are needed to ensure the sustainability of universal mail service. The national communications agency, l'Autorite de regulation des communications electroniques et des Postes (ARCEP), establishes French postage rates. Known as the fastest land animals, cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are members of the big cat family, which includes tigers, jaguars, lions, leopards, snow leopards and pumas. Their name comes from the Hindi word "chita," which means "spotted one," according to the book Cheetahs: Biology and Conservation (Elsevier, 2018). With aerodynamic bodies, long legs and blunt, semi-retractable claws, cheetahs are formidable carnivores that can sprint at speeds of up to 60 to 70 mph (96 to 112 km/h), according to the Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. What do cheetahs look like? Adult cheetahs are, on average, 2.5 feet (0.8 meters) tall at the shoulder, and up to nearly 5 feet (1.5 m) long from head to rump, with their tails adding another 26 to 33 inches (66 to 84 centimeters). Typically, these large cats weigh between 75 and 140 lbs. (34 to 64 kilograms), according to the Smithsonian. Cheetah Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Acinonyx Species: jubatus Like leopards and jaguars, cheetahs have black spots scattered across their tan coats. But while leopard and jaguar spots are arranged in rosette patterns, cheetahs spots are solid and fairly uniform in size, and are evenly distributed across the body. Cheetahs spotted coats help them blend into the environment when resting, stalking prey and hiding from predators. Much like a human fingerprint, these markings are unique from cat to cat. Cheetahs also have signature black "tear stains" on their faces one trailing from the inner corner of each eye, down to the mouth. How fast do cheetahs run? Cheetahs' long, slender bodies, powerful legs and flexible spine enable them to fully stretch their bodies when they sprint and cover significant ground around 20 to 22 feet (6 to 6.7 m) per stride, according to the San Diego Zoo. Cheetahs have been known to accelerate from 0 to 45 mph (72 km/h) in just 2.5 seconds. For comparison, the fastest cars in the world can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.5 seconds, according to Consumer Reports. As noted by Women's Health Magazine , the fastest a human can run is about 28 mph (45 km/h), which means it's impossible for a person to outrun a cheetah on foot. Cheetahs can execute quick turns even while in midair thanks to their long tail, which counters their body weight. Their semi-retractable claws, which are more dog-like than a typical cat claw, provide great traction during sprints and sudden changes in direction. Cheetahs are the fastest land animal and can reach sprinting speeds of 45 mph in just 2.5 seconds. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Where do cheetahs live? Cheetahs are native to Africa and Asia, although the Asiatic cheetah has become all but extinct. According to the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), the large cats currently only inhabit about 10% of their historic range, and are primarily found in North Africa, the Sahel (the region between the Sahara Desert and the Sudanian savanna), eastern Africa (Kenya and Tanzania), and southern Africa (Namibia and Botswana). A small population also lives in Iran, where they are critically endangered. Cheetahs don't have one home location where they seek shelter day in and day out. Instead, these nomadic cats have home territories or ranges expanses of grasslands, savannas, forest land and mountainous terrain, ranging from 5 to over 300 square miles (13 to over 780 square kilometers) in size, which they regularly roam, according to the Smithsonian National Zoo . When not actively hunting, they prefer to sleep and rest in tall grasses, under trees, or on rocky outposts. Cheetah mothers live with their cubs for about 18 months. (Image credit: Shutterstock) How do cheetahs socialize? While female cheetahs tend to live alone or with their cubs, males typically live in small groups called "coalitions," which are made up of male cheetah siblings. Females socialize with males only when mating, and they raise their offspring on their own. The gestation period for cheetahs is around three months, and litter sizes vary between three and five cubs, according to the San Diego Zoo. Cheetah cubs weigh between 5 and 10 ounces (140 to 280 grams) when born not much larger than newborn housecats, which typically weigh 3 to 4 ounces (90 to 110 g). Cubs are born with all their spots, as well as mane-like hair on their neck and shoulders. However, these so-called "mantles" disappear as the cubs age. Related: Cat photo album: The life of a cheetah When cubs reach about 6 months old, the mother will start teaching them to hunt and avoid predators, such as lions, hyenas, eagles and humans. Mothers live with their cubs for about 18 months, but even under the mother's watchful eye, only about 5% of cheetah cubs survive to adulthood, according to AWF . The littermates that do survive tend to stay together for another six to eight months, after which the female siblings leave the group to live on their own. Male siblings tend to stick together in coalitions of two or three, so that they can better protect their territories. Lone males are not common and typically do not survive for long on their own. A group of cheetahs survey the area. Male siblings tend to stick together in coalitions and protect their shared territories. (Image credit: Shutterstock) According to the Smithsonian , male cheetahs reach sexual maturity around the age of 2. At that point, the coalition will seek out a new home range far away sometimes as far as 300 miles (428 km) from their mother's range. Male territories usually span 5 to 10 square miles (13 to 26 square km) and can extend up to 50 square miles (130 square km). Young females typically stick closer to home, sometimes even occupying the same range as their mother, though living independent of her. Their home ranges are more extensive than those of males and can cover up to 370 square miles (960 square km), largely as a result of the big cats following the migration path of gazelles, a primary food source. In the wild, cheetahs have lifespans of 8 to 10 years. In captivity, they can live longer around 15 years or more due to human care and lack of natural predators. A cheetah in Kruger National Park chases a warthog at full speed. (Image credit: Image via Shutterstock) What do cheetahs eat? Cheetahs are carnivores, or meat eaters, whose typical prey are small- to medium-size animals, such as birds, hares, warthogs, gazelles and young wildebeest. During daybreak and dusk, cheetahs spend their time stalking and catching prey. Because their teeth are short compared to other big cats, notes the Smithsonian , cheetahs don't go for the throat right away in an attack. Instead, they suffocate their prey by clamping down on the animals throat with their strong jaws. Cheetahs often try to hide the corpse so other animals won't help themselves to it. They meet with varied success, as vultures and other animals often steal a cheetah's kill. Despite being carnivores, cheetahs are the most timid of the big cats, and rarely attack humans. Only a handful of non-fatal cheetah-human attacks occur each year, and those almost always involve aggravated cheetahs in captivity. For example, between 1990 and 2012, only nine of the 300 documented incidents involving big cats had to do with cheetahs, according to the Humane Society of the United States . Cheetah cubs stay with their mother for about 18 months. (Image credit: Kerstin Meyer/Getty) What does a cheetah sound like? Unlike other large cats, cheetahs can't roar. But they can purr just like house cats. Compared with other big cats, such as lions, tigers, and leopards, cheetahs have a wide vocabulary, according to the Smithsonian. In addition to purring, they are able to produce a large range of vocal cues, such as chirping (similar to a bird chirp or dog's yelp); stuttering (a short, disconnected moan); hissing; yelping (loud chirp that can be heard up to a mile (1.6 km) away); and an "eeaow" sound, which is similar to a house cat's meow. Each vocalization has a specific meaning. Various types of chirping, for example, could be a mother giving instructions to her cubs, or a female trying to attract a male to mate. Zoos and conservation organizations breed and raise cheetahs in captivity in an effort to increase the global cheetah population despite habitat loss and other disruptions. These two cheetahs arrived at the Denver Zoo in July, 2012. (Image credit: Denver Zoo) Are cheetahs endangered? According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN's) Red List of Threatened Species, most cheetah subspecies are considered "vulnerable," meaning their populations are in decline and the species is likely to become endangered if the circumstances threatening its survival don't improve. All populations of cheetah are on the decline, Live Science previously reported, with the total wild population estimated at less than 6,700 individuals. According to the Smithsonian, there were at least 100,000 cheetahs living throughout western Asia and across Africa in 1900. Now, the cats are extinct in at least 13 of their native countries and have lost as much as 90% of their original range. The largest population of cheetahs is a group of approximately 2,500 in Namibia. According to the African Wildlife Foundation, the cheetahs' steep population decline is tied to habitat loss, human conflict and illegal trade and poaching. Conservation efforts are underway to try and help the population rebound. Groups such as the African Wildlife Foundation and the Cheetah Conservation Fund work locally with communities near cheetah populations to create sustainable solutions for agriculture and population growth, so that both the cats and humans have sufficient space. Protected areas and wildlife parks, such as the Cheetah Experience in South Africa, protect cheetahs as their habitats are taken away. Captive breeding programs at zoos like the San Diego Zoo and the Smithsonian National Zoo are working to help the cheetah population grow. The programs are also striving to overcome the lack of genetic variation within wild cheetah populations. Additional resources This article was originally written by Live Science contributor Alina Bradford and has since been updated. The lightest known metal can also lighten your mood. Lithium, atomic number 3, is an element of many uses. It's used in the manufacture of aircraft and in certain batteries. It's also used in mental health: Lithium carbonate is a common treatment of bipolar disorder, helping to stabilize wild mood swings caused by the illness. Lithium has a flashy discovery story literally. A Brazilian naturalist and statesman, Joze Bonifacio de Andralda e Silva, discovered the mineral petalite (LiAISi4O10) on the Swedish isle Uto in the 1790s, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). The mineral is white to gray, but when thrown into fire, it flares bright crimson. In 1817, Swedish chemist Johan August Arfwedson discovered that petalite contained a previously unknown element. He wasn't able to isolate the metal entirely, but he did isolate one of its salts. The name, lithium, comes from "lithos," the Greek word for "stone." It took until 1855 for someone to isolate lithium: British chemist Augustus Matthiessen and German chemist Robert Bunsen ran a current through lithium chloride to separate the element. Physical properties According to the Jefferson National Linear Accelerator Laboratory, the properties of lithium are: Atomic number (number of protons in the nucleus): 3 Atomic symbol (on the Periodic Table of Elements): Li Atomic weight (average mass of the atom): 6.941 Density: 0.534 grams per cubic centimeter Phase at room temperature: Solid Melting point: 356.9 degrees Fahrenheit (180.5 degrees Celsius) Boiling point: 2448 degrees Fahrenheit (1342 degrees Celsius) Number of isotopes (atoms of the same element with a different number of neutrons): 10; 2 stable Most common isotopes: Li-7 (92.41 percent natural abundance), Li-6 (7.59 percent natural abundance) The brain on lithium Lithium is a special metal in many ways. It's light and soft so soft that it can be cut with a kitchen knife and so low in density that it floats on water. It's also solid at a wide range of temperatures, with one of the lowest melting points of all metals and a high boiling point. Like its fellow alkali metal, sodium, lithium reacts with water in showy form. The combo of Li and H2O forms lithium hydroxide and hydrogen, which typically bursts into red flame. Lithium makes up a mere 0.0007 percent of the Earth's crust, according to the Jefferson Lab, and it's only found locked up in minerals and salts. Those salts have the power to change the brain: Lithium salts were the first drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat mania and depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Today, lithium carbonate is the compound most often sold as a pharmaceutical. No one knows exactly how lithium works to stabilize mood. Studies show multiple effects on the nervous system. In 2008, for example, researchers reported in the journal Cell that lithium interrupts the activity of a receptor for the neurotransmitter dopamine. It also appears to plump up brain volume, according to a 2011 study in the journal Biological Psychiatry (though this research is hotly contested). In a study with worms, biologists at MIT found that lithium inhibits a key protein in the worms' brain, making neurons linked to an avoidance behavior go dormant. Essentially, the worms stopped avoiding harmful bacteria without that protein. The findings, which would need to be replicated in humans, suggest the element silences certain neurons in the brain and may have a calming effect, the researchers reported in 2016 in the journal Current Biology. Lithium in space Lithium, as well as the first and second lightest chemical elements (hydrogen and helium, respectively), are the only elements created at the birth of the universe, according to NASA. However, according to the Big Bang Theory, the universe should hold three times as much lithium as can be accounted for in the oldest stars, an issue called the missing lithium problem. This "missing lithium" discovery was first made in the 1980s, said Pasquale Serpico, a cosmologist at the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the University of Savoy Mont Blanc in France. It created a "tension," Serpico said, between what the Big Bang data and the observations of stars were telling researchers about lithium's abundance. Astrophysicists continue to conduct research to find this "missing" lithium or to explain why it's missing. In fact, researchers recently found a giant star holding 3,000 times more lithium than normal "giants," they reported in August 2018 in the journal Nature Astronomy. They came up with two possible explanations: the giant star swallowed its planet, absorbing the onboard lithium; the lithium also may have formed inside the star, reaching its surface before the heat of the deep layers vaporized it, according to a statement on the finding. More about lithium Lithium-ion batteries are the key to lightweight, rechargeable power for laptops, phones and other digital devices. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Argentina and Chile increased their lithium production 15 percent each in 2014 alone to meet the growing demand. Worldwide, production jumped 6 percent that year. Lithium and another battery component, cobalt, could become scarce as demand increases, Stefano Passerini and Daniel Buchholz, both at the Helmholtz Institute Ulm in Germany, said in a statement describing their analysis of the future availability of those elements published in 2018 in the journal Nature Reviews Materials. In addition, both are concentrated in less politically stable countries, the study revealed. As such, the researchers urged the development of new battery technologies based on other, non-toxic elements. The United States has one lithium mine, in Nevada, according to the USGS. Chile and Australia produce the most lithium in the world. Naturally occurring lithium in drinking water correlates with lower levels of suicide, according to a 2009 study that highlights lithium's role in the brain. But psychiatrists are careful about prescribing lithium in high doses, particularly because it can pass through the placenta and have unknown effects on the developing fetus. On a lighter note, the element is part of celebratory fireworks shows: A mix of lithium and strontium salts, along with some other chemicals, creates the show's brilliant red color. Additional resources: This article was updated on Oct. 23, 2018 by Live Science Managing Editor, Jeanna Bryner. On Monday, Oct. 15, zookeepers at the Indianapolis Zoo witnessed a murder. The staff arrived at work that morning to a thunder of roars coming from the zoo's outdoor lion exhibit. By the time the keepers reached the enclosure, Zuri a 12-year-old lioness was driving her teeth into the neck of Nyack a 10-year old male lion, and the father of Zuri's three cubs while their three-year-old daughter Sukari watched. Keepers attempted to separate the warring lions, but Zuri could not be calmed. According to zoo officials quoted in the Associated Press, the lioness kept her jaws clamped around her mate's neck until he stopped moving. Nyack was publicly pronounced dead on Friday (Oct. 19). The cause of death: suffocation resulting from neck injuries. [The Top 10 Deadliest Animals (Photos)] It's a sad and startling case of leonine violence that has baffled zoo personnel (who are investigating the incident) and lion experts alike. Why, after eight years of peaceful cohabitation and three years of child rearing, did Zuri suddenly turn on her mate and maul him to death in the morning? According to Dr. Paul Funston, Southern Africa Regional Director for Panthera, the global wild cat conservation organization, it's not uncommon for lions to attack and even kill each other in the wild however, in his 26 years of field work he has never heard of a case where a lone female lion attacked and killed a lone male lion in one-on-one combat. "This is very unusual," Funston told Live Science. "But lions have a very wide behavioral repertoire and occasionally they will do things that surprise us. [This incident] might be the result of an animal being in captivity for a long period of time and choosing to behave in an unusual way." Same old story: Lions killin' lions In the wild, lions kill each other in two main contexts, Funston said. The first is territorial struggle violence as the result of two prides living or hunting too close to one another. According to a 2009 study in the journal Animal Behaviour of 46 prides living in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, territorial skirmishes most often turned lethal only when male lions were involved and the casualties were almost always lionesses. The second context in which lions kill each other is sexual struggle. When a strange male enters a new territory populated by new potential mates, he might show his interest in less than gentlemanly ways. Females who resist may suffer for it. "When males are approaching females to mate with them and the females wont, males can get very aggressive, beat the females up and occasionally kill them," Funston said. While it's impossible to know exactly what transpired between Zuri and Nyack in the hours before the fatal attack, a sexual encounter gone wrong could be a strong possibility, Funston said. One big clue, he said, is the fact that all three of the couple's cubs were born in 2015, about three years ago. In the wild, three years old is a crucial age when young lions begin to take care of themselves. Males disperse from their family to find new territories and mating opportunities (earlier this year, Nyack and Zuri's two male sons were moved to a separate enclosure). Females tend to enter their mother's pride to become potential breeding lionesses themselves. In either case, Funston said, mom no longer has to spend her day taking care of the cubs and that means she can mate again. "I think this is what the background of the Indianapolis incident was," Funston said. "The cubs were now big and the male wanted to mate again." Maybe Nyack approached Zuri too aggressively to mate with her one too many times. Maybe Zuri felt threatened, or maybe she was on a contraceptive administered by her keepers (as is common practice in some zoos) and physically could not mate with Nyack. Maybe tension had been growing between the couple for a while, and finally came to a head on Monday morning when one or both lions snapped, and Zuri was able to seize a final, firm hold on her mate. "Fighting got intense and, the next thing, she killed him," Funston said. While Funston has never observed a scenario precisely like this play out in the wild, he said he sees no reason why a female lion shouldn't be able to best an attacking male at least some of the time. Whether or not Zuri killed Nyack in self-defense, friends of the Indianapolis zoo are mourning the loss of a good lion. As to whether Nyack was a good husband? Only Zuri knows for sure. Originally published on Live Science. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone to say something good about Salmonella, a pervasive family of bacteria that sickens more than a million people each year in the United States. But as bad as Salmonella's reputation is, the bug is certainly good at something: infecting us and causing misery. And now, scientists have discovered part of the reason why the bacteria are so talented at this: They've learned how to, quite literally, hide their tails and avoid detection by the immune system. And the discovery of that method is a good thing for us, because it may give scientists a new way to target and fight the bacteria. [Tiny & Nasty: Images of Things That Make Us Sick] In a new study, published today (Oct. 23) in the journal Cell Reports, researchers found a tricky property of Salmonella Typhimurium (STM), the subspecies of this bacteria family that makes humans and other mammals sick. These bacteria can temporarily turn off their flagella, the tail-like appendages that whip to and fro, propelling the bacteria through the body. "If you are bacteria [with] lots of flagella, it's like wearing a neon sign around your neck, basically alerting the immune system to your presence," said lead study author Brian Coombes, a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. "Without that alert, it is a lot harder for the host to contain the bacteria's spread [and prevent them from going] to more cells." In other words, by turning off that neon sign or, in this case, those many neon propellers the bacteria make it harder for your body's immune system to track down the invader and stop it. Evading detection Once STM bacteria invade a host cell in this case, both mice and human cells in a laboratory setting they use a genetic switch to stop their flagella activity, only to reactivate it when they leave to infect another cell, the researchers found. Coombes said he doesn't know of any other bacteria that behave this way, not even Salmonella bongori, the species that infects reptiles and other cold-blooded animals and has the same flagella genes. "The loss of flagella has been reported in certain strains of bacteria that cause chronic infections of the gut and other mucosal surfaces [but that] loss of flagella is permanent," Coombes told Live Science. "The process we identified [in Salmonella] is all controlled by regulation of the genes, so the bacteria doesn't have to delete them or mutate them. They just figured out how to turn them off at the right time. This allows them to turn [the genes] on again later when the time is right." Salmonella, which is spread through contaminated food, causes about 1.2 million illnesses; 23,000 hospitalizations; and 450 deaths in the United States every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And while the illness can, in most cases, be treated with antibiotics, doctors are concerned because some strains of the bacteria have become resistant to the drugs. Currently, a multidrug-resistant strain of Salmonella has contaminated raw chicken products in 29 states, leading to 21 hospitalizations, according to the CDC. [6 Superbugs to Watch Out For] Disarming a threat Dana Philpott, a professor of immunology at the University of Toronto, who was not involved with the study, said that the "findings highlight yet another way these pathogens hide from the hosts immune system." But the newfound understanding of STM's invasion strategy may open up new ways to thwart the spread of the pathogen and perhaps other Salmonella types as well, Philpott told Live Science. Indeed, the authors of the new study said they hope their findings will one day lead to non-antibiotic drugs that can fight even the resistant strains. Antibiotics directly kill bacteria, but bacteria can mutate in ways that make these drugs useless. A more effective approach may be to develop drugs that help the immune system kill the bacteria, Coombes said. In the case of Salmonella, Coombes said he envisions a drug that prevents the bacteria from entering into their stealth mode, thus enabling the immune system to do its thing. "Finding drugs that 'disarm' rather than outright kill bacteria, like antibiotics do, is an emerging area to help beat the antibiotic-resistance crisis," Coombes said. "Our immune systems are as close to the perfect natural antibiotic [as] you can find, and so by disarming bacteria of their virulence factors, the immune system regains the upper hand." Follow Christopher Wanjek @wanjek for daily tweets on health and science with a humorous edge. Wanjek is the author of "Food at Work" and "Bad Medicine." His column, "Bad Medicine," appears regularly on Live Science. This picture of an adenovirus was taken using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). It has been artifically colorized. This story was updated at 11:23 a.m. ET on Oct. 24 to reflect the most recent number of deaths at this time. Seven children at a New Jersey healthcare facility have died in an outbreak of adenovirus, a virus that can cause cold and flu-like symptoms, according to health officials. An additional 11 children at the facility, called the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Haskell, New Jersey, have also fallen ill with adenovirus, according to a statement from the New Jersey Department of Health. The facility is not admitting any new patients until the outbreak ends, the statement said. Adenoviruses are prolific viruses that can cause a variety of illnesses, including upper respiratory infections such as colds as well as pneumonia, gastrointestinal illness, conjunctivitis (pink eye) and even urinary tract infections. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, although serious illness with adenovirus is not common, the according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Still, people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of developing severe illness from adenovirus, according to the CDC. The children at the Wanaque Center fit into this category. "This outbreak is affecting medically fragile children with severely compromised immune systems," the statement said. [The 9 Deadliest Viruses on Earth] Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, who is not involved in the outbreak investigation, agreed that the deaths in this outbreak may be partially explained by the fact that the children had underlying medical conditions that predisposed them to severe infection. But Adalja noted that deaths from adenovirus may not be as uncommon as we think. Adenovirus can be a cause of severe pneumonia, but "often times [doctors] say this person got pneumonia, and they never figure out" what caused it, Adalja said. Need to vaccinate? There are dozens of strains of adenoviruses. The one behind the New Jersey outbreak is adenovirus 7, a strain that's known to cause respiratory symptoms and spread among people living in close quarters, including military recruits. For example in 1997, an outbreak of adenovirus 7 at a U.S. Navy training center sickened more than 350 people, according to a 2002 report. Adenovirus 7 has also been tied to cases of severe pneumonia and death in infants in South America, Adalja said. A vaccine against adenovirus strains 4 and 7 is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but it is available only for members of the military. However, some medical professionals think the vaccine should be considered for use in a broader population, Adalja said. The current outbreak "underscores the need to think about the fact that, maybe there are other groups that would benefit from adenovirus vaccination," Adalja told Live Science. Studies would be needed in other high risks groups to see if the vaccine benefits them, he said. Other ways to prevent the illness include washing hands often, avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, and avoiding close contact with those who are sick, according to the CDC. It's unclear exactly how the New Jersey outbreak started, but an investigation by the Health Department found "minor handwashing deficiencies" at the Wanaque Center, the statement said. The outbreak investigation is ongoing. Originally published on Live Science. Gulf cargo carrier adds direct Asia-US service and expands its network in Greater China to four all-cargo destinations Qatar Airways Cargo has commenced twice-weekly freighter services to Macau, the carriers fourth freighter destination in Greater China, and also introduced its first transpacific freighter services, providing direct flights over the Pacific from Macau to North America. The Gulf carrier said the direct transpacific freighter services would resulting in reduced flight times and faster services for its customers, noting: China and the Americas are key markets for Qatar Airways Cargo, with many of the major industrial and manufacturing centres in the Guangdong province of China located on the West/Macau side of the Pearl River Delta. Electronics, garments and e-commerce goods are the major commodities exported out of Macau, while imports into Macau consists primarily of consumer goods. The transpacific flights also increase capacity to and from North America, further benefiting customers. Qatar Airways chief cargo officer Guillaume Halleux said: We have launched our newest freighter destination, Macau, just in time for the holiday season when air freight demand is high and the market is strong. The new services will connect manufacturing industries and exporters from the region to North America directly and quickly, without requiring a stopover at our hub in Doha. The launch of these services demonstrates our commitment to our customers in helping their businesses grow, while also enabling us to expand our presence in these key regions. Macau becomes Qatar Airways Cargos fourth freighter destination in greater China after Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Shanghai. The cargo carrier also transports belly-hold cargo on passenger flights to seven destinations in Greater China. In North America, the carrier has a network of nine freighter destinations and 11 belly-hold cargo destinations. The carriers Boeing 777 freighter operates twice a week from Doha to Macau. From Macau, it departs across the Pacific to Los Angeles and Mexico City. On the return leg, the freighter flies over the Atlantic to Liege before arriving at the carriers hub in Doha, with 100 tonnes of cargo capacity is offered on each flight leg. Image: Shutterstock.com Firefighters battling a house fire early Tuesday morning in San Franciscos Inner Sunset found a woman dead inside the home, officials said. Fire units responded at about 3:33 a.m. to a blaze on the 1300 block of Funston Avenue. A second victim, a man, was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, said Lt. Jonathan Baxter of the San Francisco Fire Department. The womans death is under investigation and its unclear whether she died from the fire, Baxter said. Her identity will be released pending notification of next of kin. The fire caused major damage to the home but no other neighboring structures were harmed, Baxter said. A couple of massive fires have occurred in Oakland and San Francisco the past two days. A fire at a Financial District residential high-rise Monday afternoon displaced residents from 30 apartments. Early Tuesday morning, a blaze in West Oakland destroyed multiple buildings under construction in what became the latest East Bay housing development to go up in flames. Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy Coldwater Creek Coldwater Creek has returned to the Houston market with a new store in Market Street-The Woodlands. The brick-and-mortar store is part of the longtime women's apparel, accessories and home goods retailer's omnichannel strategy. Coldwater Creek, which closed its stores after filing for bankruptcy in 2014, has opened a handful of stores since 2017 under its new ownership. The University of Texas at San Antonio has been awarded a $2 million grant by the Defense Intelligence Agency to bolster its data analytics program. The college will use the funds to add a new track in analytics cyber intelligence to its Master of Science in Data Analytics program, springboard an intelligence studies certificate program, give scholarships and stipends, work with industry partners on research and training, and boost internship and job opportunities, according to a news release. The grant runs through 2021. We are providing a critical pathway of analytics and cyber education to train the national security workforce, said Max Kilger, who directs the data analytics program. Students in the MSDA program take courses in data analytics applications, data-driven decision-making, data visualization and data algorithms. Six new classes in intelligence studies and national security applications are in the works, UTSA said in the release. The university announced plans last month to establish a National Security Collaboration Center and a School of Data Science, developments that will further position San Antonio and UTSA as a cyber security hub. UTSA will get $70 million from the states Permanent University Fund for the buildings, to be located on the universitys downtown campus. On ExpressNews.com: Regents approve $70 million for UTSA cyber expansions The center will specialize in cyber security research and collaboration between UTSA, government agencies and private sector partners, while the school will combine current programs and faculty members in cyber security, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and data and analytics in the other building. The grant will help UTSA train the workforce of the future to utilize artificial intelligence and cyber security, said Paul Rad, associate professor in the Department of Information Systems and Cyber Security. In todays cyber era, threats can easily thwart legacy defense mechanisms and learn how to behave and appear as realistic as users, Rad said. AI-based cyber security is critical to defending our nations information infrastructure. Shouhuai Xu, director of the Laboratory for Cybersecurity Dynamics at UTSA, recently received a grant from the National Science Foundation to develop machine learning algorithms that could detect and categorize malicious software. The grant of nearly $500,000 also runs through 2021. Related: UTSA professor developing algorithm to unmask malware UTSA started its MSDA program in 2016. madison.iszler@express-news.net | @madisoniszler Elle Mills's camera was perched on its flexible tripod legs recording her every move from a nearby table. Sharpie in hand, she drew a copy of one of her own purposely misspelled tattoos on a young fan's arm: "no ragrets." Mills is famous on YouTube. But to the fan being fake-tattooed, and the dozens of others there to meet her at Playlist Live, a fan convention in New Jersey, she is just plain famous. Five years ago, Mills might have been waiting in a similar line. But now, having just turned 20, she headlines events like this one with her former idols. "I've been on the other side," Mills said. "I've been the fan girl. But I am the person now." Hidden behind a tablecloth was Mills's half-eaten lunch. She'd finish her meal later, exhausted in her hotel room. Hours before, she sat in that same room staring at her computer, putting the final touches on a video. At the event, Mills picked up her camera to show off her handiwork. She stared directly into the lens. "Kids," she said. "Don't get dumb tattoos." Mills, by the way, has four dumb tattoos. The origin stories of two of them were documented on YouTube. In one, she and her brother each get an Instagram comment from their mother permanently inked on their thighs. "SURPRISING OUR MOM WITH DUMB MATCHING TATTOOS" has 1.8 million views. The titles on Mills' channel are reminiscent of other prank videos on YouTube: "I LEGALLY MARRIED MY SISTER'S BOYFRIEND." "I THREW MYSELF A GRADUATION CEREMONY." And like many others on the platform, she has a set, familiar introduction to each of her videos: "Hi. I'm Elle Mills." But her content is not like anything other YouTubers make. She is YouTube's version of an auteur - one who has learned from watching the previous generation of online stars. She is both the Ferris Bueller and John Hughes of her own world: Each video feels like an entire movie, written, directed, edited and marketed by and starring Mills. Taken together, the videos also tell a coming-of-age story, one that parallels her own life. The YouTube version of Mills is much like the real one, according to her friends. Both are spontaneous, funny and just a bit awkward. But Mills is aware that she has to be "on" when she meets her fans - an authentic yet heightened version of her persona. For her, meet-and-greets are a form of roulette. Some approach with a smile and easy request. Others hesitate with tears and visibly shaking hands. One girl, who began her encounter with a joke, suddenly spilled out a story about how she hasn't yet come out as gay to her family. "No, no, you're doing good," Mills reassured the crying ones. A regular at her meet-and-greets berated her for ignoring direct messages on social media. Mills suspected that another fan was trying to scam her with a tragic tale. In between difficult or emotional encounters, Mills spins in a circle, as if to reset herself for the next person. Mills does like meeting her followers. Most of them. But a few want more from her than she is able to give. Finally, after 2 1/2 hours on her feet, locked in constant conversation, Playlist Live is over. "Let's go," Mills said, her face tired and blank. I asked how she was feeling, but her answer was not a complete sentence. Though we were walking next to each other, her mind was somewhere else. --- Mills got her first camera, small and pink, at age 8. " 'I want to be famous.' She'd always say that," her mom, Janette Prejola, said. "She wanted to perform in front of everybody." Mills' dreams came true, but at a price. The dark secret of online fame is that it eats you up and burns you out. Once she became YouTube's next big thing, the weight of living up to that bore down on her. As Mills walked away from the event in New Jersey, she could feel it happening again. "That was not a good meet-and-greet," she confessed. "It felt like I was on autopilot." Mills and I were sitting in her hotel room as her friends texted to see if everything was OK. Some of them, she admitted, warned her not to go to this convention. "I say yes because I forget this feeling," Mills said. After graduating from high school, Mills decided to put all of her effort into becoming a famous YouTuber. This time last year, she had about 500,000 subscribers. She celebrated that relatively modest accomplishment by building a parade float for herself. But everything changed in November 2017, when she decided to come out as bisexual. Coming-out videos are part of an established YouTube genre in which creators often mark major life milestones - marriage, divorce, pregnancy, deaths - using confessional titles. Mills' video was different. "COMING OUT (ELLE MILLS STYLE)" was "not a love story," she told her audience. But she treated her self-discovery with the emotional heft of the best romantic comedy. Mills showed the hugs and joy from her friends after she revealed to each of them a picture - and therefore, the gender - of her crush. She filmed herself crying, three days before telling her family, anxious about how they would respond. Mills went big for the moment itself: She and her friends covered the garage of the home she shared with her mother and brother in rainbow wrapping paper. Mills stood at the end of her driveway in Ottawa, nervously watching as her mom took in the display. "I accept you for who you are. You know that, right? I asked you so many times," Prejola cried. They hugged. The video went viral, and Mills' life changed in an instant. Famed YouTuber Casey Neistat called her content "brilliant." (In YouTube land, this is like Meryl Streep complimenting your acting.) Hank Green, one of the original generation of YouTube celebrities, said that the video was the first time he had seen her work, and it made him cry. "I can tell when someone is doing something different but also powerfully good," he said. Suddenly, the fans who would once tell Mills that they thought her content was funny were talking about how the video made them emotional, or how she helped them come out. And there were many more admirers of her work: In a year, she gained a million more subscribers, each waiting to see what she will do next. --- And that was what Mills wanted. She was overjoyed. But she quickly began to feel something else: an intense pressure. Once a week, she went through the entire process of making a video, from creation to posting on the platform. By the time she finished one, the cycle began again. In January, she took a three-week break, emerging at the end of the month with the video "Dear Viewer." "The best way I can describe what I'm going through right now is like going through kindergarten to college in one night," Mills said in the video, "but still being expected to get straight A's, and not letting anyone down." But it ended on a happy note: Mills was back, better and ready to keep going. "I've got a bunch of fun stuff planned for us," she told her viewers. "Are you ready?" The conclusion wasn't entirely honest. "I'm a sucker for happy endings," she said months later. What Mills was going through privately couldn't be contained in a four-minute message. The pressure continued to build, even as she lived publicly as a successful YouTuber riding the wave of fame. She announced her first tour; she became a mainstay at fan conventions. Then, in May, Mills posted "Burnt Out At 19." Mills had her first panic attack in the spring, on the second stop of her tour. She went to the Shorty Awards, which honor the best of social media, but cried in the bathroom of her hotel. The pressure - the unrelenting travel, the need to outdo herself, the constant stream of content - was too much. "I couldn't do it anymore," Mills said. She came back from the Shortys and left days later for Playlist Live in Orlando. Playlist was the breaking point. The meetup drained her. She felt like she felt after New Jersey. To cope, Mills said, "I would drink, a lot." She wanted to feel something different. "Throughout the month," Mills said, "I had suicidal thoughts." She didn't tell anyone. She still hasn't told most. When she returned home from Orlando, she didn't get better. She posted a raw, profanity-laden video of herself to her Twitter account. "It's not normal for a person to have all this f---ing power, all this f---ing pressure," she said into the camera. "This is all I've ever wanted," she said. So why was she so unhappy? That night, she locked herself in her room with her darkest thoughts. "I saw the tweet," her mother said. "It broke my heart. She'd always say she was just busy." Everyone called Mills. "My friends were texting, 'If you don't answer me I'm coming down right now,' " she said. Mills finished "Burnt Out At 19" weeks after that night. The first time she watched the final version of the deeply personal video was at a festival for online creators, displayed on a screen to an audience of hundreds of people. --- As we sat in her room in Ottawa, she put the final touches on the vlog of her time the week prior at the fan convention. She was still in the same clothes as the day before; she had stayed up all night editing. The vlog walked her fans through what it's like to be a creator at an event like that - something she had never shown them. "I then wrapped up my day with a meet-and-greet," Mills narrated on-screen. "And what a perfect way to end my day." I looked at Mills. "This is a happy video," she said. "People need to know what happened, not how I was feeling." She's better than she was in April, but not cured. In the weeks after her breakdown, she sought counseling started working out and trying to take better care of herself. She updated her fans on her mental health last month. With her manager's help, her schedule has become more reasonable. Tours are out for the time being. She's more selective about meet-and-greets. She abandoned her grueling schedule of posting weekly videos. And she's beginning to think about the future. In October 2018, Mills will launch a page on Patreon, a membership site for online creators that allows her fans to pay her to support her work. Because she became famous so quickly, her popularity outpaced her knowledge of how to make a living as a YouTuber. Some of her videos earn her revenue through ads and sponsorships; on others, she makes nothing. "I'm thinking in the next year or two, I need something bigger in the works. I need it or else I feel stuck," she said. "I don't want to be only a YouTuber for the rest of my life." But for now, it was time to upload. "This is what I mean," Mills said as looked over the footage. "I forget." After the meet-and-greet, Mills had decided that New Jersey would be her last Playlist Live appearance. The reasons were starting to slip from her grasp. "I see this footage, and I think about how I got a free flight to New York to spend time with my friends. I don't remember the bad parts." She posted the vlog on her second, smaller channel, the one devoted to a more diary-style form of videos. It's another way of coping with the pressure: Vlogs are a little less demanding than her other productions. Soon after the video went live, Mills started to look at the comments about it on social media. One tweet in particular caught her eye. "Elle Mills made Playlist Live look so fun." --- On Tuesday, Megyn Kelly had a message for viewers at the beginning of her NBC talk show, "Megyn Kelly Today." "I have to give you fair warning," she said. "I'm a little fired up over Halloween costumes this morning. I mean, truly, political correctness has gone amok. There are strict rules on what you may and may not wear, issued by someone who thinks they're the boss of you." This launched a six-minute discussion with "Today" contributor Jenna Bush Hager, MSNBC correspondent Jacob Soboroff and former "Fashion Police" host Melissa Rivers - one that would soon go viral. Kelly kicked things off by mocking the University of Kent in the United Kingdom, which wants to ban students from dressing up like cowboys. "The costume police are cracking down like never before," she said. When her co-hosts pointed out that some Halloween guidelines make sense (for example, dressing up like Harvey Weinstein would be creepy), Kelly agreed, but added, "I don't want the University of Kent telling me I can't do it." "You can't wear anything Mexican-based," she continued. "You cannot dress as a Native American. That's apparently been some rule for a long time. You can't dress as a nun. I mean, isn't the purpose of Halloween to dress up and pretend you're something other than yourself?" The studio audience applauded loudly. This went on for awhile, as Kelly also dismissed the recent anger over a "sexy 'Handmaid's Tale'" costume ("Get over it, wear what you want"). Then Soboroff noted that "freedom of expression is a beautiful thing. So is freedom of speech." "It's part of why I like living in the United States of America," he said. "You can dress like an idiot, act like an idiot, and actually dress and be a racist - then somebody should say something to somebody. But you should still be able to dress like a moron." "But what is racist?" Kelly asked. "Because truly, you do get in trouble if you are a white person who puts on blackface on Halloween, or a black person who puts on whiteface for Halloween. Like, back when I was a kid, that was OK, as long as you were dressing up as, like, a character." "If somebody feels like something is offensive to them, you should say it and that's fair game. And you should be able to take it if you're going to dress up like that," Soboroff responded. "Yeah, you gotta be able to take it," Kelly agreed. The conversation went on as Rivers lamented the fact that some people dress up like Nazis now, and Bush Hager added, "I think there are limits on how far you want to go, cause you're making people feel bad." No one elaborated on Kelly's blackface comment, until she brought it up again. "There was a controversy on "The Real Housewives of New York" with Luann, as she dressed as Diana Ross, and she made her skin look darker than it really is," Kelly said. "And people said that that was racist. And I don't know, I thought, like: Who doesn't love Diana Ross? She wants to look like Diana Ross for one day? I don't know how that got racist on Halloween. It's not like she's walking around in general." "I have not seen it. But it sounds a little racist to me," Soboroff said. "I haven't seen it either, but if she wanted to look like Diana Ross, she should have dressed as Michael Jackson," Rivers said, as the studio audience erupted in laughter. "I can't keep up with the number of people we're offending just by being, like, normal people these days," Kelly said. An excerpt of this discussion soon went viral on social media, as many were in disbelief that Kelly had to ask the question about "What is racist?" and pointed her to the history of minstrel shows that started in the 1800s, where white actors wore blackface for degrading performances. Late Tuesday afternoon, NBC released an apologetic email that Kelly sent to NBC staffers, as she stated she was led to "rethink her own views" after speaking to colleagues and friends. (The full letter is at the bottom of this story.) "To me, I thought, why would it be controversial for someone dressing up as Diana Ross to make herself look like this amazing woman as a way of honoring and respecting her? I realize now that such behavior is indeed wrong, and I am sorry. The history of blackface in our culture is abhorrent; the wounds too deep," Kelly wrote. "I've never been a 'pc' kind of person - but I understand that we do need to be more sensitive in this day and age. Particularly on race and ethnicity issues which, far from being healed, have been exacerbated in our politics over the past year." --- Here's the full email Kelly sent to colleagues: "One of the wonderful things about my job is that I get the chance to express and hear a lot of opinions. Today is one of those days where listening carefully to other points of view, including from friends and colleagues, is leading me to rethink my own views. "When we had the roundtable discussion earlier today about the controversy of making your face look like a different race as part of a Halloween costume, I suggested that this seemed OK if done as part of this holiday where people have the chance to make themselves look like others. The iconic Diana Ross came up as an example. To me, I thought, why would it be controversial for someone dressing up as Diana Ross to make herself look like this amazing woman as a way of honoring and respecting her? "I realize now that such behavior is indeed wrong, and I am sorry. The history of blackface in our culture is abhorrent; the wounds too deep. "I've never been a 'pc' kind of person - but I understand that we do need to be more sensitive in this day and age. Particularly on race and ethnicity issues which, far from being healed, have been exacerbated in our politics over the past year. This is a time for more understanding, love, sensitivity and honor, and I want to be part of that. I look forward to continuing that discussion. "I'm honored to work with all of you every day." Louis H. Jones Jr., a well-known employee of Dannenbaum Engineering in South Texas and a subject of an FBI investigation, died by suicide late Monday, his family confirmed. It's not clear how or where he died, but the 63-year-old was at a "place he chose." He was not home in McAllen at the time of his death. Jones was the principal/director of Dannenbaum's South Texas region. He was a frequent campaign contributor to many elected officials in Laredo. READ ALSO: Ex-county commissioner, ex-city councilman face up to five years in prison The FBI raided Dannenbaum's headquarters in Houston as well as its satellite offices in Laredo, McAllen and San Antonio in April 2017. Search warrants were also executed at City of Laredo and Webb County government buildings. Jones' attorney said in a deposition related to a lawsuit in Hidalgo County that his client's "office was subjected to a search warrant." "He didn't do anything wrong and fought it the best he could," a family source said. "And it was more than he could handle so he took his life." Now, he'll be put to rest in his hometown of Freeport, the family member said. In early October, federal prosecutors handed down their first indictment in connection with the raids. Webb County Commissioner Jaime Canales and former Laredo City Councilman Johnny Amaya were charged with conspiracy to commit bribery. They pleaded guilty to the charge Thursday in a federal court in Houston. According to the indictment, an employee of a civil engineering firm was a co-conspirator in the case. The indictment says he is a McAllen resident and served as the lead project manager on most of the engineering firm's South Texas work. READ ALSO: City of Laredo's business with Dannenbaum on hold after FBI raids The FBI would not confirm the identity of the co-conspirator. The engineering firm was also not named in the indictment. The indictment only described it as a civil engineering firm headquartered in Houston with satellite offices in Laredo, McAllen, San Antonio, Austin and Dallas. However, the indictment references that the corporation that allegedly benefited from the bribery scheme was awarded a road engineering contract by Webb County Commissioners Court in September 2016 Agenda minutes and video of the Commissioners Court meeting show that the $300,000 contract was awarded to Dannenbaum. The firm was also the only one to respond to the bid. Laredoans put on a show of force Monday on the first day of early voting for the November election. About 3,480 Webb County residents came out to the polls, and the Elections Administration received 655 mail-in ballots. That's 4,137 ballots cast on this first day of early voting, more than twice the number received that day in the 2014 midterm elections, 2,049. Before 10:30 a.m. Monday, already more than 1,000 people had gone to the polls in Webb County, according to interim Elections Administrator Jose Salvador Tellez. The largest crowds showed up to the Laredo Fire Department Administrative Center in north Laredo, the McKendrick Ochoa Salinas Library in south Laredo, and at the main voting site, the Billy Hall Administration Building downtown, Tellez said. READ ALSO: Everything you need to know about early voting The fire station actually ran out of ballots on Monday, Tellez said, and someone working there had to go to the Elections Administration office to get more. The county ordered 63,000 ballots total for the election this year, Tellez said. "If participation continues the way it has, hopefully we run out of ballots," he said. "But we don't anticipate it." And if they do, there will be one electronic voting machine at each polling place. The local, nonpartisan Yes, I Will Vote Campaign has a goal this election cycle to bring voter turnout in Webb County up to the level of a presidential election year 60,000 votes, or about 46 percent. Turnout in other Texas cities It took Harris County, which includes Houston, less than six hours to set a new opening day of early voting record for midterm elections with more than 36,000 votes cast exceeding the around 26,000 ballots cast there during the 2010 midterms, county clerk Stan Stanart told the Houston Chronicle. Dallas County was also flirting with surpassing the first-day turnout of 2016 an unusual feat since turnout in presidential election years is typically higher. President Donald Trump was holding a Houston rally for Sen. Ted Cruz on Monday evening, and the lines to attend that event swelled hours before it started. Cruz is locked in a closer-than-expected re-election battle with Democratic Congressman Beto O'Rourke of El Paso the cycle's most-watched Texas race. In Travis County, home to Austin, Tax Assessor Collector Bruce Elfant said on Facebook that more than 36,000 people cast early ballots by 4 p.m. Monday, nearly doubling first-day totals from the last midterms in 2014. Tarrant County, which includes Fort Worth, announced exceeding 37,000 votes around triple the first-day early voting turnout for 2014. READ ALSO: Trump knocks O'Rourke at Texas rally Approximately 15.8 million people are registered to vote statewide, 4 percent higher than those registered during the March statewide primary. Early voting runs through Nov. 2. Election Day is Nov. 6. Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said 42,000-plus people had voted by 4:30 p.m. Monday, and that the county could exceed the first day of early voting turnout for the presidential election in 2016. The crowds at the polls signal voters are enthusiastic, said University of Houston political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus, but which political party benefits remains to be seen. He said an increase in voter turnout usually boosts Democrats, but the early voting surge could simply show that more voters are choosing to avoid the hassles voting on Election Day can bring. "Historically, turnout on the first day tends to be exaggerated," Rottinghaus said. "It's impossible to know which party faithful are voting, or if it's a surge in people who traditionally don't vote." The Associated Press and Houston Chronicle contributed to this report. Minneapolis Earl Bakken, an electronics repairman who created the first wearable external pacemaker and co-founded one of the world's largest medical device companies, Medtronic, has died. He was 94. Bakken, who also commercialized the first implantable pacemaker in 1960, died Sunday at his home in Hawaii, Medtronic said in a statement. It didn't give a cause of death. Bakken and his brother-in-law, Palmer Hermundslie, formed Medtronic in 1949 and turned it from a struggling company they ran out of the Hermundlie family's Minneapolis garage into a multinational medical technology powerhouse. "The contributions Earl made to the field of medical technology simply cannot be overstated," said Medtronic's chairman and CEO, Omar Ishrak. "His spirit will live on with us as we work to fulfill the mission he wrote nearly 60 years ago to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life." Bakken, who led the company for 40 years, was fitted for his own pacemaker in 2001 and a replacement in 2009. One of the men who followed Bakken as chief executive, Harvard management professor Bill George, said Bakken made sure that Medtronic's future leaders followed the company's original values, which are laid out in its mission statement. "He was a remarkable human being, a visionary 25 years ahead of his time," George told the Star Tribune. "He was a graduate of the University of Minnesota, the pioneer of one of our strongest industries, and really stood for all the values that Minnesota stands for." Bakken and Hermundslie, who was married to the sister of Bakken's wife at the time, formed Medtronic to repair and modify hospital equipment. The company mixed fixing TVs and selling other companies' medical devices with its most important work: custom-made medical devices. In 1958, University of Minnesota heart surgeon Dr. C. Walton Lillehei asked Bakken to make a battery-powered pacemaker that could keep babies with irregular heartbeats alive. Until then, patients with irregular heartbeats had to plug their cumbersome external devices into wall outlets, limiting their movement and leaving them susceptible to power outages, according to the company. Bakken delivered his device to the university's animal lab for testing and was stunned to see it attached to one of Lillehei's pediatric patients the next day. Medtronic has 86,000 employees worldwide. Its operational headquarters are still in the Minneapolis area but a few years ago, it moved its corporate headquarters to Dublin, where it would benefit from Ireland's lower corporate tax rate. Bakken is survived by his wife, Doris J. Bakken, his sister, several children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A man was arrested Sunday for allegedly assaulting a woman and leading Laredo police officers on a vehicle pursuit, authorities said. At about 10:15 a.m., police officers responded to a report of a domestic disturbance. Police received information indicating that Cesar Tristan-Serrano, 31, had assaulted a woman, according to LPD. READ ALSO: LPD: 'Extremely drunk' brothers arrested for threatening, assaulting wives He left the scene in a maroon Jeep Cherokee. Officers pulled over the Jeep shortly after for a traffic violation. The driver, Tristan-Serrano, initially pulled over but then continued driving, LPD said. He later stopped on Barrios Street and ran into a home in the 3000 block of Barrios. RELATED: Laredo man speaks out after video of vehicle pursuit goes viral Tristan-Serrano closed the door to the home. Several minutes later, he opened the door. When officers attempted to detain him, he allegedly resisted arrest. Tristan-Serrano was charged with assault, family violence, evading arrest in a vehicle and resisting arrest. A man has been arrested for allegedly stealing clothing from Mall Del Norte and getting into a scuffle with Laredo police officers, LPD said. The case dates back to Oct. 14. At about 2:46 p.m., police received a call from Mall Del Norte security alleging that there had been several thefts at different stores. READ ALSO: LPD: Woman accused of stealing more than $250K as theft charges pile up Mall security provided a description of the suspect to police. Later, officers said they saw a man matching the description of the suspect in the parking lot. As officers approached him, he took off running, but he was apprehended shortly thereafter. He allegedly resisted arrest and assaulted two officers. RELATED: $1,000 reward offered for Laredo burglary suspect Police identified him as Salvador Diaz Sanchez, 47. LPD said he was in possession of assorted clothing from different stores at the mall. He was charged with three counts of theft, two counts of assault on a peace officer and one count of resisting arrest. He remained behind bars at the Webb County Jail as of Monday afternoon. A woman was recently arrested after her 3-year-old son was found unsupervised in the middle of a south Laredo road, police said. Nallely Viridiana Loredo, 30, was charged with abandoning, endangering a child by criminal negligence. She is out on bond from the Webb County Jail. Koeberle Bull had never met the man who contacted her on Facebook - calling her a "wanna be" black woman and telling her that he hoped her "black children gets hung for you being so stupid." Worried for her biracial children, the 40-year-old mother of three said she contacted local authorities in Lumberton Township, New Jersey, telling them about the chilling Facebook message she received from a stranger three states away, in Kentucky. Then, she said, she reached out to Kentucky State Police. In the process, authorities said, Bull may have helped police prevent a school shooting. Kentucky State Police officials said the man, 20-year-old Dylan Jarrell, was found last week with a firearm and more than 200 rounds of ammunition, posing a "credible and imminent" threat to two school districts in western Kentucky. He was arrested on two counts of second-degree "terroristic threatening" and one count of harassing communications, according to police. "He was caught backing out of his driveway with the tools he needed to commit this heinous act," Kentucky State Police Commissioner Rick Sanders said at a news conference. Sanders added that "this young man had it in his mind to go to schools and create havoc. He had the tools necessary, the intent necessary, and the only thing that stood between him and doing evil was law enforcement." Bull, who is white, told The Washington Post that her Facebook profile picture shows her with her three children, ages 8, 11 and 16; but she does not know how or why Jarrell looked at her page or sent her a private message. She said she has no connections to Kentucky - no family members and no friends. It's unclear whether Jarrell knows anyone in her state. She told CBS affiliate WKYT that after Jarrell sent her the Facebook message, he blocked her account, so she was not able to view his personal information. But she asked friends to tell her where the man lived so that she could contact the authorities there. "Something in the back of my head was like, this isn't right - like, something's not sitting well," she told the station. According to an image of the message that Bull provided to The Post, it read: "There's no such thing as white privileged . . . I hope your black children gets hung for you being so stupid. They have all the same rights we have now a days so please you and your monkey children go die." Bull said her husband, who died in 2012, was black. She reported the message to police, she said, because she was concerned for her family. "I was protecting my own children and standing up for what's right," she said Tuesday. She was "shocked" to hear what police learned. After receiving the complaint last week, Kentucky State Police investigators discovered that Jarrell, who is white, had been previously questioned by the FBI about threats against a school in Tennessee. When Kentucky troopers went to question him Thursday, he was leaving his home in Anderson County, Kentucky, with a firearm and ammunition, a Kevlar vest and a "detailed plan of attack," according to state police. Authorities contacted the school districts in Anderson and Shelby counties "and worked with administrators to determine a plan of action." Schools in Anderson County were closed Friday; the Shelby County school district, which is currently on fall break, suspended all activities at Shelby County High School. Police have not said why Jarrell might have targeted the districts. Michael Clark, director of student services for Shelby County Public Schools, said Jarrell was last enrolled in Shelby County High School in 2013 but said he could not share further details due to the ongoing investigation. Anderson County Schools Superintendent Sheila Mitchell said Jarrell had not been enrolled in the school district except for a General Educational Development (GED) test class in 2016. Jarrell completed his GED last year, Mitchell said, adding that there had been no reports about concerning behavior when he was in the program. Since the Columbine High massacre in 1999, more than 215,000 students in the United States have been exposed to gun violence on their school campuses, according to a Washington Post database. So far this year, there have been at least 17 school shootings. Officials in both school districts in Kentucky said they were "grateful" to the state police - as well as the New Jersey mother who brought a potentially horrific situation to their attention. "It was a horrible situation, but it could have ended much worse," Mitchell told The Post. "We're very grateful to her. I believe that she, with her efforts to protect her children, protected a lot of other children in Kentucky." Bull, the mother, said the experience has been "humbling." "I just hope more people speak out," Bull said. "We've got to give our kids a fighting shot, or our kids are going to die, and our future will die with them." Just 30 or so people attended the 1992 protest on the steps of Georgia's State Capitol - a smattering of student activists but mostly reporters and a few Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents, snapping photos of demonstrators lighting a state flag on fire. In the center of an Atlanta Journal-Constitution photo chronicling the event was a Spelman College freshman named Stacey Abrams, who, 26 years later, finds herself locked in a race that could make her the nation's first black female governor - and who is unapologetic about her role in the demonstration. In a statement Tuesday, Abrams' campaign said she was part of a movement to remove the Confederate emblem from the Georgia flag. "During Stacey Abrams' college years, Georgia was at a crossroads, struggling with how to overcome racially divisive issues, including symbols of the confederacy, the sharpest of which was the inclusion of the confederate emblem in the Georgia state flag," her campaign said in a statement about the photo, which resurfaced Monday. "Stacey was involved with a permitted, peaceful protest against the confederate emblem in the flag. This conversation was sweeping across Georgia as numerous organizations, prominent leaders, and students engaged in the ultimately successful effort to change the flag." Goldie Taylor, editor-at-large at The Daily Beast who said she co-led the march, tweeted Tuesday that Abrams did not burn the flag, an act Taylor attributed to two other students. The campaign of Abrams's opponent, Republican Brian Kemp, did not return calls seeking comment. He has tried to portray Abrams as "too extreme for Georgia." In ads and speeches since Abrams won the Democratic primary in May, Kemp has been calling her an out-of-touch liberal. When Abrams was in college, more than half the Georgia state flag was made up of the Confederate emblem, which squeezed the Georgia state seal into a small rectangle on the left. The Confederate emblem was added in 1956 "as a rebuke of the growing civil rights movement," the Associated Press reported. Previous flags had featured the state seal and blue and white bars. Political pressure to change the state flag began to mount again as the state sought to host the 1996 Olympics and concerns rose that a blatant symbol of the Confederacy was harming the state's business reputation, according to the AP. In 2001, the state put the Confederate emblem in a much less prominent position on the flag, part of a smaller display of previous state flags beneath the phrase "Georgia's History." The latest iteration of the Georgia state flag, from 2003, erases the "Stainless Banner." Abrams has made no secret of her disdain for the Confederate images and symbols that dot her state, and the picture of her during the protest has become part of a growing debate about the role of those symbols in places of public veneration. Georgia has one of the largest commemorations, a gigantic bas-relief carving on the side of Stone Mountain that features Confederate leaders: Gens. Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee and President Jefferson Davis. In 2017, shortly after violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, during a white-nationalist march, Abrams said the monument on Stone Mountain should be removed. "Paid for by founders of the 2nd KKK, the monument had no purpose other than celebration of racism, terror & division when carved in 1915," she wrote on Twitter. "We must never celebrate those who defended slavery and tried to destroy the Union. Confederate monuments belong in museums where we can study and reflect on that terrible history, not in places of honor across our state." On the campaign trail, Kemp, who is Georgia's secretary of state, has said he would protect the monument "from the radical left." The differences of opinion about the flag were reflected on social media, where some said they'd never vote for someone who had desecrated a flag, while others lauded Abrams for doing her part to get rid of a symbol of racism. "Good for her," one person wrote of Abrams. "I'd have set that thing on fire too." Similar arguments may resurface Tuesday night, when Kemp and Abrams square off in the first gubernatorial debate, two weeks before the election. This girls anecdote-rich account of her travels across the globe as a traveller has gotten many readers inspired. I had read a few books about females and their solo travelling adventures. Thus, author Shivya Nath enthused me. This particular travel memoir consists of a girl, her voyage and her vivid book, The Shooting Star: A Girl, her Backpack and the World. A book filled with stories of all the places she journeyed to. For me, it began at home as she is from Dehradun. Her first-ever international foray was to Singapore. From here, she travelled to South East Asian countries and worked at the Singapore Tourism Board. But around this time, was when she started feeling that this was not the life for her. The book speaks of her life before she took off on her journey through Spiti Valley, way back in 2011. Being a monk/nun for a month, experiencing its quietitude, solo travelling was the calling she stumbled upon, on those nights at Spiti. She took off to France, Switzerland, Germany and Italy, on her first-ever Euro trip. This entire trip was just the beginning of a journey into dreams of stars and green hills, lands, spaces and different countries. Different modes of transport, meeting different people, she travels to Mauritius too, where she discovered paradise! Of course, it had its scares and fears. She actually began fending for herself in Delhi, and this was a lesson for life. Shivya was in Central Americas, where she began learning Spanish, and even tried living with the Mayans. In 2014, she stayed at a vineyard in South Australia, with a Hindi speaking Gujarat-returned Polish man. He had walked through the Ural Mountains, finally landing in Gujarat. It was 1948, when he was put on train to England, and where he would meet his wife and years later, he would have Shivya staying with him in Australia! Turkey, Bahrain, Canada are only a few names in the shorter stories. In India too, she has traversed hinterlands from the deserts in Rajasthan to the coastal villages in Karnataka and Goa. Of course, in the book, one cannot miss the bittersweet taste of chocolate, all the way from Costa Rica. Shivya lands in a village, deep in the rainforest. We also turn pages, with a few strangers and a mugging incident. Writing is an oddly solo journey. While one does not want to compare it to other solo travellers accounts, yet something about the essence of solo travel is so appealing. The author wanted to see meteor showers, have a few adventures and experience life and thats what Shivya Nath has done. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Gathered under grand domes and crystal chandeliers for a glitzy investment forum nicknamed "Davos in the Desert," business leaders on Tuesday called the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi terrible and sad but said it shouldn't derail their dealmaking or U.S.-Saudi relations. They knew that Saudi agents killed Khashoggi three weeks ago at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. And they knew that their host, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was widely suspected of being involved, despite vehement official denials. Marquee-name sponsors and chief executives, including Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase, Stephen Schwarzman of Blackstone and AOL founder Steve Case, had pulled out in protest. The conference website was crippled Monday by hackers angry about Khashoggi's killing. But thousands still came, in a wave of black Mercedes-Benzes and Chevrolet Suburbans, through the conference center's enormous stone archways and past elegant fountains, with security agents manning a machine gun mounted atop a Dodge Ram pickup. And when Mohammed arrived, they gave him a standing ovation. American executives interviewed at the conference said they were jolted by Khashoggi's gruesome killing. But they also said business ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia are far too valuable to be disrupted by it. A U.S. executive who advises sovereign wealth funds said that although the Khashoggi case was "shocking," ultimately it would be only a "hiccup" in the business world. "You support your friends in good times and bad," the executive said. "The trajectory [in Saudi Arabia] is toward more openness and transparency, but there are going to be bumps in the road." He, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. Todd Albert Nims, a Texan who lives in Riyadh and runs a filmmaking company, said he was born in Saudi Arabia, the son of an oil company executive, and has spent "half my life" in the country. Nims said the killing of Khashoggi, who contributed opinion columns to The Washington Post, was "horrifying" but should not damage U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia. "It's not who these people are," he said. "Saudi Arabia has been a friend. They have been a huge stabilizer in this region. We shouldn't trash it all over one thing. It's like a marriage. This is one day in the life of a marriage." President Donald Trump has said Khashoggi's killing must be investigated, but he has stopped short of criticizing Mohammed, who has close ties to Jared Kushner, Trump's adviser and son-in-law. Trump has said he does not want the incident to interfere with billions of dollars in U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Reflecting Trump's ambivalence, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin canceled his scheduled appearance at the conference but came to Riyadh anyway and met with Mohammed on Monday. On Tuesday, Mohammed posed for selfies with delegates, and he sat with Jordan's King Abdullah during a panel discussion. Chief executives attending the conference include Patrick Pouyanne of the French oil company Total and Paal Kibsgaard of Texas-based Schlumberger, the world's largest oil-field-services company. The event, officially called the Future Investment Initiative, an annual gathering that started last year, was a feast of gaudy Saudi excess. It was held under the sandstone domes of the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center, in a vast main hall where waiting on every seat was a large hardcover book titled, "A Blue Print for the Twenty Second Century." As the lights went down in the packed hall, an actor on stage danced with a lighted drone flying above him. A voice boomed from massive speakers, mentioning Marie Curie, Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers and Mark Zuckerberg: "dreamers." "The next generation of game changers is here, in this room," the voice said to the vast crowd. The opening was filled with loud music, laser lights and video on big screens. But, for a moment, the great hall was also filled with Jamal Khashoggi. Lubna Olayan, an influential Saudi business leader, stepped to the stage to moderate the first panel discussion. But first, she told the audience that she had known the journalist and said, "May he rest in peace." "I want to tell all our foreign guests, for whose presence with us this morning we are very grateful, that the terrible acts reported in recent weeks are alien to our culture and our DNA," she said. "And I'm confident that with the support of the government, concerned authorities and leadership, the truth will emerge. I am sure that we will grow and emerge stronger as a result of the crisis of the last few weeks." When she finished, a tentative round of applause rippled through the crowd, as though people weren't sure whether it was OK to clap about a murder investigation. But then it was down to business, and she began moderating a panel discussion about sovereign wealth funds. Many people seemed just as happy to mingle in the cavernous halls outside, amid long tables filled with fresh juices, coffee and hillocks of pastries. "Last year, there was a real air of intensity and emotion, and the excitement was wall to wall. But this year has been a little suppressed," said Tarik Solomon, an official with the American Business Group of Riyadh. Still, he said, there were "lots of executives here, and deals are still being cut." Many people said that although some chief executives had dropped out, most had sent lower-ranking executives. In the crowded hall, nametags identified people from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, India, Pakistan, Britain, Canada and China. The Americans were more scarce. "You're the first American I've seen!" a U.S. executive said when approached by a Post reporter. The Khashoggi case "is a Saudi matter at the end of the day," said a different American, a financial services executive from the East Coast. "It's unfortunate, obviously, and we hope the regime will listen and change," he said. "But they do things their own way here." He also said he thought the Khashoggi matter was small compared with the huge amounts of investment and trade between the two nations. He said it would not be a long-term problem. "Knowing how the news works, by next Wednesday, it will be something else," he said. Nims, the film producer, also said he worried that Russia and China would be the beneficiaries of any American reluctance to do business in Saudi Arabia. "As an American, it concerns me that I see Russia and China jumping on this opportunity as Americans back out," he said. Mark Garber, the Russian chairman of GHP Group, a Moscow-based investment firm, smiled when asked whether Russia and China were ready to fill the void in Saudi Arabia if American firms leave. "I think there are real opportunities here. A lot of Americans have pulled away," he said. However, later on the first day of the three-day conference, organizers announced that Saudi Aramco, a state-owned oil giant, had signed 15 memorandums of understanding worth $34 billion - six of them with U.S. companies. They were Schlumberger; Halliburton; oil-field-service companies Baker Hughes and National Oilwell Varco (NOV); Flexsteel, a pipeline company; and Air Products and Chemicals Inc., which sells gases and chemicals. A syndicated cartoon that presents a satiric "Field Guide to Liberals" has received enough reader response that one newspaper is apologizing for having run the commentary. The artwork, by Augusta Chronicle cartoonist Rick McKee, mocks how Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., former NAACP activist Rachel Dolezal and a transgender woman identify. Last Thursday, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram published the cartoon, which is syndicated by Cagle Cartoons. On Monday evening, the paper apologized for running the cartoon. "While we want the Star-Telegram's editorial page to showcase opinions from divergent points of view, we also strive to maintain a high level of respect and quality of thought," executive editor Steve Coffman wrote. "The cartoon we published on Oct. 18 did not fulfill that aspiration. I take full responsibility and apologize for the decision to publish it." Early Tuesday, the paper published some of the letters it had received in reaction to the cartoon. "It's hard to understand how a paper and editorial board who has no doubt called for renewed civility in the public discourse would publish the 'Field Guide to Liberals,' " wrote reader Noah Lambert. "Slander, racism, blatant misogyny and ignorance - all neatly wrapped in one cartoon. Congrats on denigrating your publication." Another reader, Erin Roark Murphy, wrote: "I expect more from a paper that has won two Pulitzer Prizes than to print a hateful graphic. This cartoon serves no purpose aside from spreading xenophobic rhetoric and ideas. Shame on the cartoonist and everyone involved in making this decision. We are better than this." Coffman wrote in his editor's note: "Moving forward, we will work harder to maintain the highest standards of sensitivity and fairness on our pages that the readers of the Star-Telegram expect." Meanwhile, in McKee's home newspaper, one reader, Prescott Nead of Evans, Georgia, wrote: "This is an echo of the daily drumbeat of insults, bullying and belittling of women by our president and the enabling Republicans in Congress. It is also emblematic of the increasing fear that women are rising up in a 'Pink Revolution' to take their place in the governance of our nation." In response, McKee told The Washington Post: "The cartoon speaks for itself and I stand behind it." WASHINGTON - A man who kicked his way through two doors at the Fox 5 television station in Northwest Washington was shot and wounded by a security guard Monday afternoon, D.C. police said. Police identified the man as George Odemns, 38, and said he has no fixed address. Odemns was admitted to George Washington University Hospital in critical but stable condition, and he was charged with second- degree burglary, police said. News media have been on higher alert after a gunman walked into the Annapolis office of the Capital Gazette newspapers in June and killed five staff members. Police said Odemns was not armed. Video from two surveillance cameras, aired by Fox 5 News, showed the man wearing a red, hooded sweatshirt walking up to the door, turning his back to the door and with one hard kick knocking out a panel that appears to be plexiglass. Police said the incident happened at 3 p.m. The intruder then entered a small vestibule and began kicking a second door opening to the lobby, the surveillance video shows. After five kicks, he was able to pull down the plexiglass from the second door. He then climbed through the door and into the lobby of the longtime WTTG offices at 5151 Wisconsin Ave. NW. Police Cmdr. Melvin Gresham declined to describe what happened next between the intruder and the security guard or whether she exchanged words with the man or used any less-than-lethal weapons. The security guard fired once and hit the man in the upper torso, Gresham said. Court records show that Odemns has filed more than two dozen federal lawsuits in recent years alleging that he is being controlled by a microchip planted in his head. All have been dismissed. In 2014, Odemns sued Fox 5 in D.C. Superior Court, also claiming that the station controlled him with an "illegal nano-chip" and seeking $100 billion in damages. In November, records show that Odemns was placed under emergency psychiatric care in the District after emailing death threats to D.C. police and the D.C. Office of Human Resources and threatening a federal judge who had dismissed one of his suits. In addition, he was involuntarily committed in 2015, court records show. Odemns was charged with murder in the District in 2002, but court records indicate that the charge was dismissed soon after he was arrested. Crash results in multiple injuries Saturday WAVERLY Two individuals were ejected from their vehicle after it left the roadway and rolled on Rouland Road Saturday. At 9:12 p.m., the Morgan County Sheriff received a call regarding a single-vehicle accident on Rouland Road one mile west of Gordon Hill Road. A red Chevrolet vehicle driven by Cloyce Hill, 41, of Waverly left the road and rolled several times, ejecting Hill and his passenger William Sanders, 28, of Waverly, from the vehicle. Hills other passenger Matthew Lyons, 25, of Waverly, was not ejected. According to the sheriffs department, at least one of the individuals were airlifted to a nearby hospital. Memorial Medical Center reported that Sanders had been admitted to the hospital, treated and released. The department reported that there is some evidence of alcohol playing a factor in the accident. Citations are pending. Morgan County Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS Kristi N. Haller, 38, of 13 Marion Ln. in Springfield was booked into the Morgan County jail at 5:26 p.m. Monday on charges of driving under the influence of drugs and following too closely. Jacksonville Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Walter L. Sanders, 27, of 929 N. Clay St. was booked into the Morgan County jail at 3:36 a.m. Sunday on an obstructing justice charge. Skee D. Sanders, 24, homeless, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 4:02 a.m. Sunday on an obstructing justice charge. Tyree M. Brown, 34, of 4A Gettysberg Drive was booked into the Morgan County jail at 4:21 a.m. Sunday on an obstructing justice charge. A 12-year-old girl was arrested at 12:25 p.m. Sunday on a retail theft charge. Jalen R. McBride, 26, of 4020 Treviso Dr. in Springfield was booked into the Morgan County jail at 11:48 a.m. Monday on a charge of criminal trespass to state land. South Jacksonville Police ARRESTS, CITATIONS Derek A. Powell, 45, of Vermont, Illinois, was booked into the Morgan County jail at 7:10 a.m. Sunday on charges of driving under the influence and improper lane use. Brown County Sheriff ARRESTS, CITATIONS Molly E. Glasscock, 28, of Versailles was arrested at 2:31 p.m. Wednesday on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and driving while license is suspended. She was also cited on a charge of operating an uninsured motor vehicle after being stopped on Illinois Route 107 at County Road 100 North. Two people were arrested after officers from the Brown County Sheriffs Department, the West Central Illinois Task Force and the Mount Sterling Police Department served a search warrant about 9 a.m. Thursday at 129 W. First St., Apt. 5, in Versailles. Robert W. Crafton, 21, of Versailles was arrested on charges of possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine. He was taken to the Schuyler County Jail. Tina L. Hendricks, 46, of Versailles was arrested on charges of possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. She was taken to the Pike County Jail. Compiled by Samantha McDaniel-Ogletree, Nick Draper and David C.L. Bauer The environment for private equity market has been sluggish due to concerns like the economy. India's rupee has slumped to an all-time low amid an investor exodus from emerging markets. New Delhi: Private Equity (PE) investments moderated to USD 14.60 billion during January-September period, owing to macroeconomic concerns, market volatility and valuations of companies, a report said on Tuesday. According to Grant Thornton's latest PE Dealtracker, 621 PE investments worth USD 14.60 billion were announced in the reported nine-month period of 2018. In the year-ago period, the value stood at USD 15.60 billion. "India's rupee has slumped to an all-time low amid an investor exodus from emerging markets, which threatened to dent business confidence, cautioning PE investors," the report said. Meanwhile, the July-September quarter marked 217 PE investments worth USD 5.20 billion, registering 41 per cent growth in terms of number of deals, even as the value dipped by 28 per cent. "The environment for private equity market has been sluggish due to concerns like the economy, market volatility and valuations, among other things," said Prashant Mehra, Partner, Grant Thornton India LLP. Mehra further said: "We expect to see a rise in the PE activity due to the government's focus on providing a fertile ground for digitisation and tech investment through policy initiatives by incubating tech funds with traditional banks". As per the report, the September quarter was dominated by investments in startups, which contributed to 60 per cent of total investment volumes garnering USD 1 billion. FinTech also attracted significant attention from investors with 20 deals, followed by retail and health tech segments. Some of the other top deals during the third quarter include ADIA and TPG Capital's investment in UPL Corp, KKR's investment in REEL, Udaan's series C funding for USD 225 million, the report said adding that Curefit raising USD 120 million marks the biggest ever fund raise by an Indian healthcare startup. Spanish authorities are investigating a confrontation on an Oct. 19 Ryanair flight from Barcelona to London, in which a male passenger shouted racist insults at a 77-year-old black woman seated in his row - with no apparent consequences at first. The involvement of Spanish police less than a week later marks a sudden escalation in response to the man's racist tirade after there was a massive public outcry over how Ryanair handled the incident. As passengers were boarding the plane that day in Spain, an unidentified older white man began shouting at Delsie Gayle, saying he didn't want to sit next to her, getting angry at her for speaking in a foreign language and calling her a "stupid ugly cow" and an "ugly black bastard," among other insults. The man continued berating Gayle even after Gayle's daughter tried to get him to stop, telling him her mother is disabled. Eventually, a flight attendant asked if Gayle would like to change seats and she agreed. The plane took off and the man was allowed to stay on board. The day after the flight, fellow passenger David Lawrence posted video he took of the confrontation to social media, where it has been viewed millions of times. Scores of people criticized Ryanair for not removing the man from the plane for his abusive behavior. Days later, the story - and the potential consequences for the man in question - have spread internationally. On Tuesday, Barcelona Deputy Mayor Jaume Asens condemned Ryanair's response as "unacceptable" and vowed that Barcelona City Hall officials would report it to Spanish prosecutors. In subsequent tweets Tuesday, Asens asked for witnesses to come forward and said Barcelona is a welcoming and inclusive city that would not tolerate such an assault. Spanish police involvement comes after Ryanair said Sunday it had reported the matter to Essex police in the United Kingdom. Essex police confirmed Tuesday they had identified "both parties involved" and passed that information on to Spanish authorities, who would be leading the investigation. "Our officers will continue to provide assistance where necessary throughout the course of this case," Essex police stated. Ryanair has said it cannot comment further "as this is now a police matter." It's unclear what this sudden flurry of police activity could lead to in terms of consequences for the male passenger. The man was not immediately reported to police after the plane landed at London Stansted Airport and, as Lawrence told The Washington Post over the weekend, appeared to be allowed to go on his way without being questioned. According to the newspaper El Pais, Spain's Public Works Ministry will also investigate whether Ryanair should have disciplined the man as "a conflictive passenger" under current Spanish law. For Gayle, the man's rant has already done its damage. She and her daughter had been returning from a vacation to Costa Brava in Spain to mark the anniversary of the death of Gayle's husband - a trip that was intended to cheer her mother up, Gayle's daughter told ITV. Instead, Gayle said she felt shocked and depressed and was having trouble sleeping after the incident. "I feel very low," the 77-year-old retiree told the British network. "He paid fare to go on holiday, and I paid mine. So why does he abuse me due to the color of my skin?" Gayle said she thought Ryanair's handling of the confrontation was unprofessional and that they needed more training. "He do it with me and he gets away, he'll do it to somebody else," she added. A senior official at the Department of Veterans Affairs said he removed a portrait of the Ku Klux Klan's first grand wizard from his Washington, D.C., office after offended employees began signing a petition to present to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. David J. Thomas Sr. is deputy executive director of VA's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, which certifies veteran-owned businesses seeking government contracts. His senior staff is mostly African American. Thomas said he took down the painting Monday after a Washington Post reporter explained that its subject, Nathan Bedford Forrest, was a Confederate general and slave trader who became the KKK's first figurehead in 1868. He said he was unaware of Forrest's affiliation with the hate group, which formed after the Civil War to maintain white control over newly freed blacks through violence and intimidation. A basic Google search of Forrest's name returns various biographies detailing his role in the Confederacy and the white- supremacist strains of its aftermath. "It was just a beautiful print that I had purchased, and I thought it was very nice," Thomas said. He said he knew of Forrest only "as a Southern general in the Civil War" and kept the portrait in his basement before decorating a new and larger office at VA's administrative headquarters a few months ago. Thomas, who has worked at VA since 2013, is a civil servant employed by the federal government - not a political appointee posted there by President Donald Trump, whose supporters include members of white-nationalist groups. Trump was criticized for his tepid reaction to last year's deadly protest of white nationalists in Charlottesville, Virginia. The painting, by artist Don Stivers, shows Forrest wearing a gray military uniform and astride a horse. It is titled "No Surrender" and depicts the general fleeing a snowy Tennessee battlefield in 1862. "I don't know what to do with this thing," Thomas told The Post, "except to destroy it." A manager who reports to Thomas disputed part of his account, saying the Forrest portrait was displayed in Thomas' previous office also, starting in 2015. When he moved offices in recent months, Thomas directed VA's maintenance staff to install an electrical outlet high on the wall so he could illuminate the portrait, said the manager, Michelle Gardner-Ince. Thomas' staff includes 14 managers, nine of whom are black. Racial tensions have flared between Thomas and several of his employees, at least three of whom have pending claims of racial discrimination against him. An attorney representing two of these employees said the portrait is evidence that Thomas is not comfortable around African Americans. "You don't hire someone who puts a picture of the Klan in his office unless you're" racially insensitive, said the lawyer, John Rigby. Gardner-Ince, a program manager with a case against Thomas pending before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging he retaliated against her for complaining about a poor performance review, said she spoke with Thomas several years ago about the art in his office, which also includes a portrait of George Washington praying next to his horse during the Revolutionary War at his encampment at Valley Forge. "He said, 'My wife told me I shouldn't put this picture up,' " pointing to the Forrest portrait," Gardner-Ince recalled, " 'but I said, I don't care; I like it.' " "It's been there for a long time," she said. Thomas did not respond to follow-up questions about his conversation with Gardner-Ince. The portrait's significance apparently had not come to the attention of Gardner-Ince or the other managers Thomas supervises until last week, when a union steward attending a meeting in Thomas' office recognized Forrest as a founding member of the KKK. The union steward was aghast, a colleague told The Post, as VA has thousands of black employees who care for an increasingly diverse population of military veterans. The local VA chapter of American Federation of Government Employees, which represents employees at VA's central offices, drew up the petition this week demanding the portrait's removal. "We employees denounce the display of this offensive picture and believe appropriate action should be taken," the petition says, describing Forrest as not only the KKK's first grand wizard but also the commander of an 1864 massacre of Union troops, most of them black, who surrendered after the Battle of Fort Pillow in Tennessee. Douglas Massey, president of AFGE's Local 17, said he gathered 75 signatures on Monday in the headquarters cafeteria and plans to continue until he has 200, even though Thomas told The Post he took down the portrait. Massey said he found Thomas' explanation offensive and "hard to believe." He described the decor in Thomas' office as "very deliberate and fastidious." "That office could be a museum. There seems to be so much thought that went into decorating it," he said. "If I had a picture in my office of someone, I would want to know who it is." VA spokesman Curt Cashour said in an email that the agency "strives to create a workplace that is comfortable and welcoming to all employees" and noted that in his first month as secretary, Wilkie signed a policy that ensures that VA "does not tolerate behaviors that interfere with an individual's work performance or that create an intimidating, offensive, or hostile environment." "Achieving the secretary's goal relies in large part on individual judgment and common sense of employees at all levels," Cashour said. He said, however, that Thomas "received no complaints from his fellow employees and only learned about these concerns from The Washington Post," adding, "Mr. Thomas immediately took down the print in question . . . and the matter is resolved." Thomas questioned why the union official did not tell him that some people might find the portrait offensive and said that none of his employees ever complained about the portrait. "You know how many people I've had in and out of my office?" he said. "They say, 'That's a nice print.'" A group of former Confederate soldiers formed the Ku Klux Klan in Tennessee in 1865 and later asked Forrest to be the first grand wizard. Forrest was recognized as a military strategist and in the last years of his life publicly denounced the violence and racism practiced by the Klan. During Reconstruction, he received a pardon from President Andrew Johnson, but he remains one of the most controversial figures of the Civil War era for his role in the Fort Pillow massacre. Although public memorials were erected throughout the South to honor Forrest, many have been taken down amid the recent national furor over such statues. William Thompson, a Navy rear admiral who in retirement organized and led the campaign to create a Navy memorial and heritage center on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, died Oct. 15 at a hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. He was 96. The cause was complications from cancer, said Capt. Gregory Hicks, a Navy spokesman. In a 32-year Navy career, Rear Adm. Thompson was a special assistant for public affairs to three Navy secretaries: Paul Nitze, Paul Ignatius and John Chafee; and he directed the Navy's public information service in the 1970s when Adm. Elmo Zumwalt was chief of naval operations. Rear Adm. Thompson was best known for his service after his 1975 military retirement. For 15 years, he was chief of the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation, a private, not-for-profit lobbying and advocacy organization. In that role he was "the driving force behind the creation of the U.S. Navy Memorial," bringing it from an idea to fruition, the Navy said in an obituary release. It continued: He is "credited with the vision, design, construction, and funding for the Memorial, the Heritage Center and the Lone Sailor statue," which is intended as a symbolic representation of men and women serving in the U.S. Navy. The Lone Sailor's sea bag bears the initials "WT" - William Thompson. Since the founding of the republic, there had been talk of a Navy memorial in Washington. Pierre L'Enfant, the French-American engineer who designed the basic plan for the District of Columbia, wrote of a memorial in Washington "to celebrate the first rise of the Navy and consecrate its progress and achievements." But the idea lay dormant for two centuries. Arleigh Burke, a three-time chief of naval operations, brought it up again in 1977. At Burke's urging, Rear Adm. Thompson took on the assignment. This included gaining approval from the White House and Congress, and a site selection - at Market Square on Pennsylvania near the Archives Metro station - was negotiated by the Navy Memorial Foundation and the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corp. The memorial was officially dedicated in 1987. The memorial's Heritage Center features daily screenings of a movie, "At Sea," which The Washington Post once described as "a paean to ships and aircraft and the men who man them." William Thompson, widely known as Bill, was born in Escanaba, Michigan, on Sept. 16. 1922, and grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942, attended Wabash College in Indiana and the Midshipman program at the University of Notre Dame, from which he graduated in 1945. Two days after graduation, he married Dorothy Zum Buttel. He was an administrative officer aboard an aircraft carrier during the Korean War. His decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal and two Navy Distinguished Public Service Awards. On retiring from the Navy, Rear Adm. Thompson ran his own public relations firm. In 2010 he published an autobiography, "Gumption." In addition to his wife, of McLean, Virginia, survivors include three children, Stephanie Graves of Leesburg, Virginia, Craig Thompson of Roanoke, Virginia, and Brian Thompson of Winchester, Virginia; a brother; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Peter Leithart lights my fire. Hes articulate, winsome, and above all, a man of great character and courage. Dr. Leithart desires to heal the wounds of a divided church, and the medicine he prescribes in The End of Protestantism is a heavy dose of eschatologically-oriented Reformational Catholicism. Leithart opens the book with his diagnosis. The church is divided. Weve fallen short of the perichoretic unity Jesus prayed for in John 17:21: that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us.... Leithart argues that our denominational divisions are evidence that the unity for which Jesus prayed is not yet a reality. He breaks our present divisions into three categories: ? Doctrinal division ? Sacramental/liturgical division ? Governmental division Doctrinally, most communions adopt confessions that intentionally distinguish them from other communions (the Augsburg Confession, the Westminster Confession, etc.). Leithart argues that, even when we can agree on the same doctrinal statement (e.g., the Nicene Creed), we cant gain agreement on how to interpret such statements. Sacramentally, the universal church cant get on the same page in regards to how many sacraments there are (two, seven, or some number in between), what the sacraments do, or to whom they should be administered. Liturgically, Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant churches are all over the map, from vestments, incense, icons, written prayers, and lectionary readings to folks running aisles and falling down, slain in the Spirit. Governmentally, theres also little agreement. Because different communions hold to varying views of ecclesiastical authority, church discipline has become meaningless. If Im excommunicated from my Presbyterian congregation, my family and I can join the Baptist church down the street the very next Lords Day. Even communions with similar structures (e.g., the prelatical structure the the Roman Catholic Church more or less shares with the Orthodox and Anglican churches) cant agree about who has legitimate ecclesiastical authority. Is it the Bishop of Rome? The Bishop of Constantinople? The Bishop of Canterbury? And these are all communions a quick survey would classify as episcopal! And then add Congregationalists and Presbyterians to the mix, and youve got quite the jumble. Leithart argues that denominationalism makes Protestants content with such divisions. To summarize his proposal in a snapshot, he goes on to suggest ways we can abandon our tribalism and learn from one another. These include interdenominational dialogue, joint ministerial associations, and co-belligerency in political activism. These are fine suggestions, but one need not agree with Leitharts sweeping vision to grant this. Describing the church of the future, Leithart writes: Former Lutherans will discover fresh insights in the writings of former Mennonites and Calvinists; former Baptists will study encyclicals from Rome with appreciation; former Methodists will deepen their insight into the liturgy by studying Eastern Christian writers. Everyone will accept the whole of the tradition, East and West and beyond, past and present, as a treasure entrusted by the Spirit to the church. . . . Churches will unite around the early creeds and will continue to use the treasures of the Reformation, of Trent and the Catholic Catechism, and of the hundreds of creeds and confessions that the global South will produce. According to Leithart, this will be the result when Christ, from His throne, finally dismantles the church as we know it and builds something new, something weve never seen before. This new church will be united doctrinally, liturgically, sacramentally, and governmentally. Thats the goal, and we should reorient our present behavior to that end by appreciating what other tribes have to offer. This project, however, presupposes something I cant quite concede: denominational divisions are evils we can do something about. I cant conceive of a Protestant Church without denominations. By that I dont just mean Ive never seen it done. Of course I havent. None of us have. I mean that the doctrine of private judgment at this point in the flow of redemptive history inevitably leads to division. Baptists arent Presbyterians because they believe Scripture requires believers baptism. My family and I cant join a baptist church now because my children were baptized in infancy. If I joined a baptist church, either my children would have to be re-baptized (aint happening) or the Baptist church couldnt serve my children communion (functionally excommunicating them). Someone has to give, but who should it be? And why is such tension necessary? Scripture makes clear that anything that doesnt proceed from faith is sin (Rom. 14:23). We should each be convinced in our own minds of the biblical fidelity of our convictions (Rom. 14:5). A Baptist church shouldnt have to distribute the Eucharist to individuals they dont believe are really baptized, and I shouldnt have to sit there, my conscience howling, while my sons are immersed in the baptistery, their baptisms being declared invalid. Denominationalism allows believers with irreconcilable doctrinal differences to worship with others in their theological tribe without violating their consciences and without asking other believers to violate theirs. To quote Carl Truemans review of The End of Protestantism: Churches need a doctrinal basis, and a failure to achieve theological agreement is a large part of what causes our current disunity.... A united Church wherein heated debates on key issues are pursued within the institutionally incarnated bonds of visible, sacramental Christian fellowship only works if we deny doctrine ultimate importance. (Trueman, 2016) Now, dont misunderstand my point. Im pushing back on Leitharts insistence that denominationalism must go. However, there are a variety of ways one can be a denominational Christian, and many of those ways amount to little more than sectarian isolationism. Leithart emphasizes that the problems of another tribe are really our problems too, since were all part of the one body of Christ. Just because Im a card-carrying Reformed Presbyterian doesnt mean I dont have to answer for sexually abusive Roman Catholic priests and those poster-board-wielding Westboro Baptist folks. I cant write them off and say, Thats not my problem; Im a Presbyterian. It doesnt work like that. They bear the name of the Triune God as surely as I do; we have the same last name. In conclusion, Leithart makes a number of on-the-ground suggestions for creating unity, but to the degree these suggestions relativized denominational doctrinal distinctives, they seem premature. Im a postmillennialist. Christ will significantly purify his church (in both membership and doctrine) before Christ returns, but this is a long way off. One day, denominations will no longer be necessary. However, at the present time, theyre very necessary, and any attempt to tear down denominational walls before they become unnecessary (due to Spirit-wrought universal doctrinal, sacramental/liturgical, governmental agreement) promotes for strife, not harmony. So, I look forward, not to the end of Protestantism, but to the end of error. Until then, denominationalism is a truth-preserving system that should be received with gratitude. Trueman, Carl R. Where We Stand | Carl R. Trueman. First Things, 1 Dec. 2016, www.firstthings.com/article/2016/12/where-we-stand. ---- *I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. In New York, little Sitaras excitement knew no bounds, when she learnt that Alia Bhatt was staying in the same hotel as them. Actor Mahesh Babu is currently in New York shooting for Vamshi Paidipallys Maharshi. For the 10-day schedule the actor is accompanied by his wife Namrata Shirodkar and their two children Gautam and Sitara. In New York, little Sitaras excitement knew no bounds, when she learnt that Alia Bhatt was staying in the same hotel as them. Alia was visiting Ranbir Kapoor, whos in New York for his fathers medical treatment. Sitara, who is a big fan of Alia, was very excited to know that her favourite actress was staying at the same hotel. When mom Namrata took Sitara to Alias room for a quick chat, the young actress was not only welcoming but she also made sure to ask Sitara about her school, interests and hobbies. Throughout Sitaras fan-encounter with Alia, Ranbir sat smiling at a distance. Incidentally, Alia had flown to NY for just one day to be by her boyfriends side, as his father Rishi Kapoor undergoes intense treatment for his medical condition. Police said demonstrators, who sat on the tracks, were being evicted and police escorts were being provided to public transport vehicles. 46 organisations have called the 12-hour bandh to protest against the Centre's bid to pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, in the Winter Session of Parliament. (Photo: Twitter | ANI) Guwahati: Protesters on Tuesday tried to put up blockades on railway tracks and disrupt train services across Assam as part of the 12-hour state-wide bandh called by 46 organisations against the Citizenship Bill. Police officials said that the demonstrators, who were trying to prevent train movement by squatting on tracks, were being evicted. Demonstrators also burnt tyres on roads in various places of the state. Police escorts were being provided to public transport vehicles to ensure transport services functioned normally during the bandh. The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) and 44 other organisations have called the 12-hour bandh to protest against the Centre's bid to pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, in the Winter Session of Parliament. Political parties, including the Congress and the AIUDF, have extended their support to the bandh in the interest of Assam and its indigenous people. All district magistrates and superintendents of police had been instructed by the BJP government in the state to take measures to maintain public utility services in view of the bandh call. A government communique in this regard had said that necessary pre-emptive and preventive measures to thwart the bandh call must be taken in view of the judgement of the Gauhati High Court. The deputy commissioners of respective districts had issued orders that all government officials should attend to their duties. It also said that shops, business establishments, educational institutions should remain open and transport facilities should function normally. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to grant Indian citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who fled religious persecution in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan and entered India before December 31, 2014. State Finance and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said on Monday that the Gauhati High Court had ruled that calling a bandh was an illegal act and so the statewide bandh called by 46 organisations on Tuesday cannot be allowed as it will amount to contempt of court. KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi said this was the first time that they had called a bandh and they would not call it off as the very "existence of Assamese and their identity was at stake by the Bill". Voter recruiting efforts are paying off. Bexar County has some new voters on the rolls, but getting them to cast ballots in the November general election is going to be a challenge. Voter apathy is a big problem not just in our community but across the state. Texas ranks pretty low in voter turnout when compared to other states. The last time it recorded more than a 50 percent turnout for a midterm election was in the mid-90s. Given the crowds on the first days of early voting, we are hopeful this year will not be as disappointing. But getting more people to fill out voter registration forms is a hollow victory if they dont participate in the election process. In the spring primaries, Bexar County showed 1,073,655 registered, eligible voters, but only 14.5 percent cast ballots. As bad as that looks, some elections dont even get a double-digit turnout. In Texas, over the past couple of decades, the number of registered voters has grown from 11.5 million to more than 15.6 million. In Bexar County, the pool of registered voters has increased from 1,049,089 in 2016 to 1,094,734, from a recent count. We all need to do our part to encourage registered voters to go to the polls. As trite as it may sound, every single vote counts. Over the years, multiple local races have been determined by a handful of votes. A long ballot can be intimidating for first-time voters, but a little bit of homework can go a long way. The Bexar County Elections Office offers a sample ballot on its website that can be printed out so voters can familiarize themselves with the candidates and issues on the ballot. Voters are allowed to carry their sample ballot, as well as a list of the Express-News candidate recommendations, into the voting booth. Although Texas voters will be allowed to cast a straight-party vote until September 2020, we dont recommend it. No single party has dibs on bad candidates. Political party sweeps alway wreak havoc with the local justice system, and we have witnessed too many fine judges lose their benches to less experienced opponents. In one case, one of those newly elected jurists ended up in prison on public corruption charges before the end of his term. This go-round, a Republican sweep would mean re-election of one county court judge who likes to work 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and delegate the calling of her docket to her staff. A Democratic sweep would result in the election of a district judge candidate who tried to use questionable tactics in an attempt to have her misdemeanor criminal record expunged. And they are not the only worrisome candidates on the ballot. The number of states that allow straight-party voting is dwindling and for good reason. Most straight-party voters focus on the top of the ballot and give the the lower ballot candidates short shrift, causing serious collateral damage. It is often the local candidates at the bottom of the ballot who have the biggest day-to-day impact on the lives of voters. Once straight voting is eliminated, voters no longer will be allowed to simply mark one box and cast a ballot for all candidates running under that political party label. The candidates still will have their party affiliation next to their name, but voters will have to vote for each one individually. Municipal, school board, bond issue and other taxing district elections have never been partisan, and the change in the voting law will not affect them. However, it is anticipated that voter time in the booth will be longer. In the upcoming election, for example, there are 60 races. In addition, some voters will be casting ballots in city charter, school board and bond elections. It can go quickly with a preview of a sample ballot and a little research ahead of time. Dont take the right to vote for granted. Cast an informed vote. During early voting as well as on Election Day, citizens will vote for dozens of judges who will affect our daily lives, from justices of the peace to justices on the state Supreme Court. But for the most part, well vote blindfolded. Harris County voters, for example, will face a ballot of 76 judgeship elections, each contested. But we dont have the right information. The Legislature needs to step in. If it doesnt, we should change to a different system such as gubernatorial nomination plus legislative consent, like the federal system, or gubernatorial nomination plus vetting by a commission plus retention elections, like Californias system. Most people will not recognize names on the judicial ballot. Even if they do, their main information will be from campaign slogans, endorsements or a political party. Fairness and not legislating from the bench are typical slogans, but no one knows what those platitudes mean. The real questions are more basic: Are judges writing opinions that report the actual facts of the case? Or making up nonexistent facts? Are they using the law that applies? Or deciding results first? There is no clearinghouse that effectively collects information about judges who are up for re-election. There is a website called The Robing Room, created by lawyers for lawyers, that attempts to collect rankings and reviews about state and federal judges across the nation. It is still in its infancy. There are also endorsements from newspapers and various organizations. These help to the extent that the endorser is giving us concrete judicial reasons, instead of its own political position. Imagine if a tort-reform group or anti-gun group endorses a judge. Is that a good thing or bad thing? Is the endorsement telling us the judge is already biased against accident victims or gun rights? Who wants such a judge? What judge wants that endorsement? We should want to hear the endorsers specific reasons for picking a particular judge. The Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct is supposed to investigate complaints about judges, which might be helpful to voters. But it operates in secret, is ineffective and has largely remained immune to the sunset review process. The Legislature needs to fix it. Finally, there is voting based on political party, possibly the worst way to choose a judge because it leaves the choice to political leaders or donors. It is no choice at all. One-party dominance, last-minute political appointments emanating from the governors office and uncontested judicial elections are factors that keep the benefits of an elected judiciary out of reach. Austin voters will have 19 judgeships that are uncontested on this years Travis County ballot. Heres what needs to be done to provide Texas voters the information they need to make an informed choice for judicial candidates: The Texas Legislature should step in. There should be a clearinghouse of information on judges. The Public Information Act needs to be expanded to include some aspects of judicial communication. The Commission on Judicial Conduct should be made more transparent. Bottom line: If voters are going to elect, they need better information on judges. Or we should switch to a different system. Serafine, an Austin attorney licensed in California, New York and Washington, D.C., as well as Texas, is developing methods to improve judicial elections. The Union Minister commented along the lines of the ban on women of menstruating age entering Sabarimala shrine. Addressing an event, Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani also shared an anecdote when she had to wait outside a temple, with her son inside. (Photo: Twitter | ANI) Mumbai: Union Minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday took to Twitter to clarify her comments she made along the lines of the centuries-old ban on women of menstruating age entering Sabarimala shrine in Kerala. She tweeted, "As far as those who jump the gun regarding women visiting friends place with a sanitary napkin dipped in menstrual blood I am yet to find a person who takes a blood soaked napkin to offer to any one let alone a friend." Irani had earlier said, "It is plain common sense. Would you take sanitary napkins soaked in menstrual blood to a friends home? You will not. And do you think it is respectful to do the same thing when you walk into the house of God? So that is the difference. That is my personal opinion, Smriti Irani said at the Young Thinkers Conference organised in Mumbai. As far as those who jump the gun regarding women visiting friends place with a sanitary napkin dipped in menstrual blood I am yet to find a person who takes a blood soaked napkin to offer to any one let alone a friend. Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) October 23, 2018 Also Read: Will you take blood-soaked pad to friends?: Smriti Irani on Sabarimala row In a series of tweets, Irani said, "As a practising Hindu married to a practising Zoroastrian I am not allowed to enter a fire temple to pray. I respect that stand by the Zoroastrian community/priests & do not approach any court for a right to pray as a mother of 2 Zoroastrian children." She also drew parallels to the entry of Parsi women inside fire temples during menstruation. Irani said, "Similarly Parsi or non Parsi menstruating women irrespective of age do not go to a Fire Temple." She added, "These are 2 factual statements. Rest of the propaganda/agenda being launched using me as bait is well just that ... bait." "But what fascinates me though does not surprise me is that as a woman I am not free to have my own point of view. As long as I conform to the liberal point of view Im acceptable. How Liberal is that?" Irani said. The comments evoked sharp reactions on Tuesday on social media with people slamming the Union Minister. The Sabarimala shrine opened on October 17, for the first time after the historic Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all ages to enter the Lord Ayappa shrine. However, no woman of the banned age group was able to enter the hill-top shrine amid massive protests by priests and devotees. Aqua Sana is Center Parcs very own spa retreat in the forest. Tucked away, surrounded by trees, Aqua Sana offers a sensory escape in the heart of the forest giving guests at Center Parcs Longford Forest an unparalleled spa experience, the opportunity to relax, unwind and treat themselves to some me time. Measuring over 2,500 square-meters and costing 10m, Aqua Sana Longford Forest is set to be Irelands largest stand-alone spa, boasting 14 treatments rooms and 23 unique spa experiences. Center Parcs Ireland has also announced that luxury beauty brands VOYA and ELEMIS have been selected as spa suppliers for Aqua Sana. World-renowned Irish spa brand, VOYA, and leading skincare brand, ELEMIS, will provide the premium spa products for a wide range of treatments. VOYA certified organic products are formulated using the finest natural ingredients, hand-harvested seaweed extract and essential oils to nourish and protect skin to offer guests to Aqua Sana the best of award-winning therapeutic treatments. While leading beauty brand, ELEMIS, blends science and nature to provide products that have been hailed for their transformative results. VOYA and ELEMIS will work hand in hand to deliver the ultimate spa experience at Aqua Sana, Center Parcs Longford Forest. Kay Pennington, Aqua Sana Group Spa Manager commented on the announcement: We are really excited to be introducing Aqua Sana to Ireland in 2019 and welcoming guests to our unique, luxury forest retreat. We are thrilled to announce VOYA and ELEMIS as the Aqua Sana spa suppliers for Center Parcs Longford Forest, which will open in 2019. Aqua Sana will offer a variety of treatments and we know that VOYA and ELEMISare the ideal beauty brands to provide our guests with the best possible spa experience. Kira Walton, VOYA founder said: We are incredibly excited for the arrival of Center Parcs to Longford Forest in 2019 and are delighted that VOYA has been chosen as a partner to Aqua Sana Ireland. We have worked with Aqua Sana since 2017 and we know how committed they are to providingguests with a best in class experience. Center Parcs is in tune with VOYAs love of all things natural so this partnership makes complete sense! Harrison Gregory, ELEMIS Director of Sales said: ELEMIS has a great working relationship with Center Parcs, providing our premium spa products to Aqua Sana for over a decade. We are delighted to be chosen as one of the spa brands for Aqua Sana in Longford Forest and we look forward to working with the Center Parcs Ireland team to deliver a top-quality spa experience to guests. Center Parcs Longford Forest will open in Longford in 2019, offering a new, luxury destination for families to spend quality time together. For more information, visit www.centerparcs.ie. ISPCA bosses have vowed to vigorously oppose Bord na Monas plans to construct a multi million euro wind farm in south Longford on foot of heightening animal welfare concerns. The charitys Chief Executive Officer Dr Andrew Kelly made the disclosure at a public meeting in Lanesboro on Monday night concerning the proposed 24 strong wind turbine development in nearby Derryadd. ALSO READ: Incensed Longford Councillor suggests revised Derryadd wind farm plan is rural 'genocide' Dr Kelly said the sheer scale of the project and proximity of the windfarm to its headquarters in Kenagh had left the organisation with little option but to formally lodge its own objection to the planned development. The windfarm would be right at the back of our site at Derryglogher and extend all the way down to Lanesboro. The nearest turbine would be 750 metres (away) and 185 metres tall, he outlined. Citing a 2015 British Horse Society report into the effects of wind energy, Dr Kelly said the charity harboured grave anxieties over how the development would impinge on its continued ability to provide a safe haven for distressed and neglected animals. At any one time, we (ISPCA) would have anything up to 30 horses on site. These are horses that are seized by our inspectors and often taken out of poor conditions where they are already stressed, he said." For more on this story, see this week's Longford Leader. Tech & Science, School & Education, Nature & Weather, Local News, Business & Finance, Press Releases, Politics By Long Island News & PR Published: October 23 2018 Projects Support New York's Nation-Leading Goal for 50 Percent of Electricity to Come from Renewable Energy Sources and Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions 40 Percent by 2030. Albany, NY - October 23, 2018 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York State will award nearly $1 million each to The University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Suffolk County Community College as part of the Energy to Lead Competition. The competition challenges New York colleges and universities across the state to develop plans for local clean energy projects on campus and in their communities as New York seeks innovative solutions to combat climate change. "Through the 'Energy to Lead' competition, New York is fostering clean energy innovation to help fight climate change and protect our environment," Governor Cuomo said. "I commend the students and faculty for their steadfast commitment to improving their campus and community, helping to create a cleaner, greener New York for all." Applicants were required to submit projects which demonstrate innovation in one or more of the following areas: project design, business model, partnerships, and/or curriculum integration. Schools and universities were also required to describe the project's impact on greenhouse gas emissions, how they would measure success and how they would use the funding to advance the project. These projects are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2,125 metric tons over the next five years. "The Energy to Lead Competition provides colleges and universities with the funding needed to develop innovative clean energy projects in their communities," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "We're incentivizing clean energy innovation to create more jobs and opportunities throughout the state to ensure a cleaner environment and stronger economy for future generations. Congratulations to teams at the University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Suffolk County Community College. These projects will continue to advance our renewable energy goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to help combat climate change." The Energy to Lead Competition, announced by Governor Cuomo in 2015, is part of the REV Campus Challenge which recognizes and supports colleges and universities in New York State that strive to meet their financial, environmental, academic and community goals through clean energy solutions. In May 2016, Bard College, SUNY University at Buffalo, and SUNY Broome Community College were each awarded $1 million through the competition. These projects are expected to be completed in fall 2020. The competition is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and open to two- or four-year public or private colleges or universities. The competition challenges schools to develop ideas for innovative projects in energy efficiency, renewable energy or greenhouse gas emission reduction on campus, in the classroom and in surrounding communities. The announcement was made at RIT's Golisano Institute of Sustainability. Richard Kauffman, Chair of Energy and Finance for New York State, said, "I'm thrilled to see the next generation of clean energy leaders at our state colleges and universities demonstrating a real commitment to finding solutions to our energy challenges. Under Governor Cuomo, New York has made it a priority to scale up New York's clean energy economy and these projects will help drive progress to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make our communities more sustainable as we protect our environment from the impacts of climate change." Alicia Barton, President and CEO of NYSERDA, said, "Congratulations to the winners of the Energy to Lead Competition for developing ambitious and innovative clean energy projects to help solve energy challenges on their campuses and surrounding communities. Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, New York continues marching toward a cleaner energy system built on cutting-edge ideas discovered as part of collaborations with higher-education and our competitions that are inspiring the next generation of energy leaders." SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson said, "SUNY, as an engine of innovation embedded in every region of the state, has the capacity to pioneer solutions to combat the environmental issues plaguing our communities, our state, and our planet. Suffolk County Community College's dedication to using net-zero energy elements in the construction of its new STEM Center is a sound example of environmental leadership. This work will help to make our state and the world more sustainable. Thank you to Governor Cuomo for helping to bring this project to life, and congratulations to Suffolk County Community College and past winners, University at Buffalo and Broome Community College for receiving these awards." The University of Rochester will install a modular, combination solar PV and energy storage system that will feed into an existing university microgrid, offsetting the energy requirements of an upcoming high-efficiency academic building. The installation will offer research on solar energy production and energy storage in support of maintaining grid reliability as well as a substantial education and outreach plan. The project is expected to result in the avoidance of 91 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. University of Rochester President Richard Feldman said, "The University of Rochester is honored to be selected by NYSERDA to receive this grant as part of the REV Campus Challenge. We are excited about the powerful potential of our project and thank Governor Cuomo for his support. This funding will help establish a net-zero building on the University's campus that integrates solar production with energy storage in a completely scalable fashion. The solar-energy storage array will also support research and educational opportunities for our students and faculty. In addition, partnering with ENEROCa member of the City of Rochester's Market Driven Corporationfor the installation will provide a local Rochester workforce and support our community's ongoing efforts to reduce poverty." RIT will create a platform that integrates multiple data sources to enable the existing building automation system to manage operation schedules, adjust ventilation rates in classrooms, and respond to peak demand days. The platform, once tested and deployed at RIT, will be tested at Monroe Community College's downtown campus and then made publicly available free of charge for other institutions to leverage. The project is expected to result in the avoidance of 108 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. RIT President David Munson said, "This project leverages many of RIT's strengths, including our innovative spirit, the cutting-edge nature of our academic programs, and the way our campus serves as a laboratory for experiential learning. We applaud Governor Cuomo for investing in research that addresses solutions to global challenges and for recognizing the important role of higher education in working toward these solutions." Suffolk County Community College will implement net-zero energy components during construction of its Renewable Energy & Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Center, including ground source heat pumps and solar. The project design will focus on reducing building thermal loads and serves as a replicable approach to energy conservation, efficiency and renewable energy. It will showcase clean energy technologies to the broader community and will integrate curricula to develop a qualified workforce required to support the growing clean energy industry. The project is expected to result in the avoidance of 227 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Shaun L. McKay said, "Suffolk County Community College is committed to advancing and demonstrating clean energy and innovative initiatives on campus, in the classroom, and in our communities. Through support and sponsorship that will be incorporated into the College's proposed Renewable Energy and STEM Center, the Energy to Lead grant award will serve as a funding resource for nearly $1 million worth of state-of-the-art technologies and equipment that will be employed to reduce the new building's Energy Use Intensity consumption and to teach best practices of sustainable energy applications as a learning laboratoryserving as an energy conservation and learning resource center. Upon completion of its construction, this structure will represent the first building of its kind in the SUNY system, and on Long Island. We sincerely appreciate, acknowledge, and thank Governor Cuomo as well as NYSERDA for this important award that will lead to multiple transformational educational opportunities for our Long Island students." This round of Energy to Lead included 24 project submissions from 21 different public and private colleges and universities across the state. Applications were reviewed by an evaluation panel and winners were chosen based on project cost effectiveness, innovativeness, energy efficiency and clean energy measures, the impact on greenhouse gas emissions, and how funding would be used to advance the project on campus and in the community. For more information on Energy to Lead, visit NYSERDA's website About Reforming the Energy Vision Nature & Weather, Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases By Long Island News & PR Published: October 23 2018 County accepts donation of a Polaris All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) for use by the Suffolk County Police Department. Suffolk County, NY - October 23, 2018 - Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today announced an agreement with the Central Pine Barrens Commission to accept the donation of a Polaris All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) for use by the Suffolk County Police Department. The Police Department, which participates on the Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today announced an agreement with the Central Pine Barrens Commission to accept the donation of a Polaris All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) for use by the Suffolk County Police Department. The Police Department, which participates on the Pine Barrens Commission Law Enforcement Council's Multi-agency ATV Task Force, helps address illegal ATV operation along with state and local partner agencies. The new vehicle will augment existing equipment and resources that the county deploys in the Pine Barrens region to preserve and protect open space. This ATV gives our Police Officers and Parks Rangers another tool to guard one of our most natural and precious resources, said Suffolk County Executive Bellone. I thank the Pine Barrens Commission for their generous gift and continued partnership to enhance public safety. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said: The Suffolk County Police Department is not only committed to serving our residents, but takes pride in protecting the open land that the County has preserved for decades. The Department continues to work with our community partners in a variety of aspects, and is grateful for the Pine Barrens Commissions generosity to provide the department with this new vehicle. We will continue to utilize the necessary resources to patrol these areas and ensure that these lands are safeguarded for future generations. The vehicle, which is a 2018 Polaris ATV, is worth approximately $6,200 and will be owned and operated by the Suffolk County Police Department in conjunction with the Suffolk County Parks Department. The Multi-agency ATV Task Force patrols the 100,000 acres of densely wooded preserved lands in the Central Pine Barrens spanning from Hampton Bays to Setauket . All-terrain vehicles are used in these undeveloped off-road locations to respond to a wide variety of calls for service including injured persons, brush fires, overdue hikers and other searches including trespassing on public and private land, and the illegal operation of dirt bikes and ATVs. ATVs can be deployed at any time to specific calls for service or for general patrol of these otherwise inaccessible areas. Park Rangers patrol the Pine Barrens Region year-round. In 2017, a record number of 75 illegal ATV and off road vehicles were impounded up from 64 in 2016. Additionally, 157 ATV related summonses were issued. In 2017, more than $45,500 was redeemed and collected from the impounded ATVs, a significant increase from $27,245 the year prior. In addition to utilizing ATV patrols, the Suffolk County Police Department also employs an aviation patrol strategy to compliment ongoing efforts details and provide additional support to protect and preserve the central Pine Barrens region. The Pine Barrens Commission Law Enforcement Council's Multi-agency ATV Task Force is comprised of DEC Environmental Conservation Police and Forest Rangers, New York State Troopers and Suffolk County Park Rangers, Police and Deputy Sheriffs. The agencies patrol the pine barrens in teams of two with multiple teams going out each weekend searching for illegal activities in the woods. The Multi-Agency ATV Task Force Detail, organized by the Central Pine Barrens Commission, is lead by Arthur Pendzick, a longtime Suffolk County Park Ranger who has served as the Chairman of the Suffolk County Pine Barrens Law Enforcement Association. Since the Pine Barrens Law Enforcement Councils Multi-Agency ATV Task force details were implemented 1,215 illegal ATVs have been impounded with 3,046 ATV related summonses being issued. Local News, Business & Finance, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases, Politics By Long Island News & PR Published: October 23 2018 Trotta covered corruption, fees, water quality, school safety, Red Light Cameras, the countys budget and fiscal situation, and more. Legislator Rob Trotta (rear row, fifth from left) is pictured with some of the members of the St. James Chamber of Commerce. Smithtown, NY - October 23, 2018 - At the October meeting of the St. James Chamber of Commerce, held at the Harbor Country Day School, Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta was the keynote speaker. He covered a lot of topics: campaign finance, corruption, fees, the County Executives Waiver Committee, water quality, sewers, the countys Alarm Program, school safety, Red Light Cameras, and the countys budget and fiscal situation. I am elected by the people in my district and it is my obligation to say the truth and that is exactly what I do, said Legislator Trotta. He encouraged those attending to listen to his Trotta Talks, where he discusses county issues and programs, which can be found on his Facebook page or on YouTube. After an investigation by detectives and with help from the public, the male, 17, of Mount Sinai , was arrested today and charged with Making Graffiti. He was processed at the Sixth Precinct in Selden and was released on bail. He will be arraigned at a later date. On J&K visit, home minister assesses security, interacts with political parties. Srinagar/Delhi: Home minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said India is ready to hold talks with anyone, including Pakistan, but terror and dialogue can never go together. While addressing a press conference here at the end of his day-long visit to Srinagar for an on-the-spot assessment of the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the home minister said, There is no bar on holding dialogue, but there is a condition from our side for it. They (Pakistan) should, at least, see that they cant sponsor and promote terrorism directed against India and, at the same time, talk about holding dialogue with us. The two things cant go together. The home ministers assertions came a day after Pakistans Prime Minister Imran Khan demanded a plebiscite and claimed that atrocities are being perpetrated in J&K. We made broad effort to improve relations with Pakistan. Our Prime Minister broke all protocols and went to Pakistan to meet its Prime Minister and his family with a view that they are our neighbours and we should have good neighbourly relations with them. But nothing positive came from their side, Mr Singh said. The home minister said that Pakistan should assure India that it will not do anything to promote terrorism. Asked if there was any initiative to hold talks with the separatists, Mr Singh said that the government will talk to anyone who is willing to enter into a dialogue, but refused to elaborate. The government will not shy away from talks. We have been saying this time and again, anyone who wants to talk, we are ready, he said. During his visit, Mr Singh held one-on-one meetings with J&K governor Satya Pal Malik and former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti. He also met political delegations from the National Conference, the Peoples Democratic Party, the Congress and the BJP. Expressing satisfaction over the recent municipal elections, Mr Singh said that panchayat elections will also be held in the state soon in a peaceful manner. During his meetings with security and intelligence agencies in Srinagar, Mr Singh was briefed on how Pakistan-based terror groups are planning to infiltrate 150 militants before the onset of winter. Following specific inputs, the home minister directed the Army and the BSF to remain on high alert to foil any infiltration attempts. These details, sources added, were being taken extremely seriously since reports suggest that militants are camping close to the border, waiting for an opportunity to enter India with assistance from Pakistani border guarding forces. The home minister also asked the security agencies to ensure that lives of innocent citizens are protected even during an ongoing operation. These instructions come in the wake of the death of seven civilians in Kulgam and Anantnag areas. Mr Singh expressed his regrets over the killing of seven civilians in a blast at the encounter site in Laroo village of southern Kulgam district on Sunday. I want to say that the incident that occurred at Kulgam was unfortunate. We feel pain over it, he said and appealed to people not to go near sites where operations by the security forces are in progress. He announced `5 lakh compensation to the next of kin of each civilian killed. On the eve of Mr Singhs visit, the riot police and Central armed forces sealed Srinagars historic central square Lal Chowk to hold back a protest sit-in planned by an alliance of key separatist leaders to protest against the civilian killings during counterinsurgency operations by the security forces. Titre du Poste : Project Manager Lieu de travail : Accountability Lab Mali, Bureau de Bamako Experience : 3 a 5 ans Chef hierarchique : Directeur Pays Mali Projet : Porjet Lien & Apprentissage de Voice Implemente par Lab Mali Rapport avec les autres : Travaillera directement avec le responsable des finances, Agent du Suivi & evaluation, lequipe Voice Mali aussi bien le Directeur Pays Accountability Lab Mali Salaire mensuel : 500.000F CFA/par mois negociable selon lexperience du candidat. Voice est un mecanisme de subvention innovant permettant de faire entendre la voix des personnes les plus marginalisees et les plus discriminees dans dix pays dAfrique et dAsie, dont le Niger. Finance par le ministere Neerlandais des Affaires Etrangeres et execute par Oxfam et Hivos, Voice fournit differents types de subventions aux organisations de la societe civile pour renforcer leur capacite a mieux representer les voix des groupes les plus marginalises. En plus des subventions, Voice met fortement laccent sur la creation de Lien et Apprentissage afin de stimuler la collaboration, la connectivite, le partage, lecoute, lapprentissage, la creativite, linnovation et lapplication de nouvelles connaissances parmi les groupes partenaires de Voice et la communaute dune maniere generale. Ce processus devrait produire des preuves et des solutions innovantes pour catalyser les changements transformateurs pour les groupes les plus marginalises et discrimines. Le role de Facilitation de Lien et Apprentissage au Mali et au Niger est joue par Accountability Lab, au nom de Voice au Mali et au Niger. Le role du Projet Manager dans le pays est crucial pour que ce role de facilitation soit un succes. RESPONSABILITES GENERALES : Le Project Manager repond du Directeur Pays de ALAB Mali de ALAB Mali Il/ elle coordonnera les activites sur le projet Voice au Mali en collaboration directe avec lequipe de Voice et fournira le rapport periodique Il/ elle participera aux evenements, formations, reunions et Ateliers de Lien et Apprentissage Responsabilites specifiques : Coordination etroite avec lequipe Voice ; Application dapproches participatives et inclusives avec tous les partenaires Voice et de toutes les activites de liens et apprentissage ; Assurer la coordination de lensemble des activites du projet Voice Mali ; Organisation et realisation des evenements et activites de Lien et Apprentissage en collaboration directe avec lequipe Voice au Mali et les partenaires Preparer les propositions de programmation annuelle des activites du projet Voice Niger ; Appuyer et conseiller le Directeur Pays de ALAB Mali dans la mise en uvre des activites ; Representer la composante Lien et Apprentissage de Voice Mali sous la responsabilite de Accountability Lab, aupres des Institutions du secteur public, des partenaires, du public et des ONG ; Produire les rapports de suivi evaluation periodique du projet Voice Mali en collaboration avec le Responsable de Suivi Evaluation ; Participer au suivi budgetaire du projet Voice Mali en collaboration avec le responsable Financier ; Assurer la gestion des ressources mises a sa disposition dans le cadre des activites du projet Voice ; Evaluation de lapprentissage, de redaction, de proposition, et de conclusion des futurs programmes ; Produire les rapports narratifs et financiers periodiques en collaboration avec le Responsable Suivi Evaluation et le le Responsable Financier suivant les normes et standards exiges par Voice ; Participer a la formation continue du personnel et des volontaires presents dans les bureaux ALAB Mali ; Executer toute autre tache relevant de sa competence quand cest necessaire QUALIFICATIONS/ EXPERIENCES : Avoir le niveau BAC +4 au minimum Avoir au minimum trois (03) ans dexperience dans le domaine de gestion des projets, facilitation de processus participatives et dapprentissage, ou de suivi evaluation, Avoir une experience dans la facilitation de processus participatif ou dapprentissage Interagir avec des groupes divers (genre, age, religion, ethnie, sexe etc.) Avoir un interet et engagement particulier pour les groupes cibles de Voice ; Forte competence organisationnelle ; Forte competence de facilitation et de processus participatif Avoir une bonne capacite de communication ecrite et orale Etre dispose a travailler sous pression Maitrise du francais et de Anglais requis, Toute Autre langue parlee du pays est un atout majeur. COMPETENCES Aptitude averee a faire preuve de discretion, de confidentialite, de tact, de bon jugement et a maintenir un haut niveau de professionnalisme. Aptitude a travailler en equipe. Capacite a travailler de facon autonome, de prendre des initiatives et faire preuve de jugement. Fortes aptitudes informatiques, y compris la connaissance de Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, recherche sur internet et lutilisation de base de donnees. Aptitude a interagir avec des personnes a tous les niveaux. DUREE : 24 mois Date limite de depot des dossiers : 2 Novembre 2018 Contact: [email protected] Job Title Project Manager Place of Work Accountability Lab Mali, Bamako Office Prior Experience 3 5 Years Reports to Country Director Mali Manages Voice Linking and Learning Facilitated by Accountability Lab Mali Relationship to others Work closely with Financial Officer, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, the Voice Country Team in Mali as well as the Accountability Lab Country Director in Mali Compensation 500.000F CFA/per month negotiable, commensurate with experience Voice is an innovative grant facility to unleash voices of the most marginalised and discriminated people in ten countries in Africa and Asia including Niger. Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and executed by Oxfam and Hivos, Voice provides different types of grants to Civil Society organisations to build their capacity to better represent the voices of the most marginalised groups. In addition to grants Voice has a strong Linking and Learning focus aiming is to boost collaboration, connectedness, sharing, listening, learning, creativity, innovation, and application of new knowledge amongst the Voice grantees as well as the wider community. This process should produce evidence and innovative solutions to catalyse transformative changes for the most marginalized and discriminated groups. The Linking and Learning Facilitation role in Mali and Niger is played by Accountability Lab on behalf of Voice in Mali and Niger. The role of project manager in-country is crucial in making this facilitation role a success. For more information on Voice and the role of Accountability Lab as an Linking and Learning Facilitation please see https://www.voice.global/grantees/connecting-voices-in-mali-niger/ MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Project Manager answers to the Country Director of ALAB Mali He / she will coordinate activities on the Voice Linking and learning facilitation in Mali and provide the periodic reports He / she will participate in events, trainings, meetings and projects workshops of the Linking and Learning SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES Straight coordination with Voice Country Office ; Working through Participative and inclusive approaches with all Voice partners and in all Linking and Learning activities ; Coordinate all activities of the Voice Mali Linking and Learning Facilitation Prepare the annual programming proposals for the activities of the Voice Mali and Linking and Learning facilitation Support and advise the Country Director of ALAB Mali in the implementation of the activities; Represent the Mali Voice Linking and Learning facilitation under the reponsability of Accountability Lab in public sector, institutions, partners, the public and NGOs meetings ; Participate in the budget monitoring of the Voice Mali project in collaboration with the Finance Manager ; Manage the resources made available to him or her in the context of the activities of the Voice Linking and Learning ; Produce periodic narrative and financial reports in collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager and the Financial Manager according to the standards and standards required by the partners; Evaluation Learning, writing, proposal, and conclusion of future programs ; Participate in the ongoing training of staff and volunteers present in the Mali and office ; Perform any other tasks if needed that fall within his competence QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE : Have minimum BAC +4 level/ A BA or MA in project management or similar Have at least three (3) years of experience in the field of project management, Facilitation and participatory process and leanring, monitoring and evaluation, Interact with all divers groups (sex, age, gender, religion, ethnic etc.) Specific engagement and interest with Voice partners Strong organizational skills ; Strong facilitation and participatory process and leanring skills ; Have good written and oral communication skills Be willing to work under pressure Mastery of French and English required, Any other languages spoken in the country is a major asset. COMPETENCES Proven ability to exercise discretion, confidentiality, tact, good judgment and maintain a high level of professionalism. Ability to work in a team. Ability to work independently, take initiative and use judgment. Strong computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet search and database usage. Ability to interact with persons at all levels Please send your Resume and Cover Letter to [email protected] by November 2, 2018 Commentaires via Facebook : SPRINGFIELD -- The developer behind SilverBrick Square, where city inspectors shut down plumbing work last week, was told Monday at a City Council subcommittee meeting that it is his responsibility to rectify permitting and other regulatory issues. The apartment project has a tax incentive of up to $150,000 over 10 years. It's an incentive many on the council were and are skeptical of -- and one Aaron Papowitz, founder and managing principal of New York City-based SilverBrick Group, stands to lose if state and local laws are not followed. "Our constituents need to see that you are going to do things the right way," said At-Large Councilor Jesse Lederman. City Solicitor Edward Pikula said tax incentives require that recipients follow state laws and building codes. If recipients don't live up to those rules, the city can notify the state and the state can decertify the project. SilverBrick Group is redeveloping 122 Chestnut St., a former YMCA, into 99 apartments. Large parts of the facility are already occupied. Last week, city inspectors found unlicensed workers doing plumbing at SilverBrick Square. They were using substandard pipe and had tried to hide that fact by sanding off colored markings indicating the grade of pipe. Sanding the markings is something Springfield Code Enforcement Commissioner Steven Desilets called deliberate as opposed to a mistake. Plumbing work also was not properly vented and vent pipes were not capped, allowing sewer gas to escape into the building. Papowitz said his contract with the general contractor, A&G Contracting Inc. of Connecticut, requires that all work is done by licensed professionals and up to code. He also said he works with A&G often, including on the renovations work at the SilverBrick Lofts complex a few blocks away on Main Street. To that point, Desilets told councilors that the city had issues at SilverBrick Lofts as well, finding unlicensed plumbers working without permits. "You need to take a long look at the contractors you use," Desilets told Papowitz. Ward 1 Councilor Adam Gomez, chairman of the Economic Development Subcommittee, said he's heard from residents about ongoing plumbing issues in SilverBrick Lofts. Plumbing work hasn't been the only regulatory issue at SilverBrick Square, the Chestnut Street project, either. The Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents in August cited a different subcontractor on the site, JLRN Home Framing of New Haven, Connecticut, for not having a valid workers' compensation policy. The state fined JLRN $300. The contractor got the required coverage and a stop-work order was lifted three days later. Papowitz, who had been invited by Gomez to speak with the subcommittee after news of the code enforcement went public, said he and his team are working to rectify the problems. The former plumbing subcontractor, Mikhail K. Shtefan, of West Springfield, is gone from the job, and Papowitz has hired 413 Plumbing & Heating LLC of Pittsfield at the recommendation of the Plumbers and Pipefitters union. Papowitz said his project team has prepared engineering drawings of the vent work. Desilets said the new contractor must take out a new permit before work can begin. The new contractor will then be responsible for making sure all the work is up to code. Papowitz answered questions from councilors, but declined to take questions from The Republican following the meeting. He instead sent an emailed statement. "The general contractor confirmed that the vast majority of the of materials for the project have been installed to code," he wrote. "However, there were mistakes made by a sub contractor who has been removed from the project and replaced with local sub contractor who will correct the mistakes." "We are 100% committed to quality housing that benefits the Springfield community. We thank the building department inspectors for bringing this to our attention and we thank the city council, local labor groups, and Mayor Sarno for their time and efforts on this matter." Desilets said Monday that inspectors were originally called to 122 Chestnut on a tip that plumbing work was going on without a permit. They found the work, and had the contractor get a permit. The follow-up inspection found the improper pipe and, the unlicensed workers and the poor venting. Desilets said state licensing authorities are investigating and could sanction Shtefan, the former plumbing subcontractor. One of the four workers doing plumbing has a license from New Jersey, not Massachusetts. Papowitz and SilverBrick also have a deal in place to redevelop the Cabotville property in Chicopee Center using another tax incentive program. Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos said Thursday that project now deserves more scrutiny. SilverBrick Group bought 122 Chestnut St. in Springfield in February for $4.8 million. It plans a $6.2 million renovation. Council President Orlando Ramos said he'd like Papowitz to abide by the city's tax increment financing (TIF) ordinance requiring local labor and minority hiring. This project doesn't fall under the ordinance because the TIF ordinance passed into law after SilverBrick Square was approved. "This is the exact problem we were hoping to avoid by passing a TIF ordinance," Ramos said. Peter Frankopan said melting of ice due to higher global temperatures could unleash biological agents trapped for thousands of years. One and a half degree difference allowed a small microbe to develop into the Black Death. (Photo: Pixabay) An Oxford professor has now claimed Global warming could bring back killer diseases such as the Black Death which wiped out tens of millions of people in the Middle Ages, an Oxford professor has claimed. Peter Frankopan said the melting of ice due to higher global temperatures could unleash biological agents which had been trapped for thousands of years. Recently, climate scientists warned the world will suffer extreme weather and natural disasters including drought and flood if the rise in global temperatures is not kept below 1.5C (2.7F). MailOnline cited The Time report and stated that Professor Frankopan told the Cheltenham Literature Festival that a similar rise in temperatures had enabled the great plague of the 1340s. Speaking about it, he said, The process of what happens when there is this kind of climate change is enormous. For example, in the 1340s, a 1.5C (2.7F) movement of heating of the earths atmosphere - probably because of solar flares or volcanic activity - changes the cycle of Yersinia pestis bacterium. He added that the one and a half degree difference allowed a small microbe to develop into the Black Death. The unfreezing of permafrost would release agents that had been buried for millennia, he said. The Black Death in the 1340s was one of the deadliest outbreaks of disease in human history where millions of people were killed and some scholars believe that as much as half of Europes population was wiped out. The disease is thought to have arrived in Europe - beginning in Italy and spreading across the continent - after being transported from Asia. Experts say it reduced the world's population from an estimated 450 million to almost 350 million in 1400, causing significant social change. Further outbreaks of plague included a killer outbreak in London in 1665 in which an estimated 100,000 people died in 18 months. London's last recorded death from plague was in 1679. MONTAGUE -- Frustrated by an unresponsive Southworth Paper Co., the Turners Falls fire chief this week will change locks at the old Southworth Mill, put a fire department padlock on the gate and post the building as no unauthorized entry. Fire Chief John Zellmann said Monday he'll be the only one who can authorize anyone to go inside. A Franklin Superior Court judge gave the Turners Falls Fire Department permission Friday to secure the building during a hearing in Greenfield. The district and the town of Montague, of which Turners Falls is a part, sued Southworth in September. The town and fire department want Southworth to restore power, heat and fire alarms to the 146,000-square-foot building before winter, remove chemicals and other paper-making supplies and close it up against trespassers. The mill was built in 1890. Southworth shut down the mill abruptly in August 2017, and the company filed for bankruptcy a month later. Southworth's shutdown threw about 120 employees in in Turners Falls, Agawam and Seattle out of work. Southworth's bankruptcy petition was eventually dismissed and the company still exists, at least on paper. "We've been through this with abandoned buildings before," Zellmann said. "They shut the door, they leave and they don't care." Zellmann is trying to prevent a repeat of the Strathmore Mill fire. That mill, next door to Southworth, burned for 36 hours over Memorial Day weekend 2007. No one was injured, but it took 35 fire departments from three states to put it out. An unoccupied, big, old building without alarms, heat, electricity or sprinklers is extremely dangerous, he said, particularly with the added hazard of paper-making chemicals left inside. "By the time we find out there is a fire, it's probably going to be blowing out the windows," he said. "And then we wouldn't know if there was anyone in there. It would be extremely dangerous for our firefighters." Zellmann said he still hopes to work with Southworth executives. He'd like to avoid having to board up the mill and pay for it out of the fire department's budget. "You can always get a lien on the property," he said. "But if there is no company anymore and if it never sells,how do you get the money?" Southworth already owes Montague $298,000 in unpaid 2017 and 2018 taxes and penalties, according to documents on file at the Franklin County Registry of Deeds. Southworth sold its Agawam property and closed the offices in Seattle. Southworth bought the Turners Falls mill in 2006. The building, long known as Esleeck Paper Co., was built as part of a planned industrial development taking advantage of the hydropower on this stretch of the Connecticut River. The mill started off making onionskin paper for typewriters. Southworth had a buyer for the mill, but the deal fell through. Separately, the company also scheduled an auction but canceled it. In court papers filed earlier this year, Southworth said expenses at the mill, including payroll of just a caretaker, utilities, insurance and other operating expenses, exceeded $100,000 a month. Tibetan Buddhist monks from the North American Center of Drepung Loseling Monastery are constructing a mandala in colored sand through Friday, Oct. 26, in the Flynn Campus Union of Springfield College. The sacred art form dates back more than 2,000 years to the historical Buddha and in Tibetan Buddhism incorporates various deities and levels of existence into its circle for the purpose of meditation and enlightenment. The dense sand is funneled into place by four teams of monks who create a blueprint from memory, and who later ritually dismantle their creation as a symbol of the ever-changing nature of life and that the physical is not what is eternal. The public is invited to observe the creation of the mandala during the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and to attend the closing ceremony on Friday, Oct. 26, at 1 p.m., during which it will be consecrated upon completion, as it was at its beginning, and also dismantled according to tradition. The Center for Tibetan Buddhist Studies, Practice and Culture, the North American Seat of the Drepung Loseling Monastery, is an affiliate of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Drepung Loseling Monastery in India, home to about 3,000 monks, was created after the Chinese Communist overthrew the Tibet government in 1959, and closed most of the country's monasteries, including Drepung Loseling which was once home to thousands of monks from China, India and Russia. The monks' presence and creation at Springfield College are funded through the college's Office of Spiritual Life and can be viewed on Facebook. Halloween is just around the corner and nightspots are offering fun for adults. Commonwealth Bar and Lounge, the bar at the center of it all at MGM Springfield, will transform into "Wealth-O-Ween" on Saturday. This promises to be a high-energy party with haunting decorations and sizzling beats by DJ Arianna. Guests will have the opportunity to compete in a sexy costume contest for the chance to win $5,000 in cash prizes. The event will start at 9 p.m. and there is no cover charge to enter. Guests are not permitted to wear full or partial masks, face coverings or any face paint while at MGM Springfield for all Halloween events. This includes being on the casino floor and throughout the property. Costumes with fake weapons also will not be allowed. Visiting the casino floor in costumes and makeup after these events also will not be allowed. For more information on this event and other Halloween happenings at MGM Springfield, please visit mgmspringfield.com. The venue is at One MGM Way. Heading north on Interstate 91, the 13th Floor Music Lounge will present a punk/thrash/hardcore Halloween party featuring four bands on Saturday. The groups include Goblet, The Humanoids, Zero Point, and PWRUP. The music starts at 9 p.m. and the cover charge is $10. Costumes are encouraged. The 13th Floor Music Lounge is at 99 Main St. in the Florence section of Northampton. Bishop's Lounge in Northampton will hold its Halloween bash/dance party on Saturday, featuring DJ Theory. Bishop's is on the third floor at 41 Strong Ave. Luthier's Co-op in Easthampton will hold the fourth annual Devil's Ball in honor of Halloween on Saturday starting at 7 p.m. The musical lineup will feature Prone to Mischief at 7 p.m., Donut Kings at 8 p.m., and When You Got the Blues at 9:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to dress up and those who do will receive a free Donut Kings CD. The show is free and Luthier's Co-op is at 108 Cottage St. This next item isn't a Halloween event per se, but it's occurring on Halloween, so I'm including it. Lee "Scratch" Perry, who started dub music 45 years ago with the album "Blackboard Jungle Dub", has embarked on a tour across North America and will be performing the album live in its entirety for the first time. Luckily for locals, he makes a stop at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke on Oct. 31 Subatomic Sound open the show. Admission is $22.50 in advance and $25 at the door. Gateway City Arts is at 92 Race St. in Holyoke. Do you have a cool event coming up at a local club? Send the information along to me at geolenker@yahoo.com at least two weeks in advance and I'll try to get in in this space. Hollywood is calling out Disney princess films. In separate interviews, actresses Kristen Bell and Keira Knightley expressed their concerns with some Disney classics. They mainly highlighted princess movies--like "Snow White," "Cinderella" and "The Little Mermaid"--questioning if the themes of these films are damaging to young girls. But some argue they are just films, and it's the job of parents to teach their kids right from wrong. Are these films damaging to young girls and boys? PERSPECTIVES Actress Kristen Bell plays princess Anna in "Frozen," and told Parents Magazine: Keira Knightley took the conversation a step further and told Ellen DeGeneres her daughter is not allowed to watch the films because of the sexist narratives. The BBC reported she had this to say about "Cinderella": #KeiraKnightley won't allow her kids to watch certain Disney Princess films for this reason: pic.twitter.com/gfBffonDfr InStyle (@InStyle) October 17, 2018 Their interviews sparked a major debate, and fans online are coming to the defense of the Disney classics. If you want to find faults/problems w/ the Disney Princess movies, that's fine. You definitely view these films differently as adults then when u watch them as kids. But I think you're missing the point re: the positive messages that those characters stand for too Jeff Rothman (@amazingjr87) October 18, 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. AMHERST - Megan Smith, the artist behind the Repeal Hyde Art Project that was formed in 2011, will speak Friday, Oct. 26, from 4 to 5 p.m. at Amherst College's Mead Art Museum. She will also lead an art and activism community workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Sculpture Courtyard outside the Mead. Rain location is the Women's and Gender Center in Keefe Campus Center. The Oct. 26 events are part of the college's Reproductive Justice Week that is a collaboration between WGC and the campus club Reproductive Justice Alliance among other partners. It is described as designed to "increase knowledge about the politics of abortion access, as well as to provide students with the resources they need to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health." This year's theme focuses on "Queering Reproductive Justice" and looks to broaden understanding of "reproductive justice and apply it to those at the margins of the margins." Reproductive justice, as developed by advocates like author Loretta Ross, looks to highlight that "any woman's reproductive destiny is directly linked to the conditions in her community and these conditions are not just a matter of individual choice and access." The Hyde Amendment prevents federal funding of elective abortions, except in the cases of rape or incest or when a woman's life is in danger. Initially, it affected only low-income women insured through Medicaid, but the fact that the temporary rider to the 1976 budget bill has to be annually approved it has been extended to the Indian Health Service, Medicare, and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate, called for the repeal of the Hyde Amendment during the 2016 presidential election, and Donald J. Trump, the Republican candidate and now president, called for the annual provision to become permanent law. Any change to the amendment would require Congressional approval. Smith's project is described on its website as designed "to create intersectional dialogue that links abortion access to other related issues: a dialogue which reflects the complex realities of our lives." Its bird symbol is said to be "representative of the self-determination, resistance, and resilience of people who confront and overcome barriers to abortion care every day. It is also a positive symbol that represents the hope for change." Modell's Sporting Goods will donate a portion of the proceeds from its "Beat L.A." T-shirts to Boston's Way Home Fund, an organization working to end chronic homelessness, During a press conference at Boston City Hall Tuesday Mayor Marty Walsh and Mitchell Modell, the CEO of Modell's Sporting Goods, announced that $1 from the sale of every t-shirt sold will benefit the fund. Modell gifted Walsh a shirt in front of reporters Tuesday morning, and the mayor said he would put it on later, at the start of the first World Series game at Fenway Park. "Is it a great honor to associate ourselves with such a great city and a great organization like the Red Sox," Modell said. "We have the 'Beat L.A.' shirts, but we also want to beat homelessness so its a double win for everybody." The shirts, available in stores across New England, cost $30. The Boston's Way Home Fund is an initiative designed to raise $10 million to help end chronic homelessness in the city. To date, Walsh said the fund has raised $3.7 million. In 2016, Boston scaled up its efforts to end chronic homelessness. Since then, 606 chronically homeless individuals have been housed, according to the mayor's office. Two days before he was arrested on federal wire and tax fraud charges, Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia II was brought under fire by another agency - the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance. In a letter dated Oct. 9, the director of OCPF wrote that Correia had failed to disclose $16,000 in donations to his legal defense fund in his April donation report. The letter sent to Mark Berthiaume, the mayor's criminal lawyer, said the Friends of Jasiel F. Correia II Legal Defense Fund was reviewed after the state campaign finance agency received a complaint that money was being used inappropriately. Massachusetts law allows politicians to set up defense funds to cover bills in cases related to their elected offices. Correia set up this fund in January, according to records. This complaint, according to the letter, alleged Correia used money in the fund to defend a personal legal matter. The Herald News first reported on the violation Monday night. In its review, the OCPF found that the legal defense fund deposited $51,150 in donations in April 2018, but only disclosed $35,150 in its donation report filed May 4. The mayor's fund amended the report in October to reflect the previously undisclosed money, but now the OCPF is asking he submit all bank statements associated with the fund on a monthly basis until Sept. 30, 2020. If Correia fails to report money in the future, the case could be referred to Attorney General's office, according to the letter. On Oct. 11 Correia pleaded not guilty to charges that he scammed investors in his company SnoOwl out of more than $230,000. He says he will not resign. NORTHAMPTON - A Chicopee man was sentenced to three years in state prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to charges related to a violent and dangerous car chase that took place last summer. Darryl Whitaker, 55, pleaded guilty in Hampshire Superior Court to two counts of wanton destruction of property, one count of reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and one count of reckless assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon. The sentencing was jointly recommended by both prosecution and defense. Judge Richard Carey accepted the recommendation. Whitaker caused a crash on I-91 on July 12 of last year, after deciding to flee a motor vehicle stop by Massachusetts State Police, who were pulling him over for prior warrants. During the chase Whitaker drove at speeds around 100 mph, continuing to flee even after he ran over a tire deflation device near the Connecticut River Oxbow. The chase ended when Whitaker struck a construction pickup truck, injuring the driver of the vehicle. He then hit a construction sign, causing the sign to fly into the air and strike a pursuing police cruiser's windshield. The crash knocked Whitaker unconscious. State Troopers apparently saved Whitaker, proceeding to pull him out of his car before it burst into flames. "The Massachusetts State Police are to be commended for yet another example of heroism and professionalism in the line of duty," said prosecutor First Assistant District Attorney Steven Gagne. "Fortunately, nobody was seriously injured or killed by the defendant's exceptionally reckless conduct," Gagne said. SPRINGFIELD - Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has appointed Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni to the Victim and Witness Assistance Board, the DA's office announced Tuesday. The five member board is the governing body of the Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance (MOVA), which funds numerous organizations throughout that state that offer services to victims of crimes. "Thank you Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito for this opportunity to serve in a state-wide capacity for all those victimized and affected by crime," Gulluni said in a statement. "Giving a voice to victims of crime is one of the most solemn and important duties of a prosecutor." "It is an honor to extend my work to this board and continue to promote the rights of victims and their families and to ensure that they have access to the best practices and services available," Gulluni said. Much of MOVA's focus revolves around providing services to people who have been victims of crimes of sexual assault, domestic abuse, and other violent crimes. In Hampden County, MOVA funds a number of services for local organizations, including Baystate Medical Center, the YWCA, the Womanshelter/Companeras, and the Hampden District Attorney's Office. SPRINGFIELD -- Police reports included in the case against Devon Williams detail unprovoked and random assaults on three men around the city shortly before he allegedly launched a brutal attack on a patron at MGM Springfield. Police reports detail the victims' shock at being randomly assaulted by a man they did not know. Williams, 27, of Springfield, is accused of punching and kicking a 55-year-old man Sept. 9 at the casino. He is charged in Springfield District Court with assault with intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shod foot), and has pleaded not guilty. He is currently at Bridgewater State Hospital for mental health evaluations and is held without right to bail. He was committed to Bridgewater Oct. 4, according to court filing. On Oct. 16 Williams denied multiple charges in a second case involving assaults on four men, three of which happened on Sept. 9 right before Williams went to the casino. Those assaults include: an attack on a 30-year-old Springfield man doing yard work at his Grenada Terrace home; an attack on a 46-year-old Springfield man who was with his 10-year-old son at the 560 Sumner Ave. Subway restaurant; an attack on a 45-year-old man from New York who was outside his grandmother's home on Kimberly Avenue. Williams is also accused in a Sept. 1 attack on Main Street. 'Shocked and confused' On Grenada Terrace, the first victim was mowing his lawn when a car pulled up and a man, who police say was later identified as Williams, got out. The victim had briefly stopped mowing so a woman could pass without being hit by debris. Williams said something along the lines of "spray her" or "spit her" and hit the victim with a closed fist, the police report said. The victim fell to the ground. When he began to stand back up, Williams tried to hit him again before getting in his car and driving away. The victim "described feeling shocked and confused over what had occurred," and was "unaware of any motive" behind the attack, the police report said. The assault at the Sumner Avenue Subway was captured in video footage around 3:30 p.m., where the second victim went with his son after church. The victim said he opened the first of two entrance doors for a man later identified as Williams. Williams opened the second entrance door for the victim and his son. As the victim approached the counter to order food, he told police, he felt a severe pain around his head and neck as though he'd been hit with an object. He turned around and saw Williams, whom he described as a complete stranger. Williams allegedly said, "Don't you put your hands on that boy!" The police report said the victim "was utterly confused and unaware of what Mr. Williams was referring to," and "was then forced to brace for impact." Williams began striking him several times in the head, neck and ribs with a closed fist, the police report said, and the video showed "a violent, unprovoked attack with closed fist strikes" and kicks. Williams knocked the man's cell phone out of his hands, causing it to fall to the ground and crack -- leading to a charge of malicious damage to property in addition to assault and battery. The victim was able to bite his assailant's hand, causing Williams to flee the restaurant. The victim was taken to Baystate Medical Center. He had immense pain, bruising, swelling and discomfort in his head, neck and ribs, according to the report. The man's son "has been affected emotionally after witnessing such a violent attack on his father," the report said. Around 4 p.m. on Kimberly Avenue, the third victim was loading his vehicle outside his grandmother's house when he saw a man approaching him. The victim's wife and two young children were in the vehicle, the police report said. The victim was taken aback when the man, later identified as Williams, walked up to him without saying anything and punched him in the face. The victim fell to the ground on the tree belt. When he tried to get up, Williams punched him again. According to the report, the man's wife got out and began yelling at Williams, who said, "We're just having a disagreement." Williams got into his vehicle and left, the police report said. The victim suffered swelling, bruising, cuts, scrapes and soreness. His glasses were also damaged in the attack, leading to another charge of malicious damage to property as well as assault and battery. The man's "wife and two young children were forced to endure watching their father get viciously assaulted by Mr. Williams for no apparent reason," the report said. In the Sept. 1 assault -- for which Williams is charged with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury -- the victim suffered a concussion, a broken orbital bone and loose teeth. His injuries required four stitches on his lip and five staples to his head. The victim said he was waiting for a ride near a gas station at 2221 Main St. when he was attacked by a man who'd just pumped and paid for gas at the station. The man said Williams, who he did not know, approached him and said, "I got all day" and made reference to fighting, according to the police report. The man told Williams he didn't want a problem. He thought Williams was leaving -- but Williams came back and punched him in the face, the police report said. The victim picked Williams out of a police photo array after the assault at the casino. At the casino, police said, Williams walked in a Main Street entrance near at about 4:40 p.m. and attacked the man, who was with his girlfriend. The victim was treated at Baystate Medical Center for serious injuries that included a broken jaw and right and left eye orbital fractures. Police arrested Williams at his Chestnut Street apartment within two hours of the assault. Nicholas Raring, Williams' lawyer, has asked for all reports from the court forensic mental health clinic and all reports generated by Bridgewater State Hospital. Patients whose prostate cancer has spread are typically given hormone therapy to reduce or stop the production of testosterone. A new study now concludes that targeting the source of advanced prostate cancer with radiotherapy after the disease has spread can increase survival chances by 11 per cent. According to experts, the discovery could change how advanced cancers are treated. Patients whose prostate cancer has spread are typically given hormone therapy to reduce or stop the production of testosterone, as the molecule can encourage the cancer's growth. However, findings suggest radiotherapy which uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells is also effective. Professor Charles Swanton, Cancer Research UK's chief clinician, said, 'This is a monumental finding that could help thousands of men worldwide. Adding radiotherapy to current treatment shows clear benefit for this subgroup of men with prostate cancer. In the study, scientists enrolled 2,000 men who were all at an advanced stage of the disease in the clinical trial. Half were given standard treatment while the other half received standard treatment and radiotherapy to the prostate the site of the primary tumour. Among men treated with additional radiotherapy whose cancer had spread to their lymph nodes and or bones nearby, researchers found that around 80 per cent survived for at least three years. This fell to 70 per cent of men who were given the standard hormone treatment. No benefit was seen among men whose cancer had spread further, according to the findings published in The Lancet. The research, presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress in Munich, Germany, suggests radiotherapy as well as hormone therapy should be standard care where prostate cancer has spread nearby. HOLYOKE - For the past seven weeks, Holyoke police cracked down on illicit activities along the Chestnut Street and Churchill corridors, neighborhoods plagued by drugs, gangs and prostitution. Ward 1 City Councilor Gladys Lebron-Martinez, along with neighborhood groups, asked police for increased patrols, including around a place where prostitutes openly solicit near the Holyoke Public Library and where their clients pick them up or make arrangements. In September, Police Chief Manny Febo, along with Lebron-Martinez and Mayor Alex B. Morse, held public meetings in the neighborhood and contacted and coordinated with property owners fed up with crime. In a statement, Lt. Jim Albert said, "Chief Febo extends his thanks to Councilor Gladys Lebron-Martinez for her community leadership in the matter, and for working closely with the police to identify the issues and effectively communicate the problems within her ward." The stepped-up patrols began Sept. 5 and ended Sunday, logging 28 property checks, 22 street stops, 17 motor vehicle stops, 12 gun calls, including five considered "shots fired," and six disturbance calls. Police made 142 arrests in all, of which 105 involved the department's Narcotics/Vice Unit. Officer also recovered 14 guns. The operation seized 15,662 bags of heroin, 96 bags of cocaine and 26 bags of crack cocaine. Heroin continues as the city's go-to drug, cheap, reliable and potent, and sometimes laced with fentanyl, a deadly kick. Febo cited the cooperation among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies for the operation's success. The chief thanked the Holyoke Police Narcotics Unit, Hampden district attorney's office, the FBI's Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Task Force, Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Unit, U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and Hampden County Sheriff's Office. Holyoke police provided the following information on charges filed: 12 firearms violations, 38 possession of Class A drug (heroin), 17 intent to distribute Class A (heroin), 22 possession of Class B (cocaine/crack cocaine), eight intent to distribute Class B, two trafficking narcotics, two possession of Class C (pharmaceuticals), 16 trespassing, 44 various warrants, seven sex for a fee/common night walking, five with breaking and entering and one open and gross conduct. It's up to the State Ethics Commission to determine whether Col. James McGinn, who last week was fired as head of the Environmental Police, keeps his pension, according to Gov. Charlie Baker. "The Ethics Commission needs to rule on that," Baker told reporters Tuesday after an unrelated event in downtown Boston. McGinn, who served as Baker's gubernatorial campaign driver in 2014, was fired Friday. The governor's Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, led by Secretary Matt Beaton, released an internal report saying McGinn had tax-payer funded cameras installed and an investigation firm hired to spy on his employees. The results of the internal investigation were forwarded to the State Ethics Commission. "Colonel McGinn exercised some really bad decision-making and was fired," Baker said. "And I believe that was the appropriate decision made by Secretary Beaton." Earlier this year, Baker said if investigations into Massachusetts State Police troopers show they broke the law, their pensions should be revoked. "If it was up to me, I'd take it away. Period." Since then, the number of troopers under overtime abuse investigation has come to a total of 46, with five troopers either pleading guilty or agreeing to plead guilty. Indictments and guilty pleas followed Col. Kerry Gilpin, tapped by Baker to clean up the State Police, forwarding information from an internal investigation to state and federal prosecutors. Asked if there was a similarity between the scandals at the Environmental Police and the State Police, Baker said, "In the case of the State Police, you're talking about people who stole money, forged documents and engaged in a whole series of criminal activities that go way beyond what we're talking about with respect to Colonel McGinn." In a separate scrum with reporters on Monday, according to WGBH News, Baker referred to the issues at the Environmental Police as "some anomalies, procedurally... under the leadership of then-Colonel McGinn." McGinn is a retired State Police sergeant who also worked for FEMA. After McGinn's firing, a spokesman for the state environmental agencies said Beaton has started a review of internal controls and policies "in an effort to restore accountability and public trust" in the Environmental Police. There is an investigation into timesheet irregularities underway, according to the spokesman. "Obviously when the results of that are done they'll be shared as well," Baker said. The unlicensed minister who married a Massachusetts couple on Cape Cod in September is now facing charges of impersonating a justice of the peace and larceny. Yarmouth police obtained an arrest warrant for 39-year-old James Stern of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, on Tuesday. Stern, who is currently facing theft charges in Rhode Island, was never licensed in Massachusetts to marry Ashley Veilleux and David Mellen during their ceremony on Sept. 15 at the Red Jacket Inn in South on Cape Cod. The couple learned Stern was never licensed in Massachusetts and their marriage is not official because no marriage license was submitted to the town by Stern. Stern was recently voted top officiant in Newport County, Rhode Island, by a local magazine. Veilleux, in an interview with MassLive, said she also discovered Stern was charged in Rhode Island on accusations he stole a woman's credit card during a wedding where he served as the officiant. He is also facing theft charges after police in Rhode Island say he stole gift cards, identifications and other items at the Newport County YMCA and the Westerly YMCA. "I feel like we are making headway in terms of getting justice for some of the things he has done," Veilleux told MassLive. "I feel like he will be held accountable for his actions." Yarmouth police obtained arrest warrants for Stern on charges of larceny of $1,200 by false pretense and impersonating a public official. Veilleux, who spoke to Yarmouth police investigators, said Stern stole the credit card information for some of her bridesmaids. He accessed the bridal suite at the venue, she said. "During the ceremony, her bridal party had been provided with a locked room to store their belongings. Later that same evening, several bridesmaids reported the misuse of their credit cards," Yarmouth police said. Police discovered Stern has 51 entries on his criminal record in Massachusetts for similar crimes such as identity fraud, fraudulent use of a credit card, and related larceny charges dating back to June 1994. Authorities also discovered Stern has an active warrant in New Jersey for burglary and a lengthy criminal history in Rhode Island and Connecticut. Yarmouth Police Detective Michael Wells learned Stern was never licensed in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Secretary of State's office told MassLive there is no record of Stern being licensed in Massachusetts. "Stern was required to submit the license to the state within 10 days of the marriage and he had not," police said. "The Town of Yarmouth Clerks Office contacted the Secretary of State's office to determine whether the officiant had been properly commissioned and was informed that he had not obtained a commission to perform the wedding." Police said other charges may be filed in the case. Stern remains in custody in a Rhode Island correctional facility while his cases there are pending. It is unclear when he will appear in Cape Cod for arraignment. Authorities are asking anyone with information on Stern to contact Yarmouth Police Detective Michael Wells at 508-775-0445 extension 2358. SPRINGFIELD -- Defense lawyer Daniel D. Kelly was telling a Hampden Superior Court judge why his client would "never darken the court's door again." Kelly said Isaac Howard, 40, has realized being a parent is important. Judge John S. Ferrara asked how old Howard's children are. They're 7 and 12, Kelly told him. Ferrara shook his head and said, "If he's got a 12-year-old child and is just realizing parenting is important." Ferrara said he was "on the fence" about whether the three-year state prison sentence being recommended by prosecution and defense for Howard was enough. The judge did end up sentencing Howard, of Springfield, to three years in state prison followed by a year's probation. Howard pleaded guilty to assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery for an April 2015 incident. Howard was arrested in February on a warrant, issued from a 2015 grand jury indictment for the crimes. Assistant District Attorney Lee Baker said police responding to a report of shots fired around 6 p.m. on April 10, 2015 on Oak Grove Avenue found Howard, who had been shot. He said surveillance video showed Howard, before being shot but after a fistfight, strike Brent Giles on the head with an object he took from his waistband. Although the faces were clear on the video, the object in Howard's hand was not, Baker said. The fight continued and Giles fired seven shots in Howard's direction, Baker said. In May 2017 Giles, 23, pleaded guilty to shooting Howard and was sentenced to five years in state prison followed by three years probation. He pleaded guilty to armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, carrying a firearm without a license (second offense), and illegal possession of ammunition. Kelly said the gunshot wound in Howard's leg caused severe scarring and a lifelong injury resulting in a limp. He said Howard's arrest in this case and the shooting caused Howard to have "some serious soul-searching." As part of the plea agreement the enhancement on the assault and battery with a dangerous weapon charge was dropped. Howard was charged as a person with two prior violent or drug crimes for which he received more than a three year sentence. Ferrara said Howard's criminal record was the reason he was hesitant to accept the three-year recommendation. Most Americans want marijuana use to be legalized, according to two new polls. "The latest figure marks the third consecutive year that support on the measure has increased and established a new record," according to news.gallup.com. "About six-in-ten Americans (62 percent) say the use of marijuana should be legalized, reflecting a steady increase over the past decade," according to the Pew Research Center of Washington D.C. The results come as more than half the states, 31, plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam, have legalized marijuana for medicinal use and nine states and Washington D.C. have legalized marijuana for recreational purposes. But marijuana remains illegal in the eyes of the federal government. At the federal level, marijuana is still a Schedule 1 substance in the categorization of controlled substances. That means such drugs as heroin, LSD and marijuana have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Massachusetts voters legalized marijuana for recreational use in 2016 and legalized pot for medicinal purposes in 2012. The Gallup poll was based on telephone interviews done from Oct. 1 to 10 with 1,019 adults 18 and older in all 50 states and Washington D.C. (see below) The Gallup poll found that 66 percent of Americans support legalizing marijuana. "Support is strongest among adults aged 18 to 34, at 78 percent, while nearly two in three adults aged 35 to 54 (65 percent) approve of legalizing marijuana, Gallup said. Support for marijuana legalization has increased in all parts of the country. From 2009-2010 to 2017-2018, Gallup found support to make pot legal rose: in the East, from 46 percent to 67 percent in the Midwest, from 40 percent to 65 percent in the South, from 41 percent to 65 percent in the West, from 56 percent to 65 percent. "Like support for gay marriage -- and in prior years, interracial marriage -- support for marijuana legalization has generally only expanded, even if slowly, over the course of multiple decades -- raising the question of where the ceiling in support might be," Gallup said. The Pew poll was based on telephone interviews done from Sept. 18 to 24 of 1,754 adults 18 or older living in all 50 states and Washington D.C., according to pewresearch.org. (see below) The share of U.S. adults who support marijuana legalization has doubled from 2000, when it was 31 percent, Pew said. Younger people and Democrats are more likely to support marijuana legalization than those who are older or Republican, Pew said. "Nearly seven-in-ten Democrats (69 percent) say marijuana use should be legal, as do 75 percent of independents who lean toward the Democratic Party," Pew said. "Republicans are divided, with 45 percent in favor of legalizing marijuana and 51 percent opposed. Still, the share of Republicans saying marijuana should be legal has increased from 39 percent in 2015. Independents who lean toward the Republican Party are far more likely than Republicans to favor marijuana legalization (59 percent vs. 45 percent)," Pew said. Methodology of Gallup poll on marijuana legalization: by Mike Plaisance on Scribd Methodology of Pew poll on marijuana legalization: by Mike Plaisance on Scribd A pedestrian is suffering from life-threading injuries after being struck by a vehicle in Rowley Monday night. Massachusetts State Police said Monday night that its Collision Reconstruction and Crime Scene units responded to Haverhill Street in Rowley to assist the town's police department with the investigation of a vehicle-pedestrian crash. The victim has potentially life-threatening injuries, according to State Police. This is a breaking news story and will be updated as further information becomes available. SPRINGFIELD- The Social Security Administration office on Bond Street in Springfield was evacuated on Tuesday following a report of a suspicious package. Just before 10:30 a.m., the city fire department was called to investigate after someone opened a suspicious package and an unidentified white powder was discovered. According to Dennis Leger, aide to Commissioner Bernard J. Calvi, three employees were potentially exposed to the powder. They didn't appear to be injured, he said, but they were being kept from the public until the regional hazmat team conducted an on-site test of the substance. Firefighters and police were on the scene within minutes and the regional hazmat team arrived a short time later. Social Security Administration employees were sent home for the day just before 11 a.m. Minutes later, Department of Homeland Security officials showed up in a marked SUV. Springfield resident David Bello said he's turning 66, and was at the office to fill out paperwork. His name had just been called when a security officer announced that everyone had to leave the building. "If they get a suspicious package, and they ask us to leave, we should leave accordingly," he said. The officer did not mention a package when announcing the evacuation, Bello said. The incident is under investigation. This is a developing story which will be updated. SPRINGFIELD - Officials have determined that the strange white powder that triggered a hazardous materials emergency Tuesday morning at the Springfield office of the Social Security Administration has been identified as an amount of ordinary onion salt. Dennis Leger, aide to Fire Commissioner Bernard J. Calvi, said the unknown substance was mailed to the office on Main Street in a package. It caused the evacuation of the building and triggered a response from the Western Massachusetts Regional Haz-Mat Team. Three employees who were exposed to the powder were kept in observation while every other employee was sent home for the day. Once it was determined to be not harmful, those employees were sent home too. The office was closed for the remainder of the day. The powder was deliberately sent to the office, and it is not considered an accident, he said. The incident remains under investigation. Because it involves a federal government facility, the FBI will in charge of the investigation. SUFFIELD - Police are seeking help from the public in locating any witnesses to a fatal accident Friday night on Boston Neck Road that left a 21-year-old East Granby woman dead. Police said the accident occurred at around 9 p.m. in the area of 500 Boston Neck Road near a one-lane bridge crossing Stony Brook. Officers arrived on scene to find a single car involved in a crash and two people injured. Both were taken to the hospital, and the driver, identified at Nina Adasiewicz, 21, of East Granby, later died. Investigators are trying to reconstruct events leading up to the crash. Police ask that anyone who witnessed the crash should call the department at 860-668-3870. Anyone who was on Boston Neck Road or the vicinity one hour before the accident and who saw the car, a blue Honda, is asked to call too. NORTHFIELD - California-based Thomas Aquinas College has received approval from the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education to operate a branch campus here and award a bachelor of arts degree in liberal education. The approval is subject to stipulations, including that the college submit annual status reports during its initial five years of operation. In an Oct. 23 press release announcing the approval, the private, four-year institution founded by Catholic lay people in 1969, said its admissions office "is accepting applications to the New England campus" as the college seeks to extend its accreditation to that campus. "This is a great accomplishment for the college and we are grateful to the board for its thoughtful review," said Michael F. McLean, president of the college located in Santa Paula. "Starting today, while the accreditation process goes forward, our admissions office is accepting applications to the New England campus." He added he anticipated a "favorable conclusion to the accreditation process in the next few months" through the regional accrediting agency, WASC Senior College and University Commission. The New England campus is located on what was originally the campus of a girls' school here established in 1879 by the 19th century evangelist Dwight Moody. Moody also founded the Mount Hermon school for boys in Gill in 1881. The two merged in 1971, and consolidated to the Gill campus in 2005. The shuttered Northfield Mount Hermon property was gifted to Thomas Aquinas by the National Christian Foundation, the country's biggest charitable Christian organization, which also helped the college establish a $5 million matching grant fund for its New England branch. The foundation had been given the several-hundred acre property with nearly two dozen buildings and the responsibility of gifting it by Steve Green, president of the arts and crafts retailer Hobby Lobby. Green bought the campus for $100,000 in 2009, intending to transfer it to a Christian educational institution with the financial means to accept and maintain it. He reportedly spent more than $5 million in upgrades to the Northfield campus before turning it over to the foundation after failing to find an economically viable arrangement with an interested party. Thomas Aquinas College signed for transfer of ownership of the campus from the foundation on May 2, 2017. The college is devoted to Catholic values and practices and the teaching of analytical, rhetorical and critical thinking skills through the study of theology, philosophy and mathematics. It was founded after the Second Vatican Council amid concerned that its reforms too secularized Catholic identity and teachings. The college has said previously that 36 freshmen will be accepted at its New England branch in each of the first four years, allowing the study body to slowly increase to between 350 to 400 students. Some members of the faculty, who are called tutors, are expected to relocated to the Northfield campus where, according to the statement, the residential and spiritual life of the California campus will be replicated. The Most Rev. Mitchell T. Rozanski, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, whose diocese also includes Our Lady of Elms College founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, has visited the campus. They further stated that dairy industry inflicts extreme violence, like rape, on other living beings. PETA adds that cows on dairy farms are often forcibly impregnated. (Photo: Pixabay) Animal rights group PETA has claimed that cows milk is a symbol of white supremacy. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) originally published a blog post titled 'Why cows milk is the perfect drink for white supremacists' last year and renewed that claim on Friday when it tweeted a link to its post again. The group urged people to drink dairy-free alternatives, as dairy products are 'linked to developing heart disease as well as prostate, breast, and ovarian cancer'. They further stated that dairy industry inflicts extreme violence, like rape, on other living beings. Their press release states, Since cows and buffaloes produce milk in order to feed their own babies, just as humans do, dairy farmers keep them almost constantly pregnant. PETA adds that cows on dairy farms are often forcibly impregnated, the press release states. Some people might be surprised to learn that cows used by the dairy industry are slaughtered after about five years because their bodies are so spent from being kept constantly pregnant, PETA said. The organisation went on to discuss the reasons why milk symbolizes supremacy, stating that cows are restrained on what the farmers themselves call 'rape racks while insemination instruments are shoved into their vaginas'. They further add, These cows have no choice about whats done to them. Their horns are burned or gouged out of their heads, part of their tails may be cut off, and holes are punched through their ears. PETA goes on to refer to two instances when movies characters demonstrated white supremacy by drinking milk. They mention Christoph Waltzs character in the Quentin Tarantino film Inglorious Basterds who drinks a glass of milk, saying 'dairy milk has long been embraced as a symbol of white supremacy. They also make reference to the 2017 American horror movie 'Get Out , which contains a scene in which a main character is seen eating cereal one-by-one and drinking milk separately. PETA writes that people should choose soy, almond, rice, cashew, or coconut milk the next time that you go shopping or order coffee. However, people have not all taken too kindly to PETA statements with a lot of them trolling the organisation. I think its time we add cows to the list of minority groups who are also being oppressed by white supremacy TheSusanProject-NonbinaryPoliticalCorrector #52495 (@Susan52495) October 22, 2018 Do some damn research. Dairy cattle are treated better than any animal in agriculture. Whats heartbreaking is your ignorance Not Archie Bunker (@ArchieNot) October 22, 2018 Rosie O'Donnell and Elizabeth Rooney, a Worcester police officer, are engaged. The 56-year-old actress and View co-host confirmed her engagement to People Magazine on Monday. "This is a long time in the future. We both decided that that would be best," O'Donnell told the magazine. She described Rooney, a 33-year-old Army veteran and member of the Worcester police mounted unit, as a "wonderful woman." "She's very much an equal, she's very much her own person and loves what she does. She's a pretty unbelievable young woman," O'Donnell told the magazine. Rooney and O'Donnell confirmed their relationship publicly in November 2017, and have been dating long distance since. The pair met while O'Donnell was spending time in Boston on the set of the show "SMILF." Rooney posted a photo of an engagement ring on Instagram on Monday writing: "YES" beside a heart and engagement ring emojis. O'Donnell was previously married twice, most recently to Michelle Rounds. The couple divorced in 2015. They have one daughter. O'Donnell also has four children with ex-wife Kelli Carpenter, whom she married and separated from in 2004. In a tense debate, Democratic Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin and his Republican challenger Anthony Amore squabbled over policy and records, repeatedly talking over one another and accusing each other of misrepresenting facts. The two candidates met Monday for 30 minutes in their only debate, hosted by Jim Braude on WGBH News show "Greater Boston." On policy, the two disagree on same day voter registration, which Galvin supports and Amore opposes. They disagree on requiring voters to show identification, which Amore supports and Galvin opposes. "You're for showing IDs, that's the Republican playbook," Galvin said. "Republicans are into having fewer people voting. I'm into having more people voting." Galvin said state residents may be asked for identification if their identity is in doubt or if they are an inactive voter. Amore responded that Democratic former president Jimmy Carter supported the use of voter identification, and voters at the Democratic State Convention had to show identification in order to vote. "People need to feel confident in the election system," Amore said. Amore said he did not believe same day voter registration could be securely implemented. Amore criticized Galvin for not catching three people who New Hampshire authorities say voted in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire in the 2016 election. Galvin said those people were Massachusetts residents, so the improper vote was in New Hampshire. Galvin accused Amore of taking an "anti-immigrant" position for tweeting in favor of President Donald Trump's travel ban, which would have temporarily prevented people from certain countries from entering the U.S. Galvin pointed to a tweet in which Amore wrote, "Fortunately, there is no Muslim ban, as more than 1 billion Muslims aren't affected." Amore responded, "To say I'm anti-immigrant is a lie." Amore said he agrees with Galvin that the 2020 census should not ask a question about citizenship. Amore accused Galvin of not having a strategic plan for his office to tell voters what he plans to do over the next few years. Galvin called a strategic plan "bureaucratic babble" and "nonsense." Galvin criticized Amore for not showing up to Swampscott town meetings after he was elected a Town Meeting member. Wicked Local reported that Amore attended only one-and-a-half of 10 town meetings when he held that volunteer job over two three-year terms. Amore said "family issues" prohibited his participation, and he has an "exemplary record" showing up for his paid job as security head at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Galvin also criticized Amore for not voting in 14 elections, mostly local ones but also including state elections in 2010 and 2013. Amore said Galvin does not attend meetings of the state historic commission, which he heads. Galvin said he properly runs the commission and has designees on it. Amore implied that Galvin acted improperly by giving a historic tax credit to a donor, while Galvin said his office gives historic tax credits to anyone who is qualified. President Donald Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Paris just days after the November general election, White House officials announced Tuesday. White House National Security Adviser John Bolton, following a meeting with Putin in Moscow, told reporters that Trump and will sit down with his Russian counterpart on Nov. 11 in Paris. "We will make the precise arrangements on that. But it will happen in connection with the 100th anniversary and the celebration of the armistice that the French are hosting on Nov. 11," he said at a news conference. Trump is scheduled to be in Paris next month for Armistice Day, which marks the end of World War I. The trip will come just days after the Nov. 6 midterm elections. Trump faced widespread criticism following his July 2018 summit with Putin in Helsinki, Finland. Despite such pushback, the president said he looked forward to the prospect of a second meeting with the Russian leader, and reportedly invited Putin to a fall Washington D.C. summit. Bolton, however, announced in late July that the White House would not host Putin until 2019, noting that Trump wanted to hold such a meeting after the completion of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. The national security adviser traveled to Russia earlier this week after meet with Kremlin officials on an array of foreign policy issues, including election interference. Bolton's trip came as Trump announced that the United States may withdraw from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty with Russia. This story will be updated. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday that he would oppose efforts by President Donald J. Trump's administration to redefine gender in a way that would eliminate protections for transgender people. "I've said before that I'm opposed to the administration's positions on a variety of issues associated with the LGBTQ community," Baker said. Baker said if the Trump administration promulgates new rules related to the definition of gender, "We're obviously going to comment against it and say why." Baker said he would also reach out to other governors and elected officials, both Democrats and Republicans, with similar viewpoints "and work hard to get that idea overturned." Baker is a Republican who generally supports gay rights. He signed a state law prohibiting discrimination against transgender people in public places. The New York Times reported that in an internal memo, Trump administration officials floated the idea of updating the federal definition of gender to define it as a biological, immutable condition defined by genitalia at birth. The Obama administration had loosened the definition of gender in federal regulations to allow someone who is transgender to be recognized by the gender they identify with, rather than their gender at birth. The definition affects things like federal anti-discrimination laws in schools and the availability of federal funding for health programs. BOSTON -- A state commission focused on Latino affairs is recommending policy changes and investments related to immigration, education and business. Gov. Charlie Baker pledged to spend $10 million to $12 million in the fiscal 2020 budget implementing the recommendations, if he is re-elected. "We think it has the potential to create some really different ways of pursuing opportunities on an intentional basis for people in these communities in the commonwealth," Baker said Tuesday at an event releasing the report of the Governor's Latino Advisory Commission. Massachusetts' Latino community has grown from 287,000 in 1990 to more than 815,000 today. Latino commission chairwoman Josie Martinez, who is partner and general counsel at Employee Benefit Solutions, called the community "one of the pillars of strength that adds competitiveness to this commonwealth." The Latino Advisory Commission was created by executive order in July of 2017, alongside a similar commission focused on the black community. The black commission released its recommendations earlier this month. The two commissions made similar proposals related to improving education and helping minority-owned businesses. Martinez said there are "synergies" between the two communities, and the commissions worked together. The one major difference is the Latino commission also focused on immigration as a top priority. The recommendations on immigration include: Expanding programs that teach English for speakers of other languages and strengthening incentives for teachers of adult basic education. Providing grants for employers to offer English classes to their employees. Increasing money for English language programs for foreign professionals seeking licensure. Making it easier for foreign professionals to apply for professional licenses in Massachusetts, including through reciprocity agreements. Doing outreach to eligible Latinos to help them apply for citizenship. Offering financial literacy training to Latino immigrants. Some Latino activists were upset earlier this year when the Legislature did not pass legislation that would have limited the ability of local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration officials. Baker said he would have vetoed any measure that prevents state and local law enforcement from cooperating at all with federal immigration authorities. He proposed allowing cooperation related to criminals convicted of serious crimes. The advisory commission did not make any suggestions related to immigrants without legal status. Asked after the event if he thinks Massachusetts should do more to protect immigrants without legal status, Baker said, "One of the things we've done as a commonwealth pretty effectively is giving people at a local level a lot of latitude to make decisions about how they want to handle those issues." "Our view on this is local folks are best positioned to do the things they think make the most sense for the people in their community," Baker said. In addition to immigration, the report made a number of suggestions related to education and workforce development, many of which were similar to proposals made by the Black Advisory Commission. On education, recommendations include recruiting and training Latino teachers, improving early literacy programs in low-income communities, recruiting Latino high school students for college preparatory programs, and strengthening career planning in urban schools. On workforce issues, recommendations include expanding internship and apprenticeship programs for Latinos, developing workforce training programs, recruiting Latino candidates for state boards and commissions, investing in senior-level training programs, and helping Latino businesses apply for state contracts and expand their business networks. State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, D-Springfield, said the Latino community needs the investment. "In the past, many broken promises have led to the creation of no wealth in the black and Latino community," Gonzalez said. "False promises in urban renewal. False promises in studies that have been shelved." Gonzalez thanked Baker for his "willingness to understand the Latino community and its needs." A group of Massachusetts conservatives is urging voters to treat Gov. Charlie Baker the same way the Swampscott Republican treated President Donald Trump: Blank the ballot. The Massachusetts Republican Assembly, which bills itself as the "Republican Wing of the Republican Party," is selling bumper stickers for $5 saying "#BlankBaker2018." "He has demonstrated continuous opposition to President Donald Trump, up to and including failure to support his Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, citing concerns about abortion access in his public statement," the group says on its website. Pointing to Baker blanking the presidential section of the 2016 ballot rather than vote for Trump or Democrat Hillary Clinton, the group adds: "Baker must live or die by the sword he wields." Baker, a moderate Republican seeking a second four-year term, commands a big lead -- by more than 30 points, according to some polls -- over Jay Gonzalez, the Democratic nominee for governor and Gov. Deval Patrick's former budget chief. Polls and campaign finance records show Baker receiving support from both Democrats and Republicans, while Gonzalez suffers from low name recognition. In the September Republican primary, Baker beat out anti-gay pastor Scott Lively for the GOP nomination, winning 64 percent of the vote. The chairman of Baker's re-election campaign is Jack Connors, a top donor to Democrats. "We've been bipartisan in our approach to governing," Baker said Tuesday when asked about the Massachusetts Republican Assembly's efforts. "I'm very proud of the fact that many of the initiatives we're pursued received bipartisan support, in some cases unanimous support, from both branches," he said, referring to the Democrat-dominated state Senate and House. "And I think that's one of the things people appreciate about the way we operate." Baker added: "I also think it's worked for the people of Massachusetts. We have more people working than at any time in state history and 215,000 jobs added over the last four years is the largest number of jobs created in any four-year period since they started keeping score in 1976." Baker touted "fiscal discipline" during his four years in office, turning a structural deficit when he entered in 2015 into a surplus this year. Echoing his pitch to voters when he first ran in 2014, Baker said there is "constructive friction" when Democrats and Republicans clash at the State House. "You get a better product," he said. HOUSTON -- President Donald Trump rallied support for his onetime foe Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, on Monday, burying a bitter, "nasty" feud with a man that he long referred to as "Lyin' Ted" during the 2016 presidential primary campaign. In a wide-ranging speech with the midterms only 15 days away, Trump also took aim at "globalists," proclaimed himself a "nationalist," claimed without evidence that illegal immigrants are voting in large numbers and vastly inflated the crowd watching his remarks outside. And Trump again touted a "10 percent tax cut for middle income families" that he insisted were coming "next week" - although lawmakers will not be in Washington to pass them and most of Capitol Hill have been flummoxed at his vow of a new round of tax cuts. Taking the podium at the Toyota Center, Trump embraced Cruz, whom he called "a man who has become a really good friend of mine," and jokingly made reference to their bitter war of words two years ago. "We had our little difficulties. But actually if you remember in the beginning it was a love fest," said Trump of Cruz, who famously refused to endorse him at the Republican National Convention in 2016. "Then it got nasty. And then it ended, and I'll tell you what: Nobody has helped me more." Cruz, speaking before Trump, hailed the president as "a man who has presided over record jobs, record unemployment" and said he looks forward to hitting the campaign trail for his reelection campaign. "In 2020, Donald Trump will be overwhelmingly reelected as president of the United States," Cruz said, prompting a chorus of cheers from the crowd. In remarks before he left Washington for Texas, Trump said he had come up with a new nickname for Cruz: "He's not Lyin' Ted anymore. He's Beautiful Ted. I call him Texas Ted." Trump and Cruz memorably exchanged some sharp - and personal - barbs during their 2016 White House battle. Trump's favorite nickname for Cruz was "Lyin' Ted," a moniker that Cruz's Democratic opponent, Rep. Beto O'Rourke of Texas, recently borrowed to mock Cruz during a Senate debate. Trump had also ridiculed Cruz's wife, Heidi, during the 2016 campaign and promoted a conspiracy theory that Cruz's father was connected to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Cruz, for his part, has called Trump a "sniveling coward" and a "pathological liar." After declining to endorse Trump during the Republican National Convention, he changed course in September 2016 and begrudgingly offered his support. On Monday night, it was all water under the bridge as Trump and Cruz appeared together onstage. After Cruz introduced him, Trump took his time making his way down the aisle, stopping every few steps to wave and shake hands with supporters, who greeted him with deafening cheers while Cruz looked on and applauded. When Trump finally reached the stage, he and Cruz shook hands, gave each other a hearty pat on the back and exchanged a few friendly words, then shared another embrace before Trump took the podium. In 76-minute remarks that hit all his trademark campaign themes - among them immigration, trade and jabs at the media - Trump took aim at "globalists" and declared that his "America First" policy means "we're putting ourselves first for a change." "A globalist is a person that wants the globe to do well, frankly not caring about our country so much," Trump said. "We can't have that." To cheer from the crowd, Trump added: "You know what I am? I'm a nationalist." Trump raised the specter of voter fraud, claiming without evidence that illegal immigrants are voting in large numbers in the November election. "The illegals ... they vote anyway, and they're not supposed to," Trump said. "We've got so many people voting illegally in this country, it's a disgrace." The president also claimed that "50,000 people" were watching his remarks outside the arena on screens put out by the campaign - a figure far higher than statistics from Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, who tweeted that about 18,000 to 19,000 people were inside the at-capacity Toyota Center, and about 3,000 were watching outside. Inside the arena, the crowd was raucous and loud, waving campaign signs and cheering loudly for Trump and the Republican speakers who preceded him. The box seats in the arena weren't filled, although there was a crowd on the floor surrounding the stage where the president spoke. Targeting his frequent adversaries, Trump mocked Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. - "I can no longer call her Pocahontas because she has no Indian blood" - and name-checked House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to warn against a Democratic-controlled Congress. "To protect your state and your country, you need to elect a Republican House and a Republican Senate," Trump said. "And you need to vote for Ted Cruz." In his remarks earlier Monday at the White House, Trump acknowledged that he and Cruz had a "very, very nasty and tough campaign," but he said they have "worked together very closely" since then. "I like him a lot. I actually like him a lot, and he's a very smart guy. He loves the people of Texas," Trump said. The president also said he believes O'Rourke is "highly overrated." The Democrat drew a crowd of 55,000 people at a rally in Austin with country music star Willie Nelson last month and pulled in a staggering $38.1 million during the third fundraising quarter, more than three times Cruz's total of $12 million during the same period. "What I heard about him, I figured he must be something a little special. He's not," Trump said, adding that O'Rourke "got beaten badly" in his debates against Cruz. Trump visited Cruz's home city to boost momentum for his onetime foe on the first day of early voting in Texas. The Monday evening rally was moved to the Toyota Center in downtown Houston after organizers said ticket requests swamped the seating capacity at NRG Arena, the initial venue. A Trump campaign spokesman said the smaller NRG Arena, which accommodates fewer than 10,000 people, was the only facility they could secure in time. "Due to unprecedented demand for tickets, we continued to push for and negotiate terms for the larger capacity provided to us at the Toyota Center," the spokesman said. But a Toyota Center official told the Dallas Morning News that Trump aides reached out just a few hours before the president's campaign manager, Brad Parscale, tweeted that the rally location had been moved to the Toyota Center, home of the Houston Rockets, which seats more than 18,000 people. Both venues are a far cry from Trump's promise earlier this year to campaign for Cruz in "the biggest stadium in Texas we can find." (c) 2018, The Washington Post. Seung Min Kim, Felicia Sonmez U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III, D-Brookline, called on the Trump administration Tuesday to stop the Office of Refugee Resettlement from sharing unaccompanied minors' fingerprints and other information with immigration enforcement agencies -- a policy which he argued has scared away potential sponsors who could care for these kids outside of government facilities. Kennedy, who recently visited the Tornillo detention facility that houses immigrant children, urged U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to immediately rescind or modify a May 2018 Memorandum of Agreement that mandates continuous information sharing on unaccompanied minors in ORR care with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. Instead, he contended, the office should "return to the previous background check process in use prior to the May 2018 MOA, which allowed the Department of Homeland Security agencies, including CBP and ICE to request information, if needed, but otherwise prioritize the safety of the children." Arguing that the Office of Refugee Resettlement "is not and should not be a federal enforcement agency," the congressman raised concerns that the memorandum "abused the scope of ORR's mandate" and has had a chilling effect on potential sponsors. He pointed to ICE officials's recent confirmation that dozens of individuals accused of violating immigration laws had been arrested when they came forward to care for loved ones in ORR custody. "By scaring away potential sponsors who could provide a child a safe home outside of a government-run facility, this administration has created significant delays in the reunification process for unaccompanied children and their families," he wrote in a letter to Azar. "ORR has specifically failed to meet the standard of acting in the best interest of the children. ... Over 13,000 children are now in ORR care, overwhelming an unprepared system, costing taxpayers significant resources, and creating untold trauma for impacted children and families." The Brookline Democrat further noted migrant children are now staying an average of about 60 days in government facilities -- well above the maximum allowed under the Flores settlement. Kennedy added that many children told him during his recent visit that they had been transferred between government-run facilities for several months -- time which he argued could have been spent in the care of relatives. "No matter the level of care provided at these facilities, they are no substitute for the home of a family member or loved one," he said. "If potential sponsors are discouraged from stepping forward out of fear that a loved one might be deported, ORR cannot fulfill its mission of placing unaccompanied minors in a safe home." The Trump administration, however, has argued that information collected under the May 2018 agreement will allow officials "to conduct suitability assessments to vet potential sponsors of unaccompanied alien children." Kennedy, who is up for re-election in November and a rumored 2020 White House contender, toured the Trump administration's "tent city" for migrant children in Tornillo, Texas earlier this month. The congressman said the visit "reinforced what the past few months have made abundantly clear: That the surging number of migrant children detained for months on end in threadbare facilities is a crisis of the Trump Administration's making." Almost 8,000 low-income students in Massachusetts are on a waiting list for after-school and summer learning, according to a new report that recommends tapping the anticipated revenue from marijuana sales to fund such programs. The Legislature's Afterschool and Out-of-School Time Coordinating Council, in a report slated for release Tuesday, said children who attend high quality after-school programs get better grades, have fewer behavioral issues and have higher graduation rates, but for every child in such a program, two are waiting to get in. The council, established in 2013 and chaired by Rep. Jennifer Benson and Sen. Brendan Crighton, recommended greater investment to address waitlists, programming gaps and workforce needs; the creation of tax incentives to encourage businesses to invest in the programming; and stronger stateoversight, including a new post in the Executive Office of Education to coordinate informal learning. "It's definitely a big issue around equity, where we have thousands of young kids that want access to after-school and out-of-school programs but are simply unable to attend, and with all the evidence outlined in our report, we certainly see this as a worthy investment that will have huge impacts on not only the students' lives, but also the families," Crighton, a Lynn Democrat, said. There are 196,562 Massachusetts students enrolled in after-school programs, 213,966 who are unsupervised during school hours, and 362,312 -- or 44 percent of all students -- would sign up for a program if they had the option, the report said. Citing the Department of Early Education and Care, the council said 7,900 low-income kids over age 5 are eligible for expanded learning services and currently waiting for care. Crighton said after-school programs are an "economic empowerment" issue as well as an education one, because parents who don't have family and friends who can watch their kids at the end of the day may end up limiting their work hours and career opportunities. He said he worked at an after-school program in Lynn while in high school and college, and waitlists were "huge" then. "The way the system is currently laid out, they simply can't serve the kids," Crighton said. "There's a real need, particularly in cities like Lynn, but also in more rural areas where transportation is a real issue." The council recommends that state and local taxes on non-medical marijuana sales "should form the basis of a new funding stream," and makes the case that after-school programs can "act as prevention programs," with students who participate having lower rates of drug misuse than their peers. Alaska and California are linking revenue from legalized marijuana sales to after-school and out-of-school programming, according to the report, which recommended Massachusetts follow suit and "specifically funnel the revenue to programs that focus on promoting social and emotional competencies and learning." Benson said she came up with the idea of turning to marijuana revenue, and that she was "pretty adamant" about including it in the report. "One of the goals of this council was to ensure that every child in the commonwealth of Massachusetts would have access to a high quality after-school program," she said. "The only way we're going to be able to do that is if we put more money behind that." The council also recommends that the state match federal dollars, implement flexible criteria to allow money under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act to be used for expanded learning time programs, create new funding streams for rural and underserved areas, raise reimbursement rates for state-funded after-school programs to allow for staff salary hikes, and invest in loan forgiveness and scholarship programs for staff. The panel calls on the state to increase its Afterschool and Out-of-School Quality Grant funding from $4.29 million in this year's budget to $5.5 million. "Raising the funding to $5.5 million would ensure that these programs that benefit children are adequately supported," the report said. "The state has too long depended almost exclusively on federal funding to support these proven programs that improve student outcomes." This year's funding for the quality grant line item represents a 22 percent increase over last year, Benson said. She said lawmakers have "prioritized this," but "to make the big investments we needed to make, I felt we needed to find a revenue source." Regulators eyed July 1 as a target date to begin marijuana sales in Massachusetts, but retail sales have not yet begun. Advocates behind the ballot law said this month that the state had missed out on $16 million in marijuana taxes. This year's state budget anticipated $63 million in marijuana tax revenue. Benson said that while she believes cannabis taxes could provide "a great head start" on funding after-school and summer programs, she knows she's not the only one who will be eyeing that money when it does come in. "Any new form of revenue always has many people at the table looking to get a piece of it," she said. "I am not naive enough to think that 100 percent of this revenue will go to after-school." The Afterschool and Out-of-School Time Council plans to release its findings at a 10 a.m. StateHouse event. Representatives of the Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership, which supported the council's work, and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and the Merrimack Valley are slated to participate, along with Benson and Crighton. The 39-year-old driver was booked under the POCSO Act on the complaint lodged against him by the parents of the alleged victim. The incident came to light after the girl told her mother that the man physically assaulted her while driving her to school. (Representational Image) New Delhi: A local taxi driver was arrested from national capital's Shahbad Dairy area on Tuesday for allegedly raping a 5-year-old girl, police said. The 39-year-old driver was booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 on the complaint lodged against him by the parents of the alleged victim. The incident came to light after the girl told her mother that the man physically assaulted her while driving her to school. The investigation into the matter is underway, Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police added. More details in this regard are awaited. The state government has declared a fine of Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively for first and second time offence. As 288 people refused to pay the fine, the BMC issued notices to them and initiated legal action against them. Mumbai: In the first four months of plastic ban, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has prosecuted 288 people, who have refused to pay fine for using banned plastic. During this period, the civic body has seized more than 30,000 kgs of banned plastic and collected a fine of Rs 1.37 crore from the offenders. According to civic data, ever since the ban came into force from June 23, BMC officials have visited 3,02,332 establishments up to September 20 and seized 30,023.28 kgs of banned plastic and collected a fine of Rs 1,37,30,000. As 288 people refused to pay the fine, the BMC issued notices to them and initiated legal action against them. The BMC has formed a team of over 310 inspectors from three departments market, license and shops and establishments to take action against banned plastic in the city. These officials have been given jackets stating specifically that they belong to the plastic ban squad and also authorisation letters from the BMC. These teams have been visiting shops, malls and markets to crack their whip on banned plastic. Prosecution has been initiated against offenders, who refused to pay the fine. They will be tried in the Metropolitan Magistrates court for violating the plastic ban, said a senior official from shops and establishments department. The state government has declared a fine of Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively for first and second time offence. A third-time offender will be fined Rs 25,000 and three months imprisonment. However, civic activists feel the BMC is losing focus after the initial burst in implementing the ban. Godfrey Pimenta from the Watchdog Foundation said, the plastic ban is dying a slow death. Banned plastic bags are now available everywhere defeating the purpose of the ban. Ramadan, a well-known TV commentator, has strongly denied accusations that he raped women in hotel rooms. Ramadan, accused of raping the women in 2009 and 2012, has been in custody since February 2. (Photo: AFP) Paris: Leading Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan, charged with raping two women in France, claimed Monday that he had consensual sex with both of them after previously denying any physical contact. Ramadan, a well-known TV commentator, has strongly denied accusations that he raped the women in hotel rooms as an attempted smear by his opponents. His lawyer Emmanuel Marsigny said the Swiss academic had changed his account of what happened on the basis of text messages that have emerged between him and his two accusers. The messages "show that the plaintiffs lied and that the sexual encounters were wanted, consensual and even sought again afterwards", Marsigny said. The unearthing of these messages "has allowed him to acknowledge that he had sexual relations" with the women, Marsigny said. Ramadan, accused of raping the women in 2009 and 2012, has been in custody since February 2. He previously insisted he had no sexual contact with his two accusers, feminist activist Henda Ayari and a disabled woman known in media reports as "Christelle". Ramadan was a professor at Oxford University until he was forced to take leave when the rape allegations surfaced at the height of the "Me Too" movement late last year. The married father of four, whose grandfather founded Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, has repeatedly sought bail arguing that being in prison is making it difficult to treat his multiple sclerosis. The courts have so far rejected his requests, ruling that he can receive adequate treatment in the prison hospital at Fresnes in the southern Paris suburbs. Last month a computer expert working on the investigation retrieved 399 text messages between Ramadan and Christelle, whom he is accused of raping in a Lyon hotel room in 2009. The text messages detailed his violent sexual fantasies ahead of the alleged attack. Afterwards, the records show that he wrote to her: "I sensed your unease apologies for my 'violence'." Ramadan previously claimed he was involved in a "game of seduction" with Christelle, online and on the telephone. But he said their only face-to-face contact was a drink in the hotel bar, describing her as a "compulsive liar". Ramadan's lawyers have also provided details of his exchanges with Ayari, whom he is accused of raping in a Paris hotel in 2012. Get Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2866 Global M Health Device Market Key Players Some of the key players in this market are: Allscripts Apple Inc. GE Healthcare Athena health Cerner Koninklijke Medtronic Global M Health Device Market Segments Global M-Health Device Market has been segmented on the basis of Type (Medical Devices, Health and Fitness Devices and Other Devices), by Application (Monitoring application, Treatment and Diagnostics, Education and Awareness, Healthcare Management, Wellness and Prevention and Others) Global M Health Device Market Regional Analysis The Global M-Health Devices Market is growing rapidly. The market for M-Health Devices growing with the CAGR of 35.03% during the forecast period from 2017-2023. This growth is due to the cost effectiveness of these devices and easy storage and transfer of patient data. North America accounts for largest market share in 2016 and is expected to reach US$ 16,443.4 million in 2023 due to establishment of healthcare system and technological advancement. Browse Full Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/m-health-device-market-2866 In North America, US accounts for the highest market share followed by Canada. Europe is second largest market. In Europe has largest market followed by France and Italy. This is due to increase in efficiency of healthcare workers and healthcare system. Asia-Pacific region is the fastest growing market for m-health devices, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 35.71% during the forecast period from 2016 to 2023 is due to the emergence of high-quality and better healthcare infrastructure and institutions in this region. Major Table of Content Chapter 1. Report Prologue Chapter 2. Market Introduction 2.1 Definition 2.2 Scope of the Study 2.2.1 Research Objective 2.2.2 Assumptions 2.2.3 Limitations Chapter 3. Research Methodology 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Primary Research 3.3 Secondary Research 3.4 Market Size Estimation Chapter 4. Market Dynamics Continued. About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members. Contact: Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India +1 646 845 9312 Email: salesteam@marketresearchfuture.com Global Wearable Heart Monitoring Device Market is presumed to register 9.86 % CAGR during the forecast period (2017-2023) owing to the rising prevalence of atrial fibrillation, asserts Market Research Future (MRFR). A wearable heart monitor is a personal monitoring device which enables real-time heart measurement. These devices are available in two forms such as chest straps and wristbands and are designed to work in extreme conditions. The rapid development of information technology and digital revolution has transformed the healthcare industry. Industry News The all-new fourth-generation Apple smartwatch can detect AFib and other heart diseases, providing diagnostic data as well as peace of mind. The device has an electrocardiogram app which can detect heart abnormalities which are often overlooked and leads to heart attack. In 30 seconds, the heart classifies whether it is beating normally or there are signs of AFib. Competitive Dashboard of key players operating the global market are Kinetec Products UK Ltd. (South America), SUUNTO (Europe), Polar Electro (Europe), Beurer GmbH (Europe), Medisana AG (Europe), Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Europe), Briggs Healthcare (U.S.), Garmin Ltd. (Europe), Medtronic (U.S.), and others Avail Sample Copy for this Report Before Purchase: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4714 Global Wearable Heart Monitoring Device Market: Segmental Analysis The global wearable heart monitoring device market has been segmented on the basis of type, products, application, end-users, and region. By mode of products, the global wearable heart monitoring device market has been segmented into optical technology based, electric pulse based, and others. Among these, the electric pulse based is further sub-segmented into chest patches, chest straps, and others. The optical technology-based segment is further sub-segmented into earphones, smart watches, and others. By mode of type, the global wearable heart monitoring device market has been segmented into Bluetooth enabled, chargeable, non-chargeable, and others. By mode of application, the global wearable heart monitoring device market has been segmented into consumer market, healthcare, and others. By mode of end-users, the global wearable heart monitoring device market has been segmented into retail pharmacies, hospitals, academic institutes, and others. Drivers and Constraints Impacting the Market The emergence of novel devices for wireless monitoring has begun to be integrated with cardiac patient care. This has resulted in the development of wearable heart monitoring devices market. The healthcare sector has been highly affected with rapid development in the IT sector along with digital revolution. Several advanced paradigms of the technology are amalgamated to facilitate the monitoring of medical conditions which require continuous monitoring. This has further facilitated the development of wearable heart devices market. Also, with the growing prevalence of atrial fibrillation, the global market for wearable heart monitoring devices is likely to propel. For instance, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, around 2.7 to 6.1 million people of the total population in the U.S. are suffering from atrial fibrillation. Moreover, growing expenditure on healthcare coupled with increasing geriatric population is anticipated to fuel the market growth in the coming years. On the flip side, low healthcare expenditure in the developing countries, lack of awareness for the products, and strict approvals by the FDA are some of the major factors likely to retard the market growth in the coming years. Brows Full Detailed Report at: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/wearable-heart-monitoring-device-market-4714 Geographically, the global wearable heart monitoring device market span across regions namely, America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. Among all the regions, the American region is presumed to dominate the global market due to highly developed information technology sector as well as well developed healthcare infrastructure in this region. With the presence of major market players like Briggs Healthcare and Medtronic and developed economies such as Canada and the U.S., the market is likely to foster in the assessment period. Also, increasing healthcare expenditure and increasing prevalence of AFib diseases is presumed to augment the market growth. Europe is considered to be the second-largest region owing to the availability of funds for research, huge patient population, and well-developed healthcare infrastructure. Also, government support for R&D activities is likely to foster the market globally. Asia Pacific is presumed to be the fastest growing region owing to the presence of developing countries such as China and India which have rising healthcare expenditure. Also, favorable government policies are expected to augment the market growth in the coming years. Meanwhile, the Middle East and Africa register the least share owing to the presence of poor economies particularly in the African region. Inquire for Discount at: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/4714 About Market Research Future: 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. 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: Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Facebook is losing Brendan Iribe, cofounder-former CEO of Oculus, four years after it spent $2 billion to acquire the virtual-reality firm. This will be the first real break Ive taken in over 20 years, Iribe notes in new a post. Its time to recharge, reflect and be creative Im excited for the next chapter. Regarding his next chapter, Iribe didnt offer specifics on Monday. Iribe had only nice things to say about Facebook management in his post, but sources tell TechCrunch that he was frustrated with their decision to cancel the next generation Rift 2 PC-powered virtual reality headset. Iribe had been spearheading the project. advertisement advertisement In public and in private, Facebook has earned a reputation for clashing with the leaders of companies it acquires. Earlier this year, tensions between Facebook and WhatsApps founders were on full display when Brian Acton encouraged the world to delete their Facebook accounts. It is time, Acton tweeted. #deletefacebook More recently, Acton toldForbes that he regretted ever selling his startup to Facebook because the company places too high a value on monetizing its membership. Last month, upon the news that Instagram cofounders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger were leaving the company, sources told The New York Times that internal disagreements contributed their decision. Facebooks latest virtual reality headset, the Oculus Quest, is set to hit shelves next spring for $399. The standalone VR device will be the first wireless Oculus hardware to include positional tracking -- for the headset and its hand controllers. Despite significant investments, virtual reality has yet to take off among the broader consumer population. Over the past year, worldwide shipments of VR headsets are down 34%, according to a recent report from International Data Corporation (IDC). Among other issues, most consumers have yet to test out the newest VR technology, according to Jitesh Ubrani, a senior research analyst for IDC. One of the major issues with the VR market is that consumers still find it difficult to try a VR headset, he notes in the report. by Tanya Gazdik , Staff Writer, October 22, 2018 When I tell people Im test-driving a vehicle that has autonomous driving features like the Nissan Rogue with ProPilot Assist, it tends to prompt a quick and visceral response. Either the person is excited and intrigued, or completely repelled and despondent over the future of driving. Which is to say that automakers have an uphill battle in marketing these features to the latter. Even seasoned media members need a tutorial in how to use the system in order to feel comfortable with it, so NissanNews.com created a 5-minute video which lives on its website for journalists. The general public can access the site; the video comes up during a Google search for Nissan ProPilot. The system is actually quite simple to use, similar to Cadillacs Super Cruise, which I previously wrote about. There are three notable differences, however: the Nissan ProPilot works on roads other than divided freeways, it requires drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel (more on that later) and its available in a much less expensive vehicle. The Cadillac CT6 model I drove was nearly $90,000, while the 2018 Nissan Rogue I tested sells for just under $37,000. The system is also available in the 2018 Nissan Leaf EV and 2019 Nissan Altima. While the system does require that hands be on the steering wheel, and will warn you if it thinks they arent, in reality it seems only one hand has to be in use. It will at least let you get away with one hand for a while. Lets face it, its not uncommon to drive with one hand if you are on a straightaway. Having to drive at all times with both hands at the 10 and 2 oclock positions would result in driver fatigue. While I understand the need for driver attentiveness at this point in the autonomy game, I'm looking forward to the day when the tech is good enough that I can take my hands off the wheel and my eyes off the road. Certainly there are times--like long road trips--when this could really come in handy. The ability to eat more safely while driving comes to mind. Drivers don't while at the wheel in Europe (the Germans in particular think we are savages when it comes to our abuse of our vehicles) but its a common occurrence for Americans during road trips or even normal dally commutes. Its why there are so many cup holders in todays vehicles. I left the airport in Portland, Ore., and drove to Silverton to see Frank Lloyd Wrights Gordon house, which is open to the public for tours and is featured in the photo above. I had the ProPilot up and running (without having watched the video) within five minutes of getting on the freeway. Its very intuitive to use, much like cruise control. Even if the ProPilot lane assist isnt engaged, it also has intelligent cruise control, which is to say it slows down if the car in front of you slows down, and then speeds back up to your selected speed once the lane is clear. This is such a wonderful feature, I long for the day when all cars and trucks have it. It is a godsend in stop-and-go traffic and will all but eliminate rear-end collisions. Over the course of a week, I drove upwards of 400 miles and found the Rogue to be very comfortable with all the necessary features, including great seats (8-way power driver seat including 2-way lumbar support) and ample storage room even without folding down the back seats. My phone connected easily with the cars NissanConnect navigation and stereo system via Apple CarPlay. From a design perspective, the lines of the car are aerodynamic and stylish, and the Monarch Orange paint job was eye-catching without being over-the-top. Fuel economy (25 miles per gallon city and 32 mpg highway for an average of 27 mpg) was adequate, but not outstanding. It does have great pickup with its 170 horsepower and 175 lb.-feet of torque, so Im willing to trade a little gas mileage for decent merging and passing abilities. All in all, this is a great car for the money. And even if you're in the no thanks camp for autonomous features, I invite you to at least give it a try. What might sound scary and at first induce a little palm-sweating ends up being a wonderful safety feature, since it keeps you from drifting into another lane or rear-ending another car. Whats not to like about that? by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, October 22, 2018 The U.S. Senate campaign of Texas Democrat Beto ORourke has been hit with a lawsuit for allegedly sending people unwanted robotexts. Collin County, Texas resident Sameer Syed alleges in a class-action complaint that he received at least 9 text messages from the campaign for O'Rourke, who is challenging Republican incumbent Ted Cruz for Senate. O'Rourke's campaign. He says the messages were all from different phone numbers, and that he wasn't able to return any of the calls. When plaintiff called the phone numbers that Defendants text messages came from, all calls resulted in error messages or disconnected dial tones, he alleges in a complaint filed Friday in federal court in Dallas. This illustrates that text messages did not originate from cellular phones but came from an automated telephone dialing system. advertisement advertisement Syed alleges that the campaign violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which prohibits the use of automated dialers to send SMS messages to consumers without their permission. The law provides for damages starting at $500 per violation. Judges across the country have reached different conclusions regarding the definition of autodialer. A three-judge panel in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that any device that stores telephone numbers to be called is an autodialer -- regardless of whether the numbers are generated by a random or sequential process. But a different court -- the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals -- came to the opposition conclusion several months ago. That court ruled that texting systems are only autodialers if they are capable of both generating and calling random (or sequential) numbers. O'Rourke's campaign is not the only one to face allegations of robotexting. In 2016, the campaign of President Donald Trump apparently settled a similar lawsuit in Chicago. That matter appears to have been settled in late 2016, according to Politico. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, October 22, 2018 Apples search ad business could be worth $2 billion in revenue by 2020, estimates Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi. In fact, Sacconaghi categorizes the $2 billion forecast as conservative. The analysis in the research note, published Monday, means that Apple would meet or exceed its goal of doubling revenue from its services, reaching $49 billion, by the end of 2020. In a CNBC interview last February, Sacconaghi told investors to pay close attention to iPhones sold in the December quarter. The expectation is for Apple to sell between 77 million and 79 million phones at about $750 per phone. Than in May, the analyst recommended Apple stock long term, keeping a close eye on the growth of its services business. The iPhone during the second quarter brought in 62% of revenue, which drives services, Sacconaghi said in an interview on CNBC. advertisement advertisement This year, as a service, Apples search ads are expected to bring in $500 million, per Sacconaghi. The numbers are pure speculation, and estimates are based on a move to services. Apple launched Search Ads in the U.S. in September 2016, and extended the service to Canada, Mexico and Switzerland in 2017. It also introduced a basic version of the ad eliminating keywords and bidding. Yet the company has yet to release any numbers specific to ad revenue. by Larissa Faw , October 23, 2018 McCormick & Company is appointing WPP's Grey as AOR for the McCormick portfolio of spices and herbs and also for its Frank's RedHot sauce brand. R/GA previously held the spice business while Grey competed against Fitzgerald & Co. for Frank's as the Atlanta-based agency currently reps McCormick's third pillar brand French's. As McCormick AOR, Grey will create a comprehensive digital communications strategy and multiplatform marketing campaigns in the U.S. The brand typically is extremely active during the holiday season. Meanwhile, the Frank's remit will support the hot sauce across multiple channels, though it is still too soon to outline creative direction. It would make sense to position the brand with a cheekier voice particularly since the product has swiftly become a pop culture icon known as the primary ingredient in the first Buffalo Wings. McCormick is invested heavily to support all of its brands during a time of retail consolidation and private labels. During Q3 2018, the company increased its ad spending by $21 million primarily in television advertising with additional support through digital banner advertising and social media activity in an effort to highlight the company's commitment to quality. There has also been increased focus on McCormick's YouTube content series, Flavor Makers, with additional how-to videos targeting millennials. James William Hefner, Jr., 51, of 1713 Cantrell Dr. in Rocky Face, Ga., was sentenced Tuesday by Superior Court Judge Jim Wilbanks to serve a total of 11 years in prison. Hefner, was convicted following a jury trial on October 9, 2018 of the felony offenses of fleeing to elude a police officer and possession of methamphetamine, plus possession and use of drug related objects, disregarding a traffic control device and driving while license suspended, all misdemeanors. Hefner had a significant prior criminal history before taking the current case to trial including two prior felony theft convictions and a felony conviction for habitual traffic violator. He also had seven prior convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and 11 prior convictions for driving with a suspended license between 1987 and 2011. As a result, Judge Wilbanks, who had also presided over the trial, sentenced him to serve the maximum amount on each count and ran all counts consecutively for the maximum possible sentence allowed under Georgia law. The evidence showed that on Oct. 12, 2017 at 3:30 a.m., Deputy James Caraway initiated a traffic stop of Hefner after observing him driving a motorcycle at a high rate of speed on Highway 41 and LaFayette Road in Rocky Face. Hefner exceeded 80 miles per hour on Mount Vernon Road as he fled from Deputy Caraways blue light and sirens, running the red light at Highway 201. Driving on both sides of the road, Hefner ran from the police for almost an hour through Whitfield, Walker, Gordon, Murray, Gilmer, and Pickens Counties. Hefner was taken into custody after he ran his motorcycle into the patrol vehicle of Deputy Jason Azar of the Gordon County Sheriffs Office. He was found to have methamphetamine and a methamphetamine pipe on his person. His license to drive had been suspended by the Georgia Department of Drivers Services. While the chase lasted almost an hour, the jurys deliberations took a mere 25 minutes. Hefner did not testify or present any evidence in his own defense. His attorney conceded some of the crimes but argued that the state had not proven the methamphetamine possession or the excessive speed required for the felony fleeing charge. Hefner rejected multiple plea offers including one for five years to serve followed by three years probation made shortly before trial. Hefner still has pending charges in Gordon County arising from the same incident. Assistant District Attorney Christina Antalis presented the case to the jury and represented the state at sentencing. Hefner was represented by David Tatem of the Public Defenders Office. A group of hibakusha, survivors of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, have protested against the US decision to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Nuclear war could imperil all of humanity. Tokyo (AsiaNews) A group of hibakusha,* survivors of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, have sent a letter to US President Donald Trump, pleading with him to rethink his nuclear policy. They fear that nuclear war could imperil all of humanity and wonder why they are the only ones raising our voices against it. On Saturday, Trump - who is commander-in-chief of the US Armed Forces announced his decision to pull out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Trump's special adviser on security, John Bolton, has been sent to inform Russia of the US decision. For months US Secretary of Defense James Mattis has warned that the United States had 1,797 atomic warheads which, combined with those of France and the United Kingdom, totalled 2,207, almost a third less than the Russian arsenal of 3,587. Many US warheads are also obsolete, mostly stored in European warehouses since the end of the Cold War. For Trump it is crucial to boost the US atomic arsenal. The hibakusha letter was delivered yesterday to the US embassy in Tokyo. It says that if United States pulls out of the 1987 treaty, the global momentum for nuclear disarmament will fade away while the likelihood of a nuclear war crisis will rise. It implores the US president not to turn the clock back. * Literally explosion-affected people in Japanese. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, October 23, 2018 A lawyer who says she was defamed on Yelp is asking the Supreme Court to decide whether Yelp can be forced to remove negative posts. This is a case of crucial importance, lawyers for California attorney Dawn Hassell write in a petition filed with the Supreme Court. She is urging the court to review a decision issued earlier this year by California's highest court, which ruled 4-3 that Yelp can't be required to take down bad reviews. In a petition filed this month, Hassell's lawyers argue that people who have been harmed by online material -- ranging from revenge porn to the posting of private addresses, to defamatory reviews -- should be able to have the content removed. advertisement advertisement Once ... defamatory statements are made online, they then appear prominently in Google searches of the persons or business name, thereby causing continuing damage to the victim, Hassell's attorneys write. Hassell's lead lawyer, Charles Harder, represented wrestler Hulk Hogan in his successful invasion-of-privacy lawsuit against Gawker. Harder reportedly was tapped in August to represent the Trump campaign in arbitration against former White House official Omarosa Manigault Newman. The battle dates to 2013, when Hassell sued a former client over reviews posted to Yelp. The ex-client didn't appear in court to defend herself, and Hassell was awarded a default judgment of more than $500,000. The trial judge also directed Yelp to take down the posts, even though Yelp had never even been notified by Hassell about the case. After Yelp learned of the order, the company asked the judge to vacate the injunction. The company said it should have been able to appear in court and defend its right to display reviews. The trial judge rejected Yelp's argument, as did an appellate court. Yelp then appealed to California's Supreme Court. The company argued that it was protected by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which immunizes online platforms from liability for content created by users. The majority of California's Supreme Court agreed that the trial judge shouldn't have issued an order against Yelp. Three judges said in a plurality opinion that Section 230 protects Yelp from takedown orders. Hassell now contends that those judges wrongly interpreted the law. Nothing in Section 230 suggests that Congress intended to make it impossible for courts to order material to be removed after an adjudication that such material was unlawful or unprotected, her lawyers write. If the California Supreme Courts interpretation of Section 230 is allowed to stand, victims of unlawful and unprotected content will have no effective remedy to remove the material. Traditional folk medicine maintains that the smell of some plants can calm the nerves. Now, new research is suggesting that one fragrant compound present in lavender can lessen anxiety by stimulating the nose to pass signals to the brain. Share on Pinterest New research brings scientific proof that lavender relieves anxiety by affecting the brain through smell. Investigators at Kagoshima University in Japan studied the effect of linalool, a sweet-smelling alcohol that is present in essential oils of lavender and other scented plants, in mice. They showed that exposure to linalool vapor affects the brain through smell and not by being absorbed into the bloodstream via the lungs. Another key finding was that unlike anxiolytic, or anti-anxiety, drugs (such as benzodiazepines), linalool works without impairing movement. The researchers suggest that their study paves the way for further investigations into how to use linalools calming properties in humans, citing a need for safer alternatives to benzodiazepines and other anti-anxiety medications. One application that they foresee is to help people about to undergo surgery to relax before receiving general anesthesia. A paper on the study now features in the journal Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. Anxiety and linalool Anxiety can range from short-lived worry or fear about a problem, decision, or stressful situation such as doing an exam, to a lasting, or chronic, condition that does not go away. When anxiety is chronic, the symptoms can progressively worsen and disrupt daily life, work, relationships, and school. There are several forms of the condition, which are collectively termed anxiety disorders. These include panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and phobia-related conditions. Estimates for 2015 from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that anxiety disorders affect 3.6 percent of the global population and that this figure varies among countries. In the United States, the prevalence is around 6.3 percent. The recent study is not the first to investigate the calming effects of linalool, notes co-author Dr. Hideki Kashiwadani, of the Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences at Kagoshima University. However, Dr. Kashiwadani reports, the sites of action of linalool were usually not addressed in these studies. Olfactory route to the brain The prevailing assumption was that inhaling linalool led to it being absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream. From the bloodstream, it could then reach signal-sensing proteins called gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors in nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain. Benzodiazepines also target these receptors. Dr. Kashiwadani and his colleagues used various experiments involving, for example, a light/dark box and an elevated plus maze, to test the effect of exposure to linalool vapor in normal mice. They saw that the compound exerted an anxiolytic effect without motor impairment. This is in contrast to benzodiazepines and injected linalool, which impair movement in a similar way to consumed alcohol. Exposing mice that lacked a sense of smell to the compound did not produce the same effect, thus confirming that olfactory input was the route to the brain. In addition, when the scientists pretreated the normal mice with the drug flumazenil before allowing them to smell the linalool vapor, the animals showed no reduction in anxiety. Flumazenil blocks the GABAA receptors that respond to benzodiazepine. Many people associate cold weather with the common cold. While the weather is not directly responsible for making people sick, the viruses that cause colds may spread more easily in lower temperatures, and exposure to cold and dry air may adversely impact the bodys immune system. In this article, we examine the relationship between cold and wet weather and the common cold. We also cover some tips for preventing colds. Rhinoviruses and the common cold Share on Pinterest Research suggests that temperatures below 98.6F may allow rhinoviruses to replicate more efficiently. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , millions of people develop the common cold each year in the United States alone. On average, adults get two or three colds a year. Many viruses can cause the common cold. Rhinoviruses are the most common cause and are responsible for more than half of all colds and cold-like illnesses. Rhinovirus infections typically result in mild cold-like symptoms. However, rhinoviruses can also cause more severe illnesses, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, in people with weakened immune systems. Rhinoviruses typically spread through: direct person-to-person contact the air as small droplets, or aerosols, which people then inhale Once inhaled, the rhinovirus attaches itself to the cells inside the nasal passages. It then begins to replicate itself, spreading more virus particles throughout the upper respiratory tract. Effect of cold weather on viruses Some research suggests that rhinoviruses may replicate more efficiently at temperatures lower than 37C, or 98.6F, which is the average core body temperature in humans. The temperature inside the nasal cavity is approximately 33C (91.4F), which may make it an ideal breeding ground for rhinoviruses. Most research on rhinoviruses has primarily focused on examining how differences in body temperature affect the viruss ability to reproduce. However, more recent research is focusing on environmental factors that may increase a persons risk of developing a rhinovirus infection. One study examined whether or not variations in temperatures and humidity led to a higher risk of rhinovirus infection. The researchers found that decreases in both temperature and humidity over a 3-day period increased the risk of rhinovirus infections in participants. In the same study, researchers found that the majority of infections occurred in temperatures at zero (32F) and below. Influenza viruses, which cause the flu, may also survive and spread more easily in cold and dry air. One study in guinea pigs suggests that the ideal temperature for the influenza virus to spread is 5C (41F). Effect of cold weather on the immune system Share on Pinterest Less vitamin D during winter months can affect the immune system. Many researchers believe that exposure to cold weather can adversely affect a persons immune response, making it harder for the body to fight off infections. Reasons for this may include: Reduced vitamin D levels . During the winter months, many people get less vitamin D due to reduced sun exposure. Research suggests that vitamin D plays an essential role in maintaining the immune system. . During the winter months, many people get less vitamin D due to reduced sun exposure. suggests that vitamin D plays an essential role in maintaining the immune system. Spending more time indoors . People tend to spend more time indoors during winter months, and viruses spread more when people are close to each other. . People tend to spend more time indoors during winter months, and viruses spread more when people are close to each other. Lower temperatures may affect immune response . A 2015 study found that exposing airway cells taken from mice to lower temperatures decreased the immune response of the cells against a mouse-adapted rhinovirus. . A found that exposing airway cells taken from mice to lower temperatures decreased the immune response of the cells against a mouse-adapted rhinovirus. Blood vessel narrowing. Breathing in cold and dry air causes the blood vessels in the upper respiratory tract to narrow to conserve heat. This may prevent white blood cells from reaching the mucous membrane, making it harder for the body to fight off germs. Prevention Some ways to avoid getting sick during the winter include: taking vitamin D supplements or eating foods that are high in vitamin D, such as fatty fish, mushrooms, and eggs getting plenty of sleep staying hydrated washing hands regularly always sneezing and coughing into clean tissues; if no tissue is available, it is better to use an elbow rather than the hands not sharing foods, drinks, crockery, and utensils with people who have a cold or the flu It's 'Baahubali' Prabhas' birthday today and I didn't really have to say this, because his fans have already flooded social media with wishes and prayers for the actor. FYI he turned 39 today. While people receive gifts, Prabhas has started a new tradition of giving his fans a special surprise on his birthday. Arka media works Last year, Prabhas released the first look of his upcoming movie 'Saaho'. This year, he and the makers of the films gifted his fans a series of behind-the-scenes videos from the movie,'Shades of Saaho'. After his record-breaking performance in the magnum opus 'Baahubali: The Beginning' and 'Baahubali: The Conclusion', which skyrocketed his success and fame; Prabhas is set to sweep us all off our feet with 'Saaho', that is touted to be one of the most expensive Indian movies. UV Creations Reportedly, Prabhas, Shraddha Kapoor and the film's crew were in Abu Dhabi, shooting an 8-minute action sequence worth Rs. 70 crores. Well, if someone spends 70 crores just to blow up cars, bikes and trucks; you can't expect anything but the best from them and this BTS video is proof. Let's just keep Henry Cavill's $25 million moustache out of this picture, there are exceptions. This video gives a glimpse of some kickass, breathtaking and adrenaline-rushing chase scenes taking place in Abu Dhabi, choreographed by Hollywood action director Kenny Bates. It shows the amount of hard work and effort that went into making the chase involving bikes, cars, trucks and helicopters, and it looks so flawless on-screen. Prabhas appears in the last few seconds of the video and steals all the thunder and we are not complaining at all. Shraddha Kapoor is also seen doing some high octane stunts. Directed by Sujeeth, 'Saaho' is expected to release in 2019. The decision was prompted by new import tariffs to be applied to copper concentrates imported from the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which could raise raw material costs for producers in Zambia. Chambishi is expected to produce a final total of 220,000-230,000 tonnes of blister copper and anodes in 2018, most of it for shipment to China. But output in 2019 will be 50,000-60,000 tonnes less... Thank you for subscribing! By signing up to this free newsletter you agree to receive occasional emails from us informing you about our products and services. You can opt out of these emails at any time. In the last year at least three cases similar to that of the journalist and intellectual who died at the consulate in Istanbul. From Canada to the United States, to Australia, emissaries of the kingdom approached dissidents trying to lure them into local diplomatic representations. Since the ascent to the throne of bin Salman the demands for political asylum of Saudis abroad more than doubled. Riyadh (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The murder of journalist and intellectual Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, has sown panic and tension among exiled dissidents, who have left the kingdom to escape the purges of the Royal house. In recent times many have reported "discrete" attempts by the government to "lure them" into the embassies of the various countries. A "trap" to stop them and repatriate them in great secrecy. Saudi Leaders and intellectuals in exile in at least three different nations have reported an apparent attempt by royal officials to lure them into local diplomatic representations. Their fate, according to the majority, would have been similar to that of Khashoggi, killed [in spite of official denials] on the orders of the highest authorities in Riyadh. Those dissidents targeted include the 27 year-old Omar Abdulaziz, exiled in Canada: he reports that at the beginning of the year, he was approached by Saudi agents who ordered him to follow them inside the embassy to do some paperwork related to his passport. "They told me - remember - it will only take an hour, you just have to follow us to the embassy". Abdulaziz, in the sights of Riyadh for some satirical shows on the monarchy, refused fearing a trap. In the same days two of his brothers and some friends who have remained in Saudi Arabia were arrested. Then there is the case of Abdullah Alaoudh, a scholar at Georgetown University, who revealed that he was approached in a similar ploy last year in Washington. Alaoudh, son of the Islamic preacher Salman al-Awd under arrest and trial in Saudi Arabia, had applied for a passport renewal at the embassy. The officials responded by inviting him to return to the country of origin to carry out some "formalities". "They offered me a temporary pass - he remembers - that would have allowed me to return to Saudi Arabia". However, he adds, "I knew it was a trap and I left with an expired passport ". The stories seem to confirm a growing trend in Saudi Arabia, where the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (Mbs) has targeted critics and dissidents, with the aim of silencing them. Anonymous sources reveal a government plan aimed precisely at the repatriation of all critical and dissident voices into the realm. Among them Manal al-Sharif, a women's rights activist who fled to Australia. She says she had just missed a seizure attempt in September last year when Saud al-Qahtani - an influential voice in the royal family - tried to drag her into the embassy. "Without God's providential intervention - she underlines - I would have been another victim". According to the latest data, the number of asylum seekers and political refugees who have left Saudi Arabia has more than doubled from the ascent to the throne of Mbs. As confirmed by a report by the UN refugee agency, from 575 cases in 2015, it passed to 1256 in 2017. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Markos Bolaris, took part, as representative of the Greek Government, in the 52th Legal and Political Affairs Committee Session of the Black Sea Economic Co-operation (BSEC) Parliamentary Assembly, held on 16 and 17 October 2018, in Kavala. "Dear Ladies and Gentlemen Members of Parliament and other members of national delegations, It is with great joy that we welcome you, fellow deputies from the Parliaments of the member-states of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization to the 52nd Legal and Political Affairs Committee Session of the Parliamentary Assembly, which is taking place in the city of Kavala, in Makedonia, this beautiful region in the North Aegean. The sea and the Black Sea region are our common point of reference. It unites our countries and their peoples. From the dawn of its history, Greece always had historical ties with the region. If I wanted to be more precise, I would say since the time of our mythology, since Medea and the Golden Fleece. The geopolitical reality of the Black Sea region is made of a constantly changing and transforming international landscape. Given this interesting and challenging international context, the goal of the BSEC Parliamentary Assembly is to provide the basis for economic, commercial, social, political and cultural cooperation, inspired by friendship and dialogue. Greece, a country firmly committed to the principles of peace, cooperation and democracy, follows an energetic multidimensional foreign policy, and constitutes a pillar of stability in the region, both as a member of international and regional bodies, like BSEC, and through the 16 newly formed regional - international partnerships, set up under our initiative, in the Balkan and Eastern Mediterranean region, over the past four years. We would like to reassert our strong commitment to the principles set out by the 1993 Founding Declaration of the BSEC Parliamentary Assembly. The BSEC Parliamentary Assembly was created so that the parliaments of the member-states could promote their dialogue between each other, strengthen their cooperation in economic, social, cultural and political terms, and develop joint actions in a spirit of friendship, good neighbourliness, and mutual understanding and respect. Peace, stability, security, growth and the prosperity of all peoples in the Black Sea region, were and are still the main objectives of the BSEC Parliamentary Assembly. As one of the founding members of this initiative, Greece has significantly contributed to this day to its functioning. The Greek Parliament has always played a very active role in the work and activities of the BSEC Parliamentary Assembly. Todays session of the Committee on Legal and Political Affairs of the BSEC Parliamentary Assembly in Kavala represents another step forward in promoting cooperation at parliamentary level among the member countries of the Organization. We await with great anticipation the debates to be held about civil society, workers, and labour rights, and more precisely about the role which the labour unions can and must play in the strengthening of economic cooperation in the Black Sea region, as well as in the proposals for the Special Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly. We would like to thank Konstantinos Morfidis, the Greek representation, and the Local Authorities for extending their hospitality to us and perfectly organizing this event. I wish to convey the best wishes of the countrys Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, and of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Kotzias, for the best possible success in your work, in this forum of peace, dialogue and cooperation of the Black Sea peoples." Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Markos Bolaris, carried out a two-day visit to Mount Athos. The visit began on Monday 15 October, where the Deputy Minister had the opportunity of exchanging information with the Civil Governor, Konstantinos Dimtsas, on matters pertaining to the functioning of the Civil Administration, its staff and the new building housing it. During the following extraordinary session of the Holy Community, in his address to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Holy First referred to the spiritual presence and contribution of the Monastic Community, spanning over a thousand years, and stressed the need to cooperate with the Greek State to resolve issues pertaining to the States exclusive competences. In his reply, the Deputy Minister underscored the Greek Governments feelings of respect towards Mount Athos and its therein practitioning Fathers, mentioned the special care and vigilant concern of the State and the Greek people for the defence of this unique Monastic Centre of the Orthodox Church and referred to the personal relationship he had as a youth with the great modern intellectual figures who lived as ascetics in Mount Athos. This was followed by briefing and partnering focused on a number of issues of concern to the Monastic Community of Mount Athos, and related both to the competences of the Deputy Minister and those of the jointly responsible Ministries and Services of the Greek State. Agreement was reached on developing synergies and methods for the resolution of outstanding issues concerning the smooth functioning of the Holy Place, so as to highlight the respect, care and concern of the Government and the Greek people for the preservation of Monastic Centre. A pilgrimage visit to the historic Temple of Protaton, in Karyes, followed, where is displayed, enthroned and bearing the seals of the Twenty Monasteries, the prestigious icon of the Virgin Mary "Axion Esti". The Holy Community offered a meal. Later, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited the Holy Monastery of Iveron, where he met with the Very Reverend Abbot Archimandrite Nathaniel, and its former Abbot Elder Vasileios, to discuss issues related to Mount Athos. On the afternoon of the same day, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, accompanied by the Civil Governor of Mount Athos, visited the Holy Monastery of Mount Athos, Megisti Lavra, ranked first in the hierarchical order. On Tuesday 16 October, after Divine Mass at the Catholic Monastery of Megisti Lavra, the Deputy Minister visited the Monastery of Vatopedi, where the Very Reverend Abbot, Archimandrite Elder Efraim, and the Brotherhood held a reception in his honour. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed the continued concern, care and forethought of the Greek Government for the defence and fulfilling of the needs of the self-governing Monastic State of Athos, and conveyed the good wishes and warm greetings of the countrys Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its sadness about the passing of Ambassador emeritus Karolos Gadis. Karolos Gadis entered the Diplomatic Field in 1980 and represented Greece serving, inter alia, as Minister-Counsellor in Ankara and Washington, as the Head of the Greek Liaison Office in Pristina, as Ambassador in Sarajevo, as well as Director of the critical political Directorate for relations with Russia, at the Central Service. Throughout the course of his career, he stood out for his industriousness and his professionalism, his devotion to duty and his unparalleled ethos. The whole of the political and civil leadership, as well as the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs express sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. Mgr uc ao is the fifth bishop of Xuan Loc. Until May 2016 he was auxiliary bishop and rector of the major seminary, which today has more than 450 seminarians. He is also rector of the new Catholic Institute of Vietnam. In the diocese of Xuan Loc, erected on 14 October 1965 out of the Archdiocese of Saigon, the Catholic faith is strong thanks to over 1.1 million faithful, about a third of the population. This is partly due to a massive influx of northern Catholics after 1954. At present, the diocese has 250 parishes, run by 500 priests with 447 men religious and 1,810 nuns. Hanoi (AsiaNews/EdA) Bishop Giuse (Joseph) inh uc ao, Bishop of Xuan Loc, was born on 2 March 1945 in Bui Chum, a very Catholic diocese in North Vietnam. In 1954 he followed his family when they fled to the South. At the age of 19, he entered the Saint Joseph Major Seminary in Saigon. The following year he was sent to Rome to the Institute of the Propagation of the Faith where he was ordained priest at the age of 26 on 27 March 1971. He obtained a doctorate in moral theology at the Alfonsian Academy and a doctorate in missiology at the Gregorian University. In Rome, he headed the Centro internazionale di animazione missionaria. More recently, he led for ten years the Coordinating Office for the Pastoral Care of Vietnamese Abroad. In 2009, he returned to the Diocese of Xuan Loc where he was appointed rector of the major seminary. Four years later, in February 2013, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the diocese. In your bishopric, your seminary is quite imposing ... Yes, it is. Our seminary has the largest number of seminarians in Vietnam: 454 from 11 dioceses, half from Xuan Loc. In the whole country, we have about 2,000 seminarians in eight major seminaries. Our diocese was founded in 1965, from the Archdiocese of Saigon. Out of 3.5 million residents, more than a million are Catholics, one-third of the population. In fact, we are more numerous than in Saigon, which has about 700,000 Catholics. Our diocese has received waves of Catholic migrants. First in 1954 from the north, then in 1972 from the centre, and finally after 1975 from all over the country, because of the fertility of our land. In fact, local Catholics integrated with the migrants. We built a common religious tradition. I am, myself, from the North ... How does the difference between North and South Vietnam show up today? People from the north and the centre are more "combative" than people in the south. Because we had to fight to maintain our life and identities. In both everyday life and in the life of the Church, southerners lived more freely for a longer period of time. Our vocations here often come from northern families. What are your relations with the authorities? During the war, the Church tried to serve people, maintaining a balance. Since 1975, she has sought to be accepted, to be part of a society ruled by the Communists. Today, we are ostensibly accepted. We seek to live together, to serve society with a missionary spirit. Today, Catholics are considered as a group among others. Our connection with Rome is not seen as a betrayal, a political danger. We are evolving more and more in a way that is favourable to evangelisation. But we must always be cautious in what we do ... Whether the regime is communist or capitalist, we are called to be faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ. Fighting is not the way of the Church. We must simply proclaim the Gospel of Christ, source of joy and reconciliation. Overall, the Church of Vietnam is perceived as a factor of reconciliation, especially because of our presence among the weakest. Is the Catholic Church no longer blamed for its association with a foreign power? That misconception, which has long identified Catholics with occupying Western powers, has made evangelising difficult. It is true that the Confucian identity of the imperial system could equate conversion to Christianity with treason. France used this very narrow identity, complicating the situation whilst defending persecuted people. Moreover, our mindset tends to put all religions on the same plane. But for us Jesus is an absolute: we must choose him. How do you see the future of your diocese? Our diocese is urbanising more and more. But the vitality of faith is still there. At home, in Europe, faith is about ideas. Here, faith is about life. Certainly, the wind of secularisation, which carries the seduction of wealth, is sweeping across the whole world. But in Europe, secularisation entails a struggle against the authority of the Church, which is not the case here. With us, secularisation, if it aims at the acquisition of wealth, is neither against God nor against the Church. In a way, the Church is persecuted in Europe as well as in Vietnam. It is more difficult to be a bishop or a priest in Europe than in Vietnam! Here, if we are attacked, the community defends us. The Church is like a family of God. This family concept determines the relationships between people throughout life. How do you see the future of vocations? We still have many vocations, but we see some signs of decline, because of easier material life, the seduction of available wealth. But it is always the parish and the family that support vocations. In our culture, religion is part of a persons and a familys heritage. You are rector of the brand-new Catholic Institute of Vietnam. What do you expect? The Catholic Institute has been around for only three years. We began with about fifty students and today they number 120. It's a real challenge for us. it's about finding and training teachers, setting up a library ... It's a real need to express the Churchs maturity. Of course, devotion is very strong in our Church, but we must also reflect on this vitality of the faith, deepen it, in order to also express faith as an idea ... but not like in Europe! After wars, communism, the time has come to develop what we have not developed before because every country is exposed to all sorts of currents of ideas. We must encourage our priests and faithful to think more. Tradition alone is not enough. We must enter into dialogue with cultural movements, with contemporary cultural institutions, devote ourselves to research. Those involved in pastoral outreach do not have time to do that. Life has changed, our "pastoral faith" must change as well. We must be able to ask ourselves: why are we Catholics? About 500 units have already been completed, 773 are under construction and 250 are awaiting financial coverage. The Indian government will finance 250. Repatriation, which should have started in January 2018, has raised concerns among refugees about their safety following their return to Rakhine. Naypyidaw (AsiaNews/Agencies) Myanmar will soon finish the construction of more than 1,500 housing units for Rohingya refugees returning from Bangladesh thanks to the support of international agencies, NGOs and the Indian government. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmud Ali said that he hopes that the first group of 8,000 refugees will be able to return to northern Rakhine State. The presence of the United Nations and its partners in northern Rakhine State should boost the confidence of the refugees in the repatriation process, this according to Christine Schraner Burgener, UN special envoy to Myanmar. The construction of almost 500 units had been completed, Rakhine Chief Minister U Nyi Phyu said last week. He said another 773 shelters are being built, while 250 shelters are awaiting financial assistance. The Indian government will fund the construction of 250 prefabricated houses in Maungdaw township for displaced people, U Nyi Pu said. Maungdaw was the scene of sectarian violence. The Indian embassy said it has signed two agreements with Rakhine to facilitate capacity building and economic development in the strife-torn area. Myanmar and Bangladesh signed an Arrangement on the Return of Displaced Persons from Rakhine State last November. Repatriation was supposed to start in January 2018but refugees expressed concerns about their safety after they return to Rakhine. More than a year after the outbreak of the latest violence, the refugees are still reticent about going home. Maungdaw Deputy district administrator U Ye Htoo noted that only 177 Rohingya Muslims have been resettled, 106 males and 71 females. Microplastics have been found in the human food chain as particles made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) and others were detected in human stools, research presented at the 26th UEG Week in Vienna reveals. Researchers from the Medical University of Vienna and the Environment Agency Austria monitored a group of participants from countries across the world, including Finland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, the UK and Austria. The results show that every single stool sample tested positive for the presence of microplastic and up to nine different plastic types were identified. Microplastics are small particles of plastic less than 5mm and are used in various products for specific purposes; as well as being created unintentionally by the breaking down of larger pieces of plastic through weathering, degradation, wear and tear. Microplastic may impact human health via the GI tract where it could affect the tolerance and immune response of the gut by bioaccumulation or aiding transmission of toxic chemicals and pathogens. The pilot study was conducted with eight participants from across the globe. Each person kept a food diary in the week leading up to their stool sampling. The diaries showed that all participants were exposed to plastics by consuming plastic wrapped foods or drinking from plastic bottles. None of the participants were vegetarians and six of them consumed sea fish. The stools were tested at the Environment Agency Austria for 10 types of plastics following a newly developed analytical procedure. Up to nine different plastics, sized between 50 and 500 micrometres, were found, with polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) being the most common. On average, the researchers found 20 microplastic particles per 10g of stool. Lead researcher Dr. Philipp Schwabl, who is presenting the findings at the 26th UEG Week, commented: "This is the first study of its kind and confirms what we have long suspected, that plastics ultimately reach the human gut. Of particular concern is what this means to us, and especially patients with gastrointestinal diseases. While the highest plastic concentrations in animal studies have been found in the gut, the smallest microplastic particles are capable of entering the blood stream, lymphatic system and may even reach the liver. Now that we have first evidence for microplastics inside humans, we need further research to understand what this means for human health." Global plastics production has increased substantially from the 1950s and continues to grow every year. For their many practical characteristics, plastics are pervasive in everyday life and humans are exposed to plastics in numerous ways. It is estimated that, through pollution, 2-5 % of all plastics produced end up in the seas. Once in the ocean, plastics are consumed by sea animals and enter the food chain where ultimately, they are likely to be consumed by humans. Significant amounts of microplastic have been detected in tuna, lobster and shrimp. Beyond that it is highly likely that during various steps of food processing or as a result of packaging food is being contaminated with plastics. CARO It seems come hell or low water, the Caro dam will be fixed one way or another. The 112-year old dam has two gates. One of the gates failed in April 2014, which caused lower water levels in the Cass River and in Caro Lake. Eric Fox has privately owned the dam since about 2003. For the last four years, there have been various suggestions on how to fix the dam to get the river and lake levels back up. The latest suggestion pitched by Caro Councilman Rick Lipan is for Fox, Indianfields Township, the city of Caro, and Tuscola County to share the cost of repairing the gate to help promote recreation in the area. The estimated cost for the repair is about $60,000, with each paying $15,000, and for Eric to pay more if the cost goes over the estimated $60,000, explained Lipan. Because the dam is privately owned, Fox can leave the broken gate, repair gate with a Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) permit, or remove the dam with a MDEQ permit. Also, the state could step in and condemn it and have it removed. According to Lipan, if the state gets involved, the Department of Natural Resources will probably have the dam torn out. If that happens, well see at least a two-foot drop upstream from the dam, he said. Dam repairs would raise Cass River levels upstream toward Cass City, then it could be stocked with fish. There are people from throughout the Thumb who use the Cass River and Caro Lake for fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Chippewa Landing south of Caro off M-24 has a boat launch that was used a lot until the water level went down. Lipan said if the dam was fixed, it would lure boaters and fisherman back to the area, and he is trying to get bids from companies to do the repair work. Or, if funding was forthcoming, Lipan, who owns Majestic Construction, and Fox said they would work together to repair the dam using the same method that was used to build the flood gates. The design lasted more than 100 years. The reason the gate broke was because one the trunnion pins rusted through, he explained. The one gate that is still functioning is under pressure from debris that has built up. If the second gate fails, the Cass River could become just a creek. The Cass River Greenway Committee (CRG), a grassroots group, has been working to clean up the Cass River, develop it as an eco-tourism attraction, and is trying to have the waterway designated a National Water Trail. For 10 years, CRG members and volunteers have cleaned up sections of the river each year. During that time, the river downstream of Bridgeport to Cass City has been cleaned. For the last two years, CRGs efforts focused on cleaning up two sections of the river towards Caro. And, there are still several more miles of the river that still need to be cleaned. The dam was built in 1906, to provide water for the Michigan Sugar Company. It was reconstructed in 1928 as a hydroelectric dam to provide power to Caro, but it had been out of service for several years when Fox bought it. Indianfields Township, city, and county officials each asked their attorneys to review the proposal. Besides RGCs focus on the river, well-known outdoor writer Thomas Lounsbury did a documentary over the summer about his canoe trips down the Cass River to showcase the waterways beauty and recreational opportunities. The film is in the process of being edited, and Michigan Outdoors is expected to televise Lounsburys waterway expedition. As part of the Cass River development in 2015, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stabilized the 163-year old Frankenmuth Dam with a $3.5 million project. The work included doing a rock-ramp structure and stone weirs on top of the dam to form a step-pool of 300 feet down stream from the current dam head to allow fish passage upstream to spawn. Fish were planted last month in the Frankenmuth area. PIGEON -- Youth for Christ USA recently honored Misty Cramer, Unionville-Sebewaing Area Campus Life Director, with the 5 Essentials Award at the Great Lakes Regional Conference. "I'm very excited for Misty to receive this recognition for her work with youth in the Unionville-Sebewaing area," said Todd Cramer, executive director of Bluewater Thumb YFC and Misty's husband. "She and members of the community have really stepped up to offer an outstanding program to address the needs of hurting and unchurched young people." Cramer received the 5 Essentials Award for excellence in five categories of ministry development including collaborative community strategy, empowering adults, widespread prayer, faithful Bible teaching and loving relationships. This award was received at the regional conference in Cleveland, which includes YFC chapters from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky. The award honors individuals with ministry programs that reflect excellence in the five areas mentioned above to provide effective and sustainable youth and community ministry. Cramer was recognized for her outstanding ministry programming, which includes a popular breakfast club during the school year and a weekly summer ministry program called Monday's at the Pond (MAP). Students also participate in a variety of trips and events and in weekly student leadership programs, which take place on Monday nights in her home outside Unionville. "Misty has a huge passion for reaching young people who need to hear about the love of Christ," said Missy Linzner, who serves on the local Regional Leadership Team for the USA community. "She especially has a passion for developing student leaders who positively impact their peers, the school campus and community, as well, as kids who need a positive relationship with a loving adult." Cramer is a Campus Life director for Bluewater Thumb YFC. YFC is a youth focused ministry that seeks to combine healthy relationships with creative programs to help young people make good choices, establish a solid foundation for life, positively impact their schools and become life-long followers of Jesus Christ. For more information about Bluewater Thumb YFC, call 989-453-3239 or visit www.facebook.com/BluewaterThumbYFC or www.bluewaterthumbyfc.org. KINDE -- North Huron Schools, in conjunction with Al Thomas from Michigan Department of Education, will be hosting a Family Engagement Night next week. The event will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30 in the North Huron Media Center. A family style meal along with childcare will be provided for families who attend. Al Thomas is an education consultant with the Office of Educational Supports at Michigan Department of Education (MDE). Aside from assisting districts in the western Upper Peninsula, Thomas has been working to increase family engagement awareness at the local and state levels. He is a member of MDE's Family Engagement Stakeholder team and the chief council of State School Officer's Consortium on Family Engagement, Cohort II. Thomas also serves on the Parent Advisory Committee and is the WatchDOG leader at his children's school. As a father of four young children, former teacher, principal and now state-level employee, Thomas brings a unique perspective to engaging families. Family engagement is a collaborative relationship between families, educators, providers and partners to support and improve the learning, development and health of every learner. Family Engagement is part of the Michigan Top 10 in 10 Plan. MDE has five family engagement principles that it focuses on which are: Trusting relationships are the cornerstone of family engagement. Families are engaged and supported partners in their child's education. Family engagement efforts are purposeful, intentional and clearly identify learner outcomes. Family engagement efforts are tailored to address all families so all learners are successful. Positive learning environments contribute to engagement and learning. If you are interested in finding out more information or would like to register for the event, call Jodie Schipinski at the elementary office at 989-874-4103 or Robin Phillips/Julie Case at the secondary office 989-874-4101. Three men have been arrested in connection with illegal deer hunting in Roxbury on Monday. The arrests were made by State Environmental Conservation Police (with the assistance of Woodbury Police and the Connecticut State Police Troop L. State EnCon Police and Woodbury Police have received numerous complaints of illegal deer hunting after sunset in proximity to the Roxbury Airport, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said in a release. A proactive Woodbury Police Officer was conducting a patrol check of the area after midnight when they observed a vehicle traveling along Route 317 with the occupants actively shining the open grass fields, an area frequented by deer, where deer are known to be present, and a prime deer habitat. The officer suspected the occupants of illegal deer jacklighting and conducted a motor vehicle stop in Roxbury. The occupants - all Southbury residents - were identified as Eftihios Marnelakis, 22; Mihali Marnelakis, 20; and Jacob Parcell, 21. All were found to be in possession of numerous flashlights/spotlight, ammunition, and multiple firearms, to include a loaded high powered rifle, within the passenger compartment as well as evidence of a recent deer kill processing in the bed of the pickup. The three were placed under arrest by State EnCon Police and processed at Troop A in Southbury for the following violations: hunting from a public roadway, possession of loaded weapon in a motor vehicle, jacklighting deer and second-degree negligent hunting. The accused were each released on a $5,000 surety bond and are scheduled to appear Torrington Superior Court on Nov. 18. WESTPORT A seasoned state representative, Democrat Jonathan Steinberg ascended to the state assemblys 136th district seat, which includes most of Westport in 2010. A lifelong Westporter, Steinberg said he understands Westport values and can leverage his leadership positions in the statehouse to benefit residents better than his novice opponent. As chair of the states Pension Sustainability Commission, Steinberg, a self-proclaimed moderate, said he will solve the states unfunded pension liabilities through a plan to donate state real estate assets as an in-kind contribution to its pension funds. At the Chamber of Commerce debate last week, Steinberg, 62, said transportation infrastructure investment is his No. 1 priority and if re-elected, hell push to institute tolls to fund improvements to the states crumbling trains, bridges and roads. What are your top three legislative priorities? 1. Establishing a sustainable state budget by addressing the unfunded pension liability (which Im doing now with the Pension Sustainability Commission) and reforming union compensation through a shared risk model. 2. Prioritizing transportation infrastructure investment by supporting the Transportation Lock Box (on the ballot in November), focusing on replacing the ancient railroad bridges (the only way train speeds will increase) and congestion-pricing tolls to capture revenues from out-of-state drivers and truckers so we can fix deteriorating roads and bridges. Jonathan Steinberg Greg Kraut See More Collapse 3. Creating lots of new, good-paying jobs by supporting growth industry sectors in which Connecticut is already a leader like bioscience and green technology; aligning education/training programs to prepare young people for the jobs that are currently available, and creating urban enterprise zones with mass transit, housing and amenities attractive to young people and which leverage new federal grants. What experiences qualify you to represent the 136th Assembly District? Growing up in Westport and coming back with my family has given me strong sense of Westporters values and priorities. Twenty-plus years as a marketing executive, working for companies large and small, have helped me understand how businesses thrive and how to keep them nimble and competitive. Seven years on the RTM, three as deputy moderator, have given me the opportunity to work with others to address the towns issues and prepared me to represent Westport in the General Assembly. Four terms in the Legislature, with increasing leadership responsibilities, have taught me the intricacies of the legislative process, provided opportunities to build relationships with colleagues from both sides of the aisle and critical stakeholders, and allowed me to champion successful legislation on gun reform, health care, the environment and the budget. What is the biggest challenge facing the state? The biggest challenge facing the state has to be the continued budget deficits, resulting from huge unfunded pension liabilities caused by decades of egregious negligence by both parties. Im at the forefront of addressing the problem, without raising taxes or slashing spending, through my work as chair of the Pension Sustainability Commission. Its work is dedicated to pursuing a plan which will generate new revenues from underutilized state real estate and dedicate those proceeds to the pensions themselves, thus reducing the impact of current liabilities on the budget. Its practical, legal and other states are watching Connecticut with interest. Does Westport have a good relationship with the state government in Hartford? Westports relationship with Hartford is fine, but could always be improved. Fairfield County legislators from both parties need to work more collaboratively to advocate for issues like transportation investment and affordable housing reform in Hartford. Westport also benefits from my growing influence as an experienced and respected legislator and my leadership of the Moderates Caucus, which played a crucial role in recent bipartisan budget deals and killing bad budgets. My opponent plans to continue commuting to NYC the opposite direction of Hartford. Working full time out of state is completely inconsistent with the work commitment necessary to fulfill ones obligations as a state representative. I treat this elected position with the seriousness it deserves as a full-time job. What political issue are you most passionate about? First and foremost is budget reform, because its the one thing which will encourage people to move to or stay in Connecticut with their families and businesses. Thats why I spend so much time in Hartford working on it. But I also care deeply about protecting the people of Connecticut through quality, affordable health care, sensible gun reforms, rational environmental policy and social justice for all. The race for governor heated up Monday over a squabble about the states minimum wage. Democrat Ned Lamonts campaign charged that Republican Bob Stefanowski plans to repeal Connecticuts $10.10 per hour minimum wage a charge the GOP nominee immediately denied. The Stefanowski camp then fired back that Lamonts support for raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour would weaken already struggling small businesses across Connecticut. Needless to say, Stefanowski does not support the increase. So how did this volley over the minimum wage begin? The Lamont campaign held a mid-morning news conference on the Capitols eastern steps and called out the Republican candidate for supporting its repeal. Eliminating the state minimum wage entirely is a radical idea that would drive people out of the state of Connecticut, Susan Bysiewicz, Lamonts running mate, said during the news conference. As evidence of Stefanowskis position, the Lamont campaign uploaded a 31-second video to its YouTube account that shows the GOP nominee discussing the minimum wage at a campaign event in northeastern Connecticut. The problem is the video opens with an unnamed individual asking Stefanowski about the prospect of raising the minimum wage, not about eliminating it. Let the private sector decide what the right level to pay people is, not the government, Stefanowski responded. Weve got to get the government out of our life. The unnamed questioner then tells Stefanowski that he supports no minimum wage at all, to which Stefanowski responds: Supply and demand. Bob says nothing about a zero-dollar minimum wage, someone else does, Stefanowski spokesman Kendall Marr pointed out Monday afternoon. But labor leaders and others charged Monday that Stefanowski has made his intentions clear, and that tens of thousands of minimum-wage earners in Connecticut would face a pay cut under his administration. Repeal of the state minimum wage not only would likely drive wages for tens of thousands of Connecticut residents down to the federal base rate of $7.25 per hour, but would impose a disproportionate burden on minorities and women, Bysiewicz said. About 41 percent of African-Americans and 54 percent of Latinos in Connecticut earn less than $15 per hour, she said, adding that women are 25 percent more likely than men to earn less than this key threshold. Lamont isnt the only one to endorse a $15 per hour minimum wage. It also has the backing of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, many Democrats in the state Legislature and the Legislatures bipartisan Commission on Fiscal Stability and Economic Competitiveness. The commission recommended raising the minimum wage, though, as part of a holistic package of changes that also included a major reduction in state income tax rates, a $1 billion cut in the states annual operating budget, and installation of electronic tolling on highways to fund a major transportation infrastructure rebuild. The GOP nominee has been consistent throughout the campaign, both in his opposition to raising the state minimum wage and in never calling for its repeal, Marr said. This claim is consistent with a question-and-answer interview published online in the Fairfield County Business Journal on Oct. 21. In that interview, Stefanowski was asked about raising the minimum wage from $10.10 per hour to $15 per hour. Thats bringing it up 50 percent, which will choke middle- and small-sized businesses, Stefanowski told the business journal. I think we should leave it where it is. Marr added that Lamont and Bysiewiczs attack is a rather blatant misrepresentation of Stefanowskis position. Now is not the time to raise costs for our struggling small businesses that are already being taxed out of their minds and relocate to other states, he said. Bysiewicz was joined in her news conference by Connecticut AFL-CIO President Lori J. Pelletier, state Rep. Robyn Porter, D-New Haven, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin and Connecticut Working Families Party Executive Director Lindsay Farrell. Bob Stefanowski fancies himself a builder, Pelletier said, referring to Stefanowski television ads showing the candidate doing odd jobs around the house. Well, the only thing hes going to build with this is more poverty. This is a person who is not anywhere near the center of the political spectrum, Bronin, a Democrat, said of Stefanowski. We know that wage growth equals economic growth, said Porter, who argued a $15 per hour minimum wage would help more working poor families get off various forms of state assistance. You want to cut spending? Give people the money that they need to take care of themselves. HARTFORD Republican Bob Stefanowskis bold promise to eliminate Connecticuts income tax over eight years came under withering attack Thursday by Democrat Ned Lamont and Oz Griebel, a petitioning candidate struggling to be taken seriously in the waning weeks of the race for governor. At the midpoint of a one-hour debate sponsored by the Connecticut Broadcasters Association, Griebel boiled over with what he later called frustration at the failure of anyone to specifically address how the state can close a projected budget shortfall of $2 billion and improve an aging transportation infrastructure. You have no solutions, Bob! Griebel yelled. Trust me, ladies and gentlemen, Stefanowski said. Oh yeah, trust me, Griebel said. Griebel said later he is equally frustrated with Lamont, but Stefanowski was the common target at times of Griebel and Lamont over what is the boldest promise of the campaign: Eliminating the states single largest source of revenue without raising the sales tax or finding other new sources of revenue. Of the five gubernatorial candidates on the ballot, Lamont and Stefanowski are the only ones with a major presence on television. In a recent Quinnipiac University poll, Lamont was favored by 47 percent of likely voters, compared to 39 percent for Stefanowski and 11 percent for Griebel. The other candidates are Libertarian Rod Hanscomb and Mark Stewart Greenstein. The two major-party candidates opened the debate Thursday at Infinity Music Hall in downtown Hartford by trying to reinforce themes from their recent advertising each man claims he is a true agent of change who can stabilize the states finances and grow what has been one of the weakest state economies in the U.S. You want somebody who is going be absolutely fearless when it comes to taking on the entrenched interests and shaking up the old ways of doing business. Thats what Ive done my entire life, Lamont said. His campaign has been stressing a personal biography that includes founding a small cable-television company that competed with national giants on college campuses and small communities, and his challenge of U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman in 2006 over the war in Iraq. Stefanowski for the first time treated Griebel as an opponent worth undermining, saying in his opening statement that Griebel and Lamont were running the same campaign. You have three candidates on stage, but you really have two choices, Stefanowski said. Youve got Oz and Ned, who are more of the same. They want to raise taxes. They want to make bigger government, and they want to drive this economy into another term of (Gov.) Dan Malloy. Stefanowski, a former corporate executive whose last private-sector job was chief executive officer of DFC Global, a payday lender, said he is Connecticuts only chance for real change. Griebel, who recently retired as the leader of the MetroHartford Alliance, said Connecticut needs to break with the status quo and a governor not beholden to parties, not beholden to dogma. Stefanowski was careful during the hour to keep his distance from endorsing public policies established by Malloy. Lamont and Griebel said they would have welcomed a Syrian refugee family that had been vetted by U.S. officials and relief workers, only to be told by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, now the vice president, they were not welcome in the Hoosier state. Stefanowski said he was unfamiliar with the episode, the source of national news coverage, but he would try to be humane. He said he opposed sanctuary cities, which was part of the controversy over the Syrian family whose members entered the country legally. Id err on the side of being generous, Lamont said. Everybody in this country is entitled to protection under the rule of law, Griebel said. Stefanowski broke with Lamont and Griebel over some of the criminal justice reforms promoted by Malloy, mostly to national acclaim. And he questioned statistics showing Connecticuts crime rate has plunged. Stefanowski attributed the fall, in part, to a population that declined by .2 percent in 2016. This early release program is out of control, Stefanowski said. He mentioned the defendant in a triple homicide in Griswold who was paroled after serving the Connecticut minimum of 85 percent of a sentence for violent crime. The parole board is separate from the Risk Reduction Earned Credit Program, which allows inmates to gain early release through education and other programs. Stefanowski and Lamont clashed sharply over the arrival of Infosys, an India-based company that has chosen Hartford for one of its regional technology hubs. Under fire for outsourcing jobs, the company has made a commitment to hiring in the U.S. Lamont, who made some introductions that played a role in the companys explorations of Hartford, told Stefanowski it was unconscionable to insult a new employer. One of the companys top U.S. executives sat in the audience. To diss these guys the way he did is one way to roll up the welcome mat and send businesses in the opposite direction, Lamont said after the debate. He was dead wrong on that, dead wrong. Stefanowski said he was simply reciting some of the less attractive parts of the companys history. He said he would love to meet its officials. Marines are landing in Iceland, a Navy aircraft carrier is sailing past the Arctic Circle and U.S. aircraft are soaring over Scandinavia -- and none of it has gone unnoticed by Russian military leaders. Nearly 50,000 U.S. and NATO forces are gearing up for the largest iteration of Trident Juncture since 1991. Set to start Thursday, it'll involve troops operating in the air, on land and at sea in a month-long exercise that will test NATO forces' ability to respond to a large-scale event from several locations. Troops from all 29 NATO allies -- plus Finland and Sweden -- are participating. So are about 65 ships, 150 aircraft and 10,000 vehicles. The exercise won't take place near Russia's border. But Lt. Gen. Valery Zaparenko, former deputy chief of general staff there, said he believes Trident Juncture is meant to send a message to his country, which has pledged to expand its capabilities in the Arctic region. Related content: "All this talk from NATO about Russia not being the target of Trident Juncture doesn't hold water," Zaparenko said, according to RT, a Russian-government-funded TV station. "Even if NATO says otherwise, Trident Juncture is really preparation for a large-scale armed conflict in regions bordering with the Russian Federation." Defense Secretary Jim Mattis disagreed, saying earlier this month at NATO's headquarters in Belgium that "it would be a mischaracterization to put [Trident Juncture] in any kind of offensive or destabilizing sort of context." About 14,000 U.S. troops are participating in the exercise, which is set to be one of NATO's largest since the end of the Cold War. Some of those troops have been participating in rehearsal exercises in the days leading up to Trident Juncture. On Friday, ships from Carrier Strike Group Eight -- including the carrier Harry S. Truman -- pushed beyond the Arctic Circle in the Norwegian Sea. It was the first time in nearly three decades that a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier sailed beyond the Arctic Circle, giving the crew a chance to deal with freezing temperatures, fierce winds and unpredictable winds. Despite the arduous weather and sea conditions, these men and women are demonstrating this ship can bring a full spectrum of capabilities to bear anywhere in the world," Capt. Nick Dienna, the Truman's commanding officer, said in a Navy news release. Two days before the carrier moved past the Arctic Circle, members of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit carried out a mock air assault on a base in southwest Iceland. About 100 members of Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines were flown in from ships with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. They set up security for the landing zone, seized a military objective and then went on to conduct cold-weather training there. The exercise was meant to help prepare the Marines for a large-scale amphibious assault in Norway during Trident Juncture. Other planned events include a naval exercise in the Norwegian Sea, combat-training operations in Norway, and flights there, in Sweden and in Finland in support of NATO ground forces. Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 8 will also use the exercise to test new ways to get gear ashore, using unmanned helicopters, handheld drones and self-driving trucks, among other systems. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ginaaharkins. FORT EUSTIS, Virginia -- Army fitness officials here are still experimenting to determine the technique soldiers will have to master when they take the Army Combat Fitness Test for record in October 2020. The Army began a large-scale field test of the six-event ACFT on Oct. 1, sending mobile training teams out of Fort Jackson, South Carolina to train and certify graders in more than 60 battalions across the active, National Guard and Reserve force. The exercises are locked in, but the mechanics may change to make them easier to grade, Whitfield East, the research physiologist for Center for Initial Military Training, told Military.com today at an ACFT demonstration. "During the field test, we are refining the hand-release pushup," East said, explaining that event will either have soldiers raise their hands straight up off the ground before coming back up or extend their hands out to the sides and bring them back in again before coming up again. The arm-extension version may be easier to grade, East said. "More or less, the point of it is to ensure that they are totally resting on the ground. We don't want them in a low hover over the ground," East said. The arm-extension also "engages a little bit of the ... muscles in the back," East said, adding that "it is good to link movements together, so a pull-type movement and a push-type movement." Both techniques achieve similar physical results, said Lt. Col. David Feltwell, the command physical therapist for the Center for Initial Military Training. "Biomechanically, and from a combat specificity point of view, both work pretty well, but we really want to make sure we are getting a gradable event," he said. Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Estes, who participated in the ACFT demonstration, said he prefers the technique that involves simply raising the hands up rather than extending them out to the side. When the hands are brought back in from the arm extension, "your hands might be too far out and the pushup wouldn't count," said the 37-year-old Apache maintainer, who is normally assigned to B Company, 1st Battalion, 210th Aviation Regiment. While no decision has been made yet, East said practice will help solve Estes' concern. "It's really simple to know where your fingers are, because your arms just stop when the outsides of your thumbs touch your chest," he said. Capt. McKenzie Hensley has no real preference for either technique, but said that both are harder than the standard pushups on the current Army Physical Fitness Test. "In a traditional PT test, I can do 50; in this one, 25," said the 27-year-old S1 officer for the 128th Aviation Brigade at Eustis. "It's a lot harder." The Army chose the hand-release pushups because they increase the force on the body "somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 percent," East said. "What we are seeing is about a 30 to 50 percent decrement in total pushup performance when we do that hand-release pushup, which is really a good thing," he said. "Intensity is really more important than useless repetition. So if I can get 40 to 50 hand-release pushups, I am better off in terms of shoulder wear and tear ... than I am doing 80 or 90 of the other types of pushups." Feltwell agreed, adding that "a longer movement recruits more cells in the muscle, so it's harder to do. That's what we want." "Faster movements don't do that," he said. "Highly repetitious exercises are generally going to become more injurious over time." Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correct the role of a soldier. -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. A U.S. Air Force stealth bomber experienced an in-flight emergency Tuesday, causing the crew to execute an unscheduled landing. The nuclear-capable B-2 Spirit, assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, made an emergency landing in Colorado Springs en route to Whiteman, officials said in a release. "Two pilots were on board and both aviators are unharmed," the release said. "The exact cause of the in-flight emergency is under investigation." Officials did not disclose where the bomber was coming from or whether it was on a routine flight. Related content: "Our aviators are extremely skilled; they're trained to handle a wide variety of in-flight emergencies in one of the world's most advanced aircraft and they perfectly demonstrated that today," said Brig. Gen. John J. Nichols, 509th Bomb Wing Commander. Local media reported the bomber landed at Colorado Springs Airport and was met by emergency responders from the 21st Space Wing, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. The Spirit last month wrapped up the platform's first-ever rotation to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. During the rotation, it executed missions with the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter, giving pilots a sense of how the two aircraft would pair in a high-threat environment, according to the Air Force. So far this year, the Air Force has had a range of aircraft problems, including flightline emergencies, paused operations at bases, emergency landings and even stand-downs of entire fleets. For the B-1B Lancer, the B-2's non-nuclear counterpart, operations were completely halted for nearly two weeks in June over safety concerns related to the bomber's ejection seat system. According to published 2016 operational costs for Air Force aircraft, the B-2 costs $121,866 per hour to fly. Its mission-capable rate -- or the ability to be war-ready at a moment's notice -- hovers around 53 percent, according to 2017 figures reported by Air Force Times. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @oriana0214. Researchers from 19 Chinese organizations have called for more efforts to promote protection of snow leopards and their habitats. A snow leopard is pictured after being found injured in Nangchen County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Qinghai province, 16 October 2017. [Photo: IC] They made the call at the launch event of a report about the status of China's snow leopard survey and conservation in Beijing on Tuesday, which is International Snow Leopard Day. The report was initiated by an alliance composed of leading nature conservation agencies, research institutions and universities. It was based on 57 Chinese and English references on snow leopards in China published between 1980 and 2018. According to the report, the survey area so far covers just 1.7 percent of the snow leopard's habitat in China, which is far from the target of 20 percent but close to the world average of 2 percent. The southern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the western part of the Tianshan Mountains in northwest China's Xinjiang are the two major areas that have not yet been surveyed. Weak protection by local governments, climate change and lack of community support are the main threats that snow leopards are facing. Furthermore, poaching, habitat fragmentation and human activities also affect the population of the species, the report said. It suggested a nationwide population survey and a snow leopard landscape management plan for the next five years. It also called for government efforts in strengthening monitoring of protected areas and raising public awareness of the animal. The snow leopard is a Class-A protected animal in China and the International Union for Conservation of Nature classified it as endangered-to-vulnerable last year. About 60 percent of its habitats are in China. Since 2008, more organizations have participated in snow leopard study and protection. "The report is a result of sharing and cooperation among multiple agencies, which should be encouraged," said Lyu Zhi, a wildlife biologist with Peking University. The century-old wrong done to a Marine private fatally wounded on the last day of battle in World War I will finally be made right this coming Veterans Day at Arlington National Cemetery, thanks to another Marine who worked to correct the record on his behalf. Arlington officials have approved a small ceremony on Nov. 11 at the grave of Marine Pvt. Joseph Otto Turley in Section 18, site 1345, to mark the installation of a new headstone with his correct date of death: Nov. 12, 1918. For Garrett Anderson, Turley's great-nephew and a Marine veteran of Fallujah, it's the culmination of an undertaking that required him to delve into U.S. and family history to unearth the true story of his uncle's service. The new tombstone with the correct date "means we didn't forget," said Anderson, who was a Lance Corporal with the 1st Battalion, Third Marines, at the second battle of Fallujah in November 2004 in Iraq. "It's part of the human experience -- to bring home our dead with dignity." The ceremony will be the culmination of years of research by Anderson and his father, Dennis Anderson, a former editor and reporter for United Press International and the Associated Press, that began with the revelations found in an old trunk that was the keepsake of a great aunt. A historical mixup Turley was buried at Arlington under a headstone bearing the wrong date due to a tragic bureaucratic mix-up amid the chaos of a war coming to an end. Turley, 24, died in a field hospital the day after the Nov. 11, 1918 armistice that marked the end of four years of fighting. In 1921, when Turley's remains were disinterred from a cemetery in France and brought to Arlington, his tombstone listed the date of death as Nov. 2, 1918. Nov. 2 was when another of the three Turley brothers who fought as Marines on the Western Front was wounded by machine gun fire, but survived. Amid the thousands of casualties in the final Meuse-Argonne offensive, Turley's full story was lost to history for nearly a century. Fighting After the Armistice They became Marines in World War I, but first they were the "Singing Turley Brothers," farm boys from Auburn in the Green River Valley of Washington State who sang in saloons for tips. There was Joseph, known as "Otto;" Tom, the oldest; and Jess, the youngest. All three volunteered and were shipped off for training at Mare Island in California, the first U.S. naval base on the Pacific Coast. All three found themselves fighting in the biggest and deadliest series of battles ever fought by Americans, the 47-day Meuse-Argonne campaign that was part of the overall offensive to break the Hindenburg line that resulted in the armistice of "the eleventh hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month" of 1918. But the war ended in confusion, with some American units continuing the fight up to and past the 11th hour Paris time. In all, an estimated 26,277 Americans and about 28,000 Germans were killed in the Meuse-Argonne, according to allied accounts. Otto suffered his fatal wound from machine gun fire, most likely in the early morning hours of Nov. 11, Garrett Anderson said. He died the next day in a field hospital. According to later accounts and Congressional hearings, the order from French Marshal Ferdinand Foch, the overall commander of allied forces, that hostilities were to cease at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, came to American generals around daybreak. The U.S. commanders scrambled to get the word to all units that they were to "mark the line," or hold in place, but they were only partially successful. The word never got to Pvt. Joseph Otto Turley, a machine gunner with the 5th Marines. As best as the Andersons can determine from their research, Turley was with a unit that had been told to cross a river. The bridge was blown, and they were using a footbridge, when the Germans opened up from concealed positions. He fell, mortally wounded. Tom and Jess Turley became truck drivers after the war and lived across the street from one another for the rest of their lives, Garrett Anderson said, "but the 'Singing Turley Brothers' never sang again." "Murder, not war" The toll of dead and wounded for all sides on the last day of WWI may never be known. Historian Joseph E. Persico, in his book "Eleventh Month, Eleventh Day, Eleventh Hour: Armistice Day, 1918," has estimated that there were about 11,000 total U.S., French, British and German casualties on the last day before the guns fell silent -- more than at the D-Day landings of World War II. The armistice itself was not agreed upon until 5 a.m. on the morning of Nov. 11, and the signatures of the negotiators took about another 20 minutes. At a 1920 hearing of the House Select Committee on Expenditures in the War Department, several generals were pressed for an accounting of American casualties on the last day and whether those lives were needlessly sacrificed. Testimony provided by the World War I Centennial Commission showed that the hearing was marked by several heated exchanges between Rep. Royal Johnson, R-South Dakota, the Committee's chairman, and Army Lt. Gen. Hunter Liggett, who had commanded the American First Army, consisting of four corps on the front lines. Johnson had voted against the declaration of war against Germany, but he took leave of Congress when it passed and enlisted as an Army private. The former congressman would receive battlefield promotions to lieutenant, be wounded in combat, and ultimately earn the Distinguished Service Cross and the French Croix de Guerre. He later sponsored legislation that led to the formation of the American Legion. "It is impossible to give accurate figures on the casualties which were suffered after the receipt of the order that the armistice was effective at 11 a.m., Nov. 11," Liggett testified. However, Gen. Fox Conner, the Army's chief of staff, gave preliminary figures showing that a total of at least 268 Americans were killed on the last day and another 3,912 had been wounded or gassed. Liggett suggested that the fighting that continued on Nov. 11 was likely the result of conflicting orders. At the time, the Germans were reeling, and he said that Foch, the overall commander-in-chief, had issued an order to all of his subordinate commands on Nov. 9 that "you will press the enemy vigorously with all the initiative you have along the entire line." On Nov. 10, Liggett said he received an additional directive for "carrying out very drastic orders sent down by the commander-in-chief, Marshal Foch." Liggett said he couldn't recall precisely when he received the countermanding order that the armistice would go into effect at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, but said, "my best belief is between six and seven o'clock in the morning, and nearer seven than six." It was then that "we were confronted by probably the biggest problem we had been confronted with during the entire war," Liggett said. "It was a situation that could not have been much worse and within four hours we were required to get down to the front line, the men with rifles in their hands, and get them to stop fighting." Johnson then confronted Liggett, possibly paraphrasing a line attributed to President Abraham Lincoln on the battle of Cold Harbor near the end of the Civil War -- "That was not war, but murder." Johnson told Liggett he had been on the front lines on Nov. 11 and spoke with several officers from major to lieutenant who had been wounded in the last day's fighting. "Without exception, they construed the orders which forced them to make an attack after the armistice as murder, not war," Johnson said. Liggett snapped back: "I do not know what their feeling was." Mission to unearth history As a boy, Garrett Anderson had heard stories about the Turley brothers from his great aunt, Averill Raymond -- how Otto had died on Nov. 12, 1918, and how Tom had been wounded on Nov. 2 and would later sometimes strip off his shirt to show his scars. "The purpose of her story was to dissuade me from serving as I had expressed interest in being a soldier when I grew up," he said. When Raymond died in 2006, she left behind a trunk containing letters sent home by the Turley brothers and photos of the three. Anderson and his father pored through them. When Anderson left the Marine Corps in 2007, they set out on a quest to learn more. "I was a combat Marine before I knew I had combat Marines in my background," he said. "All their letters showed that they were really motivated, they went there [to France] with that boot camp mentality. They really believed in what they were doing." The family had been devastated by the loss of Otto and the wounding of Tom, he said. "When it came down to the end of the war, one brother had been sent home badly wounded. The other brother made it through some of the bloodiest fighting in the history of the world only to be cut down on the last day," he said. Anderson and his father went to the battlefields in France and did more research, and then came the shock when they went to visit Otto's gravesite at Arlington and saw that the date of death was wrong. As best they could tell, Anderson and his father were the first Turley relatives to visit the grave. Times were hard in 1921 when Otto's remains were disinterred from France and reburied at Arlington. Anderson speculated that the relatives probably couldn't afford to make the trip and so, for the better part of a century, the wrong date remained. "From best we can see, nobody ever went out to the tombstone from his direct family -- me and my Dad are pretty sure we're the first ones to go out and see it," Anderson said. They immediately saw that the date on the headstone was incorrect, but at first they thought that their Great-Aunt Averill may have been mistaken. More research and eventual confirmation from the Marine Corps, however, convinced them that she was right all along. Dennis Anderson contacted Arlington with the documentation earlier this year, and officials quickly agreed to the new tombstone. At the Nov. 11 ceremony this year, the U.S. Military District of Washington has agreed to provide a bugler from the U.S. Army Band to play "Taps" at the graveside. The band is known as "Pershing's Own" for Gen. John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in WWI. "When we see that corrected] tombstone, it's going to mean the world to me," Anderson said. "I just hope I can hold back the tears." -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. China's Sub Force Is Growing More Powerful. This Is What the US Navy Needs to Do to Stay Ahead Joseph V. Micallef is a best-selling military history and world affairs author, and keynote speaker. Follow him on Twitter @JosephVMicallef. On October 2, the Navy destroyer Decatur narrowly avoided a collision with a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ship in the South China Sea. The Decatur was conducting a Freedom of Navigation Operation (FONOP) adjacent to an artificial island constructed by China on the Gaven and Johnson reefs. According to the Pentagon, the PLAN ship, a Luyang-class warship, approached within 45 yards of the bow of the Decatur and made a series of what were described as "aggressive maneuvers." Its actions forced the Decatur to make a sudden, drastic course correction to avoid a collision. This is simply the most recent example of the PLAN responding in what the United States Navy (USN) call, an "aggressive and unprofessional maneuver." It is also the closest that a PLAN ship has come to a Navy vessel. The incident, which the Navy further described as "reckless harassment," prompted U.S. Vice President Mike Pence to declare that the U.S. "will not be intimidated" and "will not stand down." A number of intelligence analysts have suggested to this author that China's aggressiveness indicates a change to the rules of engagement by the Central Military Commission. Chinese President Xi Jinping is the chairman of the Commission. Other U.S. allies conducting FONOPs in the South China Sea have had similar experiences. Most recently, the U.K.'s Royal Navy' amphibious assault ship Albion was closely shadowed by what the Admiralty called "irresponsibly close" Chinese warships and was subjected to repeated flyovers by Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) planes. Recently, the Department of Defense disclosed that in November 2018, the U.S. would conduct military exercises in both the South China Sea and, in a possible expansion of U.S. FONOPs, in the Taiwan Strait as well. According to several sources, the U.S. has approached the U.K., Canada, France, Australia and Japan to participate in those exercises, although none have confirmed their intent to do so. What exactly are FONOPs? Could they lead to an armed clash between the PLAN and American Navy ships? How do they fit into the broader U.S. strategy toward China? Freedom of Navigation Operation Freedom of Navigation Operations were first established by the U.S. in 1979, as a way of protesting attempts by other countries to limit innocent passage through international waters. Such passage was guaranteed under the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The right of free passage in international waters is a long-standing principle in international maritime law and was reaffirmed by UNCLOS. The U.S. is a signatory to UNCLOS. The U.S. Senate has not ratified ratified the treaty, but the U.S government has accepted UNCLOS as a codification of "customary international law." China is a signatory to UNCLOS, but threatened to withdraw from the agreement if the Permanent Court on Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over a complaint brought by Manila on whether China's "nine-dash line" claim was valid under UNCLOS. The court subsequently ruled against China. Beijing has ignored the ruling, but it has not withdrawn from the agreement. In the South China Sea, the U.S. and its allies have used FONOPs as a way of underscoring the fact that they do not recognize China's declaration of sovereignty over seven artificial islands that Beijing constructed in the South China Sea. While China has not disclosed the cost of building these artificial islands, it has been estimated as being in the tens of billions of dollars. The islands, all of which are in the Spratly Archipelago, a region that counter-claimed by several countries, have all been militarized with the addition of airfields, military support facilities and a range of defensive, and increasingly, offensive armament. Three of the islands, built atop Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief reefs, have 10,000 foot runways capable of handling any aircraft in the PLAAF. There are a total of 250 islands, atolls, cays, shoals, reefs and sandbars in the South China Sea. These geographic features are mostly organized into three archipelagos, plus the Scarborough Shoal and the Macclesfield Bank. The island groups consist of: the Spratly Islands, which are contested by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei; the Paracel Islands, disputed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam; and Pratas Island, which is disputed by China and Taiwan. Control of the Spratly Islands is currently divided between Taiwan (Taiping Island), Malaysia (three islands on its continental shelf), Philippines (eight islands) and Brunei (Louisa Reef and adjacent islands). In addition, Indonesia claims maritime rights in the South China Sea, but does not lay claim to any of the islands in the Spratly Archipelago. The Paracel Islands are currently occupied by China. They were seized in 1974 from South Vietnam. A subsequent attempt by South Vietnamese forces to expel the Chinese, the Battle of the Paracel Islands on January 19, 1974, failed to dislodge Chinese forces on the island. They have been under Beijing's de facto control since then. Pratas Island is currently occupied by Taiwan. In addition, Scarborough Shoal and the Macclesfield Bank are disputed between China, Taiwan and the Philippines. The Macclesfield Bank is completely submerged. Scarborough Shoal historically has had a few areas of rocks that can extend up to six feet above sea level. The shoal is currently under Chinese control and subject to continuous PLAN patrols. From time to time, depending on the current state of Chinese-Philippine relations, Beijing has restricted access by Filipino fisherman to the shoal. Pursuant to UNCLOS, artificial islands are placed under the jurisdiction of the nearest coastal state within a 200-nautical mile limit. An artificial island is defined as an island that is the result man-made construction rather than the result of natural means. Such islands are not considered geographic entities for purposes of having their own territorial waters, and are not granted their own exclusive economic zones. China's assertion that the artificial islands also grant it sovereignty over their adjacent waters has further complicated the overlapping territorial claims made by the countries that surround the South China Sea. U.S. FONOPs in the South China Sea began in 2015, under the Obama Administration, in response to China's building and subsequent militarization of artificial islands in the region. There were six Navy FONOPs in the region under Obama. These operations involved Arleigh-Burke-class guided-missile destroyers from the U.S. Seventh Fleet. A complete list of all FONOPs since 1991 is available on this DOD website. The Trump Administration has conducted a total of eight FONOPs since coming to office. The operation involving the Decatur is the most recent. During a FONOP, Navy ships deliberately plot a course that brings them within 12 miles of a Chinese artificial island. In addition, since 2015, the U.S. Pacific Fleet has spent a combined total of more than 2,000 "ship days" in the South China Sea. This ongoing U.S. Navy presence in the region has also included Rim of the Pacific exercises (RIMAC), held biannually during even-numbered years in the months of June and July. The PLAN participated in RIMPAC in 2014 and 2016, but was disinvited from RIMPAC 2018 by the Trump Administration. Although FONOPs are consistent with UNCLOS and are allowed under that agreement, such operations do not have any particular standing in international maritime law, beyond establishing the fact that the U.S. and other participating nations are publicly declaring that they do not recognize Chinese claims in the area. Ultimately, the question of sovereignty in the South China Sea hinges on adjudicating existing conflicting territorial claims to the region. The building of an artificial island does not bestow sovereignty on an area. A country is free to build an artificial island in its own waters, and any country can construct an artificial island in international waters, but in either case, such actions do not convey sovereignty over an additional area. China and the Nine-Dash Line On December 1, 1947, the Republic of China, then still the recognized government of mainland China, published a map that delineated, in 11 dashes, the portion of the South China Sea claimed by China. The 11-dash line was later reduced to nine dashes when, at the behest of Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai, Beijing reduced its claim in the Gulf of Tonkin in deference to the government of North Vietnam. Later, a tenth dash was added to expand the territory being claimed to include portions of the East China Sea. Beijing has asserted sovereignty based on a historical and long-standing Chinese presence and heritage in the region. It has not, however, ever published the specific historical evidence on which it has made that claim. Moreover, neither the nine-dash or ten-dash lines have ever been specifically defined geographically with precise measurements of latitude and longitude. As currently portrayed by Beijing, the claimed region would include approximately 90 percent of the South China Sea and would conflict with claims made by other countries that ring the region. UNCLOS lays out on what basis such overlapping claims of sovereignty are to be resolved, including considering the continental shelf that extends from each county's mainland. It calls for an equitable resolution to overlapping claims. The 9-dash line is at the core of what Beijing has defined as a series of defensive perimeters in the western Pacific Ocean. The two perimeters, dubbed the first and second island chains, define the areas that the Chinese military believes it needs to secure to protect itself from a preemptive attack. In January 2013, in response to the seizure of Scarborough Shoal by China and the denial of access to the fishing grounds surrounding it to Filipino fishermen, the government of the Philippines formally initiated arbitration proceedings against China's territorial claims laid out in the nine-dash line. According to Manila's claim, the claim was unlawful under UNCLOS. The complaint was referred to an arbitration tribunal, which agreed that the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague would function as registry for the proceedings. On July 12, 2016, the five arbitrators of the tribunal issued a unanimous opinion upholding the Philippines' position. In their ruling, the tribunal noted that "there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to the nine-dash line," and that there was no evidence that "China had historically exercised exclusive control over the waters or maritime resources of the claimed region." In addition, the court ruled that Beijing was obligated to pay damages to the Philippines for causing "severe harm to the coral reef environment and the destruction of portions of the coral reefs that surround the shoal." China did not participate in the arbitration and refused to accept the ruling of the tribunal, calling it "ill-founded." Chinese president Xi Jinping defiantly reaffirmed Chinese claims, declaring that "China's territorial sovereignty and marine rights in the South China Sea will not be affected by the so-called Philippines South China Sea ruling in any way." He did add, however, that "China was still committed to resolving disputes with its neighbors." To be fair, it should also be noted that both the U.S. and the U.K. have in the past also rejected the jurisdiction of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and have ignored rulings that they did not agree with. Article 298 of the UNCLOS treaty allows countries to accept or reject arbitration procedures. To date, a total of 30 countries have rejected arbitration under UNCLOS. While FONOPs operations preserve the legal ability of the U.S. and its allies to object to Chinese claims in the South China Sea, it's clear that a legal framework will not lead to a resolution of the dispute over Chinese claims in the region. China has continued its artificial island-building activity and has steadily militarized the artificial islands it controls. Moreover, China's claims to the South China Sea as delineated under the nine-dash line map have already been adjudicated by the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The rejection of those claims by the court have not had any discernible impact on Chinese policy. The continuation of FONOPs by the U.S. and its allies and the increasingly aggressive Chinese response toward them, however, does raise the risk of a military incident between the U.S. and China. While such an incident would not necessarily lead to a more general conflict, and while it would be expected that in that instance both sides would move quickly to de-escalate tensions in the region, no one can predict with certainty the fallout from such an incident. In that sense, continued FONOPs do risk a military clash in the region, while at the same time do not offer a road to an eventual resolution of the territorial dispute in the South China Sea. US Trade policy as leverage There are growing signs that the Trump Administration is going to use U.S. trade policy toward China as a way of constraining the economic growth of China, and by extension, its ability to continue to fund an aggressive military expansion. As a candidate, Donald Trump cited repeatedly what he called "unfair Chinese trade practices." These practices included currency manipulation, widespread theft of proprietary intellectual property and forced technology transfer from American and international firms to Chinese firms as a precondition of doing business in China, and promised to "get tough on China" and its trade practices. Peter Navarro, a well-known critic of China's trade practices, was appointed as an assistant to the President, director of Trade and Industrial Policy and director of the White House National Trade Council. Initially, the ongoing crisis over North Korea's development and testing of nuclear tipped missiles forced the White House to defer taking action against China's trade policy. Washington was dependent, in part, on Beijing's willingness to enforce the economic sanctions imposed on North Korea by the UN Security Council. The U.S. is still dependent on China's willingness to enforce those sanctions but presumably the White House now feels it is making sufficient progress in its negotiations with North Korea to turn its attention to China's trade policy. Starting in January 2018, the U.S. began to impose tariffs on a variety of Chinese goods. Initially, the tariffs only covered solar panels and the first 1.2 million washing machines exported by China to the U.S. In March, the list was expanded to over 1,300 categories of Chinese goods, representing about 50 to 60 billion dollars of imports. China responded with its own tariffs on April 2, prompting the White House to announce that it was considering tariffs on an additional 100 billion dollars' worth of imports. In July, the White House announced that it would impose ten percent tariffs, eventually rising to 25 percent, by the end of 2018, on an additional 200 billion dollars of Chinese exports to the U.S. In the meantime, it also announced restrictions on Chinese investments in technologically sensitive areas and enhanced export controls to prevent Chinese entities from acquitting U.S. technology deemed to be sensitive or strategic. An additional 267 billion dollars of imports were also threatened with tariffs if China retaliated with its own tariffs on U.S. goods. As of October 2018, as a result of this tit-for-tat escalation, the U.S. and China had either implemented or threatened tariffs on goods covering almost the entirety of U.S.-China trade. More significantly, the recently announced trade agreements between the U.S., Canada and Mexico (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement or USMCA), stipulates that any member who launches trade talks with a "non-market economy" must notify the other parties three months in advance before the start of such talks. If the talks lead to a trade agreement, then that party can be effectively expelled from the USMCA by the other two parties. The clause effectively freezes China from pursuing a free trade agreement with either Canada or Mexico. The U.S. and China have held a series of on-again-off-again trade talks over the spring and summer of 2018. Currently, the talks have been suspended and there are no further talks scheduled. As part of those negotiations Washington submitted to Beijing a list of 140 changes that it would like to see made to China's trade policy and practices. According to informed sources, Chinese officials have indicated that they could accept roughly one-third of the proposed changes and were willing to negotiate over another one-third, but that the remaining one-third were unacceptable. Significantly, a number of European and Asian countries have informally told the White House that they support the Trump administration's policy on China trade and will align themselves with it. There is no question that China's impressive economic expansion over the last several decades has played a critical role in financing the equally impressive growth of its military. There is little that the U.S. can do, from a military standpoint, to prevent China's continued militarization of its South China Sea artificial islands. While the Pentagon has expressed confidence in its ability to "take out" those islands in the event of a military conflict with China, neither side wants such a conflict or the potentially ruinous consequences for both countries. Using trade policy to respond to China's militarization of the South China Sea has the advantage of both raising the economic cost to Beijing of pursuing this policy, while at the same time constraining China's ability to keep growing its economy and, by extension, its ability to continue to fund its aggressive military expansion. Trade policy, however, can only be one part of a much broader strategy of engagement both politically and economically with the countries surrounding the South China Sea. On that point, the Trump Administration's abandonment of the TransPacific Partnership (TPP) was a mistake as the TPP would have brought together 11 Pacific rim countries with the U.S. and pointedly excluded China. Significantly, there have been reports that the Trump Administration is considering U.S. participation in a TPP provided that the U.S. was able to get "substantially better terms" than the ones negotiated by the Obama Administration. The timing for such a move is ideal as there has been growing evidence that many of the countries that initially signed up for China's Belt and Road initiative are having second thoughts. Many of the infrastructure development projects are funded through Chinese credit facilities. Several countries, including Laos, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, among others, have complained about what they see as increasingly onerous Chinese credit terms, describing them as an example of "debt imperialism" and have announced the cancellation of previously agreed upon infrastructure projects. What is clear, however, is that using trade policy both as a way of responding to aggressive Chinese moves in the South China Sea and as a way of constraining Chinese economic growth and the expansion of Beijing's military power means that the trade dispute between the U.S. and China is going to involve more than just trade. It's unlikely that a quick resolution is in the offing. An ongoing U.S.-China trade war will likely be a permanent feature of U.S.-China relations for the foreseeable future. -- The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration. The Wounded Warrior Project pledged Tuesday to raise $160 million over the next five years that would be funneled to four institutions for two-and-three week courses of intensive treatment for veterans suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injury. The fundraising was aimed at veterans who "have the courage -- yes, the courage -- when they return home to seek help," retired Army Lt. Gen. Mike Linnington, chief executive officer of WWP, said in an announcement aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum on Manhattan's West Side. "When they return home, they've earned our support, and that's really what today is all about." According to plans, WWP's Warrior Care Network would distribute $65 million to the "Home Base" program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston; $45 million to the "Road Home" program at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago: $25 million to veterans programs at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta; and $20 million to "Operation Mend" at UCLA Health in Los Angeles. The total adds up to $155 million. Rob Louis, a WWP spokesman, said an additional $5 million would go to pilot projects at Home Base in Boston and to other projects at "Road Home" in Chicago for a projected total of $160 million. Louis said the Blue Angels Foundation had already committed $5 million to the fundraising plan, and the bulk of the $160 million was expected to come from continuing donations to WWP over the next five years. "For the most part, it's the American people" who will be contributing, he said. "We're grateful to be able to help warriors access world-class mental health treatment ... [and] we're humbled by the support of the nation that allows us to commit to this care," Linnington, the former head of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, said in a statement before the intrepid ceremony. WWP, which maintains that as many as one in three veterans suffer from some form of post- traumatic stress disorder, has invested about $100 million in mental health treatment over the previous three years. The projected $160 million would allow for the expansion of services, said retired Army Lt. Col. Mike Richardson, WWP's vice president for Independent Services and Mental Health. Veterans "pay not a penny for this treatment," said Richardson, the former director of the disability evaluation system for Army Medicine. He said about 1,000 veterans had gone through the Wounded Care Network-sponsored program of two to three weeks of intensive care with 70 hours of individualized programs, and another 1,100 were expected to receive treatment from the $160 million over the next five years. WWP's programs, which became well known through TV ads, had average completion rates of 90 percent, compared to 30-50 percent completion rates in other programs, Richardson said. On the Intrepid, Army veteran Mike Geiger, who guarded "high-value" prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba and at camps in Iraq as a military policeman, described outbursts of anger that he couldn't control or explain before going through WWP's intensive treatment in Boston. "I didn't know what was going on," Geiger said. It reached the point, he said, where his wife told him, "If I'd known you were going to be this way, I wouldn't have married you." In recovery, he came to accept that "it's okay to fall down," Geiger said, and with resilience training "we get back up." "So I'm not perfect, I have a long way to go," Geiger said. "I learned how to fight in the Army. I'm just finding a different way to fight." Wounded Warrior Project itself is in a form of recovery from a loss of donor confidence following a series of scandals in 2016 involving expenditures and whistleblower complaints of a toxic work environment in the program. Two top executives at WWP were fired. The watchdog group Charity Navigator initially placed WWP on its "watch list," but Charity Navigator eventually removed WWP from the list and gave it a three-star rating on a scale of four, following independent accounting investigations that questioned the allegations of lavish expenditures. Last April, Linnington said that donations to WWP dropped by $91 million in fiscal year 2017 in the aftermath of the allegations. But he projected growth for 2018. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at richard.sisk@military.com. Army maneuver officials are hoping that a consortium of experts in non-military robotics can find new ways for combat units to defeat the enemy, especially in dense urban terrain. The Army's Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate, or CDID, at Fort Benning, Georgia, recently partnered with the National Advanced Mobility Consortium to conduct an outcome-based innovation workshop -- an approach to challenges that has been "proven in the commercial industry sector but never potentially used in a partnership with the military to get after some of the military's problems," according to Col. Tom Nelson, the head of CDID's Robotics Requirement Division. The consortium recently had discussions with various groups, such as soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment; Army captains from the Maneuver Captains Career Course; and Training and Doctrine Command officials representing Army infantry, armor and Stryker brigade combat teams. Between now and April, the consortium will consider tactical problems and potential solutions involving robotics and autonomous systems, Nelson said. Army officials are hopeful that the group can help develop a solution that can be used for precision engagement in close urban terrain, for dealing with enemy forces that hide among the population in large cities. "I like to use the example, you can't blow up a zip code to kill a mailbox," said Don Sando, director of CDID. "How do you go after that mailbox, or that individual or small unit that is taking it upon themselves to hide and protect themselves in an environment that they know you are going to have difficulty going after," he said. The Army, he said, thinks robotics can help soldiers do just that. "In an ideal world, he said, "we can make it where it is very affordable and your mission payload is either a riot-control agent or some kind of concussion or, on the high-end, some kind of lethal effect ... delivered by a robotic and autonomous system under the control of a soldier." Another problem the group wants to go after is how to more effectively provide combat leaders with a more-defined, "common operating picture" of the battlefield, Nelson said. "We think that robotic and autonomous will allow us to do that in a way that we haven't been able to do in the past," Nelson said. "If you think about a battalion scout platoon on a screen line -- how can a robotic and autonomous system assist in producing situational awareness and then feeding that [to soldiers] so they see things on the battlefield? ... How does that become something that a decision maker can use?" The consortium will continue to work the problem and hopes to present either prototypes or white papers describing solutions during the National Defense Industry Association's National Robotic Conference in April, Army officials said. "It's just an opportunity to help us look at the problem differently, and they may come up with the same answers that we have been looking at for years ... but I suspect that they may come at it a little differently," Sando said. In the past, the Army has gone to industry with a problem and said, "here is kind of what we think is a way to solve that problem with an [unmanned aerial system] or a ground robot," Nelson said. "We are not providing that to them. All they want at this point is the problem and the data that helps define that problem. So hopefully they can come up with something that hasn't been looked at before." -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. Sen. Chuck Grassley is not letting go of the Air Force's thousand-dollar coffee-cup issue anytime soon. The Iowa Republican is not satisfied with the service's reasoning for why it chose to spend tens of thousands of dollars over the last three years on hot cups that can reheat beverages on refueling tankers and cargo aircraft, he said this month in a released statement. Grassley, who queried Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson earlier this month on the matter, said Wilson's response "raises more questions than answers." "The response from the Air Force indicates that $326,785 has been spent on these hot cups by the Air Force since 2016," Grassley said in the Oct. 19 release. Related Content: The service said it had bought almost 400 cups for that price. In July, the Air Force said that the 60th Aerial Port Squadron purchased 10 hot cups for $6,930 in 2016. The price for each cup surged from $693 to $1,280 in 2018, resulting in a cost of $32,000 for 25 cups -- a price jump of $587 per cup. Part of the issue, officials said, was that replacement parts for the cup handle are no longer available. Each time a handle breaks, the Air Force had to order a new cup. So instead, the squadron was working with innovators to create a 3D prototype for a new handle to replace the flimsy, existing version. In his latest response to the Air Force, Grassley said he appreciates the Air Force's effort to 3D-print parts for the easily breakable cups to save taxpayer dollars. "[But] it remains unclear why it cannot find a cheaper alternative to a $1,280 cup," Grassley said. "Government officials have the responsibility to use taxpayer dollars efficiently. Too often, that's not the case. I intend to pursue this issue further." This isn't the first time Grassley has raised concerns over what he perceives as wasteful spending on spare parts. Grassley demanded answers in June after reports surfaced that the service was spending $10,000 on toilet seat covers for certain aircraft because parts were no longer available to quickly manufacture them. Grassley queried the department on the "egregious and wasteful" spending after Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Will Roper told DefenseOne in an interview the service was shelling out $10,000 apiece to replace broken toilet seat covers instead of using 3D printing for a quicker and cheaper fix. The service said the high prices of the toilet seat covers and the cups stemmed from a requirement for parts that were no longer routinely manufactured due to obsolescence or diminished resources. In the case of the seat covers, Lockheed Martin Corp. originally produced the part -- a circa-1980s piece required to protect the aircraft from corrosion damage in the latrine area caused by urine -- but ceased production in 2001. Wilson said the cups, made to heat water for tea or coffee, are used across 59 KC-10 Extenders, 52 C-5 Galaxies, and 222 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. The cups need to be FAA-certified because they connect to the aircraft to heat the water, she said. "You are right to be concerned about the high costs of spare parts and I remain thankful to have your support in addressing this problem," Wilson said in her letter. The secretary pointed out that the average age of the KC-10 fleet is 34 years "and it uses approximately 75,000 different parts." Wilson said she signed off on creating the Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office in July "to further develop agile manufacturing (3D printing, cold spray, digital modeling, etc.) to develop and deliver parts at a fraction of the costs of using traditional manufacturing methods." She continued, "We recently demonstrated capability to 3-D print replacement handles for this item at a cost of about fifty cents each." -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @oriana0214. FORT EUSTIS, Virginia -- U.S. Army fitness experts have begun equipping and training more than 60 battalions of soldiers participating in the field test of the new Army Combat Fitness Test. One of the first hurdles to launching the field test was equipping the test units, according to Whitfield East, the research physiologist for the Army's Center for Initial Military Training and the principal investigator for the Soldier Baseline Physical Readiness Requirements Study. "We established the equipping solution, [awarded] the contract and then ordered and shipped the equipment to each of the installations," Whitfield said during an ACFT demonstration today. The Army awarded a contract to Enterprise Furniture Consultants Inc. in late July for $1.1 million to equip each of the test battalions with 16 lanes worth of equipment, according to Michael McGurk, director of research and Analysis for the CIMT. Staff Sgt. Brandon Powell demonstrates carrying two 40-pound kettle bells in the spring-drag-carry event on the Army Combat Fitness Test. (Military.com/Matthew Cox) "We are buying it retail because we are only doing 60 battalions," said McGurk. "It sounds like a lot, but when we do the whole Army ... I'll get a different price. The Army fully expects a lower cost when ordering in quantity for the entire force." Each of the 16 lanes needs to be equipped with one deadlift bar and more than 320 pounds of weights. The Army also ordered enough weights to equip each lane with 90 pounds of additional weights for the sprint-drag-carry event that requires soldiers to drag a 90-pound sled for 50 meters. Each lane also requires a weight sled, pull straps, two kettle bells and one medicine ball. Other equipment includes tape measures, marking cones and stopwatches. ACFT mobile training teams from Fort Jackson, South Carolina are now visiting 63 test battalions to certify and validate graders during the field test, which began Oct. 1. "That will go on through March, then those battalions will become the pilot groups for the initial ACFT taken; that will go on through August," Lt. Col. David Feltwell, command physical therapist for the Center for Initial Military Training, said. Master Sgt. Shelley Horner grades solders demonstrating the leg tuck event on the Army Combat Fitness Test. (Military.com/Matthew Cox) Master Sgt. Shelley Horner, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the ACFT mobile training team on Fort Eustis, said overall the testing period was going "really well." "[But] I have some areas to improve," she admitted with a chuckle. For many soldiers, the leg tuck event takes work to perfect, she said. The leg tuck require a soldier to hang from a pull-up bar and pull the legs up to touch the elbows. Horner has learned it helps to pull up with her arms "a little bit higher so it's less distance for my knees to travel and that gets me that little bit," the 36-year-old Texas National Guard military intelligence specialist said, adding that the soldiers participating in the demonstration are learning just like everyone else. "I think generally it is kind of an eye-opener. It's different than anything we have ever done before," she said. Capt. McKenzie Hensley said that many of the soldiers on the participating the demonstration have not done the full ACFT yet. "We haven't done the test to full completion yet," she said, trying to catch her breath. "We do all of the events, but I personally haven't done the two-mile run afterward, and I think that is going to be the hardest event." The 27-year-old brigade S1 for the 128th Aviation Brigade added that the ACFT is "hard, but it's good." For Staff Sgt. Brandon Powell, the ACFT is a challenge that soldiers will have to learn to pace themselves through. "You don't want to overdo something on the deadlift and then in three minutes you have to drag a 90-pound sled 50 meters, so doing it from that perspective it's definitely challenging," the 27-year-old avionics mechanic said. "You have to work to your strengths and work on your weakness to make sure that you can stay afloat for the whole test; you can't burn yourself out trying to max one thing." Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correct the role of one of the soldiers. -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. You may have heard horror stories about veterans just like yourself having problems getting benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. You may have also heard the time-honored phrase "get yourself a lawyer before you deal with the VA" from your friends. Should you hire a lawyer? How do you pick a lawyer? How much does a lawyer cost? We attempt to answer those questions here. Should You Hire a Lawyer When Dealing With The VA? Of course that's a personal choice, but before you go and hire a lawyer to help with your VA claim, there are a few things to know. First, the only reason to hire an attorney is if you believe that they can help you get a better result from the VA on a disability claim that has been denied, or not rated high enough for your liking. Thats it. There is no other good reason. Secondly, current law prevents a lawyer from charging you for any assistance in filing an initial claim for VA disability benefits. The lawyer can only charge you for help when you challenge a VA decision on your disability claim. So, most likely, a reputable lawyer won't even touch your case until you have filed for disability compensation and gotten a decision back from the VA that you disagree with. Most lawyers won't work for free. Any lawyer who says they will help you file a claim and then charge you for it is breaking the law. If you do need help filing your claim, for whatever reason, you should contact a veterans service organization for free help. How To Choose A Lawyer Its important to find a lawyer who knows about VA claims and will represent your interests. Here are some questions to ask any attorney you're considering hiring. Are you VA-accredited? How long have you been practicing veterans law? When did you last attend a veterans law training? Will you represent me all the way through my appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and are you admitted to practice before them? You can use the National Organization of Veterans Advocates (NOVA) website for help in finding a lawyer. NOVA has an online directory of attorneys (and non-attorney agents) who have been accredited by the VA as well as many attorneys who are admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals. NOVA attorneys are required to participate in annual veterans benefits training and are not listed in the online directory until they have been a NOVA member for one year. Attorneys for Military Sexual Trauma Cases Its important for veterans who have suffered military sexual trauma to have an attorney who is sensitive to the issues involved and who is familiar with the obstacles survivors face in the VA benefits system. The Service Womens Action Network (SWAN) provides referrals to male and female veterans who need an attorney who is familiar with military sexual trauma. Call the SWAN legal resource at 202-798-5570. How Much Will A Lawyer Charge You? How much a lawyer can charge for service varies, but attorneys are permitted by law to charge between 20% and 33% for handling an appeal. These fees will be paid to the attorney only if they win the appeal and you are awarded benefits or have your benefits increased. Typically these fees will be paid directly out of the any lump-sum payment you get from the VA. For example, say you filed a disability claim on Jan. 1, 2016 but were denied. On Jan. 1, 2017 you hired a lawyer and signed a contract for a 20 percent contingency fee. On Jan. 1, 2018, the VA granted you a 100% disability rating retroactive to the original date of filing (Jan. 1, 2016). The retroactive amount is the 100% monthly payment for the period between Jan. 1, 2016, and Jan. 1, 2018 (two years), which is approximately $80,000. The attorneys fee would be 20% of the $80,000 or $16,000. The lawyer only gets paid if they win your case. But, be sure to read your contract with the lawyer before signing it so you understand all the details. A lawyer on the up-and-up is no problem, others can rip you off. Make sure you choose a lawyer who is VA accredited. First, that means they know what they are doing. Secondly, if the lawyer is VA accredited they most likely won't rip you off. Any lawyer who does business nationwide by representing veterans versus the VA isn't about to lose their accreditation by trying to rip off one veteran Be Prepared To Communicate With The Lawyer The first thing you need to know is that you probably won't find a lawyer who is local to you. Veterans law attorneys work at the federal level so as long as they are certified by VA to represent veterans, you can choose any lawyer. You may never meet your lawyer face to face. They will do all the work for you by mail, email and on the phone. When choosing a lawyer you should talk to at least 2 or 3 before you sign any contract. Choose someone who is prompt to respond to your questions and eager to discuss your case. If you are shuffled from one paralegal to the next and you aren't able to speak with the lawyer, move on to someone else. Free Legal Help Is Always Available If you are hesitant about paying out a lot of cash for a lawyer, you should know that free, or pro-bono, legal assistance is widely available to help veterans. The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) provides free legal assistance to veterans appealing a denial of disability benefits to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program provides free representation to veterans who are appealing any case that was rejected by the Board of Veterans Appeals. This includes decisions denying disability benefits. Request help using their contact form or call them at (888) 838-7727 or (202) 628-8164. The GI Hotline is a network of twenty veterans service groups that provides legal assistance with discharge upgrades (as well as other legal issues for veterans and active service members). Call them at (877) 447-4487. Law School Clinics. Some law schools offer veterans free legal assistance from law students who are supervised by attorneys and/or paralegals. Check if a law school in your area has a free legal clinic for veterans. Know All Your Legal Rights And Benefits Be aware and get what you are entitled to. Keep up with all the legal benefits available to you as a service member, veteran, or spouse by signing up for a free Military.com membership, which will send all the latest information straight to your inbox, as well as give you access to up-to-date legal benefits and more. ANN ARBOR, MI - KLA-Tencor is establishing a research and development facility in Ann Arbor, which is expected to result in an investment of $70 million and the creation of up to 500 jobs. KLA-Tencor is a global capital equipment company based in Milpitas, Calif., that supplies process control and yield management systems for the semiconductor and related nanoelectronics industries. Support from Ann Arbor SPARK, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and University of Michigan encouraged KLA-Tencor to open its new office in Ann Arbor, said Phil Santer, senior vice president and chief of staff for Ann Arbor SPARK. KLA-Tencor will temporarily occupy existing office space in Ann Arbor while constructing its new research and development facility, Santer said. The company already has started recruiting candidates for the new jobs in Ann Arbor, he said. "KLA-Tencor choosing to establish its research and development operations in Ann Arbor is a huge win for the region," said Paul Krutko, Ann Arbor SPARK president and CEO, said in a press release. "It's not only a boost to the economy in terms of investment and new jobs, but it's a boost to our visibility globally as a place where Silicon Valley companies are choosing to expand. KLA-Tencor's decision to choose Ann Arbor is recognition of the critical importance that the University of Michigan's research, talent and leadership has in bringing in new companies to our region." KLA-Tencor CEO Rick Wallace is a UM graduate. ANN ARBOR, MI - There's a new mural on the Grizzly Peak building in downtown Ann Arbor. With support from various donors, Ann Arbor Art Center commissioned the piece at 120 W. Washington St. as part of its Art in Public initiative. Detroit-based artist Pat Perry, a Grand Rapids native, created the mural, which depicts a man looking back over the field landscape behind him. Perry's work is known for addressing social or political issues, but lately he has been more interested in creating beautiful imagery. "For a long while, I've wanted to paint a beautiful landscape that hearkens back to the scenery in all of the paintings that I created for a recent exhibit. I think this will be a nice one to unleash that," Perry said in a press release. The project was supported by Grizzly Peak Brewing Co., Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, First Martin Co. and Bank of Ann Arbor, as well as the contributions of several individuals who are passionate about art in public spaces. Ann Arbor Art Center is accepting donations for future Art in Public projects. This article was updated to clarify that a happy hour and mural unveiling scheduled for Tuesday is a private fundraising event and is not open to the public. ANN ARBOR, MI - Pieology's Ann Arbor restaurant is closed as of Tuesday, Oct. 23. "Due to unfortunate circumstances beyond our control, this Pieology location is no longer open for business," states a handwritten sign on the door at 620 E. Liberty St. A spokesperson from Pieology's California headquarters said the owner of the Ann Arbor pizzeria closed the restaurant for personal reasons. The restaurant opened in the former Borders in 2015 as Pieology's first Michigan location. A Pieology restaurant opened in Grand Rapids in 2016, and that location is still open. Ron Hughes, CEO of Hughes Properties that is the landlord for the building at 620 E. Liberty, said Tuesday that Pieology had not yet given notice of its closing. ANN ARBOR, MI - With individuals and organizations from across the country weighing in on a University of Michigan faculty member's decision to rescind a recommendation for a student hoping to study in Israel, its faculty senate believes decision to write any letter must remain the right of the author. UM's Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs issued a statement Monday, Oct. 22, reaffirming "its commitment to the defense of academic freedom and the rights and responsibilities of academic tenure." "SACUA reasserts its commitment to the American Association of University Professors' (AAUP) Statement of Professional Ethics, which stresses that a faculty member's evaluation of a student's merit should be the primary concern in providing letters of recommendation and to the Association's assertion that faculty members 'have a particular obligation to promote conditions of free inquiry and to further public understanding of academic freedom,'" the statement reads. SACUA's letter came in response to a letter from the AAUP, which urged the university and President Mark Schlissel to "act with restraint" as it examines faculty members' responsibilities to students. The AAUP and other organizations have sounded off following the university's decision to suspend a merit pay increase for John Cheney-Lippold, an associate professor of American Culture at UM. The university has also frozen his sabbatical eligibility for two years, until the fall of 2020. Cheney-Lippold had scheduled a sabbatical for the winter 2019 and will now have to wait until fall of 2020 to take it. The AAUP's letter to Schlissel urged the university to rescind the sanctions against Cheney-Lippold, noting that it did not follow the AAUP's Recommended Institutional Regulations on Academic Freedom and Tenure. The regulations require that charges that may lead to the imposition of severe sanctions should be preceded by an informal inquiry conducted by a duly constituted faculty committee charged with determining whether proceedings for imposing sanctions should be undertaken. SACUA's statement notes its members are concerned that a "widely circulated" discipline letter issued by UM College of Literature, Science and the Arts interim Dean Elizabeth Cole "may have a chilling effect on members of the academic community who may, for legitimate and deeply held personal reasons, feel uncomfortable about providing letters to certain organizations or individuals." "Such discomfort is fully in accord with the principle of intellectual integrity that is the core of academic freedom and does not represent 'exploitation, harassment, or discriminatory treatment of students,' which is deprecated by the AAUP," SACUA's statement said. As a result, SACUA's statement notes that faculty members should not have to fear reprisal for declining to write a letter. "To the extent that any member of our academic community feels coerced into providing a recommendation letter, or stating opinions that he or she does not believe, the integrity of the recommendation is tarnished and the academic freedom that is central to our university is impugned," the statement reads. After previously agreeing to write a student a letter of recommendation to study at Tel Aviv University, Cheney-Lippold told the student in an email in September that he was taking part in an academic boycott against Israel, and could no longer provide the recommendation. Cheney-Lippold said that after looking over the student's request, he needed to rescind his initial support, noting that "many university departments have pledged an academic boycott against Israel in support of Palestinians living in Palestine." Cheney-Lippold told the student he would be available to write any other letters for the student in the email. He also later clarified in an email to The Ann Arbor News that he should have said "many university professors have pledged an academic boycott against Israel," rather than university departments. Since Cheney-Lippold's decision to rescind the letter of recommendation, the Washington Post reported that a graduate student instructor declined to recommend a second student who was applying to a study-abroad program in Israel. The teaching assistant said her decision wasn't personal, but was born of a pledge to "boycott Israeli institutions as a way of showing solidarity with Palestine." BAY CITY, MI -- The patriarch of a 26-member family starring on a cable TV reality show is no longer facing a federal gun charge. Prosecutors and defense counsel in the case of 58-year-old William E. Putman II on Oct. 14 signed a stipulation dismissing one count of possessing an unregistered firearm, a 10-year felony. Part of the stipulation states Putman "agrees to waive any and all claims for monetary or equitable relief against the United States in this matter." U.S. District Thomas L. Ludington signed the stipulation on Oct. 18. A grand jury at the federal courthouse in downtown Bay City had indicted Putman on April 11. Putman's 32-year-old son, Brandon Putman, remains charged federally with unlawfully receiving a firearm made in violation of the law, possessing an unregistered firearm and possessing a firearm lacking a serial number. He was indicted on one charge in February and appeared for arraignment on superseding charges on April 30. The multigenerational Putman family lives in Caseville and is the subject of the TLC show "Meet the Putmans." According to an affidavit authored by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives Special Agent Stephen N. Ross, Brandon Putman on Nov. 28 visited an Elkton machine shop and asked the owner if he could duplicate a specific metal part he provided. "Suspicious that this may be a firearm part, (the owner) asked Putman if it was a 'music box part,'" Ross wrote. "Putman smiled and responded, 'Yes.' (The owner) later explained to me that a 'music box part' is a machinist code word for firearm parts." Putman asked the owner to make 10 such parts for about $80 each, according to the affidavit. The part in question is "very similar to a full-automatic conversion sear for an AR-15," Ross wrote. The shop's owner contacted the ATF and reported the encounter. On Dec. 15, Ross met with the shop owner to examine the part, which resembled a Drop-In Auto Sear (or DIAS) for an AR-15. Once a DIAS is installed, it can convert a semi-automatic AR-15 into a fully automated assault rifle, Ross wrote. The part bore no manufacturer insignia and lacked a serial number. Ross confiscated the part and shipped it to the ATF's Firearms and Technology Branch. The following month, that branch replied to Ross that the part was indeed an authentic AR-15 DIAS, intended to convert a firearm into a machine gun. On Jan. 9, an undercover ATF agent called Putman from the tool shop he had visited, claiming he was working on the part. Putman told the agent the DIAS works in "multiple applications," Ross wrote. The agent "understood that statement to mean that Putman has successfully used the DIAS in multiple AR-15-type rifles," Ross wrote. A DIAS registered with the National Firearms Act is legal for personal use and costs about $40,000. Putman told the undercover agent he would pay $100 per DIAS, according to the affidavit. The National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record showed Putman had no guns or DIASes registered to him. On Jan. 20, Putman sent a text message to the undercover agent, asking about the status on the 10 DIASes he had requested. The agent said everything was working smoothly and he would get a hold of him the next week. Investigators on Feb. 15 executed search warrants on the Putmans' 34,000-square-foot compound on Deckerville Road between Caro and Cass City and seized a fully automatic AR-15. After the warrants were executed, investigators received numerous tips indicating there may be hidden rooms in the family's basement, with one tipster claiming to have seen a "secret safe room, weapons room, and an underground shooting range," according to another affidavit authored by Agent Ross. Investigators obtained blueprints for the house, which indicated a safe room was in the basement and two subterranean "shooting tubes" were to extend under the back yard. "Additionally," Ross wrote, "the blueprint indicates that in the center section of the residence there is an underground tunnel that extends into the backyard and a room at the end of the tunnel, away from the house. It appears that the room at the end of the tunnel is located under an old bam." Ross reviewed video taken during investigators' search of the property, which indicated the basement was mostly empty. A finished wall was located where the shooting tubes and safe room should have been, and Ross speculated those sections were concealed by the wall. Investigators executed another search warrant on March 6, but seized no additional property. Court records do not specify if the alleged safe rooms and tunnels were located. Brandon Putman's case is scheduled for a hearing on Nov. 1. DETROIT, MI -- While Michigan voters turned out in 40-year-high numbers for the August primary election, pockets of Detroit voters remain reluctant to head to the polls, NAACP leaders say. Nearly 37,000 fewer Wayne County voters cast ballots in the 2016 presidential election than had four years prior. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Wayne County Executive Warren Evans and Detroit branch NAACP President Rev. Wendell Anthony want to capitalize on the primary voter surge. On Tuesday, Oct. 23, announced a bring-out-the-vote canvassing effort targeting specific Detroit ZIP codes as the Nov. 6 general election approaches. It's called Soles to the Polls and it's been adopted by NAACP branches across the U.S. where there are large pockets of black voters. Detroit is a city with an estimated population of 673,000 as of 2017, about 80 percent of whom are black. "We're inspired that numbers are getting up ... and there's a bigger turnout already in the absentee ballots that have been turned in," Anthony said. "We think that we're going to surprise some people. " ... We got comfortable. We think we can do everything by social media today. We've got to do that but we've also got to knock on doors ... " Anthony said he doesn't "believe in predictions" and wouldn't quantify what percent turnout would make the effort a success. While Duggan, Evans and Anthony identify as Democrats, specific candidates or partisan proposals were not mentioned Tuesday. "We always say this cliche that this election is the most serious in our lifetime but this time I mean it," Evans said " ... There is so much that's important in this election ... "I'm not even concerned with what you do when you get there, because I know your heart is on the issues; i just have to get you to the polls and we can make a profound difference in the lives of people in this city and this county." Nearly 22 percent of the Detroit's estimated 470,000 registered voters turned out for the general election in 2017, according to the Detroit City Clerk's office. The turnout was near 31 percent during the 2014 mid-term election and Detroit election officials are projecting a significantly higher turnout, up to 46 percent, this November, the Detroit Free Press reports. According to the Free Press, that figure includes about 38,000 absentee ballots that had been issued as of early October. "On election day it doesn't matter the size of your wallet," Duggan said. "Everybody's voice counts exactly the same and it is critical that we get the residents of this city out to vote." Canvassing efforts are scheduled in four Detroit ZIP codes, 48234, 48202, 48235 and 48215, from noon to 4 p.m. on Oct. 27 and Nov. 3. On election day, the NAACP plans to operate a voter hotline with attorneys on hand to address any issues arise at polling locations. Questions or concerns may be reported to the NAACP at 313-871-2087. UPDATE: OWOSSO, MI - The remains of two human fetuses were discovered Monday by workers helping remove asbestos from inside a former Owosso funeral home, police said. Workers inside the former Mowen Funeral Home, 409 W. Main St., were removing tiles that were held in place by glue that contained asbestos and in a second-floor apartment of the building when they spotted a box in a closet. Owosso police Chief Kevin Lenkart said a wooden box was discovered containing a casket, where the remains were found, both around 4 to 6 inches long, in plastic bags. Investigators were able to make out features of the skull, pelvis bone, and chest. The identity of the fetuses remains unknown, according to Lenkart. A preliminary investigation by Dr. Patrick Hansma, a Forensic Pathologist and Deputy Medical Examiner for Shiawassee County, indicated the age of both fetuses to be "pre-viable," with an estimated age of 20 weeks. Markings on the box appear to be from a casket company, which police did not name, and include a five-digit phone number, Lenkart said. The markings indicate the box may be more than 50 years old. Investigators are attempting to contact a representative from the company. The building has been vacant for two years and undergoing the asbestos abatement for future demolition. Lenkart noted a Michigan State Police K-9 unit and cadaver dog are expected to go through the building Tuesday, but he noted there is nothing indicating additional remains may be inside the building. The Shiawassee County Medical Examiner and Sparrow Hospital Medical Examiner are assisting Owosso police with the investigation. GRAND BLANC, MI-- Rick and Nina Dibble walked around awed in their mortgage-free home, still in disbelief that the 2,394-square-foot space was theirs. The newly renovated home was donated by JP Morgan Chase & Co. through Homes on the Home Front, a program funded through Operation Homefront. "When we were awarded, my heart sank, but in a good way," Rick said. "I was speechless, I didn't think we'd get picked. Now that we've toured it, I'm excited but I'm kind of expecting to wake up from a dream." The couple, their 5-year-old son Alec and their three dogs, Maple, Bella and Zip, will move into their new home by Nov. 1. Rick Dibble, who served as a corporal in the U.S. Army, found out about the program four years ago. He was selling a boat and befriended the man who purchased it from him. "I went over to his house and he mentioned that he doesn't have a mortgage," Dibble said. "I'm like how did you manage that, did you inherent the house?" His new friend, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, told him about Homes on the Homefront. Shortly after, Rick and Nina Dibble began looking at homes on the program's website. Veterans can apply for homes on the website and then a caseworker will reach out to them to initiate the process. "Then we have a selection committee and the selection committee reviews all of the applicants and choose one," said Maurjon Alston, housing caseworker for Homes on the Homefront. The whole process took about six to eight months, Rick Dibble said, but it was worth the wait. Their new Grand Blanc home is starkly different from the small three-bedroom home they were renting in Elsie. Their new home on the 1300 block of Kennebec Road has four bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a completed basement, a Jacuzzi room, a spacious backyard, large closets and a open kitchen. "The financial relief is amazing," Nina Dibble said. "Not having a mortgage is going to help us out so much. This is going to be a big change." The program's goal is to build strong, stable and secure military families, Alston said. Alston will work with the Dibbles for two years before they're awarded the deed to the home. "I will work with them on their financials so that by the end of the two years their credit score will have increased and they'll have savings," Alston said. Saving is crucial, she said. "We want to make sure the families are equipped for home ownership after the two years," Alston said. Operation Homefront will take care of any major issues with the home, but small issues will be taken care of by the family, Alston said. "We want to help military veterans and their families with that American dream of home ownership, Operation Homefront makes that possible," Alston said. FLINT, MI -- The state has issued an order setting new deadlines for water system work that's been discussed for more than a year after failing to reach an agreement on such a plan with the city. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Director Heidi Grether sent the order to Mayor Karen Weaver on Monday, Oct. 22, praising Flint's current water quality but saying the state remains concerned by "long-term technical and managerial issues." City spokeswoman Candice Mushatt did not immediately comment on the order, which Grether said is designed to make the city water system self-reliant. "The city relies heavily on state and federal technical support to manage its water system," the director's letter says. "The reliance on outside entities for long-term technical support is not the preference of the city or the MDEQ. The MDEQ shares the city's goal that the city achieve long-term self-reliance. "The purpose of the enclosed order is to establish firm deadlines that chart the path toward achieving that goal." The state order comes more than two months after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency told Weaver that it supports the state's push for a consent order. In June, Weaver had refused to sign a consent order from the state, a commitment she called "unnecessary and unwarranted." Grether said in her letter that the DEQ "does not often issue orders unilaterally because the (department ) and the entity in question nearly always agree to the content of a stipulated order entered with the consent of both parties," but the state "has been unable to reach a stipulated order with the city ..." The issues identified by the DEQ are the same as those identified in the earlier proposed consent agreement, concerning deficiencies like adopting several standard operating procedures, filling vacant positions, and implementing a plan for achieving technical, financial and managerial capacity needed to operate a water system without outside assistance. One of the first items in the order's to-do list: Submitting a timeline for when the city will approve standard operating procedures submitted to it by a consultant more than four months ago. Grether's letter says the order will be effective in 30 days, but the city can request a public hearing on it, which could delay the effective date. The city can also appeal the order to Genesee or Ingham County Circuit Court, Grether's letter says. HOLLAND, MI - West Ottawa Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Martin says teachers are working closely with the families of unvaccinated students prevented from attending school because of chickenpox. There was one confirmed case of chickenpox that resulted in the parents of 18 unvaccinated students at Waukazoo Elementary being notified Oct. 18 that their children could not return to school for 11 or 14 days, according to the Ottawa County Department of Health. "We certainly don't like kids being out of school, but our teachers are providing homework and assisting families during this period," said Martin, who said they are also reviewing what additional instructional support can be provided. Most students excluded can return to school Nov. 2 and the rest Nov. 7. This is the second time this semester confirmed cases of the highly contagious chickenpox has kept unvaccinated students out of class. After four confirmed cases of chickenpox, 16 students from Jenison schools' Kids First - Early Childhood Center (ECC) were kept out of school for 21 days, returning Tuesday, Oct. 16. Jenison's ECC houses over 1,200 students, including preschoolers and the district's K-6 Spanish Immersion program. West Ottawa's Waukazoo had 457 students last school year. "We have had scattered reports of chickenpox, but this is not what we would call a significant community outbreak,'' said Marcia Mansaray, epidemiologist for the Ottawa County Health Department, noting there have only been two districts affected this school year. "It is the responsibility of the health department to do whatever we can to control the spread of a disease and minimize the negative impact on the whole community.'' Mansaray said when we have a vaccine, it is because the disease we vaccinate for is serious. She said there are adults and children who may have a compromised immune system and are at higher risk. Health officials say chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus that spreads easily from infected people to others who have never had the disease or been vaccinated. She said the time students are prevented from attending school depends on various factors such as the disease and exposure. Jenison Superintendent Tom TenBrink said having students out of the school is a hardship for families and problematic academically. He said if students are in Spanish immersion or special needs programs it is even more challenging. "It was extremely difficult for us b/c of type of programming the students were involved in, so we had to look at how we could provide the necessary supports to catch them up when they returned,'' he said. "The students are receiving individual attention to determine how far behind they are and address their deficits.'' Mansaray said she and other health department officials met Friday, Oct. 19, with Ottawa schools' superintendents to discuss how cases are handled and why, privacy laws, and to address their questions and concerned. She said they agreed each district will now have a designated point person to help improve communications with the health department. Michigan schools must report the immunization status of kindergarten, seventh-grade and transferring students. Students without a complete immunization record or a waiver cannot be enrolled. Waivers can be issued for medical, religious, and philosophical reasons. Parents must meet with a health professional before being granted a certified waiver. Mansaray said they are informed at that time of the possibility their child or children could be excluded from school for health reasons and to have a plan in place. According to 2017 Michigan Department of Health and Human Services data, there were 19 philosophical waivers for West Ottawa elementary schools, including eight at Waukazoo. Of the eight district elementary schools, Great Lakes Elementary was the only one without waivers. In addition to the exclusion order, the health department advised families of the following: If you have been told previously that your child should not receive the vaccine because of a medical condition, please contact your child's medical provider in the event of chickenpox exposure. GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The aunt of a slain East Kentwood High student insisted that her niece, born in Sierra Leone, would have been 15 when Quinn James allegedly sexually assaulted her. The defense has questioned if Mujey Dumbuya's birth records in the war-torn country would be accurate. The evidence is important: James, 43, is facing multiple charges of third-degree criminal-sexual conduct involving a victim ages 13 to 15. Defense attorney Jonathan Schildgen suggested that she could be 16, the age of consent, and if sexual relations did occur, they were consensual. Dumbuya was killed in January. Jainya Sannoh said she knows the date of her niece's birth in West Africa despite civil unrest. "Mujey was my first niece, born into my own hands. There's no way I can ever forget that day. Born into my own hands, Nov. 8, 2001." Testimony in James' jury trial in Kent County Circuit Court began Tuesday, Oct. 23. The trial focuses on eight charges of sexual assault. The trial in Dumbuya's killing will be later. The prosecution contends that James killed Dumbuya to silence her. Her body was found Jan. 28, four days after she went missing, in a wooded area on North Prairie Avenue in Kalamazoo. Jurors have only been told that Dumbuya is deceased. The alleged sexual assaults occurred in summer 2017 in Kentwood. Her boyfriend, Daquarius Daymont Bibbs, 17, is the nephew of James' fiancee, Tiara Burnett, and lived with the couple. He has testified that he would hold Dumbuya's hand while James raped her. Bibbs feared James, testimony has shown. "I'm sure you're wondering how does a (then-) 42-year-old man end up having sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl," Assistant Kent County Prosecutor Kevin Bramble told jurors in his opening statement. Bibbs would set up dates with Dumbuya after meeting her on Facebook. Quinn would drive him to pick her up, he said. Bramble said Dumbuya told others that James knew that she did not like him but he could not control his sexual urges. He said James denied any sexual relationship with Dumbuya, then minimized his actions and later admitted having sex with her. The defense, however, contends that James, who had a very active sex life, thought police were talking about another young woman - not Dumbuya - in his confession. He made admissions in recorded phone calls to his mother from jail, Bramble said. He allegedly said that he and Bibbs had sex with Dumbuya "'and that was that.'" In another call, he made another admission, the prosecutor said. His mother told him that "'you know you don't have no business with that little girl,' unquote," Bramble told jurors. "Let's make it clear right now: He's the one responsible," Bramble said. Schildgen, the defense attorney, said his client was confused during police interviews and was talking about another woman when police questioned him in Dumbuya's sexual assault. Jennifer Twilling, a counselor at East Kentwood High School, said that in November, Dumbuya told her and police about the sexual assaults. She gave "very detailed" accounts to authorities. Dumbuya also told authorities that James, who worked in East Kentwood Public School's maintenance and grounds, told her he had access to school computers and could lower her grades, Twilling testified. Judge George Quist said the trial is expected to end Wednesday or Thursday. Twilling and a Kentwood police detective can testify on Dumbuya's behalf because James allegedly killed her to prevent her from testifying against him. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A man who raped an 85-year-old woman in her senior living center unit has been sentenced to 28 to 60 years in prison. Kelvin Lawrence Williams, 23, was sentenced Tuesday, Oct. 23 in Kent County Circuit Court on charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, home invasion, assault with intent to do great bodily harm and being a habitual offender. The victim was living at Marsh Ridge Senior Living Community in Northwest Grand Rapids when she was attacked Jan. 18, earlier testimony showed. The victim, a mother of nine, had just taken some cardboard to a hallway outside her door about 5 p.m. She came back inside to use the bathroom and did not lock the door. Moments later, there was a man standing in front of her with no clothes. She was assaulted in the bathroom in an attack that lasted several minutes. Later, she was able to get help from a neighbor. At Tuesday's sentencing, Williams asked Judge Paul Sullivan to withdraw his plea. But Sullivan said he entered the plea with full knowledge of an agreement that called for sentencing guidelines of 20 to 28 years in prison as a minimum. "Given the heinous nature of the crime, the age of the victim and the way it was carried out, I believe this is a very proportionate sentence," Sullivan said. Grand Rapids, MI -- Four West Michigan companies -- two in Grand Rapids, one in Kentwood, and another in Newaygo -- have received $1.2 million in state grants for expansion projects from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation that will create 281 jobs. Here's a look at the projects: DealerOn, Grand Rapids The Rockville, Maryland-based company, which develops websites and offers interactive auto industry marketing solutions, was approved for a $300,000 Michigan Business Development performance-based grant. The grant would help cover the firm's cost of expanding its operations in Grand Rapids. The company plans to create 44 new jobs and invest $1.7 million in annual lease costs, building renovations, furniture, fixtures and computers over the next three years in Grand Rapids. According to a memo from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the grant package was designed to offset project costs "compared to competing locations in Texas and Maryland." "When we started exploring options for expanding our offices in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we were immediately impressed with the community's commitment and partnership with DealerOn," Amir Amirrezvani, co-founder and executive vice president of DealerOn, said in a statement. Amphenol Borisch Technologies, Kentwood A contract manufacturer for the military and aerospace industries, Amphenol received a $410,000 performance-based grant for a project that will create 82 jobs and an investment of $3.7 million. The company, which builds electromechanical assemblies, cable harnesses and circuit cards, is headquartered in Kentwood, where it employees about 200 people. It also has locations in Arizona, Canada and two plants in Mexico. The $410,000 grant will be used to pay for the renovation of production space that was decommissioned four years ago when it "sent a significant number of jobs to its plant in Nogales, Mexico. "Amphenol is proud to be reinvesting in West Michigan with this expansion," Bob Brunetz, the company's general manager, said in a statement. "With the support of The Right Place and the MEDC, we were able to make this project happen right here in Kentwood." Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing, Grand Rapids A joint venture between the Van Andel Institute and Grand Valley State University, the privately held company"supports the life science industry's growing need for high-quality, outsourced sterile parenteral manufacturing." The company plans on purchasing property at 524 Butterworth St. SW, to build at two-story, 64,200-square-foot administration and production building. The company expects to invest about $63.5 million to improve the property and purchase equipment over the project's first five years. It also expects to add 107 jobs, with the new facility becoming fully operational by 2023. Magna Mirrors of America Inc., Newaygo The company, which, according to the MEDC, is one of the world's largest maker of automotive mirrors, received a $448,000 performance-based grant for the a project that will expand its operations in Newaygo. It will build an additional 175,000-square-foot manufacturing and assembly facility there, a $45 million investment that will create 48 jobs. "For Magna Mirrors, today represents an exciting step forward in the growth and development of our business in North America," Kevin Burke, vice president of operations for Magna Mirrors, said in a statement. "We have a team that is second to none, a highly skilled workforce that is dedicated to world-class manufacturing and has a clear mission: to be the premier mirror supplier to automakers here in Michigan and around the world." GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Prospective jurors were asked what they knew about Quinn James, the man accused of raping East Kentwood High student Mujey Dumbuya, who was later slain. The case has drawn significant publicity. Prospective jurors were also questioned if sympathy for the victim or her family would cloud their judgment - or, if they would dismiss the importance of the case because the victim is dead. After three hours of jury selection, the prosecution and defense settled on a panel that will hear opening statements on Tuesday, Oct. 23, in Kent County Circuit Judge George Quist's courtroom. James is on trial charged with eight counts of third-degree criminal-sexual conduct, a 15-year offense, but faces a mandatory 25 years in prison if convicted as a fourth-offense offender. He will later face charges of first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, with kidnapping the underlying offense, and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, in the killing. In the sex-assault trial, jurors will not hear evidence that James killed her, only that she has died and is unavailable to testify. Dumbuya, 16, was last seen Jan. 24 at the bus stop for school. Her body was found four days later in a wooded area near North Prairie Avenue in Kalamazoo. The prosecution contends he strangled her to silence her. The alleged sexual assaults occurred in summer 2017 in Kentwood. Her boyfriend, Daquarius Daymont Bibbs, 17, is the nephew of James' fiancee, Tiara Burnett, and lived with the couple. He has testified that he would hold Dumbuya's hand while James raped her. Bibbs feared James, testimony has shown. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Drug Take Back Day will be held at several Grand Rapids locations this Saturday, Oct. 27. The public event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Locals are encouraged to stop by to dispose of expired prescriptions and unwanted or unneeded medications. The free and anonymous public service is part of the 16th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administrations. The Grand Rapids Police Department will oversee the drug collection and ensure the drugs collected are disposed of in an appropriate manner. The DEA advises the public not to flush medications down the toilet or throw them in the trash because those methods of disposal could cause potential safety and health hazards. As part of the national event, Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, Priority Health, Families Against Narcotics Grands Rapids Chapter and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services will be collecting unwanted or unused prescription drugs on Saturday at Healthier Communities (Widdicomb Building), 665 Seward Ave. NW, Grand Rapids. During the last National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, 5,842 sites across the country collected a total of 474 tons of prescription drugs and medical supplies, including 23,115 pounds in Michigan. The public can swing back at the Grand Rapids-area locations listed below to drop off unwanted medications: Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, 665 Seward Ave. NW, Grand Rapids Ludington Hospital, 1 N. Atkinson Drive, Ludington Muskegon County Sheriff's Office and Muskegon City Fire Department, 770 Terrace St., Muskegon (9 a.m.-1 p.m.) Zeeland Community Hospital, 8333 Felch St., Zeeland (4-6 p.m. October 26) United & Kelsey Hospitals/Montcalm County, Endeavor Center, 201 W. Main St., Edmore Grand Rapids Police Department Allegan County Sheriff's Office Michigan State Police (Wayland, Pleasant, Rockford, Lakeview, Paw Paw Post) Kentwood Police Department Rockford Department of Public Safety Kent County Sheriff's Department, Metro Health Park East Pharmacy Zeeland Police Department Holland Department of Public Safety Lowell Police Department Wyoming Police Department and Metro Health Hospital East Grand Rapids Public Safety Gun Lake Tribe Public Safety Department Newaygo County Sheriff's Office, Hometown Pharmacy - Newaygo City Police Grand Fire Department Fremont Fire Department White Cloud Family Healthcare Barry County Sheriff's Office Hastings City Police Department Village of Lake Odessa Van Buren County Sheriff's Office, Antwerp Township Activity Center Grand Ledge Police Department Shoreline Wellness & Rehab Center Albion Department of Public Safety, Family Fare Supermarket Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department For more information on where to drop off unwanted or unused prescription drugs, visit takebackday.dea.gov WAYLAND, MI -- A Republican incumbent is up against a retired professor and a printer for the 72nd District House seat covering parts of Kent and Allegan counties. Steven Johnson, the incumbent, is in the Nov. 6 race against Democrat Ron Draayer, and Libertarian Jamie Lewis. Johnson was first elected to the seat in 2016 as a self-claimed "Constitutional conservative." He was finishing a business degree at Liberty University, the Virginia school founded by Jerry Falwell, when he decided to run for election that year. Draayer is a professor emeritus at Davenport University and taught technology and cybersecurity. He was a leader with the Michigan Business Professionals of America. Lewis is a printer. He has been awarded the Libertarian Party's Defender of Lilberty honor and was a Knights of Columbus Knight of the Year. He is a former cubmaster and was part of a parent advisory group for Kentwood Schools. 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. Here is how the candidates responded: What are your top three state legislative priorities and how would you address them? Johnson "My first priority as State Representative is to make sure we implement pro-life policies throughout Michigan. I have introduced legislation to defund the top abortion provider Planned Parenthood and will continue to fight to do so. My second priority is to ensure the Second Amendment is not infringed on. I have sponsored legislation that advocates for constitutional carry and am proud to be endorsed by the NRA. My third priority is to lower our awful and expensive no-fault auto-insurance. We have the highest rates in the nation and I am proud to be the only candidate to support lowering our auto-insurance rates." Draayer "The top legislative priority for me will be the education and training of our Michigan students from early childhood through post-secondary education. This will be done by investing in sound proven education programs that give teachers the tools they need to educate our students. A second priority is real infrastructure improvement, not just the "Band-Aid" solutions we seem to apply every year. A third priority is an emphasis on putting working families first. We must work to provide good jobs and benefits to the people of Michigan so that our families can be equipped to face the future." Lewis "ROADS Making sure that every dollar dedicated to roads actually goes to road repair. In addition, I want to end needless programs such as all of the state's corporate welfare programs which can be diverted to making sure our roads are in top shape. AUTO INSURANCE Michigan has the highest rates in the country! It's time to repeal No-Fault laws. Are the drivers of Michigan really $2000/yr. better off than the drivers of North Carolina? TAX REDUCTION Michigan's personal income tax increase 10 years ago was promised to be a "temporary increase", I want to see to it the state keeps that promise." The remaining responses have been abbreviated. What measures do you support/propose to achieve improved educational outcomes and accessibility for Michigan students from early childhood through post-secondary education? Johnson "I believe education is best when done at the local level. I support giving parents the opportunity for school choice where they can send their children where they feel their kids will thrive the best. I also support increasing vocational training in high school where students can learn trades without having to get a traditional four year college degree but still be very successful later in life." Draayer "All children in Michigan deserve equal access to a high-quality and safe education regardless of economic status. This starts with early childhood programs that emphasize the skills that students will need to succeed, especially reading." Lewis "Because parents are best situated to decide what is in their own children's best interests, I support all measures that enhance the educational choices available, such as charter schools, tax credits for private school tuition, on-line schools and home schooling." What policies do you support to increase jobs and help Michigan residents improve their economic positions? Johnson "I support cutting taxes and regulations which limit the barriers for business to thrive." Draayer "Our priority for job growth in Michigan will be achieved by investing in skilled trades, a modern infrastructure and jobs that will be in demand in the future. We must put the needs of working families first by providing good jobs with good wages." Lewis "Michigan needs a serious review of it's occupational licensing laws and reforming this area will be a top priority for me. We all want to see new jobs being created, businesses expanding, and new businesses moving to Michigan." 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? Johnson "I support energy choice which would end the energy monopoly we currently have in Michigan. I have also introduced bipartisan legislation which would reduce regulations for homeowners who wish to install solar panels on their home." Draayer "We should develop sustainable manufacturing and invest in renewable energy infrastructure. In doing this, we should also enforce quality water and clean air standards, so corporations can't take advantage of our air, rivers, and lakes." Lewis: "Instead of mandating electricity from renewable resources, fossil fuels, nuclear or any other source, I will work to remove special favors, crony capitalist subsidies, protective market carve outs and any other forms of unique help to politically favored industries or market sectors." As hundreds of boxes stuffed with signatures were passed hand to hand in front of the Michigan Secretary of State building in December 2017, Kyle Richardson realized he'd been a part of something special. By that point, the Detroit resident had spent several months volunteering for the Voters Not Politicians campaign, collecting signatures throughout the metro area. He was new to this kind of campaign work, but threw himself into it because he believed in the cause of preventing political gerrymandering. It took being surrounded by hundreds of his fellow volunteers turning in the hundreds of thousands of signatures they'd collected for him to understand what they'd accomplished. "I didn't know how impactful or how big it was until that moment," he said. "None of us are in this because we want a certain tax policy, a certain education policy...we all just want to see our politicians work the way we were taught it worked." The word-of-mouth campaign that Richardson and thousands of other volunteers spread across Michigan is the backbone of Proposal 2, which voters will see on the ballot Nov. 6. Despite a lack of paid petition gatherers and intense opposition that took the proposed initiative all the way to the state Supreme Court, Voters Not Politicians supporters managed to get a proposed Constitutional amendment for an independent redistricting commission on the statewide ballot. Now, they're hoping the same forces that got them this far will sway a majority of Michigan residents. Where it all began Much of the credit for Proposal 2's existence goes to Katie Fahey, who founded Voters Not Politicians after posting a call to reform Michigan's redistricting system on Facebook. In 2017, Fahey and other early Voters Not Politicians backers began touring the state, getting feedback from Michigan residents at forums and town halls as they set their sights on crafting an amendment to Michigan's Constitution. "We weren't behind closed doors crafting this policy," Fahey said in a recent interview. "From day one, we were trying to create a solution the people of Michigan want." The language Voters Not Politicians settled upon in Proposal 2 is meant to change the political redistricting process by circumventing politics as much as possible. Where currently the state Legislature is tasked with drawing Michigan's state and federal political districts every 10 years based on population changes in the census, Proposal 2 would shift that responsibility to a 13-member independent redistricting commission consisting of five independent members, four self-declared Democrats and four self-declared Republicans. Elected officials, candidates, lobbyists and political consultants or staffers -- as well as family members of politicians or other insiders -- would be barred from participating within six years of their politically-affiliated position. The commissioners would be selected randomly from a pool of registered voters who submitted applications to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State would be required to circulate commissioner applications to 10,000 registered Michigan voters at random from various regions of the state. Final maps for congressional and state House and Senate lines would require majority approval and support from at least two Republicans, two Democrats and two independents on the commission. It's a complicated plan - when the group was first cleared for signature gathering on the initiative in August 2017, state elections officials said it was one of the most complex they'd ever looked at, reviewing six drafts of the language before recommending it for approval. Convincing the public From the outset, Fahey said it was going to be an all-volunteer effort, a tough challenge in a state where it takes more than 315,000 signatures collected in a 180-day period to get a Constitutional amendment on the ballot. In addition to recruiting signature gatherers, Voters Not Politicians enlisted volunteers to educate their communities through outreach and public events across the state. Portage resident Stacey Ledbetter said it had been years since she had volunteered for a political campaign, but she was convinced to volunteer after a friend of hers encouraged her to learn more about the effort. Ledbetter's role is to explain to people why such a complicated political process should matter to them in a way anyone can understand. "It clicked for me once it was explained in simple terms," she said. Fahey said the education aspect of the campaign is crucial to getting Proposal 2 through. "There's not a lot of people who are pro-gerrymandering," she said. "Our ability to actually go and reach voters is really critical in our ability to be successful." Many Voters Not Politicians supporters and volunteers were convinced by the campaign's assertion that the way political lines are currently drawn benefit the majority party and don't adequately reflect the communities Michigan voters live in. The Voters Not Politicians campaign ultimately collected more than enough signatures to make the 2018 ballot, and has since directed its attention to spreading the message to the general public. A separate challenge to Michigan's existing district lines is currently making its way through the federal courts, with League of Women Voters and other parties claiming Michigan's state and congressional districts drawn in 2011 under a Republican majority are gerrymandered in a way that violates Constitutional rights. Fierce opposition Critics of the initiative fought hard to keep the Voters Not Politicians plan off the ballot, and the legal battle over the proposal went all the way to the Supreme Court. In a 4-3 ruling, Supreme Court justices David Viviano, Bridget Mary McCormack, Richard Bernstein and Beth Clement concluded the plan put forward by Voters Not Politicians was not a general revision of the Constitution, and did not negatively impact powers assigned by the three branches of government. The court's majority decision concurred with a unanimous decision from the state Court of Appeals, which compelled the Michigan Board of State Canvassers to place the Voters not Politicians measure on the ballot. That hasn't stopped the Michigan Republican Party and other conservative groups from speaking out against the proposal. Many have criticized the plan for too broadly limiting who is allowed to be on the commission, and have questioned the legitimacy of a redistricting system with minimal checks from other areas of government. Protect My Vote, a group opposing Proposal 2, recently released a radio ad claiming the proposal would write a "blank check" to the commissioners and would have no limits to pay or perks. Voters Not Politicians refuted the ad's claims and issued requests to radio stations asking for it to be taken down. Tony Daunt, spokesperson for Protect My Vote, said in a statement voters oppose Proposal 2 when they "learn the truth" about it. "The proposal would cram this massive new bureaucracy and spending into the state's constitution, which means voters would have almost no recourse to do anything about it," he said. At the Michigan Republican Party Convention, lingering dissent with the court's decision flared up during the nomination process, when opponents encouraged delegates to abstain from voting for sitting Supreme Court Justice Beth Clement over her decision to let Proposal 2 on the ballot. Clement earned the nomination despite the opposition. Backers of Proposal 2 have stressed the bipartisan nature of their cause, highlighting support from former Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz and others across the political spectrum. Elizabeth Benyi first attended a Voters Not Politicians presentation in February 2017, and said she didn't realize until that point how big of an issue redistricting was in Michigan. Since she signed up as a volunteer, the retired surgeon has traversed the western Upper Peninsula wearing several hats for the campaign - signature collector, educator, outreach coordinator. As she stood outside bars and restaurants with a signature sheet in hand, or answered questions during a presentation, Benyi said she never got the sense it was a partisan issue for voters or the people who want Proposal 2 to succeed. "It is a true grassroots movement," she said. "We are nonpartisan volunteers from every political persuasion, as are the people who signed the petition." National attention As the election approaches, Voters Not Politicians has seen support come from prominent national voices, perhaps most notably from Republican actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Michigan is just one of several states considering an independent redistricting commission this year - voters in Colorado, Missouri and Utah will also see similar proposals on their ballots - and Schwarzenegger, a longtime advocate for redistricting reform, has been fundraising for these efforts since the summer. On Saturday, Schwarzenegger rallied in East Lansing with Voters Not Politicians supporters, praising Fahey and other volunteers for realizing there was an issue and stepping up to try and fix the problem. "It's easy to complain, but then to go up and say, 'I'm going to do something about it' - that's what she did," he said, referring to Fahey. "I'm so proud that all of you are here today." David Daley, author of the book "Ratf**ked: Why Your Vote Doesn't Count," has extensively studied the impacts of politically-motivated redistricting in various parts of the U.S. During a recent visit to Michigan to support Proposal 2, Daley said Voters Not Politicians volunteers are taking a dry, complicated issue "and injecting life and passion into it," calling the initiative one of the most amazing stories in the country this election cycle. "This feels like a big, structural, entrenched problem, but people working together can take that power back," he said. "This is just an amazing example of how democracy can work. It's just really inspiring." More information about the Nov. 6 midterm elections: Polls will be open in Michigan from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6. Check Michigan's Secretary of State website to see whether you are registered and to preview your ballot. MLive has partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund to provide candidate information and other voting resources to Michigan readers. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. For specific information about the three statewide ballot proposals and other Michigan races, visit Vote411.org. Read more MLive election coverage here. HOLLAND, MI - Coppercraft Distillery has been named 2018 Spirit of the Year by USA Spirits Ratings, a competition that aims judge spirits as consumers do. The Holland-based business also had its Straight Bourbon Whiskey honored as the Best Spirit of the Year by Quality and Best Spirit of the Year by Package. "This recognition is exciting on many levels," said Brandon Joldersma, general manager of Coppercraft Distillery in a statement. "Our production team deserves the credit. Their passion for producing and blending the best spirits is what has made us successful and will continue to fuel our growth." The USA Spirits Ratings competition was launched in late 2017 by Beverage Trade Network, which organizes alcohol beverage industry events all over the world. Judging is conducted by top-level spirits buyers and spirits consultants and experts who are directly involved in buying spirits for commercial resale. Criteria includes distilling ability and technical expertise, quality, appearance, and value. "The judges were impressed by every aspect of Coppercraft Distillery's Straight Bourbon Whiskey and especially the overall quality and packaging," said Sid Patel, chief executive of Beverage Trade Network in a statement. The whiskey is made using a blend of 4-12-year-old bourbons that are blended to create a rich taste. It combines flavors of both sweet caramel and vanilla. Former President Barack Obama is expected to visit Michigan for a rally in Detroit this week to support the state's Democratic candidates up and down the ticket. U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer and running mate Garlin Gilchrist II and congressional candidates Matt Longjohn, Gretchen Driskell, Elissa Slotkin and Haley Stevens will all be in attendance, according to the Michigan Democratic Party. Obama will be joined by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who currently chairs the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. "We are thrilled to welcome President Obama back to Michigan, and again thank him for his steadfast work as president to save the American auto industry, the lifeblood of our state's economy," Michigan Democratic Party Chair Brandon Dillon said in a statement. "The stakes have never been higher -- healthcare is on the line, along with clean water, voting rights, and our very democracy itself with the chance to end gerrymandering on the ballot." The rally will likely be held in the late afternoon or early evening Friday in Detroit, according to a Democratic source. Obama won the state of Michigan during both of his 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns, and campaigned in the state in 2016 for then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The planned visit comes roughly a week after U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders visited Michigan for an Ann Arbor rally with Whitmer. On the Republican side, Lara Trump has several planned Michigan stops around the state for Republican statewide and Congressional candidates, and both Donald Trump Jr. and Vice President Mike Pence have campaigned on behalf of Republican U.S. Senate candidate John James. This story was updated at 10:15 a.m. to include comments from the Michigan Democratic Party. JACKSON, MI - Voters will have five names to choose from on the Nov. 6 election ballot for seats on the Jackson School Board, but one candidate has unofficially backed out and is endorsing other candidates. Elizabeth (Libby) Brown, Pam Fitzgerald, Angela Mitchell, Clevester Moten Jr. and Sarah Saucedo filed to run for the seats - although Saucedo has ended her campaigning. "Since (applying), there have been some family events that have lead me to decide to withdraw from the campaigning work I had intended," Saucedo said. "I thank all of those that might have voted for me and encourage them to instead consider supporting both Elizabeth Brown and Clevester Moten, Jr." Three seats are up for grabs on the seven-member board. Each position is a six-year term. Fitzgerald, who serves as board secretary, is the only incumbent running for re-election. Board President Jon Hart and Trustee Michael Way will give up their seats at the end of the year. The four candidates responded to questions from the Jackson Citizen Patriot/MLive, sharing their experience and priorities if elected. Elizabeth (Libby) Brown) A recent retiree from JPS, Brown is now an adjunct professor at Jackson College. She taught at JPS from 1974 to 2017 - including teaching civics for 23 years at Jackson High School. This is her first time running for the school board. Brown, 67, graduated from Jackson High School in 1969. She served as the president of the Jackson Education Association from 2010-14. If elected, Brown's top priorities would be to improve school security, update infrastructure and technology and make sure the district's millage plan is followed. "I would like to see the board explore the cost of air-conditioning, especially in Hunt (Elementary School), the year-round school," Brown said. "Learning is not taking place when extreme temperatures are affecting the students." Brown also mentioned hopes to add technology for skilled trades classes. Pam Fitzgerald Fitzgerald, a former Jackson High School principal, was first elected to the board in 2012. She is an English instructor at Jackson College and adjunct English professor at Spring Arbor University. She's also working on her doctorate in educational leadership and working on a book for prospective teachers. In the past, she's also spent time in Homer Community Schools and taught English and journalism in Jackson and East Jackson. Fitzgerald is a fourth-generation Viking, and all six of her children attended or still attend JPS. Fitzgerald, 66, has priorities of correcting the district's reputation, growing the district and keeping up the current momentum. "I believe we are in the midst of a huge renaissance in all aspects of our educational program," Fitzgerald said. "I would be honored to see these projects to fruition." Angela Mitchell Mitchell, 43, is the special education supervisor for Jackson County Intermediate School District and has previously served in other districts as a special education teacher - from Grass Lake to Massachusetts. Both of her children attend JPS and she serves on the JPS bond oversight committee and PTO. This is Mitchell's first time running as an elected official. Her top priorities include implementing the bond with security and infrastructure upgrades, creating opportunities for family and community engagement and creating new programs to help students succeed. "I plan to work with families to understand what supports our students need both socially and academically to be successful," Mitchell said. "That knowledge would be shared with school leaders to implement meaningful programs to ensure equity for all students." Clevester Moten Jr. Moten teaches contemporary business, principles of management and business law as an adjunct professor at Jackson College. He's also the supervisor of the recipient rights department at LifeWays Community Mental Health. He's served with Jackson County's NAACP and the Jackson Human Relations Commission, but this is his first time running for school board. Moten, 43, graduated from Jackson High School in 1993 and received a doctorate in philosophy, public policy and administration earlier this year from Walden University. His top priorities include educational equality, equipping teachers with resources, preparing students academically and socially and working for a better alternative education program. Moten said he would bring a background in budgeting, public policy research and public management to the board, if elected. TOMPKINS TWP., MI - A 17-year-old Jackson girl was injured in a rollover crash on M-50 Monday evening that shut the roadway down for about half an hour. At 6:11 p.m., Oct. 22, the girl was driving a Ford SUV east on M-50 near Standish Road when she left the roadway, over corrected and rolled the SUV, Jackson County Undersheriff Chris Kuhl said. The vehicle rolled through the westbound lane, avoiding oncoming traffic, before coming to a stop on the other side, Kuhl said. The girl was the only occupant in the vehicle and no other cars were involved in the crash, Kuhl said. The girl was taken to Henry Ford Allegiance Health to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries, Kuhl said. The roadway was reopened at about 7 p.m., according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. Jackson Community Ambulance and the Rives-Tompkins Fire Department assisted at the scene. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- After sitting dormant for 30 years, a horror movie filmed entirely in Kalamazoo will debut in Grand Rapids at the end of the month. Longtime Southwest Michigan residents might remember playing a role in the 1987 production of "Housesitter: The Night They Saved Siegfried's Brain!" After the the low-budget, science-fiction horror movie was filmed, it sat on a shelf for decades, lacking budget for post-production editing, director Robin Nuyen said. Now, with sound engineering from Skywalker Sound, founded by George Lucas, and final picture from Paramount Picture's color department, the 35mm feature-length film is finally complete, Nuyen said. "Housesitter: The Night They Saved Siegfried's Brain!" is the closing night feature of Grand Rapid's Thriller! Chiller! Film Festival. The film will be shown at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Wealthy Theater, 1130 Wealthy St. in Grand Rapids. Tickets are available online for $10 each. Nuyen, a Western Michigan University graduate, said he wanted the film to debut in Michigan so local residents who remember participating in the production could attend. Hundreds of people worked on the project before production was halted, he said. "I really want to say thank you to all the people," Nuyen said. "I love the idea of a mom and a dad or grandparents and their grand kids going 'yeah that's me when I had hair' or 'yeah that's me dancing in that movie' or 'that's me getting murdered up there.'" When asked what the movie is about, Nuyen said he likes to tell people it's "about a mad scientist doing brain transfers with a hair dryer." Actors filled Henderson Castle 30 years ago, playing unsuspecting college students hunted down by a mad scientist seeking thirteen human brains for a "brain pyramid." While most of the film was filmed in Henderson Castle on West Main Hill, scenes were also filmed on the campuses of Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College. A rough-cut of the film was viewed locally in 1990, but the sound and picture quality was low, Nuyen said. "The film we have now is the version we always intended," he said. The film was written and produced by Nuyen and Richard Gasparian who worked with executive producer Marc Nuyen, Robin's brother. The trio hoped to raise $500,000 to produce the film, but fell short at $280,000. The post production cost was originally estimated to be around $200,000. Through favors and a "little fate," Nuyen said the post production sound and picture editing cost only $20,000 over the past two years, setting the film's total budget at $300,000. "No one committed until they saw the film," Nuyen said. The companies were very accommodating when working with the film's budget, he added. Nuyen said he pushed to complete the film after his mother got sick a few years ago. He wanted to finish it for her. Though she died last year, he said he was glad she inspired him to complete the project. The project took a village to complete, Nuyen said. He said he could not let the film sit unfinished in a vault. "It haunts you, you know? it haunted me," Nuyen said. BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI -- The man who died in the hospital shortly after struggling during an arrest was identified by police, the Associated Press has reported. Jack Clement Lunneen, 51, of Berrien Springs died Monday, Oct. 22 after a struggle with police during his arrest. He was a suspect of malicious destruction of property. The investigation into his death was handed over to the Michigan State Police, according to the Associated Press. Police in Berrien Springs say they responded early Monday to a complaint and a Berrien County sheriff's deputy found the man in a parking lot. Police say he resisted arrest and was restrained. Officers called for an ambulance when he appeared to be experiencing medical difficulties. The man was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township officer and the sheriff's deputy involved were placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation. Venus Stewart KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI -- The remains of Venus Stewart, killed by her husband in 2010, were found Monday in rural Kalamazoo County. Doug Stewart, who is serving life in prison for her murder, led authorities to her body Monday, Oct. 22, in the area of U Avenue East between 42nd Street and 39th Street in the southern part of Kalamazoo County. Here's a timeline of events in the case: April 26, 2010: Venus Stewart, 32, is reported missing by her parents,Therese and Larry McComb, of Colon Township. Police said they believed Stewart had been abducted by her estranged husband, Doug Stewart, 29. April 30, 2010: Michigan State Police investigators conduct the first of several searches for the body of Venus Stewart and other evidence near the Kalamazoo County-St Joseph County line. May 2010: Search warrant tabulations filed by police show they found suspected blood and a Walmart receipt during a search of Doug Stewart's pickup truck in Newport News, Va., where Doug Stewart resided. The receipt shows Stewart purchased a shovel, gloves and tarp the day before Venus Stewart's disappearance. Police said they had evidence that an impostor posed as Doug Stewart in Newport News and that Doug Stewart was in Michigan at the time of Venus Stewart's disappearance. June 2010: Doug Stewart was arrested and charged with first-degree premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree premeditated murder in connection with his wife's disappearance and alleged killing. September 2010: Psychic Gale St. John, of Indiana, travels to the Colon Township residence where Stewart vanished to feel Stewart's lingering presence in hopes of finding her but does not find her body. Feb. 23, 2011: Testimony in Doug Stewart's trial begins after a jury of nine women and four men is chosen. Feb 28-March 1, 2011: Ricky Spencer testifies that he acted as Doug Stewart's impostor in Newport News, Va., while Stewart traveled to Michigan to kill Venus Stewart. March 11, 2011: After three hours of deliberations by the jury, Doug Stewart is convicted of first-degree premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree premeditated murder. April 18, 2011: St. Joseph County Circuit Judge Paul Stutesman sentences Doug Stewart to mandatory life in prison without the chance of parole. Stewart tells the judge he is innocent. "I did not do these crimes," Stewart says. June 16, 2011: Ricky Spencer pleads no contest to a felony manslaughter charge for his role in Venus Stewart's disappearance and slaying. Under terms of a plea agreement, St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough was to recommend Spencer serve no more than one year in the St. Joseph County Jail. July 10, 2011: A tip prompts a search by police for Venus Stewart's body in the Fulton State Game Area. The search turns up nothing. July 12, 2011: The Kalamazoo Gazette, John McDonough and other media outlets receive a letter from Doug Stewart in which he says he did not kill Venus Stewart and claims Ricky Spencer knows where her body is. 2011-2018: Countless searches by volunteer groups are conducted for Venus Stewart's body, but they turn up no sign of her. Oct. 12, 2018: Doug Stewart admits to Michigan State Police that he killed Venus. Oct. 22, 2018: Doug Stewart leads Michigan State Police to the rural Kalamazoo County field where he says Venus' body was left. Now, Stewart's family can give her a proper burial. The Venus Foundation, a non-profit organization formed in Stewart's memory to help domestic violence victims, said in a statement on Facebook they were happy to hear Venus' remains were found. "Thank you to everyone for your prayers, and all the searchers that gave your time," the foundation said. NORTON SHORES, MI - A Muskegon County-based lighting manufacturer is expanding its operation and moving to Norton Shores with a more than $4 million investment. Smart Vision Lights plans to move from a 12,500-square-foot building in Dalton Township to a new 36,000-square-foot facility - with room to grow - at 5113 Robert Hunter Drive. The city of Norton Shores recently approved the site plan and a tax abatement worth about $11,990 annually for the next 12 years for the 12-year-old business. With a construction price tag of nearly $4 million, the building is expected to be finished during summer 2019, said President Dave Spaulding. Ground will be broken soon. The investment also includes land improvements, furniture and fixtures, and machinery and equipment to take it above $4 million, according to a tax abatement application filed with the city of Norton Shores. "We want to keep the business in Muskegon County," Spaulding said. "Our workforce - our talent - is here." The company was founded at the Grand Valley State University Innovation Hub in Muskegon. It makes lighting for advanced automation. End users include Amazon, General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. "If you're building a car and you want to check the quality of components as they're going through the assembly line, our lights illuminate for those cameras as they go through," Spaulding said. Smart Vision has 29 employees at its current facility and plans to add six to 11 when it moves to the new building, according to the tax abatement application. The additional jobs could include skilled and unskilled work in engineering, assembly, sales and administration, Spaulding said. On Tuesday, Oct. 16, the Norton Shores City Council approved a 12-year, 50 percent tax abatement for the project. Even with the abatement, the city initially will receive $11,990 in additional taxes, according to city documents. In the first year, Smart Vision is expected to pay $70,019 in new property taxes to all jurisdictions. "We're very pleased to have them in Norton Shores and staying in Muskegon County," said Norton Shores City Manager Mark Meyers. The 6.7-acre property on Robert Hunter Drive is in an industrial park and allows for future growth, according to Norton Shores documents. There are already site plans for two 15,000-square-foot additions. Smart Vision's plans include increasing sales through organic growth, mergers and acquisitions in the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific region, according to the tax abatement application. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI - Muskegon County is seeking bids for a new animal control and shelter service provider, and its current contractor isn't taking the decision lightly. The county is seeking bids on four proposals for a new animal control services contract, said County Administrator Mark Eisenbarth. Its current three-year contract with Pound Buddies Animal Shelter & Adoption Center expired in September. Pound Buddies has provided shelter service since 2010 and operates out of a county-owned facility at 1300 E. Keating Ave. In June 2018, Pound Buddies took over animal control services for the Muskegon County Sheriff's Office and ran animal complaints from Central Dispatch. If the company can't secure another contract, the organization would likely go out of business, said director Lana Carson. Carson said she believes commissioners want a cheaper service than Pound Buddies, which received $235,000 from the county in 2018. But penny pinching, the director said, could come at a cost to the county's wayward animals. "We understand that they have budget constraints, but they are putting a lot of emphasis on this bottom line, and say things like, 'We go above and beyond state minimums (for shelter funding),'" Carson said. "And they do, but since when is the state minimum something you shoot for? This county operated this shelter for decades, and since we took over, we've always gone above and beyond." Muskegon County's Board of Commissioners voted recently to seek contract bids and to extend its agreement with Pound Buddies until a new contract was signed. A request for proposals was issued on Oct. 19. Two of those proposals include moving shelter services from the facility at Keating Avenue to a different location not owned by the county. Proposals are due to the county by 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9. Contract options include: A three-year contract with two, one-year renewals at the county's discretion. A 10-year contract with a stipulation to relocate to a non-county owned shelter within six years of signing the contract. This option comes with two, one-year renewals at the county's discretion. A three-year contract with payment based on the number of dogs brought in by law enforcement and animal control officers. Contractors will be paid on a per-dog basis. A renewal option is not included. A 10-year contract with a stipulation to relocate to a non-county owned shelter within six years with per-dog payment structure. A renewal option is not included. All proposals must include yearly costs for things like dog food, water, cage space and shelter licensing, humane treatment items, handling and associated costs. Applicants also must agree to maintain "suitable" office hours for the convenience of residents and law enforcement agencies associated with the shelter, such as the Muskegon County Sheriff's Office. The county typically issues bids for service contracts, and did the same when Pound Buddies' first five-year contract ended in 2015. The company won a bid for a three-year contract then. But this time, Carson said she felt blindsided. Before commissioners opted to issue bids, Carson said she and other Pound Buddies board members approached county commissioners with an offer to extend their current contract for 10 years while Pound Buddies worked on a capital campaign to raise money for shelter repairs. Carson said the shelter has been in disrepair since they set up shop at the Keating address eight years ago. "The housing for the animals is about as antiquated as it comes," Carson said. "There's no air-conditioning. There's inadequate heating. It was 92 degrees where those animals were housed this summer. We had them housed in our offices and in the bathrooms because the only areas with air-conditioning were areas where office employees used to sit." Commissioners chose not to accept that offer and decided to seek bids instead. Carson said she didn't know about their decision until the matter came up as an agenda item during a Sept. 25 county board meeting. Eisenbarth told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle that the county wasn't necessarily seeking to save money by issuing bids, but was looking for the best service provider overall - which could still be Pound Buddies if the company submits the best proposal. Carson said Pound Buddies plans to send a proposal, but she doesn't expect to be the winning bid because they likely won't be the lowest bid. Carson said she believes a cheaper service than what Pound Buddies provides would be doing a disservice to stray or injured animals in their care. Commissioners, on the other hand, said they have received multiple complaints about Pound Buddies and its ability to serve the community. On Sept. 25, Commissioner Gary Foster said he heard that Pound Buddies was no longer in operation and that they often weren't open during regular hours. Foster said he had received that tip from an unnamed township supervisor in his district. Board Chairman Ben Cross said he had heard similar complaints about Pound Buddies not maintaining regular business hours. Cross said residents told him that Pound Buddies was not answering calls after 6 p.m. and that messages left with the shelter were not being returned. Muskegon County Sheriff Michael Poulin said Pound Buddies was still in operation that their processes have not changed. The sheriff also invited Carson to address board concerns at the Sept. 25 meeting. Carson said then that Pound Buddies was, as of the end of June, running Central Dispatch animal control calls seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. She also stated that Pound Buddies had five people on staff trained to handle animal control calls - some of which required two workers deployed for serious animal complaints. If there were complaints, Carson told MLive, Pound Buddies was not aware of them. ALBUQUERQUE -- A Florida man was arrested Sunday for groping a woman who had fallen asleep on their flight, but he says the assault wasn't an issue because "the President of the United States says it's OK to grab women by their private parts." MLive.com file photo. According to NBC News, the suspect, 49-year-old Bruce Michael Alexander was arrested shortly after the flight from Houston landed in Albuquerque. In the complaint filed by police, the victim said she had fallen asleep on the flight but eventually woke up to the feeling of a passenger behind her grabbing "the right part of her right breast. The victim said she thought it may have been an accident, but a few minutes later she said she "felt fingers slowly grab the back of her arm, squeezing above the elbow then slowly and 'attentively' grab her right side, again around her ribs and bra line." She then confronted the suspect and requested a seat change. Alexander did not admit to touching the victim but did tell police that it was OK because of comments previously made by President Trump. Alexander appears to be referencing a 2005 video that surfaced prior to the 2016 election in which audio can be heard of Trump saying that when you're famous you can grab women by their genitals without consequence. Alexander is due in court Tuesday. he faces up to two years in prison and fines of up to $250,000. No.1| Amazon |The biggest e-commerce company has made its name from scratch and now works on major technological advances like artificial intelligence and streaming. The company was the second company to cross a trillion dollar valuation(Reuters) US online retail giant Amazon.coms investment arm Amazon.com NV Investment Holdings LLC joined hands with private equity firm Samara Capital and sought approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to acquire Aditya Birla Groups supermarket chain More, according to a Business Standard report. Witzig Advisory Services is wholly owned by Samara Capital and it struck a deal last month to acquire 99.99 percent of Aditya Birla Retail Limited (ABRL). Now, Amazon.coms investment arm plans to acquire 49 percent stake in Witzig, while 51 percent will remain with Samara. Majority promoter entity of ABRL, RKN Retail, will sell all of its 62.2 percent stake, while another promoter Kanishtha Finance Investment will sell the rest of the stake. RKN Retail announced the deal in its filings on September 19. More is the fourth-largest supermarket chain in India, following Reliance Retail, Future Group and D-Mart. It has 523 supermarkets and 20 hypermarkets. Sources revealed that the deal values More chain at Rs 42 billion. ABRL reported a loss of Rs 4.9 billion in FY18. Following this deal, Amazon will be a major player in Indias supermarket network, as it plans to build its food retail business. The company is also planning to launch new grocery products and kitchen supplies. Soon after India allowed 100 percent FDI in food retail, Amazon committed to investing $500 million in this sector. An Amazon spokesperson told Reuters that the company wants to enhance its services portfolio and meaningfully invest in opportunities for job creation. Tim_cook Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook is expected to stress the iPhone maker's commitment to privacy and backing for strong laws on both sides of the Atlantic to protect the use of data, according to remarks prepared for delivery at a Brussels event. Issues over how data is used and how consumers can protect their personal information have come under the spotlight recently following massive breaches of data privacy involving millions of internet and social media users in Europe and the US. Cook, the keynote speaker at the International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners on Wednesday, will be one of several executives from US tech companies to present their views at the two-day event. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Google CEO Sundar Pichai will also share their thoughts via video messages. Apple views privacy as a "fundamental human right," Cook will say. "We will never achieve technology's true potential without the full faith and confidence of the people who use it," he will say. Cook also endorsed a comprehensive federal privacy law in the US, the strongest statement by Apple to date. Other US tech giants such as Amazon, Alphabet Inc, AT&T Inc, Charter Communications Inc and Twitter Inc have said they would back new federal privacy regulations. 2. If you drive a car, it is always advisable to step out and check on the meter and the nozzle before filling fuel. Also, while already outside, make sure you keep an eye on the meter at all times until your vehicle is refuelled. (Representative image) Commuters in New Delhi had a tough on Monday as private petrol pumps and drivers of Ola and Uber cabs went on strikes, Business Standard reported. Close to 400 petrol pumps and CNG-dispensing units were shut in the national capital to protest the Delhi government's resistance to lowering value-added tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel. This led to a shortage in supply across the city, which in turn resulted in prices of the two fuels rising. Cab drivers did not ply their services because they believed the Delhi government's policies went against the interest of three-wheelers and cab drivers. At least 20 government-owned petrol pumps were functioning, but Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal accused the Centre of instigating these strikes. Petrol & Diesel Rates Nov 15, 2021 Petrol Rate in Mumbai Nov 15, 2021 Current Petrol Price Per Litre 110 110 View more Diesel Rate in Mumbai Nov 15, 2021 Current Petrol Price Per Litre 0 View more Show In a tweet, Kejriwal said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had threatened action against the oil companies and petrol pump owners if they did not go on strikes. Kejriwal also said that New Delhi had the cheapest fuel among the four metro cities. He pointed out that there had been no such strikes in Mumbai, despite fuel prices being the highest there, because of the ruling BJP government. Sources at cab companies told the publication that almost 50 percent of the drivers did not log in on Monday and that the number of cabs plying slumped to under 1 lakh. Typically, at any point in the day, there are between 250,000 and 300,000 cabs plying on the streets of Delhi. Inderjeet Singh, Chairman of the All India Tour and Transport Association, said the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) will be approached now as the Delhi government hasn't solved the issue. "We will hand over a memorandum to PMO. Auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers are losing employment due to wrong transport policies of the government and also due to low fares offered to commuters by cab aggregators," he said. Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal were among the states that lowered VAT a few months ago, after an appeal from Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Following this move, petrol and diesel prices in these states were cut by Rs 2.50 per litre. The Delhi government, however, did not cut VAT, because of which fuel in the city became costlier than in all neighbouring states for the first time ever. As a result, a lot of consumers from Delhi started going out of the city's limits to fill up their tanks. In a statement, the Delhi unit of BJP said that the Centre had decreased the price of fuel to help the common man but the Kejriwal government is not concerned about the welfare of Delhi's citizens. Similar protests were seen in Odisha, where private dealers said that they are losing their highway business to neighboring states, particularly when it comes to diesel. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Andhra Pradesh government on October 23 said it's expecting Rs 500 crore investments in financial technologies (fintech) sector in the next two years. The government is hoping for another 75 companies to come and set up shop in the state, providing employment opportunities to 5,000 people. The state government is projecting port city Visakhapatnam as a hub for fintech companies and startups like developing technologies digital payments, blockchain, cloud, data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning. On Tuesday, US-based Cardylytics, Federal Bank and HDFC signed memorandum of understandings (MoUs) with the state government to set up their operations. Federal Bank, which will be developing digital solutions, said it will provide employment to 600 people. The state also signed MoUs to partner with fintech accelerators and incubators from Israel and Hong Kong to help build eco-system in Visakhapatnam. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said he wants to develop Visakhapatnam on lines of other established fintech hubs such as London, New York and San Fransico. "We are trying to build the ecosystem necessary for fintech companies to thrive in this part of the region," Naidu said speaking to media on sidelines of Vizag Fintech Festival 2018. Naidu said his government is ready to provide relevant data and even prepared to deploy some of the ideas and solutions developed by fintech startups in the administration. The state government has deployed a blockchain solution developed by Visakhapatnam based startup to secure land records of the upcoming capital Amaravati. Around 60 percent of all court cases are related to land disputes. Naidu said his government is also looking at blockchain in public distribution system. The state government also set aside around Rs 100 crore fund to invest in these startups including a $1 million challenge as part of Vizag Fintech Festival to enable startups to showcase their solutions and get a chance to win up to $1 million in funding and set up their office in Vizag. So far it was able to attract Rs 100-120 crore investment from 6 big and 17 startup companies. Some companies such as Paytm, ValueLabs, Blocktrust, Knolskape, Transaction Analysts, Genesys Labs and GMS, Zebi have offices in the valley. The state government has set up 300,000 square feet Millennium Towers to house fintech companies. It has also earmarked 600 acres for upcoming technology park near Kappulapada in Visakhapatnam. Electronic appliances brand Syska has entered into a tie-up with global Internet of Things (IoT) firm Tuya Smart to offer smart home products for Indian customers. As part of this initiative, Syska will sell products such as door bells, switches, ceiling light, door-sensors, that are 'smart.' The smart home market in India is estimated to be $850 million and is growing 30 percent annually. Syska hopes to convert 2 million households into smart homes next year. In an interaction with Moneycontrol, Gurumukh Uttamchandani, Executive Director, Syska said the smart home segment is grossly under-penetrated in the country. By making an entry into this space, the company wants to have the first-mover advantage. Syska is targeting a revenue of Rs 200 crore from this segment in the next financial year, he added. Uttamchandani said smart homes may see a similar pick-up like that of smartphones. In 2002, smartphones were considered a luxury; now everyone has it. We see a future of the small-home industry similar to this, he said. Apart from the gadgets that make the home smart, Syska has also launched smart fans and smart weighing scales. The weighing scale, for instance, measures bone density, body fat and also gives reminders about daily workouts. Diversification Starting off as a LED lighting player, the SSK Group (Syska) has diversified into multiple businesses. This includes mobile accessories, personal care appliances and now smart homes. However, Uttamchandani said they do not want to launch high-end large appliances. We will focus on smart electrical appliances where we have a technical know-how and ability to manufacture, he said. Uttamchandani said the company will invest Rs 25 crore in the marketing and research/development in 2019 for building the smart home category. The devices will be launched in December 2018. The company declined to reveal the prices of the products, but said it will be competitively priced. All the smart home devices can be connected to Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. The door sensor, for instance, will send you alerts on your smartphone in case of forceful opening or closing or any unsuspected activity. The sensor will sound an alarm on your smartphone via the application if the door is kept open for a long time. It will notify you if you have forgotten to close the door while leaving. The notifications can also come through an AI such as Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant. Mengda Zhao, Chief Strategic Investment Officer, Tuya Smart said they work with 10,000 brands globally in the connected devices space. Tuya Smart offers technology solutions for enabling connected devices. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More There is a lack of capital but no dearth of bad ideas when it comes to state-owned banks. Two months after the government first floated the idea that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) should dilute its prompt corrective action (PCA) framework, it is again took up the matter in the central bank's board meeting on October 23. The justification this time: if RBI relaxes theses norms, public sector banks (PSBs) will get more freedom and money to provide liquidity to the banking system. In other words, they can also buy debt paper of non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) which are currently facing a liquidity crunch. This idea should be nipped in the bud. As RBI deputy governor Viral Acharya pointed out in a speech earlier this month, the PCA framework helps in financial stability by allowing the regulator to intervene in the affairs of weak banks in an early and effective manner. Such norms are an important part of banking regulatory frameworks in other nations as well. What does the PCA framework do? It identifies banks which are facing troubles based on three quantitative parameters: capital adequacy, asset quality and profitability. Restrictions on management compensation, dividend distribution, branch and credit expansion are then placed on these banks to rehabilitate them. In the absence of PCA, banks are free to carry out business as usual. Past experiences, both in India and other countries, shows that when such strictures are not implemented, banks tend to delay recognising bad loans and roll over debt of borrower who otherwise might have defaulted. In other words, extend and pretend. Indeed, as Acharyas paper shows, credit growth in PCA banks from 2008-2014 was as strong as that of other PSU banks. Typically such banks tend to lend to riskier borrowers in an effort to increase credit growth and in the process even crowd out healthier borrowers. Restrictions under the PCA framework will force them to cut back on lending and shift their exposure to government securities and more credit-worthy borrowers. Banks under PCA and the government are not buying this theory. They are arguing that their growth is constrained because of the PCA strictures and this lack of growth will hinder them in coming out of the framework. For the government, relaxing PCAs (and the capital adequacy norms) will serve two purposes. It will allow New Delhi to save an estimated Rs 65,000 crore which it otherwise might have to inject into banks. Second, it helps in opening another source of funding for NBFCs, which are becoming a significant source of credit. With mutual funds shying away from the NBFC space, these financial institutions are looking to banks for funding and also looking to sell loan portfolios. While a State Bank of India might have the appetite and capability to buy Rs 45,000 crore of NBFC loans, most state-owned banks are constrained thanks to lack of capital. In this scenario, opening up the tap of these banks by relaxing PCA norms or risk weights is a bad idea. Bank credit to NBFC is already high. Some of the NBFCs facing a liquidity crunch are those who lend to a risky set of borrowers such as the commercial real estate sector. With banks already sitting on already sitting on Rs 10 lakh crore of bad loans, taking on more risk is ill-advised. Note that the government is already finding it difficult to infuse adequate capital to the banks it owns and a further rise in bad loans spell disaster. The key point about PCA, as Acharya pointed out, is that it limits capital erosion and taxpayer losses. With time, PCA banks will de-risk balance sheets and emerge out of the framework. This should not be sacrificed at the altar of expediency. Yes, the NBFC problem could spiral into a credit crunch for the real economy and hobble economic growth. But that calls for a different set of tools from the regulator such as easing systemic liquidity, targeted liquidity for NBFCs and so on. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The Centre may ask the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to ease the prompt corrective action (PCA) framework for lenders at its board meeting on October 23. Economic Affairs Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg and Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar are the governments representative in this meeting, sources told Business Standard. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said last month that demands of public sector banks (PSBs) to relax PCA framework norms will be taken up with the RBI. The central bank is expected to take a tough stand as its Deputy Governor Viral Acharya had said earlier this month that implementation of PCA had helped in 'stabilising the banks at risk' and any relaxation will be avoided, the report stated. The main demands of the government will be the alignment of the framework norms with regard to risk weights, provisioning and capital norms, in line with Basel norms. India implemented the Basel-III framework, an international regulation for banks, in 2013, but it will be fully implemented by March next year. One of the main areas of PCA, which may be relaxed, is the minimum capital requirement. Lenders are expected to maintain a minimum capital to make sure they do not loan all the money they receive and keep it for future needs. Sources told the paper that the government expects to free up capital (at least Rs 60,000 crore) with this move. This fiscal, the government is supposed to infuse Rs 65,000 crore in PSBs, of which it has already infused Rs 19,100 crore. Another demand by the government could be to do away with maintaining a capital conservation buffer (CCB) in the current fiscal. The Centre may also ask RBI to shift its focus on threshold limits on net non-performing assets and instead take the provision coverage ratio (PCR) as a parameter for PCA. If a bank registers net NPA level of six percent, two consecutive years of negative return on assets or the capital adequacy ratio falls below requirement, then RBI can place it under the PCA framework. The central bank placed 11 out of the 21 PSBs under PCA in 2017. These are Central Bank of India Oriental Bank of Commerce and Allahabad Bank A Jet Airways passenger plane takes off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Private carrier Jet Airways on Monday said it has cancelled a proposed deal with TruJet for wet leasing of some of its regional jets over the latter's apparent failure to meet with the deadline on terms of agreement. Earlier in the day, a source said that the deal for wet leasing of up to seven ATR planes to TruJet by the Jet Airways had hit air pocket due to regulatory issues and pilots problems. A wet lease is an arrangement under which an aircraft is leased out along with crew, maintenance and insurance. "Jet Airways has called off the proposed agreement with a regional carrier as the terms were not met within stipulated timelines," a Jet Airways spokesperson told PTI in response to a query on the deal. The spokesperson did not name the carrier. The two carriers had attempted to strike a deal on ATR planes earlier last year as well but even after months of back and forth, Jet Airways failed to phase out these planes. Jet Airways, partially owned by Etihad Airways of Abu Dhabi, has been battling cash crunch following back-to-back quarterly losses. "The plan to wet lease up to seven ATRs from Jet Airways is on hold as of now. If it comes back to the negotiation tables at all, it will be only next year," the source said. Currently, Jet Airways has 15 ATRs in its fleet. TruJet, which operates its services on regional and UDAN routes from Hyderabad to various destinations, has an all-ATR fleet. "Jet Airways is not in a position to provide adequate number of ATR pilots along with the aircraft as a number of pilots have quit the carrier in the recent past. Instead, it wants TruJet to dry lease these planes, which is an economically unviable proposition for the regional carrier," the source said. Under a dry lease arrangement, the lessor gives out only aircraft to a lessee airline or operator. TruJet spokesperson was not available for comments. "Leasing in an ATR from the market is not an issue but getting trained pilots for this type of aircraft is certainly a problem. So, a dry lease does not make economic sense at all," the source said. In August, TruJet said the carrier was working on options to induct up to seven aircraft from Jet Airways. Amid financial distress, Jet Airways has been delaying payments to its various vendors and has still not paid the September salary to its senior management, pilots and engineers. The airline has also reportedly asked 15 managerial level employees from various departments including engineering, security and sales, to leave the carrier this month, besides grounding eight of its narrow and wide body planes. LG Electronics said on Tuesday it plans to beef up its presence in premium products in India as it looks to increase the share of the segment in overall sales and boost profit margins. The South Korean electronics giant also emphasised that the recent hike in customs duties by India on LED panels imposed customs duty hike on LED panels in India would not have a significant impact on its profit margins from the country. Premium products presently account for 30 per cent of LG's global sales, including in India, but it plans to enhance this to 50 per cent with a renewed focus on the segment and a series of fresh launches. Addressing a delegation of visiting journalists from India, LG Group Senior Vice President Head of Appliance Overseas Sales & Marketing Chris Jung said the revenue growth of LG Electronics in India "will be great". He noted that the company will have to compete with Chinese firms on their price competitiveness, and therefore it is investing heavily in research and development. Asked about LG Electronics' threat perception from the presence of Chinese firms in a price sensitive market like India, Jung said, "The Chinese won't catch up so soon. In the future they may get to where we are now but we are not sitting idle, we will also be moving forward". Jung said the recent hike in customs duty on LED panels in India would not have a significant impact on the company's profit margins from the country. Besides, he said the company is setting up a manufacturing unit in the US which will start producing locally in a couple of months, in view of President Donald Trump's safeguard measures. "It is because of the safeguard measures imposed by Mr Trump. In order to find our way around this safeguard measure we have to produce our goods locally just as we do in India. Things are well underway and we will be seeing production in about a month or two," Jung said. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Shares of Hindustan Zinc are trading lower as the company reported a drop in net profit, but declared a higher-than-expected interim dividend. Analysts have remained positive on the dividend declaration and in-line estimates. They expect a good second half of this fiscal for the company. The company reported second quarter net profit at Rs 1815 crore, down 29.5 percent against Rs 2,584 crore in the same quarter last fiscal. The company had reported an exceptional gain of Rs 291 crore in Q2FY18. Revenue was down 10 percent Rs 4, 777 crore against Rs 5,309 crore. EBITDA fell 22.8 percent at Rs 2334 crore, while margin was down at 48.9 percent. The company declared interim dividend at Rs 20 per share. Brokerage: JPMorgan | Rating: Neutral | Target: Rs 290 | Upside: 3% The global research firm said that the Q2 profit and EBITDA were in line with estimates. The declaration of large dividend is a strong positive. It expects the second half to be materially stronger than the first half. Edelweiss | Rating: Buy | Target: Cut to Rs 312 | Upside:10 percent The brokerage house said that Q2 performance was in line and the outlook is benign on favourable volumes. It expects EBITDA growth led by volume ramp-up, lower haulage cost and better grades. It has cut target to adjust for higher than expected interim dividend. Brokerage: Citi | Rating: Neutral | Target: Cut to Rs 270 | Downside: 4.5 percent Citi believes that Q2 was impacted due to higher cost, lower realizations and volumes. It sees costs at peak and expects improvement in the second half. It has cut target price to factor in higher costs. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Kansai Nerolac Paints stock plunged 8.4 percent intraday on October 23 as brokerage houses slashed target price after weak earnings reported by the company. The stock hit an intraday low of Rs 356.8, the lowest price since March 2017. Kansai Nerolac reported a 15.7 percent on year decline in the second quarter profit to Rs 121.99 crore with operating income falling 12 percent and margin contraction of 390 basis points YoY while revenue during the quarter increased 11.1 percent. CLSA downgraded Kansai to underperform from outperform rating and cut its target price by 27 percent to Rs 400 from Rs 550 per share as the company's net earnings declined YoY for the third quarter in a row. Deutsche Bank has maintained its buy call on the stock but cut target price to Rs 525 from Rs 575 citing weak results on all counts. Hence it cut earnings estimates by 8.5 percent for FY19-21. IDFC has maintained outperform call on the stock but reduced target price by 15 percent to Rs 467 from Rs 548 per share. At 10:05 hours IST, the stock was quoting at Rs 359.95, down Rs 29.70, or 7.62 percent on the BSE. Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory message to Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC), on his election as president. Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) and Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee. [Photo: China Plus] In the message, Xi said China and Vietnam are friendly neighbors and important partners with long-lasting traditional friendship. Recalling the mutual visits of Xi and Trong to each other's country last year, Xi said they reached a range of important consensus on developing the relations between two states and the communist parties of two countries under the new circumstance. The sustainable sound development of bilateral ties, increasingly close exchanges of experience in governing the parties and states, and deepening practical cooperation in all fields have brought tangible benefits to the people of both countries, Xi said. Xi said he attaches great importance to China-Vietnam ties. Following the principle of "long-term stability, future-oriented, good-neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation" and in the spirit of "good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners," Xi said he is willing to work with Trong to take the chance of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation to enhance the political leadership of bilateral ties and promote the comprehensive strategic cooperation to a new high. Trong, born in 1944, holds a PhD in politics with specific field of party construction. He was elected CPVCC general secretary in 2011, and re-elected general secretary in 2016. The framework for the total expense ratio of mutual funds and the commissions paid was announced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Monday. Radhika Gupta, CEO of Edelweiss Asset Management, spoke to CNBC-TV18 about the impact of the plan on the industry. "The upfront fees to be paid will impact distribution model. Some shift to other products like insurance may take place due to new norms," said Gupta. Talking about the mutual funds, Gupta said, In the last two years mutual fund has also become very popular product from the end customer point of view. Mutual fund flows have been in same Rs 7,000-8,000 crore kind of range and if you look at per equity, most of that is SIP book and it looks like we will hit those numbers, plus or minus Rs 1,000 crore, she added. Source: CNBC-TV18 Credit rating agencies, which are being probed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India for failing to downgrade IL&FS debt issuances on time, have blamed the lack of timely availability of data on defaults. Infrastructure lender IL&FS, which defaulted on its payments in September, a development that triggered worries of a financial contagion, was rated highly by most agencies right up to its default. However, rating agencies told the market regulator that they depend on data from a host of sources, including from companies and regulators such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). They say that, in particular, the lag in disclosure of data from the Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC) hurt their efforts to obtain a true picture of the company's affairs. Set up in 2014, CRILC collects data on all borrowers with fund exposure of over Rs 5 crore and disseminates it to other stakeholders. Rating agencies, however, say that this data is disclosed on a quarterly basis. Banks are not authorised to provide default data directly to rating agencies. Rating agencies get data on loan defaults almost two-three months after the event, a source close to a rating agency told Moneycontrol. A company that has defaulted will not voluntarily disclose this. A source close to SEBI also talked about the Reserve Banks reluctance to share data in some matters. RBI had declined SEBIs request to share data on money raised through corporate bonds over the last few years. The RBI and the government had earlier shot down SEBIs proposal that made it mandatory for banks to disclose default data within a day. However, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, which superceded the IL&FS board with its own nominees after the crisis broke out, is not buying rating agencies explanation. Credit rating agencies did not do their homework properly in the IL&FS case, a source close to the MCA said. During SFIOs probe into IL&FS, even at preliminary stage, there were many instances where rating agencies could easily have discovered irregularities in the companys affairs. This should have reflected in the ratings given to IL&FS debt. The source in SEBI also said that prima facie, there was negligence on part of credit rating agencies. This is not the first time when credit rating agencies are in the dock for downgrading junk debt too late. In the case of Amtek Auto, SEBI had initiated a probe against CRISIL and CARE after the companys debt was downgraded well after it had defaulted a move that led to severe redemption pressures for a few mutual funds that had invested in the companys paper. Nitin Gadkari Union shipping minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday urged domestic investors to pump their money into the various programmes undertaken by his ministry and promised them every assistance to them to improve waterway connectivity. The minister said the country's economic viability has improved and this is the right time for investors to enter the structural construction projects. "We have come up with many innovative models. The Sagarmala project has opened huge investment opportunities to the private sector. We also have plans for RoRo services, hovercraft, catamarans, seaplanes among others where we want domestic companies to come forward and invest," he told a panel discussion on 'coastline - engine & wheel of economic growth,' here this evening. Talking about the ambitious Sagarmala project, Gadkari said it has a potential of nearly Rs 16 trillion of which around Rs 4.53 trillion is expected to come into port mechanisation and port modernisation. The minister also said government is undertaking projects worth Rs 2.35 trillion under the Sagarmala project in Maharashtra alone. He said projects worth over Rs 1.50 trillion are in various stages of implementation, while the work on remaining Rs 85,000-crore projects is yet to begin. But he was quick to add that work on these projects, starting with preparation of detailed project reports, will be initiated soon. The minister also said government is planning to have water-way connectivity to the airports in the megapolis on the similar lines of the system in Venice in Italy. Welcome to the Moneycontrol Deep Dive. This is Seetal and let us begin this podcast with a home truth. Life is more devastating than fiction and well, this is a given but sometimes the two collide in an astonishing manner and it is hard to tell where life ends and fiction begins. Hindi film aficionados will remember Avtaar, a 1983 family drama directed by Mohan Kumar. The film was a stray hit during a rather bleak period in actor Rajesh Khanna's career and struck a chord with a certain generation of filmgoers because Khanna played a patriarch who after spending all that he had on his children, is left out in the cold with nothing to his name. In a key scene, he admonishes another retired father for being sacrificial because as he says, if you keep nothing for yourself, you will live to regret it. Sometime last year, retired tycoon Vijaypat Singhania said something similar. Vijaypat was possibly also the inspiration behind Raymond's complete man who in multiple ad campaigns showed us that power without love was nothing but when it came to his own life, the realisation that the opposite may be true, came a bit late. Vijaypat, embroiled in a property dispute with his son Gautam Singhania, sent a message in 2017, to parents and stated with bitter poignance and we quote, "Love your children and care for them, but don't love them so much that you are blinded." As is common knowledge, in 2015, Vijaypat had handed over his shares, worth over Rs 1,000 crore, to his son Gautam Singhania. Now, he has little to his name even though the company he founded is worth more than Rs 6,000 crore. In a rather moving interview to NDTV in 2017, the man in his late seventies said "In the 79 years of my life, I'd never thought I would have to take a family dispute to court after giving away everything I had and that I wouldn't even have a roof over my head." Worse was to follow but we are getting ahead of ourselves. At the heart of the dispute What brought things to this sorry pass? Well, central to this dispute is the majestic JK House, a family-owned 36-story redeveloped property in Malabar Hill, Mumbai. According to the senior Singhania, post the voluntary surrender of his tenancy, Gautam has kept him out of his share to get extra floor space from the municipality. As a result, Vijaypat was forced to opt for a rented accommodation and now wanted reimbursement for the rent money which was a steep Rs 7 lakh at the time when the NDTV report was filed. The matter reached the court though Vijaypat had said at the time, "I had never dreamt that I'd have to take my son to court for the fulfilment of the promises that he had made to me in writing and then decided to back out because of his greed." The Bombay High Court, too regretfully observed that matters such as these should never reach the court and the family should have worked towards a conciliatory agreement. According to a Mumbai Mirror report published in 2017, Vijaypat had filed a petition in the Bombay High Court saying he wasn't handed over the possession of a duplex in the redeveloped 36-storey JK House on Malabar Hill despite repeated reminders to the property's owner, Raymond. JK House was unveiled in 1960 and we quote from Mumbai Mirror, "Four duplexes in the building were later handed over to a Raymond subsidiary, Pashmina Holdings. In 2007, the company and the occupants decided the structure will be redeveloped. As per the deal, Vijaypat and Gautam, Veenadevi, the widow of Vijaypat's brother Ajaypat Singhania, and her sons Anant and Akshaypat will get a 5,185 sq ft duplex in the new building on a payment of Rs 9,000 per sq ft. Already, Veenadevi and Anant have filed a joint petition while Akshaypat has submitted a separate petition in the Bombay High Court staking claim to a duplex each." In this imbroglio, Vijaypat in a petition accused Gautam of what he called as "high-handed conduct" and cited a police complaint to substantiate his point. Vijaypat claimed that two Raymond employees, Jitender Agarwal and RK Ganeriwala, who handled his property and bank documents and personal files, had gone missing at Gautam's behest, leaving him with no access to documents. We quote from the petition, "Agarwal and Ganeriwala handled Vijaypat's income tax returns, chequebooks and other bank documents, personal files, investment documents and wealth tax related papers. All of a sudden, they stopped responding to his calls and messages earlier this year, after which he approached the police as the two had become untraceable for him. It is now becoming apparent that this was orchestrated by Gautam Singhania in order to harass and pressurise the petitioner who is 78 years old, and who recently underwent an open heart surgery." According to Mumbai Mirror, Vijaypat had approached the Ballard Estate police when Agarwal and Ganeriwala "went missing." As per the report, Vijaypat accused Gautam of occupying an area far more than what he was entitled to in the redeveloped JK House. Vijaypat said this was in gross violation of the tripartite agreement clause, according to which no occupant should be given preferential treatment. He further alleged Raymond had not even responded to his and other litigants' offer of making payments to take possession of the duplexes. The Mirror report also stated that the veteran industrialist had quoted another clause from the tripartite agreement which purportedly said occupants of the JK House would be provided with alternate accommodation while the building was being redeveloped. We quote Vijaypat, "After vacating JK House, I was residing at Kamla Cottage in Juhu. However, I had to vacate that property as well following a separate litigation involving the family's three branches in Kanpur, Kolkata, and Mumbai. I then rented a row house at Grand Paradi building on Nepean Sea Road for Rs 7 lakh a month. I wrote to Raymond in July last year to reimburse the rent but there hasn't been a response." Gautam Singhania had at that time stated that he would reconcile with his father provided, he stopped being led by vested interests and kept such elements out of the terms of settlement. He also made some generic statements about conflict of interests and wearing two hats, personal and professional and about his loyalty to the credibility of the Raymond brand but at the heart of his argument was that a wedge had been driven between him and his father by others. He had told NDTV, "As far as my father is concerned, I will do whatever it takes that is in my power to resolve the issue. At the end of the day, he is my father and he's old. I would want that at this age, he ought to lead and enjoy a comfortable life doing whatever he feels like and let his son earn the money." The father, however, has cited repeatedly what he thought was 'arrogant and dishonest' behaviour on the part of his son. Any resolution seems far away now as the dispute has travelled from the personal to the professional arena. From bad to worse The dirty family linen is unfortunately now been wrung even further and put out to be bleached and to dry in full public view. Recently, Vijaypat Singhania was removed as chairman-emeritus of the family-run Raymond Group. Things spiraled out of control following a series of complaints that Vijaypat Singhania wrote to the company secretary about and the Board to register his thoughts about being kept out of the thick of things and key Board meetings. On September 7, a letter signed by Thomas Fernandes, Raymond director secretarial and company secretary, wrote a letter objected to what he called 'unparliamentary and derogatory language' used by the senior Singhania in his letters and to stop using the title of chairman-emeritus. The sacking of the man who had founded Raymond in any case could not have been done amicably but this sent shockwaves across business circles and obviously shook Vijaypat too, who asked for proof that the Board had decided to sack him. Significantly, it has been subtly conveyed in this exchange that the company is not in any way concerned with the family dispute between father and son, and puts the blame of this drastic measure upon Vijaypat and his behaviour. The letter stated and we quote, "Considering the aspersions cast against the Board, the company and the chairman and managing director, including repeated unparliamentary language, the board has decided to withdraw the title of chairman-emeritus post your vacation of office as a director. You are hereby advised to refrain from using or attempting to using the title of Chairman-emeritus henceforth, including levying your claim on this as alleged by you in your letter, since this could invite legal consequences in future." That the company and the man at its helm, Raymond Chairman Gautam Singhania, are being extra watchful of what the old man may come up with next is obvious with the former's attempt to seek an injunction against a book that Vajaypat is writing. The court though has for now rejected his application seeking the injunction against the book. In a suit filed on September 25 this year, Gautam had sought to stop the book alleging that its contents were "defamatory to him." The publishers and Vijaypat's lawyers have argued that since the book was still in the making, it was premature to accuse it of a slant. The book not without a sense of irony, has been tentatively titled 'The Incomplete Man' in an obvious reference to the companys tagline, 'The Complete Man.' Trivial pursuits That a company known for its spotless entrepreneurial record is embroiled in what seems like a petty squabble is stuff that soap operas and yes, family weepies from the eighties are made of, but well, we are dealing with cold reality here. In a letter addressed to the Board on August 30, Vijaypat had called out what he believed to be were his son's "manoeuvres" to get him removed from the company and also blamed him for not returning various cherished collectibles like his Padma Bhushan medal, art and photographs. He had also pointed out like a beleaguered Shakespearean figure that the directors, now firmly on the other end of the fence, had once known him personally and were aware of his service to the company. He also added that that the title of chairman-emeritus, is usually given for the span of a lifetime. He added and we quote from multiple news sources, "I am not aware of what harm I have ever caused to Raymond for being so appallingly treated." Gautam Singhania talking to Mumbai Mirror reacted to the allegations thus and we quote, "My father does not remember where he has kept these things. I dont have any of his belongings. What will I do by holding these things with me? I am pained to see my father behaving this way. If he has a problem, I am ready to sit across with him and sort all his problems. But, so far as the companys functioning is concerned, I have nothing to do with him not being the chairman-emeritus anymore. It was the decision of the Board and the Board must have its reason to do whatever they did. I have no role to pay in it." Family disputes Acrimony on home turf is not new to the Singhanias. Last July, three groups of the Singhania family, in Mumbai, Kolkata and Kanpur, settled a nine-year legal dispute over shares in properties, according to Mumbai Mirror. We quote, "According to the settlement finalised by a Supreme Court-appointed arbitrator, Vijaypat and Gautam were asked to hand over Kamla Cottage in Juhu to the Kolkata group of the family, while the Kanpur group was to hand over possession of four properties to Vijaypat and Gautam. As part of the settlement, the Mumbai group will get Rs 23.4 crore, while the Kanpur group will get Rs 22.71 crore." The wrangle over JK House has also been persistently contentious. Where it all began The beginning of one particular squabble though can be traced back to February 2015, when as we said before, Vijaypat decided to 'gift' his 37.17 percent stake in Raymond, worth almost Rs 1,041 crore, to his son Gautam. Then Vijaypat's four grandchildren through his estranged son Madhupati filed a court case claiming right to the Raymond brand, ancestral properties, real estate and other movable and immovable assets, reports the Mirror. The children said their parents had no right to enter into any agreement on their behalf and relinquish their claims. Aftershocks While that story continues to unspool, Raymond, one of India's largest clothing brands, saw its share price dip by 4.4 percent when reports began to circulate that Vijaypat Singhania has been sacked from his position as the Group's chairman-emeritus. As Business Today put it and we quote, "The man credited with building the brand - and father to the current chairman and managing director of Raymond - was reportedly informed of his removal in a letter." While Gautam in public has maintained the stance that he has no ill will towards the family patriarch, he has also been adamant that the JK House apartment cant be handed over to Vijaypat because the company's shareholders have not approved the transfer. He also constantly cites vested interests who according to him have misguided his father. Glory days In the end, regardless of the legal resolution of the disputes between father and son, what we are left with is a sour aftertaste of an almost, as we said before, Shakespearean tragedy. The 80-year-old man, now being called forgetful and misguided was at one time, not just the force behind the Raymond Group of clothing and textiles, but also a former Sheriff of Mumbai and a keen aviator with a flight experience of over 5,000 hours. He till date holds the world record for highest altitude gained travelling in a hot air balloon. He achieved this feat at the age of 67. Singhania also holds a world record for his solo microlight flight from UK to India in 1998. Among his other achievements is a gold medal he won in 1994, in the Federation Aeronautique Internationale air race covering a distance of 34,000 km spanning 24 days. For this achievement, he was also conferred the rank of Hon. Air Commodore of the Indian Air Force. He was also honoured with the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award by the Government of India. In March 2007, he was nominated to be the Chairman of the Governing Council, IIM Ahmedabad succeeding N R Narayana Murthy. That the man who once wrote 'An Angel in the Cockpit,' a riveting account of his journey from the UK to India on a microlight aircraft in 1988, is now writing 'The Incomplete Man.' That goes to show that you never can tell. Yes, you can never tell how a story will end or muddle itself after a glorious start and a triumphant middle. Financial creditors of Jaypee Infratech including home buyers, fixed deposit holders and financial institutions have rejected all but one proposal, that of inviting bids for the embattled company, sources told Moneycontrol. Among the proposals rejected in the vote was the move to replace Anuj Jain as the resolution professional for the company's ongoing bankruptcy procedure. Other issues included the appointment of a new resolution professional, appointment of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP to assist the resolution professional, issue of home buyers objections to related party transactions between JIL and JAL, proposed fee for the resolution professional, acceptance of resignation of seven independent directors. "All resolutions except one have been defeated due to lack of adequate vote share. Home buyers understand that with the current voting rules no resolution can be achieved. The concerned authorities need to correct the voting procedure and unless that happens the bankruptcy procedure is bound to fail and the company is destined to undergo liquidation," said a home buyer. In a meeting held on October 17, CoC members had unanimously decided to conduct voting to invite bids for Jaypee Infratech through electronic means. The meeting was presided by insolvency resolution professional Anuj Jain. The voting portal was open from 5 am on October 19, 2018 until 12 pm on October 22. The CoC was reconstituted on October 11 following the IBBI circular dated September 14, which outlined that only those financial creditors be included a part of the CoC that have submitted their claims with the chairperson. A total of 22,482 homebuyers were part of the CoC, who claim Rs 13,660 crore and their voting share is 58.2 percent, there are 557 FD holders with a total claim value of Rs 19 crore. As many as 13 banks are part of the CoC with a total claim value of Rs 9,783 crore and percentage voting share of 41.7 percent, sources said. First on the agenda was the vote for replacement of Interim Resolution Professional Anuj Jain, with the appointment of Vijaykumar V Iyer as a resolution professional for the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process. This was rejected as the voting share achieved was 57.2 percent, the company said in a filing to the exchanges. This means that Anuj Jain will continue as resolution professional. At the first CoC meeting held in September, home buyers had rejected the reappointment of Anuj Jain as resolution professional, sources said. The second item that came up for voting was to do with the appointment of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP to assist the resolution professional in connection with the corporate insolvency resolution process of the company. This too was rejected as the vote share achieved was 57.3 percent. The proposed fee of the resolution professional (who will be assisted by DTTILLP) at Rs 48.50 lakh per month, plus OPE, and GST, as a part of the insolvency resolution process costs to be paid out of the cash flows of the corporate debtor was also put to vote. At the CoC meeting last week, Kuldeep Verma, authorised representative of homebuyers had submitted that some home buyers had requested for re-negotiating the RP fee. This was rejected as well, as the vote share achieved was 54.9 percent. Homebuyers' objections to related party transactions between JIL and JAL put to vote was also rejected as vote share of 37.8 percent was achieved against the required 66 percent. Financial creditors' vote for acceptance of resignation of seven independent directors was also rejected as its received just 28.6 percent votes in favour. At the meeting, financial creditors were apprised of the resignation of seven independent directors of the corporate debtor. Meanwhile, 53.3 percent votes were cast for the approval of Form G (invitation for expression of interest). The voting percentage required was 51 percent, as per the filing to exchanges. Other issues that were discussed at the meeting last week included home buyers call for a forensic audit into the affairs of JIL and clarification on the role of IRP in fixing RERA timelines. The chairperson clarified that the RERA timeline was fixed by the authority before the start of CIRP process and IRP has no role in fixing the revised timelines of delivery of flats. The issue of Rs 750 crore plus interest penalty available with the NCLT Allahabad bench following the August 9 Supreme Court order was also discussed. Nine associations of homebuyers have filed an application with the NCLT seeking direction to release the amount for construction of incomplete projects. The next date of hearing is November 27. Jaypee Infratech homebuyers may have a 62 percent say in the committee of creditors, but this voting share does not guarantee that the resolution plan will sail through, home buyers had said in a letter written to the Chairperson of the IBBI, MS Sahoo. Jaypee Wishtown homebuyers claimed that the present voting rules were skewed and bound to result in liquidation by design. Although the amended Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) treats home buyers as financial creditors and thus a part of the CoC that takes all crucial decisions, the law mandated that those who abstained from voting will be treated as a negative vote. The NCLT had on August 10 last year, admitted IDBI Bank's plea to initiate insolvency proceedings against JIL for defaulting on a Rs 526-crore loan. While admitting the plea of IDBI Bank, the NCLT had appointed Anuj Jain as IRP to manage the company's business. The Supreme Court on October 22 stayed the order of National Green Tribunal (NGT) which had cleared the ambitious 'Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna' that proposes to provide all-weather connectivity to four holy towns of Uttarakhand. The four towns of the hilly state to be connected by all-weather roads are: Yamnotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. A bench of Justices RF Nariman and S Abdul Nazeer issued notice to Centre and Uttarakhand and sought their reply. It posted the matter for further hearing on November 15. During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, appearing for Centre, said that the green tribunal had already passed an order with regard to the project. Advocate Sanjay Parikh, appearing for petitioner NGO 'Citizens for Green Doon', said that the order was passed by a bench of tribunal which was not as per the apex court order of August 27. The bench, then stayed the order of tribunal and sought response from the Centre and state government by November 15. On September 26, the green tribunal had constituted a committee to monitor the ambitious project while giving its nod with some safeguards in view of the larger public interest and the country's security in the construction of highway. "We are of the view that all environmental concerns can be addressed by having a responsible and independent oversight mechanism which may monitor the environmental safeguards during the execution of this project," the tribunal had said. It had said that the statutory environmental impact assessment under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 was not required in view of exemption granted through notification dated August 22, 2013. The tribunal constituted a committee headed by former Uttarakhand High Court Judge Justice UC Dhyani to oversee the implementation of Environment Management Plan (EMP) of the project. The NGT had directed the authorities to devise a mechanism to provide pedestrian pathways for devotees who undertake to do 'padyatra' to the religious places viz Yamnotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. It also asked the concerned authorities to devise a policy whereby diesel vehicles which are more than 10 years old and petrol vehicles which are over 15 years old are prohibited to ply along the entire road length of the project. "The Chief Secretary, Uttarakhand and the Uttarakhand Administration shall devise a policy by way of introduction of E-vehicles and CNG buses in a time bound manner," the green panel had said. The apex court had on August 27, asked the NGT chairman to accord "one clear day" to an original bench, which had heard petitions dealing with environmental clearance issues related to Chardham highway project. The top court had clarified that since the issue appears to be a complex one and has been heard over several days by the original bench, the re-hearing can only be done by NGT on some finer aspects. The petitioner NGO had said that the environment clearance was must for the project and the ongoing work was "blatantly illegal". It had said the trees and mountains are also of national importance and it is the government's duty to protect and preserve them. The Environment Ministry had earlier informed the NGT that it has received no proposal for environmental clearance of the project and hence the question of an environment impact assessment (EIA) study of such a project does not arise. The ministry also said that under the 2006 EIA notification, only new national highways and expansion of highways over 100 km need to get prior environmental clearance. The submission was made in response to a plea of the NGO which said that the 900 km project in the hilly state was being carried out without any environment impact assessment. The petition of the NGO also contended that the Centre has allegedly deliberately broken it into small stretches to do away the requirement for obtaining environment clearance. An extortion bid and a threat to leak out "some photos and personal financial details" have led to the arrest of Sonia Dhawan, a long-time secretary of Vijay Shekhar Sharma and the vice president, corporate communications of online payments firm Paytm. Others arrested are her husband Rupak Jain and an admin person Devendra Kumar. The fourth accused Rohit Chomal is on the run even as the UP Police has left for Kolkata to nab him. In an interaction with Moneycontrol, Ajay Shekhar Sharma, Senior Vice President at Paytm, said that it all started around 11 am on September 20 when Vijay Shekhar Sharma received a call from a Thailand-based number while he was in Japan. "The person claimed he had my brother's personal data and demanded Rs 20 crore for not leaking it. My brother avoided even as the other person called for four-five times. At the end of it, my brother suggested that he should speak to me since he was busy," said Ajay Shekhar Sharma. While speaking to Ajay Shekhar Sharma, the caller, who is alleged to be the fourth accused Rohit Chomal said that he had Vijay Shekhar Sharma's "personal data" and if he didn't pay up the money he would leak the data. While Sharma has alleged that the data under question included "photos and personal financial details", there is no immediate clarity on the nature of pictures or any other details of the data. Dhawan has been associated with the company for almost a decade. She started off as a personal assistant to Vijay Shekhar Sharma and rose to become the head of the public relations at the company over the years. She is known to be one of the closest aides of Vijay Shekhar Sharma which explains how she had an easy access to his laptop and mobile devices. Over the call, the person, allegedly demanded that the payment should be made through Hawala so that there wasn't a trace. But on Sharma's denial stating they did not have cash and would transact online, the accused shared a bank account number which was held by a company named Apnapan Tieup Pvt Ltd. Sharma first credited Rs 67 to ensure that the remittance was happening. Later, he transferred Rs 2 lakh in the account. However, the demand for Rs 20 crore was constant. Ajay Shekhar Sharma alleged that on being pressurised for details Chomal blurted out the names of Dhawan, Jain, and Kumar stating that they were the people behind the plot. While Dhawan's role ensured that she had an access to Sharma's data, there wasn't any immediate clarity if there was any other motive apart from monetary which led to this episode. Moneycontrol is trying to reach out to the lawyers of the accused. The story will be updated once we hear from them. Dhawan is alleged to have shared the entire data with Kumar who travelled to Kolkata to fix a deal with Chomal. According to Ajay Shekhar Sharma, Kumar travelled to Kolkata multiple times during this period. The company then filed a complaint with the police who pursued the investigation for over a month following which they arrested the three accused on October 22. The four people have been charged with theft, extortion, cheating, criminal breach, besides being charged under the Information Technology Act. supreme court Ahead of the Diwali celebrations, the Supreme Court has allowed only licensed operators to sell firecrackers, and has banned their sale online. Several websites such as crackermart, buyonlinecrackers, mycrackers.com, patakewala.com, have flashed messages on their site that online orders are closed or no new orders are accepted. Its a Supreme court order and we have to follow it. The ban makes no difference on sales because we dont get many orders from it. After the verdict, we have stopped taking orders and even cancelled all the previous orders received from the online portal, said Aman Vashishta, founder, buyonlinecrackers.com. The Apex court said, "No e-commerce websites, including Flipkart, Amazon, etc.., shall accept any online orders and effect online sales. Any such e-commerce companies found selling crackers online will be hauled up for contempt of court and the Court may also pass, in that eventuality, orders of monetary penalties as well." The Supreme Court was supposed to ban it. It was for the safety and protection of people. We accept the ban. We just have four to five percent sale online, a majority of the sales are from our offline stores, said Alok Arora, founder, Patakawala.com. Mining conglomerate, Vedanta Resources, on October 23 said it expects government to take a decision on its residual stake in Hindustan Zinc, one of the worlds biggest zinc producers. In an exclusive interview to CNBC-TV18's Nisha Poddar, Anil Agarwal, founder and chairman, said, The government was supposed to divest and give us balance 26 percent share. They havent given. We have made a lot of money for them. Talking about Anglo American, Agarwal said he support the management as it's one of the finest company, "Whenever we meet, I tell them that India should be the foothold of Anglo as they produce copper, iron ore, coal, platinum, diamond. Gently, I keep reminding them and telling them to look at India." Agarwal, through Volcan Investments, the family trust of Vedanta Resources, owns a 19.35 percent stake in parent Anglo American. He further said, "Its one of my strategy so they should develop their business in India. Hopefully, one day they will start doing that." On business front, Agarwal said he is trying to combine Anglo American and Hindustan Zinc's operations. However, plans to bring Hindustan Zinc and Anglo American together have not yet materialised, he said. (Source: CNBC TV 18 Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam on Monday accused Maharashtra Cooperation Minister Subhash Deshmukh of fraudulently withdrawing government funds for a milk plant and duping the state exchequer of Rs 24 crore. Nirupam shared documents related to the organisations in Solapur which he said are controlled by the minister. "Subhash Deshmukh got a sanction worth Rs 24.81 crore from the Ministry of Agriculture under the National Agricultural Department Programme (NAFD). "This amount was sanctioned to the minister in the name of establishing a milk chilling and milk powder manufacturing plant in Solapur," alleged the Mumbai Congress chief. Deshmukh was not available for comments. He said Deshmukh and his son Rohan withdrew funds in phases on behalf of their firm Lokmangal Multi-stage Cooperative Society Ltd. "They withdrew Rs 2 crore in the first phase and Rs 3 crore in the second phase,"Nirupam claimed. The Congress leader also alleged that Deshmukh had submitted "forged and fabricated documents" of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (Pune), Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (Solapur), Industrial Security and Health Department (Solapur), Food and Drug Administration (Solapur) and a fraudulent letter from Deputy Divisional Engineer, PWD (North Solapur) to avail the funds. "However, officials from these departments clearly stated that no licences, permissions or orders of any kind were issued from their offices to Subhash Deshmukh's Lokmangal Multi-state Cooperative Society Ltd," Nirupam claimed. He said four of these plants under the Lokmangal, located in different parts of Solapur, are in non-working condition while one plant doesn't exist. "All the information is sought under the RTI from several departments concerned which stated that Deshmukh had submitted forged documents of several permissions," Nirupam alleged. "Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis should either ask the corrupt minister to resign or sack him at the earliest," he demanded. Fadnavis had earlier assured stringent action under MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) against builders involved in illegal construction activities, he said. "Why isn't the CM taking any action against his own minister now who has encroached upon a piece of land reserved for the fire brigade"? he questionned. The CM's hesitation in taking action raises the possibility of his involvement in this entire scam and many others committed by Subhash Deshmukh, alleged Nirupam. "If the CM is not working hand in glove with the minister, he should take stringent action," he demanded. A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) official gestures outside the New Delhi office of the Abhijeet Group, which owns Jas Infrastructure, after conducting a raid on September 4, 2012. Federal law enforcement officials raided offices and homes in 10 cities across India on Tuesday as part of an investigation into irregularities in the award of coalfield concessions to private and state companies that has sparked a political crisis. REUTERS/Mansi Thapliyal (INDIA - Tags: BUSINESS ENERGY POLITICS) - RTR37H0E The CBI may soon question its Special Director Rakesh Asthana in connection with alleged bribery to give relief to a businessman who was being probed in a case involving Moin Qureshi, sources said. They said the directions of the Delhi High Court on the plea of Asthana to maintain status quo in the matter do not bar the agency from carrying on its investigation and questioning of the accused. Questioning of an accused does not come in the definition of coercive action which Asthana had sought to be stopped, they said. The Delhi High Court on October 23 directed the CBI to maintain status quo on the criminal proceedings initiated against Asthana, who has challenged the FIR lodged against him on bribery allegations. The sources quoted above said coercive action means arrest or searches which the agency will not conduct till the next order of the court. An agency spokesperson said that there is no change in the status of Asthana as Special Director and no charge has been taken back from him. The spokesperson also denied rumours of CBI searches on the premises of Asthana. The case emanates from a statement recorded by a Hyderabad-based real estate agent Sathish Sana whose role was being investigated by a team led by Asthana in a bribery case allegedly involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi. It was alleged that Sana had paid Rs 50 lakh as bribe to Qureshi, which was shown as investment in his company, to get relief in a bribery case. A Special Investigation Team led by Rakesh Asthana was probing the matter and was repeatedly questioning Sana in this regard as it suspected him of lying in the matter. A lookout notice was also issued against him by the investigation which prevented him from leaving the country on September 25, 2018, Sana had said in his statement which is part of the FIR. The team also submitted a proposal to arrest him as it felt the need for custodial interrogation on October 20, 2018 before the director which was not cleared and sent for the opinion of Directorate of Prosecution. "The arrest is ordered only when certain parameters are fulfilled. The sanctioning authority satisfies itself whether arrest is warranted or not. The due procedure was followed," CBI spokesperson said on the question of Asthana's claims. Asthana in his complaint to the Cabinet Secretary on August 24 had alleged that CBI Director Alok Verma had received a bribe of Rs 2 crore from Sana to help him get relief from repeated questioning. He had also alleged that Verma had called him over phone in February to not call Sana for questioning. In a surprising and unprecedented move on October 15, the CBI has booked Asthana and investigation officer of the case on the charges for receiving bribe from Sana through middlemen Manoj Prasad and Somesh Prasad. The CBI has arrested Devender Kumar, the DySP and investigation officer, alleging that he had fabricated the statement of Sana purportedly claiming that a Rajya Sabha MP had met Verma on his pending case and assured him of relief and a clean chit. The phone number of one 'Deepak Sharma', which was allegedly listed by him as that of the Bandra office of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), is now switched off. Moneycontrol tried calling the impostor's number (+91 9102195592) repeatedly. Calls made to the EPFO office (022-26474444) also went unanswered. EPFO had on October 21 warned members and pensioners that the phone number listed for its Bandra office in Mumbai on Google belonged to an impostor named 'Deepak Sharma'. It also said that when called by someone, Sharma asked for personal details of the person like their PAN, Aadhar and ATM card number for processing withdrawal applications or updating a member's KYC (know your customer) in their Universal Account Number. Sharma's mobile number showed up in the Google search result when someone searches for contact details of EPFO's Bandra office. However, all other details of the office, like its address and timings, were correct. "Therefore, all the EPFO subscribers/members and pensioners kindly note that EPFO, Bandra 1, 2, 3, and 4 is not demanding any of the above-mentioned documents/information over the telephone or via email for withdrawal from Provident Fund/Updation of KYC in Universal Account Number," EPFO had said in a notice. EPFO had submitted a complaint against Deepak Sharma to the Cyber Crime police station at Bandra-Kurla Complex and Nirmal Nagar police station on October 18 for attempting to dupe pensioners. The police are collaborating with Google to know who uploaded the cell phone number on a phone search directory. "We have also sent details to Google's office to know who uploaded the cell phone number on a phone search directory [Just Dial]," a police officer told The Times of India. In such cases, victims are often asked to pay a small fee to process their provident funds or update information on UAN, the report said. Offenders can get hold of data of subscribers from employees who sell these details to make quick money or from darknet markets where it is easily available, cyber crime expert Ritesh Bhatia told the paper. India summoned a senior official of the Pakistan High Commission here on Tuesday and lodged a strong protest over the loss of lives of three of its soldiers during an infiltration bid by Pakistani terrorists in the Sunderbani sector of Jammu and Kashmir two days ago. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a statement, said it also condemned in the strongest terms such a provocative action by Pakistan, which revealed the neighbouring country's complicity in aiding and abetting terrorism and exposed the hollowness of its deceitful claims of promoting a constructive engagement with India and desire for peace. The Pakistan High Commission official was summoned to the MEA and a demarche was made, lodging a strong protest over the loss of lives of Indian soldiers during the cross-border infiltration bid by Pakistani terrorists in the Sunderbani sector on October 21, the statement said. "It was informed that two Pakistani armed intruders have been killed by the Indian security forces during the ensuing firefight and the government of Pakistan should take custody of the dead bodies of its nationals," the MEA said. Two heavily-armed Pakistani intruders and three Indian soldiers were killed in a gunfight Sunday after the Army foiled the infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Sunderbani sector. The Army had also warned Pakistan Monday to restrain the terrorists operating from its soil. India also conveyed to the Pakistani side Tuesday its grave concern over the continuing incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Pakistani forces along the LoC and the International Border (IB). "Despite repeated calls for restraint and adherence to the ceasefire understanding of 2003 for maintaining peace and tranquillity, Pakistan forces have carried out 1,591 incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations along the LoC and IB in 2018 so far," the MEA said. Representative Image Subir Roy Now that the hoopla over the launch of Modicare, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), billed as the largest healthcare system in the world, is over, a more detailed look is being taken to size up its pluses and minuses. Most of the initial comments are negative, arguing that in its present form it will not deliver. The biggest question mark raised by most analysts is over its funding. Mindful of this, finance minister Arun Jaitley has cited the Rs 90,000 crore saved by going in for direct benefit transfer (DBT) and plugging leakages. This is quite true but it is not as if the savings from the DBT are lying in a special account and not currently being taking into calculating the fiscal deficit. So spending on the PMJAY will be an additionality. What is more, expenditure of the states, which will have to foot 40 percent of the costs, will also shoot up. Those whose own running schemes are being merged with the PMJAY will see their existing cover in the region of Rs 1-3 lakh per family going up to Rs 5 lakh. To meet this additional expenditure they are likely to demand a bigger share of the economys pool of public resources. The arithmetic of the scheme is not even ready for sharing. For example, the premium that the government will pay the insurance companies will be market determined, through auction which is yet to take place. If there are other scarcities which loom larger than that of resources, it is in healthcare infrastructure and skills needed for secondary and tertiary care. The PMJAY is going to give a massive boost in demand for in-patient care hospital beds, well-equipped operating theatres and diagnostic labs. One of the pluses being touted for the scheme is that it will create a demand for secondary healthcare in small town and semi-urban areas where earlier people simply could not afford such care. True, but this will take time to come up between one and three years. If you think this is daunting then look at the shortage of medical skills doctors, nurses, lab technicians outside of large towns and cities. The PMJAY will give a big boost to jobs for the educated middle class and is therefore to be welcomed. But for these skills to emerge you will have to first build the medical and nursing colleges which will then put people through courses. We are looking at a five-year perspective. So it will be years till the scheme gets going in any kind of size for it to call itself the largest in the world. While the former are all operational issues, the most serious critique of Ayushman Bharat is structural. The PMJAY takes care of in-patient secondary and tertiary care and has hogged the limelight. The other part of Ayushman Bharat addresses primary care by setting up 150,000 health and wellness centres, which will deliver comprehensive healthcare close to peoples homes. These will also cover non-communicable diseases and maternal and child health, plus offer free essential drugs and diagnostics. Till now under 3,000 of these have come up across the country and all 150,000 are targeted to be set up in four years. The primary focus of a sound health policy has to be keeping people healthy and, when they do fall ill, offer prompt care near to home so that very few need to get admitted for secondary and tertiary care. For people to be healthy, they need safe drinking water, proper toilets, an environment free of mosquitoes, adequate mother and child care and comprehensive immunisation. The hype and hoopla ignores this other than building enough toilets under the Swachh Bharat mission. Even there, the emerging issues are: who will keep toilets clean, whether there is enough water to use in toilets and whether the waste generated is disposed of in a non-polluting manner. It is a big thing for poor people to know that a big hospital bill will not create financial distress, but for that to happen, governance has to play a vital role. Keeping a control on over-billing and fraud by private hospitals will be a herculean task, if the experience over the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) is anything to go by. The government is laying great store by use of information technology, medical audit and patient feedback to address fraud and quality issues. These will help, but one solution is being downgraded. The best way to get private care to behave itself is to make it compete with a well-run public healthcare system. Tellingly, under the RSBY, more hospitalisation took place in Kerala than in Jharkhand (the former had more well-run hospital beds to offer) but cost per hospitalisation was lower in Kerala. It has the best-run public health service in the country, which prompts its private healthcare system to offer both quality and affordability. On the other hand, the PMJAY is based on the following logic. For 70 years we tried to create a public health service and look where it got us. So we will now pay for care only when it is delivered. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal political parties had underestimated the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) before it registered a record win in the national capital and now they were doing the same in Haryana, where the "party's graph was on the rise". "Many parties make fun and tell us that we have no base in Haryana. They did the same in Delhi when they used to say that no one would vote for us. But people of Delhi had made up their mind and voted for us with overwhelming majority, he said addressing a public gathering. Stating that the AAP can provide a viable alternative to parties like the BJP, Congress and INLD, Kejriwal said his party was growing in Haryana. "There are 6,200 panchayats and 7,000 villages in Haryana. Out of these 7,000 villages, families in 4,500 villages have put up flex boards saying they were with the AAP... "Seeing this, the INLD, BJP and Congress are losing sleep and are approaching people to put up their respective party flex boards, but people are shooing them away," he claimed. Hailing from Siwani Mandi near Hisar in the state, Kejriwal has been trying to hard sell AAP's Delhi model of governance, particularly its initiatives taken in the education and health sectors along with welfare measures for farmers and defence forces. On October 22, the AAP supremo had visited a few government schools in Beri town in Jhajjar and addressed a public gathering there. The Delhi chief minister's visit to Bhiwani is his eighth visit to the state in the past three months. Kejriwal also talked about the "bad shape" of government schools in Haryana. "I visited four schools today. We went to Beri yesterday. Government schools are in bad shape. One of the schools we visited today was in a dilapidated condition, it lacked facilities, in a way it is like playing with the future of lakhs of children," Kejriwal, who was accompanied by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, said. Hitting out at the Khattar government, the AAP leader said the Delhi government gave adequate compensation for crop damage to farmers, but the BJP regime in Haryana was not concerned about farmers' welfare. "We gave compensation at the rate of Rs 20,000 per acre for crop damage to farmers. The cheques were delivered at their homes within three months. I went to fields here and saw waterlogging. "Under the Fasal Bima scheme, they compulsorily collected premiums from farmers and in a way imposed 'Goonda' tax, but no compensation has been given so far (for crop damage). If the Delhi government can give compensation, why cannot the Haryana government do the same?" he said. Kejriwal claimed that bureaucracy was calling the shots in Haryana. Hitting out at the BJP, Congress and INLD, he said these parties seek votes from people in the name of caste and nobody talks about improving the shape of schools and hospitals. The Haryana Assembly polls will be held next year. September was a blockbuster month for the Supreme Court. October... not so much. With the Sabarimala decision proving very controversial, the apex courts decision on the use of firecrackers during Diwali, or Deepavali, was being observed closely. The court has now ruled that firecrackers can be used only between specific hours on Deepavali. And not just Diwali, the court extended the ruling to other occasions as well, like Christmas and New Years Eve. The order says firecrackers can only be used between 8.00 pm and 10.00 pm during Diwali, and between 11.45 pm and 12.45 am during Christmas and New Years. The Hindu reported that judges AK Sikri, AM Sapre and Ashok Bhushan reverted to the courts own November 2016 decision that suspended the sale of firecrackers in order ...to test itself to find out whether there would be a positive effect of this suspension, particularly during Deepavali period. Before we discuss todays verdict, it would help us to recall the background to this entire case. AKA, why is the Supreme Court even talking about Diwali crackers? No smoke without fire It started in 2016. In 2016, Delhi suffered a particularly nasty smog attack that lasted nearly two weeks after Diwali. Based on a joint PIL by three Delhi kids - Arjun Gopal, Aarav Bhandari and Zoya Rao Bhasin - all aged between six months and 14 months, the Supreme Court banned the sale and stocking of all types of firecrackers. It had taken into consideration the terrible quality of air in the national capital region. On 11 November 2016, the Supreme Court suspended the sale of firecrackers to, as quoted above, test the suspension order and ascertain its positive effect on the air quality in the NCR during the Diwali period. The court had also banned the issuance of any new licences in Delhi and NCR with immediate effect. But it did not ban the use of firecrackers. That order remained operative until Diwali last year, but its impact had not been tested over the duration of the festival itself. On September 12, 2017, following a petition by cracker manufacturers and license holders, the court lifted the ban, observing that the pollution control authorities had failed to provide "empirical data" that proved firecrackers were responsible for the extremely poor quality of air in Delhi-NCR after Diwali. Then, the same three kids approached the court seeking the restoration of the 2016 ban. The PIL claimed children were the worst-affected by pollution, explaining that "their lungs are not fully developed, making their systems more vulnerable and prone to lung disease, asthma, coughing, bronchitis, and retarded development of nervous system and cognitive impairment". Taking cognizance of the issue, Judges Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta put some restrictions in place citing the "adverse effects" of burning crackers "witnessed year after year." The judges instructed establishments with permanent licenses to utilize existing stocks while disallowing the sale of fresh stock. The court reduced the number of temporary licences in Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh by as much as 50 percent. Temporary licences for the festival in Delhi were capped at 500. India Today reported in October last year that the judges found merit in the argument by the lawyer for the kids. He had submitted that the ban was lifted by the court precisely before...Diwali season, rendering it entirely without effect as it sustained for the 10-month period when large-scale bursting of fireworks does not take place." Agreeing with the lawyers premise, the court had then said Delhi/NCR had witnessed a huge spike in air pollution during and after Diwali. Smog had enveloped the region for three days, with pollutants 30 times above permissible limits. The judges said, It leads to closing the schools, and the authorities are compelled to take various measures on emergent basis, when faced with health emergency situation. However, the ban was ignored pretty much entirely. Reports indicate that the use of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR was high during Diwali in 2017. An analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment of data available from the Central Pollution Control Board showed that the average PM2.5 concentration during Diwali, and the morning after (i.e, between 12pm on October 19 and 12am on October 20) was 397 microgramme per cubic metre. That was 6.6 times higher than the safe limit. In fact, it shot into the emergency zone. A day prior, on October 18, the 24-hour average number was at 184. According to a report by two US-based health research institutes, Indias poor air quality causes over one million premature deaths every year. A 2018 report by the World Health Organization claimed that fourteen of the worlds 15 most polluted cities, in terms of the 2.5 particulate matter concentration, are in India. A report by Quartz said that in 2015, 25 lakh Indians succumbed to ailments caused by air pollution. The report further claims that that such pollution reduces the average lifespan of Indians by an estimated 1.5 years. Delhis Air Quality Index was rated very poor even yesterday - the average reading of particulate matter 2.5, at 9 am, was 318, according to data from SAFAR, or the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research. Fireworks manufacturers have always disagreed with the ban. They argue that crackers alone cannot be blamed for the pollution during Diwali, and an entire industry must not be shut down. They claim the pollution in Delhi is also the result of other factors - pollution from vehicles, construction dust and burning of crop stubble in neighbouring states. A toxic smog, which is a mixture of all of these pollutants and winter fog, envelopes vast swathes of land across the northern plains, posing a massive health hazard across a densely populated area teeming with millions of people. So whats new this year? The central government has opposed a full ban, arguing that conditions could instead be imposed on manufactures and the sale of high-decibel firecrackers. The Tamil Nadu government had also supported a restrained use of firecrackers but not a blanket ban. Sivakasi, in Tamil Nadu, is a major hub for the production of firecrackers. In what seems like a compromise between the centre and the judiciary, the Supreme Court today refused to impose a blanket ban on sale of firecrackers. The two judges said there is a need to strike a balance between the right to health of citizens, and the right to carry on trade by fireworks manufacturers. They said Article 21 (right to life) of the Constitution applies to both segments of people and they need to maintain a balance while considering a countrywide ban on firecrackers. Justice Sikri said, We have tried to strike a balance among various stakeholders. The Centre's suggestions have been incorporated. The court has allowed the sale of fireworks, but on the condition that such firecrackers meet low emission and decibel standards. The Hindustan Times reported that the court instructed the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation, or PESO, to grant clearances to crackers only if they meet noise and emission standards. The order made it clear that the existing stock of crackers would become redundant. The court also put the ball back in the centres court, asking the government to suggest measures that can curb pollution and the adverse effect of firecrackers on the publics health. In another new decision, the judges also banned the online sale of firecrackers. They placed the responsibility of this prohibition squarely on e-commerce companies to ensure there is no violation of the order. It also directed that it would hold local police officers personally liable in cases of violations of the court order. The officers would be hauled up for contempt. While such an intervention over firecrackers is nothing new for Delhi, this is the first time that all of India will be celebrating Deepavali with such restrictions. The Supreme Court suggested the production of what it called green crackers. It also recommended that the AAP government in Delhi try community cracker bursting. The court also suggested a freeze on the production of series crackers, laris or lars, as additional measures to curb pollution during Deepavali. According to some estimates, lars or laris or laad, strings of 1,000 or more crackers, can be as dangerous as smoking over 270 cigarettes. Some analysts claim that the black-coloured pellet, which spews out a 'snake' when lit, can be as harmful inhaling smoke from as 464 cigarettes. Todays judgment largely agrees with the Ministry of Environment's affidavit that recommended measure to deal with the pollution problem at large, and also chalked out short-term measures to combat pollution during Diwali. The centre had suggested collaborating with institutions like the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the National Environment Engineering Research Institute, PESO, CPCB, etc. to deal with Diwalis pollution. It also proposed the use of reduced emission firecrackers or improved firecrackers. These are what the centre described as low emission sound and light emitting functional crackers with PM reduction by 30-35 percent, and significant reduction in nitrogen oxide and Sulphur dioxide due to in-situ water generation as dust suppressant and low cost due usage of low cost oxidants. Vijay Panjwani, lawyer for the Central Pollution Control Board, told the media, ...all state pollution boards and the Central Pollution Control Board will regulate and measure the particulate matter 2.5, and PM 10, in the air, seven days ahead and after Diwali. Congress President Rahul Gandhi in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. (Image: PTI) Congress president Rahul Gandhi will pay a two-day visit to poll-bound Rajasthan from October 24 and hold road shows and public meetings in Kota, Jhalawar and Sikar districts which together have 18 assembly seats. In the first leg of his visit, Gandhi would cover Hadauti region, comprising Kota, Jhalawar, Baran and nearby areas which had been rocked by a large number of farmers' suicide, said state Congress president Sachin Pilot. In the second leg of his visit, he would be in Sikar district, he said. Sikar is a part of the Shekhawati region dominated by farmers. Gandhi will address his first rally in Jhalawar, the home turf of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, and follow it up with a nearly 100-km road show from Jhalawar to Kota, where he will stay at night. Gandhi will address a state convention of Mahila Congress at Kota on October 25, after which he would fly to Sikar to address a 'sankalp' rally, said Pilot. "The Congress is well placed in Jhalawar where I and Leader of Opposition Rameshwar Dudi undertook 'kisan nyay yatra' 10 months ago. Gandhi's visit to Jhalawar will give a boost to the party there," Pilot added. Pilot claimed the farmers in both the region are facing distress. Almost half of the farmers' suicide occurred in that region only and there is resentment among them against the chief minister and the government, Pilot told PTI. Chief minister Raje represents Jhalrapatan assembly constituency in Jhalawar while her son Dushyant Singh is the member of Parliament from Jhalawar-Baran. Jhalawar shares its border with Madhya Pradesh, which too is going to polls on November 28. In Rajasthan, which is going to polls on December 7, the Congress president has already conducted meetings in Jaipur, Dungarpur, Bikaner and road shows in Jaipur, Bharatpur, Dholpur and Dausa. The Asian rout | The continents 128 billionaires lost $144 billion in 2018. The top three losers were from China, with Wanda Groups Wang Jianlin losing $11.1 billion this year. Close to 40 percent of the Asians under the index, lost their billionaire status as of December 7. (Image: Reuters) China on Tuesday said its first internal security cooperation agreement with India will provide institutional guarantee to combat trans-border crimes, but did not indicate any change in its stance on blocking India's efforts to list Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. The agreement was inked during the first India-China high-level meeting on bilateral security cooperation which was co-chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Zhao Kezhi, State Councilor and Minister of Public Security, China, in New Delhi. "This cooperation treaty is very important in terms of advancing law enforcement and security cooperation so that the two countries enjoy the sound development of bilateral relations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing answering a question on the pact and the talks between the two ministers. Referring to the April informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Hua said, "We believe this cooperation on security and law enforcement will help us to combat crimes as it will provide more institutional and systematic guarantee on this". "We will continue to step up our cooperation in combating separatist forces, telecom fraud the drug crimes and other trans-border crimes. We will explore more areas for security and law enforcement cooperation and ensure the security of our personnel that carrying projects in each other's countries," she said. On India's request for China's support to declare Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Azhar as global terrorist by the UN, Hua said she has to check the specific details of the talks between the two ministers. "As per to India's request for the listing of Masood (Azhar) we already stated our positon for many times," she said. "On the counter terrorism issue, China has always actively participated in international anti-terrorist operations. We have always made our decisions and judgements on the merits of the matter itself," she said. "We will continue to step up the security cooperation to uphold the regional peace and stability with parties," she said. A veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has repeatedly blocked India's bid at the United Nations to list Azhar as a global terrorist. On reports that India has requested China to not to give shelter to hard-line United Liberation Front Of Assam (ULFA) leader Paresh Baruah, Hua said, "I shall stress that the Chinese government has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. This remains unchanged. Congress Congress is leaving no stone unturned to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The party is focusing on booth level workers and voter database, which is considered the secret behind BJPs electoral success in recent years. To achieve this, Congress is creating a mobile database of 20 crore households, according to a report by The Times of India. The process started on October 2 when the party began its door-to-door fund collection drive called the Lok Sampark Abhiyan. The party, during its collection drive is not only collecting donations but also personal information of voters. During the drive, the party aims to establish an election machinery and create an exhaustive database of voters for personalised campaigning. The party is targeting age group of 18-21. The drive will go on till November 19, the report suggests. Workers will collect details like names, phone numbers, voter ID and email addresses of the voters. The information will then be stored in the Shakti App. The application was launched by Congress to help strengthen the organisation by connecting the party with grassroot workers, the report adds. The partys Block Congress Committees has identified booth-level presidents and booth committee members. They are in charge of polling booths and are designated as booth sahyogis. Each polling booth will have 10 sahyogis and they will be responsible to collect data from 20-25 households for the database. As many as one crore members will be enlisted nationally to manage election booth. The fund collection drive combined with voter outreach program is also being used by Congress for distributing publicity material. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to deny tickets to many sitting Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the two states it had swept in 2013 but where it is now facing a renewed challenge from the Congress, in a bid to stave off any anti-incumbency in the assembly polls, party sources said. They said the party may also not give tickets to three more sitting MLAs in Chhattisgarh, where it is yet to name candidates for 13 seats including four held by it. The party has already denied tickets to 14 of the 49 legislators who had won last time. The sources also played down surveys predicting an edge for the Congress in Rajasthan, and asserted that there may have been some "communication gap" within the party earlier but things have changed. "We will come to power in all three states," a party leader claimed. Though he did not elaborate on the likely number of MLAs the party may not field in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, he said such a decision would be based on feedback from organisation and independent assessment carried out by the party. Political observers say denying tickets to the MLAs seen to be unpopular in their constituencies may help the party placate voters to some extent. BJP sources said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan remains a popular leader and the first choice of the state's voters for the top post. "In such a scenario when the main face of the government is popular, any so called anti-incumbency can be effectively countered with some measures, including dropping unpopular MLAs," they said. The BJP, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and its president Amit Shah's ascent to leadership, has relied on intensive fieldwork to select its candidates. It has not shied away from dropping any incumbent lawmaker, who, it believes, may have become a liability or whose replacement has a better prospect at the hustings. In the 230-member Madhya Pradesh assembly and 200-member Rajasthan assembly, the BJP had won 165 and 163 seats respectively in the 2013 polls. The party has been in power in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, whose assembly has 90 members, since 2003 while Rajasthan has an over . The BJP will contest the Rajasthan assembly polls on the agenda of development, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said Tuesday, challenging the Congress to focus its poll campaign on the state's progress. The BJP's state poll in-charge, Javadekar said the elections would be fought under the leadership of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and exuded confidence of retaining power in Rajasthan and breaking the trend of the BJP and the Congress forming governments after alternate elections. "We are going to the public with slogans like 'BJP fir se' and 'fir ek bar, BJP sarkar' because the trend of the alternate parties' government is going to break this time. The BJP will have a repeat government, Javadekar said at a news conference here. Targeting the grand old party, Javadekar said the Congress is the party of one family while "the BJP is a party which itself is a family". They have no leadership, neither in the state nor in the Centre. They could not declare their chief ministerial candidate in the state. Sachin Pilot seems to be Rahul Gandhi's choice, but Gandhi has no courage to declare him as the CM candidate officially," he said. "They are talking of 'kaun banega crorepati' but this is the time for the people to ask what is their plan to serve the people," he added. We are contesting elections under the leadership of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who made the state touch new heights of development. Our national president has already clarified it," he said. He said the Congress was a mainstream political party but the present Congress is not the party which was led by Mahatma Gandhi. "Rahul Gandhi's Congress is becoming irrelevant," he said, adding that the party leaders are questioning things like EVMs which were initiated during their own rule. The HRD minister said in the last four years, after Narendra Modi became prime minister, the Congress lost many states, which were won by the BJP and that happened because the vote bank politics was getting weakened. He said the tally of Congress-ruled states reduced from 16 to 4 and the BJP-ruled ones increased from 6 to 19 in four years. The minster said it was a change in the politics in the country. There will be no more politics of one family. Now the poor is also ambitious and the prime minister considers the poor one amongst us, he said. On the issue of ticket distribution criteria, Javadekar said the party workers with high prospects of victory will get tickets. On November 6 2018, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that Faizabad district would henceforth be known as Ayodhya. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Tuesday said the Congress always "opposed" the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya because it believed in "dividing the country" and never wanted the issue to be resolved. Addressing a rally at Rajnandgaon in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, the BJP leader also took a swipe at Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his visit to temples in the states that are going to polls. The rally was held after Chief Minister Raman Singh filed his nomination papers for the state Assembly polls, scheduled to be held in two phases on November 12 and 20, from Rajnandgaon seat, 77 kms from state capital Raipur. "People have their own emotions and sentiments on Ram janmabhoomi (birth place of Lord Ram in Ayodhya). I have always maintained that public sentiments on the issue should be respected. The fight for Ayodhya is not from today but the mammoth 'Hindu Samaj' has been fighting for the cause from around 450 years," Adityanath said. He said the site in Ayodhya where 'Ram Lalla' (Infant Ram) is present is the only birth place of Lord Ram and no one should have any doubt about it. Adityanath also panned the Congress over senior leader Kapil Sibal's submission in the Supreme Court last December to defer the hearing on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute till the 2019 Lok Sabha polls get over. Sibal was appearing for the Sunni Waqf Board in the Ayodhya title suit. "What action has Rahul Gandhi taken against Sibal for trying to create all sorts of impediments to delay a time-bound decision on the issue," Adityanath asked. "I want to say that the Congress has always opposed (building the temple at) Ram Janmabhoomi. It never wanted the dispute to be resolved because the party has not done any development and always believed in dividing the country," the UP chief minister alleged. Accusing the Congress of indulging in "appeasement politics", he said the party had "destroyed the social fabric and divided the people on the basis of caste, language and region". "Due to wrong polices of the Congress the country had to face riots and flourishing insurgency," he said. Adityanath claimed Naxalism, terrorism and separatism were the results of the "sins" of the Congress. Hitting out at Gandhi for visiting temples in different states ahead of assembly elections, he claimed this "temple run" had proved wrong his great grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru's description of himself as an "accidental Hindu". "The Congress chief has proved wrong the statement made by his forefather Pt Jawaharlal Nehru (first prime minister of India) who had described himself as an accidental Hindu. "Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had once remarked that he is an 'accidental Hindu'. However, his fourth generation heir has learned the tradition of visiting temples. We should consider now that the fourth generation of Pt Nehru has proved him wrong," he said. Adityanath said some people did not like the development of India. "Such people don't like the dream of 'Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat, Ubharta Bharat and Samriddh Bharat' which is the aim of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said. "These are the people who talk about freedom of Kashmir when they visit Jammu and Kashmir whereas when they come to Chhattisgarh they look for temples," he said. Chhattisgarh has been ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since the last 15 years under Chief Minister Raman Singh who is seeking the fourth straight term in current polls. Adityanath also alleged that despite the Supreme Court's instructions in the past the Congress never implemented the National Register for Citizens (NRC), which allowed terrorism to flourish. "After the BJP came to power, it implemented the NRC in Assam and identified infiltrators. We will not allow infiltrators to stay and will drive them out to ensure security of the country," he said. Notably, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat had last week said in Nagpur that construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya was necessary for "self-esteem". Pinarayi Vijayan Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday attacked the BJP and RSS for the violent agitation at the Lord Ayyappa temple complex in Sabarimala over the entry of women of all ages into the hill shrine. The agitation was a "planned and deliberate attempt" to create an atmosphere of tension in the state, Vijayan told reporters here. The incidents of preventing women in the 10-50 age group from offering worship at the temple and attacking media personnel, who had come to cover the historic event, was part of a conspiracy led by the RSS, he alleged. The government has the constitutional responsibility of implementing the Supreme Court verdict permitting women of all ages to offer prayers at the Sabarimala temple and no attempt to convert the complex into a "war zone" would be allowed, he said. The temple in Sabarimala had witnessed high drama and tense moments for six days when it was opened for monthly prayers from October 17 to 22. While maintaining that the faith of believers would be respected, Vijayan made it clear that the government had the responsibility to implement the court order. He also charged that a "heinous attempt" was made by the Sangh parivar to communalise the state police, apparently referring to the cyber attack faced by IGPs Manoj Abraham and S Sreejith, who had been deputed to the temple to maintain law and order. Vijayan also criticised the temple tantri, Kandararu Rajeevaru, who had said he would close the temple and go if women were allowed inside the shrine and the agitation by assistants of priests who had protested near the holy 18 steps. Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has decided to give the event a skip. Naidu also declined invitation to Jagan Mohan Reddy's swearing-in ceremony. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on October 23 hit out at Narendra Modi's government at the Centre, alleging that the government has been destroying institutions, referring to the ongoing saga at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). "Today we have seen (how) they are messing with CBI," Naidu said on sidelines of a public event in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. "Democracy is at stake, secularism in danger, economy collapsed, institutions are destroyed , Centre-state relations have deteriorated," he alleged. India's premier investigation agency is currently grappling with the worst-ever credibility crisis due to an internal feud between two high-ranking officials special director Rakesh Asthana and director Alok Verma, who are slamming each other over graft. Naidu said that 44 of his Telugu Desam Party (TDP) members were raided for seeking special category status for the state. Houses and offices of scores of TDP leaders, including its Rajya Sabha members CM Ramesh and Sujana Chowdhary, were raided by the Income Tax Department on suspicion of large-scale tax evasion. The party has been maintaining that raids are part of political vendetta. "Even during the tenure of minority and coalition governments -- (HD) Devegowda, (IK) Gujral, (AB) Vajpayee, PV Narasimha Rao, Manmohan Singh, we never faced problems like these," Naidu said. Naidus TDP broke away from the NDA earlier this year, after the centre denied special category status to Andhra Pradesh. The state is grappling with a huge revenue deficit since its bifurcation in 2014. A special category status provides tax breaks for industries and more funding from Centre to states. Naidu told reporters that he supported Modi, expecting that he will deliver on development, but never expected this type of disaster. Naidu evaded questions on efforts to bring the opposition together. "It's not about weak or strong opposition. But there will be a response to limit the damage caused," he said. Naidu also criticised the Centre's indifference towards opposition-ruled states facing natural calamities. The state government wrote to the Centre demanding release of Rs 1,200 crore towards relief work for the recent destruction and damage caused by Cyclone Titli to Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh. "Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited Guntur to lay the stone for his new party office, but ignored visiting cyclone-hit Srikakulam," Naidu said. He further alleged that the Centre created hurdles for the Kerala government to get financial aid from the UAE. Congress president Rahul Gandhi and Karnataka cheif minister HD Kumaraswamy Ramakrishna Upadhya Five months into office, the Janata Dal (Secular)-Congress government in Karnataka is muddling through. Increasingly, theres a growing sense of unease among senior Congress leaders that the JD(S) is taking advantage of the coalition arrangement. Differences in the coalition have surfaced early on, with even reports of dissent in the Congress over the allotment of ministerial berths. The October 6 announcement of by-elections to two assembly and three Lok Sabha seats by the Election Commission of India (EC) has put a temporary halt to this. But the leaders are beset with other worries as the JD(S) is trying to consolidate its position at the cost of the Congress. With a hung assembly after the May state elections, the Congress had no option but to align with the JD(S) to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) out of power. With the 2019 general elections around the corner, the Congress was keen to send a message to non-BJP parties to come together to dislodge the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. Thus, it is important for the Congress that the coalition in Karnataka continues, so much so that Congress President Rahul Gandhi has often gone out of the way to rein in state leaders who are critical of Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamys style of functioning. The bypolls to the two assembly seats of the Ramanagaram seat vacated by Kumaraswamy who contested from two seats, and Jamkhandi seat where the Congress MLA died shortly after the results were expected. However, the ECs decision to hold bypolls to the three Lok Sabha seats (Shivamogga, Bellary and Mandya) has surprised every political party. Even though the candidate who wins will have less than six months in office given that the general elections will likely be held early next year, every party will take the polls seriously in order to maintain the morale of the cadre. The Lok Sabha bypolls are important for the JD(S) which is desperate to increase its tally of two seats out of the 28 in Karnataka. To achieve this, the party is banking on its coalition with the Congress and has asked for 8-10 seats in the 2019 polls, much to the chagrin of local Congress leaders. Whats also interesting is that 85-year-old Deve Gowda, who had earlier announced his retirement from active politics, is most likely to contest the 2019 polls. This could be with the aim that in the event of a hung House, he could be the consensus prime ministerial candidate. In 1996, Deve Gowda became the surprise choice of the United Front alliance, though his party had only 16 MPs. His government lasted barely 11 months before the Congress, extending outside support, pulled it down. Now, of course, it is a much weaker Congress which is trying to stitch together the regional parties to form a Mahagathbandhan to take on the might of the BJP. The Congress regional satraps are, however, worried that the party might be ceding more ground than necessary to regional outfits. In a clear indication that the JD(S) is already using the Congress to grow stronger, it has persuaded Rahul Gandhi to leave Shivamogga to its candidate, though historically Shivamogga is a Congress bastion, until Yeddyurappa emerged as a strong leader in this Malnad region. In the latest development, with Deve Gowda and Siddaramaiah burying their old rivalry and shaking hands after a gap of 12 years at the instance of the Congress high command it is a huge challenge for the BJP to repeat its impressive performances in the Lok Sabha elections. As far as Karnataka is concerned, if the JD(S)-Congress combine manages to do reasonably well in the five by-elections currently being held, there is every possibility that with just 37 MLAs by his side, Kumaraswamys dream run will continue well into 2019. Pakistan will launch an aggressive campaign against India to highlight its concerns over the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) after New Delhi failed to let Pakistani officials visit two hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir, a media report said on Tuesday. Pakistan's Commissioner on Permanent Indus Water Commission Syed Mehr Ali Shah said the Indian water commissioner had promised on the conclusion of the August 29-30 annual meeting to arrange a visit to the 1,000MW Pakal Dul and 48MW Lower Kalnai in Jammu and Kashmir in the last week of September. But the visit was delayed to October 7-12 due to local government elections in Jammu and Kashmir, he said. Shah alleged that the Indian side did not honour its revised schedule as well, saying Panchayat elections were being held in the state after 20 years. Shah said he wrote a letter of disappointment and then talked to his counterpart a few days ago on phone and based on that discussion he did not expect a visit soon, Dawn newspaper reported. "We do not foresee an inspection visit of (the two projects being executed by India over) the Chenab River in the near future based on my telephonic discussions with my Indian counterpart," Shah said. Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda said he did not want to go into a threatening mode, but would launch an aggressive campaign at home and abroad as India had seriously violated the 1960 treaty to Pakistan's disadvantage. Without explaining, the minister said he would trap India to its own bluff card because the matter also pertained to Pakistan's security and he was in the process of consultations with stakeholders to resolve the challenges with India on a war footing. India and Pakistan signed the Indus Waters Treaty in 1960 after nine years of negotiations, with the World Bank being a signatory. The water commissioners of Pakistan and India are required to meet twice a year and arrange technical visits to projects' sites and critical river headworks. The treaty sets out a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between the two countries regarding their use of the rivers. However, there have been disagreements and differences between India and Pakistan over the treaty. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday said if the central government was "effective", there would not have been bribery charges at the highest level in the CBI, and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to act over the matter. He also attacked the BJP-led Centre over the Rafale jet deal and demanded a probe into it by a joint parliamentary committee. Pawar was replying to queries during an interaction at the "Mumbai Manthan" conclave organised by television news channel Aaj Tak. The feud between Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana turned murkier with the arrest of a deputy superintendent of police in the Special Investigation Team headed by Asthana over bribery charges. Asked about the Modi government's performance, Pawar said people's expectations from the present dispensation were not fulfilled. "What was promised in 2014 is not seen on the ground after four years. (Former prime minister) Manmohan Singh tried his best to give a good government, intentions were best. That is not the situation today. "If the present government was effective, there would not have been bribery charges at the highest level in the CBI. Still the prime minister is silent. He should act," the former Union minister said. Pawar said Modi was a strong leader for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but not the country. "His ministerial team does not have the capacity to deliver. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is the most powerful. All decisions are taken there and the files are sent to the ministers to sign. The present government does only 'man ki baat' and does not listen to 'jan ki baat' (people's voice)," he added. Firing a fresh salvo over the Rafale fighter jet deal, Pawar said the Centre should clarify why the price of one aircraft increased from Rs 570 crore to Rs 1,600 crore. "There is room for suspicion. So there should be a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe. If the BJP stalled Parliament for three weeks for a JPC probe in (the) Bofors (case), why should the BJP, now in power, oppose a JPC?," he asked. Asked if he felt there was corruption in the Rafale deal as alleged by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Pawar said he had no information about it. "I only know the aircraft is good. Rahul Gandhi may have more information than me about corruption," he said. Led by the Congress, the opposition parties have been attacking the Modi government, alleging that it is procuring 36 Rafale jets from France at an exorbitantly high cost. The new Hyundai Santro pricing as per Hyundai India starts from Rs. 3.89 lakh and the top model has been priced at Rs. 5.64 lakh. The new Santro will be available in 7 different colours. (Image source: Hyundai). Here's the complete pricing: Hyundai Santro 1.1L Petrol Manual D-lite Rs. 3.89 lakh, Era Rs. 4.24 lakh, Magna Rs. 4.57 lakh, Sportz Rs. 4.99 lakh, Asta Rs. 5.45 lakh. The Smart AMT version has two variants Magna Rs. 5.18 lakh, Sportz Rs. 5.46 lakh. The CNG version has two variants that will cost: Magna Rs. 5.23 lakh, Sportz Rs. 5.64 lakh. (Image source: Hyundai). Here's a look at the evolution of Hyundai Santro over the years: Introduced in 1998, the Santro was Hyundai's first Indian car. The tall-boy stance that the car featured was adored by many and was responsible for many memories for the buyers in India - a space where Maruti was ruling the roost with cars like Maruti Zen. (Image source: Reuters) In 1999 Maruti launched the WagonR to take on the Santro and a year later, Hyundai introduced the Santro ZipDrive with power steering. Hyundai also followed it up with Santro Zip Plus in 2002. (Image source: Reuters) The final model that took on the Santro monicker was launched in 2003. Named the Santro Xing, the car was finally discontinued in 2015 along with the Santro brand. (Image source: Facebook/Hyundai) Three years later Hyundai has revived the Santro brand with an all-new car and an all-new engine, but with the same tall-boy stance that everybody loved. (Image source: Hyundai) The hatchback under development was codenamed AH2, but after a naming competition held by the company, an overwhelming 66 percent of the 5 lakh respondents suggested the name Santro. (Image source: Hyundai) The new 'Sunshine Car' receives a 1.1-litre 4-cylinder engine producing a peak power of 69 PS and mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. There will also be a CNG-petrol variant available. Hyundai also claims a fuel efficiency figure of 20.3 km/l. (Image source: Hyundai) This will also be Hyundai's first car in India to offer an AMT gearbox option which was developed in-house unlike its competition. The new engine is BS-IV compatible and also BS-VI ready. (Image source: Hyundai) Bala Murali Krishna Google last week publicly acknowledged a plan, dubbed Dragonfly, to launch a "censored" search service in China that would filter out terms such as "human rights", "democracy" and perhaps "Tiananmen Square". Even when it was rumoured several weeks ago, the move drew widespread condemnation. Five Google engineers have reportedly quit over the plan. The Trump administration has minced no words about Google's bid, amid an escalating trade war with China that threatens to spill over to election meddling and much more. Speaking at a conference to commemorate Wired magazine's 25th anniversary, Google CEO Sundar Pichai offered a numerical, not ethical, defence of the controversial plan. China would censor less than 1 percent of the likely search queries, he said, and "we felt that it was important for us to explore." If Pichai's plan succeeds, it will return Google to a country it left because Chinese hackers mounted a cyberattack on Google's servers and hacked the Gmail accounts of human-rights activists, endangering lives. The decision to exit China was made when co-founder Sergey Brin, a Moscow-born American with a close understanding of repressive regimes, had a say in how Google was run. So what has changed for Google to kowtow back in? Probably nothing. In those eight years since Google exited China, the rest of the world has advanced in such areas as free speech, human rights and dignity, minority rights, gender disparity, net neutrality, privacy and, may I say, the right to free and fair search online. China recognises few, if not all, of those ideals, and continues to abuse most, and its hacking has worsened. It's far from clear what Google's return to China will do, except endorse the Great Firewall as the nations tightly controlled Internet is called and perhaps emboldening the authoritarian regime in its quest for global domination. Pichai prefers to turn a blind eye to all that, and instead dwell on "how important the market is, and how many users there are (1.4 billion)," while professing to "take a long-term view." To be fair, Google is not alone in targeting the large market, or alone in bowing to China. Facebook has desperately sought to enter the forbidden market, and there are mixed reports on the fate of its bid in July to open an office in China. Apple this year started storing Chinese users' data on Chinese servers controlled by a State-owned company in a big concession to its second-largest market, behind the United States; and Jeffrey Bezos would likely do just about anything to get Amazon back into a market in which it was roundly trounced by Alibaba over a decade ago. Still, Google is not Apple, Amazon or Facebook. It is far more important. It doesn't just sell stuff or build flaky Internet communities. It controls search, arguably the most powerful tool on the Internet. Consequently, Google might be the world's most powerful Internet company, but even more importantly, it is a key custodian of the free Internet. With great power comes great responsibility. It can't be seen manipulating search, or silencing free speech on the Internet. Google rightly rejected an internal plan to rig search results in a push against Trump's immigration policies. In the future, it could be confronted by an equally large market like India demanding "censorship" of the Internet. Consequently, it is important for Google to carefully, and fully, consider the global consequences of its Chinese bid and not rush in as The Intercept suggests, quoting Google's search engine chief Ben Gomes as telling the team developing Dragonfly to be ready for the censored search engine to be "brought off the shelf and quickly deployed." The caution might be even more relevant, considering the several missteps Pichai has made just this year. There was the issue of defence contracts from the Pentagon involving controversial use of artificial intelligence. When hundreds of staff engineers protested and signed a memorandum urging Google to withdraw, Pichai was initially defiant, and backtracked several months later. In August, he rebuffed the US Congress by sending a lower ranked executive when invited by the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence to answer questions on protecting the US midterm elections. When next month he called off an Asia tour to visit Capitol Hill, he was rebuffed by two senators. And just this month, Google was caught hiding a breach at its Google+ social networking platform, involving more than half a million accounts. The hacking had happened in March about the same time Facebook was battling the Cambridge Analytica scandal but Google chose to not disclose it. It revealed the breach eventually only when it was going to be outed by The Wall Street Journal. Pichai might be taking a similar approach with Dragonfly, expecting to ride out the opposition. At the Wired conference, for example, he pushed back against opposition from fellow engineers. "Throughout Google's history, weve given our employees a lot of voice and say," he said. "But we dont run the company by holding referendums." But Dragonfly, more than any other in the history of the company that famously proclaimed, "Don't be evil", calls out for wiser counsel and perhaps a referendum of sorts. Delhi's air quality showed signs of improvement on October 22 as it moved from 'very poor' to 'poor' category, but experts said it might deteriorate in the coming days due to the toxic air coming out of a fire at Bhalaswa landfill site. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi at 272 in the evening. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'. However, a fire has been raging at the Bhalswa landfill site here since October 20. Three fire tenders were working to douse the blaze, which was finally "almost" brought under control by 7.30 PM on Monday, a Delhi Fire Service official said. An North Delhi Municipal Corporation official said, "We always keep a fire tender stationed there in case any fire occurs. In today's case, we do not know yet if the fire occurred on it own or some cigarette or 'bidi' triggered it. We are on stand by." The Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) reported an AQI in the 'very poor' category. On Sunday, the AQI had oscillated between 'poor' and 'very poor' categories. Faridabad and Gurgaon recorded 'poor' air quality; Noida and Greater Noida too reported 'poor' air quality while Ghaziabad reported 'very poor' category. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), under which a host of measures to control pollution is taken, is already in force in Delhi after the air quality had dipped to 'very poor'. Meanwhile, Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain expressed serious concern over the fire that broke out in Bhalaswa, since Delhi is already bracing itself with the adverse impact of stubble burning in the neighbouring states, which is likely to aggravate air quality in the city in the coming days. He directed officials of the Delhi Fire Services to depute one fire tender exclusively for putting out the incidents of fire in Bhalaswa landfill site. In a meeting, which was convened by Hussain to review the preparedness of the municipal corporations in handling such incidents at the three sites -- Bhalaswa, Ghazipur and Okhla -- was informed that the three sites were not equipped to handle situations. The three municipal commissioners did not attend the meet, the Delhi government said in a statement. "The officers of the three municipal corporations also informed that the three sites are primarily not scientifically designed and all of them have exceeded their prescribed garbage storage capacities. They are in the process of developing new sanitary landfill sites and waste to energy plants for better disposal and processing of waste," an official statement said. Hussain asked the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to coordinate the efforts for preventing fire incidents with all the three municipal corporations. The minister also asked for speedy development of scientifically-engineered landfill sites and also for installation of waste to energy plants by the concerned municipal corporations so that the ever-increasing garbage quantum is properly disposed, processed and managed. The experts pointed out that the air quality is likely to be affected due to such fires. Anumita Roychowdhury of CSE said, as winter approaches, toxic air emanating out of such landfill fires is likely to affect the air quality. "If the wind speed is lower and the temperature dips, the polluted air coming out of the landfill fires will get trapped, which would severely affect the air quality," she said. She said the municipal bodies should try and mitigate the damage to environment by applying slope stabilisation measures for landfill sites. Civic bodies in east and south Delhi have already been working on stabilisation of Ghazipur and Okhla landfill sites. "They must do it quickly as winter is close by, and fires during winter will make matter worse. Bhalswa fire cam recur so, civic authorities must take action urgently," she said. On Saturday, a haze had engulfed the national capital and the worst air quality of this season was recorded at 324. An official had then said the air quality of Delhi might deteriorate to 'severe' category in the coming days as the air becomes heavier and results in the formation of smog. The Supreme Court-appointed Environment Protection Control Authority (EPCA) Friday had held a meeting with officials of Punjab, Haryana and the Delhi governments to discuss the pollution situation in the national capital. An EPCA member Friday said stock of the situation was taken and it was decided that special attention would be given to vulnerable hotspots where 'poor' or 'very poor' air quality was observed. The PM2.5 (presence of particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) was recorded at 134. The PM2.5, also called fine particulates, can be a matter of more serious health concern than PM10. The PM10 level (presence of particles in the air with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres) in Delhi stood at 280, according to the CPCB data. A CPCB official said a number of factors were responsible for the deteriorating air quality, including vehicular pollution, construction activities and meteorological factors like direction of wind, which is now flowing from the stubble burning areas. Satellite imagery by NASA Sunday showed countless spot fires already burning in Haryana and Punjab. Representative Image Most of the international migrants in 2017 were from India, followed by China and Bangladesh, an Asian Development Bank (ADB) report said. The report further said as many as one-third of international migrants were from Asia in 2017. "India had the most outward migrants in 2017 (17 million), followed by China (10 million) and Bangladesh (7.5 million)," said ADB's report titled 'Asian Economic Integration Report 2018'. "About one in three international migrants are from Asia led by India and the PRC (People's Republic of China)," it added. According to the report, Asia continued as the largest source of international migrants globally although the number of Asian migrants headed to regional destinations declined slightly. "The global stock of international migrants from Asia rose 3.9 percent from 83.6 million in 2015 to 86.9 million in 2017," it said. The report also said intraregional migrants to India largely come from neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh (3.1 million), Pakistan (1.1 million) and Nepal (0.5 million). It said global FDI into the region (measured by gross inward FDI) remains stable at $517.5 billion in 2017 from $519.9 billion in 2016. The report also said greenfield or new investments generated some 667,000 jobs in 2017mainly in India, the PRC, Viet Nam, the Philippines, and Singaporein real estate, software and information technology (IT) services, and electronic components, among others. As per the report, Asia's outward foreign direct investment(FDI) moderated by 1.4 percent in 2017to $487.9 billion from $494.9 billion in 2016. "Emerging Asian investors boosted outward FDI in 2017with, for example, India doubling its outward investments in sectors such as electronic components and rubber," it said. The United Nations (UN) recommendations on statistics of international migration define the 'stock of international migrants present in a country' as 'the set of persons who have ever changed their country of usual residence, that is to say, persons who have spent at least one year of their lives in a country other than the one in which they live at the time the data are gathered'. International migrant stock consists of persons crossing borders for various reasons for employment, family reunification, study, and fleeing from conflicts and violence. US_China_Trade_Trade war_Tariff "Both ignorant and malicious" was how the official China Daily newspaper recently described comments by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, offering a stinging insight into the current bitter tone of discourse between the countries. The White House's move to expand Washington's dispute with Beijing beyond trade and technology and into accusations of political meddling has sunk relations between the world's two largest economies to the lowest level since the Cold War. A major speech by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Oct. 4 was the clearest, highest-level sign that U.S. strategy was turning from engagement to confrontation. Pence accused China of interfering in the midterm elections to undermine President Donald Trump's tough trade policies against Beijing, warned other countries to be wary of Beijing's "debt diplomacy" and denounced China's actions in the South China Sea. "What the Russians are doing pales in comparison to what China is doing across this country," Pence told an audience at the Hudson Institute think tank in Washington. Both sides are trading increasingly sharp accusations over human rights and global hegemony, exposing an ideological divide that pits the two on a path of confrontation with no clear resolution in sight. While a military clash has not been ruled out, American-based analysts envision a continuing push-and-pull for dominance between Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, China's most dominant and repressive leader since Mao Zedong. Xi's aggressive foreign policy and authoritarian ways have altered views of China across the board. "What has happened is a sea change in U.S. perceptions of China," said June Teufel Dreyer, an expert on Chinese politics who teaches political science at the University of Miami. While Chinese officials privately say they're concerned about the sharp deterioration in ties, especially given the massive links between the two in trade, immigration and education, it appears Beijing is more than willing to go toe-to-toe under the new circumstances. Increasingly, the perception that as China grew more prosperous it would fall in line with global values and international law has been exploded. Into that breach has come hardening U.S. rhetoric toward Beijing and actions to counter, deter or defy China's moves in the international sector, particularly its "Belt and Road" trade and infrastructure initiative that seeks to expand Beijing's economic and political footprint from Cambodia to Cairo. Trump's first national security strategy, released last year, also labeled China a "revisionist power" alongside Russia. Beijing's outrage at Pompeo, meanwhile, was prompted by his recent warnings to Latin American countries about the dangers of accepting Chinese infrastructure loans that are a key aspect of Xi's signature foreign policy project. "U.S.-China relations have deteriorated to their worst point" since the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests in Beijing that were crushed by the Chinese military, said Michael Kovrig, senior adviser for Northeast Asia at the International Crisis Group. "It may not be a clash of civilizations, but it is a long-festering conflict of national, political and economic interest and systems that has reached a point of rupture," Kovrig said. Xi has abandoned the strategy laid out by reformist leader Deng Xiaoping that China should bide its time and refrain from advertising its ambitions to become a world power. Instead, he has been accused of overreach by promoting China's drive to become a global technology leader by 2025, including by compelling foreign companies to hand over their know-how, and pushing Chinese-financed energy and transportation projects that leave target countries with unsustainable debt. On the military front, a Chinese destroyer last month maneuvered perilously close to the USS Decatur in the South China Sea. The Chinese also denied a request for a U.S. Navy ship to visit Hong Kong and rejects U.S. concerns over its policies toward other countries. "The U.S. simply aims to drive a wedge between China and relevant countries with those remarks," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Monday. "It is meaningless and futile." The tart rhetoric is evident on both sides. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said in a speech last week that China's government "is engaged in the persecution of religious and ethnic minorities that is straight out of George Orwell," referencing the internment of Muslims in the country's northwest in political reeducation camps. This month, the United States went further by threatening to pull out of the Universal Postal Union because it says the treaty allows China to ship packages to the U.S. at discounted rates at the expense of American businesses. Underlying the estrangement is the sense that Beijing lacks reciprocity, taking advantage of open markets and free societies to extend its interests, while denying the same benefits to companies, governments and individuals over which it has influence. "My bottom line view is that Xi Jinping very much overplayed his hand taking advantage of the restrained and moderate (former President Barack) Obama," said Robert Sutter, a China expert at George Washington University. "Now he has an enormous American series of challenges to deal with, with no easy solutions." While Chinese companies often backed by easy credit from state banks have been snapping up foreign assets, Beijing restricts such foreign purchases in key sectors such as energy, transport and telecommunications. Although China has loosened some joint-venture demands, including in the auto industry, that may be too little too late. China is "not very willing to constrain itself under rules that it feels were forced upon it," said Dean Cheng, senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation in Washington. "This includes the international trading system, which is dominated by the U.S." Still, attempts to contain China along the lines laid out during the Cold War would be "difficult, if not impossible," given the broad range of contacts across political, economic and personal spheres, Cheng said. The U.S. has also reinforced ties with Taiwan claimed by China as its own territory building an impressive new de facto embassy there, approving a major sale of military parts and services, and authorizing companies to help the self-governing island democracy build submarines to defend itself from China's threats to use force to bring it under Beijing's control. The tensions are underscored by political uncertainties in both countries. Trump faces a referendum of sorts on his policies in next month's midterm elections, while Xi has come under rare criticism at home since he forced through a constitutional amendment in March to allow him to lead indefinitely. Xi is also beset by a slowing economy, made worse by U.S. tariffs that threaten the jobs of millions of Chinese workers. While China has retaliated with its own tariffs on U.S. goods, the loss of American markets will likely be a major drag on growth. All such factors appear to speak poorly for any immediate resolution to the frictions. Michael Mazza, a foreign policy expert at the conservative American Enterprise Institute think tank in Washington, said "competition will remain the norm" between the two countries unless China is willing to make significant changes in its domestic, economic and foreign policies. "At this point, there is little reason to suspect that such a shift is in the offing," Mazza said. Donald Trump wishes to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin when the two visit Paris on November 11 for World War I commemorations, the US president's National Security Advisor John Bolton said on October 23. "I think President Trump will look forward to seeing you in Paris on the sidelines of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Armistice," Bolton told Putin in televised remarks as the two met for talks in Moscow. Putin said: "It would be useful to continue a direct dialogue with the president of the United States... for example in Paris, if the American side is interested." Both leaders will be in Paris for the November 11 World War I commemorations, which 60 heads of state and government are expected to attend. Trump and Putin held their first bilateral summit in Helsinki in July, after which the US president came under strong criticism at home for adopting a very conciliatory tone with his Russian counterpart. On October 22, Bolton met with several senior Russian officials before his talks with Putin. His visit comes after Trump announced that the United States would pull out of the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed by president Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader. Answer: Donald Trump. US President Donald Trump has said he believes the death of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was the result of a "plot gone awry", but does not want to scrap the USD 110 billion mega arms deal with Riyadh over the issue. Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post, was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. The Saudi government initially said he left the consulate through the back door. Following a global outrage, the Saudi government on Friday in a statement acknowledged that Khashoggi was killed in a fistfight inside the consulate and noted that an interrogation went wrong. Turkish officials have said they have evidence Khashoggi was tortured, dismembered and murdered inside the consulate. US President Donald Trump has said he was "not satisfied" with the response of Riyadh over Khashoggi's death. The president also said a group of US officials are in Saudi Arabia and another group of investigators in Turkey are trying to gather information on this issue. "I am not satisfied with what I've heard," Trump told reporters at the White House before leaving for an election rally in Texas Monday. While the Saudi explanation over Khashoggi's death has been dismissed by many US officials and members of Congress as not credible, Trump withheld judgment until top US intelligence officials could return from a trip to the region. "We will know very soon. We have tremendously talented people very well. They're coming back tonight or tomorrow and I will know very soon," he said responding to a question. He also said that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has told him that neither he nor the king were involved in this. "He (Crown Prince) says he is not involved nor is the king," Trump told USA Today, a popular American daily, in an interview. If their involvement was proven, "I would be very upset about it. We'll have to see", the president said. Trump, who has said he wants to get to the bottom of the case, told the daily that he still believed it was "a plot gone awry". He reiterated that he would oppose efforts to cease arms sales to the kingdom. Over the past few days, Trump has spoken with the Saudi prince and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. More details of the incident would be known in a day or two, the US president said. Responding to questions, Trump said he was against making any move on the USD 110 billion mega arms deal with the Saudis. "I don't want to lose all of that investment that's being made in our country. I don't want to lose a million jobs, I don't want to lose USD110 billion in terms of investment, but it's really USD450 billion So that's very important," he said. During his visit to Saudi Arabia in May 2017, Trump signed an agreement with the Saudis for them to purchase USD 110 billion of US weapons, although so far only USD 43 billion of that has been detailed. Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, who has a close relationship with the Crown Prince, issued the same caution Monday, saying the administration was "in the fact-finding phase" still. Calling for the release of information regarding the US intelligence community's advance knowledge of Saudi Arabia's plot to capture Khashoggi, over 50 US lawmakers, led by Indian-American Ro Khanna and Mark Pocan, have written to Daniel Coats, Director of National Intelligence, "In weighing the merits of US-Saudi military cooperation, it is imperative that Members of Congress have a full, detailed grasp of the intelligence community's knowledge of Saudi actions and their potentially harmful impact on the wellbeing of US residents and citizens, as well as any US intelligence failures pertaining to Saudi activities that may have contributed to needless loss of life," the letter to Coats said. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the senate foreign relations and armed services committees, said Saudi Arabia's alleged murder of Khashoggi while visiting its consulate in Istanbul "demonstrates a combination of brutality and lies" that must not be tolerated. Pakistans Prime Minister Imran Khan wished all Hindu citizens on the occasion of Diwali. Prime Minister Imran Khan wishes a happy Diwali to all Hindu citizens, tweeted Prime Ministers Office in Pakistan. Prime Minister Imran Khan oon October 23 said that he would once again extend a hand of friendship to India after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as he believed New Delhi rebuffed his offer of talks because Pakistan is an issue in the elections in the neighbouring country. Speaking at the high-profile Future Investment Initiative forum in Riyadh, Khan said Pakistan wants "peace with all our neighbours particularly India and Afghanistan for regional peace and stability." "Peace with India would help the two countries to divert their resources towards human development instead of indulging in arms race," Khan was quoted as saying by state-run Radio Pakistan. Similarly, peace in Afghanistan would help Pakistan to have an easy access to the Central Asian states for bilateral economic and trade activities, he said. Khan said he had extended a hand of friendship to India, which rebuffed the move. After assuming power in August, Khan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting a meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers on the margins of the UN General Assembly in September. India accepted the proposal but, within hours of its acceptance, terrorists killed three policemen in Jammu and Kashmir, prompting New Delhi to cancel the foreign ministers' meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA. "He (Khan) attributed this (cancellation) to anti-Pakistan rhetoric raking in votes in India," the Express Tribune newspaper reported, citing the prime minister. Prime Minister Khan said he would try once again following the conclusion of the general elections in India. The general elections are due to be held in India next year. The ties between the two countries had strained after the terror attacks by Pakistan-based groups in 2016 and India's surgical strikes inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In his victory speech after the July elections, Khan expressed his willingness to improve Pakistan's ties with India and said that his government would like the leaders of the two sides to resolve all disputes, including the core issue of Kashmir, through talks. Speaking at the summit, which is the brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to attract foreign investment into the kingdom, Khan said that his government is approaching the IMF and the friendly countries to seek loans to plug the financial gap. The three-day summit, nicknamed "Davos in the desert", has been overshadowed by raging global outrage over the murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Several investors and international figureheads have cancelled their plans to attend the summit in an apparent protest against the killing of Khashoggi. International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin have also pulled out. Khan, who attended the summit, is visiting close ally Saudi Arabia for the second time since assuming power in August. The United States cannot stop Iranian oil exports by imposing sanctions on Tehran, Iran's oil minister said on Tuesday, warning that such restrictions will ensure the market remains volatile. Washington plans new sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector from November 4 with the aim of stopping the country's involvement in conflicts in Syria and Iraq, and bringing Tehran to the negotiating table over its ballistic missile programme. "As long as America targets Iran, one of the biggest crude producers, with sanctions, the volatility in the oil market will continue," Tasnim news agency quoted Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh as saying. "Iranian oil exports cannot be stopped," Zanganeh said. Zanganeh reiterated his Monday remarks that Iranian oil output cannot be replaced by that of other oil-producing countries if Tehran is hit by U.S. sanctions. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, in an interview with Reuters on Sunday, dismissed concerns that oil prices could rise, saying the market had already factored in the supply losses. Iran's regional rival, U.S. ally Saudi Arabia, says Riyadh has the capacity to increase output to 12 million barrels per day (bpd) from the current 10.7 million bpd. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, of which Saudi Arabia and Iran are members, agreed in June to boost supply to make up for the expected disruption to Iranian exports. Devotees pay obeisance Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala. Kerala has been witnessing massive protests by Ayyappa devotees opposing the entry of girls and women of menstrual age into the Sabarimala temple since the government decided to implement the apex court order. (Image: PTI) Britains Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, arrive at Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, Fiji. (Image: Reuters) Members of the Samaritan community take part in a traditional pilgrimage marking the holiday of Sukkot, or Feast of Tabernacles, atop Mount Gerizim near Nablus in the West Bank. (Image: Reuters) Antarrashtria Hindu Parishad president Pravin Togadia during a rally near the 'samadhi' of Ram Chandra Paramhans, in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. (Image: PTI) Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the opening ceremony for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, China. (Image: Reuters) Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the fourth edition of the NITI Lecture Series, on the theme for this year is AI for ALL: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Inclusive Growth, in New Delhi. (Image: PTI) A view of deserted Ganeshguri flyover during 12-hour Assam Bandh, in Guwahati, Assam. 46 organisations have called the bandh to protest against the Centre's bid to pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, in the winter session of Parliament. (Image: PTI) What's next? PM Imran Khan reportedly held an emergency meeting at 11 am (PST). Pakistan's top brass will assemble at the Foreign Office in Islamabad to discuss the emerging situation in the wake of Indian Air Force's (IAF) violation of the Line of Control Saudi Arabia has agreed to provide Pakistan $3 billion for a year to address the cash-strapped country's balance-of-payments crisis, after Imran Khan met Saudi King Salman in Riyadh, according to a media report. The cash-rich Gulf kingdom has also signed an agreement to provide $3 billion worth of oil to Pakistan on deferred payment, DawnNews reported. The development came as Pakistan Prime Minister Khan called on Saudi King Salman on the sidelines of the high-profile Future Investment Initiative forum in Riyadh. Both leaders expressed their desire to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation. They also discussed issues of mutual interest, trade, investment and economic ties, Pakistan PM Office said in a press release in Islamabad. Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister for Finance Asad Umar and other senior officials were also present during the meeting. Khan has said that Pakistan would probably need loans from both friendly governments and the International Monetary Fund to meet its commitments. He is now scheduled to travel to Malaysia next week and to China on November 3 to seek financial assistance from the two friendly countries. Pakistani media on October 22 had reported that the country immediately needed $12 billion to $13 billion to ease the financial crisis and retire foreign debt. Pakistan formally approached the IMF on October 12 for a bailout to tide over the economic crisis. But some tough talking by IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde and the US on Pakistan's bailout plan, demanding absolute transparency on the country's debts, including those owned by China under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, has upset Islamabad. Finance Minister Umar has said the government don't want to fully rely on the IMF. He said the loan programme with the IMF is almost final, but the government will have to see that the IMF does not place any "undoable conditions" for Pakistan in return. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) claims that it had enrolled over a billion residents for its Aadhaar number scheme. If you have an Aadhaar number, this translates to a constant threat of misuse of biometric data and information on the Aadhaar card. But UIDAI suggests that people can keep their Aadhaar data and biometrics safe from misuse by locking the data online and unlocking it temporarily when required. Before knowing how to lock or unlock biometric data, let us understand how data is collected by UIDAI. While enrolling for an Aadhaar number, one is required to provide full name, address, mobile number, date of birth and so on. The UIDAI also captures a photograph of the person enrolling for Aadhaar but this does not constitute a part of your biometrics. Biometric data covers your 10 fingerprints and iris. So for locking and unlocking Aadhaar, you can only allow or disallow use of data related with your fingerprints and iris but not the other information that is collected for enrolment. In order to use this facility, you need to have your mobile number or email ID registered with UIDAI. You need to visit nearest centre and register or update your mobile number and email ID. One your biometrics are locked, you cannot use them again for authentication unless you unlock your data from time to time. Here is how you can lock or unlock (temporary) your biometrics. How to lock biometrics in Aadhaar? 1. Visit https://resident.uidai.gov.in/biometric-lock Here enter your Aadhaar number, the security code (number from the image). Click on the send OTP (one time passcode). 2. You will receive the OTP in the SMS on your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP and click on login. 3. Enter the security code and then click on Enable Biometric Locking. 4. The next screen will display if you have successfully Enabled biometric locking on your Aadhaar number or no. 5. Your Aadhaar biometric information will remain locked. You can, however, unlock it temporarily if required. How to Unlock biometrics in Aadhaar? Unlocking Aadhaar details gives you two options, which are unlocking on temporary basis and on permanent basis. Here you need to follow similar process as mentioned above. Only difference is the duration for which you want to unlock the biometrics. 1. If you want to unlock your biometric details for temporary then click on Unlock it. 2. And if you want to unlock your biometric details permanently then uncheck the check box of lock and click on disable locking. But be careful as keeping biometrics unlocked may lead to its misuse. While locking and unlocking your biometric data may seem like a painful process, it is best to be safe than sorry, once you have opted to have an Aadhaar. So make the effort to lock it after each authentication! You may also want to read In November 2007, The Wall Street Journal infuriated Donald Trump with an article that dissected his recent real estate setbacks. Headlined Stalled Condo Projects Tarnish Trumps Name , the report raised doubt about what the mogul treasured and banked on most in business: the value of his personal brand. Trump responded with a 512-word letter to the editor. Calling the story one of the most ridiculous I have read in many years, he complained that it ignored his tremendous successes with massive projects and instead focused on small jobs in the Florida cities of Tampa and Fort Lauderdale. He dismissed both as licensing deals for which I am not responsible for development. Trumps reaction offers another capsule of his habit of twisting the truth regarding his real estate deals one of the patterns revealed in a recent ProPublica and WNYC investigation, Pump and Trump , which focused on a deal in Panama. That article concluded that, contrary to the Trumps longtime claims that they merely licensed their name, they were deeply involved in their deals. A trove of until-now unreported emails from inside the Trump Organization, unearthed during a lawsuit against the company filed after the Tampa project collapsed the building was never constructed sheds light not only on a U.S. Trump project, but also provides a rare glimpse inside the organization. (The suit, filed by people who had paid deposits in advance to buy condo units, was eventually settled, with the buyers receiving partial refunds of their deposits.) The documents provide copious detail on one of the small jobs that Trump would later claim he had merely lent his name to. And they reveal the same patterns of behavior seen in Pump and Trump. The patterns include the Trump Organizations decision to team with an inexperienced group of developers led by a former professional wrestler, in this instance who planned to construct a 52-story tower on a parcel that they belatedly discovered couldnt support such a structure without millions of dollars in extra work. The patterns also involved false statements by Trump claiming he had an ownership stake in the development. And they included Trumps claims that the project was sold out which were contradicted by a letter in which he notified the developers that they were in violation of their licensing agreement because they had sold less than 70 percent of the units. Finally, there were hefty potential fees for Trump, a beneficial insider deal for his son and plenty of evidence that the Trump Organizations involvement including failed efforts to rescue the development extended far beyond the use of the Trump name. The Trump Organization did not respond to a detailed list of questions provided to it, nor did a White House spokesperson. In a shocking incident, the Noida Police have arrested the secretary of Paytm founder and chief executive Vijay Shekhar Sharma, her husband and one more person for trying to blackmail him and attempt extort Rs20 crore from him. The first information report (FIR) filed with the police names Sonia Dhawan, who was vice president for corporate communication as well as personal secretary of Mr Sharma. Ms Dhawan, her husband Rupak Jain, who is a property dealer and Devendra Kumar, an employee of Paytm, are among the three arrested so far by the police. Fourth accomplice Rohit Chomal, a resident of Kolkata is on the run, the police said. Ajay Pal Sharma, senior superintendent of police (SSP) at Gautam Buddh Nagar, who led investigation said that the Paytm chief had complained that some of the company employees, including Ms Dhawan were trying to blackmail him with threat to reveal his personal data stolen from the company. According to the police, Ms Dhawan had worked with the Paytm chief for 10 years, a period which covers the launch and phenomenal rise of payment app. Kumar joined when Paytm was started about seven years ago. It is not known yet what data was stolen, but when she was Mr Sharma's secretary, she had access to his laptop, mobile phone and office computer. She allegedly passed on data to a fourth man, Chomal, who made the extortion call to Mr Sharma's brother Ajay Shekhar Sharma, who is a senior vice president in the company, a report from NDTV says. The three have been charged with theft, extortion, cheating, criminal breach of trust and conspiracy. They have also been charged under the Information Technology Act, the police said. According to PTI, the company, in a statement, had confirmed that the Noida Police have arrested three people, including a woman employee. "The employee along with two other accomplices attempted to extort money from Vijay Shekhar Sharma on the pretext of leaking his personal data. We are standing by our colleagues till the police enquiry reaches its meaningful conclusion," the company said. Paytm chief Mr Sharma, who is otherwise very vocal on social media, have so far not posted any comment on the arrests. October 23, 2018 How Will Caligula Fall? The king and the clown prince of Saudi Arabia ordered a son of Jamal Khashoggi to appear in front of them so they could express their condolences for the murder of his father. This is an attempt by the King Salman to show that his son Mohammad bin Salman is innocent of ordering the premeditated murder of Khashoggi. The audience for the pictures (and video) is the Saudi public which seem unconvinced. But the act is also an insult as Khashoggi's body has not been found* and remains unburied. The gaze is telling. Sahal Khashoggi is the oldest of the four children of Jamal. Three of them live in the United States. Sahal is banned from leaving Saudi Arabia. Notice that his robe is not pressed as the usual etiquette would require. He must have been called up on short notice or was dragged before the king. Also notice that the hand of the bodyguard in the background is right on his pistol. There seem to be a lot of conspiracy theories being weaved around the case. Some of them were mentioned in the comments here. I don't buy it. Turkey did not arrange the incident. I see no sign that the U.S., Israel, Qatar or the UAE had a hand in this. This was a very stupid crime committed by Mohammad bin Salman. Or even worse, a mistake. The wannabe-sultan Erdogan is a crafty politician. He is simply riding the wave. Alastair Crooke explains why the Khashoggi murder, while not unusual, has this large effect: When a single additional, undifferentiated, snowflake can touch off a huge slide whose mass is entirely disproportionate to the single grain that triggers it. Was Khashoggis killing just such a trigger? Quite possibly yes because there are several unstable accumulations of political mass in the region where even a small event might set off a significant slide. These dynamics constitute a complex nexus of shifting dynamics. Crooke sees three traditional strategic positions that already reached tipping points and are likely to change due to this event: the U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia, Turkey's role in the Middle East and Israel's strategic defenses. On the U.S.-Saudi relations side it is likely Congress, not the White House that will push the issue. There will be another Senate vote next month to end U.S. complicity in the war on Yemen. It is now likely to pass. The usefulness of Saudi Arabia for the U.S. has been in doubt for some time. A Wall Street Journal op-ed by Karen Elliott House tells the White House to act: As the Trump administration wrestles with whether to buy Saudi Arabias belated and befuddled explanation for the death of Jamal Khashoggi, a thoughtful Saudi tells me: Morality aside, the critical question is the sanity of our very own Caligula. ... If the crown prince loses power it could be either by the gentle hand of his father or, like Caligula, at the violent hand of cooperation between disgruntled princes and praetorians. ... What this would mean for U.S.-Saudi relations is anyones guess. Surely, however, if Mr. Trump has the ability to influence events, the first scenario is far preferable to the second. Saudi Arabia under an unstable ruler is a burden. Not only for the U.S. but also for the rest of the world. It's time to remove him. --- *The earlier 'news' today that the body has been found came from one unreliable 'source' and was officially denied. Posted by b on October 23, 2018 at 18:18 UTC | Permalink Comments next page Fears over trade wars, slowing growth in China, and rising U.S. interest rates have wreaked havoc on emerging-markets stocks. The diversified emerging-markets Morningstar Category was the worst nonsector or single-country fund peer group for the year to date and trailing 12 months through mid-October 2018. This type of volatility still comes with the asset class. Emerging markets are different than they were when investors started using the term more than three decades ago. They are deeper, more liquid, and populated by more-mature global companies. The developing world, however, is still prone to social, political, and macroeconomic upheavals that can churn short-term equity returns. It still pays to have a steady hand at the helm of a proven process if you opt for an actively managed investment strategy. Though the majority of my business is referral-based, I find that the DLC logo on my business card gives me added credibility, he said. I also believe that our lender partners view DLC as an industry leader with a reputation of having experienced brokers who are forging strong relationships with their clients. It goes without saying that a national brand allows head office to pool our volumes and put forth compensation packages that otherwise might not be available. However, being part of a massive network isnt for everyone, and Mauris says the independent channel is a valuable component of the industry. Sometimes, the two can be married. We offer the best of both worlds, said Mauris. If you want to leverage our brand, then great; if you want to truly be an indie brand and retain your independence, we allow you to be an entrepreneur and do that while still using our tools and scale. According to Albert Collu, president of VERICO, its in achieving critical mass that networks provide value to mortgage brokers because that impels innovation, whether through technology or marketing. When companies amalgamate and become larger, it allows companies to reinvest in support structures, which may manifest in technology and services and attract new partners and affiliates to the table so that you can deploy new products, said Collu. For instance, insurance, credit cards, direct-to-consumer campaigns to feed leads to a broker, white label mortgages and white label products in general. Thats what the aftermath of amalgamation allows us all to do. The broker enjoys some of that strength as well. A Louisiana mortgage broker and senior loan officer had pleaded guilty to a charge of making false statements to the Social Security Administration (SSA) in order to obtain Social Security Disability Payments, according to the US Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. The case stems from a 2010 application filed by James Briant for disability benefits from the SSA for a back disorder and heart disease. In December 2011, he began receiving monthly disability benefits of approximately $2,370 based on the representation that he was unable to work. While he was receiving disability payments, Briant had an obligation to report any income he made to the SSA. Prior to September 2012, Briant began working as a loan officer and mortgage broker at Alpha Mortgage. Despite working there through in or around June 2017, he never reported to the SSA that he was working or earned any income. Universal American Mortgage has entered a settlement under which it will pay $13.2 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by falsely certifying that it complied with Federal Housing Administration mortgage insurance requirements in connection with certain loans, according to the Department of Justice. The settlement stems from the participation of the Miami-based Lennar unit as direct endorsement lender in the Department of Housing and Urban Developments FHA insurance program. Under the program, the FHA does not review a loan for compliance with its requirements before it is endorsed for insurance. Lenders such as Universal American were required to follow program rules designed to ensure that they are properly underwriting and certifying mortgages for FHA insurance and to maintain a quality control program that can prevent and correct deficiencies in their underwriting practices. Crude settled below $70 a barrel for a fourth straight session as Saudi Arabia backed away from using its oil wealth as a diplomatic hammer and American inventories expanded at the fastest pace in more than a year and a half. Futures added a nickel in New York on Monday. Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih eased concern that the world's biggest oil exporter would withhold supplies to counter any punishment over the killing of regime critic Jamal Khashoggi. Any disruption to output from the Saudis or other major producers would be buffered by U.S. producers who have been pumping more than 10.5 million barrels a day since April. American crude stockpiles probably rose by 3 million barrels last week for the longest streak of weekly increases since March 2017, according to a Bloomberg survey. "The market appears to be in somewhat of a cautionary holding pattern," said Thomas Finlon, director of Energy Analytics Group LLC. Earlier this month, crude fell from a four-year high as a darkening demand outlook and equity market routs spurred a flight from risky assets. While U.S. President Donald Trump praised Saudi Arabia's official report on Khashoggi's demise, the oil market remains on edge as many leaders questioned the explanation that he was accidentally killed in an altercation. Turkish officials have leaked details saying the journalist was murdered. "The Saudis admitting that Khashoggi died in the consulate may make some nervous about how the West reacts, but Al-Falih saying that they will continue to increase output and won't use oil as a weapon isn't as constructive" for oil prices, said Warren Patterson, commodities strategist at ING Bank NV. West Texas Intermediate for November delivery, which expires Monday, settled at $69.17 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The more active December contract also was little changed, closing at $69.36. Brent for December settlement gained 5 cents to close at $79.83 on the London-based ICE Futures Europe. The global benchmark traded at a premium of $10.47 to West Texas Intermediate for the same month. Al-Falih told TASS that Saudi Arabia has no intention of repeating the 1970s oil embargo, in which it and several regional allies squeezed supplies to the U.S. and Europe in retaliation of their support for Israel. The kingdom will raise output to 11 million barrels a day in the near future and has the ability to reach 12 million if the market requires it, he said. Meanwhile, American explorers expanded drilling activity for a second week despite a dramatic pullback in the frack work needed to put the finishing touches on new wells. More than 125 additional rigs have been deployed across U.S. fields this year. --With assistance from Alex Longley and Heesu Lee. 2018 Bloomberg L.P. Eddie Seal Weatherford International said Monday it will sell its laboratory services business for $205 million to a private equity group led by Houston's CSL Capital Management. The anticipated sale is part of financially struggling Weatherford's ongoing effort to reduce its debt and make the global oil field services company more competitive again. For Stacy and Brendan Egan, writing takes a central role in daily life. So, it's no surprise they share personal experiences while teaching the craft at Midland College.I think the fact that we are creative writers makes us more understanding of the challenges that our students face, Stacy said. Stacy, assistant professor of English at MC, has shown students her marked-up copy to make them familiar with her revision process. She and Brendan, her husband of five years, said writing doesnt happen spontaneously. Things are so much better and more beautiful in your mind than you can get (them) to be on the page, said Stacy, who is from Austin. Thats what we tell our students about writing essays: The first time you write it, that first draft is not going to be that great. This year has been a busy one for the Egans. The two welcomed a daughter, who is now 6 months old. Also, Stacy celebrated the publication of one short work, You Could Stop It Here. Another piece, Sugar Mountain, earned her a second-place prize from the literary magazine Philadelphia Stories. The Egans appreciate their recent achievements and also find importance in being humble. Brendan said it can be difficult to stay motivated during periods when work isnt accepted in publications. The whole process of submitting work as an artist depends so much on luck and circumstance that when it goes well, you have to be thankful for it going well, said Brendan, whose poetry and short stories have appeared in literary magazines. Brendan currently serves as chair of technical writing, philosophy and language arts at MC. The Connecticut native said creative writing has been a longtime interest. I grew up around a lot of books, Brendan said. My parents read to me from an early age. There was always a lot of imaginative play in my family that made that sort of a natural outlet. Stacys interest in writing led her to New York University, where she focused her attention on social change in fictional works. I fell in love with how you could make meaning but hide behind the idea that youre making it all up, Stacy said. Brendan also studied at NYU, though the two didnt know each other while attending the school or while living in Austin. They eventually met in a graduate program at McNeese State University in Louisiana. The pair started dating and later landed positions at MC. Though the Egans have nearby offices at the college, their work-related conversations extend beyond the campus. They often find themselves discussing classroom teaching at home and co-advising an English honor society chapter in their spare time. It would sound like that lack of compartmentalization would be something that would kind of drive you nuts, Brendan said. But the truth is that it also sort of seamlessly flows with our personal interests. When the Egans became educators, they werent the first in their families to do so. The two of them have relatives with backgrounds in the field. My mother owned and operated a nursery school when I was a kid, Brendan said. My dad is a high school art teacher. So, its something that has always been a part of my family life. Stacy, whose mom is a dean, was long familiar with higher education and has learned to appreciate the mission of community colleges. She now encourages current McNeese students to consider teaching at the institutions. Stacy said the experience allows people to work with diverse groups, ranging from recent high school graduates to those returning to school from the workforce. You can help give them a really high-quality education that does not cause them to go into a lot of debt, she said. William Feeler, dean of fine arts and communications at MC, said Stacy and Brendan have high expectations for their students. He said their passion for the field led him to grow close to the couple. It was their interest in creative writing, Feeler said. They are extremely personable. They are hard-working. Brendan said he enjoys helping students improve their writing skills and watching them go on to bachelors degree programs or into the workforce. The pair wants to set an example for students and let them know its rewarding to follow their interests, according to Stacy. If you can find other people that share those passions whether theyre in your family or in your circle of friends it makes you more connected, I think, to your community and to your humanity, she said. President Donald Trump on Monday called Rep. Beto O'Rourke "a stone-cold phony" and took a few sharp jabs at Sen. Ted Cruz's Democratic opponent, but otherwise focused on national issues while praising Cruz and a laundry list of Texas Republicans. Trump, in Houston for a rally to support Cruz, also encouraged the Toyota Center crowd to vote for Rep. John Culberson, acknowledging the nine-term Republican faces a tough re-election challenge. He is up against trial lawyer Lizzie Pannill Fletcher, a Democrat, in the 7th Congressional District. Cruz ticked through his top hits from the stump, continuing to cast O'Rourke as too far liberal for Texas. Trump echoed Cruz's harsh criticism for O'Rourke's stances on gun control and immigration, denouncing the El Paso Democrat for saying immigrant gang members are "people," not "animals." At the end of his speech, Cruz indicated he would not seek the Republican presidential nomination next election. "I'm going to make a prediction to every person here: In 2020, Donald Trump will be overwhelmingly re-elected as president of the United States," Cruz said. "I look forward to campaigning alongside him in 2020." ALSO MONDAY: Harris County smashes early voting record Trump acknowledged that he and Cruz "had our little difficulties" and "it got nasty" during the 2016 Republican presidential primary, when Trump called Cruz "Lyin' Ted." But he commended Cruz for doing a "beautiful job staring down an angry left-wing mob" during the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. "Nobody has helped me more with your tax cuts, with your regulations, with all of the things that we're doing, including military and our vets, than Senator Ted Cruz. Nobody," Trump said. Trump also told the crowd to vote for Rep. Ted Poe, who is not seeking re-election to Texas' 2nd Congressional District. Republican Dan Crenshaw is battling Democrat Todd Litton for the seat. Aside from his praise for members of the Texas congressional delegation, Trump lauded Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Trump's 2016 Texas campaign chair and Sen. John Cornyn. The three Republicans spoke Monday before Cruz and Trump's stump speeches. Otherwise, Trump continued to claim the caravan of migrants heading from Central America to the U.S. was supported by Democrats, without evidence to back up the claim. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders on Monday said the administration has evidence that people from the Middle East are part of the caravan, but did not provide evidence. Abbott, Cornyn and Patrick, appearing in that order, freely bashed O'Rourke while lauding Trump's record and his impact on the Texas economy. "Isn't it great to have a president who lives up to his campaign promises? He promised you he would cut your taxes, and he did," Abbott said. "He promised you that he would cut regulations, and he did." At one point, Trump said Abbott asked him for $10 billion in federal funding for an infrastructure project, which he jokingly said should be called "the Trump Dam." FACEOFF: Trump supporters and foes exchange words outside President's rally Patrick addressed the crowd with the most gusto of the three, railing against Democrats who are hoping for a "blue wave" in Texas. And he joked that O'Rourke's name stands for "Border Enforcement Totally Optional." "Why are we here? To tell Beto O'Rourke and the Democrats we're not turning Texas into California," Patrick said. Near the end, he led the crowd in a chant of "We love Trump!" and said emphatically, "We will never give up Texas!" Meanwhile, O'Rourke pushed back over the weekend against the partisan undertones in Abbott's and Cruz's message. In an interview with the Houston Chronicle on Sunday night in Sugar Land, he said this election isn't about Texas being red or blue. "Who cares about the partisan color of Texas?" O'Rourke said. "I could give a damn about what party you are in." The rally, Trump's 29th of the year, drew what appeared to be a mostly full crowd at an arena that holds about 18,000 people. Trump's campaign reported thousands more had signed up in the hopes of attending. Cornyn followed Abbott onstage and warned of "job-killing California-style mandates," calling Texas "the firewall in this midterm election." "I need Ted Cruz back in the Senate," Cornyn said. "Texas needs Ted Cruz back in the Senate." CONSERVATIVE APPAREL: Trump supporters poke fun at liberals Some of Abbott's Republican allies from the Texas Legislature attended, including state Sens. Paul Bettencourt, Dawn Buckingham, Donna Campbell and Bryan Hughes. Newly elected state Sen. Pete Flores also attended the rally. Members of the crowd donned "Trump-Pence 2020" and pink "Women for Trump" shirts. They held up signs reading "Finish the Wall" and "Stand for America." Chants of 'USA' repeatedly echoed through the arena. Outside but away from the line to enter the arena, protesters and conservative provocateurs, including Infowars host Alex Jones, verbally jousted. Staff writers Jeremy Wallace and Nicole Hensley contributed reporting. Midland City Council candidate Michael Trost faces more than $178,000 in federal liens, according to documents released last week from the Midland County Clerks Office and obtained by the Reporter-Telegram. The documents show four liens in the amounts of $101,484.55, $42,804.35, $30,549.61 and $3,483.50 with the name of the taxpayer being Michael B. Trost or Michael B. and Leanna J. Trost. The liens, according to the documents, are related to unpaid balances or assessments from taxes not paid during the period from 2009 to 2013. Those years coincide with the years Trost served as the councilman for District 4. Trost wrote in emails that he and his tax consultant have been negotiating with the IRS for some time. He wrote that it is standard operating procedure for the IRS to place a lien on certain assets during these types of negotiations and that he expects a resolution by the end of this year. RELATED: Early voting information: Know before you go The Reporter-Telegram has requested that Trost provide documentation, if any, if the liens in question had been released. None was provided. Trost provided the following statement in response to other questions including one about additional state and federal liens (which have since been released) going back to the 1990s: With respect to your questions, I am taking care of and have always met my personal and business financial obligations. I am fully aware of my financial record and have been working with tax consultants to resolve our dispute with the IRS. Trost also has not fully paid his property taxes for the year 2017. He is not considered delinquent, according to the Midland Central Appraisal District, because he and his wife entered into a payment plan. The districts website as of Monday showed he owed $2,177.48 in tax due and $984.22 in additional fees (applicable penalties, interest, attorney and/or late fees). District officials told the Reporter-Telegram that Trost still is indebted to the city for taxes not paid for that year. The city in its charter Article IV, section 3 says any qualified voter who is a citizen of the United States and who meets the minimum age and residency requirements established by the State statute and who is not delinquent in any indebtedness to the city, shall have the right to file an application to have his name placed on the official ballot as a candidate for any elective office, and such application in writing, signed by such candidate and delivered to the city secretary or mayor not less than 30 days prior to the date of the election, shall entitle such applicant to a place on the official ballot. Trost filed to run for an at-large seat in August. He is one of three candidates running for two at-large positions. His opponents are Spencer Robnett and Chase Gardaphe. Midlanders will vote for two of the three; the top two vote-getters will fill the seats when the next council forms in January. In the first campaign finance report submitted earlier this month, Trost reported a personal loan to the campaign of $1,207. Useful Phrases for Immigrants By May-Lee Chai Blair. 166 pp. $16.95 --- As the child of immigrants, I was immediately intrigued by the title of May-Lee Chai's "Useful Phrases for Immigrants." The slim yet powerful short story collection was chosen by Tayari Jones for the 2018 Bakwin Award, beating out 233 entries to be published by Blair, an independent press that supports underrepresented writers. Chai's stories alternate between depicting Chinese immigrants in the United States and migrants in China, reminding the reader of the ties between those who left their homelands and those who stayed. In the eponymous story, Guili, an immigrant in California, prepares to move her family after 15 years of economic hardship. The story begins with Guili trying to buy plastic bins with coupons. When the cashier claims the coupons are invalid, Guili thinks back to the English she has learned: "What she'd said to the girl at the customer service counter was 'I'll take a rain check!' (She had learned this term from a book she'd picked up at the Chinese bookstore on sale, (BEGIN ITAL)Useful Phrases for Immigrants(END ITAL).)" The title sets up the central theme that drives this collection. As Guili confronts an unfavorable medical diagnosis, her family's impending move and a cantankerous mother-in-law, she thinks, "This feeling of hopeless hope or suspended despair or temporary consolation amidst unknowingness ... was the phrase missing from her book. How useful it would have been to name this feeling exactly in this new and perilous land." All of Chai's characters are lost in some way, struggling with "unknowingness"; characters navigate new cities, new countries, a new life stage. "Fish Boy" focuses on a young boy who has migrated to Zhengzhou. Xiao Yu finds work in a restaurant kitchen and is eager to one day report the restaurant's corruption to the police. However, after an encounter with local bullies, Xiao changes. He becomes one of the slick city boys, "shoplifting with his friends, extorting money from younger kids on their way to and from school, and fighting with rival gangs." Xiao comes to understand the "real world," for "he was a good student after all. He'd just been studying the wrong material." Chai also writes about the children of immigrants, who grapple with their hyphenated identities. In "Ghost Festivals," Lu-Ying remembers the summer she first realized her mother may have loved her gay uncle more than her father. In "Canada," Chai captures adolescence in precise, humorous prose: "Mama told Aunt Mei about my needing a training bra," the teenage Lu-lu remarks. "I couldn't believe my ears, the way she just blurted it out. I would have thought having gone through this herself when she was young, my mother would have had some sensitivity, but adults were always disappointing me." Two other stories, "The Lucky Day" and "First Carvel in Beijing," are less developed but still felt critical, focusing on the adult second-generation who have their own questions about their cultural backgrounds. "Useful Phrases for Immigrants" ends with the particularly entertaining "Shouting Means I Love You," where an adult daughter chauffeurs her elderly father to a lunch with a man who helped procure passports for their family years ago. Full of parent-child yelling in between acts of filial piety, the story perfectly shows the ways in which immigrants and their children take up space together, holding fast to their past in a new world. Immersive and complex, Chai's characters confront questions about class, family, sexuality, love, longing and more. The sign of a strong collection is one where the stories work together to inform the reader, and Chai's eight tales do just that. --- Kim is the author of the novel "If You Leave Me." New Book - 'Giving Hope An Address: The Teen Challenge Legacy Story' Contact: Julie Klose, 804-928-7211, jjklose@hotmail.com GLEN ALLEN, Va., Oct. 23, 2018 / Teen Challenge has 1400 programs in 125 nations. This year Teen Challenge is celebrating the 60th anniversary as the most successful faith-based drug recovery ministry. In today's tragic Opioid epidemic, "Giving Hope An Address" is a timely story of how the gospel of Jesus Christ continues to heal those with life-controlling addictions. This book is the continuing story to the bestselling book "The Cross and the Switchblade" by David Wilkerson and gives testament to why the legacy of David Wilkerson and the ministry of Teen Challenge continues throughout the world. A recent endorsement: "In my 40 years serving Teen Challenge worldwide I hear many stories, but this book touches the humanity of this miracle in a unique way. Through that humanity, we see God's wonderful power at work to change the world." (Bernie Gillott- Global Teen Challenge missionary) Endorsements by: Eric Metaxas, Dr. Michael Brown, Pastor Jim Cymbala, and many others. Review copies available on request at For more information visit: Share Tweet Contact: Julie Klose,804-928-7211,GLEN ALLEN, Va., Oct. 23, 2018 / Christian Newswire / -- A recently released book titled "Giving Hope An Address" chronicles the lives of David and Don Wilkerson in the establishment of the worldwide rehabilitation ministry of Teen Challenge. Julie Wilkerson Klose, the niece of David Wilkerson and daughter of Don Wilkerson, takes readers behind the scenes in the lives of these two brothers and tells a powerful story of the power of prayer and the burden to reach those lost in addiction.Teen Challenge has 1400 programs in 125 nations. This year Teen Challenge is celebrating the 60th anniversary as the most successful faith-based drug recovery ministry. In today's tragic Opioid epidemic, "Giving Hope An Address" is a timely story of how the gospel of Jesus Christ continues to heal those with life-controlling addictions.This book is the continuing story to the bestselling book "The Cross and the Switchblade" by David Wilkerson and gives testament to why the legacy of David Wilkerson and the ministry of Teen Challenge continues throughout the world.A recent endorsement: "In my 40 years serving Teen Challenge worldwide I hear many stories, but this book touches the humanity of this miracle in a unique way. Through that humanity, we see God's wonderful power at work to change the world." (Bernie Gillott- Global Teen Challenge missionary)Endorsements by: Eric Metaxas, Dr. Michael Brown, Pastor Jim Cymbala, and many others.Review copies available on request at jjklose@hotmail.com For more information visit: www.julieklose.com and www.bridgelogos.com Political class must sacrifice in the ... During the Democratic Weekly Address, Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) stated Republicans are attacking the health care of Americans with pre-existing conditions by trying to repeal Obamacare. DeGette was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are her words: Hello, Im Congresswoman Diana DeGette from Colorado. As a senior member of the House committee with jurisdiction over health care policy, I have played a leading role in the development of comprehensive health reform in this country. I helped shepherd the Affordable Care Act into law eight years ago. And since then, Ive proudly been at the forefront of the fight to defend Americans health care from the many badly misguided Republican efforts to repeal the law and the historic protections it provides. After the ACA passed, finally forbidding insurers from discriminating against or denying coverage to Americans with pre-existing conditions, the GOP spent eight years crusading to repeal the law, even forcing a government shutdown at one point to make their case. Last year, after 217 House Republicans voted for their terrible repeal bill to take away Americans health care, the effort failed by one vote in the Senate. Had Republicans succeeded, they would have devastated health care coverage in this country. Millions of Americans would have lost their coverage or been forced to pay more for it. Older Americans would have faced what the AARP called an age tax, meaning they could be charged up to five times as much for coverage as younger ones. And protections for the 130 million people with pre-existing conditions would have been gutted. After failing in the Congress, Republicans turned to the court with a cruel lawsuit to strike down protections for pre-existing conditions. And the Republican leadership in Congress continues to introduce other bills that still would undermine the ability of the millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions to get affordable and comprehensive health insurance. In August, Republican Senators introduced a bill with a big loophole for health insurance companies that essentially would let them exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage. Their bill would allow insurers to charge those with costlier health conditions much more for their insurance making health coverage unaffordable for families with loved ones with pre-existing conditions across America. House Members soon followed suit with a similar bill. But even after voting to destroy protections for pre-existing conditions, and pushing new legislative and legal assaults, Republicans are falsely claiming that they are taking steps to preserve these protections. Its ironic that Republicans have said they support keeping pre-existing condition protections while continuing their relentless assault on Americans health care. Worse yet, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell this week admitted that if his party has the votes in Congress next year, theyll try again to repeal the ACA altogether. And President Trump said the same thing last month. Democrats have a different agenda for Congress a Congress that works For The People, instead of a Congress obsessed with destroying Americans health care. We want to lower health costs and the price of prescription drugs. We want to raise wages and drive strong economic growth by rebuilding America. And we want to clean up corruption to make Washington work for you. Rather than attacking the health care of Americans with pre-existing conditions, I urge my Republican colleagues to actually work across the aisle to strengthen Americas health care system. Republicans should work with Democrats on bipartisan improvements that would reduce premiums and deductibles, increase price transparency and access to care providing relief from high drug prices. The public expects no less. Thank you. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. Department of Justice View Photos North Fork, CA A man faces hefty criminal charges after allegedly excavating Native American artifacts in the Sierra Nevada outside the community of North Fork. A federal grand jury has brought four charges against 31-year-old Vance Franklin Myers of Ahwannee. According to the court documents, back in July of 2015, firefighters came upon an excavated site in the Willow Creek area of the Sierra National Forest that contained human remains, hand tools and a large screen sifting box. The site was believed to have been inhabited by members of the Mono Indian tribe between 500 AD and 1900. In August of 2015 the site was stabilized and rehabilitated, and the artifacts repatriated, after consulting with the Mono tribe. However, there was illegal excavation and looting at the site in September of 2015 and again in August of 2016. A federal investigation, involving witness statements and photographs, determined that Myers is allegedly responsible. The indictment indicates that he was in possession of stone tools, arrowheads, beads and other items believed to be from the site. Randy Moore, Regional Forester for the Pacific Southwest Region, says, We are extremely proud of the Forest Services role in helping to reduce the theft and destruction of Native American remains and artifacts from national forest lands here in California. Special Agent Michael Grate and the Sierra National Forest are to be commended for their excellent work in bringing this case to justice. Myers has pleaded not guilty and he has a hearing scheduled for January 28, 2019. If convicted, he could face a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $100,000 fine. Numerous photos and rows of countless, meticulously-labeled binders with pages full of memories line the shelves of a small room inside the ERA Roberts & Wilkins office. It's a relatively small piece of a life's-worth of gathering anything Ramona Roberts believed to be of historical significance. "She was a collector," said Jana Cannon of the late Ramona, who died Oct. 17. "That's the best way to describe her." Stepping in to the office suite Ramona shared with her husband, J. B. Roberts, is almost overwhelming not in a bad way. Pictures, paintings and framed objects labeled with dates and their significance cover the walls. There are also arrowheads, collections of various items from travels and more of those labeled binders in boxes. Multiple people who knew her told The Herald Ramona was a history buff one of Hale County's most significant banks of historical knowledge. Monte Monroe, Texas historian and a close friend of Ramona's, said she built and maintained "one of the finest collections of regional history and genealogy in all of the Texas Panhandle, if not West Texas." She was in the minority of people who keep things like old letters, notes, objects or seemingly insignificant art and she recorded them, he said. "The most remarkable thing she did was that she organized and compiled a substantial archive," Monroe said. "It not only relates to her family, but also to the history of Texas, the history of the United States, the history of the South Planes and the Panhandle, where we all live." Her information was historically backed up, he said. "It's unbelievable what she knew," said Beverly Wall, a friend of Ramona's. Few others in Hale County can hold a candle to Ramona's knowledge it'll be missed. "She was brilliant," Wall said of Ramona. "She never forgot anything historical. She could just tell you." While she kept much of her collections, she also enjoyed sharing it with local museums and sharing her knowledge with anybody who was interested. For example, the Southwest Collection currently has 650 boxes of material Ramona donated and there's still more to come. J.B. Roberts, Ramona's husband, said her love of history began during his time in the United States Air Force. Both of their mothers had taken an interest in their genealogy and as they learned and shared more of their information with J.B. and Ramona, it became a kind of competition between the young couple. "We absolutely got enthralled because our family was involved in all of the early history of America," J.B. said. "I'd always tease her. I'd say 'honey, my folks were here a lot earlier than yours.'" That sparked her interest and hunger to know more. She also loved travel just as much. A globe in Ramona's office is filled with red pushpins that show every place she went. "She would take copious notes of wherever they went, what they did and what they saw," Cannon said. She'd write out her memories then have Cannon, personal secretary to Ramona, go over them and make edits for grammar and clarity. Cannon has read through Ramona's personal archives and helped her polish the final products. So besides Ramona's family, Cannon knew her best. Everyone who spoke with The Herald said Ramona had a big heart and cherished her family and friends. "She was probably one of the kindest, most loving and generous people I know," Cannon said. "She really was." Rodney Watson, a friend of Ramona's and a retired museum director, said Ramona had a knack for making you feel important. "It didn't matter who you were," he said. "She treated you like somebody and made you feel special. Like I said, she was one of my biggest supporters through the years worked at the museum. Even when I worked there before as just a starving artist, she treated me like somebody special." She'd purchase greeting cards in the bulk and have them on hand for just about every occasion. Debbi Wilkins, one of Ramona's former co-workers, said friends' birthdays and holidays rarely passed without Ramona sending a note. And she never threw any cards she received away, Cannon said. Monroe said that's what makes her and her collection so unique. She wanted to remember everything and to record every possible piece of history she could. And she continued to do it through her last days. "She will be greatly missed by many, many people," he said. Area motorists could experience some traffic delays near the Hale Wind Farm project in the near future as construction progresses. During a Hale County Commissioners work session Friday, Heath Bozeman, Plainview area engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation asked the Hale County Commissioners for permission for the incoming cranes to use four paved roads including FM 400, FM 37, FM 789 and FM 784. It's unclear when the cranes will arrive or for how long the delays could last, he said. Bozeman told commissioners they had the option to refuse use of those roads for that purpose and project coordinators could make arrangements to use different routes. The commissioners spoke Friday about TXDOT footing the bill for potential damage repairs to the roads should any be caused while moving the cranes and about the possibility of having to detour motorists. During Monday's meeting, the commissioners voted to approve use of those roads. Commissioners also voted to start counting visiting judges and court reports as contractors starting Jan. 1. Hale County Judge Bill Coleman said a court case involving Williamson County and the Internal Revenue Service prompted the attention to how those individuals are being counted for tax withholding purposes. Counting those individuals as contractors would let the county avoid having to pay FICA costs. The commissioners voted to wait until January to enact that change for continuity purposes. Landscaping changes are also in store for the courthouse. The court voted Monday to accept a proposal from T and J Lawn Care to change landscaping around the courthouse. Coleman suggested having Kenny Kernell, commissioner of precinct 3, work with the company to settle on a plan not exceeding $15,000. The commissioners approved. In other topics, District Attorney Wally Hatch asked the commissioners for approval to use asset forfeiture funds to invest in genealogy/DNA testing. Investigators believe there's a 36-year-old cold case involving a headless female corpse found near Petersburg could benefit from the testing, Hatch said. The test "puts DNA in a family of people," Hatch said. That in turn can aid efforts to identify who the DNA belongs to. The cost for the testing is $5,500, he told the court. The commissioners approved the purchase. During the meeting, commissioners also approved a payment of $4,700 to Dunlap Painting for painting completed at the Justice Center; Petersburg EMS Run Reports for August and September; and minutes from three previous meetings were approved. The Court also heard a presentation from Mike Fox about the Hale County/Plainview Economic Development Corporation's third quarter activity. Fox is executive director of the EDC. During the Treasurer's Report, the commissioners approved a financial statement for $17,157,547.93 for the month ending Sept. 30, 2018 and a $153,724.85 third quarter investment portfolio ending the same date. Just about every Friday after work, Travis Trussell would stop by the store for a bag of grain and head over to the duck pond on the west side of Plainview. He'd sit around feeding and watching the ducks for a while before getting on with his evening. On Sundays, he'd sometimes bring his family with him after church, recalled Kelly Trussell-Schaffer. "Dad loved animals," she said. "He was passionate about animals and kids." The pond used to be fenced in, Trussell-Schaffer said. But her dad had a key and would often let his family sit inside as he did a little work around the pond before sitting down and enjoying the views. He had a vision for the park, Trussell-Schaffer said Friday at a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the completion of renovations to the Travis Trussell Pond. Renovations to the pond were first introduced in the city's comprehensive plan in 2013, said Plainview Mayor Wendell Dunlap during Friday's event. The actual work began in February. As a crowd including donors and individuals from several civic service clubs, city leaders, community members and many of the ducks currently residing in the pond gathered under the newly-erected James & Eva Mayer pavilion for the ceremony. During his speech, City Manager Jeffrey Snyder mentioned a $250,949 grant from Texas Parks & Wildlife and thanked the TPW representative present for making the renovations a possibility. The park has two water fowl-viewing areas, a walking trail, benches and a new dip in the road to help prevent duck fatalities. Tributes to the hundreds of donors that helped make the park possible are scattered around the walking trail. Asked how she felt to see the renovations and to be present for the event, Trussell-Schaffer replied: "It's a great day." Ellysa Harris/Plainview Herald The Plainview Professional Firefighters Association presented a check to the Muscular Dystrophy Association for $6,500 collected during the union's annual Fill The Boot campaign that happened in August. Harrison Hart, vice president of the Plainview Professional Firefighters Association, said about 20 local firefighters and their families gave their time during every weekend of August to hold boots in the middle of traffic to ask motorists to give to their cause. October is breast cancer awareness month! It's a month where women are reminded to have their annual mammogram. Annual mammograms can detect cancer early, when it is most treatable. In fact, mammograms show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can feel them. Mammograms can also prevent the need for extensive treatment for advanced cancers and improve chances of breast conservation. Current guidelines from the American College of Radiology and the Society for Breast Imaging recommend that women receive annual mammograms starting at age 40 even if they have no symptoms or family history of breast cancer. Again this year, Covenant Hospital Plainview and our local health department have partnered together to bring awareness to breast cancer and provide free mammograms to those women who are in need of a mammogram but may not have the financial funding to obtain one. Now is the time for our community to rally together and make these free mammograms possible. Covenant Hospital has agreed to provide a screening mammogram at the discounted price of $75. Since this program was introduced four years ago, approximately 60 women have benefited from these efforts. However, your donations are greatly needed. Any individual, group or organization that is interested in making a donation may contact me at (806) 291-5120 for more information. Let's review some common myths about breast cancer. MYTH: Self breast exams are not important. While self-exams don't replace yearly checkups with your doctor, they're still a good screening tool. It is important to know your body well. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to examine yourself. Notice if your breasts change in any way. Don't hesitate to talk to your doctor about any concerns MYTH: Getting a mammogram can actually cause cancer. It is true that women who receive large doses of radiation have an increased risk of breast cancer but routine breast cancer screening with mammography uses a very small dose of radiation and poses very little risk for future breast cancer development. Mammography allows detection of early-stage breast cancer, which in turn allows for early intervention and improvement in outcomes. This significantly outweighs the potential harm. MYTH: If your mom, sister or aunt has had breast cancer, you will get it too. Women who have a family history of breast cancer are placed into a higher risk category, but 90 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of it. If you have a mother, daughter, aunt or sister who developed breast cancer before the age of 50, you should start some form of regular diagnostic breast imaging 10 years before you become the age your relative was. MYTH: If you don't have a family history of breast cancer, you don't have to do routine mammograms. Statistics show that you fewer than 10 percent of women have a genetic mutation causing their cancer, while the other 90 percent are considered to be sporadic, or not due to a gene mutation. In sporadic cases, there often is no clear cause. Anyone can get breast cancer, regardless of family history, so make note of any changes and make an appointment to discuss it with your physician. MYTH: Wearing an underwire bra may cause cancer. This myth is primarily based on the notion that bras that don't fit properly or bras with an underwire decrease circulation of lymphatic fluid and may trap toxins in the breast tissue that can cause cancer. This correlation is false. Wearing an underwire bra does not increase your risk for breast cancer. MYTH: Strange looking nipples are a sign of breast cancer. You can't tell someone has cancer just by looking at them. If your nipples have always been inverted, that is just how your breasts are shaped. However, if the nipple suddenly changes, for example, it inverts or changes color, that is a concern you should address with your doctor. Join me on Facebook, search Coupon Clippin' Cuties and add yourself to our group. Discover that early detection of breast cancer with free mammograms will greatly improve the outcome. Plainview police responded to the 4100 block of W. 16th St. on Oct. 13 just after 12:20 a.m. to a call about interference with an emergency request for assistance, criminal mischief and assault. Officers responded to a hit and run with vehicle damage at the 2400 block of N. Columbia on Oct. 14 just after 2 p.m. Officers arrested a 22-year-old man on Oct. 13 at the 500 block of N. Broadway just after 10:20 a.m. for public intoxication. Police responded to a hit and run with vehicle damage at the 1600 block of Utica on Oct. 13 just before 4 p.m. Officers responded to a call about criminal mischief at the 2200 block of W. 13th St. on Oct. 14 around 1:50 p.m. Plainview police responded to a call about criminal mischief at the 1200 block of Yonkers on Oct. 14 just before 5 p.m. Responding officers found damaged property at the scene. Officers responded to a call about criminal mischief and criminal trespass at the 4100 block of W. 16th St. on Oct. 14 around 5:30 a.m. A theft was reported at the 600 block of S. Broadway on Oct. 13 just after 1 a.m. Criminal mischief was reported at the 3400 block of Olton Road on Oct. 12 just after 5 p.m. A theft of a bicycle was reported at the 4100 block of W. 16th St. on Oct. 12 just before 4 p.m. Plainview police arrested a 20-year-old woman at the 2300 Houston on Oct. 12 just before 1 p.m. for an active misdemeanor warrant. Plainview police arrested 22-year-old man during a traffic stop at the 100 block of E. Fifth St. on Oct. 12 just after 2 a.m. The individual was arrested for driving with an invalid license with previous conviction/suspension with out financial restitution. A burglary of a building was reported at the 2200 block of Yonkers on Oct. 12 around 4:15 p.m. Officers arrested a 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman for assault causing bodily injury at the 1000 block of Houston on Oct. 12 around 8:15 p.m. A theft of property was reported at the 4100 block of Olton Road on Oct. 13 around 2:15 p.m. Plainview police responded to a civil problem at the 200 block of E. Roselawn on Oct. 13 around 2:45 p.m. A theft was reported at the 1400 of Zephyr on Oct. 13 just after 1 a.m. Officers responded to an attempted burglary of a building at the 1400 block of S. Broadway on Oct. 13 just after 1 p.m. A theft of service was reported at the 1500 block of N. Interstate 27 on Oct. 12 just after 8 p.m. A 19-year-old man was arrested for criminal trespassing at the 1400 block of S. Broadway on Oct. 13 around 10 p.m. Officers responded to the 1400 block of Zephyr on Oct. 13 around 1:45 p.m. for an assault an dan aggravated assault. A 22-year-old man was arrested on Oct. 12 for assault reported at the 100 block of Ash just after 2 p.m. Officers responded to a crash with vehicle damage at 20th St. and Joliet on Oct. 12 around 2:15 p.m. Plainview police arrested a 23-year-old woman on Oct. 13 for warrants for failure to appear/bail jumping and failure to maintain financial responsibility. The woman was arrested at the 2100 block of E. Fifth St. around 4 p.m. Plainview police arrested 21-year-old man on Oct. 13 around 2 a.m. for possession of a controlled substance. The individual was arrested at the 2700 block of Olton Road. Officers arrested a 39-year-old man on Monday for solicitation at the 1100 block of N. Interstate 27 and W. Frontage Road around 12:20 p.m. Criminal mischief was reported at the 1200 block of Dallas on Monday around 8:20 p.m. Plainview police arrested 18-year-old Adrian Martinez Junior on Monday around 4:40 p.m. for aggravated assault with a weapon. Junior was arrested at the 1600 block of W. 21st St. Criminal mischief was reported at the 2600 block of Galveston on Monday around 3:30 p.m. Criminal mischief was reported at the 1200 block of Canyon on Monday around 8:15 p.m. Police responded to the 2900 block of Lometa on Monday just before 8 a.m. in reference to harassment through electronic communication. Fraud was reported at the 100 block of S. E. Ninth St. on Monday around 9:15 a.m. Another case of fraud was reported at the 1000 block of Travis St. on Monday around 1:30 p.m. Police responded to a crash with injuries at the 1200 block of S. Columbia on Monday around 7:45 a.m. Police arrested 23-year-old Frank Asher Sepeda on Monday around 5:15 p.m. at the 800 block of Canyon for a felony warrant. Officers responded to a call about identity theft at the 1500 block of Gray on Tuesday around 1:20 p.m. Police responded to a crash involving two vehicles with vehicle damage at 24th St. and Kokomo around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. A theft was reported at the 400 block of W. 24th St. on Tuesday around 7:20 p.m. Criminal mischief was reported at the 1300 block of Elm St. just after 4 p.m. Responding officers witnessed damage to a vehicle at the scene. A 36-year-old was arrested at the 900 block of W. 28th St. Tuesday around 11:20 p.m. for a misdemeanor warrant. Criminal mischief was reported at the 1200 block of Oakland on Wednesday just after 8 a.m. Responding officers found property damage at the scene. A theft was reported at the 4100 block of W. 16th St. on Tuesday around 7 p.m. Police responded to call about harassment by electronic communication at the 200 block of S.E. Eighth St. Tuesday around 10 a.m. Officers observed a criminal traffic violation at the 400 block of W. Eighth St. Tuesday just after 4 p.m. The incident report shows the case involved possession of drug paraphernalia. Plainview police responded to the 800 block of N. Broadway on Wednesday around 3:20 p.m. in reference to burglary of vehicles. Officers observed an individual in possession of drug paraphernalia at the 400 block of W. Eighth St. on Wednesday around 11 a.m. Plainview police responded to the 500 block of W. Fifth St. on Wednesday around 8:20 a.m. in reference to burglary of vehicles. Fraud was reported at the 100 block of W. Ninth St. on Wednesday around 3:30 p.m. Officers responded to a call about an assault at the 1500 block of Yonkers Wednesday around 6:30 p.m. A sexual assault was reported at the 1200 block of Nassau Wednesday just after 5:20 p.m. Officers responded to the 200 block of S. E. Fifth St. Wednesday around 4:40 p.m. in reference to a call about an assault. A 39-year-old individual was arrested for assault causing bodily injury at the 200 block of S. E. 10th St. Wednesday around 5:40 p.m. Officers responded to the 1000 block of Denver on Wednesday around 11:30 p.m. in reference to two individuals assault family members. Police responded to a crash with injuries at the 2600 block of Xenia Thursday around 1:40 p.m. Plainview police responded to a crash with injuries at the 4100 block of Olton Road on Thursday 12:45 p.m. Forgery was reported at the 800 block of N. Columbia on Thursday around 6:45 a.m. Officers responded to the 1600 block of E. Fifth St. Thursday around 9:30 a.m. in reference to a stolen vehicle. A crash with vehicle damage was reported at the 3100 block of N. Interstate 27 E. Frontage Road Thursday around 4:30 p.m. Saudi Arabia gave the strongest indication yet that its trying to stop oil prices from rising further, saying that OPEC and allies are in a produce as much as you can mode to assure customers that they can meet demand and remove any uncertainties about looming shortages. The kingdom has already boosted oil production to 10.7 million barrels a day, near an all-time high, and it can increase it even more to help plug any supply shortfalls due to U.S. sanctions against Irans energy industry, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih told a conference in Riyadh. U.S. President Donald Trump is counting on Saudi cooperation to soften potential price increases from the sanctions that take effect next month. We will meet any demand that materializes, Al-Falih said at the countrys signature investment conference, which is being overshadowed by an international outcry over the killing of Saudi government critic Jamal Khashoggi. Brent crude, the global benchmark, has dropped almost 10 percent from a four-year high of $86.29 a barrel on Oct. 3 as Saudi Arabia and Russia promised extra supplies and U.S. stockpiles climbed. The Riyadh conference is aimed to generate investments in the country as part of a broad economic transformation plan to wean it off reliance on oil. Al-Falih said plans to diversify the economy will continue, but oil and gas expansion will also remain a priority. In addition to its crude investments, Saudi Arabia intends to partner in liquefied natural gas projects abroad and start trading LNG in the future. Global gas consumption is growing, he said, and oil demand will reach 120 million barrels a day in 30 years, from 100 million currently. In an effort to maintain stable supplies to the crude market, Al-Falih said he hopes the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its non-OPEC oil partners will sign an open-ended agreement in December. The group, sometimes known as OPEC+, agreed in late 2016 to cut production to eliminate a supply glut and has since intervened to coordinate output and balance the market. The Saudi oil chief lauded the achievements of the group, saying that it has stabilized the market and helped the energy industry to recover. Significant investment flows have returned to the oil and gas industry that will bring on new supplies to help replace losses in areas such as the North Sea and in some OPEC countries, he said. Even still, the outlook for next year is very unpredictable in terms of both supply and demand, Al-Falih said. --With assistance from Mohammed Aly Sergie. To contact the reporters on this story: Javier Blas in Riyadh at jblas3@bloomberg.net;Vivian Nereim in Riyadh at vnereim@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Nayla Razzouk at nrazzouk2@bloomberg.net, Claudia Carpenter, Amanda Jordan 2018 Bloomberg L.P. Federal prosecutors allege Carlos Uresti co-defendant Gary Cain has used friends and family including Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood to leverage assets as a way of avoiding paying victims in his criminal fraud case. Cain, LaHood, his father former Judge Michael LaHood, and others are barred from dissipating, transferring or concealing property belonging to Cain under a restraining order recently issued by Senior U.S. District Judge David Ezra. The order also prevents them from saddling any debt on Cains property. In a Sept. 21 court filing just unsealed, prosecutors allege a Cain-related entity that owns a Shavano Park house engaged in a series of transactions that appear designed to strip the equity from the property. Its valued at almost $1.3 million by Bexar County. Prosecutors say Cain encumbered the home with more than $1 million in liens in June, about three weeks before he was sentenced to 68 months in federal prison, or more than five and a half years. He doesnt have to report to prison until Nov. 9. As part of their sentence, Cain, Uresti the former Democratic state senator and four others were ordered to pay $6.3 million in restitution to victims in the fraud case. In one of the transactions, 414 Bentley Manor Holdings, which took title to the house on June 8, conveyed a deed of trust to LaHoods father Michael, for $850,000 that same day. A deed of trust is essentially evidence of a debt. Its not clear why 414 Bentley Manor Holdings would owe Michael LaHood nearly $1 million. Nico LaHood is intimately involved in the bizarre transaction, listed as the trustee on the deed of trust, according to the document. A trustee in a deed of trust has authority to take back a property on behalf of a lender in the event of a default. I have not seen nor been served a restraining order in regards to Mr. Gary Cains criminal case, LaHood said in an email. I have no connection to Gary Cains case or him, other than personal friendship. Cain, LaHood and his father are among those identified in Ezras order as the Restrained Parties. Various Cain entities also are named. To read more about the restraining order, see Tuesdays Metro section or click here to visit our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. 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 Carlos Uresti was nowhere near a San Antonio federal courtroom Tuesday when the trial of his co-defendant in a bribery case got under way, but the ex-lawmaker figured prominently in the proceedings. Uresti, the longtime San Antonio Democrat who was convicted on 11 felony counts in a separate fraud case earlier this year, avoided this latest trial by entering a guilty plea on a single charge of conspiracy to commit bribery Oct. 12. Lead prosecutor Joseph Blackwell mentioned Urestis name often during opening statements to jurors in the trial of Lubbock businessman Vernon Trey Farthing III. Farthing is accused of paying bribes that were shared by Uresti and Jimmy Galindo, a former county judge in Reeves County. Galindo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery last year. Farthing is the only one of the three to fight the charges. Federal prosecutors allege the trio conspired to ensure that Farthings company Physicians Network Associates was awarded a contract to provide medical services for inmates at the Reeves County Correctional Center. At its core, this case is about the public trust, Blackwell told jurors. Attorney Gerald Goldstein, part of Farthings defense team, said during his opening statement that the evidence will show Galindo was just a con-artist who had all sorts of legal problems. Galindo offered up the bribery scheme to federal investigators as a way out of his various troubles. To read more about the trial, see Wednesdays Business section or click here to visit our subscriber website, ExpressNews.com. 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 The holidays are approaching and with the heaping stacks of tamales and boundless bowls of menudo comes the nagging tia who will not let family members peacefully enjoy an extra serving without calling out their lonjas, or love handles. The scenario that will likely play out across San Antonio dinning rooms is part of the mantra for Lonja Libre Fitness, a new personal training service aiming to help clients feel like the "main event" and "shut up that hating tia" San Antonio native Anthony Trevino is the owner of the new business. The Central Catholic and University of Texas at San Antonio graduate told mySA.com that he spent summers in Mexico, watching luchadores. The sport has been one of his passions since he was 4 years old. In 2000, Trevino was involved in a traumatic car pileup in Floresville. His vehicle slammed into the back of a flatbed, leaving his face, legs and torso "crushed," he said. Trevino said he flat lined, but was resuscitated. He referred to the months and years after his accident as time spent bedridden and as a "child," learning to speak and walk again and receiving his meals through syringes. The prognosis was grim. Doctors did not expect the young man to ever walk again. RELATED: San Antonio bodybuilder makes strides in her goals while living with Type 1 diabetes "I was 20 years old, I didn't want that for myself," Trevino said, referring to the possibility of permanent paralysis. "I chose to overcome." After two years of physical therapy, he eventually regained mobility, earned his criminal justice degree and was determined to maintain his fitness, though he was considered 49 percent disabled. Trevino is now an Northside Independent School District police officer and says he understands the importance of being physically fit to protect others. Trevino's journey, paired with his love of lucha libre and fitness, formed the basis for his new venture. He became a certified personal trainer over the summer and is now enrolling clients for his mobile sessions. He can meet his customers at their homes, parks or gyms that they're members of. Trevino said he does not believe in "cookie cutter" plans and will adjusts workouts to accommodate goals, whether they may be weight loss, strength and conditioning or helping a client make a team. Interested clients are invited to contact Trevino through Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Trevino said he is also "definitely looking forward" to working with other disabled San Antonians and tailoring workout plans around injuries. As for the lucha libre aspect of the business, Trevino said clients are welcomed to wear masks during their training sessions. "Some feel like they have more power when they put on a mask," he said. The new business owner said he's also planning on hosting lucha libre-themed events like a bootcamp in the future, when he'll demonstrate exercises and techniques used in the ring, as well as packages playing off the terminology like a "tag team" promotion. "It's also a way to promote Hispanic culture," he added. "We have a lot of pride in San Antonio." Madalyn Mendoza is a breaking news and general assignment writer. Read her on our breaking news site, mySA.com and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | mmendoza@mysa.com |@MaddySkye GREENWICH Enrollment for Greenwich Public Schools is up for the fifth consecutive year and will peak next year, according to district data collected this October. The district is also seeing a historic high in the number of students who identify as Hispanic or of two or more ethnicities. For the first time, more than one-third of Greenwich students meet the state definition of high needs, meaning they qualify for free- or reduced-price lunch, require special education services or are learning English. The data show these students are overwhelmingly attending New Lebanon and Hamilton Avenue, two schools that will again be cited by the State Department of Education as racially imbalanced. Schools with that designation either exceed, as New Lebanon and Hamilton Avenue do, or fall short of the districts average enrollment of minority students by 25 percentage points or more. This years data also classifies Western Middle School as impending racial imbalance toward minority students. The state designates schools as impending racial imbalance if they exceed or fall short of the district average for minority enrollment by 15 percentage points. Riverside and Parkway will also be labeled impending racial imbalance, but unlike New Lebanon and Hamilton Avenue, they fall below the districts average minority enrollment, by 16.8 and 18.2 percentage points, respectively. Officials say the data concerning racial imbalance confirms what they knew four years ago. (It) reflects data similar to that which was known when the current Racial Balance Plan was developed, which was approved by the State Board of Education in July 2014, Interim Superintendent Ralph Mayo said in a statement. Connecticut law requires school districts with imbalanced schools to submit a racial-balance plan. It does not require that the district actually achieve racial balance, however. Board members and administrators hope the opening of the new New Lebanon building, meant to accommodate more students in the neighborhood and attract more magnet students, will affect the reports findings. The district will continue to track racial balance status on an annual basis, but will not be in a position to evaluate the plans impact until the new New Lebanon School has been opened and has had a chance to attract new magnet students, Mayo said. Forty-seven non-minority students would have to enroll at New Lebanon for the school to achieve racial balance, District Research Manager Jennifer Lau said when she presented the data during the Board of Education meeting Thursday. Traditionally, past magnet programs in western Greenwich schools have failed to attract significant numbers of students from elsewhere in town. Outbound migration from New Lebanon has affected the racial composition of the school, which is 80 percent minority, school records show. The catchment area, meaning the neighborhood district that geographically feeds the school, is 69 percent minority. So you can infer from that what the outbound racial composition was, Lau said, adding that the schools space constraints prevent more families from enrolling their children at New Lebanon. Changing demographics District-wide, over the last five years, the percentage of Hispanic students has risen steadily, from 18 percent to 22 percent, as has the percentage of students who identify with two or more races, from 3.4 percent to 4.9 percent. Numbers for Asian and African-American students have remained constant, under 9 percent and 3 percent, respectively. More students require special education services, rising steadily from 885 in 2013 to 1,072 in 2018. The number of students learning English, 519, broke 500 for the second time. The increase in high-needs students is mostly attributed to state mechanisms that automatically enroll students for free- or reduced-price lunch, Lau said. Those students existed already, it was just a matter of us surfacing them, she said. The next 10 years This year, 9,113 students are enrolled in Greenwich Public Schools for preschool through 12th grade. The number, up 71 students from last year, includes young adults in Greenwichs alternative education program, Windrose, and the 28 students the district outplaces for special education services. GPS enrollment will increase for the sixth consecutive year and peak in 2019-20, according to projections. Members of the 732-member class of 2026, fifth graders now, are driving the districts enrollment spikes. Middle-school enrollment will peak in 2019-20, when the class starts the sixth grade, and high-school enrollment will peak in 2022-23, when they enter the ninth grade, according to projections. The rise started in 2013 because of a migration of students to the district and a positive rate of kindergartners replacing graduating seniors, Lau said. But the towns birth rate is projected to decline over the next decade, meaning the district currently balking statewide declines in school enrollment will eventually follow other Connecticut school districts. After the class of 2026, enrollment will return to what Lau calls normal levels, averaging 8,912 over the next 10 years. This estimated average approaches the average from the last decade, 8,891 students. jo.kroeker@hearstmediact.com BLOOMINGTON (AP) Christine and Gary Gruber didnt know anything about Walter Seeger or Gus Williams until they adopted their graves as part of a project to honor McLean County soldiers who died during World War I. Now we talk about Wally and Gus like theyre family members, said Christine Gruber of Bloomington. For Suzanne Kraus of Chicago, the family connection already was there when she launched the adopt-a-grave project. The John Kraus Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 454 is named after her uncle, who was killed in France during the war at the age of 18. Killed on July 18, 1918, he is sometimes described as the first McLean County resident to die in the war, but his niece said thats not accurate. He represented the average soldier from McLean County a rural, small-town boy who worked on the farm, she said. Each Memorial Day, the VFW post has a ceremony at the grave of John Kraus at Park Lawn Cemetery in Danvers. Thats kept him very alive in our family, said Suzanne Kraus. Its a touchstone for the family and a reason to get together over the years. About two years ago, Kraus said she was reading about the upcoming centennial of the end what was known as the Great War and I started thinking about who else died and didnt have someone to care for their grave. So, working with Post 454 and the Lexington Genealogical and Historical Society, also known as The Fort, Kraus began gathering information on where McLean Countys World War I soldiers were buried and organizing an adopt-a-grave project for those who died during the war. The graves of 110 World War I soldiers are located in 35 cemeteries in the region. There are 13 WWI McLean County soldiers buried elsewhere in Illinois and another 32 across the country, including one in Arlington National Cemetery. Twenty others remain in Europe. The goal is to have each grave in the region cleaned and decorated by Nov. 1, in time for the Centennial Armistice Day on Nov. 11. The post hosted an open house for the project on Sept. 30. Kraus said the event was very successful, with about 75 percent of the graves in McLean County adopted. She would like to see the remaining 25 percent be adopted in time for the commemoration. Organizers are looking into obtaining Illinois flags to place on the graves along with a bouquet of artificial poppies, the flowers associated with World War I. Christine Gruber said it took about 45 minutes for her and her husband to clear layer after layer of dirt and lichens from the gravestones of the two soldiers buried in Evergreen Ceremony whose graves they adopted. The writing on Seegers grave was nearly obscured before their efforts. Care must be taken to avoid damaging the stones. Gruber said they used plain water, paper towels, nylon scrubbies and lots of elbow grease. They also have adopted two graves at Park Hill Cemetery, but those stones are in relatively good shape. Gary Gruber served in the Army during the Vietnam War era. Both of their fathers served during World War II. We have a history of being proud of our military, Christine Gruber said. Through biographies provided by Kraus and their own online research, they learned Seeger was a pressman at Pantagraph Printing and Stationery before joining the military and Gus Williams was a cook at the nearby Illinois House hotel. I wonder if these gentlemen ever passed each other downtown before the war, pondered Gruber. Seeger married while home on leave but died in the Argonne forest about a month later, on Oct. 17, 1918, only a few weeks before the Armistice was signed. Williams, a member of the all-black 370th U.S. Infantry, died Sept. 20, 1918, two days after his 26th birthday. At the end of the war, the American Legion was segregated, so a separate black post, Redd-Williams American Legion Post 163, was formed in 1922, honoring Williams and another member of the 370th U.S. Infantry who died in France, John Redd. Kraus is looking into the possibility of organizing a tour to Europe to clean gravestones and place Illinois flags on the graves of the McLean County soldiers who never came home and remain buried in Belgium and France. EAST ALTON Seven grandchildren of long-time William M. BeDell Achievement and Resource Center board member Shirley Wiedman will host the organizations 38th annual dance. The dance will be held from 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3 at Julias Banquet Center, 101 Eastgate Plaza, west of Illinois Route 3 and south of West St. Louis Avenue in East Alton. The seven Megan Wiedman, Ben Wiedman, Katie Ottwell, Mary Rivera, Chris Scoggins, Jessica Wiedman and Matt Scoggins are hosting the event in honor of Wiedman, her late husband, Louis Wiedman, and Louis late daughter, Jeanne, who had benefited from ARCs services and programs. The dance is a major fundraiser for the organization. We have the dance once a year, said Executive Director Gary Osborne. Its a good fundraiser for us. We have a lot of people who are very charitable. He said the money usually goes toward the purchase of equipment for the programs, including vans used to provide transportation. The event will include a 50-50 drawing, and this year they will be a silent auction of some St. Louis Cardinals memorabilia. It was donated by one of our board members, he said. The dance will feature Mondinband, with the $20 per person admission covering beer and soda. Outside alcohol is prohibited. William BeDell ARC, 400 S. Main St. in Wood River, was incorporated in 1957 and provides programs for children and adults with developmental disabilities. The ARC currently serves 550 people per month through its following programs: school, ages 3 to 22; clients family support that serves about 150 individuals; adult developmental training; residential, with seven community, integrated living homes; respite care; and recreation. For ticket information, call 618-466-1070 or 618-251-2175. Tickets will also be available at the door. Democrats are struggling to respond to President Donald Trump and his Republican allies, who are casting the caravan of thousands of migrants headed toward the U.S.-Mexico border as a failure of Democrats to help enact immigration policy in the GOP-controlled Congress. Some Democrats said Trump is vulnerable to a counterattack on his core campaign issue given that his policies failed to reduce the number of unauthorized immigrants. Yet party leaders and Democratic candidates have largely been silent ahead of the midterm elections, refusing to engage with Trump. The Democratic and Republican strategies reflect the path each party has charted with two weeks till Nov. 6. Republicans are hoping to retain their Senate majority and limit losses in the House by playing on fears of migrants pouring into the country to rally conservatives, a strategy that helped propel Trump to the presidency in 2016. Democrats, deeply divided on immigration, are trying to maintain a laserlike focus on health care and the GOP threat to protections for people with preexisting medical conditions, envisioning that as the issue that will determine control of Congress. Related: Trump vilifies caravan, says he'll cut Central American aid On Monday, Trump launched a fresh attempt to deflect blame for the more than 5,000 migrants from Honduras who were making their way north through Mexico. The president and his top aides say the rising number of Central Americans attempting to enter the United States without authorization presents a winning campaign issue, by showing Trump is right to call for stronger border control. Trump sought to fan public fears on Twitter, suggesting without evidence that the caravan contains gang members and terrorists from the Middle East. "Every time you see a Caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, into our Country illegally, think of and blame the Democrats for not giving us the votes to change our pathetic Immigration Laws!" Trump tweeted. "Remember the Midterms!" Republicans trying to preserve the party's 51-49 Senate majority said they were thrilled to see Trump lead the charge on immigration, an issue they say could be a powerful motivator in the conservative states dominating this year's map. "Democratic opposition to strong immigration security has been a very effective issue for us in Senate races this year," said Steven Law, head of the Senate Leadership Fund, a conservative super PAC. "I don't see how the spectacle of a massive horde trying to bust our borders on the brink of a national election remotely helps Democrats." Related: AP Explains: The growing migrant caravan on way to US border Law's group has recently run ads casting Democratic incumbents in states Trump won as soft on immigration, a tactic GOP candidates have also deployed. Echoing Trump, the Republican in the pivotal Tennessee Senate race issued a statement Monday on the "illegal alien mob" headed to the border. "It's not surprising he's silent as thousands of people try to make their way into our country illegally," Rep. Marsha Blackburn said of her Democratic opponent, former governor Phil Bredesen. Bredesen spokeswoman Alyssa Hansen accused Blackburn of "disgusting fearmongering" and said he was focused on "common-sense solutions." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., issued a statement over the weekend saying Trump was "desperate to change the subject from health care to immigration because he knows that health care is the number one issue Americans care about." Geoff Garin, a Democratic pollster who has regularly conducted surveys in competitive Senate races, said his party's candidates ought to stay focused on health care and not let Republicans dictate the terms of the midterm debate in the final weeks. "If they're moving to [immigration], it suggests to me that their post-Kavanaugh effort is running out of steam," he said, referring to the recent polarizing confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. White House aides have emphasized that they believe Trump's hard-line immigration message, while potent with his conservative base, also carries significant crossover appeal to independents and some moderate Democrats. They cite polls showing that immigration is among the most important issues for voters in both parties. One senior official pointed to Democrats who have called for the abolishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and who have supported "sanctuary cities" - which do not share information with or use local resources to help some federal immigration enforcement efforts - as being too liberal for the electorate at large. But some Democratic strategists and former congressional aides said the party was missing a chance to pin the rising border numbers on Trump and hold him accountable for falsehoods he has promoted about the issue. The president, in his tweets Monday, said the caravan from Honduras was a national emergency, and he told USA Today that he would send troops to the border: "As many as necessary." He also tweeted that aid would be cut to Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, from which a record number of families have traveled to the United States. However, officials from the Pentagon and State Department said they had received no new directives from the president. Early this year, an immigration plan backed by the White House drew the fewest votes in the Senate of four competing proposals - with just 39 senators voting in favor and 11 Republicans joining Democrats in opposing it. Leon Fresco, an immigration attorney and former aide to Schumer, said Democrats are concerned that showing too much empathy for the migrants could turn off more conservative voters. "People who are swing voters are not comfortable with politicians defending people in the caravan. It's a very difficult, nuanced argument to try to get all those things across," Fresco said. "But if Democrats switch and say the caravan is a direct result of Trump's immigration policy, that would shut [Republicans] down completely." Yet one Democratic strategist noted Monday that the party does not have a consensus position on immigration enforcement to succinctly counter Trump's "build a wall" mantra. The strategist pointed to a Pelosi interview last week as an example of the far from potent message: The leader said the party's immigration platform if it wins the House would focus on providing legal status to younger immigrants, known as "Dreamers," who entered the country illegally as children. "How is that responsive to the moment we're in?" said the strategist, who works on immigration issues and spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak frankly about party strategy. "The notion we shouldn't be talking about the central issue this president has talked about for three years is crazy." The Senate battlefield is a combination of ruby-red states with many rural voters who support Trump and his hard-line immigration platform. But there are also four states up for grabs with sizable Hispanic populations: Nevada, Arizona, Florida and Texas, where Trump campaigned Monday for Sen. Ted Cruz, R. In those states, Republicans risk alienating moderate and Latino voters by fully embracing Trump's controversial platform. "That's long been pretty much a canard and a fear tactic," said retiring Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., speaking on CNN about Trump's claim about Middle Easterners in the caravan. The race for Flake's seat is one of the most competitive Senate contests. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and his allies have seized on liberal calls to abolish ICE, seeking to link them to Democrats running in red states. This has prompted some Democrats to run ads reassuring voters that they do not endorse that approach. "I support ICE, funding President Trump's border wall," Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., said in a recent campaign commercial. In the House, a reliance on immigration could cut both ways for the GOP. Democrats are favored to win the majority because of anger against the president in moderate, suburban districts. At the same time, Republicans are trying to prevent a Democratic incursion into more conservative districts, where running on Trump's immigration agenda could boost their appeal. Republicans are also trying to retain key districts with large Hispanic populations. One is in New Mexico, across the state's southern half, where Democrat Xochitl Torres Small criticized the White House's proposal to send military personnel to the border. "It is so frustrating for me to see people in Washington try to turn this into a political point and try to polarize people and try to oversimplify something that is complicated and real on the ground here," Torres Small said Sunday night. --- The Washington Post's David Weigel in Las Cruces, New Mexico, contributed to this report. A woman flying from Houston to Albuquerque on Sunday had just settled into her seat and fallen asleep when she was awoken by an unwanted touch - a hand from behind her grabbing the right side of her breast. And the man authorities say is responsible allegedly cited President Donald Trump's past lewd language about women. Federal prosecutors allege the hand belonged to 49-year-old Bruce Michael Alexander from Tampa, Florida, another passenger on the Southwest Airlines flight, who reportedly told authorities after being arrested Sunday that "the President of the United States says it's ok to grab women by their private parts," according to a criminal complaint. Alexander was charged Monday with abusive sexual contact, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Mexico. The charge carries a maximum penalty of two years in jail and a $250,000 fine. A lawyer representing Alexander could not be reached for comment late Monday. It all began about 15 to 20 minutes after Southwest Airlines Flight 5421 left Houston on Sunday. The woman, identified in the complaint only as C.W., said she was asleep in her window seat when "she felt her clothes move" and fingers start touching her from behind "on her right side at and around her 'bra line'." Though she initially assumed "the touching was an accident," it happened again about 30 minutes later. The hand, described by the woman as having hairy "thick fingers" and "dirty finger nails," was more persistent this time, according to the complaint. "C.W. felt fingers slowly grab the back of her arm, squeezing above the elbow," the complaint said. Then, "slowly and 'attentively'" the hand groped her right side "at and around her ribs and 'bra line'." The second incident prompted the woman to confront the passenger seated in the window seat directly behind her, whom authorities identified as Alexander. According to the complaint, she told him "she didn't know why he thought it was ok [to touch her] and he needed to stop." The woman, who asked to be moved to another seat and was relocated to the back of the plane for the rest of the flight, told investigators Alexander was a "total stranger." A spokesperson from the airline told The Washington Post in an emailed statement that customer service supervisors and local law enforcement were "requested" to meet the flight "upon arrival ... due to reports of a Customer's alleged inappropriate behavior onboard." Alexander was arrested by the FBI at Albuquerque International Sunport and was being transported by authorities when he invoked President Trump's words, likely referencing the 2005 Access Hollywood tape that captured the president speaking lewdly about women and bragging that when you're famous "you can do anything," including grabbing women by their genitals. Trump's words have been parroted by other people accused of unsavory acts in recent months. In June, a white woman who accosted a Hispanic man and his mother while they were doing yard work was caught in a now-viral video calling the pair "animals" and "rapists." The president has referred to undocumented immigrants as "animals," and in at least two separate instances, has claimed Mexico sends "rapists" to the U.S. More recently, Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino, a Philadelphia mob boss, reiterated Trump's opinion that the use of "flippers" - people who help prosecutors by turning on others for less jail time - "almost ought to be illegal." Merlino was sentenced to two years in federal prison for illegal betting Wednesday and prosecutors, as with many organized crime trials, relied on informants to make their case, the Guardian reported. As he was leaving the courthouse, Merlino said Trump "was right" and flippers need to be outlawed, according to the Guardian. In a written statement to federal agents, Alexander said he was asleep for most of the flight and had not been drinking alcohol or taking any sleep aids. He "could not specifically recall getting into his backpack," which was stowed under the seat in front of him, according to the complaint. Alexander told agents he did remember a woman he was seated behind speaking to him during the flight and then moving seats, but could not describe her. Alexander's hands, however, matched the description given by the woman, authorities said. This is not the only recent instance of unwanted contact between passengers on a Southwest Airlines flight. Just last week, a Texas man flying from Los Angeles to Dallas allegedly did not stop touching the woman seated next to him and attempted to engage her in an unwanted game of "footsies," according to a criminal complaint. After the woman moved seats, the man went "from zero to sixty in nano-seconds" and started yelling at flight attendants, forcing the plane to be diverted to Albuquerque where he was arrested. The Southwest spokesperson told The Post the airline is "continuously reviewing and updating our training as necessary," but declined to share any specifics. Alexander made his initial court appearance Monday and will remain in federal custody pending a preliminary hearing and detention hearing, both of which are scheduled for Tuesday, according to the news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. CARROLLTON A meeting has been called for 9 a.m. Thursday to continue talks about improving Carrolltons water supply. The city has been exploring options for improving residents water despite the citys aging water system. No city officials could be reached Monday to clarify the purpose of the meeting, and what specific topics will be discussed remains unclear. Engineering firm Benton and Associates was hired to study the citys water system and is working on a recommendation to the city council. One option would be to rehabilitate the citys existing water system. The engineering firm found that the citys water system is good, although there are major leaks and upgrades are needed, according to the firms informational hearings. For example, Benton and Associates Engineer Jamie Headen advised that the citys elevated storage tank, built in 1924, needs to be replaced. Other options include the construction of a new water treatment plant, the construction of a regional treatment plant, or the purchase of water from an outside source. The latter option has caused some controversy because the city was approached by the Illinois Alluvial Regional Water Co., which in February offered to let the city to join the co-op on a 40-year-contract. There were no costs provided at the time. City aldermen cited the length of the contract, the idea of using government funds to form a private business, and the general business practices implemented by the company as reasons for concern at the time. Alluvial, a co-op that would consist of Carlinville, Central Macoupin County Rural Water District, Bunker Hill, Dorchester and Jersey County Rural Water Co., has received a United States Department of Agriculture loan for $42 million and a $24 million grant to build a new water system that the company would operate. Nick Draper can be reached at 217-245-6121, ext. 1223, or on Twitter @nick_draper. NEW HAVEN The New Haven Center for the Performing Arts edged out a consortium of two theaters and a college to occupy a former club space downtown, although the majority of the selection committee Monday was equally happy with either proposal winning the competition. Four members of the seven-member committee appointed to vet the two proposals gave the plans equal weight, while three voted solely for the NHCPA, which runs the College Street Music Hall across the street from the publicly-owned space at the base of the Crown Street Garage. Steve Fontana, the citys deputy economic development administrator, who was conducting the meeting, added the four votes for each, plus the three for the music proposal and declared the NHCPA as the choice of the selection committee. Those who favored both plans included: Tony Bialecki, James Whitney, Otis Johnson and Avi Szapiro. Those who favored the music proposal were Tomas Reyes, Dallas Davis and Jackie Buster. The committee was tasked with making a recommendation to the New Haven Parking Authority, which owns the garage and the 10,000-square-foot, ground-level performance space that has been idle for years. The committee had the option to recommend up to three choices to the Parking Authority from which it could make its final choice, but only two groups had answered a request for proposals after 45 people initially showed up for a walk-through of the property. In the end, those voting only for the music hall saw it as the entity that could move the fastest in converting the space. Also, the NHCPA did not ask that a payment in lieu of taxes be waived, as well as a $60,000 one-time payment. It also did not quarrel with a minimum rent of at least $6 a square foot and it estimated it would bring twice the patrons downtown than the consortium. Joseph Rini, attorney for the authority, said the PILOT was not negotiable. The consortium, which includes Long Wharf Theatre, the Shubert Theater and Albertus Magnus College, planned for a 200-seat performance space, as well as a separate 90-seat cabaret, and a rehearsal space that would welcome internships with Albertus theater program, as well as with high school students. The selection committee also suggested that if there are other spaces that can get into the mix, the best solution would be to accommodate both proposals. One suggestion was commercial space at the nearby Temple Street Garage, although most of it is part of a current master lease. Bialecki said if the authoritys first choice does not pan out, he recommended that it go with the second choice, rather than starting all over. He also advised the authority, when it negotiates the lease, to be careful on several fronts. He said if the winner has to pull out before its lease is up, the authority should control who replaces him. Doug Hausladen, interim director of the Parking Authority, as well as the executive director of the Department of Transportation, Traffic and Parking, said the authority would meet in two weeks to vote on which of the two it should start negotiating with for a proposed 10-year lease at the space located at the corner of Crown Street and College Street. Keith Mahler, manager of the College Street Music Hall, had no comment after the meeting as the process is still ongoing. John Fisher, the executive director of the Shubert, said he was excited the final decision is still not in. He called the consortium a unique opportunity ... to bring a whole new vibrancy downtown. Laura Pappano, a board member at Long Wharf, said what the consortium offers helps students and brings daytime programming and people to the city for a variety of projects and that is special. She said its plan is not as fast as the music proposal, but suggested if you look deeply at the two they bring a broader offering, plus a $6 million investment to the space. I think that is important, Pappano said. The NHCPA estimated it would cost $ 2 million and they did not have to borrow or fundraise to proceed. Pappano said she was concerned with the ceiling height at the Temple Street Garage commercial area, while Fisher was happy the committee was thinking outside the box. New Haven has a lot to offer. I hope it works out for everyone in the end. Fisher said after it submitted its original proposal to the authority, it answered supplemental questions from the selection committee. He said the consortium would be open to negotiating with the authority in consideration of the city and the authoritys expenses. That is something that is a conversation. It is something we absolutely said we were open to from the get-go. Im puzzled as to why that has been an issue, Pappano said. Fisher said people who come to the theater stay to eat. We feel it has great synergy for downtown. Not all people who step into downtown New Haven are stepping in with the same level of impact, Pappano said. mary.oleary@hearstmediact.com;203-641-2577 Stock Photo Rocket Aviation family would like to congratulate our own Mark Edlin and his wife Ashley on the birth of their daughter, Addison Dawn Edlin, on Oct. 13, 2018 at 10:58 a.m. in Lubbock. Again, congratulations to Mark and Ashley! FRIDAY: A customer flew in from Midland for fuel, and later flew to Lubbock in his Cessna 182 Skylane. A customer departed for Sudan in his Turbine 602 Air Tractor prop jet. Matt Horan and a student flew locally in the Cessna 172. A customer flew to Midland and back in his Beech F-33 Bonanza. A customer flew in from Picayune, Mississippi in his Aerostar for fuel, and to spend the night. Med-Trans flew over to Covenant Hospital to pick up a patient, then flew to Lubbock and back in their Bell 407 jet helicopter. TANF BASE, Syria - To understand how the United States is countering Iran's expansion across the Middle East, consider the outpost at Tanf. This tiny garrison, a jumble of dirt-filled blast barriers and tents surrounded by the immense desert of southern Syria, was established to roll back the Islamic State's once-vast domain. But its strategic position along a highway linking the Syrian regime in Damascus to its backers in Tehran has made the base an unintended bulwark against Iranian influence in Syria and, now, a potential locus in White House plans to confront Iran's reach across the region. President Donald Trump has vowed to make countering Iran's support for allies and proxies across the region, from Lebanon to Yemen to Syria, a centerpiece of his Middle East strategy. Already he has slapped new economic sanctions on Iranian affiliates and pulled out of his predecessor's nuclear deal. Officials now say the United States will commit to remaining in Syria until Iranian forces depart, vowing to force an end to Tehran's program of massive military and financial support that has helped Syrian President Bashar Assad reverse the course of the war. Gen. Joseph Votel, who leads U.S. Central Command, described Tanf as a key element in the continuing military mission to extinguish the Islamic State and ensure the group cannot stage a comeback. Speaking during a visit to the base Monday, he said it also had additional benefits in hindering Iran, as the U.S. presence there makes it harder for Tehran to build up its military presence in Syria and help the Assad regime claw back areas outside its control. "There's no denying that we have some kind of indirect effect on them," Votel said. That deterrent could strengthen the hand of U.S. officials as they launch a newly intensified bid, led by the State Department, to hammer out a political end to the war. "We are trying to provide leverage for our diplomats as they pursue their objectives," he added during a visit that for the first time allowed members of the news media to access the remote installation. The garrison, manned by several hundred foreign troops and a similarly sized force of Syrian fighters, illustrates how the United States has sought lower-risk means to counter Iran on the ground even as senior officials escalate a war of words and intensify economic and diplomatic pressure on Tehran. The high stakes involved in the U.S. presence in southern Syria were apparent last year when American forces fired on Iranian-linked elements that approached within a 30-mile air and ground exclusion zone around the base. They also shot down two Iranian drones near the base, together marking U.S. forces' most serious confrontation with Iranian-linked elements since they arrived in Syria in 2014. But military officials have been reluctant to countenance any larger conflict with Iran as they seek to wind down the insurgent conflicts of the post-9/11 era and embrace a shift toward countering threats from Russia and China. They are also wary of the costs of an escalation of rhetoric between Washington and Tehran. A network of proxy groups retain the power to unleash attacks on U.S. personnel in the region, as they did in Iraq after 2003. Robert Ford, a former U.S. ambassador to Syria who is a fellow at the Middle East Institute, said the Syrian regime could counterattack by working with Islamist extremists as it did during Washington's war in Iraq. "The Americans have no clear response - bomb a military command in Damascus? Bomb a Syrian battalion deployed east of [the central city of ] Homs?" he said. A U.S. official said the Trump administration had committed to extending the military mission until it achieves a lasting defeat of the Islamic State. And while the White House now says the United States will remain in Syria until Iranian forces are gone, officials say that parallel anti-Iran mission may be diplomatic rather than military. The Pentagon has not been asked to take on Iran, which is thought to command a force of at least 10,000 fighters in Syria, including government soldiers and militiamen. The ongoing U.S. presence at Tanf "demonstrates that the United States is not about leaving the Middle East in general or Syria in particular until we have a security situation that meets our needs and the needs of our allies - Jordan, Israel, Turkey and Iraq," said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to address internal strategy discussions. Separately, diplomats saw a chance to energize U.N.-led political discussions that might stimulate the long, inconclusive effort to find peace in Syria. At Tanf, the Islamic State army that once dominated this area is long gone. American troops lift weights amid rebar and rubble from buildings bombed during that period. After the Islamic State was forced out in 2016, Syrian government troops and partner forces established a small foothold. At first, American troops could spend only small amounts of time at the base, crossing into the country from Jordan. Over time, the United States established a larger, more robust presence. As the Islamic State threat ebbed, some Iran hawks in the Trump administration wanted to expand the security bubble around Tanf and use the area to train a force to take on Iran more directly. But that idea, in keeping with the president's aversion to being bogged down in new foreign wars, didn't gain support. Today the U.S. special operators and their Syrian partners see only sporadic militant activity, mostly from small groups of Islamic State fighters fleeing into Iraq. U.S. forces train their Syrian partners on marksmanship and other tactics, and sometimes join them on patrols through the stark, sparsely populated surroundings. The troops are removed from the fight against the bulk of remaining Islamic State forces, which are dug in along the Euphrates River to the north. There, U.S. troops are working with a much larger force dominated by Syrian Kurds. As the Assad government has consolidated its control over former rebel strongholds, Russia and Syria have escalated their demands that the United States withdraw from the garrison. Last month, after Russia threatened to conduct counterterrorism strikes within the Tanf exclusion zone, the Pentagon sent a group of U.S. Marines to Tanf to do a live-fire show of force, a sign of officials' concern about mounting tensions over the base. As the Islamic State threat ebbed, some Iran hawks within the Trump administration wanted to expand the security bubble around Tanf, potentially even using the area to train forces to counter Assad and Iran more directly. But that idea, in keeping with the president's aversion to being bogged down in new foreign wars, didn't gain support. Col. Muhannad al-Tala, the commander of Revolutionary Commando Army at Tanf, said his 300 fighters are chiefly focused on preventing an Islamic State comeback. "But, of course, in this area we act to stop any group that presents a danger," he said. An outstanding career hit quite the milestone recently as Covenant Health Plainview caregiver, Katarina Shelton, was honored by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. "In that surgery room, I've done it all," said Shelton with a laugh. This year, Shelton marked her 30th year as a Certified Surgical Technologist. "The NBSTSA is proud to honor all milestone recipients for their hard work and commitment to the profession," said the board in a statement after recognizing Shelton with a special certificate earlier this month. Shelton has had a long career that started at St. Anthony's hospital in Amarillo in 1987. Born in Sweden, Shelton moved to California as a young girl, but eventually moved to the Canyon area. As a young adult, Shelton said she was working at the old Levi Straus factory in Amarillo when she decided she needed a more rewarding career. Shelton chose to go back to school and started looking for a major. Always a very organized person, Shelton said after reading the information about the Surgical Tech program in a college catalog, she knew it would be a perfect fit. "I liked it because it seemed like you had to be very organized to be successful, and I was very organized. Also, the training was very quick," said Shelton. As expected, Shelton instantly loved the positon. Shelton has spent the last 30 years working the spectrum of different surgeries from cardiology to trauma, which included a stint in a hospital in a violent area in Dallas. But Shelton said the most rewarding experiences in the operating room has been working in ophthalmology. "I think the most rewarding part of my career was definitely working with eye surgeries. It's just awesome being able to help someone see again," said Shelton. Shelton eventually came to Plainview in 2001 after she was hired by Deb Coffman. Shelton said she loves the atmosphere of Plainview's surgical department and enjoys the surgical staff, which she describes as family. Shelton said she is also inspired by the talented surgeons she works with, including ophthalmologist, Dr. Doug Kopp and general surgeon, Dr. Ilhan Yildiz. "Dr. Kopp is the best I've ever seen and watching Dr. Yildiz sew somebody back up is just mesmerizing," said Shelton. And Shelton's work has not gone unnoticed. "Katarina is very organized and detail attentive. She is passionate about ophthalmology surgery and is a valuable team member during Dr. Kopp's procedures," said Plainview Surgical Manager, Kristi Mull. Eight self-proclaimed professional models, including Brooke Banx of Travis County, Texas, filed a lawsuit in a White Plains, New York, federal court against a Newburgh, New York, strip club. According to Westfair Online, The Mansion Gentlemen's Club and Steakhouse allegedly took images of the women from their personal social media pages and altered them to create the false impression that the models endorsed or worked at the strip club. The lawsuit filed earlier in October claims the photos were then used to promote the business without payment or permission. RELATED: Undercover strip club sting involving lap dance from underage dancer questioned by club's attorney The revised image of Banx, posted in 2016 to The Mansion's Facebook page, shows her scantily clad in a Pittsburgh Steelers top. The caption reads, "No sexier place to watch the Steelers vs. Broncos!! #Mansion." The other models involved in the lawsuit are San Francisco Giants third baseman Evan Longoria's wife Jaime Edmondson-Longoria, a former Miami Dolphins cheerleader and Playboy Playmate of the Month; Alana Campos, who has posed for Playboy and done ads for Arden B and Target; and Jessica Hinton, who has appeared on an episode of TV's "Baywatch." Former "Deal or No Deal" suitcase model Ursula Mayes; Jaclyn Swedberg, who was featured on the TV series "Badass"; Brooke Taylor-Johnson, who has been in Maxim Magazine and on Fredrick's of Hollywood billboards; and Tiffany Toth-Gray, who has also been in Maxim Magazine, are also part of the suit. RELATED: Controversial Houston strip club reaches settlement with city, can reopen, for now The women have declared themselves as world-renowned professional models whose earnings potentials have been compromised because companies and brands are less likely to hire them if they're thought to work as strippers. They are asking the court to order the defendants to stop using their images. They are also requesting to be paid damages to be determined at a trial. The Houston Chronicle reached out to the women's attorney, John V. Golaszewski of Casas Law Firm in Manhattan, who has yet to respond. Marcy de Luna is a digital reporter specializing in social media, the famous, and food. You can follow her on Twitter @MarcydeLuna. Read her stories on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | Marcy.deLuna@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message A woman testified Tuesday that her neighbors son appeared high, kinda nervous and frightened after he told her he had shot his father. Taking the witness stand under subpoena in the trial of Jesse David Vasquez III, Maria Torres told jurors that the young man then made a strange request: He asked for a hug. The younger Vasquez, 24, is charged with murder in the death of his father, Jesse David Vasquez Jr., 44, on April 17, 2016. Torres told the jury she was on the porch of her house, which is diagonally across from the Vasquez home, when she heard pops. She said she went to the home, looked inside from the porch and saw Ann Vasquez, the victims wife and the defendants stepmother, doing CPR on her husband. The younger Vasquez was outside, Torres said, and appeared nervous and paced at times. When she asked him why he shot his father, Torres said the young man shrugged and seemed confused by the question. He said he didnt regret it, he wasnt sorry, Torres told the jury. I felt like I was in a movie. It didnt feel real. San Antonio police received a call about the shooting around 6:30 p.m. at a home in the 2500 block of Saunders Street near S. Zarzamora on the near West Side. When officers arrived, they found the father shot in the torso. He died at the scene. Prosecutor Josh Sandoval told the jurors in his opening statement Tuesday that although they would hear the defense say the shooting was an act of self defense, they would also hear that the father and son had a rocky relationship that could get violent. He told the jury things started heating up once the younger Vasquez went to live with his father, stepmother and two younger half sisters weeks before the shooting. Vasquezs defense attorneys Jessica Gonzalez and Amy Owen did not give an opening statement. Testimony on Tuesday established the victim and his son walked around the house openly with weapons: the father with a gun, the son with a machete. Sandoval said in the days leading up to the shooting, the younger Vasquez talked about wanting to kill his father. Earlier, the victims wife testified that her husband and stepson had a troubled relationship. Under questioning by prosecutors, she admitted her husband hit her, and on the day of the shooting, he had struck one of her daughters. The case is being heard in the 187th state District Court, Judge Joey Contreras presiding. If convicted, Vasquez faces up to life in prison. Elizabeth Zavala is a courts and crime reporter in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863 A former special education teacher at Indian Creek Elementary School who was fired after officials said she hit one of her students was in court again Tuesday for violating her probation by failing to submit two drug tests. Rosemary Diaz was sentenced to 30 days in jail, which she has already served, and 90 days of biweekly drug tests for the infractions. A man was arrested after authorities found "hundreds" of images on his devices depicting child pornography, according to the Kerr County Sheriff's Office. In a Facebook post, the sheriff's office confirmed Keith Alan Harmon, 48, was arrested Tuesday on three separate child porn indictments following a six-month investigation. A man who sexually abused his adopted daughter for more than 15 years, fathered three of her children and threatened her into silence received five life sentences on Tuesday during an emotional hearing in a San Antonio courtroom. Eusebio Castillo, 48, and his wife, Laura Castillo, 47, were accused of sexually assaulting their niece and adopted daughter, Abigail Alvarado, for more than 15 years, leading to the birth of three children who were raised to believe their mother was their sister. "You took a little girl and pretended to offer her a loving home. You had her call you 'Dad' and 'Mom.' Then you began doing unspeakable damage and harm to her at the age of 9," said State District Judge Joey Contreras at the beginning of an emotional, angry address to Eusebio Castillo. "It is not forgivable. It boggles my mind how someone can do that to their own baby," he added. ON THE EXPRESS-NEWS: After adopted parents' arrest, S.A. woman shares horrific story of 15+ years of sexual abuse Eusebio Castillo, a former Army sergeant, pleaded guilty to the sexual assault charges on Oct. 1 to in an attempt to avoid life in prison. He elected to let Judge Contreras decide his fate. Laura Castillo pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated sexual assault and was sentenced to 33 years in prison in July. She remains in a state prison. Prior to Tuesday's sentencing, prosecutor Steven Speir urged the judge to hand down the most severe penalty to Castillo. "I have never encountered a situation where someone has been sexually assaulted more than 1,000 times," he said. "The level of perversion is unreal." Eusebio Castillo's defense attorney, Anthony Cantrell, acknowledged his client's crimes and apologized to Alvarado. He pointed to Eusebio Castillo's cancer, which doctors have said has a 60 percent chance of killing him within 5 years. And he said he worries about the justice system handing down "ridiculous" sentences for publicity. RELATED: Court documents say man sexually assaulted relative since age 9, fathered 3 of her children Contreras said that as a judge he represents his community and speaks for them, and sometimes certain crimes evoke such outrage that a "powerful component of symbolism" is required. He then read out the sentences on each of the 10 counts of aggravated sexual assault against Castillo. On the first two counts, Castillo received consecutive life sentences. He received three more concurrent life sentences. For the remaining counts, Castillo was sentenced to 20 years each. As the sentences were called out, Alvarado and her husband, Rudy, broke down in tears. After the sentencing, Alvarado and her husband, as well as their prosecution team stood side by side facing Castillo. Alvarado read aloud a written statement, laying out Castillo's crimes to him. "You were a monster," she said to a stone-faced Castillo. "The punishment you received today is the punishment you deserve for being so evil," she continued. MySA.com does not normally identify victims of sexual abuse but Alvarado had previously told her story to a reporter and allowed her name to be used. Outside of the courtroom, Abigail and Rudy embraced, relieved that they had received justice. "That's what I was asking for," she said of Castillo's sentence. "I'm just glad it's over." Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com Caleb Downs covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County. Read him on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | cdowns@mysa.com | @calebjdowns A San Antonio man was arrested on multiple charges Tuesday and accused of taking part in a robbery and an unrelated drive-by shooting, according to police. David Isaac Jr., 18, was arrested on outstanding warrants for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated robbery and deadly conduct. He was also arrested on a warrant for a pending case involving a separate aggravated assault charge, according to jail records. Investigators believe Isaac drove a red Dodge Magnum on Aug. 16 to Andy's Ice House, at 4715 Roosevelt Ave., with three other suspects to confront a customer there, according to his arrest affidavit. RELATED: Flat screen TVs, jewelry, designer handbags up for grabs at SAPD auction The man got into argument with one of the suspects before he got into his car and tried to drive away, authorities said. According to the man and other witnesses, the Dodge Magnum pulled up next to the man's car, and someone inside four shots at him. A month later, on Sept. 20, Isaac and three other suspects drove a black Chevrolet Tahoe to a gas station at the intersection of Culebra and McMullen, police said. The suspects asked a man pumping his gas if they were looking at their car. The man, whose girlfriend was paying for gas inside the store and whose 10-month-old child was in their car, said he was looking at it because it looked nice, according to the affidavit. Then, the suspects allegedly pushed him and ripped his gold chain off his neck. One of the suspects pulled a gun from their waistband and asked the man if he wanted to get shot, police said. The suspects stole $30 in change from the man's car, according to the affidavit, before the girlfriend ran out and tried to get away with her boyfriend. The two parties exchanged gunfire, according to the affidavit. The girlfriend recognized Isaac as one of the suspects, according to the affidavit. Isaac is being held without bond due to his pending aggravated assault case, according to jail records. Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County. Read him on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | fsabawi@mysa.com|@FaresInSA AUSTIN A surge in early voting Monday crushed previous turnout numbers, with a handful of the states largest counties, including Harris, setting new records for first-day voting in a mid-term election. Eight of those counties including Dallas, Travis, Collin and El Paso posted first-day turnout that surpassed that of 2016, a presidential year that typically draws more people to the polls, according to data from the Texas Secretary of States office. It is astounding to see this turnout in a midterm election, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston. Turnout on day one is a fairly strong indicator of turnout overall, according to Rottinghaus analysis of large counties data over the past few election cycles. Overall, more than 570,000 people in the 15 largest counties cast a ballot on the first day of early voting either in person or through the mail. Thats just a few thousand votes shy of the tally from 2016, but more than double the first-day turnout of the last midterm in 2014. Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart called the first-day turnout numbers incredible in Harris, where more than 63,000 voters cast ballots in person and 52,413 more turned in ballots by mail. "Lines are moving, they're getting to vote, and they're getting on their way." Similarly, more than 47,400 voters in the Democrat stronghold of Travis County cast a ballot on the first day of early voting an increase over the first-day tallies in 2014 and 2016, Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar Bruce Elfant said on Facebook. Bexar County set a record for midterm turnout, with 34,021 voters casting a ballot Monday. It fell just shy of the just shy of the 35,431 people who voted first day in the 2016 general election. In Tarrant and Dallas counties the number of people who cast a ballot on the first day of early voting more than tripled from the 2014 midterm election. For subscribers: 2018 Houston Chronicle Voter Guide For subscribers: 2018 San Antonio Express-News Voter Guide Midterms typically draw far fewer people to the polls than presidential elections. The last time more than half of registered voters cast a ballot in a Texas midterm election was 1994. But this cycle, a competitive race for U.S. Senate and a handful of hotly contested congressional seats are driving turnout this midterm, political science professor Rottinghaus said. For the past 20 years Republicans have more or less dominated electoral politics, he said. We're seeing Democrats fight from the top to the bottom of the ballot. It is hard to glean a partisan direction from these data, but it does give a sense that enthusiasm early carries across to election day, he said. Democrats touted the high day one turnout numbers, but said they arent taking them for granted. Democrats are fired up and proud to elect diverse leaders who are fighting for every Texans fair shot to get ahead, Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement. While its encouraging to see so many records broken on day one, Texas Democrats arent taking any days off. We can't afford to let anyone sit this out. Vlad Davidiuk, communications director for the Harris County Republican Party is convinced Democratic voters are just surging early and things voting will balance out more by the end of early voting. "Both sides are turning out with high energy. We saw this during the primary and had the same conversation as Dems shattered records only to taper off and fizzle at the end, he said. "Republicans will continue to turnout in big numbers through this election. Jeremy Wallace contributed to this report. amorris@hearst.net WASHINGTON Sen. Ted Cruz's relationship with President Donald Trump started with a non-aggression pact. But as the president arrives in Houston on Monday to campaign for his one-time nemesis, it is clear that it has grown into something much bigger than that. Now allies on tax cuts, immigration, Supreme Court nominations and repealing the Affordable Care Act still a work in progress Trump now needs Cruz as much as Cruz needs Trump. With the Senate split 51-49, Republicans can hardly afford to take any chances with the surprisingly robust campaign of Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke. Boarding Marine One on Monday on his way to Houston, Trump told reporters he has a new moniker for Cruz: "He's not Lyin' Ted any more," Trump said. "He's Beautiful Ted." In Trump's own telling, it all started with a phone call from Cruz in early 2015, asking for a meeting. Cruz had already embarked on his White House bid, and Trump had just joined the fray. "Ted Cruz called me and I don't know why I'm meeting him, to be honest," Trump said in a television interview at the time. "But I do have respect for him." At the time, Cruz was defending the former Reality TV star from criticism about remarks he had made equating Mexicans who immigrated illegally with criminals and rapists. He praised Trump's brashness. "One of the reasons you're seeing so many presidential candidates go out of their way to smack Donald Trump is they don't like a politician who speaks directly about the challenges of immigration," Cruz said at the time. For subscribers: Ted Cruz as peacemaker? Senator walks a fine line embracing Trump Cruz staffers described their July, 2015 encounter at Trump Tower as cordial. "Trump was gracious," then-Cruz spokesman Rick Tyler told the Chronicle afterwards. With Trump fast cutting into the Texan's support among Christian conservatives and other parts of the Republican base, Cruz saw no percentage in attacking the party's newly-minted maverick. Cruz strategists, like most others, were betting that Trump's star would soon burn out. But it didn't. Heading into the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses, the relationship cracked. Trump, outspoken in questioning former President Obama's birthplace, began to openly question whether Cruz, who was born in Canada, was legally qualified to be president. Cruz attributed the attack to his strong poll numbers in Iowa. Cruz, for his part, began to publicly question whether Trump was fit to lead the country in a time of terrorism. By December, 2015, with the presidential primaries rapidly approaching and Republicans looking for ways to blunt Trump's momentum, Trump turned decisively on Cruz, calling the senator "a little bit of a maniac," in an interview with Fox News. Cruz's Iowa win on Feb. 1, 2016, coupled with accusations that his campaign had falsely spread rumors about Ben Carson's departure from the race, only served to further the breach with Trump. "You are the single biggest liar," Trump said during a debate shortly after the Iowa caucuses. "This guy will say anything. Nasty guy. Now I know why he doesn't have one endorsement from any of his colleagues." For subscribers: Ted Cruz allies double down, energized by O'Rourke's mountain of cash Hence, the genesis of Trump's label for Cruz, "Lyin' Ted," a phrase that Trump employed repeatedly as the primaries wore on. With the Super Tuesday primaries approaching in early 2016, and Trump marching steadily toward the GOP nomination, Cruz began to step up his own attacks, talking about Trump's "New York values," his failure to release his taxes, and even his possible ties to the Mafia. "You know, maybe it is the case that Donald, there have been multiple media reports about Donald's business dealings with the mob," Cruz said on Meet the Press later in February, 2016. "Maybe his taxes show those business dealings are a lot more extensive than has been reported." Trump's response: "Lyin' Ted Cruz is grasping at straws because he is so far down in the polls," he said in a statement. "He is a nervous wreck." It got more personal ahead of the Utah primary, when a pro-Cruz Super PAC ad targeting Mormons showed a bare-naked photo of Melania Trump, in her modeling days, sprawled out on a bear-skin rug. Trump, holding Cruz responsible, responded with a still mysterious threat to "spill the beans" on Cruz's wife, Heidi. Some took it as a reference to her past struggles with depression. That was followed by a now-infamous Trump tweet showing the two wives side by side: One an unflattering photo of Heidi Cruz with an angry facial expression; the other a glamour shot of Melania Trump. The text: "A picture is worth a thousand words" Cruz's response was almost blood simple: "It's not easy to tick me off," he told reporters. "I don't get angry often. But you mess with my wife, you mess with my kids, that will do it every time. Donald Trump, you're a sniveling coward. Leave Heidi the hell alone." Far from backing off, Trump followed that with open speculation about whether Cruz's father was involved in the JFK assassination, a further insult to his family. By the time Cruz was forced from the race after a loss in the Indiana primaries in May, the epithets toward Trump were spewing forth: "pathological liar;" "utterly immoral;" "serial philanderer;" and a "narcissist at a level I don't think this country's ever seen." The low-point of the once budding bromance came at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, where Cruz refused to endorse Trump and was all but booed off the stage. Many Texas delegates, by then Trump acolytes, were furious at Cruz for letting it get personal. It took him the rest of the summer to get over it. But get over it he did. Taking to Facebook not on any stage he announced that he would have to go with Trump, mainly because he found Hillary Clinton "wholly unacceptable" and because of Trump's "very strong list" of potential Supreme Court nominees. A few weeks later, when the "Access Hollywood" tape came out with Trump bragging about groping women, Cruz stayed in line, sticking with the Republican nominee and avoiding a potentially harmful split of the Evangelical faithful. With Trump's victory, the transactional relationship that characterizes so many Washington "friendships" was back on. The Republicans had unified control of the government, and Cruz was not going to be left outside the tent. "There's no doubt it was a vigorous campaign. I campaigned hard, with all my might, and Donald Trump did the same," Cruz told the Chronicle a month after Trump's 2017 inauguration. "The campaign is over." A month later, Cruz and his wife Heidi were invited to a family dinner at the White House with Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. Now allies on tax cuts, immigration, Supreme Court nominations and repealing the Affordable Care Act still a work in progress Trump now needs Cruz as much as Cruz needs Trump. With the Senate split 51-49, Republicans can hardly afford to take any chances with the surprisingly robust campaign of Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke. Boarding Marine One on Monday on his way to Houston, Trump told reporters he has a new moniker for Cruz: "He's not Lyin' Ted any more," Trump said. "He's Beautiful Ted." WASHINGTON President Donald Trump and other top administration officials stood by comments he made Monday in Houston that there might be people from the Middle East mixed in with the thousands who have formed an immigrant caravan in Mexico heading for the U.S. border. The claim, coming two weeks ahead of the midterm elections, has become part of an intensifying administration push to highlight illegal immigration and close "catch and release" loopholes that they say have contributed to a growing crisis on the border. Pressed for evidence of Middle Eastern infiltrators, Trump told reporters in the Oval office that while he had no solid proof, "there could very well be," adding, "I have very good information." The claim, derided by immigration activists, was seconded by Vice President Mike Pence in comments made at the Washington Post earlier in the day about the administration's proposed Space Force. Related: Trump knocks Beto O'Rourke, tries to boost Houston congressional candidates "It's inconceivable that there are not people of Middle Eastern descent in a crowd of more than 7,000 people advancing toward our border," Pence said. He added that Honduran officials have told him that the caravan was financed by the regime of leftist Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Pence said he has spoken to the leaders of Honduras and Guatemala. "We've been working very closely with Mexico," he said. "We're going to do everything in our power to prevent this caravan from coming north and violating our border." Trump, speaking at Monday night's rally for Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who is fending off a challenge from Democratic challenger Beto O'Rourke, speculated that Democrats have "something to do" with the caravan. Administration critics and immigration activists accused Trump of stoking fears ahead of the midterm elections that could decide the control of Congress. "Who would have thought that in the first half of the 21st century of modern America a U.S. president would resort to outright lies and dredge up racist fears in an effort to remain in power?" said Frank Sharry, Executive Director of the activist group America's Voice. "History, meet Donald Trump." Related: Social media reactions to Trump's rally in Houston Trump said he spoke with border patrol many times and "they've intercepted many people from the Middle East," including ISIS, and other people including "good ones and bad ones" and "wonderful people" from the Middle East and South America and beyond. "Among the people they've intercepted, very recently, are people from the Middle East," he said. "It's not even saying bad or good." "There could very well be," he said again when asked if there's proof. In an effort to bolster Trump's claims, the White House deployed a pair of senior administration officials to brief reporters on the latest border crossing statistics showing a record-shattering surge in family units 161,000 in the federal fiscal year that ended September 30. That's 42 percent higher than any previous year on record. They said it is not uncommon for the Border Patrol to come across people crossing the border illegally from countries outside North and Central America. Last year, they said they stopped around 3,000 "special interest aliens" from countries such as Bangladesh and Somalia. The officials also noted the changing demographics of illegal immigration. Last year, more than half of the people caught by the Border Patrol were from Central America, many of them arriving as families or unaccompanied minors. That's in contrast to the year 2000, when the vast majority of people arrested crossing the southern border were single adults from Mexico. The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, argued that the surge has been caused by lax asylum laws and restrictions on family and child detentions that make it difficult to deport the new arrivals, particularly those from Central America. Of the "family unit aliens" from countries other than Mexico, less than 2 percent of those caught in 2017 had been repatriated as of last June 30, according to Department of Homeland Security officials. "We are apprehending these aliens," one of the officials said. "If we could return them, there's no border crisis." Asked if the answer is to improve conditions in the home countries, including through the foreign aid he's threatened to cut, Trump said that aid "hasn't worked for a long time in those countries." He said he wants to improve the conditions in the United States first. He said he's watched the caravan on the news and "I think there's a lot of talent in that group," but that other people are waiting in line. "I want them to come in, I want them to come in through a merit-based system," Trump said. "We have to focus on our country for a change." The end of Robert Muellers investigation. The loss of health insurance for several million people. New laws that make it harder to vote. More tax cuts for the rich. More damage to the environment. A Republican Party molded even more in the image of President Donald Trump. These are among the plausible consequences if the Republicans sweep the midterm elections and keep control of both the House and Senate. And dont fool yourself. That outcome, although not the most likely one, remains possible. Democrats will probably win the popular vote in the House elections, for the first time since 2012. Trump, after all, remains unpopular. But the combination of gerrymandering and the concentration of Democratic voters in major cities means that a popular-vote win wont automatically translate into a House majority. If Republicans do manage to keep both chambers of Congress, it would be validation for Trump, who could then brag that he had defied the experts once again. It would embolden Trump to push even harder toward the America he wants where corporate oversight is scant, climate change is ignored, voting rights are abridged, health care is a privilege, judicial independence is a fiction and the truth is whatever he says it is. What this might look like: The Russia investigation For todays congressional Republicans, the election will be a measure of how worried they need to be about Trump and Russia. A Democratic takeover may make congressional Republicans less willing to make excuses for Trump. A Republican victory would suggest that the party does not need to be scared about the politics of Russia. Yes, Mueller the special counsel overseeing the investigation could change that by issuing an explosive report after the election. But a midterm victory could also give Trump the confidence to shut down the investigation, through firing some combination of Mueller, Rod Rosenstein (who oversees Mueller) and Jeff Sessions, the attorney general. In their place, he could install loyalists. An expanded Senate majority could ease the confirmation of those loyalists. Even if Muellers findings eventually became public, an unfinished report is different from a completed investigation that could include indictments of people close to Trump. Its easy to imagine Trump waving it away as a witch hunt. Congressional Republicans may go even further and hold hearings investigating the investigators. Altogether, an election victory would probably give Trump the confidence to use the law as an instrument of political power rather than one of justice. Health care The Republican agenda on health care revolves around less insurance for the middle class and poor, to pay for tax cuts. In response, many Republicans have begun telling flat-out falsehoods about their positions on health care. Now imagine if the party nonetheless won the midterms. They can get away with lying about what their actual policy is, said Jacob Leibenluft of the liberal Center for American Progress. There is every reason to believe Republicans would then try to cut health care funding more deeply. I would expect them to make some kind of run on health care again, Ryan Streeter of the conservative American Enterprise Institute said, but I would be surprised if they tried for full repeal. Im not so sure. Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, suggested last week that Republicans would reconsider repeal if they kept Congress. Other legislation For decades now, the No. 1 Republican policy priority has been tax cuts that mostly benefit the rich. Next year, there could be more cuts. Apart from taxes, the party could try to go further to block corporate regulation. The most tempting Republican legislation may be one that involves political power. Over the last decade, the party has become much more aggressive about restricting voting access, especially for Democratic-leaning groups like African-Americans and Native Americans. So far, these laws have been passed in states, rather than at the federal level. But they could become a model for a federal law. The goal would be obvious: Keep Republicans in power, even when they lack the support of most Americans. Google, in partnership with One Acre Fund, will train 100,000 Kenyan smallholder farmers in digital skills through a KSh100m grant. Google Kenya country manager Charles Murito said the training skills programme will help smallholder farmers digitise their agribusiness operations and tasks. Smallholder farmers in Kenya to benefit from KSh100m Google grant. Image by McKay Savage, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons The project will provide training as well as products and services to smallholder farmers aimed at digitising their agribusiness operations and tasks. Farmers in low-income and rural parts of the country will benefit from the grant and training taking effect over the next year.Murito was speaking at the first Google for Kenya event where the company outlined its long-term strategy and commitment to contribute to the countrys economic and social growth. The event marked the 11-year anniversary of the companys Nairobi office.The company also announced the launch of Motorbike Mode, a dedicated travel mode for motorcycle taxi riders, which will provide directions and voice navigation in Kenya, the first in Africa. Democrat Ned Lamonts lead over Republican Bob Stefanowski has shrunk during the last month from 6.2 percent to 3.4 percent, putting the governors race into a statistical tie, according to a Sacred Heart University/Hearst Connecticut Media Group poll released Tuesday. The survey of likely voters shows that the unaffiliated have shifted their support to Stefanowski, a consultant and former corporate executive from Madison running for his first elective office, from 36.5 percent in September to 43.2 percent with two weeks left before Election Day. The race is now within the margin of error of plus-or-minus 4.32 percent. Overall, the survey finds Lamont with 39.5 percent of the vote, Stefanowski with 36.1, and Oz Griebel, the unaffiliated former Hartford business leader, with 8.4 percent, along with 14.8 percent undecided. The governors race in Connecticut is coming down to the wire and has tightened up since our September poll, said Leslie DeNardis, director of the Institute for Public Policy and director of Sacred Heart Universitys master of public administration program. The numbers reflect voter discontent with current leadership, our states struggling economy and concerns about national issues, she said. Results from our new poll indicate a large number of undecided voters and support largely along party lines. In September, the Sacred Heart/Hearst Poll showed Lamont with 43.1 percent support, compared to Stefanowskis 36.9 percent. Marc Bradley, Lamonts campaign manager, used the poll to criticize Stefanowski. Polls go up and down, but one thing has remained consistent: Bob Stefanowski's tax scheme will eliminate more than half the state's revenue, forcing property taxes to rise dramatically in every one of Connecticut's 169 towns and cities while decimating education, health care and public safety, Bradley said in a statement. Stefanowski spokesman Kendall Marr, linked the poll findings to Lamont, Griebel and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. As we have said from the beginning, this race will continue to move in Stefanowski's direction as voters realize that Ned Lamont's policies are the same ones that put our state in its current position. When it comes to Ned, Oz, and Dan Malloy, they are three peas in a pod, Marr said in a statement. Support by gender Gender Lamont Stefanowski Griebel unsure Women 50% 25.2% 8.8% 15.2% Men 29.1% 47% 8% 14.3% Source: Sacred Heart University/Hearst Connecticut Media poll See More Collapse We've said consistently that the only poll that matters is on November 6th, said Chris Cooper, spokesman for Griebel. As importantly, this poll does not match up with what we are hearing and seeing and it is also true that polling in recent election cycles has been notoriously inaccurate. Widening gender gap While 50 percent of women say they will vote for Lamont, a Greenwich investor, compared to 25.2 percent for Stefanowski, 47 percent of men say theyll back Stefanowski, with 29.1 percent for Lamont. Female voters are likely to have a strong impact on local and national races as reflected in our survey for the gubernatorial and Congressional races, as well as lackluster support for President Trump and discontent over how the Kavanaugh appointment was handled, DeNardis said. It looks like the gubernatorial race will remain highly competitive right up to election day. Statewide, there are 460,279 registered Republicans, 785,615 Democrats and 870,171 unaffiliated voters, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill announced Tuesday. Stefanowski opposes highway tolls and higher taxes. But 52.1 percent of voters support toll roads to raise money for transportation infrastructure, and 64.9 percent believe that raising taxes on those with incomes of a million dollars or more is a fair and effective way to help balance the state budget, if cutting state services and spending cannot solve it. Lamont has proposed trucks-only highway tolls, but has not backed higher income taxes. Overall, given a list of nine top issues facing the state, 22 percent of voters said the tax burden is the major problem, followed by 17.6 percent who said the budget crisis is paramount. The 501 voters, who said they were likely to cast ballots on November 6, were reached by landline and cell phones by the polling company GreatBlue Research. The survey took place between October 13 and 17. On congressional races, 48.7 percent of those responding to the poll said they would support Democrats for the U.S. House of Representatives, while 34.1 percent said they would vote for Republicans. The poll found that 72.4 percent of Democrats and 54.8 percent of Republicans disapproved of the way the U.S. Senates Judiciary Committee handled the recent nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. Eighty percent of women surveyed disapproved of the Senate committees actions. On October 10, the Quinnipiac University Poll found Lamont leading Stefanowski by 47 percent to 39 percent, with 21 percent undecided. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) on Monday suspended four directors, just hours after the Finance Ministrys new communication tzar William Gerald Mutumanje, also known as Acie Lumumba, went on Facebook to accuse them of running a foreign currency cartel. In a rambling Facebook Live video Sunday evening, Lumumba named RBZ Director Bank Supervision Norman Mataruka, Director Financial Markets Azvinandaa Saburi, Director Financial Intelligence Mirirai Chiremba and Head of Security Gresham Muradzikwa, accusing them of crimes ranging from off-the-books bond notes to corrupt allocation of foreign currency. RBZ governor John Panonetsa Mangudya, in a statement, said the apex bank had noted the allegations of impropriety, adding: The bank has found it necessary, for the sake of transparency and good corporate governance, that the allegations be followed through and investigated in line with the banks employment code of conduct. Mangudya said they had been suspended for an indefinite period to pave way for the internal investigation. According to Mutumanje, Muradzikwa has more money in his bank account than all his bosses, while adding that he did not believe Mangudya was involved in the corruption. The directors had also made Finance Minister Mthulis life impossible, he claimed, adding: I will not allow that. This country is being run by a cartel and Minister Ncube is going to break that cartel. Lumumba claimed to have access to financial intelligence provided to him during briefings with Ncube. RBZ sources told ZimLive that the directors were in the middle of bitter turf war for the control of the RBZ between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga. Attempts were made to arrest the directors last week at the instigation of an anti-corruption unit established by Mnangagwa, but the plan was aborted after disagreements between security agencies, a source familiar with the events said. The ZRP, Military Intelligence and Central Intelligence Organisation were all consulted on the plan, and there were bitter disagreements. In the end, no-one had an appetite to take such a drastic step before any wrongdoing has been established, the official said. In the background, Mnangagwa and Ncube, it is understood, have hatched a plan to break-up Trafigura Zimbabwes stranglehold on the fuel industry. Fuel gets by far the biggest weekly foreign currency allocations at the RBZ, with the lions share some 70 percent going to Singapore-registered Trafigura, which last year bought into Sakunda Supplies by acquiring a 48,79 stake through its South African subsidiary, Puma Energy Africa Holdings. Mutumanje, unleashed, accused Trafigura of running a fuel cartel. When it was time for the RBZ to release forex for fuel, executives at the apex bank ran around like headless chickens fearing the fuel mafia, he claimed. He hinted that the alleged fuel cartel was using government protection through an exclusive agreement with the RBZ signed in 2016, and their near monopoly, to manipulate prices which were sharply higher than in the region although countries like DRC and Zambia get their fuel through Zimbabwe. Ncube believed the Reserve Bank should have no business running fuel allocations for private companies and wants protectionist policies restricting imports lifted to drive down prices, Mutumanje said. Mutumanje spoke just hours after Kudakwashe Tagwirei, the CEO of Trafigura Zimbabwe and owner of Sakunda, joined Chiwenga at his homestead in Wedza for a thanksgiving mass. Chiwenga loyalists, almost exclusively from the Mashonaland Provinces, attended the event. Mutumanje claimed Zimbabwe was controlled by an individual he named as Queen Bee, after the honeybee matriarch for whom all activities in the hive are for her benefit. He claimed he had met Queen Bee at the house of former Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere a few times, and that this Queen Bee had also sponsored Grace Mugabes rallies before her husband, President Robert Mugabe, was overthrown in a military coup last November. Two sources in the know told ZimLive that the individual Mutumanje was referring to was Tagwirei. The mistake that many are making is to look at Mutumanje as an excitable irritant with no plan. On this occasion, hes the stalking horse of both Ncube and Mnangagwa. When the arrests failed, they chose to take it into the public domain, pretty much labelling the RBZ four as enemies of state. Mangudya was then activated to begin the internal inquiry, a source familiar with the manoeuvres said. On Monday, Chiwenga is said to have told Ncube to sack Mutumanje. A letter had been drafted, but the minister was reluctant to sign it. An attack on Tagwirei is an attack on Chiwenga. They have other joint interests in chrome mining for instance. Its deeply personal and factional and there could be a lot more twists and turns on this saga, our source said. Former Central Intelligence Organisation boss Happyton Bonyongwe, his wife Willia recently removed by Ncube from the Zimra board and Bonyongwes unnamed brother-in-law were also major players in the cartel, Mutumanje claimed. The Mnangagwa camp would try and link Tagwirei to Grace Mugabe, the reviled First Lady. Mutumanje hinted that Mugabes frequent medical flights to Singapore was probably how money was being spirited away. He also insinuated that a private jet that flew Grace Mugabe in for her mothers funeral had been hired by Tagwirei, without naming him. Queen Bee, said Mutumanje, had realised that he could not capture Ncube and Mnangagwa so had gone about capturing everyone else. ZimLive Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News MDC Alliance official official Jeffryson Chitando has said war veterans leader Victor Matemadandas liberation struggle credentials are questionable because of his reckless utterances. In the statement below Chitando responds to Matemadanda claims that Dzikamai Mavhaires is a political liability. Victor Matemadanda must be reminded that the liberation struggle was fought by armed vanamukoma, vasungwa, mujibha, chimbwidos and ordinary citizens. Matemadanda should be reminded that some of those vanamukoma came back to independent Zimbabwe without having shot a single enemy or the enemys dog. Those vocal war veterans like Matemadanda were the worst cowards. Matemadanda must be reminded that the freedom fighters (Vanamukoma) never brought food and clothes from Mozambique or Zambia but the people of Zimbabwe provided such items to the freedom fighters. Such shallow minded war veterans like Matemadanda were busy abusing young women. Zimbabweans should doubt the liberation credentials of people like Matemadanda. True war veterans understand that the war for liberation wasnt going to be successful without other units, namely Chimbwidos and mujibhas. Matemadanda must seriously explain his war credentials. If he was a true freedom fighter he must have appreciated the roles played by various groups to fight the enemy. For Matemadanda to label Dzikamai Mavhaire a herdboy is irresponsible. The people of Masvingo understand the role played by Dzikamai Mavhaire during the liberation struggle. The recruitment of thousands of young people to join the liberation struggle, clothing of war veterans, logistics,organising and medical supplies to freedom fighters were some of contributions made by Dzikamai Mavhaire in Masvingo. Zimbabwe Eye Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Former President Robert Mugabes son in law, Simba Chikore has been granted $30 bail by Harare Magistrate, Elisha Singano. Singano said there was no compelling evidence to deny the accused bail, ordering him to reside at the given address and not to interfere with state witnesses. Chikore was arrested last night at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on allegations of kidnapping of a Zimbabwe Airways employee Bertha Zakeyo. 263Chat Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News DOCTORS employed by the government have joined teachers in demanding that their salaries be paid in US dollars, it has emerged. The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) national executive handed the health ministry a petition outlining the demands Monday. The association is scheduled to meet Health Minister and Child Care minister Obadiah Moyo later this week. It is our duty to present these issues advocating on behalf of our patients, our members and the entire health sector, said the ZHDA in a statement Monday. According to the association, the demands are not new, but the situation has been made even more urgent by the countrys deteriorating economic situation. The Collective Bargaining Agreement on the 2nd March 2018 states that our salaries are paid in US dollars, reads the petition. As of this month our members were paid in RTGS and cannot access basic goods and commodities, let alone travel to work. We implore the government to pay salaries in US dollars as previously agreed. Furthermore we request non-monetary incentives such as fuel to be available to our members and the civil service at government prescribed rates, most hospitals have fuel tanks. Teachers, who make up the majority of Zimbabwes 500,000-strong civil service have made similar demands as the countrys economy nose-dives. A worsening scarcity of foreign currency has resulted in shortages of basic commodities as well as price hikes. Tough fiscal and monetary policy measures introduced by the government have also made life difficult for many. Drugs have also become unavailable at public hospitals with private pharmacies demanding payment in foreign currency and rejecting medical insurance. This is despite government claims that some $21m was made available for the procurement of drugs and equipment in hospitals. We implore the government to prioritise the health sector in allocating foreign currency and to seek aid from international partners. It may be prudent to declare a state of emergency in our sector, said ZHDA. The association urged the government to consider introducing a comprehensive National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme to ensure access to health for all while decentralisation might also help in addressing problems faced in the countrys hospitals. Let each hospital run its own operations, remitting nothing to anyone, they said. We hope these grievances will be looked into with the urgency they deserve, and solutions quickly put in place. Members are agitated and frustrated by working under deplorable conditions. NewZimbabwe Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Fuel prices have gone up for the second time in two months, amid serious shortages of the commodity across the country. A survey by the Daily News yesterday showed that the price for both petrol and diesel has increased by two cents, with the former fetching $1,43 from $1,41, while the latter has gone up to $1,35 from $1,33. Energy and Power Development minister Joram Gumbo, confirmed the increase, saying it was a result of pricing trends on the global market. The price of fuel is reviewed every week by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera), so there was an increase on the international market. The international market is no longer stable; it regularly fluctuates, so Zera will keep on reviewing the fuel prices, said Gumbo. As we speak, it has gone up by two cents for both petrol and diesel. So petrol has gone up from $1,41 to $1,43, that is the price for the week and diesel has gone up to $1,35 from $1,33, he added. Zimbabwe has over the last few months been experiencing intermittent fuel supplies, blamed on foreign currency shortages. As the shortages continue, some motorists are now resorting to the black market, where the commodity is sold at a higher price, with some dealers demanding payment in foreign currency. The rise in the cost of fuel will obviously have a negative impact on the economy, as it puts pressure on the cost of transporting goods as well as the price of food and services. President of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers, Denford Mutashu, told the Daily News yesterday that the fuel price increase was likely to impact on the other sectors of the economy. Cost drivers like fuel have an implication on general pricing and any price movement has an effect. Retailers are price takers and in most cases will simply pass on the price hike onto the market, Mutashu said. Government is on record claiming that there has been an increase in the number of cars in the country, which has also increased the demand for fuel. According to officials, the country is at the moment consuming four million litres of diesel up from 2,5 million litres a week while three million litres of petrol is being pumped, up from 1, 5 million litres per week. Owing to the increase in demand for fuel on the market, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), which previously allocated $20 million for fuel, has increased the weekly allocation for the procurement of the commodity to $35 million per week. But there are claims that some pump stations are creating artificial shortages by deliberately withholding the product for speculative reasons. Last week, Zera, issued a statement, warning fuel dealers against creating artificial shortages by limiting supplies or hoarding for speculative purposes. Zera said these actions are in violation of the Petroleum (Fuel Pricing) (Amendment) Regulations, 2015 (No.10 published in Statutory Instrument 20 of 2015 which prohibits the withholding of petroleum products for speculative purposes and charging fuel prices that are beyond the prescribed limits. Petroleum licencees are hereby warned to cease and desist from such criminal activities as they risk prosecution and cancellation of their licences, Zera said. Fuel operators have largely attributed the obtaining intermittent fuel crisis to the shortage of foreign currency, as the country is grappling with serious liquidity constraints. Retailers buy their products outside the country through the RBZ which pays directly to the suppliers. In terms of the arrangement that was created by the central bank, oil companies, which are top on the priority list, approach their banks and request that payment of a certain amount be made to a company that they will be dealing with on the basis of their nostro accounts. Following the request, the bank would accept the request, with approval from RBZ. DailyNews Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Prominent ZiFM Stereo radio personality Misred (real name Samantha Musa) has opened up on her increasingly difficult financial circumstances. In a candid post widely shared on the Twitter microblogging site, the 29-year-old said she was struggling financially. Guys chokwadi chiripo ndechekuti paden pangu parikupisa (the truth is things are financially difficult at home), she wrote earlier today. My daughter asked me yesterday kuti mom is everything okay? Because we are eating porridge with peanut butter everyday for breakfast I think it is time I have the Zim Economy talk with her. Real incomes have dropped dramatically over the past three months as prices rise in step with parallel market rates. A 9-pack of reasonable quality toilet paper now sells for $30 in some stores. Salaries have not increased. The crisis has particularly squeezed young professionals with rental and school-fees burdens. A 34-year-old graphic designer who runs a studio with four desks in Harare told Kukurigo the deteriorating economy had forced him to send his workers home. I recently invested US$8,000 in four computers but things just changed. Nobody is spending money and nobody is paying what they owe. Ive had to send everyone home and do the little available work myself, he said. Zimbabwe sunk deeper into economic crisis following a disputed presidential election and subsequent unpopular economic interventions by President Emmerson Mnangagwas government. Kukurigo Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News This is Naked Capitalism fundraising week. 1485 donors have already invested in our efforts to combat corruption and predatory conduct, particularly in the financial realm. Please join us and participate via our donation page, which shows how to give via check, credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Read about why were doing this fundraiser and what weve accomplished in the last year, and our current goal, more original reporting An Urban Ink Forager Explains How To Paint With All The Colors Of The Alley (David L) This Weirdly Geometric Iceberg Is Freaking Us Out Gizmodo In pictures: Rome suffers freak hailstorm and flooding BBC (David L) Three pretty big earthquakes reported in Pacific Ocean off Vancouver Island Edmonton Journal Oxygen-Rich Liquid Water May Exist on Mars Scientific American Identifying the source of perytons at the Parkes radio telescope arXiv.org. Chuck L: Read the abstract. The findings are hilarious. Or maybe its just my weird sense of humor. Scientists have found new evidence that tiny pieces of plastic might be accumulating in your poop Business Insider (David L) Your Poop Is Probably Full of Plastic Wired (Kevin W) China? Europes life insurers fall into the hands of private equity Financial Times Brexit We were actually far more liberal than he is, says Victorian ghost child about Jacob Rees-Mogg Daily Mash New Cold War Russia Discusses Big Projects With Exxon As New Sanctions Loom OilPrice Syraqistan Big Brother is Watching You Watch Trump Transition Majority of Republicans supports Medicare for all, poll finds The Hill Five Reasons Republicans Can Hold the House RealClearPolitics (UserFriendly) Big Dem donors stick to sidelines as 2020 approaches The Hill Midterms: Poorest states have Republican legislatures USA Today. UserFriendly: Written by #200 on the Forbes list. My response. Explosive Device Found in Mailbox at George Soross Westchester County Home New York Times Judge expected to overturn law that forced customers to pay for failed SC nuclear project Post and Courier Patagonia Endorses Tester and Rosen Outside. GlennF: From the article The companys current CEO, Rose Marcario, has said shed like to see the outdoor industry become a political force like the NRA. We cannot give up an inch of protected land on our watch A debate about central-bank independence is overdue Upsetting the punchbowl Economist (UserFriendly) The Secret Lives of Central Bankers New York Times (UserFriendly) Tax Reform and U.S. Effective Profit Taxes: From Low to Lower Liberty Street Economics Crisis Watch Bait and Switch Simon Wren-Lewis, London Review of Books. On Adam Toozes book. Paywalled, but Lambert sent me the text. Very much worth a read. Global Equities and Futures Hit by Another Selloff Bloomberg Class Warfare Antidote du jour (John N): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. (As delivered) President Duque, It is a great honour and a great pleasure to welcome you here to the NATO headquarters. Especially since this is your first visit to NATO and also because Colombia is our first partner is Latin America. And we highly value the partnership with your country, we look forward to strengthen that partnership and to work closer together on many different issues, where we see common ground and where we face common challenges. Our cooperation is good for Colombia and it is good for NATO. It is based on our common values and a shared commitment to international peace and security. In 2015, Colombia took part in NATOs Operation Ocean Shield to counter piracy off the Horn of Africa. We continue to work closely together. Your commitment to NATOs Building Integrity programme has helped increase the transparency and the professionalism of Colombias defence institutions. And Colombian personnel have also benefitted from military education at the NATO School in Germany, and the NATO Defence College in Italy. We just had a very productive meeting where we discussed how we can further step up our cooperation and partnership between Colombia and NATO. In areas like cyber defence, demining. And we are extremely grateful for your offer to help us strengthen our demining capacities, and also promoting the role of women in peace and security, as examples of where we can do more together. We are looking at how Colombias experience in countering improvised explosive devices could be shared with NATO. The Alliance could also benefit from Colombias expertise in support of our efforts in Afghanistan. So President, Thank you once again for being here. NATOs partnerships across the world are of great importance for NATO, but we really welcome Colombia, since you are our first and so far only partner in Latin America, and I look forward to continue to work with you and to strengthen the partnership between Colombia and NATO. So once again, welcome. L-R: CRSP dsgn cofounders Yoshlyn Naidoo and Nthato Moagi Tell us a bit about how CRSP dsgn and the invention of the #LCERT came about. How has the LCERT and the initiative been received by pilot schools and learners so far - what's the feedback been like? What prompted you to launch this initiative - where does your passion for social development, particularly in youth education, come from? At what stage are you now in the development of LCERT and getting it to market? You've been selected as a 5 for Change beneficiary - what will you do with the proceeds? What is CRSP dsgns' long-term vision? Thankfully, Moagi and Naidoo suffer no lack of imagination and fully understand the power of education to uplift South Africa's children in underprivileged schools beyond their current circumstance.The duo has applied both their minds and hearts in developing a low-cost configurable modular robotics kit called the Low Cost Educational Robotics Toy (LCERT). Made up of components with unique functions - LEDs, power supplies, sensors, motors, controller modules - the simple kit allows school learners to design, assemble and program robotics and mechatronic systems for a number of applications.CRSP dsgn is one of this year's five beneficiaries of the 5 For Change black tie event set for Saturday, 27 October, at The Station in Newtown, Johannesburg.As part of our #5forChange series, we chatted to Nthato Moagi, cofounder of CRSP dsgn, to find out more about the organisations beginnings, from where his passion for social development stems, and what CRSP dsgn plans to do with the proceeds from the #5forChange event As a teenager growing up in Soweto, with dreams of becoming an astronaut or the next Iron Man, I imagined how I could make this a possibility for myself and many others like me. During my final year of studying towards my aeronautical engineering degree at Wits University, I thought more deeply about how I could develop resources that would enable young people such as myself (in my school years) to think about how they could impact the world through science, technology, engineering and mathematics. As my final year thesis topic, I decided to develop the Low Cost Educational Robotics Toy (LCERT).After completing my studies and working within the aerospace and defence industry, my passion for technology and science was further developed. During my time in the defence industry, I met an equally passionate and driven individual, Yoshlyn Naidoo my cofounder, who joined me on my mission to develop the LCERT. This in turn spurred on the thinking about how we could inspire the same passion and excitement in upcoming generations at scale. It was then that CRSP dsgn was born, in order to commercialise the LCERT invention, as well as look further ahead at combating other social problems that are facing communities within the developing world.The feedback from our pilot schools has been amazing. A great challenge for schools is the access to quality, affordable resources that still allow for the teacher to complete the curriculum as required. This has been one of the most noteworthy praises that we have received from teachers. Learners have been naturally curious and have gone on to create amazingly creative projects as a result of having access to the LCERT as a resource within their classrooms.Technophobia has previously been identified as one of the bottlenecks which inhibit technology adoption within many South African schools. Fortunately, because of our intimate teacher training and support, as well as our focused approach on what South African schools need, we have seen lower levels of technophobia towards our product. Teachers have been actively participating and contributing valuable user-generated content within the programme, and this has enabled us to develop a community of educators who are determined to collaborate with us towards developing a sustainable model that will achieve widespread 21st century education within South Africa.Ever since I was a young boy, Ive only ever had two dreams. The first was to change the world and the other was to become an astronaut. As a factory worker earning minimum wage, my mother tried her best to provide me with educational toys such as LEGO building blocks to stimulate my mind. As I grew older, I developed a keen interest in the LEGO Mindstorms range of robotics toys, but unfortunately, these were offered at a very steep price which was inaccessible for many underprivileged children like myself.I tried subscribing to a magazine that included different components of a robot with every subsequent issue, but this was also too expensive, and all I received were a pair of wheels, and a robot chassis from the first two issues that were sold at special introductory prices. These wheels and chassis went on to haunt me for the rest of my childhood until one fateful day at varsity.It started out like any other day, but little did I know that an epiphany would hit me during a mechatronics tutorial that afternoon. After completing my electronics and coding tutorial, I realised that I (as a third-year student) had enough knowledge and skills to design and develop all of the LEGO-esque robotic toys that I wanted to play with as a childAnd since this epiphany occurred 10 years after my childhood disappointment, I assumed that the price of these types of toys would have decreased dramatically by this time. Unfortunately, this wasnt the case, and I learnt that these toys were still being offered at exorbitant prices which most underprivileged children wouldnt be able to access in previously disadvantaged communities. This did not make sense to me because there were huge leaps of technological advancements over the 10-year period, which dramatically lowered the costs of producing consumer electronics and digital technology.This is when I realised that I had the ability, but most importantly, theto change the status quo around education technology (edtech). It was my responsibility to improve the learning experience and upbringing of children who are growing up in underprivileged circumstances like I did, by developing an affordable product that aims to give them access to quality 21st century learning that will futureproof them for the fourth industrial revolution (4IR).The core skills that I had developed as an engineering student would ensure that they wouldnt have to suffer like I did. This was the first time that I decided to pursue my journey as a social innovator in order to alleviate the injustices around edtech, and improve education within the developing world.We are currently in the process of completing our initial pilot testing stage of the LCERT within the South African schooling system, which started at the beginning of 2018. We have implemented a user-centred design approach throughout our 2+ years of product development. Weve gathered user experience feedback from more than 30 teachers and 1600 learners, and weve taken these key insights into account in order to refine our product offering and user experience in preparation for an official launch in 2019.We are excited to be part of the 5 for Change initiative. The proceeds we receive will go towards the inclusion of one or more deserving public schools within the next stage of our pilot programme within the South African schooling system. This will enable us to provide sufficient LCERT kits, as well as extensive 21st century teacher training and curriculum support to the school(s).At CRSP dsgn, our mission is to spark the curiosity of the next generation of African innovators by providing them with access to affordable quality educational STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) resources which equip them with a growth mindset. Over the long term, we want to become a trusted technology company and design agency that will become well known for developing and manufacturing world-class innovative solutions that will create positive social impact within South Africa, and the rest of the developing world.Keen to attend #5forChange and support this year's five beneficiaries? Go to www.5forchange.co.za . Tickets are available here Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed President Ivan Duque Marquez of Colombia to NATO headquarters on Tuesday (23 October 2018) for talks on strengthening the cooperation between Colombia and the Alliance. Colombia is NATOs first partner in Latin America. Our cooperation is good for Colombia and it is good for NATO, said the Secretary General. Read the press statement by the NATO Secretary General here NATO conducted a four-day workshop on 15-18 October 2018 to strengthen the Iraqi Security Forces ability to plan and conduct missions and tasks outlined in the countrys national security strategy. Called strategic guidance mission analysis, this is the first step of a comprehensive defence planning process aiming to help the Iraqi Security Forces adapt their current force structure to future security challenges. NATO is one of the crucial partners helping Iraq with this process in the upcoming years, Major General Adel, Commander of the Iraqi Army Planning Directorate said. NATO will advise the Iraqi military planners as they develop modalities and procedures in force structure planning, helping the Iraqi Ministry of Defence to build a force structure and capabilities consistent with the countrys national security guidance. "The Iraqi Security Forces do not lack in practical experience. However, we want them to evolve and develop further, as other countries do around us. In other countries, force planning is a career path for military officers. We have to develop our own force planning units," Major General Samir, Director of the Civil-Military Cooperation Directorate of the Iraqi Ministry of Defence highlighted. Bora Onen, from NATO's Defence Policy and Planning Division, stressed that "this is Iraq-owned work; we are here to show you the path and to help you to find an Iraqi solution." A force structure planning process is vital to build and sustain an achievable and affordable force structure and capabilities. It sets the framework for the Iraqi military to allocate staff with the right expertise, set up military structures, and identify and prioritize force capabilities, training and equipment needs, while accounting for budget constraints. The Iraqi Security Forces are currently being restructured to become more efficient and adequately prepared to address all tasks set for them by their political leadership. Major General Adel concluded stating that, "We had a lot of questions to address when we started this week analyzing the National Security Strategy. After examining and reviewing the document, we have clarity about the next steps and missions set for the Ministry of Defence at the strategic level." Over 40 Iraqi planners attended the workshop, representing key Ministry of Defence directorates, including Planning, Logistics, Human Resources, Budget, and Communications. Representatives of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS also attended. Additional workshop sessions are scheduled to occur in November and December 2018. The workshops are facilitated by the NATO Core Team in Baghdad, as part of NATOs efforts to assist the Government of Iraq reforming its national security structures, conducted under the framework of the NATO Training and Capacity Building Iraq. In the defence planning area, NATO delivers its support in cooperation with the US Defense Governance and Management Team and in coordination with the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. A new NATO Mission Iraq has been launched at the NATO Summit in Brussels this past July. This will be a non-combat mission led by the Canadian Major General Dany Fortin, which will build on the current training and capacity building efforts. Personnel has started to arrive in Iraq, with the new mission expected to be fully established early next year. (Natural News) American women considering a home birth would do well to read this: commonly-thought pregnancy risk factors (such as being over 35 years old, being overweight, and having a vaginal birth after a cesarean section) tend to have good outcomes when they give birth at home or in a birth center. This landmark study, conducted by Oregon State University (OSU), is believed to be the first to examine these risk factors for this method of delivery. Currently, only two percent of all births in the U.S. are conducted at home or in a birth center. The argument for hospital-based births and home births has always been one of apples and oranges. Both medical professionals and midwives agree that low-risk, healthy women do well in a home setting. However, those who are considered high-risk would do better in a hospital setting, where immediate intervention can be accessed. Indeed, most American women admit to choosing a hospital birth in case there are emergencies that require instant attention. But there is little agreement as to what defines a low or high risk among pregnant women. This new assessment challenges these assumptions, effectively turning oranges to apples, and lending weight to an apples and apples discussion. Medical ethics require women to have the freedom to choose their own method of delivery. Marit Bovbjerg, Clinical Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at Oregon State University and lead author of the study, says that this is why the study is so important; women need to have as much information as they can get. The goal of the research is to better understand outcomes for both women and babies with some of the more common pregnancy risk factors when giving birth at home and see how these risk factors affected outcomes. Melissa Cheyney, Medical Anthropologist and Associate Professor in OSU said in an article on Science Daily Theres a middle or gray area, in terms of risk, where the risk associated with community birth is only slightly elevated relative to a completely low-risk sample. Were trying to get more information about births that fall in that middle zone so that clinicians and pregnant women can have the best evidence available when deciding where to give birth. (Related: Home Births with Midwife Safe As Hospital for Babies, Fewer Infections and Less Bleeding for Moms.) What do I need to know? Researchers analyzed more than 47,000 midwife-attended community births and looked at the specific, independent contributions to birth outcomes of ten common pregnancy risk factors. These are: Advanced maternal age (those who are over 35) Obesity Gestational diabetes Preeclampsia Post-term pregnancy (those whose gestation period exceeds 42 weeks) Twins Breech presentation History of both cesarean and vaginal birth History of only cesarean birth The last two factors are called VBACs (or vaginal birth after cesarean) and are typically recommended for hospital births. While medical institutions do not distinguish between the two, the study found that women who delivered vaginally after a previous cesarean and had a previous history of a vaginal birth had better outcomes than women giving birth for the first time. Women who had never given birth vaginally had an increased risk of poor outcomes in a home-based birth. The study also found that women whose babies were in a breech presentation had the highest rate of poor outcomes when giving birth at home. Contrary to popular belief, there was only a slight increase for poor outcomes among women over 35 or obese mothers compared to those without these risks. So whats the take-away here? Some pregnancy risk factors do not influence outcomes for home births. Babies born with this method are healthy, and mothers are safe too. However, other risk factors, such as preeclampsia and breech presentation, would present a higher risk of poorer outcomes. Bovbjerg cautions though that even for these women, its important to remember that they can choose a community birth if their faith, culture or other considerations dictate that is the best choice for them. Learn more about natural and alternative modes of treatment and healthcare by heading over to WomensHealth.news. Sources include: ScienceDaily.com Parenting.com MANA.org NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov (Natural News) For years now the American Left, mostly via the Democratic Party, has been busy tearing down as many of our institutions, mores and values as they can, and this is especially true when it comes to human behavior modification. Leftist liberals have destroyed the traditional concept of marriage, for example, as well as many of our founding Christian principles, supplanting them with the gay and lesbian agenda. The Left has since taken sexuality to a whole new level with the expansion of that agenda to now include people who think, or who simply claim, they are the opposite gender or that they have no gender at all, despite the long-established biological and genetic facts that there are just two sexes of humans, males and females. Its bad enough that the Left has convinced a sizeable number of Americans that, science be damned, someone can claim to be something anything they want to be. But this goofy, anti-science agenda actually made it into public policy during the Obama administration. But now the Trump White House is set to return some rationality into how the government officially views the definition of a man and a woman as part of official policy. As reported by Breitbart News and others, the administration is reportedly set to establish a legal definition of gender under Title IX which would be premised on a persons birth gender, according to a memo leaked to The New York Times. The Times noted: A series of decisions by the Obama administration loosened the legal concept of gender in federal programs, including in education and health care, recognizing gender largely as an individuals choice and not determined by the sex assigned at birth. The policy prompted fights over bathrooms, dormitories, single-sex programs and other arenas where gender was once seen as a simple concept. Make no mistake, figuring out a persons gender is about as simple a concept as there is. If you cant tell by a persons physical attributes, a simple lab test will do the trick. The Left will find a way around this The Times went on to report that, according to the memo, the Department of Health and Human Services is spearheading the policy shift. The department argued that government agencies should adopt a very specific and uniform definition of gender as specified on a biological basis that is clear, grounded in science, objective and administrable. (Related: New study angers transgenders for claiming they have at least ONE mental disorder.) The proposed definition would once again recognize what everyone knows that there are just two sexes, male and female, and that they are unchangeable, determined by a persons genitalia at birth. If there are disputes, then those would be resolved with genetic testing. Sex means a persons status as male or female based on immutable biological traits identifiable by or before birth, HHS proposed in its memo, which was first drafted and has been making its rounds throughout the Trump administration since the spring. The sex listed on a persons birth certificate, as originally issued, shall constitute definitive proof of a persons sex unless rebutted by reliable genetic evidence. There are 1.4 million Americans who identify as a different gender, but the Left-wing Obama regime purposely blew up the traditional means of identifying gender so that 310 million Americans would have to conform to them instead. Now, the Left is anything but compliant. Already, liberals in blue states are set to pass legislation that will allow parents to designate their child with a third gender option non-binary meaning no gender at all, which is an obvious and purposeful lie. And wouldnt you just know it, California is going to lead the way. The bottom line here is that no matter how out of their minds the Left gets over this issue, mammalian biology is not subject to ones feelings or even debate: Newborns are either going to be boys or girls, period. The Trump administration is simply recognizing that reality. Read more about the Lefts transgender propaganda at GenderConfused.com Sources include: Breitbart.com NewsTarget.com (Natural News) POTUS Donald Trump on Monday hinted that a national emergency existed in the United States after it became apparent that Mexican authorities were either unable to stop a migrant caravan that has crossed its southern border or are unwilling to do so. The caravan, which originated spontaneously in Honduras, has swelled in size as migrants made their way across Guatemala and entered Mexico. Initially, reports said the caravan consisted of about 1,000 migrants but that number has now reached nearly 10,000 and is expected to grow even larger. Sadly, it looks like Mexicos Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in. I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Emerg[enc]y. Must change laws! the president tweeted. Every time you see a Caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, into our Country illegally, think of and blame the Democrats for not giving us the votes to change our pathetic Immigration Laws! Remember the Midterms! So unfair to those who come in legally, he continued. Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were not able to do the job of stopping people from leaving their country and coming illegally to the U.S. We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them, said POTUS. Sadly, it looks like Mexicos Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in. I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Emergy. Must change laws! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2018 Every time you see a Caravan, or people illegally coming, or attempting to come, into our Country illegally, think of and blame the Democrats for not giving us the votes to change our pathetic Immigration Laws! Remember the Midterms! So unfair to those who come in legally. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2018 Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were not able to do the job of stopping people from leaving their country and coming illegally to the U.S. We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2018 The mention of unknown people from the Middle East appears to indicate that the president has intelligence suggesting that there could be terrorist suspects interspersed in the caravan. And while there may be known criminals in the rapidly expanding caravan, anyone who crosses illegally into the U.S. has broken the countrys immigration laws. Trump could order the border shut down Its unclear at this point if POTUS Trump has actually declared a national emergency, which would be contained in an executive order. As of this writing, no order has been issued. However, as the president mentioned in his tweet, he has alerted both the Border Patrol a Department of Homeland Security agency and the Pentagon that a national emergency exists, which, if true, gives him extraordinary powers. (Related: POTUS Trump: Migrant caravan a disgrace to the Democrat Party.) Under the National Emergencies Act, passed in 1976 to actually prevent presidents from declaring open-ended national emergencies while providing Congress some oversight authority, POTUS Trumps authorities are triggered under other various statutes. They are not automatically authorized, however; they must be identified specifically within an actual written declaration before the authorities can be conveyed. And while emergency powers are not specifically mentioned in the Constitution, its well understood through more than two centuries worth of precedent that a national emergency consists of anything from an act of war to natural and financial disasters. A rush of humanity at the U.S. border certainly falls under this category. Such a declaration allows suspension of change in functions of any branch of government, and gives the government the power to suspend certain rights or freedoms normally guaranteed by the Constitution, notes LegalDictionary.net. Powers under states of emergency are implied and largely discretionary, however, the Constitution specifically states that the privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus cannot be suspended unless the safety of the public is compromised during times of rebellion (take note, Antifa), the site noted further. Only Congress has the authority to suspend the Writ. Under a formally declared national emergency, POTUS Trump could marshal the resources necessary to close the U.S. border if he believed it was necessary to protect the country, while still allowing traditional trade and commerce to continue. He could federalize National Guard troops more easily and send them to the border even if states objected. And he could theoretically suspend current laws such as those pertaining to current border, immigration, and asylum processes that would allow virtually any migrant who arrived at the U.S. border free passage into the country. Read more about the migrant invasion into the U.S. at OpenBorders.news. Sources include: LegalDictionary.net ZeroHedge.com InvasionUSA.news Hamiltons in Creative is a marketing and advertising company based out of Unit 25, Cornerstone Business Park, 24 London Circle, Brackengate Business Park. The Diocese of San Jose on Thursday released the names of its clergy who have been "credibly accused" of child sex abuse. The list named 15 priests, most of them already dead. "I express my deepest apologies for the actions of those who were in positions of authority and who violated that sacred trust by abusing children, Bishop Patrick McGrath said in a letter accompanying the list. The sexual abuse of children and young people is an appalling crime and a sin. When these perpetrators are members of the clergy, there are not only psychological wounds but spiritual wounds." [[497948451,C]] The list, which mostly contains accusations made decades ago, was released after the the Bishop held four listening sessions for survivors and members of the church. McGrath said the meetings were informative and painful. He also defined credible accusation, a term some abuse victims feared would lead to an incomplete list because the Church would be the ultimate arbiter of an accusers credibility. One of the former priests listed by the Diocese of San Jose as "credibly" accused of child sex abuse maintains his innocence from allegations dating to 1987. He lsays he didnt know he was on the list or banned from the ministry until Thursday. A survivor meanwhile says the list doesn't paint a complete picture of the clergy abuse. Ian Cull reports. A credible accusation is one after all the information has been gathered that normal people would look at that and say there is a problem here," McGrath said. "And that to me would be credible. And then we would do more investigation again just to make sure. Only five of the 15 priests on Thursday's list released by the San Jose Diocese are still alive. And most of them appear to still live in the Bay Area. That includes Hernan Toro, who was convicted in 1983. But he continued to be assigned to parishes in the Bay Area until he was permanently banned from ministry in 1990. Robert Handa reports. Some question whether the list goes far enough in addressing the sexual abuse of children and say the church needs to open its records to law enforcement or an independent third party. "This whole investigation should not be controlled and managed by the bishop, he should ask the DA or the attorney general's office to investigate and help people heal," said Dan McNevin of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP). San Jose Bishop Patrick McGrath discusses clergy accused of abuse. The San Jose Diocese was the first in the Bay Area Diocese to say it will release the names of priests in response to new revelations about priest sex abuse in Pennsylvania and around the world. The Diocese of Oakland said it will release its own list around Thanksgiving, but the Diocese of San Francisco has yet to commit to any such action. Several priests included on todays list continued to serve in parishes around the Bay Area, even after credible allegations of sexual abuse, specifically: Rev. Don Flickinger, Rev. Arthur Harrison, and Msgr. Alexander C. Larkin. Msgr. Alexander C. Larkin was reported in 2003 but served at Sacred Heart in Saratoga until 2005. Liz Sullivan, a spokesperson for the diocese, said Larkin was placed on leave after those allegations were deemed credible. Sullivan said Flickinger, who came to San Jose from the Fresno Diocese to be near his ailing mother, was sent back to Fresno after the diocese learned of the allegations against him. Others, including Rev. Robert A. Gray, Hernan Toro and Rev. Leonel Noia were assigned to various parishes after being criminally convicted. The Diocese of San Jose says the Catholic Church changed the way it handled these cases after 2002, when the Dallas Charter was established. The Charter is a comprehensive set of procedures established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in June 2002 for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy. They have demonstrated over and over again that they cannot govern themselves, John Salberg, a survivor of sex abuse by Rev. Joseph T. Pritchard in San Jose said. They cannot investigate themselves. They're incapable of doing so. A statement released today by the Diocese says they received the first report on Pritchard in 2002. But Salberg said he went to church leaders, including Bishop Patrick McGrath, in 2000 to share his story of abuse when he was twelve-years-old at St. Martins of Tours Parish in San Jose. According to Salberg, the Diocese was also warned about Pritchard decades prior, when the parents of another victim reported the priest to the Diocese in the 1970's. Pritchard was transferred to St. Nicholas in Los Altos in 1979, but never faced criminal charges. He died in 1988. I don't believe they're being proactive, I believe they're being forced into the situation, but it's the right thing to do now, Salberg said. We have hidden nothing, Bishop McGrath said in an interview on Wednesday in repsonse to Salbergs allegations. NBC Bay Areas Investigative Unit found the list likely captures just a fraction of Catholic priests accused of child sexual abuse in the South Bay. Five religious order priests accused of sexual misconduct in Santa Clara County and listed on the Bishop Accountability Project website were conspicuously absent from todays list. Allegations of sexual abuse of children by religious order priests who served or resided at schools and other institutions operated not by the Diocese but by their religious order in Santa Clara County were investigated by the religious order, to which the priest belonged, Sullivan said in a written response to questions from NBC Bay Area. In these cases, without their personnel files, we do not know whether the allegations were deemed credible and cannot responsibly release their names. The list also excludes accused priests from other dioceses who worked in the South Bay at some point in their service. A recent lawsuit filed in Southern California, accusing hundreds of priests from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles of sexual abuse, shows at least nine of those priests spent time working in the South Bay, and 20 others in the greater Bay Area. The criminal statute of limitations has expired on all sex abuse cases included on today's list that have not already been prosecuted. The Diocese of San Jose has arranged for former FBI Executive Assistant Director, Dr. Kathleen McChesney, and her firm, Kinsale Management Consulting, to oversee an in-depth independent review of all records of the Diocese pertaining to the sexual abuse of minors or vulnerable adults committed by any cleric appointed by the Diocesan Bishop to serve in the Diocese. There can no longer be a culture of secrecy in the Church, but one of transparency and accountability, Bishop McGrath said a statement released today. Our work will not be complete until all of those who have been harmed have received assistance in healing and until the evil of child sexual abuse has been eradicated from society. Churches, Schools and Religious Centers with Links to Publicly Accused Priests This map includes names released by the San Jose Diocese, names of priests who have been identified by Bishop Accountability and names of priests identified in lawsuits. Note: This map will be updated as more information is released. A law firm suing California bishops for the records of priests accused of sexual abuse has compiled a report of 212 clergy in the San Francisco Bay Area it says are accused of misconduct. Attorney Jeff Anderson said Tuesday that his firm compiled the list from lawsuits and public websites to publicize the breadth of the problem. He wants more transparency from the Roman Catholic Church. The reports includes information already available to the public from various sources, according to the firm. The firm gathered information from bishop-accountablilty.org, public statements of the Dioceses, and other sources. "All individuals should be considered innocent until proven guilty," said the firm. But in some cases, the statue of limitations has expired and some of the people on the list are deceased. View the full report here or below: Last week, San Jose Bishop Patrick McGrath released the names of 15 priests found to have been credibly accused of sexually abusing children within the diocese. But Anderson says he has 33 on his list, which means the San Jose diocese is under-counting. The 18 other names on the firm's list of San Jose Diocese were: Edward F. Beutner, Edward Thomas Burke, Charles Leonard Conner, Raymaond A. Devlin, Milton Eggerling, Hal Ellis, William C. Farrington, John J. Gallen, James F. Kuntz, Jerold W. Lindner, Joseph Mikulich, James T. Monaghan, John Rodrigues Moniz, Stephen J Muth, William J. Scanlan, Stephen Emmett, Carlton E. Whitten and Paul R. Valdez. Churches, Schools and Religious Centers with Links to Publicly Accused Priests This map includes names released by the San Jose Diocese, names of priests who have been identified by Bishop Accountability and names of priests identified in lawsuits. Note: This map will be updated as more information is released. San Jose Diocese spokesperson Liz Sullivan said the Diocese is reviewing the names on the list and will release a statement Wednesday. The report also lists 135 accused in the Archdiocese of San Francisco and 95 accused in the Diocese of Oakland. The Diocese of Oakland said it will release its own list around Thanksgiving, but the Diocese of San Francisco has yet to commit to any such action. Anderson's firm first said the number of accused clergy was 263. But some of the accused clergy worked at more than one diocese so they were double-counted. A three-alarm fire at a San Francisco high-rise apartment building Monday evening caused no injuries but damaged multiple units before it was contained, according to fire officials. Tenants from 30 units were still waiting late Monday night to get back inside their homes as fire crews remained at the scene to monitor hot spots and investigate the cause. The fire burned on floors 12 through 15 at 405 Davis Court, near Jackson Square, fire officials said. Multiple rescues were made, they said. No injuries were reported, and fire crews asked the public to avoid the area. The blaze was under investigation. No further details were available. Police are investigating a shooting that happened Monday night in Haverhill, Massachusetts. An 18-year-old Haverhill resident was shot around 7:27 p.m. in the area of 95 Beach Street. The victim, who has not been identified, was taken to a Boston area hospital with serious injuries. Anyone with information related to the shooting is asked to call the Haverhill Police Department at 978-373-1212. In November, voters will decide whether to repeal a state law that protects transgender people from discrimination in public places. Passed in 2016, the law faced pushback before its passage, specifically around the protections it provided in restrooms and locker rooms. Now, Question 3 seeks to undo the legislation. This is a safety and privacy issue for women and children in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, said Debby Dugan, chairwoman of Keep MA Safe. The organization has been campaigning for voters to overturn the law, arguing it allows men posing as women to access sex segregated facilities and potentially cause harm. However, in its crafting, Attorney General Maura Healey said these concerns had been considered by legislators, who wanted to ensure the law would never serve as a defense for someone who committed a crime. Since then, advocates for the protections contend there has been no evidence to suggest that has not worked. We have seen no increase in public safety threats or concerns since we passed this law. And its been on the books now over two years, said Mason Dunn, co chair of the Yes on 3 campaign. For many families with transgender members, the law has been a reassuring measure. To lose it could potentially set a tone for the state and country. If this law is not upheld, there is nowhere to look to for our family, said parent, Vanessa Ford, whose 7-year-old daughter is transgender. According to a document viewed by the New York Times, the Trump administration is considering redefining gender under federal protections as a condition determined solely by your biology. The shift has left Ford fearful for her familys future. I dont like to think about that possibility. She walks to schools somedays. Shes with her friends, Ford said, She goes to the park and somebody could ask her to leave just for being who she is with no other reason. While Ford and others are optimistic the effort to repeal the law will not succeed, they are looking to state officials for support. Recently, Gov. Charlie Baker indicated he also believes the law should be upheld. Advocates hope voters agree. Trans people all over the U.S. will be watching this vote, said Dunn. A judge in New Hampshire has blocked a state law that would have required additional documentation from voters who move to the state within 30 days of an election. In a preliminary injunction issued Monday, Hillsborough Superior Court Judge Kenneth Brown said the law would create longer lines at polling stations and would unfairly target certain groups including young Democrats and the homeless. He also said the law aims to target voter fraud, a problem that is not widespread in the state, and that the forms were confusing. The law was passed after President Donald Trump alleged widespread voter fraud in New Hampshire, though there's been no evidence to support that. Democrats challenged the measure during legislative debate, but Republicans contended existing state laws create the potential for fraud. Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill will not be criminally charged in the alleged drunken groping of a state lawmaker and three legislative staffers at a party this year because it would be too difficult to prove a case against him, a special prosecutor said Tuesday. Special prosecutor Daniel Sigler said he considered bringing misdemeanor battery charges against Hill, a Republican, but that witnesses gave varying accounts of what happened in the Indianapolis bar during a March 15 party to mark the end of the legislative session. "The setting of this lent itself to problems prosecuting," Sigler said at a news conference in Indianapolis. "It was in a bar. It was in the early morning hours. Free alcohol was being served and flowing." Hill's private attorney Kevin Betz did not immediately respond to a call from The Associated Press seeking comment on the decision. A confidential legislative memo leaked to the media revealed the four women's allegations against Hill. Three of the women soon went public , including Democratic Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, who described Hill's behavior as "deviant" when she encountered him in the early morning hours. She said Hill leaned toward her, put his hand on her back, slid it down and grabbed her buttocks. The Munster lawmaker says she told Hill to "back off," but he approached again later in the night, put his hand on her back and said: "That skin. That back." In his report on the investigation released Tuesday, Sigler said there was not sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt "that Hill's intent in the touching was rude, insolent or angry," as required for a battery conviction. In the report, which includes interviews with 56 witnesses, Sigler noted that Hill didn't deny the touching occurred, but that he justified it as "incidental ... in the crowded bar" and "not intended to be disrespectful, sexual in nature or rude." Sigler said he found the allegations from the four women credible and that he believed Hill drank a "significant" amount of alcohol that night. But he said prosecuting Hill would be tough because several weeks passed before the allegations were raised. "I did believe them," he told reporters. "Nonetheless, I decided I didn't think I could meet my burden" of proof. Sigler, who was appointed in July to determine if charges should be brought against Hill, also said he didn't see any benefit to a potentially lengthy and expensive prosecution. "This would be a drawn out, complicated legally and factually case that would last a long, long time," he said. "The victims would be put through a heck of a lot. It would be a tough, tough case to prove." Hill, who was elected to a four-year term in 2016, has publicly denied he groped the women and rejected calls from Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb and legislative leaders to resign . Indiana's constitution allows for a public official to be removed from office, "for crime, incapacity or negligence" either by "impeachment by the House of Representatives, to be tried by the Senate," or by a "joint resolution of the General Assembly" with two thirds voting in favor. But there's debate whether that applies to Hill, because the attorney general unlike the state auditor, treasurer and secretary is not specifically listed as a "state officer" in the constitution. The Legislature could impeach him "for any misdemeanor in office" under a different Indiana law. But that would likely require criminal charges or a conviction a higher threshold than the "incapacity or negligence" standard in the constitution. Legal observers have suggested that Hill could be removed from office if he is found to have violated the state court's code of professional conduct. Hill will need to be nominated by the Republican Party at the state party convention before he can run for office again in 2020. A Minnesota grandmother was reportedly charged with shooting her grandson this month after he allegedly placed a cup of tea on her furniture. Helen Washington, of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis, faces a second-degree assault charge in the shooting of her grandson on Oct. 12, NBC affiliate station KARE 11 reported. According to a criminal complaint, Washington told police she became upset with her grandson when he refused to keep his teacup off her furniture numerous times. The station reports that Washington poured out the tea before grabbing a .38 Special revolver. When she returned to find a new cup of tea, she shot her grandson in the leg, the complaint states. The grandson was found by police in the front yard of the home and told authorities his grandmother shot him. Washington told the responding officers she didnt believe she should go to jail, KARE reported. Last week, a judge ordered that Washington be evaluated to see if she is competent to stand trial. She is next scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 18. Saudi Arabia must identify those who ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and turn over the suspects for trial, the Turkish president said Tuesday in remarks that carefully ratcheted up pressure on a country that is a source of investment for Turkey, but also a rival for influence in the Middle East. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a sharp rebuttal of Saudi Arabia's widely criticized account that the writer for The Washington Post died accidentally in a brawl, saying Saudi officials had planned the killing for days. Some analysts believe Turkey is also calculating whether it can capitalize on outrage over the killing to extract political capital from the world's largest oil exporter without alienating it altogether. Addressing ruling party lawmakers in parliament, Erdogan used the word "murder" 15 times to describe Khashoggi's death after the writer entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 for paperwork related to his marriage plans. Erdogan also cast Turkey in the role of global statesman, echoing calls for full Saudi accountability from Western allies whose relationships with the Turkish government have often been edgy in the past. "To blame such an incident on a handful of security and intelligence members would not satisfy us or the international community," he said. Earlier, Turkey's foreign minister said it would cooperate with any international or U.N. probe into the killing, a nod to transparency that only seemed to accentuate an emerging pariah status for Saudi Arabia. "Turkey is playing the long game. And today's speech is part of a very careful in my opinion escalation strategy," said Ahmet Kasim Han, an international relations analyst at Altinbas University in Istanbul. "Turkish authorities seem to be concentrated on turning this into a multilateral issue" because they don't want "to be left alone with Saudi Arabia on all of this," he said. Maha Yahya, director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, speculated that Saudi Arabia could now be vulnerable to pressure, including from the U.S., to end a boycott of Turkey-backed Qatar. "As far as Erdogan is concerned, he will use this incident to try and get as much mileage and concessions out of it, to the advantage of Turkey, as he possibly can," Yahya said. Erdogan focused on the investigation in his speech, saying he wants the 18 suspects detained by Saudi Arabia in the killing to face trial in Turkish courts, a demand the kingdom will probably resist. Saudi Arabia has said it will punish those involved and has described the suspects as rogue operators, even though officials linked to Saudi Arabia's assertive Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have been implicated. Although he didn't mention Prince Mohammed, Erdogan likely knows that the kingdom's major decisions always require the approval of those at the top of the ruling Al Saud family. "As of now, we expect of them to openly bring to light those responsible from the highest ranked to the lowest and to bring them to justice," the Turkish president said. Han, the Istanbul analyst, said Erdogan is moving cautiously, wary that Prince Mohammed might stay in control despite the scandal or could succumb to pressure over the Khashoggi killing and relinquish power. The latter outcome would benefit Turkey because the crown prince "is consciously and continuously pursuing strategies that work against Turkey," Han said. Modern tensions between the two countries date to the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011. Turkey supported some political Islamists who rose to power, but Saudi Arabia and its ally, the United Arab Emirates, viewed the pan-Arab Sunni movement as a threat to their hereditarily ruled nations. Another opportunity emerging from the fallout over Khashoggi's death could be an improvement in ties with the U.S. after Washington imposed sanctions on Ankara over the jailing of a U.S. pastor, said Marc Pierini, a former European Union diplomat to Turkey. At an event hosted by The Washington Post, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said Khashoggi's death was a "brutal murder" and "will not go without an American response." He declined to say whether he had seen any intelligence linking the crown prince to the killing, noting that CIA Director Gina Haspel was in Turkey, and added: "I know that when the CIA director returns, she will be briefing the president, myself and our entire team on what the Turks have assembled." President Donald Trump has said he's not satisfied with the explanations he's heard from Saudi Arabia, seen as a key ally in U.S. efforts to isolate Iran. On Tuesday Trump called the Saudi operation that killed Khashoggi one of the "worst cover-ups in the history of cover-ups." The U.S. announced it would revoke visas from some of the Saudi officials implicated in Khashoggi's death. The foreign ministers of the G7 group of nations said Saudi Arabia should conduct a credible investigation, "in full collaboration with the Turkish authorities." Confirming reports and leaks from anonymous officials in past days, Erdogan said 15 Saudi officials arrived in Istanbul shortly before Khashoggi's death and that a man, apparently dressed in the writer's clothes, acted as a possible decoy by walking out of the consulate on the day of the disappearance. "Why did these 15 people all with links to the event gather in Istanbul on the day of the murder? We are seeking answers. Who did these people get their orders from to go there? We are seeking answers," Erdogan said. "When the murder is so clear, why were so many inconsistent statements made? Why is the body of a person who has officially been accepted as killed still not around?" Turkish investigators, meanwhile, inspected a car belonging to the consulate and found three suitcases, a laptop computer and clothes inside, state television TRT reported. Authorities discovered the car at an underground garage on Monday. In Riyadh on Tuesday, King Salman and Prince Mohammed received Khashoggi's son, Salah, and his brother, Sahel, at the Yamama Palace, where the royals expressed their condolences. A friend of the Khashoggi family told The Associated Press that Salah has been under a travel ban since last year. The individual spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisal. At a Cabinet meeting, King Salman again stressed those responsible for Khashoggi's slaying would be held "accountable," according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency. Also Tuesday, the crown prince attended an investment forum alongside King Abdullah II of Jordan. Prince Mohammed sat in on an afternoon session and looked at some promotional booths outside the main hall as an excited crowd of mostly young Saudi men recorded the encounter on their phones. Many Western executives and officials skipped the conference because of the killing. At its opening, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih described Khashoggi's slaying as "abhorrent." "As we all know, these are difficult days for us in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," he said. "Nobody in the kingdom can justify it or explain it. From the leadership on down, we're very upset of what has happened." Firefighters rescued one person during a fire at an apartment building in New Britain Tuesday. Crews responded to the fire at 38 Broad St. Tuesday afternoon. Fire officials confirmed one person on the fourth floor had to be rescued. They refused medical attention and no injuries have been reported. The building houses a building on the ground floor and apartments above. Fire officials are still assessing the damage to the building. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Some of Connecticuts neighbors were slammed with severe weather Tuesday afternoon, with at least three tornadoes touching down in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, according to Chief Meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan. Tornado warnings were in effect for parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts as the National Weather Service cautioned residents in the affected areas to take cover. One tornado touched down in Lincoln, RI, and another formed in Sandwich, Mass., according to the National Weather Service. Radar also confirmed a tornado in Norton, Mass., Ryan said. WILD IMAGES: Funnel Clouds, Severe Damage as Strong Storms Move Through The NWS will investigate the strength of these tornadoes and how long they were on the ground. Tornadoes are very rare in October. The tornado on Cape Cod is exceptionally rare - the last tornado in that area of on Aug. 22, 1977. This is only the third to touch down in Barnstable County since 1950. David L (@unleashedff295) captured this incredible video of a waterspout forming in Sandwich, Mass. The severe weather moved Massachusetts and Rhode Island Tuesday afternoon and now some areas are assessing the damage. Footage from Lincoln, RI, shows holes in rooftops and large trees down. Video provided by Glenn Bryant shows a water spout that formed near the Bourne Bridge in Massachusetts. Glenn Bryant captured video of what appears to be a funnel cloud near the Bourne Bridge in Massachusetts Tuesday. Parts of Connecticut were at risk for severe thunderstorms with heavy rain and hail. For more on how this forecast played out, visit Ryan's blog. During severe weather, residents should monitor local weather reports and heed weather alerts. Flying debris can be dangerous to those caught without shelter, according to the National Weather Service. Mobile homes can be damaged or destroyed. Tree damage and damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles is likely. Tweets by ryanhanrahan The Supreme Court is siding with the Trump administration to block the questioning of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross about his decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. The unsigned order Monday overrides lower federal courts in New York that would have allowed the questioning of Ross to proceed in lawsuits challenging the addition of a citizenship question on the decennial census for the first time since 1950. The suits by a dozen states and big cities, among others, say the citizenship question will discourage immigrants from participating, diluting political representation and federal dollars for states that tend to vote Democratic. But the court is allowing the deposition of acting assistant attorney general John Gore to go forward, over the dissent of Justices Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas. A trial is scheduled to begin in New York on Nov. 5, although Gorsuch suggested in a four-page opinion that U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman could delay the proceedings. Gorsuch said he "sees no reason to distinguish between Secretary Ross' deposition and those of other senior executive officials." Furman based his ruling requiring Ross' deposition on concerns about Ross' truthfulness in relating how the decision to add the citizenship question came about. The judge noted that Ross claimed in March, when the decision to add the citizenship question was announced, that he considered adding it after a request to do so last December from the Justice Department. "The record developed thus far, however, casts grave doubt on those claims," the judge wrote in September. But earlier this month, Justice Department lawyers filed a new document in the case in which Ross said he now remembers speaking with former senior White House adviser Steve Bannon in spring 2017 about adding the question. In the recent court filing, federal government lawyers said Ross recalls that Bannon called him in the spring of 2017 to ask if he would speak with then-Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach about Kobach's ideas about adding a citizenship question to the census. The lawyers wrote that Ross also discussed adding the question with Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the spring of 2017 and at other times. The administration has maintained that questioning Ross is inappropriate. Sessions himself waded into the issue last week when he said in a speech at the Heritage Foundation that Furman's order represents an improper attempt "to hold a trial over the inner workings of a Cabinet secretary's mind." The court's order on Ross will remain in place indefinitely, assuming the administration files a fuller appeal with the justices within a week. Amy Spitnalick, a spokeswoman for New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood, said, "We welcome the court's decision to allow us to complete discovery in the case, with the exception only of Sec. Ross' deposition, which remains on hold pending further briefing." New York is among the states that sued over the citizenship question. When you meet Hallie Barnard -- or simply hear her story -- it's impossible not to root for her. The 10-year-old from Denton has a rare blood disorder called Diamond Blackfan Anemia and has lived most of her life in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant. After years of waiting and praying for a matching donor to no avail, Hallie and her family decided to take matters into their own hands. In 2015, they created a non-profit called "Hallie's Heroes" -- and ever since, they've organized bone marrow donor drives and done swab tests across North Texas. Their efforts have added thousands of potential donors to national registries and helped more than 50 families find matching donors. Earlier this year, they got the news they'd waited years to hear. Hallie's doctors found a perfect match for her -- and the donor was prepared to go through with the transplant process. And Tuesday morning, it was time to go to Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth to begin the life-saving procedure. "I'm like -- is this really happening?," said Hallie, her entire face lighting up. "Am I really gonna get a transplant?" Throughout her journey, community support for Hallie has swelled -- particularly from first responders. They, too, were thrilled when they heard Hallie was going to get her transplant. And they wanted to make sure her big day was as big as it could possibly be. So members of the Denton Police, Fire and Sheriff's departments went to Hallie's home Tuesday morning with motorcycles, cruisers and fire trucks in tow -- then picked her and her family up, and gave them a full escort to the hospital. Along the way, members of other agencies including Fort Worth Police / Fire, Haltom City Police / Fire, North Richland Hills Police and Mesquite Police joined the procession. "It's overwhelming," said Elyse Barnard, Hallie's mother. "They have taken our family under their wings and have helped us out with so much, not just swabbing, but just life." Donning a Fort Worth police uniform and pulling up to the hospital in a fire truck, it was clear that Hallie enjoyed the ride. "I feel so happy," said Hallie. "They're really doing something great and awesome. It's just a great feeling." The transplant will not be quick or easy. Doctors have told Hallie's family that at best, she will most likely have to spend three months in the hospital -- a good chunk of that time in isolation. But Hallie insists she can handle it. And she can't wait until she's out of the hospital so she and Hallie's Heroes can continue organizing more drives. "I'm gonna swab until I find matches for everyone in the whole world," said Hallie. What to Know A security guard shot a man who broke into the lobby of WTTG, the local Fox station in Washington, D.C., Monday afternoon. Police said the man was trying to get into the building and broke the glass of two doors to the studios. "Surreal to be reporting on this," Fox5 reporter Lindsay Watts posted on Twitter. A security guard shot a man who broke through two doors and entered the lobby of WTTG, the local Fox station in Washington, D.C., Monday afternoon. The suspect, 38-year-old George Odemns, said he wanted Fox 5 to make contact with President Donald Trump, sources told News4. D.C. Police Commander Melvin Gresham said at a press conference that he could not confirm that possible motive. D.C. police said Odemns was trying to get into the building on Wisconsin Avenue NW at Harrison Street. He kicked out the glass of two doors and was able to enter the lobby. A female security guard told Odemns to stop as he continued into the main building, according to police reports. When he didn't stop, she fired. Sources also told News4 that the guard tried to subdue Odemns with pepper spray. Odemns was not armed, Gresham said. No one else was injured. Odemns was taken to George Washington University Hospital with a wound to the upper body. He remains in stable but critical condition. Police say he was charged with second-degree burglary, which carries a sentence of two to 15 years if a conviction is made. Odemns is homeless and has a history of contacting local news stations, including Fox 5, WUSA and News4, in long, rambling emails. In August, he was charged with assault on a police officer who was attempting to break up a verbal argument, according to police documents. Fox 5 staffers wrote about the incident on Twitter as it unfolded. "Everyone is okay," anchor Jim Lokay tweeted. "Sources tell us suspect tried to get into our secure building. Security guards opened fire." "Man was conscious as he was transported into ambulance a few minutes ago. Surreal to be reporting on this," wrote reporter Lindsay Watts about 3:30 p.m. Video inside of Fox5s lobby after a 38-year-old man was shot by a security guard after he tried to break in to the building. credit: Bill Glasser pic.twitter.com/Q7WOnRyb1R Allison Papson (@AllisonPapson) October 22, 2018 D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said she met with police chief Peter Newsham to discuss the situation. Police said the call for the shooting was made about 3 p.m. They are checking surveillance cameras in the area for more information. No further information was released immediately on the intruder's motive. Police did not identify the security guard or specify her whereabouts. Glad to hear my friend. https://t.co/ZPnL6dygmQ Rick Yarborough (@ricknbc) October 22, 2018 NBC News has debunked a handful of allegations that President Donald Trump and others have spread about the caravan of thousands of Honduran migrants that is headed north in the hopes of crossing the U.S. border. There is no evidence the caravan is being led by anyone other than Hondurans, despite Trump alleging that "a lot of money has been passing to people." A former senior intelligence official who continues to be briefed on current intelligence told NBC News that there is also no evidence that any Middle Eastern terrorists are hiding in the caravan. That's in contrast to a tweet from the president implying the opposite. The Department of Homeland Security, meanwhile, is able to gather biometric data as migrants pass between the borders of Central American countries. Click here for more by NBC News on five myths about the caravan that are disputed by the facts. A bomb was found in a mailbox at the suburban New York home of George Soros, the liberal billionaire philanthropist who has been denounced by President Donald Trump and vilified by right-wing conspiracy theorists, authorities said Tuesday. Federal agents safely detonated the device after being summoned Monday by a security officer at the sprawling, wooded compound, about 50 miles north of Manhattan. The 88-year-old Soros was not home at the time. Laura Silber, a spokeswoman for Soros' Open Society Foundations, blamed the country's toxic political environment. In recent days and weeks, Soros has been accused of being the hidden hand behind some of the opposition to Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination and helping to create the caravan of Central Americans making their way toward the U.S. "The hateful rhetoric that dominates politics in the U.S. and in so many countries around the world breeds extremism and violence," Silber said in a statement. "In this climate of fear, falsehoods and rising authoritarianism, just voicing your views can draw death threats." The FBI confirmed it was involved in an investigation but declined to comment. The New York Police Department said that as a precaution, it was sending counterterrorism officers to all Soros-connected sites in the city. Federal investigators were reviewing surveillance video to determine whether the package containing the bomb had been sent through the mail or delivered some other way, officials said. They said it was unclear if the parcel was addressed to Soros. A federal law enforcement official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the investigation said the device contained explosive powder. Another federal official who also spoke on condition of anonymity said it appeared to be a pipe bomb and was in a package placed in a mailbox outside the gates of the compound. A Soros employee opened it just inside the gates, nowhere near Soros' quarters, the official said. Soros, a Hungarian immigrant to the U.S. who made his fortune in hedge funds, frequently donates to liberal causes and has pledged to invest a half-billion dollars to programs that help people who flee their home countries because of civil war, poverty or political oppression. "Soros is seen as the boogeyman on just about every right-wing conspiracy theory floating out there," said J.J. MacNab, a domestic extremism expert at George Washington University. "The sheer volume of chatter makes it probable that someone acted on key figures, mainstream figures, pointing the finger at him. Usually this stuff would just float around on the Internet, but in today's climate it's mainstream, where you have elected officials spouting conspiracy theories." Soros has been a favorite target conservative commentators, who have accused him of waging war against capitalism and having a secret agenda to destabilize the U.S. government. As a child in Hungary during World War II, Soros had to hide his Jewish roots, but he is frequently falsely accused of collaborating with Nazis. Soros has repeatedly denied such allegations. Most recently, Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida speculated on Twitter that Soros was paying Central American women and children to join the group of migrants headed toward the U.S., though he later backtracked, speculating that drug cartels were to blame. Trump himself tweeted the suggestion that "Soros and others" were behind the "rude elevator screamers" and activists with "professionally made identical signs" who protested in Washington during Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings. Activists frequently post the addresses of Soros' homes on social media, sometimes along with threats. Silber said Soros is calling on politicians across the political spectrum to "tone down their rhetoric." "Words have consequences," she said. Associated Press writer Michael Balsamo in Washington contributed to this story. Editor's Note: This article was updated with the video above Nov. 21 2019, which shows Beth Pratt's journey. For years, Beth Pratt has been working with government officials, industry, and the local community to build a bridge that could save Los Angeles' mountain lions from the grim future that their population currently face. On Tuesday, she will walk in their footsteps. Pratt, who is the California director for The National Wildlife Federation, will lead a five-day hike that retraces the 50-mile path that a mountain lion named P-22 took when he left his birthplace in the Santa Monica Mountains to reach his current home in Griffith Park. The hike will kick off at the site of the proposed wildlife crossing -- the Liberty Canyon trailhead off the 101 Freeway in Agoura --where new design concept images of the wildlife crossing will be released for the first time. Her five-day journey will showcase two of the busiest freeways in America - both crossed by P-22 - and end when she finally arrives at family-friendly festival being thrown Saturday to celebrate P-22 in Griffith Park. Pratt will wear a mountain lion tracking collar during her journey. NBC4's Aliya Jasmine will be following along and sharing the adventure via our social media and digital platforms, be sure to follow along at: @nbcla A University of Utah student and track athlete who was shot and killed on campus by a former boyfriend had filed a police complaint against him after she learned he was a sex offender and broke off the relationship, authorities said Tuesday. Investigators had been working to build a case after receiving the report from 21-year-old Lauren McCluskey, a senior from Pullman, Washington, university police chief Dale Brophy said. He declined to disclose further details on the report. McCluskey was found shot in a car Monday night near on-campus student housing. Her attacker, 37-year-old Melvin Rowland, killed himself overnight at a church when police tracked him down after linking him to the killing through a description, clothing and evidence at the scene, authorities said. The victim's mother, Jill McCluskey, said her daughter had filed a harassment complaint after breaking up with Rowland. Lauren McCluskey had dated Rowland for about a month then ended the relationship on Oct. 9 when she learned he had lied about his age, name and criminal history, Jill McCluskey said in a statement. It wasn't clear how the two met. Jill McCluskey said she had been talking on the phone with her daughter as she returned from a night class and heard her yell, "'No, no, no!'" A few minutes later, a woman picked up the phone and said all of Lauren McCluskey's belongings were on the ground. "I thought she might have been in a car accident," Jill McCluskey said. "That was the last I heard from her." Rowland spent nearly a decade in prison after pleading guilty to trying to lure an underage girl online and attempted sex abuse charges, according to court records. He was charged with two separate crimes in September 2003, said Paul Amann, the prosecutor on the case. Rowland had been caught in an online sex crimes sting when a police officer posed as a 13-year-old girl. After he was charged, a woman came forward to report he had sexually assaulted her after a separate online meeting a few days earlier. "He was just out of control. He had no self-control," Amann said Tuesday. Rowland pleaded guilty to enticing a minor over the internet and attempted forcible sex abuse in an agreement with prosecutors, records show. His defense attorney did not immediately return a call Tuesday seeking comment. Rowland was released from prison in 2012 after serving eight years and has twice been sent back from halfway houses after violating his parole, Utah prison spokeswoman Kaitlin Felsted said. He was most recently paroled in April and was living on his own. Rowland was prohibited from owning a gun on parole and it was unclear how he obtained one. Initial reports of the shooting sparked panic on the Salt Lake City campus. University officials ordered students to stay in place for about three hours as they searched for the gunman. University of Utah student Jonas Woychick said he was playing pool when he got a message about an on-campus shooter. He and eight other students waited in a bathroom for two hours until they learned it was safe. "I didn't know if this shooter was going for other people, or if he was just targeting one person," said Woychick, who is from Boise, Idaho. Lauren McCluskey was majoring in communication and was excited to graduate next spring, said her mother, a professor at Washington State University, adding that her daughter was a Washington state high jump champion in high school and loved to sing. University President Ruth Watkins said classes were canceled Tuesday and a vigil would be held Wednesday night. "As a campus community, we share grief over this tragic loss of life," Watkins said in a statement. Athletics Director Mark Harlan said counselors and psychologists were available to support McCluskey's teammates, coaches and friends. He said she was a proud Ute and an outstanding student-athlete. "This isn't right," Harlan said. "I don't really have any words. My heart goes out to her family. ... When something like this happens, it defies any logic, any reason." Associated Press writer Paul Davenport contributed to this report. A racist robocall attacking Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum was received by some Florida voters Tuesday. "Well hello there. I is the negro Andrew Gillum and I'll be askin you to make me governor of this here state of Florida," the voice in the call says. A spokesman for Gillum, who is seeking to become the state's first black governor, called the call "deeply offensive." "These disgusting, abhorrent robocalls represent a continuation of the ugliest, most divisive campaign in Florida's history," spokesman Geoff Burgan said in a statement. "We would hope that these calls, and the dangerous people who are behind them, are not given anymore attention than they already have been." A spokesman for Republican Gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis also spoke out against the robocalls. "Our campaign has absolutely nothing to do with this robo call and joins those in condemning it," DeSantis communications director Stephen Lawson said in a statement. "In fact, we would encourage the Gillum campaign to join us in rooting out and exposing once and for all those who are behind this disgusting call. What to Know The Tallahassee mayor has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing in the case, which is separate but related to an ongoing FBI investigation. Ron DeSantis used the ongoing probes to assail Gillum during their nationally televised debate on Sunday. An ethics investigation of Florida Democratic nominee for governor Andrew Gillum is going to linger beyond Election Day. The Tallahassee mayor has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing in the case, which is separate but related to an ongoing FBI investigation into city government. Erwin Jackson, a local businessman and long-standing critic of city officials who filed the complaint against Gillum, said Florida's ethics commission has confirmed to him they will not resolve the case before Nov. 6. Jackson said he was also told that the commission investigators who interviewed Gillum in September have not wrapped up their work yet. Republicans have hammered Gillum over the ethics probe and the FBI investigation including launching television ads that the Gillum campaign has labeled as false. Ron DeSantis used the ongoing probes to assail Gillum during their nationally televised debate on Sunday, asking him repeatedly whether Gillum paid for a ticket to see the hit Broadway show "Hamilton" during a 2016 trip to New York City. "You have not proved you have paid for anything," DeSantis said. Gillum, who has said repeatedly he is not a target of the FBI investigation, forcefully pushed back against the allegation. "I don't take free trips from anybody, I'm a hardworking person," Gillum said. "I don't need anybody handing me anything for free." The trips to Costa Rica and New York City came to light after the FBI investigation broke into the open in June 2017. That's when a federal grand jury subpoenaed five years of records from Tallahassee and a local redevelopment agency that involved high-profile projects and developers, including an ally of Gillum. In February, a federal search warrant was accidentally made public on a court website and detailed that the FBI launched its corruption investigation in 2015 and that agents posed as out-of-town real-estate developers and medical marijuana entrepreneurs in order to gain access to various city officials. The warrant stated that agents were focusing on City Commissioner Scott Maddox, a former head of the Florida Democratic Party, and his former chief of staff and whether Maddox was paid to help out businesses seeking help from the city. He has denied any wrongdoing The FBI earlier this year also asked for more records, dealing primarily with an upscale restaurant that is located in a city-owned building. The Edison received $2 million in financial assistance from the city and the local community redevelopment agency. One of the owners of the restaurant was lobbyist Adam Corey, who once served as Gillum's campaign treasurer and has known him since college. Gillum vacationed at a luxury resort in Costa Rica in May 2016 with Corey, as well as another investor in the Edison. During that trip, Corey set up a meeting between Gillum and people who ended up being FBI undercover agents. Gillum said he paid for the cost of the resort in cash and has produced bank records to show he withdrew $400 to pay for his share of the $1,400-a-night villa that was shared by several couples. He also produced credit card expenses showing other trip expenses. During the New York trip, Gillum met with Corey and undercover agents and attended a performance of the Broadway show "Hamilton." Gillum produced a hotel bill for two nights, but said he spent a third night in a hotel room rented by his brother. He said his brother, Marcus Gillum, gave him the Broadway ticket and that he learned later his brother swapped a concert ticket with Corey to get the "Hamilton" ticket. A spokesman for Gillum's campaign said in September that he did not know the value of the two swapped tickets. Geoff Burgan also said the New York airfare was paid by People for the American Way, who was Gillum's employer at the time. Christopher Kise, an attorney for Corey, has previously disputed the account given by Gillum's campaign and said that his client did not receive any money for the Costa Rica lodging and that Corey did not purchase the Hamilton ticket or swap it for a concert ticket. In recent months, the Trump administration has repeatedly put off the release of its long-awaited Mideast peace plan. Now, the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the hands of Saudi agents may put the plan into a deep freeze. Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, was meant to be the linchpin of the plan, providing key diplomatic cover to both Israelis and Palestinians. But with the Saudi prince's credibility facing serious questions following Khashoggi's death, President Donald Trump may soon have to rethink his Mideast strategy. "It definitely complicates their plans to release their proposal, if indeed they have one," said Dan Shapiro, who served as President Barack Obama's ambassador to Israel. Trump took office promising a new approach to peacemaking between Israel and the Palestinians. Criticizing decades of failure by his predecessors, he named a Mideast team headed by his son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner. The team has deep ties to Israel and the West Bank settler movement. The Trump administration notably refused to endorse the establishment of a Palestinian state, distancing itself from the two-state solution favored by the international community for more than two decades. Instead, Kushner's team turned to the Saudis, hoping that the kingdom's deep pockets and prestige in the Arab world could somehow help bring the Israelis and Palestinians together. Kushner struck up a special relationship with the crown prince, portraying him as a swashbuckling force, a leader who could help modernize a troubled region. Last year, Kushner paid a secret visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss his strategy for Israel and the Palestinians. But long before the current crisis over Khashoggi's death, the peace plan ran into in trouble. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was invited to Saudi Arabia twice last year to talk to Prince Mohammed about the emerging American proposal. Palestinian officials say that in briefings with the Saudis, Abbas raised objections after concluding the plan would fall far short of his goal of establishing an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem. Aides say Abbas believes the Americans want to keep him quiet by attracting large sums of money from Gulf Arab investors to develop the Palestinian economy. With the Palestinian front quiet, the United States could then proceed with the broader aim of creating an Israeli-Saudi alliance to serve as a regional counterweight to Iran. In the meantime, his relations with the Americans have deteriorated. Abbas severed ties with the White House after the U.S. recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital last December and then moved its embassy to the holy city. Relations worsened as the U.S. cut hundreds of millions of dollars of direct and indirect aid to the Palestinians. Amid this backdrop, Abbas has already said he will not accept the White House initiative, arguing that Trump is unfairly biased in favor of Israel. At the same time, Prince Mohammed's credibility has taken a beating with a series of questionable decisions in recent months. He has pushed for an unsuccessful blockade of Qatar, led a bloody and unpopular war in neighboring Yemen and abruptly cut off ties with Canada after its foreign minister criticized Saudi Arabia. Although the prince has not been directly implicated in the death of Khashoggi at a Saudi Consulate in Turkey, the slaying has raised further questions about his suitability to lead. A U.S. official familiar with the peace effort said the team remains committed to its plan and does not expect the crisis surrounding the Khashoggi killing to affect it. The official added, however, that the team has not yet discussed the matter since the Saudis confirmed Khashoggi's death over the weekend, and plans a discussion in the coming days. He said it remains unclear when the proposal will be made public. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the issue with the media. Israel and the Palestinians, wary of antagonizing the Saudis, also have said little about Khashoggi's killing. Israel has not commented, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week boasted in speeches about improved behind-the-scenes ties with moderate Arab countries, an apparent reference to Saudi Arabia. Abbas, meanwhile, expressed his "absolute confidence" in the Saudis last week. Shapiro, the former U.S. ambassador, said that even if Trump agrees to work with the Saudis, the weakened Prince Mohammed is not in a position to "break taboos" and push the Palestinians into making concessions that are unpopular in the Arab world. And on the international stage, he said other actors, including the U.S. Congress and the Europeans, will have deep misgivings about engaging with the crown prince, who is known by his initials MBS. "That Saudi partner needs to be predictable, needs to be reliable, needs to be responsible. What this incident tells us is that that's not the Saudi partner we have right now," he said. "None of them are likely to sit with MBS anytime soon to strategize on regional matters and he will be seen as a pariah." Mkhaimer Abusada, a Palestinian analyst, said he thinks the Khashoggi killing will have a "huge effect" on the crown prince's own behavior as well. "I think from now on, he is going to count his steps carefully and stop being that impulsive," he said. "The Palestinians will reject the U.S. peace plan when it's officially on the table and MBS will not be in any good position to wield any pressure on the Palestinians to accept it." What to Know The head of Long Island's Lori Hatzakorzian was found in the Florida Everglades 11 years ago; the rest of her body was never found Her convicted killer gave the I-Team a map and said that would lead investigators to her remains Law enforcement teams are now combing through the brush just off a service road here in Oakdale, New York A convicted killers clue to the I-Team has prompted law enforcement to renew a search in Suffolk County for the body of a long missing Long Island woman whose head was found in the Florida Everglades more than a decade ago. Its the latest twist in what has become an almost surreal and gruesome murder mystery. Lori Hatzakorzian disappeared near her Long Island home in 2007. Her head was discovered in the Everglades shortly thereafter, but the rest of her remains were never found. A man named Paul Trucchio and a friend of his who knew the woman in New York were later charged and convicted in Florida. There was no evidence anywhere else -- until, maybe, now. Trucchio, currently serving time in a Florida prison for Hatzakorzian's murder, contacted the I-Team through his attorney. He would end up sharing a map that he said would lead investigators to Hatzakorzian's remains in New York. "I'm telling you, the remains, the body of the victim is at that location in Oakdale, New York," Trucchio said by phone. "It's located within that small wooded area." Trucchio put arrows on a map of the area and authorized the release of his information to law enforcement. On Tuesday, law enforcement teams began combing through the brush just off a service road in Oakdale where Trucchio indicated the remains of Hatzakorzian, who died when she was 41, were left. Cadaver dogs were also scouring the scene. Nothing had been found by early afternoon, but searchers remained determined. Trucchio, who pleaded no contest to murder but told the I-Team he is innocent, said he is coming forward now to give closure to Hatzakorzian's family. He says he also believes that if her body is found, he can argue legally that his conviction in Florida be thrown out and the case moved to New York for a new trial. He wouldn't say how he claims he knows where Hatzakorzian's body is allegedly located, but said it was the correct spot. Florida's Broward County Sheriff Lt. Scott Champagne, the longtime lead detective on the case and the current violent crimes section commander in his county, remembers how the story unfolded from the beginning. Last week, he took the I-Team back to the scene in the Everglades where he responded after getting a call he says he'll never forget. "It was floating on the water, yeah," Champagne said. Nearby, there was a grocery bag that would turn out to be a key lead; it came from Waldbaums, a now defunct grocery chain in New York. Now, Trucchio's map may connect some of the dots. "Its in Long Island, its in New York," Champagne said of the body location tip. "Its something to take a look at because we knew that there were ties to New York and thats ultimately where she went missing." Champagne, who has followed several false leads from Trucchio, arrived on Long Island Monday to begin surveying the location in Oakdale. He had already flagged Hatzakorzians family about the possible development in the case. "Theyre monsters," Cheryl Rowehl, Hatzakorzians niece, said of Trucchio and the other man convicted in the case. "Theyre monsters. I dont know how else to describe them." Rowehl said discovering Hatzakorzians remains would bring closure to the family after all this time. "Just to be able to bring her back and to be able to bury her as a whole and know that these two are never going to be able to walk in the real world again," Rowehl said." As for Trucchio being motivated to share the information because it might help get the Florida case dropped, Rowehl had strong words. "He always thinks he's going to beat everything but he's the one sitting in jail," she said. What to Know An object that contained explosive powder was found in a Westchester mailbox of a home that belongs to George Soros, authorities said The FBI is working with police to figure out who sent the device, which a senior law enforcement official said was similar to a pipe bomb No injuries were reported in Bedford, but officials say they are investigating who sent the device The device found in a mailbox at the New York home of billionaire philanthropist George Soros "had the components" of a bomb, according to authorities and law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation. The Bedford Police Department said it responded to the address in the hamlet of Katonah at 3:45 p.m. Monday after an employee of the residence opened the package. [NATL-DC] These Images of the Abandoned Owings Mills Mall Will Give You Chills The person placed the package in a wooded area and called police, who alerted the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives. A law enforcement source tells NBC 4 New York that the device contained explosive powder; it was detonated as a precaution. Investigators are reviewing surveillance video to determine whether the package was sent via mail or otherwise delivered. The FBI is working with police to figure out who sent the device, which a senior law enforcement official said was similar to a pipe bomb. A law enforcement source says evidence was sent to the FBI lab in Quantico for testing. In the meantime, much of the case remains a mystery. "We don't have any sense of what the motivation was at all," FBI Assistant Director William Sweeney said Tuesday. "We will look at how the device was delivered. Was it through the mail, not through the mail. Who was potentially in the area and we go there just like basic investigative steps." We are conducting an investigation at and around a residence in Bedford, NY. There is no threat to public safety, and we have no further comment at this time. FBI New York (@NewYorkFBI) October 23, 2018 Soros, a billionaire who made his fortune in hedge funds, has donated heavily to liberal causes and is vilified on the right. He is also the subject of many unfounded conspiracy theories. Recently, conservative critics have, without evidence, accused him of secretly financing a caravan of Central American migrants to make their way north toward Mexico and the U.S. These Are New York's Best Colleges for 2019, Study Says Others have falsely accused him of being a Nazi collaborator during World War II, when he was a child in Hungary. Activists frequently post the addresses of homes he owns in Westchester County on social media sometimes accompanied by ill wishes. Soros' foundation, The Open Society Foundation, released a statement Tuesday condemning "the politics of hate that dominates our discourse today." "In this climate of fear, falsehoods, and rising authoritarianism, just voicing your views can draw death threats," the statement continued. "George Soros deplores violence of any kind, and urges politicians across the political spectrum to tone down their rhetoric. Words have consequences, and we bear a collective responsibility to create a more civil way to discuss our political differences. Respect for a diversity of opinions is fundamental to open society and that is the work that George Soros has devoted his life to. Our politics should be more about what were for than who we hate." Top Tri-State News Photos What to Know A stubborn fire roared through a block in Dover, New Jersey, raging for hours Monday as buildings collapsed No one was hurt in the fire, which took more than 200 firefighters to contain; five buildings were totally destroyed and 100+ displaced The mayor says the fire will be devastating to the downtown area of Dover, which was undergoing development More than 100 people had to leave their homes as a raging fire fed by natural gas lines tore through a block in Dover, New Jersey, Monday, and authorities say the blaze continues to smoulder a full day later. The stubborn fire on Warren Street gutted one building, causing it to collapse. Three other buildings also collapsed. At least 16 fire departments -- 200 firefighters and 23 companies -- responded and struggled to contain the blaze, which quickly rose to seven alarms. Tanker trucks were brought in to help firefighters with the dwindling water supply. Stubborn Blaze Roars Through New Jersey Block Mayor James Dodd says the fire started around 3:30 p.m. Monday in the basement of Barry's Luncheonette and then went up and on to other nearby buildings. The scene was still a smoky mess eight hours later, and Dodd said Tuesday morning there was still active fire in the basement of the buildings. Five in total were completely destroyed. The fire burned for so long because it was fed by natural gas lines, and when the gas was finally turned off, firefighters were able to get the fire under control. Hot spots persist, however, and flames are continuing to pop up. Dodd said no one was injured, but the fire has dealt a devastating blow to the community. A stubborn fire is moving through a New Jersey block, chewing up building and causing one to collapse. Lori Bordonaro reports. "Now we have residents who are going to be displaced," said Dodd. "Our local businesses are struggling to do well. We're in the middle of developing our downtown area, it's undergoing a complete renovation so it couldn't have come at a worse time." At least six businesses have been destroyed, and buildings have been evacuated in the Morris County community about 30 miles west of New York City. The people displaced by the fire were taking shelter at a nearby firehouse Monday night, comforted by some of the same first responders who were on scene earlier in the day. Although the fire was fed by gas lines, the exact cause as to what initially sparked the inferno has not yet been determined. Top Tri-State News Photos What to Know Authorities are investigating a homicide in a suburban New Jersey neighborhood; a young woman was found dead in her home Cops are looking for James Ray, the man who shared the Montclair home with Angela Bledsoe; he's considered armed and dangerous Homicides in the town are relatively rare, though there was one high-profile case -- that of Sarah Butler -- there in 2016 Authorities are investigating the death of a 44-year-old woman whose body was found in her home in suburban New Jersey early Tuesday. Cops were called to Angela Bledsoe's home on Mountain Avenue in Montclair shortly before midnight for a welfare check and found her with multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene around 1:15 a.m. Tuesday. A 55-year-old man, James Ray, who lived with Bledsoe and had a child with her is wanted on murder and weapons charges, police said. He remains at large and is believed to be armed and dangerous, authorities said. The child is in the care of family members. Law enforcement sources tell News 4 a man in Pennsylvania called police Monday night and reported that his brother, Ray, had killed his girlfriend, shooting her at least three times. Cops had to force their way into the Mountain Avenue home, sources say. Ray was not there. A manhunt is underway for him, while investigators remain on the scene of the crime in a normally quiet neighborhood. Neighbors Dave Kaplan says the family was very private; he last saw him Monday morning taking out the garbage. But he would never have expected anything nefarious. Ray is believed to be driing a black BMW 328i four-door with New Jersey license plate ZNX68M. Homicides in Montclair are relatively rare. There was a high-profile case there in 2016 -- that of Sarah Butler, a 20-year-old college student whose body was found in a state reservation eight days after she went missing. The man charged in that case has also been accused in the deaths of two other women. A United Airlines plane that took off from LaGuardia Airport headed for Texas was forced to divert to Newark due to a "compression issue," the FAA says. The pilot of United Airlines Flight 657, a Boeing 737, reported engine failure during the flight and was forced to make the landing in New Jersey shortly after takeoff, according to Port Authority. The flight landed safely without incident, officials said. It was heading to George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston when it diverted to Newark. There were 89 people on board at time, including crew members. The FAA said it will investigate. What to Know Authorities are investigating the death of a 61-year-old Long Island woman whose body was found in bushes near a Turks and Caicos Club Med Marie Kuhnla had been on the Caribbean island vacationing with colleagues, a report said; she was reported missing Oct. 15 Her body was found the next day; authorities have not released any information regarding a possible cause of death Authorities in Turks and Caicos are investigating the death of a 61-year-old tourist from New York whose body was found in the bushes near a Club Med last week, according to island police and the dead woman's son. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force identified the woman as Marie Kuhnla; her son tells News 4 she was a Legal Aid attorney in Suffolk County. Kuhnla's body was found near the Club Med resort Oct. 16, a day after she had been reported missing. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance weren't immediately clear. News 12 reports she had been vacationing with two co-workers when she vanished. Police have not elaborated on how the Wantagh woman may have died, but said they have launched a "murder investigation." The Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County said it's "reeling" from the loss of Kuhnla. "Marie was a valued employee, a dedicated attorney and a dear friend and colleague," Attorney in Charge Laurette D. Mulry said in a statement. "She was extremely kind and considerate to all. She always puts her clients first and worked tirelessly in her efforts as a Family Court attorney for the last seventeen years. We are grief-stricken and saddened by the news of her passing. Our hearts go out to her husband and son." Kuhnla's son, Rick, described her as "a loving, compassionate woman who I was lucky to have a mom." He said she went back to school later in life to earn her law degree and spent more than 15 years as a public defender. "If she saw someone who needed help she would help them. She enjoyed reading, being at the beach, seeing new places, and dining out," Rick Kuhnla, who lives in California, told News 4. "She was a wonderful woman who brightened the day of everyone who knew her and many who didn't. She may be gone but the impact she had on the world and inspiration she provided most certainly is not." Marie Kuhnla's brother, Peter Chetuck said his sister "was one of the smartest people I have ever known." "She was a professional woman even before it was chic," Chetuck said. "She was a great wife, mother and family member. It's just a really horrible way for things to end. There is no justice in any of this." "The whole family is devastated," he added. "Stunned. Stunned disbelief. You don't even feel like you are grieving at this point because it is so surreal." Club Med released a statement Tuesday confirming Kuhnla had been a guest at the resort, and said it could provide no further details due to privacy concerns and the nature of the ongoing investigation. "The entire Club Med family is saddened by the death of this guest and sends its deepest condolences to the guest's friends and family," the statement said. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477. Four American tourists and a Costa Rican guide were killed in a weekend rafting accident in the Central American country, authorities said Sunday. The men from Miami have been identified as Ernesto Sierra, Jorge Caso, Sergio Lorenzo and Andres Denis. They were in Costa Rica for a bachelor party. "What was meant to be a weekend to remember for 14 friends turned into a living nightmare," Chris Comas, who survived the incident, said in a statement. Three rafts flipped on the Naranjo river Saturday around 3 p.m. and the five victims were carried away downstream, according to Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Organism. Other passengers managed to cling to the rafts and some were rescued by another guide in a kayak. "Throughout the dangerous ride down the river, all of us struggled to stay above water, swallowing lots of it on the way down as our bodies ricocheted against the rocks in the water while struggling to survive," Comas said. "Most of us were ultimately able to grab hold of rocks or barriers in or around the water and await the rescue teams to get to us." The local guide was Kevin Thompson Reid, described by his boss as one of his most-skilled guides. All of the victims died from asphyxia as a result of drowning, Walter Espinoza, the director of the Organization of Judicial Investigations, confirmed to NBC 6. The case is being investigated as negligent homicide, Espinoza said. The rafting company, Quepoa Expeditions, will also be under investigation. In total, there were 14 tourists aboard the rafts and five guides, officials said. Authorities said the river was swollen by rains and the National Emergency Commission maintained an alert in the area due to the possibility of flooding. The Americans arrived in Costa Rice Oct. 18 and had been renting a house in Playa Hermosa de Jaco, according to the Costa Rican government. The Red Cross said via Facebook that the rafts overturned near Liverpool de Quepos. Costa Rica President Carlos Alvarado expressed his dismay about the accident on Twitter. The U.S. Department of State confirmed the deaths. "We are saddened by news of rafting accident in #CostaRica. We can confirm 4 U.S. citizens died as a result of the accident. We extend our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones, and extend our gratitude to Government of Costa Rica for their support in this tragedy," U.S. Department of State spokesman Heather Nauert wrote on Twitter. Friends have set up a GoFundMe to help pay for funeral costs. For many living near South Carolina's coast, Florence is the visitor they never wanted who now refuses to leave. Eleven days after the once-fierce hurricane arrived on the coast, and more than a week after it blew north and dissipated, rivers swollen by its relentless rains are still flooding homes and businesses in their paths as they make their way to the sea. Some residents have no idea when they will return home. One of them is Vivian Chestnut, who evacuated her home in inundated Conway, South Carolina, six days ago. The Waccamaw River, which flows through the city of 23,000, had already reached more than 21 feet (6.4 meters) far surpassing the previous record high of 17.9 feet (5.5 meters) set by Hurricane Matthew two years ago and it was still rising Tuesday afternoon. The waterway was expected to crest on Wednesday, but not to drop below 18 feet or so until sometime next week. The river floods at 11 feet (3.4 meters). "You find yourself sitting around a lot and thinking, 'What if,' or, 'I wonder what things are like right now,'" said Chestnut, who is staying with family in the area. "And wondering what you are going to find when you finally get back." It's a scene repeating itself across eastern South Carolina, where rivers are swollen from what one meteorologist calculated is the nation's second-rainiest storm in 70 years slowly make their way down the state's gentle sloping coastal plain. If that weren't bad enough, more weather was forming off the coast in a hurricane season that still has two months to go. National Hurricane Center forecasters watching a low pressure area about 260 miles (420 kilometers) south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, said it could become a tropical depression as it approaches the coast before moving quickly to the north. While it will likely dump some additional rain on the Florence-battered city of Wilmington, it wasn't expected to be significant enough to worsen the flooding. "It shouldn't put much of a dent in the rivers," said Reid Hawkins, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Wilmington. The storm was also having an enduring impact on the environment. A power outage at a wastewater station combined with heavy rain caused about 128,000 gallons (477,000 liters) of wastewater to spill into a river at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, the U.S. Marine Corps reported Tuesday. The military said the spill won't threaten residential water supplies, however. Officials at South Carolina's state-owned utility were still warily monitoring two coal-ash ponds near Conway. Santee Cooper officials said floodwater from the Waccamaw River had already made it into one pond, but most of the ash had already been removed from it during an earlier cleanup project. The river is likely to flood the second pond soon, but the utility promised it has taken steps to lessen the environmental impact, such as installing silt fencing and a floating environmental containment boom. Not far from the ash ponds, engineers are keeping an eye on U.S. Highway 501, the main link to Myrtle Beach. Water is now touching a temporary barrier of sand and plastic that has been erected to keep water off the bridge. Called the Lifeline, the temporary wall will remain effective if the water doesn't rise more than an additional 5 feet (1.5 meters) from its current level, according to the state Department of Transportation. A preliminary analysis of Hurricane Florence has determined that the slow-moving storm dumped more than 17.5 inches (44 centimeters) of water on a region stretching from Fayetteville, North Carolina, to Florence, South Carolina. Hurricane Harvey delivered 25.6 inches (65 centimeters), said Ken Kunkel, a meteorologist at the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and North Carolina State University. In North Carolina, where Florence's floodwaters temporarily cut off the city of Wilmington and inundated several others, the rivers have stopped rising, but the recovery process is really just beginning. Gov. Roy Cooper has estimated billions of dollars in damages. In rural Jones County, between Kinston and New Bern, two of the county's six schools will have to be demolished after floodwaters left mold and mildew in their wake, School Superintendent Michael Bracy said. Housing also promised to be scarce for flood victims. In rural areas where so many single-family and one-story structures were susceptible to flooding, even those that were untouched will not provide nearly as many options for evacuees as an urban area with multiple-story apartment buildings would, noted Red Cross Vice President of Operations and Logistics Brad Kieserman. That will present a challenge for flood victims who initially fled to relatives' homes but will likely need to find other shelters before their own homes are ready for their return. "Staying with family is going to get a little old for everybody," he said. Associated Press writers Gary D. Robertson, Alex Derosier, Meg Kinnard, Sarah Rankin and Sarah Brumfield contributed to this report. What to Know Pawlowski led Pennsylvania's third-largest city for 12 years, winning re-election while under indictment. Prosecutors sought at least 13 years in prison for Pawlowski. His lawyer argued for a reduced sentence. Pawlowski asked the federal judge for mercy and leniency, saying he "never once imagined" himself in this position. Ed Pawlowski, the former mayor of Allentown, Pennsylvania, got 15 years in federal prison Tuesday, despite asking a judge for mercy and leniency. Pawlowski, a Democrat who was elected to office while under federal probe, said in court that he ran for public service because he "wanted to make a difference." He says he "worked hard, night and day, to try to bring this city back." "I never once imagined myself left in this position," he told U.S. District Judge Juan Sanchez. A jury convicted Pawlowski in March of trading campaign cash for city contracts. Federal prosecutors say he coerced city vendors to contribute to his failed campaigns for governor and U.S. Senate. They're asked for a sentence of at least 13 years. A potential catastrophic Hurricane Willa swept toward Mexico's Pacific coast with winds of 145 mph (230 kph) Monday night, threatening a stretch of high-rise resort hotels, surfing beaches and fishing villages. Farther south, Mexican officials reported 12 deaths related to heavy rains from Tropical Storm Vicente. After briefly reaching Category 5 strength, Willa's maximum sustained winds weakened some. But it remained "extremely dangerous" and was forecast to bring "life-threatening storm surge, wind and rainfall" to parts of west-central and southwestern Mexico ahead of an expected Tuesday landfall, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. Hotel workers started taping up windows, and officials began evacuating people and shuttered schools in a low-lying landscape where towns sit amid farmland tucked between the sea and lagoons. A decree of "extraordinary emergency" was issued for 19 municipalities in Nayarit and Sinaloa states, the federal Interior Department announced. Officials said 7,000 to 8,000 people were being evacuated from low-lying areas, mostly in Sinaloa state. The hurricane was expected to pass over or near the Islas Marias a set of islands about 60 miles (96 kilometers) offshore that include a nature preserve and a federal prison early Tuesday. Forecasters said Willa would then blow ashore in the afternoon or evening somewhere along a 140-mile (220-kilometer) stretch extending from the resort town of Mazatlan to San Blas. It was projected to weaken somewhat before hitting land but was still expected to be extremely dangerous. Yamile Bustamante, assistant general manager at the Crown Plaza de Mazatlan, said hotel executives were not ruling out the possibility of evacuating guests but were awaiting instructions from authorities. The governments of Sinaloa and Nayarit ordered coastal region schools to close and began preparing emergency shelters. Enrique Moreno, mayor of Escuinapa, a municipality of about 60,000 people on Willa's track, said officials were trying to evacuate everybody in the seaside village of Teacapan. He estimated 3,000 were affected but he expected some would try to stay. "The people don't want to evacuate, but it's for their security," he said. About 60 miles (100 kilometers) up the coast in Mazatlan, with a metropolitan-area population of about 500,000, Mayor Jose Joel Boucieguez said officials prepared shelters and were closely monitoring low-lying areas. Mazatlan is a popular vacation spot and home to a large number of American and Canadian expatriates. Late Monday, Willa was centered about 85 miles (140 kilometers) southwest of the Islas Marias and 195 miles (310 kilometers) south-southwest of Mazatlan. It was moving north at 9 mph (15 kph). Hurricane-force winds extended 35 miles (55 kilometers) from the storm's center, and tropical storm-force winds were up to 125 miles (205 kilometers) out. The U.S. hurricane center warned that Willa could bring 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters) of rain with up to 18 inches (45 centimeters) in some places to parts of Jalisco, Nayarit and Sinaloa states, with flash flooding and landslides possible in mountainous areas. Farther south, Tropical Storm Vicente weakened and was expected to dissipate soon, but it still dropped heavy rainfall that caused dangerous flooding in southern and southwestern Mexico. Officials in Oaxaca state said seven adults and five children had lost their lives in drownings or mudslides. President Donald Trump's national security adviser met in Moscow with top Russian officials Monday, less than 48 hours after Trump declared he intended to pull the United States out of a 1987 nuclear weapons treaty. National Security Adviser John Bolton and his Russian counterpart, Security Council chairman Nikolai Patrushev, discussed arms control agreements, Syria, Iran, North Korea and the fight against terrorism, according to the Security Council. During the talks, Patrushev emphasized the importance of maintaining the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, the Security Council said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies. Trump said that Russia violated the treaty that prohibits the U.S. and Russia from possessing, producing or test-flying ground-launched nuclear cruise and ballistic missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometers (300 to 3,400 miles.) He warned Saturday that the U.S. will begin developing such weapons unless Russia and China agree not to possess or develop them. China wasn't a party to the pact that was signed in 1987 by U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. "Russia has not adhered to the agreement," Trump said Monday. "We have more money than anybody else by far, we'll build it up until they come to their senses." "I'm terminating the agreement because they violated the agreement," Trump said, adding that his action was "a threat to whoever you want, and it includes China, and it includes Russia and it includes anybody else that wants to play that game." Bolton noted in an interview with the Russian business daily Kommersant that the U.S. was concerned both with Russia's violation of the pact and China's intermediate-range missile capabilities. He also added that it would be unrealistic to expect Beijing to accept any limits. In Monday's talks with Bolton, Patrushev reaffirmed Russia's "readiness for joint work to consider mutual complaints regarding the treaty's implementation," the Security Council said. "It was underlined that its abrogation would deal a serious blow to the entire international system of nuclear non-proliferation and arms control," the council's statement said. Patrushev and Bolton also discussed a possible five-year extension of another pivotal arms control agreement between Russia and the U.S. the New START Treaty that went into force in 2011 and is set to expire in 2021, the statement said. Bolton also held talks later in the day with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and is set to meet with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, warned Monday that the U.S. withdrawal from the treaty would "make the world a more dangerous place." He added that Russia would have to take countermeasures to "restore balance" if the U.S. opts out of the agreement. Peskov reaffirmed Moscow's strong denial of any treaty violations. "We categorically disagree with the claim that Russia has violated the INF Treaty," he said. "Russia has fully adhered to the treaty's provisions." He noted that Russia long has voiced concern about what it sees as U.S. violations of the treaty. Russia has charged that U.S. missile defense facilities in Romania could be modified to house ground-to-ground intermediate-range cruise missiles. NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said Monday that the military alliance has repeatedly expressed concern about Russia's nuclear-capable 9M729 missile. "In the absence of any credible answer from Russia on this new missile, allies believe that the most plausible assessment would be that Russia is in violation of the INF Treaty," she said. Lungescu didn't comment on Trump's threat to withdraw from the treaty, saying only that the "allies continue consultations." The European Union warned Trump to assess the potential impact of abandoning a 40-year-old arms control agreement. The EU said that along with urging Russia to stick to the treaty, it encouraged "the United States to consider the consequences of its possible withdrawal from the INF on its own security, on the security of its allies and of the whole world." The bloc described the treaty as an essential cornerstone of Europe's security structure, adding, "the world doesn't need a new arms race that would benefit no one and on the contrary, would bring even more instability." U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "still hopes that the two countries will engage to solve the disagreements," U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said Monday. Haq noted that Guterres has urged the U.S. and Russia to resolve their dispute over the INF, to extend the New START treaty and to take new steps to reduce nuclear stockpiles. What to Know Delaware State Rep. candidate Monique Johns apologized after she was caught on camera removing her opponent's campaign literature. The surveillance video shows Johns removing campaign literature from Rep. Kevin Hensley and replacing it with her own. This was a lapse of judgment that I humbly regret. Please forgive me. I won't make any excuses for this action, she wrote. A Delaware state representative candidate apologized on Facebook Monday after she was caught on surveillance video removing her opponents campaign literature from outside a Middletown, Delaware, home and replacing it with her own. Today, I ask for the forgiveness of the residents of the 9th Representative District, Monique Johns wrote. I made a mistake. I removed the literature of my opponent's campaign from the door of a voter. It was wrong and I should never have done it. Johns, a Democrat, is running against State Rep. Kevin Hensley (R-District 9) in the race for Delawares 9th District. On Sunday Randy J. Smith, a Middletown, Delaware, resident posted surveillance videos on his Facebook page. The first video showed Hensley outside Smiths home placing a campaign pamphlet on his door. The second video shows Johns taking Hensleys flier from the door and replacing it with her own pamphlet. After the videos were posted, Erik Raser-Schramm, the chairman of the Delaware Democratic Party, released a statement condemning Johns actions. Without equivocation, we reject these tactics and call on Ms. Johns to join us in apologizing to Rep. Hensley and the voters of the 9th District, and to recommit herself to running the kind of campaign the Delaware Democratic Party demands from its candidates, he wrote. Johns later apologized as well. This was a lapse of judgment that I humbly regret. Please forgive me. I won't make any excuses for this action, she wrote. I have apologized to my opponent, my supporters, and now I apologize to the voters of the 9th Representative District. Johns previously posted statements on her social media accounts claiming her campaign signs had been vandalized. https://twitter.com/MrsDelaware/status/1038893856094339073 Smith told NBCs Delaware affiliate WDEL hes not very involved in politics and has never volunteered or worked on any political campaigns. He also said he didnt plan to contact police about the incident though he did consider the removal of the campaign literature from his front door an invasion of privacy. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex took separate boats Monday to Queensland's Fraser Island as their tour of Australia and the South Pacific continued with a reduced schedule for the pregnant duchess. Prince Harry took a barge for the 43-mile (70-kilometer) crossing from Australia's mainland to the island, while the former American actress Meghan rode in a far more comfortable cruiser. Meghan is some four months pregnant and has had her schedule reduced after a hectic start to the 16-day tour. The Duchess rested for the first part of the day while Harry undertook several engagements focusing on environmental issues. Meghan then delighted onlookers by emerging for a waterside stroll with her husband. Harry and Meghan touched down midmorning at Hervey Bay, 745 miles (1200km) north of Sydney, in a Royal Australian Air Force plane. The couple descended the stairs hand-in-hand, before going their separate ways: Harry boarding a bus and Meghan a car. After their boat crossings, Harry was scheduled for a range of engagements on the world's biggest sand island, known as K'gari or "Paradise" in the local indigenous language, on day seven of their Australian tour. After taking part in a traditional "Welcome to Country" smoking ceremony with representatives of the local Butchulla indigenous people, Harry unveiled a plaque dedicating the popular holiday island's pristine rainforests to Queen Elizabeth's Commonwealth Canopy project. Harry's itinerary also touched on the history of logging on Fraser Island, whose famed hardwood trees were used to build the London's docks in the 1930s. After their afternoon stroll, the royal couple met locals including Hervey Bay paramedics Graeme Cooper and Danielle Kellam. The paramedics made headlines last year after a photo of them granting a dying woman's wish to see the ocean at Hervey Bay one last time went viral and captured hearts around the world. Harry and Meghan are due to leave Australia for Fiji and Tonga on Tuesday. They will return to Sydney on Friday night for the final days of the Invictus Games, Harry's brainchild and the focus of their tour, before finishing off with a visit to New Zealand. Two San Diego-based U.S. Navy SEALs are charged in a war crimes case tied to the execution of an Islamic State detainee in Iraq last year, according to the U.S. Navy Times. Lt. Jacob Jake Portier faces an Article 32 hearing on suspicion he covered up a string of war crimes allegedly committed by Special Operations Chief Edward Eddie Gallagher. Gallagher was arrested on Sept. 11 at the Camp Pendleton Intrepid Spirit Center on charges including murder, aggravated assault and murder, according to his attorney Phil Stackhouse. Both SEALs have said they are innocent. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service probe is looking into the death of a wounded Islamic State fighter near Mosul, Iraq in May 2017. Prosecutors allege Gallagher stabbed the wounded man until he died, posed for a photograph next to the body and opted to complete his reenlistment ceremony next to the corpse which brought discredit upon the armed forces, according to the published report. He also faces allegations he shot two noncombatant people. Portier, who is accused of dereliction of duty, was not present at the time of the homicide, according to the report. Gallagher is accused of encouraging members of his platoon to stay quiet about what happened in Iraq, the Navy Times reporter Carl Prine writes. Those conversations allegedly took place in and around San Diego between April and September when he was arrested, he reports. Prine reports the NCIS investigation targets several SEALs who deployed to Iraq between 2017 and early 2018 as well as senior enlisted and commissioned leaders in Naval Special Warfare Group 1. Naval Special Warfare spokeswoman Cmdr. Tamara Lawrence confirmed charges against Gallagher and Portier have been preferred but declined to give details to "maintain the integrity of the investigation." "A service member currently assigned to a Naval Special Warfare unit is under investigation by NCIS for professional misconduct while deployed to Iraq in 2017," she said in a statement to NBC 7. "We take all allegations of misconduct seriously and will cooperate fully with investigative authorities." The Navy SEALs Fund Brotherhood Beyond Battlefield has launched a fundraising campaign for Gallagher who served eight tours of duty with six as an elite special forces operator. Gallagher has served 19 years in the U.S. Navy and more than 14 years as a Navy SEAL, his attorney said. In 2017, Gallagher was ranked as the top SEAL chief and his platoon was ranked as the top SEAL platoon, the website said. Recent redistricting in El Cajon has two current City Council members running against each other for the seat in District 1. Voters in the district, which is made up mostly of residents from the Fletcher Hills area, say its getting ugly and some scenes around town speak to their point. NBC7 found a Ben Kalasho campaign sign defaced with graffiti along Fletcher Parkway. A sign was posted over the spray paint asking Who did this? Charmaine Wallace and her husband Steven, who grew up in the part of El Cajon that is now District 1, say only Ben Kalashos signs are being damaged. I kind of feel bad, but then there must be a reason, Charmaine said. Fletcher Hills business owner Erik Weichelt says he is supporting candidate and current council member Gary Kendrick over Kalasho, despite the latters pro-business stance. I think there's been too much negativity when it comes to how he interacts with folks in the community, Weichelt said. Kalasho did not respond to a request for comment from NBC 7. In September, Kalasho was served a lawsuit at the El Cajon City Council meeting. The lawsuit alleges Kalasho violated a man's free speech by blocking his comments on the councilmember's official Facebook page. He is also accused of harassment. Councilmember Gary Kendrick has been on the council for 16 years and tells NBC 7 the city has been working to address the homeless problem with a new East County shelter. Kendrick also says El Cajon is seeing a good bit of revitalization. We have the four-star Marriott Hotel that just opened downtown six months ago and they have occupancy that has run from 85 to 100 percent since it opened, and we've got the East County Performing Arts Center right behind us that will be opening in February, Kendrick said. But in order to continue improving the lives of people in El Cajon, Kendrick says the people need a council that can work together to get things done. If Kendrick takes the seat, Kalasho will remain on the El Cajon City Council to serve out the remaining two years of the four-year term he was elected to serve before the redistricting took place. More than 2,000 homicides have occurred in the city of Tijuana, Mexico so far in 2018, according to figures from the State Attorney's Office (PGJE) obtained by Telemundo 20. No matter how many people are killed, residents say they wont get used to the feeling of insecurity. "Terrible, there are murders everywhere, there are women who drag them to steal their bags, there are signs hanging from bodies," Silvia Rosas, a merchant from the border city, told Telemundo 20. About seven people are killed in the city daily, amounting to 2,009 deaths this year compared to 1,647 total homicides in 2017, according to the PGJE. In the face of violence, citizens say they walk carefully through the streets. However, some murders even take place a few meters away from the Municipal Public Security Secretariat. "On this street, apparently it's quiet because we have the C4 of the police here on the corner, but in the street that is here behind, the week there was a murder," Rosas said. Its incredible. The PGJE numbers show 2018 has been the deadliest period in the citys history. Just six years ago in 2013, there were 508 homicides. Despite the record frequency, Tijuana Mayor Juan Manuel Gastelum says he expects the numbers to improve. "The sun comes out every day, every day there is an opportunity to be better, every day there is an opportunity to improve, I would bet on that, to improve," said Gastelum. According to Marco Antonio Sotomayor, Secretary of Public Security of Tijuana, the opportunity to fight against violence is lost due to the changes that exist in the penal system. The Ministry of Public Security also added on Monday that although 90 percent of homicides are linked to drug dealing, there is no support from the federal government. A man who was trapped for days at the bottom of an old abandoned mine shaft in Arizona was rescued Wednesday after a friend hadn't heard from him. Maricopa County sheriff's officials say the man fell into the 100-foot shaft in Aguila sometime Monday. He was found Wednesday by his friend Terry Shrader, who knew the man was at the abandoned gold mine and hadn't heard from him, according to NBC affiliate KPNX. "I was afraid of what I was going to find," Shrader said, but he heard shouting when he arrived at the scene and went to get help. A medic was lowered in to treat the man, identified by KPNX as John Waddell, before a metal gurney lifted him out of the shaft, authorities said. He was taken to a hospital for a medical evaluation. Aguila is located west of Wickenburg and about 90 miles (144 kilometers) northwest of Phoenix. Waddell told Shrader that he killed three rattlesnakes while in the shaft, KPNX reported. What to Know An immigrant arrested after delivering pizza to an Army base, and later ordered released, has been arrested again A federal judge ordered Pablo Villavicencio's release last July after his case became a flashpoint in the national immigration debate The judge said the release was necessary because his imminent removal from the United States was no longer reasonably foreseeable The Ecuadorean immigrant who was held for deportation after he delivered pizza to a Brooklyn Army installation, before a judge ordered his immediate release last July, has been arrested after allegedly assaulting his wife and keeping her from calling police. Pablo Villavicencio, whose arrest became a national cause and a flashpoint for the immigration debate, was taken into custody early Monday on a fourth-degree misdemeanor and was still in a Nassau County detention center as of mid-morning, sources said. According to court documents, Villavicencio allegedly pushed his wife against a wall and slapped her body after an argument, and then purportedly took her phone so she could not call for help. (The criminal mischief charge relates to the alleged taking of the phone, interfering with her ability to call police.) His lawyers did not immediately have a statement on his arrest. ICE officials said Villavicencio will not be taken into custody while he has pending immigration applications. Villavicencio was arrested on June 1 while making a delivery to the garrison in Fort Hamilton. When he arrived at Fort Hamilton, guards requested identification, and he produced a city identification card. A background check showed he had been ordered to leave the United States in 2010 but stayed. But he walked out of an immigration detention center in New Jersey last July and was greeted with hugs from his jubilant wife and two young daughters. Hours earlier, U.S. District Judge Paul Crotty wrote of Villavicencio, "Although he stayed in the United States unlawfully and is currently subject to a final order of removal, he has otherwise been a model citizen." The judge said Villavicencio could remain in the United States while he exhausted his right to try to gain legal status. Villavicencio applied to stay in the U.S. after he married a U.S. citizen, with whom he has two young girls, ages 2 and 4. The judge cited those children and said they are U.S. citizens. "He has no criminal history," the judge wrote. "He has paid his taxes. And he has worked diligently to provide for his family." The judge ruled after putting a government lawyer on the spot over the effort by immigration authorities to enforce a 2010 deportation order. He questioned the need to detain and quickly deport the 35-year-old Villavicencio. "Well, the powerful are doing what they want, and the poor are suffering what they must," the judge said after hearing Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Cordaro defend the government's actions. "I mean, is there any concept of justice here or are we just doing this because we want to?" the judge asked. "Why do we want to enforce the order? It makes no difference in terms of the larger issues facing the country." The case attracted widespread attention amid a crackdown by the administration of President Donald Trump on illegal immigration. Trump, a Republican, has said his policies are designed to keep the country safe. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, said at the time that the federal government had "cruelly" kept Villavicencio from his wife, Sandra Chica, and two daughters "for no legitimate reason." The heroin and opioid epidemic has produced crushing backlogs at state forensic labs in Maryland and Virginia, according to a review by the News4 I-Team. A sharp spike in drug crimes and overdoses has slowed the completion of lab investigations of drug cases and triggered calls for outside contractors to be hired to help state forensic scientists. In a grant application to the U.S. Justice Department, Maryland State Police reported an "exponential increase" in heroin and opioid crimes and overdoses. The application said the backlog of controlled substances forensic lab cases exploded from 111 cases in 2015 to 2,101 cases in May 2018. "The backlog is expected to continue to climb to a peak of approximately 3,500 cases in early 2019, and, unless additional resources are devoted to this problem, it will take three years for the backlog to return to a manageable level," the application said. Maryland State Police operate a forensic lab near Baltimore. The lab tests increasingly complex synthetic opioids to help police investigate drug crimes and combat traffickers. "The amount of time it takes for them to analyze these drugs has increased significantly, and thats contributed to the backlog," state police spokesman Greg Shipley said. The U.S. Justice Department is expected to announce Thursday that it will award Maryland State Police a $2.5 million grant to help the agency hire private contractors to help reduce the backlog of pending cases and slow the growth of future backlogs. "The complexity of the drugs our scientists are seeing today has changed dramatically. Theyre very dangerous to the user, the police officer who encounters the drugs on the street and to the chemist who has to analyze the drug in a forensic setting," Shipley said. Virginia state forensic specialists said they have responded to a 10 percent increase in drug cases in each of the past three years. The state said it needs an average of 134 days to complete a standard drug forensic lab review. The optimal turnaround time is approximately 30 days, according to state officials. Virginia state officials said they too are seeking outside contractors to help reduce the caseload. What to Know Daron Wint testified the night the Savopoulos family and their housekeeper were held hostage, he was at his friend Ed's. The prosecution said Ed is dead and no one in Wint's family can corroborate the alibi. The prosecution also said Wint's half-brother took police to Wint's burned out minivan. Family members wept and some jurors teared up as prosecutors showed graphic autopsy photos of the D.C. mansion murder victims during closing arguments Monday. Prosecutor Laura Bach said she had to prove the murders were particularly atrocious and cruel. Daron Wint is the only person charged in the 2015 deaths of Savvas Savopoulos, 46; his wife, Amy, 47; their 10-year-old son, Philip, and Veralicia Figueroa, 57, their housekeeper. He is accused of holding the victims captive, extorting $40,000 and setting their Northwest Washington mansion on fire. Bach said Wint was backed into a corner and had nowhere to go after getting kicked out of his familys home in describing his motive for stealing the $40,000 from Savvas Savopolous, who was his former boss. Bach also described the DNA evidence against Wint as overwhelming. The prosecution tried to tear down the defenses argument that Wints brothers committed the murders and reminded the jury that even if they think Wint had help they can still find him guilty of the murders. The defense responded by trying to create reasonable doubt, telling jurors the prosecution cherry-picked the evidence they presented to try and prove their theory. The defense argued detectives never fully investigated Wints brothers, and their whereabouts at the time of the murders have never been confirmed. The jury will get the case Tuesday after the defense wraps up its closing arguments. Citing negative stereotyping of Arab culture, a Baltimore County, Maryland, elementary school has canceled its production of Disney's "Aladdin Jr." Mother Danette Zaghari-Mask told WBAL-TV her son decided to drop out of the Westowne Elementary School play in Catonsville when he learned that "Arabs are described as barbaric" in it. Zaghari-Mask, who is an attorney with the Council on American-Islamic Relations, spoke with school officials about his experience, and said her family was "relieved that the school is considerate of diversity." Principal J. Palmer Wilker sent a letter to drama club parents last week in which he said the school wanted to "cultivate students who have a strong self-image, appreciation and respect for other cultures." The school's drama club will replace the February 2019 production with "an alternative theatrical production with a focus on fables." "Aladdin Jr." was adapted from the popular 1992 Disney film "Aladdin." The film repeatedly has been criticized for relying on anti-Arab and anti-Muslim stereotypes. The movie's opening song "Arabian Nights" begins with this verse: "Oh, I come from a land, from a faraway place / Where the caravan camels roam / Where it's flat and immense / And the heat is intense / It's barbaric, but hey, it's home." What to Know Police say a shooter opened fire in the area of Silver Hill Road and Suitland Parkway on Tuesday morning. Suitland Parkway eastbound and westound lanes were closed for several hours and reopened about 5 p.m. The suspect is still on the loose. A 23-year-old man was shot and killed Tuesday morning after someone opened fire in the area of Suitland Parkway and Silver Hill Road in Prince George's County, Maryland, police said. The suspect is still on the loose. Police responded about 9:30 a.m. and found Jerome Robinson, of Southeast D.C., in the roadway of Suitland Parkway. Police are searching for a white Audi sedan in the shooting but advised caution because the occupants may be armed with an assault rifle. According to a preliminary investigation, the incident may have begun off the parkway as an altercation between occupants of two separate vehicles, U.S. Park Police Sgt. James Dingeldein said. The vehicles involved got on the Parkway, where witnesses reported hitting the ground as about 20 gunshots rang out. "I seen some guy shooting," one woman told News4. "They were in the car. He was sitting in the passenger's window and he was just shooting a machine gun." Sources close to the investigation told News4 the gun involved may be an AK-47. #Breaking: At least one person is transported to the hospital in critical condition after multiple 9-1-1 calls for a shooting on Suitland Parkway per source. @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/boanCEqcOe Tracee Wilkins (@TraceeWilkins) October 23, 2018 At one point, the victim got out of his vehicle and ran across Suitland Parkway, where he was hit by gunfire from the people in the other vehicle, police said. Several bystanders moved to help the shooting victim, who witnesses said was armed. Then, the shooter doubled back and let loose more shots. Prince George's County Fire and EMS said the victim was taken to an area trauma center in critical condition. He died a short time later. Evidence of the violent encounter could be seen in the windows of two cars at the scene. One car was left with a bullet hole in the lower right corner of the driver's side window. Another had what appeared to be bullet holes in the windshield. A trail of bullet casings showed littered Suitland Parkway afterward. "We see the shell casings go up the whole road there, on the ramp, the whole road going back," one witness said. One woman who was walking in the area at the time said the gunfire sent her running for cover. "I was walking toward Suitland Parkway, and I heard nine shots. I went back and ran to my house, got to my door, six more shots. I fell on the floor. After I fell on the floor, I heard nine more shots," the woman said. Officers remained at the scene Tuesday afternoon for the investigation. They said they don't believe the public is in danger at this time and the incident appeared to be isolated. Detectives don't have suspects and urged anyone who may have witnessed the incident to call the U.S. Park Police tip line at 202-610-8737 or submit a tip online here. The eastbound lanes of Suitland Parkway were closed from Naylor Road to Forrestville Road and the westbound lanes were closed from Forrestville Road to Silver Hill Road for several hours, Park Police said. They reopened about 5 p.m. Chopper footage showed yellow tape stretched across the roadway. Drivers in the area should expect delays and should consider using Pennsylvania Avenue or Branch Avenue as a workaround. Multiple drivers called 911 to report the shooting. Witnesses started calling 911 about gunfire being exchanged at Silver Hill Road at Pennsylvania Avenue. The calls continued until it ended at Suitland Parkway at Silver Hill Road. CORRECTION (Oct. 23, 3:23 p.m.): An earlier version of this story said police confirmed one victim, but that a second person had also been reported injured. However, only one person was injured. Stay with NBC4 and NBCWashington.com for more on this developing story. What to Know Virginia's Attorney General Mark Herring has called for reforms to the state's cash bail system. Herring said there are other ways to keep communities safe and ensure defendants show up to court. The move to eliminate cash bail has gained support at the state and national level. Virginia's attorney general has called for reforms to the state's cash bail system. Mark Herring says the current practice of seeking cash bail leaves many nonviolent defendants unable to afford to get out of jail while they are awaiting trial. Herring said the practice raises possible constitutional concerns and puts an undue burden on low-income defendants. "We can't have a criminal justice system that determines fairness and freedom based on wealth," Herring said. Herring said the state has other ways of keeping communities safe and ensuring that defendants show up in court, including pretrial supervision. Bail bondsmen and some prosecutors may oppose the move, but abolishing cash bail has gained support at the state and national level. In New Jersey, cash bail was all but eliminated in 2017. In April, Richmond's top prosecutor said he would no longer seek cash bail for defendants who do not appear to pose a risk to the community. President Donald Trump is battling Democrats for control of Congress. But you might think it's 2016 all over again. As the 2018 midterms shifted to the final two weeks of campaigning, Trump staged a large Monday night rally in Houston, Ted Cruz's hometown, to help the Texas senator and his 2016 presidential rival fend off a tough challenge from Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke. During the 2016 primaries, Trump mocked Cruz as "Lyin' Ted," insulted his wife's appearance and suggested Cruz's father played a role in the Kennedy assassination. Cruz assailed Trump as a "sniveling coward" and told Trump to leave his wife alone. But campaigns have a way of letting bygones be bygones. Democrats dispatched former President Barack Obama to Las Vegas to help Nevada Democrats while former Vice President Joe Biden was barnstorming Florida. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who tried to wrestle the 2016 Democratic nomination from Hillary Clinton, was in Wisconsin, one of the states that propelled Trump to his stunning upset. And California Sen. Kamala Harris, a potential 2020 presidential candidate, kicked off a two-day trip to Iowa, her first to the home of the nation's first presidential caucus. Democrats are trying to flip nearly two dozen House seats to regain control of that chamber. Republicans are trying to maintain a slim Senate majority and defend several governors' mansions. A look at midterm campaign activities Monday: PELOSI PREDICTS House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi says if the election were held today, her party would "handily" win back control of the House. But she's raising the possibility of an unpredictable finish to the midterms, adding, "I can only speak in the present tense because you never know." Democrats have been wary about potential foreign interference in next month's elections, concerned that Russia might again try to sow discord in the political system. House Democrats are expected to reopen the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election if they win the majority. Pelosi told CNN's Dana Bash at CITIZEN by CNN political forum that Democrats will "own the ground" to produce a large voter turnout, promising lower prescription drug costs and infrastructure spending if Democrats win back the House. Asked if she believes House Democrats will elect her speaker again if they regain the majority, Pelosi says, "It's up to them to make that decision, but I feel pretty comfortable where I am on it." SANDERS IN WISCONSIN Former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders told college students and other young supporters in Wisconsin that they could "transform" the nation if they show up and vote in the upcoming fall elections. Sanders headlined an early voting rally at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee aimed at defeating Republican Gov. Scott Walker and re-electing Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis. Organizers said more than 1,100 people were at the rally. "Let's tell Trump and his friends let's tell Trump and Walker and all of these guys that we want a government and an economy based on justice, we want a government and an economy that represents all of us and not the 1 percent," Sanders said alongside Baldwin. Wisconsin is one of the campaign's epicenters. Trump is returning to the state Wednesday for a rally with Walker and Leah Vukmir, Baldwin's Republican opponent. Obama is coming to Milwaukee Friday for an early voting event. Polls show Walker's race against state education chief Tony Evers to be a toss-up, while Baldwin has consistently led Vukmir. 'OVERRATED' O'ROURKE Trump blasted Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke as "highly overrated" as he departed the White House for a Houston rally in support of Cruz. Trump told reporters that he initially thought the Democratic congressman, who has mounted a strong challenge against Cruz in GOP-friendly Texas, "must be something a little special. He's not." The president said he now gets along "very well" with Cruz after their 2016 primary feud. Trump offered more complimentary nicknames for Cruz "I call him Texas Ted" and told reporters he has replaced his "Lyin' Ted" putdown with "Beautiful Ted." RESETTING THE 'MORAL COMPASS' Biden called the midterms a fight for "the soul of America" during a swing through Florida, saying the nation had a chance to reset "the moral compass of this country." Biden said Monday at the University of South Florida in Tampa that Trump's actions at home and abroad didn't reflect basic American values of decency. He called Florida's Republican gubernatorial candidate, former Rep. Ron DeSantis, a Trump acolyte. He praised Andrew Gillum, the Democrats' candidate for governor, as one of the nation's most exciting young leaders. IMMIGRATION POLITICS Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris of California, a potential 2020 presidential contender, said Trump's assertion that he would begin "cutting off, or substantially reducing" aid to Central American nations over a migrant caravan headed to the U.S. border would yield no political advantage to Republicans. Speaking to reporters after her first public event in Iowa, Harris said there was "absolutely not" a benefit for Republicans from the administration's rhetoric. "What our country wants, and what the people of our country want, is they want leaders who are focused on the challenges that they face every day, like can they put food on the table and pay the bills by the end of the month, consistently every month of the year," Harris said amid a day of campaign stops promoting Iowa Democrats. "That's what people want us to be talking about and thinking about and the priorities they want us to have, not vilifying some group for the sake of fearmongering and politics." OBAMA IN VEGAS Obama said he wants Las Vegas and Nevada to be the "capital of voting" as he sought to energize Democrats ahead of the November midterm elections. The former president referenced Trump's policies as he warned against apathy, telling Democrats at a Las Vegas rally that all they needed to do was "look at what the Republicans have done the past two years." Obama said by the time he had left office, wages were rising and poverty was falling "and that's what I handed off to the next guy. So when you hear all this talk about 'economic miracles' right now remember who started it." The former president said he believed in a "fact-based reality and a fact-based politics. I don't believe in just making stuff up." Obama was rallying Democrats for Senate candidate Jacky Rosen, a freshman congresswoman from the Las Vegas-area, and gubernatorial candidate Steve Sisolak. TRUMP IN TEXAS Trump said nobody helped him more to cut taxes and regulation than Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. At a political rally in Houston, Trump said Cruz has "become a really good friend of mine." Cruz is running for re-election in the midterms against Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke. Speaking before Trump took the stage, Cruz also made clear that the conflict was behind them and that the two were working together. His biggest applause came when he predicted that "in 2020, Donald Trump will be overwhelming re-elected." Associated Press writer Scott Bauer, Mike Schneider, Zeke Miller and Thomas Beaumont contributed to this report. A high-profile economic forum in Saudi Arabia began on Tuesday in Riyadh, with the crown prince making a brief public appearance at the kingdom's first major event since the killing of writer Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. Khashoggi's death loomed large over the start of the event, known as the Future Investment Initiative, which came as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday that Saudi officials murdered Khashoggi in their Istanbul consulate after plotting his death for days. The Turkish leader demanded the kingdom reveal the identities of all involved in the killing, regardless of rank. Saudi Arabia, which for weeks maintained Khashoggi had left the consulate, on Saturday acknowledged he was killed there in a "fistfight." Turkish media and officials say a 15-member Saudi team was flown in to kill Khashoggi. They say the team cut off his fingers before killing and dismembering the 59-year-old Washington Post columnist, who had written critically about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Prince Mohammed has come under mounting pressure, with critics suspecting he ordered the high-profile operation or at least knew about it. Saudi authorities say they have arrested suspects and dismissed senior officials, but the crown prince has thus far escaped blame. On Tuesday, King Salman and Prince Mohammed received Khashoggi's son, Salah, and his brother, Sahel, at the Yamama Palace in Riyadh, where the two royals expressed their condolences. A friend of the Khashoggi family told The Associated Press that Salah has been under a travel ban since last year. The individual spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisal. Later Tuesday, the crown prince attended the investment forum alongside King Abdullah II of Jordan. Prince Mohammed sat front-row in the audience of an afternoon session and then looked at some promotional booths outside the main hall as an excited crowd of mostly young Saudi men filmed the encounter on their phones. At the opening of the conference, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih described the journalist's killing as "abhorrent." Some of the forum's keynote speakers and numerous Western executives and officials had cancelled plans to attend over Khashoggi's Oct. 2 slaying. "As we all know, these are difficult days for us in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," al-Falih said in a speech to attendees seated in the forum's ornate hall. "Nobody in the kingdom can justify it or explain it. From the leadership on down, we're very upset at what has happened," he added, referring to Khashoggi's slaying. The forum is the brainchild of Prince Mohammed and is aimed at drawing more foreign investment into the kingdom to help create desperately needed jobs for millions of young Saudis entering the workforce in the coming years. Despite the absence of key executives and speakers from the United States and other Western partners, some $50 billion in deals were signed Tuesday at the forum, with Russian and Asian businesses and officials eager to do business with the kingdom. "Those partners who are here with us today to continue that journey with us are certainly going to look back and find out ... how committed the kingdom is to its partners that stay the course," al-Falih said, just moments before several deals were inked on stage. The forum last year grabbed headlines when Prince Mohammed wowed the crowd of global business titans with pledges to lead the ultraconservative kingdom toward "moderate Islam." He also announced plans to build a $500 billion futuristic city in the desert. At the time, Prince Mohammed spoke on stage alongside Stephen Schwarzman of U.S. private equity firm Blackstone. Schwarzman is among those who've backed out of attending this year. Others include U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who met with Prince Mohammed separately before the forum, according to Saudi state television. Among its many investments domestically and abroad, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, which the crown prince oversees, has invested $20 billion in a U.S.-focused infrastructure fund with Blackstone. The Public Investment Fund has also invested $3.5 billion in ride-sharing firm Uber, whose CEO Dara Khosrowshahi also backed out of attending this year's forum. Lubna Olayan, a Saudi businesswoman moderating the forum's first session Tuesday, opened with remarks about Khashoggi. "As we gather here in Riyadh this morning, it is natural that our thoughts tend to focus on recent events surrounding the death of Jamal Khashoggi a writer, a journalist and a Saudi journalist known to many of us," she said. "May he rest in peace." She added that such "terrible acts ... are alien to our culture and DNA." Some in the crowd applauded her remarks. Directors of the Saudi, Russian and United Arab Emirates' sovereign wealth funds took part in the opening panel. Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan headlined another session, with Jordan's King Abdullah II expected to speak at the forum on Wednesday. "I think this conference will open the gateways to Asian and Russian investment in the Saudi economy regardless, irrespective if the crisis gets resolved or not," said Ayham Kamel of Eurasia Group. Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in a "fistfight" in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, the kingdom claimed early Saturday, admitting that the writer had been slain at its diplomatic post for the first time. Authorities said 18 Saudi suspects were in custody for his slaying and intelligence officials had been fired. The overnight announcements in Saudi state media came more than two weeks after Khashoggi, 59, entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul for paperwork required to marry his Turkish fiancee, and never came out. Since his disappearance, the kingdom had rejected Turkish fears he was killed and dismembered there as "baseless," but growing international pressure and comments by U.S. officials up to President Donald Trump appears to have forced the kingdom to acknowledge the slaying. While it fired officials close to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom stopped short of implicating the heir-apparent of the world's largest oil exporter. King Salman, his father, appointed him to lead a committee that will restructure the kingdom's intelligence services after Khashoggi's slaying. No major decisions in Saudi Arabia are made outside of the ultraconservative kingdom's ruling Al Saud family. It also offered a far different version of events than those given by Turkish officials, who have said an "assassination squad" from the kingdom including an official from Prince Mohammed's entourage and an "autopsy expert" flew in ahead of time and laid in wait for Khashoggi at the consulate. Beyond its statements attributed to anonymous officials, Saudi Arabia offered no evidence to support its claims. In a statement Friday night, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the U.S. will closely follow international investigations into Khashoggi's death and will advocate for justice that is "timely, transparent and in accordance with all due process." Trump meanwhile called the Saudi announcement a "good first step," but said what happened Khashoggi was "unacceptable." The announcements came in a flurry of statements carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency early Saturday morning. "Preliminary investigations conducted by the Public Prosecution showed that the suspects had traveled to Istanbul to meet with the citizen Jamal Khashoggi as there were indications of the possibility of his returning back to the country," the statement read, though there's been no indication Khashoggi had immediate plans to return to the kingdom. "Discussions took place with the citizen Jamal Khashoggi during his presence in the consulate of the kingdom in Istanbul by the suspects (that) did not go as required and developed in a negative way, leading to a fistfight. . The brawl led to his death and their attempt to conceal and hide what happened." The Saudi statements did not identify the 18 Saudis being held by authorities and gave no explanation how 18 people could be involved in one "fistfight." Nor did the statements explain what happened to Khashoggi's body after his death. "The kingdom expresses its deep regret at the painful developments that have taken place and stresses the commitment of the authorities in the kingdom to bring the facts to the public opinion, to hold all those involved accountable and bring them to justice," the statement said. The kingdom at the same time announced the firing of four top intelligence officials, including Maj. Gen. Ahmed bin Hassan Assiri, a one-time spokesman for the Saudi military's campaign in Yemen who later became a confidant of Prince Mohammed. Separately fired was Saud Qahtani, a powerful adviser to Prince Mohammed who led Saudi efforts to isolate Qatar amid a boycott of the country by the kingdom and three other Arab nations as part of a political dispute. On Twitter, where Qahtani had launched vitriolic attacks against those he saw as the kingdom's enemies, he thanked the Saudi government for the "great opportunity they gave me to serve my country all those years" "I will remain a loyal servant to my country for all times," he wrote. Assiri had no immediate comment. On Wednesday, the Turkish pro-government newspaper Yeni Safak, citing what it described as an audio recording of Khashoggi's slaying, said the squad immediately accosted the journalist after he entered the consulate, cutting off his fingers and later decapitating him. On Thursday, a leaked surveillance photo put Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb, a member of Prince Mohammed's entourage on trips to the U.S., France and Spain this year, at the consulate just ahead of Khashoggi's arrival. Turkish crime scene investigators this week searched the Saudi Consulate building in Istanbul and the nearby residence of the Saudi consul general, and came out carrying bags and boxes. On Friday, investigators questioned staff and explored whether his remains could have been dumped outside Istanbul after his suspected killing, Turkish media and a security official said. Khashoggi, a prominent journalist and royal court insider for decades in Saudi Arabia, had written columns critical of Prince Mohammed and the kingdom's direction while living in self-imposed exile in the U.S. Trump has said that the consequences for the Saudis "will have to be very severe" if they are found to have killed him, but has insisted that more facts must be known before making any judgements. He had dispatched U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier this week to both Saudi Arabia and Turkey to speak to officials on the case. The president has made close ties to the kingdom a priority since taking office. Trump made his first overseas trip as president to Saudi Arabia and has touted his arms sales to the kingdom. Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, responsible for a coming peace proposal for Israel and the Palestinians, also has forged a close relationship with Prince Mohammed. Trump's previous warnings over the case drew an angry response Sunday from Saudi Arabia and its state-linked media, including a suggestion that Riyadh could wield its oil production as a weapon. The U.S. president wants King Salman and OPEC to boost production to drive down high oil prices, caused in part by the coming re-imposition of oil sanctions on Iran in November. It's unclear whether the Saudi announcement will be enough to staunch the criticism the kingdom faces from lawmakers in the U.S., its most-crucial ally. California Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House intelligence committee, called the Saudi Arabia's claim that Khashoggi was "killed while brawling with a team of more than a dozen dispatched from Saudi Arabia is not credible." He he was "fighting for his life with people sent to capture or kill him," Schiff said. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who earlier this week said in a televised interview that Prince Mohammed "has got to go," added: "To say that I am skeptical of the new Saudi narrative about Mr. Khashoggi is an understatement." Human rights groups like Amnesty International separately have been calling for a United Nations investigation into Khashoggi's killing. "All along we were concerned about a whitewash, or an investigation by the entity suspected of involvement itself," Amnesty's Rawya Rageh said Saturday. "The impartiality of a Saudi investigation would remain in question." The American Civil Liberties Union says protests outside a convicted child rapist's Providence home violate a city ordinance. Steven Brown, the executive director of the ACLU Rhode Island, said in a letter to Mayor Jorge Elorza that loud protests outside of Richard Gardner's home "violate a city ordinance that bans targeted residential picketing." Brown also criticized Elorza for encouraging the "raucous protests." Elorza had previously said that Gardner's crimes were "absolutely heinous" and that he had "given up his right" to live in the community. The ACLU has argued that Gardner is allowed to live in Providence. Gardner was released from prison in 2016. He was convicted of multiple child rapes in the 1980s and early 1990s in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. While most of us will just see waves of rain showers on Tuesday, snow will be falling across parts of northern New England by Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. The wet weather Tuesday will come and go meaning it wont be raining all day in any given spot but the day will have an unsettled feeling. While there will still be a few spot showers in southern New England on Tuesday evening, the general idea is that well tend to dry out a bit moving into Tuesday night. That means Game 1 of the World Series will go off, perhaps with just a few minor interruptions. Temperatures during the day will be in the 40s and 50s. The area of low pressure bringing the showers Tuesday will move into the Canadian Maritimes into Wednesday, allowing cooler air to wrap in behind it. That will flip precipitation over to snow in the mountains of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine by the Wednesday morning commute. The snow will continue into those spots during the day, amounting to 1 to 3 inches in far Northern New Hampshire and parts of Central Maine. The mountains of Northern Maine will pick up more like 3 to 6 inches. In Southern New England expect just a lingering spot shower on Wednesday with a mix of sun and clouds. Highs will be in the 40s and 50s. It will be breezy as well. A mix of sun and clouds settles in for Thursday and Friday, with highs in the 40s both days. The weekend turns more interesting as a coastal storm moves northward towards New England. That is likely to bring a period of wind and rain sometime Saturday into Sunday. The exact track will determine how much rain and wind arrives, and if there will be any mixing or snow well inland. Tides will also have to be watched, since those are elevated this weekend. Republican Gov. Paul LePage's office confirms he traveled to Spain to meet with leaders of the company that owns Central Maine Power. The Sun Journal reports spokeswoman Julie Rabinowitz said Monday that LePage met with Spanish utility company Iberdrola (EE'_buh_droh_luh) last Tuesday. LePage's office disclosed last week that he was leading a delegation to Iceland for weekend meetings. But LePage's office didn't mention LePage's earlier stop in Spain. Iberdrola's $3 billion purchase of a Connecticut company in 2015 included Central Maine Power. CMP is seeking to build a 145_mile transmission line through western Maine. Rabinowitz told The Associated Press that LePage and company officials discussed lowering energy costs. She didn't immediately say whether officials discussed the transmission project. LePage visited at least four countries this year, including Canada and Montenegro. Studio 13The Good, The Bad & The Queen is coming back. The Damon Albarn-led band will release their long-awaited sophomore album, titled Merrie Land, on November 16. Along with the Blur/Gorillaz frontman, The Good, The Bad & The Queen features The Clash bassist Paul Simonon, The Verve guitarist Simon Tong and drummer Tony Allen. The group released their self-titled debut album way back in 2007. For a preview of Merrie Land, you can download the title track now via digital outlets. In support of the new album, Albarn and company will play a batch of U.K. tour dates beginning in December. Here's the Merrie Land track list: "Merrie Land" "Gun to the Head" "Nineteen Seventeen" "The Great Fire" "Lady Boston" "Drifters & Trawlers" "The Truce of Twilight" "Ribbons" "The Last Man to Leave" "The Poison Tree" Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Patients with an aggressive form of advanced breast cancer can benefit from immunotherapy when used in combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment, according to the results of a large international Phase III clinical trial published today in the New England Journal of Medicine and led by a researcher at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The study is the first large clinical trial to support the use of immunotherapy in treating triple-negative breast cancer and establishes a new standard of care in PD-L1+ patients, senior trial investigator and study author Leisha Emens, M.D., Ph.D., co-leader of the UPMC Hillman Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, explained. Results were presented today at the annual meeting of the European Society for Medical Oncology in Munich, Germany. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with an estimated 2 million new cases diagnosed in 2018 alone. About 10 to 20 percent of patients have triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of breast cancer that has a higher chance of recurrence and metastasis, and lower survival. "While chemotherapy is the current standard of treatment for triple-negative breast cancer, there is an urgent need for newer, more effective therapies," said Emens. "The results of this trial showed that adding the immunotherapy drug atezolizumab to chemotherapy was well-tolerated and resulted in a clear increase in clinical benefit for some patients with triple-negative breast cancer." The IMpassion130 trial was designed to evaluate whether atezolizumab, approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat both bladder cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, could be used along with chemotherapy to improve clinical outcomes in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Atezolizumab belongs to a class of immunotherapy medications known as checkpoint inhibitors. The drug targets the PD-L1 protein, which in triple-negative breast cancer patients is found mostly on immune cells that infiltrate the tumor. Blocking PD-L1 reinvigorates these immune cells, allowing them to attack the tumor. The trial enrolled 902 patients with either metastatic or locally advanced triple-negative breast cancer that could not be surgically removed. Patients were enrolled at 246 sites in 41 countries across the world and were randomly assigned to receive either atezolizumab or a placebo, along with the chemotherapy drug nab-paclitaxel. Both progression-free survival--the length of time the patient lives after receiving the therapy without the tumor growing or spreading, and overall survival--the length of time the patient survives from the start of the trial, were recorded. In the overall patient population, the researchers found a statistically significant increase in progression-free survival in patients treated with both nab-paclitaxel and atezolizumab - 7.2 months when compared to 5.5 months in patients who received chemotherapy alone. In the group of patients who expressed the PD-L1 protein on tumor-infiltrating immune cells, the combination treatment had a more significant impact on progression-free survival - 7.5 months versus 5 months. Overall survival was 21.3 months in the combination treatment group as compared to 17.6 months with chemotherapy alone, though this did not reach statistical significance in this first analysis. In the group of patients who expressed PD-L1 on their tumors, the difference in survival was greater, with overall survival of 25 months, in contrast to 15.5 months in patients treated with nab-paclitaxel alone. "This improvement in progression-free and overall survival is clinically meaningful in patients with advanced PD-L1+ triple-negative breast cancer," Emens said. The researchers continue to follow the patients to determine overall survival over a longer time period. The adverse events observed were similar to the known adverse event profile of the two drugs. Patients who received both immunotherapy and nab-paclitaxel experienced a higher frequency of adverse events that were potentially immune-related, than those who received chemotherapy alone, at 7.5 percent versus 4.3 percent, respectively. The trial was funded by F. Hoffmann-La Roche/Genentech, which provided atezolizumab and placebo and collaborated with an academic steering committee regarding the trial design and data collection, analysis and interpretation. Celgene provided nab-paclitaxel and had no role in the trial design, data collection or analysis, but did review the manuscript. A complete listing of the authors and their affiliations, along with the financial disclosure forms provided by the authors can be found with the article online. There is growing evidence that drugs approved for the treatment of breast cancer in women are also effective and well tolerated in men, according to the largest real-life study yet to investigate treatment and outcomes in men with breast cancer and two further studies to be reported at ESMO 2018. Approximately one in every 100 cases of breast cancer (1%) occurs in men. However, there have been few prospective studies in men, and clinical trials of breast cancer treatments have often excluded men so treatment recommendations are largely extrapolated from the results of clinical trials in women. To learn more about the treatment of breast cancer in men researchers analysed clinical data collected by the Epidemiological Strategy and Medical Economics Metastatic Breast Cancer (ESME MBC) platform between January 2008 and December 2014. This national database collects real-life data from 18 French Comprehensive Cancer Centers for all patients newly diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer starting at least one treatment. Researchers retrieved the data for men with metastatic breast cancer included in the database and compared their treatment and outcome with those in women. They found 149 men from the total of 16,701 patients (0.89%). The men were slightly older than the women (mean age 68.1 years vs 60.6 years, p<0.0001). Just over three-quarters of the men (105/149; 78.4%) had hormone receptor positive (HR+)/ human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative breast cancer, which was a slightly higher proportion than in women (65.6%, p=0.0019). Results showed men received similar treatments to women with metastatic breast cancer. Just under half of those with HR+/HER2-negative breast cancer (45/105, 42.9%) received frontline hormonal therapy: tamoxifen (20/45), aromatase inhibitor + luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) analogs (18/45) or others (7/45). Their median progression-free survival was 9.8 months, which was similar to that seen in a matched group of women (13.0 months, p=0.8) with the same age, breast cancer histology and grade, location of metastasis and adjuvant treatment. One in four men with HR+/HER2- breast cancer (29/105, 27.6%) were treated with front-line chemotherapy. Their median progression-free survival was also similar to a matched group of women receiving chemotherapy (6.9 months vs 6.3 months, hazard ratio 1.24, 95% confidence interval 0.69-2.23). Overall survival for the whole population of men included in the database was also similar to that for women (41.8 months vs 34.9 months, p=0.745). "We have reported on one of the biggest series of men with metastatic disease, with comprehensive data on their management and outcome with different types of treatment," said study author Jean-Sebastien Frenel, from the Institut de Cancerologie de l'Ouest, Nantes, France. "We found that most of the men with HR+/HER2- metastatic disease had received frontline chemotherapy and around 40% had received hormonal therapy. Most of the patients receiving hormonal therapy were treated with tamoxifen and the remainder received aromatase inhibitors. But few patients received aromatase inhibitors plus LHRH analogs despite some guidelines recommending that they should be given in combination." Frenel reported: "The progression-free survival provided by chemotherapy or hormonal therapy was similar in men as in women." In terms of clinical implications, he suggested: "Hormonal therapy should be given to men with HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer in the absence of visceral crisis." He added that oncologists should be aware that aromatase inhibitors should not be given without LHRH analogs. The study is continuing and will next assess the prevalence of BRCA mutation in the patient population. Commenting on the findings for ESMO, Agnes Jager, medical oncologist and associate professor at Erasmus Medical University Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands said: "A recent study looked at tumour characteristics and outcome in a large cohort of men with primary breast cancer but such extensive data on advanced breast cancer in men was missing until now." She added: "This new study shows the prognosis of men and women is similar, which is of great value as this justifies our current clinical practice. We currently treat men with breast cancer in a similar way to women, which is now supported by these data." Jager noted that although the largest study of its kind, the number of men with breast cancer was still small and data were lacking on the extent of advanced disease, BRAC mutation status and type of chemotherapy. However, she said: "More detailed information and longer-term follow-up will indicate whether there are characteristics or prognostic factors that are specific for men, which will allow us to change practice in the future." Hormonal treatment Results from the first prospective randomised trial to assess different hormonal treatments in men with breast cancer (2) showed that levels of estradiol, a form of the hormone estrogen, decreased steeply with a gonadotrophin releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) plus tamoxifen or the aromatase inhibitor exemestane but increased with tamoxifen alone measured after a 6 months' treatment period. More than 90% of male breast cancer patients have HR+ disease. Tamoxifen is currently the standard of care hormonal therapy but there is limited data on its efficacy and safety in men and little information on other hormone blocking treatments. The Male-GBG54 trial randomised 55 men with breast cancer to hormonal therapy with one of three regimens as adjuvant or metastatic therapy for six months: tamoxifen (20mg per day); tamoxifen + gonadotrophin releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) (subcutaneous every 3 months); exemestane (25mg/day) + GnRHa. Tamoxifen blocks estrogen from attaching to hormone receptors on cancer cells while exemestane is an aromatase inhibitor that inhibits estrogen synthesis. The use of GnRH analogues in men with breast cancer is controversial but is based on reducing levels of testosterone when used in combination with aromatase inhibitors or antiandrogens. Results reported at ESMO 2018 showed the median level of estradiol increased by 67% at three months and by 41% at six months in men treated with tamoxifen alone. In contrast, estradiol levels decreased by 85% after three months in men treated with a GnRH analogue plus tamoxifen and by 73% in those receiving a GnRH analogue plus exemestane. Estradiol levels continued to be decreased at six months with GnRH analogues plus tamoxifen or exemestane. These therapies were well tolerated with no safety signals. The researchers also assessed the impact of treatment on quality of life and sexual function in men with breast cancer treated with hormonal therapy for the first time, using a validated questionnaire (Aging Males' Symptoms Scale Questionnaire) and assessment of erectile function (International Index of Erectile Function). Results showed that tamoxifen had little impact on health-related quality of life or erectile function in men with breast cancer while the combination of GnRH analogue plus exemestane had a major adverse effect on both measures. Lead author Mattea Reinisch, from Klinikum Essen-Mitte, Essen, Germany, said: "We observed a deep and stable decrease of estradiol in patients receiving the combination of tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor plus GnRH for six months of therapy within the Male trial. The suppression of peripheral estradiol is a necessary condition for a therapeutic benefit of endocrine therapy in men with breast cancer when receiving an aromatase inhibitor plus GnRH analogue. Within the tamoxifen monotherapy arm, the estradiol values increased. These changes are known from female breast cancer patients and were expected." Reinisch added: "Tamoxifen monotherapy should be kept as standard hormonal therapy for men with breast cancer. The side-effects are moderate, hardly impairing sexual behavior. The combination with GnRH influenced patients' well-being and erectile function profoundly." Commenting on the study, associate professor Agnes Jager said: "The authors are to be congratulated with a randomised trial in such a rare study population, which must have been a real effort. However, it is regrettable that the estradiol suppression at 3 months was the primary endpoint. Although it is relevant to know whether and to what extent E2 levels change over time during different endocrine treatment strategies, as far as I know E2 suppression at 3 months is neither a validated nor a clinically useful surrogate endpoint for the efficacy of endocrine treatment." Jager added: "The finding that tamoxifen without an LHRH agonist led to a pronounced increase of E2 levels after 3 and 6 months of treatment is not new, although the degree of the increase is somewhat unexpected." But she cautioned that the endpoint used in the study did not answer the question of whether an LHRH agonist should be added to tamoxifen in men and further research is needed on this. "Due to the severe side-effects of LHRH agonists in men and the negative impact on quality of life, clarity about this is of great clinical importance." Prolonging sensitivity to hormonal therapies The cyclin dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitor (CDK4/6 inhibitor) ribociclib plus the aromatase inhibitor letrozole has comparable safety and tolerability as first-line therapy in men with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer to that seen in women, according to preliminary results from an international phase 3 trial reported at ESMO 2018. Most patients with HR+ breast cancer become resistant to hormonal therapies over time so there is a lot of interest in finding treatments to prolong or restore sensitivity. Inhibiting the CDK4/6 has been identified as a potential target for overcoming or delaying resistance to hormonal therapy in advanced HR+/HER2-breast. The CDK4/6 inhibitor ribociclib is approved for use in combination with an aromatase inhibitor for treating postmenopausal women with HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer who have received no previous treatment for advanced breast cancer based on results from a trial showing significantly prolonged progression-free survival. However, men were not included in the study. The international CompLEEment-1 trial included 20 men with HR+, HER2- advanced breast cancer in the first 1008 patients enrolled who completed 56 days of follow-up or discontinued before data cut-off. They were treated on an open-label basis with ribociclib (600mg per day, 3 weeks on/1 week off) plus letrozole (2.5mg/day). Male patients also received concomitant goserelin (3.6mg subcutaneous implant every 28 days). A pre-planned interim analysis was conducted approximately 15 months after the first patient's first visit for the primary outcome of safety and tolerability. Results reported at ESMO 2018 showed the most frequent adverse events in men were hot flushes (30.0%), neutropenia (20.0%) and constipation (20.0%). Adverse events of grade 3 severity or higher included neutropenia (4 patients, 20.0%), increased alanine aminotransferase (2 patients, 10%) and increased aminotransferase (1 patient, 5.0%). QT prolongation was infrequent, occurring in 3 men (15.0%) and all events were grade 1 or 2. Just over one-third (35.0%) of men required dose reduction or interruption due to adverse events, while two men discontinued treatment due to adverse events. "We can conclude in this sub-population of men that the tolerability and the expected toxicity with ribociclib in men is no different to women. And this increases our confidence in data obtained in large trials with women in order to translate the results and the applicability to men," said lead author Claudio Zamagni, Head of Breast and Gynaecological Medical Oncology, Sant'Orsola Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy. The combination of hormonal therapy plus ribociclib should be considered as an option also for male patients with metastatic HR+ HER2- breast cancer," he suggested. He noted that this was the first study to assess the safety of a CDK4/6 inhibitor in men, adding that efficacy data will be reported with longer-term follow-up in the future. Commenting on the study, associate professor Agnes Jager considered that limitations were the small numbers and the lack of efficacy data at the time of reporting. She said: "As expected, there were no major differences in safety compared to previously published toxicity data for women, with the exception of the prevalence of neutropenia." This was less frequent compared with female breast cancer patients in the MONALEESA 2 study (grade 3/4: 20.0% in men vs 59.3% in women). Jager suggested that if similar results were shown in other studies, this could be of interest from a mechanistic point of view. "One of the explanations might be that there is a gender-dependent toxic effect on bone marrow. Alternatively, it could be a reflection of different plasma concentrations of ribociclib in men and women," she suggested. If this were the case, efficacy could be lower in man. She continued: "The first step forwards is to compare the outcome between the men and women within the CompLEEment study, as well as cross-comparing with other studies in women." Summing up the three studies, Dr. Stefan Zimmerman, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Switzerland, said: "Male breast cancer patients seem to benefit from endocrine therapy to a similar degree as women. Furthermore, these research results add to the current literature suggesting that the addition of GnRH analogues might improve on tamoxifen alone, but studies with clinical endpoints are needed. Lastly, it is urgent that strategies that have proven effective in defering resistance to endocrine therapy in women are explored in men with advanced breast cancer as well, including CDK4/6 inhibitors." The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in partnership with international regulatory and law enforcement agencies, acted this week to target 465 websites that illegally sell potentially dangerous, unapproved versions of opioid, oncology and antiviral prescription drugs to U.S. consumers. This effort was part of Operation Pangea XI, the eleventh annual International Internet Week of Action (IIWA). This is a global cooperative effort, led by Interpol, to combat the unlawful sale and distribution of illegal and potentially counterfeit medical products sold on the internet. "The sale of potentially dangerous and counterfeit drugs by criminal networks on the internet is a large and growing threat to the public health. The illegal online pharmacies that we're taking action against are often run by sophisticated criminal networks that knowingly and unlawfully distribute illicit drugs, including potentially counterfeit medicines and controlled substances both on the surface and dark web. Consumers go to these websites believing that they're buying safe and effective medications. But consumers are being put at risk by individuals who put financial gains above patient safety," said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. "I'm particularly concerned about the ease with which consumers can gain access to controlled substances and prescription opioids online. This is one reason why we've stepped up our efforts, both from a policy and enforcement standpoint, to take these bad actors down. Today's major operation by FDA, together with our international regulatory and law enforcement partners, demonstrates that we'll aggressively pursue those who place patients at risk and seek to profit from illegal products." The agency's multi-pronged enforcement strategy under Operation Pangea XI was aimed at identifying the makers and distributors of illegal prescription drugs and removing these products and their sources from the supply chain. As part of this operation, FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) special agents initiated several criminal investigations involving illegal online pharmacies. One recent investigation resulted in the recent arrest and indictment of a San Diego resident known as "The Drug Llama" on a dark net marketplace. The suspect in this case is alleged to be responsible for shipping more than 50,000 tablets containing fentanyl throughout the United States using the dark net and other means. During Operation Pangea XI, the FDA sent warning letters to seven different networks that were operating a total of 465 websites offering misbranded and unapproved drugs to U.S. consumers. In addition, more than 450 domain names were brought to the attention of search engines and the appropriate domain name registries and registrars. These include domains such as http://www.nextdaypills.com, http://www.top-meds-discounts.com, and http://www.bestgenericstore.com. This year's Operation Pangea also took place at three of the nine international mail facilities (IMFs) in the U.S., as well as at other facilities around the world. During three and four-day screening sessions at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and in San Francisco, FDA investigators found products attempting to make their way into the country from places such as India, the United Kingdom, China and El Salvador. Of the 626 packages examined, 794 products were refused entry into the U.S. Sixty-two products were identified as being purchased from internet sites operating in the United Kingdom, Canada and India. To target the infrastructure supporting the illegal online sales of drugs, a series of recent OCI cybercrime investigations focused on credit card processors involved in an arrangement known as "transaction laundering" or "factoring." Under this scheme, the business operations process payments for illegal online drug networks through shell companies such as clothing stores or florists that are seemingly not related to online pharmacies. The FDA's investigation of these payment schemes led to a federal indictment charging a complex conspiracy related to transaction laundering for online pharmacies. Another aspect of this year's operation is a continuation of an effort that started back in 2012. As part of Operation Pangea V conducted in 2012, the FDA sent warning letters to the Canada Drugs Online Pharmacy Network. After the network ignored these letters, OCI began an investigation that culminated in April 2018 when Kristjan Thorkelson, a resident of Manitoba, Canada, together with several Canadian companies associated with Thorkelson, including Canada Drugs, admitted to widespread illegal sales of misbranded and counterfeit prescription drugs in the United States. The Canadian companies were sentenced to forfeit $29 million of the proceeds of their illegal scheme, to pay a fine of $5 million, and to five years of probation. The court sentenced Thorkelson individually to pay a fine of $250,000 and to five years of probation with the first six months in home confinement. Thorkelson and the associated companies were also ordered to permanently cease their illegal operations, surrender to the U.S. thousands of domain names and websites from their businesses and to cooperate with the U.S. Department of Justice and the FDA in ongoing and future criminal investigations conducted by the agencies. The FDA provides consumers with information to identify an illegal online pharmacy and information on how to buy medicine safely online through BeSafeRx: Know Your Online Pharmacy. Patients who buy prescription medicines from illegal online pharmacies may be putting their health at risk because the products, while being passed off as authentic, may be counterfeit, contaminated, expired, or otherwise unsafe. In addition to health risks posed by these products, illegal online pharmacies can pose other risks to consumers. These include the risk of credit card fraud, identity theft and computer viruses. The FDA is also working with other government agencies, a variety of internet stakeholders, social media and internet platforms, academic researchers and advocacy groups to pursue efforts that will curb the illegal sale of prescription opioids online and through social media. In many cases, products illegally marketed online as opioids are counterfeit drugs that can contain potentially lethal doses of illicit compounds like fentanyl. The FDA encourages consumers to report suspected criminal activity to the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations. Consumers are encouraged to report any unlawful sale of medical products online to FDA. The IIWA ran from Oct. 9 to Oct. 16, 2018, with the participation of the FDA's Office of Regulatory Affairs' OCI and Office of Enforcement and Import Operations, and the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. The operation is a collaborative effort between the FDA, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, Interpol, the World Customs Organization, the Permanent Forum of International Pharmaceutical Crime, the European Heads of Medicines Agencies Working Group of Enforcement Officers, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the pharmaceutical industry and national health and law enforcement agencies from 115 participating countries. Twenty minutes before the only scheduled 2018 California's gubernatorial debate, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom rolled into the San Francisco parking garage in a black SUV. Through the tinted windows, a soft overhead light slightly illuminated the front-runner's chiseled features and slicked-back hair. In a well-tailored blue suit and matching tie, Newsom strode to the elevator and casually leaned his tall frame against the corner, emerging on KQED radio's third floor to banter with waiting reporters the picture of a polished and confident front-runner. Then, in gravelly tones, Newsom squared off with his Republican opponent John Cox, letting loose his inner wonk, delving into the weeds on all manner of issues in the Golden State. "If you're looking for timidity, I'm not your person," he said when asked about his temperament. But not once did the Democratic candidate mention one of the most controversial pillars of his campaign: single-payer health insurance. Nationally, Newsom's support for single-payer is perhaps how he is best known aside from his bold move as San Francisco mayor in 2004 to sign marriage licenses for same-sex couples, a prescient decision that then ran contrary to law. Newsom's backing for government-run, universal coverage has often been similarly bold, but other times it has been more muted, prompting conservatives to call him too liberal and liberals to label him too skittish. That dichotomy is likely a reflection of the political challenges he will face, if elected, even in one of the nation's bluest states. His notable omission of single-payer in the debate earlier this month could have stemmed from a tightly choreographed format and time limitations but his opponent's campaign immediately jumped on him for it, calling his past effort to create universal health care in San Francisco a failure of which he should be "ashamed." Newsom, 51, who declined requests for an interview, has at times attempted to dampen expectations, suggesting in July to the San Francisco Chronicle that the single-payer effort could take years. In part, he was acknowledging a practical hurdle: The federal government needs to approve the move if federal dollars are to be used, and the Trump administration is flatly opposed. On his campaign website, however, Newsom has publicly called for single-payer coverage in California. Last year, he endorsed the amended Healthy California Act, SB 562, which called for covering every Californian, including undocumented immigrants, under one public program. The bill stalled, in part because it was projected to cost $400 billion a year, nearly three times the general fund expenditures for 2018-19. But the California Nurses Association, which has endorsed Newsom, plans to sponsor a new bill in the coming legislative session. Newsom's supporters say he is committed to the effort simply because he believes it is the right thing to do. "There are some people who have health care coverage and others who don't," said Mitch Katz, director of public health in San Francisco when Newsom was mayor and an unpaid adviser to his campaign. "Everyone should be covered for Gavin, it's a fairness issue." (His opponent, Cox, dismisses the very idea. Asked earlier this year whether he supports single-payer, his answer was simple: "God, no.") Even some who respect Newsom's motives see his goal as quixotic. "I've followed his career and believe he is an individual of integrity who wants to advance meaningful legislation that helps people," wrote Stanford professor and author Dr. Robert Pearl in Forbes magazine. "That said, in a state that's currently struggling to fund its schools and rebuild its infrastructure, Newsom will likely soon realize that turning California into a single-payer state is too expensive a promise to carry out." Newsom commonly pulls out his health care bona fides, namely his experience as mayor of San Francisco, when the city spearheaded a unique, all-embracing health care system for city residents. "I did universal health care in San Francisco," said Newsom on a progressive podcast recently. "We proved it could be done without bankrupting the city. I'd like to see that we can extend that to the rest of the state." Healthy San Francisco is not a single-payer system not an entirely publicly funded insurance plan. It aims for universal care by covering lower-income residents through a combination of city funds, charity care, copayments and contributions from employers. It's not true insurance because it can't be used outside the city. Enrollees have access to a citywide network of preexisting safety-net hospitals and clinics. At its height, it enrolled 60,000 city residents, though enrollment plunged to 14,000 after the Affordable Care Act took effect. Today, undocumented residents make up the largest share of those on Healthy San Francisco. Some critics on the left say Newsom took credit for Healthy San Francisco only after it was deemed a success. "Newsom is claiming credit for something he didn't really do and didn't support," said Tom Ammiano, the former San Francisco supervisor and state assembly member who was chief architect of Healthy San Francisco. "If anything, I would say he did his best to undermine it." While Newsom liked the idea of universal health care in San Francisco, he did not publicly support the requirement for restaurants to contribute to employees' health benefits, according to Ammiano and others who worked on Healthy San Francisco. But the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously for Healthy San Francisco, blocking any chance for a veto, and then Newsom signed it into law. After it passed in 2006, the Golden Gate Restaurant Association sued San Francisco, arguing unsuccessfully that forcing restaurants to chip in on employees' benefits was in conflict with a federal law governing employee benefits. "We went to court three times, and three times we won," Ammiano said. "Where was Gavin? He never entered that fray. He never supported it, never did anything publicly." San Francisco progressives, like Ammiano and others, have never cared for Newsom's pro-business stance (Newsom has owned wine shops and numerous other small businesses with about 700 employees), or what they see as his slick persona when he was mayor from 2004 to 2011. Among some circles in San Francisco, Newsom was known as "Mayor Press Release," meaning he had a lot of big ideas but little follow-through. The San Francisco League of Pissed Off Voters, a progressive political organization that puts out a voter guide, called Newsom a "substanceless glad-hander" who "has been flashing fake smiles, pretending to be progressive for the cameras. He's a machine-politics climber who claims to fight for the dispossessed but never seems to get around to actually doing anything for them." But even as a vocal critic of Newsom, Ammiano said he plans on voting for him as governor. "There is no third option," Ammiano said. "I don't believe in not voting, and I could never do Cox." A governor would face numerous hurdles in fundamentally restructuring the state health care system to cover everyone, including getting buy-in from the feds and confronting opposition from insurers and others invested in the status quo. But Newsom's supporters say that a governor, at least, would have more authority than a mayor. "The state has much more power over health care delivery than the county of San Francisco," said Katz, now president and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals. "There are many more levers when you are the governor than when you are the mayor." Ken Jacobs, chair of the Center for Labor Research and Education at UC Berkeley and a member of the council that helped craft Healthy San Francisco, agreed. For instance, Newsom could push to expand Medi-Cal the public insurance program for low-income Californians to include undocumented immigrants, said Jacobs, co-author of Universal Health Care: Lessons From San Francisco. Also, he could prevail upon legislators to institute a state mandate for health insurance and provide state subsidies to help cover the cost. That wouldn't meet the definition of "single-payer" but would tap a variety of sources to pay into a system that aspires to cover everyone. Whatever approach he takes, Jacobs said, "Gavin Newsom took the issue of health care very seriously as mayor, and I would expect him to do so as governor." This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, which publishes California Healthline, a service of the California Health Care Foundation. LSTM's Dr Jennifer Lord is first author on a paper looking at the impact of climate change on the vectors of sleeping sickness in Africa. The study, published in PLOS Medicine, is based on 27 years of data from Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. The mathematical model developed by Dr Lord and co-authors suggests that temperature increases over the last three decades have already caused major declines in local populations of tsetse flies, thereby providing a first step in linking temperature to the risk of sleeping sickness in Africa. Dr Lord said: "If the effect at Mana Pools extends across the whole of the Zambezi Valley, then the transmission of trypanosomes is likely to be have been greatly reduced in this warm low-lying region." While that is good news for the disease situation in Zambezi Valley, "rising temperatures may have made some higher, cooler parts of Zimbabwe, more suitable for tsetse flies." Tsetse are blood-feeding insects that transmit trypanosome pathogens which cause the potentially fatal sleeping sickness in humans across sub-Saharan Africa. The parasites also cause a similar disease in livestock, with recent estimates indicating about one million cattle deaths per year. Researchers from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, the South African Centre of Excellence for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA) at Stellenbosch University, and the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Greenwich, developed a mathematical model used in the study. The results, which were only made possible because of prolonged laboratory and field measures of fly densities, provided evidence that locations such as the Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe may soon be too hot to support tsetse populations. Since the 1990s, researchers at Rekomitjie Research Station, in the park, have been catching tsetse flies from cattle and found that the catches declined from more than 50 flies per animal per catching session in 1990, to less than 1 fly per 10 catching sessions in 2017. Since 1975, mean daily temperatures have risen by nearly 1C and by around 2C in the hottest month of November. Professor John Hargrove, Senior Research Fellow at SACEMA, says the effect of recent and future climate change on the distribution of tsetse flies and other vectors, particularly mosquitoes, is poorly understood: "We don't know, for example, whether the resurgence of malaria in the East African highlands in the 1990s was caused by rising temperatures or by increasing levels of drug resistance and decreasing control efforts. Work carried out on tsetse at Rekomitjie has produced long-term datasets for both vector abundance and climate change. The station is located inside a protected area and has been free of agricultural activities since 1958. As not much has changed other than climate, the data from the site provided the ideal opportunity to develop a temperature-driven model for tsetse population dynamics. The authors highlight that other areas traditionally too cold to support tsetse in large numbers are now potentially warm enough to support larger populations. If this is the case new control measures will need to be developed to protect livestock and humans previously not thought to be at risk. The more weeks a women takes pain-reliving medication during pregnancy, the earlier their daughters enter puberty. This is shown by a new study from Aarhus University. Breasts, pimples and menstruation, hair growth in places where there was none previously, and unpredictable mood swings. Welcome to puberty, which for the majority of girls begins when they are around ten or eleven years old - or even earlier - if the mother has taken painkillers with paracetamol (which in Denmark sell under names such as e.g. Panodil, Pinex or Pamol) during pregnancy. As the first in the world, researchers from Aarhus University have examined the correlation between the intake of the analgesic paracetamol during pregnancy and girls and boys pubertal development. The results have just been published in the international journal, American Journal of Epidemiology. "We found a 'dose-response' correlation. That is to say, the more weeks with paracetamol during pregnancy, the earlier puberty in girls, but not in boys," says PhD student Andreas Ernst from the Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, who is behind the study. The study is based on the largest collection of puberty data in the Danish birth cohort (BSIG.dk). A group of around 100,000 women provided detailed information about their use of paracetamol three times during their pregnancy. A total of 15,822 children, 7,697 boys and 8,125 girls born to these mothers between 2000-2003 were followed from the age of eleven and throughout puberty with questionnaires every six months about several different aspects of their development. Puberty arrives earlier The study showed that girls on average enter puberty between one-and-a-half and three months earlier, if the mother took painkillers for more than twelve weeks during pregnancy. "While entering puberty one-and-a-half to three months earlier may seem unimportant, when taken together with the frequent use of paracetamol during pregnancy, our findings ought to make people take notice. Our results are certainly not the decisive factor that should change current practice, but the perception of paracetamol as 'the safe and harmless choice' during pregnancy ought to be challenged," explains Andreas Ernst. Worldwide, the average consumption of paracetamol has been increasing, and studies suggest that more than fifty per cent of pregnant women make use of painkillers containing paracetamol at least once during their pregnancy. "As earlier pubertal development has previously been tied to an increased risk of more frequent and serious diseases in adulthood such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and testicular and breast cancer, it's important to identify possible causes of early puberty so we can prevent this development," says Andreas Ernst. While stuttering impacts the lives of approximately 1-2 percent of adults and around 4-5 percent of children, the mental health impact of this disorder largely remains unrecognized. This in turn, compromises the full effectiveness of speech pathology treatment and prevents people who stutter seeking evidence-based psychological therapies provided by qualified mental health professionals. Research shows that over 20 per cent of 7-12 year olds seeking stuttering therapy and, at least 40 per cent of adults, suffer the additional disability of an interweaving anxiety disorder. Like stuttering itself, an interweaving anxiety disorder impacts dramatically on an individuals social and occupational wellbeing. Sadly, at this time not a lot is known about the mental health impact or the interweaving anxiety disorder associated with stuttering in an Australian context, said Gaenor Dixon, the National President of Speech Pathology Australia. While stuttering has been shown to be associated with same quality of life impairments as stroke, diabetes and heart disease, it receives far less attention and publicity, and remains poorly understood by the wider Australian community. The early diagnosis of stuttering and access to speech pathology remains key, though the management of related anxiety may be essential for some individuals. There is little doubt that people with significant anxiety should be provided access to a qualified professional, such as a clinical psychologist. For many, the combined approach of a speech pathologist and clinical psychologist is needed to achieve the best results for individuals who stutter. Australian Speak Easy Association (the peak body in Australia for people who stutter) and Speech Pathology Australia (the peak body for speech pathologists) are seeking urgent government action to ensure support for greater research into the relationship between anxiety and stuttering, as well as greater awareness particularly in schools. For some people stuttering is far more than just a disability related to the moment of speech, says Mark Irwin, National President of the Australian Speak Easy Association. Instead sufferers are known to avoid social encounters and limit use of words during conversation. They say what they can rather than what they know to be appropriate or truly reflective of their thoughts. They make life choices, including subject choices at school, based on worry about the impact of their inability to communicate, and how their stuttering might be perceived by others. Both organizations are seeking a three pronged approach to this problem. 1. Recognition that mental health diagnoses for people who stutter are known to impact negatively on the full effectiveness of speech therapy, and therefore there is the need for comprehensive assessment and service provision if therapy outcomes are to be improved. 2. Recognition that a social anxiety disorder that interweaves with stuttering is a significant health condition that impacts dramatically on emotional well-being, social functioning and occupational achievement. 3. Funding for research into the efficacy of combining speech pathology and psychological treatment for stuttering. These matters will be discussed at the Australian Speak Easy Association national conference to be held in Melbourne on 26-28 October. The conference, which is open to all professionals treating stuttering as well as members of the general public, will feature an update on genetic research and a free parent /child workshop. More details are available from the Australian Speak Easy Association website or 0414 731 565. Monday 22 October is International Stuttering Awareness Day. MWH Medical Pte Ltd ("MWH Medical" or "the Group"), a leading homegrown medical group, and Siemens Healthineers are pleased to announce the launch of the first Asia Reference Center through their partnership. Guest-of-Honor, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Mr. Teo Chee Hean will be officiating the grand opening of the multi-specialist medical center at Royal Square, Novena. Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Mr Teo Chee Hean, and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Charles Chong touring the Siemens Healthineers Asia Reference Center at the new MWH Medical Center MWH Medical and Siemens Healthineers Partnership Opens Doors for Clinical Advancements in the Healthcare Sector. This partnership is a testament to the long working relationship between MWH Medical and Siemens Healthineers. Both parties will develop a Center of Excellence with the long-term objectives of ensuring better disease management and improving quality of patient care. With the rise of chronic diseases prevalent in Asia, the Centre will allow both parties to embark on partnerships to meet the enormous clinical interest in diagnostic advanced imaging. Through their shared efforts and cooperation, global experts from Siemens Healthineers will leverage MWH Medical's facilities and state-of-the-art technology to drive training programmes and educate both local and regional medical practitioners. Together, both parties will continue to expand healthcare services in ensuring better disease management and improving overall patient outcome. Region's First Siemens Healthineers Asia Reference Center in Singapore Siemens Healthineers will establish its first-in-the-region, Asia Reference Center at the newly-launched MWH Medical Center. The Center will serve as a touch point to other regional medical facilities and to introduce Siemens' latest medical innovations and technology in Asia. This strategic partnership will pave its way as the region's main healthcare hub and cater to the challenges medical practitioners face in managing higher expectations around convenience, customization and overall experience. The partnership will seed a new set of considerations in seeking growth amid an industry in transformation. MWH Medical housed the region's first 3T Magnetom Vida MRI machine that incorporates artificial intelligence with its BioMatrix Technology, the 3T MRI machine conducts faster examinations and produces results with higher resolution for better image quality and accuracy. The technology caters to the specific needs of each patient, while also delivering consistent, high-quality and personalized examination results that prevent unwarranted variations in imaging results, allowing MWH Medical to achieve improved medical precision and deliver better patient care. Partnership Elevates MWH Medical's Patient-centric Care Through Digital Transformation The regional medical landscape is still fraught with underdeveloped infrastructure, fiscal constraints and shortages of medical professionals and equipment. In line with Singapore's Smart Nation drive, we recognize that advancements in technology is needed to address growing medical concerns. With our strategic partnership with Siemens Healthineers, and in line with Singapore's Smart Nation initiative, we want to digitize the healthcare experience for both patient and caregiver by improving the speed and efficacy in delivering care to patients. Doctors and patients alike will now be able to access their medical information remotely via the MWH app, and patients will now be able to participate in a tele-collaboration with experts from around the world together with their consulting doctor, reducing the need to even leave the country," Dr. Michael Lim, Medical Director of MWH Medical. Addressing Asia-Pacific's Burgeoning Healthcare Needs "The rise of the digital economy has had a profound effect across industries, eliciting varying degrees of adaptation. With one of the best healthcare systems in Asia and the world, setting up Siemens Healthineers' first Asia Reference Center in Singapore together with MWH Medical was an amicable decision to make." "We are aligned in wanting to achieve the best outcome in healthcare delivery, and with the support of MWH Medical we look forward to providing Asia with greater access to the latest, world-class innovations in medical technology with precision medicine and transforming care delivery," said Ms Siow Ai Li, Managing Director, Singapore, Siemens Healthineers. Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat and is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Now, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center - Jefferson Health and Lankenau Institute for Medical Research scientists find that a gene involved in the immune system called IDO2 plays a significant role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common type of pancreatic cancer. The discovery may help physicians provide better treatment options for patients. "The findings could point to a therapeutic target or an important prognostic biomarker," said George Prendergast, PhD, President and CEO of the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR) of Main Line Health who co-led the study with Jonathan Brody, PhD, Director of the Research Division and Professor of Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University, both of whom are members of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center -- Jefferson Health. The team published the new work September 28 in the journal Clinical Cancer Research. The IDO2 gene, which was first discovered by LIMR researchers in 2006, produces an enzyme that helps manage the immune system. During pregnancy, IDO2 and a related gene, IDO1, tone down the mother's immune system so it will not attack the fetus, for example. Cancer, however, hijacks the IDO genes' function. It uses IDO1 and 2 to conceal itself from the immune system. The researchers thought that shutting down the IDO enzymes could make the cancer visible to the immune system, thereby allowing the body's defenses the opportunity to fight the cancer. In fact, in previous research, the team found that mice lacking the IDO genes did not develop pancreatic cancer in a rodent model of the disease. The results suggested IDO genes are essential to pancreatic cancer progression. Now, Drs. Brody and Prendergast find IDO2 spurs the formation of PDAC tumors. When the researchers induced the development of pancreatic cancer in mice, they found nearly 30 percent of rodents developed the invasive cancer. In mice that lack the IDO2 gene, however, the cancer grew in only 15 percent of the animals. Strikingly, all the mice lacking IDO2 that developed cancer were male. The results suggest IDO2's involvement in pancreatic cancer may affect females differently from males. The researchers knew that many people in the general population have inherited, or germline, alterations in the IDO2 gene that turn off the gene's ability to mediate the immune system. So the scientists examined the IDO2 gene in a subgroup of pancreatic cancer patients from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Genetic testing is easy and cost effective, since researchers need only a sample of blood or cheek swab to detect this DNA. "Besides IDO2's involvement in development of pancreatic cancer, we wanted to know whether IDO2 affects how patients respond to treatment," said Dr. Brody. When the team compared patients' IDO2 genes with their prognosis, they found that patients with defunct IDO2 genes had more favorable outcomes. "The patients in our small cohort actually do better in specific treatment settings," said Dr. Brody. "They have improved disease-free survival when they receive radiotherapy." Patients with nonfunctional IDO2 who also received adjuvant radiation treatment lived cancer-free for almost twice as long as patients with a working version of the gene, the researchers found. The results suggest that people with a specific IDO2 gene status may respond better to radiotherapy for their disease. In fact, patients who had deficient IDO2 gene status and received radiotherapy had a markedly improved survival. Patients with a functioning IDO2 gene who had received radiation treatment did not demonstrate such benefits and nor did patients with an inactive IDO2 gene who did not receive radiotherapy. Together, these initial findings suggest that IDO2 gene status has the potential to influence pancreatic care decision-making (i.e., precision therapy). In the future, physicians may be able to use the gene's status as a biomarker to inform their treatment recommendations. "Developing new strategies to refine therapeutic options has been a top priority of our nationally recognized pancreatic cancer team at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center," says cancer researcher Karen Knudsen, PhD, Director of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center - Jefferson Health. "This breakthrough in understanding lays the foundation for determining what patients might most benefit from radiotherapy, and represents a major step forward toward the goal of precision oncology." Although the researchers are excited about these findings, Dr. Brody suggests a lot of work needs to be done to validate the study in additional, larger cohorts, and ultimately, in a prospective clinical trial. If confirmed, Brody states, "With a simple blood test, physicians could determine a patient's IDO2 gene status and determine whether they should go on radiotherapy." A new way of measuring the relative habitability of freshwater environments for fish and aquatic insects suggests that New Jersey's water monitoring and treatment standards could use a boost. Using a standard they created for measuring potentially damaging nutrient levels in freshwater streams by measuring the prevalence of single-celled algae, called diatoms, researchers from the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University analyzed environmental data from 95 river and stream sites in six ecological regions of New Jersey. The team's findings revealed that New Jersey's current allowable threshold for dissolved nutrients in its streams is likely too high. These nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, frequently find their way into bodies of water from surface runoff from agricultural areas and direct discharges from municipal sewage treatment plants. In aquatic environments, high nutrient levels can have harmful effects, including algal mat growth and low dissolved oxygen levels -- which make the environment uninhabitable for fish and macroinvertebrates, like freshwater clams and aquatic insects. Based on their newly developed approach -- using diatoms as a water quality indicator -- as part of the standard Biological Condition Gradient system, the researchers found New Jersey's total phosphorus parameter of 100 micrograms per liter will not protect sites from becoming ecologically impaired. Their research suggests that the threshold for a healthy body of freshwater in New Jersey should be no higher than 50 micrograms per liter, in order to maintain, or restore, most sites to an unimpaired condition. The research, which used the diatom Biological Condition Gradient the team developed just over two years ago, was published in Ecological Indicators. Coauthors Donald Charles, Andrew P. Tuccillo, a former researcher at the Academy, and Thomas Belton, a research associate at the Academy but who formerly worked at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, conducted the research. Don Charles, PhD, the principal author is a senior scientist at the Academy and former professor in Drexel's Department of Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Sciences. "We've learned from previous studies that the diatom Biological Condition Gradient (BCG) can identify nutrient concentration gradient differences to classify unimpaired from impaired sites," Charles said. "And now we can use the diatom TP (total phosphorus) and TN (total nitrogen) metrics we developed in previous studies that, when partnered with BCG level assignments, can determine if nutrient criteria are met in a particular body of water." "Under the Clean Water Act, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and/or the states must develop water quality criteria for pollutants to ensure that ambient water is fishable, swimmable and safe to drink," said Belton. "New Jersey is one of only a handful of states with 'numeric criteria' for nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen. The original New Jersey criteria was an educated guess developed in the 1970's based on an analysis of existing water quality monitoring data." To adhere to the Clean Water Act's call for the restoration and maintenance of the "biological integrity of the nation's waters," the U.S Environmental Protection Agency created the Biological Condition Gradient - a scale of six "conditions," used to categorize the relative quality of a body of water -- level six is the most ecologically stressed and level one is "pristine." The scale is meant to create a standard for the use of aquatic organisms as an indicator of the health of freshwater environments. State regulatory bodies use the BCG to grade and monitor their water in a comparable manner. "While biological condition gradients exist for fish and macroinvertebrates - this is the first BCG scale that uses diatoms," said Charles. "Diatoms have a silica, glass-like infrastructure and exhibit a great deal of ecological sensitivity, which is what makes them the best indicator of nutrient pollution." Diatoms are by far the most common group of algae in rivers and streams. And, as a food base for fish and macroinvertebrates, they are very important to the maintenance of healthy ecosystems. The Academy-based team determined that the prevalence of diatom species correlated with New Jersey's water quality standards per the BCG system - and that this correlation was consistent across a variety of ecoregions in the mountainous north and sandy southern coastal plains. Which means that a statewide adjustment to the acceptable level of nutrients in water would be appropriate. Their findings can now be used as a resource for state policymakers to address water quality assessment and enact the necessary adjustments for better monitoring and treatment of streams and rivers. "Most States only have 'narrative criteria' which cautions against levels of nutrients in streams that result in 'objectionable amounts of algae' but, don't specify what levels those might be," said Belton. "But, our study does exactly that." There could be some resistance to changing the existing numeric criteria for water quality - as it will entail limiting the discharger of nutrients, such as those originating from municipal sewage treatment plants. These industries would need to put in place more advanced and expensive treatment processes to meet the more stringent standard. The researchers conclude that "there is a potential wide-spread applicability of the BCG approach to develop nutrient criteria and to monitor compliance across the U.S. using diatom assemblages." St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators have developed a new class of compounds that extended the lives and eased symptoms of mice with a progressive neurodegenerative human disorder. The findings appear today in the journal Nature Communications. The rare, inherited disorder, pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), affects up to three in a million individuals and is caused by mutations in the PANK2 gene. Iron accumulates in brain cells, and patients have difficulty walking, swallowing, chewing and performing other activities. There is no treatment. PKAN is thought to occur when neurons lack an adequate supply of the molecule coenzyme A (CoA), preventing them from functioning normally. PANK2 is one of three closely related proteins (isoforms) that regulate CoA production. "We have developed a class of small molecules called pantazines that penetrate the blood-brain barrier and elevate CoA levels using a novel mechanism," said senior author Suzanne Jackowski, Ph.D., a member of the St. Jude Department of Infectious Diseases. St. Jude has patented the pantazines and their use for treatment of PKAN and related CoA disorders. The hospital has licensed the compounds to CoA Therapeutics of Palo Alto, CA, which has begun planning clinical trials. The start CoA is a helper molecule essential for carbohydrate and fat metabolism. "Just like things go wrong when oil in your car gets low, problems develop in cells when levels of CoA get low," said corresponding author Charles Rock, Ph.D., a member of the St. Jude Infectious Diseases department. CoA also plays a role in epigenetic regulation of gene expression, which is disrupted in many cancers. Jackowski has studied CoA production (biosynthesis) and PANK for decades. In 1981, shortly after she and Rock joined St. Jude, they published evidence that PANK was a pivotal regulator of CoA production in bacteria. Then in 2001, research led by Oregon Health and Science University investigators reported that mutations in PANK2 were associated with the neurodegenerative disorder that came to be known as PKAN. Before long, Jackowski was invited to the annual conference of a patient advocacy group and met individuals and families affected by the disorder. "After that, Chuck and I were walking back from lunch in the St. Jude cafeteria one day and I raised the possibility of treating this devastating disease by stimulating or activating an alternative pantothenate kinase to make up for the CoA deficiency." Jackowski said. She was referring to the PANK1 or PANK3 enzymes that can also trigger CoA synthesis. "That's when we launched the side project that led us to pantazines." The search The researchers joined forces with colleagues in the St. Jude departments of Structural Biology and Chemical Biology and Therapeutics. Co-author Richard Lee, Ph.D., and others in Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, carefully crafted the pantazines based on a compound first identified in a screen of the hospital's library of more than 500,000 drugs and small molecules. The pantazines were carefully optimized to increase cellular CoA levels, cross the blood-brain barrier to reach the affected neurons, work as a pill, and have minimal side effects to become a novel drug candidate for PKAN treatment. As researchers analyzed possible drug candidates, co-authors Stephen White, D.Phil., and Mi-Kyung Yun of the St. Jude Structural Biology department captured images of candidate compounds bound to PANK to guide compound optimization. The image showed the compound, PZ-2891, bound to the protein structure in a unique way to temporarily lock PANK in the "on" position to promote CoA production. The evidence In the laboratory, CoA levels increased in cells treated with PZ-2891. Levels also increased in the brains of normal mice as well as mice St. Jude researchers developed to model PKAN in humans. The treated mice lived longer, grew more normally and resumed walking. There were no apparent side effects. "Science helps us understand how to do medicine," Rock said. "Reading that paper in 1981 about regulation of CoA biosynthesis in E. coli you might have wondered, who cares? But basic research is what made this discovery possible." Jackowski said, "As a basic scientist, you always have the hope in the back of your mind that something you do will reach the clinic and make a difference in peoples' lives. I feel fortunate to be where we are in this project. "We were lucky to be at St. Jude where we are all on a mission to help children with catastrophic diseases and have been given the resources and colleagues necessary to tackle challenging diseases such as PKAN," she said. For decades, metformin has been the first-line drug in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, lowering blood glucose levels by inhibiting glucose production in the liver. Metformin also improves glucose uptake and use by muscle tissue. The effect of metformin on hepatic glucose production is most likely transmitted through the mitochondrial respiratory chain. However, up to now the mechanism through which the drug increases glucose uptake in muscle tissue has been unknown. A research group led by Professor Sanna Lehtonen at the University of Helsinki has now demonstrated in cell cultures and in an animal model that metformin directly binds to the lipid phosphatase SHIP2, reducing its activity. The reduction in SHIP2 activity increased glucose uptake in muscle cells and decreased cell death in podocytes, or glomerular epithelial cells. The lipid phosphatase SHIP2 suppresses the insulin signalling pathway. Prior studies have demonstrated through animal models that individuals suffering from diabetes have elevated levels of SHIP2 in their kidney, muscle and adipose tissue. This reduces the ability of tissue to react to insulin signalling and reduces its glucose uptake. Elevated SHIP2 concentration also increases programmed cell death in podocytes. In addition to an animal model, Lehtonen's group utilised patient samples in the study. Their analysis revealed that in patients with type 2 diabetes who were not taking metformin, SHIP2 activity in the kidneys was elevated, in addition to which their podocyte loss was remarkable. In patients taking metformin, SHIP2 activity did not deviate from people without diabetes, while podocyte loss was also lower than in patients using another drug therapy. "Our results indicate that the lipid phosphatase SHIP2 has a significant role in regulating glucose metabolism and cell death in podocytes. So, regulating SHIP2 activity with metformin or another suitable pharmaceutical agent is crucial in managing type 2 diabetes and particularly in preventing related diabetic kidney disease," Lehtonen says. UNDERSTANDING THE MECHANISM OF ACTION HELPS TARGET DRUG THERAPY Metformin's mechanism of action is being enthusiastically investigated due to its diverse effects on the body, making it potentially useful in treating diseases other than diabetes in the future. Better understanding of the mechanism also helps target the therapy precisely to those patient groups that will benefit from it. "Combined with the research results published last spring by Professor Leif Groop and Docent Tiinamaija Tuomi, the findings of my group highlight the significance of metformin in treating a certain group of patients with diabetes," Lehtonen states. Based on the study conducted by Groop and Tuomi (Ahlqvist et al., Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 6: 361-, 2018), a proposal has been made to classify diabetes into five different subgroups, one of which would be severe insulin-resistant diabetes. Patients with this type of diabetes are at an exceptionally high risk of also contracting diabetic kidney disease. The researchers estimate that it would be this group in particular that would benefit from metformin. The results gained by Lehtonen's group support this view. "Our findings prove that metformin could protect patients from renal damage by suppressing SHIP2 activity. This introduces a new, direct mechanism of action, through which metformin protects the kidneys from damage. According to a recent finding, metformin impacts metabolism also by affecting the gut microbiota," Lehtonen points out. NEW INDICATIONS - NEW DRUGS? Identifying new mechanisms of action can expand metformin's indications for use outside diabetes in treating, among other disorders, cancer and cardiovascular diseases - research is already underway in these fields - as well as in regulating aging. "Our new study highlights SHIP2's significance as a drug target. Prior studies support this notion, but knowing that the most common diabetes drug acts precisely through SHIP2 encourages us to find new SHIP2 inhibitors that are more effective than metformin," Lehtonen says. Diabetes is one of the diseases that are gaining in prevalence the fastest, both in Finland and globally. Conventional wisdom has it that volunteering is good for you, and a study at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) shows that to be true for people with lupus volunteering in a peer support and education program. The study, "The Effect and Psychosocial Impact of a Longstanding Telephone Peer Counseling Service on Volunteers with Systemic Lupus Erythematos," was presented at the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals annual meeting on October 22 in Chicago. "Previous studies have demonstrated the value of peer counseling programs for people living with lupus and other chronic health conditions. In the current study, we set out to assess the impact on the volunteers themselves," said Priscilla Toral, LCSW, program manager of LupusLine/Charla de Lupus (Lupus Chat) at Hospital for Special Surgery. "We found that similar to the way the service helps callers, the counselor role positively impacts volunteers' ability to cope with and manage lupus and reduces isolation." LupusLine offers peer support and education to people with lupus and their families. Established in 1988, the service is available to the public with a toll-free phone number. In addition to the United States, volunteers have counseled callers from Canada, Europe, South America, Jamaica, China and India. The study found that in addition to having the opportunity to help others, counselors gained valuable knowledge about lupus from the 18-hour volunteer training program. Monthly seminars helped them work through challenges and provided a space for them to reflect on their illness. "While having lupus may affect one's self-esteem adversely, being able to use this experience to help others can be empowering," said Roberta Horton, LCSW, ACSW, assistant vice president, Department of Social Work Programs at Hospital for Special Surgery. "Volunteers also benefit from the feeling of mutual support, personal development, and further lupus knowledge gained through ongoing group meetings, educational seminars and individual supervision." For their study, researchers distributed a 43-item online survey to volunteers. The counselors, all female, ranged in age from 30-79, with 30% between the ages of 60 and 69. They had served as a counselor for an average of 12 years. The researchers reported the following findings: In terms of satisfaction, 91% of counselors indicated they were very satisfied with their role. The top reasons for becoming a counselor included an opportunity to help others affected by lupus (100% of respondents) and enhancing personal growth/development (73%). When asked about their reasons for continuing as a counselor, 82% said it was to meet others impacted by lupus and 73% identified the support of program staff. Most respondents (73%) reported that they had a better understanding of lupus since becoming a counselor. In relation to coping, 64% indicated that they have coped better with lupus since becoming a counselor. The majority of counselors (73%) reported feeling less alone since volunteering. Almost half of the volunteers (46%) reported feeling less depressed since becoming a peer counselor. When asked if monthly seminars help them to better cope with lupus, 78% agreed, and 89% of counselors reported that the seminars provide a space for them to reflect on their disease. The volunteers indicated that the most rewarding part of their role was "educational information that helps me understand lupus better" and "the opportunity to be outside of my own illness and connect with others." "The study reinforces the two-way flow of psychosocial support received by counselors through their support of callers and ongoing connections with peers and program staff via monthly seminars," said Toral. "Our findings also highlight the continued relevance of a phone support service to people with lupus and opportunities for further research on the volunteer impact of peer-staffed programs." Acting Chief Executive Paul Chan Getting the right infrastructure in the right place at the right time, as you can see from here in Hong Kong, is surely key to economic growth and prosperity. The challenge, of course, is getting the funding to make it work, or more precisely, getting private funding to play a bigger role in infrastructure development. Making infrastructure bankable is one of our great challenges. We need answers as quickly as they can be raised. Between 2016 and 2030, developing Asian countries will require infrastructure investment totalling US$26 trillion, in other words, US$1.7 trillion a year on average, to maintain growth, fight poverty and address climate change. Infrastructure spending, to date, has largely come from the public sector, namely governments and multilateral development agencies. As the funding gap continues to expand, public-sector investment will no longer be adequate. At the same time, we are seeing strong infrastructure investment interest among private investors. However, there is a lack of bankable projects out there for investors and financiers due to a number of issues from political and legal risks at the country level, to construction, operation and financial risks at the project level. In short, mitigating these risks is critical to improving the bankability of infrastructure projects and, in doing so, narrowing the infrastructure financing gap. Infrastructural financing hub At the recent Finance Minister's Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) which I attended last week in Papua New Guinea, infrastructure financing was one of the focus areas. The APEC Business Advisory Council, which comprises representatives from the private sector of each APEC economy, also urged financial ministers to explore ways to make infrastructure projects more bankable. In this regard, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) plays a key role, bringing countries together to address Asia's urgent infrastructure needs and improving social and economic development in the region. In operation only since 2016, the bank has already approved projects worth more than US$5 billion. Hong Kong has been a member of the AIIB since June of last year. We have the resources, capital, connections and expertise, to contribute to the AIIB. Indeed, we have what it takes to serve as the region's fundraising and financial management hub for infrastructure projects. The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong has led the world in IPO (initial public offering) fundraising in five of the past nine years. Last year, our IPO funds totalled US$16.5 billion. And it is highly likely that this year we will top the world again given the huge amount of funds raised so far this year. As mentioned last year, our Securities & Futures Commission also set out the criteria for assessing the eligibility of infrastructure project companies looking to list on our Main Board. It provides a clear pathway for infrastructure project companies. This year, in order to promote sustainable developments in the region, we have launched a Green Bond Grant Scheme to subsidise the costs incurred by green bond issuers in obtaining green finance certification. We are also working on a Government Green Bond Programme, with a borrowing ceiling up to HK$100 billion, to fund Government green public works projects. In addition, we have introduced a pilot Bond Grant Scheme plus tax incentives to attract more issuers to Hong Kong. In the first half of this year, at least 15 green bonds were issued in Hong Kong, with an aggregate size of US$8 billion. The Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and the European Investment Bank were among the issuers. This speaks well of Hong Kong's promise as a regional green finance hub. The first and foremost important step in ensuring a project's bankability, perhaps is a proper project feasibility study and preparation. In this regard, I applaud AIIB for the introduction of a Project Preparation Special Fund to assist lower income developing countries with funding support for appropriate technical assistance, in their preparation of projects for subsequent consideration and approval by AIIB. Hong Kong has therefore pledged to donate US$10 million to this worthy cause. On risk mitigation, our deep pool of multicultural finance and legal professionals is our compelling advantage. Leading the field in conducting project feasibility, due diligence, financial engineering and arranging for insurance, we are able to help de-risk infrastructure projects to make it more bankable. Our legal profession can also help ensure contract enforcement and resolve disputes. We are well-positioned to serve as the region's international arbitration hub for commercial disputes. Arbitral awards made in Hong Kong are enforceable in over 150 jurisdictions, including the Mainland of China. As China's international financial capital, Hong Kong is also the world's largest offshore renminbi (RMB) business hub. That makes us an attractive destination for those who wish to raise funds in RMB, in addition to US dollar. The Infrastructure Financing Facilitation Office of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is a first mover in infrastructure financing. Its network of partners has now exceeded 90. Coming from all over the world, they include development banks, project developers and operators, financiers, institutional investors and professional services firms. Apart from financing green field projects, we are also looking at how we may better assist projects in the brownfield stage. The new capital standards for banks do not make it attractive for them to hold on to these infrastructure loans on a long term basis, even though the projects are operating smoothly and profitably. Yet, there are many other investors, such as insurance companies and pension funds, which are looking for less risky investments that can produce stable long-term cash flow. The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited, again under the HKMA is pursuing the proposition of securitising infrastructure loans to provide banks with opportunity to offload their loans to those long-term investors. That will facilitate additional flow of capital into infrastructure projects. Hong Kong, in short, is fast becoming a key infrastructural financing centre. We have the means, the expertise and the motivation, to serve as a hub for the AIIB, sourcing investment opportunities, prospective investors, and financing partners. Hong Kong, of course, is a world leader when it comes to infrastructure, finishing second in the category in this year's Global Competitiveness Report by the World Economic Forum. Our annual infrastructure investment has soared from US$2.5 billion to more than US$10 billion over the past decade. In the coming five years, we expect that the annual contract value of construction work in Hong Kong to reach US$30 billion or so, given our unshakable commitment in increasing land and housing supply, expediting hospital developments, building railway extensions and other infrastructure projects. Lantau Tomorrow Vision Infrastructure has long been the engine driving Hong Kong's economic growth. The Chief Executive announced in her Policy Address, delivered about two weeks ago, the Lantau Tomorrow Vision. Under this vision, we will begin studies on a large-scale reclamation in phases. The first phase will encompass some 1,000 hectares of artificial islands southeast of Lantau and to be followed by a second phase comprising 700 hectares of artificial islands. Together, they will provide land to sustain the long-term housing, economic and employment needs of Hong Kong. The reclaimed land will also allow us to thin out our densely populated urban areas. It will enable the redevelopment of old districts and improve our overall living environment, while achieving more balanced spatial development for Hong Kong. The artificial islands will become Hong Kongs third core business district after Central and Kowloon East, and we will ensure that plenty of space is set aside for business and industrial development. Roads and railway networks will be built to support the new developments and to relieve traffic in the western part of the New Territories. We also see a promising opportunity to create a cluster of airport-related businesses in the proximity of the Hong Kong International Airport. And, let me make it clear, we are as committed to protecting the natural and rural environment of Lantau as we are to pursuing this far-reaching vision. And we have set aside a dedicated fund for that purpose. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a development without precedent, huge in scope and vast in its significance. Such an undertaking will bring with it diverse views throughout the community. Thats both understandable and welcome. Constructive comments can help ensure its ultimate success. Rest assured, we believe in the Lantau Tomorrow Vision, in its long-term promise - that of ensuring a sustainable, thriving and liveable city for the people, and for the economy of Hong Kong. Acting Chief Executive Paul Chan gave these remarks at the Financial Times-AIIB Summit on October 23. GamesRadar+ is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more Sorry! This content is not available in your region Dear Newsie Readers, Newsie has now permanently ceased it's services as of Friday 20th December 2019. Newsie has been an owner-funded operation since day one. Coming up to three years old, while we still firmly believe Newsie has a place in the New Zealand media landscape, the cost in both time and money has become too burdensome for the owners to continue alongside other ventures. With the current government looking to restructure public broadcasting, and seemingly supporting NZME buying a ring-fenced Stuff, the time seems right to call it a day. Should it happen, the combination of NZME and Stuff will ensure New Zealands national media will die a death by a thousand opinion-based articles. Newsie has always tried to stick to balanced news, to inform readers of the facts of a situation, amid being largely ignored by government. Hopefully, one day someone else will take up the challenge to fight the good fight. The good news, however, is that there were no job losses as a result of Newsie closing. Thanks to careful structuring, everyone involved in Newsie will retain their current positions. We hope you all have a happy Christmas and new year. Stay safe, and stay out of the news. The team at Newsie New Delhi: One school student died while at least 20 others were injured after a bus and a truck collided late on Monday night under Barun police station in Aurangabad district, of Bihar news agency ANI reported. The students were returning from an educational trip from Rajgir. Visuals from Bihar: One school student died, at least 20 others injured in a collision between their bus & a truck late last night under Barun police station limits in Aurangabad district. They were returning from an educational trip from Rajgir. pic.twitter.com/IEia1KZrio a ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2018 Aurangabad sub-divisional officer (SDO) Pradeep Kumar said that the critical ones have been referred to the hospital in the Jamui district while those with minor injuries have been administered first aid. (Further details awaited) New Delhi: The #MeToo wave is gripping Bollywood with new accusations emerging every day. Amid the allegations, actor Sanjana Sanghi Tuesday stated that her Kizie Aur Manny co-star Sushant Singh Rajput never misbehaved with her and reports that claim otherwise is baseless. Also Read | CID is not bidding adieu, it's 'just on a break'! The rumours made rounds on social media about Sushants illicit behavior towards Sanjana, which forced the actor to share a screenshot of his conversation with her in which the duo was chatting about their journey on the project. Sanjana will be entering the showbiz industry with this Kizie Aur Manny. The newbie exclaims that she was out of the country when these allegations surfaced and have denied it to be true. Also Read | Chinese fans to fly down to India to watch Bollywood perfectionist Aamir Khan's Thugs of Hindostan "On returning from a long trip to the US yesterday, I read several baseless and unfounded stories with respect to misconduct and misbehaviour on the sets of our film Kizie Aur Manny. I'd like to clarify that no such incident took place with me. Let's put an end to these conjectures," Sanjana wrote. Mukesh Chhabra, meanwhile, has been suspended as the director of Kizie Aur Manny amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Kizie Aur Manny is based on John Green's 2012 novel The Fault in Our Stars. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In the wake of #MeToo movement, a number of celebrities have come forward showing their support for the victims. A recent addition to the list is Academy Award-winning music composer, AR Rahman. Music composer AR Rahman on Monday tweeted in support of the #MeToo movement and said he was shocked at some of the names of the victims as well as the alleged perpetrators.A Rahman encouraged others with complaints to come forward but also cautioned against the misuse of a anew internet justice systema. Including Mani Ratnam's Roja, AR Rahman and Vairamuthu have churned out numerous hit songs together. They form one of the legendary combos in K-Town. When sexual allegations against Vairamuthu started pouring in, all eyes were on AR Rahman, expecting his stand on the issue. AR Rahman has finally broken his silence on the #MeToo allegations against Vairamuthu. Rahman shared his statement hours after his sister AR Raihanah told The News Minute that she had heard stories of acclaimed lyricist Vairamuthu's sexual misconduct. AR Rahman's statement read: "Been observing the #MeToo movement. Some of the names have shocked me... both the victims and their perpetrators. I would love to see our industry become cleaner and respectful of women. More power to all the victims coming forward... Social media offers great freedom for victims to speak up, however, we should be careful in creating a new internet justice system, in case it's misused." Here's the complete post shared by him: The Indian page of #MeToo movement has managed to stand out as one of the effective tool to fight the disparity of social stigmas and tyrannical abuse in India bringing out well-known names being highlighted for their share in abuse, injustice and atrocities. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday suspended its deputy superintendent of police Devender Kumar, who is facing bribery allegations involving the agency's second-in-command Rakesh Asthana. Earlier in the day, Kumar, who was arrested by the agency on Monday, was sent to a seven-day CBI custody. Kumar, earlier the investigating officer in a case involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi, was arrested on the allegations of forgery in recording the statement of businessman Sathish Sana, who had alleged to have paid bribe to get relief in the case. Also Read | 'Rebuffed' Imran Khan vows to hold peace talks with India after 2019 Lok Sabha elections In his statement, Sana had purportedly said that he had in June this year discussed his case with Telugu Desam Party's Rajya Sabha member CM Ramesh who, after speaking to the CBI Director, had assured him that he would not be summoned again. On Tuesday, the Delhi High Court directed the CBI to maintain status quo on the criminal proceedings initiated against Rakesh Asthana, who has challenged the FIR lodged against him on bribery allegations. Also Read | China shuns Indias request to support listing of Masood Azhar as global terrorist Although the CBI cannot arrest Asthana till October 29, the next date of hearing, the high court clarified that there is no stay on the probe considering the nature and gravity of the case. Besides Asthana, Kumar has also filed a separate petition seeking quashing of the FIR. Justice Najmi Waziri issued notices and sought responses of the probe agency and its Director Alok Kumar Verma as also Joint Director AK Sharma on both the petitions. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Shunning Indias request to support the pending application in the United Nations to list Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, China on Tuesday made it clear that there was no change in its position on the matter. During the first India-China high-level meeting on bilateral security cooperation between the Asian superpowers, India had asked China to support its request to designate Azhar an international terrorist by the UN. When asked about Indias request, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that she will have to check the details of the meeting was co-chaired by Union Home Minister Rajanth Singh and Chinas Public Security Minister Zhao Kezhi. Also Read | No blanket ban on firecrackers, can burst green ones from 8-10 pm on Diwali: Supreme Court As per to Indias request for the listing of Masood (Azhar) we already stated our position for many times, PTI quoted Hua as saying. Hua said that China had always made its decisions and judgments on the merits of the matter, adding that it will continue stepping up the security cooperation to maintain the regional peace and stability. We have always made our decisions and judgements on the merits of the matter itself. We will continue to step up the security cooperation to uphold the regional peace and stability with parties, she said. Azahar, a dreaded terrorist is believed to be the mastermind of several attacks in India over the years, including the 2016 Uri attack in Kashmir which left 17 Army personnel dead. He always finds the support of the Pakistani establishment and lately, China has also been throwing its weight behind him by blocking Indias bid to designate him a global terrorist. China cites lack of consensus among the members of the Council to block Indias efforts to designate him has blocked Indias efforts to designate under the Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council. Also Read | CBI muddle gets worse as PMOs magic backfires Besides Azhar, China has also been providing shelter to hard-line United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) leader Paresh Baruah. India has also asked the country to stop interfering in its internal affairs. However, the Chinese spokesperson denied the reports of Indias request regarding Baruah and said, I shall stress that the Chinese government has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. This remains unchanged. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Patiala House Court in Delhi dismissed a bail plea of Ashish Pandey, the son of a former BSP MP, who had brandished pistol at guests and threatened them in the foyer of a five-star hotel in the national capital. On Monday, Metropolitan Magistrate Dharmender Singh sent Ashish Pandey to a 14-day judicial custody. Later in the day, the accused moved a fresh plea seeking bail. The court had earlier rejected his bail plea and issued a non-bailable warrant against him. Pandey had allegedly brandished a pistol at guests in Delhi's Hyatt Hotel on October 14 threatening them in the foyer, a video of which went viral on the social media.Pandey hails from Lucknow and is the son of former Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP Rakesh Pandey. Also Read | Bigg Boss contestant Ajaz Khan arrested from hotel for drugs possession His brother, Ritesh Pandey, is an MLA in Uttar Pradesh. A plea was filed by the Delhi Police which had registered an FIR on the complaint of the assistant security manager of The Hyatt Regency alleging that one person was flagging pistol in his hand in the porch area of the hotel after a tiff with a guest. An FIR was filed on October 16 at R K Puram police station under various provisions of the IPC and the Arms Act relating to criminal intimidation and misuse of fire arms. Pandey was booked under Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act and Sections 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.If convicted, Pandey may be awarded maximum seven years jail term along with fine for offences under the Arms Act. Also Read | Rohit Sharma eyes more records against West Indies in Vizag ODI In his defence, Pandey had earlier said that he had taken the gun with him for safety and didnt want to brandish it. He added that he was being projected like hes a wanted terrorist and the police across the nation were looking for him. He had said if the CCTV footages were checked, it will be clear who threatened whom. He claimed that that he didnt even address the girl and that it was her who made obscene gestures at him and pushed him. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Union Minister Smriti Irani, who appeared to support the ban on the entry of women of menstrual age into the Sabarimala temple, has defended her blood-soaked sanitary pad remarks. Earlier, speaking at the Young Thinkers' Conference in Mumbai, Irani commented on the row over women entry into the famous Kerala shrine and said that everyone has the right to pray but not to desecrate. I believe I have the right to pray but I don't have the right to desecrate, the controversial minister said amid the raging debate over the Sabarimala temple issue. Also Read | West Bengal: Stampede on footbridge at Santragachhi railway station in Howrah, several injured . just plain common sense. Would you take sanitary napkins steeped in menstrual blood and walk into a friend's home? You could not. And would you think it is respectable to do the same thing when you are walking into the house of God? she said. Iranis comments were perceived to be supporting the restrictions on menstruating womens entry into the shrine of Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala and slammed by Twitterati. The minister, however, defended her remarks and claimed that she was being used as a bait. The minister complained that as a woman she was not free to have her own point of view. As a practising Hindu married to a practising Zoroastrian I am not allowed to enter a fire temple to pray. Parsi or non-Parsi menstruating women irrespective of age do not go to a Fire Temple. I respect that stand of the Zoroastrian community, ANI quoted the minister as saying. These are 2 factual statements. Rest of the propaganda/agenda being launched using me as bait is well just that ... bait. As far as those who jump the gun regarding women visiting friends place with a sanitary napkin dipped in menstrual blood I am yet to find a person who takes a blood-soaked napkin to offer to anyone let alone a friend, she said. Also Read | Pakistans warning to India on Indus Waters Treaty: Will trap you in your own bluff Last month, the Supreme Court had removed the centuries-old ban on women of menstruating age, or between 10 and 50 years, entering the Sabarimala Temple. The verdict was opposed by a section of men and women who resorted to violent protests outside the temple and stalled the entry of menstruating women. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: At least two people died and 14 others were injured in a stampedeA following a heavy rush of passengers on a footbridge at Santragachhi junction in West Bengal's Howrah on Tuesday evening, said chief public relation officer of the South Eastern Railways Sanjay Ghosh.A The incident took place when an express train and two EMU locals arrived at the station at the same time at around 6.30 pm and passengers rushed to the platforms to board the trains, he said. The Nagercoil-Shalimar Express and two EMU locals arrived at the station at the same time, while Shalimar-Vishakhapatnam Express and Santragachi-Chennai Express were scheduled to arrive shortly, Ghosh told news agency PTI. Visuals of #Stampede'at #Santragachi station in West Bengal's Howrah. At least two persons lost their lives and 14 sustained injuries in the incident. pic.twitter.com/dxGqzQnew0 a News Nation (@NewsNationTV) October 23, 2018 The incident occurred between platform numbers two and three at Santragachi station of South Eastern Railway, about 10 km from Howrah station, he said. A large number of passengers either deboarded or were waiting to board trains at the same time, leading to a rush on the foot overbridge. While 11 injured persons were taken to Howrah General Hospital for treatment, three others were administered first aid at the station, he said. Several express trains stop at the station, apart from numerous EMU locals of SER. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blamed the Railways of negligence and callousness over the stampede. Banerjee, who visited the station after the incident, said there should be more internal coordination to prevent such situation. "I feel there is a gap in coordination and Railways should look into it, they should have given some time gap between the arrival of two trains when the passengers have to change platforms," she said. "Such situations occur due to negligence and callousness, Railways should act in a more responsible way," Banerjee, who is a former Railway minister, said adding such situation do not occur if precautions are taken in advance. Thousands of people use the station everyday since it is easier to travel to and from south and central Kolkata from Santragachi. Here are the updates: 22:40 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Compensation of Rs. 5 lakhs will be given to the families of the deceased, Rs. 1 lakh to the injured & Rs. 50,000 to those who have minor injuries in the stampede today: Anirban Dutta, AGM South Eastern Railway, on stampede at Santragachhi junction in Howrah. pic.twitter.com/fmRbkzlTgs ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2018 21:43 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announces a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh to the injured in the stampede following a heavy rush of passengers on a footbridge at Santragachhi junction in Howrah on Tuesday. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee announces a compensation of Rs. 5 lakhs to the family of the deceased and Rs. 1 lakh to the injured in the stampede following heavy rush of passengers on a footbridge at Santragachhi junction in Howrah, today. pic.twitter.com/tkB26VmrQn ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2018 For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Indeed, both the image and reputation of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have hit a new and unimaginable low. And what is worse is that it has also dragged a few other Government agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and RAW, or Research and Analysis Wing, into the deep morass created by it. But far from the belief that this is the result of only a fight between the two top bosses of the CBI the truth is a little different when considered from the point of view of governance and the high stakes that it may have. ALSO READ | Sabarimala doors shut; women's right to pray in Lord Ayyappa temple remains a distant dream In the wake of the bitter fight between the CBI Director and its Special Director, Alok Verma and Rakesh Asthana, where charges and counter charges of accepting bribe and giving in to corruption and nepotism are being traded between the two questions that arise are: How could things come to such a sad pass? And why was the rot besetting such an important agency not stemmed out in time? Ask these uncomfortable questions today and the Government higher ups would try to look the other way. The reason for shying off from such queries is simple. And the truth is that most of them have not only been coming under the tight control of the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) through the past four years or so but also willy-nilly accepting this though often it amounted and required to bypass their immediate bosses. This cuts across and holds true vis-a-vis between a Secretary, or even his juniors in the bureaucracy, and the Minister. It also applies with regard to the interrelationship between junior and senior Babus. And in case of investigating agencies an investigating officer may well get a direct call from the PMO to check the progress of the case or cases being probed by him. As per senior Government officials such proclivity on the part of Prime Minister Narendra Modis office has often been giving an exaggerated sense of self-importance to middle level, or number two and three, officials in myriad Government departments and agencies. ALSO READ | Imran Khan's remarks 'deeply regrettable': India hits back at Pakistan PM Over the years, such new mores of Government functioning have led to the belief among officials cutting across ranks that they are not or hardly answerable to their immediate bosses as they could directly report to the PMO. Among other things, this has been affecting accountability on the part of officials. So much so that the message that this gives is simply that the formally designated bosses of ministries, departments and agencies may well matter as per rule but not as per the new practice which allows insubordination because of the virtual patronage from the topmost rung of power. This may also leave room for favouritism and corruption since direct interaction with the office of the Prime Minister can be flaunted to earn impunity in ones own department. Old timers in the administration also loathe what they call to be a provincial mindset that came with the present regime to the Centre, or Delhi. The Gujarat group of important functionaries, who arrived in Delhi when Modi took office, or soon after it, is looked at with some awe. This is true for the CBI like some other important arms of the Government. Rakesh Asthana had a stint in the CBI as its acting and officiating Director before giving way for Alok Vermas take over as CBI chief. The changeover nevertheless left a chink in the line of command. Asthanas direct access to Modi since his Gujarat days made him to be seen as somewhat more equal among peers in the CBI. This became more pronounced when it came to the selection of other officials for important jobs and assignments in the premier investigating agency. And the less said about what happened eventually, the better. To think that this sordid story is confined to the CBI alone may be an underestimation of an otherwise bigger problem since the method is too selective to leave hope for keeping the inbuilt system of checks and balances unscathed. ALSO READ | Koffee with Karan 6: 'Wild and wacky' fun with Akshay-Ranveer Thus, the crisis that CBI is grappling with today is only symptomatic and the rot being set by whimsical ways is so deep as to not only destroy hierarchies but also introduce lateral entry into steel-framed bureaucracy. Lets hope that it withstands incessant tinkering. Or, are these assaults on well settled norms? Bengaluru: The all too familiar story of jolts to the Congress party from smaller, regional players such as Mayawati and Ajit Jogi in Chhattisgarh is repeating in Telangana. The ground reality in the youngest state presents a chance for the Congress to revive itself. But, the party appears to be desperately frustrating itself by driving its suitors in the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) away. ALSO READ | CBI muddle gets worse as PMOs magic backfires The strong and rigid stance the Congress has taken over seat sharing talks with its allies in maha kootami (grand alliance) could prove to be a self-goal even before electioneering picked up in the real earnest. The grand old political party of India is bidding to revive itself in the state it had created and had successfully managed to sell the concept of Opposition unity as an effective approach to oust the ruling TRS. It had even got its enemy number one, the TDP whose reason for birth was anti-Congressism in early 80s, on its side and played ball with newly formed TJS under fiery orator M Kodandaram. A maha-kootami (grand alliance) at the state level did materialise, raising hopes for the Congress to make a comeback in Telangana, riding the anti-incumbency of the K Chandrashekhara Rao (KCR) government. However, in what can be a trailer of shape of things to come at the national level ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Congress yearning to regain power is becoming its own impediment. At present, the constituents of the grand alliance are engaged in tricky seat sharing talks that appear headed for a deadlock. The unwillingness of the Congress to accommodate the alliance partners, something that Mayawati of the BSP cited as a reason for going on her own with Ajit Jogi in Chhattisgarh is paying out in Telangana too. As things stand today, the TJS is mulling whether to break away and contest all the 119 seats in the state on its own after the Congress appeared ill-inclined to consider allotting seats to its alliance partner. The recently floated TJS attracted several leaders as they hoped to get seats of their choice to contest in the general elections. But as against the TJS demand for 36 seats, the Congress was willing to part with less than 10 seats to the junior partner. Pressure from party leaders is mounting for TJS leader Kodandaram to breakout of a humiliating alliance with the Congress. Likewise, the experience of the TDP unit of Telangana so far has also been bitter. The TDP was pressing for 30 seats but was being offered a mere 12. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who had empowered the Telangana unit to discuss alliance and seat sharing with the Congress, has decided to step in himself. ALSO READ | Sabarimala doors shut; women's right to pray in Lord Ayyappa temple remains a distant dream Indications from the TDP are to resist Congress attempts to browbeat and that it would take a calculated gamble, if the Congress persists with its bravado. The Congress can never win without getting the opposition on a single platform. If the Congress leadership realises this, it would be in its own interests. Or else it can be a case of so near and yet so far for the Congress, opined Bharat Bhushan, a Hyderabad-based political analyst. CPI leaders in Hyderabad assert that it was still in a position to make or mar the chances of candidates in some 40 constituencies across Telangana. But the Congress was unwilling to give it respectful importance it deserved and wanted to fib off with two or three seats. What the CPI is demanding are some 12 seats. For sure, the Congress has a huge problem on its hands. If it gives in to allies demands, then it will not have enough to fight on its own and will have an army of disgruntled rebels. Who can also be as dangerous. ALSO READ | Koffee with Karan 6: 'Wild and wacky' fun with Akshay-Ranveer At present, the Congress is hoping that the alliance partners also tone down their demands a shade and come to an understanding. In this hope lies the Congress revival prospects in Telangana. New Delhi: Stephen Hawkings prized possessions will go up for auction, including some of his most important papers, including his doctoral thesis, a copy of "A Brief History of Time" and the script for one of his appearances on "The Simpsons." As many as 22 lots will be up for auction between October 31 and November 8 in an online Christie's auction known as "On the Shoulders of Giants." ALSO READ | Koffee with Karan 6: 'Wild and wacky' fun with Akshay-Ranveer The auction includes one of five existing copies of Hawkings 1965 Cambridge University Ph.D. thesis, Properties of Expanding Universes, which carries an estimated price of 100,000 pounds to 150,000 pounds. Thomas Venning, head of books and manuscripts at Christies, said the papers trace the development of his thought this brilliant, electrifying intelligence. You can see each advance as he produced it and introduced it to the scientific community, Venning said. Of course, Hawkings fame rests only partly on his scientific status as the cosmologist who put black holes on the map. Diagnosed with motor neuron disease at 22 and given just a few years to live, he survived for decades, dying in March at 76. Venning said the thesis, signed by Hawking in handwriting made shaky by his illness, is both a key document in the physicists scientific evolution and a glimpse into his personal story. He was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) just as he arrived in Cambridge to begin his Ph.D. studies, Venning said. He gave up his studies for a time because he was so despondent. The thesis was the fruit of him reapplying himself to his scientific work, Venning said, and Hawking kept it beside him for the rest of his life. ALSO READ | CBI muddle gets worse as PMOs magic backfires Venning said the wheelchair became a symbol not just of disability but of Hawkings puckish sense of humor. He once ran over Prince Charles toes and reportedly joked that he wished he had done the same to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and appeared in a Monty Python skit running down fellow physicist Brian Cox. Venning said Hawking very much thought of himself as a scientist first and a popular communicator second, but accepted and even enjoyed his celebrity status. He appeared several times on animated comedy show The Simpsons and kept a figurine of himself from the show in his office. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus is all set to launch its new handset OnePlus 6T in India on October 29. The launch will simultaneously take place at events in New York and New Delhi. The company CEO Pete Lau has now released a low light camera sample from the device.The image shared by Lau on his Weibo account shows us the low light camera capability of the smartphone. According to a report, what he says in the post translates to Bring your own filter. ALSO READ | Hawkings thesis, wheelchair among other possessions up for auction Earlier, OnePlus rescheduled the launch event of OnePlus 6T to October 29, a day ahead of its planned schedule. The company says the move was necessary as sticking to the original date would've meant the OnePlus 6T launch would be overshadowed by Apple, which is also hosting an event in New York on the same day. Apple is expected to introduce new iPad and Mac models. OnePlus 6T expected specifications: Display: 6.41" (16.28 cm) 1080 x 2340 pixels Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 RAM: 6 GB Internal storage: 64GB of inbuilt storage on the smartphone Camera: 25 MP front camera with contrast detection autofocus and 4000 x 3000 Pixels resolution ALSO READ | Koffee with Karan 6: 'Wild and wacky' fun with Akshay-Ranveer OnePlus 6T: Expected price in India OnePlus 6T price in India is likely to be around Rs. 37999 and is expected to come in multiple colour options like White, Black and Red. New Delhi: Pakistan has warned India of an aggressive campaign at home and abroad for allegedly violating the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). The threat from Pakistan came after New Delhi didnt allow officials from Islamabad to visit two hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistans Commissioner on Permanent Indus Water Commission Syed Mehr Ali Shah said that India had promised to arrange a visit for Pakistani officials to the 1,000MW Pakal Dul and 48MW Lower Kalnai in Jammu and Kashmir in the last week of September. Also Read | China shuns Indias request to support listing of Masood Azhar as global terrorist Later, the visit was rescheduled to October 7-12 by India in wake of the local government elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Shah alleged that India again failed to honour the revised schedule citing Panchayat polls. However, Shah said that after having a telephonic conversation with his Indian counterpart, he didnt expect a visit anytime soon. We do not foresee an inspection visit of (the two projects being executed by India over) the Chenab River in the near future based on my telephonic discussions with my Indian counterpart, he said. Reacting to the matter, Pakistan Water Resources Minister Faisal Vawda issued a direct threat to India, saying he will consider launching an aggressive campaign against New Delhi for the serious violation of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. Also Read | No blanket ban on firecrackers, can burst green ones from 8-10 pm on Diwali: Supreme Court According to a leading Pakistani daily, the minister said that he would trap India to its own bluff card because the matter also pertained to Pakistans security. What is Indus Waters Treaty? The Indus Waters Treaty is a water distribution pact between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank to use the water available in the Indus System of rivers located in Jammu and Kashmir. The treaty was signed in 1960 by Indias first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and then Pakistani President Ayub Khan. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Odyssey Logistics & Technology Corp. has entered into an agreement to acquire AFF Global Logistics, marking Odysseys largest acquisition to date. Odyssey is a Danbury-based transportation and logistics company. The acquisition of AFF will add 600 employees, bringing Odysseys global workforce to more than 2,400. AFF is a third-party logistics provider and freight operator. It is based in Fife, Wash. The highly desirable acquisition of AFF continues Odysseys expansion into the complex global multimodal logistics services arena that often presents considerable competitive barriers to market entry, Bob Shellman, president and CEO of Odyssey, said. AFFs load consolidation expertise, U.S. offshore markets coverage, warehouse network and Asia Pacific import business will markedly enhance Odysseys strong truck, rail, marine and facility networks. The acquisition, Shellman said, supports Odysseys strategy of operating an asset-light logistics business with the size to be a vital partner to both shippers and carriers worldwide. The capabilities of the combined organization will allow Odyssey to approach customers with a differentiated solution for their entire supply chain, he added, competing effectively against the markets leading logistics companies. This transaction reflects Odysseys commitment to continuous growth and expansion of services, Shellman said, which we expect will be complementary and provide a broader range of services to both Odyssey and AFF global customers. Through the first three quarters, top-line revenue for Odyssey is up 22 percent year-over-year, said Cosmo Alberico, who is both chief operating officer and chief financial officer for the company. Our dedicated customer focused workforce and their ability to effectively execute and deliver industry leading customer solutions on a consistent basis is a key contributor in Odysseys ability to generate double digit year over year growth, he said. As a result of the acquisition, Odysseys global freight network will exceed $2.8 billion in revenue, Alberico said. Odyssey is a recognized global logistics leader, providing comprehensive supply-chain solutions across a diverse customer base, Kevin Kelly, CEO of AFF Global, said in a statement. I am excited about the accretive benefit that this transaction will produce, and can assure our dedicated employees, valued customers and key suppliers that our teaming with Odyssey will expand our capabilities, while maintaining the level of service and confidence in AFF that we have established over our many years of association. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close by the end of the year. Odyssey, which is headquartered in Matrix Corporate Center in west Danbury, provides services such as trucking, bulk transport, international transportation management, intermodal services and consulting. The writer may be reached at cbosak@hearstmediact.com; 203-731-3338. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Tuesday acknowledged that he has no proof that people of Middle Eastern descent have joined a large migrant caravan moving toward the U.S.-Mexico border, tempering a claim he has made in recent days. "There's no proof of anything. But there could very well be," Trump said in remarks in the Oval Office on Tuesday afternoon. His remarks appeared to be at odds with his own Department of Homeland Security, which tweeted Tuesday that the caravan includes people from all over the world. "Citizens of countries outside Central America, including countries in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and elsewhere are currently traveling through Mexico toward the U.S.," DHS spokesman Tyler Houlton said in a tweet. Houlton also tweeted that the department has confirmed that some migrants who are part of the caravan "are gang members or have significant criminal histories." In the Oval Office, the president maintained that he has "very good information" from Border Control and other officials that they've "intercepted many people from the Middle East" - both "good ones and bad ones" - in recent years. "They say it happens all the time from the Middle East," Trump said. His remarks came after Vice President Mike Pence said earlier Tuesday that it is "inconceivable" that people from the Middle Eastern have not joined the caravan. Trump first claimed in a tweet Monday that "Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in" the caravan, which the president has pointed to repeatedly as he seeks to elevate immigration as an issue ahead of the Nov. 6 midterm elections. When asked for evidence of his claim later Monday, Trump told a television reporter to "take your camera, go in the middle and search" the caravan, which originated in Honduras and includes mostly mothers and their children, based on what reporters have observed. Asked while sitting for an interview at a Washington Post event Tuesday if he has evidence, Pence sought to back up his boss. "It's inconceivable that there are not people of Middle Eastern descent in a crowd of more than 7,000 people advancing toward our border," the vice president said, asserting "there are statistics on this." "In the last fiscal year, we apprehended more than 10 terrorists or suspected terrorists per day at our southern border from countries that are referred to in the lexicon as 'other than Mexico.' That means from the Middle East region," Pence said. He seemed to be referencing statistics shared by the Department of Homeland Security on Monday when asked by reporters for evidence to support Trump's claim. Those statistics, from fiscal 2017, were not specific to the U.S.-Mexico border and offer no proof that anyone in the current caravan is a Middle Easterner or a terrorist. DHS also told reporters Monday that Customs and Border Patrol agents had in fiscal 2018 "apprehended 17,256 criminals, 1,019 gang members, and 3,028 special interest aliens from countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Somalia." None of the countries mentioned are in the Middle East. In a statement after his remarks, a Pence spokeswoman made no mention of terrorists being stopped at the U.S.-Mexico border. "In 2017 alone the U.S. apprehended on average between 10 suspected terrorists a day attempting to enter the country illegally," she said. "And those are just the ones we catch. It's inconceivable that this caravan - which is being broadcast around the globe - hasn't already been infiltrated with ties to extremism." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also spoke about the caravan at a State Department news conference early Tuesday evening, arguing that it presents a national security risk to the United States. "There is no proper accounting of who these individuals in the caravan are," Pompeo said, adding that the caravan "will not cross our southern border illegally under any circumstances." Pence spoke briefly about immigration during an appearance largely focused on the administration's plans for a new branch of the military to be known as the Space Force. His interview was part of a larger program titled "Transformers: Space." During his remarks, Pence also repeated Trump's vow to stop the caravan before it reaches the U.S. border and blamed Democrats for the country's immigration challenges. "We're going to do everything in our power to keep this caravan from coming north and violating our border," Pence said. In the Oval Office, Pence said that the president of Honduras told him that the caravan was organized by leftist groups and financed in part by Venezuela. "And the Democrats? And the Democrats?" Trump asked, prompting laughter from those gathered in the office. The president has sought to tie the caravan to Democrats in his recent campaign-trail remarks. A moment later, when pressed by a reporter on the claim, he responded: "We're going to find out about that." Whether you're looking to call the Nutmeg State your new home or you're planning to swap one Connecticut zip code for another, chances are you are facing a list of questions as dense as the housing market itself. From home style to budget to location, there's a lot to consider when hunting for your dream Connecticut property but a new report by HomeArea.com is helping to simplify the process. Using the U.S. Census Bureau's latest estimates from the American Community Survey for all Connecticut cities with a population exceeding 60,000, HomeArea.com estimated these locales' price to rent ratio, or the median home value divided by the median annual rent. House hunters can then use this information to better understand whether it is better to rent or buy in a particular Connecticut city or town. While HomeArea.com says that any price to rent ratio under 15 is more suitable for buying a home and ratios above 20 are better for renting, Connecticut's overall price to rent ratio has fallen 2.1 percent, down to 23.6 from 24.1. This makes the state as a whole a better climate for renting than buying. How did individual cities fare? New Britain saw the biggest increase in price to rent ratio at 7.1 percent, making it the second-best city in the state for purchasing a home instead of renting. Norwalk, however, had the largest percentage decrease at 5.6 percent, making it second to last on the list. Click through the slideshow above to see which locales made HomeArea.com's list of best Conn. cities that are better to buy in than to rent. But when deciding whether to rent or buy, licensed real estate salesperson for Houlihan Lawrence's New Canaan Brokerage Office Libby Mattson says there are a few factors that may tip the scales toward home ownership instead of renting. "With mortgage rates going up, that would be a very strong factor to lock in a lower rate before they go up," Mattson said on home ownership. "Rental prices are much higher, and therefore, your monthly payment would be much lower with a mortgage payment." Another pro of home ownership? "There's building your personal wealth that comes with owning real estate," something she said works in union with property choice and mortgage rates. Additionally, Mattson offered that home owners don't have to face the potential of the property they're renting being put up for sale by the owner, forcing them to potentially relocate as quickly as they settled in. While some areas in Connecticut seem ripe for renting, Mattson warned to be wary of some of the perceived conveniences that come with such temporary ties. "With renting, you don't have deal with the maintenance, but you have to call the landlord to fix things all the time," she said. "But there are hidden move out fees, and you can get clobbered with your security deposit getting held up, so there's risk involved for the renter." With renting and buying each coming with their own set of pros and cons, one thing is for sure: Connecticut is full of great places to call home. A community activist in Western New York wants to remove a "shameful" statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. WIVB-TV reports Samuel Herbert has gathered more than 6,000 signatures to replace an eight-foot bust of MLK in Buffalo's Martin Luther King Jr. Park. He says the statue, unveiled in 1983, doesn't look like the civil rights leader. "We have allowed this distorted image to sit here for 35 years," he told the Buffalo TV station. "Our beef has never been with the sculptor, but the committee that approved this shameful image of a great American." According to the Associated Press, the original artist said the bust was supposed to be a representation of MLK -- not a likeness. "It wasn't like he attempted to create a likeness and then failed at that. He knew he was making a lightly abstracted work that would convey the dignity, strength and power of Martin Luther King, and the whole civil rights movement," Edmund Cardoni, executive director of Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, told the Buffalo News earlier this year. "I loved it from the start. I still love it." "Enough of the symbolism, we want realism," Herbert told WIVB on Monday. Herbert, chairman of the Coalition To Save MLK Park, says he wants to get 10,000 signatures in person and on Change.org to start fundraising for a replacement statue by 2020. He says he's prepared to take the issue to court if necessary. A potential replacement design has not been revealed. Lee Speight, a sculptor in North Carolina, has offered his own statue of MLK but Herbert told WIVB he wants Chinese artist Master Lei Yixin, who carved the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is unveiled at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, Monday, Aug. 22, 2011. This isn't the first time a statue has raised controversy in Western New York. A new likeness of Lucille Ball was unveiled in the "I Love Lucy" actress' hometown of Celoron in 2016 after years of online campaigns against the original, dubbed "Scary Lucy." Scary Lucy ended up getting moved to the National Comedy Center in nearby Jamestown. Edmeston, N.Y. -- Police arrested a man after finding 27 cows dead in a barn in Edmeston. James Mumbulo, 45, faces a misdemeanor charge of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, according to The Daily Star in Oneonta. The investigation began when New York State Police got a tip that Mumbulo's animals had not been seen in several months, the Star said. Edmeston is about 30 miles south of Utica in Otsego County. Troopers found the cow carcasses in about a foot of manure, according to the Star. Veterinarians couldn't determine how the animals died because they were too decomposed, but troopers found no evidence of food or water in the barn. Mumbulo leased the dairy farm from the property owner and owned the cows himself, according to the Star. He had been paying his rent. Dennis Mumbulo, James' father, denied his son neglected the animals, according to The New York Times. The animals died in the spring, possibly from pneumonia, he said. The Mumbulo family always worked in the dairy industry, the Times said. They planned to clean out the barn and bury the cows after they died. "We didn't make it there the way we probably should've," he said, according to the Times. "We're all very sorry it happened." Mumbulo was released after receiving an appearance ticket. He'll return to court in November. Prosecutors ordered Mumbulo to bury the cows within 72 hours, the Times said. Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598 SODUS, N.Y. -- An Upstate New York school district has closed as deputies search for a suspect who shot two people to death Monday afternoon. A woman and a man were fatally shot around 2 p.m. in Sodus, a Wayne County town about 40 minutes east of Rochester and about an hour west of Syracuse. An unknown shooter killed a woman who was in a car in Carlton Street driveway before killing a man, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office told 13 WHAM News. The Sodus Central School District closed Tuesday as deputies continued to seek the shooter, reported WHEC. The double shooting happened south of Benton Place -- less than half a mile from the Sodus district's school buildings, according to WHEC. As of early Tuesday morning, the suspect -- who was described by deputies as a man with a dark hoodie and a green hat -- had not been found, according to the Democrat & Chronicle. The victims' names have not been released. Syracuse, N.Y. -- It looks like a storm forecast to move up the East Coast this weekend will bring mostly cold rain rather than snow to Upstate New York. The odds of a coastal storm developing near the Carolinas has increased with the latest forecast, and that storm will likely track along the East Coast and drag in moisture from the remnants of Hurricane Willa. That's likely to bring from a half inch to an inch of cold rain to much of Upstate starting Saturday afternoon or night. Temperatures across much of Upstate will dip into the low to mid 30s, cold enough to make it uncomfortable but not enough to generate widespread snow. "It looks like kind of a cold rain," said Joanne LaBounty, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Binghamton. The air might be cold enough on top of hills and in the Adirondacks to generate some snow. "In some areas you could see several inches of very wet, heavy snow," said Carl Erickson, a meteorologist with Accuweather. "That's more likely at higher elevations and in northern New England." Either way, Saturday looks like a day to stay indoors. "A lot of us might be dealing with a raw and nasty Saturday," Erickson said. There's still a great deal of uncertainty with this potential storm, including its exact path, how much moisture it will draw from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, and whether it also brings cold air from the Northwest. If the storm stays off the coast, it could bypass Upstate New York. If colder air comes in, there could be more snow and less rain. We'll be tracking the storm as it develops throughout the week, so stay tuned to our weather page. Contact Glenn Coin: Email | Twitter | Google + | (315) 470-3251 China wants every part of the Pearl River Delta region commutable within about one hour. They have just opened the longest sea-crossing bridge in the world to connect Hong Kong, Macau and Zhuhai as part of this plan. China will triple the subway track in the area by 2030. The ShenzhenZhongshan Bridge is a bridge under construction. It will connect two major cities on the Pearl River Delta (PRD) in China: the city of Shenzhen on the eastern side of the PRD, and the city of Zhongshan on the western side. It will consist of a series of bridges and tunnels, starting from Baoan International Airport on the Shenzhen side. The proposed 51 km eight-lane link is scheduled to be completed in 2024 and is expected to cost around US$4.83 billion. It will be located about 27 km downriver from the Humen Bridge, the only current bridge crossing of the delta, and some 32 km north of the new Hong KongZhuhaiMacau Bridge. Shenzhen had lobbied hard in the early 2000s to be included in the Hong KongZhuhaiMacau Bridge project by choosing a double-Y-shaped design with one of the extensions connecting Shenzhen to the structure. The ShenzhenZhongshan Bridge project will consist of a 6.7 km tunnel starting on the Shenzhen side, and 19 bridges totaling 43 km. Construction started in late 2016 and scheduled to open in 2024. There will be four lanes in each direction, with a maximum speed of 100 km/h. The bridge will join the Guangshen Coastal Expressway to the south of Shenzhens airport and the Jihe Expressway to the east of the airport on the Eastern side of the delta with the Zhongjiang Expressway on the Western side. It will cut travel time from Shenzhen to Zhongshan to less than 30 minutes. By 2030, the PRD region will have more subway track than the Greater Tokyo area and over ten times the New York transit system. There are 11 major cities in an area over three times the size of the Greater Tokyo metro area. The Pearl River Delta (PRD) currently has a population of 67 million and a GDP of over $1.2 trillion. By 2030, the PRD is expected to reach 80 million with a GDP of $2 trillion by 2030. By 2030 the GDP purchasing power parity of the PRD megaregion will be $4.6 trillion, making it larger than the economies of rival bay areas in Tokyo, New York, and San Francisco. Currently Hong Kong to Guangzhou high-speed rail currently takes 50 minutes. Hong Kong is only the fifth largest city in the PRD by population. Guangzhou has twice the population and Shenzhen also has nearly twice the population. Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhouhai have about half the per capita income of Hong Kong. The PRD megaregion has more buildings over 150 meters (492 ft) than any country in the world except China and the USA. There is already 356 kilometers of high-speed rail track in the area which makes it the 14th longest high-speed rail system in the world. The combined length of the subway metro systems in the PRD megalopolis exceeds every country in the world except the US, Japan, South Korea, and Russia. Shenzhen Metro Expansion will have 200 more terminals and more than triple the subway track The Shenzhen Metro currently has eight lines, 166 stations, and 286 kilometers (178 miles) of total trackage in operation. Two new lines and extension of several existing lines are underway with a long-term goal of 1,124 kilometers (698 miles) of lines by 2030. This will allow for travel between the central and suburban districts to be shortened to 45 minutes and for public transit to make up more than 70% of all motorized trips in Shenzhen. The system underwent another major expansion with the opening of Line 11 in June 2016 and both Lines 7 and 9 in October 2016, briefly making the system the third longest in China before Guangzhou Metro regained the position in December 2016. In January 2018, construction work started on a further four new metro lines (Lines 12, 13, 14, and 16) and a branch of Line 6. The latter will connect with the neighboring Dongguan Metro. The additional lines have a projected cost of 160 billion Yuan with a planned completion date of 2022. With the initiation of construction of Phase IV lines total construction mileage for the Shenzhen Metro reaches 273 kilometers (170 miles). There will be connections made and created between the subways systems of the different cities. NASA is asking for Lunar Surface Instrument and Technology Payloads to be placed onto commercial lunar landers. NASA is also supporting commercially developed small lunar landers. NASA will pick 8 to 12 experiments in 2019 for launch no earlier than 2020, with an overall budget of between $24 and 36 million in the first year of the program. The payload mass must be less than 15 kilograms and use have continuous power needs of 8 watts or less. Several Lunar Lander missions in 2019 and 2020 There are several lunar landers in development. Lunar lander companies and teams were previously incentivized by the Google Lunar XPrize. No company sent a mission to the moon in time to win the Lunar XPrize. Five private companies have solidified launch contracts and are hoping to land on the surface of the Moon within the next two years. Moon Express In October, 2018, Moon Express announced they had raised a $2.5 million bridge round led by Miami-based Minerva Capital Group. They also raised $10 million of a planned $20 million Series B round, led by an undisclosed lead investor. Moon Express Chief Executive Bob Richards said that the funding will support redevelopment of Launch Complex (LC) 17 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, a former Delta 2 launch site. Moon Express is targeting July 2020 for a first mission. They booked several launches on Rocket Labs Electron. Here is a video inside the Rocket Lab factory. Moon Express partnered with NASA under its Lunar CATALYST Program and in 2016 became the first commercial space company to receive U.S. federal government authorization for a private lunar mission. Moon Express has developed a family of innovative robotic exploration spacecraft designed to collapse the cost of access to the Moon and other deep space destinations, with regular flights to the Moon planned to begin in 2020. Moon Express has legal problems with a former partner, Intuitive Machines. There was a $4.1 million verdict against Moon Express early in 2018. There is a pending motion for a mistrial. Astrobotic Astrobotic is a startup that is selling space on its lunar lander for $1.2 million per kilogram. 11 groups from six different nations have agreed to fly instruments on the Peregrines first flight. They are targeting mid-2020. Astrobotic is still looking for more funding. In 2014, Astrobotic became the first commercial company to use visual terrain-relative navigation (TRN) and LIDAR hazard detection to guide a rocket-propelled suborbital reusable launch vehicle, Mastens Xombie, to a safe landing site in flight. The Astrobotic Virtual Orbital Imager (AVOI) is a physically accurate planetary renderer to assist in precision landing and path planning missions. This provides highly detailed simulations of landing and exploration. Astrobotic has developed custom designs, sensing, and rovers for planetary surface activities such as exploration, site preparation, and resource extraction. Astrobotic developed Polaris as an excavation vehicle that could serve as a robotic precursor to future human planetary colonization efforts by preparing terrain and mining ice and other volatiles. Three international companies will not get NASA support. SpaceIL Israel-based SpaceIL has spent about $95 million and plans to fly to the moon in 2019 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 mission. The Japanese team Hakuto has $90 million The Japanese team Hakuto had already built its lunar rover, Sorato. They raised more than $90 million in funding. They were looking to launch with an Indian company TeamIndus. TeamIndus lost support from the Indian Space Agency. An Israeli company was the big winner in the investment competition at Yale Universitys School of Management. Voiceitt, a company developing speech recognition technology to understand non-standard speech, won the top prize of $1.5 million at Connecticut Innovations VentureClash competition. Nine companies from six countries participated in the final round of the competition, which was held Thursday. In addition to Voiceitt, five other companies were selected by the judges at the pitch competition to receive financial awards. The winning companies are required to establish a presence in Connecticut in order to receive the awards. Matt McCooe, chief executive officer of Connecticut Innovations, said the competition continues to introduce some of the worlds most innovative and promising early-stage companies to all that Connecticut has to offer. CI is the states quasi-public investment agency. From the initial application period through to the finals, we were so impressed with the caliber of leadership and the depth of innovation represented by the companies involved in the competition, McCooe said in statement. We thank them for their efforts and commitment and look forward to working with the companies to help them make Connecticut a center point of their growth strategy. The speech recognition technology Voiceitt is developing also is designed to help individuals with speech disabilities communicate better. A pair of second-place winners were selected to receive $1 million investments. One is DOZR, a Canadian company developing an online rental market for heavy equipment. The online market allows business owners with equipment they are not using to earn additional revenue while allowing allowing contractors to rent equipment at lower rates than the traditional rental marketplace. The other company is IronYun. The Stamford-based company makes software that allows client companies to do private cloud computing. Three additional companies were selected by the judges to receive $500,000 investment awards. One is CloudKPI, an Irish company developing a technology that allows companies to analyze their own data and to improve the efficiency and quality of business processes. The technology the company is developing is targeted toward helping companies that use a software distribution model in which a third-party provider hosts applications and makes them available to customers over the Internet. The second company to receive the $500,000 award is Invixium, a Canadian manufacturer of modern biometric technology designed for businesses that need strong user authentication, convenience and data analytics. The third $500,000 award went to Paygilant, an Israeli technology company working to prevent mobile payments fraud on mobile devices. luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com BRIDGEPORT Two members of the citys police department and one from New Haven are the finalists to become Bridgeports top cop. After a months-long national search that once involved 17 candidates, Mayor Joe Ganims office announced Tuesday that acting Chief Armando Perez and Capt. Roderick Porter, along with New Haven Assistant Chief Luiz Casanova, are still standing, with a five-year contract the prize. Perez, a close friend of the mayors, was promoted by Ganim from captain to acting chief in March 2016. I was extremely happy, to say the least, Perez said of being a finalist. I worked very, very, very hard to get to this point in my life, in my career. Im hoping to continue. My job is not done. Porter, the departments highest ranking black officer, oversees the school resource officers and the community services unit. The city of Bridgeport and the police department have invested a lot in me, personally and professionally, Porter said. I would love the opportunity to serve as the police chief. I think I could do a good job. On Wednesday, Casanova did not want to comment much on his position as a finalist. I really didnt want to comment, out of respect for the process, he said via phone Wednesday afternoon. I have a period of time to evaluate them in any way that I think is appropriate, Ganim said, adding he was pleased with the caliber of the finalists. Its not the end of the process, but its a very significant step in the process. And that process has been controversial. Police-involved shooting Perez is well liked by many who consider him an experienced, caring leader who has struggled to control overtime but has also improved public safety. Bridgeport is track to stay below double digits for homicides in 2018 something that has not happened in over 40 years, according to the department. But Perezs critics are troubled by his political connections. There have also been high-profile controversies on his watch, from last years fatal shooting of a 15-year-old by a rookie cop, to the recent retirement of the chiefs close aide, a white captain accused of sending racist texts. Some argue the department needs fresh ideas to move toward more modern policing. The Bridgeport Police Department, for example, only this year began equipping officers with uniform cameras. After a professional consultant helped trim the list of candidates down to seven semifinalists, the Ganim administration planned to appoint a panel of community leaders to conduct interviews and recommend three finalists. But after Hearst Connecticut Media reported that the panelists identities would be kept secret, City Hall changed course earlier this month. A smaller group of out-of-town professionals was convened, for reasons including objectivity and due to the number of qualified semifinalist candidates, Civil Service Director David Dunn said at the time. That panel conducted interviews Friday and Ganims office released members identities Tuesday: Hartford Police Chief David Rosado; Yale University Police Chief Ronnell Higgins; Bernadette Welch, former human resources director for New London and Greenwich; Caroline Beitman, head of labor relations for UConn Health; and Lee Erdmann, a former city manager for Hartford and Wethersfield. Department troubles While Perez has had troubles as acting chief, his two remaining competitors have also been caught up in controversies. In February, Porter returned to the departments community services division after serving as head of Bridgeports Detective Bureau since May 2017. Perez reassigned Porter soon after one of the men the captain supervised Lt. Stephen Shuck was arrested in February for allegedly abusing the payroll and overtime system. Perez, who fired Shuck in April, insisted that case had nothing to do with Porter, and that the captain had requested the shift to community services. Casanova filed a lawsuit in 2017 against the New Haven Police Department after being passed over for chief. He alleged he was the target of retaliatory behavior and harassing conduct after testifying on behalf of another officer who filed a discrimination complaint with the state. The lawsuit is still pending. How Ganim will settle on a chief was not clear Tuesday. Rowena White, the mayors communications director, said he would seek input from community leaders over the next two weeks. White said she didnt know whether there would be a public forum for residents to question the trio. Such forums are not uncommon. Lynchburg, Va., Rochester, Minn., and Eugene, Ore., all held such events this year as part of searches for police chiefs. Callie Heilmann founded civic group Bridgeport Generation Now part of a coalition of activists, religious leaders and elected officials who pressured Ganim to make the chief search process open to public input. If there is a real commitment to public inclusion and community engagement and transparency, that would be the only thing left to do to hold a public forum where theres a chance for folks to hear from the candidates themselves, Heilmann said Tuesday. Porter said he would be open to attending such a forum, adding, Whatever they need me to do. Perez said it is up to the mayor. How much should it cost to ride mass transit? Are our fares too high? Would lower fares increase ridership? If so, why not make the trains free? As Ive noted any number of times, fares on Metro-North in Connecticut are among the highest commuter fees in the country. Thats because our states subsidy is the lowest about 24 percent, compared to a 50 percent fare subsidy on the Long Island Railroad. Of course, Hartfords attitude is that everyone in Fairfield County is a millionaire and can afford to pay more. Ironically, every time theres a fare increase, ridership doesnt go down it goes up. Why? Because the travel alternatives, especially going into New York, are few and all of them are getting worse. Metro-North has a captive audience. Commuters have no choice but to take the train. Fare subsidies are much higher on the Danbury and Waterbury branch lines and Shore Line East where ridership is lighter compared to the mainline. But service is also less frequent, which might counter those who think lower fares would attract more passengers: cheap fares and poor service arent what we want. Of course, few passengers on Metro-North actually pay full fare. Off-peak riders get a 25 percent discount as do members of the military on all trains. Seniors and the disabled ride for half price as do monthly commuters. While I understand daily commuters think they deserve a break, they also place the greatest strain on the system over the shortest number of hours. Aside from the frequency of their travel, one could argue they should pay a premium and not receive a 50 percent discount. Of course, the fares are the same whether youre rich or poor, which is why some have started asking for a fairer fare, one based on a riders ability to pay. In New York City, where subways and buses cost $2.75, there are price breaks for seniors (50 percent) and even all-you-can-ride monthly passes. But starting in January, those living below the poverty line (income of $25,000 for a family of four) will qualify for a 50 percent discount MetroCard. Some 800,000 residents could be eligible for the plan. New York Mayor Bill De Blasio says the $106 million subsidy would be better carried by rich taxpayers, not the rest. Similar discounts for the poor have worked well in Seattle and Toronto, hometown of the new chief of New Yorks subways, Andy Byford. More Information Join the conversation Use #GettingThereCT to chime in on Facebook and Twitter. See More Collapse Proponents argue that mobility is an essential right and if you want to get people out of poverty, theyve got to be able to afford to get to their job. So, why not free mass transit? Thats what theyve just launched in Estonia in an effort to fight traffic and air pollution. Skeptics say it will help fight neither, but will only replace walking with tram rides. One Connecticut lawmaker once proposed free rides for all seniors. But I dont think the fare is the reason seniors dont take buses. Its the service and fears for their safety. But all such free service begs the question of who is really paying for it the taxpayers. As with our free highways (the ones without tolls), I think its much fairer to ask those who use the service to help pay for it. Jim Cameron is a longtime commuter advocate based in Fairfield County. Contact him at CommuterActionGroup@gmail.com WEST HAVEN Activists calling for University of New Haven to re-examine its ties with Saudi Arabia in the wake of the reported death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi got some indirect backing Tuesday from U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. Blumenthal said he had no information specifically about UNHs ties to Saudi Arabia . But all American businesses and nonprofit organizations should review and re-evaluate their relationships with Saudi Arabia in light of the ... murder, which seemingly could not have been done without knowledge at the highest levels of its government, he said. He spoke in the wake of a call by activist Stanley Heller of the Middle East Crisis Committee for UNH to reasses its relationship with Saudi Arabias King Fahd Security College in light of the apparent murder of Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and Saudi dissident who lived in the United States. They also should re-evaluate their relationships in light of its continuing bombing of civilians in Yemen, its crackdown on womens freedoms, and human rights abuses and other actions that seem to violate basic American values, Blumenthal said in a phone interview. Whats more, Our own government should be leading this complete re-evaluation of our relationship, including potentially imposing sanctions and halting arms and military support, Blumenthal said. Our government should be demanding an immediate and complete international investigation, not the whitewash planned by the Saudis concerning the brutal killing of an American newspaper columnist, he said. In a follow-up to his original news release, Heller questioned UNHs suggestion that the man who allegedly killed Khashoggi is not the same man listed on the website for a Saudi college the university has a relationship with. Heller, who has called for the university to cut ties with Saudi Arabia, called spokeswoman Lyn Chamberlins suggestion that there might be two Saudi forensic scientists with similar names extraordinary. He also said, While the possible association of UNH personnel with the alleged killer of Khashoggi is sensational, the bigger scandal is the undoubted and ongoing relationship of UNH with a police college in a country ruled by a cruel tyrant with a justice system known for torture and horrific punishments. Chamberlin was not immediately available for comment. She told the New Haven Register last week that the Dr. Muhammed al-Tubaigy named as the one who possibly cut off parts of Khashoggis body while he was still alive in the Turkish consulate in Istanbul may not be the same one listed as a member of a Saudi forensic assocation on the King Fahd Security College website. That followed Hellers assertion in a news release for the Middle East Crisis Committee that al-Tubaigy, head of forensics at the Saudi General Security Department who some media have reported murdered Khashoggi and cut off parts of his body by sawing his bones while Khashoggi was still alive is on the board of directors of King Fahd Security College. Chamberlin said last week that thats not the case, and in fact, King Fahd Security College doesnt have a board of directors. She also said that the name of the man on the board of directors of the Saudi Society for Forensic Medicine, which is listed on the King Fahd Security College website, spells his name differently (Al-Tabaiqy) and may not be the same person. The big question is whether there are two prominent Al-Tubaigy forensic scientists, Heller said in a subsequent emailed statement. If there are and Ive confused and slandered one I want to make a sincere and abject apology. But we do know about the one Dr. Salah Muhammed al-Tubaigy. NBC has his passport scan. It says he was born in 1971, Heller said. He is head of the Legal Medicine Department of the Saudi Ministry of the Interior and Vice President of the Saudi Legal Medicine Society, he said. This alleged assassin is one of the leading forensic scientists and medical ethicists currently working in the Kingdom, ... The Guardian (UK) describes him as the senior forensic doctor in Saudi Arabia. Are we to understand that the Al-Tabaiqy (or Al-Tubaigy) on the board of Saudi Society for Forensic Medicine at King Fahd Security College ... is NOT the Dr. Al-Tubaigy born in 1971 being named as an alleged killer? That would be extraordinary. If thats the case, Who is this second al-Tubaigy? Heller asked. When was he born? Where did he go to school? At which college or institution does he work? Again, if its true I want to apologize, but Id need more evidence than a mere second-hand claim, he said. Heller asked, If there is a second forensic scientist named al-Tubaigy, why isnt he speaking out? Im sure he would be mortified being called the alleged killer of Khashoggi. A Google translation of a page on the King Fahd Security College website lists a board of directors that includes a Dr. Salah Muhammed al-Tubaiqy as a member. That board appears to be for the Saudi Society for Forensic Medicine, according to a heading on that page. The web pages address url refers to the board as a governing council. It is was not immediately clear what direct connection, if any, there might be between the Saudi Society for Forensic Medicine and King Fahd Security College although a journal it publishes lists a mailing address at the college. In a written statement last week, Heller also called on the directors of the Abdallah S. Kamel Center for the Study of Islamic Law at Yale Law School to speak out in the wake of the latest news. The Middle East Crisis Committee believes Connecticut institutions with relationships with Saudi Arabia must take action to protest the Khashoggi murder, Heller wrote. mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 23) The National Commission for Culture and the Arts has released the names of individuals to receive the title of National Artist in their respective fields. Among them, are known composer Ryan Cayabyab and filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik. The National Artist title is the highest recognition given to Filipino individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts. Cayabyab, who is among the supernova standard bearers of Filipino composition, received the title of National Artist for music. His works range from commissioned full-length ballets, theater musicals, choral pieces, a Mass set to unaccompanied chorus, and orchestral pieces, to commercial recordings of popular music, film scores and television specials. Meanwhile, Tahimik was named National Artist for Film. Tahimik is a household name in the second golden age of Philippine cinema. Tahimik is known for his "Bathala na" style of film and art making, having produced masterpieces such as "Perfumed Nightmare" in 1977. Other recipients of the National Artist title were the following: Francisco Manosa (Architecture) Ramon Muzones (Literature) Resil Mojares (Literature) Larry Alcala (Visual Arts) Amelia Lapena Bonifacio (Theater) An awarding ceremony for the new National Artists will be held Wednesday at the Malacanang Palace in Manila. Ask Jillian Woychowski what she wants and the answer is always, books! That might be an expected answer for a school librarian, but Woychowski is on a mission to update the print collection at West Haven High School, while making sure to include the cultures and languages represented by the diverse population of her student body, including Spanish-speakers. Of the school's students, 34 percent identify as Latino, and many are first-generation Americans. Woychowski welcomes the donation of new or gently used books, but she also encourages readers to donate both books and time to their own local school or public libraries. Their most needed genres are fiction and memoir (English and Spanish), but certainly non-fiction focusing on Latino history, culture and contemporary issues are welcome, too. "All of our new memoirs in Spanish have been added to the collection," Woychowski said on her Donors Choose page. "I am so happy this was right at the time our senior English classes will start checking out individual memoirs to read after reading When I Was Puerto Rican in their classes." Her student reading level ranges from about fourth grade to Advanced Placement/College. Last school year, she obtained 10 novels in Spanish through Donors Choose, which sit above her fiction section, marked with a green S to help her English learners find them. Shes currently adding several memoirs in Spanish from the same program. At West Haven High School, all seniors in English IV are required to read a memoir. Woychowski says shes long identified herself as a walking United Nations of ethnic heritages. Add in a brother-in-law from Mexico, another brother-in-law from the Philippines, and an uncle from Portugal, and she knows the importance of including other cultures and languages in our everyday world, which of course includes the libraries. As schools face budget crunches, library portions are often eaten up by technology costs, which makes sense in our digital society. But books are still of vital importance, too! Its a proven fact that students do better in literature courses when they see themselves in the stories. For English learners, having curricular-aligned books to check out in their native language may be the key to success. For monetary donations, checks can be written to West Haven High School with "Library" in the memo line (we have an account through the School Student Activity Fund). Donations are tax deductible. For more information, call Diane Taylor at the library, 203-937-4360 extension 7317, or email jillian.woychowski@whschools.org . Packages can be sent to WHHS, McDonough Plaza, West Haven, CT 06516. A man who is looking to protect his house from being claimed by eminent domain is about to fight his case in an appeals court hearing in Jersey City Wednesday. Charlie Birnbaum, a piano tuner for many of the casinos in Atlantic City who has worked on the musical instrument for acts such as Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, owns a three-story house on Oriental Avenue. It's in the shadows of the once-shuttered Revel Casino, which reopened as the Ocean Resort Casino this year. The property is now mostly surrounded by empty blocks where homes once stood but have since been cleared in hopes of enticing a developer to the city's southern end. Birnbaum is in a showdown with the state's Casino Redevelopment Development Authority (CRDA), fighting to keep his home from being seized through eminent domain. Arguments are scheduled to be made in front of the three judges of the state's Appellate Division in Jersey City. Birnbaum's parents, who were Holocaust survivors, purchased the house in 1969. In 2012, the CRDA told Birnbaum they would take the home via the eminent domain -- a government agency's right to take property for public use, so long as the owners are compensated. While the land was in a redevelopment zone, no specific project had been announced -- a move Birnbaum believes is unconstitutional. In 2014, Superior Court judge Julio Mendez sided with the CRDA, saying the seizure was valid. However, in an August 2016 decision, Mendez reversed his opinion and found Birnbaum should keep the house until the agency could guarantee a project would actually come to fruition. The CRDA appealed the most recent decision, setting up a very important court date Wednesday. "Why is it that when you think about beautifying that the first people you want to get rid of are those who paid their dues," Birnbaum said in a 2015 interview with NJ Advance Media. "I think that's cruel and unfair. It's absolutely not right. It's not about the money. It's about fighting for your space and fighting for what something means to you. For me, it's about fighting for the history that this place represents." One of the attorneys representing Birnbaum in his case against the CRDA is Robert McNamara of the Institute for Justice, a non-profit organization. McNamara says the organization became involved after one of his colleagues met Birnbaum and realized he had a special connection with the house, something the organization wanted to protect. "A lot of people nationwide are watching this case, and I think that is because the CRDA's theory here is so breathtaking and indeed frightening," McNamara said. "If the CRDA is right in this case, it means they can take any property they want, for any reason or for no reason. If that is the law, that means no one's home is safe from condemnation as long as there is a government agency out there that might want to take it." McNamara also said he is not sure what direction the CRDA would be going with acquiring the property. "The most striking thing is this case is the CRDA's plan for this land," McNamara stated. "Their plan is to take Charlie Birnbaum's family home, knock it down and then think really hard about what they might want to put there instead. If there are going to be any limits on eminent domain, one of those limits has to be that you have to do the thinking part first." A spokeswoman for the CRDA said the agency does not comment on pending litigation. However, in a 2016 CRDA Opening Appellate brief, the CRDA said the Birnbaum property is located within the boundaries of CRDA's "South Inlet Mixed Use Development Project, a multi-use project that will include non-gaming, tourism-focused residential, retail and commercial uses." The CRDA also argued that state and federal constitutions only have three requirements agencies -- or "condemnors" -- must show which include public purpose, due process and just compensation. "Neither due process nor just compensation are at issue in this case and the trial court already correctly determined that CRDA possesses a constitutionally valid public purpose for the acquisition of Property: the promotion of tourism in Atlantic City in furtherance of the Atlantic City Tourism District Act," the CRDA argued in the brief. "Based on this determination, the trial court should have authorized CRDA to acquire the Property and proceed with the Project." The agency is arguing that it's tried to comply with the court's demand to provide "reasonable assurances" that a project would happen. The CRDA said in the brief that it told the courts in April 2016 that "it is financially and strategically prepared to move forward with the Project. An immediate decision is not expected, and it could be months before the court's decision is made public. Chris Franklin can be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @cfranklinnews. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips A former employee of the Firebirds restaurant in Moorestown is suing the food chain alleging racial harassment. A legal complaint filed in federal district court in Camden on Friday from Ayanna Tamar Mutazz said she was called racial epithets by some co-workers and a manager on multiple occasions during the time of her employment. She was terminated last November after 17 months of employment. The lawsuit said one of her managers regularly called African-American women "Shaniqua" and "Shanaenae," and once asked Mutazz why she was eating "that," when she should be "eating collard greens." A former employee is suing Firebirds restaurant in Moorestown for racial discrimination. "People like to think this sort of thing doesn't happen anymore, but it's very alive and we do what we can to help eradicate it," said J. Patrick Griffin on Monday, who is an attorney for Mutazz. Stephen Loftis, a vice president of marketing in the North Carolina headquarters of the chain said Monday he has "no comment" but was referring further comment to the company attorney David Lichtenberg of a New Jersey office of the law firm Fisher Phillips. An email to Lichtenberg requesting comment was not immediately returned. There are 49 Firebirds Wood Fired Grill restaurants nationwide. The complaint said some co-workers engaged in taunting Mutazz in front of other employees and customers of the restaurant. The suit said one co-worker said: "Hey Ayanna, you're the same color as the television...black!" And he also compared Mutazz to the restaurant's chocolate cake, stating: "Hey Ayanna, you're the same color as the cake...burnt!" Mutazz also claims one of the co-workers said he, "liked his women like he liked his coffee...black!" Other alleged taunts included: "What are you doing reading that, everyone knows your people can't read." "What language are you speaking, Ebonics?" Co-worker stating that her hair looked "nappy," and that her hair, "looked like a ball of tangled yarn." Co-worker saying that he was going to "take a hanger and pull your wig off." Griffin said Mutazz complained about her treatment to the corporate human resources office. The lawsuit said the complaint was not addressed. "At no time did anyone from... Firebirds address her complaints or otherwise attempt to remediate the ongoing discrimination," the suit said. One of her alleged tormentors was promoted during the course of the alleged discrimination, the complaint said. Mutazz requested a jury trial and compensation for for "being discriminated and retaliated against by his employer on the basis of his race/color discrimination and unlawful termination." Griffin said the company had not responded in court to the lawsuit as of Monday. Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bduhart. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips A long-time Clementon police officer has filed a whistleblower suit the borough and top officials claiming Police Chief Charles Grover retaliated against him for raising concerns about misuse of funds and misconduct, among other things. And he has sworn affidavits from six current or former police employees backing him up. The 70-page civil complaint filed in Superior Court Monday by Patrolman Joseph McDevitt, 41, of Blackwood, includes affidavits from two current sergeants, the two highest ranking officers below the chief. They echo what McDevitt said himself in the suit -- that Grover waged a campaign of retribution because McDevitt had spoken out in the past, and that the political corruption within the small borough made it impossible for McDevitt and other officers to fight back against unfair treatment. The lawsuit describes Clementon as a place where politically-powerful borough officials have appointed police chiefs not on their merit, but on their usefulness as political allies. It even claims that the borough council named Grover police chief after a law firm hired to investigate him for misconduct found he should be terminated. McDevitt said that retaliation came after he expressed his beliefs about borough officials, the inadequate staffing levels in the department, discrimination and retaliation and the misuse of funds in the borough, among other things. As punishment, the suit said, Grover made false accusations that led to internal affairs or even criminal investigations into McDevitt, and the stress of the hostile work environment caused him to develop an anxiety disorder earlier this year. In addition to Grover and the borough, the suit names Mayor Thomas Weaver, Councilmen Mark Armbruster and Jonathan Fisher, Administrator and Clerk Jenai Johnson, and former police chief Randal Freiling. Armbruster said Monday that the allegations of corruption in the suit were "made up" and that McDervitt is rehashing complaints about the chief and department that have been put to bed. "Much of what in this complaint has previously been alleged and investigated thoroughly and found to be inaccurate or wrong," he said. Charles Grover (Facebook) He said he doesn't believe Grover or Freiling targeted McDevitt, but instead were "walking on eggshells" around him because he frequently filed complaints. Messages seeking comment from the other defendants were not returned Monday. In identical sworn statements, Sergeants William Boyle and Robert Worrick said, "Chief Grover has initiated and perpetuated a pattern of retaliation against Officer McDevitt, which I attribute to legal concerns or complaints I am aware Officer McDevitt has raised during his tenure." Officer Scott Hyndman, former officers Matthew Buchhofer and Kris Austin, and police clerk Suzanne Kunkel said the same and added that there was no "meaningful opportunity for due process or redress from officer concerns or complaints" because the police chief, administrator and council "coordinate in concealing or denying substantiation of concerns." Asked about the supporting affidavits, Armbruster said the sergeants are friendly with McDevitt and that they might be upset, like McDevitt, about the staffing levels in the department. "I would love to have a lot more staffing, financially, we can't afford it," he said. McDevitt sued the department in 2010 under former Chief Freiling, alleging he was retaliated against after he had complained about misconduct by a former sergeant. It's not clear how the case was resolved. Monday's lawsuit says that after the resolution of his first suit in 2012, under Freiling, the retaliation continued, mostly at the hands of Grover. Grover was named acting chief in 2016 and promoted to the permanent job in 2017. "Every allegation made about or concerning Plaintiff in his last several years, even those referred to the Prosecutor's Office, was invalid, baseless, frivolous, knowingly malicious, and retaliatory," he wrote. Among the things McDevitt said he was targeted for are: The filing of his previous whistleblower suit Complaining that Grover violated laws by misusing resources and falsifying investigations, evidence and overtime Complaining about the "complicity" of borough officials in retaliation and corruption Complaining that the defendants violated the National Labor Relations Act by engaging in unfair labor practices He said Grover's retaliation against officers often involved changed their schedules without telling them and refusing to honor vacation requests, which caused McDevitt to miss his own sister's wedding. Among the frivolous investigations into his conduct, he claimed, were two times in 2015 when Grover asked the Camden County Prosecutor to criminally investigate him. The first was for allegedly stealing a bicycle -- which McDevitt said he had permission to give to a civilian whose own bike had been stolen -- and the second was for being paid for six hours of overtime a year before, which McDevitt said was a payroll error. No charges were filed. McDevitt said that earlier this year, the stress of Grover's campaign caused him to develop an anxiety disorder and heart palpitations, and he got permission to use sick time to go to appointments. Grover then placed him on involuntary medical leave June 8 and didn't allow him back for two weeks. On June 28, Grover erroneously suspended him for abuse of sick time, excessive use of sick time, removing documents from department without permission and insubordination, the suit said. McDevitt said he used sick time appropriately and had removed documents so he could do work while in his patrol vehicle. The insubordination claim, he said, came because he did not have information regarding a case when the chief demanded it while McDevitt was on medical leave. The lawsuit said that McDevitt's only recourse was to appeal his three-day suspension to the borough administrator, whom he claims is an ally of the chief. She upheld the chief's decision. The suit, filed by the firm Karpf, Karpf & Cerutti in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, claims violations of the Conscientious Employee Protection Act and the Family Medical Leave Act, among other laws. 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 Authorities continue to search for a 53-year-old fisherman who went missing Saturday morning at an Ocean City beach where he disappeared after wading into the water to catch crab, police said Tuesday. Ocean City police said there are no updates in the search for Sam DeLarso, a Somers Point man whose truck was found parked near the beach. "It appears he entered the water and never came out," Detective Sgt. Stephen Sullivan said by phone Tuesday afternoon. The Cape May County Prosecutor's Office has a marine unit searching the water near West Newcastle Road, Ocean City, Sullivan said. MISSING PERSON!!!! I never in 1 million years thought Id have to make a post like this but my dad, Sam DeLarso, is... Posted by Samantha DeLarso on Sunday, October 21, 2018 While Ocean City police officers are on the boat assisting, members of the department's patrol and detective units are also making sweeps of the beach, according to Sullivan. A State Police marine unit assisted in the search Monday but is not there Tuesday. The U.S. Coast Guard also took part during the hours after DeLarso was reported missing. DeLarso, 53, left his Somers Point early Saturday with plans to catch bait for a family fishing excursion later that day. When he hadn't returned by 5 p.m. one of his sons went to the beach and found his father's truck. DeLarso's phone and some fishing equipment were also in the vehicle, according to his daughter Samanatha DeLarso. Samantha DeLarso said a witness on the beach that morning saw a man in waist-deep water between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. but there have been no other possible sightings. The 5-foot-10, 200 pound DeLarso was wearing blue jeans, a button down shirt and waders on Saturday. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. A South Jersey man was arrested Monday on charges that he sexually assaulted a child during church functions. Jeremy J. Hellyer (Salem County Correctional Facility) Jeremy J. Hellyer, 21, of Wenonah, allegedly assaulted the child while attending various functions at Gloucester County Community Church in Washington Township, police said. The alleged crimes occurred between April 2016 and December 2017. Hellyer is charged with second-degree sexual assault and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. Church offices were closed Tuesday and officials could not be reached for comment. Hellyer was placed in Salem County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing. Editor's Note: This story has been updated to clarify information about the suspect. He does not work at the church. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us: nj.com/tips. JERSEY CITY -- There were hugs and handshakes in court when all charges against two remaining Jersey City police officers accused of falsifying time sheets for no-show, off-duty traffic control assignments were dismissed Tuesday morning. Lt. Kelly Chesler and retired Capt. Joe Ascolese were overjoyed when Hudson County Superior Court Judge Mirtha Ospina dismissed the charges against them at the request of the state. If convicted, they could have faced 10 to 40 years in prison. Defense attorney Jeff Garrigan said his client, Chesler, was ecstatic that the case was over. "She never wavered one moment in taking this case to trial because she was 100 percent innocent," the attorney said. "Hopefully, Jersey City takes a hard look at this and puts her back on immediately because this has been and injustice from day one." Garrigan noted that his client has been suspended without pay for more than two years due to the charges and it has been a significant hardship for her. Ascolese's attorney, Robert E. Lytle, said millions were likely wasted on the case against the officers. "Capt. Ascolse and Lt. Chesler should have received commendations, in my view, for the work they did revamping the motorcycle squad and calling out the sexism and racism that continued to exist in the old guard in that unit... Instead, they got crucified," said Lytle. Jersey City disbanded the police department's motorcycle unit in February 2015 amid internal squabbling, claims of sexual harassment and the investigation into the alleged misconduct. Lytle said the pair "transformed that unit into a proactive patrol unit that went from being an all-white, old boys club to be the most diverse units in the JCPD." The off-duty jobs cited by the state related to more than 50 posts around the city in 2014 established to deal with traffic and new parking regulations during the closure of the Pulaski Skyway for renovations. On Oct. 12, Ospina dismissed the charges against Officer Michael O'Neil, who was being tried with Ascolese and Chesler. She ruled that there was no evidence O'Neill was not at his Skyway posts on June 3 and June 6, 2014. When asked if O'Neil and Chesler will return to work and whether they will get paid for the time they were suspended, Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said "The city is reviewing all the paperwork." During the trial, the defense worked to show that there was no standard procedure put in place for signing vouchers to pay the officers who worked the off-duty assignment during morning and evening rush hours. They pointed out numerous anomalies in the paperwork for the off-duty assignment related to a number of officers and said the system was chaotic effort to man the posts each day. Ascolese and Chesler were charged with signing vouchers for no-show assignments. Ospina agreed to dismiss the charges but noted that the state had not even placed its "star witness" on the stand. She was referring to is Officer Michael Maietti. After being charged, Maietti took a plea deal and agreed to testify for the state. Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said her office is obligated to objectively evaluate evidence and pursue a matter at trial only if it is reasonably believed it can be proven within a reasonable doubt. "Based on the court's evidential rulings and having fully analyzed the remaining evidence in this case in the context of the trial court's October 12, 2018 decision, the state has concluded that this case can no longer be proven beyond a reasonable doubt," Suarez said. The case against the three officers was similar but separate from a federal investigation into falsified police time records that led to a dozen guilty pleas, including Jersey City's ex-police Chief Phil Zacche. Zacche, who admitted stealing more than $20,000 related to a "no show" second job for the Jersey City Housing Authority, was sentenced to two years probation last month. His career spanned nearly four decades. By Julian Coltre | Special to The Jersey Journal The two-decades-old contract for housing immigration detainees at the Hudson County jail in Kearny now has a potential 2020 end date, but the question of how the move will affect those men and women remains. If the county contract with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency ends, the detainees will not be released back to their neighborhoods with ankle monitors or set free. Rather, these undocumented immigrants would be transferred to other facilities at ICE's discretion. "None of us have any control over ICE here," Jersey City immigration attorney Eugene Squeo said. "ICE could react to these news stories from Hudson County and say, 'Fine, you don't want our detainees. Then we're going to ship them whenever and wherever we want to.'" On Oct. 11, the county freeholders voted 6-3 to put the 2020 end date on the contract, requiring freeholder approval if the county wants to extend it further. Before that, the contract was open-ended. At the same time, Freeholder Chairman Anthony Vainieri of North Bergen told The Jersey Journal that county officials continue discussions on how to end its ICE relationship early. When asked for a comment, Rachel Young Yow, the public affairs officer for ICE's New York bureau, said the agency hasn't discussed plans to relocate the approximately 650 immigration detainees at the jail and had no statement on the county freeholders' decision to put an end date on the contract. According to Squeo, more than 90 percent of the Hudson detainees used to live in New York and the possibility of relocation wouldn't just be inconvenient for people who want to visit the detainees, it's would also likely have a tangible effect on their legal outcomes. "If I had no contact with any of the detainees, my position would be clear: Close the facility down," he said. "The problem is I've come to realize these immigrants have legal services provided by New York, and those attorneys have a success ratio of about 50 percent. For detainees who do not have representation, that drops to about 5 percent." Many advocacy groups -- including the American Friends Service Committee and the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice -- have long been in favor of ending the contract to house detainees in Hudson County. Alongside them has been Freeholder Bill O'Dea, who voted against the Oct. 11 resolution, saying he wanted more changes than the potential end date. "Whatever anyone says about not closing the facility, their first motivation is the money," O'Dea said. "It's kind of embarrassing that in the U.S., a county in Georgia just got out profiting off detainees, same in Virginia and Montana. What is the difference between those three places and us? They're very red. We're very blue. So, the situation of it is just very difficult to accept and swallow." O'Dea has been one of the few freeholders -- the elected members of Hudson County's legislative government -- who has actively spoken out against housing ICE detainees in the county jail. While he understands that the detention center creates jobs and provides resources for the county, he also said the freeholders have to think about the detainees who are uprooted. "I'm not opposed to keeping this facility open until 2020, but you have to take the profit out," O'Dea said. "You've got to reprogram those dollars to pay for better benefits for the detainees." Squeo agrees with O'Dea's immigrant-first philosophy and worries that the Oct. 11 decision could give some of O'Dea's colleagues on the freeholder board a chance to back out. "The weakness of the resolution is that it sets an end date to the contract that's conditioned on the freeholders not voting to extend it beyond that end date," Squeo said. "It doesn't really make anything clear and doesn't help out the people in the facility. What will the process be to guarantee that the contract will be phased out? It doesn't cap the number of detainees housed at Hudson. It doesn't set goals for reducing the population. These are all the questions that need to be answered." Jersey City Immigration Affairs Commission Chairman Imtiaz Syed said it is important to end the contract as a way to show dissatisfaction with the current federal climate. "It's absolutely necessary for the contract to end. Period. Not in 2020, not in the distant future, now," he said. "The policy of our country should be aligned with what it says on Lady Liberty. We should be accepting to all these immigrant communities. The U.S. claims it's a global village but then detains the people they don't want for no reason. Good people should come to this country and be allowed to stay because that's what America is about." Even though the policies of Jersey City can't impact the federal law, the Immigration Affairs Commission will continue to help those immigrants who have issues with ICE in Hudson County, he said. "We want to get immigrants the rights they deserve, and if what we try and brainstorm at the commission isn't a turning point, it's the first step." said Syed, who is originally from Pakistan. "As an immigrant, I know how important it is to help out your community and to strive for people to have success here. The way we are treating these immigrants right now, it's a wonder people want to come to this area at all." Squeo agrees it is important to look at the national conversation. "The reason the board picked 2020 to close the facility is simple," he said. "December 2020 is a month after the presidential election. And so, advocates feel that if a Democrat is elected, then we can really start the discussion of alternatives to detention." NEWARK A federal judge sentenced a former Jersey City cop to nearly two years in prison Tuesday after the ex-officer admitted taking over $30,000 in corrupt payments related to the off-duty jobs program. Juan Berrios, 42, of Rahway, is the 11th ex-cop to be sentenced in the federal investigation of Jersey City's police department and the fourth to receive a prison sentence. The probe in January brought down an ex-police chief, Phil Zacche, who admitted stealing more than $20,000 for security gigs he never worked for the city's housing authority. Berrios spoke briefly in front of U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez, expressing remorse for his actions and apologizing to his family and to the people of Jersey City. Berrios' attorney, Daniel Welsh, said he knew Berrios before this case and struggled to understand why the ex-cop participated in the criminal scheme. "He doesn't gamble, he doesn't do drugs, he's not a philanderer," Welsh said. "I don't know what led him to this." Vazquez sentenced Berrios to 23 months behind bars followed by three years of probation. The judge said he would recommend a minimum-security camp instead of a traditional prison. Berrios' prison sentence will not begin until at least Jan. 2 so he can remain home for the holidays, Vazquez said. Vazquez also ordered Berrios to forfeit $50,000 and pay Jersey City restitution of $34,951. Berrios had been facing a sentence of up to five years in prison. His sentence was reduced in part because of his "significant" cooperation with federal prosecutors that allowed the government to extract guilty pleas from at least one other now-ex cop, Vazquez said. That cooperation nearly ended at one point when Berrios decided he wanted to plead not guilty. According to Vazquez, the ex-cop decided again to cooperate after prosecutors unearthed a separate scheme, one that saw Berrios charging the city to appear in court at the same time he was accepting payments to work off-duty jobs. Vazquez said he is concerned that Berrios did not admit to that scheme immediately when he initially decided to cooperate with prosecutors. Welsh explained the turnaround by saying Berrios had recently become active in a local church and thought by pleading not guilty he would "let God handle his situation, right, and God would protect him." Berrios pleaded guilty in February to one count of conspiracy to commit fraud and accept corrupt payments. He admitted he accepted direct payments from private companies that were supposed to hire off-duty officers using the city as an intermediary. It remains unclear whether federal prosecutors have wrapped up their investigation. All 11 cops who have pleaded guilty have been sentenced, except for one who died before his sentencing date. A spokesman for U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito, whose office oversaw the probe, said he does not typically comment on the status of an investigation. The government was represented in court on Tuesday by Vikas Khanna, deputy chief of the U.S. attorney's office criminal division. Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. JERSEY CITY Jersey City school officials are touting a marked improvement in districtwide PARCC standardized test scores in 2018, scores that show better results for the public school district's students and a narrowing gap between scores in Jersey City versus results statewide. "The collaborative and dedicated work of our staff, our parents and students is paying off," School Superintendent Marcia V. Lyles told school board members about the scores last month. Statewide results from the spring tests, released Friday, show modest gains, with passing scores rising in most English and math tests. Students in grades three through eleven take the assessment every year. The percentage of Jersey City students in grades three through eight who are proficient in English and language arts has increased by double digits compared to scores from 2015, when the tests first began. The biggest jump came in grade seven, where 56 percent of students are proficient compared to 34 percent in 2015. There are less impressive gains in math scores, and a drop in proficiency in one grade. The percentage of students who are proficient ranges from 14 percent in grade eight (down from 18 percent in 2015) to 45 percent in grade three (up from 29 percent). The gains came as the number of students who took the tests rose by 1,144 since 2015. Proficiency rates are largely up in the high schools, too. Districtwide, proficiency in English and language arts is between 37 and 52 percent in grades nine through 11. The average scores are helped by 96 to 100 percent proficiency scores at McNair Academic High School and Infinity Institute. Rates at the other schools are as low as 16 percent for Lincoln High School freshman (up from 8 percent in 2015). Math proficiency scores are much worse, between 23 and 28 percent for high school students. The rates at McNair and Infinity are between 77 and 100 percent. Proficiency rates elsewhere are as low as single digits, including 3 percent proficiency for Lincoln High School juniors taking the geometry test. The scores of individual schools show a dramatic difference in proficiency depending on where the school is located. In grade three, all but two of the schools with the 10 worst test scores sit south of Communipaw Avenue, where many of the city's most economically disadvantaged children live. Sudhan Thomas, president of the school board, said this concerns the board. "We have asked for year-on-year scores to track classes by year across the schools," Thomas said in a text, adding that the disparity points to "an equity problem, some kind of a possible modern-day segregation which needs to looked into and be fixed urgently to give every child a shot at the American Dream." Asked to respond, district spokeswoman Maryann Dickar said school officials know "there is more work to be done." "Every aspect of our work has been dedicated to increasing equity in the district," Dickar said. "All decisions from the programs we provide, the practices we develop, to our hiring decisions, the way we fund our schools and the additional support we provide from central office are guided by a deep commitment to equity and ensuring that all students get the best education possible." The future of the controversial PARCC tests is uncertain, with Gov. Phil Murphy seeking a multi-year phase out and state lawmakers saying they want more data before they sign on with Murphy's plan. Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. Time capsule project for Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis announced that the City of Bayonne is seeking objects for a time capsule in honor of the City's 150th anniversary in 2019. The time capsule will contain objects that reflect what is important to the people of Bayonne during 2018-2019. Library Director JP Porcaro has volunteered the first floor of the Bayonne Public Library as the drop-off site for objects that people would like considered for the time capsule. Bayonne residents, schools, and organizations are invited to submit an object for possible inclusion in the time capsule between now and the end of June in 2019. Instructions will be left to open it in 2069 when the City of Bayonne will celebrate its 200th anniversary. Mayor Davis announced that he will write a letter for the capsule that will be addressed to Bayonne Mayor in 2069. The celebration of Bayonne 150 will also include educational programs in the schools and cultural events in the community. Hoboken school celebrates UN Day On Oct 16, the Tessa International School in Hoboken, the first bilingual preschool in the area, celebrated United Nations Day, acknowledging the UN Charter signed by 50 countries on Oct 24, 1945 intending to achieve peace and justice. Celebrations began with student performances in Spanish and French while in clothing representing over 20 countries worldwide, followed by special guests Mayor Ravi Bhalla, Deputy Consul General of France, Eric Bayer, and Director of Admissions at the UN International School, John Nichols, making addresses. Students then led a procession waving world flags outdoors, then marching everyone inside, where classroom activities included sampling of foods from around the world. Hoboken accepting Veterans Day essay submissions Hoboken students in grades 5-8 are invited to participate in the 2018 Veterans Day Essay Contest. Submissions are due on Thursday, Nov 1, at noon. Essays should be no longer than 500 words and answer the question "Who is a veteran, past or present, you admire and why?" The winning student will be presented with a framed certificate and recognized before the City Council. The student will also have the opportunity to read their essay during the annual Veterans Day ceremony in Hoboken. Second and third place winners will receive recognition from the City. To enter, email your essay to jbuonarota@hobokennj.gov or print it in blue or black ink and mail it to: Hoboken City Hall, Office of Mayor Ravinder S. Bhalla, 94 Washington St., 2nd Floor, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Kennedy Dancers announce new schedule The Kennedy Dancers Inc., a non-profit organization based in Jersey City, announced their dance line-up for students ages 2 through senior citizens. Thirty classes are offered for a variety of styles. To see the full schedule, visit kennedydancers.org. Here are some of the new classes added to this season: Open Level Hip Hop for Teens- Adults: Mondays, 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m., Creative Dance for Toddlers 2 to 3 years old (with or without parents): Tuesdays, 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., Lyrical Dance for Ages 6 to teens: Mondays 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays 2 to 2:45 p.m., Belly Dance for teens and adults: Thursdays 6:30 to 7:15 p.m., and Cat Lover's Yoga; Hatha Yoga and Vinyasa Flow class for teens to adults: Tuesdays 7:15 to 8 p.m. Hoboken announces tenant advocate office hours The City of Hoboken is announcing office hours for a tenant advocate for any Hoboken resident seeking advice on housing matters. Andrew Sobel will be available during office hours, by appointment, between 5 and 7:30 p.m. on the following days: Oct 25, Nov 8, Nov 29, and Dec 20. Any Hoboken resident wishing to attend the office hours must call George McCarthy in advance at (201) 338-7411 and provide a description of the issue to be discussed. The office can be found in the basement conference room in City Hall at 94 Washington St. NJCU leads delegation to Budapest More than 150 business leaders, educators, and entrepreneurs gathered in Budapest, Hungary on Oct 16 and 17 to attend Connecting Bridges and Borders, a grass roots civic and academic movement hosted by New Jersey City University and led by David Weiss, founder and director of the Institute for Dispute Resolution (IDR) at New Jersey City University Representatives from New Jersey were joined by participants from Hungary, Japan, United Kingdom, and Croatia. The event included elected officials, representatives from New Jersey's higher education, banking, health care, legal sector, and technology stakeholders. During the two-day conference, topics included building an international business platform for small start-ups, privacy data, and settling disputes using mediation. Panel discussions were hosted at Elte Faculty of Law and IBM, Budapest. The conference also focused on STEM and the closing program included a round table discussion between the American Hungarian Chamber of Commerce, Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ) and Budapest Chamber of Commerce, and the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce. Hoboken receives grant for park improvements Hudson County is awarding Hoboken a $500,000 grant for improvements to the Madison Street Park Playground through the Hudson County Open Space Trust Fund. The improvements to Madison Street Park will ensure that the site continues to meet the needs of the community. The park will continue to service local children and families alike with new playground structures, a new safety surface, spray park features, interactive musical equipment, and seating areas. The improvements to Madison Street Park will accommodate the health, safety, and welfare of the community while giving local children a space to play, learn, and interact. Silvio Laccetti Foundation to be honored The New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission will recognize the Silvio Laccetti Foundation at its Italian Studies Summit Conference in the afternoon of Oct 28 at Rutgers University. The aim of the summit is to improve awareness of various Italian Studies programs among the wide spectrum of Italian American organizations, as well as for the general public. Italian Studies includes language, history, culture and politics. The Silvio Laccetti Foundation will be cited for its Garibaldi Awards which are given to Italian language honor students who have made outstanding contributions to their schools or communities. Laccetti is one of the principal speakers at the event along with Andre DiMino, Communications Director of Italian American One Voice Coalition and Professoressa Patti Grunther of Watchung Regional High School and Director of the Italian immersion summer project at Montclair State University. Keynoter will be Assemblyman Ralph J. Caputo. NJIHC Chairman Robert DiBiasi will greet the attendees. Historical Society pays tribute to Dorothy Harrington On Sept 27, the Bayonne Historical Society honored the late City Council Member Dorothy (Dot) Harrington with its Woman of Achievement Award. The program at City Hall included the Harrington family, current and former City officials, and members of the Historical Society. Mayor Jimmy Davis, who grew up as a neighbor of the Harrington family, said that Council Member Harrington's passions were "her family and the City of Bayonne." He said that Dorothy Harrington, the first woman on the council, "set the standard at a very high level." Former City Council President Joseph L. Makowski discussed how his friendship with Dot Harrington developed after they were elected to the council from opposing tickets in 1986. He described her as "very tough and principled." He also called her "hard-working, curious, diligent, and passionate." Makowski recalled that Harrington became ill in late 2005. They spoke for the last time the night before she died in February 2006. Historical Society board member Robin Gumkowski-Mintzer presented the Woman of Achievement Award to the Harrington family. Historical Society President Lee Fahley announced his organization's donation to the Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation (BEOF), the local community action agency which Harrington supported. A reception followed the event in the City Hall lobby. A North Bergen man who police found passed out behind the wheel of his car has been charged with multiple drug offenses, including possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, Hoboken police said. Daniel Rivera, 42, faces a number of drug possession charges and driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and refusal to submit for breathalyzer, Hoboken Detective Sgt. Joseph Leonard said. Police on patrol came upon a vehicle on the sidewalk with the engine running after it apparently had struck a fire hydrant on Park Avenue near Seventh Street, Leonard said. Rivera was passed out, officers said, and when he came to he showed signs of being intoxicated. The officers could smell raw marijuana inside the car, and when Rivera was removed from the vehicle, both he and the vehicle were searched. Police said they found 11 small bags of suspected cocaine, a container with 20 grams of cocaine, four sandwich baggies with marijuana, two smaller baggies containing marijuana, a digital scale, unused empty plastic baggies, and an open container of alcohol, Leonard said. Rivera was processed and taken to the Hudson County jail. The recovered cocaine has an estimated street value of $1,600 and the marijuana $800. Rivera faces up to 10 years imprisonment for the second-degree charge, up to five years imprisonment for each third-degree charge and up to 18 months imprisonment for each fourth-degree charge if convicted. BAYONNE -- The company designated as Bayonne's new ferry operator would offer 13 round trips between Bayonne and lower Manhattan on weekdays at $13 for a one-way fare, according to the proposal it submitted to the city. While details of ridership have not been officially finalized, a copy of SeaStreak LLC's bid, submitted to the city on Aug. 16, show some details of the company's proposal. The Atlantic Highlands-based company plans to use 149-passenger vessels sailing out of Bayonne to Pier 11 in Manhattan 13 times a day at intervals of roughly 40 to 50 minutes, Monday through Friday. On weekends, four departures will be held out of Bayonne, twice in the morning and twice in the afternoon, according to the proposal. The company proposed fares of $13 for a one-way adult ticket and $25 for a round trip adult ticket. Seniors and military personnel, meanwhile, would be offered $9 one-way and $18 round trips, according to the proposal. A 40-trip monthly commuter book would cost $415.50, the only bulk package deal proposed in the bid. The service would also provide a free complimentary transfer to 35th Street aboard additional vessels, along with free bus shuttle services from Pier 11 to the World Financial Center. "We are confident that we would provide outstanding service," the company, which also offers ferry service in the New York Metropolitan area and in New England, said in its bid. The City Council during its monthly meeting last week unanimously approved SeaStreak as the operator of the proposed ferry terminal on the former Military Ocean Terminal. The city and company are now in negotiations "to effectuate the development and operations" of the commuter ferry. When a final deal is reached, the company would "implement a robust marketing plan to attract users outside the Bayonne area to ensure this project's success." "We believe the target market for the (ferry service)... will be a combination of residents of the housing developments adjacent the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor, car-based travelers, as well as users of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail," according to the proposal. A spokesman for the company did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Once an agreement is reached, the company would begin installing docking infrastructure and shore side equipment, including a ticket office, in the following weeks. In its proposal, the company indicated it does not plan on charging a fee for parking. SeaStreak will start with a vessel capacity of 149 riders, but anticipates that "as the service demand increases... a larger vessel with a capacity of 500 passengers would be made available." The company also proposed to offer seasonal weekend trips from Bayonne to Sandy Hook National Park Beach, West Point, New York, and other destinations in Monmouth County. The company's capital expenditure estimates and other financial statements were redacted from the bid, but SeaStreak did indicate it would try to obtain funding from sources such as the Federal Highway/Department of Transportation, the Maritime Administration, as well as other federal programs for the installation of water and shore side infrastructure and parking areas. City officials have touted the commuter route on the former Military Ocean Terminal as a boon for the city, as new developments sprout up near the location are likely to draw Manhattan-bound commuters. Serious discussions with the Port Authority (which owns much of the MOT) began in February 2017, and it now seems Peninsula City residents may have a waterway route to Manhattan by spring 2019. Corey W. McDonald may be reached at cmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @coreymacc. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. JERSEY CITY -- It was a bloody weekend, with at least half a dozen confirmed shooting victims within a three-day span. The violence began on Thursday, when a man was shot in broad daylight on Bramhall Avenue, between Sackett and Seidler streets. The victim was taken to Jersey City Medical Center and was in stable condition. Then, on Friday, two people were shot in the area of Myrtle Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive, 1010 WINS reported. Jersey City officials confirmed that a shooting incident was under investigation, but declined to say if anyone was shot. Hours later, two more people were shot on Union Street between Ocean Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive. Three teens were later arrested for the incident. City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione did not respond to several requests for clarification, but sources within the police department said that a man was shot near Oxford Avenue and Sackett street sometime on Saturday. And on Sunday, a man was shot near 184 Duncan Ave., sources said. Jersey City Police Chief Michael Kelly in a tweet said six gun and shooting related arrests have been made and Wallace-Scalcione, in a statement sent to The Jersey Journal Monday morning, said that "while we believe some of the incidents from last weekend were linked, they are active investigations and we feel we are moving forward in each." Violence this weekend led to 6 shooting and gun related ARRESTS! #JCPD Detectives will work 24/7 until all arrests are made! Gun violence will continue to be met with all our resources and the hard work of the #JerseyCity Police Department! We will not let our good citizens down! Michael J. Kelly (@JCPDchief) October 22, 2018 "Progress is always fragile," she said, adding that "while last weekend was tough, it is important to also note that shootings are down over 30% in 2018, homicides are down 22%, police manpower has increased with hiring of 200 officers, and community policing is much more visible across all neighborhoods." "We will continue working closely with the community to drive down crime until we reach zero homicides or shootings." Sources within the police department say much of the violence appears to be gang-related, and indicated that police responded to additional shots fired incidents throughout the weekend. Journal staff writer Terrence T. McDonald contributed to this report. Corey W. McDonald may be reached at cmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @coreymacc. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. The massive blaze that erupted in downtown Dover on Monday burned intensely for hours and destroyed five buildings and six businesses due to a natural gas line that fed the inferno. The fire "was being fueled by natural gas. It took a while for the power company to locate that shutoff," Dover Mayor James Dodd said at a news conference Tuesday. A media contact for New Jersey Natural Gas was not immediately available to comment on the mayor's statements. The fire began about 3:29 p.m. in the basement of Barry's Luncheonette on North Warren Street and burned intensely for more than five hours, when it was brought under control about 9 p.m., the mayor said. Fourteen apartments were destroyed, leaving 40 people permanently displaced and 40 others living in nearby units temporarily without homes, Dodd said. One police officer was slightly injured during the fire. No serious injuries were reported. "It could have been much worse," Dodd said. The focus now is on helping the families left homeless, he said. "We have a situation here where we have families now in shelters," Dodd said. "We have business owners who no longer have businesses." Firefighters continued to find hotspots Tuesday, a day after a massive fire ripped through Dover's downtown, destroying multiple buildings, businesses and apartments. (Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media) By noon Tuesday, firefighters and workers continued to sift through smoldering debris. "We continue to have hot spots in the location and in the basements of these buildings," Dodd said. Just spoke with Ana Millacet, co-owner of Barrys Luncheonette, where yesterdays fire that destroyed 5 buildings in Dover N.J. began. She recounted calling for help after an alarm went off and seeing smoke, but no flames, in the basement. pic.twitter.com/tvQ9DO09Wo Rob Jennings (@RobJenningsNJ) October 23, 2018 Firefighters respond to a seven-alarm fire on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, in Dover, N.J. The fast-moving blaze ripped through the business district, destroying multiple businesses and causing the partial collapse of at least four buildings, according to officials. (Danielle Parhizkaran/The Record via AP) Dodd said workers from the town and Morris County were working quickly to clear the area and ensure the public's safety. He would not speculate on the fire's cause. "It's all under investigation as we speak," Dodd said. People watch from the street as firefighters respond to a seven-alarm fire on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018 in Dover, N.J. The fast-moving blaze ripped through the business district, destroying multiple businesses and causing the partial collapse of at least four buildings, according to officials. (Danielle Parhizkaran/The Record via AP) Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. A former U.S. Army employee admitted Monday he accepted bribes and steered kickbacks related to two construction projects at Picatinny Arsenal and Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst. Kevin J. Leondi, 57, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court in Newark to one count apiece of conspiring to defraud the United States by soliciting and accepting bribes and conspiring to steer kickbacks from one conspirator to another. Leondi worked for the U.S. Army Contracting Command New Jersey. The U.S. Attorney's Office for New Jersey announced the conviction in a news release. Leondi, who represented the Army in in renovation projects at the two bases, faces up to five years in federal prison on each count and a fine of up to $500,000 when he is sentenced on January 30, 2019. "Mr. Leondi accepts responsibility for his behavior and regrets his participation in the misconduct at the base," his attorney Thomas Calcagni of Calcagni and Kanefsky said in an emailed statement. "He's been a dedicated government employee for nearly his entire career, and these admittedly wrongful dealings don't eclipse all the decency and generosity that truly define Kevin. Authorities said Leondi took more than $150,000 in bribes from George Grassie, who ran a Pennsylvania construction, excavating and landscaping business that did subcontracting work at the bases. The payoffs began in December 2010 and continued until August 2015. In exchange, Grassie received orders, other "favorable assistance" and wasn't denied future work. Authorities say the bribes paid to Leondi included direct cash payments and disguised transactions - which took the form of Leondi buying vehicles and equipment from the conspirators at cut-rate prices or selling equipment at inflated prices. Leondi also admitted he steered at least $48,000 from Grassie to James Conway, a regional project manager at Picatinny and the Joint Base. The kickbacks rewarded Conway for giving subcontracts and other benefits to Grassie. Conway received cash to pay his mortgage as well as free construction work at his Pennsylvania home. Grassie and Conway previously pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Leondi was indicted in December after being charged in May 2017. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. A reader asked me the other day why I was writing about marijuana legalization in Canada instead of President Trump's tangled relationship with Saudi leader Mohammed bin Salman. Simple. Because it's more fun to go to Canada to write about pot than to write about the Mideast. But now that I'm back in the U.S.A., let me address the Saudi issue. I told you so. For as long as I've been writing about Saudi Arabia, I have had nothing but bad things to say about the place. A month after the 9/11 attacks, I wrote, "If Saudi Arabia had only sand, we would consider it an outlaw state where women are treated as second-class citizens and where a dictatorship forbids free elections. But because it has oil, we have had to pretend its government is legitimate." A search of my past writings reveals 17 years of unrelenting critiques of the Saudis (who are the actual "leading state sponsors of terrorism."). The same can't be said for many of my fellow pundits. The prevailing wisdom among the politicians and the punditocracy has been that, although the Saudis have questionable domestic policies, they are our allies against the Iranians and in the search for an eventual solution of the Israeli-Palestinian issue. I have never subscribed to that theory. I fail to see any reason the Iranians are any more of a threat to our interests than the Saudis. But a preference for the Saudis was the consensus view until Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi got into that "fistfight" at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Anyone who endorsed that view can hardly criticize Trump. I can, however. And so can the state senator who was New Jersey's first prominent supporter of Trump. Warren County Republican Mike Doherty said he was attracted to Trump precisely because of his stated foreign policy of ending intervention in the Mideast. "He was the only Republican candidate for president who was talking common sense in the Mideast," Doherty said. "Western powers haven't been able to sort it out for hundreds of years, so how are we going to sort it out?" We're not, at least not according to the analysis Trump offered back when he was running for office. Back then he shocked a lot of his opponents - most notably former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush - by pointing out that the Bush 43 policy of regime change and nation-building was a disaster. Once in office, however, Trump got suckered into the idea that U.S. has a an important role to play in checking the power of Iran. Nonsense, said Doherty, who is a West Point graduate. "All these idiots who say we have to go after Iran are the same knuckleheads who said we should take out Iraq to bring stability to the area," he said. In fact, our war on Iraq permitted the Iranians to extend their influence there. Meanwhile our effort to topple Syrian dictator Bashar Assad led him to forge a military alliance with Iran. The Saudis were our "allies" in that effort as well. It was a complete disaster, as I predicted from its beginning in 2011. I'm tempted to say Trump's mistake is that he didn't listen to me. But his real mistake was that he didn't listen to himself. "'America first' will be the major and overriding theme of my administration," he said in his major foreign-policy speech in the 2016 campaign. "My foreign policy will always put the interests of the American people and American security above all else." Once in office, however, Trump succumbed to the temptation that he could be the one U.S. president who could finally bring peace to the Mideast. This involved embracing the consensus to the effect that our Saudi friends could help the Israelis fend off the growing power of Iran. Once that's accomplished, we could then work with the Saudis to agree on terms for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal. Or so goes the theory. But the theory never made any sense. A government that can't be trusted to let a critic visit a consulate to pick up some routine papers certainly can't be trusted to broker a deal with a country that occupies what the Saudis maintain is one of their holiest sites. If there's any good news out of this fiasco, it's that it opened the eyes of a lot of Republican neoconservatives and Democratic liberal internationalists about the true nature of the Saudis. I suspect it opened up the eyes of The Donald as well. Now if he would just get back to that "America first" position he espoused during the campaign, maybe he could take on some more important issues. Erasing the conflict between federal and state marijuana laws would be a good start. That's a problem he could actually solve. Rep. Tom MacArthur once had a solid lead over his Democratic challenger, Andy Kim, but it's gone now. This race is a tossup. Why did the momentum shift? Because MacArthur, R-3rd Dist., has established himself as an extremist, the only Republican from New Jersey who worked with President Trump both to repeal Obamacare and to enact a tax bill that, for the first time, sharply limits the deductions for state and local taxes. So as the average homeowner in New Jersey struggles to pay this state's crushing property taxes, MacArthur has added to the burden. That's why everyone else in the delegation voted against it. He keeps claiming that this bill is a gift to the middle class, even though every credible examination shows that is simply not true. MacArthur himself cites a December 2017 study from the Institute of Taxation and Economic Policy, but apparently didn't read it. It shows that about half the money will go to the wealthiest 5 percent in New Jersey, and that middle class and low-income families will get scraps, if that. As a dark bonus, this tax bill is exploding the deficit, as predicted by nearly everyone outside of MacArthur's ideological bubble. And now, Republican leaders say they will make a push after the midterms to cut Social Security and Medicare to help clean up the mess. Again, they want to squeeze the middle-class to subsidize breaks for the wealthy. Here's hoping voters don't give them the chance. MacArthur says the tax plan might have been even worse if he hadn't stayed at the table and supported it. Maybe. But all the other Republicans in the state's delegation saw that MacArthur came away with crumbs, and so opposed this monstrous bill. Were they all wrong? MacArthur's central role in the effort to repeal Obamacare is equally hard to fathom. He started out insisting that every American must have insurance coverage, and he voted against his party in an early procedural vote for that reason. But he flipped, for reasons he's never been able to explain. After the first repeal attempt in the House failed, MacArthur personally negotiated changes with the far-right Freedom Caucus that made the repeal even more harsh. He was one of just two Republicans from New Jersey who joined that effort. It is revealing that MacArthur and his friends rushed the first vote on repeal without waiting for a report on its harsh impact from the Congressional Budget Office. In the end, the CBO found repeal would swell the number of Americans without coverage by 23 million, and that those with cancer, diabetes, or other pre-existing conditions could face enormous cost increases. Thanks, Congressman. MacArthur later attempted damage control by drafting an amendment to protect people with pre-existing conditions. But it's a fake, because while it requires insurers to sell the policies, it leaves them free to charge exorbitant rates. Groups like the American Medical Association, the American Cancer Society and the AARP warn that the amendment leaves vulnerable patients exposed. One final insult: MacArthur's claim to be a champion in the fight against the raging opioid epidemic is a fraud. He is co-chair of a Congressional task force on heroin, but his Obamacare repeal would have gutted Medicaid funding by nearly $800 billion over a decade, the deepest cut in history. Medicaid is the largest source of funding for drug treatment, by far. So as this catastrophe grows worse and worse, MacArthur gives us spin, not substance. Andy Kim, the Democrat running for New Jerseys 3rd Congressional District, chats with The Star-Ledgers Tom Moran during an editorial board meeting in Newark ahead of the Nov. 6 midterm elections. Posted by NJ.com Opinion on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 His Democratic challenger is Andy Kim, a young centrist, a Rhodes Scholar who served in Afghanistan as a civilian advisor to Gen. David Petraeus and on President Obama's National Security Council staff, where he helped in the fight against the Islamic State. Kim promises a clean break from all-things MacArthur. He vows to hold a town hall meeting every month, and not refuse for months or years at a stretch, as MacArthur has done. He wants to preserve Obamacare's sturdy protections for those with pre-existing conditions, and to repeal the tax law provisions that capped deductions for state and local taxes. Unlike MacArthur, he sees climate change as an urgent national security threat that demands we re-enter the Paris accords and restore the regulations Obama signed to reduce carbon emissions. He will take no money from corporate PACs and promises to fight Republican efforts to restrict voting rights. The son of Korean immigrants, Kim grew up in Marlton and has a wife and two sons. His instincts are moderate, and he has refrained from acidic rhetoric even when faced with one attack ad underscoring his Asian roots, and another saying he is "not one of us." At age 36, he would be unusually young for Congress, which means he'd have a chance to build seniority and influence that could strengthen the clout of the state's delegation in Washington. This is an easy call. MacArthur is no friend of New Jersey. He has eagerly made himself into a loyal servant of President Trump, even when that costs the state dearly. Andy Kim has great promise, and our full-hearted endorsement. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. With just two weeks to go before New Jerseyans cast their ballots, state lawmakers and technical school leaders are trying to raise the profile of a voter referendum authorizing $500 million in state borrowing for improvements to public schools, vocational schools, and community colleges. Officials stressed at a news conference Monday at the Statehouse in Trenton that vocational and county colleges need the money to increase their enrollment capacity, while k-12 public schools will receive funds to improve security and water systems. The New Jersey Constitution requires that new state borrowing be approved by a majority of voters. The state Legislature initially approved a $1 billion bond question that was cut in half by Gov. Phil Murphy, who warned against adding to New Jersey's already high debt burden. At $1 billion, the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services projected the new debt would add $57.5 million to $72.3 million in new borrowing costs every year through 2048, for a total of $1.7 billion to $2.2 billion. The bulk of the Securing Our Children's Future bond revenue would help expand vocational-technical schools and county community colleges. Officials said there were 2.3 applicants for every spot at vocational schools across the state, leaving 17,000 students without access in 2017. "They're expensive facilities," said Judy Savage, executive director of the New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools. "It costs a lot to outfit an auto technology shop or a manufacturing lab." Vocational school and labor leaders said Monday that the technical skills gap that exists between New Jersey's workforce and industry needs is holding back the state's economy, while limited admissions are depriving students of training for careers in welding, clean energy, construction and logistics. "There's a lot of jobs that are going unfilled because people aren't trained to do them," said state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester. "I can tell you as an Ironworker Union ironworker, it's OK to be a union ironworker, welder, plumber, electrician, carpenter. They make pretty good careers. They make pretty good livelihoods." Of the $500 million, $350 million would fund county vocational technical school expansions and enhanced k-12 school security. Another $100 million would upgrade water infrastructure to remove lead. And $50 million is earmarked for community colleges. Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. A man robbed Faubourg Fresh Market at gunpoint late Tuesday morning (Oct. 23), according to New Orleans police. Nicholas Guerra, the stores owner, was cleaning up a produce stand within the store at 541 Bermuda Street when a man covered head-to-toe entered the store toting a gun shortly after 11 a.m. The robber demanded money from the cashier. Guerra and his employees complied, handing over a total of $300 in total. No one was injured in the robbery, according to Guerra. Guerra said police use scanning the area for video evidence and had pinpointed a dark four-door sedan that circled the store a few times before the robbery occurred. Nearby community members responded to Guerras Facebook post about the robbery with promises to search their own footage for possible license plate numbers. NOPD described the suspect as man in a hooded sweatshirt, black gloves, black pants, sunglasses and white cloth on his face, but provided no further details. Guerra and his mother, Kelly Guerra, opened the store in March in place of the former Algiers Point Grocery with a focus on selling produce, cheese and other products from local vendors. The store will reopen tomorrow as usual. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact NOPD Fourth District detectives at 504-658-6040 or call anonymously to Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-STOP. Mother-son team plans grocery store for Algiers Point A woman who previously described New Orleans beloved radio station WWOZ as a hostile workplace filed a federal lawsuit Friday (Oct. 19), accusing station managers of gender, disability and racial discrimination and retaliation. Tabitha Pearl Ricks, the stations former outreach coordinator, seeks unspecified damages in the lawsuit. The suit, filed in federal court in New Orleans, names as defendants the nonprofit that manages the station, Friends of WWOZ Inc., general manager Beth Utterback and chief financial officer Beau Royster, who is also listed as human resources personnel in the WWOZ handbook. In a written statement on behalf of WWOZ, attorney Ben Chapman called the lawsuit spurious and without merit, and the accusation against WWOZs management border on libel and slander. WWOZ maintains a zero tolerance policy regarding discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, the statement reads. WWOZ provides annual harassment prevention training to all staff, and additionally utilizes a grievance procedure to address individual employee concerns in accordance with generally accepted best practices. The stations statement also said Ricks filed her lawsuit after having failed to coerce a financial settlement from WWOZ. Ricks attorney, Caroline Hope Miller, did not respond to that specific assertion, instead writing in an email that we are not surprised by the continued denial of responsibility for their actions against Ms. Ricks. Ricks lawsuit says her direct supervisor at the station, Marcel McGee, referred to her as black woman despite requests to use her name instead, and made other comments about her physical appearance, including requests that she wear heels and dresses. In the lawsuit, Ricks also claims McGee said African-American women who date non-African-Americans are sell outs. The suit also says McGee made comments about Ricks natural hair, including that women who wear theirs in that way have more attitude. Both Ricks and McGee are African-American. In another allegation in the lawsuit, Ricks says McGee failed to chastise an employee for making sexually explicit comments and instead reprimanded Ricks when she asked that the employee face discipline. When Ricks complained about McGees alleged behavior, she was dissuaded by Royster from putting pressure on management to do anything, according to her lawsuit, which says Royster suggested an unfavorable outcome was likely for Ricks. Still, Ricks pursued her complaints, the lawsuit says. After Utterback questioned other staffers, she suggested Ricks continue to do her job or find another one, the lawsuit says. Ricks then met with the WWOZ Board of Directors to detail her complaints, the lawsuit alleges, but the board refused to investigate Ricks complaints. Ricks has been diagnosed with bipolar and post-traumatic stress disorder, and she says in the lawsuit that her experience at WWOZ heightened her anxiety, and that managers refused to accommodate her request to work from the stations second office as a means of managing her symptoms. Ricks experience at WWOZ was so onerous, abusive, and intolerable for (her) that no black, African American individual in (her) shoes would have been expected to continue working under such conditions, and she resigned, the lawsuit says, because Ricks felt extremely humiliated, degraded, victimized, embarrassed and emotionally distressed. 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 As alleged in our complaint, we firmly believe Ms. Ricks has suffered enough and we applaud her willingness to speak out and will continue to stand beside her as we move forward, said Miller, Ricks' attorney . In a previous interview with Ricks, who filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, she said she felt like I was kind of nothing, just a black woman who was on the staff in her time at WWOZ. WWOZ a hostile workplace for black women, current and former employees claim The EEOC is charged with enforcing civil rights laws in the workplace. A copy of a letter from the EEOC, obtained by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, regarding Ricks complaint noted the agency was unable to conclude that the information obtained establishes violations of the statues. That finding does not certify that (WWOZ) is in compliance with the statutes, the EEOC letter says. Joseph Olivares, public affairs specialist in the EEOCs Office of Communication and Legislative Affairs, who spoke generally about how complaints are resolved, said an outcome of that type indicates investigators could not make a determination. We cant say it happened, Olivares said referring to an employees allegation. But at the same time, it doesnt mean theyre compliant, he said of employers. Ricks lawsuit comes as one other former WWOZ employee said she filed an EEOC complaint against the station in recent weeks, citing racial discrimination and retaliation. That former employee, who asked not be named, provided documentation of her complaint to NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Through Chapman, a statement from the station said WWOZ adamantly denies (the former employees) ridiculous allegations; is actively assisting the EEOC with its investigation; and anticipates another positive outcome. Note: This story has been updated with additional comment from Ricks' lawyer. A man arrived at the hospital Tuesday (Oct. 23) with a gunshot wound to the heel, according to New Orleans police. The man was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle, according to an initial report. The location and timing of the shooting has yet to be determined. The man later told detectives that he was riding his bike on Sunday (Oct. 21) in the area of Elysian Fields and North Galvez Streets when he heard gunshots fired and noticed he was shot in the foot, according to an afternoon NOPD announcement. A Terrytown man is accused of driving his BMW onto the airfield at New Orleans Lakefront Airport, causing a private plane to sharply divert course and ultimately injuring a New Orleans police officer, according to court documents. Just before 6 p.m., Jordan Daigle, 23, crashed his silver BMW into the access gate at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport and entered the airfield. When officers arrived, they witnessed Daigle speeding through the tarmac area and runways. Despite the officers activating their sirens and ordering Daigle to stop, he continued driving and caused a private aircraft to divert course last minute during its landing, records show. Daigle finally stopped the car and officers attempted to surround him. However, he restarted the BMW and began driving toward one of the officers. Two other officers shot at the cars tires in an attempt to disable the car before it struck their fellow officer. Daigle then stopped the car. While being removed from his seat, Daigle kicked an officer, injuring his right arm and hand, NOPD said. Daigle was arrested at the scene and booked into Orleans Justice Center at 10:30 a.m. the following day on charges of aggravated flight from an officer, battery of a police officer, simple criminal damage to property, aggravated obstruction of a highway of commerce and aggravated assault with a vehicle upon a peace officer. He appeared in magistrate court Sunday afternoon (Oct. 21) where a judge set his bond at $91,500. Daigle does not appear to have a criminal history in New Orleans, but has a 2012 cocaine conviction in Jefferson Parish. Five months after he was convicted in a drunken driving wreck that killed second-grade charter school teacher George Paitich, Matthew Magrini told Paitichs family at his sentencing hearing Monday (Oct. 22) he was sorry. I cant imagine how you must feel about me, Magrini told the nearly two dozen people who appeared in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court to support Paitich. I pray one day you can forgive me. I am truly sorry for the pain and grief this accident caused. Magrini, 36, was convicted in May of vehicular homicide after a three-day jury trial. Criminal District Judge Tracey Flemings-Davillier sentenced him Monday to 25 years in prison. Because his blood-alcohol concentration was more than .2 percent, Flemings-Davillier said the first five years of his sentence must be served without the benefit of probation, parole or a suspended sentence. Prosecutors said Magrini was driving his 2013 Harley Davidson Fat Boy at nearly 60 mph on Washington Avenue the night of March 12, 2016. He struck a curb at Broadway Street near Xavier University and the motorcycle careened into a light pole, tossing both Magrini and Paitich, his passenger, into a nearby canal. Paitich, 28, was pronounced dead on arrival at University Medical Center. Magrini was taken to the hospital in critical condition. He had a blood-alcohol level of .232 following the crash, well over the legal limit of .08. Paitich, a St. Paul, Minn. native, was a second-grade teacher at Arthur Ashe Charter School in Gentilly. He came to New Orleans to challenge himself and to further develop his teaching career, his mom, Bridget, said. He planned to eventually return to St. Paul and be a teacher in his hometown. Kirby Weyandt, Paitichs friend for more than 25 years, said Patitch was passionate about education and was an advocate for his students. Bridget Paitich, said her family was so proud of George, the oldest of three boys. More than 1,000 people attended his wake and funeral in Minnesota, she said, and hearing strangers talk fondly of how her son impacted their lives has helped get her through the past two years and seven months. We never asked for anything but for the truth to be told, she told Magrini. We cannot forgive you for making this terrible ordeal worse than it already was. Weyandt also criticized Magrini for not being truthful about what happened that night, saying he hasnt been able to heal and move on because there still are so many unanswered questions. We havent gotten an honest and remorseful explanation of what happened, Weyandt said. All weve gotten are bold-faced lies and no remorse, or even an ounce of accountability. Magrinis apology came after Paitichs family and friends spoke on his behalf. David Zibro, who witnessed the crash and tried to render aid to both Paitich and Magrini before EMS arrived, told Magrini Paitich was the complete opposite of you. 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 Defense attorney Stavros Panagoulopoulos objected to Zibro being allowed to speak since he didnt know Paitich. Assistant District Attonrey Darius Greene said Zibro has become close with the Paitich family since Georges death. Panagoulopoulos tried to cross-examine Zibro after he made his statement, but Flemings-Davillier did not allow him to do so. Relatives devastated by death of New Orleans teacher Magrinis mom, Stephanie, told the Paitich family she understood the hurt, anger, grief and pain they feel over the Georges death. Stephanie Magrini said her sister died in a horrible accident, and it changed her family forever. Matthew Magrini always has treated everyone hes met as a friend, his mom said. Hes made choices in his life neither she nor her late husband approved of, she said, but he has an open heart and is a kind person. He would go out of his way to help you, whether he knew your or not, Magrini said, noting Matthew Magrini had only one helmet the night of the wreck and gave it to Paitich to wear. If I could, I truly mean I would give my life so that your son could live again, she said. Flemings-Davillier addressed both Magrinis and Paitichs mothers before handing down her sentence. The judge said she appreciated Stephanie Magrinis understanding for Paitichs family. She also said she understood why, as a mother, Magrini asked the court to show leniency in sentencing. These are the hardest of cases because I know I cant do ultimately what I would love to do . . . bring your son back, Flemings-Davillier told the Paitich family. You have my sincerest condolences. Magrini ultimately could face more time, as Assistant District Attorneys Greene and Nicholas Bergeron said they intend to file paperwork charging Magrini as a multiple offender at a hearing in December. Magrini has a 2010 DUI conviction from Utah, and two cocaine possession convictions from 2013. He could face up to 60 years under Louisianas multiple bill statute. The man convicted in a fatal double shooting in St. Roch last year that left 25-year-old Ferniqua Muffin Johnson dead was sentenced Tuesday (Oct. 23) to life in prison plus 90 years for the shootings and for interfering with NOPDs investigation into the crime after it happened. Criminal District Judge Camille Buras told Tyrone Duckett this was a particularly heinous and atrocious crime. A jury unanimously convicted Duckett, 38, of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and obstruction of justice after a two-day trial in September. He was charged with firing shots in the 1600 block of Spain Street on May 1, 2017, injuring Damion Blanton and killing Johnson. Blanton and Raekeda Wright, Ducketts girlfriend at the time, said the shooting stemmed from a dice game Duckett and Blanton were playing earlier in the day. Wright, who was Ducketts getaway driver, testified Duckett was upset he was down $800, and Blanton said he got a bad vibe from Duckett, who asked for some money back so he could continue to play. Wright was sentenced to 16 years in prison last month after pleading guilty to manslaughter for her role in the shooting. Duckett later was accused of telling police another man was the gunman. The man Duckett accused was in jail at the time of the shooting. Johnsons mother, Catrice, told Duckett Tuesday, you changed me and my familys life tremendously in the worst way. She spoke to Duckett from the witness stand, wearing a colorful pin with her daughters picture on her chest. Ive forgiven you because I cant move forward without that, she said. I just want to know why. I want to know why you did this. Assistant District Attorneys Michael Trummel and Mark Lopez showed jurors video of the shooting, which showed Duckett chase Johnson, stand over her and attempt to fire more shots. His gun jammed and Johnson ran to a friends house nearby and called 911. 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 victims mother asked why and what for, and she may never know that, Buras said. What answer could be given that would ever equate to a logical reason for taking someones life like that?" Buras added Johnson had nothing to do with anything that was going on in your world that day but paid the ultimate price." 'Most of all, she was loved:' Woman slain in St. Roch mourned at vigil Buras had no discretion in Ducketts sentence for second-degree murder, as state law says that crime is punishable by life without parole. She sentenced him to the maximum 50 years for attempted second-degree murder and 40 years for obstruction of justice. Buras ran the sentences consecutive, rather than ordering they run at the same time. Catrice Johnson said she was overjoyed with the judges sentence. I got justice for my child, she said. He got what he deserved. District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro said Buras sentence reflects the unacceptable nature of this crime and this violent offenders lack of remorse for ending Ms. Johnsons life at age 25. "As New Orleans continues to be plagued by gun violence, and some express more concern for the criminals than the victims, it is heartening to know some judges take seriously the impact such offenders are having on our community, he said. Ducketts defense attorney, Judson Mitchell, filed a motion to withdraw from the case and asked Buras to appoint the Louisiana Appellate Project to handle Ducketts appeal. A man was shot Tuesday morning (Oct. 23) outside the American Can apartment building in Mid-City, New Orleans police and witnesses say. His condition was not immediately available. According to preliminary information from NOPD, the shooting was reported at 1:12 a.m. in the 3700 block of Orleans Avenue (map). Officers early Tuesday morning were investigating an area within the enclosed portion of the parking lot near the back gate. Evidence cones could be seen in the lot in a taped-off area. Police said the man, 40, was shot twice and was taken by EMS to a hospital for treatment. According to a preliminary NOPD report, the shooter wore a silver mask and dark-colored hood. The report states the 40-year-old man was standing on a porch when the masked man, motioned for the victim to come to him." As the 40-year-old man approached the masked man, they began to fight," police said, before the masked man shot him. The masked man fled on foot toward Toulouse Street, NOPD 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 No other details were immediately available. Authorities ask anyone with information about this crime to contact NOPDs 1st District at 504-658-6010 or Crimestoppers at 504.822.1111. Photographer Glenn Walker contributed to this story. Note: This story was updated with additional information from a preliminary NOPD report. Carlie Kollath Wells is a morning reporter at NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Have an early-bird tip? Send it to her: cwells@nola.com or Twitter @carlie_kollath. A Metairie man joined seven other Louisiana defendants Monday (Oct. 22) by pleading guilty in federal court to a conspiracy to distribute oxycodone throughout the New Orleans area. Jesse Wildenfelt, 39, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to acquire and obtain possession of oxycodone by fraud and to possess oxycodone with the intent to distribute. Seven other defendants Luis R. Cabrera Jr., 38, of Norco, Louisiana; Vicki J. Skeldon, 44, of Metairie; Stephanie N. Free, 28, of Gretna, Louisiana; Jarrod A. Doubleday, 47, of Livingston, Louisiana; John A. Doubleday, 52, of Place, Louisiana; Whitney J. Swan III, 48, of Saint Rose, Louisiana; and Cynthia B. Foret, 41, also of Norco pleaded guilty to the same charges Wednesday. Doubleday and Foret also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obtain possession of oxycodone by fraud. Wildenfelts involvement in the scheme began when he was introduced to Danielle Lesslie, who was known for creating fictitious prescriptions for oxycodone using a template stolen from an area physician. Wildenfelt provided Lesslie with his personal information in order to obtain a template in his name. He then filled a prescription in his name at a nearby pharmacy, keeping half of the pills and delivering half to Lesslie, court records show. He also created a fictitious prescription for another person, who was not aware Wildenfelt had his or her information. Wildenfelt would sell the oxycodone pills acquired through the fictitious prescriptions on the black market, the records explain. From Feb. 2017 to April 2017, Wildenfelt filled at least eight faulty prescriptions in eastern Louisiana. The other seven defendants also looked to Lesslie to create fictitious prescriptions, which they then filled and sold on the black market. Altogether, the conspiracy resulted in the diversion of approximately 10,000 oxycodone pills on the black market in or near New Orleans. The eight individuals involved in this scheme heartlessly contributed to the opioid epidemic plaguing our society today, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Azzam. This malicious conduct puts lives at risk and wont be tolerated. DEA, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively pursue those who seek to perpetuate and profit from the opioid crisis in this country and bring them to justice. A Talisheek man described by authorities as a militia leader and major methamphetamine dealer on the North Shore pleaded guilty to federal drug and firearm violations on Tuesday (Oct. 23). James Moore Jr., 49, pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing meth, one count of possession with intent to distribute meth, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. In exchange, the government will ask the court to dismiss a second count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Moore faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine on each of the three drug counts. On the gun charge, he faces a sentence of five years to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, with that sentence to run consecutive to the other sentences. U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance ordered a pre-sentence investigation and scheduled a sentencing hearing for Feb. 20. James Moore Jr. was described as a major meth dealer on the North Shore. Moore, who has been in custody since his arrest in 2016, wore prison-orange shirt, pants and slippers and was shackled at the wrists and ankles during his appearance at the federal courthouse in New Orleans. He responded to most of Vances questions with No, maam and Yes, maam answers. At one point, Vance asked Moore if he were guilty of the crimes spelled out in the plea agreement with the government. He responded, I feel its in my best interest to . . . Im asking if you are guilty . . ., the judge 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 Yes, maam, Moore replied. Before the proceedings began, Moore mouthed a few words and blew a kiss to three women seated in the back of the courtroom. Moore was represented by attorney Daniel Claitor of Baton Rouge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Kennedy represented the government. Moore, who had pleaded not guilty at his initial arraignment, caught the attention of the FBI during a domestic terrorism investigation, the agency has said. A tipster told agents in January 2016 that Moore sold large quantities of crystal methamphetamine and had designed his house to be a bunker with ports for weapons to be fired from cover, an FBI agents sworn affidavit said. The document said Moore claimed to have explosive devices. According to court documents, Moore sold meth to FBI agents and St. Tammany Parish sheriffs deputies working undercover. On March 22, 2016, undercover officers contacted Moore by phone to set up another drug buy. During the call, Moore told them, You are talking to a professional dope dealer, the court record said. The FBI has said Moore was a ranking member of a group called the Louisiana Tactical Militia. He told agents that he had caches of weapons buried on his property and enough supplies to feed up to 80 people for six months, the affidavit said. The court record said agents found about 20 weapons and about $131,000 in cash in a lock box on the property. Two charter schools located in Algiers are set to close next June after failing to meet the standards required for charter renewal. The Algiers Charter Schools Association announced it will close William J. Fischer Accelerated Academy and McDonogh No. 32 Literacy Charter School in 2019. In addition, McDonogh No. 32 students will relocate to the Fischer campus on Wednesday (Oct. 24) when the Algiers Charter network returns from fall break. School leaders decided to house both schools in the campus at 1801 L.B. Landry Avenue for the remainder of the school year because of low enrollment at both schools. In an Oct. 5 letter to parents, Algiers Charter Interim CEO Stuart Gay said the changes are part of an effort to stabilize our classrooms through the 2018-2019 school year and to ensure the best academic year possible for our students. Though the two schools will be under the same roof, students will keep their respective uniforms and the schools will operate individually, each with their own principals, according to relocation details provided by the charter network on its website. McDonogh No. 32 Pre-K, kindergarten and 1st grade classrooms will be located on the first floor of the Fischer building. All other McDonogh classrooms will be located on the second floor. Additionally, all McDonogh No. 32 students who are currently in 8th grade will receive a McDonogh diploma. Students grades K-7 from McDonogh No. 32 and Fischer will receive closing school priority in OneApp, the citys centralized enrollment system, for next school year. That means Fischer and McDonogh No. 32 students will be first in line when schools start filling seats for the 2019-20 school year, even ahead of other priority students like those with siblings already enrolled or who live close to a school. That priority is only given to students exiting closing schools. Alternative school Crescent Leadership Academy set to close Oct. 31 Tammi Griffin-Major, Algiers Charters chief of staff, declined to comment Tuesday morning on the changes and planned closures. Financial audits from the Louisiana Legislative Auditors office show Algiers Charter Schools Association had $45.3 million in revenue last year. Its expenses were more than $44.9 million. The network currently operates four schools Fischer, McDonogh No. 32, Martin Behrman Charter School and L.B Landry-O.P. Walker College and Career Preparatory High School. 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 charter network first discussed moving Fischer and McDonogh into a single at an Aug. 23 board meeting. Agenda minutes show Algiers Charter board member Lauren King made a motion to begin conversation about the combination of McFish and request priority enrollment of students. The motion passed without opposition, according to meeting records. The boards next meeting is Wednesday. Charter schools are privately operated using public funds under contracts, or charters, signed with school boards. After Algiers Charter was incorporated in 2005, the Orleans Parish School Board gave it six charters to operate Landry-Walker, Behrman, Fischer, Alice M. Harte Elementary, Edna Karr Secondary School, and Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary. The network has since lost its charters for Eisenhower, Harte, and Karr, all of which are now managed by InspireNOLA Charter Schools. In 2005, the network was also given Harriet Tubman Elementary, which it lost in 2011 for nonperformance. It is now run by Crescent City Schools, which took the school from an F to a C in two years and from 175 students to nearly 1,000 this year. Algiers Charter later obtained charters to operate McDonogh No. 32 and Algiers Technology Academy. Algiers Technology Academy closed in 2017 after struggling with low enrollment and dwindling funds. Before it closed, Algiers Tech had a deficit of $972,234 in its general fund, the result of under-enrollment and the financial decisions of prior management," according to a June 2017 audit. Since December 2015, state-authorized charter schools had to obtain a C grade or higher in the states assessment system in order to have their charter renewed. Both McDonogh No. 32 and Fischer have received F grades based on their school performance scores since 2016. Fischer also had an "F" grade in 2015. Last year, Behrman Charter was a "C" grade school and Landry-Walker a "D" grade school. More than 90 percent of public school students in New Orleans attend schools managed by a charter network. More than 40 nongovernmental nonprofits operate public schools in the city. Charters in New Orleans are authorized by the Orleans Parish School Board, which oversees 78 public schools, including 75 charter schools and two schools that it operates directly. The following graphs show revenue and expenses for Algiers Charter Schools Association over the past decade based on information provided in state audits. 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. According to several British newspapers, Connie Simpson, better known as Nanny Connie, will help Meghan Markle and Prince Harry take care of their first baby, due next spring. She was referred to the couple by her clients George and Amal Clooney, parents of twins who attended their royal wedding in May. The Clooneys are among the celebrity clients who have hired Nanny Connie over the years, including Emily Blunt and John Krasinski, and Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel. Connie Simpson grew up in Mobile and worked in several different jobs before she found her calling as a nanny. She started working for well-to-do families in Mobile and Baldwin counties and was passed from one sorority sister to the next, she said in an April interview with AL.com. Though she wouldn't confirm to the Daily Mail whether she had been hired, on Sunday she did tell the publication what advice she would give Meghan, a 37-year-old former actress from Los Angeles. Connie's comments are typical of the common-sense parenting advice for which she is known. "I'll tell Meghan that in all the things you can give a person, the most important thing you can give them is yourself and your love," she said. "The baby is going to have no earthly idea that she's Meghan Markle or that she's Prince Harry's wife and in line to the throne. They will just know her for being the one to supply that milk to her and give her that comfort. "I would say as much as she can to just enjoy the moment of being a mother, the transformations of her body and the different stages of that baby's life. I'd also advise her to not be overwhelmed by people's advice." Earlier this year, Nanny Connie released her first book, "The Nanny Connie Way: Secrets to Mastering the First Four Months of Parenthood." She said she wrote the book after being told by her clients over the past 20 years that they wished she could bottle her magic way with babies. A severe viral outbreak has claimed the lives of six children at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Haskell, state health officials confirmed Tuesday, leading to an immediate order to shut down the facility to new patients. The Department of Health reported 18 cases of adenovirus among pediatric residents at the long-term care center in northern New Jersey, which officials said included "very ill children," some of whom were on ventilators and had trachea tubes. "This is an ongoing outbreak investigation," said department spokeswoman Nicole Kirgan in a statement. "A department team is at the facility today and an inspection team was also there Sunday. The team on Sunday found minor handwashing deficiencies and the Health Department is continuing to work closely with the facility on infection control issues." She said the facility will remain closed to new patients until "the outbreak ends and they are in full compliance." The department would not say specifically when the children died, only that the deaths occurred this month. In its most recent health inspection report, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services gave the facility a "below average" rating. The 2017 report said the facility "failed to ensure infection control practices were followed." In one case, a nurse took a small tray with medications into a resident's room and placed it on an over-bed table that had not been disinfected with a germicide wipe. "After the medication was given to the resident, the tray was removed from the table and it was placed on top of the medication cart to use for another resident," the report said, although it concluded the level of harm was "minimal." Overall, though, the facility -- based on staffing levels and quality of resident care -- was given an above-average rating and has not been fined by federal regulators for any deficiencies in the past three years, records show. It is unclear exactly when the virus broke out. The Department of Health said it was notified of respiratory illness at the facility on Oct. 9. A letter dated Oct. 18 was sent to parents of patients alerting them to the outbreak. But officials earlier this week initially would not say whether any children had died, or the extent of the virus outbreak. N.J. virus outbreak was kept under wraps for more than a week, angry mom says While adenovirus is a typically mild illness that mimics flu- and cold-like symptoms, it can pose serious complications to some people, particularly those with weakened immune systems, officials said. "Unfortunately, the particular strain of adenovirus (#7) in this outbreak is affecting medically fragile children with severely compromised immune systems," said Kirgan. "The strain has been particularly associated with disease in communal living arrangements and can be more severe." Rowena Bautista, administrator for the Wanaque Center, said that the facility "promptly notified all appropriate government agencies when the virus was initially identified." In a statement, she added that the facility staff "have diligently implemented all available infection control and prevention measures in order to protect the health and safety of the Wanaque Center's residents." The Wanaque Center is a 227-bed, for-profit facility that, according to its website, works with "with medically fragile children." It also serves as an adult nursing home and rehabilitation center for short- and long-term care. Gov. Phil Murphy, in a statement, said he had been briefed by Health Commissioner Shereef Elnahal on the measures being taken by the state to contain the spread of the virus. "I am heartbroken by the news that several children have lost their lives in an adenovirus outbreak at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, and pray for the full recovery of the other children impacted," said the governor, who is in Israel. Murphy said the state will continue its active on-site surveillance in Wanaque. "I am confident that the steps being taken by state and local officials will minimize the impact to all those who remain at the facility, including patients and employees," he said. Meanwhile, state Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, who chairs the Senate Health Committee, said there needs to be a "very thorough investigation" of what happened and how it happened. "It's just awful," he said. "My major question is how long did they wait until the department was notified. I don't know what they did to mitigate the problem." He added there could be legislative hearings. "This could be a red flag and warning for other facilities," he said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adenoviruses are typically spread from an infected person to others through close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands,coughing and sneezing, and touching an object or surface with adenoviruses on it. Health experts say it is uncommon for people to die from adenovirus. "Adenovirus may cause more fever and more bronchitis like or wheezing than a rhinovirus cold, for instance, but most people do fine," said Dr. David Cennimo, an assistant professor of medicine-pediatrics infectious disease at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. "In rare cases, this is fatal." Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook. Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter. Find NJ.com on Facebook. This is a first in a three-part series examining how Louisianas secretary of state candidates feel about laws that make it harder to vote, which have become popular in many conservative states. You can read the second article in the series here. Over the last few years, new restrictions on voting have become popular across the country. Since 2010, 24 states have enacted limitations on voting. Thirteen have put tougher voter ID requirements in place. Eleven states have made it harder to register to vote. Seven have cut back on early voting opportunities, and three states have made it more difficult for people with criminal convictions to get their voting rights restored, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. When it comes to voting laws, Louisiana has been the exception not the rule in its approach among conservative states. While all other states in the Deep South have made it harder to vote, Louisiana loosened its voting restrictions this year. More ex-felons will be able to have their voting rights restored when a new state law takes effect March 1, 2019. At least some of the reason Louisiana hasnt joined the race to tighten voter laws was because of former Secretary of State Tom Schedler, the states elections chief who stepped down last spring after one of his employees filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him. As new voter restrictions crash and burn, Louisiana above the fray Schedler, a Republican, pushed for more voters to register online and made mail-in ballots more available. He didnt approach the Louisiana Legislature about passing a slew of new voting restrictions. But Schedler is no longer in charge, and the six major candidates who are vying to take his place in the Nov. 6 election dont necessarily have the same approach to his office. How Louisiana compares to other states on voting restrictions Louisiana, Kentucky, Maryland and Delaware are the only states in the South that have not enacted new voting restrictions in the past eight years, according to the Brennan Center. All Three of Louisianas neighbors Texas, Mississippi and Arkansas -- will have stricter voter identification laws in place this fall than they did in the 2016 presidential election. In fact, a recent ranking of states based on the time and effort it takes to vote found Louisianas voting process is far easier than most of its neighbors. The Northern Illinois University study based on 35 different factors, such as voter registration ease and early voting access found Louisiana ranked 20th among states in easy voting. It scored the highest, by a large margin, of any state in the Deep South. Texas (46th), Arkansas (34th), and Alabama (39th) were all at or near the bottom of the rankings by the professors. Mississippi where no early voting exists was dead last. 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 Louisianas inaction on voting restrictions is somewhat remarkable considering it was one of nine states that needed special clearance from the federal government to make voting changes for decades because of a history of using racist voter suppression tactics. Under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Louisiana and eight other states were required to get approval from the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal judge for changes to their voting laws. The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, struck down that requirement in 2013. Is voter fraud a problem in Louisiana? Candidates weigh in Proponents of tougher voting laws say the limitations are needed to combat voter fraud, though there arent examples of widespread voter fraud in a recent American election. Opponents of voter restrictions say the concerns over fraud are a red herring and that most voting restrictions are put in place by Republicans to suppress voter turnout of groups that typically vote for Democrats such as African Americans, documented immigrants and people who are poor. In the secretary of states race, state Rep. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, and former state Sen. A.G. Crowe, R-Slidell, were the most adamant in interviews that voter fraud is a problem in Louisiana. We know that historically Louisiana has already had a significant amount of voter fraud, said Edmonds, adding: I mean I dont think its rampant across all 64 parishes. Edmonds and Crowe did not provide examples of where voter fraud had happened on a large scale or affected the outcome of an election in Louisiana. But both said the criminal penalties for voter fraud should be increased. Crowe said voter fraud charges should be considered a felony, not a misdemeanor. State Rep. Julie Stokes, R-Kenner, said she would like to do an audit of Louisianas voting to make certain there is no fraud, but that she wasnt aware of a big problem in that arena. Voting rights conflicts in Georgia and other states could make a difference in the Nov. 6 election Kyle Ardoin, the current secretary of state who took over when Schedler resigned, said voter fraud happens in isolated cases, but that it isnt a significant problem. I certainly dont think it is widespread, said Ardoin, a Republican who worked as first assistant secretary of state for Schedler for eight years. Both Ardoin and Renee Fontenot Free, the only major Democratic candidate in the race, said they would be interested in tweaking the way prosecution of voter fraud works. Currently, the district attorney in the parish where the alleged voter fraud occurred decides whether to pursue charges. Ardoin said he would like to be able to bring those charges to the Office of the Attorney General as well. Free said having another avenue to prosecute would be helpful, though didnt mention the attorney general specifically. Like Ardoin, Free also worked as the first assistant secretary of state under former Secretaries of State Fox McKeithen and Al Alter. While in that job, she said she helped set up the offices elections compliance unit, which investigates matters of voter fraud. Published Wednesday: The candidates opinions on voter identification requirements and the voter registration process. See that story here. Coming Thursday: Their views on voter roll purges, and on changes to early voting and absentee ballots. Louisiana patients might have to wait until January until medical marijuana products hit the shelves of dispensaries across the state, according to the latest timetable provided by GB Sciences Louisiana, one of two licensed growers in the state. Company officials met with Commissioner Mike Strain with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry on Monday (Oct. 22) to talk in part about the requirements to get the first crop of medical marijuana tested before it is formulated into the liquid tincture form of the medicine that will be sold at the nine licensed dispensaries around the state. The agency that operates as a regulatory body for Louisianas medical marijuana program confirmed that it will likely take them up to six weeks to get test results back to GB Sciences. Veronica Mosgrove, a spokesperson for the LDAF, said in an email that the agency will be testing for pesticides, contaminants, and heavy metals. When they approve it, we go into the formulation phase, where we make the tincture. Then they have to test our formulation, said John Davis, the president of GB Sciences Louisiana. I wouldnt anticipate products being available until January. Davis said the company will begin extracting the compounds from their first harvest on Wednesday (Oct. 24) and it will likely take about a week before it can be sent to the LDAF for testing. Medical marijuana plants are ready for harvest, but lack of a testing lab could lead to delays 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 Meanwhile the LDAF will hear back on Oct. 25 the response from a Request for Proposals released a month ago to identify an in-state independent testing facility that will be able to check the quality of the product produced at the facility in Baton Rouge that the LSU Ag Center built to grow and research medical marijuana. An independent testing site has been part of the LDAFs rule since they took over as regulator of the medical marijuana program in 2016. Mosgrove explained that the agency tried to identify a lab that met their criteria in state to conduct all of the testing in one lab. Concerned that this could create a delay the LDAF invested approximately $800,000 in setting up their own testing facility, she said. After many searches, the commissioner did not want to hold up the testing of the product, so he decided to expand our lab capabilities, Mosgrove said. AgChem, LDAFs lab, had most of the equipment because they are already testing pesticides, feed, fertilizer, water, soil, etc. She explained that they are continuing with the RFP despite having expanding testing capabilities to identify any labs interested in helping with the anticipated heavy load due to the increase in the number of patients who now qualify for medical marijuana in Louisiana. See photos of Louisiana's first harvest of medical marijuana The department is the regulator and if we detect a problem, a third lab can verify our results, she said. If a third lab is identified through the RFP, LDAFs lab can spot check that third party lab for quality assurance. Entergy Louisiana owes up to $4.4 billion for getting the lights back on after a string of storms and needs a $1 billion loan to meet those costs in the short-term, says the head of the utility that provides electricity to about half the states c Community members have raised thousands of dollars on behalf of the Belle Chasse family that lost two children in a devastating fire that incinerated the familys mobile home. The two children, Madison Branton, 9, and Jordan Beckham, 7, were siblings who died of smoke inhalation and burns when they were trapped after a fire erupted inside a mobile home in the 11000 block of Louisiana 23 Sunday night (Oct. 21). The childrens mother on Monday was still being treated at a hospital for burns and smoke inhalation, according to the Louisiana State Fire Marshals office, after trying but being unable to reach to her children. Two other adults in the home at the time of the fire the grandparents of the childrens mother were treated for smoke inhalation, according to Guey and Louisiana State Fire Marshals Office. The children died after becoming separated from the adults while trying to escape the mobile home. Two family dogs also died in the blaze. Young siblings killed in Belle Chase mobile home fire IDd Family friend Melissa Jenner spoke with the childrens aunt after hearing news of the fire. When she hung up, she immediately set up a Facebook fundraiser in the familys name and connected it to an account at Hancock Whitney Bank. A representative at the bank confirmed that proceeds went to the family. 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 In less than 24 hours, over a hundred people had donated a total of $11,555 dollars, smashing the $5,000 goal. Jenner said creating the fundraiser seemed like the only and right thing to do. She noted the tight-knit Belle Chasse community is grieving alongside the family. Monday morning only the charred remains of the mobile home could be made out. Residents initiated a clothing drive for the three adults injured in the fire. Leann Bruce called for donations of womens 2X tops and bottoms, mens 48/30 pants, 3x mens tops, womens size 8 pants and womens medium tops to be dropped off at Headleys Hair Salon at 8648 La. 23 in Belle Chasse. The community is also hosting a spaghetti dinner on Nov. 3 to help raise money for the single mother of the children, who was still being treated at a hospital Monday for burns and smoke inhalation, according to the Louisiana State Fire Marshals office, after trying but being unable to reach to her children. NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune reporters Emily Lane and Carlie Kollath Wells contributed to this story. Dr. Jose N. Reyes Jr., the co-founder and chief technology officer of NuScale Power, was the keynote speaker at the Edward Teller Lecture on Thursday. North Augusta, SC (29841) Today A mix of clouds and sun. High 78F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds. Low 46F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Ranger Kathryn Teaching 4th Graders How to Pitch a Tent NPS Photo/Patti Reilly October 18, 2018 Contact: Daphne Yun, 718-815-3651 Contact: Alanna Sobel, 202-796-2538 Gateway National Recreation Area has been selected to receive an Open OutDoors for Kids Focus City grant for the 2018-2019 school year from the National Park Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service. Gateway will work with new partners to expand educational programs for local 4th grades in the school districts and communities adjacent to Jamaica Bay. Working together, NYC H2O, the Urban Soils Institute (USI), a division of the NYC Soil and Water Conservation District, and Gateways education staff will provide programs and activities focused on the diverse natural resources of Jamaica Bay. This grant is part of the Foundations Open OutDoors for Kids program which creates opportunities for kids to explore and connect with national park experiences. Beyond making field trips possible, the program raises local community awareness about the importance of connecting kids to the outdoors. Trekking along trails, observing our natural ecosystems and engaging with our shared history are experiences that benefit all children, said National Park Foundation President Will Shafroth. Making it possible for Americas youth to explore our national parks is an investment in their future and the future of the national parks community. For the 2018/19 school year, Gateway educators will be contacting 4th grade teachers in the schools closest to Jamaica Bay- Districts 18, 19, 21, 22 and 27. Rangers will offer visits to introduce 4th grade students to the national park in their own backyard, and help them get their free Every Kid in a Park pass. This pass gives each child and their family members free access to hundreds of parks and public lands across the country for the entire year. On the shores and lands of Gateways Jamaica Bay Unit, Gateway staff and our USI and NYC H2O partners will lead field programs helping kids learn about soil, water, coastal habitats, and the plants and animals that depend on them. Through hands-on activities students will learn about environmental sustainability and stewardship. Professional development will be offered to teachers by educators and scientists from NPS and other organizations. Special family days of stewardship, learning and recreation are also on the agenda for the year, with additional partner programs, such as the Wilderness Inquirys Canoemobile program. Gateway Superintendent Jen Nersesian welcomes young visitors and their families to the park.. One effective way to creating a new generation of park stewards is by bringing school groups to the park for activities that engage their minds, senses and spirit. By expanding the number of programs, we will increase the number of teachers and students using the park for exciting learning adventures. Gateways partners are equally enthusiastic about this new collaborative: "NYC H2O is excited to partner with the National Park Service to bring more students outdoors so that they can enjoy the nature found in Gateway National Recreation Area and learn how it directly benefits them and their city, said Matt Malina, director and founder of NYC H2O. 4th grade students are at a prime age to look at their natural world and consider their role in it. It is particularly appropriate that we engage students at this point in their school years to help them harness the knowledge to create sustainable cities for their future, said Tatiana Morin, director, NYC Urban Soils Institute. For the full list of grantees and their projects, click here About Gateway National Recreation Area A large diverse urban park spanning two states, Gateway combines recreational activities with natural beauty, wildlife preservation, military history and more Visitors can hike, picnic, swim, sunbathe, bike, visit the oldest lighthouse in the nation, see an airplane collection and camp overnight, all in the New York metropolitan area. Gateway is one of the ten most visited national parks in the country. For information about Gateway's upcoming public programs, see the park's Web site at www.nps.gov/gate . To join the conversation about Gateway, follow us on social media. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @GatewayNPS. About the National Park Foundation Roseburg, OR (97470) Today Showers early, then cloudy in the afternoon. High 61F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Cloudy with light rain developing after midnight. Low 47F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Moral leaders perform betterbut whats moral is up for debate Morality is a great thing for managers to incorporate into their leadership styles. But just because we consider something moral, we cant assume everyone else sees it that way as well. BUFFALO, N.Y New research from the University at Buffalo School of Management is clear: Leaders who value morality outperform their unethical peers, regardless of industry, company size or role. However, because we all define a moral leader differently, leaders who try to do good may face unexpected difficulties. Led by James Lemoine, PhD, assistant professor of organization and human resources, the research team examined more than 300 books, essays and studies on moral leadership from 1970-2018. They discovered that leaders who prioritized morality had higher performing organizations with less turnover, and that their employees were more creative, proactive, engaged and satisfied. A pre-press version of the study appeared online this month ahead of publication in the Academy of Management Annals in January 2019. Over and over again, our research found that followers perceived ethical leaders as more effective and trusted, and those leaders enjoyed greater personal well-being than managers with questionable morality, Lemoine says. The problem is, though, that when we talk about an ethical business leader, were often not talking about the same person. Contrasting views of morality Lemoine says prior research often treats all forms of moral leadership the same, missing their unique attributes and consequences. Consider, for example, a company with an opportunity to sell cigarettes in a developing country. One executive would argue the sale is ethical because no norms or rules prohibit it. A servant leader might turn down the deal because of its negative health and environmental impacts. And a third leader, guided by his or her own internal convictions, might choose another course of action entirely. All three of these leaders are acting morally, Lemoine says, even though they disagree with one another and might even view the others as immoral. Morality can be subjective, and how leaders put their own ethics into practice can have massive implications for the effectiveness of their leadership, teams and organizations, Lemoine says. The researchers found a strong sense of morality is positive for leaders and their organizations, increasing performance, engagement, motivation and other factorsbut each specific approach to ethics had slightly different outcomes. Leaders focused on matching norms and standards are often politically skilled and avoid legal scandals, but may exploit the rules to their own ends, the study showed. Servant leaders had the strongest results for customer service, community impact and employees work-life balance, but may struggle to manage competing priorities from their stakeholders. Finally, independent-minded leadersthink of the late John McCain, widely regarded as a maverick steadfast in his personal beliefscan simultaneously build cultures of innovation and transparency, while potentially frustrating employers who wish they would follow the company line more often. So, which moral philosophy is best? None were consistently better or worse than the others, the study found. Instead, Lemoine says, the trick for leaders is to emphasize the overall importance of morality and its positive impact on profitability, while also defining your specific code of ethics and recognizing your approach may not match those of your organization or followers. Morality is a great thing for managers to incorporate into their leadership styles, Lemoine says. But just because we consider something moral, we cant assume everyone else sees it that way. Its important for leaders and organizations to get these differences out in the open and discuss them to avoid future misunderstandings and misconceptions. Lemoine also is a faculty researcher in the UB School of Managements Center for Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness (CLOE). His co-authors on the study were Chad A. Hartnell, PhD, assistant professor in Georgia State Universitys J. Mack Robinson College of Business, and Hannes Leroy, PhD, assistant professor in the Erasmus University Rotterdam School of Management. 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. your colleagues French addresses law, religion and culture at Bhutans first law school UB Law Professor Rebecca Redwood French speaks at the inaugural conference of the new Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law in Bhutan. Photo: UB School of Law UB LAW LINKS Its important to get outside your own culture sometimes to get a better understanding of law and how it works in society. As the crow flies, its 7,521 miles from Buffalo to Bhutan. In real life, its not so easy. For Rebecca Redwood French, professor in the School of Law, the trip to the tiny South Asian nation meant flights to Tokyo, Singapore, Calcutta and Parol, and then a long, bumpy car journey to Thimphu, the Bhutanese capital. But, says French, it was all worth it for the chance to be among a community of scholars devoted, as she is, to studying how Buddhism-based law codes play out in real life. The occasion was an academic conference held this past summer at Bhutans first law school, established just last year. Invited scholars discussed how Buddhist traditions, including law codes laid down by the Buddha himself, have informed and become part of the judicial systems of a variety of nations. For French who has devoted much of her career to studying Buddhist legal systems, especially in Tibet it was an atmosphere in which she felt right at home. It was tremendously exciting to be with these scholars and to discuss some of these ideas, she says. This has been a largely overlooked area of legal study for a long time, and finally I was with a core group of scholars doing important work in this area. The setting, too, was a source of inspiration. Students at the new Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law, located in Thimphu, are working within the legal framework established by Bhutans constitution, itself only a decade old. Key to that set of laws is the concept of gross national happiness the idea that the success of a nation can be measured by its populations collective happiness and well-being. That philosophy also finds expression in Bhutanese law, French says, with its privileging of communitarian benefits over individual rights and goods. Its quite different from what were used to in the United States, she acknowledges. And so, for example, the Bhutanese law schools five-year curriculum includes required courses in the Bhutanese native Dzongkha language and literature, general and Buddhist philosophy, the history of Bhutan and Law and Gross National Happiness, as well as the more familiar exercises in property law, torts and contracts. Those courses are taught in Dzongkha, but French says English-speakers are commonplace, and at least for the purposes of the conference, translators bridged any language gaps. French says she has found great insight into our own legal system by studying Buddhist systems. You cant take the law out of the context in which it was written, she says, and the religious environment is a large part of that context. Its important to get outside your own culture sometimes to get a better understanding of law and how it works in society. Relatives of Mr. Meeks and members of the community said the shooting at J Market at 1260 Morrison Avenue in the Soundview section of the Bronx marked another death of an unarmed black man by gun violence. Other residents, however, have sided with the bodega owner, arguing that he was defending himself. Reached on his cellphone on Monday, the stores owner, Jin Jie Chen, 43, declined to comment about the incident. I am very tired, he said in a brief interview in Mandarin. I dont want to talk about it. Outside the bodega on Monday, Cassiel Morales, 28, who has known Mr. Chen for years and had watched him deliver Chinese food, said he could not understand the killing of an unarmed man. His life? If youre unarmed Im going to teach you a lesson, Im not going to kill you, Mr. Morales said. James Kevin Mitchell, 43, disagreed. If you come into my spot I got to protect myself, he said. How was he supposed to know he was unarmed? James Mumbulo was trying to rebuild his dairy in upstate New York after milk production at his farm dropped and the processing plant stopped buying his milk. He focused on growing his small operation in Edmeston, N.Y, using the milk from a few dozen heifers to only feed calves, his family said. Mr. Mumbulo had hoped to start producing milk again. Something went horribly wrong. On Sunday, Mr. Mumbulo, 45, was arrested by New York State Police after they discovered 27 dead cows and several inches of manure inside the barn he was renting. Mr. Mumbulo was charged with 27 counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals under the states agriculture and markets law. The grisly discovery of the cows comes at a time when many New York dairy farmers are struggling economically because of low milk prices and difficult weather conditions. [Read our latest coverage of the pipe bomb found at George Soross house.] The explosive device found in a mailbox at the home of George Soros, the billionaire philanthropist, on Monday afternoon was relatively small, a senior law enforcement official said on Tuesday. The device was proactively denotated by bomb squad technicians from the Westchester County Police Department. The bombers motive remained unclear. Mr. Soros is a favorite target of right-wing groups. He was not home at the time. The investigation has been taken over by the New York offices of the F.B.I. and the federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, said the senior law enforcement official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation is open. PARIS Robert Faurisson, a former literature professor turned anti-Semitic propagandist whose denial of the Holocaust earned him multiple prosecutions, died on Sunday at his home in Vichy, France. He was 89. His death was confirmed by his publisher, Akribeia, which is known for its far-right leanings. Mr. Faurisson was regarded as a father figure by contemporary French exponents of Holocaust denial, the extremist fringe in a country with a long tradition of anti-Semitism. Contemporary far-right figures like the propagandist Alain Soral and Dieudonne, who calls himself a humorist, have followed in his footsteps, but none have had the long-range tenacity of Mr. Faurisson. French writers on the political margins began denying the Holocaust not long after the war ended. But Mr. Faurisson distinguished himself by making a rare breakthrough into the countrys mainstream media, publishing a notorious opinion article in Frances most respected newspaper, Le Monde, in 1978. Titled The Problem of the Gas Chambers, or the Rumor of Auschwitz, the article was an immediate embarrassment for the newspaper, but it launched the public career of Mr. Faurisson, who until then was an obscure professor of French literature at the University of Lyon. There he goes again. With Republicans struggling to keep their grip on Congress, President Trump is dialing up the demagogy. At campaign rallies and on social media, hes spewing dark warnings about a Democratic mob clamoring to usher in an era of open borders, rampant crime, social chaos and economic radicalism. As is so often the case, Mr. Trump is not letting reality interfere with his performance. At a rally in Nevada this weekend, the president told the crowd that Californians were rioting to get out of their sanctuary cities. (They arent.) He also suggested that Democrats will soon be looking to hand out free luxury cars to illegal immigrants. (They wont.) Give em a drivers license. Next thing you know, theyll want to buy em a car, he riffed. Then theyll say the cars not good enough, we want how about a Rolls-Royce? Mr. Trumps Twitter feed has been electrifying as well, full of statements intended to thrill his fans and, better still, bait his opponents into a partisan rage. In recent days, he has dubbed Stormy Daniels Horseface, escalated his taunting of Senator Elizabeth Warren as Pocahontas and grumbled about the fact that Bruce Ohr, one of Mr. Trumps nemeses in the rigged Russian witch hunt, is still employed by the Department of Justice. He has asserted that the Democratic nominee for governor in Florida, Andrew Gillum, is looking to turn the state into the next Venezuela. He has threatened to dispatch troops to shut down the southern border and renewed his vow to cut off the massive foreign aid sent to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras for those nations failure to stop their people from flocking to the United States. In particular, the caravan of Honduran migrants making its way north has emerged as a focus of his fantasies. Mr. Trump has repeatedly implied that Democrats are paying Honduran youth to join the caravan. On Monday, he claimed, based on nothing, that the caravan is awash in criminals and unknown Middle Easterners. Uh-oh! It could be you, or it could be us, but there's no page here. On August 20, a series of attacks by teenagers against policemen took place in Chechnyas cities of Grozny and Shali. The countrys strongman Ramzan Kadyrov quickly blamed external actors seeking to pitch local security enforcement, siloviki , against teenagers, while decrying the inability of the attackers parents to oversee their sons. Yet realities on the ground appears to be different. In fact, large part of the Chechen population hold enormous grievances caused by the impunity of local siloviki , particularly kadyrovtsy , and the republican authorities in general. The threat of punishment against the relatives of insurgents and their (prospective) supporters has since the early 2000s stemmed the local insurgency. Yet from time to time, grievances condensed in the Chechen population explode in spontaneous acts of nearly-suicidal violence against republican law enforcement. BACKGROUND: The attacks in Grozny and in Shali were conducted by five suspected militants who attacked members of the security forces. All assailants aged between 18 and 11 were killed by the police. Security forces claimed that the terrorist organization known as the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS) released a video that allegedly shows the teenage attackers pledging allegiance to the group. However, the video recording appears to consist only of still photos depicting youngsters posing with knifes. The unusually young age of the attackers, as well as the style of the attacks, resulted in a barrage of comments from Russian security experts, claiming that the attacks were connected to the Islamist insurgency. Yet since the only weapons used in the attacks were knifes, a vehicle and dysfunctional home-made explosives, the local insurgent underground was obviously not involved. Similarly to previous attacks this year, which were also committed by individuals aged under 20, the Chechen security services left no witnesses alive. Indeed, the recent attacks on security forces are likely part of a growing popular unhappiness with Kadyrovs regime, particularly amongst the Chechen youth. As per established practice, police detained all male members of the suspected attackers families, including underage children, their friends and neighbors. Mass detentions of young males are a daily occurrence in Chechnya, some of which are summarily executed. For example, following an attack on security forces in December 2016, 27 young people were executed without trial. On August 22, Kadyrov claimed that although the recent attack was organized and funded from abroad, the attackers parents must take full responsibility for the actions of their children. The father of the alleged ring-leader Mahomed Musayev was forced to publicly renounce his son in a video recording. Members of the Chechen public have condemned Kadyrovs heavy-handed approach on social networks the only venue to exercise freedom of speech in the republic and directly linked the rise of anti-Kadyrov attacks with the brutal persecution of dissent. The Kremlins own latent grievances with Kadyrov have seemingly emboldened the rise of local criticism in Chechnya. A particularly noteworthy case was a question criticizing Kadyrov during the direct line with President Putin on June 7. A female caller, apparently of Chechen ethnicity, asked Putin how a junior lieutenant could have been appointed as the head of Groznys police department? referring to Kadyrovs appointment of his family member Khas-Magomed Kadyrov as the head of police. Since all questions to Putin are carefully monitored, recorded and approved by the presidents administration weeks prior to the direct line, it seems that the caller was specifically selected to deliver a disguised message of discontent from the Kremlin. Although Putin chose not to respond, the question indicated that Kadyrov is no longer as immune as he used to be. Another recent indication of the Kremlins unhappiness with Kadyrov was Moscows position in a dispute between Ingush leader Yunus-bek Yevkurov and the Ingush clergy supported by Kadyrov. In an open statement, the United Russia party endorsed Yevkurov as Moscows candidate in the upcoming September elections in Ingushetia. Kadyrovs recent offer to deploy Chechen peace-keepers in a counter-terrorism operation against the Syrian oppositions last stronghold in Idlib received no response from the Kremlin. IMPLICATIONS: Since around 2014, anti-regime violence in Chechnya has changed dramatically. First, the local insurgency was critically weakened by the liquidation of the remaining experienced insurgent leaders, for instance the Gakayev brothers in 2013 (see the CACI Analyst 02/06/2013). As an effect, violence has become less organized, carried out by unexperienced youth, and nearly suicidal. Although gangs of youngsters need some degree of organization to coordinate their attacks on law enforcement, the Chechen authorities extensive control of virtually all means of communication has implied that attacks have usually been carried out by close friends residing in the same area. As a rule, these youngsters have been inexperienced in the use of weapons and rebel strategies, and frequently had to acquire weapons first in order to strike. They generally have no links to the previous generation of insurgents with rich experience in partisan warfare. This has also contributed to their high losses. Most attackers have been killed in the course of their attacks, and often incapable of striking before being hit. The use of lethal violence not only against the attackers, but also against their relatives an established practice of Chechen siloviki that has proven very effective has led many aggrieved individuals to shun violence in order to ensure survival for themselves and their relatives. This explains why, despite the severe penalization deployed by the kadyrovtsy, particularly youngsters without families of their own have still sought to target who they see as their hated enemy. Moreover, the threat of violence, frequently lethal, deployed against the relatives of the attackers has filtered those willing to strike against all odds. Individuals self-identifying as jihadists and embracing Salafi-jihadist ideology have been more willing to self-sacrifice for the sake of becoming martyrs (shahids), and turning their relatives into martyrs as well. For them, the divine goal of waging jihad justifies the means. Even retaliation against their relatives by the authorities, including the prospect that they may be murdered, is not considered an obstacle to their acts of violence. On the other hand, individuals unwilling or unable to make peace with what the authorities did to them or their relatives years ago also seek to take revenge, despite the high costs. This category of attackers is not necessarily driven by Salafi-jihadist ideology, but rather by the local tradition of blood revenge that requires individuals to wash off offense by blood. Yet in order to justify their sacrifice, they too find inspiration in the Islamic doctrine of martyrdom, which they blend with their initial motivation. Several attackers also appear to have been motivated by political incentives, intertwined as they are with down-to-earth grievances attributed to the local regime. CONCLUSIONS: Chechen youngsters have been receptive to the appeal of ISIS to its sympathizers across the globe to spontaneously attack the enemies of Islam in their home regions, turning to all weapons available from knives to guns to trucks. The exact impact of the jihadist appeals on the situation in Chechnya is debatable since many attackers would likely have struck anyway. However, these appeals communicate that low-scale attacks, unrelated to the insurgency, are an option of last resort in fact the only possible way to channel grievances. The introduction of this new tactic has also showed the incapacity of Chechen siloviki to effectively tackle a problem that they have on many occasions declared to be solved; a segment of locals, predominantly youngsters, still conduct attacks against all odds. While Chechen authorities have already resorted to the use of massive, and often lethal, violence against the relatives of attackers and their alleged backers, these brutal methods alone will not bring about an end to hostilities. Partly inspired by Salafi-jihadism, partly driven by the individual grievances and determination to retaliate in order to restore individual and family honor, and partly incentivized by political motives, low scale violence will persist in the republic. And once the regime shows signs of weakness, hundreds perhaps even thousands of individuals who have postponed revenge to ensure survival for themselves and their family members, will likely resort to violence. AUTHORS BIO: Emil A. Souleimanov is Associate Professor at the Department of Security Studies, Institute of Political Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University. His recent publications include Irans Azerbaijan Question in Revolution: Identity, Society, and Regional Security. Huseyn Aliyev is a Research Fellow at the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow. Image source: By: kremlin.ru accessed on 10.23.2018 And, of course, theres Stephen Elliott, the writer suing Moira Donegan, creator of a crowdsourced spreadsheet of allegedly abusive men in the media industry, as well as the people who contributed to it. Through the suit, hes trying to force the disclosure of these peoples names, something that would have profound implications for every part of the internet where anonymity is the norm. There are many ethical ambiguities in the media men list, a clearinghouse for anonymous allegations where someone wrote that rape accusations had been made against Elliott. While Elliott told my colleague Bari Weiss that he has, in the past, been unaware of boundaries and transgressed them without realizing, he insists he is innocent of rape, and has no way to clear himself of an anonymous charge that has ruined his life. If this is true, he deserves sympathy. Donegan, however, didnt write the allegations against Elliott. And his suit attempts to use her fiery feminism against her, saying she has a well-documented history of publicly publishing statements professing a hatred of men. Seeing this, any woman who contributed to the list or merely forwarded a link to it might feel the need to temper her anger at the patriarchy online. During the civil rights era, Southern segregationists waged what Elena Kagan once called, in her pre-Supreme Court days, a campaign which intended to curtail media coverage of the civil rights struggle through libel lawsuits against journalists. That became more difficult with the 1964 Supreme Court decision New York Times Company v. Sullivan, a case involving a full-page ad in The Times, paid for by the Committee to Defend Martin Luther King and the Struggle for Freedom in the South, that contained factual errors. The courts decision required people claiming libel to prove actual malice, not simply untruths. Roberta Kaplan, a renowned feminist lawyer who is now representing Donegan, told me that after Sullivan, it became conventional wisdom that defamation lawsuits arent rational or appropriate ways to settle disputes about truth or falsity, except in really exceptional circumstances. In formulating and implementing United States foreign policy, there is often a tension between the promotion of Americas values and the protection of our interests. Toward the end of the Cold War, our espousal of democracy and free markets converged with our efforts to work with the Soviet leadership to achieve a peaceful conclusion of that conflict. But sometimes effective foreign policy requires balancing our principles and values with our geopolitical interests. That balancing act can demand painful compromises. Such is the case with the death of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident and Washington Post columnist. If he was murdered inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on the orders of the Saudi government, the affront to American values is clear. Opposition to the killing of dissidents and support for a free and robust press are fundamental American principles. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has been an important strategic partner of the United States since President Franklin Roosevelt met with King Ibn Saud, the founder of the Saudi state, at the close of World War II. In recent years, the United States has worked closely with Saudi Arabia on issues critical to both countries. Stabilizing global oil markets, combating terrorism and countering Iranian regional adventurism are just three. We also need to engage the Saudis in areas where we are not in 100 percent agreement, such as the ir debilitating war in Yemen and their conflict with Qatar. In reacting to Mr. Khashoggis killing, the Trump administration should balance our values and interests. A critical first step is establishing the facts. The Saudi government should issue a comprehensive and accurate detailing of the circumstances of Mr. Khashoggis death. United States intelligence can do its part by gathering and assessing all materials necessary to determine what exactly happened to Mr. Khashoggi and on whose order. For example: What happened to his remains and why? To the Editor: Re Migrant Caravan, Defying Mexico and U.S., Continues North (news article, Oct. 22): With President Trumps hysterical tweets about the caravan of immigrants heading north, and the Democrats ducking for cover, it is sadly clear that we will have no sensible discussion of immigration by our national political leaders. This is a shame because it is a situation that cries out for serious thought. In the 1980s thousands of Guatemalans, the majority Mayan subsistence farmers, were similarly forced to flee violence in their home country. They came to Mexico, where they were welcomed by Bishop Samuel Ruiz Garcia. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was brought in, and refugee camps were set up in several parts of southern Mexico. They remained in place for several years until a peace accord took effect and return was possible . Honduras today, and in some respects El Salvador, are failed states in the sense that they cannot provide basic security from armed gangs for their population. In December, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a progressive politician, becomes president of Mexico. He has been intelligently reluctant to talk immigration policy with President Trump. He could invite the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to set up refugee camps inside Mexico and force stakeholders to commit to addressing the stranglehold the drug lords and the gangs have over Central Americas Northern Triangle El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. In normal times, theres good reason to run on this issue. Millions of families are plagued by inadequate insurance coverage. If youre trying to win a swing voter in Arizona, its a bread-and-butter issue that has appeal. But the Democratic campaign is inadequate to the current moment. It offers no counternarrative to Trump, little moral case against his behavior, no unifying argument against ethnic nationalism. In politics you cant beat something with nothing. Democrats missed the Trumpian upsurge because while society was dividing into cultural tribes, they spent 2008 through 2016 focusing on health care. Now that the upsurge has happened, they are still pinioned to health care. Worse, the Democratic strategy simply revives the old 1980-2008 playbook. Its Democratic spending promises versus Republican tax cuts. This familiar, orthodox argument pushes left and right back into their normal categories. It destroys any possibility of a realignment. Weve learned a few things about the Democratic Party. First, its still fundamentally a materialist party. The Trumpian challenge is primarily a moral and cultural challenge. But the Democrats are mostly comfortable talking about how to use federal spending to extend benefits. Some Democrats want to spend a lot more (Medicare for all, free college education), and some want to spend less, but their basic instinct is that national problems can be addressed with more federal money. Their basic political instinct is that you win votes by offering material benefits. Second, weve learned that when Democrats do raise a moral argument, it tends to be of the social justice warrior variety. The core argument in this mode is that the oppressive structures of society marginalize women, minorities and members of the L.G.B.T.Q. communities. It turns out that if your basic logic is that distinct identity groups are under threat from an oppressive society, its very hard to then turn around and defend that society from authoritarian attack, or to articulate any notion of what even unites that society. You can appeal to women as women and to ethnic groups as ethnic groups, but its very hard to make a universal appeal to Americans as Americans, or defend the basic American norms that Trump calls into question. Its a messaging vulnerability that Democrats have imposed upon themselves. Democrats still seem likely to win the House, because Trump is so effective at driving away voters. But Democrats are blowing the political opportunity of a lifetime. They seem to be getting little traction in red states and now may end up losing ground in the Senate. Instead of drawing disaffected voters away from the G.O.P., they seem to be pushing Republicans back to Trump. And then there is the judge who will decide the case, who it turns out has a Harvard connection of her own. Judge Allison D. Burroughs, the daughter of a Harvard graduate, sought to be a Harvard graduate herself, but did not get in. Her rejection suddenly became an issue in the trial on Monday, when someone going by the name Veritas in Diversitas sent a mass email to the reporters covering the trial suggesting that Judge Burroughs was biased against Harvard because the college had not accepted her. Federal Judge Hides Her Own Painful History of Harvard Rejection, was the title of the email. [Emerging in the federal trial over Harvards admissions practices: insights into how to get in.] As soon as the court opened for business Monday morning, Judge Burroughs summoned the lawyers to the front of the room for a whispered sidebar on an email that you all had shared. The sidebar was off the record, but there was considerable debate, along with a few chuckles. ATLANTA At a protest on the steps of the Georgia Capitol in 1992, Stacey Abrams, now the Democratic candidate for governor, joined in the burning of the state flag, which at the time incorporated the Confederate battle flag design and was viewed by many as a lingering symbol of white supremacy. Ms. Abramss role in the protest, which took place around the end of her freshman year at Spelman College in Atlanta, has begun to emerge on social media on the eve of her first debate Tuesday with her Republican opponent, Secretary of State Brian Kemp. Mr. Kemp and his allies have sought to portray her as too extreme for Georgia. If elected, Ms. Abrams, 44, would become the first black female governor in the nation. In August 2017, after the violent white supremacist demonstrations in Charlottesville, Va., Ms. Abrams injected the issue of Confederate memorials into the governors race by calling for the removal of the giant Confederate carving on Stone Mountain, a granite outcropping east of Atlanta, noting, correctly, its ties to white supremacy and the revival of the Ku Klux Klan. Mr. Kemp, who is white, has said that Georgians should not attempt to rewrite the past, and said he would protect the monument from the radical left. When a fledgling Republican group released an inflammatory ad in Arkansas last week warning that white Democrats will be lynching black folk again if liberals came to power, it was immediately criticized on social media by members of both parties . I condemn this outrageous ad in the strongest terms, said Arkansas Representative French Hill, a Republican. Theres no place in Arkansas for this nonsense. The group, Black Americans for the Presidents Agenda, had made the ad in support of Mr. Hills campaign. This radio ad is disgraceful and has no place in our society," said Clarke Tucker, the Democrat running against Mr. Hill in Arkansass Second Congressional District. President Trump on Monday sharply intensified a Republican campaign to frame the midterm elections as a battle over immigration and race, issuing a dark and factually baseless warning that unknown Middle Easterners were marching toward the American border with Mexico. The unsubstantiated charge marked an escalation of Mr. Trumps efforts to stoke fears about foreigners and crime ahead of the Nov. 6 vote, as he did to great effect in the presidential race. Mr. Trump and other Republicans are insistently seeking to tie Democrats to unfettered immigration and violent crime, and in some instances this summer and fall they have attacked minority candidates in nakedly racial terms. Mr. Trump is now railing daily in speeches and on Twitter against the migrant caravan moving north through Central America, and on Monday called it a national emergency. The caravan has dominated conservative talk radio and Fox News, where there has also been loose speculation about a link to terrorism. The apparently groundless inclusion of unknown Middle Easterners to the caravan echoes Mr. Trumps longstanding practice of amplifying fears about Islamic militants on the campaign trail. The lawsuit challenging the addition of the question was filed by New York, other states, localities and advocacy groups. They said that asking the question was a calculated effort by the administration to discriminate against immigrants. Asking about citizenship would fatally undermine the accuracy of the census, they said, because both legal and unauthorized immigrants might refuse to fill out the form. That could reduce Democratic representation when state and congressional districts are drawn in 2021, and affect the distribution of hundreds of billions of dollars in federal spending. The advocacy groups said Mr. Rosss testimony was needed in light of his shifting and inaccurate explanations for the change. He initially said that he had acted in response to a December 2017 request from the Justice Department and that he had not consulted with the White House. Later, Mr. Ross acknowledged that he had been exploring the idea long before receiving a letter from the Justice Department and that he had discussed the issue with Stephen K. Bannon, then President Trumps chief strategist, in spring 2017. Those discrepancies have placed the credibility of Secretary Ross squarely at issue, Judge Jesse M. Furman of the Federal District Court in Manhattan wrote in ordering the deposition to go forward. The timing of the announcement, just before an election in which the protection of people with pre-existing conditions has been a top-tier issue, was puzzling. In a separate initiative on Monday, the administration said it was proposing a regulation to let employers provide money to employees to buy individual health insurance coverage on their own, rather than enrolling in an employer-sponsored health plan. Seema Verma, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, who devised the policy allowing states more flexibility, said it was necessary to achieve President Trumps goals: to make health insurance more affordable by expanding choices, increasing competition, reducing federal regulations and giving states more power to revamp their health insurance markets. She said states had asked for more flexibility. Under the restrictive guidance issued by the Obama administration in 2015, Ms. Verma said, states have largely lost the power to advance and adopt their own solutions. Waivers issued under the new policy will allow states to get out from under the onerous rules imposed by the Affordable Care Act, she added. A provision of the 2010 health law, added at the behest of Mr. Wyden, allows waivers for innovations in state health policy. The federal law stipulates that state programs must provide coverage that is at least as comprehensive as that available under the Affordable Care Act, and must cover at least a comparable number of people. Under the new policy, states will be able to count people with short-term insurance as having coverage even though it does not provide all the benefits required by the Affordable Care Act. Such plans often omit coverage for maternity care, prescription drugs and treatment for mental illness and drug abuse. They often exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, as well. | BY Ricki Green | Josh Bryer has started as Enigma Sydneys creative director, effective 15 October 2018. Hes tasked with boosting Sydneys creative credentials and growing its creative department. With a remit to ensure Enigma continues to unearth new opportunities for their existing and future brands, he is looking forward to continuing his award-winning run with the agency. Awards are no stranger to Bryer, with over 200 local and international prizes including 12 D&AD Pencils, including two Blacks and a Yellow, across two campaigns; namely Palau Pledge, and Game of Balls. Hes also been honoured with AFRs Best Product Innovation & Best Overall Innovation (2017) for his work on FireBlanket. Other notable gold-winners include Riderless Bike and The Art of Noise. But as Bryer says: Its about the future now. Enigma has built a great platform for explosive growth and I cant wait to help the team take it to the next level. Says Pete Ogden, ECD, Enigma: I have known Josh for years and when this opportunity came up, it was testament to the creative ambition that weve been driving toward that he was eager to join the team. Says Jen Peace, MD, Enigma Sydney: Our rapid growth across the past 18 months has seen us develop an excellent strategic offering and solid creative product. Now we move toward our intent of delivering world-class intelligent creative that truly delivers for our clients. SAN SIMEON, Calif. It was the ultimate pool party. The benefit V.I.P. Swim Experience in the Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle here started with a troupe of Esther Williams look-alikes in matching white bathing caps and lipstick-red halter suits doing fan dives off the marble steps of the pools signature Roman Temple beneath a heroic pediment of Neptune. As day descended into night, it was the bucket list sets turn, as guests who paid more than $1,000 for the real-life fantasy of swimming in the Neptune Pool plunged into 345,000 gallons of frigid nirvana designed for the publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst. My husband doesnt know what I spent on this, just so you know, Barbara Littrell, a retired elementary school office manager from Costa Mesa, said. She quit smoking 21 years ago and was using some of her cigarette savings for the swim, during which she wore a feather boa. The exhibition was organized by the people behind the D.D.R. museum, which gives visitors a taste of what life was like in East Germany. Now in its 12th year, it attracts more than half a million visitors each year. While the D.D.R. museum prides itself on the many artifacts visitors can touch, feel and experience, Nineties Berlin is sparser, more stylish and more interested in transmitting ideas and feelings. Its more the case of explaining a concept, rather than showing objects, Quirin Graf Adelmann von Adelmannsfelden, one of the exhibitions four directors and a director of the D.D.R. museum, said of the new exhibition. He said that Nineties Berlin aims to explain playfully how Berlin came to be the city it is now. We have to get people in the door, Mr. Adelmann von Adelmannsfelden said, before we can explain some of the complexities of the era. Later this year, the museum will add a 250-foot wall-mounted banner of explainers that will provide additional context to the exhibitions displays. The banner will be creased, to resemble the city maps tourists at the time might have used. Since many visitors even ones from Germany are unfamiliar with much of the history of the period, providing a historical context was a challenge, the curators said. I dont have any bad habits, Mr. Rorem said. I dont smoke; I dont swear. But I like cookies. Mr. Rorem, who is warm in casual conversation, has no reservations about giving terse feedback. When Ms. Enger came by on a recent afternoon to play some of his piano works many of them gifts for friends and family, with sentimental dedications she stopped and asked, Did I interpret it too much? You did, Mr. Rorem replied. Just play it. And Mr. Piercys first run-in with the composer, in the late 1980s, was during a rehearsal with a pianist who had the instruments lid down; Mr. Rorem stormed in shouting, No lid! Mr. Rorem has always had strong opinions about music; rarely have they been fashionable. But his insistence on tonality and his idiosyncratic style a little French and a lot American have outlasted the preferences of the 20th-century musical academy. Like vinyl records and sleek Danish furniture, Mr. Rorem has been both popular and passe, and just might now be ripe for resurgence. You would be hard-pressed to find greatness in Mr. Rorems vast oeuvre. But he has never aimed to be a Beethoven. (Indeed, he doesnt even like that masters music.) Still, there are rediscoveries to be made: Air Music (1974) feels as fresh as when it won the Pulitzer. And the pyrotechnic Toccata from his First Piano Sonata belongs in the rotation of encores. What would you like to see here? Email us at popculture@nytimes.com. Hello! Welcome to your daily roundup of whats going on in pop culture. When people stare off into the distance and talk about when the internet was good, Im always a little confused. I loved Instant Messenger and Tumblr, sure, but were the scales ever tipped far enough to cancel out all the bad? This list of the 100 websites that shaped the internet from Gizmodo is doing more to convince me than any long description of subreddits. Ask Jeeves, wikiHow, Hampsterdance: Your faves are all here. Whats happening today Season 2 of The Guest Book begins with back-to-back episodes. And Adam Sandler returns to Netflix with a new special. Whats on TV THE GUEST BOOK 10 p.m. on TBS. This irreverent comedy by Greg Garcia (My Name Is Earl, Raising Hope) returns in a new town with new oddball vacationers and a couple of familiar faces. Vivian (Carly Jibson) and Eddie (Eddie Steeples) trade Mount Trace for a beachside town where they befriend a handyman (Jimmy Tatro) and an engaged couple (Kimiko Glenn and Dan Beirne) who run a cottage. In each episode, new guests soak up the sun and document their stay in the cottages guest book. The first arrival is a couple (Kether Donohue and Nat Faxon) who visit the town to spice up their marriage a plan that goes downhill thanks to the husbands obsession with virtual reality. Future guest stars include Pete Davidson, Will Arnett and Martha Plimpton. In 2000, a plaque was mounted outside a lavender-painted house in northwest London, commemorating the time when Sylvia Plath had lived and worked there. Plaths daughter, Frieda Hughes, presided over the unveiling at the home she had only briefly known (she was born in the bedroom). She was stunned by its size. The kitchen was two paces long. The bedroom was so small, she said, It wasnt possible to swing a gerbil. In her introduction to the second volume of Plaths collected letters, Frieda Hughes marvels that her mother and her father, the poet Ted Hughes, were able to work and start a family in such tight quarters. The stifling proximity is her partial explanation for why the marriage so famously imploded Hughes went off with another woman and Plath, left to fend for two small children, killed herself. To write about the House of Hughes is to share that feeling of constriction of standing in the middle of a cramped flat. There is little room to maneuver, few possible steps to take. Everything seems to have been said in the poems, journals, biographies and snowdrift of scholarship and now these volumes of letters, edited by Peter K. Steinberg and Karen V. Kukil, totaling more than 2,000 pages. Image Credit... Alessandra Montalto/The New York Times The first volume, published last year, revealed the young Plath, from summer camp to Smith College, intent on two goals: to flay herself into becoming a writer and to marry to give a man this colossal reservoir of faith and love for him to swim in daily, and to give him children; lots of them, in great pain and pride, she wrote in her journals. In this new book of letters, written between 1956 and 1963, ending a week before Plaths death, at 30, we see the goals triumphantly and tragically fulfilled. The Securities and Exchange Commission has opened an inquiry into the departure of a senior investment banker and Goldman Sachs partner who raised concerns about what he viewed as unethical conduct at the bank, according to people briefed on the inquiry. The partner, James C. Katzman, called Goldmans whistle-blower hotline in 2014 to complain about a number of practices inside the Wall Street investment bank, people close to Mr. Katzman told The New York Times last month. David M. Solomon, who is now Goldmans chief executive, urged Mr. Katzman to move past his complaints, and he left the firm in 2015. Among the grievances that Mr. Katzman voiced to Goldman officials were that his colleagues had sought to obtain confidential client information and that the bank inappropriately tried to hire a customers child. After he left Goldman, he told people close to him that he felt he could not share his concerns with regulators without violating the terms of a confidentiality agreement with Goldman. None of the big Wall Street firms sent their top leaders, but institutions such as Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley sent local and regional executives, some of whom are senior in stature. No one from Blackstone Group, whose chief executive withdrew from the event last week, attended, according to a company official. Some who did attend said they were there just to do business and dismissed the Khashoggi situation. Its just noise to me, said Michael Slater, who runs the Middle East and Africa investment business for Northern Trust and is based in Riyadh. The people I need to see are here, and thats what I care about. The future of the investment conference remains uncertain, and some attendees mingling on the sidelines wondered aloud whether the current crisis would blow over or result in a real reversal of Saudi Arabias recent progress. For Saudis who organized the conference, one question that was top of mind was whether corporate media sponsors that withdrew their support, including The New York Times Company, would return next year. An investment adviser who specializes in business deals between the United States and Saudi Arabia suggested that big banks with brands to protect and Silicon Valley companies that promote ethical investing would be wary of embarking on new deals with Saudi Arabia until concerns about Mr. Khashoggis killing were resolved. Real estate investors from the United States, however, were eagerly prowling the halls, seeking funding for projects in America and looking for opportunities to get involved in infrastructure development in the Middle East. And in a demonstration of its continued attractiveness as an investment partner, Saudi Aramco announced the signing of 15 deals worth more than $30 billion with companies in eight countries: the United States, France, China, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Britain, South Korea and India. LONDON The chief executive of the SoftBank Group, Masayoshi Son, one of Saudi Arabias biggest business partners, has canceled his appearance at an investment conference in Riyadh, the latest fallout from the death of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a person briefed on the matter said Tuesday. Word of Mr. Sons decision not to attend came on Tuesday, the first day of the conference. A representative for SoftBank, the Japanese internet, energy and financial conglomerate, did not immediately respond to a request for comment However, Saleh Romeih, an executive with Softbanks Vision Fund, the biggest technology fund on record, spoke on a panel at the conference on Tuesday, a spokesman for the fund said. The Saudi government is providing $45 billion of the Vision Funds nearly $100 billion. High-profile executives from around the world have pulled out of the conference as the furor has grown over Mr. Khashoggis killing this month at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Would you buy a ticket for the Titanic? Thats a dream or a nightmare, depending on who you are, but a colorful Australian business tycoon wants to make the option a reality. Clive Palmer, a mining magnate and conservative politician, says his long-stated wish to build a replica of the famously opulent ship is back on after years of delays. On Monday, he announced that his cruise ship company, Blue Star Line, would establish a European headquarters early next year, most likely in Paris, to get the Titanic II onto the high seas. Millions have dreamt of sailing on her, seeing her in port and experiencing her unique majesty, he has said. Titanic ll will be the ship where those dreams come true. | BY Kim Shaw | New York Festivals International Advertising Awards has unveiled the competitions first ever Advisory Board. This world-class panel of prominent international advertising luminaries helped pilot the competitions recent transformation. NYFs Advisory Board, formed immediately after the 2018 Executive Jury judging sessions, pulls from a brain trust of creative leaders representing 5 continents. Their sage advice and industry expertise were influential in improving the overall competition and they will provide wise counsel throughout the year. Says Susan Glass Ruse, executive director, New York Festivals Advertising Awards: We are beyond grateful that these respected industry leaders have shared their time, experience and expertise. Here at NYF, we hold the work and the individuals who create it in high regard and understand that the caliber of the competition is of utmost importance we are committed to honoring excellence. With a robust number of international award shows and a myriad of regional competitions for creatives to choose from, agencies look to competitions like NYF that have a reputation for fair and diverse juries with competition categories reflective of the work produced today. Says Ted Lim, chief creative officer of Dentsu Singapore: Like many CEOs, CMOs and CCOs, I feel there are too many award shows. It is important that we enter the award shows that matter, the ones that are relevant to our work, our industry, our clients and our customers. The award has to stand for something. Not glorification, but recognition of relevant, original and impactful work that delivers real and measurable results, a return on investment. Says Fede Garcia, global executive creative director, Huge: Award shows like the NYF set the bar for the industry on what true creative looks like and show the kind of work we should aspire to make. Creating work that stands up to that bar is a sure way to know your investment will show the desired returns. Says Doerte Spengler-Ahrens, chief creative officer for Jung von Matt/SAGA: It is more important than ever to award creativity- not only because creativity is more needed than ever but because brands and clients need to be motivated to strive for the best work. Awards are important for the industry the clients and the talent. Says Matt Eastwood, former global chief creative officer for JWT: I think awards are an important part of the industry. They push us to be better. They help build an individuals, or even an agencys creative reputation. And, ultimately, success at award shows helps an agency recruit the very best creative talent. Creative talent is attracted to an agency with a proven track record of outstanding creativity NYFs 61 -year legacy continues to stand for honoring global excellence within the international advertising industry. By critically evaluating the entire competition, including a sweeping analysis of categories, with the guidance of the NYF Advisory Boards highly regarded industry thought leaders and global agency award managers the competition was able to transform. Post-Advisory Board consults resulted in a robust 35% reduction of total categories, additions of exciting new categories and consolidating, ultimately providing a concise and modern category roster reflecting the innovative work produced today and representing the full spectrum of creativity in the industry. Says Rosie Bardales, chief executive officer and partner, BETC London: Its been a great experience helping to strengthen and shape the offering of the NYF with such a passionate and effective group of leaders. Striving for a clearer entry process thats inviting to more agencies and for more competitive award results. BOOM. Adds Spengler- Aherns: I thought it could be helpful to exchange judging experiences with fellow jurors and the NYF Team I was very honored to be asked to share my opinions on judging processes and categories. Says Garcia: I believe that awards, and especially their categories, not only reflect whats happening in the industry but that they also set course on how the industry will evolve and develop in the years to come. Says Lim: I participated in the NYF advisory board because I wanted the award to be meaningful and relevant to the realities of the times. Says Eastwood: a trophy is only as valuable as the award shows reputation. So, an opportunity to assess and evolve the New York Festivals seemed like an extremely important task to be involved with. Its important that the show remains as relevant and modern as possible. I grew up in Argentina (pre-internet era) and we didnt have much access to see what the rest of the world was doing. The NYF annuals were one of the few places I could go for inspiration when I started in this business more than 20 years ago. I remember being amazed by the work I found flipping those pages. Now, being a part of the NYF, its just a dream come true, added Garcia. Being part of that conversation as a member of the NYF Advertising Awards advisory board its an incredible honor. The Advisory Boards astute contributions and global vision of the industry will allow NYF to be much more responsive to changes within the ever-evolving advertising industry and ultimately provide a competition that continues to showcase brilliant work emanating from around the globe, added Ruse. New York Festivals Advertising Awards Advisory Board Matt Eastwood Former Worldwide CCO, J. Walter Thompson Doerte Spengler-Aherns CCO, Jung von Matt/SAGA Aricio Fortes Former CCO, DM9DDB Swati Bhattacharya CCO, FCB Ulka Mick Blore CCO South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa, McCann Worldgroup Robin Fitzgerald CCO, BBDO Atlanta Fede Garcia Global ECD, Huge Ted Lim CCO, Dentsu Brand Agencies APAC John Mescall Global ECD, McCann Worldgroup Rosie Bardales CCO and Partner, BETC London Taras Wayner CCO, Saatchi & Saatchi NY Ronald Ng Former CCO, Digitas Jeff Stamp Deputy CCO, Grey Group Erh Ray Founder and CEO, BETC/Havas Sao Paulo Gerrit Zinke Managing Partner/Partner, thjnk Hamburg GmbH Mike Byrne Founding Partner and Global CCO, Anomaly Want climate news in your inbox? Sign up here for Climate Fwd:, our email newsletter. EUGENE, Ore. Julia Olson climbed the slope of Spencer Butte, taking the steeper of the two paths. Near the summit, shrouding pines suddenly gave way to a vista of the Cascades. On this day, summer wildfires, their season lengthened by climate change, put a haze in the sky. The climb and return, which she can power through in an hour, is a head-clearing ritual for Ms. Olson, an environmental attorney. It is also a place to compose the soaring language of opening and closing arguments. I do my legal thinking here, she said. If all goes as planned, Ms. Olson will deliver her opening argument on Monday in a landmark federal lawsuit against the Trump administration on behalf of 21 plaintiffs, ages 11 to 22, who are demanding that the government fight climate change. It is a case that could test whether the judicial branch has major role to play in dealing with global warming, and whether there is a constitutional right to a stable and safe climate. The young plaintiffs claim that the governments actions, and inaction, in the face of global warming violate their fundamental constitutional rights to freedom from deprivation of life, liberty, and property. Their age is central to their argument: For older Americans, the potentially catastrophic effects of climate change are a problem, but ultimately an abstract one. Todays children, however, will be dealing with disaster within their lifetimes; the youngest of the plaintiffs, Levi Draheim, will be just 33 in 2040, the year by which a United Nations scientific panel now expects some of the biggest crises to begin. As for pork steaks, Ms. Bartlett learned to cook those from Alex Erwin Tooley, whose father opened the first barbecue restaurant in Tompkinsville, Tooleys BBQ. Ms. Bartlett went to work there part time in the 1990s, to help Mr. Tooley out, she recalled. She found that she preferred cooking and serving to the line work she did at a local textile factory. She ultimately bought the business in 2004. The pork-shoulder steak is the most perplexing piece of the puzzle. Pork steaks are common in St. Louis, where theyre grilled and served with Maulls barbecue sauce . But elsewhere in Kentucky (not to mention the rest of the country) people prefer to barbecue whole pork shoulder, a.k.a. Boston butt named for the barrels, or butts, in which corned pork shoulders were once packed for shipping. Whole shoulder has obvious advantages generous marbling, intrinsic tenderness that make it nearly impossible to overcook and dry out. It takes more time to cook, but the process is considerably less labor intensive than cutting and grilling shoulder steaks. Wes Berry, an English professor at Western Kentucky University and the author of The Kentucky Barbecue Book, believes the pork-shoulder steaks origins here have to do with Monroe Countys location in the heart of Kentucky farm country, where tobacco was a major crop. Dr. Berry hypothesizes that because the steaks cook quickly and provide a calorie-dense meal in a hurry, they became popular fare to serve to farmhands during harvest season. Before reading the article: When historians and sociologists discuss immigration, they sometimes point to push and pull factors to explain why groups of people move from one place to another. Push factors are the reasons people decide to leave their homeland, and pull factors are the reasons people choose to move to a particular place. Use your knowledge of history and current events to make a list of various push and pull factors to describe why immigrants have left, or are leaving, their homelands to move to another country. Now, read the article, Migrant Caravan Continues North, Defying Mexico and U.S., and answer the following questions: 1. The article headline uses the term migrant caravan. What is a migrant caravan? How large is this caravan? Where did it originate? And where is it currently located? 2. Why have these migrants fled their homelands and embarked on this arduous journey? What are the push factors? Lynsey Addario is a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer who has covered the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and has worked extensively in the Middle East and Africa. Her new book, Of Love and War, was published this month by Penguin Press, and it mostly includes photographs made for The New York Times as well as for Time and National Geographic. She spoke with James Estrin by phone. This conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity. _____ Q: Where are you? A: Im back in London. I got back Sunday from northern Nigeria, and before that I was in Yemen. Then I was in New York, and then I went to the border of Texas and Mexico for that 24 Hours series for The Times. And then Saturday I leave for a book tour . Q: Why another book? A: Well, this is a photo book. I didnt anticipate writing a book [Its What I Do] before doing my first photo book, but thats how it worked out . Ive always wanted to do a photo book, but I got sidetracked when I started that process in 2011 after Libya. When Tim [Hetherington] and Chris [Hondros] were killed, I didnt feel like looking at these photographs. So I ended up writing. Your character in the movie monitors the news round the clock. Are you similar? I was. When I wrote the movie, I had the news on 24 hours a day. I would have MSNBC, CNN and Fox kind of semi-rotating. I remember one day, my kid was stacking blocks, and it was the first time she was stacking stuff, and I had my back turned to her and I was reading an article about Ted Cruz. First of all, no one should have to read an article about Ted Cruz. Certainly, when you look back at the memory scrapbook of your life, if you can see that moment when your daughter is playing with blocks and youre reading about Ted Cruz, youre going to probably regret what you were doing. I try to get to that place where I stay aware enough that I can try to effect a little change, but Im not going to let it take away from things that bring me joy and happiness. Youre very outspoken about politics on your Twitter feed. How much time do you spend fighting with the alt-right and other people who come after you? Almost never. Its just a huge time-waster, and youre going to let getting in a fight with @deplorablejan27 ruin your mood because she called you a cuck? I know Im a cuck. I dont need you to tell me that, man. Youll be at dinner, and your wife will say, Whats wrong? And Ill say, Deplorable Jan called me a cuck. And shell be like: What are you talking about? Youre a maniac. Get out. Do you think by the end of your career you could be the most famous Ike? Because there are really only a couple. Im gonna say yes. I think I could beat Ike Turner, and thats not a pun. Eisenhowers going to be a tough one I mean, he rebuilt Europe. But I just have to warn the U.S. of the military-industrial complex, and bring us into our most prosperous decades. If I can do those two things, youd be like, Eisenhower who? I am an undergraduate researcher in a university-affiliated biology lab. The research we are doing involves subjecting many mice to disease, suffering and death. I havent interacted with the mice directly, but I use their serum in my experiments. The thought of animals suffering for the data we produce really bothers me; I am vegan for ethical reasons. My only justification is that the research we do will hopefully provide disease prevention in the future. However, I dont know if that is enough considering the slim chance of developing a therapy and the many mice that are suffering right now. The lab offered to have me continue to work throughout the upcoming semesters. The people I work under have been exceptional mentors; remaining in the lab would be extremely valuable for me professionally, and I am fortunate to be given this opportunity. On the other hand, I dont know if I am sacrificing my values to focus on academic and professional goals. Can I continue to work in this lab? Name Withheld You ought not participate in research that involves wrongful suffering. Whether the suffering in question is wrongful depends in part on whether the research might yield important benefits to people or other animals and whether the suffering could be mitigated or avoided altogether. The guidelines in Britain get at some important precepts here, usually referred to as the 3Rs: replacement (substitute nonanimal alternatives where possible), reduction (minimize the number of animals used) and refinement (adjust procedures in order to minimize animal suffering). In the United States, of course, there are laws and regulations about animal welfare that your university is presumably complying with, but many people think those rules are too lax. You should inform yourself further by talking to your mentors. If they are responsible, they will want to assure you that what they are doing is morally permissible. Animal research has, after all, led to treatments that save millions of lives. But once you have the whole story, you may disagree with their assessment. If you do, and the principal investigators arent inclined to change their procedures, you shouldnt continue to work in this lab. (That itself wont save any animals, but the fact that others will continue a wrong if you withdraw isnt a reason to carry on participating.) You should also make the case to the university authorities that they ought to stop or reform the work. There is a vast scope for research in the life sciences that does not involve the wrongful treatment of animals. And theres good news in the longer term: Emerging technologies such as the use of the complex cellular structures known as organoids may reduce the need for animal models. Woolf had solved, she said, the problem of the Angel. But that second question, telling the truth about my own experiences as a body, I do not think I solved. I doubt that any woman has solved it yet. The obstacles against her are still immensely powerful. The word experience traces back through Middle English and Old French to the Latin experientia, which means a test or attempt. Its related to both experiment and expert, connoting both repeated trials and eventual mastery. Experience is acquired over time, via direct contact with the world; it is firsthand, unmediated and always, inherently, embodied. You cant have experiences without a body, and you cant stop a body from having experiences. You can shelter a person from experience, you can limit or control or deny her experience, but if you do, the prohibition in itself will become the experience spliced with frustration, depression, hysteria and, of course, howling, uncontainable rage. This, it would seem, is what Woolf really wanted to talk to the Society for Womens Service about: how writers need experiences to write about, but women are kept from or judged for having them, or their experience is diminished, disbelieved, denied. (The opposite of being experienced, of course, is being innocent, and pure, and having no authority and nothing of importance to say.) Not all bodies, she suggested, are allowed to come into direct contact with the world, to battle with and master it. Not everybody is granted the same access to, as the Oxford University Presss dictionary has it, the knowledge or skill acquired by a period of practical experience of something, especially that gained in a particular profession. The experience of being a woman merges, over time, with the experience of limits, of denial, of negation, of living in a body on which rules and limitations and judgments are being constantly, externally imposed a body that must watch what it says, where it goes, what it eats, what it drinks, what it wears and whom it associates with, lest it get what it asked for. But there has been a curious turn, lately, in the way we use experience. Instead of describing something deeply personal and irreducibly human, it now often refers to something generic and mass-produced. It has become a business buzzword, used to describe a carefully designed interaction with a brand or product or facility. (As Forbes announced this summer, Customer experience is the new brand.) Restaurants, retail stores, car companies each is eager to welcome you into an immersive encounter, one every bit as carefully managed as those ubiquitous, Instagram-optimized experiences scattered like glorified childrens play spaces around Americas cities. Each is manufactured to be experienced in exactly the same way by everyone who approaches. Jumaane D. Williams, who turned a long-shot candidacy into a close defeat by Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul in last months Democratic primary, has quickly set his sights on another office: New York City public advocate. Mr. Williams said that his campaign for lieutenant governor served not only as a political springboard to running for public advocate, but also as a logical next step. He has often said that the lieutenant governor position should be more than a ribbon-cutting role. Id been using the public advocate as an example of what the lieutenant governor should be, Mr. Williams said in an interview. If Im not public advocate for New York State, I could be the public advocate for New York City. The message we have is transferable. If Letitia James, the current public advocate, wins her race in November to become New Yorks attorney general, she will vacate her current position by years end, and a special election will be held. As Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo runs for a third term, the subway is a thorn in his side. Mr. Cuomo is expected to easily win re-election Nov. 6. But that doesnt mean New Yorkers are happy about his management of the crumbling transit system. A new ad by Marcus J. Molinaro, his Republican challenger, features Twitter posts from angry subway riders and declares: Under Andrew Cuomo the #MTA is derailing, referring to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the subway . Mr. Molinaro has offered his own transit agenda, which focuses on reducing construction costs. Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, helped create the subway crisis by failing to adequately support the system his administration even diverted transit funding to ski resorts and he has been pilloried by subway advocates for prioritizing aesthetics over maintenance. But the governor, who declared the subway to be in a state of emergency last year, has also won praise for hiring Andy Byford, a highly respected transit executive who introduced a $40 billion overhaul plan to save the subway. Mr. Cuomo supported the agency's roughly $800 million subway repair plan and has committed about $8 billion from the state for capital spending. And Mr. Cuomo revived a push for congestion pricing, a proposal to raise money for public transit by tolling vehicles entering Manhattans busiest areas, even though it carries political risks. Gertrude Mokotoff, who was 71 when she became the first female mayor of Middletown, N.Y., and then drew even wider attention more than a quarter of a century later by marrying a 94-year-old man when she was 98, died on Oct. 17 at a hospital in that city. She was 100. The cause was congestive heart failure, her eldest daughter, Susan Reverby, said. My mother has always been a very bold woman, Ms. Reverby told The New York Times in August 2017. The occasion for Ms. Reverbys interview was the publication of an article in the Sunday Vows section about her mothers wedding only days earlier to Alvin Mann, a retired businessman and fellow nonagenarian. Both had been widowed from previous marriages. They had been introduced to each other at the gym where they both worked out twice a week. The article quickly found a remarkably wide readership online. The wedding, as it happened, came just days before Ms. Mokotoffs birthday. So Im 99, 98, its just a number, Ms. Mokotoff said. But today, Im still 98, right? So lets not rush things. Monday, October 22, 2018 at 8:58PM The still unreleased Pixel Slate may be the hot new 2-in-1 from Google but last year's formidable Pixelbook Chromebook is getting a lot of fresh functionality thanks to the Chrome OS Canary update that brings Android Pie functionality and features. Chromebooks can now run Android apps and while this has had mixed reactions, Google is skipping Oreo and going straight for Android Pie, which should make Android integration smoother on the Pixelbook's still impressive hardware. Google Assistant will be getting an updated interface. The Chrome camera interface will be replaced by an updated Google camera and other improvements should be visible. Source: Android Police The idea was born of a home renovation and evolved into a worldwide movement. In 2009, Todd Bol was renovating his garage in Wisconsin when he ripped off its old wooden door. He liked the wood, though, and didnt want to throw it out. So after staring at it for a while, he decided to use it to build a small monument to his mother, who had been a schoolteacher. He fashioned it into a replica of a schoolhouse, two feet high and two feet wide, put his mothers books in it, and planted it on his front yard, hoping to start a little book exchange for his neighbors. It was a spiritual gesture, he said. That gesture spawned what might be called the tiny library movement, leading to his founding of a nonprofit organization called Little Free Library a year later. Since then more than 75,000 Little Free Library boxes, which blend the form of folk art with the function of a community water cooler, have popped up in all 50 states and in 88 countries. Democrats used to be known for love of the Little Guy. Franklin Roosevelt won Texas, Oklahoma and Montana for that matter, most of what is now Red State America through four elections, while campaigning on behalf of the forgotten man. This dandy from a Hudson River Valley estate connected words to a political revolution that changed millions of lives for the better. That message has been lost to historys vapors. When 4,035 working-class voters in battleground states were recently asked to name an elected official who was fighting for them, the top answer was no one. [The Opinion section is now on Instagram. Follow us at @nytopinion.] After attending the Democratic National Convention two years ago, Kellyanne Conway offered this summary of what she heard: Their message is Donald Trump is bad, and were not Donald Trump. The rest of the message was race, gender, L.G.B.T. As this filters out to the heartland, it doesnt help good people trying to put a check on Trump. The national party hasnt been engaged with a good message, as Billie Sutton, a Democratic former rodeo rider running for governor in South Dakota, told my colleague Jack Healy. It used to be fighting for the little guy. As Trump praises violence, insults women and stokes a mob chant of Lock her up, it does no good for Democrats to say thats not who we are. In fact, that is who we are, or have become perhaps 40 percent of the electorate willing to throw decency, respect for truth and the law into the gutter with this president. An appeal to our better angels is a nonstarter in 2018. Then, as now, there were even powerful oil interests in the affair possible payments to Mussolinis brother Arnaldo Mussolini, the Jared Kushner figure of the situation that contributed to the consensus to get over the brutal killing. Then too, the reaction of near-universal horror to the Matteotti killing was surprising since violence had been a consistent feature of Fascism. The thugs who killed Mr. Matteotti had already used violence, intimidation and fraud during the 1924 elections that gave Mussolini a majority in Parliament. The world and most middle-class Italians credited Mussolini with preventing a Bolshevik-style revolution in Italy and was prepared to overlook what it took to be a little residual violence that it assumed would fade away after Mussolini started wearing the bowler hat and spats of a respectable politician. Italy was still a half-functioning democracy, and that helped expose the murder and the lies deployed during the attempts at a cover-up. Eyewitnesses had seen Mr. Matteotti being forced into a car. An elderly couple had seen the killers Lancia automobile as they staked out Mr. Matteottis house in the days before the kidnapping and wrote down the license plate. The police found the cars upholstery covered in Mr. Matteottis blood. He had been stabbed repeatedly and his body mutilated. A comparatively independent initial investigation linked the killers to Mussolinis office, where one of his top aides, Cesare Rossi, directed his press office and ran Ceka Fascista, the private hit squad named after Cheka, the Bolshevik predecessor of the K.G.B. Mr. Matteotti was killed before his parliamentary speech because he had been gathering evidence and planning to expose corruption in the assigning of a major oil concession by Mussolinis highly personalized government to an American company, Sinclair Oil. Mussolini got the case transferred to more cooperative investigators who concluded that the Matteotti killing had been unplanned and involuntary. The passage of time, the dithering of the Italian political class, the self-interest of foreign governments and the complicity of the international press helped Mussolini survive. A remarkable new book, La Scoperta dellItalia, by the Italian historian Mauro Canali, describes how the Fascists manipulated foreign journalists during the Matteotti crisis. At the time, two of the most important media outlets in Italy, The Associated Press and The New York Times, were locally headed by a father-son team, Salvatore and Arnaldo Cortesi, who were Italian citizens and ardent Fascist supporters. To the Editor: In Democrats Foresee a Female Front-Runner. Or 3 (front page, Oct. 20), you say that some Democratic women express doubt that Americans are ready for a female president . No, and more no! This is the great canard from the 2016 election. In fact, Americans demonstrated their readiness for a woman as they gave Hillary Clinton almost 2.9 million more votes than they gave Donald Trump. Why do we overlook this critical point? We should be constantly reminded that it was the Electoral College that deprived us of the female president we were more than ready for. William Dunham Bryn Mawr, Pa. To the Editor: Re Trump Escalates Use of Migrants as Election Ploy (front page, Oct. 23): I find it baffling that President Trump and G.O.P. candidates can use fear of immigration and the migrant caravan as an election issue. Even with full control of the government, they have utterly failed to deliver on their promises on immigration. Ending the flow of migration across the southern border was a central promise of Mr. Trumps campaign, but nearly two years later there is no border wall, and border crossings continue at a high rate . I dont want a wall, and I dont support the anti-immigrant agenda, but even I can see that these are broken, empty promises. Dont the people chanting Build the wall! at his rallies wonder why theyre still chanting the same thing this deep into his presidency? The Republicans seem to be interested in this issue solely to stir up fear, because theyve had ample time to produce actual legislation to address the southern border but have done nothing. Democrats should call them out on this failure. Lizzie Scott Brooklyn To the Editor: President Trump is now blaming the Democrats for encouraging and funding the approaching migrant caravan from Central America. Isnt it more likely that such a caravan would help Republicans in the midterm elections? The Republicans have a more plausible motive for encouraging the immigration caravan than Democrats have. Bret Stephens: Gail, we have a lot of ground to cover on the political front, but first Id like to broach the subject of Jamal Khashoggi, our murdered Washington Post colleague. This story isnt just about our relationship with Saudi Arabia. Its about the safety of journalists and what becomes of their safety when the leader of the free world deems the news media an enemy of the people. Your thoughts? Gail Collins: Were not going to have any differences on this one, Bret. I thought Donald Trump had lost the capacity to shock me, but his celebration of assaulting journalists really did send me reeling. As Im sure you know, at a rally in Montana last week, he congratulated a congressman who had body-slammed a reporter for asking a question about health care. I recently spent way too much time listening to Trumps rally speeches. One thing I was looking for was which lines drew the most response. The biggest cheers came when he denounced the media and fake news. Bret: Theres an old saying that when the United States catches a cold, the rest of the world gets pneumonia. By a similar token, when the president of the United States celebrates a physical assault on one journalist, the rest of the world will feel free to murder another. Its an example of the way in which the corrosion of liberal values at the core of the free world leads to their destruction at the periphery. The conservative assault on the administrative state has four elements. First, Justices Gorsuch and Thomas want to revive a discredited legal rule that was invoked by the Supreme Court in 1935 and then abandoned. The nondelegation doctrine says that Congress may not delegate its legislative power to administrative agencies in other words, authorize agencies to make policy through regulation. That doctrine is at issue again in the Gundy case, where the challengers argue that Congress gave the attorney general too much discretion to set the rules for sex offenders. Second, Justices Gorsuch, Kavanaugh and Thomas want to undermine a rule called the Chevron doctrine, after a 1984 Supreme Court case. That rule says that when an agency regulation is based on a reasonable interpretation of a statute, courts should defer to the agency. The Chevron rule codified existing judicial recognition of the core idea of the administrative state. Specialists in environmental hazards, in credit markets, in workplace safety should regulate. Generalist judges, who end up disagreeing with one another and causing administrative confusion, should keep their hands off. The Chevron doctrine is at issue in the Nielsen case, where the challengers have urged the court not to defer to the governments interpretation of the immigration statute. Third, the conservative justices dislike the principle of agency autonomy and have looked askance at job protections for agency officials. Fourth, the conservative justices have endorsed a novel interpretation of the First Amendment that protects businesses from regulation from campaign finance regulation, labor regulation and even regulations that require them to disclose information to consumers. What is the basis for this radical change in the law? Justices Kavanaugh, Gorsuch and Thomas claim to be originalists, who believe that the court should strike down laws that violate the original understanding of the Constitution. But the founders did not bar Congress from creating administrative agencies or think that the First Amendment protected businesses from commercial regulation. Many liberals think that the conservative justices are cats paws of business. But their claims to the contrary, businesses do not oppose regulation. Businesses constantly beseech the agencies to regulate not themselves, but the other businesses that they compete with or depend on, and are harmed by. The new conservative jurisprudence may help some businesses in the short run but ultimately will undermine the legal structure in which they flourish. The answer is both obvious and depressing. The modern conservative jurisprudence is an exercise in nostalgia, a yearning for pre-New Deal America when, supposedly, government was less oppressive and people were freer than they are today. You can see this nostalgia in the homilies to olden times in Justices Gorsuchs and Kavanaughs lectures and their insistence that answers to todays challenges can be found in a theory of government invented in the 18th century by men wearing breeches and powdered wigs. Many architects dream of designing their own homes but not all architects. Carrie Byles, for instance, is a partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, one of the largest architecture firms in the United States, but when it came to renovating her 1956 house in Sausalito, Calif., she wanted help. I thought that if I designed it on my own, it would probably take me 10 years because Id fuss over it a long time, and Im so busy Id never have time to work on it, said Ms. Byles, 56, who spends her days focused on much larger projects like university and condominium towers, as well as an expansion of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and the management of her firm. She had bought the two-bedroom, 1,671-square-foot, midcentury-modern house in 2011 for about $1 million because she liked its post-and-beam construction, exposed ceilings and seven-foot-square sliding glass doors. But other elements looked tired, like the dated kitchen and the vinyl-clad solarium added by a previous owner. The cosmologist and pop-science icon Stephen Hawking, who died last March on Einsteins birthday, spoke out from the grave recently in the form of his last scientific paper. Appropriately for a man on the Other Side, the paper is about how to escape from a black hole. Cleansed of its abstract mathematics, the paper is an ode to memory, loss and the oldest of human yearnings, the desire for transcendence. As the doomed figure in Bruce Springsteens Atlantic City sings, Everything dies, baby, thats a fact, but maybe everything that dies someday comes back. Dr. Hawking was the manifestation of perseverance; stricken by Lou Gehrigs disease, he managed to conquer the universe from a wheelchair. The fate of matter or information caught in a black hole is one that defined his career, and it has become one of the deepest issues in physics. Black holes are objects so dense that, according to Einsteins law of general relativity, not even light can escape. In 1974, Dr. Hawking turned these objects, and the rest of physics, inside-out. He discovered, to his surprise, that the random quantum effects that rule the microscopic world would cause black holes to leak and, eventually, explode and disappear. In 1968, the last paying guests of the 200-room Grand Hotel Campo dei Fiori in Varese, Italy, checked out. Since then, the property a once-glamorous Art Nouveau retreat perched atop a hard-to-reach wooded Alpine foothill has remained largely vacant, home only to caretakers and their families. The brightly painted walls have faded and peeled; sections of the ceiling have collapsed; the furniture, much of it left in place, has gathered dust. It was for exactly these reasons that the director Luca Guadagnino was determined to film Suspiria, his reimagining of Dario Argentos 1977 horror classic, on the property. When we arrived in Italy, we went to scout for alternative places, because this was logistically going to be almost a nightmare, says Inbal Weinberg, the films production designer. In its prime, the hotel was very much like the Grand Budapest Hotel, if there were ever a real one, she notes. However, when she and her team toured the building, there was no electricity or running water. But the hotel had so much going for it, she says. So she set about transforming the building into both the films main location, a fictional dance school in 1970s Berlin, and also a functioning production site. In the simplest terms, Suspiria follows a young American student named Susie Bannion, played by Dakota Johnson, as she adjusts to life at the rigorous, prestigious Markos Dance Academy in Cold War-era Germany. But nothing about Suspiria is straightforward; the school, as Susies friend Sara (Mia Goth) soon finds out, is run by witches who perform gruesome rituals in secret rooms hidden within the building. And Republicans have a good chance to flip two seats themselves Pennsylvanias 14th and Minnesotas Eighth which would put the Democrats at a net gain of 13. Four of the 15 seats poised to flip to the Democrats are in Pennsylvania, where Democrats benefit from a new congressional map drawn by the states Supreme Court. Five others are in open races where Republicans retired and Democrats have strong recruits. Then there are six Republican incumbents who are already thought to be at a big disadvantage. Five of them are in relatively white suburban districts: Colorados Sixth, Minnesotas Second, Minnesotas Third, Kansas Third and Virginias 10th. A sixth, Iowas First, is in a mostly white working-class but traditionally Democratic district where Barack Obama won easily in 2012. We cant say that Democrats have truly locked down these races, though the partys candidates led by at least seven points in each of the New York Times Upshot/Siena polls of these districts. All are rated as lean Democratic by the Cook Political Report, and theres varying talk that the G.O.P. will withdraw resources in these races. But theres still vigorous spending here, and polling is often sparse or out of date. It wouldnt be a surprise if Republicans ultimately pulled it out in at least one of them in the final stretch. She wants higher taxes. Bigger government. A single-payer radical government takeover of health care, he said. And those are her moderate positions. Though Ms. Abrams has said she likes the idea of a single-payer health care system, her immediate goal, she says, is to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act in Georgia, one of 17 states that have declined to do so. On Tuesday she said Medicaid expansion would stem the wave of rural hospital closings, and noted that Vice President Mike Pence had overseen Medicaid expansion when he was governor of Indiana. Unfortunately my opponent, Mr. Kemp, does not have a plan for health care, other than saying trust your insurance companies, she said. Mr. Kemp does have a health care plan, which would, among other things, shore up a tax credit for rural hospitals. But his Trump-inspired campaign has captured the most attention with primary ads in which Mr. Kemp says he would personally round up criminal illegals in his pickup truck. Mr. Kemp called out Ms. Abrams on Tuesday for saying recently that the coming blue wave would include undocumented immigrants. She has described the comment as a broad message of support for everyone living in the state. But Mr. Kemp interpreted it as a call for undocumented immigrants to vote. Well, Ms. Abrams, as you know in a recent video, you called on illegals to vote for you in this election, he said. I was actually shocked; I had to watch that video twice. It clearly shows that you are asking for undocumented and documented folks to be part of your winning strategy. So my question is why are you encouraging people to break the law for you in this election? Ms. Abrams responded that she had never asked for anyone who is not legally eligible to vote to be able to cast a ballot. Florida. Singing: Sunshine and sea breeze, soft sand and palm trees. Retirement mecca, party central, Little Haiti, Little Havana a state with elections so close, theyre legendary. And in 2018, Florida is living up to its reputation, with a tight governors race catering to political extremes. A lefty mayor from Tallahassee Are yall ready to flip Florida blue versus a Trump-loving former congressman. Make America great again. The result could be a litmus test for where the state, and maybe even the country, are headed in 2020. So, who are the candidates? This is the Democrat, Mayor Andrew Gillum. He pulled off a surprise victory in the primary, beating out six other candidates. My wife refers to me as Seabiscuit. Gillums got that made-for-media inspiring back story. Hes one of seven kids, the first to graduate from high school and college, and he was the youngest person ever elected to the Tallahassee City Commission. Gillum could be Floridas first black governor. Hes become a bit of a national star. But hes also wrapped up in some controversies: An ongoing corruption probe, since youve been mayor. We want to make sure that any individual that participated in that is held fully accountable. The Republican, Ron DeSantis: He made a name for himself by appearing on Fox News a lot. Put up or shut up. DeSantis, a self-described conservative warrior, has impressed many Republicans, including Trump. A tough, brilliant cookie. Hes got Ivy League credentials and served in the military. JAG officer. DeSantis went to Congress in 2012, but recently resigned so he could focus on his campaign. Hes also had some stumbles, like when he said this about Gillum the morning after the primaries: You know he is an articulate spokesman for those far-left views. The last thing we need to do is to monkey this up. Yeah. It drew accusations of a racist dog whistle. So, what about the issues? DeSantis has endorsed almost every Trump policy, from repealing the Affordable Care Act to moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. He also hates tax increases and so-called sanctuary cities. Gillum: He might be the most liberal candidate for governor in Floridas history. He wants to overhaul I.C.E., raise the minimum wage and fight the N.R.A. Polls show that both messages are getting pretty good reception in Florida. So yeah, of course, the race is neck and neck. This is Florida. The rules are different here. So far, only New York, Maryland and Vermont have banned fracking altogether. But none of those states have anything close to the reserves of Colorado, which is among the top six states in both oil and gas production. Not surprisingly, the initiative has deepened political fissures in a purple state whose economy counts on oil, but whose lifestyle hinges on access to pristine wilderness. As Colorados population has climbed, driven by the cost of living, a growing technology sector and the appeal of the outdoors, the states new and old industries have collided. At the same time, environmentally-oriented companies like Patagonia are pressing to become bigger political players in the region, often putting them at odds with the oil and gas lobby. If passed, the measure Proposition 112 would require companies to place new wells at least 2,500 feet from homes, schools, waterways and other areas designated as vulnerable, two-and-a-half to five times the current state regulation. Even as the measure faces fierce resistance, industry leaders and environmentalists alike acknowledge that it could succeed. One recent industry poll obtained by The New York Times showed 43 percent of voters in favor, with 41 percent opposed. In recent years, Colorado oil and gas well operations have come so close to homes, schools and playgrounds that drill rigs, holding tanks, diesel trucks and floodlights are now common neighborhood features. In places like Weld County, the center of the states boom, residents increasingly fear they are exposing their children to chemicals. A series of deadly industry incidents has only heightened concerns. PANAMA CITY, Fla. Ceely Taylor had not seen her fiance in two days when, frightened and worried, she went to the authorities. In the chaotic days this month after Hurricane Michael struck the Florida Panhandle, he had somehow vanished. But by the time Ms. Taylor described Dakota Brooks, the 6-foot-tall steam plant worker she was engaged to, to a police investigator, he was already dead killed not by the hurricanes ravaging winds or storm surge, but by a state law enforcement officer who may have thought he was a looter. It took days for Mr. Brookss friends and family to learn his fate in the frenzied aftermath of the Category 4 storm, which killed 19 people in coastal Bay County and left hundreds of families searching for missing relatives hampered by downed power lines, unreliable cellphone service and shaky internet connections. Witnesses said Mr. Brooks, having gone out for a walk after the storm, was spotted after rifling through cars and scuffled with a state law enforcement agent in the moments before he was shot. For Ms. Taylor, though, that does not answer the questions that trouble her most: How could he have survived one of the worst storms ever to hit the Florida Panhandle, only to die when it stopped raining? And why, when she had barraged the authorities with questions about her fiance, did it take days to learn that he had been the victim of a law enforcement shooting? LOS ANGELES A tremendous caravan of migrants from Central America that slowly trekked toward the southwestern border this week, both captivating the world and enraging President Trump and other politicians, is just the latest of several to stretch north toward the United States in recent years. Though the current group appeared to be among the largest, two caravans last year each drew about 350 migrants. Some traveled all the way to the United States, where they applied for asylum. Others sought protection in Mexico. Still others dropped out along the way. In this case, in defiance of the Mexican and American governments, more than 7,000 Central American undocumented migrants have been en route to the United States for more than a week. Its not true that everyone wants to end up in the U.S. Many people in that caravan will seek asylum in Mexico, said Joanna Williams, advocacy director for the Kino Border Initiative, which works with migrants. Professor Jones said Justice OConnor had faced enormous challenges. It wasnt easy to be the first Sister among the Brethren, but she modeled perfect civility and taught us that public service in a democracy is a noble calling that demands the very best of a person, Professor Jones said, adding that Justice OConnor had a deep commitment to civility and always urged students to learn to disagree agreeably. That advice, Professor Jones said, feels all the more important today. For years after her retirement from the Supreme Court, Justice OConnor kept a busy schedule, hearing cases on appeals courts, lecturing and promoting civics education. But she has not been seen in public for some time, prompting vague reports of failing health. Tuesdays letter clarified matters. It also gave Justice OConnor one more opportunity to encourage young people to learn about civics. Here, too, the subtext was a yearning for an era in which compromise and collaboration were possible. I can no longer help lead this cause, due to my physical condition, she wrote. It is time for new leaders to make civic learning and civic engagement a reality for all. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. applauded that effort. I was saddened to learn that Justice Sandra Day OConnor, like many Americans, faces the challenge of dementia, he said in a statement. But I was not at all surprised that she used the occasion of sharing that fact to think of our country first, and to urge an increased commitment to civics education, a cause to which she devoted so much of her time and indomitable energy. The chief justice also sketched out his former colleagues place in history. She broke down barriers for women in the legal profession to the betterment of that profession and the country as a whole, he wrote. She serves as a role model not only for girls and women, but for all those committed to equal justice under law. Although she has announced that she is withdrawing from public life, no illness or condition can take away the inspiration she provides for those who will follow the many paths she has blazed. Justice OConnor was more than a trailblazer and role model on the Supreme Court. Since she held the crucial vote in many of its most highly charged cases, her vision shaped American life for her quarter century on the court. Political scientists marveled at the power she wielded. WASHINGTON As a general rule, presidents do not refer to themselves as a nationalist given the freighted history of the word. But as President Trump tries to galvanize his conservative base to turn out in the midterm elections, he has adopted the label as a badge of honor. At a rally in Houston on Monday night, he embraced the term as unabashedly as he ever has. Really, were not supposed to use that word, he told supporters in a nod to the usual political sensibilities that he relishes disrupting. You know what I am? Im a nationalist, O.K.? Im a nationalist. Nationalist! Use that word! Use that word! Asked in the Oval Office on Tuesday why he used that word given its association with racist movements, Mr. Trump professed ignorance of its history but did not back off. I never heard that theory about being a nationalist, he said. Ive heard them all. But Im somebody who loves our country. Undaunted, he added: I am a nationalist. Its a word that hasnt been used too much. Some people use it, but Im very proud. I think it should be brought back. There is a reason other presidents generally do not use that word about themselves. Typically, the term nationalist is employed by the United States government to describe political figures and forces in other countries that sometimes represent a threat. When used domestically, it is a word often tainted with the whiff of extremism, not least because a variant of it, white nationalist, describes racist leaders and groups. American politicians traditionally stick with the safer term patriot. Hi. Welcome to On Politics, your guide to the day in national politics. Im Lisa Lerer, your host. [Get On Politics delivered to your inbox.] Early voting is underway. Election Day is two weeks away. Welcome to grind-it-out time. For Clarke Tucker, an Arkansas Democrat mounting a bid for Congress in a deeply red state, that means a lot of knocking on doors. I tagged along with him on a trip through a neighborhood of Little Rock, where he greeted those who answered the door and left personalized notes for those who were out. Notes are big for Mr. Tucker, who said he has used the same blue Sharpie since his first statehouse run. (The ink doesnt smear on the fliers.) This is like politics in its purest form to me, he said, walking up to another door. I love this. Welcome to The Tip Sheet, a daily political analysis of the 2018 elections, based on interviews with Republican and Democratic officials, pollsters, strategists and voters. Where things stand For a sign of why Republicans are starting to think they might might have an outside chance of keeping control of the House, look at our new poll of an Illinois congressional race that has been considered a tossup. The G.O.P. incumbent, Mike Bost, has a nine-point lead over the Democrat, Brendan Kelly, but in early September the two men were running about even, according to New York Times/Siena College polls. What changed? President Trumps approval ratings. Voters in that district, Illinoiss 12th, were roughly split on him in September; in the new poll that wrapped up Monday night, 50 percent approved of Mr. Trumps performance and 43 percent disapproved. Republicans generally know which districts they need to defend to keep power. But strategists for the party, which can afford to lose a net total of 22 seats, are growing concerned about two open seats that were not expected to become so competitive and outside conservative groups are considering pouring advertising dollars into both this week. It still may have been that Iran was behind the attack but the new research suggests that, if it was, Iran had a lot of Russian help, and that when the malware needed to be fine-tuned, the Russian institute provided the expertise. The attack marked one of the scariest moments so far in cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. It was the first known attempt to manipulate an emergency-shutdown system, which is designed to avoid disaster and protect human lives. But something went wrong with the attack, and it actually prompted a full shutdown of the plant, which appeared to be accidental as the malware was loaded into the plants computers. No industrial accident occurred. Nonetheless, the episode has captivated the attention of experts, who concluded that had things gone according to plan, the next stage of the attack was most likely intended to trigger an industrial accident. If that had happened, the shutdown system would have been disabled. We dont know why this facility was targeted, said John Hultquist, who oversaw the study at FireEye. They may have just been testing things out, just experimenting. American intelligence officials have concluded that Russia is unlikely to try to hack into voting machines or directly manipulate voting results this year. On Friday, the director of national intelligence said that state and local governments have reported attempted intrusions into their networks, but that foreign governments have not penetrated voting systems. But Russian efforts to sway public opinion by spreading false information have continued, and officials said those efforts are becoming more refined, targeting specific groups of Americans. Almost all of the Russian disinformation efforts, according to current and former officials, are aimed at sowing dissent, polarizing the political parties and setting the stage for the 2020 presidential election. The defense officials would not identify their targets. But other officials said some of the targets were involved in previous Russian efforts to spread disinformation in the United States and Europe, including the 2016 presidential election. The new American campaign, according to these officials, is aimed at both oligarch-funded hacking groups and Russian intelligence operatives who are part of Moscows disinformation campaign. It is not clear whether Cyber Commands effort is also aimed at halting Russian operatives charged with hacking political entities. Others said the American government must be ready to go further cutting off the Russians ability to spread propaganda. It is very important to identify the source and essentially be able to neutralize that source, said Laura Rosenberger, the director of the Alliance for Securing Democracy and a former Obama administration official. These are networks that operate. The more we can identify the key nodes in those networks and remove them by taking them offline is really how we will get at this problem in a systemic way and not play Whac-a-Mole. Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, the head of Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, hinted at the new cyberoperations this month as he noted that American adversaries are looking to really take us on below that level of armed conflict by sowing distrust in society and attempt to disrupt our elections. This is what great power competition looks like today, and its what we will look at as we look to the future, he said during a panel discussion in Washington. Good Tuesday morning. Here are some of the stories making news in Washington and politics today. _____________________ Ahead of the midterm elections, President Trump and some Republicans are escalating efforts to tie Democrats to rampant immigration and violent crime in an effort to stoke fear in voters. Read about the campaigning. Mr. Trump on Monday said that a caravan of migrants heading to the United States included unknown Middle Easterners. There is no evidence of that. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin traveled to Saudi Arabia to discuss efforts to combat terrorist financing and spoke with the crown prince about the killing of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Read about the meeting. WASHINGTON As early voting began Monday in Florida, Senator Bill Nelson and Andrew Gillum, who is running for governor, had former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. come to Jacksonville and Tampa to urge Democrats to go to the polls in what are two of the most hard-fought races in the country. Early voting also started Monday in Texas, and thats where President Trump spoke in an 18,000-seat N.B.A. arena. But he was rallying support in a pair of less-competitive races: the re-election campaigns of Senator Ted Cruz and Gov. Greg Abbott. Conspicuously absent from the raucous festivities at Houstons Toyota Center, where thousands also congregated outside, was the local Republican congressman who is locked in a difficult campaign: John Culberson, whose well-heeled district is full of moderates who recoil from Mr. Trump. The split-screen between Florida and Texas one the most crucial presidential battleground in the country, the other a pillar of conservative strength neatly illustrated Mr. Trumps role in the fall campaign. He is often away from the center of action, shunned by many of his partys most vulnerable House candidates but still commands enthusiastic audiences on a scale rarely seen in a midterm election. As part of his closing argument ahead of the Nov. 6 midterm elections, President Trump has been promising that Congress is about to cut taxes for the middle class. It isnt. Here he was in a rally Monday night in Texas, detailing a cut that no one on Capitol Hill or K Street was talking about until a few days ago: Were going to be putting in a 10 percent tax cut for middle-income families. Its going to be put in next week, 10 percent tax cut. Kevin Brady is working on it. Weve been working on it for a few months, a 10 percent brand-new and that is in addition to the big tax cuts that youve already gotten. But this one is for middle income. This is no business. Business is now good. Theyre coming back. The jobs are coming back. The plants and factories are coming back like never before. Theyre all coming back. This is for middle-income people, all middle-income people, a big tax, 10 percent. Well be putting it in next week. Representative Kevin Brady of Texas, the Republican chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, was the chief architect of the $1.5 trillion tax cut Congress passed last year. His office has provided no detail about what Mr. Trump might be talking about, though Mr. Brady said late Tuesday that Republicans will continue to work with the White House and Treasury over the coming weeks to develop an additional 10 percent tax cut focused specifically on middle-class families and workers, to be advanced as Republicans retain the House and Senate. A spokeswoman for Speaker Paul D. Ryan, the Wisconsin Republican who helped push through last years tax cut, referred calls to the White House. Mr. Bradys comments suggest that Mr. Trumps proposed tax cut could be at best a blueprint for what Republicans might do if they keep control of the House and Senate next year. It is clearly an applause line at rallies. It has brought tax cuts, as a topic, back onto cable news and given Mr. Trump a way to talk about last years tax cut, which has been somewhat of a dud on the campaign trail. 8:58 A.M.-11:47 A.M. The New York Times contacts the White House and key agencies for answers. With the help of other Times reporters who cover the administration, I ask members of Mr. Trumps team questions that they have uniformly come to detest: What, exactly, did the president mean by the Twitter posts? And what immediate action will be taken, if any, to carry out his orders? 9:14 A.M. Customs and Border Protection says to ask the White House. A spokeswoman for Customs and Border Protection, the agency that patrols the border, informs us exactly where to go to get answers about Mr. Trumps declaration that the caravan contains criminals and people from the Middle East: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I cant speak to the Presidents tweet. You might ask the WH where they got the info. 11:02 A.M. The Department of Homeland Security has numbers, but not answers. Asked whether Mr. Trumps statement about the caravan comes from any intelligence the agency has seen, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, speaking on the condition of anonymity because she lacks authorization to comment on the record provides general statistics about bad actors that Customs and Border Protection apprehended this year or prevented from entering the country last year. None of the countries mentioned are in the Middle East. On background, in FY 18, CBP apprehended 17,256 criminals, 1,019 gang members, and 3,028 special interest aliens from countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Somalia. Additionally, C.B.P. prevented 10 known or suspected terrorists from traveling to or entering the United States every day in fiscal year 2017. 1:41 P.M. The State Department would like these questions asked elsewhere. A spokeswoman for the State Department, speaking once again on the condition of anonymity, sends a long list of talking points about the caravan, saying that the administration is closely following the group, is concerned about it and is working closely with Central American and Mexican officials to discourage people from making this dangerous journey. But the spokeswoman will not answer questions about whether Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state, or anyone at the department has begun the process of cutting off aid, or when that will happen. She will not touch the presidents statement about criminals and Middle Easterners in the caravan. The President has made clear that countries receiving assistance from the United States should support our interests. We refer you to the White House for additional information. 2:45 P.M. Trump speaks to reporters, shedding no light. The president, on his way to a campaign stop in Texas, speaks to reporters outside the White House, restating his warnings and complaints about the caravan but offering no new information. When Jon Karl of ABC News asks what evidence Mr. Trump has that the caravan is filled with criminals and people from the Middle East, the president becomes testy. You know what you should do, Jon? Go into the middle of the caravan, take your cameras, and search. Okay? Search. No, no. Take your Jon, take your camera, go into the middle, and search. Youre going to find MS-13, youre going to find Middle Eastern, youre going to find everything. And guess what? Were not allowing them in our country. We want safety. 4:02 P.M. Asked and answered, the White House says. A White House spokesman responds to a second request for answers about the presidents tweets by referring back to the comments he has made earlier, in which he did not answer any of the questions I have posed. He just gaggled on this topic. Do you still need info? (Yes, I do.) 4:47 P.M. Homeland security sends a list of enforcement actions against special interest aliens in 2018. The spokeswoman sends a follow-up email listing the countries of origin some in the Middle East for special interest aliens that Customs and Border Protection has taken enforcement actions against in 2018. She provides no additional information about how or whether they are tied to the caravan. 5:28 P.M. The White House says there is evidence, but supplies none. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the presidents press secretary, tells reporters in the White House driveway that the president absolutely has evidence that there are Middle Easterners in the caravan. She cites a statistic that the Department of Homeland Security sent earlier about the 10 known or suspected terrorists who try to enter the country illegally each day. 4:20 P.M. Tuesday Mr. Trump acknowledges he has no proof. Mr. Trump, questioned by reporters in the Oval Office about his assertions about the caravan, says, There's no proof of anything, but there very well could be Middle Easterners who have joined the group. Minutes later, Tyler Q. Houlton, the spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security, tweeted, Citizens of countries outside Central America, including countries in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and elsewhere are currently traveling through Mexico toward the U.S. Ron Nixon contributed reporting. My brother, at the other extreme, wanted Mom to pursue every medical option, no matter how long the odds. He believed that doctors were fallible, there was always another treatment out there, and life was worth clinging to. And he couldnt bear the thought of living without her. Then there was me, torn between them. I had spent hours listening to Moms fears and understood them. A decade earlier, my mother-in-law had died with a feeding tube in her side while her oncologist suggested more surgery after six months of wasting away from metastatic cancer. It would have been infinitely kinder to allow her to die peacefully in her own bed. We had given my paternal grandmother just such a good death. We sat by her bed and told family stories as she slipped into unconsciousness. We turned away from the outside world and drew close to one another. All was quiet and time seemed to stop. Finally, we held her as she took her last breaths, letting her know how much we loved her but also letting her go. I remember that week as a thing of rare beauty. It taught me that dying well can be a balm and a blessing to all involved. Recognizing the enormous gulf between those two scenarios, I supported Moms right to die on her own terms. Like my brother, I desperately wanted more time with my mother. Despite her failing body, Moms mind remained sharp. In recent years, our occasional mother-daughter tensions had subsided, leaving a much warmer and less complicated companionship. After an emotional week of debate, we all agreed to bring Mom to New York for a second and final opinion from the world-class doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering. If they too determined that nothing more could be done, we would accept the inevitable. HONG KONG China officially opened the worlds longest sea bridge on Tuesday after Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, and local officials inaugurated the 34-mile structure, which crosses the Pearl River Delta to link Hong Kong with Macau and the mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai. The project, which includes sections of bridge and artificial islands linked by a four-mile tunnel west of Hong Kongs airport, went billions of dollars over budget and was delayed by two years. Chinese officials expect the bridge to significantly cut driving time between the two sides of the Pearl River, helping to achieve their vision of a Greater Bay Area, as China calls the effort to knit the regions cities more closely. Plans for the opening ceremony were announced just days beforehand, apparently timed to coincide with Mr. Xis first trip to the southern province of Guangdong in nearly six years. Mr. Xis contribution to the opening event, on an artificial island holding Zhuhais port facilities, was modest. [Go deeper: China has built hundreds of dazzling new bridges, including the longest and highest, but many have fostered debt and corruption.] Advocates of the ban argued that it should be respected because it had been in effect for so long, and that the temples celibate deity had constitutional rights. But in a 4 to 1 decision, the court disagreed. Religion cannot become a cover to exclude and to deny the right of every woman to find fulfillment in worship, Judge Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud wrote in his opinion. Almost immediately, thousands of protesters who disagreed marched in Kerala, threatening violent repercussions for women who tried to visit the temple. Bhakti Pasrija Sethi, a lawyer who was involved in challenging the ban, said she was baffled by the backlash, saying the dismantling of exclusionary rules in other places of worship, like the Haji Ali, a mosque and tomb in Mumbai, or temples in west central India, were not met with the same level of vitriol. In any case, she said, there was evidence that women had peacefully visited the Sabarimala Temple decades ago for rice-feeding ceremonies, which mark a babys first intake of solid foods. Other temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa also allow women to enter, she said. They are giving superstition the cover of religion, Ms. Sethi said of the protesters. What they are doing is not religion. The Hindu religion is not teaching you violence. Keralas chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, attributed much of the chaos to members of fringe Hindu groups disguising themselves as pilgrims and then spreading terror. Kerala is run by a coalition of communist parties; opposition politicians in the state have warned the police not to use force against protesters and argued that Indias central government, which is led by a party with Hindu nationalist roots, should take over security at the temple. MOSCOW The national security adviser, John R. Bolton, is in Moscow this week to explain to officials President Trumps decision to pull out of a 1987 arms-control pact. Mr. Trump and his hard-line aides, particularly Mr. Bolton, have long expressed their displeasure with the agreement, the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty, because they say Russia is in violation of the terms and China is not a signatory. Unless Russia comes to us and China comes to us and they all come to us and they say, Lets all of us get smart and lets none of us develop those weapons, America would pull out and start building new nuclear arms, Mr. Trump said after a campaign rally on Saturday. In response, the Kremlin spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, hinted at a new arms race, saying Russia would be forced also to develop new weapons to restore balance in this sphere. FRANNIE: Can you get your lens in that hole there? Thats a little monument that the locals put up in memory of the children. And just inside that wall there is where we came across the chamber with the remains in it. There used to be a little apple orchard in there, and thats what we were doing, we were getting apples. So we jumped off the wall, and when we landed we felt a hollow and there was a crack in the slab, so we actually pried it open. When we pulled it across like you could see there were skeleton remains like, bones. We were told then the next day that the priest had come up and said a prayer and not to go in there again, but we went in straight away, and the whole site had been leveled - cleared. TITLE: THE CHILDREN OF TUAM Text card: Throughout 20th century Ireland, the children of unmarried women were forced to live in Mother and Baby homes - institutions financed by the government and managed by the Catholic Church. Text card: This is the only known photo of the St. Marys Mother and baby home in Tuam, Ireland. CATHERINE CORLESS The home was always surrounded in mystique because...nobody was allowed in. We used to walk to school at the time. I lived about two and a half miles out... We always passed those ten foot high walls. And I always remember, especially on a frosty morning, youd see the glass shining on top of the walls. And I used to wonder why was there broken glass all along the top of the wall? CATHERINE CORLESS I remember the children at school just vaguely. And I do remember they were segregated from the rest of us - we werent allowed to play with the. Like a different species, at the time. And I suppose at the back of my mind it was there in the sub conscious... wondering about the children. TEXT: PJ Haverty Lived in the home until age 7 PJ HAVERTY: I cannot remember an awful lot of it because ... there was no love, there was no care. TEXT: Carmel Larkin Lived in the home until age 5 CARMEL LARKIN There was a hedge each side of us, and a crowd of us walking. Thats the only memory I have. TEXT: Peter Mulryan Lived in the home until age 4 MULRYAN: I have no memories of it. I was there for four and half years. PJ HAVERTY: what happened in the home - you know it can happen to you - that you can block things out at such a young age. Nat sound: wind in grass PJ HAVERTY My mother got pregnant outside of marriage, and of course that was a big sin. And the priest in the parish got to hear about it. ...and told her parents that it was an awful disgrace, ... So they told her then that when the babys due, that she was to be taken to Tuam, the home in Tuam, and the nuns would look after her there. TEXT : P.J. Havertys mother Eileen was among at least 35,000 unmarried women taken to a mother and baby home, and forced to give up her infant. TEXT : The Bon Secours, a French order of nuns, ran the home in Tuam with funding from the (Irish) government. PJ HAVERTY then they opened the door and told her shell have to leave. 00:04:00 // And she said I want my son. And they just closed the door on her face. ... And every week then, she would walk, say from the center of Tuam, out the Dublin Road, ... every week for five and a half years, knocking on the door. I want to take my son out. Thats my son you have in there. I want to rear him, I want to look after him. And they said no, hes going to be fostered out. And that was it. MULRYAN: I had no parents. I thought I was an animal, I once did. I used to get dreams at night that I was growing horns. And when I get up in the morning first thing Id do: such a sigh of relief. CARMEL LARKIN When I went to look for my baptismal certificate, I was 30 at the time, and thats the first time I seen my mothers name. MULRYAN: Thats a photograph when I was 4 -5, and thats the woman who minded me. And thats the only photograph I really have you know, me life. TEXT In 1961 the mother and baby home ceased operations. The building was demolished and subsidized housing and a playground were built on the site. Sound: Catherine walking on gravel. TEXT In 2012, amateur historian Catherine Corless decided to write an essay about the the mother and baby home for a local journal. CATHERINE CORLESS I thought it would be just a simple history - the history of the Bon Secours sisters and how they worked and how they operated. - I thought Id go to the local library and thought Id get a volume of information on the home to work on. There was absolutely nothing. MUSIC CUE CATHERINE CORLESS So ah, I I went to the local people, I said thats the best way to find out information. And twas only then I got the story of ah, back in the 1970s, when the houses were being built, that the two boys found... bones of children in a tank. FRANNY: Ive often thought about it afterward, like, what did we come across? There was a chamber, an H chamber, you know, and the amount of bones that were in it, there was a good few. What we came across in 1972 was reported and the government knew about it but yet they didnt do anything about it. CATHERINE CORLESS I had to determine who was buried there. First of all of course I asked the Bon Secours sisters... and they said... they had no knowledge or no records what so ever of any burial in the home. I got onto the county council and they had no records of burials either. My thoughts went then to how many children actually died in the home. Thats an inspectors report... for the Tuam home from 1947. It shows the conditions of the babies and toddlers and it makes very harrowing reading... You have a 13 month old baby in the care of the Bon Secours sisters who are a nursing congregation you have a miserable, emaciated child with voracious appetite and no control over bodily functions, probably mentally defective... wizened limbs, three months old wizened limbs, three weeks old emaciated and delicate,... That was the excel copy of the death certificates. TEXT: While researching the Tuam home, Catherine Corless discovered the death toll during the 36 years it was in operation: 796 infants and children. CATHERINE CORLESS Unbelievable. Okay all these deaths where are they buried? Theyre not in the main Tuam graveyard ... Theyre not in their mothers hometown graveyards. it is becoming quite obvious what had happened. TEXT: Later that year, Catherine Corless published her essay suggesting that the bones found by Frannie Hopkins were remains of children from the Tuam home. CATHERINE CORLESS At the time there was a lot of questioning my findings - that it wasnt possible. The Tuam business people frowned very much about what I was doing - I was told that. And I was asking myself - is it the fact that they were illegitimate children, is the stigma still around. That people still dont care. It just made me more determined, to fight this and to say these children have to be there. People have to know about it. MUSIC CUE TEXT: In March 2017, five years after Catherine Corless began her research, government investigators confirmed the existence of underground chambers in a former sewage area containing significant quantities of childrens remains. TEXT: Forensic analysis determined the remains dated to the time the mother and baby home was in operation. MULRYAN Catherine contacted me and said... had you a sibling? And I said no not that I ever heard of. But according to what were finding here she says, theres a name CORLESS WITH PETERS SISTERS DEATH CERT. Marian Bridget Mulryan was born to Peters Mother Delia, in 1954. You can see it there, same mother same address. MULRYAN She said, could it be your sister? MULRYAN AT THE MEMORIAL LOOKING AT THE NAME Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Fein: Mulryan 10 months Mulryan: 1955... thats it. Yeah. Thats it. MULRYAN They said she died from convulsions. But theres no doctors to certify that she died at all or where she was buried. I couldnt find out where she was buried to this day I dont even know. She could be sold off to America lot a lot more was done. I feel they have something to hide and they dont want to let it out. CORLESS: It has been said that children were trafficked across to the United States. Of the 796 children maybe perhaps some of those have been adopted illegally and that is a very serious matter, if that is so. ARCHIVAL OF ENDA KENNY ADDRESSING THE DAIL KENNY: We took their babies, and we gifted them or we sold them or we trafficked them or we starved them or we neglected them or we denied them to the point of their disappearance from our hearts, and from our sight, from our country and in the case of Tuam and possibly other places, from life itself. Yes, were all shocked now. CORLESS The state were complicit of course they were, they knew what was going on. They were paying the sisters, did thedid the county council look into these burials? Did they not question what was happening to these children, where were they, did they care, did they turn a blind eye? PJ HAVERTY And why did not one nun come forward? And say it was wrong what we did in Tuam? MULRYAN For a person that waswas supposed to be baptized, theyre not supposed to put into unconsecrated ground. Yet what did the church do? They put them in there. And went and covered up those sites... and put a playground on top of it. How would they feel about it if it was their sister or brother that was in there? CARMEL LARKIN The government is the government, and the church is the church. Its like knocking a brick wall, isnt it? PJ HAVERTY Theres seven years taken out of my life I dont know anything about. And it wasnt my fault I came into this world I didnt choose, I had no say in the matter. And why did the nuns treat me like that, if they are supposed to following in Gods footstep? PJ WALKING THE GROUNDS I just get the sense of the babies down there. That theyre there under me. And I feel that theres some way I could help them, just to get them out of there and give them a properproper burial. Thats what Id just love. FRANNY: You know, you cannot right wrongs, but things need to be recognized for what they were, like. TEXT Irelands last mother and baby home closed in 1996. ++ IN 2015, a government commission started to investigate the conditions and mortality rates at 14 former Mother and Baby homes. Their report is due in 2018. ++ Peter Mulryan is still searching for his sister. END CREDITS ISTANBUL President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey on Tuesday raised the stakes in his dispute with Saudi Arabia over what he called the premeditated murder of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, demanding that Riyadh supply more answers and hand over the Saudi suspects. After saying he would reveal the naked truth about Mr. Khashoggis death, Mr. Erdogan, making his first extended remarks on the case, sketched out the chronology of a broad operation. The 15-member team of Saudi officials arrived in stages in Istanbul to carry out the killing, and included generals, senior intelligence officers and forensic officials, Mr. Erdogan said. The Saudis also conducted reconnaissance in rural areas outside the city where investigators have been searching for Mr. Khashoggis remains, the president said. It is clear that this savage murder did not happen instantly but was planned, Mr. Erdogan said, challenging the official Saudi account. RAMALLAH, West Bank A West Bank journalist was detained by Palestinian Authority security forces for four days after he took photographs on his cellphone of the Palestinian prime ministers convoy stuck in line at an Israeli-controlled checkpoint. An activist in Gaza said that Hamas security forces detained him for 15 days after he wrote a Facebook post protesting the lack of electricity in which he asked the groups leaders if their children slept on the tiled floor to escape the heat, as his did. Citing those cases and others in a report published on Tuesday, Human Rights Watch, the New York-based advocacy organization, accused both the Western-backed Palestinian Authority and its rival, Hamas, the Islamist militant group that controls Gaza, of routinely using arbitrary arrest and torture as tools to crush dissent. The systematic practice of torture by the two authorities might amount to a crime against humanity and could be prosecutable at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, the report said. But remember: Its just one poll, and we talked to only 737 people. Each candidates total could easily be four points different if we polled everyone in the state. And having a small sample is only one possible source of error. A divisive race for control of Americas largest battleground state We made 37724 calls, and 737 people spoke to us. This survey was conducted by The New York Times Upshot and Siena College. Hey, Im Alex Burns, a politics correspondent for The Times. Ill give you the latest reporting and intel on the midterms and take your questions from the campaign trail. Its generally best to look at a single poll in the context of other polls: Mr. DeSantis has been one of the presidents top allies . But at the debate, he did not answer a question about whether Mr. Trump is a good role model for children. Instead, he praised him for moving the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. At a debate Sunday, Mr. DeSantis criticized Mr. Gillum over a continuing F.B.I. investigation into possible corruption at Tallahassee City Hall. The race, as a New York Times article put it this week, reflects the national ideological battle being waged inside their parties Republicans trying to align themselves with President Trump, and Democrats weighing the appeal of a more progressive message. The day after Mr. DeSantis won the Republican primary, he said voters should not monkey this up by electing Mr. Gillum. Mr. Gillum, who is black, said, In the handbook of Donald Trump, they no longer do whistle calls theyre now using full bullhorns. If sampling error were the only type of error in a poll, we would expect candidates who trail by four points in a poll of 737 people to win about one out of every eight races. But this probably understates the total error by a factor of two . One reason were doing these surveys live is so you can see the uncertainty for yourself. As we reach more people, our poll will become more stable and the margin of sampling error will shrink. The changes in the timeline below reflect that sampling error, not real changes in the race. Our turnout model Theres a big question on top of the standard margin of error in a poll: Who is going to vote? Its a particularly challenging question this year, since special elections have shown Democrats voting in large numbers. To estimate the likely electorate, we combine what people say about how likely they are to vote with information about how often they have voted in the past. In previous races, this approach has been more accurate than simply taking people at their word. But there are many other ways to do it. Assumptions about who is going to vote may be particularly important in this race. Our poll under different turnout scenarios Who will vote? Est. turnout Our poll result Our estimate Gillum +4 People who say they are almost certain to vote, and no one else Gillum +9 People whose voting history suggests they will vote, regardless of what they say Gillum +3 People who say they will vote, adjusted for past levels of truthfulness Gillum +8 Every active registered voter Gillum +10 The types of people who voted in 2014 DeSantis +1 The types of people who voted in 2016 Gillum +2 The types of people we reached Even if we got turnout exactly right, the margin of error wouldnt capture all of the error in a poll. The simplest version assumes we have a perfect random sample of the voting population. We do not. People who respond to surveys are almost always too old, too white, too educated and too politically engaged to accurately represent everyone. How successful we were in reaching different kinds of voters Called Inter- viewed Success rate Our responses Goal 18 to 29 2 9 0 3 7 1 1 in 41 10% 10% 30 to 64 2 0 2 4 6 4 3 9 1 in 46 60% 54% 65 and older 9 7 4 8 2 2 7 1 in 43 31% 36% Male 1 3 3 0 2 3 6 5 1 in 36 50% 46% Female 1 9 6 0 8 3 7 2 1 in 53 50% 54% White 1 6 0 6 5 4 3 5 1 in 37 59% 61% Nonwhite 1 5 3 7 5 2 6 7 1 in 58 36% 33% Cell 2 1 1 2 2 5 2 1 1 in 41 71% Landline 1 1 7 8 8 2 1 6 1 in 55 29% Pollsters compensate by giving more weight to respondents from under-represented groups. Here, were weighting by age, party registration, gender, likelihood of voting, education and region, mainly using data from voting records files compiled by L2, a nonpartisan voter file vendor. But weighting works only if you weight by the right categories and you know what the composition of the electorate will be. In 2016, many pollsters didnt weight by education and overestimated Hillary Clintons standing as a result. Here are other common ways to weight a poll: Our poll under different weighting schemes Our poll result Dont weight by education, like many polls in 2016 Gillum +7 Dont weight by party registration, like most public polls Gillum +5 Weight using census data instead of voting records, like most public polls Gillum +5 Our estimate Gillum +4 Just because one candidate leads in all of these different weighting scenarios doesnt mean much by itself. They dont represent the full range of possible weighting scenarios, let alone the full range of possible election results. Given expectations, our poll is a decent result for Democrats. But remember: Its just one poll, and we talked to only 495 people. Each candidates total could easily be five points different if we polled everyone in the district. And having a small sample is only one possible source of error. Can Democrats flip Staten Island? We made 25207 calls, and 495 people spoke to us. This survey was conducted by The New York Times Upshot and Siena College. Hey, Im Alex Burns, a politics correspondent for The Times. Ill give you the latest reporting and intel on the midterms and take your questions from the campaign trail. Its generally best to look at a single poll in the context of other polls: Mr. Rose has worked as chief of staff at a health care nonprofit and as an assistant to the former Brooklyn district attorney. He is campaigning on issues like universal health care and improving the districts infrastructure. He is also trying to reach out to centrist voters in the district, even running an ad criticizing Mayor Bill de Blasio for neglecting Staten Island. Mr. Donovan is the only Republican member of New York Citys congressional delegation, and was the only one to support President Trumps 2017 travel ban on people from several predominantly Muslim countries. He stressed his ties to the president while facing a primary challenge from the right, but now is seeking to appeal to a broader spectrum of voters. This district is more white and suburban than the rest of New York City, and far more conservative. It went for President Trump in 2016, but is now seen as a battleground, attracting national attention, and national money. is the current representative and a former district attorney. He voted against both the health care and tax overhauls. 50% favorable rating; 31% unfavorable; 19% dont know is a former Army platoon leader who served in Afghanistan. 47% favorable rating; 23% unfavorable; 30% dont know Each dot shows one of the 25207 calls we made. If sampling error were the only type of error in a poll, we would expect candidates who trail by three points in a poll of 495 people to win about two out of every nine races. But this probably understates the total error by a factor of two . One reason were doing these surveys live is so you can see the uncertainty for yourself. As we reach more people, our poll will become more stable and the margin of sampling error will shrink. The changes in the timeline below reflect that sampling error, not real changes in the race. Our turnout model Theres a big question on top of the standard margin of error in a poll: Who is going to vote? Its a particularly challenging question this year, since special elections have shown Democrats voting in large numbers. To estimate the likely electorate, we combine what people say about how likely they are to vote with information about how often they have voted in the past. In previous races, this approach has been more accurate than simply taking people at their word. But there are many other ways to do it. Assumptions about who is going to vote may be particularly important in this race. Our poll under different turnout scenarios Who will vote? Est. turnout Our poll result The types of people who voted in 2014 120k Donovan +8 People whose voting history suggests they will vote, regardless of what they say 155k Donovan +2 Our estimate 156k Donovan +3 People who say they will vote, adjusted for past levels of truthfulness 171k Donovan +2 The types of people who voted in 2016 241k Donovan +6 People who say they are almost certain to vote, and no one else 260k Donovan +13 Every active registered voter 413k Rose +2 The types of people we reached Even if we got turnout exactly right, the margin of error wouldnt capture all of the error in a poll. The simplest version assumes we have a perfect random sample of the voting population. We do not. People who respond to surveys are almost always too old, too white, too educated and too politically engaged to accurately represent everyone. How successful we were in reaching different kinds of voters Called Inter- viewed Success rate Our responses Goal 18 to 29 2 8 0 6 4 7 1 in 60 9% 10% 30 to 64 1 3 8 5 4 2 9 9 1 in 46 60% 58% 65 and older 5 3 8 4 1 4 9 1 in 36 30% 32% Male 9 4 5 0 2 4 7 1 in 38 50% 46% Female 1 2 6 0 2 2 4 8 1 in 51 50% 54% White 1 2 3 1 3 3 0 9 1 in 40 62% 58% Nonwhite 7 4 0 9 1 3 4 1 in 55 27% 31% Cell 1 3 3 1 5 2 4 5 1 in 54 49% Landline 8 7 3 7 2 5 0 1 in 35 51% Pollsters compensate by giving more weight to respondents from under-represented groups. Here, were weighting by age, party registration, gender, likelihood of voting, race, education and region, mainly using data from voting records files compiled by L2, a nonpartisan voter file vendor. But weighting works only if you weight by the right categories and you know what the composition of the electorate will be. In 2016, many pollsters didnt weight by education and overestimated Hillary Clintons standing as a result. Here are other common ways to weight a poll: Our poll under different weighting schemes Our poll result Weight using census data instead of voting records, like most public polls Rose +1 Dont weight by education, like many polls in 2016 Donovan +2 Dont weight by party registration, like most public polls Donovan +2 Our estimate Donovan +3 A Russian man who reportedly has the habit of scamming tattoo artists by refusing to pay for their work recently got scammer permanently tattooed on his forehead by his latest victim. A photo of the smiling unnamed man showing off his unusual forehead tattoo was posted online last week by Russian tattoo artist Roman Bikeev, a.k.a. Mr Amsterdam. In the photo caption, Bikeev explained that the man had come in for a neck tattoo, but later said that he had no intention of paying for the artwork and nonchalantly admitted to pulling the same trick on other tattoo artist in Ufa, the capital city of the Republic of Baskortostan. So the tattoo artist decided to take his revenge by inking (Russian for scammer) on the mans forehead, along with his autograph. Photo: Mr. Amsterdam/VKontakte The photo, originally posted on Mr. Amsterdams VKontakte page, quickly went viral and eventually attracted the attention of the media. However, things just didnt add up, and people were quick to point that out in the comments. First of all, how did Mr. Amsterdam manage to ink the embarrassing word on the mans forehead without him objecting, and why was he smiling when the photo was taken? Also, whats to stop the guy from going to the police or even sue the tattoo artist? Some social media users even accused Roman Bikeev or faking the whole thing as a way of promoting his services. This is where things get really weird. In response to the criticism he had been receiving online, Mr. Amsterdam sat down with GTRK Bashkortostan and insisted that his story was 100% true. He explained that he didnt need to trick or hold the man down to ink the embarassing tattoo on his forehead. Instead he simply proposed it to the scammer as a way to exact exact revenge for himself and all the other tattoo artists he had tricked in the past, and the guy accepted. It was a very interesting situation, Bikeev said. The guy made an appointment for a tattoo. When he came in and I examined him, I noticed the many tattoos on his body, all done in different styles. We talked and decided to do the tattoo on his neck. I did my job and then he told me he wasnt going to pay and that he had never paid for any of his tattoos. Thats when I offered to tattoo scammer on his forehead, because what he does is insulting to me and my colleagues. He accepted and sat back down in the chair voluntarily, no one forced him. When I was done, I took the photo and told him Thats it, goodbye. Bikeev added that before he left, the man looked in the mirror, smiled and told him that he was going to get rid of the embarrassing tattoo the same way he has gotten all of his ink, by tricking another tattoo artist or a laser removal specialist to cover it up or erase it, and not pay for it (obviously). So far, the police havent received any complaints related to this bizarre incident. Pope Francis is generally considered the supreme leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, but to David Bawden, a conservative Catholic from Topeka, in Kansas, Francis and the five other popes who cam e before him are nothing more than frauds or antipopes. Interestingly, Bowen considers himself the one true pope of the Catholic Church. David Bawden was elected pope on July 16, 1990, in Belvue, Kansas, by a conclave of six people that included himself and his parents. He became Pope Michael, the self-proclaimed one and true pope of the Catholic Church, and he has spent the last 28 years attracting followers and performing his duties as the religious leader of billions of Catholics around the world, which includes holding prayer meetings and the performing the Stations of the Cross. To make himself known to the world, Pope Michael maintains his own website, is active on social media and has even appeared in a feature-length documentary. Photo: congerdesign/Pixabay The son of devout Christians, he had felt a calling to priesthood from a very young age, but the reforms implemented by the Second Vatican Council during the 1960s hit him and his family hard, and caused them to question the leadership of the Catholic Church. The Bawdens viewed these changes as heresy and felt betrayed by the church, so they became interested in a traditionalist movement known as the Society of St. Pius X, which refused to acknowledge the authority of the Second Vatican Council. After the death of Pope Pius XII, in 1958, the Second Vatican Council not only did away with the old Latin Mass, allowing priests to celebrate Mass in their native languages, but also allowed more latitude to other forms of religion and changed the wording of doctrine that the Bawdens and other conservatives considered crucial. The earlier Mass, the old Latin Mass, said that Christs blood was shed for many for the remission of sins, and they changed that to Christs blood was shed for all,' Tim Miller, a Kansas University professor of religious studies, told Lawrence Journal World. And that could imply that the sacrifice of Christ would cause everyone to be saved, everyone to achieve salvation, whereas the classic idea has been that only believers are going to be saved and everyone else will be damned. Some conservatives said, Thats a terrible idea. People who are in horrible error are going to be saved?' If everyone is saved, then why be good? Tickie Bawden, Davids mother, asked. In 1978, David Bawden was dismissed from the Society of St. Pius X amid what he calls infighting, but he and his family moved to St. Marys, in Kansas, during the early 1980s to be close to the religious organization. He decided to take religious education in his own hands, and to that purpose he started buying books, put myself in the hands of the Holy Ghost and just started studying. By the mid 80s, the Bawdens had started contemplating the idea of electing a new pope and began seeking out other people who shared their views. On July 16, 1990, David Bawden, his parents, Tickie and Kennett, and three other followers gathered in a thrift shop in Belvue, and elected David as the new pope of the Catholic Church. He took the name Pope Michael, after his religious hero, and the procession was concluded with the traditional message Habemus papam. On the way back from Belvue, the new pope recalls being hit by the realization that he was now responsible for six billion souls on Earth. In the 2010 documentary Pope Michael, the self-elected pontiff said that he had around 30 solid followers, plus many others who had come and went throughout the years. A year earlier, an article in the Lawrence Journal put estimated his followers at around 50. With numbers like that, its no wonder that Pope Michael has always been struggling to fund his church. He tries to get by on donations and his familys savings, but he also does odd jobs from time to time. Pope Michael is a long way from fulfilling his dream of being recognized as the true pope of the Catholic Church, but he continues to remain active on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, and constantly updates his website, Vatican in Exile. He once sent a letter of excomunication to Pope John Paul II, but never got a reply. I didnt expect a response, he told the Lawrence Journal. John Paul II probably didnt get my letter, but someone did. If they had a true concern about souls, they would reply, even if they think, This guys a fool. I mean, fools have souls, too. via All That Is Interesting John Schiumo Veteran New York City journalist and news anchor John Schiumo has joined public affairs powerhouse Global Strategy Group, where hes been named vice president. Schiumo joins the independent public affairs shop from CBS News, where he served as a national correspondent since October 2017. For more than two decades he was stationed at New Yorks 24/7 local cable news channel, NY1 News, where he hosted more than 3,600 live broadcasts. Schiumo hosted NY1s popular hour-long live nightly newscast The Call, which he created in 2005. That program, which allowed viewers to voice their concerns about the top city news stories of the day, was cancelled last year amid a major restructuring of the channel by parent company Charter Communications, which acquired NY1 parent Time Warner Cable in 2016. Schiumo, whos also currently an adjunct professor of journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York, previously served as an NY1 morning breaking news anchor as well as a Staten Island reporter. He'll be based in GSGs New York headquarters. Axa Insurance has announced that it is to close its branch in Tullamore in November. The Tullamore office, located at O'Moore Place, is currently one of 25 Axa branches throughout the Republic of Ireland, but its closure was revealed to customers in a letter this week. The latter stated, "In recent years, there is an increasing preference for our easy-to-use website that's smartphone-friendly with the back-up of 24-hour local telephone assistance. Consequently, we have seen reducing demand for branch visits in certain locations." In that context, Axa has decided to close its Tullamore branch on Friday, November 16. After that date, customers wishing to avail of a face-to-face service will have to travel to the branch on the Dublin Road in Portlaoise. The Axa letter continued, "Please be reassured there will be no more changes to your cover and you do not have to do anything." Customers now have three options to make contact with Axa, calling their 1890247365 number, using the MyAxa function through www.axa.ie, or attending the office in Portlaoise. Elevated corridor through Bandipur forest: Activists to protest central government proposal Bengaluru oi-Deepika S Bengaluru, Oct 23: Like-minded nature-lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and environment activists will stage a massive protest on October 27 at Maddur Gate in Bandipur Tiger Reserve against the proposed elevated corridor in forest land. The proposal to construct five stretches of elevated roads of 1-km each through the national park was first mooted by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and was opposed by the State government following public protests. However, recently the Centre once again submitted before the Supreme Court its proposal and went on to describe it as a fit case for keeping the road operational 24x7x365, which has triggered fresh outrage. Also Read | How tigers in Karnataka are falling prey to wild boar traps "The Centre cannot and should not take decisions that go against the interest of wild animals, forests and people of the State and made it clear that there was opposition to the revoking of night traffic ban as also construction of flyovers through the Bandipur Tiger Reserve as it would cause irreparable damage to the flora and fauna of the national park," activists said. Night traffic The existing traffic ban has been in effect since 2009 when the Karnataka High Court prohibited traffic flow after dark on NH-67 and NH-212 while hearing a case pertaining to roadkills of at least 215 animals being run over between 2004 and 2007. Most animals, including tigers and elephants, move freely and cross the highway during night time.Only emergency vehicles and 16 state buses are allowed in the stretch during 9pm-6am. Also Read | Cow-dung, changing rural economy fuelling man-carnivore conflict in Bandipur forest An alternative road has been developed through Hunsur-Gonikoppa-Kutta-Kartikula, which was only 30 km longer while another road via Konnur-Makuta-Madikeri-Kutta too had been developed and both were being used. For More Bengaluru News, Click Here For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 11:45 [IST] Over 40 per cent of inmates in Guwahati jail test COVID-19 positive 12-hour Assam bandh: Protests erupt across state over NRC India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Guwahati, Oct 23: Protests erupted across Assam over NRC issue on Tuesday. All shops, schools remain shut. Violence has been reported at certain places. Around 46 organisations in Assam have called for a 12-hour statewide bandh Tuesday against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. According to reports, protesters burned tires at several places. Security forces have detained many protestors since morning. Akhil Gogoi, the chief of Assam's peasants' organisation Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), had on Saturday announced that the leaders of 42 organisations of Assam have decided to call the bandh on October 23. Also Read | No flood threat now in Arunachal, Assam: China on formation of artificial lake in Brahmaputra However, the BJP-led state government has made it clear that it is compulsory for its employees to attend offices. The government has also said that trade licences of businesses could stand cancelled if they were found backing the bandh. Citing a Gauhati High Court ruling, a senior Assam minister told PTI that the 12-hour Assam bandh cannot be allowed. The High Court in 2013 had banned bandhs in the state and termed it "unconstitutional and illegal". Also Read | Bengal to Bangalore: How this florist from Assam ran a fake currency racket Political parties, including the Congress, have extended their support to the bandh, led by the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP). (With PTI inputs) New pension scheme Under contention in Uttar Pradesh is a pension scheme. The government employees are seeking to replace the new scheme with the old one. In this regard the employees have decided to go on strike from October 25 to October 27 on the call of Purani Pension Bahali March. Salaries would be cut The UP government has warned that if employees take part in the protest, their salaries would be cut. The Chief Secretary has said that the no work no pay policy would come into effect during the proposed period of the strike. The chief secretary has asked officials to set up camps to register old permanent retirement account number (PRAN) of those employees who have not yet been brought under the NPS ambit. 7th Pay Commission latest news and updates: Positive about building Pvt wealth Fitment factor On the other hand the Central Government is said to have finalised the fitment factor. It is said that the same has the nod of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While a formal announcement is awaited in this regard, it is said that it may be on the lines of what the CG employees have been demanding. The CG employees had complained that the fitment factor recommended by the pay panel was disappointing. 7th Pay Commission, latest news and updates The wait has been long, but there is some ray of hope. The 7th Pay Commission had recommended a hike of Rs 18,000. However the CG employees said that the basic pay should be fixed at Rs 26,000. The government has been contemplating Rs 21,000. The question is what will the final basic pay fixed at. Going by reports the government is likely to stick to Rs 21,000 only and the announcement may come post December 11. The order An order issued by the state Chief Secretary here said: "Circular issued by the Education Department regarding the introduction of some religious books stands withdrawn." The state government had issued the circular Monday, directing the Director of School Education for the Jammu and Kashmir divisions to purchase these religious books. The circular had asked the School Education department, the Higher Education department, directors of colleges and libraries and the Culture department to consider purchasing a sufficient number of copies of the Urdu version of "Bhagwat Geeta" and "Koshur Ramayana", authored by Sarwanand Premi. Govt ignoring other religions, says Omar Abdullah The circular had generated opposition from various quarters, with former chief minister Omar Abdullah questioning the decision to ignore the books of other religions. "Why just the Gita & Ramayana? If religious texts are to be placed in schools, colleges & government libraries (and I'm not convinced that they need/should be) then why is it being done selectively? Why are other religions being ignored?," the National Conference (NC) leader had said in a tweet. Ghulam Nabi Azad welcomes govt move to withdraw order Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad had said that Kashmir is the one place in India where there has been no communalism. If the government introduced religious books in education and then realised their mistake and revoked it, it is good. The government should not get involved in such matters, Azad also said. Amid Assam bandh, JPC on Citizenship Amendment Bill to meet today India oi-Deepika S Guwahati, Oct 23: Joint Parliamentary Committee on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 will meet officials of home and external affairs in New Delhi on October 23 to discuss the bill. JPC chairman Rajendra Agrawal and members will take evidence from representatives of the ministries of Home Affairs, Law and Justice, and External Affairs on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, an official communique said. 46 organizations call for 12-hour Assam bandh today The JPC had earlier held two sittings with officials of these ministries to discuss further course of action on expediting examination of the Bill and to take evidence. Meanwhile, the BJP-led Assam government has opposed the 12-hour bandh called by 60 different organisations against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 on October 23. Congress is supporting the bandh and so is BJP's ally in the government, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which will organise a protest rally on October 23 in Guwahati. AGP expects 50,000 people to participate in this rally. The bill seeks to grant citizenship to the persecuted non-Muslim immigrants of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who migrated to India till December 31, 2014. The local groups and organisations in Assam are, however, viewing it as a move by the Centre to dump Bangladeshi Hindus (read Bengali Hindu immigrants) in the state. They say Assam has already accepted the immigrants who migrated to the state before March 24, 1971 as per the historic Assam Accord which the All Assam Students' Union had signed with the Rajiv Gandhi government at the Centre in 1985 at the end of six-year-long Assam Agitation. No flood threat now in Arunachal, Assam: China on formation of artificial lake in Brahmaputra According to the accord, the immigrants, irrespective of faith who migrated after March 24, 1971, are to be detected and deported. The local organisations fear if the Citizenship Bill is passed, it will encourage lakhs of Hindus to migrate from Bangladesh. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 10:21 [IST] CBI chief trying to falsely implicate me in bribery case to hide his misconduct: Asthana tells court India pti-PTI New Delhi, Oct 23: CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana Tuesday accused the agency's chief, Alok Kumar Verma, of trying to "falsely implicate" him in a bribery case to "hide" his own alleged criminal misconduct of influencing investigations in lieu of money. Agency's Deputy Superintendent of Police Devender Kumar, who was arrested Monday in a case involving Asthana, also alleged the proceedings are not only a shocking portrayal of misuse of authority which undermines the credibility of the institution, but also illustrates how he was made a "scapegoat" to achieve illegal goals. [The war in the CBI is not between individuals, but between two groups: K Ragothaman] Both the officers contended in separate petitions filed in the high court that when a Special Investigation Team led by Asthana proposed to arrest businessman Sathish Sana on allegation of giving bribe for influencing probe, it was not followed. Instead, an FIR was lodged against them on the basis of Sana's complaint that bribe was demanded from him, the petitions alleged, adding that illegalities were committed at the hands of the Verma and other officers of the agency. Asthana, the second-in command in the CBI after Verma, said complainant Sana was the one who was proposed to be arrested by him and the SIT as he was found to be involved in entering into a conspiracy for slowing down the investigation against him. "This fact is already reported and being enquired by appropriate authority. Now, this person turns back and makes the SIT itself an accused. It is pertinent to note that the officers of SIT are being prosecuted and this accused person is enjoying the freedom, liberty and protection from the highest officer of the investigating agency," the plea, seeking to quash the FIR, said. [Delhi HC dismisses Rakesh Asthana's plea, matter posted for Oct 29] Claiming that the prosecution launched against him was illegal and mala fide, Asthana said his petition would disclose the "shocking state of affairs and also reveal as to how the highest officer of the premier investigating agency of the country is trying to falsely implicate the petitioner, who is the second senior most officer of the agency, in order to hide his own criminal misconduct of influencing investigations in exchange for money". He claimed that the FIR was clearly mala fide and prohibited in law as no enquiry or investigation could have been taken up in this matter without prior approval of his appointing authority. When the complaint was made by Sana on October 4, the CBI should have sought approval of the competent authority before proceeding further, as mandated under Section 17 A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, the plea claimed. On the contrary, the respondents not only registered this FIR, but also raided the premises of the investigating officer, it added. Both Asthana and Kumar claimed no case was made out against them on the basis of allegations mentioned in the FIR and there was not an iota of evidence against them. They said there was no allegation that they or any public servant demanded illegal gratification and as per the FIR, it was some unconnected person said to have been demanding bribe allegedly on behalf of them. [Lie low, ensure agency's image is not tarnished, PM, NSA tell CBI chief] As per the FIR, no amount was said to has been paid to the petitioner or any public servant, the petitions said, adding the FIR was frivolous. They said it was beyond imagination as to how the premier investigation agency of the country could register an FIR against its own officers without there being any cogent evidence implicating them. The pleas alleged that the sole basis of the FIR was the businessman's complaint which was made after a proposal was submitted regarding him allegedly paying bribe to the CBI director. "It is even improbable that the petitioner (Asthana) who had himself complained about such exchange of bribe between Sana and the respondent no 2 (Verma) and forwarded the proposal of arrest and custodial interrogation of Sana, would ever conduct himself in the manner alleged in the FIR," Asthana said in his plea. Asthana and Kumar claimed there was undue haste in lodging the FIR and "frivolous" allegations of an accused (Sana) have been taken as gospel of truth by the CBI against its own officers for ulterior motives without there being any material basis. PTI CBI war: Asthana likely to be sent back to Gujarat India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Oct 23: With the war within the Central Bureau of Investigation refusing to die down and the Prime Minister having to intervene in the matter, the special director of the agency, Rakesh Asthana is likely to be sent back to Gujarat. CBI Director, Alok Verma had met with PM, Narendra Modi and briefed him about the allegations against Asthana. The agency it may be recalled had last week filed a corruption case on a complaint by a Hyderabad based businessman Sana Satish Babu. The complainant had alleged that the Dubai based brothers Manoj Prasad and Somesh Prasad demanded Rs 5 crore from him for Asthana's intervention. The case on hand relates to the one registered against meat exporter Moin Qureshi. Babu also claimed to have paid the money. Also Read | Who is Moin Qureshi, the man who has come to bite the CBI again This entire episode has turned out to be an embarrassment for the CBI. Verma on the other hand is set to move a formal proposal to removal of Asthana. This is expected to happen in a day or two. Once this is done, the continuation of Asthana becomes untenable. In another development, the CBI arrested Devendra Kumar, a superintendent of police with the CBI after his name surfaced in the case against Asthana. His office and residence was searched by the CBI on Monday. Asthana was brought to the CBI in 2016 by the Central Government and he was tipped to head the agency. Hailing from the Gujarat cadre, he had supervised the probe into the Godhra train burning incident under the capacity of an inspector general of police, Vadodara range. His elevation to the top post in the CBI had evoked sharp reactions from the opposition following which he made way for Verma as the chief. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 8:30 [IST] Congress asks BJP to clarify if it wants to contest election under Vasundhara or its symbol India oi-Vinod Kumar Shukla New Delhi, Oct 23: The Rajasthan Congress is getting aggressive by the day against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state when former chief minister Ashok Gehlot has asked BJP president Amit Shah to clarify if his party's face in the state elections is party's symbol lotus or chief minister Vasundhara Raje. The Congress wants this battle to remain between the state Congress verses Vasundhara Raje. Gehlot accused the Rajasthan government of being responsible for the sufferings of youths, farmers, businessmen, laborers and rising graph of crime in the state. This is what is called misrule. But he deflected the question that who is on the hot seat of the Congress in the state by saying that time will tell who is on the hot seat. Also Read | Rajasthan polls 2018: Some interesting facts from history The former CM said that the incumbent government failed to honour the mandate given to it by the people of the state. The upbeat Congress is saying that the government did not bother about the people of the state. So anger against the BJP is such that let there Narendra Modi come to the state or Amit Shah visit the state, people have made up their mind. Its written on the wall. The Congress is now raking up issue of lawlessness in the state, rapes of minor girls, policemen being killed, sand mafia active in the state, illegal sand mining taking place because money is reaching up to higher level. The Congress wants an answer from the BJP chief that who is in the lead role in Rajasthan whether Vasundhara Raje or the party. There is no need to confuse on the issue of face of the party as the party seems to have conceded by projecting Modi. Also Read | Rajasthan elections: Can BJP counter the Rajput fury? The Congress appears to be so confident in the state as its leaders are saying that the party does not need any campaign. People must analyze pre-poll and post-poll speeches of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, they will be able to decide which way to go. The government does not have answer on Rafale deal as the government is benefiting industrialist. The state government has been misguiding the people in the name of resurgent Gujarat but people will now give them the befitting reply on the day of polling. However, the BJP is planning to shift its campaign from Vasundhara to Modi and ticket will do the tricks in Rajasthan. This is what BJP leadership feels for the state where they feel their position is week. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 11:09 [IST] Sabarimala temple in Kerala to open for monthly rituals from July 16; Conditions apply for devotees How to Book Sabarimala Virtual Q Tickets Online 2021? Know Date, Price and Other Details 'Everyone has the right to pray but not right to desecrate', says Smriti Irani on Sabarimala row India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Oct 23: Amid debate around women's entry into the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, Union minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday said the right to pray did not mean the right to desecrate. #WATCH Union Minister Smriti Irani says," I have right to pray,but no right to desecrate. I am nobody to speak on SC verdict as I'm a serving cabinet minster. Would you take sanitary napkins seeped in menstrual blood into a friend's home? No.Why take them into house of God?" pic.twitter.com/Fj1um4HGFk ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2018 "I am nobody to speak against the Supreme Court verdict as I am a serving cabinet minister. But just plain common sense is that would you carry a napkin seeped with menstrual blood and walk into a friend's house. You would not. And would you think it is respectful to do the same when you walk into the house of god? That is the difference. I have the right to pray, but no right to desecrate. That is the difference that we need to recognise and respect," Irani said. The Union textile minister was speaking at the "Young Thinkers" conference organised by the British High Commission and the Observer Research Foundation here. Irani's comments, initially perceived to be supporting restrictions on menstruating women, were slammed on Twitter. Irani, however, denied making the comments. "Fake news ...... calling you out on it. Will post my video soon," she tweeted. Fake news ...... calling you out on it. Will post my video soon. https://t.co/ZZzJ26KBXa Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) October 23, 2018 After facing severe backlash, she defended her comments saying that people were jumping the gun and no one really takes a blood soaked napkin to 'offer' to any one let alone a friend. Since many people are talking about my comments let me comment on my comment. As a practising Hindu married to a practising Zoroastrian I am not allowed to enter a fire temple to pray. Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) October 23, 2018 I respect that stand by the Zoroastrian community / priests and do not approach any court for a right to pray as a mother of 2 Zoroastrian children. Similarly Parsi or non Parsi menstruating women irrespective of age DO NOT go to a Fire Temple. Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) October 23, 2018 These are 2 factual statements. Rest of the propaganda / agenda being launched using me as bait is well just that ... bait. Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) October 23, 2018 As far as those who jump the gun regarding women visiting friends place with a sanitary napkin dipped in menstrual blood I am yet to find a person who takes a blood soaked napkin to offer to any one let alone a friend. Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) October 23, 2018 But what fascinates me though does not surprise me is that as a woman I am not free to have my own point of view. As long as I conform to the liberal point of view Im acceptable. How Liberal is that ?? Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) October 23, 2018 The Supreme Court had in September lifted the ban that prevented women of menstruating age from entering the 800-year-old Sabarimala temple in a 4-1 majority verdict, saying divinity and devotion cannot be subject to the rigidity and stereotypes of gender. Also Read | Sabarimala Temple verdict: SC to hear review petitions on November 13 The court said the exclusion on the basis of biological and physiological features was unconstitutional and discriminatory because it denied women the right to be treated as equals. However, no woman was able to enter the shrine amid protests by devotees, the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and various Hindu organisations. On October 13, Malayalam actor Kollam Thulasi, a BJP supporter, issued an open threat against the ban on entry of women into Sabarimala temple, saying that any woman who attempts to enter the temple should be "ripped apart". Fabricated statements, nine call and the case against CBIs Rakesh Asthana India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Oct 23: The Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday arrested its Deputy Superintendent of Police, Devender Kumar in a corruption case in which special director, Rakesh Asthana was made an accused. The CBI accused Kumar for allegedly fabricating a statement of Hyderabad based businessman, Sathish Sana under Section 161 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in the Moin Qureshi case. It was further alleged that Kumar had fabricated the statement with an intention to corroborate the baseless allegations made by Asthana against Director, Alok Verma to the Central Vigilance Commission. The CBI alleged that the statement was shown to be recorded on September 26. However during this period Sana was in Hyderabad. He came to New Delhi on October 1 and his statement was recorded by the then investigating officer on October 3. Also Read | Lie low, ensure agency's image is not tarnished, PM, NSA tell CBI chief Sana had lodged a complaint with the CBI alleging that he was made to pay a bribe of over Rs 3 crore to relief from summonses in the Moin Qureshi case. He said that in December 2017 he met with an investment banker, Manoj Prasad in Dubai. He was promised that he would get relief in the case and was asked to pay an initial sum of Rs 3 crore and the Rs 2 crore at the time of filing the chargesheet. He said that he had paid the advance amount. He said that on September 25 this year, when he and his family were set to board a flight from Hyderabad to Paris, he was stopped on the basis of a look out circular. He got in touch with the Investigating Officer, who asked him to join the probe. When he contacted Prasad, he was asked to pay up the rest of the amount. Also Read | CBI war: Asthana likely to be sent back to Gujarat He said that he had paid Rs 25 lakh and 55,000 dirhams. He also decided to record his statement before the magistrate on October 4 alleging coercion by the CBI. The CBI then got his statement recorded before the magistrate, following which it arrested Prasad. Nine calls: There are nine calls that came under the CBI in this case. The CBI analysed nine calls immediately after middleman Manoj Prasad was held. The investigative agency has registered a case against Asthana on the basis of claims made by a businessman, Sathish Sana, probed by him in a separate case, that he was asked to pay a bribe of Rs 5 crore by Manoj Prasad, an investment banker based in Dubai to get relief from repeated summons and a clean chit in the case, they said. The call data analysis suggests that the phone calls were allegedly exchanged between Asthana and a senior officer of another intelligence agency, who sought to confirm the details of the middleman's arrest. Also Read | War between CBI's top 2 downs morale of India's premier investigating agency The calls were also exchanged between the senior officer and the wife of the middleman Somesh Prasad, brother of the middleman Manoj Prasad and others, the CBI says. Four calls were exchanged between Asthana and the senior officer on October 17, 2018, a day after the arrest. They claimed that Somesh Prasad, "somehow" got news of the latter's arrest on October 16, 2018 and immediately called his contact, the senior officer of the intelligence agency on the same day. A call was then made by the officer to Somesh within a minute, they claimed. Next day, the intelligence agency officer allegedly called Asthana to purportedly know the situation. Three more calls were exchanged between the two, the agency claimed. The officer of the intelligence agency also spoke to the wife of Somesh Prasad, they claimed. In addition to the call exchanges, the agency is also depending heavily on the WhatsApp messages recovered from Manoj Prasad's phone, they claimed. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 9:00 [IST] In pics: Indian Railways gets first pod hotel at Mumbai Central station; Details on Price, facilities here No protection, no hearing until we know where you are, SC tells Param Bir Singh Former Bigg Boss contestant Ajaz Khan arrested for possessing drugs India oi-Deepika S Mumbai, Oct 23: Former Bigg Boss contestant Ajaz Khan has been nabbed by Navi Mumbai's Anti-Narcotics Cell from a hotel in Mumbai after they found banned narcotic substance, eight ecstasy tablets from his possession. According to the reports, the Anti-Narcotics Cell of Navi Mumbai police had received information on Khan who we had visited a hotel in Belapur after which a team was formed and the actor was detained. In 2016 also, he was arrested for allegedly sending obscene photos and lewd messages to a hairstylist. Reportedly, the woman had approached the actor for investing in her business and was asked by the actor to meet him at the Filmistan Studios to discuss the details. Later, he was released on a bail of Rs 10,000 by a Mumbai court. Also Read | How the #MeToo bug has hit the high and mighty Khan participated in the seventh season of Bigg Boss. Later, he also appeared on Comedy Nights Bachao, Box Cricket League and Comedy Nights with Kapil. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 13:10 [IST] After skipping India's security dialogue on Afghanistan, China to attend Paks Troika Plus meet India, Pakistan DGMO-level talks today; Sundarbani infiltration matter to be raised India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Oct 23: India is set to lodge a strong protest with Pakistan against its infiltrators at the Director-General of Military Operations (DGMO)-level talks scheduled for Tuesday. This comes in the wake of the recent attack on the Indian Army patrol along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Sunderbani sector. Three Indian Army soldiers were killed and one suffered critical injuries. "During the hotline talk between the DGMOs, the Indian Army will strongly condemn the barbaric act of Pakistan Army," an official based in South Block, which houses the Ministry of Defence, said. Also Read | BAT attack, infiltrations keeps Indian Army on its toes The top officials from both the sides will hold talks around 11 AM using the existing mechanism of hotline communication. The sector commanders of the two armies had earlier met in Poonch on October 21 during which India issued a stern warning to Pakistan against sending terrorists to the Indian soil. Since the DGMO talks on May 29, 2018, which was held at the behest of Pakistan, the Army has been maintaining utmost restraint to uphold the ceasefire along the LoC. Also Read | 3 Indian soldiers martyred: It was a BAT attack say officials Since May, at least seven infiltration bids by the Pakistan Army have been foiled by the Indian Army, which also resulted in the killing of 23 terrorists. Earlier this month, Major General Asif Ghafoor, spokesperson of the Pakistan military's Inter-Services Public Relations, had threatened the Indian Army with "10 surgical strikes" in response to one such attack by India. Ghafoor was quoted as saying to Radio Pakistan, "If India dares to launch a surgical strike in Pakistan, it will face 10 surgical strikes in response." However, in response, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh claimed the Indian Army is fully prepared. "When required, any challenging task can be undertaken. It doesn't matter what statements are being made from what quarter," Singh said. Also Read | J&K: 2 Pak intruders shot dead, 3 soldiers killed on LoC Army, last month, celebrated the second anniversary of its surgical strike on terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). However, the Army maintained that according to intelligence inputs, there is no change in terrorist infrastructure across the LoC in PoK, hence several attempts of infiltration by Pakistan-trained terrorists. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 9:06 [IST] Mohan Bhagwat offers prayers at Pune temple for 'speedy' construction of Ram temple India pti-PTI Pune, Oct 23: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday offered special prayers at a famous Lord Ganesha temple here for the "speedy" construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, a priest claimed. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief performed 'abhishek' (special prayers) at the Shreemant Dagadusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple located in the heart of the city under the guidance of priest Milind Rahurkar. Later talking to the media, the RSS chief said: "Today was the right time to come and take the blessings (of Lord Ganesh). Since I was here, it was advised to do the abhishek so the same was offered." However, he did not reveal the reason behind offering the special prayers. A video of Rahurkar chanting mantras in Sanskrit and Bhagwat repeating the same later went viral on social media. In the short clip, the RSS chief is heard uttering the words 'Ram mandir' and 'Ramrajya' (an ideal state). Rahurkar told reporters that the Bhagwat sought blessings for the good health of the country's citizens and also prayed for "world peace" and "welfare of mankind". He further said prayers were also offered for "speedy" construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya and for making 'Ramrajya' a reality. Rahurkar, however, clarified that Bhagwat had not asked him to perform 'abhishek' for any particular reason. Speaking at the annual Dussehra event of the RSS in Nagpur on October 18, Bhagwat had said that the Union government should clear the path for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya through an appropriate and requisite law. PTI CBSE, ISCE students plea seeking online exam to be heard by SC this week On pollution bureaucrats have adopted a dont take any steps attitude says SC No protection, no hearing until we know where you are, SC tells Param Bir Singh SC order on firecrackers: The main observations India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Oct 23: The Supreme Court refused to ban the sale of firecrackers, but imposed several restrictions. The court issued a series of directions, while delivering its verdict. The verdict would not be applicable only to Delhi, but to the entire country. Also Read | No ban, but SC sets time limits to burst crackers on Diwali, Christmas, New Year Here are the details of the SC order on firecrackers: The SC banned mixed series crackers (laris). High decibel crackers and those crackers containing led, arsenic, antimony, lithium and mercury have been banned. Those firecrackers which have already been manufactured and do not conform to the new standards cannot be sold in Delhi-NCR. Only green crackers will be manufactured from now onwards. Only licensed traders can manufacture firecrackers. The sale of crackers online will be not permitted. Those found selling crackers online will be hauled up for contempt and also penalised. The court said that community cracker bursting must be encouraged during festivals. All states have been directed to explore the feasibility of community cracker bursting. During Diwali, crackers can be burst only between 8 pm and 10 pm. During Christmas and New Year, crackers can be burst between 11.45 pm and 12.45 am. Looking for COVID hospital bed in Noida? This official website provides real-time update Secy among 3 employees held for blackmailing Paytm boss with stolen personal data India oi-PTI Noida, Oct 23: Three Paytm employees, including a woman, were arrested on Monday for allegedly for allegedly stealing personal and confidential data from the founder's laptop and threatening to leak the information if they are not paid Rs 20 crore. The arrested woman, who allegedly masterminded the extortion bid, is the secretary of Sharma and the trio had threatened to leak the data and misuse the information to cause the firm loss and dent its public image, officials said. Fabricated statements, nine call and the case against CBI's Rakesh Asthana The three employees of the Noida-headquartered e-commerce and wallet firm were arrested by a team from the Sector 20 police station, while the fourth accused in the case is still at large, a senior official said. The owner of Paytm had made a complaint with the police that their employees, a woman and her aides, had stolen some data from the company and were blackmailing. They were demanding Rs 20 crore for not leaking it, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ajay Pal Sharma said. Taking immediate action on it, an FIR was registered and three persons, including the woman, arrested. They are being probed about the data and their modus operandi. Police will share the facts as they are unearthed, Sharma said. War between CBI's top 2 downs morale of India's premier investigating agency The SSP said they will seek their custody to interrogate them further and gather more details. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 10:32 [IST] Pakistan hit my mysterious viral fever: All you need to know Senior Pak official summoned by MEA India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P New Delhi, Oct 23: A senior official in High Commission for Pakistan in Delhi was summoned to MEA and a demarche was made, lodging a strong protest at fatal casualties of Indian soldiers in an attempted cross-border infiltration on 21 October 2018 by Pakistani terrorists in Sunderbani Sector. Ministry of External Affairs stated that official was informed that two Pakistani armed intruders have been killed by Indian security forces during the ensuing firefight and Government of Pakistan take custody of dead bodies of its nationals. India, Pakistan DGMO-level talks today; Sundarbani infiltration matter to be raised Strategic expert Ashish Shukla told Oneindia said that there are two points that need to be understood. First, this is an election year in India so the government would not leave any chance to appear week and will remain very aggressive by actions like this; second Pakistan will try to divert the attention of its people from the real crisis that it is facing on the economic front. The country is in a real economic mess. Some other strategic experts say that talks are the only solution to the problem between India and Pakistan. It will happen sooner or later. Both the countries will have to come forward for talks for long-lasting solution. Grappling with internal problem, Pakistan PM taking twitter route to solve Kashmir problem! In Jammu and Kashmir, two Pakistan intruders were killed in a fierce encounter with Army in Sunderbani sector on the Line of Control in Jammu on October 21. However, in this encounter, three Indian Army soldiers also attained martyrdom. According to Defence Spokesperson, one soldier also suffered grievous injuries in the encounter and had to be air evacuated to Army Command Hospital, Udhampur. Two AK 47 rifles and warlike stores were recovered from the heavily armed slain intruders. Troops had launched a massive search operation in the area. (With inputs from Vinod Kumar Shukla) Why is Indias most wanted man a naxalite and not a jihadi India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Oct 23: One would have thought that a jihadi would figure in the list of most wanted persons in India. However in the most wanted list prepared by the National Investigation Agency, it is not a jihadi but a dreaded naxal who figures top on the list. The man is Mupalla Lakshman Rao alias Ganapathy. When it comes to the reward offered by the NIA, his name is right on top at Rs 15 lakh. His name is followed by Balmuri Narayan Rao, Nambala Keshav Rao- all naxals. The other names on the list are that of Riyaz, Iqbal Bhatkal, Amir Reza Khan, Mohsin Chaudhary, all absconding Indian Mujahideen operatives. Naxalite threat looms large over Telangana Assembly Elections The likes of Hafiz Saeed, Syed Salahuddin and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi too are in the list of most wanted. However no bounty has been announced for these names. On the other hand Dawood Ibrahim, who figures in the most wanted list prepared by the CBI has a bounty of Rs 25 lakh. This bounty was announced by the CBI and the Maharashtra government following the 1993 attacks. The terror from within: Intelligence Bureau officials and security analysts have over the years said that the naxalist movement poses the biggest threat to India. The naxals do not only attack our security forces, but also disturb the social fabric of the country. In addition to this they are linked closely with foreign elements through whom they get a steady supply of arms and funds. Further they rely on their think-tanks in the urban areas to change the narrative against the country. The recent investigations into the Bhima-Koregaon violence showed how naxals in the urban areas had allegedly provoked people and incited violence. Now coming to Ganapathy, he is without a doubt India's most dangerous. The core body of the Central Committee is headed by Ganapathy. The polit bureau which is the think tank of the organisation is also headed by him. His second in command is Nambala Keshava Rao, who carried a Rs 10 lakh bounty on his head. Ganapathy's role in the naxalite ranks is a crucial one as he heads the committees which design operational plans, which include attacks on security forces, recruitments and funding through extortions. The lavish life of naxals: SUVs, flats and how ill-gotten money is being invested in land The problem is that naxalism is not area specific. The central bureau spans the Dandkaranya Zone, Andhra-Odisha border special zone and the state committees of Telangana, Odisha, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The eastern bureau would comprise zonal committees of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Assam and Uttar Pradesh. The northern bureau on the other hand comprises Punjab, Uttarakhand whole the southern bureau controls the entire Western Ghats region. Highest bounty: While the bounty offered by the NIA stands at Rs 15 lakh, the overall bounty on Ganapathy is at Rs 2.5 crore. This includes the sum offered by the states such as Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. This amount is in fact 10 times that of what has been offered for Dawood Ibrahim. The governments of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh have offered Rs 1 crore each to anybody providing information regarding Ganapathy. In addition to this the Andhra Pradesh government has announced Rs 25 lakh, the NIA, Rs 15 lakh and the government of Jharkhand, Rs 12 lakh. The sum total stands at Rs 2.52 crore. Ganapathy according to Intelligence Bureau files is the most dangerous who has the sole intention of overthrowing a democratically elected government. He has said in interviews that whether it is Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Venkaiah Naidu, Nitin Gadkari or anyother representative of the government, they are saying one thing to befool the people and do the complete opposite. We will have to resolutely confront and defeat this attack by uniting with all sections that would be adversely affected. To earn their daily bread, how the urban naxals have spread Who is Mupalla Lakshman Rao alias Ganapathy The top naxal leader goes by the following names: Ganapati, Mupalla Lakshman Rao, LaxmanRao, Ramanna, Shrinivas, Rajanna, Raji Reddy, Radhakrishna, GP, Chandrasekhar, Azith, CS. He is the son of Gopal Rao, a resident of Vill- Birpur, PS & Mandal - Sarangpur, District- Karim Nagar, Telengana. There are over 100 cases registered against him in various police stations. He is the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), a banned organisation. The NIA in its summary of allegations says, "the accused entered into a criminal conspiracy to wage war against the Government of India, being members of the banned organisation Communist Party of India (Maoist). In furtherance to their conspiracy, they collected explosive substances, prohibited arms and ammunition and a huge amount of money in a concealed manner from different parts of India, including but not limited to Kolkata and Mumbai. He has also criminally conspired against several others around the country to send the above-mentioned items procured for assembling arms and ammunition and such ready-made purchased items to fictitious addresses at Raipur, Chhattisgarh, through different transport companies in Kolkata and Mumbai." Norovirus outbreak in Kerala: How contagious is it? Symptoms, treatment, all you need to know Why Kerala beats every Indian state in terms of radicalisation and affiliation to the ISIS India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Oct 23: Kerala has been a hub for Islamic radicalisation and this has been proven in a number of cases that have been reported from the state over the past decade. The politics of the state, the social fabric among a large section in the Muslim community have made the state a happy hunting ground for jihadis. No story on this subject would be complete unless one speaks about a terrorist from Kerala who fought in Kashmir. This is important because this Kerala resident was the first non-Pakistani, non-Kashmiri terrorist who fought in Kashmir. While the state has over the years seen the influence of terror groups such as the Students Islamic Movement of India, Indian Mujahideen, Base Movement (Al-Qaeda's local chapter), today there seems to be more affiliation towards the Islamic State. Over the past three years nearly 54 from Kerala went off the radar one day and further investigations went on to suggest that they had joined the Afghan chapter of the Islamic State. Kerala and the ISIS affiliation: While the Indian Intelligence Bureau has always warned about the lurking danger of radical groups, now a study in Pakistan too has identified Kerala as the state which has the most affiliation towards the ISIS. A study titled 'Prospects of Daesh's Expansion in South Asia,"conducted by Abdullah Khan, the managing director of the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies says that Wilayat-e-Hind is the new chapter of the Daesh which is quickly attracting educated youth in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. It says the Indian citizens, especially from Kerala find the Islamic State more attractive than another group. This observation comes in the wake of 54 people from Kerala joining the ISIS in the past three years. The affiliation towards radical and terror groups in Kerala stems out of several factors. This is the state where radical groups such as the PFI and SDPI are extremely strong and enjoy a large amount of political patronage. These groups have played a major role in radicalisation of the youth, which in turn led to the major Wahhabi influx into the state from Saudi Arabia. In Kerala focus back on Wahhabis as many attempt joining ISIS Several 1,000 Wahhabi preachers came into the state, spread their ideology, pumped in money and then left. They funded the construction of new Mosques heavily, with an intention of ensuring that the ideology was preached from these places of worship. The newer Mosques that are coming up in Kerala are also constructed in the manner in which they done in Saudi Arabia. This is just one small indicator of how much people of the state are willing to follow the radical style preached by the Wahabi scholars. Moreover the inflow of funds into Kerala from Saudi is the highest when compared to any other part of the country. It was in Kerala that one got to see posters mourning the death of Osama Bin Laden and also a prayer for Ajmal Kasab after he was hanged. Intelligence Bureau officials tell OneIndia that a large number of youth appear to be attracted to this radical style of Islam, but also add that there are some elders who are trying to oppose it. Ban PFI and now is the right time The Ansar-ul Khilafa KL: Several Muslim youth in Kerala got together and started an outfit called the Ansar-ul-Khilafa KL. This was the feeder outfit for the ISIS and its job was to identify people and send them to the ISIS. The group was active on social media platforms. The National Investigation Agency had arrested several members of this group after it was found that they had held a conspiracy at Kanakamala in Kannur district of Kerala. The NIA said that it had also arrested another persons called Subhahani Haha Moideen, who had travelled to Iraq in 2015 and fought alongside the Islamic State. After his return to India, Haja had continued with his activities in furthering the cause of the ISIS in Kerala. Officials tell OneIndia that the motive of these persons was to further the activities of the ISIS in Kerala. The group had become dangerous and was also looking to raise funds, recruit across Kerala and other parts of south India. The module was being overseen by Omar al-Hindi, who is suspected to be based out of Syria. The PFI factor: The PFI has often been accused of associating with the banned Students Islamic Movement of India. Most of the office bearers of the PFI have been associated with the SIMI in the past. They have held positions in the SIMI before it had been banned. The Intelligence Bureau has said that the PFI is violent in nature. They one point agenda is to attack the Right Wing. They preach to their cadres that attacking those who oppose Islam would earn them religious rewards. the PFI has been accused of chopping off a professor's hand who had allegedly hurt religious sentiments in Kerala. In an affidavit before the Kerala High Court, it was submitted that the PFI was involved in 27 murders. In another report, the Kerala government said that there was 87 attempt to murder cases against PFI cadres. How these PFI/SDPI activists spread the ISIS ideology in Kerala The NIA in a dossier says that the approach of the PFI is radical in nature. It speaks about recruiting only committed Muslims into its fold. It also states that the cadres train with clips of the Babri Masjid demolition and this is clearly a sign that it is trying to radicalise its cadres. It is trying to run a parallel administration the NIA states. It speaks about the Darul Khada an outfit comprising Muslim scholars, social workers and advocates. This was set up in 2009, by SDPI national chief E Aboobacker. The NIA says that they run a parallel judiciary which settles a host of issues. The NIA dossier also states that in July 2009, a Kerala level declaration was passed by the Darul Khada in Malappuram in which it had called upon the Muslim community not to attend civil courts, but get all issues sorted out by it. The NIA also cited the most recent case it is probing in connection with Love Jihad. It speaks about the Sathyasarani Islamic Dawah an affiliate of the PFI. It says that this organisation is running an Islamic conversion centre and also details the rigorous religious training it is imparting. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 6:35 [IST] G7 demands 'thorough, credible, transparent and prompt' investigation in Khashoggi's death International pti-PTI Washington, Oct 23: The powerful group of G-7 countries Tuesday called for a "thorough, credible, transparent, and prompt" investigation by Saudi Arabia, in full collaboration with Turkey, in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the US, and High Representative of the European Union in a strong statement said Saudi confirmation of Khashoggis death is a first step toward full transparency and accountability."However, the explanations offered leave many questions unanswered," the statement said. [Saudi minister refutes allegations of killing journalist Khashoggi] Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on October 2, where he had gone to collect papers for his marriage. Saudi Arabia has said that he died in a fist fight, while Turkey has asserted that it was pre-planned and Khashoggi was brutally murdered. "We reiterate our expectation for a thorough, credible, transparent, and prompt investigation by Saudi Arabia, in full collaboration with the Turkish authorities, and a full and rigorous accounting of the circumstances surrounding Khashoggi's death," the G-7 statement said. Demanding that those responsible for the killing must be held to account, the G-7 said that Saudi Arabia must put in place measures to ensure something like this can never happen again. [Saudi announces Khashoggi's death, Trump believes their explanation] "The circumstances of Khashoggis death reaffirm the need to protect journalists and freedom of expression around the world," it said. Meanwhile, US Vice President Mike Pence said that the Trump Administration will follow the facts. "We're going to demand that those responsible are held accountable," he said at an event in Washington DC. "The word from President Erdogan this morning that this brutal murder was premeditated -- preplanned days in advance -- flies in the face of earlier assertions that had been made by the Saudi regime," Pence said. Pence said the killing of Khashoggi was also "an assault" on a free and independent press. PTI Azhar is not missing: India to call out Pakistan at FATF Why killing of Masood Azhars nephew Fauji Bhai is a major shot in the arm Have stated stand on Masood Azhar many times: China on India's request International oi-PTI Beijing, Oct 23: China said on Tuesday that its first internal security cooperation agreement with India will provide institutional guarantee to combat trans-border crimes, but remained defiant to any change in its stance on blocking India's efforts to list Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. The agreement was inked during the first India-China high-level meeting on bilateral security cooperation which was co-chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Zhao Kezhi, State Councilor and Minister of Public Security, China, in New Delhi. The Chinese block and why the ban on Maulana Masood Azhar never goes through "This cooperation treaty is very important in terms of advancing law enforcement and security cooperation so that the two countries enjoy the sound development of bilateral relations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing answering a question on the pact and the talks between the two ministers. Referring to the April informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Hua said, "We believe this cooperation on security and law enforcement will help us to combat crimes as it will provide more institutional and systematic guarantee on this". Days after pro-China Yameen lost power in Maldives, this is what China has to say" title=" Days after pro-China Yameen lost power in Maldives, this is what China has to say" /> Days after pro-China Yameen lost power in Maldives, this is what China has to say "We will continue to step up our cooperation in combating separatist forces, telecom fraud the drug crimes and other trans-border crimes. We will explore more areas for security and law enforcement cooperation and ensure the security of our personnel that carrying projects in each other's countries," she said. On India's request for China's support to declare Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist by the UN, Ms Hua said she has to check the specific details of the talks between the two ministers. "As per to India's request for the listing of Masood (Azhar), we already stated our position for many times," she said. "On the counter terrorism issue, China has always actively participated in international anti-terrorist operations. We have always made our decisions and judgements on the merits of the matter itself," she said. "We will continue to step up the security cooperation to uphold the regional peace and stability with parties," she said. A veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has repeatedly blocked India's bid at the United Nations to list Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. On reports that India has requested China to not to give shelter to United Liberation Front Of Assam (ULFA) terrorist Paresh Baruah, Hua said, "I shall stress that the Chinese government has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. This remains unchanged." PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 17:00 [IST] Jordan wants to cancel clauses in peace treaty with Israel International oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Amman, Oct 23: The bilateral relations between Jordan and Israel is on the brink of collapse after King Abdullah II of Jordan decided to reclaim lands used by Israel under a 25-year old peace treaty. King Abdullah II of Jordan said that he was cutting off Israelis' free access to two tracts of land along the border that fall within Jordanian territory, but where Jews historically have had private land use rights. Saudi Crown Prince's top aide ran the Khashoggi murder via Skype: Report King Abdullah II, tweeted, "Al-Baqoura and Al-immor has always been our top priority, and our decision is to end Al-Ba'qora's annexation and subjugation to the peace agreement based on our keenness to take whatever is necessary for Jordan and Jordanians." (@KingAbdullahII) October 21, 2018 For nearly a quarter of a century, as part of the 1994 peace treaty between the two former foes, Israeli farmers and tourists have enjoyed the fruits and picturesque attractions of the areas. One of them, a pocket of land about 10 miles south of the Sea of Galilee, sandwiched between the Jordan and Yarmouk Rivers, is known in Hebrew as "the Island of Peace." According to reports, King Abdullah did not give a reason for his decision, but he has been under domestic pressure to end the lease. Reacting to Jordan's announcement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that despite the monarch's announcement, the Israeli-Jordanian peace treaty is "an agreement of true peace." Restoring military balance is Russia's option against US pull-out from INF Treaty "We will enter into negotiations with Jordan to extend the existing agreement, but the entire agreement from a comprehensive perspective is important and dear to both countries," Times of Israel quoted Netanyahu as saying. What is Jordan-Israel peace treaty? The treaty settled relations between the two countries, adjusted land and water disputes, and provided for broad cooperation in tourism and trade. It included a pledge that neither Jordan nor Israel would allow its territory to become a staging ground for military strikes by a third country. On 26 October 1994, Jordan and Israel signed the peace treaty in a ceremony held in the Arava valley of Israel, north of Eilat and near the Jordanian border. Prime Minister Rabin and Prime Minister Abdelsalam al-Majali signed the treaty and the President of Israel Ezer Weizman shook hands with King Hussein. Clinton observed, accompanied by US Secretary of State Warren Christopher. Thousands of colorful balloons released into the sky ended the event. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 12:36 [IST] Legalization of Cannabis unacceptable, it will lead to huge trafficking: Russia International oi-PTI Ottawa, Oct 23: Russia has denounced Canada's move to cannabis legalization, which took effect last week, calling it "unacceptable" and contrary to international laws. Russia said it will lead to increased trafficking abroad. "We are convinced that this legislation goes against international law on drug control," the Russian embassy in Ottawa said Monday in a statement. According to Moscow, Canada is violating major drug control treaties including the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and the 1988 Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Also Read | Canada to legalise cannabis from October 7; second state after Uruguay to do so "By consciously torpedoing the international drug control regime, the Canadian government is creating the world's largest drug market, which, despite all the claims and measures being contemplated to prevent the export of cannabis across national borders, will certainly result in a considerable increase in its trafficking to other states," said the Russians. The embassy said "Russia and other countries will probably have to take additional measures to prevent possible attempts to smuggle cannabis and its derivatives from Canada." On October 17, Canada became the first major economy to legalize cannabis -- fulfilling a 2015 campaign promise by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which he has defended as intended to protect young people and to shut down the black market. Richard Walker, a spokesman for its foreign ministry, told AFP that Canada remains "a strong supporter of the international drug control framework" and will continue to "combat drug trafficking." "The legalization of cannabis does not change our commitment to meeting the overarching goals of the UN drug conventions -- protecting the health and safety or our citizens -- and Canada will continue to work with its international partners to advance these objectives," he said. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, October 23, 2018, 16:27 [IST] Ramadan 2021: Hotels and restaurants in Dubai can serve food to customers without curtain covers 3 year travel ban to be imposed by Saudi for those visiting countries on Red List Saudi Crown Prince's top aide ran the Khashoggi murder via Skype: Report International oi-Chennabasaveshwar P A top aide to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman directed the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Reuters reported on Monday, citing Saudi, Turkish and Arab officials. Jamal Khashoggi murder 'savagely planned', says Turkey A high-ranking Arab source with access to intelligence and links to members of Saudi Arabia's royal court told the news agency that Saud al-Qahtani, a longtime adviser to bin Salman, was beamed into a room at the Saudi consulate via Skype. He began to hurl insults at Khashoggi over the phone, Reuters reported. According to Arab and Turkish sources Khashoggi answered Qahtani's insults with his own. Under pressure, Saudi admits killing Khashoggi 'huge and grave mistake' Saud al-Qahtani ran social media for Saudi Arabia's crown prince. He masterminded the arrest of hundreds of his country's elite. He detained a Lebanese prime minister. And, according to two intelligence sources, he ran journalist Jamal Khashoggi's brutal killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by giving orders over Skype. Saud al-Qahtani Saud al-Qahtani was fired as Saudi Arabia's royal court adviser on Saturday, Saudi state media reported. The announcement came as the kingdom's state media said the missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi had been killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, citing an official Saudi investigation. Courtesy: @SaudAlQahtani0 CCTV video of Saudi consulate This combo image of frame grab sequence taken from CCTV video obtained by the Turkish broadcaster TRT World and made available on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, purportedly showing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018.AP/PTI Security personnel guarding Saudi consulate Security personnel guarding Saudi Arabia's consulate are seen behind barriers blocking the road leading to the diplomatic mission, in Istanbul, Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called the son of Jamal Khashoggi, the kingdom announced early Monday, to express condolences for the death of the journalist killed at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul by officials that allegedly included a member of the royal's entourage. AP/PTI Turkish forensic officers Turkish forensic officers leave the Saudi consulate after they conducted a new search over the disappearance and alleged slaying of writer Jamal Khashoggi, in Istanbul, early Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. Pro-government newspaper Yeni Safak on Wednesday said it had obtained audio recordings of the alleged killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. AP/PTI Security guards stand outside the Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul Security guards stand outside the Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018. Turkey says it will investigate why journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a contributor to the Washington Post, vanished there Oct. 2, an extraordinary probe of a diplomatic post amid Turkish officials' fears the writer had been killed inside the building. Saudi officials said he left the building unharmed.AP/PTI US threatens to pull out of INF Treaty: What is this treaty about? International oi-Shubham Ghosh Washington, Oct 23: US President Donald Trump has revealed his intention to withdraw from yet another key international peace agreement and his announcement made last Saturday, October 20, has left the world deeply worried. Trump has now targeted the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty which the US had concluded with the former Soviet Union in 1987 as a crucial step towards halting arms race. He has threatened to pull out of the agreement accusing Russia of not honouring it. Moscow has counter-threatened to restore the military balance if the US went ahead to scuttle the important pact which was inked by former US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. What is the INF Treaty? The treaty was signed on December 8, 1987, at the White House in Washington and it required both the Cold War rivals to eliminate and permanently disown all their nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500-5,500 kilometres. The treaty saw the first time the two nuclear opponents agreeing to curb their nuclear arsenals and utilise on-site inspections for verification. It was after committing to de-armament under the INF Treaty that the US and Soviet Union - the two superpowers of the Cold War era - destroying as many as 2,692 short-, medium- and intermediate-range missiles within the agreement's implementation deadline, i.e., June 1, 1991. Also Read | Restoring military balance is Russia's option against US pull-out from INF Treaty The INF's compulsions initially were applicable only to the US and Soviet Union but the treaty's membership later increased to include the successor states of the USSR once it collapsed. Today, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine also join the US and Russia to observe the treaty's implementation. Two other Central Asian republics - Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - had INF facilities but forgo treaty meetings with approvals from other state parties. Although just five countries are parties to the treaty, several European countries also destroyed the INF-banned missiles since the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s. While Germany, Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic got rid of their intermediate-range missiles in the 1990s, Slovakia destroyed its remaining intermediate-range missiles in 2000. The last country to possess the intermediate-range missiles in eastern Europe, Bulgaria, destroyed its missiles relevant under the INF Treaty in 2002. US is accusing Russia of violating INF Treaty obligations since 2014 The US first raised allegations that Russia is violating the INF Treaty obligations, in its Compliance Report of July 2014. It said Russia was not honouring the treaty's obligations "not to possess, produce, or flight-test" a ground-launched cruise missile having a range between 500-5,500 kilometres. The US came up with identical allegations in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and in March last year, a top US official reports of Russia deploying non-compliant missiles. Russia, meanwhile denied the allegations and counter-accused Washington of placing a nuclear defence launch system in Europe that can be used to fire cruise missiles, using targets for missile defence tests with characteristics similar to the INF Treaty-prohibited intermediate-range missiles. 6:48 p.m. Oct. 23, update: Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells issued this statement late Thursday afternoon. There will not be a press conference tomorrow, Friday. My final statement is my apology. It is unfortunate that Mr. Betz could not accept it. There was a time frame a year and a half ago. There was an action mine. There was a process law and legal. There was closure. 12:44 p.m. original story: Osoyoos Mayor, Stu Wells, who abruptly dropped his re-election campaign at the last minute, has found himself in the middle of a theft scandal. Wells and his wife, Dr. Martha Collins, have admitted to stealing signs from the property of Oliver Betz on June 24 of last year. The theft involving Wells, Collins and an employee of Osoyoos Mountain Estates, was caught on video surveillance. Betz erected the signs on his property as part of a protest warning potential purchasers at the development of issues he had after purchasing property from Regal Ridge in 2006. He claims the purchase was to include provisions for power and phone, however, says the developer admitted to him in 2011 those services would not be provided. Betz painted a sign on his driveway which stated in large letters, "Regal Ridge 5th Year No Phone, No Power, Why?" When that was mostly painted over, Betz says he erected the signs and the surveillance camera. In an email sent to Castanet, Betz says the surveillance video shows the three entering his property and stealing the signs. Betz filed a formal complaint with the RCMP and, while he says the three accepted criminal responsibility, no formal charges were ever laid. Wells said this in a brief interview Thursday: "Unfortunately, it did happen and what we are experiencing is how people react to different situations." Wells admitted his guilt in an email sent to Betz and his partner, Marg Coulson, earlier this year. Ms. Marg Coulson & Mr. Oliver Betz I wish to offer my sincere and profound apology for my actions on the evening of June 24, 2013. The removal of your protest sign from your fence post was an act of immense stupidity on my behalf. The physical act was obvious but more significant was the infringement on your rights and freedoms under Canadian accepted values. My actions were committed without any thought as to what you have been through in dealing with the physical deficiencies in your property purchase. To have purchased your dream property and not be able to build on the lot is both unfathomable by me and unconscionable by the developer. This was exacerbated by my callous disregard for your rights and freedoms. I understand that there has also been an element of harassment by the developers and the sales force. My actions on that evening certainly added to your stress and anguish. I have reviewed the whole incident and have certainly had to re-visit my attitude and inner psyche as to my core values. I am working at making sure that empathy is one of my primary emotions. I am very embarrassed by my out of character actions that took place that evening. My more usual role is one of enabling not demoralizing. I am so in tune with helping people solve problems. I have a tremendous amount of remorse for this unacceptable and embarrassing act. I sincerely ask for your forgiveness and ask you to accept my apology. Warmest regards, Stu Wells Photo: Twitter Vancouverites looking for low-cost flights to Iceland will soon have a new option when discount airline Wow Air adds a route out of the West Coast. The announcement, which stacks more competition onto a crowded market, means passengers can soon fly out of Vancouver International Airport to Reykjavik, the island nation's capital, six days a week. The airline says one-way fares start at $129 for flights beginning in June, and are available for purchase as of today. Wow Air will now be battling bigger rival Icelandair for B.C. passengers, and is part of a broader trend of upstart budget carriers in Canada, including WestJet's Swoop the ultra-low-cost airline launched four months ago and Air Canada's Rouge. The airline, which already operates out of Toronto and Montreal, recently announced it will end service to three cities in the U.S. Midwest: Cincinnati, Cleveland and St. Louis. Wow Air says Reykjavik will also serve as a stopover for Canadian passengers en route to and from New Delhi, Tel Aviv and various European cities. Photo: The Canadian Press A Crown attorney says a man charged with murdering a 12-year-girl in British Columbia over 40 years ago confessed to undercover police and should be found guilty. Mark Sheardown told jurors on the opening day of a trial that Garry Handlen provided details about abducting the girl while she was riding her new bike, sexually assaulting her and then killing her. Handlen has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of Monica Jack on May 6, 1978, near Merritt. Sheardown told B.C. Supreme Court that Jack's skull and some bones were found 17 years later and linked to her through dental records. He says Handlen was living in Minden, Ont., in 2014 when he was the focus in an undercover police operation and allegedly provided a supposed crime boss with details of the murder. Sheardown says Handlen was charged after accompanying members of a fictitious crime group to a highway in Merritt, where he said he abducted the girl. I am totally ashamed to be a Canadian these days. Every single day, there is something in the news that is beyond comprehension. Someone charged with murder gets his sentence reduced to manslaughter because he didnt pre-plan stabbing someone to death and then when convicted gets no jail time because he was too drunk to know what he was doing. Even worse, the judge says sentencing him to jail time won't bring back the victim. That has to be the stupidest excuse for letting someone off that I have ever heard. Then there is the kidnapper who was convicted of participating in a brutal murder who gets sent to a healing camp for rehabilitation instead of life in prison. How about a convicted murder getting a disability pension (because his dad was a veteran) in prison for his PTSD that he admits was caused from committing the murder itself? And then when the federal opposition parties try to get it stopped, the Liberals out-vote them to keep it going. Only in Canada, I say, only in Canada. There are some U.S. citizens who say they want to immigrate to Canada because they dont like Trump, however, when they realize that we have no understanding of what punishment is in Canada and how wonderfully we treat murderers, Im sure well hear the swoosh as they run, not walk, back to the good old U.S. of A where many states still have an idea of what real punishment is. Ken Quesnel, Kelowna Photo: Contributed More Vernon voters turned up to cast a ballot in the 2018 municipal election than in previous years, however, not by much. In this election, 9,755 Vernonites voted, which is 107 more voters than in 2014 and 887 more than in 2011. In fact, more people voted in this election than in the previous four elections, respectivley. And while the steady increase in voter turnout over the years is encouraging, what is disheartening, only 29 per cent of all eligible voters in Vernon decided to cast a ballot. The voter breakdown for mayor shows that Victor Cumming received 50.5 per cent of the vote followed by Darrin Taylor at 37 per cent, then Erik Olesen at 10.1 and Art Gourley at 2.3 per cent. As for the councillors, Brian Quiring 42.2% Scott Anderson 42.1% Dalvir Nahal 39.9% Kari Gares 39.8% Akbal Mund 37.2% Kelly Fehr 36% Results were made official late Monday afternoon. Photo: Contributed Logging planned for an area east of Penticton frequented by cross-country skiers and mountain bikers has sparked outcry from some user groups. The forest surrounding a network of trails approximately four kilometres up the Carmi Forest Service Road is slated to be logged in sometime in 2019. The block is being managed by BC Timber Sales, under the purview of the Ministry of Forests. Users of the trails say they first learned about the harvesting plans when they ran into forestry workers in the area hanging ribbon earlier this year. Apparently they contacted a few groups, and no one really said much about it in response, so BCTS just decided that it was OK, said Neda Joss, the organizer of an online petition opposed to the plan that has garnered more than 500 signatures in 72 hours. The Carmi Recreation Trails are not formally managed by any one group, but attracts cross-country skiers and snowshoers in the winter and mountain bikers the rest of the year. In a statement to Castanet, the Ministry of Forests said it shared cutblock plans with the South Okanagan Trail Alliance in November 2017 and did not receive any negative feedback. Trail Alliance president Andrew Drouin confirmed the plans went out in a regular newsletter to over 500 recipients, although its unclear how many people actually read the information. At the time, Drouin said he didn't feel he had the support to pick a fight with BCTS over the issue something that may be changing. Since ribbons began appearing in the bush, 11 citizens have contacted BCTS with concerns. A representative with BCTS met with Joss and 20 other users during a site visit Oct. 13 when they outlined their plans, which will see a large portion of the trails converted into logging roads. Why they are just targeting these specific trails, I dont know, Joss said. Its such an intensive recreation area, it doesnt make sense. She said they are not completely opposed to logging in the area, but fears the project as proposed will mean the end of the site. There are some lovely big trees and open ponderosa pine areas, its pretty nice, and we are not going to see that anymore because it's going to be clear cut in sections. When BCTS came, they had no idea that the area was as used as much as it was, Joss said, explaining the representatives they met with seemed taken aback by their level of opposition to the logging plans. The Ministry of Forests tells Castanet it is considering the user input in an effort to minimize the impact to the recreation area without precluding harvesting. Because of that, Joss says they are mobilizing in an effort to preserve the area. Letters are being sent to local politicians and a trails day is being considered to drum up support. Drouin says a meeting set for Wednesday involving the petition organizers will determine the Trail Alliance's opposition to the project moving forward, but he said they are prepared to walk away from the standard funding offered to the group in exchange for logging within a recreational area. Photo: Contributed While the voters of Greater Vernon have said 'Yes' to the RDNO borrowing up to $25 million for its share of the cost of a new multi-purpose cultural facility, don't expect to see shovels in the ground just yet. "We still have quite a bit of work ahead of us, but this is a major step in the process," explains Ashley Gregerson communications officer with the RDNO. The next step is to secure the funding, which will come in the way of fundraising, donations, partnerships and contributions. "Now we are looking at federal and provincial funding," says Gregerson. There is money available for projects like this the through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program." Within that program is the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure stream. The program supports cost-sharing of infrastructure projects in communities across the province. In September, the Canadian and British Columbian governments committed up to $134 million towards an initial intake of the Community, Culture, and Recreation (CCR) Program. Funding is available up to 73.33% of the eligible project costs (40% Government of Canada, 33.33% Province of British Columbia). So, while the RDNO has been given permission to borrow up to $25 million, if it can secure money through options like the CCR program, it won't have to. "If we are able to raise over 15 million through the combination of fundraising, donations, grants and contributions then we wouldn't have to borrow $25 million." As for a timeline for when shovels could hit the ground, It is too early to say. "Its hard to say, I believe the applications close in January, and then we are kind of in the hands of other governments as to when they actually announce who gets the funding." The building will be constructed in downtown Vernon on the undeveloped portion of the 2900 block between 31st Avenue and 32nd Avenue, however, the design of the building has not been finalized. "We will seek public input and consultation for the look and feel of the building before moving on to the detailed design phase of the project," explains Gregerson. On Oct. 20, voters in Coldstream, Vernon, and RDNO Electoral Areas 'B' and 'C' voted in favour of borrowing up to $25 million for the project. Yes 7,850 No 5,357 The referendum determined that the community can move forward with grant applications and fundraising to generate the $15 million required to complete this $40 million dollar project. The annual net increase on the average Greater Vernon household (assessed value of land & improvements of $433,000) to borrow $25 million over 20 years is $12 a year per household. With the completion of existing debt associated with Kal Tire Place and the Performing Arts Centre, $36 will come off of the average annual household taxes at the same time as the proposed borrowing that will require an average household investment of $48. Photo: The Canadian Press In this Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, photo, Philip Morris International Inc. Chief Executive Andre Calantzopoulos speaks during an exclusive interview with The Associated Press in Tokyo. Philip Morris, maker of Marlboro and other major cigarette brands, is manoeuvring to keep itself in business in a post-smoking world with an advertising blitz in puff-happy Japan and other tobacco-loving markets. One of the biggest purveyors of tobacco products, it says making the world "smoke free" is its goal. The company is renewing its effort to win over new generations of tobacco users to its iQOS devices, which heat tobacco without burning it. It's found a warm welcome in Japan, home to 5 million of the nearly 6 million users of the product. "Japan is a country where people like innovation, like to experiment and try new products," Chief Executive Andre Calantzopoulos told The Associated Press during a trip to Tokyo this week to promote new iQOS products. By heating tobacco without burning it, iQOS gives users vapour and flavour without the hazards of smoke and tar from cigarettes, cigars and pipes, the company says. It's different from e-cigarettes, another popular "reduced risk" product, which don't contain tobacco but instead vaporize a liquid usually containing nicotine. The iQOS has yet to win U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval, but it's sold in much of Europe, in Turkey, South Korea, New Zealand and Colombia. The company's rebranding effort seems to be paying off in Japan, where the company has opened nine iQOS stores offering free WiFi and drinks in trendy districts nationwide. Mami Kugishima, a 32-year-old hair stylist and iQOS user standing in a designated smoking area near a train station, said she likes the way the smell doesn't get in her hair. "It calms me down," she said, sucking on her crystal-decorated iQOS, while acknowledging it would be best to quit. "I like it when I go out for drinks." The World Health Organization points to tobacco as a leading cause of death, killing up to half its users, or more than 7 million people every year. Of those, about 890,000 deaths are non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke. Philip Morris says research it has funded shows health risks are reduced with iQOS, while they are not zero. The device's lower temperatures release less cancer-causing substances than when tobacco is burned in regular smoking, while still providing nicotine to the user. Calantzopoulos says wider use of the device would help people's health. Critics accuse the company of glossing over the hazards in its effort to lure new generations of tobacco users, an allegation it denies. Photo: The Canadian Press In this Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018, photo, Canadian Brittney Schneider, left, and British Furlong Lee, second left, stand in front of Tha Pae Gate in Chiang Mai province, northern Bangkok, Thailand. A Canadian who was arrested in northern Thailand for spraying paint on an ancient wall says she's sorry for what she did and terrified about what comes next. Brittney Schneider, 22, was in Chiang Mai last Thursday when she said she and some others got "ridiculously drunk." They started to walk back to their hostel, but came across a bottle of spray paint and picked it up. "I came to as I finished writing the B and I stopped because I knew it was bad," she said Tuesday in an email interview with The Canadian Press. "But it was already too late." Security camera footage shows Schneider, who is from Grande Prairie, Alta., and Furlong Lee, 23, spraying paint on the walls of the Tha Pae Gate in the city of Chiang Mai. They have been charged with vandalizing registered ancient artifacts, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of one million baht ($40,000). Police said Lee, who is from Liverpool, England, admitted that he wrote "Scouser Lee" on the wall, while Schneider wrote the letter "B" underneath it. The 13th-century Tha Pae Gate is part of an ancient wall that forms a square around Chiang Mai's inner city. After they sprayed the wall, they walked back to the hostel and went to sleep, Schneider said. "The next morning we woke up and were sitting beside the pool and I just remembered what we did and looked over to one of the guys from the night before and said, 'OMG, we spray-painted a wall last night. Im so scared were going to get in trouble.'" She said she had gone upstairs to her room to call a friend when a hostel employee knocked on her door and said there was an issue downstairs. "My heart dropped. I knew," said Schneider. "I walked downstairs, opened the door and there were like seven police officers standing there. "They showed me a video and asked if it was me in the video spray-painting the wall. I said, 'Yes, it was me.'" Schneider said they were arrested and taken to the police station where they spent the night before court. "The judge said we could face up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of $40,000," she said. "We had the chance to get bail that day, but it was too late at home so I couldnt get the bail. I spent three nights in prison and got bailed out yesterday." Schneider said her mother and aunt have arrived in Chiang Mai and, while she's thankful they're there, she said she's not OK mentally. "Im terrified for my life. Im so sorry for what I did, beyond sorry," she said. "Im just so overwhelmed and just want to go home." The Bangladesh Police has arrested prominent pro-opposition newspaper editor and lawyer Moinul Hosein on a defamation charge, days after he faced massive criticism for calling a woman journalist "characterless" on a TV talk show. Hosein, the owner and editor of the Daily New Nation, is a well-known critic of the government and though he does not belong to any party, the 78-year-old is known for his right-wing political views. The barrister, who had served as an adviser with ministerial status in the past caretaker government, was arrested Monday night by police's Detective Branch. "We have arrested Barrister Moinul Hosein in compliance with an arrest warrant issued by a court in (northwestern) Rangpur," Joint Commissioner at the Detective Branch Mahbub Alal told reporters. Hosein would be kept in police custody overnight at the Detective Branch office to be produced before a court Tuesday for subsequent legal procedures, he said. On a talk show on October 16 midnight journalist Masuda Bhatti had asked Hosein if he represented fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami in the newly-floated Unity Front, as being speculated on the social media. In his reply, Hosein had said, "I thank you for your audacity (in asking the question) and want to call you a characterless (person)." Hosein had a played a key role in the formation of the recently-floated Unity Front, an alliance between the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and other centrist parties. He was arrested around 10 PM from the residence of left-leaning opposition politician ASM Abdur Rab of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), which is also a part of the alliance. "He came out of the house as the plainclothesmen laid a siege around the house and sent him the message that they awaited outside with the warrant," a witness to the arrest process told PTI. The Unity Front comprises main opposition outside parliament BNP and several other political groups led by prominent lawyer Kamal Hossain. Hosein is also a former chairman of the Board of Editors of the Daily Ittefaq, one of Bangladesh's oldest newspapers. Earlier, Masuda Bhatti had said Hosein had called her to apologise. But, his move could help him little to evade a spate of massive disparagement and a series of defamation cases filed by women rights groups and the one lodged by the woman journalist. A police officer said at least six defamation cases were filed against Hosein for his comments while he managed to secure bail in three of them. "We arrested him in one of the cases where he was not protected under the High Court order," the officer said. Hosien's younger brother Anwar Hossain is a senior minister in the cabinet as his faction of Jatiya Party (JP) is a partner of the Awami League-led ruling coalition. Hours ahead of the arrest Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told a news conference that Hosein deserved punitive actions for his defamatory comments against a lady colleague of yours . She also described him an agent of the 1971 Pakistani forces and no less responsible for the killing of martyred journalist Serajuddin Hossain during the 1971 Liberation War. -PTI India summoned a senior official of the Pakistan High Commission here Tuesday and lodged a strong protest over the loss of lives of three of its soldiers during an infiltration bid by Pakistani terrorists in the Sunderbani sector of Jammu and Kashmir two days ago. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a statement, said it also condemned in the strongest terms such a provocative action by Pakistan, which revealed the neighbouring country's complicity in aiding and abetting terrorism and exposed the hollowness of its deceitful claims of promoting a constructive engagement with India and desire for peace. The Pakistan High Commission official was summoned to the MEA and a demarche was made, lodging a strong protest over the loss of lives of Indian soldiers during the cross-border infiltration bid by Pakistani terrorists in the Sunderbani sector on October 21, the statement said. "It was informed that two Pakistani armed intruders have been killed by the Indian security forces during the ensuing firefight and the government of Pakistan should take custody of the dead bodies of its nationals," the MEA said. Two heavily-armed Pakistani intruders and three Indian soldiers were killed in a gunfight Sunday after the Army foiled the infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Sunderbani sector. The Army had also warned Pakistan Monday to restrain the terrorists operating from its soil. India also conveyed to the Pakistani side Tuesday its grave concern over the continuing incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Pakistani forces along the LoC and the International Border (IB). "Despite repeated calls for restraint and adherence to the ceasefire understanding of 2003 for maintaining peace and tranquillity, Pakistan forces have carried out 1,591 incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations along the LoC and IB in 2018 so far," the MEA said. Pakistan was also asked to abide by its bilateral commitment not to allow any territory under its control to be used for supporting terrorism against India in any manner, it added. -PTI Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) SM Supermalls continue to blaze a trail after winning the coveted Agora for Marketing Company of the Year in the prestigious 39th Agora Awards on Oct. 19. Steven Tan, chief operating officer of SM Supermalls, said innovation has always been the key factor at core of SM's growth. "(This) was exemplified by our founder Henry Sy, Sr. when he opened SM North Edsa over 30 years ago in the swampland of Quezon City to today, as we partner with first-in-market global brands and introduce never-seen-in-the-Philippines activations that inspire family fun moments and bring smiles to children's faces," Tan said. Receiving the Agora for Marketing Company of Year is, indeed, another historical and defining milestone for the SM brand, as the conglomerate continues to immortalize Sy's dream to serve and bring smiles to millions of Filipinos from all over the country. While Philippine Marketing Association hosts the Agora Awards annually, there has not been a winner of the Marketing Company of the Year for the past two years. Deemed as the Oscars of the Philippines' marketing industry, the Agora Awards honors companies for their excellence, innovation and contributions in the field of marketing. The SM Group received its first Agora Award in 1999, where Sy was presented with The Agora for Outstanding Achievement in Entrepreneurship - Large Scale. In 2004, the SM Foundation was given the Agora for Outstanding Achievement for Advocacy Marketing. Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia: Swissquote, part of Swiss banking group focusing on online financial and trading services has become the first bank in the world to offer its client with the opportunity to participate in Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). The online bank's clients can now invest their Swiss francs directly in initial coin offerings, said a press release from the company. Interestingly minimum buy in starts at just 33 francs, opening up many more channels of investment. The bank has opted to start with LakeDiamond, a Swiss-based company growing "ultra pure" diamonds in laboratories for use within tech applications. LakeDiamond produces human-made high-grade diamonds in a controlled environment that have specialized reactors for applications such as watch movements, lasers or transistors. The release quoted Swissquote CEO Marc Burki as saying: "Our philosophy is to democratize finance by offering services that are simple and accessible to everyone, we are now offering our clients the opportunity to help grow start-ups. Combining crowdfunding with the blockchain creates a new form of fundraising. Thanks to contributions starting at 33 Swiss francs, clients can participate without being required to invest large sums into venture capital or private equity funds." Pascal Gallo, CEO of LakeDiamond added: "LakeDiamond has developed and continues to develop its cutting-edge technology combining lab-grown ultra-pure diamonds and high-end industrial a...................... To view our full article Click here Compensation Software Market Cost Profit Analysis of ADP Workforce Now, SAP SuccessFactors, PoepleFluent, Laserbeam Compensation, TalentComp, and CuroEnterprise Compensation Software https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/2220 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/2220 The global compensation software market was valued at US$ 829.3 million in 2017, and is expected to reach US$ 1,892.4 million by 2026, registering a CAGR of 9.6% over the forecast period from 2018 to 2026. Increasing demand for automated compensation process, shift from manual working to automation by small/medium/large enterprises for better performance and output from their workforce, and rising adoption of digital HR technologies propelled by increasing usage of mobile phones by the employees for their work related targets are some of the major drivers for growth of the global compensation software market.Download PDF Copy @The aim of adoption of compensation software is to reduce manual errors by automating the compensation management process. Compensation software is responsible for executing right set of evaluation parameters along with reduction of paper work, thus simplifying the overall process and saving time and cost for an organization. The compensation software provides advantages such as reduced labor costs, aids in talent retention, and increases employee engagement thus enhancing overall productivity and efficiency of the organization.Digital HR technology helps in providing automated access and aids in evaluating performance and other parameters of the workforce. These software can be linked to integrated applications on the mobile phones of the employees on which they can get the time & attendance, appointment & meeting reminders, on-demand learning for new projects, stress monitors, and others.Key Trends and Analysis of the Global Compensation Software Market:- Compensation software market in Asia Pacific is expected to exhibit the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2018 - 2026). The growth in this region is attributed to increasing development in IT infrastructure and growing number of new small/medium/large enterprises in emerging economies such as India and China; For instance, according to Coherent Market Insights, the number of SMEs in China in 2015 was 20.5 million which grew to 29.4 million in 2017.- Increasing usage of internet and usage of mobile phones for companys work are pushing companies to adopt digital HR technology to manage the compensation process correctly. It can be processed through companys specific mobile apps to communicate, validate, and evaluate the compensation process.- North America is expected to be the largest region in the global compensation software market and accounted for 51.7% of the total market share in 2017 and is expected to be the most dominant region during the forecast period as well. This is owing to high presence of number of small, medium, and large enterprises adopting automated compensation management process to compete in their related market. High presence of enterprise software providers such as NetSuite ERP and SYSPRO, increasing penetration of social media, and need for cost-effective compensation planning process are factors expected to drive growth of the market for compensation software in North America. The adoption of compensation software is very high in countries such as the U.S. and Canada owing to growing start-ups and micro-enterprises. For instance, according to Coherent Market Insights estimations, during 20122017, start-up funding in all industries grew by at least 50%.- Some of the most popular compensation software are ADP Workforce Now, SAP SuccessFactors, PoepleFluent, Laserbeam Compensation, TalentComp, and CuroEnterprise.Major players operating in the global compensation software market include HRsoft, Kinixsys, Kronos, Beqom, Halogen Software, Willis Towers Watson, Greytip Software, SumHR, Ultimate Software, Talentsoft, BullseyeEngagement, JSM Technologies, Decusoft, Peoplefluent, Execupay, ADP LLC, PayScale, CWS Software, SAP Success Factors, Cornerstone, Curo, Oracle Corporation, Harvest HCM, Workday Inc., Nitso Technologies, and Lumesse.You can get customization of report as per your need @About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Patient Portals Market Trends, Analysis by Regions, Type, Restraints, and Top Key Players- Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (U.S.), McKesson Corporation (U.S.), Athenahealth, Inc. (U.S.), Cerner Corporation (U.S.), eClinicalWorks (U.S.). Patient Portals Market https://www.reportsmonitor.com/request_sample/158067 https://www.reportsmonitor.com/check_discount/158067 https://www.reportsmonitor.com/report/158067/Patient-Portals-Market Patient Portals MarketThis report examines and evaluates the market for Internet of Things (IoT) in Global Retail at a global and regional scale. The market has been projected on the basis of revenue (USD Million) and volume (million square meters) from 2018 to 2023. The report further includes the different factors that are responsible for driving and restraining the growth of the global Internet of Things (IoT) in Global Retail market. It also covers the consequences of these driving and restraining factors on demand for Internet of Things (IoT) in Global Retail during the forecast period. The study also consists of the potential growth opportunities in the global and regional market.Additionally, this report covers the manufacturers data, including business distribution, shipment, gross profit, cost, price, revenue, interview record etc., which allows the consumers in better understanding about the leading competitors operating in the market.To Access PDF Sample Report, Click Here: @Top Key Players of Patient Portals Market :-Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (U.S.), McKesson Corporation (U.S.), Athenahealth, Inc. (U.S.), Cerner Corporation (U.S.), eClinicalWorks (U.S.), CureMD (U.S.), NextGen Healthcare Information Systems, LLC (U.S.), Greenway Health, LLC (U.S.), Medfusion (U.S.), Epic Corporation Inc. (U.S.), GE Healthcare (U.K.), Intelichart (U.S.) and Others.Market Segment By Type :-Standalone Patient Portals, Integrated Patient Portals Others.Market Segment By Applications :-Providers, Pharmacies, Other (Employer Groups and Government Bodies).Avail upto 50% discount while purchasing this report:What are the key dynamic factors that are detailed in the report?Key Market Dynamics: The Global Patient Portals Market research report details the latest industry trends, growth patterns, and research methodologies. The factors that directly contribute to the growth of the market include the production strategies and methodologies, development platforms, and the product model itself, wherein a small change would result in further changes in the overall report. All of these factors are explained in detail in the research study.Market Outlook: The report also sheds light on some of the major factors, including R&D, new product launches, M&A, agreements, partnerships, joint ventures, collaborations, and growth of the key industry participants, on a regional and global basis.Major Features: The report provides a thorough analysis of some of the significant factors, which include cost, capacity, capacity utilization rate, production, revenue, production rate, consumption, import/export, supply/demand, gross, market share, CAGR, and gross margin. Besides, the report provides a comprehensive study of the key influencing factors and market inclinations, in addition to the relevant market segments and sub-segments.Analytical Tools: The Global Patient Portals Market report consists the precisely studied and evaluated information of the key players and their market scope using several analytical tools, including SWOT analysis, Porters five forces analysis, investment return analysis, and feasibility study. These tools have been used to efficiently study the growth of the major industry participants.Potential Customers: The report offers detailed insights to users, service providers, suppliers, manufacturers, stockholders, and individuals who are interested in evaluating and self-studying this market.Access full report Description, TOC and Table of Figure @Thanks for reading this article you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like Asia, United States, Europe.Customization of this ReportThis report can be customized to meet the clients requirements. Please connect with our sales team who will ensure that you get a report that suits your needs.About UsReports Monitor is a market intelligence and consulting firm with extensive experience and knowledge of the Market Research industry.Our aim is to change the dynamics of the Market Research industry by providing quality intelligence backed by data. Your requirement for market forecasting is fulfilled by our exclusive quantitative and analytics driven intelligence. Decision makers can now rely on our distinct data gathering methods to get factual market forecasting and detailed analysis.Contact Us:Mr Jay MatthewsDirect: +1 513 549-5911 (U.S.), +44 203 318 2846 (U.K.)Email: sales@reportsmonitor.com Electric toothbrush Market Explained: Where will be Market in 2023? Electric toothbrush Market http://bit.ly/2AnOMyX http://bit.ly/2AmWUj9 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, Electric Toothbrush Market by Bristle, Head Movement, and End User: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2023, the global electric toothbrush market was valued at $2,200 million in 2016, and is projected to reach $3,770 million by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 8.0% from 2017 to 2023. The adult electric toothbrush accounted for more than 76% of the global electric toothbrush market in 2016.Access Full Summary at :Electric toothbrush has witnessed increasing popularity in the resent decade, due to rise in awareness towards oral hygiene among people and increase in oral complications across the world. Moreover, electric toothbrush helps in effective removal of plaque and calculus from the oral cavity as compared to the manual toothbrush, thereby reducing oral problems such as gum diseases and tooth decay. In addition, the use of soft bristles in electric toothbrush helps in fighting tooth sensitivity. FOREO created ISSA, a unique electric toothbrush made of non-irritating silicon bristles, which reduce the pain caused by brushing in sensitive areas of oral cavity.On the basis of bristle, the global electric toothbrush market is divided into soft bristles and nanometer bristles. The soft bristles segment is a major contributor to global electric toothbrush market, and is anticipated to be the most lucrative segment during the forecast period, as it offers several oral benefits such as prevention of plaque formation & dental caries and is better suited for sensitive teeth.Download Exclusive Summary @Based on head movement, the market is classified into rotation/oscillation and sonic/side-to-side. The sonic/side-to-side segment is expected to grow at the highest rate, due to effective cleaning of oral cavity as compared to rotation/oscillation head movement.Depending on end user, the market is fragmented into adult and children. The adult segment is expected to dominate the market throughout the forecast period, as oral complications are more prevalent among the adults. According to the United States National Library of Medicine, around 80-90% of adolescents between 15 and 19 years of age are suffering from mild-to-moderate gingivitis globally, and there is a further rise up to 92-97% in adults aged between 35 and 44 years.Key Findings of the Electric Toothbrush Market :The sonic/side-to-side segment is expected to grow at a high CAGR of 8.3%, in terms of value, during the forecast period.The soft bristles is anticipated to grow at a high CAGR of 7.7%, in terms of value.Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 9.9%, in terms of value.The Europe electric toothbrush accounted for more than 40% of the global market in 2016.U.S. accounted for more than 72% of the North American market in 2016.In 2016, North America and Europe collectively accounted for more than 76% of the global electric toothbrush industry, in terms of value, owing to increase in popularity of the electric toothbrush and high disposable income in this region. Asia-pacific is projected to grow at the highest rate, followed by LAMEA, owing to rise in oral health awareness.The electric toothbrush manufacturers and dentists around the world are recommending electric toothbrush, as it helps in problems related to oral cavity such as tartar, gingivitis, and plaque formation. Furthermore, companies are investing heavily in terms of technological advancements in electric toothbrush, which is expected to enhance the brushing experience. High populace countries in Asia-Pacific such as China, India, and others are the growing markets for electric toothbrush.The major companies profiled in this report include Colgate Palmolive, Panasonic, FOREO, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Procter and Gamble Co., Water Pik, Inc., Mornwell, Shenzhen Risun Technology Co. Ltd., SONIC Chic, and JSB Healthcare.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.Shriram Dighe5933 NE Win Sivers Drive#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesToll Free: +1-800-792-5285UK: +44-845-528-1300Hong Kong: +852-301-84916India (Pune): +91-20-66346060Fax: +1855550-5975help@alliedmarketresearch.comWeb: Heterogeneous Network (HetNet) Market 2018 Revenue And Gross Margin Analysis By Airhop Communications, Nokia, Samsung, Texas Instruments and Forecast Up To 2023 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4643 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/heterogeneous-network-market-4643 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/press-release/heterogeneous-network-market The global heterogeneous network market is expected to reach approximately USD 34 Billion by the end of 2023 with 15 % CAGR during the forecasted period from 2017 2023. The market for global heterogeneous network is segmented on the basis of deployment, component, technology, end users and by region. The factors that drive the growth of heterogeneous network market is the increased number of mobile broadband data subscribers and limited resourcesMarket Research Future published a research report on Heterogeneous Networks (HetNet) Market Research Report Forecast to 2023 Market Analysis, Scope, Stake, Progress, Trends and Forecast to 2023.Get Sample of Report @Market Scenario:A heterogeneous network is termed as a network of computer and other devices connected with each other, across different operating systems and protocols. The mobile data operators cope with the challenge of limited resources by increasing the capacity of radio spectrum, adding different multi-level antenna techniques and implementing more efficient coding techniques. Acknowledging the exponential growth, the market perceives currently and gauging the potential the market holds to grow in the forthcoming yearsThe Global Heterogeneous Network Market has been segmented into deployment, components, technology, end user and region. The global heterogeneous network market is expected to grow significantly during the forecasted period and the factors that drive the market growth is the increased usage of mobile phones for mobile data communicationThe proliferation of cloud-based services is driving the market growth, witnessing huge uptake by the growing number of enterprises. Also the huge penetration of smart mobile devices and connecting workforce solutions are the major factors that propel the global Heterogeneous Network market. Augmented uptake of BYOD policy in organizations, along with the rising demand for high-speed data services, is further fuelling the market growth.HetNet are proving helpful to mobile operators, enabling novel network deployment models and thus provide a high quality experience for customers. The adoption of small cells carrier and Wi-Fi in the telecom industry is growing phenomenally. Telecom sector attributes to the major driving force to the market growth of HetNets, with the increasing mobile data traffic, cost reduction through mobile data offload and an insufficient spectrum. It is also useful in accommodating the growing requirement for spectral efficiency and hot-spot distribution.On the other hand, the interference issues are anticipated to cause hurdles in the market growth during the review period. Nevertheless, the market will witness a huge increase in the investments for infrastructure as Mobile Data Traffic Grows, which will provide impetus to the market growth.Market Segmentation:The Heterogeneous Network Market can be segmented into five key dynamics for the convenience of the report and enhanced understanding;By Deployments: Cells in Hotspot, Macro Pico, Macro Femto and Macro & Small Cell.By Components: Macro Base Station, Small Cells, Distributed Antenna System, Wi-Fi Access Point.By Technologies: Enhanced Intercell Interface Coordination (eICIC), LTE WAN, and Cloud RAN (C RAN).By Industry Vertical: Telecommunication, Commercial, Residential, Transportation, Government, Others.By Regions: North America, Europe, APAC and Rest-of-the-World.Geographical Analysis:North America region being a hub for numerous enterprises and early adopter of innovative technology offers a favorable platform to the Heterogeneous Network to evolve significantly. Resultantly, the market perceives a higher growth in terms of advancements in technology, development process, operations, and industrial infrastructure. The presence of major market players, rising mobile workforce and increase in demand for high-speed data services are also some of the key factors, driving the market in this region.Asia Pacific is following the lead because of the market proliferation of mobile communications and internet penetration from mobile devices for data downloading such as audio and video files increasing the mobile broadband traffic. Increasing opportunities in emerging countries, their adoption of cloud services and inclination to the automation are also one of the key factor driving the growth of the regional market.Growing numbers of prominent players continually innovating, present cost-effective solutions, which in turn, drive the market growth.Competitive Analysis:The market is fiercely competitive and fragmented. Several big and small organizations and the new entrants adorn the competitive landscape. Through constant innovation, these leaders seek the market expansion increasingly.Increasing investments in research and development and various strategic mergers and acquisitions remain the key strategies of these players. Major players are investing in internal R&D and, most of all, in acquiring other firms. Prominent vendors of HetNet try to invest more in the research and development of technologies and thus, try to create a revenue pocket for themselves.The rising government funding motivates the key companies to develop new technology that matches the changing trends and needs across enterprises. These players possess state of the art R&D labs and strong sales and distribution network that has helped them to gain the leadership position in the market. An ever-increasing emphasis on branding-oriented efforts has been observed among the vendors.Key Players:Nokia Networks (Finland)Airhop Communications Inc. (US)Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd (South Korea),NEC Corporation (Japan)Texas Instruments Inc. (US)Ruckus Wireless, Inc. (US)Ceragon Networks Ltd (Israel)IP access Limited (UK)TE Connectivity (Switzerland)CommScope Inc. (US)Industry/Innovation/ Related News:June 25, 2018 M1 Limited (Singapore), a mobile carrier (telecom handling) company announced its partnership with Nokia for conducting a test 5G small cells by Dec.2018. The trial is to take place through M1's 4.5G NB-IoT (narrowband Internet of Things) heterogeneous network, using Nokia's Flexi Zone Wi-Fi equipment and small cells.June 28, 2018 EverestIMS Technologies Pvt Ltd. (India), a software Product Company launched its new version of its flagship product - Everest IMS 5.0. The update not only invalidates the effort of managing numerous devices and critical IT components in a heterogeneous network but also using a unified dashboard, minimizes network downtime.Browse Full Report Details @TABLE OF CONTENTS1 Market Introduction1.1 Introduction1.2 Scope Of Study1.2.1 Research Objective1.2.2 Assumptions1.2.3 Limitations1.3 Market StructureContinuedLIST OF TABLESTable 1 Heterogeneous Network Market, By DeploymentTable 2 Heterogeneous Network Market, By ComponentsTable 3 Heterogeneous Network Market, By TechnologyContinuedBrowse Full Report PR @LIST OF FIGURESFigure 1 Research DeploymentFigure 2 Heterogeneous Network Market, By Deployment (%)Figure 3 Heterogeneous Network Market, By Components (%)ContinuedAbout 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.Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com SME insurance In UK Market Analysis over Business Prominent Players (2018-2025): AXA, aviva, NFU mutual, Allianz, direct line, hiscox, zurich, AA SME Insurance www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00012135822/sample www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00012135822/buying Market Research Report SME insurance In UK, providing Global Market Landscape, Profiles of Leading Companies, Customized Competitive Intelligence, Detailed Geographical Coverage and its Growth Prospects over the coming years till 2025 is now available at ReportsWeb.com.SME insurance In UK Market report provides a vital recent industry data which covers in general market situation along with future scenario for industry around the Globe. It also consist of major data along with forecasts of a global market along with clear presentation of diagrams (charts and tables).Global UK SME insurance Market to reach USD XXX billion by 2025.Key factors which gives growth to the UK SME insurance market are With insurers increasingly seeking to grow their share of the SME market competition, farther advances in technology have allowed for products to become more specialized, allowing for niche markets to be targeted more accurately. Brokers have remained the most used channel when purchasing insurance, yet their share of the SME market has decreased significantly in 2017 according to the results of our 2017 UK SME Insurance Survey.Download Sample Copy is at Here :Company Profiles: AXA, aviva, NFU mutual, Allianz, direct line, hiscox, zurich, AA. Acquisitions and effective mergers are some of the strategies adopted by the key manufacturers. New product launchesand continuous technological innovations are the key strategies adopted by the major players.The objective of the study is to define market sizes of different segments & countries in recent years and to forecast the values to the coming eight years. The report is designed to incorporate both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the industry within each of the regions and countries involved in the study. Furthermore, the report also caters the detailed information about the crucial aspects such as driving factors & challenges which will define the future growth of the market. Additionally, the report shall also incorporate available opportunities in micro markets for stakeholders to invest along with the detailed analysis of competitive landscape and product offerings of key players. The detailed segments and sub-segment of the market are explained below:By line of business :- Personal liability- Cyber insurance- Cargo insurance- Property insurance- Public liability insuranceBy number of employees:- Insurance for employees 1-9- Insurance for employees 10-49- Insurance for employees 50-249By Distribution channel:- Agency- Broker- Direct writingBy Regions:- North AmericaU.S.Canada- EuropeUKGermany- Asia PacificChinaIndiaJapan- Latin AmericaBrazilMexico- Rest of the WorldElse place an Else place Special Discount Offer / Inquire before Purchase Global SME insurance Market Size, Status and Forecast 2025 @About ReportsWeb:ReportsWeb is a one stop shop of market research reports and solutions to various companies across the globe. We help our clients in their decision support system by helping them choose most relevant and cost effective research reports and solutions from various publishers.Contact Us:Phone: +1-646-491-9876Email Id: sales@reportsweb.com Radiotherapy Simulators Market 20182025 | Study Of Key Players Like GE, Toshiba, Siemens, Fluke, Ziehm, Hologic, Shimadzu, Huestis, Modus Radiotherapy Simulators Market 20182025 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/requested_sample/11836 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/enquiry_before_buying/11836 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/buy/radiotherapy-simulators-market https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/request_for_discount/11836 www.upmarketresearch.com Radiotherapy Simulators Market research report delivers a close watch on leading competitors with strategic analysis, micro and macro market trend and scenarios, pricing analysis and a holistic overview of the market situations in the forecast period.Get Exclusive FREE Sample Copy Of this Report @UpMarketResearch offers a latest published report on Global Radiotherapy Simulators Market Analysis and Forecast 2018- 2025 delivering key insights and providing a competitive advantage to clients through a detailed report. The report contains pages which highly exhibit on current market analysis scenario, upcoming as well as future opportunities, revenue growth, pricing and profitability.Radiotherapy Simulators Market research report delivers a close watch on leading competitors with strategic analysis, micro and macro market trend and scenarios, pricing analysis and a holistic overview of the market situations in the forecast period. It is a professional and a detailed report focusing on primary and secondary drivers, market share, leading segments and geographical analysis. Further, key players, major collaborations, merger & acquisitions along with trending innovation and business policies are reviewed in the report. The report contains basic, secondary and advanced information pertaining to the Radiotherapy Simulators Market global status and trend, market size, share, growth, trends analysis, segment and forecasts from 2018 2025.The scope of the report extends from market scenarios to comparative pricing between major players, cost and profit of the specified market regions. The numerical data is backed up by statistical tools such as SWOT analysis, BCG matrix, SCOT analysis, PESTLE analysis and so on. The statistics are represented in graphical format for a clear understanding on facts and figures.For More Information On This Report, Please VisitThe generated report is firmly based on primary research, interviews with top executives, news sources and information insiders. Secondary research techniques are implemented for better understanding and clarity for data analysis.The report for Radiotherapy Simulators market analysis & forecast 2018- 2025 is segmented into Product Segment, Application Segment & Major players.Region- wise Analysis Global Radiotherapy Simulators Market covers: North America Europe China Japan India Southeast Asia Other regions (Central & South America, Middle East & Africa)The Major players reported in the market include: GE Healthcare Toshiba Medical Systems Siemens Healthcare Fluke Biomedical Ziehm Imaging Koninklijke Philips N.V. Hologic, Inc. Shimadzu Corporation Huestis Machine Corp. Modus Medical Devices Inc.Global Radiotherapy Simulators Market: Product Segment Analysis: By Product Multi-Slice Radiotherapy Simulators Large Bore Radiotherapy Simulators Others By Cancer Skin & Lip Cancer Head & Neck Cancer Breast Cancer Prostate Cancer Cervical Cancer Lung Cancer Spine Cancer OtherGlobal Radiotherapy Simulators Market: Application Segment Analysis: Hospitals Clinics OthersThe Report covers in- depth analysis as follows: Chapter 1 Overview of Radiotherapy Simulators Chapter 2 Global Market Status and Forecast by Regions Chapter 3 Global Market Status and Forecast by Types Chapter 4 Global Market Status and Forecast by Downstream Industry Chapter 5 Market Driving Factor Analysis of Radiotherapy Simulators Chapter 6 Radiotherapy Simulators Market Competition Status by Major Manufacturers Chapter 7 Radiotherapy Simulators Major Manufacturers Introduction and Market Data Chapter 8 Upstream and Downstream Market Analysis of Radiotherapy Simulators Chapter 9 Cost and Gross Margin Analysis of Radiotherapy Simulators Chapter 10 Marketing Status Analysis of Radiotherapy Simulators Chapter 11 Report Conclusion Chapter 12 Research Methodology and ReferenceTo Buy This Report and Get It Delivered In Your Inbox Within 24 Hours @Radiotherapy Simulators Market Analysis and Forecast 2018- 2025 report helps the clients to take business decisions and to understand strategies of major players in the industry. The report also calls for market- driven results deriving feasibility studies for client needs. UpMarketResearch ensures qualified and verifiable aspects of market data operating in the real- time scenario. The analytical studies are conducted ensuring client needs with a thorough understanding of market capacities in the real- time scenario.Global Radiotherapy Simulators Market: Key Stakeholders: Radiotherapy Simulators Manufacturers Radiotherapy Simulators Distributors/Traders/Wholesalers Radiotherapy Simulators Subcomponent Manufacturers Industry Association Downstream VendorsIn this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Radiotherapy Simulators are as follows: History Year: 2013-2017 Base Year: 2017 Estimated Year: 2018 Forecast Year 2018 to 2025Key Reasons to Purchase: To gain insightful analyses of the market and have a comprehensive understanding of the Global Radiotherapy Simulators Market Analysis and Forecast 2018- 2025 and its commercial landscape. Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by your competitors and leading organizations. To understand the future outlook and prospects for Radiotherapy Simulators market analysis and forecast 2018- 2025.Avail Discount On this Report @Customization of the Report:UpMarketResearch provides free customization of reports as per your need. This report can be personalized to meet your requirements. Get in touch with our sales team, who will guarantee you to get a report that suits your necessities.You can also ask for region wise market research report, as below: Radiotherapy Simulators - Global Market Status & Trend Report 2013- 2025 Top 20 Countries Data Radiotherapy Simulators - North America Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Radiotherapy Simulators - South America Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Radiotherapy Simulators - Europe Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Radiotherapy Simulators - EMEA Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Radiotherapy Simulators - Asia Pacific Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Radiotherapy Simulators - China Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Radiotherapy Simulators - India Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025 Radiotherapy Simulators - United States Market Status and Trend Report 2013- 2025About UpMarketResearch:The UpMarketResearch () is a leading distributor of market research report with more than 800+ global clients. 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.Contact Info:Name: Alex MathewsEmail: Alex@upmarketresearch.comOrganization: UpMarketResearchAddress: 500 East E Street, Ontario, CA 91764, United States Ayurveda Market 2023 Top Key Players are Patanjali Ayurved Ltd., Zandu Pharmaceutical Works Ltd, Dabur, Baidyanath Group, Charak Pharma, Hamdard laboratories, Vicco Labs, and Emami Group Ayurveda Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6166 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/6166 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/6166 This study covers the market dynamics and trends in major countries that are expected to influence the current market scenario and future status of the Global Ayurveda Market over the forecast period.Global Ayurveda Market - Competitive AnalysisKey players are more focusing on the expansion of Ayurveda business across the globe which is contributing around 40% of strategy share. After expansion, key players are acquiring companies to strengthen their presence and to get an edge over increasing competition. R&D, partnership, and product launch contribute equally (~10%) in the strategic share of key players in Ayurveda market.Get Sample Copy @Key Players:The Global Ayurveda Market is led by some of the fervent players including Patanjali Ayurved Ltd., Zandu Pharmaceutical Works Ltd, Dabur, Baidyanath Group, Charak Pharma, Hamdard laboratories, Vicco Labs, and Emami GroupMarket Scenario:Ayurveda, although a traditional Indian healing system, worldwide, it has long been recognized as an effective alternative treatment, being offered in therapeutic practices. It takes a holistic approach to health, promoting daily maintenance of the mind, body, and soul, striking a balance between the two which further reduces the risk of needing major medical intervention in the future.Alongside the recognition, Ayurveda has also garnered huge popularity across the globe. Online and store-based distribution channels are availing various therapeutic-grade Ayurveda products, offering the convenience of purchasing. Resultantly, the global Ayurveda market is growing pervasively, witnessing augmented uptake of Ayurveda as an alternative medicine practice. All these factors such as advantages, awareness, and accessibility cumulatively drive the Ayurveda market on the global platform.Acknowledging the traction this market perceives today, Market Research Future (MRFR) in its recently published study report asserts that the already booming market of Ayurveda is expected to gain fabulous accruals registering a phenomenal CAGR during 2017-2023.Improving economic conditions worldwide are fuelling the urbanization, further ushering in the problems of the changing lifestyle. Simultaneously, the improving economy is fostering the market growth, enhancing the quality of life of people making the best healthcare available to them. The non-invasive nature of Ayurveda is also one of the key factors fostering the market growth exclusively.Conversely, there are some growth restraining factors as well that are expected to hinder the market growth. These factors are stringent regulations about the obligatory differentiation label on the product citing therapeutic grade or cosmetic grade products, and lack of expertise Also, the fact that there is no solid medical evidence that Ayurveda prevents or cures diseases mentioned above, is impeding the market growth up to some extent.Industry/innovation/Related News:April 25, 2018 - Hanna, LLC (US), an Ayurvedic-influenced company announced the launch of its new product - HANAH Cordyceps+, wild-harvested from the Bhutanese Himalayas. The new product is a powerful combination of wild Bhutanese Cordyceps sinensis, a rare Himalayan medicinal mushroom, with eight other herbs and minerals all wild harvested from the untouched Bhutanese Himalayas.August 14, 2018 India - Ministry of AYUSH introduced new Central Sector scheme for promoting pharmacovigilance of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy (ASU&H) Drugs.The prime objective of the scheme is to develop the culture of documenting adverse effects and undertake safety monitoring of these alternative therapies including Ayurveda and Homoeopathy alongside surveillance of misleading advertisements appearing in the print and electronic media.The scheme intends to facilitate the establishment of a three-tier network of National Pharmacovigilance Centre (NPvCC), Intermediary Pharmacovigilance Centres (IPvCCs) and Peripheral Pharmacovigilance Centres (PPvCC).Global Ayurveda Market - Segments:The MRFR analysis is segmented into seven key dynamics;By Applications: Medicinal, and Personal Care among others.By Disease Pattern : Respiratory System, Nervous Systems, Gastrointestinal Track, Cardiovascular System, Infectious Diseases, Skeletal System, Skin & Hair among others.By Sources: Vegetable (leaves and fruit, seeds, roots, bark and other), Animals (oils, bones, and other) and Minerals.By Forms: Herbal, Herbomineral, and Mineral among others.By End-Users: Academia & Research Centers, Hospitals, and Clinics among others.By Distributions: Organized, and Over the Counter among others.By Regions: North America, Europe, APAC and the Rest-of-the-World.Get Valuable Discount @Global Ayurveda Market - Regional AnalysisThe Asia Pacific region is estimated to dominate the market with the largest market share in terms of revenue and size both, followed by North America and Europe respectively. Led by China and India, the region is expected to emerge as the fastest growing market for Ayurveda, owing to their rich traditions of herbal medicines. Besides the APAC region is the largest producer of ayurvedic products including medicinal products which is undoubtedly impacting the regional market growth positively.North America accounts for one of the growing markets for Ayurveda owing to the high per capita income and healthcare expenditures, the U.S. and Canada are major markets for Ayurveda in the region. Strong potential of Ayurveda products, rising application areas and therapeutic applications in cosmetics and personal care are supporting market growth in the region.Whereas, in Europe, another promising market for Ayurveda, France, Italy, and Germany are major Ayurveda products market. Increasing popularity of Ayurveda as therapeutics and pharmaceuticals is supporting the Ayurveda market in the region. High disposable income and the presence of large facilities especially in France and Germany drive the regional market growth.Table of Content:1 Report Prologue2 Introduction2.1 Definition2.2 Scope of the Study2.2.1 Research Objective2.2.2 Assumptions2.2.3 Limitations2.3 Market Structure2.4. Market Segmentation3 Research Methodology3.1 Research Process3.2 Primary Research3.3 Secondary Research3.4 Market Size Estimation3.5 Forecast Model4 Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.2 Restraints4.3 Opportunities4.4 Mega Trends4.5 Macroeconomic IndicatorsContinued!Report 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 Crop Reinsurance Market Outlook to 2023 Munich Re, Swiss Re, Hannover Re, Partner Re, Scor Re, Mapfre Re, Lloyda Crop Reinsurance Market https://www.researchreportsinc.com/sample-request?id=223222 https://www.researchreportsinc.com/check-discount?id=223222 https://researchreportsinc.com/checkout/?add-to-cart=223222&&attribute_pa_choose-license=single-user&&quantity=1 Oct 2018, New York, USA(News)- Crop insurance is purchased by agricultural producers, and subsidized by the federal government, to protect against either the loss of their crops due to natural disasters, such as hail, drought, and floods, or the loss of revenue due to declines in the prices of agricultural commodities. The two general categories of crop insurance are called crop-yield insurance and crop-revenue insurance. On average, the federal government subsidizes 62 percent of the premium. In 2014, crop insurance policies covered 294 million acres.Request for Sample of Global Crop Reinsurance Market 2018 Research Report:The global market size of Crop Reinsurance is $XX million in 2017 with XX CAGR from 2013 to 2017, and it is expected to reach $XX million by the end of 2023 with a CAGR of XX% from 2018 to 2023.Major Market PlayersMunich Re, Swiss Re, Hannover Re, Partner Re, Scor Re, Mapfre Re, LloydaThe information for each competitor includes:*Company Profile*Main Business Information*SWOT Analysis*Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin*Market ShareGrab Guaranteed Discount:There are 3 key segments covered in this report: geography segment, end use/application segment, and competitor segment.For geography segment, regional supply, application-wise and type-wise demand, major players, price is presented from 2013 to 2023.his report covers following regions:*North America*South America*Asia & Pacific*Europe*MEA (Middle East and Africa)The key countries in each region are taken into consideration as well, such as United States, China, Japan, India, Korea, ASEAN, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, CIS, and Brazil etc.For end use/application segment, this report focuses on the status and outlook for key applications. End users also can be listed.For competitor segment, the report includes global key players of Crop Reinsurance as well as some small players.Directly Get Corporate Report:TABLE OF CONTENTSChapter 1 Executive SummaryChapter 2 Abbreviation and AcronymsChapter 3 Preface3.1 Research Scope3.2 Research Methodology3.2.1 Data Collection3.2.2 Data Analysis3.2.3 Data Validation3.3 Research Sources3.3.1 Primary Sources3.3.2 Secondary Sources3.3.3 AssumptionsChapter 4 Market Landscape4.1 Market Overview4.2 Classification/Types4.3 Application/End UsersChapter 5 Market Trend Analysis5.1 Introduction5.2 Drivers5.3 Restraints5.4 Opportunities5.5 ThreatsChapter 6 Industry Chain Analysis6.1 Upstream/Suppliers Analysis6.2 Crop Reinsurance Analysis6.2.1 Technology Analysis6.2.2 Cost Analysis6.2.3 Market Channel Analysis6.3 Downstream Buyers/End UsersChapter 7 Latest Market Dynamics7.1 Latest News7.2 Merger and Acquisition7.3 Planned/Future Project7.4 Policy DynamicsAbout Us:Research Reports Inc. is one of the leading destinations for market research reports across all industries, companies, and technologies. Our repository features an exhaustive list of market research reports from thousands of publishers worldwide.Contact Us:DavidSales Manager,US / Canada Toll Free: +18554192424UK: +4403308087757Email: sales@researchreportsinc.com Hydrogen Transmitter Global Market Research Report 2018 https://www.research2reports.com/sample-report-electronics-goods/hydrogen-transmitter-market/79669 https://www.research2reports.com/report-electronics-goods/hydrogen-transmitter-market/79669 https://www.research2reports.com/enquiry-before-buy-electronics-goods/hydrogen-transmitter-market/79669 GET SAMPLE REPORT @Hydrogen Transmitter Report by Material, Application, and Geography Global Forecast to 2022 is a professional and in-depth research report on the world's major regional market conditions, focusing on the main regions (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific) and the main countries (United States, Germany, united Kingdom, Japan, South Korea and China).The report firstly introduced the Hydrogen Transmitter basics: definitions, classifications, applications and market overview; product specifications; manufacturing processes; cost structures, raw materials and so on. Then it analyzed the world's main region market conditions, including the product price, profit, capacity, production, supply, demand and market growth rate and forecast etc. In the end, the report introduced new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis.The report includes six parts, dealing with:1.) Basic Information;2.) Asia Hydrogen Transmitter Market;3.) North American Hydrogen Transmitter Market;4.) European Hydrogen Transmitter Market;5.) Market Entry and Investment Feasibility;6.) Report Conclusion.ACCESS REPORTTable of Contents1.1 Hydrogen Transmitter Definition1.2 Hydrogen Transmitter Classification Analysis1.2.1 Hydrogen Transmitter Main Classification Analysis1.2.2 Hydrogen Transmitter Main Classification Share Analysis1.3 Hydrogen Transmitter Application Analysis1.3.1 Hydrogen Transmitter Main Application Analysis1.3.2 Hydrogen Transmitter Main Application Share Analysis1.4 Hydrogen Transmitter Industry Chain Structure Analysis1.5 Hydrogen Transmitter Industry Development Overview1.5.1 Hydrogen Transmitter Product History Development Overview1.5.1 Hydrogen Transmitter Product Market Development Overview1.6 Hydrogen Transmitter Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.1 Hydrogen Transmitter Global Import Market Analysis1.6.2 Hydrogen Transmitter Global Export Market Analysis1.6.3 Hydrogen Transmitter Global Main Region Market Analysis1.6.4 Hydrogen Transmitter Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.5 Hydrogen Transmitter Global Market Development Trend AnalysisChapter Two Hydrogen Transmitter Up and Down Stream Industry Analysis2.1 Upstream Raw Materials Analysis2.1.1 Upstream Raw Materials Price Analysis2.1.2 Upstream Raw Materials Market Analysis2.1.3 Upstream Raw Materials Market Trend2.2 Down Stream Market Analysis2.1.1 Down Stream Market Analysis2.2.2 Down Stream Demand Analysis2.2.3 Down Stream Market Trend Analysis. CONTINUEDFOR ANY QUERY, REACHContact Us:Office No. 212/213, B Block 2nd Floor,Parmar Chambers,Sadhu Vaswani Road, Pune 411001Phone Number: 020 - 2612 6969Email: info@research2reports.comResearch 2 Reports offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.Office No. 212/213, B Block 2nd Floor,Parmar Chambers,Sadhu Vaswani Road, Pune 411001 SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Market 2018 Analysis By Key Players Cisco System, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IBM, Juniper Networks, Pica8, Intel, Big Switch Networks https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3480949-global-sdn-and-nfv-technology-in-telecom-network https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/3480949-global-sdn-and-nfv-technology-in-telecom-network SDN seeks to separate network control functions from network forwarding functions, while NFV seeks to abstract network forwarding and other networking functions from the hardware on which it runs.Both SDN and NFV make networking architectures more flexible and dynamic, they perform different roles in defining those architectures and the infrastructure they support.Over the next five years, LPI(LP Information) projects that SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation will register a xx% CAGR in terms of revenue, reach US$ xx million by 2023, from US$ xx million in 2017.In this report, LP Information studies the present scenario (with the base year being 2017) and the growth prospects of global SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation market for 2018-2023.This report presents a comprehensive overview, market shares and growth opportunities of SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation market by product type, application, key companies and key regions.To calculate the market size, LP Information considers value generated from the sales of the following segments:Segmentation by product type:SoftwareServicesSegmentation by application:Network InfrastructurePhysical DevicesWe can also provide the customized separate regional or country-level reports, for the following regions:AmericasUnited StatesCanadaMexicoBrazilAPACChinaJapanKoreaSoutheast AsiaIndiaAustraliaEuropeGermanyFranceUKItalyRussiaSpainMiddle East & AfricaEgyptSouth AfricaIsraelTurkeyGCC CountriesRequest a Sample Report @The report also presents the market competition landscape and a corresponding detailed analysis of the major players in the market. The key players covered in this report:Cisco SystemHewlett Packard EnterpriseIBMJuniper NetworksPica8IntelBig Switch Networks...In addition, this report discusses the key drivers influencing market growth, opportunities, the challenges and the risks faced by key players and the market as a whole. It also analyzes key emerging trends and their impact on present and future development.Research objectivesTo study and analyze the global SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation market size by key regions/countries, product type and application, history data from 2013 to 2017, and forecast to 2023.To understand the structure of SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation market by identifying its various subsegments.Focuses on the key global SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation players, to define, describe and analyze the value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years.Table of Contents - Key Points2018-2023 Global SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Market Report (Status and Outlook)1 Scope of the Report1.1 Market Introduction1.2 Research Objectives1.3 Years Considered1.4 Market Research Methodology1.5 Economic Indicators1.6 Currency Considered2 Executive Summary2.1 World Market Overview2.1.1 Global SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Market Size 2013-20232.1.2 SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Market Size CAGR by Region2.2 SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Segment by Type2.2.1 Software2.2.2 Services2.3 SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Market Size by Type2.3.1 Global SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Market Size Market Share by Type (2013-2018)2.3.2 Global SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Market Size Growth Rate by Type (2013-2018)2.4 SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Segment by Application2.4.1 Network Infrastructure2.4.2 Physical Devices2.5 SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Market Size by Application2.5.1 Global SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Market Size Market Share by Application (2013-2018)2.5.2 Global SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Market Size Growth Rate by Application (2013-2018)3 Global SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation by Players3.1 Global SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Market Size Market Share by Players3.1.1 Global SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Market Size by Players (2016-2018)3.1.2 Global SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Market Size Market Share by Players (2016-2018)3.2 Global SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Key Players Head office and Products Offered3.3 Market Concentration Rate Analysis3.3.1 Competition Landscape Analysis3.3.2 Concentration Ratio (CR3, CR5 and CR10) (2016-2018)3.4 New Products and Potential Entrants3.5 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion..........11 Key Players Analysis11.1 Cisco System11.1.1 Company Details11.1.2 SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Product Offered11.1.3 Cisco System SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2018)11.1.4 Main Business Overview11.1.5 Cisco System News11.2 Hewlett Packard Enterprise11.2.1 Company Details11.2.2 SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Product Offered11.2.3 Hewlett Packard Enterprise SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2018)11.2.4 Main Business Overview11.2.5 Hewlett Packard Enterprise News11.3 IBM11.3.1 Company Details11.3.2 SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Product Offered11.3.3 IBM SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2018)11.3.4 Main Business Overview11.3.5 IBM News11.4 Juniper Networks11.4.1 Company Details11.4.2 SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Product Offered11.4.3 Juniper Networks SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2018)11.4.4 Main Business Overview11.4.5 Juniper Networks News11.5 Pica811.5.1 Company Details11.5.2 SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Product Offered11.5.3 Pica8 SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2018)11.5.4 Main Business Overview11.5.5 Pica8 News11.6 Intel11.6.1 Company Details11.6.2 SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Product Offered11.6.3 Intel SDN and NFV Technology in Telecom Network Transformation Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2018)11.6.4 Main Business Overview11.6.5 Intel News11.7 Big Switch Networks11.7.1 Company DetailsContinuedAccess Complete Report @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:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India Top Key Manufacturers in Electric Bikes Market 2018 2026 includes Accell Group N.V., Robert Bosch GmbH, Derby Cycle Holding GmbH, Giant Manufacturing Company Ltd., and Panasonic Corp Electric Bikes Market http://bit.ly/2PfkSVO http://bit.ly/2PiR9Lx www.polarismarketresearch.com Electric Bikes Market is expected to grow to USD 26 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period according to a research study published by Polaris Market Research.Electric Bikes Market is driven by many significant parameters such as consumer awareness concerning less air & sound pollution. Some other favourable factors include increasing government incentives on the purchases, alternative to fuel-operative vehicles with the increasing fuel prices, and technological developments in the designing of electric vehicles. Rising purchasing power of the customers in tandem with the increase in disposable income and more knowledge towards health consciousness have spurred the demand of the e-bikes. The number of consumers contributing towards fuel efficiency is also increasing steadily in many parts of the world where they use eco-friendly alternatives such as electric bikes for transportation.Request for Sample Copy of this research report @Asia Pacific is expected to be the major and the fastest growing regional market for the e-bikes. India and China are the major contributors towards the growth of this regional market. This is on account of their large population, increasing consumer purchasing power for the modernized products, and stronger government incentives. Electric Bikes Market is moderately competitive and consolidated on account of presence of some large-scale market players.Following are the Top Key Players in Electric Bikes Market: -Accell Group N.V.Robert Bosch GmbHDerby Cycle Holding GmbHGiant Manufacturing Company Ltd.Panasonic Corp.Key Segments Outlook: -Product Type: -Pedal AssistThrottle on DemandSpeed PedelecMoped or MotorcycleBy Motor Type: -Hub MotorFront HubRear HubMid DriveBattery TypeRock Mount BatteryDown Tube BatteryRegion: -North America:U.S.CanadaEurope:GermanyUKFranceAsia-Pacific:ChinaIndiaJapanLatin America:BrazilMexicoMiddle East and Africa:Enquire Before Buying this research report @Electric Bikes Market research report provides an extensive qualitative and quantitative analysis of the market trends and growth prospects of the market. This report comprises a detailed geographic distribution of the market across North America, Europe, APAC and South America, and MEA. North America is further segmented into U.S., Canada. Europe is divided into Germany, UK, Italy, and Rest of Europe. Asia-Pacific is bifurcated into China, India, Japan, and Rest of Asia-Pacific.TOC of Electric Bikes Market:Chapter 1. Overview and ScopeChapter 2. Market SummaryChapter 3. Electric Bikes Market Size and ForecastChapter 4. Dynamics and SegmentationChapter 5. Detailed Insight on Key CompanyChapter 6. Research Methodology and ReferenceChapter 7. Competitive LandscapeTOC Continued...!!!About Us:Polaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. 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. 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.Contact Us:Mr. NeelCorporate Sales, USAPolaris Market Research and ConsultingPhone: 1-646-568-9980Email: sales@polarismarketresearch.comWeb: Steris, Panasonic Healthcare Profiled in Steam Autoclaves Market 2024 Report - Priorclave, Nuve, Astell Scientific, Dental X, LTE Scientific, Medisafe International, Zhermack, and Melag Steam Autoclaves Market, Steam Autoclaves Market trend, Steam Autoclaves Market analysis, Steam Autoclaves Industry, Steam Autocla https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/467741/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/467741/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/steam-autoclaves-market https://www.marketstudyreport.com https://www.marketstudyreport.com/blog/ The newly released research at Market Study Report titled 2017-2024 Global Steam Autoclaves Market Report provides data, information, brief analysis, company profiles, statistics for past years and forecasts for next few years.Few notable industry players include, Priorclave, Nuve, Astell Scientific, Steris, Dental X, LTE Scientific, Medisafe International, Panasonic Healthcare, Zhermack, and Melag. The industry participants are consolidating their market position by focusing on development of low-cost, high capacity steam autoclave to satisfy consumer demand.Request a sample of this premium report at:Germany steam autoclaves market will witness significant growth over the coming years due to rapid technological advancements and rising funding in biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical industry in the country. Well established healthcare infrastructure, rising healthcare spending will positively impact industry growth.Steam Autoclaves Market will exceed USD 3 billion by 2024; as per a new research report. Rising incidences of nosocomial infections coupled with soaring number of surgical procedures will drive steam autoclaves market growth over the forecast timeframe. Enhanced efficiency of steam sterilization owing to improved penetration power, and higher temperature, leading to elimination of microorganisms will increase adoption rate.Growing Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) floor framework adoption by hospitals and other healthcare establishments for scrutinizing the increasing rate of hospital acquired infections will propel growth. The adoption of CSSD framework also ensures sterilization of all medical supplies and equipment used in hospitals, fueling steam autoclaves market growth.Growing requirement for managing the increasing medical and bio-hazardous waste generated by pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceutical companies along with healthcare setting such as hospitals, life science facilities will accelerate market growth.Laboratory steam autoclaves market is foreseen to witness lucrative growth over the forecast timeframe. The increasing amount of waste emitted from pharmaceutical companies and healthcare facilities such as clinics resulting in rising demand for optimal waste management of biohazardous and medical waste will drive laboratory steam autoclave market over the coming years.Increasing demand for portable autoclaves will stimulate growth of floor standing autoclaves market over the coming years. Big interior chamber allowing disinfection of high sterilization requiring goods along with low charging height will augment adoption rate.Mexico steam autoclaves market will manifest robust growth attributed to the growing incidence of nosocomial infections. Healthcare infrastructure development along with geographical proximity to U.S. will propel industry growth.Request a discount on standard prices of this premium report at:Table of Content:Chapter 1. MethodologyChapter 2. Executive SummaryChapter 3. Steam Autoclaves Industry InsightsChapter 4. Steam Autoclaves Market, By ConfigurationChapter 5. Steam Autoclaves Market, By ApplicationChapter 6. Steam Autoclaves Market, By RegionChapter 7. Company ProfilesFor More Details on this Report:About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Contact Us:Market Study Report4 North Main Street,Selbyville, Delaware 19975USAPhone: 1-302-273-0910US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWeb site:Blog: Wi-Fi Chipsets (WIFI Chipsets) market is growing at a CAGR of 4.2% during 2018-2025 https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1840932&type=S https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/global-wi-fi-chipsets-wifi-chipsets-market-research-report-2018.htm https://www.linkedin.com/company/qyresearchreports-com https://studyanalyst.blogspot.in https://www.qyresearchreports.com Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Global Wi-Fi Chipsets (WIFI Chipsets) Market Research Report 2018" to its huge collection of research reports.This report studies the global Wi-Fi Chipsets (WIFI Chipsets) market status and forecast, categorizes the global Wi-Fi Chipsets (WIFI Chipsets) market size (value & volume) by manufacturers, type, application, and region. This report focuses on the top manufacturers in United States, Europe, China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan and other regions.A wireless chipset is a piece of internal hardware designed to allow a device to communicate with another wireless-enabled device. This type of chipset can be found inside computers as well as a number of other wireless products. Types of hardware that might contain a wireless chipset include wireless Computer (Notbook and Desktop PC) hardware like wireless local area network (WLAN) cards and external WLAN adapters. Other types of hardware that might include a wireless chipset include routers and any other wireless devices that transmit or receive a wireless signal.The emergence of dual-band routers is also expected to aid market growth by 2020. Wi-Fi technology uses 2.4 GHz and 5GHz frequencies for data transfer. As most devices, from baby monitors to Bluetooth, use the 2.4 GHz frequency, it is becoming over-crowded and slower. A large number of vendors are focusing on developing dual-band routers. These routers consist of two different types of wireless radios to support connections on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz. They also allow users to pick and connect to the strongest Wi-Fi signal.To Download Sample Report With TOC:The Smartphone end user segment accounted for more than 71% of the market share during 2015 and is expected to retain its market leadership until the end of 2020. With the continuous evolution of mobile devices since the late 2000s, manufacturers have been integrating new features such as Wi-Fi into these devices. This has resulted in increased demand for Wi-Fi chipsets in the smartphone segment. The latest smartphones that are available in the market are equipped with Wi-Fi and cellular technologies. This has improved mobile data services, which has boosted mobile traffic rapidly and is likely to accelerate the demand for Wi-Fi capability in smartphones.During 2015, North America dominated the market, accounting for more than 24% of the market share. The US is the major revenue contributing country in this region. Currently, the North American market is at the stage of saturation. The market has limited growth potential, especially in the Americas, due to an already established infrastructure and high penetration of Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones and tablets. Analysts predict that the market growth in this region will be limited during the forecast period. Developing from multi chip to single chip, internal and external WiFi chip manufacturers play games.Actually, in the products of mobile phone, and other products, independent WiFi chip having only the function of connecting and transferring single processing and transmission protocol TCP/ IP must be placed at the end of AP having strong performance, so that it can form a complete communication architecture. However , a lot of intelligent hardware in the field of internet of things , such as kettle , electric rice cooker , lamps and lanterns , soybean milk machine etc, have no powerful AP originally .Therefore , independent WiFi chip of course have difficulty.The global Wi-Fi Chipsets (WIFI Chipsets) market is valued at 16000 million US$ in 2017 and will reach 22200 million US$ by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% during 2018-2025.The major manufacturers covered in this reportBroadcomQualcomm AtherosMediaTekMarvellIntelRealtekSTMicroelectronicsTexas InstrumentsCypress SemiconductorMicrochipComplete table of content is available at:On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into802.11n802.11ac802.11adOthersOn 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, includingComputer (Notbook and Desktop PC)Smart Home DevicesMobile PhoneOthersThe study objectives of this report are:To analyze and study the global Wi-Fi Chipsets (WIFI Chipsets) capacity, production, value, consumption, status (2013-2017) and forecast (2018-2025);Focuses on the key Wi-Fi Chipsets (WIFI Chipsets) manufacturers, to study the capacity, production, value, market share and development plans in future.Focuses on the global key manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the market competition landscape, SWOT analysis.To define, describe and forecast the market by type, application and region.About Us:QYResearchReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYResearchReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us:Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow Us on LinkedIn:Blog:Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Electric Lunchbox Market Overview, Sales Data, Growth Rate, and Forecast 2017 - 2025 | Koolatron, Zojirushi, Tayama, Hot Logic, Thermos, Lfcare, Bear, Seed, SKG, Huijia, Milton, Cello, and Jaipan https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1417671 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/enquiry/1417671 Electric lunch box is a device used to warm lunch or dinner to the suitable temperature to give the food a freshly cooked feel. The electric heated lunch box is designed with a simple handle and clasp for the consumer to carry their food with them throughout the day. This device is similar to a portable slow cooker used for cooking food. Recently, new innovations in electric lunch boxes have made the heating process much faster. The device contains a concealed heating element that is protected by heat-resistant materials. The electric lunch box market has witnessed rapid changes due to rise in disposable income, busy work schedules, rise in the standard of living, and rapid urbanization. Demand for electric lunch box is expected to increase during the forecast period due to rise in awareness regarding the convenience provided by lunch boxes among consumers.The global electric lunch box market has been segmented based on product type, end-user, technology, distribution channel, and region. In terms of product type, the electric lunch box market has been segregated into single layer electric lunch box, double layer electric lunch box, and multi-layer electric lunch box. Based on end-user, the market is segmented into household use and commercial use. Further, it is segmented as per technology adopted for heating such as steam and microwave application. Based on distribution channel, the electric lunch box market has been segmented into online distribution channel and offline distribution channel. The online distribution channel segment of the global electric lunch box market is expected to expand at considerable growth rate during the forecast period due to convenience and a wide range of options. Offline distribution channel includes hypermarkets, supermarkets, and other electric stores. Electric lunch box dominated the global lunch box market owing to strategies such as product innovation adopted by manufacturers.Request to Get Sample Copy of This Report @The global electric lunch box market is driven by several factors such as increase in number of food carrier for school, office, and travel. Introduction of different product forms, such as low power consumption electric lunch boxes is expected to boost the market. However, lack of electric supply power, high pricing, and other substitutes are likely to restraint the electric lunch box market. Product innovation by key players such as introduction of multi-functional electric lunch box products is expected to boost the global electric lunch box market during the near future.In terms of region, the global electric lunch box market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America. The market in North America and Europe are stable due to easy availability of products in different varieties through different distribution channel. Additionally, consumers are aware of the different benefits associated with Electric Lunch Box. The demand for electric lunch box is high in Asia Pacific due to more innovative developments in devices and their affordable prices. Countries such as China, and Japan keep on launching the product with innovative technology, which is exported to countries like India, Australia, and Singapore. In South America, demand for electric lunch box has been rising during the last few years. Furthermore, the market in the Middle East is expected to grow due to the acceptance of innovative technology among the people in the region.Major players operating in the global lunch box market are Koolatron, Zojirushi, Tayama, Hot Logic, Thermos, Lfcare, Bear, Seed, SKG, Huijia, Milton, Cello, and Jaipan.Companies all over the globe has been focusing more on pricing and brand strategy to penetrate into a particular market. Consumer Needs/Customer Preference has been changing very fast due to lifestyle change.Request to Send an Enquiry Here @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.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 marketNote: Although care has been taken to maintain the highest levels of accuracy in TMRs reports, recent market/vendor-specific changes may take time to reflect in the analysis.MarketResearchReports.biz is a seller of syndicated market studies, featuring an exhaustive collection of research reports from leading international publishers. Our repositoryis diverse, spanningvirtually every industrial sector and even more every category and sub-category within the industry. We also provide consulting services to enable our clients have adynamicbusiness perspective.State Tower90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948(USA-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Adult Toys Market Demand and Competitive Analysis by Leading Manufacturers https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/1250316-china-adult-toys-market-1 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/1250316-china-adult-toys-market-1 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=1250316 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/1250316-china-adult-toys-market-1 https://www.linkedin.com/company/13388569/ https://www.facebook.com/htfmarketintelligence/ https://twitter.com/htfmarketreport https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NidhiBhawsar-SEO_Expert?rel=author HTF MI recently introduced China Adult Toys Market study with in-depth overview, describing about the Product / Industry Scope and elaborates market outlook and status to 2023. The market Study is segmented by key regions which is accelerating the marketization. At present, the market is developing its presence and some of the key players from the complete study are Doc Johnson, Durex, FUN FACTORY, Lelo, California Exotic, Shenzhen Jizhimei, Church & Dwight, Nalone, Liaoyang Baile, Lover Health, Nanma, LETEN, SVAKOM, Tenga & BMS Factory etc.Request Sample of China Adult Toys Market Research Report 2018 @:This report studies the China Adult Toys market size, industry status and forecast, competition landscape and growth opportunity. This research report categorizes the China Adult Toys market by companies, region, type and end-use industry.Browse 100+ market data Tables and Figures spread through Pages and in-depth TOC on " Adult Toys Market by Type (, Vibrators, Rubber Penis & Other), by End-Users/Application (Women Use & Men Use), Organization Size, Industry, and Region - Forecast to 2023". Early buyers will receive 10% customization on comprehensive study.In order to get a deeper view of Market Size, competitive landscape is provided i.e. Revenue (Million USD) by Players (2013-2018), Revenue Market Share (%) by Players (2013-2018) and further a qualitative analysis is made towards market concentration rate, product/service differences, new entrants and the technological trends in future.Enquire for customization in Report @Competitive Analysis:The key players are highly focusing innovation in production technologies to improve efficiency and shelf life. The best long-term growth opportunities for this sector can be captured by ensuring ongoing process improvements and financial flexibility to invest in the optimal strategies. Company profile section of players such as Doc Johnson, Durex, FUN FACTORY, Lelo, California Exotic, Shenzhen Jizhimei, Church & Dwight, Nalone, Liaoyang Baile, Lover Health, Nanma, LETEN, SVAKOM, Tenga & BMS Factory includes its basic information like legal name, website, headquarters, its market position, historical background and top 5 closest competitors by Market capitalization / revenue along with contact information. Each player/ manufacturer revenue figures, growth rate and gross profit margin is provided in easy to understand tabular format for past 5 years and a separate section on recent development like mergers, acquisition or any new product/service launch etc.Market Segments:The China Adult Toys Market has been divided into type, application, and region.On The Basis Of Type: , Vibrators, Rubber Penis & Other.On The Basis Of Application: Women Use & Men UseOn The Basis Of Region, this report is segmented into following key geographies, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share, growth rate of Adult Toys in these regions, from 2013 to 2023 (forecast), covering North America (U.S. & Canada) {Market Revenue (USD Billion), Growth Analysis (%) and Opportunity Analysis} Latin America (Brazil, Mexico & Rest of Latin America) {Market Revenue (USD Billion), Growth Share (%) and Opportunity Analysis} Europe (The U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Sweden & RoE) {Market Revenue (USD Billion), Growth Share (%) and Opportunity Analysis} Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Rest of Asia) {Market Revenue (USD Billion), Growth Share (%) and Opportunity Analysis} Middle East & Africa (GCC, South Africa, North Africa, RoMEA) {Market Revenue (USD Billion), Growth Share (%) and Opportunity Analysis} Rest of World {Market Revenue (USD Billion), Growth Analysis (%) and Opportunity Analysis}Buy Single User License of China Adult Toys Market Research Report 2018 @Have a look at some extracts from Table of ContentIntroduction about China Adult ToysChina Adult Toys Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 2017Adult Toys Market by Application/End UsersChina Adult Toys Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Applications(2013-2023) table defined for each application/end-users like [Women Use & Men Use]China Adult Toys Sales and Growth Rate (2013-2023)Adult Toys Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and ApplicationAdult Toys (Volume, Value and Sales Price) table defined for each geographic region defined.China Adult Toys Players/Suppliers Profiles and Sales DataAdditionally Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base and Competitors list is being provided for each listed manufacturersMarket Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2013-2018) table for each product type which include , Vibrators, Rubber Penis & OtherAdult Toys Manufacturing Cost AnalysisAdult Toys Key Raw Materials AnalysisAdult Toys Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers, Industrial Chain AnalysisMarket Forecast (2018-2023)........and more in complete table of ContentsBrowse for Full Report at:Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.About Author:HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Contact US :Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager)HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA 08837Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218sales@htfmarketreport.comConnect with us at Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) Market to Escalate by Types, Applications, Regions and Key Players https://www.inforgrowth.com/samplerequest/r/82029/global-mobile-virtual-network-operators-mvno-m https://www.inforgrowth.com/r/82029/global-mobile-virtual-network-operators-mvno-m https://www.inforgrowth.com/enquiry/r/82029/global-mobile-virtual-network-operators-mvno-m https://www.inforgrowth.com/search?category=all https://www.inforgrowth.com/contact This report at InForGrowth focuses on the global Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players. The study objectives are to present the Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) development in United States, Europe and China.Download Sample copy of this report atThe following manufacturers are covered in this report: AT&T Inc., Lycamobile Group, Sprint Corporation, Verizon Wireless Inc., T-Mobile International AG, Citic Telcom International Holding Limited, Telefonica, S.A., TracFone Wireless, Inc., Truphone Limited, Virgin Mobile, RedPocket Mobile, AirVoice Wireless.Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) Breakdown Data by Type: Full MVNO, Service Operator MVNO, Reseller MVNO.Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) Breakdown Data by Application: Consumer, Business, Other.Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) Breakdown by Region: United States, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India, Central & South America.Find more information on this report atThe study objectives of this report are:To analyze global Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players.To present the Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) 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.Major Topics covered in Table of Contents:1. Report Overview2. Global Growth Trends3. Market Share by Key Players4. Breakdown Data by Type and Application5. United States6. Europe7. China8. Japan9. Southeast Asia10. India11. Central & South America12. International Players Profiles13. Market Forecast 2018-202514. Analyst's Viewpoints/Conclusions15. AppendixEnquire more about this report atAbout InForGrowth:Reports directory:Contact for enquiries:We are a market-intelligence company formed with the objective of providing clients access to the most relevant and accurate research content for their growth needs. At InForGrowth, we understand Research requirements and help a client in taking informed business critical decisions. Given the complexities and interdependencies of market-intelligence, there is always more than one source to explore and arrive at the right answer. Through our smart search feature and our reliable & trusted publishing partners, we are paving way for a more simplified and relevant research.For all your Research needs, reach out to us at:Address: 6400 Village Pkwy suite # 104, Dublin, CA 94568, USAEmail: info@inforgrowth.comPhone: +1-909-329-2808 Know the latest technological advancement in SEO Software market by forecast to 2023 including key players like Agency Analytics, Serpstat, SE Ranking, SpyFu and others https://www.researchnreports.com/request_sample.php?id=90905 https://www.researchnreports.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=90905 https://www.researchnreports.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=90905 www.researchnreports.com SEO Software contains comprehensive tools that help you perform ongoing keyword research as well as organize, analyze, and act on your SEO keywords to get improved ranking on Google and other search engines. The SEO Software market is expected to grow at a CAGR of +15 % during the forecast period. The market is majorly driven by the growing need for time efficient search engine optimization process. Also ongoing industrial advancements and the persistent penetration of Internet in the remote corners of the world are also responsible for the noteworthy growth of the Global Market.The research report analyzes the worldwide SEO Software market in a detailed way by clarifying the key aspects of the marketplace which are predicted to have a quantifiable influence on its developmental prospects over the forecast period. The research lists key organizations operating inside the worldwide market and additionally highlights the key changing trends adopted via the businesses to maintain their dominance. Through the use of SWOT analysis and Porters five force evaluation tools, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of key companies are all stated in the report.Get Sample Copy of this Report @Top Key Vendors in Market:HubSpot, Pro Rank Tracker, SEMrush, SEOmoz, NinjaCat, LInk-Assistant.Com, Agency Analytics, Serpstat, SE Ranking, SpyFuThe top segments in the market have been highlighted clearly in this report for the readers to understand in a precised manner. These segments have been presented by giving information on their current and predicted state by the end of the forecast period. The information presented would help the upcoming players to gauge the investment scope within the segments and sub-segments of the global SEO Software market.Focused market research methodologies assist organizations in clearly gauging the most essential stakes within the market that need to the taken into consideration for effective decision making. With the comprehensive market information regarding the important factors and segment of the global SEO Software market that could have an impact on the growth possibilities of the market. The report can effectively help companies and decision makers in addressing these challenges strategically to gain the maximum benefits on this incredibly competitive marketFor more Information:Table of Content:Global SEO Software Market Research Report 2017-2023Chapter 1: Industry OverviewChapter 2: International and China Market AnalysisChapter 3: Environment Analysis of SEO SoftwareChapter 4: SEO Software market Analysis of Revenue by ClassificationsChapter 5: Global SEO Software Market Analysis of Revenue by Regions and ApplicationsChapter 6: Market Analysis of SEO Software Revenue Market Status.Chapter 7: Analysis of SEO Software Industry Key ManufacturersChapter 8: Global SEO Software Market Sales Price and Gross Margin AnalysisChapter 9: Marketing Trader or Distributor Analysis of SEO SoftwareChapter 10: Development Trend of SEO Software industry 2016-2021Chapter 11: Industry Chain Suppliers of SEO Software market with Contact InformationChapter 12: New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of SEO SoftwareChapter 13: Conclusion of the Global SEO Software Market Research ReportAsk for discount@About Research N Reports:Research N Reports is a new age market research firm where we focus on providing information that can be effectively applied. Where counting on a legitimate board company for your selections will become critical. Research N Reports specializes in enterprise evaluation, marketplace forecasts and as a result getting great reports overlaying all verticals, whether be it gaining angle on modern market situations or being in advance inside the cut throat Global opposition.Contact us:(Research N Reports)10916, Gold Point Dr, Houston, TX, Pin - 77064,Sunny Denis(Sales Manager),+1-8886316977,sales@researchnreports.com Rodenticides Market opportunities and challenges 2018 - 2028 : Rentokil Initial PLC, Neogen Corporation, Bell Laboratories Inc., EcoClear Products Inc., Liphatech Inc https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=3882 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=3882 https://www.tmrresearch.com/rodenticides-market Global Rodenticides Market: SnapshotRodenticides are pesticides which kill rodents. Rodents incorporate mice and rats, as well as woodchucks, squirrels, porcupines, chipmunks, beavers, and nutria. Despite the fact that rodents assume critical jobs in nature, they may in some cases require control.Some rodenticides are deadly after one use while others require more than one. Rodents are hesitant to glut on an unknown food (maybe mirroring an adjustment to their failure to vomit), liking to test, pause and see whether it makes them or other rats ill. This process of poison shyness or bait shyness is the method of reasoning for poison that kills just after various dosage.Other than being directly dangerous for the mammals which consume them, including canines, felines, and people, numerous rodenticides present an secondary risk of harming to creatures that chase or hunt the dead rats.With rodents on the rise, a surge in related infections, popularity for better nuisance control, and accessibility of better quality rodenticides are key factors that could drive the global rodenticides market to increase broad development. In addition, enormous financial degradation may happen owing harm caused by rodents in agriculture fields, and this is foreseen to drive market within the span of couple of years. Rise in number of residential areas, working environments, hotel, and hospitals alongside a significant inclination for cleanliness guidelines are some other factors that are likely to surge the demand of these substances in future.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Be that as it may, issues related to the environment over utilization of rodenticide chemical substances and their ill-effects on people and other living creatures are probably going to restrict the demand of these substances, thusly hampering the global rodenticides market's advancement. The majority of the applications of the product are exceptionally managed by stringent laws, significantly in the developed regions.Global Rodenticides Market: OverviewThe report details an exhaustive account of the global rodenticides market along with numerous associated factors. The factors included in the report are drivers, restraints, competitive analysis, latest trends and opportunities, geographical outlook, and many other aspects. The study covered in the report spans a forecast period from 2018 to 2028. From an overall perspective, the report is expected to exist as a valuable insight to businesses which are already operating in the market, as well for those who intend to newly establish themselves in this environment.Global Rodenticides Market: Market Potential and RestraintsPests in the form of rodents have always been a great nuisance to the wellbeing of crops in the agriculture industry. And with an increasing population of rodents all over the globe, a dire need for suitable chemicals to wipe out these organisms is greatly driving the global rodenticides market. Moreover, with a surging global population, the need to facilitate large-scale crop cultivation to satisfy these needs is also calling upon the use of specific compounds such as rodenticides.With rodents on the rise, an increase in associated diseases, high demand for better pest control, and availability of excellent quality rodenticides are key factors that could drive the global rodenticides market to gain extensive growth. In addition, huge economic losses might be caused owing to damage caused by rodents in agricultural fields, and this is expected to propel expansion in this market during the next few years. Increasing number of workplaces, residential areas, hospitals, and hotels, along with a substantial preference for hygiene standards are other factors that are anticipated to fuel the demand of these substances in future.However, environmental concerns over use of rodenticide chemicals and their ill effects on humans and other living beings are likely to restrain demand of these substances, consequently hampering the global rodenticides markets progress. Most of the products applications are highly regulated by stringent laws, majorly in the developed regions of North America and Europe. A prime example of such strictness involves mandatory registration of chemical rodenticides by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before they are sold to the public, in the States.Moreover, these products are likely to be unavailable easily in remote and underdeveloped regions where agriculture could be a prime way of sustenance. Nonetheless, numerous players are expected to increase their geographical reach, thereby offsetting most restraints affecting the global rodenticides markets progress.Request TOC of the Report @Global Rodenticides Market: Geographical OutlookThe global rodenticides market is mainly spread across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. Of these North America and Europe depict widespread growth in this market owing to a strong agricultural infrastructure and widespread adoption of quality pest control practices. However, with increasing awareness of rodent-based problems and their solutions in Asia Pacific, this region too depicts a widespread growth.Global Rodenticides Market: Competitive LandscapeThe global rodenticides market showcases the presence of a highly fragmented and competitive vendor landscape, mainly due to the presence of innumerable players. Most businesses are expected to focus on achieving effective distribution networks, thereby decreasing the demand-supply volatility. BASF, Bayer AG, Rentokil Initial PLC, Neogen Corporation, Bell Laboratories Inc., EcoClear Products Inc., Liphatech Inc., and Impex Europa are some of the prime businesses operating in this market.Acquisitions and new product developments are key strategies implemented by most manufacturers in order to strengthen their position in the global rodenticides market. Companies are trying to introduce new products in order to expand their market scope, through the sale of highly application specific products. Carrying out extensive research and development manufacturing effective and high-quality chemicals and technologies also are other schemes worked upon by companies operating in the global rodenticides market.Read Comprehensive Overview of Report @About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todays supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clients conduct business by providing them with authoritative and trusted research studies in tune with the latest methodologies and market trends.Our savvy custom-built reports span a gamut of industries such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals and metals, food and beverages, and technology and media, among others. With actionable insights uncovered through in-depth research of the market, we try to bring about game-changing success for our clients.Contact:TMR Research,3739 Balboa St # 1097,San Francisco, CA 94121United StatesTel: +1-415-520-1050Email: sales@tmrresearch.com CAR T Cell Therapy CAR T Cell Therapy Market Growing With major Key Players Mustang Bio, Aurora Biopharma , Legend Biotech, Pfizer, CARsgen Therapeutics CAR T Cell Therapy https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/102 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/102 Millions of CAR-T cells are grown in the laboratory and then administered in the patients through infusion. These cells bind to the infected cancer cells and have the ability to kill them thereby leading to curing of the cancer. Masking of cancer cells from immune cells can be combated by the incorporation of immune checkpoint inhibitors in body which can detect and inhibit cancer cells. This innovative approach of using the bodys immune cells to target cancer causing cells has been successful used in the treatment of pediatric relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia, refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and other cancers.Lately, CAR T cell therapy has emerged as the new pillar for cancer treatment, creating high market potential for companies engaged in development and promotion of the product. Currently, Novartis International AG, Juno Therapeutics and Kite Pharma Inc. are dominating the CAR T cell therapy market. Clinical research by these players have revealed high rate of remission in patients with r/r B cell ALL and DLBCL."The global CAR-T Cell therapy market is estimated to be valued at US$ 295.1 million in 2018 and is expected to witness a CAGR of 32.5 % over the forecast period (2018 2028)."Get The Holistic SAMPLE Of This Business Report:Key takeaways of the market are:North America is expected to dominate the CAR T cell therapy market throughout the forecast period. The region is expected to account for 58.3% of overall industry share by 2018. Leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma accounted for 9.4% of 1.6 million newly diagnosed cancer in 2015. Each year, around 55 thousand people die due to leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma in U.S. Emergence of CAR T cell therapy is expected to address the blood cancer concerns. Mortality rate is expected to be drastically lower by 2020 with the adoption of this novel treatment approach.Europe is expected to be the second largest market for CAR T cell therapy products manufacturers. Although, the region is expected to create lucrative market opportunities, conducting country-specific clinical trials across Europe is expected to be a cumbersome process for companies and is a key challenge for growth prospects in the region.CD 19 based therapy segment is expected to dominate the global CAR T cell therapy market revenue throughout the forecast period. CD 19 segment is expected to touch a billion dollar mark by 2023. Much of the companies are working on CD 19 to combat leukemia. Other antigens such as CD 20 and CD 22 are also expected to create significant revenue opportunity for treatment of solid tumors.At present, Novartis International AG and Kite Pharma Inc. are expected to launch their products in 2017. Juno Therapeutics is expected to commercialize its product by 2018. Besides these players, Bellicum Pharmaceutical, Celgene Corporation, and Cellectisare also engaged in R&D process and are focusing on curtailing time-to-market for their product to capitalize the market potential in the following 10 years.CAR T cell therapy market is expected to be primarily driven by increasing demand for highly effective therapy mode of treating cancer. Combating cancer has been a major concern for healthcare industry for years. CAR T cell works on gene transfer technology that boosts the immune response of cancer affected individual by destroying affected tumor cells. It has been analyzed to act as a lifesaving drug for over 30 million patients sufferings from lymphoma. Though the CAR T cell therapy market outlook is highly optimistic, market players need to address the manufacturing and scalability options to generate higher profits. Novartis and Kite have already started building a roadmap for it.Download the PDF brochure:About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr.ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email:sales@coherentmarketinsights.com North America Microgrid Market 2024 Key Information by Top Key Players ABB Ltd, Eaton Corporation, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Caterpillar Inc, Honeywell International, Homer Energy LLC North America Microgrid Market, North America Microgrid Market trends, North America Microgrid Market forecast, North America Micr https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/1230587/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/1230587/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/north-america-microgrid-market https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/global-microgrid-as-a-service-maas-market-2018-by-manufacturers-countries-type-and-application-forecast-to-2023?utm_source=RR-AN https://www.marketstudyreport.com https://www.marketstudyreport.com/blog North America Microgrid market report added by MarketstudyReport.com is one of the most comprehensive research studies on North America Microgrid offering 222 data tables, 28 figures, covering 17 companies and regional outlook for 3 countries on segments covered in this report.North America Microgrid Market is predicted to reach over USD 7 billion by 2024.Meticulously analyzed in terms of pivotal industry segments, North America Microgrid market report effectively covers the scope of this space in terms By Application, By Source, By Storage, By Application and the prominent contributors. Additionally, the report also outlines intricate details regarding the lucrative opportunities that industry contenders can expect in conjunction with the potential threats that have been envisioned for this business sphere in the forthcoming years.Request a sample of this premium report at:The report extensively bifurcates the various contenders of North America Microgrid market. Prominent contributors such as ABB Ltd, Eaton Corporation, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Caterpillar Inc, Honeywell International, Homer Energy LLC, Tesla, EnSync Inc, Advanced Microgrid Solutions, Advanced Microgrid Solutions, Viridity Energy Solutions, Inc, Toshiba Corporation, Exelon Corporation, Power Analytics Corporation, Hitachi, Lockheed Martin Corporation have been scrutinized in terms of their financials, strengths, weaknesses, potential threats in the market, and future opportunities.North America Microgrid Market is predicted to reach over USD 7 billion by 2024. Aging grid infrastructure coupled with stringent government policies toward adoption of sustainable power technologies will stimulate North America microgrid market. Economic competitiveness, low power cost & transmission losses and reliability are key the parameters that will encourage the product penetration. In addition, ongoing funding toward the development of distributed generation technology will enhance the industry landscape.Increasing high-end power consumption across the industries on account of development of new HVAC systems and heavy load machineries will foster the microgrid market. Growing electricity demands across hospitals, retail outlets, automotive, manufacturing operations, offices and industries will encourage product penetration across commercial and industrial application. For instance, as per EIA, the commercial and industrial sector in 2017 accounted about 4.5% and 22.4 % of the primary energy consumption respectively.Flow batteries accounted for over 5% of North America microgrid market in 2017. Ongoing investment pertaining to the integration of sustainable grid coupled with innovations toward the development of cost-effective and efficient storage technologies will propel the industry growth. key features including long life cycle and higher efficiency will further encourage the product adoption over available substitutes.Request a discount on standard prices of this premium report at:Canada microgrid market is predicted to reach deployment of over 400 MW capacity by 2024. Growing electricity demand across remote and off grid areas along with upsurge in investments toward the adoption of clean energy technology will complement the business growth. Furthermore, ongoing development of distributed energy sources to minimize the dependency on conventional grid will enhance the industry outlook. In 2016 Canada government made an investment of USD 2.4 billion for developing wind and solar energy sources.Ongoing adoption of captive power plants across the manufacturing and industrial sector for ensuring regulated power production will foster North America microgrid market. Increasing investment toward the expansion of decentralized grid coupled with rising investments for the expansion of infrastructure and power sector will accelerate the business growth. For instance, in 2016, the government of Canada, announced an investment of about USD 900 million were financed toward installation of numerous energy sources and R & D across the country.Table of Content:Chapter 1. Methodology and ScopeChapter 2. Executive SummaryChapter 3. North America microgrid market Industry InsightsChapter 4. North America Microgrid Market, By ConnectivityChapter 5. North America Microgrid Market, By Grid TypeChapter 6. North America Microgrid Market, By Power SourceChapter 7. North America Microgrid Market, By Storage DevicesChapter 8. North America Microgrid Market, By ApplicationChapter 9. North America Microgrid Market, By CountryChapter 10. Company ProfilesFor More Details on this Report At:Related Report:Global Microgrid as a Service (MaaS) Market 2018 by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2023The market growth can be attributed to the reduction in operational costs and negligible upfront investments by MaaS end users, rising demand for MaaS from hospitals, universities, and remote regions and high investments by governments in microgrid infrastructure for improved resilience.About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Contact Us:Market Study Report4 North Main Street,Selbyville, Delaware 19975USAPhone: 1-302-273-0910US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:Blog: Global Base Layer Market Insights, Industry Player (Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, The North Face, Columbia, GORE), Key County Analysis (North America, Europe, China, Japan, India), Segmentation, Analysis and Forecast till 2018-2025 Market Research Hub https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1921494 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/global-base-layer-market-insightsforecast-to-2025-report.html This research report titled Global Base Layer Market Insights, Forecast to 2025 has been added to the wide online database managed by Market Research Hub (MRH). The study discusses the prime market growth factors along with future projections expected to impact the Base Layer Market during the period between 2018 and 2025. The concerned sector is analyzed based on different market factors including drivers, restraints and opportunities in order to enlighten the readers about the actual scenario prevailing in the Base Layer Market.Get Sample Copy of This Report Now @This report studies the global market size of Base Layer in key regions like North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Central & South America and Middle East & Africa, focuses on the consumption of Base Layer in these regions.This research report categorizes the global Base Layer market by players/brands, region, type and application. This report also studies the global market status, competition landscape, market share, growth rate, future trends, market drivers, opportunities and challenges, sales channels, distributors and Porter's Five Forces Analysis.Base Layer is mainly fabricated by using wool and polyester. It is major used to keep warm when in the sports or outside, such as ball sports, skiing, climbing and running etc. Also, it can be wear when workout indoors or other leisure time. In this report, only long or short shirt and pants are counted.The base layer industry concentration is very low; there are many manufacturers in the world, the top brand such as Nike and Adidas only accounts for about 11.10 % market share of the total volume. The products are mainly manufactured in Asia (Southeast Asia countries and China). The main consumption regions are North America, Europe and Asia, accounting for more than 75 % of the total consumption volume in 2016. However, emerging markets such as Latin America, are growing at a faster rate than the traditional market.Main marketing channels include exclusive shop and department stores. Strong brands tend to build their own exclusive shop to provide a good user experience and further enhance their brand influence. At the same time, all manufacturers have stepped up online sales.In 2017, the global Base Layer market size was 7690 million US$ and is forecast to 9980 million US in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 3.8% from 2018. The objectives of this study are to define, segment, and project the size of the Base Layer market based on company, product type, application and key regions.The various contributors involved in the value chain of Base Layer include manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, intermediaries, and customers. The key manufacturers in the Base Layer includeNikeAdidasUnder ArmourThe North FaceColumbiaGOREOdloFalkeANTA SportsHelly HansenMizunoRabLiNingSkinsTommie CopperIcebreakerLfflerArcteryxMarket Size Split by TypeMan Base LayerWoman Base LayerKids Base LayerMarket Size Split by ApplicationBall SportsNon-ball SportsLeisure TimeMarket size split by RegionNorth AmericaUnited StatesCanadaMexicoAsia-PacificChinaIndiaJapanSouth KoreaAustraliaIndonesiaSingaporeMalaysiaPhilippinesThailandVietnamEuropeGermanyFranceUKItalySpainRussiaCentral & South AmericaBrazilRest of Central & South AmericaMiddle East & AfricaGCC CountriesTurkeyEgyptSouth AfricaBROWSE Full Report NOW @Table of Contents1 Study Coverage1.1 Base Layer Product1.2 Key Market Segments1.3 Key Manufacturers Covered1.4 Market by Type1.4.1 Global Base Layer Market Size Growth Rate by Type1.4.2 Man Base Layer1.4.3 Woman Base Layer1.4.4 Kids Base Layer1.5 Market by Application1.5.1 Global Base Layer Market Size Growth Rate by Application1.5.2 Ball Sports1.5.3 Non-ball Sports1.5.4 Leisure Time1.6 Study Objectives1.7 Years Considered2 Executive Summary2.1 Global Base Layer Market Size2.1.1 Global Base Layer Revenue 2016-20252.1.2 Global Base Layer Sales 2016-20252.2 Base Layer Growth Rate by Regions2.2.1 Global Base Layer Sales by Regions2.2.2 Global Base Layer Revenue by Regions3 Breakdown Data by Manufacturers3.1 Base Layer Sales by Manufacturers3.1.1 Base Layer Sales by Manufacturers3.1.2 Base Layer Sales Market Share by Manufacturers3.1.3 Global Base Layer Market Concentration Ratio (CR5 and HHI)3.2 Base Layer Revenue by Manufacturers3.2.1 Base Layer Revenue by Manufacturers (2016-2018)3.2.2 Base Layer Revenue Share by Manufacturers (2016-2018)3.3 Base Layer Price by Manufacturers3.4 Base Layer Manufacturing Base Distribution, Product Types3.4.1 Base Layer Manufacturers Manufacturing Base Distribution, Headquarters3.4.2 Manufacturers Base Layer Product Category3.4.3 Date of International Manufacturers Enter into Base Layer Market3.5 Manufacturers Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion PlansMore Information@@@About Market Research HubMarket Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports of different sector like retail market research and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of industry reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email: press@marketresearchhub.com Amazingly ELearning Market 2019: Studied in Detail by Focusing on Product Type with Top Companies like Apollo Education Group Inc., Cisco Systems, Citrix, HealthStream Inc., McGrawHill, Oracle, Aptara, SAP, Microsoft https://www.researchnreports.com/request_sample.php?id=224396 https://www.researchnreports.com/ask_for_discount.php?id=224396 https://www.researchnreports.com/enquiry_before_buying.php?id=224396 A new statistical report titled as Global ELearning market is now featured by Research N Reports by doing a professional survey. A consistent business tool such as a widespread coverage of the numerous aspects of the global market is served for both existing and new players in the market. This benefits the players to gain assistance in framing their business strategies.In addition to business and corporate strategies, the ELearning market also covers some competitive expansions, such as long-term contracts, new product launches and research & development activities, adopted by the key market players. Along with this, it also provides an in-depth market intelligence information by keeping the markets major factors in consideration which includes the drivers, restraints and opportunities.Get Sample copy of this Report:The report provides details of the global ELearning market, which focuses on regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. Among these ELearning is the region, which is expected to achieve the largest market share in the global market. On the other hand, ELearning is expected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2019 to 2025Companies Profiled in this Report includes, Adobe systems Inc., Apollo Education Group Inc., Cisco Systems, Citrix, HealthStream Inc., McGrawHill, Oracle, Aptara, SAP, Microsoft, Saba Software, Skill Soft, Blackboard Inc., N2N Services, Desire2Learn, Tata Interactive Systems, Articulate and Haiku Learning. and others.In the overview section of the market, the reports gives a gist of the qualitative analysis of the overall ELearning market. Growth rates of all the segments within the market have been firm on the global as well as a regional front. In addition to this, the readers are allowed to gauge the most promising or profitable areas for investments in the market according to the end-users, countries and other criterias as well. A thorough analysis of these factors has been undertaken for determining the future growth.Get Discount on this Premium Report:To conclude with, the integration of market desirability index in the report specifying growth, enactment and opportunities in the ELearning market is an important footnote.Financially, a firm growth has been noticed in the countries of ELearning especially ELearning and ELearning which has led to an enlargement in the financial status of the consumers. This in turn has intensified the demand for the production of ELearning This global ELearning market is further segmented to regions like North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America.Table of ContentsGlobal ELearning Market Research ReportChapter 1 ELearning Market OverviewChapter 2 Global Economic Impact on IndustryChapter 3 Global Market Competition by ManufacturersChapter 4 Global Production, Revenue (Value) by RegionChapter 5 Global Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by RegionsChapter 6 Global Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by TypeChapter 7 Global Market Analysis by ApplicationChapter 8 Manufacturing Cost AnalysisChapter 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream BuyersChapter 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/TradersChapter 11 Market Effect Factors AnalysisChapter 12 Global ELearning Market ForecastGet more information:Sunny DenisU.S. Address10916, Gold Point, Dr,Houston, TX - 77064E-mail:sales@researchnreports.comPhone:+1 888-631-6977About us:We provide global consulting that can transform businesses and give you an experience of innovative solutions and outcomes.Research N Reports helps clients harness the power of innovation to thrive on change. We have successfully guided businesses throughout the world with our market research reports. We are uniquely positioned to lead digital transformations, thus creating greater value for clients by presenting growth opportunities in the global market.Our profound experience provides a clear and confident vision to help clients navigate the future. Research N Reports 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 strategic organizational decisions. Research N Reports helps clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative. Vegan Cheese - Industry Trends, Sales, Supply, Demand, Analysis & Forecast to 2023 Vegan Cheese Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3471479-global-vegan-cheese-market-by-manufacturers-regions-type https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/3471479-global-vegan-cheese-market-by-manufacturers-regions-type https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=3471479 WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On Vegan Cheese - Industry Trends, Sales, Supply, Demand, Analysis & Forecast to 2023.Description:-Vegan cheese is a non-dairy cheese mainly produced for vegans as well as for other people who avoid animal products, with those people who are lactose-intolerant.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Vegan Cheese in global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Get a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comThe worldwide market for Vegan Cheese is expected to grow at a CAGR of roughly xx% over the next five years, will reach xx million US$ in 2023, from xx million US$ in 2017, according to a new GIR (Global Info Research) study.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversUhrenholt A/SKite HillDr. Cow Tree Nut CheeseMiyokos KitchenVtopian Artisan CheesesPunk Rawk LabsHeidi Ho.Hochland GroupParmela CreameryTreeline Treenut CheeseMarket 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 etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Type, coversMozzarellaParmesanCheddarCream CheeseOther Product TypesMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoFast Food SnackDips & SaucesBakery & ConfectioneryOther ApplicationsThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Vegan Cheese market.Chapter 1, to describe Vegan Cheese Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Vegan Cheese, with sales, revenue, and price of Vegan Cheese, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Vegan Cheese, for each region, from 2013 to 2018;ContinuedEnquiry About Report @Table Of Contents Major Key Points1 Market Overview1.1 Vegan Cheese Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Mozzarella1.2.2 Parmesan1.2.3 Cheddar1.2.4 Cream Cheese1.2.5 Other Product Types1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Fast Food Snack1.3.2 Dips & Sauces1.3.3 Bakery & Confectionery1.3.4 Other Applications1.4 Market Analysis by Regions1.4.1 North America (United States, Canada and Mexico)1.4.1.1 United States Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.1.2 Canada Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.1.3 Mexico Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2 Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)1.4.2.1 Germany Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2.2 France Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2.3 UK Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2.4 Russia Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.2.5 Italy Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)1.4.3.1 China Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3.2 Japan Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3.3 Korea Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3.4 India Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.3.5 Southeast Asia Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4 South America, Middle East and Africa1.4.4.1 Brazil Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4.2 Egypt Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4.3 Saudi Arabia Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4.4 South Africa Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.4.4.5 Nigeria Market States and Outlook (2013-2023)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 Uhrenholt A/S2.1.1 Business Overview2.1.2 Vegan Cheese Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Product A2.1.2.2 Product B2.1.3 Uhrenholt A/S Vegan Cheese Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2 Kite Hill2.2.1 Business Overview2.2.2 Vegan Cheese Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Product A2.2.2.2 Product B2.2.3 Kite Hill Vegan Cheese Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3 Dr. Cow Tree Nut Cheese2.3.1 Business Overview2.3.2 Vegan Cheese Type and Applications2.3.2.1 Product A2.3.2.2 Product B2.3.3 Dr. Cow Tree Nut Cheese Vegan Cheese Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.4 Miyokos Kitchen2.4.1 Business Overview2.4.2 Vegan Cheese Type and Applications2.4.2.1 Product A2.4.2.2 Product B2.4.3 Miyokos Kitchen Vegan Cheese Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.5 Vtopian Artisan Cheeses2.5.1 Business Overview2.5.2 Vegan Cheese Type and Applications2.5.2.1 Product A2.5.2.2 Product B2.5.3 Vtopian Artisan Cheeses Vegan Cheese Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.6 Punk Rawk Labs2.6.1 Business Overview2.6.2 Vegan Cheese Type and Applications2.6.2.1 Product A2.6.2.2 Product B2.6.3 Punk Rawk Labs Vegan Cheese Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.7 Heidi Ho.2.7.1 Business Overview2.7.2 Vegan Cheese Type and Applications2.7.2.1 Product A2.7.2.2 Product B2.7.3 Heidi Ho. Vegan Cheese Sales, Price, 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. Suzuki, Yamaha Profiled In Off-Road Vehicles Market Focusing On Top Companies - John Deere, Caterpillar, Bombardier, KYMCO, Kawasaki, Honda, https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/1241486/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/1241486/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/off-road-vehicles-market https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/world-moto-brake-fluid-market-by-product-type-market-players-and-regions-forecast-to-2023/?utm_source=rr&utm_medium=DC https://www.marketstudyreport.com Off-Road Vehicles Market 2018 report focuses on the major drivers and restraints for the Global key players. It also provides analysis of the market share, revenue forecasts and geographic regions of the market. The report spread across 300 pages with tables and figures in it.Historical data from 2013 is provided Off-Road Vehicles market along with estimates and forecasts to 2024 based on segmentation of Off-Road Vehicles industry By Vehicle, By Application, companies and regions. Previous years data offers fact based information on trends and growth graph while the forecasts aim to show an outlook of Off-Road Vehicles market for the next few years keeping in mind the advancements happening in the sector.Manufacturing companies such as Polaris and Kawasaki are focusing on installing improved technology such as GPS tracking and mobile tracking in the off-road vehicles for capturing market share. Improved riding performance along with advanced technological features supporting product profile will drive the off-road vehicles market share from 2018 to 2024.Request a sample of this premium report at:Increasing demand for off-road vehicles among consumers owing to surging adventure & sporting events significantly boosting industry penetration. Rising spending on recreation and leisure practices are strongly supporting product demand. In 2017, Georgia Department of Natural Resources announced 14 grants with USD 2.3 million financial support for recreation facilities such as golf, hiking, fishing, and camping in the state. These key factors are anticipated to boost off-road vehicles market during the forecast period.Off-road vehicles industry has the presence of prominent players including Polaris, Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha, Arctic Cat, Suzuki, and Can-Am. Other notable companies are Kubota Corporation, John Deere, Caterpillar, Bombardier, KYMCO, Taiwan Golden Bee, and Shoupu. Manufacturing companies are investing heavily on R&D for product development to enhance the overall performance and efficiency of the products.All-Terrain Vehicles Safety Institute (ATVSI) is strongly promoting the usage of helmet and seatbelt while driving to avoid accidental damages. Rising number of accidents owing to avoidance of safety measure while driving vehicles are majorly hampering the business growth. Complex structure, large tires, and four-wheel drivetrain system affect automobile performance limiting off-road vehicles market expansion.SSV market share is expected to witness growth at around 6% from 2018 to 2024. This can be credited to the benefits offered such as increased mobility, rollover protecting bars and storage facility. In 2017, Dakar Rally held in South America, introduced the special category as a side-by-side vehicle class along with cars, trucks, and bikes.Recreation segment accounted for over USD 3.5 billion in 2017. Rising product demand owing to improved leisure and touring activities among consumers primarily driving industry growth. Electric ATV has captured the strong attention from consumers owing to improved performance, easy to operate and less maintenance thereby propelling product landscape.Request a discount on standard prices of this premium report at:Major Points of Table of Content:Chapter 1. MethodologyChapter 2. Executive SummaryChapter 3. Off-Road Vehicles Industry InsightsChapter 4. Off-Road Vehicles Market, By VehicleChapter 5. Off-Road Vehicles Market, ApplicationChapter 6. Off-Road Vehicles Market, By RegionChapter 7. Company Profiles.Complete report for 2017-2024 on Off-Road Vehicles market is now available atMilitary segment is likely to witness significant gains at around 5.5% from 2018 to 2024. Surging product adoption owing to highly mobile, enhanced durability and effectively conveyance personal & cargo are the key benefits strongly supporting off road vehicle demand. Border security, combat operations and consignment transport are among key applications mainly instigating product demand from this segment.North America off-road vehicles are expected to capture over 55% industry share by 2024. Augmented government expenditure for improving recreational activities to attract more consumers stimulating industry share. Huge consumer base along with presence of infrastructure for using ATVs are primarily boosting the product demand. The rising popularity of off-road sports events such as Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, The Off-Road Championship (TORC), Grand National Cross Country are instigating the business growth.Related ReportWorld Moto Brake Fluid Market by Product Type, Market, Players and Regions-Forecast to 2023Global Moto Brake Fluid Market Size, Status and Forecast 2023 provides Market information about Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application. This Industry report also states Company Profile, sales, Moto Brake Fluid Market revenue and price, market share, market growth and gross margin by regions.About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Contact Us:Market Study Report4 North Main Street,Selbyville, Delaware 19975USAPhone: 1-302-273-0910US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email:sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite: Medical Aesthetics Market Globally Hits 10.8% CAGR 2021 - Key Trends Says (Alternative Beauty, Cosmetic Products and Medical Tourism) Drives the Growth medical aesthetic research report http://www.reportsnreports.com/contacts/requestsample.aspx?name=401761 http://www.reportsnreports.com/contacts/inquirybeforebuy.aspx?name=401761 http://www.reportsnreports.com/contacts/discount.aspx?name=401761 Report studies medical aesthetic market by product and end-users. The report also studies factors (such as drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges) affecting market growth. It analyzes opportunities and challenges in the market for stakeholders and provides details of the competitive landscape for market leaders.Medical aesthetics market is classified into four regions, namely, North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World. In 2014, the global medical aesthetics market was dominated by North America. Factors such as the growing aging population, increasing number of aesthetics procedures, and technological advancements are driving the growth of the market in the North American region.Get Free Market Updates Now atThe global medical aesthetics market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.8% from 2016 to 2021, projected to reach USD 13.29 billion. The adoption of aesthetic procedures is rising across the globe due to the growing aging population, increasing awareness about cosmetic procedures, growing safety and efficacy of aesthetic procedures owing to technological advancements, and rising middle class population.Objectives of the Study To define, describe, and forecast the global medical aesthetics market, by product, end user, and region To provide detailed information regarding the major factors influencing the growth of the market (drivers, restraints, growth opportunities, and challenges) To strategically analyze micromarkets with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and contributions to the overall market To analyze the opportunities in the market for key stakeholders and provide details of the competitive landscape for market leaders To forecast the size of the market segments with respect to four main regions - North America (the US and Canada), Europe (Germany, the UK, France, and Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (Japan, China, India, South Korea, and Rest of Asia Pacific), and the Rest of the World (Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa) To profile key market players and comprehensively analyze their market shares and core competencies To track and analyze competitive developments such as product developments, enhancements, and product approvals; acquisitions; partnerships, agreements, and collaborations; and expansions in the global medical aesthetics marketMedical aesthetic lasers and energy devices segment is categorized into laser resurfacing devices, body contouring devices, laser hair removal, and aesthetic ophthalmology devices. Laser resurfacing devices segment is further divided into ablative skin resurfacing devices, and non-ablative skin resurfacing devices.Click Here for More Information with Top Trends, Overview, Industry Insights, Company Profiles and Forecast Now atAllergan, Inc. (U.S.) A division of Actavis plc (Ireland), Cynosure, Inc. (U.S.), Lumenis Ltd. (Israel), Mentor Worldwide LLC (U.S.) A business unit of Johnson & Johnson, PhotoMedex, Inc. (U.S.), Galderma S.A. (Switzerland), Solta Medical, Inc. (U.S.) - A division of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (Canada), Syneron Medical, Ltd. (Israel), and ZELTIQ Aesthetics, Inc. (U.S.) are the main players in the global medical aesthetics market.Competitive Landscape1 Introduction2 Market Share Analysis3 Facial Aesthetics Market4 Energy-Based Devices Market5 Breast Implants Market6 Competitive Situation and Trends7 Product Launches and Approvals8 Mergers and Acquisitions9 Agreements Partnerships and Collaborations10 Geographical ExpansionsGet Discount on Medical Aesthetics Market by Products (Liposuction, Cellulite Reduction, Fat Reduction, Skin Tightening, Breast Implants, Botox, Dermal Fillers), Procedures (Cosmetic & Reconstructive), & End-Users (Beauty center and Home) Global Forecast to 2020 research report can be requested atGrowing adoption of home use aesthetic device sand increasing demand for cosmetic treatments in emerging markets are creating opportunities for growth of medical aesthetics market. In this report, global medical aesthetics market has been classified into many segments and sub segments on basis of products, namely, aesthetic lasers and energy devices, aesthetic implants, and facial aesthetics.Break-up of primary participants is mentioned below: By Company Type: Tier 1 - 33%, Tier 2 - 46%, and Tier 3 - 21% By Designation: C-level - 26%, Director-level - 20%, and Others - 54% By Region: North America - 33%, Europe - 29%, Asia Pacific - 24%, and the RoW - 14%Contact:sales@reportsandreports.com / Call +1 888 391 5441ReportsnReports 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 Effective Microorganisms (EM) Global Market 2018: Key Players EMRO, EMNZ, SCD Probiotics, Efficient Microbes, Asia Plant Effective Microorganisms (EM) Industry Description Wiseguyreports.Com Adds Effective Microorganisms (EM) -Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities and Analysis Of Top Key Player Forecast To 2023 To Its Research Database EM is an abbreviation of Effective Microorganism, is a new compound microbial preparation, composed of photosynthetic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, yeast, actinomycetes and other 10 more than 80 kinds of microbial compound culture from the flora, formed a complex and stable microbial system, mutual cooperation, the advantages of powerful, extremely powerful. The 'Global Effective Microorganisms (EM) Industry, 2015-2025 Market Research Report' Is A Professional And In-Depth Study On The Current State Of The Global Effective Microorganisms (EM) Industry With A Focus On The Global Market. The Report Provides Key Statistics On The Market Status Of The Effective Microorganisms (EM) Manufacturers And Is A Valuable Source Of Guidance And Direction For Companies And Individuals Interested In The Industry. Firstly, The Report Provides A Basic Overview Of The Industry Including Its Definition, Applications And Manufacturing Technolgy. Then, The Report Explores The International And Global Major Industry Players In Detail. In This Part, The Report Presents The Company Profile, Product Specifications, Capacity, Production Value, And 2015-2025 Market Shares For Each Company. Through The Statistical Analysis, The Report Depicts The Global Total Market Of Effective Microorganisms (EM) Industry Including Capacity, Production, Production Value, Cost/Profit, Supply/Demand And Global Import/Export. The Total Market Is Further Divided By Company, By Country, And By Application/Type For The Competitive Landscape Analysis. The Report Then Estimates 2015-2025 Market Development Trends Of Effective Microorganisms (EM) Industry. Analysis Of Upstream Raw Materials, Downstream Demand, And Current Market Dynamics Is Also Carried Out. In The End, The Report Makes Some Important Proposals For A New Project Of Effective Microorganisms (EM) Industry Before Evaluating Its Feasibility. Overall, The Report Provides An In-Depth Insight Of 2015-2025 Global Effective Microorganisms (EM) Industry Covering All Important Parameters. The global Effective Microorganisms (EM) market will reach xxx Million USD in 2018 and with a CAGR if xx% between 2019-2025. Company Coverage (Sales data, Main Products & Services etc.): EMRO EMNZ SCD Probiotics Efficient Microbes Asia Plant VIOOO Biology Request for Sample Report @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3425158-global-effective-microorganisms-em-market-study-2015-2025 Product Type Coverage (Market Size & Forecast, Major Company of Product Type etc.): EM 1 EM Demand Coverage (Market Size & Forecast, Consumer Distribution): Agriculture Animal Husbandry Wastewater Treatment Sanitation Systems Others Major Region Market North America Europe Asia-Pacific South America Middle East & Africa Leave a Query @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/3425158-global-effective-microorganisms-em-market-study-2015-2025 Table of Content 1 Industry Overview 1.1 Effective Microorganisms (EM) Industry 1.1.1 Overview 1.1.2 Products of Major Companies 1.2 Market Segment 1.2.1 Industry Chain 1.2.2 Consumer Distribution 1.3 Price & Cost Overview 2 Effective Microorganisms (EM) Market by Type 2.1 By Type 2.1.1 EM 1 2.1.2 EM 2.2 Market Size by Type 2.3 Market Forecast by Type 3 Global Market Demand 3.1 Segment Overview 3.1.1 Agriculture 3.1.2 Animal Husbandry 3.1.3 Wastewater Treatment 3.1.4 Sanitation Systems 3.1.5 Others 3.2 Market Size by Demand 3.3 Market Forecast by Demand 4 Major Region Market 4.1 Global Market Overview 4.1.1 Market Size & Growth 4.1.2 Market Forecast 4.2 Major Region 4.2.1 Market Size & Growth 4.2.2 Market Forecast 5 Major Companies List 5.1 EMRO (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.) 5.2 EMNZ (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.) 5.3 SCD Probiotics (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.) 5.4 Efficient Microbes (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.) 5.5 Asia Plant (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.) 5.6 VIOOO Biology (Company Profile, Sales Data etc.) 6 ConclusionTable Global Effective Microorganisms (EM) Market 2015-2018, by Type, in USD Million Table Global Effective Microorganisms (EM) Market 2015-2018, by Type, in Volume Table Global Effective Microorganisms (EM) Market Forecast 2019-2025, by Type, in USD Million Table Global Effective Microorganisms (EM) Market Forecast 2019-2025, by Type, in Volume Table EMRO Overview List Table Effective Microorganisms (EM) Business Operation of EMRO (Sales Revenue, Sales Volume, Price, Cost, Gross Margin) Table EMNZ Overview List Table Effective Microorganisms (EM) Business Operation of EMNZ (Sales Revenue, Sales Volume, Price, Cost, Gross Margin) Table SCD Probiotics Overview List Table Effective Microorganisms (EM) Business Operation of SCD Probiotics (Sales Revenue, Sales Volume, Price, Cost, Gross Margin) Table Efficient Microbes Overview List Table Effective Microorganisms (EM) Business Operation of Efficient Microbes (Sales Revenue, Sales Volume, Price, Cost, Gross Margin) Table Asia Plant Overview List Table Effective Microorganisms (EM) Business Operation of Asia Plant (Sales Revenue, Sales Volume, Price, Cost, Gross Margin) Table VIOOO Biology Overview List Table Effective Microorganisms (EM) Business Operation of VIOOO Biology (Sales Revenue, Sales Volume, Price, Cost, Gross Margin) Figure Global Effective Microorganisms (EM) Market Growth 2015-2018, by Type, in USD Million Figure Global Effective Microorganisms (EM) Market Growth 2015-2018, by Type, in Volume Buy Now @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=3425158 Continued... Contact Us: Sales@Wiseguyreports.Com Ph: +1-646-845-9349 (Us) Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (Uk) 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: Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt Ltd Pune 411028 Maharashtra, Global Ph: +91 841 198 5042 https://www.wiseguyreports.com This release was published on openPR. Permanent link to this press release: Copy Please set a link in the press area of your homepage to this press release on openPR. openPR disclaims liability for any content contained in this release. Self-service Kiosk Market 2018 Overview by Major Key Players: NCR, Diebold, Fuji Electric, Hitachi, Crane, GRG Banking, SandenVendo, N&W Global Vending, Sielaff , Azkoyen Group, Bianchi Vending Self Service KIOSK Market http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/2345208?utm_source=Dipali http://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/global-self-service-kiosk-market-report-2018?utm_source=Dipali http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buying/2345208?utm_source=Dipali with the slowdown in world economic growth, the Self-service Kiosk industry has also suffered a certain impact, but still maintained a relatively optimistic growth, the past four years, Self-service Kiosk market size to maintain the average annual growth rate of XXX from XXX million $ in 2014 to XXX million $ in 2017, Research analysts believe that in the next few years, Self-service Kiosk market size will be further expanded, we expect that by 2022, The market size of the Self-service Kiosk will reach XXX million $.Get PDF sample copy of Global Self-service Kiosk Market Report at:Every market intelligence report is based on certain important parameters. It includes a meticulous analysis of market trends, market shares and revenue growth patterns and the volume and value of the market. Market studies are based on methodical researches. This report on Global Self-service Kiosk Market is also based on a meticulously structured methodology. These methods help to analyze markets on the basis of thorough research and analysis.Generally, research includes information about manufacturers, vendors, products, consumers, research papers and more. The analysis part mostly includes qualitative and quantitative analysis of markets like business models, market forecasts, market segmentations and other aspects that help in analysis. Every market research study gives specified importance to manufacturers dwelling in that market. A detailed analysis of manufacturers or key players is essential for anyone seeking to jumpstart business in any market.Competitive analysis or competitor study includes detailed information of manufacturers business models, strategies, revenue growth and all the data required that would benefit the person conducting the market research. For new investors and business initiatives market research is a must as it gives them a direction and a plan of action to move forward keeping in mind their competitors.Major companies discussed in the report include:NCRDieboldFuji ElectricHitachiCraneGRG BankingSandenVendoN&W Global VendingSielaffAzkoyen GroupBianchi VendingAccess complete Global Self-service Kiosk Market Report at:Self-service Kiosk Market segmentation is also an important aspect of any market research report. Market segmentation is mostly based on demography, geography and behavior. It helps understand the consumers and their demands and behavior towards a particular product or market. Another important aspect covered in any market research report and is also a part of market segmentation is the regional study of the market. This section focusses on the regions with significant advancements in a particular market.The Segmentation Types included in the report are:Product Type SegmentationIndoor KioskOutdoor KioskIndustry SegmentationRetailFinancial servicesHospitalityPublic SectorTravelChannel (Direct Sales, Distributor) SegmentationRegional analysis of any market can give a detailed overview of regions which have more business opportunities, revenue generation potential and a forecast of next few years. For any new business establishment or business looking to upgrade and make impactful changes in their businesses, this particular section in a market report is very important. In this Global Self-service Kiosk Market report, the region highlighted the most is North America. For many markets this region is of extreme importance.This report gives detailed information of market size and price of this region and other important regions likeFollowing regions are covered in Global Self-service Kiosk Market Industry report:North America Country (United States, Canada)South AmericaAsia Country (China, Japan, India, Korea)Europe Country (Germany, UK, France, Italy)Other Country (Middle East, Africa, GCC)The report on Global Self-service Kiosk Market is a comprehensive documentation that covers all the aspects of a market study and provides a concise conclusion to its readers.Enquire for more details of Global Self-service Kiosk Market Report at:About Us:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clientsContact Us:Hector CostelloSenior Manager Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas - 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +912064101019 Tiny Homes Market 2018 Analysis by Major Key Players: Handcrafted Movement, HUMBLE HAND CRAFT, Oregon Cottage Company, Tiny Heirloom, Tiny Home Builders, Tiny SMART House Tiny Homes Market http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/2345220?utm_source=Dipali http://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/global-tiny-homes-market-report-2018?utm_source=Dipali http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buying/2345220?utm_source=Dipali with the slowdown in world economic growth, the Tiny Homes industry has also suffered a certain impact, but still maintained a relatively optimistic growth, the past four years, Tiny Homes market size to maintain the average annual growth rate of XXX from XXX million $ in 2014 to XXX million $ in 2017, Research analysts believe that in the next few years, Tiny Homes market size will be further expanded, we expect that by 2022, The market size of the Tiny Homes will reach XXX million $.Get PDF sample copy of Global Tiny Homes Market Report at:Every market intelligence report is based on certain important parameters. It includes a meticulous analysis of market trends, market shares and revenue growth patterns and the volume and value of the market. Market studies are based on methodical researches. This report on Global Tiny Homes Market is also based on a meticulously structured methodology. These methods help to analyze markets on the basis of thorough research and analysis.Generally, research includes information about manufacturers, vendors, products, consumers, research papers and more. The analysis part mostly includes qualitative and quantitative analysis of markets like business models, market forecasts, market segmentations and other aspects that help in analysis. Every market research study gives specified importance to manufacturers dwelling in that market. A detailed analysis of manufacturers or key players is essential for anyone seeking to jumpstart business in any market.Competitive analysis or competitor study includes detailed information of manufacturers business models, strategies, revenue growth and all the data required that would benefit the person conducting the market research. For new investors and business initiatives market research is a must as it gives them a direction and a plan of action to move forward keeping in mind their competitors.Major companies discussed in the report include:Handcrafted MovementHUMBLE HAND CRAFTOregon Cottage CompanyTiny HeirloomTiny Home BuildersTiny SMART HouseAccess complete Global Tiny Homes Market Report at:Tiny Homes Market segmentation is also an important aspect of any market research report. Market segmentation is mostly based on demography, geography and behavior. It helps understand the consumers and their demands and behavior towards a particular product or market. Another important aspect covered in any market research report and is also a part of market segmentation is the regional study of the market. This section focusses on the regions with significant advancements in a particular market.The Segmentation Types included in the report are:Product Type SegmentationMobile tiny homesStationary tiny homesIndustry SegmentationHome useCommercial useChannel (Direct Sales, Distributor) SegmentationRegional analysis of any market can give a detailed overview of regions which have more business opportunities, revenue generation potential and a forecast of next few years. For any new business establishment or business looking to upgrade and make impactful changes in their businesses, this particular section in a market report is very important. In this Global Tiny Homes Market report, the region highlighted the most is North America. For many markets this region is of extreme importance.This report gives detailed information of market size and price of this region and other important regions likeFollowing regions are covered in Global Tiny Homes Market Industry report:North America Country (United States, Canada)South AmericaAsia Country (China, Japan, India, Korea)Europe Country (Germany, UK, France, Italy)Other Country (Middle East, Africa, GCC)The report on Global Tiny Homes Market is a comprehensive documentation that covers all the aspects of a market study and provides a concise conclusion to its readers.Enquire for more details of Global Tiny Homes Market Report at:About Us:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clientsContact Us:Hector CostelloSenior Manager Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas - 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +912064101019 Classified Platform Market Healthy Pace throughout the Forecast during 2016 - 2024 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/10496 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/10496 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com In the past, classified ads were part of newspapers which offered advertisers cheap, small type notices arranged under specific categories. The media industry has witnessed switch from print media to digital media and has proven itself quite lucrative for classified platform players. Growing number of sites are providing specialized classified marketplaces online catering to niche categories including products and services such as boats, pianos, pets, and adult services. Classified platforms market includes both business to consumer (B2C) and consumer to consumer (C2C) categories. Despite of several advancements in the online classified platforms, the market is currently at a nascent stage due to large of consumers spending time on the print media; however, with increasing internet subscribers and growing number of subscribers on social media, the market for online classified platform is expected to hold promising revenue opportunity during the forecast period.Online advertising of a particular product or service through classified platforms enables consumer to explore and compare a particular product or service in a better way than print advertising. Few of the classified platforms also provides 360 degree view of products which enables consumers to better understand the dimension and esthetics of a product, thereby enhancing consumers experience. Moreover, with the proliferation of business applications on mobile platforms, classified ads platforms is providing greater opportunity to both buyers and sellers in terms of saving time and cost.As classified advertisement platforms do not charge for posting an advertisement, few of the classified platform websites displays clutter of information and lack of genuine content. This is acting as a challenge for classified platforms market. Leading players in this market need to focus on building intelligent processes in order to have genuine content without comprising scale of their business.Request for Report Sample :Segmentation of Classified Platform market on the basis of ad models:Horizontal Model:This model offers a wide range of categories such as mobiles, electronics & accessories, cars, bikes, furniture, pets, books, fashion, jobs, real estate, and home services. Although, horizontal players are capable enough to drive large audience base on their platforms, they often lack specialized product offering.Vertical Model:Vertical model focuses on single categories such as cars and real estate. Usually these kind of business models charge consumers to for listing their products on the platforms. Vertical model comprises advertisements of all the entities in the ecosystem of a particular industry.Classified Platforms Market: Key DealsOn January 2016, Quikr acquired online real estate portal Commonfloor.com for US$ 200 millionOn December 2015, OLX, Inc. raised US$ 13.5 million in series B round of fundingCountries in Europe region such as France and Norway are witnessing increasing popularity for horizontal classified model. Most of the consumer in the Europe are using classified platforms for searching second hand merchandise across a range of categories. Countries such as U.K and Germany have witnessed increased popularity for online classified with vertical business models.In the North America and Latin America regions, the market of online classified is yet to go as a mainstream business. Few of the enterprises in the countries such as the U.S. and Brazil, prefer advertising their product or service on print media as against online digital media.Although overall e-commerce market in Asia-Pacific region is booming, online classified platform market is witnessing moderate growth. In countries such as China and India, the online classified ad penetration is low, primarily due to presence of this platforms in only tier 1 and tier 2 cities.Craigslist Inc., Finn.no, Gumtree (ebay), Quikr India Private Limited (Commonfloor.com), OLX, Inc., Rightmove plc, Backpage.com are some of the key player of global classified platform market.Request for Report TOC :About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA,Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Traumatic Brain Injuries Treatment Market By Treatment Type (Drugs, Surgery), By Route of Administration (Oral, Injectable), By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Drug Stores), Analysis, Demand & Forecast 2027 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Each year traumatic brain injuries (TBI) contribute a substantial number of cases worldwide. TBI can be defined as an injury to the brain resulting from externally inflicted trauma resulting in damage to the brain cells and blood vessels. The signs and symptoms of TBI may appear soon after the head trauma or may sometimes take several days to weeks to appear. TBI can be categorized as mild, moderate and severe brain injury. In case of a mild injury a patient experiences a brief concussion and in rare situations may lead to lasting functional brain changes. However, the risk of developing severe and permanent brain damage increases with the extent and severity of the traumatic brain injury and the level of unconsciousness. Depending up on the location of the injury, TBI can lead to dementia along with memory, lack of concentration, problems related with speech and eating, lack of coordination and walking problems are often associated with moderate to severe brain injuries. As estimated by Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) every day 138 people in the U.S. die from TBI. According to the CDC 2010 estimates in the U.S. approximately 2.5 million emergency department visits and hospitalization were associated with TBI cases (either alone or in combination with other injuries). Falls are leading cause of hospitalization in patients with TBI followed by accidents including motor, vehicle traffic injuries.Mild traumatic brain injuries do not require treatment other than over the counter pain relievers and the patient with mild traumatic injury need not to be monitored in hospital. However for treatment of severe TBI several medications indicated includes several diuretics, anti- seizure drugs, comma inducing drugs etc. However, in case of severe TBI surgery and rehabilitation is required. The traumatic brain injuries treatment market is expected to witness higher growth over the forecast period owing to introduction of several new therapies. Increasing number of manufacturers are developing new medications for the treatment of TBI and large number of clinical trials are conducted in order to better understand the etiology of the condition.Traumatic Brain Injuries Treatment Market: Drivers & RestraintsExtensive R&D by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) scientists in order to study various biomarkers of brain imaging, bio fluid and physical indicators such as eye tracking and electroencephalography holds immense potential as diagnostic techniques for detection of TBI. This is expected to change the treatment pattern of TBI in patients with severe brain injuries. Apart from this a large number of clinical trials are conducted worldwide in order to develop effective therapies for TBI have proven to be opportunistic for the market growth of TBI treatment in the near future. Furthermore rising incidence of falls cases along with accidental cases are expected to be the leading accelerating factors for market growth of TBI treatment market globally. The expected entry of some molecular targeted therapies such as BHR-100, a progesterone drug being developed by BHR Pharma, LLC, rhuEpo, a recombinant human erythropoietin are expected to brace the TBI treatment market growth over the forecast period. However, factors such as low societal awareness, delayed diagnosis and low government funding in TBI treatment research are expected to hamper the TBI treatment market growth in the future.Traumatic Brain Injuries Treatment Market: SegmentationTraumatic Brain Injuries Treatment marketis segmented by treatment type, route of administration, end user and geography:By Treatment TypeDrugsAnalgesicsAnti-Anxiety AgentsAnti-CoagulantsAnti-ConvulsantsAnti-DepressantsAnti-PsychoticsOthersSurgeryBy Route Of AdministrationOralInjectableBy Distribution ChannelHospital PharmaciesDrug StoresIndependent PharmaciesTraumatic Brain Injuries Treatment Market: OverviewThe traumatic brain injury treatment market is expected to increase at an alarming rate among childrens and adults over the forecast period. In childrens, few outcomes of TBI may not be encountered at an initial stage of but can emerge in later developmental stages of his/her life which may lead to chronic behavior problems and social isolation. Better understanding of the injury mechanisms and its effect on sub-populations is required in order to manage the TBI. Growing number of falling cases and accidental cases worldwide are expected to drive revenue growth of TBI treatment in the near future.Traumatic Brain Injuries Treatment Market: Region-wise OutlookOn the basis of region presence, traumatic brain injuries treatment market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and Asia pacific excluding japan, Japan, Middle East and Africa. The incidence of TBI is higher in regions such as Asia Pacific, North America and Western Europe. TBI is the major cause of mortality accounting for 30% of all death related injuries in the U.S. Presence of several pipeline therapies in treatment of TBI is expected to be the biggest driver in global TBI treatment market. Cognosci, a privately held U.S. start-up is developing a novel therapeutic compound, COG1410, for the treatment of TBI which is expected to launch in the coming years.Traumatic Brain Injuries Treatment Market: Key PlayersSome of the key market players in the traumatic brain injuries treatment market are, Zimmer Biomet, Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Oxygen Biotherapeutics Inc, TEVA Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Ischemic, Grace Laboratories LLC. Several key players developing therapeutics for TBI treatment include, Cognosci, Medicortex, Amarantus BioScience Holdings, Aldagen, NeuroScience Pharmaceuticals and Targacept.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centres in the U.S. and India.FMIs research and consulting services help businesses around the globe navigate the challenges in a rapidly evolving marketplace with confidence and clarity. Our customised and syndicated market research reports deliver actionable insights that drive sustainable growth. We continuously track emerging trends and events in a broad range of end industries to ensure our clients prepare for the evolving needs of their consumers.Future Market InsightsU.S. Office616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWeb: Rail Market 2018 Overview by Major Players: EVRAZ, ArcelorMittal, Tata Steel, NSSMC, Voestalpine, SAIL, JFE Steel, Mechel, ThyssenKrupp, Atlantic Track Rail Market http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/2335277?utm_source=Dipali http://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/global-rail-market-report-2018?utm_source=Dipali http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buying/2335277?utm_source=Dipali with the slowdown in world economic growth, the Rail industry has also suffered a certain impact, but still maintained a relatively optimistic growth, the past four years, Rail market size to maintain the average annual growth rate of XXX from XXX million $ in 2014 to XXX million $ in 2017, Research analysts believe that in the next few years, Rail market size will be further expanded, we expect that by 2022, The market size of the Rail will reach XXX million $.Get PDF sample copy of Global Rail Market Report at:Every market intelligence report is based on certain important parameters. It includes a meticulous analysis of market trends, market shares and revenue growth patterns and the volume and value of the market. Market studies are based on methodical researches. This report on Global Rail Market is also based on a meticulously structured methodology. These methods help to analyze markets on the basis of thorough research and analysis.Generally, research includes information about manufacturers, vendors, products, consumers, research papers and more. The analysis part mostly includes qualitative and quantitative analysis of markets like business models, market forecasts, market segmentations and other aspects that help in analysis. Every market research study gives specified importance to manufacturers dwelling in that market. A detailed analysis of manufacturers or key players is essential for anyone seeking to jumpstart business in any market.Competitive analysis or competitor study includes detailed information of manufacturers business models, strategies, revenue growth and all the data required that would benefit the person conducting the market research. For new investors and business initiatives market research is a must as it gives them a direction and a plan of action to move forward keeping in mind their competitors.Major companies discussed in the report include:EVRAZArcelorMittalTata SteelNSSMCVoestalpineSAILJFE SteelMechelThyssenKruppAtlantic TrackArriumGetzner WerkstoffeHarmer SteelRailOneAnsteelBaoTou SteelHesteelWuhan Iron and SteelHebei YongyangHangzhou Iron and SteelXilin Iron and SteelAccess complete Global Rail Market Report at:Rail Market segmentation is also an important aspect of any market research report. Market segmentation is mostly based on demography, geography and behavior. It helps understand the consumers and their demands and behavior towards a particular product or market. Another important aspect covered in any market research report and is also a part of market segmentation is the regional study of the market. This section focusses on the regions with significant advancements in a particular market.The Segmentation Types included in the report are:Product Type SegmentationHeavy RailLight RailIndustry SegmentationTrain RailGantry Crane's RailTemporary TransportChannel (Direct Sales, Distributor) SegmentationRegional analysis of any market can give a detailed overview of regions which have more business opportunities, revenue generation potential and a forecast of next few years. For any new business establishment or business looking to upgrade and make impactful changes in their businesses, this particular section in a market report is very important. In this Global Rail Market report, the region highlighted the most is North America. For many markets this region is of extreme importance.This report gives detailed information of market size and price of this region and other important regions likeFollowing regions are covered in Global Rail Market Industry report:North America Country (United States, Canada)South AmericaAsia Country (China, Japan, India, Korea)Europe Country (Germany, UK, France, Italy)Other Country (Middle East, Africa, GCC)The report on Global Rail Market is a comprehensive documentation that covers all the aspects of a market study and provides a concise conclusion to its readers.Enquire for more details of Global Rail Market Report at:About Us:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clientsContact Us:Hector CostelloSenior Manager Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas - 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +912064101019 Peyronies Disease Treatment Market to Rear Excessive Growth With Key Players Endo International,Xiaflex,Xiapex Peyronie?s Disease https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/61 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/61 A penile prosthetic device is another good treatment option for Peyronie's disease and moderate-to-severe ED. This device helps straighten the penis. Surgical procedure on the other hand involves grafting the space being emptied on removal of the plaque."With Xiaflex the only FDA approved product for this disease, Endo dominates the market"The market is dominated by a single player, Endo International plc who sells the only FDA approved Peyronies disease product. In May 2015, the American Urological Association presented the first ever treatment guidelines for Peyronies disease recommending the use of Xiaflex. Furthermore, the company is creating awareness through its Ask About the Curve campaign. Also, reimbursement from the U.S. insurance providers will boost the demand for this product. The product is estimated to generate USD 100 million in revenue for Peyronies disease by 2018. In Japan, BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. has granted Asahi Kasei Pharma the rights to develop and market XIAFLEX in Japan for Peyronie's disease. Further, the company is also partnering with global companies in Canada, Europe, Mexico, and Brazil for commercializing XIAFLEX for PD.Get The Holistic SAMPLE Of This Business Report:With increasing awareness and research on this disease, new drug molecules could be made available in the market.The exact cause of plaque formation is not known. Hence, treatment is done with the available research and knowledge of plaque formation. There are various treatment options followed for Peyronie disease basis on which the market is analyzed. These include drugs, surgery and devices. The drugs market can be analyzed based on the administration route i.e. oral and injectable. On the other hand injectables show some positive outcomes over placebo. However, more studies are required to establish the efficacy. Studies with collagenase have shown positive outcomes for its use in Peyronie's disease.Drugs prescribe through oral route include Vitamin E, Potassium amino-benzoate ("Potaba"), Tamoxifen, Colchicine, and Carnitine. Similarly, the injectable drugs include Verapamil, Interferon, and Collagenase. Use of oral drugs is limited as none of the studies conducted so far for Peyroniees disease have shown positive results of these drugs over the placebo. Therefore, Xiaflex (Collagenase clostridium histolyticum) from BioSpecifics Technologies Corporation is the only FDA approved product indicated for Peyronie's disease in adult men. Approved in 2013, Xiaflex is marketed in the U.S. by Endo International plc. In Europe, Collagenase clostridium histolyticum is available by the brand name Xiapex.Peyronies disease is a rare condition observed in about 6 out of 100 men in the age group of 40 to 70 years. Moreover, the Urology Care Foundation also estimates that the number of people affected by this condition can be higher than this as many men are embarrassed and do not see their healthcare provider. It is mostly at times when the men visit the healthcare practitioner for erectile dysfunction treatment and the healthcare practitioner may notice Peyronies disease. Lack of awareness among patients has resulted in under reporting of this condition."With Xiaflex the only FDA approved product for this disease, Endo dominates the market"Download the PDF brochure:About Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr.ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email:sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Market 2018 Analysis by Major Players: Honda, Hyundai, Toyota Mirai, SAIC, Yutong, Foton Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/2345092?utm_source=Dipali http://www.orbisresearch.com/reports/index/global-fuel-cell-electric-vehicles-market-report-2018?utm_source=Dipali http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buying/2345092?utm_source=Dipali with the slowdown in world economic growth, the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles industry has also suffered a certain impact, but still maintained a relatively optimistic growth, the past four years, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles market size to maintain the average annual growth rate of XXX from XXX million $ in 2014 to XXX million $ in 2017, Research analysts believe that in the next few years, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles market size will be further expanded, we expect that by 2022, The market size of the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles will reach XXX million $.Get PDF sample copy of Global Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Market Report at:Every market intelligence report is based on certain important parameters. It includes a meticulous analysis of market trends, market shares and revenue growth patterns and the volume and value of the market. Market studies are based on methodical researches. This report on Global Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Market is also based on a meticulously structured methodology. These methods help to analyze markets on the basis of thorough research and analysis.Generally, research includes information about manufacturers, vendors, products, consumers, research papers and more. The analysis part mostly includes qualitative and quantitative analysis of markets like business models, market forecasts, market segmentations and other aspects that help in analysis. Every market research study gives specified importance to manufacturers dwelling in that market. A detailed analysis of manufacturers or key players is essential for anyone seeking to jumpstart business in any market.Competitive analysis or competitor study includes detailed information of manufacturers business models, strategies, revenue growth and all the data required that would benefit the person conducting the market research. For new investors and business initiatives market research is a must as it gives them a direction and a plan of action to move forward keeping in mind their competitors.Major companies discussed in the report include:HondaHyundaiToyota MiraiSAICYutongFotonAccess complete Global Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Market Report at:Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Market segmentation is also an important aspect of any market research report. Market segmentation is mostly based on demography, geography and behavior. It helps understand the consumers and their demands and behavior towards a particular product or market. Another important aspect covered in any market research report and is also a part of market segmentation is the regional study of the market. This section focusses on the regions with significant advancements in a particular market.The Segmentation Types included in the report are:Product Type SegmentationPassenger VehiclesCommercial VehiclesIndustry SegmentationFor Public leaseFor SalesChannel (Direct Sales, Distributor) SegmentationRegional analysis of any market can give a detailed overview of regions which have more business opportunities, revenue generation potential and a forecast of next few years. For any new business establishment or business looking to upgrade and make impactful changes in their businesses, this particular section in a market report is very important. In this Global Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Market report, the region highlighted the most is North America. For many markets this region is of extreme importance.This report gives detailed information of market size and price of this region and other important regions likeFollowing regions are covered in Global Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Market Industry report:North America Country (United States, Canada)South AmericaAsia Country (China, Japan, India, Korea)Europe Country (Germany, UK, France, Italy)Other Country (Middle East, Africa, GCC)The report on Global Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Market is a comprehensive documentation that covers all the aspects of a market study and provides a concise conclusion to its readers.Enquire for more details of Global Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles Market Report at:About Us:Orbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clientsContact Us:Hector CostelloSenior Manager Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas - 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +912064101019 New Report on Security Ink Market Insights and Future Forecast to 2022 | Worldwide Top Key Manufacturers SICPA, Sun Chemical, Microtrace, CTI, Gleitsmann Security Inks, Collins, Cronite, Villiger, Kodak, Godo, Shojudo Security Ink Market https://www.businessindustryreports.com/sample-request/95514 https://www.businessindustryreports.com/buy-now/95514/single https://www.businessindustryreports.com/check-discount/95514 Global Security Ink 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 Security Ink Market Overview:The report spread across 102 pages is an overview of the Global Security Ink Market Report 2018. The Global Security Ink Market is projected to grow at a healthy growth rate from 2018 to 2025 according to new research. The study focuses on market trends, leading players, supply chain trends, technological innovations, key developments, and future strategies. The thorough analysis in this report enables investors, CEOs, traders and suppliers to understand the market in a better way and based on that knowledge make well-informed decisions.Available Exclusive Sample Copy of this Report @This report studies the Global Breast Imaging Devices Market over the forecast period of 2018 to 2022. The Global Breast Imaging Devices Market is expected to grow at an impressive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) from 2018 to 2022. Security inks are used extensively to protect and authenticate important documents. These forms of inks are primarily employed in government documents in order to keep a check on their authenticity. Of late, security inks have been employed in the printing of lottery tickets, gift vouchers, and event tickets.The Security Inks are compatible with letterpress, offset, intaglio, flexographic, numbering, and silk screen printing methods. The market researchers are striving to develop security inks that are invisible in ambient and UV light, but can be read with the help of a fluorescence microplate reader. Security inks usually comprise fluorescent pigments, which tend to change their color once the angle is changed. A government or legal document has a peculiar color scheme; based on the change in color, one can identify whether the document has been tempered or not.The Global Security Ink Market report also covers segment data, including: Type segment, Industry segment, Channel segment etc. cover different segment market size, both volume and value. Also cover different industries clients information, which is very important for the manufacturers.A complete analysis of the competitive landscape of the Global Security Ink Market is provided in the report. This section includes company profiles of market key players. The profiles include contact information, gross, capacity, product details of each firm, price, and cost. This report investigates new project feasibility with a purpose of enlightening new entrants about the possibilities in this market. In this report, thorough SWOT analysis & investment analysis is provided which forecasts imminent opportunities for the Security Ink Market players.Purchase this report online with 102 Pages, List of Tables & Figures and in-depth Table of Contents on Global Security Ink Market Report 2018 @Major Key Players:1 SICPA2 Sun Chemical3 Microtrace4 CTI5 Gleitsmann Security Inks6 Collins7 Cronite8 Villiger9 Gans10 Kodak11 Godo12 Shojudo and More..Geographically, this report studies the top producers and consumers, focuses on product capacity, production, value, consumption, market share and growth opportunity in these key regions, covering: North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India and Other Regions (India, Southeast Asia, Central & South America and Middle East & Africa)Grab Your Report at an Impressive Discount @This study answers to the below key questions:1 What will the market size be in 2025 and what will the growth rate be?2 What are the key market trends?3 What 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 Security Ink Market.Major Points in Table of Contents:Global Security Ink Market Report 20181 Security Ink Market Overview2 Global Security Ink Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Security Ink Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2013-2018)4 Global Security Ink Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2013-2018)5 Global Security Ink Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Security Ink Market Analysis by Application7 Global Security Ink Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Security Ink Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Security Ink Market Forecast (2018-2022)13 Research Findings and Conclusion14 AppendixAbout 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 Wellness Supplements Market Impact of Existing and Emerging Flexible Trends and Top Key Players (Abbott, Nestle, Archer Daniels Midland, Amway, Glanbia, Otsuka Holdings, Herbalife, GNC Holdings) | Global Forecasts 2018 2022 Wellness Supplements Market https://www.businessindustryreports.com/sample-request/114604 https://www.businessindustryreports.com/buy-now/114604/single https://www.businessindustryreports.com/check-discount/114604 Global Wellness Supplements 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 Wellness Supplements Market Overview:The report spread across 125 pages is an overview of the Global Wellness Supplements Market Report 2018. The Global Wellness Supplements 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 @This report studies the Global Wellness Supplements Market over the forecast period of 2018 to 2022. The Global Wellness Supplements Market is growing continuously and expected to grow healthy CAGR by Forecast year 2022. The growth of this market is mainly driven by factors such as rising geriatric population, growing prevalence of chronic diseases, rising awareness about benefits of wellness supplements, rising healthcare costs, and shift of consumers from care to preventive health.The Global Wellness Supplements Market is segmented on the basis of Products and Region. On the basis of Products, the Wellness Supplements Market is segmented into dietary supplements, functional / fortified food & beverages, food intolerance products and dermo-cosmetic essentials. The dietary supplements segment is expected to account for the largest share of the Wellness Supplements Market, by product, in 2015. Factors driving growth in this segment are increasing geriatric population, growing incidence of chronic diseases and increasing focus of consumers towards healthy lifestyles.According to the regional analysis, North America is expected to dominate the market in 2015, followed by Europe. Factors such as rising aging population, growing cognizance and acceptance of wellness products, increasing disposable income levels, increasing focus towards healthy lifestyles, expansion of wellness supplement companies in these regions are likely to propel growth of this market.Purchase this report online with 125 Pages, List of Tables & Figures and in-depth Table of Contents on Global Wellness Supplements Market Report 2018 @Major Key Players:1 Abbott2 Nestle3 Archer Daniels Midland4 Amway5 Glanbia6 Otsuka Holdings7 Nbty8 Herbalife9 GNC Holdings10 NU Skin EnterprisesMarket 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?The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies.Major Points in Table of Contents:Global Wellness Supplements Market Report 20181 Wellness Supplements Product Definition2 Global Wellness Supplements Market Manufacturer Share and Market Overview3 Manufacturer Wellness Supplements Business Introduction4 Global Wellness Supplements Market Segmentation (Region Level)5 Global Wellness Supplements Market Segmentation (Product Type Level)6 Global Wellness Supplements Market Segmentation (Industry Level)7 Global Wellness Supplements Market Segmentation (Channel Level)8 Wellness Supplements Market Forecast 2018-20229 Wellness Supplements Segmentation Product Type10 Wellness Supplements Segmentation Industry11 Wellness Supplements 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 Bioelectric Medicine Market Expanding Rapidly With Key Vendors Medtronic PLC, Sonava, Boston Scientific Corporation, St Jude Medical, Liva Nova PLC, Biotronic, Nevro Corp https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/1757 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/1757 Bioelectric medicine is a new and innovative approach to diagnose and treat injuries and diseases. All major organs of the body are connected to the nerves, which allows the brain to monitor and regulate the functions of the organs. Bioelectric medicine refers to the usage of a device to modulate and read the electrical activity within the bodys nervous systems. Nerve blocking devices or nerve stimulating devices that are held against the skin or implanted on a nerve have the potential to regulate specific nerve activity, make specific changes in organ function, and also restore health, without much complicated side effects of pharmaceutical agents. Bioelectric medicine technology is used to record, block, and stimulate neural signals to change the way diseases and injuries are treated. It is also used for the treatment of conditions such as cancer, paralysis, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes. Electroceuticals are alternatives to drug based remedies.Get PDF Brochure of Research Report :Mergers and acquisitions, advancements in technology, and innovations such as non-invasive devices in the field of bioelectric medicines are the major factors driving growth of the bioelectric medicine market. For instance, in 2016, GlaxoSmithKline Plc. (GSK) merged with Googles parent company Alphabet to set up a new bioelectric company called Galvani Bioelectronics, which will benefit over 2 billion people who are suffering from chronic diseases. GSK invested around US$ 615 million for the development of Galvani Bioelectronics. In 2015, Synapse Electroceutical Technology, a UK-based company launched a new product Accel-Heal, which is a non-invasive class 2A medical device. The device also promotes healing of leg ulcers by using electrical energy. Accel-Heal delivers a sequence of low level, pre-programmed and sub sensory electrical energy through surface of the skin.Synapse Electroceutical Technology has a product for venous leg ulcer management in the pipeline, which is expected to fuel growth of the bioelectric medicine market over the forecast period. Other factors that boost growth of the bioelectric medicine market include increasing number of diseases in geriatric population such as cardiac arrhythmias, Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease, epilepsy, and depression, and rise in chronic diseases such as neurological and cardiac disorders. According to a study conducted by Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care in 2017, four major chronic diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases were the major cause for 82% deaths in India. According to a study conducted by World Health Organization (WHO) in 2017, non-communicable diseases are expected to contribute to death of 52 million people by 2030 globally.Bioelectric Medicine Market Regional Analysis:Europe is expected to witness significant growth in the global bioelectric medicine market due to mergers and acquisitions and advancements in R&D. For instance, in 2015, GSK had over 50 research collaborations in the field of bioelectric medicine. In 2013, GSK invested in a start-up company called Set Point, who is involved in the development of implantable devices that would stimulate the vagus nerve in the neck with electrical impulses. North America is also expected to witness significant growth in the bioelectric medicine market due to advancements in research and development. Asia Pacific is also expected to exhibit significant growth in the bioelectric medicine market, owing to the rising number of people diagnosed with chronic diseases.Bioelectric Medicine Market Key Players:Key players operating in the global bioelectric medicine market include Medtronic PLC, Sonava, Boston Scientific Corporation, St Jude Medical, Liva Nova PLC, Biotronic, Second Sight Medical Products, Nevro Corp, and Electrocare among others.Request For Customization Of This Report :Bioelectric Medicine Market Taxonomy:The global bioelectric medicine market is segmented on the basis of products, product type, application, and region.By ProductsCardiac PacemakersCochlear ImplantsImplantable Cardioverter DefibrillatorsSpinal cord StimulatorsRetinal ImplantsVagus Nerve StimulatorsSacral Nerve StimulatorsDeep brain StimulatorsTranscutaneous Electrical Nerve StimulatorsOthersBy Product TypeImplantable Electroceutical DevicesNon-Invasive Electroceutical DevicesBy ApplicationPain ManagementDepressionEpilepsyArrhythmiaTremorParkinsons DiseaseSensorineural Hearing LossOthersBy RegionNorth AmericaEuropeLatin AmericaAsia PacificMiddle EastAfricaAbout Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave, #3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +12067016702Email: sales@coherentmarketinsights.com Digital Oilfield Solutions Global Market 2018: Key Players Baker Hughes Inc., CGG S.A., DIGI International Inc., Halliburton Company, Honeywell International Inc., IHS Inc. https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1306516-digital-oilfield-solutions-global-market-outlook-2016-2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/1306516-digital-oilfield-solutions-global-market-outlook-2016-2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=1306516 https://www.wiseguyreports.com Digital Oilfield Solutions IndustryDescriptionWiseguyreports.Com Adds Digital Oilfield Solutions -Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities and Analysis of Top Key Player Forecast To 2022 To Its Research DatabaseAccording to Stratistics MRC, the Global Digital Oilfield Solutions market is expected to grow from $28.31 billion in 2016 to reach $40.61 billion by 2022 with a CAGR of 6.1%. Growing exploration & production activities, increasing demand to minimize production costs, and raising safety concerns are some of the factors fueling the market growth. In addition, recent technological developments in oilfield solutions are bolstering the market growth. However, fluctuating oil prices, low adoption of new technologies are limiting the market growth.Automation & Instrumentation segment is expected to witness a highest growth rate during the forecast period due to limited human capital in industry and optimize the costs of automated oilfield process. Middle East is one of the key markets for digital oilfield solutions. North America region has a significant share in the overall global market and is anticipated to provide lucrative growth opportunities for the market in the next few years. Asia Pacific region is expected to be the fastest growing region, with the industrialization & expansion of oil & gas industry.Some of the key players in global digital oilfield solutions market includeBaker Hughes Inc., CGG S.A., DIGI International Inc., Halliburton Company, Honeywell International Inc., IHS Inc., Katalyst Data Management, Kongsberg Gruppen Asa, National Oilwell Varco, Inc., Ovation Data Services, Inc., Paradigm Limited, Pointcross Inc., Rockwell Automation, Inc., Schlumberger Ltd., Siemens AG, and Weatherford International PLC.Request for Sample Report @Technologies Covered: Information technology Automation & Instrumentation technologyo Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA)o Programmable Logical Controller (PLC)o Distributed Control System (DCS)o Other TechnologiesProcess Covered: Drilling optimization Production optimization Reservoir optimization Other Processo Predictive Maintenanceo Asset ManagementRegions Covered: North Americao USo Canadao Mexico Europeo Germanyo Franceo Italyo UKo Spaino Rest of Europe Asia Pacifico Japano Chinao Indiao Australiao New Zealando Rest of Asia Pacific Rest of the Worldo Middle Easto Brazilo Argentinao South Africao EgyptWhat our report offers:- Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments- Market share analysis of the top industry players- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants- Market forecasts for a minimum of 6 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsLeave a Query @Table of Content1 Executive Summary2 Preface2.1 Abstract2.2 Stake Holders2.3 Research Scope2.4 Research Methodology2.4.1 Data Mining2.4.2 Data Analysis2.4.3 Data Validation2.4.4 Research Approach2.5 Research Sources2.5.1 Primary Research Sources2.5.2 Secondary Research Sources2.5.3 Assumptions3 Market Trend Analysis3.1 Introduction3.2 Drivers3.3 Restraints3.4 Opportunities3.5 Threats3.6 Technology Analysis3.7 Emerging Markets3.8 Futuristic Market Scenario4 Porters Five Force Analysis4.1 Bargaining power of suppliers4.2 Bargaining power of buyers4.3 Threat of substitutes4.4 Threat of new entrants4.5 Competitive rivalry5 Global Digital Oilfield Solutions Market, By Technology5.1 Introduction5.2 Information technology5.3 Automation & Instrumentation technology5.3.1 Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA)5.3.2 Programmable Logical Controller (PLC)5.3.3 Distributed Control System (DCS)5.3.4 Other Technologies5.3.4.1 Safety Systems5.3.4.2 Sensors6 Global Digital Oilfield Solutions Market, By Process6.1 Introduction6.2 Drilling optimization6.3 Production optimization6.4 Reservoir optimization6.5 Other Process6.5.1 Predictive Maintenance6.5.2 Asset ManagementBuy Now @Continued...Contact Us: Sales@Wiseguyreports.Com Ph: +1-646-845-9349 (Us) Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (Uk)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: Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt Ltd Pune 411028 Maharashtra, Global Ph: +91 841 198 5042 World Hemoglobinopathies Market Analysis and In-depth Research on Market Size, Trends, Emerging Growth Factors and Regional Forecasts to 2023 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-toc-and-sample/487 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/487 https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/hemoglobinopathies-market www.alliedmarketresearch.com Hemoglobinopathy is a genetic disorder that causes structural abnormalities in hemoglobin molecules, particularly defective globin chains. Hemoglobinopathies are inherited single-gene disorders of which sickle cell disease is the most common kind. There is a high prevalence of Hemoglobinopathies in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean basin.If left untreated, critical cases of hemoglobinopathies lead to anemia, organ dysfunction or death. Gel electrophoresis and complete blood count are used as diagnostic tests to determine the presence of hemoglobinopathies. The disease does not have a permanent cure; this has resulted in a growing demand for new product innovations in the pharmaceutical sector.Get sample copy of this report at:Additionally, the high prevalence of the disease and the national control program are driving the need for drug therapy in developing economies. Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Gamilda Cell, Sangamo Biosciences, Cancer Therapeutics CRC Pty Ltd and Biogen Idec are some of the key players in this market. These companies have invested huge sums of money in research and development of hemoglobinopathies to develop a permanent cure for this disease. NiCord, ZFP and ALN-TMP are some of the current products available in the market. Companies have adopted the strategy of collaboration and licensing to supplement their research activities.Global hemoglobinopathies market is segmented on the basis therapeutics and geography. The therapeutic segment includes various drugs such as NiCord, ZFP Transcription Factors, ALN-TMP, Drug Targeting PRMT5 and Drug Targeting Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 5. ALN-TMP is a subcutaneous RNAi therapeutic that targets Tmprss6 and is used in the treatment of -thalassemia. NiCord, based on the novel NAM technology, is a potential solution for a number of diseases such as thalassemia, sickle cell disease, hematological malignancies, severe rare genetic metabolic diseases and autoimmune diseases. Geographically, the global hemoglobinopathies market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and LAMEA. Africa is the leading market for these drugs due to the high prevalence of hemoglobinopathies in the region.Get customized copy of this reportKEY BENEFITS: The report provides an overview of the global hemoglobinopathies market, which includes drivers, restraints and opportunities to help professionals better understand market behavior Detailed information regarding R&D activities, pipeline research, partnerships, licensing and collaborations in the global hemoglobinopathies market would be informative for professionals in the corporate sector Pin-point analysis of geographic segments would help stakeholders identify opportunities for growth within the global hemoglobinopathies market Porters Five Forces analysis examines the competitive structure of the global hemoglobinopathies market and would assist market strategists in their decision making processKEY MARKET SEGMENTS :The global hemoglobinopathies market is segmented into two major categories:pipeline therapeutics and geography.MARKET BY PIPELINE THERAPEUTICS NiCord ZFP Transcription Factors ALN-TMP Drug Targeting PRMT5 Drug Targeting Protein Arginine Methyltransferase 5MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY North America Europe Asia-Pacific LAMEAGet full access to this report at:About Us: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:Deep joshi5933 NE Win Sivers Drive#205, Portland, OR 97220United StatesToll Free: +1-800-792-5285UK: +44-845-528-1300Hong Kong: +852-301-84916India (Pune): +91-20-66346060Fax: +1?855?550-5975help@alliedmarketresearch.comWeb: Global Lightning Arrester Market By Top Key Players - ABB (Thomas & Betts), SIEMENS, Hubbell, Cooper, TOSHIBA, MEIDEN (TRIDELTA) and More Lightning Arrester Market https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/1271519/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/1271519/ https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/global-lightning-arrester-market-growth-2018-2023 https://www.marketstudyreport.com https://www.marketstudyreport.com/blog Market Study Report recently introduced new title on 2018-2023 Global Lightning Arrester Market Report from its database. The report provides study with in-depth overview, describing about the Product, Industry Scope and elaborates market outlook and status to 2023.This Lightning Arrester market report speaks about the manufacturing process analyzed thoroughly with respect to four points like Manufacturers, regional analysis, Segment by Type and Segment by Applications and the actual process of whole Lightning Arrester industry.A Lightning Arrester is a device, used on power systems, which contains billions of electronic switches that divert lightning around sensitive equipment and protects them from damage of lightening and switching surges. There are four different classes of arresters, including station class, intermediate class, distribution class and secondary class. Due to the huge capital expenditure in the electric network and infrastructure upgrading process, China is the largest manufacturing bases and consuming region of lighting arresters. After tens of years of absorbing the international mainstream technology, the home-made products are occupying the market and export to other regions.Over the next five years, (Information) projects that Lightning Arrester will register a 1.6% CAGR in terms of revenue, reach US$ 1150 million by 2023, from US$ 1040 million in 2017.Request a Sample this premium Report at:This Report Focusing on Following Key Manufactures By Significant ResearchABB (Thomas & Betts), SIEMENS, Hubbell, Cooper, TOSHIBA, MEIDEN (TRIDELTA), Streamer, Lamco, Shreem, Ensto, GE Grid, Jingguan, China XD, Fushun Electric Porcelain, Hengda ZJ, PG Toshiba (Langfang) Arrester, FVA Electric Apparatus, Silver Star, Yikun ElectricThe Lightning Arrester Report consists of all the basic information regarding the Lightning Arrester market. The all-inclusive report will aid users to understand the market current trends, industry growth drivers, share, analysis, size, production, forecast trends, supply, sales, demands, and many other aspects. The analysis is accomplish using an objective amalgamation of primary and secondary data including contributions from major participants in the market. The global Lightning Arrester report is an essential reserve of data, primarily for the industry administrators.The market for Lightning Arresters has been challenging during the past year, with declining sales to the computer and consumer AV markets, offset by increased demand from the automotive, wireless base station, robotic, machine tool and renewable energy segments. This disparity in demand is causing a shift in global consumption of Lightning Arresters based on configuration, with increases in demand for axial leaded designs for automotive and snap-mount and screw terminal designs for industrial and renewable energy end-use markets. However we note stagnation or weakness in the larger markets for radial leaded and vertical chip capacitors consumed in consumer audio and video imaging equipment and computer and computer peripherals.Segmentation by product type:Below 35 KV35-110 KVAbove 110 KVSegmentation by application:Transmission LineSubstationDistribution LineTotalRequest a Discount of this premium Report at:Key Regions, covers:Americas (United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil)APAC (China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Australia)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Russia, Spain)Middle East & Africa (Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Turkey, GCC Countries)Research objectivesTo study and analyze the global Lightning Arrester consumption (value & volume) by key regions/countries, product type and application, history data from 2013 to 2017, and forecast to 2023.To understand the structure of Lightning Arrester market by identifying its various subsegments.Focuses on the key global Lightning Arrester manufacturers, to define, describe and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in next few years.To analyze the Lightning Arrester with respect to individual growth trends, future prospects, and their contribution to the total market.To share detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (growth potential, opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks).To project the consumption of Lightning Arrester submarkets, with respect to key regions (along with their respective key countries).To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions in the market.To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their growth strategies.To Get Full Access of This Information:About Us:Marketstudyreport.com allows you to manage and control all corporate research purchases to consolidate billing and vendor management. You can eliminate duplicate purchases and customize your content and license management.Contact Us:Market Study Report4 North Main Street,Selbyville, Delaware 19975USAPhone: 1-302-273-0910US Toll Free: 1-866-764-2150Email: sales@marketstudyreport.comWebsite:Blog: Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Market 2018 Size, Shares | Global Industry Revenue by Top Key Companies Steris PLC, 3M Company, Getinge Group, Ecolab Inc. Medical Device Cleaning Equipments http://www.supplydemandmarketresearch.com/home/contact/43482?ref=Sample-and-Brouchure&toccode=SDMRMA43482 http://www.supplydemandmarketresearch.com/home/toc_publisher/43482?code=SDMRMA43482#Report_Highlights http://www.supplydemandmarketresearch.com/ Global Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors. The report also covers import/export data across all major regions covered in this reportThis report presents the worldwide Medical Device Cleaning Equipments market size (value, production and consumption), splits the breakdown (data status 2013-2018 and forecast to 2025), by manufacturers, region, type and application.Request For The Sample Copy:This report includes the estimation of market size for value (million US$) and volume (K Units). Both top-down and bottom-up approaches have been used to estimate and validate the market size of Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Delivery market, to estimate the size of various other dependent submarkets in the overall market. Key players in the market have been identified through secondary research, and their market shares have been determined through primary and secondary research. All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns have been determined using secondary sources and verified primary sources.The Medical Device Cleaning Equipments market was valued at Million US$ in 2017 and is projected to reach Million US$ by 2025, at a CAGR of during the forecast period. In this study, 2017 has been considered as the base year and 2018 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Medical Device Cleaning Equipments.Major Players in Medical Device Cleaning Equipments market are: Steris PLC 3M Company Getinge Group Ecolab Inc. Johnson & Johnson Cantel Medical Corporation Ruhof Corporation Metrex Research, LLC Hartmann Group Integra Lifesciences Holdings Corporation Sklar Surgical Instruments Biotrol Oro Clean Chemie AGMedical Device Cleaning Equipments Breakdown Data by Type Presoak/Pre-cleaning Equipments Manual Cleaning Equipments Automatic Cleaning Equipments Disinfection EquipmentsMedical Device Cleaning Equipments Breakdown Data by Application Surgical Instruments Endoscopes Ultrasound Probes OthersBrowse Complete Report:Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Production by RegionUnited StatesEuropeChinaJapanOther RegionsTable of Contents1 Study Coverage1.1 Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Product1.2 Key Market Segments in This Study1.3 Key Manufacturers Covered1.4 Market by Type1.4.1 Global Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Market Size Growth Rate by Type1.4.2 Presoak/Pre-cleaning Equipments1.4.3 Manual Cleaning Equipments1.4.4 Automatic Cleaning Equipments1.4.5 Disinfection Equipments1.5 Market by Application1.5.1 Global Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Market Size Growth Rate by Application1.5.2 Surgical Instruments1.5.3 Endoscopes1.5.4 Ultrasound Probes1.5.5 Others1.6 Study Objectives1.7 Years Considered2 Executive Summary2.1 Global Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Market Size2.1.1 Global Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Revenue 2013-20252.1.2 Global Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Production 2013-20252.2 Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Growth Rate (CAGR) 2018-20252.3 Analysis of Competitive Landscape2.3.1 Manufacturers Market Concentration Ratio (CR5 and HHI)2.3.2 Key Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Manufacturers2.3.2.1 Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Manufacturing Base Distribution, Headquarters2.3.2.2 Manufacturers Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Product Offered2.3.2.3 Date of Manufacturers Enter into Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Market2.4 Key Trends for Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Markets & Products3 Market Size by Manufacturers3.1 Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Production by Manufacturers3.1.1 Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Production by Manufacturers3.1.2 Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Production Market Share by Manufacturers3.2 Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Revenue by Manufacturers3.2.1 Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Revenue by Manufacturers (2013-2018)3.2.2 Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Revenue Share by Manufacturers (2013-2018)3.3 Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Price by Manufacturers3.4 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion PlansToc Continued!List of Tables and FiguresFigure Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Product PictureTable Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Key Market Segments in This StudyTable Key Manufacturers Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Covered in This StudyTable Global Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Market Size Growth Rate by Type 2018-2025 (K Units) & (Million US$)Figure Global Medical Device Cleaning Equipments Production Market Share 2013-2025Figure Presoak/Pre-cleaning Equipments Product PictureAnd MoreAbout Us:We have a strong network of high powered and experienced global consultants who have about 10+ years of experience in the specific industry to deliver quality research and analysis.Having such an experienced network, our services not only cater to the client who wants the basic reference of market numbers and related high growth areas in the demand side, but also we provide detailed and granular information using which the client can definitely plan the strategies with respect to both supply and demand side.302-20 Misssisauga Valley, Missisauga,L5A 3S1, TorontoContact UsEmail- sales@supplydemandmarketresearch.comWebsite-Phone Number: +1-778-686-7521 Sentenced Tuesday to nearly four years in federal prison for his part in a fraud conspiracy involving Oregon solar energy tax credits, Seattle energy consultant Martin Shain blamed "the harsh glare of a critical media" for his troubles. Shain's conviction stemmed from hiding more than $1 million of income he generated after he bribed an Oregon Department of Energy employee. "The past 3 years have unfolded as a nightmare," Shain, 61, told the court at his sentencing Tuesday. "What began as a few words in a newspaper article unleashed ... unspeakable daily angst." The Oregonian/OregonLive exposed the scam in a 2,600-word investigative report in 2015. The news organization found a state program to encourage solar development by issuing tax credits was riddled with fraud and deception and that Oregon hadn't followed its own rules for issuing the credits. In June, Shain pleaded guilty to two federal charges of tax fraud and conspiracy. In addition to serving 46 months in prison, he must pay $521,000 in restitution. Shain has also pleaded no contest to state charges of forgery, bribery, racketeering and grand theft and is due to be sentenced on those charges next week. Federal sentencing documents indicate his plea agreement with the state calls for 48 months in prison, to run concurrently with his 46-month federal sentence. The Oregon Department of Justice, though, said Tuesday the sentencing range on the state charges could run as long as 60 months -- five years. Those sentencing documents indicate that Shain and Joseph Colello, a former employee of the Oregon Department of Energy who accepted Shain's bribes, schemed to personally enrich themselves by selling these tax credits. Their plot called for Colello to tip off Shain with the names of prospective tax credit buyers and sellers, based on internal Energy Department information. According to the sentencing documents, Colello made it appear Shain had brokered existing deals so Shain could collect a commission on the transaction then kick back some of the commission to Colello. Their plot generated more than $1.3 million in income for Shain, according to his plea deal, which he didn't report on his taxes. Colello has already been sentenced to five years in prison, and must pay $81,000 in restitution, after pleading guilty to accepting $300,000 in bribes from Shain. Federal records indicate Colello is imprisoned in a federal facility in Texas. At Tuesday's sentencing, Shain said he had tried to live his life with "kindness" but allowed he "made mistakes" in the case. "I did the wrong thing," he said. "I didn't pay the taxes owed." Federal Judge Robert E. Jones rejected the notion that Shain was before him for a simple mistake. "It was a criminal act and a knowing criminal act of a substantial magnitude," Jones told him. Still, the judge noted Shain had no prior criminal record and said he believed Shain will be a model for other prisoners at the medium-security federal prison in Sheridan, where Shain will serve his time. "You're essentially a good man who went bad," the judge told Shain. "I wish you well." -- Mike Rogoway | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699 Park Kitchen, the venerable Pearl District restaurant, will cease dinner service on Saturday, October 27, the restaurant announced. The restaurant will remain open for private events. The announcement comes about three weeks after a Multnomah County jury handed chef-owner Scott Dolich the better part of $1 million in fines for six years of tips that were taken and split among kitchen staff, salaried managers and the general manager, plus minimum wage violations and wrongful termination fees. The instances of wage theft took place at both Park Kitchen and its sister restaurant, the now-closed Bent Brick. In 2016, a federal court ruled that the practice of "tip pooling" -- used as a way to balance wages between higher-paid restaurant servers and cooks -- was illegal. That year, Dolich eliminated tipping all together, in a move he said was more fair and responsive to Oregon's rising minimum wage. The Multnomah County case shows that Park Kitchen and Bent Brick management retaliated against at least one employee who complained about the tip pool. The jury awarded Holly Rice $50,000 in non-economic damages. Park Kitchen, which celebrated its 15th anniversary two months ago, had previously been named one of Portland's best restaurants. The restaurant did not appear in the newspaper's 2018 restaurant guide. A similar case, with the same employees, is pending in federal court with a Dec. 3 trial date. -- Michael Russell Not every police agency provides a log of its responses, and few do it with the finesse of the Forest Grove Police Department. Every week, we post the goings on as provided by this community 25 miles west of Portland, not because it's earth-shatteringly important, but because it provides a glimpse into the world of modern small-town policing. During the week, Forest Grove police officers were engaged in more than 466 activities, both reported and self-initiated. Here are some of the highlights: Oct. 12 * A realtor found a person who claimed to be house sitting inside a home being shown to prospective buyers. The individual left before police arrived, but officers located a crowbar and pry marks near a window, as well as some muddy footprints. Police are investigating. * A pickup appeared to be intentionally smashing into a parked van. While the truck was gone when police arrived, officers learned the driver was the ex-boyfriend of the van's owner, and that the driver's young child was in the vehicle when it crashed. While police investigated, the truck's driver returned to the location and was charged with reckless driving and reckless endangering. * A caller reported finding, along the side of the road, a nice pair of trousers that contained a sprinkler part. Police received no reports of stolen parts or pants. Oct. 13 * A caller's laundry and basket were stolen from a shared laundry facility. * A man reported seeing green and red lasers around his house late at night, the type often associated with firearms, possibly emanating from a nearby business. After some discussion, it was suggested the lights could be reflections from a stoplight on the corner. * A caller reported hearing gunshots, but clarified not knowing what gunshots actually sound like. Nearby residents said they didn't hear anything. Oct. 14 * A night shift officer stopped a man for a bicycle violation along Pacific Avenue. The cyclist had an outstanding warrant and arrested. * A group of juveniles were reportedly knocking over trash cans and climbing trees. Officers located a number of children who were just playing. Officers distributed a copious amount of "junior officer" stickers. * A man reported his wife was experiencing a mental health crisis and causing damage to their house. Police found no evidence of mental health crisis and determined the matter was rooted more in the couple's marital problems. Oct. 15 * A domestic cat was shot with a pellet gun in a residential area and survived. Officers are investigating. * A woman attempted to pay at a business with a fake bill. She told police she had gotten the bill from a taco truck, but the details of her story failed to convince officers. She was cited for possession of a forged instrument. * A man reported a friend was texting statements about contemplating suicide. Officers contacted the friend, who was concerned about graduating but had no intention of harming herself. Oct. 16 * A man reported finding metal shavings in his tapioca pudding from a local restaurant. He was directed to the Oregon Health Authority. * A caller reporter that a car full of teenage girls sped up to a park faster than the caller and a few nearby adults approved of, and a verbal argument ensued after the adults counseled the teens about their driving. Police advised all to go their separate ways. * A man called police after an iPhone he was given as payment for a vehicle was determined to be stolen. Oct. 17 * A concerned neighbor called police to ask why a man who moved next door was wearing an ankle monitor. * A caller reported a bright flashing light on a power pole, advising it might be some sort of warning. Officers found nothing concerning at the location. * Police contacted a woman who was seen dancing along the sidewalk and harassing people at a shopping center. She was advised to move along. Oct. 18 * Officers responding to a business alarm discovered the front door had been shattered and a person had entered the business, but was gone when officers arrived. The investigation is continuing. * One driver was cited for failure to obey a stop sign at a crash at Northwest Thatcher and David Hill roads. -- Samantha Swindler @editorswindler / 503-294-4031 sswindler@oregonian.com A Unity Center for Behavioral Health employee claims he has been punished by the center's leaders for his public criticism of the facility's operations. Christopher Lambert filed a civil rights complaint Oct. 10 with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. Lambert was a nurse at Unity when it opened in February 2017. Over the next year and a half, he said he identified and reported issues of patient-on-patient violence, patient-on-staff violence, sexual assault and self-harm by patients. He says in return Unity officials repeatedly placed him on administrative leave, reported him to the state nursing board and eventually forced him to quit. His wife was also fired from Unity and has filed a lawsuit claiming she too was retaliated against for speaking out. The Oregon Health Authority in March launched an investigation of the private, Northeast Portland psychiatric care facility, which is funded by four hospital systems and operated by Legacy Health. Unity is within weeks of losing a key federal certification that would jeopardize its ability to stay in business. Investigators found nursing staff and Legacy leaders allowed patients who are in the most mental distress to hurt themselves, escape the building and hurt each other. Two people have died at Unity since it opened. State inspectors visited Unity last week to evaluate how management has implemented changes the state agency has required. "Unity Center has made significant progress in addressing compliance issues," said Oregon Health Authority spokeswoman Delia Hernandez. However, significant problems remain, and Unity is still on a "termination track" for a federal certification that would strip it of a key funding source. The clock expires Oct. 31 to shape up. Lawsuits and complaint have piled up in the meantime. Lambert has filed two previous workplace complaints -- both being investigated -- about Unity with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. He also reported problems to the Oregon Health Authority. Lambert said he started to identify and report his concerns about how Legacy decided to structure the facility. He said he worried that placing people in severe psychiatric distress with those who are not would backfire. Lambert worked for Legacy in other buildings for 29 years and never had a disciplinary action before he raised his concerns, he said. He claims co-workers were immediately fired for speaking out, but he still did and was eventually punished for it. Among the problems he cited is that no one made sure patients didn't carry weapons into the clinic, only to find that many did later. He said the acute care unit had a "weapons wall" where a variety of objects patients could use as weapons were taken when confiscated. He also said no safeguards were in place to prevent sexual assaults or violence. Lambert said he was put on paid administrative leave in October 2017 by Unity officials during a federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation. He alleges they did so to make sure Lambert couldn't talk to investigators about problems he had pointed out to management. He also said he was wrongfully punished for using excessive force on a patient. He admitted he helped hold a patient on the floor, but said it was an authorized hold he used and the patient was violent enough to warrant it. Lambert said Unity leaders also filed a complaint with the Oregon Board of Nursing against him for the incident. The board investigates wrongdoing by nurses and can bar nurses from practicing in the state. Since then, Lambert quit his job. "I continue to fear retaliation by Unity," Lambert wrote in his civil rights claim. Unity issued a statement that said it could not comment on the claims. "Many of the allegations already have been the subject of review by other agencies," the statement said. "As with any investigation, Legacy Health and Unity Center for Behavioral Health will fully cooperate with BOLI." -- Molly Harbarger mharbarger@oregonian.com 503-294-5923 @MollyHarbarger A Bend man fired an AR-15 rifle through the front window of his neighbor's house early Saturday, killing one resident and was later fatally shot by the other when he entered the home and "methodically hunted" the second resident, the Deschutes County District Attorney announced Monday. An investigation is ongoing to try to determine why Tyler Herrick, 31, fired the rifle into his neighbors' home a little before 1:25 a.m. in the 20000 block of Northeast Sierra Drive, killing 33-year-old Kyle Adams. The shooting occurred after Adams awoke some time earlier to Herrick standing in his bedroom without being let into the home and Herrick speaking "unintelligible gibberish" as Adams demanded he leave, according to district attorney John Hummel. Adams then texted roommate Brennan Pebbles, 31, about Herrick being in the home, prompting Pebbles to drive home immediately from work, the district attorney said. Later, the roommates were standing in their living room when the gunfire began. Adams was hit and Pebbles escaped being seriously injured, Hummel said. Pebbles ran upstairs, grabbed his gun and hid in the master bedroom's bathroom. Herrick fired into the front door to get inside and apparently went room to room searching for Pebbles until he entered the bedroom and was shot, according to the district attorney. Pebbles then called 911. Herrick died at the scene. Adams later died at a hospital. "What is clear now is that Pebbles' decision to shoot Herrick was legally authorized and saved his life," Hummel said in a statement. There was no evidence the roommates did anything to provoke the shooting into their home, he said. -- Everton Bailey Jr. ebailey@oregonian.com 503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey A Longview police officer and Cowlitz County Sheriff's deputy remain on paid administrative leave Monday after fatally shooting a man who authorities say fired at them at a Washington mobile home park last week. Weston Cole, 29, was killed after opening fire at law enforcement officers who responded around 2:50 a.m. last Wednesday to the El Patio Mobile Home Park in Longview, according to Longview police. Someone called 911 earlier requesting Cole be removed from the property. Authorities saw Cole had a gun after contacting him, police said. He ran, forced his way into an occupied home and at some point fired at law enforcement, according to police. Officer Tim Deisher, a 22-year Longview police veteran, and Deputy Geary Enbody, a member of the sheriff's office for 3 years, fired at Cole and he died at the scene, both agencies said. No one else was injured. The shooting remains under investigation. -- Everton Bailey Jr. ebailey@oregonian.com 503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey Clackamas County resident Betty Brickson did a double take when her general-election ballot arrived in the mail several days ago. "Sherry Hall's name appeared no fewer than four times in the ballot materials," Brickson said. "It made it seem as if my ballot was nothing more than one of her campaign mailers." Brickson filed a formal complaint via email Monday with the Oregon Secretary of State's office, arguing that Hall, who is running for a fourth term as Clackamas County clerk, is giving herself an unfair advantage over her opponent, Pamela White. Voters in the county will return their ballots in envelopes addressed to Sherry Hall. "She is essentially giving herself the biggest lawn sign in the county by sending materials prepared this way to every registered voter," said Brickson, a 20-year county resident. "I think this is just wrong." State elections officials said they haven't been able to verify yet whether Brickson did, indeed, file a complaint. That's because the electronic-filing method she used is not read in real time. Instead, it goes into a queue, where it will be reviewed and assigned to an elections division staff member in the order in which it was filed. But regardless, officials say, Hall is not violating any Oregon election law by including her name on ballot mailing materials. "It's not against the law for county clerks to have their names on return envelopes," said Debra Royal, chief of staff to Secretary of State Dennis Richardson. "Since voters are returning their ballots to their own county clerk, there's nothing in our statutes that prohibit clerks from including their names on return envelopes." Clerks in surrounding counties do not follow Hall's practice. Election offices in both Washington and Multnomah county, for instance, name only the office, and not the clerk, on their ballot materials. The state of Washington, two years ago, specifically banned elections officials from including their own names on ballot materials if they are running for re-election. Hall's practice of including her name has caught the attention of Clackamas County commissioners for some time, said Jim Bernard, chairman of the county board. "It's obviously unfair," he said. "Name familiarity is the reason most people get elected." He said he will ask other commissioners this week if they have an interest in introducing a bill into the 2019 Oregon legislature outlawing the practice. Hall, who has drawn criticism in the past for some of her office's practices, said there is an easy way to resolve any controversy. "I've followed the law at every step," she said. "But if someone wants to get the law changed, (lawmakers are) in session in Salem next year." Dana Tims Oregon elections officials have closed an investigation into a ballot initiative agreement negotiated by Gov. Kate Brown, Nike and public employee unions, after finding no wrongdoing. Nike approached the governor in late June about keeping the unions' "corporate transparency" initiative off the November ballot. The unions quickly decided to drop the expensive initiative effort, and Nike threw its support behind the campaigns to defeat several conservative ballot initiatives and reelect Kate Brown. The unions' initiative would have required large companies such as Nike to disclose their taxes and other closely held business information in state filings or pay a fine. Elections director Steve Trout sent letters on Oct. 19 notifying the governor, a Nike representative and two public employee union leaders that he was closing the case. The Oregon Department of Justice declined in August to launch a criminal investigation. The complaint did not include evidence of "intimidation, blackmail or extortion," Criminal Justice Division chief counsel Michael Slauson wrote in a letter to the Secretary of State's office. Defend Oregon, the political action committee of the union-backed nonprofit Our Oregon, reported spending $512,000 for the signature-gathering firm FieldWorks to gather signatures to get the corporate transparency initiative on the ballot, according to state campaign finance records. The investigation sprang from complaint filed over the summer by Portland resident Richard Leonetti alleging that the initiative deal was illegal. He alleged the arrangement Brown has said she brokered violated a prohibition in state law against paying to "sell, hinder or delay any part of an initiative, referendum or recall petition." Leonetti's complaint named the governor, Nike's senior director of government and public affairs Julia Brim-Edwards, AFSCME executive director Stacy Chamberlain and SEIU Local 503 president Steven Demarest. Brim-Edwards is also on the Portland Public Schools board. After the DOJ declined to investigate, Oregon election officials pursued their own inquiry. "In order to determine whether any civil or administrative actions would be appropriate, and because DOJ had not investigated the complaint, the Elections Division undertook an investigation," Elections Director Steve Trout wrote in the letters. The investigation involved sending letters to the union officials, governor and Nike asking them to respond to the complaint. Officials also sent a letter seeking more information from the complainant but Leonetti did not respond. After reviewing the responses from the unions, governor and Brim-Edwards stating they did not violate state law, elections officials concluded "there is no indication or reason to believe at this time that these responses are not reliable." Those statements outweighed information provided in the complaint, Trout wrote. The Secretary of State's office declined to immediately provide the parties' responses. -- Hillary Borrud 503-294-4034; @hborrud The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday it intends to pare back its plan to clean up pollution on the Willamette River, after new research found a cancer-causing chemical within the river is not as toxic as previously thought. A 10-mile stretch of the Willamette is deemed by the agency as the Portland Harbor Superfund site due to the industrial waste polluting the riverbank and sediments. The site runs from Portland's Broadway Bridge to the Willamette's confluence with the Columbia River. More than 150 companies and government bodies are responsible for funding the clean-up. The pollution is mostly invisible to the naked eye, but some stretches of riverbank are unsafe to touch. Fish caught within the site can be toxic if eaten. The chemical officials now say is less risky is called benzo(a)pyrene, or BaP, and is commonly created as a residue of burning wood, coal or petroleum. The EPA said it wants to reduce the cleanup area mostly around the Port of Portland's Terminal 4 and NW Natural's Gasco property two of the most polluted parts of the river. Reducing the cleanup area at those properties could shave $35 million off an expected $1 billion cleanup cost, the agency said. Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said the change "ensures that the cleanup plan is current with the latest science to protect people's health and the environment." But one environmental group has concerns. Bob Sallinger, conservation director of the Audubon Society of Portland, said that just because a chemical is less dangerous than previously thought does not necessarily mean it should stay in the Willamette River. He said the EPA's proposal is "a major change" that weakens the clean up plan, which took 16 years to develop. "This does feel like a step backward," Sallinger said. -- Gordon R. Friedman An earlier version of this article misidentified Bob Sallinger as the president of the Audubon Society of Portland. He is its conservation director. Authorities identified the two police officers who exchanged gunfire with a man in Southeast Portland on Friday, shooting him twice. They are Officer Kameron Fender, a nine-year veteran of the Portland Police Bureau and a member of its Tactical Operations Division, and Deputy Jon Campbell, a 12-year veteran of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office. The officers haven't been interviewed yet, police said Monday afternoon. The wounded man remains hospitalized, said Portland police spokesman Sgt. Chris Burley. Police haven't identified him or described his injuries beyond saying that the wounds don't threaten his life. The man fled from officers in a stolen car in a chase that began in Happy Valley in Clackamas County and crossed into Portland, police said. He hasn't been charged in the case. Fender was hospitalized overnight after he was bitten by a Clackamas County police dog brought in to help track the man when he fled. He has not been interviewed for the investigation because of his condition, Burley said. Burley declined to elaborate on the extent of Fender's injuries, citing employee and health-privacy laws. Campbell also hadn't been interviewed Monday afternoon, but Burley said an interview was "pending." Although the Portland Police Bureau policy is to interview officers involved in a shooting with 48 hours, Clackamas County deputies aren't bound by that timeline, Burley said. Police said the shooting occurred after the man crashed the stolen car near Southeast 89th Avenue and Gray Street and fled on foot. A woman who was a passenger in the car remained in her seat. A few blocks away, near Southeast 89th Avenue and Harney Street, police and the man exchanged fire. He was hit twice, Clackamas County Sheriff's Sgt. Brian Jensen said Friday. Fender was one of eight police officers who fired their weapons in an April police shooting in a Southeast Portland homeless shelter. John Andrew Elifritz, a 48-year-old man who burst into the homeless shelter moments earlier with a knife, died of multiple gunshot wounds. -- Elliot Njus The president of the Portland police union is calling on City Council members "to quit sitting on their hands'' and decry the violence disrupting local protests. Police need support to arrest people involved in the vicious brawls, Officer Daryl Turner said in a Facebook post. "The culture of enablement, restriction of enforcement, criticism of police when we act, and criticism of police when we don't act, along with an over-emphasis on de-escalation and disengagement has led us to our present, unacceptable situation," Turner wrote. Turner, who leads the Portland Police Association, posted his message Monday afternoon as the city struggles to respond to demonstrations that dissolve into bloody skirmishes. "Portland has become one of the most politically violent cities in America," he write. "Lawlessness, aggression, and violence have replaced peaceful protests. In a harshly divided nation, we have become a stark example of what happens when fringe groups get exactly what they ask for with their grandstanding attention." Mayor Ted Wheeler, who serves as police commissioner, is seeking council support for an emergency ordinance that would allow the city to restrict the time, location and manner of protests if the groups involved have demonstrated a history of violence. Other city commissioners have expressed reservations, concerned the step could infringe protesters' constitutional rights to freedom of speech and assembly. Police Chief Danielle Outlaw said she supports the mayor's initiative. Assistant Police Chief Ryan Lee recently explained that the bureau responds to criminal behavior during protests. In a recent Saturday night fight between Patriot Prayer and rival antifa demonstrators in the city's downtown, officers moved in about a minute and a half after a fight broke out, Lee said. No arrests were made that night. But the bureau will examine any video surveillance from area businesses and conduct a full investigation to make future arrests, officials said. The chief said the mayor hasn't restricted the police bureau's responses to violent demonstrations. She said sometimes the bureau decides not to intervene to avoid inflaming an already-tense situation. PPA pres Officer Daryl Turner calls on city 'to draw a line in the sand' and make it clear that violence won't be tolerated at protests. Tells City Council 'to quit sitting on their hands,' decry the violence caused by a few and allow police to step in, stop violence w/ arrests. pic.twitter.com/dEakPdY2Ui Maxine Bernstein (@maxoregonian) October 22, 2018 Here's Turner's full post: Line in the Sand Portland has become one of the most politically violent cities in America. Lawlessness, aggression, and violence have replaced peaceful protests. In a harshly divided nation, we have become a stark example of what happens when fringe groups get exactly what they ask for with their grandstanding attention. Our City continues to grapple with the weight of livability issues, the affordable housing crisis, and homelessness without a clear, direct, and comprehensive response from the city and county elected officials. While there is good work being done, they have failed to embrace common sense opportunities like Wapato. We have seen a similar failure with the handling of the recent protests in downtown Portland and the City's proposed policy changes in response to violence at protests. It's time for City Council to quit sitting on their hands and openly and collectively decry the violence and destruction forced upon the many and caused by a few. Our officers and our community face those who believe they can harass, assault, and victimize Portlanders at will with no threat of arrest, indictment, or conviction. Our job as law enforcement is to protect the public and enforce the law. People who endanger or victimize others should be held accountable for their actions. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has provided a simple solution: "The courts have held that the proper response to potential and actual violence is for the government to ensure an adequate police presence, and to arrest those who actually engage in such conduct, rather than to suppress legitimate First Amendment conduct as a prophylactic measure." Let's be clear: police officers work to uphold the Constitution, including the right to free speech. When protests are peaceful, it's our job to ensure that our community can say their piece and say it without fear of violence. But when violence erupts at a protest, it is incumbent on the Police Bureau to step in and stop the violence through arrests. And, in turn, it is incumbent on our criminal justice system to ensure wrongdoers are held accountable for their person and property crimes. Providing adequate resources and support to accomplish that is one of the most important roles of government. The culture of enablement, restriction of enforcement, criticism of police when we act, and criticism of police when we don't act, along with an over-emphasis on de-escalation and disengagement has led us to our present, unacceptable situation. It's time to draw a line in the sand and let people know that unequivocally, there will be no violence accepted in peaceful protests. And our City Council must support our officers when we act to preserve public safety. Daryl Turner, PPA President Two women who say that a masturbating man has twice followed them in Southeast Portland are fighting back, according to a report from KATU News. The women, Bella Castellino and Savanna Wonderwheel, said that they were walking home from Baby Doll Pizza Saturday night around 10 p.m. and were about a half a mile away when they noticed a man "hovering around trying to kill time for us to get near him," according to Wonderwheel. The women described him as a man around 5 feet 11 inches wearing a hoodie. "We could see that his hands were clearly in his pants," Castellino told KATU. The women called the police, who confirmed to KATU that a call of a man masturbating in public on Southeast 28th Avenue near Salmon Street came in Saturday night. Castellino and Wonderwheel are sure this same man has targeted them before, in January of 2017 after they left The Goodfoot, also later in the evening. "We heard heavy breathing behind us and turned around and there he was -- penis out," Wonderwheel told KATU. "Same thing, baggy sweatshirt, stooped over." The women think they may not be the man's only targets and so Castellino created posters and handed them out throughout the neighborhood with the headline: "Serial Creep in our Neighborhood." "I just wrote it as a letter to our neighborhood to let them know what was going on," Castellino told KATU. "I'm hopeful he'll see this and know that we're watching." Sgt. Chris Burley, spokesperson for the Portland Police Bureau told KATU that anyone who has experienced something similar to contact the police, even if the incident happened months ago. Burley told KATU that the serial masturbating could escalate to "maybe something more serious as actual contact with another person." He suggested people travel in groups, stay alert and have phones ready to call 911. -- Lizzy Acker 503-221-8052 lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker WASHINGTON -- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the Trump administration is revoking the visas of some Saudi officials implicated in the death of writer Jamal Khashoggi. Pompeo announced the step at a State Department news conference Tuesday. Vice President Mike Pence said earlier that Khashoggi's death at Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, "will not go without an American response." The visa revocations are the first punitive measures taken by the administration against the Saudis since Khashoggi disappeared after entering the consulate on Oct. 2. Visa records are considered confidential and Pompeo did not say which or how many Saudi officials would have their visas revoked. Saudi authorities have detained 18 people in connection with Khashoggi's death, which officials say was accidental despite Turkish allegations that Khashoggi was intentionally killed. --The Associated Press A winery, coffee shop, pharmacy, and a used car dealer are four of the businesses you'll find in downtown Coleman. Each business has its own challenges and is finding ways to respond to them. The Currant Mist Winery & Tasting Room opened in April 2017 in the historic train depot that sat vacant for a few years after serving as a restaurant. Jerry Coon and his wife, Yulia, are the owners. They grow the raspberries, gooseberries, and red and black currants on their farm south of town. The challenge for the business is getting enough people in the door to sample their product. "People like it, we just need to get more people in," Jerry Coon said. To help grow the business, the Coons are planning to move the tasting room to a building on M-20 in Oil City, south of Coleman, where Coon said the traffic count reaches more than 15,000 vehicles per day compared to the 2,100 on Railway Street in Coleman. They'll keep making wine at the Coleman location. Currant Mist also rents space at the Farmers Markets in Midland, Mount Pleasant, Lansing, and Saginaw to promote their award-winning product. Currant Mist earned three Double Gold Medals in the American Wine Society Competition in 2017, in its first year as a wine maker. Bean Me Up, a coffee shop/bakery, has been operating for five years in another historic building in Coleman, at the corner of Railway and Fourth streets, the main intersection downtown. It began as a bank in 1905 and later housed the library. For the most part, it sat empty after the Coleman Area Library moved to a new building in 2002. The age of the Bean Me Up building created a challenge this year for the owners, Ann Marie Monaghan, and her husband, Tim. The brickwork on the two-story structure needed restoration. A fence was put up to block the sidewalk and windows were boarded up in anticipation of the restoration work but the project was delayed until just recently. To pay for the project, it was suggested that Monaghan start a Go Fund Me internet campaign but she declined, "I want to earn the money. Come buy my product." The bakery brings in about 70 percent of her business. Monaghan's decided to add baked goods to her coffee shop because the only full-service grocery store didn't have its own bakery and has since closed. Bean Me Up's best seller is the cinnamon roll. Monaghan also bakes a variety of breads and muffins. She also offers 10-15 different types of coffee. While business can be a struggle, Monaghan is grateful to the community for its support. "I can't do what Walmart does, but they can't do what I do," she said. A few doors down from Bean Me Up is the Coleman Family Pharmacy, owned by pharmacist Jeffrey Walton since 2005. The pharmacy in Coleman was operating at another location on a side street when Walton purchased the business. Walton decided to buy and renovate the building that once housed the drug store long ago on the main street, Railway. "If you're going to have a small business in a small town, you need to be on the main street," he said. Walton's challenges are the big box chains that offer pharmacy services, insurance companies mandating their customers buy mail order prescriptions, and lower reimbursements from insurers. One of the ways Walton tries to overcome those challenges is by being a compounding pharmacy. That means he can make from scratch personalized medicines for patients. Most medications are mass produced. Walton gave examples of patients who have allergies to lactose, dyes, and corn, ingredients that are found in many medications. Walton has the ability to use other ingredients to make a prescription that best helps a patient. This service has enabled the pharmacy to attract customers from beyond Coleman. On average, Walton said the pharmacy needs to make about $7 to $10 per prescription but sometimes that is reduced to a dollar or two because of lower reimbursements. However, Walton added, " When you're helping people out, there's a reason for being here." Walton also works with area veterinarians on the medications they prescribe for pets and farm animals. C.W. Gordon Sales and Service sits on the northwest end of downtown. A car dealership has been in that location since 1928, first as Bowland Motors and then as C.W. Gordon Chevrolet when C.W. bought the dealership in 1972. One of his sons, Curt, took over in 1995. His challenge happened when the contract to sell new vehicles from General Motors ended in 2009 when GM cut over 1,000 dealerships during the economic downturn and the restructuring of the automotive industry. Gordon now has about 60 used vehicles on the lot, selling about 30 a month, mainly trucks and SUVs. The service department also helps the bottom line, plus Gordon is the only business in town offering a wrecker service. "Things are good actually," Curt Gordon said. Even though GM took away the new car dealership, Gordon still has a staff of 10. "(We) never changed one employee." The Midland County Parks and Recreation Commission will host it second public meeting on next Tuesday, Oct. 30, regarding the master plan for a 117-acre property east of Sanford Lake Road. The meeting will take place at the Swanton Memorial Center, 6460 N. Water Road, Edenville, beginning at 7 p.m. It's unknown exactly how much revenue the $25 million Beaverton Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics expansion will add, but Beaverton City Manager Heath Kaplan said it will provide one heck of a punch to the economy. The plastics manufacturer broke ground on its expansion last month and expects to have the structure completed in December 2019. "We can't give an exact amount," Kaplan said. "We are still calculating it." However, Kaplan said the city waivers between $18 and $19 million in taxable value annually. Saint-Gobain has put in for a $17.1 million industrial fiscal tax exemption. "We are doubling the city's taxable value with one expansion," Kaplan said. Saint-Gobain receives a six-year 50 percent abatement on personal property, which is estimated at $10 million and includes equipment. It also receives a 12-year 50 percent tax abatement on real property. "This is going to have a huge, huge impact," Kaplan said, even with the abatements. However, when the abatements expire, it will add even more of a shot in the arm for the city. Saint-Gobain is the city's largest employer and the expansion will further increase the number of jobs. According to company officials, the manufacturer foresees hiring 60 new employees, adding to the current workforce of about 200. Beaverton Mayor Ray Nau said the company has a reputation for hiring more than they first project and city officials are hoping that is true this time around. The expansion at 3901 Terry Diane St. will add an additional 74,000 square feet for manufacturing space to its existing 61,250 square-foot business. It also proposed adding 13,500 square feet for office space. The expansion will increase development and manufacture capacity for single use systems, the components and assemblies used in the manufacturing of life-saving drugs and vaccines. The plastics company purchased several acres of private property adjacent to the existing complex, some which needed to be annexed into the city from Tobacco Township and consumed an additional five acres in the industrial park. Beaverton city officials recently received a $1.6 million grant to enhance the infrastructure to accommodate the manufacturer's expansion. To learn more about career opportunities at Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics' Beaverton location, visit: https://www.saint-gobain-northamerica.com/careers and type "Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics" into the keyword search bar. The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter John Kennett. Friday, Oct. 19 3 a.m. -- An officer made an arrest for DWLS in the area of Washington Street and East Patrick Road. 4:11 a.m. -- An animal complaint was reported in the 5400 block of Sturgeon Creek Parkway. 5:39 a.m. -- A preliminary breath test was performed in the lobby of the LEC. 9:17 a.m. -- Deputies were dispatched to a Lee Township residence in reference to a suicidal 45-year-old Lee Township woman. The woman was transported to MMMC-Midland ER via EMS where a deputy completed a mental health evaluation. 9:39 a.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to the LEC lobby to speak with a 64-year-old woman regarding a possible fraud. The woman stated that while she was using her computer, an ad popped up stating that her computer was at risk. She clicked on the ad, followed the directions, and later entered her credit card information paying a $199 bill that she was charged. She realized that the ad was a scam, after the program took control of her computer and asked for more money. 10:49 a.m. -- Deputies met with a 55-year-old Edenville Township woman at the LEC. She obtained a mental health pickup order from the Midland County Probate Court for her 57-year-old husband. Deputies met the man at his home and he was taken without incident by deputies to the MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland for treatment. 1 p.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to the LEC to speak with a 57-year-old man regarding a possible fraud. The man said that an unknown individual had charged $944 to his Citibank credit card. He contacted Citibank to report the fraud, and they advised that he needed to make a police report. They refunded him the $944 charge. 1:01 p.m. -- A deputy was dispatched to the LEC to speak with a 68-year-old man regarding a general assist. The 68-year-old man said that his daughter and her ex-boyfriend are going through a child custody battle over their 16-year-old son. He said that after a recent court hearing, the father of his daughter's child threatened to physically harm him. 4:13 p.m. -- Deputies responded to a report of nails in the roadway at the M-30 roundabout at US 10. Jerome and Lincoln township fire departments swept the nails from the roadway upon deputies' arrival. The roadway was then re-opened. 5:28 p.m. -- A 26-year-old Jasper Township man was having issues with a vehicle repair company in Commerce Township. The man dropped a race car off at a Commerce Township business to be fixed and paid money and now is having problems getting a hold of the man fixing the vehicle. He was informed to contact Commerce area police. 5:50 p.m. -- A 34-year-old Hope Township man called to report that his 27-year-old brother-in-law was at his residence and he did not want him there. The 34-year-old drove past his residence and saw him there and kept driving and called 911. The 34-year-old did not want to make contact with his brother in law, so he called 911 and had deputies tell the 27-year-old to leave the residence. The 27-year-old Prudenville man left when asked. 6:21 p.m. --Midland Police received a tip of a stolen firearm at a location in the City of Midland. Officers found the firearm and found that it was stolen out of Lincoln Township. MPD and the deputy found that a 17-year-old man of Lincoln Township stole the firearm from a 73-year-old man of Lincoln Township. A report of the incident was completed and turned over to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office. 6:25 p.m. -- A 37-year-old Jasper Township woman reported that her 49-year-old male neighbor made threatening statements towards her during a dispute over a property line. Both parties were advised and agreed to avoid all contact with each other if they were unable to get along peacefully. The woman requested that the report be sent to the prosecutor's office for possible criminal charges. 6:59 p.m. -- Deputies responded to an ongoing property dispute in Lincoln Township between a 66-year-old Jerome Township man and and a 24-year-old Jerome Township man. 7:17 p.m. -- A Larkin Township woman received text messages from an unknown person that were inappropriate. The matter is under investigation. 9:59 p.m. -- An animal complaint was reported on Abbott Road near Eastlawn Drive. 10:05 p.m. -- A liquor inspection was conducted in the 1700 block of East Ashman Street. 10:22 p.m. -- A deputy responded to a Greendale Township home for a report of a hit and run that occurred in Jasper Township. The vehicle suffered around $100 in damage. There are no suspects at this time. 11:57 p.m. -- Deputies were dispatched to a residence in Lee Township in reference to a disorderly 11-year-old boy. The 38-year-old mother advised that her son was out of control due to mental health issues and was a possible danger to himself and others. The deputy suggested taking the boy to the ER for a mental evaluation. The mother agreed and took her son to the ER for an evaluation. The deputy escorted them to the ER and assisted the mother once there. 11:42 p.m. -- An officer responded to a domestic verbal dispute in the 800 block of Haley Street. 11:43 p.m. -- A liquor inspection was conducted in the 4400 block of North Saginaw Road. An oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has gone unfixed for so long that it could become one of the worst offshore disasters in United States history, as first reported by The Washington Post. Since 2004, when an oil-production platform owned by Taylor Energy collapsed during Hurricane Ivan, between 300 and 700 barrels of oil per day have contaminated the gulf mere miles from the Louisiana coast. Even today, many of the wells have not been capped, and federal officials predict that the spill will continue through the century. If not stopped, the Taylor spill could surpass BPs Deepwater Horizon disaster as the worst our nation has known. As the crude continues to flow into the Gulf, the Trump administration is proposing the largest expansion of oil and gas leases. The plans include growth in the Atlantic coastwhere there has been no drilling in over half a century, and where hurricanes hit twice as often as they do in the Gulf. In 1995, Taylor Energy took over a massive oil-production platform, originally operated by BP. By massive, were talking like 40-stories-tall massive. Then, on Sept. 15, 2004, Hurricane Ivan hit the Gulf with 145 mph winds and waves that topped 70 feet. The Category 4 storm shook the underwater floor, and the platform and barrels of oil stacked on its deck fell with the shifting ground. Taylor Energy reported the spill to the Coast Guard, which monitored the site for more than half a decade without telling the public. Four years after the leak started, in July 2008 documents made available by a lawsuit, the Coast Guard informed the Taylor Energy that the spill was a continuous, unsecured crude oil discharge that posed a significant threat to the environment. Taylor Energy made a deal with federal officials to establish a $666 million trust to stop the spill. The contractors were asked to find the wells through vision-impairing mud and debris, and cap them. Taylor Energy was forbidden from drilling through the mess to avoid striking a pipe or well that would make things even worse, a precaution that slowed the operation. The company spent a fortune plugging a third of the wells and keeping the spill from rising, but the oil continued to leak. Due to the companys efforts to keep the scandal under wraps, the Taylor Energy spill is still largely overlooked outside the state of Louisiana. In fact, the spill was hidden for six years before environmentalists stumbled upon it while monitoring the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster, which occurred a few miles north of the Taylor site in 2010. Under the Oil Pollution Act, companies are obligated to report hazardous spills to the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center (NRC), which maintains a database of chemical pollution. No law requires the companies or the federal government to raise public awareness, but the Clean Water Act calls for public participation in the enforcement of any regulation. Only three years ago, an Associated Press investigation in 2015 determined that the spill was much worse than the company had reported. Taylor Energy had argued that the leak was two gallons per day; the Coast Guard finally said it was 84 gallons or more. But the newest estimate dwarfs that: between 300 and 700 barrels per day. Each barrel contains 42 gallons. Taylor Energy has argued that there is no proof that the wells are leaking; however, last month, the Justice Department submitted an independent analysis showing that the spill was much greater than what the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center (NRC) claimed, using data from the oil company themselves. The federal government still does not know the extent of the spills impact on marine life. No economic analyses have been done to show the value of the oil lost as it flows into the sea. It is currently unclear if the oil is ruining marshland and making its way onto beaches. What we do know is this: For every 1,000 wells in state and federal waters, there is an average of 20 uncontrolled releases of oil, or blowouts, each year. Needless to say, several officials on the Atlantic coast are anxious about Trumps proposal to offer federal offshore leases. As climate change worsens and open waters get warmer, hurricanes are becoming more frequent and dangerous. Beginning with Ivan in 2004, several hurricanes battered or destroyed over 150 platforms in just the four years that followed. Lets talk about whats happening in the Gulf before we move into the Atlantic, demands Chris Eaton, an attorney at Earthjustice, the nations largest nonprofit environmental law organization. You wont get a much neater cause-and-effect story than this: A 49-year-old man named Bruce Alexander was arrested Sunday after groping a fellow passengers breast on a flight from Houston to Albuquerque. When he was detained and questioned by FBI agents, he had this to say, according to an affidavit: the President of the United States says its OK to grab women by their private parts. CBS News has the details: The victim said she felt Alexanders hand move from behind her and grab her right breast, according to the affidavit. She said she fell asleep about 20 minutes into the flight and not long after, she felt him touch her but assumed it was an accident. In a second incident 30 minutes later, she said she felt Alexanders hand grab the back of her arm and grope around her ribs and then her breast. The woman then stood up and told Alexander she did not understand how he could think that was OK and he needed to stop. She then asked a flight attendant to reseat her and was relocated to another section of the plane. According to both the victim and the perpetrator, there was no alcohol or sleep aids involved. Alexander was charged with abusive sexual conduct in federal court on Monday. Technically, Alexander is right in his assertion about Trump, but he failed to understand that its only okaymeaning you can get away with it for decades, if not an entire lifetimeif youre rich and powerful. On Monday, an explosive device was found in the mailbox of philanthropist George Soros New York home. An employee of the residence found the bomb and placed it in a wooded area before alerting the Bedford Police. It was detonated without harm and, after investigation by the FBI, the public was assured there was no need for further concern. The FBI declined to comment more than confirming the device was explosive and the Soros Foundation has chosen to stay quiet on the matter as well, per The Independent. Soros is an extremely wealthy man, as well as a Holocaust survivor. He was a child during World War II, and thats shaped what hes largely known for now: being a liberal philanthropist. Recently, his wealth has flowed into liberal movements in his home country of Hungary, per The Washington Post. There, current Prime Minister Viktor Orban has shifted the government from less liberal ideals towards more nationalistic ones. After coming into power, Orban was able to quickly pass a bill that hindered Soros funding of liberal institutions in Hungary, under the guise of putting a stop to illegal immigration. Hungarian opponents shade Soros as a dark menace, funding causes to destabilize the government and overload the West with immigrants. Hate campaigns range from anti-semitic insults all the way to accusing him of being an undercover Nazi, despite the fact that he was a child at the time. Conspiracists cant even agree on why they hate Soros, let alone find a reason that makes sense. Yet hes the victim of death threats and even insults from President Trump. The theories about Soros involvement in world politics are wide-ranging and ridiculous. During the Kavanaugh hearing, a group of protestors confronted Senator Jeff Flake in an elevator. They aimed to change Flakes mind on voting to confirm the pro-life Supreme Court Justice. Trump, directly afterwards, tweeted that the women were paid protestors, funded by Soros. Some Republicans, such as Congressman Matt Gaetz, believe Soros is funding the migrant caravan on its way to the U.S., per The Independent. Just as with all the other conspiracies, its unfounded. The Washington Post points out that former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani retweeted a post that calls Soros the antichrist. Its the culmination of this hate campaign against George Soros thats more than likely led to the apparent attempt on his life. Trumps wild accusations, along with those of Soros Hungarian opponents, fuel the Republican party and its supporters. Just last week, Trump encouraged the assault of a reporter. This attack is just the most recent iteration of unfounded claims bringing potential harm to innocent people, especially those who oppose the president. Good Tuesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. Outspent and trailing in the polls, Republican governor candidate Scott Wagner has launched a $750,000 television advertising campaign that the York county pol says he hopes will keep him competitive as the race moves into its final days. A trio of spots launched Monday hits on some familiar themes -- and test drives a new one, with varying degrees of success. So why now? In a strategy memo to donors and supporters obtained by PennLive, Wagner's campaign manager, Jason High, says the ads were "deployed at the moment voters are beginning to pay attention to the race and when our ads can have the greatest impact." "Our statewide television plan will continue through election day," High wrote. "So while Governor [Tom] Wolf wasted millions on ads during the last couple of months when there was little interest in the race, we have conserved our resources to be deployed at the moment voters are beginning to pay attention to the race and when our ads can have the greatest impact." Now, $750,000 may sound like a lot - and it is. But it's still a targeted buy. That kind of money buys substantial airtime in smaller Pennsylvania markets. But it's barely a drop in the bucket in the massively expensive Philadelphia market, where politicians in three states (Pa., New Jersey, and Delaware) are contending for viewers' eyeballs. So let's take a look at the ads. And we'll start with that new one first. It finds Wagner clambering aboard the GOP's newly discovered healthcare bandwagon, bragging that the health plan at his company, Penn Waste, "covers pre-existing conditions," and that, if elected, he'll "make sure that every Pennsylvanian has access to good quality health care. You deserve no less." It also claims that Obamacare premiums will rise 30.6 percent "under" Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf. Here's the clip: Now, the analysis: In past public statements, Wagner has been sharply critical of the Affordable Care Act and the initiatives it authorized. In a 2017 tele-town hall, Wagner said that "as a businessman, I very much want to see Obamacare repealed," and he has called for rolling back the Obamacare-authorized Medicaid expansion that provided coverage to hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians. And that claim about the 30.6 percent increase in rates "under Wolf?" That's actually the result of the Trump White House's decision to scrap government subsidies. Here's the relevant section from The Post-Gazette story that Wagner cites in the ad: "Pennsylvania insurers offering Obamacare plans will need to raise premiums an average 30.6 percent in 2018, nearly four times the increase that had been anticipated before President Donald Trump scrapped government subsidies five days ago. The new numbers come from the state Insurance Department, which on Monday released the rate hikes that it had approved after calculating the impact of the president's move." And while Wagner may brag about his company's coverage of pre-existing conditions, the Trump administration, whom Wagner supports, is not pushing back against a Texas lawsuit seeking the dismantle some of Obamacare's most popular provisions. The conclusion: The ad's claims don't hold up under even basic scrutiny. Despite the GOP's late-stage embrace of healthcare, it continues to be a losing issue for them. Polling data shows voters trust Democrats more on this issue. The other two ads are pretty standard fare. In one, Wagner keeps up his criticism of Wolf's early embrace of tax hikes to balance the state budget and to pay for new state spending. "If he wins reelection, he's going to try to raise them again. I am on a mission to protect your paycheck," Wagner warns of Wolf. Here's the clip: The second finds Wagner, who's never been shy about his embrace of President Donald Trump, making a direct appeal to the president's base: One Democratic operative we talked to described Wagner's $750,000 buy as "paltry" as the race heads into its final days. So perhaps it's no surprise that the campaign's internal strategy memo punches up the importance of the ground game and what it hopes are Wolf's weaknesses in the polls. "While the Wolf campaign just began setting up field offices this summer, we heavily invested in a Field Program beginning at the end of 2017," High wrote. "Since then, the Scott Wagner for Governor Field Team has spent the past year building a grassroots organization and, in conjunction with the PAGOP, has made over five million voter contacts. "Our Field Team is also battle-tested, having used the May 15th election as a test run for the General Election. The Primary gave us a much better understanding of the landscape for this cycle and helped us develop an innovative GOTV program that we will implement in the coming weeks," he continued. Whether that's enough - we'll find that out on Election Day. Police in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., had stormed the home of a man they say had just violently attacked his girlfriend and was now armed with a knife and holed up in a bedroom, the Citizens Voice reports. After shouting to police that he was prepared to die, the man, identified as Antonio J. Powell, 43, of Wilkes-Barre, went on to verbally attack President Donald Trump, shouting, Trump is "killing the black race," police said. All this took place in Luzerne County, which is considered bedrock Trump Country and is regarded as the key swing county that pushed the president to victory in Pennsylvania during the 2016 election. Moreover, it is Powell who is accused of actual violence. Police tell the Citizens Voice he threatened to kill his girlfriend with a knife, cut her arm, choked and hit her, and then barricaded himself in a bedroom with a knife when confronted by police Saturday night. Details from the Citizens Voice: Powell told police they would have to kill him, then began repenting his sins, according to the charges, which also state: Powell informed God that he was ready to leave this world, and went on to rant about how President Donald Trump is "killing the black race," police said. Alas, Powell was arrested and charged Monday with aggravated assault, simple assault, making terroristic threats, reckless endangerment and strangulation. At last report, he being held at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility in lieu of $75,000 bail. A new chef has come on board at The Hotel Hershey in Derry Township. David Yeo was named executive chef effective Oct. 1. In his job he oversees three full-service restaurants, a coffee shop, room service, banquet and event space, spa restaurant and seasonal poolside cafe. Yeo, who is a native of Malaysia and fluent in multiple languages, arrived in Hershey from The Mandarin Group in Seattle. There he was a principal consultant and worked with Fortune 500 companies from around the world. He also acted a as beef advisor while exporting U.S. Beef to China and working with the U.S Meat Export Federation. Yeo has worked in the culinary field for 35 years in Asia, Europe and United States. "His extensive background will elevate our team and The Hotel's culinary program to the next level. We are excited to see how his creativity and experience will change our culinary offerings," said John Daly, the hotel's food and beverage director. Yeo is former national president for the Professional Chefs Association of America. He is also active in Les Amis d'Escoffier Society of Chicago, American Culinary Federation, American Beef Council, Seafood Watch and California Farmer's Market Council. Who needs the school cafeteria? Students of Drexel University and University of Pennsylvania have even more food options near their college campus, as restaurants open up at Hamilton Court. The apartment complex, which has been recently renovated, has an array of retail space which has been taken up by various restaurants that are in the process of opening up. Cheesesteak restaurant Steve's Prince of Steaks, Thai-rolled ice cream spot ICE NY and soft serve and milkshake shop The Creamery Cafe all opened on Oct. 19 at their locations between 38th and 39th streets on Chestnut St. in Philadelphia. Bubble tea spot Tea Do opened up earlier this year. Coming in the next few months is Korean fried chicken restaurant Bonchon and the fast casual Halal Guys: Gyro and Chicken. The additional location in University City is a big move for Steve's Prince of Steaks. It's the largest Steve's location, with wings and pizza added to the menu. It's also the first Steve's with a liquor license. A signature cocktail, or two, is also in the works. It may be themed after the colleges nearby too, teased managing partner Jason Magowan. He said that he sees the University City location as a prototype for the brand as it looks to expand more. You can learn more about Steve's at stevesprinceofsteaks.com. The Creamery Cafe is a new concept joining all the other chains. It sells "freakshakes," which are creative spins on milkshakes. Its soft serve menu also includes flavors like red velvet cake, vanilla chai and dragon fruit punch. You can learn more about it at creamerycafepa.com. Aside from Steve's and The Creamery Cafe, the other restaurants all have other locations in Philadelphia's Chinatown. Want more stories about Philly? Click here for all our coverage of the City of Brotherly Love. You may also enjoy these videos: The Capitol Theatre, originally built in 1906, is a 450-seat historic theatre located in the heart of downtown York city, next to the Strand Theatre on the corner of Philadelphia and George Streets. This year, the Capitol underwent a $2 million facelift that included new seats, new restrooms (including one that is ADA accessible), improved sightlines, an expanded lobby, expanded concessions areas and a new wall to eliminate light and noise disruptions. The addition of the dCinema projector will also allow films to be screened in the highest available picture quality. The Appell Center venue, which hosts events in film, comedy, concerts, performances and other community gatherings, will reopen Wednesday, Oct. 24 for a performance of Low Cut Connie. The grand reopening at the theater will be held Thursday, Oct. 25, when the new sign is revealed before a sold-out 7:30 p.m. performance by Bruce Hornsby. The funding for the project, which began in May, came from two community fundraising campaigns and a match program from a Pennsylvania First Grant. For more Cool Spaces: WASHINGTON - District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine said Tuesday that his office has launched an investigation into sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in the Archdiocese of Washington, the latest in a string of state-level law enforcement officials now probing the Catholic Church's handling of abuse complaints. The investigation, announced by Racine at a regularly scheduled breakfast among Washington's elected officials, will bring scrutiny to Catholic leaders who have come under intense criticism in recent months. Washington's archbishop, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, resigned this month amid uproar over a Pennsylvania grand jury report that depicted systemic abuse across the state's Catholic Church, including in Pittsburgh, where he had previously been a bishop. More Wuerl's Washington predecessor, former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, was removed from ministry in June following allegations that he had sexually abused a teenager decades ago while serving as a priest in New York. Racine has limited power to prosecute crimes in the D.C., where felony cases are handled by the U.S. attorney's office. However, he is opening the investigation under his authority to enforce a Washington law governing nonprofit groups, as well as a law on the mandated reporting of sexual abuse. D.C. statutes allow the attorney general to subpoena documents and seek penalties against a nonprofit - up to and including dissolving it - if the group "has exceeded or abused and is continuing to exceed or abuse the authority conferred upon it by law" or if it "has continued to act contrary to its nonprofit purposes." Violation of the District's mandated reporting requirements is a misdemeanor. Racine said in an interview that he had felt obligated to scrutinize the church in Washington after seeing the "withering set of facts" in the Pennsylvania grand jury report. More: The investigation will also focus on alleged violations of Washington's laws on mandated reporting of child sexual abuse. However, that law has a 3-year statute of limitations. By contrast, there is no statute of limitations for D.C. law governing nonprofits, giving Racine wide scope to potentially probe the church's handling of decades of abuse claims. "Any not-for-profit or charity that is using its charter to violate the law or conceal violations of the law could in fact be violating its not-for-profit charter," Racine said. Racine's approach enables him to respond to what he has described as intense public pressure for an investigation into the church's handling of abuse allegations against Washington clergy. During an August appearance on the "Kojo Nnamdi Show" on WAMU-88.5, Racine said his office's phones were "burning up" with calls urging him to examine those allegations. The clergy abuse reporting hotline in Pa. is 888-538-8541. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, said she supports Racine's efforts. "I would encourage him to find out anything that we can about wrongdoing," she said. His office has set up a new online portal for victims to report abuse by Washington clergy, which can be found at www.ReportClergyAbusetoDCOAG.com. On Monday, the office of the District's U.S. attorney, Jessie Liu, said it has created a hotline and an email address for survivors of child sexual abuse by clergy - of any faith. Washington's archdiocese is considered one of the country's most important U.S. seats for the church. It's the base of the U.S. government, as well as key Catholic institutions like the bishops' conference and the Vatican Embassy. It includes 655,000 Catholics and 93 Catholic schools - some of the healthiest numbers in the Northeastern quadrant of the country, where the Catholic church has been shrinking for decades. The archdiocese is the largest nongovernmental provider of social services in the region, according to the archdiocese. It has more than 2,500 programs including those for the homeless, migrating and unemployed and those in need of free health care or legal aid. According to the website bishopaccountability.org, which tracks abuse accusations and cases, there are 13 states now running statewide probes of the Catholic Church, a historic high. In the early 2000s New Hampshire and Massachusetts investigated the church, as did Rockville Center, New York, said Marci Hamilton, a lawyer and advocate for abuse survivors. (c) 2018, The Washington Post * Peter Jamison, Michelle Boorstein A woman flying from Houston to Albuquerque on Sunday had just settled into her seat and fallen asleep when she was awoken by an unwanted touch - a hand from behind her grabbing the right side of her breast. And the man authorities say is responsible allegedly cited President Donald Trump's past lewd language about women. Federal prosecutors allege the hand belonged to 49-year-old Bruce Michael Alexander from Tampa, Fla., another passenger on the Southwest Airlines flight, who reportedly told authorities after being arrested Sunday that "the president of the United States says it's OK to grab women by their private parts," according to a criminal complaint. Alexander was charged Monday with abusive sexual contact, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Mexico. The charge carries a maximum penalty of two years in jail and a $250,000 fine. A lawyer representing Alexander could not be reached for comment late Monday. It all began about 15 to 20 minutes after Southwest Airlines Flight 5421 left Houston on Sunday. The woman, identified in the complaint only as C.W., said she was asleep in her window seat when "she felt her clothes move" and fingers start touching her from behind "on her right side at and around her 'bra line'." Though she initially assumed "the touching was an accident," it happened again about 30 minutes later. The hand, described by the woman as having hairy "thick fingers" and "dirty finger nails," was more persistent this time, according to the complaint. "C.W. felt fingers slowly grab the back of her arm, squeezing above the elbow," the complaint said. Then, "slowly and 'attentively'" the hand groped her right side "at and around her ribs and 'bra line'." The second incident prompted the woman to confront the passenger seated in the window seat directly behind her, whom authorities identified as Alexander. According to the complaint, she told him "she didn't know why he thought it was OK [to touch her] and he needed to stop." The woman, who asked to be moved to another seat and was relocated to the back of the plane for the rest of the flight, told investigators Alexander was a "total stranger." A spokesperson from the airline told The Washington Post in an emailed statement that customer service supervisors and local law enforcement were "requested" to meet the flight "upon arrival ... due to reports of a customer's alleged inappropriate behavior onboard." Alexander was arrested by the FBI at Albuquerque International Sunport and was being transported by authorities when he invoked President Trump's words, likely referencing the 2005 Access Hollywood tape that captured the president speaking lewdly about women and bragging that when you're famous "you can do anything," including grabbing women by their genitals. Trump's words have been parroted by other people accused of unsavory acts in recent months. In June, a white woman who accosted a Hispanic man and his mother while they were doing yard work was caught in a now-viral video calling the pair "animals" and "rapists." The president has referred to undocumented immigrants as "animals," and in at least two separate instances, has claimed Mexico sends "rapists" to the U.S. More recently, Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino, a Philadelphia mob boss, reiterated Trump's opinion that the use of "flippers" - people who help prosecutors by turning on others for less jail time - "almost ought to be illegal." Merlino was sentenced to two years in federal prison for illegal betting Wednesday and prosecutors, as with many organized crime trials, relied on informants to make their case, the Guardian reported. As he was leaving the courthouse, Merlino said Trump "was right" and flippers need to be outlawed, according to the Guardian. In a written statement to federal agents, Alexander said he was asleep for most of the flight and had not been drinking alcohol or taking any sleep aids. He "could not specifically recall getting into his backpack," which was stowed under the seat in front of him, according to the complaint. Alexander told agents he did remember a woman he was seated behind speaking to him during the flight and then moving seats, but could not describe her. Alexander's hands, however, matched the description given by the woman, authorities said. This is not the only recent instance of unwanted contact between passengers on a Southwest Airlines flight. Just last week, a Texas man flying from Los Angeles to Dallas allegedly did not stop touching the woman seated next to him and attempted to engage her in an unwanted game of "footsies," according to a criminal complaint. After the woman moved seats, the man went "from zero to sixty in nano-seconds" and started yelling at flight attendants, forcing the plane to be diverted to Albuquerque where he was arrested. The Southwest spokesperson told The Post the airline is "continuously reviewing and updating our training as necessary," but declined to share any specifics. Alexander made his initial court appearance Monday and will remain in federal custody pending a preliminary hearing and detention hearing, both of which are scheduled for Tuesday, according to the news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. (c) 2018, The Washington Post * Allyson Chiu Four men are facing charges after a robbery gone awry resulted in a man's death when shots were fired in Franklin County. The body of Wesley D. Burnett Jr., of Hagerstown, Maryland, was discovered around 5:45 p.m. Saturday near Miller and Social Island roads in Guilford Township. The Franklin County Coroner's Office later determined Burnett was placed there by Issayah Fostion, according to state police. Burnett also had a gunshot wound in the chest. Through the course of their investigation, state police determined Fostion had arranged to meet Cole Robinson to purchase marijuana. Fostion had also planned with another man, Darius Taylor, to rob Robinson when they met for the transaction. Taylor told Fostion to take Burnett with him, and Burnett and Fostion agreed to rob Robinson during the transaction, according to state police. The transaction was to happen in the area of Grapevine Road in Saint Thomas Township. State police say Robinson was with Anthony Bernardo Jr., while Fostion and Burnett arrived together. It was during that transaction that Fostion and Burnett attempted to rob Robinson and Bernardo, and gunfire was exchanged, according to state police. Everyone fled the area, but Burnett was struck during the exchange. The following charges were filed: Chilly weather is expected to persist throughout most of Pennsylvania for the rest of the week. After a somewhat warmer day on Monday, more cold air is expected to come in from Canada on Tuesday night and into Wednesday. "A reinforcing burst of chilly air will race southeastward from north-central Canada during the first part of this week," AccuWeather reports. "A weak storm accompanying the chilly push may garner enough strength for an accumulating snowfall in parts of central and northern New England from Tuesday night to early Wednesday." No snow is expected in Pennsylvania. Another storm system could form and affect most of the East Coast into early next week. That storm could be the result of Hurricane Willa surviving and pushing across the northern Gulf Coast later this week. That storm could then turn to the northeast, AccuWeather reports, and could track along the Atlantic coast as a nor'easter. "Depending on the track and strength of the storm, the risk of heavy snow may be again confined to northern New England or perhaps extend farther southwest across parts of the central Appalachians," according to the report. Here's a look at the forecast for Harrisburg: Tuesday: Sunshine mixed with clouds, breezy. High: 63 Tuesday night: Mainly clear skies. Low: 42 Wednesday: Partly sunny skies, breezy. High: 54 Wednesday night: Mainly clear skies. Low: 37 Thursday: Mostly sunny skies, cool. High: 53 Thursday night: Partly cloudy skies. Low: 34 Friday: Mostly cloudy skies, cool. High: 52 Friday night: Periods of rain. Low: 41 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. Update: More info on Cosby's new lawyers Former actor and comedian Bill Cosby recently brought in Harrisburg lawyers to work on his appeal. Court records show the firm Perry, Shore, Weisenberger and Zemlock are now representing Cosby, with several other attorneys withdrawing as counsel earlier this month. A woman who answered the phone at the law firm confirmed that attorneys Brian Perry and Kristen Weisenberger would be working on Cosby's case. Cosby is serving a three- to 10-year sentence in the State Correctional Institution at Phoenix, for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in 2004. According to reporting from the New York Times, several other attorneys that have worked with Cosby over the last three years are no longer involved with him as a client. Court records show most recently, Cosby's defense team filed a post-sentence motion to reconsider and modify his sentence, and a motion for a new trial, which the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office responded to on Friday. SUSQUEHANNA TOWNSHIP -- Beverly Magda didn't expect a knock at her door Saturday evening. She was making dinner for her family in the Mountaindale neighborhood, where the landscaping creates a woodsy feel. Trees are all around, and deer make their way through the foliage, over the hilly streets. The suburbs meet the woods. The knock, she said, came from a roofing contractor who was working at a house across the street. "He said he shot a deer in the neighborhood with a bow and arrow and the deer had made its way onto our property. The deer was not dead, so he asked permission to track," she said. "At that point, I was trying to figure out why he was shooting with a bow and arrow in our neighborhood where the houses are pretty much close together." She was stunned, saying it was a friendly deer, known in the neighborhood. And to Magda, it's about more than just the beloved deer. "We definitely have some safety concerns. My husband was just outside a few seconds before this gentleman came knocking on our door," Magda said. "We have children in the neighborhood and we have dogs in the neighborhood who freely roam their backyards." Pennsylvania Game Commission spokesman Travis Lau said the incident is under investigation. Since it's an ongoing investigation, he could not comment on the facts of this particular case, but in general, he said there are some clear regulations guiding archery. First, if a bow hunter is on private property, he or she needs to have that property-owner's permission. And when it comes to people's homes, there are "safety zones" for bow hunters to observe. "Bow hunters are prohibited from hunting within 50 yards of an occupied structure unless they have permission," Lau said. The 50-yard marker from a home is measured from two locations - where the hunter is standing and where the target is located. Under these regulations, a bow hunter could stand on his own porch and shoot a deer in his own backyard, as long as neither he nor the deer are within 50 yards of another home where that owner had not granted permission. Judging from county maps, it appears to be a close call as to whether the contractor acted in accordance with regulations. Dauphin County maps show the property is roughly 75 yards by 75 yards. It wasn't clear exactly where on the property the hunter and deer were located. That property is surrounded by similar-sized properties, most with houses sitting in the middle. Violation of game regulations or not, Magda said the incident was upsetting. "We've become very attached to all of the wildlife in the neighborhood," she said. She could not sleep that night knowing one of the neighborhood deer had been killed. It did not die right away, either. She said the police had to be called to put it down. John Austin, who lives across the street from Magda, agrees. "It's a residential neighborhood landscaped to look wild, but it's not a wild neighborhood," Austin said. "The people here enjoy the wildlife and they understand part of living here is to have deer." He understands hunting, he said, but noted these are not hunting grounds. The deer are docile. And it's this that concerns Lau. "Deer with no apparent fear of people are problematic," Lau said. "Their survival is based largely upon their fear of people and predators." Lau said it's understandable for people to become attached to wildlife and to be upset when they are killed, but hunting is what manages the deer population, keeping herds at healthy levels, reducing vehicle collisions with deer and alleviating other issues deer can bring, like crop damage. Whether or not this particular act of hunting was permitted in that neighborhood remains under investigation. Is state Rep. Vanessa Brown a greedy, corrupt politician or an otherwise honest public servant who was set up by a "con man" out to save his own skin? Those two vastly divergent portraits were painted by the prosecution and defense Tuesday as the Philadelphia legislator's bribery trial opened in a Dauphin County courtroom. Brown, 52, a Democrat who represents the poverty-stricken 190thHouse District, is accused of taking $4,000 worth of bribes during the first six months of 2011 from "lobbyist" Tyron Ali, who was working as an informant for the state attorney general's office. That cash was exchanged in Brown's home district and at her office in the state Capitol, First Assistant District Attorney Michael Sprow told the jury. When she accepted one of the bribes, Brown told Ali, "It's nice to be Santa all year long," the prosecutor said. "This is a textbook case of public corruption," Sprow insisted in his opening statement. He said Brown, who was re-elected after being charged in the sting operation, was in dire financial straits and deeply in debt from her first election campaign in 2008 when Ali offered her the bribes. She also was under pressure to raise $100,000 to finance her re-election bid, Sprow said. When Brown first offered her $1,000 during a meeting at a Philadelphia restaurant in January 2011, Brown did hand the money back, but then asked for Ali to give her a check instead, the prosecutor said. Sprow said conversations investigators recorded between Brown and Ali show Brown agreed to accept cash to support legislation on issues Ali claimed were important to interests he represented in New York. Sprow promised to play those audio and sometimes video recordings during the trial. "The defendant was a willing participant in that scheme," Sprow said, promising to prove defense arguments that Brown was entrapped are baseless. "There is zero evidence in this case to support a claim of entrapment." After hearing all the evidence "you won't have any trouble finding her guilty," he told the jury. Defense attorney Patrick A. Casey did indeed raise an entrapment defense in his opening statement. Ali and his government handlers kept prodding Brown to take bribes even after she turned the first one down, he said. "The commonwealth hired a con man to get (Brown) to do what she was not inclined to do," Casey said. The undercover investigation "should have been stopped when she said 'no' and returned that" first $1,000. He played for the jury a clip of the recording of that first meeting between Brown and Ali, who had met at a New Year's Day party at the home of another Philly legislator, Rep. Louis Bishop, who also was charged in the bribery probe. Casey panned the motives of Ali, who he said was working with the AG's office to avoid prosecution in another unrelated case where he was charged with defrauding a child care program. He argued as well that investigators didn't keep an appropriately tight rein on Ali during the investigation and allowed scores of phone calls between Ali and Brown to go unrecorded. By trial's end, Casey told the jury, "You will have very real concerns about the quality of the (prosecution's) evidence." Brown's case, and the entire bribery probe, has had a rocky road. The investigation was mounted during the tenure of then-Attorney General Tom Corbett, but squelched by his successor, Kathleen Kane in 2013. Kane argued that Ali's deal for cooperating was too lucrative and that there was an appearance the probe targeted African-American legislators. The case . Brown is one of five Philly legislators who were charged and is the only one who has taken her case to a jury trial. The other legislators to their charges. SUNBURY -- A judge has derailed a legal challenge to the process used to decide which company will be awarded a contract to operate five shortline railroads in central Pennsylvania. Northumberland County Judge Charles H. Saylor granted summary judgment to the SEDA-COG Join Rail Authority in a suit brought by the Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad of Port Clinton. The suit challenged the process by which authority in 2014 sought proposals for companies to operate five shortlines over more than 200 miles of tracks it owns in eight central Pennsylvania counties. Reading, Blue Mountain contended the process was designed to eliminate it from consideration but Saylor ruled the company disqualified itself by not submitting the required financial documents. He further found it produced no evidence the authority's process was unfair and concluded Reading, Blue Northern was not attempting to be a competitive bid award winner. The authority voted July 8, 2015 to award the seven-year, multi-million dollar contract to operate the shorelines to Carload Express, based in Oakmont. However, a legal challenge to the vote by the current operator, Susquehanna Union Railroad Company (better known as North Shore), the contract has not yet been awarded. Susquehanna Union's shortlines that use authority track are: The Juniata Valley in the Lewistown area, Lycoming Valley between Avis and Muncy through Williamsport, Nittany & Bald Eagle between Lock Haven and Tyrone with links to Bellefonte and State College, Shamokin Valley between Sunbury and Shamokin and North Shore between Northumberland and the Berwick area. A Fairfield man is accused of using nearly $12,000 from the the Gettysburg-area Sons of the American Legion for personal use over a two year period. Jamie Orlando Zapata, 39, was charged with one felony count each of unauthorized use of credit cards, receiving stolen property and theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett announced Monday. The criminal affidavit filed in Zapata's case states that investigators became aware of funds missing from the Sons of the American Legion in Gettysburg, sponsored by the Gettysburg American Legion Post 202, on Feb. 5, 2018, when the Legion's accounting firm reported the issue. The firm reported Zapata, who was the treasurer of SAL, had misappropriated funds between August 2015 and August 2017. In all, their audit showed that $11,462.30 were used by Zapata through unauthorized ATM withdrawals, unauthorized payments on personal credit cards, unauthorized credit card transactions, financial shortages from dues and the purchase of a laptop, the affidavit states. Investigators with the Gettysburg Police Department looked into the misuse of funds, and interviewed Zapata on Sept. 20, the affidavit states. During the interview, Zapata admitted to using the SAL credit card at McDonalds, Wal-Mart, Royal Farms, TouchTunes, La Bella, Sheetz, a laundromat, Wendy's Kieffels and the Solo Hill Car Wash, the affidavit states. Zapata also told investigators he misused cash withdrawals during the same years he misused the credit card. He couldn't produce any receipts for the things he bought, and his monthly financial reports for SAL did not account for the purchases, according to the affidavit. Investigators also spoke with a former SAL Commander who was in charge during part of the time Zapata was serving as Adjutant and Financial Officer, the affidavit states. The man confirmed Zapata was not authorized by SAL or its officers to make purchases with the SAL credit card, make ATM cash withdrawals or make Capital One Mobile payments with their funds. Charges against Zapata were filed Monday, and he was arraigned by Adams County Magisterial District Judge Daniel Bowman. Zapata was released on $15,000 unsecured bail, according to DA Sinnett. Zapata's preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 31. A Clifton Heights man is wanted by Ephrata Police, on allegations that he sexually abused a young girl in 2016. An arrest warrant for Ivan Allen, 30, was filed by Ephrata Police, on charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse of a child, unlawful contact with a minor and corruption of minors, police said. Police said that in June 2016 Allen had sexual contact with a girl younger than 13 at a residence in the borough of Ephrata. Allen is also wanted wanted by Pennsylvania state probation and parole, police said. You can submit a tip to Ephrata Police about Allen through their Crimewatch website. Hurricane Willa, which is now a Category 3 hurricane, is expected to make landfall today in Mexico. The National Weather Service says that an extremely dangerous storm surge is likely along portions of the coast of southwestern Mexico. Willa is expected to bring six inches to as much as 18 inches of rain in parts of Mexico and the National Weather Service is warning that it could cause life-threatening flash flooding and landslides. The Harrisburg area won't see anything like that. But, will the area be affected at all by the remnants of Hurricane Willa? The answer is likely yes, according to Craig Evanego, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service of State College. Eventually, there could be a storm system that comes up the East Coast affecting the Harrisburg area on Friday night and going into Saturday morning. "The potential is there for at least a half inch of rain," he said. Evanego says that areas in both central and eastern of Pennsylvania could see a "decent rain" with wet snowflakes in higher elevations. But, rain isn't the only thing expected to affect the Harrisburg area. A cold front is expected to affect the Harrisburg area causing temperatures to drop into the low to mid 30s on Wednesday night. It is expected to remain cold for the rest of the week with the high in the low 50 and high 40s, and temperatures are expected to drop into the 30s at night. Evanego says it will likely remain cool for the rest of the month. Check with PennLive for all of your weather updates. 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. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 23) As one of the biggest business awards shows in the country and in Southeast Asia capped its ninth year, pioneers and veterans of the corporate scene gain recognition for their efforts. The 2018 Asia CEO Awards awarded Megaworld Corporation as CNN Philippines Executive Leadership Team of the Year. The award is given to the team that served as an inspiration to help in national building and to push local companies to compete better in the international stage. Former Bangkok Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amanda Tetangco Jr. and Tessie Sy-Coson, Vice Chairman of SM Investment Corp., were also recognized as lifetime contributors from the public and private sector respectively. Tetangco, who served as BSP governor for three terms, expressed confidence in the BSP amid challenges. "Some of you are wondering how we can move forward with new and emerging challenges. As a former CEO I can tell you that the BSP has what it takes to address today's challenges and it is ready, its record speaks for itself," Tetangco said in his acceptance speech. Meanwhile, Sy-Coson said her family's corporation continues to grow alongside technological advancements in society. "It has inspired us to improves processes, operations and logistics that will provide greater customer experience, motivate our organization to have more efficiency and productivity, with the end goal of better financial results, more customer loyalty and stronger employee engagements," she said. Asia CEO Awards 2018 Chairman Richard Mills said this year was more than just looking at business gains. "Our award is an all-inclusive award not just whether you made money or have been successful, but also what you've done that's moved the country ahead including poverty alleviation," Mills said. The Asia CEO Awards, one of the largest of its kind in the Asia Pacific Region, aims to promote the Philippines as a premier business destination. The 2018 Asia CEO Awards was held on October 16, at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City. See full list of awardees here. Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday signed a bill which advocates said will allow more organs to be donated, puts Pennsylvania among 48 states which adhere to the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act. The act seeks to standardize practices so all available organs end up reaching people in need, rather than some organs being lost because of the needs of criminal investigations. Organ transplant advocates had argued that Pennsylvania was a leader in organs being lost as the result of criminal investigations. The law signed Tuesday marks the first major upgrade to Pennsylvania's organ transplant law in about 25 years. A Pennsylvania organization that backed it had earlier said it will ensure "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. "Through years of hard work, compromise and collaboration, this final piece of legislation is one which we should all be proud of," Susan Stuart, the CEO of the Center for Organ Recovery and Education, sad in a news release. "It offers hope to the more than 7,000 Pennsylvanians who are waiting for a life-saving transplant and means that more Pennsylvania families will have the opportunity for donation and the life-affirming legacy that comes with it. I am optimistic that this legislation will improve the donation process and I anticipate fewer Pennsylvanians will die while awaiting transplants." By Gene Barr Once again, PennLive's editorial board has presented an overtly skewed, one-sided perspective in its call for lawmakers to enact an additional tax on the natural gas industry. Gene Barr (PennLive File) The editorial lambastes the industry for advocating on its own behalf, as if it is beyond the pale to educate lawmakers and the public about the economic potential of utilizing the state's natural gas resources in a responsible way. Interestingly, the paper doesn't seem to take issue with other groups doing the exact same thing - including public sector unions (Pointed out here, Ed.) and environmental groups. While the editorial points to many dollar figures, one it glaringly leaves out is the amount of impact fee revenue that the industry has already generated. The impact fee - which, make no mistake, is a tax - has brought in more than $1.5 billion to all 67 counties in Pennsylvania in just a handful of years. This is on top of the other corporate and business taxes the industry pays - a fact that PennLive's editorial writers continue to ignore (No, we haven't, Ed.). Other recent reports echo the positive effect that the existing impact fee structure has had in Pennsylvania. In September, the Tax Foundation released a detailed analysis of Pennsylvania's tax environment and found that the impact fee "falls largely within the parameters of what other states call a severance tax." The Foundation also found that layering a severance tax on top of the existing impact fee would represent a double-tax on the industry. Just last week, the Forge the Future initiative released its "Ideas for Action" report which found that the potential economic opportunities resulting from the state's natural gas reserves include: a $60 billion increase in Pennsylvania GDP; the addition of more than 100,000 jobs; an increase in natural gas demand and several billion dollars in additional state tax revenue. Here's the reality - capital is mobile, and natural gas companies can and HAVE selected different states in which to make multi-million dollar investments and create jobs. Gov. Tom Wolf even admitted during this year's budget negotiations that a severance tax wasn't even necessary to balance the budget, but would just generate money for "extra things" the Commonwealth wants. Imagine that instead of another punitive tax we would allow the industry to grow to its full potential, add thousands of direct and indirect jobs and bring in millions of dollars more to the state's coffers. Let's set the record straight - another natural gas tax would discourage clean, affordable energy production and economic growth within our state. Pennsylvania deserves better. Gene Barr is president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. He writes from Harrisburg. Armed with eight boxes filled with 30,000 signed petitions, including some from each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties, members of the Pennsylvania Liberty Alliance and the Pennsylvania Property Rights Association came to the state Capitol on Tuesday to call for the elimination of school property taxes. Saying more than 10,000 people in Pennsylvania lost their homes through tax sales this year "through this egregious and regressive system of taxation," Ron Boltz of the liberty alliance said, "the people of this state have spoken and it's time for the Legislature to stand up." He and fellow alliance member Jim Rodkey said they understand education must be funded but the revenue source has to come from some place other than a tax on people's property which they called harmful to the commonwealth, its people and the state's overall economy. Sen. Dave Argall, R-Schuylkill County, who has been working on the property tax elimination issue since he was first elected to the Senate in 2009, said attempts have been made over the past decades to tweak, fix, and reform property taxes. "Those ideas never worked. The only way to fix it is to eliminate it and start all over again," he said. He added the Senate's 24-24 tie vote in the last legislative session that defeated the school property tax elimination bill was heartbreaking but he isn't giving up. "The people that brought me to this issue have never given up as you can see collecting 30,000 signatures all across Pennsylvania," Argall said. "My message to them today and always will be if you're in, I'm in." Rep. Frank Ryan and Sen. Mike Folmer, both Lebanon County Republicans, joined Argall at the rally as did Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner offering a few remarks before the group made their way to the governor's office to deliver the petitions. "We need to dream big, act big by working to reach the much-needed and overdue goal of eliminating school property taxes," Folmer said. "Quite frankly , ladies and gentlemen and this has been said many times ... no tax should be able to tax you out of your home." (*Editor's Note: This piece should have been identified as 'analysis' when it was first posted. It has been updated to reflect its more analytical nature. PennLive regrets the error) Republican governor candidate Scott Wagner has latched onto what's become a potent issue for Republicans as the Nov. 6 election approaches: Mobilizing supporters over the so-called "caravan" of thousands of migrants making their way to America's southern border. In a scathing Facebook post on Tuesday, Wagner, of York County, warned of an "unprecedented mob of thousands," on the move toward the United States. And he charged that Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has "made it clear that he will not send the Pennsylvania National Guard to assist law enforcement at the border." "With an unprecedented mob of thousands strong approaching our country, Pennsylvanians want to know that they have a governor who will enforce our immigration laws and make sure our border is secured," Wagner wrote. "But Governor Wolf has made it clear that he will not send the Pennsylvania National Guard to assist law enforcement at the border, and in light of the current situation that policy is flat out dangerous." Here is the post: With an unprecedented mob of thousands strong approaching our country, Pennsylvanians want to know that they have a... Posted by Scott Wagner on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 But Wagner's claim that Wolf doesn't want the Guard to "assist law enforcement" takes some liberties with the truth. In June, Wolf said he didn't want the Pennsylvania National Guard to be used to assist the Trump administration in implementing its family separation policy at the southern border, according to published reports. Through a spokesman, Wolf also said, at the time, that Pennsylvania had not been asked to deploy troops to the border. Wagner also takes broad latitude with his claim that "Pennsylvanians want to know that they have a governor who will enforce our immigration laws and make sure our border is secured." Enforcement of immigration laws is a federal matter. And states have more limited jurisdiction. The two candidates have sparred over so-called 'sanctuary cities,' such as Philadelphia, who restrict their cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Nor are the migrants, who are currently more than 1,000 miles from U.S. soil, an "illegal alien mob," as Wagner asserts in his statement. They have yet to enter the United States. That makes them neither nor legal nor illegal immigrants. They are currently a group of people, mostly women and children fleeing violence in their home country, who are marching northward. And, in the event they reach American soil and request asylum, they will still not be illegal entrants. Political asylum is a legal reason for entering the United States - though the claim must still be adjudicated in a court of law. As a member of the state Senate until earlier this year, Wagner supported legislation that would have withheld funds from municipalities that refused to work with federal immigration officials. Through a spokesman, Wolf said at the time that he had reservations about the bill, including whether "states may legally require that municipalities assist with the enforcement of federal law, as the federal government must enforce its own immigration policy." A spokeswoman for Wolf's re-election campaign could not immediately be reached for comment. (John L. Micek is PennLive's Opinion Editor. Readers may email him at jmicek@pennlive.com.) Candidates participating in Pennsylvania's 2018 general election were invited to submit information to the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, which partnered with PennLive to create this voters guide. Learn which state House and state Senate district you live in by using this Pennsylvania Legislature search tool. Find using which congressional district you live in by using this search tool. Find your polling location and check your voter registration status using this Department of State tool. If you notice issues at your polling place, share photos or news tips with us at submissions@pennlive.com or reach out to PennLive on Twitter or Facebook. Petoskey to have second leaf pickup later this week POTTSTOWN Explore the history of the holidays at Pottsgrove Manor on Sunday, Dec. 12, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 18th Century Holiday Frost Fair is a new program that invites the public to immerse themselves in an 18th-century style market fair, complete with vendors, demonstrations, and games. Visitors can also explore handmade goods and seasonal crafts from... 469 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard US Senators Tom Udall (D-NM) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and U.S. Representative Beto ORourke (D-Texas) and pushing the Trump administration for answers on whats going on with detained migrant kids behind held in a Texas tent facility. Here is the letter that Udall, Heinrich, and ORourke sent to HHS Secretary Alex Azar: The Senators and Rep. ORourke wrote: We write to express our deep concern about [HHS] expanded operations of the temporary facility for unaccompanied alien children (UAC) at Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Tornillo, Texas, Land Port of Entry (LPOE). Although HHS has reportedly reunited 2,070 of the total 2,608 children that were originally taken into ORR custody as a result of the Trump Administrations reprehensible zero-tolerance policy, tens of thousands of children are still in ORR custody. These children and their families are often fleeing violence in their home countries and have likely experienced significant trauma. We believe that ORR should be working as quickly as possible to reunify every child separated as a result of the zero-tolerance policy and keep the number of UACs in custody to a minimum. HHSs lack of transparency to Congress is unacceptable. The Trump administration is planning on expanding their child detention operation, and they are refusing to be transparent with Congress or the American people. The facility that Trump is using for child detention costs three times more than a traditional shelter, but being fiscally responsible is not the point. Trump is out to terrify these kids and their parents. Donald Trump wants to jail these children. He doesnt care if it scars and traumatizes them for life. The news media has forgotten, but Democrats have not, and they are continuing to work to reunite innocent children wrongly taken with their parents. For the latest election news, join our Blue Wave 2018 group. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 3.5k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard A campaign event meant to energize supporters of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz ended up quickly turning into a Donald Trump 2020 rally on Monday night. While the event was billed as a rally to help the Texas senators campaign in a competitive Senate race against likable Democratic challenger Beto ORourke, even Cruz appeared to know why he was really there to stroke the presidents ego. Toward the end of his remarks, Cruz went off on a tangent about helping re-elect the president in an election more thats over two years from now. In 2020, Donald Trump will be overwhelmingly re-elected, Cruz said about the man who waged vicious attacks on him and his family just two years ago. Cruz: In 2020 Donald Trump will be overwhelmingly reelected as president of the United States. Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) October 22, 2018 As Jeff Zeleny of CNN noted, Cruz was clearly the opening act. This event was all about getting the Texas senator a former Trump foe to fawn over the president in front of a raucous MAGA mob. The only Ted Cruz campaign signs here are ones his supporters smuggled in. This is a Trump 2020 rally and his team has pre-printed signs at every rally. A few spotted so far: Get out and Vote, Jobs Not Mobs, Women for Trump. Cruz is the opening act. This is a Trump rally. Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) October 22, 2018 Ted Cruz has fully sold out to Donald Trump The Texas campaign event on Monday night was the most striking example yet of how Ted Cruz has completely sold out to Donald Trump. It came just two short years after Trump dubbed Cruz Lyin Ted and attacked his wife and father. At the time, Cruz responded by calling Trump a sniveling coward and a pathological liar. But the real sniveling coward was the Texas senator who stood behind a podium on Monday night to heap praise on this president and tell his constituents he will be nothing but a Trump puppet if hes given another term in the Senate. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook. 2.1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Special Counsel Robert Mueller is closing in on the key question of did the Trump campaign have backchannel contacts with Russia. The Washington Post reported: While outwardly quiet for the last month, Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigators have been aggressively pursuing leads behind the scenes about whether Stone was in communication with the online group, whose disclosures of emails believed to have been hacked by Russian operatives disrupted the 2016 presidential campaign, according to people familiar with the special counsel probe. . The question of whether Trump associates were in contact with WikiLeaks is at the heart of Muellers inquiry. According to charges filed by the special counsel in July, Russian military intelligence officers used an online persona called Guccifer 2.0 to distribute hacked Democratic emails through WikiLeaks. The Russian operatives also used Guccifer 2.0s Twitter account to send messages to Stone, who has said the exchanges were benign. If Mueller can prove that the Trump campaign worked with Wikileaks and the Russians, its game over for Trump. The Trump campaign was not a traditional presidential campaign. It was a small time operation micromanaged by Trump and his family. Roger Stone is vital because he could be a key communications link between Trump and Russia. Just because the Mueller investigation has faded from public conversation does not mean that the work isnt continuing. Robert Mueller is rolling along. The Special Counsel continues to put the pieces together, and he what is offering Trump definitely wont be a treat for Halloween. For the latest election news, join our Blue Wave 2018 group. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook. 769 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard By Sharon Bernstein (Reuters) A New Hampshire judge on Monday put on hold a law requiring some voters to present proof of residency when they register, saying it would lengthen lines at polling places and make it difficult for students, disabled voters and others to cast ballots. The temporary injunction against the Republican-backed law comes two weeks before U.S. Congressional elections that will determine whether opposition Democrats or U.S. President Donald Trumps Republicans retain full control of the federal governments legislative branch. The measure, which passed largely along party lines and went into effect last year, required those seeking to register within 30 days of an election to present documents proving that they live in the area where they intend to vote. Without such proof, they must agree to either send it in within 10 days or the state will seek to verify their domicile. The law does not require proof of address when voting. Where the law threatens to disenfranchise an individuals right to vote, the only viable remedy is to enjoin its enforcement, Presiding Justice Kenneth C. Brown wrote in his decision for the Hillsborough Superior Court Northern District in Manchester. He added that the registration form is too complicated for many people to understand. The legislation is the subject of a lawsuit filed by League of Women Voters of New Hampshire and other groups, who said it would disenfranchise numerous groups including students, the disabled and homeless voters. The measure will be put on hold while the merits of the case are decided. New Hampshire Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, a Democrat, welcomed the ruling. This law undermines our states reputation for holding free and fair elections, and it hurts our democracy, she said in a statement. New Hampshire Associate Attorney General Anne Edwards said through a spokeswoman on Monday that the state was reviewing the court order and would soon communicate its next steps. She did not say whether that would include appealing the injunction. (Reporting by Sharon Bernstein in Sacramento, California; Editing by Richard Chang) 13.7k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Former President Barack Obama shot back at Donald Trump on Monday for taking credit for an economy that he did nothing to create. During a rally for Nevada Democratic Senate candidate Jacky Rosen, the 44th president reminded voters that the country was in a financial crisis when he took office. Not only did Obama put a floor under the sinking economy, but he laid the groundwork for the strong economic environment we are seeing today from falling unemployment and poverty to rising wages and health insurance coverage. When you hear all this talk about economic miracles right now, remember who started it, Obama said to a roaring standing ovation. Video: Former President @BarackObama: When you hear all this talk about economic miracles right now, remember who started it. Full video here: https://t.co/UKtPQDlkQR pic.twitter.com/vYDuJIhF5z CSPAN (@cspan) October 22, 2018 The former president destroyed Trumps victory lap over the economy: When I walked into office ten years ago, we were in the middle of the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes. That was the last time that the other party was in charge of things. I do think its interesting. I just hope people kind of notice that everything theres a pattern where they run things into the ground and we have to come back and clean things up. But because of the work we did we got the economy growing again. We started the longest streak of job creation on record. We covered another 20 million on health insurance. We brought housing back here in Nevada. We cut our deficits by more than half, partly by making sure the wealthiest Americans folks like me paid their fair share of taxes. By the time I left office, wages were rising, uninsurance rate was falling, poverty was falling, and thats what I handed off to the next guy. So when you hear all this talk about economic miracles right now, remember who started it. Remember who started it! Come on! Donald Trump started his presidency on third base Like in his personal life, Donald Trump started his presidency on third base. He was handed something good by somebody else, and he just slapped his name on it. But outside of the insulated bubble of a MAGA rally, people understand that for two terms, Barack Obama worked to bring our country back from the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression and he succeeded. Not only did the 44th president prevent a complete economic collapse, but he implemented policies to help reignite the American economy. All the economic streaks Trump is bragging about today began well before he signed a single piece of legislation or executive order. In fact, they started before he even took the infamous ride down his tacky escalator to announce his candidacy for president. While Donald Trump was hosting a game show on NBC, then-President Barack Obama was saving the U.S. economy. Now hes trying to claim credit for it. The 44th president didnt let him get away with it on Monday, and voters shouldnt let him get away with it on Nov. 6. Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook. 337 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard By Tom Hals and Kristina Cooke (Reuters) U.S. authorities have held some immigrant children who entered the country illegally and without a parent in a temporary tent city in Texas for months, violating a 20-year-old court order on how long minors can be detained, according to court filings by civil rights lawyers and immigration advocates. More than 500 children have been housed in tents near Tornillo, Texas since August, and 46 have been held there since June, according to a Friday court filing in Los Angeles federal court by civil rights organizations and advocacy groups representing migrant children. The filing opposes a government request to exempt the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), which runs the tent city as a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), from oversight by a court-ordered monitor. Under the terms of a 1997 court settlement known as the Flores agreement, U.S. authorities must quickly move immigrant children out of prison-like detention centers, either releasing them to guardians or placing them in state-licensed shelters with access to schooling and legal counsel, generally within 20 days. Tornillo is not such a licensed facility. The Tornillo tent city was opened in June as a temporary emergency measure as the number of children in ORR custody rose sharply. Neither ORR nor the Department of Justice immediately responded to requests for comment. In an Oct. 12 fact sheet, HHS said the temporary shelter was necessary because of the number of unaccompanied minors in its care and so that the Border Patrol can continue its vital national security mission to prevent illegal migration, trafficking, and protect the borders of the United States. The tent city houses no children who were separated from their parents. The facility has 3,800 beds and housed about 1,500 children as of Oct. 12, according to a government fact sheet. None of the children at Tornillo were receiving schooling or regular mental health care, among other benefits to which they would be entitled if they were placed in a licensed shelter, said a court filing from Leah Chavla, a human rights lawyer who visited Tornillo on Sept. 24. The administration of President Donald Trump has made cracking down on illegal immigration a central theme of his presidency. On Monday the president vowed to reduce or curtail tens of millions of dollars in U.S. aid to three Central American nations, and he called a caravan of migrants bound for the United States a national emergency. The administration has regularly complained that the Flores settlement has limited its ability to hold illegal immigrants until they can be deported. The court filings also show the number of children at Tornillo who were released to sponsors dropped significantly in August from June, according to the court filings. The Department of Homeland Security said in September it planned to withdraw from Flores. (Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware and Kristina Cooke in San Francisco; editing by Sue Horton and Cynthia Osterman) 368 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard By Gabriella Borter and Barbara Goldberg (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that transgender issues were in flux and he aims to protect the country after a report that his administration was considering defining gender as male or female based on genitalia at birth drew widespread condemnation. We have a lot of different concepts right now. They have a lot of different things happening with respect to transgender right now, Trump said amid a protest outside the White House and outpouring of criticism on social media about the proposal. Asked about a campaign promise to protect the LGBT community, Trump said: Im protecting everybody. I want to protect our country. Under a proposal first reported by the New York Times on Sunday, the Trump administration would narrow the definition of gender to male or female at birth and it would be unchangeable later in life. The move would remove recognition of and protections for transgender people under U.S. civil rights laws promoted by the prior administration of President Barack Obama in health care, schools and the military. About 1.4 million U.S. adults identify as transgender, according to a 2016 estimate by the Williams Institute, a research center at UCLA Law School focused on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy. The reported proposal comes little more than a week after New York City created a gender-neutral X option for birth certificates, joining California, Oregon, Washington state and New Jersey in offering a third gender category on the government-issued identity documents. Medical experts said on Monday that defining gender based on genitalia at birth is scientifically inaccurate and may harm patients health. Dr. Joshua Safer, executive director of Mount Sinai Hospitals Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, said the Trump administrations definition is not consistent with current western medicine or science in terms of how we actually operate or define sex of individuals. Sex of individuals is not correlated always with their genitals at birth, or with their chromosomes, said Safer, who also serves as president of the United States Professional Association for Transgender Health. Most transgender people live with a profound sense that the gender assigned to them at birth was wrong and transition to the opposite sex, while others live a non-binary or gender-fluid life. We urge the administration to ensure all public health policy is firmly rooted in science, and to keep discrimination and political interference out of our nations health, said Dr. Lisa Hollier, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Beyond the broader issues raised by the administration memo, doctors said the new policy would be impossible to apply to intersex babies who are born with ambiguous genitalia or reproductive organs. Trumps definition does not even take this entire group of patients into consideration, said Dr. Natasha Bhuyan, a family medicine and LGBT care specialist in Phoenix. If the administrations recommended definition is adopted, these patients will likely be assigned a male or female sex at birth, which can have devastating long-term psychological and health consequences, she said. (Reporting by Barbara Goldberg and Gabriella Borter; additional reporting by Daniel Trotta in New York and Jeff Mason in Washington; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) 2.8k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard As Democrat Andrew Gillum is up in a CNN poll (an outlier, but still) of likely voters 54 percent to Republican Ron DeSantis 42 percent in Florida, the Democrat is being targeted by new racist robocall. Ali Vitali and Adam Edelman of NBC obtained audio of the call, which includes a man who calls himself Gillum speaking in a minstrel dialect. In the call, Gillum is called a negro and a monkey, in case anyone missed the point. Well hello there. I is the negro Andrew Gillum and Ill be askin you to make me governor of this here state of Florida, the voice says. My state opponent, who done call me monkey, is doin a lot of hollerin about how spensive my plans for health care be, the voice says. A chimpanzee noise is played during the word monkey. That must be how Republicans think black people speak, or rather how their base thinks black people speak, since their base is caught in a Trump time warp of epic proportions. Republicans already have a leg up in Florida because Florida suppresses hundreds of thousands of potential voters, according to a Center for American Progress study. Florida is one of only four states that does not allow ex-felons to vote, even after theyve served their time. They have to wait five to seven years and then appeal to the Governor to have their rights restored. Republican Governor Rick Scott has restored voting rights to almost nobody. You have a situation in Florida where 1.6 million ex-felons cant vote. Thats a staggering number. What that means is that one in 10 people in Florida including one in five African-Americans in the state cant vote because they have a felony conviction. So even with all of these handicaps, Republicans still feel like they need a heavy dose of racism to rig the vote. This Florida racist attack mirrors the larger Republican Get Out the Vote tactic of returning to their old reliable tactic of all racism all the time, as the president fear mongers about a caravan he promised wouldnt come here if we locked up babies and Republicans suppress the vote all across the south, targeting minorities. This is what happens when Republicans give tax cuts to the rich and then announce theyre going to make everyone else pay for them by cutting their social security, Medicare, Medicaid, and affordable health insurance and when Republicans lie to people to pretend they support protecting pre-existing conditions as they tweak laws so that insurance companies can deny pre-existing conditions and sell insurance under the ACA that does so. Republicans have nothing else but their old fallback, racism. Ugly, ugly racism. Follow Sarah on Facebook and Twitter. 1.5k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Republican Sec. of State and Georgia gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp was caught in a massive conflict of interest as secret audio recorded him worrying about minorities in Georgia voting. Kemp was recorded at a fundraiser saying, Worried as we were going into the start of early voting with the literally tens of millions of dollars that they are putting behind the get-out-the-vote effort to their base. A lot of that with absentee ballot requests. They have just an unprecedented number of that, which is something that continues to concern us, especially if everybody uses and exercises their right to vote which they absolutely can and mail those ballots in, we gotta have heavy turnout to offset that. Listen via Rolling Stone: Brian Kemp is conflicted and must resign Much of what Kemp said sounds like a candidate talking up their opponents turnout operation, but Brian Kemp isnt just any candidate. He is the Secretary of State. He will decide how many of those absentee voters that the Abrams campaign is mobilizing will have their votes counted. Kemp was worried about who was voting more than how many people are voting. The job of the secretary of state is to oversee and protect the integrity of a states elections. Given what is on this audio recording, it is clear that Brian Kemp is incapable of overseeing the gubernatorial election in a fair and impartial manner. Voter suppression is running rampant under Kemp in Georgia, but this secretly recorded audio is the smoking gun that proves hes got to go. For the latest election news, join our Blue Wave 2018 group. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook. 774 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Former Obama HUD Secretary Julian Castro said that the latest caravan of Central American migrants moving through Mexico is proof that Trumps immigration policies have totally failed. Castro said on MSNBCs Andrea Mitchell Reports: This is proof positive that Donald Trump has been a total failure when it comes to immigration. He promised us, and he went out there and said that if we abused the families by taking away the little children from the families that it would deter more families from coming to the country, and this is not true. So even if you are out there, and you are Republican, an Independent, and you have concerns about, about immigration, and you are willing to believe that maybe separating children from their families may have been okay or the right thing to do, he said that he would do that, because he was going to deter folks from coming, and in fact, it did not work at all. So, I think that people can see through fearmongering and trying to pit people against each other and scapegoating of the folks with a failed policy, and it is so convenient that this comes up two weeks before the election, and it is like the middle-class tax cut that nobody knows about. Video: Former Obama HUD Secretary Julian Castro said that the latest caravan of Central American migrants moving through Mexico is proof that Trumps immigration policies have totally failed. https://t.co/JN4nnSRTD4 pic.twitter.com/gLV13l87oB PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) October 23, 2018 The Caravan is proof that Trump is a failure on immigration Trump has had a Republican congress and the ability to do what he wants, and his strategy has failed. Trump thought that he could scare and terrorize immigrants into not coming to the United States, but when people live in a place where violence, murder, and no economic opportunity are the norm, they get desperate enough to try fleeing, because being alive elsewhere is better than death at home. The caravan is only highlighting Trumps failure on his signature issue, which is why he is cooking up conspiracies and blaming Democrats. Trump is a failing president, and the sense that this failure must be checked is stronger with voters than the fear that the president is whipping up over the migrant caravan For the latest election news, join our Blue Wave 2018 group. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook. 418 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard A man who was arrested for groping a female passenger while on a flight reportedly told the officials who arrested him that the president of the United States says its OK to grab women by their private parts. ABC News reported that they had seen court documents in which Bruce Michael Alexander was accused of twice illegally touching the breasts of female passenger. The alleged victim was sitting in a seat in front of Alexander while they were both on a flight from Houston to Albuquerque on Sunday. Man accused of groping woman: Trump says its OK to grab women by their private parts Man accused of groping woman: Trump "says it's OK to grab women by their private parts" https://t.co/DsUDFZcXn3 pic.twitter.com/yoqVhhwP77 The Hill (@thehill) October 23, 2018 According to the official report reviewed by the news agency the woman told law enforcement officials that she didnt say anything after she was touched the first time because she thought it might have been an accident. However, she then said that she knew after the second time it happened that it was not an accident, and Alexander was intentionally groping her. Alexander allegedly began touching the unnamed woman in a sexually suggestive manner after she dozed off during the flight. After being touched a second time, according to court documents, she rose from her seat, turned around and told the passenger behind her that she didnt know why he thought it was OK to touch her, and he needed to stop doing it. After confronting Alexander the woman was moved to another seat by personnel of the airline. Immediately after the plane arrived at its destination Alexander was arrested. A key factor in the arrest is that his hands matched the description provided by the female victim. According to the police report, she said that the man who groped her had thick fingers, they were hairy and he had dirty fingernails. According to the arresting documents, Alexander told the law enforcement officers who put him in handcuffs that the president of the United States says its OK to grab women by their private parts. The 49-year-old Alexander has reportedly been charged with abusive sexual contact and has a preliminary court hearing scheduled for Tuesday. This incident is not surprising. Back in October of 2016 we published an article entitled Last Night, Donald Trump Claimed Grabbing a Womans Genitals is Not Sexual Assault. In this article we printed the interview Trump gave to Anderson Cooper on CNN after the Access Hollywood tape was released. In that interviewer Cooper said to Trump: We received a lot of questions online, Mr. Trump about the tape that was released on Friday, as you can imagine. You called what you said locker room banter. You described kissing women without consent, grabbing their genitals. That is sexual assault. You bragged that you have sexually assaulted women. Do you understand that? And Trump responded by saying No. So even before he was elected president, Donald Trump made clear that he thinks its OK for men to grab and grope women. Just as with violent outbursts and attacks on reporters, Trumps followers are taking their cue from our president as to what is acceptable behavior. And now we even have a Supreme Court Justice appointed by Trump who has also been accused of sexual assault. The good news is that the man who modeled his behavior after Trump has been charged with a crime and may be going to jail. Which is where the president should be, and hopefully will be, after he is charged and convicted of his many crimes. 2.8k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Following patterns seen around the country, there were historically large turnouts throughout the state on Monday as early voting opened in Texas. More than 63,000 in-person votes were cast in Harris County, The Houston Chronicle reported, compared to 20,215 in 2014. This is really good news for U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke, the Democrat challenging U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. Harris County is Beto Country and he has great support there. And one out of every seven Texans lives in Harris County. Recognizing its importance, ORourke spent Monday traveling around the Houston area meeting with supporters and leading them to polling places. He seems to have fired up his supporters who got out to vote in record numbers. ORourke started his day before the sun came up, as he made a 7 a.m. appearance in a central Houston neighborhood. This is our moment, this is our chance, ORourke told the crowd gathered outside a polling place. This is our message to the people of the future. While we can still get it right, we stood up to be counted and we did. Some of his supporters had been waiting a very long time to vote. One group camped out in a tent with BETO written on it to ensure they would be the first to vote Monday morning. ORourke heard about this and ducked his head into the tent to talk to this dedicated small group of supporters. In El Paso County, ORourkes home county, a record 17,131 voters turned out Monday as of 7 p.m., said Melissa Rosales, the countys elections information coordinator. She said the high turnout could be attributed to excitement surrounding ORourke. We were expecting it, Rosales said. By 9 a.m., we already had a really good turnout, and we were already getting calls of lines of voters. We are hoping we get the same traffic throughout early voting. We have the equipment and the pool to be prepared for the number of voters were going to see. Here is information from other parts of Texas that show just how historically large the early turnout numbers were yesterday: Dallas Countys votes totaled 55,384 on Monday, 26,000 more than were cast in 2014, according to The Dallas Morning News . In Bexar County, The San Antonio Express News reported that as of 4 p.m. Monday more than 24,000 people had voted in person, compared to 13,436 who voted in person first day in 2014. Votes in Travis County, where Austin is located, totaled 47,405, compared to 17,181 first-day in-person and mail-in votes in 2014. Midland County Election Administrator Deborah Land said out of 84,945 registered voters in her county, 3,546 had voted by 4 p.m. Monday compared to just 756 who voted the first day in 2014. We had a line at the elections office all day, Land said. Most of the time it was extending down the hallway. Early voting numbers do not dictate general election outcomes. They do show the level of enthusiasm for voting, and that can be significant for a candidate like ORourke. He is dependent on groups of voters who have not voted at high rates in midterm elections in the past, such as young voters and Hispanic voters. The fact that the early voting totals from yesterday in Texas were two to three times higher than during the last midterm elections in 2014 shows us that something special is going on. American democracy is alive and well and thriving in the state of Texas. And that is what must occur in order to make the Lone Star State a blue state, which could happen this year. 822 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Donald Trumps lawyer, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, seems to have escaped from the doghouse. After months on TV telling lies and saying strange, indecipherable things, Giuliani disappeared from public view. Now he has reappeared and he is right back at it, making comments that can best be described as bizarre. Its not clear whether Giuliani is officially off the leash or if his new comments were made without Trump administration approval. Regardless, Reuters reported yesterday: Under an unusual arrangement, Paul Manaforts attorney has kept Donald Trump informed about the former campaign chairmans meetings with prosecutors investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and, according to Trumps lawyer, Manafort has not said anything damaging about the president. Rudy Giuliani, who represents Trump in the Russia probe, told Reuters that he had spoken with Manaforts lawyer, Kevin Downing, as recently as last week. Giuliani said the conversations were occurring under a so-called joint defense agreement, which allows lawyers who represent different clients to exchange information without violating attorney-client privilege. Legal experts said it was unusual for such an agreement to remain in effect after a person pleads guilty and agrees to cooperate with prosecutors as Manafort has done. Manafort is talking to Special Counsel Robert Mueller about a lot of things, none of which are incriminating with regard to the president, Giuliani said in one of several conversations with Reuters this month. But heres the thing: what Giuliani is reported as saying cannot be true. Paul Manafort now works for Bob Mueller, and Mueller would not allow a joint defense agreement. If he did allow this to continue, then Manafort and his attorney could tell Giuliani and Trump everything going on inside the special counsels investigation. Mueller would never let this happen. You can only have a joint defense agreement where there is a common interest between two defendants who are both being prosecuted for the same crimes. Since Manafort pleaded guilty, he is no longer being prosecuted and doesnt have need of a defense agreement. Clearly Giuliani is telling lies again. Apparently he cant help himself. The question here is: why is he doing it? What good does it do his client Donald Trump to lie about something like this? The answer is it does no good legally, but it helps Giuliani by getting in the headlines again with what appears to be good news for his boss. Giuliani may be saying these things only to make Trump feel better. Paul Manafort has sold out Donald Trump, and he knows it (and Giuliani knows it). While waiting for the shoe to drop from Mueller, they can make themselves feel better by living in a fantasy world, and that appears to be what Rudy Giuliani is doing. Bob Mueller is waiting until after the midterms to reveal the next steps in his strategy. We dont know exactly what will happen next, but we do know that it wont be good news for Donald Trump. 266 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard The recent indictment of a Russian national accused of trying to interfere in U.S. elections shows that not enough has been done to stop Russia from trying to illegally influence American voters in 2018, experts say. Knowledgeable people have been warning the public for a long time that Russia is trying to influence voters this year. They say Fridays indictment which revealed details of the alleged attempts to sway the public, shows that the penalties against Russia havent been enough to shut down their campaigns to disrupt American elections, and ultimately, our democracy. This indictment makes it clear once again that the Russians spent millions of dollars in an organized effort to interfere in our election, and exacerbate divisions in our country, yet the president has done nothing, David Kris, the former assistant attorney general for national security during the Obama administration. It is helpful that the American people are more aware of this influence campaign but that is not enough, he continued. This administration needs to hold Russia accountable and work to prevent them from doing this again. Fridays complaint charged Elena Alekseevna Khusyaynova with handling the finances for a Russian group that worked to influence U.S. elections. Khusyaynova was the first person to be indicted for attempting to interfere in the 2018 U.S. elections. Robert Mueller had indicted 13 Russians and three Russian entities earlier this year, charging them with fraud and conspiracy in their efforts to influence the 2016 election. But this new indictment shows the illegal Russian influence campaigns are continuing. Also on Friday several U.S. intelligence agencies, including the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), warned of ongoing campaigns by Russia, China and Iran to undermine confidence in democratic institutions and influence public sentiment and government policies. Justice Department spokesperson Marc Raimondi said that the department has certainly been aggressive at investigating interference and influence-related crimes and bringing charges when we are able across a wide range of influence and interference incidents. Despite this, experts are saying that the U.S. still has not done enough to counter election interference and to protect election processes. And they say that the latest indictment proves that our government must take an even tougher approach with Moscow. National security adviser John Bolton was in Moscow and told reporters that while in the Kremlin he advised Russian officials that he didnt believe Russia had any impact on the 2016 election, but warned them against attempting to influence elections in the future. The point I made to Russian colleagues today was that I didnt think, whatever they had done in terms of meddling in the 2016 election, that they had any effect on it, but what they have had an effect in the United States is to sow enormous distrust of Russia, Bolton told a Russian radio station. And its a major obstacle to achieving agreement on issues where our national interest may converge, so I said, just from a very cold blooded cost benefit ratio, that you shouldnt meddle in our elections because youre not advancing Russian interest, and I hope that was persuasive to them. John Carlin, a former U.S. assistant attorney general for national security, explained the significance of the Khusyaynova indictment. He said: The most significant thing is that it shows for the first time in a criminal chargethat the Russian campaign to interfere in our elections is not last elections news, but its a problem of right now. This includes conduct aimed at our current elections in 2018. Carlin added that while the U.S. has imposed previous sanctions on Russia, it still hasnt done enough. He said the penalties for interference campaigns are not enough to outweigh the benefits for Putin. Carlin advised that the U.S. pass legislation to ensure that sanctions would definitely be implemented in situations where foreign election interference was prove to have occurred. The warning has been issued: Russians are interfering in American elections right now, with just two weeks to go until the midterms. The question is: what are we going to do about it? Sadly, with Republicans in charge of Congress and the presidency, it appears that far too little has been done, and our country is very vulnerable to attack. Hopefully with new people in charge of at least one house of Congress after the midterms there will be a new, tougher approach to Russian election interference in the future. 3.4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Former Trump lawyer, Ty Cobb said that the Russia investigation is not a witch hunt, and called the special prosecutor an American hero. Cobb said when asked if he thought that the Russia investigation was a witch hunt, I dont think its a witch hunt. Trumps former attorney went on to praise Mueller for his service in Vietnam while calling him an American hero. Ty Cobb was the member of the Trump legal team who according to various books and articles on the Trump White House urged cooperation with the Mueller investigation. Cobb left Trumps legal team after it was clear that the president only wanted legal representation that would embrace and push Trumps witch hunt conspiracy view of the Russia investigation. Video: Former Trump lawyer, Ty Cobb said that the Russia investigation is not a witch hunt, and called the special prosecutor an American hero. https://t.co/ylE7kxnLDn pic.twitter.com/76fii39Jfd Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) October 23, 2018 When Trumps own former lawyer is validating the investigation by rebuking the presidents claims of a vast conspiracy that is out to get him, that is a big problem. In two weeks, Mueller may not be investigating the events of the 2016 election alone. Cobbs comments underscore why it is important to elect Democrats to the House and Senate. Republicans have shown for nearly two years that they arent going to investigate this president. The only way that Mueller will be protected is if a Democratic majority in the House, Senate, or both has his back. Ty Cobb has given voters another reason to vote Democrat. For the latest election news, join our Blue Wave 2018 group. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook. Millions of Moldovans were glued to their TV screens watching with increasing panic the news from neighboring European countries about a massive wave of Syrian refugees. The horrifying reports were coming from Russian TV retranslated by the Moldovan TV channels claims their neighbors were drowning in crime and terrorism imported with the Syrian refugees, who fled the war in their own country Moldova is a small country located in Central Europe, in between two rivers, with Ukraine on the east and Romania on the west. It is the poorest country in the region, and among the most corrupt and continues to face Russian dominance more than a quarter century after the Soviet Union collapsed. The dominance extends to the media landscape, as we will explore here. The EU disaster reports about migration continued for nearly two years, reaching their height during the 2016 presidential elections in Moldova, when the fear of Syrian refugees transformed from the neighbors problem into every Moldovans terror. One news report screamed of an "Invasion of 30,000 Syrians in Moldova," if the pro-European candidate were to win the election. "The pro-European candidate for the position of Moldovan president Maia Sandu, had an agreement with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to receive 30,000 Syrian immigrants to Moldova if she wins the presidential elections, reported a news portal guralumii.md, adding that Sandu accepted the German Chancellor's proposal." Sandu denied any such talks or agreements ever took place. The fears were brought back to life two years later -- in March 2018, when residents of the Moldovan capital Chisinau were electing a mayor. A TV report [presented falsely as an Al Jazeera original] stated that "Chisinau will be rented to the Arab Emirates for 50 years, -- again, if the pro-European candidate Andrei Nastase were to win the mayors seat. The report posted by Stiripespuse.com claimed that Andrei Nastase had an arrangement with the Sheikh of the United Arab Emirates to rent the capital of the Republic of Moldova for 50 years for modernization and, as a remuneration, Andrei Nastase had promised to build a sector in Chisinau special for the Arabs. The Moldovan fact-checking portal Stopfals.md debunked the fake report, revealing that the original Al Jazeera report had never mentioned Moldova or its capital, but was about relations between the UAE and Yemen. Although both stories were proven to be fabricated news and investigative reporters revealed that both items of disinformation originated from Russia, media and social networks from Russia like Odnoklasniki.ru remain extremely popular in Moldova. "The avalanche of fake news exists not only in Moldova, and this negative phenomenon has a long history, said Lilia Zaharia journalist at the Association of Independent Press in Moldova. In particular, the Russian press -- journalists affiliated with the Kremlin -- are the ones who often cover unverified and false information aimed at destabilizing the situation in our country or any other, using the weaknesses and the classic stereotypes existing in our society." A media study and a think-tank report show the media landscape in Moldova is dominated by political elites and oligarchs, some with connections to Russia. Several of the dominant TV stations had long rebroadcast Russian programming, including news programs. In January 2018, the Moldovan parliament, via the countrys Constitutional Court, initiated a temporary suspension of powers of the nations pro-Russian President Igor Dodon in order to bypass his veto against the law banning retransmission of the Russian TV and radio channels by Moldovan media. The court restored Dodons presidential authority immediately after the foreign propaganda legislation was passed into law. Facing an increased flow of fake news, three Moldovan journalism organizations -- the Independent Press Association, the Center for Independent Journalism and the Moldovan TV Journalists Association --created a group of professionals to fight against misinformation and disinformation with support from the European Union. The result of their combined efforts, the StopFals Campaign, investigates and refutes intentionally distributed disinformation in the online environment. The fact checks and analyses are published on the StopFals.md Web site. As part of its program, the StopFalse Campaign trained 35 journalists and media experts from most of the country's districts, including Gagauzia and Transnistria. These people then go back home and inform people about how to distinguish fake information from verifiable news and promote literacy. The StopFals Campaign in Moldova produced Propaganda and Counterpropaganda. Theoretical and Practical Manual" a book that is available free online for all those interested in topics such as information security, propaganda and counterpropaganda, misinformation and manipulation through the media. In addition, this past August, Viorica Zaharia, chairman of the Press Council, together with StopFalss team, published a list of websites that distribute false news. (This article written by a Moldovan journalist Elena SIRBU who was on a fellowship at the Polygraph.info, Voice of Americas fact-checking unit). Hannah Alani is a reporter at The Post and Courier covering race, immigration and rural life across the Palmetto State. Before graduating from Indiana University and moving to Charleston in 2017, her byline appeared in The New York Times. Abigail Darlington is a local government reporter focusing primarily on the City of Charleston. She previously covered local arts & entertainment, technology, innovation, tourism and retail for the Post and Courier. Former Rep. Jim Harrison (center) served as the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee for years during his time in the South Carolina Statehouse. He is now on trial for alleged misconduct in office, conspiracy and perjury. Andrew Knapp is editor of the Quick Response Team, which covers crime, courts and breaking news. He previously worked as a reporter and copy editor at Florida Today, Newsday and Bangor (Maine) Daily News. He enjoys golf, weather and fatherhood. Paul Bowers is an education reporter and father of three living in North Charleston. He previously worked at the Charleston City Paper, where he was twice named South Carolina Journalist of the Year in the weekly category. You are the owner of this article. The trial of former Rep. Jim Harrison (left) began in Richland County on Monday. He was charged as part of the years-long probe into corruption in the South Carolina Legislature. File/John A. Carlos II/Special to The Post and Courier The Post and Courier provides a forum for our readers to share their opinions, and to hold up a mirror to our community. Publication does not imply endorsement by the newspaper; the editorial staff attempts to select a representative sample of letters because we believe its important to let our readers see the range of opinions their neighbors submit for publication. South Carolina is moving toward a record turnout for early voting, but it might not reflect voters' enthusiasm over this year's ballot. Instead, officials say the ease of casting a ballot ahead of time instead of risking a long wait in line on Election Day has made more people opt to vote early absentee. The elections office in Charleston County, for example where there is a competitive race for Congress is leading the state in early voting activity, including mail and walk-ins. The county has three early voting sites: one at the Royal Missionary Baptist Church, 4750 Abraham Ave., in North Charleston and one each in West Ashley and Mount Pleasant. In Mount Pleasant, go to Seacoast Church Mount Pleasant, 750 Long Point Road. In West Ashley, go to Seacoast Church West Ashley, 2049 Savannah Highway. The hours for all the sites are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday- Friday. Go to vote.charlestoncounty.org for more information. Berkeley County voters can go to www.berkeleycountysc.gov/drupal/dept/voters. Dorchester County voters can go to dorchestervotes.org. Statewide, the most recent figures indicate more than 47,000 absentee ballots have been issued, which officials say is on pace to break the comparable 2014 mid-term absentee number. Four years ago, some 157,278 people cast an absentee ballot statewide, including by mail. Technically, South Carolina does not have "early voting," but it does have "absentee voting" the process by which voters can visit an open election precinct early. Work commitments, plans to travel out of town or being older than 65 are common and legitimate reasons anyone can vote early. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! Ballots can be requested and sent in by mail, as well. Chris Whitmire, spokesman for the State Election Commission, said it is too early to say what the statewide turnout will be Nov. 6. But he said the ease of voting absentee and the number of voting messages being delivered by social media and new industries Twitter and Uber among them has made the absentee path that much easier to offer as an option. "There's a lot of movement out there that engages voters," he said. Whitmire said he expects an absentee record to be broken every election going forward as more people take advantage. Charleston County elections director Joe Debney said the pace is picking up so quickly locally that in the course of a 10-minute interview with The Post and Courier, four more people had cast absentee ballots in person. Because of the early option, turnout at the polls has dropped 12 percent, he said, meaning shorter lines on Election Day. Both major political parties are aware of the option and have been doing what they can to get their faithful out ahead of time. Locally, interest in the 1st Congressional District race between Republican Katie Arrington and Democrat Joe Cunningham is likely a factor, Debney said. The governor's race between Republican Henry McMaster and Democrat James Smith, as well as several statewide offices, also are driving interest, which could affect down-ballot elections. Many county level and school board seats are also up for grabs in the state. For more information on voting, visit the State Election Commission site at scvotes.org. Columbia/Myrtle Beach Managing Editor Andy Shain runs The Post and Courier's newsrooms based in Columbia and Myrtle Beach. He was editor of Free Times and has been a reporter and editor for newspapers in Charlotte, Columbia and Myrtle Beach. The East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra welcomes a change in seasons with its fall concert Dvorak and Tchaikovsky on Sunday at 7 p.m. The free family-friendly event will take place in the new Founders Hall at the Collegedale Commons on Swinyar Drive in Collegedale. ETSO conductor Jeremy Francisco leads the orchestra with Nathan Francisco on cello in a concert lineup featuring Tchaikovskys Rococo Variations, and Dvoraks Carnival Overture and Symphony No. 9 From the New World. Mathew Miller, executive director of the ETSO, says he looks forward to the symphonys debut performance at Founders Hall as well as future performances at the new community venue. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Collegedale community, the ETSO can expand upon its mission to bring world-class symphonic performances to the East Tennessee Valley, said Mr. Miller. "We're excited, humbled and honored to help christen this new and unique venue. The Founders Hall is a beautiful multipurpose structure that will serve the greater Chattanooga community well into the distant future. Mr. Miller says the ETSO remains hopeful that the completion of the Founders Hall will serve as a catalyst to spur the next phase of on-site development at the Collegedale Commons a world-class outdoor amphitheater. An updated schedule of future concerts will be available on the ETSOs website. For more information, contact Mr. Miller at 580-4999, or visit etsomusic.org. Anthony Brian Logan, political news commentator and YouTuber, will be among hundreds of black conservatives visiting the White House during the Young Black Leadership Summit Oct. 25-28, in Washington D.C. Mr. Logan currently resides in Chattanooga. The conference is sponsored by Turning Point USA and invites young black conservatives between the ages of 15 and 35 to hear from some of the nations most prominent conservative leaders and activists. Attendees will receive first-class professional development, leadership training and networking opportunities. The event includes a visit to the White House. Featured guest speakers include Dr. Ben Carson, radio commentator Larry Elder, actress Stacy Dash, and Turning Point USAs communications director Candace Owens. Also attending will be a host of social influencers, like Logan, whose goal is to foster a sense of community among black Americans with conservative views. We seek to empower people and give them the tools necessary to return to their communities and share the values of conservatism to others, Mr. Logan said. The black conservative movement is key to the survival of not only blacks in America, but of the United States of America as a whole. Mr. Logan, a YouTuber with more than 220,000 subscribers and over 35 million views, says hes always listening to the concerns of the black community. He says family court reform is on the top of the list. A lot of black men are being buried under child support debt and unfair treatment when it comes to custody issues, Mr. Logan said. You also have many black women that are being misled by the purveyors of the ever-present welfare state. This contributes to broken families. The Virginia Beach, Va. native says illegal immigration is also a pressing issue in the black community. Contrary to popular belief, there is an upswing of support in the black community for the Southern Border wall and also legal immigration reform, he said. Many black areas across the country are being overrun and dominated by people from foreign lands who are here illegally. Mr. Logan says black Americans have been depended on as a bedrock Democratic voting base for too many years. He says the goal of the conference is to shed light on the reality that many black people grew up conservative, though not politically, and to someday unify the black community under the banner of Americas core values. Many of us are walking around lost with a sense of emptiness, he said. This void can and will be filled by bridging the gap between how the majority of us were raised and a matching political viewpoint. For more information about Turning Point USAs Young Black Leadership Summit including a full list of speakers, visit www.tpusa.com/ybls2018 I will vote for keeping most of them in elected office I will vote to replace most of them I will vote to replace some of them I will vote for just a few, if any I will not vote Vote View Results A team of scientists led by Professor Richard Layfield at the University of Sussex has published breakthrough research in molecule-based magnetic information storage materials. The group at the University of Sussex, working with collaborators at Sun-Yat Sen University in China and the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland, report a new single-molecule magnet (SMM) - a type of material that retains magnetic information up to a characteristic blocking temperature. Professor Layfield and his co-authors explain how they successfully designed and synthesized the first SMM with a blocking temperature above 77 K, the boiling point of liquid nitrogen, which is both cheap and readily available. Previously, it was only possible to synthesize SMMs with blocking temperatures reachable by cooling with expensive and scarce liquid helium. Professor of Chemistry, Richard Layfield, said: "Single-molecule magnets have been firmly stuck in the liquid-helium temperature regime for over a quarter of a century. Having previously proposed a blueprint for the molecular structure of a high-temperature SMM, we have now refined our design strategy to a level that allows access to the first such material. "Our new result is a milestone that overcomes a major obstacle to developing new molecular information storage materials and we are excited about the prospects for advancing the field even further." SMMs are molecules capable of remembering the direction of a magnetic field that has been applied to them over relatively long periods of time once the magnetic field is switched off. As such, one can "write" information into molecules leading SMMs to have various potential applications, such as high-density digital storage media and as parts of microprocessors in quantum computers. Practical applications have, however, been greatly hindered by the fact that SMMs are operational only at extremely low temperatures. Their intrinsic memory properties often vanish if they are heated a few degrees above absolute zero (-273C), meaning SMMs can be only studied under laboratory conditions by cooling them with liquid helium. The discovery of the first high-temperature SMM means developments could be made in the future to massively increase the storage capacity of hard disks without increasing their physical size. Seldom has a series name been more appropriate than today, because there are loose ends all over the leading news stories of the moment. About the Jamal Khashoggi story, there are enough loose ends to knit a thick wool sweater. Theres a lot to this episode that still doesnt add up, and I doubt were anywhere close to knowing the full story. And once again, journalists seem to have little interest in asking after some curious details. It is reported that Khashoggi was lured to Istanbul by the Saudis, but that the proximate reason for going to the Saudi consulate there was to clear up some legal requirements to getting remarried. Why did this need to be done at a Saudi consulate in Istanbul? Couldnt any legal steps necessary for something so mundane as marital status been handled at a Saudi consulate in New York, or London, or Frankfurt? Second, if he suspected he was walking into a trap at the consulate (as he apparently warned his girlfriend), why did he go into the consulate alone? One explanation is that, as a former Saudi intelligence agent, he couldnt have a second person accompany him because of the nature of what was supposed to pass between him and the Saudis there. Third, do we really trust the Turks to be honest brokers over this situation? Just how did they get a recording of what took place? It seems rather sloppy of the Saudis not to have swept their consulate for bugs or checked Khashoggi for a wire, but there are lots of other accounts of how a recording (which has apparently been played for U.S. officials) came to be. I dont think were anywhere close to the real story here. Regarding the caravan of migrants heading from central America to the southern U.S. borderdo Democrats think we were all born yesterday? It is widely known that polls find a lot of apathy and indifference among Hispanic voters in the mid-term election now two weeks out, so what better way to whip up Hispanic voters than to see images in the news of downtrodden migrants being denied entry to the U.S. by the Trump Administration. No one in the media seems to be asking who has organized this large effort just now, how it is being paid for, what logistics are involved (the caravan wont reach the border by election day on foot, so expect them to take some buses along the wayprovided and paid for by whom?). I wrote about this phenomena back in 2015, in Nothing Happens for No Good Reason. My exit question was: If we had real journalists any more, some of them might be reporting on these questions. Instead, we get this tweet today from AP, apologizing for departing from the party line: Most of us understood, I think, that the Democrats attempt to bring down Brett Kavanaugh with a pathetically thin allegation of sexual misconduct as a teenager would energize the Republican base just in time for the 2018 elections. But apparently the Kavanaugh effect extends further than that. A new poll by NBC News/Wall Street Journal finds that likely voters in the most hotly contested House races favor Kavanaughs confirmation by a significant margin. To be specific, in districts rated as toss up or leans by the Cook Political Report, voters favor Kavanaughs confirmation 43 percent to 33 percent. How does that compare to likely voters nationwide? The same poll found that these voters also favor Kavanaughs confirmation, but only by a 40-36 margin. NBC/WSJ apparently didnt poll states with key Senate races, even though its the Senate, not the House, that votes on the confirmation of judges. We can surmise, however, that the pro-Kavanaugh effect will be more pronounced in toss up and leans Senate races than in such House contests. The key battleground Senate races are in Red States (e.g., Missouri, West Virginia, Indiana, Montana, and Tennessee) and states that are neither Red nor Blue (e.g., Florida and Nevada). Key House races are more evenly distributed across the partisan spectrum. I dont know how many voters, at the end of the day, will mark their ballot, or decide whether to vote at all, based on the Democrats execrable treatment of Justice Kavanaugh. But it seems clear that, among those who do, the Kavanaugh effect will work to the advantage of the GOP this year. In 2016, the Obama Labor Department, under the radical left-wing leadership of Tom Perez, issued two notices of violation against Microsoft. It found that the company paid women in engineering and other unspecified tech jobs less than their male co-workers and that it passed them over for promotions due to gender. As I discussed at length here, the Obama DOL adopted a radical approach to finding pay discrimination based on the misuse of statistics. The tech industry became the major target of DOL actions based on this untenable approach. The Trump administration might have been expected to adopt a sounder, less ideologically driven approach to analyzing pay statistics than its predecessor. But, as I have often observed, DOL Secretary Alex Acosta seems determined not to rock the boat, no matter how leftward its course. As a result, the Obama Labor Department is about to complete its tenth year. Microsoft, though, was at least able to negotiate a settlement with the Labor Departments Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). OFCCP was under the direction of Ondray Harris, a solid conservative. But Harris later resigned and left the Department. Rumor has it that he was fed up with Acostas unwillingness to depart from the policies of Tom Perez, though I dont know this to be the case. Now, Acosta has pulled the plug on DOLs agreement with Microsoft. Acosta reportedly believes OFCCP was letting Microsoft off too easy. DOL also says OFCCP officials didnt have the authority to finalize the deal without approval from the Labor Solicitor. As to the latter claim, Harris told Bloomberg that OFCCP has the power to resolve investigations without input from the departments solicitor if it happens before a lawsuit is filed. Harris couldnt comment on the merits of claims against Microsoft because he was at the Department during part of the probe. He did say this, however: When OFCCP believes it found something, you cant take that to mean something was actually there. Oftentimes, these things can go on for years and it becomes a battle of experts. I think this is a discreet way of making the point I made above: The findings against the tech companies, including Microsoft, are based on statistical analyses that infer discrimination that isnt there, and certainly not to the extent claimed. Typically, this happens under the Tom Perez/Alex Acosta regime mainly because the DOLs statistical analyses aggregate dissimilar jobs for comparison of pay. When comparing male and female pay rates, its vital to compare the pay of people who are performing the same kinds of work. For example, in the tech industry, a prime target of the Perez-Acosta DOL, it makes sense to see whether male and female engineers performing highly complex work (e.g., on the cloud or on artificial intelligence) are paid about the same. If they arent, the contractor should have to explain why. But it makes no sense to lump all people holding the title engineer together. One would expect engineers performing sophisticated work to be paid significantly more than those performing relatively unsophisticated work, such as tweaking Outlook. Thus, no inference of pay discrimination arises from pay differences within such a broad classification. Moreover, it is preposterous to aggregate all exempt employees and compare their pay. Of course, the CEO of a tech company will be paid more than engineers, and engineers will be paid more than, say, human resource specialists. Inferring discrimination, or even the hint of it, from gender pay disparities within a group this broad is absurd. How much bogus aggregation did the Perez-Acosta DOL indulge in against Microsoft? I dont know. But Harris comment, coupled with what I know about DOLs treatment of other tech companies (such as Oracle) tells me it indulged in too much. Under Acosta, the DOL has adopted additional modes of analyses that give the appearance of pay discrimination where none exists. These include ignoring the labor market and ignoring what jobs employees pursued; what additional skills, qualifications, and experience they obtained; and whether at some point they chose to work part time. Microsoft says the settlement Acosta reneged on was in line with other recent settlements between the agency and other federal contractors. Some of these settlements give more credit to DOLs approaches to calculating pay discrimination than they deserve. Thus, if anything, its likely that the settlement with Microsoft was too hard on the software giant. Why did Microsoft consent to it? Probably because, as Harris says, oftentimes things can go on for years and it simply wanted to move on. Unfortunately, under Alex Acosta, the Obama Department of Labor is also going on for years during the Trump administration. Its past time to move on. PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-23 19:17:01 Aeromexico closes a collaboration agreement with Elena Reygadas, one of the most famous chefs in Mexico.The new meal menus are available for customers traveling in Clase Premier to Europe (Madrid, Paris, London and Amsterdam), departing from Mexico Mexico City, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mexico City, October 23, 2018. On October 16, Aeromexico customers traveling in Clase Premier started to enjoy an exclusive menu designed by Elena Reygadas, considered one of the most prestigious chefs in Mexico. This menu is only available on flights to Europe, including the Madrid, Paris, London, and Amsterdam routes, departing from Mexico City. The menu will be redesigned on a quarterly basis and according to the four seasons of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter), in order to continue offering differentiated services to our passengers. The meals are produced in Chef Elena Reygadas kitchens, following the Restaurant in the Sky concept, an initiative that was born as part of the Delta Air Lines service standardization process that consists of bringing the restaurant on board. Aeromexico customers now have the option to choose between four lunch or dinner options, plus three breakfast choices. Lunch or Dinner Cheeses Rosemary bread St. Maure, Camembert, Oatcakes, Tomato and fennel-seed spread Entree Hummus, Cauliflowers, Carrots, and Chia tostadas. Arugula, Parmesan and Baked Tomatoes. Main Course a. Braised Short Rib with Potatoes, and Leeks b. Spinach, Tomato, and Ricotta Lasagna c. Roasted Vegetables, Barley, and Red Curry d. Corned Beef Sandwich Dessert Chocolate and Hazelnut mousse Pain depices Snacks Stuffed Focaccia, Hazelnut biscotti Breakfast Pulque Bread, Conchas (mexican Sweet Bread) Seasonal Fruit, Yogurt, and Granola a. Tomato and Goat Cheese Quiche b. Smoked salmon, avocado puree, and multi-seed bread c. Baked oatmeal with almond milk. Antonio Fernandez, VP Product Design and Service Standards at Aeromexico, spoke about the new menu and said: It is a pleasure to be able to work with one of the most famous chefs in Mexico. Elena uses organic products that are locally grown in Mexico, so all of the raw materials used in her cooking processes are of the highest quality. The chef is keenly focused on the diners well-being. She looks after all of the elements that are used to create her dishes so our passengers will enjoy an enhanced experience that will improve their perception of the service offered by Aeromexico, added the director. Aeromexicos implementation of this type of initiatives confirms the carriers commitment to staying at the forefront of the industry by offering passengers innovative customer experiences. PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-23 15:07:38 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 442 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 23, 2018 / Alliance Mining Corp. ( TSX.V: ALM) ("Alliance" or the "Company") is applying to list on the on the OTCQB Venture Market. The OTCQB Venture Market provides efficient access to U.S. investors, helping Canadian companies build shareholder value with a goal of enhancing liquidity and achieving fair valuation. Through trading on OTCQB, companies can engage a far greater network of U.S. investor, data distributors and media partners, ensuring U.S. investors have access to the same high-quality information that is available to investors in Canada, but through U.S. platforms and portals used to conduct research. Havilah Mining's True North Mine/Mill Complex 4 kilometres from Alliance's Packsack Property Alliance Mining has an option to acquire 100 per cent of the Red Rice Lake property located in the centre of the Bissett gold camp in Manitoba. The property is located close to the town of Bissett, Man., and just four kilometres south from Havilah Mining's True North gold mine. The Red Rice Lake gold property claims are located within the Archean Rice Lake greenstone belt in southeastern Manitoba. This belt forms part of the Uchi subprovince that includes the Red Lake and Pickle Lake belts in Northwestern Ontario.Alliance Mining Corp. has recently signed a letter of intent with Jadestone Energy LLC to acquire a 100-per-cent interest in Jadestone's Tonopah uranium project. The Tonopah uranium project is located in the Tonopah mining district in Nye county and Esmerelda county, Nevada. The company is working with Jadestone to finalize a definitive agreement.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARDAl BeatonDirectorFOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Alliance Mining Corp.(604) 488-3900Investor Relations: Antony Claydon: 604-488-3900E-mail: ir@ alliancemining.com 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 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, continued availability of financing, and general economic, market or business conditions.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.Alliance Mining Corp. 888 Dunsmuir Street - Suite 888, Vancouver, B.C., V6C 3K4 SOURCE: Alliance Mining Corp PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-23 16:00:19 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 746 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Focused on Increasing Awareness and Enhancing Shareholder ValueNASHVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / October 23, 2018 / American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: AREB) (the "Company"), America's Patriotic Brand, announced today that it has retained Hayden IR, a national investor relations consulting firm, to implement a strategic investor relations program grounded in best practices. Hayden IR will work to raise American Rebel's visibility within the investment community by strengthening its relationships and increasing awareness with the goal of ultimately enhancing shareholder value.''We are encouraged by our business progress over the past few months and opportunities in front of us that position us for future revenue growth,'' said Mr. Andy Ross, American Rebel's Chief Executive Officer. ''While we continue to focus on sales growth, both organically and acquisitively, we are also focused on improving our capital markets strategy. As we look to all of this positive momentum, the Board and management believed it was an appropriate time to retain a proactive strategic investor relations firm to help us reach new potential investors and effectively communicate our investment thesis. We are confident that throughout their national footprint, Hayden IR will help us more effectively communicate our accelerated growth strategy, business objectives and corporate milestones to a wider audience of sophisticated investors.''Hayden IR ( www.HaydenIR.com) is a highly regarded investor relations consulting firm known for its ability to connect underfollowed and undervalued emerging growth companies with sophisticated institutional investors, buy-side and sell-side analysts, retail brokerage firms and accredited individual investors. Leveraging decades of cumulative experience, Hayden IR develops strategies to help clients effectively communicate with the investment community and works to increase their exposure through targeted outreach and transparent positioning. Hayden IR helps public companies deliver the right message to the right audience. Over time, Hayden IR helps its clients navigate up the Wall Street value chain and to help them secure a reasonable valuation by broadening their audience, expanding institutional ownership and ensuring clear, consistent communication with the public.About American RebelAmerican Rebel (OTCQB: AREB) is boldly positioning itself as America's Patriotic Brand. American Rebel's initial product offering is its line of concealed carry products, which were launched at the 2017 NRA Annual Meeting. The Company has identified the market opportunity to design, manufacture, and market innovative concealed carry products. American Rebel accesses its market uniquely through its positioning as America's Patriotic Brand and the appeal of its products as well as through the profile and public persona of its founder and CEO Andy Ross. Andy has hosted his own television show for 12 years, has made multiple appearances over the years at trade shows, and is well-known in the archery world as the founder of Ross Archery, which was the world's fastest growing bow company in 2007 and 2008. Andy has also released 3 CDs, done numerous radio and print interviews, and performed many concerts in front of tens of thousands of people. Andy has the ability to present American Rebel to large numbers of potential customers through the appeal of his music and other supporting appearances. For example, his appearance on the History Channel hit show Counting Cars in February 2014 has been viewed by over 2 million people. Bringing innovative products that satisfy an existing demand to the market through exciting means is the American Rebel blueprint for success. For more information on American Rebel, go to www.AmericanRebel.com.Forward-Looking Safe HarborStatements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, as amended: with the exception of the historical information contained in this release, the matters described herein contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that may individually or mutually impact the matters herein described for a variety of reasons that are outside the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, projected revenues from the sales of its products through its other on-line channels, estimated market for its products, and statements about achieving its other development, growth, commercialization, financial and staffing objectives. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein. Readers are urged to read the risk factors set forth in the Company's most recent filing on Form S-1, annual report on Form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports filed on Form 10-Q and other filings made with the SEC. Copies of these reports are available from the SEC's website or without charge from the Company.Investors:Emerging Markets Consulting, LLCJames S. Painter IIIjamespainter@ emergingmarketsllc.com(407) 340-0226Hayden IRhdavner@ haydenir.com(917) 841-5859SOURCE: American Rebel Holdings, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-23 15:06:46 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 585 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Launching the First Regulatory-Compliant Social Media Investor Platform in the USCALGARY, CANADA / ACCESSWIRE / October 23, 2018 / 8020 Connect Inc. ("8020") today announced the formation of "8020 USA Corporation", a 51/49 Joint Partnership with PCG Advisory Group, a leading New York City-based investor relations and digital strategies firm, which will launch the first regulatory compliant social media investor platform ( www.8020connect.com) for U.S. listed issuers and the global investment community. The creation of 8020 USA Corp., and the future 8020 stocks.com platform, demonstrates the 8020 commitment to growing a global audience of small-cap investors and issuers. Join the future of small-cap investing: www.8020connect.com The formation of 8020 USA Corp. solidifies 8020's relationship with its US partner, PCG Advisory Group, and allows 8020 to enter one of the most vibrant and sought-after markets in the world with the support of a strong US-based partner. The USA market not only increases investment opportunities for investors but has the potential to bring a massive number of active investors to the 8020 global community. What makes 8020 so powerful is that it allows an investor anywhere in the world to have the same access, communication and accountability from management of listed issuers as any other shareholder in the world. "I'm excited to move past the LOI stage and begin the deployment of www.8020stocks.com and the build out of our initial US operations. The US market is a key part of our long-term strategy and I look forward to working with the PCG team to bring the powerful 8020 platform to the largest financial market in the world," stated, Darren Stewart, founder and CEO of 8020 Connect."8020's disruptive technology for shareholder access and communication will be a welcome addition to the investment tools available for small and micro-cap investors in the US. At PCG, we believe that greater communication is always the path to greater awareness, liquidity and ultimately, fair valuation and we're pleased to partner with the strong team at 8020," said Jeff Ramson, Founder and CEO of PCG. 8020 USA Corporation is a Delaware corporation, with its head office at 150 East 58th Street, 20th floor, New York, NY, 10155.About 8020 Connect 8020 Connect is the Canadian investment industry's social media platform for the interactive sharing of knowledge and ideas between industry professionals, public companies and individual investors, with the goal of increasing communication and participation in the Canadian investment industry. For more information, go to: www.8020connect.com About PCG Advisory Group Founded in 2008, PCG Advisory is dedicated to the delivery of top-tier strategic advisory services that encompass investor and stakeholder relations, capital markets navigation, corporate communications and social media management for emerging growth companies. The team at PCG has extensive experience with life science, fintech and blockchain technology and works with innovative and emerging companies from around the globe. As an aggregation, distribution, and engagement platform, PCG reaches thousands of individual, retail and institutional investors and stakeholders in its proprietary and extensive distribution network, and through the use of unique digital marketing and audience development techniques. For more information, go to: www.pcgadvisory.comFor more information please contact: Darren Stewart CEO 8020 Connect Inc. T: 403.835.1810 E: darren@8020 connect.com W: www.8020connect.com D'Arcy Funfer President 8020 Connect Inc. T: 403.214.0218 E: darcy@8020 connect.com W: www.8020connect.com Jeff Ramson Managing Director & CEO PCG Advisory Group, Inc. T: 646.863.6341 E: jramson@ pcgadvisory.com W: www.pcgadvisory.com Gregory Barton - Managing Director, Digital Services & Social Media PCG Advisory Group, Inc. T: 646.863.6341 E: gbarton@ pcgadvisory.com W: www.pcgadvisory.com SOURCE: 8020 Connect Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-23 16:13:02 LONDON, Oct. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mr. George Matharu, President of Elite Capital & Co. Limited (ECC), announced today that the success of being in the Global Banking & Finance Review Magazines 2018 Awards List was the result of enormous effort and teamwork within the company since it was founded in 2012. These Awards were established to reward excellence and recognize best practice and innovation across the Worldwide business community. Global Banking & Finance Review celebrate those who have attained the peak of achievement in terms of distinction and market influence. The list mirrors the nominations, suggestions and contributions of the readership and analyses new trends to uncover the best and the brightest pioneers in business today. This is recognition of ECCs drive to design solutions for clients after they have exhausted traditional funding sources and methods. Elite Capital & Co. Limited is a private limited company that provides project related services including Management, Consultancy and Funding, particularly for large infrastructure and commercial projects. George Matharu, in his statement, praised the support of Dr. Faisal Khazaal, Chairman of the Board of Directors, who boosted the engine of the Elite Capital & Co. Limited over the past years; Dr. Khazaal is responsible for the development of the fruitful business strategies with the customers on a local, international and the governmental level by using his relationships and influence that he has gained over time being the Chairman of the parent company Deals Secure Group Holding Company (DSGH) since its founding in 1995. Elite Capital & Co. Limited has made strategic alliances with several organizations and companies which have given them access to international markets in Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle East and GCC region. This has given ECC a substantial foundation of clients to build on, in addition to access to the markets that are most in need of the products and services they offer. The aim of ECC is to facilitate the commencement and completion of Infrastructure projects, stimulate economy, create employment and combat poverty. Our services are suitable for all types of Infrastructure Projects in either Greenfield (Pre Operations Stage) or Brownfield (Operations Stage) including but not limited to Sea Ports, Airports, Railway, Bridges, Roads and Highways, Water and Sanitation Utilities, Energy, Communications, Hospitals, Schools and Social Infrastructure etc. This includes other projects or activities that impact positively on the relevant countrys basic infrastructure including the manufacturing of components used in infrastructure (such as cement and steel) and infrastructure associated with mining and agribusiness, Mr. George Matharu, President and CEO of Elite Capital & Co. Limited, said. Projects accepted by Elite Capital & Co. Limited are primarily executed on an EPC+F basis, which is Engineering, Procurement and Construction plus Finance. ECCs services depend on four types of Funding Collateral. 1. Commercial Bank Instruments; Bank Guarantees, Bonds, Medium Term Notes, or other Bank Debt Instruments issued by banks rated B+ or better, but this can be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 2. Sovereign Guarantee; Elite Capital & Co. Limited is able to facilitate funding for Government and Infrastructure Projects against a Sovereign Guarantee subject to the Sovereign Guarantee being ratified by the relevant authorities and departments, namely the Central Bank and Ministry of Finance in the respective countries. In some cases the Sovereign Guarantee may need to be confirmed by a Commercial Bank. 3. Resource Guarantee; The option is available to fund projects against a Resource Guarantee such as an Oil Guarantee or any other significant and valuable minerals or resources that the country has may also be considered. 4. Promissory Notes; Corporate Promissory Notes endorsed by a commercial bank can be useful if the project has bankable assets that can be used for leverage financing. Mr. George Matharu concluded his statement by saying, the award from Global Banking & Finance Review would serve to enforce the companys current business relationships, and help to foster relationships with new or prospective clients. Elite Capital & Co. Limited Contact Details Elite Capital & Co. Limited 33 St. James Square London, SW1Y4JS United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0) 203 709 5060 Facsimile: +44 (0) 203 709 5061 SWIFT Code: ELCTGB21 Website ec.uk.com Global Banking & Finance Review Website Website globalbankingandfinance.com PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-23 21:12:59 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 482 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VICTORIA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / October 23, 2018 / Renee Gagnon, founder and CEO of HollyWeed North Cannabis Inc. ("HollyWeed" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce the Company has signed a mutual referral fee agreement dated October 2, 2018 with Toronto-based Cannabis Compliance Inc. ("CCI"), one of the first cannabis consulting firms in Canada and abroad. CCI offers advice on ACMPR applications, medical import and export, quality assurance, business planning, security and facility design, and other services for cannabis businesses large and small in Canada and across the globe."CCI is a true leader in assisting applicants and existing producers get into the cannabis industry and evolve. HollyWeed North is excited to build this relationship and to become part of their solution stack," said Renee Gagnon, CEO of HollyWeed North. "CCI will leverage its extensive network within the cannabis sector to assist HollyWeed North with their growth strategy. This is partnership is mutually beneficial for both parties and we look forward to navigating this changing landscape together," said Edward Collins, Global Vice President, Sales & Marketing of Cannabis Compliance Inc.About HollyWeed North Cannabis Inc.HollyWeed North is a private Canadian company incorporated in British Columbia, established in 2016, with operating subsidiaries specializing in the growth, manufacturing, licensing and production of cannabis and other pharma grade products. HollyWeed North's subsidiaries include HollyWeed Manufacturing and Extracts Inc., a federally dealers' licensed company incorporated in British Columbia specializing in cannabis extraction and product manufacturing; HollyWeed Grow Inc., a late stage federal ACMPR applicant, also a private company incorporated in British Columbia specializing in the growth of medical cannabis and cannabis products; HollyWeed Retail Inc., a retail strategies provider and supply chain management company incorporated in British Columbia; HollyWeed Bakery Inc., a developer and manufacturer of unique cannabis baked goods and edibles incorporated in British Columbia; and Terracube International Inc., a manufacturer and developer of proprietary scalable, sanitary grow facilities incorporated in British Columbia. HollyWeed North is currently restructuring its capital such that, upon execution of the Definitive Agreement, all the subsidiaries will be wholly-owned by HollyWeed North.About Cannabis Compliance Inc.Cannabis Compliance Inc. offers risk mitigation, due diligence regulatory compliance and Staffing Solutions for commercial cannabis producers and resellers around the world. We operate in the Global market and provide our clients with trusted and comprehensive solutions. CCI has extensive expertise in regulatory compliance, cultivation/horticulture, security designs/tender, facility designs/build-outs, and quality assurance programs, Import & Export, staff recruitment and financial planning. CCI exists to empower the future leaders in the global cannabis industry. For further information:Cannabis Compliance Inc.: Deepak Anand, Vice President, Government Relations, 236-889-4000, deepak@ cannabiscomplianceinc.com http://www.cannabiscomplianceinc.com/HollyWeed North Cannabis Inc: Kate Dalgleish, Director of Legal Affairs and Government Relations, 250-889-7044 kate@ hollyweednorth.com http://hollyweednorth.com Contact: Deborah Radel at DRPR, Deborah@ drpr.usSOURCE: HollyWeed North Cannabis Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-23 18:00:03 Press release Outside trading hours Regulated information* Brussels, 23 October 2018, 18h00 CEST Publication of transparency notification(s) received by KBC Group NV (art. 14, 1st section of the Act of 2 May 2007 concerning the disclosure of significant participations) Summary of the notification(s) KBC Group NV has received a transparency notification dd. 18 October 2018, dd. 19 October 2018 and dd. 22 October 2018, which as a final result state that BlackRock Inc. has crossed the reporting threshold of 5% (total voting rights and equivalent financial instruments) upwards. Content of the notification(s) The notification(s) contain(s) following information: Reason for the notification(s): acquisition or disposal of voting securities or voting rights Notification(s) by: BlackRock Inc. Persons subject to the notification requirement: see annex Date(s) on which the threshold is crossed: 17 October 2018, 18 October 2018 and 19 October 2018 Threshold that is crossed: 5% (KBC Groups Articles of Association set a notification threshold of 3% of the total number of voting rights. In addition, the legal thresholds of 5% or any multiple thereof also apply) Denominator (number of shares KBC Group NV): 415 897 567 Notified details: see annex. The number of KBC-shares with voting rights and equivalent financial instruments owned by BlackRock (expressed as a per cent of the total of KBC-shares) amounted to 4.93% and 0.05% dd. 17 October 2018, 5.01% and 0.05% dd. 18 October 2018 and 4.96% and 0.06% dd. 19 October 2018. Chain of controlled undertakings through which the holding is effectively held: See 11: Full chain of controlled undertakings through which the holding is effectively held in the PDF-file(s) on www.kbc.com (see below). See 11: Full chain of controlled undertakings through which the holding is effectively held in the PDF-file(s) on www.kbc.com (see below). The relevant notification(s) is (are) available at www.kbc.com > Investor relations > Shareholder information > Shareholder structure. Full press release attached. Attachment PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-23 01:01:02 Meets growing demand for secure mobile authentication in banking, payment, government, automotive and enterprise apps Ksmartech Expands Trustonic Partnership to Secure Authentication for iOS and Android Apps For Trustonic Beckie Richardson beckie@iseepr.co.uk +44 (0)113 350 1922. As smartphones and tablets are increasingly used to access critical apps and services, there is a growing demand for highly secure in-app user authentication. Ksmartech a Korean security and certification leader has expanded its partnership with Trustonic to secure its digital One-Time-Password (OTP) service on all Android and iOS devices. Ksmartechs digital authentication services are already widely available on Android devices it is used by Hana Card to protect its [..] enabling secure OTP generation within banking and financial services applications at the click of a button. The new OTP solution integrates Trustonic Application Protection (TAP) to expand support to iPhones and deliver secure authentication across all consumer devices. Sunho Jung, CEO of Ksmartech, comments: Trustonic is the only security software vendor that could meet our needs. Securing our OTP service on Android devices has been a huge success so now is the right time to expand our relationship to enable developers to secure apps for all of their users, whatever device they are using. With a single SDK, app developers in Korean banks and enterprises can now eliminate hardware tokens, which users dislike, and secure OTPs inside both iOS and Android apps. We are already working with clients on multiple projects and look forward to announcing commercial roll outs later this year. Ben Cade, CEO of Trustonic explains We are committed to making life easier for mobile app developers to deliver highly secure apps for consumers, whatever device they are using. In collaboration with Ksmartech, we are increasing mobile security while also making apps faster and easier to use. Consumers can now receive the same secure user experience, regardless of the device or operating system, and all app developers need is a single SDK. Trustonic Application Protection (TAP) solution offers a single SDK and API set for developers to integrate software and hardware security into their applications. Learn how Trustonic Application Protection can protect your critical financial services apps. -ENDS- About Trustonic Trustonic's mission is to embed the best security into the worlds smart devices and to empower mobile and IoT developers to build the trust required to deliver simple, fast and secure apps and services. The Trustonic hardware-backed security platform is embedded in more than 1.5 billion devices including those from Samsung, vivo, OPPO, Xiaomi, LG, Meizu and Gionee. Trustonics mobile app protection solutions secure critical apps for banks, FinTechs, payment providers, cryptocurrency platforms, automotive manufacturers, mobile network operators and government bodies. Companies using Trustonic solutions include Symantec VIP, Samsung Knox, Samsung Pay, Alipay and WeChat Pay. Trustonic was formed in 2012 as a joint venture between Arm and Gemalto. www.trustonic.com About Ksmartech Ksmartech specializes in the development of wired and wireless services. The companys expertise is in successful system integration projects for financial institutions and telecommunication companies. Ksmartech also has a long-standing venture business with successful R&D achievements in short range wireless communication. The companys goal is to provide services related to the security and certification of all elements necessary for connecting people, things, objects, IoT (Internet of Thing) endpoints and smart cars. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181022005 Ksmartech expands @Trustonic partnership to secure authentication for #iOS and #Android apps; meets growing demand for secure mobile #authentication. PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-23 08:02:02 Data from first in-human clinical trial of SNF472 in haemodialysis patients published in British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Palma, Spain and San Diego, USA, 23 October, 2018 Laboratoris Sanifit S.L., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on treatments for calcification disorders, today announces that data from a phase I study assessing the safety and tolerability of its lead drug candidate SNF472 in haemodialysis patients has been published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. SNF472 is a novel calcification inhibitor being developed for the treatment of cardiovascular disease linked to calcification in haemodialysis (HD), a major factor in morbidity and mortality among the HD patient population. This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study investigated the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered SNF472 in 28 healthy volunteers and HD patients. Data from this study demonstrated acceptable safety and tolerability with no significant adverse events, as well as a lack of significant removal of IV SNF472 drug during dialysis at the selected doses. Pharmacodynamic analyses also demonstrated that SNF472 administration reduced hydroxyapatite crystallization potential in HD patients. We are pleased with the promising results of this first-in-human study, commented Dr. Joan Perello, Chief Executive Officer of Sanifit These data clearly show that SNF472 has strong potential as a novel treatment for cardiovascular calcification in end-stage renal disease; a significant, underserved market with no approved therapies. This provides us with further validation as we progress SNF472 through the clinic. The full article; First-time-in-human randomized clinical trial in healthy volunteers and haemodialysis patients with SNF472, a novel inhibitor of vascular calcification, published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology can be accessed here . SNF472 is currently being assessed in the Phase 2b CaLIPSO clinical trial, for the treatment of cardiovascular disease linked to calcification in end-stage-renal-disease patients on haemodialysis and completed enrolment in July 2018 and final data will be available in Q4 2019. SNF472 is also in development for the treatment of calcific uraemic arteriolopathy (CUA), also known as calciphylaxis. Sanifit is currently in preparations for a pivotal phase 3 CUA study which will begin in H1 2019. For media enquiries: Sanifit Joan Perello, CEO Antonio Jimenez, VP Operations Consilium Strategic Communications Julia Wilson, Chris Welsh Tel: +44 (0) 20 3709 5700 Email: sanifit@consilum-comms.com About SNF472 SNF472 is an intravenous formulation of myo-inositol hexaphosphate with a novel mechanism of action for the treatment of haemodialysis patients with cardiovascular diseases linked to calcification. SNF472 is being developed for two indications: calciphylaxis and cardiovascular disease in end stage renal disease (CV-ESRD) patients undergoing dialysis. SNF472 has orphan drug status for the treatment of calciphylaxis from both the EMA and FDA. SNF472 selectively blocks the progression of pathological cardiovascular calcification, and poses an innovative solution for these unmet medical needs. About Sanifit Sanifit is a biopharmaceutical company focused on calcification disorders. The company was founded in 2007 as a spin-off of the University of the Balearic Islands and expanded its activities in the USA in 2016 with the incorporation of a subsidiary with offices in San Diego. The companys lead asset, SNF472, has successfully completed a Phase 2 proof of concept study in calciphylaxis, with a Phase 3 pivotal study planned to initiate in H1 2019. The company is also investigating SNF472 in a Phase 2b study in CV-ESRD, with results expected in Q4 2019. Sanifit has raised more than $50M, including a series C funding of $41.3M (36.6M) in mid-2015. For more information please visit www.sanifit.com PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-23 14:32:41 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 848 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 INCLINE VILLAGE, NV / ACCESSWIRE /October 23, 2018 / LithiumOre ( http://lithiumore.net) (the "Company"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oroplata Resources, Inc. (OTCQB: ORRP), a lithium resource exploration and development company, announced today that it has appointmented Dr. Krishna Sharma to its Advisory Board.Dr . Sharma is currently the CEO of ITrace Biomedical, a medical device technology company. Dr. Sharma also co-founded Sea2K, an R&D company that develops metal extraction and purification technologies from industrial waste water and effluents. Sea2K developed an extraction technology to recover potassium carbonate from seawater and distillery plants. Previously, Dr. Sharma spent five years at Simbol Materials, as its Lead Scientist, designing and developing various extraction processes for the recovery of lithium, manganese, zinc and potassium from geothermal brines. Dr. Sharma made significant contributions to various industries such as the pharmaceuticals, medical devices and the high-tech materials development and advanced multiple technologies and processes towards commercialization. He holds over 25 US Patents and has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed scientific articles. Dr. Sharma received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Hyderabad and carried out post doctoral studies from Texas A&M university and university of Alabama.Commenting on the announcement Dr. Sharma stated, "I am very pleased to join the Advisory Board of LithiumOre at this exciting time for the Company. I believe LithiumOre is entering a rapid phase of growth. I look forward to working with LithiumOre to advance the Company's extraction and processing business.""We are excited to welcome Dr. Krishna Sharma to our Advisory Board," said Doug Cole, Chairman and CEO of LithiumOre. "With his experience in all stages of extraction technology development and collaborating with the FDA on several products leading to approval, Dr. Sharma is a key addition for the Company. He will provide valuable insights and strategic guidance as we continue to develop our innovative battery metals extraction technology."Made in America, LithiumOre holds 1,300 accepted lithium mineral claims, totaling 26,000 acres, located in Railroad Valley of Nye County, Nevada. Railroad Valley is approximately 112 miles northeast of Clayton Valley and can be accessed by paved highway directly from U.S. Route 6. Railroad Valley is one of Nevada's largest trapped basins and is noted to hold all the necessary commercial and engineering prerequisites for a massive lithium brine deposit. The Company's claims have been evaluated by experts and the BLM and are in planned on-site exploration.LithiumOre http://lithiumore.net) , a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oroplata Resources, Inc. (OTC Markets: ORRP), is a lithium resource exploration and development company, whose primary focus is the establishment of a low cost, environmentally sound production base to supply the rapidly growing lithium-ion battery industry for both mobile devices and laptops, as well as the burgeoning EV (electronic vehicle) industry. LithiumOre is focused on becoming a substantial, profitable lithium producer via the timely development of valuable production-grade lithium brine deposits in Nevada.For more information, please visit: http://lithiumore.net Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, including those with respect to the expected project economics for Western Nevada Basin (Railroad Valley), including estimates of life of mine, average production, cash costs, AISC, initial CAPEX, sustaining CAPEX, pre-tax IRR, pre-tax NPV, net cash flows and recovery rates, the impact of self-mining versus contract mining, the timing to obtain necessary permits, the submission of the project for final investment approval and the timing of initial lithium production after investment approval and full financing, metallurgy and processing expectations, the mineral resource estimate, expectations regarding the ability to expand the mineral resource through future drilling, ongoing work to be conducted at the Western Nevada Basin (Railroad Valley), and the potential results of such efforts, the potential commissioning of a Pre-Feasibility study and the effects on timing of the project, are "forward-looking statements." Although the Company's management believes that such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee that such expectations are, or will be, correct. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's future results to differ materially from those anticipated. Potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, interpretations or reinterpretations of geologic information, unfavorable exploration results, inability to obtain permits required for future exploration, development or production, general economic conditions and conditions affecting the industries in which the Company operates; the uncertainty of regulatory requirements and approvals; fluctuating mineral and commodity prices, final investment approval and the ability to obtain necessary financing on acceptable terms or at all. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is available in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2017. The Company assumes no obligation to update any of the information contained or referenced in this press release.Contact Information Hayden IRStephen Hart(917) 658-7878hart@ haydenir.com SOURCE: LithiumOre PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-23 10:41:02 23 October 2018 Acrons Shareholders Approve Dividends PJSC Acron (Veliky Novgorod) summed up the results of its extraordinary general meeting held on 19 October 2018 in the form of absentee voting. The shareholders approved distribution of a part of Acrons profit for previous years as proposed by Acrons Board of Directors. Dividends on Acrons outstanding ordinary shares will amount to RUB 40 per share. The record date for persons entitled to dividends is set for 30 October 2018. The total amount allocated for dividends is RUB 1.6 billion. Media contacts: Sergey Dorofeev Anastasiya Gromova Tatiana Smirnova Public Relations Phone: +7 (495) 777-08-65 (ext. 5196) Investor contacts: Ilya Popov Investor Relations Phone: +7 (495) 745-77-45 (ext. 5252) Background Information Acron Group is a leading vertically integrated mineral fertiliser producer in Russia and globally, with chemical production facilities in Veliky Novgorod (Acron) and the Smolensk region (Dorogobuzh). The Group owns and operates a phosphate mine in Murmansk region (North-Western Phosphorous Company, NWPC) and is implementing a potash development project in Perm Krai (Verkhnekamsk Potash Company, VPC). It has a wholly owned transportation and logistics infrastructure, including three Baltic port terminals and distribution networks in Russia and China. Acrons subsidiary, North Atlantic Potash Inc. (NAP), holds mining licenses for 13 parcels of the potassium salt deposit at Prairie Evaporite, Saskatchewan, Canada. Acron also holds a minority stake (19.8%) in Polish Grupa Azoty S.A., one of the largest chemical producers in Europe. In 2017, the Group sold 7.3 million tonnes of various products to 65 countries, with Russia, Brazil, Europe and the United States as key markets. In 2017, the Group posted consolidated IFRS revenue of RUB 94,342 million (USD 1,617 million) and net profit of RUB 14,260 million (USD 244 million). Acrons shares are on the Level 1 quotation list of the Moscow Exchange and its global depositary receipts are traded at the London Stock Exchange (ticker AKRN). Acron employs approximately 11,000 people. For more information about Acron Group, please visit www.acron.ru/en. PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-23 01:02:01 FTSE 100 annual reports show growth in application of robotic technologies across various industries New Redwood Software Research Reveals Market Giants Open up about Their Move towards Automation Media Hotwire for Redwood Software Sara Ajazi sara.ajazi@hotwireglobal.com Large-scale organisations are becoming increasingly open about the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI), robotic and automation technologies, according to research announced today by Redwood Software. Analysing the 2017/2018 annual reports of all 100 publically listed companies, 39 per cent mentioned the use of automation across the business, 34 per cent cited AI and 21 per cent of the reports nodded to the use of robotics. In comparison to last years results, mentions of robotics were up 162 per cent, while references to AI more than tripled, highlighting a 386 per cent increase year-on-year. While all three technologies were raised across the reports for a variety of reasons, insurance company Aviva said it was looking to both AI and robotic automation to increasingly transform the efficiency of operations, as well as transform the customer experience. Meanwhile, online British supermarket Ocado mentioned AI, robotics and automation are helping drive innovation and create a sustainable technological advantage in an increasingly competitive market. Neil Kinson, Chief of Staff at Redwood Software said, As organisations continue to evolve, so will their need for robotics, making it unsurprising were seeing these changes occur. However, automation tools alone can only do so much the real success lies in how businesses manage them, and how they work to ensure employees only have positive interactions with them. Surrounded by a constant barrage of hype, it can be challenging for organisations to pinpoint exactly how to deploy these technologies to add value, rather than deploying them just to be seen to. Technology will change over the coming years, but the work we do today will lay the groundwork for the future. If businesses think strategically and engage with stakeholders, they will be in a much better place to exploit the ecosystem of automation that is emerging. Out of the reports studied, just six organisations highlighted the use of all three types of technology, spanning the insurance, retail, personal good, telecoms and utilities industries. About Redwood Software Redwood Software accelerates digital processes and eliminates the costs of the remaining manual tasks anywhere in the organization. We robotize up to 100% of manual tasks. Today more than 3,000 customers worldwide use Redwood to automate their business processes. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181022005 PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-23 18:10:52 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 662 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 - Consent Solicitation Clearly Failed to Receive the Required Majority- Steven Eror Falsely Claimed Victory for the Third TimeSALT LAKE CITY, UT / ACCESSWIRE / October 23, 2018 / ProLung, Inc. ("ProLung" or the "Company") announced today the preliminary results of the consent solicitation by Steven C. Eror and certain other persons (the "Eror Group").Based on the preliminary tally of ProLung's proxy solicitation firm, Laurel Hill, and its outside counsel, Sidley Austin LLP, the Eror Group clearly failed to deliver consents from shareholders owning a majority of the outstanding shares. On their face, the Eror Group's delivered consent cards did not constitute more than 50% of the outstanding shares. In addition, numerous of the delivered consent cards are duplicates or were subsequently revoked by shareholders. A substantial number of Eror Group's consent cards were also legally invalid for a variety of reasons, but this was not outcome-determinative. In accordance with Delaware law, the consent solicitation has now concluded since the Eror Group was legally required to deliver the required consents by October 21, 2018. The ProLung Board issued the following statement:"We thank all of our shareholders for their participation throughout this process, and we look forward to working collaboratively to maximize value for all shareholders. We appreciate the shareholders' strong support of our leadership and strategic vision and we look forward to putting this behind us. Notwithstanding the Eror Group's failed consent solicitation, the ProLung Board of Directors continues to be open to constructive discussions with certain reasonable and rational members of the Eror Group, and looks forward to finding an amicable resolution for the benefit of all shareholders." The Company advises ProLung shareholders to disregard yesterday's press release by Mr. Eror, in which he - for the third time - falsely declared victory. This is not a new tactic for Mr. Eror. He claimed already four weeks ago in a press release dated September 28, 2018 that he has received ''more than the requisite number of consents'' and expected to formally deliver the consents "next week." Before then, Mr. Eror claimed in emails to shareholders on August 30, 2018 that "in a few days we are likely to have a majority." These previous statements were obviously wrong, as was yesterday's press release. ProLung will file final voting results with the Securities and Exchange Commission on a Form 8-K once the results are finalized. In addition, the Company intends to file its proxy materials for the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders of the Company in the near future. ProLung shareholders are not required to take any action at this time. Sidley Austin LLP is serving as legal advisors to the Company. About ProLung, Inc.The mission of ProLung, Inc. is to make a difference in time for lung cancer patients. ProLung is a world leader in innovative predictive analytics technology and non-invasive tests for the risk stratification of lung cancer. The Company develops, tests, and commercializes solutions which may shorten the time to diagnosis and expand the therapeutic window for lung cancer patients. ProLung's predictive analytics platform for lung cancer risk stratification is approved for sale in the European Economic Area and investigational use in the USA. Forward-Looking StatementsThis release may contain forward-looking statements regarding projected business performance, operating results, financial condition and other aspects of the Company, expressed by such language as "expected," "anticipated," "projected" and " forecasted." Please be advised that such statements are estimates only and there is no assurance that the results stated or implied by forward-looking statements will actually be realized by the Company. Forward-looking statements may be based on management assumptions that prove to be wrong. The Company and its business are subject to substantial risks and potential events beyond its control that would cause material differences between predicted results and actual results, including the Company incurring operating losses and experiencing unexpected material adverse events. Media Contact:Phil Denning- ICR Inc.Phil.Denning@icrinc.com(646) 277-1258SOURCE: ProLung, Inc. According to Goldstein Research, United States avocado oil market is anticipated to reach 950 thousand tons by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 13.2% during the forecast period, 2017-2025 United States Avocado Oil Market PR-Inside.com: 2018-10-23 05:56:43 Press Information Goldstein Research 99 Wall Street, Suite No:- 527 Steve blade Global Sales Manager 6465687747 email https://www.goldsteinresearch.com/ # 442 Words 99 Wall Street, Suite No:- 527Global Sales Manager6465687747 According to Goldstein Research, United States avocado oil market is anticipated to reach 950 thousand tons by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 13.2% during the forecast period, 2017-2025. The US accounts for 28.4% share in the total production of avocado oil in 2017 with California, Florida and Hawaii state being the top producers in the country. Following the high demand for avocado oil across the world, the US also imports it majorly from Mexico & further exports it to Indonesia & Singapore. The high demand of avocado oil is driven by the presence of healthy fats & multiple vitamins which has rising demand in the food industry and cosmetics industry. Further, based on product type segmentation, extra virgin avocado oil segment accounted for the largest market share of 27.5% in 2017 due to its high quality and free from additional additives.Browse Full Report:Market SegmentationOn the basis of our in-depth analysis, United StatesAvocado Oil Market can be segmented as follows:By Product Extra Virgin Virgin Pure BlendsBy Packaging Rigid (PET, HDPE, Tin Plate) Semi Rigid (Tetra Pak) Flexible (Flexi-bags)By Application Food & Beverages Beauty and Cosmetics PharmaceuticalsBy Distribution Channel Online OfflineUnited StatesAvocado Oil Market Outlook 2025 contains a detailed overview of the United States avocado oil market. On the basis of our in-depth analysis, the market can be segmented in terms of market segmentation by product, packaging, application and distribution channel.Download Exclusive Sample Report:The United StatesAvocado Oil Market Report highlights the competitive outlook of major United States players that includes business strategies, product portfolio, revenue distribution, financial analysis, R&D activities, and investments. The in-depth analysis of avocado oil market report will help the clients to assess their business strategies as per the competitive environment in the market space.Major players of the United States avocado oil market discussed in the report are: MirAmerica Inc., Manqueley, Olivado USA, Martin G Inds., Chandiz Commercial Co., Cibaria International Inc., CAMPESINO, Bella Vado, NOBEL FOODS, Sesajal, CHOSEN FOODS, ACADO, AMD Oil Sales, BIO PLANETE, Kevala, Avoolio, LA TOURANGELLE, Storino's, Olivado,etc.Further, United States Avocado Oil Market Report encompasses the major trends & growth opportunities, market dynamics, and other growth factors. The Avocado Oil Market outlook also comprises of key challenges for the market players, risk analysis, SWOT Analysis, BPS analysis, and Market Attractiveness. The report also includes the expert analysis which provides a complete overview of the market post analysis of the economic, political, environmental & social factors of each region and country.Browse Similar Report:Browse The Global Report of Avocado Oil Market Published By "Goldstein Research". Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said in Abuja that Nigerians spent about $8 billion, annually, on importation of vehicles. Mr Osinbajo, who was represented by the Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council, Jelani Aliyu, disclosed this at the 19th Abuja Motor Fair on Tuesday. The government is fully committed to industrialisation and the mining sector to enable it create direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians About $8 billion goes to overseas for importation of vehicles while Nigerians are suffering, also most of the used vehicles imported are unsafe and not good for the citizens, he said. Mr Osinbajo said government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Volkswagen group to develop an automotive hub in Nigeria. He said the MoU was a major step toward the development of a robust automotive industry, to contribute to the continuous economic development of the country. Mr Osinbajo also said government believed in the strategic and catalytic role of the automotive industry in the diversification of the Nigerian economy. According to him, 3,200 youths have been empowered through the N-Power Graduate Skills Acquisition Programme, adding that the programme will be expanded and made better to benefit more Nigerian youths. He said N-power was a federal government initiative on job creation and empowerment initiative of the Social Investment Programme. Mr Osinbajo said the Nnewi automotive parts industrial park had got its master plan and would soon be functional. He said government would work with motor manufacturers and stakeholders to ensure that used cars were faced out of the country. Demola Ade-Ojo, Managing Director, JAC Motors said increased importation of used cars would affect the production of new vehicles in the country. He advised government and the stakeholders to work together to ensure that new cars being assembling in the country were affordable. (NAN) Bonded terminal operators in Lagos have accused the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) of introducing an illegal and impracticable policy aimed at hampering business activities. At the end of a meeting with the management of the Tin Can Island Customs command on Tuesday, the operators under the aegis of Association of Bonded Terminal Operators in Nigeria (ABTON) maintained that the Customs had been unable to address problems affecting bond related trades. The federal government agency had, at the meeting, informed the terminal operators about the introduction of the payment of duty before the transfer of cargoes in containers to bonded terminals. The operators, in response, asked for a three-month duration to enable them communicate with their clients over the new development, saying it was in line with the requirements of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). According to them, there was no prior information that payment of duties should be made at the port before transfer. We have N50 million cash bank bond with the customs. As at the time of our approval to operate a bonded terminal, we were not informed that we should pay duty at the mother port before transfer. So, it amounts to illegality if customs should at the middle of the relationship demand the payment of duty before transfer, the operators said in a statement. They maintained that such a move amounted to illegality if Customs should, in the middle of their relationship, demand the payment of duty before transfer. Its unfortunate that Nigeria Customs is not confident enough to address the issue alleged. There are evidences to support the allegations. Resurrecting illegal and impracticable policy carved by very few management officers of the Nigerian Customs for their selfish interest would not and cannot solve the problem. Haruna Omolajomo, Executive Secretary of ABTON, said he supported the call for three months grace for members to adapt to the new order. He said such decision was not good enough especially that its implementation was with immediate effect. How can Customs come up with such policy and say its implementation is with immediate effect? I support that they give us some time to relate with our clients because Customs sometimes do not understand how bonded terminals work. Mr Omolajomo, however, added that the issues were not new to the operators but that the meeting served as a reminder and for members to be abreast with the new development. When contacted, the Customs Public Relations Officer, Tin Can Island Command, Uche Ejesieme, confirmed there was a circular to that effect from the Customs headquarters but added that he did not understand the main issues raised in the circular. Mr Ejesieme, however, said the new policy was to forestall any loophole in cargo clearance in the port. He noted that the policy was statutory but that operators had not been keeping to them hence the need for collaboration and reminder or the bonded terminal operators to go back to the standard practice. Telecoms firm MTN says it is holding talks with Nigerian officials to find a mutually acceptable solution to a dispute over the alleged transfer of $8.1 billion. MTN made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Johannesburg. MTN said that further announcement on the issue would be made in due course. Shareholders are advised to continue to exercise caution when dealing in the companys securities until a further announcement is made, MTN said. MTN and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are in a dispute over the transfer of $8.1 billion which the bank said the company had sent abroad and breaches foreign-exchange regulations. But Godwin Emefiele, governor of CBN said, while addressing reporters on October 7 in London that the CBN may reduce the amount it had ordered MTN Nigeria to repatriate. Mr Emefiele said that new documents provided by the telecom company would help to reduce the size of the claim. I dont think it will be staying at 8.1bn dollars. I want to believe that the figure will reduce. Whether it will be dropped completely, I honestly cannot say at this time, he added. Mr Emefiele said the central bank had received documents about four weeks ago from MTN and four lenders involved in the case. The lenders are Standard Chartered, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Citibank and Diamond Bank, adding that the apex bank was in communication with all parties involved. (Reuters/NAN) South Sudan government on Tuesday said all the opposition leaders that signed the revitalised peace agreement in Ethiopia were expected to attend peace day celebration scheduled for October 30. Tut Galuak, Chairman of the Organising Committee, said that main opposition leader, Riek Machar along with other opposition groups would participate in the celebrations in Juba as a good gesture for cherishing reconciliation and unity. The president and the government are ready to host the event and demonstrate to the region and the world that Juba is committed to bringing lasting, durable peace to the people, he said. He said this was an indication that the peace deal was achieved. President Salva Kiir and Mr Machar, leader of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army-in-opposition (SPLA-IO), inked the final peace deal mediated by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an east African bloc. South Sudan plunged into warfare two years after gaining independence from Sudan in 2011 when a political dispute between Messrs Kiir and Machar exploded into military confrontation. South Sudans conflict has now entered its fifth year since it erupted in 2013 after forces loyal to Mr Kiir and his former deputy Mr Machar engaged in combat. The 2015 peace agreement to end the violence was again violated in July 2016 when the rival factions resumed fighting in the capital Juba, forcing Mr Machar to flee into exile. Millions of South Sudanese civilians have sought refuge in neighbouring countries as the conflict rages on The new agreement mediated by Sudan, reinstates Mr Machar, a former vice-president to his former role. The U.S., Britain and Norway known as the Troika which oversees peace efforts, welcomed the signature of the deal by Messrs Kiir, Machar and other groups. (Xinhua/NAN) German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has ordered a halt of arms shipment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is in reaction to the killing of journalist Jaamal Khashoggi in the Saudi embassy in Turkey. Ms Merkel said Germany will stop exporting weapons to Saudi Arabia, at least for the time being. She said Riyadh is yet to put the full facts of Khashoggis murder on the table. Saudi authorities have given conflicting reasons since Khashoggis disappearance, first saying he left the embassy alive, then saying he died in a fist fight in the embassy. After speaking to members of her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, Ms Merkel, in a press briefing on Sunday outlined Germanys stance on relations with Saudi Arabia as follows: First, we condemn this act in the strongest terms. Second, there is an urgent need to clarify what happened we are far from this having been cleared up and those responsible held to account. Thirdly, I agree with all those who say that the, albeit already limited, arms exports cant take place in the current circumstances, she said. The Saudi government has tried to offer several explanations on questions raised after admitting Kashoggis murder took place within its consulate in Istanbul. Deutsche Welle(DW)had reported on Saturday that Ms Merkel dismissed Saudis claims as insufficient. This has come as the U.S. legislature is divided on how President Donald Trump should react to the issue. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 23) Boracay's Ati tribe will soon gain ownership of lands on the island, which they can use for farming. The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is set to distribute some 3.1 hectares of land in Barangay Manocmanoc in November. "It will happen November this year... They can already occupy the land," DAR Secretary John Castriciones told CNN Philippines. This is in line with President Duterte's previous statement that he wants to place the world-famous island under land reform. Officials are now working with the registry of deeds for the issuance of a Certificate of Land Ownership Award to some 48 members of the Ati tribe. Ownership will be collective, as requested by the tribe. The government is also looking into the eligibility of around 60 members from the Tumandok tribe. "Ini-interview yan, vine-verify talaga kung sila nga ba talaga ay will fit into the requirement as provided for by our law at kapag na-identify, and if they can be included, definitely isasama natin sila," Castriciones explained. Environment Undersecretary Jonas Leones, however, said a bigger area will be given to 31 indigenous people families. He said 7.8 hectares of land may be distributed before Christmas. "Ito at naiturnover na ng DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) sa DAR. And the DAR now is studying and evaluating the area on the feasibility of making this an agricultural area... Siguro before Christmas Dar can already resolve how to distribute these lands," he said in a media briefing on Tuesday. More land to follow The planned distribution in November will count as the first phase. DAR said there are more government-owned lands on the island to be given. These lands, however, have apparently been illegally-occupied and will have to be reclaimed by government first, which can take time. "Yung second phase, kung sasabihin ng presidente na pati yung mga merong structures but appears to be illegal eh mapipilitan kaming tanggalin yan at ipapamigay natin sa mga magsasaka natin," Castriciones explained. In 2006, then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Proclamation No. 1064 classifying Boracay into forestland and agricultural land. The 1,028-hectare island was classified into two areas: 400 hectares (40 percent) of Boracay forestlands were for "protection purposes," while the 628-hectare agricultural land (60 percent) was "alienable and disposable." In 2008, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the proclamation, after some Boracay land claimants questioned the ruling, asserting ownership over their properties. The High Court ruled the petition had no legal basis as no private entity can own land in Boracay. "The island is State property," it said, adding that for a land to be "alienable," or subject to private ownership, the state must declare it as such. Boracay lands arable? DAR officials said they will carry out training for tribe members who do not know how to farm. Many young members of the Ati tribe worked in hotels and resorts before the island's closure. Many residents were skeptical when Duterte first announced that he would place Boracay under land reform. They questioned whether lands there are even arable. Officials assure they have nothing to worry about. "If you go to Boracay you would see it's all green, paanong di tutubo ang halaman doon? And the technology is quite different now eh kung desierto ng Israel natataniman ng kung anu-ano tayo pa kaya napakayaman ng lupa ng Pilipinas," Castriciones said. Boracay will reopen to travelers on October 26 after Duterte ordered its six-month closure last April for a full rehabilitation. Duterte said he will not attend the reopening, and will only set foot on the island when he distributes land to the natives there. The 2,000-square-foot Amazon Go store, to open in the mixed-use development east of Michigan Avenue and south of the Chicago River, is the fourth location announced in Chicago since last month. Two stores already have opened in the Loop and another is planned for a space connected to Ogilvie Transportation Center. The stores sell pre-made sandwiches, salads and snacks and packaged convenience store items. Saudi Arabias king and crown prince have received members of the family of murdered dissident journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, as Turkey added to global pressure on the kingdom to answer questions lingering over the circumstances of his death. King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered their condolences to Mr Khashoggis brother and son during a meeting at the royal palace in Riyadh, official Saudi news agency SPA reported. Mr Erdogan also offered his condolences to Khashoggis family in a phone call on Tuesday, according to state news agency Anadolu. In the same call, he pledged to shed light on the murder, Anadolu said, continuing to pressure the Saudi elite. Pinning such a case on some security and intelligence officials will not satisfy us or the international community, Turkish President, Recep Erdogan said in a speech in Ankara earlier Tuesday. He pledged to bring to account everyone from the person, who gave the order to the person, who carried it out. Mr Erdogan said officials from Riyadhs consulate in Istanbul and a team of 15 people from Saudi Arabia planned the political murder of Mr Khashoggi, a vocal critic of the kingdoms crown prince, days before his death. A plan, a road map was put into action, Mr Erdogan told a meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in parliament. He further cited strong evidence that employees of the consulate scouted a nearby forest prior to the incident while 15 Saudi security, intelligence and forensic officials were flown in a day before Mr Khashoggis death on separate flights. Mr Erdogans remarks, three weeks after Mr Khashoggi disappeared inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, follow earlier statements by Riyadh that the journalist was killed by a rogue team, including local cooperatives. Why did these 15 people team up in Istanbul? On whose orders? Who is this local cooperative? Mr Erdogan asked, without citing any named Saudi officials or members of the royal family. No one should ever think that this case can be covered up before all these questions are answered, Mr Erdogan said, adding that the whereabouts of Mr Khashoggis body are still unknown. Local media reported that Turkish authorities conducted searches of a villa near Istanbul and a car believed to belong to the Saudi consulate in connection with Mr Khashoggis case on Tuesday. Mr Khashoggis death on October 2 was described as murder for the first time by Saudi Foreign Minister, Adel al-Jubeir on Sunday. Riyadh had initially denied that Saudi officials had any knowledge of what had happened to the 59-year-old dissident journalist, saying he had left the consulate after picking up papers for his forthcoming marriage. The kingdom admitted on Saturday 18 days after the incident that Mr Khashoggi indeed died in the consulate but blamed the death on a fistfight and said more than a dozen people were being questioned. While Mr al-Jubeir told Fox News on Sunday that the kingdom was determined to punish those, who are responsible for this murder, Mr Erdogan offered to have the suspects tried in Turkey instead of Saudi Arabia. I call on the top [Saudi] management, King Salman in particular, Mr Erdogan said Tuesday. I propose putting these 18 people on trial in Istanbul. It is up to them to decide [on a trial], but such is my proposal and my demand. Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusolgu, said earlier in the day that Ankara is also ready to cooperate in a possible international investigation into Mr Khashoggis death. The effects were being felt in Saudi Arabia as well, with Khaled al-Falih, Saudi Arabias energy minister, saying the kingdoms leadership is very upset about the case. These are difficult days for us in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we are going through a crisis, resulting from the very regrettable and abhorrent incident that took place in Turkey, he told an investor conference in Riyadh. Western powers in recent days have increased their pressure on the kingdom, with U.S. President Donald Trump holding calls with French President Emmanuel Macron and Mr Erdogan on the subject. (dpa/NAN) The embattled Executive Secretary of National Health Insurance Sheme (NHIS), Usman Yusuf, on Tuesday gave reasons why he ignored his indefinite suspension from office by the governing council of the state-run agency. He was asked by the council to proceed on suspension on Thursday to allow a panel set up by the council investigate allegations of fraud and misconduct against him. It was the second time he would be suspended since he assumed office in 2016. The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, first suspended him July last year over similar allegations but he was reinstated in February by President Muhammadu Buhari despite his indictment by the panel that probed the allegations against him. In that first instance, he had also insisted on disregarding the sanction, saying the minister had no power to suspend him. On Thursday, the chairman of the governing council, Enyatu Ifenne, announced Mr Yusufs suspension again, saying the council had been inundated by petitions against the official. According to Mrs Ifenne, the official would be sacked immediately should President Buhari be made aware of one-tenth of the atrocities committed by Mr Yusuf. But he has since refused to accept the sanction, and on Monday with the help of a contingent of about 50 police officers broke a barricade mounted by angry workers of the agency to enter his office. On Tuesday, he explained to BBC Hausa Service the reason he brushed aside the directive of the governing council. The governing board has no right to suspend me as the Executive Secretary, he said in response to a question. I notified them in a written document that they lack constitutional rights to suspend or even block me from entering my office. He described the allegations of fraud and favouritism against him as baseless, saying they were deliberately levelled against him to divert public attention from real happenings in the NHIS. From the country I came from, if you say someone is a thief, you have to prove that. But since I came on board, I have being going through unnecessarily accusations of fraud. Theyre doing that just to intimidate and stop me from doing my good work. They have failed, I will never secumb to their ploy, I think they have to change plan, Mr Yusuf said. He alleged that when he assumed office as the Executive Secretary, he was warned by a handful of people that I have to succumb to NHIS agents or a face a battle. I told everyone when I came on board that the public funds in the commission belong to Nigerians, no one should tamper with that money, including myself. If Im corrupt, EFCC and ICPC are currently recovering billions of naira from my whistleblowing in the commission and I have never been indicted by the anti-corruption agencies. My ordeal as the Executive Secretary of NHIS may be connected with NHIS agents who think that I stepped on their toes and you know these people are powerful and they are well established in the previous administration. Those NHIS agents, I told them to pay back their debts which has already run to billions of naira. After initial investigation, I learnt that so many abnormalities need to be corrected, a defiant Mr. Yusuf said. Reacting to the stand off in the agency, the minister, Mr Adewole on Monday said he was awaiting briefing. The Presidency is also yet to comment on the development. The federal government has applauded the impact of the Nigeria State Health Investment Project (NSHIP) on primary health care service delivery in the country. The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, described the project as the most enduring strategy for enhanced primary health care delivery in Nigeria. He spoke at the Oxford Policy Management (OPM) contract close out session in Abuja on Tuesday. NSHIP is a World Bank assisted project implemented by the NPHCDA. The framework provides results-based incentives especially at service delivery points to increase the delivery, use, and quality of high impact maternal and child health interventions. The project, which is modeling a new way of financing health care by paying on performance basis, was first started in Adamawa, Nasarawa and Ondo states. It has however expanded to five more statesTaraba, Gombe, Borno, Yobe and Bauchi. Verification of claims of performance had been outsourced to OPM since 2013 in Ondo, Adamawa and Nasarawa. Mr Shuaib said since the inception of the project, over 16 million people from various states have benefited. He said the Results-Based Financing Technical Assistant (TBF-TA) under the NSHIP is part of the effort of the agency to address the challenges of primary healthcare. He commended OPM for successful conduct of the project. The manager of OPM in Nigeria, Joseph Shu, said the partnership with the agency has been fruitful. He said OPM provided a robust technical assistance and support to the government, noting that the firm adopted quantity and quality indicators for data management to ensure accurate data. In her remarks, the National Project Coordinator, Binta Ismail, said about 35 LGAs, 1,887 health facilities and over 16 million people have benefited from the programme. Mrs Ismail, who was represented by the Deputy National Project Coordinator, Mohammed Mohammed, said adequate funds have been provided for the project and work must be done and delivered. Monday mornings barricade of the Abuja head office of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by workers was triggered by information the suspended executive secretary would ignore his suspension order and resume work, some leaders of the workers union have explained. Thursdays suspension of Usman Yusuf by the governing council snowballed into a melee in the early hours of Monday when workers of both Abuja offices of the NHIS had a face-off with the embattled official and his entourage at the gate of the agency. The workers with a handful of security personnel had formed a barricade but were overpowered by about 50 police officers Mr Yusuf stormed the office with. They were tear-gassed and harassed by the police in the confrontation. As the executive secretary forced his way in, the workers downed tools and protested throughout the working hours of the day, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to do the needful. Chris Achi, the Secretary, Association of Senior Civil Servants, NHIS Chapter, explained the actions of the workers. We came out because the suspended ES had bragged before everybody and circulated information that he was going to be in the office today (Monday) and we felt he is suspended and he should stay away from office so we came around to stop him from illegally gaining entrance into his office. But he came with over 50 policemen who broke the chains and forced the gate open after teargassing some of our members. Personally, I was hit in the leg by one of the cars in Mr Yusufs entourage. By coming to the office in that manner despite being suspended shows hes defiant and this made the staff feel insecure. We cannot go into the office to work and we cant work with him. There is an acting ES which we feel should be running the scheme, for now he is not allowed to sit down and work and this is why we protested. Mr Achi, a principal manager at the scheme critcised Mr Yusuf for not being law abiding by obeying the councils directive. He feels the only person that can give him orders is the President. He feels nobody can challenge him. When asked if he believes the governing council had such powers, the official answered in the affirmative. This is not the first time a governing council is going to suspend an executive secretary. In April, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Dutsema, a presidential appointee, was suspended too. The council is only saying step aside let us find out what and what has been said about you, the veracity of it. Mr Achi said he believes persons in the presidency blocks letters and petitions to the president on Mr Yusufs alleged misconduct. We have written a lot of petitions to the president but what we are told is that there is someone in the presidency that always block our petitions from reaching the president and that was why the chairperson had said if President Buhari knows a tenth of Yusufs atrocities, he will throw him out. The needful is for the President to remove Mr Yusuf and bring in somebody who can salvage this agency which is at the brink of collapse, Mr Achi noted. Kayode Olawuyi, the chairman, medical and health workers union, NHIS chapter, also spoke on behalf of the workers. We acted on the grounds of the public service rule that says any public official suspended must stay out of office. But what we discovered today (Monday) was that he came in with so many policemen and bungled (sic) his way in. Now, our position is that we call on the president to let the three months investigative panel set up to do its work. If he is not found guilty then he come back to his office. The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, had earlier reacted to the latest controversy trailing the scheme. He said though he was yet to be properly briefed, the Nigerian government is taking appropriate steps to restore peace in the scheme. The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Monday prevaricated when asked a question on possible cut in lawmakers jumbo budget to reduce the high cost of governance in the country. Mr Saraki, who was a special guest at the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable dinner organised as part of the ongoing 24th Nigeria Economic Summit in Abuja, however admitted that over the years the National Assembly has not been Nigerias best ambassadors. The National Assembly and the Executive appear to have allowed selfish political interests to override national duty, as important bills needed to create the enabling environment for investment and economic development have stalled, amid frosty relations between both arms, he said. In his introductory remarks, Mr Saraki spoke about Nigeria as a blessed country full of great opportunities and talented people in private and public sectors as well as young ones coming behind. For long, he said, he has always been part of the search for the way forward for the country, urging Nigerians not to give up, as the country was closer to its set target. For us to get there, we (government) and private sector must work together. The challenges before government today in fighting poverty can only be achieved through serious collaboration and cooperation with private sector. Government alone cannot do it, he noted. Restating his commitment to continue championing the call for collaboration, the senate president said loans, buildings, debts, regulation and infrastructure alone cannot take us there. During the plenary session, Channels TVs Boason Omofaye who anchored the programme, asked Mr Saraki about the seeming lack of collaboration and cooperation between the legislature and executive. The Senate President described the development as unfortunate, noting that over the years, the executive and legislative arms of government did not see themselves as part of the same team. He said the frosty relationship accounted for why a lot of achievements the administration could have recorded were hindered, although he alluded to the legislature performing better than the executive. According to him, out of about 450 bills between the two chambers of the National Assembly, about 90 per cent were private member bills, with the executive accounting for about 10 per cent or less. Although he said all important things the lawmakers under his leadership in the 8th National Assembly set out to enable private sector work were realised, Mr Saraki said more could have been achieved if there was a closer collaboration with the executive. He cited the example of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB), which he said should have been an executive bill, but was taken over by the legislature. When we started, the price of crude oil was in the $50s. Now, it is in the $80s. There are problems in Venezuela and Iran driving the price. This is a golden opportunity Nigeria could take advantage of. I dont think two, three paragraphs or one coma or semi-colon in a draft law should prevent this level of investment or opportunity for investment. If we (lawmakers) did not get it right, I think the way to go is to lock ourselves up in a room and iron out those issues, Mr Saraki said. His response was an indirect criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari who withheld assent to the PIGB on ground of some errors in the draft petroleum law. On anti-corruption, which the anchor described as the big elephant in the room, Mr Saraki was asked the National Assembly stance on transparency, accountability and reduction in the cost of governance and why the executive seems to be the only arm talking about them. Although the Senate President acknowledged the cost of government was large, he blamed the problem on the leakages in the system, saying the expenditure as a percentage of revenue was high. I think there are wastages we can reduce. But, where the real damage is being done is in leakages on the revenue side to check corruption and inefficiencies, he noted. However, he was quick to deny that the executive was the only arm talking about anti-corruption, noting that most of the laws, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and others enacted to fight against corruption, were from the National Assembly. Besides, he criticised the current fight against corruption as sensational and selective, saying it must not only be transparent and credible, but must follow a transparent process. On cutting cost of governance, Mr Saraki was asked: Should we reduce the number of MDAs, cut the cost of running the National Assembly or Aso Villa, or the 36 State Houses of Assembly, the various governors lodges or reduce the number of aircrafts? In his response, Mr Saraki prevaricated, agreeing that apart from reducing all that, government must be able to increase its revenues. Not satisfied by the Senate Presidents response, Mr Omofaye wanted to know what percentage or amount he would want the National Assembly to cut in its budget starting from 2019. His response was unclear, eliciting loud grumbling from the audience: If I tell you what should happen, I am not sure I will be allowed to have dinner here tonight. The problem we have (on the cost of governance in National Assembly) is a perception problem, not the actual cost itself. If you want to run a proper legislative arm of government, its less than three per cent of the total revenue. Yet, they are responsible for oversighting 97 per cent of the revenue. Dont get me wrong here. Over the years, we have not been our best ambassadors. And that is why, if you say curse to the National Assembly, everybody will be happy to say yes. The point is, we want a productive government. We want to ensure the 97 per cent is efficiently utilised. The political answer would be to say we will cut the cost by 10 or 15 per cent. But, what we need to do is, as we cut those costs and overheads, we must create an enabling environment that ensures as a country we are getting more revenues to invest in our education or health sector or primary healthcare, he said. The presidency on Tuesday reacted to the reappearance of Nnamdi Kanu months after the Biafran leader was rumoured to have been killed. President Muhammadu Buharis media ade, Garba Shehu, spoke on the matter in an interview on the BBC Hausa Service. If it happens to be true, the video footage showing Mr Nnamdi Kanu; the truth has been revealed about his alleged assassination against Nigerian government, Mr Shehu said. Mr Kanu, the controversial leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), disappeared last year after clashes between his supporters and soldiers involved in a military exercise in Abia State. Many IPOB supporters accused the military of killing the IPOB leader. His trial for felony was also stalled due to his absence as his lawyer insisted he was either killed or kidnapped by soldiers who attacked his family house during the military exercise. The separatist leader however appeared in a video last Friday; with his lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, saying he had since spoken to his client who apparently escaped out of Nigeria. Although the video showed him in Israel, the Israeli government has said Mr Kanu had not entered the country recently and the video could be an old one. Mr Kanu later did a broadcast on Sunday from his hideout. I have returned full-time and Im coming back home I will bring hell with me, Mr Kanu said in the broadcast monitored on the IPOB Facebook page. He insisted on his groups demand for a referendum for Igbos to determine if they want to be part of Nigeria or want a separate Biafra country. While speaking on Tuesday morning, Mr Shehu said the Nigerian government was put under pressure on false accusations Mr Kanu had either been killed or kidnapped. This fairy tale went up to United Nations General Assembly where some IPOB members staged a protest accusing Nigeria government of kidnapping and even killing of Mr. Kanu, Mr Shehu said. He said now that Mr Kanu has appeared, people will know who lied between the government and those that made accusations. When asked what will happen if Mr. Kanu eventually returns to Nigeria, Mr Shehu said his trial would be expected to continue. One afternoon in the late 1990s, Pat Isaac climbed to the roof top of a water tank on the premises of the defunct Nigerian Airways to check the tanks. As a staff of the department in charge of water supply, the check was a routine activity, he told PREMIUM TIMES. But that afternoon, what was a routine check took a tragic turn and he missed his steps. Within seconds, he narrated, he came down crashing from the edge of the iron bars above which the tank was placed. He lost consciousness, with his face damaged and head turned backwards. That was the last thing I could remember, he said, slowly, his head bent sideways. I spent many, many months at the hospital and people felt I may not survive it. But I thank God I survived. It was an Indian doctor that treated me. Few years after the incident, Mr Isaac said, he retired from the services of the Nigerian Airways. But for more than a decade after his retirement, until the first week of October, the old retiree said he lamented and waited in vain without receiving his entitlement from an organisation he served diligently. It was harrowing, he said of the experience. We waited for many, many years. We were abandoned by the government. Many of our people have died; many have become weak and incapacitated. It is really sad we were treated that way. We thank God this government remembers us now. Mr Isaacs situation is not an isolated case; it is one of many sad tales retirees of the defunct Nigerian Airways told PREMIUM TIMES on Monday. The retirees, who all filed out for verification ahead of payment of their outstanding entitlement, said they had lived through pains over the years as the government neglected them. Alimi Kuye, a retiree, told PREMIUM TIMES he personally knew of about five of his colleagues who died due to their inability to pay for medical treatment in the periods they received no benefit from the government. Many people have died, as you can clearly see from what people are saying, he said. Many died from avoidable ailments; many have become paralysed because they couldnt afford hospital bills and money for drugs. It is sad. Another retiree, who identified himself simply as Adigun, spoke of the governments neglect of retirees in harsh words, lambasting past governments for their nonchalant attitude to the plight of poor pensioners. He also commended the Nigerian government for addressing their plight. Our past leaders failed us. They abandoned us when we are helpless and have no strength again to work. It is sad. We thank the Buhari government for coming to our rescue. The Nigerian Airways came into being in 1958, and ceased operations in 2003 during the Obasanjo administration which ended in 2007. The succeeding Yaradua government paid some entitlements to some of the airlines workers, while its successor the Jonathan administration did not. Weeks ago, the Nigerian government announced its readiness to pay outstanding entitlements owed the Nigerian Airways pensioners. The payment will be effected after a verification conducted in three centres nationwide, supervised by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC). Mr Pat Isaac But the exercise which was initially scheduled to end on October 22 was later extended by one week following disruptions in the arrangement. TEDIOUS EXERCISE At the Airforce Base venue of the screening and verification in Lagos, PREMIUM TIMES observed that while many of the pensioners were all smiles in anticipation of the payment of their entitlements, others looked tired and worn out due to the rigour involved in the exercise. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the exercise begins with the pensioner obtaining a verification slip and a designated number, after which he could be eligible to receive the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA) form. At the Lagos Airport verification centre, after collecting the PICA form, the pensioner moves ahead for signature at the side of the premises and after that, he goes for EFCC check. The EFCC check is to curtail fraudulent claims and confirm other account-related details, our correspondent gathered. The pensioner would then be captured for record and accountability purposes, PREMIUM TIMES learnt, after which he could go home and await payment. Since Friday, Mr Adigun told PREMIUM TIMES, he and other retirees have been shuttling the Airforce Base section of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, which is one of the three selected verification venues nationwide. He explained however that he had not successfully completed his verification. The process is not bad but the crowd is much, he said. The EFCC people work till late in the evening. Hopefully, by tomorrow (Tuesday) many would have been attended to. If you were here on Friday or Saturday, you would have no space to even stand. Sylvester Okorie, another Nigerian Airway ex-staff, told PREMIUM TIMES many of pensioners slept around the premises of the verification venue over the weekend because they could not afford transport fare to their various places on a daily basis. Sylvester Okorie I live in Igando, Alimosho local government area. I slept here on Saturday through Sunday and now. If by the end of today, I am not able to complete and get to EFCC (verification unit), I will sleep till tomorrow, he said. He explained that he was not alone in the compound as many others, too, slept overnight to avoid Lagos traffic and get to the venue on time. I need about one thousand naira to get here from Igando. Where will I get that every day? Itss better to just sleep here. In spite of that even, I got number 184 on the queue; my friend who came later got 271. Many people slept here last night. It is difficult but we thank God this government remember us. Mr Okorie worked for years as a police officer, he said in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, and that accounted for why he was still strong and could withstand the rigour of the exercise. He said, I see many of our people being carried about and I thank God for (the nature of) my body system. I worked in the Police for years before joining Nigerian Airways and retiring there. Many of our people have to be taken around; the sight is pathetic. None of us deserves to suffer the way we were treated. We thank God now. Mr Okories friend, also an ex-staff named Alex, said he came from Maza-Maza area of the city and could not afford to go back daily due to paucity of funds. We are poor retirees; we cant afford to be going and coming every day. Thats why it is important that this process is made easier and faster, even though they are trying. He also said that many pensioners had to be taken in wheel chairs to come for verification, adding that the process is long because there are too many pensioners involved. He however praised the government and lambasted previous governments for their failure to come to their aid. Imagine how tired and weak our people are. These are people who served Nigeria. What message is the country passing to younger generations? he asked, rhetorically. Makeshift Canteens, photocopier operators spring up at verification centre PREMIUM TIMES observed that as the verification exercise continued slowly on Monday, some traders devised ways to make quick money. At the entrance of the verification centre, there are food sellers doing quick businesses as the exercise progressed. Many of the pensioners, PREMIUM TIMES observed, took turns to buy food and drinks from the traders. Photocopier operators Due to the nature of the exercise, PREMIUM TIMES learnt, there are also numerous photocopier machine operators in the building, ostensibly to attend to the concerns of pensioners. The traders have helped us a lot by their presence, said Mr Adigun. Many who couldnt go home can eat here with the little they have left, he added. Again due to the nature of what we are here to do, the photocopier operators too have been of help, We have to make copies of many documents and we cant do that outside. Light at the end of tunnel? According to Mr Isaac, while waiting for the payments for decades, many former workers of the airways survived on crumbs from relatives and children while those who had no such luxury have died. The last time we were paid was around 2008, when Yaradua was president, said Mr Okorie. Since then we have received no payment from the government. Anytime we had meeting and deliberation, they always announce that people have died; almost every week. With this payment, people will live fine now. A staff of PICA who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES at the Lagos verification unit on Monday but declined to have his name in print because he was not authorised to speak, said the pensioners would have their accounts credited before the end of the week. Although I understand they will get about 50 percent of their entitlements but payment will be effected after verification is done, latest before Friday, he said. The exercise is moving and as you can see, the crowd has reduced drastically. By Wednesday or Thursday, despite the extension, we may not have anybody on ground again as they will likely have cleared everybody. Tired, spent pensioners If you were here last Friday and Saturday, youd understand what I mean. The exercise is smooth and everybody will smile later. Thankful, joyful pensioners A few of the pensioners who have had their verification completed spoke glowingly of the federal governments resolve to clear the backlog of entitlements. A pensioner, Kunle Ajayi, said he had waited endlessly for the moment and thanked the Nigerian government for the initiative. The government has done well by paying us. I have completed my verification and I have been done the capturing. They said we will get alert by end of the week; we are grateful. Although the exercise may appear tough because of our ages, we still appreciate the government who remember us, said Mr Adigun. Pensioners await clearance For Mr Okorie, both Presidents (Umaru) Yaradua and Buhari deserve commendation for their resolve to pay the entitlements. Yaradua is dead but he was the one who paid us before he died. (Goodluck) Jonathan was there for years and he never remembered us. He abandoned us, said Mr Okorie. We remember Yaradua and pray for him. We pray for Buhari who remembered us God will remember him too. The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) on Monday released the list of debtors it claimed have failed to negotiate successfully with the corporation. The list, which contains about 105 names, came months after the asset management company said it would need the support of other relevant agencies to ensure that obligors pay up their debts. The managing director and chief executive of AMCON, Ahmed Kuru, had in July promised to publish the list of delinquent debtors and directors who have failed to reach or refused to reach settlement resolution with the corporation. Mr Kuru said after failed negotiations, AMCON would name, shame and embark on take-over of properties of delinquent debtors. Top on the list published by AMCON on Monday is Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited owned by Ifeanyi Ubah, with its current exposure put at N115 billion. It was followed by NICON Investments Limited owned by Jimoh Ibrahim, with N59 billion exposure; Bi-Courtney Limited owned by Wale Babalakin, with over N40 billion; Josephdam & Sons Limited owned by the Kuteyi family with N39 billion exposure; and Tinapa Business Resort of Cross River State Government, with N30 billion exposure. They are the biggest debtors on the list. The name of a former minister of power, Barth Nnaji, appeared alongside others as main promoters of Geometric Power which owes N29 billion. Mr Babalakin, once again, was named as the main promoter of Roygate Properties, which owes over N28 billion. Similarly, Shell Development Petroleum Company, promoted by Shell Staff, had its exposure put at N26 billion. Former governor of Enugu State and Peoples Democratic Party Enugu East Senatorial Candidate, Chimaroke Nnamani, also appeared on the list with a debt of N42 billion owed to AMCON under the names of Iorna Global Resources, Sammy Beth Interbiz Limited, Camden Resources Limited, Riverside Logistics Limited and Rainbownet Limited. The Olofa of Offa, Gbadamosi Muftau, was also named with a debt of N12 billion under Zarm Stores Limited just as a former CEO of Intercontinental Bank, Erastus Akingbola, was named with over N10 billion exposure under the company Octopus Trust Nigeria Limited. Also on the list of debtors is Buruji Kashamu, a senator, who reportedly owes the corporation N13.015 billion. A former governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, is also on the list. According to the list, the former governor who is currently serving a 14 year jail term for corruption charges owes AMCON N6.8 billion. Wale Babalakin, [Photo: punchng.com] Usman Nafada, a senator who is presently gunning for the governorship seat in Gombe seat under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also had his name on the list with over N400 million exposure. AMCON in its release said it published the names pursuant to its statutory mandate and in compliance with a CBN directive, having exhausted all avenues of ensuring that the debtors propose acceptable resolution terms. Nevertheless, the Corporation is still open to amicable resolution of these debt within a reasonable time, failing which it shall continue to exercise all powers as provided by law to recover the debts, it said. Ifeanyi Ubah The list is expected to generate controversy as at least one of the named debtors, Mr Babalakins Bi-Courtney, has denied owing AMCON. In a letter addressed to PUNCH newspapers and sent to PREMIUM TIMES by his lawyers, Mr Babalakin said none of his firms owe AMCON any money. SEE FULL LIST The family of late Justice Idris Kutigi has announced his burial ceremony for October 24 and 25. A statement issued on Tuesday by Binta Aliyu, the familys first child, said the body of the late jurist had been scheduled to arrive in Abuja from London on Wednesday morning. The burial will take place same day at 2.00 p.m. at the Gudu Cemetery, Abuja, after the Janazah prayers at the National Mosque, Abuja. Fidau prayers will take place on Thursday at 10.00 a.m. at the residence of the late jurist in Asokoro, Abuja. The Fidau prayers will also take place simultaneously at the Etsu Nupes Palace in Bida and in Kutigi, Niger State. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the retired Justice died on Saturday night at a UK hospital after a protracted illness. He was 78 years old. The late Mr Kutigi was a lawyer and judge. He was attorney general and commissioner for Justice in Niger State before becoming a high court judge. Mr Kutigi joined the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1992 and served as Chief Justice from Jan. 30, 2007 until December 30, 2009. (NAN) From Wednesday, October 24, to Thursday, 25, 2018, Enough is Enough Nigeria, Paradigm Initiative and BudgIT will host the 3rd New Media, Citizens and Governance Conference (NMCG) at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja. The Conference, as its name implies, will turn the spotlight on the increasingly important role of new media platforms, including social media, in facilitating discourse between government and the governed, particularly within the African context. The NMCG will convene some of the most important stakeholders in new media and governance to shape conversations and policy on this emerging yet important theme. A former Chairman, Governing Council of Nigerias National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, will deliver the Keynote at the NMCG. Mr. Odinkalu who is now senior team manager, Africa Programme of the Open Society Justice Initiative. Joining the conversation at NMCG 2018 are fifty-one thought-leaders representing seven African countries. These include Farida Noubremma, outspoken Togolese political activist; Chris Ihidero, writer and filmmaker; Samson Itodo, the convener of #NotTooYoungToRun; and Idayat Hassan of the Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa. According to Yemi Adamolekun, Executive Director, Enough is Enough Nigeria, This years conference is well placed to set the agenda for the effective use of new media platforms for strengthening Nigerias democratic processes ahead of the 2019 elections. Tope Ogundipe, director of programmes at Paradigm Initiative, said, Set against the background of tight government control of traditional media in Africa, new media channels are perhaps the remaining independent avenue through which Africans can engage freely with themselves and elected officials, challenging the status quo. Gabriel Okeowo, the General Manager of BudgIT, said, Never in the history of mankind have we had the capacity to rapidly engage with each other at such fast speeds. New media platforms such as social media gives citizens the capacity to continuously monitor and track the performance of their elected officials thus aiding transparency and open government. The conference will be attended by 250 participants and broadcast live to a worldwide audience via the internet. Even before Rauner signed the law, Illinois growers began to expand as more patients got access to medical marijuana through the pilot program. A state report out earlier this month found that use of medical pot has risen 83 percent this year in Illinois, which has more than 46,000 qualified patients. Before the new law, patients had to have one of about 40 conditions, such as cancer or AIDS. In a move to ensure optimal use of resources, the federal government has commenced moves to deploy underutilised power assets to deliver incremental power to industrial centres and needy communities in the country. Through the coordination of the Nigeria Industrial Policy and Competiveness Advisory Council, the government seeks to generate additional 4.2 Gigawatts of power to the national grid in the next 12-18 months. Towards this end, a total of eight power projects have been selected for the critical intervention. They are the Aba Integrated Power Project; Kainji rehabilitation and expansion; power transmission; captive power projects for industry; Afam IV rehabilitation; Afam V rehabilitation; a Seplat gas facility; and Alaoji power plant. The Council believes the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) brownfields are the fastest and the most cost effective path to increased power delivery to industrial hubs and communities. According to the Councils Executive Secretary, Edirin Akemu, the objective of the intervention is being achieved through enhanced distribution infrastructure and elimination of technical power rejection; transmission upgrades on critical path to industrial and commercial load centres; and generation optimisation and maximisation of NDPHC output. Briefing journalists at the end of the councils meeting during the week, Okechukwu Enelemah, Vice Chairman of the Council, who is also the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, said work is ongoing on the Alaoji power plant to supply about 360MW of unutilised power to industrial centres and people in the South-east axis of Onitsha, Aba, Nnewi and Ihiala. He explained that only 120MW out of the 480MW of power generated by the plant is regularly utilised, so 360MW of power is available for centres willing and ready. He said, The end-to-end power delivery project, which is being undertaken through Public-Private Partnership ensures that generation, transmission and distribution are all aligned and simultaneously executed. The beauty of this project, which is a pilot, is the optimisation of resources and also that the learning from it is intended to be used to unlock up to 2GW from underutilised NDPHC power plants. The partners executing the project are the Federal Government (through The Transmission Company of Nigeria, Niger Delta Power Holding Company), GE Power, and Enugu Disco. Earlier, during the introduction of council meeting, chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Mr Enelamah explained that the main purpose of the body is to deal with critical intervention at the highest level. In attendance were Aliko Dangote; a Vice Chairman of the Council, Kola Jumodu; the new president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Mansur Ahmed; Latif Busari, MD of the National Sugar Development Council; Lazarus Agbanzo, CEO of GE Nigeria; Louis Edozien, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Power; Abdulsamad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group; Kamarudeen Yusuf, Chairman KAM Industries; and representatives of TCN and the Nigerian Communications Commission. Other key issues discussed at the meeting were broadband penetration in the country towards achieving fibre connectivity in all 774 local government areas; and the establishment of a Sugar Industry Apprenticeship Centre. The Council, comprising government and private sector representatives at the highest level, was inaugurated on May 30, 2017, by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to assist the government in formulating policies and strategies for implementation to enhance the performance and industrialisation of the nation. A man on death row, Ganiyu Onabanjo, seeking to appeal his conviction has discovered that the records of his case have gone missing. Mr Onabanjos case was taken over by the Centre for Justice, Mercy and Reconciliation which sought to file an appeal against his conviction. The convict was arrested on an allegation of armed robbery on June 9, 2006 and subsequently sentenced to death on October 9, 2009 by a Lagos High Court. Hezekiah Olujobi, director of the centre told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ibadan that they have been trying to get the court records of the convict but to no avail. We appeal to the Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke and the Attorney General, Adeniji Khazeem, to save Ganiyu Onabanjo, currently on death row in Ibara Prison, Ogun. He was sentenced to death on Oct. 9, 2009, by Justice Dada, on suit number LD/155C/07, the state Vs Ganiyu Onabanjo, from Lagos State High Court, which was transferred to Ogun. There was a renovation of the Lagos judiciary archives in 2010 which led to the misplacement of court records and made us not to be able to trace the court records to file further appeal in the higher court. We wrote letters to the Lagos State Chief Judge in 2016 and 2017 regarding this but received no response. We, therefore, beg Justice Oke and Khazeem to please intervene in the case of Onabanjo and save him from death. He should be released if they cant get his case file. We shall remain forever grateful if our request is granted, he said. (NAN) The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) on Tuesday in Abuja demanded an increase in the national minimum pension in line with current considerations for a new national minimum wage. Abel Afolayan, the NUP National President, while making the demand at a news conference said this was necessary in view of ongoing discussions with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). He said the federal government must take pensioners into consideration while increasing Nigerian workers wages We will like to emphasise again that whatever is finally approved as the national minimum wage should equally apply to pensioners as national minimum pension, with a corresponding circular clearly stating the minimum pension, Mr Afolayan said. He said NUPs demand should not be made to wait until after the release of the new national minimum wage circular, saying this would forestall the union from having to run helter-skelter. The NUP president said the union would not want a repeat of the experience it had in 2010 concerning the national minimum wage and the pension review. He said the union was forced then to be running from pillar to post before the pension review was approved. It is also important and imperative to add here that state governments should take a cue from the federal government in this matter, that whatever is the final agreement reached by the tripartite committee as minimum wage should also apply to all pensioners in the states as minimum pension, Mr Afolayan said. He pointed out that this was in accordance with Section 210 (3) of the 1999 Federal Constitution (as amended). For justice and fairness, and in line with the spirit and letter of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sections 173 (3) and 210 (3), minimum wage and minimum pension should be the same. This is our position. This is our demand and we hope the media will join us to explain this to the world, while we will intensify efforts to appeal to the federal government to do the needful, the NUP president said. He called on the federal government to fasten the process of paying the balance of the 12 months arrears of the 33 per cent pension increase of 2010. Mr Afolayan said the payment of the balance of the arrears was long overdue. He said NUP had through the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) made several submissions and appeals to the federal government for this payment but this had been to no avail. The union leadership therefore can no longer contain the anger of the unions members who have been spoiling for a showdown with the federal government over the non-payment. Consequently, and having been pushed to the wall, we are compelled to issue a 21-day ultimatum to PTAD in compliance with the extant labour laws. After this, if no payment is made, pensioners will embark on a protest to picket PTAD and other relevant offices connected with this payment, Mr Afolayan said. He then called for immediate action to effect the payment in order to make such a course of action unnecessary. Doing what is necessary will not only make the protest unnecessary, but serve as a mark of respect for we the elderly and senior citizens of this country, the NUP president said. (NAN) The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta, PIND, has introduced stakeholders from government agencies, civil society organisations, private sector and academia to new human capacity development models it has deployed successfully in the Niger Delta region. This was done on Tuesday during a breakfast session at the 24th Nigerian Economic Summit held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. Giving an expert insight, Dara Akala, PIND Executive Director, described the foundations approach as innovative and said its aim is to make people and communities more independent in how to represent their interests and achieve economic prosperity. To improve economic opportunities that can reduce poverty and enhance civil society participation, he said, a different approach is required to what has been deployed traditionally. Such a human capacity development approach should be sustainable and one that identifies, inspires and empowers individuals, organizations and systems within the productive sectors to make change happen on their own, and to cascade that change among their peers such that many more adopt it and spread its benefits system-wide. Ultimately, he said, individuals and communities empowered through the projects are able to perform their core functions efficiently and sustainably, and they develop over time such that they no longer depend on government support or donations. Such sustainable human capacity development goes beyond skills acquisition or development. It is an evidence-driven, not one-off, process that requires time, is systemic rather than individualistic and is a bouquet of mutually supporting interventions, he added. This approach will ensure that economic gains occur in a systemic and an inclusive manner, which advances the population, especially youth and women and prevent a workforce and civil society that continues to experience joblessness and fails to advance aims targeted at strengthening institutions and tackling poverty. According to Mr Akala, the approach involves motivating individuals to try new things and work efficiently, facilitating the pursuit of new growth objectives and strategies, building expertise in technical and business skills to enable entrepreneurship and innovation, providing various resources to accelerate growth process, and linking to networks, markets and relevant information. The foundations interventions, he noted, are yielding good results in poverty reduction and wealth creation in the Niger Delta. They have led to the emergence of business and aquaculture service providers who sell advisory services to farmers and MSMEs. He also said over 50,000 farmers and processors are increasing productivity and having higher yields from using improved agricultural practices introduced to them by PIND. The session also featured group discussions on topics ranging from wealth creation to social services, conflict mitigation and job-readiness for the youth population. The discussants were PIND Executive Director; James Elekwachi, PIND Market Development Projects Manager; Bose Eitokpah, PIND Capacity Building Program Manager; and Nkasi Wodu, PIND Peace-building Program Manager. Others included Emeka Ile, Project Manager for the Niger Delta Youth Employment Pathways (NDYEP) and Tunji Idowu, PIND Deputy Executive Director. Police in Lokoja on Tuesday said two suspects had been arrested for allegedly being in possession of fake 800, 000-dollar notes. Kogi Police Command Spokesman, Aya Williams, a deputy superintendent of police, said in a statement in Lokoja that the suspects, Sofianu Seidu and Aliu Ismaila, were arrested in their hideout along Lokoja-Abuja highway on October 10. According to him, the suspects have confessed that their intention was to use the fake dollars to dupe unsuspecting citizens. Mr Aya listed assorted telephone handsets and one machete as other items recovered from the suspects. He also said one Mohammed Bello had been arrested for alleged criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and kidnapping. He said the suspect was arrested based on credible information at a Fulani camp at Ebiya, Ajaokuta Local Government Area of the state. Mr Aya said other members of Bellos group escaped, adding that one serviceable SMG Rifle, 60 rounds of live ammunition and one machete were recovered from the camp. According to him, the suspect and his fleeing colleagues were terrorizing innocent citizens along Okene-Adogo-Ajaokuta road for months before the police swooped on them. Mr Aya said the nabbed suspects would be arraigned soon, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing ones. (NAN) The newly elected executives of the Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) has pledged to partner the federal government to help restore the glory of unity schools. Lawrence Wilbert, USOSA president general, made this pledge while addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the associations Annual General Meeting and general elections in Abuja. Mr Wilbert, an alumni of Federal Government College, Ugwolawo, was elected at the 34th AGM of the association on October 20. He replaces Chidi Odinkalu, a professor of law and former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission. Mr Wilbert said there was a need for all stakeholders to do everything within their various capacities to ensure that the purpose of establishing unity schools was not defeated. By coming on board right now, my job really is to provide purposeful leadership to bring the coalition of unity schools alumni associations together to make sure we can engage properly the Federal Government, for an enhanced focus on public schools with emphasis on the 104 unity schools across the country, said Mr Wilbert. I want to commit my coalition of alumni bodies to partner with the federal government to make sure we get the schools back to standard and to what they used to be, the pride of education in Nigeria. We will be looking to do as key stakeholders of these schools, to engage the owners of these schools, being the Federal Ministry of Education, and engage both national and state legislature on issues pertaining to education. Mr Wilbert noted that the association is currently contributing as much as the federal government towards the maintenance of the schools. It is no sentiment; we are actually giving back our resources and time to make sure the schools are maintained. It is a lot of work, he said. We want to create that movement where we properly engage them, where we bring education to what it should be. Mr Wilbert further said the association would engage the federal government to increase the allocation for education to 15 per cent minimum. He, however, applauded the National Executive Council for pushing the states to allocate 15 per cent of their budget to education. Also speaking, the newly elected secretary general, Nasir Wasagu, said one of the key objectives of the association was to promote national unity and integration. Basically, USOSA as an association is interested in constructively engaging with the federal government of Nigeria as a major stakeholder in education, especially relating to government policies and legislations, he said. He further stated that the unity schools symbolise unity as children between the ages of 10 and 12 from diverse locations across Nigeria are assembled under one roof with the aim of educating them as well as harnessing their potentials. You will agree with me that that the essence of national unity and integration is needed in this country, now more than ever and there is nobody to help the federal government foster the unity needed in this country more than the products of unity schools. And that is going to be the primary objective of this executive, before we now go further to see how we can engage the federal government in advancing the course of education generally, he said. Members of the association casting their votes. The newly elected president general, Mr Wilbert, and his predecessor, Mr Odinkalu. The Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) is arguably Africas largest coalition of alumni associations, made up of old students associations and old girls associations of 104 unity schools in Nigeria. The complete list of the newly sworn-in USOSA EXCO.is shown below: 1. President General Lawrence Wilbert (FGC Ugwolawo OSA) 2. Vice President Genera l- Michael Magaji (FGC Jos OSA) 3. Secretary General Nasir Wasagu (FGC Kano OSA) 4. Treasurer Osaigbovo Ezekiel (FGGC Benin OGA) 5. Publicity Secretary Sotonye Edohore (FGGC Langtang OGA) 6. Welfare Secretary- Khadizat Bisallah (FGGC Bida OGA) 7. Financial Secretary- Kingsley Anene (FGC Warri OSA) 8. Legal Adviser Amure Chinedu (FGGC Bakori OGA) 9. Auditor Idike Odiri (FGC Lagos OSA) 10. Assistant Secretary-General Chioma Aninwe (FGGC Abuloma OGA) 11. Assistant Publicity Secretary- Mohammed S. Keana (FGC Keffi OSA) 12. Assistant Financial Secretary- Adil Hamman (FGC Maiduguri OSA) The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) with the mandate of developing and regulating Information Technology (IT) in Nigeria, continues this years nationwide cybersecurity awareness workshops on Tuesday. The workshops are part of the agencys efforts of equipping citizens with foundational knowledge as well as share best practices on staying safe in cyberspace. A statement from the agency said there has been a tremendous increase in the number of incidences where Nigerians have lost money and data through vulnerabilities arising from lack of knowledge on how to manage their online presence and personal details. The cybercriminals use social engineering, phishing mails, and probably specific to Nigeria, the use of text messages pretending to be sent from banks, requesting for PIN or revalidation of BVN numbers, the statement said. It said those were common sources where vital information needed for making unauthorized withdrawals from victims bank accounts occur. A more worrisome and recent trend is the SIM Swap cases, where the victims SIM card is swapped; an operation that makes the victims phone inaccessible while funds are transferred. Knowing that everyone that uses ICT devices is vulnerable, these workshops target executives of registered associations and groups, with the ultimate aim to reach their members. We have also deployed effective conventional channels and social media in conveying the stay-safe message. The workshops use presentations and interactive demonstration of trending concepts like SMS, SIM swap, malware, phishing, social engineering and its manifestations, to disseminate the stay-safe tips. To further ensure that attendees assimilate the message succinctly, the contents are translated into the most predominant language of the zone. Cybersecurity has attracted the attention of governments, enterprises, groups and individuals owing to the myriads of potentials for business growth, damage, national security and sovereignty. To nations, the negatives could cripple a nations economy should critical infrastructure be affected. NITDA said it has planned effective capacity building programmes that will culminate in organisational and individual certifications, while using Research and Development (R&D) results to feed these enlightenment programmes and aid relevant agencies and corporations in permanent mitigation strategy. The agency said it has also utilised inter-agency collaborations for improved legal and institutional framework for a holistic improvement in the cybersecurity resilience of and profile of the country. The first of the series of workshops was held in Katsina, Bayelsa and Gombe states in March, April and July, respectively. The current workshop is holding on October 23 at Lokoja, Kogi State, for the North Central Zone. The events attracted participants from government agencies, military and paramilitary organisations, the academia, registered cooperatives and associations and the private sector from the states of the zones. Dates and venues for subsequent workshops will be made public in due course. Former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, has reiterated his commitment to the unity and oneness of Nigeria. Mr Gowon spoke on Tuesday at an exhibition in honour of one the countrys foremost physician, Oladipo Akinkugbe, an emeritus professor, in Ibadan, the Oyo State. The exhibition was held as part of the activities to celebrate the 85th Birthday of the renowned physician. Mr Gowon, a retired army general, while speaking as a Special Guest of Honour at the event held at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, said that peace and unity of the country was not negotiable. While commending Nigerians for their resilience in the face of untold hardship, he urged them to strive toward maintaining the oneness of the country as a single entity at all costs. You are all aware of my strong desire and commitment for the peace and unity of our nation. I want to further add my voice to the call for peace and national unity. I want to reiterate in the strongest term that the peace and unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable. I will continue to work at achieving the much desired peace and unity that we crave daily for our country. I am strongly of the belief that for the future of our nation to be assured, we must strive to build legacies of peace and unity, Mr Gowon said. He advocated more tolerance and understanding among Nigerians to put an end to the spate of killings in the country. Mr Gowon also advised Nigerians to stop killing one another for no just cause. According to him, understanding, brotherliness, accommodation and patriotism must be exhibited to restore peace across the country. He then described prayers as a formidable weapon that could solve the nations many challenges faster. Mr Gowon, while extolling the virtues of Mr Akinkugbe, said that the professor ranked first in role modelling and was worthy of recognition in the health sector. He tasked the upcoming medical professionals to see Mr Akinkugbes life as a yardstick to measure the quality of their contributions to the profession and national development. As a university and hospital administrator, his works will continue to speak for him in all the institutions, countries and continents where he has served. His membership and fellowship of international professional organisations and societies attest to the quality of his expertise, he said. Earlier, the Chairman, UCH Board of Management, Ibrahim Shettima, noted that the history of Nigeria would have been different if not for the contributions of the foremost physicians intervention. He recalled that when the economy of the country nose-dived, it was people like Mr Akinkugbe that came to the rescue before the challenge could be surmounted. Also, the UCH Chief Medical Director, Temitope Alonge, in his remarks, said that there was no gainsaying the fact that the country was blessed with talents and icons in various endeavours of daily lives. According to him, there are some who are inherently outstanding without doubt. For 50 years, the elegant figure of this gentle giant has straddled the length and breadth of Nigeria in many capacities including terrains that were exclusively for the arts and social sciences. Today, the medical world stands in admiration as it recounts the contributions and selfless services provided by the Prince of Ondo Kingdom and a man with chieftaincy titles from within and outside the shores of his native land. Emeritus Prof. Akinkugbe has rubbed shoulders with the high and mighty in his generation, not minding his humble beginning; he has made his mark in medical practice to the admiration of all to see. He has taken so much pleasure in transnational medicine and has mentored grandfathers and fathers of various medical specialties in our country, he said. According to him, Mr Akinkugbe has championed the dangers inherent in the neglect of communicable diseases and the mention of his name automatically brings the 10 common causes of hypertension and renal diseases to ones lips. (NAN) A 36-year-old Carpenter, Samuel Shiekuma, on Tuesday, told the Presidential Panel on the reform of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), that one Comfort Hembe was allegedly electrocuted by the men of SARS. Mr Shiekuma said this during a public hearing by SARS reform panel, chaired by the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Tony Ojukwu, in Abuja. While giving his testimony, Mr Shiekuma told the panel that they were informed by the medical doctor that the deceased died as a result of electric shock. He informed the panel that the incidence occur on June 13, 2018 where seven men from Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) allegedly raided one Spy Annusa Guest House in Mabushi Village, Abuja. He alleged that the officers searched all the rooms in the guest house where they discover the deceased in one of the room with her fiancee (Mr Dogo) and pushed her out of the room half naked. He further testified that the SARS officials collected the mobile phone of the deceased because she refused to give them money. About seven (7) men of SARS came into the Guest House and knocked on her door when she came out they collected her handset and handcuff her because she resist arrest at the initial time. And when she started arguing with them one of the SARS men slapped her and pushed her to the gate that was electrified. And one of the men attempted to lift her up from the gate he discovered he felt the shock and immediately they realised that the deceased was electrocuted. Then, four out of seven officers ran away living three men behind, he alleged. Mr Shiekuma also told the panel that one of the SARS officers used stick to push the deceased out of the electric gate before they used Police Hilux to take her to Gwarimpa General Hospital, where she later died. During cross examination by the police counsel, James Idachaba, the witness told the panel that, his connection with the Guest House was that he was a vigilante member monitoring the area. Why we went to the Guest House 12.a.m was because I am part of the vigilante at Mabushi Village and the SARS men used to come to the place without the knowledge of the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Mabushi, he alleged. I also heard when the deceased was shouting that the gate was electrified and that they should not push her out of the gate, he said. Mr Shiekuma told the panel that he could not confirm if it was the SARS men that connected the electric wire in the gate. However, after listening to the witness, the chairman of the Panel, Tony Ojukwu, adjourned further hearing till October 24. (NAN) Nasarawa State Police Command on Tuesday confirmed the abduction of a presenter with Nasarawa Broadcasting Service and his friend by unknown gunmen on Saturday night. The commands spokesman, Kennedy Idirisu, a superintendent of police, told journalists in Lafia that the presenter was abducted in Keffi at about 10 pm on Saturday while returning from work. Mr Idirisu said the case was reported to the police in Keffi on October 21, by a friend of the victim when he did not return home the previous night after closing from work. He said the police began investigation and found the Honda CRV car belonging to one of the victims with an iPad abandoned by the road side in Dadin-Kowa area of Keffi. Mr Idirisu, who gave the names of the victims as Jerry Gana and Simpson Ogbu, said the police was working assiduously to locate and rescue them, and called on anyone with useful information to come forward. He appealed to the families of the victims and management of NBS to remain calm as the command would not relent until the victims were released. Meanwhile, Yusuf Musa, General Manager of the station told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that one of the victims is a presenter on contract with the station. I have just returned from a foreign trip and yet to be adequately briefed on the details of the incident, but what I can say is that one of the victims is a presenter, working on contract basis with us, Mr Musa said. (NAN) In the lawsuit, the union says it met Sept. 4 with police to inform them of the upcoming strike, and was told that protesters could freely use bullhorns, drums, whistles and other instruments between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. as long as they did not use them overnight. When people complained about the noise, including at neighboring hospitals, police told the protesters they could continue picketing and sound production as they had been doing before, according to the suit. It was a war of words on Monday as lawyers in the ongoing trial of the former Peoples Democratic Party spokesperson, Olisa Metuh, struggled to canvass their arguments in court. Mr Metuh is facing trial on alleged diversion of N400 million received from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. The former PDP spokesperson is being tried along with his company, Dextra Investment Limited. The trial had been adjourned to October, for old and new parties including Channels Television who were accused by the judge of making improper coverage of the trial. While the hearing was going on, a defence lawyer, Emeka Etiaba, informed the court about the absence of a fellow defence lawyer, Tochukwu Onwubufor. According to Mr Etiaba, Mr Onwubufor had travelled and was therefore not going to be able to attend Mondays court hearing. Mr Etiaba also announced that his fellow senior member of the inner bar had left some documents with him (Etiaba), suggesting a request to hold brief for Mr Onwuufor, pending his return from the trip. After making his explanations, the prosecution lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir, addressed the court in reaction to Mr Etiabas explanation on the absence of Mr Onwubufor. According to Mr Tahir, Mr Etiabas claim on the absence of Mr Onwubufor amounted to an appalling and vexatious request. Mr Tahir accused Mr Onwubufor of planning to force the court to sit at his (Onwubufors) convenience alone and not at the discretion of the court. He told the court that the purported excuse of Mr Onwuufors absence should not be considered a reason for any adjournment, suggesting that Mr Etiaba was requesting for an adjournment. Subsequently, in a reaction to Mr Tahirss submission, Mr Etiaba expressed what he described as a longstanding concern about the prosecutions choice of language in court. I am worried about the councils uncontrolled use of words. Council referred to the application as appalling and vexatious. And further submitted that it was frivolous. He continued and used the word so called, said Mr Etiaba who added that Mr Tahir made further derogatory descriptions about Mr Onwubufors reported absence. The reason why we met this profession is that we refer it as a learned profession, where we give each other the benefit of the doubt. I have always advised my colleague Tahir to mind his choice of words and the worst just happened this morning. And there is life beyond this trial: this case, said Mr Etiaba who added that; the defence team has not made any application for adjournment. After making their submissions, the judge, Okon Abang ruled that the matter would continue in Mr Onwubufors absence on Tuesday. Also at the opening of session, a new lawyer representing Channels Television, Jiti Ogunye, informed the court about a request by his client to appeal a previous directive for the TV station to produce copies of an edition of its programme, Sunrise Daily, in court. Mr Ogunye, who was standing in for another lawyer, also asked that issues relating to his client in the substantive matter, be suspended pending the determination of the hearing at the appeal court. In reaction to Mr Ogunyes application, Mr Tahir said his client has not been served. He argued that Channels Television chose to consider the office of the Attorney General as the prosecution in its application, while the case was brought to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC). From all the processes, it is clear that the office of the AGF is not directly involved in this application. Im not aware that the court made an order substituting the EFCC with the AGF. In a nutshell, we have not been served, Mr Tahir said. They should regularise their processes and have them served, Mr Tahir said. He described Mr Ogunyes application as dead on arrival. However, in reaction, Mr Ogunye accused the prosecution of overrating the issue and wasting the precious time of the court. Any serious minded counsel, must know that whatever interest we have is subordinated by the duty of the court to grant justice. The time of the court should not be unnecessarily wasted. Mr Ogunye also explained that his client has no reason to prefer the AGF to the EFCC. The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Gina Haspel, arrived Turkey Tuesday morning to get updates on the investigation of the death of Jamal Khashoggi. Mr Khashoggi, a columnist with the Washington Post, was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Turkey, a move that has earned the Saudis worldwide criticism and condemnation. The reactions have included withdrawal of prominent governments and businesses from a scheduled Saudi business conference. Also, German chancellor Angela Merkel, has put a halt to the sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia over the murder of the journalist. Saudi Arabia initially denied Mr Khashoggi was killed at its consulate, saying he left the building alive. The Islamic kingdom later admitted the journalist was killed but said it was a rogue operation not sanctioned by the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed Bin Salman. The CIA chief arrived Turkey amidst bipartisan calls from U.S. lawmakers that President Donald Trump sanction Saudi Arabia for the murder. Mr Trump has made varying statements on the scandal including saying the U.S. arms deal with Saudi Arabia was of importance to him. President Erdogan of Turkey is also expected to address the media on the evidence his government has on the killing of the Saudi journalist who has called for reforms in the Saudi government. The senator representing Abia South in the National Assembly, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of deliberately sidelining the south east in his appointments into the National Defence Council and the National Security Council. Mr Abaribe, a Peoples Democratic Party senator, made the allegation while contributing to a motion for urgent need to appoint a representative of the South-East into the National Defence Council and the National Security Council sponsored by Victor Umeh (Anambra-APGA) Quoting section Section 5 (1) A and B Mr Abaribe, an ardent critic of Mr Buhari, said the presidents move to exclude his region from the two councils is deliberate. A matter of the exclusion of the south east is a matter we have carried in this chamber and indeed in the executive chamber because I have personally led the south east caucus to Mr President to discuss this matter, said the opposition party senator. Let me say that in addition to all constitutional provisions that have been done in this motion, there is a key constitutional provision which buttresses what is said here. Mr President does not have an option. What we have seen is a deliberate, I repeat, a deliberate misreading of the Constitution as to the powers of Mr President to decide on his own to determine who he can appoint. Mr Abaribe said the constitution gives the president the power to appoint outside the security outfits but he must first reflect federal character before using his power. Im very glad that in the motion of the matter of what constitutes the defence council, Section H says such other members as the president may appoint, which gives Mr President the option to co-opt people from outside the service chiefs in whichever way that he wants. What we are saying is that fact, that despite the provision of the constitution, despite the options that are given, there is a deliberate attempt not to let some part of this country to be part of the security architecture and that, we are saying is not so good for this country. The lawmakers failed to adopt Mr Abaribes prayers which include the presidents reconstitution of membership of the councils and appointing an officer from the South-East as Service Chief for equitable representation. The senate president, Bukola Saraki, did not put the prayers into a debate. He instead ruled that the issue be noted as the lawmakers could not reach a consensus. Some senators on Tuesday had heated argument over composition of the National Defence Council and the National Security Council. While some of the lawmakers alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari deliberately side-lined the south east, by not appointing anyone from the region, others said the president made his appointment with consideration of federal character. The arguments came after Victor Umeh (Anambra, APGA) moved a motion for urgent need to appoint a representative of the South-East into the National Defence Council and the National Security Council. Mr Umeh expressed worry that no Service Chief as appointed to two councils is from the South-East of Nigeria contrary to federal character as provided by the constitution. The senate is further worried that the Defence and Security Advice relayed to the President by members of the Defence and Security Councils (which excluded Security Officers from the five states that make up the South-East of Nigeria) may not likely represent fair and equitable Security Situation of the South-East of Nigeria, he said. He prayed the president reconstitute membership of the councils and appoint an officer from the South-East as a Service Chief for equitable representation. First to comment was Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia-PDP), who accused Mr Buhari of deliberately excluding the South East in his appointment. Quoting Section 5 (1) A and B of the constitution, Mr Abaribe said the constitution mandates Mr President to be fair to all regions in his appointment. Mr President does not have an option, he said. What we have seen is a deliberate. I repeat, a deliberate misreading of the constitution as to the powers of Mr President to decide on his own to determine who he can appoint. Im very glad that in the motion of the matter of what constitutes the defence council. Section H says such other members as the president may appoint which gives Mr President the option to co-opt people from outside the service chiefs in whichever way that he wants. What we are saying is the fact that despite the provision of the constitution, despite the options that are given, there is a deliberate attempt not to let some part of this country to be part of the security architecture and that, we are saying is not so good for this country. Senate Deputy Majority Leader, Ibn Na Allah, attacked the mover of the motion, noting that his presentation was a misinterpretation of the provision of the constitution. The position taken by Senator Umeh is a gross misunderstanding of the provision of the constitution. There is a clear distinction between what is called the officer corps and appointment. Section 219 makes it imperative for the president to make appointment and bring such to the Senate for confirmation where everyone is represented. The entire list in the motion sponsored by Senator Umeh were brought here. The senate found it convenient and expedient to at that time to approve that appointment and everybody was in the senate. At the recruitment level, the army, navy and air force does what they call federal character. But all are called and few are given. It will not be the fault of the Nigerian Army that for example that five candidates are brought from Kebbi and three ran away after the course or they commit an offence. At this stage, let me say that it has never been since independence that the policy of any government will be to deliberately exclude a section of this country. Also, Barau Jibrin (Kano-APC) attacked Mr Umeh. He said the National Security Council already has a South East representative. The assertion by Mr Umeh is not correct. Its misleading. He omitted the fact that the Minister of Foreign Affairs who is from the south east, Emeka Onyeama, is a member of the National Security Council. I therefore call on Senator Umeh to apologise for misguiding the senate. He was promptly confronted by Mao Ohabunwa (Abia-PDP) who said the motion dwells more on the National Defence Council. If you look at the motion from the beginning, its talking about the National Defence Council, he said. Everything in this country should be inclusive. Its not about federal character we agreed at the section of joining the force but what we are saying is that national council made up of about eight people. I dont see anything difficult to use his power, consult other persons. I dont see anything wrong for inclusiveness to appoint someone from the south east to be part of this council. The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, merely ruled that the issue be noted as the lawmakers could not reach a consensus. If we take different parts of the constitution, we can see different parts that support the argument. Its not a motion that well be able to get a consensus for because of different interpretation. The points have been well highlighted and I think, in my own view, this is not a motion that well be able to reach consensus on. I will like to rule that what you have raised is noted, he said. The trial of three men accused of stealing N5.7 billion SURE-P funds was stalled Tuesday after a Katsina State official said Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General of the Federation, had directed the anti-graft agency (ICPC) to hand over the case file to the Katsina State government. Mr Malami, weeks later, denied giving such directive. The ICPC had accused the three former officials of Katsina State government of committing the offence during the administration of former governor Ibrahim Shema. The accused persons are the former special adviser to the governor on SURE-P, Nasiru Ingawa; the Director of Finance and Account of the SURE-P Department Katsina State, Abdulaziz Shinkafi; and a chief store officer in the state civil service, Bello Bindawa. The federal anti-graft agency had arraigned them before a Katsina State High Court on a 17-count charge bordering on misappropriation of over N5.7 billion SURE-P funds, stating that the offences contravened different sections of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. The matter dragged on in court for almost a year over a disagreement between the ICPC and Katsina State government on who should prosecute the case. When the matter was called on Tuesday, the states Solicitor-General, Abdulsalam Sabiu, told the court that the office of the AGF had directed the release of necessary legal documents from the office of the ICPC to the office for onward transmission to the Katsina State government. He said the ICPC complied with the directive and released all the documents to the office of the AGF on October 18. Mr Sabiu, however, added that at the point of releasing the documents to the state government, Mr Malami travelled out of Nigeria on an official assignment. Based on this development, Mr Sabiu asked for an adjournment. The trial judge, Maikaita Bako, adjourned the case to November 27 for the continuation of trial. However, in a statement on December 3, Mr Malami denied authorising the transfer of the case file to the Katsina government by the ICPC. The ICPC had strongly objected to the move by the state government to take over the prosecution. During the last sitting on July 3, Mr Sabiu told the court that they were not able to retrieve the case file from the office of the AGF because the ICPC had written a petition to the office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo against handing over the case. On Tuesday, Mr Sabiu told the court that the office of the vice president considered the matter and referred it back to the AGF for necessary action. He claimed Mr Malami approved the request of the state government and directed the release of all the necessary legal documents from the ICPC to the state government, a directive Mr Malami later denied issuing. The solicitor-general told PREMIUM TIMES that they decided to take over the prosecution from the ICPC because the case is of high premium to the state government. SURE-P, an acronym for the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, was established January 2012 by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to re-invest savings from fuel subsidy removal on critical infrastructure projects and social safety net programmes with direct impact on ordinary Nigerians. Editors Note: This story was edited after Attorney-General Malami clarified his position on December 3. The trial of a flamboyant Nigerian pastor and televangelist, Timothy Omotoso, arraigned for rape and human trafficking in the South African city of Port Elizabeth has led to public outrage in the country. The BBC reports that public anger in South Africa reached a crescendo following Mr Omotosos lawyers aggressive questioning of the pastors accuser, Cheryl Zondi, in the televised trial that mimicked the explosive murder trial of former Olympian, Oscar Pistorius. Mr Omotosho and two female members of his church are facing a 97-count charge of rape and human trafficking. They denied the allegations. An angry crowd gathered in front of the Jesus Dominion International, Mr Omotosos church, forcing it to close its door over the weekend. Mr Omotosos lawyer, Peter Daubermann, was also followed and criticised outside the courthouse by a crowd, which was angry by his line of cross-examination of the accuser. Ms Zondi, a 22-year-old student, specifically accused Mr Omotoso, 60, of raping her from when she was 14. According to media reports, Mr Zondi, who was the first prosecution witness, was composed as she recounted her ordeal under the pastor. She narrated how Mr Omotoso quoted psalms and threatened her with Gods anger if she refused to comply with his sex demands. She said he raped her a year after she became a member of the church. But while cross-examining her, Mr Daubermann accused her of lying, calling her a good actress. I put it to you that you are lying about what happened to you. You were prepared to let him rape you? You basically consented? he asked, referring to later alleged sexual incidents when Ms Zondi was an adult. How many centimetres? Do you know? he asked Ms Zondi, after she had described how the pastor had allegedly partially penetrated her, at the age of 14. How would she know that? Judge Mandela Makaula interrupted, visibly angry. She could have felt it, suggested Mr Daubermann. And measured it at the same time? No. I will not allow that question, declared the judge, who went on to thank Ms Zondi for her testimony and wish her good luck in the university exams she had interrupted in order to attend the trial. This is not about you. This is about justice, he told her. His line of questioning seems to have triggered a section of the South African populace who said he crossed a line. Among them was Ndileka Mandela, the granddaughter of the late father of the country, Nelson Mandela, who alleged she was also raped by a former boyfriend in 2017. Ms Mandela said Ms Zondi s case was similar to the #MeToo movement adding that her treatment in the witness box underscores the reason why many rape victims in the country choose to remain silent. I really feel pain for this young woman and I am so proud to see how courageous shes been on the witness stand, Ms Mandela told South Africas Sunday Times Newspaper. Cheryl has set a precedent and we can only pray other victims will be encouraged by this. We salute her, a spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority told reporters. South Africa is grappling with a rape epidemic with at least 100 women reporting being raped to the police daily. Meanwhile, Mr Omotosos defence team has accused the judge of bias, asking him to recuse himself from the trial, a demand which the judge turned down. You aligned yourself with her cause. You have already accepted her version, Mr Daubermann told the judge. He also condemned the media coverage of the trial. Ive been vilified in the media for my cross-examination. Ive been accused of adopting questionable methods of examination. That is blatantly false. I have to test the veracity of the evidence. I cant allow sensibilities to get in the way of my duty, he added. South African media is also reporting that Mr Omotoso and his wife have been acting in a manner that tend to undercut the seriousness of the trial. Mr Omotoso, though relaxed, has been reportedly caught smiling many times during the trial while his wife was chastised by the judge for laughing and commenting on Ms Zondis evidence. The Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has accused the All Progressive Congress national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, of promoting impunity in the concluded party primaries. The VON-DG was an aspirant for the Enugu West Senatorial District ticket of the party for 2019. He however lost. In a statement he personally signed, and sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, the APC member described Mr Oshiomhole as a mindset, kind of ITK I Too Know adding that Mr Oshiomhole should go home to settle his sins with his predecessor, John Odigie Oyegun. Methinks Comrade Oshiomhole came with a wrong mindset, kind of ITK I Too Know. Hear him I think that I can say comfortably that about 90 per cent of APC members is happy, it is not possible to have 100 per cent. Fake News for the silent aggrieved majority. Secondly, everything his predecessor, Chief John Odigie Oyegun did is evil and he is a saint. Oshiomhole better goes home to settle with his brother, before we pay for the sin we never committed. Thank God that Oyegun has been vindicated, though at great cost to APC. Also in the statement, the VON boss accused Mr Oshiomhole of stopping the Enugu State gubernatorial primary mid-way without reasons after a smooth electoral process in four out of 17 LGAs. For instance, can the comrade (Oshiomhole) in all honesty publicly tell Nigerians why he stopped Enugu State gubernatorial primary mid-way after the seamless conclusion of 4 out of 17 LGAs without genuine reason? I was one of those he spoke to and we assured him all is well. Or the unilateral reversal of indirect primary mode of election chosen by Enugu State to direct primary, without proper resort to the National Working Committee which approved the Indirect Primary for Enugu State? Similarly, he charged the former NLC chairman to explain why he handed over the Imo State governorship ticket to the Governor Rochas Okorocha family. Osita Okechukwu Can Comrade Oshiomhole as a matter of urgent national importance clear the air on the culture of impunity and misadventure he demonstrated in Imo State by handing over the APC to a FRIENDLY FAMILY? One challenges Comrade Oshiomhole in all clear conscience to tell the world how APC can win Imo State in 2019 in the CLIFF-HANGER he wittingly or unwittingly railroaded our great party? The Electoral Act is completely blind and our partys rules also are completely blind to power but its sensitive to procedures; it is sensitive processes. Is the Electoral Act or our partys rules followed in Zamfara, Ogun States or some of us who won the primary election but were shortchanged?, the official said. When PREMIUM TIMES contacted the APC deputy spokesperson, Yekini Nabena, for comments on the accusations of inpunity in the party, he declined. He directed the reporter to the partys national chairman. If Mr Okechukwu is accusing Oshiomole, you should get in touch with him (Oshiomhole). It is someone that they are accusing that can have the answer to the questions, he said. Meanwhile, Mr Oshiomole did not answer calls from the reporter. He is yet to respond to text messages sent to his telephone by the reporter at the time filing this report. Mr Oshiomhole recently said he had the backing of majority of APC governors but one or two. This was amid speculations that some governors of the party, who lost out politically in the ruling partys primaries, were out to oust him from office. The primaries were characterised by widespread irregularities, violence and controversies with the presidents wife, Aisha Buhari, among those who have condemned the nationwide exercise. A motion seeking reconstitution of the membership of the National Defence Council (NDC) and the National Security Council (NSC) suffered setback in the Senate on Tuesday. The motion, moved by Victor Umeh (APGA-Anambra Central) at plenary, had also wanted the Senate to urge President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint a military officer from the South East as a Service Chief. According to Mr Umeh, in doing so, it will pave way for equitable representation of the people of the South East in both councils. Ruling on the motion, President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, noted and kept it in view after the lawmakers failed to reach a consensus on the matter. Membership of the National Defence Council comprises the President; Vice President; Minister of Defence; the Chiefs of Defence, Army Staff, Naval and Air Staff, and other members as the president may appoint. It is empowered to advise the president on matters relating to the defence of the nations sovereignty and territorial integrity. Members of the National Security Council, on the other hand, comprise the President, Vice President, Chief of Defence Staff and the Ministers of Interior, Defence and Foreign Affairs. Others are the National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police, and other persons as the President may in his discretion appoint. Like the NDC, the NSC is also an advisory body, but on matters of public security. While moving the motion earlier, Mr Umeh said there was no south easterner in the current membership of the NDC and NSC. This, according to him, violates the Federal Character Principle as enshrined in Section 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. He said none of the service chiefs appointed to the National Defence Council and the National Security Council was from the South-East of Nigeria. The exclusion of the South East from the appointment of the Service Chiefs will continue to cause a feeling of alienation, neglect and consequential agitation among the people of the South East, he said. Mr Umeh said that inclusion of an officer from the region among the Service Chiefs would automatically make them members of the NDC and NSC. According to him, this will go a long way in assuaging the feelings of isolation and neglect among the people of the South East. The senator noted that there was an array of qualified military officers from the region capable of serving as heads of the various branches of the military. He mentioned Rochas Nicholas, a major general from Imo, who is the current Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, the Army unit leading the fight against insurgency in the North East. Supporting the motion, Eyinnaya Abaribe (PDP-Abia South) said besides the constitution provisions cited by Mr Umeh, Section 5 (1)(a) and (b) compelled the President to abide by the Constitution. In other words, Mr Abaribe said the president was constitutionally bound to respect the Federal Character Principle in his appointments. He alleged that what had been happening was a deliberate misinterpretation of the Constitution to marginalise some parts of the country. But some All Progressives Congress (APC) senators, including Bala NaAllah (Kebbi South) and Barau Jibrin (Kano North) opposed the motion. They dismissed the positions of Messrs Umeh and Abaribe as a gross misunderstanding of the provisions of the Constitution. Besides, Mr NaAllah said it was wrong for Umeh to raise the motion since he was part of the Senate that found it expedient to confirm the appointments of the Service Chiefs at that time. He said the Federal Character Principle was reflected in the recruitment of personnel into the three arms of the military. Mr NaAllah warned that security issues should not be politicised, but rather be debated based on the spirit and the latter of the law. He noted that approving the motion would amount to self-indictment by Senate having earlier confirmed the appointment of the service chiefs. On his part, Mr Jibrin said it was not true that there was no south easterner in the National Security Council as asserted by Mr Umeh. He said that Mr Umeh deliberately omitted the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Godfrey Onyema, a south easterner who is a member of the NSC, in an attempt to mislead the Senate. He, therefore, called on Mr Umeh to apologise for misinforming the Senate. Addressing Senate correspondents later, Mr Umeh said by the motion he had succeeded in drawing the nations attention to the lopsidedness in the membership composition of the NDC and NSC. In this regard, he said the motion should not be seen as having failed. (NAN) Amidst continued crisis in the All Progressives Congress (APC), some members of the party have accused Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, of leading a group of conservative governors to sabotage the partys electoral prospects. The group made the allegation on Tuesday during a protest at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja. According to the coordinators, Ibrahim Sikiru and Gbenga Bojuwomi, the protesters were drawn from different groups. They include members of the Buhari/Osinbajo Movement, Forum of Buhari Support Groups, Love to Love Foundation for Buhari 2019, Niger Delta Women for Buhari, Buhari/Osinbajo Destiny Group, Women for Buhari and Osinbajo, and Farmers Congress Group for Buhari. The group said it has discovered that a lot of damage has been done underground by the conservative governors to thwart the bright chances of the party in the forthcoming general elections. It is evident that Gov Akeredolu is purely a mole in APC. It would be recalled that he worked alongside with Gov Kayode Fayemi and Gov Amosun against the partys choice in Osun election. Right now, he has instructed all his loyalists and cabinet members in Ondo State to work against all partys candidates in Ondo during the general election. The group also named other governors allegedly working with the Ondo governor It was revealed that Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is the leader of the new conservative movement within APC coupled with the assistance of Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State and Gov. Bindow of Adamawa State. The group said the governor was determined to fight three personalities in APC, President Buhari, Bola Tinubu and Adams Oshiomhole, because he is not happy with the strategies by APC National Working Committee to reunite the party with a view to bringing democracy to the door-steps of party members by the Introduction and adoption of direct primaries for all elections. The group said with the governors actions so far, it will be difficult for the president to win in Ondo State in 2019. As it is in Ondo State, President Mohammadu Buhari cannot get 10% votes come 2019 general elections due to de-marketing policies of Gov. Akeredolu. Instead of this accidental governor to focus on projects that will better the lots of good people of Ondo State, he is busy running from North to South collecting signatures of governors and party chairmen of various states to pass vote of no confidence on Adams Oshiomhole. The protest by the group came amidst alleged moves by some governors to force a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to address issues of arbitrariness raised against the national chairman. Some state governors like Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, Abdul-aziz Yari of Zamfara, following the outcome of the partys primaries, had openly opposed Mr Oshiomholes leadership in respect of the candidates listed at various levels. Governor Amosun again on Monday accused Mr Oshiomhole of collaborating with a cabal based in Lagos to manipulate the primaries in his state to favour political interests outside the state. The fallout of the primaries has also led to the defection of some senators like Shehu Sani and Sani Mustapha and protests in states like Imo. Despite all these, the chairman claimed he still enjoys the support of majority of party members. The protesters however said they believe in the leadership of the party led by Mr Oshiomhole and his determination to position the party for victory in the 2019 elections. Noting that the party is greater than any individual or group, the group urged all to come together and face their common goal to remain the most efficient and trusted party in Nigeria. Responding, the spokesperson of the governor, Segun Ajiboye, dismissed the allegations against Mr Akeredolu as spurious. Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is too busy with state matters and working to develop the state for him to be bothered by spurious allegations such as this. Those behind fake allegations like these are out for only one thing- seeking to be noticed. They are attention seekers. However, as a loyal party man, the governor is working and will continue to work for the progress of the party and do anything that will ensure that the All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to win elections at all levels in the country, Mr Ajiboye said. A group in Bauchi, under the aegis of Protein and Food Vendors Association on Tuesday donated N4.2 million to support the re-election campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the donation was presented to Vice President Osinbajo during the launching of the National Small and Medium Enterprise clinics, held in Bauchi. Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State, who announced the donation on behalf of the group, said the donors were impressed by the poverty alleviation programmes of the federal government, especially the Home Grown School Feeding Programme. The group said they were in support of the re-election of Messrs Buhari and Osinbajo so that the duo would continue the good work they had started. Responding, the vice president thanked the group for the gesture, saying the donation was an indication that people appreciate what the government is doing for them. He however directed that the money be ploughed back in developing primary schools in the state. Mr President Muhammadu Buhari and myself appreciate the gesture; we will also donate the money back to schools; we direct that the money be used in maintaining primary schools in the state, he said. "You support your friends in good times and bad," the executive said. "The trajectory [in Saudi Arabia] is toward more openness and transparency, but there are going to be bumps in the road." He, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Ciroma, has said the ban on commercial motorcycles (Okada) and commercial tricycle riders (Keke) in some areas was still in force. Mr Ciroma stated this during a meeting with the National Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NATOMORAS) and the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) leadership on Tuesday in Abuja. According to him, they were given three days to comply with the ban on operating in the city centre and stick to operating in the satellite towns as earlier spelt out by the administration. Mr Ciroma, who is also the Chairman, Ministerial joint Task Force, said it had become necessary to remind associations because the order on the commercial transportation remained under enforcement. The commissioner of police told the groups to see beyond the commercial benefits of their business and contribute their quota to making of the capital city of Nigeria worthy of emulation. My brothers, the aim of this meeting is for us to give ourselves another opportunity to listen to each other and advice ourselves on how to cooperate with each other. As the head of this team, I would like us to stick to those areas earlier designated for operations. This has however, become necessary because we are beginning to witness some of your members flaunt the law, he added. He warned that the MJTF would in the next three days make any defaulter face the full wrath of the law. Also speaking, Director, FCT Directorate of Road Traffic, Wadata Bodinga, said that his office would ensure that the city centres were rid of illegal commercial vehicle operations. Mr Bodinga, however, appealed to the unions to abide by the rules as government had done well by engaging them before enforcing the law. Also speaking, the Chairman, FCT Chapter of NATOMORAS, Musa Ibrahim, assured them of full cooperation, while commending the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello. He also restated the resolve of the unions to abide by all policies especially the ones guiding the operations of tricycles and motorcycles within the city, noting that some operators were not their members. The chairman on behalf of the unions promised to take the message home and educate their members on the need to abide by the authorised routes. Mr Ibrahim also requested government to grant the associations additional areas to operate their trade, due to increase in their membership. (NAN) Let us make our Kaduna State a place of peace Text of State Broadcast by Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, on Monday, 22nd October 2018 Dear People of Kaduna State, I address you today with a heavy heart, saddened by the violence and loss of lives in parts of our state since Thursday, 18th October 2018, when unrest broke out in Kasuwan Magani. The state government promptly imposed a curfew in the area. We visited Kasuwan Magani on Friday, 19th October 2018 to see things for ourselves, to commiserate with the people and to assess the security situation, which had by then become calm. We condemn the violence, and extend our sympathy to the victims, survivors and their families. I assure everyone affected that we will seek justice for them, and clearly underline that criminals will be punished according to law. We were appalled by the sense of panic that was triggered by rumours across several of our communities on Sunday, 21st October 2018, a situation that hoodlums exploited to engage in criminal activity and to violate the rights of other citizens. The aftermath of the disinformation and resulting panic led to the death of 5 citizens, injuries to many more and destruction of property within Kaduna metropolis. The Kaduna State Government was therefore compelled to declare a 24-hour curfew in the metropolis to stem the proliferation of false rumours, prevent the spread of chaos and to enable the security agencies to restore calm. All night yesterday and throughout today, we have gone round affected areas, visited hospitals, interacted with communities and counseled against reliance on unsubstantiated information. My colleagues and I have visited the injured in the hospital, and inspected parts of the state capital in the early hours of this morning. The security agents we met manning our streets in the hours before dawn gave us updates that indicated that the overnight security operations were achieving the objective of restoring calm. Dear People of Kaduna State, I wish to inform you that the Kaduna State Security Council met this morning. Following this meeting, the Deputy Governor and I have led a team of senior state government and security officials to various parts of Kaduna metropolis, and beyond. It was reassuring to find that the situation is calm, and that residents are complying with the curfew and cooperating with the security agencies. While the degree of compliance with the curfew is credible, I wish to urge everyone to reflect honestly and commit to firmly rejecting those who seek to incite and divide us. As your governor, I call on all residents of Kaduna State to do their best to uphold peace and harmony. No one gains from a situation of chaos. The ultimate guarantee of peaceful coexistence is the willingness of individuals and our communities to live in peace. Harmony in our land requires a commitment to obey the law, and to use only peaceful and lawful means to resolve differences. The diversity of Kaduna State is real. It is a blessing of the Almighty God. No one will be allowed to tamper with this gift. The right bestowed by the Constitution allowing every citizen to live where they choose will be vigorously upheld by your government. To enforce these rights, this government will work to fast track the prosecution of at least 25 persons arrested for the recent incident, as well as the 63 persons arrested during the February 2018 episode in Kasuwan Magani. It is clear to us that unless people are seen to be expeditiously punished for such criminal acts, impunity and reckless disregard for human life and property will continue. Having reviewed the security situation today, the State Security Council will reconvene at 9am, tomorrow, Tuesday, 23rd October to consider whether it is expedient to relax the duration and timing of the curfew in place. Further announcements on this will be made in due course based on the evaluation of the security agencies. The Kaduna State Government regrets the inconvenience imposed on our citizens by the curfews in Kasuwan Magani, Kujama and the Kaduna Metropolis, and assure all that the difficult decisions were taken in the public interest to protect the lives, livelihoods and property of our people. To mitigate the inconvenience of commuters passing through Kaduna to other parts of our nation, the security agencies have been directed to make arrangements to escort approved vehicles from the Rigasa train station, Kaduna International Airport and entrance and exit points from and to Abuja, Lagos, Zaria, Kachia and Jos at regular intervals. It is gratifying that Kaduna State is not alone in this moment of trial. On behalf of the government and people of Kaduna State, I wish to express my gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government of Nigeria for promptly making available federal security assets to assist us. I thank the National Security Adviser for his kind support and the Inspector-General of Police who deployed AIG Taiwo Lakanu and a special intervention force to strengthen the efforts of the Kaduna State Police Command. I wish to acknowledge the sterling efforts of the security agencies to uphold calm and enforce order in our state. I pay tribute to the Army, the Airforce, the Navy and the Civil Defence Corps for their valiant efforts. The Vigilance Service and other voluntary security groups also performed admirably in restoring calm. The cause of peace has also benefited from our Peace Commission, and the contributions of our traditional and religious leaders who have worked to ensure that there is no escalation. We are grateful to their Royal Highnesses, the Emir of Zazzau and the Esu Chikun for their sterling leadership and counsel. Let us make our Kaduna State a place of peace. The alternative is in no ones interest. As your governor, I will continue to do my duty to assert and protect everyones right to live in peace. We will vigorously intensify security presence, prosecute offenders and continue to build peace and confidence across our communities. Let us all do it together. God bless Kaduna State! God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria! Governor Nasir El-Rufai has vowed to enforce the various existing laws that impose costs on communities that permit violence in their midst, in order to stem the intermittent crises in Kaduna State. The governor, who disclosed that additional divisions of the police would be established in state, said no matter the number of boots on the ground, the ultimate guarantee of harmony is the willingness of people to live in peace. The governor, who issued the warning in an address during the emergency meeting of the State Council of Chiefs on Tuesday, revealed that the laws have the effect of making community members to bear the cost of repairs of damage arising from crises. Governor El-Rufai mentioned that the various provisions of the Riots Damage Law of 1958, the Collective Punishment Law of 1915 and the Peace Preservation Law of 1917 would henceforth be enforced. According to him, these laws impose on communities that permit violence in their midsts obligations to be charged and levied monies for the costs of repairing damage done during episodes of violence. The governor promised that his administration would provide details of the enforcement of these extant laws. Mr El-Rufai also warned the traditional rulers that government would no longer accept excuses from them when crises erupt in their domains. In situations of unrest, it is common for traditional rulers to disclaim any control over unruly youths. It is an excuse we can no longer accept. Where significant sections of a community disdain the counsel or authority of their traditional ruler, it imperils the rationale for keeping the traditional institution and the occupant of the office, he said. The governor, who traced the genesis of crises in Kaduna state, said the first ethno-religious in the state occurred in Kasuwan Magani in 1980, adding that since them, it appears that a constituency has developed which believes that violence pays, and is convinced that violence has no consequences for the perpetrators. According to him, it is time for a powerful coalition for peace to speak frankly and support actions against those who menace the right of our citizens to live in peace wherever they choose. Governor El-Rufai also provided update on casualties from the Sunday incident in parts of Kaduna. He disclosed that 22 people lost their lives during the last crisis that occurred on Sunday while 44 others sustained injuries, adding that several properties were also damaged within Kaduna metropolis. The governor who vowed to prosecute the perpetrators of the crisis, however lamented the slow pace of prosecution in the courts. He said Kaduna State is working to secure the approval of the National Judicial Council in order to expand the bench with 20 additional high court judges. In addition, Mr El-Rufai said government is working with Kaduna State Police Command to establish a police division in Narayi and Sabon Tasha. He expressed gratitude to police authorities for agreeing to establish a police division at Kasuwan Magani. READ THE FULL SPEECH DELIVERED BY GOVERNOR EL-RUFAI BELOW. Let us strengthen the Coalition for Peace Address by Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, at the Emergency Meeting of the Kaduna State Council of Chiefs held at the Council Chambers of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Tuesday, 23rd October 2018 PROTOCOLS Let me begin by commiserating with you all on the sad abduction of Agom of Kachia. This is the second time a royal father is being so treated. We are outraged by this disrespect for tradition. May the souls of his three deceased aides rest in peace. Amen. 1. On behalf of the Kaduna State Government, I wish to acknowledge the efforts of your Royal Highnesses in the cause of peace in our state. In particular, we are grateful to their Royal Highnesses, the Emir of Zazzau for his sterling leadership and counsel, recommending that we invite you here today. We are grateful that you are able to come even at short notice, and even after rescheduling it from the previous date of Friday. 2. As you are aware, there have been breaches of the peace since Thursday, 18th October 2018, when unrest broke out in Kasuwan Magani. The state government promptly imposed a curfew in the area. The loss of lives was staggering- at least 55 corpses were recovered, and the damage to lives and livelihoods considerable. A brazen crime was committed. We owe the victims justice, and our state respite from the impunity of those who have arrogated to themselves the authority to wantonly violate lives, livelihoods and the rights of others. 3. The necessity to apply the law vigorously is illustrated by the panic and anxiety that spread into our capital city and environs as people spread vile rumours on Sunday, 21st October 2018. Hoodlums exploited the situation to engage in further criminal activity and to violate the rights of other citizens. The aftermath of the disinformation and resulting panic led to the death of another 22 citizens, injuries to 44 persons and destruction of property within Kaduna metropolis. Some of the injured have been discharged, but 34 others are still receiving medical attention. 4. The Kaduna State Government was therefore compelled to declare a 24-hour curfew in the metropolis to stem the proliferation of false rumours, prevent the spread of chaos and to enable the security agencies to restore calm. We have gone round affected areas, visited hospitals, interacted with communities and counseled against reliance on unsubstantiated information. 5. I wish to inform your Royal Highnesses that the government is constantly reviewing the situation with the leaders of the security agencies. Yesterday, senior government and security officials went around Kaduna metropolis, Kujama and Kasuwan Magani to further reassure and calm our people. We also visited Kachia, where we met and commiserated with the family of HRH Agom Kachia whose release from abduction we are all working and praying for. 6. Your Royal Highnesses, we all have a supreme obligation to overcome the legacy of strife in Kaduna State. We are not the only diverse place on this planet. And we must not hold on to a legacy of hate and division. The first ethno-religious clash in the state which happened in Kasuwan Magani in 1980, led to the loss of our innocence. Since then, it appears that a constituency has developed which believes that violence pays, and is convinced that violence has no consequence for the perpetrators. 7. It is time to firmly persuade them otherwise. It is time for a powerful coalition for peace to speak frankly and support firm actions against those who menace the right of our citizens to live in peace wherever they choose, to freely practice their faith anywhere and to pursue legitimate livelihoods without let or hindrance. No group or individual will be allowed to veto or constrain the rights that the Constitution has guaranteed. 8. The pace of prosecution in our courts is hampered by the heavy case loads of our judges. We are working to secure the approval of the National Judicial Council to expand the bench in Kaduna State with 20 additional high court judges. We also clearly need to have more police and other law enforcement officers on the ground to provide assurance to the law abiding, and to deter criminals. 9. In this wise, the Kaduna State Government is working with the Kaduna State Police Command to establish new divisions in Narayi and Sabon Tasha. We are grateful to the police authorities for also agreeing to establish a police division in Kasuwan Magani. The state government and the relevant local government councils will provide the buildings to house these new police formations. More military Strike Force bases will also be established. 10. We can all agree on the need for more security assets and faster dispensation of justice in our state. But our communities have to enlist in the coalition for peace. Beyond boots on the ground, and a phalanx of security agents, the ultimate guarantee of peaceful coexistence is the willingness of individuals and our communities to live in peace. As said in the state broadcast last night, harmony in our land requires a commitment to obey the law, and to use only peaceful and lawful means to resolve differences. 11. Your Royal Highnesses, our communities have an obligation to keep the peace and to report and expose criminal elements. The Kaduna State Government intends to encourage this by vigorously enforcing the various provisions of the Riots Damage Law of 1958, the Collective Punishment Law of 1915 and the Peace Preservation Law of 1917. These laws impose costs on communities that permit violence in their midst, obliging community members to be charged and levied monies for the cost of repairing damage done during episodes of violence. 12. Everyone, particularly our royal fathers, needs to be aware of their stake in preventing disorder and upholding peace. The government will shortly be providing details of the enforcement process of these extant laws. We cannot compromise on the imperative of securing our communities from criminals and rascals. Enough is enough! 13. In situations of unrest, it is common for traditional leaders to disclaim any control over unruly youth. It is an excuse we can no longer accept. Where significant sections of a community disdain the counsel or authority of their traditional ruler, it imperils the rationale for keeping the traditional institution, and the occupant of the office. 14. The Kaduna State Government will continue to advance the cause of peace on many fronts. As a government committed to promoting equality of opportunity, we intend to help promote prosperity by rebuilding and modernising markets in places impacted by conflict. The market in Kafanchan is already being rebuilt. We shall be extending this to the overstretched or destroyed markets in places such as Zonkwa, Zangon-Kataf, Kasuwan Magani and Kujama. The goal is to ensure that the new markets will accommodate not only the existing and previous shop owners, but also others who aspire to and are able to own shops. Perceptions that there are insurmountable barriers to securing trading places in markets will be erased in the new, expanded and modernised markets. The designs for these markets will include space to host police formations. 15. It is sad that many of the places of worship that were destroyed in crises since 2011 are yet to be reconstructed. We need to achieve closure on resettlement of displayed persons, payment of compensation to 2011 victims and the reconstruction of destroyed properties. We have therefore approached the Federal Government to provide the balance of 53% of assessed compensation to enable victims to rebuild their lives, and for all places of worship to be restored. 16. Your Royal Highnesses, you all have a fundamental role to play as pillars of peace and lawful conduct. The Kaduna State Government appreciates your significant contributions and wishes you all success in serving and leading our people. We look forward to hosting these meetings every quarter to sustain our efforts to promote unity, peaceful coexistence and progress in our state. 17. In conclusion, I wish to update you on the resolutions of the Security Council meeting that was held earlier today: a. Selective variation of the curfew as appropriate in certain parts of Kaduna metropolis, and relaxation in Kasuwan Magani and Kujama. b. KSTA vehicles with Police/NSCDC to escort outside travellers passing through Kaduna, and from train stations, airports, motor parks and entrances into our city. c. Police to work with other relevant agencies to revive the Task Force to enforce the proscription of operations of commercial motorcyclists. d. Re-establishment of checkpoints and military patrols along Kachia Road to enhance the security of that axis. e. Review of the activities of youth groups and community development associations to ensure that they are conducive to the promotion of peace and harmony. Thank you for honouring us with your royal presence. Thank you for listening. God bless Kaduna State! God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!! The curfew declared by the Kaduna State government in the aftermath of the violence that rocked parts of the state was relaxed for a few hours on Tuesday. This allowed residents come out to restock their depleted groceries and other needs. The government had declared a 24-hour curfew on the metropolis and environs on Sunday. The curfew was declared after reprisal attacks occurred following violence in another part of the state. The state governor, Nasir El-Rufai on Tuesday confirmed that 22 people were killed in the Sunday violence. Residents largely obeyed the curfew, until Tuesday afternoon when the government relaxed it allowing a few hours of movement. According to a statement signed by Governor Nasir El-Rufais spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan, the hours of grace ended Tuesday evening. The 24-hour curfew in Kaduna metropolis will be reimposed from 5 p.m. today, and until further notice, the terse statement noted. Residents who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES thanked the governor for relaxing the curfew, but also called on him to act with caution. This is a welcome development, at least we can go out and get some bread, drugs and little things we need at home. The government should also tread with caution. Many of these hoodlums are thieves, they take advantage of every little window to strike. Once this curfew is relaxed, our children will be on streets heading for schools and if the environment is not secure enough, there could be another trouble, Halima Abubakar, a resident of Kawo said. Sani Bitrus, a resident of Malali, said: We are not happy at all but what can we do. Peace is paramount. We thank the governor for taking that prompt decision. Everybody will take his time. These thugs are always ready to strike. Hauwa Muktar, a resident of Hayin Banki, told PREMIUM TIMES that she quickly rushed to the market to get some foodstuff the moment the curfew was relaxed. My husband is a businessman. He has a shop at Gummi market, but he cannot go there. This cannot work for us. I am appealing to the people of Kaduna to please embrace peace and togetherness. Nobody is happy what is happening now. The government has said it will continue to monitor the situation, and make further announcements based on the guidance of security agencies. Some members of North and South Ukelle communities in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State staged a protest on Tuesday over the nomination of Cynthia Nkasi as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Yala 2 State Constituency candidate. The crowd comprising youth, women, community leaders and the elderly demanded that Mrs Nkasis name be replaced with that of Emmanuel Asegem. They marched round villages in the area carrying placards with various inscriptions to call on Governor Ben Ayade to prevail on the party to forward the name of Mr Asegem as its candidate in 2019. One of the protesters, Agnes Igbang, said We do not want imposition of leaders again in Ukelle but should be allowed to choose those we want and Emmanuel Asegem is our choice for the State House of Assembly for Yala 2 constituency in 2019. Our governor should do the needful by instructing the party to send his name because we voted for him during the primary. The protesters said they were disheartened with the replacement of Mr Asegems name with that of Mrs Nkasi and warned that the PDP would suffer repercussions if the choice is not reversed. This young man has been with us through thick and thin and we know his ability and capacity so bypassing him for that woman is against our will so we therefore insist for a reversal to our choice. Agnes insisted. Another speaker, James Ebele, said the governors election is on the same date with the House of Assembly elections and they do not want anything to affect the governors votes, so they should be treated fairly by the party. We have mobilised about 60,000 votes in the six wards of Ukelle and we would return those votes to the governor but if our choice is not nominated for the election, it will be difficult to bring out everybody on election day to vote and that may affect his votes and we dont want that to happen, Mr Ebele said. He said in the past, Ukelle had experienced imposition of leaders which is the reason for the underdevelopment of the place. He said the time has come for the people to be allowed to choose those to represent them. A Federal High Court judge has recused himself from a case involving two All Progressives Congress governorship aspirants in Imo State after the party accused him of bias. The judge, Othman Musa, announced his decision to withdraw on Tuesday after reading a petition written by the states APC leadership, dated October 22. Mr Musa adjourned the matter indefinitely to allow the case be assigned to another judge. The allegation by the Imo State APC followed separate applications filed by the two candidates, Hope Uzodinma and Uche Nwosu, regarding the conduct as well as suspension of the Imo State governorship primaries in the state. Dissatisfied that he was not selected as the APCs governorship candidate in the state, Mr Uzodinma approached the court with an ex-parte application, demanding his recognition as the APC flag bearer by the Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC). Following the ex-parte application, Mr Musa ordered the party to appear in court and explain why Mr Uzodinmas request should not be granted. As a reaction to Mr Musas order, Mr Nwosu made a separate application which was heard by another judge, Valentine Ashi. According to the APC in its petition on Tuesday, the party said Mr Ashi ordered it to recognise Mr Nwosu as the authentic candidate of the party. However, in a hearing expected to ensure the continuation of Mr Uzodinmas application at Mr Usmans court on Tuesday, the APC accused the judge of working to ensure the neglect of the other decision made by Mr Ashis court. The party, in its petition, signed by Bisike Chinaka, a deputy leader of the APC in Imo State, strongly accused Mr Usman of bias in favour of Mr Uzodinma. The details of the petition is stated below: Following the cancellation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the partys candidate for the 2019 Imo State Governorship Election, on 4th October, 2018, Senator Hope Uzodinma filed an action against the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The matter was assigned to his Lordship Othman Musa of Court 13, Bwari Judicial Division. On the 5th of October, 2018, his Lordship made an order that the parties should show cause why the said ex-Parte application should not be granted. Therefore, Ugwunba Uche Nwosu also initiated an action in relation to the said primary election for APC candidate for the 2019 Imo Governorship Election and the matter was assigned to his Lordship Valentine Ashi of Court 23, Apo Judicial Division. His Lordship granted an Interim Order of Injunction on 9th October, 2018 against APC and INEC to the effect that they must respectively send and receive Ugwumba Uche Nwosus name as the partys candidate for the election. Unfortunately since this order was made, we have noticed that the proceedings before you which we have keenly watched, appeared to be skewed in favour of Hope Uzodinma instead of both parties being treated equally. For instance, the court is always referring to the order to show cause granted in favour of Hope Uzodinma while ignoring the others made in favour of Ugwumba Uche Nwosu as though the latter orders were made by an inferior court. We strongly accuse you of bias and unable to discharge the oath of your office as such recuse Yourself forthwith and remit the case file to the Chief Judge. After reading the petition, Mr Musa adjourned the matter indefinitely. The Chancellor of Osun State University, Folorunso Alakija, has announced plans to begin the construction of a paediatric hospital she promised the university this year. Mrs Alakija promised to build the facility following her appointment in 2016 as chancellor of the university by Governor Rauf Aregbesola. According to Jibola Oyekunle, the spokesperson of the institution, the businesswoman rated by Forbes as the second richest woman in Africa made the announcement on Monday when the management of the university paid her a visit in Lagos. The visit was to formally notify her of the plans for the seventh convocation ceremonies of the multi-campus university holding from November 19 to 21. Mrs Alakija said she was ready to begin work on the hospital project to be located at the Osogbo campus of the university. She asked the university to make arrangements for the foundation laying ceremony of the hospital during the convocation ceremony on November 22. Mrs Alakija said the hospital will provide numerous benefits to the people, including through job creation, health care services and improvement of the internally generated revenue of the state. According to her, the foundation-laying ceremony will also serve as a mark of honour for the visitor of the university, Mr Aregbesola, whose final term as governor of the state ends five days later on November 27. She challenged the management to take the university above being just a state university to becoming a world-class institution. We should think of UNIOSUN beyond just a State University. For us, the sky is not the limit but a stepping stone. I am very optimistic that well get there. People are tired of giving free donations except there is something there to gain in return. As an institution, we have to look inward and run the university like a business. The profits from the business could now be used to maintain and sustain the university, she said. The management team was led on the visit by the Vice-Chancellor, Labode Popoola, and the Chairman of the University Advancement Board, Kayode Sofola. Customers can communicate in ASL or write their orders on a tech pad. Rather than wait to hear their names called at the end of the bar, customers look up to a screen showing when their drinks are ready. The store was also remodeled to maximize light and open lines of sight -- high top tables or tall stacks of cups, for example, limit visibility for people signing to each other. Non-signing customers are also encouraged to use visual cues. Rather than sign that the store didn't carry chamomile tea, for example, one employee waved his hand across his neck -- signaling "no" -- and then pointed to a printed menu with other options. Glue traps are sticky sheets that catch anything that steps foot on the surface. The mouse will likely still be alive when you find it, so you must dispose of it or dispatch it yourself. Larger rodents may be able to escape from glue traps. The average price for glue traps is $5 to $15 for several traps. Williams African-American heritage drives a lot of his goals for Virtue. How many African-American chefs are running independent restaurants in Chicago? he asked. I can think of about five; the rest are corporate chefs or work in hotels. I think its important to represent, so some younger people can see an African-American chef working hard and succeeding. MK gave me joy and satisfaction for a lot of years. I could have taken another position elsewhere, but I needed a place where I could pass the baton, to usher in the next clients, customers and friends. Ownership had to be the path, and personally, thats really what Virtue provides. The Prince William 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. 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. While you can order steamed rice on the side, most customers like to wait until the end to help themselves to the congee or broth that has been absorbing all the runoff from the seafood, meat and vegetables. Microsoft, Albridge and Dollar Shave honored at the 14th Annual Customer Contact West: A Frost & Sullivan Executive MindXchange SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Winners of the 2018 CC Awards gathered last night to celebrate their outstanding customer experience achievements at the 14th Annual Customer Contact West: A Frost & Sullivan Executive MindXchange in Phoenix, Ariz., at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. Winners honored at the CC Awards include: Microsoft , awarded the Big Kahuna Award in three categories: Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (The Rosie Award), Excellence in Customer Analytics (The Moneyball Award), and Excellence in Social Care (The Selfie Award). , awarded the Big Kahuna Award in three categories: Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (The Rosie Award), Excellence in Customer Analytics (The Moneyball Award), and Excellence in Social Care (The Selfie Award). Albridge , awarded the Big Kahuna Award for Excellence in Omnichannel Customer Service (The Matrix Award). , awarded the Big Kahuna Award for Excellence in Omnichannel Customer Service (The Matrix Award). Dollar Shave, awarded the Big Kahuna Award for Excellence in Web Customer Care (The Spiderman Award). By live vote among participants at the 14th Annual Customer Contact West: A Frost & Sullivan Executive MindXchange and judges of the CC Awards, two Big Kahunas were named for the Work Hard, Play Hard Award for Excellence in Company Culture. Sitel was awarded Big Kahuna among Business Process Outsourcers; Erie Insurance was awarded Big Kahuna among brands. About The CC Awards Program The CC Awards Program, made possible through the coordination of the Frost & Sullivan Customer Engagement Digital Transformation practice, Frost & Sullivan Research Insights practice and the Frost & Sullivan Customer Contact Executive MindXchange, honors companies and individual leaders that are shaping the future of customer service. Honored recipients have demonstrated achievement in one or more of five categories: Omnichannel Customer Experience, Artificial Intelligence, Web Customer Care, Social Media Customer Engagement and Customer Engagement Analytics. Companies are vetted through a rigorous two-stage evaluation process. The initial stage involves the completion of a questionnaire application. Questions posed range from customer engagement capabilities to business outcomes. Entrants are free to apply in one or more categories, provided responses are complete for each section. Qualifying companies will then progress to the second stage for evaluation by a judging panel consisting of experts from the industry and Frost & Sullivan research analysts. High achievers are celebrated and the top-scoring companies in each category are presented with The Big Kahuna award at the Annual Customer Contact West: A Frost & Sullivan Executive MindXchange in October. For more information about the CC Awards and the winners, please go to https://www.customercontactwest.com/2018/ccawards-winners. About Frost & Sullivan For over five decades, Frost & Sullivan has become world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact: Nicole Coons Marketing Vanguard E: [email protected] P: 908.603.7207 SOURCE Frost & Sullivan Related Links http://www.frost.com CHICAGO, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor continues to demonstrate her leadership in the face of adversity, today bravely announcing her diagnosis of dementia, possibly Alzheimer's. In all aspects of her life Justice O'Connor has been a transparent leader, and being forthcoming about her diagnosis is another demonstration of this. Justice O'Connor is not new to Alzheimer's. Her husband, John O'Connor, lived with Alzheimer's disease for nearly 20 years. In 2005, as John was in decline from the disease, Justice O'Connor stepped down from the Supreme Court to spend more time with him. Our hearts go out to Justice O'Connor and her family as they face this devastating disease. Since her husband's diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease, Justice O'Connor has been an advocate for caregivers and people living with the disease. She was a pivotal member of the Alzheimer's Study Group, a committee convened by Congress and which presented its findings back to Congress in 2009. Justice O'Connor helped to position Alzheimer's as a national priority that demands action from our nation's policymakers. She provided invaluable insight and passion to the group ensuring the needs of both caregivers and those living with dementia were represented. Justice O'Connor testified twice to Congress on the group's recommendations which helped to inform policies enacted today. More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease and another 16 million are providing unpaid care. The most expensive disease in the nation, Congress has recently taken unprecedented steps to improve the trajectory of this devastating disease -- including more than quadrupling Alzheimer's and dementia research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and improving access to care and support services. We commend Justice O'Connor for bravely sharing her diagnosis and increasing awareness about this devastating disease. Alzheimer's Association The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. It is the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research. The Association's mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Its vision is a world without Alzheimer's. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900. SOURCE Alzheimer's Association Related Links http://www.alz.org SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Anaplan Inc. (NYSE:PLAN), a pioneer in Connected Planning, today announced that the company will host a Spotlight on Connected Planning event on Wednesday, October 24, from 4-7 p.m. at Anaplan headquarters in San Francisco. The event will bring together planning professionals across industries to discuss how challenges with legacy solutions impede modernization of business planning and how a Connected Planning approach can accelerate business value. The event will feature a panel discussion with Anaplan customers, including Yves Cabanac, VP of Digital Solutions and HP Data & Analytics, HP Inc.; Nathan Petersen, Senior Director, Finance Systems & Operations Transformation, Autodesk; and Tyler Snellings, Director of FP&A, AdRoll Group and will be moderated by Christophe Bodin, Anaplan's recently appointed Chief Customer Officer. Bodin, who joined Anaplan in June, has been in the software industry for 25 years and is a customer experience expert. "Planning is more critical than ever to overall success in our customers' business cycles, which are marked by more frequent decisions and profound disruptions," Bodin said. "As our customer panelists will attest, enterprises that embrace this change and a Connected Planning strategy can accelerate better business outcomes more quickly and easily than they ever imagined." Panelists will discuss their Connected Planning journeys; the value they are seeing by connecting people, data, and plans for faster, better decision-making; and how modernizing business processes with a cloud platform supports digital transformation efforts. "By working with Anaplan and taking a Connected Planning approach, we've been able to close the gap between data and planning and operate with real-time agility," said Tyler Snellings, Director of FP&A, AdRoll Group. "This may seem impossible when data is tied up in point solutions and spreadsheets, but Anaplan makes it simple to connect data quickly and gain visibility into operations worldwide." The Spotlight on Connected Planning event will conclude with a happy hour on the Anaplan roof deck from 5:30-6:30 p.m., and Anaplan will provide luxury transportation to the Oracle CloudFest concert for attendees from 6:30-7 p.m. Attendees can also enter Anaplan's Cloudstakes 2018 for a chance to win a $1,500 package that includes a one-year ad-free subscription to Pandora and a wireless home sound system from Sonos. Those who can't make it to the Spotlight on Connected Planning event are encouraged to register for a one-on-one meeting with an Anaplan representative this week to receive a free pass to Anaplan's annual flagship event in San Francisco in June 2019, the Connected Planning Xperience (CPX), a $1,795 value. Oracle OpenWorld attendees can also visit the Anaplan Oasis for drinks and snacks on Tuesday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Wednesday from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. at 200 4th Street at the corner of 4th and Howard during this week's conference. About Anaplan Anaplan is pioneering the category of Connected Planning. Our platform, powered by our proprietary Hyperblock technology, purpose-built for Connected Planning, enables dynamic, collaborative, and intelligent planning. Large global enterprises use our solution to connect people, data, and plans to enable real-time planning and decision-making in rapidly changing business environments to give our customers a competitive advantage. Based in San Francisco, we have over 20 offices globally, 175 partners, and more than 900 customers worldwide. Additional Resources: Learn more about Connected Planning at: https://www.anaplan.com/socp See how Anaplan supports finance transformation at: https://www.anaplan.com/solutions/financial-planning-analysis/ SOURCE Anaplan NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- From Sunday, Nov. 11 to Tuesday, Nov. 13, the first Ghvino Forum a series of events created to further advance the understanding of the 8,000-year-old origin of wine will be hosted in Washington, DC. The Forum will also examine wine's influence on society and geopolitics in Georgia, the Caucasus region, and the rest of the world. "Ghvino" is the Georgian word for "wine," and is widely thought to be the origin of the term. Organized by the America Georgia Business Council, events include a Saperavi "Festival" at the Embassy of Georgia, a walk-around Georgian wine tasting at Supra (one of the foremost Georgian restaurants in the United States), and a one-day conference at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). America Georgia Business Council In November 2017, the Gadachrili Gora Regional Archaeological Project Expedition (GRAPE) a joint undertaking between the University of Toronto and the Georgian National Museum announced evidence dating Georgian winemaking to the Neolithic period, establishing scientific proof for more than 8,000 vintages in the country. A conclusive report confirming Georgia as the origin of wine as authored by Patrick McGovern and others from the multidisciplinary team, stated: "The earliest biomolecular archaeological and archaeobotanical evidence for grape wine and viniculture from the Near East, ca. 6,0005,800 BC during the early Neolithic Period, was obtained by applying state-of-the-art archaeological, archaeobotanical, climatic, and chemical methods to newly excavated materials from two sites in Georgia in the South Caucasus." "We have an uninterrupted history of wine in Georgia dating back 8,000 years with clay jars found in the Neolithic period similar to the vessels we still use today," says professor David Lordkipanidze, Director of the Georgian National Museum. "Wine is, and always has been, our identity." The forum is in response to the growing interest of American consumers in both the beginning of wine culture and how the ancient tradition of using Georgian "qvevri" giant, hand-made clay vessels buried in the earth to make wine were used through the ages and continue to flourish today, connecting the past with the present. "Georgia is not only the birthplace of wine, it is also a place with exceptional varietal distinctiveness which is now combined with the elegance of modern-day winemaking," says Mamuka Tsereteli, President, America-Georgia Business Council and scholar of geopolitics of Black Sea-Caspian region. In September 2018 alone, qvevri winemaking was written about in The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Food & Wine Magazine, and Conde Nast Traveler, among many other outlets. In 2013, qvevri winemaking was added to the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; in July 2017, Georgia was the topic for the inaugural opening exhibit in Bordeaux's stunning wine museum, the Cite du Vin. EVENT DETAILS SAPERAVI FESTIVAL AT THE EMBASSY OF GEORGIA Nov. 11 (Sunday); 5:00-8:00 pm Embassy of Georgia (1824 R Street NW, Washington, DC) Join Vino Forum speakers and attendees at the Embassy of Georgia to enjoy a variety of Saperavi wines and meet some of Georgia's top winemakers. Saperavi (pronounced: sah-per-ah-vee) is a red wine grape indigenous to Georgia and is one of only 13 grape varieties in the world that has both red skin and red flesh. Saperavi wines have deep fruit character and brisk acidity, and often flavors of dark berries, licorice, grilled meat, tobacco, chocolate, and spices. REGISTER WINE TASTING AT SUPRA RESTAURANT Nov. 12 (Monday) 12:00 noon-1:30 pm, open to licensed trade and credentialed media only 1:30-3:00 pm, open to the public SUPRA (1205 11th Street NW, Washington, DC) The trade and media portion will include lunch, as well as a blind tasting contest involving Georgian varietals vinified in qvevri, stainless steel, and oak, competing to win a trip to Georgia in 2019. With more than 8 centuries of continuous winemaking, Georgia a country the size of West Virginia is home today to 400 commercial wineries as well as more than 100,000 family wineries, embracing both traditional and modern winemaking methods. REGISTER CONFERENCE: "Wine, Society, and Geopolitics: How History, Political Economy, and Wine Intersect in the Caucasus and Beyond" Nov. 13 (Tuesday) 9:00 am-4:00 pm Center for Strategic and International Studies (1616 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington, DC) As a primary driver of Georgia's burgeoning tourism industry (representing 18 percent of Georgia's GDP in 2017), wine has been crucial to the internal development of Georgia's trading, financial, and legal infrastructure. Panels will explore how wine production evolved in Georgia and the Caucasus and transformed Georgia's economy; the geopolitical consequences of a new wave of trade liberalization and foreign investment for the Caucasus; and the dynamics of local and global economies of wine, their politics and prospects. Attendees may attend one panel, two, or all three. REGISTER This event series is organized by the America Georgia Business Council (AGBG), with support from the National Wine Agency of the Georgian Department of Agriculture, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Embassy of Georgia to the United States of America. Home to more than 520 indigenous grape varieties, Georgia is being transformed from an ancient cottage industry into an artisanal powerhouse, with winemakers producing some of the world's most unique and distinctive fine wines using both qvevri and European winemaking methods. www.winesgeorgia.com https://www.facebook.com/winesgeorgia https://twitter.com/wines_georgia https://www.instagram.com/winesgeorgia #originlives Interviews and hi-res imagery available upon request. Media Contact Christine Deussen Deussen Global Communications, Inc. 28 West 27th Street, Suite 2A New York, NY 10001 Tel. 917-545-1459 [email protected] Trade Contact Julie Peterson Wines of Georgia U.S. Office 1025 Thomas Jefferson St. NW, Suite 420 East Washington, DC 20007 Tel. 202-499-4263 [email protected] SOURCE America Georgia Business Council Related Links http://www.agbdc.com Camille Cosby in a statement again insists Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill should have stepped down because his wife has advocated for sex assault victims. O'Neill has said that has no bearing on his work. PORTLAND, Oregon, October 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Increase in cross-cultural interaction owing to globalization and increased foreign travel, rise in the number of fast-food outlets, and a surge in the growth of retail network drive the Asia-Pacific condiments market. Allied Market Research published a report, titled, Asia-Pacific Condiments Market by Type (Marinade, Sauce, Ketchup, Mayonnaise, Pickle, and Others), Application (Meat & Seafood Product, Convenience & Ready Meal, Snack, Baked Goods, and Others), and Form (Liquid, Paste, and Dry): Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2018-2025. The report offers a thorough analysis of the key winning strategies, market dynamics, market size & estimations, top investment pockets, and competitive landscape. As per the report, the Asia-Pacific condiments market garnered $45.76 billion in 2017 and is expected to reach $71.86 billion by 2025, registering a CAGR of 5.8% from 2017 to 2025. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg ) Increase in cross-cultural interaction owing to globalization and increased foreign travel drives the Asia-Pacific condiments market. Moreover, rise in the number of fast-food outlets and a surge in retail network supplements the growth of the market. However, fluctuations in raw material prices impact the overall cost of manufacturing, thereby restraining the market growth. On the contrary, augmentation of products leading to the emergence of healthier options such as gluten-free sauces, organic sauces, and sauces with no/less preservative concentration is expected to create opportunities for the growth of the Asia-Pacific condiments market in the years to come. Request Sample Report at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/5066 Sauces segment to maintain lion's share during the forecast period The sauces segment generated more than half of the total market share in 2017 and would maintain its lion's share through 2025, due to their increased use as taste enhancers in almost all kinds of meals, meat & seafoods, and convenience food. Moreover, higher consumption of soy sauces in South East Asian countries, along with growing popularity of chili sauces, barbeque sauce, and other table sauces in Asia-Pacific drives the market growth. However, the marinades segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR of 6.6% from 2017 to 2025. This is due to the increased use of marinades in foodstuffs such as chicken, fish, and other forms of meat. Increasing disposable income of consumers, particularly in China, India, and Indonesia, has led to the rise in consumption of high value meat products, which in turn, boosts the consumption of marinades. The report also analyzes ketchup, mayonnaise, pickles, among others. Convenience foods & ready meals to overtake meat & seafood products Among the applications, meat & seafood products captured one-third of the market share in 2017 and would maintain its lead through 2025. Growing disposable income of consumers, increase in urbanization, and rise in health consciousness in the Asia-Pacific region contribute to the higher consumption of protein rich food such as meat & seafood, thereby driving the demand for condiments in the market. However, the convenience foods & ready meals segment would grow at the fastest CAGR of 6.6% from 2017 to 2025, due to busy lifestyles of consumers. China and India are among the largest consumers of condiment, owing to the presence of large population base and surge in number of QSRs such as McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, Subway, and Dunkin' Donuts, which contribute toward the market growth. The study also discusses applications such as snacks, baked goods, among others. For Purchase Enquiry: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/5066 Paste segment to contribute major revenue share throughout 2025 Among the forms, the paste segment accounted for 60% of the market share in 2017 and would maintain its dominance through 2025, as most of the condiments in paste form such as mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickles, pasta sauce are highly consumed with all kinds of food products. However, the liquid segment would grow at the fastest CAGR of 7.0% during the study period. This is because soya sauce is one of the most consumed sauce in Asia-Pacific owing to its application in a lot of dishes such as noodles, Sushi, marinated chicken, pad Thai, and more. The dry segment would grow at a steady pace during the study period. India to exhibit the fastest growth through 2025 Among the countries in Asia-Pacific, Japan held a major market share, contributing more than one-third of the total revenue in 2017. This is due to the higher consumption of condiments in meat & seafood products and higher affluent population in the region. However, India would register the fastest CAGR of 11.7% from 2017 to 2025, owing to rise in disposable income of consumers, increase in popularity of fast-foods, and expanding retail network in the region. The others regions analyzed in the study are China, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the rest of Asia-Pacific. Frontrunners of the industry The leading market players analyzed in the report include Kraft-Heinz, Inc., Nestle, Yeo Hiap Seng Ltd, Three Threes Condiments Pty Limited, Hormel Foods Corporation, NutriAsia, Unilever, Kikkoman Corporation, McCormick & Company, Inc., and Del Monte Foods, Inc. Various strategies such as expansions, joint ventures, mergers & acquisitions, collaborations, partnerships, and others have been implemented by these players to gain a stronghold in the industry. Clients & Testimonials: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/testimonials Access KNOWLEDGE TREE (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model) at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/knowledgetree Knowledge tree is a cloud-based intelligence platform that offers more than 2,000 selective, off-the-shelf reports on niche markets to enable our clients gain deep insights on the latest trends, dynamic technologies, and emerging application areas. Similar Reports: Ready Meals Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017 - 2023 Seaweed Market - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2018 - 2024 About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-5285, +1-503-894-6022, +1-503-446-1141 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 [email protected] Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com SOURCE Allied Market Research DENVER, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Assignar , an innovative construction operations management platform provider, announced today that it has raised $6.2 million USD in Series A funding, led by Tola Capital . Existing Investor, Our Innovation Fund, LP (OIF) also participated in the round. Assignar is a cloud-based SaaS platform built for construction subcontractors and self-perform general contractors (GCs) to improve visibility into field operations; manage project scheduling including the workforce, assets and materials for projects; and ensure safety, quality, and compliance processes. While many subcontractors today rely on paper, Excel spreadsheets and single-point solutions to track people, assets, materials, certifications, orientations and forms, Assignar provides them with digital and mobile tools to enable project scheduling, job tracking, checklists, compliance, and communication; all in real-time. Today, the company supports hundreds of customers across the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Sean McCreanor, CEO of Assignar, founded the company to help solve the operational problems he faced in the construction business he owned and operated. After evaluating existing technology and not finding an ideal solution, McCreanor decided to develop a new operations platform, which now allows other subcontractors and self-perform GCs the capability to grow revenue, gain visibility into their operations, eliminate paperwork, digitize workflows, and improve overall efficiency. "I experienced first-hand what it's like managing a subcontracting business and the frustration of not being able to easily get information on the business. Assignar gives owners, project managers, engineers, and superintendents direct value. They know whether the project schedule is on track and if an operator has the right training and credentials to operate the equipment or perform a task, they have visibility into the utilization of their labor and equipment in real-time, and they have a direct way to manage and communicate with their field teams," said McCreanor. "We have chosen to partner with Tola Capital as they deliver both the capital and insight into our market as we grow Assignar and expand in the U.S.," said McCreanor. "It was clear they have a deep understanding of both the needs of the industry and the opportunity for Assignar." "There is tremendous opportunity to impact the efficiency of subcontractors and self-perform GCs through software and data insights. By providing this visibility and connection to the work being done on jobsites, Assignar is offering a way to track, manage, and understand what is happening in the field," said Stacey Giard, Principal at Tola Capital. "We're looking forward to partnering with the team as they continue to scale globally." Assignar serves the needs of heavy civil, road, rail, traffic, utility, and other types of construction contractors. The company's customers include those working on major civil projects across North America and the APAC region. "Since we introduced Assignar, we have improved our overall efficiency. Our team is able to invest more time in business development and value adding tasks instead of admin and paperwork," said Nathan Thompson, operations manager at Stefanutti. In late 2017, Assignar opened headquarters in Denver, Colorado to expand its team and presence in the U.S. market. The company will also be investing in its engineering and go-to-market teams in Sydney, Australia. "We have seen Sean and the Assignar team build a meaningful business with strong growth as they serve the needs of the construction industry in Australia. We invested in them early on and are thrilled to continue to support them with this round, as we believe they are capable of being a global leader in the construction software market," said Jerry Stesel, a founding partner of OIF. About Assignar Assignar was founded in 2013 as a provider of construction operations management software for subcontractors and self-perform general contractors. The Assignar platform is a cloud-based SaaS platform built to help construction contractors improve by providing end-to-end, real-time management of a company's workforce, assets, safety and compliance. The company's clients operate in road, rail, civil, commercial, mining, oil and gas, infrastructure and other construction disciplines, and include companies like UGL, Lendlease, Sydney Trains and Liebherr, among others. For more information, visit www.assignar.com . About Tola Capital Tola Capital is a venture capital firm based in Seattle, WA that focuses on investing in the next wave of enterprise software companies. The firm provides both capital and hands-on engagement to support the growth of its portfolio companies. Tola Capital targets software companies with essential products for enterprise companies, a solid existing customer base, a strong competitive position, and great talent and culture. Tola Capital invests globally and across multiple stages. For more information, visit: www.tolacapital.com. About Our Innovation Fund, LP: Our Innovation Fund (OIF) is an Australian-based venture capital firm that is focused on partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs building world-class businesses. OIF invests in early-stage businesses with innovative, high growth or disruptive technologies or business models with demonstrated market demand. The firm's Founders, Geoff Levy AO, David Shein and Jerry Stesel, its partners, Investment Committee members, and investors are made up of leading entrepreneurs and proven business builders. The team has significant operational, strategic, investment and funds management experience. OIF is industry agnostic and invests across stages. For more information visit: www.ourinnovationfund.com.au. Media Contact: KeetonPR Meredith Bagnulo (303) 513-7494 [email protected] SOURCE Assignar Related Links https://www.assignar.com NEW YORK and COLUMBIA, Md., Oct. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Authority Brands, LLC announced today the purchase of America's Swimming Pool Company ("ASP"). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition represents the first brand addition since Authority Brands was acquired by funds advised by Apax Partners in September 2018. Founded in 2002, ASP is the nation's largest swimming pool service franchise with over 100 franchise owners operating in more than 350 cities across 21 states. The company provides a number of services to swimming pool owners including pool maintenance, cleaning, inspections, repairs and renovations. Authority Brands is a leading home services franchising platform and the parent company to The Cleaning Authority ("TCA") and Homewatch CareGivers ("HWCG"). TCA franchisees provide residential cleaning services to more than 100,000 recurring customers, while HWCG franchisees deliver at-home services including elderly, disabled and after-surgery care, as well as help for those living with dementia. "Being able to partner with an organization like Authority Brands is a perfect fit for our company, our brand, and most importantly our franchise owners. The outlook for the service sector is very strong, and companies who can align their values and visions will do very well together. Authority Brands brings a wealth of knowledge and industry experience to our company, which will help us continue our growth and long-term objectives", said Stewart Vernon, Founder and CEO of ASP. "The addition of ASP furthers the goal of Authority Brands to become the premier franchisor of home services by providing unparalleled opportunities for business owners, and delivering first class services to consumers," said Rob Weddle, CEO of Authority Brands. "Apax's strategy is to help Authority Brands accelerate growth both organically and through acquisition" said Ashish Karandikar, Partner at Apax Partners. "Together, we have identified ASP as a compelling brand that has a natural home in the Authority Brands network. We are delighted to support Authority Brands with this acquisition and welcome the ASP team." Authority Brands supports individual franchisee growth by providing strong marketing, technology and operational support. With the addition of ASP, Authority Brands now has more than 550 franchise locations in the United States, Canada and Latin America. About Authority Brands Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Authority Brands, LLC is the parent company of three leading home service franchisors, The Cleaning Authority, Homewatch CareGivers, and America's Swimming Pool Company. Together, these brands provide recurring home services through more than 550 franchise locations in the U.S., Canada and Latin America. Authority Brands is dedicated to supporting individual franchisee growth through providing strong marketing, technology and operational support. About Apax Partners Apax Partners is a leading global private equity advisory firm. Over its more than 35-year history, Apax Partners has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of over $50 billion. The Apax Funds invest in companies across four global sectors of Tech & Telco, Services, Healthcare and Consumer. These funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world- class companies. For more information see: www.apax.com. Media Contacts: For Authority Brands Nikki Rode, Fish Consulting | +1 954-893-9150 | [email protected] For Apax Partners Global Media: Andrew Kenny, Apax | +44 20 7 872 6371 | andrew.k[email protected] USA Media: Todd Fogarty, Kekst | +1 212-521 4854 | [email protected] UK Media: Matthew Goodman / James Madsen, Greenbrook | +44 20 7952 2000 | [email protected] Notes to Editors: London-headquartered Apax Partners (www.apax.com), and Paris-headquartered Apax Partners (www.apax.fr) had a shared history but are separate, independent private equity firms. SOURCE Authority Brands, LLC As another example to enhance the cooperation between China and France, Beautrio, an Infinitus upmarket skincare brand featuring Chinese herbs, has partnered with top research institutions and established the CNRS - Paris Diderot University Beautrio International Collaboration Skincare Research Centre. Beautrio works with the French National Centre for Scientific Research (Centre national de la recherche scientifique, CNRS) to discover the anti-aging and moisturising effects of the Chinese herbs. Beautrio has also teamed up with Ashland, a Fortune 500 chemical R&D company in Sophia Antipolis, the acclaimed technology park in France, in pursuit of the premium raw materials. "Beautrio carries forward the time-honoured oriental skincare wisdom and integrates western technologies with traditional Chinese herbs." Infinitus Promotion Director Wang Jian stressed that, "We strive to improve our product quality and safety and work right from the source of our products. Offering premium contemporary skincare solutions that features Chinese herbs has always been our essential aspiration." The cooperation between Chinese and French enterprises has allowed Beautrio to adopt the growth model that harnesses strengths from both the East and the West. In this way, Beautrio has not only enhanced itself, but also contributed a new force from China to the world skincare industry. Image Attachments Links: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=322546 SOURCE Infinitus BOCA RATON, Fla., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted final approval for its Abbreviated New Drug Application for Clobazam Tablets, CIV, generic for Onfi Tablets by Lundbeck. Breckenridge's Clobazam product was developed by its vertically integrated manufacturing partner and will be available in 10mg and 20mg tablets. The company plans to launch immediately. Clobazam Tablets are a benzodiazepine indicated for the adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) in patients 2 years of age or older. The brand Onfi generated annual sales of $594 million dollars over the twelve months ending August 31, 2018, according to industry sales data. About Breckenridge: Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Inc. is a privately-held own-label distributor that performs pharmaceutical marketing, research and development, as well as marketing and distribution in the U.S. The company was founded in 1983 and markets a broad range of generic prescription products in many therapeutic categories. The Breckenridge label is recognized by wholesalers, distributors, chains, and managed care accounts, as well as retail pharmacies nationwide. The company markets over 70 products in a variety of dosage forms including: tablets, capsules, liquids, suspensions, ophthalmics, nasal sprays, powders and injectable products. www.bpirx.com Onfi is a registered trademark of Lundbeck SOURCE Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Inc. Related Links http://www.bpirx.com STOCKHOLM, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Margareta Lehmann, President of Health and Medical Solutions and a member of Essity's Executive Management Team, is stepping down from her position due to retirement. Margareta Lehmann has held various positions at Essity since 1983 and has been a member of the Executive Management Team since 2011. She will step down from her position as President of Health and Medical Solutions on December 31, 2018 and will remain with the company in an advisory capacity during 2019. Her successor will be announced in due course. "Margareta has spent almost her entire career with Essity, and her contribution to our company's success is significant. I would like to thank Margareta for her important work and I'm pleased that she will remain in an advisory role for another year to ensure that we can benefit from all her knowledge and experience," says Magnus Groth, Essity President and CEO. For further information, please contact: Per Lorentz Vice President Corporate Communications +46-8-788-52-51 [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/essity/r/change-to-essity-s-executive-management-team,c2651181 The following files are available for download: http://mb.cision.com/Main/15798/2651181/930740.pdf Change to Essityas Executive Management Team SOURCE Essity RA'ANANA, Israel, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Celeno Communications, the leading provider of smart, managed Wi-Fi solutions, today announced that Comtrend, a leading designer and manufacturer of broadband communication equipment, has selected its powerful 4x4 + 4x4 + 4x4 Tri-Band Wi-Fi solution for gateways and extenders. The solution leverages Celeno's advanced CL2400 802.11ac Wave 2 chipset and is ready for the Wi-Fi Alliance EasyMesh certification for a powerful multi-AP topology. The solution enables a compact Tri-Band Access Point that delivers double the capacity and implements Celeno's enhanced Wi-Fi technologies, supporting multi-AP centralized orchestration and dynamic interface assignment, taking into account home topology and network conditions for optimal Wi-Fi connectivity deployment. The hardware reference design enables exceptional RF performance over three bands, allowing simultaneous transmissions on the 2.4GHz band and adjacent channels in the 5GHz high and low bands with no inter-band interference. The solution enables an all-wireless multi-AP architecture utilizing independent backhaul and front-haul (service) channel assignments for the main AP and each of the Tri-Band smart extenders. This results in a high performing mesh network with enhanced spectral efficiency. As consumers rely on their home Wi-Fi network to support more devices accessing the internet, streaming HD video and online gaming, Wi-Fi is stretched to its limit. The tri-band solution is set to significantly boost capacity of home Wi-Fi networks and deliver a far superior performance for more simultaneously streaming devices, resulting in a better consumer Wi-Fi experience. "Comtrend has continually grown its product lineup, bringing broadband beyond the gateway," says Kenny Chiu, CEO of Comtrend. "This powerful Tri-band solution is an important addition to our product offering and enables us to meet the real needs of our customers. The solution provides a powerful whole home Wi-Fi Solution that connects devices intelligently for optimal Wi-Fi connections and delivers exceptional streaming throughout the home." "Today, Wi-Fi is considered as essential as any utility in the home," says Gilad Rozen, CEO and Co-Founder of Celeno. "From streaming videos to video chats, online gaming and Wireless VR, our home life is more connected than ever. Celeno's Tri-Band solution was designed to meet the Wi-Fi needs of the modern smart home by intelligently segmenting multiple devices on different Wi-Fi bands and delivering a reliable performance to every room in the house to ensure a superlative end user experience." The Tri-Band solution will be displayed during Broadband World Forum in Berlin on October 14-18, 2018 at the Celeno Booth A101 About Celeno Communications Leveraging Wi-Fi smarts perfected in the home environment, Celeno offers advanced Wi-Fi chipsets, edge software and cloud technology to take Wi-Fi beyond connectivity into the realm of smart homes, smart cities, smart buildings and smart industry. Celeno's field-proven chips and software technology have been successfully integrated into numerous OEM Wi-Fi devices and have been deployed in tens of millions of homes around the world by almost 100 leading service providers worldwide. Founded in 2005 and backed by blue chip investors, Celeno is a well-established company headquartered in Ra'anana, Israel, with a global presence and offices in the U.S., EMEA and Asia Pacific. For more information, please visit www.celeno.com. About Comtrend Comtrend, with more than 25 years of experience, has become one of the leading global providers of advanced networking solutions. Comtrend designs, manufactures, and markets a wide range of networking equipment and software. Service providers, VARs, businesses and consumers look to Comtrend for broadband gateways, as well as the latest Wi-Fi, Powerline, and Coax technologies. Comtrend remains committed to industry standards like G.hn for home networking, as well as interoperability and market-leading performance. People in businesses and homes around the world trust Comtrend to make their technology easier and more dependable. For more information, including Comtrend's full lineup of networking solutions, please visit www.comtrend.com. Media Contact: Daniella Crankshaw Director of Marketing, Celeno [email protected] SOURCE Celeno Communications Related Links http://www.celeno.com TROY, Mich., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- New brand identity. New packaging. Continued investment in North American aftermarket business. At AAPEX 2018 (Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo), visitors to the Delphi Technologies booth will have the chance to learn more about Delphi's products and new aftermarket strategy following separation from Delphi Automotive in December 2017. The event takes place at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nev., from Oct. 30 - Nov. 1. Highlights on the Delphi participation at AAPEX include: New vibrant brand and packaging New GDi test equipment and program expansion Product portfolio expansion news "Our industry is changing more quickly than at any time over the past 100 years," states Alex Ashmore, president, Delphi Technologies Aftermarket. "As a leading OE manufacturer, we have a detailed understanding of the new technologies that will be coming into garages very soon; but that is only half the picture. The automotive aftermarket has its own accelerating technology roadmap, with updates and information in the cloud, complex diagnostic systems and much more. These changes are happening now, affecting us all. It's one of the most exciting times to work in this industry." At the end of last year, the company became Delphi Technologies, following the split of its core powertrain and aftermarket divisions from Delphi Automotive. Its comprehensive technology portfolio, including fuel injection systems, power electronics and control systems for conventional, electrified and fully-electric passenger cars and commercial vehicles, is helping the world's top automakers make cleaner, more reliable and more efficient vehicles. Delphi Technologies brings its deep understanding of automotive technologies to its aftermarket segment to help customers provide the best service and ensure that vehicles continue to perform as well as the day they were built. The company's aftermarket portfolio is focused on four key areas: Gasoline and diesel fuel systems Electronics and engine management Maintenance solutions, which includes specialized expertise in steering & suspension Diagnostics and testing "It is a new moment for our company, for our brand and for the aftermarket at Delphi. We're excited to share our latest innovations and product offerings, as well as our bold new branding, at this year's AAPEX show. The world is changing and so is Delphi. We want our customers to be ready for the future and we are the experts to help them get there," said Chad Smith, vice president, Delphi Technologies Aftermarket, North America. Press conference information: Date: Oct. 30, 2018 Time: 9:30 a.m. Local: Delphi booth #5027 - Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas About Delphi Technologies Delphi Technologies is a technology company focused on providing electric vehicle and internal combustion engine propulsion solutions, in addition to solving emissions and fuel economy challenges for the world's leading automotive OEMs. Delphi also provides leading aftermarket service solutions for the replacement market. With headquarters in London, U.K., Delphi Technologies operates technical centers, manufacturing sites and customer support services in 24 countries. SOURCE Delphi Technologies BRASILIA, Brazil, Oct., 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Embraer celebrated another important milestone today by receiving the Type Certificate from Brazilian aviation authority Agencia Nacional de Aviacao Civil (ANAC) for its multi-mission airlift KC-390. The certificate was delivered by ANACs Director Juliano Alcantara Noman. The ceremony, held at the Brasilia Air Force Base, to celebrate the Aviator Day and Brazilian Air Force Day, was attended by the President of Brazil, Michel Temer, Minister of Defense, Joaquim Silva e Luna, and Brazilian Air Force (FAB) Commander, Lieutenant-Brigadier Nivaldo Rossato. The ANAC certificate completes a fundamental step towards military certification, when the aircraft will reach the Final Operational Capability (FOC), expected to happen by the end of 2019. "The certification of KC-390, the largest and most complex aircraft developed throughout Embraer's history, expresses the high technological level achieved by the company," said Paulo Cesar de Souza e Silva, president and CEO of Embraer. "I would like to congratulate the teams that participated in the development of this program in partnership with the Brazilian Air Force." "We are honored and proud of the development of the KC-390, which will become the backbone of FAB's transport aviation in the coming decades," said Jackson Schneider, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. "Extremely efficient and capable of fulfilling a wide range of missions, the KC-390 will certainly represent a leap in the operational capability of the Brazilian Air Force." Embraer KC-390 is a tactical transport aircraft designed to set new standards in its category while presenting the lowest life-cycle cost of the market. It can perform a variety of missions such as cargo and troop transport, troop and cargo air delivery, aerial refueling, search and rescue and forest fire fighting. Follow us on Twitter: @Embraer About Embraer Embraer is a global company headquartered in Brazil with businesses in commercial and executive aviation, defense & security. The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, providing customer support and services. Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. About every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million passengers a year. Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe. PRESS OFFICES: Headquarters (Brazil) Corporate Communications [email protected] Cell: +55 11 98890 7777 Tel.: +55 11 4873 7984 North America Alyssa Ten Eyck [email protected] Cell: +1 954 383 0460 Tel.: +1 954 359 3847 Europe, Middle East and Africa Guy Douglas [email protected] Cell: +31 (0)657120121 Tell: +31 (0)202158109 China Mirage Zhong [email protected] Cell: +86 185 1378 5180 Tel.: +86 10 6598 9988 Asia Pacific Nilma Missir-Boissac [email protected] Cell: +65 9012 8428 Tel.: +65 6305 9955 SOURCE Embraer S.A. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In less than 100 days the world will remember the 200,000+ lives that were lost in the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Frontline news will marvel at the 1.5 million people who became homeless overnight and the aid dollars that seemed to vanish. One company, however, will not only honor those lost, they will celebrate the livelihoods created due to the tenacity of the survivors. deux mains, an ethical fashion brand, is using innovation to invest in the long-term development of Haiti. Combining industrial manufacturing with handmade craftsmanship, deux mains introduces an ethical production system that is sustainable. deux mains Days after the earthquake, deux mains President, Julie Colombino was on the ground to assist survivors. Since that time, she has transitioned from a disaster responder into a fashion entrepreneur, supporting dozens of dignified jobs in Haiti. Marrying locally-sourced Haitian leathers and repurposed tires, deux mains manufactures high-end footwear and handbags for companies such as Kenneth Cole, Faithbox and Norton Point. "We have beaten all the odds of growing a business in Haiti. Our vision to create an innovative and competitive manufacturing system has come to fruition. We have doubled production, as well as, doubled our environmental and social impact by creating more jobs and repurposing more tires. Haiti may be poor in many ways, but access to the limitless sunshine is not one of them. We have increased impact by outfitting our building with solar so that we may harness the power of the Haitian sun, reducing C02 emissions," said Colombino. A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 14, 2019 will mark another milestone in the deux mains story of creating sustainable employment in Haiti. With dignitaries and ambassadors in attendance, deux mains will showcase local manufacturing, blending their industrial and handmade processes. The eco-brand also uses 100 percent solar energy to run their facility. deux mains is a registered Haitian business transforming the manufacturing industry by creating a set of standards that ensures products are designed to defend the environment, craftsmen and women are protected by policy, and consumers have the power to shop responsibly. First investors in the company are institutions working on global poverty such as USAID, Clinton Global Initiative, and the United Nations. Ethical fashion brand, Eileen Fisher, has also invested in the scale of the business. The deux mains factory grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony takes place on Jan. 14, 2019 at 10 a.m. in Port au Prince, Haiti. About deux mains (@deuxmaindesigns) For media inquiries call 407-832-1177 or email [email protected] Related Images deux-mains-shareholders.jpg deux mains shareholders deux-mains-factory.jpg deux mains factory deux-mains-footwear-handbag-and.png deux mains footwear, handbag and accessories deux-mains-president-julie.jpg deux mains President, Julie Colombino Photo by Jim Hobart, MacBeth Studio Related Links Website SOURCE deux mains It is part of the commemorative activities honoring the service of the United States in World War I, said Naylor, who was in town earlier this month for a meeting of the Centennial Commission, the founding sponsor of which is the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, on Michigan Avenue. We wrote it for a non-museum, non-history audience. It's intended for people who know nothing about World War I and who don't go to museums. And so we've used contemporary photographs by an artist named Mike Sheil who took just about a decade to take nearly 100,000 photos of the battlefields as they look today. And then from that we selected about 65, and then we paired those up with some historic photos and then wrote about 20,000 words that run with it that tell the story of the journey of the American doughboys in World War I. HONOLULU, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Highly trained and valuably skilled ophthalmologists from across the U.S., Canada, England and Asia joined together to form a 27-member volunteer team that traveled to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, this month. The five-day Cambodia Eye Meeting (CEM) was held at the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital, conducted by the Hawaiian Eye Foundation (HEF), and sponsored by Alcon International, Allergan and SightLife. Local sponsors in Cambodia were Ashford Laboratories Ltd., Image Pharma and MEES. CEM was attended by over 190 Cambodian ophthalmologists, ophthalmology residents, nurses and guests. Special thanks to our Sponsors Alcon, Allergan and SightLife for supporting this inaugural meeting in Cambodia. This inaugural, comprehensive, international ophthalmic program included a wide range of didactic topics in glaucoma, oculoplastics, neuro-ophthalmology, cornea, retina, pediatric ophthalmology, cataract and refractive surgery, all covered in lectures, patient consultations and surgery demonstrations. Over 285 patients were examined and 33 surgeries were done to teach local doctors and assist with their difficult cases. The first Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty, known as a "DMEK" or corneal tissue transplant, was performed in Cambodia during this mission, under the tutelage of Dr. Allen Eghrari of John Hopkins University. With only 38 ophthalmologists for over 16 million people in Cambodia, training is crucial. Follow-up appointments confirm that all surgeries were successful. While providing valuable educational experience, our world-renowned specialists continue to save sight. Our humble thanks to surgeons Drs. Philip Custer, Allen Eghrari, Charity Grannis, Chirag Jhaveri, Manchima Makornwattana, Deepak Sobti, Prem Subramanian, Pham Nhu Vinh Tuyen and David Yu for sharing their skills and knowledge. Hands-on basic skills training workshops were held for 34 residents of Ophthalmology. Topics included retinoscopy, refraction, keratometry, lensometry, tonometry, A/B scan, Biometry, IOL calculation, pediatric exam/strabismus, visual fields, tonometry, gonioscopy, indirect ophthalmology, optical coherence tomography, direct ophthalmology, slit lamp exam and a suture wet lab. Students were given one-on-one training in each skill. Sincere thanks to Drs. Uma Chaluvadi, John Corboy, Nathan Hamburger, Jonathan Hantman, Diane Houtman, Bill Hewak and Susan Ruyle, along with Ophthalmic Technicians Megan Bergeson, Barbara Elmore, Carly Helm, Willow Post and Dana Stroud. Special thanks to student volunteers Austin Couvillion and Carson Yu, and photographer Julia Miller. HEF's volunteer faculty traveled at their own expense to donate their time to the Cambodian Ministry of Health, the National Program for Eye Health (NPEH), the Cambodia Ophthalmology Society and the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital. "We humbly expand HEF's SE Asian training programs for the purpose of growing ophthalmology and sharing the latest techniques with our new friends and colleagues. Our goal is to help train the next generation of eye care providers who will enrich lives throughout Cambodia," said Darrah Kauhane, executive director of HEF. "We're honored to work with hosts Drs. Ngy Meng, Do Seiha, Pok Thorn, Kiry Lom Orng and Namgech Khoem to coordinate the meeting." Due to its overwhelming success, HEF is invited to return for CEM II. Missions to Laos and Indonesia will also begin in 2019. The foundation's efforts in this region are demonstrated by its ongoing Vietnamese symposiums, Myanmar Eye Meeting and scholarship programs for SE Asian ophthalmologists. "We will continue to reach out to all those in need of our compassionate care," noted Dr. John Corboy, the foundation's president. The 501(c)(3) non-profit Hawaiian Eye Foundation (HEF) works to ensure that all people have access to quality eye care. Support or join the team at hawaiianeyefoundation.org. Related Images team-cem-2018.jpg Team CEM 2018 Special thanks to our Sponsors Alcon, Allergan and SightLife for supporting this inaugural meeting in Cambodia. dr-prem-subramanian.jpg Dr. Prem Subramanian Dr. Subramanian, a specialist in neuro-ophthalmology, conducting a lecture for a group of local doctors. a-wonderful-welcome-dinner-by-our.jpg A wonderful Welcome Dinner by our Fabulous Hosts HEF Executive Director (in white) with Chair of NPEH and KSFH Director Dr. Ngy Mengn(Center), along with Vice Chair of NPEH Dr. Do Seiha (far left), COS President Pok Thorn, (4th from left) Drs./CEM Event Coordinators Namgech Khoem and Kiry Lom Orng (far right) along with HEF Board member Dr. Susan Ruyle and HEF Director of Operations. a-young-girl-in-need-is-given-the.jpg A young girl in need is given the gift of sight after CEM Related Links Facebook Instagram SOURCE Hawaiian Eye Foundation Related Links http://hawaiianeyefoundation.org ATLANTA, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Landis+Gyr (SWISS: LAND.SW) has released the 4.0 version of its meter data management system (MDMS) software with added support for complex metering operations to assist utilities with advanced business process automation. This latest update of the company's MDMS product includes a new user interface, enhanced support for complex data estimation, a new calculation engine to improve virtual metering and aggregation processing, as well as additional energy market settlement functions. "Version 4.0 increases support for the next wave of utility challenges, including applications for complex metering associated with shared resources, two-way transactions from distributed generation projects and multi-tenant housing," said Doug Jeademann, Vice President of Product Lines at Landis+Gyr. "The new calculation engine and estimation support is ideal for automation of complex meter-to-cash situations and improved operational efficiency." Other updates in MDMS 4.0 include: Enhancements that allow retroactive processing of metering master data Primary and secondary data processing within the MDMS's On Demand engine and billing processes Ranked as a Leader in Garter, Inc.'s 2017 Magic Quadrant report, Landis+Gyr's MDMS software supports some of the largest advanced metering programs in the world, including Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), Pacific Gas & Electric, rsted A/S in Denmark and multiple North American utilities. The MDMS complements Landis+Gyr's connected platform of intelligent devices and software applications for utility IoT networks, while providing a secure platform for advanced meter-to-cash processing and operational activities for today's AMI solutions. About Landis+Gyr Landis+Gyr is the leading global provider of integrated energy management solutions for the utility sector. Offering one of the broadest portfolios of products and services to address complex industry challenges, the company delivers comprehensive solutions for the foundation of a smarter grid, including smart metering, distribution network sensing and automation tools, load control, analytics and energy storage. Landis+Gyr operates in over 30 countries across five continents. With sales of approximately USD 1.7 billion, the company employs c. 6,000 people with the sole mission of helping the world manage energy better. More information is available at www.landisgyr.com. SOURCE Landis+Gyr Related Links http://www.landisgyr.com SARASOTA, Fla., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Le Macaron French Pastries, an elegant French patisserie that offers guests the finest, authentic French macarons and pastries, has announced a new mobile kiosk franchise opportunity. Folded into its overall growth strategy, the brand looks to launch this new opportunity with strategic franchise partners who are seeking flexibility with their business and a lower cost investment. The new franchise opportunity aims to lean into the growing quick-serve and snack brand trend of kiosks, mobile carts, and express locations. As consumers' on-the-go lifestyle continues to accelerate, Le Macaron French Pastries seeks to capitalize on these captive audiences at malls, airports, sporting events, festivals and other gatherings. "We wanted to create an opportunity that allows our franchise owners to work in nonconventional environments and offer guests a sweet treat when they are unable to access one of our locations," said Rosalie Guillem, CEO and co-founder of Le Macaron French Pastries. "Our products can easily be eaten on the go, so a mobile kiosk aligns perfectly with our brand. This will only accelerate our growth as we welcome a new group of franchisees looking to enter the fast-casual industry." The mobile kiosk investment ranges between $91,000 to $127,000making it an ideal opportunity for entrepreneurs who are looking to enter the space at a lower investment with a simple business model and unlimited growth potential. Le Macaron French Pastries operates through a simple business model that requires zero on-site baking from franchisees. All products are made by French Chef Didier Saba in the kitchen headquarters, allowing cafe owners to focus on customer service. Le Macaron French Pastries was founded by France National and mother-daughter team Rosalie Guillem and Audrey Saba. The brand now has more than 50 cafes open and operating with two mobile kiosks open in Sarasota, Florida and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Most known for providing guests with a light dessert with lesser calories, the brand offers more than 20 flavors of macarons, as well as seasonal flavors, and the menu extends to include pastries, gelato, coffee, cakes, eclairs, and more. "We opened a Le Macaron French Pastries mobile kiosk because of the simplistic business model, reduction in overhead costs and finding real estate for the cart is easier since it has a smaller footprint," said Luke Freshwater, owner of Le Macaron French Pastries in Pittsburgh. "We are seeing incredible success because the French macarons are a high-quality product and we are able to connect with our customers since we have such a small and passionate staff." For more information about the Le Macaron French Pastries franchise opportunity, visit http://lemacaronfranchise.com/. About Le Macaron French Pastries Founded in 2009 by Rosalie Guillem and her daughter Audrey, Le Macaron French Pastries is an elegant French patisserie that offers guests the finest, authentic French macarons and pastries. Headquartered in Sarasota, Fl., the brand began franchising in 2012 and has since grown to more than 50 locations across the U.S. Le Macaron French Pastries is ranked on the 2016 Inc. 5,000 list as well as in the Top 100 Food and Beverage category by Entrepreneur and hold a #9 ranking in the baked goods category. For more information, visit http://lemacaron-us.com/. SOURCE Le Macaron French Pastries Related Links http://lemacaron-us.com HOUSTON, Oct. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lynx FBO Network (Lynx), a portfolio company of The Sterling Group, announced today it has reached an agreement to acquire the FBO assets of Voyager Jet Center (Voyager Jet) at Allegheny County Airport (AGC) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The acquisition, which is expected to close by the end of the month, will mark Lynx's sixth FBO location and third FBO acquired this year. "We believe the Pittsburgh market, and its rise as a global innovation city, is a perfect complement to our growing network of FBOs and we look forward to working with the Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA), Voyager Jet and the local FBO team to deliver a best-in-class service offering for our customers in the Mid-Atlantic region," said Matt DeLellis, Chief Financial Officer with Lynx. Voyager Jet will continue to operate its executive aircraft management, private jet charter, corporate jet sales and maintenance businesses out of the same facilities, now as a tenant of Lynx. Charles P. Falce, Chief Executive Officer of Voyager Jet, added, "We are excited to be partnering with a national FBO operator with Lynx's pedigree on this journey. This is a positive move for our customers, our employees, the Allegheny County Airport, and the local aviation community." Voyager Jet has been offering premier private jet services at AGC since its inception in 2001 with the goal to delight every customer, every time by delivering exceptional aircraft service, trusted advice, and an uncompromised dedication to safe, secure travel for those who choose private aviation. Lynx is a rapidly growing network of FBOs in the general aviation industry with locations in Destin, Florida, Minneapolis (Anoka), Minnesota, Portland (Aurora), Oregon, Little Rock, Arkansas, Napa, California and soon Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Lynx vision is to build a values-based FBO network known for exceptional service and quality, a rewarding team member experience, and a commitment to continuing excellence. The Lynx team is comprised of industry veterans who have worked together building FBO networks over many years, serving in management roles at numerous large FBO networks including Landmark Aviation, Atlantic Aviation and Trajen. Greg Elliott, a Partner at The Sterling Group, has been involved in building several FBO networks in the past fifteen years, including roles as the Chairman of Encore and Trajen, and Board member of Landmark Aviation. Honigman Miller Schwartz & Cohn LLP served as legal advisor to Lynx in the acquisition. Lynx and Sterling continue to actively seek FBO acquisitions in North America. SOURCE Lynx FBO Network Related Links http://www.lynxfbo.com "Edwards Desserts will share the unbridled love of our brand fans this holiday season. It's our way of showcasing their love for our desserts and 'bringing the sweet' to their communities," said Andrea Furber, senior brand manager of Edwards Desserts. Now through Wednesday, Oct. 31, dessert lovers can enter the holiday contest by showcasing their love for Edwards Desserts on the brand's Facebook page. In addition to the town takeover, the winner will receive an exclusive dining experience for themselves and their family and friends, along with a prize pack that includes limited-edition, dessert-inspired merchandise from the Edwards Desserts Confection Collection. Making holiday gifting sweeter for the dessert obsessed The Edwards Desserts Confection Collection includes 13 indulgent, playful pieces of merchandise, including home goods and seasonal celebration items, beauty products and trend-forward apparel. The Confection Collection is your one-stop shop for easy-as-pie holiday gift-giving and showcasing one's own unbridled love for desserts, whether it's with a black pie stand and golden server for a festive table, a T-shirt that reads "Bite Me," a thick, layered blanket to curl up in or pie-scented essential oils to sweeten up the aroma of your home. The collection is available nationwide for purchase at EdwardsHolidayShop.com until Friday, Dec. 21. Items are priced from $6 to $150. Sweetening up the holidays with chef-inspired recipes Dessert lovers everywhere can showcase their love for sweets with five simple and delicious holiday recipes created by Chef Christina Kaelberer, executive pastry chef of Edwards Dessert Kitchen, which recently opened in Minneapolis. The recipes, all of which use Edwards creme pies, include Pecan Pie Monkey Bread, Pumpkin Pie Budino, Turtle Pie Ice Box Cake, Chocolate Creme Truffle Pops and Lemon Meringue Breakfast Trifle, are available at EdwardsDesserts.com/recipes/. "Bringing the Sweet" to Kentucky The December Town Takeover will be the second time this year that Edwards Desserts has celebrated its fans with sweet treats. On Oct. 13, super fan Tami Dunn was named guest of honor at an Edwards pie takeover in her hometown of Winchester, Ky. For years, Dunn has been showcasing her love for desserts on her YouTube channel as she unboxes Edwards creme pies and taste-tests them for her more than 45,000 subscribers. Indulgence made effortless Edwards Desserts offers a variety of lusciously layered, thaw-and-serve creme pies. Favorites include HERSHEY'S Chocolate Creme, Key Lime, Turtle and Pumpkin Creme. Edwards products retail around $7.99 and are available in the frozen desserts aisle of grocery stores nationwide. To learn more or to find a store near you, visit EdwardsDesserts.com. About Edwards Desserts Edwards Desserts are part of the national brand portfolio of Schwan's Consumer Brands, Inc., the retail-grocery subsidiary of Schwan's Company (www.schwanscompany.com). Based in Bloomington, Minn., Schwan's Consumer Brands has marketed and distributed premium frozen foods since 1970. Its brands include Red Baron, Freschetta and Tony's pizzas, Pagoda Asian-style snacks and appetizers, and Mrs. Smith's and Edwards desserts. The brands are represented in more than 50,000 retail outlets across the United States. For more information about Edwards products, visit www.edwardsdesserts.com. Contact: Tarsha Rice, Schwan's Company [email protected] | 507-537-3274 Isaac Sorensen, Carmichael Lynch Relate [email protected] | 612.375.8545 SOURCE Edwards Desserts Factoring in community voting and deliberation by a panel of expert judges, MetTel joined the ranks of past innovators like SAP and Jellyvision that have claimed a Timmy Award, which recognizes the top places for tech professionals to work. Tech in Motion honored MetTel for its outstanding strides in diversity and inclusion demonstrating the company's steadfast commitment to employing the best and brightest across a wide range of backgrounds and skillsets. The announcement came in front of 250 tech enthusiasts, executives and entrepreneurs. "Historical trends show emphasis on inclusion in the workplace usually falls to the wayside. However, with companies such as MetTel, which actively promote collaboration and diverse hiring practices, it's clear why they earned a Timmy Award for Best Tech Workplace for Diversity," said Mandy Walker, Director of Marketing at Tech in Motion and Motion Recruitment Partners. MetTel's Approach to Talent In the traditionally conservative communications industry, MetTel stands out with an exceptionally high diversity ratio using Tech in Motion evaluation criteria. This includes nearly 40 percent of technical and leadership positions held by women such as Senior Vice President of MetTel Federal held by Diana Gowen, Vice President of the Strategic Engagement & Transformation held by Lori Thomas, and MetTel HR Partner held by Liza Klein. MetTel focuses on attracting candidates with diverse skill sets and unique backgrounds by seeking candidates in variety of culturally diverse universities and across various social media platforms. MetTel employs a three-pronged philosophy for hiring and nurturing talented individuals: Open communication -- MetTel encourages the free exchange of ideas, both small and large. Promotion based performance -- Advancement at MetTel is based on performance and creative problem solving, which improves with a diverse workforce. Ability to change -- Agility in IT and communication services is key to success. MetTel employees must be adaptable, flexible and current. "We believe that looking at people for who they are and the talent they bring diversifies the company in the process and enriches the solutions and services we provide to our customers," said Liza Klein, HR Partner. "We achieve diversity because we ignore it in a way, focusing more on professional capabilities than personal characteristics. It's a great honor to be recognized by Tech in Motion, and we will continue to grow the company this way." Including New York, Timmy Awards ceremonies take place across 10 North American tech hubs this month, celebrating the best in tech employers. A list of 2018 winners and finalists is available here as revealed in each city. Previous winners include Jet.com, LearnVest, Venmo, Trip Advisor, Gilt, Constant Contact, Casper and Instacart. Visit timmyawards.techinmotionevents.com for more information. About Tech in Motion Events & The Timmy Awards Tech in Motion is a North American event series that brings local tech community professionals together to connect, learn, and innovate. What started as a collaborative project in 2011 between IT recruiting firms Jobspring Partners and Workbridge Associates, part of the Motion Recruitment network, grew into an organization of over 100,000 members across 12 chapters in North America including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, New York, Philadelphia, DC, Chicago, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, LA, Orange County and Toronto. Please visit techinmotionevents.com for more information about notable speakers, sponsors and events. About MetTel MetTel is a leading global provider of integrated digital communications solutions for enterprise customers. By converging all communications over a proprietary network, MetTel enables enterprise companies to easily deploy and manage technology-driven voice, data, wireless and cloud solutions worldwide. MetTel's comprehensive portfolio of customer solutions boosts enterprise productivity, reduces costs and simplifies operations. Combining customized and managed communication solutions with a powerful platform of cloud-based software, the company's MetTel Portal enables customers to manage their inventory, usage, spend and repairs from one simple, user friendly interface. For more information visit www.mettel.net, follow us on Twitter (@OneMetTel) and on LinkedIn, or call us directly at 877.963.8663. MetTel. Smart Communications Solutions. SOURCE MetTel Related Links http://www.mettel.net NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Forecast by Product Types (Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), by Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America) Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05597433 The latest report from business intelligence provider Visiongain offers comprehensive analysis of the global military unmanned vehicles market. Visiongain assesses that this market will generate revenues of $1,133mn in 2018. Now: In October 2017, Bluefin Robotics Corporation successfully completed the trials of Knifefish program for the U.S. Navy. This is an example of the business critical headline that you need to know about and more importantly, you need to read Visiongain's objective analysis of how this will impact your company and the industry more broadly. How are you and your company reacting to this news? Are you sufficiently informed? How this report will benefit you Read on to discover how you can exploit the future business opportunities emerging in this sector. Visiongain's new study tells you and tells you NOW. In this brand new report you find 135 in-depth tables and 83 Figures-all unavailable elsewhere. The 329 page report provides clear detailed insight into the global military unmanned vehicles market. Discover the key drivers and challenges affecting the market. By ordering and reading our brand new report today you stay better informed and ready to act. Report Scope - Global military unmanned maritime vehicles market forecasts from 2018-2028 - Regional military unmanned maritime vehicles market forecasts from 2018-2028 covering Asia-Pacific, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and North America; - Country military unmanned maritime vehicles forecasts from 2018-2028 covering China, the US, the UK, Germany, India, Canada, South Africa, and Brazil - By Product Types (Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV), Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) submarket forecasts from 2018-2028 - By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America) submarket forecasts from 2018-2028 - Analysis of the key factors driving growth in the global, regional and country level military unmanned maritime vehicles markets from 2018-2028 - Profiles and market share of the leading 13 military unmanned maritime vehicles in 2018 at a global level and for leading countries How will you benefit from this report? - Keep your knowledge base up to speed. Don't get left behind - Reinforce your strategic decision-making with definitive and reliable market data - Learn how to exploit new technological trends - Realise your company's full potential within the market - Understand the competitive landscape and identify potential new business opportunities & partnerships Who should read this report? - Anyone within the unmanned vehicle value chain. - Business development managers - Marketing managers - Technologists - Suppliers - Investors - Banks - Government agencies - Contractors Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05597433 About Reportlinker ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place. __________________________ Contact Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 SOURCE Reportlinker Related Links http://www.reportlinker.com MILAN, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ANALYTICS EXPERIENCE -- Nearly three-quarters of organizations (72 percent) claim that analytics helps them generate valuable insight and 60 percent say their analytics resources have made them more innovative, according to research commissioned by SAS, the leader in analytics. That is despite only four in 10 (39 percent) saying that analytics is core to their business strategy. A third of respondents (35 percent) report that it is used for tactical projects only. Despite acknowledged value and most (65 percent) can quantify this - businesses are not getting the most out of their analytics investments. However, they are now pursuing rapid analytical insight as a priority as they push into emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT). The research, "Here and Now: The need for an analytics platform", surveyed analytics experts, and IT and line-of-business professionals in a wide range of industries around the world. It found that analytics is changing the way companies do business. This does not just apply to day-to-day operations as it's also driving innovation - more than a quarter (27 percent) say analytics has helped launched new business models. There are many identified benefits of an analytics platform, the most common being less time spent on data preparation (46 percent), smarter and more confident decision-making (42 percent) and faster time-to-insights (41 percent). "The findings show a strong desire in the business community to boost competitive insight and efficiency using analytics," said Adrian Jones, Director of SAS' Global Technology Practice. "The majority recognize that effective analytics could benefit their organizations, particularly as they develop their ability to deploy cutting-edge AI. But the number of those effectively using analytics strategically across the organization could be much higher." The survey underscored a lack of alignment in the skills and leadership needed to maximize the potential of analytics. Many companies struggle to manage multiple analytics tools and data management processes. "If they are to achieve success, organizations must put analytics at the heart of strategic planning and empower analytics resources to drive innovation using a unified analytics platform," said Jones. Views differ on the role of an analytics platform: most (61 percent) believe it's to extract insight and value from data, but many are split on its other purposes or benefits, such as better governance over data, predictive models and open source technology. Fifty-nine percent believe another role of an analytics platform is to have an integrated or centralized data framework, while 43 percent believe it's to provide modelling and algorithms for AI and machine learning. The responses suggest companies know analytics can help them, but they lack a clear and common understanding of the benefits of using a platform approach across the enterprise and the analytics lifecycle. It would explain why few organisations have a suitable platform in place according to results from SAS' Enterprise AI Promise Study announced at Analytics Experience Amsterdam last year. This revealed only a quarter (24 percent) of businesses felt they had the right infrastructure in place for AI, while the majority (53 percent) felt they either needed to update and adapt their current platform or had no specific platform in place to address AI. Despite the wide variety of uses for analytics, confidence in the end result is high. Respondents on average have seventy percent confidence that they can derive business value from their data through analytics. Those that invest in data science talent are more likely to see ROI: confidence rises to 72 percent for those in analytics roles but drops to 65 percent for standard IT teams. The same is true when considering the future. Analytics teams are more confident (66 percent) of their ability to scale to meet future analytics workloads, compared to those in standard IT roles (59 percent). "When we speak with business leaders who are scaling up to use analytics and AI strategically, challenges they commonly identify are the need for an enterprise analytics platform and access to talent with data science and analytics skills," said Randy Guard, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at SAS. "With AI now top-of-mind for many organizations, it's more important than ever to have a powerful, streamlined analytics capability," said Guard. "AI can only be as effective as the analytics behind it, and as analytical workloads increase, a comprehensive platform strategy is the best way to ensure success at scale." Today's announcement was made at the Analytics Experience conference in Milan, a business technology conference presented by SAS that brings together thousands of attendees on-site and online to share ideas on critical business issues. The research report 'Here and Now: The need for an analytics platform' is the result of a two-part research process. The first phase consisted of in-depth interviews with professionals in 132 business and government organizations across EMEA. These discussions were based on a common set of 15 questions asked of analytics business sponsors, IT decision-makers, heads of analytics and data scientists. The findings from this phase then informed the second part of the research, an online global survey of 477 qualified participants. About SAS SAS is the leader in analytics. Through innovative software and services, SAS empowers and inspires customers around the world to transform data into intelligence. SAS gives you THE POWER TO KNOW. SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries. indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright 2018 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved. SOURCE SAS Related Links http://www.sas.com Retiring contractors Joe Engler and Melvin Joyce of Commercial Construction Inc. will sell all their assets through a Ritchie Bros.' unreserved public auction LINCOLN, NE, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - After 47 years in the construction industry, Joe Engler and his business partner Melvin Joyce have decided to embrace retirement. The two friends are calling it quits and selling all the assets from the company they built together: Commercial Construction Inc. (CCI) at a one-day unreserved public auction in Lincoln, NE on November 9. "While we were growing CCI, we built up our fleet buying used equipment through auctions, specifically Ritchie Bros. auctions, so it makes sense to sell it all that way at the end," said Joe Engler, co-owner of CCI. "When we were at our largest, we had more than 90 employees and 100 pieces of equipment. Over the past several years, as we've prepared for our eventual retirement, we have downsized, selling a bunch of assets through Ritchie Bros. events. They're a great company to deal with and they deliver great results." More than 100 items will be sold for CCI in the November 9 auction being held on their property (555 W South St., Lincoln, NE), including motor graders, dozers, excavators, truck tractors, trailers and more. All items will be sold to the highest bidders, regardless of price. "We've always taken great care of our fleet. I always say, 'if you take care of your equipment, it will take care of you'," said Joe. "Our fleet is a mix of items we purchased new and through auctions. We made sure everything was well maintained and upgraded through the years." "I started as an operator at the age of 19; worked my way up to foreman, superintendent, estimator, vice president and then headed out on my own with my colleague and friend Melvin," said Joe. "As CCI, we focused mainly on heavy highway construction, but also did some bridge construction work." CCI worked on several big Nebraska highway projects over the years, including the widening of Interstate 80 and Highway 30. "CCI has been a great contractor in Nebraska for a long time," said Mike Schure, Regional Sales Manager, Ritchie Bros. "We've held several auctions for them in their yard over the past few years. They've also been a great partner to the local contractor community, welcoming equipment from other contractors to be sold on their property along with theirs. We're very excited to hold their final auction for them on November 9. Local and international contractors should be excited at the opportunity to purchase some great gear from an excellent Nebraska-based company." In total, more than 400 equipment items will be sold in the November 9 auction for 50+ contractors. For more information on the auction, visit rbauction.com. About Ritchie Bros.: Established in 1958, Ritchie Bros. (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is a global asset management and disposition company, offering customers end-to-end solutions for buying and selling used heavy equipment, trucks and other assets. Operating in a multitude of sectors, including construction, transportation, agriculture, energy, oil and gas, mining, and forestry, the company's selling channels include: Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the world's largest industrial auctioneer offers live auction events with online bidding; IronPlanet, an online marketplace with featured weekly auctions and providing its exclusive IronClad Assurance equipment condition certification; Marketplace-E, an online marketplace offering multiple price and timing options; Mascus, a leading European online equipment listing service; and Ritchie Bros. Private Treaty, offering privately negotiated sales. The company also offers sector-specific solutions including GovPlanet, TruckPlanet, Kruse Energy Auctioneers , and Cat auctions, plus equipment financing and leasing through Ritchie Bros. Financial Services. For more information about the unprecedented choice provided by Ritchie Bros., visit RitchieBros.com. Photos and video for embedding in media stories are available at rbauction.com/media. SOURCE Ritchie Bros. "Our customers adore Last Bottle, and we love them, too. Since we are literally a daily wine site (one wine per day until it sells out, often in hours), there was a need to have a cozy wine shop on the web where they could come back to once they discovered a love for a new wine. First Bottle should be the FIRST place to visit if you've just had your mind blown by a $19 Tuscan Rosso or grower Champagne, because we have a very cool, carefully chosen, well-priced list that covers a lot of the major wine categories," said co-owner Stefan Blicker. Co-owner Cory Wagner says: "Unlike Last Bottle, First Bottle is 'browsable,' and adds a whole new dimension for our customers to discover, along with next-level special offers. Oh, and free shipping always on 6+ bottles... that's ALWAYS popular!" The First Bottle Wines website features hundreds of new releases from around the globe, including many that directly imported from the producers in Europe, which creates highly competitive pricing. Unlike many online retailers, there are no pre-arrival wines --- all wine is always in stock, so clients can expect reliability and enjoy rapid shipping times. The site is easily navigable, includes free shipping on any purchase of 6 or more bottles, and conveys the don't-take-it-too-seriously spirit of sister site Last Bottle. "Wine can be as complicated or as casual as you want it to be," says Senior Wine Buyer Blake Van Treese, "and we cover all those bases from high-scoring, pricey collector bottles, to screaming-deal porch-pounders." The company has experienced tremendous growth since its inception in 2006 and is already one of the largest online daily wine retailers in the world. More Info on First Bottle: www.firstbottlewines.com Questions, Comments: Stefan Blicker [email protected] SOURCE Last Bottle Wines Related Links http://www.lastbottlewines.com Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 23) Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena on Tuesday said the recent attacks against the Bureau of Customs (BOC) are part of a propaganda to oust him. Lapena said the reforms he implemented at the bureau have "hurt the players and drug syndicates," triggering them to orchestrate moves for his fall. "That's a strong probability because they have the capability to finance, very extensive 'yung kanilang mga (their) operation in support to their shipment of illegal drugs to the country. They neutralize kung sino man mga sagabal sa kanilang (whoever obstructs their) illegal activities," he said in a press briefing. Lapena lashed out at a fellow BOC employee who purportedly spread information to damage his reputation. "In anticipation of our anti-corruption drive, my detractors, led by a disgruntled employee who herself has been a subject of investigations of corruption in the past, publicized exaggerated issues which were already revealed in various congressional inquiries," he said. Lapena is in hot water following the supposed multi-billion pesos worth of illegal drugs that slipped into the country amid the administration's crackdown on drugs. Among these is the 6.8 billion worth of shabu believed to be contained inside four magnetic lifters shipped from Taiwan in August. Former BOC X-ray chief Lourdes Mangaoang revealed in September before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that the shipment was not properly inspected. During the briefing, Lapena admitted that the X-ray personnel who inspected the shipment failed to follow protocol. However, he maintained that the magnetic lifters tested negative for illegal drugs. Lapena explained that the personnel found two undeclared items attached to the four magnetic lifters, which should have been subjected to physical inspection, but the personnel failed to do so. But when pressed if he thinks there are shabu in the two items, which the agency failed to inspect, Lapena refused to answer, saying he does not want to preempt the Senate probe. Lapena said he will not step down and vowed to continue implementing measures to eradicate corruption in the BOC. "For those people or groups working jointly to oust me, I know who you are. I am a man of honor and I will do everything, even offer my life to fulfill the marching order of the President to stop corruption and increase revenue collection," he said. CNN Philippines' Robert Vergara and Makoi Popioco contributed to this report. There are enough nuggets of historical fact presented here to encourage the curious to read further. But overall, the show doesnt cohere around a central vision. Is it the story of Washingtons redemption from his early mistakes to Father of His Country rectitude? Is it a portrait of rowdy colonials sticking it to the royals and aristocrats of old Europe? All of that is hinted at, but Theater Unspeakables approach obscures as often as it illuminates and makes the story of the American Revolution feel smaller than it should be. This sweeping study of more than 2,500 US Hispanics and Latinos aged 14 and olderfocuses on the Hispanic/Latino community's outlookon such topics as the political landscape, business and education, and personal values. Participants were presented a series of 16 data points about positive developments and accomplishments by the Latino community. A surprising 77 percent of respondents expressed disbelief around six of these significant Latino achievements.The study was conducted by Zeno Group. "This study shows how much remains to be done for the Latino community in the U.S. to fully appreciate our own contributions to this country and to the American way of life," says Claudia Romo Edelman, founder of the We Are All Human Foundation. Romo Edelman presented the survey findings at Chicago Ideas Week during a panel discussion with former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Julian Castro. Among the study's findings: 82 percent of Latinos said they feel the community should be valued more than it is today. Only 48 percent of U.S. Hispanics think they are unified, and 62 percent believe they do not speak with same voice. Yet 90 percent say they identify as part of the Hispanic community. 66 percent of Hispanics overall believe that their vote does count in the US, while only 24 percent feel that their community is "extremely" or "very" represented by politicians/people in government. 69 percent of those surveyed are optimistic about the long-term future of the Latino community in the United States . 62 percent think it is likely that a Hispanic / Latino person will be elected President of the U.S. in their lifetimes. Latinos who were born in the United States (second generation) are generally less optimistic than 1st generation Latinos about the state of the "American Dream." "Overwhelmingly, Latinos are saying that they're under-valued and that their contributions aren't fully appreciated," said Romo Edelman. "The political candidates who recognize this and work to give full voice to Latino achievements will surely be the ones who benefit from Latino support at the polls." On December 10, 2018, We Are All Human will host the first Hispanic Leadership Summit at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. It will be co-hosted by Sol Trujillo, Henry Cisneros, Patricia Menendez and Claudia Romo Edelman. The Summit is currently sponsored by Greenberg Traurig, Dairy Management, Inc., Western Union and Aflac. ABOUT WE ARE ALL HUMAN We Are All Human is a foundation dedicated to advancing the agenda of equity, diversity, inclusion. Its mission is to unify all people and create channels of access that will leave no one behind. The foundation focuses on research, advocacy and dissemination, capacity development and partnership building in order to fight discrimination, racism and xenophobia by highlighting progress when people all act together. For more information, visit www.WeAreAllHuman.org . The Hispanic Sentiment Study was supported by Richard Edelman, The Rick and Susan Goings Foundation, the Robert R. McCormick Foundation and Western Union. ABOUT ZENO GROUP Zeno Group is a global, integrated communications agency, born from PR. The award-winning agency is committed to work that delivers true business value for clients across consumer, corporate, health and technology industries. Zeno was named 2017 Midsize Agency of the Year and Global Consumer Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report. Zeno also received high commendation as 2018 PRWeek US Midsize Agency of the Year and 2017 International Agency of the Year. Additionally, Zeno was named a Best Place To Work by PRWeek in 2016 and 2017. The agency was recognized at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity in 2018, winning a Bronze PR Cannes Lion, and in 2016, winning a Gold Cannes Lion and a Bronze PR Cannes Lion. Zeno is a DJE Holdings Company. For more information, visit us at www.ZenoGroup.com . SOURCE We Are All Human Related Links http://www.weareallhuman.org MALVERN, Pa., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ocugen, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing a pipeline of innovative therapies that address rare and underserved eye diseases, today announced that an abstract describing the Phase 2 clinical study results for OCU310, the Company's lead drug candidate for Dry Eye Disease (DED) has been accepted for a poster presentation at the 2018 Annual Meeting of The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), taking place October 27-30, at McCormick Place in Chicago. The poster will highlight the tolerability and preliminary efficacy results from a randomized Phase 2 proof-of-concept study in patients with DED. Based on these results and a completed End of Phase 2 meeting with the FDA, Ocugen initiated a Phase 3 clinical study for OCU310 at the end of the third quarter. Poster and Presentation Details: Title: A Phase 2 Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Masked, Proof-of-Concept Study of Brimonidine (BRI) Eye Drops for the Treatment of Dry Eye Disease (DED) Authors: Daniel Jorgensen, MD, MPH; Nicole Zangler, OD; Parag A. Majmudar, MD Session: Session Two; South Hall A; October 29 (7am-5pm CT) October 30 (7am-1pm CT) Poster: PO345 Live Q&A: Monday, October 29, 12:45pm 1:45pm CT About Ocugen, Inc. Ocugen, Inc., is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing a pipeline of innovative therapies that address rare and underserved eye diseases. The Company's lead clinical candidate (OCU300) is currently in Phase 3 for patients with ocular graft versus host disease (oGVHD) and is the first and only therapeutic with orphan drug designation for oGVHD, providing certain regulatory and economic benefits. The Company's second lead candidate (OCU310) is also in Phase 3 for patients with dry eye disease. Both OCU300 and OCU310 leverage Ocugen's patented OcuNanoE Ocugen's ONE Platform technology to enhance the efficacy of topical ophthalmic therapeutics. Ocugen is also developing novel biologic therapies for retinitis pigmentosa (OCU100) and wet AMD (OCU200), as well as a groundbreaking modifier gene therapy platform with potential to address a broad spectrum of inherited retinal disorders (OCU400). For more information, please visit www.ocugen.com. Contact: Ocugen, Inc. Kelly Beck [email protected] +1 484-328-4698 SOURCE Ocugen, Inc. Related Links http://www.ocugen.com "The Heart Walk is one of our most important events and we seek leaders who are making a difference to help us make it a success," said Brittany Lee, vice president of the Chicago Heart Walk. "Under Mr. Kellogg's leadership, Omron Healthcare has focused on improving heart health outcomes and Going for Zero heart attacks and strokes. Omron shares the AHA's mission to save lives, and they've shown they can get people moving for the good of their hearts. We're excited to have Mr. Kellogg as the chairman for our landmark 25 th anniversary Chicago Heart Walk event." Omron Healthcare, with its North American headquarters based in Lake Forest, Illinois, has been developing trusted blood pressure monitors and heart health devices for over 40 years. Omron is the #1 doctor and pharmacist recommended brand of blood pressure monitors and continues to be an innovative force in personal heart health technology with the introduction of new devices arriving soon in retail, including the first-ever wearable blood pressure monitor. "In addition to creating innovative tools and investing in heart health education, Omron seeks partners who share the belief that Going for Zero is possible. The AHA's Heart Walk is about increasing awareness, walking for fitness and raising funds to make strides in medical research. I'm honored to be part of this effort to save lives," said Kellogg. According to the AHA and the American College of Cardiology, nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, which is one of the leading risk factors of heart attack and stroke. "Omron Healthcare and our employees participate in the Heart Walk every year. All of us have taken a personal pledge to take care of our hearts and the Heart Walk is part of how we keep our word. With 1-in-2 American adults now in the hypertensive range, raising awareness and advancing scientific research are among our highest priorities," said Kellogg. "We're excited to work with such an innovative partner for our 25th anniversary," said Lee. "When we reached out to Mr. Kellogg to come on as chair, he responded by inviting us to visit the Omron campus, and his email signature read 'Take Care of Your Heart.' We knew then that we had the right chairman." Mr. Kellogg has dedicated his career to making strides in heart health. Prior to his work at Omron Healthcare, Mr. Kellogg served as VP and director of marketing for Baxter Healthcare and, prior to that, he held the position of group marketing manager at CR Bard. Kellogg holds a master's degree in business administration from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. About Omron Healthcare, Inc. Omron Healthcare, Inc., is a leading manufacturer and distributor of personal heart health and wellness products. Omron's market-leading products include home blood pressure monitors and electrotherapy devices. Since Omron invented its first blood pressure monitors more than 40 years ago, the company has been passionate about empowering people to take charge of their health at home through precise technology. Helping people improve their ability to live a healthier life is the heart and soul of Omron's purpose. For more information, visit OmronHealthcare.com. About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Over the past five years, the American Heart Association has provided more than $21.3 million to fund studies in Illinois research institutions. SOURCE Omron Healthcare, Inc. Related Links https://omronhealthcare.com SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Oracle OpenWorld -- Driven by strong customer demand for its cloud services, Oracle today announced significant enhancements to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, as well as an updated global data center region roadmap. With Oracle's modern cloud regions, only Oracle can deliver the industry's broadest, deepest, and fastest growing suite of cloud applications and Oracle Autonomous Database, all running on its enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure. "Oracle has built the cloud best suited to handle the world's most important business workloads. These workloads require the highest levels of security to handle the increase in demand for superior price and performance most of which have yet to make the transition to cloud," said Don Johnson, senior vice president, product development, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. With these advancements, Oracle continues to provide the secured, mission-critical infrastructure customers can depend on to run enterprise applications. Below are updates to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure: Security Enhancements: Oracle extended its commitment to provide cloud customers core-to-edge security by introducing new integrated security solutions to combat sophisticated cyber threats with layers of defense. The new cloud services include a Key Management Service (KMS) that allows customers to control the encryption of their data; an integrated Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), which monitors and enforces secure configurations; a Web Application Firewall (WAF) designed to protect against attacks on web traffic; and Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) protection to help stop malicious actors from disrupting customer applications. Cloud Region Roadmap: Continuing to support customer and partner demand, Oracle outlined the roadmap for its cloud regions. By the end of next year, the company will open additional regions in Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan, South Korea, India, Brazil, the Middle East, and the United States, including Virginia, Arizona, and Illinois to support public sector and Department of Defense customers. This expansion complements an existing Edge network consisting of more than 30 global locations and 300 plus sensors, providing Oracle customers with a comprehensive Internet performance data set, and deep edge services capabilities. Upgrade to Autonomous Database: Oracle is previewing new capabilities with dedicated Oracle Exadata cloud infrastructure for the latest release of Oracle Autonomous Database cloud service, Oracle Autonomous Transaction Processing (ATP). Running on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, ATP allows the line of business or development teams to each have their applications or development projects deployed in a fully dedicated 'private cloud like environment' on Oracle Cloud. Openness: To support its commitment to openness, and with expanding relationships with the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) and the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), Oracle is announcing it has joined the Internet Society (ISOC) and Internet Infrastructure Coalition (i2Coalition). Oracle will be a key member of these internet infrastructure community organizations to drive forward global internet policy and educational programs, as well as joining various working groups and industry events. Enterprise Expertise: Oracle announced a new integrated experience for partners and customers that makes it easier for them to publish and deploy business applications from Oracle Cloud Marketplace on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. Mission-Critical Performance: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure continues to deliver customers with the performance required of today's most mission-critical workloads. Oracle Cloud has beat out competitors in recent testing around performance. Combined with simple and scalable pricing, Oracle is leading the market in price and performance. Additional Resources About Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Oracle Cloud Infrastructure is an enterprise Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) platform. Companies of all sizes rely on Oracle Cloud to run enterprise and cloud native applications with mission-critical performance and core-to-edge security. By running both traditional and new workloads on a comprehensive cloud that includes compute, storage, networking, database, and containers, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure can dramatically increase operational efficiency and lower total cost of ownership. For more information, visit https://cloud.oracle.com/iaas. About Oracle The Oracle Cloud offers complete SaaS application suites for ERP, HCM and CX, plus best-in-class database Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) from data centers throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information about Oracle (NYSE:ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com. About Oracle OpenWorld Oracle OpenWorld, the industry's most important business and technology conference for the past 20 years, hosts tens of thousands of in-person attendees as well as millions online. Dedicated to helping businesses leverage Cloud for their innovation and growth, the conference delivers deep insight into industry trends and breakthroughs driven by technology. With hundreds of demos and hands-on labs, plus exhibitions from more than 250 partners and customers from around the world, Oracle OpenWorld has become a showcase for leading cloud technologies, from Cloud Applications to Cloud Platform and Infrastructure. For more information; to register; or to watch Oracle OpenWorld keynotes, sessions, and more, visit www.oracle.com/openworld. Join the Oracle OpenWorld discussion on Twitter. Future Product Disclaimer The preceding is intended to outline our general product direction. It is intended for information purposes only, and may not be incorporated into any contract. It is not a commitment to deliver any material, code, or functionality, and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions. The development, release, timing, and pricing of any features or functionality described for Oracle's products may change and remains at the sole discretion of Oracle Corporation. Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer Statements in this article relating to Oracle's future plans, expectations, beliefs, and intentions are "forward-looking statements" and are subject to material risks and uncertainties. Such statements are based on Oracle's current expectations and assumptions, some of which are beyond Oracle's control. All information in this article is current as of October 23, 2018 and Oracle undertakes no duty to update any statement in light of new information or future events. Trademarks Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners. SOURCE Oracle Related Links http://www.oracle.com The acquisition of the Calidus conglomerate gold rights is strategically significant for Pacton, and is consistent with Pacton's directed strategy of acquiring Fortescue Group exploration conglomerate gold assets in parallel with its equally growing portfolio of Mesoarchean and Paleoarchean orogenic "mother lode" exploration projects. Calidus is exploring for orogenic shear hosted gold deposits at its Warrawoona Gold Project south of Marble Bar in the Paleoarchean "basement rocks" of the Pilbara craton, which is excluded from the Agreement with Pacton (Figure 2). Pacton's Agreement with Calidus allows it to explore and exploit any conglomerate or transported gold deposits in the sedimentary rocks overlying the basement rocks in the Calidus holdings, which are scattered from the town of Marble Bar to the Nulllalgine-Beaton Creek area. The Fortescue Group formation that overlies the basement rocks on the tenements covered by the Calidus Agreement are composed entirely of outcropping Mount Roe Basalt. Pacton is currently conducting field exploration in the Mallina Basin, on its Egina area properties, located approximately 200 km west of the Marble Bar sub-basin. Field exploration will commence on the Calidus project immediately following the transference of the conglomerate rights to Pacton. Three areas of the Calidus conglomerate gold right tenements have already been targeted for exploration. Two areas are located near the town of Marble Bar. The third area, an immediate priority, consists of a portion of a north-pointing, 10 km long "spear" of Mount Roe basalt, which is the northern extension of the Mount Roe formation that underlies the Novo Resources Corp (NVO:TSXV) conglomerates at Nulllagine and Beaton Creek, located approximately 20 km to the south. The Pacton portion of the "Spear", with a combined edge strike-length of about 15 km, covers an area of 20 km2, approximately the same area as the Mount Roe surface exposure on Novo's Beaton Creek tenements. This is due to the fact that the Mount Roe Basalt surface footprint at Novo's Beaton Creek project is covered by the overlying Hardey formation conglomeratic members. The preliminary targeting of the Calidus conglomerates is unusually precise due to the favourable weathering characteristics of the Pilbara and the differential silicification of known conglomerate units. In other words, Pacton has recorded the signatures of known Pilbara conglomerate deposits and has prioritized similar signatures on its Calidus conglomerate targets, including the "Spear". A preliminary estimate of mapped Mount Roe Basalt in all Calidus tenements includes approximately 50 linear km of Mount Roe edge exposure and downhill talus slope, covering a total area of approximately 90 square km. (Figures 3, 4, 5 & 6 showing selected Mount Row features). Conglomerate target planning will continue and field operations will commence immediately following the transference of the conglomerate gold rights from Calidus to Pacton. Agreement Terms Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company through its wholly-owned Australian subsidiary, will acquire the Gold Rights by issuing Calidus or its nominees 7,000,000 common shares. The Agreement includes a right to deferred compensation whereby Calidus may receive up to 3,000,000 additional common shares of Pacton on the first anniversary of completion of the transaction based on the 30-day VWAP of Pacton's shares on the date of such issuance. The Company will be seeking TSX Venture Exchange acceptance of the transaction forthwith. 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 completion of the proposed transaction described herein, the prospect of the Company achieving success in exploring its properties 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. Home prices in some of the hottest markets have been inching down over last few months. Prices are still higher than they were a year ago, but price growth is slowing in the coastal markets where homes are sitting on the market longer, more homes are available to choose from, and more sellers are dropping their prices. "Every fall and winter we see prices decline relative to spring and summer, but this year's seasonal declines have been more extreme as buyers, especially in coastal markets, are finally reaching a limit in terms of how much they are willing to pay," explains Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather. "Sellers haven't quite come to terms with the fact that they no longer have buyers wrapped around their finger. This push and pull is likely to continue until early 2019 when the home-buying season picks back up." For those weighing whether to buy a home now before mortgage rates tick up further or wait for seasonal price declines, Redfin published the attached chart showing how purchasing power changes as mortgage rates rise, on several different monthly housing budgets. Rates are expected to continue rising through into 2019, which will have a direct effect on the number of homes that are affordable to buyers. Let's say you're looking for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. If your monthly house payment budget is $3,500, an increase in mortgage rates from 5.0 percent to 5.5 percent would reduce the number of homes for sale that you could afford by over 15 percent in Orange County, California, Honolulu, or San Jose, California. In Boston, Seattle, Los Angeles, or San Diego, your selection shrinks by 10 to 14 percent. Table: Number of Affordable 3-bed, 2-bath Homes For Sale at $3,500 Mortgage Payment For this table, Redfin used the relatively high monthly mortgage payment of $3,500, which is enough to purchase a home around the median price in many coastal markets. The data show that even with a budget this high, your selection of homes for sale can be dramatically affected by rising rates. Metro Area Number of Homes affordable at 4% Mortgage Rate Number of Homes affordable at 5% Mortgage Rate Number of Homes affordable at 6% Mortgage Rate Change in # of Homes Affordable from 4% to 5% Mortgage Rate Change in # of Homes Affordable from 5% to 6% Mortgage Rate Boston, MA 1,542 1,351 1,129 -12% -16% Denver, CO 4,092 3,723 3,310 -9% -11% Honolulu, HI 406 290 201 -29% -31% Long Island, NY 5,250 4,702 4,074 -10% -13% Los Angeles, CA 4,260 3,568 2,810 -16% -21% Oakland, CA 801 616 424 -23% -31% Orange County, CA 917 605 360 -34% -40% Portland, OR 4,736 4,362 3,890 -8% -11% Sacramento, CA 3,648 3,377 3,043 -7% -10% San Diego, CA 2,249 1,805 1,336 -20% -26% San Jose, CA 110 67 44 -39% -34% Seattle, WA 2,892 2,396 1,942 -17% -19% Washington, DC 8,017 7,461 6,854 -7% -8% With a monthly housing budget of $2,500, if rates rise to 5.5 percent, the number of listings on the market that a buyer can afford decreases by 10 to 20 percent in Sacramento, Long Island, Denver, and Portland, Oregon. If prices actually fall next year (which is not currently expected in most markets), falling prices could offset the cost of rising mortgage rates. However, the bigger your budget, the bigger home price drops you'll need to see in order to balance out increasing mortgage rates. For example, if your budget is $2,500 a month, you would need to pay $18,000 less for your home to make up for a jump in mortgage rates from 5 percent to 5.5 percent, but if your budget is $3,500 a month, your home price needs to be $25,250 less to keep your payment the same. To read the full report, complete with a chart showing how rising mortgage payments affect purchasing power on a number of monthly housing budgets, and a methodology, please visit: https://www.redfin.com/blog/2018/10/higher-mortgage-rates-increase-monthly-housing-costs About Redfin Redfin ( www.redfin.com ) is the next-generation real estate brokerage, combining its own full-service agents with modern technology to redefine real estate in the consumer's favor. Founded by software engineers, Redfin has the country's #1 brokerage website and offers a host of online tools to consumers, including the Redfin Estimate , the automated home-value estimate with the industry's lowest published error rate for listed homes. Homebuyers and sellers enjoy a full-service, technology-powered experience from Redfin real estate agents, while saving thousands in commissions. Redfin serves more than 80 major metro areas across the U.S. The company has closed more than $60 billion in home sales. For more information or to contact a local Redfin real estate agent, visit www.redfin.com . To learn about housing market trends and download data, visit the Redfin Data Center . To be added to Redfin's press release distribution list, subscribe here. To view Redfin's press center, click here . SOURCE Redfin Related Links http://www.redfin.com CHICAGO, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- To deter and prevent mass shootings and violence, Illinois State Representative La Shawn K. Ford, D-Chicago, has filed new legislation that will provide a safer environment in many of the state's public places. Ford announced the "Safe Spaces in Public Places Act" (House Bill 5970) at a news conference. Ford, a former Chicago Public Schools teacher and chairman of the Illinois House Restorative Justice Committee, said his legislation is a result of recommendations from the Legislative Public Safety Group in the Illinois House of Representatives. Ford also said the bill to provide metal detectors is not mandatory and he will work with doctors, mental health experts and other interested parties to craft final legislation. "We should come together and consider experts' findings and recommendations to deter preventable, mass public shootings including metal detector screening programs, mental health services, school infrastructure improvements, emergency preparedness and community relations," Ford said. "Metal detectors help to prevent shootings inside the terminals at O'Hare Airport and people feel safer as a result of this defense against attacks." The federal Consolidated Appropriations Act passed this year included legislation known as the STOP School Violence Act. The new law authorized nearly $1 billion for school safety matching grant programs through the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) through 2028. Besides the recent Florida shooting that killed 17 people, college shootings are common. On Valentine's Day 2008, Steven Kazmierczak opened fire with a shotgun and three pistols in a crowd of students at Northern Illinois University, killing five students, and injuring 17 people before fatally shooting himself. Even the threat of a mass shooting can lead to anxiety and mood disorders in youth, said Dr. James MacKenzie, a Chicago child psychiatrist and former president of the Illinois Psychiatric Society, the state's largest psychiatric group. "By reducing the possibility of violence, we are actually protecting our children, college students and all young people in public places," MacKenzie said. "This legislation is a simple precaution that will make youth feel safer, making it easier for them to learn and not feel anxiety." If the bill becomes law, the demand for metal detectors will create jobs in Illinois because there are several Illinois companies that make metal detectors, including Yates Enterprises of Chicago and Minooka-based Metal Defender, Ford said. Contact: Illinois State Rep. La Shawn Ford, (217) 782-5962 SOURCE Illinois State Representative La Shawn K. Ford ATLANTA, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartPM Technologies, an innovative provider of schedule mining analytics for the construction industry, today announced its participation in the 2018 COAA National Conference & Trade Show, the premier event for the construction and program management industry. This three-day event will be held on November 14-16 at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California. SmartPM's team of industry professionals attending the conference include Mike Pink, Founder and CEO, and Rich Pink, Cofounder and Chief Operating Officer. "Our attendance at COAA 2018 underscores our dedication to serve the needs of construction owners and program managers," said Pink. "Using our unique analytics, our clients rapidly verify schedule quality, easily monitor project progress, and efficiently perform delay analysis, using their Oracle Primavera or Microsoft Project data. We look forward to learning more about the trends impacting the construction sector and how we continue to enhance our capabilities to better serve the needs of this important segment of the US economy." SmartPM is a privately held software company, headquartered in Atlanta, GA. To learn more, visit www.smartpmtech.com. SOURCE SmartPM Technologies, Inc Related Links http://www.smartpmtech.com CHICAGO, Oct. 22, 2018 PRNewswire/ -- Conventional wisdom has it that volunteering is good for you, and a study at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) shows that to be true for people with lupus volunteering in a peer support and education program. The study, "The Effect and Psychosocial Impact of a Longstanding Telephone Peer Counseling Service on Volunteers with Systemic Lupus Erythematos," was presented at the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals annual meeting on October 22 in Chicago. "Previous studies have demonstrated the value of peer counseling programs for people living with lupus and other chronic health conditions. In the current study, we set out to assess the impact on the volunteers themselves," said Priscilla Toral, LCSW, program manager of LupusLine/Charla de Lupus (Lupus Chat) at Hospital for Special Surgery. "We found that similar to the way the service helps callers, the counselor role positively impacts volunteers' ability to cope with and manage lupus and reduces isolation." LupusLine offers peer support and education to people with lupus and their families. Established in 1988, the service is available to the public with a toll-free phone number. In addition to the United States, volunteers have counseled callers from Canada, Europe, South America, Jamaica, China and India. The study found that in addition to having the opportunity to help others, counselors gained valuable knowledge about lupus from the 18-hour volunteer training program. Monthly seminars helped them work through challenges and provided a space for them to reflect on their illness. "While having lupus may affect one's self-esteem adversely, being able to use this experience to help others can be empowering," said Roberta Horton, LCSW, ACSW, assistant vice president, Department of Social Work Programs at Hospital for Special Surgery. "Volunteers also benefit from the feeling of mutual support, personal development, and further lupus knowledge gained through ongoing group meetings, educational seminars and individual supervision." For their study, researchers distributed a 43-item online survey to volunteers. The counselors, all female, ranged in age from 30-79, with 30% between the ages of 60 and 69. They had served as a counselor for an average of 12 years. The researchers reported the following findings: In terms of satisfaction, 91% of counselors indicated they were very satisfied with their role. The top reasons for becoming a counselor included an opportunity to help others affected by lupus (100% of respondents) and enhancing personal growth/development (73%). When asked about their reasons for continuing as a counselor, 82% said it was to meet others impacted by lupus and 73% identified the support of program staff. Most respondents (73%) reported that they had a better understanding of lupus since becoming a counselor. In relation to coping, 64% indicated that they have coped better with lupus since becoming a counselor. The majority of counselors (73%) reported feeling less alone since volunteering. Almost half of the volunteers (46%) reported feeling less depressed since becoming a peer counselor. When asked if monthly seminars help them to better cope with lupus, 78% agreed, and 89% of counselors reported that the seminars provide a space for them to reflect on their disease. The volunteers indicated that the most rewarding part of their role was "educational information that helps me understand lupus better" and "the opportunity to be outside of my own illness and connect with others." "The study reinforces the two-way flow of psychosocial support received by counselors through their support of callers and ongoing connections with peers and program staff via monthly seminars," said Toral. "Our findings also highlight the continued relevance of a phone support service to people with lupus and opportunities for further research on the volunteer impact of peer-staffed programs." About Hospital for Special Surgery HSS is the world's leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics (for the ninth consecutive year) and No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S.News & World Report (2018-2019). Founded in 1863, the Hospital has one of the lowest infection rates in the country and was the first in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center four consecutive times. The global standard total knee replacement was developed at HSS in 1969. An affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS has a main campus in New York City and facilities in New Jersey, Connecticut and in the Long Island and Westchester County regions of New York State. In 2017 HSS provided care to 135,000 patients and performed more than 32,000 surgical procedures. People from all 50 U.S. states and 80 countries travelled to receive care at HSS. In addition to patient care, HSS leads the field in research, innovation and education. The HSS Research Institute comprises 20 laboratories and 300 staff members focused on leading the advancement of musculoskeletal health through prevention of degeneration, tissue repair and tissue regeneration. The HSS Global Innovation Institute was formed in 2016 to realize the potential of new drugs, therapeutics and devices. The culture of innovation is accelerating at HSS as 130 new idea submissions were made to the Global Innovation Institute in 2017 (almost 3x the submissions in 2015). The HSS Education Institute is the world's leading provider of education on the topic of musculoskeletal health, with its online learning platform offering more than 600 courses to more than 21,000 medical professional members worldwide. Through HSS Global Ventures, the institution is collaborating with medical centers and other organizations to advance the quality and value of musculoskeletal care and to make world-class HSS care more widely accessible nationally and internationally. SOURCE Hospital for Special Surgery Related Links http://www.hss.edu Professor Nick Dirks from Whittle and Professor Zhang Lin from TBSI signed the MOU on behalf of their respective organizations. In their remarks to the audience, Professors Dirks and Lin emphasized that the missions and pedagogies of Whittle and TBSI are closely aligned. Whittle's high-school program is forward-thinking, technologically innovative, and committed to fostering a cross-disciplinary approach to STEM and maker culture, while TBSI is an international graduate school committed to breaking down the walls between disciplines in advanced study in the sciences. The partnership will benefit the Whittle Shenzhen campus, the Center of Excellence (C.O.E.) program and TBSI, they said. The C.O.E. program is one of Whittle's foremost educational innovations. Each Whittle school will have a C.O.E. based on an expertise specific to the campus's location. Under the guidance of experienced mentors, students will have the chance to refine their skills in an area of their interest. In its C.O.E. focused on engineering and design, Whittle's Shenzhen campus will leverage the city's strengths as a hotbed of technological innovation. It will provide students with unique project-based learning opportunities in fields such as scientific research, robotics, artificial intelligence, engineering entrepreneurship, design and the arts. At the same time, C.O.E. course and fieldwork are designed to foster global leadership skills in students. For that reason, Whittle's C.O.E. themes of inquiry are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Global Goals. Portfolio projects will offer students the chance to consider specific U.N. goals. Given the C.O.E. focus on affecting positive change in the world, TBSI is an ideal partner: a world-class research institute known for its strong interdisciplinary approach and integration with industry. Under the MOU, Whittle students will be able to do their C.O.E. internships in TBSI labs and in exceptional cases can take specific TBSI courses. TBSI faculty and visiting professors will serve as C.O.E. mentors and give lectures to the Whittle community. In turn, Whittle will provide TBSI graduate students interested in pursuing careers in K-12 education with internship opportunities at its Shenzhen C.O.E. as well as professional development and preferential training. Looking ahead, Whittle and TBSI plan to establish an innovative model of cooperation between K-12 and higher education. This collaboration model will provide rich growth opportunities to students of diverse age groups and help develop best teaching practices. As both institutions expand globally, their partnership will extend well beyond Shenzhen. About Whittle School & Studios Founded by Chris Whittle, an American education entrepreneur who led the U.S.'s charter school movement, Whittle School & Studios aims to be the world's first truly modern and global school. Whittle will draw on its deep knowledge of best education practices to provide personalized learning to children from ages 3 to 18. At the same time, Whittle will work with local partners to build campuses in the world's most vibrant cities. Its first two campuses, located in Shenzhen, China and Washington D.C., will open in September 2019. About Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI) is jointly established by Tsinghua University and University of California, Berkeley with the support of the Shenzhen Municipal Government. It is committed to exploring the "university-government-enterprise" tripartite cooperation approach with its interdisciplinary international philosophy. TBSI pays close attention to the development needs of Shenzhen and has set up three major interdisciplinary research centers in environmental sciences and new energy technologies, data science and information technology, precision medicine and public health. SOURCE Whittle School & Studios As it turns out, the timing was fortuitous. Midgett happened to be here when it was announced that Hawkins would not return to Wheaton to teach. Stanton Jones, the provost at the time, told professors in an email that he had apologized to Hawkins "for my lack of wisdom and collegiality as I initially approached Dr. Hawkins, and for imposing an administrative leave more precipitously than was necessary." Hours later, President Philip Ryken informed faculty that the "administration and Dr. Hawkins have come to a place of resolution and reconciliation" and that they were parting ways. A world-first, the AWAK PD is a wearable and ultra-portable peritoneal dialysis (PD) system that incorporates AWAK's patented sorbent technology to disrupt the way in which peritoneal dialysis is currently administered. The AWAK PD is a compact device that weighs less than 2 kg and enables dialysis to be performed "on-the-go", overcoming the challenge of long hours of therapy and connection to large-size dialysis machines in hospitals and clinics currently faced by renal patients. The sorbent technology regenerates and reconstitutes used dialysis fluid into fresh fluid while removing the uremic toxins from the spent dialysate. The AWAK PD device requires between 1.5 and 2 litres of dialysate to perform a patient's entire daily therapy, compared with 8 to 12 litres required by traditional PD methods. Conducted at SGH, the single-arm pilot study enrolled 15 adults between the ages of 21 and 80 undergoing regular PD treatment. Each patient had to complete 9 dialysis sessions of 3.5 hours each with AWAK PD over three continuous days. Preliminary results show that AWAK PD was able to efficiently remove the accumulation of waste substances from the body. Patients also did not experience any serious adverse events during dialysis with AWAK PD. The full results from the trial are being analysed and will be announced in first half of 2019. Suresha Venkataraya, Chief Executive Officer, AWAK Technologies, said: "We are excited by the encouraging results from this important Phase I (first-in-human) trial of AWAK PD. The findings provide positive clinical evidence of AWAK PD's safety profile as a wearable device with the potential to truly disrupt the administration of peritoneal dialysis treatments. With the continued support of the National Medical Research Council, Singapore and Singapore General Hospital (SGH), we can now bring the technology closer to patients. "The AWAK PD has been designed to empower ESRD patients to take control of their treatment in their own time and adapt therapy to their lifestyle rather than the other way around. We look forward to continuing our clinical work and commercialising our technology, offering an enhanced quality of life to end-stage renal disease patients worldwide." Dr Marjorie Foo, Principal Investigator of the AWAK PD first in human trial, said: "The number of patients with end-stage renal disease continues to climb globally, largely due to diabetes. For these patients, transplantation is the best treatment but most are on dialysis to stay alive due to the scarcity of organs. Dialysis, however, can cause much disruption to their lives. Some have even had to stop work, resulting in a loss of income. "We are therefore heartened by the favourable results of our Phase I trial. The wearable dialysis system has the potential to not only revolutionise how peritoneal dialysis can be delivered, it also gives patients the option of 'dialyse to live' and not 'live to dialyse'. This is as close as one can get to an artificial organ performing the functions of the kidney. A hospital-industry collaboration such as this is key to advancing patient care," said Dr Foo who is also Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Renal Medicine, SGH. Media contacts Emma Thompson / Clarinda Ng Spurwing Communications +65 6340 7287 [email protected] Mandar Gori AWAK Technologies Pte Ltd +65 6950 0925 [email protected] Carol Ang Communications Department Singapore General Hospital +65 6326 6085 [email protected] About End-Stage Renal Disease End stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is the fifth stage of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) that affects the functioning of kidneys, leading to accumulation of excess fluid and toxic wastes in the blood. People with ESRD undergo either renal transplantation or dialysis. Since renal transplantation is highly dependent on patient's health and age, dialysis scores over as the primary treatment. It was estimated as of 2011, there were 2.7 million ESRD patients of whom 2.1 million were on dialysis. Of these 2.1 million, 10.8% of the patients are on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and the remaining 89.2% are on hemodialysis (HD)[1]. Dialysis treatment can be performed either at home, in a dialysis centre or at a hospital. In hemodialysis, blood is drawn out of the patient's body into a synthetic filter called dialyser. In the dialyser, there are two spaces separated by a membrane, with blood passing on one side and dialysis fluid on the other side. Waste products and excess water passes from the blood through the membrane into the fluid through diffusion process. The fluid containing the waste products is then discarded while the clean blood is returned back to the patient's body. In peritoneal dialysis, the lining of the abdominal cavity acts like the external filter to cleanse the blood. Dialysis fluid is introduced into the abdominal cavity through a permanent tube. The fluid remains in the abdominal for a certain period of time before it is drained and discarded. About AWAK Technologies AWAK Technologies Pte Ltd. is a pioneering, patient-centric medical technology company with a mission to enhance the lives of dialysis patients and their caregivers by providing solutions to deliver better outcomes and improve their quality of life. Headquartered in Singapore with an office in Burbank, California, USA, the company is dedicated to the research, development and marketing of novel, sorbent-based kidney dialysis machine for the treatment of patients with end-stage renal disease. For more information, please visit: www.awak.com About Singapore General Hospital Singapore General Hospital, a member of Singapore Health Services, is the public sector's flagship hospital. Established in 1821, SGH is Singapore's largest acute tertiary hospital with 1,700 beds and national referral centre offering a comprehensive range of 39 clinical specialties on its campus. Every year, about 1 million Singaporeans benefit from medical care delivered by its 800 specialists. As an academic healthcare institution and the bedrock of medical education, SGH plays a key role in nurturing doctors, nurses and allied health professionals, and is committed to innovative translational and clinical research in her continual strive to provide the best care and outcomes to her patients. www.sgh.com.sg [1] Damien, P., Lanham, H. J., Parthasarathy, M., & Shah, N. L. (2016). Assessing key cost drivers associated with caring for chronic kidney disease patients. BMC Health Services Research, 16, 690. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-016-1922-4 SOURCE AWAK Technologies Related Links http://www.sgh.com.sg ATLANTA, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Plaintiff's attorneys at Childers, Schlueter & Smith helped secure $1.25M for a woman's family after she died while taking the blood thinner drug Pradaxa in a historic jury verdict last Wednesday. The case marks the first plaintiff's victory against Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (BIPI) relating to Pradaxa. The 3-week trial concluded in Federal Court in Huntington, West Virginia, on October 17th. BIPI was found liable of fraud in the sale and marketing of Pradaxa, its most popular drug. The suit was filed on behalf of deceased 84-year-old Betty Knight after she suffered a life-threatening gastrointestinal bleed while using Pradaxa. Her two children were awarded $50,000 for medical expenses, $200,000 for pain and suffering and $1 million from BIPI for punitive damages. The family was represented by Andy Childers and Emily Acosta of Childers, Schlueter & Smith, LLC, Neal Moskow of Ury & Moskow, and Russ Abney, Hunter Linville, and Yvette Ferrer of Ferrer Poirot Wansbrough. Attorney Andy Childers said of the momentous achievement, "We are pleased to have obtained a just result for our clients. The reckless acts of Boehringer Ingelheim have damaged the lives of thousands of innocent people, and Boehringer must be held accountable. We hope this serves as a warning to drug manufacturers, and that no one has to suffer like Betty Knight did again." News outlets may contact Childers for commentary and inquiries at [email protected]. Pradaxa has been marketed as an alternative to the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin) to prevent blood clots and strokes in patients with heart rhythm irregularities. BIPI has touted Pradaxa as being safe for use without the need to monitor blood levels as with other anticoagulants. BIPI has said it plans to "pursue all avenues of appeal." Childers, Schlueter & Smith is a dangerous drug and medical device firm based out of Atlanta, Georgia, serving clients throughout the United States. Their wrongful death and pharmaceutical litigation lawyers have recovered over $500 million in verdicts and settlements for countless deserving clients. They are currently representing individuals across America in cases against harmful drug manufacturers. Facebook SOURCE Childers, Schlueter & Smith, LLC VANCOUVER, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - 1933 Industries Inc. (the "Company" or "1933 Industries") (CSE: TGIF) (OTCQB: TGIFF) is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Spire Global Strategy ("Spire"), has been awarded a contract to develop a Cannabis Regulatory Compliance Course at Selkirk College, a post-secondary institution located in the epicentre of cannabis cultivation in the Province of British Columbia. Due to its ideal climate, the Kootenay region is renowned for its outdoor and indoor cannabis cultivation which has been an economic driver in the area for over 40 years. Craft growers that have previously operated in the black or grey markets will now be able to learn how to become and remain compliant in the areas of micro-cultivating and processing within the new legal regime. Spire offers a variety of advisory services to the burgeoning legal cannabis industry in Canada and abroad, and has utilized its experience in public policy development by assisting the Province of New Brunswick with the implementation of new adult-use cannabis legalization in that province. In addition, Spire provides strategic advice to private and public companies with regards to licensing applications, risk and resilience management, investigative due diligence, and compliance. Andrew Richards, CEO of Spire remarked, "We are pleased to have been selected to develop and deliver the compliance course due to our deep subject matter expertise in this sector. We look forward to working with Selkirk College and engaging with craft growers in the region." About Selkirk College Located amidst the breathtaking beauty of southern British Columbia, Selkirk College is home to 60-plus nationally recognized programs serving about 2,800 full-time learners per year in certificate, diploma, bachelor degree, co-operative education, and continuing education programs. With eight campus locations in six different West Kootenay and Boundary communities, Selkirk College offers outcomes for in-demand employment, credit transfer to a multitude of universities for degree completion, and enhanced training to further career opportunities. About 1933 Industries Inc. 1933 Industries Inc. is a vertically integrated cannabis company with operations in the United States and Canada. Operating through three subsidiary companies, 1933 Industries owns licensed medical and adult-use cannabis cultivation and production assets, proprietary hemp-based, CBD infused products, CBD extraction services and a specialized cannabis advisory firm supporting clients in security, intelligence and due diligence. Please visit our new website at www.1933industries.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. Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company's disclosure documents, which can be found under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. 1933 Industries undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE 1933 Industries Approximately 70 grants, up to $500 each, will be awarded to teachers and librarians in public schools and libraries whose proposals reflect imagination and a desire to make learning fun. Applications are being accepted now, and the deadline for submissions is March 31, 2019. Decisions will be emailed to all applicants in May, allowing educators to plan for the next academic year. "For over three decades, it has been our privilege to support the vision of the most innovative teachers and librarians, who inspire students to read joyfully, think creatively and support one another with generosity," says Deborah Pope, Executive Director of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation. "I encourage all educators who want to put their creativity and new ideas into action to go online and apply for an EJK Mini-Grant now." Since 1987, the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation has provided nearly $1,000,000 in support of EJK Mini-Grant programs spanning the 50 states and U.S commonwealths. To learn more about EJK Mini-Grants, and to see the criteria for application, visit Ezra Jack Keats Mini-Grants . The Foundation welcomes Mini-Grant proposals focusing on any subject. Following are examples of two outstanding 2018 Ezra Jack Keats Mini-Grant programs. High School Students Become "Muppet-teers" to Embrace Their Diverse Culture An Ezra Jack Keats Mini-Grant made it possible for teachers at the High School for Law Enforcement and Public Safety in Queens, NY to fund a "Muppet" Unit focused on diversity and tolerance for four Visual Arts classes. Taught collaboratively by art teacher Stefanie Abbey and librarian Eve Davis, the Unit helped students gain an understanding of people and cultures other than their own while also giving students basic sewing skills. After watching samples of shows highlighting the "Muppets" diversity, students were asked to sketch their own "Muppets" and develop diversity-related backstories. Then, students learned various sewing stitches and used a pattern to cut the pieces of their "Muppet," combined cardboard, foam and felt to create movable mouths and fashioned wire hangers into rods for "Muppet" arms. The completed "Muppets" and "Muppet" Shows were shared with the greater community and displayed at the High School for Law Enforcement and Public Safety's annual Festival of the Arts, which was held at the end of the Spring semester. Says Davis, "The 'Muppets' Unit had a wonderful effect on our students. An 11th grader, an immigrant from Guyana, told us: 'I will treat people that are diverse with respect and care. They are more special and I want them to see that'." Abbey said, "The 'Muppets' Unit sometimes had unexpected positive changes on our students. A teacher told me that sewing calmed one of her hyper students so much that she instructed that student to always bring sewing to her class." Added Abbey, "Without the $500 Ezra Jack Keats Mini-Grant, we could never have offered the costly supplies needed to make the 'Muppets'", which ultimately had such a positive impact on our school community." For the Love of Community With their EJK Mini-Grant, the Kenosha Public Library in Kenosha, WI embarked upon a three-month community-wide collaborative art project called "We Are Kenosha." The goal was to reach beyond existing library users in the hopes of learning more about Kenosha residents who do not possess a library card. The Kenosha Public Library partnered with 16 organizations, local businesses, schools and other community groups, and asked each to host a "We Are Kenosha" ballot box for a period of three months. Each organization received a ballot box (donated by Uline, a local business), along with an instructional sign, a plastic container with index cards, markers, crayons, colored pencils, and pencil sharpeners, which were all purchased using their EJK Mini-Grant. The materials and collection boxes were put in visible areas to which the public had easy access. The premise was simple: citizens of Kenosha passing by the ballot boxes were asked to respond to three questions: Who are you? What is important to you? What do you love about Kenosha? Responses were only limited by a participant's imagination! Says librarian Heather Thompson, "We had more than 200 participants engage in the 'We Are Kenosha' project. We heard from and learned about citizens we do not typically reach, such as inmates at the Kenosha County Detention Center. The project allowed our citizens to share beautiful and meaningful artwork, thoughts and beliefs with others across the city." About the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Founded by Ezra Jack Keats, one of America's greatest children's book authors and illustrators, the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation fosters children's love of reading and creative expression by supporting arts and literacy programs in public schools and libraries through the EJK Bookmaking Competition and MIni-Grant program; cultivates new writers and illustrators of exceptional picture books that reflect the experience of childhood in our diverse culture through the Ezra Jack Keats Award; and protects and promotes the work of Keats, whose book The Snowy Day broke the color barrier in children's publishing. The Snowy Day was adapted by Amazon as a holiday special, which earned two Daytime Emmys, including Outstanding Preschool Children's Animated Program; and was used as the subject of a set of Forever stamps issued by and still available from the United States Postal Service. To learn more about the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, visit www.ezra-jack-keats.org . Keats. Imagination. Diversity. SOURCE The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Related Links http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org CHICAGO, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- AARP Chicago this week unveiled original artwork on a CTA Pink Line train in honor of Dia de Muertos, a first-of-its kind initiative aimed at connecting with thousands of Mexican American residents living in the Chicago area in time for one of the most significant days on the calendar for the Mexican community. The campaign, which features a design by local artist Elizabeth Reyes, will be visible to commuters both inside and outside the train and is intended to be a comforting reminder to travelers -- from the Loop, to the Town of Cicero, Little Village, Pilsen and other communities -- that as they honor and care for the generations who came before them, they are not alone. "AARP is thrilled to be able to help celebrate one of the most important holidays for the Mexican American community in Chicago and highlight the talent of one of the city's own Latina artists," said AARP Illinois Associate State Director Alvaro Obregon. Obregon added that in the Latino community, it is often a cultural expectation that younger generations will look after aging relatives. "So many dedicated sons, daughters, nieces, nephews and friends selflessly take on the role of caring for their elders without hesitation or payment." In Chicago, 1 in 7 residents serves as a family caregiver, according to AARP research. About one in five caregivers give up their careers to provide care for loved ones, and another 20 percent scale back their work to part time. Family caregivers often accept financial sacrifice and major responsibilities to care for frail, elder or ill relatives or friends. But too often, those caregivers who take on the toll of tending to the sick or aging are unaware of the many AARP resources available to help. Some upcoming examples: On Saturday, Nov. 17 , from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. , AARP Chicago will host the first-ever CAMINANDO JUNTOS Caregiving Conference. The bilingual event, presented in partnership with Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, will include self-care workshops, panel discussions from family caregivers, and service presentations. , from , AARP Chicago will host the first-ever CAMINANDO JUNTOS Caregiving Conference. The bilingual event, presented in partnership with Disease Center, will include self-care workshops, panel discussions from family caregivers, and service presentations. AARP also last week announced the launch of its first full-length film "Care to Laugh" through AARP Studios. The documentary film features Jesus Trejo , a rising star in the comedy world who is pursuing his dream of becoming a successful comedian while caring for his aging parents. "Care to Laugh" will be featured at the Chicago Comedy Film Festival on Nov. 9 , along with a live performance by Trejo. The CTA Pink Line train artwork comes after months of planning by a curatorial committee that included leaders from the Pilsen and Little Village communities, members of the Pilsen Planning Committee's Pilsen Arts & Culture Committee (PACC) as well as AARP. AARP accepted proposals submitted to the committee from local artists and selected Reyes' work for its genuine and traditional interpretation of Dia de Muertos. She received $5,000 from AARP for the design which will also be used on billboards positioned across dozens of CTA "L" stations throughout Chicago. AARP also used the artwork in paid advertising scheduled to appear in local print media in the weeks leading up to Day of the Dead. The train artwork will remain on the Pink Line through Nov. 11, 2018. "As an organization dedicated to supporting caregivers in our community, it is important that we meet the people who need us where they are whether at hospitals, in retirement homes, or even on the train," said Bob Gallo, Illinois AARP state director. "We hope that the Dia de Muertos artwork pays respect to this significant holiday, while also honoring Chicago's many residents who embody the generosity of caregiving." Riders are encouraged to share photos taken while enjoying the artwork on social media, using the hashtag #AARPDOD. AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities. SOURCE AARP Illinois Related Links http://www.aarp.org LONDON, October 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Abingworth, the international investment group dedicated to life sciences, today announced that Jackie Grant, PhD, MBA, will join Abingworth as a Principal based in the company's Boston office. Jackie has more than 10 years of scientific, research and business development experience. She will work with the team in the Boston, London and Menlo Park offices to evaluate new opportunities and support existing venture investments. Jackie joins Abingworth from SV Health Investors where she was a Senior Associate. Previously, she was in the Business Development Group at Genentech with primary responsibility for partnering activities in neuroscience. Her transactions span a broad spectrum of deal structures and therapeutic areas, including technology and platform in-licenses and research collaborations. Jackie has a PhD in Neuroscience from Stanford School of Medicine and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. "We are pleased to welcome Jackie to the team," said Kurt von Emster, Managing Partner. "Jackie's expertise in venture and business development further elevates Abingworth's ability to scout out the best opportunities in life sciences, particularly in the thriving biotech centre in Boston." "I am delighted to join Abingworth's growing team," said Jackie Grant. "I look forward to supporting the firm's expanding investment opportunities." About Abingworth Abingworth is an international investment group dedicated to collaborating with life sciences entrepreneurs to develop their ideas into products that have a dramatic impact on health. With over $1.2 billion under management, Abingworth invests at all stages of development, from start-ups to publicly traded companies, and across all life science sectors. Supporting its portfolio companies with a team of 26 at offices in London, Menlo Park (California) and Boston, Abingworth has invested in 151 life science companies, leading to 65 IPOs and 46 mergers and acquisitions. Media Contact Kurt von Emster Managing Partner Tel: +1-650-926-0600 Tim Haines Managing Partner Tel: +44-(0)-20-7534-1500 Victoria Stewart Director of Communications Tel: +44-(0)-20-7534-1500 Email: [email protected] www.abingworth.com SOURCE Abingworth Addendum: paragraphs: Artron, Server group, About Artron. After seven years of collaboration, cultural exchange and regular trips between China and Europe, the two founders and presidents of Artron and Artprice, WAN Jie and thierry Ehrmann (who are exactly the same age and share the same commitments), share the same vision of the Global Art Market and the same passion for Art within the context of a loyal and mutually respectful friendship. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/644091/Artprice_Logo.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/772761/Artprice.jpg ) This long and infallible relationship has allowed both groups to work extremely quickly without cultural barriers to build an "Art Media Mogul". By analogy, it's exactly as if Baidu and Google were merging their respective knowledge. On Friday, 12 October 2018, at Artprice's head office in Lyon, France, Artron CEO and founder, WAN Jie, along with his staff, and Artprice CEO and founder, thierry Ehrmann, along with his staff, signed a historic agreement between the two groups. Official video of the Friday 12 October 2018 signing ceremony and talks about the 10 new development agreements at Artprice's head office in France: https://vimeo.com/296010836 Facebook (3.5 million views) https://www.facebook.com/228501370495445/posts/2201077099904519 Twitter https://twitter.com/artpricedotcom/status/1053538253192749056 Chinese: https://vimeo.com/296008906 A series of development agreements in principle (10, soon to be delivered) were discussed. They go far beyond the exclusive distribution contract allowing for Artprice subscriptions to be marketed through the Chinese Internet to millions of Chinese art collectors - via Artron Group's customers - in China. The scope of the 10 new development agreements discussed on 12 October 2018 will have a structural impact on the Global Art Market and on Art History, according to Art historians, in a way that no-one could have imagined. At the same time, Artprice and Artron are on the verge of an extraordinary evolution during which, from a shareholder perspective, Artprice will change in dimension - economically, financially and historically - as of 2019. Artron Art Group (Artron), a comprehensive cultural industry group, is committed to inheriting, enhancing and spreading art value. Based on abundant art data, Artron provides art industry and art fans with professional service and experience of quality products by integrated IT applications, advanced digital science and innovative crafts and materials. Artron is the world's largest printer of art books with more than 60,000 books and auction catalogues and a total publication volume of 300 million a year. Artron.net is the most respected brand in the Chinese art world. Artron.net has more than three million professional members in the art sector and 15 million daily visits on average which rank the first among global art websites. It is the primary choice for art professionals, investors and followers to enter the world of art. Artron is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Established in 1993, Artron Art Group celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Artprice is the world leader in Art Market Information with 4,500,000 members. Founded by thierry Ehrmann (see certified Who's who(c) biography https://imgpublic.artprice.com/img/wp/sites/11/2018/10/bio-2019-whos-who-thierry-ehrmann.pdf) in 1987, it permanently enriches its databanks with information from 6,300 auctioneers and it publishes a constant flow of art market trends for the world's principal news agencies and approximately 7,200 international press publications. It has over 30 million indices and auction results covering more than 700,000 artists. Artprice Images(R) gives unlimited access to the largest Art Market resource in the world: a library of 126 million images or prints of artworks from the year 1700 to the present day, along with comments by Artprice's art historians. Artprice gives access to the world's leading Standardised Marketplace for buying and selling art. Artprice is preparing its blockchain for the Art Market. It is BPI-labelled (scientific national French label). Server group SAS was founded in 1987 by thierry Ehrmann and controls Artprice. Headquartered in the Contemporary Art Museum: Abode of Chaos/Demeure du Chaos 69270, Saint Romain au Mont d'Or, Lyon, France, the Server group SAS has been a major collator and distributor of judicial, legal and economic databases for 33 years. One of its key lines of development has to open-up hitherto opaque markets using its in-depth knowledge of law and electronic media. Its philosophy is to promote information transparency and access for all through the new information technologies. Server group SAS is both a company and a publishing imprint for databases and paper publications. It currently controls nine companies and a dozen minority stakes. Serveur group is, among other things, one of France's longest-standing ISPs (first data bases connected to Internet in march 1985 with Serveur SARL), via a number of subsidiaries. This has given it a deep involvement in the web with an internet culture stretching back over thirty three years. Artron produces all the catalogues of Chinese auction houses and handles the postal or digital mailing of these catalogues to their final customers. It will be possible for Artprice subscriptions, sold exclusively by Artron in China, to directly reach the target audience. Similarly, Artprice will be featured on the homepage of Artron.Net which, according to many studies, is the most respected brand in the Chinese art world. Artron.net has more than three million members and receives more than 9 million online visitors per day (on average) or 270 million visitors per month to their website. Via Artron, there exists a massive potential demand for Artprice subscriptions, including its unique decision support tools, because these tools allow China's collectors, art professionals and its museum industry to acquire Western artworks with total assurance that they have complete mastery of all the relevant pricing information, the artist's background and their 'economic profile'. Thanks to Artron's expert advice, Artprice fully complies with the specifications and conditions of China's Internet laws. To do so, Artprice has deployed the obligatory Alipay and WeChat Chinese payment platforms (1.8 billion users) for Chinese buyers after developing no less than 54 million pages in Mandarin on its Internet accessible data banks (which took seven years). In order to conform to China's Internet laws, Artprice spent two years rewriting all its data bank code in order to eliminate all US and European corporate source code containing cookies, tags, metadata or backdoor elements (amongst other elements). In fact, thanks to Artron's assistance and advice, Artprice has managed to achieve what the GAFA's have tried on numerous occasions but failed. It has managed to penetrate the core of the Chinese Internet. What was discussed on Friday 12 October 2018 far exceeds what was originally planned. It follows on from a summit meeting held in March 2018 in Beijing between Artprice's and Artron/AMMA's executive teams, and should broaden the two companies' Marketplaces. To understand the power of Artron and its unavoidable position in China, follow the link to this video in English: http://english.artron.com.cn/about/video/index Read Artron's official presentation: http://english.artron.com.cn/about/introduction/index The exclusive contract for the distribution of Artprice subscriptions to Artron's customers and the ten new additional agreements in principle can be implemented rapidly on the basis of the two companies' mutual knowledge resulting from seven years of constant partnership, proving that long-term collaboration, patience and hard work are the keys to success. In 2018, China accounted for 45% of global online art trade, conducting twelve times more online transactions than the United States. China has a huge advantage over the West because it is building its market economy directly on the Internet. Moreover, no-one doubts that China's Art Market will account for 70% of the global Art Market as of 2020. Artprice, as the world leader in Art Market information, had to be central to its market. It should not be forgotten that France accounted for 4% of H1 2018 results. For further information regarding the historical background of relations between Artprice and Artron/AMMA and its economic consequences, please refer to Artprice's reference documents and, in particular, to its 2017 registration document filed with the AMF (France's Financial Markets Supervisory Authority) on 1 June 2018 (in accordance with the Article 212-13 of the AMF's General Regulations) and to Artprice's Press Releases. More details, video clips and photos of the signing and accompanying speeches will be online shortly on Artprice's and Artron's social networks. About Artron: Artron Art Group (Artron) is a general cultural industry group rooted in the art field and aims to "serve the people with art" by "serving the people's art", inherit, enhance, spread and realize values of art, and inherit excellent art and culture and enhance their values in professional art markets; spread values of art and culture and convey the beauty of art to people's daily lives in public art markets. As China's largest comprehensive art service platform, Artron.net delivers four solutions including Smart Archive, Smart Show, Smart Deal and Smart Reading. In addition, upon resources and professional studies of Artron's art market monitor agency (AMMA) and almost 20 years' of experience in the field of art, it has established long-term strategic cooperation with governmental bodies such as the Ministry of Culture, cultural institutions such as the Palace Museum, global art universities, internet companies such as Baidu and overseas research institutes. Artron's Web: http://www.artron.com.cn; http://www.artron.net. Contact: 400-6690-999 About Artprice: Artprice is listed on the Eurolist by Euronext Paris, SRD long only and Euroclear: 7478 - Bloomberg: PRC - Reuters: ARTF. Dicover Artprice in video: https://www.artprice.com/video Artprice is the global leader in art price and art index databanks. It has over 30 million indices and auction results covering more than 700,000 artists. Artprice Images(R) gives unlimited access to the largest Art Market resource in the world: a library of 126 million images or prints of artworks from the year 1700 to the present day, along with comments by Artprice's art historians. 12 Oct. 2018: Artprice and Artron have just created an "Art Media Mogul": Video: https://vimeo.com/296010836 Artprice permanently enriches its databanks with information from 6,300 auctioneers and it publishes a constant flow of art market trends for the world's principal news agencies and approximately 7,200 international press publications. For its 4,500,000 members, Artprice gives access to the world's leading Standardised Marketplace for buying and selling art. Artprice is preparing its blockchain for the Art Market. It is BPI-labelled (scientific national French label) Artprice's Global Art Market Annual Report for 2017 published last March 2018: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-art-market-in-2017 Artprice's Contemporary Art Market Annual Report for 2017 - free access at: https://www.artprice.com/artprice-reports/the-contemporary-art-market-report-2017 Artprice's press releases: http://serveur.serveur.com/Press_Release/pressreleaseen.htm https://twitter.com/artpricedotcom Artmarket News: https://twitter.com/artpricedotcom & https://twitter.com/artmarketdotcom https://www.facebook.com/artpricedotcom & https://plus.google.com/+artpricedotcom/posts http://artmarketinsight.wordpress.com/ Discover the Alchemy and the universe of Artprice http://web.artprice.com/video, which headquarters are the famous Museum of Contemporary Art, the Abode of Chaos: http://goo.gl/zJssd https://vimeo.com/124643720 The Contemporary Art Museum The Abode of Chaos on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/la.demeure.du.chaos.theabodeofchaos999 Contact: thierry Ehrmann, [email protected] SOURCE Artprice.com HANOVER, Md., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Aerotek, a leading provider of recruiting and staffing services, announced today that it was recognized for the second consecutive year with the Safety Standard of Excellence mark from the American Staffing Association (ASA) and National Safety Council at Staffing World 2018. The program, developed by ASA and the National Safety Council, recognizes companies that commit to and ensure workplace safety. Achieved through a rigorous third-party assessment, the Safety Standard of Excellence mark demonstrates Aerotek's commitment to selecting and screening applicants, ensuring safety training and orientation for employees, identifying and eliminating potential worksite hazards, ensuring necessary protections are in place and instituting collaborative incident-management protocols. The national program promotes industry-wide safety best practices and continuously reviews staffing companies against the highest levels of safety measures available. An advocate for safer work environments, Aerotek has two members serving on ASA's Safety Committee, which meets with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration on the Temporary Worker Initiative to foster better communication on workers' safety issues. "Aerotek has a proven history of partnering with clients to improve workplace safety and health; ensuring employees are safe and feel supported is a critical priority for us," notes Timothy S. Clark, Jr., environmental health and safety controller at Aerotek. "We are extremely proud of this recognition and are honored to join the ASA in advocating for workplace health and safety best practices." To learn more about the Safety Standard of Excellence program, visit americanstaffing.net. About Aerotek Our people are everything. For more than 30 years, Aerotek Inc. has distinguished itself as a leader in recruiting and staffing services by having a deep understanding of the intersection of talent and business. As a strategic partner to more than 18,000 clients and 300,000 contract employees every year, Aerotek's people-focused approach yields competitive advantage for its clients and rewarding careers for its contract employees. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a network of over 250 non-franchised offices with more than 8,000 internal employees dedicated to serving our customers. Aerotek is an operating company of Allegis Group, a global talent solutions provider. To learn more, visit Aerotek.com. About the American Staffing Association The American Staffing Association is the voice of the U.S. staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry. ASA and its state affiliates advance the interests of the industry across all sectors through advocacy, research, education, and the promotion of high standards of legal, ethical, and professional practices. For more information about ASA, visit americanstaffing.net. About The National Safety Council Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the National Safety Council is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate preventable deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education, and advocacy. NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials, and the public in areas where it can make the most impactdistracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety, prescription drug overdoses, and safe communities. Safety+Health magazine, the council's flagship publication, is a leading source of occupational safety and health information. SOURCE Aerotek From September 30 to October 4, AixSwiss attended the Vitamin, Weight Management and Sports Nutrition Efficient Program Planning Sessions (EPPS) to present buyers from top retail stores its line of supplements to moderate weight, boost immunity and benefit the digestive track to top retail buyers in one-on-one setting. "Overall, bringing our products to ECRM was a positive experience," Joerg Paule, AixSwiss CEO, said. "AixSwiss met with top buyers in closed-doors meetings and explained all the benefits of our products. The products were well-received, and we're excited to see what 2019 and the upcoming years bring to us!" EPPS is a branch of the Efficient Retail Marketing Event that took place at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resorts in Phoenix, Arizona. "Health is a matter of trust and that's why we don't compromise on the quality of our ingredients," Paule said. "Our entire line of products is 100 percent gluten-free." All products are manufactured under the European Organic Regulation. Nupure Probiflor is a one-of-a-kind probiotic that contains top-quality bacterial cultures that are manufactured in Denmark, and Nupure Colon Pure is a herbal supplement with psyllium husk that might help the intestine by reducing inflammation. The Nupure line of products also includes Probipure Junior, which is an organic probiotic product especially for kids that provides a smaller dose of probiotics that is dissolved in water, rather than swallowed whole; and Probident, which is a dissolvable and chewable probiotic tablet that provides fresh breath, dental health and improved oral hygiene. For more information on Aixswiss B.V.'s new line of probiotic solutions developed specifically for the U.S. marketplace, visit www.nupure.net, and follow the company on Facebook. Please direct inquiries to: Michelle Bizet, 561-544-0719 [email protected] SOURCE AixSwiss B.V. Related Links http://aixswiss.com COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As the retail industry evolves, customers expect more from brands than ever before from greater conveniences to customized experiences and deeper levels of personalization. To help retailers navigate this changing landscape, Alliance Data's card services business, a premier provider of branded private label, co-brand, and business card programs, released its fourth annual "Now, New, Next" report, which details 10 trends for retailers to watch in 2019 and beyond in order to stand out from the competition and keep the customer at the center of their strategies. "Retail is changing at its fastest pace yet, and brands' strategies need to evolve accordingly. Customers are looking for deeper connections, customized experiences and more seamless ways to engage with brands," said Shannon Andrick, vice president of marketing advancement for Alliance Data's card services business. "The trends we've identified simplify the key factors that are driving retail as we head into 2019 as well as how retailers can bring the trends to life within their own brands." The following trends are highlights from the trends included in the 2019 report: NOW: Purposefully Connected Journeys. Retailers are strategically connecting all of the brands' assets and channels, removing friction and serving up the right content on demand and in real time. Retailers are strategically connecting all of the brands' assets and channels, removing friction and serving up the right content on demand and in real time. NEW: Mainstreaming Secondhand. Growing in appeal, the secondhand market is looking more like traditional retail, with curated offerings, higher-touch store experiences, and tech-enabled customer journeys. Growing in appeal, the secondhand market is looking more like traditional retail, with curated offerings, higher-touch store experiences, and tech-enabled customer journeys. NEXT: Driven By Artificial Intelligence. Brands are turning over decision-making to data-driven algorithms to determine website design, ad messaging and placement, and product recommendations in real time, generating impressive efficiencies and enabling 1:1 personalized journeys at scale. "Now is the time to embrace the future of retail," added Andrick. "With so many exciting, innovative ways to connect with customers, retailers have the opportunity to be on the forefront of what's next which means putting the customer first and welcoming opportunities to engage with them in new ways." For more information about how Alliance Data can help brands grow sales and increase loyalty by bringing these trends to fruition, visit http://knowmoresellmore.com/what-we-do. About Alliance Data's card services business Based in Columbus, Ohio, Alliance Data's card services business develops market-leading private label, co-brand, and business credit card programs for many of the world's most recognizable brands. Through our branded credit programs, we help build more profitable relationships between our partners and their cardmembers, and drive lasting loyalty. Using the industry's most comprehensive and predictive data set, advanced analytics, and broad-reaching capabilities, Alliance Data's card services business has been helping partners increase sales and provide greater value to their cardmembers since 1986. We are proud to be part of the Alliance Data enterprise (NYSE: ADS), an S&P 500, FORTUNE 500 and FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For company headquartered in Plano, Texas. To learn more, visit KnowMoreSellMore.com, follow us on Twitter @Know_SellMore, and connect with us on LinkedIn at Alliance Data card services. SOURCE Alliance Data Kim said the staff at Parachute, her Korean-American restaurant in the Avondale neighborhood, tries to cook with all the parts of a food item as much possible and will change its menu to incorporate surplus ingredients. She said she doesn't serve food at Parachute using products past their expiration dates, but at home, she analyzes food to determine if it's still good. AALBORG, Denmark, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Asetek today announced that its chairman, Mr. Samuel Szteinbaum, has notified the board of directors of his decision to retire and leave the board to pursue other endeavors. Mr. Szteinbaum was elected to the board of directors in 2008 and has served as the Company's chairman since 2009. He has been instrumental in leading the Company through the IPO in 2013 and years of significant growth since from USD 20 million in revenue in 2012 to close to USD 60 million in revenue in 2017. "I have enjoyed serving on the board for the last 10 years and I feel the right time to move on has come as I am continuing my board position at Corsair as well as I am going to be more dedicated to another and yet unannounced situation. The company has seen tremendous growth and I feel the company has still a lot to come and the future presents many opportunities and I trust the right team is in place to address those looking forward". The Company extends its appreciation to Mr. Szteinbaum for his service as chairman and director. The decision is effective immediately, and the vice chairman, Mr. Chris Christopher will assume the role of chairman until the next ordinary general meeting in April 2019. The Company has at the same time initiated efforts to identify an addition to the board and expects to be able make an announcement on this shortly. About Asetek Asetek is the global leader in liquid cooling solutions for data centers, servers and PCs. Founded in 2000, Asetek is headquartered in Denmark and has operations in California, Texas, China and Taiwan. Asetek is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (ASETEK.OL). CONTACT: For further information, please contact: CEO and Founder Andre S. Eriksen +45-2125-7076, email: [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/asetek/r/asetek---chairman-retires,c2652802 The following files are available for download: SOURCE Asetek LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Media attorney Charles Harder of Harder LLP today announced his firm has brought a petition against Yelp.com to the United States Supreme Court on behalf of his client, attorney Dawn Hassell, who was defamed on the crowd-sourced review forum. "For Yelp or any other social media platform to refuse to obey a Court Order to remove a defamatory post from its platform is outrageous," said Harder. "Any individual or business who cares about their reputation should take notice." Hassell, a small business owner, obtained a California court judgment ordering a defamer to remove defamatory statements proven in court to be false. The court also ordered Yelp to remove the defamer's defamatory reviews containing false and malicious statements. Inexplicably, rather than do the right thing, Yelp fought Hassell at every level of the court system, by claiming that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects websites from being sued for their editorial decisions to remove offensive content, supposedly gives Yelp the right to defy Court Orders and, instead, continue to publish illegal, defamatory statements that do great harm to small businesses and individuals. Yelp's position directly contravenes the text, history and intention of Section 230. Harder hopes the U.S. Supreme Court will agree to hear Hassell's case, and in so doing, vindicate the rights of all small business owners and all individuals in allowing them to ask a Court to order the removal of defamatory statements that threaten to destroy the businesses and personal reputations that they have worked so hard to build. About Harder LLP Harder LLP is a law firm that specializes in litigation and reputation protection, including issues that arise from defamation, privacy, media, First Amendment, entertainment and intellectual property matters. The firm's clients include Fortune 500 companies, A-list celebrities, Hollywood producers and well-known political figures. SOURCE Harder LLP VANCOUVER, Oct. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO, NYSE AMERICAN: BTG, NSX: B2G) ("B2Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce positive results of an expansion study for El Limon Mine located in Nicaragua and that the Company has signed a renewed two-year Collective Agreement with the labour unions. The expansion study was conducted to evaluate the life-of-mine ("LoM") options for combining the remaining underground Inferred Mineral Resources with the new El Limon Central zone open-pit Inferred Mineral Resource. The results of this study recommend the expansion of the existing plant from 485,000 tonnes per annum ("tpa") to 600,000 tpa and addition of a third stage of milling to achieve a fine grind. The result would be a much longer mine life with significantly higher gold production and lower cash operating costs (see non-IFRS Measures) and all-in sustaining costs ("AISC") (see non-IFRS Measures). The third stage of milling also allows for the reprocessing of old tailings at the end of the mine life. All dollar figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise indicated. Highlights of El Limon Expansion Study Results Projected annual processing rate increase to 600,000 tpa LoM is estimated to be extended over 10 years, based on Inferred Mineral Resources from open pit and underground sources with an additional 11+ years by processing historic mine tailings Estimated significant increase in average annual gold production to approximately 75,000 ounces per year during approximately 10 years of mining. In addition, production would average over 18,000 ounces of gold per year for 11+ years when subsequently processing tailings from historic high-grade mining Projected total gold production over 10 years of mining approximately 750,000 ounces of gold Projected total gold production of approximately 985,000 ounces of gold over 21+ years Lower estimated average direct cash operating costs per ounce below $600 and reduced projected AISC of approximately $900 per ounce of gold (excluding expansion capital costs) and reduced projected AISC of approximately per ounce of gold (excluding expansion capital costs) Estimated expansion capital cost of approximately $35 million over a period of approximately 16 months for plant upgrades and expansion over a period of approximately 16 months for plant upgrades and expansion Forecast LoM after-tax net cash flow of over $235 million at a gold price of $1,300 per ounce at a gold price of per ounce Forecast after-tax net present value of over $135 million at a 5.0% discount rate and gold price of $1,300 per ounce, generating an after-tax internal rate of return of approximately 28% at a 5.0% discount rate and gold price of per ounce, generating an after-tax internal rate of return of approximately 28% Ongoing drilling continues to extend El Limon Central zone to the north. Mineralization remains open to the north and at depth Project Size Trade-off Studies El Limon expansion study was evaluated at throughput rates ranging from 500,000 tpa to 1,100,000 tpa. Metallurgical test results indicate that the existing plant could be expanded to a production level of 600,000 tpa by upgrading the crushing system, adding a pebble crusher, adding a new thickener, and upgrading the cyclones and leach circuit. Expansion to 1,100,000 tpa would require an upgrade of the existing plant as well as the construction of a new 500,000 tpa plant. Metallurgical testing was also completed to evaluate the optimum grind size for both El Limon Central ore and the Santa Pancha underground ore sources. Results indicate that there would be a significant improvement in recovery for El Limon Central pit ore and also an improvement for the Santa Pancha recoveries at finer grind sizes (80% passing 30 microns). The finer grind would be achieved by adding a third stage of grinding to the milling circuit. The fine grind capability would also allow for the retreatment of old tailings at the end of the mine life with only minor plant modifications. High-level production scenarios, capital cost estimates and operating cost estimates were developed for various cases ranging from 500,000 tpa to 1,100,000 tpa with both coarse and fine grinding. According to the study, the 600,000 tpa fine grind case with the processing of old tailings ("600FwT") would result in the best current project economics. The significant additional capital costs associated with building a second new plant for the 1 million + tpa cases are not justifiable based on the existing Inferred Mineral Resource. However, these cases may become viable as future further expansion opportunities if the Mineral Resource is expanded by further positive drilling results. El Limon Central zone mineralization continues to be extended to the north by drilling, and remains open to the north and at depth. The 600FwT expansion would consist of upgrading the crushing system, installing a pebble crusher in the SAG mill circuit, adding a third stage of grinding, replacing the pre-leach thickener, adding power generating capacity and making improvements to the gold recovery circuits. The initial capital cost estimates for these improvements would be approximately $35 million. It has been assumed that open-pit mining will be done by contract mining using established contactors. The study assumes the processing of old tailings will begin after the underground and open-pit resources have been depleted. Basis of the Study In February 2018, the Company announced a positive initial open-pit Inferred Mineral Resource at the newly-discovered El Limon Central zone at El Limon property in Nicaragua of 5,130,000 tonnes at a grade of 4.92 grams per tonne ("g/t") of gold containing 812,000 ounces of gold (see news release dated 02/23/2018). This resource has provided the open-pit resources for the expansion study. Total Inferred Mineral Resources from underground and open-pit sources included in this study consist of approximately 6.0 million tonnes at a grade of 4.3 g/t, containing approximately 829,000 ounces. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. A consistent mix of underground and open-pit ore feeding the plant has always provided the optimum operating conditions for El Limon Mine, and the new Mineral Resources at El Limon Central zone will provide long term, open-pit feed to blend with the underground ore. Approximately 60% of the plant feed is planned to come from open pits which have an overall strip ratio in the range of 16 tonnes of waste to 1 tonne of mill feed. At the end of the mine life, plant feed is expected to come from the old tailings at a rate of 600,000 tpa. Processing of historic tailings is based on an Indicated Mineral Resource estimate containing 7.3 million tonnes of historic tailings at average grades of 1.12 g/t gold and 4.17 g/t silver, containing approximately 263,000 ounces of gold and 982,000 ounces of silver. Of that resource, approximately 6.9 million tonnes was included in the study at gold and silver grades of 1.15 g/t and 4.11 g/t respectively, containing approximately 255,000 ounces of gold and 916,000 ounces of silver. Annual production rates during the processing of the tailings from historic high-grade mining are estimated to average over 18,000 ounces of gold and 64,000 ounces of silver. Cash operating costs per ounce and AISC per ounce for the processing of the old tailings are forecast to be slightly lower compared to processing the open pit and underground ore resources. Upside Potential Positive drilling results continue to expand El Limon Central zone to the north, indicating the potential to expand the Mineral Resources. The zone is also open to depth, indicating the potential to produce ore from underground in El Limon Central area once open-pit mining is completed. B2Gold's technical team is currently updating El Limon Inferred Mineral Resource to include recent additional drilling results and conducting mine optimization studies with a view to potentially improve the positive economics for El Limon expansion. These studies are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2019. Renewed Collective Agreement with El Limon Mine Union Workers Today, representatives of B2Gold Management and the Labour Unions at El Limon Mine renewed the existing Collective Agreement for two years. The renewal ensures the continuance of stable labour relations and coincides with the positive news regarding the long-term prospects of El Limon Mine. About B2Gold Corp. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, B2Gold Corp. is the world's new senior gold producer. Founded in 2007, today, B2Gold has five operating gold mines, and numerous exploration and development projects in various countries including Nicaragua, the Philippines, Namibia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Colombia and Finland. With the first full year of production from the large, new Fekola Mine, B2Gold is achieving transformational growth in 2018. Consolidated gold production is forecast to be between 920,000 and 960,000 ounces, representing an increase in annual consolidated gold production of approximately 300,000 ounces in 2018 versus 2017. Based on current assumptions, in 2018, consolidated cash operating costs are projected to be between $505 and $550 per ounce, and consolidated AISC are projected to be between $780 and $830 per ounce. Qualified Persons Tom Garagan, Senior Vice President of Exploration at B2Gold, a qualified person under NI 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical information regarding exploration matters contained in this news release. Dale Craig, Vice President of Operations at B2Gold, a qualified person under NI 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical information regarding engineering matters contained in this news release. ON BEHALF OF B2GOLD CORP. "Clive T. Johnson" President & Chief Executive Officer Cautionary Statement The reader is advised that the results summarized in this news release are intended to provide only an initial, high-level review of the project potential and expansion options. The initial mine plans and economic models include numerous assumptions and the use of Inferred Mineral Resources. The expansion study is preliminary in nature, and 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. There is no guarantee that Inferred Mineral Resources can be converted to Indicated or Measured Mineral Resources and, consequently, there is no guarantee the production estimates or project economics described herein will be achieved. Forward-looking Statement The Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE American LLC neither approve nor disapprove the information contained in this news release. This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation, including: projections; outlook; guidance; forecasts; estimates; and other statements regarding future or estimated financial and operational performance events, gold production and sales, revenues and cash flows, capital and operating costs, including projected cash operating costs and AISC, and budgets; statements regarding future or estimated mine life, metal price assumptions, ore grades and sources, stripping ratios, throughput, ore processing; statements regarding anticipated exploration, drilling, development, construction, permitting and other activities or achievements of B2Gold; and including, without limitation: the source and rates of plant feed; the significant, additional capital costs associated with building a second new plant for the 1 million+ tpa cases potentially becoming viable if the mineral resource can be expanded; El Limon Central zone mineralization continuing to be extended to the north, and remaining open to the north and at depth; and the results of El Limon expansion study being presented to the B2Gold Board, the timing thereof, and that decisions on specific expansion strategies and the timing for implementing such strategies being made at such time. Estimates of Mineral Resources and Reserves, including the recently announced Inferred Mineral Resource estimate for El Limon Central zone, are also forward-looking statements because they constitute projections regarding the amount of minerals that may be encountered in the future and/or the anticipated economics of production, should a production decision be made. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond B2Gold's control, including risks associated with or related to: the volatility of metal prices and B2Gold's common shares; the dangers inherent in exploration, development and mining activities; the uncertainty of reserve and resource estimates; not achieving production, cost or other estimates; actual production, development plans and costs differing materially from the estimates in B2Gold's feasibility studies; the ability to obtain and maintain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for mining activities; the current ongoing instability in Nicaragua; environmental regulations or hazards and compliance with complex regulations associated with mining activities; the ability to replace Mineral Reserves and identify acquisition opportunities; the unknown liabilities of companies acquired by B2Gold; the ability to successfully integrate new acquisitions; fluctuations in exchange rates; the availability of financing; financing and debt activities, including potential restrictions imposed on B2Gold's operations as a result thereof and the ability to generate sufficient cash flows; operations in foreign and developing countries and the compliance with foreign laws, including those associated with operations in Mali, Namibia, the Philippines, Nicaragua and Burkina Faso and including risks related to changes in foreign laws and changing policies related to mining and local ownership requirements; remote operations and the availability of adequate infrastructure; fluctuations in price and availability of energy and other inputs necessary for mining operations; shortages or cost increases in necessary equipment, supplies and labour; regulatory, political and country risks, including local instability or acts of terrorism and the effects thereof; the reliance upon contractors, third parties and joint venture partners; the lack of sole decision-making authority related to Filminera Resources Corporation, which owns the Masbate Project; challenges to title or surface rights; the dependence on key personnel and the ability to attract and retain skilled personnel; the risk of an uninsurable or uninsured loss; adverse climate and weather conditions; litigation risk; competition with other mining companies; changes in tax laws; community support for B2Gold's operations, including risks related to strikes and the halting of such operations from time to time; conflicts with small scale miners; failures of information systems or information security threats; the final outcome of the audit by the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources in relation to the Masbate Project; the ability to maintain adequate internal controls over financial reporting as required by law, including Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; compliance with anti-corruption laws; as well as other factors identified and as described in more detail under the heading "Risk Factors" in B2Gold's most recent Annual Information Form, B2Gold's current Form 40-F Annual Report and B2Gold's other filings with Canadian securities regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which may be viewed at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively (the "Websites"). The list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect B2Gold's forward-looking statements. B2Gold's forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. These assumptions and factors include, but are not limited to, assumptions and factors related to B2Gold's ability to carry on current and future operations, including: development and exploration activities; the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such operations, including any Mineral Resources or Reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections, forecasts, studies and assessments; B2Gold's ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and cost of inputs; the price and market for outputs, including gold; the timely receipt of necessary approvals or permits; the ability to meet current and future obligations; the ability to obtain timely financing on reasonable terms when required; the current and future social, economic and political conditions; and other assumptions and factors generally associated with the mining industry. B2Gold's forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management and reflect their current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. B2Gold does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits or liabilities B2Gold will derive therefrom. For the reasons set forth above, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Non-IFRS Measures This news release includes certain terms or performance measures commonly used in the mining industry that are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), including "cash operating costs" and "all-in sustaining costs" (or "AISC"). Non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore they may not be comparable to similar measures employed by other companies. The data presented is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS and should be read in conjunction with B2Gold's consolidated financial statements. Readers should refer to B2Gold's Management Discussion and Analysis, available on the Websites, under the heading "Non-IFRS Measures" for a more detailed discussion of how B2Gold calculates such measures. Cautionary Note to United States Investors The disclosure in this news release was prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"), which differs significantly from the requirements of the SEC set out in Industry Guide 7. Accordingly, such disclosure may not be comparable to similar information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards. In particular, this news release refers to "Mineral Resources," "measured Mineral Resources," "indicated Mineral Resources" or "inferred Mineral Resources". While these categories of mineralization are recognized and required by Canadian securities laws, they are not recognized by the SEC and are not normally permitted to be disclosed in SEC filings by U.S. companies. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part of a "mineral resource," "measured mineral resource," "indicated mineral resource" or "inferred mineral resource" will ever be converted into a "reserve." In addition, "reserves" reported by the Company under Canadian standards may not qualify as reserves under SEC standards. Under SEC standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the mineralization can be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time the "reserve" determination is made. Further, while NI 43-101 permits companies to disclose economic projections contained in pre-feasibility studies and preliminary economic assessments, which are not based on "reserves", U.S. companies are not normally permitted to disclose economic projections for a mineral property in their SEC filings prior to the establishment of "reserves". Accordingly, information contained or referenced in this news release containing descriptions of the Company's mineral deposits may not be compatible to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of U.S. federal securities laws, rules and regulations. "Inferred Mineral Resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian reporting standards; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Historical results or feasibility models presented herein are not guarantees or expectations of future performance. SOURCE B2Gold Corp. On-Demand Space Company Announces New Design, Finance and Real Estate Executives as it Reimagines Workspaces NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Breather , the tech-enabled provider of private, on-demand workspace, today announced Breather offices, an expansion of its offering designed specifically for longer-term productivity, while still allowing companies to scale and expand without risk. These companies can now access ideal spaces when and where they need, and pay only for what they use. The expanded offering comes as more businesses are seeking smarter alternatives to existing real estate solutions, which typically lock them into a single location for a year or longer. "A company's goal is not to have an office. Their goal is to provide their employees with the space they need to produce their best work. We see Breather as a productivity tool, allowing teams and individuals to walk in and out of spaces that were designed to support the specific tasks they set out to achieve, every single day," said Packy McCormick, Breather's VP of Experience. "Once people have access to hundreds of unique spaces at the touch of a button, it's hard to justify paying rent on a bunch of in-house, single-purpose rooms." Breather is uniquely positioned to serve this wave of new demand. The company's space-as-a-service platform offers a completely new way to occupy the places we work, giving businesses access to an entire city on-demand rather than confining them to four walls. Breather offers tech-enabled private meeting rooms, beautiful offsite spaces and now offices equipped for a company headquarters. Breather office clients also gain real-time, unlimited access to Breather's expansive network of over 500 on-demand meeting spaces in cities like New York, London and LA, giving them an opportunity to expand their footprints or way of working across Breather cities. Turnaround times for Breather offices are the fastest in the industry, with clients gaining access to a space within as little as 48 hours of inquiry. "We have served more than 500,000 people, working in companies such as Spotify, Away, and Tesla," notes McCormick. "Many of our clients book a space for a day and end up asking us whether they can stay there for a month, a year, and even longer." These clients represent some of the most forward-thinking companies in the world. Larger, more traditional companies have already adopted the way that such companies structure their teams, develop their products and incentivize their employees. Adopting the way they consume space is the natural next step. "With the constant growth in our company and continuous need for more meeting room space, Breather has been our saving grace. The spaces are in great locations, and are always tidy and modernly decorated. Whether it be for an hour or a full day, we are grateful for Breather's flexibility and ease of use," said Donne Faasen, Office Manager at Spotify. Breather office spaces will be offered in a variety of prime neighborhoods and will serve varying square footage needs, ranging from 1,500 to 5,000; each location will feature single-person desks, videoconference phone booths, and tech-enabled meeting rooms, storage space and a wet pantry, in addition to Breather's signature lounge areas. Office spaces in all 10 Breather markets have been redesigned for longer rentals; the company is also launching brand new spaces in New York, San Francisco, Toronto and Los Angeles. Explore office spaces and book a tour at www.BreatherOffices.com . This announcement comes on the heels of a high growth period for the company. Following a $45M funding round in June, Breather continues to quickly expand its global footprint, bringing on key executives and advisors to lead the company to a new phase of growth: Mark Frackt , Interim Chief Financial Officer : Formerly inaugural CFO at BuzzFeed where he oversaw the doubling of the company's profits, Mark brings his expertise in hyper growth to Breather where he will help inform the financial aspects of the company's growth strategy. : Formerly inaugural CFO at BuzzFeed where he oversaw the doubling of the company's profits, Mark brings his expertise in hyper growth to Breather where he will help inform the financial aspects of the company's growth strategy. Christine Djerrahian , Head of Architecture and Design : An expert in architecture and interior design, Christine has led the creation of multi-functional workplaces for clients across multiple industries and will be instrumental in defining Breather's design vision moving forward. : An expert in architecture and interior design, Christine has led the creation of multi-functional workplaces for clients across multiple industries and will be instrumental in defining Breather's design vision moving forward. Dror Poleg , Strategy & Real Estate Advisor: As the founder of Rethinking.RE, Dror brings two decades of experience in commercial real estate and technology to Breather, where he will support the company's strategy and business development efforts. ABOUT BREATHER Breather is the leading provider of space-as-a-service, with its growing network of private workspaces built for productivity. Breather gives businesses like Google, Spotify, and Airbnb access to a variety of workspace solutions on the most flexible terms by the hour, day or month with hundreds of spaces available across 10 cities including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and London. Powered by its proprietary technology, Breather makes it easy to find space for quick meetings and full-day offsites, or longer-term solutions for an entire office. Learn more and explore spaces at Breather.com. SOURCE Breather WESTMINSTER, Colo., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Camp Bow Wow, the $100+ million dollar leading and largest doggy day care and boarding franchise, launched its cutting-edge proprietary Data Dawg 2.0 software, the central application for franchise owners to manage operations. As a leader in the pet care industry, which is estimated to reach more than $72 billion in 2018 according to the American Pet Product Association, Camp Bow Wow overhauled its software to meet the growing needs of its rapidly expanding business. Data Dawg 2.0 is designed to replace legacy software and scale with the growth of the company. Data Dawg 2.0's responsive platform is built to further ease day-to-day business management for franchise owners. The software is the central database for each Camp's customers, helping the owner to better understand its clientele, revenue streams and ways to maximize profitability. Further, the upgrade benefits the entire Camp Bow Wow system. For customers, it allows quicker check-in and out times and provides the corporate team with easily accessible data analytics in order to provide actionable data insights that benefit the franchise owners. "Data Dawg 2.0 is uniquely tailored to Camp Bow Wow's business strategy and franchise owner needs, which is what makes it so powerful," said Steve Ricard, Vice President of Technology at Camp Bow Wow. "By building our software through Google's leading-edge angular framework, everything is new from the ground up and ensures the software can keep up with the company's growth for many years to come." The project was a large undertaking, enacted by a small but dedicated in-house team that kept Camp Bow Wow's goals and requirements at the forefront of all phases of development. While the technology group spearheaded the project, the team strategized with all corporate departments as well as the franchise community to ensure the roadmap delivered on all priorities, making the new platform a company-wide effort. "Through Data Dawg 2.0, we are able to provide franchise owners with industry leading technology," said Cail Morrison, President of Camp Bow Wow. "This update is an investment in Camp Bow Wow's future as it will allow the company to remain at the forefront and to continue leading the industry through ongoing innovation." In addition to Camp Bow Wow's Data Dawg upgrade, the brand is further investing in its technology through a full website redesign, launching later this month. The company's current technology upgrades are a testament to the brand's position as a leading player in the doggy day care and boarding sector. Recognized for the third consecutive year as #1 in the Pet Care category on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 list and forecasting to reach more than 300 units in the next four years, Camp Bow Wow continuously proves itself to be the brand to watch within the industry. For more information about Camp Bow Wow, to find a location near you, or to become a franchise owner, please visit campbowwow.com. About Camp Bow Wow: In 17 years, Camp Bow Wow, the largest pet care franchise, has sold more than 180 franchises in 40 states and Canada. The company is a $100+ million dollar brand, with 150+ open locations and more than 50 in the process of opening across North America. For the third consecutive year, the company is ranked #1 in the pet care category in Entrepreneur's 2018 Franchise 500 list and named in Entrepreneur's 2017 and 2018 Best of the Best List. The Camp concept provides the highest levels of fun, safety and service for its Campers, and peace of mind for their parents. Dogs romp together in an open-play environment and pricing is all-inclusive. The Westminster, Colorado-based company started franchising in 2003, and today over 70% of franchises have women in ownership positions. In addition to day care and overnight Camp, the company also offers in-home pet care, grooming services and a rewards-based dog training program. Since September 2017, VCA, Inc. and subsequently Camp Bow Wow are wholly owned subsidiaries of Mars, Incorporated. SOURCE Camp Bow Wow Related Links http://www.campbowwow.com RID's mission is to eliminate the infection threats to patients and hospital employees via education and advocacy. RID was started 14 years ago and has a track record of legislative and regulatory success in the implementation of processes, protocol and policies in health care settings to reduce health care institutional infections. The partnership with CareOne will entail collaborative education and training with CareOne clinicians, both at the senior level and front line level, which will include in person education, webinars through CareOne's online employee education system, and through partnering on updated protocols to ensure that RID standards are being carried out throughout every CareOne center. The partnership with CareOne will entail collaborative education and training initiatives aimed at meeting the stringent requirements that RID has set forth for CareOne to be "RID Certified." Toya Casper, CareOne's Chief Clinical Officer stated "We are excited to be the first post-acute care provider in New Jersey to embark on the journey to be RID certified. We believe taking this next step in education and protocol development will improve our strong track record of quality and distinguish us even further as a forward thinking senior care organization." RID was founded by Betsy McCaughey, Ph.D., a health policy expert and former Lt. Governor of New York State. In 2004, Ms. McCaughey founded the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths (www.hospitalinfection.org), a nationwide educational campaign to stop hospital acquired infections. RID has made hospital infections a major public issue, provided compelling evidence that preventing infection improves quality and the bottom line. Ms. McCaughey stated that "CareOne is a progressive organization and we are thrilled to be working with them to elevate the quality of their care centers. The CareOne leadership has an incredible vision to be the leaders in the post-acute care industry in developing standards of care that will set a new standard in the quality of care for older adults." "I couldn't be happier to partner with Betsy and RID to strengthen CareOne's clinical outcomes," states Lizzy Straus, CareOne's Executive Vice President. She continued, "We have always invested in taking our clinical care to the next level, and when I read and learned about the success Betsy has achieved with the RID campaign, I knew it would be a perfect initiative for our organization to address an issue that impacts all healthcare providers. We would like to take the lead that we hope others follow in furthering the awareness of infection prevention and control." About CareOne With services that include post-hospital care, rehabilitation, assisted living, long-term care and a variety of clinical specialty programs, CareOne offers compassionate care in gracious, professionally managed centers and communities. CareOne serves thousands of patients every day and admits and discharges more than 20,000 patients every year. With more than 55 centers across New Jersey, Massachusetts, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Maryland CareOne's outstanding programs and services are conveniently located throughout the state. Interested parties can engage with CareOne on social media by following @CareOneMgt on Twitter,@careonemgt on Instagram, and CareOne Management, LLC on Facebook and LinkedIn. For more information about CareOne, please visit http://www.care-one.com. SOURCE CareOne Related Links http://www.care-one.com BEIJING, Oct. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- China Electronics Data Service Co., Ltd. ("CECD") and WuXi AppTec announced today to set up a joint venture, CW Data, to offer one-stop big data solutions for the healthcare sector. Based on hospital medical and prescription data, CW Data will provide healthcare data solutions for pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, payers, providers, policy makers, healthcare professionals and other life science industry organizations, thereby further promoting the innovation and development of the China's healthcare ecosystem and benefiting more Chinese patients. Relying on CECD's National healthcare big data platform and National healthcare big data security platform and strictly complying with the National Healthcare Big Data Safety and Supervision laws and regulations to ensure multi-dimensional data security, CW Data will integrate with WuXi AppTec's unmatched deep domain expertise in drug discovery and development to leverage highly innovative data collection, data mining and data analytics, provide end to end technology solutions and services ranging from drug discovery and development to post-marketing drug efficacy evaluation and drug distribution, and assist customers to deeply explore the needs of Chinese patients, so that more new drugs and therapies with urgent medical needs will be launched earlier in China. CW Data will build and lead the next generation of healthcare big data analytics. "The establishment of CW Data is an important cornerstone for CECD into healthcare analytics and big data. Healthcare big data is one of the key national strategic resources. The development of various big data applications will bring profound changes in the healthcare sector. WuXi AppTec is a leading global pharmaceutical and medical device open-access capability and technology platform company. The future of CW Data is tremendous. CW Data will combine big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies to connect hospitals, insurance, disease, prescriptions, clinical, and genomics data to provide real world evidence and business insights to domestic and foreign biotechnology companies, drug distributors and medical device companies. Finally, achieve the vision of CECD 'Making people healthier and happier'". said Li Shifeng, Chairman of CECD. "This collaboration is a significant move for WuXi AppTec to strengthen our capability in medical big data industry and provide more effective solutions for the whole healthcare ecosystem with the efficient integration of hospitals' medical data, drug research and development resources." said Dr. Ge Li, Chairman and CEO of WuXi AppTec, "Through this collaboration, we will enable more doctors, scientists and healthcare companies by exploring more precise patient needs and more insightful healthcare data analytics, to achieve the dream that every drug can be made, every disease can be treated." Andy Liu, CEO of CW Data and a 20 year veteran of the healthcare industry said: "This is indeed a very special joint venture. The combination of CECD and Wuxi AppTec enables CW Data to take a leadership role in healthcare big data analytics and to drive changes that will ultimately benefit the patients. We look forward to building the future and working with other healthcare big data, AI, cloud and software companies to achieving our goals." About CECD China Electronics Data Service Co., Ltd. (CECD) is a national healthcare big data group company led by China Electronics Corporation under the guidance of the National Health Commission of PRC. CECD is a National High-Tech Enterprise and Zhongguancun High-Tech Enterprise, it adheres to the principle of "safety first, data services, platform operation, ecological development" to structure two core capabilities: "Safety "and "Intelligence". Relies on the national team of security and informatization - China Electronics Corporation, CECD forged a full life cycle data security system with the tri-alliance of security integrated system, management and control system, and safety contingency system, based on securities of nature, process, industrial control, and data. CECD is the main operator of the National Healthcare Big Data Center and Industrial Park (Fuzhou), the only implementation unit of the National Development and Reform Commission (hereinafter referred to NDRC) key program "Internet + Healthcare", the co-construction unit of NDRC Healthcare Big Data Engineering Laboratory, and the Secretary General unit of the Healthcare Big Data Development and Information Security Committee of China Health Information Association (China Healthcare Big Data Industrial Alliance). As the chief initiator, CECD is the key funder of Shanghai Data Exchange Corp. Also, it established CEC Healthcare Fund and its management company CEC Data and Finance Investment Management Co., Ltd., to build the ecosystem of healthcare big data. About WuXi AppTec WuXi AppTec (603259, SH) is a leading global pharmaceutical and medical device open-access capability and technology platform company with global operations. As an innovation-driven and customer-focused company, WuXi AppTec provides a broad and integrated portfolio of services to help our worldwide customers and partners shorten the discovery and development time and lower the cost of drug and medical device R&D through cost-effective and efficient solutions. With its industry-leading capabilities such as small molecule R&D and manufacturing, cell therapy and gene therapy R&D and manufacturing, drug R&D and medical device testing, WuXi platform is enabling over 3,000 innovative collaborators from more than 30 countries to bring innovative healthcare products to patients, and to fulfill WuXi's dream that "every drug can be made, every disease can be treated." SOURCE WuXi AppTec Related Links http://www.wuxiapptec.com ZHANGZHOU, China, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- China Zenix Auto International Limited (OTC: ZXAIY) ("Zenix Auto" or "the Company"), the largest commercial vehicle wheel manufacturer in China in both the aftermarket and OEM market by sales volume, today announced that the 2018 annual general meeting ("AGM") of shareholders of China Zenix Auto International Limited (the "2018 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders") will be held on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at 10:00 a.m., Beijing time, at the Company's office located at No. 1608, North Circle Road State Highway, Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, People's Republic of China, 363000. Registered holders of ordinary shares at the close of business on October 29, 2018 (the "Record Date") or their proxies will be entitled to attend and vote at the AGM and any adjournment or postponement thereof in person. Registered holders of American depositary shares ("ADSs") will be entitled to attend the AGM, but may exercise their voting rights for the underlying ordinary shares only through The Bank of New York Mellon, the depositary of the ADS program. Beneficial owners of ADSs holding their securities through a financial intermediary must rely on the procedures of the financial intermediary in order to attend or exercise their voting rights at the AGM. The notice of the AGM will contain the resolutions to be submitted for shareholder approval at the AGM. It will be published on November 13, 2018 on the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.zenixauto.com/en. Registered holders of ordinary shares whose names appear on the record of the Company as of the Record Date will receive the notice and other AGM materials from the Company directly. Registered holders of ADSs will receive the notice and other AGM materials from the Depositary. Beneficial owners of ADSs holding their securities through a financial intermediary will receive the notice and other AGM materials from their financial intermediary. The Company has filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The annual report can be accessed on the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.zenixauto.com/en or on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. If you want to receive a paper or email copy of these documents, you may request one. There is no charge to you for requesting a copy. You may send an email or call Donald Wang, Vice President - Finance at [email protected] or +86 159 6062 3365. About China Zenix Auto International Limited China Zenix Auto International Limited is the largest commercial vehicle wheel manufacturer in China in both the aftermarket and OEM market by sales volume. The Company offers more than 798 series of aluminum wheels, tubed steel wheels, tubeless steel wheels, and off-road steel wheels in the aftermarket and OEM markets in China and internationally. The Company's customers include large PRC commercial vehicle manufacturers, and it also exports products to over 80 distributors in more than 28 countries worldwide. With six large, strategically located manufacturing facilities in multiple regions across China, the Company has a designed annual production capacity of approximately 15.5 million units of steel and aluminum wheels as of December 31, 2017. Investors can find quotes for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com. For more information, please visit: www.zenixauto.com/en. Safe Harbor This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. The Company may make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the SEC, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Further information regarding these risks is included in our filings with the SEC. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law. For more information, please contact Investor Relations Tel: +1-646-726-6511 Email: [email protected] SOURCE China Zenix Auto International Limited Related Links http://www.zenixauto.com/en HOUSTON, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of a great American tradition and back by popular demand, CITGO Petroleum Corporation kicked off the 2018 Ultimate Road Trip Sweepstakes this fall at participating CITGO retail locations. The 12-week nationwide contest will run until October 30, 2018. CITGO invites customers to enter and participate in the Sweepstakes through the Club CITGO app. Customers can visit ClubCITGO.com to download the Club CITGO app to register. Each time customers "CHECK IN" on the app at a participating CITGO location, they will receive one sweepstakes entry. CITGO encourages each participant to "CHECK IN" daily, up to one CHECK IN per day, to earn additional entries and increase their chances of winning a Jeep and other exciting prizes. Please see our CITGO Ultimate Road Trip Sweepstakes Terms and Conditions. "We want our customers to love driving as much as we do," said Karl Schmidt, CITGO Assistant VP Supply & Marketing. "With a tank full of gas and an open road ahead, the possibilities are endless. The sweepstakes gives CITGO the opportunity to thank our customers and fuel some memorable road trips." The Sweepstakes Grand Prize winner will receive a 2018 Jeep Wrangler and the ultimate road trip package, including an $800 Hotels.com gift card, a $700 Visa gift card and a $500 CITGO gift card. The First Prize winners will receive a year's supply of gas and Second Prize winners will receive a $250 CITGO gift card. There will be a total of 15 winners: one Grand Prize winner, two First Prize winners and 12 Second Prize winners. The Grand and First Prize drawing will be conducted in early November 2018. Weekly Second Prize drawings have occurred since August 8 and will continue until October 30, 2018. Winners are notified by email, mail or phone. The Sweepstakes is open to customers who are of legal age in the following 26 states, and the District of Columbia: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia. They can also follow CITGO on Facebook at facebook.com/CITGOFuelingGood and on Twitter and Instagram at @Fueling_Good for more information and updates. About CITGO CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com. SOURCE CITGO Related Links http://www.citgo.com It is the Week of Colombia in North America, a series of events organized by ProColombia from October 23rd to the 25th with the aim of showing the best of the South American country as a tourist destination. The Ambassador of Colombia to the United States, Francisco Santos, said that "from the Colombian Embassy in Washington and with the support of ProColombia, we will continue to actively promote Colombia as a mega-diverse country in nature, culture, a leader in biodiversity and musical tourism. Colombia is a center of innovation, a point of tourist access, the home of a dynamic economy and labor force". More than 30 Colombian businessmen will participate in the event together with 80 buyers from the United States and Canada to set up business opportunities in holiday tourism and meetings, receive training on industry trends in various niches and learn about new developments in the sector. Flavia Santoro, president of ProColombia, affirmed that "as the second most biodiverse country in the world, with an unparalleled cultural wealth, music that crosses borders, and an enviable geographic position, Colombia has all the potential to position itself as a tourist destination of first choice. From ProColombia we seek to promote a sustainable and attractive tourism that generates benefits for all ". Destination of nature and culture Colombia offers nature tourism experiences such as diving, equestrian tourism, hiking, biking tourism, bird and whale watching, and trekking, among others. In 2018 it obtained the record number of 1,546 bird sightings in a day in the Global Big Day, crowned champion for the second year in a row. In addition, Bogota and Medellin were integrated into the Creative Cities Network of Unesco, in the music category, in the years 2012 and 2015 respectively; and recently the OAS declared cultural patrimony of the Americas to nine traditional Colombian rhythms. Colombia is the country of the thousand rhythms, with around 1,025 grouped in 157 genres located in five regions of the Colombian territory: Caribbean, Pacific, Andean, Eastern Plains and Amazon. SOURCE ProColombia Asimov, himself, wrote three thick volumes of autobiography, and Heinlein was the subject of a huge, two-volume biography a few years ago, but only the most devoted fans were likely to slog through the mass of detail in those books. There have also been several books about Hubbard, mostly focusing on the controversies of Scientology rather than his earlier role in science fiction. But there has been far less work on Campbell, who Nevala-Lee argues is one of the key cultural figures of the twentieth century. Nevala-Lee has managed to distill the essence of their stories into a compelling tale of ambition, idealism and opportunism that should fascinate even those who have never read much science fiction at all. The product launch includes an integration between the company's TADS and Ravenna Solutions, forming a powerful admission, enrollment, tuition, financial aid and student management combination. Development of the new software platform was completed as the second phase of an enterprise initiative under the name Project FIRE (Future of Innovation, Revenue and Efficiency). These next-generation capabilities enable schools to choose from a best-in-class portfolio that improves productivity and digitally engages families and donors. "Every school is unique in the way it operates and engages families," shared Bethany Little, EVP K-12 Solutions at Community Brands. "The comprehensive software suite and the integrated SchoolCommunity platform support that uniqueness by helping schools choose the solutions and capabilities that best meet their needs. Community Brands is leading the way in K-12 software, and customers are excited by the new enhancements." SchoolCommunity Platform SchoolCommunity is built to help schools use the combination of solutions that best meets their needs. The platform features an integration hub, which connects data across systems and creates a more seamless user experience. With a "wallet" style universal ID, families and administrators use one SchoolCommunity ID the same username and password to access solutions in the Community Brands K-12 software suite; users no longer need to keep or remember multiple passwords. As schools upgrade solutions within the suite, SchoolCommunity makes this possible without the adoption, implementation, or support challenges that sometimes accompany multi-system use. Key platform features: Integration hub connects education applications and creates simpler processes and workflows Two-way data sync effortlessly moves information between systems and improves data quality Universal ID with single sign-on capabilities eliminates separate logins and passwords The company's TADS and Ravenna Solutions are now integrated through SchoolCommunity. TADS offers admission, enrollment, financial aid, tuition management, and student management capabilities; Ravenna offers one of the most advanced admissions solutions available. Schools needing the more advanced admissions capabilities of Ravenna pair the solution with the broad capabilities of TADS through the platform. Data seamlessly moves between systems, saving hours of manual entry and reducing the risk of lost or inaccurate data. The new SchoolCommunity platform, together with the announced integrations, is available immediately. K-12 Software Suite A complete set of education-focused solutions, the software suite helps schools increase revenue, improve efficiency and digitally engage their communities. Solutions within the suite provide the breadth and depth of capabilities needed from admissions to fundraising to power a school's technology, creating rewarding experiences for students, parents, and administrators. A one-size-fits-all approach to technology often does not align to the uniqueness of schools. Individual school missions and differences in size often means that needs are best met by using a combination of technology solutions that are designed to work well together. The K-12 software suite is designed to offer that flexibility and enables schools to choose the best mix of products while also ensuring a connected experience for school administrators and families. Comprehensive school needs addressed: Admissions and enrollment Financial aid Tuition and billing Student information systems Content management Payment services Fundraising and advancement The education software suite has recently been enhanced with the company's announced acquisition of UK-based Groupcall, a leading provider of communications and data analytics software. Additional suite integrations are expected to be released in the near future. To learn more about Community Brands and its K-12 Education Solutions, visit CommunityBrands.com. About Community Brands Community Brands is the leading provider of cloud-based software to associations, nonprofits, K-12 schools and faith-based groups. Through innovation and technology, the company empowers more than 100,000 clients and partners to succeed faster, grow stronger and achieve social good. Organizations adopt Community Brands software to manage memberships, career centers, learning, accounting, mobile giving, peer-to-peer fundraising, donations, admissions, enrollments and events. Using these engagement platforms, customers of all sizes create meaningful and lasting experiences for their members, donors, volunteers and families. Headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA, Community Brands serves the social good community in more than 30 countries. To learn more, visit communitybrands.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Media Contacts Community Brands Brad Bennett Media Contact [email protected] +1 817.517.9965 SOURCE Community Brands Related Links https://www.communitybrands.com WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading public health groups are calling on the Texas-based Conrad Foundation to immediately sever ties with the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, an organization founded and entirely funded by tobacco giant Philip Morris International. For the second year in a row, the Conrad Foundation has partnered with the Philip Morris-funded foundation on an initiative working with U.S. high school students. The legitimate mission of the Conrad Foundation is inconsistent with the clear goals of both Philip Morris and the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World: to sell more tobacco products. The Foundation for a Smoke-Free World is part of the same strategy Philip Morris and other tobacco companies have used for over 60 years to fight efforts to reduce smoking. The Philip Morris-funded foundation has been widely recognized by leading public health groups, universities and advocates as nothing more than a well-financed tactic to portray Philip Morris as part of the solution to the global tobacco epidemic, which kills more than 7 million people worldwide each year and is fueled by the world's largest cigarette companies. In fact, far from being part of the solution, Philip Morris is a major cause of this enormous global health crisis and tobacco companies remain the single greatest obstacle to more global progress in combatting the enormous burden of tobacco-related death and disease. Philip Morris, the sole-funder of the Conrad Foundation's partner, spends billions to market tobacco products around the world by targeting young people on social media or surrounding elementary schools with advertisements for its cigarette brands. It also works across the globe to defeat and undermine proven policies to reduce tobacco use. We strongly urge the Conrad Foundation to publicly end all ties with the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World. The interests of big tobacco companies like Philip Morris International have been clear for decades. There is no role for legitimate businesses and organizations in supporting this deadly agenda. SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A growing segment of the population is calling companies to task over their role in society, and is influencing others to support or abandon brands accordingly. First identified by MWWPR in 2017, these CorpSumers base their loyalty and purchasing decisions on companies' reputations rather than just product features and price. The second annual study, commissioned by MWWPR and conducted by Wakefield Research, shows that 35% of the US population now identifies as CorpSumersa rise of 2% in just one yearand that 8 in 10 are willing to pay more from brands that take a stand on policy and societal issues. The study also reveals the new litmus test for brands to engage these socially conscious consumers, and the skepticism companies must overcome to win them over. "What the last year has shown us is that companies' engagement on societal and public policy issues is table stakes CorpSumers don't just want brands to take a stand, they expect it and act accordingly," said Carreen Winters, MWWPR's Chairman of Reputation and Chief Strategy Officer. "Bigger than moms and Millennials, this powerful market segment sees right through superficial attempts by brands to simply appear as good corporate citizens. In exchange for brand loyalty, they crave authenticity in a company's ethos, message, and execution. 'Goodwashing' is the new greenwashing, and companies who attempt to dabble in purpose without authenticity do so at their own peril." In CEOs (and Their Companies) We Trust As CorpSumers' confidence in government continues to erode (an 8-point drop from 2017,) they are increasingly turning to CEOs to fill the void. A whopping 75% of CorpSumers base purchase decisions on their opinions of company leadership, a 4-point increase from 2017, and 36% believe company leadership speaking out on an important issue is the best way for companies to take a stand. 90% of US CorpSumers are more likely to try a company's product, and 80% are willing to pay more for products from companies that take a stand on societal and public policy matters. 43% of CorpSumers prefer a company to take a stand on an issue, even if it does not align with their own point of view. Furthermore, 78% of this segment expects companies to have meaningful corporate citizenship initiatives, a 4-point jump from 2017. So, What Does the CorpSumer Care About? This year's study provided a blueprint for exactly what issues companies need to think about when it comes to engaging these brand amplifiers. The results showed that company's treatment of employees has the greatest impact on purchase decisions (81%). Other top-of-mind issues for CorpSumers include: Company working conditions (56%) Product safety (54%) Equal pay and employment (53%) But with almost 60% of CorpSumers expressing skepticism at companies' underlying motives, positions on policy issues must align with a corporation's values to engage and retain this market segment. "Brand bravery and 'walking the talk' will be critical for CEOs across industries in 2019," added Winters. "A far cry from check-the-box initiatives and greenwashing practices of years past, citizenship is the new gold standard and must be a central tenant of any C-suite agenda or corporate strategy." Compounding Influence When it comes to these issues, the study also revealed just how influential the CorpSumers are becoming: Over 3 in 4 US CorpSumers consider a company's actions before deciding to purchase from that company. 70% of CorpSumers encourage others to buy a product from a company with a strong reputation 77% of Gen Z and 78% of Millennials have encouraged someone to buy a product from a company due to its reputation, more so than Gen X and Baby Boomers. Almost half (48%) of CorpSumers have stayed with a company despite being dissatisfied with their products or services because they believed in the company's mission or values. The opposite is also true64% of CorpSumers have encouraged others to give up a product or service from companies that disappointed them, while 68% would abandon brands entirely if their values no longer align. To influence CorpSumers, CEOs must also take into account shifting trends in media consumption. Corporate leadership needs to lean in to social media, as it is the most trusted news source among CorpSumers looking for information about a company. Social influencers are also key to attaining CorpSumers' trust. Given the power of the CorpSumer to mobilize and incite change, companies will need to pay attention to their demands and expectations or face the bottom-line impact of brand disloyalty. SURVEY METHODOLGY The MWWPR CorpSumer Research Study was conducted by Wakefield Research among 2,000 US consumers ages 15+ between July 24 and August 7, 2018, using an email invitation and an online survey. The margin of error for US general population consumers ages 15+ is +/- 2.2 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. For CorpSumers ages 15+, the margin of error is +/- 3.7 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. ABOUT MWWPR Thirty-two-years young, MWWPR has gone from one employee in one room with one client to among the world's leading independent, integrated PR agencies with eight offices across the US and the UK. Guided by data and powered by insights, intellect and human instincts, we uniquely deliver on a people-first, client-centric promise that leans heavily into a digitally-led, content-driven approach. Our mission is to get to the heart of the matter: igniting influence and impact to help organizations matter more to those who matter most. Our expertise spans Consumer Lifestyle Marketing, Corporate Communications and Reputation Management, Public Affairs, Crisis and Issues Management, Media, Technology, Fintech and Telecoms. Visit www.mww.com or follow us @MWW_PR to learn more. ABOUT WAKEFIELD RESEARCH Wakefield Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) is a leading, independent provider of quantitative, qualitative, and hybrid market research. Wakefield Research supports the world's most prominent brands and agencies, including 40 of the Fortune 100, in 70 countries. SOURCE MWWPR Related Links http://www.mww.com PLAINVIEW, N.Y., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- CSC ServiceWorks, Inc. ("CSC"), the industry leader in commercial laundry solutions and air vending services, is pleased to announce the closing of an asset purchase agreement to acquire substantially all the assets of the Select Laundry Appliance Leasing business. Founded in 1984 in Denver, Colorado, Select Laundry operates in over 20 markets, leasing appliances primarily to apartment residents and universities. CSC ServiceWorks CEO Mark Hjelle said, "As CSC continues to build a Best in Class organization, we are excited to announce the acquisition of Select Laundry. This acquisition offers a highly complementary geographic footprint and additional scale for our existing in-unit laundry business. Select Laundry and CSC have been respectful competitors for a number of years and are now committed to working together to ensure a smooth transition for all customers." As the industry leader, CSC continues to innovate its portfolio of turn-key service solutions for owners and managers in apartment communities across the United States. The acquisition of these assets will build on CSC's Appliance Warehouse business unit, the leading provider of in-unit washer/dryer leasing. The business will now manage nearly 400,000 machines to meet the growing demand by residents for this premium amenity. About CSC ServiceWorks: CSC ServiceWorks, with over 1.4 million machines in service, is the leading provider of commercial laundry solutions to the multi-family housing and education markets as well as the industry leader in air vending services at convenience stores and gas stations. CSC ServiceWorks has a workforce of over 3,000 dedicated professionals throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. For more information about CSC ServiceWorks, visit www.cscsw.com . SOURCE CSC ServiceWorks, Inc. Related Links http://www.cscsw.com SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Hiring information security professionals is challenging for companies of all sizes, especially those just starting to build their security team. That's why many are turning to the Peerlyst (https://www.peerlyst.com) community of cybersecurity professionals for help. Peerlyst is already known for helping security pros share knowledge and advance their careers. But now Peerlyst is launching new solutions designed to improve the hiring process via its established network of security experts. PeerJobs The basic offering is an online tool for posting job opportunities to attract the most qualified talent. Those posts will be targeted to users based on their demonstrated skills, so recruiters can count on relevant candidates seeing them. They can also leverage Peerlyst's unique matching tool, allowing them to screen candidates by the subject-matter expertise that candidates have listed on their profile or demonstrated through their participation in security projects and discussions. Education company Springboard has been using Peerlyst as a platform to offer its mentoring solutions, and recently began availing of PeerJobs to find qualified mentors for students taking its cybersecurity courses. "Peerlyst has been really useful as a way of connecting with security professionals, and now PeerJobs allows us to search in a very granular way to find security pros with specific specializations," says Rodrigo Aronas, Springboard's head of growth and user acquisition. "Unlike job sites like LinkedIn, Peerlyst enables us to go beyond unproven qualification claims and vet security professionals according to real demonstrated expertise." PeerHire PeerHire is a turnkey job-filling solution that provides companies with comprehensive support from Peerlyst InfoSec experts. Experts from the community help clients during every stage of the hiring process, including: Creating a job posting that calls out the security skills most vital for that particular position. Promoting the post on Peerlyst and 150 other social media sites. Performing tailored searches to find matching candidates using Peerlyst's technology. Assessing the resumes that come in from Peerlyst and other sources. Interviewing qualified contenders and recommending finalists. "That service costs up to $40K if you're working with a headhunterand let's face it, most are out of their depth when it comes to InfoSec," says Elbaz. "Peerlyst has deep insight into InfoSec skillsand offers that knowledge in the most cost-effective way." Figure, a FinTech company leveraging blockchain, enlisted Peerlyst in its hunt for a CISO. "Peerlyst helped us define the kind of CISO who would be ideal for our company," says Christina Gutierrez, Figure's leader in talent acquisition. With Peerlyst's help, Figure was able to fill that pivotal position within a month. About Peerlyst Peerlyst is shaping the future of work for cybersecurity professionals. More than half the security pros around the globe use Peerlyst to share knowledge, build their reputation, and advance their careers. For more information, email [email protected], visit https://www.peerlyst.com, or call 718 501-5181. SOURCE Peerlyst Related Links www.peerlyst.com AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Dosh, the fastest growing card-linked offer marketplace that finds cash for consumers, published new research revealing consumers require new methods of motivation to earn their loyalty. The Dosh Consumer Loyalty Survey, which surveyed 3,350 Americans, sheds light on consumer shopping decisions and validates that cash back programs are better positioned to increase in-store traffic and average order spend, compared to traditional loyalty programs. As U.S. consumer spend continues to rise, with the National Retail Federation (NRF) predicting 2018 retail sales growth between 3.8% and 4.4%, merchants are searching for unique ways to acquire and retain a strong, loyal customer base. As a data-powered two-sided marketplace, Dosh puts wasted advertising dollars directly into consumers' pockets in the form of card-linked offers, creating high quality relationships between merchants and customers that keep shoppers predictably returning. "Since implementing card-linked offers through Dosh, our customers are shopping with us more frequently and with higher average order value," said Alex Ok, President, Forever 21. "With the 'surprise and delight' factor of a cash back strategy, shoppers are more satisfied and inclined to return and spend more knowing they will be rewarded." As advancements in retail technology improve the shopping experience, consumers expect loyalty programs to evolve to better meet their needs. Consumers crave direct incentives to shop with specific merchants and be rewarded for loyalty automatically. Dosh's survey revealed traditional retailer loyalty programs are falling flat among today's consumer, who no longer see the value in exclusive events or points-based programs. "Retailers are wasting billions of dollars advertising their complex loyalty programs," said Brad Brodigan, President and COO, Dosh. "Consumers are confused by all the different loyalty program requirements. However, our research shows what drives consumers' motivation is simple: cash." The Dosh Consumer Loyalty Survey discovered: Current loyalty program approaches are no longer resonating with consumers: Overall, consumers are struggling to find real value in merchant loyalty programs. Tiered programs, merchant credit cards, and special events lack the concrete value and immediacy that today's consumers crave. Key findings include: Currently, 48% of consumers don't feel that major retailers value their loyalty. 91% of consumers feel little to no reward from tiered reward systems, and 89% of consumers feel little to no reward from merchant credit cards. Only 43% of Gen Z shoppers report signing up for an in-store rewards program (compared to 53% of millennials and 57% of Gen X). 83% of consumers say they feel little to no reward from invitations to special events from a brand. Cash is a core motivator: Although traditional loyalty programs are losing their appeal, consumers still want to feel rewarded for their purchases. Moreover, they want to feel rewarded quickly without requiring any effort to redeem their reward. Key findings included: 83% of respondents said cash makes them feel rewarded. At least 1 in 3 respondents said that they would switch to a merchant that provides cash back over one that does not. 60% of respondents reported they would give up social media for the day in exchange for $20 in cash. The opportunity for merchants to leverage mobile loyalty programs: Consumers are increasingly using their smartphone at every point in their path to purchase, meaning loyalty rewards must be activated on mobile as well. Key findings include: Over two-thirds of respondents have used a coupon in the last year, but only 3 in 10 are using their phone to get cash back on everyday purchases. When it comes to purchasing platforms, nearly 50% of respondents on average leverage smartphones to shop. Breaking down this average by generation, we see this trend particularly significant among Gen Z, millennials and moms: 68% of Gen Z respondents report they frequently purchase items using their smartphone. 69% of millennial respondents report they frequently purchase items using their smartphone. 70% of moms report they frequently purchase items using their smartphone. Only 31% of baby boomers purchase items using their smartphone. More than half of respondents (55%) report having at least one mobile shopping app connected to their bank account, debit or credit card. To download a copy of the report, Acquiring and Engaging with Today's Modern Shopper, please visit: www.doshforbusiness.com/loyaltyreport. Dosh Consumer Loyalty Survey Methodology The survey was conducted online by YouGov on behalf of Dosh from August 24, 2018 to September 6, 2018 among 3,350 consumers ages 18 and older in the United States. The first 1,000 responses were balanced to be nationally representative by age, gender, and region. Follow Dosh on Twitter Follow Dosh on LinkedIn Like Dosh on Facebook About Dosh Dosh is a transformational consumer financial services platform and card-linked offer app that efficiently shifts millions of wasted advertising dollars directly into the pockets of deserving consumers in the form of cash back, while helping businesses succeed by creating valuable relationships with their customers. Visit www.doshforbusiness.com for more information. SOURCE Dosh Related Links http://www.dosh.cash LITTLETON, Colo., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Doug Robinson, the co-founder of investment banking firm St. Charles Capital and recently a primary candidate for the Governor of Colorado has joined forces with the partners of Ogdon Ventures, a family-run private equity firm, to launch Dry Fly Capital. The firm intends to acquire legacy companies in the lower middle market that have multiple years of positive EBITDA. Doug has 27 years of business advisory experience as Managing Director of KPMG Corporate Finance and KeyBanc Capital Markets and Head of Equities and Corporate Finance at Hanifen Imhoff. "Doug has been an integral part in the sale of my businesses and we met when he advised me through the sale of Mammoth Micro Productions to the Washington Post in 1994," says Bob Ogdon, Managing Partner, Dry Fly Capital. "To have the ability to work side by side with a close friend with the experience and skill set Doug possesses is an honor." Ogdon Ventures is made up of Bob, Dan and Mike Ogdon, the owners/operators of Swiftpage, that acquired and ran Act!, the number one small business CRM. In the last year, the Ogdon Ventures team acquired Westland Distributing, Arizona Home Supply and Nevada Home Supply to create the combined largest manufactured housing supplies distributor in the Western United States. In addition, the team also acquired AiA Industries, a structural and custom dome skylight manufacturer and plastics fabricator. "Bob, Dan and Mike have been friends for a long time and I'm excited for what we can accomplish together," says Doug Robinson, Managing Partner, Dry Fly Capital. "We see a lot of opportunity within the sphere of our investment criteria and look forward to finding companies ready for the expansion of their legacy." About Dry Fly Capital Dry Fly Capital is a private equity firm casting vision for legacy business operations to expand into growth. Dry Fly Capital seeks to acquire lower middle market companies with positive EBITDA that would benefit from modern digital marketing and business development strategies and automation of operational activities through the use of technology. SOURCE Dry Fly Capital PARIS and CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, October 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- EB8018, the lead investigational candidate, targets Crohn's disease with potential for other GI disorders ENTEROME SA, a clinical-stage biotech company developing innovative therapies to treat microbiome-associated diseases with a focus on auto-immune disease and cancer, has entered into a global licensing, co-development and co-promotion agreement with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited ("Takeda"). The agreement covers Enterome's lead investigational drug candidate EB8018 in patients with Crohn's disease, with the potential to expand to other gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and liver diseases. "We are delighted to sign this agreement for EB8018, our most advanced candidate that represents a non-antibiotic, non-steroidal, non-immunomodulatory approach for the treatment of GI disorders including Crohn's disease," said Pierre Belichard, CEO of Enterome. "We believe we have a world-class partner in Takeda to deliver the best development and commercialization strategy for EB8018 based on their extensive expertise and focus in Crohn's disease and GI disorders. We are very excited about the potential of EB8018 and look forward to deepening our relationship with Takeda as we advance this novel candidate through clinical development." Enterome will receive an upfront payment of $50 million and a commitment from Takeda to make a future equity investment in the Company. Enterome is also eligible to receive up to $640 million for achieving specified clinical development, regulatory and commercial milestones with EB8018. In addition, Enterome and Takeda will co-develop EB8018 under the joint agreement and, if approved, the product will be co-promoted in the US under a profit/cost sharing structure. Takeda will receive an exclusive license to commercialize EB8018 outside of the US, and Enterome will be eligible to receive royalties on net sales generated in these territories. "At Takeda, we are continually exploring diverse modalities with the hope to deliver medicines that break the loop of unpredictable disruption that people living with GI disorders experience every day," said Asit Parikh, M.D., Ph.D., Head, Gastroenterology Therapeutic Area Unit at Takeda. "We are excited to partner again with Enterome on such a novel approach and work together to advance EB8018 through clinical development." EB8018 is a novel, first-in-class, orally administered, gut-restricted small molecule designed to selectively disarm virulent bacteria in the gut that can cause inflammation without disrupting the local microbiome. EB8018 inhibits FimH-mediated inflammation induced by interaction of pathogenic pro-inflammatory bacteria to receptors in the gut wall, thereby potentially reducing the production of inflammatory cytokines including TNF. FimH was validated as a novel microbiome-derived therapeutic target by Enterome through application of its proprietary metagenomics platform, EB8018 was originally discovered by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. EB8018 successfully completed a Phase 1a trial, where the study results demonstrated that administration of EB8018 in the dose range examined was safe and exhibited minimal blood absorption. A Phase 1b study to evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic profile and preliminary efficacy signals of EB8018 when given to patient volunteers with active Crohn's disease is underway. The global agreement is the second collaboration between Enterome and Takeda. In 2016, the two companies entered a strategic drug discovery collaboration focused on microbiome targets across multiple GI disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease and motility disorders. About Enterome Enterome is a clinical-stage company pioneering the development of novel pharmaceuticals based on its leading knowledge of the interaction between the immune system and the gut microbiome. Enterome is advancing a pipeline of small molecule and peptide candidates to treat microbiome-associated diseases with a focus on auto-immune disease and cancer: these include EB8018, a selective FimH blocker, in a Phase 1b clinical trial for Crohn's disease (partnered with Takeda); and EO2401, an innovative Microbiome antigen-based therapeutic ("onco-mimic"), which is expected to enter clinical trial in glioblastoma patients in 2019. The Company's strategic drug discovery is driven by its proprietary metagenomics platform enabling the identification of new targets and therapeutic candidates derived from the microbiome. The Company's approach is based on a "drugs from bugs" philosophy and is expected to facilitate the use of recognised development and regulatory pathways for its candidates. Enterome's partners include Takeda, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Johnson & Johnson Innovation/Janssen Biotech. The Company is backed by leading venture capital investors (Seventure Partners, Lundbeckfonden Ventures, Health for Life Capital, Omnes Capital and Principia) and strategic investors (BMS, Nestle Health Science, Shire and INRA Transfert). Additional information about Enterome is available at: http://www.enterome.com Contacts Enterome Pierre Belichard, CEO Tel. +33-1-75-77-27-87 Public Relations Mark Swallow / Sylvie Berrebi / David Dible Citigate Dewe Rogerson Tel. +44-207-638-9571 [email protected] Investor relations Lisa Pavelka Rx Communications Group Tel. +1-917-843-0223 [email protected] SOURCE Enterome LONG BEACH, Calif., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Epson America, Inc., a leading provider of printing solutions, today announced the new WorkForce Pro WF-C500R Printer Series, powered by PrecisionCore. With Epson's innovative Replaceable Ink Pack System, the WF-C579R and the WF-C529R offer low color printing costs. Extra high-capacity ink packs can deliver enough ink to print up to 50,000 ISO pages black/20,000 ISO color before changing the packs1. Affordable high-yield color printing solutions helps minimize workflow interventions for busy workgroups, these compact printers offer speeds of 24 ISO ppm (black/color) and produce fast professional quality prints with up to a 1,330 maximum sheet capacity with optional trays. Additionally, Epson introduced Epson Print Admin, an affordable and user-friendly print software solution that can manage an Epson business inkjet printer fleet2, including the WorkForce Pro WF-C500R Series. The print management software helps businesses enhance output security, , track printing costs and improve workflow. It includes security features like device authentication through passwords, PIN codes and card readers as well as secure job release from any registered printer. IT administrators can manage user rights, apply print rules and create usage reports as well as manage devices remotely among users with the centralized web interface. To help small and medium sized businesses with enhanced productivity, Epson Print Admin also makes it easy to log and track servicing and receive notifications when budget thresholds have been met. "According to a recent Keypoint Intelligence/InfoTrends research, almost 50 percent of general office environments said their required color printing is increasing3. With the increase of color printing in the office, Epson strives to bring affordable printing solutions like the WF-C500R Series that offers high-capacity ink and paper options in a space-saving design," said Alan Chen, product manager, Epson America, Inc. "While our printers are designed to help businesses enhance productivity and streamline workflows, we are taking our solutions one step further by offering a print management tool to enhance output security and allow busy workgroups to also take control of and protect their office printing environments." The WF-C500R Series supports PCL4/Adobe PostScript 3, making it ideal for shared printing on a network, and its open-platform allows for seamless integration with enterprise applications such as Nuance Equitrac Office/Express, Nuance eCopy ShareScan, PaperCut, and nddPrint. It also provides security features such as PIN number configuration for job release; user control access, printer and network settings via Web Config with printer's IP address; SSL/TLS security; and IPsec. Additional WF-C500R Series Features WF-C579R WF-C529R Functionality Wireless | Print | Copy | Scan | Fax | Ethernet | USB | PCL4 | PostScript 3 | 4.3" LCD Color Touchscreen Wireless | Print | Ethernet | USB | PCL4 | PostScript 3 | 2.4" LCD screen Open-Platform Ready Seamless integration with enterprise applications such as PaperCut MF, Equitrac, eCopy and other ISV solutions Epson Print Admin Features PIN number certification for job release; user control access; printer and network settings via Web Config with printer's IP address; SSL/TLS security; IPsec Auto Features 50-page ADF 2-sided print/copy/scan/fax 2-sided print Availability The WorkForce Pro WF-C500R Series and Epson Print Admin are now available through authorized BusinessFirstSM resellers. For more information and availability, please visit www.epson.com. About Epson Epson is a global technology leader dedicated to connecting people, things and information with its original efficient, compact and precision technologies. With a lineup that ranges from inkjet printers and digital printing systems to 3LCD projectors, watches and industrial robots, the company is focused on driving innovations and exceeding customer expectations in inkjet, visual communications, wearables and robotics. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the Epson Group comprises more than 76,000 employees in 87 companies around the world, and is proud of its contributions to the communities in which it operates and its ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impacts. Epson America, Inc., based in Long Beach, Calif., is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/EpsonAmerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica). *This product uses only genuine Epson-brand ink packs. Other brands of ink supplies are not compatible and, even if described as compatible, may not function properly. Black and color print speeds are measured in accordance with ISO/IEC 24734. Actual print times will vary based on factors including system configuration, software, and page complexity. For more information, visit www.epson.com/printspeed 1 Replacement ink pack yields are estimated based on ISO/IEC 24711 test in Default Mode printing continuously. Ink pack yields vary considerably for reasons including images printed, print settings, temperature and humidity. Yields may be lower when printing infrequently or predominantly with one ink color. All ink colors are used for printing and printer maintenance, and all colors have to be installed for printing. For print quality, part of the ink from the included ink packs is used for printer startup and a variable amount of ink remains in the ink pack after the "replace ink pack" signal. For details, see www.epson.com/inkinfo 2 Epson Print Admin only works with Epson business inkjet solutions that support Epson Open Platform technology 3 http://blog.infotrends.com/almost-50-of-general-office-workers-in-the-u-s-said-their-required-color-printing-is-increasing/ 4 Not all media types are supported for PCL printing EPSON, PrecisionCore and WorkForce are registered trademarks, EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark. BusinessFirst is a service mark of Epson America, Inc. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2018 Epson America, Inc. SOURCE Epson America, Inc. Related Links https://epson.com COSTA MESA, Calif., Oct 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Experian announced an update to its PowerCurve decisioning platform that will enable deployment of advanced analytics-driven decisioning more easily, to help organizations maximize the potential of their data. According to recent research from Experian, more than half of businesses across the globe struggle to make consistent customer decisions. Now PowerCurve, with integrated machine learning capabilities, will allow them to make the most of the insights from their data to create better outcomes for their customers. "Clients continue to make heavy investments in new data and advanced analytical capabilities with the expectation of significant return," said Steve Wagner, global managing director of Decision Analytics for Experian. "We're committed to a culture of technology and innovation that transforms interactions between businesses and consumers. With the updates to our PowerCurve decisioning platform and incorporation and deployment of machine learning capabilities, businesses will see lift in performance while remaining agile, secure and competitive." PowerCurve, which is used by Fortune 500 companies across the globe, is a platform to help businesses make analytically driven decisions and adopt the most effective decision management strategies across the entire Customer Life Cycle. This latest PowerCurve Strategy Management release will allow machine learning models to be executed within the decision process flow. It includes plug-ins to support emerging advanced analytic platforms and languages, with other plug-ins added over time so clients can adopt and change their use of model building tools as they wish. The platform also will continue to satisfy compliance requirements and provide the necessary governance and explainability that is essential in today's regulated markets. "There are many disruptive forces in the market, and we want to help businesses address those. Technology is a first step," Wagner said. "We believe the power of data, analytics and technology can lead to businesses making the right decisions that positively impact consumers." Experian, which recently was named by Forbes magazine as one of the top most innovative companies in the world, is identifying ways to bring technology and new sources of data together to help businesses solve their challenges and provide stronger customer experiences. Through Experian DataLabs, data scientists around the globe are working to enable breakthrough data experimentation and innovation, with predictive analytics currently being a significant focus. In addition, Experian recently joined more than 80 of the world's most innovative fintech companies presenting their latest solutions at FinovateFall held in New York City. To learn more about PowerCurve and the latest update, visit www.experian.com/powercurve. About Experian Experian is the world's leading global information services company. During life's big moments from buying a home or a car, to sending a child to college, to growing a business by connecting with new customers we empower consumers and our clients to manage their data with confidence. We help individuals to take financial control and access financial services, businesses to make smarter decisions and thrive, lenders to lend more responsibly, and organizations to prevent identity fraud and crime. We have 16,500 people operating across 39 countries and every day we're investing in new technologies, talented people and innovation to help all our clients maximize every opportunity. We are listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and are a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. Learn more at www.experianplc.com or visit our global content hub at our global news blog for the latest news and insights from the Group. Experian and the Experian marks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners. Contacts: Kristie Galvani Scott Anderson Rubenstein Public Relations Experian Public Relations 1 212 805 3005 1 714 830 3185 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Experian Related Links http://www.experian.com I know that when a lot of people think about the housing allowance, what comes to mind is the big-time preachers they see on television, he said. But the reality is that the vast majority of pastors and churches are like me, they are like my church, laboring in obscurity among the neediest communities in the country. There may be a small group of leaders who can sustain this financial blow, but many will have to shut down important ministries or even close their doors entirely. SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- ORACLE OPENWORLD 2018 -- FixStream, a Gold Partner in the Oracle Partner Network (OPN), and a pioneer in solutions for Artificial Intelligence for IT operations (AIOps), today announced expanded support of its AIOps Platform with Oracle applications. With FixStream, companies can now for the first time quickly detect and predict application issues in real time using advanced end-to-end correlation and visualization using its AI and machine learning solution. The company will be demonstrating their flagship solution and exhibiting at the annual Oracle OpenWorld Conference this week at the Moscone Center, San Francisco, on October 2225, 2018. Modern IT Operations lack real-time, accurate visibility across their hybrid IT environments. FixStream provides IT Operations with one of the industry first multi-layer correlation and predictive analytics across business KPIs, application and infrastructure entities, automating the discovery and mapping of critical business processes to application process flows, hosts, backend databases and infrastructure entities such as switches, routers and storage arrays. With these new integrations announced today, FixStream's AIOps solution will now provide out-of-the-box discovery and correlation with the following Oracle applications: Oracle RAC Databases - with ASM Oracle E-Business Suite - with WebLogic JVMs, Concurrent Managers and Workflows Oracle Communications Products (Oracle Communications ASAP, Oracle Communications Order and Service Management (OSM), and Oracle Communication Unified Inventory Management (UIM)) Oracle Siebel's CRM Oracle SOA Fusion Middleware (BAM, BPM, OSB) Splunk for Alerts and Warnings for Databases and WebLogic ServiceNow ITSM for Oracle Products FixStream provides integration with other Oracle products, such as Oracle ERP Cloud, Oracle JD Edwards, Oracle Real Applications Clusters (RAC) and Oracle Fusion Middleware. FixStream's AIOps platform is also available in the Oracle Cloud Marketplace offering added value to Oracle Cloud application customers. The City of Las Vegas integrated FixStream's Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations (AIOps) solution into its Oracle ERP system, and according to Michael Sherwood, Director, Information Technology for Las Vegas, it has completely changed the way they see network failures. "The AIOps system tells us immediately where the problem is precisely. Previously, we would know the system was down, but tracking down the exact failure point was like finding a needle in a haystack. The FixStream system visually tells us immediately where and what the problem is. It's a huge time-saver, enabling us to fix serious problems in minutes or hours, instead of the days it used to take us." Please visit us at Oracle OpenWorld this week at the Moscone Center South Exhibition Hall, Booth 4700 to get a demo and learn more. About FixStream FixStream is the Artificial Intelligence company for IT Operations. With FixStream's industry-first multi-layer correlation, visualization and prediction of business application issues across an enterprise's entire hybrid IT stack, IT operations can now get real-time insights and powerful analytics to prevent outages and increase revenues. For additional information, visit http://www.fixstream.com, or connect with FixStream on LinkedIn and Twitter. For Media Inquiries: Dana Harris, Red Javelin 978.440.8392 [email protected] SOURCE FixStream Related Links http://fixstream.com/ Founded by Dr. E.L. Woodruff at the close of WWI, the company initially managed the risk needs of medical and healthcare companies and subsequently broadened its expertise to complex manufacturing, shipping, and other industrial areas. In the 1950s, Woodruff Sawyer began a long-term partnership with Raychem, an early electronics manufacturer, which marked the firm's entry into the tech industry on an international scale. Past company leaders like Bob Sawyer and Doug Morton combined their passion for innovation, data-driven solutions, and deep specialization to address clients' emerging risks. With a long list of visionary clients with unique risk needs, like Sequoia Capital, Netflix, and 23andMe, Woodruff Sawyer developed risk mitigation solutions, unique coverage terms, and consultative services where none had existed before. This ethos formed the basis for Woodruff Sawyer's reputation as a complex risk specialist in areas such as D&O, property, products, cargo, and claims loss control. Woodruff Sawyer continued to invest in complex risk solutions and expertise, as well as in empirical data and a deep responsive service model, which continued to fuel the company's growth in Northern California and across the US. Today, Woodruff Sawyer represents 28% of the Unicorns in California, across industries like social, healthcare and life sciences, greentech, big data, internet, and the on-demand economy. CEO Andy Barrengos says, "We've constantly had to rethink and reinvent how we solve problems because the products and technologies many of our clients develop, sell, and use are changing the way we live. As a result, the complexity and severity of the risks facing companies, and the associated costs of managing this new risk environment, have changed dramatically. As our clients' risks change, we continue to invest in our expertise, data, and tools to support their risk assumption and transfer decisions, as well as their loss mitigation needs. Our goal is to help our clients run faster, sleep better, and do things they couldn't imagine because the risk would have been too great or simply misunderstood." Over the past 50 years, Woodruff Sawyer has invested in developing expertise and solutions in a multitude of risk areas and industry sectors using its specialization and service model. Regardless of the risk area or industry, Woodruff Sawyer's specialists are driven by a unique understanding of their clients' needs, informed by data and supported by teams with a long track record of championing for their clients' success. Michael Ray, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Woodruff Sawyer client Western Digital, says, "That's the real benefit of working with someone like Woodruff Sawyer. You trust that what you're getting is knowledgeable, expert judgmentjudgment that's backed by people who are putting in the time. They're the best informed and the most thoughtful." See Woodruff Sawyer's 100-year historical timeline. https://woodruffsawyer.com/about-us/100-years-and-counting-timeline . Media Contact Heidi Hodges [email protected] 415.402.6550 Woodruff Sawyer 50 California Street, Floor 12 San Francisco, CA 94111 About Woodruff Sawyer As one of the largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms in the US, Woodruff Sawyer protects the people and assets of more than 4,000 companies. We provide expert counsel and fierce advocacy to protect clients against their most critical risks in property & casualty, management liability, cyber liability, employee benefits, and personal wealth management. An active partner of Assurex Global and International Benefits Network, we provide expertise and customized solutions where clients need it, with headquarters in San Francisco, offices throughout the US, and global reach on six continents. For more information, call 844.972.6326, or visit woodruffsawyer.com . SOURCE Woodruff Sawyer Related Links https://woodruffsawyer.com DALLAS, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Generational Equity, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the sale of its client, Southwest Book Company, to an undisclosed buyer. The acquisition closed May 15, 2018. Southwest Book Company, located in Stafford, Texas, is a book wholesaler, supplying schools with classroom novels, author events, consignment sales for required reading, and book fairs. It has offices in the Houston and Dallas metropolitan areas, and established relationships with more than 500 publishers to deliver the best selection of reading materials. Generational Equity Senior Managing Director Michael Goss's team, led by Senior M&A Advisor Tim Cook with support from VP Corey Painter, successfully closed the deal. Senior Managing Director Thomas Hamm established the initial relationship with Southwest Book. 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. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Automotive Oe Tyres And Wheels - Technology, Trends And Forecasts to 2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the global light vehicle OE tyre and wheel sectors with analysis of the major suppliers, top markets, technology trends and market size forecasts. Based on exclusive interviews, primary research and proprietary data this global market study includes: For the top 14 markets it provides market size data and a 15-year forecast for: automotive original equipment (OE) tyres automotive OE aluminium and steel wheel market A review of the latest technological developments and market trends for: car tyres including green tyre technology, non-rubber materials, inner liners, airless tyres, quieter tyres, energy efficiency, aerodynamics, run-flat tech, sealant systems, labelling, TPMS wheels including surface treatments, forging, lightweighting, trims and thermoplastics Regional supplier market share data tables and commentary Exclusive interviews with OE suppliers (news and interviews only available in QUBE) Updated profiles of the major automotive tyre and wheel suppliers including their strategies and prospects You can use this report to: Gain a quick overview of the automotive tyre and wheel sectors globally Understand the size and scope of the top 14 markets Hear direct from leading companies on their strategies and plans Review the latest and most significant technological developments Know the key trends within the sector and what's driving them Spot opportunities and threats in this sector Establish key companies' latest activities and prospects Prepare supply and demand forecasts Produce internal sales plans and forecasts Carry out competitive intelligence Key Topics Covered: Introduction Pester analysis Companies Tyre companies Apollo Tyres Bridgestone Corporation Customers and contracts Infrastructure Continental AG Cooper Tire & Rubber Co Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Infrastructure Merger and acquisition activity Organisational structure Hankook Tire Co., Ltd. Customers and contracts Infrastructure Merger and acquisition activity Products Kumho Tire Co., Ltd. Kumho's infrastructure Organisational structure Products Michelin SCA Infrastructure Pirelli & C. S.p.A. Sibur Russian Tyres Sumitomo Corporation Infrastructure Products Toyo Tire and Rubber Co, Ltd Infrastructure Merger and acquisition activity Products Yokohama Tire Corporation Infrastructure Others Al-Amoudi Group Cheng Shin Rubber Giti Tire Lanxess Maxxis Multistrada Arah Sarana ND Rubber Nexen Tire Nokian Tyres PT Gajah Tunggal Sailun Tyre Trelleborg AB Triangle Tire Wheel companies Accuride Corporation Alcoa, Inc AMW Borbet Central Motor Wheel (CMW) CiTiC Dicastal Wheel Manufacturing Enkei Magnetto Maxion Wheels Mefro Otto Fuchs Ronal AG Steel Strips Wheels Superior Industries International Inc. Topy Industries Ltd. Uniwheels Wheels India Others Forecasts Tyres Wheels Aluminium wheels Regional markets Australia China Europe India Iran Japan Korea Mercosur North America Other Asia Russia South Africa Thailand Worldwide Steel wheels Markets Markets - tyres Emerging markets Market shares Asia Europe North America Market trends Korean Free Trade Agreement Winter tyre regulations Markets - wheels Europe Global overview Japan North America Other markets Technologies Technologies - tyres Commercial vehicle tyres Commercial tyres from Toyo Tires Continental rolls out its VancoEco tyre Light truck tyres from Continental Yokohama Rubber's inner liner for commercial vehicle tyres Other innovations Passenger car tyres Bridgestone's airless tyre concept Bridgestone's Large & Narrow concept tyre Continental's 'quieter' tyres Green tyres can cut the cost of motoring, says university researchers Michelin uses sunflower oil to make tyres Michelin's Energy XM2 tyre Yokohama lowers aerodynamic drag lowers aerodynamic drag Yokohama's material inner liner material inner liner Run-flat tyres Bridgestone's solution Continental's solution Goodyear's solution Tyre labelling Tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) Bendix's solution Bridgestone's solutions Continental's solution Dana's solution Nissan's solution Technologies - wheels Aluminium Alcoa supplies lightweight wheels for the Ferrari 458 Italia Alcoa's Dura-Bright surface treatment Alcoa's wide base aluminium wheels Forged aluminium wheels can reduce carbon footprint of commercial vehicles Forged wheels from Alcoa Tomorrow's aluminium wheels Other Lightweighting Thermoplastic wheel rims Wheel development process Wheel trims Steel Advantages of steel wheels Light weight steel wheel under development Tomorrow's steel wheels For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/hbnd77/global_automotive?w=5 Did you know that we also offer Custom Research? Visit our Custom Research page to learn more and schedule a meeting with our Custom Research Manager. Media Contact: Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com DUBLIN, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Overhead Catenary System Market by Catenary Wire (Simple, Stitched, Compound), Train (Metro, Light Rail, High-Speed Rail), Voltage, Component (Catenary Wire, Dropper, Insulator, Cantilever), Material, Track & Region - Global Forecast to 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The overhead catenary system market is estimated to be USD 25.53 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 46.94 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 9.09% from 2018 to 2025. The overhead catenary system market for electrified track length in operation is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.55% during the forecast period, from an estimated market size of 232.6 thousand miles in 2018 to 326.7 thousand miles by 2025. The key growth factors for the market are the expansion of high-speed rail network and electrified rail tracks for urban rail transit. The high voltage segment is estimated to hold the largest market share during the forecast period. The increasing development of high-speed rail transit in the Asia Pacific and European region is contributing to the growth of the overhead catenary system market. Also, the growing focus of urban planners to develop rail transport over other transportation mediums is majorly boosting the overhead catenary system market. The overhead catenary system market has been segmented, on the basis of component, into contact wire, droppers, insulators, and cantilevers. The market for contact wire is expected to grow at a significant rate between 2018 and 2025, by volume. In terms of units, insulators are projected to register the largest market share by 2025 because of its usage in high numbers in the overhead catenary system. The overhead catenary system market in Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing market for the overhead catenary system. The exponential expansion of the electrified rail tracks in countries such as China, Japan, and India has led to the increase in demand for overhead lines for rail application which, in turn, has increased the growth of the overhead catenary system market in this region. Moreover, the gradual rise in the adoption of urban rail and high-speed rail transit in the regional countries is contributing to the growth of the market. As a result, APAC holds a significant share of the overall overhead catenary system market. The overhead catenary system is primarily used for energizing the trains. Thus, the growth of the rail industry would ultimately govern the growth of the overhead catenary system market. Metros Metros are primarily a part of the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) and widely accepted across the globe as a transport channel. It is a more convenient, fast, comfortable, and an affordable mode of urban transport. It is known for its high capacity carriers and short travel duration, which are the key factors for the global implementation of the metro rail. Many metro projects are operating globally and successfully delivering transport services. In the developing countries, an increase in urbanization has led to the rise in the demand for transportation systems. This has led the governments to develop an infrastructure for MRTS. Thus, the development of MRTS would ultimately drive the growth of the overhead catenary system market. Light Rail Light rail comprises conventional intercity train fleet and trams that are presently being operated in many countries. The need for energy efficient transport has forced the urban planners to implement the electric operation of train fleet without affecting efficiency and reliability. Thus, the rail authorities of several countries have started expanding the electrification of rail tracks through overhead lines. This factor is contributing to the growth of the overhead catenary system market. High-Speed Rail The high-speed train operates at a high voltage power due to its high-velocity mobility. Supplying the high voltage power to the train overhead lines is the most suitable method of electrification with utmost safety and reliability. Thus, the anticipated growth of high-speed train lines across the world would lead to the growth of the catenary system market. Critical questions the report answers: Where will the urban rail transit developments take the overhead catenary system industry in the mid to long term? How does hydrogen power pose a threat to the overhead catenary system in the coming years? The increasing acceptance of the third rail system for urban rail transit is a major factor restraining the growth of the market. Third rail has been developed to overcome the disadvantages associated with the overhead catenary system to electrify the rail track. A third rail system is an additional rail that is placed in between or alongside the rails of a railway track. The additional rail, which is also called as conductor rail, is a cost-effective method of rapid transit system with a high traffic density. Unlike overhead catenary system, the third rail system does not require structures to carry wires and over-bridge for clearances. The key players in the market include CRRC (China), Alstom (France), Siemens (Germany), Bombardier (Canada), NKT (Denmark), ABB (Switzerland), Strukton (The Netherlands), TE Connectivity (Switzerland), Wabtec (US), and Lamifil (Belgium). These players are increasingly undertaking mergers and acquisitions, and product launches to develop and introduce new technologies and products in the market. Key Topics Covered: 1 Introduction 2 Research Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Premium Insights 4.1 Attractive Opportunities in the Overhead Catenary System Market 4.2 Overhead Catenary System Market Share, By Country 4.3 Overhead Catenary System Market, By Catenary Type 4.4 Overhead Catenary System Market, By Train Type 4.5 Overhead Catenary System Market, By Voltage 4.6 Overhead Catenary System Market, By Component 4.7 Overhead Catenary System Market, By Region 5 Market Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Market Dynamics 5.2.1 Drivers 5.2.1.1 Expansion of High-Speed Rail Network Generating the Need for Overhead Lines 5.2.1.2 High Reliability and Safety of the Overhead Catenary System 5.2.1.3 Growing Need for Energy-Efficient Rail Transport 5.2.2 Restraints 5.2.2.1 High Capital Investment and Maintenance Costs of the Overhead Catenary System 5.2.2.2 Growth of Third Rail System in Urban Rail Transit 5.2.3 Opportunities 5.2.3.1 Expansion of Electrified Network for Rail Transport 5.2.4 Challenges 5.2.4.1 the Overhead Catenary System is Prone to High Wear and Fatigue Failure 5.2.4.2 Transmission Losses Associated With the Overhead Catenary System 6 Industry Trends 6.1 Pantograph 6.2 Third Rail 7 Overhead Catenary System Market, By Track Length 8 Overhead Catenary System Market, By Train Type 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Metro 8.3 Light Rail 8.4 High-Speed Rail 9 Overhead Catenary System Market, By Voltage Type 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Low Voltage Wire 9.3 Medium Voltage Wire 9.4 High Voltage Wire 10 Overhead Catenary System Market, By Component 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Catenary Wire 10.3 Contact Wire 10.4 Droppers 10.5 Insulator 10.6 Cantilever 10.7 Connectors 10.8 Clamps 10.9 Steady ARM 11 Overhead Catenary System Market, By Catenary Wire Type 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Simple Catenary Wire 11.3 Stitched Catenary Wire 11.4 Compound Catenary Wire 12 Overhead Catenary System Market, By Material 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Cadmium Copper (CU-CD) 12.3 Copper Tin (CU-SN) 12.4 Copper Magnesium (CU-MG) 12.5 Copper Silver (CU-AG) 13 Overhead Catenary System Market, By Region 14 Competitive Leadership 14.1 Overview 14.2 Market Ranking 14.3 Competitive Senario 14.3.1 New Product Developments 14.3.2 Expansions 14.3.3 Collaborations/Joint Ventures/Supply Contracts/Partnerships/AGreements 14.3.4 Mergers & Acquisitions 15 Company Profile 15.1 CRRC 15.2 Alstom 15.3 Siemens 15.4 Bombardier 15.5 NKT 15.6 ABB 15.7 StruKTon 15.8 TE Connectivity 15.9 Nexans 15.10 Wabtec 15.11 Lamifil 15.12 Pfisterer 15.13 Other Key Regional Players 15.13.1 Asia Pacific 15.13.1.1 LS Cable & System 15.13.1.2 Niigata Transys 15.13.2 Europe 15.13.2.1 Rhombergrail 15.13.2.2 Kruch 15.13.2.3 Steconfer 15.13.2.4 Galland 15.13.2.5 Charignon 15.13.2.6 Sarkuysan 15.13.2.7 Generale Costruzioni Ferroviarie S.P.A 15.13.2.8 Kummler+Matter 15.13.2.9 Balfour Beatty 15.13.2.10 Elcowire 15.13.2.11 Eland Cables 15.13.3 North America 15.13.3.1 Emspec 15.13.4 RoW 15.13.4.1 Alucast Iran For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/h28xj3/global_overhead?w=5 Did you know that we also offer Custom Research? Visit our Custom Research page to learn more and schedule a meeting with our Custom Research Manager. Media Contact: Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com BELLEVUE, Wash., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A hard-edged radio advertisement blasting Initiative 1639the 30-page gun control measure now facing Washington State votershas hit the airwaves, telling listeners that in some Seattle neighborhoods, "if you call 911it takes 18 minutes for police to arrive." The advertisement is sponsored by Washingtonians and the National Rifle Association for Freedom, a political action committee to which the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms has significantly contributed. It began airing as ballots began arriving in mailboxes throughout Puget Sound, to remind voters what is at stake. Listen to the advertisement here. "I-1639," noted CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb, "is opposed by four major statewide law enforcement organizations representing a majority of rank-and-file police officers and sheriff's deputies: The Washington State Patrol Troopers Association, Washington State Sheriffs Association, Washington Council of Police & Sheriffs and Washington State Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors Association. In addition, the Cowlitz County Deputies and Sergeants Guild is also on record against the measure. "When boots-on-the-ground lawmen and women oppose a measure that is being promoted as a crime-prevention tool, it is safe to conclude that there is something really wrong with it," he added, "and I think this radio ad raises some of those issues." The radio message challenges voters to set their clocks for 18 minutes and then close their eyes and "imagine you're waiting for police, and then vote for your safety." "We know that police and sheriffs' departments do as good a job as they possibly can," Gottlieb noted, "and we thank the men and women who patrol our streets and county roads. The concern is not with law enforcement, but with the initiative mandate of so-called 'secure storage' that renders self-defense firearms useless." I-1639 is the only gun control issue on the ballot anywhere in the United States this year. "You can support the effort to keep this advertisement on the air by visiting the 'Vote No' website," Gottlieb noted. With more than 650,000 members and supporters nationwide, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (www.ccrkba.org) is one of the nation's premier gun rights organizations. As a non-profit organization, the Citizens Committee is dedicated to preserving firearms freedoms through active lobbying of elected officials and facilitating grass-roots organization of gun rights activists in local communities throughout the United States. SOURCE Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Related Links http://www.ccrkba.org FORT WAYNE, Ind., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Mend Medical, a healthcare investment firm, launched today with a commitment to addressing the systemic challenges currently undermining the delivery of patient care. Based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Mend Medical invests in innovative, transformative healthcare companies dedicated to improving accessible, affordable, quality patient care and eliminating incentives that put profits ahead of patients. Mend Medical's unique approach represents a bold strategy to heal healthcare. According to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), health care spending rose 4.3 percent to $3.3 trillion in 2016, or $10,348 per person. Healthcare spending accounts for 17.9 percent of the nation's Gross Domestic Product. in 2016, or per person. Healthcare spending accounts for 17.9 percent of the nation's Gross Domestic Product. The Kaiser Family Foundation's 2018 Employer Health Benefits Survey reports annual family premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance rose 5 percent to average $19,616 , extending a seven-year run of moderate increases. The mean household income in the United States is estimated to be $61,372 . , extending a seven-year run of moderate increases. The mean household income in is estimated to be . The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states at least 30 percent of antibiotic courses prescribed in the outpatient setting are unnecessary. Researchers at Mayo Clinic report more than 20 percent of patients are misdiagnosed. These are examples of a healthcare system that needs to be healed. "Our strategy is to identify and invest in companies that are changing healthcare right now. We're looking for unique, innovative technologies and leaders that are frustrated with the status quo and are passionate about making change happen," said Ben Joseph, President of Mend Medical. "Mend Medical is driving transformation that empowers the healing of our healthcare system. We're partnering with operating and early stage companies to create a collaborative network of bold leaders that are building a better healthcare economy." Mend Medical currently manages a group of legacy medical technology investments on behalf of parent company Ambassador Enterprises. Those investments include AssessMD, SpeechVive and Theratome Bio. Ambassador Enterprises is a philanthropic equity firm based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. "Ambassador Enterprises invests in innovative solutions to systemic problems driven by strategic leaders," said Arlan Friesen, President of Ambassador Enterprises. "Mend Medical is an opportunity for Ambassador to focus on accelerating progress with significant potential to change the lives of families and communities throughout the country and around the world. The U.S. healthcare system must evolve. Mend Medical is pushing this necessary transformation forward." Mend Medical is presenting at the 2018 Musculoskeletal New Ventures Conference (MNVC) in Memphis, Tenn., October 23-24. President Ben Joseph is speaking at the conference to introduce the company's investment strategy and interest in exploring partnerships that advance musculoskeletal treatments. Additional information about the conference is available at MNVC.org. About Mend Medical Mend Medical invests in companies that have innovative technologies and transformational ideas to solve real problems in the healthcare industry. Headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Mend Medical partners with companies to impact the culture of healthcare by working to lower costs, eliminate waste and make life better for people. SOURCE Mend Medical Related Links https://mendmedical.com HAMILTON, Bermuda, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Hoegh LNG Partners LP (the "Partnership") (NYSE: HMLP) today announced that it will host an investor and analyst event on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at 12:00 P.M. ET in New York City. Institutional investors and analysts interested in attending the event should contact Matt Berkowitz of The IGB Group at +1-212-227-7098 or [email protected]. A live Webcast of the presentation and slides will be available to the public on Hoegh LNG Partners' website at http://www.hoeghlngpartners.com. Please allow extra time prior to the presentation to visit the site and download any necessary software that may be needed to listen to the Webcast. A replay of the presentation will also be available on the Company's website. About Hoegh LNG Partners LP Hoegh LNG Partners LP is a growth-oriented limited partnership formed by Hoegh LNG Holdings Ltd. (Oslo Brs ticker: HLNG), a leading floating LNG service provider. HMLP's strategy is to own, operate and acquire floating storage and regasification units ("FSRUs") and associated LNG infrastructure assets under long-term charters. It has interests in five FSRUs that have an industry leading average remaining firm contract duration of 10.7 years plus options as of September 30, 2018. Media contact: Steffen Freid Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer +47 97557406 www.hoeghlngpartners.com SOURCE Hoegh LNG Partners LP Related Links http://www.hoeghlngpartners.com HOUSTON, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas-based litigation boutique Hicks Thomas LLP is pleased to announce that Houston appellate specialist and trial lawyer J. Stephen Barrick has been named a partner in the firm. Mr. Barrick concentrates his practice on civil appeals in state and federal courts. The substantive area of his appellate practice includes contracts, oil and gas, intellectual property, insurance coverage, and catastrophic personal injuries. He has been listed in the Texas Super Lawyers rating guide every year since 2012, is board certified in civil appellate law, and serves as the firm's lead appellate lawyer. Mr. Barrick has played a central role in securing substantial victories for Hicks Thomas clients. In 2012, he drafted the winning appellant's brief in Allen v. Devon Energy Holdings in the First Court of Appeals, producing a landmark appellate decision on securities fraud and fiduciary duties in Texas and a highly favorable settlement for the firm's client. Similarly, in 2014, Mr. Barrick played a critical role in securing a complete victory for the client in an international arbitration proceeding concerning an offshore drilling contract, producing both an appellate victory in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on arbitrator selection, and an arbitration award in excess of $170 million. "Steve has repeatedly demonstrated a mastery of difficult legal disputes, proving himself to be an indispensable member of the legal team and an outstanding advocate for our clients," said Hicks Thomas founding partner, John B. Thomas. Mr. Barrick earned his law degree with high honors at the University of Houston Law Center, where he was a member of the Law Review and Order of the Coif, and earned his bachelor's degree at the University of California at Berkeley. He clerked for U.S. District Judge John D. Rainey in the Southern District of Texas and practiced law at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP for several years before joining Hicks Thomas in 2008. Founded in 1997, Texas-based Hicks Thomas LLP is a premier litigation firm representing plaintiffs and defendants across the nation with offices in Houston, Austin, Beaumont, and Amarillo, Texas, and in Sacramento, California. The firm provides in-depth experience in cases involving oil and gas, environmental, complex commercial, toxic tort, construction, products liability, corporate governance, securities, banking, insurance coverage, transportation, trade secrets and business litigation. For more information about the firm and its practice areas, visit www.hicks-thomas.com/. Media Contact: Kit Frieden 800-559-4534 [email protected] SOURCE Hicks Thomas LLP Related Links http://www.hicks-thomas.com CLEVELAND, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. (NYSE: HY) will release 2018 Third Quarter financial results and will file its 2018 Third Quarter 10-Q after the close of the market on Tuesday, October 30, 2018. The Company will also host a conference call on Wednesday, October 31, 2018 to discuss its results for the 2018 third quarter. Conference Call: Wednesday, October 31, 2018 Time: 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) Telephone: (833) 241-7250 (Toll Free) or (647) 689-4214 (International) Conference ID: 2878456 (Call in at least five minutes before start time) For Replay Call: (800) 585-8367 (Toll Free) or (416) 621-4642 (International) Conference ID: 2878456 This call will also be broadcast live and available for replay over the Internet. To access the call, go to www.hyster-yale.com. Please allow 15 minutes to register, download and install any necessary software. Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc., headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, offers a broad array of solutions to meet the specific materials handling needs of customers' applications. The Company's wholly owned operating subsidiary, Hyster-Yale Group, Inc., designs, engineers, manufactures, sells and services a comprehensive line of lift trucks and aftermarket parts marketed globally primarily under the Hyster and Yale brand names. Subsidiaries of Hyster-Yale Group include Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLC, an alternative-power technology company focused on fuel cell stacks and engines, and Bolzoni S.p.A., a leading worldwide producer of attachments, forks and lift tables marketed under the Bolzoni, Auramo and Meyer brand names. Hyster-Yale Group also has significant joint ventures in Japan (Sumitomo NACCO) and in China (Hyster-Yale Maximal). For more information about Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. and its subsidiaries, visit the Company's websites at www.hyster-yale.com and www.bolzonigroup.com . ### SOURCE Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. Related Links http://www.hyster-yale.com Hooks is the third judge at Leighton in recent months to be reassigned to administrative duties for alleged misconduct. Judge Joseph Claps was reassigned after he was hit with a misdemeanor gun charge in July, when cameras caught a gun falling out of his jacket in the lobby. And Judge Mauricio Araujo was taken off the bench last month for allegedly insulting a female prosecutor and insinuating he may have had sex with her. Claire Bennett, Chief Marketing Officer for IHG said, "What our guests think and feel about our hotels is the most valuable feedback we can get, so it's an honor to have two IHG brands rated as their top choice. Our J.D. Power rankings are not only a recognition of the promise of our brands it's a recognition of the people who bring them to life every day - our hotel teams. They embody 'True Hospitality' and are the reason we're able to build such strong loyalty for these great brands. We look forward to another year of welcoming guests through our doors, and taking these great guest experiences to new locations as we grow around the world." Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is a global boutique brand currently operating 66 hotels and 82 restaurants, bars and lounges in the U.S., Caribbean, and Europe. In 2018, Kimpton was named the #6 best company to work for on the 21st annual FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For list, which is based on surveyed employee ratings of their workplace culture for the ninth year. Having opened in Amsterdam in 2017, Kimpton continues its global expansion, with the brand debuting in the UK next month with the opening of the Kimpton Fitzroy London. This will be followed by openings in Taipei, Paris, Frankfurt, Bali, Tokyo, Sanya, Barcelona, Bangkok and Shanghai. Staybridge Suites offers guests the freedom to travel their own way, with full size kitchens and large suites for business and leisure travelers spending an extended time away from home. Guests can also look forward to opportunities to socialize with colleagues or other guests, at weekly complimentary Evening Socials. Staybridge Suites continues to expand with recent openings in Seattle, U.S., Niagara Falls, Canada and Manchester, UK. Properties in the Netherlands, Thailand and Saudi Arabia will also open soon. The J.D. Power study takes a variety of factors into account when determining overall guest satisfaction including the reservation process, check-in/check-out; guest rooms, food & beverage; hotel services; hotel facilities; and cost & fees. Kimpton and Staybridge Suites are segment leaders in the check-in and check-out process according to guests. Kimpton also led the category in Hotel Facilities, with design and product elements that differentiate the brand around incorporating authentic local decor. Staybridge Suites is the segment leader in Hotel Services, which looks at internet and recreational facilities, where the brand well outperforms the segment average. This year's study analyzed and ranked 70 brands in eight market segments. The rankings were generated based on responses from approximately 55,000 people who stayed at hotels between May 2017 and May 2018. For more information about the 2018 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study, visit http://www.jdpower.com/resource/jd-power-north-america-hotel-guest-satisfaction-index-study. About J.D. Power: J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics. These capabilities enable J.D. Power to help its clients drive customer satisfaction, growth and profitability. Established in 1968, J.D. Power is headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., and has offices serving North/South America, Asia Pacific and Europe. J.D. Power is a portfolio company of XIO Group, a global alternative investments firm headquartered in London, and is led by its four founders: Athene Li, Joseph Pacini, Murphy Qiao and Carsten Geyer. Notes to Editors: IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG,NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global organisation with a broad portfolio of hotel brands, including Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, EVEN Hotels, HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, voco, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Holiday Inn Resort, avid hotels, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites. IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns more than 5,500 hotels and approximately 826,000 guest rooms in almost 100 countries, with more than 1,800 hotels in its development pipeline. IHG also manages IHG Rewards Club, our global loyalty programme, which has more than 100 million enrolled members. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales. More than 375,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally. Visit www.ihg.com for hotel information and reservations and www.ihgrewardsclub.com for more on IHG Rewards Club. For our latest news, visit: www.ihgplc.com/media and follow us on social media at: www.twitter.com/ihg, www.facebook.com/ihg and www.youtube.com/ihgplc. About Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants: San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is the original boutique hotel company, which pioneered the concept of unique, distinctive, design-forward hotels in the United States in 1981. Anchored in one-of-a-kind experiences, Kimpton now operates more than 60 hotels and 80 restaurants, bars and lounges across urban locations, resort destinations and up and coming markets in the United States, Europe, Caribbean and Greater China. Kimpton spaces and experiences center on its guests, offering inspiring design that evokes curiosity to forward-thinking flavors that feed the soul. Every detail is thoughtfully curated and artfully delivered, so that guest experiences remain meaningful, unscripted and ridiculously personal. Kimpton's employees, empowered to provide heartfelt service and experiences, have built a highly regarded workplace culture that appears consistently on FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list. In January 2015, Kimpton became part of the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) family of hotel brands. For more information, visit www.KimptonHotels.com. About Staybridge Suites: Staybridge Suites is an innovative, all-suite hotel brand designed to meet the needs of extended stay guests seeking a break from the travel norm. Staybridge brand offers guests the freedom to travel their own way whether that is for business, relocation or vacation. The brand continues to grow rapidly with 267 hotels open across the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. For more information about Staybridge Suites, visit www.StaybridgeSuites.com . Find us on Twitter www.twitter.com/Staybridge , Facebook www.facebook.com/StaybridgeSuites or Instagram www.instagram.com/staybridge . SOURCE IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) Related Links http://www.6c.com HABO, Sweden, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Order intake was MSEK 4,400.5 (3,939.3), which is an overall growth of 11.7% adjusted to 0.4% for acquisitions of MSEK 317.3 and currency effects of MSEK 127.1 Net sales were MSEK 4,132.9 (3,850.4), which is an overall growth of 7.3% adjusted to -3,4% for acquisitions of MSEK 290.0 and currency effects of MSEK 123.5 Operating profit was MSEK 500.2 (505.5) representing a 1.0% decrease with an operating margin of 12.1 (13.1)% Earnings after tax were 348.9 (352.8), a decrease of 1.1% Earnings per share were SEK 3.05 (3.09). (3.09). Cash flow from operating activities was MSEK 90.7 (405.1) Comments from CEO Bodil Sonesson: The Group continues to deliver solid results while the lighting industry is experiencing some challenges. The year-to-date overall order intake is ahead of last year by 11.7% and after adjusting for acquisitions and currency effects the organic order intake is ahead of last year by 0.4%. The total order stock is ahead of last year by 18.4%. The year to date overall net sales is ahead of last year by 7.3% and after adjusting for acquisitions and currency effects the organic net sales has declined 3.4%. The operating margin has been improving during the year from 10.9% in Q1 to in 11.7% Q2 to a stronger 13.5% in the current quarter. In most of the Group's main business areas we see a consistent and good level of activity for enquiries, quotations and order income. In the UK we notice a continued tough market with lower construction activity levels as the uncertainty from Brexit grows due to the approaching March 2019 timeframe. timeframe. Investments in medium term growth activities continue to make progress and look to deliver positive returns in coming quarters. Q3 operating profit at 195.0 (192.2) MSEK is another record high for the Group and results from overall strong organic margin development and successful integration of new acquisitions. We continue to have reason to be positive about the near term future with a general good activity level, healthy order backlog and some encouraging signs from growth investments. The Group's decentralised model is a key part of the success. "I look forward to working in the Fagerhult Group and to continue the strong development into the future," new CEO, Bodil Sonesson . Contact: Disclosures may be submitted by Bodil Sonesson CEO, mobile: +46-72223-7602 e-mail: [email protected] Michael Wood CFO, mobile: +46-73-087-46-47 e-mail: [email protected] This information is inside information that AB Fagerhult (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and information that AB Fagerhult (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 10.10 CET on 23rd October 2018. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/fagerhult/r/interim-report-january---september-2018,c2650704 The following files are available for download: http://mb.cision.com/Main/1781/2650704/931242.pdf Fagerhult, Interim Report January a" September 2018 SOURCE Fagerhult MILWAUKEE, Oct. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Ademi & O'Reilly, LLP announces an investigation of Honeywell International Inc. (HON) for possible violations of securities laws. If you lost money in your Honeywell investment, you are encouraged to contact us at: http://ademilaw.com/case/honeywell or call Guri Ademi toll-free at 866-264-3995. There is no cost or obligation to you. The investigation focuses on whether Honeywell made false and misleading statements about its accounting for Bendix asbestos-related liabilities. The Securities and Exchange Commission has opened an investigation into Honeywell's accounting for these liabilities and Honeywell said the investigation follows discussions with the SEC that prompted it to correct and restate its asbestos liabilities by about $1.1 billion more than its prior estimate. If you lost money on your Honeywell investment and want additional information, please contact Guri Ademi either at [email protected] or toll-free: 866-264-3995, or http://ademilaw.com/case/honeywell. Ademi & O'Reilly, LLP specializes in protecting investor rights throughout the country. For more information, please feel free to call us. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Contacts Ademi & O'Reilly, LLP Guri Ademi Toll Free: (866) 264-3995 Fax: (414) 482-8001 SOURCE Ademi & O'Reilly, LLP Related Links http://ademilaw.com RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- K4Connect, a mission-centered technology company that creates solutions that serve and empower older adults and individuals living with disabilities, announced today a $12 million Series B round of funding led by AXA Venture Partners. This latest round brings the funding total to over $22 million and will be used to further develop the Company's K4Community solution and underlying Fusion platform/OS technologies. K4Connect will also use the proceeds to expand its customer base, which already includes over 13,000 residents across dozens of senior living communities from Florida to California, as well as to accelerate its partnerships across a spectrum of consumer and senior living-specific companies. The funding follows a year of record growth for K4Connect, which tripled its revenues and expanded its team by 40%. K4Connect's first product, K4Community, is specifically designed to serve the residents, staff and operators of senior living communities. Integrating the latest in smart home, smart wellness and smart living technologies into a single easy-to-use system, K4Community makes any senior living community a truly Smart Community. K4Community brings together a plethora of advanced device, application and service technologies, making them accessible through both touch and voice technologies. In addition to being a ground-breaking amenity for senior community residents, K4Community also provides community staff and operators with the tools and data to provide the best in care and hospitality, as well as drive a measurable ROI through operational efficiencies and lowered costs. "We're honored to have an organization such as AXA Venture Partners lead our latest round of funding. We have been extremely fortunate to have a set of investor advocates who not only wholly support our mission, but also bring significant strategic value," said F. Scott Moody, Chief Member Advocate, Co-founder and CEO of K4Connect. "Very few companies understand the health and insurance markets, both nationally and globally, as well as AXA. Their support will allow us to not only grow in the United States, but expand internationally as well. We look forward to working with them to expand the market for our first product, K4Community, as well as other planned products." Core to K4Connect's success is its patented Fusion platform/OS, a multi-modal software platform that acts as an enterprise-wide "operating system" that provides a secure and reliable edge-cloud hybrid architecture. Employing an open and modular design, Fusion allows for the integration of virtually any device (home or wellness), service or application into a single cohesive system. In addition to K4Community, future products that will take advantage of the Company's Fusion technologies include K4Home, designed for older adults living in their own homes, and K4HomeCare, designed for care agencies. "The health and well-being of the world's aging population is a key focus for us," said Manish Agarwal, a General Partner with AXA Venture Partners. "We've looked at a number of impressive technologies designed specifically for older adults over the years, yet K4Connect is the first company we've seen that can bring all these disparate technologies together into a single solution, not only for the senior living community operators, but also for the residents and their families. We're excited about partnering with the K4Connect team, including all their prior investor advocates, to find new ways to bring the Company's current and future solutions to the one billion people they hope to serve around the world." Joining AXA Venture Partners, the venture fund backed by the world's second largest financial services company, are Intel Capital, Intel's strategic investment organization, which led the Series A round, and Sierra Ventures, a premier Silicon Valley-based venture firm, which led K4Connect's Seed Round of funding. Previous investors that also joined this round include: Stonehenge Growth Equity, Revolution Ventures' Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, Traverse Venture Partners, Better Ventures and RGAX, LLC, a subsidiary of Reinsurance Group of America. Dr. Agarwal will join K4Connect's board of directors, working alongside Dr. Ben Yu from Sierra Ventures, Dave Johnson from Intel Capital, Steve Lux from Stonehenge Growth Equity, Terri Novak, the former COO of Kisco Senior Living, and Scott Moody. To learn more about K4Connect, please visit: www.k4connect.com. About K4Connect K4Connect is a mission-centered technology company creating connected-life solutions that serve and empower older adults and individuals living with disabilities, and those that support them. K4Connect's products encourage simpler, healthier and happier lives by integrating the latest technologies, enabling more independent and healthier lives, while fostering social connection. The Company's first product, K4Community, is specifically designed for the residents, staff and operators of senior living communities and currently serves thousands across the U.S. For more information, please visit www.k4connect.com. About AXA Venture Partners AXA Venture Partners (AVP) is a venture capital fund backed by AXA, the leading global insurer and asset manager. AVP manages $450 million, including $275 million direct investment fund and $175 million fund investment vehicle. AVP invests across stages in enterprise software, fintech, consumer technologies and digital health, as well as other technologies relevant to insurance and asset management. With offices in San Francisco, New York, London, Paris and Hong Kong, AVP invests globally. More information can be found at www.axavp.com. Media Contact Lindsay Hull Zer0 to 5ive for K4Connect [email protected] (508) 963-1356 SOURCE K4Connect Related Links http://www.k4connect.com UXBRIDGE, Mass., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lampin Corporation, a 100% employee-owned machine shop in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, has provided funding for a total of six education grants this year. The grants, totaling $10,135, will be awarded to students and schools in the Blackstone Valley school district to support programs in engineering, science, robotics, and more. "We're very passionate about helping the next generation learn the scientific and technical skills they will need to succeed in a 21st-century world," said Robin LeClaire, President of Lampin. "Manufacturing is an advanced industry. It's vital that we continue to collaborate with local educational institutions to garner more student interest in pursuing STEM field careers by providing them with the opportunity to learn advanced engineering skills." The grants include several robotics courses, such as the "Ozobots on the Loose", a $1,000 grant awarded to the Frederick W. Hartnett Middle School. Students will learn various levels of coding by working in collaborative teams to help programmable robots (Ozobots) achieve missions that increase in difficulty. Meanwhile, students at Northbridge High School will experience a mock mission to Mars at the McAuliffe Center, thanks to a $2,000 grant funded by Lampin Corporation. Lampin provided funding for the grants as part of an initiative by the Blackstone Valley Education Foundation to "leverage community support that enhances efforts to connect current learning with future career paths for students". BVEF provides resources and development tools to schools and teachers that enable them to give students access to innovative educational opportunities focused on 21st-century skills. By connecting classrooms with local businesses in the community, like Lampin Co., they engage and assist with the development of our future workforce. About Lampin Corporation Lampin Corporation, an ITAR-compliant and ISO 9001:2015-certified company, delivers critical component manufacturing expertise that goes beyond precision. Located in the historic Blackstone River Valley, the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Lampin is a 100%-employee-owned company. Lampin's value engineering approach ensures that design, materials, and process combine to provide the best value in the industry. Lampin also manufactures MITRPAK, the right angle gearbox and spiral bevel gear drive preferred by OEM and MRO customers desiring reduced risk, lower inventory, and improved asset availability. Learn more about Lampin and MITRPAK and sign up for the e-Newsletter at www.lampin.com. SOURCE Lampin Corporation Related Links http://www.lampin.com ROBBINSVILLE, N.J., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- NorthStar VETS veterinary emergency and specialty veterinary hospital in New Jersey is issuing a warning to people in the area with pets. Over the past several months, there has been a marked increase in the number of Leptospirosis cases treated at the hospital and at other veterinary hospitals in the NJ/NY/PA areas. NorthStar VETS advises everyone to be aware of Leptospirosis, and to consider having their family veterinarian vaccinate at-risk pets to prevent spread of the disease. Dr. Steven Berkowitz, Emergency and Critical Care veterinarian for NorthStar VETS, said, "We want pet parents to be aware of Leptospirosis, and to consider vaccinating their at-risk pets to help prevent spread of the disease. Each individual patient should be assessed by their family veterinarian." Make sure you have all the facts for pet vaccinations You and your pet are both at risk for Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning that you can also contract this infection from your pet. If you have a pet that has Leptospirosis, please contact your health care provider and inform them. This is especially true if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are immunosuppressed for any reason. It is most commonly spread through contact with infected urine and either your mucus membranes (lips, mouth, nose, eyes) or an open wound. Leptospira bacteria has been found in sitting water including old tires or toys left outside. bacteria has been found in sitting water including old tires or toys left outside. This bacteria is endemic world-wide in wild mice and rats and they are usually the source of the infection. This is a curable disease, but necessitates long term antibiotics and other supportive care, and without this, it can be fatal to both you and your pets. There is a vaccine for Leptospirosis. Contact your family veterinarian to see if they recommend it for your pet. Signs and symptoms of Leptospirosis: General malaise Excessive drinking and urinating Waxing/waning fever Vomiting or loss of appetite Icterus (yellowing of the gums, skin and whites of the eyes) Excessive bleeding or bruising Kidney and/or liver failure About NorthStar VETS Located in Robbinsville, NJ, NorthStar VETS is the region's leader in providing advanced veterinary services by board-certified, residency trained, or highly experienced veterinarians 24/7. As an American Animal Hospital-Accredited (AAHA) Referral Practice, NorthStar VETS continues to set the standard in medical excellence for dogs, cats, birds, exotics, and other family pets. www.northstarvets.com Contact: Phillip Barnes, 1-609-223-1513, [email protected] SOURCE NorthStar VETS Related Links http://www.northstarvets.com ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- To ensure Puerto Rican and Hispanic voters in Central Florida maximize their growing political influence in the upcoming midterm elections and beyond, Hispanic Federation announced the launch of its multi-media campaign under the Respeta Mi Gente (RMG) voter mobilization coalition. Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda and Billboard Music Award-winning artist Frankie Negron joined Monday's announcement to lend their support to the Respeta Mi Gente coalition's efforts. By focusing on key issues, the Respeta Mi Gente comprehensive media initiative will encourage Puerto Ricans and Hispanics to engage in the local, state and federal elections. A key component of the Respeta Mi Gente campaign is a substantial investment in paid media. RMG hopes this will drive home the message that Hispanics, particularly Puerto Ricans, are a political force to be reckoned with as they exercise their right to vote. Through radio, television, and digital ads, the campaign will reinforce key issues deemed important to Puerto Ricans: affordable housing, access to healthcare, higher wage jobs, action on climate change, access to education, and rebuilding Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Maria. The ads will include audio from an updated version of Hector Lavoe's " Mi Gente ," with new lyrics sung by Frankie Negron. Respeta Mi Gente will also be investing heavily in Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts by Alianza for Progress, Hispanic Federation, Organize Florida, Vamos4PR, and Faith in Florida through increased canvassing and expanded ground events that will engage and mobilize Puerto Rican/Hispanic voters. The RMG campaign will reach and activate over 100,000 voters in Central Florida. The campaign will also support the expansion of text messaging tools that will reach nearly 200,000 people. Jose Calderon, President of Hispanic Federation, said: "Puerto Rican and Latino voters in Florida are a rapidly growing and critical segment of the state's voting population, and their concerns and aspirations should be top of mind for anyone running for office in the Sunshine State. The Respeta Mi Gente campaign is singularly focused on that goal, which is to empower our community of voters to get out to the polls and make sure that those seeking office prioritize policies that are important to Puerto Rican and Latino Floridians." Frederick Velez, Campaign Coordinator for Respeta Mi Gente and Organizing Director for Alianza for Progress, said: "We are convinced that the cultural approach to the campaigning of Respeta Mi Gente is what is yielding great results. Respeta Mi Gente and our partner organizations have knocked more than 145,000 doors and had more than 23,000 conversations with members of our community. We have seen that talking about the issues Puerto Ricans care for in Central Florida and adding cultural components to give the campaign a unique Hispanic feel has made a meaningful difference when engaging our community." Examples of the multi-media campaign are available HERE . A recording of this Monday's media call with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Frankie Negron is available HERE . Hispanic Federation (HF) is the nation's premier Latino nonprofit membership organization. Founded in 1990, HF seeks to support Hispanic families and strengthen Latino institutions through work in the areas of education, health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment, & the environment. Respeta Mi Gente, a project of Alianza for Progress, is a campaign to build political power among the growing share of Puerto Rican voters in Florida and leverage it, together with the vote of the greater Latino population, to address the community's priorities on the Island and on the mainland in the 2018 midterm elections. SOURCE Respeta Mi Gente PLYMOUTH, Minn., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Monteris Medical, the leader in minimally invasive image-guided thermal therapy, today announced it has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its NeuroBlate Optic Laser Probe, a laser probe with fiber optic controlled cooling. The NeuroBlate Optic Laser Probe is for use with the NeuroBlate System, a minimally invasive MRI-guided robotic laser thermotherapy for use with brain tumors and epileptic foci. Martin J. Emerson, president and chief executive officer of Monteris Medical, said, "This is an important milestone for Monteris Medical, as well as the neurosurgeons and patients we serve. The Optic Laser Probe's fiber optic temperature sensor retains the NeuroBlate System's unique ability to deliver ablation and cooling control while also raising the probe's safety profile." The NeuroBlate Optic Laser Probe platform was designed with patient safety in mind. The new design replaces the metal thermocouple inside the laser probe with a non-metallic fiber optic temperature sensor, thus eliminating any risk of unintended probe heating. Because all patient contacting components of the NeuroBlate Optic Laser Probe are non-metallic, MR scan restrictions issued as part of the field advisory notice in the fall of 2017 are eliminated. Additionally, due to its non-metallic fiber optic temperature sensor, the NeuroBlate Optic Laser Probe allows for more freedom to customize the trajectory during surgical planning and positioning. This feature is especially noteworthy for procedures with challenging target locations. Today's NeuroBlate System continues to feature a 1064 nm wavelength, which delivers controlled heating of targeted ablation zones, allowing for deeper penetration of energy and a slower rate of tissue heating. This controlled heating approach means that over-heating targeted tissue may be prevented. In addition to the new NeuroBlate Optic Laser Probe for the brain, the NeuroBlate System features exclusive TruTemp Technology, which is built to deliver accurate thermography with enhanced visualization. TruTemp Technology uniquely mitigates the factors that may negatively influence MRI thermometry, providing confidence in the accuracy of the ablation zone and added safety assurance. NeuroBlate Fusion Software, the exclusive software intelligence behind the NeuroBlate System, delivers advanced image co-registration tools for assured surgical accuracy, enhanced visualization of the ablation target, and maintains robotic control of the laser probe throughout the ablation. Since receiving FDA 510(k) clearance in 2013, the NeuroBlate System has been used in more than 2,000 patient procedures across 60 installed systems in the U.S. and Canada, and continues to deliver precision and confidence, which are vitally important during an ablation procedure. The new NeuroBlate Optic Laser Probe is the culmination of many advancements within the NeuroBlate System, resulting in a significant leap forward in minimally invasive brain surgery. The NeuroBlate System is a minimally invasive robotically controlled laser thermotherapy that uses MRI-guided laser light to ablate unwanted tissue in the brain where the lesion, or abnormal tissue, originates. Unlike traditional brain surgery, a procedure with the NeuroBlate System does not require a large opening in the skull. Instead, doctors create a small hole in the skull, about the diameter of a pencil. While the patient is in the MRI machine, the doctor guides a small laser device (probe) through the hole into the lesion. The probe delivers laser light energy that heats and destroys the affected tissue. Because the NeuroBlate System is MRI-guided, the neurosurgeon is able to visualize the specific area of the brain to be ablated. The precise nature of the procedure helps to lessen the likelihood of harm to nearby healthy brain tissue. For more information about Monteris and full prescribing information for the NeuroBlate System, please visit monteris.com. About Monteris and the NeuroBlate System Monteris Medical is a privately held company that develops and markets innovative MRI-guided, laser-based systems for the ablation of brain lesions. Current investors include Versant Ventures, SightLine Partners, Birchview Capital, and BDC Capital. The Monteris NeuroBlate System is the only minimally invasive cranial access system that enables a robotic interface for the precise and safe delivery of laser energy. The NeuroBlate System is a tool (as opposed to a "treatment") and is not intended to treat any specific disease. Physicians should use their clinical judgment and experience when deciding whether to use NeuroBlate. SOURCE Monteris Medical Related Links http://www.monteris.com The Ray Wilson Memorial Chisamba Enduro 2018 was hosted by the Chisamba Power Sport club at the Sable Farms in South Africa from October 12 to October 14. The club's mission is to provide natives to the area with an outdoor fun environment to practice all forms of sports that require two or four wheels or water vehicles while collecting funds for charity. "We've been sponsoring Enduro races in South Africa for quite some time because we believe that activities like this is what brings a sense of community to the area making it a more united society," David Collett, Moringa Wellness CEO, said. Moringa Wellness also provided NASAD with monetary funds and Moringa seeds to help them create a secure environment at the Natemwa Learning Centre/ Kachele Village for the healthy children of leprosy sufferers under care by the organization. NASAD was established as a Zambian NGO in 1993 to gather funds to help those who need it most. Thanks to the labor of Kathy Harding, three other generous women and donations from organizations in countries like England, Germany, Holland and America, NASAD grew stronger making it possible to develop the Natemwa Learning Center into a secondary school in the New Jerusalem Kachele Village in the District of Chisamba in South Africa, which currently caters for 240 children drawn from ten villages around the Kachele Village, as a primary school. "We truly believe in what Kathy and the other ladies are doing with this initiative, and that's why we've decided to help," Collett said. Moringa Wellness is known for its scientifically formulated foods containing ingredients native to South Africa. Exclusive and revolutionary, the health food company's food scientists have developed a process in which they use reverse osmosis and atomization to create a potent, water-soluble botanical extract called Moringex. Moringex removes the Moringa flavor without removing its nutrients and functionality, so that muffins, energy and fruit bars, nut-free spreads, powders and other foods can be made lacking Moringa flavor. For more information on Moringa Wellness products visit www.moringa-wellness.com. Please direct inquiries to: Michelle Bizet, 561-544-0719 [email protected] SOURCE Moringa Wellness Related Links http://www.moringa-wellness.com WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Media are invited to tour Nanocomp Technologies in Merrimack, New Hampshire, at 10:45 a.m. EDT Monday, Oct. 29, and learn about a nanotechnology that could enable lighter spacecraft and launch vehicles, making spaceflight and exploration more affordable. NASA has contracted with Nanocomp, a Huntsman company, for the continued development of their high-strength, carbon-based material called Miralon. During this event, Jim Reuter, acting associate administrator of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, and David Bowles, director of NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, will discuss next steps for this technology. Media may join Reuter and Bowles, along with U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Scott Wright, president of advanced materials at Huntsman, and John Gargasz, managing director of Nanocomp, on a tour of the facility to get a firsthand look at the work being done to mass manufacture and commercialize the company's innovative, ultra-lightweight materials. Following the tour, Reuter, Shaheen and Gargasz will give brief remarks and take questions. Technology demonstrations will include: Next-generation yarn production Miralon as a heat shield for space, aircraft and automotive applications Furnaces producing sheet and yarn product Miralon heated furniture and fixtures Miralon yarn as a wire for lighting Media interested in attending should contact Clare Skelly at 202-358-4273 or [email protected] no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26. Nanocomp is located at 57 Daniel Webster Hwy. Media should arrive between 10:15 and 10:30 a.m. Composed of interconnected, long-format nanotube bundles, Miralon is produced as sheets, yarn, tape and dispersed products. It is extremely lightweight, strong, ductile, and electrically conductive, and enables thermal transport across several material formats and applications. For more information on the NASA's investments in space technology, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/spacetech SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov Even though the Uptown Theatre was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986, Wolf showed no interest in preserving the movie hall in the 15 years he owned it. It sat vacant and boarded up, though he kept the heat on and allowed volunteers to repair its interior. (It is now undergoing a massive restoration project to open it to the public again.) COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lisa Cini's new survey regarding marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD) use by baby boomers and older revealed that 83% of the 11,000+ respondents are using some form of cannabis, either for medical, recreational purposes or both. Almost 50% partake both for recreational and medical reasons, 66% partake daily, and 5% use rarely. Only 12% have never used marijuana. The numbers reveal that marijuana and/or CBD use use is an important component of many seniors' lives. "The results frankly shocked me, and I believe they will generate some much-needed dialogue about aging, senior living, and what it means to have the freedom to be our best selves as we age," says Lisa Cini, Senior living expert and author of multiple books focused on seniors aging on their own terms. "74.1 million baby boomers in the U.S. today, don't just want freedom as they age; they consider it oxygen for their soul. We can't avoid factoring in that recreational drugs were part of how the boomer generation grew up, and when it comes to marijuana, quite a few have either never stopped partaking or have resumed doing so when no longer having to maintain a career or raise children." In recent years, laws legalizing medical use have been enacted in 31 states, and recreational use in nine states plus D.C. These changes have brought a major new multi-billion-dollar industry into being. So, what does all this mean for those who, like Cini, are dedicated to making lives better for seniors? There's a great deal more to marijuana than just getting high, especially for seniors battling health and comfort challenges. The survey, conducted between July and August of 2018, spread like wildfire among over 15,000 boomers, with more than 67% completing the survey, translating into more than 11,000+ legitimate and complete responses. 80% of survey respondents were baby boomers, 17% were borderline boomers aged 50-53, and 3% were over 72 years of age. A big shocker for Cini was that 37% of the respondents live in a state where marijuana is not legal for any purpose, which she believes adds validity to the survey because it negates the issue of seniors enjoying marijuana only because it's legal in their state. It also means that these seniors are thwarting the law and making the effort to get their cannabis somehow. "Marijuana use is a reality that we can't just ignore," adds Cini. "It's time to get over our fear of discussing it because it's part of the daily lives of so many. Do we now need to think about senior-friendly tools for using marijuana? Are there implications for designing seniors' living spaces? What about marijuana-using seniors who live with family members who don't use, including grandchildren? Let's address these questions in honest, open forums." Lisa Cini is an award-winning senior living designer, President / CEO, Mosaic Design Studio and author of The Future is Here: Senior Living Re-imagined, Hive, which describes her family's four generations living under the same roof in her own home, and soon to be released, BOOM: The Baby Boomers Guide to Leveraging Technology, so that you can Preserve Your Independent Lifestyle & Thrive. Lisa's web site BestLivingTech.com offers tech products that help seniors Embrace Aging and live independently. SOURCE Lisa Cini Related Links http://www.bestlivingtech.com CHICAGO, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson today announced results from the continuation of a randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study investigating STELARA (ustekinumab) in the treatment of active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus). The data show sustained improvements across global and organ-specific disease activity measures in patients receiving STELARA continuously through one year and improvements in patients who crossed over from placebo to STELARA at week 24 through one year. The data are being presented at a Plenary Session during the American College of Rheumatology and Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ACR/ARHP) 2018 Annual Meeting taking place October 19-24. "Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, can affect the joints, skin, heart, lungs, kidneys and brain. For those who live with it, it can be debilitating and even life-threatening," said Ronald van Vollenhoven, M.D. Ph.D., Director of the Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center ARC and Professor of Rheumatology, University of Amsterdam and Free University and lead study investigator*. "The positive results of this longer-term Phase 2 study further support the role that IL-12 and -23 cytokines may play in the pathophysiology of the disease and underscore the need for additional treatment options for patients living with lupus." The one-year results build on initial data from the Phase 2 trial, which found a significantly higher proportion of patients receiving STELARA showed improvements in lupus disease activity, as measured by the SLE Responder Index (SRI)-4 response, at week 24, compared with placebo (62 percent vs. 33 percent respectively, P=0.0057). These findings were presented at the ACR/ARHP 2017 Annual Meeting and were recently published online (September) and in the October print issue of The Lancet. After the 24-week placebo-controlled period of the study, patients receiving placebo crossed over to receive STELARA (90mg SC every 8 weeks), while patients receiving STELARA continued to receive STELARA at the same dose (90mg SC every 8 weeks). Following 48 weeks (or approximately one year) of treatment, data showed the following: Of patients initially randomized to STELARA: 63 percent of patients met SRI-4 response criteria. Rates of changes from baseline in SLE Disease Activity-2K (SLEDAI-2K) were sustained from week 24 (65 percent) through one year (67 percent). Rates of Physician Global Assessment (PGA) and active joint responses were sustained from week 24 to one year. Response rate of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) increased from week 24 (53 percent) through one year (69 percent). Of placebo-controlled patients who crossed over to STELARA at week 24, 55 percent achieved an increased SRI-4 response at one year. Safety was assessed through week 56. Through week 24, similar proportions of adverse events (AEs) across STELARA and placebo treatment groups were reported. Of patients who continued on STELARA or crossed over from placebo to STELARA, 15 percent had serious adverse events (SAE) and 7.5 percent had serious infections through week 56. No deaths, malignancies, opportunistic infections or tuberculosis cases were observed. Safety events were consistent with the known STELARA safety profile. "Our commitment to innovating on behalf of people with chronic immune diseases is 20 years strong and remains steadfast as we expand our work to help more people in need, including those with lupus," said Newman Yeilding, M.D., Head of Immunology Development, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. "These latest findings bring momentum to our research and serve as a catalyst as we advance the program into Phase 3." Based on the results of the Phase 2 study, Janssen has initiated the Phase 3 LOTUS study. Janssen will collaborate with the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) to incorporate the Rapid Evaluation of Activity in Lupus (LFA-REAL) instrument into the Phase 3 study. LFA-REAL was developed by the LFA as a disease monitoring tool for use in clinical trials and clinical practice. An important feature of the LFA-REAL is that it integrates both clinician and patient input to determine the impact of SLE on the health and daily life of patients. Additionally, Janssen will work with the Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) and its network of leading lupus experts within the Lupus Clinical Investigators Network (LuCIN), to provide a coordinated framework to accelerate the development of STELARA for the treatment of lupus. "With such a limited amount of treatment options available for patients with lupus, there is a great need for those living with the disease to have the possibility of additional therapies," said Kenneth Farber, President and Chief Executive Officer at Lupus Research Alliance. "We look forward to continuing collaborations with Janssen in the Phase 3 study to further evaluate STELARA as a potential treatment option." About the Phase 2 STELARA SLE Trial The efficacy and safety of STELARA was evaluated in a global Phase 2, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 102 adults with seropositive SLE by Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) criteria and active disease despite ongoing standard of care therapy (steroid, antimalarial and/or immunosuppressive therapies). Patients were randomized (3:2) to receive intravenous (IV) STELARA 6 mg/kg or placebo (PBO) at week 0, followed by subcutaneous (SC) injections of STELARA 90 mg or placebo every eight weeks, both in addition to standard of care therapy for 24 weeks. At week 24, patients in the placebo arm crossed over to active study agent. Modified intention-to-treat (mITT) analyses across SLE disease activity measures were performed to evaluate maintenance of response with STELARA between week 24 and week 48. Safety was assessed through week 56. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving SRI-4 response at week 24. The SRI combines scores from three different validated lupus disease indexes to define responders versus non-responders, and has previously been accepted by health authorities in SLE registration trials. To achieve SRI-4 response, an individual with lupus must have at least a four-point improvement on the SLEDAI-2K score, less than 10 percent increase in PGA of disease activity and no worsening of moderate/severe organ disease on the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) disease activity index. Major secondary endpoints included change from baseline in SLEDAI-2K score, change from baseline in PGA of disease activity, and proportion of patients with BILAG-Based Composite Lupus Assessment (BICLA) response, all at week 24. Joint and cutaneous disease activity were also assessed with joint counts and Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI), respectively. Endpoint analyses included all patients who received at least one dose of study agent, had at least one measurement prior to administration, and had at least one post-baseline measurement. Patients with missing data and treatment failures were imputed as non-responders. Long-term safety and efficacy data are currently being collected through 104 weeks. About SLE Lupus is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disorder that can affect many different body systems, including joints, skin, heart, lungs, kidneys and brain.1 SLE, the most common form of lupus, can range from mild to severe and is characterized by inflammation of any organ system including kidneys, nervous system, brain or brain vasculature, as well as potential hardening of the arteries or coronary artery disease.2 The disease most often affects women and disproportionately affects women of African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American descent compared to Caucasian women.3 Lupus is estimated to affect at least 1.5 million Americans and 5 million people worldwide.4 About STELARA STELARA (ustekinumab), a human IL-12 and IL-23 antagonist, is approved in the United States for the treatment of: 1) adults and children 12 years and older with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy; 2) adult patients (18 years or older) with active psoriatic arthritis and can be used alone or in combination with methotrexate (MTX); 3) adult patients (18 years and older) with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease who have failed or were intolerant to immunomodulators or corticosteroids; or failed or were intolerant to anti-TNF therapies. The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson maintain exclusive worldwide marketing rights to STELARA. Important Safety Information STELARA is a prescription medicine that affects your immune system. STELARA can increase your chance of having serious side effects including: Serious Infections STELARA may lower your ability to fight infections and may increase your risk of infections. While taking STELARA, some people have serious infections, which may require hospitalization, including tuberculosis (TB), and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Your doctor should check you for TB before starting STELARA and watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with STELARA . and watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with STELARA . If your doctor feels that you are at risk for TB, you may be treated for TB before and during treatment with STELARA. You should not start taking STELARA if you have any kind of infection unless your doctor says it is okay. Before starting STELARA, tell your doctor if you: think you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection such as: fever, sweats, or chills muscle aches cough shortness of breath blood in phlegm weight loss warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body diarrhea or stomach pain burning when you urinate or urinate more often than normal feel very tired are being treated for an infection get a lot of infections or have infections that keep coming back have TB, or have been in close contact with someone with TB After starting STELARA, call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of an infection (see above). STELARA can make you more likely to get infections or make an infection that you have worse. People who have a genetic problem where the body does not make any of the proteins interleukin 12 (IL12) and interleukin 23 (IL23) are at a higher risk for certain serious infections that can spread throughout the body and cause death. People who take STELARA may also be more likely to get these infections. Cancers STELARA may decrease the activity of your immune system and increase your risk for certain types of cancer. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any type of cancer. Some people who had risk factors for skin cancer developed certain types of skin cancers while receiving STELARA. Tell your doctor if you have any new skin growths. Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) RPLS is a rare condition that affects the brain and can cause death. The cause of RPLS is not known. If RPLS is found early and treated, most people recover. Tell your doctor right away if you have any new or worsening medical problems including: headache, seizures, confusion, and vision problems. Serious Allergic Reactions Serious allergic reactions can occur. Stop using STELARA and get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction such as: feeling faint, swelling of your face, eyelids, tongue, or throat, chest tightness, or skin rash. Lung Inflammation Cases of lung inflammation have happened in some people who receive STELARA and may be serious. These lung problems may need to be treated in a hospital. Tell your doctor right away if you develop shortness of breath or a cough that doesn't go away during treatment with STELARA. Before receiving STELARA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you: have any of the conditions or symptoms listed above for serious infections, cancers, or RPLS. ever had an allergic reaction to STELARA or any of its ingredients. Ask your doctor if you are not sure. or any of its ingredients. Ask your doctor if you are not sure. are allergic to latex. The needle cover on the prefilled syringe contains latex. have recently received or are scheduled to receive an immunization (vaccine). People who take STELARA should not receive live vaccines. Tell your doctor if anyone in your house needs a live vaccine. The viruses used in some types of live vaccines can spread to people with a weakened immune system, and can cause serious problems. You should not receive the BCG vaccine during the one year before receiving STELARA or one year after you stop receiving STELARA . should not receive live vaccines. Tell your doctor if anyone in your house needs a live vaccine. The viruses used in some types of live vaccines can spread to people with a weakened immune system, and can cause serious problems. have any new or changing lesions within psoriasis areas or on normal skin. are receiving or have received allergy shots, especially for serious allergic reactions. receive or have received phototherapy for your psoriasis. are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if STELARA can harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor should decide if you will receive STELARA . can harm your unborn baby. You and your doctor should decide if you will receive STELARA . are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is thought that STELARA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you receive STELARA. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and overthecounter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. When prescribed STELARA: Use STELARA exactly as your doctor tells you to. STELARA is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of your doctor. exactly as your doctor tells you to. STELARA is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of your doctor. STELARA is intended for use under the guidance and supervision of your doctor. In children 12 years and older, it is recommended that STELARA be administered by a healthcare provider. If your doctor decides that you or a caregiver may give your injections of STELARA at home, you should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject STELARA. Your doctor will determine the right dose of STELARA for you, the amount for each injection, and how often you should receive it. Do not try to inject STELARA yourself until you or your caregiver have been shown how to inject STELARA by your doctor or nurse. Common side effects of STELARA include: upper respiratory infections, headache, and tiredness in psoriasis patients; joint pain and nausea in psoriatic arthritis patients; and upper respiratory infections, redness at the injection site, vaginal yeast infections, itching, urinary tract infections, and vomiting in Crohn's disease patients. These are not all of the possible side effects with STELARA. Tell your doctor about any side effect that you experience. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Please read the Full Prescribing Information , including the Medication Guide for STELARA, and discuss any questions you have with your doctor. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1800FDA1088. About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson At the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, we are working to create a world without disease. Transforming lives by finding new and better ways to prevent, intercept, treat and cure disease inspires us. We bring together the best minds and pursue the most promising science. We are Janssen. We collaborate with the world for the health of everyone in it. Learn more at http://www.janssen.com/. Follow us at http://www.twitter.com/JanssenGlobal. Janssen Research & Development, LLC is part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding new study data on STELARA. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, any of the other Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in the company's most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Neither the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. *Dr. van Vollenhoven is a paid consultant for Janssen. He was not compensated for any media work. Mayo Clinic. Lupus. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lupus/basics/definition/con-20019676. Accessed September 14, 2018 . Lupus Foundation of America. Different Types of Lupus. Available at https://resources.lupus.org/entry/types-of-lupus. Accessed September 14, 2018 . Lupus Research Alliance. About Lupus. Available at http://www.lupusresearch.org/understanding-lupus/what-is-lupus/about-lupus/. Accessed September 14, 2018 . Lupus Foundation of America. What is Lupus? Available at https://resources.lupus.org/entry/what-is-lupus?utm_source=lupusorg&utm_medium=answersFAQ. Accessed September 14, 2018 . Media Contact: Kellie McLaughlin (609) 468-8356 (mobile) Investor Contacts: Chris DelOrefice (732) 524-2955 (office) Lesley Fishman (731) 524-3922 (office) SOURCE Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson Related Links http://www.janssen.com WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A new analysis of the 2017 funded ratios of public pension plans finds the average funded status remained steady under the traditional Government Accounting Standard Board (GASB) guidelines at 72 percent, which is largely unchanged from the past several years. However, separating public pension plans into three groups by their 2017 funded status makes clear that underlying trends are not uniform. The research finds that: The top third of plans now have an average funded ratio of 90 percent and should remain on track with continued maintenance. The average funded ratio for the middle third of plans has remained relatively steady at about 70 percent since the financial crisis. These plans can improve by adopting more stringent funding methods. The average funded ratio for the bottom third of plans is 55 percent and has continued to decline in the wake of the financial crisis. These plans likely will require intervention beyond traditional reforms to change their funded status trajectory. These findings are contained in new research from the Center for State and Local Government Excellence (SLGE) and the Boston College Center for Retirement Research (CRR), Stability in Overall Pension Plan Funding Masks A Growing Divide, available here. "Public pensions plans often are 'clumped together' when the funding status is described in policy discussions and covered by the news media," says Joshua M. Franzel, PhD, president and CEO of SLGE. "Generalizations often are made about all public plans as if they were monolithic, but they are not. The data indicate that state and local plans are not in the same fiscal position, do not face the same challenges, and do not have the same funding histories," Franzel explained. The Center for State and Local Government Excellence (SLGE) helps local and state governments become knowledgeable and competitive employers so they can attract and retain a talented and committed workforce. SLGE identifies leading practices and conducts research on public retirement plans, health care benefits, workforce demographics and skill set needs, and labor force development. Access all SLGE publications and sign up for its newsletter at slge.org and follow @4govtexcellence on Twitter. SOURCE Center for State and Local Government Excellence Related Links https://slge.org "If Prop. 10 passes and cities expand rent control, the potential decline in apartment property values is in the 10% to 35% range," said Ken Rosen, Chairman of UC Berkeley's Fisher Center for Real Estate & Urban Economics and Chairman and Founder of Rosen Consulting Group. "Schools districts across the state, which rely heavily on property tax revenue, could lose hundreds of millions of dollars per year," said Rosen. "The Case for Preserving Costa-Hawkins: How Rent Control Reduces Property Values, Hurts Small Businesses and Limits State and Local Tax Revenue," was released today by Rosen Consulting Group and the Fisher Center for Real Estate & Urban Economics at University of California, Berkeley. The report, the fourth in a series of papers examining the economic and housing market impact of rent control, details the numerous unintended negative consequences likely to result if Costa-Hawkins is repealed. If cities adopt stricter forms of rent control major impacts would include: 1) a significant drop in apartment property values; 2) deferred maintenance on existing properties and a deterioration in housing quality; 3) lost revenue that will squeeze thousands of small mom-and-pop businesses; and 4) a decline in state and local tax revenue that will limit funding for school districts and strain city and county budgets. The full report is available here. Previous reports in this series: About Rosen Consulting Group Rosen Consulting Group (RCG) is a leading independent real estate economics consulting firm. Founded in 1990 and with offices in Berkeley and New York, RCG provides strategic consulting and unbiased investment guidance through all market cycles. For more information, go to www.rosenconsulting.com. About the Fisher Center for Real Estate & Urban Economics The Fisher Center for Real Estate & Urban Economics (FCREUE) mission is to educate students and real estate professionals, and to support and conduct research on real estate, urban economics, and the California economy. FCREUE strives to be the leading center for research on the California economy and excels nationally as a center for urban economic and public policy research. It regularly provides a practical forum for academics, government officials, and business leaders. For more information, go to http://groups.haas.berkeley.edu/realestate. SOURCE Rosen Consulting Group Related Links http://www.rosenconsulting.com JUNO BEACH, Fla., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP) has posted its third-quarter 2018 financial results in a news release available on the partnership's website by accessing the following link: www.NextEraEnergyPartners.com/Earnings. Jim Robo, chairman and chief executive officer of NextEra Energy Partners, John Ketchum, chief financial officer of NextEra Energy Partners, and other members of the senior management team will discuss the third-quarter 2018 financial results during an investor presentation to be webcast live, beginning at 9 a.m. ET today. The listen-only webcast will be available on the website of NextEra Energy Partners by accessing the following link: www.NextEraEnergyPartners.com/Earnings. Also discussed during the investor presentation will be financial results for NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). A replay will be available for 90 days by accessing the same link as listed above. NextEra Energy Partners, LP NextEra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: NEP) is a growth-oriented limited partnership formed by NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). NextEra Energy Partners acquires, manages and owns contracted clean energy projects with stable, long-term cash flows. Headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida, NextEra Energy Partners owns interests in wind and solar projects in the U.S., as well as natural gas infrastructure assets in Texas. The renewable energy projects are contracted, use industry-leading technology and are located in regions that are favorable for generating energy from the wind and sun. The seven natural gas pipelines in the portfolio are all strategically located, serving power producers and municipalities in South Texas, processing plants and producers in the Eagle Ford Shale, and commercial and industrial customers in the Houston area. The NET Mexico Pipeline, the largest pipeline in the portfolio, provides a critical source of natural gas transportation for low-cost, U.S.-sourced shale gas to Mexico. For more information about NextEra Energy Partners, please visit: www.NextEraEnergyPartners.com. SOURCE NextEra Energy Partners, LP Related Links http://www.nexteraenergypartners.com SAN DIEGO, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union, has entered into a new sponsorship agreement with the USS Midway Museum (Midway), supporting a variety of the organization's youth programs and other events through the upcoming year. Through the agreement, the credit union will underwrite tuition and transportation expenses for 500 students who qualify for Midway's No Child Left Ashore Scholarship Fund. North Island Credit Union also will become a Supporting Sponsor of Midway's Leadership Academy, underwriting tuition expenses for 250 students who participate in the program, held in conjunction with the Travis Manion Foundation's Character Does Matter curriculum. In addition, the credit union will become a Supporting Sponsor of other Midway Programs, including its Legacy Week, July 4th Family Celebration, and Veterans Day Celebration. "We are committed to supporting local institutions and youth in our community, and there is no better example of a powerful program than the USS Midway's outstanding Leadership Academy," said North Island Credit Union President/CEO Steve O'Connell. "We're honored to support the USS Midway and expect that our contribution will make it a little easier for young people to participate in the special programs they provide, including the Leadership Academy and the No Child Left Ashore program. We are also hopeful those in our community will enjoy the onboard celebrations we proudly sponsored again this year." "We're so grateful for the continuing support of North Island Credit Union," said Craig Fisher, Midway's Director of Partnership Marketing. "Partnering with a strong brand like North Island Credit Union that shares our mission, culture, and commitment to leadership and education really makes a difference in the impact and benefits of Midway's leadership programs for students throughout San Diego county." North Island Credit Union has been an active supporter of the USS Midway Museum since 2015, donating approximately $70,000 to further the organization's youth and community programs over the last four years. Located in downtown San Diego, the USS Midway was America's longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century before becoming an interactive museum. Midway's School and Youth Programs are hosted onboard in state-of-the-art education facilities. In 2015, the Midway partnered with the Travis Manion Foundation to create an onboard Leadership Academy dedicated to teaching and improving character development and leadership skills in our future generations to better serve others. After each program, the Travis Manion Foundation and USS Midway teams set up community service opportunities in which Academy graduates have the opportunity to practice what they have developed. Since the Leadership Academy piloted, hundreds of youth from the San Diego community have completed the curriculum. About North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union California Credit Union is a federally insured, state chartered credit union founded in 1933 that serves public or private school employees, community members and businesses across California. With more than 165,000 members and assets of $3 billion, California Credit Union has 24 branches throughout Los Angeles and San Diego counties. The credit union operates in San Diego County as North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union. California Credit Union offers a full suite of consumer, business and investment products and services, including comprehensive consumer checking and loan options, personalized financial planning, business banking, and leading-edge online and mobile banking. Please visit northisland.ccu.com for more information. SOURCE North Island Credit Union Related Links https://northisland.ccu.com The number of arriving and departing passengers totaled than more 420,000 last month, up from 369,000 in September a year ago. The total included more than 402,000 domestic passengers, nearly 12% more than the 360,000 in September 2017. The number of international travelers doubled to 17,842 from 8,772 in September last year. "The steady increases in passenger volume show that air carriers and travelers have great faith in Ontario as a viable aviation gateway in Southern California," said Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA). "Our customers are sophisticated travelers who know a first-rate airport when they see it and demand the best services and amenities. We promise to work hard every day to exceed their expectations." From January through September, more than 3.7 million travelers moved through ONT, an increase of 13.3% over the same period last year. The number of passengers on domestic flights grew by 12% to 3.6 million while international passenger volume climbed 48.6% to nearly 158,000. Increasing confidence among airlines and air travelers continues to drive ONT's steady year-over-year growth as carriers introduce new commercial service. JetBlue launched nonstop service to New York City in early September. A month earlier, Frontier Airlines began daily service to Florida. Last week, Delta Air Lines announced it will add nonstop service to its Atlanta hub in the spring. Meanwhile, the completion of multi-million dollar upgrades of the airport's dining and retail concessions has brought new, popular amenities to ONT passengers. The airport's cargo business also continued to grow at a double-digit pace last month. Commercial freight and mail rose 12.4% in September to more than 61,000 tons, up from 54,000 tons in September last year. In the first nine months of 2018, cargo tonnage grew to 544,700 tons from almost 463,000 tons a year ago, an increase of 17.7%. "The continued strong performance in both passenger and cargo volumes validates the tremendous commitment and efforts of our staff and leadership team in the two years since the airport's return to local control," said OIAA Commissioner Jim Bowman. September 2018 September 2017 % Change YTD 2018 YTD 2017 % Change Passenger Traffic Domestic 402,838 360,384 11.8% 3,604,155 3,214,946 12.1% International 17,842 8,772 103.4% 157,896 106,244 48.6% Total 420,680 369,156 14.0% 3,762,051 3,321,190 13.3% Air Cargo (Tons) Freight 59,052 52,270 13.0% 521,705 441,754 18.1% Mail 2,412 2,420 -0.3% 22,996 21,225 8.3% Total 61,463 54,690 12.4% 544,701 462,979 17.7% About Ontario International Airport Ontario International (ONT) Airport is located in the Inland Empire, approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a full-service airport with nonstop commercial jet service to 18 major airports in the U.S., Mexico and Taiwan, and connecting service to many domestic and international destinations. There is an average of 64 daily departures offered by 8 air carriers. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com. Follow @flyONT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) The OIAA was formed in August 2012 by a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Ontario and the County of San Bernardino to provide overall direction for the management, operations, development and marketing of ONT for the benefit of the Southern California economy and the residents of the airport's four-county catchment area. OIAA Commissioners are Ontario Mayor Pro-Tem Alan D. Wapner (President), Retired Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge (Vice President), Ontario Council Member Jim W. Bowman (Secretary), San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman (Commissioner) and retired business executive Julia Gouw (Commissioner). News Media Contacts: Atif Elkadi, Deputy Executive Director, (858) 361-9319 [email protected] Steve Lambert, (909) 841-7527 [email protected] SOURCE Ontario International Airport Related Links https://www.flyontario.com SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Oracle Code One The opening keynote for Oracle Code One 2018 gave viewers the opportunity to hear from recognized members of Oracle's Java Platform Group and industry luminaries about how Oracle is continuing to move the Java technology forward. Oracle also announced recent additions to the language and platform and provided a look ahead at future enhancements. Georges Saab, vice president of development for the Java Platform, kicked off the event by restating Oracle's stewardship commitment for the Java platform. He also addressed how Java's performance, reliability, security and ecosystem make it ideal for modern application development. The keynote then turned to highlight future projects such as: Project Valhalla : Introducing value types and generic specialization to enable higher-performance, cache-friendly data structures. : Introducing value types and generic specialization to enable higher-performance, cache-friendly data structures. Project Panama : Seeking to improve and enrich the connections between Java programs and well-defined but "foreign" (non-Java) code and data. : Seeking to improve and enrich the connections between Java programs and well-defined but "foreign" (non-Java) code and data. Project Amber : Exploring productivity-oriented Java language features such as raw string literals, switch expressions, pattern matching, and records. : Exploring productivity-oriented Java language features such as raw string literals, switch expressions, pattern matching, and records. Project Loom: Which seeks to introduce lightweight user-mode threads, called "fibers," to enable simpler yet more efficient concurrent code. Finally, the Java team announced the 2018 Duke's Choice Award winners including JPoint, a self driving car; community winners BgJUG (the Bulgarian JUG) and Sharat Chander. Among the winning Java tools announced were ClasssGraph, Twitter4J, Apache NetBeans and Jelastic vertical memory scaling along with open source initiatives, MicroProfile.IO and Project Helidon. Recent updates about the Java Platform Java SE 11 was released on September 25, with significant upgrades and improvements, including: HTTP Client: A new HTTP Client API, first introduced in JDK 9 as an incubating feature, which implements HTTP/2 and WebSockets. A new HTTP Client API, first introduced in JDK 9 as an incubating feature, which implements HTTP/2 and WebSockets. Flight Recorder: A low-overhead data collection framework for troubleshooting Java applications and the HotSpot JVM. A low-overhead data collection framework for troubleshooting Java applications and the HotSpot JVM. Launch Single-File Source-Code Programs: An enhancement to the Java launcher to run a program supplied as a single file of Java source code, making it easier for developers who are in the early stages of learning Java. An enhancement to the Java launcher to run a program supplied as a single file of Java source code, making it easier for developers who are in the early stages of learning Java. Transport Security Layer (TLS) 1. 3 : An implementation of version 1.3 of the Transport Layer Security (TLS) Protocol, a major overhaul which provides significant security and performance improvements over previous versions. : An implementation of version 1.3 of the Transport Layer Security (TLS) Protocol, a major overhaul which provides significant security and performance improvements over previous versions. ZGC: An experimental scalable, low latency garbage collector that can handle terabyte-sized heaps without pausing for more than ten milliseconds. For the full list of features introduced in JDK 11, please visit the Java PM blog. About Oracle The Oracle Cloud offers complete SaaS application suites for ERP, HCM and CX, plus best-in-class database Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) from data centers throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information about Oracle (NYSE:ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com. About Oracle Code One Oracle Code One is the industry's most inclusive developer conference, featuring a collection of international and local experts and speakers to explore the latest in developer technologies, languages, practices and leading-edge topics. Expanded from Oracle's JavaOne, Oracle Code One brings together extensive technical Java content and numerous keynotes, sessions and workshops across 11 tracks covering a wide range of topics from chatbots, microservices, AI, and blockchain to languages such as Go, Rust, Python, JavaScript, SQL, and R. For more information, to register or to watch Oracle Code One keynotes, sessions and more, visit www.oracle.com/code-one. Join the Oracle Code One discussion on Twitter. About Oracle OpenWorld Oracle OpenWorld, the industry's most important business and technology conference for the past 20 years, hosts tens of thousands of in-person attendees as well as millions online. Dedicated to helping businesses leverage Cloud for their innovation and growth, the conference delivers deep insight into industry trends and breakthroughs driven by technology. With hundreds of demos and hands-on labs, plus exhibitions from more than 250 partners and customers from around the world, Oracle OpenWorld has become a showcase for leading cloud technologies, from Cloud Applications to Cloud Platform and Infrastructure. For more information; to register; or to watch Oracle OpenWorld keynotes, sessions, and more, visit www.oracle.com/openworld. Join the Oracle OpenWorld discussion on Twitter. Future Product Disclaimer The preceding is intended to outline our general product direction. It is intended for information purposes only, and may not be incorporated into any contract. It is not a commitment to deliver any material, code, or functionality, and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions. The development, release, timing, and pricing of any features or functionality described for Oracle's products may change and remains at the sole discretion of Oracle Corporation. Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer Statements in this article relating to Oracle's future plans, expectations, beliefs, and intentions are "forward-looking statements" and are subject to material risks and uncertainties. Such statements are based on Oracle's current expectations and assumptions, some of which are beyond Oracle's control. All information in this article is current as of October 22, 2018 and Oracle undertakes no duty to update any statement in light of new information or future events. Trademarks Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners. SOURCE Oracle Related Links http://www.oracle.com WATER MILL, N.Y., Oct. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Naomi Judd, Tinsley Mortimer of the New York Housewives, and Co-Hosts David Frei, Westminster Co-Host for 27 years and currently the Co-Host of the National Dog Show seen annually by 30 million viewers, and Jewel Morris, CEO and Founder of the Pet Philanthropy Circle, greeted an audience and honorees who traveled from around the world to celebrate the dedication and commitment of this year's Pet Hero Award winners. The focus of this year's gala was preventing the 2.7 million pets that are killed each year in kill shelters, the 20 million killed in China, and how Soi Dog Foundation, this year's People's Choice Animal Welfare Organization of the Year has virtually eliminated the meat market trade in Thailand. Jeffrey Beri, CO-Founder of No Dogs Left Behind, the International Rescue Organization of the Year, described a few of the life-threatening experiences of preventing the 20 million pets killed in China each year. Pet Philanthropy Circle Morris, also Founder of the Pet Hero Awards, shared the challenges local rescues and no-kill shelters face in pulling animals out of kill-shelters here in America. Morris and Dr. John De Young, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association (91,000 members strong), the winner of the Animal Health Organization, are partnering to encourage veterinarians to provide at least three free spay and neuter operations to local rescues each year. Pet overpopulation is the main reason so many healthy, adoptable pets are killed each year. The Zoetis Corporation accepted the Corporation of the Year Award for their unprecedented generosity in providing free vaccines to vetted rescue groups involved in transporting animals out of Texas, Louisiana and Puerto Rico. By providing free vaccines, they prevented diseases from spreading throughout the United States during the hurricane relief evacuation programs. Bravo Zoetis! The Irwin Family; Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin, Inaugural Humanitarian Family of the Year, championed the cause of protecting wildlife in their acceptance speech. Fido Fixers, the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center and Storm, the Golden Retriever that rescued a drowning fawn from Long Island Sound and whose inspiring video reached over 19 million people, were present to accept their awards. A special thanks to Alex Donner Orchestra, London Jewelers, SiriusXM, the Park Lane Hotel, Designs by Mark Masone, and FiOS 1 News. The EVENT WILL BE BROADCAST ON FiOS1 NEWS, CHANNEL 501, ON NOVEMBER 8TH AT 9:00 PM. Related Images image1.jpg image2.jpg image3.jpg Related Links Pet Philanthropy Circle Website SOURCE Pet Philanthropy Circle Related Links https://www.petcircle.org CHILLICOTHE, Ohio, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Petland was honored to provide Project Alive with a check for $20,000 to help fund clinical trials. Petland stores in Southern Florida along with Petland, Inc. raised money through donations and drives in September. Petland Franchisee Luis Marquez and his team present $20,000 check to Project Alive to help support clinical trials for Hunter's Syndrome. Pictured are families supported by Project Alive, and members of the Petland Florida team. Petland Hunter Syndrome (MPS II) is a rare genetic disease that affects less than 500 boys in the United States, which leads to progressive damage. Some never develop speech, but some boys learn like a typical child then begin losing skills and what they've learned at a young age. They eventually lose the ability to walk, talk and eat. Most do not live to see their teen years. Gene therapy, a revolutionary new approach to treating genetic diseases, may provide the cure these boys desperately need. Researchers are in the final stages of developing the first gene therapy clinical trial for boys with Hunter Syndrome. Project Alive, a 501c3 organization, aims to fund the trials and bring us one step closer to a cure. Southern Florida Petland Franchisee Luis Marquez had the opportunity to meet this family and others touched by this rare condition and gifted therapy dogs to three of the young boys diagnosed with Hunter's Syndrome ( https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Boy-Fighting-Rare-Genetic-Disease-Hunter-Syndrome-Gifted-Therapy-Dog-487000591.html ). Sebastian's parents are part of Project Alive, working to raise money for a clinical trial. Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio are in the final stages of developing the first trial for boys with Hunter Syndrome. It is the most promising cure out there and it is ready to go when the funding is reached. The cost for the trials is $2.5 million. "Petland Florida stands shoulder to shoulder with our partners at Project Alive," said Marquez. "The fight against Hunter Syndrome is time-sensitive, we need everyone's help! Our goal with this donation is to get other corporations and businesses involved in helping fund the cure while these beautiful children still have time." After meeting with Sebastian and his parents, Marquez introduced the family to Petland's corporate team. He was planning fundraisers at his five Petland stores and asked the corporate office to join in the effort. Together, Petland was able to raise $20,000. "After meeting Sebastian and his family and understanding how devastating this disease is and how important these trials are to families affected by Hunter's Syndrome, we were eager to help raise funds," said Elizabeth Kunzelman, Petland's Director of Public Affairs. "Petland has a strong history of supporting organizations that help children and this effort really touched everyone." For more information about Hunter's Syndrome and Project Alive, please visit projectalive.org. Safari Stan's Children's Charities by Petland was formalized in 1994. Petland has two children's charities Make-A-Wish and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Annually, Petland collects funds year-round for St. Jude, collecting nearly $500,000 since 2009; and, since 1998 has fulfilled more than 350 wishes for Make-A-Wish kids who wish to have a pet. Petland, Inc. is a franchise operation with quality, full service retail pet centers across the United States, Canada, China, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil and El Salvador. For more than 50 years, Petland Pet Counselors have been dedicated to matching the right pet with the right person and meeting the needs of both. To its customers who already have pets, Petland is dedicated to enhancing their knowledge and enjoyment of the human-animal bond. Petland was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in south central Ohio. For more information on Petland, visit www.petland.com. Contact: Elizabeth Kunzelman, Director of Public Affairs 740-775-2464 SOURCE Petland Related Links http://www.petland.com LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A large majority of Americans agree they need to save more and invest better to prepare for retirement, but new research reveals an action that may make all the difference: When people envision how they want to live in their retirement years, they are motivated to save more. The research, based on a survey of 1,202 American adults conducted by Capital Group, home of American Funds, and one of the world's leading investment management firms, also examines Americans' changing expectations for their retirement years, revealing that only one in 10 Americans believe strongly that traditional models of employment and retirement will be the norm for most people in the coming decades. "When people think about their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond, they overwhelmingly view that part of life as a time of freedom and independence compared to their 20s and 30s," said Heather Lord, senior vice president and head of strategy and innovation at Capital Group. "Our survey reveals that people who envision the life they want in retirement recommend saving more of each paycheck in a 401(k) account. This simple insight if you can picture your retirement, you can save for it can help Americans secure the financial future they want in their later years." Visualize retirement, save one-third more Americans largely believe that advances in health care, technological innovations and their financial situation will enable them to lead better and more diverse lifestyles in their later years versus prior generations. Nearly six in 10 survey respondents (58%) believe their retirement years will be more positive than that of their parents and older generations. People understand they need to save more for their retirement. Eighty-five percent of survey respondents believe Americans need to save more and invest better to prepare for their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond. But with so many competing financial needs rising housing and health care costs, student debt and the cost of raising a family Americans often struggle to save enough for their retirement. Capital Group's survey included an experiment to better understand potential motivators for getting people to increase the amount they are willing to save for retirement. Half of the survey respondents were asked to envision the lives they want to lead in their 60s, 70s and 80+ years before determining what percent of each paycheck to save in a retirement plan. The other half were only asked how much they wanted to save for retirement. Survey participants who were asked to picture their retirement years recommended saving 31% more per paycheck in a retirement savings plan on average than the second group of respondents. For women and millennials in the first group, the result was a 40% to 50% positive swing in the average recommended 401(k) savings rate. The takeaway? If people picture their retirement years, they are motivated to save more. Americans will need more opportunities to work, earn and save later in life Americans also predict big changes for society, the workplace and the economy. Only 11% of respondents believe strongly that traditional models of employment and retirement will be the norm for most people in coming decades. Eighty percent expect that flexible and part-time jobs will play a bigger role in supporting retirement savings, and 79% feel that Americans will need more opportunities to work, earn and save later in life. Further, most Americans expect to self-fund their retirement. In addition: Three quarters (73%) expect their 401(k) and IRA accounts to be among their top three sources of financial security in retirement years. Two-thirds (63%) of boomers list Social Security as one of their top three expected sources of retirement income, compared to only one-third (32%) of millennials and 43% of Generation X respondents. About one in five (18%) millennials said full-time or part-time work would be important for their financial security in retirement, twice the level of boomers (9%) and higher than Gen Xers (14%). Six in 10 boomers (60%) expect to be financially secure in their 60s, and 54% expect to be doing okay financially in their 80s. By contrast, only 48% of millennials and Gen Xers believe they will be financially secure in their 60s. This drops to 41% for millennials and 43% for Gen Xers for their 80s and older. "The financial services industry sometimes accentuates worries and guilt to get people to pay more attention to planning and saving for retirement," Lord added. "Fear doesn't generally work. We believe and our survey shows that imagining one's later years is a powerful exercise that helps drive increased average savings per paycheck for retirement. This insight could contribute to innovative retirement plan design and behavioral techniques to help Americans build bigger nest eggs for retirement." For additional information and the full report, click here. About Capital Group Since 1931, Capital Group, home of American Funds, has been singularly focused on delivering superior results for long-term investors using high-conviction portfolios, rigorous research and individual accountability. As of June 30, 2018, Capital Group manages more than $1.8 trillion in equity and fixed income assets for millions of individual and institutional investors around the world. The Capital Group companies manage equity assets through three investment groups. These groups make investment and proxy voting decisions independently. Fixed income investment professionals provide fixed income research and investment management across the Capital organization; however, for securities with equity characteristics, they act solely on behalf of one of the three equity investment groups. Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value. Securities offered through American Funds Distributors, Inc. All Capital Group trademarks are registered trademarks owned by The Capital Group Companies, Inc. or an affiliated company. All other company and product names mentioned are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. 2018 Capital Group. All rights reserved. Contact: Caroline Semerdjian (213) 615-3185 [email protected] Dana Schwartz (646) 218-8742 [email protected] Methodology The survey was conducted by APCO Insight, a global opinion research firm, in April 2018. The research consisted of an online quantitative survey of 1,202 American adults 402 millennials (ages 21 to 37), 400 Gen Xers (ages 38 to 52) and 400 baby boomers (ages 53 to 71) of varying income levels who have investment assets and some responsibility for making investment decisions for their families. The overall sample reflects national representation on key demographic measures according to the U.S. Census Bureau. SOURCE Capital Group Related Links https://www.capitalgroup.com NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network who are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area. You can also submit a query to the hundreds of thousands of experts in our network it's easy and free. Just fill out the query form to get started: http://prn.to/queryform EXPERT ALERTS How Digital Technology Tracks Us and Why Technology Tracks Us and Why Losing More Business Than You're Winning? Try These 3 Tips How to Combat the Side Effects of Digital Technology Find Your Business Super Power MEDIA JOBS Commercial Property Reporter The Wall Street Journal (NY) Property Reporter The Wall Street Journal (NY) Senior Reporter, Private Equity Real Estate PEI Media (NY) Content Editor Hush ( London ) OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES 14 Must-Join Slack Communities for Writers, Creators, and Media Covering the Midterms? Don't Miss Out on Breaking Election News Writing for a global audience? Here's our list of what to do and avoid. ------------------------------------------------------------------- EXPERT ALERTS How Digital Technology Tracks Us and Why Aldo Agostinelli and Silvio Meazza People Are Media Digital technology has advanced the world in ways our forefathers could never have imagined, but it's how we use these innovations that genuinely impact our society. The magic of media isn't the products themselves, but the people who set forth immediate accessibility of information and communication. Agostinelli and Meazza are available with an insightful analysis of how how the digital evolution affects our everyday personal and professional lives. From Blockchain to social media to online shopping, the authors reveal the ways that digital technology has transformed us and how our future has dramatically changed: "Digital technology is now an incontrovertible praxis for both consumers and companies. The digital era consumer has created a parallel universe based on noble and less noble devices and on our ability to instantly communicate with the whole planet, to watch any content and carry a full library inside our smartphones, to check whether our home lights are on or out, to pick up and read our medical results from work or home. On the other hand, companies are creating systems and algorithms to monitor and control their own performances and also consumers' lives. These systems touch and overlap, because all involved parties need each other: companies sell and most of all acquire a growing amount of information so they can follow, trace and understand their customers; consumers get to read a book for free or compare a product price across hundreds of different providers and eventually find the best price, the best delivery option and, via user reviews, even a product's quality." Agostinelli has a considerable experience in the marketing and digital direction of many Italian and international companies: from 2010 to 2013 he was digital marketing director at Hewlett Packard in San Francisco. Previously he worked for companies such as H3G, TIM, Ericsson and INA Assitalia. At Sky Italia since 2013, he was appointed Digital Officer in 2016. Agostinelli also holds the position of vice president at the association IAB Italia. Meazza is a software designer and IT Manage, and has been in the communication field since 1998. Contact: Penny Sansevieri, Author Marketing Experts, [email protected] Losing More Business Than You're Winning? Try These 3 Tips Laurie Richards Organizational Consultant "When it comes to pitching new business leads, everybody says 'Don't talk about what you do; talk about what you do for them' but then no one tells you how to do it! Here are three surefire tips for creating a client-centered pitch that is more likely to win you new business: 1) Use 'you' language: Skip your own background, credentials, and motivation. Jump right into your prospect's goals, wishes, and must haves. Challenge yourself to avoid the word "I" as much as possible, reframing your sentences to use the word "you" instead. 2) Know your client's heaven and hell: Know your client's ideal and worst possible outcomes and pitch to those. For example, 'If you want this ideal outcome, you're going to take action A,' or, 'If you want to avoid this terrible outcome, you're going to want to go with option B. 3) Know where to showcase your 'bottom line': Always be able to dive deeper to answer any specific questions your prospect may have, but don't offer them up front. Instead, start with your bottom line, then offer succinct, limited details and see if more information is requested." Richards is an accomplished international speaker, strategist, and organizational consultant who works with leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, salespeople, and other professionals to improve communication at every level. Known for her practical, interactive, and entertaining approach, she helps clients strategically plan outcome-based presentations and improve everyday communications to directly affect the bottom line (including new business pitches, state-of-the-organization addresses, sales presentations, and meetings). Richards holds degrees in communication and business management, master's degrees in business management and psychology, and a variety of certifications in micro-expressions and psychological profiling. Online Press Kit: https://laurierichards.onlinepresskit247.com Website: www.LaurieRichards.com Contact: Klaudia Simon, [email protected] How to Combat the Side Effects of Digital Technology Rod Wallace, PhD Business Strategist, Economist "As a society, we can't turn off technology. We need to come together with our technology turned on. As a parent, I feel worried. This society must support me in my old age -- and I will pass it on to my children. I must ask, 'How can we survive?' How can we manage the unintended consequences of D-Tech? We can survive -- and, in fact, flourish -- by changing our approach to collaboration. Technology does not solve problems. People solve problems. And we solve problems most effectively when we work together. Thus, our collaborative approaches must withstand the rigors of today's D-Tech driven complexity." As digital technology adds complexity and benefits to our world, the same powerful technology that promises solutions to society's ills is unleashing devastating consequences across American culture, government, and economy. Wallace, a business strategist, economist, and sought-after speaker, helps us understand and solve these problems. He is a Fulbright Fellow and recent TedX speaker who has worked with a leading economic historian; led multi-organization, billion-dollar challenges; and partnered with a Silicon Valley pioneer to explore the impact of artificial intelligence on society. He offers his unique blend of expertise and a mission to energize organizations to deliver profit and make a difference. His new book, "Drowning in Potential: How American Society Can Survive Digital Technology," shares insights, strategies, and tools for overcoming American society's most pressing issues while benefitting those fixing the problems. In six hard-hitting chapters backed by in-depth-analysis and more than 60 diagrams and illustrations, Wallace offers a thought-provoking bird's-eye view of American society today and a plan of action for creating a future in which our children can prosper. Wallace is available to discuss: 1) Digital Technology and Society: digital technology and the complexity it creates are increasing problems in our society and industries like food, healthcare, education, and housing; 2) Vision Beyond the Bottom Line: Wallace explains his strategic approach to expanding business profit while collaborating across organizations to solve society's biggest challenges, including those caused by technology. (Wallace presented this approach in his TedX Talk on September 27, 2018); 3) Few Successful Societies: Over the past thousand years, some societies have overcome the unintended consequences of new technologies, while most have not; 4) From Resource Allocation to Decision Coordination: As the central economic problem shifts, and we make insufficient corresponding adjustment to economic measurement, analysis, and operation, our societal systems are breaking down. Website: www.rodwallacephd.com Contact: Penny Sansevieri, [email protected] Find Your Business Super Power Allison Maslan CEO, Founder Pinnacle Global Network "Ask yourself, 'Which one of these four is my personal Super Power? 1) Revenue Streams: This is everything that your company produces, offers, and sells. 2) Traffic: This super power is all about how you bring customers and clients to your door. In other words, marketing. 3) Sales: This is all about conversion. Many times, companies will lump marketing and sales together. The truth is, they are two distinct aspects of your business. One drives the business to you, while the other converts it into a sale. This is a very important delineation because you might be spending a lot of money on marketing and driving traffic, but you're not getting the conversion that warranted all of that expense. In the reverse, it's possible you are getting plenty of conversion, but don't have enough leads coming to your door. Both are equally important. 4) Operations: This quadrant consists of anything to do with your team, the systems that support them, and finance. Identify your business super power, then devote your full energy and attention to it. This does not mean that you overlook the other areas, but that you choose the one area where your passion lies and hire or promote the best people you can to attend to the others." Maslan is the CEO and founder of Pinnacle Global Network, offering business mentorship and mastermind programs to established business owners who want to accelerate their growth, capitalize on their success, and balance it all with a meaningful life. She is also the author of two books: Amazon #1 bestseller "Blast Off!: The Surefire Success Plan to Launch Your Dreams into Reality" and her newest book "Scale or Fail: How to Build Your Dream Team, Explode Your Growth, and Let Your Business Soar" (October 2018, Wiley), which hit #1 on Amazon even before its release. For further high-impact support, watch Maslan's free video series for business owners, "The Scale Blueprint" for Established Companies That Want to Multiply Their Growth. Online Press Kit: http://allisonmaslan.onlinepresskit247.com Website: www.AllisonMaslan.com Contact: Michelle Tennant, [email protected] **************** MEDIA JOBS Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/community/jobs/ Commercial Property Reporter The Wall Street Journal (NY) Property Reporter The Wall Street Journal (NY) Senior Reporter, Private Equity Real Estate PEI Media (NY) Content Editor Hush ( London ) ***************** OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line at [email protected] 14 MUST-JOIN SLACK COMMUNITIES FOR WRITERS, CREATORS, AND MEDIA. Sometimes you just need a creative tribe: https://prn.to/slackformedia COVERING THE MIDTERMS? DON'T MISS OUT ON BREAKING ELECTION NEWS. Looking for election news? We've got you covered: https://prn.to/midtermelectioncoverage WRITING FOR A GLOBAL AUDIENCE? HERE'S OUR LIST OF WHAT TO DO AND AVOID. It's imperative to adapt your writing to suit all audiences: https://prn.to/globalwriting **************** PROFNET is an exclusive service of PR Newswire. To contact ProfNet: [email protected] or 800-776-3638, ext. 1 SOURCE ProfNet Related Links http://www.profnet.com ST. PAUL, Minn., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Blue, Prime Therapeutics LLC (Prime) and Walgreens piloted a program where Walgreens pharmacists gave a one-page Opioid Safety Guide to Florida Blue members picking up their opioid prescription from a Walgreens pharmacy. Florida Blue members with an opioid prescription who were considered at "high-risk" were identified by Prime. Prime worked with the Walgreens pharmacies to provide these members with the Opioid Safety Guide. The intervention resulted in a four-fold increase in members receiving naloxone, an overdose reversal agent. "This positive result suggests there is immense potential for improving health outcomes and illustrates what can be achieved when organizations in the health care chain in this case the insurer, pharmacy benefit manager and retail pharmacy work collaboratively on this critical issue," said Scott McClelland, Pharm.D., vice president of commercial and specialty pharmacy, Florida Blue. The U.S. Surgeon General's advisory on opioid overdose encourages high-dose opioid utilizers to have naloxone available because they are at high risk of overdose.1 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "collaboration is essential for success in preventing opioid overdose deaths."2 According to a Prime public opinion survey, only one in four respondents said they discussed the potential for addiction with a medical professional upon being prescribed opioids, and even fewer discussed safety such as what to do with leftover medicine (17 percent) and what to do in case of emergency (11 percent).3 The need was evident for intervention at another point in the prescription process. The Opioid Safety Guide included information on safe use, safe storage, safe disposal and overdose prevention including information on naloxone. For the intervention group that received the Opioid Safety Guide, there was a four-fold increase in the likelihood of a member receiving naloxone the next time they picked up an opioid prescription. Included in the analysis were 1,400 Florida Blue commercially insured members with pharmacy benefits through Prime whose claim history showed high opioid and controlled substance utilization. These members were divided into the intervention group those who filled most of their opioid claims at a Florida-based Walgreens, and the control group those who filled most of their opioid claims at a non-Walgreens pharmacy. Only the intervention group received an Opioid Safety Guide. Patrick Gleason, PharmD, senior director, health outcomes at Prime said this intervention is one of the benefits of Prime's ongoing collaboration with Walgreens. "We certainly look forward to future opportunities we can bring to members given our alliance and the outcomes of this work," he said. Prime is also joining Walgreens and other health care industry sponsors to expand the availability of safe medication disposal kiosks to an additional 900 Walgreens stores across the country. When the expansion is finished, kiosks will be in approximately 1,500 Walgreens stores across the country. Safe medication disposal kiosks allow individuals to safely and conveniently dispose of their unwanted, unused or expired medicines, including controlled substances, at no cost. "We took a number of steps to make naloxone more accessible and easier to obtain in most states, including Florida. We are inspired by the results of the pilot program that clearly show how pharmacies in collaboration with other organizations in the healthcare chain can further combat the opioid epidemic while providing the best possible care for patients," said Michael Taitel, senior director, health analytics, research & reporting at Walgreens. Researchers will present the findings from this study at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy's (AMCP) Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy Nexus Meeting Oct. 22-25 in Orlando. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Surgeon General's Advisory on Naloxone and Opioid Overdose. https://www.surgeongeneral.gov/priorities/opioid-overdose-prevention/naloxone-advisory.html . January 2018 . CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Understanding the Epidemic. https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html. August 2018 . KRC Research conducted this research via an online survey of 1,014 Americans age 18 and older, from August 28-30, 2017 . The sample was drawn randomly from a large national consumer panel. Data has been weighted to reflect the demographic composition of the United States per the latest U.S. Census. About Prime Therapeutics Prime Therapeutics LLC (Prime) helps people get the medicine they need to feel better and live well. Prime manages pharmacy benefits for health plans, employers, and government programs including Medicare and Medicaid. The company processes claims and offers clinical services for people with complex medical conditions. Prime serves more than 27 million people. It is collectively owned by 18 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, subsidiaries or affiliates of those plans. For more information, visit www.primetherapeutics.com or follow @Prime_PBM on Twitter. Contact: Denise Lecher Manager, Corporate Communications 612.777.5763 [email protected] SOURCE Prime Therapeutics Related Links http://www.primetherapeutics.com WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Halloween, one of the most popular holidays in this country, is just a week away. Little witches, ghosts, pirates and super heroes will soon take to the streets for trick or treat fun, and the American Red Cross has tips to help everyone stay safe while enjoying the festivities. Here are the top tips for parents to keep in mind while getting kids ready for Halloween: Halloween Safety Tip: Beware of ghosts, vampires and unknown pets. Make sure trick-or-treaters can see and be seen. - Use face makeup instead of masks. Masks can make it hard to see. - Give kids a flashlight to light their way. - Add reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags. - Have everyone wear light-colored clothing. Use flame-resistant costumes. Plan the trick-or-treat route in advance make sure adults know where their children are going. A parent or responsible adult should accompany young children door-to-door in neighborhoods. It's not only vampires and monsters people have to look out for. Be cautious around animals, especially dogs. Walk, don't run. Only visit homes that have a porch light on. Accept treats at the door never go inside. Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street. - If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic. - Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner. - Don't cut across yards or use alleys. - Don't cross between parked cars. - Use extra caution if driving. The youngsters are excited and may forget to look both ways before crossing. Make sure a grown-up checks the goodies before eating. - Make sure to remove loose candy, open packages and choking hazards. - Discard any items with brand names that you are not familiar with. And finally, for those planning to welcome trick-or-treaters to their homes, follow these safety steps: Light the area well so young visitors can see. Sweep leaves from your sidewalks and steps. Clear your porch or front yard of obstacles someone could trip over. Download the free Red Cross First Aid App for instant access to expert advice in case your ghost, goblin or super hero has a mishap. Use the Emergency App for weather alerts and to let others know you are safe if severe weather occurs. Find these and all of the Red Cross apps in smartphone app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps. About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross. SOURCE American Red Cross Related Links http://www.redcross.org NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Resonance Consultancy, a leading global advisor in real estate, tourism and economic development, is withdrawing its service offerings from all government projects in Saudi Arabia, effective immediately. The decision comes in light of the Saudi government's admission this past Friday to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Resonance Consultancy was a member of two separate consortiums of consultants from which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its agencies had requested proposals to assist with the planning of Neom Bay and the King Abdullah Economic Citytwo of the largest planned developments in the country. "While the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's vision to create vibrant new cities that espouse the best principles of modern urbanism is laudable, the government's recent actions are an egregious affront to human rights," says Resonance Consultancy President, CEO and founder Chris Fair. "No such vision to create inclusive prosperity and well-being for its citizens can be realized without a radical shift by the government toward an acceptance of the basic tenets of human rights, free speech, and the open exchange of ideas and opinions." As it seems unlikely that major state governments and corporations will respond appropriately, Resonance Consultancy believes it will be up to private enterprises around the world to take a stand and communicate that state-sanctioned behavior such as this is unacceptable. As such, Resonance Consultancy is calling on other professional service firms to suspend doing business with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its agencies in order to send a strong message to Saudi Arabia that human rights violations have consequences and the world will not stand by while rulers act with impunity and disregard for citizens. "While the withholding of our services is unlikely to have a material effect on the development of these projects in the long term, we believe that as a company that works with cities, regions and countries to build more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable communities, we have a responsibility to add our voice to the growing chorus of indignation towards these actions," says Fair. "To stay silent is to condone and enable the destruction of the very fundamentals that we and the countries, cities and communities we work with hold dear." Please join Resonance Consultancy in calling for all international companies to suspend all business with the government of Saudi Arabia and its agencies until its ruling leaders accept responsibility for their actions and end their crackdown on free speech and dissent. ABOUT RESONANCE CONSULTANCY WE HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF COUNTRIES, CITIES & COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD As leading advisors in real estate, tourism and economic development, Resonance combines business strategy and marketing creativity to shape the future of communities, cities and countries around the world. Recognized globally for its World's Best Cities rankings, Resonance works with cities, developers, planners, and government agencies to create inclusive and sustainable development strategies. Resonance has completed more than 100 visioning, strategy, planning, and policy projects in more than 70 countries. To learn more about Resonance, please visit ResonanceCo.com. For more information or interviews, please contact: Tom Gierasimczuk Vice President & Chief Content Officer Resonance Consultancy 1-604-649-8664 [email protected] SOURCE Resonance Consultancy Inc. Related Links www.resonanceco.com PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --From statewide strikes to pension crises to understaffed schools, working conditions for America's teachers are a flashpoint in public debate. Now Richard Ingersoll, of the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, is updating his longitudinal study on the elementary and secondary teaching force to tell us more about how the teaching force has been transformed over the last 30 years. The past three decades have transformed America's teacher workforce. Penn GSEs Richard Ingersoll looks at whos teaching, for how long, and what it means for the nation's students and taxpayers. This infographic highlights some of the major trends in the teacher workforce, from a study by Richard Ingersoll from the University of Pennsylvanias Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE). In this new edition of Seven Trends: The Transformation of the Teaching Force, Ingersoll finds that America's schools are hiring more teachers than ever but struggle to keep them in the profession. He shows that students are more likely to have teachers who are beginners, and that those teachers are more likely to be women and minorities. And above all, Ingersoll describes an unstable profession that raises real questions about how well the nation's school systems function. "The teacher workforce has been transformed over the last 30 years, with significant financial, structural, and educational consequences," Ingersoll said. "Too often researchers, school leaders, and policymakers are still operating under false assumptions about who goes into teaching and how teaching careers unfold. If we want to improve student performance, we must understand this new reality." Find the full report and infographic here Among Ingersoll's key findings: A LEAP IN NUMBERS Between 1987-88 and 2015-16, the number of teachers in public, private, and charter schools increased by more than three times the rate of student enrollment increases. This increase is tied, in large part, to reforms that the public has demanded: smaller elementary school class sizes, more math and science teachers, more special education teachers, more enrichment teachers in elementary schools, more reading teachers, and more English as a Second Language (ESL) and bilingual teachers. LEAVING IN HIGH NUMBERS 44 percent of new teachers leave within five years. A YOUNGER TEACHING FORCE Public school teachers have gotten younger. In 2007-08, the modal or most common teacher was 55 years old. In 2015-16, the modal age ranged from mid-30s to mid-40s. DECLINE IN EXPERIENCE The modal teacher has one to three years of experience, a sharp decline from the 15 years of experience the modal teacher had in 1987-88. FEWER MEN THAN EVER over 76 percent of public school teachers are women, high even for a profession that has been historically female dominated. MINORITIES BEING CHURNED OUT While there remains a parity gap (51 percent of public school students are minorities, and only 19.9 percent of their teachers are), there has been a dramatic surge in minority teacher hires. But these same teachers are among the most likely to leave the profession. INSTABILITY CONCENTRATED About half of all teacher turnover takes place in 25 percent of public schools. High-poverty, high-minority, urban, and rural public schools have among the highest rates of turnover. These findings have major implications for one of America's largest professions and the future of public education. Among the questions Ingersoll raises: Will the teaching workforce continue to outgrow the student population? If so, how will cash-strapped schools pay for it? So far, teacher turnover has actually worked in favor of property-tax payers, given that early-career teachers typically earn less money and teachers leaving the profession after a few years do not take large pension payouts. It's not clear if this unintended outcome can last. A disproportionate number of minority teachers work in under-resourced schools with heavily minority student populations. Perhaps it's not surprising they burn out at higher rates. What supports do they need to stay in the classroom? In an increasing number of schools, boys will go from kindergarten through high school encountering few, if any, male teachers. How will that affect them? Research has consistently shown that a teacher's ability to improve student performance grows as they gain experience, especially in their first five years on the job. What changes in pay, working conditions, or something else could keep teachers in the classroom longer? Or, if this turnover continues, what programs could keep students from missing out? Penn GSE is one of the nation's premier research education schools. No other education school enjoys a university environment as supportive of practical knowledge-building as the Ivy League's University of Pennsylvania. The School is notably entrepreneurial, launching innovative degree programs for practicing professionals and unique partnerships with local educators, and the first-ever business plan competition devoted exclusively to educational products and programs. For further information about Penn GSE, please visit www.gse.upenn.edu/ SOURCE University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education Related Links http://www.upenn.edu WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Administrator Linda McMahon of the U.S. Small Business Administration announced the appointment of Shawn Pensoneau as the Assistant Administrator for the SBA's Office of Native American Affairs. In this role, he will oversees the office's collaboration with American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians who seek to create, develop and expand small businesses and ensure they have full access to the business development and expansion tools available through the agency's entrepreneurial development, lending and procurement programs. "I'm glad to welcome Shawn to the SBA's team and we look forward to the work he will do on behalf of Native American small businesses. With his leadership, we will continue to champion Native American entrepreneurs and provide them with the tools and resources to start and grow small businesses," McMahon said. Prior to joining the SBA, Pensoneau served as a public affairs specialist at the Department of Interior's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. In this capacity, he was involved with providing information on secretarial decisions and actions to news media and other entities interested in Indian Affairs via news releases, media relations, and the Indian Affairs website. Pensoneau previously served as Director of Governmental Affairs for the National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC). In this role, he worked to achieve the organization's success by maintaining a unified voice when working on various challenges throughout Native American communities. He also worked for the National Indian Gaming Commission and the Navajo Nation Washington Office. Pensoneau is a graduate of Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo., and is an enrolled member of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma. About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. Contact: [email protected] (202) 401-3059 Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Blogs & Instagram Release Number: 18-63 SOURCE U.S. Small Business Administration Related Links http://www.sba.gov "It's been a challenging journey, bringing the space back to life," says Schoolhouse Founder and CEO Brian Faherty. "But we're saving a building that was on the city's chopping block I'm excited to celebrate the East Liberty community and hopefully play a small role in its vibrant renaissance." Following his passion for revitalizing iconic buildings and neighborhoods, Faherty purchased the Detective Building from the City of Pittsburgh in 2016. The painstaking renovation process has followed the same model Faherty applied to the Schoolhouse headquarters, a 125,000-square foot brick factory building in Portland. The first floor of this stunning example of 1970s-era New Formalist architecture will house the new Schoolhouse retail store, along with The Bureau, a coffee shop from Joey Hilty. The remaining three floors were designed in partnership with Pittsburgh-based coworking space Beauty Shoppe. Each floor will feature carefully curated furniture and lighting from Schoolhouse. Schoolhouse will host an invite-only celebration for the grand opening of the Detective Building (5811 Broad Street) on Thursday, Nov. 15 from 4-8pm. Festivities include building tours, refreshments, food, and music from the Pittsburgh Banjo Club as well as Mello and Sons. Ten percent of proceeds from opening day sales will be donated to local nonprofit 412 Food Rescue. About Schoolhouse Schoolhouse was founded in 2003 with a vision to carry on the tradition of true American craft and design. Since the company's inception, founder and visionary Brian Faherty has led a growing team of employees in handcrafting custom lighting and lifestyle products that transcend both era and trend. A unique maker culture and design-driven mentality inform each timeless collection. Collaborations with skilled artisans and craftspeople provide a dynamic and fresh perspective each season. From iconic furniture and period lighting to clocks and domestic utility goods, many Schoolhouse products are designed and manufactured within the walls of its 125,000-sq. ft., century-old, brick warehouse in the heart of Northwest Portland. The complete collection of Schoolhouse products is available online at www.schoolhouse.com, and at three retail stores in Portland, New York City, and Pittsburgh. MEDIA CONTACT: Kirsten Nieman [email protected] 503.473.8704 SOURCE Schoolhouse Related Links https://www.schoolhouse.com HOUSTON, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- More than half (54%) of US online small to medium-sized businesses worry that the move to frictionless payments, such as transactions that take place behind the scenes in apps, is leaving them more open to fraud and will negatively impact revenues according to a new report from Paysafe. This concern is heightened by the fact that 76% feel they are being more aggressively targeted by fraudsters now compared to a year ago and 54% consider card fraud an increasing challenge. These concerns mean US SMBs now view security as the most important factor when considering their eCommerce setup. Security (59%) ranks above reliability (45%), cost (49%) and ease of transactions including refunds (45%). US SMBs are also wary that these concerns may hamper the buyer journey for consumers. Four in five (80%) believe that longer verification processes during the payment stage which could potentially combat these issues runs the risk of losing consumers. Yet, 75% a global high admit they don't know how to balance security with an acceptable customer experience, a global high amongst respondents, highlighting the trade-off faced by US online merchants. Buying into a fragmented payments landscape Leading global payments provider Paysafe's latest research report, entitled Lost in Transaction: The Future of Payments for SMBs, is an international research report investigating the attitudes of small and medium online businesses in the US, Canada, UK, Germany and Austria to the evolution of payment types. It also incorporates further insights from offline, brick-and-mortar merchants in the US and Canada. Abandoned transactions are also posing a problem for US merchants, with 10% of purchases not being completed. Yet, while 22% believe this reflects successful fraud checks, 32% say abandoned transactions have a major impact on business performance. Notably, 16% of US merchants believe purchases are abandoned purely because of a lack of payment options at the checkout phase. When it comes to which payment options to offer, over four in five US merchants (82%) believe offering multiple choices is essential, while 82% plan to introduce new payment methods in the next two years. Credit cards (offered by 89% of US online merchants) remain relatively ubiquitous, while 52% of merchants a global high currently accept digital wallets, with a further 15% looking to adopt them over the next 24 months. Meanwhile, 79% believe accepting prepaid cards gives access to new customers, and 44% say they will offer online cash replacements in response to consumer demand, and to service the unbanked, in the next two years. One method with the greatest anticipated gains is mobile apps, with 45% planning to offer them in the next two years, up from 17% currently. More innovative forms of payment But merchants are also taking notice of macro consumer trends. 73% agree that consumers want more innovative ways to get short-term credit, as evidenced by the recent rise of 'Pay Later' style products which give consumers more flexibility. They also appear to be conscious of 'proactive innovation' a surprising 40% of US SMBs in physical retail premises say they will be capable of delivering Amazon Go-style checkout-free stores in the next two years, to improve customer experience and reduce friction. Todd Linden, CEO, Payment Processing North America, Paysafe Group, commented: "US online SMBs want to be able to punch above their weight with their eCommerce footprint, but like many merchants internationally are struggling to find the right blend of security and making the consumer's payment journey as simple as possible. US merchants are telling us that frictionless payments are becoming more important to their consumers, and therefore they plan to adopt many new payment types in the coming years. However, many have expressed equal concern in how this may expose them to greater fraud. Delivering new ways to pay is now a business imperative. This may go some way to explaining the rise of prepaid cards, online vouchers and cash replacement systems, which can alleviate these issues for both consumers and merchants." US contactless boom In the US, offline merchants are also pushing to accept contactless transactions an area where the US currently lags behind compared to global counterparts. Sixty two percent expect to offer it over the next couple of years (compared to 37% at present). These findings may be symptomatic of a fragmenting payments landscape, with 30% of US merchants reporting a decrease in cash payments in the past year. Research undertaken earlier this year showed 54% of UK consumers recently made a contactless payment, compared to just 3% in the US. But US merchants' desire to enhance transaction efficiencies (74%) and speed up in-store payments (58%) and could finally symbolize a step change in contactless in the US market. Readiness for invisible payments US brick-and-mortar businesses also expect to widen their payments portfolio to appeal to consumers. Fifty-five percent believe they will have apps to allow customers to pay for goods automatically and similarly, 64% expect to have smartphone driven systems. 40% even expect to have fully frictionless, Amazon-Go style systems a clear departure from the largely card-based delivery still widespread currently. Necessary decision to better their businesses "It is clear from these findings that US merchants are planning changes to their payments setup in the coming years, with signs that contactless payments may finally be ready to take off in the US. All of the changes merchants expect are being driven by a need to balance security, flexibility, frictionless payments, efficiency and speed. US businesses are clearly ambitious, as evidenced in the finding that two in five expect to be able to offer a checkout-free experience for their shoppers in the next two years," added Linden. About Lost in Transaction: The future of payments for SMBs research Over 2017 and 2018, Paysafe has published a number of independent research reports in the Lost In Transaction series. This new volume supported by London-based agency Loudhouse in Q3 2018 looks at the evolution in demand from merchants in the small business sector for payment types. The merchants surveyed for the report form two groups. We surveyed businesses that accept card not present transactions (online merchants) and ones that accept card present transactions (offline, bricks-and-mortar merchants). The card not present merchants comprised 601 companies from the US, Canada, UK, Germany and Austria, employing between 1-50 employees and making $60,000-$10m in sales. The card present data comes exclusively from 306 US and Canadian businesses with the same revenues and levels of employees. About Paysafe Group Paysafe Group (Paysafe) is a leading global provider of end-to-end payment solutions. Its core purpose is to enable businesses and consumers to connect and transact seamlessly through industry-leading capabilities in payment processing, digital wallet, card issuing and online cash solutions. With over 20 years of online payment experience, an annualized transactional volume of over US $80 billion, and approximately 3,000 employees located in 12+ global locations, Paysafe connects businesses and consumers across 200 payment types in over 40 currencies around the world. Delivered through an integrated platform, Paysafe solutions are geared toward mobile-initiated transactions, real-time analytics and the convergence between brick-and-mortar and online payments. Visit us at www.paysafe.com. SOURCE Paysafe Related Links http://www.paysafe.com SAN DIEGO, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As internal and external pressures continue to mount, state technology leaders say they are confident that by building strong teams and embracing new products and development processes, state IT departments will be able to improve how they serve government agencies and residents. Those and other factors contributed heavily to the 2018 State CIO Survey, State CIO as Communicator: The Evolving Nature of Technology Leadership, which was jointly released today by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), Grant Thornton LLP and CompTIA. The survey includes responses from all 50 state CIOs on a range of issues, from evolving business models to workforce and budget to access to innovation and facing the future. Respondents to this year's survey represent more than 150 years of collective service as a state's top technology official. "The results of our 2018 survey highlight how state CIOs are addressing and planning for more transition in state government," said Doug Robinson, executive director of NASCIO. "CIOs are building strong relationships with key stakeholders and focusing on enterprise vision and strategy, security and risk management, agency customer service and relationship management." "The era of IT infrastructure as a state CIO's primary focus is squarely in the rearview mirror," said Graeme Finley, principal with Grant Thornton Public Sector. "Technology is enabling government to operate and deliver services to constituents more efficiently, but at the same time, a CIO's mastery of communication and negotiation skills is becoming increasingly essential to the top technology role in state government." "The insights provided in this year's survey will help the private technology sector better tailor offerings to state governments," said Jennifer Saha, Director of Public Sector Councils for CompTIA. "Knowing where CIOs are heading, and what obstacles stand in their way, allows the technology industry to better anticipate the often unique needs of each state. With that understanding, tech companies are able to provide better solutions and partner with states to accomplish their business goals." The 2018 State CIO Survey also highlights critical success factors for CIOs, legacy modernization funding and procurement, digital transformation and emerging technologies. The complete report State CIO as a Communicator: The Evolving Nature of Technology Leadership is available on the NASCIO website: www.nascio.org/2018StateCIOSurvey. About NASCIO The National Association of State Chief Information Officers is the premier network and resource for state CIOs and a leading advocate for technology policy at all levels of government. NASCIO represents state chief information officers and information technology executives from the states, territories, and the District of Columbia. For more information about NASCIO visit www.nascio.org. AMR Management Services provides NASCIO's executive staff. For more information about AMR visit www.AMRms.com. About Grant Thornton Public Sector Grant Thornton Public Sector helps executives and managers at all levels of government maximize their performance and efficiency in the face of ever-tightening budgets and increased demand for services. Grant Thornton Public Sector gives clients creative, cost-effective solutions that enhance their acquisition, financial, human capital, information technology, data analytics and performance management. About Grant Thornton LLP Founded in Chicago in 1924, Grant Thornton LLP (Grant Thornton) is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the world's leading organizations of independent audit, tax and advisory firms. Grant Thornton works with a broad range of dynamic publicly and privately held companies, government agencies, financial institutions, and civic and religious organizations. "Grant Thornton" refers to Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. Services are delivered by the member firms. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate, one another and are not liable for one another's acts or omissions. Please see grantthornton.com for further details. About CompTIA The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $1.5 trillion U.S. information technology ecosystem; and the 11.5 million technology and business professionals who design, implement, manage, market, and safeguard the technology that powers the U.S. economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce. Visit www.comptia.org to learn more. PRESS CONTACT Roger Hughlett CompTIA 202-503-3644 [email protected] SOURCE CompTIA Related Links http://www.comptia.org If we had a retrial, wed have a huge piece of evidence in favor of Karl having committed the crime: a confession that frankly could be used to convict him if the state was so inclined, said Daniel, a Northwestern University law school professor who directs its Center on Wrongful Convictions. FARMINGDALE, N.Y., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Telephonics Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Griffon Corporation (NYSE:GFF), announced today that it has been awarded an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract from Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) valued at $23.5M to supply their AN/ZPY-4 maritime and overland surveillance radar system for use on the U.S. Navy's MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Under the terms of the contract, the AN/ZPY-4 will transition from a Rapid Deployment Capability (RDC) to a Program of Record for the Fire Scout platform. Designed to maximize situational awareness for UAV platforms, the AN/ZPY-4 multi-mode radar (MMR) is capable of tracking and classifying multiple targets of interest in a wide range of applications. The AN/ZPY-4 has a comprehensive collection of radar modes which, together with its space, weight and power attributes, offers proven performance. "Telephonics is excited to partner with the U.S. Navy to enhance the sensor capability of the MQ-8B Fire Scout Program by providing the AN/ZPY-4 multi-mode radar," said Kevin McSweeney, Telephonics President. For more information about Telephonics and its advanced surveillance capabilities, please contact Kimberly Chernick at [email protected] or visit www.telephonics.com. About Telephonics Telephonics, founded in 1933, is recognized globally as a leading provider of highly sophisticated intelligence, surveillance and communications solutions that are deployed across a wide range of land, sea and air applications. Telephonics designs, develops, manufactures and provides logistical support and lifecycle sustainment services to defense, aerospace and commercial customers worldwide. Visit us at www.telephonics.com or on our social media channels: Facebook Twitter YouTube LinkedIn Google+ About Griffon Corporation Griffon is a diversified management and holding company that conducts business through wholly-owned subsidiaries. Griffon oversees the operations of its subsidiaries, allocates resources among them and manages their capital structures. Griffon provides direction and assistance to its subsidiaries in connection with acquisition and growth opportunities as well as in connection with divestitures. In order to further diversify, Griffon also seeks out, evaluates and, when appropriate, will acquire additional businesses that offer potentially attractive returns on capital. Headquartered in New York, N.Y., the Company was founded in 1959 and is incorporated in Delaware. Griffon is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol GFF. Griffon currently conducts its operations through two reportable segments: Home & Building Products ("HBP") segment consists of three companies, The AMES Companies, Inc. (" AMES "), ClosetMaid LLC ("ClosetMaid"), and Clopay Building Products Company, Inc. ("CBP"): Companies, Inc. (" "), ClosetMaid LLC ("ClosetMaid"), and Clopay Building Products Company, Inc. ("CBP"): AMES , founded in 1774, is the leading U.S. manufacturer and a global provider of long-handled tools and landscaping products for homeowners and professionals. , founded in 1774, is the leading U.S. manufacturer and a global provider of long-handled tools and landscaping products for homeowners and professionals. ClosetMaid, founded in 1965, is a leading North American manufacturer and marketer of closet organization, home storage, and garage storage products, and sells to some of the largest home center retail chains, mass merchandisers, and direct-to-builder professional installers. CBP, since 1964, is a leading manufacturer and marketer of residential and commercial garage doors and sells to professional dealers and some of the largest home center retail chains in North America and, under the CornellCookson brand, is a leading U.S. manufacturer and marketer of rolling steel door and grille products designed for commercial, industrial, institutional, and retail use. and, under the CornellCookson brand, is a leading U.S. manufacturer and marketer of rolling steel door and grille products designed for commercial, industrial, institutional, and retail use. Defense Electronics segment consists of Telephonics Corporation, founded in 1933, a globally recognized leading provider of highly sophisticated intelligence, surveillance and communications solutions for defense, aerospace and commercial customers. For more information on Griffon and its operating subsidiaries, please see the Company's website at www.griffon.com. Forward-Looking Statements "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the company's management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the company's management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Information concerning risks and uncertainties that may impact the company's results and forward-looking statements are set forth in Griffon Corporation's filings with the SEC. The company does not undertake to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. 2018 Telephonics Corporation. 815 Broad Hollow Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735. All trademarks, trade names, service marks, and logos referenced herein belong to their respective companies. NAVAIR Public Release 2018-883. Distribution Statement A - "Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited". Investor Contact: Company Contact: Michael Callahan Kimberly Chernick ICR, Inc. Telephonics Corporation 203.682.8311 631.755.7583 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Telephonics Corporation Related Links http://www.telephonics.com LONDON, Oct. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- KEY FINDINGS The expected CAGR for the global ground service equipment market is 10.21% for the forecast period of 2019-2027. These equipments are used for servicing and maintenance of an aircraft. They are also used for reducing the turnaround time and to increase efficiency and speed. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5597357 MARKET INSIGHTS Import and export activities around the globe, along with the rise in air traffic and cargo are the primary drivers for ground support equipment market.The ground support equipment market is segmented on the basis of type, end user, component and application. Among these, the market by component is the dominant market as it generates maximum revenue. The market is further divided into equipment (Greenfield & Brownfield) and MRO. REGIONAL INSIGHTS The global market for ground support equipment is geographically segregated into Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world.The North American market is the largest market for GSE in terms of global market share and revenue. The success of the North American market is due to the presence of many prominent market players in the region. COMPETITIVE INSIGHTS Prominent market players in the North American ground support equipment market are Cavotec SA, Clyde Machines Inc, Alberth Aviation Ltd., Fast Global Solutions Inc, Avia Equipment Pte Ltd and Bgse Group Llc. Companies mentioned 1. ALBERTH AVIATION LTD. 2. AVIA EQUIPMENT PTE LTD 3. BGSE GROUP, LLC 4. CAVOTEC SA 5. CLYDE MACHINES INC. 6. FAST GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, INC. 7. GATE GSE 8. HYDRO SYSTEM KG 9. JBT CORPORATION 10. MALLAGHAN ENGINEERING LTD 11. MULAG FAHRZEUGWERK GMBH 12. TELEFLEX LIONEL-DUPONT GROUP 13. TRONAIR INC. 14. TUG TECHNOLOGIES (TEXTRON) 15. WEIHAI GUANGTAI AIRPORT EQUIPMENT CO LTD Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5597357 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 CHICAGO, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) announced today that it will be launching a new foodservice industry best practice in defining, benchmarking and enabling Supply Chain Visibility. IFMA once again is joining forces with Kinetic12, a food industry management consulting firm, and HAVI, a global leading supply chain management, packaging innovations and logistics company, to establish and develop these best practices along with a development board made up of chain operators, manufacturers, distributors and other subject matter experts. This initiative is a follow up to IFMA's initial Supply Chain Optimization (SCO) best practice and will build upon the standards and tools created by that development board in 2017. This program, which will be led by experienced, knowledgeable partners, has received commitments from senior executives at 20 leading chain operators signed on to-date. Participating chains include Panera, Chick-fil-A, Sonic, IPC-Subway, RSI-Burger King, Brinker International, Bloomin' Brands, Shake Shack and more. "We are in a period of hyper focus on finding superior more effective supply chain processes. The consumer demands a safe and effective food system that we must always look for ways to improve and streamline," said Larry Oberkfell, President and CEO of IFMA. "Supply chain visibility is a critical issue in the foodservice industry and our goal is to help trading partners understand and manage their supply chain visibility and reduce liability and ultimately improve supply chain transparency to customers," said Jeff Schroeder, Managing Partner at Kinetic12. "We believe the right set of leading stakeholders are on this Board to continue the progress and conversations coming out of SCO1 and to explore the requirements, technology and connections needed to develop best practices for end-to-end supply chain visibility for our industry now and into the future," said Ken Shearer, SVP, Marketing and Sales at HAVI. The Development Board is currently being filled by industry leaders from all areas of the supply chain. If you have interest in developing this best practice, please join the initiative. Contact Mike Schwartz at IFMA, [email protected], Jeff Schroeder of Kinetic12, [email protected] or Steve Rodgers of HAVI, [email protected] for more details. About International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) is an established trade association serving foodservice manufacturers for over 65 years to improve industry practices and relationships while equipping every foodservice manufacturer with the tools to navigate their future with confidence. By providing insights, developing best practices and fostering connectivity through events, we enlighten members and motivate change that leads to betterment for the individual member organization and the industry at large. For more information, visit ifmaworld.com . Follow IFMA on LinkedIn , Twitter: @IFMAWORLD and Facebook . About Kinetic12 Kinetic12 is a management consulting firm operating at the center of the food industry. With a diverse team of accomplished industry experts, they are a resource for all things foodoffering an in-depth range of services for manufacturers, operators, distributors and private equity firms. They have developed best practices in category management, operator collaboration and joint-business planning, collaborative innovation and are regularly featured speakers at key industry events. www.kinetic12.com About HAVI HAVI is a global, privately owned company focused on innovating, optimizing and managing the supply chains of leading brands. Offering services in advanced analytics and consulting, packaging, supply chain management and logistics, HAVI partners with companies to address challenges big and small across the supply chain, from commodity to customer. Founded in 1974, HAVI employs more than 10,000 people and serves customers in more than 100 countries. HAVI's supply chain services are complemented by the customer engagement services offered by our affiliated company The Marketing Store. www.HAVI.com SOURCE International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) Related Links http://www.ifmaworld.com NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) the country's leading nonprofit focusing on FTD, the most common form of dementia for people under 60 held its annual Hope Rising Benefit on Wednesday, October 17. The benefit drew its highest attendance since the first gala in 2016, and raised more than $1.9MM to fuel AFTD's mission of advancing FTD research and improving quality of life for all affected by this disease. More than 500 people attended the event at The Pierre Hotel in New York, including persons living with FTD, care partners, health professionals, researchers and philanthropists all with the common goal of creating a world with compassionate support, effective care and a future free of FTD. Frontotemporal degeneration causes irreversible changes to a person's language, movement, behavior and/or personality, while leaving long-term memory generally intact. Currently there are no approved treatments for FTD, which affects more than 60,000 in the United States. Speakers at Hope Rising included The Very Rev. Tracey Lind, retired dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Cleveland, who was diagnosed with FTD in 2016; and Donald E. Newhouse, president of Advance Publications Inc., who lost both his wife, Susan Newhouse, and brother, Si Newhouse, to the disease. "We all know that the brain is the last frontier of medicine. We can't explore this frontier at a leisurely pace. We have to speed up progress, and to do this, we need an entirely new model of research one that is smarter, more strategic, and much more collaborative." Leonard Lauder, Chairman Emeritus, Estee Lauder Companies & Honoree at AFTD's Hope Rising Benefit "I'm grateful for Leonard's friendship and his partnership with AFTD, and we were honored to present him with the Susan Newhouse and Si Newhouse Award of Hope at this year's Hope Rising Benefit. Leonard and the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation have been key partners to AFTD since 2007. In the past two years that collaboration has grown significantly, with our creation of the Treat FTD partnership. Leonard has brought significant dedication to his work to help us end FTD and he and I both share the hope that our collaboration could lead to a breakthrough targeting all forms of dementia. "We're also grateful for all who made the Hope Rising Benefit such a success, providing significant resources to advance AFTD's mission: to fund research; to support all who are afflicted with FTD and their care partners; and to increase awareness among professionals and the public of this horrendous form of dementia." Donald Newhouse, Chairman, Hope Rising Benefit "One of the challenges for people living with FTD and other types of dementia is that we lose the ability to tell our own stories and advocate on our own behalf. That is why, for as long as I am able, I'm determined to tell my story, in hopes that others will do the same, and bring this growing public health crisis out of the shadows and into the light." The Very Rev. Tracey Lind, Keynote Speaker, Hope Rising Benefit "AFTD is grateful to the Newhouse family, Leonard Lauder, and all who made the night such a success. Including this event, the three Hope Rising benefits since 2016 have combined to bring new funding of nearly $6 million to support our mission. These resources are fueling an ambitious plan for our work over the next three years. Our focus will be on providing healthcare professionals the knowledge and tools to diagnose this disease early; on enabling quality of life and care in the daily lives of those on this journey; and on using the best that science and technology have to offer to advance research toward effective treatments." Susan L-J Dickinson, Chief Executive Officer, Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration At Hope Rising, AFTD presented Leonard A. Lauder, chairman emeritus of The Estee Lauder Companies Inc., with the Susan Newhouse & Si Newhouse Award of Hope, in recognition of his decades-long advocacy for research in FTD, Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias. Along with his brother Ronald, Lauder co-founded the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation in 1998. Lauder first partnered with AFTD in 2007, recognizing the importance of addressing FTD, and that advances made in the scientific understanding of one form of dementia could lead to breakthroughs and a cure for all dementias. About AFTD's 2018 Hope Rising Benefit: AFTD thanks benefit chair Donald E. Newhouse, and benefit co-chairs Anna Wintour and David Zaslav. Tony and Grammy Award Winner Renee Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton) closed the evening with a musical performance that included a heartfelt rendition of "If You Knew Susie," dedicated to Donald Newhouse's late wife, Susan Newhouse, who died of FTD in 2015. Nine-time Emmy Awardwinning journalist Paula Zahn hosted the event for the third year in a row. Approved photos of the benefit can be found through this link. About Frontotemporal Degeneration: FTD strikes adults most often in their 40s and 50s, when they are still working and may be raising a family, and it impacts personality, behavior, language and/or movement. A study commissioned by AFTD and published in Neurology (now available online) found FTD's average annual costs to be nearly double those of Alzheimer's disease. Still, because many have never heard of FTD, including physicians, most families face a very long journey to an accurate diagnosis: nearly four years on average. Today there is no cure, but awareness is increasing. SOURCE Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration Related Links http://www.theaftd.org TUCSON, Ariz., Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Toron, Inc. (OTC Pink: TRON) provides its stockholders today with a corporate status regarding corporate actions. "After our long and difficult road to finalize the complex documentation for the acquisition of The InMed Group, such was completed on October 10, 2018. Our acquisition was extremely complex given that we were acquiring numerous operating entities in 2 states and ensuring that all required permits and licenses remained intact. Our partner, Flagship Properties, has stood by our side during this process and we look forward to working with Flagship in the future," stated Rene Ortiz Morentin, Toron's Chief Executive Officer. Under the terms of the transaction, Pantheon Partners SRL has agreed to transfer 100 Million shares of Toron, Inc. stock to Flagship Properties, LLC, and 100 Million shares of Toron, Inc. stock to InMed Group. "Our transition team is poised to add efficiencies to the operations of The InMed Group to strengthen and grow cash flow. Moreover, we are negotiating with several financial institutions to provide Toron with a substantial operating line of credit to further add efficiencies for InMed operations and facilitate Toron's continued growth," further added Ortiz Morentin. We are pleased to announce that Brad Eisemann, InMed's Chief Operating Officer, will be joining the Toron Board of Directors along with Rene Ortiz Morentin and Patrick Ryan. Mr. Eisemann has been with InMed for the past 15 years and has been key in developing and implementing new strategic revenue sources, creating sustainable change within healthcare facilities; enhancing medical management practices, and creating, evaluating and implementing strategically sound M&A opportunities. Mr. Eisemann has more than 10 years of experience as a Chief Executive Officer of healthcare facilities including hospitals and assisted living facilities. Mr. Eisemann served over 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired with honors as a Master Sergeant. Mr. Eisemann holds Bachelor of Science in Finance from Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, Hawaii. "We will be finalizing our new board members in late November," stated Ortiz Morentin. About Toron, Inc. Toron, Inc. is an innovative disruptive healthcare technology company located in Tucson, Arizona. The Company's objectives are twofold: (1) focused upon integrating access to electronic data interfaces for healthcare providers and payer systems in a user-friendly manner by providing ease of use for patients by simplifying their check-in registration process; and (2) acquisition of healthcare facilities, critical care units, and senior care facilities. http://www.toronic.com and http://www.imedscan.com About InMed Group, Inc. InMed is a privately held corporation which has been in business since 1994. The company operates three (3) hospitals located in Alabama and Georgia. Additionally, the company owns and operates eight (8) adult assisted living facilities. http://www.inmedgroup.com; http://www.bullockcountyhospital.com; http://www.crenshawcommunityhospital.com; and http://mountainlakesmedicalcenter.com Statements in this press release that are not historical fact may be deemed 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. Although Toron, Inc. believes the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, Toron, Inc. is unable to give any assurance that its expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include the company's ability to meet the conditions necessary to, among other matters, obtain a public listing on a major national exchange. SOURCE Toron, Inc. Related Links https://www.toronic.com BRISTOL, England, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) President Columbia (SC) Mayor Steve Benjamin was elected to the Executive Committee of the Global Parliament of Mayors (GPM). Unlike any other urban network, the GPM is the first, and only, international organization exclusively for mayors. Founded in 2016, the GPM serves as an unprecedented platform for municipal leaders to collaborate on solutions to some of the most pressing global challenges of the day. As a member of the GPM's Executive Committee, Mayor Benjamin will work with eight international colleagues representing three continents in overseeing the activities of the organization and enhancing mayors' voices around the world. "In a time of unprecedented urban globalization, this is a critical moment, which will force mayors to carry an even greater load. But mayors know that we cannot do it alone as the issues are too complex and there are no easy answers. I firmly believe that the Global Parliament of Mayors is a great source of untapped capacity. Together, mayors can ensure that the needs of families are met, that their hopes and dreams of a well-lived life can be fulfilled, and that cities all across the world can indeed be a force for good," said Mayor Benjamin. This year's GPM conference was held in Bristol, UK from October 20 - 23 and was hosted by Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees. During the summit, mayors from across Europe, Asia, Africa and the United States discussed how they can leverage their experience as city leaders to help shape both national and international policy on issues such as immigration, urban security and public health. Under the leadership of Mayor Benjamin, the U.S. delegation included USCM Vice President Rochester Hills (MI) Mayor Bryan Barnett, Chair of USCM's International Affairs Committee Dayton (OH) Mayor Nan Whaley, USCM Advisory Committee member West Sacramento (CA) Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, and USCM CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran. "As a founding member of the Global Parliament of Mayors, the U.S. Conference of Mayors believes that cities are the most promising place to find answers to the greatest challenges of the 21st century. We see great potential in this extraordinary forum. It offers us a chance to leverage a world-wide network to find innovative solutions, tackle common challenges and use our collective power to advocate for more effective urban policies," said Cochran. The concept of the GPM grew out of Dr. Benjamin Barber's 2013 book If Mayors Ruled the World: Dysfunctional Nations, Rising Cities, which argues that cities, and the mayors that run them, offer the best new forces of good governance. Cities are already home to more than half of the world's population and are the primary incubator for cultural, social and political innovations. According to Barber, a new international coalition of city governments has the potential to accomplish more than any individual national government. For more information about the GPM, see here. About The United States Conference of Mayors -- The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are nearly 1,400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/usmayors, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/usmayors. SOURCE U.S. Conference of Mayors Related Links www.usmayors.org KATY, Texas, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SLCA) today announced net income of $6.3 million or $0.08 per basic and diluted share for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared with net income of $41.3 million or $0.51 per basic and $0.50 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2017. The third quarter results were negatively impacted by $8.3 million or $0.08 per share in M&A related expenses, including $7.0 million of purchase accounting related to the acquisition of EP Minerals, $25.0 million or $0.25 per share in costs related to plant startup and expansion expenses, $1.9 million or $0.02 per share in business optimization projects and $1.5 million or $0.01 per share in other adjustments, resulting in adjusted EPS for the third quarter of $0.44 per basic and diluted share. "I am proud that our team overcame headwinds in our Oil & Gas sand business to deliver one of the best quarters in company history. We again demonstrated the strength of our customer relationships, offerings and diversified business model," said Bryan Shinn, president and chief executive officer. "Our Industrial and Specialty Products segment had another record-breaking quarter, setting highs for revenue, contribution margin and contribution margin per ton. These impressive results were driven by a full quarter of earnings from our recent acquisition, EP Minerals, several recent price increases and favorable product mix. I'm very excited about our prospects in ISP. We have a robust new business pipeline with more than 100 projects in the queue. These products should add substantial value to our business in the next few years. "In Oil and Gas sand, we grew volumes 10% sequentially and continued to ramp our new Permian basin mining facilities. This achievement was impressive given the slowdown in well completions driven by Permian well offtake capacity issues and E&P 2018 budget exhaustion. While we did experience pricing pressure during the quarter on Northern White sand and spot sales, our contracts held up well. "Our SandBox unit averaged 82 crews during the quarter, and though we saw lower load volumes from the slowdown in completions activity, this decline was partially offset by higher profitability per load. Sandbox has a strong pipeline of new work with recent contract awards from several operators for multiple crews planned to start in the next two quarters. We also have developed and launched several new innovative solutions to better serve our customers and grow the business. "I am positive on the outlook for our Oil and Gas businesses in 2019. While we will likely see more white space on our customer's calendars for the rest of this year, we believe these near-term challenges are transitory. Budgets will reset in 2019, takeaway capacity will be expanded and the record inventory of DUCs will begin to be completed. All of which should provide positive catalysts for sand and logistics demand. Further, we expect to see more higher cost Northern White sand capacity idled in the next few quarters, which will help balance supply and demand and support stable pricing," concluded Shinn. Third Quarter 2018 Highlights Total Company Revenue of $423.2 million for the third quarter of 2018 compared with $427.4 million in the second quarter of 2018, down 1% sequentially and up 23% over the third quarter of 2017. for the third quarter of 2018 compared with in the second quarter of 2018, down 1% sequentially and up 23% over the third quarter of 2017. Overall tons sold of 4.804 million for the third quarter of 2018 compared with 4.489 million tons sold in the second quarter of 2018, up 7% sequentially and 18% over the third quarter of 2017. Contribution margin of $138.2 million for the third quarter of 2018 compared with $155.9 million in the second quarter of 2018, down 11% sequentially and up 15% over the third quarter of 2017. for the third quarter of 2018 compared with in the second quarter of 2018, down 11% sequentially and up 15% over the third quarter of 2017. Adjusted EBITDA of $105.5 million for the third quarter of 2018 compared with Adjusted EBITDA of $123.6 million in the second quarter of 2018 and $96.7 million in the third quarter of 2017. Oil and Gas Revenue of $302.5 million for the third quarter of 2018 compared with $324.1 million in the second quarter of 2018, down 7% sequentially and up 6% over the third quarter of 2017. for the third quarter of 2018 compared with in the second quarter of 2018, down 7% sequentially and up 6% over the third quarter of 2017. Tons sold of 3.821 million for the third quarter of 2018 compared with 3.465 million tons sold in the second quarter of 2018, up 10% sequentially and 21% over the third quarter of 2017. 65% of tons sold were in basin for the third quarter of 2018 compared with the 67% sold in basin in the second quarter of 2018. Segment contribution margin of $89.6 million , or $23.43 per ton, for the third quarter of 2018 compared with $114.6 million in the second quarter of 2018, down 22% sequentially and 7% over the third quarter of 2017. Industrial and Specialty Products Revenue of $120.7 million for the third quarter of 2018 compared with $103.4 million in the second quarter of 2018, up 17% sequentially and 106% over the third quarter of 2017. for the third quarter of 2018 compared with in the second quarter of 2018, up 17% sequentially and 106% over the third quarter of 2017. Tons sold totaled 0.983 million for the third quarter of 2018 compared with 1.024 million tons sold in the second quarter of 2018, down 4% sequentially and up 6% over the third quarter of 2017. Segment contribution margin of $48.7 million , or $49.54 per ton, for the third quarter of 2018 compared with $41.3 million in the second quarter of 2018, up 18% sequentially and 103% over the third quarter of 2017. Capital Update As of September 30, 2018, the Company had $345.6 million in cash and cash equivalents and $95.2 million available under its credit facilities. Total debt as of September 30, 2018 was $1,264.5 million. Capital expenditures in the third quarter totaled $61.6 million and were mainly for engineering, procurement and construction of our growth projects, primarily Crane and Lamesa, equipment to expand our Sandbox operations, and other maintenance and cost improvement capital projects. During the third quarter the company generated $94.7 million in operating cash flow. Outlook and Guidance The company anticipates that its capital expenditures for 2018 will be approximately $350 million. We estimate that our annual effective tax rate for 2018 will be 11%. Conference Call U.S. Silica will host a conference call for investors today, October 23, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss these results. Hosting the call will be Bryan Shinn, president and chief executive officer and Don Merril, executive vice president and chief financial officer. Investors are invited to listen to a live webcast of the conference call by visiting the "Investor Resources" section of the Company's website at www.ussilica.com. The webcast will be archived for one year. The call can also be accessed live over the telephone by dialing (877) 869-3847 or for international callers, (201) 689-8261. A replay will be available shortly after the call and can be accessed by dialing (877) 660-6853 or for international callers, (201) 612-7415. The conference ID for the replay is 13684211. The replay will be available through November 23, 2018. About U.S. Silica U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. is a performance materials company and is a member of the Russell 2000. The Company is a leading producer of commercial silica used in the oil and gas industry, and in a wide range of industrial applications. Over its 118-year history, U.S. Silica has developed core competencies in mining, processing, logistics and materials science that enable it to produce and cost-effectively deliver over 1,500 diversified products to customers across our end markets. U.S. Silica's wholly-owned subsidiaries include EP Minerals and SandBox Logistics. EP Minerals is an industry leader in the production of products derived from diatomaceous earth, perlite, engineered clays, and non-activated clays. SandBox Logistics is a state-of-the-art leader in proppant storage, handling and well-site delivery, dedicated to making proppant logistics cleaner, safer and more efficient. The Company currently operates over 25 mines and production facilities. The Company is headquartered in Katy, Texas and has offices in Frederick, Maryland and Chicago, Illinois. Forward-looking Statements Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and speak only as of this date. Forward-looking statements made include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact and may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding U.S. Silica's growth opportunities, strategy, future financial results, forecasts, projections, plans and capital expenditures, and the commercial silica industry. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions, which may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from these forward-looking statements. Among these factors are: (1) fluctuations in demand for commercial silica; (2) the cyclical nature of our customers' businesses; (3) operating risks that are beyond our control; (4) federal, state and local legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing; (5) our ability to implement our capacity expansion plans within our current timetable and budget; (6) loss of, or reduction in, business from our largest customers or failure of our customers to pay amounts due to us; (7) increasing costs or a lack of dependability or availability of transportation services or infrastructure; (8) our substantial indebtedness and pension obligations; (9) our ability to attract and retain key personnel and truckload drivers; (10) silica-related health issues and corresponding litigation; (11) seasonal and severe weather conditions; and (12) extensive and evolving environmental, mining, health and safety, licensing, reclamation, trucking and other regulation (and changes in their enforcement or interpretation). Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in U.S. Silica's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law. U.S. SILICA HOLDINGS, INC. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA FROM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited; dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 June 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Total sales $ 423,172 $ 427,433 $ 345,023 Total cost of sales (excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization) 322,336 292,845 227,789 Operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative 37,980 42,232 29,542 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 37,150 36,563 24,673 Asset impairment 16,184 Total operating expenses 75,130 94,979 54,215 Operating income 25,706 39,609 63,019 Other (expense) income: Interest expense (21,999) (20,214) (8,347) Other income (expense), net, including interest income 1,062 1,081 1,308 Total other expense (20,937) (19,133) (7,039) Income before income taxes 4,769 20,476 55,980 Income tax benefit (expense) 1,547 (2,832) (14,707) Net income $ 6,316 $ 17,644 $ 41,273 Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest Net income attributable to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. $ 6,316 $ 17,644 $ 41,273 Earnings per share attributable to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc.: Basic $ 0.08 $ 0.23 $ 0.51 Diluted $ 0.08 $ 0.22 $ 0.50 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 77,365 77,784 81,121 Diluted 77,859 78,480 81,783 Dividends declared per share $ 0.06 $ 0.06 $ 0.06 U.S. SILICA HOLDINGS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited; dollars in thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 345,583 $ 384,567 Accounts receivable, net 247,692 212,586 Inventories, net 170,723 92,376 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 18,827 13,715 Income tax deposits 2,804 Total current assets 785,629 703,244 Property, plant and mine development, net 1,868,382 1,169,155 Goodwill 414,741 272,079 Intangible assets, net 195,498 150,007 Other assets 24,405 12,798 Total assets $ 3,288,655 $ 2,307,283 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 231,302 $ 171,041 Current portion of long-term debt 13,479 6,867 Current portion of deferred revenue 40,755 36,128 Income tax payable 1,566 Total current liabilities 285,536 215,602 Long-term debt, net 1,251,053 505,075 Deferred revenue 79,095 82,286 Liability for pension and other post-retirement benefits 46,045 52,867 Deferred income taxes, net 169,432 29,856 Other long-term obligations 88,013 25,091 Total liabilities 1,919,174 910,777 Stockholders' Equity: Preferred stock Common stock 815 812 Additional paid-in capital 1,165,661 1,147,084 Retained earnings 328,624 287,992 Treasury stock, at cost (120,078) (25,456) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (8,753) (13,926) Total U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. stockholders' equity 1,366,269 1,396,506 Non-controlling interest 3,212 Total stockholders' equity 1,369,481 1,396,506 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 3,288,655 $ 2,307,283 Non-GAAP Financial Measures Segment Contribution Margin Segment contribution margin is a key metric that management uses to evaluate our operating performance and to determine resource allocation between segments. Segment contribution margin excludes certain corporate costs not associated with the operations of the segment. These unallocated costs include costs related to corporate functional areas such as sales, production and engineering, corporate purchasing, accounting, treasury, information technology, legal and human resources. The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to segment contribution margin. Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 June 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Sales: Oil & Gas Proppants $ 302,452 $ 324,063 $ 286,369 Industrial & Specialty Products 120,720 103,370 58,654 Total sales 423,172 427,433 345,023 Segment contribution margin: Oil & Gas Proppants 89,550 114,607 96,087 Industrial & Specialty Products 48,697 41,301 23,978 Total segment contribution margin 138,247 155,908 120,065 Operating activities excluded from segment cost of sales (37,411) (21,320) (2,831) Selling, general and administrative (37,980) (42,232) (29,542) Depreciation, depletion and amortization (37,150) (36,563) (24,673) Asset impairment (16,184) Interest expense (21,999) (20,214) (8,347) Other income (expense), net, including interest income 1,062 1,081 1,308 Income tax benefit (expense) 1,547 (2,832) (14,707) Net Income $ 6,316 $ 17,644 $ 41,273 Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest Net income attributable to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. $ 6,316 $ 17,644 $ 41,273 Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of our financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income as a measure of operating performance, cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of free cash flow for management's discretionary use, as it does not consider certain cash requirements such as interest payments, tax payments and debt service requirements. Adjusted EBITDA contains certain other limitations, including the failure to reflect our cash expenditures, cash requirements for working capital needs and cash costs to replace assets being depreciated and amortized, and excludes certain non-recurring charges that may recur in the future. Management compensates for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and by using Adjusted EBITDA only supplementally. Our measure of Adjusted EBITDA is not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in the methods of calculation. The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to Adjusted EBITDA: (All amounts in thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 June 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Net income attributable to U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. $ 6,316 $ 17,644 $ 41,273 Total interest expense, net of interest income 20,899 16,490 6,900 Provision for taxes (1,547) 2,832 14,707 Total depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses 37,150 36,563 24,673 EBITDA 62,818 73,529 87,553 Non-cash incentive compensation (1) 5,427 6,931 6,567 Post-employment expenses (excluding service costs) (2) 544 554 194 Merger and acquisition related expenses (3) 8,303 17,624 2,387 Plant capacity expansion expenses (4) 24,999 10,721 1 Contract termination expenses (5) Asset impairment (6) 16,184 Business optimization projects (7) 1,926 Other adjustments allowable under our existing credit agreement (8) 1,525 (1,932) (26) Adjusted EBITDA $ 105,542 $ 123,611 $ 96,676 (1) Reflects equity-based non-cash compensation expense. (2) Includes net pension cost and net post-retirement cost relating to pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations during the applicable period, but in each case excluding the service cost relating to benefits earned during such period. Non-service net periodic benefit costs are not considered reflective of our operating performance as these costs do not exclusively originate from employee services during the applicable period and may experience periodic fluctuations as a result of changes in non-operating factors, including changes in discount rates, changes in expected returns on benefit plan assets, and other demographic actuarial assumptions. (3) Merger and acquisition related expenses include legal fees, consulting fees, bank fees, severance costs, certain purchase accounting items, inventory write-offs, information technology integration costs and similar charges. While these costs are not operational in nature and are not expected to continue for any singular transaction on an ongoing basis, similar types of costs, expenses and charges have occurred in prior periods and may recur in the future as we continue to integrate prior acquisitions and pursue any future acquisitions. (4) Plant capacity expansion expenses include expenses that are not inventoriable or capitalizable as related to plant expansion projects greater than $5 million in capital expenditures or plant start up projects. While these expenses are not operational in nature and are not expected to continue for any singular project on an ongoing basis, similar types of expenses have occurred in prior periods and may recur in the future as we continue to pursue future plant capacity expansion. (5) Reflects contract termination expenses related to strategically exiting a service contract. While these expenses are not operational in nature and are not expected to continue for any singular event on an ongoing basis, similar types of expenses have occurred in prior periods and may recur in the future as we continue to strategically evaluate our contracts. (6) The three months ended June 30, 2018 reflects a $16.2 million asset impairment related to the closure of our resin coating facility and associated product portfolio. (7) Reflects costs incurred related to business optimizations projects within our corporate center, which aim to measure and improve the efficiency, productivity and performance of our organization. While these costs are not operational in nature and are not expected to continue for any singular project on an ongoing basis, similar types of expenses may recur in the future. (8) Reflects miscellaneous adjustments permitted under our existing credit agreement. The three months ended September 30, 2018 includes storm damage costs, recruiting fees and relocation costs. The three months ended June 30, 2018 includes a $2.7 million credit as a result of the final settlement of contract termination costs related to the divestiture of assets in the first quarter of 2018. While the gain and costs related to a divestiture of assets are not operational in nature and are not expected to continue for any singular divestiture on an ongoing basis, similar types of expenses have occurred in prior periods and may recur in the future. Investor Contacts Michael Lawson Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications 301-682-0304 [email protected] Nick Shaver Investor Relations Manager 281-394-9630 [email protected] SOURCE U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. Related Links http://www.ussilica.com Joe Kudla, Vuori's Founder and CEO, carefully selected San Francisco as the brand's next home, recognizing an affinity between Vuori's products and residents of the Bay Area. "San Francisco has long remained at the cutting edge of technology, business, culture, and wellness," said Kudla. "Those who live in the area lead active, health-conscious lifestyles where they're physically moving during the most important parts of their day. Whether they're running, surfing, hiking, or even just commuting, we're eager to meet our new neighbors and help them to seamlessly connect those movements and moments." Vuori's expansion to San Francisco follows tremendous success at their flagship store in the beach city of Encinitas, California. In addition to headquarters and the just-opened San Francisco shop, Vuori has an additional location in Manhattan Beach, California, which opened this summer. Vuori's Union Street location boasts an aesthetic similar to the one found in the Encinitas and Manhattan Beach stores: a clean, modern design is complemented by earthy elements such as a birchwood finish and natural light. Offline, Vuori engages its community through in-store events such as art shows, concerts, and fitness classes. A tactic with proven success in Encinitas and Manhattan Beach, Vuori is currently assembling a calendar of events to hold in the San Francisco store. "With any store opening, our hope is that we'll become a natural part of the community," said Nikki Sakelliou, Vice President of Marketing at Vuori. "We've experienced great success with our stores so far, and anticipate the San Francisco customers will love our products once they can experience the difference firsthand." About Vuori Launched in 2015, Vuori merges technical clothing with a West Coast vibe that looks and feels great. Founder Joe Kudla didn't have to look far for inspiration; headquartered in the aspirational beach community of Encinitas, CA, Vuori is a natural extension of its home environment where active, conscious and creative people inspire those around them every day. In addition to a fruitful ecommerce business and physical stores in Encinitas, Manhattan Beach, and San Francisco, Vuori is sold in most Nordstroms, Paragon Sports, Fred Segal, REI, Equinox fitness clubs. Please visit www.vuoriclothing.com for more information. For media inquiries, please contact: Casey McDonald 212.584.5668 [email protected] SOURCE Vuori Related Links http://www.vuoriclothing.com WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report, "The Future(s) of Public Higher Education," released today by Deloitte's Center for Higher Education Excellence and Georgia Tech's Center for 21st Century Universities lays out five new models to address the new realities of and demands on public higher education institutions and improve the student experience. "Today's demands on public higher education institutions are very different from those dating back many decades, when the basic model of these institutions was formed," said Cole Clark, managing director, Deloitte Services LP, who leads client and community outreach and relationships for its higher education practice. "Higher education is now firmly planted in a new era, and requires a new master plan: how it is organized and funded, its mission, and whom it serves." "The rapid pace of change in higher education, due in large part to shifting learner demographics, mandates a new educational model for public universities," said Rich DeMillo, executive director, Georgia Tech's Center for 21st Century Universities. "This report outlines critical examples of ways that public universities might revitalize their approach and meet the demands of learners with a wide variety of needs." The report describes five approaches that could serve as models for public higher education, including: The Entrepreneurial University: A state university system differentiates its offerings at the institution level while coordinating at the system level to align educational investments with student and state economic needs. Individual institutions would specialize in areas such as undergraduate education, vocational training, or research, while degree programs and curricula would be centrally influenced through the definition of clear goals by the state and system. Example: Western Governors University (WGU) is a nonprofit university established to expand access to quality higher education to adult students with some college and no degree. WGU is the nation's first accredited competency-based education (CBE) university, providing CBE online and at scale. The Sharing University: Campuses would link student and administrative services to realize efficiencies of scale and/or capitalize on the expertise of institutions. Repetitive activities would be either automated or outsourced to a single institution within the system, enabling the other campuses to focus resources on more strategic activities. Examples of shared activities: career services, international recruitment, academic advising, legal affairs, and information security. Example: The University System of Georgia has started the OneUSG initiative to develop and put in place streamlined policies, procedures and technologies. The Experiential University: Institutions would integrate work experiences into the curriculum, with students toggling between long stretches in the classroom and the work world related to their area of study. Employers would have a chance to evaluate students for potential fit before committing to hiring them for a full-time position. Work experiences would be closely tied to the state's economic development priorities and its emerging job market. Examples: University of Cincinnati and Georgia Tech are operating a cooperative model, in which students are working one-third to almost half of the time a student spends in school. The "Subscription" University: This platform focuses on continual learning throughout a student's lifetime. Under this model, students would start higher education earlier by taking dual-enrollment or early college courses while still in the K12 system. Thereafter, they could access university courses throughout their lives to gain and update their knowledge and skills as needed, paying lower tuition fees up front and then an annual subscription fee during their lifetime. Example: Idaho's State Board of Education makes policy for K-20 public education, continually working toward an education system without barriers within the governance or committee structure. The Partnership University: The annual budgeting cycle would be extended across several years, making it easier for institutions to plan and make strategic investments. It would guarantee a certain level of funding from the state over multiple years in exchange for agreements from colleges for tuition limits, cost savings, increased collaboration and consolidation, and private fundraising. Businesses and other employers would also provide insights on curriculum, financial assistance for equipment, and other essential resources. Example: Maryland's Effectiveness and Efficiency Initiative saved $94 million at its 11-campus system and froze tuition for three years. "Adopting elements of one or more of these models would require input and collaboration across a diverse set of stakeholders as well as strong leadership," said Jeffrey J. Selingo, a visiting scholar at Georgia Tech's Center for 21st Century Universities and one of the authors of the report. "Developing a master plan that is forward looking and self-aware of a system's challenges is a big lift but can be done and is needed to position our public higher education institutions for the future." In the research for the report, several common elements were identified to enable change at the system level, including: Effective leadership: Strong and visionary leadership from the state governor, state legislators, university system leadership, boards, and institutional leaders will be required to drive change. An effective leader will help to design the blueprint for the state's higher educational system and animate the university community to help build and embrace the vision. A new focus for the university system office: The university system office would need to transition their focus from reporting and compliance to helping to define and measure success by establishing common data structures across the system, providing tools to monitor progress and support decisions, and conducting active communication between the central office and institutions. This additional level of responsibility will demand a concomitant level of authority and funding allocation. An institutional culture that puts students at the center: When the needs of the student are at the forefront, decisions about where to invest and focus can be made more clearly, supporting areas that meet student demand. This line of thinking can help to direct investments needed to hire faculty, expand degree/credential offerings, and invest in new technology. New financial models and incentives: As universities innovate, evolve, and collaborate more frequently within and across a system, the operational changes can affect the current funding model. Analysis would need to be done to rethink how to allocate revenues and costs across the system, and create clear incentives to develop new programs designed to meet the needs of today's and tomorrow's economic realities. Clear and frequent communication: Change in higher education is fraught with peril. Many change initiatives fail to take hold due to lack of stakeholder and leadership buy-in. Frequent and clear communication painting a picture of the change imperative but also the vision of the improved future state is a prerequisite to successfully implementing the difficult change outlined in the report. The report also includes an analysis of 565 state institutions' publicly available strategic plans using text analytics with top focus areas, including: research, enrollment, facilities/building and programs and offerings. Additionally, a brief history of the current public higher education models and an overview of current challenges facing institutions are also included. Full report is available here. About Deloitte Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world's most admired brands, including more than 85 percent of the Fortune 500 and more than 6,000 private and middle market companies. Our people work across more than 20 industry sectors to make an impact that matters delivering measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in our capital markets, inspire clients to see challenges as opportunities to transform and thrive, and help lead the way toward a stronger economy and a healthy society. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms. SOURCE Deloitte Related Links http://www.deloitte.com/us TOKYO, Oct. 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Park Hotel Tokyo announced on October 23 that it will hold an art exhibition titled "Mitsumasa Kadota - TELEPORT PAINTINGS - Art Exhibition" from December 3, 2018, to February 17, 2019. https://en.parkhoteltokyo.com/press/mitsumasa-kadota-teleport-paintings-art-exhibition/ (Photo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104041/201810189336/_prw_PI1fl_4d0vSXny.jpg) Park Hotel Tokyo holds four art exhibitions a year, offering guests hospitality with Japanese aesthetics of each season. This winter, to celebrate the upcoming New Year, artworks by Mitsumasa Kadota, who pursues the possibilities of expression through color and brush strokes, resounding with each other like magic, will be exhibited. At ART Lounge, guests can enjoy original cocktail and dessert that complement artworks. In the evening, powerful images with a motif of exhibited artworks will be projected on the 30-meter-high wall. Park Hotel Tokyo General Manager Takayuki Suzuki said: "Winter is harsh in Japan, but also has many celebrations. We hope to welcome guests with an exhibition embracing diversity and seemingly transcending to another dimension, a theme suiting the celebratory season." Park Hotel Tokyo Art Project Director Yoshitomo Fujikawa said: "This exhibition embodies our free, unconventional, and boundary-less thinking. Please enjoy the exhibition, which aims to find the present in our journey through time and to represent new values and the change of dimension into the coming year." Park Hotel Tokyo hopes to present guests with the aesthetics of Japan to help them understand Japanese culture. About Park Hotel Tokyo Park Hotel Tokyo, opened in 2003, is located on the 25th floor and above in the Shiodome Media Tower. The 25th floor has the lobby and reception desk besides restaurants and a bar. The city's view can be enjoyed through the windows behind the reception desk. There are 270 guest rooms, located from the 26th to 34th floors. In 2013, Park Hotel Tokyo put forth a new concept, "Infinite time and space amid cognizant Japanese beauty." In line with the concept, every room on the 31st floor is decorated and turned into Artist Rooms, based on the theme "Beauty of Japan." To offer a memorable experience in various parts of the stay, Park Hotel Tokyo will continue to maximize the role of Japanese aesthetics and hospitality. SOURCE Park Hotel Tokyo Jackson requested a hearing, intending to show the police report he filed to prove the car had been stolen. Then he hoped to get his car back. When he arrived to the hearing, though, Jackson said the staff looked up the car and told him it hadnt been impounded. BrandStar , a nationally recognized full-service content marketing and broadcast production firm, and digital marketing and website development company Paton Marketing recently joined forces. BrandStar produces several nationally syndicated television series airing on the Lifetime Television Network and broadcast stations around the country. The announcement was made jointly by BrandStar's founder and CEO, Mark Alfieri, and Todd Paton, President and Founder of Paton Marketing. The merger will be important within BrandStar's plans for expansion in South Florida. With the introduction of "BrandStar Local," businesses in South Florida will now be able to appear through customized educational segments which will air regionally alongside their six nationally syndicated television shows. "BrandStar has been primarily a national firm," said Alfieri. "There are many quality companies in South Florida that should be aware of our unique services. Paton Marketing has a strong local presence and will be instrumental in this effort to localize our marketing platforms." Founded in 2005, BrandStar delivers valuable content solutions through its portfolio of television shows. These shows provide educational, solution-focused content that connects brands to people seeking an improved quality of life. "It's important for us to offer our current partners additional services provided by Paton Marketing. They include online branding, reputation management, social media, website development, and search engine optimization (SEO) programs," said Doug Campbell, co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of BrandStar. Show themes include women's issues, home improvements, military givebacks, health, business solutions, and motivation. About BrandStar - We're matchmakers; connecting People to Brands to Do Life Better. BrandStar has unparalleled experience in creating customized educational content for brands with laser targeted extensive distribution through their multi-channel network ecosystem & methodology. From Original television programming, BrandStar.tv, social media, digital marketing, to media management, and PR; BrandStar helps brands connect with the right consumer, at the right time, with the right message, through all the right channels. Paton Marketing is a dynamic online marketing firm that develops Internet strategies allowing its clients to dominate the market in their industry verticals with strategies that result in driving targeted traffic to clients' websites, improving search engine ranking, and enhancing conversion rates. SOURCE BrandStar Related Links http://brandstar.com "A website is dumb! It can't answer questions. If you want to find something, even if you already know the site contains your answer, you have to guess what page it's on and read the entire thing until you find it. Today with the launch of Brain, Think, and AI-ready Pages, Yext unveils its vision for three revolutionary new DKM technologies that think for you. No more guessing, no more reading, no more thinking," said Howard Lerman, Yext founder & CEO. "A website makes you do the thinking. A Brain thinks for you." Yext revealed the following advancements at ONWARD18: Yext Brain: An AI-ready data platform that lets businesses define any fact about themselves and designate relationships among facts. With Yext Brain, businesses can create digital entities like Events, Locations, Professionals, Products, Limited Time Offers, and more. They can build two-way relationships among entities inside Yext Brain, which help AI-powered services answer detailed questions like which store is hosting an event or which doctor takes which insurance. An AI-ready data platform that lets businesses define any fact about themselves and designate relationships among facts. With Yext Brain, businesses can create digital entities like Events, Locations, Professionals, Products, Limited Time Offers, and more. They can build two-way relationships among entities inside Yext Brain, which help AI-powered services answer detailed questions like which store is hosting an event or which doctor takes which insurance. Yext Think : A revolutionary answers engine that can power experiences on a brand's own website like store locators, menu search, or doctor finders with direct answers from Yext Brain. This allows a user to ask a business's website things like What time does the Union Square location close? ; I need a dentist nearby who takes my insurance and has appointments available today ; or How many calories are in the bacon cheeseburger? Yext Think makes a business website intelligent, so it can understand a user query and return a smart, direct answer from Yext Brain. : A revolutionary answers engine that can power experiences on a brand's own website like store locators, menu search, or doctor finders with direct answers from Yext Brain. This allows a user to ask a business's website things like ; ; or Yext Think makes a business website intelligent, so it can understand a user query and return a smart, direct answer from Yext Brain. Two new features of Yext Pages: Businesses can create an AI-ready page on their websites for any entity stored in Yext Brain with the click of a button. And with a new library of transactional modules, they can easily include pre-built page modules for appointment booking, ticketing, and more. This means that anything stored in Yext Brain can become its own smart landing page for consumer discovery and action, whether it's a location, event, or a professional's profile. "Yext Brain allows any business to create digital entities like locations, events, people, and products, and connect them like synapses in a brain," said Marc Ferrentino, Chief Strategy Officer of Yext. "The result is extraordinary. Any business can structure its data to power direct answers to complex consumer questions on its own website or third party services like Google, Alexa, Siri, and more." Learn more about Yext Brain, Think, and Pages. About Yext Yext, Inc. (NYSE: YEXT) is the leading Digital Knowledge Management (DKM) platform. Yext's mission is to give companies control over their brand experiences across the digital universe of maps, apps, search engines, voice assistants, and other intelligent services that drive consumer discovery, decision, and action. Today, thousands of businesses including brands like Taco Bell, Rite Aid, and Steward Health Care use the Yext Knowledge Engine to manage their digital knowledge in order to boost brand engagement, drive foot traffic, and increase sales. Yext has been named a Best Place to Work by Fortune and Great Place to Work as well as a Best Workplace for Women. Yext is headquartered in New York City with offices in Berlin, Chicago, Dallas, Geneva, London, Paris, Tyson's Corner, San Francisco, Shanghai, and Tokyo. For more information, visit www.yext.com . SOURCE Yext, Inc. Related Links http://www.yext.com San Francisco, Oct 23 : US leading media streaming service Netflix Inc has announced it will borrow another $2 billion in new debt to fund original shows and content. Netflix said it intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for "general corporate purposes, which may include content acquisitions, production and development, capital expenditures, investments, working capital and potential acquisitions and strategic transactions". This is the second time that the California-based streaming firm to tap the debt market this year, which adds its long-term liabilities to more than $30 billion. Netflix is investing heavily in content to ramp up its battles for subscribers against its rivals such as Apple and Amazon. The company has burned about $1.7 billion in cash in the most recent quarter, and it expects to burn through $3 billion this year. Netflix reported $8.34 billion in long-term debt by the end of September this year, increasing 71 percent from $4.89 billion in the previous year. Netflix witnessed a rapid growth in the number of subscribers for the third quarter of 2018, with 7 million new streaming customers added for the period, including 1.09 million in the US. With a total of 130 million users in 190 countries and regions across the world, Netflix is expected to net 9.4 million new subscribers by the end of 2018, with the US being its largest market. Managua, Oct 23 : At least 17 people have died when trying to cross flooded rivers in Nicaragua in the last few days, said Vice President and presidential spokesperson Rosario Murillo. "We're still on red alert (maximum) although weather conditions have improved," said Murillo in a statement published by official newspaper El 19 Digital on Monday, reports Xinhua news agency. Those killed had attempted to cross rivers and streams on foot, horse or bicycle, according to the statement. Nicaragua is currently passing through its rainy season, which usually begins in May and ends in October. Heavy rains have caused floods and landslides in some areas of the country. San Francisco, Oct 23 : Google-owned YouTube has announced an investment of $20 million in educational content and creators to expand its initiative to support people across the world in sharing knowledge and pursuing learning on the platform. YouTube said on Monday that it was creating a new Learning Fund programme to support creators who make some of the best learning content on YouTube, the world's largest video-sharing site, with videos covering a wide range of topics from career skills, like interviewing and resume building, to computer science, like coding for game development and JavaScript basics. The company said it had completed the first round of investment to fund some of the most successful channels on the platform, such as TED-Ed, which is dedicated to educational Ted Talks, and brothers Hank and John Green's Crash Course. YouTube has pledged investment to support EduTubers through the Learning Fund and plans to fund content from independent creators, traditional news sources and educational organizations to broaden its content offering. The company also said it would partner with third-party studios and networks such as Goodwill and Year Up to create videos that teach career skills. Its major partners include leading online learning platforms, like edX, a non-profit offering courses from the world's best universities and institutions, and OpenClassrooms, an education platform based in France. The Google subsidiary held YouTube EduCon conferences in California, Mexico and Brazil to connect EduTubers with new resources in 2018. In a further push for its global education efforts for next year, YouTube said it plans to expand YouTube EduCon to Europe and Asia, starting with India in December and the UK in February 2019. Los Angeles, Oct 23 : Lisa Amstrong, former wife of television presenter Ant McPartlin, has slammed her ex-husband's new lady love Anne-Marie Corbett for getting involved in a relationship with him. Amstrong, who was alleged to be Corbett's friend, accused her of being a backstabber by liking the tweets of the fans which were against Corbett, reports dailymail.co.uk. She liked a post from a fan which read: "I'm not, and never, suggested someone stay with anyone if they don't want to. The healthy thing to do is separate. The unhealthy thing to do is to start shacking up with your wife's friend. That's not ok in any circumstances. Major girl code breach." Amstrong had been sent a legal warning after liking tweets accusing Corbett. Corbett's lawyers said she was distressed by the attacks, which branded her a "gold digger", "backstabber" and "second best". Amstrong, ended her 12 years of marriage with McPartlin last week and since then she has been seen liking, retweeting and even commenting about Mc Partlin-Corbett's relationship on Twitter. Washington, Oct 23 : Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was attacked in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul within two minutes after he entered it and was dead in seven minutes, the New York Times reported. A person close to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan revealed "new specificity to the Turkish claims about the speed with which Khashoggi was killed and said (that) it also showed premeditation". According to the daily, Khashoggi came under attack within two minutes of entering the consulate on October 2 and was dead within seven minutes. He was dismembered in 22 minutes. Turkish officials have previously said that the Saudi killer team had finished its work and left the consulate within less than two hours. The Times also said that Saudi agents who killed Khashoggi brought a body double who resembled the dissident and wore his clothes as part of a cover-up. Turkey leaked security camera video footage on Monday showing the look-alike strolling the streets of Istanbul shortly after Khashoggi had been killed inside the Saudi consulate. "The inclusion of a body double in the squad is the latest indication that the death of Khashoggi, a Virginia resident and Washington Post columnist last seen on October 2, occurred during a premeditated plot by the Saudis to abduct or kill him and hide what they did." On Saturday, Saudi Arabia's rulers admitted for the first time that their agents had killed Khashoggi. They said he was accidentally strangled during a brawl that broke out in the consulate as the Saudi agents tried to persuade him to return to the kingdom. The Saudi officials have also said that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the 33-year-old de facto ruler of the kingdom, had no knowledge of the mission and that he learned of the killing only two weeks later. But this theory is widely challenged. The Times quoted a source as saying that Khashoggi's body was rolled into a rug before handing it over. Although President Erdogan has promised to reveal a truth "in full nakedness" on Tuesday, the daily said he does not intend to disclose the specific evidence other officials have cited. "Some of that evidence may have been obtained through audio surveillance of the consulate in violation of international agreements... "But he remains determined to try to assign the blame for the killing to the upper reaches of the Saudi royal court, as close as possible to the crown prince." Meanwhile, Khashoggi's fiancAe, Hatice Cengiz, has been placed under police protection, a Turkish official said. The step had been taken not because of any specific threat but because Cengiz, who was to marry Khashoggi the day after he went to the Saudi Consulate, had been the target of online abuse, the Times said. New Delhi, Oct 23 : Disney's "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms" will release in India along with the world on November 2. Inspired by both ETA Hoffmann's classic story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" and Alexandre Dumas' retelling in the 1892 Tchaikovsky ballet "The Nutcracker", the film is directed by Lasse HallstrAm and Joe Johnston. "'The Nutcracker' inspired my daughter to take up dancing," said Hallstrom in a statement. "This film combines all of the best film-making elements-drama, comedy, music, special effects and dance. It was a heavenly experience," he added. The live-action movie follows life of a girl named Clara who is tasked by her parents with taking care of a toy Nutcracker doll, which comes to life and defeats an evil Mouse King with seven heads. Stars like Mackenzie Foy, Morgan Freeman, Jayden Fowora-Knight, Helen Mirren and Keira Knightley are attached to the project. Mexico City, Oct 23 : Three climbers have been killed and a fourth injured in separate accidents while scaling the volcanic peak of Mexico's highest mountain, emergency management officials said. Two climbers, part of a group of 15 mountaineers, were killed when thet got separated which ascending the Pico de Orizaba, the Puebla state emergency management office said. Two of them died on the south face on Monday and a third fell to his death from the north face after being separated from the group. The rescue and recovery operation was hampered by bad weather, Efe news reported. In a separate accident a climber was killed and another injured with multiple fractures while scaling the volcano's north face. Rescue workers climbed the mountain in an effort to reach the climbers who were at an altitude of approximately 5,600 m and fell about 400 m. Washington, Oct 23 : US President Donald Trump has warned of bolstering the American nuclear arsenal to put pressure on Russia and China. Moscow has retaliated that it will respond in kind if the US develops more weapons, the BBC reported. Hinting at Russia's breach of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, Trump said the US would build up its arsenal "until people come to their senses". "It's a threat to whoever you want to include China and it includes Russia and it includes anybody else that wants to play that game...," the President told the media. "(Russia has) not adhered to the spirit of that agreement or to the agreement itself," Trump repeated on Monday about the Cold War-era treaty that banned medium-range missiles. Russia has already denied this. INF was aimed at reducing the perceived Soviet threat to European nations. Moscow told US National Security Adviser John Bolton the US plan to quit the deal would be a "serious blow" to the non-proliferation regime. Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev in Moscow said the Kremlin was "ready" to work with the US to remove "mutual" grievances over the INF. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "Scrapping the treaty forces Russia to take steps for its own security." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 23) The court handling opposition senator Antonio Trillanes' case should have voided the presidential proclamation that revoked his amnesty, a constitutional expert said on Tuesday. In his decision on Monday, Judge Andres Soriano of Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 148 rejected a petition for an arrest warrant for Trillanes but upheld President Rodrigo Duterte's Proclamation No. 572. "The judge, to my mind, would have done better by not upholding the validity of the proclamation so it would be consistent with his finding that Sen. Trillanes was entitled to the benefits of amnesty," Fr. Ranhilio Aquino told CNN Philippines' The Source. "Naturally if you sustain the proclamation, you also sustain its findings of fact," he added. Judge Andres Soriano of Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 148 ruled that Trillanes failed to prove the presidential proclamation was unconstitutional. However, he also found factual error in the government's case and said Trillanes did in fact apply for amnesty. Aquino himself, a member of Duterte's handpicked Consultative Committee for charter change, maintains that the proclamation is "not legally correct." He says Duterte cannot revoke or nullify anyone's amnesty alone. Former senator and Armed Forces chief Rodolfo Biazon similarly argued that the President could not act unilaterally without going through Congress, which also granted the amnesty. Biazon told The Source the decision is "not a total victory" for Trillanes yet -- just "relief" that he would not be arrested yet. "This thing is not yet over. There are two issues in this conversation. The first issue is the order of arrest," Biazon explained. "But the more fundamental issue to be resolved here is the issue of validity of the grant of amnesty." The former military chief added that he did not buy the government's argument that the case only applied to Trillanes, and not other soldiers who received amnesty, because he led the military uprisings. "I was there in Oakwood, and I had to call somebody else," said Biazon, who declined to name who the person was. When asked whether Trillanes truly led the Oakwood mutiny, Biazon said, "He may not be. It may be somebody outside." Trillanes, a former naval officer, was involved in the Oakwood mutiny in July 2003, the Marines standoff in February 2006, and the Manila Peninsula incident in 2007 - which were all against then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He and other soldiers were jailed, but later granted amnesty under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III. Trillanes has since become a vocal critic of Duterte. Both Aquino and Biazon believe the validity of the proclamation has to be ultimately resolved by the Supreme Court. The latter noted that Soriano's "split" decision had an aspect that went both for and against Trillanes. "But the (part) against (Trillanes) is something that no agency can resolve except the Supreme Court," said Biazon. Watch the full interview with Aquino and Biazon below. Monday's shooting happened just before 8 p.m. at 123rd Street in Calumet Park, state police said. Two people in the victim car were hit by gunfire, and both died at local hospitals. A third person was apparently injured when the driver lost control and was taken to a hospital for treatment and released. The fourth occupant of the vehicle was uninjured, police said. Washington, Oct 23 : The US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State (IS) terror group in Syria conducted two strikes against two "command centres" that were operating inside mosques in Abu Kamal district in less than a week, it said in a statement. The coalition said on Monday that 12 IS fighters were killed in the first strike, which took place Oon ctober 18 in Al-Susah town, reports CNN. "The facility was a mosque, which the law of war protects from targeting unless it is used for a military purpose," the coalition said, adding that the IS "repeatedly planned and actively coordinated attacks" on coalition troops and their local Syrian allies from that location. The second strike took place in the same town on Monday. It "destroyed several buildings" used by the IS to launch attacks against Syrian Democratic Force partners. "They're nasty, they're brutal, they're unethical and they certainly have no problem at all putting civilians at risk and jeopardising the status of protected targets," Pentagon spokesman Col. Rob Manning told the media on Monday when asked about IS' use of mosques as military facilities. US-led coalition military forces have conducted hundreds of strikes against IS targets in Syria as the US and its local Syrian allies seek to drive the terror group from its last remaining stronghold east of the Euphrates river. The coalition has assessed that over 1,000 civilians have been killed by coalition strikes since the campaign against IS began in 2014. However, outside monitor groups believe that number is higher. Washington, Oct 23 : US President Donald Trump said that the country needs to build a wall fast to protect its borders from Central American migrants. During a "Make America Great Again" rally in Houston on Monday, Trump told a crowd of nearly 180,000 that the caravan of migrants heading towards the US is "assault on our country" and that "we need a wall built fast", reports Xinhua news agency. Earlier on Monday, Trump said Washington will begin cutting off or reducing aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, citing migrant caravans heading to the US border. Trump's Houston rally is his latest campaign appearance leading to the mid-term elections set on November 6. He will go to Wisconsin, North Carolina and Illinois to galvanise more supporter for the Republicans. Over the weekend, thousands of migrants, mostly from Honduras, have swarmed into Mexico after passing the Guatemalan border. The media reported that Mexican police watched the procession with vigilance but did not disturb the migrants' journey. Official data showed that the Trump administration has sharply slashed aid to the three countries in Central America, projecting some 40 per cent plunge in aid in the 2019 financial year compared with that of 2016. New Delhi, Oct 23 : Helping each other, talking, staying connected and learning to say no can help women protect themselves and others from rapes and sexual assaults, says Unicef Executive Director Henrietta H. Fore, who suggests that "every community should stand up and say rape is not acceptable". "Speaking up, having a voice in the community, having faith-based leaders who intervene and say this is not right, this the way we should treat our girls, women and also that we should never have rape, never have sexual assault or exploitation -- all of these things help," Fore told IANS during a visit here. She also said behavioural attitudes will only change "if we change our hearts". "Another thing which can help is girls helping girls. You talk to each other about what is safe, what is not safe, where you can safely go; that girls know that they can say no and also that they know how and when to say no. That you move in a group of three so that you can protect each other or you can stay connected on email and text. All these will help in changing the attitude and behaviour," Fore explained. She also said that the community also plays an important role in giving a sense of respect to girls and women to bring change. "If every community begins to stand up and say rape is not acceptable then more people will begin to look after women in their community," Fore said. She also believed that separate toilets and well-lit spaces, along with community patrolling, also helps. "If the whole community is protecting their girls, the situation will improve. Every community should stand up and say rape is not acceptable. It takes a nation, it takes a community to stand up for girls and protect them," she said. Talking about sanitation in India, she said it has turned into a movement. "It is a movement here in India and it is something only a few of our countries have seen. But it has changed how Indians feel about sanitation. It is good for the community and also for the quality of life of its people. "There has been a remarkable progress (in the field of sanitation) in India and those of us who live in other countries are respectful and admiring the leadership exhibited by the Indian government." She also said proper toilets will help in empowering women and girls in the community. "This has also helped girls go ahead with higher education." "It will not only help in increasing the number of girls going to school but will also help in bringing drop-outs back to school. Bringing girls back to school will be a great achievement for the society," she added. The movement, she added, will need to continue until it achieves 100 per cent of its target. "Just building toilets is not enough. We need to have trained people and good technology to maintain these toilets." She also said good sanitation practices in India had led to lower deaths among children under five and has also helped in bringing up healthier children. "Fewer children are getting diseases, fewer children are getting vulnerable. The sanitation movement in India has helped save more lives," Fore maintained. (Nivedita Singh can be contacted at nivedita.singh@ians.in ) Agartala, Oct 23 : Twenty nine troopers of Tripura State Rifles (TSR) bound for poll-related duties in Chhatisgarh have been injured after their bus fell into a deep gorge, police said here on Tuesday. The bus rolled down into an approximately 250 feet deep gorge at the Baramura hill ranges in Tripura while negotiating a sharp turn. "Around 800 TSR jawans, including the 29 troopers, were headed to Agartala in different vehicles to board a Chhatisgarh-bound train "All the 29 injured, including three critical ones, have been shifted to the (government-run) Govind Ballabh Pant Medical College and Hospital here for treatment," the police officer said. Two of the three critically wounded were being referred to Kolkata on Tuesday for better treatment. Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb along with others have visited the hospital where the troopers were rushed to. The 90-seat Chhattisgarh assembly elections would be held in two phases on November 12 and 20. The TSR were earlier sent to Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Nagaland and Mizoram on poll security duties. The TSR battalions, trained in anti-insurgency operations, were constituted in March 1984 to deal with terrorism. It is modelled on the pattern of Border Security Force and Assam Rifles. Beijing, Oct 23 : Amid the bleeding trade war with the US, China has removed an over five-year-long ban on the import of Indian rapeseed oil meal. China is the biggest consumer of oil meal of which rapeseed is a variant. Beijing has slapped additional tariffs on US oil meals in a full-blown trade war, looking to import from other countries. "China has cleared the ban on Indian rapeseed meal. As long as Indian companies comply with Chinese regulations, they can export it," an Indian government official told IANS. Beijing in 2012 had banned Indian imports, citing the presence of a particular pest in the crop. The official said the issue has now been resolved. Last month, a buyer-seller meet was organised by the Indian and Chinese governments in which Indian exporters made a strong pitch to resume rapeseed exports. New Delhi's trade engagement with Beijing seems to be increasing as both sides have pledged to put ties back on track after last year's Doklam military stand-off. In an ice-breaking meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Wuhan in April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked that Indian commodities be given more access to the Chinese market. Srinagar/New Delhi, Oct 23 : Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived here on Tuesday to review the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, specifically in the Valley and along the India-Pakistan border, an official said. "Heading to Srinagar on a day-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Shall review the security situation and important initiatives taken in the state," the Minister tweeted before leaving the national capital. Beside chairing a high-level security review meeting, the Minister would also be interacting with some political delegations. He would meet Governor Satya Pal Malik at the Raj Bhawan along with senior officials from civil administration, police and security forces and assess the prevailing situation in the state. This is Rajnath Singh's first visit to the Kashmir Valley after governor's rule was imposed here in June and comes on the heels of the urban local body election results on October 20. Two key political parties -- the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that have been the ruling BJP's alliance at the Centre and state at different times had boycotted both the urban and the upcoming panchayat polls. He was expected to meet leaders of political parties and representatives of some civil society groups. Jammu and Kashmir has been under the governor's rule after PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti resigned as Chief Minister following the withdrawal of support by the Bharatiya Janata Party. The state has been facing unrest with incidents of violence perpetrated by terror groups regularly. Islamabad, Oct 23 : Pakistan's Supreme Court has been informed that transactions of more than 100 billion Pakistani rupees ($77 billion) have been carried out through 107 fake bank accounts, the authorities said on Tuesday. According to the reports, a three-member bench of the country's top court on Monday resumed the hearing of its suo-motu case on an investigation into money-laundering and fake bank accounts, reports Xinhua news agency. A joint investigation team of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has submitted a report to the apex court, revealing that the transactions of 47 billion Pakistani rupees have been done through fake bank accounts and 54 billion Pakistani rupees were transferred through the fictitious accounts of 36 companies. Several fictitious accounts at some private banks were opened in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and illegal transactions worth billions of rupees were made through these account, according to investigation team. The FIA has been investigating 32 people in the case, the reports added. Earlier this month, the Pakistani Interior Ministry barred 95 persons suspected to be involved in the case from leaving the country. New Delhi, Oct 23 : The External Affairs Ministry on Tuesday summoned a senior official of the Pakistan High Commission here and lodged a strong protest over the cross-border infiltration attempt in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday in which two terrorists and three Indian soldiers were killed. "A senior official in the High Commission for Pakistan in New Delhi was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs and a demarche was made lodging strong protest at the fatal casualties of Indian soldiers during an attempted cross border infiltration on October 21 by Pakistani terrorists in Sunderbani sector in Jammu and Kashmir," the Ministry said in a statement. "It was informed that two Pakistani armed intruders have been killed by the Indian security forces during the ensuing firefight and the government of Pakistan (should) take custody of the dead bodies of its nationals. "The ministry condemned in the strongest terms such provocative action by Pakistan, which reveals their complicity in aiding and abetting terrorism and exposes the hollowness of Pakistan's deceitful claims to promote constructive engagement and desire for peace," the statement said. On Sunday, the Indian Army engaged a group of heavily armed infiltrators in a fierce gun battle in the Sunderbani sector of the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district. The Ministry statement also said that India shared its grave grave concern at the continuing incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Pakistan forces along the LoC and the International Border (IB). "Despite repeated calls for restraint and adherence to the ceasefire understanding of 2003 for maintaining peace and tranquility, Pakistan forces have carried out 1,591 incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations along the LoC and IB in 2018 so far. "Pakistan was called on to abide by its bilateral commitment not to allow any territory under its control to be used to support terrorism against India in any manner," the statement said. Lucknow, Oct 23 : The weekly meeting of the Uttar Pradesh cabinet was cancelled on Tuesday as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath headed for poll-bound Chhattisgarh to canvass support for BJP candidates, an official said. Adityanath is one of the star campaigners of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and on Tuesday he was scheduled to address election rallies at Rajnandgaon, the assembly seat of his counterpart Raman Singh. Adityanath has been extensively deployed by the saffron camp in election campaigns ever since his elevation as Chief Minister in March 2017. Other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah, Adityanath is one of the most sought after campaigners by the party candidates. In the past too, Adityanath has had successful electoral forays in states like Karnataka, the northeast and Himachal Pradesh. The BJP has also picked him for campaigning in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, where he will be addressing a string of rallies. Chhattisgarh will vote on November 12 and 20 while Madhya Pradesh will go for polls on November 28. Voting will be held in Rajasthan on December 7. Adityanath was lined up for many rallies in these states in the next few weeks, an official said. Jakarta, Oct 23 : Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir, who is in Indonesia on an official visit, said on Tuesday that the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi would be thoroughly investigated and those responsible would be punished. "Our commitment is to seek that the investigation is thorough and complete and that the truth is revealed," said Al-Jubeir at a joint press conference in Jakarta with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi. "We will see to it ... that procedures and mechanisms are put in place to ensure that something like this can never happen again," he was cited as saying by Efe news. On Monday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo had expressed his concern over the incident to Al-Jubeir during a meeting at the presidential palace in Bogor, according to the Indonesian Foreign Ministry. Al-Jubeir said that Saudi Arabia had sent a team to Turkey for a joint investigation and "uncovered evidence of a murder" in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's policies, disappeared after he entered the consulate on October 2 to obtain documents for his marriage. Al-Jubeir said 18 people had been detained and six senior government officials had already been dismissed as a result of the investigation. The Saudi diplomatic head said there were discrepancies between what the Saudi embassy in Turkey reported and what actually happened. A video, obtained and broadcast by CNN on Monday, purportedly showed a Saudi agent walking out of the consulate by the back door, wearing Khashoggi's clothes, spectacles and a fake beard, in an apparent attempt to disguise himself as the slain Saudi journalist. A Turkish official identified the man in the video as Mustafa al-Madani, who was allegedly part of what investigators said was a hit squad, sent to kill the journalist. After weeks of denying involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance, Saudi Arabia has given a shifting narrative of what happened to the journalist. The Kingdom admitted last week that Khashoggi was killed in the Istanbul consulate, saying his death was the result of a "fistfight". Later, a Saudi source close to the royal palace told CNN that he died in a chokehold. On Sunday, Al-Jubeir described Khashoggi's death as a "murder" and a "tremendous mistake". But since she was taken into custody immediately following the hacking death of Uber driver Grant Nelson, of Wilmette, in May 2017 Wasni has had dozens of disciplinary infractions in juvenile detention, prosecutors say. Shes been accused of attacking guards and attempting self-harm; at one point she was brought into court wearing a helmet because she cut herself after repeatedly banging her forehead into a wall, officials said. Gangtok, Oct 23 : Five persons from West Bengal were killed while three were critically injured after a tourist car fell into a gorge in Reshi Bazar in Sikkim, police said on Tuesday. The incident took place on Monday evening when the driver of the car lost control and it fell into the gorge. The car was going from Namchi to Kaluk, police said. The five deceased belonged to West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district. Four of them were of the same family. The three injured, including the driver, have been hospitalised. Riyadh, Oct 23 : Saudi Arabia kicked off on Tuesday a three-day investment conference that has been overshadowed by the withdrawal of dozens of top business and world leaders over the kingdom's role in the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey earlier this month. The exodus of executives, including the CEOs of JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Uber and Siemens (SIEGY), has taken the shine off the Future Investment Initiative event hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been trying to modernize the country's oil-dependent economy. The prince is now grappling with the international outcry over what happened to Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a critic of his policies. The journalist disappeared after he entered the consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to obtain documents for his marriage. Members of the crown prince's inner circle have been blamed for the journalist's death. The Saudi government, which had initially claimed Khashoggi left the consulate alive, has since admitted he was killed inside the building but insisted it was the result of a "fistfight". The explanation has drawn skepticism, including from US President Donald Trump who said on Monday he was "not satisfied" with what he'd heard, CNN reported. Organizers of the conference, widely known as "Davos in the desert", said it will be business as usual at the event despite the loss of top names, including the CEOs of HSBC and Blackrock and International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde. Richard Branson also halted talks over a $1 billion Saudi investment in Virgin. Several media outlets withdrew their support too, including Bloomberg, CNN and the Financial Times. The conference is a forum for business figures, politicians and civic society groups to discuss topics related to economic development, including technology, global governance and the environment. It aims to attract more foreign investment into Saudi Arabia. The list of speakers for Tuesday's sessions featured fewer global figures than an earlier version that was posted on the conference website and has since been scrubbed of names after executives started pulling out. One of the highest profile CEOs still attending was Patrick PouyannA, the chief of French oil company Total (TOT). He said that "boycotts and withdrawing investment only hurt the ordinary people of the country". Several governments also pulled attendees from the conference including ministers from France, Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands. UK International Trade Secretary Liam Fox also withdrew from the event. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also said Berlin will suspend exports of military equipment to Saudi Arabia whilst investigations continue into the case. Bhubaneswar, Oct 23 : The forthcoming Make in Odisha Conclave (MIO) 2018, the state government's flagship biennial global investors summit, will see designer Bibhu Mohapatra presenting a fashion show. The event has been scheduled during the valedictory session of MIO on November 13 and will have a fashion show curated by the designer. It will be organised by the Odisha government in association with National Institute of Fashion Technology and other stakeholders. The globally renowned US-based fashion designer of Odia origin, who has dressed numerous national and international celebrities including Frieda Pinto, Mary J. Blige, Kendall Jenner, Jennifer Lopez, Lupita Nyong'o, Emily Blunt, and Taraji P. Henson, will also speak at the event. In line with the 'I am Odisha', the theme of the conclave which celebrates the success of Odias worldwide, Mohapatra will deliver a TED-style talk on the creative economy which would touch upon his personal journey from Rourkela to New York and his experience of starting a label and making a leading fashion brand out of it in the US. He will also talk about the mega trends in the creative economy of today in addition to throwing some light on Odisha's creative economy. The talk will be followed by a fashion show wherein Odisha-based handloom work shall also be showcased in draping of saris and local textile pieces. "I am honoured to be invited by the Odisha government to be part of the Make in Odisha Conclave 2018. Having lived the first 23 years of my life here before moving to the US, Odisha has always been close to my heart. I look forward to sharing my experiences with the audience at MIO and help showcase Odisha's creative potential to the world," Mohapatra, founder and CEO, BIBHU, said in a statement. Sanjeev Chopra, Odisha's Principal Secretary for Industries, said: "Make in Odisha Conclave is not just a confluence of investors and government officials but also a platform for entrepreneurs in the creative economy who have leveraged their ideas and imagination to build enterprises that don't really rely on land, incentives or power." "Odisha has had a deep association with creativity since many centuries. The State is not just a hub of minerals but is also home to many artistes and creative experts. We are elated to have Bibhu Mohapatra amongst us to share his experiences and inspire more such success stories from Odisha," Chopra added. The second edition of the biennial Make in Odisha Conclave 2018 has been scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar from November 11-15, with the last two days being devoted to sectoral meetings. Beijing, Oct 23 : China on Tuesday said it has told India many times that it has issues in declaring Pakistan-based Masood Azhar a global terrorist and it will take its own call on the merits of the matter, a day after New Delhi nudged Beijing again to blacklist him. Beijing denied giving shelter to Paresh Baruah, the chief of banned Indian outfit ULFA, saying it does not interfere in domestic affairs of other countries. At a high-level meet between Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh and his visiting Chinese counterpart Zhao Kezhi, New Delhi urged Beijing to back its pending application at the UN to list LeT chief Azhar as an international terrorist. "As to India's request for the listing of Masood Azhar, we have already stated our position many times. On the issue of counter-terrorism, China has always actively participated in international anti-terrorist operations," Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Hua Chunying said. "We have always made our judgment and decisions on the merits of the matter itself," Hua added. Azhar is the mastermind of the deadly attack at an Indian Army base in 2016. He also plotted the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. China, Pakistan's main ally, has repeatedly blocked India's application at the UN to get him declared an international terrorist. It says there is not enough evidence against Azhar, frustrating India. This has become one of the major issues between New Delhi and Beijing. Asked about India telling China at the same meeting not to give shelter to Baruah, Hu said: "The Chinese government has always adhered to the principle of non-interference in other countries' affairs. This remains unchanged." Baruah is reportedly making frequent visits to China and smuggles arms to India's Northeast. Beijing, Oct 23 : Bollywood actor Aamir Khan met a top official from China's film regulator here last week and discussed cooperation between India and China in making films. The actor is immensely popular in China for his movies like "Dangal", "Secret Superstars" and "Three Idiots", among others. The Information Office of China's State Council announced Aamir Khan's meeting with Wang Xiaohui, Executive Vice Head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Director General of the State Film Administration on Tuesday. The meeting was held on Friday. Wang discussed the development of Chinese films and said he hoped that China and India could strengthen cultural exchanges and cooperation, share excellent films, carry out in-depth cooperation in making films and encourage filmmakers of both sides to produce more quality films. The actor said that he would like to share his filmmaking experiences with industry colleagues from China, seek inspiration and create more excellent works. Chennai, Oct 23 : The Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association (TANFAMA) on Tuesday said that it would file a review petition in the Supreme Court post Diwali. The announcement comes after the Supreme Court while deciding on a petition seeking ban on fireworks, allowed bursting of only green firecrackers with reduced emission and decibel levels during all religious festivals. On Diwali firecrackers could be burst between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., the court said. It also banned the use of Barium salts in the production of fireworks, manufacture and sale of stringed crackers and e-commerce sites from selling them. "We will be filing a review petition in the Supreme Court after Diwali against its order banning the usage of Barium salts in manufacture of firecrackers which would affect nearly 40 per cent of the industry's production," K. Mariappan, General Secretary, TANFAMA told IANS. He also wondered on the time limit fixed by the apex court for bursting firecrackers as customs differ from state to state. "In Tamil Nadu, Diwali is celebrated in the morning for several decades. People get up early in the morning, have oil bath, wear new clothes, eat sweet and the `legiam' (or herbal jam) and then start bursting firecrackers," Mariappan said. He said in North India, Diwali is celebrated in the evening. He said the industry may not be taking back the stringed crackers already sold and the traders may suffer a loss. "As there is a ban on stringed crackers, there will be illegal market for the same. It will be difficult to curtain the same," Mariappan added. "The ban on stringed crackers will surely take out the Diwali thrill and would also impact the industry," A. Asaithambi, President of TANFAMA told IANS. "While the Supreme Court has not banned firecrackers, the cost of alternative chemicals and its suitability to our climate are to be considered." The 6,000 crore fireworks industry is concentrated in Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu. Nearly 90 per cent of the country's fireworks production is done there. San Francisco, Oct 23 : Larry Ellison, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of global Cloud major Oracle, on Monday unveiled the second generation Oracle Cloud with autonomous capabilities, improved security and upgrades for enterprises. "The design goal of Oracle's Gen 2 Cloud is one secure platform to run everything," Ellison said at the company's annual user conference "Oracle Open World 2018" here, while taking a dig at rival Amazon Web Services (AWS) over Cloud security. Making the announcement at the opening keynote, Ellison shared his vision for a second generation Cloud that is purpose built for the enterprise and more technologically advanced and secure than any other Cloud in the market. "We've built a Gen 2 Cloud. It's easy to say, very hard to do, to build a secure Cloud. It required a fundamental re-architecture of our Cloud. "We've used a lot of the latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies to find threats. You're not fighting with both hands tied behind your back anymore," Ellison said. Oracle Cloud offers Software as a Service (SaaS) application suites for enterprise resource planning (ERP), database Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) from data centres. "Our goal has always been as we move from one generation of computing to the next, to protect your investment in data and applications and make it easy to lift and move that into the next generation. We did that with Gen 2 Cloud," he said. Oracle Gen 2 Cloud is built to run "Oracle Autonomous Database", which is the industry's first and only self-driving database. The Oracle Autonomous Database, according to Ellison, now has the capability to automatically scan for security threats and apply security updates while running to help prevent cyberattacks and data theft. Highlighting that moving to Oracle Cloud would cut database costs, he said: "We don't charge you a lot of money for moving data back and forth, in and out of our Cloud. Amazon charges you a fortune for moving data out of your Cloud. It's almost free to move it into your Cloud. They charge you 100 times more to move it out of your Cloud." During a short demonstration, Ellison also shared benchmark test results that highlighted the performance gap between Oracle and its rival Amazon. According to Ellison, Amazon runs its "AWS Cloud control code" on the same machines as it stores corporate data. "The problem with Amazon's approach is a fundamental problem with the architecture of the Cloud. We'll never put our Cloud control code in the same computer that has a customer code," he noted. (Krishna SinhaChaudhury is attending Oracle Open World 2018 at the invitation of Oracle. She can be contacted at krishna.s@ians.in) Bhubaneswar, Oct 23 : The Central government on Tuesday proposed to set up a dedicated park for machine tools in an area of about 500 acres in Odisha. Anant Geete, Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, said if the Odisha government supports, the machine tools park can be set up, which will create employment and help the steel industries. "My ministry will provide full support to the state government for setting up the industrial park," said the Minister while addressing a conclave on "Capital Goods in Steel Sector: Manufacture in India" here. "If the Odisha government agrees to our initiative and provides about 500 acres of land, the machine tools park can be established. This will be second in the country after Karnataka," Union Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh told media persons here. He said a total 38 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were signed on the occasion for capital goods manufacturing which attracts about Rs 39,400 crore investment in the country. About 15 foreign players signed MoUs to invest in India, he added. Addressing the conclave, the Steel Minister said, "Our initiative to domestically meet the demand of capital goods for the steel sector is a well-thought strategy to develop India into a Global Manufacturing Hub for steel plant equipment and machinery." He said the proposed setting up of the facilities will not only reduce imports but will also have a force multiplier impact in the long-term sustainability of the steel industry in India. The Minister said foreign capital goods manufacturers, technology providers, and equipment manufacturers can set up manufacturing facilities in India or through joint venture and collaboration with Indian capital goods manufacturers. "It will be a win-win situation as the multinational companies will bring fresh investments and latest technology to produce equipment and spares of world-class quality at a globally competitive rate," he added. Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the Union government has planned to achieve steel production of 300 million tonnes by 2030, of which around one-third of steel is expected to be produced in Odisha alone. This will unleash the growth potential and create opportunities for Odisha, leading to massive expansion and development, said Pradhan. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that the state produces about half of the country's iron ore, which makes it an ideal location for setting up steel industries. Mumbai, Oct 23 : Union Minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday waded into the Sabarimala issue by asking if it was proper for anybody to desecrate a place of worship to justify the right to pray. "It is plain common sense... Will you take sanitary napkins soaked in menstrual blood to a friend's home? You will not. Do you think it is respectful to do the same when you enter the house of God?" Irani asked, speaking at an event.. Seeking to point out the difference, Irani said: "Everyone has the right to pray, but not to desecrate," referring to a statement she had made recently after some woman threatened to enter the Sabarimala temple in Kerala with blood-soaked sanitary napkins. Irani's remarks came at a Young Thinkers' Conference organized by the British Deputy High Commission and think-tank, Observer Research Foundation (ORF). She made it clear that these were her personal views and as a cabinet minister, she would not comment on the Supreme Court's recent verdict opening the Sabarimala Temple precincts to women of all ages. After the Supreme Court ruling, the temple opened its doors on October 17, but shut down on Monday (Oct 22) following widespread protests and not permitting a single woman to enter the premises in the "banned" age group. Prior to the apex court verdict, women in the menstruating age were only permitted till the base camp near the Pamba river, while men were allowed to continue the five-km long trek to the temple. Drawing parallels, the Hindu-born Irani referred to her own marriage with a Parsi community man, (Zubin). "I am a Hindu married to a Parsi, but I have ensured both my children practise Zorastrianism. Both have performed their Navjot ceremony. When I took by infant son to a fire temple (Agiary) in Andheri, I had to hand him to my husband. I was asked to go away from there," she recounted. Since then, Irani said as she is not allowed to accompany her husband and kids to any fire temple, she waits for them outside or in the car. On the prospects of the Bharatiya Janata Party pushing the religious agenda in the 2019 elections, the minister said she "does not support populist rhetoric". "However, if there are schemes by implementation of which a majority of the population can benefit, it should not be targeted or sidelined or even demonized in any manner because it helps those who cannot help themselves," Irani said. She also discussed the achievements of the BJP government on various issues like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, implementing difficult measures including the GST and Insolvency Code. San Francisco, Oct 23 : After the exits of Instagram Co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger in September, Oculus Co-Founder Brendan Iribe has now decided to leave the social networking giant. Iribe announced his resignation in a Facebook post on Monday. "So much has happened since the day we founded Oculus in July 2012. I never could have imagined how much we would accomplish and how far we would come. And now, after six incredible years, I am moving on," Iribe said. Iribe joined Facebook when the company acquired Oculus, a virtual reality company, in 2014 for $2 billion, CNBC reported. The Instagram Co-founders and Iribe are not the only founders of notable start-ups acquired by Facebook to leave the company. Facebook CEO Mark Zukerberg's goal to monetise WhatsApp earlier forced the social media messaging service's co-founders to leave the company. One of them, Brian Acton, told Forbes that Zuckerberg was in a rush to make money from the messaging service and undermine elements of its encryption technology. WhatsApp Co-founder Jan Koum left Facebook in April. Were thinking of a forgiveness program, maybe a month, were still working out the details of what that will look like, she said. It would allow people to come back, get any back fees, late charges or fines and fees waived from our office, to get them. So youre talking about the worst cases, trying to get them in that month to forgive their fines and fees and get them onto a program for compliance. New Delhi, Oct 23 : Sports, Physical Education, Fitness and Leisure Skills Council (SPEFL-SCL), promoted by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and FICCI, has signed an MoU with Register For Exercise Professionals India Foundation (REPS India) -- a non-profit company which was formally launched here on Tuesday. This MoU will facilitate a partnership between SPEFL-SC and REPS India to enable qualified Indian fitness professionals get employed at lucrative salaries in developed countries outside India. REPS India will be associating itself with the International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professional(ICREPs), an international partnership between registration bodies around the world that register exercise professionals. "It is widely estimated that by 2020, India will be the world's youngest country with an average age of 29 years per citizen. Thus signing a MoU with REPS India is an historic step towards promoting young and qualified Indian fitness trainers across the globe. The entry of Reps in India will further strengthen our ongoing 'Skill India' initiatives as we have planned to open 100 skill centres across India by December 2019," SPEFL-SCL COO Tahsin Zahid said in a statement. REPS India founder Amjad Khan said the MoU will facilitate the growth of fitness industry in India. "Indian fitness industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Hence, Indian fitness professionals should align themselves with the international fitness industry. They will hereafter be able to work abroad availing a portability support from REPS India," he said. "While India currently struggles with a burgeoning population of skilled youth, many developed countries today face a shortage of working-age people. While the requirement for skilled workers in these markets is increasing, the availability of skilled people simply isn't keeping pace. In such a scenario, the launch of Reps India through backing of SPEFL-SCL will nurture human resources in India to meet the rising demand of qualified fitness professionals globally," he added. New Delhi, Oct 23 : Drawings and oil paintings depicting human and animal figures in familiar and alien environs, dealing with concepts of homelands and displacements, are exhibited at the Triveni Kala Sangam here starting Tuesday. Titled "This Side of the Forest", the exhibition houses works by artist Vasudevan Akkitham. "Though I have always maintained sketchbooks and drawn whatever I saw and felt, it had never even once crossed my mind that they could be displayed," Akkitham said in his note on the exhibition, adding that many of them come from his "assorted sketchbooks of the last fifteen years or so". He was egged on to exhibit his work by his friend and prominent artist Rekha Rodwittiya, who curated the first show of his sketches in 2014. "(It) frames the preoccupations of his concept of home being central to his work. He refers to this territory as being a migrant's dream, yet imaginary and elusive, and in no way corresponding to the actual place he comes from," Rodwittiya wrote for the show. She also writes of his huge body of work, that "traces his linguistic journey from his early influences derived from the Trivandrum School of Art and his engagement with the figurative narrative movement when he came to study at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Baroda. She mentions his later "exposure to the New Spirit of Figuration prevalent in London, when he was at the Royal College of Art in the late 80s". The works, communicating through subdued colours, seem to place the human figure as central, but reveals a larger meaning when seen in tandem with the background -- one that talks of home and belonging. The exhibition is open for public viewing till October 31. Chennai, Oct 23 : The makers of upcoming multilingual action drama "Saaho" on Tuesday teased audiences with a special making video on the occasion of Prabhass birthday. The video gives a glimpse of the lavish budget the makers have spent on action, which will be one of the highlights of the film. The one and a half minute video shows the prep that has gone into choreographing the action sequences under the supervision of international stuntman Kenny Bates in Abu Dhabi where the team extensively shot for 30 days with over 400 crew members. From bike chases to car and truck crashes, it appears like the team has pushed the envelope with respect to action. We also get a quick glimpse of Shraddha Kapoor and Neil Nitin Mukesh in the video, which has been released as a birthday treat for Prabhas's fans. Towards the end of the video, we see Prabhas walking out of a building in slow motion in an uber stylish avatar. Cut to the next shot, we see him zooming on a bike. In his chat with IANS last year, director Sujeeth revealed that a major chunk of the film's budget will be spent on action. "The scale on which it is being made, a major budget will be spent on some extravagant action scenes. Although it will be a commercial outing, we are attempting something new and I would like to keep that as a surprise element," Sujeeth had said. Apart from Abu Dhabi, the film has also been shot across major locales in Europe. The movie has music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. While Sabu Cyril will take care of the production design, Madhie will crank the camera. The film, being shot in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi, also stars Arun Vijay, Jackie Shroff, Mahesh Manjrekar, Chunky Pandey and Mandira Bedi in key roles. A UV Creations production, "Saaho" is produced by Vamsi, Pramod and Vikram on a whopping budget of Rs 150 crore. New Delhi, Oct 23 : The CPI-M on Tuesday blamed Modi governments bid to undermine the Indias democratic foundations for the CBIs "internal war" and alleged that Special CBI Director Rakesh Asthana -- who has been booked for alleged corruption -- was pushed into the agency to subvert investigations against BJP leaders. Taking to twitter, Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said Asthana "patronised by the BJP and handpicked by Modi", was pushed into our premier investigation agency despite opposition to his entry only to subvert ongoing investigations and stop all cases against BJP leaders. "If this official (Asthana) is now caught 'fabricating' documents and taking bribes, should his political patrons in BJP not be asked tough questions too?" Yechury asked. Observing that a number of "compromised officials with dubious records" have been inducted into top agencies under the Modi regime, Yechury said the role of top BJP leadership in "damaging and destroying" the country's institutions was unparalleled in India's history. "That is not just due to poor governance. But it is due to malafide intention to target political opposition and save their own under investigation," he said. "That the CBI is particularly under the spotlight should not surprise us. "After all, it was the agency investigating the Bharatiya Janata Party President (Amit Shah) for a very serious charge. No prizes for guessing how and why his name was 'cleared' under a dark cloud," said Yechury referring to Shah who was indicted for murder and arrested in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case in July 2010. Shah was subsequently discharged by a special CBI court in December 2014 months after the Modi-led BJP came to power at the Centre. Later in a statement, the CPI-M said the recent happenings within the CBI reflected the degree of damage caused by Modi government to constitutional authorities and institution of parliamentary democracy. "The undermining of Parliament itself, interference in the judiciary, manipulations of institutions like the CBI are not due to poor governance but due to malafide intentions to undermine the secular democratic foundations of the constitution," it said. The RSS-BJP must be stopped from creating further damage to our country's constitutional order," said the party calling upon the people to build up resistance. Asthana was brought to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2016 after the NDA came to power in 2014 and was tipped to head the agency. Hailing from the Gujarat cadre, he had supervised the probe into the 2002 Godhra tragedy as Inspector General of Police, Vadodara range. Asthana's elevation to the top post had evoked sharp reactions from the opposition following which he made way for Alok Verma. The CBI on October 15 registered an FIR against Asthana and several others for allegedly accepting bribes to settle a case involving meat exporter Moin Qureshi, who is facing multiple cases of money laundering and corruption. New Delhi, Oct 23 : The Congress on Tuesday held Prime Minister Narendra Modi solely responsible for "dismantling, denigrating and destroying" the CBI and accused him and BJP chief Amit Shah of "perpetually misusing" the central probe agency. In the wake of the CBI registering a corruption case against its Special Director Rakesh Asthana and raiding its own headquarters, the Congress said Modi's role in the entire matter was under a cloud. The Congress also raised questions over "Modi summoning" CBI director Alok Kumar Verma and Research and Analysis Wing chief Anil Dhasmana to his residence on Monday hours aftre the CBI arrested its Deputy Superintendent Devendra Kumar in connection with the case against Asthana. "Was it to influence the ongoing corruption investigation against CBI and RAW officers?," asked Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala. Apart from Asthana, the CBI has also named Samant Kumar Goel, Special Director of India's external intelligence agency RAW. Surjewala said "habitual and perpetual misuse" of CBI by Modi and Amit Shah in fixing political opponents and illegal intervention to tamper with fair investigation of serious criminal cases has landed the CBI in an unfathomable mess, eroding its independence and credibility. "The entire nation is looking for a fair, impartial and independent investigation of the serious charges of corruption involving senior-most officers of CBI and RAW," he said. Surjewala said it was also required to investigate as to who in the current political dispensation was involved in the entire saga and is attempting to shield the accused involved in the matter. Citing Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan getting a clean chit in the Vyapam Scam as well as the escape of fraudsters Nirav Modi Mehul Choksi and Vijay Mallya out of the country, the Congress alleged the Modi government was influencing the CBI. The Congress accused Modi of "systematically demolishing" the independent architecture of all premier agencies including CBI, Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) "These agencies are being used as captive puppets in converting them to dirty tricks department of the BJP," added Surjewala. New Delhi, Oct 23 : The Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday suspended its DSP Devender Kumar, who was arrested on Monday on the charge of falsification of records while probing allegations against meat exporter Moin Qureshi. "Devender Kumar has been suspended from his duties," a CBI official said. Kumar, an Investigating Officer in a case against Qureshi, who is facing multiple cases of money laundering and corruption, was arrested on Monday on the charge of falsification of records. On Sunday, the CBI registered an FIR against its Special Director Rakesh Asthana, Kumar and two others. He was sent to police custody for seven days. The CBI has alleged that bribes were taken at least five times in December 2017 and October this year. Asthana, a 1984 batch Indian Police Service officer of Gujarat cadre, is accused of accepting a bribe of Rs two crore from a businessman who was under probe in the Qureshi case in order to "wreck" the investigation. The case was being examined by a special investigation team (SIT) headed by Asthana. New Delhi, Oct 23 : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to maintain status quo in the ongoing probe involving agency's Special Director Rakesh Asthana and granted him interim protection from arrest till Monday. The 'status quo' is generally referred to the existing state of affairs or circumstances, and now, both sides involved in the dispute are prevented from taking any action until the next date of hearing. Justice Najmi Waziri directed the CBI to file response to agency's Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Devender Kumar's plea seeking quashing of First Information Report (FIR). The court listed the matter for further hearing on October 29. Asthana's lawyer and Senior advocate Amarendra Sharan pleaded to grant interim stay to the proceedings against the special director as he fears arrest because Kumar has been arrested in the case. He insisted the court to issue direction to CBI not to take coercive steps against Asthana. "Don't disturb the equilibrium," the court said. However, it refused to grant stay on the probe and said that case is of serious nature. The court directed Asthana to ensure safe custody of all electronic records. Asthana and Kumar have requested the court to call documents related to the case. Asthana's counsel told the court that the case was registered in an illegal manner with malafide intention. The case is based on the complaint of businessman Sathish Sana, who is a suspect in another corruption case against meat exporter Moin Qureshi. Asthana wanted custodial interrogation of the Sathish Sana, Asthana's counsel said. Countering the allegations, CBI said that charges against Asthana are serious and the investigating agency is likely to add more offences in the FIR. Asthana told the court as per Section 17A, which was newly inserted after the 2018 amendment to Prevention of Corruption Act, prior sanction was necessary for investigation against a serving officer. He also told the court that no sanction has been issued by the competent authority, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). The CBI sought time to file detailed reply on the Asthana and Kumar's pleas which was allowed by the court. The court also asked Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and CBI Director Alok Verma to file response on the plea. Meanwhile, a local court allowed the CBI to quiz arrested agency's official Kumar till October 30. Kumar was arrested on Monday for fabricating documents in the bribery allegations case against Asthana. Meat exporter Moin Qureshi, who is facing multiple cases of money laundering and corruption, had paid a bribe to get a case against him settled, the agency said. Early in the morning, Kumar approached the High Court and told the bench that in spite of an excellent record in probing cases, he has been made a scapegoat in the matter. He said he has been implicated in a false and frivolous case. Kumar termed the FIR against him as a shocking state of affairs and called the complaint against him illegal and malafide. According to the CBI, Kumar fabricated the statement of Sathish Sana, a witness in the Qureshi case, showing he recorded the statement on September 26 in Delhi. However, investigation revealed that Sana was not in Delhi on that day. He was in Hyderabad and joined the investigation only on October 1. Kumar's arrest comes a day after the CBI registered an FIR against Asthana, Kumar and two others. The CBI has alleged that bribes were taken at least five times in December 2017 and October 2018. Asthana, a 1984 batch Indian Police Service officer of the Gujarat cadre, is accused of accepting a bribe of Rs 2 crore from a businessman who was being investigated in the Qureshi case in order to "wreck" the investigation. The case was being examined by a special investigation team (SIT) headed by Asthana. Bengaluru, Oct 23 : Karnataka is planning a blueprint to make the festival of Dussehra tourist-centric after an estimated 50 lakh tourists visited the state's Mysuru city during the festival from October 10-19, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said on Tuesday. "Mysuru district officials have been directed to prepare a blueprint for more vivid and tourism-centric Dussehra. An estimated 50 lakh tourists visited Mysuru during the festival and 10-12 lakh watched the procession on the final day of the fest," Kumaraswamy told reporters. The Chief Minister was talking to the media on the occasion of the Janata-Dal-Secular (JD-S)-Congress coalition government completing 150 days in office. During Dussehra, illumination of the Mysuru Palace, Dussehra special airshow and flower shows attract lakhs of tourists from across the world, generating revenue for the state. On November 1, which marks Karnataka's formation day, the southern state will also flag off a folk art festival 'Janapada Jatre' in six places, in order to preserve the fading folk art forms, Kumaraswamy added. He, however, did not name the cities and towns where the folk art celebrations would be held. Shillong, Oct 23 : The Congregation of Christian Brothers in India (CCBI), a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, on Tuesday said that appropriate action will be taken against Brother Francis Gale, accused of sexually abusing a tribal Khasi woman in Meghalaya, if he is found guilty. Mary Therese Kurkalang, from the state capital Shillong, on October 19 took to the social media #MeToo campaign, accusing two Catholic brothers - Francis Gale and Muscat - of sexually abusing her since she was five. "We are committed to a just and fair hearing to both the complainant and the alleged abuser, through a formal process as laid out in our Protection Policy - Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults," Brother J. Johnson of the Society Protection Officer Professional Ethics Commission, CCBI, said. In an e-mailed communique, Johnson said, "The policy looks into all cases of abuse, past and present, so as to ascertain with compassion the truth and support the survivor towards achieving a peaceful closure while taking appropriate action against the alleged abuser if found guilty." Johnson said the Christian Brothers stand in solidarity with and in support of any survivor of sexual abuse. Gale, who is now based in West Bengal, had "sexually abused Mary for eight years". "He (Gale) was a trusted friend of my family and was held in great esteem as a religious man. I was sent to him for tuitions -- I was 5 when he first showed me his '----' and asked me to touch it." However, Mary's family members distanced themselves from the alleged sexual scandal. "I have nothing to say on the matter. You go and ask her. Please get out of my sight," Mary's elder sister Zita Kurkalang told journalists. Mary said that she never got the support of her family members, one of whom instead "slapped" her when she informed them about the sexual abuse committed by Gale. "I never spoke about it again, the abuse continued all the years. When I turned 12 and started menstruating I did muster the courage to refuse to meet this man (Gale) or talk to him," she said. Mary alleged in her Facebook post that Muscat would call children to his side of the table and ask "us (children) to choose toffees from his drawers and while we did, he would slide his hands up," she said. The victim said that she never told anyone about the sexual abuse committed by Muscat because of the larger abuse she faced from Gale. New Delhi, Oct 23 : The Delhi Police on Tuesday said it has arrested one of the masterminds of the "bloody clash" in Rajasthan's Bharatpur in which two people were shot dead and 14 others sustained severe injuries. After a chase of 15 months, Shiv Narayan, 41, was arrested on October 7 from west Delhi's Uttam Nagar area for killing two people during a clash between two groups over land in Pichoona village, Additional Commissioner of Police Ajit Kumar Singla said. On July 14, 2017, a shootout took place in the fields of the village when a mob of about 60 persons armed with guns, pistols, revolvers, axes and iron rods assaulted another group in a property dispute while they were ploughing the field. In this incident, hundreds of rounds were fired by the assailants. Longstanding party tradition is that we don't put candidates who were not endorsed in the primary on the General Election mailer unless they contribute something to defray the cost of the mailer, Kaplan said in an email. You'll note that Marcelino Garcia (Metropolitan Water Reclamation District) and several judges arent on there either. However, Fritz is contributing and will be on the second party mail piece that will be hitting next week. New Delhi, Oct 23 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday referred to a Constitution Bench a plea seeking formation of a collegium for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners. A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjay Krishan Kaul referred the matter to a constitution bench as it involved the interpretation of Article 324 of the Constitution that deals with appointments to the election watchdog. The court referred the matter to the constitution bench as it noted the plea for having a "full-proof and better system of appointment of members of the Election Commission." Referring to the submissions by the Attorney General K.K. Venugopal and counsel Prashant Bhushan, the bench said, "We are of the view that the matter may require a close look and interpretation of the provisions of Article 324 of the Constitution. The issue has not been debated and answered by this Court earlier." Referring to Article 145 (3) of the Constitution that requires the court to refer such matters to a constitution bench, the court said: "We, accordingly, refer the question arising in the present proceedings to a Constitution Bench for an authoritative pronouncement." While Bhushan pointed to the non-transparent manner in which election commissioners were being appointed, Attorney General recalled the Chief Election Commissioner including late T.N. Seshan who have led the Commission in conducting elections. Seeking the constitution of a "neutral and independent collegiums/selection committee for the appointment of the election commissioners, the PIL petitioner Anoop Baranwal has contended that the existing practice of government appointing the election commissioners was "discriminatory and violative of Article 14 of the constitution..." Contending that the prevailing practice was against the provision of Article 324 (2) of the constitution that "obligates the Executive/Legislature to make law for ensuring a fair, just and transparent selection process by constituting a neutral and independent collecgium/selection committee." New Delhi, Oct 23 : India exported 458 thousand tonnes of organic products worth $515 million in 2017-18 -- around 39 per cent higher from the previous year, said Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority in a release on Tuesday. APEDA said there is "constant increase" in the demand for Indian organic food products from countries such as the US, European Union, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Israel, South Korea, Vietnam, New Zealand and Japan. The major demand is for oilseeds, cereals and millets, sugar, fruit juice concentrates, tea, spices, pulses, dry fruits, medicinal plant products, according to the authority. Under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), the area under cultivation during 2017-18 was 3.56 million hectares. Though the US, European Union and Canada were the biggest buyers of organic products, many others such as Israel, Vietnam, Mexico have started showing interest now, said Tarun Bajaj, General Manager, APEDA. "The equivalency granted by European Commission and Switzerland for unprocessed plant products and the conformity assessment granted by USDA has played a pivotal role in increased export to these countries," the release quoted Bajaj as saying. "India is also negotiating with Canada, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan for equivalency with NPOP." Bhubaneswar, Oct 23 : Security analyst and columnist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra was on Tuesday arrested for his alleged derogatory remarks against the Sun Temple and Odisha culture. The Commissionerate Police arrested Iyer-Mitra after hours of interrogation at an undisclosed location in Bhubaneswar. Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty said Iyer-Mitra was arrested in connection with a criminal case registered against him at Saheed Nagar Police Station on September 20. He has been booked under IPC Sections 294, 295A, 153A, 500, 506 and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act. Iyer Mitra also appeared before a House Committee of Odisha Assembly on Tuesday and tendered an unconditional apology for his derogatory remarks on legislators. The House panel headed by leader of opposition Narasingh Mishra asked Iyer-Mitra to re-appear on November 2 and submit an affidavit. "Abhijit Iyer-Mitra admitted to the charges levelled against him and offered an unconditional apology for his 'stupidity'. He has been directed to depose before the Committee and submit an affidavit in this regard," said Mishra. "After examining his affidavit, the panel will decide whether to accept his apology or not. Accordingly, the Committee will then recommend to the House to take action against him, if necessary," he said. Iyer-Mitra was questioned about the alleged breach of privilege. He had earlier been summoned to appear before the panel on October 11, which he had skipped. He was summoned again to appear on October 23. Odisha Assembly Speaker Pradip Amat had on September 20 constituted a House Committee to probe the journalist's alleged derogatory remarks against the state and its lawmakers. Iyer-Mitra had on September 16 posted a video on Twitter criticising the Konark temple. Later, he went on to make the alleged derogatory remarks against Odisha and its culture. Two FIRs were registered against him at Konark and Saheed Nagar police stations for his remarks. Last month, the Odisha Police arrested the columnist in New Delhi for his anti-Odisha comments. However, he was given conditional bail by a local court in Delhi. Later, the Supreme Court rejected his bail plea saying his comments 'incited religious sentiments'. New Delhi, Oct 23 : Hundreds of workers affiliated to Kisan Khet Mazdoor Congress (KKMC) held a protest here against "anti-farmer" policies of the BJP government and said the agitations would continue. The KKMC, farmers' wing of Congress party, said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has failed in fulfilling the promises he made before 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The "Jawab Do, Hisab Do" rally at Parliament Street saw participation of several Congress leaders including former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, party's Uttar Pradesh chief Raj Babbar, national spokesperson Randeep Surjewala. KKMC chairman and ex Member of Parliament Nana Patole called Modi "the biggest liar Prime Minister in the history of India" for failing to ensure remunerative crop prices, affordable diesel prices, and crop loan waiver. "Has the Modi government kept its promises? It has not given the MSP (Minimum Support Price) as per Swaminathan Committee's recommendations. It has even failed to keep diesel and petrol prices in check," Patole told the gathering. He also called Modi government "pro-corporate" as it waived loans worth Rs3.13 lakh crore taken by business companies. "However, it has no money to waive farm loan. It proves that the government is anti-farmer and pro-corporate," he said. Among the protestors was Kaluram Sharma, a farmer from poll-bound Rajasthan, who said fall in prices of milk had forced him to come to the national capital. "Milk prices have fallen drastically and the state government is doing nothing to address the problem. In addition, high diesel prices have added to our woes," Sharma said. He said there was huge farm distress in the state, which may translate into the defeat of the BJP in the Assembly elections to be held in December. New Delhi, Oct 23 : President Ram Nath Kovind has been invited by the Sarvdeshik Arya Pratinidhi Sabha (SAPS), the apex body of the Arya Samaj worldwide, to inaugurate the International Arya Maha Sammelan to be held in the national capital from October 25 to October 28. In a statement on Tuesday, SAPS said that Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will likely be attending the four-day event on the concluding day. Many central Ministers, Governors and Chief Ministers are also likely to participate in the International Arya Maha Sammmelan. Lakhs of arya samajis from 32 countries around the world, specially from Pakistan and Bangladesh, will be a part of this big event. Many personalities will express their views on issues like the division in the Hindu community in the name of Jaat, Dalit, Patidar and Gurjar, SAPS said in a statement. As per SAPS, they will also organise a 'Yagna' in which 10,000 Arya Samajis will take part. Panaji, Oct 23 : Criticizing the culture of instant food, Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday urged the need to go back to traditional Indian food, saying "instant food means constant disease". Naidu said that India should look at being self-sufficient in terms of food production on account of the country's large population. "Our habits are going through changes and we are going for instant food. Instant food means constant disease. We have to educate out people about food habits," Naidu said while speaking at an event on Tuesday. "Our Indian food is time-tested and has been designed depending on seasons," Naidu said. The Vice President said that India needs to think about ways to become self-sufficient in terms of food production. "We should also think in terms of having home-grown food security. We cannot depend on imported food security," Naidu said. Pune, Oct 23 : U Mumba rode raider Siddhart Desai's fantastic show to brush aside Telugu Titans 41-20 in an inter-zonal challenge match of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) here on Tuesday. Siddharth picked a total of 17 points as the opponent's defence completely failed in stopping him. For the Titans, raider Rahul Chaudhary managed to collect seven points as he became the first player in the history of the league to bag 700 raid points. Meanwhile, U Mumba also inflicted three all-outs in Tuesday's contest. Rahul opened Titans' account with a successful raid but Siddharth replied with two fine raids as U Mumba took a 3-1 lead in the first three minutes. The Titans then reduced the deficit through a successful tackle of Mumbai's Abhishek Singh, Abofazl Maghsodloumahali, while Mohsen Maghsoudloujafari and Rahul's raid helped them take a 5-3 lead before U Mumba came from behind to level the score 6-6 in the first 10 minutes. While the Titans' raiders and defenders kept on faultering, Siddharth kept on picking crucial points as U Mumba inflicted an all out in the 15th minute to take a 13-7 lead. In the last five minutes, Siddharth and Rahul collected few points for their respective teams as U Mumba led the contest 17-12 at half-time. In the second-half, U Mumba came out all guns blazing to completely dominate the session. While Siddharth kept on firing, Titans' raiders kept on throwing points before U Mumba inflicted the second all out in the 26th minute to take a 25-16 lead. Rahul's couple of consecutive successful raids took the Titans to 18 points in reply to their opponents' 28 points. In the last 10 minutes, U Mumba picked another 13 points while Titans could only managed two points as the former registered a massive 41-20 win. Kolkata, Oct 23 : Two people were killed and a dozen others including two children badly injured in a stampede at a railway foot overbridge at Santragachhi station in Howrah on Tuesday, police said. "Two people have been killed and 12 others injured in the unfortunate incident. Two persons are critical, and one of them is in the ICU. We ar shifting the other one to the SSKM hospital," said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who rushed to the Howrah General Hospital where the injured are being treated. She said that the other injured people were stable. The stampede occurred around 6 p.m. when the passengers hurriedly tried to cross the foot overbridge between two platforms following an announcement of two trains coming simultaneously on two adjacent tracks. Banerjee said that arrival of an express train was also announced. She announced that there would be an administrative probe into the incident. The Chief Minister also announced a compensation of Rs five lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh each to the injured. The mishap occurred just four days after 59 people were killed when a train crushed them as they stood on rail tracks watching Ravana effigies go up in flames during Dussehra celebrations in Amritsar. Banerjee alleged that the announcement regarding the change of platforms was made minutes before the trains arrived. "The incident happened in the premises of Indian Railways. They will be able to say why they made public announcements of so many trains simultaneously." Banerjee alleged that there was a lack of coordination on the part of the Railways, compromising the security of innocent people. "Security of people should not be compromised, and Railway should take proper care of the people. Railways is the lifeline of the country, it should not be derailed," said the Chief Minister. Paris, Oct 23 : The head of the United Nations cultural organisation UNESCO on Tuesday deplored the slaying of journalist Sohail Khan in northwest Pakistan last week and urged the country's authorities to bring his killers to justice. "I condemn the killing of Sohail Khan," said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. "I trust the authorities will spare no effort in investigating this crime, which undermines the fundamental human right of freedom of expression as well as the right to access information," he said. "A free press plays an essential role in combating organized crime and upholding the rule of law," Azoulay added. Sohail Khan, a reporter for local Urdu daily, which also operates a local television channel, was gunned down on October 16 in the Haripur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan. Khan, 28, was murdered days after a report on drug trafficking, the Freedom Network watchdog organization said. He was the third journalist killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this year. His killing sparked protests by journalists across Pakistan. Four reporters have been murdered in Pakistan since January, the watchdog said. Bengaluru, Oct 23 : Karnataka's tax collection went up 11 per cent in six months from April to September to Rs 75,634-crore, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said on Tuesday. "Taxes to the tune of Rs 75,634-crore were collected till the end of September, which is 11 per cent more than the same period of the previous fiscal," Kumaraswamy told reporters here on the occasion of the Janata-Dal-Secular (JD-S)-Congress coalition government completing 150 days in office. After forming a post-poll alliance with Congress, JD-S leader Kumaraswamy took the chief minister's office on May 23, and presented his maiden budget on July 5, as he also holds the finance portfolio. However, a total of 38 per cent budget expenditure was made by the coalition government during its term so far, of the state's estimated total expenditure of Rs 2,18,488-crore for the fiscal 2018-19. The Chief Minister claimed that the coalition government, which had committed to waiving farm loans to the tune of Rs 43,448-crore from state-run nationalised banks and state co-operative banks, has also begun the process of obtaining the details of the loans obtained by 10 lakh farmers. "Information will be obtained from farmers as well. Loan details obtained will be verified with the data," he added. The loan waiver will not affect other programmes as the state government has alternative resource mobilisation mechanism, the Chief Minister asserted. Ordinance on the Debt Relief Act-2018 is awaiting President Ram Nath Kovind's approval, he said. The Debt Relief Act-2018 has been formulated to protect interests of small farmers, agricultural labourers, small vendors and the poor from being harassed by money lenders. "The President as well as Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh were briefed about the provisions of the Act and were requested to approve it," Kumaraswamy said. After the state's Kodagu district was affected by floods in August, the state has released Rs 127-crore so far for rehab works in the district, he stated. The Chief Minister's Relief Fund has received Rs 187.16-crore donations from public for the flood-hit district's relief so far. Bengaluru-based Infosys Foundation had contributed Rs 25-crore aid to the district, Kumaraswamy said. "Kodagu Reconstruction Authority is being formed under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister to rebuild houses," he added. Initiatives have also been taken by the state to provide scholarships online to 56.69 lakh students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and other backward classes, the Chief Minister said. Rauners comments to reporters came as his campaign unveiled the ad, which features a character playing the officiant at a wedding between Pritzker and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan. At the close of the ceremony, the officiant character looks straight at the camera and declares: By the power vested in me, I now pronounce Illinois f-----. The character is clearly seen saying the F-word, and the F is audible before the rest of the word is bleeped out. New Delhi, Oct 23 : The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday filed chargesheet under the anti-money laundering law against Sandesara brothers and their Gujarat-based pharmaceutical company Sterling Biotech Limited (SBL) in the fraudulent Rs 8,100-crore loan from domestic as well as offshore branches of Indian banks during 2004-2012. The ED named 191 accused and 184 companies of the SBL group in the chargesheet filed in a special court. The SBL group include Sterling Biotech Limited, PMT Machines Limited, Sterling SEZ and Infra Limited, Sterling Port Limited, Sterling Oil Resources Limited and 179 shell companies. Some individuals named in the chargesheet include main promoters of SBL group -- Chetan Jayantilal Sandesara and Nitin Jayantilal Sandesara -- Dipti Sandesara, Rajbhushan Dixit, Hitesh Patel, their chartered accountant Hemant Hathi and middlemen Gagan Dhawan. The agency said the investigation in this case is still on as Sandesara brothers are learnt to be in abroad. Action under Fugitive Economic Offenders Law shall be initiated soon against the Sandesara brothers and Red Corner Notice with respect to promoters shall also be issued, said the ED which registered a money laundering case against the SBL group, Sandesara brothers and others in August 2017, days after a case of alleged bank fraud of Rs 5,700 crore was filed against them by the Central Bureau of Investigation. Investigation in ED revealed that Sandesaras brothers and others hatched a criminal conspiracy for cheating banks by manipulating figures in the balance sheets of their flagship companies and induced banks to sanction higher loans. "After obtaining loans, the accused diverted the loan funds to non-mandated purposes through a web of shell companies. Thus, the loan funds were diverted, layered and laundered by the promoters for their personal purposes. Total amount of loan fraud as on date is Rs 8,100 crore. The loan fraud pertains to domestic as well as offshore branches of Indian banks," said an ED statement. Loans to the tune of Rs 5,700 crore was disbursed by various banks during the years 2004-2012 and Look Out Circulars were opened against the accused in August, 2017, said the statement. "To fulfil their criminal motive of defrauding banks, the promoters devised a multi layered strategy of cheating. They not only cheated banks but also revenue department as well as the share-holders. Their strategy included incorporation of shell companies, conducting circular transactions to artificially inflate turnover of flagship companies, claiming higher depreciations on non-existing machinery, artificial share trading with the use shell companies, layering and laundering of proceeds of crime within India and abroad through the web of shell companies." The promoters used their employees' names and got incorporated 249 shell companies, said the ED, adding the ill gotten money were knowingly rotated, layered and finally integrated into the financial system and projected as untainted. "The amount was further invested in the form of immovable properties. The loan funds were diverted for non-mandated purposes to shell companies and were withdrawn as cash. An amount of Rs 140 crore was withdrawn from shell companies and were used for the personal purposes of the promoters which also includes bribing of public officials," said the statement. The ED said the promoters created a web of corporate and accounting structure abroad and they incorporated more than 100 entities in various countries including United Arab Emirates, the US, the UK, British Virgin Island, Mauritius, Barbados and Nigeria. "Their main entities outside India includes Richmond Overseas, Sunshine Trust Corporation, SEEPCO BVI, SEEPCO Nigeria and Atlantic Blue Water Services Pvt Ltd. It is revealed during investigation that the funds were rotated through various structures and ultimately carried to Nigeria to finance their oil business," said the ED. The banks have also found that the sanctioned loans were not used for the laid down purposes but were diverted for non-mandated purposes. The ED said the banks have also declared the loans to the tune of Rs 8,100 crores as fraud (domestic loans Rs 3,675 crore and foreign loans Rs 4,425 crore) as on date. The ED said it has so far arrested four persons in the case including a Delhi-based business man-cum-middleman Gagan Dhawan, Ex-Director of Andhra Bank Anup Garg, Director of SBL R.B. Dixit and Ranjeet Malik, a front man of Dhawan. Besides, the ED has so far attached assets to the tune of Rs 4,710 crore in the case. Jammu, Oct 23 : The explosion inside an Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Tuesday was caused by Pakistani shelling, a Defence Ministry spokesman said. "Today (Tuesday), approximately at 10.30 a.m., in a ceasefire violation, Pakistan troops fired a rocket-propelled grenade and also resorted small arms firing. One round landed on a barrel-type store shelter in Poonch, causing fire," Lieutenant Colonel Devender Anand said. "Initial analysis indicates that calibre 105/106 mm remote-controlled launcher was used by Pakistan troops to target the shelter. No casualty was caused in this incident. "In Krishna Ghati (KG) sector also, at 5.35 p.m., one round of 82mm shell landed at Jhalas area. One muffled blast occurred at 6 p.m. This was misconstrued as a blast in the KG garrison." No casualty occurred in this explosion, he said. BNP Paribas REIM SGR, on behalf of its Patrimonio Uno" fund, has disposed of an office complex in Rome, Via Fornovo, to an Italian Institutional investor. The fund acquired the property in 2005. In addition, it has acquired the office building 16 Washington, located in Paris 8th arrondissement, on behalf [] PGIM Real Estate has acquired The Square, an iconic 7,000-square-meter office building located on 7-7 bis rue de Teheran, Paris, on behalf of its pan-European discretionary value-add fund. The seller was a German closed-ended fund managed by GLL Real Estate Partners. The property is situated in the heart of the Photos: Alexis Paoli [] SPONSORED POST Renamed U60 and redeveloped to be a next-generation office building, 60 Union Street in Pyrmont is set to change the face of Sydneys growing city-fringe office precinct. Located in the widely recognised Pyrmont Bay office precinct, U60 has recently undergone a $30 million refurbishment to enhance and reposition its seven-storey office tower and two-storey terrace, which are now connected by a three-storey glazed atrium. Originally designed by Rice Daubney and marketed as an extraordinary office destination, the new architectural repositioning by Custance Architects incorporates natural materials, abundant greenery and upper-floor water vistas across to the city and Barangaroo. Savills Australia has been appointed to lease the vacant areas of U60 on behalf of AFIAA Australia, with Office Leasing agents Rob Dickins and Liz Braithwaite seeking tenants to fill about 5,500sq m of refurbished space. U60 is an office building bursting with vibrancy and liveliness, ready to take the business lifestyle to the next level, Ms Braithwaite said. With people spending so much time in the office, landlords have recognised that they have to create a premium workplace for their tenants in order to attract and retain them. Mr Dickins said the upgrades to U60 were designed to provide tenants with an identifiable workplace sanctuary, with all services available from the one building, including cafes, a retail arcade, courtyard, undercover car park and first-class end-of-trip facilities. A rooftop terrace is under consideration. The renovation has cleverly created a journey for tenants, beginning with the striking new exterior facade, leading into the glass atrium that illuminates the spacious lobby, and extending into bright break-out areas and an energetic cafe, he said. This prominent A Grade office building has outdoor balconies on all floors, upgraded lobbies and bathrooms on all floors and excellent natural light, courtesy of floor-to-ceiling windows. Savills Australia has completed the most recent commitment in U60 to Parkview Construction, which was represented by Rowan Humphries from Colliers International. The company has secured level seven of the office tower from February 1, 2019. Six other tenancies remain vacant across the office tower and terrace building, with rental rates targeting late $700s net. The commercial accommodation is complemented by 2,800sq m of retail space, including a Coles supermarket, Liquorland and numerous other food, beverage and specialty retailers. Savills is a leading global real estate service provider offering the full spectrum of services from strategic advice to managing assets and projects and transacting deals. Rob Dickins is State Director - NSW and Liz Braithwaite is Executive in Savills Office Leasing. To learn more about Savills, visit savills.com.au. The Atlanta office of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP will be honored for Outstanding Diversity in an Organization at the Atlanta Business Chronicles inaugural Diversity and Inclusion Awards set for Nov. 15. Ernest L. Greer, Co-President of the firm and longtime leader in the Atlanta office, will be honored as a Corporate Diversity Champion. Our firms commitment to diversity and inclusion radiates through our people, because to us, diversity is personal it is who we are, Greer said. Diversity is in our DNA; it is one of the pillars on which our firm was founded. We are proud of our roots, and we have a profound dedication to creating an environment where attorneys and staff of all backgrounds are included. According to their website, the awards honor organizations and individuals in metro Atlanta that are navigating the terrain of inclusion in a time of increasing social change and acceptance of all people. Our creative, talented people from diverse backgrounds and experiences give multiple perspectives, make us strong, and make us who we are, Atlanta Managing Shareholder Theodore I. Blum added. Ernest is passionate about creating change and supporting the growth and development of anyone, no matter where they come from, as long as they work hard. Before becoming Co-President of Greenberg Traurig, Greer served as a Vice President of the firm (2013-2015) and as the Atlanta office's Managing Shareholder for nearly a decade. He is also closely involved with the firms Diversity & Inclusion Initiative, which focuses on nurturing diversity and creating an environment where differences are embraced. We are honored to have women and ethnically and gender diverse individuals in a wide range of key roles, contributing to the mosaic we are so proud of, said Greenberg Traurig Chief Executive Officer Brian L. Duffy. Ernests executive leadership, as well as firmwide collaborative support, have been pivotal in Greenberg Traurig investing in the recruitment, development, advancement, and retention of a diverse group of attorneys and staff. About Greenberg Traurigs Diversity Initiative: From its inception, Greenberg Traurig has been committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Greenberg Traurig is a uniquely empowering and diverse firm built on a foundation of fairness, equality, and authenticity. The firm's efforts have been recognized by local, national, and global publications and organizations including, Chambers and Partners. About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has more than 2,000 attorneys in 38 offices in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, was named the largest firm in the U.S. by Law360 in 2017, and is among the Top 20 on the 2018 Am Law Global 100. Web: http://www.gtlaw.com Twitter: @GT_Law. 5nine, a provider of security and management solutions for the Microsoft Cloud, today announced the company achieved Microsofts Silver Cloud Platform competency, demonstrating proven expertise in delivering quality solutions for Azure. The Cloud Platform competency establishes 5nines capabilities, expertise and commitment in meeting its customers needs with their cloud platform. We are constantly enhancing and adapting our platform as our customers needs evolve, so that we can continue to better serve them, stated Vince Arneja, 5nine Chief Product Officer. Through our close relationship with Microsoft, we are able to more effectively build solutions that address their demands. This recognition speaks to our expertise, reinforces our ability to meet performance goals, satisfy customers and continually enable a positive and effective experience in the cloud. Microsoft Silver Cloud Platform competency is given to companies who help customers modernize their infrastructure and migrate applications and data to the cloud using the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. This certification recognizes organizations that demonstrate proven Azure performance, pass demanding qualifying assessments and meet the Azure customer consumption sales goal. Additionally, organizations must provide customer evidence with three references that prove not only a successful implementation of cloud projects, but pleasing customer service. Having met these high standards, this Microsoft Silver competency places 5nine among an elite group of Microsoft partners. 5nine helps customers spanning all industries manage their cloud infrastructure ensuring a seamless, cost-efficient and secure cloud journey. The companys unified platform is the first hybrid cloud management and security platform that unifies the critical functions of system monitoring, management, backup and recovery, security and migration into one seamless interface. Integrating these critical functions in the hybrid cloud environment significantly improves operational efficiency and cost savings, two key factors that are driving growing numbers of customers to hybrid solutions. 5nine already holds the Microsoft Gold Datacenter competency and recently announced major platform enhancements to their unified platform to help Microsoft hybrid cloud users more efficiently manage and strengthen their cloud infrastructure. To learn more about 5nines solutions for Microsoft customers, visit http://www.5nine.com. About 5nine 5nine delivers a powerful, integrated and scalable solution for optimizing and securing workloads across the Microsoft cloud public, private or hybrid for administrators, information technology leaders and service providers who need more control and visibility of decentralized cloud environments. Beyond disparate tools and point products in use today, 5nine offers a seamless, elegant approach to unifying cloud migration, management, monitoring, backup and security, increasing efficiency and boosting productivity, at exceptional value. By accelerating your cloud capabilities, 5nine empowers you to focus on what matters most building your business by maximizing your investment in the Microsoft cloud. For more about 5nine visit http://www.5nine.com DocLink helps companies make a digital transformation by providing essential software that connects people, processes and data for competitive advantage. Altec, a leader in enterprise document management and process automation solutions, today announced its sponsorship and presentation at the Vrakus/Blum Computer Consulting User Conference to be held tomorrow, October 24, in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Curt Hixson, Central Sales Director for Altec will be presenting Document Management for Sage ERP: Realizing the Paperless Office, at the conference. During the presentation and exhibition, Altec will be highlighting industry-leading DocLink, the only Sage-endorsed document management solution that allows users to digitally transform their operations, improving productivity and ultimately save significant time and money. By eliminating paper, DocLinks document management capabilities fully utilize and enhance any Sage solution, enabling documents to be created, processed and approved by anyone on any device. DocLink streamlines any business process in any department accounts payable, accounts receivable, human resources, legal, and across the entire enterprise providing improved visibility and control to the entire document lifecycle. Hixson comments, Altec is pleased to support Vrakus/Blum at their conference as its an excellent setting for their customers to see for themselves DocLinks immense value. DocLink helps companies make a digital transformation by providing essential software that connects people, processes and data for competitive advantage. With the ability to store, search, retrieve and send all documents securely, DocLink enables companies to go paperless while automating processes that improve organizational efficiency and reduce costs associated with human errors. Ultimately, DocLink increases workplace efficiencies by providing secure and easy access to information that improves decision-making and customer service. I look forward to sharing this during the event. About Altec Altec is a leading provider of integrated document management and process automation solutions. Its flagship product, DocLink, helps companies connect people, processes and data providing them with the ability to store, search, retrieve and send any document securely. DocLink effectively eliminates the need for paper while automating processes that improve organizational efficiency and reduce costs associated with human errors. With thousands of customers globally, Altec enjoys collaborative partnerships with Sage, Microsoft, Acumatica, Intacct, Key2Act, SAP B1, Amtech, Epicor and more that deliver flexible, comprehensive solutions to adapt to an ever-changing global market. Learn more at http://www.altec-inc.com. American IRA CEO, Jim Hitt It is good that the SEC is ringing the warning bells on these schemes Cryptocurrencies are an exciting prospect for a wide range of investorsbut investors also need to be wary of schemes and fraudulent investments, according to a recent warning from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Some of these schemes are specifically targeting individuals who hold Self-Directed IRAs, which in turn can make a wide variety of retirement investors susceptible to crypto-related problems. According to the SEC, the post notes, deceptive promoters may falsely claim that the investment has been signed off on by your IRA custodian, administrator or some other trusted third party. But Self-Directed IRAs do not work like this. Self-Directed IRAs do not require that Self-Directed IRA administrators like American IRA look into the individual investments of their clients. Instead, clients are given a broad amount of freedom when it comes to investment choices. And while this freedom can be very helpful in accessing a broad range of asset types, it also means that the responsibility of each investment ultimately falls on the person who holds the Self-Directed IRA. In the recent post, American IRA recommended a few key guidelines for those considering crypto investments: conducting due diligence as thoroughly as possible; not falling for assurances, guaranteed returns, or no-risk investments; and being wary of investment offers that come about without solicitation. Cryptocurrencies are a fascinating topic, said Jim Hitt, CEO of American IRA. But what people have to watch out for are those who are trying to take advantage of their wealth by introducing schemes specifically targeted at them. They use a hot buzzword like cryptocurrencies to promise extravagant results, and time after time these fraudulent schemes turn out to do nothing but destroy the wealth of well-meaning people. It is good that the SEC is ringing the warning bells on these schemes, and a great reminder that a Self-Directed IRA requires due diligence in all investments. The article went on to explain that the SEC pointed out that with the long-term visions of most retirement investors, it can be a long time before investors pick up on the fact that the investment has turned out to be a scam. Due diligence is required for those retirement investors who want to feel confident in investments over the long-term and grow wealth for their post-retirement days. For more information on Self-Directed IRAs and the SECs recent announcements, visit http://www.AmericanIRA.com or call 866-7500-IRA. About: American IRA, LLC was established in 2004 by Jim Hitt, CEO in Asheville, NC. The mission of American IRA is to provide the highest level of customer service in the self-directed retirement industry. Jim Hitt and his team have grown the company to over $400 million in assets under administration by educating the public that their Self-Directed IRA account can invest in a variety of assets such as real estate, private lending, limited liability companies, precious metals and much more. As a Self-Directed IRA administrator, they are a neutral third party. They do not make any recommendations to any person or entity associated with investments of any type (including financial representatives, investment promoters or companies, or employees, agents or representatives associated with these firms). They are not responsible for and are not bound by any statements, representations, warranties or agreements made by any such person or entity and do not provide any recommendation on the quality profitability or reputability of any investment, individual or company. The term "they" refers to American IRA, located in Asheville and Charlotte, NC." Hiking in Southern Patagonia This is a really special trip, not only because travelers will experience Outpost Patagonia on its official inaugural season, says Upscape founder Brian Pearson but because we will traverse incredible landscapes that are currently undergoing important conservation efforts. An all-expense paid trip for two to remote Patagonia is up for grabs as Upscape and Crua Outdoors encourage customers to opt outside this Black Friday A Black Friday giveaway for the trip of a lifetime valued at $20,000 USD, with the real, priceless value of complete disconnection. Two brands dedicated to bringing their customers to faraway places in style, experiential travel company Upscape and durable outdoor product maker, Crua Outdoors, are joining the Black Friday movement to, opt outside this holiday season. The co-branded giveaway, The Great Crua Outpost Escape, will include prizes announced weekly and the ultimate prize, an all-expense paid 10-day/9-night trip to Chilean Patagonia, including three nights at Outpost Patagonia and a stay at the Lodge at Chacabuco in Patagonia Park. Departing March 4, 2019, the trip will start at Outpost Patagonia, which sits on the shores of the Jeinimeni River in the Aysen region of northern Patagonia, and over the course of 10 days head south exploring the rest of Jeinimeni National Park, the Gloria Mountains and Patagonia Park. This is a really special trip, not only because travelers will experience Outpost Patagonia on its official inaugural season, says Upscape founder Brian Pearson but because we will traverse incredible landscapes that are currently undergoing important conservation efforts. The conservation work spearheaded by Tompkins Conservation and CONAF include connecting the 200,000 acres in the Chacabuco Valley with the Jeinimeni Reserve and the Tamango Reserve further south, coming together to become one large 640,000-acre Patagonia National Park, allowing bi-national access across the border of Chile and Argentina and opening previously blocked wildlife corridors. Outpost was launched earlier this year and opened with Outpost Patagonia and Outpost Maule, with Outpost Elqui soon to be announced for the total solar eclipse in 2019. Each site comes fully outfitted with private tentsthe Loj by Cruahotel-quality bedding, shared lounge dome and responsibly-handled tent restrooms, a private chef and guides. Over the past few years as the Upscape team developed Outpost and tested various products, it was great to see their success with our products in the dramatic and unpredictable weather of places like Patagonia, the type of setting theyre made for, says Crua founder Derek OSullivan. To enter the sweepstakes, participants submit their name and email on the brands landing page. Additional engagement will take place across Instagram and Facebook channels over the course of the sweeps, as repeat registrations are accepted daily. Winners will be announced on November 30, 2018. About Upscape Upscape is an experiential and adventure travel company based in Santiago, Chile with 15 years of know-how in creating unique itineraries in the Southern Cone, including Uruguay, Argentina and Chile. Their extensive knowledge covers iconic cities such as Buenos Aires, Santiago and Montevideo, wine-growing regions, alternate season ski destinations, on and off-the-grid in Patagonia and the Atacama Desert. Upscape itineraries have been recognized by the likes of National Geographic Traveler, Vogue and Food + Wine. In 2018 Upscape was named to the Travel + Leisure A-List for the 5th year in a row and in 2017 Upscape Founder Brian Pearson was recognized as a Conde Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist for the third year in a row. Upscapes most recent development, off-grid glamping sites named Outpost, have been opened in Chilean Patagonia, Maule Valley and soon to be announced Elqui Valley, specifically outfitted for the 2019 total solar eclipse. For more visit http://www.upscapetravel.com About Crua Outdoors Crua was founded by an Irishman with years of experience in camping and trekking outdoors. The team has expanded now, and we reckoned that building an all-weather tent worthy of our own adventures was a natural fit for our skills...so yeah, we pushed the limits and over engineered the heck out of it. So much so that the unique Thermo Tent insulation that we developed is now patent protected. Introducing the revolutionary Crua range of high-quality insulated tents. Its all about getting a better nights sleep in any weather, which a Crua tent provides by virtue of its superior quality, functionality and design. You wont find a better thermally and acoustically insulated tent in the world! For more visit http://www.cruaoutdoors.com Media Contact Nancy Harrison nharrison(at)adventuremedianews(dot)com 307.421.4473 The same could well happen this time around as some turn back, splinter off on their own or decide to take their chances on asylum in Mexico as 1,128 have done so far, according to the country's Interior Department. Vinitaly Hong Kong Pavilion at the International Wine & Spirits Fair (HK, 2017) We have found importers & consolidated our partnerships with them through our constant presence at Vinitaly Hong Kong thanks to Vinitaly International. Leading to a significant increase in turnover in the Asian market. -Giovanni Bonati, GB Wines This years 9th edition of Vinitaly Hong Kong 2018 promises to be enticing for both visitors and buyers alike. Organized by Veronafiere and Vinitaly International, the preparations are being finalized for their Hong Kong exposition at the International Wine & Spirits Fair, held from November 8th to 10th 2018 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Known as one of the worlds most exciting wine markets, Hong Kong is brimming with potential and eagerly waiting for hungry industry players. Many of last years wineries will also be returning this year. Giovanni Bonati, Director of GB Wines, explain the various reasons why he feels it is crucial to be a part of Vinitaly Hong Kong 2018: We have been present in the Asian markets of Hong Kong, China and Singapore since the late nineties, and we have been taking part in VINITALY HONG KONG annually since 2010. Vinitaly is an important event for us since it is only open to operators in the sector, where you have access to competent and prepared interlocutors. Also the organization of Vinitaly International is, with all sincerity and honesty, constantly improving year by year, providing the companies' involved with support. In recent years we have had the opportunity to find importers with whom to enter into sales contracts; equally important, we have consolidated our partnerships with importers through our constant presence at Vinitaly Hong Kong thanks to Vinitaly International. All this, from 2010 to present day, has led to a significant increase in turnover in the Asian market. This years Hong Kong wine fair has designated 850 square meters to Vinitaly International for its growing wine lineup. Vinitaly International is preparing to showcase a fantastic selection of wine in anticipation of buyers arriving from Hong Kong, as well as from mainland China and South East Asia. The ambition is to exceed the number of visitors received at last years event, which saw attendance at over 20,000 people. This year approximately 100 Italian wineries from every region of Italy will be taking part in the exhibition, offering 12 tastings. Seven wine consortiums and associations will be in attendance, collectively representing over 50 wineries. Some of these partners attending this year include: the consortiums Consorzio di Tutela dei Vini dAbruzzo, Enoteca Regionale Emilia Romagna, Consortium Alto Adige Wines, Piemonte Land of Perfection, and the media group Wine Meridian. Eager to bring their unique expertise to the international stage, these associations will be offering special exhibits at the Vinitaly International Hong Kong fair. Katrin Huber, Agricultural Marketing-Wine Marketing, from IDM Sudtirol-Alto Adige comments on the opportunities afforded by attendance at the fair: This is already the fourth edition of the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair that we will participating in. South Tyrol is still new to Hong Kong and China. Participation in this fair is an excellent opportunity to promote and increase the notoriety of our products in this rapidly expanding market. Vinitaly International hopes to foster a compelling B2B exchange by going beyond the formal components of an exposition, namely, the exhibiting and organizing of B2B meetings with the support of the Hong Kong Trade & Development Council (HKTDC). The area will also offer guests the opportunity to attend masterclasses that are to be held in the tasting rooms. A lounge will also be made available, where participants will be able to taste wines from the 5StarWines - the Book selection, while also having the option to sample some traditional foods offered by Vinitalys partners. The lounge events and masterclasses are organized thanks to the support of ICE-Italian Trade Agency. The cornerstone of Vinitaly Hong Kong is wine education. The redesigned Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) Italian Wine Ambassador certification course will be held immediately prior to the fair, from the 4th to the 8th of November. The ribbon cutting ceremony, marking the opening of the Vinitaly International Hong Kong fair, will coincide with the first graduation ceremony marking the completion of VIAs first Hong Kong Italian Wine Ambassador Certification Course. Subsequently, VIA will be holding one of the Grand Tasting Sessions featured in this years official Vinitaly Hong Kong program. VIAs Executive Wine Seminar will be led by the newly appointed faculty members Sarah Heller MW and Henry Davar IWE. The symbiotic relationship for VIA and Vinitaly International Hong Kong will continue and deliver concrete results this year, as Asias fast expanding wine market is considered hugely important and taking advantage of its potential is key. The event details can be followed on the Vinitaly International website and on social media. About: The grand Vinitaly 2019 will be held from April 7th to the 10th. Every year, Vinitaly counts more than 4,000 exhibitors on a 100,000+ square meter area and 130,000 visitors from over 140 different countries with more than 30,000 top international buyers. The premier event to Vinitaly, OperaWine Finest Italian Wines: 100 Great Producers, which will be held on the 6th of April, one day prior to Vinitaly will unite international wine professionals in the heart of Verona, offering them the unique opportunity to discover and taste the wines of the 100 Best Italian Producers, as selected by Wine Spectator. Since 1998 Vinitaly International travels to several countries such as Russia, China, USA and Hong Kong thanks to its strategic arm abroad, Vinitaly International. In February 2014 Vinitaly International launched an educational project, the Vinitaly International Academy (VIA) with the aim of divulging and broadcasting the excellence and diversity of Italian wine around the globe. VIA this year launched the seventh edition of its Certification Course and today counts 151 Italian Wine Ambassadors and 11 Italian Wine Experts. Representatives with Florida-based anyWarePOS announced today that the company is now offering a free trial of its cloud-based POS for the hospitality industry. Were excited to offer a fully featured free trial of our system, Daniel Kurland, CEO of the company said. With so many point of sale options, you'll want to choose the best solution for your bar or restaurant. Your business will rely on the solution you pick for every item ordered, every sale, and every penny your business makes. Kurland went on to point out that there are alternatives out there for medium-sized bars and restaurants but noted that unfortunately there is no one-size-fits-all solution no matter what some pushy salespeople will tell you. No product can sell gasoline or hotel rooms with the same ease of setup and use that you use to send food orders to a busy kitchen. However, there is a solution out there for you, Kurland stressed, before adding, We may be the only point of sales company started by bar and restaurant owners made 100% for the hospitality industry. We have been through all of these questions and confusion of the marketplace when we owned our own restaurant. However, with more than 20 years in the industry, we know what the hospitality marketplace needs. According to Kurland, affordable pricing should always the first consideration. Spending more on a point of sale than you could ever make in sales doesnt make any sense. With us, there is no contracts, we have upfront pricing and no hidden fees, Kurland highlighted. Reliability is also a huge factor. Your point of sale is the beating heart of your business management. What happens when it goes down? How much will downtime cost you? After you have chosen a reliable and affordable point of sale, the right feature set is crucial. Does it meet your business needs? anyWarePOS is easy-to-use and setup and empowers you with modern technology like text messaging, cloud storage, and more. anyWarePOS has all the features bars and restaurants need, and you are not paying the functions you do not. The last big concern, Kurland said, is support, which could be the biggest consideration. A great question to ask is there someone always available to speak to? We always provide online chat and remote support, Kurland emphasized. You never need to pay for anyone to go onsite. Your entire POS is stored securely in the cloud, which means we can fix any software problem remotely. Additionally, our only minimum requirement is a simple cellular connection, downtime is virtually non-existent. We utilize the latest technologies to deliver a modern, easy to use, and solid application platform. anyWarePOS web application is written in the same computer language as Facebook, Netflix, PayPal, and Uber. anyWarePOS is fast with remote updates, requires no installation, and no local server hardware is necessary. At anyWarePOS, we know how hard the hospitality business can be first hand. The long hours, busy rush times, and even that feeling when you are in the weeds, makes it virtually impossible to use any point of sale you cannot count on 100% of the time. For more information, please visit: https://www.anywarepos.com/#features and https://www.anywarepos.com/#pricing. About anyWarePOS The creators of anyWarePOS have been in the hospitality industry for over 20 years. They began by owning a high volume bar and grill. After operating that business, for 12 years they created and ran a point of sale software company. That company boasts over 5,000 restaurant and bar locations. The creators of anyWarePOS sold that company in 2016 to create a modern point of sale software that runs on any computer with no installation, is affordable to hospitality owners and is secure in the cloud. Contact Details Daniel Kurland CEO anyWarePOS, LLC 1936 Bruce B Downs Blvd Suite 480 Wesley Chapel, FL 33543 Phone Number: (813) 778-0201 Toll-Free (US ONLY): (833) 462-5293 Source: anyWarePOS, LLC Infrared heat was a key component in helping me heal naturally from a rear end car accident. Ive benefited from it ever since, says Rutledge. The Bluffs Shopping Center in Newport Beach is the home to the wellness brand's fourth location and first franchise location. Perspire Sauna Studio was founded in Orange County in 2010. Since its conception, Perspire has been the local leader of infrared sauna therapy, enabling their clientele to reclaim their health. Perspire Sauna Studio offers sessions in their state-of-the-art infrared saunas that are used to help rid the body of dangerous heavy metals, as well as treat muscle, joint and back pain. Infrared heat penetrates deeply to treat sore or torn muscles, sprains, arthritis, post-surgical scars, burns, wounds and more. Additionally an average session at Perspire burns 200-400 calories. Perspire Sauna Studio - Newport Bluffs, opened Oct 19th, has 11 private infrared sauna rooms that guests reserve for a forty minute session. Each session includes smart TVs, towel service, medical grade chromotherapy lights, and a cold eucalyptus towel to end the session. The Newport Bluffs location franchise owner, Mark Rutledge was a long-time member of Perspire Sauna Studio and has always been a supporter of the Perspire brand founded by Lee Braun and Ken Arsenian of Newport Beach, California. Infrared heat was a key component in helping me heal naturally from a rear end car accident. Ive benefited from it ever since, says Rutledge. We could never have imagined the overwhelming response we have received from our community of members. We are proud knowing Perspire has helped so many people overcome ailments and disease in a natural way, says Co-Founder Lee Braun. Perspire Sauna Studio opens their first out-of-state studio in Atlanta, GA Oct 27. Perspire is offering grand opening specials at its new studios. Visit http://www.perspiresaunastudio.com/newportbeach for more information. 1308 Bison Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92660, (949) 717-7588 Several hundred oil and gas industry executives and thought leaders will convene in San Antonio, TX in November to analyze and discuss the market, and negotiate transactions to buy, sell and transport natural gas from the U.S. to Mexico. The 2nd annual US-Mexico Natural Gas Forum takes place November 12 14, 2018 in downtown San Antonio. The US-Mexico Natural Gas Forum is part of the LDC Gas Forum and Gulf Coast Energy Forum series that consists of six annual events, each focused on key natural gas market regions across North America. These events are much more than simply conferences in that in addition to gathering insights on critical issues affecting natural gas markets, participants also meet with industry counterparts to complete business transactions. Mexico enacted energy reform measures in 2013 that ended the near-monopoly held by state-owned Petroleos Mexicanoss (Pemex). Since then, there has been a race to access this market by U.S. natural gas producers, marketers and pipeline operators. As a result, this is now an extremely dynamic market with numerous companies vying for market share. The challenge for new entrants and participants in this market is to uncover commercial potential, understand the complexities of the regulatory framework, and identify the market and competitive landscape. The 2 1/2 day program format is carefully structured for market participants to obtain insight about market developments, network with new and existing colleagues, and ultimately conclude transactions involving purchase, sale and transportation of natural gas. Keynote presentations will be delivered by Dr. Jim Duncan, Director, Market Research, ConocoPhillips; Dr. Hector Moreira, Commissioner, National Hydrocarbons Commission (Mexico); Orlando Alvarez, President & CEO, BP Energy Company; Mike Howard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Howard Energy Partners; and Guillermo Turrent, CEO, CFEnergia (Mexico). In addition, six panel presentations will address a wide variety of market aspects, with representatives from: ENGIE, Allegro, OPIS PointLogic, S&P Global Platts, NextEra, Rice Universitys Baker Institute, ICIS, RJ OBrien and Associates, Euler Hermes Energy, Natural Gas Intelligence (NGI), Tenaska Gas de Mexico, CENAGAS (Mexico), Kinder Morgan, Enbridge, Mirage Energy, ICF, Cacheaux Cavazos & Newton, CRE (Mexico), National Hydrocarbons Commission (Mexico), ConocoPhillips, BP Energia Mexico, Shell Trading Mexico, and CFEnergia. Participants at the Forum include market leaders, decision makers and subject matter experts, representing all industry segments including utilities, industrial gas consumers, producers, pipelines, marketers, key product and service providers, as well as regulators, policy makers and analysts. This Forum focuses on the U.S. to Mexico cross border market, while five other Forums throughout the year address other key regions across the continent. Even in today's digital age, natural gas market participants place value on a venue that facilitates face-to-face interaction. The US-Mexico Natural Gas Forum is uniquely structured to meet this requirement and is the venue of choice. Registration is still available at http://www.usmexiconaturalgasforum.com/ The LDC Gas Forums, the US-Mexico Natural Gas Forum and the Gulf Coast Energy Forum are the premiere regional events where the Natural Gas Industry meets. This is where buyers and sellers meet and do business. Thousands of attendees attend one or more of the six regional Forums across the continent to discuss vital regional and national issues affecting all aspects of the natural gas marketplace. Timely panel discussions featuring key industry authorities focus on important questions facing buyers, sellers transport operators and other market stakeholders in the competitive energy markets. Topics include: Supply & Demand, Financial Outlook, Pipeline, Storage and Infrastructure Projects, global LNG markets, US-Mexico natural gas exports, Gas/Electric coordination, Regulatory Updates, Gas Buyer Insights, Industry Transformations, Risk Analysis and Hedging Strategies, International perspectives, and Energy Geopolitics. Vast networking opportunities give you access to your clients, prospects, and peers to further explore relevant issues in your region. 2019 LDC Natural Gas Forums: Southeast, Northeast, Mid-Continent, Rockies & West, US-Mexico Natural Gas Forum and the Gulf Coast Energy Forum. Where the Natural Gas Industry Gathers: Networking - Insights - Deal-Making http://www.usmexiconaturalgasforum.com/ ASM International annually recognizes awardees at its ASM Awards Banquet, which is being held this year in Columbus, OH on October 16, 2018. ASM International annually recognizes awardees at its ASM Awards Banquet, which is being held this year in Columbus, OH on October 16, 2018. The ASM Awards Committee, comprised of ASM members, chooses the awards recipients. The ASM Board of Trustees then approves the selections and honors members for a variety of materials science achievements. ASM is proud to recognize our members for their outstanding work. Please join ASM International in congratulating the following members for their achievements. Please visit our website for more information on the award winners and their pictures. Honorary Membership | Dr. Jack G. Simon, FASM, President, Technology Access Incorporated Distinguished Life Membership | Prof. Michael F. Ashby, Emeritus Professor of Materials, Engineering Design Centre, University of Cambridge; Board Chairman, Granta Design, LTD. Gold Medal | Prof. Steven J. Zinkle, FASM, UTK/ORNL Governors Chair Professor, Nuclear Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering Departments, University of Tennessee Engineering Materials Achievement Award (EMAA) | Mr. Christopher Hahin, Engineer of Structural Materials & Bridge Investigations, Illinois Department of Transportation & Prof. Semyon Vaynman, Research Professor, Northwestern University Albert Sauveur Achievement Award | Dr. S. Lee Semiatin, FASM, Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright Patterson Air Force Base William Hunt Eisenman Award | Mr. Louis W. Lherbier, FASM, Carpenter Powder Products, Retired, Carpenter Technologies J. Willard Gibbs Phase Equilibria Award | Prof. John E. Morral, FASM, Emeritus Professor, The Ohio State University Allan Ray Putnam Service Award | Mr. Keith A. Hill, Principal Metallurgist, Retired, Carpenter Technology Corporation Albert Easton White Distinguished Teacher Award | Prof. Enrique V. Barrera, FASM, Professor, Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University Silver Medal Award | Dr. Brenda Garcia-Diaz, Manager, Energy Materials, Savannah River National Laboratory & Dr. Erik M. Mueller, Materials Research Engineer, National Transportation Safety Board Bronze Medal Award | Dr. Amber N. Black, Research Scientist, Sigma Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory & Prof. Emmanuel De Moor, Assistant Professor, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Colorado School of Mines Bradley Stoughton Award for Young Teachers | Prof. Josh Kacher, Assistant Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology Henry Marion Howe Medal | Eric A. Lass, Mark R. Stoudt, Maureen E. Williams, Michael B. Katz, Lyle E. Levine, Thien Q. Phan, Thomas Gnaupel-Herold, & Daniel S. Ng Marcus A. Grossmann Young Author Award | Haihui Zhang & Wanlin Wang ASM Historical Landmark Designation | Materion Elmore, Ohio Plant ASM Student Paper Contest | Eli Vandersluis Emerging Professional Achievement Award | Jessica A. Clinton, Lead Welding Manufacturing Engineer, Baker Hughes General Electric 2018 ASM/TMS Distinguished Lectureship in Materials and Society | Dr. Lynnette D. Madsen, Program Director, National Science Foundation 2018 Edward DeMille Campbell Memorial Lecture | Professor Julie M. Schoenung, FASM, Professor, Materials Science & Engineering Program Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science University of California About ASM International ASM International connects materials professionals and their organizations to the resources necessary to provide professional development and to improve materials performance. As the world's largest and most established materials information society, ASM engages members through a global network of peers and provides access to trusted materials information through reference content and data, education courses, international events, and applied research. To learn more about ASM International, visit asminternational.org or call 440.338.5151 to speak with an ASM International representative. World Automotive Relay Market vendors include ABB, Littelfuse, Microsemi Corporation, TE Connectivity, Panasonic Automotive, Fujitsu Global, Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., DENSO, Eaton, Omron Corporation, Sharp Corporation, and NEC Corporation. Powertrain systems are anticipated to account for 23%+ automotive relay market revenue share over the forecast timeline owing to high usage of plug-in relays in these systems. Plug-in relays are preferred in powertrain systems due to its features such as ability to sustain in elevated temperatures, fluctuations, and vibrations. The powertrain systems are susceptible to frequent voltage fluctuations along with high surge loads, thus require high switching capacity, and escalating the industry demand over the next eight years. Convenience systems holds the highest industry revenue share and will continue its dominance over the forecast timeframe. The modern HVAC systems in vehicles are equipped with numerous switches for the ease of driver. In 2016, convenience systems accounted for over 34% of the automotive relay market share in terms of unit shipments. Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/619 Convenience system, such as keyless entry system, electronic power steering, and sunroof control, require relays on a large-scale for providing efficient control. They are increasingly used in the safety and security systems, such as car security alarm and anti-lock braking systems (ABS), owing to the rising road safety concerns. PCBs are projected to acquire over 75% of the worldwide automotive relay market till 2024. The high revenue generation is attributed to the rising demand for compact devices across the automobile industry. Moreover, benefits such as their high current carrying capacity and significant space saving due to the miniaturized will escalate the industry over the forecast timespan. Manufacturers of PCB relays focus on penetration into potential business and continuous innovations in their products to diversify their product line. High demand of automotive PCB relays in Asia Pacific and Europe has induced an immense potential to the automotive relay market size. Stringent government regulations in Europe regarding incorporation of safety features into vehicles, replacement of obsolete technologies, and fuel efficiency standards will further gain an advantage in the automotive relay industry over the forecast time frame. Driver information demand from automotive relay crossed 200 million units in 2016. Increasing need of driver information systems (DIS) in vehicles for weather & traffic information, location services, etc., has favored the segment growth over the past few years and is anticipated to continue the same over the forecast time frame. Rising smartphone penetration will further foster the installation rate of these systems. Make an Inquiry for purchasing this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/619 North America automotive relay market was valued at over USD 2 billion in 2016 and is expected to exhibit 5% CAGR in the projected time line owing to the matured automobile industry in the region. Moreover, the presence of well-established players will strengthen the regional business position over the next eight years. Rising product aftermarket demand from countries like Mexico will further induce immense potential to the automotive relay market growth rate till 2024. Automotive relay market manufacturers include Denso Corporation, Eaton Corporation, ABB, Microsemi Corporation, Fujitsu, and Omron Electronics. Major strategies adopted by the players are collaborations and partnerships with the automakers to uphold and increase the product sales. The supply chain includes raw material suppliers, manufacturers, and product suppliers, e-commerce, and end-users. Automotive relay manufacturers procure raw materials from different suppliers to minimize the risk of delay in manufacturing of the vehicles. Many automakers are dependent on a single supplier for procuring the standardized relays, primarily having long-term agreements signed with the suppliers. Th industry paticipants are mostly forward integrated involving manufacturing and distribution of the product. Relay manufacturers focus on improving the product specifications to satisfy the ever-increasing need for enhanced car electronics and versatility in numerous relays for space saving and high voltage cut-off. Browse key industry insights spread across 365 pages with 360 market data tables & 9 figures & charts from the report, Automotive Relay Market Size By Product (PCB Relay, Plug-in Relay), By Application (Powertrain Systems, Body & Chassis, Convenience, Safety & Security, Driver Information) Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa), Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2017 2024 in detail along with the table of contents: https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/automotive-relay-market Table of Contents (ToC) of the report: Chapter 5 Automotive Relay Market, By Application 5.1 Global automotive relay market share by application, 2016 & 2024 5.2 Powertrain systems 5.2.1 Market estimates and forecast for powertrain systems, 2012 2024, (Million Units) (USD Million) 5.2.2 Market estimates and forecast for powertrain systems by region, 2012 2024, (Million Units) (USD Million) 5.3 Body & chassis 5.3.1 Market estimates and forecast for body & chassis, 2012 2024, (Million Units) (USD Million) 5.3.2 Market estimates and forecast for body & chassis by region, 2012 2024, (Million Units) (USD Million) 5.4 Convenience 5.4.1 Market estimates and forecast for convenience, 2012 2024, (Million Units) (USD Million) 5.4.2 Market estimates and forecast for convenience by region, 2012 2024, (Million Units) (USD Million) 5.5 Safety & security 5.5.1 Market estimates and forecast for safety & security, 2012 2024, (Million Units) (USD Million) 5.5.2 Market estimates and forecast for safety & security by region, 2012 2024, (Million Units) (USD Million) 5.6 Driver information 5.6.1 Market estimates and forecast for driver information, 2012 2024, (Million Units) (USD Million) 5.6.2 Market estimates and forecast for driver information by region, 2012 2024, (Million Units) (USD Million) Browse Full Table of Contents (ToC) @ https://www.gminsights.com/toc/detail/automotive-relay-market About Global Market Insights Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology. Contact Us: Arun Hegde Corporate Sales, USA Global Market Insights, Inc. Phone: 1-302-846-7766 Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688 Email: sales(at)gminsights(dot)com Web: https://www.gminsights.com Infographics: https://www.gminsights.com/infographics Based on real-life accounts he heard while volunteering at a homeless charity, author Ernie Hasler wrote his new suspense novel, Twenty-First-Century Slaves: International People Trafficking (published by AuthorHouse UK), to help people realize that slavery still exists today. The tale follows Nico and Maria Sokota as they trafficked during a time of political upheaval. The book is available for purchase at: https://www.amazon.com/Twenty-First-Century-Slaves-International-People-Trafficking-ebook/dp/B07HMTTF8D. After their parents are murdered, Nico and his sister, Maria, find themselves kidnapped and separated by traffickers when a new regime takes over in their Bosnian homeland. Fearing they might never be reunited, Nico and Maria must endure a world where they are sold to become sex slaves, menial workers or whatever their owners want. After their respective jobs put them close to one another, Nico and Maria, along with some others make plans to escape their situation, knowing that if they are caught, they will be killed. There are 30 million slaves cruelly exploited across the modern world, Hasler declares. It suits employers to use slaves instead of properly paid workers. The people who control slaves are criminals capable of torture and murder. Twenty-First-Century Slaves By Ernie Hasler Softcover | 6 x 9 in | 294 pages | ISBN 9781546298229 E-Book | 294 pages | ISBN 9781546298212 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Ernie Hasler started working as an apprentice engineer with the Ministry of Defense at Royal Ordnance in Bishopton, Scotland, at 16. He retired as a health and safety advisor after more than a half century of work. Hasler became active in the trade union early in his career and was the first advisor in Scotland to gain the specialist National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health or NEBOSH diploma in environmental management. In his spare time, he ran a small charity Plant Tree Save Planet starting womens tree nurseries in poor countries, but closed it due to poor health. He continues to fund tree planting through Trees for the Future, at a rate of 20,000 seedlings per year. As a voluntary trustee with Emmaus Glasgow for 21 years, he helped take it from an aspirational concept to a functioning community of up to 27 previously homeless people; Emmaus Glasgow now also match his tree planting funding. Hasler has also published: Whats Happening to Our World, Poems: Reflecting the Truth and Original Bible Truth. Our clinical trials in obesity, diabetes and now hypertension have demonstrated the effectiveness of our digital therapeutic in treating and reversing diseases that are common, costly and caused by the same short list of behaviors. Better Therapeutics LLC, a company developing new forms of medicine to treat and reverse the most common diseases, presented clinical trial results demonstrating effectiveness in treating diabetes and hypertension. Today, at the annual conference of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Drs. David Katz, Chief Science Officer, and Mark Berman, Head of Health, presented data from two clinical trials making a case for the use of a novel digital therapeutic in the treatment of these common diseases. Digital therapeutics are an emerging form of medicine that use software as the therapeutic agent in order to achieve clinically meaningful outcomes in patients. In a study published earlier this year, Betters digitally delivered behavioral intervention demonstrated effectiveness in lowering blood sugar among individuals with type 2 diabetes. After 12 weeks of treatment, average A1c was reduced -.8%, and continued to improve after the intervention period to -1.5%. Results of the study were peer-reviewed and published earlier this year. The companys most recent study among individuals with hypertension demonstrated an average reduction in systolic blood pressure of -11.4 mmHg, more than two times the level of clinical meaningfulness. Among those with more severe hypertension (blood pressure >= 140/90), 85% reduced blood pressure a clinically meaningful amount and the average systolic reduction was -17.6 mmHg. The complete study will be published later this year and a copy can be requested by email to press@bettertherapeutics.io. Our clinical trials in obesity, diabetes and now hypertension have demonstrated the effectiveness of our digital therapeutic in treating and reversing diseases that are common, costly and caused by the same short list of behaviors, said Kevin Appelbaum, Betters Co-founder and CEO. About Better Therapeutics Better is developing new forms of medicine to treat and reverse common diseases like diabetes and heart disease by addressing root causes. Through value-based arrangements with innovative private health insurers, the company is working with individuals to reverse disease, while lowering costs by reducing the ongoing need for prescription medications. Concurrently, it is advancing the development of clinically validated, FDA cleared, physician prescribed digital therapeutics for cardio metabolic diseases. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, CA, with operations in Boston, MA and Nashville, TN. http://www.bettertherapeutics.io The security industry is undergoing seismic changes and unprecedented growth. The needs of our customers change rapidly, and Brad has years of experience developing strategies that help competitive businesses stay ahead of change and profit from it, said Brian McLaughlin, CEO at Alula. Alula, the leader in smart security systems for dealers, today announced veteran communications executive Brad LaRock has joined the company as Vice President of Marketing. In this role, LaRock will lead all marketing functions at Alula including security dealer growth and expansion of Alulas innovative marketing team. LaRock is an experienced marketing leader with a proven track record in the SaaS and technology space. The security industry is undergoing seismic changes and unprecedented growth, said Brian McLaughlin, chief executive at Alula. The needs of our customers change rapidly, and Brad has years of experience developing strategies that help competitive businesses stay ahead of change and profit from it. Alulas total solution enables a dealers business to reach more consumer types than ever before, making Brads job imperative. Security is one of the most dynamic and exciting areas in technology today, said Brad LaRock, vice president of marketing at Alula. There are a lot of companies offering smart, connected systems for security, but Alula is the only one offering a simplified solution thats flexible and scalable enough to put complete control of the system in the hands of dealers and their customers. My career has focused on helping companies grow their businesses smartly and profitably. Im excited to join Alula to help professional dealers and installers build better, stronger businesses for the future. LaRock is an experienced marketing leader with a proven track record in the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) category. Brad comes to Alula from healthcare marketplace Gravie, where he served as the chief marketing officer. At Gravie, he spearheaded all marketing and communications programs around the companys mission to help their business customers improve profits while increasing value for the consumer. Prior to Gravie, Brad served as vice president and general manager of MarketForce, a global digital marketing agency at Digital River where he led his teams to help businesses generate demand for their products and services with cutting-edge digital sales and marketing programs. LaRock has served as an advisor to cause-marketing platform Gelper, and a mentor for the Minnesota Cup business plan competition. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication from Minnesota State University Moorhead. About Alula Alula is the only security platform that delivers simplified security for independent security dealers and installers, and the customers who rely on their services and expertise. Today, thousands of dealers across North America have nearly 300,000 active locations secured and connected with Alula. Designed for security professionals, the Alula platform provides a complete security, alarm, video and automation solution for renters, homeowners and commercial installations. Alula is a business-driven security platform designed to reduce truck rolls, increase RMR, simplify inventory and put dealers in control of their business, their customers and their revenue. The Alula platform is available nationwide through distributors that cater to the alarm and integrator industry. http://www.alula.net. Aspirational societies realize that having equal opportunity for everyone to succeed through hard work, thus enabling the poor to get rich, is encouraged when governments provide a supporting legal, structural, and institutional framework. In his October 19, 2018 Intellectual Takeout article, Why the U.S. Must Become an Aspirational Society Once Again, independent broker-dealer recruiter Jon Henschen explores how The United States could be classified by this term once upon a time, but in more recent years it has morphed into an envious society instead. In his Intellectual Takeout article, Henschen defines an aspirational society as one that feels that the solution for poverty is for the poor to have the opportunity to become rich through hard work and self-improvement. He identifies Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, and Chile as current aspirational societies. By contrast, Henschen asserts that France is a society consumed by envy, citing several examples, noting it is all too common for neighbors to call authorities out of envy claiming their neighbor isnt paying taxes because they installed a swimming pool or bought an expensive car. According to Henschen, this envy stems from a mentality that the economy is a finite pie and inequality results if someone gets a bigger slice of the economic pie. He continues that by stating that what many miss is that the economy is not a finite pie, but thousands of pies, with inventors and entrepreneurs making new pies as they innovate, while obsolete pies fade away. Henschen continues that, Unfortunately, envy saps happiness and satisfaction, robbing the individual of the ability to enjoy and be grateful for good fortune. This state of mind not only harms the envier, but those toward whom the envy is directed. Further, according to Henschen, envy has been made into a virtue by politicians, who recognize it as a way of gaining power and control over unsuspecting populations. Rather than focusing on improving themselves, the envious believe their path to happiness is tied to the fate of those they envy. In essence, their happiness will be increased if they can pull others down, an attitude which runs counter to a prosperous society and hinders social progress. In support, Henschen offers this quote on the subject, by scholar Tony Esolen, Now if we set aside our politically correct egalitarianismthat anti-politics of universal envywe may see why the hatred of anothers good not only hurts the community, but destroys the very foundation upon which a community must be built. That is because we are plainly not endowed with the same fortune, talents, health, and industry. And we should give thanks to God for that inequality, since He it is who has willed it. Continuing, Henschen notes that aspirational societies realize that having equal opportunity for everyone to succeed through hard work, thus enabling the poor to get rich, is encouraged when governments provide a supporting legal, structural, and institutional framework. Common threads in current, upwardly mobile societies are small government, low taxes, few government regulations, rule of law, sound money, business efficiency, and free trade. Aspirational societies respond to inequality by working toward remedying that which is lacking in the individual rather than attempting to seize from others or through destructive revolution. That the U.S. has some semblance of an aspirational society can be seen in an article, The Vice of Envy, by author Rod Dreher. In it, Dreher shares how a Parisian friend immigrated to the U.S. out of frustration. He explained that the culture of envy was terribly destructive in France. He was labeled as a tax cheat because he drove a nice car. France so destroyed his incentive to work, that he came to America and built a successful business, consequently providing employment to many. But while his business was thriving in America, France was experiencing riots over retirement age and the length of the work week. Given that French workers get 24 paid vacation days versus 10 in the U.S., its not hard to see why Drehers Parisian friend jumped ship and headed to the U.S. to start a business. Such an action was not necessarily fair or unjust, either. There is a false assumption that justice requires equality in all things. But as Dreher points out, egalitarianism can offend greatly against justice and become a disaster for all. A just society is one in which there is unavoidably some measure of inequality. Thus, true social justice should consist not in egalitarianism, but in working to see people justly rewarded for their labors, the very thing which aspirational societies do well. Henschen concludes by asking, If America drifted back toward such an aspirational society, would we see less bickering and more prosperity amongst its citizens? Jon Henschen is president of Henschen & Associates, a Twin Cities-based firm that matches financial advisors to independent broker dealers. He has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry and has worked as a registered financial advisor in both the independent and wirehouse channels. Jon has been featured in numerous financial publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg News, Reuters, and the New York Post. They are only allowed to vote in the city school board race, and the fear that their information may reach U.S. officials appears to be stronger than the desire to have a say in their children's education. Only 35 noncitizens have signed up to vote as of Monday, the registration deadline in California, according to San Francisco's Department of Elections. The effects of the first U.S. state to mandate women directors on corporate boards is the subject of a new study by researchers at the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School. Firms headquartered in California saw a significant decline in shareholder value after the Sept. 30 passage of a law to mandate women directors on boards of publicly held firms. Californias Senate Bill 826 (SB 826) passed on September 30, 2018, is the first law in the U.S. requiring women on corporate boards. It was based on the premise that publicly held companies perform better when women serve on their board of directors. The decline in shareholder value was directly related to the number of women directors companies are required to add to their boards, according to a new study by researchers at the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School. UNC Kenan-Flagler researchers Anil Shivdasani, Wells Fargo Distinguished Professor of Finance; Elena Simintzi, Assistant Professor of Finance; and Sunwoo Hwang, a PhD candidate in finance share their findings in Mandating Women on Boards: Evidence from the United States. Their findings show: The costs of mandated female board membership arise from supply constraints on the pool of female board candidates. Smaller firms, which facer greater constraints in attracting qualified board candidates than large firms, experience more negative abnormal returns. Location matters. Firms that can access a larger pool of female directors by virtue of their proximity to a major airport do not experience a decline in shareholder value. The negative wealth effects are concentrated among firms with weak corporate governance. Firms with strong corporate governance do not experience significant changes in shareholder wealth. The law and its effects Women are starkly underrepresented on corporate boards. In the U.S., women represent on average 16 percent of the board for Russell 3000 firms and 21 percent of the boards do not have a single female director. Female representation is only slightly better in Europe where women make up an average of 23 percent of boards at large publicly listed European firms. There is substantial regulatory push across the globe to address this imbalance. France and Norway have mandated board quotas for women, and the European Commission recently advanced proposals for female director quotas for EU member nations. SB 826 mandates that all publicly traded companies incorporated or headquartered in the state have at least one female director by the calendar-year end of 2019. It also requires that by year end 2021 all firms have at least one female director if the board has four members or fewer, two female directors if the board has five members, and three female directors if the board has six members or more. At the announcement of the signing of SB 826, companies headquartered in California experienced a statistically significant abnormal return of -1.4 percent. While the UNC researchers evidence comes from just one state, the law encompasses a sizeable number of U.S. firms. As of June 2017, 446 publicly traded companies in the Russell 3000 index were headquartered in California and these firms represented nearly $5 trillion in market capitalization or about 15 percent of the Russell 3000 index. The impact of Californias law has implications for firms in other U.S. states. In passing it, California legislators, including Governor Jerry Brown and Senator Hannah Beth Jackson, expressed the desire that other U.S. states would follow. News outlets have reported that Californias law might provide other states with the impetus to advance similar legislation. Indeed, we find suggestive evidence that expectations of similar legislation could have been impounded into the valuations of companies in other states as a result of this law, said the study. What the study doesnt address While the studys results show that mandated gender diversity on corporate boards is detrimental to shareholder value, they do not answer the question of whether these policies should be implemented. Our results do not speak to whether these policies have positive long-term effects on womens labor market outcomes, whether they enhance fairness and equity in the workplace, and ultimately lead to improved outcomes for firms stakeholders, said Shivdasani. The negative wealth effects we document appear to be driven by the limited pool of qualified female director candidates, a factor that likely is tied to the under-representation of women on corporate boards, said Simintzi. Higher demand for female directors as a result of the gender quotas could help disturb this equilibrium with positive, long-term effects for society, an issue beyond the scope of our research. # About the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School Consistently ranked one of the world's best business schools, UNC Kenan-Flagler offers a broad range of programs Undergraduate, MBA and Master of Accounting, PhD and Executive Development and extraordinary, real-life learning experiences. Faculty demonstrate unparalleled dedication to students learning and a commitment to world-class research that addresses critical business challenges. Contributing to the Schools thought leadership is the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, which promotes innovative, market-based solutions to vital economic issues. UNC Kenan-Flaglers collaborative culture is rooted in core values that date back to its founding in 1919, and graduates are renowned as effective, principled leaders with the technical knowledge and leadership skills to deliver results in the global business environment. City of Saline joins the MITN Purchasing Group Registered vendors can access bids, related documents, addendum and award information. The City of Saline has officially joined the MITN Purchasing Group, one of BidNets regional e-procurment solutions, providing vendors throughout Michigan easy online access its upcoming solicitations. The City of Saline invites all vendors to register online at http://www.bidnetdirect.com/mitn. The regional purchasing group connects local governments with vendors looking to do business with public agencies. On the MITN Purchasing Group, vendors seeking business with 208 participating agencies can register online to gain access to a single point of entry for opportunities throughout Michigan. By posting upcoming bids and RFPs on the MITN Purchasing Group, the City of Saline ensures an entire community of vendors can view their solicitation, download documents, and receive notification of addenda. The vendors self-register and ensure their contact information is up to date. Because we arent the only agency posting and distributing bids, the MITN Purchasing Group provides the City of Saline more vendor competition, which we hope will help cut costs. said Todd J. Campbell, City Manager of the City of Saline when asked why their department decided to join the MITN Purchasing Group. We also like that it can help our current vendors expand their business opportunities. The City of Saline invites all local vendors to visit http://www.bidnetdirect.com/mitn and register to receive access to its upcoming solicitations as well as the upcoming bids and RFPs from 207 other public agencies participating on the MITN Purchasing Group. Registered vendors have the option to upgrade their service to receive customized bid alerts, notification of term contract expiration, and notification of a real-time addendum. About the City of Saline: There still exists a town where the shop and restaurant owners know your name. Where kids feel safe to play. Where the schools are exceptional. Where families love to stroll. And where you can find nearly anything within a few miles. A place where things are a little slower, a little simpler, and just a little quieter. That place is Saline. And we'd love for you to come by for a visit. Our wonderful community has over 9,000 residents and covers 4.3 square miles. Saline enjoys an abundance of parks, museums, walking paths, retails shop and businesses that can be enjoyed by all. About the MITN Purchasing Group: The MITN Purchasing Group is a part of BidNets regional purchasing groups available at no cost to local government agencies throughout the country. With years of input from procurement professionals, BidNet specifically developed the bid system to fill the need for a robust bid and supplier management solution for local government agencies. BidNet runs 40 regional purchasing groups used by over 1,300 local governments. To learn more and have your government agency gain better transparency and efficiency in purchasing, please visit https://www.bidnetdirect.com/buyers LNG-powered ConRo ship El Coqui approaches San Juan in its maiden voyage. The ship is first in its class, leading the modernization of the U.S. mainland-Puerto Rico supply chain. The vessel is powered by liquefied natural gas its the cleanest fossil fuel available. It will serve as a shining example of the technological innovation thats going to allow this industry to remain a global leader for decades to come. Crowley Maritime Corp. on Saturday christened its Commitment Class combination container/roll on-roll off ship El Coqui, which is among the first of its kind to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The ship is a key new component in Crowleys supply chain transformation in the U.S. mainland-Puerto Rico trade. A crowd of more than 350 people, including White House officials; U.S. congressional members; local officials; representatives from ship builder, VT Halter Marine, and Eagle LNG joined Crowley employees, vessel crew members and other industry and union representatives to celebrate this milestone. As shown in this video, Crowley Board of Directors Member Christine Crowley, spouse of Chairman and CEO Tom Crowley, served as sponsor performing the time-honored tradition of breaking a champagne bottle over the hull of the 720-foot vessel at the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal in Jacksonville, Fla. The event included remarks by Tom Crowley; Alexander B. Gray, Special Assistant to the President for the Defense Industrial Base; Resident Commissioner Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon of Puerto Rico; U.S. Reps. John Rutherford and Ted Yoho, both of Florida; and Augustin "Augie" Tellez, Executive Vice President, Seafarers International Union. Its a culmination of many, many years of hard work, many, many years of transition for this company, said Chairman and CEO Tom Crowley, who applauded the companys employees and partners for their success designing, constructing and operating the ship. Its remarkable to see the transition. Whether its going from Ro/Ro to Lo/Lo, the LNG fuel, putting a car house on the back of a container ship, you name it, you go through the transition of what we did to build a ship and create a supply chain that nobody else can match. And its here today, continued Crowley. El Coqui, which arrived in San Juan on her maiden voyage July 30, is 219.5 meters (720 feet), 26,500 deadweight tons (DWT), and able to transport up to 2,400 twenty-foot-equivalent container units (TEUs) at a cruising speed of 22 knots. The ship can accommodate containers in a wide range of sizes and types including 53-foot by 102-inch-wide, high-capacity containers and refrigerated containers. Within the ship is an enclosed, ventilated and weather-tight Ro/Ro deck that can protectively carry cars and larger vehicles. This type of shipboard garage is offered exclusively by Crowley in the trade, enhancing supply chain solutions for customers. The ship is the first of two vessels built as part of Crowleys Commitment Class project. Her sister ship Taino is in the final phases of construction and testing at VT Halter Marines shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. She is expected to be delivered later this year. Gray lauded the commitment by the company and U.S. maritime industry to lead an innovative new era of maritime and supply chain services that support economic and national security. El Coqui represents not just the $3 billion investment that Crowley has made in this industry in recent years, it really is the future of the maritime industry itself, Gray said. The vessel is powered by liquefied natural gas its the cleanest fossil fuel available. It will serve as a shining example of the technological innovation thats going to allow this industry to remain a global leader for decades to come. The Jones Act ships are U.S.-built, owned and crewed. They are part of Crowleys $550 million investment under the Commitment Class project, modernizing its supply chain solutions serving diverse customer needs in Puerto Rico, including three new gantry cranes; a new 900-foot pier; and an enhanced terminal operating system at the Isla Grande Terminal in San Juan. In Jacksonville, Crowley partner Eagle LNG constructed an LNG bunker fuel station to fuel the new ships that is among the first of its kind, too. Many people may talk about amending the Jones Act or taking it away, but theyre not living on the island, said Rep. Gonzalez-Colon. And they dont need that supply on a daily basis, on a weekly basis, and have it reliable like we receive it today and thats the reason I support the Jones Act. Crowley has served Puerto Rico since 1954, longer than any other U.S. shipping company. To learn more about its industry-leading investment in Puerto Rico, including videos and photo galleries, visit a special microsite: conro.crowley.com. About Crowley Jacksonville-based Crowley Holdings Inc., a holding company of the 126-year-old Crowley Maritime Corporation, is a privately held family and employee-owned company that provides marine solutions, energy and logistics services in domestic and international markets. Crowley operates under four business units: Crowley LOGISTICS, a singular ocean liner and logistics supply chain division; Crowley SHIPPING, which encompasses ownership, operations and management of vessels, including tankers, container ships, tugboats and barges; Crowley FUELS, a fuel transportation, distribution and sales division that also provides liquefied natural gas (LNG) and related services; and Crowley SOLUTIONS, which focuses on government services, including vessel management for government agencies, as well as engineering, project management, naval architecture through its subsidiary Jensen Maritime, and marine salvage and emergency response through its 50 percent ownership in Ardent Global. Additional information about Crowley, its subsidiaries and business units may be found at http://www.crowley.com. The crew of El Coqui stands with Christine, Bannon and Tom Crowley outside the ship at JAXPORT. Transitioning vessels from concept into an operating status takes the right people, and this was carefully done by individually selecting each superintendent and crew member. Crowley Maritime Corp.s new container/roll on-roll off (ConRo) ships El Coqui and Taino have received international acclaim with the Shoreside Team of the Year Award during the Safety at Sea Awards ceremony held by Safety at Sea International magazine recently in London. According to the publication, which is published by the international business information and analytics firm IHS Markit headquartered in London, this award recognizes actions or intervention that have been notable or gone beyond the call of duty. Judges said the award category required collaboration and co-operation, blended with commitment to safety and the winner has excelled in all. Specifically, Crowley was honored for the design, development and construction of its two new Commitment Class, liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered ConRo ships and the terminals that serve them. The project is part of a $550 million investment modernizing and enhancing the companys end-to-end supply chain solutions, featuring vessels running on cleaner fuel that are first in their class. In addition, the company spearheaded innovations at its Isla Grande Terminal in San Juan, Puerto Rico, including new cranes, a 900-foot new pier and enhanced terminal operations that speed cargo in and out. In Jacksonville, a unique LNG Fuel Depot is operating at JAXPORT, providing dependable bunkering. This was a joint effort of hundreds of shoreside and sailing mariners, said Rob Grune, senior vice president and general manager, Crowley SHIPPING. Transitioning vessels from concept into an operating status takes the right people, and this was carefully done by individually selecting each superintendent and crew member. Ensuring our staff had the necessary tools to safely operate these complex vessels was key. We assigned operating personnel to the yard team well ahead of equipment installation and commissioning. Operating engineers established inventory and maintenance system requirements. Crowley provided over 40 hours of online training to meet company and regulatory familiarization for operating personnel shoreside and onboard. We also provided weeks of classroom training specific to LNG operations. The team was also committed to building strong relationships with our partners and local, state and federal authorities to make this program safe and successful, said Crowley's Cole Cosgrove, vice president, global ship management. As part of the training curriculum for these industry-defining LNG-powered vessels, Crowley developed programs to train mariners and shoreside personnel on main and auxiliary engine operation and maintenance, programmable logic controller training, electrical certification for hazardous spaces, deck and engine officer skills assessments, development of vessel specific training videos for special operations like deployment of the vessel stern ramp and introduction to Crowleys Safety Management System, corporate goals and values, all of which are the basis of the companys safety culture program, Leading One Crowley. El Coqui and Taino, are among the worlds first ConRos powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). The ships are dedicated to the U.S. mainland-Puerto Rico cargo trade and have a cruising speed of 22 knots. The vessels can carry about 2,400 containers in a wide range of sizes and types including 53-foot by 102-inch-wide, high-capacity containers and refrigerated containers. Within the ships is an enclosed, ventilated and weather-tight Ro/Ro deck that can protectively carry cars and larger vehicles. This type of shipboard garage is offered exclusively by Crowley in the trade. For more on the ground-breaking new Commitment Class ships and terminal investments, visit Crowley's special microsite here. Crowleys Global Ship Management team was also awarded the Crew of the Year award for MV National Glory, a containership managed by Crowley and owned by National Shipping of America, LLC. Judges for the award determined that the crew of National Glory, demonstrated their incredible teamwork and commitment to ensure the cargo vessel they worked on could deliver goods for recovery efforts in hurricane-stricken Puerto Rico. Crowley crewmembers aboard MV National Glory have shown leadership and continued focus on safety over the past 12 months as they prepared the vessel for one of the busiest times in the vessels U.S. flag history - assisting in the recovery of Puerto Rico post Hurricane Maria, said Cosgrove. The vessel has gone over six years without a lost time incident. Her crew lives the Crowley goals of safe and reliable operations with Zero Harm to People, the Environment or Property. Dodging three hurricanes in just over three weeks, the skilled crew of the National Glory diligently navigated key supplies to our families and friends that live in Puerto Rico. Full marks deservedly go to the crew of the National Glory for their courageous efforts, said Tony Presti, president, National Shipping. About Crowley Jacksonville-based Crowley Holdings Inc., a holding company of the 126-year-old Crowley Maritime Corporation, is a privately held family and employee-owned company that provides marine solutions, energy and logistics services in domestic and international markets. Crowley operates under four business units: Crowley LOGISTICS, a singular ocean liner and logistics supply chain division; Crowley SHIPPING, which encompasses ownership, operations and management of vessels, including tankers, container ships, tugboats and barges; Crowley FUELS, a fuel transportation, distribution and sales division that also provides liquefied natural gas (LNG) and related services; and Crowley SOLUTIONS, which focuses on government services, including vessel management for government agencies, as well as engineering, project management, naval architecture through its subsidiary Jensen Maritime, and marine salvage and emergency response through its 50 percent ownership in Ardent Global. Additional information about Crowley, its subsidiaries and business units may be found at http://www.crowley.com. # # # Customers can get pre-approved online with Kyle Chapman Motors. Customers in the Austin, Texas area can get pre-approved online in a matter of minutes on the Kyle Chapman Motors website. This online financing is convenient, quick and easy for customers that do not have a lot of spare time. To be pre-approved online, customers must fill out a form and put in their personal contact information, employment information and vehicle preference. After the form is complete and submitted, customers should hear back shortly from the dealerships employees. Drivers with poor or broken credit can also fill out the form to receive assistance from someone at the dealership that will help to get started rebuilding it. This online pre-approval for financing is good for all three of the Kyle Chapman Motors dealership locations. The dealership also offers more financial help such as valuing your trade. Drivers can easily put in their vehicle information and have an estimate in a few seconds. For more information on the online credit pre-approval, check out the dealerships page by clicking here. More financing help can be found under the Finance tab on their website. Kyle Chapman Motors has three locations Austin, Buda/Kyle and San Marcos. The Austin location is located at 5324 Airport Blvd. In Austin, Texas. Shoppers interested in learning more can contact the Austin dealership at 737-701-5715. Those interested in learning about how stem cell therapy could improve their or their loved ones quality of life can take advantage of a brand-new online resource by Dr. Karl Jawhari, D.C. reviews for which have been extremely positive. The new resource, a blog website located at http://www.drkarljawharireviews.com/, offers a variety of information and tips related to both stem cell therapy and neuropathy. So far, Jawharis website has received glowing feedback from visitors thanks to his years of industry experience and knowledge, as well as his unique insights into this constantly evolving and promising area of medicine. Jawhari currently works at Core Integrative Health Solutions in Dallas, Texas. The facility treats a variety of chronic orthopedic aliments, spine conditions, injuries, and other medical conditions. At his new blog site, visitors can learn about the symptoms and causes of chronic pain, as well as the current treatments for it. Jawhari pays special attention to the spine itself as well as the spinal discs, problems with which can cause both back and neck pain. Jawhari additionally provides details about how neurotherapy can assist a patients brain in regulating its pain receptors, thus providing the patient with much-needed pain relief. The chiropractic doctor additionally highlights stem cell therapy, which has been used for more than 30 years to treat particular forms of leukemia by replacing damaged cells in the blood with healthy ones. Recently, this type of therapy has drawn attention for potentially helping to treat immunological diseases -- specifically, neurodegenerative diseases, heart disease, spinal cord injury, and brain injury. In the future, Jawhari expects to add various pages/sections to his website to expand upon it. His ultimate goal is to help people to overcome the challenges associated with chronic pain and other health conditions so that they experience an improved quality of life and overall well-being long term. We are very grateful to those who have supported us and grown with us over the years. We credit our success to a strong base of loyal customers, key industry partnerships, and the hard work and dedication of our talented employees. Past News Releases RSS Electronic Drives and Controls to... Electronic Drives and Controls... Electronic Drives and Controls, Inc. (EDC), a leading control system integrator and field service company for industrial automation and drive technology, today announced October 2018 marks the companys 50-year anniversary. Family owned and operated, the company was founded in 1968 by Henry H. Dillard, Jr. and his wife Naomi Dillard and is headquartered in Parsippany, NJ serving the Tri-State area and beyond. Currently, EDC staff includes three generations of Dillards and 19 engineers and technicians. Naomi Dillard still answers the phone with same friendly southern Georgia accent she had 50 years ago and helps with accounts payable. At the helm of the company are the four children of Henry and Naomi: President, Henry H. Dillard, III, and Vice Presidents, Chuck Dillard, Deborah Dillard-Deluca, and Ben Dillard. Company President Henry H. Dillard III remarked, "We are very grateful to those who have supported us and grown with us over the years. We credit our success to a strong base of loyal customers, key industry partnerships, and the hard work and dedication of our talented employees, many of which have been with our company for multiple decades. Our fathers core values of providing innovative solutions, responsive service, and fair prices remains our guiding principles for our company today. During the past 50 years, EDC has built a tradition of excellence in providing its customers with specialized preventive maintenance service and control system integration solutions for AC/DC drives, PLCs and factory automation. EDC is a factory authorized/factory trained service center for over 40 drive brands and has alliances with world class hardware and software providers. In addition, the company provides customers with reliable 24/7/365 emergency support services with a team of highly-trained service engineers on call, ready to respond. The company hosted an open house and party on October 11, 2018 to celebrate its 50-year milestone with EDCs employees, customers, partners, family and friends. The celebration was a great opportunity to thank everyone and reminisce the years gone by. As a family, we are proud and honored to be carrying on our fathers legacy 50 years after it all started, said Vice President Chuck Dillard. About Electronic Drives and Controls, Inc. Founded in 1968, Electronic Drives and Controls, Inc. (EDC) is a CSIA Certified control system integrator with a large field service team specializing in AC and DC drives, PLCs and factory automation headquartered in Parsippany, NJ. Family owned and operated for 50 years, EDCs team of engineers and technicians has great depth of experience integrating new control systems and breathing life into older equipment. EDC has the engineering capability to design, build, start-up and service projects from the sophisticated to the simple and the service support team on call 24/7/365 to keep it all running at peak efficiency from day 1 and for years to come. In addition to the companys certification as a Siemens Solution Partner and a Rockwell Automation Recognized System Integrator, EDC is a factory authorized/factory trained service center for over 40 drive brands. Individuals who are not sure about the rights when interacting with police can now access a brand-new online resource by law aficionado Eric Wetlaufer that is designed to conveniently answer all of their questions. The new website can be found at http://www.EricWetlaufer.com/. According to Wetlaufer, todays climate is extremely hostile, so it is critical that people know their inalienable rights when dealing with law enforcement. Wetlaufer decided to launch his new website after discovering how little people know regarding their rights. Wetlaufer is currently pursuing his dream of becoming a lawyer, either a state prosecutor or a criminal defense attorney. However, he is also greatly interested in criminal justice. His interest in both of these fields span back to high school, where he was an avid debater. During this time, he also enjoyed watching television shows such as Boston Legal, Night Court, The Practice, and Law and Order. Since high school, Wetlaufer has come to the realization that the United States far-reaching criminal justice system has its flaws. These flaws include people slipping through the cracks, as well as people being wrongly accused of crimes and thus sentenced to jail time for crimes they never committed. At the same time, criminals are walking free each day. Wetlaufer said that the abovementioned injustices will not cease until all individuals fully understand their rights in the criminal justice system. For this reason, he looks forward to sharing the latest on legal matters, news related to the criminal justice system, and basic legal rightsrelated information. For instance, visitors to Wetlaufers website can find out what to do if police stop them on a sidewalk or knock on their doors. Eric Wetlaufers ultimate goal is to help people to live confidently and as clear and free citizens both now and in the years ahead. The study found that PrEP is effective in decreasing HIV incidence in a primary care setting, but social and behavioral issues need to be addressed to optimize its impact. An analysis of patient data from Fenway Health in Boston shows that PrEP is an effective form of prevention against HIV infection. The analysis was presented in an abstract at the HIV Research for Prevention meeting in Madrid on Tuesday, October 23. Of 16,128 patients who underwent HIV testing at Fenway Health at least twice between 2012 and 2017, 25%, or 3,965, were prescribed PrEP. While 1.34% of the patients followed who were not using PrEP seroconverted, only 0.43% of those who were ever prescribed PrEP and 0.13% of those with a current PrEP prescription at the time of infection did. Those PrEP patients who did seroconvert included those who had discontinued using PrEP and those who reported barriers to regular PrEP use, including insurance issues, scheduling challenges and perceived changes in risk. 12 of them had discontinued PrEP over a month before becoming infected, meaning only 5 patients who reported recent PrEP use became infected. Of those, only one patient with a current PrEP prescription who self-reported adequate adherence seroconverted, suggesting that when PrEP is used regularly as prescribed, it greatly reduces an individuals chances of acquiring HIV. We found that between 2012 and 2017, almost 4,000 patients initiated PrEP at Fenway Health, one of the largest groups in a single US health care system. The rate of new HIV infections was significantly decreased among patients prescribed PrEP compared to those who did not access PrEP, said Kenneth H. Mayer, MD, Medical Research Director and Co-Chair of The Fenway Institute at Fenway Health and lead author on the abstract. Most of the few patients who became infected after being prescribed PrEP had discontinued it because of either insurance issues, challenges in engaging in care, changes in their risk perception, or concerns about stigma. The study found that PrEP is effective in decreasing HIV incidence in a primary care setting, but social and behavioral issues need to be addressed to optimize its impact. The patients who were part of this analysis were all being seen at Fenway Health, a health center that has long-established expertise in caring for sexual and gender minorities and also has programs that help cover drug costs. This may not be the case elsewhere, so while the findings demonstrate the effectiveness of PrEP among this patient population, wider application of PrEP will require addressing multiple behavioral and social/structural issues impacting those who could benefit from this HIV prevention approach. HIV Research for Prevention (HIVR4P) is the worlds only scientific meeting dedicated exclusively to biomedical HIV prevention, including vaccines, antibodies, microbicides, treatment as prevention, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and new forms of HIV prevention. Founded in 2014 and emerging from the previous AIDS vaccine and microbicide conferences, the biennial HIVR4P meeting responds to a growing consensus that effective HIV prevention requires a combination of approaches and close collaboration between fields of HIV prevention research. Conference funders include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, U.S. National Institutes of Health, Gilead, ViiV Healthcare, anRs (French Agency for Research on AIDS & Viral Hepatitis), Janssen, GSK, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Gobierno de Espana, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades, International Partnership for Microbicides, MSD, and the South African Medical Research Council. The conference secretariat is the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise. In 2020, the International AIDS Society will assume the secretariat role for the conference. Since 1971, Fenway Health has been working to make life healthier for the people in our neighborhoods, the LGBT community, people living with HIV/AIDS and the broader population. The Fenway Institute at Fenway Health is an interdisciplinary center for research, training, education and policy development focusing on national and international health issues. Fenways Sidney Borum Jr. Health Center cares for youth and young adults ages 12 to 29, including those who are LGBT or just figuring things out; homeless; struggling with substance use; or living with HIV/AIDS. AIDS Action, Fenways public health division, works to reduce the number of HIV infections while supporting those already infected, and operates a needle exchange that serves as an entry point to healthcare services for active substance users. Fall Savvy Women Summit We are so pleased to bring together women from all walks of life to an evening of education, inspiration and community building for the Bigger Dreams that we all have in our hearts and minds, said Marilyn Suey. The Diamond Group Wealth Advisors is pleased to announce that Marilyn Suey and the Heritage Bank of Commerce are co-hosting The Seventh Savvy Women Summit Taking Control of Their Work, Their Wealth and Their Worth- Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 at the Blackhawk Country Club. This Falls Savvy Women Summit brings together women who have stepped up to run in the 2018 Mid- Term Election, California Assemblywomen Catharine Baker, as well as candidate, Lynn Mackey for Contra Costa Superintendent of Schools. In addition, Traci Engle, Author and Business Entrepreneur, will inspire the audience with her story of triumph over tragedy. This evenings event, in its fourth year, that supports women to Dream Bigger, Dream Bolder for a Brighter Future, brings together, business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, and women, who are successfully retired, from the entire San Francisco Bay Area. We are so pleased to bring together women from all walks of life to an evening of education, inspiration and community building for the Bigger Dreams that we all have in our hearts and minds, said Marilyn Suey. What has sprung from a little book called, 36 Quick Tips for Savvy Women - Taking Control of Their Work, Their Wealth and Their Worth, has made an enormous impact on our community. We enjoy collaborating with Marilyn Suey, her team and the work that she has done to build the Savvy Women community to support women, to build their Bigger, Brighter futures, said Cathy Raty, Senior Vice President and Regional Manager, of the Heritage Bank of Commerce. The education, inspiration and connection among women, is so very important now and in the future. To RSVP to the Savvy Women Fall Social Summit. Please contact Kelley Sastokas at 925-219-0080 or at kelley.sastokas@diamondgroupwealthadvisors.com About The Diamond Group Wealth Advisors The Diamond Group Wealth Advisors is an independent wealth management firm that empowers its clients to design and define their ideal lifestyles starting today, for tomorrow and for life. We follow a disciplined planning process that enables our clients to build their customized Prosperity Blueprint that guides them as they travel on their path toward financial independence. Our clients understand that their wealth is more than their money. Working with us, using our Prosperity Blue Print Process, we help guide our clients to take care of their families, and the people and causes they care about deeply. For more information visit http://www.diamondgroupwealthadvisors.com or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/The-Diamond-Group-Wealth-Advisors-1921023328178564/and find us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilyn-suey-933134. Marilyn Suey is a registered representative with, and securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Strategic Wealth Advisors Group, LLC, and a registered investment advisor. Strategic Wealth Advisors Group, LLC. And The Diamond Group Wealth Advisors are separate entities from LPL Financial. CA Insurance License #0E01981. About Heritage Bank of Commerce Based in the heart of Silicon Valley, Heritage Commerce Corp is the parent company of Heritage Bank of Commerce established in 1994. Heritage Bank of Commerce with offices in San Jose, Danville, Fremont, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Morgan Hill, Pleasanton, Sunnyvale, and Walnut Creek offers a full array of business and personal banking services and products to the communities they serve. Democrats will also face the question of whether to try to impeach Trump - something that could also look like an overreach to voters. Trump has been warning that Democrats will try to remove him from office if they seize control of Congress. Pelosi has tried to downplay the idea, while some of the more liberal members in her caucus continue to tout the possibility. Infusing Caring into Teaching and Learning Our conference theme for 2018 brings together educators and lifelong learners to catalyze the concept of caring exchange between teachers and students, said Dr. Abdel Raheem Yosef, Chief Academic Officer at Unitek Learning. On November 12, 2018, Unitek College will host the Third Annual Unitek Conference at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel in Newark, California. This year, the theme of the conference is Infusing Caring into Teaching and Learning. Participants will focus on the impact of caring attributes on student learning experiences. Additionally, world-renowned nursing theorist Jean Watson, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, FAAN, will serve as keynote speaker for this prestigious event. During the conference, Dr. Watson will introduce her theory of caring principles or Caritas. Throughout her career, Dr. Watson has emphasized the importance of caring and healing for the public. Her ultimate goal is one that Unitek shares: to help transform healthcare one caregiver, one educator, one leader, one system at a time. According to Dr. Watson, nurses and other healthcare personnel provide the best care possible when they care for themselves first. The conference will feature attendees and panelists who are experts in their field, including but not limited to: Keynote Speaker Jean Watson, PhD, RN, AHN-BC, FAAN Distinguished Professor and Founder/Director of Watson Caring Science Institute, Joseph Morris, PhD, MSN RN GNP Executive Director of the California Board of Nursing, Jim DAlfonso, DNP, RN, PhD(h), NEA-BC, FNAP Executive Director of Professional Practice, Leadership Development & Research for Kaiser Permanente Northern California , Jeffrey Hudson-Covolo, DNP RN Vice President of Patient Care Services & Chief Nurse Executive at Sierra View Medical Center, and Jessica Gomez, RN, MSN, MBA/HCM Nursing Education Consultant with the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. Beginning the day at 8:00 am, conference participants will attend a meet and greet breakfast. The keynote address will kick off at 8:30 am with Dr. Jean Watson, who will introduce the theme of this years conference: Caring Science Caritas Theory Practice. At 10:30 am, a panel of nurse theorists, California healthcare executives, and esteemed educators will discuss the topic of Caring, which will focus on the importance of a Call-to-Improve caring within healthcare and technology. Sessions in the afternoonAre you Becoming the Person You Used to Hate and How can Technology and Caring Coexistwill set the stage for critical discussion and deep introspection aimed at elevating caring behaviors. The conference will conclude at 4:00 pm with closing remarks from Uniteks leadership team. Our conference theme for 2018 brings together educators and lifelong learners to catalyze the concept of caring exchange between teachers and students, said Dr. Abdel Raheem Yosef, Chief Academic Officer at Unitek Learning. We will discuss strategies in adult education to create a caring environment both inside and outside of the classroom. Additionally, we will focus on principles of effective communication, moral commitment to self and others, and our capacity to increase the quality of teaching overall. Unitek Learning is the parent company of two distinguished learning institutions: Unitek EMT and Unitek College. Taught by experienced professionals, Unitek programs teach the best-practice clinical technique and theory used in the field today. Equipped with a multitude of sought-after skills, Unitek graduates are prepared to excel in many of the fastest-growing careers in healthcare and nursing. Contact: Lou Cabuhat, M.Ed. Ed.D(c) Assistant Dean Allied Health and Technology & Director of Faculty Training and Development 4670 Auto Mall Parkway Fremont, CA 94538 Room 104 Direct: (510) 896-7590 URL: UnitekLearning.com Diego Velazquez, (1599 Seville, Spain 1660 Madrid, Spain), Portrait of a Little Girl, ca. 1638-42, oil on canvas This is one of the most important exhibitions to ever come to Albuquerque. The fact that the Hispanic Society of America selected the Albuquerque Museum as the first stop in the U.S. for this traveling exhibition is a true testament to our citys place in the cultural community. Visions of the Hispanic World tells a rich story of cultures settling in Spain and bringing the best and most innovative elements of their heritage to the Iberian Peninsula and the Spanish colonies. The exhibition will be on view at Albuquerque Museum from Nov. 10, 2018 - March 31, 2019. PART I Nov. 10, 2018 through March 31, 2019 Ancient, Islamic, Medieval, Golden Age Spain, Colonial and 19th century Latin America, including works by El Greco, Velazquez, and Zubaran PART II Dec. 22 through March 31, 2019 Goya through the 1920s in Spain The exhibition Visions of the Hispanic World: Treasures from the Hispanic Society Museum & Library includes over 200 of the most exceptional works spanning over 3,000 years in the collections of the Hispanic Society of America. A significant number of these works have not been exhibited outside of the Hispanic Society, and some have never before been exhibited. Visions of the Hispanic World is one of the most important exhibitions to ever come to Albuquerque, said Mayor Tim Keller. The fact that the Hispanic Society of America selected the Albuquerque Museum as the first stop in the U.S. for this traveling exhibition is a true testament to our citys place in the cultural community. "Visions of the Hispanic World tells a rich story of cultures settling in Spain and bringing the best and most innovative elements of their heritage to the Iberian Peninsula and the Spanish colonies, says Albuquerque Museums Director Andrew Connors. Although a relatively poor state, New Mexico is culturally rich in diversity and historic heritage. This exhibit allows New Mexicans to celebrate world cultures through exceptional artistic masterpieces of a nation linked through history to many who live here. Works of art from prehistory into the Modern era demonstrate the wealth of knowledge we can gain from new communities willing to contribute their best to a new land. First U.S. showing at Albuquerque Museum (November 2018) Organized by the Hispanic Society of America (New York) Previously at the Museo Nacional del Prado (2017) and the Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City in (June 2018) This exhibition is organized by The Hispanic Society of America and is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. Local Partners: Albuquerque Museum, City of Albuquerque, Albuquerque Museum Foundation, and Visit Albuquerque. More information can be found at http://www.cabq.gov/visions BACKGROUND: Curated by Mitchell A. Codding, Executive Director at the Hispanic Society, and Miguel Falomir, Adjunct Director of Conservation and Investigation at the Prado Museum, Visions of the Hispanic World includes works from Spain and Latin America drawn from the Hispanic Societys renowned Museum and Library collections, archaeological works from the Iberian Peninsula; arts of Islamic Spain; paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, and manuscripts from Medieval, Golden Age, and 18th-century Spain; Latin American colonial and 19th-century paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, and manuscripts; and Spanish paintings of the 19th and early 20th centuries. General Admission to Albuquerque Museum Out-of-State Adult $6, NM Adult (19-64) $5, Teen (13-18) $5, Seniors (65 & older) $4, Child (4-12) $3 $5 additional special exhibit surcharge for "Visions of the Hispanic World" No surcharge for children 12 and under. Surcharge applies during free days and events at Albuquerque Museum. Ted Blanch, CEO of reinsurance firm, COIN Re, identifies the cost burden associated with storm coverage for local Florida insurers. "Local Florida insurerswho provide much of the storm coverage in this stateare heavily covered by reinsurance, which entails a considerable cost burden. Losses to the insurance industry from Hurricane Michael, a Category 4 storm that hit the Florida Panhandle before continuing a path of destruction through several other southeastern states, will be substantialbut not, according to experts, enough to cause problems for insurers or a pullback in capacity.1 Thats great news for Floridians, says Ted Blanch, CEO of reinsurance firm COIN Re, but it may not be quite such good news for individual insurers. Local Florida insurerswho provide much of the storm coverage in this stateare heavily covered by reinsurance, which entails a considerable cost burden. Meanwhile, despite a series of significant world-wide weather events, the reinsurance industry is expected to show a profit in 2018.2 One reason for this, says Blanch, is that the reinsurance market is heavily tilted in favor of reinsurers, who possess significant advantages in terms of size and the ability to negotiate rates. To help level the playing field, Blanch and a team of highly experienced industry executives recently founded Tampa-based COIN Re. The new company, whose name is an acronym of Client Owned Intermediary Nexus, is based on a pricing and ownership model radically different from reinsurance broker industry norms. COIN Re, Blanch explains, is designed to reduce overall reinsurance cost in the property field through lower reinsurance premiums, reduced frictional cost, and shared ownership of the company with client insurers. Its ultimate goal is to enable insurance companies to lower operating costs to the ultimate benefit of consumers. Were creating a new paradigm and disrupting the status quo, says Blanch. For example, we will provide the full range of brokerage and analytic servicesbut were willing to unbundle them and charge accordingly. We will be very aggressive in reducing reinsurance spend and net cost, as well as in reducing frictional cost. And well offer an ownership interest to clients which, if taken up, will provide returns through revenue distribution and equity value accumulation. COIN Re will make its industry debut later this month at the Annual Meeting of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, October 28-30, at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. About COIN Re: COIN Re was founded in 2018 under the leadership of E.W. Ted Blanch. As an innovator spanning decades, after joining E.W. Blanch & Co. in 1958 he became CEO in 1977 and held the position until 2000. The company was sold in 2001. He then formed Ted Blanch & Associates, a consultancy to the reinsurance industry. COIN Re believes in changing the status quo. Catastrophe reinsurance market economics have been tipped in favor of reinsurers, and client/broker interests have been misaligned, ultimately hurting the end userthe consumer. As serial innovators in the market, COIN Res principals are aligning client/broker interests by giving insurance companies significant ownership in COIN Re, resulting in market economics tipping back to ceding companies with resultant improved reinsurance program pricing, lowered frictional costs and revenue distribution and equity value accumulation back to the insurance companiesand by doing so, potentially improve property insurance premiums for consumers. Joining him as senior officers of COIN Re are PresidentMarketing Michael W. Cashman, CFO Richard R. Allen, and Vice President Kevin A. Mora. The company is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Visit http://www.coinreinsurance.com. 1. OConnor, Amy, Market Changes Not Expected From Hurricane Michael; Florida Insurers Heavily Reinsured, Insurance Journal, October 15, 2018. 2. Reinsurers set for profitability gains in 2018: Moodys, Reinsurance News, March 2, 2018. We are excited to welcome Karen to take over leadership of our operations teams efforts, said Mike Melville, CEO of IntelliSoft Group. Her depth of experience, knowledge and expertise in healthcare credentialing and the medical staff services field will help us in serving our customers. Past News Releases RSS IntelliSoft Group Welcomes New... IntelliSoft Group Welcomes Director... IntelliSoft Group to Feature... IntelliSoft Group, a leading provider of healthcare credentialing, provider enrollment and contract management software, as well as a fully operational NCQA-certified credentials verification organization (CVO), is proud to announce and welcome Karen Roy, CPCS, as the companys new Director of Operations. She will be responsible for leadership of the operations team, onboarding new clients, and consulting/training services for the IntelliCred, IntelliApp and IntelliContract product lines. Karen comes to IntelliSoft from Emerson Hospital, a full-service, 179-bed medical center with more than 300 primary care doctors and specialists located in historic Concord, MA. There she started her 22-year career as a unit coordinator where she managed the overall activity and efficiency of the Wheeler 4 Nursing Unit, maintained and processed patient medical records, and scheduled monthly meetings. In her most recent position at Emerson, Karen served as senior credentials specialist supporting the medical staff credentialing process for over 600 medical staff members. Her expertise included applying Joint Commission Medical Staff Standards and CMS Conditions of Participation to the overall credentialing process, as well as using the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine guidelines to optimize day-to-day operations. We are excited to welcome Karen to take over leadership of our operations teams efforts, said Mike Melville, CEO of IntelliSoft Group. Her depth of experience, knowledge and expertise in healthcare credentialing and the medical staff services field will help us in serving our customers and setting the companys strategy and vision for future growth. Karen is based at IntelliSoft Groups main office in Nashua, NH. About IntelliSoft Group Based in Nashua, NH, IntelliSoft Group is a leading provider of medical credentialing, provider enrollment, and contract management software in combination with CVO business services. The companys products, IntelliCred, IntelliApp, and IntelliContract are used by hundreds of healthcare systems, hospitals, managed care organizations, credentials verification organizations, individual practice associations, and sub-acute healthcare organizations. IntelliSoft Groups NCQA-certified CVO Division, IntelliCVO, offers one of the most innovative credentials verification services available for customers that require a temporary or full-time outsourcing option. Learn more by visiting the IntelliSoft Group website at http://www.intellisoftgroup.com/. Media.net, one of the largest global advertising technology companies, today announced the appointment of Josh Cobb as President of the Americas, starting Jan 1, 2019. Media.net CEO Vaibhav Arya made the announcement. Cobb will be based in California and interface with Media.net offices across the Americas. Most recently, Cobb was Vice President of Partner Management at Yahoo where he was responsible for publisher and supply management across Yahoo's 300+ North American Search and Software Distribution partnerships. A fifteen-year veteran of Yahoo, Cobb has deep experience and contacts in publishing, media and ad tech. He has led global business development and partner management efforts in a multi-billion dollar environment. Weve had the great pleasure of working with Josh for nearly ten years, said Arya, dating from our original partnership with Yahoo. Hes had the opportunity to see first-hand the capabilities of Media.nets platform and to leverage it on behalf of Yahoo. Media.net aggregates high-quality audiences that generate billions of dollars in ad sales and revenue, making Joshs arrival significant. As a partner, Ive seen that Media.nets tech and speed to market is without peer, said Cobb. Media.nets contextual technology powers Yahoos (now Oaths) performance advertising. Media.net tech is focused on the content of the page and is not dependent on cookies, which brings significant value to both marketers and publishers in a world where user privacy concerns plague the industry. Few technology companies are able to unify competition between performance marketing and brand advertising. Cobb continued, I believe that Media.net is exceptionally well positioned for growth based on their tech stack and talent base. Im excited to work with brand name, strategic and long tail publishers to demonstrate how they can drive revenue, enhance user experience and customize content in ways that dont compromise consumer privacy. Also, Media.nets scale will be a significant success factor in an ad tech environment where the herd is thinning. About Media.net Media.net has one of the most comprehensive portfolios of advertising technology in the industry across search, native, display, mobile, local, products and video. Its platform and products are licensed by some of the largest publishers, ad networks and other ad tech companies worldwide. By market cap, Media.net is one of the Top 5 largest ad tech companies worldwide. By revenue, Media.net is the second largest contextual advertising business worldwide. Media.net has 1300-plus employees in key operation centers acrossNorth America, Europe and Asia. Media.nets US HQ is based in New York, and Global HQ in Dubai. For more on Media.net, visit http://www.media.net. uild Media Contact: Andy Morris Code Morris for Media.net andy(dot)morris(at)codemorris(dot)com 917-710-1802 Were thrilled to be able to announce such a knowledgeable, highly qualified panel of judges, said Blanche Williams, Assistant Managing Director at the iaedp Foundation. Judges for the ninth annual Imagine Me Beyond What You See Body Image Mannequin Art Competition, created in 2010 to promote healthy awareness and acceptance of body images, includes internationally acclaimed artists and art therapists. Were thrilled to be able to announce such a knowledgeable, highly qualified panel of judges, said Blanche Williams, Assistant Managing Director at the iaedp Foundation. We rely on the expertise of our members, attendees and the general public to determine the winner of our coveted Professionals Choice award. Online voting will begin in late December leading up to the day before the Awards Ceremony. Its always an exciting unveiling, Williams said. Returning to the mannequin art competition is Michelle Dean, MA, AR-BC, LPC, CGP, HLM (DVATA)/ Board Certified Art Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Group Psychotherapist; as well as former Imagine Me Beyond What You See winners: Rebecca Cerra Tishman Interdisciplinary Artist, 2011 Winner and 2014 Runner Up; Sara Burchfiel, LMFT, 2012 Winner and 2011 Professionals Choice Winner; and Jen White, BSc, MPA of Canada, 2013 Winner and Professionals Choice Winner; along with Peter Thaddeus, acrylic painter and muralist. The mannequin art competition winner will be announced at the 2019 iaedp Symposium held in Palm Desert, California at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort February 6 10, 2019. A silent auction will be held during the Symposium for sale of the displayed 18x24 artwork posters with proceeds going to the iaedp Foundation. The first place winner, runner up, honorable mention and Professionals Choice awards are presented during the annual Symposium. Each year, we are inspired and humbled by the creative expression of all of the art presentations. This year, we look forward to diverse and powerful entries of mannequin submissions, said Williams. The contest is open to everyone; however, iaedp encourages treatment centers and private practices with art therapists to work with patients to provide entries. Mixed media may be used and mannequins can be male or female forms in different body shapes and sizes. Entries should consist of a 300-word description that includes the inspiration for the artists artwork with two to three sentences about the artist or group. Entries must be electronically submitted to iaedp using photographs in jpeg format with high (300+) resolution for enlargement showing four different angles and agree to sign an artist release. About the iaedp Foundation: Since 1985, the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals has provided education and training standards to an international and multidisciplinary group of various healthcare treatment providers and helping professions. MemberSHARE.iaedp.com is an iaedp business journal and online member resource to learn about noteworthy member achievements, continuing education webinars and U.S. and international chapter activity and events; for more information, visit MemberSHARE. The iaedp Foundations Presidents Council, which provides organization support, includes: Center for Change; Center for Hope of the Sierras; Center For Discovery; Eating Recovery Center; KellerLife Center for Eating Disorders; Laureate Eating Disorders Program; McCallum Place Eating Disorder Centers; The Meadows Ranch; Rogers Behavioral Health; Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorders; Selah House; The Renfrew Center; Timberline Knolls; Turning Tides Eating Disorder Treatment Center; and Veritas Collaborative. More information about all aspects iaedp and its 2019 Symposium can be found at iaedp.com. Im very excited to see that machine learning for medicine is gathering more momentum. In particular, I was proud to see that differentially private GANs were used to demonstrate a system for sharing clinical data without compromising patient privacy. - Ian Goodfellow, Deep Learning Summit, 2018 One Summit, three tracks, eight stages. REWORKs Deep Learning Summit has grown year on year, from 250 attendees four years ago in November 2014 to the near one thousand attendees, speakers and exhibitors in 2018, which is a testament, not only to the excellent and fascinating work of our speakers but also to the growth in interest and application of AI. In January, attendees from over 20 countries will meet to learn from industry experts in speech & pattern recognition, neural networks, image analysis and NLP, and explore how deep learning will impact all industries, within the next decade any company that will not heavily rely on deep learning will be left behind - Eli David, Deep Learning Summit, San Francisco, 2018. In addition to technical presentations from global deep learning pioneers on academic advancements, there will be an AI Assistant track, and a workshop track featuring interactive and practical sessions exploring case studies and key insights across all fields. Workshop topics include Learning, Education & Talent, Advancements & Challenges in Natural Language Processing, Practical Applications of AI, Introduction to Deep Learning, AI for Social Good and many more. I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and demos, particularly GreatSmart. They got me to participate in the demo and my contribution was analysed in second. I also met a lot of vendors who love what I love - DL - and are here to learn more about the AI community and to connect with people. Saul Tarmariz, Regis University CONFIRMED SPEAKERS INCLUDE: Ian Goodfellow, Staff Research Scientist, Google Brain Returning to the summit for the fifth year in a row, Ian will share his most recent progressions in GANs as well as other areas of his research. Chelsea Finn, Research Scientist & Post-doctoral Scholar, Google Brain & Berkeley AI Research Chelsea will discuss how learning algorithms can enable machines to acquire general notions of intelligence, allowing them to autonomously learn a variety of complex sensorimotor skills. Ilya Sutskever, Co-Founder & Research Director, OpenAI Another returning speaker, Ilya will present results in meta learning applied to different domains, self play results applied to simulated physics environments, and discuss the connection between the two. Sergey Levine, Assistant Professor, UC Berkeley Discussing Deep Robotic Learning, Sergey will explain how DL has been demonstrated to achieve excellent results in a range of passive perception tasks, from recognizing objects in images to recognizing human speech. Tess Posner, CEO, AI4ALL Tesss work has been featured by the Wall St. Journal, the Atlantic, VentureBeat, Entrepreneur, MIT Tech Review, Business Insider, TechCrunch, and Fast Company and funded by the Tipping Point Community, JPMorgan Chase, the California Endowment and the Robin Hood Foundation. The summit will showcase the opportunities of advancing trends in deep learning and their impact and successful applications in business. Where do the challenges still lie in research and application? Learn the latest technological advancements & industry trends from a global line-up of experts. WORKSHOPS Anirudh Koul from Aira will be sharing an exciting demo-based talk on How AI Can Empower the Blind Community on the Social Responsibility stage, whilst Michael Martin from SignalFire will be hosting a problem-solving workshop on Reimaging of the News, exploring how AI/ML can be used to assure open and credible news platforms. Further workshops on future predictions in AI from AI4ALL and AI automation initiatives from Square will also feature in an agenda full of informative and interactive sessions. For the full agenda of workshops click here. Not sure if you should attend? Delegates are made up of: Data Scientists Data Engineers Machine Learning Scientists CTOs Founders Director of Engineering CEOs Whats included? Presentations from 90+ expert speakers Extensive networking opportunities with 900+ leading technologists & innovators Group brainstorming sessions Interactive workshops 12 + hours of networking Access to all the filmed presentations and summary document after the event There are limited passes available, register now to guarantee the opportunity to meet global AI and Deep Learning leaders in San Francisco. REWORK has always had a strong standpoint on highlighting diversity in AI, including celebrating top female talent working in the field. Alongside the summits, the Women in AI Dinner will also be returning to San Francisco this January 22. What an incredible opportunity to attend the REWORK Women in Machine Intelligence Dinner last night sponsored by Facebook! It was an absolute pleasure to meet so many intelligent and interesting women on the vanguard of Machine Intelligence and learn more about advances in the field. - Scidoma, 2018 The cannabis industry will convene in Las Vegas. The growing and changing cannabis industry is one of today's hottest sectors Cannabis businesses, both recreational and medical, based in the Southwest will convene in Las Vegas Nov. 14-16 to discuss exciting developments in the industry at the Marijuana Business Conference and Expo. The past few years have seen rapid changes in legal norms across multiple U.S. states and Canada, making these conventions great opportunities to catch up and get in touch with fellow industry participants. The World's Largest Cannabis Conference The cannabis industry is moving fast, and companies have to become serious about their practices and corporate relationships to stay relevant. The Marijuana Business Conference and Expo Las Vegas, the largest gathering of its kind, is a top site for networking and learning, as it draws over 20,000 professional participants and more than 1,000 exhibitors. Lightning Labels will be among those booths, demonstrating the value of custom cannabis labels. "The growing and changing cannabis industry is one of today's hottest sectors," said Lightning Labels Director of Sales and Client Services Gary Paulin. "We at Lightning Labels are excited to help companies establish a foothold in this space." Learning About Labeling While the early years of the adult-use cannabis industry were dominated by highly functional packaging without much promotional flair, today's companies are competing in a different environment. With more competitors than ever before, businesses must create distinctive looks without falling out of regulatory compliance. Visitors to Lightning Labels' booth at the Marijuana Business Conference and Expo 2018 will learn how this is possible. About Lightning Labels: Lightning Labels uses state-of-the-art printing technology to provide affordable, full-color custom labels and custom stickers of all shapes and sizes. From small orders for individuals to the bulk needs of big businesses, Lightning Labels is equipped to handle and fulfill custom label and sticker projects of all types. Best of all, like the name implies, Lightning Labels provides a quick turnaround for every customer's labeling needs. Uses for Lightning Labels' custom product labels and custom stickers include food packaging and organic food labels, wine and beverage labels, bath and body labels, and nutraceutical products, such as vitamins, essentials oils, and herbal remedies, as well as event stickers, adhesive window stickers and more. Lightning Labels strongly supports the development of environmentally friendly printing materials and carries EarthFirst PLA, a new kind of green label material made from corn instead of petroleum. While operating as a high-tech printer, Lightning Labels prides itself on its personalized customer service. Lightning Labels provides one stop shopping for all of your custom label needs. For more information and to place orders online, visit LightningLabels.com. For the latest in packaging news and labeling promotional offers, find Lightning Labels on Twitter (@LightningLabels), Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ and LinkedIn. At MaidPro, we are constantly evolving so we can lead our rapidly growing industry with best practices, supported by our state-of-the art software, creative marketing, and proven business strategy. MaidPro has ranked fourth on Franchise Business Reviews 2018 list of the 100 Most Innovative Franchise Brands in the U.S. and was first on the list in the Cleaning & Maintenance category. The lists ranking was based on franchisee satisfaction of the countrys leading franchise brands. To gauge satisfaction, a 33-question survey covered leadership, training, and core values, in addition to personal questions pertaining to the type of lifestyle franchisees achieved and level of enjoyment they found in their franchise business. MaidPro President Richard Sparacio said, At MaidPro, we are constantly evolving so we can lead our rapidly growing industry with best practices, supported by our state-of-the art software, creative marketing, and proven business strategy. And we also rely on innovation to better serve our franchisees by creating solutions that provide them with a quality work-life balance and manageable hours, while still offering them low start-up costs and recurring profit. Commenting on the new 2018 list and the meaning of innovation, Franchise Business Reviews CEO Eric Stites said that innovation takes a lot more than just having creative, great ideas, it also takes execution. Franchise Business Review (FBR) is a national franchise market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction. MaidPro was previously recognized by FBR this year as a Top Franchise for 2018, a Top Franchise Leader and as a Top Franchise for Veterans. MaidPro is currently FBRs top maid service for franchisee satisfaction and its top low-cost maid service. MaidPro has also ranked on four separate Entrepreneur lists: Top 100 Franchise, Top Global Franchise, Fastest-Growing Franchise and Top Company Cultures. ABOUT MAIDPRO MaidPro is a Boston-based franchisor of house cleaning services with over 255 locations in 38 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. The company, which began franchising in 1997, takes pride in its strong owner community, cutting-edge technology, and creative marketing. It has been honored with the Franchise Business Reviews Four-Star Rating and Franchise 50 awards every year from 2006 to 2018 for owner satisfaction. MaidPro was named one of the Top 50 Franchises for Minorities by USA Todays Franchising Today. MaidPro is also a proud member of the International Franchise Association, Canadian Franchise Association, and the New England Franchise Association. The company can be found online at http://www.maidprofranchise.com. Oracle Partner Award MDSL has demonstrated an outstanding level of innovation in delivering proven Technology Expense Management Solutions. MDSL, a global leader in Technology Expense Management ("TEM") solutions, has been honored at Oracle OpenWorld 2018 as the 2018 Oracle Cloud ISV Partner of the Year North America. The award recognizes MDSL, a Gold level member of the Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN), for their outstanding work in driving customer success with software and services solutions delivered to clients on a global scale. Oracle partners accelerate innovation and customers upgrade to the cloud. From business planning and implementation, to connectivity and data center services, Oracle partners provide the support and services needed to maximize the value of Oracle Cloud solutions for customers organization. The Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) offers opportunities for partners to accelerate and expand their business. Oracle would like to highlight their partners who are highly experienced and skilled in taking their customers on a successful path to the cloud. Providing an MDSL SaaS offering Powered by Oracle Cloud has allowed us to help our clients manage their large Technology expense inventory and budget, while providing a superior performance over our previous cloud infrastructure, said Thierry Zerbib, Chief Architect at MDSL. It has been a pleasure partnering with the Oracle engineering team who assisted us in porting our software platform to their more reliable and scalable infrastructure. We are grateful to receive this award and are looking forward to a long-term relationship. MDSL has demonstrated an outstanding level of innovation in delivering proven Technology Expense Management Solutions which are Powered by Oracle Cloud and solve our joint customers most critical business challenges, said David Hicks, vice president, Worldwide ISV Business Development, Oracle. We congratulate MDSL in achieving the 2018 Oracle Excellence Award for Oracle Cloud ISV Partner of the Year North America. This achievement is a testament to their dedication to excellence and to providing customers SaaS solutions that drive real business value and results. MDSL has achieved Powered by Oracle Cloud status and is listed on the Oracle Cloud Marketplace. The Oracle Cloud Marketplace is a one-stop shop for Oracle customers seeking trusted business applications and service providers offering unique business solutions, including ones that extend Oracle Cloud Applications. Oracle Cloud is the industrys broadest and most complete public cloud, delivering enterprise-grade services at every level of the cloud technology stack including platform as a service (PaaS), infrastructure as a service (IaaS), and data as a service (DaaS). About MDSL MDSL are world leaders in Technology Expense Management Solutions, Market Data Management and related services and partner with enterprises to provide clarity, control, compliance, and cost savings across their global technology estates. MDSL provides a unified expense management platform encompassing categories such as telecoms, cloud services, the Internet of Things, and Financial Market Data. By providing best practice procedures, unparalleled visibility of spend and automating time-consuming processes, MDSL helps ensure global digital transformations are smooth, secure, and cost-effective. For more information, visit https://www.mdsl.com. About Oracle PartnerNetwork Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) is Oracle's partner program that provides partners with a differentiated advantage to develop, sell and implement Oracle solutions. OPN offers resources to train and support specialized knowledge of Oracles products and solutions and has evolved to recognize Oracles growing product portfolio, partner base and business opportunity. Key to the latest enhancements to OPN is the ability for partners to be recognized and rewarded for their investment in Oracle Cloud. Partners engaging with Oracle will be able to differentiate their Oracle Cloud expertise and success with customers through the OPN Cloud program an innovative program that complements existing OPN program levels with tiers of recognition and progressive benefits for partners working with Oracle Cloud. To find out more visit: http://www.oracle.com/partners. Trademarks Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. Allen West & Chad Robichaux - Mighty Oaks Foundation - 8th Annual Warrior Gala Keynote Speakers This year Lt. Col. Allen West along with Mighty Oaks Founder Chad Robichaux will each provide keynote speeches for their largest fundraising event of the year. Mighty Oaks Foundation has announced its keynote speakers for their 8th Annual Warrior Gala. This year Lt. Col. Allen West along with Mighty Oaks Founder Chad Robichaux will each provide keynote speeches for their largest fundraising event of the year. The Warrior Gala is the central funding event for Mighty Oaks Foundation to help them provide their peer-to-peer recovery program to veterans and first responders who are suffering from PTSD, and to bring awareness to this vital issue, that each day more than 20 veterans take their own lives. This years event is to be held on Saturday, November 17th at 6:30pm at the beautiful Woodlands Waterway Marriott in Houston, TX. Past years have seen media personality and political commentator Glenn Beck, former Governor Sarah Palin, David Barton, Lt. General Jerry Boykin and popular rock group Kutless taking the stage to help raise funding and awareness for the Foundations core mission. Last years event raised over $100,000 in funding that enables Mighty Oaks Foundation to run their regional programs that provide a lifeline to struggling veterans across the United States. To purchase tickets for the Mighty Oaks Foundations 8th Annual Warrior Gala please visit http://mightyoaksprograms.org/txgala. Interview Opportunities: Limited interviews with Lt Col. Allen West and Chad Robichaux will be available to press during the event, to request an interview or a press ticket for the event to provide coverage, please contact Michael Cameron: michael@mightyoaksprograms.org 5:00pm: Registration, Silent Auction and VIP Meet & Greet Begin 6:30pm: Auditorium Doors Open About Mighty Oaks Foundation: The Mighty Oaks Foundation is committed to serving the brokenhearted by providing a series of intensive peer-based recovery programs, outpost meetings, and speaking events. Our Mighty Oaks Warrior Programs hosts such Men, Women, and Marriage Advance Programs at multiple locations nationwide. The Warriors who attend are fully sponsored for training, meals, and lodging needs to ensure that upon arrival to the ranch, each Warrior is focused solely on his or her recovery and identifying purpose moving forward. To contribute or for more information please visit: http://www.mightyoaksprograms.org Written as a collection of blog posts, The Life of a Walking Mermaid: A Story of Resilience (published by Archway Publishing) charts author Vicki Thompsons battle with cystic fibrosis and how she lived life to the fullest. This memoir aims to inspire those who are suffering from physical or mental illness, as well as those who have perfect health. For more details, visit https://www.amazon.com/Life-Walking-Mermaid-Story-Resilience/dp/1480864854. In the book, Thompson gives readers a glimpse into what it felt like being forced to live with cystic fibrosis. Written in a candid and reflective tone, she shares the lessons she learned through her experiences. Most importantly, her blogs posts attest to not allowing a disease define who you are. She encourages others not to do so either. "I hope to encourage those living with cystic fibrosis or any illness to embrace the moments when you are healthy. In those moments, I hope you explore and build upon your connections to share love. All we have is love." Thompsons posts fall between four categories: earth, wind, fire and water. Earth posts tell stories involving community. Wind posts are about topics invisible to the naked eye. Fire posts are passion posts. Water posts involve water and its healing entities. In addition, she also reveals how yoga, snowboarding and surfing have played a major role in her increased body awareness, health and happiness. An excerpt from the book reads: The other day I found myself in a situation where my heart was beating fast, and my chest was constricting the airflow. I could not breathe in long and deep. I couldnt even talk because I was gasping for air. I tried to remember everything I always teach in my yoga classes: inhale slowly, and exhale slowly. The Life of a Walking Mermaid: A Story of Resilience By Vicki Thompson Hardcover | 5.5 x 8.5in | 180 pages | ISBN 9781480864863 Softcover | 5.5 x 8.5in | 180 pages | ISBN 9781480864856 E-Book | 180 pages | ISBN 9781480864870 Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the Author Vicki Thompson never allowed fear to stop her. At age 7, she was on her way to perfecting her snowboarding, loving competition and winning trophies left and right. She had no difficulty leaving her home high school and friends in her senior year to attend that final year at Stratton Mountain School for snowboarding. Her journey continued as she attended Sierra Nevada College in Lake Tahoe. She created the non-profit, Boundless Art, which delivered art packages to children in local hospitals. She pursued painting and became a writer for the Cystic Fibrosis Lifestyle Foundation. Her final quest was founding Salt and Soul, a salt therapy and yoga center. She was always busy planning her next adventure. Right up to her final days, she spoke of what she was going to do after she receives her new lungs thrilled to no longer be a prisoner of cystic fibrosis. Simon & Schuster, a company with nearly ninety years of publishing experience, has teamed up with Author Solutions, LLC, the leading self-publishing company worldwide, to create Archway Publishing. With unique resources to support books of all kind, Archway Publishing offers a specialized approach to help every author reach his or her desired audience. For more information, visit archwaypublishing.com or call 888-242-5904. Active open spaces are proven to deliver an excellent return on investment, often supplying far more in benefits than they cost to construct, said Elizabeth Shreeve, chairman of the ULI Sustainable Development Council and principal at the SWA Group. The Case for Open Space (http://uli.org/caseforopenspace), a new report from the Urban Land Institutes (ULI) Center for Sustainability and Economic Performance (https://americas.uli.org/research/centers-initiatives/center-sustainability/), makes the business case for real estate investments in parks and open spaces. Created with guidance from ULIs Sustainable Development Council in collaboration with ULIs Building Healthy Places Initiative (https://americas.uli.org/research/centers-initiatives/building-healthy-places-initiative/), The Case for Open Space highlights the benefits for developers to incorporate parks and open spaces in their developments. Active open spaces are proven to deliver an excellent return on investment, often supplying far more in benefits than they cost to construct, said Elizabeth Shreeve, chairman of the ULI Sustainable Development Council and principal at the SWA Group. These benefits accrue to private development while effectively strengthening communities and opening opportunities for all. The case studies highlighted in the report were drawn from 30 open space projects across the United States that are supported by the private sector. Each demonstrates how mechanisms related to partnerships, funding, zoning and local engagement have allowed developers to support project success while delivering significant community benefits. These benefits include increased buy-in from influential stake holders such as public officials and investors; faster zoning approvals; the ability to capture strong market demand for parks and open space; and new sources of revenue streams. The report examines five compelling projects that incorporated open space into their developments: Hunters Point South Located in Queens, New York, Hunters Point South is a mixed-use affordable housing development that includes 925 permanently affordable housing units, roughly 20,000 square feet of new retail space, a new public school, a community facility space and an 11-acre waterfront park. When fully completed, the development is expected to spur over $2 billion in private investment and create approximately 4,600 jobs. Levy Park One of the winners of the 2018 ULI Urban Open Space Award, Levy Park in Houston, Texas is a nearly 6-acre neighborhood park where the maintenance is funded through private development. After its redevelopment, Levy Park became the central component for an 11-acre urban activity center that now boasts around 10,000 visitors a week, up from only 75 visitors before redevelopment. Grand Park Grand Park is a 12-acre public park is downtown Los Angeles that transformed a formerly underused public space into a vibrant gathering place that hosts cultural events, music performances, festivals, and fitness classes. In collaboration with the County of Los Angeles, a private developer invested $50 million to build the park in advance of plans to forward with an associated mixed-use project nearby. Guthrie Green Built in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Guthrie Green took a 2.6-acre former truck-loading facility and turned it into a highly programmed urban park. It has become the areas leading destination since its opening in 2012, drawing 3,000 people a week and infusing $150 million in public-private investment into a variety of commercial and residential projects in downtown Tulsa. Solaris Plaza In Vail, Colorado, a developer repurposed a former parking lot and shopping center to create a mixed-use project with a central gathering place for residents and visitors. Solaris Plaza hosts year-round events such as a weekly farmers market and the GoPro Games. While the town of Vail operates the space, the developer provided capital expenditures for the plaza and is responsible for its maintenance. This report aims to provide a range of ideas and inspirations for owners and real estate developers as they consider whether and how to invest in the public realm, said Shreeve. The study points to a winning formula: when undertaken thoughtfully, the creation of privately owned or operated, community-accessible open spaces can provide equitable access to resources, strengthen communities, reduce execution risk and contribute to a solid bottom line for real estate investment. The Case for Open Space was made possible with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. About the ULI Sustainable Development Council ULIs Sustainable Development Council (SDC) (https://americas.uli.org/sustainable-development-council-sdc/), which is part of the Institutes Product Council network of members, aims to accelerate the adoption and implementation of sustainability, resiliency, and health across the real estate industry. The council provides a forum for exchange of emerging best practices including planning, financing, entitlements, design, construction, and operational aspects of projects that advance triple bottom-line benefits while fostering more sustainable built environment. About the Urban Land Institute The Urban Land Institute is a nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the institute has more than 42,000 members worldwide representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines. For more information, please visit http://www.uli.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. iTimeKeep aligns with our firms need for real-time and integration with our billing system Bellefield Systems, the providers of the fastest path to revenue through its time entry solutions, announced that Nixon Peabody, a global AmLaw 100 firm, has selected iTimeKeep as its firm-wide mobile time entry solution. Nixon Peabody has more than 600 attorneys working across several major practice areas in cities across the U.S., Europe and Asia. iTimeKeep aligns with our firms need for real-time and integration with our billing system. This software provides an efficient way for our attorneys to record time on-the-go, said Michael Green, Nixon Peabodys Chief Information Officer. Bellefield is committed to serving the legal industry with first-of-its-kind innovations built according to the needs of attorneys and will continue to deliver solutions that will increase efficiency, accuracy and competitiveness for the modern law firm, said Gabriela Isturiz, Co-Founder and President of Bellefield Systems. About Bellefield Systems & iTimeKeep Bellefield provides the fastest path to revenue by removing barriers to time entry for attorneys and law firms. Through the iTimeKeep platform, Bellefield brings better timekeeping to any law firm or professional services firm by increasing attorney engagement, providing real-time compliance with outside counsel guidelines and enabling firms to manage their time entry policies. In an area that was long disregarded and accepted as a cost of doing business, Bellefields innovations are bringing about efficiencies that allow firms to achieve the best timecard inventory, leading to less rejections, increased compliance and maximum client satisfaction. Bellefield was founded with one simple (yet powerful) purpose: create better timekeepers. iTimeKeep ranks #1 as the most adopted Mobile (and anywhere) Time Entry solution for attorneys for five consecutive years. Bellefields founding members include the former founders of eBillingHub (now Thomson Reuters), Gabriela Isturiz and Daniel Garcia and software veteran, John Kuntz. Bellefield Systems is an independent, privately held company headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. To learn more, visit http://www.bellefield.com. About Nixon Peabody LLP At Nixon Peabody, we see the law as a tool to help shape our clients futures. We are constantly thinking about what is important to our clients now and next so we can foresee obstacles and opportunities in their space and smooth the way. We work together to handle complex challenges in litigation, real estate, corporate law, intellectual property and finance anywhere in the world. The LEOSU-DC Is Planning Informational Picketing @ GSA ROB Building 301 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20410 Sometime Next Week. Martin Luther King jr Once Said "Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere. It's Time Paragon System RESPECT Its Officers & Our Union LEOSU-DC" Steve Maritas A few weeks ago the Law Enforcement Officers Security Unions LEOSU-DC had met with Paragon systems Vice President and General Counsel Laura Hagan to discuss the Unions economic proposal. Much to their surprise Paragon was not willing to give the protective service officers working at GSA ROB building a raise this year. Within an hour of the news the Paragon protective service officers working at GSA ROB, reacted to the statement and Paragon's no raise position by calling for a call to action. What happened next was a total of 18 officers called off work the next day in a show of solidarity. While the law protects employees in regards Protected Concerted Activity, Paragon decided to take action against its officers by informing certain individuals not to report to work until further notice. The LEOSU-DC immediately took action against Paragon by filing federal charges with the NLRB and sending out a mass email to GSA top officials from all around the country notifying them of the Unions intention to call a strike at GSA ROB building. Within hours of this mass email, the GSA ROB Paragon officers started to receive phone calls to return to work immediately. The LEOSU-DC is now planning a walkout and informational picketing at the GSA ROB location sometime next week. In addition the Union is planning informational picketing at several other GSA and Homeland Security sites around DC & 26 Federal Plaza in New York where Paragon provides security services noted LEOSU-DC organizing Director Steve Maritas " As Martin Luther king Jr. once said "Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere. The Law Enforcement Officers Security Unions LEOSU-DC is the authority of Law Enforcement Unions representing special police officers, protective service officers and campus police officers @ NASA HQ, Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Custom Border & Protection (CBP), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), GSA ROB Building, Georgetown University and Catholic University just to name a few. For more information: http://www.LEOSUDC.ORG CONTACT: Steve Maritas LEOSU-DC Organizing Director 202-595-3510 ADDRESS: 1155 F Street NW #105 Washington, DC 2004 SOURCE Law Enforcement Officers Security Unions LEOSU-DC, LEOS-PBA Related Links https://www.leosudc.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/leosudc/ https://www.facebook.com/LEOSUNION/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/143026849@N06/ https://parasys.com NLRB Charges filed 05-CA-227709 https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/8cc648_3fd7e5211a664f2986108d896e4bdb6a.pdf https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/8cc648_7e9685e54e964e2c9a9bfde1ccb61d74.pdf Magnificent Marketing presents a new podcast episode on photography and branding Many brands may not realize the importance of images for capturing their vision or mission statement, but selecting the right visuals is imperative to building and growing a brand. Many brands may not realize the importance of images for capturing their vision or mission statement, but selecting the right visuals is imperative to building and growing a brand, and for content marketing purposes as well. Magnificent Marketing has teamed up with John Demato - lifestyle portrait photographer and visual expert - to present a new podcast episode showing brands how to effectively leverage their image content for blogs, social channels, publications, websites, advertisements, and other platforms. John has worked with entrepreneurs and thought leaders, by capturing high-quality images that present inspiring, entertaining, and informational elements which entice people to follow a brand. But it's not just about picking up a camera and snapping a photo. In this episode, he touches on the following topics: The importance of trust and building a connection His unique approach, which leads to unique results The importance of being yourself Strategic retouching of images Properly leveraging lifestyle photography How photography and images play into marketing And more! This episode is part of Magnificent's marketing podcast series. Find the episode, along with an accompanying blog, here. About Magnificent Marketing: Magnificent Marketing is your full-service content marketing agency that will take care of all your marketing needs so that you can concentrate on the core duties needed to manage and grow your business. Their objective is to generate leads that turn into customers while focusing on expanding the visibility of your company and brand, and positioning you to be "top of mind" for future potential clients. In order to achieve this, they draw on their experience and belief that a mixture of traditional marketing techniques combined with modern marketing tools will yield the best results. In other words, they blend old and new school marketing to create the best school of thought. About John Demato: John is a branded content creator who works with high-level, business leaders, thought leaders and various other change agents to produce high-volume, image libraries that present informational, entertaining and inspiring aspects of their brand to their followers. Stratos Jet Charters pilot scholarship winner Kimberley Novak during training at ATP in Daytona Beach. Kimberly Novak used to hold down a pair of bar jobs in downtown Orlando, working six-day weeks to help cover the cost of flight school. Some of that financial burden has eased slightly now that she has been chosen as the recipient of the inaugural Pilot Training Scholarship from Stratos Jets, a local private jet charter company. Valued at $2,000, the bursary will help the 26-year-old Orlando resident cover a portion of the estimated $80,000 cost of attending ATP Flight School at Daytona Beach International Airport (FAA ID: KDAB), which started in August. Combined with the hours she has already accumulated at another flight school at Orlando International Airport (KMCO), her training will likely exceed $100,000. Novak already holds an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree along with some credits toward a bachelor degree in business administration. Im impressed by who Kimberly is as a person, says Joel Thomas, president of Stratos Jets, who announced a scholarship in September to help address the current jet charter pilot shortage. You can see how hard she has worked to get where shes at, and I hope this scholarship will help her achieve the ultimate goal of becoming a professional pilot. She shows real initiative in seeking out businesses that are forward thinking, and shes trying to learn different aspects of the aviation industry. In particular, Novak has earmarked the scholarship money to buy her first headset, and help cover tuition expenses. After working for the past several years to save the money required to enroll in full-time schooling, Stratos Jet Charters generous scholarship will allow me to reach my funding goal and continue to chase my dream, she says. Piloting wasnt exactly on Novaks list of potential career paths when she graduated from high school. In fact, she stumbled upon her new passion quite by accident during her freshman year at college. I bought a Groupon for a discovery flight and fell in love right there and then, smiles Novak, whose love of flying and exploration has taken her to 27 countries already. However, I was still attending a private college at the time and couldnt attend both schools. I thought it would be best to come back to the flight school once I was a little older and a bit more financially stable. In between shifts at the bars in Orlando, Novak would take to the skies two or three times a week, with the goal of eventually earning her Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certification. I would join aviation clubs and try to meet other pilots on the way, says Novak. Im always trying to network and get guidance from peers. Novak has yet to decide whether shell fly commercially, or seek out a career with a private jet charter operator. She expects it will likely depend on where the demand is once she graduates. Im very open-minded to any path, she says. Ultimately, I would like to be in cargo for Amazon, FedEx or UPS. However, that takes time and experience. Novak is proud to be entering a vocation that has been dominated by men since piloting first began. In more recent years, governing bodies have made a push to make it more inclusive and welcoming for both genders. Even 10 or 15 years ago, this may have been a struggle, says Novak, on becoming a female pilot. So far, Ive met more than a dozen women in aviation and all have been absolutely wonderful to me. However, my mentors have been males who have been nothing but professional and have taken time out of their day to help me. In particular, Novak thanked Dr. Arnold Tillman, Patty Wagstaff, Thomas and her parents, Sherri Hughes and Grant Saso, for supporting her in achieving her goals. Without them, I wouldnt be where I was now in aviation, she says. They helped mentor me through my fears and helped guided me through aviation. Stratos Jet Charters is now accepting applications for its 2019 pilot scholarship now until May 1, 2019. About Stratos Jet Charters, Inc. Stratos Jet Charters is a leading charter broker based in Orlando, Florida. We have more than a decade of experience in arranging private charter flights for clients across the United States, and around the world. By partnering with the most reputable operators, we provide clients with access to thousands of luxury jets in an array of sizes and performance capabilities. Our expert air charter associates are able to coordinate the flight plans to work with the clients schedule and unique travel needs. To provide the highest standard of air charter safety, every charter flight that we arrange is audited by an independent body such as ARG/US or Wyvern. Pype's driving motivation is that specs, submittals, and closeout are so critical that they should be deeply accurate and richly integrated across other platforms, not just a second-class-citizen spreadsheet like they are in many project management systems. Pype, Inc, an innovative construction technology leader, announced issuance of Patent #10102209, Systems and Methods for Electronically Generating Submittal Registers, for Pypes AutoSpecs software. The programs proprietary technology is revolutionizing the industry by automatically generating submittal logs in minutes with unparalleled accuracy and drastically improving general contractors ability to stay contract compliant. Not only is the complex algorithm patented, but the process of electronically pulling submittals from a PDF is covered in the scope of the patent. Co-founders Sunil Dorairajan and Karuna Ammireddy teamed up to launch Pype in 2013. Sunil, an industry insider, was very familiar with the grueling process of manually pulling information out of specs. He saw how technology was being used to improve other industries and identified the opportunity to bring a software solution to this particular pain point. Karuna, a leading software architect, was motivated to solve such a tedious problem with his insights into automation and machine learning. This patent solidifies that Pype and its founders are truly pioneering innovators in the field of construction. Top ENR companies have tremendous confidence in choosing our software solutions and have used our products on projects nationwide, says Sunil, Pypes CEO. We built something that didnt exist before and acquiring this patent for AutoSpecs establishes us as true innovators and secures our vision for the companys future. Pype has already partnered with key construction industry leaders in the US and Canada and is looking forward to expanding its presence both in North America and abroad. As Pypes AutoSpecs machine learning capabilities evolve to accommodate additional specification formats, the company looks toward expansion into the Australian and European construction markets. A motivating force for the companys founders was increased efficiency in the workplace, and its rewarding to know that AutoSpecs shaves off weeks of tedious work and contributes to higher productivity instantly. Our hard work is consistently validated through candid feedback from users, who continuously come back to us with appreciation for relieving this industry pain point, says Karuna, Pypes CTO. Being named as innovator of a best in class solution that helped bring rise to a new sub-market of the construction tech industry has been both exciting and humbling. Pype has a strong vision for the role of real-time spec and closeout data across the construction tech ecosystem, especially in contract management, project management, quality control, and resource productivity. Pype's driving motivation is that specs, submittals, and closeout are so critical that they should be deeply accurate and richly integrated across other platforms, not just a second-class-citizen spreadsheet like they are in many project management systems. Patent: 10102209 http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=10102209.PN.&OS=PN/10102209&RS=PN/10102209 About Pype Pype provides three innovative construction software solutions that enable project teams to start projects faster and finish stronger. Pype AutoSpecs takes a manual, time consuming process and allows teams to create submittal logs in minutes using advanced machine learning algorithms. Pype Closeout automates the entire closeout process, meaning teams get paid faster. Pype eBinder provides GCs with a branded, polished, interactive PDF turnover package to present to ownership at the close of a project. This constantly evolving trio of products uses machine learning to continuously drive huge efficiency savings and improve projects bottom line. Learn more at: https://pype.io Salt Lake Community College is hosting the Men of Color Summit, designed to help males of color succeed in education, on Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its Multipurpose Room on the SLCC South City Campus located at 1575 S. State Street, Salt Lake City. Though it is a free event, participants are encouraged to register in advance. The summit, focusing on how to make equity across the education pipeline a reality for men of color, will address the challenges, achievements and opportunities to attain academic success. The all-day workshop is designed to serve as a platform where information and awareness meet action, not merely highlighting the challenges males of color face throughout the entire educational pipeline, but to initiate the construction of a sustainable model to establish progressive change. The summit is also intended to provide participants with tools and resources to actively nurture inclusive environments for men of color and to gather ideas on improving equity within the education system. Research shows students who feel included on campus earn post-secondary degrees and certificates at higher rates. The summits two keynote speakers are Frank Harris, III, and Luke Wood, both professors at San Diego State University. Harris is professor of postsecondary education at San Diego States College of Education and is the institutions co-director of the Community College Equity Assessment Lab (CCEAL) Minority Male Community College Collaborative (M2C3). Wood is the Deans Distinguished Professor of Education in the College of Education at San Diego State. Wood also serves as the director of the Joint Ph.D. program in Education between San Diego State and Claremont Graduate University. Salt Lake Community College is Utahs only accredited, student-focused, comprehensive community college. Home to more than 60,000 students each year, the college is Utahs leading provider of workforce development programs and the largest supplier of transfer students to the states four-year institutions. SLCC 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. Over the past four years, MASK volunteers have become the specialists in treating this disease. I truly believe that one can never fully understand violence while sitting behind a desk in an office. One must be up close and personal with it. The incidents that MASK supporters witness on a daily basis, the altercations we intercede in before they escalate, the approach that we take to conflict resolution are what policy experts base their numbers on. Since most people are too scared to even drive down a street in violent neighborhoods and since there doesnt seem to be anyone else sitting in a lawn chair on the corner in a neighborhood war zone, I don't feel comfortable when politicians say they will stop the violence or even reduce it. How? The same way average Chicagoans avoid violent areas in this city, so do the people who want our votes. Not one of them has ever pulled up a lawn chair and joined me on my corner. "The Starfish team is honored to have so many higher education student success professionals join us in St. Louis today." Hobsons, the education technology leader and company behind Starfish, will today host a Starfish Student Success Summit at the University of Missouri in St. Louis. The summit, Leveling Up: Thinking Strategically About Student Success, is an opportunity to bring together student success practitioners from institutions across the Midwest interested in the potential of the Starfish Enterprise Success Platform to build capacity for student success at scale. Summit attendees will participate in lively discussions, best practice sharing, and interactive sessions around leveraging technology to close equity gaps, support guided pathways methodology, make data-informed decisions, and increase student and faculty engagement. The opening keynote will be delivered by Ana Borray, Director Professional Learning, Educause, where she will discuss her recent work around combatting student success initiative fatigue. Other presenters at the summit include: Howard Bell, General Manager, Starfish by Hobsons, sharing how the need for a holistic approach to student success is changing the industry, and Russ Little, Product Manager, Starfish by Hobsons, helping attendees up-level how they think about data and embrace analytics on campus. The Starfish team is honored to have so many higher education student success professionals join us in St. Louis today, said Howard Bell, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Starfish. We are eager to share best practices and hear how our peers are increasing awareness about student success solutions and thinking more broadly about data and analytics. The Starfish Enterprise Success Platform helps more than 450 colleges and universities scale their student success efforts so more students can achieve their academic and life goals. By helping higher education institutions leverage reliable data to pinpoint areas of concern and opportunity within courses and student populations, as well as institutional programs and services, Starfish connects these findings to action by identifying at-risk students, connecting students with valuable resources, and building academic plans to achieve student goals with the least momentum lost. To learn more about Starfish, visit http://www.starfishsolutions.com. About Hobsons A leader in education technology, Hobsons helps more than 15 million students to identify their strengths, explore careers, match to best-fit educational opportunities, create academic plans, and reach their education and life goals. More than 13,000 K-12 and higher education institutions partner with Hobsons and leverage our expertise and our solutions -- Naviance, Intersect, and Starfish -- to improve college and career readiness, college recruiting and admissions, and higher education student success to support millions of students. It's such a privilege to be able to serve these communities, and to bring joy to the children living in them. I am so excited to do whatever I can to bless these precious little ones, and to bring light and hope into their lives. Jesse Miller, chief information security officer at Stratosphere Networks, will travel to Ecuador in early 2019 as part of a mission trip organized by the nonprofit organization Go Be Love International (GBLI). The Ecuador Mens Trip will take place from February 2-9, 2019, and participants will serve alongside the GBLI partner ministry Fundacion Contigo Ecuador to complete projects in Quito. Miller and other men on the trip will assist with reinforcing the foundation and improving the construction of a familys home in the community. In addition to working on construction tasks and similar projects, they will have the chance to spend time with the local children, many of whom are at risk and/or are orphans and do not have father figures in their lives. "I've always felt strongly that the way to effect positive change in the world is to make sure we are nurturing and teaching the next generation, Miller said. It's such a privilege to be able to serve these communities, and to bring joy to the children living in them. I am so excited to do whatever I can to bless these precious little ones, and to bring light and hope into their lives." Miller and the other trip participants will stay at the Fundacion Contigo guest house and will serve with Contigo in Pisuli, a neighborhood in North Quito characterized by violence, extreme poverty, and harsh living conditions. In Pisuli, Miller and the rest of the men on the trip will have the opportunity to assist Fundacion Contigo in providing children in need with food and health care. Were very proud of Jesse for going on this trip, said Steve Melchiorre, CEO of Stratosphere Networks. As a company, we strongly believe in setting aside our own interests to give back and contribute to the greater good. Jesse is doing just that by putting so much time and effort into the Ecuador trip. The Stratosphere Networks team fully supports him. Stratosphere Networks, an IT managed service provider, 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 trip is currently in the fundraising stage, and Miller has been personally tasked with raising $3,000. Stratosphere Networks has already given funds to support the cause. To donate, please visit http://bit.ly/JesseEcuador. 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: Helen Adamopoulos 847-440-1291 HelenA@stratospherenetworks.com Rockland Community College Selects Portfolium BadgeLink Not only can students take it with them when they leave Rockland Community College, but they can also illustrate all their learned skills through artifacts and digital badges. It will help students become real world ready when it comes to career readiness. Rockland Community College (RCC) has chosen Portfoliums Student Success Network to provide students with the ability to showcase competencies gained through their co-curricular and curricular experiences in a lifelong ePortfolio which is searchable by employers. Students will be able to display their learning artifacts backed by evidence-based assessment, earn digital badges and micro-credentials, and use their portfolio to connect with employers. Portfoliums ePortfolio platform and assessment software will initially be utilized to support RCC career programs, including automotive, graphic design, culinary arts, and more, in an effort to promote career skills and professional development. Utilizing Portfoliums Badgelink technology, RCC students will be able to automatically earn digital badges for skills learned in the classroom and display them in their ePortfolio. Sue Deer, Provost and Executive Vice President of Rockland Community College, says the reason for choosing Portfolium was because, not only can students take it with them when they leave Rockland Community College, but they can also illustrate all their learned skills through artifacts and digital badges, as well as keep everything they accomplish and learn all in one place. It will help students become real world ready when it comes to career readiness. Faculty and staff will also benefit from the partnership through Portfoliums full-integration with RCCs current learning management system, Blackboard Learn. This integration will allow the assessment of course assignments to count towards digital badging pathways in Portfolium. In the future, this integration will also allow RCC to perform course, program, and institution-wide learning outcome assessment for all students once expanded campus-wide. As a student success platform, we value our ability to scale across campuses, especially when it can be used to target specific career preparation programs, said Troy Markowitz, Vice President of Academic Partnerships, If our service can help any college student turn a dream into a career, then we know weve done our job. ABOUT ROCKLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Rockland Community College is a community college in Ramapo, New York. It is part of the State University of New York. The college, established in 1959, became the 18th community college to join the SUNY system. The college offers 51 programs and offers associate degrees and certificates. Rockland has the third highest transfer rate in the SUNY system. For more info, please visit: http://www.sunyrockland.edu/ ABOUT PORTFOLIUM: Portfolium is the worlds fastest growing student success platform. 3,600+ colleges, universities and high schools use Portfolium to manage and align competency assessment, student success, and career readiness programs. Portfoliums academic solutions plug students into an open ecosystem of employers, mentors, educators, and peers around the world. Our 4M+ users are linked to internships, jobs, and lifelong learning opportunities via ePortfolios that showcase their proven competencies. To learn more about Portfoliums network for learners and solutions for educators, visit: https://portfolium.com "Were excited to see more APAC business taking advantage of this smart functionality," says Christian Meldgaard, International Partnerships Manager at Templafy. Today, Templafy, a brand governance and productivity platform for enterprise business communications based in Copenhagen, New York and Berlin, announced its partnership with IntelligenceBank, an Australian digital asset management and marketing operations platform. Were excited about the partnership with Intelligence Bank because they have such a strong and established customer base in APAC," says Christian Meldgaard, International Partnerships Manager at Templafy. Through this platform integration, APAC businesses can easily deploy digital assets to thousands of employees through their existing office applications. Its a seamless experience and were excited to see more APAC business taking advantage of this smart functionality. We are delighted to partner with Templafy to benefit our enterprise customers, adds Tessa Court, CEO of IntelligenceBank. The integration will mean these customers will now have a one-stop shop for accessing best practice content from directly within their office applications." Digital asset management software stores brand-compliant logos, images, videos, marketing artworks and any other business-related digital assets in one place. But there is a key area of brand management which is often forgotten business documents, presentations and emails created in programmes like Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint. IntelligenceBank and Templafy both share the same ethos of improving brand governance and empowering employees as brand ambassadors. The integration between IntelligenceBank and Templafys platforms brings these digital assets directly into Microsoft Office applications, making it easier for employees to use approved brand assets than to go rogue. About Templafy: Templafys cloud-based SaaS platform brings custom company templates, brand assets and best practice content together directly inside any office application, streamlining how users create on-brand and compliant documents, presentations and emails. Templafy's team leveraged more than 15 years of experience in template management and document automation to develop an enterprise cloud service solution which is now a global market leader within its category, validated by blue-chip enterprise customers on every continent. About IntelligenceBank: IntelligenceBank is the leading marketing operations platform. Designed by marketers for marketers IntelligenceBank helps brands streamline content management, brand compliance and marketing operations. Founded in 2009, over 400 leading brands across 55 countries rely on IntelligenceBank every day. There are offices in the US, Canada and Australia with an award-winning customer success program and follow the sun support. IntelligenceBank usse best in class tech (Elixire) for fast navigation, beautifully designed UX and continuous innovation. Texas is a good example to use to get a good idea what med spa law is all about, says Alex Thiersch, JD, founder and director of the American Med Spa Association. Texas is one of those states where theres a lot of opportunity, but you have to be careful. Researching the legal requirements for opening a medical spa can be daunting given the complexity of state laws, and the headlines of practices from Houston to Dallas that have been closed by the police for an array of non-compliant activity. AmSpas legal summary of Texas medical aesthetic laws provides compliance insight into: Who can inject Botox, Who can perform laser treatments (including intense pulsed light, laser skin resurfacing, and laser hair removal), Who can own a med spa, And much more. I joined AmSpa a few years ago because my wife is an attorney, however she doesnt specialize in what we do and shes very big on doing this correctly, says Chris Bailey, owner of Ovation Med Spa in Houston. Getting connected with AmSpa several years ago has been a great help just keeping track of what the rules are, and from there getting connected with ByrdAdatto to help even in a more detailed with our setup and our compliance has been really helpful. The summary, available for AmSpa Basic members, answers over 60 medical spa legal questions, and AmSpa Plus members have access to over 25 additional medical aesthetic legal answers. The online resource is a must-have for medical spa owners, medical directors, practice managers, and practitioners that are looking for medical aesthetics training in the law and a further understanding of the Texas Medical Practice Act. AmSpas legal summaries are powered by the Dallas healthcare, business, and aesthetic law firm ByrdAdatto. For more information visit http://www.americanmedspa.org/page/texas. Texas is a good example to use to get a good idea what med spa law is all about, says Alex Thiersch, JD, founder and director of the American Med Spa Association. He cites the Texas laws regarding the corporate practice of medicine, telemedicine, and laser hair removal as examples of how the state is working to quantify principles in the industry that are often hard to interpret. Texas is one of those states where theres a lot of opportunity, but you have to be careful. Find answers to questions about medical spa law in the AmSpa Texas medical aesthetic legal summary. About the American Med Spa Association: The American Med Spa Association (AmSpa) provides business and legal resources to medical spas and aesthetic practices across the country. AmSpas eventsincluding Medical Spa Boot Camps and The Medical Spa Showprovide business and legal best-practices to anyone entering the medical spa space or looking to improve their existing business. AmSpa members receive access to legal summaries of the laws governing medical spas in their state, access to an exclusive medical spa insurance program, and many other benefits. Lori brings extensive experience and passion for recruiting to our firm, and will serve as a key driver in our recruiting process outsourcing services on the West Coast and across the U.S. The Bowdoin Group, an executive search firm with deep expertise in leadership search and strategic build-outs for innovative companies, is pleased to announce the appointment of Lori Smudsky as a Principal, Talent Acquisition Services based in San Francisco. Smudsky will be The Bowdoin Groups first team member based on the West Coast and will focus on overseeing Talent Acquisition Support Services for our clients. At The Bowdoin Group, we are dedicated to transforming companies and developing careers by providing our clients the right talent and industry expertise to create extraordinary teams, said Dave Melville, Founder and CEO of The Bowdoin Group. Lori brings extensive experience and passion for recruiting to our firm, and will serve as a key driver in our recruiting process outsourcing services on the West Coast and across the U.S. Karen Walker Beecher, Chief Operating Officer at The Bowdoin Group, added, There is a real need for support when it comes to finding and hiring the right talent, especially as companies scale to achieve their aggressive growth goals. We create solutions for our clients hiring needs by providing best practices that are customized and supported by implementing processes, people, and technology. Loris appointment serves as the foundation to further expand our service offerings to the West Coast. The Bowdoin Group is fortunate to welcome Lori to our growing team! Its exciting to join a firm with such a dedication to delivering excellence at every touchpoint. Im looking forward to building upon The Bowdoin Groups recruiting operations and executive search business on the West Coast as the firm focuses on growing our Talent Acquisition Support Services nationwide, said Smudsky. Prior to joining The Bowdoin Group, Smudsky served as the Talent Acquisition Lead in California on-site for Intarcia Therapeutics, a private, pre-commercial biotechnology company. There, she hired over 200 people during her nearly three-year tenure. Prior to Intarcia, Smudsky owned and operated a San Francisco Bay Area branch of the boutique executive recruiting franchise Corps Team / Mom Corps. Smudsky holds a B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan and an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University. About The Bowdoin Group Founded in 1994, The Bowdoin Group is an award-winning executive search firm that specializes in leadership and strategic roles for a wide range of companies, from small firms building out their executive team to large firms sourcing talent for rapid market expansion. With deep expertise in BioPharma, Digital Health, FinTech and Financial Services, and Software, The Bowdoin Group is an industry leader with a depth of experience in sourcing talent and servicing companies globally. The companys service reputation earned it a ranking in the top 2% of the recruiting industry for client satisfaction. Bowdoin is active in supporting Bostons entrepreneurial ecosystem as well as several non-profit causes. Visit us at https://www.bowdoingroup.com/ and connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Contact Emily Leinbach (781) 263-5239 eleinbach@bowdoingroup.com Halloween will take on a new, healthier spin this year for thousands of children and families in San Diego thanks to the highly anticipated Spooktacular event and Candy Buy Back event hosted by Dr. Kami Hoss of The Super Dentists. Spooktacular will take place on October 27, 2018, with the goal of giving children and their families an unforgettable way to kick off this years Halloween season while also learning about the importance of good oral health. The spooky party will feature live music, carnival games, and costume contest. Face painting, laser tag, balloon artists, games, and jumpies will also be part of the fun. In addition, the party will include a haunted house that will teach children the scary outcome of not properly caring for their teeth. Carmel Valleys Sarit A. Harel, a paper mache artist, designed the life-size pieces that children will encounter in the haunted house, and scary actors will help to make the educational haunted house even spookier. The storyline for the haunted house has to do with an evil villain named Cavitar, who has taken over an office. His goal is to have sugar dominate the universe. Children will witness firsthand the negative impacts of practicing subpar dental hygiene habits over the course of a lifetime, which includes experiencing an increased risk of heart disease. Dr. Kami Hoss, a leading orthodontist in Southern California, expects to see 3,000 to 5,000 attendees at the event, one of The Super Dentists largest ones. Last year, a total of 3,000 San Diegans participated in the 3-hour bonanza. Dr. Hoss is also hosting a Candy Buy Back event from Nov. 1 to Nov. 3, where children can exchange their Halloween candy for cash at The Super Dentists offices in Chula Vista, Oceanside, Carmel Valley, Kearny Mesa, or Eastlake. Children will receive $1 for each pound of candy brought in, and the candy will shipped overseas to Americas military troops. Those interested in the Candy Buy Back or Spooktacular event can visit http://www.thesuperdentists.com for more information. Bell Auto, which is located at 1127 Finch Avenue W in Toronto, has many different makes and models of used SUVs. As the colder weather starts to engulf Toronto, drivers will want to make sure they have a vehicle that can handle the elements. Bell Auto meets this need with its wide selection of highly-capable and affordably-priced used SUVs. The dealership offers a myriad of different brands and models of SUVs. This includes budget-friendly models that are priced under $10,000, mainstream brands like Ford, Toyota and GMC, and luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. All of the SUVs that Bell Auto sell received a detailed inspection by one of its automotive technicians, so SUV shoppers can count on exceptional quality. On the Bell Auto website (http://www.bellauto.com), SUV shoppers can utilize several helpful tools. This includes tools for calculating monthly payments, the trade-in value, and fuel savings, as well an application for online pre-approval for financing. Also, SUV shoppers can choose different parameters for their vehicle search, including price range, maximum mileage, year, make, model, trim, body type, features, exterior and interior colors, engine type, and transmission type. With the first-rate service center at Bell Auto, the benefits of buying an SUV continue long after driving the vehicle off of the lot. With the dealerships expert technicians, advanced diagnostic equipment and proven track record of high-quality and efficient service work, SUV drivers can have the peace of mind of knowing that their vehicle is in good hands enabling it to remain in excellent condition for many years and miles. SUV shoppers in Toronto are encouraged to visit Bell Autos website at http://www.bellauto.com for more information. The telephone number of the dealership is (877) 854-4872 and its address is 1127 Finch Avenue W in Toronto. Trilogy Wellness, LLC is first Healer Certified dispensary in the state of Maryland "Trilogy Wellness is committed to being an active and positive member of the Ellicott City community and this event is an example of the dedication to the founding pillars of the Trilogy Wellness company- health, wellness, and community," Trilogy Wellness of Maryland, LLC announced today it will host a community festival on Wednesday, October 24, 2018, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Trilogy Wellness CEO Michael McDevitt will be joined by Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman during the event to present a donation for flood relief to the Ellicott City Partnership. Members of the press are invited to attend the event and the check presentation will take place at noon. When the devastating flood ravaged historic Ellicott City in late May just one month after Trilogy Wellness opened its doors in the community, the Trilogy Wellness team rallied together with the patient community and began collecting donations for the Ellicott City Partnership which will ensure the donation will exclusively benefit residents and business owners in historic Ellicott City. Trilogy is matching all patient donations. The event will also celebrate Trilogy Wellness as the first Healer Certified dispensary in Maryland. Healer Certified retail partners complete Healers Medicinal Cannabis Training and commit to ongoing education to maintain certification. The training was developed by Healer co-founder Dr. Dustin Sulak to empower medical cannabis professionals to better help patients achieve the best possible results. A comprehensive resource of current data and information about medicinal cannabis, the training is based on scientific research, proven protocols and Dr. Sulaks clinical experience since 2009. Healer Certified partners also have access to patient education materials and ongoing instruction on the most current research and findings. Trilogy Wellness is inviting members of the community to come to the event and learn more about the healing power of medical cannabis and meet the Healer Certified Trilogy Wellness team. Food and drinks will be provided by local Ellicott City business partners and information about medical cannabis, giveaways, free chair massages and more will be provided to guests. Patients that are registered with the MMCC and have a written certification will have access to special promotions the day of the event. The Trilogy team will also register interested parties with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission during the event. "Trilogy Wellness is committed to being an active and positive member of the Ellicott City community and this event is an example of the dedication to the founding pillars of the Trilogy Wellness company- health, wellness, and community," stated Michael McDevitt, CEO of Trilogy Wellness. McDevitt continued: "Since the day we opened in April of 2018, weve been committed to training our wellness advisors to the highest standard of excellence and holding ourselves accountable to be ahead of industry standards. We believe the responsible use of medical cannabis complimented by our staffs passion, knowledge, and community-driven patient focus will continue to set us apart in the industry. We are proud to donate to the Ellicott City Partnership fund in conjunction with our loyal patients that have come together to support the cause." Trilogy Wellness is located at 9291 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042. Only patients with a valid written certification will be allowed in the dispensary area during the event. The community event will remain outside and in the public area of the dispensary. About Trilogy Wellness, LLC Trilogy Wellness delivers compassionate, patient-centered care by providing direct access to affordable, consistent, and effective medical cannabis. Trilogy Wellness is the first Healer certified medical dispensary in the state of Maryland. Trilogy Wellness is committed to working with doctors and healthcare professionals to close the education gap between patients and providers by expanding knowledge and understanding of the benefits, risk, best practices and most effective ways of utilizing medical cannabis. For more information visit http://trilogy.health About Healer Healer is a trusted, doctor-developed medical cannabis brand and provider of internationally acclaimed educational content. Founded to address the challenge of producing and selling safe, reliably dosable products and educating patients on how to best use them, Healers distinctive product formulations and educational material are based on the work of leading cannabis clinician Dr. Dustin Sulak, D.O., an expert and educator on medical cannabis and pioneer of clinical applications. Dr. Dustin Sulak is an integrative medicine physician in Maine and internationally regarded as a pioneer, expert, and educator on cannabinoid medicine. He is a board member and research chair of the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, course director for Cannabis Expertise CME Symposia and a contributing author for Leafly.com For more information visit http://www.Healer.com. For more information regarding the event please contact Jaime Elwood jelwood(at)trilogy.health 443-539-7372 UBCF Partners with ChaShaMa UBCF partners with ChaShaMa to provide 5 artists impacted by breast cancer with coveted ground floor window space in New York Citys Diamond District United Breast Cancer Foundation (UBCF) partners with ChaShaMa to provide 5 artists impacted by breast cancer with coveted ground floor window space in New York Citys Diamond District, West 47th St., Manhattan. A reception for the artists and guests will be held at a space down the block from the windows. The installations will remain on view for 6 months. Space is available to women and men currently managing breast cancer or within 5 years remission. Artists interested in applying may contact ChaShaMa directly. ChaShaMa Founder, Ms. Anita Durst shared, Chashama is proud to work together with the United Breast Cancer Foundation and bring awareness to the Breast Cancer community through art in the Diamond District of New York City for the next 6 months. Durst continued, Come down, see the show, support the Breast Cancer community of artist selected for this show, and see how they have transformed the block at 10 West 47th street. The Window Spaces receives heavy foot traffic in the heart of New York City's Diamond District. There are multiple windows available, including: glass doorways, eye-level display cases, 12' two-tiered flat windows. Artwork will be visible to the public through the windows of the space only. Installations will be bold and exciting, free-standing sculptures, and dioramas. UBCFs Executive Director states, UBCF believes art is an important outlet and a way to heal the soul. We believe this venture with ChaShaMa will bring further awareness to UBCFs programs as well as to artists affected by Breast Cancer, increasing visibility of their work which is the language that speaks to all. About ChaShaMa Chashama was founded in 1995 by Anita Durst to celebrate the legacy of theatre visionary Reza Abdoh. ChaShaMas initial focus was on the production and presentation of new theatre. Recognizing that a lack of affordable space was the biggest threat to sustaining a diverse cultural environment in New York City, ChaShaMa began to work toward securing studio and presentation space in Midtown Manhattan, the 5 boroughs and beyond, giving artists work and presentation spaces, as well as providing free art workshops in under served communities. Currently, we present 150 events a year, have workspace for 120 artists, and have developed 80 workshops in under served communities. chashama.org Background on UBCF UBCF is committed to offering breast health and wellness services focused on cancer prevention, screening, treatment and overall wellness. UBCFs mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer and carries it out through seven life-supporting patient and family programs available to women, men and families nation-wide. UBCF never denies services to anyone regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity, income or medical insurance coverage. Those in need of breast health services may visit ubcf.org or call toll-free, 877-822-4287. Tax-deductible contributions may be made towards UBCFs programs. UBCF accepts vehicle and property donations as well. Contributions may be mailed to UBCF, P.O. Box 2421, Huntington, NY 11743, or donate through the Combined Federal Campaign, #77934. John Shearer/WireImageThe original lineup of Static-X -- bassist Tony Campos, guitarist Koichi Fukuda and drummer Ken Jay -- is reuniting to record a new album in tribute to the band's late frontman Wayne Static, who died in 2014. The album's called Project Regeneration, and it's due out in 2019. Project Regeneration features Static's final compositions and vocal recordings. The album will also include guest vocalists: According to Campos, the band is in the process of recruiting artists such as Disturbed's David Draiman and Five Finger Death Punch's Ivan Moody for the project. Additionally, the reunited Static-X lineup will launch a tour in 2019 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the band's 1999 debut album, Wisconsin Death Trip. The full details of the album and the tour are forthcoming. Stay tuned to Static-X.org for more info. Copyright 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 23) Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the refusal of a court to issue a warrant against opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes in connection with his non-bailable case must be implemented. "The court has spoken, it must be obeyed," Lorenzana said in a statement Monday. The Makati Regional Trial Court Branch (RTC) 148 rejected the Justice Department's plea for an alias arrest warrant and travel ban against Trillanes. The Justice Department filed the petition after President Rodrigo Duterte voided the 2011 amnesty granted to the embattled senator, on the grounds that his amnesty application was missing in the Defense Department. Both Lorenzana and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. previously admitted they could not find the amnesty application form Trillanes had supposedly filed in 2011. However, the court ruled that Trillanes filed his amnesty application at the Defense Department, contrary to the allegations made by Solicitor General Jose Calida. Meanwhile, Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said that while he respects the ruling, this is not the end of Trillanes' case. "This is an extraordinary case eh. So pwede pang may susunod dyan. Hindi natin alam. [It's possible something else follows. We don't know.] of course the state could always file for motion for reconsideration sa Supreme Court," he said. Police previously arrested the senator on September 25 on the grounds of another case the Justice Department filed against him. Trillanes posted 200,000 bail after. A former naval officer, Trillanes got involved the Oakwood mutiny in July 2003, the Marines standoff in February 2006, and the Manila Peninsula incident in 2007 - in opposition to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The senator was jailed along with several Magdalo officers, but were released after former President Benigno Aquino III granted them amnesty. The caravan doesnt want to invade or fight. They seek asylum, a legal status for which they must apply and wait for possible acceptance. Thats what we should have learned from the earlier, smaller April caravan. That one started out much larger than it ended, partly because of arrests and rejections by Mexicos authorities, acting with the Trump administrations encouragement. The current caravan started in Honduras with about 160 migrants and has swelled to more than 7,000, but many are likely to drop off. Dr. Angela Cotey and her team of skilled dental hygienists like Nikki, strive to not only offer effective care, but treatments that minimize discomfort and follow-up treatments. Laser dentistry is now being used as a more effective and minimally invasive alternative to traditional dental treatments. Recently, Dr. Angela Coteys team member and trusted dental hygienist, Nikki, completed the latest training in how to offer effective laser dentistry treatment for cases of gum disease in Mt. Horeb, WI. This course, offered by Madison Area Technical College, offered an insightful and detailed look into using diode dental lasers safely and effectively for periodontal therapy. Lasers have been used in the medical field for decades. Covering the history of lasers in dentistry, this course delves into the benefits of applying this modern medical advancement into everything from basic treatments to complex gum disease therapy. Various clinical applications and procedures were reviewed before hands-on training and testing. Following proper safety guidelines and proven treatment techniques, laser dentistry treatments studied in this course offer the precise care patients need for a lasting and healthy smile. Dr. Angela Cotey and her team of skilled dental hygienists like Nikki, strive to not only offer effective care, but treatments that minimize discomfort and follow-up treatments. Using diode dental lasers, they are able to offer laser bacterial reduction and laser-assisted non-surgical gum disease therapy in Mt. Horeb, WI. Both offer more precise and effective care as the dental laser targets disease-causing bacteria and reduces the chances of infection, boosting the immune system. Gum disease, if left untreated can lead to gum recession, tooth loss and even systemic health issues such as heart disease and kidney failure. Laser gum therapy may not be for everyone, though. Dr. Cotey and her team will recommend a specific treatment plan depending on the stage of gum disease a patient is in as well as their unique situation. Village Smile Care is a general dental practice that strives to offer techniques and technology on the cutting-edge of the industry. Laser dentistry is just one part of that. To learn more about the laser dentistry treatments and therapy for gum disease in Mt. Horeb, WI that Dr. Cotey and her team offer, call 608-433-2102. About the Dentist Dr. Angela Cotey is a general dentist offering personalized dental care to patients in Mount Horeb, WI. Dr. Cotey and her entire team take pride in offering the latest advancements in dentistry and dental technology to ensure each patient enjoys a comfortable experience with long-lasting results. Dr. Cotey combines advanced dentistry with a fun and friendly style. She is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Dental Association, the Wisconsin Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry and current President of the Wisconsin Dental Study Club and Madison Dental Progress Forum. To learn more about Dr. Cotey or the services she offers, please visit her website at http://www.villagesmilecare.com or call 608-433-2102 to schedule an appointment. Warren Oral Surgery in Warren, NJ The main purpose of our website is to provide great insight of our services keeping our patients informed so that their visit to our office is an exceptional overall experience. Warren Oral Surgery in Warren, NJ is pleased to announce the release of its new Hybrid-Responsive website: https://www.warrenoralsurgery.com/. According to Dr. Daniel Sullivan, founder of Warren Oral Surgery, "The main purpose of our website is to provide great insight of our services keeping our patients informed so that their visit to our office is an exceptional overall experience." The new website provides patients of Warren Oral Surgery with comprehensive information about the practice right at their fingertips. Whether they are using a laptop, desktop, tablet, or smartphone, patients can learn what to expect, from descriptions of various procedures to the doctors bios. Warren Oral Surgery recently moved into a custom-built 4000 square foot space in the center of Warren Township. The new state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the latest tools and technology for the most up to date oral surgery procedures. Two highly skilled oral surgeons are ready to perform such treatments as wisdom tooth extraction, guided bone regeneration, frenectomy, dental implants, IV sedation/general anesthesia, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) sedation and many other procedures. The office is open six days per week with Saturday hours every week. The practice accepts same day emergency patients who are in pain to avoid any unnecessary suffering. Both Dr. Sullivan and Dr. Chaudhary have won numerous awards and have served as attending physicians at multiple hospitals and clinics. Dr. Sullivan has been extensively published and is a regular on the lecture circuit, while Dr. Chaudhary has traveled all over the world on humanitarian missions. Both doctors are excited to bring their new Hybrid-Responsive website to their patients. "The website will give our patients a thorough understanding of our oral surgical procedures, staff, patient instructions, educational videos and much more to ensure our patients are well informed prior to coming to our office," says Dr. Sullivan. About Warren Oral Surgery Warren Oral Surgery is a leading oral surgery practice in Warren, NJ. Warren Oral Surgery provides a full line of oral surgery services from wisdom tooth extraction to full mouth reconstruction. To learn more or request an appointment, call 908-378-9494 or visit the office at 58 Mount Bethel Road, Suite 202 Warren, NJ 07059. Elder law attorney Anthony J. Enea, member, Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP With nursing homes in Westchester County averaging $15,000 to $17,000 per month, its absolutely essential for seniors to engage in asset protection and Medicaid planning to prevent their life savings from being exposed to the cost of long term-care. Nearly one in five U.S. residents are projected to be aged 65 and over by 2030 (U.S. Census) and, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 70 percent will need long-term care at some point in their lives. Westchester elder law attorney Anthony J. Enea, member of Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP in White Plains and Somers, N.Y., addressed Caring.coms recent report, 2018's Most and Least Affordable States for Your Aging Parents, with insights on preparing for the elder years. The Caring.com study ranked New York as 44th overall largely due to its high cost of living and long-term care. The findings, which take into account senior living community reviews, nursing home costs, and elderly well-being assessments, placed New York nearly last for cost of living (49th), second only to Hawaii. However, New York ranked much better, 13th overall, for elderly support services. As Caring.coms findings support, while New York has much to offer in terms of programs for older adults and their family caregivers, it is one of the most costly states for senior care services, said Anthony Enea. With nursing homes in Westchester County averaging $15,000 to $17,000 per month, its absolutely essential for seniors to engage in asset protection and Medicaid planning to prevent their life savings from being exposed to the cost of long term-care. Failure to do so can, and often does, have devastating consequences for the senior and his or her loved ones. According to Enea, two documents of great importance to seniors as they age are the Durable General Power of Attorney (POA) and Health Care Proxy (HCP). A sufficiently broad POA and HCP will help alleviate significant potential problems for both the senior and his or her family. There are a number of specific options available to seniors which will allow them to shelter their assets from the cost of care, said Enea. Purchasing long-term care insurance can help finance the cost of in-home or nursing home care. Utilizing a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust is another way to protect ones home and savings. Implementing these options prior to needing care, however, is imperative. Named Westchester Countys Leading Elder Care Attorney at the Above the Bar Awards and Best Lawyers 2018 Elder Law Lawyer of the Year in White Plains, Anthony Enea has spent the past three decades protecting seniors, the disabled and their families.He is president of the Westchester County Bar Foundation and past chair of the New York State Bar Associations Elder Law Section. Eneas practice areas include elder law; Medicaid asset protection trusts; Medicaid applications (home care and nursing home); special needs planning; guardianships (Article 81 and 17-A); and wills, trusts and estates. While no one anticipates having a stroke or heart attack, developing Parkinsons, Alzheimers or dementia, long-term care is a reality for millions across the country, said Enea. Taking a proactive role in advanced planning now will allow seniors to protect and preserve their wealth in the years to come. Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP is located at 245 Main Street in White Plains, N.Y. with additional offices in Somers, N.Y. Elder law attorney Anthony J. Enea can be reached at 914-948-1500 or a.enea@esslawfirm.com.For the latest news, visit Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano online at http://www.esslawfirm.com. About Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP is an AV preeminent rated elder law firm with offices in White Plains and Somers, N.Y. The practice concentrates on Elder Law; Medicaid Planning; Nursing Home and Home Care Applications; Wills, Trusts and Estates; Guardianships; Estate Litigation; Supplemental Needs Trusts; and Special Needs Planning. Enea, Scanlan & Sirignano, LLP serves Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, the Bronx, Manhattan, Long Island and Queens and is committed to providing the highest quality legal services to seniors, the disabled and their families. Visit the firm online at http://www.esslawfirm.com. WillowTree, LLC logo WillowTree's entire model is based on building and sustaining a strong, diverse team of the best mobile designers, developers, and strategists out there. Investing in our employees and work culture is essential for building the best digital products for our clients. WillowTree, LLC a leading strategy, UX design, and mobile app development agency, is delighted to announce that consulting firm Great Place to Work and Fortune Magazine have honored WillowTree, LLC as one of the 2018 Best Small & Medium Workplaces. WillowTree ranked No. 42 on this years list (up from No. 66), which is a testament to the companys commitment to becoming the nations best mobile app development company. This position was earned based on ratings provided by the WillowTree team in an anonymous survey measuring the quality of camaraderie, leadership, fairness, rewards and career opportunities enjoyed by all in their workplace. Quote from Tobias Dengel, CEO of WillowTree: Its common sense that the best team delivers the best product, said Tobias Dengel, CEO of WillowTree. WillowTree's entire model is based on building and sustaining a strong, diverse team of the best mobile designers, developers, and strategists out there. Investing in our employees and work culture is essential for building the best digital products for our clients. We're extremely proud of our team, who are not only talented and passionate about the work they do, but unrelenting when it comes to solving the complex challenges our clients across the enterprise, media delivery, retail, and healthcare industries bring to us. Quote from Christy Phillips, Chief Talent Officer of WillowTree: It's an honor for WillowTree to be recognized on the 2018 Best Small and Medium Workplaces list by Great Places to Work and Fortune magazine," said Christy Phillips, Chief Talent Officer. As we grow, it becomes even more important for each of us to embody the core values that have created our culture. That is what makes WillowTree a special place. I am proud that this great team of people are being recognized for what they have built. The Best Small & Medium Workplaces stand out for excelling in the industrys rapidly-changing marketplace. Quote from Michael Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work When it comes to revenue growth and innovation, the 2018 Best Small & Medium Workplaces continue to outperform their peers making these companies more competitive and helping them secure their position in the marketplace, said Michael Bush, CEO of Great Place to Work. What these companies do differently than their peers is that they offer a great workplace for all employees, regardless of role or personal traits. The Best Small & Medium Workplaces list is one of a series of rankings by Great Place to Work and FORTUNE based on employee feedback from Great Place to Work-Certified organizations. WillowTree, LLC also was ranked as a 2018 Best Workplace for Technology in 2018 by Great Place to Work and FORTUNE. About WillowTree, LLC: WillowTree creates digital products designed to drive growth. A full-service application strategy, UX design, and mobile app development services company, WillowTrees focus is to bridge the highest level of consumer UX with enterprise-grade functionality and security. WillowTree is an industry leader in field solutions, media delivery, loyalty programs and payments, and connected devices and works with brands such as 21st Century Fox, Synchrony Financial, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, and Johnson & Johnson. Clients trust WillowTree to guide and execute their mobile initiatives. Learn more about how WillowTree can help your business by visiting willowtreeapps.com. About the Best Small & Medium Workplaces Great Place to Work based its ranking on a data-driven methodology applied to anonymous Trust Index survey responses from more than 112,000 employees at Great Place to Work-Certified organizations. To learn more about Great Place to Work Certification and recognition on Best Workplaces lists published with FORTUNE, visit Greatplacetowork.com. About Great Place to Work Great Place to Work is a global people analytics and consulting firm that helps companies produce better business results by focusing on workplace culture. Powered by more than 30 years of research, Emprising, its SaaS-enabled survey and analytics platform, gives companies access to the assessments, data, and reporting needed to build a high-trust, high-performance culture. Among the well-curated choices for traveling are Perus Machu Picchu, the bluebell-covered 1,360-acre forest floor in Belgium, the canola flower fields in China, the largest sand dunes in South America, and the pinkish-white soda crust of Lake Natron in Tanzania, to name a few. In a simple yet detailed visual travel guide, apparel company WP Standard shares 20 picturesque holiday destinations located in the most secluded parts of the planet. The infographic includes facts about what makes the place special and what activities visitors and travelers can do in each destination. Twenty unique locations scattered across Asia to Europe are featured in WP Standards newly released infographic travel guide, Top Hidden Travel Destinations around the World. The varied selection features some of the most beautiful yet unheard-of locales where nature takes reign. In most of these places, human habitation has little to no direct impact, leaving the pure aesthetic form that has made them treasures to their locals. Among the well-curated choices for traveling are Perus Machu Picchu, the bluebell-covered 1,360-acre forest floor in Belgium, the canola flower fields in China, the largest sand dunes in South America, and the pinkish-white soda crust of Lake Natron in Tanzania, to name a few. The infographic is part of WP Standards advocacy that the best investment a person can make toward happiness is to seek out experience. The company encourages readers to explore the multiple advantages of traveling and inspire a generation of curious, mindful individuals. About WP Standard WP Standard is an international distributor of full-grain leather goods that include bags, belts, and accessories. The apparel company boasts premium quality products and exceptional class customer service. WP Standard is headquartered in the US and ships products both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit http://www.wpstandard.com. If you are new to iQ you can schedule a demo and learn more about this opportunity. PSFK iQ - Where Innovators Turn for Research. Our professional-grade research platform is designed specifically for Retail and CX leaders who want to know whats next. Whether youre staying current on trends or need a real-time research partner to help you get ahead, count on PSFK iQ to deliver the info you need to make your next move. Author and pastor Eugene H. Peterson, whose prolific works include The Message Bible translation and, most recently, Every Step an Arrival, passed away on October 22. He was 85. The Message, published by NavPress in 2002, has sold several million copies to date, according to the publisher. Don Pape, the publisher of NavPress, reflected on his friendship with Peterson and his family in a statement. "Eugene was more than The Pastor. He was more than The Author. Truly this man lived and breathed and smiled Jesus," he said. Tina Constable, senior v-p & publisher of WaterBrook and Multnomah, issued a statement on behalf of the publisher, which released his past two books: As Kingfishers Catch Fire (2017) and the aforementioned devotional, Every Step an Arrival (Oct. 2). It has been our honor to publish Eugenes most recent books and bring his warm pastoral writing of authentic Christian spirituality to readers around the world, Constable said. Eugenes legacy as an author will continue as we work with his family to publish his rich archive of writings for several years to come. Peterson was contracted with WaterBrook for four to five more books, which will be finished and published posthumously between 2019 and 2022, according to the publisher. InterVarsity Press, which published Peterson's first book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction (1980) as well as many others, also released a statement following the author's death. "His voice was one of great wisdom, his life an example of Christian fidelity, and his witness of obedient discipleship a challenge to us all," said IVP's publisher, Jeff Crosby. The author also had several books published at Eerdmans, including Tell It Slant (2008), Eat This Book (2006), and Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places (1999), which PW called rich, generous, and wise in its starred review. "We will always be grateful that Eugene Peterson entrusted us with so many books in his long and prolific writing career," said Anita Eerdmans, president and publisher. "For him, religion of the heart and religion of the mind were inseparable." In addition to writing over 30 books, Peterson served as pastor of Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, Md. from 1962-1991. He made headlines last year after saying he would be willing to conduct a same-sex marriage in an interview with Religion News Service, prompting LifeWay Christian Stores to threaten to pull his books from its shelves. He later retracted the statement, citing a biblical view of everything including marriage in The Washington Post, and his books remained at LifeWay. His death arrives almost two weeks after he entered hospice care, according to a Facebook post by Petersons friend and fellow pastor, Robert Creech. Last Friday, 11 KNUST students, including an alumnus of the university, were arrested and detained at the KNUST police station. The students were reported to have been beaten and brutalised by the Universitys security personnel before being handed to the Police. ece-auto-gen It was later revealed that the students arrest was as a result of them holding a vigil without permission. Despite public condemnation, the schools management justified the arrests, saying the students failed to abide by school laws and therefore left them with now choice than to invite the Police to deal with the situation. The led to renewed tensions yesterday (Monday), with some students boycotting classes to stage a demonstration against the brutalities meted out to their colleagues. However, what was meant to be a peaceful protest soon became messy, as students ransacked cars and other properties belonging to both teaching and non-teaching staff. They also chased away the Universitys security personnel and burnt the Dean of Students car in the cause of the demonstration. It took the efforts of the military and some Police officers to restore order and, currently, a curfew has been imposed on the University premises. ece-auto-gen Having seen the majority of the public take the side of students, the KNUST management has now come out with its own version of the story. READ ALSO: In a statement released on Monday, management said contrary to claims by the students, the schools administration has never banned students from having their traditional morale sessions. The statement said on Friday, at around 12:00 midnight some Alunmi of University Hall organised an unauthorised morale session with threats of burning down the hall. ece-auto-gen The school authorities said they indeed carried out the threats and went ahead to use petrol in burning down five rooms occupied by females. The authorities said they had to call the fire service and the Police to help contain the situation. The statement added that it was the petrol bombing by some students which led to a suspension of morale sessions on campus. ece-auto-gen It further stated that later that day, another set of students came around with their drums, but were stopped by the University security. This, the management said, infuriated the students who resorted to attacking the security personnel. The statement said three KNUST security personnel were severely injured in the process, which led to the arrest of the students involved in the violence. ece-auto-gen Meanwhile, the leadership of the University Hall has described the explanation from management as lies. The prices for both petrol and diesel have increased by about 2.76 per cent. The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) blamed the increase on the surge in the price of finished products on the international market. The Executive Director of the NPA, Hassan Tampuli told Accra-based Citi FM that the increases at the various pumps are within the permitted indicative prices. Almost all the OMCs that have moved the prices up are within the indicative price range. We observed some shocks on the international market. LPG price has gone up by about 2.21%, and petrol by about 2.94 %, and diesel has gone up by 6.37%. That is what we have seen on the international market. The imposition of sanctions on Iran by the United States has also impacted negatively on the prices on the international market, he said. In September 2018, the price of fuel crossed the GH 5 mark. READ ALSO: Part of Legon mall collapsesPart of Legon mall collapses According to the Institute of Energy Security (IES), the increase was due to the depreciation of the cedi. In a related development, Policy think tank on taxation and consumer protection CUTS International, has called on the government to reduce the special petroleum levy. There have been three major manufacturing changes here in my district with two plants closing and one being replaced, and I want to help families in the area and advocate for stronger economic tools, he said. These were the words of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, when he held an official lunch in honour of the President of the Republic of Sierra, His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, at Jubilee House. Proposing a toast his Sierra Leonean counterpart, President Akufo-Addo noted that the historical and cultural ties between Ghana and Sierra Leone are borne largely out of trade and education, dating back two centuries. Mr. President, your presence in Ghana should spur our two nations on to develop stronger ties and explore several areas of co-operation to the mutual benefit of our two peoples, he said. Having followed, with keen interest, the structural programme being embarked upon by President Maada Bios administration, President Akufo-Addo stated that he was, particularly, happy about his Free Quality Education initiative. I urge you to stand firm and see it through, regardless of the opposition you will face. For us in Ghana, our Free Senior High School education policy, within the first two years of its implementation, has ensured that 270,000 more students, whose education would otherwise have been truncated for financial reasons, have access to secondary education, the President said. It was also good to see Your Excellency sign the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, during the 31st African Union Summit, in Nouakchott, Mauritania. I will, respectfully, urge your Government to see to the expeditious ratification of the Agreement, so that we can quickly reach the minimum threshold of ratification by twenty-two-member states, that will enable the CFTA to come into effect, and permit our continent to take advantage of its huge market, President Akufo-Addo said. ece-auto-gen He continued, This will present great opportunities to increase intra-African trade, create jobs, enhance incomes, and put the continent onto the path of progress and prosperity. In so doing, it is equally important for us to take the necessary measures that will make our regional market of ECOWAS effective, as a sound building block for the success of the CFTA. If our regional markets work well, our continental market will work well. Confirming the incident, the police administration in the Bunkprugu District said the victim was on board one of the two buses bound for Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region when their vehicle was attacked. READ ALSO: Three suspected armed robbers nabbed at Kokrobite ece-auto-gen Then-kindergarten teacher Juan C. Avendano was arrested March 10 and charged with 18 felonies, including predatory criminal sexual abuse and aggravated sexual abuse. Child victims are not identified by name, but by their initials in criminal complaints. The initials of the child Avendano is accused of abusing and the initials of the child Aguilar failed to report on are the same. And after a 15-month apprenticeship, Bassirou has just become the first employee of a small company set up with the aim of turning the project into a self-sustaining venture. "It is a great opportunity," he says of his new career move. "I had done a bit of cutting and sewing back home but that was with cloth, not leather. "It wasn't easy at the start, every little thing seemed difficult, but after a certain point, you get the hang of it." Bassirou left Burkina Faso in west Africa, and a partner then pregnant with his now two-year-old daughter, in 2015. He says he fled because he feared for his life in the tumultuous aftermath of yet another military coup in the impoverished former French colony. Now he is awaiting the outcome of his application for asylum in Italy and is one of some 400 recently-arrived immigrants being looked after by Lai-Momo, a social cooperative that runs the EU-funded leather skills project in the small town of Lama Di Reno near Bologna. The decision to leave home was not an easy one, Bassirou says, and it is one he might have reconsidered had he known of the horrors that awaited him in Libya, the jumping off point for most Africans trying to get to Europe. 'It's slavery' Shocking recent images of slave auctions in the troubled north African state came as no surprise. "These are things that are really happening in Libya," Bassirou told AFPTV. "I had a bit of a taste of it. They put us in a prison. At any time they could come and get us to do forced labour, all sorts of jobs. They never gave us enough to eat. "All that, it's slavery," he said. Bassirou endured these conditions for four months before the traffickers controlling his fate finally put him onto an inflatable dinghy packed with over 100 others. After many fraught hours at sea, mostly spent praying it would not sink, the overcrowded dinghy was spotted by a British ship. "At the moment we were rescued there was a bit of a stampede to get off and the boat started taking on water. In the end they got everyone off." The date, March 20, 2016, is etched permanently in his memory. "These are things you don't forget easily," he says. Now he dreams of being able to open his own shop, but the future path of his life remains uncertain, as is the case for tens of thousands like him in overcrowded reception centres across Italy. Few of them will benefit from the kind of support that has helped Bassirou pursue his education to Italian high school level, or the distraction from the stress that comes with living in limbo. "Doing this (working), you are going to have positive rather than negative thoughts, you're thinking that when you're finished, you'll have a trade," he says. 'Return issue not easy' A total of 15 migrants have completed the first round of training and another 18 have just started, including Bassirou's compatriot, Issa. The 21-year-old recounts a similar tale about his time in Libya. "I have friends who are still there in slave camps,"Issa says. Having made it to Italy, he is now relieved to have escaped the frustrated boredom that is the lot of many asylum seekers. "Before I came here, I was in another house, just sleeping all the time, doing nothing," he says. "Now I feel much more relaxed. I have contact with (local) people and I'm beginning to learn the language." Not all the apprentices can realistically aspire to the proficiency Bassirou has attained. As some have limited literacy and numeracy, lessons in cutting have to be preceded by an introduction to basic concepts of measuring and geometry. "The objective is to provide people with the ability and skills they need to enter the labour market here in Italy, but also in the event of a possible return to their country of origin," said Lai-Momo's president, Andrea Marchesini Reggiani. The Lama Di Reno project is part of a wider programme overseen by the Ethical Fashion Initiative run by the United Nations and WTO-backed International Trade Centre with the aim of creating new economic opportunities in developing countries to help curb irregular migration. People like Bassirou say going home is not an option they can contemplate, for now. And Marchesini Reggiani admits that the emphasis on voluntary repatriations can be problematic, given the risks, sacrifices and struggles involved in many migrants' journeys to Europe. "For sure, it is not an easy thing to address the issue of return," he says. "For us the important thing is to give people skills. Whether they can use them here or whether they are refused the right to stay, they are being given an opportunity, let's say a plus. A caravan of an estimated 4,000 migrants from Central America continued their journey through southern Mexico, the fourth country in many of the migrants' path to the US border. After setting out from Honduras two weeks earlier, the number of migrants in the group swelled to thousands walking on foot to flee crippling poverty and widespread violence. Traveling tens of miles each day in sweltering heat, the caravan had reached Niltepec, Mexico, by Tuesday, October 30 still at least 1,000 miles from the US border: Their journey so far Mexico's southern border provided a significant roadblock to the caravan, as officials tried to prevent the migrants from crossing illegally and ordered them to request asylum, only several hundred did, according to NPR. Roughly 1,500 caravan members remained on the Guatemalan side of the border. In its second week, the caravan reportedly inspired another group of 300 Salvadorans to set out for the US border. Once they reached Mexico, The New York Times reported the majority of the first group voted by a show of hands to continue heading north. After stopping over the weekend in the southern Mexican city Tapachula, the migrants set out for a 25-mile journey to Huixtla on October 22, facing 90-degree temperatures. Migrants told multiple media outlets that once they had heard about the caravan, they had jumped at the chance to flee poverty, rampant gang violence, and corruption in Latin America's Northern Triangle. Twenty-eight-year-old Carlos Leonidas Garcia Urbina from Tocoa, Honduras, told the Associated Press he was cutting the grass in his father's yard when he heard about the caravan. He says he dropped the shears right there and ran to join it with just 500 lempiras ($20) in his pocket. Motioning to his fellow travelers in the caravan, he said: "We are going to the promised land." Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto offered the migrants the opportunity to receive benefits and apply for refugee status if they stayed in Mexico, and more than 1,700 took him up on the offer. Though Mexico softened in dealing with the migrants, their fate at the US border is still unclear. US President Donald Trump and other administration officials have ramped up their rhetoric against the migrants as they grow in numbers and move north. It comes as China, India, Japan, the Gulf Arab states and others also compete for influence on a continent where the 28-nation EU remains as a whole the biggest economic and political player. European Parliament President Antonio Tajani told parliamentarians from both continents before the summit that there was little time to find ways to meet the needs of an African population set to more than double by 2050 to around 2.4 billion people. "Africa will have to create millions of jobs to accommodate the new arrivals in the job market," Tajani said in Abidjan, the Ivory Coast's economic capital. "If this does not happen, our young people will lose hope," said the Italian politician. "We will then be facing problems of radicalisation, especially in unstable regions such as the Sahel, but also much more widespread migration," he added. Millions of Africans have already been on the move within the continent to seek jobs or flee conflict but also across the Mediterranean, mainly via Libya to Italy. The EU this year began to reduce the flow through cooperation with the Libyan authorities following a more comprehensive deal with Turkey, which has sharply cut the flow of those fleeing the Middle East to Greece. Africa 'Marshall Plan' More that 1.5 million people from the Middle East and Africa have entered Europe in the last two years and EU officials fear new and even greater influxes in the future. EU officials said the migrant influx, which sparked political divisions across the EU, as well as frequent Islamist attacks in Europe have been a wake-up call to tackle the root causes of why people leave their homes. The EU has already set up multi-billion euro funds to promote Africa's economic development while deepening counter-terrorism cooperation with African countries where Islamist militant groups are spreading. "I talk about a Marshall Plan for Africa, as we are facing an enormous task and have, moreover, little time to act," Tajani said. The multi-billion dollar Marshall Plan launched by the United States after World War II is widely credited for helping Europe achieve its current prosperity and stability. Ahmed Reda Chami, Morocco's ambassador to the EU who will attend the summit, has also called for a Marshall Plan for Africa but protected by anti-corruption measures and tailored to African needs. Both the European and African supporters of a Marshall Plan hope billions in European public funds will seed even bigger private investment. Visiting Burkina Faso before heading to the Abidjan summit, French President Emmanuel Macron said France is setting up a billion-euro ($1.2 billion) fund for small and medium sized African businesses. At the start of his first African tour, Macron said the money could be used to help firms maximise value from agriculture, but also the digital sector. The summit of 55 African Union and 28 EU leaders is also likely to deal with the outrage over US television footage of black Africans sold as slaves in Libya. Amazon is just steps away from deciding the location of its second North American headquarters, known as HQ2. In the last few months, the company's executives have made visits to a number of finalist cities, including New York City, Chicago, and Newark, New Jersey, according to insider comments first reported in the Wall Street Journal. The company's arrival could have huge repercussions for real estate prices in whatever city it chooses. A recent analysis from home loan and mortgage company Mr. Cooper found that Amazon could drive up home prices in its chosen city by nearly 30% (the analysis excludes two of the 20 finalist cities due to insufficient data). Of the 18 remaining cities, Newark could be the most affected by Amazon's arrival, with home prices increasing by around 29%. Raleigh, North Carolina is close behind, with prices expected to rise by more than 27%, though the city is an unlikely choice: Amazon has reportedly gone silent on them for months. The same goes for Phoenix, Arizona, which hasn't received much attention, but could see its home prices rise by more than 12%. In recent months, insiders have identified a clear winner in Washington, DC or one of its adjacent neighborhoods in Northern Virginia or Montgomery County, Maryland. This idea has been thrown into question by Amazon's recent trips to Newark, New York, and Chicago, though DC remains a top contender. If the Amazon does in fact move to the DC area, there's good news for locals: Home prices would only increase by about 4%. The findings contradict earlier predictions of a major price increase in the city, though not all real estate experts have been worried. " The analysis expects a near-identical price increase in Los Angeles, and an even better scenario in Boston, which would see prices rise by just 0.4%. The results show that smaller cities would experience more acute impacts, given their limited housing stock. While many large cities are still starved for affordable homes, their overall housing supply is more equipped to handle Amazon's 50,000 new tech workers. This explains why housing costs have skyrocketed in Amazon's current home of Seattle, which has a metropolitan area that's relatively small compared to metros like Boston and Los Angeles. But these trends also depend on whether you're a renter or homeowner. As MarketWatch's Jacob Passy points out, renters could be more susceptible to Amazon-related price hikes as landlords look to take advantage of growing momentum. Meanwhile, homeowners will likely benefit from low mortgage rates and the ability to refinance. MTN Group Ltd., on Tuesday, confirmed that it is currently engaging the Nigerian authority to find an equitable resolution in the controversial $8.1 billion demand. The South African phone firm stated this in a statement to its shareholders posted on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), Reuters reports. Shareholders are advised to continue to exercise caution when dealing in the companys securities until a further announcement is made, Reuters quoted MTN as saying in the statement. In August 2018, Nigeria's central bank (CBN) had ordered MTN and four other banks to refund a total of $8.134billion moved out of the country" for breaching the country's forex regulations. The central bank also slammed a huge N5.8 billion fine on the banks for allegedly aiding MTN in the illegal capital repatriation. Nigerian court to hear MTN's suit against CBN next week The telecom firm is already challenging the controversial demand in a Nigerian court. The case is due for a hearing next week, October 30, 2018. CBN and MTN are getting closer to settlement Nigerias information minister, Lai Mohammed, had said the CBN and South African telecommunications firm MTN could soon strike a deal in their dispute over the repatriation of $8.1 billion. According to the Guardian, the rating of the Polytechnic was announced in a statement issued by the Executive Secretary of the board, Dr Musaudu Adamu Kazaure. The statement reads partly; the NBTE in its pilot ranking of polytechnics in the country, which covered 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 academic sessions, ranked The Polytechnic, Ibadan, as the best state-owned polytechnic in the country. The ranking according to Kazaure was based on several criteria which include the total number of programmes with full accreditation, the percentage of programmes with full accreditation among other criteria. ALSO READ: Here are the top 10 Polytechnics in Nigeria according to NBTE Ibadan Poly is one of the top four Polytechnics in Nigeria Recall that earlier in October, the NBTE released the ratings of polytechnics across the country. In the rating, the Federal Polytechnic Nekede in Imo State emerged as the best vocational institution in Nigeria followed by the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro and Kaduna Polytechnic in Kaduna State. The VC in his Facebook post said the achievement of the students, their lecturers as well as their parents and guardian will receive a favourable mention in the Vice-Chancellor's Address at the 2018 Convocation and 70th Founders' Day on Saturday, 17th November 2018. The 12 students are JosephOgunmodede, Afam Ikeakanam, Emeka Ezekwesiri, Yetunde Oyeyipo, Tosin Omobitan, Tosin Ogunbona, Olo Egbokhare, Feyikemi Fatumbi, Zacheaus Akanni, Daphne Ekpe, Seyi Adebimpe-Ojo and Dada Mobolaji Esther. Olayinka said the first five law graduates on the list were awarded First Class Honours by the University of Ibadan; the other seven equally outstanding graduates on this roll of honours finished with Upper Second Class at Ibadan. The VC also said he was excited and delighted when it was brought to his notice that one of the UI students who barely managed to get Second Class Upper in UI, with a CGPA of 4.6 out of a maximum of 7.0 earned First Class at the Law school. The Facebook post reads: Nigerian Law School produces 161 first class students On Thursday, October 18, 2018, Pulse reported the released of the result of the Bar Final Examination by the Council of Legal Education. Interestingly, for the first time in the history of the Nigerian Law School, over 160 students finished with a first class degree. ALSO READ: The 'Living In Bondage' star said, "The rest of Africa should be grateful to Nigeria - Nollywood - for telling the African story nd making it big around the globe. We shouldn't be talking about competition in the African movie industry, rather, we should be talking about collaboration because there are many stories to be told in Africa by Africans." Bob Manuel Udokwu, a veteran actor and one of the founding actors of Nollywood, applauded the efforts of the organisers of AMAA in bridging the gaps between the African movie industries. Bob Manuel Udokwu became a famous face in Nigeria after he starred in classic TV series, Checkmate, which starred late Fred Agu, Ego Boyo and Richard Mofe Damijo amongst several others. Bob-Manuel Udokwu and Kate Henshaw in "When the Sun Sets" Kate Henshaw took her followers back to 1993, when she starred in her debut Nollywood movie "When the Sun Sets." The actress shared a photo of herself alongside Bob Manuel-Udokwo on the cover jacket of the classic movie. "When the Sun Sets" was a movie that starred the two talented veterans as a couple. It has been 24 years, and most scenes from the movie are not easy to remember. However, we still remember Kate Henshaw's character serving her husband with three balls of eba for lunch, after one of their misunderstandings. Baloyi had been diagnosed with AIDS some days earlier, so he went home and accused his wife of infecting him with the disease, he also accused her of infidelity. Post-mortem results show that she was in fact HIV-negative. She was only 29 when she died. According to court documents of the Gauteng High Court, the messy background story Mr. Baloyi and the deceased (his wife) met each other during January 2010 and subsequently got married on 28 November 2015. At that stage, both were employed. Mr. Baloyi was employed by ABSA Bank and the deceased was a qualified nursing sister at Steve Biko Hospital. The deceased got pregnant and the family started the lobola negotiations payment of bride price during September 2011. On December 8, 2012, a ceremony to celebrate the completion of lobola negotiations and payment was held in Limpopo. They lived together since 2011 and decided to have their white wedding on November 28, 2015. They were married for approximately 15 (fifteen) months before Mr. Baloyi murdered his wife in January 2017. Mr. Baloyi has two daughters called Amukelani Baloyi, born on October 24, 2011, and Nkateko Maphuti Baloyi born in June 2014 and that both have been in the care of their maternal grandmother since January 7, 2017. Mr. Baloyi told a social worker, Mrs. J.C. Wolmarans, who compiled a Psycho Social Pre-Sentence Report and also testified in court that the relationship has been under strain since they moved in together. The witness then listed certain events to substantiate such strain in the marriage Mrs. Wolmarans states that during 2012, Mr. Baloyi was employed by ABSA Bank. The conflict in their relationship affected his concentration and he was referred to counseling by his supervisor. Notwithstanding this setback, the families with the couple had a ceremony of welcoming in Limpopo. During 2013, Mr. Baloyi struggled at his workplace, as he struggled to concentrate. He resigned at the end of October 2013, as he feared that he might be dismissed. During 2014, the family experienced a few setbacks; a broken down vehicle, housebreaking and the deceased (Mrs. Baloyi) had surgery. Mr. Baloyi described this period as the best time of his marriage. During 2015, they got married and it was also a happy time until two weeks after the marriage when the deceased and both children went to her family. During 2016, the deceased entered a three-year course and attended class at night. This apparently led to the relationship deteriorating and subsequently to Mr. Baloyi filing for a divorce. Then, Mr. Baloyi was requested by both families not to proceed with the divorce. The deceased, Mrs. Baloyi allegedly confesses to having a boyfriend During 2017, the arguments persisted and Mr. Baloyi claims that the deceased confessed having a boyfriend during Christmas 2016 when she spent time at her parental home. HIV-positive diagnosis A week before Mr. Baloyi murdered the deceased, he went for a blood test to determine his HIV status. He did that because he suffered from swellings in his face and on his head, which relates to HIV symptoms. He received the results a day before the incident, which confirmed that he was HIV-positive. Mr. Baloyi claims that he never had any relationships outside his marriage and was furious about the results of the HIV test. Mr. Baloyi also told Mrs. Wolmarans that on the day of the incident, the doctor informed him that he has Aids and that it is a death sentence. The deceased tested negative for HIV The deceased tested herself and the test was negative. It is the contention of Mr. Baloyi that the tests were never released, but there is evidence before this court that the deceased in fact did a home test for HIV and the result was negative. This clearly lays waste to the evidence of Mr. Baloyi that the deceased gave him the disease. The court also accepted a Pathology Report in terms of an HIV Elisa test done on the deceased, dated 2 July 2016, which clearly indicate that her status was non-reactive and therefore negative. So much for the argument that the deceased gave him the dreaded disease. The court will come back to this. The report by Mrs. Wolmarans makes further mention of the fact that Mr. Baloyi slit his throat after he continuously stabbed the deceased The aggravating factors listed by Mrs. Wolmarans The victim was 29 (twenty-nine) years when she was killed. She died a violent death, being stabbed 45 (forty-five) times by Mr. Baloyi. What she left out was that some of these stab wounds were even from behind into her back. This clearly is totally inconsistent with the version of Mr. Baloyi that he was merely defending himself from an attack by the deceased. The two young daughters have to be brought up without the love and care of their parents. Also with the knowledge that their father murdered their mother. The mother passed away and the father is incarcerated. It, however, goes beyond this. After Mr. Baloyi was diagnosed with HIV and told by the doctor that it is a death sentence and after the deceased told him that she was HIV negative, he killed her, denying their daughters the love and affection of their mother. It was testified by Mrs. Wolmarans that the following factors must be considered mitigating factors. He has been in custody since his conviction on 25 May 2018. Mr. Baloyi also accepted responsibility for his actions. Despite his gruesome murder of his wife, he only got 25 years in prison. There are thousands of supermarkets and grocery stores in America, meaning competition between chains is fierce. With the competitive landscape more crowded than a Costco on the weekend, its a great time to sift through inventory and rank the top 20 supermarket chains in the country. For the purposes of this list, The Daily Meal defined supermarkets as brick-and-mortar grocers, membership-only warehouse clubs and nationwide department stores that have supermarkets. In addition, The Daily Meal considered only supermarkets that have outposts in multiple states and that have at least five locations. The stores were judged on stock, departments, innovation, customer service, and contribution to the community. According to NAN, Shiekuma made this known while testifying at the Presidential Panel on the reform of Special Anti-Robbery hearing on Tuesday, October 23, 2018. The panel was put in place following the disbandment of the unit. Osinbajo ends SARS In August 2018, ordered the IGP to shut down the SARS unit. He also mandated the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to overhaul the management and activities of the squad. Osinbajo also directed that the National Human Rights Commission to set up a Committee that will conduct nation-wide investigation of the alleged unlawful activities of SARS in order to afford members of the general public the opportunity to present their grievances with a view to ensuring redress." How it happened Shedding more light on what transpired, Shiekuma said the SARS officers stormed Spy Annusa Guest House in Mabushi Village, Abuja on June 13, 2018. According to him, they searched the Guest House, saw late Miss Hembe in one of the rooms with her fiancee and pushed her out of the room half naked. His words: About seven (7) men of SARS came into the Guest House and knocked on her door when she came out they collected her handset and handcuff her because she resist arrest at the initial time. And when she started arguing with them one of the SARS men slapped her and pushed her to the gate that was electrified. And one of the men attempted to lift her up from the gate he discovered he felt the shock and immediately they realised that the deceased was electrocuted. Then, four out of seven officers ran away living three men behind. When asked what he was doing at the scene by the police counsel, the young man said Why we went to the Guest House 12.a.m was because I am part of the vigilante at Mabushi Village and the SARS men used to come to the place without the knowledge of the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Mabushi, he alleged. I also heard when the deceased was shouting that the gate was electrified and that they should not push her out of the gate. 31-year-old lady also murdered by police On Sunday, October 14, 2018, Nigerians on social media woke up to a report that a young lady who just came back from the UK, was killed by policemen. The deceased, Anita Akapson, who is the daughter of the former minister of finance, Nenadi usman, was a staff of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Though eyewitness reports vary, the lawyer to the family narrates how the young girl was killed. He said It is pertinent to let you know that the late Anita was murdered sitting inside her car. Yes, she was shot through the drivers side door of the car with the bullet passing through her abdomen, after the killer policemen had shot one of the car tyres. What has been peddled is that there was a bit of struggle, but we wont like to pre-empt the investigation. One thing that is clear is that the lady was sitting in her car and she was shot. Before then, the car was waylaid, intercepted and brushed; the impact is still there. The car was blocked by the police, so the question is, who is running away that you now chose to kill her in the car? As it is, as a lawyer, we would like to know what the police are coming out with as their findings because the rumour we were hearing was that there was an armed robbery attack somewhere and maybe, she was being suspected. If you suspect somebody of being a robber, something must have happened; maybe you saw her running, you can now assume she might be a suspect. But someone sitting in her car, after you have demobilised the car, shot the tyres, you shot her right inside the car. What kind of country are we running? Like I said earlier, we are waiting for the outcome of police investigation, but we just need to let the police know that we knew what happened. Of course, the family got an independent investigator to pick everything, the pellets, we have been able to secure the whole thing, but one thing is that a life full of potential has been cut short by the bullets of the Nigeria Police. That is one thing we cannot take away from the whole thing, no matter the reasons given. The mother of the slain lady, Nenadi Usman has calledon her daughters killers to reveal what truly transpired the night when her daughter was killed. 31-year-old Anita later died as a result of the bullet wound on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at the Gwarimpa General Hospital. Royalty in Africa is a thing of wealth, prestige and power. In fact, Ghana is home to one of the richest kings in Africa Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, King of Ghana's gold-rich Ashanti kingdom, who has an estimated net worth of $14million. Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III is the Akwamuhene or current king of the Akwamu Empire, which was one of the most powerful states among the Akans, present day Ghana. At the peak of their power, the Akwamu Empire stretched more than 250 miles from present-day Ouidah, Benin Republic to beyond Winneba, Ghana, embracing most of Ghana. After their defeat in the 1730w, the state seized to exist and they lost most of their lands to Akuapems, Akyems, Kwahus, Fantes and Krobos. Now, their capital is Akwamufie and the Akwamu Stool of power became the wife of the Asante Stool. Brandon Stanton of Humans of New York, who recently expanded his reach to the whole world, is currently passing through Africa, and documenting the stories of humans of those places. When in Ghana, he spoke to the King of the Akwamu empire who was keen on sharing his story: Im the 29th King of the Akwamu Empire. Three hundred years ago we ruled the entire southern part of Ghana. The English described us as bullies. The Danes described us as thieves. Today I have 120 towns under my jurisdiction. But I didnt always want to be king. I knew from a young age that it was a possibility. Im from the royal bloodline. But I just hoped theyd choose someone else. I was in college the first time they tried to coronate me. I was studying accounting. I heard a rumor that the king had passed away and that I would be next. So I panicked. I googled political asylum. I took someone elses passport. I didnt even bother to change the picture. Id never left Ghana before, but I took a one-way flight to New York City. I presented myself at the JFK customs counter, and said: You have to help me. Theyre trying to make me king. After I was granted asylum, I moved in with some cousins in the Bronx. My first job was washing dishes in the kitchen of an adult home. I was paid $297 every two weeks. But I noticed that the private nursing assistants were paid a lot more, so I enrolled in some classes and received my certification. My first assignment was a quadriplegic named Hector. I ended up staying with him for six years. I fed him, changed his diapers, helped him go to the bathroom-- everything. I really loved him. We went all over the place. We drove to Chicago and California. My shift was the overnight, so sometimes Id drive him to the club and hed go dancing in his wheelchair. Id stand right next to him the entire time. During the day I took classes at Lehman College. I majored in health services. After my graduation, the whispers began once more. Family members were urging me to come home and take my rightful position on the throne. So I said goodbye to Hector and moved back to Ghana. I got a job in business until the last king passed away in 2011. And this time when the elders called on me, I was ready. Its not easy being king. I have to follow many of the old rituals. I cannot be seen in public without an escort. I must always eat alone. And the power isnt what it used to be. Were living in a different time. We arent battling for territory anymore. We arent petitioning the colonies. The palace still rules on minor disputes, but mainly my power is indirect. I advocate for my people when the national government is setting its agenda. I enjoy the role. I want to improve the lives of all my subjects. I want them to have clean water. I want them to have quality education. But my main focus is development. I want our kingdom to become a tourist hub. The income would transform so many lives, and we have so much to offer. We have a beautiful river. We have a great history. And we have some of the oldest artifacts in Ghana. In 1680 the Danes built a castle on our shores, and my people captured it. It was the first time in history that a black man owned a castle. We held it for several years. Eventually we gave it back, on one condition: they had to let us keep the keys. According to Punch, a top government official made the revelation to reporters. The source said The British authorities have briefed the Nigerian government about the temporary travel documents they are about to issue to Nnamdi Kanu, who holds a Nigeria-UK dual citizenship. It shows that they have the best intentions towards the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nnamdi Kanu working for DSS This is coming after the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruikeaccused the IPOB leader of working for the Department of State Services (DSS). Uwazuruike also called on Igbos to disregard the IPOB leaders comments during his broadcast on Sunday, October 21, 2018. DSS denies The DSS, in a swift reaction, denied the allegation that its officers helped Kanu escape from Nigeria. According to the spy agencys spokesman, Peter Afunanya, the MASSOB leaders allegation is mischievous. Also, the Spokesperson of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Mr Emmanuel Nashonhas however revealed that there is no evidence that Nnamdi Kanu visited Israel recently. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, Buhari was quoted as saying: You dont have to be in uniform to be loyal. What I said long ago in 1984 is still valid today. We have no other country but Nigeria. Others who feel they have another country may choose to go. We will stay here and salvage it together. According to Adesina, Buhari made the comments while receiving the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants and members of the party from the three senatorial zones of Kwara State at the presidential villa, Abuja, on Monday, October 22, 2018. Nigerians have been migrating in droves to "pastures greener" in Europe and the Americas, with living standards, infrastructure and the economy all crumbling back home. Some of the migrants risk lives and limbs to flee the country through illegal routes in Libya and the Mediterranean. Hundreds of Nigerians drown in the Mediterranean annually while fleeing from poverty back home. Buhari on illegal immigration In September 2018, the APC said that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is committed to mitigating the migration crisis Nigerians are facing, particularly in Libya and in the Mediterranean Sea. The party stated this in a statement issued by Mr Yekini Nabena, its National Publicity Secretary in Abuja on Sunday when he reacted to comments made by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the issue. A month earlier, Buhari had urged Nigerians to stop travelling through unsafe channels in their bid to illegally gain access to foreign countries in the search of greener pastures. The president issued this warning during a joint press conference with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, who paid him a visit at the Presidential Villa on Friday, August 31, 2018. He said, "I'm against my countrymen and women that illegally find their ways to other countries other than Nigeria, but I believe you know that the ECOWAS protocol includes free movement of persons and goods and services. "But for those going to Europe, we are not, as an administration, agreeing for Nigerians to defy the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean because they feel that there are greener pastures there, whether they've prepared for it or not. We do not support anything illegal and indisciplined. The president further warned that anyone that embarks on dangerous journeys to travel overseas do so at risks to themselves. Buhari praises late Tunde Idiagbon Buhari had fond words for his former deputy, the late Maj. Gen. Tunde Idiagbon (retd.), describing the former Chief of Staff at Supreme Headquarters from 1983 to 1985, as a rare example of loyalty to the country and to a superior. The late Maj.-Gen. Tunde Idiagbon was a very rare example of what loyalty to the fatherland and to a superior should be. Tunde was strong, loyal and extremely committed to the cause of positively changing the narrative about Nigeria, which the administration set out to do at that time, Buhari said. The president also recalled how Idiagbon, who was on pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia when the administration was overthrown in 1985, insisted on returning to the country in the face of the political uncertainty at the time; even after learning that his boss, Buhari, had not been killed in the coup. Buhari added that Idiagbon rejected the offer from the King of Saudi Arabia to bring members of his (Idiagbon) family from Nigeria to the Kingdom, as he was his guest at that time, opting instead to return to Nigeria to suffer arrest like he (Buhari) did. The President inaugurated a new joint border in the Badagry axis of Lagos alongside the president of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon. During the Inauguration, the president stated that the new Seme-Krake and Neope-Akanu joint border post will foster common interest between Nigeria and Benin Republic. In a statement issued by the senior adviser to the president on media, Femi Adesina, the president stressed that the establishment will promote brotherliness among both countries. He described the project as a means of enhancing the movement of persons and goods within the region. President Buhari who also serves as the chairperson of ECOWAS authority of heads of state, thanked the European Union (EU) for supporting two other projects. Read statement released by Adesina on the president's visits to Lagos below: Indeed, the Seme-Krake joint border is one of the busiest boundary lines not only in West Africa but the whole continent, daily recording huge movement of persons, goods and services. Permit me therefore to congratulate my brother, President Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin on the successful completion of this magnificent project. On the benefits of the joint border post, which sits on 17 hectares of land, the President noted that it would enhance trade facilitation by combining border clearance activities in a single location, increase cooperation and coordination of controls, in addition to fostering data and intelligence sharing between Nigeria and Benin Republic. The Border Post is strategically important and lies on the Lagos-Cotonou-Lome-Accra-Abidjan corridor, which accounts for about 70% of the entire transit traffic in the sub-region. ALSO READ:Buhari says you can leave Nigeria if you want I am aware that a Joint Committee with membership from Nigeria and Benin has been established for the coordination and management of this facility. I would like to call on the members of the committee to note the complex task ahead of them. But, Yusuf resumed work on Friday, a day after his fresh suspension by the council. Some workers acting under the aegis of Association of Civil Servants of Nigeria, and Medical and Health Workers Union of NHIS, almost prevented him from gaining entrance to the office on Monday. Their colleagues of the Nigeria Civil Service Union in support of Yusuf mobilised themselves and countered the protest. The situation that almost degenerated into security breach was however contained with the intervention of a combined team of police, civil defence and state security operatives. However, the presidential aide, who featured on Channels TV Sunrise Daily on Tuesday in Abuja, said Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, and the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, had intervened in the NHIS crisis with a view to finding lasting solutions. Shehu, who is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, noted with regret that the NHIS crisis had been ethnicised and politicised by some interest groups within and outside the agency. "Did the board follow due process in suspending this gentleman? There are opinions that said 'no they haven't'. "Again we all have to do the right thing all of the times. I dont deny the fact that there is a lot of work to do (the crisis) is complicated by the fact that the whole thing about the NHIS has been ethnicised and politicised. "Even a political party was issuing a statement on matters that are unknown to it. "Ill tell you one thing, as we speak now, you know that no matter whatever mistakes this gentleman may have made, and that is to be proven because I don't have the records to say yes or no, he has launched a major reform in that institution which had blocked access to public resources. "Money from the NHIS is not money belonging to government, is money taken from your salary, from my salary. "If we have been enlisted, we are supposed to get treatments when we fall ill then you should ask the question in 13 years of the NHIS how many Nigerians have received the treatments. "Yet you have HMOs, these vendors, taking N5 billion every month, money that is just being shared and somebody came and said, `look, this cant go on and with strong support from this administration the N5 billion has been reduced to N1.3 billion. "And even at then, the administration is not satisfied. We want to see healthcare delivered to the citizens of this country. So there is a lot of work to do, he said. The presidential aide stated that he was not in the position to challenge the allegations of wrong doings levelled against the executive secretary in some quarters. Shehu, however, maintained that the two chambers of the National Assembly had previously cleared the Executive Secretary of the allegations against him. He also dismissed the accusation of `double standard by the Buhari administration while dealing with cases of corruption being levelled against public servants or political office holders in the country. He said it was wrong to compare the case of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal, and that of the NHIS scribe. "Well, there is no double standard there either than to say that the pictures that the government is looking at many Nigerians perhaps may not be seeing those pictures, he added. NAN also recalls that the minister of health (Adewole) had earlier suspended Yusuf over similar allegations on July 6, 2017. But the Federal Government reinstated him on Feb. 6, 2018, after an administrative panel found him not guilty of the allegations of abuse of office and maladministration. Yusuf officially resumed work on Feb. 8, 2018, after he was given the clean bill. The Presidents Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement in Abuja, said Buhari made the pledge at the official handing over of the joint border post, at Seme, Badagry, Lagos State. President Buhari described the project, aimed at enhancing the free movement of persons and goods in the region, as a symbol of integration that brings together the peoples of Nigeria and Benin. He said: Indeed, the Seme-Krake joint border is one of the busiest boundary lines not only in West Africa but the whole continent, daily recording huge movement of persons, goods and services. Permit me therefore to congratulate my brother, President Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin on the successful completion of this magnificent project. As we all know, Nigeria and Benin share many things in common. Hence, the establishment of the Joint Border Post will certainly promote our brotherliness and emphasize our common interest. On the benefits of the joint border post, which sits on 17 hectares of land, the President noted that it would enhance trade facilitation by combining border clearance activities in a single location, increase cooperation and coordination of controls. He added that the border post would also foster data and intelligence sharing between Nigeria and Benin Republic. The Border Post is strategically important and lies on the Lagos-Cotonou-Lome-Accra-Abidjan corridor, which accounts for about 70 per cent of the entire transit traffic in the sub-region. The corridor is also part of the Trans-African Highway network. This Joint Border Post with modern enabling facilities is a flagship project in ECOWAS and a good example of regional public assets with a spill-over range of benefits, he said. The Nigerian leader also expressed optimism that the facilities at the border post would improve the working conditions of border officials and make them more efficient and effective in carrying out their duties. He, therefore, urged border officials of both countries to ensure that their operations were carried out within the guiding principles of ECOWAS. I am aware that a Joint Committee with membership from Nigeria and Benin has been established for the coordination and management of this facility. I would like to call on the members of the committee to note the complex task ahead of them. The committee must ensure that border officials are sensitised on the mode of operation of the Joint Border Post concept which is a big departure from the traditional mode of operation, he said. While calling on the ECOWAS Commission to continue to provide the needed support to this Committee, Buhari appreciated the financial commitment of the European Union Commission to the project and the contributions of the ECOWAS Commission towards its successful completion. The President noted that inadequate transport infrastructure and inefficient services were some of the major bottlenecks to the attainment of socio-economic development and integration in the region. ALSO READ: Buhari says you can leave Nigeria if you want ECOWAS is a region where ports, roads, railways and airports still remain a constraint despite significant recent progress made. Nigeria has embarked on major investment programmes covering these sectors to improve the competitiveness of our economies and accelerate growth. We are therefore delighted to welcome such initiatives aimed at boosting the economic integration of our member States in West Africa, he said. The government is fully committed to industrialisation and the mining sector to enable it create direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians About 8 billion dollars goes to overseas for importation of vehicles while Nigerians are suffering, also most of the used vehicles imported are unsafe and not good for the citizens, he said. Osinbajo said that government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Volkswagen group to develop an automotive hub in Nigeria. He said that the MoU was a major step toward the development of a robust automotive industry, to contribute to the continuous economic development of the country. Osinbajo also said that government believed in the strategic and catalytic role of the automotive industry in the diversification of the Nigerian economy. According to him, 3,200 youths have been empowered through the N-Power Graduate Skills Acquisition Programme, adding that the programme will be expanded and made better to benefit more Nigerian youths. He said that N-power was a Federal Government initiative on job creation and empowerment initiative of the Social Investment Programme. ALSO READ:Osinbajo says religious leaders call him not to sack officials Osinbajo said that the Nnewi automotive parts industrial park had got its master plan and would soon be functional. He said that government would work with motor manufacturers and stakeholders to ensure that used cars were faced out of the country. Mr Demola Ade-Ojo, Managing Director, JAC Motors said that increased importation of used cars would affect the production of new vehicles in the country. During his broadcast from Israel on Sunday, October 21, Kanu declared that there will be no election in the Southeast in 2019. However, Uwazuruike says Kanus proclamation is basically him playing an old, deceptive card. ece-auto-gen Last time, he carried a campaign that there wouldnt be election in Anambra State and what eventually happened in the end? Today, he has started again. He is back again after several months, because election is just by the corner, so as to deceive the people and mop up money for himself as the IPOB leader and in the name of fighting for the realisation of Biafra independence, Uwazuruike blasted. Uwazuruike accuses Kanu of stealing his ideas The MASSOB leader added that the election boycott stance of Kanu makes absolutely no sense and is naive from a political standpoint. He also said Kanu has been shamelessly stealing his ideas. In 2004, we in MASSOB came up with dummy of no election, sit-at-home order, referendum and no census, which Kanu is selling today in the Southeast as strategies towards gaining Biafra independence. However, when I was later called by late and other higher authorities that the strategies would have adverse effect on Ndigbo, we decided to drop them. Today, Kanu is using the same dummy to cause confusion in the Biafran areas, not considering their adverse effects. For instance, the issue of no election is a constitutional matter. Kanu does not have the powers to say that election can never take place in the Southeast. The truth is that in the Southeast, we have only five states and what a presidential candidate, for example, only needs to win his or her election is two-thirds majority vote. If the five states out of the 36 states, including the FCT, do not vote and 31 states vote, two-thirds majority would still be gotten. The president then has the powers to appoint anybody to be in charge of the other five states who do not vote. This is therefore politically detrimental to Ndigbo,he said. Referendum not in the constitution Uwazuruike noted that conducting a referendum for the actualisation of Biafra was not in the Nigerian constitution. He added that for it to be enshrined in the constitution, it must get the approval of the National Assembly and the Presidency. These are things some Igbo people do not know. Kanu has started his campaign to cause more confusion for our people, which I call campaign of calumny and deceit. The emergence of Kanu in 2009, 10 years after I had started the struggle, was stage-managed by the government to put confusion among the leaders and the people, strictly aimed at non-realisation of the republic. What Kanu suffered recently in the hands of soldiers is just one-twentieth of what I have suffered in the course of this struggle. A freedom fighter is always known for donating his life to the cause of the struggle. That he ran away after a while and reappeared during the electioneering period is deceitful. He is being used to destabilise Ndigbo towards gaining the independence of Biafra. Kanu still on trial The self-styled separatist is facing trial in Nigeria for illegal possession of firearms, gun-running, treasonable felony and secession. This much was gathered during the tour of the metropolis by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1Division Nigerian Army Kaduna, Maj-Gen Mohammed Mohammed. The areas visited by the GOC include Kawo New Extension, Angwan Dosa, Badarawa, Malali and Anguwan Rimi. Also visited were Anguwan Baro, Sabon Tasha, Television garage, Kano road, Tudun wada and Nnamdi Azikiwe bye pass. Some of the residents said they are living in peace with their neighbours. Soldiers, policemen, civil defence personnel and other local vigilante groups patrolled major streets within the metropolis to maintain law and order. The Youth Leader of Narayi area, Mr Emmanuel Godwin said that the community has been peaceful. Godwin commended the state government for imposing curfew and said the community will cooperate with the security agencies in bringing lasting peace in the state. Also at Kawo, a resident, Abubakar Yahyah commended the security operatives for taking proactive measures, without which the crisis could have escalated. Yahaya appealed to government to relax the curfew to reduce the hardship of the people. Kanu resurfaced in a video on social media after a year in hiding, quelling insinuations that he might have been killed by the Nigerian Army. In a video, the IPOB leader promised to bring back hell with him upon his return to Nigeria from Israel. ece-auto-gen But in an interview on BBC Hausa service, President Muhammadu Buharis spokesman, Garba Shehu, said Kanus reemergence has vindicated the Nigerian government. If it happens to be true, the video footage showing Mr Nnamdi Kanu; the truth has been revealed about his alleged assassination against Nigerian government, Shehu said. ALSO READ: Biafran leader calls Nnamdi Kanu a fraud and conman who is only looking for money This fairy tale went up to United Nations General Assembly where some IPOB members staged a protest accusing Nigeria government of kidnapping and even killing of Mr. Kanu, Shehu added. The Presidential aide noted that Kanus trial will resume upon his return to Nigeria. Kanu, leader of secessionist group, IPOB, had escaped from his Umuahia home during a raid on his residence on September 14, 2018. The IPOB leader, however, resurfaced on social media claiming to be in Israel. Leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Ralph Uwazuruike, however, alleged that DSS operatives aided Kanu's escape. DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, in a statement on Monday, October 22, 2018, described Uwazuruikes claim as mischievous. The Service wishes to state that the news is fake, mischievous and defamatory. It is nothing but a figment of the imagination of the originators, he said. Afunanya said Kanus stock in trade is to peddle rumours, gossips and propaganda aimed at subverting the government, its key agencies and officials. He said that the service was aware of some unscrupulous elements keen on exploiting the situation to constitute a nuisance to the freedom of Nigerians as guaranteed in the constitution. Afunanya said that the elements were also keen on disrupting the forthcoming 2019 general elections. Ambode fell out with his godfather, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, before the APC governorship primary election which held on Tuesday, October 2, 2018. The fallout would lead to Ambode getting trounced during the primary electionby anointed candidate Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu. Ambode had also lost the support of the APC grassroot structure in Lagos and the governor was abandoned by his deputy on voting day. Ambode retreats under the shadows after defeat Since his humiliating defeat, an embattled Ambode has shunned the spotlight and he has lost the support of lawmakers in the State House of Assemblyan indication that he can no longer see key legislation to fruition until the May 29, 2019 handover date. There are also insinuations in Lagos APC circles that Ambode could be impeached before his handover, even though the Speaker of the House recently dispelled the rumours. ece-auto-gen Now feeling increasingly frustrated on the job and alienated by his own political party, Ambode has settled for a platform from where he will at least be allowed to call the shots to some degree, Pulse has learnt. Ambode, said one source, has purchased the Accord governorship nomination form through a proxy. How the Accord deal will work According to one of the sources; Ambode is set to contest the next governorship election in Lagos state as the candidate of the Accord Party. Someone purchased a governorship form for Ambode. The name there is a dummy which will be replaced by exploiting the provisions of the electoral law. A dummy name is in place under the Accord party and the necessary substitution will be made just before the final date". When Pulse reminded our sources that it isnt possible for Ambode to run for the office of Governor on another platform since the deadline for submission of names of candidates by political parties has since elapsed, we were told that since the names of candidates nationwide haven't been made public by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it will be foolhardy to rule anything out. ece-auto-gen Just wait for the list of contestants across the parties to be made public by INEC. Right now, the information we have is that Ambode has purchased the Accord party governorship nomination form and thats what we are sharing with you, one source added. Another source disclosed that Ambode has also purchased 40 House of Assembly nomination forms for aspirants from Lagos; as well as three senatorial forms. Recall that Lagos State House of Assembly has 40 lawmakers. The conclusion is that Ambode is planning to dump APC,Pulse was told. One Lagos lawmaker who went through the entire scenario with Pulse at a pub and who asked that his name be left out of this story, recalled that aggrieved APC members have been flirting with the Accord party in recent times. Ogun state Governor, recently threatened to decamp to Accord party and he has in fact told some of his followers to do that. and are now Ambode's political advisers. They are back full time after they failed to deliver the APC ticket at the primaries to him. The lawmaker added that Fuad Oki's political pedigree is not suited for his new found assignment of being Ambode's lackey. His sudden flip flops and opposition to the imagined impeachment move are attempts to justify the investment Ambode made in him. Fuad will soon find out that Lagos is discerning, he added. Silence is the word from Alausa Sanwo-Olu scored 970,851 votes to beat Ambode who polled 72,901 votes. Pulse could not independently verify Ambode's defection story as relayed by our sources; as all parties didn't immediately respond to requests for comments. An email sent to the Governor's office through Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, Ambode's Information Commissioner, remains unanswered, 72 hours after. Mr. Habib Adamson Aruna who is Ambode's Chief Press Secretary, also didn't respond to requests for a comment, with calls placed to his smartphone returning unanswered. The publicly available Accord party phone number also rang repeatedly with no one picking up from the other end. Ambode promised not to leave APC Hours before the primary election which he lost, Ambode had vowed not to exit the APC, whatever the outcome of the vote. ece-auto-gen "I am not leaving the APC. I am going nowhere.We are a one happy family in the APC", Ambode had vowed, before going on to label Sanwo-Olu unfit for public office for allegedly spraying fake dollars in a US night club and spending some time in a drug rehabilitation center. Ambode was spotting an APC shirt when he made the promise to remain in the party. He also promised to support Sanwo-Oluand the APC during the election campaign season. On Tuesday, October 23, 2018, Ambode assured visiting President Buharithat he is going to campaign heavily for the APC and Sanwo-Olu ahead of the upcoming elections. "Just to also use this opportunity to let Lagosians know that we are heavily committed to the re-election of Mr. President and you can see that his continuous visit to Lagos reiterates the fact that he is actually a lover of Lagos State and I am committed to ensuring his re-election. "We are going to campaign heavily for him. I am also committed to ensuring that the APC wins the governorship election come 2019. We support the candidacy of Babajide Sanwo-Olu and we would make sure that APC retains Lagos State and the centre", Ambode promised. ___ UPDATE: Commissioner for Information in Lagos, Mr. Bamigbetan, has sent his response to this story. "False. Very untrue", he wrote tersely via email. Oshiomhole had on Sunday in a statement by his press secretary, Simon Ebegbulem, alleged that conservatives within the party are ganging up to pass a vote of no-confidence in him. He said in the statement that his sin was his refusal to allow continued impunity and circumvention of due process being perpetuated in some states. He added that he was not surprised by the gang up, as he never had the illusion that the process of reforming the party was going to be an easy one. But, Oshiohmole, who fielded questions from State House correspondents in Abuja, said only one or two out of the 23 state governors under the platform of the APC were vehemently opposed to his leadership style. He said: Maybe there is one or two governors who have issues and those issues can only be resolved democratically within the spirit, the letter and all the relevant positions of the APC constitution, the APC Election guidelines and of course the Electoral Act. The Electoral Act is completely blind and our partys rules also are completely blind to power but its sensitive to procedures; it is sensitive processes. The good news is that overwhelming majority (of the governors), we have about 23 governors, I think maybe one or two may have some situations they would like to see differently. But that is the way the world is, but we should uphold the rules. But, it is not correct to suggest that there is a move to remove me. Yes, one governor has publicly said he would ensure that Im removed that is fine. The beauty of democracy is anyone or two could say something but the majority is what matters. But even those two when they have deeper reflection would recognize that what I have done is to stubbornly insist that the rules are obeyed, nothing more nothing less. Oshiohmole, who described the ongoing political outcry in some quarters as his finest moment, said he would continue to support the interest of the ordinary members of the party against those of the powerful elements or political bigwigs. He said he was very encouraged by the level of participation of members of the party in the political processes including the just concluded partys primaries across the country. Oshiohmole however declined comment on the Mondays Supreme Court ruling which set aside an interim order of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, which gave the APC, the go ahead to conduct its Ward, Local Government and State Congresses in Rivers State. Sani made this known in a statement by his Special Adviser, Political and Ideology, Mr Suleiman Ahmed, in Abuja. He said that It has become impossible for the senator to continue to co-habit with reactionaries and their perfidious and inimical style of politics. Sen. Sani maintains the highest respect and honour for President Muhammadu Buhari. However, we prefer to live in a Cottage of Honour than a mansion of shame. Sen. Shehu Sani has returned to the PRP. PRP represents our socialist revolutionary ideology. Sen. Sani is now free from the toxicity and infamy APC existentially represents. We left the APC for the emperors and their lackeys. Confirming the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview, the Kaduna State Chairman of the party, Dr Tom Maiyashi, said the lawmaker is now a member of the party. Maiyashi said the lawmaker had been duly registered and offered membership card of the party. He stressed that Sen. Shehu Sani has registered with the party and his ward is Kaduna South. NAN reports that Sani on Sunday resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC). The lawmaker announced this in a letter addressed to the APC Chairman, Ward 6, Tudun Wada North, Kaduna State and obtained by NAN. The letter, dated Oct. 19, signed by the lawmaker and copied to the national chairman of the party, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, however, did not state which party he would defect to. NAN also reports that the partys appeal committee had affirmed Sen. Shehu Sani as candidate representing Kaduna Central after he was issued automatic ticket by the National Working Committee (NWC). However, his name was substituted with Mr Uba Sani, an aide to the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-rufai. Uba Sani, Special Adviser to Elrufai on Political Matters, was declared winner of the primary election conducted in Kaduna on Oct. 6 for the Kaduna Central Senatorial ticket, by Chairman Primary Election Committee, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen. Sen. Shehu Sani, however, did not participate in the election because he had been offered automatic ticket by the national body of the party. Following the election, Sen. Sani, in a statement by his Special Assistant Media, Abdulsamad Amadi, said the process was illegal. NAN further reports that the lawmaker had been having running battle with Gov. El-rufai, on the latest development and his defection may not be unconnected to it. Obi made this known in Abakaliki on Monday during a courtesy call on Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi. According to him, leaders of the South East Zone were never against my nomination but with the process through which I was nominated. They have the right to disagree with such process and this made them humbly request for a meeting with the partys presidential candidate. Unfortunately, we leave in an era where the social media controls every part of news as I declare especially to the press that Umahi remains the zones leader and the best in the country." Obi disclosed that Umahi made his nomination possible through his efforts as the secretary of the PDP national convention committee which produced the best presidential primaries in the country. Such efforts by PDP leaders especially Umahi ensured that that the partys presidential candidate thought of choosing his running-mate from the south east zone. That is why I came home to tell south east people that the nomination is not for me alone but for them as its success rests on the efforts of Umahi, its leaders and the entire people, he said. He noted that he never thought of getting nominated, never discussed such with anybody with the way it happened, only explained by God. PDP governors in the zone have performed tremendously and Umahi in particular, has done enough for Ebonyi and the zone, he said. It would, therefore, be unfair and uncharitable for any of us to allow his person or leadership, be put into disrepute as this journey would not be successful without his leadership. We will work together to succeed as the PDP is desirous of returning to power not just to return but to correct the anomalies presently witnessed in the country, he said. Obi said that he had a lasting relationship with Ebonyi which dated back to his business dealings in the state as a student of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) among his familys business interests in the state. Umahi, in his response, thanked Obi for the honour of the visit, pledging that the people of the state and the zone would support him to actualize his ambition. When you sought to visit me in Abuja, I chose to visit you instead because you were a governor, chairman of the zones governors forum all before me and presently, the vice presidential candidate of our party. In your humility however, you decided to visit me and we both spoke to the press to correct certain impressions, he said. He remarked that he bore no grouse over Obi because even if nominated for the position, he would decline because he still had four years to lead as Ebonyi governor. We have supported each other in the past, you supported me during my campaign to be governor even donating vehicles and this is the time to show that one good turn deserves another. We have never had differences in any matter in the past but have been badly misrepresented in this present matter. I want to officially congratulate you on your nomination because nobody can impose a deputy on another but I maintain that the process was not satisfactory to us, he said. The governor noted that the process was faulted because five names were submitted for the position and six people from other geo political zones were selected to review the list. ALSO READ: We, therefore, faulted the non-selection of an Igbo leader in the review of the list and the non-selection of indigenes of Ebonyi and Imo in the list. I am particular about Ebonyi because we have been the whipping child of the south east zone as I have fought and will continue fighting to correct this anomaly, he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that there were misgivings in the zone over Obis nomination with Umahi and other leaders faulting the process which produced Obi as Atikus running-mate. Here is what we know: Hundreds in jail The most infamous captives include Alexanda Amon Kotey and El Shafee el-Sheikh, two survivors of the IS kidnapping quartet dubbed "The Beatles" due to their British accents. The group was notorious for videotaping beheadings. Among the detained French jihadists is Adrien Guihal, who is said to have claimed a truck-ramming attack in the French city of Nice that killed 86 people in 2016. 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. Many of the detainees do not have identity papers, Omar says. "Some of the women have four children, each from a different father and each father from a different country," he says. No trials Since 2014, IS has lost most of a cross-border proto-state they once held in Syria and neighbouring Iraq to various offensives. Iraq has sentenced dozens of foreigners to death or life in jail over belonging to the extremist group. But the Kurdish authorities in northeastern Syria have repeatedly said they will not try any foreign fighters. "We try the local Syrian IS mercenaries, but we won't try the foreigners," Omar said. "There are too many of them. It's a heavy burden we can't carry on our own," he said. "We don't have any laws for capital punishment... If we did try them and their jail sentence ended, then where would they go?" he asked. The Kurds were trying to exert "pressure on the international community and countries that have nationals in our region," Omar said. "We are trying by all means for those countries to take back their nationals." 'Political considerations' Russia, Indonesia, and Sudan have agreed to take some nationals back, Omar said, and these have been mostly women and children. But overall, Western countries, reeling from deadly attacks claimed by IS on home soil, have been reluctant. On Tuesday, Pentagon Joint Chiefs chairman Joe Dunford said the delay in repatriating the foreign captives home for prosecution was due to "political considerations and inconsistent legal frameworks". Concerns included "how we identify, prosecute, deradicalise and reintegrate foreign fighters", he said. Two Americans -- a man and a woman -- were transferred back to the United States in July to be tried. France has insisted any French adults held by Kurdish authorities should be tried where they are, so long as they face a "fair trial". Britain has reportedly stripped Kotey and Sheikh of their citizenship, and made no efforts to repatriate them. American media reported in August that the US administration was considering sending them to Guantanamo Bay. Talks? Omar says the Kurds "have been in touch with the Danish, Dutch and Canadian governments", but so far without results. "After advancing past many stages, the Canadian government halted everything," he said. Canadian official Stefano Maron however told AFP that "any information on an understanding towards repatriating Canadian citizens from Syria was unfounded". Beyond those three countries, the Kurds appear to be showing more leniency with two key member states of the anti-IS coalition. In recent months, the Kurds have selected and brought out several captives for interviews with the international media. But a Kurdish military commander told AFP an agreement had been reached so "no French or American IS fighters were brought out in front of the media to avoid pressure" on both governments, he said. NiMH Nickel Metal Hydride Battery Technology Nickel Metal Hydride, NiMH batteries and cells took over from NiCd offering a very similar voltage and overall performance. Battery Technology Includes: Battery technology overview Battery definitions & terms NiCad NiMH Li-ion Lead acid Nickel Metal Hydride, NiMH Battery includes: NiMH charging NiMH self-discharge In view of the environmental fears about Nickel Cadmium batteries and cells, Nickel Metal Hydride technology has taken over. Nickel Metal Hydride, NiMH batteries and cells have a very similar level of performance - similar voltage and charge characteristics. As such they are virtually a direct replacement, although there are a few differences as can be imagined. In view of the much better environmental credentials, NiMH batteries are the technology of choice for the standard replaceable batteries available: AAA, AA, C, D sizes. NiMH battery technology: basics NiMH batteries and cells are now widely used. They have a number of highlight characteristics that have enabled them to be used, although they do have some disadvantages: Environmental impact: NiMH battery technology has overtaken that of its NiCd brother because of their lower environmental impact. The use of cadmium is of particular concern, and therefore the use. In the European Union, EU, legislation referred to as the Battery Directive has required the use of NiCd batteries to be terminated for portable use by consumers. While the use of toxic cadmium is removed from the NiMH cells the mining and processing of the other metals used poses some environmental threats. Fortunately when the NiMH batteries reach end of life, most of the nickel can be recovered with relative ease. NiMH battery technology has overtaken that of its NiCd brother because of their lower environmental impact. The use of cadmium is of particular concern, and therefore the use. In the European Union, EU, legislation referred to as the Battery Directive has required the use of NiCd batteries to be terminated for portable use by consumers. While the use of toxic cadmium is removed from the NiMH cells the mining and processing of the other metals used poses some environmental threats. Fortunately when the NiMH batteries reach end of life, most of the nickel can be recovered with relative ease. Specific energy density: NiMH cells and batteries have a higher level of specific energy, i.e. the amount of energy that can be contained within a certain volume of weight. It can be between 60 - 100 W h / kg against 40 - 60 for a NiCd. NiMH cells and batteries have a higher level of specific energy, i.e. the amount of energy that can be contained within a certain volume of weight. It can be between 60 - 100 W h / kg against 40 - 60 for a NiCd. Output voltage: One particularly fortunate parameter is that they provide a cell voltage of 1.2 volts which is very similar to that of a NiCd, making them an almost direct replacement. One particularly fortunate parameter is that they provide a cell voltage of 1.2 volts which is very similar to that of a NiCd, making them an almost direct replacement. Charging: Many NiCd battery chargers used the increase in terminal voltage to detect end of charge. This increase in voltage for NiMH cells is very small, and NiMH cells are averse to overcharging. Care needs to be taken when charging these cells and batteries. Many NiCd battery chargers used the increase in terminal voltage to detect end of charge. This increase in voltage for NiMH cells is very small, and NiMH cells are averse to overcharging. Care needs to be taken when charging these cells and batteries. Self discharge : On disadvantage of the NiMH cell is that it has a high rate of self-discharge. They can lose up to 3% of its charge per week of storage. NiMH cell technology The NiMH cell bears many similarities to the older NiCd cell technology, using many similar constituents. The NiMH cell consists of three main elements: Positive electrode: The positive electrode of the NiMH battery is nickel hydroxide having the same composition as the positive electrode in a NiCd cell. The nickel oxide - hydroxide electrode only exchanges a proton in the charge-discharge reaction, and this results in a very small change in size, resulting in a high level of mechanical stability, and this in turn results in a longer cycle life. The positive electrode of the NiMH battery is nickel hydroxide having the same composition as the positive electrode in a NiCd cell. The nickel oxide - hydroxide electrode only exchanges a proton in the charge-discharge reaction, and this results in a very small change in size, resulting in a high level of mechanical stability, and this in turn results in a longer cycle life. Electrolyte: The electrolyte in the NiMH cell is an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide, KOH, which has a very high conductivity. The solution does not enter into the NiMH cell reaction to any significant extent. It is found that the electrolyte concentration remains almost constant over the charge / discharge cycle. This is important because the concentration of the electrolyte is the main contributor to the cell resistance. This means that the performance of the cell remains almost the same over the entire charge range. The electrolyte in the NiMH cell is an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide, KOH, which has a very high conductivity. The solution does not enter into the NiMH cell reaction to any significant extent. It is found that the electrolyte concentration remains almost constant over the charge / discharge cycle. This is important because the concentration of the electrolyte is the main contributor to the cell resistance. This means that the performance of the cell remains almost the same over the entire charge range. Negative electrode: The active material for the negative electrode is actually hydrogen. However it is not physically possible to use hydrogen directly and therefore the hydrogen is stored in the NiMH cell as a metal hydride which also serves as the negative electrode. As a point of interest, the metal hydrides used in NiMH cells can normally hold between 1% and 2% hydrogen by weight. NiMH, Nickel Metal Hydride battery technology has taken over from NiCds. Although they were originally envisaged as an interim solution, they have found their niche in being used for the replaceable batteries like the standard AAA, AA, C, and D size cells. Batteries for use in electronic equipment for everything from smartphones to Bluetooth headphones, laptops and all manner of electronic gadgets has adopted Lithium Ion, Lion technology and NiMH cells are never seen in these applications now. As such NiMH technology is virtually only used for replaceable cells and batteries. More Electronic Components: Resistors Capacitors Inductors Quartz crystals Diodes Transistor Phototransistor FET Memory types Thyristor Connectors RF connectors Valves / Tubes Batteries Switches Relays Return to Components menu . . . Rodeos are facing another wave of criticism after it was revealed that a horse died at a mid-Canterbury event. The horse died on Sunday at the Methven Rodeo after its saddle slipped and it became entangled in the girth. The animal was sedated by a vet, but later died. SAFE and Animal Justice League New Zealand have come out in full swing of the controversial sport, calling for the rural pastime to be banned. Were a nation of animal lovers, and we do not tolerate this, said Tara Jackson, spokesperson of Animal Justice League. You cant have a bucking horse thats comfortable and happy. But RadioLIVEs Lynda Hallinan wasnt immediately convinced. The Long Lunch host countered Ms Jacksons claims, asking whether she would extend her argument to riding horses in general. That is a completely different topic, responded Ms Jackson. SAFE said its organisation was appalled over the horses death and the lack of details around the incident. The cowboys are scrambling to appear as if they care about animal welfare, but its impossible to create meaningful rules around what are essentially practises that bully animals, SAFEs Marianne Macdonald said in a statement. New Zealands rodeo association said it will investigate the cause of the horses death, in addition to getting reports from the events Animal Welfare officers and veterinarian. We endeavour to minimise every potential risk to stock and competitors and its disappointing when a rare accident like this occurs," New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association president Lyal Cocks said. Ive been involved in rodeo, off and on, for more than 40 years and Ive never seen this happen before, Mr Cocks said. The horses death comes less than a week after the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) released its rodeo report, which suggested setting up an animal welfare forum to ensure ethical protocol. The report received divided responses from the sport association, animal activists, and political parties. Listen to the full interview with Tara Jackson above. The Long Lunch with Lynda Hallinan, 12pm - 3pm on RadioLIVE and streaming live to the rova app on Android and iPhone. RadioLIVE. Michael Baker, professor of public health at the University of Otago, discusses the fact that our most popular protein choice, chicken is almost always sold contaminated with campylobacter, and how it is affecting New Zealanders. Listen to the full interviews above. The Long Lunch with Lynda Hallinan, 12pm - 3pm on RadioLIVE and streaming live to the rova app on Android and iPhone. RadioLIVE. EUROPE: Cross-Channel high speed operator Eurostar expects to launch a third daily train between London and Amsterdam in June 2019, reflecting the initial success of the route which was launched with two trains per day in April this year. Last Wednesday the Iranian foreign minister, Javad Zarif, took to criticizing the Trump administration's recent imposition of new sanctions against his country. Zarif blasted Americas addiction to sanctions and increasing hostility towards Tehran. Unfortunately, in this case, Zarif is absolutely right. The U.S. has become far too reliant on sanctions as a means of economic coercion, and its focus on Iran is becoming extremely counterproductive. The latest round of penalties, announced this past week, targets a vast Iranian financial network, as well as countries that do business with Iran. They target a wide range of commodities, as well as investment in the country. Multiple large Iranian banks are at the center of the measures, as well as Irans largest tractor and steel manufacturer. The plan, announced by the Treasury Department, seems to be aimed at cutting Iran off from the rest of the world. This is just the latest installment in this prolonged attack on the Iranian economy. The first round of sanctions was announced in August. It reimposed all of the previous penalties that had been lifted at the signing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran Deal. Those sanctions effectively banned any transaction with Iran that involved U.S. products, and banned the import of certain Iranian commodities. The Iranian regime said then, as it says now, that these actions would harm the well-being of the people of Iran, and are cause for humanitarian concern. Earlier this month, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) agreed with Iran, and ruled the U.S. sanctions were far too tough on humanitarian goods and Iranian civil aviation. The Iranians claimed vindication. The U.S. decided to double down instead with this latest action. Whether or not one agrees with the ICJs conclusions is completely beside the point. In the eyes of most of the world, the U.S. handed Iran the moral high ground, and has decided to push forward nonetheless, as if that will change a thing. Instead of holding the Iranian regime accountable for its actions, which is ostensibly the goal of these sanctions, it lets them off the hook and gives them a scapegoat. It is incredibly counterproductive. The consequences for the U.S. foolishness in this regard go far beyond mere rhetorical defeats. The Energy Information Administration said that due to market reactions to these new sanctions, it is likely to become more expensive for Americans to heat their homes this winter. When American lawmakers try to play central planner and pick winners and losers in the market again, it will end as it almost always does; it will hurt U.S. consumers. Forbes also notes that the market uncertainty surrounding these sanctions makes it a particularly good time for investors to invest in Russia. Russias stock prices are already fairly low, and the country has large holdings in energy companies. The sweet irony of this all is that Russia has been one of Irans closest strategic and economic allies in recent years. Not only have the sanctions failed to create the world order the U.S. was clearly seeking, but other nations are now capitalizing off of American foolishness. Some nations are also outright stipulating that they will not comply with U.S. demands. India receives 18 percent of Iranian exports. They have already announced they will not slow business with Iran, as they are the second largest importer of Iranian goods in the world, behind China, who receive 30 percent of Iranian exports. China announced it would slow imports slightly, but would not do so to the extent that it would bring them into compliance with U.S. sanctions. Other nations are rightly deciding they wont hurt their consumers in the way the U.S. has. Frankly, the demand itself risks hurting our relationships abroad. The U.S. is already embroiled in a petty tariff conflict with the Chinese, our largest trading partner. Now, the U.S. is asking that other countries, particularly in Asia and Europe, to upend their trade relationship with a key exporter to satisfy Americas geopolitical goals. The fact that emerging economic powers will not comply should be a signal to the U.S. that these actions not only stifle economic growth in Iran, but in the rest of the world as well. However, if the administrations actions on trade are any indication, this is a lesson they are not intent on learning. In the end, these sanctions will have a significant impact on the Iranian economy. However, the damage will also spread to Americas allies and within its own borders. Americas attachment to sanctions only exposes its hypocrisy, undermines its original intent, and causes undue collateral damage. Yet, time and time again, it continues to deploy this tactic to try to subjugate foreign adversaries. Unfortunately, it is as Zarif aptly described it: an addiction. As with all addictions, it needs to be halted before it causes real, lasting damage to us and those around us. The notion that higher military spending prompts a stronger economy is getting a workout in light of President Trumps argument that Saudi military contracts will lead to a million jobs in the United States. There is only one problem with the view that military spending leads to significant economic growth and jobs: It isnt even close to being true. The link in peoples minds between defense spending and wealth and job creation became firmly established in World War II, when dramatic economic growth seemed to be twinned with military spending. In fact, the U.S entered that war with significant unused industrial capacity that could be ramped up easily, as well as pent-up demand. The military spending mirage has achieved new prominence recently thanks to Trumps exaggerated claims. But it is hard, or even impossible, to find any economic proof for them. First, lets dispose of the specific estimates of how many American jobs, if any, a Saudi arms deal would generate. Its nowhere near a million. In fact, Trump originally claimed the deal would result in about 40,000 jobs, a claim that has increased dramatically with every iteration. It is hard to see how selling more arms to the Saudis would result in additional U.S. employment. To begin with, despite the Presidents claims, there is no reason to believe the Saudis are even prepared to spend $110 billion on additional arms. So far, Saudi promises to place a big order - not even arms orders themselves - come to about $14.5 billion. And this hardly represents a large long-term investment in the U.S economy. Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin-Salmons 2030 economic development plan, the Kingdom would obtain half of all of the jobs involved, largely by transferring knowledge and technology from the United States, exactly the practice the Trump Administration is fighting in China. Not surprisingly, American defense contractors, hungry for petro-dollars, are eagerly signing up; Raytheon, for example, is in the process of opening up a subsidiary in Riyadh. How many jobs does defense spending result in under the best of circumstances? Not many. The national security and defense segment of the aerospace and defense industry supports about 355,000 direct U.S jobs - including the design and manufacturing of military aircraft, ground systems, ships, tactical vehicles, and related systems, according to the Aerospace Industries Association. These jobs primarily serve U.S direct military needs, as well as that of many European, Asian and Mideast countries. Saudi military contracts represent a small piece of a small piece of a small piece of the total pie. In fact, all private-sector defense workers make up less than 0.5 percent of the U.S labor force. Even if the $110 billion estimate of additional Saudi spending somehow materializes, thats a drop in the bucket for a $20 trillion national economy. Few if any U.S jobs depend directly on total weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, much less the phantom $110 billion the Saudis are reportedly prepared to spend. Lockheed, for example, has said that a Saudi weapons deal would create just a few hundred jobs - mostly in Saudi Arabia itself. Its easy to understand why many would assume that multi-billions in arms sales would lead to tons of U.S employment. But how much of that spending would go to enhanced profits on fixed costs, and how few would go to support additional jobs? Aerospace and defense companies achieve and maintain success because they can and do avoid hiring unnecessary labor. They have developed the scalability needed to ramp up production significantly, while creating few additional jobs. Its also easy to see technological development as stemming from military spending. The Internet, drones, and GPS all resulted from military investment. But here, one once again runs into Frederic Bastiats distinction between the seen and the unseen. How much more technological development would we see if more was carried out by non-defense industries? How much more capital, R&D capacity and skilled labor would be available for more productive non-military uses? The seen hand of government may appear to shape economic growth, but it is actually the invisible hand of the marketplace that does so most efficiently. Obviously, in and of itself, this economic data does not constitute an argument against defense spending. It may be necessary to project military strength, and even crucial to a countrys place in the world. But as far as economic growth is concerned, what is war (and military spending) actually good for? Like the song says absolutely nothing. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate , We're sorry, this article is not currently available Kenya Moore celebrated her pregnancy at a royal-themed baby shower. ADVERTISEMENT The 47-year-old "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star was feted by friends and family Saturday in Atlanta ahead of her child's birth. Moore spent time with husband, Marc Daly, her "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" co-stars Porsha Williams, Cynthia Bailey and Kandi Burruss and other guests at the historic Academy of Medicine building. "#mythrone words cannot express the joy and happiness I feel in my heart. So overwhelming to have a room of people who came to celebrate the impending life of #babydaly," Moore captioned a group photo Sunday on Instagram. "These are my riders and I love you all so much," she added. "More photos to come. #fairytale #happyending #royalbabyshower #heirtothethrone #family #love #kenyamoore." Bailey also posted a series of pictures from the party on Instagram, including a snapshot of Daly cradling Moore's baby bump. "The beautiful royal couple @thekenyamoore & her hubby Marc #babydaly #kenyasbabyshower #beautifulcouple #royalbabyshower," she wrote. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Moore announced her pregnancy during the Real Housewives of Atlanta Season 10 reunion in April. She said in an interview with E! News in September that she is waiting to learn the baby's sex until she gives birth. "Everything is good and healthy," the star said. "This is the home stretch and I'm being as healthy as I possible can and being as positive as I can." By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 10/23/2018 ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. star Tristan Thompson admits he's just astounded by his co-stars Bobby Dodd and Danielle Bergman 's love story on Season 7 of the Lifetime reality series.During a recent appearance on : Unfiltered, Tristan, Danielle, and fellow co-star Dave Flaherty sat down to discuss "Decision Day" in which all three Season 7 couples chose to stay married at the end of the extreme eight-week experiment.While all three couples decided to continue working on things and remain committed, Bobby went one step further by actually proposing to Danielle with a beautiful diamond engagement ring, saying he wants to spend the rest of his life with her -- without a doubt in his mind or heart.When the host of Unfiltered, Season 1 MAFS participant Jamie Otis , asked Tristan how Danielle and Bobby's love story made him feel, Tristan replied, "I think it's amazing.""I'm sure there are issues, but their issues don't turn into arguments," Tristan noted. "Their issues turn into communication and solving it and then moving on."Tristan had also voiced his awe of Danielle and Bobby's relationship earlier in the Unfiltered broadcast."That's freaking cool... that's just cool," he interjected after Danielle gushed her experience had exceeded her expectations and the show's experts had managed to find her "right person."Tristan married Mia Bally on , and their relationship was very different from what Bobby and Danielle had, in that they fought constantly and had communication problems.Tristan and Mia were always trying to hold their heads above water, but they opted to stay together at the end of the show out of mutual love and respect."So I think instead of, 'Oh, they're fake,' or whatever," Tristan continued of Bobby and Danielle, "I think it's just amazing. They just figured it out."Danielle is clearly smitten with Bobby, who once called his relationship with his wife a "Perfect 10" on ."I love how sincere Bobby is. I think he's a very thoughtful guy," Danielle gushed."He definitely keeps me on my toes, I mean, he was definitely raised very well. I just appreciate his thoughtfulness and his commitment to the both of us."Dave wed Amber Martorana at first sight on the Lifetime series, and they also had problems stemming from Amber's insecurities in the marriage, mainly about her looks and whether Dave was falling in love with her.'s reunion special is set to air on Tuesday night, and an update on each marriage will be provided to fans.Reality TV World, however, already confirmed last month Mia had filed for divorce from Tristan on September 4 in Dallas, TX, according to Dallas County court records.Mia reportedly cited insupportability as the grounds for their divorce.Interested in more news? Join our Married at First Sight Facebook Group Vogue is sorry for causing any offense with Kendall Jenner's "afro" hairstyle. ADVERTISEMENT The magazine responded to backlash in a statement Monday after photographing the "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" star with big, "puffed-out" hair for a new feature. "The image is meant to be an update of the romantic Edwardian/Gibson Girl hair which suits the period feel of the Brock Collection, and also the big hair of the '60s and the early '70s, that puffed-out, teased-out look of those eras," Vogue told E! News. "We apologize if it came across differently than intended, and we certainly did not mean to offend anyone by it," the magazine said. Vogue shared a photo of Jenner with the hairstyle Friday on Instagram. Social media users accused Vogue of cultural appropriation and questioned why the magazine didn't use model with a natural afro. "Instead of hiring a model with an Afro @voguemagazine decided to make Kendall Jenner a 'make shift' Afro," one person tweeted. "Instead of hiring a Black model, Vogue just teased Kendall Jenner's hair into an afro and called it a day," another added. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Jenner also appeared in an earlier post with Dutch model Imaan Hammam , who is of Egyptian and Moroccan descent. Jenner wore an afro hairstyle, while Hammam sported straight locks. Jenner previously faced controversy after appearing in a protest-themed Pepsi commercial in 2017. She cried over the backlash in an episode of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," saying, "I just felt really, really bad." St. Jude Church: 241 W. Second Ave. A Harvest Luncheon & Craft Show will be Oct. 25 in the St. Jude Franciscan Hall. The craft show will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Carry-out will be available. Raffles and prizes will be included in the event. Tickets are $10 per person. Children four years old and younger are free. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the parish office or call 815-485-3511. Porterville, CA (93257) Today Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. High 68F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low near 45F. Winds light and variable. With issues of climate change, gun rights and economic uncertainty on many young people's minds, students shouldn't let their vote go to waste in the Nov. 6, 2018 election. A lot goes on around Athens and UGA campus and sometimes it can be hard to keep up. From a fire erupting in Boggs Hall to Karma Coffee hosting As Many of you have probably heard by now, Park Service Station in Lansing Illinois will be closing. Words cannot express our Gratitude for our faithful and loyal customers that have supported us through the years! John Kapteyn started our Family business in 1959, and to think that back then there were over 27 pumping stations in Lansing. We have enjoyed serving you over the last 59 years! There are so many wonderful memories our family will be taking with us, and though it is tough to walk away, we Praise God for His faithfulness through the years! Thanks again for making Park Service much more than a mechanic shop and gas station, thanks for making it a community of wonderful people! For several years, UConn Health has been exploring the possibility of partnering with a private entity as a way of ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the system. On Monday, the health system took the next necessary step in pursuing a public-private partnership by releasing a national Solicitation of Interest letter. The letter is a request for proposals from health organizations across the country interested in partnering with the Farmington-based health system. Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, CEO of UConn Health, said the system is stronger financially now than during previous years, but that exploring a public-private partnership is necessary for the networks future financial health and growth. Even though we havent gone back to the legislature to ask for additional or deficit funding for nine years, the headwinds that are coming in the future in increased expenses and other challenges make us feel at UConn Health that there needed to be other strategies in our tool box, other than what we have been doing, growing revenues and cutting costs, Agwunobi said. UConn Health has cast a wide net. The system hired Cain Brothers, a financial advising firm, to help with the public-private partnership efforts. We are not just entertaining responses from hospital systems, Agwunobi said. We are looking at all kinds of organizations there are a lot of creative partnerships out there today. The General Assembly passed legislation in June 2017 requiring UConn Healths Board of Directors to begin the process of establishing a public-private partnership and to submit a report to the legislature by April. The three-page report summarized the networks efforts, the rationale for the partnership and the process needed to move forward. For years, Senate Republican President Len Fasano of North Haven, has believed that UConn Health needs to privatize in some capacity. Weve always pressured UConn Health to partner with someone because the costs are out of control, Fasano said. Its unsustainable They should have partnered a long time ago. Republicans, in general, have been in favor of pursuing privatization not only at UConn Health, but at state-funded programs throughout the public sector, said Patrick ONeil, spokesman for the House Republican Caucus. The last time UConn Health tried to partner with a private institution was in 2009, with Hartford Hospital, but those efforts fell through. Today, UConn Health is a very different place in many ways than it was nine years ago, said Agwunobi, who became CEO four years ago. Its stronger financially than it was at that time. The campus is totally transformed. UConn Health is the states public academic health center, which includes John Dempsey Hospital, UConn School of Health, UConn School of Dental Medicine, The Graduate School, UConn Medical Group, dental clinics, research laboratories and more. UConn Health was established in 1961. In recent years, the health network opened its $203 million outpatient pavilion a 300,000 square-foot facility and the $318 million inpatient University Tower, which has 169 inpatient beds. The 384,000 square-foot tower was funded through general obligation state bonds. Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine also opened in 2014 on UConn Healths Farmington campus. Innovation is an imperative in todays rapidly changing healthcare landscape, said CHA spokeswoman Michele Sharp in a statement. Patients benefit when hospitals develop new solutions to provide them with high quality, coordinated, cost-effective, patient-focused care. Integration is one way hospitals are addressing the needs of their patients and communities. UConn Healths annual budget has been about $1 billion over the last five years with about 22 to 24 percent coming from state appropriations. Just over 60 percent of its budget is funded from patient care, Agwunobi said. The network employs nearly 5,000 full-time and part-time workers across its clinical, research and academic programs. Agwunobi said the ongoing hospital and health network consolidation happening throughout the state is another reason a public-private partnership is worth pursuing. We are growing, but taking the long-term view, we see the consolidation around us is likely to limit that growth in future years, he said. Were a small academic entity and we need to partner to be stronger as we face the consolidation coming down the road. Innovation is an imperative in todays rapidly changing healthcare landscape, He also said the states fringe benefit rates have risen dramatically over recent years, driven by the states obligation to service the unfunded pension liability. The fringe benefit rate at John Dempsey Hospital, he said, has risen to an average of 71 percent in fiscal year 2019 compared to an average of just under 30 percent for other hospitals in Connecticut. A public-private partnership may also help strengthen the finances of UConn Healths academic programs. He said a partnership that brings in more money on the clinical side will allow the network to direct additional funding to its academic enterprise. The health network also ran the states correctional health care system for about two decades until this July, when the Department of Correction took back the job of managing the health care of inmates. Although we didnt shed correctional health because of this (public-private partnership) process, he said. Our reason for handing the contract back to DOC, however, was because we determined that we were losing money on the contract. TORRINGTON A small bag of white powder, found inside Torrington High School this afternoon has been identified by officials as corn starch. Torrington Fire Department Deputy Chief Peter Towey said after the bag was found, it was isolated in a small office. Towey said the bag held about 10-15 grams of powder, or about 0.3 ounces. Classes continued, but the students were held in place, Towey said. We made sure there was no concern and confirmed it was an isolated event. A crew from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection responded to the incident, Towey said, and tested the substance. The Torrington Police Department were also on site, he said. The chief declined to speculate whether a student was involved in the incident. A police spokesman could not be immediately reached for comment. Interim School Superintendent Susan Lubomski released a statement Tuesday afternoon about the incident at the high school. Students and staff were safe at all times, she said. There was minimal disruption to the school day. The students were dismissed at the regular time, 2:05 p.m., Towey said. The high school has just over 860 students enrolled this year, according to the Torrington Board of Education. TORRINGTON With just 15 days until voters choose a new governor, a forum on Monday with residents and business leaders at the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce allowed Democratic candidate Ned Lamont to reach a number of key constituents during a brisk, one-hour discussion. Lamont answered economic, workforce and quality of life questions from about 25 attendees who represented a range of companies and interests. We dont need more taxes, we need more taxpayers, Lamont told the group. Growth is the answer. We have 40,000 jobs that cant be filled. Several in the group said the chamber is taking the lead in the region on workforce development. The organization supports the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board to help develop a strong workforce to provide economic development in the Northwest Corner. A common concern about increasing entrepreneurship in the region is the lack of reliable Internet service. Lamont said he had a plan. We will bring 5G high-speed Internet, to the region, he said. The service is the next wave of cellular technology, according to the New York Times. Lamont said 5G would replace the need to install fiber optic cable from pole to pole. You should be able to do (online work) in downtown Torrington as well as anywhere else. Decreasing the cost of government spending, Lamont noted, could begin with increasing efficiency. We have 169 feisty towns. There are 169 tax collectors, he said. We cant subsidize inefficiency. We pay more for administrators outside the classroom than the teachers inside. A change Lamont said he would make quickly, if elected, would help decrease the cost of owning a home. I will do everything I can to bring down property taxes, he said. Its the biggest tax for the middle class. Jacque Williams of Torrington asked about the toxic political climate. New people are coming in who vote strictly on emotions, Williams said. He asked Lamont what the candidate stood for as a Democrat. A lot dont feel they are welcome in politics. Lamont said. Some women say, the government doesnt quite understand me. Johnny Burnham / Contributed photo The Northwest CT YMCA held a Free Family Fun Day at its Torrington, Winsted and Canaan facilities this past Saturday, Oct. 21. Many activities, from gymnastics and arts and crafts to swimming and a mini obstacle course were held. The event was attended by more than 300 people. One option, he said, would be to give ISBE the ability to temporarily suspend the licenses of educators who have been charged with violent crimes, but whose cases are still being adjudicated. Another might be to require school district applicants to disclose not only whether they have been convicted of a crime, but also if they are currently charged with one. Along with similar-sounding names, the two projects are being designed by the same architectural firm, Atlanta-based Kuo Diedrich Chi. The developers of both projects hope to appeal to millennials who want to be near the train to commute jobs in downtown Chicago, as well as empty nesters who dont want the obligations of caring for a house. A symposium on Vietnam has turned a spotlight on the countrys oppressed Montagnard minority, whose plight has drawn little attention in recent years. Speaking on a panel at a Sept. 14 event titled Vietnam Revisited, Neil Nay, an ethnic Montagnard and spokesman for Montagnards in exile, described their suffering under Communist rule. The event was held at the National Archives building in Washington, D.C., and was co-hosted by the National Archives and the Assembly for Democracy in Vietnam, a U.S.-based nonprofit advocacy group. An audience of some 250 people, including experts on Vietnams wartime history and politics, paid close attention to every word spoken by Nay. This may partly be because many of us are used to thinking of the Montagnards as a tribal people, best known as fighters who sided with the United States during the Vietnam War. Beyond that, most of us know little. Nay, on the other hand, is a highly educated electrical engineer and U.S. citizen. Hes fluent in English and possesses a detailed grasp of the challenges that continue to plague the Montagnards. During the fighting that occurred in Vietnam over a 30-year period between the end of World War II and the fall of Saigon in the spring of 1975, the Montagnards were recruited by all sides and suffered heavy casualties. According to Nay, the Montagnards lost more than 250,000 men in the many battles that engulfed them. For a total population numbering between one and two million people, this was a heavy price to pay. Michael Benge, an expert on the Montagnards who lived in the Central Highlands for six years during the Vietnam War, says that he believes that Nays estimate of the losses is credible. A personal note I should make clear from the start that this commentator had little first-hand contact with Montagnards during the Vietnam War. Much of what I knew came from Gerald Cannon Hickey, a respected Saigon-based anthropologist who devoted much of his life to studying various Montagnard tribes. As a reporter for The Christian Monitor based in Vietnam, I made brief forays into combat zones in the Central Highlands in the early 1970s. But I never stayed long enough to meet many Montagnards. I was a single reporter tasked with covering an entire country, and many things were happening in other regions in Vietnam as well as in neighboring Cambodia. But one of the biggest battles of the Vietnam War occurred in the spring of 1972 when the North Vietnamese deployed Russian-made tanks to attack South Vietnamese Army positions near the highlands city of Kontum, I had to be there. I remember flying with a colleague into the city, which had had held out but was still surrounded by the North Vietnamese and subject to their rocket and artillery fire. After spending a few hours walking around the town and interviewing South Vietnamese soldiers and an American advisor, we got out of Kontum. I didnt know at the time that U.S.-backed Montagnard mobile strike forces had played a key role in defending the city. I know now, thanks to the military historian John Prados, who has written that the strikers were the backbone of the defense that saved Kontum. The Montagnards I knew enough, however, to know that during the colonial period in Vietnam, the French referred to many of the highlands indigenous tribes as the people of the mountains, or Montagnards. The term Montagnard applied to some 30 hill tribes, each of which had its own language and distinctive cultural heritage. And on one brief trip made by South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu to Ban Me Thuot in the Central Highlands that I covered in August of 1967, I saw representatives of many of those Montagnard tribes, including the Jarai and Rhade among others. But Michael Benge explains that the Montagnards had no collective name other than the one imposed on them by the French and later adopted by the Americans. The Montagnard tribes are mainly of Malayo-Polynesian, Mon-Khmer, and Sino-Tibetan extraction. Given this background, many of them could be taken for Southeast Asians were it not for their distinctive culture and native dress. This brings us back to the symposium held at the National Archives last month and the presentation made there by Nay. Nay filled in many gaps in our knowledge, including important historical background. For starters, under their colonial rule the French dealt harshly with anyone who opposed them but did allow a degree of autonomy for the Montagnards. After French missionaries and then officials explored the highlands for decades starting in the 18th century, the French organized 28 diverse tribes into one political unit under the name Montagnard people of South Indochina. But after the French were defeated by the Communist-led Viet Minh in 1954, a newly established South Vietnamese government abolished the Montagnards autonomous political status. The South Vietnamese government headed by President Ngo Dinh Diem banned the teaching of Montagnard languages, burned Montagnard books and documents, and forced the Montagnards to take Vietnamese names. Diem also resettled some one million Vietnamese refugees throughout the Central Highlands. Poor South Vietnamese from the coastal regions of South Vietnam and minorities other than Montagnards then streamed into the highlands. In many cases they seized ancestral tribal lands while providing no compensation to the Montagnards. In 1958, the Diem government crushed a Montagnard resistance movement. When President Nguyen Van Thieu took power in 1965, the situation seemed to get even worse, according to Nay. Many South Vietnamese tended to regard the Montagnards as Moi, or savages. But the Montagnards had a special relationship with the U.S. Special Forces, or Green Berets, who began arriving in the Central Highlands in small numbers in the 1950s, well ahead of regular U.S. Marine and Army divisions. The Americans and the Montagnards Many of the Green Berets formed bonds with the Montagnards over the years. Rebecca Onion, a staff writer for the online magazine Slate, wrote that the Special Forces and the Montagnardseach tough, versatile, and accustomed to living in wild conditionsformed an affinity for each other. Citing Green Beret veterans, she said that their working relationship with the Montagnards was a bright spot in a confusing and frustrating war. The Special Forces provided weapons and training to the Montagnards. They also organized them into civilian irregular defense groups that could move quickly into combat situations as well as detect enemy supplies coming in from North Vietnam. When the final North Vietnamese offensive of the war began in the spring of 1975, the Montagnards asked for support in resisting the invasion. They had some hope at one point but got no support. When South Vietnamese Army units, under orders from President Thieu, retreated from the highlands down to the coast of Vietnam, they made no provision to protect most of their Montagnard allies. With the South Vietnamese Army collapsing around them, the Montagnards were left to fight on their own. In the end, many Montagnards felt betrayed by the United States, as they had been by others. From a helicopter I witnessed the South Vietnamese retreat from the highlands, with snipers and artillery attacking convoys of troops and civilians as they made their way to the coastal city of Nha Trang. In his book The Hidden History of the Vietnam War, John Prados sums up what happened to some of the Montagnards whom American advisors in the highlands had hoped to get safely to Nha Trang so that they could be evacuated. Ed Sprague, a senior U.S. advisor in the highlands who knew Montagnard leaders well, arranged to get some 2,000 Montagnards to Nha Trang. But much to Spragues lasting regret, the Montagnards stood on the beach waiting for an American ship that never came. The Montagnards under Communism The Communist government of North Vietnam had included the right for highlander autonomy in its founding platform in 1960. But once the Communists defeated the South Vietnamese in the spring of 1975, that promise was ignored, and life became much worse for the Montagnards. The Communists executed some Montagnard leaders while others died in prisons or reeducation camps. They also imposed severe restrictions on the Montagnards, limiting their cultural rights, education, and employment opportunities. Getting any news from most Montagnard-populated rural areas became difficult. In the years 2001 and 2004, however, the Montagnards made headlines when thousands of them openly protested religious repression and the confiscation of their ancestral lands by the Communists. Many Montagnards had converted to Christianity and refused to renounce their beliefs even when subjected to torture. Some of the protestors also dared to call for self-rule or autonomy. Soldiers and police arrested hundreds of activists and in some cases opened fire, killing a number of protestors. Escaping from Vietnam Most of the Montagnards who succeeded in escaping from Vietnam and reaching the United States crossed the Vietnamese border into neighboring Cambodia and then moved on into Thailand. And most of these refugees, some 12,000, now live in North Carolina. This is partly because they had maintained links with the U.S. Special Forces, which are headquartered in Fort Bragg, N.C. And many of the American missionaries who lived and worked among the Montagnards during the Vietnam War were were missionaries from the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church and the Lutheran Church, who brought Christianity to the Montagnards. But escaping from Vietnam was not easy. The Cambodian government captured many of the Montagnard refugees and sent them back across the border into Vietnam, where many of them were arrested and then brutally tortured. In a report published in June of 2006, the monitoring group Human Rights Watch (HRW) detailed the brutality. In response to international concerns, the Vietnamese government then took a few steps to address the highlanders grievances. The government pledged to provide each low-income household in the Central Highlands with at least 200 square meters of housing land. And it announced that it would temporarily suspend government-sponsored migration by Vietnamese lowlanders to the region. But despite pledges by the government to stop monitoring or closing down Montagnard religious services, HRW found in 2006 that Vietnamese officials in some parts of the highlands had continued a crackdown on religious rights. In some areas, the government banned large Christian gatherings unless they were presided over by officially recognized pastors. In 2009, however, the Montagnards gained considerable attention when, at great risk, they protested Chinese-supported bauxite mining projects in the Central Highlands. Current Conditions The Montagnards remaining in Vietnam today have at least three strikes against them. First, many of them sided with the Americans during the Vietnam War. Second, they dared to protest openly for land rights and in some cases against Communist rule. Third, many had converted to Christianity. And despite imprisonment, torture, and harassment, many Christian pastors and their followers refused to renounce their religion. Nay summed up the current situation this way: The present-day government of Vietnam imposes severe restrictions on the ability of members of its Montagnard indigenous peoples to exercise their cultural rights, to use their native languages, to obtain an education, and to secure reasonable employment opportunities. He notes that today some 30,000 Vietnamese students have come to the United States to study. As far as he can determine, not a single Montagnard from inside Vietnam is among them. Persistent poverty challenges todays Montagnards, just as it does the members of many other ethnic minorities. A World Bank study published in 2013 showed that ethnic minorities make up roughly 15 percent of Vietnams population but account for some 70 percent of the countrys extreme poor. The government has undertaken a number of poverty reduction programs, some of which have been supported by the European Union. Those who escaped The good news for some Montagards is that they made it as refugees to North Carolina, where, according to Nay, most have been given a warm welcome. Moreover, Nay says, most of the adult Montagnard refugees in North Carolina have found employment there. In July of last year, North Carolina Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis drew up a resolution recognizing the heroic actions of the Montagnards, who fought loyally and bravely alongside United States Special Forces in the Vietnam War. Following the Vietnam Revisited Symposium held at the National Archives in mid-September, a group of Montagnards joined a rally outside the U.S. Capitol Building on Sept. 28. The rally was organized by the Rev. Nguyen Cong Chinh of the Council of the Peoples and Religions of Vietnam and co-sponsored by U.S. Congressman Alan Lowenthal of California. Nguyen Cong Chinh, an evangelical pastor, had ministered to ethnic minority communities in Vietnam, including Montagnard prisoners and their families The Vietnamese authorities sentenced Chinh to 11 years in prison in 2011, but he was released after nearly six years thanks to the efforts of Lowenthal, Congressman Ed Royce of California, and others. One of the speakers at a reception held in the Congressional Auditorium on Capitol Hill was Nays father, Nay Rong, who is the executive director of the Montagnard Human Rights Organization. A total of some 200 to 250 people turned out for the rally, and of that number some 170, or more than half, were Montagnards who came from Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh, North Carolina. In recent years, the Montagnard leaders in exile have learned how to better communicate their story, as evidenced by their turnout and statements made at the rally on Capitol Hill. Dan Southerland is RFA's founding executive editor. The anniversary of the Paris Peace Accord, which set Cambodia on a course towards democracy 27 years ago, was met with little celebration Tuesday, as both the government and nongovernmental groups reevaluated the meaning of the agreement in the wake of an election widely deemed unfree and unfair. The Paris Peace Agreements ended war between Vietnam and Cambodia on Oct. 23, 1991 and led to the United Nations administration of Cambodias government while the country transitioned to a system of democratic elections. While the government and NGOs have celebrated the anniversary in the past, both sides have questioned the meaning of the accord amid a months-long crackdown initiated by Prime Minister Hun Sen on the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) that led to its dissolution and a resounding win by his ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) in a July 29 ballot. NGOs said that the government intentionally discouraged them from publicly celebrating this years anniversary of the agreement, which has been invoked by opposition supporters who say Hun Sen derailed democracy in Cambodia to add another five-year term to his more than three decades in office. Thida Khus, executive director of Silaka, a Phnom Penh-based group that promotes the implementation of democracy in Cambodian society for sustainable development, told RFAs Khmer Service Tuesday that NGOs were not in full agreement to commemorate the agreement as they had in years past. I believe NGOs wanted to hold an event, but changed their mind because it was too difficult to seek permission from authorities to organize it, he said. Even if we had submitted a request, we would have not received permission from the authorities. We have celebrated the event two years in a row, but not this year. Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union President Ath Thon told RFA that Cambodias labor unions also chose to forgo celebrations to mark the 27th anniversary of the Paris Peace Accord due to the challenges involved in obtaining permission from the government. We have celebrated the event in past years along with the NGOs but this year we were too busy dealing with other issues [to go through the process of applying for permission], so we skipped it, he said. While NGOs and labor unions said they welcomed a day off, as the anniversary is recognized as a national holiday in Cambodia, they expressed disappointment that the government had chosen not to mark the day with customary banners and posters on official buildings around the country. Misinterpreting the accord Government spokesperson Phay Siphan acknowledged that there had been no official celebration of the anniversary, but said that authorities had been working hard to explain the legacy and history of the Paris Peace Agreement to the public. He said that the government had restricted permission to hold associated events because there were some groups in the past that had tried to intentionally misinterpret the meaning of the accord, without providing further details. It is because those groups always misinterpret the spirit of the Paris Peace Accord and politicize the day to mislead the people and cause social disorder, he said. I dont need to mention the groups by name, but you know the ones I am referring to. According to the terms of the accord, signatory nations are obligated to undertake appropriate consultations with members of the Paris Conference in the event of the agreements being violated, and NGOs and the CNRP have repeatedly called for the international community to take action since Hun Sens crackdown on the opposition, NGOs and the independent media went into effect last year. Call for reconvening On Tuesday, members of the Cambodian diaspora in France petitioned French President Emmanuel Macron to urge the 18 other signatories of the Paris Peace Accord to reconvene and review whether Hun Sens regime has acted in violation of the agreement. France-based CNRP Youth leader Lim Kanika told RFA she wants France and other countries to uphold the principles of the Paris Peace Agreement and demand that Hun Sen call another election and drop what she said were politically motivated charges against opposition members in Cambodia. Political commentator Kim Sok, who recently fled to Finland to avoid a possible arrest for criticizing Hun Sen, echoed Lim Kanikas call for France to reconvene the signatories of the accord. France will at least call for [the signatories] to respect the peace agreement, he said. Last year, a group of 55 NGOs said in a letter marking the 26th anniversary of the accord that a severe deterioration in the state of human rights and democracy in Cambodia required a reconvening of the Paris Peace Conference, and called on world leaders to take decisive action and ensure that the democratic vision for Cambodia outlined in the Paris Peace Agreements is not completely forsaken. They said that the severity of Hun Sens crackdown was unprecedented in the post-1991 era of Cambodia and poses an existential threat to Cambodian democracy. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Chrea Vanrith and Samean Yun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. A Chinese attorney representing rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang, who has been held incommunicado without trial since 2015, has withdrawn from the case, citing injuries sustained in a "fall." Liu Weiguo, who was officially approved to represent Wang in June, is no longer able to speak easily after losing three teeth in a "fall during exercise," Amnesty International China researcher William Nee said via his Twitter account, citing Wang's wife Li Wenzu. Liu had been the only person to report having met with Wang since his detention. Li Wenzu confirmed to RFA that she originally tweeted the news, but declined to speculate on whether Liu's injuries were genuine, or whether he had met with some form of violence. "Sorry, there isn't much more I can tell you about Liu Weiguo's situation," Li said. "I have nothing further to add." "It's a bit pointless for people to try guessing about this, because we have no idea what the government is planning, or when they are planning to deal with this case," she said. Li said she hadn't appointed Liu as her husband's lawyer, and that she would continue to push for those lawyers to represent him. "They are continuing to carry out their instructions," she said. Reputation at stake Three years after police launched a nationwide crackdown, raided law firms, and detained hundreds of lawyers and activists, China's embattled human rights lawyers are increasingly left without any way of practicing law. Tan Yongpei, who founded the China Lawyers' Club for lawyers who lost their licenses to operate in the wake of a nationwide crackdown since 2015, said Liu likely withdrew for fear of damage to his professional reputation. "If Liu Weiguo was allowed to appear in court and negotiate a suspended sentence and a release for Wang Quanzhang, then that wouldn't reflect well on him," Tan said. "But if no concessions are made at all, then the [ruling Chinese] Communist Party won't release Wang Quanzhang." "If you refuse to cooperate with the court, then they won't let you act for your client," he said. "Even if Liu Weiguo was able to benefit Wang Quanzhang by appearing in court, it would sully his own reputation." Rights lawyer Li Heping, who was also detained during the crackdown on more than 300 lawyers and law firm staff, was handed a three-year jail term, suspended for four years, and had his lawyer's business license revoked by the authorities in June. Tan said Wang is unlikely to supply the "confession" required by the authorities to enable a suspended sentence. "I don't think Wang Quanzhang's personality will let him accept a suspended sentence," Tan said. "The moment that happens, his wife will lose her job, and he has a few kids, and it will be hard for him to earn a living if he can't work as a lawyer." "If he pleads guilty, he won't be able to work as a lawyer again, and Wang Quanzhang has done nothing wrong; there is nothing in his actions that crossed the line into criminality," Tan said. Reported by Gao Feng for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Malaysia Defense Minister Mohamad Sabu (right), is joined by Wu Yongjie, president of China Shipbuilding Industrial Corp. Ltd at the Wuhan shipyard in China, Oct. 23, 2018. CORRECTED at 12:30 p.m. EDT on 2018-10-24 Malaysia is going ahead with a joint ship-building venture with China even as it reviews other China-backed projects launched by the previous government. Under a defense deal signed by former Prime Minister Najib Razak in April 2017, Malaysia is purchasing four littoral mission ships (LMS) from China at a reported cost of 300 million ringgit (U.S. $72 million) per ship. Malaysian Defense Minister Mohamad Sabu visited a shipyard in Wuhan, China, on Tuesday to monitor construction of the first two ships which began in late July. The other ships are to be built in a joint venture with Malaysian shipbuilder Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd. Sabu said the shipbuilding phase in Malaysia would involve technology transfers between the two countries, according to a text of his speech. I sincerely hope that the efforts to complete the construction of the ships on time will gain its momentum until the physical handover of the ships, he said. The deal has survived amid project cancellations and reviews announced by the new Pakatan Harapan government after its May 9 general election win. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad previously said he was issuing stop-work orders for China-backed projects to deal with the countrys mounting debt. This doesnt signal any change of Malaysias stance toward China, Shahriman Lockman, a senior analyst at the Kuala Lumpur-based Institute of Strategic and International Studies, said of the ship deal. Coastal stealth The move is part of an ongoing effort to modernize the Royal Malaysian Navy that includes reducing its 15 ship classes to five. By having fewer types of ships, it will eventually reduce the operating expenditure of the navy, Shahriman told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. In an interview with Defense IQ in April 2017, Royal Malaysian Navy chief Adm. Ahmad Badaruddin Kamarulzaman said Malaysia would eventually have a total of 18 LMS in its fleet. Littoral mission ships are relatively small, thin vessels, designed for stealthy combat near coastlines and sometimes to take on bigger enemies. With a coastline stretching from the Sulu Sea westward to the Indian Ocean, we need these four littoral platforms to be made in China. They will be delivered to RMN in 2019-2020, he said at the time. After his Pakatan Harapan alliance defeated former Prime Minister Najib Razaks Barisan Nasional coalition, Mahathir said his government had inherited a 1 trillion ringgit ($240 billion) debt necessitating cancelation of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, among others. With that debt, if we are not careful we can become bankrupt, he said in a video interview at the time. This is the work of Najib. However, four days later, national news agency Bernama reported Mahathir said the government was seeking to renegotiate the terms of the deal. We have to bear in mind that the renegotiation of major projects like the ECRL was due to apparent irregularities and high costs, Shahriman said, adding the ship deal represents a savings. If anything, the project appears to be ahead of schedule while delivering a relatively affordable alternative to anything we can get from European producers of combat ships, he said. A Defense Ministry spokesman contacted by BenarNews said he had no information about the cost of the LMS deal. In August, Asia Times quoted a senior fellow at Malaysia research institute REFSA saying the project would cost the government 300 million ringgit ($72 million) per ship. Hamzah Ahmad, an analyst at the National Defense University of Malaysia, said the nations demand for the ships is based on current needs. The LMS is a more versatile and faster combat patrol boat. Its much more agile and maneuverable than the other types of combat patrol vessels, he told BenarNews. Almost all countries have or are acquiring the LMS and in our region, Singapore already has a few. Strategically speaking, the LMS will be a welcomed addition to the Malaysian navys fleet. Malaysia and its neighbors have been grappling with piracy and kidnapping along their coasts along with a flow of foreign militants across the Sulu Sea to the southern Philippines. An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the reported price of the deal as 300 million ringgit ($72 million) total. Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. It was obvious that the students were excited about being in the program. Parents noted that they didnt want to leave, Roth said. The staff with the Boys and Girls Club is committed to the students and enthusiastic about working with them. The teachers and principal were delighted by the educational support this program offered. The governor of a province in Laos hit by flooding from a dam breach earlier this year has issued conflicting estimates of the projected cost to house displaced persons, giving figures deemed unnecessarily high by another official source and contradicting statements he himself had made earlier in an interview. On July 23, water poured over a saddle dam at the Xe Pian Xe Namnoy hydropower project in Champassak in southern Laos, sweeping away homes and causing severe flooding in up to 12 villages downstream in Champassak and neighboring Attapeu province. The breach left at least 40 people dead and displaced thousands of others, most of whom have been living in five temporary camps after losing their homes and possessions. Speaking to RFAs Lao Service in a report broadcast on Oct. 4, Attapeu governor Leth Xaiyaphone said that 228 houses will be imported from neighboring Thailand at a cost of 70 million kip (U.S. $8,217) per house to house families displaced by the flood, with the cost of clearing land for construction estimated at 28 million kip (U.S. $3,287) per hectare. Acknowledging that the cost of the houses appeared high, Leth asked, No one would sell these to us at a lower cost. Tell me who would sell these at a cheaper price than this? You should not have anything to say about this. None of this is any of your business, the governor added, abruptly hanging up the phone when asked by RFA if contractors had been allowed to bid openly for the work. Actual costs lower Also speaking to RFA, an official familiar with discussions on the plans said that while houses imported from Thailand could be built at 70 million kip per house, If those houses are built by local contractors, they would cost only 45 million kip [U.S. $5,283]. Moreover, the true cost of clearing land to build permanent houses is only 5 million (U.S. $587) kip per hectare, not the 28 million per hectare stated in the governors decision. In an interview on Lao national radio on Oct. 16, Leth Xaiyaphone attacked RFAs Oct. 4 report, backing away from the higher estimates of cost he had given to RFA at the time. They said that the cost of land clearance in [Attapeus] Sanamxay district will be 28 million per hectare, but in reality it will be less than 28 million per hectare, the governor said. And though RFAs report said that a contemporary house will cost 70 million kip, this is groundless news, because we will be importing so many houses that the cost will be cheaper. Transparency, efficiency Quoted by the Vientiane Times on Oct. 11, Lao deputy prime minister Sonexay Siphandone said he had told Attapeu officials in a meeting that donations made to flood victims in the province should be used in the most effective way, and their use and distribution should be carried out in a transparent manner. Officials should make proper plans for the development of new communities and the construction of permanent homes for flood victims, Sonexay said. In a report released on Feb. 21, 2018, corruption watchdog Transparency International ranked Laos 135th out of 180 countries surveyed last year, dropping 12 places from 123rd place in a survey done the year before. Corruption still pervades all sectors of life in Laos, from illegal logging to deliberate cost overruns on construction projects to the paying of bribes to obtain government services in day-to-day life, sources say. Reported and translated by Ounkeo Souksavanh for RFAs Lao Service. Written in English by Richard Finney. Rohingya refugees shout slogans during a protest march after attending a ceremony to remember the first anniversary of a military crackdown that prompted a massive exodus of people from Myanmar to Bangladesh, at the Kutupalong refugee camp in Ukhia sub-district of Coxs Bazar, southeastern Bangladesh, Aug. 25, 2018. Australia on Tuesday imposed travel and financial restrictions on five Myanmar military officers seen as responsible for orchestrating a violent crackdown on Rohingya Muslims in 2017, becoming the latest country to use sanctions to punish commanders for atrocities against the ethnic minority. The United States, the European Union, and Canada have also imposed targeted sanctions on Myanmar military brass for their role in the brutal campaign during which 720,000 Rohingya fled to neighboring Bangladesh. As previously indicated, I have now imposed targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against five Myanmar military officers responsible for human rights violations committed by units under their command, said Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne in a statement. The move comes as the international community continues to ratchet up pressure to hold Myanmar accountable for widespread atrocities committed against the Rohingya, despite the countrys defense of the crackdown as a necessary campaign against Muslim terrorists in northern Rakhine state. They [government leaders] have to move forward and to change so they face less pressure from the international community, said Myanmar human rights activist Cheery Zahau. It just wont work if they want less pressure but fail to make changes. Australia has hit five Myanmar generals with sanctions today, and more countries might do such a thing, she said. If they do, it will hurt Myanmars dignity. Former Rakhine state chief minister Maung Ohn said the international community focuses only on the actions of the military against the Muslim terrorists, but never considers the Hindus, Mro, and other ethnic groups who were killed by assailants during the campaign. I dont have any reason to comment on Australias sanctions against Myanmar, but I question whether the country really knows the truth [about what happened] or not, he said. Myanmar political analyst Than Soe Naing said Australia is following the same path that Western European countries and the U.S. have taken with the country. [But] Australias sanctions against Myanmar have come pretty late, I think, he said. They came late because Australia had a good relationship with the Myanmar military in the past. Other sanctions in place Australias move comes as the European Union considers trade sanctions on Myanmar over human rights abuses. The bloc and Canada imposed targeted sanctions on senior military officials in June, freezing the assets of seven Myanmar army, border guard, and police officials for their parts in the violence, which included indiscriminate killings, rape, torture, and arson. The officials were also banned from traveling to the EU. Two months earlier, the EU strengthened an existing arms embargo on Myanmar, prohibiting military training and cooperation with the countrys army. In August, the U.S. imposed targeted sanctions against four Myanmar military and border guard commanders and two military units for their role in ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya and human rights abuses against other ethnic minority groups. The U.S. previously blacklisted only General Maung Maung Soe, the former head of the Myanmar Armys Western Command which oversaw Rakhine state, for human rights abuses committed by security forces under his direction. He was later fired by the military. This week, the U.N. Security Council will hear a briefing by a U.N. fact-finding mission that investigated atrocities committed against Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine state and issued a report in September detailing the violence by Myanmar security forces and calling for the prosecution of top military commanders on genocide charges. Rohingya repatriations As more sanctions against Myanmar and its military brass were imposed, a Myanmar government official said Tuesday that the country has no information on roughly 8,000 Rohingya that a Bangladeshi government minister said would return to Rakhine as the first large group of repatriated refugees. Bangladeshs Foreign Minister Abdul Hassan Mahmood Ali made the comment at the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in Brussels on Oct. 19. Bangladesh and Myanmar signed an agreement nearly a year ago to repatriate some of the hundreds of thousands of refugees. Win Myat Aye, Myanmars minister of social welfare, relief, and resettlement who is overseeing the repatriation program, said Myanmar officials agreed to take back only 7,000 of the 8,032 refugees on the list that Bangladesh submitted, but that none of them had arrived yet. So far, Myanmar officials have verified and accepted only about 170 refugees who returned to the country on their own, he added. Reported by Kyaw Thu and Wai Mar Tun for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Myanmar journalists of the privately owned Eleven Media Group work in the company's newsroom in Yangon, Oct. 12, 2018. Government officials in Myanmars commercial capital Yangon said Tuesday that they will drop a court case against three jailed journalists accused of committing offenses against the state if the trio issues a written apology in state-owned newspapers. Regional government director Aung Kyaw Khine filed the lawsuit on Oct. 9 against Eleven Media Groups chief reporter Phyo Wai Win and managing editors Kyaw Zaw Lin and Nari Min over an article published the day before in the Weekly Eleven News Journal about the governments business dealings and budget. He filed the charges under an article of the Penal Code that deals with incitement and carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison, a fine, or both, saying that the piece damaged the dignity of the Yangon government. Yangon officials say the story is false, though the reporters and others maintain it is accurate. The call for a printed apology goes against a directive issued by Myanmar President Win Myint on Oct. 17 for the Yangon government to cooperate with the Myanmar Press Council (MPC) and try to resolve the complaint under the Media Law before taking it to court. The Yangon regional government should adhere to the instructions from the Presidents Office, said Myo Nyunt, spokesman of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party. MPC member Myint Kyaw said Yangon officials have insisted that they approve the written apology by the journalists before it appears in newspapers. But the MPC cant allow this, and we can work on this case under the Media Law only after the Yangon regional government withdraws the court case, he said. The Media Law carries fines for those determined to be guilty of offenses related to their responsibilities and media ethics. Holding its ground Myint Thein, managing director of Eleven Media Group, said it is up to the three journalists to decide whether they want to issue a written apology. Journalist and political activist Thiha Thway said Yangon officials will not drop the charges if the trio refuses to issue an apology on their terms. What the Yangon regional government is doing is different from the Union governments instructions and what media people want, he told RFAs Myanmar Service. With the Yangon regional government still holding its ground, there will be more pressure and arguments against it. After Win Myint issued the directive, Aung Kyaw Khine visited the MPCs office to discuss taking action against the journalists for allegedly violating four articles of the Media Law. MPC officials told him that the Yangon government would first have to withdraw its court case before the body could mediate the complaint and possibly take action against them. Deputy Information Minister Aung Hla declined to comment on the matter. The three journalists have been held in Insein Prison on the outskirts of Yangon since their arrest on Oct. 10. When Yangon officials filed a defamation suit against Eleven Media Group's chief executive and top editor in 2016 for publishing an editorial that accused the region's chief minister of corruption, the news outlet had to issue a written apology in state-run newspapers and retract the piece. Reported by Htet Arkar for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Jailed Vietnamese democracy activist Nguyen Trung Ton, a member of the online Brotherhood for Democracy advocacy group, is in failing health in prison and unable to walk owing to an untreated injury suffered in a beating two years ago, according to his wife. Nguyen, who is serving a 12-year prison term, is now seriously ill and is being denied medical treatment by prison authorities, his wife Nguyen Thi Lanh told RFAs Vietnamese Service on Tuesday. On Oct. 22, my husband called me and told me about his health, she said. He said that he had sent a petition asking for treatment, because in February 2017 his knee was injured after he was beaten up by police. Doctors told him that he needs follow-up visits once a month, but he has not been able to have visits since his arrest, she said. Prison authorities have not allowed me to send him any medication, and now he cant walk and is very ill, she said. In February 2017, Nguyena Protestant pastor and rights activistwas abducted and taken to a forest in a mountainous area of Ha Tinh province, where he was beaten in an hours-long ordeal leaving him with a torn ligament and crushed leg muscles. Arrested on July 30, 2017 by Vietnamese security officers because of his online advocacy of democracy in the one-party communist state, Nguyen was accused of plotting to overthrow the government and charged under Article 79 of Vietnams penal code. Taken into custody at around the same time were fellow Brotherhood for Democracy members Nguyen Van Tuc, Pham Van Troi, Truong Minh Duc, and Nguyen Bac Truyen, according to information provided by relatives and the website of Vietnams Ministry of Public Security. Judicial authorities in Hanoi handed down harsh prison terms to Nguyen and five other Brotherhood for Democracy members on April 5, 2018, earning the condemnation of international rights groups who had called for the charges of subversion to be dropped. Vietnams one-party communist government is currently detaining at least 130 political prisoners, including rights advocates and bloggers deemed threats to national security, according to New York-based Human Rights Watch. It also controls all media, censors the internet, and restricts basic freedoms of expression. Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Viet Ha. Written in English by Richard Finney. YEREVAN -- The Yelk political alliance in the Armenian parliament has nominated acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian for the post of prime minister. The move came hours before a deadline for parliamentary factions to nominate their candidates expires later on October 23. The other factions in parliament have said they will not nominate candidates. Lawmakers are scheduled to hold the first round of voting for the prime minister's election on October 24. Pashinian announced on October 16 that he was resigning from the post of prime minister in order to dissolve parliament and force early elections. Under the Armenian Constitution, snap elections can be called only if the prime minister resigns and the parliament fails to replace him or her with someone else within two weeks. New elections then shall be held no earlier than within 30 days and no later than within 45 days approximately in the first half of December. Pashinian has pushed for early parliamentary elections following his bloc's landslide victory in the mayoral race in the capital, Yerevan, last month in a bid to unseat his political opponents, who have maintained a majority in parliament. A former opposition lawmaker, Pashinian took office in May after spearheading weeks of protests that forced his predecessor, Serzh Sarkisian of the Republican Party of Armenia (HKK), to resign. ALMATY -- Kazakh businessman Iskander Erimbetov, whose sister is a former lawyer for fugitive tycoon Mukhtar Ablyazov, has been sentenced to seven years in prison on corruption charges that his supporters contend are politically motivated. A court in Almaty convicted Erimbetov and three associates of financial fraud late on October 22. Two of the other defendants were sentenced to four years and two months in prison, while the third was handed a suspended three-year sentence. Erimbetov and his associates were arrested in November 2017 and charged with embezzlement and with laundering money allegedly stolen by Ablyazov. The latter charge was later dropped. Relatives claim that Erimbetov's arrest was a politically motivated effort to put pressure on his sister Botagoz Jardemalie, a lawyer who formerly represented Ablyazov. Jardemalie has been granted political asylum in Belgium. Ablyazov, a former head of Kazakhstan's BTA bank who lives abroad, is a prominent opponent of President Nursultan Nazarbaev. He is wanted by Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine on suspicion of embezzling some $5 billion. Ablyazov denies the accusations, saying they are politically motivated. Several politicians and activists have fled Kazakhstan in recent years, fearing for their safety or anticipating politically motivated prosecution. Opponents and rights groups say that Nazarbaev, who has held power in the Central Asian nation since before the 1991 Soviet breakup, has taken systematic steps to suppress dissent and sideline potential opponents. PETROPAVL, Kazakhstan -- Dozens of depopulated villages in a Kazakh province bordering Russia will be "liquidated" and their residents moved to larger towns, a senior government official says. Labor and Social Security Minister Madina Abylqasymova spoke during a October 21 visit to the North Kazakhstan region, whose population is heavily ethnic Russian and has dwindled in recent years. Abylqasymova said that 38 villages with a population of 10 or less will no longer officially exist and their residents will be relocated to "more developed towns and villages across the region." She suggested that the shift would create jobs but did not explain how. "The more people there are in district centers and bigger settlements, the more jobs there will be, which will create better conditions for the development of small and medium business," the minister said at a meeting with North Kazakhstan residents. She said the government will allocate budget funds for infrastructure development only in economically promising population centers. North Kazakhstan borders Russia's Kurgan, Omsk, and Tyumen regions. About 35 percent of its 600,000 residents are ethnic Kazakhs, while some 60 percent are ethnic Russians, Ukrainians, Poles, and Germans. Before the Soviet Union broke apart, Kazakhs made up about 22 percent of population of North Kazakhstan. After the Soviet collapse of 1991, many residents left the region -- mainly for Russia and Germany. Others, including ethnic Kazakhs, moved to other areas including Astana -- where President Nursultan Nazarbaev moved the capital in 1997 -- and the surrounding Aqmola region. U.S. President Donald Trump has said the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul was "one of the worst cover-ups" in history. "They had a very bad original concept. It was carried out poorly and the cover-up was one of the worst cover-ups in the history of cover-ups," Trump said on October 23. Trump's remarks came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said earlier on October 23 that the savage murder of Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate had been "planned" days before his death. Trump described Erdogan's speech as "pretty rough" on Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on October 23 that the United States has identified some Saudi officials responsible for killing Khashoggi and is taking action that includes revoking visas and possible sanctions. "These penalties will not be the last word on the matter from the United States," Pompeo told reporters in Washington. "We're making very clear that the United States does not tolerate this kind of ruthless action to silence Mr. Khashoggi, a journalist, through violence." In Turkey, Erdogan demanded that Saudi Arabia provide answers about where Khashoggi's body was and who ordered the operation. Erdogan also called for the suspects to be tried in Istanbul. The 59-year-old Washington Post columnist and critic of Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman went missing on October 2 after he entered the Saudi Consulate to get papers for his wedding. Riyadh initially denied knowledge of his fate before saying he was killed in a "fistfight" inside the consulate and then calling Khashoggis killing a "rogue operation." Earlier on October 23, the kingdom's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said that the killing was something that must "never happen again" and pledged a full investigation into the journalist's death. Erdogan said Saudi officials must reveal, regardless of rank, who planned the killing and called for the 18 suspects detained by Riyadh over the case to be tried in Istanbul. He also said that attempts to blame Khashoggis death on intelligence operatives "will not satisfy us." "Intelligence and security institutions have evidence showing the murder was planned, the Turkish president said. Pinning such a case on some security and intelligence members will not satisfy us or the international community," he added. 'Difficult Times' The Turkish leader said three operatives arrived in Istanbul the day before the killing on an apparent reconnaissance mission. The next day 15 people came to the consulate. "Why did these 15 people meet in Istanbul on the day of the murder? We are seeking answers to this. Who are these people receiving orders from?" Erdogan said. When asked about Erdogan's statement, British Prime Minster Theresa May's spokesman said that it "underscores the fact there remain questions which only the Saudis have the answers to." Erdogans address coincided with the start of an investment conference in Saudi Arabia that was briefly attended by the Saudi crown prince. The conference has been overshadowed by the Khashoggi case, with dozens of government and business leaders pulling out. "As we know, these are difficult days. We are going through a crisis," Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said in his speech. Falih said Khashoggis killing was regrettable, adding that "nobody in the kingdom can justify it." On October 22, Trump said he was "not satisfied" with what he has heard from Saudi Arabia about Khashoggis killing. But he also said that does not want the United States to lose investments from Riyadh, a close U.S. ally. With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, and the BBC Tehran spent weeks watching quietly as the international crisis unfolded over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, reportedly in brutal fashion in the Istanbul consulate of regional foe Saudi Arabia. Iranian officials largely refrained from commenting publicly on the death and purported dismemberment at the hands of Saudi agents of Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and conspicuous critic of the Saudi government. Reaction was even muted among hard-line elements that have been accused in the past of provoking tensions between Shi'a-dominated Iran and the mostly Sunni Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. But that hush was finally broken on October 22 in a speech by the powerful head of Irans hard-line Judiciary, Sadegh Amoli Larijani, who appears to have become the first senior Iranian to publicly condemn Saudi officials' suspected role in the killing. In his remarks, 20 days after Khashoggi was last seen alive entering the Saudi Consulate, Larijani accused Saudi Arabia of "first set[ting] out to cover up this crime with the help of the West and recently, when it was forced to acknowledge it to whitewash its corrupt system, [claiming] that some rogue elements committed this crime. The brazenness of the Khashoggi incident has focused international attention on Saudi Arabias perceived human rights abuses, including the jailing and harassment of dissidents, and on Riyadh's prosecution of a war in Yemen that has pushed that country to the brink of a massive humanitarian disaster. It has also shaken relations between Riyadh and even its closest allies and prompted boycotts and other calls to punish the Saudis, making the silence out of Tehran particularly puzzling. But analysts cite a number of reasons why it might be in the Iranian leadership's interest to leave the spotlight firmly on its neighbor across the Persian Gulf. At a time when Saudi Arabia already faces increased regional and international pressure, even from [U.S. President Donald] Trump, [Iran] doesnt see any reason to interfere in this issue, Hossein Alizadeh, a former Iranian diplomat and a researcher at the Peace Research Institute of the University of Tampare, in Finland, told RFE/RL. The Islamic republic [of Iran] and Saudi Arabia are already at the peak of tensions in their [mutual] relations, and Tehran probably feels that if it focuses on this case, when and if Saudi Arabia manages to weather the very serious situation it faces, it could retaliate." Alizadeh compared the relative restraint to "quick and strong" Iranian condemnation after the execution by Saudi authorities of leading Shi'ite cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr in late 2015 or early 2016, after more than three years in Saudi custody. If, on the other hand, mounting evidence ends up implicating the crown prince or other senior Saudi officials, the stakes could rise for both sides, and even outside the region. Ali Vaez, the Iran project director at the International Crisis Group (ICG), speculated that Tehran might sense an opportunity in the Khashoggi affair. "If [the killing] brings down Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, it could open the door for reconciliation with Riyadh; if it doesn't, then Iran's restraint could potentially help deescalate tensions with Saudi Arabia," Vaez said. "But overall, Iran seems to be happy getting out of the way of an adversary that is shooting itself in the foot." Tehran-based analyst Ahmad Fateminejad suggested to the semiofficial news agency ISNA recently that Iran had already benefited from the Saudi crisis by doing and saying nothing. Just the fact that international public opinion has in the past 20 days focused on the [Khashoggi case] is positive [for Tehran], as it decreases the psychological [pressure] on Iran, Fateminejad was quoted as saying. Fateminejad added that Irans silence could be interpreted by Saudi Arabia as a friendly gesture at a time when the country is under attack by everyone. Iran-based foreign policy analyst Sadeq Maleki, who has contributed to The Iran Project and Mehr News Agency, cautioned Tehran against ratcheting up tensions and urged Iranian officials to use the crisis to rebuild ties with Saudi Arabia. Khashoggis [case] will sooner or later leave political and media circles, Maleki wrote, adding that the rocky relationship between Tehran and Riyadh will be the everlasting issue on the agenda of the region and the world. Tehran and Riyadh dont have any other option than peace with each other by acknowledging and respecting mutual interests," Maleki wrote in a piece for irdiplomacy.ir. "They will have to give in sooner or later. Lets not leave it until its too late." An Iranian political scientist and former reformist lawmaker, Elahe Koulaee, had another suggestion for Tehran. Iranian officials could leverage the fallout against Riyadh from the Khashoggi case by scaling down tensions with the United States -- a traditional Saudi ally -- in an effort to alter influence in the region, she said. By focusing on scientific and cultural diplomacy, Iran should rebuild relations with the United States and change the balance of power in the region to its advantage, she said on Twitter, without elaborating. But others have suggested a further reason for Iran's muted response to the Khashoggi case: Tehran's own human rights record regarding dissidents and journalists. If Iran entered the stage, the Wests campaign would be guided from Riyadh toward Tehran, former nuclear negotiator Hossein Musavian told Khabaronline.ir, praising Iran's public stance as "mature." The Western media would revive all the cases they have in past decades attributed to Iran." Musavian appeared to be referring to killings of Iranian dissidents abroad during the 1980s that have been widely blamed on Iranian intelligence operatives. A series of extrajudicial killings of Iranian dissidents and intellectuals in the late 1990s was blamed on rogue intelligence agents amid reports that the operations had been authorized by senior officials. A tweet by former Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdolahian in which he condemned Khashoggis murder and expressed condolences to Khashoggi's family went on to suggest that those responsible for his death were a "new terrorist and #neowahabbist, a reference to an Islamist movement with long ties to the House of Saud. His comment prompted dozens of replies from Iranians and others who tweeted at Abdolahian the names and pictures of victims of Irans state repression and executions. They included Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi, who died in 2003 from injuries sustained during interrogations following her arrest outside of Tehrans Evin prison. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says Moscow is preparing sanctions that will ban imports to Russia of some Ukrainian products. Medvedev also said on October 23 in Kaliningrad that a list is being prepared of Ukrainian citizens and companies being targeted by Moscows sanctions. "The sanctions will affect many known people in Ukraine and...some certain types of goods produced in Ukraine will be banned from being imported to the Russian Federation," Medvedev said, adding that he plans to sign documents on sanctions against Ukraine in "a very short period of time." Medvedev did not specify which Ukrainian products would be listed under Russia's import ban. Medvedev mentioned that despite strained relations with Ukraine, Russia "remains the largest trade partner" of Ukraine, trying to stress the possible economic impact of the sanctions. Medvedevs statement comes a day after President Vladimir Putin signed a decree setting the stage for "special economic measures" in response to what the document called Ukraine's "unfriendly actions" against Russian citizens and companies. In the decree signed and posted on the Kremlin website on October 22, Putin instructs the government to draft a list of Ukrainian firms and individuals to be targeted for economic sanctions The decree also orders the government to outline the sanctions and says it can be canceled if Ukraine lifts all restrictions it has imposed against Russian citizens and companies. Like the United States and the European Union, Kyiv has imposed sanctions on Russian tycoons, companies, and other entities in response to Moscow's seizure and illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula in March 2014 and its support for pro-Russia armed separatists in eastern Ukraine. In June, Putin signed a law on countermeasures against the United States and other countries that have sanctions against Russia. With reporting by TASS, Interfax, and RIA Novosti Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan says he is attending an investment conference in Saudi Arabia boycotted by other world leaders because "we're desperate" for loans from the kingdom. "The reason I feel I have to avail myself of this opportunity is because in a country of 210 million people, right now we have the worst debt crisis in our history," Khan told the Middle East Eye on October 22. "Unless we get loans from friendly countries or the [International Monetary Fund], we actually won't have in another two or three months enough foreign exchange to service our debts or to pay for our imports. So we're desperate at the moment." Other global leaders are boycotting the Saudi investment conference to protest the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. Khan told the Middle East Eye that he was concerned over the "shocking" death of Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, but said "we will wait for whatever the Saudi explanation is... We hope there is an explanation that satisfies people and those responsible are punished." It is Khan's second visit to Saudi Arabia in just over a month. He has not as yet succeeded in securing significant financial assistance from Riyadh to stave off a looming balance of payments crisis. The Independent Human Rights Commission, a Pakistani rights group, criticized Khan's decision to go to the Saudi conference, saying the government should have taken a clearer stand on Khashoggi's killing, and that "business interests" should not undermine the "right to dissent" and freedom of expression. Based on reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has vowed to try to extend a hand of peace to archrival India following elections in the neighboring country, after a similar offer was "rebuffed." Khan made the remarks on October 23 at an investment conference in Saudi Arabia. "When I won the elections and came to power, the first thing I tried to do was extend a hand of peace to India," Khan told the crowd at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, adding that the overture was later "rebuffed" by New Delhi. "What we are hoping is that we will wait until the elections, then, again, we will resume our peace talks with India," Khan said, referring to India's nationwide polls expected in April or May 2019. In September, a rare meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries was scheduled on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. But India called off the meeting one day after it was announced, following the killing of an Indian border guard in the disputed region of Kashmir. Instead, in an angry speech to the UN, India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj accused Pakistan of harboring terrorists and rejected the notion that India is sabotaging peace talks with Pakistan, calling it "a complete lie." Swaraj pointed to the fact that Osama bin Laden lived quietly in Pakistan before he was found and killed by a U.S. Navy SEAL team. She also said the mastermind of a 2008 attack that killed 168 people in Mumbai, India, "still roams the streets of Pakistan with impunity." Pakistan says there is not enough evidence to arrest the suspect. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi responded to Swaraj's criticism in his speech to the UN by declaring that India "preferred politics over peace." India has long accused Pakistan of supporting militants in Kashmir, a Himalayan territory divided between the two nuclear archrivals but claimed in full by both since independence from British colonial rule in 1947. "One thing Pakistan needs now more than anything else is peace and stability," Khan told the investment conference on October 23. "Stability means peace with all neighbors...Our problems now are with Afghanistan and with India." Khan's call for peace talks with India comes as his administration seeks funds to bolster Pakistan's deteriorating finances. With reporting by Reuters and AFP Around 200 Russian and Pakistani troops have kicked off annual joint exercises in the mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in northwestern Pakistan. A contingent of more than 70 mountain troops from a motorized rifle brigade based in the North Caucasus republic of Karachai-Cherkessia is participating in the Druzhba-2018 exercises, Russia's Southern Military District said in a statement on October 22. The military exercises are set to run through November 4. The Dryuzhba (Friendship) drills have been held annually since 2016. Last year, more than 200 troops took part in the exercises held in mountainous Karachai-Cherkessia. The purpose of the war games is to strengthen cooperation between the two countries' militaries and exchange professional experience, particularly in counterterrorism. There are Islamist militants in both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province and the North Caucasus. Pakistan and Russia signed a defense cooperation agreement in 2014 that provides for cooperation on promoting international security. The accord calls for the intensification of counterterrorism efforts and arms control activities as well as strengthening military cooperation and sharing experiences in counterterrorism operations. Warm ties between Moscow and Pakistan's regional rival India go back to the Soviet era, but Russia has also sought to improve relations with Pakistan in recent years. With reporting by TASS and Dawn Pakistans government says Saudi Arabia has agreed to give Islamabad $3 billion in foreign currency support for a year, as well as a $3 billion loan in deferred oil import payments, to help ease Pakistans economic crisis. The $6 billion rescue package exceeds forecasts by analysts and is expected to reduce the size of any bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that Pakistan is currently negotiating. The Saudi offer came as Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan attended an investment conference in Saudi Arabia that has been boycotted by other leaders over the killing of a dissident Saudi journalist at the country's consulate in Istanbul. Among those boycotting the Saudi investment conference are U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and IMF Director-General Christine Lagarde. Pakistans prime minister said before departing for the conference that his country is "desperate" to bolster its foreign currency reserves, which are at a four-year low equal to less than two months of imports and barely enough to make its debt repayments through the rest of 2018. Pakistani Finance Minister Asad Umar earlier in October requested talks with the IMF on what would be the country's second IMF bailout in five years. An IMF team is due to visit Pakistan to open negotiations on November 7. Khans first foreign trip since taking office in August was a visit to Saudi Arabia in September. But that trip failed to produce any significant assistance, despite Pakistani media reports of agreements on deferred oil payments. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry on October 23 said Khans current visit was successful. "It was agreed Saudi Arabia will place a deposit of $3 billion for a period of one year as balance of payment support," the ministry said in a statement. "It was also agreed that a one-year deferred payment facility for import of oil, up to $3 billion, will be provided by Saudi Arabia, the ministry said. This arrangement will be in place for three years, which will be reviewed thereafter." With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP DUSHANBE -- Seventeen Tajiks have gone on trial on suspicion of involvement in the killing of four foreign cyclists on a southern mountain road in late July. The trial started on October 23 and is being held behind closed doors inside Detention Center No. 1, a jail in Dushanbe. Relatives of the defendants were not allowed into the building. The four cyclists -- an American man and woman, a Dutchman, and a Swiss man -- were killed on July 29 when attackers plowed into their group on a road and then stabbed some of them. Two other foreign cyclists survived the attack, which occurred about 150 kilometers south of the Central Asian country's capital. Only one of the five men suspected of carrying out the attack, Hussein Abdusamadov, is among the defendants. The other four were killed by Tajik security forces. The 16 other defendants are suspected either of involvement in organizing the attack or failure to report preparations for the attack. The extremist group Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the incident shortly after it occurred and released a video showing five men -- at least some of whom appeared to resemble those identified by Tajik officials as suspects killed in a confrontation with security forces -- pledging allegiance to the IS leader. The Tajik government, however, rejected the claim and instead blamed followers of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT), a political party that was banned by the authoritarian President Emomali Rahmon's government in 2015. The leadership of the IRPT -- which served for several years in the Tajik government -- has denied involvement and called the authorities' claims "shameless and illogical slander." U.S. national-security adviser John Bolton has said after talks in Moscow with President Vladimir Putin that Washington will make precise arrangements for President Donald Trump to meet with Putin in Paris on November 11. Bolton made the remarks at a news conference after a 90-minute meeting with Putin that he described as "'very comprehensive and productive." The meeting began with Putin telling Bolton that he wants to continue a dialogue with Trump that began at a July summit in Helsinki. Putin said it's important to maintain Russia-U.S. dialogue, despite differences. Putin also mentioned the possibility of meeting Trump when the two leaders are in Paris to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. Bolton responded by saying Trump also wants to meet with Putin in Paris in November. "I think President Trump will look forward to seeing you in Paris on the sidelines of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Armistice," Bolton told Putin in televised remarks in Moscow before the start of their meeting. Bolton's visit comes after Trump on October 20 announced that he intends to pull out of a key nuclear arms agreement, the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Putin told Bolton he would like to discuss various arms control issues with Trump and said Russia was baffled by America's "unprovoked moves that are hard to call friendly." Trump's vow to abandon the INF has caused concern in Europe and brought arms control matters to the forefront of ties between the former Cold War foes, whose relations are severely strained due to an array of disputes, despite the stated hopes of both Trump and Putin for improvements. Bolton said told the news conference after his talks with Putin that a formal notification of the U.S. withdrawal from the INF accord will be filed in due course, adding that when Washington withdrew from another arms control treaty in the past, it was a process that took several months. "The problem is that there are Russian INF-violating missiles in Europe now," Bolton said. "The threat is not the American withdrawal from the treaty. The threat is Russian missiles already deployed." Answering a question about accusations that Russia interfered in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Bolton said Russian meddling had backfired on Moscow, providing a lesson to the Kremlin: "Don't mess with American elections." U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia targeted the 2016 campaign with a hacking and social-media disinformation campaign to try to tilt the election in Trump's favor and that they were likely to do so again in the November U.S. midterm election. Bolton said there was no evidence that the interference -- which Russia has denied -- materially affected the outcome of the 2016 presidential election, but that it did create mistrust towards Russia. Bolton also held talks on October 23 with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who said that bilateral dialogue is gradually being restored after the Helsinki summit in July. Shoigu voiced confidence that "even small steps will benefit our relations." In televised comments, neither Bolton nor Shoigu mentioned Trump's announcement on the INF treaty. But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier in the day reiterated criticism of the promised U.S. pullout, saying that despite "weak points" in the treaty, "tearing up the agreement without plans for anything new is what we don't welcome." After his talks with Shoigu, Bolton conducted what one Twitter user called "wreath diplomacy" and another called a "difficult balancing act," visiting both the tomb of the unknown soldier outside the Kremlin -- a customary stop for foreign officials on top-level visits -- and a makeshift memorial to murdered Kremlin opponent Boris Nemtsov on the nearby bridge where he was shot dead in February 2015. The U.S. plans for withdrawal from the treaty were also discussed in talks with Bolton's counterpart, Nikolai Patrushev, and during a dinner that Bolton had with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on October 22. On the same day, Bolton told the Russian newspaper Kommersant that the United States is planning to pull out of the treaty because Russia is violating it and because other countries including China, Iran, and North Korea are free to develop weapons that would be prohibited under the pact, while Washington is not. With Russia in violation, "there was only one country in the world bound by the INF treaty and that was the United States," Bolton told Kommersant on October 22, according to an English transcript of the interview that was posted on the U.S. Embassy website. "Thats just not acceptable." In a separate interview with the BBC that was published on October 23, Bolton said that Shoigu "is aware of the larger global context -- that this is a bilateral treaty of the Cold War days; technologies changed, geostrategic realities changed, and we both have to deal with it." Trump made similar remarks late on October 22, saying his decision to withdraw from the INF -- which prohibits the United States and Russia from possessing, producing, or deploying ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with a range of between 500 kilometers and 5,500 kilometers -- was driven by Moscow's alleged violations and a need to respond to China's nuclear buildup. "Russia has not adhered to the agreement.... Until people come to their senses -- we have more money than anybody else, by far. Well build it up," Trump told reporters at the White House. "Until they come to their senses. When they do, then well all be smart and well all stop." Asked if that was a threat to Putin, Trump said: "Its a threat to whoever you want. And it includes China, and it includes Russia, and it includes anybody else that wants to play that game. You cant do that. You cant play that game on me." While China was never a party to the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF), which was signed four years before the Soviet collapse by U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, Trump said that China should be included in the accord. In Moscow, Russian officials warned the United States that abandoning the treaty would be "dangerous" and any effort to develop weapons that would violate the pact would force Moscow to take steps to restore the balance of power. "Any action in this area will be met with a counteraction, because the strategic stability can only be ensured on the basis of parity," Lavrov said before his talks with Bolton. "Such parity will be secured under all circumstances. We bear a responsibility for global stability and we expect the United States not to shed its share of responsibility either." In the interview with Kommersant, Bolton said that the United States is concerned about Russia's alleged violation of the pact -- which Moscow denies -- and about China's growing intermediate-range missile capabilities, which he called a "very real" threat. While Bolton acknowledged it might be unrealistic to expect China to comply with a treaty it never signed, he argued that China's and North Korea's development of intermediate-range missiles means that the bilateral treaty with Russia is now outmoded and no longer meets today's realities. China criticized the United States and warned Washington to "think twice" about withdrawing from the treaty. "It needs to be emphasized that it is completely wrong to bring up China when talking about withdrawal from the treaty," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. Nearly 2,700 short- and medium-range missiles were eliminated by the Soviet Union and the United States under the INF treaty, but China has been building up its capabilities to field the same kinds of weapons. For the United States, "the situation vis-a-vis China, uninhibited by any agreement, is very different and far more pressing" than that of Russia, said John Lee, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute think tank in Washington, in a column on CNN's website on October 22. Lee estimated that about 95 percent of the missiles in China's arsenal would violate the INF treaty if Beijing were a signatory. Writing in The American Interest, Stephen Sestanovich, a former U.S. National Security Council senior director for policy development under Reagan, said that "military competition between China and the United States will obviously be the Pentagon's top priority in coming years." "But the idea that this need decisively devalues the INF treaty seems -- at the very least -- premature," Sestanovich added. U.S. officials say Russia has been developing a nuclear-capable missile system known as 9M729 for years in violation of the treaty. Russia denies the U.S. accusations and claims that some elements of the U.S. missile-defense systems in Europe violate the treaty -- a charge that Washington denies. Bolton repeated that denial, and his remarks to Kommersant suggested that neither side had made much progress in convincing the other that it is in violation. His talks in Moscow have also covered other weapons issues, including the 2010 New START treaty, which puts limits on the two countries' long-range nuclear arsenals and expires in 2021 -- and broader bilateral ties. Trump has repeatedly said he wants an improvement in U.S.-Russian relations, which have been badly strained by discord over issues including Moscow's interference in Ukraine and its alleged meddling in the 2016 election that Trump won. With reporting by AP, AFP, Reuters, Kommersant, TASS, and Interfax A seven-country group set up to combat the international financing of terrorists has blacklisted nine individuals associated with Afghanistans Taliban, including two Iranian military officers and several men accused of facilitating Iranian support to bolster the terrorist group. The announcement by the U.S. Treasury Department on October 23 says the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) blacklisted the individuals in order to expose and disrupt [the] Talibanand their Iranian sponsors that seek to undermine the security of the Afghan government. Other TFTC member countries joining the action include Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement on October 23 that the blacklist targets Taliban members who are involved in suicide attacks, and other lethal activities. We are also targeting key Iranian sponsors providing financial and material support to the Taliban, Mnuchin said. Irans provision of military training, financing, and weapons to the Taliban is yet another example of Tehrans blatant regional meddling and support for terrorism. Mnuchin said Irans support to the Taliban epitomizes the regimes utter disregard for fundamental international norms. The assets of those on the blacklist are to be frozen in the United States and the six Gulf states that are members of the TFTC. Two officers of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps's Quds Force -- Muhammad Ebrahim Owhadi and Esmail Razavi -- were designated on the list. Six senior members of the Afghan Taliban on the blacklist are Abdullah Samad Faroqui, Mohammad Daoud Muzzamil, Abdul Rahim Manan, Naim Barich, Sadr Ibrahim, and Hafiz Majid. Businessman Abdul Aziz, described by the U.S. Treasury Department as a Pakistan-based narcotics trafficker, was blacklisted on allegations of setting up international firms to carry out illegal smuggling operations that finance the Pakistan-based Taliban -- including the Quetta-based leadership of Afghan Taliban known as the Quetta Shura. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain on October 23 added Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and senior officers from its Quds Force to their lists of people and organizations suspected of involvement in terrorism. Saudi security services said Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force, was on the list together with Quds Force officers Hamed Abdollahi and Abdul Reza Shahlai. In 2011, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on the three amid allegations that Soleimani, Abdollahi, and Shahlai were linked to a failed plot to assassinate Saudi Arabia's former ambassador to the United States, Adel Al-Jubeir. Jubeir is now the Saudi Arabias foreign minister. Iran at the time dismissed the accusations as false and demanded an apology from Washington. The terrorist listing of the three IRGC officers is separate from the blacklisting of nine individuals on October 23 by the United States and six Gulf countries in the TFTC. Thundermist Health Center in West Warwick recently received a $600,000 grant from the Rhode Island Foundation to reduce high rates of illness, chronic disease and health disparities in West Warwick. Pictured above, from left: Larry Warner and Neil D. Steinberg of the Foundation and Ana Novais of the state Department of Health; join West Warwick School Superintendent Karen Tarasevich and Susan Jacobson and Krista Handfield of Thundermist at the grant announcement last week. Kids in costumes were able to play games, participate in arts and crafts and other activities last week at the Leyden School District 212 Halloween Fair, hosted by the family and consumer science department. It is powerful for our students to engage in this volunteer work and consider the children who may be recipients of the items they prepare, Wang said. Our students learn the value of giving, and complete the circle to then prepare items to be shared with children in Chicago. L-R: Lyndsey Otterwell and Ann Savage THOUSANDS of handmade poppies from all over the world are on display at Rotherhams market hall which has turned red to mark the end of the First World War. The Rotherham Poppy Cascade which features 14,000 lovingly hand-crafted poppies was unveiled on Monday by the Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Alan Buckley. Also in the market hall is a Rotherham Remembers wall of fallen heroes, eight soldier silhouettes, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund, and a life-sized display of a replica tank. The project was the brainchild of market traders, including Ann Savage and Lyndsey Otterwell, who were inspired by The Tower of London 2014 poppy installation. The poppies have been knitted, sewed and crocheted by volunteers and groups including people from as far afield as Australia and America then hand-sewn onto a hessian background. We cant believe how it has taken off, said Ann. The whole community has got behind the idea. Lyndsey added: Its unbelievable how much its snowballed since the markets committee came up with the idea in February. In March, we were worried we wouldnt get enough but we have easily reached the target and theres still more coming in. Cllr Denise Lelliott, Rotherham Borough Councils cabinet member for jobs and the local economy, said: Its been fantastic to see our local community come together, young and old, to work on this project. The Poppy Cascade will be available to view until November 17. Town centre businesses will also be doing their part to commemorate the centenary by putting up themed window displays in the run up to Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday on November 11. Other Rotherham events in the run up to Armistice Day will include: "Beneath these Western Skies" opens November 1 in Red Lodge, Montana "Beneath These Western Skies" is the two-person exhibit of upbeat paintings by eastern Montana artists, Afton Ray-Rossol of Sidney, and Trish Stevenson of Savage. While Ray-Rossol uses watercolor and Stevenson works mainly in pastels, both artists approach western themes with a fresh, bold view using daring colors and vivid brushstrokes to explore energetic subjects that range from rodeo and ranching life to the wildlife of Montana.The venue is housed in the historic train depot in Red Lodge, Montana which is home to the Carbon County Depot Gallery and Arts Guild at 11 W. 8th St. The exhibit will run from November 1 through November 28, 2018. The public is invited to a reception November 28, 2018 from 5 - 7 p.m. to meet the artists, who will share their processes and answer questions. The artists' paths first crossed in the late 90's when Stevenson judged a youth art show that included Ray-Rossol's work. The judge took special notice of the student's winning talents from that year on. Eventually the two came to know each other through custom framing at a gallery in Sidney, Montana. Through the years their friendship and artist camaraderie has grown and continues to thrive in their small rural community. "We really value the fact that we can 'talk shop' and provide support to one another," Stevenson remarks. Growing up in Sidney, Ray-Rossol's art had strong support from her family and won her many awards. She considers her talent a gift that comes naturally. She received a full scholarship and studied art at DCC in Glendive and has exhibited her work throughout the Montana-Dakota region. Her favorite award was received in 2013 when George Strait personally chose her design for a poster that promoted 60 Number One hits for his 60th birthday. Ray-Rossol, her husband and daughter are an avid outdoors family and those outings provide endless inspiration for her artwork. She operates The GalleRay Art & Frame Studio in Sidney where she paints, conducts workshops and does custom framing. Find her "Bold West" original art and prints at http://www.thegalleray.com. Trish Stevenson and Afton Ray Rossol at The GalleRay Stevenson grew up in a rural area west of Denver and attended the Colorado Institute of Art, which included a study trip to Europe. She has made Montana her home for over 20 years. "I am surrounded by my inspiration, living in the ranching country of eastern Montana with horses, cattle, cowgirls and cowboys," she explains. Her pastels and oil paintings have been featured in Western Horseman Magazine, and exhibited at the Rockwell Museum in New York, the International Museum of the Horse, the Out West Art show in Great Falls and the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. You can see more of her artwork on her website: http://www.trishstevenson.com Deadline Nov 10 McKenzie County, ND - The Community Foundation Fund is giving out over $5,400 in grants to local organizations. Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, government agencies. Groups without such designation may enlist a fiscal sponsor. Apply ONLINE only at http://www.NDCF.net/McKenzieCounty tab Apply for Grant. Applications are due by Nov 10th. The local advisory committee will discuss the applications and determine grant awards in November. The McKenzie County Community Foundation was established to fund priority needs of the community that would not otherwise be funded, or did not have complete funding. Area it can benefit are parks and rec, youth services, social services, emergency services, or healthcare. Earnings from the fund are given annually. Please email questions or to get more information at [email protected] and one of the local committee members will respond. Or with general questions about NDCF email John Heinen at [email protected] Currently we cannot fund all of our annual requestIf you are an individual, social service group, or Company, your gift combined with others will allow us to make a bigger impact in our community. Gifts are welcomed and accepted at any time of year. This is a qualified endowment fund and certain donations will qualify for a 40% state income tax credit for those in or out of state filing in North Dakota. For more information about the services of NDCF, contact John our NDCF regional support person at [email protected] Four candidates are on the ballot for McKenzie County Commissioner. Two are incumbents, and two are challengers. All four spoke to the Roundup about their desire to serve McKenzie County as a commissioner. John Rolfsrud, who is vying for a commissioner position with McKenzie County, first spoke with the Roundup. Rolfsrud explained his background and experience that is pertinent to the position. Im a longtime McKenzie County resident. I was born here, and after college I went to work for a manufacturing firm in Montana and moved back here more than 20 years ago and have been farming since. Currently, Im on a township board in Blue Buttes. Ive been on the McKenzie County Rural Fire Department for more than 20 years, with more than 16 years as the chief. Ive been a member of the local Lutheran Church board for more years than I can remember. When asked why voters should cast their ballot for him, Rolfsrud answered I do have a mechanical engineering background. That gives me some idea of how to deal with documents, contracts and bids. I have a background in unpaid public service. Asked if the county was currently run well by the sitting commissioners, Rolfsrud explained graciously, Every county has its issues. Some things could be done differently. Recently, thereve been lots of improvements to the county that have made a real difference. I dont understand how certain things have cost a certain amount, and yet I cant judge the current commissioners because I dont have the data to work with. The Roundup also spoke with Howdy Lawlar, a longtime resident of McKenzie County who is also running for McKenzie County Commissioner. Lawlar explained his time in the area, saying, Im the fifth generation on our farm and ranch. I went to college and then I taught school for two years and Ive been home ever since. So, for all my years, Ive been in McKenzie County all but seven. According to Lawlar, he believes there is a communication problem between commissioners and the public and he hopes to fix it. Lawler said, I think the need that needs to be met is that we should work on our communication with the public. Thats why Im running, to be honest. The commissioners should be the ears for other people. Thats how I got into this. The current commissioners arent really telling us whats going on with the county. Our county is huge and we dont know whats going on. When asked why there was, in his opinion, a communication problem, Lawlar responded, I dont know why. I think part of it is we think everybody can get on a computer and research but thats not the case. Why arent our minutes published in more places? Weve got to take the whole county and think about how we can communicate better with everybody. Im going to listen to what voters have to say, Lawlar added, and Im going to be the voice for the citizens of McKenzie County. We have to look down the road. We have to look ten years down the road and see if something is going to backfire. Im looking out for the betterment of my kids and grandkids. Current McKenzie County Commissioner, Vawnita Best, also spoke to the Roundup about her aspirations to continue in the office should the voters give her another term. Best, who has been in the area for all but ten years of her life, is finishing her first term as a commissioner. Best has been raising an Angus herd with her husband since 2006. She feels that good work has been accomplished in her term as commissioner. Best said, A lot of what we do in McKenzie County requires revenue thats collected by the state and redistributed to McKenzie County. I think weve been working really hard at using those dollars wisely and establishing a capital improvement plan for the future that focuses on quality of life, community, and on a reliable industrial transportation grid on the county level. When asked what she would work on in the future, Best answered, I think the theme should be more of the same. We rely strongly on our gross production tax and every two years that formula comes up and the legislature establishes a new formula. In the last two years weve been working on providing a lot of analytical data the legislature can use to determine our future needs. We definitely have established the fact that over the next twenty years we have over 475 million in roads and bridge needs. Its the highest in the state by far. We need to work with our legislative partners on the state level to get those dollars back here. Best also argued that commissioners should work on making family housing more available. Speaking of those needs, Best said, At some level the county is going to have to get involved in the process of how we get single family housing units online. We have to double our single family housing capacity in the next twenty years, and probably more quickly than that because of our growing area and thirty thousand laborers. That figure will probably double. When asked how the county can help facilitate additional housing, Best answered, We need to research that. We need to make this a competitive place to build single family housing and to make housing go vertical. Best continued, Were going to have to roll up our sleeves and research that but its definitely a problem well have to solve in the near future because people need quality housing and a quality community. Finally, the Roundup spoke to Kathy Skarda, who also explained her longtime history in McKenzie County. Skarda said, Im a lifelong resident of McKenzie County. Im originally from the Squaw Gap area. I married my college sweetheart and we farm and ranch by Johnsons Corner, with three kids and two grandkids. Ive worked in banking for thirty-plus years. Skarda said of her last term, I think its been very interesting and a learning experience. Weve had lots of different issues with the oilfield and different contentious matters. She continued, Each situation is unique, and I always try to visit with our citizens regarding each situation and voice our citizens concerns. We try to work together to make sure we come out with a solution. Regarding positive changes made during her last term, Skarda said, In my opinion I think its good that we have now approved making the videos [of the meetings] available. That way theres more transparency in regard to why we make decisions weve made. Skarda also spoke of infrastructure needs, saying, We do have a lot of infrastructure that needs addressed. Id like to see us keep funding to make McKenzie County a better place to live. We would like to see counseling services available and affordable housing. The commissioners should look for solutions, but the county cant fully fund these things. We need to pay down our jail loan and things like that, but ultimately it all depends on what we receive from the gross production tax. Skarda finished her comments with an encouragement to vote. I would like to encourage everyone, Skarda said, to get out to vote. If they select me as their next commissioner I will do my very best to make sure Im listening to McKenzie County citizens so they have a voice. A new action group has recently been assembled to help build stronger veteran services across this side of the state. The Northeast Montana Regional Veterans Services Action Group is striving to determine how many veterans are in this region so that current and needed services may be more effectively distinguished. Veterans can be challenging to connect with at times. They dont always want to admit they are veterans and often dont identify themselves for a variety of reasons. Some might feel that being a veteran is a liability, while others may convince themselves they didnt serve long enough to receive benefits or are less significant because they didnt serve in combat. This action group stresses the true importance of breaking down these, and any other, stigmas by working together to support all Montanans who have so nobly served this country. There are several organizations that actively make up the committee and many of them support additional organizations as well. The Northeast MT RSVP volunteer program is leading the charge for this action group. With an established partnership with the Richland County Communities in Action, as well as the tools that link volunteers to various service gaps, RSVP is pushing to enhance both the quality and quantity of services in Montanas northeast frontier. This simply cannot be done without the help, input, and support of the many active members: Rhones Farm & Retreat LLC, Job Service of Wolf Point & Sidney, Operation: Vision, Action for Eastern MT (Senior Companion Program), VFW Auxiliary Sidney, Richland County Health Dept., and numerous individual veterans. The volunteer program also receives valuable assistance from a variety of service providers across eastern and central Montana. The Veterans Services Action Group held its first meeting in July of 2018 and continues to meet on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 1pm. Several pressing issues have since been discussed, including the need for veteran-specific mental health and wellness services, PTSD counseling, and more localized access to VA services. For a lot of veterans in northeast Montana, services can be up to eight hours away. Other key issues call for increased assistance with maneuvering through the VA system paperwork, bringing in a local veterans advocate, and establishing more supportive housing. While all of these issues are important to address, this committee would also like to collaborate with local organizations that may already be working toward similar objectives. The group has identified their top three action items, which they will be working towards throughout this next year. These action items includeOperation Headcount, Peer-to-Peer Support Services, and Veterans Court. Additionally, this group has formed a sub-committee that will plan and execute a Day of Service project in select service area communities. Day of Service has taken on the role of replacing the project formerly known as Veterans Standdown. Similar to community services fairs, they will be totally open to the public; but these particular events would have a special emphasis on connecting with veterans. More details about the Day of Service projects and their locations will be available as planning moves forward. For more information on this or the Veterans Services action group, please contact Jessica Gilbert at the Richland County Health Department by calling 406-433-2207. Clifford F. Brown, 69, of Helena passed away Tuesday, October 16. A viewing will be held at 4 p.m., Wednesday, October 24, with a Vigil to follow at 6 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N Montana Ave. in Helena. A funeral service will take place 1 p.m. Thursday, October 25 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will follow the service at Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. A reception will follow in the social hall of the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Cliffs name be made to the East Valley Fire Department, 2694 Valley Dr, East Helena, they were always there to assist Cliff when he needed them. Please visit http://www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Clifford. Nortana Grain Company, founded in 1939, buys and sells numerous agricultural commodities and has a long-established presence in Eastern Montana. As a premier marketer for agricultural commodities, Nortana has its thumb on the pulse of the ag industry. The Roundup recently spoke with Nortana General Manager, Shane Keller, about this year's crop yields and prices. Keller has been with Nortana for about twelve years. Keller told the Roundup, "Yield-wise, the earlier crops that went in were really good. There was good yield and good protein. The yield was about 30 to 55 bushels per acre in our area. In terms of protein, the numbers were all over the place from 12 to 15 pro." Numbers were up from last year. Keller reported, "Compared to last year, the numbers were up. Last year was a drought. It's been up considerably. Last year we were lucky if we cut 20 bushels of wheat per acre or even 15 bushels of wheat." Keller spoke of wheat, peas, canola, lentils, and Winter wheat, all of which are crops grown in the MonDak region. "All crops faired similarly to grain, and it's been a bumper harvest." Keller continued, "Most people are growing spring wheat, durum and peas, and that's what we're seeing the most of." There are some concerns, however, that the high crop yields are keeping prices relatively lower. This is a mixed bag for growers. Whereas there have been more crops harvested, the overall prices are lower. Keller also explained that prices are being kept low not only by supply-and-demand economics, but also by international tariffs and the price of international competition. "The price has dropped off quite a bit," Keller explained. "A lot of it has to do with the inventory out there in the world. And another thing is the tariffs with the foreign countries that aren't helping." Keller was referring to other nations "dumping" their agricultural products into American markets, providing an excess of inventory that lowers prices. He was not optimistic there would be quick relief through governmental policy. Speaking of possible governmental assistance, Keller added, "There's no program that I'm aware of. I know they're going to pay back seven to eight cents per bushel for spring wheat, but other than that we're hoping that these tariff trade wars are going to get hammered out and things will turn around." There is some speculation that the Montana wheat industry may profit handily from a possible U.S., Canada, and Mexico trade agreement, which aims at restructuring the already-existing North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). President Trump announced that changes were agreed upon by the three partner nations in mid-October, but the changes have yet to be finalized. With more than 560 million dollars of wheat going from Montana to Canada, the Montana Farm Bureau president, Hans McPherson, has reportedly indicated that the prospect for Montana farmers is positive. Unfortunately, the process by which the new agreement would be reached will not help growers in the short term. Montana author Ryan Acra is amidst a book tour for his book series, Sugarbeet Falls, teaching kindness and creativity to students both across Montana and the nation. The Sugarbeet Falls book series follows main character Xander Zackery, a seemingly ordinary sixth grade student, who discovers that he has the power to conjure up superheroes, a family trait passed to him from his grandfather. The superheroes don't have the typical superhero powers like Superman and Batman, but help Xander with everyday tasks. Xander discovers his powers one afternoon when he runs out of toilet paper. He thinks to himself that it would be handy if a superhero showed up to bring him more toilet paper, and suddenly in the shower appears a blind superhero, who hands him an extra roll. Acra's inspiration for the book series was his son Zack, who was born in Acra's senior year of high school. "We kind of grew up together," Acra said. "He liked to come up with superheroes. One time he came up with one called the Mist. He's invisible, but he makes people wet when you get around him." Inspired by his son's non-traditional superheroes, Acra went on to pen the first Sugarbeet Falls book, "Fantastic Friends". The series title is an homage to two of the places he grew up, Chinook and Great Falls. The Chinook school mascot is the Sugarbeeters, which Acra describes as "terrifying". Mixed with Great Falls, the series title was born. Acra began writing the first book about three years ago. So far, he has completed two volumes of the series, with the third set to come out around Halloween this year. Acra has four more volumes outlined in his head, yet to be penned. Acra has made an unexpected career out of writing and touring the Sugarbeet Falls series. "I actually was in a big corporate job. I worked for Loenbro, a big oil and gas company. When I started to learn about the publishing industry and how hard it is to get books published and get it out to readers, I decided to start my own publishing company," which he calls The Get It Factory. Acra publishes the Sugarbeet Falls series through his company. Touring with the series was equally as unexpected. "When I finished writing the books I didn't even consider touring them. I didn't think anyone would read them," he explained. "Then I went and talked to my daughter's class on career day. I went to three or four more schools in Great Falls, and I had a lot of great feedback," Acra said. "I found a void, and I found a passion for talking to kids about kindness and creativity, and helping kids think creatively," he said. During his school visits, "we create a superhero together. I draw a circle and we talk until we have a superhero with all these wild powers. Some shoot pepperoni pizza out their eyes; others burp poisonous gas." Acra has been all over the country with his series, including a trip to the Cincinnati area, and many towns in Montana. Acra was recently in Culbertson, and will be heading to the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, California area soon. Acra continues to book school visits, and has started Superhero School, "an online program that allows me to give parents and kids writing prompts. There's a community to share your work and a chance to win prizes," he explained. The program begins November 1st. Acra lives with his wife, Becky, and three daughters, Perry, Haven and Lakey, in Great Falls. His son Zack, the inspiration for Sugarbeet Falls, is a television producer in Billings. To learn more about the Sugarbeet Falls series or Superhero School, visit http://www.sugarbeetfalls.com, or follow Acra's pages on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sugarbeetfalls, or on Instragram at #sugarbeetfalls. Punjab Chief Minister inspecting varieties of farm produce at the NaanDann Irrigation farms Spokesman News Service, Tel Aviv (23rd Oct'18): Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday held a series of high-level interactions with officials of some of Israels leading companies to explore investment opportunities and to assess the potential for collaboration in the states infrastructural, agricultural and water management sectors. The meetings laid the ground for strong collaborations between the two sides in some of Punjabs most vital areas of development and gave a boost to the close economic and historical ties between Punjab and Israel. At a meeting with officials of Tyros International Group Ltd, the Chief Minister discussed possibilities of investment by the Group in the areas of energy, water, affordable housing, construction schools and hospitals. The officials briefed the Punjab delegation led by the Chief Minister on the work being done by the Group, which specialises in impact investments and projects, in India, where it has decided to open an FDI Fund dedicated for impact assessments as part of its future plans. Advertisement Captain Amarinder Singh discussed with the officials the investment that the Group could make in Punjab, which now offers immense potential for global investment and capital fund companies, given his governments strong focus on industrial and infrastructure development. During his tour of NaanDanJain Irrigation farms, the Chief Minister lauded the work being done by the 80-year-old company which was recently acquired by a leading micro-irrigation based Indian company, in the field of precision agriculture and horticulture, in order to boost productivity. The Chief Minister studied the latest technologies being used by the company on its farms to improve the quality and yield of various vegetables and fruits, including brinjal/eggplant avocado and citrus varieties. Captain Amarinder Singh examined the potential for adopting the latest technologies used by the company to boost agricultural development in Punjab. NaanDanJain is present in Punjab since 1993 through various completed and ongoing projects, including a Crop Diversification Farmfresh (Farm to Home) project for food and spice processing industries, as well as a Water Conservation Resource to Roots) project through a pilot in Kandi, where the company has established the worlds largest standalone power micro irrigation systems for community and individuals. Advertisement The company is also working on the creation of alternate source of irrigation by utilisation of treated water from sewerage treatment plants and village ponds of Punjab, besides introduction of hydroponics and aeroponics technologies, especially for potato and seed production, as well as replacement of open canal system with HDPE pipes. Captain Amarinder Singh underlined the need for further strengthening such technical collaborations to boost Punjabs infrastructural and economic development. The two sides agreed to explore more avenues to create the necessary environment for greater cooperation and investment in key areas of Punjabs progress. During the first day of his Israel trip, the Chief Minister also visited The Dan Region Wastewater Treatment Plant (Shafdan) and met officials of Mekorot, Israels National Water Company. The Shafdan is a complex inter-regional system that collects, treats and reclaims municipal wastewater in high density urban areas and industrial zones, and is the largest wastewater treatment plant in Israel. Advertisement It was constructed by Igudan Environmental Infrastructure in order to treat wastewater in the Dan Region, an urban area in Israel located along the countrys Mediterranean coastline, and to recycle it into water that can be used for agricultural irrigation for all types of crops in Israel. The treatment facility is operated by the Shafdan Unit of the Central District of the Mekorot Water Company, Ltd., which acts as a contract operator for the Association. The Chief Minister was informed that the facility has been handling all of the wastewater from the Metropolitan Dan Region, amounting to about 120,000,000 m per year, so that wastewater is not discharged into the Mediterranean Sea. The treated wastewater is sent to the Negev Desert and contributes to its development. More than 60% of agriculture in the Negev is irrigated by Shafdan water. Advertisement The Chief Minister concluded his first day in Israel with presentations made by several reputed Israeli companies in the fields of Intelligence Generation and Analysis, Social Media Sentiment Analysis and Use of Technology in Police functioning. These companies are world leaders in the Law Enforcement field and have been working with many International Intelligence agencies and police forces. The Chief Minister underlined the importance of adopting the latest technologies in the functioning of police & intelligence as a tool to prevent terrorist crime and for maintenance of peace and communal peace in the border state of Punjab. Later, the Chief Minister was hosted at dinner by Indias Ambassador to Israel, Pavan Kapoor. The Chief Minister is accompanied by his Media Advisor Raveen Thukral, along with Principal Secretary Tejveer Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan, Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Financial Commissioner Viswajeet Khanna, DGP Intelligence Dinkar Gupta and Mission Director Groundwater management Arunjit Singh Miglani. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 23) Facebook has removed almost a hundred pages including a handful of pro-Duterte pages in the Philippines after it was found guilty of posting spam or irrelevant content. Facebook on Tuesday said it has removed 95 pages and 39 accounts as part of its ongoing efforts to protect its services from abuse. Facebook did not publish the entire list, but some of the pages named are those that are vocal in their support for President Rodrigo Duterte and Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos. The political pages include names like Duterte Media, Duterte sa Pagbabago BUKAS, DDS, Duterte Phenomenon, DU30 Trending News, and Manang Imee. The social network company noted the said pages violated Facebook's "spam and authenticity policies by encouraging people to visit low quality websites that contain little substantive content and are full of disruptive ads." Facebook said 4.8 million followed at least one of the 95 pages. "We don't want this kind of behavior on Facebook and we're investing heavily in both people and technology to keep bad content off our services...," Facebook said in a statement. "This takedown is a small step in the right direction, and we will continue working to find and remove more bad content." Facebook said it will keep removing accounts that break its rules. Too often schools are told to take on the role of other agencies, Piehl said. I think this is one line where we really need to draw the line of saying no. We are not there to arm our teachers and protect our students in that way. Arming them is taking on the role of our police force in our communities. I would even be for Medicare for all people if I know it wouldnt change our nation to a place where it costs $8 trillion, Elleson said. We need to do it responsibly. We just cant get into something and find out later that its wrecked the whole health care system. The mining industry in the Philippines is in a life-and-death struggle with environmentalists led by environment and natural resources minister, Gina Lopez. The fight presages what is likely to happen across the Asia-Pacific. At the moment, the Philippine mining sector is on the back foot, with Lopez ordering closure of 23 of the countrys 41 mines and suspending another five for destruction of watershed areas and indiscriminate mining. Of the mines facing closure, 17 are involved in nickel production. These firms represent about half of the countrys annual nickel output, Lopez said. The Philippines has been the worlds biggest supplier of nickel since 2012, following Indonesias ban on mineral exports. Lopez has also ordered the cancellation of 75 mineral production sharing contracts (MPSCs) in watershed zones, many of which are in the exploration stage and none in production yet. The latest action by Lopez suggests that she will not allow them to be developed further, though the mining companies plan to appeal in court. Lopezs decision, which followed a month-long audit of the mines, disregarded recommendations by a government team that suspensions and fines were enough. She explained that as environment minister she has the power to go beyond suspensions. You kill watersheds, you kill life. Gina Lopez, Philippines You kill watersheds, you kill life, Lopez told a televised news conference called to announce the closures and suspensions. She added that her announcement, made on 14 February, was her Valentines gift to the Filipino people. The writing on the wall Environmental awareness is a global phenomenon, snowballing in the West and in some of the regions stronger economies such as China, Indonesia, Mongolia, Myanmar and the Philippines. The green voice is louder and politicians have now introduced policies aimed at protecting the environment. John Miller, editor of The Miner, a trade journal for the mining industry in the Asia-Pacific, has warned that the industry as a whole will be in trouble if it does not read the writing on the wall. [1] Mining companies are facing increased compliance risks nowadays and other countries, including Indonesia, are taking keen interest in the Philippines move. The Philippine case is a microcosm of what is happening elsewhere in Asia Pacific and it comes at a time when the mining industry is at the crossroads. To quote The Miner: With the short-term outlook for commodities remaining negative there is little likelihood of any relief for the next 12 months, which means more belt tightening, more mine closures and job losses, more financial hardship and more pain. In China, the government plans to raise environmental standards in its highly-polluting mining sector, which is generally positive. The mining sector has been a crucial part of Chinas rapid economic expansion, but poor regulations and weak enforcement of standards have contaminated much of the countrys soil and left parts of its land and water supplies unfit for human use, not to mention the chronic air pollution, says Miller. [1] According to Thomson Reuters GFMS [precious metals survey], the worlds top 10 miners have lost around half their market value in 2015, wiping out an estimated US$280 billion. [The credit agency] Fitch Ratings outlook for the mining sector in 2016 is negative, reflecting its view that Chinese demand will weaken further and that commodities will remain unpopular with investors . . . the slowdown in Chinese demand has created substantial oversupply in some commodities. [2] Environmental costs However, the mining industry cannot be allowed to collapse since modern societies need minerals from aluminium to zirconium that are processed from the earth in various forms. The roads we drive on, the buildings we live and work in, the equipment we need and the products we use in our daily lives are made of or contain minerals. The problem is that extracting these minerals creates a lot of waste and pollution, and destruction of the environment. This is why environmentalists go ballistic against the mining industry. Disciplining the industry The mining industry claims that the business brings profit and prosperity to national economies. But, this is always at the cost of environment, and the health and well-being of the poor who work and live where the mines are located.To quote Sven Haertig-Tokarz, web editor of the financial monitoring network bankwatch.org: In Kyrgyzstan, the Kumtor gold mine has already generated toxic spills that have injured local people the Centerra Gold has been contaminating local waters and glaciers while hiding evidence of such negative impacts from public oversight. [3] Lopez has summed up the mining-environmentalist tug-of-war in the Philippines by doing a cost-benefit analysis as part of her audit of the Philippine mining industry. She found the cost outweighing benefits 3:1. The destruction of the environment is far greater than the taxes paid to the national government by the mining companies. In presenting her audit reports to the media at the Valentines Day press conference, Lopez showed watersheds barren and mangled by open-pit mining, and asked repeatedly, Is it worth it? To answer Lopez question, I say yes and no. I propose a compromise reduce the number of mines drastically and make sure that they follow mining and environmental rules to the letter. It starts with industry discipline and ends with political will to discipline the industry. Crispin C. Maslog, a former journalist with Agence France-Presse, is an environmental activist and former science professor at Silliman University and University of the Philippines Los Banos, PHILIPPINES. He is a founding member and currently Chair of the Board, Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC) based in Manila. This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Asia & Pacific desk. [CAPE TOWN] Garlic, oranges, chillies and sex pheromones are among the potentially viable natural control measures that could be used against fall armyworm, according to a study. Researchers have identified a number of pesticides derived from natural materials such as animals, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals also known as biopesticides that are safe, sustainable and effective against the fall armyworm in Africa. Fall armyworm is devastating crops across the continent. Last year, Ghanaian farmers experienced an estimated 45 per cent loss and in Zambia there was 40 per cent loss from the destructive pest. The annual total production loss was 8.5 to 21 million tonnes, valued at US$250 US$630 million, says a UKs Department for International Development commissioned study. Center for Agriculture Bioscience International (CABI, the parent organisation of SciDev.Net) experts in a study identified 50 such products registered in 30 countries globally and selected 23 which included for safety assessment and accessibility to farmers. Biological pesticides are safer to humans and the environment than synthetic chemicals. Roger Day, CABI Fall armyworm is an important and challenging pest management target in Africa so safe, sustainable and effective interventions such as biopesticides are a key component of management strategies to consider over chemical controls, says Melanie Bateman, lead author of the study published in the Journal of Applied Entomology this week (21 October). In 2017, the researchers reviewed literature and product labels, profiling active ingredients particularly those in Africa to assess effectiveness of biopesticides against fall armyworm and other armyworms in general. Analysis of registered pesticides and biopesticides specifically for fall armyworm was conducted in January and February of 2018 in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe. In general, biological pesticides are safer to humans and the environment than synthetic chemicals, says Roger Day, programme executive, Action on Invasives at CABI. This is particularly important in Africa where farmers often use dangerous chemicals without the necessary safety equipment, due to their resource limitations, he tells SciDev.Net. Elizabeth Bandason, insect scientist based at Bunda College of Agriculture, University of Malawi, says that biopesticides are a viable control method compared to chemical control. They degrade from the environment at a faster rate than the chemical pesticides, she says. However, the potential of biopesticides to curb the fall armyworm menace comes at a price for smallholder farmers, says Jean Baptiste Bahama, crop production and protection officer at the UNs Food and Agriculture Organization in Ghana. The problem is that the purchasing power of farmers is very low, Bahama tells SciDev.Net, and biopesticides can cost more than chemical treatments, and can be slower to act. The low prices that smallholder maize farmers receive for their products cannot economically justify their use, he says. Most biopesticides, the ones that are easily accessible to the farmers, may work more slowly than expected, so there is a need to improve the existing biopesticide combinations so that they act faster, Bandason tells SciDev.Net. Many countries, international research organisations and biopesticide manufacturers have prioritised the identification of low-risk management options for fall armyworm, says Bateman in a statement. Supporting governments to discuss registration and policy framework for biopesticides use considering the economic context of smallholder farmers could help, suggests Bahama. This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Sub-Saharan Africa English desk. There is new hope for people with an aggressive type of breast cancer, as an immunotherapy trial shows for the first time that lives can be extended in people with triple-negative breast cancer. New research led by Queen Mary University of London and St Bartholomew's Hospital has shown that by using a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy the body's own immune system can be tuned to attack triple-negative breast cancer, extending survival by up to ten months. The research, which is published today in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology 2018 Congress in Munich, also showed that the combined treatment reduced the risk of death or the cancer progressing by up to 40 per cent. Triple-negative breast cancer often affects young women, with many people diagnosed in their 40s or 50s. The standard treatment is chemotherapy, which most patients quickly develop resistance to. If the disease spreads to other parts of the body, survival is often only 12 to 15 months. The new treatment combines standard weekly chemotherapy with the immunotherapy medication atezolizumab which is given once every two weeks. The combination works by chemotherapy 'roughening up' the surface of the cancer, which enables the immune system to better recognise and therefore fight the cancer as a foreign object. Author of the trial Professor Peter Schmid, Professor of Cancer Medicine at Queen Mary University of London and Clinical Director of the Breast Cancer Centre at St Bartholomew's Hospital, explained: "These results are a massive step forward. We are changing how triple-negative breast cancer is treated in proving for the first time that immune therapy has a substantial survival benefit. In a combined treatment approach, we are using chemotherapy to tear away the tumour's 'immune-protective cloak' to expose it as well as enabling people's own immune system to get at it. "Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer; we have been desperately looking for better treatment options. It is particularly tragic that those affected are often young, with many themselves having young families. I'm thrilled that by using a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy we are able to significantly extend lives compared to the standard treatment of chemotherapy alone." Based on the results of this trial this new treatment is currently under review by health authorities and will hopefully become available in the NHS in the near future. In the interim, patients at St Bartholomew's Hospital with triple-negative breast cancer are offered immunotherapy within ongoing trials. A measurable criterion now exists for determining the age rating of films. A group of scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz has found that the concentration of isoprene in cinema air correlates with the cinema industry's voluntary classification of films. Evidently, the more nervous and tense people are, the more variable is the isoprene they emit. This can be used to deduce how "stressful" a film might be for children and adolescents. The age from which children are allowed to watch a movie has so far been based on subjective judgments. In Germany, the Voluntary Self Regulation of the Movie Industry (FSK) classifies films after carefully examining their content. Some movies such as The Lion King are released for all ages, whereas others such as Harry Potter, Star Wars and Dracula are only suitable for viewers aged 6, 12, 16 or 18 respectively. Ultimately, the classification is fairly subjective. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz have now developed a method that can objectively evaluate the age at which children and adolescents can safely watch a movie. They measured the composition of air in cinemas as well as levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during 135 screenings of eleven different movies. Over 13,000 audience members were involved. For a variety of film genres and age groups, the researchers found that isoprene levels reliably correlate with the age rating of a film. "Isoprene appears to be a good indicator of emotional tension within a group," says Jonathan Williams, group leader at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry. "Our approach could therefore provide an objective criterion for deciding how movies should be classified." Isoprene is released whenever we move Isoprene is formed by metabolic processes and is stored in muscle tissue. It is released via the circulatory system, expired air and the skin whenever we move. "Evidently, we involuntarily squirm back and forth on our cinema seat or tense our muscles when we become nervous or excited," Jonathan Williams explains. And how intently the audience follows a film is, in turn, a good indication of the movie's emotional impact on children and adolescents. If the new method were applied to an audience with representative age groups, it could help to determine the age rating of a movie in disputed cases. In addition, the measurements could show how audience reactions and age classification standards change over time. Do our emotions leave a chemical fingerprint in the air? In order to detect the chemical clues, the scientists connected a mass spectrometer to the cinema's ventilation system. During the film screenings, the device, which can identify substances even at ppt levels, was used to track changes in the air composition by taking measurements once every 30 seconds. In this way the team analyzed the concentrations of 60 compounds. Based on the data, the scientists then created a model that compares the age classification with the data on how often and in what quantities the audience released those compounds. Jonathan Williams has now come up with a new research idea for the unambiguous correlation they identified for isoprene. He plans to investigate whether the volatile organic compounds we emit leave a chemical fingerprint in the air, not only of tension but of other emotional states as well. His team was unable to determine this clearly during the film screenings, because scenes that elicit very different emotions follow each other in rapid succession, thereby blurring the potential air-borne chemical traces. However, by taking air measurements under controlled laboratory conditions, in collaboration with other Max Planck Institutes in Frankfurt and Nijmegen, Jonathan Williams now hopes to conduct a thorough investigation into the question of whether specific emotions leave traces in the air. Scientists have created an artificial intelligence system that could help treat patients with sepsis. The technology, developed by researchers from Imperial College London, was found to predict the best treatment strategy for patients. The system 'learnt' the best treatment strategy for a patient by analysing the records of about 100,000 hospital patients in intensive care units and every single doctor's decisions affecting them. The findings, published in the journal Nature Medicine, showed the AI system made more reliable treatment decisions than human doctors. The team behind the technology say the tool could be used alongside medical professionals, to help doctors decide the best treatment strategy for patients. Sepsis, also known as blood poisoning, is a potentially fatal complication of an infection, and kills around 44,000 every year in the UK. advertisement In the study, researchers looked back at US patient records from 130 intensive care units over a 15 year period to explore whether the AI system's recommendations might have been able to improve patient outcomes, compared with standard care. The researchers now hope to trial the system, called AI Clinician, in intensive care units in the UK. Dr Aldo Faisal, senior author from the Department of Bioengineering and the Department of Computing at Imperial, said: "Sepsis is one of the biggest killers in the UK -- and claims six million lives worldwide -- so we desperately need new tools at our disposal to help patients. At Imperial, we believe that AI for Healthcare is the solution. Our new AI system was able to analyse a patient's data -- such as blood pressure and heart rate -- and decide the best treatment strategy. We found that when the doctor's treatment decision matched what the AI system recommended, they had a better chance of survival." The team used the AI system to assess which particular treatment approach to sepsis was most successful. Sepsis can cause a drastic drop in blood pressure which can leave organs deprived of blood flow and oxygen, and can ultimately lead to multiple organ failure and death. To raise blood pressure and keep the heart pumping, doctors give extra fluids, usually in the form of a salt solution, as well as medication that tightens blood vessels and raises blood pressure, called vasopressors. advertisement Professor Anthony Gordon, senior author from the Department of Surgery & Cancer at Imperial explained: "We know that most patients with sepsis need fluid drips and in more severe cases also need vasopressors to maintain blood pressure and blood flow. There is still much debate amongst clinicians about how much fluid to give and when to start vasopressors. There are clinical guidelines but they provide general advice. The AI Clinician is able to learn what is the best option for each individual patient at that moment in time." Health Minister Lord O'Shaughnessy added: "Sepsis is a devastating condition which claims far too many lives in the UK. We need to be better at spotting the signs early and artificial intelligence has the potential to do this quickly and more effectively than humans -- supporting doctors so they can spend more time with patients. "We're already making steps to improve diagnosis with our new sepsis tool, but we must also embrace any new technology solutions that can improve patient care and save lives." To help doctors decide which approach would boost a patient's chance of survival, the research team created an AI system that would assess a patient's vital signs and recommend the best treatment approach. The system analysed the medical records of 96,000 US patients with sepsis in intensive care units. Using a process called reinforcement learning -- where robots learn how to make decisions and solve a problem -- the AI Clinician went through each patient's case and worked out the best strategy of keeping a patient alive. The system calculated 48 variables including age, vital signs and pre-existing conditions. The system then predicted the best treatment strategy for each patient with sepsis. The results revealed that 98 per cent of the time, the AI system matched or was better than the human doctors' decision. The study also found that mortality was lowest in patients where the human doctor's doses of fluids and vasopressor matched the AI system's suggestion. However, when the doctor's decision differed from the AI system, a patient had a reduced chance of survival. The team found when the doctor's decision varied from the AI Clinician's suggestion, it was on average to administer too much fluid and too little vasopressor but importantly it varied between individual patients. The team say the findings show the AI Clinician could help doctors decide the best treatment strategy for patients. Professor Gordon explained "The AI Clinician was able to 'learn' from far more patients than any doctor could see in a lifetime. It has learnt from 100,000 patients and 'remembered' them all equally whereas doctors are always susceptible to recall bias, where they particularly remember recent cases or unusual cases." Dr Faisal explained: "An intensive care doctor will see roughly 15,000 patients by the time they retire. Yet this system has seen nearly 100,000 patients, it has the life time experience of 8 doctors, and has learned from each of those cases what the best decisions were for each situation." Dr Faisal added: "The explosion in Artificial Intelligence applications in healthcare is currently focussed on mimicking the perceptual ability of human doctors, e.g. recognising a tumour from a brain scan as used in diagnostics. However, doctors do more than just diagnose, they treat people. Our AI Clinician system focus on capturing this cognitive capacity of doctors: Imagine having a doctor watching over you every second of every day, administering a course of treatment, observing how you respond to the treatment, and then adjusting the treatment as your condition evolves. "The AI Clinician technology we developed can have many applications in medicine, whenever we need to choose, observe and adjust treatment. Whenever there are large amounts of patient data the AI Clinician can assess and learn from, the system can be used. We have applied this technology previously to treatment in diabetes and in anaesthesia during surgery, and can use this to optimise the delivery of expensive treatments e.g. in cancer therapy." The team now plan to trial the AI Clinician in UK hospitals. Dr Faisal added: "The only way for any technology to help a patient is to turn it into a product that doctors and hospitals can prescribe, therefore we are seeking to commercialise." This work was only possible through the collaboration of artificial intelligence and clinician scientists pioneered at Imperial. Dr Faisal said: "We broke down boundaries and silos that held back traditional approaches to healthcare, by training a novel generation of PhD students to look at AI and Healthcare as one problem, not two." Dr Matthieu Komorowski, a clinician who obtained a PhD in Artificial Intelligence with the two senior authors and was the first author of this study and supported by an Imperial College President's PhD fellowship. The research was supported by National Institute of Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre and the UK Research and Innovation's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Professor Anthony Gordon is also an NIHR Research Professor. A new study by University of Miami psychology researchers of anonymous interactions suggests that humans switch off their automatic inclination to share in dealings with strangers. Would you tip your waitress if you knew you'd never return to her restaurant? Probably, because that's how most of us are socialized. But what if you knew the waitress would never know if you left a tip? Without the incentive of her approval, would you still be generous? Researchers in the University of Miami's Evolution and Human Behavior Laboratory who set out to answer that question found that we humans, who learned long ago to instinctively be generous and fair to others, can quickly unlearn that cooperative behavior when encountering strangers if we know we won't benefit from our actions. Lead author William H.B. McAuliffe, a Ph.D. candidate in psychology, and senior author Michael E. McCullough, professor of psychology, say their study published October 22 in the journal Nature Human Behavior, supports the theory that our ingrained cooperative spirit is a remnant of our evolutionary past. When we lived in small groups, we knew every person in our social circle -- or someone who knew them -- and we never knew who we might need to help us. Over time, we automatized the decision to be kind out of self-interest. "We are actually walking around with Stone Age minds," said McCullough, director of the lab in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology. "Our minds still think how we treat everyone we meet could have consequences -- that everyone we run across and are either mean to or nice to will somehow pay us back. We have a natural karma built into us because our minds have evolved into thinking that what goes around really does come around." But their study, "Experience with anonymous interactions reduces intuitive cooperation," shows that the "cognitive shortcut" we have built into our brains to be generous or fair can be easily switched off if we learn there won't be any payback, either positive or negative. The researchers demonstrated this point by exposing 200 volunteers to a social environment devoid of any incentive or punishment for how they treated others, and tracking how their behavior changed over time. The volunteers, who came to the laboratory in small groups on two separate occasions about a month apart, were asked to play three games that required them to make decisions about investing money and sharing the windfalls with others in the room, and eventually with a charity. But, sitting at consoles with headphones, the participants did not interact with each other. They made all their decisions and collected all their winnings anonymously and privately. During the first round, the study showed, participants behaved predictably: Acting on habits shaped by their everyday experiences, they split windfalls with strangers fairly and shared about half their earnings with charity. But on their return visit about a month later, they weren't as generous, sharing, on average, about 20 percent less. "After acclimating to the situation, they realized this was extraordinarily different from the situations they find themselves in everyday life," McAuliffe said. "They realized, 'What I do doesn't really matter. It has no social consequences. Nobody is going to pat me on the back if I am generous. No one is going to think I'm stingy if I'm not.' So, when they come back, they don't act on that cognitive shortcut because they've learned that the same rules don't apply." McCullough, who has devoted his career to shedding light on human behavior by examining our evolutionary past, said the study could explain why big-city dwellers have a reputation for being more hurried and less friendly to strangers than small-town folk. "I think what this study says isn't that generosity towards strangers is part of what humans evolved into, but instead that we evolved in a world where there really weren't strangers," McCullough said. "We knew everybody. They knew us, and if we didn't know everybody directly, we knew somebody they knew, so if we were bad to someone they could say, 'That is a terrible person.' Now we live in cities with millions of people and you can legitimately encounter a stranger and say 'I'll never see that person again -- and get away with treating them poorly.' That's less so in small towns, where almost everybody does know everybody." In addition to McAuliffe and McCullough, the study co-authors include recent UM psychology graduates Daniel E. Forster, now with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, and Eric J. Pedersen, now with the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder. Shipps described his current work as sculptural in nature. Even the paper cutting that I do has a dimensionality to it. After you make so many cuts on a piece of paper, it stops being like paper and starts being more like fabric. You can pull and push it and stretch it and gather it together in different ways so that you get all kinds of interesting sculptural contours. Women in India who spend more time fetching water, use a shared latrine, and endure harassment from others are more apt to give birth to a pre-term or low-birthweight baby, according to a new study from the University of Iowa. The findings by researchers in the University of Iowa College of Public Health came from a study that examines the complex relationships between water and sanitation access and social conditions on birth outcomes among women in India. Globally, preterm birth (PTB) and low infant birth weight (LBW) are leading causes of maternal and child illnesses and death. In low-income countries, the challenges women face to meet their basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) needs may be a major contributor to adverse health outcomes. "Many homes in low-income countries have no private drinking water source. Women and girls are tasked with fetching water from outside the home, which can be physically stressful," says Kelly Baker, assistant professor of occupational and environmental health, who co-authored the study. "In addition, homes often lack private toilet facilities, meaning women must use shared or public latrines or manage their sanitation needs in open spaces." The lack of water and sanitation in the home forces women to navigate challenging, and sometimes personally threatening, social and environmental public conditions to collect water and to find a safe, private place to defecate, bathe, or manage menstruation, leading to psychosocial stress. "Determining whether WASH-related stress -- both physical and psychosocial -- affects birth outcomes for women in low- and middle-income countries is critical for understanding whether the global prevalence of preterm birth and low infant birth weight could be reduced by improving the social and environmental conditions in which pregnant women seek clean water and proper sanitation," says study co-author William Story, assistant professor of community and behavioral health. For the study, the researchers used data from the India Human Development Survey. The survey asked women about their drinking water source, walking time to that source, time spent fetching water, sanitation (toilet) access, harassment of women and girls, local crime, whether community problems are solved collectively or individually, the amount of conflict within the community, as well as education, household wealth, and other characteristics. The researchers examined the effect of pre-birth WASH and social conditions on self-reported PTB status and LBW status for 7,926 women who gave birth between 2004/2005 and 2011/2012. Of these women, 14.9 percent experienced premature birth and 15.5 percent delivered a low birth weight baby. The study found that increased time daily spent fetching household water increased women's risk of delivering a low birth weight baby. Open defecation and using a shared latrine within a woman's building or compound were also associated with higher odds of low birth weight and preterm birth, respectively, compared to having a private household toilet. Harassment of women and girls in the community also was associated with both low birth weight and preterm birth. The data also showed a possible association of local crime with low birth weight. "This study contributes to the limited evidence related to environmental causes of PTB and LBW by demonstrating that lack of household WASH infrastructure and social factors, like crime and harassment of women and girls, are risk factors for adverse birth outcomes in women in low- and middle-income countries," the researchers write. "Additionally, the findings suggest that gender norms that sanction harassment of women and girls and place the burden of household water fetching on women are key determinants of vulnerability to PTB and LBW among Indian women." Interventions that reduce domestic responsibilities related to water and sanitation and that change social norms related to gender-based harassment may reduce rates of PTB and LBW in India, the authors note. A developmental psychologist at the University of California, Riverside, has completed a study that is the first to measure how often infants spend time in different body positions over the first year of life. The study, published in the journal Infancy, aims to understand how the physical context of infants' everyday experiences -- in particular, how much time they spend in different body positions -- changes over the course of the first year and how these changes are predicted by infants' developing motor skills. "I was surprised to find that 3-month-olds are held almost half of their waking days" said John Franchak, an assistant professor of psychology, who performed the study. "Twelve-month-olds are held much less frequently and spend most of their time on the ground. How often infants play, crawl, walk, or sit changes how they interact with objects and changes, too, the physical way in which they interact with other people." Specifically, Franchak found that sitting, upright, and prone (belly towards the ground regardless of contact with the ground) accounted for less than 7 percent of the 3-month-old infant's day. By 12 months, these positions accounted for 62 percent of the infant's day. The cross-sectional study sought to understand what a 12-month-old learns and how this learning differs from that of, say, a 3-month-old infant, based on their everyday experiences. Toward that end, the study tested separate groups of 3-month-olds, 6-month-olds, 9-month-olds, and babies that were a year old. It used data acquired for 95 babies from across the United States. The study used an innovative approach to acquire this data: the infants' caregivers were sent text messages five times a day for a week to inquire on what the baby was doing at that moment. The caregivers electronically reported infant body positions immediately thereafter in brief one-minute surveys. They also reported infants' location -- whether the infants were on the floor or up on a raised surface -- and the onset of sitting, crawling, and walking. The study is the first to use this method, called ecological momentary assessment, to measure infants' behaviors. "We have plenty of data on what babies do in the lab, where we measure their development by doing some assigned task," Franchak said. "What we don't know is what drives that development, what happens in the days, hours, and minutes they are at home, where they experience a number of things that lets them learn. Until this study, we didn't know how often babies sit, crawl, and stand in everyday life, outside the lab. The ecological momentary assessment the study used offers a better sense of infants' actual lives versus a slice of life in the lab, and gives a more realistic distribution of their different types of body positions and experiences. Understanding these differences allows us to build better theories about how infants develop and learn from the world." Franchak explained that body positions change dramatically over the first year of life, and much of that change results from infants acquiring new motor skills. Typically, babies begin to sit around 6 months of age, crawl at around 8 months, stand around 11 months, and walk when they are a year old. It is important to study infant body position, he said, because changes in how babies interact with the world change their opportunities for learning. Learning to sit is linked with better object perception. Learning to walk is linked with improved language ability. "The amount of time infants spend in different positions shapes their visual and manual activity -- impacting perceptual, cognitive, and social development -- and reflects opportunities to practice and develop motor skills," Franchak said. "For example, infants rarely see faces while playing on the ground in sitting, upright, and prone positions, but see faces more often when held or sitting off the ground as in a high chair. "Further, infants who can sit independently at 6 months spend more time sitting in daily life. This allows them to manipulate objects more frequently and receive nearly twice as much opportunity to experience the richer visual-manual exploration of objects than prone or supine infants," he added. "Learning to walk changes social interactions with caregivers and predicts improvement in infants' spatial cognition." Franchak cautioned that caregivers play an important role in influencing the study's results. The study's youngest infants are entirely dependent on caregivers to change their body position. For older infants, choosing to sit or stand is often an option only if their caregivers provide the opportunity. "I can't say enough about how much caregivers are doing in determining what positions their babies are in," he said. "Caregivers act in response to how they perceive their children. When they see their babies have acquired certain skills, they take action accordingly to accommodate these skills. Caregivers and their babies then negotiate constantly on how best to proceed thereafter." I suspect that phases 4 and 5 have actually been estimated, but that someone made the decision to use the "later phases..." as an excuse so as not to increase the sticker shock from the present $144,878,800 to what is likely to be well over $200 million. In addition, it just so happens that phases 1, 2 and 3 can be covered by the $100 million plus of cash reserves together with the $50 million of currently available borrowing by the school board. Hence, no bond referendum would be required until phases 4 and 5 are wanted in about four years. Audience questions, which focused on ally-ship, educational equity in elementary schools and concrete change at OPRF, pointed to an increased awareness of inequity. Panelists spoke to both a need for constructive change and the challenges that are still to be overcome. Attorney Kimberly Jeselskis, who represents the four women, said a tort claim has been filed with the state of Indiana that is required before the state can be sued. She said the women intend to sue Hill, the state of Indiana and the attorney general's office and the claims they plan to pursue include assault, battery, defamation and false imprisonment. The orchestrator of a microcap fraud scheme who defrauded investors by directing the issuance of false press releases about the microcap company's prospects and hiding his secret control of the company has been barred by a federal court from participating in penny stock offerings and ordered to pay an $80,000 penalty. In October 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged John Madsen with masterminding a pump-and-dump scheme involving Nevada-based penny stock company, Andalusian Resorts and Spas, Inc. and with recruiting a strawman CEO, Bernard Fried, to conceal Madsen's secret control of the issuer and his prior guilty plea to mail fraud. Fried, who pled guilty in a parallel criminal case, settled the SEC's charges by consenting to the entry of a final judgment on January 11, 2018, which enjoined him from violating the antifraud provisions of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, barred him from serving as an officer or director of public companies or from participating in penny stock offerings, and ordered him to disgorge $3,311 in ill-gotten gains plus interest. The SEC obtained a default judgment against Andalusian on May 10, 2018 that enjoined it from violating the antifraud provisions of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. On March 12, 2018, Madsen agreed to the entry of a judgment that enjoined him from violating the antifraud provisions of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, barred him from participating in penny stock offerings, and provided that the court would determine whether to impose a civil penalty based on the SEC's motion. The court entered a final judgment on October 17, 2018 that imposed an $80,000 penalty. The court's entry of judgment against Madsen concludes the SEC's litigation. On October 16, 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged the two co-owners of a now-defunct New York-based private equity firm with defrauding the firm's advisory clients and pocketing millions in fees. One of the co-owners consented to a judgment, which was entered on October 19, 2018, without admitting or denying the allegations, permanently enjoining him from violating the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws. The SEC's complaint alleges that, from March 2013 to February 2014, Alexander C. Burns, the majority owner and control person of Southport Lane Management, LLC, acquired insurance companies and thereby obtained the ability to control the investment decisions for the insurance companies and those companies' related reinsurance trusts. Burns allegedly used fraudulent transactions, which he recommended through his affiliated registered investment adviser, Southport Lane Advisors, LLC, to covertly steal money from the insurance companies and related reinsurance trusts. Burns's alleged scheme ultimately led to at least five insurance companies having insufficient assets to pay policyholder claims, and the companies were placed into receivership. The SEC further alleges that Andrew B. Scherr, a co-owner of Southport Lane, aided and abetted Burns' fraud by acquiring assets that were worthless or overvalued and which were sold by Burns to his advisory clients. The SEC's complaint, filed in federal district court in Manhattan, charges Burns with violating the antifraud provisions of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and Sections 206(1), (2), and (3) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and with aiding and abetting violations of Section 17(a)(2) of the Securities Act, Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5(b) thereunder, and Sections 206(1), (2), and (3) of the Advisers Act by the affiliated private equity firm and investment adviser. The complaint also charges Scherr with aiding and abetting Burns' violations of Sections 206(1) and (2) of the Advisers Act. The complaint seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement and civil penalties. Without admitting or denying the allegations in the SEC's complaint, Burns consented to the entry of a judgment permanently enjoining him from violating the charged provisions of the federal securities laws. The judgment further provides that the payment of disgorgement plus prejudgment interest, and the imposition of civil monetary penalties, will be determined at a later date. The SEC's investigation was conducted by Nathaniel I. Kolodny, John Lehmann, Doreen Rodriguez and Thomas P. Smith, Jr. of the New York Regional Office, and was supervised by Lara S. Mehraban. The SEC's litigation against Scherr will be led by Kevin McGrath and Mr. Lehmann. A pilot program to curb domestic violence deaths and connect victims with community service organizations in San Franciscos Bayview neighborhood will receive $750,000 in federal grants over a three-year period as a greater emphasis is placed on helping Asian and Pacific Islander families, officials said Monday. Between 2014 and 2017, San Francisco had 11 domestic violence-linked deaths a number officials called unacceptable and the Bayview accounted for 13 percent of police responses for domestic violence calls, said Capt. Steven Ford, who joined other Bayview neighborhood leaders to announce the $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justices Office of Violence Against Women. Minouche Kandel, womens policy director for the citys Department on the Status of Women, noted that the neighborhood has fewer domestic violence services than other districts. We want to be clear, we realize theres a lot of domestic violence that doesnt get reported, Kandel said. Since this is an intervention that depends on police response, thats why we wanted to select (Bayview). Since implementing the program, officials found that domestic violence in the Bayview goes especially underreported in Asian-Pacific Islander communities, whom account for 33 percent of district residents but only 8 percent of domestic violence calls during the pilot. Language barriers, cultural norms and an individuals immigration status were cited as barriers for the Asian-Pacific Islander community reporting domestic violence as often to police. With the grant, APA Family Support Services will join the partnership to connect clients with resources in the criminal justice system. We have 39 percent of clients in community-based services, said Amor Santiago, executive director of APA Family Support Services said. Theyre not accessing the criminal justice system like they should. In June 2017, the Bayview police station implemented a new process for responding to domestic violence calls. An officer asks victims a series of 11 questions to gauge the severity of the situation, including queries about whether a partner has ever used a weapon against them, threatened to kill them or their children, or if their partner carries a gun. If victims answer yes to certain questions, officers will immediately connect them with an advocate from La Casa de las Madres, a domestic abuse support organization. The pilot program found that of the 601 high-risk screens administered last year, 330, or 55 percent, were considered high risk. Of those who spoke to a La Casa de las Madres advocate, 84 percent accessed services, which could include emergency shelter, access to legal assistance or housing. 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. The organization expects to expand its domestic violence services with the grant money. San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon said the disparity between domestic violence calls to police and community organizations illustrates a larger issue. In 2016, there were 3,240 domestic violence reports to San Francisco police, but 21,211 cases were reported to community-based organizations. It continues to illustrate the gap between what people are willing to come to police for and all the incidents out there that are occurring, Gascon said. This is one of the most underreported crimes that we have. Ashley McBride is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ashley.mcbride@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ashleynmcb A majority of Oakland City Council members knew as early as this summer about claims that police applicants were asked to disclose records that would indicate their status as sexual assault victims, and one said she had heard rumors about the inquiry for the last two years. But it was only Sunday, hours after The Chronicle published a story on it, that the Oakland Police Department was ordered to halt the practice by Mayor Libby Schaaf. The Chronicle found no other large cities in California that require the disclosure. Legal experts said it was inappropriate and possibly illegal. The issue came up in a meeting of the City Councils Public Safety Committee on July 17, when an aide to Councilwoman Rebecca Kaplan raised questions about the practice during a discussion on diversity in the Police Department. We have received a comment from women applicants, that theyre being asked whether they have been subjected to sexual assault, and concern their responses will be made public, the aide, John Knight, told the committee. So, is this a question being asked? And if so, why? Has the department considered this as deterring women applicants? City Council members Desley Brooks, Abel Guillen, Noel Gallo and Larry Reid were sitting on the dais at the time. But there was no discussion of the comment, and Police Department command-staff representatives did not answer Knights questions during the meeting. Kaplan said she and her staff did not receive responses after the meeting, either. She accused Schaaf of knowing about the inquiry for a long time and only taking action after it became public. A spokesman for the mayor, Justin Berton, said Schaaf did not know about the practice until Sunday. The moment the mayor learned sexual assault was included in a waiver to release confidential records she ordered it removed and it has been, Berton said. The July discussion was about a resolution, authored by Kaplan, following up on items passed in 2015 and 2016 on strategies to boost the number of women, minorities and Oakland residents in the police force. It recommended, for instance, that the Police Department increase its outreach to LGBT people and not use applicants past marijuana use as grounds for rejection. It passed the committee unanimously. But nothing in the resolution mentions the sexual assault inquiry, despite Knight raising concerns about it. In an interview Tuesday, Kaplan said the issue should have been addressed under the section of her resolution calling for a review of recent applicants who were rejected at the background check stage to determine if any of them, especially Oakland residents, were rejected for reasons that might warrant reconsideration. Kaplan said she had heard rumors of the inquiry into sexual assault records beginning two years ago. She said it was up to Schaaf and City Administrator Sabrina Landreth to fix it. I asked about it, and it was never answered, Kaplan said. A council member, by Oakland law, cannot order the question removed. That has to be done by the executive branch. She said she specifically broached the issue in face-to-face meetings with Landreth and Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick in May or June. I tried to follow up, Kaplan said, but was told the chief was out of the country and not reachable. Spokespeople for Landreth and Kirkpatrick did not respond to requests for comment. Before they can be hired, police officer candidates have to sign a form authorizing the release of records for a background investigation. A version of the form in use since at least 2011 said that included local criminal history information ... including if I have been a victim of sexual assault. 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. Officials in the department had justified the language by saying they wanted to review all police records in which an applicant might appear as a victim, witness or suspect. They said someone would not be denied a position for being a sexual assault victim. After The Chronicles story, the Police Department revised the waiver form and removed the line about being a victim of sexual assault. Schaaf also directed the department to work with the new Oakland Police Commission to conduct a top-to-bottom review of processes that might discourage the recruitment and hiring of women and minorities. Fabian Brown, the regional coordinator for the International Association of Women Police, said she was surprised the City Council did not take up the issue. Its never been done (elsewhere) in the Bay Area that I know of, Brown said of Oaklands requirement to release sexual assault records. Whether a woman has been a victim of sexual assault is a very personal thing. It has nothing to do with the job, she said, adding that she was not speaking on behalf of the association. Retired Portland, Ore., Police Chief Penny Harrington, who founded the National Center for Women and Policing and was the first woman to lead a major U.S. city police force, said rape survivors should be welcomed in the police force, because of their potential for increased empathy when investigating sexual assault cases. Harrington said City Council members were shirking their duty and should have acted. You would think in this climate, with all of the Me Too things going on ... that if anything came up, they would be hypersensitive to it, she said. To not even answer the question or follow up with anyone I dont understand that. Kimberly Veklerov and Megan Cassidy are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov @meganrcassidy A quiet hum of activity enveloped the east side of San Franciscos Civic Center Plaza the other day as Sam Mogannam and his team raced to get the new Bi-Rite Cafe ready for its celebratory soft opening just over 24 hours later. Front-counter personnel practiced taking orders Monday as workers wielding power drills put the finishing touches on the new cafe, which is set to open to the public Wednesday. Mogannam himself was preoccupied with getting the soft-serve ice cream machines working the new cafe near Grove Street is just steps from the Helen Diller Civic Center Playground, which by 11 a.m. was already beginning to teem with kids, despite the autumn chill in the air. Closer to City Hall, commuters walked in long arcs to avoid colliding with an outdoor aerobics class. It would be nuts to open without those machines running. Theyre running now, said Mogannam, proprietor of the Bi-Rite markets, which have been in his family since 1964. Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle The cafe is the latest emblem of the citys effort to revitalize Civic Center Plaza, unify it with the surrounding neighborhoods, and make the area a safe gathering spot for residents and tourists. Not long ago, Civic Center the seat of local government and home of many of San Franciscos most important arts and cultural institutions was a grim showcase of hard-drug sales, an open-air shooting gallery littered with used needles, trash and human waste. Last year, at the direction of the late Mayor Ed Lee, the city quietly embarked on a cleanup of a roughly 100-block chunk around Civic Center. In June, the city announced a joint effort with BART to clean up the busy and often squalid Civic Center Station by adding a used-needle kiosk. San Francisco and BART police also began to work together to deter drug sales and guide homeless people toward services. Efforts by the SFPD to rid the area of drug dealers and address other quality-of-life complaints at United Nations Plaza, along with the Market Street corridor and Civic Center Plaza, have resulted in 637 bookings and citations since the beginning of the year, Mayor London Breeds office announced last week. Gabrielle Lurie / The Chronicle Some of the time and effort we put into this space are starting to work, Breed said. I intend to clean it up and keep it that way. A year ago, you thought, Im not sure I want to bring my kids here, said Amy Cohen, director of public space initiatives for the citys Office of Economic and Workforce Development. It was kind of a microcosm of the citys problems. While the areas transformation remains a work in progress, the differences are stark. In addition to two new playgrounds that cost $10 million, the space hosts a growing number of public events, including outdoor concerts, art installations and food-truck gatherings. A winter park complete with a 6,000-square-foot ice rink is set to open next month. We understand that this is a really important space and its a complicated space, but fundamentally its a park, and were trying really hard to make it functional, said Phil Ginsburg, general manager of the Recreation and Park Department. Over the course of a year, Ginsburg said, the new playgrounds alone have seen more than twice the number of visitors, with around 14,000 people visiting the sites in July alone. The new cafes proximity to the playgrounds is no coincidence. During the planning process, community members made it clear that having refreshments nearby would help make the recreational spaces a bigger draw for families, said Philip Vitale, a project manager with the Trust for Public Land, which oversaw the development of the playground alongside Rec and Park. Funding for the cafe came largely from a $2 million grant from the Mercer Fund. Bi-Rite has an initial three-year lease on the facility. Despite the recent improvements, problems still persist around Civic Center. Mogannam said he personally picked up three needles on Sunday. But he agreed to open the cafe a year ago long before many of the areas positive changes had taken root. I knew what I was getting into, he said. If it was going to be easy it wouldnt be worthwhile. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle 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. The cafe will offer a variety of salads, soups and other entrees in addition to coffee, tea and baked goods. Beginning Wednesday, it will open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. As the Tenderloin Clubhouse director for the Boys & Girls Club of San Francisco, Michael Vuong brings groups of kids to the playgrounds during regular trips to the Main Library, which is across Larkin Street. With the renovation of Civic Center the new playgrounds being put in place and the amount of activity happening there the park definitely seems more family-friendly. It has a safer feel to it, Vuong said. Its being held to a much higher standard than it was before. But he added that the apparent absence of homeless people and addicts in Civic Center doesnt necessarily mean those people have been helped off the streets. Hes worried theyve just been pushed elsewhere. How do we help solve the situations for people who no longer occupy the space? At the end of the day, we didnt solve their problems, we just turned their problems into someone elses problems. Officials say that despite imperfections, Civic Centers progress so far could be a model for future efforts to reanimate run-down city corridors. Were building on the success thats happening here to inform our work for the rest of the city, said Joaquin Torres, OEWDs director, shortly before dropping by the Bi-Rite Cafe for a coffee and an egg sandwich. Delicious, he said. Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa Life is looking up for two orphaned Californian mountain lion cubs taken in by the Oakland Zoo this month. Zoo wildlife specialists are monitoring the cubs, who are 9 or 10 weeks old. A male cub was found in Modoc County after his mother was fatally shot for preying on sheep, and a female cub was found emaciated and covered in burns and parasites in Lake County. A female adult mountain lion was struck and killed by a car nearby in Lake County, but California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials said they dont know if she was the female cubs mother. Traffic is a big threat to mountain lions. More than 100 animals were killed by cars in 2016, according to Amy Gotliffe, director of conservation at the Oakland Zoo. While wildlife officials said that its best to return animals to the wild, it could be deadly to do that with these cubs, who are considered too young to survive in the wild. But while in the care of the zoo, the pair have bonded quickly, officials said, and they will be moved to a permanent facility once theyre old enough. Were happy that these two cubs are doing very well, although its heartbreaking they were orphaned, Karen Emanuelson, the zoos director of veterinary services, said in a statement. We saw first-hand how much our now older mountain lions enjoyed, needed and bonded with each other as orphaned cubs themselves, so we are very glad these two cubs are providing companionship to each other as well. 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. Earlier this year, the zoo took in three rescued mountain lion cubs who are now part of the California Trail exhibit. Officials did not say if the two rescued this month would join the enclosure. Gwendolyn Wu is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: gwendolyn.wu@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @gwendolynawu Firefighters battling a house fire early Tuesday morning in San Franciscos Inner Sunset found a woman dead inside the home, officials said. Fire units responded at about 3:33 a.m. to a blaze on the 1300 block of Funston Avenue. A second victim, a man, was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, said Lt. Jonathan Baxter of the San Francisco Fire Department. The womans death is under investigation and its unclear whether she died from the fire, Baxter said. Her identity will be released pending notification of next of kin. The fire caused major damage to the home but no other neighboring structures were harmed, Baxter said. A couple of massive fires have occurred in Oakland and San Francisco the past two days. A fire at a Financial District residential high-rise Monday afternoon displaced residents from 30 apartments. Early Tuesday morning, a blaze in West Oakland destroyed multiple buildings under construction in what became the latest East Bay housing development to go up in flames. 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. Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White, the first woman ever to lead the department and the longest-serving big-city fire chief in the country, told her department on Monday shes retiring. She has agreed to stay on the job until spring to give Mayor London Breed time to find her replacement. Her ideal retirement date, she said, is May 5, 2019, a small tribute to the late Mayor Ed Lee, who would have turned 67 that day. By that point, Hayes-White will have held the job for 15 years and four months more than a decade longer than the average tenure for a big-city fire chief. The 54-year-old Hayes-White, who joined the department in 1990 as one of its first female firefighters, started thinking about retiring last year. But in a meeting with Lee in the summer of 2017, he persuaded her to stay on the job through his second term, which would have ended in January 2020. I made that commitment to him, Hayes-White said Monday morning in an interview in her office at Fire Department headquarters on Second Street. I loved working for Mayor Lee. He was not only someone I had great admiration and respect for, but he became a friend. His ordinariness made him extraordinary, and I just loved every part of him. Lees unexpected death in December meant her commitment was void. And coming alongside the early deaths of two other friends, it prompted her to re-evaluate her priorities. I kind of reset after he passed away that was tough, she said, saying its time to step back and enjoy time outside the office. Its time to close out a phenomenal career. In one of those twists of history, Lee made it possible for Hayes-White to become chief long before Mayor Gavin Newsom appointed her to the position in January 2004. Lee, as a private civil rights attorney working for the Asian Law Caucus, was on the team that sued the city in 1984, saying the Fire Department discriminated against women and minorities in its hiring process. The suit led to a federal consent decree overseeing department hiring, and the first women entered the department in the fall of 1987. Hayes-White joined in 1990, about the 10th or 12th woman in the department ever, she said. Hayes-White said Monday that she has hired more than 1,200 of the departments nearly 1,800 staff members and that shes proud its now one of the most diverse fire departments in the world. When Newsom appointed her weeks after becoming mayor, Hayes-White was quoted in The Chronicle: It sends a message to little girls and women that there are no boundaries. You can do whatever you like. Now its time for Hayes-White to do whatever she likes. And that means hanging up her helmet for good. Big-city fire chiefs, its usually a three- or four-year tenure, she said. Im very proud and feel very honored. Its been a huge privilege to serve as chief. She said she was able to raise three boys mostly as a single mom while also managing a major fire department because of support from her deputies, family members and friends. Im a high-energy person, she said. I dont get much sleep. She said the decision to step down was entirely her own and has nothing to do with Breeds election in July. As a supervisor in 2014, Breed called for Hayes-White to resign because of the departments inability to get ambulances to emergencies promptly. In 2014, a statue at Fishermans Wharf fell on a 2-year-old boy, and the sole available ambulance was on the other side of the city and took 13 minutes to respond. An 87-year-old woman with a broken hip waited 32 minutes for an ambulance. A North Beach man with a severed finger waited 38 minutes for an ambulance his finger on ice next to him. Breed wrote in an opinion piece in The Chronicle that since the Fire Department had been given the funds to purchase 16 new ambulances but had been slow to buy them, Hayes-White should step down. Leaders of firefighter employee groups made the same argument, imploring Lee to fire her. Both Hayes-White and Breed on Monday dismissed the disagreement as part of the past and agreed that the Fire Department is in much better shape than it was then. A scorecard from the controllers office shows that ambulances in San Francisco now respond to emergencies within 10 minutes 93 percent of the time. The goal is 90 percent. At the low point in 2014, the rate was 76 percent. The ambulance crisis came the year after two other scandals in the Fire Department. In 2013, it came under fire for its response to the Asiana Airlines crash at SFO that resulted in three deaths, including that of a 15-year-old girl who was run over by a fire truck. That same summer saw questions about the departments handling of the case of Michael Quinn, a veteran firefighter who was accused of driving a fire truck into a motorcyclist while drunk and leaving the scene. Its definitely not a popularity contest, Hayes-White said of the job. What I pride myself on is being as decisive as I can in a reasonable amount of time after gathering all the facts. Asked what she thinks of Hayes-Whites retirement, Breed said, Its her decision. Thats fine with me. The mayor said that despite their past disagreements, shes always gotten along personally with the fire chief and praised her love of San Francisco, dedication to the department and commitment to hard work. The mayor said shes open to someone from inside or outside the department and will go through a thorough application process to pick the chiefs successor. Hayes-White said her preference would be somebody from within the department. Hayes-White was one of several high-profile women hired or promoted by Newsom. Another was Naomi Kelly, whom he hired as city purchaser she became the first female city administrator after Lee left the post to become mayor. Kelly said she looked to Hayes-White for guidance on how to do a high-profile, demanding job while raising young children. Just having that personal relationship with her was great, to talk about managing it all and balancing it out, Kelly said. I just admire her, that she was able to do that and do it for so long. 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. Another female city department head, Port Director Elaine Forbes, said she has admired Hayes-White since her appointment as fire chief and now counts her as a mentor. In those days, there werent a lot of women in big leadership positions, and certainly not in uniform, Forbes said. Shes just emanated great leadership in good times and bad. Shes always maintained a ton of integrity and kindness. Hayes-White credited Lee for his kindness in sticking by her side during the rough years, which has enabled her to leave on her own terms. The fire chief still has Lees turnouts the gear he would wear to an emergency in a plastic bag on the floor of her office. She remembered attending Thanksgiving turkey carvings with the mayor, where he saved the wishbones for his wife, Anita, saying they were good luck. She also recalled attending an earthquake drill in an elementary school last year with the notoriously corny mayor, who joked that with his short stature, he could easily fit underneath the pint-sized desks with the kids. I said, We can barely fit under here, and he said, It works for me! she said with a laugh. She recalled attending a meeting with Lee about Treasure Island development the morning of Dec. 12, and getting a call late that night saying the mayor was ill at the Safeway on San Franciscos Monterey Boulevard. By the time she drove there, Lee was in an ambulance in the parking lot and gave her a wave. She followed the ambulance to San Francisco General Hospital and stayed with him in his room until he died a few hours later. Hayes-White said that after her retirement, she plans to take her mother, 93-year-old Patricia Hayes, on a road trip to Oregon to see her own fathers grave for the first time. Hayes-White and her mom are next-door neighbors, and the chief said she visits her mother three times a day: for coffee before work, at dinner and before bedtime. I dont ever plan to depart this city this is the city of my birth and the city where Ill pass away as well, Hayes-White said, noting that she wants to stay active in the community. Shell also need to hit the stores. Shes almost always seen in her black-and-white uniform with gold stripes around the sleeves, her blond hair pulled back in a ponytail. Ive been wearing a uniform for 40 years, she said, counting her time in grammar school. I dont have any nice clothes. Ill need to go shopping. According to the most recent indictment, Gustavo Colunga and Harris-White approached a juvenile victim July 27, 2015, who they believed to be a rival gang member. Harris-White held the victim down while Gustavo Colunga stabbed the victim in the throat, the indictment states. The two fled in a vehicle driven by a third Latin Dragon Nation member, according to the indictment. The board of the San Francisco Employees Retirement System has voted unanimously to divest from five fossil fuel companies. The vote called for divestment from Hess Corp., Gulfport Energy Corp., QEP Resources Inc., WPX Energy Inc. and Apache Corp. because of their high climate transition risk. Additionally, it restricts future investment in two other companies, Crescent Point Energy and ARC Resources, though the pension fund currently is not currently invested in them. The companies approach to climate policy, as well as their fossil fuel reserves and overall financial health, contributed to the decision to classify them as high-risk. Andrew Collins, the retirement systems director of environmental, social and governance investing, cited the five companies risky reserves in their pipeline and poor financial performance measured by their solvency risk during the Oct. 10 meeting, when the divestment decision was made. The pension fund has $10 million of net exposure to the five companies and $8.5 million in exposure that would be divestable, meaning that the money is not in a co-mingled account, Collins said. The board also told SFERS staff to put a number of other companies on a watch list, meaning the board could vote to divest from them if they dont engage with the pension board over the next few years meaning, in part, keeping the board informed about what they're doing on climate change. Environmental activists have pressured SFERS and other pension funds to stop investing in oil, natural gas and coal companies in favor of renewable energy. Some have done so, at least partially. The SFERS board is legally required to make sure the fund has the best results for the former and current city employees who rely on it. In January, the board decided to move $1 billion in investments away from major polluters and hire a staffer to oversee the funds socially responsible investing. Weve done a lot in terms of the percentage of our assets that weve allocated toward these strategies. We can certainly do more, we can do more around climate risk ... but theres some great investor coalitions that were already part of that we can be a part of more, Collins said. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes SFERS board president Brian Stansbury said during the meeting that two of the companies the board voted to divest from, Hess Corp. and WPX Energy, had seen their stock rise more than 50 percent and 73 percent respectively in the past year. All divestment actions that we take, or restrictions, we need to track and we need to know how much its making the system or costing the system, Stansbury said. These stocks that were going to be getting rid of had we done it a year ago, we wouldve lost millions of dollars on it. And thats a reality that this board needs to be aware of. Someones going to have to make up that shortfall somewhere. Two years ago, the San Francisco pension board came close to removing firearms and ammunition stocks from its portfolio. SFERS did not respond to requests for additional comment on its fossil fuel divestments. Sophia Kunthara is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sophia.kunthara@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SophiaKunthara I hacked my way through Howard Street, clogged with construction workers and Oracle convention preparations on Thursday, Oct. 18, to see photographer Mary McCartneys show at the Berggruen Gallery. The exhibition (on until Nov. 21) is called The White Horse, and it focuses on images of Alejandro, a white Andalusian stallion acquired by the photographer several years ago. Hes one of about 10 horses on the family farm in Sussex, England. The photos are romantic, idyllic, many shot at night, some close up and others at a distance. It was the close-ups that particularly compelled me. Last week, youll remember, was the week in which the president of the United States had referred to Stormy Daniels as Horseface. I was sure the photographer wouldnt find that term pejorative, and I was going to ask her about those aesthetics. Her sweatshirt had the word sweatshirt printed on the front. Obviously, she had a sense of irony. But when I introduced the subject, she said shed sworn off following news about the president, and didnt know anything about his having dubbed an alleged former squeeze/payee a horseface. I asked her about the beauty in a horse face: I went from taking a lot of pictures of people, embedding myself in peoples homes, taking pictures of their lives behind the scenes, she said. Connecting with them and gaining their trust had a collaborative element. Her relationship with Alejandro had similar elements. Acquiring the horse, she said, really took me back to my childhood, riding him and watching his mane, for example, fly around his head. I felt connected to him. But, I was thinking, what about Trump? McCartney refused to let headlines blur her focus. I felt connected to him, she said of Alejandro. I love riding. Its about a connection with another living being. Feeling the horse move under her as she rode, There was a natural rhythm. This is not a machine. I started observing more closely. Alejandro had a nobility and strength, she said, and had given her a sort of permission. You know hes happy to have me ride him. You can tell theres respect between the two of us. I was doubting this would describe the relationship between Daniels and her lover, but the tone of McCartneys replies indicated she wasnt going to say anything about that. It was clear, however, that to the animal-loving photographer, Alejandros horse face is not a horseface. P.S.: The photographer is the daughter of the late photographer Linda Eastman McCartney and Paul McCartney. I didnt ask her about that. At the just-concluded Mill Valley Film Festival, one afternoon program featured a showing of short films by, and conversation between, filmmakers Allie Light and Eleanor Coppola. Both were accomplished documentarians who have become directors of dramatic films. Lights Any Wednesday is about the relationship between an elderly woman with dementia and a homeless vet suffering from PTSD. Coppolas Two for Dinner is about a couple who participate in a video date night. What did the female directors have in common? Graziella Danieli, who attended the session, says both proclaimed themselves astonished when actors would do what they asked them to do. At least half the sequins in town, as well as three-quarters of the beads, were worn by the 300 or so guests who attended the 90th birthday celebration of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel on Thursday. The Klipptones, who performed Honeysuckle Rose (1929) and other music of the era, used iPads instead of sheet music. But otherwise, guests, staff members and a few performers/models hired for the occasion had put on authentic-looking glitz to sashay to the bar, past tables laden with food. Sadly, the hotels Prohibition Room described by Carl Nolte in a piece about the hotels history was not available. Its tucked away between the lobby and mezzanine, over an elevator shaft, and the elevators being renovated, explained head concierge Leif Abram. Abram has been on the job for about six years, he said. Hed attended his high school prom in the hotel. Greeting all guests, of course, was doorman Tom Sweeney, who has been on the job for 42 years and 46 Beefeater uniforms. Inside the hotel, an homage to the Jazz Age; outside, a nod to British pomp and ceremony. This is 2018; we celebrate fusion. PUBLIC EAVESDROPPING You can learn to swim. You dont have to be a mermaid. Mother to girl of 5 or so, overheard at the Little Farm in Tilden Park by Sue Greenspan Leah Garchik is open for business in San Francisco, 415-777-8426. Email: lgarchik@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @leahgarchik When Pim Techamuanvivit opened Kin Khao four years ago, she had an idea that San Francisco was ready for a different type of Thai food. Although she was fairly certain that diners would take to her style of cuisine, which she calls heritage Thai cooking, she wanted to keep things small for the first few years. But 2018 seems to be the year that the Bangkok-born chef decided to go big. Word broke this year that Techamuanvivit would be part of a major food hall project going into San Francisco Airports International Terminal, along with Gabriela Camara of Cala and Elisabeth Prueitt and the Tartine crew. In the spring, Techamuanvivit announced that she would take over Nahm, the globally celebrated Bangkok restaurant, which under Australian chef David Thompson had been named one of the top 50 restaurants in the world. In June, a New York Times profile of Techamuanvivit revealed that the chef wasnt stopping there; plans were also in the works for a second San Francisco restaurant. The project, called Nari, which means women in Thai, has been on the slow-burner for a few years, but now, shes ready to share more details. Nari will be located in Japantowns Hotel Kabuki, 1625 Post St., and if all goes well will open in spring 2019. Nari is my tribute to all (the) women in my life who taught me how to cook, says Techamuanvivit; she sought out the women aunts and family friends to teach her how to make the dishes from her childhood that she missed while living here in the U.S. While Bangkoks Nahm may be considered high-end, Techamuanvivit hesitates at how to label Nari. I dont really like the word fine dining, she says. I like to think of Nari as a little more grown-up than Kin Khao. She adds that it will be just as much fun. So what does being more grown-up entail? Techamuanvivit describes her modest Union Square space at Kin Khao as tight, loud and crowded, but says Nari will offer a larger footprint for both the kitchen and dining room, which will seat about 95 people. There will also be a large separate bar area and private dining room. John Storey/Special to the Chronicle The larger kitchen space will give Techamuanvivit and her team a chance to expand the menu offerings, which will be more seafood-focused: I dont want to just open another Kin Khao. What fun is that? Though the tiny kitchen at Kin Khao, which Techamuanvivit describes as both a blessing and a curse, has forced her and her team to be disciplined and focused, its also been limiting in terms of menu development. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. There are so many more dishes I want to cook, she says The expansion is also a chance for Techamuanvivit to help the members of her Kin Khao team grow. As such, Kin Khao chef de cuisine Meghan Clark will take the reins at Nari, while Cecile Macasero, who has been at Kin Khao since 2015, will be promoted to chef de cuisine there. Other items of note: Caroline Nassif of Lundberg Design, the team behind some of the most beautiful restaurants in San Francisco, will design the space. Techamuanvivit also is working with local Thai ceramicist Nathiya Prathnadi to create special dishware for Nari. In keeping with her female-focused vision for the restaurant, one reason the space in the Hotel Kabuki appealed so much to her was that in the early 1990s, it was home to Elka Gilmores eponymous restaurant. The restaurant also happened to be a training ground for chef Traci Des Jardins and pastry chef Elizabeth Falkner all three of whom Techamuanvivit considers powerhouse women chefs. Techamuanvivit definitely will be busy with her multiple projects, but the chef, who currently divides her time evenly between Bangkok and San Francisco, says that Nahm and her time in Thailand have energized her. Thai cooking is Thai women. Its the women who teach the next generation about food and cooking, she says. I see myself as a link on this chain. Passing on this knowledge, I dont want it to end with me. Sarah Fritsche is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sfritsche@sfchronicle.com. Twitter/Instagram: @foodcentric The ongoing, mishap-plagued construction on Van Ness Avenue has officially claimed a notable restaurant: Bootleg Bar & Kitchen, which is closing about a year after chain-link fences went up in front of it. Theres so much construction around us, people dont even know were open, said co-owner Masaye Waugh, who said Bootleg will close on Oct. 31. The last couple of months really did us in. Business at the bar has languished since 2016, when the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency launched a $316.4 million project to improve Van Ness between Mission Street downtown and Lombard Street. We had a 30 percent drop in sales when this started and they put the fence up, Waugh said. When they started ripping up the sidewalk as part of the project, sales dropped by 50 percent. Waughs predicament is similar to that of Brainwash Cafe, the 30-year-old business on Folsom Street that closed in 2017 after failing to outlast a nearby construction project. Business at Brainwash dropped significantly when a makeshift walkway was built in front of the cafe to get people safely from one end of the block to the other. The space remains empty. I remember reading what happened to Brainwash, Waugh said. And just getting a chill down my back. ... I knew it was going to happen here. And then it did. Waugh said that while her business was never the most trendy in the city, she at least felt, before the construction, that she would be able to finish out her five-year lease. Now, Waugh said, she and her co-owner will have to make some difficult financial decisions with a business difficult to sell because of the construction. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. The Van Ness project is currently a year and a half behind schedule, due in part to problems such as work crews striking a pipe last month beneath a swath of Van Ness and Filbert Street, causing water to flood into the street. President Donald Trumps decision this past weekend to terminate the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty will further divide the NATO alliance, make Europe more vulnerable and strengthen Russias geostrategic position. While Russia does appear to be in violation of the existing treaty, there were better alternatives than this rash unilateral response. Trumps decision will be welcome in Moscow. The INF Treaty was a masterpiece of U.S. diplomacy by the Reagan administration. It resulted in the destruction of some 2,700 missiles. The path to the treaty was arduous. In the 1970s, the Soviet Union began deploying some 900 SS-20 missiles targeted at Americas NATO allies. This alarmed European leaders like West Germanys Helmut Schmidt who felt that those deployments would decouple Western Europe from the U.S. nuclear umbrella. Moscow could strike Europe with nuclear tipped SS-20s but the alliance could not respond in kind from European soil, prompting the risk that Washington might hesitate to retaliate using U.S. central strategic systems. That risk of U.S. hesitation would undercut deterrence and leave Europe vulnerable. To deal with this challenge, NATO agreed in December 1979 to deploy 572 Pershing II and ground launched cruise missiles in five European countries. That triggered widespread anti-deployment demonstrations that brought millions of Europeans into the streets. Then in November 1981, President Ronald Reagan proposed the zero option under which both sides would eliminate all ground launched missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometers. That dual track decision with a deployment and arms control component succeeded in convincing reluctant European governments to deploy the missiles and by 1987 led to the INF Treaty, which embraced Reagans zero option. The Obama administration in 2014 charged that Russias new 9M729 ground-launched cruise missile has a range that exceeded 500 kilometers. Russia denied that charge and responded that the American SM-3 anti-ballistic missile launchers being deployed in Romania and Poland might be able to launch illegal cruise missiles, a dubious allegation. While the American case seems to be by far the stronger, there is an alternative response that does not require treaty termination. The INF Treaty has a Special Verification Commission that could have investigated both sets of charges. Pressure should have been placed on Moscow to follow this path. Trumps decision is damaging for several reasons: It frees Russia to legally deploy intermediate-range nuclear weapons to threaten our allies. The same fear of decoupling will return, but this time there is no appetite in Europe to re-deploy intermediate-range missiles in response. Europe will be subject to greater Russian threat and intimidation. It further undermines Europes trust and confidence in America. It will threaten the cohesion of NATO. Trumps decision was unilateral, despite the fact that Europe is a partner in this treaty process and will suffer the strategic consequences. It comes on the heels of the unilateral abrogation of the Iran Nuclear Deal, departure from the Paris Climate Accords, Trumps public disparagement of NATO, and U.S. tariffs on European steel. European public confidence in the United States already measures below 20 percent in many countries. That makes it very hard for the United States to lead the NATO alliance. Trumps rationale that the United States can now build missiles to offset a Chinese missile buildup is counter-productive and misleading. It will be read in Europe as once again sacrificing European security for Asian security. And it is not necessary. China is stockpiling intermediate-range missiles, but the United States can respond adequately with comparable air and sea launched missiles, which are not limited by the INF Treaty. Given the geography of Asia, those systems would be more deployable and survivable. The Trump approach seems to assume that somehow we can get a better deal by withdrawing from arms control agreements. History indicates that may not happen. American withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, the 1994 Agreed Framework with North Korea, and the Iran Nuclear deal have all had very negative consequences. This decision contributes to policies that are also driving our two major adversaries closer together. As Russia and China develop stronger strategic bonds in response to U.S. policies, Washington risks losing the allies that we increasingly need to counter our adversaries. Add these consequences to the mess in the Middle East, where the United States may lose its principal Arab ally, and it appears that the measure of combat power and persuasion, what the Soviets used to call the correlation of forces, is turning against the United States. Hans Binnendijk served as National Security Council Special Assistant to the President for Defense Policy in the Clinton administration. He has recently been affiliated with Johns Hopkins Universitys Center for Transatlantic Relations. Upcoming political events in the Bay Area. MONDAY Soldiers stories: Author and journalist C.J. Chivers on the frustration and struggles of soldiers who fought for the U.S. in Afghanistan and Iraq. Sponsored by the World Affairs Council. $20 for nonmembers, $7 for students. 6:30-8 p.m., 312 Sutter Street, Suite 200, San Francisco. More information is here. TUESDAY 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. WEDNESDAY 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. THURSDAY 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. 4 Love and belonging: Thrive East Bay hosts a get-out-the-vote and upgrade-our-democracy event, A Politics of Love & Belonging. Speakers include East Side Union High School board president J. Manuel Herrera, poet and producer of The North Pole series Josh Healey. Contribution requested. 4-6 p.m., First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. More information is here. NOV. 5 Democracy in danger: Daniel Ziblatt, author of How Democracies Die, discusses dangers to democracy around the world at the World Affairs Council. $20 nonmembers, $7 students. Noon-1:30 p.m., World Affairs Auditorium, 312 Sutter St., Suite 200, 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. NOV. 11 Civil conversation: A Better Angels Skills Workshop to learn skills for having respectful conversations that clarify differences between politics among families and friends, search for common ground and affirm the importance of the relationship. Free. 1-3:30 p.m., Twin Towers United Methodist Church, 1411 Oak St., Alameda. More information is here. NOV. 13 Women in politics: San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim, Close the Gap founder Mary Hughes, and Chronicle columnist Heather Knight join Oral History Center interviewer Amanda Tewes for a conversation about the challenges, successes, and history of women involved in local politics. Hosted by the Ruby. $10 for nonmembers. 6-8 p.m., 23rd and Bryant streets, San Francisco. More information is here. Israel and U.S.: Avraham Burg, former interim president of Israel, speaks on Israels complexities and the growing tension between American Jewry and Israel at the Peninsula Jewish Community Center. $20. 7:30-9 p.m., 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. More information is here. NOV. 14 Consumer protection: Discussion with David Vladeck, former director of the Federal Trade Commissions Bureau of Consumer Protection under President Barack Obama. Topics include the future of consumer protection and antitrust law, unfair and deceptive acts and practices, and privacy and data security. Hosted by Civil Justice Research Initiative. Free. 12:55-2 p.m., Boalt Hall, Room 110, UC Berkeley. More information is here. NOV. 19 Case against Trump: Bill Press, radio-show host and former chair of California Democratic Party, discusses the case against Trump at the Commonwealth Club. $25 for nonmembers, $10 for students. Noon-1 p.m., 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here. To list an event, email Politics Editor Trapper Byrne at tbyrne@sfchronicle.com President Trump is not popular in California, but a top national Republican said theres still a chance hell make a last-minute campaign swing through the state before the Nov. 6 midterm elections. Everything is on the table with the president and the party, Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee, told The Chronicles John Wildermuth while she was campaigning in Orange County with GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher. He has kept the last week of the campaign clear, and hell be where he is needed. Trump has come close to California in the last week, making campaign stops in Elko, Nev. and Mesa, Ariz., for Republican U.S. Senate candidates. But Trump is more popular in those states than in California, where only 27 percent of voters approve of the presidents job performance, according to a USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll released last week. Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press Trump did appear last week with four Central Valley House members facing competitive re-election campaigns but they had to travel to Arizona to be photographed with the president. As he was flanked by Reps. Jeff Denham, David Valadao, Tom McClintock and Devin Nunes, Trump signed a presidential memo intended to divert more water to farmers and reduce regulatory burdens. Denham is locked in a tight race with first-time Democratic candidate Josh Harder, and said the presidents action would help him in his heavily agricultural district in and around Modesto. He said he would also appreciate a Trump visit to his district but then, he said he would have welcomed a visit by Barack Obama when he was president. To find out why and read the rest of the story, click here. Deep dives and late takes Housing war on SFs border: Some people who cant find an affordable place to live in the Bay Area hope voters in Brisbane, just south of San Francisco, approve a development that would add about 2,000 housing units and nearly double the population. J.K. Dineen reports on the tensions thats causing in the small town. Migrants on the move: There are thousands of Central Americans heading north through Mexico heading for the U.S. border and contrary to President Trumps assertion, Tal Kopan reports, theres no evidence unknown Middle Easterners are tucked into the crowd. What happens if all those people actually reach the U.S.? Here are some answers. Against the tide: A century-old seawall is San Franciscos main line of defense against the bay washing into the northern waterfront and downtown. With climate change making that a growing threat, John King writes that city voters are being asked to make a big down payment on a $2 billion fix-up. Barely there: Does the Republican Party have a pulse in California? Not much. So-called down-ballot races such as those for secretary of state and attorney general are where political stars often start out on the statewide level. But John Wildermuth reports that the GOP candidates for these jobs have no money and little hope. Big money for small job: Californias lieutenant governor doesnt have a lot to do beyond waking up and seeing if the governor is still alive. But Joe Garofoli reports that two Democrats are locked in a multimillion-dollar race to grab the post. Return to sender? Most people in California now vote by mail, and a number of them figure just one first-class stamp will do the job. Yes and no. Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press Virtually every countys ballot for the Nov. 6 midterm elections is too hefty to qualify for a mere 50-cent first-class stamp. Some of them need more than three. But heres a little secret uncovered by The Chronicles Holly Honderich: You can drop the envelope in the mailbox with too little postage, or even no postage at all, and it will still get there. But youll be passing the cost along to your fellow taxpayers. Heres the story. Sound bite Julian Castro is a former Obama administration cabinet member and ex-mayor of San Antonio, Texas, is in the Bay Area this week and sounding very much like a Democratic candidate for president in 2020. And he wants to get something straight: Just because hes Hispanic doesnt mean he should be expected to speak fluent Spanish. Richard W. Rodriguez / Associated Press He explained to The Chronicles Joe Garofoli on the Its All Political podcast why thats a one-dimensional, uninformed view of what moves a community. You can read the full story of his interview here. And heres the podcast. The big event Sen. Bernie Sanders will be at the Berkeley Community Theater at 11 a.m. Saturday for a rally with Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland. The theater is on the Berkeley High School campus, at 1930 Allston Way. Admission is free, but registration is advised. You can do that here. The Political Punch newsletter publishes Tuesdays and Thursdays between noon and 3 p.m. It is produced by the staff of The San Francisco Chronicle and edited by politics editor Trapper Byrne. Email: tbyrne@sfchronicle.com On Aug. 23, 1948, he presided over the unusually everlasting marriage of Melvin and Randy Berlin, who eloped from their parents Chicago homes. The two 19-year-old sweethearts drove the car of Melvins father, though they didnt tell a soul why they needed it or where they were going. WASHINGTON President Trump ratcheted up his rhetoric Monday about a caravan of thousands of Central Americans making its way toward the U.S., even as uncertainty grew over what will happen to the migrants if they reach the border. Trump has seized on the caravan as a key talking point heading into the midterm elections. The president has been pointing to the growing group of migrants as justification for his aggressive immigration proposals. Sadly, it looks like Mexicos Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in. I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Emergy. Must change laws! Trump tweeted Monday. A source familiar with the governments information on the caravan said there was no evidence Middle Easterners were mixing into it. Its unclear whether Mexico will allow the group to continue the remaining 1,000-plus miles to the U.S. border without interfering. Here are some answers to common questions about the caravan: Q: Why do caravans form? A large factor attracting migrants is potential safety in numbers. It is virtually impossible to travel through Mexico to the U.S. border without paying smugglers, as the organized crime cartels control territory that migrants need to cross. On the way, the migrants are often abused, extorted and assaulted. Caravans offer an opportunity to travel together and avoid some of those dangers. Caravans have also been seen as an opportunity for migrants and their supporters to call attention to their plight. There is extreme violence and poverty in whats known as the Northern Triangle Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador which remains the largest driver of migrants to the U.S. border. Q: What happens when they reach the U.S.? It is impossible to predict how many of the migrants will eventually reach the border. In the past, hundreds of migrants have fallen away from caravans as they traveled, either turned back by Mexico, settling there, or setting off on their own. The migrants usually intend to turn themselves in to authorities in the U.S. Once theyre at a designated port of entry or if they are apprehended trying to cross illegally, they can tell officials that they have a fear of persecution in their home country. That triggers an asylum interview. Q: Where will they arrive? A caravan last spring ended up in Tijuana, so most of the migrants tried to cross at the San Ysidro port of entry south of San Diego. That border crossing is the busiest in the hemisphere and regularly has long wait times for migrants seeking asylum. In April, some migrants had to wait there for weeks. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan testified at a congressional hearing in July that the wait at that crossing at the time was 1,000 people long. The port can process 50 to 100 people a day, he said. Q: So will they be let into the U.S.? It depends. By law, asylum seekers must be given a chance to make their case once they set foot on U.S. soil. But the U.S has been stopping people before they get to the border, which officials call the limit line, until space is available. There is a shelter network on the Mexico side of the border. An inspector general report analyzing the administrations handling of the family separation crisis this summer faulted that metering for causing more people to cross into the U.S. illegally after they were turned away from the port of entry. Long waits could also worsen an already dangerous situation, said Eric Olson, an expert on Mexico and Latin America at the Wilson Center, a nonpartisan institute in Washington. Cartels target desperate migrants at the border, he said, and homicide rates have skyrocketed there this year. You introduce more chaos, more uncertainty to those areas and youre going to exacerbate a very difficult humanitarian situation, Olson said There are very active criminal organizations operating in those areas that specialize in moving migrants, and they are going to certainly take advantage of the situation. Q: What happens once theyre here? Once on U.S. soil, either legally at a crossing or caught illegally, an immigrant claiming fear of persecution back home is interviewed to assess whether that fear is credible. Those who pass that screening are given a court date, often years in the future, at which they can make their case for asylum. Those found not to have a credible fear are put into expedited deportation proceedings. Most immigrants waiting for asylum proceedings are let out of detention, often with tracking devices. The Trump administration, however, has sought to be able to detain immigrants for longer and to move their cases through faster. Q: Is the U.S. preparing for their arrival? The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment about preparations for the caravan. In a statement, Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said the U.S. would work with other countries to prosecute criminal organizations that prey on migrants. Ur Jaddou, a former counsel at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Obama administration who now works for pro-immigration advocacy group Americas Voice, said the administration should be getting ready. Instead, Jaddou said, Trump is stoking fear, tweeting about it. ... Hes using this to scare people rather than seeing it as, We have a problem, we should address it appropriately, as a good government should do. Q: What are the migrants chances of being granted asylum? Historically, roughly 80 percent of migrants pass their initial credible-fear interview, but fewer end up winning their legal case for asylum. To stay in the U.S., asylum seekers must prove to an immigration court that they are being persecuted for something they cannot change, and that their government is unable or unwilling to protect them. Q: What has changed, if anything, under Trump? The administration has made it even more difficult for many Central Americans to win asylum. Jeff Sessions has used his unique authority as attorney general to overrule the immigration courts appellate body and reinterpret asylum law more narrowly. Sessions ruled this summer that most victims of domestic and gang violence dont qualify for asylum, a decision over which California has sued the administration. But the right to claim asylum is not something the Trump administration can change by itself. That is enshrined in both domestic and international law, and would require legislation in Congress to change. Q: What about families and children? Laws and court settlements require that immigrant children be held in custody for only short periods either three days by themselves or 20 days as part of a family. Children who arrive alone must be handed over to the Department of Health and Human Services, which runs a shelter network that houses the children until they can be placed with an adult in the U.S. The Trump administration separated more than 2,500 families to prosecute the parents this spring, then backtracked amid an international outcry. Since June, families caught crossing the border illegally have been held and processed together and most have been released into the U.S. with monitoring if they pass their asylum interview. Tal Kopan is the San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: tal.kopan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TalKopan Julian Castro sounds like someone who is going to run for president in 2020. The former Obama administration secretary of housing and urban development and ex-mayor of San Antonio has a new memoir out, created a super PAC and has been touring the country on behalf of Democratic candidates. It was during Castros visit to Iowa this month that GOP Rep. Steve King, who has a history of racially insensitive remarks, tweeted that Castro and his twin brother, Texas Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro, took Spanish lessons to qualify as retroactive Hispanics. It is a charge that Castro has heard before, he told The Chronicles Its All Political podcast. When he was being vetted as a potential running mate for Hillary Clinton in 2016, he said, some pundits asked, Why would you select Julian Castro? He doesnt fluently speak Spanish. As though thats the only thing thats going to matter to folks, specifically to the Hispanic community. Its just a very one-dimensional, uninformed view of what moves a community. Clinton ultimately chose Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, who is not Latino but speaks fluent Spanish. Theres no one way to categorize whether you are Latina or Latino, Castro said on Its All Political. Its not just, Do you fluently speak Spanish? Or, Do you have brown skin? People come in all different colors, from different countries, national origins and abilities to speak Spanish. I think the problem with a lot of even the political mainstream media is that they tend to reduce it to that, Castro said. Castro will be in the Bay Area this week, talking about his new memoir, An Unlikely Journey: Waking Up from My American Dream, at 7 p.m. Thursday at Dominican University. And hell be at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco at noon on Friday. Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli My sincerest condolences to you and your family, began the rental companys July email to 61-year-old San Francisco resident Elizabeth Keith. Her husband, Randy, had recently died from lung cancer. Now, the landlord was informing her that her rent would quadruple to market rate because her late husbands name was on the lease not hers. The only way she could keep her current rent was by proving she lived in the Parkmerced apartment before the Costa-Hawkins act, which governs Californias rental laws, went into place on Jan. 1, 1996. Keith believed she moved in with Randy in 1995, but she couldnt remember exactly. So she began digging through old boxes, searching for proof. Supervisor Hillary Ronen wants to end scenarios like Keiths. She plans to introduce legislation Tuesday that would make it easier for surviving family members or domestic partners who were never added to the lease to argue against such rent increases. Under Ronens proposal, surviving tenants would only have to prove they had lived in the unit for two or more years. But theres a catch: Before the legislation could go into effect, state Proposition 10, which would repeal Costa-Hawkins, needs to pass in November. Im hoping that the more people who pay attention closer to the election and learn about it, the more they are going to see how it impacts their own life and how they could benefit from repealing Costa-Hawkins, Ronen said. Costa-Hawkins prevents cities from expanding rent control to any housing built after 1995. If a tenant cant prove they lived there before Jan. 1, 1996, Costa-Hawkins also allows landlords to increase the rent on a tenant when the original occupant no longer lives there, no matter the circumstance of the vacancy. Opponents of Proposition 10 say if local governments want to protect surviving family members from rent increases, they should push for changes to the law through the Legislature, not by a blanket repeal at the ballot. You dont solve a specific problem with a sweeping initiative that has all types of adverse consequences, said Steven Maviglio, a spokesman for the No on Prop. 10 campaign. Legislating by anecdote is not good public policy. A recent poll of likely voters by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California shows the measure lagging 48 percent to 36 percent. But, if it does pass, local governments would be able to craft their own rental laws. By introducing the legislation Tuesday, Ronen is hoping to get a head start on protecting tenants whose roommates are both their loved ones and the lease holders if they pass away. If Prop. 10 passes it is going to take a while to develop a balanced piece of legislation that takes into account everyones interests in the city, she said. But she said creating protections for this category of tenants is a slam-dunk piece of legislation because its outrageous. It is difficult to say how many city residents have faced such circumstances, because the San Francisco Rent Board doesnt keep that specific data, said Robert Collins, executive director of the board. Collins said it is more common for roommates to come before the Rent Board and argue they are entitled to the same rent after the original lease holder moves out. Ronens legislation would apply only to surviving family members or domestic partners. James Barker, 69, who lives in the Mission District, is now going through this process with the rent board. Even though he lived with his partner for more than 30 years, he was never on the lease. Two days after his partner died in August, Barker got three notices from the landlord increasing the rent from about $2,000 to $4,300. Its nerve-wracking and Im stressed out, he said late last week, after spending most of the day speaking to a lawyer about how he could prove he has lived there since before Costa-Hawkins. Deepa Varma, executive director of the San Francisco Tenants Union, said she sees these types of cases all the time. Some tenants are able to prove theyve lived in the home long enough if they have records and thorough accounting. But if they dont, they are at great risk of losing their home, she said. Luckily, Keith, whose husband died last year, has a hobby of making scrapbooks. After digging through some boxes and old scrapbooks, she found a postcard that Randy had written her in 1994. It was addressed to Keith, at their Parkmerced home. After showing her landlord the postcard and life insurance paperwork that she later found, she was able to avoid the rent increase. But if she never happened to stumble upon these documents, Keith said she would have had to find someplace else to live. I had no idea where I was going to go, she said. Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani The previews for Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Netflixs new take on Archie Comics teen witch Sabrina Spellman, look spooktacularly American Gothic, down to the white Peter Pan colors and shirt dresses worn by star Kiernan Shipka in the title role. The series, which begins streaming Friday, Oct. 26, has departed radically from Melissa Joan Harts sunny take on the teenage witch almost 20 years ago. But in a world of television awash in Ryan Murphy high-concept art direction and the brooding styles of the teens on Riverdale, its no surprise the fashion in the new series looks like Charles Addams illustrations (The Addams Family) as interpreted by fashion designer Raf Simons. As Sally Draper on AMCs Mad Men and Bette Davis daughter dearest B.D. on Feud, Shipka learned how to work a period costume. Were excited to see how the show balances teenage preppy classics with more witchy realness touches on Shipka, the latest in a long line of pop culture fashion witches. Here are a few of the most memorable. THE ORIGINALS Paramount / Walt Disney Productions The Wicked Queen, Snow White That cowl, those cheekbones: Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the most fashion-y witch of all? Lucille La Verne in the 1937 Disney classic. Margaret Hamilton, Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz Hamiltons green face and leg of mutton sleeves are now classic examples of ugly-as-beautiful ironic fashion, contrasting the fluffy organza on Glinda the Good (Billie Burke), whose gown was recycled from the earthquake film drama San Francisco. WITCHY GLAMAZONS Archive Photos / Getty Images Veronica Lake as Jennifer, I Married a Witch Lakes signature peekaboo hairstyle and 1940s film noir dame curves make her resurrected Salem sorceress as much a vamp as a witch. Kim Novak as Gillian Holroyd, Bell Book and Candle Novaks Greenwich Village bohemian in the 1958 film is a funky, beatnik fashion witch we could easily imagine popping into the new season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel if it took a supernatural turn. SUBVERSIVE WITCH CHIC Disney Maleficent, Sleeping Beauty This witch (voiced by Eleanor Audley) is one part medieval art, one part the episode of I Love Lucy where Lucy gets a fake Paris couture dress and hat (that horn headdress!) all bathed in the moondust of Maleficents sick, silver complexion. Angelina Jolies live-action remake need not apply. Agnes Moorehead as Endora, Bewitched Samantha is lovely, but its her mother, Endora, in her diva caftans, negligees and Pucci who was the real fashion powerhouse on the 1964 series. And she wouldnt let any mortal man boss her around, double win. HIGH WITCH DRAMA Ursula the Sea Witch, The Little Mermaid The zaftig, tentacled sea witch voiced by Pat Carroll was actually based on drag queen Divine in her original concept art. And from her fat-and-fabulous-figure to that signature eye shadow, drag queens have been inspired by her in return. Anjelica Huston, Grand High Witch Eva Ernst, The Witches That German accent and those Balmain-power-goddess meets Bonfire of the Vanities black frocks are so good theyve turned the corner back to evil. Just be careful when she takes off her shoes and gloves. FANTASY WITCHES Walt Disney Company/ABC Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as Winnifred, Sarah and Mary Sanderson, Hocus Pocus These sisters bring back crushed velvet, corsets and capes as the three OTHER sisters weird who vow to suck the lives out of the children of Salem in this Disney cult classic film (1993) that was, shockingly, intended for kids. Tilda Swinton as Jadis the White Witch, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Tilda Swinton is so startling and alien beautiful as the icy enchantress they should rename this 2005 film The Witchs Wardrobe: Who cares about the Lion? 90s GRUNGE REBELS STF / Fox Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Nancy (Fairuza Balk), Sarah (Robin Tunney) Bonnie (Neve Campbell) and Rochelle (Rachel True), The Craft So many angsty 90s teens (of both genders) painted their nails black, studded their pleated skirts and put on the full face of Goth maquillage after this seminal hit that the fashion crowd has never gotten over the 1996 film. Give me more Fairuza Balk! (fashion-forward witch Nancy in the film) is a thing in the right coven circles. Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina Spellman, Sabrina the Teenage Witch This 1996 Sabrina is a watered-down Clarissa Darling (Harts other 90s TV character) and Beverly Hills, 90210 hybrid. Shes sweet to balance out the weirdos of The Craft, but also a little boring. NEW MILLENNIUM WITCH REALNESS Netflix/Diyah Pera/Netflix The witches of American Horror Story: Coven From Grace Coddington look-alike witch Myrtle Snow (Frances Conroy) to Emma Roberts ingenue from hell (literally) Madison Montgomery, Lou Eyrichs costumes for the coven make them look like theyre trying to raise the spirit of Balenciaga himself. Kiernan Shipka as Sabrina Spellman, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina From what weve seen, we love the characters nods to traditional teenage style tropes, all with an edge that takes Sabrina from supernatural schoolgirl to glamorous style spellcaster. Were hoping the 2018 show continues to enchant with its vintage mixing and dark, broody palette perfect for effortless style when summoning the dark lords to do your bidding. Tony Bravo is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tbravo@sfchronicle.com An Iowa senator is doing a slow burn over the high cost of keeping coffee piping hot at Travis Air Force Base near Fairfield, Calif. Fox News reported Monday that Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley questioned the procurement of dozens of beverage tumblers for the base's 60th Aerial Squadron at a cost of nearly $56,000 over three years. The cups, used aboard cargo aircraft, have the ability to reheat liquids. Grassley wrote Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson on Oct. 2 demanding an explanation of the purchase, which included 25 cups for $32,000, or $1,280 each, in 2018 alone. A design flaw in the container causes the handle to break easily if the cup is dropped, according to the squadron. Replacement handles are not available, so a whole new cup had to be purchased. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson told Grassley in a letter that, overall, the Air Force has spent $326,785 on 391 cups since 2016. Wilson said the Air Force has recently devised an inexpensive 3D replacement handle fix. Wilson told Grassley the water heaters are in used in KC-10, C-5 and C-17 aircraft. RELATED: The Air Force's $10,000 toilet cover Wilson acknowledged the wastefulness in her letter, which Grassley released Friday. "It is simply irresponsible to spend thousands of dollars on manufactured parts when we have the technology available to produce them ourselves," she wrote. But Grassley faulted the initial cost of the cup as excessive. "While I appreciate that the Air Force is working to find innovations that would help save taxpayer dollars, it remains unclear why it cannot find a cheaper alternative to a $1,280 cup," he said. "Government officials have the responsibility to use taxpayer dollars efficiently. Too often, that's not the case. I intend to pursue this issue further." Fox News said it attempted to reach the manufacturer of the hot cups, G&H Aerospace, an Arizona defense contractor. An email seeking comment was not immediately returned and a man who answered the phone at the firm's office Monday afternoon said "we have no comment" and hung up, Fox reported. A massive fire at a large residential construction site early Tuesday in West Oakland the East Bays sixth major conflagration at a housing development in a little more than two years has renewed concerns that a serial arsonist is targeting projects across the region. That suspicion was fueled by a second discovery Tuesday morning: a gas can, rag, match, hammer and the remnants of an intentionally set fire that burned itself out 10 blocks away at an under-construction apartment complex not far from the Oakland-Emeryville border. Oakland and nearby cities have been on high alert ever since video footage captured a hooded bicyclist sneaking past two security guards and a network of cameras to ignite a blaze that leveled a $35 million Emeryville residential complex in May 2017 the second time that site was targeted in 10 months. In April of this year, surveillance cameras captured a hooded arsonist in Concord scaling a fence to start a $55 million blaze before making off in the night. That fire required 250 people to be evacuated from nearby apartments. The series of fires has sent developers scrambling to ramp up security to protect their projects, and has fueled speculation that the attacks have been motivated by anger at rising housing costs and gentrification. We feel this is the act of a cowardly urban terrorist, an individual or group of individuals that come by and torch these buildings in the middle of the night, said Greg McConnell, head of the Jobs & Housing Coalition, a group of large Oakland developers. Todd Trumbull The blazes have disturbed developers and elected officials, but theyve also terrified neighbors whove awakened in the middle of the night to sirens or someone banging at their doors and telling them to get out. Yes, Im irritated, said Cindy Davis, 57, who was awakened at 2 a.m. to find a sky full of flaming embers, one of which ignited a small fire that charred the corner of her roof. Tuesdays blaze at West Grand Avenue and Filbert Street was the second time that site has caught fire, according to an email obtained by The Chronicle. A smaller fire on April 29 was quickly extinguished, but it prompted a senior Fire Department official to warn superiors that the site was so poorly secured it was at risk of becoming a total loss. Six of the propertys nine buildings were destroyed Tuesday. Mayor Libby Schaaf stopped short of calling the destructive fire on West Grand a case of arson, but she hinted at other fires that have incinerated developments in Oakland, Emeryville and Concord. We are calling on everyone to be vigilant, to look out for this needed construction of housing and ensure that its built safely, Schaaf said. We call on everyone who lives around construction sites to monitor those sites, to call 911 if they see anything suspicious. She added: An attack on new housing in Oakland is an attack on keeping families housed in Oakland. Reports of Tuesdays three-story-complex fire came in around 1:59 a.m., said Nick Luby, a deputy fire chief with the Oakland Fire Department. Its just a big pile of kindling, Luby said of the construction site. Small timber, it just grows quite quickly. Investigators from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were assisting Oakland firefighters in their investigation of the blaze. An email shows investigators were previously aware of a small fire reported at the site April 29 in a first-floor stairwell of Ice House, a development of all-electric townhomes. The missive raised alarms about the lack of security cameras, a lone security guard and the lack of secure fencing to keep out intruders and squatters. Fire Chief Darin White acknowledged Tuesday that a fire had taken place at the project in April, but he said he was unaware of anyone expressing security concerns about the property. Phil Kerr, CEO of City Ventures, the projects developer, also confirmed the April fire. He said security cameras were installed six months ago but did not say whether it was in response to the fire officials concerns. Kerr said just one security guard was on site Tuesday morning but that he will triple that along with completing a full security assessment for the site. He said the fire, regardless of the cause, will not stop construction of the project. Fifty of the units have been sold, he said, and families were prepared to move in before the end of the year. Were resolute, Kerr said. Well continue to work toward building the homes that we set out to build. Four of the six buildings burned Tuesday were in the early stages of construction and completely destroyed, Luby said. A firefighter who suffered a leg injury while battling the blaze was taken to the hospital and listed in stable condition. A total of 90 firefighters responded. Nearly 30 residents in nearby homes were evacuated, and Pacific Gas & Electric Co. shut off power in the area due to the threat of flames reaching power lines and transformers, Luby said, leaving 2,000 people without power. Flying embers filled the early-morning sky, and ignited a nearby home on the 3600 block of Isabella Street. I came outside and the whole sky was raining fire, Davis said. The corner of my roof caught fire from the falling debris. To see fire coming out of the sky like that, it was unbelievable. The fires on her roof, and a home down the street, were quickly contained. Jessica Molina, 20, woke up about 2 a.m. to a womans screams outside her home warning neighbors of a fire. When I woke up, I was just like, Whoa, what happened, Molina said, clutching her black Maltese-mix dog, Snickers. Hearing that in the middle of the night was kind of scary, especially for the little ones and my dog. Twenty-two condos were expected to be ready by a December move-in date, and a total of 126 units were expected to be completed within a year and a half, according to the website for developer City Ventures. In addition to a security guard, City Ventures had 15 security cameras live-streaming when the fire occurred, officials said. Developers across the East Bay have started equipping their projects with video cameras, heat and motion detectors, tall fencing, alarms, bright lights and 24-hour security guards, officials said. Some developers have also started using fire-retardant products The Jobs and Housing Coalition said in July that members have quadrupled their spending on security since the blazes that occurred at developments in Oakland, Emeryville and Concord. McConnell, the coalitions chief executive officer, said Tuesday that some developers are spending as much as $60,000 a month to secure individual construction sites. The group has offered a $300,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of residential construction site arsonists in Oakland and Emeryville. Schaaf urged residents with information to call the citys anonymous arson tip line at 510-238-4031. San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Kimberly Veklerov contributed to this report. Sarah Ravani and Michael Cabanatuan are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com, mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani, @ctuan One hundred and seventy-two years ago, the first rescue crew arrived at Donner Lake, encountering a scene of carnage that still shocks all this time later. Of the 89 men, women and children who entered the Sierra Nevada Mountains in October 1846, only 49 made it out the other side to safety. The Donner Party, led by George Donner and James F. Reed, were victims of bad luck and bad leadership. Yahoo has agreed to pay $50 million in damages and provide two years of free credit-monitoring services to 200 million people whose email addresses and other personal information were stolen as part of the biggest security breach in history. The restitution hinges on federal court approval of a settlement filed late Monday in a 2-year-old lawsuit seeking to hold Yahoo accountable for digital burglaries that occurred in 2013 and 2014, but werent disclosed until 2016. It adds to the financial fallout from a security lapse that provided a mortifying end to Yahoos existence as an independent company and former CEO Marissa Mayers six-year reign. Yahoo revealed the problem after it had already negotiated a $4.83 billion deal to sell its digital services to Verizon Communications. It then had to discount that price by $350 million to reflect its tarnished name and other potential costs of the breach. Verizon will now pay for one half of the settlement cost, with the other half paid by Altaba Inc., a company set up to hold Yahoos investments in Asian companies and other assets. Altaba already paid a $35 million fine imposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission for the delay in disclosing the breach. About 3 billion Yahoo accounts were hit by hackers that included some linked to Russia by the FBI. The settlement reached in federal court in San Jose covers about 1 billion of those accounts held by an estimated 200 million people in the U.S. and Israel from 2012 through 2016. Claims for a portion of the $50 million fund can be submitted by any eligible Yahoo account holder who suffered losses resulting from the security breach. The costs can include such things as identity theft, delayed tax refunds or other problems linked to having personal information pilfered by hackers. The fund will compensate Yahoo account holders at a rate of $25 per hour for time spent dealing with issues arising from the security breach, according to the preliminary settlement. Those with documented losses can ask for up to 15 hours of lost time, or $375. Those who cant document losses can file claims seeking up to five hours, or $125, for their time spent dealing with the breach. Yahoo account holders who paid $20 to $50 annually for a premium email account will be eligible for a 25 percent refund. The free credit monitoring service from AllClear could end up being the most valuable part of the settlement. The lawyers representing the account holders pegged the retail value of AllClears credit-monitoring service at $15 per month. The lawyers for Yahoos account holders praised the settlement, given the uncertainty of what might have happened had the case headed to trial. Estimates of damages caused by security breaches vary widely, with experts asserting the value of personal information held in email accounts can range from $1 to $8 per account. Those figures suggest Yahoo could have faced a bill of more than $1 billion had it lost the case. A hearing to approve the preliminary settlement is scheduled for Nov. 29 before U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose. If approved, notices will be emailed to affected account holders and published in People and National Geographic magazines. Michael Liedtke is an Associated Press writer. So the corrupt Chicago city politicians want the city of Gary to stop shipping deportees out of Gary's airport. I guess that just because thousands of Illinois residents have moved into Indiana, that they can tell us how to conduct our affairs now. Those fools have enough of their own problems with corruption, crime, and a bankrupt government without sticking their noses in our business. Imagine a society in which everyone more or less agrees with you. You wake up in the morning to online greetings from people who share your views on guns, religion and country. Your news feed contains only posts from like-minded politicians or articles from like-minded news outlets. You can safely post your own comments without fear of vitriol from trolls or challenges from naysayers. This is the insular world in which tens of thousands of Americans who use conservative political apps are experiencing the midterm election season. Amid a chorus of conservative complaints that Facebook and YouTube have become hostile to right-leaning views and as those social media giants take steps to limit what they see as abusive or misleading viral content a few Republican consultants have begun building a parallel digital universe where their political clients set the rules. One startup has built an app for the lobbying arm of the National Rifle Association that has been downloaded more than 150,000 times. Supporters of President Donald Trump can download an app from Great America, a big-spending pro-Trump political action committee, or America First, Trumps official 2016 campaign app, which has some features that remain active. Many backers of Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas use Cruz Crew, an app built for his re-election campaign. The apps deliver curated partisan news feeds on what are effectively private social media platforms, free from the strictures and content guidelines imposed by Silicon Valley giants. Some allow supporters to comment on posts or contribute their own, with less risk that their posts will be flagged as offensive or abusive. Many apps have video-game-like features where users can earn points for making campaign donations or contacting their legislators. Amass enough points and a supporter can attain increasing status levels like BigLeague or Patriot or even gain a spot on the apps leader board. Crucially, these mini-platforms harness the powerful reach of platforms like Facebook and Twitter even while competing with them. Some apps give users the option of posting on Twitter or Facebook messages that are scripted by the campaigns, combining the seeming authenticity of organic social media posts with the message discipline of paid advertising. Proponents are positioning these apps as durable communities that offer conservatives viable alternatives to mainstream social networks. People with center-right views feel like the big social platforms, Facebook and Twitter, are not sympathetic to their views, said Thomas Peters, chief executive of uCampaign, a startup in Washington that developed the NRA, Great America and Trump campaign apps. Its creating a safe space for people who share a viewpoint, who feel like the open social networks are not fun places for them. Sheltered from the broader public, however, the platforms can intensify political polarization and social divisiveness, or circulate disinformation. Anyone in the United States may download uCampaign apps, Peters said, but they give a campaign the ability to bar interlopers who post messages challenging the campaigns positions. The Great America app juxtaposes a mix of enthusiastic posts about Trump and photos of puppies with anti-immigrant memes like Todays illegals, tomorrows Democrats. One recent post, with an image depicting nooses, read: Noose flash: Treason still punishable by death. The Great America app also hosts a ritual called Fake News Friday, in which it awards Trump points to users who post liberal-bashing, mainstream-media-trashing memes. Is this the beginning of the political Balkanization of digital engagement technologies? asked Michael Slaby, a communications strategist who oversaw technology for President Barack Obamas national campaigns. Given the tribalism of current American politics, its possible. Dan Backer, general counsel for the Great America PAC, said the app was a place for like-minded Trump supporters to socialize and entertain themselves. It has also enabled the campaign to quickly and inexpensively engage supporters. Since 2017, the Great America PAC has paid uCampaign about $108,000 for development and monthly service fees. Backer added that the apps user policy prohibits abusive comments and those that incite criminal activity. But, he said, I dont think we want to be in the business of trying to censor peoples political views. Democratic candidates have also used consumer-facing apps to promote their political campaigns and advocacy. But the main election apps currently used on the left such as MiniVAN, built by NGP VAN, a leading technology provider to Democrats are geared more narrowly for campaign volunteers engaging in door-to-door canvassing, an activity where they can woo and record details on individual voters. Many are not designed to create lasting social communities. This year, Democratic campaigns are also embracing peer-to-peer text messaging, a technology that may engage younger voters more than stand-alone candidate apps do. Not to be outdone, uCampaign recently started its own peer-to-peer texting platform, RumbleUp, for conservative campaigns. Peters, a Catholic blogger and former web developer, said he hadnt set out to become the go-to app maker for conservatives. In 2012, he was working as a conservative activist in Washington and grew frustrated with the success of the Obama campaigns digital outreach efforts. The Obama campaign had a smartphone app that supporters could use to follow campaign news, volunteer, canvas voters and promote campaign messages on social media. Mitt Romney, the Republican challenger, had an app whose central feature was a photo filter allowing supporters to take selfies with the slogan Im with Mitt. Peters was not impressed. It did not do the one thing I wanted it to do, he said, which was to help win the election for Mitt Romney by asking me to donate money to them, to post things to social media, to invite my friends and family to register to vote to do all of the things, basically, that the Obama app did. In 2014, Peters started uCampaign with $150,000 in startup capital. The money came from Sean Fieler, president of the hedge fund Equinox Partners and a well-known donor to conservative groups. Since then, uCampaign has developed dozens of campaign apps, including for Republicans like Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland, the Republican National Committee and organizations like the Family Research Council, a Christian group that opposes abortion and same-sex marriage. Campaigns pay the company a one-time fee to develop an app and then monthly service fees. And the startup is spreading its tools globally to conservative political parties, anti-abortion groups, and other causes in Europe and countries including Canada and Australia. In the United States, apps developed by uCampaign have been downloaded more than 500,000 times. A Republican polling company, WPA Intelligence, is behind Cruzs campaign app. The NRA and Great America apps, which enable users to friend and message one another, have developed cultures with their own parlance and rituals. In their posts, users sometimes greet one another as deplorables or fellow patriots and refer to liberals as enemies, libtards or traitors. Conspiracy theories including memes against financier George Soros abound. The midterm elections are not about Democrats vs. Republicans but, as one NRA app poster put it, socialism vs. freedom. Outsiders, for their part, can keep out. Soon after a reporter for The New York Times contacted 10 users via the apps, a person with the user name Deplorable Dee posted on the Great America news feed: Troll Alert!!! New York Times asking for interviews, do not communicate with these libtards. Only one user, Ken Kumerle, a car rental agent in South Carolina who has earned more than 366,000 points on the NRA app, agreed to be interviewed for this article. They all seem very patriotic to me, Kumerle said of the members of the NRA app community. I go in every day and try to do something, post or send a tweet. The apps are being deployed as larger tech companies, such as Facebook and Google, are under scrutiny over how they share and secure their users data. Facebook, which is under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission for allowing third-party apps to obtain personal information about users friends, has taken steps to restrict what user data can be pulled off the platform. By tracking their users activities, political apps can collect a wealth of data about them and their social circles outside Facebooks control. Apps from uCampaign and WPA Intelligence, for instance, ask users for their name, address, phone number and email address. The apps from uCampaign may also collect user names and other details when users post campaign messages from the apps on Twitter or connect their Facebook accounts. Both uCampaign and WPA have ties to AggregateIQ, a political technology company based in Canada. AggregateIQ is under investigation by the British government over its handling of voters personal data and connections to the parent company of Cambridge Analytica, a voter profiling company that improperly harvested the information of millions of Facebook users. In 2016, AggregateIQ paid uCampaign to create the campaign app for Vote Leave, the secessionist side of the British referendum on leaving the European Union. More recently, WPA hired the Canadian company to develop the underlying software used in the Cruz app. The Times tested several of the apps privacy practices and found that, when a user invited a friend to join uCampaigns NRA app, the app did not send the friends information to itself or to other companies. But The Times found that a similar feature on WPAs Cruz app sent a friends contact details to an AggregateIQ domain. Chris Wilson, chief executive of WPA Intelligence, said his company, not AggregateIQ, received and controlled app users information. Some political apps, including from uCampaign, also ask users who want to send friends campaign messages to share their contacts. If a user agrees, the app can try to match the contacts to profiles of likely voters, using information provided by a political campaign. As an example, Peters, the chief executive, described how the Trump app in 2016 was able to match 68 of his 900 contacts to voters in swing states. It asked me to send a text to my mom in Michigan saying, Only Trump has a plan to repeal Obamacare,' Peters said. But it asked me to send an email to a friend in Florida saying that only Trump has a plan to build the wall.' Peters turned some of those features, like inviting friends, into a way for users to collect points and gain status within the group. He began incorporating gamelike features into his companys apps in 2014 as a way to get supporters to participate in political activities. In July, for instance, the NRA app began offering users 100 points for tweeting a slogan urging their senators to support Judge Brett Kavanaughs confirmation to the Supreme Court. The messages have since been have tweeted more than 13,300 times. The Cruz app similarly awards points to users for tweeting campaign messages, volunteering and taking part in other activities. The Obama campaign proved, and Democrats continue to prove, the value of continuously engaging supporters via an app like this, said Wilson of WPA Intelligence, the company behind the Cruz app. It is critical Republicans keep up with tools of our own. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Global business leaders may have stayed away, but Saudi Arabias flagship investment conference started the day with a crowd. And even as attendees squeezed in to hear speeches, they checked their phones for news about Jamal Khashoggis death. As the Future Investment Initiative began Tuesday at Riyadhs Ritz-Carlton hotel, an hour-long jam snarled traffic near the venue. Men in suits hopped out of their air-conditioned cars to walk the final stretch in the sun, watched over by black-uniformed royal guards with machine guns. The first session was so crowded that some were standing outside. Mohammed bin Salman, the 33-year-old crown prince whose leadership of the desert kingdom has become a lighting rod for international criticism, made an appearance at the event. As word of his arrival spread, people rushed for a place in the hall, standing and craning their necks to catch a glimpse. He entered smiling and sat in the front row, next to King Abdullah of Jordan, as the Spanish founder of Formula E discussed hosting an auto race in the Saudi capital. The conference was planned to be the stage for showcasing new ventures and unveiling billion-dollar contracts in front of the worlds business elite, but the killing of Khashoggi, the Washington Post columnist and critic of the government, prompted dozens of finance and business leaders to withdraw. After two weeks of denials, the kingdom acknowledged on Saturday that Khashoggi was killed inside its consulate in Istanbul. Many of those from the West at the conference are expats living in the region. The crowd was more Saudi and Emirati than last year, when the Crown Prince unveiled plans for a robot-staffed Red Sea city and executives of the kingdoms Public Investment Fund mingled with Wall Street figures like Larry Fink and Steve Schwarzman. (Fink and Schwarzman both pulled out of this years event.) The only U.S. bank CEO to attend was Ken Moelis of Moelis & Co., and the lobby was devoid of last years robots. Instead, people gawked at a sleek electric car from Lucid Motors. The Saudi sovereign investment fund signed an agreement in September to invest more than $1 billion in the Newark startup, months after building a stake in Elon Musks Tesla. Participants were given high-tech badges that were equipped to transfer contact information by touching them together until they lit up in green. Vivian Nereim, Javier Blas and Archana Narayanan are Bloomberg writers. Email: vnereim@bloomberg.net, jblas3@bloomberg.net, anarayanan16@bloomberg.net In January, Alaska Airlines announced it would follow in the footsteps of competitors in selling deeply discounted, fee-heavy and highly restrictive "basic economy" fares. Months later, the airline said it is ready to launch the product, and we're finally getting details of what its new "Saver Fares" will look like. At a glance, the new fares offer more flexibility than what other carriers are including in similar bargain basement tickets. The airline is telling travel agents it plans to begin selling the fares in November 2018 for travel beginning January 2019. Alaska told agents the fares might be available for sale on some flights in early December as the carrier slowly rolls out this new fare category. Here's how Alaska Air's new Saver fares come out slightly better when comparing the basic economy products offered by United, Delta and American Airlines: > Carry-on bag AND a personal item is included. Alaska's saver fare allows passengers to bring an roll-aboard that can be placed into the overhead bin, in addition to a personal item that can be placed under the seat in front of you. This carry-on policy falls in line with Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, but it is more generous than United's, which does not allow use of the overhead bins on basic economy tickets. On last week's quarterly earnings call, United's Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella said there are no plans to lift the overhead bin restriction. > Buy up to extra-legroom Premium Class. Alaska is teasing the ability for Saver fare customers to go online and buy-up from a Basic Economy seat to an extra-legroom seat closer to the front of the plane. That feature is expected to roll out in the first quarter of 2019. United, Delta and American's basic economy fares don't allow passengers to spend a little extra to get a guaranteed better seat. > Elite qualifying miles earned. This should be good news for members of Alaska's Mileage Plan program who plan to pursue elite status and still want to buy Saver fare tickets. Miles earned on these fares count towards building elite status with Alaska so a mile flown is a mile earned. United's basic economy fare will not let Premier members earn Premier Qualifying Miles/ Segments to count towards status. American AAdvantage fliers on basic economy tickets only earn half the Elite Qualifying Miles and Segments as they would on a non-basic economy ticket. Delta does allows SkyMiles members to earn Medallion Qualifying Miles, Segments and Dollars on its basic economy fares but totals can vary wildly depending on how deep the discount is for tickets. We want to warn you, though, these Saver fares aren't for everyone. They are highly restrictive with many travel caveats that may not be right for all travelers, especially business travelers: > No same-day changes, and no standing by for earlier or later flights. You fly when you're ticketed to fly. The rule isn't waived for Mileage Plan elites either. > Seats are assigned at check-in, and there's no guarantee people traveling together will be seated next to each other. Alaska warns families flying together shouldn't choose this fare if they plan on being close to one another on flights. So if you are flying with young children and need to be close to them, choose another fare category. Earlier this year, travel bloggers expressed hope Alaska would allow fliers buying basic economy tickets the ability to pre-select seats, but it appears that is not the case. Sign up here for twice weekly email updates on fare deals, travel news and advice from TravelSkills on SFGate! Alaska Airlines > You board last, and overhead bin space is no guarantee. While the airline will allow basic economy fliers to bring a roll-aboard, Alaska warns overhead bin space will be "first come, first served." Mileage Plan elite members are exempt from this restriction, and will be allowed to board in their priority group allowing them to get onto the plane faster to snatch up coveted overhead bin space. > No free upgrades, or mileage upgrades. Mileage Plan elites will not be eligible for complimentary upgrades to First or Premium Class when flying on a Saver fare ticket. Fliers can't cash in miles either to upgrade to a better seat. > No shows forfeit tickets. Alaska warns if you don't show up for your first flight on a Saver fare ticket, the entire itinerary is forfeited. Overall, Alaska's Saver fare offering falls pretty close in line with the domestic U.S. basic economy restrictions of United, American and Delta. JetBlue Airways will soon jump on the basic economy bandwagon when it unveils a no-frills fare category in 2019. When buying these fares, read the restrictions carefully, since they differ so much between carriers. It may make more since to spend the extra money for a flight without all the caveats. Do you use these relatively new basic economy fares? Why or why not? Please leave your thoughts in the comments. TravelSkills on SFGate is brought to you by Visa . See More Collapse Read all recent TravelSkills posts here Get twice-per-week updates from TravelSkills via email! Sign up here Chris McGinnis is the founder of TravelSkills.com. The author is solely responsible for the content above, and it is used here by permission. You can reach Chris at chris@travelskills.com or on Twitter @cjmcginnis. This article, In farm country, forget broadband. You might not have internet at all, originally appeared on CNET.com. This is part of CNET's "Crossing the Broadband Divide" series exploring the challenges of getting internet access to everyone. A year ago, Cathy Hansen got the kind of breakup letter everyone dreads. Her internet provider was shutting down service in her area in the next couple of months. "We do apologize for the inconvenience this interruption of service may cause and wish you the best in finding a new internet service provider," the Cumberland Telephone Company said as it suggested satellite and cellular companies as possible alternatives. This may not be a big deal for many Americans who have multiple, affordable options when it comes to broadband, but Hansen didn't have that luxury. Alternatives like satellite-based HughesNet have problems with lag time and are notoriously finicky in bad weather, while a cellular hotspot from a carrier like Verizon offers too small a data cap. None of the smaller telephone companies near her home in Iowa wanted to invest the millions needed to wire the area with fiber. "We literally searched and searched for an Internet provider," says Hansen, a retired teacher who lives on the outskirts of Atlantic, a southwest Iowa town with a population of about 7,000. "It was horrible." Hansen, whose husband relies on an Internet-based phone for work, and her neighbors were stuck -- while people in nearby areas, including other Cumberland customers, had zippy fiber connections. This corner of Iowa, where I grew up, isn't alone. While US carriers are busy promising super-speedy 5G wireless service, pockets of the country still have slow or even no internet. In many rural areas, there are only one or two providers, and the service available is pricey and spotty. Hospitals, schools and other critical groups don't have fast-enough internet to function. Federal and state governments have provided billions of dollars to companies to build out speedy fiber networks, but outdated and undetailed maps make it tough to identify areas in need. For many people in the rural US -- from stretches of Kansas to vast swaths of Alaska -- it's like living in an undeveloped nation when it comes to internet connectivity. "It doesn't matter if you have access to the greatest content in the world if you can't get to it," says Tom Ferree, the head of Connected Nation, a nonprofit focused on expanding high-speed internet availability in the US. "Make no mistake, a divide still exists." Speed divide Perhaps nowhere is this divide more evident than in Iowa. Over the past decade, tech giants like Apple, Facebook, Google and Microsoft have built massive new data centers in Iowa. They rely on those facilities to store information about their services and customers and relay the data at lightning-fast speeds. In February, US News & World Report ranked Iowa as the best state in the country, partly because of its infrastructure and broadband access. But not everyone has access. Take my birthplace of Cass County, located in the southwest part of Iowa, about halfway between Des Moines and Omaha, Nebraska. It's a large farming area, and some of the towns have as few as 100 people. Population density matters because it determines whether an internet company will invest in building out its network or if it will stick to its traditional borders. With a density of about 24.7 people per square mile, Cass County isn't attracting many broadband suitors. By comparison, New York County's population density is nearly 69,500 people per square mile. The airport in Atlantic -- the biggest town in the county, as well as where I graduated from high school and where Hansen lives -- just got broadband speeds this year. Prior to that, its download speeds consistently waned below 1 Mbps, which is way too slow for the pilots and visitors trying to watch movies or update their GPS maps. "If you've never experienced that, you don't understand it," says Lori Reid, who, with her husband, runs the Atlantic Municipal Airport. "It was embarrassing. ... You don't want [people to think] that we're a bunch of country hicks." The problem runs deeper than the willingness of ISPs to move into new areas. When the Federal Communications Commission in 2015 changed the definition of broadband to 25 megabits per second for download speeds, up from 4 Mbps, it found that 55 million Americans, or 17 percent of the population, lacked access to advanced services. The following year, the FCC concluded that percentage of underserved Americans had dropped to 10 percent. 5G, meanwhile, promises speeds exceeding 1 Gbps. Yes, gigs. In its most recent report, from February, the FCC said that as of the end of 2016, 24 million Americans, or 7.7 percent of the overall population, still lacked broadband internet speeds. That's about equal to the populations of the country's eight biggest cities -- New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio and San Diego -- combined. Some people who live outside Atlantic in southwest Iowa didn't have access to quick internet speeds. Shara Tibken/CNET The reality is that 80 percent of the 24 million people still without broadband are located in rural parts of the US. And experts say today's figures are almost certainly inaccurate because of faulty maps. "The current [broadband coverage] map is a nightmare," says Christopher Ali, an assistant professor in the University of Virginia's Department of Media Studies and a former FCC employee who's writing a book about rural broadband policy. Blame the agency's mapping policies for muddying things. Internet service providers twice a year have to give the FCC what's called Form 477 data that details coverage areas and speeds. But the FCC doesn't check the data; it just relies on the ISP to report accurate information. And the speeds ISPs have to list are what their advertised maximum speeds are, not necessarily the everyday reality. Pricing data is kept confidential, which means broadband speeds may be available but at very high rates. An even bigger issue: If even one home in a census block -- the smallest geographic area used by the US Census Bureau -- can get broadband service, the entire area is considered served. In rural areas, that home may be the only place with internet service for miles around. "Form 447 doesn't help us at all," Ali says. "It just creates this wildly distorted image of a competitive broadband ecosystem that doesn't exist." To fiber or not to fiber It's in that environment that Wendy Hansen (no relation to Cathy) found out that Cumberland had stopped offering her internet service. Because Wendy Hansen, her husband and brother-in-law run their 3H Customs business -- which sells fertilizer to farmers -- from home, she had to find a solution, and fast. Wendy Hansen ended up buying a 4G LTE hub from Verizon Wireless, but blew through her cap in the first week. Hansen returned the hub and then relied on her phone's hotspot, along with its 15GB of data allowance, even less than what she had with the hub. Her two children had to use their own hotspots when doing homework, and she'd also tap into the data from the three cellular iPads owned by the family. "It's difficult because you know you have to get work done, but you've only got this much data to use," she says. "I found myself going into businesses in town when I had to download something and connecting to the free internet they had to download things." Her situation underscores how ill-suited cellular service is as an alternative to fixed-line broadband. Coverage can be spotty, and even if it's available, data caps mean you won't be binging shows online anytime soon. The FCC in its broadband deployment report in February said it still doesn't consider mobile to be a full substitute for fixed broadband services. The best option is a fiber-optic line straight into the home, but it isn't cheap. Building fiber to the home costs about $3,000 to $10,000 per customer -- or even higher in some cases, estimates Dave Duncan, CEO of the Iowa Communications Alliance, a group that represents more than 130 local telecom providers and pushes for access to "affordable and robust" broadband for all Iowans. Installing fiber is a costly process, particularly because of the labor needed to install the cables in the ground. Technically Awesome built its own network in southwest Iowa. Scott Bennett/Technically Awesome "If you're laying fiber and going from one town to the next, down a gravel road, it can be $10,000 a mile to lay the fiber," he says. The price of fiber cable itself has dropped, but labor costs remain high. While fiber may be the most expensive technology up front, it's still the most reliable, "best and cheapest long-term solution" for broadband, Duncan says. Other cheaper options include running fiber to a nearby tower that then beams the signal to homes (something called fixed wireless) or using co-ax or other cables to link homes to a nearby fiber-connected box called a node. The latter is favored by companies like Mediacom, one of the biggest cable and internet service providers in Iowa. It's one of the two major ISPs in Atlantic. Mediacom has 600,000 miles of fiber and 50,000 miles of co-ax spread across the US. Eventually, it may build fiber to every customer's home, but it doesn't think that will happen for at least five to 10 years, says J.R. Walden, Mediacom's chief technology officer. "Every year we stretch fiber ever closer to the customers," Walden says. But "I don't think fiber to the home is going to be necessary for the vast majority of Americans within the next five years." As for customers like Cathy and Wendy Hansen who live a short distance outside of Mediacom's coverage area, they're out of luck. It's just too expensive for Mediacom to extend its network. "We look at homes right on the other side" of our coverage area, Walden says. "But if our capital investment has a 40-year [return on investment] it's hard to explain from a business standpoint." Subsidizing expansion In 2015, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad rolled out the "Connect Every Acre" initiative. For the first three years, the program mainly gave property tax breaks to ISPs going into areas lacking broadband service. In the first year, tax exemptions supported $16 million in projects, says Robert von Wolffradt, chief information officer for the state. By last year, the projects totaled $114 million. In those three years, they've covered 21,000 homes, 41 schools and 4,600 businesses with over 3,000 miles of fiber, he says. Starting early next year, Iowa also hopes to start awarding $1.3 million in grants. The proposal first has to pass the state legislature. The federal government also has made rural broadband a priority, with loans and grants distributed by the FCC and the US Department of Agriculture. Earlier this year, Congress allocated $600 million to the USDA for a new broadband pilot program, though the USDA hasn't yet decided the parameters for distributing the money. The FCC, meanwhile, will distribute up to $1.98 billion over 10 years as part of its Connect America Fund Phase II. "It's remarkable how much we've gotten done over the last 20 months to be able to solve this problem," FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said in an interview with CNET. "But there are many hard-to-serve parts of the country, and we want to make sure we are working as actively as we can to connect every single one of them." A big problem in Iowa, as in much of the US, is that not even the state government knows how much broadband coverage it truly has. Von Wolffradt in 2015 said that up to 60 percent of Iowa had high-speed internet and broadband connections, though coverage could be "spotty" in some areas. Today, it's unclear how much that level has changed. A 2015 broadband map of Iowa from nonprofit Connected Nation shows large swathes of the state without access to 25 Mbps download speeds. Iowa's broadband footprint has grown since then, but it's tough to know how much. That marked the last year of really reliable maps, experts say. Connected Nation "If anybody tells you exactly what the percentage is, we'd love to talk to them," von Wolffradt says. "I need to know exactly what it is we have and where we have it." He plans to talk to the state legislature this year about updating 2015's maps. "We would like to get to the point where every house, address, business, whatever it is, that part of the assessor listing would show what broadband access that property has," he says. "If we know that up front, we can incentivize those specific [underserved] areas and prioritize them above anything else the state is doing." Groups like Connected Nation have been pushing the FCC to collect better data from service providers, down to the street address, and analyze that to create footprints of service availability. It wants the data validated by third parties to figure out areas that need further investigation, and for in-field validation to take place before the maps are finally updated. "That data steers literally billions of dollars annually in subsidies," Connected Nation's Ferree says. "But we have to be smarter on how we spend the money. ... It comes down to data. Better maps will inform better investments and make it go where it needs to go." Taking a wrong turn Nearly a decade ago, the Cumberland Telephone Company knew it had to do something about its internet service. The copper lines running to the homes of its landline customers around the town of Cumberland, Iowa, were deteriorating, and it had to find a way to keep their internet running. Cumberland started looking at fiber in 2010 but then shifted its focus to a more economical fixed wireless service in 2012. For a $100,000 investment, the company could cover 100 homes, says Devan Amdor, the telephone company's plant manager. And it could extend far beyond its traditional landline borders, giving it new customers as far away as Winterset, a 70-mile drive from the town of Cumberland. The Cumberland Telephone Company in Cumberland, Iowa, rolled out fiber internet connections to all of its traditional landline customers. Shara Tibken/CNET It would cost $15,000 per mile, by contrast, to dig in the ground to install fiber. And Cumberland had 104 miles and 365 homes and businesses it had to cover in its traditional network. Seems like a no-brainer, right? Wrong. Vicki Adams, the Cumberland Telephone Company's office manager, called the decision to go wireless "a mistake." The company could only provide a maximum of 10 Mbps wireless speeds and that was if there were no hills or other interference. By the time the service got to Winterset, or even Cathy Hansen's home about 11 miles away from Cumberland, it was much slower. And the towers constantly had maintenance problems that were difficult and costly to fix. A tower in nearby Adair was struck by lightning only three days after being installed. It ended up being struck three times before Cumberland took it down a year later. "Wireless gets very expensive," Amdor says. "It's cheaper when you [initially] look at it, but it outdates itself in a couple of years." So the Cumberland Telephone Company turned back to fiber. Waiting for grants to be approved would delay the rollout by about two years, so the company decided to fund the operation on its own through investments it had made over the years. It ended up spending $2.6 million to install fiber in late 2016 and early 2017 to each home and business in its landline network. The move resembled what other companies considered after Google launched its big push with fiber in 2010. At the time, Google Fiber promised to be more than 100 times faster than what most Americans could access. ISPs in cities Google served lowered their prices and boosted speeds to compete. But in an illustration of the cost and difficulty of deploying fiber, Google in 2016 "paused" plans to roll out its internet service to new cities to explore other wireless options. Verizon also stopped rolling out its Fios fiber-optic internet service. Often, it's the smaller company with the narrower focus that's better equipped to handle specific rural areas. Cumberland, Iowa, has a population of about 250 people. Its main street is quiet on a summer day. Shara Tibken/CNET Cumberland's customers, for instance, now can choose among 25 Mbps for $65 a month, 50 Mbps for $85 a month or 100 Mbps for $105 a month. And that fee also includes their landline telephone service. My sister-in-law, Kim Tibken, runs her own graphic design business from her home outside Cumberland. Before the telephone company upgraded its line, uploading a full-page ad design would take her four hours and her family couldn't use its smart TV to watch videos. Her Amazon Echo's most common response to inquiries was, "Sorry, your internet connection isn't working right now. Please try again later." Now her internet is almost faster than mine in downtown San Francisco. "The service has sure changed since getting fiber-optic lines," she says. "It was a long time coming but was worth it in the end." When Cumberland turned on its fiber, though, it turned off most of its wireless towers, leaving customers like Cathy Hansen without any internet. Homegrown ISP When Cathy Hansen was about to lose her Cumberland internet service, she signed a contract with HughesNet. She was hopeful the satellite service would be zippy enough for her husband to place IP calls for work and for her to eventually teach English to children in China. She was wrong. "I really felt like I stepped back into the 1990s," she says. HughesNet, for its part, says that while satellite has some latency issues not common with cable or fiber, it typically doesn't impact what people do most often on the internet. "Satellite internet often is the best option for rural communities, which are unserved or underserved by cable or fiber," Peter Gulla, senior vice president of marketing at Hughes, said in a statement. Still, satellite didn't work for Cathy Hansen's needs. Frustrated, she eventually heard about a local business owner in town who specialized in IT and was starting his own broadband network. Scott Bennett had set up his IT company, Technically Awesome, after helping modernize the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic. When he learned about people who couldn't get internet service, he decided to lay his own fiber line and set up a fixed wireless service. "The objective is to get connectivity to people where it's not getting to currently," Bennett says. Scott Bennett of Technically Awesome set up his own broadband internet service by running fiber to a farm in Lewis, Iowa, and beaming the signal to customers nearby. Scott Bennett/Technically Awesome He installed fiber at a farm in Lewis, a town near Atlantic. That signal was then relayed back to Atlantic's water tower and beamed to customers on the edges of town that couldn't pick up other services. Too small and too new to navigate the byzantine federal grant system, Technically Awesome built the network on an initial $30,000 budget -- an amount that has now, less than a year later, about tripled. He funded the project from his life savings and from a loan from a Cass County economic development organization. "We thought we'd be able to serve a lot more people off the water tower than we've been able to," Bennett says. "We ended up with eight additional towers that really pushed the cost up." Technically Awesome turned on its network in March. It now covers about 200 square miles with the signals from its nine towers. Both Cathy and Wendy Hansen signed up, as did the Atlantic airport, the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce and about 100 other customers within the first eight months of service. The airport, which was regularly getting less than 1 Mbps speeds, now offers a 100 Mbps connection. By the end of this month, downtown Atlantic will be able to reach 500 Mbps download speeds. Still, Bennett knows Technically Awesome is likely only a temporary solution for his customers, not a long-term fix. He can't afford to compete with the incumbent providers, so he doesn't. He'll only set up internet service for people who can't get it elsewhere -- or businesses in downtown Atlantic that see expensive prices and slower speeds than they need. He estimates he has a five-year window before Verizon Wireless and other carriers will have fast-enough service to address the underserved Cass County homes. When that time comes, Technically Awesome will be out of the internet game. As for Cathy Hansen, her internet woes weren't completely over. The hilly landscape between her home and Technically Awesome's wireless tower hindered the internet signal and meant she had trouble streaming video and even loading certain Facebook pages. But then Technically Awesome put up another tower closer to her home, about six miles away, that fixed her problems. "We love Technically Awesome," Hansen says. "It did take a month or two to work out a few kinks, but it's working great now." Bennett, meanwhile, has finally connected most customers on his initial waiting list -- but the number of people who want his service continues to grow. "You can literally stand in one person's yard and get internet but this person over there can't," he says. "It's feast or famine." CNET's Maggie Reardon contributed to this report. 5G is your next big upgrade: Everything you need to know about the 5G revolution. NASA turns 60: The space agency has taken humanity farther than anyone else, and it has plans to go further. fac Officials with leading social media and tech companies, chastened by criticism that they failed to adequately respond to foreign influence campaigns on their platforms in the 2016 elections, are vowing to improve their efforts to detect and stop such efforts from affecting the U.S. midterm elections next month. But despite those promises and the resulting multi-million dollar investment, we've found that such efforts have fallen short this year, allowing inauthentic accounts and false information to proliferate on the most popular channels. The world's largest social media company, Facebook, recently gave us an inside look at its plans and New York offices. Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook's head of cyber security policy, has been described as the company's top "troll hunter." He leads Facebook's election security efforts, which have doubled staffing strength to 20,000 engineers, data science experts, threat intelligence experts and investigators in the past year. In an interview, Gleicher described how the company is using artificial intelligence software to spot 98% of inauthentic accounts, having removed 1.3 billion fake accounts in a six-month period; for context, Facebook has 2.23 billion active monthly users worldwide. "This is a really big team working on this problem," Gleicher explained. In advance of this year's midterm elections in the United States, Facebook officials say it has also expanded partnerships with federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI; built an election "war room" at its Menlo Park, California, headquarters to bring representatives of the company's various departments together in a single physical space to detect, analyze and remove fake accounts and pages quickly; rolled out free security tools for candidates and campaigns; and launched an ad transparency database to give the public insight into who's funding political ads on the platform. Facebook has experienced an evolution as to how seriously it takes influence campaigns on its platform. The company's founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, just two days after the 2016 election, flatly dismissed the idea that fake news on his platform played a role in swaying the election. "The idea that, you know, fake news on Facebook... influenced the election in any way, I think, is a pretty crazy idea, right?" Zuckerberg said during a live interview at the Techonomy Conference on Nov. 10, 2016. But this year, at a hearing before the House Energy & Commerce Committee on April 11, Zuckerberg told lawmakers he had changed his mind. "We didn't do enough to prevent these tools from being used for harm, as well. And that goes for fake news, foreign interference in elections," Zuckerberg said. Gleicher, in our interview, acknowledged the company's shortcomings. More for you What America's top CEOs donated to the midterm elections "We were too slow, and it meant we missed things. And what we've been focused on is making sure that doesn't happen. That's why this is such a high priority. That's why we're laser focus on this," he said. Voters, however, are dubious about the accuracy and truthfulness of the information they find on social media platforms. A NPR/Marist poll last month found 80 percent of Americans have "no confidence" or "not very much" confidence that what they read on Facebook is true. Meanwhile, Twitter officials say it is also stepping up election security by removing hundreds of accounts pretending to be "members of various state Republican parties" or that "appeared to originate in Iran." But it may fall far short. New research finds 89 percent of Twitter accounts that spread fake and conspiracy news in the 2016 election remained "active" earlier this year. Microsoft officials told the National Investigative Unit it blocked an attempted breach against two congressional candidates and launched a Defending Democracy program to help defend campaigns. In an interview at the National Election Security Summit in St. Louis in September, Homeland Security Under Secretary Chris Krebs responded to a question from Mark Albert about whether social media companies are doing enough to protect the elections from foreign influence. "I think there's no question - absolutely no question in my mind - that everybody is taking this problem, this challenge seriously - including the social media companies, Krebs said. Facebook is also taking seriously its PR blitz, paying for video ads describing the steps its taken to strengthen election security measures, and placing full-page ads in national newspapers explaining its efforts. Gleicher, Facebook's head of cyber security, said the ads are a "campaign to protect elections. This is a campaign to tackle this problem." But there is a limit to Facebook's transparency. In the interview, Gleicher would not disclose how many candidates or campaigns Facebook has warned could have been a target on its platform. When Albert pointed out a bright, illuminated sign on the adjacent wall that said, "Be Open," and asked whether Facebook was being as open and transparent as it could be on this topic, Gleicher responded: "We've been driven to be as open and transparent as we can be." "In any security space, you always have to be careful that whatever you're doing isn't playing into the hands of the threat actor ... So we have to be careful." A new governor. A new U.S. Senator. A dozen polarizing propositions. There's a lot to consider as this year's midterm elections creep closer for Californians. According to Secretary of State's voter report, a record number of Californians have pre-registered to vote 76 percent of those eligible to vote had registered as of Sept. 7, the highest proportion since the 1996 presidential election. In the Bay Area, the most recent voter registration numbers were as of Sept. 7, 2018 a more recent count will be available as of Nov. 2, 2018. Based on a comparison of 2018 and 2016's counts from September, it's clear that almost all of the Bay Area's counties are experiencing an increase in voter registration, in line with the rest of the state. RELATED: How to vote early in California Among the highest were Alameda, Napa, and Solano counties, with 5 percent, 4.35 percent and 4.2 percent increases, respectively. Check out the gallery above for the full voter registration breakdown of each Bay Area county. Sonoma County saw a 3.3 percent increase from the same point in 2016. There was only one Bay Area county that decreased in voter registration San Francisco. ALSO: Trump claims Californians are 'rioting' because of sanctuary cities Chris Medina, communications aide for Alex Padilla, said much of the increase can be attributed to the efforts made to pre-register students to vote. "It's become easier to vote, and there are more ways to do so," he said. It's more accessible than ever. Check out the Chronicle's 2018 voter guide here. In fact, more than 200,000 16 and 17-year-old Californians are pre-registered to vote, an initiative that has been building since Sept. 2016. In the Bay Area, Alameda County saw the largest number of pre-registrations. "Studies show that if you can get a young voter registered to vote in their first couple elections they're much more likely to be voters for the rest of their life," Padilla told SFGATE in Sept. 2018. "It's a good time to encourage them to be active citizens. Overall, if you look at who's not registered to vote, it tends to be working class communities, people of color and young people. Young people could represent the largest voting bloc in America if they registered to vote in higher rates. But they don't." SFGATE producer Alyssa Pereira contributed to this report. Check out Annie Vainshtein's latest stories here. Email her at avainshtein@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @annievain Those initiatives refer to the Cook County minimum wage and sick leave ordinance, which took effect in Evanston last year. However, many municipalities opted to not go along with the county increase, thus keeping the minimum wage in their town at the statewide rate of $8.25 per hour. BUFFALO, N.Y. When thousands of others fled the struggling Rust Belt city of Buffalo, refugees poured in to fill the void and invigorate the economy. Blighted blocks were tidied up by new arrivals from Iraq. Shops selling Ethiopian cuisine opened, and employers snapped up workers from Myanmar and South Sudan. More than 12,000 refugees arrived in the area in 10 years, helping stymie decades of dizzying population loss. But as the Trump administration throttles the flow of refugees into the United States and the president increases his anti-immigration rhetoric ahead of the midterm elections, Buffalo and other cities that rely on the new arrivals are beginning to feel the pinch. The number of refugees coming into Buffalo now is stalled and that hurts not only my business, but other businesses in town, said Larry Christ, chief operating officer of lighting manufacturer LiteLab, where six languages are spoken on the assembly floor. Like a car, you need gas to fuel movement forward. Big, burgeoning cities like San Diego and Dallas accept more refugees, but their arrival can resonate more in smaller, shrinking cities like Buffalo and Syracuse. Buffalo, an old steel and shipping hub, had been locked in a long, losing struggle to keep people from leaving for places with less snow and more jobs. Enter refugees and immigrants. Refugees relocated with the help of four separate agencies settle into empty homes and fill jobs at hotels, restaurants and factories. Buffalo, which had lost more than half its population since its postwar peak of around 580,000, is now hovering close to 260,000 people. We buy a house that is very old, so we get it cheaper in this way, said Nadeen Yousef, who fled from Iraq with her husband and four children in 2006. And we fix it every year. Yousef spoke from her booth at the West Side Bazaar, a retail space that was packed on a recent day with a lunchtime crowd buying halal food, bubble tea and dim sum served by refugee operators. The bazaar serves as an incubator for refugee and immigrant entrepreneurs, some of whom open their own shops selling food from Laos or clothes from Africa. President Trump last year cited national security in slashing the annual cap on refugee arrivals to the U.S. from 110,000 to a historically low 45,000. Only 22,491 refugees entered the country last year amid a tougher review process. The effect in the Buffalo region has been dramatic. A metropolitan area that welcomed 1,934 refugees two years ago took in 686 last year and is on track to receive fewer than 450 people this year, according to an analysis of refugee placement data by the Fiscal Policy Institute. Arrivals could dip more this coming year now that the Trump administration lowered the refugee cap again for this budget year, to 30,000. Michael Hill is an Associated Press writer. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 23) House Speaker Gloria Arroyo is urging the Senate to withdraw from a global group of parliamentarians that has been critical of the Duterte government and its actions against opposition figures. Arroyo, a close ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, told reporters Monday that the Philippines must withdraw its membership from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), citing "interference" in the country's judicial processes. "You know the last time there was an IPU and then Senate President Koko Pimentel was head of delegation and he decried the interference of the IPU in our judicial processes. This time, over the objection of the Philippine delegation, again they did the same thing," Arroyo said during a medical mission in Brgy. Escopa, Quezon City. "Since this is the second time they did it to my knowledge, I am recommending to the Senate which heads the delegation that we should withdraw our membership with the IPU," she explained. The Speaker attended the 139th IPU General Assembly at the Centre for International Conference Geneve in Geneva on October 17. On Sunday, the parliamentarian group composed of 178 member-states said it was "resolved to send an official mission" to probe into the "political persecution" of Senators Leila de Lima and Antonio Trillanes. A Makati Court on Monday rejected the Department of Justice's plea to issue an alias warrant and travel ban against Trillanes after Duterte voided the 2011 amnesty granted to him. The IPU had earlier claimed that the voidance of Trillanes' amnesty is a "targeted attempt to silence" the embattled senator. Meanwhile, de Lima is detained in Camp Crame for her alleged illegal involvement in the drug trade. The Republican tax cut is a big, fat failure. It has achieved none of the things that Republicans promised it would. It didnt reduce deficits. It didnt target the middle class. And it didnt win goodwill with voters. Yet, for some reason, President Trump wants to do it all over again in the next nine days, no less. Last week the Treasury Department reported that the federal budget deficit swelled by 17 percent, or $113 billion, from fiscal 2017 to 2018. This is noteworthy, and not only because Republicans usually claim to despise deficits (at least, they do when Democrats are in charge). It also reflects a massive decoupling of the business cycle from the federal budget. Usually, as the economy improves, deficits shrink. Thats because people earn more money, causing them to pay more in taxes and enroll in fewer federal safety-net programs. This relationship between deficits and the economy has generally held true for the past 70 years, except during times of war. In fact, the last year unemployment averaged about 4 percent in 2000 we had a budget surplus. This time around, things look a wee bit different, thanks to recent spending hikes and tax cuts. The Treasury numbers should not be surprising, by the way. Literally every independent forecaster predicted that the tax cut would increase deficits on net. Yet Republicans were somehow caught flat-footed by the news. After all, when the White House published its 2018 fiscal plan a year and a half ago, Trump officials predicted that deficits would shrink substantially in 2018, thanks both to his tax cuts and the Miracle-Gro that Trump was supposedly sprinkling across the economy. Yet in the end, the deficit was almost twice what the White House estimated it would be: $779 billion, compared with the forecast $440 billion. Almost immediately after the Treasury report broke, GOP finger-pointing began. Trump said the widening deficit wasnt his fault; his love of the military, whose budget he had increased, was to blame. As were all those pesky natural disasters, whose victims he would prefer to let fend for themselves. We also have tremendous numbers with regard to hurricanes and fires and the tremendous forest fires all over, he said. California does a horrible job maintaining their forests. Theyre going to have to start doing a better job or were not going to be paying them. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., instead blamed entitlements such as Medicare. To be sure, entitlement spending is on an unsustainable growth path. But (BEG ITAL)long-run(END ITAL) entitlement spending growth is not the reason the federal deficit spiked 17 percent (BEG ITAL)last year(END ITAL). So what did drive that increase? The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has helpfully broken down the causes. It found that absent any of the legislative changes made over the past year under unified Republican control of government deficits would have indeed fallen. Far and away the biggest contributor to the deficit increase was the GOP tax cut, which cost Uncle Sam an estimated $164 billion. Note that Trumps tax cut, which passed last December, was in effect for only the final three quarters of the 2018 fiscal year. It will be even more expensive in fiscal 2019, since well get to bask in its fiscal profligacy all year-round. By injecting stimulus into the economy during an expansion, Republicans have given us less fiscal space to act when (not if) we next have a recession. But timing isnt the only problem here. By Trumps own stated objectives, the tax cut is also supremely mistargeted. Its a middle-class bill, Trump promised his supporters last year. Yet two-thirds of the laws benefits went to the top income quintile this past year, according to estimates from the Tax Policy Center. And because of the way the law is structured, the share accruing to the richest Americans will only grow in the years ahead. Americans have figured this out, too. As poll after poll shows, they dislike the bill and (correctly) perceive it as a giveaway to corporations and the rich. No wonder, then, that Republicans have effectively stopped running campaign ads about their one and only major legislative achievement. Despite all this, Trump declared over the weekend that Republicans planned to implement a very major tax cut before November even though (oops!) Congress is out of session until after the midterms. Trump emphasized that the tax cut would be not for business at all. For middle-income people. Second verse, same as the first. As voters have learned, this song has gotten very, very old. Catherine Rampells email address is crampell@washpost.com. Follow her on Twitter, @crampell. (c) 2018, Washington Post Writers Group --- Video Embed Code Video: President Trump said Oct. 22 that he will propose to Congress a middle-income tax reduction of 'about 10 percent' within the next two weeks.(The Washington Post) Embed code: On the topic of mental health medical services, Suffredin said Illinois used to have hospitals for those programs but slowly over time closed them and pushed the burden onto local government. He said inmates in the jail get exceptional mental health benefits but theres little or nothing outside of the jail for them to continue their treatment. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) San Francisco police arrested two women last month in connection with a string of robberies around the city, police said today. The suspects, 50-year-old Angela Holmes-Singletary and 24-year-old Marquita Davis, allegedly conducted seven robberies throughout the month of September. Policy say the two suspects went inside various stores and forcefully opened cash registers. They also allegedly robbed a person on the street using a knife. ALSO: Travis AFB's $1,280 coffee cup raises a red flag Holmes-Singletary was arrested on Sept. 20 and Davis on Sept. 22 for their alleged involvement in the robberies. They were booked into jail on suspicion of robbery, aggravated assault and conspiracy. The investigation is ongoing and police are asking anyone with information to call (415) 575-4444 or text TIP411. Calls and texts can be anonymous. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. A three-alarm fire has been reported this evening in San Francisco, fire officials said. As of 5:26 p.m., a fire was burning at 405 Davis in a multi-story building on the 12th, 13th and 15th floors. No other information was immediately available. 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) Dozens of community activists rallied outside of San Francisco City Hall this afternoon, urging city supervisors to speed up the closure of the jail at the city's Hall of Justice. Additionally, the group, No New SF Jail Coalition, is asking supervisors to, instead of building a new jail, invest the funds into community resources that would keep people out of jail. In 2016, supervisors rejected an $80 million state grant for the construction of a new jail and instead created a work group to identify alternatives to incarceration. Juliana Morris, with Do No Harm Coalition, a group consisting of health workers, said, "We see the current policing and incarceration in our communities as a major health crisis and believe strongly that resources need to be redirected to support housing, community programs, mental health services and other health services." Janetta Johnson with the Transgender Intersex Justice Project, said, "San Francisco talks about being creative and innovative and a leader in all these things well, this is one of the most important and amazing things that we can do. We need alternatives to jails and prisons." Located at 850 Bryant St., the Hall of Justice serves as a courthouse and houses the district attorney's office, in addition to the jail and other city departments. Supervisors have set plans in motion to empty the building and eventually demolish it. The 1950s building has been called seismically unsafe and dilapidated by many, including Mayor London Breed. Additionally, it has been plagued with well-documented sewage problems and alleged rodent infestations. According to the coalition, the building's shortfalls are putting the health and lives of those incarcerated at risk. On Wednesday, coalition members will speak at a hearing before the Board of Supervisor's Public Safety Committee, when the Work Group to Re-envision the Jail Replacement Project will provide an update on its progress. 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. ALAMEDA (BCN) The Alameda County District Attorney's Office has concluded after a lengthy investigation that former Alameda City Manager Jill Keimach didn't break any laws when she secretly recorded two councilmembers during a meeting about hiring a new fire chief. In an 11-page report it released late Friday, the District Attorney's office said, "There is insufficient evidence to prove a criminal violation of California state law beyond a reasonable doubt" when Keimach recorded Councilwoman Malia Vella and Councilman Jim Oddie on Aug. 16, 2017, without their knowledge or consent. Prosecutors said California law allows recording a confidential communication "under the reasonable belief that the communication would relate to certain criminal conduct, including bribery or extortion." Keimach alleged that Vella and Oddie pressured her to hire fire Capt. Domenick Weaver, the past president of the city's firefighters' union, instead of her preferred choice, Salinas Fire Chief Edmond Rodriguez, who she ultimately selected for the job on Oct. 3, 2017. The District Attorney's report says Keimach made the decision to record the meeting with Vella and Oddie after Alameda Police Chief Paul Rolleri told her that "Oddie had told him directly that unless she hired the right person as fire chief there were two votes to fire Keimach and that they would get the third vote." However, Oddie, who is running again in the Nov. 6 election, denies he made that statement, the report says. The District Attorney said, "It is important to note that the content of the August 16 (2017) meeting does not establish the crime of extortion or bribery by either Councilmember Vella or Oddie. However, the meeting did concern the selection of the fire chief and both Councilmember Vella and Councilmember Oddie supported and recommended Capt. Weaver as the next fire chief." The report says that although Vella and Oddie didn't engage in bribery or extortion, "Ms. Keimach's belief that recording the meeting may gather evidence related to such conduct was not unreasonable considering all the circumstances." The Alameda City Council put Keimach on leave on March 9 after it learned of the secret recording and later asked the District Attorney's Office to review the secret recordings. The council considered firing Keimach at a meeting on April 16 but instead voted to keep her on paid administrative leave. Keimach quit her post on May 15 when she and the council agreed on a $945,000 separation agreement after two days of mediation. 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 Sonoma County Sheriff's Office has identified a deputy who crashed his patrol car into a Bodega Bay vacation house during a pursuit earlier this month as 35-year-old Matt Carlson. Carlson suffered serious injuries but has since been released from a hospital. He is expected to be out of work for three to nine months, sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Crum said. Carlson has been a Sonoma County sheriff's deputy for one year, and he was previously with the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office for a year and a half, Crum said. Sonoma County sheriff's deputies were investigating reported thefts of generators from campgrounds in the Bodega Bay area on Oct. 14 when they saw two vehicles leave the parking lot of Doran Beach campground. They followed a Honda Pilot that failed to yield to a traffic stop on state Highway 1. During a pursuit, Carlson lost traction on a curve and his patrol car went off the road and crashed into a vacation home occupied by three San Francisco residents, sheriff's officials said. The crash caused the patrol car and house to catch fire and Carlson and another deputy were able to open the front door and get the three occupants out of the house. Two portable generators were found inside the abandoned Honda at a construction site, and the Honda was stolen from the Santa Cruz area, according to the sheriff's office. The Honda driver, Ryan Christopher Moore, 35, of Santa Rosa, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle, reckless evading causing great bodily injury and resisting a peace officer, Crum said. Moore is scheduled to be in Sonoma County Superior Court today. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN JOSE (BCN) A man was arrested today leaving a hospital after he was injured in a fireworks explosion Sunday, police said. The explosion, involving stored fireworks, happened shortly after 3 p.m. at a house in the 4100 block of Moonflower Court, according to police. John Meltzer, one of two men taken to the hospital after the explosion, was arrested today on suspicion of having a destructive device. The second man is still in the hospital. Police said his injuries are not life-threatening. Anyone with information about the case is asking to call Sgt. Hartaj Johal at (408) 277-4161. 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) An independent report, one of two released Thursday on the safety of the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco, said no data exists to support the presumption the shipyard is safe. The report, by the Committee to Bridge the Gap, said, "The great majority of the site was never tested for radioactivity, and what measurements were made ignored the great majority of radionuclides." The Committee to Bridge the Gap is made up of president Daniel Hirsch, the retired director for the Program on Environmental and Nuclear Policy at the University of California at Santa Cruz and students and former students of the university. Hirsch met with residents of the shipyard area Thursday to present the results of the reports after a San Francisco citizens advisory committee declined to allow him to present the results at one of the committee meetings, he said. Hirsch said residents who attended Thursday gave him the impression that for the first time they were getting some straight answers. But, he said, "What I had to tell them wasn't particularly pleasant." He said there was much more radioactivity at the shipyard than previously thought and it potentially spread throughout the shipyard. Hirsch said 90 percent of the shipyard was not tested and the 10 percent that was, many of the test results were fabricated. He said that more than 80 contaminated ships were present at the shipyard at some time and the ships were sandblasted, potentially spreading contamination widely. Hirsch said the gamma scans done at the shipyard to detect radiation would not detect alpha or beta-emitting radionuclides. One of the reports said that when soil samples were taken, approximately 90 percent were not measured for two of the four radionuclides that the Navy declared to be of primary concern. The Committee to Bridge the Gap plans to release three more reports on the shipyard cleanup, one of those in a couple of weeks. The reports can be read at http://committeetobridgethegap.org/. Derek Robinson, the Navy's environmental cleanup coordinator for Hunters Point, said, "After a cursory review of the reports, the Navy disagrees with conclusions about radiological conditions at the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard (HPNS) and the status of its Historical Radiological Assessment. Details about the radiological cleanup at HPNS are available at: bracpmo.navy.mil/hpnsrc." 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. You are here: Arts A two-day art exhibition entitled "Chinese Style: International Touring Exhibition of Modern Chinese Water-Ink Paintings" kicked off in Nepal on Monday, featuring over 50 art pieces by Chinese artists on various themes. The exhibition, jointly organized by China Cultural Center in Nepal and China National Academy of Painting, is being held at Nepal Art Council in Kathmandu. The event was jointly inaugurated by Nepal's former Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Ananda Pokharel and representatives of the Chinese embassy in Nepal. "Such cross-country cultural events are important to strengthen the friendship between two countries and to boost people to people relations," Pokharel said while addressing the ceremony. Stating that Nepal and China share similar culture, values and tradition, the former minister said that the paintings will enable Nepali people to understand Chinese history, culture and civilization. At least 58 paintings of outstanding Chinese artists have been featured in the exhibition, where the artists have observed the life by heart, recorded the feelings by brushes and created the excellent water-ink paintings. The water-ink paintings exhibition in Nepal is mainly about people, flowers and bird series. According to the organizer, such exhibitions had already been held in different countries including the United States, France and Britain. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A 25-year-old man has been arrested for punching and seriously injuring a man who had approached his vehicle and mistook it for a ride-hailing service car near downtown San Francisco in September, police said today. On Sept. 8, Jiacheng Fang allegedly attacked the victim as he was waiting for a ride-hailing service car on the corner of First and Howard streets, according to police. The victim approached the car and Fang got out and allegedly punched him, causing the victim to fall to the ground and suffer life-threatening injuries, according to police. Police had put out a news release late last month with details about the case and eventually identified Fang as the suspect. On Oct. 16, investigators went to San Jose where they arrested Fang in connection with the assault. 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) Residents from around 20 units of a high-rise building in San Francisco were displaced following a three-alarm fire in a high-rise building in San Francisco's Financial District Monday night, fire officials said. The fire had been contained around 6:08 p.m. Monday after burning units on the 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th floors at 405 Davis Court, which is a 25-story, 196-unit building, fire officials said. Fire officials initially said the fire was at 405 Davis. The Red Cross is assisting the residents that were displaced and opened a shelter overnight at the Salvation Army's Chinatown Corps Community Center at 1450 Powell Street. No one was injured and the cause is under investigation. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. OAKLAND (BCN) Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf is on the short list of contenders for the City Mayors Foundation's 2018 World Mayor Prize, her campaign said today. The prize celebrates women in local government who have consistently served their constituents with compassion and integrity, while making long-term contributions to their communities. Schaaf, who is being challenged by nine candidates in the Nov. 6 election, is one of four finalists in North America who was recognized for her substantial impact on the prosperity of her city, her campaign said. A total of 27 women mayors from 20 countries are on the short list. "I am honored to be recognized by my community as well as by the City Mayors Foundation," Schaaf said in a statement. Schaaf said, "As a native Oaklander, I'm so proud to have the unique opportunity to uphold our city's values of diversity, inclusion, and progressivism - and I hope that future Oakland women are similarly motivated to serve their communities." The City Mayors Foundation, an international urban affairs think-tank, created the award in 2004 to honor visionary leaders in cities across the world. The award is conferred every two years and the 2018 Prize is focused solely on female leadership. 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. CUPERTINO (BCN) The currently suspended Cupertino city attorney filed a claim with the city Monday, alleging he was illegally placed on leave in retaliation for his opposition to a massive development project to renovate the city's Vallco Mall. The administrative claim by Randolph Hom is a required precursor to a possible future lawsuit. The potential lawsuit could seek a multimillion award, according to Hom's lawyer, Adam Zapala. The mall, built in the 1970s, is now owned by Sand Hill Property Co., which wants to build a mix-used housing, office and retail complex on the 51-acre property. Hom was placed on administrative leave on May 11 by a 3-2 vote of the City Council, according to the claim. He alleges in the claim that the reason was retaliation for his having told city officials he believed the development plan was illegal for several reasons, including inconsistency with the city's general plan. The city now has 45 days to respond. Hom will be able to file a Superior Court lawsuit six months after that. Acting City Attorney Rocio Fierro was not available for comment on Monday. 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 BRUNO (BCN) Rep. Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo, is hosting a town hall this evening to address aircraft noise on the Peninsula from nearby San Francisco International Airport. The meeting, to be held at 7 p.m. at the Skyline College Theater in San Bruno, will address concerns about the impact of flights on residents' life and health. Speier said she has been working with congressional colleagues, the Federal Aviation Administration, SFO and airlines to address residents' concerns. Following a panel discussion, residents will have an opportunity to share concerns and ask questions. The Skyline College Theater is located at 3300 College Drive. The town hall will be held in Building 1, Room 1250. To register online for the town hall, people can go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/town-hall-airplane-noise-tickets-49103958261. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. A suspicious five-alarm fire that damaged a townhouse complex under construction in West Oakland early this morning has residents and city officials concerned after similar recent arson cases have targeted East Bay buildings under construction. The fire was reported around 2 a.m. at the Ice House complex being built near the intersection of West Grand Avenue and Filbert Street. Crews were using cranes late this morning to douse the smoldering building with water. No serious injuries were reported in the fire, although a firefighter suffered a leg injury, possibly from stepping into a pothole, Oakland Fire Chief Darin White said. The fire is being considered suspicious and comes after other fires at apartment buildings under construction in Oakland and Emeryville in 2016 and 2017, as well as one in Concord earlier this year. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has offered rewards for information in those earlier fires and is assisting in the investigation into the fire at the Ice House complex. A man with a gun was fatally shot by police Monday after he allegedly held his family at gunpoint, shot a relative, abducted his wife and child, led police on a brief chase into Concord, barricaded himself inside a residence then came out and fired at responding officers. Police went to the scene of a report of domestic violence at an address in the 100 block of Carolyn Road in Pittsburg, and were informed before arriving that the suspect was holding his family at gunpoint. A family member tried to help but the suspect, later identified as a 37-year-old resident of Pittsburg, shot him in the neck then forced his wife and child into a vehicle. Police found the vehicle and followed it into Concord, then back into Pittsburg before the suspect stopped in the 100 block of West 10th Street. The victim ran with her baby to officers waiting nearby while the suspect entered the home and barricaded himself inside. A crisis negotiator and a SWAT team responded to the scene, while the suspect repeatedly approached the door of the home with his gun. Eventually he came outside and shot at officers, who returned fire and struck the suspect. He was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley said today that her office won't file criminal charges against a BART officer who fatally shot a 28-year-old man near the West Oakland BART station in January, concluding that the evidence doesn't justify charges. Sahleem Tindle was killed by Officer Joseph Mateu in the shooting in the 1400 block of Seventh Street, across the street from the West Oakland station at about 4:40 p.m. on Jan. 3. BART police released a video of the shooting on Feb. 21 but there were different interpretations of what it shows. BART police Chief Carlos Rojas said he believes the video indicates that Tindle didn't have his hands up when Mateu shot him three times and that Tindle didn't raise his hands until after he was shot. But Tindle's mother Yolanda Banks Reed said she believes the video shows that Tindle's back was turned away from the man he'd been grappling with and that Mateu shot him in the back. A jogger from Walnut Creek was fatally struck by a vehicle in San Ramon this morning, according to police. Officers responded to the area of Crow Canyon Road and the Iron Horse Regional Trail around 6:50 a.m. on report of a pedestrian hit by a vehicle. The man was transported to San Ramon Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said. His name has not been released. Investigators said the vehicle was headed east on Crow Canyon Road when it struck the victim. The driver remained at the scene to cooperate and is not thought to have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to police. At least one person has died and another has been injured following a fire in the Inner Sunset in San Francisco early this morning, according to fire officials. The blaze was first reported at 3:33 a.m. today in the 1300 block of Funston Avenue. A woman has died and a man has been transported to a burn center with injuries not considered life-threatening, fire officials said. The fire was contained at 4:08 a.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Residents from about 20 units of a high-rise building in San Francisco were displaced following a three-alarm fire in a high-rise building in the Financial District Monday evening, fire officials said. The fire had been contained around 6:08 p.m. Monday after burning units on the 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th floors at 405 Davis Court, which is a 25-story, 196-unit building, fire officials said. Fire officials initially said the fire was at 405 Davis. The American Red Cross is assisting the residents that were displaced and opened a shelter overnight at the Salvation Army's Chinatown Corps Community Center at 1450 Powell St. No one was injured and the cause is under investigation. Rep. Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo, is hosting a town hall this evening to address aircraft noise on the Peninsula from nearby San Francisco International Airport. The meeting, to be held at 7 p.m. at the Skyline College Theater in San Bruno, will address concerns about the impact of flights on residents' life and health. Speier said she has been working with congressional colleagues, the Federal Aviation Administration, SFO and airlines to address residents' concerns. Following a panel discussion, residents will have an opportunity to share concerns and ask questions. The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office has identified a deputy who crashed his patrol car into a Bodega Bay vacation house during a pursuit earlier this month as 35-year-old Matt Carlson. Carlson suffered serious injuries but has since been released from a hospital. He is expected to be out of work for three to nine months, sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Crum said. Sonoma County sheriff's deputies were investigating reported thefts of generators from campgrounds in the Bodega Bay area on Oct. 14 when they saw two vehicles leave the parking lot of Doran Beach campground. They followed a Honda Pilot that failed to yield to a traffic stop on state Highway 1. During a pursuit, Carlson lost traction on a curve and his patrol car went off the road and crashed into a vacation home occupied by three San Francisco residents, sheriff's officials said. The Honda driver, Ryan Christopher Moore, 35, of Santa Rosa, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle, reckless evading causing great bodily injury and resisting a peace officer, Crum said. A fire caused extensive damage to a two-story home partially under construction in Monte Sereno on Monday evening, according to the Santa Clara County Fire Department. Firefighters responded at 7:48 p.m. to a fire reported at a home in the 15000 block of Via Del Sur and arrived to find smoke and flames coming from the second floor of the home. The homeowner was outside when crews arrived and no one else was in the home. Firefighters eventually extinguished the fire within 30 minutes, fire officials said. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Copyright 2018 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Multiple people were rescued from a three-alarm fire in a high-rise building in San Francisco's Financial District, fire officials said. The fire broke out Monday evening. At 6:08 p.m., the fire had been contained after burning units on the 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th floors at 405 Davis Court, a 25-story, 196-unit building. No one was injured and the cause is under investigation. Residents of 30 units were displaced, according to fire officials. A judge has upheld pesticide manufacturer Monsanto's liability in a lawsuit alleging that exposure to the company's Roundup product played a substantial role in causing a man's cancer. The judge's ruling was handed down Monday. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Suzanne Bolanos, however, lowered the punitive damages in the case to $39 million from $250 million and said plaintiff Dewayne Johnson must accept the lower amount or she'll order a new trial. Bolanos upheld the compensatory damages of $39 million for a total award of $78 million. Johnson is terminally ill from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. A man who allegedly vandalized a Mountain View City Council candidate's signs on Friday was cited for petty theft and vandalism on Sunday, police said. Police said on Monday that a citation was given out. City Council candidate John Inks said his signs were first vandalized in August, then again in September and this month. His signs were most recently vandalized at about 3:40 a.m. Friday. Surveillance footage showed the suspect spray-painting the signs at a home in the 100 block of Church Street, then walking away with another sign. One officer "immediately recognized" the suspect after watching the video on Sunday, according to police. Job Lopez, 73, was cited in connection with the crime. He is scheduled to appear in court in December and couldn't be reached for comment. Inks said he knows Lopez through the Day Worker Center of Mountain View and the Mountain View Tenants Coalition. Patient care technical workers at the University of California's medical facilities are planning a three-day strike this week to protest the institution's outsourcing of jobs to contract companies, union officials said. The strike is scheduled to start today. The workers, represented by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, say UC's outsourcing practices have created "alarming patterns of inequality" and are damaging services. Contract companies pay workers less and offer little to no benefits, union leaders said, threatening union jobs. Picket lines and rallies are planned at 17 UC facilities around the state, including three in the Bay Area: UC San Francisco Medical Center Parnassus, UC San Francisco Medical Center Mission Bay and UC Berkeley. The Alameda County District Attorney's Office has concluded after a lengthy investigation that former Alameda City Manager Jill Keimach didn't break any laws when she secretly recorded two councilmembers during a meeting about hiring a new fire chief. In an 11-page report it released late Friday, the District Attorney's office said, "There is insufficient evidence to prove a criminal violation of California state law beyond a reasonable doubt" when Keimach recorded Councilwoman Malia Vella and Councilman Jim Oddie on Aug. 16, 2017, without their knowledge or consent. Prosecutors said California law allows recording a confidential communication "under the reasonable belief that the communication would relate to certain criminal conduct, including bribery or extortion." Keimach alleged that Vella and Oddie pressured her to hire fire Capt. Domenick Weaver, the past president of the city's firefighters' union, instead of her preferred choice, Salinas Fire Chief Edmond Rodriguez, who she ultimately selected for the job on Oct. 3, 2017. The Marin County Sheriff's Office has identified a pedestrian who was struck and killed by a vehicle on U.S. Highway 101 Sunday evening as Justiniano Ixpec Cayaxon, 49, of Novato. Cayaxon, a Guatemala native, was walking in the northbound lane of Highway 101 at the Nave Drive over-crossing around 7 p.m. when a vehicle struck him, according to the California Highway Patrol. The driver stopped at the scene and cooperated with the investigation, CHP Officer Andrew Barclay said. Passing motorists stopped to give medical aid until first responders arrived, but Cayaxon died at the scene, according to the sheriff's office. San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White has announced she will be retiring from her position. The chief made the announcement Monday. In a joint statement with Mayor London Breed, Hayes-White said her retirement will be finalized once a replacement chief is selected. "My time serving as chief of the department has been a distinct honor and has been incredibly rewarding," Hayes-White said in her statement. "I am proud to have advanced health, wellness, and safety initiatives in our workplaces." She said, "I am most gratified that we are one of the most diverse Fire Departments in the world, which adds profound benefits to the ease of our service delivery to the community. As someone born and raised in this great city, I remain proud to serve the Fire Department." In a statement, Breed said, "I want to thank Chief Hayes-White for her decades of service in our Fire Department, where she worked admirably to maintain the safety and security of the people of San Francisco. 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. Patient care technical workers at the University of California's medical facilities are planning a three-day strike this week to protest the institution's outsourcing of jobs to contract companies, union officials said today. The workers, represented by American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, say UC's outsourcing practices have created "alarming patterns of inequality" and are damaging services. Contract companies pay workers less and offer little to no benefits, union leaders said, threatening union jobs. Picket lines and rallies are planned at, starting Tuesday, 17 UC facilities around the state, including three in the Bay Area: UC San Francisco Medical Center Parnassus, UC San Francisco Medical Center Mission Bay and UC Berkeley. "We've bargained in good faith for over a year to address outsourcing at UC because it creates unequal and insecure circumstances that workers must struggle with every day," AFSCME Local 3299 President Kathryn Lybarger said. The 15,000 UC patient care technical workers include respiratory therapists, nurse aides and patient transporters. Union leaders said they would be joined on the picket lines by 9,000 other AFSCME-represented workers and 15,000 workers from the University Professional and Technical Employees union. A previous 3-day strike in May by university service workers prompted 53,000 workers to walk off the job. UC officials maintain AFSCME leaders are spreading false information about union employees being displaced. They said that over the past five years UC systemwide, the number of patient care employees has increased by 2,450 workers, and spending on campus service contracts has remained flat. "It is unfortunate that AFSCME leaders still have yet to glean a simple lesson from their May demonstration: their combative stance is harmful and ineffective," Claire Doan, spokesperson for the UC Office of the President, said. During the strike this week, a limited number of employees will continue to work, per an agreement worked out with the university, union officials 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 2018 China Hainan (Sanya) International Bridge Festival will be held at Nanshan Cultural Tourism Zone in southern China's coastal city of Sanya from Oct. 25 to Nov. 9, said the Hainan Bridge Association on Sunday. This card tournament consist of nine main events, 10 additional events and side games. The annual World Bridge Awards Ceremony will also be held on the opening day of the Bridge Festival, organizers said. This year's World Bridge Awards Ceremony will feature a number of awards, including Personality of The Year, Best Defense of The Year, and Individual Youth Player of The Year. According to an agreement co-signed by the Hainan Bridge Association and the International Bridge Press Association (IBPA), Sanya will be the host city for the next six World Bridge Awards Ceremonies. A concert featuring several remarkable events in Chinese history was held Sunday in Lincoln Center, New York City. Starting from 3 p.m., the two-hour concert began with the symphony "Humen 1839." Jointly composed by Pulitzer Prize-winning Chinese composer Zhou Long and the highly accomplished violinist and composer Chen Yi, the work is a musical portrait of the heroic effort to confiscate and burn imported opium. The concert also highlighted Chinese composer Ye Xiaogang's "My faraway Nanjing" for cello and orchestra, and composer Tony Fok and writer Su Wei's joint work "Ask the sky and the earth". The whole program confronts three significant events in Chinese history: the first Opium War of 1839-42, the Nanjing Massacre of 1937, and what is now known as the "sent-down youth" movement during the Cultural Revolution of 1966-76. The performance won thunderous applause. "The music is beautiful and the percussion is impressive," Suzanne Mark, a New York resident told Xinhua, adding that this kind of Chinese history-themed melody helped her understand more about Chinese culture. The event was part of the 2018 China Now Music Festival presented by the U.S.-China Music Institute of Bard College Conservatory of Music in collaboration with Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) in Beijing. It is dedicated to promoting an understanding and appreciation of music from contemporary China through an annual series of concerts and academic activities, according to the institute director Jindong Cai. "Chinese composers all have the strong sense of responsibility with the society. They always want to communicate with the society through music, so this concert mainly reflects how Chinese composers have looked into the past," said Cai during the preconcert lecture on Sunday. The inaugural season of the China Now Music Festival is under way in New York from Oct. 19 to Oct. 22, with theme "Facing the Past, Looking to the Future: Chinese Composers in the 21st Century." Beijing's landmark art institution, the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, opened its first branch the Dune Art Museum, an art gallery built "inside a sand dune" on the beach at the Beidaihe resort in North China's Hebei province, and its inaugural exhibition After Nature was unveiled on Oct 13. The art museum, facing the Bohai Sea, comprises three outdoor and seven indoor galleries, all of which are connected like a string of caves of different sizes and shapes. The exterior of the museum is covered by sand and local plants, hiding the white building in the dune. The opening show focuses on nature and features photos, videos and installations by nine Chinese artists from different generations who discuss the relationship between nature and humanity. Speaking about the new museum, Philip Tinari, the director of UCCA, says this is the first time that the nonprofit art institution has set up such a gallery. The museum in Beidaihe, on the outskirts of Qinhuangdaoa popular summer retreat for people living in the northern cities, especially Beijing and Tianjinis supported and owned by the Aranya Gold Coast Community, a tourism project in the area with lots of structures, including a library on the beach and a church. The UCCA will hold exhibitions at the museum and will curate at least two shows every year, under a five-year contract with Aranya, says Tinari. "It (the museum) is in the right location and in the right building. And as it is very close to Beijing, we can offer our services, " says the director of UCCA, a well-known art institution focusing on contemporary art and founded by the Belgian collector Guy Ullens in 2007. Meanwhile, the art center was sold by Ullens and his wife, Myriam, known for their huge collection of Chinese art, to a group of Chinese last year. Although the ownership of the center has changed hand, the brand still enjoys a good reputation due to its shows featuring star artists from home and abroad. Speaking about the dune museum, which has no collection of its own, and is used as an exhibition space, Tinari says: "It's like another gallery of UCCA. And we're pretty excited about developing the new model to see how it will work. "We're open to more opportunities in the future." You are here: Business China will encourage private equity funds to participate in mergers and acquisitions (M&As) to drive the healthy development of the country's fund sector, the top securities regulator said Monday. Liu Shiyu, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), made the remarks during a speech at a forum commemorating the 20th anniversary of the country's fund industry. He said that private equity funds and venture capital funds will be supported in participating in M&As, debt-to-equity swaps and equity investment, underscoring their role in galvanizing market vitality. Mutual funds, private equity funds and other asset management plans now own 5 trillion yuan (about 721 billion U.S. dollars) worth of A-share market capitalization, or 10 percent of the total, Liu said. He also pledged support for the establishment of more buyout funds, which will ease financing and improve corporate governance for listed companies and forestall risks of equity pledges. Foreign-invested asset management institutions will receive support in running equity assets-related businesses, and private equity funds investing in high-tech enterprises will be granted favorable fiscal and tax policies, Liu said. The CSRC said last week that China will continue reforming the financial market while promoting opening-up and innovation to stabilize and boost market confidence. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 23) Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said it is up to his department to decide on the government's next move after a Makati court junked their plea to have Senator Antonio Trillanes IV arrested. "It is the DOJ who will decide what legal step to take," Guevarra said in a text message to reporters on Tuesday. His message contradicted the statement of Presidential Spokesperson Sal Panelo that Solicitor General Jose Calida is preparing to take the fight to the Court of Appeals, where he will seek the reversal of Makati judge Andres Soriano's decision issued on Monday. Acting Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said the DOJ is looking into the possibility of either filing a motion for reconsideration, going to the Court of Appeals, or bringing the case to the Supreme Court. "If it's a question of law, we can bring that up to the Supreme Court to question. Hopefully to have it reversed so the judge would reconsider 'yung order," he told CNN Philippines on Tuesday. He said they would ask the court to reconsider its decision not to re-open Trillanes' coup d'etat case, which was dismissed in 2011 when he was granted amnesty. It is unclear why the DOJ is eyeing this move since their plea to Judge Soriano - which the judge rejected - was to issue an arrest warrant and hold departure order for Trillanes after President Rodrigo Duterte voided the amnesty granted to him by former President Benigno Aquino III. Fadullon said Soriano's decision was "neither here nor there" because while the judge said Duterte's proclamation voiding Trillanes' amnesty was valid, Soriano also said that he cannot undo the 2011 decision granting amnesty to Trillanes because it was final, immutable and executory. Guevarra said pursuing the case against Trillanes was not a waste of time as it could deter those who are planning to stage a coup d'etat against the Duterte government. "We're sending warning signals to other potential rebellion, sedition, and coup d' etat plotters... Pursuing one to answer for the crime of rebellion or coup d' etat is not a useless exercise, as it sends a warning signal to all similarly minded persons who have devious plans of endangering the security of the republic," he said. Soriano decided not to re-open the case, saying he has no jurisdiction over it because it was already dismissed before, and that such a decision is considered final and executory and is immutable. Panelo said if Soriano believes that he had no jurisdiction over the matter, then he should have dismissed the petition early on. "I'm wondering why, because -- that would mean it has no jurisdiction of the case. But then it took jurisdiction and in fact the parties submitted their respective positions and evidence. If it has no jurisdiction,the court should have dismissed outright the motion filed by the court," he said in a media briefing. The next move remains unknown for now, but what is clear is the government is eager to see Trillanes behind bars. China's leading new energy technology company BYD has announced its first energy storage project in Poland recently went into operation in a partnership with ML System S.A., a pioneering firm in Poland's solar energy sector. The newly-launched project will be combined with a 1MW solar power plant also produced and sold by BYD, enabling peak shaving and create a more balanced power network, BYD said. At present, Poland has an annual generating capacity of 350,000 megawatts, yet due to the country's rapid economic growth, an additional 1,000 megawatts are required annually. BYD Renewable Energy Business Development Director Mr. Guo Bin said the project would not only create a large market share for new energy companies, but would provide "valuable lessons for power market reform". In order to achieve the EU's carbon emission targets, the Polish government introduced the "Energy Policy of Poland until 2030" in November 2009. According to the plan, by 2030, the proportion of coal used will be reduced from the previous 94 percent to 60 percent, with the remainder coming from new nuclear power plants, renewable energy and natural gas. BYD, as the world leading energy storage solutions provider, is now supplying about around 463MWh of energy storage products to customers in the United States, Germany, France, Japan, Switzerland, Italy, Canada, Australia and South Africa. Singaporean Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat announced on Tuesday the launch of Infrastructure Asia at the 8th Asia-Singapore Infrastructure Roundtable. Infrastructure Asia is a new government agency led by the Enterprise Singapore and the Monetary Authority of Singapore. It will serve as a bridge for different industry players across the infrastructure ecosystem, multilateral development banks and the public sector, said the minister in his opening address at the event. Meanwhile, the new agency is also expected to be a one-stop platform for the information exchange and sharing of best practices in Asia, according to the Enterprise Singapore. Tan Keng Hwee, executive director of Infrastructure Asia, said the agency will work closely with the private sector, governments, commercial and multilateral development banks to provide solutions that are customized to meet each local market's specific needs and requirements. Tan told Xinhua at the Roundtable's sideline that Singapore has specific advantages and experiences in several sections of infrastructure projects, and its solutions may better satisfy the specific needs of some Asian countries. "In that case, we can assist Chinese enterprises in the projects related to the Belt and Road Initiative," he said. He also said that Infrastructure Asia welcomes Chinese enterprises to come and base in Singapore, cooperate with the agency, and use its platform to get access to more financing channels for infrastructure projects or to invest in the projects. At the roundtable, the newly launched Infrastructure Asia signed two Memoranda of Understanding with the World Bank Group and the Singapore Business Federation respectively. It is estimated that the infrastructure needs of Asia's developing countries will reach 26 trillion U.S. dollars from 2016 to 2030, or 1.7 trillion per year in the period, according to a publication released by the Asian Development Bank in June. A preliminary investigation showed that speeding was the cause to Taiwan's worst train disaster in decades, which claimed 18 lives and left nearly 200 people injured Sunday. An official in charge of the investigation said Monday evening that the express train was going too fast when it entered a section of a curved track, before it ran off tracks in Xinma Station, Yilan County. The radius of the curved rails is about 300 meters with a designated turning speed of 75 kph, but the train was running over 80 kph, and perhaps even over 100 kph when the accident happened. The cause of the speeding, however, still awaits further investigation, the official said. Local procuratorial authority in Yilan has filed a case to the local court for detaining the driver, identified by surname as You, on suspicion of causing deaths by negligence. The Puyuma Express No. 6432 bound for Taitung from Shulin Station with 366 passengers on board derailed at 4:50 p.m. Sunday afternoon in Yilan, leaving 18 people killed and 190 people injured. It was considered Taiwan's worst train crash in more than three decades. According to local media reports, the driver and the conductor reported brake faults and problems with the power system before the accident happened. Mainland authorities on Monday mourned victims who died in the accident and sent condolences to their families and the injured. Two female passengers from the mainland were found injured in the derailment. One of them, aged 44 and surnamed Yao, was still in critical condition. The island's railway authority is carrying out full safety checks into its Puyuma express trains and related infrastructure. By Monday morning the wreckage has been cleared and train services on the line were partially resumed. China's top legislature on Monday started its bimonthly session to deliberate a draft amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law and a draft amendment to the Drug Administration Law, part of a five-day agenda. Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presided over the meeting. The draft amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law, submitted for a third reading, includes "default judgment" provisions, which will let a criminal trial continue even if the defendant has fled China. One provision makes it applicable to corruption-related criminal cases, and also serious cases endangering state security and terrorist activities that have been examined and approved by the Supreme People's Procuratorate and need to be tried in a timely fashion. To better protect the legitimate interests of the defendant, the draft imposes new stringent rules, requiring the courts to examine whether a case is applicable to a "default judgment." The amendment to the Drug Administration Law aims to address counterfeit drug problems with tougher punishment and all-round supervision. A draft law on basic healthcare and health promotion was also submitted for a second reading. The session will also consider draft revisions to the People's Courts Organic Law and the People's Procuratorates Organic Law. Lawmakers will also review a package of draft revisions on 15 laws, including the Wild Animal Conservation Law and the Metrology Law, in a bid to conform to a key institutional reform plan adopted by the NPC on March 17. For example, the customs and quarantine offices used to be parallel law enforcement agencies under the Wild Animal Conservation Law, but the latter are now a part of the customs administration. Several reports, including two submitted by the State Council on state assets, will also be discussed, according to the agenda. Lawmakers are also considering a change of the intellectual property right appeals procedure, which would hand the Supreme People's Court cases that require more expertise due to the complexity of such cases. The meeting is expected to decide whether to adopt revisions to the Company Law, which set to relax restrictions on public companies making share repurchases. Some hearing-impaired children in poverty-stricken areas in Guizhou province will be able to hear thanks to the caring of foreign diplomats in Beijing. On Sunday, "Love knows no borders", an international charity fair on the theme "Hear love of the world" and coordinated by Qian Wei, the wife of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, raised more than 6 million yuan ($865,900). The money will be used to get cochlear implants for the children. Ninety foreign embassies and representative offices of international organizations in China displayed and sold food, handicrafts and cultural products representative of their countries at the event, which more than 10,000 people visited. In a speech at the opening ceremony, Qian thanked the foreign diplomats and caring people for their long-term care and support for China's poverty alleviation work. "We have brought love and hope to those in need," she said. It was the 10th anniversary of the charity fair. Over the past years, more than 26 million yuan has been raised and channeled to villagers, children and the disabled in poor mountain areas of Yunnan, Gansu, Henan and Guizhou provinces and the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. "I feel happy, honored and satisfied to be a part of the charity bazaar and joining hands with China for alleviation of poverty," said Sughra Habib, second secretary of Pakistan's embassy, which had four booths to display their products. Sunday was the first time the embassy of Dominican Republic attended the eventthe Caribbean island nation established diplomatic relations with China this year. Its embassy prepared bread pudding, rice and chicken products as well as some handicrafts for the occasion. "It is a great experience to contribute to this great initiative and an opportunity to showcase our culture and strengthen the ties between our countries," said Yamila Fersobe, minister-counsellor of the embassy of Dominican Republic. Pan Qiwei, a 22-year-old college student who came to attend the event from Nanjing, Jiangsu province, by train, said the event offered him a great opportunity to see the cultures and customs of different countries. Many college students took the 2016 United States Presidential Election personally, sometimes internalizing the the divisive politics in ways that resemble post-traumatic stress disorder, a new study suggests. A survey of 769 psychology students at Arizona State University filled out a psychological assessment designed to gauge the impact of a single event, in this case the 2016 election. The findings, published in the Journal of American College Health, suggest that, for many, the divisive race created an emotional response strong enough to interfere with things like work and that lasted into January of 2017. "What we were interested in seeing was, did the election for some people constitute a traumatic experience? And we found that it did for 25 percent of young adults," the study's lead author, Melissa Hagan, an assistant professor of psychology at San Francisco State University, said in a university publication highlighting the findings. According to the SFSU report, a quarter of students surveyed showed a "clinically significant" level of stress similar to what might be found among witnesses to a mass shooting months after the event. ALSO: Trump declares himself a 'Nationalist' The psychologists found that black and non-white Hispanic students scored higher on the assessment than their white classmates and that women and people identifying as Democrats far outpaced men and registered Republicans in reporting a negative response. Authors suggest that the surprise victory of Donald Trump may have come as a shock to some. "There was a lot of discourse around race, identity and what makes a valuable American. I think that really heightened stress for a lot of people," Hagan told the publication. Authors, which include a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University, and two professors of psychology at Arizona State University, caution that students only took the assessment once, making it impossible to gauge the long-term impacts of the election. ALSO: Trump appears to be eyeing another tax cut Critics of the survey suggest that, while the study does align with the findings of similar surveys on reactions to the election, if fails to take into account other stressors that students may face. A 480-square-foot cottage in sunny Vistacion Valley is the smallest house on the market in San Francisco right now. Listed at $650,000, it's also among the cheapest homes in the city. The shabby, pale pink abode at 66 Bishop St. is a bonafide fixer-upper, but the 2,500 square-foot-lot and the opportunity to remodel and rebuild could be of enormous value. This is the sort of property contractors and developers scoop up, but it might also be a project for a first-time buyer looking to squeeze into S.F.'s sky-high market, where the median price paid for a home is around $1.3 million. "There aren't many homes in San Francisco listed at this price," says listing agent Linda Ngo of Compass Real Estate. "You just have to be willing to put in some elbow grease." Ngo says plans to expand the property into a 900-square-foot home are available from the seller, and there's potential to build a home with up to 3,500 square feet spread over three levels with approval from the city. "The architect said you could potentially build up to 75 percent of the lot," she says. "Right now, the home takes only about a third of the lot. There's so much potential. I checked comps, and there are homes in the area selling for a million." ALSO: Cheapest home on the market in Oakland: Burned-out fixer listed for $220,000 On the southeastern edge of San Francisco, Visitacion Valley is among the city's more affordable neighborhoods. The median home value is $847,000, according to Zillow. Values have increased 5.3 percent in the past year, and Zillow projects they will rise 7.7 percent in the next year. Also for sale in the neighborhood is a cheerful home painted red with blue trim at 39 Mill St.; it's listed for $789,000 and has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a modern kitchen, pretty mountain views and loads of charm. An unassuming three-bedroom, two-bathroom row house with a fixed-up interior at 307 Arleta Ave. is listed for $999,999. The neighborhood is known for its sunnier weather and Ngo says the Bishop Street home is located farther up the hill that runs up the north side of the valley near McLaren Park: "You get even more sun compared to other parts of the neighborhood." HONG KONG China officially opened the worlds longest sea bridge Tuesday after Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, and local officials inaugurated the 34-mile structure, which crosses the Pearl River Delta to link Hong Kong with Macau and the mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai. The project, which includes sections of bridge and artificial islands linked by a 4-mile tunnel west of Hong Kongs airport, went billions of dollars over budget and was delayed by two years. Chinese officials expect the bridge to significantly cut driving time between the two sides of the Pearl River, helping to achieve their vision of a Greater Bay Area, as China calls the effort to knit the regions cities more closely. Plans for the opening ceremony were announced just days beforehand, apparently timed to coincide with Xis first trip to the southern province of Guangdong in nearly six years. Xis contribution to the opening event, on an artificial island holding Zhuhais port facilities, was modest. I declare the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge is formally open, he said, after comments by Vice Premier Han Zheng and local officials, including the leaders of Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong province. Then digital fireworks exploded on a screen behind him. The Pearl River Delta which includes the financial center of semi-autonomous Hong Kong, the tech hub of Shenzhen and manufacturing areas in several other mainland cities, including Dongguan is a powerful economic engine for China. That status was bolstered by transportation projects like a highway linking the eastern cities in the 1990s. The western side of the river, which includes the former Portuguese colony and gambling hub of Macau, is comparatively less developed. Local leaders hope the bridge will expand the potential for growth in the area, by easing access to cheaper land on the western side and ports and other infrastructure to the east. Critics of the project say its goals are more political than economic, aiding efforts by Chinas central government to bind the former colonies of Hong Kong and Macau more tightly with the rest of the country. The 14-mile main span cost $7 billion. The Hong Kong government spent $13.7 billion more on tunnels and border-crossing facilities on an artificial island near the citys airport. At least 10 workers were killed during the nine years of construction, and environmentalists have raised concerns about potential harm to endangered Chinese white dolphins. The construction was also dogged by corruption, with 19 people facing criminal charges over faked concrete tests. Austin Ramzy is a New York Times writer. MAZATLAN, Mexico Hurricane Willa began losing power overnight after roaring over a stretch of beach towns, fishing villages and farms on the Pacific coast of Mexicos Sinaloa state as a Category 3 storm. Damage assessments were scanty during the night because of darkness and poor communications, but federal officials said power had been knocked out in some spots and there were early reports of flimsy structures with tin roofs sustaining damage. Before hitting the mainland near Isla del Bosque with 120 mph winds Tuesday night, Willa swept over an offshore penal colony about 60 miles out in the Pacific. Authorities declined to comment on precautions that were taken at the prison, citing security concerns, but said the safety of inmates was a priority. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the storms forward movement had sped up to 17 mph late Tuesday and it was expected to rapidly weaken. It warned, however, that the storm could still cause heavy rains in portions of Jalisco, Nayarit and Sinaloa states, with flash flooding and landslides possible in mountainous areas. Willa came ashore about 50 miles southeast of Mazatlan, a resort city that is home to high-rise hotels and about 500,000 people, including many U.S. and Canadian expatriates. Although hotels, restaurants and stores were boarded over, people ventured onto Mazatlans coastal boulevard to watch a spectacular sunset as the hurricane obscured the sky to the south. Alberto Hernandez, a hotel worker in the town of Teacapan, close to where the storm made landfall, expressed confidence before it hit that the building would hold up. He and his son, who also works at the hotel, stayed on the job, though the rest of his family had left the area. Weve had rain all day. There is nobody in the streets. Everything is closed, Hernandez said. But not everyone wanted to leave, even though authorities made it clear that he who stays does so at his own peril. Torrential rains began in the afternoon, and emergency officials said they had evacuated more than 4,250 people in coastal towns and set up 58 shelters ahead of the dangerous storm. Schools were ordered closed. As Willa neared, the beach in Mazatlan almost disappeared, with waves slamming against the coastal boulevard under looming black clouds. Marco Ugarte is an Associated Press writer. 3 1 of 3 Nasser Nasser / Associated Press Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Adel Hana / Associated Press Show More Show Less 3 of 3 RAMALLAH, West Bank Security forces of the rival Palestinian governments routinely use torture and arbitrary arrests, among other tactics, to quash dissent by peaceful activists and political opponents, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday. The charges came in a new report released by the New York-based watchdog, following a two-year investigation that included interviews with nearly 150 people, many of them ex-detainees. It accused both the Western-backed Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and the Islamic militant Hamas in Gaza of using machineries of repression to stifle criticism. HUIXTLA, Mexico Thousands of Central American migrants awoke Tuesday in a makeshift encampment in a rain-soaked town square in far-southern Mexico, some weary, foot-sore and coughing, still distant from their goal of reaching the U.S. border. The caravan, estimated to include more than 7,000 people, had advanced about 45 miles since crossing the border from Guatemala, and still faced more than 1,000 miles, and likely much further, to the end of the journey. But as the sun rose, a chorus of coughs arose from the shapeless forms wrapped in blankets and bits of plastic sheeting. Burned by the relentless heat and the nights chill, eating badly and sleeping rough, many appeared to be developing respiratory symptoms. Forty-eight-year-old Edwin Enrique Jimenez Flores of Tela, Honduras had one of those persistent coughs, but still vowed to reach the U.S. to seek work. I feel strong. My feet are good, he said. But Marlon Anibal Castellanos, a 27-year-old former bus driver from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, was finding the journey difficult as he prepared to rest Monday night. He was traveling with his wife as well as his 9-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son. Its difficult to travel with children, he said. Today we walked six hours before finally paying 25 pesos about $1.30 from their thin savings to a passing van driver who took then the rest of the way to Huixtla. Another hazard trucks crowded with hitch-hiking migrants claimed one victim Monday when a Honduran man fell from the back of a truck and died. The marchers set up a simple memorial to the man overnight, setting out a dozen small candles arranged in the shape of a cross that were kept lit through the darkness. On Tuesday, the caravan rested out of respect for the migrant who died. Huixtla municipal worker Daniel Lopez said the leftist-governed town was offering some food, water and portable bathrooms to the migrants as well as simple painkillers and goods such as rehydration liquids. But he said some children are running high temperatures. Though such caravans have occurred semi-regularly over the years, this one has become a hot topic ahead of the Nov. 6 midterm elections in the U.S., and an immigrant rights activist traveling with the group accused Trump of using it to stir up his Republican base. It is a shame that a president so powerful uses this caravan for political ends, said Irineo Mujica of the Pueblo Sin Fronterass group. Mark Stevenson is an Associated Press writer. The nation's workers were called on to implement the spirit of the Party's 19th National Congress and improve their work skills at a session attended by President Xi Jinping on Monday. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the opening session of the 17th National Congress of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions held in Beijing. The working class should hold fast to their ideals and faith, give full play to their enthusiasm, advance reforms and innovations, and improve their work skills, said Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. In his speech on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Wang said that Xi's important discourses on the working class and the work of trade unions have shown the direction of innovations and development for the labor movement and trade unions' work in the new era. "It is the common task of the whole Party and Chinese people of all ethnic groups, as well as the historic mission of the working class, to realize the great blueprint laid out at the 19th CPC National Congress," Wang said. Over the past five years, trade unions at all levels have mobilized employees to make accomplishments at work, promoted harmonious labor relations and pushed for reforms and innovations of trade unions, among other achievements, Wang said. The meeting was also attended by other leaders of the CPC and the State, including Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. More than 2,000 delegates from all walks of life, along with nearly 100 specially invited delegates, attended the national congress. The congress is held every five years. The previous session was convened in Beijing in October 2013. Page Content An amendment to the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (IWPCA) imposing an affirmative duty on employers to reimburse employees for certain expenses incurred during their employment will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2019. Previous Law Prior to the amendment, expense reimbursements were not addressed in the IWPCA and its regulations. As a result, employers reasonably took the position that expense reimbursements were not "wages" and thus were not covered by the IWPCA. An employee claiming that he or she was not properly reimbursed would have to characterize it as a breach-of-contract claim. Such a claim would not include the potential recovery of liquidated damages and attorney's fees, as are available under the IWPCA. That position is no longer tenable. New Law The amended law (820 ILCS 115/9.5) requires employers to reimburse all "necessary expenditures incurred by the employee within the employee's scope of employment and directly related to services performed by the employer." It defines "necessary expenditures" to mean "all reasonable expenditures required of the employee in the discharge of employment duties and that inure to the primary benefit of the employer." Generally, however, the employee need not be reimbursed if the employee fails to comply with the employer's written expense-reimbursement policy. The employer's written expense-reimbursement policy may not require employees to submit expenses less than 30 days after incurring them, although it may allow employees more than 30 days to submit expenses. The employer must reimburse all "necessary" expenses that are submitted within 30 days after they were incurred. The policy may not strictly require a receipt or other supporting documents. If an employee has lost or otherwise cannot produce a receipt or other documentation, the employer must accept the employee's own "signed statement" instead. In addition, while the employer's policy may set specifications or guidelines for expenditures, and the employer may deny reimbursement if these guidelines are exceeded, the policy may not provide for "de minimis" reimbursement or no reimbursement at all. Further, if the employer "authorized" or "required" a particular expenditure (those two terms are undefined in the amendment), it may not deny reimbursement, even if the type or amount of the expenditure otherwise would violate or exceed the employer's policy. Other States Illinois has joined a number of other statesincluding California, Massachusetts, Montana, Pennsylvania, New York, Iowa, and Washington, D.C.in enacting expense-reimbursement statutory or regulatory provisions or addressing expense reimbursement obligations through agency guidance. California's expense-reimbursement statute has been particularly troublesome for employers. Class-action litigation premised on failure to reimburse certain expenses (such as home internet service for telecommuters and smartphone expenses) has been brought based on the California law. In one case, a California Court of Appeal held the expense-reimbursement statute requires employers to pay a reasonable percentage of employees' personal cellphone bills when such phones are used, in part, for business purposes. Cochran v. Schwan's Home Serv., Inc., 228 Cal. App. 4th 1137 (Cal. Ct. App.), reviewed denied, 2014 Cal. LEXIS 10933 (Cal. 2014). However, unlike the amendment to the IWPCA, the California law does not have a provision enabling employers to maintain some control over the parameters of expense reimbursements through implementation of a written reimbursement policy. Takeaway Employers in Illinois and other states with expense-reimbursement laws or regulations should ensure that they create and implement written policies to address issues such as the types of expenses that will be reimbursed and any dollar limits on such expenses under normal circumstances. Alison B. Crane and Neil H. Dishman are attorneys with Jackson Lewis in Chicago. 2018 Jackson Lewis. All rights reserved. Reposted with permission. The report titled Kuwait Express Delivery and E-Commerce Logistics Market Outlook to 2022 By Air Express and Road Express, By International Express and Domestic Express, By Business Mode (B2B, B2C and C2C), By E-Commerce Merchants and 3PL Companies, By Same Day delivery Beyond Five Hours, Delivery Within Five Hours and Others provides a comprehensive analysis of express and E-commerce logistics services in the Kuwait. The report focuses on overall market size for express logistics as well as E-commerce logistics in the Kuwait, Kuwait express delivery market segmentation by air express and road express, by delivery type (international express and domestic express), by business mode (B2B, C2C and B2C); Kuwait E-commerce logistics market segmentation by channel (E-commerce merchants and 3PL companies), by time duration (Same Day delivery Beyond Five Hours, Delivery Within Five Hours and Others)and by payment method (cash on delivery and others). The report also covers the overall competitive landscape and growth drivers and trends and government role and regulations. The report concludes with market projection for future and analyst recommendations highlighting the major opportunities and cautions. Kuwait Express Logistics Market Overview and Size Express delivery systems have been considered as a crucial segment of the Kuwait logistics market, utilized for faster delivery of shipments in comparison to general services. Express delivery companies have created a door to door linkage across domestic and international markets and have developed advanced shipment tracking facilities to cater time-sensitive needs of the logistics sector. The gradual shift of the population from retail shopping to online shopping of electronic items, high internet penetration, daily grocery needs, apparels and others in the country has triggered the demand for express logistics in the country. The geographical location of Kuwait has aided the overall market growth majorly due to good connectivity with Asia Pacific countries and GCC regions. Kuwait Express Logistics Market Segmentation By Mode of Transport Road express has dominated the express delivery market in terms of revenue and has accounted for maximum revenue share during the period. Road infrastructure is highly developed which ensures majority of the express logistics player to use roadways to transport goods within the Kuwait as compared to air express as shipment through air is more costly. In order to transport the goods internationally, the air cargo takes lesser hours as compared to road express logistics. By Delivery Type Kuwait express delivery market has been dominated by international express in 2017. Factors such as high volume of international trade, shipments from expats and increase in business activities have resulted in a higher volume of international express shipments in Kuwait. Domestic players have contributed through effective collaborations with global companies in order to enhance their reach to the remote areas of the country. B2B segment has dominated the Kuwait express logistics during 2017. These express logistics services are used by businesses to deliver goods within a specific time frame. Competitive Landscape in the Kuwait Express Delivery Market The domestic express and logistics firms have a strong presence in several cities nationwide. In Kuwait express delivery market is largely dominated by major global players such as DHL, FedEx, Aramex, UPS and others which collectively contribute to the majority of revenues in the international express delivery market. Kuwait Express Logistics Market Future Outlook and Projections The use of information technology is anticipated to increase in the express delivery services in Kuwait with rising competition among the express delivery players in the country. The last mile delivery step to the consumer will gain more importance in future due to the rising share of B2C parcel logistics in the market. Kuwait E-Commerce Logistics Market Overview and Size The Kuwait E-commerce industry has witnessed a positive growth over the past three years. Rise in the smart phones shipments in the country has augmented the growth of E-commerce sector in the country. Various logistics service provider offers additional services and offer discounts for online orders as they help in reduction of additional management processes. Kuwait E-Commerce Logistics Market Segmentation E-commerce merchant through in-house logistics have captured the majority of the market share in terms of the total number of shipments in the year 2017. It has been observed that logistics companies in the Kuwait prefer to manage operations on their own which has resulted in the supremacy of this segment. On the other hand, it was witnessed that international E-commerce companies prefer to outsource logistics to 3PL companies to avoid the obstacles in establishing their own operations. Same day delivery within five hours has dominated the market in terms of number of orders owing to increasing focus of the companies on providing better services coupled with increasing customer needs for better service. Clothing, Fashion Accessories, White Goods, Furniture and Others are the major products which are delivered through same day delivery beyond five hours duration. Comparative Landscape in the Kuwait E-Commerce Logistics Market The E-commerce logistics industry of the Kuwait was observed to be concentrated with the presence of major players such as Aramex, DHL and FedEx covering around majority of the market share in 2017. These companies were witnessed to compete on parameters such as shipping points, coverage area, delivery assistance (last mile) and others. Kuwait E-Commerce Logistics Market Future Outlook and Projections It is expected that Kuwait E-commerce logistics will grow at a robust CAGR of 21.1% in the market in terms of revenue in the 5 years till the year ending 2022. Key Segments Covered Express Logistics Mode of Transport Road Express Air Express Express Logistics Delivery Type International Express Domestic Express Express Logistics Business Mode B2B B2C C2C E-Commerce Logistics Channel E-Commerce Merchants 3PL Companies E-Commerce Logistics Time Duration Same Day Delivery within Five Hours Delivery within Five Hours Others (Delivery beyond 2 Days) E-Commerce Logistics Payment Method Cash On Delivery Others Key Target Audience Express Companies Road Express Companies Air Express Companies Retail Companies Meat and Sea Food Companies Pharmaceutical Companies E-Commerce Companies Logistics Association Importers and Exporters Time Period Captured in the Report: Historical Period -2012-2017 Forecast Period - 2018-2022E Companies Covered: DHL Express ARAMEX Kuwait FedEx Express UPS Express SKYCOM Express OCS ANA GROUP Jeezan Cargo Frontline Express Key Topics Covered in the Report Kuwait Express Logistics Market Time line and Overview Kuwait Express Logistics Market Size Kuwait Express Logistics Value Chain Kuwait Air and Ground Express Market Kuwait International and Domestic Express Logistics Market Kuwait B2B and B2C Express Logistics Market Kuwait E-Commerce Logistics Market Size Kuwait E-commerce Merchants and 3PL Logistics Same Day and Last Mile Delivery Logistics in Kuwait Competitive Scenario Kuwait Express Logistics Competitive Scenario of Kuwait E-Commerce Logistics Market Directory of Major Express Logistics Players Company Profiles of Major Express Logistics Players Challenges in Kuwait Express Logistics Market Kuwait Express Logistics Market Trends and Developments Government Role and Regulations in Express Logistics Market in Kuwait Read more news: Facebook accused of violating children's privacy law Nobel Prize in Chemistry won by 3 scientists for their works on proteins STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Police are blocking traffic along Richmond Terrace in West Brighton, as emergency crews rush an infant to the hospital. The baby was having difficulty breathing, as police and emergency medical personnel were called at about 3 p.m. to an apartment on the 200 block of Hamilton Avenue in St. George, according to emergency radio transmissions. An emergency route to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton included Westervelt Avenue, Richmond Terrace and Bard Avenue, according to radio transmissions. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A dozen individuals were busted for running a cigarette-trafficking ring that funneled millions of illegal cigs from Virginia to Staten Island, authorities announced Tuesday. Borough residents Iyas Leqyanya, 43, Ihab Jaber, 48, Rana Abdelqader, 43, Hasan Leqyanya, 26, Mohamed Alzowkari, a.k.a. RUSHDY, 31, and Ali Ismail, 36, were among the defendants indicted in the scheme that brought nearly four million untaxed cigarettes into Staten Island for resale and distribution, according to the attorney generals office. The investigation found that the ring was allegedly trafficking approximately 740 cartons of untaxed cigarettes per week, and evaded more than $1.3 million in city and state taxes. The co-conspirators were charged with criminal tax fraud, money laundering and conspiracy, officials said. These crime rings cheat New Yorkers, and my office will continue to partner with law enforcement agencies to crack down on those that try to skirt the law, said Attorney General Barbara Underwood in a statement. Brothers Iyas and Jaber Leqyanya allegedly directed the operations transporter to get the cigarettes a few times a week from Atlantic Dominion Distributors in Virginia Beach, and move them to Staten Island. Once the transporter delivered the untaxed cigarettes to Staten Island, they were allegedly stashed in Leqyanya and Jabers residence. Leqyanya, Jaber, and another defendant then distributed and resold the untaxed cigarettes to retail shops in Staten Island and Queens, officials said. In March, authorities raided seven stash locations in Staten Island and Onley, Va., and found hundreds of cartons of untaxed cigarettes and approximately $20,000 in illegal proceeds. Leqyanya, Jaber, and a co-conspirator were charged in August on an initial indictment with possession or transport for the purpose of sale of 30,000 or more unstamped cigarettes. They were arraigned and held on $350,000 bail, authorities said. Seven of the defendants were arraigned Tuesday in state Supreme Court, St. George. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Following reports Tuesday that the New York Wheel project is officially dead, the boroughs elected officials and North Shore stakeholders voiced disappointment in the suspension of the long-awaited tourist attraction, as questions surrounding what now seemed to be in the forefront of discussions. This is disappointing news because I believed the Wheel would be a net plus for our borough. There are plenty of recriminations that will fester, but our work at Borough Hall is now focused on ensuring a smooth transition of the parking garage so commuters will be unaffected, as well as working with the City to resolve expeditiously all of the 'what now? questions," said Borough President James Oddo, who added that he has already spoken to New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President James Patchett regarding next steps. In response to the announcement about the end of the NY Wheel project, Stephanie Baez, senior vice president of public affairs for the NYCEDC, said: The NY Wheel was an ambitious venture. While the developers were unable to secure the necessary funding for this project, the city is committed to working with the community and local stakeholders to determine potential uses for the Wheel site. Since the project was halted in May 2017, the NY Wheel -- a privately funded project that has been in the works on Staten Islands North Shore for more than five years -- had been battling in court with its former contractor Mammoet-Starneth. WITH GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT After years of planning, the developers of The New York Wheel announce, with great disappointment, that the dream of building a world class attraction in Staten Island will unfortunately not come to fruition," said Cristyne Nicholas, spokesperson for the New York Wheel, on Tuesday. Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore) expressed concern over the planned amenities that would be lost now that the project will not move forward. The New York Wheel was much more than an iconic observation wheel. This private project promised to bring needed community amenities including a public waterfront park and childrens playground, expanded waterfront access that could have been part of a North Shore greenway, an educational program for children, a foundation giving community grants and economic development that would have brought hundreds of permanent jobs to the North Shore of Staten Island all at zero cost to taxpayers, she said. The developers inability to complete the project is a deep disappointment for me and a blow to my district, as is the citys refusal to issue bonds at no cost or risk to taxpayers, denying Staten Islanders needed amenities and a vision promised years ago," she added. Mayor Bill de Blasio said last month he didnt think the Wheel was going to be an economically viable project, and therefore refused to float non-taxable bonds the NY Wheel developers were seeking. Like Oddo, Rose also looked toward the future, stating: I will continue fighting to ensure that whatever goes in this space will bring us the same amenities that the New York Wheel would have: public open space, waterfront access and economic development. CONCERNS OVER CONSTRUCTION ZONE There are also concerns that the site will stay a construction zone for an extended period of time. "I think if it continues to be a construction zone for too long it will be unfortunate for everybody in the neighborhood, said Will Smith, president and operating partner of the Staten Island Yankees, which is located next door to the NY Wheel site. A spokesman for the Empire Outlets, New York Citys first outlet mall and a project that has often been associated with the New York Wheel, focused on the shopping centers spring opening. We look forward to seeing millions of visitors enjoy an incredible shopping and dining experience at Empire Outlets after it opens this coming spring as New York Citys first and only outlet center," the spokesperson said. "Our studies show that Empire Outlets is now poised to become one of the nations top outlet centers and fast-growing interest in Empire Outlets from international tourism officials has shown that Staten Islands revitalized North Shore is already becoming a world-class destination. Although the Empire Outlets project is being developed by separate entities, the two had been billed as the main catalysts for attracting tourists to the borough. STATEN ISLANDERS REACT VIA FACEBOOK Staten Islanders took to social media to express concerns over the future of the Wheel site. ...The big question now is how much will it cost to remove those bases so the property can be used for something that might benefit Staten Island and whos going to pay for that removal? This project was a fools errand from the beginning. A total waste of time, commented Louis Ferrara. Just came from London, the London Eye is always packed! It could have been a good tourism business boost for North Shore, commented Carol Portas Semler. NY WHEEL HISTORY On Sept. 7, the embattled Wheel filed a motion for an order approving an amendment in Delaware Bankruptcy Court that -- among other things -- gave the developer a final standstill deadline of Jan. 7, 2019. The amendment stated that no party would be allowed to seek additional extensions beyond that January deadline. In exchange for the new standstill deadline, the amendment provided, among other things, that if the NY Wheel had not terminated the agreement by Tuesday, the developer would relinquish rights to the Wheel parts. A source of dispute between the Wheel and its contractor had been the rights to the Wheel parts. The developer had been paying high storage costs for the Wheel components -- close to $500,000 per month. In an interview with the Advance last month, Jeffrey Feil of The Feil Organization, one of the lead investors in the project, said the NY Wheel was asking the city to provide tax exempt bonds to allow the project to move forward. The developers and myself are still committed to the project. We have hope the city could provide some tax-free bonds. ...We have been meeting with the city for months now and they have been throwing roadblocks up rather than helping us with this endeavor, Feil said last month. But without the mayors office and the mayor committed to this, there is no way we can proceed, said Feil, who along with Lloyd Goldman, a New York real estate developer and founder of BLDG Management, have taken the reins of the project since Rich Marin, co-founder of the New York Wheel, took a lesser role in the organization last year. While the project was being built on city-owned land, it had been fully funded by private investors, and through CanAms Eb-5 program, which allows foreign investors to fund a project in exchange for help facilitating their green cards. A total of $450 million of private money had already been invested in the NY Wheel. The cost of the project was estimated at nearly $1 billion, according to sources. The 55-kilometer Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, scheduled to open for traffic on Wednesday, will provide a crucial boost to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, analysts said. As the first road link to span the Pearl River Estuary, the bridge and tunnel will energize the regional economy and integrate cities from both sides of the estuary into one dynamic community. The Bay Area, in the Pearl River Delta, encompasses nine cities in Guangdong province plus the two special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao. Last year, the total GDP of those 11 cities reached 11.7 trillion yuan ($1.69 trillion). That means 5 percent of the nation's population contributed over 14 percent of country's GDP in 2017. Like the San Francisco Bay Area in the United States, the strategy behind the development of the Bay Area in China was to merge the 11 cities into a world-class city cluster, able to compete on a global scale. "The HZMB is one of the most important elements of the development of the Bay Area," said Jason Ni Mengcheng, an assistant professor in the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at City University of Hong Kong. Ni specializes in research into large transportation infrastructure. The bridge, he said, will redistribute resources in the Bay Area and generate a significant impact on regional development. Noting that the HZMB will be open 24 hours a day, Ni said the structure, for the first time, will provide an unstoppable transportation channel between east and west across the Pearl River Estuary. Although ferry services run throughout the day, their frequency is reduced substantially after midnight, Ni said. Thus, the operation of the HZMB will significantly increase the flow of people and goods across the estuary. Ni also noted that the bridge will encourage more Hong Kong people to visit Macao. This will promote communication and exchanges of professional services between the two SARs. He predicted it will help diversify Macao's economy, which is heavily reliant on tourism and the gaming industry. Construction of the HZMB, the world's longest sea-spanning structure, began at the end of 2009. Once operational, the bridge will cut the travel time between Hong Kong and Zhuhai or Macao from four hours by car to less than 60 minutes. Antony Leung Kam-chung, Hong Kong's former financial secretary from 2001 to 2003, participated in the SAR government's initiative to build a bridge connector prior to 2003. A study of the Pearl River Delta at that time showed that foreign and Hong Kong investors would be most attracted to locales within three hours of Hong Kong, Leung said. Development still lags in places like Zhuhai and Jiangmen, which are farther away, on the western side of the delta, he continued. Once the bridge opens, and with the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link now operational, he predicted more investment will flow westward as far as the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Lin Ming, chief engineer of the bridge's island and tunnel project, said the HZMB will create more urban areas in the Bay Area, given that urbanization is stimulated in coastal regions. "The delta in Guangdong is a perfect site for metropolises," Lin said. "Sustainable development in the delta requires more transportation infrastructurethe more, the better." The HZMB also will serve as an example for future cross-border cooperation under the "one country, two systems" principle. The project was a cross-border effort, shared by the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. Su Yi, head of the Working Group on Cross-boundary Policy Research for bridge operator HZMB Authority, said the cooperation and coordination among the three governments opened a door for institutions under different political systems and cultures to conduct more exchanges. It has laid a foundation for the three administrations to have more cooperation in the future development of the Bay Area, he said. Better communication within the Bay Area will start with the easier flow of capital trading and the innovation of policies, Su said. But ultimately, it's about the connection between people from different backgrounds, he said. Gavan Ord, manager of business and investment policy for CPA Australia, a global accounting body, said that it helps change people's mindsets in terms of business activities with Macao, Zhuhai and other cities on the western coast of the estuary. "With the opening of the HZMB, you feel that you are closer to the other side of the ocean, and it helps integrate separate communities into one," Ord said. Every weekday on my way to work in the middle of the afternoon, I walk down a street thats one block from a big Staten Island high school. And without fail -- every day -- as I walk past students leaving school, I hear their conversation peppered with obscenities. The entire tone is demeaning, aggressive and sarcastic. Negativity is paramount. I listen in vain for anything normal chitchat, discussion of life, something supportive or affectionate, or even mere enthusiasm. In the din of foul-mouthed phrases, nice words dont stand a chance. No kind word can be spoken without a mocking retort. The effect is depressing and demoralizing. Staten Island may have more swearing per conversation than in any other borough. And its unquestionably gotten worse in the last few years. Weve become so desensitized, we dont even realize what damage is being done to the public atmosphere our psychic environment. American culture, taken as a whole, is in a state of fundamental conflict about profanity. On one side of the see-saw, we cherish the notion of free speech - a time-honored, constitutionally-supported, great American tradition. On the other side, we feel the need for civility, or decorum -- a value in urgent need of reviving. Why has our society permitted the speech of an entire generation to slide into the sewer? The common responses are either too easy or consist of blame and rationalization: Its their upbringing. It all starts in the family. The whole society has gone that way . . ." Listen to the song lyrics and the language in movies. You cant stop it. And worst of all - Thats just the way kids are. It certainly is not the way theyve been until very recently. All of these comments have an element of truth to them, but they do nothing to move us in a better direction. We must find ways of moving young people away from that humorous hostility that gives a moment of cool, of macho esteem, to the guys and for the girls, a sense of being naughty, and popular with the guys. Young people need to get the message that they will not get away with their flippant obscenities and violent references, without being taken to task. Every time a person defends his right to curse, the issue should be reframed as respect for others. My point here is not to blame younger people -- obviously we adults set the example. Our entire culture, not just our schools, needs to regain habits of self-correction that have been lost in our new angry era. Americans deserve a peaceful public place. That, in fact, is our right. We dont have to accept constant aural pollution. Women should not have to tolerate hearing language that degrades them. Children should not have to be subjected to sexual and violent language. To those who claim that clamping down in any way on the constantly increasing flood of profanity is censorship and therefore bad, I must state clearly that, in legal terms, speech is a kind of behavior, and behavior is already regulated in many ways. When people get disruptive in social gatherings, there are laws on the books pertaining to disruptive behavior. Censorship is a red-flag word. It crushes all distinctions, because, in fact, there are many things we cannot legitimately say in American society because they are incitement to riot, or slanderous, or perjury, or cruel, as in, for example, hate speech. The age-old taboo against profanity is part of our countrys civil code. The taboo acts as an essential buffer zone between people, and its removal sets a dangerous precedent for society. When that layer of protection is gone, and someone in a crowd mouths off, instantly there's anxiety; we automatically tense up, and think -- will violence result? Its really not just that everyones hostility is spilling out - the problem right now is that the language of hostility is spilling out. The easy public use of profanity has, until recently, been a taboo not only because the words are raunchy, or sexual, or embarrassing in mixed company -- but because theyre violent. The fuel of profanity is anger, so it should come as no surprise that those who use it will go to great lengths to defend their behavior. It would be hard to find defenses more vociferous than those used by habitual users of profanity. We hear these justifications from those who are not bothered by profanity and find it to be healthy -- Its bonding -- its expressive -- its harmless. As to profanity being creating bonds: It actually destroys bonds. Your buddies at work may yuk it up with off-color jokes, but at the same time, others are listening, and theyre repulsed. Their bond with their fellow workers has been ruined. As to profanity being expressive: Its actually inexpressive and primitive. There are a thousand ways to express your feelings, but it takes no imagination to spit out a curse word. Recent brain research indicates that profanity stimulates the neural networks that get activated when the person is under attack. In other words, it stimulates the part of the brain that controls our basest instinct. The ultimate distortion is to say that profanity represents freedom of speech. It is, in fact, the abuse of freedom of speech. Just because the First Amendment protects our general right to say what we want in public without fear of breaking a law, doesnt make that act worthy, or moral, or appropriate, or civilized. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams would have been appalled to see that, in our time, the biggest court battles regarding free speech -- rather than to protect the right to protest unjust laws, resist tyranny or criticize our leaders -- are being used to defend the right of people to use potty talk. What a waste of a great American law. The whole indictment against casual public profanity is this: It is anti-civility. In each and every instance, the effect is to rough up the civilized demeanor of our discourse. Whatever the atmosphere is among people, it can be damaged with one curse word. Whatever conversation is intelligent and descriptive, it can be made stupid and coarse with some nasty street-talk thrown in. Daily-spoken English neednt be crude just to be enthusiastic. We need to move back towards the linguistic eloquence America has known in its past. But the way will be difficult. It will take a national movement: Lets call it the Civility Movement. It has to come from parents, teachers, principals, school boards, politicians, ministers, monsignors, preachers and movie producers. The progenitors of this Civility Movement are not censors. We care about society, about each other, and about the deteriorating state of the English language. 1) Talk directly to the teenagers. Ask them: What does that word really mean? Is that the best way to express yourself? Do you think its a nice way to talk? Why do you do it? How can you say that differently? 2) Talk to the high school principal about enforcing anti-profanity measures in school. These measures are not against "free speech." They are simply rules of conduct, which all American schools are legally permitted to enforce, in order to make a good learning environment. 3) In your place of work, discuss a profanity policy with the head of the company. The point is to have a clear policy, while at the same time being lenient enough so that people are not fired for expressing their frustration. Describe consequences for repeated violations, such as demotion or firing. 4) Write letters and make phone calls to major media outlets and film producers objecting to the obscenities in their screenplays. 5) If youre a religious person, ask your clergy to sermonize about profanity. There is plenty of Biblical support for decent speech. And, by all means, talk about it with atheists and agnostics and New Agers, because this is not fundamentally a religious issue. Its important to show that even secular society finds profanity objectionable. 6) And, finally, clean up your own act. Profanity has no place in civilized society. Make sure you dont give in to the urge to use ugly, obscene or degrading language. Ever. (Gregory Nielsen is a North Shore resident. He will accept emails at CivilSpeech@protonmail.com from those interested in establishing and contributing to an online forum.) 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! China on Tuesday said it has expressed concern to the United States after two American warships passed through the Taiwan Strait. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the comments at a daily news briefing. "China has closely followed the passing of U.S. warships through the Taiwan Strait and monitored the whole process," said Hua. She said the Taiwan issue concerns the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China and is the most important and sensitive issue in the China-U.S. relationship. "We urge the U.S. to strictly abide by the three China-U.S. joint communiques and properly handle Taiwan-related issues so as to avoid impairing bilateral relations as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Hua said. Diversified developer and landlord Mirvac has said its stronger investment business and entrance to the build-to-rent sector will help offset the softening housing and challenging retail markets. In its third quarter update, one of the country's biggest high-density residential developers has reaffirmed its increased earnings guidance for the 2019 year of between 2 per cent to 4 per cent. At its full-year results in August, the group said it was shifting its focus to more ''passive'' capital through the development of commercial assets. Mirvac's first build-to-rent property at Indigo Pavilions, Sydney Olympic Park in NSW. This increase in commercial development earnings should partially offset moderating residential earnings in coming years. Probuild founder and racehorse owner Phil Mehrten has offloaded the former Prahran Post Office in Melbournes hip inner-east for $13.38 million, almost 50 per cent above what it last traded for in 2013. The three-level building sold to a locally-based Chinese family on a yield of 4.5 per cent. Mr Mehrten, who is repositioning his extensive property portfolio, purchased the heritage office on the corner of Greville and Macquarie Streets for $9.1 million in 2013 on a yield of 6.97 per cent. The former Prahran Post Office sold for $13.38m. Credit:CBRE The office is leased to Angus & Bon steakhouse, GoPros Australasian head office and the College of Intensive Care Medicine, which anchors the building, for net annual rental income about $610,000. Thousands attend ACTU rally in Melbourne and Sydney to fight against low pay Were sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss Our network Open Navigation Menu The Sydney Morning Herald Subscribe No reputable university would reject funding because it didn't like the politics of the donor's board, Sydney University's acting vice chancellor has argued in defence of a proposed partnership with the Ramsay Centre. After five departments wrote open letters arguing Ramsay money would hurt the university's reputation, the provost and acting vice chancellor, Professor Stephen Garton, responded saying more humanities funding could actually strengthen it. "My own view is that it would be very difficult, in reputational terms, to justify the refusal of funding, otherwise than on the grounds that doing so would compromise our academic freedom," Professor Garton said in a letter to staff. Sydney University is in discussion with the Ramsay Centre over funding for a course in western tradition Credit: "It has never been university policy to reject funding from a donor simply on the basis that we did not like the politics of the people on the board of the funding body. No reputable university in the world would conduct its philanthropy campaign on such a basis." A Singaporean doctor dubbed "Dr Love" is behind a new egg-freezing clinic in Australia that will target young millenials and prospective single mothers from Asia who can pay per month to keep their eggs on ice. Rising numbers of Australian women are now choosing to freeze their eggs as they wait to meet the right partner. Rising numbers of Australian women are putting their eggs on ice. But the operator of the XY.Life franchise, which plans to begin operating here next year, says there remains an untapped market for the service in Australia in younger millennial women aged from their late 20s, and unmarried Asian women barred from accessing fertility treatment in their own countries. Dr Ken Leong, chief executive of XY.Life, said big IVF clinics in Australia had not aggressively marketed their services to Asian countries. Last week, the Queensland government finally dragged itself into the modern era when it voted to make access to abortion officially legal. I say "modern era", but of course there are still legislatures all over the country (and the world) that are languishing in a state of regressive, misogynist policies that deny women and others with reproductive capacity the right to determine when, if and under what circumstances they become parents. New South Wales is one of them. Curiously, South Australia is another for despite abortion being relatively easy to access in that state (and I should know, I had two there), its technically still listed on the criminal code. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has said, correctly, that abortion law reform would modernise Queensland. Credit:AAP Tasmania recently saw the closure of the last remaining public clinic to provide terminations, meaning those unable to access or afford private care will now have to travel to the mainland for intervention a task that manages to be both inaccessible and unaffordable. Of course, abortion is a fraught topic but not because there are two equal and opposite sides that must be taken into consideration. Its a fraught topic because there are still all too many people who consider the idea of a person to carry more weight and importance than the actuality of a person who already exists. Bus passengers could be forgiven for doing a double take on Wednesday when a bus decorated in Canberra's iconic bus shelters pulls up. Transport Canberra has wrapped a bus with the artworks of Trevor Dickinson, coinciding with his exhibition at the Canberra Museum and Gallery. Unveiling the new bus, ACT Transport Minister Meegan Fitzharris suggested the government had gone so far as to design the new network with the well-known concrete bus shelters front of mind. One of the things that has been contemplated in the new design is the bus stops themselves, so weve tried to align the bus stops with these iconic shelters so we have to move less of them, Ms Fitzharris said. David Harold Eastman had been optimistic about his future in the days before Colin Winchesters murder, his defence says. The former treasury official believed his prospects of re-entering the public service within six months were good and hoped to have assault charges - listed to appear in court on January 12, 1989 - against him dropped. "What would be achieved by acting before the 12th of January? It would not mark the end of the line," George Georgiou, SC, told an ACT Supreme Court jury on Tuesday. Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Mr Winchester was shot dead, at close range, in his car after he had pulled into his neighbour's driveway about 9.15pm on January 10, 1989. Mr Eastman, 73, has pleaded not guilty to the murder. Canberra's electric car drivers will be able to travel further without refuelling their vehicles after the arrival of a new high-powered charging station. The capital's first Tesla supercharger station has been installed in the carpark next to the McDonald's at Majura Park. It is capable of fully charging a battery-powered car in about 30 minutes, meaning drivers can travel up to 270 kilometres without having to refuel. Tesla owners club founder Jude Burger at the unveiling of Canberra's first Tesla supercharger station. Credit: Jamila Toderas By comparison, regular Tesla "destination" chargers - which can be found across Canberra - take about 4-6 hours to refuel a vehicle. If you had dreams of becoming an astronaut before being sucked into the black hole of law or finance then you might have a second chance. On Tuesday the Australian National University launched its very own space agency, InSpace, which hopes to harness talent from all faculties across the school. Professor Anna Moore, who will head the new institute, said the university has supplied funding to closely match Australia's own federal space agency which received a $50 million funding boost at the last federal budget. Professor Anna Moore is the head of ANU's new space research group. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos Professor Moore got the idea after taking part in an expert panel on a federal review of Australia's space industry capability. Warning: put down any power tools and ensure youre not operating heavy machinery before you read the next sentence. Weve been outflanked! Of course, unless youre completely benighted or under some sort of strange, personal news blackout that prevents you even glancing at the front pages of newspapers, youll probably have already realised that China is extending and developing its relations with our close Pacific neighbours. This was, after all, only to be expected. Beijing and Taipei have long recognised the value of these countries votes in the United Nations; it's not much of a step from there to glance at the map and recognise the islands have other significance as well. As China began expanding its international reach it was only natural it would similarly strengthen other relationships, including defence links. And this is the point at which our conservative friends can start hyperventilating again. China is extending and developing its relations with our close Pacific neighbours. Credit:PLA It's hardly a surprise though, is it? Nature abhors a vacuum and so, as weve been demonstrating less and less interest in this region, others have occupied the space. Maybe it's a case of Johnny-come-lately, when Andrew C Taubman of Queens Park says: Not to say that hes behind the times or anything, but on Monday our entire household received letters from John Howard, urging us to vote for the Liberal candidate in the byelection, held two days prior. John Wards wish to identify the grey-brown squawking bird (C8) at odds with squadrons of noisy miners in the Shire has certainly thrown the cat among the pigeons. There are two front-runners: the wattle bird and the channel-billed cuckoo. According to Ian Bryant of Barden Ridge, the latter start their raucous mating calls at around 4am and carry on until after 10 at night. Ian adds that miner birds gang up on anything that invades their territory. Peter Miniutti recently asked if there was a Persian rug shop in Sydney that isnt having a closing down sale? Well, Garry P Dalrymple of Earlwood says there is: A Persian Rug dealer in Earlwood, proudly announces on a traffic facing wall, that it has secured a two year extension of its lease, although the announcement itself may already be more than a year old. Meanwhile, Lorel Adams of Glebe was intrigued when a 'nomadic rug traders' shop in Pyrmont advertised their relocation sale. George Manojlovic of Mangerton thinks Persian rugs are forever on sale because the carpets are strictly Kashan, no checks. A nice bit of loyalty to the Hunter from Daphne Roper of New Lambton, following Nola Tucker's praise for the efforts of Jonathan Biggins at the Wharf Review (C8): "Notifying Nola that the talented Jonathan Biggins is an old Newcastle boy. One of the many talents this city has bequeathed to audiences. A member of the original Castanets. We breed 'em great in old 'Newy'." Police are appealing for help to find out who delivered the weapon used in a fatal shooting in Sydneys west at the start of the year. CCTV footage has been released of a car that police believe was used to deliver a shortened double-barrelled shotgun to a housing complex in Merrylands West on January 19. That night, 22-year-old Mohamed Salihy was shot in the chest. Emergency services were called to the complex on Eddy Street about 9.30pm, but Mr Salihy died in the driveway. A man charged with attempted murder after he shot a police officer with his own gun at a western Sydney hospital tried to keep pulling the trigger after firing two shots but was stopped by an officer who jammed part of the gun with his finger, a court has heard. Michael de Guzman, 41, was taken to Nepean Hospital in Penrith on the afternoon of January 12, 2016 after police were called because he was walking around while exhibiting bizarre and erratic behaviour. Sergeant Luke Warburton was shot at Nepean Hospital in January 2016. Credit:NSW Police When he arrived at the hospital, a blood test found he had small amounts of the drug ice in his system. He was initially restrained on both arms and both legs, however after several hours all restraints were removed and at about 10pm he was advised he was granted bail. Two officers who had been guarding him left the hospital. Twenty minutes later, he spotted paediatric registrar Dr Ma Guinto and grabbed her from behind and dragged her to the floor. He wrapped one arm around her chest and neck and used his other hand to hold surgical scissors to her throat. Australia focuses heavily on school students achievement at a point in time. But the sad reality is that achievement tells us a lot about real estate values, and little about how to improve the school system. Student progress (ie learning growth) gives a better indication of how much a student learns during their time in the classroom. A new Grattan Institute report provides a state-by-state report card of student progress in NAPLAN, taking account of socio-economic differences. NSW selective schools are helping push brighter students ahead. Credit:Steve Christo NSW may not like its report card. The self-styled Premier State was a solid but not stand-out performer between 2010 and 2016. On a like-for-like basis, NSW students as a whole dont make significantly above-average progress in reading or numeracy, either at primary or secondary level. NSW does stand out in one area: it stretches advantaged students in secondary schools, particularly by comparison with Victoria. Students at moderately advantaged secondary schools in NSW make three months more progress in numeracy between years 7 and 9 than students at similarly advantaged Victorian schools. But theres a flip side to this: students at moderately disadvantaged secondary schools in NSW make five months less progress than their southern counterparts across the same two-year period. Childcare workers demanding more pay and better working conditions have rallied outside a Brisbane centre operated by a company owned by Peter Duttons wife. The protest was outside Camelia Avenue Childcare Centre in Everton Hills, in Mr Dutton's Dickson electorate, north of Brisbane. Education Department figures, released under Freedom of Information laws and obtained by Fairfax Media, showed the centre received $2.03 million in Commonwealth funding between 2014 and 2018. Early childhood educator Kirstie Fildes was one of about 25 protesters who held signs on the side of busy Camelia Avenue during peak hour. Police divers have flown from Brisbane to join the investigation into the death of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley as detectives try to retrace her final hours in the hope it will lead them to her killer. More than 24 hours after the young woman's body was found on a remote north Queensland beach, detectives have renewed their appeal for the public's help to crack the case with nothing ruled in or out as yet, according to investigators. Toyah Cordingley was found dead on Wangetti Beach in north Queensland on Monday morning. Credit:Facebook In their latest update, detectives want to track down anyone who was at Rustys Markets in Cairns on Sunday afternoon. Ms Cordingley was at the markets between midday and 1pm, an hour before she drove to Wangetti Beach to walk her dog and her body was found on the sand the next morning. Police are also asking for dashcam vision recorded from 12-7pm on Sunday on the Captain Cook Highway between Smithfield and Port Douglas, as well as footage showing the northern or southern car parks at Wangetti Beach. Brisbane City Council spent almost 12 times more on television advertising in 2017-18 than it did in the past year, and that figure continues to grow. In the 2017-18 financial year, the council spent $590,406 on television advertising, an increase of more than $540,000 on the 2016-17 spend of $50,023. To date in the 2018-19 financial year, $251,757 has been spent, which is on average more than $62,000 a month. The money spent in this financial year on television advertising went entirely towards funding the Growing Your Brisbane Lifestyle campaign. As he was dying of serious burns to 95 per cent of his body, Darren Reid told a police officer that he was attacked by three men. But prosecutors now allege his partner Kate Stone was responsible for his death after she doused him in enamel thinner and set him alight. Kate Stone is on trial in the Supreme Court. Credit:Bendigo Advertiser Mr Reid, 45, died of severe burns at the Bendigo home he shared with Ms Stone on December 18, 2016. Ms Stone, 41, is on trial in Bendigo charged with Mr Reid's murder. She has pleaded not guilty. Canberra Liberals politician Jeremy Hanson says a new advisory council that will oversee huge changes to the ACT's procurement laws could be stacked with union figures who will get a say over how government contracts are handed out. But the employment minister says unions will not - and have never - have veto power over government procurement. Canberra Liberals politician Jeremy Hanson delivered a dissenting set of recommendations on a new jobs code. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos The ACT's parliament is set to debate draft legislation that will prevent companies from getting government work unless they have a local jobs code certificate on Thursday. To obtain a certificate, companies will have to be audited at least every two-and-a-half years and comply with a Secure Local Jobs Code. Staff numbers at the Australian Institute of Criminology were halved to just 18 in June this year, with its research output also reduced. The institute's average staffing level last financial year was forecast in the 2017-18 portfolio budget statement to be 46, but in the 2018-19 portfolio budget statement the actual figure was 26. CEO of the Criminal Intelligence Commission Michael Phelan appears before Senate estimates. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer The institute's annual report, released last week, showed despite the higher average staffing level, the actual number of staff on June 30 last year was 37, which fell to 18 staff on June 30 this year. Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission chief executive Michael Phelan, who is also director of the Institute of Criminology, told Senate estimates most of the cut of around 20 jobs was due to a machinery of government change where the commission took over logistic and administrative responsibility for the smaller institute. A bid to host the pesticides authority in Armidale at a property hit in an unsolved arson mystery appeared less than a month after the fire destroyed a club at the site. Federal government officials revealed a tender to host the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority's offices in the northern NSW town was sent to the government on October 7, 2016, three weeks after the attack. Loading The tender also appeared more than a month before the agency's move from Canberra to Armidale was decided by a relocation order from Finance Minister Mathias Cormann on November 24 that year. Its kind of hard to know what to make of Kevin Rudd. Were meeting in the office of Senator Claire Moore, an old mate from Queensland, he says, tucked away in the far corridors of Parliament House. Sitting on a blanket-covered couch with a cup of pale tea, hes wearing a blue tie, a neat suit, his white shirt a little tight around his middle. Kevin Rudd: "Whether this account unsettles other narratives ... is yet to be seen." Credit:Jamila Toderas Rudd is in Canberra, just overnight, for the launch of his latest memoir, The PM Years. Later, after our interview, he heads off for the official proceedings, his wife Therese Rein by his side. Politicians turn up, friends and foe, Julie Bishop, Barnaby Joyce, Anthony Albanese, Kim Carr, the media horde descends. He knows Im not a political journalist and Im wondering if this is the reason I was offered this one-on-one time. That Id be afraid to ask the hard questions, that I wouldnt even know what the hard questions were. While I was researching for this story - and theres only so much of a heavily annotated 700-page memoir you can squeeze in overnight - I asked more learned colleagues and friends their view on Rudd. Is he still relevant many questioned, some had direct experience and called him a tyrant, plenty of others used choice descriptors to describe him. But mainly everyone wanted to know why publish this book now - why unload on ex-colleagues five years after leaving parliament? Rudd says that wasn't his intention, it was to write his version of history, to bring about something of a sense of closure. Energy retailers are being ordered by Prime Minister Scott Morrison to slash their prices from January 1 or face the prospect of drastic regulation, amid pressure for a royal commission into "dodgy" practices that hurt customers. Mr Morrison escalated his threats to the big retailers in a bid to force voluntary price cuts before the next election, sparking protests from business and a sell-off in energy company stocks on the Australian sharemarket. The extraordinary measures include a new law to be put to Parliament within weeks to force companies to divest some of their assets, as well as a new regime to set "default" prices next July in the wake of the "voluntary" cuts in January. Energy Minister Angus Taylor told Fairfax Media he also wanted companies to propose a shortlist of new power generation projects across all energy sources, including coal, to bid for federal support such as Commonwealth debt guarantees under the new plan. Kevin Rudd is advancing a radical new theory of how political power works in Australia. The former prime minister argues that holding the confidence of the House of Representatives - the constitutional definition of forming government -is not sufficient to hold power. Mr Rudd claims that a government must also enjoy the support of Rupert Murdoch's media group, or the mining industry, or both. Then opposition leader Kevin Rudd pictured leaving the News Corporation building with Rupert Murdoch after a meeting in April, 2007, in New York. He visited again after being elected prime minister. Credit:Michael Nagle "To stay alive in Australian politics required you to have at least two of these three centres of power in your court. Opposition Leader Luke Foley has indicated he would decriminalise abortion in NSW after an overhaul of laws in Queensland left NSW the only state where abortion remains a criminal offence. Mr Foley said a Labor government would ask the NSW Law Reform Commission to review the abortion laws. "This is signalling that under a future Labor government, the long-standing illegality around these laws would be removed but we want considered advice on how to do that," Mr Foley said. Luke Foley has indicated Labor would decriminalise abortion if elected in March. Credit:Dean Lewins "The Law Reform Commission is the best vehicle for that." (CNN) Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison broke down in tears Monday while making a national apology to thousands of victims of child sexual abuse in institutions in a scandal which has spanned decades. In a speech which was broadcast live across the country, Morrison said the trauma suffered by victims in institutional settings from church orphanages to youth groups and schools had been "hiding in plain sight for too long." "We honor every survivor in this country, we love you, we hear you and we honor you," he said during his speech in the Australian Parliament. The formal apology followed a national investigation into institutional sexual abuse in Australia, which spanned five years and stunned the country with revelations of thousands of cases of shocking abuse. In his speech, Morrison acknowledged the many victims of physical, sexual and mental abuse who had taken their own lives due to the trauma they endured, as well as those who had yet to report their abuse. He said he hoped the apology would "give strength to others who were yet to share what happened." "Today Australia confronts a trauma, an abomination, hiding in plain sight for far too long. Today we confront a question too horrible ask, let alone answer, why weren't the children of our nation loved, nurtured and protected?" Morrison said. In a rare show of emotion for the new prime minister, Morrison briefly broke down and fought back tears when he talked of meeting leading author and advocate Chrissie Foster. "As a father of two daughters I can't comprehend what she has faced," Morrison said. Two of Foster's three daughters, Emma and Katie, were repeatedly abused by a local school Catholic priest near their home in Oakleigh, Melbourne. Later as teenagers and young adults, the sisters were so traumatized that Emma later took her own life, aged 25, while Katie coped by drinking heavily. She was left disabled after being hit by a car while drunk in 1999. Foster told CNN the official apology was "hugely significant" but would cause a mix of emotions for survivors and their families. "The overall impression for survivors was that offenders, particularly in the churches, were protected from the law and its punishments ... Survivors will feel anything from anger to relief at this apology," she said. Thousands of abuse cases revealed The apology comes 10 months after the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse issued a damning final report into the abuse of children at a wide spectrum of institutions reaching back decades. It was promised by Morrison's predecessor, former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who set the date for a national apology in June when announcing the government's response to the report. The report by, which cost the Australian government $355 million (A$500 million) and heard from thousands of victims over five years, warned that children were still being sexually assaulted. The commission revealed in 2017 that 7% of Catholic priests, working between 1950 and 2009, were accused of child sex crimes. In total, 4,444 alleged cases were recorded. Many cases are continuing to be heard through the courts as a result of the hearings. The Australian Catholic Church said in August it would accept the majority of the commission's recommendation, including enacting voluntary celibacy for priests. Foster, who was on the official advisory board for the apology, said she was adamant the Royal Commission recommendations should be implemented in full. "We need to implement them because keeping children safe in the future is why we have faced the Royal Commission and told our harrowing stories," she said. Bill Shorten, the opposition Labor Party leader, said that other countries have been educated and inspired by what Australia has done in terms of holding a Royal Commission. "They are looking at what Australia has done and seeing that it's best practice around the world for putting the people that matter at the center," he said. Morrison vowed that the government would adhere to the recommendations made in the final report saying the survivors deserved "action." He confirmed the government were already taking action on 104 of the 122 recommendations. "It wasn't a foreign enemy...this was done by Australians to Australians enemies in our midst, the enemies of innocence," he said. 'Bad memories will last our whole lives' Two sisters who were abused in an Australian orphanage reunited to hear the apology together at a special screening. Debra Wooby, 53, and Donna Wooby, 51, both suffered abuse while living at St Cuthbert's Children's Home in Colac, in rural Victoria. They told CNN that watching the apology together had been "hugely emotional." "We'd like to watch it again as it was quite overwhelming," Debra, who was abused by a care worker at the home, told CNN. "It was like listening to your own story but for us we have to live with the pain every day. The apology is important but the bad memories will last our whole lives." Despite the apology, there has been anger among advocates that the Australian Catholic Church in particular has resisted a key recommendation of the Royal Commission by refusing to break the sacred seal of confession. Many senior Catholic figures in Australia, including Mark Coleridge, the Archbishop of Brisbane, have stated they would rather risk jail than reveal what was said by priests in confession. As the Vatican continues to be buffeted by scandals of abuse by clergy from the U.S. to Ireland, Chile and Germany, Pope Francis is under pressure to be seen to be making changes and taking action even if it means altering ancient canon laws. Anger has also been heard over the new redress compensation scheme for Australian victims which is is proving to be a complex and slow process for many, with others angry that the $200,000 recommended by the Royal Commission was later capped at $150,000. After the apology, Morrison was heckled when he stood on the stage in Parliament's Great Hall to speak to gathered survivors and advocates after his speech in parliament. Morrison said he "understood the anger" before reading out the formal government apology to the Australian victims of institutional sexual abuse. "Today we reckon with our past and commit to protect children now and into the future .... as children you deserve care and protection instead the very people entrusted with you care failed you," he said, "We are sorry." This story was first published on CNN.com, "Emotional Australian PM says sorry to victims of institutional child abuse." Millions of dollars in federal cash is flowing into the New South Wales and Victorian police services while WA has missed out completely, it has been revealed during estimates hearings in Canberra. Not only is the federal government paying reimbursing NSW police officers for extra tax they have to pay because of changes to superannuation, but $7.2 million has been forked to eastern states police forces to run organised crime operations. The federal government defended the payments while under questioning from WA One Nation Senator Peter Georgiou. Pauline Hanson's One Nation Senator Peter Georgiou is pushing for more federal funding for WA police after revelations the Commonwealth is sending millions to NSW and Victoria. Credit:Andrew Meares WA Senator Michaelia Cash, who represented Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton at the hearing, said the federal government had not sought to favour any particular state or territory. Wim Kok, who has died aged 80, was prime minister of the Netherlands from 1994 to 2002, heading a "purple coalition" that legalised same-sex marriage, prostitution and euthanasia. A former leader of the Dutch trade union movement who headed the Labour Party for 16 years, Kok was an accomplished negotiator. Former Dutch prime minister Wim Kok has died, aged 80. Credit:AP However, his government will always be associated with the most shameful episode in the nation's recent history: the failure of Dutch troops to prevent the massacre of up to 8000 Muslim men by Bosnian Serbs in July 1995 in the UN "safe area" of Srebrenica. Despite clear evidence of murder and brutality, the UN force's Dutch deputy commander signed a declaration with the Serb Ratko Mladic - later convicted of war crimes - that the Serbs had adhered to "all the regulations of the Geneva Convention", then drank a toast with him. The troops of his 13th Air Mobile Infantry Battalion flew home to a heroes' welcome. Bolanos gave DeWayne Johnson until December 7 to accept the reduced amount or demand a new trial. In denying Monsanto's request for a new trial, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Suzanne Bolanos cut the jury's punitive damage award from $US250 million to $US39 million. The judge had earlier said she had strong doubts about the jury's entire punitive damage award. Plaintiff DeWayne Johnson looks up during a brief break as the Monsanto trial in San Francisco in July. Credit:AP San Francisco: A Northern California judge has upheld a jury's verdict that found Monsanto's weed killer caused a groundskeeper's cancer, but she slashed the amount of money to be paid from $US289 million ($408 million) to $US78 million. Johnson's spokeswoman Diana McKinley said he and his lawyers are reviewing the decision and haven't decided the next step. "Although we believe a reduction in punitive damages was unwarranted and we are weighing the options, we are pleased the court did not disturb the verdict," she said. Monsanto spokesman Daniel Childs said that the company was pleased with the reduced reward but still planned to appeal the verdict. Childs said there's no scientific proof linking Roundup to cancer. The jury awarded punitive damages after it found that the St. Louis-based agribusiness had purposely ignored warnings and evidence that its popular Roundup product causes cancer, including Johnson's lymphoma. Punitive damages are designed to punish companies that juries determine have purposely misbehaved and to deter others from operating similarly. In a tentative ruling on October 11, Bolanos said it appeared the jurors overreached with their punitive damages award. She said then that she was considering wiping out the $US250 million judgment after finding no compelling evidence presented at trial that Monsanto employees ignored evidence that the weed killer caused cancer. The Global Conference on Primary Health Care, hosted by the government of Kazakhstan, WHO, and UNICEF will take place on 25-26 October in Astana, Kazakhstan Washington D.C (PAHO/WHO):--- Delegations from Member States of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will renew their commitment to primary health care (PHC) this week, as a vital part of achieving universal health and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The renewal of this commitment will take place within the framework of the Global Conference on Primary Health Care, to be held on 25-26 October, in Astana, Kazakhstan, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Alma Ata Declaration, which defined PHC as a vital strategy for achieving health for all. The Conference is organized by the Government of Kazakhstan, WHO and UNICEF. Since the Declaration of 1978, the values and principles of primary health care, which include the right to health, equity, solidarity, social justice and participation, and multisectoral action, to name but a few, have formed the basis of many of PAHOs mandates and have guided the transformation of health systems throughout the Region. World leaders will now support a new declaration, emphasizing the role of PHC in reorienting efforts to ensure that all people, everywhere, can enjoy the highest possible level of health. Countries of the Americas that are PAHO Member States, participated in the preparation of this declaration. Universal health means that all people have access to quality, comprehensive services without having to face discrimination or financial difficulties. Universal health can only be achieved through health systems that are based on PHC, which is the foundation for an effective health care system. Primary health care services, which are closer to individuals and communities, are able to meet the vast majority of a populations health care needs throughout their lives, from prevention and treatment to rehabilitation and palliative care. Good primary health care leads to better health outcomes, better quality of care and longer life expectancy. Government, civil society and academic delegations from Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, United States, Haiti, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico and Suriname are all expected to participate during the global conference in Astana. PHC and universal health in the Americas Throughout the 40 years following the historic Alma-Ata Declaration, the Americas have made important achievements that PAHO has highlighted in the publication, From Alma-Ata to Universal Health: 40 years in the Americas Region. This year, the Annual Report of the PAHO Director, Carissa F. Etienne, also focused on primary health care, and PAHO dedicated the last special issue of its Pan American Journal of Public Health to the subject, with articles on the innovations that countries in the region have implemented in order to improve primary health care. In 2014, countries of the Americas approved a resolution on access and universal health coverage in PAHO. This resolution outlines a road map for progress towards universal health in the Region, which seeks to address inequalities in access to health systems and services that prevent some of the population in the Americas from accessing care due to financial or geographical barriers. St. Eustatius:--- 20 students together with their teachers visited HNLMS Pelikaan on the 22nd of October for a guided tour and presentation about the work of the Department of Defence in the Caribbean. HNLMS Pelikaan is the logistical support ship of the Commander Netherlands Forces in the Caribbean permanently based on Naval base Parera at Curacao. During the guided tour on the naval vessel, the students got to meet the crew who gave them an insight into the life on board and the work they do. The Government Commissioner Mr. Marcolino Mike Franco paid a visit to the ship and met with the new commander of HNLMS Pelikaan LTZ1 David Boom. On the 15th of October the Pelikaan left the Naval base Parera and gave logistical support in transporting military equipment and goods between the islands, a part of those goods they transport are for the Gwendoline van Putten School which the Commander of the Netherlands Forces in the Caribbean donated to the school. Cultural visit On Sunday the 21st the HNLMS Pelikaan arrived in the harbor of St Eustatius, the crew got the opportunity to see the island and in cooperation with STENAPA they hiked the Quill trail up the volcano. After the visit of HNLMS Pelikaan to St Eustatius, the ship left the harbour on Monday afternoon and continued their logistical tasking between the islands. Two police officers of the Dutch Caribbean Police (KPCN) have been arrested on Bonaire on behalf of the Chief Public Prosecutor of the BES-islands. Both employees are suspected of embezzlement. On behalf of the Chief Public Prosecutor, the criminal investigation will be carried out by the central government investigators. In anticipation of the criminal investigation, both officers were put out of function by the chief of police. In the interests of the investigation, no further announcements will be made at this time. Prosecutor's Office Press Release. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Chief of Police of the Netherlands Mr. E. Akerboom and his delegation, consisting of Mr. Frank Paauw, Mr. R. van Dalen, Mr. S. Pennekamp and representative of Justice and Safety (V&J) along with the Police Chief of KPCN (BES-islands) Mr. J. Rosales and Chief of Police from Aruba (KPA) Mr. A. Hoo on Friday October 19th and Saturday October attended a working visit with the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) headed by Chief Commissioner Carl John and the management team. This visit consisted of a presentation at the Police Head Quarter in Philipsburg by Carl John to the other police commissioners regarding the rebuilding of Sint Maarten as a country in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria and also the rebuilding of the police force. The presentation also included an explanation by John that thanks to the immediate response of all the countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, after the passing of the hurricanes, safety and security to the island could be restored and maintained. Immense gratitude was also expressed to the Netherlands represented by Mr. E. Akerboom who have provided Sint Maarten with the necessary assistance in the form of equipment, manpower, and training to help KPSM give the necessary service to the country. Twinning is winning was the theme for this work visit. Local officers are twinned with and an officer from the Netherlands and it has shown to be very effective. The officers learn from each other, assist each other in many forms. Everything that they do is done together as a team. The request from Carl John was to have the Dutch contingency remain on the island until KPSM is strong enough to do it all alone. Mr. Akerboom and his delegation also met with of the Dutch contingency that is presently assisting KPSM with manpower and with the rebuilding of the organization. After that meeting, the Police Chief met briefly with the Minister of Justice the Honorable Cornelius De Weever in the conference room of the Government administration building on Pond Island. On Saturday, October 20th the entire delegation was given a tour of the ongoing construction of the new emergency dispatch, soon to be in operation, the Cruise facilities and the Simpson Bay police Station before leaving on their flight in the afternoon. This working visit was very successful and all commissioners look forward to their next official meeting. KPSM Press Release. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten is presently in search of a couple who is said to have visited Sint Maarten in the month of August. The persons are from Brazil and their names are Rodrigo Medeiros Rodrigues and Cirlene de Oliveira Barbosa. According to reports the last contact with this couple was in the month of September 2018. This couple probably traveled by boat to Tortola and has not been heard from since. The Police Department is seeking the assistance of the public to help locate the persons. Anyone who may have information about this couple should get in contact with the Police Force of Sint Maarten by calling 54-22222 ext. 214/215 or family members +1 7813508622 or +1 7742440911. KPSM Press Release. President Donald Trump's ostensible political party, the Republicans, trails far behind in current polls and is supposed to lose the control of the House of Representatives, while perhaps even the Senate in the forthcoming mid-term elections. In an interesting turn of events, Trump last month talked about Chinese interference in the vote. Accusing China of interference in Iowa, a swing state, Trump's surprise attack was carried forward by his VP Mike Pence in a strong speech at a think tank seminar. The "proof" that was produced came in the shape of Chinese lobbying in a newspaper against American protectionist trade policies. Factcheck.org, an independent organization that checks such political rhetoric in the United States, found no evidence to back up the claim. "It's not clear if the president has any evidence of a covert operation by China," wrote the website, adding that nothing had been produced to back the claim China has interfered through an intelligence operation rather than engaging normal lobbying common in America. So, what could this Trump bluster mean? And what does it say in terms of future Sino-American ties? The answer is complicated. The fact that the Trump administration is hyping up Chinese interference can be due to three different reasons; one, that this could be blamed for any Republican losses, two, justifying a further intensification of the trade war, and, three, that it will form the basis for a bipartisan approach on future Sino-American ties. Already, the trade war is morphing into something much more geostrategic, and will continue to do so, regardless of the real desires of either side. This will also be tied to American opposition to Iran. The difference of interests in regard to Iran, between United States on one side and the EU/China/Russia on the other, will surely continue to increase. The European Union is already signaling that there are joint mechanisms taking place that will result in keeping the trade flow intact despite American sanctions. The French foreign ministry has highlighted what is known as the Special Purpose Vehicle, or SPV, which is a mechanism the European Union is trying to create to safeguard the Iran nuclear deal, outlined in September by E.U. Vice President Federica Mogherini, who handles foreign security affairs. The crunch date is in November 4, when American sanctions are due to start against Iran. The result of the midterm elections on the Iran deal would also be significant, as, if the Democrats retake the House and start putting pressure on Trump, Iran could end up taking a backseat. However, the sanctions have already been decided as a Presidential act, and could continue nevertheless. Chinese reaction to sanctions on Iran has been more robust, reflecting its comparative superiority in relative power. Recently, the head of China's Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation was quoted as saying China needs Iranian crude oil, and regardless of any external circumstances, will have to continue buying it. China and Russia do not face the constraint of U.S. sanctions and have previously continued to do business with Iran, and are more than capable of offsetting Iranian losses; this is in contrast to India and European Union, who are more dependent on U.S. security and trade. China views Iran in terms of strategic balance. It is not dependent on either Russia nor America, so is somewhat capable of charting an independent strategic course, as it faces the prospect of long-term trade problems with United States. Overall, there won't be much change in the geostrategic scenario based on the U.S. midterm polls. The U.S.-China trade war will continue to slowly simmer, although it is unlikely to expand into something massive. There will be a deadlock over Iranian trade, and that would start around November. And finally, the rhetorical animosity would continue to rise, regardless of which party is in the driving seat. Sumantra Maitra is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SumantraMaitra.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. Georgetown, SC (29440) Today Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 78F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. Low around 50F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. An artist's conception of a gamma-ray burst. If its jets don't point toward Earth, the GRB signal may go undetected, but their interaction with the dust and gas around it may reveal their presence. About 25 years ago, a powerful explosion tore through a star, firing off a burst of powerful gamma-rays away from Earth. For the first time, astronomers have identified the ghostly remains of the explosion without spotting the explosion itself, a so-called orphan gamma-ray burst (GRB). The new object is helping to provide insight into a rare class of stellar explosions. Gamma-ray bursts are immense eruptions that pack a lot of power into a few seconds. Astronomers have spotted only a handful of them, despite the fact that they constantly light up the sky. The energy from the explosions produce two energetic beams at the stellar poles. If those beams don't point toward Earth and scientists estimate only 1 in 100 do they remain unseen to telescopes. Even if an explosion remains forever unseen, its aftermath should be visible from Earth, according to a statement about the new observations from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. By combing through decades' worth of archived observations, a team of astronomers discovered the shock wave from an initial explosion as the jets crashed into the gas surrounding the original star. "This is exciting, and not just because it probably is the first 'orphan' GRB to be discovered," Casey Law, a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, said in the statement. Law is the first author on the paper announcing the new signal, which can help to answer the outstanding questions about the explosions that generate the bursts and the objects left behind. "[The signal] also is the oldest well-localized GRB, and the long time period during which it has been observed means it can give us valuable new information about GRB afterglows," Law said. A shot in the dark Gamma-ray bursts release an insane amount of radiation, as much as the sun produces over 10 billion years, in anywhere from a few milliseconds to a few hundred seconds. Their origins remain a mystery. According to one theory, a single massive star or a pair of either large massive stellar objects or compact neutron stars merge to create a highly magnetized, rapidly spinning dense star known as a magnetar. The jets produced interact with the gas and dust around the spinning star, creating a shock wave that heats up the gas. The resulting glow radiates radio energy in all directions. The collision of a pair of neutron stars linked with gravitational waves in 2017 was also connected with a GRB. But this time, the blast is nowhere to be seen. "This is the first time anyone has been able to capture the sonic boom from an unseen GRB explosion," co-author Bryan Gaensler, a researcher at the University of Toronto, said in a statement from that university. "In the past, people have either seen the explosion and then seen the boom, or on one or two occasions have seen the boom and then looked back and recovered the explosion after the fact. But here we have seen the boom, and yet the preceding explosion seems to be completely missing as viewed from Earth." Discovering the orphan GRB, known as J1419+3940, required digging through nearly four decades' worth of previous observations. While searching through the data of from the first observations made by the Very Large Array Sky Survey (VLASS) in late 2017, astronomers realized that an object from a 1994 VLA study was now missing. "We thought, 'That was weird,'" Law said in a statement from University of Berkeley. "Its peak brightness in the '90s was quite high, so it was a big, big change: about a factor of 50 decrease in brightness. We basically went through every radio survey, every radio dataset we could find, every archive in the world to piece together the story of what happened to this thing." The astronomers found that the object remained unseen as far back as 1975 until it burst on the scene in a VLA image from 1993. Its brightness peaked in 1994, then faded away slowly over 23 years, barely visible in a 2015 survey. This orphan gamma-ray burst flared and died out over a period of 25 years. Its peak brightness in 1993 was more than 50 times its brightness today. (Image credit: Law et al., Bill Saxton, NRAO/AUI/NSFNRAO image) But the source itself remained a mystery. "We could find no convincing candidate for a detected GRB from this galaxy," Law said. The researchers considered whether the glow could have been caused by fading emissions from a compact object embedded in the dust or gas produced decades before by a supernova. However, the strength of radio emission from the object and the fact that it slowly evolved over time support the idea that it came from a gamma-ray burst. The orphan GRB lies at the edge of a dwarf galaxy with active star formation, 284 million light-years from Earth. This type of environment has been associated with gamma-ray bursts, the formation of magnetars, and fast radio bursts (another type of powerful, fleeting explosion) in previous research. The discovery provides crucial new insights into the nature of GRBs and their jets. "By comparing the number of 'orphaned' afterglows to those with GRBs preceding them, we can measure that fraction much more precisely than before," Law said. The team recommended continued study of the object, suggesting that it could produce fast radio bursts. Continued study could also provide insight into the nature of the dense neutron stars, the researchers said. "Until now, we've never seen how the afterglows of GRBs behave at such late times," co-author Brian Metzger, a researcher at Columbia University, said in the statement from NRAO. "If a neutron star is responsible for powering the GRB and is still active, this might give us an unprecedented opportunity to view this activity as the expanding ejecta from the supernova explosion finally becomes transparent." The research will be published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters and is accessible on the arXiv preprint server. Follow Nola Taylor Redd on Twitter @NolaTRedd Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or on Facebook. Originally published on Space.com. A year ago, astronomers spotted a strange object barreling through our solar system on a very weird path the first discovery of an interstellar object, now called 'Oumuamua, which means "messenger from afar" in Hawaiian. During the abrupt flyby, scientists made frantic observations of the object before it passed out of range of even the most-powerful telescopes. Ever since then, 'Oumuamua has provided scientists a seemingly endless supply of questions, with most answers still very much up in the air. Astronomers got their first glimpse of 'Oumuamua on Oct. 19, 2017, through the Pan-STARRS1 telescope based in Hawaii, which is fine-tuned to catch temporary phenomena like passing comets. Right away, scientists knew this wasn't your average comet; its path was way too strange. They'd caught sight of the object on its way out of our solar system, so scientists are still trying to figure out where its journey began. ['Oumuamua: The Solar System's 1st Interstellar Visitor Explained in Photos] 'Oumuamua has also endured a bit of an identity crisis during its first year in the scientific literature. At first, astronomers thought it was a comet. Then, they realized there was no cloud of gas and dust enveloping the object, so they reclassified it as an asteroid. But that proved problematic when they realized it was moving faster than an asteroid ought to be, as if getting a little boost of speed from volatile materials evaporating off its surface, like those that form a comet's surrounding cloud. Another puzzle is the object's strange shape: long and thin, something like six times longer than it is wide. That's unlike most cosmic objects, which are generally lumps. It's also spinning strangely, tumbling end over end like a stick tossed for a cosmic dog. Some of the hypotheses to explain that elongated shape are that 'Oumuamua had a messy run-in with an asteroid or that the incredible gravitational pull of a giant planet stretched the object. Because they can't gather any more data about 'Oumuamua, scientists have turned their attention to spotting another such interstellar visitor, hoping to find one sooner rather than later. (Researchers have said the objects should be pretty common, and scientists had in fact been waiting for a flyby like 'Oumuamua's for decades.) But regardless of the mysteries scientists may never be able to solve with the observations they did gather in time, one thing about 'Oumuamua is nearly certain: It's not an alien spaceship broadcasting back to its creators. Yes, they checked. Email Meghan Bartels at mbartels@space.com or follow her @meghanbartels. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Original article on Space.com. One of the biggest names in astrophysics is giving a talk this Thursday (Oct. 25), and you can watch it live online. The Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Ontario, Canada, will host a public lecture Thursday at 7 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT) by Jocelyn Bell Burnell, who recently won the $3 million Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics for the 1967 discovery of pulsars, as well as her five decades of scientific leadership since then. You can watch the lecture live here at Space.com when the time comes, courtesy of the Perimeter Institute. [What Are Pulsars?] You can also view it directly via the Institute. British astrophysicist Bell Burnell (then known as Jocelyn Bell) was a graduate student at the University of Cambridge in England when she made her epic find more than 50 years ago. She noticed an odd signal in the data gathered by the radio telescope she and her thesis supervisor, Antony Hewish, had helped build a pulse that repeated every 1.3 seconds. Pulsar discoverer Jocelyn Bell Burnell will give a public lecture at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics at 7 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT) on Oct. 25, 2018. You can watch the webcast live. (Image credit: Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics) This mysterious pulse seemed like something an advanced alien civilization might produce, so Bell Burnell and her colleagues (playfully) called it "Little Green Man-1." But she soon spotted additional pulses in the dataset and realized that such signals probably had a natural explanation. Indeed, the researchers had discovered pulsars fast-spinning neutron stars whose beams of radiation seem to pulse because they sweep over Earth at regular intervals. (Neutron stars are the superdense corpses of massive stars that have died in supernova explosions.) "Dame Bell Burnell will take our theatre and online audiences on a journey into the realm of pulsars, and share stories from her personal journey of scientific discovery," Perimeter Institute representatives wrote in a description of the upcoming lecture. "The title of her talk evokes the moment she noticed something peculiar in experimental data, and how that peculiar find launched her career: 'What is that?!' The Discovery of Pulsars: A Grad Student's Story.'" The find netted Hewish the Nobel Prize in physics in 1974, which he shared not with Bell Burnell but with fellow English radio astronomer Martin Ryle. Bell Burnell has said she's not upset about losing out on a Nobel that she understands honoring research-team leaders and supervisors and not graduate students. Bell Burnell, of course, became an important leader in the astrophysics community over time, as the Breakthrough Prize committee noted in its award announcement. She has been president of both the Institute of Physics and the Royal Astronomical Society, and she's currently a visiting professor of astrophysics at the University of Oxford in England and Chancellor of the University of Dundee in Scotland. Bell Burnell will use the $3 million to help groom future scientists like herself. She plans to donate all of it to fund physics graduate students from underrepresented groups, to bring greater diversity to the field. Mike Wall's book about the search for alien life, "Out There," will be published on Nov. 13 by Grand Central Publishing. Follow him on Twitter @michaeldwall. Follow us @Spacedotcom or Facebook. Originally published on Space.com. You are here: Travel Flash An exhibition showcasing off-the-beaten-track destinations in the European Union was staged in Beijing on Oct. 8. The Hidden Gems exhibition was part of the "Experience Europe" campaign organized by the Delegation of the European Union to China. It aims to provide Chinese tourists with comprehensive information about lesser-known European destinations. "This exhibition is an invitation to Chinese travelers to discover the hidden gems of Europe and embark on an exciting journey into our long history, rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes," EU ambassador to China, Nicolas Chapuis, said at the exhibition. "The EU has such a diverse culture, history, languages and landscapes that it is not easy to recommend only a few mustsee places." Europe hosts half of the planet's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a growing network of "European Capitals of Culture" and lots of intangible heritage yet to be discovered, he adds. Chinese Premeir Li Keqiang and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, declared 2018 the EU-China Tourism Year in July 2016. The year officially opened in Venice, Italy, on Jan 19. A series of activities have been staged in China and the EU throughout the year to boost mutual tourism. Weeklong exhibitions will be staged in Shandong province's Qingdao city and Shaanxi's provincial capital, Xi'an, to introduce Europe's heritage, attractions and towns. A social-media campaign will promote practical information and will include the How to Travel to Europe video series produced by the European Travel Commission. Key opinion leaders will be invited to share their knowledge, and a quiz will be held. The WeChat mini-program, Hidden Gems of Europe, introduces selected, little-known treasures in EU countries and serves as an index of the member countries' social-media tourism promotion. The ECTY's closing event will take place in Xi'an on Nov 17 with a business-to-business matchmaking event and a major European cultural performance. A number of initiatives have been organized by the EU under the ECTY umbrella to better understand Chinese preferences and provide enhanced experiences. These include promoting relatively unknown destinations, organizing conferences and providing research. Data from Ctrip, China's largest online travel agency, show Europe is the second-largest destination region chosen by Chinese tourists, after Asia. Last year, 2.5 million Chinese filed EU visa applications, an increase of 15.9 percent compared with 2016, Chapuis says. The number of nights Chinese tourists spent in the EU has more than tripled over the last 10 years to nearly 25 million in 2017. "We are sure that the ECTY 2018 will further contribute to these growing figures," Chapuis says. It looks like NASA's famous Hubble Space Telescope has recovered from the glitch that knocked the observatory offline more than two weeks ago. On Oct. 5, Hubble went into a protective "safe mode" after one of its orientation-maintaining gyroscopes failed. Mission team members tried to recruit a backup gyro, but that instrument refused to behave, returning anomalous readings. However, a number of troubleshooting activities conducted over the past week appear to have brought the balky gyro to heel, NASA officials announced today (Oct. 22). The mission team just needs to run a few more tests to make sure everything's fixed. [The Hubble Space Telescope: A 25th Anniversary Photo Celebration] "The Hubble operations team plans to execute a series of tests to evaluate the performance of the gyro under conditions similar to those encountered during routine science observations, including moving to targets, locking on to a target and performing precision pointing," NASA officials wrote in a Hubble update. "After these engineering tests have been completed, Hubble is expected to soon return to normal science operations." Hubble has a total of six gyroscopes, all of which were replaced by spacewalking astronauts during a servicing mission in May 2009. Each gyro consists of a wheel, which spins at a constant rate of 19,200 revolutions per minute, encased inside a sealed cylinder. This cylinder floats in thick fluid (and is in fact called a float). "These gyros have two modes high and low," NASA officials explained in the same statement. "High mode is a coarse mode used to measure large rotation rates when the spacecraft turns across the sky from one target to the next. Low mode is a precision mode used to measure finer rotations when the spacecraft locks onto a target and needs to stay very still." To operate at maximum efficiency, the telescope needs three functioning gyros, but it can get by with just one if necessary, NASA officials have said. With the Oct. 5 failure, three of Hubble's gyros are now out of commission. The backup gyro that mission team members are trying to bring online had been turned off for more than 7.5 years. So, the rust it showed upon startup on Oct. 6 namely, reporting abnormally high rotation rates perhaps isn't surprising. Hubble's handlers restarted the backup gyro on Oct. 16, but that didn't do any appreciable good. Then, two days later, they commanded the telescope to turn in opposite directions multiple times in an attempt to clear any blockages that might be causing the gyro's odd readings. And that appears to have done the trick. "Following the Oct. 18 maneuvers, the team noticed a significant reduction in the high rates, allowing rates to be measured in low mode for brief periods of time," NASA officials wrote. "On Oct. 19, the operations team commanded Hubble to perform additional maneuvers and gyro mode switches, which appear to have cleared the issue. Gyro rates now look normal in both high and low mode." Hubble, a joint mission between NASA and the European Space Agency, launched to Earth orbit aboard the space shuttle Discovery in April 1990. Spacewalking astronauts have maintained and upgraded the telescope multiple times, performing five servicing missions between December 1993 and May 2009. Mike Wall's book about the search for alien life, "Out There," will be published on Nov. 13 by Grand Central Publishing. Follow him on Twitter @michaeldwall. Follow us @Spacedotcom or Facebook. Originally published on Space.com. In his new book "Astounding," coming out today (Oct. 23), Alec Nevala-Lee follows four titans of the golden age of science fiction who guided the genre during its formative years. His look into the lives of Astounding Science Fiction magazine editor John Campbell and authors Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein and L. Ron Hubbard later famous for starting the Church of Scientology shows how these men's lives shaped science fiction and how science fiction itself evolved during its formative period. Nevala-Lee read hundreds of stories from the science fiction archives to pull together his narrative objectively, he told Space.com, he found that Heinlein was the best science fiction writer of his era and tracked the evolution of those stories from disposable adventures to serious predictors and influencers on the modern world. Space.com talked with Nevala-Lee about these four science fiction standouts, overall trends in the field and how science fiction shaped humanity's destiny in space. [Read an excerpt from 'Astounding' ] Space.com: How did you decide to profile the golden age of science fiction in this way? Alec Nevala-Lee: I've been a science fiction fan for a long time, obviously, and I've been writing short science fiction since my early 20s, and most of my stories appeared in Analog which is what Astounding Science Fiction is known as these days. It occurred to me a few years ago to write a book about Astounding magazine. At first, my idea was I would just go back and read back issues of the magazine and do a commentary on how science fiction evolved over time, which might have been a fine book for someone to write. But I realized very early on that there'd never been a biography of John W. Campbell. At the time, I was familiar with Campbell only in very general terms, but I knew that he would make a fantastic subject for a biography. He's this really controversial, influential, complicated figure with this very interesting personal life. He knew all these writers, and he was in the center of science fiction for a decade. So it seemed like a really fantastic project to take on. [After some editor's suggestions] it became this four-part group biography. It also encompasses the science fiction community, and the rise of fandom, and all this other stuff. It ended up being a much more ambitious, complicated project than I had originally envisioned. Alec Nevala-Lee, author of "Astounding" (Dey Street Books, 2018). (Image credit: Dev Street Books) Space.com: What were the main sources you used to pull this together? Nevala-Lee: One thing that I lucked out on is that the primary sources here are just incredible. For one thing, there are thousands of pages of letters that Campbell wrote, that Heinlein wrote, that all these guys wrote that I could draw upon. These are letters that have never really been looked at in this kind of detail before, and they're just incredibly candid and detailed and full of great stories. That was a huge plus. But also, there's a lot of really great stuff that is scattered throughout the history of science fiction, like memoirs and other people's books that have never really been organized into a coherent story. And so, just going back and reading other people's accounts of this period and trying to assemble those pieces into a book that made sense as a narrative was really fun. Space.com: Were there any aspects of their stories or science fiction history that really surprised you? Nevala-Lee: All four of them, there were things I never could have expected. Probably the biggest scoop of this book, as I see it, is Campbell's involvement with Hubbard, and how intimately he was part of the development of the ideas that later became Scientology. His hand was everywhere in those ideas, and a lot of them are still present in Scientology. To give Campbell his due in this story was a big part of what I wanted to accomplish. Space.com: You describe the subjects' importance to the genesis of science fiction without downplaying aspects of their personalities and stories that are problematic. How did you balance those aspects? Nevala-Lee: One advantage that I had going in was that I was not necessarily a fan in the sense that I was a hardcore reader of golden-age science fiction. I didn't really have an agenda going into this project. One thing you see in science fiction scholarship and biographies many of which are really useful, but they're often written by fans, for fans Even really comprehensive, interesting books about these writers often suffer from the fact that their author is very close to the subject. I wasn't out to get anyone, but I also wanted to present what I found as objectively as I could. With all these writers, there's stuff there that it's very hard to talk about without becoming very critical. I try to present the full picture, as much as I can, but there are undoubtedly things about all four of these writers that are really troubling. Space.com: More broadly, is it possible to celebrate great authors while acknowledging their flaws in this way? Nevala-Lee: Honestly, like a lot of us I'm still working through how I feel about that problem. I think you can acknowledge someone's importance and, in some ways, enjoy their work especially if they've passed on while also acknowledging aspects of that legacy that are less attractive. It's all part of the same story. To take two examples. Campbell was an enormously influential person, he wrote great stories himself, including "Who Goes There," which I think is one of the best science fiction stories of all time, and he was undoubtedly responsible for making science fiction what it is today. But at the same time, he expressed views that are very racist, and it became more obvious later on, but it was in the background for this entire period, and it really affected the writers that he published, or at least his interest in diversifying the voices that were in the magazine. One thing I've thought about a lot recently is that you don't get diversity in any field by accident; it has to be a conscious choice, you have to prioritize it. And for Campbell, this wasn't important. And I think it's a real loss. I think he bears part of the blame for the lack of diversity in science fiction during that period. You can't talk about his importance without acknowledging that fact at the same time. The other big example here is Asimov, who is the most famous science fiction writer in the world, by almost any measure, and he was really important to me growing up, and to a lot of other people I know. But he groped women at conventions for decades; he was basically guilty of sexual harassment. And it was kind of an open secret within science fiction, and everybody seems to know about it ... and it's inseparable from his stature as this iconic writer, because if you're a young woman, and you're looking for mentorship or support as a writer, you can't go to Asimov. You can't go to the most influential writer in the field because you know he's going to regard you in the same way. It's all part of the same story, and there's no way to totally separate one part from the other. A cover of Astounding Stories from the 1930s. (Image credit: NASA) Space.com: What connections have you found with science fiction in that era and where it's going today? Nevala-Lee: The big story in science fiction from the past 5 years, and probably longer, is about representation and diversity. The need to exclude some groups and include others, this stuff has been happening for a long time. Seeing it happen in the 30s was amazing; it really changed my perspective on what's happening in science fiction right now. Right now, we're seeing an overdue reaction against the lack of diversity that was true of the Campbell period. That, to me, is the big story right now. This overdue reckoning with the assumption that people like Campbell were very happy to keep in place. Space.com: Can you talk a bit about how science fiction from this era has shaped our worldview? Nevala-Lee: One thing I like to talk about is the way in which science fiction affected our idea of the future and encouraged us to see space, especially, a certain way. If you look at the history of science fiction, the very first pulp stories, they weren't very good. These are adventure stories, and they happen to be set in space because that's a great backdrop for fiction. The writers who were writing westerns, or adventure fiction, or naval fiction, and they just transferred these stock stories into space, because it sells, and there's an audience for it. Later on, science fiction under Campbell and other editors starts to take itself more seriously as prediction. They're saying, this is not just escapist fiction, we're actually trying to work out scenarios for what the future will look like. But they're still in space. Space kind of gets grandfathered into science fiction because that's where these stories have always been set. It leads to this interesting idea that as a species we're destined to enter space. Manned spaceflight, space colonization, that's what we're supposed to be doing. I'm not saying that's wrong, but that's an unexamined assumption that we tend to take for granted because we've read so much science fiction about it, but when we look back, it's not really a prediction about what makes sense for us on a practical level, it's more a reflection of the earliest version of science fiction, which is much more about telling a fun story than about forecasting a plausible vision for the future. [NASA's Giant Space Colony Concepts Explained (Infographic)] A cover of Astounding Science Fiction from August 1941. (Image credit: NASA) Space.com: I was surprised how specifically these authors wanted it to be a prediction. Nevala-Lee: The four main figures in this book are all very different, in certain ways, but they're all very ambitious, and they all have a very heightened sense of their importance, and the impact they have on the readers. The sense that you're predicting the future, but you're also teaching readers how to think about the future, and you're getting people to enter the sciences, and you're serving as this educational force, which really is unique to science fiction. There's no other genre that makes these claims for itself. I don't think it's an accident that these four writers who arrived at science fiction in very different ways stayed there because it was this perfect vehicle for their personal ambition. Space.com: Except for Hubbard, who found another vehicle for his ambition. Nevala-Lee: But then science fiction stays with him. One thing that I think is really interesting is that Hubbard was not really a science fiction fan. He didn't really like writing it for his own sake, he's much more a nautical fiction or western fiction writer, but it sold, he did well doing it, and when he began to go off on his own, his followers were science fiction fans, and he wrote to them, tailored his teachings to the audience he had available. That's why scientology has all this space opera stuff in it that I don't think meant a lot to Hubbard personally, but it was definitely material that he knew would appeal to his disciples. Space.com: Do you think humanity is actually headed to space? Nevala-Lee: In some ways, my view on this has changed since I started writing this book, but the more aware I am of how much our feelings about space travel have been shaped by science fiction, the more I tend to feel that we have more important things to deal with on Earth at the moment, and that maybe we can leave it to the next generation to go into space, as long as we can fix some more immediate problems in the meantime. This interview has been edited for length. You can buy "Astounding" on Amazon.com. Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Original article on Space.com. "Astounding" by Alec Nevala-Lee (Image credit: Dey Street Books) Alec Nevala-Lee was born in Castro Valley, California, and graduated from Harvard College with a bachelor's degree in classics. He is the author of three novels, including "The Icon Thief," and his stories have been published in Analog Science Fiction and Fact, Lightspeed Magazine, and The Year's Best Science Fiction. His nonfiction has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, The Daily Beast, Salon, Longreads, The Rumpus, and the San Francisco Bay Guardian. He lives with his wife and daughter in Oak Park, Illinois. Nevala-Lee's latest book "Astounding," out today (Oct. 23), chronicles the interwoven lives of four science fiction titans: Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard and the editor of all four of them at the magazine Astounding Science Fiction, John Campbell. Read a Q&A with Nevala-Lee on the new book here. Below, you can read an excerpt from the book's prologue. [A Space.com Science Fiction Reading List] ASIMOV'S SWORD My feeling is that as far as creativity is concerned, isolation is required. . . . Nevertheless, a meeting of such people may be desirable for reasons other than the act of creation itself. . . . If a single individual present . . . has a distinctly more commanding personality, he may well take over the conference and reduce the rest to little more than passive obedience. . . . The optimum number of the group would probably not be very high. I should guess that no more than five would be wanted. ISAAC ASIMOV, "ON CREATIVITY" On June 13, 1963, New York University welcomed a hundred scientists to the Conference on Education for Creativity in the Sciences. The gathering, which lasted for three days, was the brainchild of the science advisor to President John F. Kennedy, who had pledged two years earlier to send a man to the moon. America was looking with mingled anxiety and anticipation toward the future, which seemed inseparable from its destiny as a nation. As the event's organizer said in his introductory remarks, the challenge of tomorrow was clear: "That world will be more complex than it is today [and] will be changing more rapidly than now." One of the attendees was Isaac Asimov, an associate professor of biochemistry at Boston University. At the age of forty-three, Asimov was not quite the celebrity he later became he had yet to grow his trademark sideburns but he was already the most famous science fiction author alive. He was revered within the genre for the Foundation trilogy and the stories collected under the title I, Robot, but he was better known to general readers for his works of nonfiction. After the launch of Sputnik in 1957, Asimov had been awakened to the importance of educating the next generation of scientists, and over the course of thirty books and counting, he had reinvented himself as the world's best explainer. The day before the conference, Asimov had taken a bus from Boston to New York. It was a trip of over four hours, but he was afraid of flying, and he welcomed the chance to get out of the house he was going through a difficult period in his marriage. On the morning of his departure, the papers carried photographs of the death of the Vietnamese monk Thich Qua'ng uc, who had set himself on fire in Saigon, and coverage of George Wallace, who had blocked a doorway at the University of Alabama to protest the registration of two black students. Just after midnight on June 12, the civil rights activist Medgar Evers had been shot in Mississippi, although his murder would not be widely reported until later that afternoon. Asimov followed the news closely, but on his arrival in New York, he was more concerned by the loss of a bankroll of two hundred dollars that he was carrying as emergency cash "I just dropped it somewhere." It left him distracted throughout the conference, and afterward, he remembered almost nothing about it. What he recalled most clearly was a discussion of the basic problem facing the scientists who had gathered there, which was how to identify children who had the potential to affect the future. If you could spot such promising students, you could give them the attention they needed while they were still young but you had to find them first. [Gallery: Visions of Interstellar Starship Travel] It was a question of obvious significance, and it had particular resonance for Asimov. He had always thought of himself as a child prodigy he had mixed feelings about entering middle age, noting that "there is no possibility of pretending to youth at forty" and his life had been radically transformed by a mentor who had found him at just the right time. At the conference, he proposed what he felt was a practical test for recognizing creative youngsters, but no one else took it seriously. Two days after returning home to West Newton, Massachusetts, Asimov was asked to write an article for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the journal best known for its Doomsday Clock, a visual representation of the risk of nuclear war that currently stood at seven minutes to midnight. Asimov, who was deeply concerned by the bomb, decided to return to the idea that he had raised in New York. He went to work, typing away in his attic office, which had become a refuge from his unhappy personal life his wife was talking openly about divorce, and he was worried about their son David, who seemed to have nothing in common with his famous father. Asimov began his essay, "The Sword of Achilles," with an episode from the Trojan War. The Greeks desperately wanted to recruit the warrior Achilles, but his mother, Thetis, feared that he would die at Troy. To protect her son, she sent him to the island of Scyros, where he dressed as a woman and concealed himself among the ladies of the court. The clever Odysseus arrived in the guise of a merchant, laying out clothing and jewelry for the maidens to admire. Among the other goods, he hid a sword. Achilles seized and brandished it, giving himself away, and after being identified, he was persuaded to go to war. "Wars are different these days," Asimov continued. "Both in wars against human enemies and in wars against the forces of nature, the crucial warriors now are our creative scientists." It was a technological vision of American supremacy that Asimov had carried over from World War II, and it was about to be tested in Vietnam. For now, however, he only noted that while it was necessary to provide gifted students with ways to develop their creativity, it was too impractical and expensive to lavish the same resources on everyone. "What we need is a simple test, something as simple as the sword of Achilles," Asimov wrote. "We want a measure that will serve, quickly and without ambiguity, to select the potentially creative from the general rank and file." He then outlined what he saw as a useful method for finding the innovators of tomorrow. It was elegant and straightforward, and in the events of his own remarkable life, Asimov had witnessed its power firsthand: "I would like to suggest such a sword of Achilles. It is simply this: an interest in good science fiction." From ASTOUNDING by Alec Nevala-Lee, published by Dey Street Books. Copyright 2018 by Alec Nevala-Lee. Reprinted courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers. You can buy "Astounding" on Amazon.com. A cover of Astounding Stories from the 1930s. (Image credit: NASA) Follow us on Twitter@Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Original article on Space.com. WASHINGTON Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday will hold a meeting of the National Space Council at the National Defense University to discuss the next steps toward creating a Space Force as a new branch of the U.S. military. During the last meeting of the council on June 18, Trump ordered the Pentagon to set up a Space Force but the president has not yet issued an official policy directive that lays out the steps ahead. The policy would be Space Policy Directive-4 the fourth since President Trump activated the National Space Council in June 2017 by executive order.[What Is the U.S. Space Force?] Vice President Mike Pence addresses the National Space Council. (Image credit: NASA) Trump has yet to sign the SPD-4 that would direct the establishment of a Space Force. A White House spokesperson declined to comment on whether the president has approved the policy directive or when he will sign it. According to a draft of the policy directive, the Defense Department would have to submit a legislative proposal to the White House Office of Management and Budget by Dec. 1 recommending that a Space Force be formed as a separate branch of the armed forces. DoD also would submit a budget request for the new service to be included in the presidents budget blueprint for fiscal year 2020. A draft of SPD-4 labeled "pre-decisional" was reviewed by SpaceNews. The draft says it is "imperative that the United States adapt its organization, policies, doctrine and capabilities to protect our interests" in space. It directs DoD to "take actions under existing authority to marshal its space resources into a Space Force" and craft a legislative proposal to establish a Department of the Space Force. The language in the policy draft reflects concerns that standing up a new military service could burden DoD with costly overhead and infrastructure associated with a new military department. A Space Force proposal put forth by Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson Sept. 14 projected the cost of forming a new military branch and a unified combatant command at about $13 billion over five years. She said that estimate is based on detailed analysis of what it would take to carry out the presidents vision. Critics of Wilson's proposal allege that her cost estimate is too high and that a Space Force could be set up more economically. No alternative budget estimates have been publicly released to date. The draft SPD-4 explicitly calls for a "lean" organization to be formed mostly with existing resources, in order to "minimize duplication of effort and eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies." Space Force organization According to the draft policy document, the Space Force would be composed of a Department of the Space Force led by a civilian and a U.S. Space Force led by a four-star officer who would be a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The term Space Force only applies to the new branch, not to U.S. Space Command, a unified combatant command that is in the process of being formed. The Space Force would be responsible to provide space services to all U.S. combatant commands. The SPD-4 would give DoD the official go-ahead to establish a unified command for space, a process that the Pentagon began last month. U.S. Space Command will take over responsibilities that were absorbed by U.S. Strategic Command in 2002 when the original U.S. Space Command created in 1985 was disestablished to free up resources to stand up U.S. Northern Command. Wilson suggested that the Space Force be combined with the National Reconnaissance Office and other organizations that focus on national security related to space. The recommendation in SPD-4 is to only bring appropriate elements of the intelligence community to the Space Force but not the entire NRO or any of the non-national security space missions that reside in the Commerce Department. The policy draft proposes forming the new service with military personnel from the active-duty, Reserves and National Guard ranks, as well as civilian employees. The draft also directs the Pentagon to form a Space Development Agency in fiscal year 2019. DoD already is in the early stages of developing a concept for the SDA as a non-non-traditional procurement shop that would accelerate technological innovation. The agency would be organized under DoD, according to the draft SPD-4, until the Department of the Space Force is formed. The new department would oversee the SDA and all major space acquisition activities. A White House spokesperson declined to comment on SPD-4, as it is still in the drafting process. Trump has issued three space policy directives thus far. SPD-1 in December 2017 focused on NASA partnering with the private sector for human spaceflight ventures. SPD-2 issued in May 2018 was about streamlining regulations on commercial use of space. SPD-3 in June 2018 dealt with space traffic management. Once SPD-4 is signed, DoD would have 30 days to identify the resources to establish the Space Force components; and 45 days to develop an operating model and structure for the Space Development Agency. As per standard procedure, the secretary of defense would publish the policy directive in the Federal Register. Congressional debate ahead A big unknown is how Congress might react to the administrations proposal. The legislative branch has the final say on whether plans for a new military service can move forward. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have endorsed the establishment of U.S. Space Command but many are not yet sold on the idea of a new military service, and would want to consider alternatives such as organizing a Space Corps under the Department of the Air Force. Opponents have challenged the idea of a separate service as wasteful spending that would drain resources and focus from the national security space mission, and have cautioned about unintended consequences of breaking up the Air Force. DoD meanwhile has begun to work on the legislative proposal. Running this effort is a senior-level committee led by Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan. Shanahan has said he wants to minimize bureaucracy in a future Space Force and channel resources to technologies and capabilities. He also has been insistent that the new service should have a highly skilled workforce and establish closer ties with the private sector where billions of dollars are being invested in space technology. The meeting on Tuesday is being billed as the most detailed public discussion to date on the administrations Space Force plans and the path ahead. Following remarks by National Space Council Chairman Pence and updates from council members, a panel of experts former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy Doug Loverro, former space industry executive Mark Sirangelo and former Deputy Commander of U.S. Cyber Command retired Lt. Gen. James McLaughlin will offer their views on space reorganization. Finally the council will vote on recommendations to be submitted to Trump. The members of the council include the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Transportation, Secretary of Homeland Security, Director of National Intelligence, Director of the Office of Budget and Management, National Security Adviser, NASA Administrator and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry. Whether Mercury formed from a single collision, as shown in this artistic image, or from a rain of impacts, it is probably fairly unique among the planets of the galaxy. With its massive iron core and ultrathin crust, Mercury is something of an oddball in the solar system. Early in its life, at least one collision stripped the planet of its outer layers, allowing the bulky core to dominate. New research suggests that whether the planet suffered a single, head-on hit, a glancing blow or a rain of impacts, the evolutionary path it has taken is relatively rare among planets. When NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft arrived at Mercury in 2011, it measured relatively high levels of sodium and thorium. "Because these elements are rather volatile, they are expected to be lost in high-temperature events such as giant impacts," Alice Chau, a graduate student at the University of Zurich, told Space.com by email. Puzzled by the surprising measurements, Chau and her colleagues modeled three different scenarios to see if they could determine which one was the most likely explanation for Mercury's formation that would account for those elements' persistence. They found all three rarely appeared in the simulations. "Forming Mercury by giant impacts is feasible but difficult," Chau and her colleagues wrote in their paper. That matches observations that have been made with instruments like NASA's Kepler space telescope. So far, only a handful of rocky worlds denser than Mercury have been identified out of the more than 5,541 confirmed and candidate exoplanets. Feeling lucky? Although Mercury is the smallest full-grown planet in the solar system, it is the second densest, topped only by Earth. Much of the planet is made up of the giant core, which is estimated to take up between 70 and 85 percent of the planet's radius. In 1988, researchers proposed that the planet's unusually large core was the result of a giant impact, which stripped away the existing mantle. But MESSENGER threw the collision theory into disarray when it discovered lighter elements. Scientists began to question whether the high energies and temperatures that occur in an impact would have left behind the volatile material MESSENGER observed. In recent years, however, they have begun to question these assumptions, positing that the light elements that are present could have been able to survive an impact. "It is possible that the impact led to the vaporization of these elements, but they condensed back onto Mercury's surface," Chau said, noting that such a scenario still needed to be investigated. Another possibility is that the volatiles come from deep inside the planet and were released as gas later in its evolution, after the impacts had occurred. With this in mind, Chau and her colleagues modeled three different impact scenarios: a single direct hit, a glancing blow and multiple impacts from smaller objects. They found each case was challenging, in its own way. The early stages of planet formation produced far more than eight cores that eventually became the solar system's planets. These objects and their smaller siblings careened around the solar system and crashed into one another. Scientists theorize that one such object slammed into young Earth to produce our planet's moon. "Collisions were frequent during the early stages of the solar system's formation," Chau said. The first scenario modeled a single giant object crashing head-on into Mercury. But, to create a Mercury-like object, the impactor had to move just right. It couldn't be too large or move too fast, or it would destroy the planet completely. Moving too slowly, however, would have allowed mass from the shattered impactor and the material blown off the world to fall back onto the planet, restoring the outer shell. Next, the team looked at a hit-and-run scenario, in which an impactor with more mass than the initial scenario sideswiped the young planet with a glancing blow. This scenario more often formed a Mercury-like object in their simulations as long as it didn't destroy the planet completely. One of the biggest problems with either of these scenarios is what happens to the incoming impactor. If it isn't completely destroyed by the collision, the object remains in orbit around the sun on its new path. But you don't have to be an astronomer to know that no such object exists today. The only way to destroy the evidence is to have the original, fast-moving collider traveling on a very eccentric, stretched-out-circle of a path that would have sent its remnants hurling into the sun after it crashed into Mercury conditions that Chau said are not very common. On the other hand, Mercury only needs to get lucky or unlucky once. "Only one collision like that is needed," Chau said. Double whammy The third option is that Mercury was bombarded by multiple objects at the beginning of its lifetime. The smaller objects would have less energy than a single slam, with each one stripping away only part of the missing volatile elements. "It is therefore possible, and maybe even more probable, that Mercury formed as a result of multiple impacts," the authors write in their paper, which has been accepted for publication by the Astrophysical Journal and can be found at the preprint server arXiv. Chau and her colleagues modeled two possible versions of this scenario, one with low-mass objects moving at the most likely impact angle and the other with slightly larger objects colliding at a range of angles. In both cases, the objects traveled at three to four times the speed an object on Mercury's surface needs to travel to escape the planet's gravity. In the first scenario, as many as 20 different objects had to crash into Mercury to strip away enough material. In the most optimistic cases, it took six different collisions. The second scenario, with slightly larger objects, required only two to four collisions. The exact number depended on the impactor's mass, velocity and the angle at which it collided. "It is more likely that Mercury formed via two collisions," with an angle of 28 degrees and speeds of 45,000 mph (20 kilometers per second), "than via ten collisions at the most probable angle," the researchers concluded. But there are other factors that come into play. For one thing, the impacts have to be precisely timed. "Collisions must have occurred early enough so that there is still a reservoir of bodies that can eventually collide with Mercury, especially for the multiple collisions," Chau said. "It is preferable if Mercury is young and hot so more mass can be lost and some volatiles can still be outgassed," she said. The timing between collisions also played an important role. After material is blown off, it takes approximately a thousand years for the cloud of debris to cool and settle back onto the planet. Since each individual collision affects the next one, a hot cloud of material surrounding battered Mercury after the first collision affects how much material can be stripped away. If Mercury has time to cool off between impacts, it holds on to more of its material. "The tighter the collisions are in time, the easier it is to lose the mantle," Chau said. So, which of the three scenarios is most likely to have formed the Mercury that exists today? The researchers aren't certain. "Each of these scenarios requires specific conditions, and each of them has advantages and disadvantages," Chau said. She pointed out that a single massive impactor requires unusual conditions, but it only takes one object. "The required conditions for the multiple-impacts scenario are more moderate, but at the moment we don't have enough information to prefer one scenario over the other," she said. Because both scenarios are so tightly constrained, it means that metal-rich planets like Mercury are probably rare. "The low frequency of metal-rich exoplanets (Mercury analogs) suggests that forming metal-rich planets requires unique circumstances," the authors concluded. Follow Nola Taylor Redd on Twitter @NolaTRedd. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. Original article on Space.com. The Mercury spacecraft "Liberty Bell 7," seen here on exhibit at the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas, will be the early centerpiece of a new exhibit at the museum's satellite location in Overland Park opening in February 2019. The historic capsule that carried the second American to fly into space is set to land in the second most populous city in Kansas in early 2019. "Liberty Bell 7," the Mercury spacecraft that was piloted by NASA astronaut Virgil "Gus" Grissom on a 1961 suborbital spaceflight, will be the early centerpiece of a new exhibit by Cosmosphere Innovation Space at Bluhawk in Overland Park. The Innovation Space is the planned satellite facility for the Cosmosphere International SciEd Center and Space Museum in Hutchinson, Kansas, which hosts the largest combined collection of U.S. and Russian space artifacts in the world. Bluhawk is a $750 million, 277-acre mixed-use development that in addition to the Cosmosphere will feature an indoor multi-sport complex, hotel and restaurant and retail marketplace. [Photos from Gus Grissom's Liberty Bell 7 Spaceflight] "We have an exceptional plan that meets the needs of Cosmosphere, Bluhawk and the public, which is eager to see tremendous exhibits like Liberty Bell 7 as soon as possible," said Jim Remar, president and CEO of the Cosmosphere, in a statement. "Opening a temporary Cosmosphere location in early 2019 is a big win for all parties as we continue forward with the plans for our satellite location." Since June 2016, Liberty Bell 7 has been on display at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, where it has been a part of the "Beyond Spaceship Earth" exhibit. Before that, the Cosmosphere shipped the space capsule overseas for an exhibit at the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bonn. Launched on July 21, 1961 on Grissom's 15-minute Mercury-Redstone 4 mission, Liberty Bell 7 sank due to a premature hatch jettison soon after splashing down. It remained on the ocean floor for 38 years until July 1999, when it was recovered by a private expedition organized by Discovery Channel and the Cosmosphere. The museum's SpaceWorks division restored the spacecraft before sending it on a six-year nationwide tour. Liberty Bell 7 is slated to return from Indiana to the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson in mid-December. An artist's concept of Cosmosphere Innovation Space at Bluhawk in Overland Park, Kansas. (Image credit: Bluhawk) The capsule's new temporary exhibition will give visitors to Bluhawk the chance to learn more about space history and the role the Mercury spaceflights played in the United States winning the space race with the former Soviet Union. "We are very pleased that Overland Park residents and visitors will have an early look at this historic exhibit and others," said Doug Price, president of Price Brothers, the developer of Bluhawk. "This new exhibition is a great venue for the Cosmosphere to test new ideas while we are developing extensive plans for its new satellite location." The Liberty Bell 7 exhibit at Bluhawk is scheduled to open in February 2019. It will be followed a few months later by an exhibit devoted to Mission Control, featuring consoles restored by the Cosmosphere and used in the filming of the movie "First Man." Other displays are anticipated to rotate on a regular basis. Cosmosphere Innovation Space is planned as a 60,000 square foot facility located at 159th Street and U.S. Highway 69 in Overland Park. The Bluhawk site is not intended as a substitute for the Hutchinson museum, but will expose more people to the Cosmosphere brand, allow them to experience the SciEd Center's approach to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and see artifacts currently not on display due to space limitations. Cosmosphere Innovation Space is part of the first phase of Bluhawk, scheduled to break ground in 2019 and open the following year. Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2018 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved. Walter Cunningham is a former NASA astronaut best remembered for flying the Apollo 7 mission in October 1968. Cunningham was born March 16, 1932, in Creston, Iowa. In 1951, at age 19, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and began flight training the following year, according to his NASA biography. Cunningham flew 54 missions as a night fighter pilot during the Korean War. In 1956, Cunningham joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve. For about three years in the early 1960s, he worked as a scientist at Rand Corp., a global policy nonprofit institution. During that time, he earned two degrees from the University of California at Los Angeles a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts, both with specialties in physics. Then in 1963, Cunningham came to NASA as part of the agency's third astronaut class. He was initially assigned a spot on Apollo 2, but the mission was canceled following a launchpad fire that killed the Apollo 1 crew on Jan. 27, 1967. Parts of Apollo 2 were destroyed in the investigation to find out what happened to Apollo 1, Cunningham said in a 1999 interview with NASA. The agency decided to switch to a more advanced version of the Apollo spacecraft for all future missions. "It was the dead-end mission, kind of, because it was the last one of this kind of a spacecraft," Cunningham said in his oral history of Apollo 2. "So, eventually NASA came to realize there's not much reason to fly this, and they cancelled Apollo ... part of it was to save money and to put the resources on to the [more advanced] Block 2 spacecraft." The crew of the first manned Apollo space mission inside the White Room. From left to right, are Donn Eisele, Walter Schirra, and Walter Cunningham. (Image credit: NASA.) Apollo 7 NASA flew six uncrewed Apollo missions following the Apollo 1 incident, before continuing with the crewed missions. The entire Apollo 2 crew Cunningham, Donn Eisele and commander Wally Schirra were rescheduled to fly on Apollo 7. Apollo 7 featured a command module with several key redesigns to address safety, including improved wiring, more fire-retardant materials and pumping a mix of oxygen-nitrogen in the capsule while it was sitting on the ground (an improvement over the pure oxygen that accelerated the fire in Apollo 1). The crew remained focused on their work preparing for the mission, Cunningham said in the NASA interview, even though the shadow of Apollo 1 loomed large over the program. Apollo 7 flew in Earth orbit between Oct. 11 and Oct. 22, 1968. Overall, the mission was a success; the crew sent the first live television transmissions from space, they tested the service module propulsion engine and practiced for lunar docking using the discarded S-IVB rocket stage of the Saturn IB rocket that brought them into space, according to Cunningham's NASA biography. The Apollo 7 mission went so well that NASA gave the go-ahead for the crew of Apollo 8 to fly into lunar orbit, just two months later. But in other respects, the Apollo 7 crew had difficulties. Schirra developed a cold in space and it's unclear if the other crewmembers developed colds as well. Nonetheless, there was obvious tension between the flight crew and the ground crew back at NASA. At one point, Schirra was frustrated enough that he canceled one of the crew's planned television broadcasts. "There was some real bickering back and forth between Wally and the ground," Cunningham said in his interview with NASA. "I, frankly, have never felt like I had any kind of a problem with the ground, with going over the onboard tapes and air-to-ground and what have you." But Cunningham said that his fellow crewmembers, Eisele and Schirra, made their disagreements with the ground crew's directions well known, especially Schirra. Astronaut Walter Cunningham, Apollo 7 lunar module pilot, is photographed during the Apollo 7 mission. (Image credit: NASA/JSC) After Apollo 7 For Chris Kraft, the mission control director, the most frustrating part of the Apollo 7 mission was when the astronauts refused to wear their helmets on the way back to Earth, as Kraft described in his memoir "Flight: My Life in Mission Control" (Dutton, 2001). The astronauts said they wanted to avoid having their eardrums pop due to congestion, but they also risked injury or death if the cabin suddenly depressurized. The crew arrived safely back on Earth on Oct. 22, 1968. Kraft said he didn't want any of the crewmembers to fly in space again, and in fact, none of them did. In his interview with NASA, Cunningham said that he asked Kraft about saying that he'd stop the Apollo 7 crew from flying again, but Kraft denied ever making such a statement. In any case, Cunningham was disappointed that he never flew again, he said. Cunningham was expecting to command the first Skylab space station mission, but that never came to pass. Instead, he became NASA's chief of the Skylab branch, responsible for operational inputs for the hardware, the launch vehicles and 56 major experiments. Cunningham left NASA in 1971. In the decades following, he participated in several different business ventures, including commercial real estate, offshore engineering, project management and venture capital investments. In October 2018, at age 86, Cunningham took part in Apollo 7's 50th anniversary celebration at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas. "We thought, rightly or wrongly, that we [the Apollo 7 crew] could overcome all of the obstacles and that our goal was worth the risk," Cunningham said at the celebration, collectSPACE reported. Donn Eisele was an astronaut on Apollo 7, the first mission of the Apollo moon program. Although Apollo 7 remained in Earth orbit, the mission was an important step for the program as it put the command module spacecraft to the test before the next mission to the moon, Apollo 8. Eisele was born in Columbus, Ohio, on June 23, 1930. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy in 1952 but chose a career in the Air Force, according to his NASA biography. He subsequently graduated from the Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base in California and earned a Master of Science degree in Astronautics in 1960 from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Eisele went on to work as an experimental test pilot and project engineer at the Air Force Special Weapons Center at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. In 1963, Eisele applied for NASA's third class of astronauts. [What It's Like to Become a NASA Astronaut: 10 Surprising Facts] In personal notes discovered after Eisele's death, he wrote that he studied hard for the selection and made sure he was familiar with the technical details of Gemini spacecraft, the major space program at the time. "I had come to Houston with my brain crammed full of technical tidbits and data on aeronautics and spaceflight," Eisele wrote. His notes formed the basis of his posthumous memoir, "Apollo Pilot" (University of Nebraska Press, 2017). Eisele's hard work paid off and he was selected to become a NASA astronaut in October 1963. Donn Eisele, photographed during the Apollo 7 mission. (Image credit: NASA) NASA experience NASA chose Eisele and two other astronauts, Walt Cunningham and Wally Schirra, to fly on Apollo 7. The mission came at a crucial moment for NASA as the agency was still trying to recover from the tragic Apollo 1 accident that killed three astronauts on Jan. 27, 1967. NASA had since redesigned the command module and certified Apollo 7 ready for flight. Nonetheless, Schirra, the mission's commander, pushed to keep the mission plan as simple as possible so it would be easy to prioritize safety. Apollo 7 launched without incident on Oct. 11, 1968, but the mission soon became challenging when Schirra developed a cold in orbit. It's unclear if all three crewmembers got sick, but Schirra's illness undoubtedly had an effect on Apollo 7's operations. Schirra canceled a planned television broadcast and his crewmembers complained about having too many tasks to complete. The crew's complaints overshadowed what was otherwise a successful mission. Apollo 7 met all its major objectives, with Eisele participating in many of them. His NASA biography states that he performed maneuvers that enabled the crew to practice docking procedures in preparation for moon landings. The crew also tested the service-module propulsion engine and measured how well the spacecraft systems performed. And, they still managed to complete several television broadcasts from space the first crew to do so. For mission control director Chris Kraft, the most frustrating part of the Apollo 7 mission was when the crew refused to wear their helmets on the way back to Earth, as Kraft described in his memoir "Flight: My Life In Mission Control" (Dutton, 2001). The crew said they wanted to avoid having their eardrums pop due to congestion, but they also risked injury or death if the cabin suddenly depressurized. The crew arrived safely back on Earth on Oct. 22, 1968. Kraft said he didn't want any of the crewmembers to fly in space again. Schirra had already planned on retiring, and Cunningham and Eisele never returned to space, although Eisele served as a backup command module pilot for Apollo 10. By the time Eisele retired from the Air Force and left NASA in 1972, he had logged 4,200 hours flying time and 260 hours in space. Apollo 7 crew members, left to right: Walter M. Schirra Jr., commander; Walter Cunningham, lunar module pilot; and Donn F. Eisele, command module pilot. (Image credit: NASA) After NASA After his time with NASA, Eisele acted as director of the U.S. Peace Corps in Thailand, according to his NASA biography. His later positions included sales manager for Marion Power Shovel Co., a manufacturer of large construction equipment, and he was a private and corporate account manager for Oppenheimer & Co., an investment banking company. Eisele died of a heart attack on Dec. 2, 1987, at age 57, during a business trip in Tokyo, according to NASA. He was survived by his second wife, Susan Eisele Black, his two children with Susan, and four children from a previous marriage. Years after Eisele's death, space historian Francis French, discovered a draft of a memoir written by Eisele. Eisele's widow, Susan, encouraged French to edit and publish Eisele's manuscript. When she read the final version she told French "it was if her late husband was back from the dead and talking to her," the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. French told the San Diego Union-Tribune that putting together Eisele's memoir, titled "Apollo Pilot," was "totally a labor of love." At the request of the Eisele family, all the proceeds from the book are donated to a library program in Florida. A Russian Soyuz rocket experienced an anomaly shortly after launching toward the International Space Station on Oct. 11, 2018, forcing two crewmembers to make an emergency landing. The next set of crewmembers should launch toward the International Space Station in December, despite the failure of a Russian Soyuz rocket earlier this month, NASA chief Jim Bridenstine said. That failure occurred Oct. 11, causing the Soyuz spacecraft carrying NASA astronaut Nick Hague and cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin to make an emergency landing in Kazakhstan just minutes after liftoff. The investigation into the incident has been productive, and the Soyuz rocket likely won't be grounded for too much longer, Bridenstine said today (Oct. 23) during a meeting of the U.S. National Space Council in Washington, D.C. "We have a really, really good idea of what the issue is," Bridenstine said. "We are getting very close to understanding it even better so that we can confidently launch again." [In Photos: Space Crew's Harrowing Abort Landing After Soyuz Failure] He didn't elaborate about that issue. But speculation currently focuses on one of the Soyuz's four strap-on boosters, which may have been attached to the rocket improperly before flight. Russian space officials have said that they'll finish their accident report by Oct. 30, though it's unclear when the findings of that report will be made public. Russian officials have also said they want to conduct three uncrewed Soyuz launches before using the rocket to loft astronauts again. And the current schedule should allow the next crew launch to take place Dec. 20, as currently planned, Bridenstine said. "NASA is regrouping, were replanning, and were getting ready to go again," he said. "We have a number of Russian Soyuz rocket launches in the next month and a half, and in December were fully anticipating putting our crew on a Russian Soyuz rocket to launch to the International Space Station again." That crew will consist of NASA astronaut Anne McClain, cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko and the Canadian Space Agency's David Saint-Jacques. But Hague and Ovchinin, who made it through their Oct. 11 ordeal safe and sound, will get another chance in the future, both NASA and Russian space officials have said. "They are not happy," Bridenstine said of the duo. "They want to be on the International Space Station, and they cannot wait to go again. So, were grateful for their enthusiasm." NASA is also grateful that the Soyuz's emergency abort system worked exactly as it was supposed to on Oct. 11, he added. "It's important to note that, while this was a failed launch, it was probably the single most successful failed launch that we could have imagined," Bridenstine said. Today's event marked the fourth meeting of the newly reconstituted National Space Council, which is chaired by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence. The meeting today focused largely on the efforts underway to establish a Space Force as the sixth branch of the U.S. military, a priority of President Donald Trump. Mike Wall's book about the search for alien life, "Out There," will be published on Nov. 13 by Grand Central Publishing. Follow him on Twitter @michaeldwall. Follow us @Spacedotcom or Facebook. Originally published on Space.com. An artist's depiction of the ICON spacecraft at work studying the boundary between Earth and space. The launch of NASA's much-delayed mission to study the interaction of terrestrial and space weather has again been postponed, the agency announced today (Oct. 23). The mission, an Earth-orbiting satellite known as Ionospheric Connection Explorer, was originally scheduled to launch in December 2017 and has been repeatedly delayed because of problems with its rocket. Most recently, it was due to launch early in the morning of Oct. 26 from a carrier airplane that would take off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. NASA has not offered a detailed reason for the new delay beyond that the team wanted to continue testing the rocket. "NASA and Northrop Grumman have delayed the launch of the agencys Ionospheric Connection Explorer, or ICON, to conduct further pre-launch testing on the rocket," NASA officials said in a statement. "Upon completion of the testing, a new launch date will be established." The agency has not yet rescheduled the launch and did not express any sense of how long the delay would last, although its statement did specify that the spacecraft itself "remains in good health." ICON's rocket, a Pegasus XL booster built by Northrop Grumman Innovations System (formerly Orbital ATK), is unusual rather than launch from the ground, the rocket and spacecraft are carried aboard a plane and dropped midflight, at which point the rocket fires. In June, that complete package took off for the Marshall Islands, which was then the mission's launch site, only to turn back on account of a problem with the rocket. The ICON mission is designed to study the ionosphere, a layer of Earth's atmosphere where terrestrial and space weather interact. It's a tumultuous part of space, but it's also a crucially important region for GPS satellites and other infrastructure in space, hence NASA's decision to build the grounded spacecraft. Email Meghan Bartels at mbartels@space.com or follow her @meghanbartels. Follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Original article on Space.com. Flash Travel website Mafengwo filed a defamation lawsuit on Monday after it was accused of copying reviews from competitors and fabricating 85 percent of reviews on its website. Citing domestic data analysis startup Hooray Data, a social media account on WeChat under the name of XiaoShengBiBi said on Saturday that 18 million out of 21 million comments on Mafengwo were copied from industry rivals like Ctrip and Meituan-Dianping. It said the data company sampled a third of the 1.16 million restaurants listed on Mafengwo, and detected 7,454 fake accounts. Each account had copied several thousand reviews from websites such as Ctrip, Meituan-Dianping, Agoda, Yelp and eLong. These accounts copied 5.72 million and 12.21 million reviews on catering and hotels, respectively, said the social media account. It also said the number of reviews on Mafengwo plummeted on weekends and users seemed to be more active during working hours rather than at meal times. It estimated that 85 percent of reviews on Mafengwo were copied from other sites. Mafengwo said in a statement on Monday that reviews only accounted for 2.91 percent of its data, while the majority of its business was about travel guides, tips, stories and Q&As. It also said in the statement that the number of accounts with suspected fake comments were very few and had already been deleted. Mafengwo said it removes 26,000 illegal ads and 15,000 illegal accounts from its website on average every week, adding that the accusation was misleading and against the facts. Mafengwo said in August that it would initiate a new round of funding to raise US$300 million after which it hopes the firm will be valued between US$2 billion to US$2.5 billion, but the data scandal may cast a shadow on its plans, industry insiders said. Mafengwo had obtained four rounds of funding totaling over US$238 million. The website claimed it has about 100 million active users every month with over 135,000 travel articles published monthly. The value of the travel giant is estimated to decline to 200-300 million yuan (US$28.8-43.2 million) because of the scandal, and can no longer be called a unicorn company, said Liu Xingliang, an Internet expert. Stealing data from other platforms is common among Internet companies and violates the consumer protection and e-commerce laws, according to industry analyst Chen Liteng. Brandon Larracuente, Emily Tosta, Niko Guardado and Elle Paris Legaspi Cast as the Buendia Siblings in Reimagined Pilot of the Iconic SeriesToday, Freeform announced the four actors cast in the highly anticipated pilot Party of Five. Brandon Larracuente, Emily Tosta, Niko Guardado and Elle Paris Legaspi will take on the roles of the Buendia siblings; Emilio, Lucia, Beto and Valentina, respectively; who struggle to survive together as a family after their parents are deported to Mexico. From Sony Pictures Television, the Freeform pilot will be a modern reimagining of the groundbreaking original series by Christopher Keyser and Amy Lippman, who reunited to write the pilot alongside Michal Zebede (Castle), with Rodrigo Garcia (Nine Lives) set to direct.Brandon Larracuente (13 Reasons Why) has been cast as Emilio Buendia, an aspiring musician and the oldest son of Gloria and Javier Buendia. Emilio is the reason his parents crossed the Mexican border into the United States nearly twenty-five years ago in hopes of a better life. Although the oldest, hes the least responsible of the siblings, and had been enjoying living away from home and the freedom that came with it until his parents status was threatened.Emily Tosta (Mayans M.C.) will play Lucia Buendia, a straight-A student with lofty college ambitions until her parents run into trouble with immigration. Their circumstances force her to reevaluate her disposition to play by the rules. She quickly becomes resistant to authority, politically radicalized and rebellious to her presumed duties as the oldest sister.Niko Guardado (The Goldbergs) portrays Beto Buendia, the second oldest brother of the family who steps up in the midst of turmoil. While struggling with sports, girls and school, he soon discovers that being the head of his family comes easily to him and gives him the self-respect and sense of purpose he has never had before.Finally, newcomer Elle Paris Legaspi rounds out the cast as ten-year-old Valentina Buendia, the precocious and resourceful youngest sister. Forced to face adolescence without her mother, shes desperately afraid of what the future holds, and her vulnerability will require her older siblings to step up and offer the structure and support that they may not be wholly equipped to provide.The new iteration of Party of Five is a modern twist on the beloved original series created by Christopher Keyser and Amy Lippman. Keyser, Lippman and Rodrigo Garcia will executive produce the pilot and Michal Zebede serves as co-executive producer.Freeforms original scripted roster includes Marvels Cloak & Dagger, Siren, The Bold Type, grown-ish, Alone Together, and the highly-anticipated upcoming series Good Trouble and Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists. Oh, to what far places has author and illustrator Karen Romano Young voyaged from her home in Bethel! Shes gone to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean in a mini-submarine and to the Arctic Ocean with a NASA expedition. Just this past spring she lived for two months at the smallest U.S. research station in the Antarctic. Now, having overcome early trepidation, shes looking forward to a new Antarctic adventure in January. I dont know if Ive ever been so nervous as I was getting ready to go to the Antarctic, Young says, ticking off some of the trips dangers: falling out of a inflatable boat, stepping into a crevasse, the fumbling, mumbling and stumbling that mark the stages of hypothermia. She recorded the risks in her #AntarcticLog, a series of educational panels done in the style of a graphic novel, then counted the anticipated pleasures in another. Once there, at Palmer Station, they proved profound. Wed be out on this boat wearing a lot of clothes, seeing lots of scenery, penguins swimming by, seals swimming by, whales, albatrosses, giant petrels, leopard seals which are the only things that wants to eat you, but they really do kind of want to eat you, Young says. She also happened to witness the discovery of a new island, revealed by the calving of a giant iceberg. She recorded the event in an AntarcticLog dated April 5 that noted: Well, if the world is going to change you might as well have a front row seat. Climate change is not the primary focus of Youngs varied work, but it inevitably shows up. On her Arctic voyage in 2010, she saw walruses marooned on a beach because the ice that should have been their hunting platform had floated into waters of undiveable depths. Nor is her work limited to science education. Young, who grew up in Fairfield, also writes novels for a middle-school audience. Her eighth, titled Hundred Percent about girls transitioning to teen-hood, is due out in paperback this fall from Chronicle books. Her interest in polar science goes back to her first children's book, The Ices Edge, published in 1996 by the Smithsonian press. Young did not go to sea, though, until 2004, when she won a spot as educator aboard the research vessel Atlantis, mothership to the deep diving vehicle Alvin. Its mission was to investigate the volcanic vents, sometimes called black smokers, and the extreme lifeforms their heat supports along the undersea ridge known as the East Pacific Rise. Youngs job was to send back reports via blog posts or satellite phone. She wasnt promised a descent in the three-person Alvin, but when a seat opened she grabbed it. She remembers the location, roughly 1,000 miles due west of Costa Rica, and the date, Dec. 6. It was definitely one of the top 10 days of my life. I was nervous and excited, but not scared, she says, having been trained in dive protocol. Youre in for eight hours. Its 11/2 hours down and 11/2 hours back. You wear a big hat and a heavy sweater. It gets cold down deep. It gets to be really dark. Theres so many glowing things (bioluminescent sea life) going by the window, its like its raining up. and you realize its us falling down. But you dont have any sense of motion because its pitch dark. The only time you feel motion is on the surface. The dives were to depths of up to two miles. In 2008, she went on a second Atlantis expedition further along the East Pacific Rise. Now on a bookcase shelf in her Bethel studio, she keeps a strange souvenir collection from those voyages. What looks like mis-created origami are actually ordinary Styrofoam coffee cups (or other Styrofoam objects) that crew members decorated then put in nets to be carried on the outside of the Alvin to the bottom of the ocean. During the descent, they shrink and contort under water pressure. In 2014 and 2015, Young made two more research voyages, this time aboard the Nautilus, a vessel belonging to Dr. Robert Ballards Ocean Exploration Trust. On the first to the Windward Passage, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea, Young acted as a shipboard communicator. On the second, back to the northern end of the East Pacific Rise, she was lead shipboard communicator. Instead of carrying a manned mini-sub like the Alvin, the Nautilus uses a pair of remote control divers, the Hercules, which goes deep, and the Argus, its companion, which tracks it from above. Their real-time movements are monitored from the Ocean Trusts land based control center that also provides a live public stream. Young compares it to the Houston control for space travel. She began preparing for the Antarctic in 2017, after learning she had won a National Science Foundation grant for artists and writers. Her next trip, beginning in January, will be to the Amundsen Sea as outreach officer aboard the JOIDES Resolution, a deep-drilling ship that has been called a floating earth science laboratory. (JOIDES is the acronym for the science consortium that runs the ship.) In the meanwhile, Young will be drawing her AntarcticLog comics and looking forward to the publication of her ninth novel for middle graders, titled A Girl, a Raccoon and the Midnight Moon, and a new graphic nonfiction book based mainly on her Pacific voyages. Due out in 2020, and also published by Chronicle Books, its title is Diving for Deep-Sea Dragons. Her 2017 book, Whale Quest, is a young adult finalist in this years Connecticut Book Awards. Young, who is married with three grown children, says the family has been excited and supportive about the adventures she considers it an extraordinary privilege to have had. I am quite aware I have seen things very few people have seen, she says. I stayed home when my children were young. They didnt realize I was up at night working (on her early books) I wanted them to see women could go off and do hard things. Joel Lang is a frequent contributor to Sunday Arts & Style. F our teams endured four days of brutal competition in Twickenham Stadium earlier this month but they werent playing rugby. GlaxoSmithKline, owner of brands such as Aquafresh, Horlicks and Zovirax, used the west London venue for the final round of its 1.3 billion global media-buying account review. GSKs negotiators visited each agency in their assigned room to push them on pricing and capabilities. By the time Publicis Groupe was declared the winner, some of the agencies felt bruised. McDonalds is another brand to test ad agencies nerves. They spent months working on the hamburger giants 100 million UK media pitch only for the client to halt the process abruptly, apparently for internal reasons. They are just two examples of how life in agency land is tough. This year has been particularly difficult because so many big advertisers, including American Express, Ford, HSBC, Mars, Shell and Sky, have reviewed agency arrangements. No wonder the Mad Men feel they are being driven mad by the relentless cycle of agency reviews, but this change is structural as well as cyclical. Three big trends are under way: Advertisers want more control over their communications and data and greater speed and flexibility as their businesses are rapidly changing, becoming more digital. They are bringing some marketing services into their own offices. When WPP recently lost Fords creative account to rival Omnicom, the car giant created 100 marketing roles in-house. Barclaycard, Unilever, TSB and Vodafone have also brought some agency services into their own offices. There has been a fundamental shift in how advertisers think about the role of ad agencies, as Mark Read, WPPs new chief executive, puts it. Now they are pushing a more experience-led, always-on strategy, rather than 30-second ads. It is focused on the end-to-end, digital customer experience from search and discovery to purchase, delivery and continued customer loyalty. All these touchpoints need to be joined up with technology and data but most traditional ad agencies dont have the capabilities. Suddenly, famed agencies such as J Walter Thompson and Young & Rubicam, both part of WPP, look like analogue dinosaurs and are suffering financially. When Shell put its account up for review and WPPs Read successfully repitched, he used its digital agency Wunderman, rather than JWT, the incumbent, as the lead agency. Technology has made it easier for advertisers to buy directly from online advertising platforms, notably Google and Facebook, which have recruited large client teams to woo brands. Facebooks appointment of former deputy PM Nick Clegg, left, on a mega-bucks package underlines how Silicon Valley giants have deep pockets. Its not all bad news for agencies. The global ad market is growing and brands need help to deal with digital disruption. Radical evolution is required, as Read likes to say, and that is an unsettling prospect for the Mad Men. B ritish inventor Sir James Dyson on Tuesday ramped up his plans to take on Elon Musk in the fight for control of the electric car market, choosing Singapore as the home for its new vehicle manufacturing base. His eponymous company plans to invest 2 billion into the new vehicles, of which 1 billion will go into battery technology and the other 1 billion into the construction of the cars. There will be several different models which should be available to buy in 2021, one year after the site itself is complete. The private firm, founded and controlled by the entrepreneur, was thinking of keeping its factory in the UK, but today said that Singapore has better access to the parts it needs. The company, best known as a vacuum-maker, has said very little about the cars, but industry watchers note the development comes as Tesla faces a battle with its own investors over investment demands. Tesla founder Musk has been at the centre of various controversies that have led to lawsuits, falls in the share price and his removal as chairman. Insiders say there is an advantage to being a private company when working on new projects. Dyson insists that Brexit was not a factor in the decision to build the cars in Singapore. The company notes that Singapore is not a cheaper place than the UK for manufacturing, but it benefits from being close to China and its great technology expertise and focus. Dyson already has 1100 staff in Singapore, compared with nearly 5000 in the UK. It has 1300 staff in Malaysia, 1000 in China and 800 in the Philippines. Dyson chief executive Jim Rowan said: The decision of where to make our car is complex, based on supply chains, access to markets, and availability of the expertise that will help us achieve our ambitions." He added: Our existing team in Singapore, combined with the nations significant advanced manufacturing expertise, made it a frontrunner. It is also investing 200 million into its car team at Hullavington Airfield in Wiltshire. Dyson has been an advocate of the UK leaving the EU trading block insisting it will make no difference to its own manufacturing. W hen youve seen one Tory PM on the ropes, youve seen em all. First comes the dark numerology of the countdown to the 48 votes needed to tip a leader into a confidence vote. Commons interrogations follow. The Prime Minister announces that the EU withdrawal deal is 95 per cent there, which is like saying a life-saving operation was 95 per cent successful. Tomorrow sees the next chapter of deathly hallows, the meeting of the 1922 Committee of backbenchers with tricoteuses giving briefings about knifings and death throes. It is 25 years since John Major endured the process. Plotting, though, is now in WhatsApp groups rather than late-night phone calls. But the focus on her plight means too little attention is paid to what is happening on the other side of the House. The Opposition, rather than the Government, will decide the endgame of the Brexit negotiations and what follows. Number 10 tacitly accepts that it will rely on Labour voters to get any withdrawal bill that might eventually be agreed with the EU through Parliament. A fit of ornery misconduct from the Ulster unionists has brought greater urgency to its calculations. So has Mays precarious position. So why would Labour save her skin in such a situation? Ordinarily, they would not dream of it. But these are not ordinary times. If a plainly disastrous No Deal scenario is to be avoided and there is a vote (or succession of votes) in Parliament on whatever offer May finally wrestles out of the EU, Labour will have an extraordinarily strong hand in the outcome. Its a curious situation, given that Corbynism frequently pits its grassroots organisation against MPs. But a sizeable number of Labour MPs regard Brexit as too important to be left to the mercies of a leadership whose only interest in the negotiations is as a tactical tool to bring about a quick general election. Anne McElvoy So the prospect of the Tories securing enough borrowed support for a withdrawal deal to get it through Parliament looks within reach. It marks a resurgence of Labours significance in the Commons after a period when the partys fate appeared to be decided in the closed councils of the leadership and pliant National Executive Committee. Leading pro-European MPs are finding themselves invited to tea in the leaders office. Camp Corbyn is starting to realise it cannot rely on MPs it has treated with disdain to vote down any imaginable deal. With due courtesy to Labour Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer, his six tests of acceptable deal criteria are like 50 ways to leave your lover a neat number of excuses for doing what you wanted to do anyway. Labours Brexit policy itself is elusive. It opposes no-deal scenarios but urges MPs to vote against any outcome that May could ever negotiate. Much would change, however, if a deal were really on the table. For a start there would be widespread public anticipation of an end to a long, puzzling and dull saga of little interest to voters with more pressing concerns. The pressure on not prolonging the agony would rise. Furthermore, a blunt taxonomy of Remain and Leave doesnt reflect the many nuances of opinion between MPs. Some Labour Remainers, encouraged by a confident showing in the Peoples Vote march at the weekend, would prefer to galvanise arguments for a second referendum. But in a party reliant on blue-collar votes with strongholds in the North, that group is outweighed by those who fret that their constituents will cry foul if the once in a lifetime popular vote in 2016 is overturned. Camp Corbyn is realising it cannot rely on MPs it has treated with disdain to vote down any imaginable deal" A deal makes life easier for Labour Remainers representing constituencies that voted Leave, as long as something close to Brexit is delivered. Others such as shadow Brexit minister Jenny Chapman have an overall pro-EU voting record but they also backed the Government in starting the withdrawal process, which makes it harder to explain why they would not wish to help conclude it. Another sub-group of desperadoes faces deselection and has no desire to continue under Corbyn, and thus has no need to fear the consequences of rebellion. Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 Committee and a yeoman of the Tory Right, is said to have told colleagues that the Government can get enough Opposition support to offset a hard Brexit rebellion. Downing Street would need around 20 to 30 Labour MPs voting with the Government to be sure of success (depending on the size of its own revolt, of course). This is a big ask, given that helping Tories out of a self-made hole is anathema to Labour MPs. But Henry Newman, a former adviser to Michael Gove now at the (moderate Eurosceptic) Open Europe think-tank, believes compromise might be closer than many assume. The PM, he reckons, failed to sell her Chequers plan because it demanded compromise without a deal. It is a lot easier to get compromise when a deal is on offer and the EU has put a name to it. The best way to peel off MPs who oppose no deal would be to pivot away from the Chequers plan and towards interim membership of the European Economic Area and the European Free Trade Association. If the Tories want to build a cross-party Brexit, this is the way to get it, because it builds on an existing appetite in Labour. Even after a ferocious operation by the party whips, 75 Labour MPs rebelled in June to back the Norway model in an amendment proposed by Stephen Kinnock in June. Opposition sources estimate that around half of these have shifted their focus to a second referendum. It still leaves a healthy number in the wooing zone, to cite a Tory whip. Building on that demands charm and persistence and beguiling is not the word that springs to mind when it comes to the May method. But if she confounds her doubters to deliver the magic missing five per cent of the withdrawal deal, the benches opposite her own will write its fate, as much if not more than those behind her. A s we cruise through the Judean hills, sighting Ramallah to the north, our driver points out a military watchtower. For snipers, he says. Most are women. You know why they use women? We shake our heads. Women dont hesitate. And so Jerusalem got to us before we got to it. The road from the airport in Tel Aviv is clear but the barbed wire and long stretches of wall separating Israel from the West Bank set the tone. Tension and territorialism. Ancient disputes folded into the fabric of everyday life. Its calm at the moment but I keep remembering the line from James Joyces Ulysses: History, Stephen said, is a nightmare from which Im trying to awake. It had been nearly 20 years since Id visited the Holy City and my memories from that time were only of being herded in and out of a succession of empty tombs before later plunging into the Dead Sea. This time there are still many tombs to examine, including Christs shrine in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Virgins in the Kidron Valley; I also get caught up one morning in a procession of elderly Brazilian women lamenting behind their slightly hunky pastor, carrying a cross along the cramped streets of the Via Dolorosa. But my most frequent experience is being shooed away. Hustled past the Wailing Wall and scolded for not passing through the security gates quickly enough. Bundled out of the way of Franciscans droning beside the Edicule in the Holy Sepulchre. Hissed at for stepping too close to the portico of al-Aqsa Mosque, then waved away when I poke my head into the Islamic museum next door. Jerusalem is a place of deep importance to the three great Abrahamic religions, and the only thing they seem to agree on is that it would be best if I buggered off. Probably they have a point. And Im not complaining. A few days in Jerusalem yield more wondrous sights than I have seen in almost any other city. We eat like kings, walk around 30km every day and get tattoos from Razzouk, the shop by the Jaffa Gate that has inked pilgrim hipsters since 1300AD. Then we return to London reflecting that no matter how divided Britain seems today, we dont have it too bad. You cant beat a daddys girl, Harry Plaudits to Prince Harry for telling a well-wisher that he would prefer a girl as his firstborn. When I was fretting before the first of my daughters arrived, a late and much-missed acquaintance gave me the sage advice. You think you want a son but theres nothing like a daddys girl, he said. His words the apparent progressiveness cloaked in the language of patriarchy and possession have possibly not dated that well. But the sentiment was right, and so is Harry. Girls rule. Folk captures the folly of the Trump era My tickets are booked for the stage performance of Anais Mitchells brilliant 2010 album Hadestown, which opens at the National Theatre in a couple of weeks time, directed by Rachel Chavkin. The show is here for a couple of months before heading back to Broadway. Anais Mitchell / Rex Features Catch it if you can, because Hadestown is one of the most beguiling folk/alternative albums of the past decade, one I would have worn out with repeat plays were we in the age of vinyl and CD (as it is, it makes my Spotify subscription feel like its worth every penny). Thats good going for a concept album about the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice piped through a vision of 21st-century America, composed during the George W Bush years but suited to the age of Trump. Its catchiest refrain is Why We Build The Wall. Mitchell plays a one-off gig on Sunday but its sold out. If you see me begging on the South Bank, youll know why. Scale the heights like George Mallory A tantalising exhibition opens at the Royal Geographical Society in Kensington on Monday photographs captured on the 1921 expedition to Mount Everest and the surrounding area. This was the first of George Mallorys three visits to Everest he died on the slopes attacking the summit in 1924. Maternity wear has an image problem. An extra large one. With seismic body changes happening on a daily basis, it is tough to keep confidence up whilst you are pregnant, let alone feel stylish. This is not helped by the frumpy, lacy, middle-aged maternity offering making mums-to-be look twice their size and twice their age. Thank goodness I have managed to find these stylish saviours. You are welcome, ladies. Rosie Shephard @mumandthecityuk / Rosie Shephard Most fashionable: Seraphine The Paris-born founder, Cecile Reinaud, said she wanted to create beautiful maternity clothes that women want to wear, even when they are not pregnant. Mission accomplished. Glamorous bumps from Hollywood regularly wear the brand to red carpet events. I have been wearing the Chambray Denim Maternity Nursing dress almost non-stop, which luckily has plenty of room for growth, so I can continue despite my expanding waistline, with a super discreet nursing zip for breast feeding. Genius. I am now saving up for the 3 in 1 Maternity Parka. An oversized, super cosy faux-fur lined coat to which you can attach a kangaroo panel in the front to fit over your baby sling, enveloping baby into the look. Oh, and check out the brand's Instagram for maternity fashion inspiration Seraphine Maternity / Seraphine Most chic: Isabella Oliver Founded by husband and wife team Baukjen De Swaan Arons and Geoff von Sonsbeeck, Isabella Oliver has become a maternity classic, focusing on designs and fabrics that consistently flatter and fit your body as it grows. The designs are simple yet elegant and have a signature style. The Ivy Bridge Maternity Dress is one of my favourites and is perfect for work. It is made from stretch fabric that accommodates curves and flatters them as one continues to grow. I also love the Zoey Maternity Jumpsuit which has an elasticated below-the-bump waistband. I have worn this to parties and kept it casual with a pair of flats, pretending I have that oh-so-effortless style. You can even wear this piece after pregnancy as they suggest, by buying your regular size. Isabella Oliver / Isabella Oliver Most elegant: Madderson London Madderson is one of my favourite brands when not pregnant. It is my go-to for chic work and event wear that I can mix and match for day and evening occasions. I was delighted to discover the brand created a small range of luxury maternity dresses. I am saving up for Maddersons Imogen Dress in Polkadot which is delicate and incredibly flattering, both for when I'm wanting to conceal the bump by wearing the dress loose or show it off by tying the belt above it. I also love The Naomi Dress. A classic cut, set apart by the bold tweed trim on the pockets and dress hem. Gorgeous. Madderson London / Madderson London Most useful: Jojo Maman Bebe Jojos, as mums know it, is the first stop for everything babies and maternity. It is an emporium of pregnancy essentials that caters for all at reasonable prices and good quality. The maternity clothes do not disappoint. My first pick from there was a new swimming costume, selected from an extensive range. I chose the simple and classic Black Maternity Swimsuit, which is more stylish than it sounds. Another favourite has been the easy-to-throw-on MidWash Maternity Dungaree Dress that can be matched with different tops or leggings for a variety of looks. It has adjustable straps and a design that will see you through the full nine months of pregnancy. Jojo Maman Bebe / Jojo Maman Bebe Most glamorous: Tiffany Rose Finding an outfit that makes you feel glamorous when you are pregnant is next to impossible, which is why Tiffany Rose designs are a godsend. The pieces are primarily based on timeless classics inspired by '50s and '60s icons with a touch of modern style. They are also all made in Britain, which I always appreciate. Over the summer I have been wearing the Kimono Maxi Dress non-stop. The loose fitting and subtle details made it perfect for the wedding for which I had been struggling to find the right outfit. I am also just waiting to show off The Aria Gown. Maternity high fashion at its best. Tiffany Rose / Tiffany Rose Best newcomer: Lily & Ribbon This newly launched online boutique has serious style, curating designs from all over world. Check out the collection of everything from jumpsuits, elegant skirts and occasion wear to PJs, swimsuits and tights. The fabrics are sumptuous and the cuts are exact. Lily & Ribbon is going places. Lily & Ribbon / Lily & Ribbon For underneath: Bravado! Bravado bras are actually made of cotton, but they feel like silk. They come in classic shapes and are flattering whilst being super supportive in sporty styles. These bras are made for everyday comfort - running errands, housework and lounging in front of the TV. And, of course, for the hours of breastfeeding ahead with their easy access clips. Bravado / Bravado For lounging: Blanqi Blanqis range of supportive bands are intricately built into maternity clothing, helping to alleviate the baby weight and redistribute it more evenly. This is a brilliant remedy for reducing stress on your body, easing the common pregnancy pains and keeping good posture. Blanqi have lots of comfy basics, a wide range of leggings, tank tops, activewear and belly bands to combine with your existing wardrobe. They are a maternity staple. Blanqi / Blanqi For bed time: Bumpkyn Getting a solid nights sleep is vital when pregnant and sleeping in your partners oversized T-shirts is not the answer. I have switched to The Elizabeth Pyjamas that feel wonderful against your skin, have a supportive band and gem poppers, which will allow for easy breastfeeding when baby arrives. Heavenly. Flash Pan Rongda has always been mesmerized by the old neighborhoods in Hongkou district of Shanghai, an area where lanes intertwine, small markets ooze liveliness and shikumen-style houses have remained largely unchanged for more than a century. The 30-something was born and raised in the area. The area, north of Suzhou Creek, has largely retained its old neighborhoods, a very local area with few skyscrapers and big shopping malls, thus evading tons of tourist groups. "I love the old feeling here," Pan says. "I grew up in a nongtang (lane in Shanghainese dialect) in the area, and I'd like my guests to experience the localness of the city, too." Pan runs a bed and breakfast guesthouse in Dongzhaoli, one of the lanes in the area where the early Communist leader and literary translator Qu Qiubai once lived, and opposite the entrance of the lane is the former residence of the renowned writer Lu Xun. The 500-meter Tian'ai Road, or the road of sweet love, is within a three-minute walk, and local lovers go there to scrawl their names or commitment on the walls along the street. Many believe that if they walk the entire route their love will be forever blessed and they will never be separated. Duolun Road, a pedestrian cultural street lined with teahouses, art galleries and antiques shops, is just a few blocks further. Many literary celebrities in modern China lived here in the first half of the 20th century. The three-storied guesthouse Pan operates was built in the 1920s in shikumen-style, a traditional Shanghainese architectural style combining Western elements such as a terrace house structure and Chinese elements of the courtyard enclosed by a stone gate. Pan lives in the attic and has listed the four rooms in the house on Airbnb, the online home-sharing platform, since summer last year. Pan was a white-collar worker in multinational companies for eight years and on a whim decided to become a B&B owner. "I just got bored of the routine work everyday, and wanted to try something else one day," Pan says. Gilberto Bennetton, co-founder of Italian fashion brand United Colors of Benetton, has died at 77. The company announced the news on Monday evening in a brief statement: "Gilberto Benetton died at home today in Treviso [Italy] following a brief illness". Gilberto was one of four siblings, who co-founded the namesake Italian fashion brand in 1965. Created by his oldest brother Luciano in 1963, he soon called upon his siblings, brothers Carlo and Gilberto and sister Giuliana to help run what would become known as United Colors of Benetton. The global fashion brand started from humble beginnings, the siblings selling a small selection of colourful handmade knitwear in their hometown of Veneto, something that would later become their signature. With family at its core, the brand, still based in Ponzano Veneto, now has 5,000 stores worldwide. Benetton lit up the high street with colourful wardrobe staples (Benetton ) / Benetton Over the years Benetton has also been at the forefront of diversity within the fashion industry with attention-grabbing ad campaigns including a 1989 poster featuring a black woman breastfeeding a white baby and the 2011 campaign imagery showing President Barack Obama kissing Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez and Chinese President Hu Jintao. Over the years Benetton has become known for championing diversity / Benetton Gilberto's death comes just three months after his younger brother Carlo, who suddenly died in July 2018. At the time, Benetton released a statement on social media, saying: "We remember with great affection, esteem and appreciation Carlo Benetton... he applied his intuition and courage to fuel the extraordinary adventure that become Benetton Group." Having spent my weekend crushing on Busy Philipps the actress turned Instagram stories sensation who launches her career as chat-show host next week I want to wear little else but long-sleeved skater T-shirts and beaten-up Vans. The iconic blue Motocross jacket worn by Philipps to play the iconic role of Lucy Kelly in early Noughties cult classic Freaks and Geeks is also, to borrow a phrase from Busy, giving me life. As youll discover if you choose to read This Will Only Hurt A Little (you really should. Philippss brutally honest memoirs provide the best insight into Hollywoods dirty secrets and the perplexities facing women today youll read this year), among the teenage trauma and failed auditions is a whole lot of early Noughties nostalgia. In fact, if, like me, you can remember the exact Sunday morning Philipps burst onto your screen all wild-eyed and oozing with attitude as Audrey Liddell in season five of Dawsons Creek, youll find ample moments for personal style reflection in this book. See cargo pants, Raglan T-shirts and padded body warmers worn with knocked-up Converse and, always, a crop top. With Noughties-inspired streetwear continuing to dominate the style zeitgeist, its a good time to fall back in love with the clothes of my (your?) youth. The looks we loved then which borrowed heavily from skater culture but were worn mostly, in my case, to hang out around the local shopping centre look as contemporary today as they did back then. The Noughties-inspired streetwear scene has boomed in recent years (Stussy ) / Stussy It helps, of course, that its the raison detre for a host of the planets most in-demand labels right now. Among them Supreme, a streetstyle juggernaut, and Palace, the London-based brand which counts skater-inflected subculture at the heart of its DNA. Last week, as proof of both its originality and celestial status among Gen Z teens (and their dads), Palace announced a collaboration with Polo Ralph Lauren. The resulting collection which consists of menswear items such as tops, pants, outerwear and accessories, including a classic Polo Oxford button-down shirt featuring the logos of both brands is set to drop imminently. And then sell out, of course. Now while I fully appreciate that wistful reflections on the style I favoured as a 17-year-old Dawsons Creek fan will never prove inspiring for Palace founders Lev Tanju and Gareth Skewis (urban London brand soaked in youth culture versus TV-obsessed cargo pants wearer from Fife mining village: you do the maths), I remain compelled to skating style. Im sorry, kids. A camouflage jacket by streetwear brand Carhartt / Carhartt Accordingly, among my current lust-haves is Supremes current collaboration with North Face the leather mountain parka is among the coolest things on the planet right now. At 995, its also the most expensive. Im also spending more than a necessary amount of time looking at tracksuit tops by Palm Angels a venture that started life as a coffee book inspired by southern Californian skating culture. In Phillipss book, she professes to have been a 15-year-old skater girl who had never ridden a skateboard. Today London is positively brimming with her type. And so what, I say? A Raglan T-shirt, worn with an A-line skirt and a pair of olive green SK-vans, makes a great weekend outfit. Ditto a pair of carpenter-fit wide-leg jeans worn with a grey marl sweatshirt. If you want to indulge your inner teenager without earning eye-rolls from the kids in line outside Palace, keep your logos to a minimum. Instead opt for the silhouettes, which are synonymous with the time. Layering your favourite T-shirt over a rollneck in a contrasting shade will give you the Lucy Kelly look of which dreams are made. Stussy is a good place to start. The brands womens collection spans way more than hoodies and T-shirts with vinyl skirts and jumpsuits among the highlights. Having departed Australia, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex continued their 16-day royal tour on Tuesday by touching down in Fiji. Following a lavish welcome ceremony, the couple later attended a state dinner, hosted by the President of Fiji and attended by local diplomats and dignitaries. The reception also marked Meghan Markle's first state dinner since becoming a member of the royal family. For the majority of the royal tour the 37-year-old has cut a casual figure in jeans and oversized shirts, but for the banquet Meghan, who recently revealed she is pregnant with the couple's first child suitably dressed up for the black tie event, donning a fitted evening gown that perfectly skimmed her growing baby bump. The floor-length dress came complete with a sweeping cape, a regal design created by London-based brand Safiyaa, founded by German-born Daniela Karmuts. The Ginkgo Cape Dress is currently available to buy for 1,095. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive for state dinner in Fiji / Getty Images The label was founded in 2011 and describes itself as: "timeless, chic, bespoke." Its brand philosophy reads: "Safiyaa celebrates femininity and all that makes a woman beautiful with unapologetic confidence." As is custom for members of the royal family when visiting foreign countries, Meghan's ensemble also paid sartorial tribute to Fiji, the gown being a light blue hue, a nod to 'Fijian Blue', the colour which takes centre stage in the national flag. The elegant evening down showed off Meghan's growing bump / Getty Images Meghan kept her accessories minimal, her hands softly cradling her stomach instead of a clutch bag, her loose locks tousled into subtle waves and pops of highlight on her cheeks. Her elegant ensemble was finished off, though, with a pair of statement diamond drop earrings, which are thought to have been borrowed from Her Majesty's collection. A likely tale, as Meghan re-wore the pearl earrings the Queen gifted her for a third time on arrival to Fiji earlier in the day. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are currently in the middle of a 16-day tour of Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. The newlyweds are, of course, not the first royals to visit that part of the world. Since 1954 there have been over 50 visits by members of the royal family Down Under. Her Majesty The Queen has visited the country a whopping 16 times, meanwhile Princess Anne, The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have also made the long haul trip. The royal tour that the newlyweds' visit is undoubtedly going to be compared to is that of Prince Harry's parents, Princess Diana and Prince Charles. Meghan has already paid homage to her late mother-in-law on the the couple's Australian adventure. Following the news that they're expecting their first child, the 37-year-old wore a pair of butterfly earrings and a gold cuff, which once belonged to Diana. Princess Diana on her first royal tour of Australia in 1983 / PA Archive/PA Images Diana visited Australia three times prior to her death in 1997 and, just like Meghan, Diana's first official international royal tour after marrying Prince Charles in 1981 was to Australia, but Diana's visit came two years after their nuptials. Princess Diana and Prince Charles at Ayers Rock in 1983 / Rex Features The couple's first visit in 1983 saw the Prince and Princess of Wales accompanied by baby Prince William as they visited iconic sites such as the Sydney Opera House, Alice Springs and Ayers Rock. The tour saw Diana don numerous '80s frocks in bold tones from sunshine yellow to hot pink, often accessorised with a matching hat and always a hint of shoulder pad. Diana wearing the Spencer tiara during a royal tour of Australia in 1983 / REX/Shutterstock It was her ensemble at the State Reception in Hobart, Tasmania which had the most memorable personal touch. Diana paired her striking red dress with the Spencer family tiara, which she had previously worn on her wedding day. She also accessorised with a necklace given to her by the Prince of Wales and a pin known as the Royal Family Order of Elizabeth II, an honour bestowed upon female members of the royal family and back then were often worn at formal occasions. Princess of Wales poses with the winning team of lifeguards at a surf carnival at Terrigal Beach in 1988 / Getty Images In 1988, on her second visit with Prince Charles, Diana experimented more with pops of print, her style staple for the trip being a plethora of vibrant floral frocks, which included a pink and blue blossom evening gown by her go-to designer Catherine Walker. Princess Diana wearing a blue and pink rose-patterned silk gown by Catherine Walker in 1985 (PA Archive/PA Images) / PA For her final visit in 1996, just one year prior to her death, her wardrobe had a very different feel. By this time she had divorced Prince Charles and had gone through a style transition away from glamorous gowns and more towards business attire. After her divorce Diana opted for more business attire such as this white suit she wore in Sydney in 1996 / Getty Images For the four-day private visit suits and simple shift dresses were her uniform of choice as she visited numerous hospitals and fundraising events in the capital. Princess Diana attending the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute dinner dance in Sydney in 1996 / AFP/Getty Images Even her evening gowns were noticeably more understated, as she attended the Heart Foundation Ball wearing a blue one-shoulder gown by Versace. N ovember leaves Halloween firmly in the past, but that doesn't have to mean the dressing up stops. We've got costumes galore this month and a brand new line-up of LGBTQ+ events taking place across London. From comedy to cabaret and a mega festival of queer film and arts, it's time to start getting in the festive spirit. It's never too early. Briefs: Close Encounters Australian all-male burlesque troupe Briefs are grabbing the festive season by the baubles with their circus inspired show. The seven performers combine death-defying tricks with drag and comedy in Close Encounters, which headlines the Spiegeltent in Leicester Square. November 9-January 3, Leicester Square Spiegeltent, WC2, christmasinleicestersquare.com East End Queer Lates The East End is known for some of the best queer nights in London and now a cabaret night is paying tribute to it. Theatre Royal Stratford East brings some of the cream of east Londons crop for a late night celebration. Drag kings Chiyo and Benjamin Butch, queen Dolly Trolley, dancer Rubyyy Jones and Girls Aloud drag tribute group Gals Aloud are on the line up hosted by Rhyss Pieces. November 8, Theatre Royal Stratford East, E15, stratfordeast.com London's best drag clubs and nights 1 /11 London's best drag clubs and nights The Glory Where else to start but the Glory? The Haggerston pub is certainly not the oldest, but has made a massive impact due to the sheer volume of drag events. Co-owned by stalwarts of the London queer scene Jonny Woo and John Sizzle, find queens and kings and everyone in between almost every night of the week. They host shows from countless drag performers including Kings of Colour (KOC for short, pronounced as youd expect), BOiBOX and Baby Lame. With the annual Man Up contest for drag kings and the flagship event Lipsync1000, the Glory is always driving the drag train. Royal Vauxhall Tavern Royal Vauxhall Tavern was given Grade II listed status in 2015, making it the first building in the UK to be listed for its importance to LGBTQ+ history. Its drag legacy dates back to the 70s and 80s, with Lily Savage (aka Paul OGrady) as a regular performer there for nearly a decade. Now theres variety night Bar Wotever on Tuesdays, King of Clubs with King Frankie Sinatra at the helm and an Art of Drag course to train up the next generation of drag royalty. Bar Wotever Admiral Duncan The Admiral Duncan is slap bang in the heart of Soho's historic centre but still manages to have that personal feel of a local pub. The resident performers include Sum Ting Wong and Baga Chipz (now available in HD in RuPaul's Drag Race UK) and there's cabaret every Wednesday, so pretty much everything a night out in Soho requires. Soho Theatre Up the street at the Soho Theatre, youll find the more theatrical shows, some of whom have enjoyed acclaimed runs at Edinburgh Fringe or transferred from overseas. Whether its upstairs in the theatre or downstairs in the sultry cabaret bar, be prepared for some high-quality genre-bending performance. Bethnal Green Working Men's Club Britney, Christina, Cher, Beyonce, Mariah, Kylie (the Original): find all your ladies here. Kylie even did the photo shoot for her album Lovers at Bethnal Green Working Mens Club, so its got some friends in high places. Club night Mariah and Friendz has a monthly residency, packed with drag, cabaret and circus The Apple Tree It's your LGBTQ+ friendly neighbourhood pub of choice. The Apple Tree in King's Cross is all about being a home to the alternative. There are monthly comedy nights, and north London queen Meth hosts an fortnightly drag night Apples and Pears. The stage fetures a rotating cast of the performers of Camden's Her Upstairs (which very sadly closed suddenly last year). Her Upstairs Clapham Grand This isnt a drag club but its where you go to see the American queens on tour. At some point during the month theres one of RuPauls alumnae serving up some true fierce realness: Shangela, Alaska, Sharon Needles, Jinkx Monsoon and Courtney Act have all graced the Clapham Grand stage. Channel 5 Two Brewers As LaShauwn Beyond wisely said: This is not RuPaul's Best Friend Race. But drag is most definitely a spectator sport and better enjoyed with others. Two Brewers in Clapham shows RuPauls Drag Race every Friday on the big screen. As for the rest of the week, theres Rock n Roll Bingo with Mrs Moore, Lets Get Quizzical with Sum Ting Wong and the Power of Three variety show, which delivers a trio of the most fabulous queens and kings around. Two Brewers White Swan 30 years young, the White Swan has long been the centre of Limehouses LGBTQ+ scene (yes, there is one), with drag cabaret all year round. Always in the mood for a party, its a great place to go for New Year, Easter, Halloween and whenever theres something to celebrate. Miss Ross hosts regular bingo nights and Jackie De Ripper turns up on Thursdays to sing some killer showtunes around the piano, so come armed with your songbook. Cybil War Sink The Pink Sink The Pink is a massive presence on the UK drag scene, popping up with outrageous, unbeatable parties. Born at Bethnal Green Working Mens Club, Sink The Pink has built up dedicated followers of trashion, who come from afar for one of their nights, which include performances of the highest quality. Keep an eye out and dress to kill you cannot miss this. Sink The Pink East London's newest sing-along spot comes with a host of drag queens in tow. The team behind Dalston Superstore have opened a fabulous venue on Kingsland High Street, where fancy dress karaoke is the name of the game. When on the disco ball-decked stage, youre encouraged to bring out your inner RuPaul and lip-sync for your life. Fringe! Queer Film and Arts Festival Your queer culture fix is here in the form of the annual Fringe! Festival, taking over screens and stages in east London. Rio Dalston, Castle Cinema, Barbican Cinema and the Genesis show feature films and shorts, while the Glory and Dalston Superstore give us the party vibes and live shows. November 13-25, venues across east London, fringefilmfest.com Winners Tour: Aquaria with Blair St Clair RuPauls Drag Race Season 10 winner Aquaria is in the midst of her victory tour, which touches down in the Clapham Grand this month. The 22-year old drag daughter of Sharon Needles will be joined by fellow contestant Blair St Clair. We do declare. November 19, Clapham Grand, SW11, claphamgrand.com Mawaan and Friends Dave Bird Comedian Mawaan Rizwan sold out his Edinburgh Fringe run, has more than 18 million views on YouTube and is very much on the rise. He brings some friends with to Aces and Eights for an evening of super-woke queer comedy. November 28, Aces and Eights, NW5, acesandeightssaloonbar.com Apples and Pears Cabaret Clerkenwells new LGBTQ+ venue The Apple Tree presents an afternoon cabaret show with the fellow orphans of recently closed bar Her Upstairs. Drag queens Herr, Cheryl Hole, Ophelia Love, and Cara Melle will be among the team bringing the glam. November 10, The Apple Tree, WC1, outsavvy.com Everybodys Talking About Jamie with Michelle Visage Everybodys Talking About Jamie even more now that drag race judge Michelle Visage has joined the cast . Shes giving schoolboy Jamie hell as teacher Miss Hedge in this feelgood West End show about overcoming prejudice, family and getting to know yourself. Where to see RuPaul's Drag Race favourites in London 1 /16 Where to see RuPaul's Drag Race favourites in London Bob the Drag Queen Getty Images Aquaria Getty Images Sharon Needles D Dipasupil/Getty Images Bianca Del Rio Getty Images for Logo Adore Delano, Bianca Del Rio and Courtney Act Getty Images Willam Getty Images Alaska Getty Images Miss Vanjie Getty Images Latrice Royale Getty Images for Three Lions Entertainment Jinkx Monsoon Getty Images Asia O'Hara Getty Images Monet X Change Getty Images Katya Getty Images Ginger Minj and Ivy Winters Getty Images Blair St Clair Getty Images Kameron Michaels Getty Images Klub Kids Roast Battles Just between us squirrel friends, Drag Race judge Ross Mathews is hosting a Roast Battle. Six queens go head to head in a reading frenzy. Bob the Drag Queen, Ginger Minj, Monet X Change, Monique Heart, Thorgy Thor and Phi Phi OHara will fight for the right to be crowned the meanest queen. The library is open. Big Queer Fayre Hoxton Get ready for Christmas at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchens fayre, where you can pick up all sorts of gifts. Theres arts and crafts, ceramics, clothing, bags, zines and books on offer, as well as an 18+ room to find something a bit more grown up. November 18, Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen, N1, eventbrite.co.uk Aphrodyki: Big Dyke Energy Recently featured in Channel 4s The Bisexual, this is Londons only ancient Greek themed night for queer and trans women, non-binaries and friends. Expect music from the goddesses of pop with Rihanna, Gaga, Cher and Ariana Grande, as Djs Lez Dennis and Mad Dyki are on the decks. November 10, Miranda at Ace Hotel, E1, facebook.com How to Catch a Krampus Sink The Pinks first ever theatre residency begins at the Pleasance Theatre this month. Fully embracing the spook, How to Catch a Krampus will be just as flamboyant as the Sink The Pink you know and love, but a hell of a lot darker. Written by drag queen Ginger Johnson, the show stars drag legend Lavinia Co-Op. November 13-December 23, Pleasance Islington, N1, pleasance.co.uk How To Catch A Krampus by Sink The Pink - In pictures 1 /4 How To Catch A Krampus by Sink The Pink - In pictures How To Catch A Krampus from Sink The Pink at Pleasance Islington How To Catch A Krampus from Sink The Pink at Pleasance Islington How To Catch A Krampus from Sink The Pink at Pleasance Islington How To Catch A Krampus from Sink The Pink at Pleasance Islington Art of Drag showcase After ten weeks of work, the students of the RVT Art of Drag course are graduating. Theyre here for a showcase to flaunt their newfound skills and emerge from cocoons into fully-fledged kings and queens. These are the new faces on the scene. November 15, Royal Vauxhall Tavern, SE11, vauxhalltavern.com Hot Gay Time Machine Come all ye gaythful: Zak Ghazi-Torbati and Toby Marlow present a seasonal treat, taking you back in time with a Christmas Carol-style show. Its from the writing team behind West End musical Six , so is sure to be filled with smashing original songs. November 27, Trafalgar Studios, WC2, atgtickets.com BOiBOX Famous drag king night BOiBOX returns hosted by Adam All and Apple Derrieres. This months line up includes Brent Would, Oberon White, Sigi Moonlight, Trinidad & Toogaythough and Velvet Thunder some of Londons best on the scene. November 11, The Glory, E2, theglory.co G ranted, every new Doctor Who companion since time (and space) began finds themselves confused at first in the Tardis. But Tosin Coles first rehearsal-room mix-up was more down to earth than the usual wibbly wobbly, timey wimey stuff. I remember thinking Bradley Walsh was The Doctor, says Cole, 26, with a laugh. Walsh the former Coronation Street actor and host of ITVs The Chase instead joins Cole and Mandip Gill in the cast as one of three new side-kicks, alongside Jodie Whittakers Doctor. I was confused. Id never watched any episodes, I didnt know what a Time Lord was. I wasnt in that world I dont even watch TV, says Cole. I remember turning up to read my lines and seeing Jodie and thinking, Oh, whos this? Its Jodie Whittaker. Maybe shes just here to help out. Not that Cole has any problem with the Doctor being played by a woman for the first time. Nor can he understand the fuss her casting created among a small but vocal pocket of fans. Its an alien at the end of the day, right? If you can believe an alien can regenerate and time-travel in space, and dies but never dies, why cant she be a lady? Were at the Lyric Hammersmith on Coles lunch break during rehearsals for the new Royal Court play ear for eye, for debbie tucker green (she spells her name and titles in lower case). This is the second time Cole has worked with green at 20, he was cast in second coming, written directed by green, but was cut out of the final edit. So its been nice to get a full dose, says Cole. He says we can expect a mature performance. Obviously she saw my little scrap of a beard, and she was like, OK, cool, Im not going to let you play kids, youre kind of getting on and coming up in the world. When she last saw me I had about four hairs there. Green is typically secretive about her work and Cole has had to get used to keeping secrets. When the call came through for Doctor Who, they said, Youre up for this thing that cant be named ... but its Doctor Who, but it CANT be named. Did he tell anyone? I wasnt supposed to. But I told my family and my friends straight away. Why the stage secrecy? Simple. Debbie does this because she wants the theatre to be an experience, he says. When people know what its about, or have preconceptions, they might programme their minds to start thinking the plays going to be about one issue or another way. The experience is in being there, piecing it together. Because, although we know the work is a new play about protest and the black body in the UK and US today, Cole wants nothing to distract from the story. Its about telling stories that people connect with, and which they see themselves in. Jodie Whittaker's Doctor Who debut - in pictures 1 /14 Jodie Whittaker's Doctor Who debut - in pictures Voila! Jodie Whittaker as Doctor Who BBC Companions Yaz (Mandip Gill), Ryan (Tosin Cole), Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Graham (Bradley Walsh), Grace (Sharon Clarke) BBC / Sophie Mutevelian In action PA Landed BBC / BBC Studios Guest star BBC New role BBC Trouble ahead PA Run! BBC Sticky situation BBC Time traveller BBC BBC BBC BBC BBC In Doctor Who, his character, Ryan Sinclair, is dyspraxic. Which is something we never see, and which people rarely talk about, says Cole. People are like, Whats this? What does that mean?. It means the motor skills dont really work, they might be on balance, off balance, and its a longer process to train the body to cope with physical activity. Yet Ryans out there saving the universe. Cole himself fell into acting at 16, attending after-school theatre youth groups at Intermission Youth Theatre groups. He had hated Shakespeare at school, Abbey Wood secondary in Greenwich, but artistic director Darren Raymond made the playwright relatable. They took me to see Sucker Punch [Roy Williamss 2010 play for the Royal Court starring Anthony Welsh and Daniel Kaluuya], and that was one of the best theatre experiences Ive ever had because I saw people who look like me, who sound like me, telling a story about London. Its through these things that they show us theatre that connects with us. Thats one of the first plays I ever saw and thought thats sick. That would be sick if I could do that. And I tell Dan and Anthony that all the time. Im proper fanboys of theirs. They inspired me to take that one step further. Now its proper crazy, because were peers, and we can have a proper conversation. Tosin Cole with cast mates Jodie Whittaker, Mandip Gill and Bradley Walsh / BBC Cole was scouted by an agent, and never finished his A-levels. Instead, there was a paid gig on E20, EastEnders youth-focused spin-off. I remember thinking Im going to be rich Im a millionaire! Im so used to watching TV docs where people say theyre on 10 million. It was a couple of thousand, if that. I bought some Nike trainers, as you do when youre 17 years old. Cole says acting was partly a means of expressing himself. I come from a place where no one expresses themselves. I have to present myself a certain way. Even to this day Im very closed-in. I cant just open up and give someone my whole life story. He moved from New York to London aged eight with his father and uncle after his parents separated. But again, I dont like to talk about it, he says. What he will say is that he sees pathways to work, like his own, getting fewer. I went to a lot of their youth clubs. But when the Government started shutting them down the things you find fun, the things that make you grow as a person when they start to go, what do you do? Youre lost. No ones helping you after 3.30pm. You get into all sorts of mischief. Whats his manifesto? I want better politicians maybe younger ones. Politicians from all walks of life, that understand youth from all walks of life. People who come from a well-off background, with no type of struggle, they dont know the inner-city struggles. They cant relate to that. We need people who relate to that, or understand it, or have seen it, or been through it. Saving London wont happen overnight. For now, Tosin Cole is taking on the universe. ear for eye is at the Royal Court, SW1 (020 7565 5000, royalcourttheatre.com), Oct 25-Nov 24 T he National Theatre is marking the centenary of the first women in the UK getting the right to vote with a new series based around suffrage and the fight for equality around the world. Courage Everywhere, which runs from November 15-18, will hold a run of rehearsed readings directed by Phyllida Lloyd, Lyndsey Turner, Nadia Fall, Jenny Sealey and Dawn Walton, as well as talks, events and a free exhibition. On November 15, Sealey directs And Others, a testimony to the pioneering women whose stories have been left untold. Dawn Walton directs two works revolving around race and the suffrage movement on November 16: In the Parlour and Magda, Jo, Isabella. Rebecca Lenkiewicz s historic play Her Naked Skin gets a return to the National on November 17 under Nadia Falls direction, after premiering in 2008. In the evening, Phyllida Lloyd directs Bull in a China Shop, a new comedy love story set in Massachusetts. Lyndsey Turner directs the final piece, Votes for Women by Elizabeth Robins, about the moment the suffragette movement was born, with a cast including Vinette Robinson, Nikesh Patel, Ruby Bentall and Sylvestra le Touzel. Events and talks include a discussion about womens voices with Scarlett Curtis , Montaza Merhi and Nimco Ali, as well as a journey through womens poetry with Joanna Lumley. I n the UK, we are lucky to have an average of 25 days annual leave each year. Singaporeans have seven days, Filipinos have just five and, technically, Americans have zero as its the discretion of the employer but most US workers have around 10 days of annual leave each year. With around five full weeks of leave, this means we have plenty of time to play with for holidays. But, by booking some strategic days off in 2020, you could effectively double 15 of your annual leave days to have 35 days off. Below is a guide for how to make the most of your annual leave days in 2020. Easter weekend Days to book off: April 14, 15, 16 and 17. By Easter, Brits are usually ready for a holiday after the relentless UK winter. The best way to make the most of your annual leave days is to utilise the days off around the Easter weekend. By taking the four days after Easter Monday off, you can treat yourself to a 10-day holiday. Any bank holiday weekend Days to book off: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday after the bank holiday weekend. Take your pick of the Early May, Spring or August bank holiday and turn it into a week-long jaunt to some place new. By taking four days off following the bank holiday (or before if you choose the Early May bank holiday), you can turn these four days annual leave into a nine-day vacation. Best hotel openings of 2020 - in pictures 1 /53 Best hotel openings of 2020 - in pictures The Legian Sire in Lombok, Indonesia Click through the gallery to see the best new hotel openings of 2020 ... LHW Hotels The Legian Sire in Lombok, Indonesia LHW Hotels The Legian Sire in Lombok, Indonesia LHW Hotels The Legian Sire in Lombok, Indonesia LHW Hotels The Hoxton, Rome in Italy The Hoxton Pendry West Hollywood in Los Angeles, USA Preferred Hotels Pendry West Hollywood in Los Angeles, USA Preferred Hotels Hotel Villa Dagmar in Stockholm, Sweden Preferred Hotels Riggs Washington D.C., USA Lore Group Riggs Washington D.C., USA Lore Group Montage Healdsburg in California, USA Preferred Hotels Kisawa Sanctuary, Mozambique Kisawa Sanctuary Kisawa Sanctuary, Mozambique Kisawa Sanctuary Kalesma in Mykonos, Greece Kalesma Kalesma in Mykonos, Greece Kalesma Aman, New York Aman Hotels The Sense Experience Resort in Tuscany, Italy Preferred Hotels Ruby Lucy, London Generic Ruby Hotel picture shown Ruby Hotels Ruby Lucy, London Generic Ruby Hotel picture shown Ruby Hotels Six Senses Shaharut in the Negev Desert, Israel Six Senses Six Senses Shaharut in the Negev Desert, Israel Six Senses Six Senses Shaharut in the Negev Desert, Israel Six Senses W Bali - Ubud, Indonesia Marriott Hotels Xigera Safari Lodges in the Okavango Delta, Botswana Xigera Xigera Safari Lodges in the Okavango Delta, Botswana Xigera Can Ferrereta, Mallorca Can Ferrereta Bawah Reserve in the Riau Archipelago, Indonesia Bawah Reserve Bawah Reserve in the Riau Archipelago, Indonesia Bawah Reserve Bawah Reserve in the Riau Archipelago, Indonesia Bawah Reserve Six Senses Fort Barwara in Rajasthan, India Six Senses Six Senses Fort Barwara in Rajasthan, India Six Senses OZO Maldives, Maldives ONYX Hospitality Group Arctic Bath in Swedish Lapland, Sweden Arctic Bath Arctic Bath in Swedish Lapland, Sweden Arctic Bath Zedwell in London, UK Zedwell Villa Copenhagen in Copenhagen, Denmark Villa Copenhagen Villa Copenhagen in Copenhagen, Denmark Villa Copenhagen Villa Copenhagen in Copenhagen, Denmark Villa Copenhagen The Guardsman in London, UK The Guardsman The Guardsman in London, UK The Guardsman The Guardsman in London, UK The Guardsman Raffles Udaipur, India and Raffles Bali, Indonesia Images to come. Pictured: Raffles Maldives Raffles Melia Saidia Residences in Saidia, Morocco Melia Melia Saidia Residences in Saidia, Morocco Melia ME Dubai in Dubai, UAE ME Dubai ME Dubai in Dubai, UAE ME Dubai Hilton Garden Inn, Faroe Islands Hilton Bvlgari Hotel Paris, France Bvlgari The Londoner, England The Londoner Pan Pacific London, England Pan Pacific Hotels The Mayfair Townhouse in London, England Iconic Luxury Hotels The Mayfair Townhouse in London, England Iconic Luxury Hotels The Mayfair Townhouse in London, England Iconic Luxury Hotels Christmas 2020 Days to book off: December 21, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31. To get two weeks (and three weekends) off work next year or 16 days in total youll need to use seven days of annual leave. Considering Christmas falls on a Friday this year and Boxing Day will be recognised the following Monday, simply take four days off during the week before Christmas and three days off the following week. As New Years Day falls on a Friday, it means you wont be back at work until January 4, 2021. A flamboyant legal clerk who was caught on camera allegedly groping a woman in a court building claims he was only offering her fashion advice, jurors heard. Glenson Barrett, 47, is accused of sexually assaulting the young woman three times, including squeezing her bottom during a hug and grabbing her breasts as she walked down a corridor. It is said he also made a series of suggestive remarks, telling her she had a nice arse and commenting on her body, Blackfriars crown court heard. The woman, who cannot be identified, said she initially did not want to report Barrett because he would lose his job, but went to the police after she was left in tears by the third alleged assault last September, jurors heard. She said she had walked away after the assault, but Barrett called out: Thats OK, I can see your arse from behind. Defence barrister Madeleine Wolfe said Barrett has a passion for fashion and was offering the woman style tips rather than groping her. She suggested it was possible that Barrett, a fashion devotee who wore a three-piece suit and cravat to work, had been adjusting her tie and complimenting her attire. Barrett is accused of three sexual assaults against the woman at a London court building, which cannot be named for legal reasons, in July, August and September last year. The alleged victim told the court she initially believed Barrett was gay, and texted a friend after the first alleged incident to say the clerk may not be homosexual as he had just fully molested me. She texted her friend again to complain about being molested in the corridor, and said she decided to report him after a third incident. She said: I felt just very shocked. I was in court, my guard is down. I remember thinking I dont know what to do. Barrett was fired after CCTV footage of the third incident emerged. Ms Wolfe described Barrett as a flamboyant and camp man, who is quite artistic in nature and enjoys attending major fashion shows and events. A teenage boy was stabbed to death on a doorstep by two knife-wielding thugs who sped away on a moped. The 18-year-old died after being stabbed in the back in a suspected gang-linked hit. Officers were called to a disturbance in Armitage Street in Greenwich at 9.25pm last night and found the teenager collapsed outside a housing block . Local residents and paramedics fought to save his life but he was pronounced dead at the scene just after 10pm. The incident is the 20th teenage murder inquiry begun in London this year, while more than 110 people have been murdered in total in the capital in 2018. Witnesses reported a commotion outside a block of flats just before 9.30pm. One witness said: There were two guys on a scooter. The stabbed boy was on the ground. They sped off. It was all very quick and it was clearly a hit. Police tape at the scene on Armitage Road where the teenager died / PA We tried to talk to the guy on the ground but he had gone. We tried to get him back, to reach him, but theres nothing we could do. I couldnt see any blood, but apparently he was stabbed in the back. It was dark and I couldnt see the faces of the guys on the scooter. I didnt recognise the victim. Another witness said: There was a massive commotion and a bike revving. We looked out and the boy was lying on the ground. We checked for a pulse but he was dead. We were in total shock. A police tent at the scene of the murder in Greenwich A crime scene tent remained in place today outside the front door of a flat, with bloody clothing strewn inside. Police cordons also surrounded the street as forensic experts searched the scene for clues. The killing took place half a mile from the Greenwich Maritime Museum. Locals said there had been a flurry of gang-related activity in recent months. One said: There have been a lot of boys on scooters and a tense atmosphere. We just keep our head down. Two other teenagers were also hurt in knife attacks in London last night. An 18-year-old was stabbed in Grosvenor Avenue, Islington, at 10.50pm, and a 19-year-old walked into hospital at 9.18pm with a stab injury to his leg after an attack in Greenleaf Road, Walthamstow. Knife crime in London has risen to a record level, with nearly 15,000 offences committed in the 12 months to June, a 15 per cent rise on the year before. This year there have been 69 knife killings, with 12 of the victims teenagers. There have been no arrests in connection with the Greenwich attack. Flash China and Portugal on Monday agreed to expand cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and to strengthen connectivity between Asia and Europe. The two sides reached the consensus when Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with his Portuguese counterpart Augusto Santos Silva. "China attaches importance to the Portuguese side's hope to strengthen the China-Portugal comprehensive strategic partnership and to deepen pragmatic cooperation, and stands ready to work with Portugal to fully prepare for the high-level exchanges between the two countries in the next stage, Wang said. "China appreciates Portugal's support for the Belt and Road Initiative and hopes to expand mutually-beneficial cooperation between the two sides by strengthening the interconnectivity between Asia and Europe." Silva said that the Belt and Road Initiative was in line with the target for enhancing Europe-Asia interconnectivity, and Portugal hoped to take an active part in the joint construction and become a key hub connecting land and sea routes between the two continents. P olice officers are using controversial spit guards more than 13 times a week in custody cells in London, new data has revealed. The extent of the use of the mesh hoods emerged as a survey found that nearly all rank and file Met officers want to use the equipment, despite opposition from senior officers. New Met figures show that officers used the hoods a total of 518 times in the first nine months of 2018 - nearly twice each day. Scotland Yard allows officers to use the hoods in custody suites but bans their use by front line police officers on the street. The poll by the Met Police Federation found that 5,269 out of 5,572 members questioned, or 95%, thought all Met officers should be issued with the mesh hoods. Around half of those who responded had been spat at while on duty in the past two years, and 562 were bitten. Metropolitan Police officers are using a range of tactics to tackle moped crime in the capital / PA Wire/PA Images In September Met chief Cressida Dick said using the guards on the streets could make officers more likely to get a good kicking while struggling with aggressive suspects. Senior officers are also concerned at the reaction of the public to seeing suspects placed in a hood. The guards, used by 37 forces in England and Wales including the British Transport Police in London -have been criticised by human rights groups including Amnesty International, which called them a cruel and dangerous form of restraint. Now senior Met officers are understood to be examining alternative measures such as a snood which only covers the lower half of the face, equipment being trialled by Leicestershire Police. In the survey one officer said he was forced to take a two-week course of preventative drugs after he was spat at in a custody suite, and as a result of the side effects was not allowed to hold his newborn daughter. Federation chairman Ken Marsh said: Being spat at is abhorrent. My colleagues do not in any way deserve to go to work and be assaulted in this manner. Colleagues have told us they have been spat at in the face far too often. / PA Archive/PA Images We have to look at all the available options to protect officers. These officers are protecting the people of London and should not be subject to this sort of disgusting assault when they are carrying out their duty. Speaking to the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee in September, the Commissioner said she was waiting for evidence from other forces and the Met Federation on instances when a spit guard would have helped. She said: In the vast majority of instances it wouldnt have helped at all because you dont know its going to happen. The Federation survey suggested 1,300 out of 3,148 officers who had ever been bitten or spat at did not report the incident to the force. Mr Marsh, who said there had been a progressive conversation with the Commissioner about the issue, added: The danger and frequency of this disgusting act against my colleagues is clearly happening more often than the force suspected. Anecdotally we knew that officers were being spat at far too often on duty, but now we have the evidence the Commissioner has asked for to back up these stories. Robinson speaks outside court In his speech, Robinson expressed anger at the legal process he is facing. He said: "Today the judge is my prosecutor. "He is the judge the jury and the executioner. "I face two years in prison at the hands of a judge. "This country is corrupt." He also took aim at the government and media for what he described as a cover up of issues he feels he exposed. Ending his speech, addressing the crowd, he said: "We are not far right and we are not far wrong." He said: "They thought I'd be standing here feeling worried. Feeling frightened. "I stand here elated outside this court room. "I'm being tried for who I am not what I've done." He has told the crowd he is "grateful" and they are on the "right side of history". T he headteacher of a free school that has been without a permanent site for six years hopes banning cars from its school run will help it win planning permission. Vicky Briody, head of Abacus Belsize primary, wants to dispel the myth it will cause traffic chaos if it moves to a new base by aiming to become one of Londons first car-free schools. The school is fighting to secure the former Hampstead police station as its permanent home but an application was rejected in 2016 amid concerns about overdevelopment. It has been in a temporary site outside its official catchment area since it opened six years ago. The school has now slashed the number of pupils it plans to take in the new building to just 210 half the original proposals and has dramatically scaled back the building work in a bid to win planning permission. Mrs Briody also hopes its car-free policy will win over local residents. There will be no car parking spaces at the new site and no facilities to drop children off by car. None of the teachers will drive to school, and parents will be strongly discouraged from doing so. Mrs Briody said: Over half of our families dont even own a car. I want to dispel the myth that there will be 400 cars suddenly driving up the hill. Most parents say it would be daft to drive to the new school. There are no facilities to park or drop off. The school is currently in a temporary home in Camley Street, which despite the schools name is not in Belsize. Because the temporary building is outside the schools official catchment area, children arrive on a special school bus. But if the school is allowed to move into the police station, two miles from the temporary site, the children can all walk or come in on a regular bus. The revised plans are being consulted on before the school officially applies for planning permission. David Castle of the Heath and Hampstead Society said: Our objection still stands. The school will generate a huge amount of traffic. H umans bodies are becoming polluted with tiny but dangerous particles of plastic, a groundbreaking international study has found. Scientists discovered evidence of microscopic plastic particles in the faeces of every person who took part in the research, suggesting they are swallowing them in food. Plastic in the gut could suppress the immune system and aid transmission of toxins and harmful bugs or viruses, experts believe. Lead researcher Dr Philipp Schwabi, from the Medical University of Vienna, said: "Of particular concern is what this means to us, and especially patients with gastrointestinal diseases. "While the highest plastic concentrations in animal studies have been found in the gut, the smallest microplastic particles are capable of entering the blood stream, lymphatic system and may even reach the liver. "Now that we have first evidence for microplastics inside humans, we need further research to understand what this means for human health." The pilot study recruited eight participants from the UK, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia and Austria. It showed that every participant was exposed to plastic by consuming plastic-wrapped food or drinking from plastic bottles. Particles between 50 and 500 micrometres across of up to nine different plastics were found in faeces samples, the most common being polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). On average, the scientists found 20 microplastic particles in every 10 grams of stool. It is estimated up to 5 per cent of all plastics produced end up in the sea. Once in the oceans, plastics are consumed by sea animals and move up the food chain. Significant amounts of plastic have been detected in tuna, lobster and shrimp. Food is also likely to be contaminated with plastic as a result of processing or packaging, say the researchers whose findings were presented at UEG Week, the largest meeting of gastroenetrology experts in Europe. Environmental expert Professor Alistair Boxall, from the University of York, said: "I'm not at all surprised or particularly worried by these findings. Microplastics have been found in tap water, bottled water, fish and even in beer. W ireless Festival has survived after protesters tried to ban it from Finsbury Park but artists will be encouraged not to swear. Under bizarre new licensing conditions, performers will also be told not to wear skimpy clothes. After complaints from the Friends of Finsbury Park group about noise and damage to the park, the annual festival faced shutdown after it was subject to a Haringey Council licensing review. Following a two-day hearing, Haringey decided Wireless can remain in the park. A crowd enjoying Wireless Festival in Finsbury Park in July / Matt Crossick/PA Fifty thousand people attend the festival over three days each year. Part of the amended conditions read: The licensee shall reasonably request that performers do not sing or play any vulgar, obscene or banned songs; or carry out indecent acts; or make any vulgar gestures, actions or remarks during the performance; or at any point whilst using an amplification device, including the use of expletives. He shall also ensure that the attire of the performers do not offend the general public, for example attire which exposes the groin, private parts, buttock or female breast(s). Last years festival was headlined by J. Cole, Stormzy and Drake all of which have copious expletives in their discography. J. Cole performs on the first day of Wireless 2018 in Finsbury Park in July / PA Wire/PA Images But the documents also acknowledged penalising Festival Republic, which runs Wireless, would be "somewhat unrealistic given this is a live music festival". Haringey has also imposed noise reductions and a finish time of 9.30pm, rather than 10pm. Friends of Finsbury Park last year took Haringey to the High Court over Wireless in an unsuccessful attempt to shut it down. And though it again failed at the licensing review, campaigner Tom Palin told the Standard he was satisfied with the concessions the town hall made. We are disappointed it hasnt been revoked, he said, but pleased the committee listened to us and incorporated our proposals on sound limits. The crowd on the third day of Wireless Festival in Finsbury Park in July / Matt Crossick/PA It was too loud and it was clear residents were being disturbed. Wireless will now have to be a quieter festival. We have taken it all the way we can. We took it to a two-day licensing hearing and to get a change in that licence, I feel we have achieved a lot. Since the festival started in the park in 2014, neighbours have also complained about surrounding streets becoming public toilets and a haven for drug dealers and gang brawls. Geraldine Timlin, who lives just outside the park, told the Standard: They [the council and organisers] need to be aware its a residential area. Its incredibly overwhelming to have a weekend of 50,000 people. Festivalgoers at Wireless Festival in July / Matt Crossick/PA Ive not been aiming to stop the festival. I love the diversity of Finsbury Park, I like it to be a bit edgy. But its not pleasant when your street becomes a public toilet. Someone went to the toilet, big time, at our house last year. All these flies were on this gigantic piece of human excrement. It stank like a toilet. You see threatening guys on the street, the drug dealers are on it and the police cant manage. But Haringey was unapologetic after refusing to revoke the licence, saying its a world-class event enjoyed by people across the capital. Raye performing on the second day of Wireless Festival in Finsbury Park in July / Matt Crossick/PA Environment leader Cllr Kirsten Hearn said: Wireless Festival is a world-class urban event that helps to fund the park the whole year round and makes a major cultural contribution to Haringey. Were a diverse borough and many of our residents, as well as people from across London, attend and enjoy the festival. It is a celebration of some of the worlds biggest music acts. Residents in Haringey and our neighbouring boroughs as well as Islington and Hackney councils have been clear about the improvements they want to see, and I want them to know that the council has heard their concerns. F resh Cabinet tensions have erupted after senior No 10 officials told ministers they are concerned that a tough stance on the Northern Ireland backstop could undermine Irish premier Leo Varadkar. The issue was raised by Downing Street during weekend conference calls of Cabinet ministers organised by Downing Street ahead of Theresa Mays statement in the Commons. Brexiteers in the Cabinet attribute the concerns to Mrs Mays negotiator Olly Robbins and her chief of staff Gavin Barwell. Brexiteers fear that Britains negotiating stance could be softened to protect a foreign leader whose interests are opposed to the UKs. It seems bizarre to avoid causing difficulties for Varadkar at a time when the Prime Ministers own difficulties could be made worse, said a Whitehall source. It is one thing to have an understanding of the problems faced by people across the other side of the negotiating table, but to express concern about them is another. Downing Street believes a lack of trust between Britain and the EU is holding back an agreement on the Irish border issue, where a long-running impasse is raising the risk of a disorderly no-deal outcome. We and the EU want the same thing, which is a new partnership that allows smooth trade to continue after Brexit, said an official. But there is distrust on both sides that the other would try to take advantage in future. In the Commons yesterday, Mrs May pleased Brexiteer MPs by ruling out unequivocally the backstop proposed by Ireland and the EU, under which Britain would be legally bound to leave Northern Ireland subject to EU rules indefinitely if there was any risk of a hard border having to be restored between the province and the Republic. She said that there had been a significant shift by EU negotiators since the disastrous Salzburg summit last month, and they were now engaging seriously about the British proposal for a backstop, under which the whole of the UK would be subject to EU regulations until a new framework was in place to avoid a hard border. However, Mrs Mays words may have increased the danger of Britain crashing out of the EU without a deal. The EU side currently believes that a UK-wide backstop would be so advantageous to British trade that it would never want to leave, making it unacceptable to them. Mr Varadkar this morning said that he had every confidence that the British Government will honour its commitment to the Irish border. But he insisted that there must be a legally binding backstop. That is something that the UK Government has committed to in principle, committed to in writing, and I have every confidence that the UK Government will honour that commitment, he said. Britain is a serious country, a great country with great history. I dont think they will want to be moving away from their commitment. Cabinet ministers fear that EU negotiator Michel Barnier will ultimately declare that a UK-wide backstop is unworkable and then revive the demand for a backstop in which Northern Ireland obeys different rules to the rest of the UK, something Mrs Mays allies in the Democratic Unionist Party say is unacceptable. The Northern Ireland backstop would be a gun to our heads, said a source close to a Brexiteer minister. It would give the EU a permanent ability to threaten the UK with a backstop whenever they wanted to block us from striking a deal they did not like. T ory MPs believe No 10 have planted decoy letters demanding a confidence vote in Theresa May in a bid to wrongfoot the real plotters trying to unseat her. Up to eight letters demanding a ballot on the Prime Ministers future are said to have been sent in by loyal MPs posing as rebels. The idea is to withdraw some of the decoys if a total of 48 confidence letters - the number needed to trigger a ballot - is reached, creating a delay and alerting the whips to the danger. It emerged on a day of strained nerves at Westminster after some MPs claimed to have learned that the 48 letters had been sent in, prompting rumours of a coup. The speculation only ended when the chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady, assured friends that he had no plans today to visit No 10 to deliver bad news. Suspicions of the extraordinary ruse to file decoy letters were revealed by a minister who told the Standard: We think this is their canary in the coal mine that would alert the Chief Whip to an attack on the Prime Minister and stop it from being successful. The moment that 48 letters are sent in, the decoys will tell the whips. The plan relies on the secretive role of Sir Graham, the chief of the so-called Men in Grey Suits, who is responsible for receiving letters asking for a confidence vote. Under Conservative Party rules, a ballot is triggered automatically if 15 per cent of Conservative MPs - currently 48 of the total - request it in writing. Sir Graham refuses to discuss with No 10 how many letters are kept in the safe in his office in Portcullis House. Crucially, however, if the trigger point is reached, he is expected to seek out the authors of any long-standing letters to check they have not changed their minds. That could alert a No 10 loyalist to raise the alarm. But rebel MPs are aware of the rumours and have devised a counter-plot in which they would deluge Sir Graham with a dozen letters at once to ensure a confidence vote could not be stopped. If colleagues want to trigger a ballot, we would not mess about sending one letter at a time, said the MP. You would see an avalanche of letters, enough to decide the matter even if a few people lose their nerve or back off at the behest of the whips. All the whips stooges could really achieve is to prevent an accidental discharge of the pearl-handled revolver. They could not stop a determined coup. Weekend reports claimed Tory rebels might be just two letters short of the total, but nobody really knows for sure. Right winger Andrew Bridgen, one of just five MPs known to have sent letters, said that if contacted by Sir Graham he would not change his mind unless the PM abandoned her Chequers blueprint. Toppling the Prime Minister isnt the only solution, he told Today. Speaking on Newsnight, former Home Secretary Amber Rudd said it would be a total indulgence for Conservative MPs to bring down their leader. I think its a huge mistake, she said. It would be total indulgence to think of the Conservative Party having a leadership election in the middle of these incredibly difficult negotiations. Only five MPs have said they sent letters: James Duddridge, Philip Davies, Andrea Jenkyns, Mr Bridgen and Nadine Dorries, all hardline Brexiteers. A sixth put in a letter and later withdrew it. H undreds of schools and nurseries are shut and home care services are facing disruption as Scottish council workers stage what is believed to be the biggest strike of its kind. The 48-hour strike which started on Tuesday and involves more than 8,000 members of the GMB and Unison unions comes in a dispute over equal pay at Glasgow City Council. Thousands of female workers are proceeding with claims against the council following a Court of Session ruling last year and have formed a picket at The Mitchell Library. The industrial action was called unnecessary by the council, who said it hopes to reach a settlement in the coming months and start paying out in the next financial year. Unions also said they feared action could be taken against refuse and street cleaning workers if they refuse to cross picket lines. Demonstrators hold placards as they march for equal pay for Glasgow council workers / Getty Images Glasgow City Council said all early years establishments, additional support for learning schools and mainstream primary schools will close on both days. All mainstream secondary schools will remain open during the strike on Tuesday and Wednesday. Home care services for around 6,000 people are affected by the industrial action. Workers on the picket line hope the strike will put pressure on the council to speed up the negotiation process. Anna Murray is a cleaning supervisor at the library and has worked there for 25 years. She said: "We've waited 10 years for equal pay and the council doesn't seem to be doing anything to pay it so we've gone out on strike in support of getting our equal pay paid. I just feel that we're very underpaid for the work that we do. "We hope that the council speed things up and gets equal pay for the people that are waiting for it." Schools and home-care services were disrupted as an estimated 8,000 workers joined a 48-hour walkout / Getty Images Annette Tompson is also cleaning supervisor at The Mitchell, where she has worked for 17 years. She said: "It has been taking a long long time, we've been to the employment tribunal, to the court, to the Court of Session and they have found in our favour and and the council are still not paying us. "They know we are due the money but it is really dragging on." The local authority said it had explored all options to avert the strike. Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken told BBC Radio Scotland: "The strike will have a devastating impact and there's no need for it. "They won their case the day that the SNP was elected to lead Glasgow City Council and we have been working ever since then to deliver them justice. "We are extremely close to it and I am confident that they will get the settlement that they are entitled to and we will start paying out in the next financial year." Protesters are taking part in a 48-hour walkout / Getty Images The local authority introduced its Workforce Pay and Benefits Review (WPBR) and grading scheme in 2006 to tackle inequalities. Some female workers say the way it is structured led to people in female-dominated roles are being paid up to 3 an hour less than people in male-dominated roles. Some women are said to have been paid up to 4,000 a year less than male counterparts. The council said the way union leaders have approached the strike has been "hugely disappointing". A spokesman said: "There has been absolutely no meaningful effort from the unions to work with us and their membership to ensure that life and limb cover will be in place." Glasgow City Council sent letters to those affected informing them their care will be withdrawn for two days during the strike. The GMB said unions have agreed to all council requests to support the life and limb cover plan, adding the offer from union members to work through the strike to support vulnerable home care users still stands. GMB Scotland organiser Rhea Wolfson said: "The council's officers have been incapable of putting in place the most basic cover despite having three weeks to prepare and the offers we have made every single day to resolve the dispute. "Our members work for some of the most vulnerable elderly and disabled people in our community and we would never do anything that could cause them harm." B udget airline Ryanair has come under intense pressure to issue an apology over their treatment of an elderly woman who was racially abused on one of the companys flights. Shocking footage emerged over the weekend of Delise Gayle, 77, a Windrush migrant, being racially abused on a flight from Barcelona to London Stansted Airport. A furious backlash has developed towards Ryanair, after Ms Gayle did not receive an public apology. In the aftermath of the incident, Ryanair said it was aware of the video and had reported the matter to Essex Police. There is, however, increasing pressure on the airline to issue an apology to Ms Gayle, after footage showed her rearranging her seat, instead of the abuser. The footage was recorded on Friday on Ryanair flight FR015 from Barcelona to London Stansted / David Lawrence/Facebook It has faced growing calls of a boycott when staff failed to remove the unruly male passenger from the plane, instead asking Ms Gayle if she wanted to switch seats. A spokesman for the airline today said it had contacted Ms Gayle on Sunday. He said: Our customer care team contacted the Gayle family on Sunday. As this is now a police matter, we cannot comment further. Comedian Omid Djalili posted about the incident on social media, saying: We will keep tweeting until Ryanair publicly apologise and compensate Ms Gayle. While Labour MP Diane Abbott said: Disgraceful that the airline still refuses to apologise for its terrible handling of this incident. Ms Gayle, from Leyton, who moved to Britain in the 1960s, said she was feeling very low following the verbal attack, and said she believes if the situation had been reversed and she had attacked the man, the police would have been called. Unable to hold back tears, she told ITV News: I feel really depressed about it. I go to my bed and say, What have I done? I havent done anything (for him) to attack me because of the colour of my skin. S hocking footage has emerged showing a group of CSKA Moscow fans appearing to hurtle down an escalator in a Rome Metro station, ahead of CSKA Moscow and AS Romas clash. Italian police have said at least 20 people were injured in the city centre station, most of them Russian fans. A view of the collapsed escalator in the 'Repubblica' subway station in Rome / EPA One person has been seriously injured, police added. Video footage circulating on social media shows a large crowd of people falling down the escalator, as observers tried to pull people to safety. The packed escalator appears to suddenly speed up, before fans start to tumble. Commuters could be seen climbing over to the escalator to try and help those who fell, as a crush could be seen forming at the bottom of the stairs. Distressing photos showed the extent of the damage afterward, as one traveller posted pictures of bloodied trainers. The Repubblica station was closed following the accident and four ambulances were parked at one of the entrances, a witness said. Seven people were seriously hurt in the accident, although none of their injuries have been reported to be life-threatening. Mayor of Rome Virginia Raggi visited the metro station and said the local transport authority had opened an investigation. "From what witnesses have said, it seems that some fans were jumping and dancing on the stairs," Mr Raggi told reporters. CSKA Moscow were due to play AS Roma in the Champions League later on Tuesday, with hundreds of fans in attendance. Flash Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday ordering the government to compile a list of Ukrainian individuals and legal entities practicing "unfriendly actions" against Russia. The decree, published on the official website for legal information, also ordered the government to determine economic sanctions to be applied to the individuals and entities on the list. The decree was signed "in response to unfriendly actions of Ukraine contradicting international law" and "the imposition of restrictive measures against Russian citizens and legal entities," without specifying them. Relations between Kiev and Moscow have been deteriorating since early 2014 over Crimea and armed conflicts in eastern Ukraine. Kiev has imposed a series of sanctions against Russia since then. A n explosive device was found in a mail box outside the New York residence of billionaire financier and philanthropist George Soros, police said. Bomb squad technicians detonated the device in a nearby wooded area, according to the New York Times, after Soros was hit by a "hostile media campaign" by the government in his native Hungary. FBI agents and police responded to the home in Katonah, New York, after receiving a call about a suspicious package at about 3.45 pm, the Town of Bedford Police Department said in a statement. An employee at the residence opened the package, revealing what appeared to be an explosive device. A political billboard by Hungary's ruling party shows George Soros and his allies breaching the border fence to try and re-take Hungary. The Incumbent Fidesz-party Prime Minister has driven media campaigns against Mr Soros for years - branded as anti-Semitic in 2017. / Getty Images The employee put the package in a wooded area and called authorities, police said. Bomb squad technicians arrived and detonated it, a police official told the New York Times. Online records showed that Soros resides at the address. He was not home at the time, the New York Times reported. Neither local nor federal authorities would say whether the object was capable of exploding when quizzed by the press, but said the object "appeared to be an explosive". An employee of the residence opened the package, Bedford Police Department said. Beford police added that the FBI's terrorism task force was investigating. C hina has opened the worlds longest sea-crossing bridge which links Hong Kong to the mainland. The record-breaking bridge opened on Tuesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony from Chinese President Xi Jinping, with digital fireworks exploding on a screen behind him. The 34-mile-long bridge links the city of Zhuhai to the semi-autonomous regions of Hong Kong and Macau. Taking almost a decade to build, the $20 billion bridge incurred major delays and cost overruns. World's longest sea bridge opens nine years after work began It includes an undersea tunnel allowing ships to pass through the Pearl River delta, the heart of China's manufacturing sector. Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge / REUTERS Its opening will cut travel time across the delta from several hours to just 30 minutes, something China hopes will bind the region together as a major driver of future economic growth. Heavily regulated traffic using permits issued under a quota system will begin flowing on Wednesday. The bridge forms a physical link between the mainland and Hong Kong, an Asian financial hub that was handed over from British to Chinese control in 1997 with the assurance it would maintain its own legal and economic system for 50 years. A section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge / AFP/Getty Images That carries major political significance for Xi's administration, which has rejected calls for political liberalization in Hong Kong, sparking fears Beijing will clamp down further on civil liberties before the end of the "one country, two systems" arrangement. The bridge's opening also comes a month after the inauguration of a new high-speed rail link from Hong Kong to mainland China that runs along a different, shorter route. That line has vastly decreased travel times but also raised concerns about Beijing's growing influence because mainland Chinese law applies within part of the line's Hong Kong terminus. China's President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony / AFP/Getty Images In Zhuhai, however, sentiments were all about economic growth and national pride. Airline pilot Liu Gang said he'd been eagerly anticipating the opening of the bridge, calling it a symbol of the mainland's increasingly close ties with Hong Kong and Macau. "We've been waiting eight years for this," Liu said Monday afternoon while strolling along a walkway and shooting photos of the structure. "It'll bring us even closer together, make us more flexible, economically and in many other ways. "We're now one family." Luo Fengzhi, who works in real estate, cited the bridge as evidence of China's growing economic and engineering prowess. D onald Trump has insisted he believes the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was the result of a plot gone awry, according to reports last night. The president indicated that he thought the Washington Post columnist was not deliberately lured to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to be murdered. Mr Trumps latest comments, which he gave USA Today, come after he earlier said he was not satisfied with Saudi Arabias account of the journalists death. Officials for the kingdom admitted on Friday that Mr Khashoggi was dead, but said he died after a "fist fight" at its Istanbul consulate. Saudi Arabia has admitted the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi / AP European leaders have called the various conflicting accounts of the death "inadequate", and both the UN and EU have called for an investigation. During his interview with USA Today, the president added that he would be "very upset " if it is proven Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was involved in the killing of Mr Khashoggi. Loading.... It comes after Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said Saudi Arabias official claim Mr Khashoggi died in a fightwas not credible. He acknowledged that the UK had close security and business links with Saudi Arabia but if the appalling stories we are reading turn out to be true the UK will act accordingly. He was backed by Prime Minister Theresa May who condemned the killing in the strongest possible terms and added we must get to the truth of what happened. Turkish forensic police pack up after searching the Saudi Arabian consulate / Getty Images Mr Hunt told MPs: We have an important strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia involving defence and security co-operation which has saved lives on the streets of Britain. We also have a trading partnership that supports thousands of jobs. Turkish government sources have claimed that Mr Khashoggi was tortured and murdered by a hit squad flown in from Riyadh. The Saudis initially dismissed the allegations as baseless, without providing an explanation as to how the writer disappeared after entering the consulate on October 2. A man accused of groping a woman while she was asleep on a flight allegedly tried to excuse his behaviour by saying Donald Trump "said it was OK. Bruce Alexander is said to have told an FBI officer after he was arrested: The president of the United States says its OK to grab women by their private parts. Alexander, 49, from Florida, has been charged with abusive sexual contact after the woman's breast was groped on a Southwest Airlines flight from Albuquerque to Houston. Alexander was alleged to have said: 'The president of the United States says its OK to grab women by their private parts' / Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Alexander was said to have been sat directly behind the victim during Sundays flight, with both in window seats. In a criminal complaint report filed on Monday, FBI special agent Michael Hopkins said she had fallen asleep 15 to 20 minutes into the flight when she was woken by the touch of fingers on her bra line. She assumed this was an accident and fell back asleep, special agent Hopkins said. However, she woke up again 30 minutes later to find fingers groping her breast. He said: According to [the victim] after she felt the second touch, she rose from her seat, turned around and told the passenger behind her that she didnt know why he thought it was OK and he needed to stop. The woman was then re-seated by a crew member. After being placed in handcuffs, special agent Hopkins continued, Alexander asked what the sentence was for the charge he was being arrested for. Later, in the vehicle, Alexander states that the president of the United States says its OK to grab women by their private parts. T housands of migrants from Central American countries are continuing their march through Mexico in an attempt to enter the US. A caravan of around 5,000 immigrants have been travelling through Mexico for the past month in the hopes of gaining asylum. Tensions between migrants and Mexican authorities have reached breaking point as they unleashed tear gas on to migrants on the bridge between Mexico and Guatamala. As the migrants edge further to the US border to coincide with the mid-term elections, here's everything you need to know about why they're marching and how world leaders have responded: How did the march start? The caravan of immigrants first caught the attention of the media back in March, when their numbers reportedly totalled around 1,000. Buzzfeed News reported that the immigrants were travelling through Mexico in the hopes that when they reached the US border, American authorities would grant them asylum or be absent when during their attempt to cross the border illegally. Mr Trump responded by vowing to scrap Barack Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), which protects about 800,000 young immigrants who came to the US without the correct documentation when they were children. He also said Republicans needed to take the "nuclear option" when it came to imposing tougher immigration laws. In April, he tweeted: "Border Patrol Agents are not allowed to properly do their job at the Border because of ridiculous liberal (Democrat) laws like Catch & Release. "Getting more dangerous. 'Caravans' coming. Republicans must go to Nuclear Option to pass tough laws NOW. NO MORE DACA DEAL!" Who are the migrants and why are they marching? In their original report, Buzzfeed News claimed that 80 per cent of migrants are from Honduras, whilst the remainder are from other Central American nations. Desperate Hondurans are escaping widespread gang violence and poverty. Criminals have extorted Hondurans into paying a "war tax" for their survival - meaning those who can't pay are often killed. Migrant caravan heads towards the US 1 /29 Migrant caravan heads towards the US Honduran migrants take part in a caravan heading to the US AFP/Getty Images Central American migrants walking to the US departed from Ciudad Hidalgo, Mexico on October 21. AP Some traveling with a caravan were able to get a free ride on a tuck bed from a driver, AP People dance at a makeshift camp in the central square of Mapastepec, Mexico. AP Honduran migrant Carlos Deras, 26, smiles as he poses for a portrait at the border between Guatemala and Mexico. AP People rest in a makeshift camp set up by a caravan of Central American migrants traveling to the U.S, in Mapastepec, Mexico. AP People gather after heavy rains at a makeshift camp. AP The group were given washing facilities and other aid as they arrived in Mapastepec city center, Mexico. REUTERS Honduras migrants climb onto a truck as they began another day of traveling toward to US from town of Huixtla, Chiapas state, Mexico. EPA The sprawling caravan of migrants hoping to make their way to the United States on a 1,000 mile trek. AP President Donald Trump has called the caravan an "assault on our country". AFP/Getty Images The group of 5,000 originally started with 160 people from the same Honduran city. AFP/Getty Images Some 1,700 are thought to have dropped out due to the stress of travelling by foot, and even police harassment. AFP/Getty Images A child tries to csleep while on the road, pictured between Mapastepec and Pijijiapan Chiapas AFP/Getty Images Migrants have faced assaults on the road. So far one has died after falling from a moving vehicle. AFP/Getty Images Dozens of people are squeezed atop a truck as they head for the US. AFP/Getty Images Honduran migrants heading in a caravan to the US, travel standing on the back of a truck in Mapastepec on their way to Pijijiapan. AFP/Getty Images People boarded a vehicle as they set off for another day of travel, with many walking for 12 hours a day. AFP/Getty Images Thousands of Central American migrants crossing Mexico toward the United States have walked around 100 miles so far on their 1,000-mile journey. AFP/Getty Images An aerial view of the group of migrants walking to the US AFP/Getty Images Honduran migrants heading in a caravan to de US, wait to cross the border from Ciudad Tecun Uman, Guatemala, to Ciudad Hidalgo, Mexico AFP/Getty Images The migrants rest in their camps before setting off again EPA Honduran migrants taking part in a caravan heading to the US, aboard a truck in Metapa on their way to Tapachula, Chiapas state, Mexico AFP/Getty Images A Honduran migrant child heading in a caravan to the US, walks near tents at the International Mesoamerican Fair's venue in Tapachula AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump has called the caravan a national emergency AFP/Getty Images Thousands of Honduran migrants are part of the caravan that is seeking to cross Mexico and reach the US EPA Donald Trump says he has alerted the US border control and military AFP/Getty Images Honduran migrants receive supplies before continuing their march towards the United States EPA Honduran migrants receive medical assistance EPA Jose Anibal Rivera, 52, an unemployed security guard from San Pedro Sula joined the caravan on Sunday after crossing into Mexico on a raft. He said: There are like 500 more people behind me. Anything that happens, even if they kill me, is better than going back to Honduras. According to Mexican authorities, from Friday to Sunday, 1,028 people requested asylum in Mexico. Where is the migrant caravan? Hundreds of migrants have finally arrived in Mexico's capital, Mexico City. It's here that migrants hope to push for the Mexican government to change immigration laws. Upon arrival, 450 people were given temporary shelter at a sports stadium. It's expected all three groups will convene in Mexico City and some will set off to the US border. Who organised the march? The march was organised by Pueblos Sin Fronteras, or People Without Borders, with the intention of trying to draw attention to the plight of immigrants at home. When the march first started, organisers estimated that around two-thirds of people were planning on crossing into the US undetected or asking for asylum. Trump says military will use firearms if they are attacked by migrant caravan Can the migrants claim asylum in the US? Yes. Under the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees - not to mention its own immigration laws - the US is obliged to protect persecuted people. Under these laws, migrants do not have to claim asylum in the first "safe" country they reach. Migrants could also easily argue that Mexico is unsafe as a legitimate reason to claim asylum in the US. What has President Trump said? "Illegal aliens": US President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw from the free trade agreement with Mexico if they do not stop the movement of immigrants to the US border / EPA The migrant caravan has become a focal issue for President Trump ahead of the mid-term elections. Mr Trump threatened to sign an order next week that would ban anyone caught crossing illegally from claiming asylum and referred to the migrant caravan as an "invasion" during a speech given at the White House. He also said the asylum system was plagued by "endemic abuse" that "makes a mockery of our immigration system." The US currently ford not have the capacity at the border to manage the influx of migrants and the president said the government would instead erect "massive tents." When the migrant caravan started gaining in numbers, Mr Trump posted a series of tweets in which he refers to the migrants as "illegal aliens" and attacks the countries that allowed them to pass. "Full efforts are being made to stop the onslaught of illegal aliens crossing our (southern) Border," he wrote. "People have to apply for asylum in Mexico first, and if they fail to do that, the US will turn them away. The courts are asking the US to do things that are not doable!" In another tweet, he wrote: "The caravans are a disgrace to the Democrat Party. Change the immigration laws NOW!" Mr Trump has also repeatedly claimed that democrats are funding the caravan. At a rally in Montana, he said: "a lot of money has been passing to people to come and try and get to the border by election day, because they think that's negative for us...They have lousy policy...they wanted that caravan and there are those that say that caravan didn't just happen. It didn't just happen." Mr Trump has threatened to pull out of the free trade agreement with Mexico unless the country do more to stop the flow of immigrants entering the US. How have Central American nations responded? Stay away: Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez has warned migrants not to join the march (Getty ) / Getty Having also been threatened with having aid cut off, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez has urged citizens not to join the march. Mexico have said it would stop those who did have passports or the correct visas at its southern border and anyone who wants to be recognised as a refugee or a beneficiary of "complementary protection measures" must do so individually. Mexican authorities have also said they are asking for help from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to process migrants seeking refugee status. According to the latest reports, around 900 migrants have crossed the river and made it into Mexico - without the police intervening. What happens next? Donald Trump has declared a national emergency over the US-bound caravan. He tweeted: "Sadly, it looks like Mexico's Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States. "I have alerted Border patrol and Military that this is a National Emergency." Around 2,500 troops have been deployed to the border, supporting the 2,100 members of the National Guard brought in in April to protect Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California when Trump first raised concerns about an earlier migrant caravan. Referring to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, Mr Trump said the US would be "cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them." However, the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act prevents the President from withholding money provided by Congress. A perfectly shaped rectangular iceberg is nature acting in a pure and uncomplicated way, according to an expert. The enormous block of ice, referred to as a Tabular berg was spotted by NASA scientists and is thought to be a mile in length. Ted Scambos, senior research scientist at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, told the Standard that tabular ice shelves are created when ice shelves are uniform in thickness and stressed in a uniform way, they then break along very straight lines. Triangular iceberg surrounded by different types of sea ice, off the Larsen ice shelf in the Weddell Sea / @NASA_ICE/NASA Sometimes they break periodically, one crack, theyll go another kilometre and then there will be another crack a little bit further. Then they are quite long and skinny and they truncate with relatively straight edges. You then get blocks that look like they were factory produced. Its just nature acting in a pure uncomplicated way because the physics of the situation are so simple, a plate of ice, stresses that are very uniform all over the whole plate and a very gentle snapping of the ice plate. According to NASA researchers, the icebergs sharp angles suggest it was recently calved from the ice shelf. Mr Scambos says the picture taken by NASA is eye catching because its so sharp and perfect and exactly at 90 degrees. Thats actually not all that unusual in Antarctica although one that crisp is a little bit unusual. There are lots of areas where ice shelves or glaciers that flow into the ocean slowly break apart leave just a scatter of these sort of domino shaped icebergs floating around because again, its a big flat plate of ice that has very uniform stresses trying to crack it, over a long distance and so thats how you get that sort of pattern. It wasnt the only iceberg formed as a geometric shape the scientists spotted on their flight over the Atlantic last week. T urkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan today said evidence suggests dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi "was the victim of a very cruel murder". The Turkish president claimed Saudi officials planned the "savage" murder of Mr Khashoggi in the days before his death. He alleged his killing was intricately planned, with Saudi operatives taking the step of removing CCTV hard drives from the Saudi embassy in Istanbul before the killing took place. Mr Erdogan said "no stone should be left unturned" in the investigation into the killing of Mr Khashoggi, an outspoken critic of the leadership of Saudi Arabia. The Turkish president was greeted by applause on Tuesday morning / REUTERS Talking about the day of the alleged murder on October 2, Mr Erdogan said a group of 15 Saudis arrived at the consulate between 9.50am and 11am. He claimed they took the hard disc out of the consulates CCTV system before Mr Khashoggis arrived for his appointment. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses parliament in Ankara / AP The parliament also heard that the Saudis used a "body double" as a decoy after Mr Khashoggi was killed. Mr Erdogan called on Saudi Arabia's King Salman to allow 18 suspects in the killing to be tried in Turkish courts and said they should be "held responsible in front of the law". Turkey's president says Saudi officials started planning to murder Mr Khashoggi days before his death / AP He did not offer any new evidence in his speech to parliament, with no mention any audio or video recordings. However, he claimed the murder was "planned" and said he is looking for answers to questions such as "why have those 15 people got together in Istanbul on the day of the murder?" He added: "Why and who have instructed these people? Why was the consulate not straight away opened for search?" The president also questioned why different statements were made by Saudi officials before asking: "Why is the corpse of a murdered person still missing?" Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi / AP Photo/Virginia Mayo Mr Erdogan had promised details of Jamal Khashoggi's killing would "be revealed in all its nakedness" in his address before parliament. He said nothing will remain a secret after weeks of leaks from Turkish police which suggested Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince, must have known about an alleged premeditated murder. Mr Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi royal family living in the United States, died on October 2 at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Saudi Arabia confirmed on Saturday that the Washington Post columnist had died in Istanbul, suggesting it came after an argument and a fist fight in the kingdoms consulate. Mr Erdogans announcement was expected to cast doubts on the claims from the Arab state, which initially suggested Mr Khashoggi was alive when he left the consulate. Turkish media and officials say the 59-year-old Washington Post columnist was killed and dismembered by a 15-man Saudi hit squad. "We are faced with a situation in which it was a brutally planned (killing) and efforts were made to cover it up," said Omer Celik, a spokesman for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party said before Erdogan's announcement. "God willing, the results will be brought into the open, those responsible will be punished and no one will dare think of carrying out such a thing again." The Saudi kingdom's announcement that Khashoggi died in a "fist fight" was met with international scepticism and allegations of a cover-up to absolve the 33-year-old crown prince of direct responsibility. Turkish media reports and officials maintain that a 15-member Saudi team flew to Istanbul on October 2, knowing Khashoggi would enter the consulate to get a document he needed to get married. Once he was inside, the Saudis accosted Khashoggi, cut off his fingers, killed and dismembered the 59-year-old writer, according to Turkish media. Surveillance video on CNN showed a man in Khashoggi's dress shirt, suit jacket and pants, although he wore a different pair of shoes. It cited a Turkish official as describing the man as a "body double" and a member of the Saudi team sent to Istanbul to target the writer. CCTV image purportedly showing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul / AP The man walks out of the consulate via its back exit with an accomplice, then takes a taxi to Istanbul's famed Blue Mosque, where he goes to a public bathroom, changes back out of the clothes and leaves. The man was seen later eating dinner before going back to a hotel, where footage shows him smiling and laughing. The state-run broadcaster TRT later also reported that a man who entered the consulate was seen leaving the building in Khashoggi's clothes. In the days after Khashoggi vanished, Saudi officials initially said he had left the consulate by its back door. Loading.... Saudi Ambassador to the U.S. Prince Khalid bin Salman, a brother of the crown prince, later wrote that Khashoggi left and that claims the kingdom "have detained him or killed him are absolutely false, and baseless." The fact that the Saudi team would allegedly have a man walking around in Khashoggi's clothes would suggest a premeditated plot to kill the writer. A report on Monday by newspaper Yeni Safak said Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb, a member of Prince Mohammed's entourage seen on trips to the US, France and Spain this year, made the calls from the consulate. The newspaper said the four calls went to Bader al-Asaker, the head of Prince Mohammed's office. It said another call went to the United States. Yeni Safak cited no source for the information. Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammad bin Salman / PA Yeni Safak reported last week that Saudi officials cut off Khashoggi's fingers and then decapitated him at the consulate as his fiancee waited outside. On Monday, US President Donald Trump told reporters that he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman since Mr Khashoggi's death. Speaking to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House, he said: "I am not satisfied with what I've heard regarding Khashoggi's death. "We're going to get to the bottom of it. We have people over in Saudi Arabia now. We have top intelligence people in Turkey. They're coming back either tonight or tomorrow," T he oldest intact shipwreck ever discovered has been found at the bottom of the Black Sea. Archaeologists said the 23-metre vessel, thought to be ancient Greek, has lain undisturbed for more than 2,400 years. It was salvaged by British scientists about 50 miles off the coast of Bulgaria, as part of the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology project. A ship surviving intact from the classical world, lying in over 2km of water, is something I would never have believed possible, Professor Jon Adams, the principal investigator, told the Guardian. This will change our understanding of shipbuilding and seafaring in the ancient world. Discovery: the ship's mast and rudders are still intact / Black Sea Maritime Archeology Project The ships mast, rudders and rowing benches are thought to have been preserved so well due to a lack of oxygen in the Black Sea. Even the bones from monkfish eaten by sailors remained intact on the deck. Carbon dating suggests the ship is a trading vessel from around 400BC. Its design has only been seen previously on the side of ancient Greek pottery such as the Siren Vase in the British Museum. Scientists first spotted the ship lying on its side at the bottom of the sea using a remote-controlled submarine in 2017. Classical ships had previously only been seen intact on the side of ancient Green pottery, such as the Siren vase in the British Museum / The British Museum / Trustees of the British Museum Dr Kroum Batchvarov, who worked on the project, told Sky News: "It is an incredible find. The first of its kind ever." "We even have the coils of line, of rope still as the bosun [ships officer] left them in the stern when the ship went down. The shipwreck was found half buried by sand at the bottom of the Black Sea / Black Sea Maritime Archeology Project The researchers reportedly said they intended to leave the ship where it had been found, although a small part was taken to the University of Southampton for carbon dating. It is one of more than 60 shipwrecks uncovered by the project, during a three-year mission to explore the depths of the Black Sea. B ig Brother star Tomasz Wania left the house earlier this week for a medical appointment, accompanied by a show chaperone. The Polish-born cleaners brief exit from the Elstree compound will not be shown on the Channel 5 show. A spokesperson for Channel 5 confirmed: Tomasz left the Big Brother house briefly for a confidential medical appointment and returned shortly afterwards. At the time of leaving the house he was chaperoned by a member of production and had minimal contact with the outside world." Cleaner: Tomasz is hoping to sweep up the grand prize in the final series / Channel 5 No further details of Wanias trip to a London hospital have been revealed. Wania entered the house on launch night back in August, fast becoming a fan-favourite with his vibrant and bubbly personality. Speaking about why he wanted to enter Big Brother for what has turned out to be the last series on Channel 5 , Wania described the show as a once in a lifetime chance. He said: Its an adventure of a lifetime, come on. "You can only just get it once in your life, and if you dont get it then youre missing out. "If youre chosen, then youre making memories for life. Big Brother continues Tuesday at 10.15pm on Channel 5. You are here: World Flash Tunisia and France on Monday signed three bilateral cooperation conventions worth 49 million euros (56.2 million U.S. dollars). The three conventions, covering technology, culture and heritage preservation, youth and employment, were signed by visiting French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed. "The partnership between France and Tunisia is increasingly fruitful and constructive," said Le Drian, reiterating his country's commitment to supporting Tunisia in its fight against terrorism and irregular immigration. According to the Tunisian government, the visit is part of the commitments made during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Tunisia in February. You are here: World Flash A maritime drill jointly held by China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was launched Monday in the city of Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong province. The seven-day drill will be divided into three parts, including activities at port and on shore, maritime military exercises and a conclusion. During the maritime military exercises, participants will perform missions including search, rescue, and disaster relief. The joint drill is the first of its kind held between China and ASEAN countries and is important in expanding exchange and cooperation between China and ASEAN armed forces, said Yuan Yubai, commander of the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, at the opening ceremony of the drill. Flash Turkish police are searching an abandoned diplomatic car belonging to the Saudi Arabia consulate that was found on Monday in a parking lot in Istanbul in efforts to make clear about the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, local media reported. Police and crime scene investigators are conducting the search at the indoor parking lot in Istanbul's Sultangazi district, which is expected to last hours, according to a live broadcast by the NTV broadcaster. Security officials were seen cordoning off the parking space and blocking the entrance. NTV claimed that the car, which was declared missing by police last week, had been left at the garage for 14 days. Last week a Turkish team searched all other vehicles belonging to the Saudi consulate to find clues about the whereabouts of Khashoggi's body. On Monday morning, Turkish prosecutors questioned five more employees of the Saudi consulate as witnesses. According to press reports, a total of 23 consulate employees spoke to the prosecutors last week. The Saudi journalist has not been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate on Oct. 2 to obtain documents related to his upcoming remarriage. Riyadh has confirmed Khashoggi's death inside its consulate, saying he was killed first as the result of a "fistfight," but then due to a "chokehold." 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 (CNN) U.S. President Donald Trump offered his most stinging indictment yet of a Saudi effort to silence a dissident journalist, calling the series of events that led to Jamal Khashoggi's death "the worst cover up ever." "The cover up was one of the worst in the history of cover ups," Trump said from the Oval Office. "It's very simple." The rebuke of Saudi Arabia's response to the death reflected Trump's growing frustration at the diplomatic crisis, which has thrust his foreign policy objectives into a harsh spotlight. It came amid an evolving administration response, which including dispatching the CIA director to Turkey to gather more details. On Tuesday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. will be revoking the visas of those who murdered the Washington Post journalist, and said that the administration has "identified at least some of the individuals responsible." The top U.S. diplomat said that the State Department is also working with the Treasury Department to apply human rights-related sanctions that includes the freezing of assets and a travel ban. After Pompeo spoke, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert announced that "21 Saudi suspects in the death of Jamal Khashoggi will have their visas revoked or be ineligible for a visa to enter the United States." Another State Department spokesperson told CNN that State wouldn't be identifying the individuals because "visa confidentiality, protected by U.S. law, prohibits us from discussing individual visa cases." Saudi Arabian officials have said the October 2 killing, inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, was part of a rogue operation gone wrong. Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told Fox News on Sunday that Khashoggi's death was a "tremendous mistake" and added that his government would punish those responsible for his "murder." Trump, however, seemed less willing to accept that official explanation. He cast the situation as a lousy attempt at concealing a crime. "Somebody really messed up," he said. "Because whoever thought of that idea, I think is in big trouble. And they should be in big trouble." He said he was expecting to hear more from U.S. intelligence officials in the coming hours. "I think I'll know everything in a short period of time," he said. "I want to see the facts first." And he described an earlier phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as damning for Saudi Arabia. "He was pretty rough on Saudi Arabia, I would say," Trump said. The President has become increasingly irritated by the fallout from Khashoggi's death, multiple sources who have heard him voice his frustration told CNN. In recent days, the President has complained about the negative coverage blanketing cable television and told confidantes he feels betrayed by the Saudis, who have presented shifting accounts about what happened to the journalist after he entered the Saudi consulate in Turkey three weeks ago to obtain a marriage document and never left. The President, who spoke Sunday with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is privately blaming them for making him look bad. At times he has talked about how much he has done so much for the Saudis, complaining that they put him in this position. Trump doesn't like that he and his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner have been depicted as overly cozy with the Saudis. Saudi officials claim Khashoggi died in a fistfight involving more than a dozen Saudi officials at the country's consulate in Istanbul. Advisers have told Trump that that explanation for Khashoggi's death does not add up. While departing the White House for a rally Monday in Texas, Trump appeared skeptical of the Saudi explanation and suggested he wouldn't accept the one month the Saudis have requested to complete their investigation into Khashoggi's death. "I am not satisfied with what I've heard," Trump said. "That's a long time. There's no reason for that much. Be faster." But White House aides have told the President that Khashoggi's death isn't an issue that resonates with their base and are confident it won't affect Republicans' chances in the upcoming midterm elections. Trump is being advised to focus his messaging on the caravan, which officials think is a winning issue for Republicans two weeks before voters go to the polls. Trump hasn't mentioned the Saudi situation at any of his campaign rallies in the past several weeks. CIA Director Gina Haspel is on the ground in Turkey Tuesday reviewing evidence in Khashoggi's murder investigation. Vice President Mike Pence, who pledged Tuesday during an interview with The Washington Post that his death "will not go without an American response," said she will brief him and Trump upon her return. Both Trump and Pompeo said on Tuesday the U.S. would continue to probe for answers. "This is certainly not the last step, we will continue to do our own efforts, our own fact finding," Pompeo said, while adding that the U.S. will also take into account information from Turkey and Saudi Arabia. "We want to make sure everyone understands that the United States believes that the killing of Jamal Khashoggi wasn't anything other than a horrific act," Pompeo said. This story was first published on CNN.com "Trump condemns Khashoggi death and aftermath as 'the worst cover up ever'" Flash Two Chinese scientists, together with 23 others from different countries, have been awarded the Green Talents Award 2018 by the German government on Monday for their achievements in sustainability related research. The 25 young awardees were honoured at the "Green Talents - International Forum for High Potentials in Sustainable Development" held by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in Berlin. The forum aims at promoting the international exchange of innovative green ideas. Two Chinese scientists, Zhou Di and Shan Yuli, were among the 25 awardees for their respective expertise in environmental law and low carbon cities. Shan Yuli, researcher in Climate Change Economics with the U.K.'s University of East Anglia, told Xinhua, "I feel quite honored for receiving the prize, and I think I was awarded because of my research on low-carbon roadmaps for Chinese cities. He is engaged in working out a catalogue of carbon emission statistics of various levels of Chinese localities and proposing low-carbon development models for different localities accordingly. His research has been published by the journal "Science Advances". The jury highlighted Shan's study "City-level climate change mitigation in China" which found that different cities should have different low-carbon roadmaps due to the natural resources available to them and previous development tracks in each city. Zhou Di, a post-doctorate researcher with China's Wuhan University, said her research aimed at making laws and regulations at both central and local levels, national and international levels compatible, so that sustainability can be practiced in a systematic way. The jury said they were impressed by Zhou's strong interdisciplinary interests and her work on creating a legal system in which the legislation is fully embedded within the idea of sustainability. "Through this, the rule of law itself can become a driving force for a sustainable development and create an ecological civilization," the jury wrote. Georg Schutte, State Secretary at the BMBF, said at the award ceremony: "The effects of climate change are becoming more and more visible around the world - even in Germany. This is something that this year's winners of the Green Talents competition are addressing." "They are making important contributions worldwide to creating a sustainable society with their work in such areas as water management, bioenergy use and alternative economic systems. " The award winners have been granted unique access to the country's research elite. They attended a two-week Science Forum on Oct. 13-27, visiting different hotspots of sustainability science in Germany. "Today, October 23, 2018, the judiciary crime investigation section established under Law 207/2018 amending and supplementing Law 304/2004 on the judiciary became operational. The procedure for the recruitment of the prosecutors appointed to this section of the Attorney General's Office excludes any external interference with the judiciary, being the attribute of the Supreme Council of Magistrates. The chair of the Supreme Council of Magistrates is convinced that the new specialised section will contribute to the adequate protection of the magistrates from pressure put on them, while at the same time increasing their independence safeguards. Such safeguards are equally indispensable prerequisites for the access of the justice seekers and society as a whole to an act of justice performed only in the letter and spirit of the law," reads a press statement released by CSM. CSM says that it will continue to take responsibility for the procedures for the appointment of prosecutors to the offices of the Judiciary Crime Investigation Section according to the legal provisions.The Judiciary Crime Investigation Section with the Attorney General's Office become operational on Tuesday.It has the exclusive power to prosecute crime committed by judges and prosecutors, including those who are members of the Supreme Council of Magistrates and military judges and prosecutors. The section retains its criminal prosecution power even in instances where there are other persons investigated besides judges and prosecutors.The Attorney General's Ofice says that the court files being worked out by the National Anti-Corruption Directorate and other prosecutor's offices, as well as the pending cases regarding crime committed by judges or prosecutors are taken over by the Judiciary Crime Investigation Section.Attorney General Augustin Lazar has announced that about 1,400 cases will be taken over by this section from the DNA and other prosecutors' offices. AGERPRES Colonel Catalin Paraschiv, who coordinated the intervention of the Special Intervention Brigade of the Gendarmerie during the protest of August 10, was proposed for the rank of one star brigadier general, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MAI). "On May 10 the CSAT (Supreme Council of National Defence) approved the participation of the officer in the exam for switching to the generals' corps, and on October 11 he took and promoted the exam for being granted the rank of one star brigadier general within the Ministry of Internal Affairs. As a result of passing this exam, the proposal of granting the officer the military rank of one star brigadier general was forwarded to the Presidential Administration," according to a MAI briefing. Colonel Catalin Paraschiv was heard on September 13, for approximately two hours, by the military prosecutors in the case regarding the gendarmes' intervention during the protest of August 10.Upon exiting the Prosecutor's Office, he was asked by journalists if he was indicted. "I was not. I am a witness. I only declared what happened that night and that is all," Paraschiv said.Military prosecutors opened an in rem file for the crime of abusive behavior, abuse of office and dereliction of duty for the way the gendarmes intervened during the protest of August 10. "In 2016, our countries signed an agreement regarding cooperation in ensuring access to medicines for patients. The agreement hasn't been implemented and we propose to resume the negotiations and improve certain texts of this document. More than that, we want that the collaboration memorandum in the healthcare and medical science field, which is dates back to 1996, be updated," stated Pintea, according to a press release sent by the Health Ministry. The Minister of Health from Bulgaria agreed with the Romanian side's proposals and a working group made of experts will start to work on modifications, specified the abovementioned source."Collaboration in the medicines field could start in the end of th first quarter of 2019, after the implementation of the new insurance system that the Bulgarian Ministry of Health prepares. The two officials also discussed about the reform of the health insurance system, the one to be carried out under emergency, which was started in Bulgaria. Upon the request of the Bulgarian side, the Ministry of Health is making available the Romanian legislation on the functioning of the emergency system," reads the release. Agerpres "We both agreed that we need more collaboration and confidence in the European Union, and these are built through dialogue and mutual knowledge. We underlined how the Romanian community in Italy and the Italian community in Romania represent a powerful bridge between us, which contributes to the economic and social development of our countries," Minister Carmen Dan on Tuesday, after the meeting with the Italian official at the Interior Ministry (MAI) headquarters. She believes that it's natural for a constant dialogue to exist between the two governments for the welfare of Romania's and Italy's communities."I know that the Italian Government is very concerned with fighting criminality. I reconfirmed my colleague our zero tolerance regrading criminality and the availability to continue the efficient collaboration between our law enforcements in order to prevent and fight criminality. Therefore, when we are talking about crime, things are clear: the perpetrators of criminal offenses have to be held responsible regardless of their citizenship, that is why we express our full support and, once again, assure Minister Salvini of the full cooperation of the law enforcement authorities of Romania," Carmen Dan stated.In her view, Romania has at its disposal all the necessary instruments for strengthening police cooperation, through both internal affairs attaches and the Romanian police officers who continue to be sent on mission in Italy. In the shortest time, another interior affairs attache will be sent to Rome."The context in which Romania will hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU will be a complex one, marked by multiple challenges. We will focus on advancing files that can bring tangible results for the European citizens. The Romanian Presidency won't have an easy mission, but it will be fully engaged in acting like a genuine impartial mediator and a consensus facilitator," Carmen Dan stated.In his turn, Matteo Salvini gave assurances, on behalf of the Italian Government, that the relationship between the two countries will only get better."We are border countries and we expect Europe to make a contribution to improving internal security. The Romanian community of Italy has more than one million people and it is obvious that the mistakes of the few should not affect others and I thank the Romanian authorities, the security services that have contributed to identifying wanted persons," Matteo Salvini said.He mentioned having in mind the organisation of a meeting between the Justice Ministers of the two countries, for deepening the topic of prisons' overcrowding which Romania and Italy are confronted with. "We are going through a new chapter in the development and consolidation of the European project in which we need to develop a new vision on the future of the Union. From this perspective, I strongly plead for unity, cohesion and solidarity and for the common European path in the efforts to consolidate the European project the key to our efforts must remain the unity. For Romania, this principle is the very essence of the European project that has given it the capacity to cope with the multiple challenges the Union has faced up to now," the head of state said in his speech in the plenary session of the European Parliament, in the debate on the future of Europe. He underscored that in the last decade the EU has been marked by multiple challenges - from the financial and economic crisis, the crisis of migration, the terrorist attacks up to the rise of populist movements."It was a decade in which the Union had to learn and adapt on the move," said Iohannis.The head of the Romanian state has stressed that European values must always be rediscovered, reappreciated and recapitalised on."The European Union is an evolutionary project. The new realities, both in member states as well as globally, call for a European project to be developed and strengthened, and under no circumstances rebringing to question the fundamental principles that the European project was built on. A strong Union must not be made at the expense of unity. We need an inclusive Union that does not leave any state or European citizen behind. From this point of view, a Europe with more speeds or a Union of concentric circles cannot be a solution to the extent to which we want to maintain the unitary and indivisible character of the European Union, which gives it value and credibility in its relationship with the rest of the world. President Juncker said last year that Europe must recatch its breath, that is to breathe with both its eastern and western lungs. I hope our future together will also show us Europe has one heart. A heart that beats in us all, that unites us, from east to west and from north to south, that makes our citizens to identify and to define naturally as Europeans. We have to assume this common ideal and, if necessary, adapt and recalibrate the instruments through which we can reach it," Klaus Iohannis said.The president has argued that the new phase in which the European Union will enter starting 2019 and which Romania, as the rotating president of the Council of the European Union, will prepare it together with the other member states and the European institutions will be fruitful."I am confident that the Summit in Sibiu on 9 May 2019 will be a landmark in the projection on the future of a stronger, more united, cohesive and democratic Union. It depends on our power, wisdom and will - member states, European institutions and European citizens - to turn this objective into a reality. (...) The summit in Sibiu is an important moment for the consolidation of the foundation of this future: a common future, a democratic future, an optimistic future, the future of the European Union can only be built with the participation and direct and active involvement of European citizens. I want Sibiu to be a moment of awareness raising for European citizens. Citizens want concrete measures and tangible results. They want good news about peace, security and prosperity. Also, the citizens must see that we are working to protect and strengthen the major symbols of the Union: the euro, the internal market, the Schengen area and the freedom of movement. At the same time, our citizens need more cohesion. And cohesion is not just the ambition of the new member states, which have a lower level of economic convergence, but it is a necessity also for the oldest members of the Union," Klaus Iohannis said. AGERPRES "Romania recognizes the importance of the European Semester and has in mind boosting dialogue and cooperation with the European Commission within this process. In this regard, we have prioritised, ever since taking over the mandate, the transparency and strengthening of the consultation process at national level, through the debates that we organised and the technical work formats, which bring together representatives of the social partners and the central public administration," the Minister-delegate for European Affairs said in a release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) sent to AGERPRE. The Minister-delegate mentioned the boosting of dialogue with the relevant national interested parties as of 2017. In this respect, MAE organised two public events, four high level meetings and also meetings at the level of the thematic working groups. From the perspective of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the official specified that our country's objective is for the European Semester 2019 to unfold according to the roadmap to be presented this November at the General Affairs Council.In his speech, Minister-delegate for European Affairs Victor Negrescu highlighted the fact that, as national coordinator for the "Europe 2020" Strategy and for the European Affairs area, MAE cooperates with more than 30 national institutions on topics related to the European Semester. Moreover, with the support of the relevant public authorities, the Ministry drafts the National Reform Programme of Romania on an annual basis.According to the same release, the mission of the European Commission takes place in the context of the preparations of the country report on Romania, which will be published in February next year. The European Commission's delegation for this working mission included more than 30 representatives of more than ten general directorates and structures of the institution. During this mission, for three days (October 23-25 2018), a series of meetings will be held with the representatives of the central public authorities, as well as with representatives of other players involved in the process.The event brought together representatives of the European Commission and central public authorities, who will attend the meetings in the coming days.MAE specified that the European Semester, introduced in 2010, represents the process of annual coordination of economic policies of the EU member states, being shaped around the following objectives: solid public finances, support of structural reforms and stimulating investments. During the European Semester, the European Commission is in permanent dialogue with the authorities of the member states, in order to monitor the manner of implementation of these policies. AGERPRES The non-government corporate and household loans granted by credit institutions were up 1.1 percent this September from August (0.6 pct in real terms) to 247.652 bln lei, shows a Thursday release of the National Bank of Romania (BNR). RON-denominated loans advanced 1.2 percent (0.7 percent in real terms), whereas foreign currency-denominated loans advanced 0.9 percent when expressed in RON and 0.5 percent when expressed in EUR, informs the release. As of September 30, 2018, the non-government credit was up 6.3 percent (1.2 percent in real terms) year-on-year, on the back of the 13.3 percent increase in RON-denominated loans (7.8 percent in real terms) and the 4.8 percent decline in foreign currency-denominated loans expressed in RON (when expressed in EUR, forex loans dropped 6.1 percent), BNR informs.The government credit was 1.8 percent higher in September 2018 than a month earlier, at 101.793 billion lei. At end-September 2018, government lending was 5 percent (-0.1 percent in real terms) higher from the same year-ago period.Broad money (M3) amounted to over 366.261 billion lei at the end of September, up 0.3 percent (-0.2 percent in real terms) month on month. In a year-on-year comparison, broad money rose 10.3 percent (5 percent in real terms). The Offshore Law is paramount for everybody and especially for Romania's citizens, on Monday said Energy Minister Anton Anton, at the Chamber of Deputies, after the "Gov't Hour" adding that in his opinion "it will clear Parliament." "If everybody agrees and tomorrow in the committee's meeting, we'll have an understanding, then it will clear Parliament. I hope it clears faster. Believe me! I think that the Offshore Law is paramount for everybody and especially for the citizens of Romania and it is a shame not to pass," Anton Anton told the media. The Energy minister Anton Anton was invited on Monday in the plenum of the Chamber of Deputies at the "Gov't Hour", the topic of the debates being the Offshore Law. The standing bureau of the Chamber of Deputies approved in this sense, last week, the demand by the Save Romania Union (USR) for the debate titled "The offshore law and Romania's solutions for capitalising on the Black Sea gas," with the Energy minister's participation.The draft law regarding certain necessary measures to implement the oil operations by the contract holders referring to the offshore oil perimeters was passed in the last Parliament session, but President Klaus Iohannis has sent the law to Parliament to be reviewed.On 24 September, the members of the Committee for energy, energy infrastructure and mineral resources with the Senate have given favourable opinion with the amendments of the Offshore draft law, and the very day it was passed by the Senate's plenum as first notified chamber.The committees for industries, budget and public administration with the Chamber of Deputies approved on 2 October the amendments to the Offshore Law, yet the very next day the plenum decided to send the report back to the committees for one more week, a decision made at the request of the UDMR (Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania) leader Kelemen Hunor and agreed upon by PSD.On 5 October, the ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, minor at rule, ed. n.) Chairman Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, alongside several members of his party had a meeting with the PSD leader, Liviu Dragnea and with the Public Finance minister, Eugen Teodorovici, on the Offshore Law. According to parliamentary sources, it has been decided for the draft law to be debated for another week in the select committees and then be put on the agenda of the Chamber of Deputies' plenum within two weeks.PSD (Social Democratic Party, major at rule, ed. n.) and ALDE have reached a consensus regarding the amendments to the Offshore Law, the PSD deputies' leader Daniel Suciu specifying on 17 October that, after a coalition's meeting, it has been decided that 50pct of the Black Sea gas production be traded on the Romanian stocks, and the operators' investment be deducted a maximum of 30 percent of the additional income tax.The decision was made after a meeting by the Chamber of Deputies' Speaker Liviu Dragnea and the PSD deputies' leader Daniel Suciu, with the ALDE representatives Andrei Gerea and Toma Petcu.Liviu Dragnea said on the same day that chances are for the Offshore bill to enter the agenda of the following week's Committees for industries, budget and public administration, stressing that as regards this piece of legislation "a Parliament's decision will exist.""I believe that next week, mandatorily, it must be addressed within the committees. (...) For the next week I see no reason why the respective draft law should not enter the committee," Dragnea said.The Chamber of Deputies is the decision-making forum in the Offshore Law's bill.The draft law sets a series of measures necessary to implementing the exploration, development of oil operations, exploitation of the oil reserves and abandonment works, as well as the works to the oil fields related to the oil operations, carried out by the owners of oil agreements regarding the offshore oil perimeters, in accordance with the provisions of the oil agreements signed between the contract holders and the ANRM (Mineral Resources National Agency).The National Liberal Party (PNL) deputy Virgil Popescu on Monday said that he has no idea about the amendments to the offshore law that are to be discussed on Tuesday in the select committees and invited the Energy minister Anton Anton to join the debates."We'd like to know what reserves Romania has got there, and the ANRM is not providing the information. We'd like to know how much Romania stands to gain, not how much we think Romania will gain and the Public Finance Ministry should give clear, concrete data on the Romanian state's gain in this law, from these exploitations. (...) So far, I know nothing about waht has been discussed, and I believe that none of our Opposition colleagues knows what has been discussed, because you are once again opaque. There was a meeting last week within the coalition and everything was halted there, you have mimed consensus with the Opposition parties, you summoned us once last week, nothing was established and that was it, nothing has happened anymore," Popescu told the plenum of the Chamber of Deputies at the "Gov't Hour" debate where the Energy minister Anton Anton was invited.Popescu mentioned that apart from the fact that we must know how much the Romanian state stands to gain according to the Offshore Law, what happens to the extracted gas must also be established.The Save Romania Union (USR) deputy Cristina Pruna stated on the same occasion that the Black Sea gas exploitation should have been an example of good practices between the state and the investors, and yet it has turned into "an economic sleight of hand" looking like the "accident method"."The reason why I summoned you today in the plenum session of the Chamber of Deputies, Mr Minister, is the Offshore Law and the capitalization on the Black Sea gas production, a discussion which sadly was absent for quite a long time from the public area. Your groundless absence from the joint select committees' meetings was rather regrettable. It would have been in the Romanians' interest that the relevant minister sustained more this draft law in the public area, backed it more in Parliament and explained to the people why these exploitations are so important for Romania in the next 30 years, in particular since it is written in black and white in the energy strategy that we do have natural gas for the following 14 years. The Energy minister, the Economy minister, the Public Finance minister and the ANRM (Mineral Resources National Agency, ed. n.) director should have been present at the debates at the Chamber of Deputies, something that has never happened," Pruna said at the said debate.She said that the minister should explain what are the plans for capitalising on the Black Sea gas production on the domestic market, so as to extend the gas network in Romania and relaunch the petro-chemical industry."There is an offshore law that is debated here, in Romania's Parliament, a bill that has been re-sent to the select committee and blocked for three weeks and tomorrow it is once again put on the agenda, because it seems that PSD and ALDE have had an accord. Meanwhile, we have witnessed a show of the declarations on behalf of the Power and I had the feeling at a certain point that discrepancies within the governing coalition exist and I had the illusion, at some point, that the Opposition matters, because web were summoned to a meeting with the group leaders," Pruna added.In her opinion, the current Power demands the Opposition a vote for "an economic sleight of hand".The People's Movement Party (PMP) deputy Eugen Tomac said with the same occasion that the Black Sea must not be taken for a lake, the Belina lake, for instance (in southern County of Teleorman, ed. n.), and that the resources of Romania must be handled with utmost responsibility.He said he is waiting for the PSD-ALDE gov't, apart from the Offshore Law, to show up with a strategy as regards the "gas-firing Romania", adding that the access to the resource is not enough without considering the population."We only have 32pct of the gas-fired dwellings in Romania. This reality compels the Romanian state, the Romanian gov't to have a visionary approach as regards the way we use the state's resources (...) I'm aware that if we overbid with the taxation, we risk to turn the Black Sea into a Russian lake. (...) That is why I'm asking you: are you ready to come forward with a strategy to extend the gas network for Romania's population? Because it is not at all normal for a country with such resources to only have 30pct of its population connected to the gas network," Eugen Tomac stressed.The Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) supports the adoption of an offshore law, balanced from the viewpoint of the financial gains for both the Romanian state and the concession-holder, the said political formation deputy Benedek Zacharie said on Monday."Thus, we find it natural to ensure a stable, predictable environment for investors, in a reasonable time horizon, and yet we also deem it natural that the Romanian state and implicitly each citizen of this country deserve a fair benefit of the underground reserves. We cannot agree with the initial variant of the draft law, by which the Romanian state only received the royalty from the exploitation of the Black Sea's riches, a variant agreed by the investors. Likewise, from where it stands, the UDMR believes that the expansion of the natural gas's distribution systems to a higher proportion of the population is mandatory," Benedek Zacharie told the plenum of the Chamber of Deputies. Flash Officials, representatives, experts and scholars from China and the 16 Central and Eastern European countries will gather in Macedonia's capital of Skopje next week to discuss ways to further enhance cooperation under the framework of the "16+1," a senior research fellow with the China Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) said at a press briefing held in Beijing on Monday. Liu Zuokui, director of the Department of Central and Eastern European Studies, said the annual High-Level Think Tanks Symposium of China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) would run from Oct. 30 to 31. "It is one of the major cultural exchange activities under the framework of '16+1 Cooperation'," he said, adding that it will be the largest and most influential think tank symposium of its kind since first held in 2013. About 50 scholars will discuss "how to enhance and deepen China-CEEC cooperation" in regard to four topics, namely enhancing policy communication and the alignment of strategies; expanding cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, finance, agriculture and infrastructure; strengthening China-CEEC cooperation under the framework of the "16+1" and promoting China-CEEC sub-regional cooperation. Supported by the China-CEEC cooperation office of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the symposium of this year will be jointly-organized by the Institute of European Studies under CASS, the China Foundation for International Studies, China Institute of International Studies, the Institute for Geostrategic Research and Foreign Policy of Macedonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts. The National Liberal Party (PNL) and Save Romania Union (USR) request in the no-confidence motion titled "the Justice Minister, an F minister" the resignation from office of Tudorel Toader and accuse him, in 20 items, that through his behaviour "he abandoned justice in the hands of criminals" and "has sent Romania backwards, to the Nastase-Stanoiu times, when cases were solved in party meetings." For this reason you should have long handed in your resignation! It is not too late now either! (...) You have lost face to your students, to your colleagues whom you cannot deceive and manipulate, you have made a fool of yourself in front of the entire country, except for Liviu Dragnea [Social Democratic Party, PSD, leader, ed.n.] &Co. You are the one who severely damages Romania's image abroad, not so much through the words you utter more or less shrewdly, but especially through your deeds! In vain are you stating in carefully crafted sentences that you promote the independence of justice, that you support the fight against corruption, if you do the exact opposite through your deeds," the text of the motion maintains. The authors of the motion reproach Toader that "beside some exotic trips, on public money (...) sketching fantasy projects like the justice neighbourhood in Bucharest", some public appearances in which he displayed "the so-called story-telling talent", the public statements "affecting the independence of the judiciary", apart from the "blow" he is trying to deliver to "the fight against corruption" he hasn't got much to show for himself since being in office.Point by point, among others, the Justice minister is accused of having promoted "the politicisation of justice.""It is common knowledge that you have been the promoter of toxic ideas for the amendment of the justice laws such as absolute control, concentrated in the hands of the Justice minister, the appointments of high level prosecutors, the setting up of a special directorate for the investigation of magistrates, the transfer of the Judicial Inspection under the Justice minister, and so on. (...) Then you have brought these proposals in Parliament, in a folder, not as a draft law assumed by the Gov't but as sheets of paper that you handed in to Mr Florin Iordache as inspiration source and then you disappeared into thin air. You haven't been in Parliament to voice your opinion on such important laws, you washed your hands of the matter. (...) What did you tell your colleagues in the Venice Commission, Mr minister? That they are good laws, that the opposition and many of the Romanian magistrates are rife with bad faith and misinform, or they don't understand the benefits of these laws, that is, you are not going to tell us that you criticised the laws? Were you not in the least embarrassed in front of the other members of the Venice Commission as defender of some laws that weaken the justice and the rule of law in Romania?" reads the text of the motion.The authors of the text further convey to Tudorel Toader that as Justice minister, instead of "seriously" analysing the reports of the international bodies - the Venice Commission and GRECO - and take them into account, he "ignored them completely" and questioned the professionalism of the international experts who have drawn up the documents.The Justice minister is also criticised for endorsing "all the proposals made by the current power, in support of criminals and to the detriment of the crimes' victims" and not shying away from dealing with his own hand "the lethal blow to the fight against corruption, by proposing a text amending the abuse of office crime which represents a masked decriminalisation of this felony for most situations encountered in practice." "The European Parliament has the right to debate these topics and, if needed, to come up with a resoluti on to vote on. It's this institution's right. On the other hand, (...) my presence today in the plenary sitting has nothing to do with the rule of law in Romania. Despite this, I've made comments on this topic. (...) It is highly unusual for the EP to debate and vote on a resolution about a member state only one month before the state in question takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The decision belongs to the European Parliament," Iohannis said at a joint press conference with President of the EP Antonio Tajani. He underscored that Romania is a functional democracy. "Romania is a very vivid democracy, although there are certain approaches that some people find wrong. We have a debate on justice in Romania and I voiced my opinion with respect to this matter very clearly, but I did this in Romania. I don't want get into Romania's political debates," said Iohannis. "There will be a very good opportunity for Romania to prove not only that it believes in the future of the European Union, but also that it can be involved in this future, that Romania is able to respond to these challenges, because Romania will hold the presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2019. We intend to be successful and we are going to make efforts to achieve a stronger and more effective European Union. (...) One of the most important projects to Romania is the summit to be held at Sibiu on May 9, 2019. The summit is very important for Romania, because it will be the first summit organised by our country, but its real importance is related to what will be discussed at the meeting, because the summit will be dedicated to the future EU, and Romania and the Romanians are determined to be involved in this future, to be part of the decision-making process on the future of the EU. I am convinced that together with all the other participants at the summit in Sibiu we will create a credible, feasible project that will make the EU a powerful new design," Iohannis told a joint news conference with EP President Antonio Trajani. He reiterated that the lack of connection between politicians and citizens is one of the great problems of the EU. He said that while in office, Romania will have a number of files - Brexit, the multifinancial framework, migration, the European elections - to manage."We believe that we will be able to find clear answers and approaches. We need clear, easy to understand, logical answers, clear approaches and better communication. We do not need a lack of transparency, half-hearted answers to the questions that European citizens will pose us. We want to be more open, to communicate better and to provide clear answers, even if that will not necessarily be the answers expect of us, but all this will succeed in improving the link between citizens and politicians. The wrong way would be to find simple answers to complicated questions. That is an approach that we see from populist politicians around the world, it is not necessarily something specific to Europe. The complicated issues need complete and easy to understand answers; we do not need simple and wrong answers to complicated questions," said Iohannis. AGERPRES "There is an extremely difficult time ahead of us; there are extremely difficult files that we want to treat in a fair way, but also with a lot of determination for a positive or optimistic outcome. That will not always be possible. One of the files is called Brexit where things are certainly still at a stage where it depends very much on the ongoing negotiations. But we want to reach an agreement with the UK and we want to have this agreement very quickly. Romania will get involved to the extent the presidency of the European Council can get involved. As far as the Brexit negotiation is concerned, that is a first, palpable, clear and transparent proof of the effectiveness of collaboration - that the 27 have worked strictly together, and accepted a single negotiating team has led to notable results. Unity is a concept of visionary politicians," Iohannis told a debate on the future of Europe hosted by the European Parliament. Another file mentioned by Iohannis regards the multiannual financial framework."There is a file that (...) I know is dear to you and to us. It is the multiannual financial framework. We have to make progress with the file. In Romania's opinion, Parliament's encouragement to increase the budget is a good thing, but the negotiation will have to continue. And there is where Romania will get involved and we hope to reach significant progress with sensitive areas in this budget, if not completing the negotiations," said Iohannis.Migration is the theme of another file to be managed by the upcoming EU Council presidency. "We have to reach a joint approach as soon as possible. If we fail to define a European policy in this area, then we will have a major problem. Romania will get involved in moving these negotiations forward. So far, we have been moved by crisis to action, but we have to act before a crisis, that is what I meant when I said that the EU must act preventively. We know how the world works, but we have to prepare to deal with the effects of this function. During the Romanian presidency, European elections will take place, and during the European elections canvassing we will have a summit in Sibiu, which is extremely important to Romania and the EU (...) because it has a unique and clear theme - the future of the European Union. We will discuss and sketch up clear thinking about the European Union clear that is easy to understand by the European citizens, not just the European politicians. And next year's elections to the EP will give us an X-ray, show us if we were all credible, if we knew how to produce credible projects, if we know how to draw a future for the EU or if we still have a little work to do," said Iohannis. AGERPRES President Klaus Iohannis was welcomed on Tuesday, at the European Parliament seat, by the President of this forum, Antonio Tajani. The two dignitaries will have a meeting, then President Klaus Iohannis will participate in the European Parliament's plenary sitting in the debate on Europe's future. After the debate, Klaus Iohannis and Antonio Tajani will hold press statements.The head of the Romanian state will attend on Tuesday a brunch offered by the EP President and will have a tete-a-tete meeting with Leader of the European People's Party in the European Parliament Manfred Weber. Romania saw the steepest decline in the share of women in the management of large companies listed on the stock exchange, which dropped more than 10 percentage points between 2010 and 2017, in stark contradiction with the European trends, Andreea Paul, president of the Competitiveness Initiative (INACO), said in a release. "In countries such as France, Italy, Belgium or Germany, the representation of women has improved significantly. Why is that? Because they introduced mandatory minimum gender quotas for the boards of large listed companies, standing at 40, 35 or 33 percent, the European Institute for Gender Equality tells us," explained Andreea Paul. According to the cited source, in the last three years one in four women managers has been replaced by a man in Romania, while in the EU the share of female managers has been quasi-constant. Thus, whereas in the EU women's representation dropped by one percentage point between 2014 and 2017, in Romania the decline was of over 11 percent in the same period. Whereas in 2014, 41 percent of the managers in Romania were women, above the EU average of 35 percent, in 2017 there were only 30 percent women managers in Romania, below the EU average of 34 percent."Romania is one of the European countries with the lowest official women employment rates, but also one of the countries with the smallest gender pay gaps in the EU. What surprises me now is to see a significant setback in European official data, a significant decline in the representation of women in managerial positions in Romania as compared to 2014 (when we were above the EU average), although women are more educated and prevail among Romanians with higher education. Do we, in Romania, trust female management less? I'm rather of the opinion that these are times when the small businesses where women were able to more easily accede to managerial positions are shutting down under the assault of large companies. In the end, it's the male managers who dominate. The bigger the size of the companies, the more women's representation in decision-making positions decreases," says the INACO president. Dragnea welcomed Salvini on a visit to Bucharest on Tuesday, to discuss co-operation within the framework of the enhanced strategic partnership between the two countries, co-operation in the context of Romania's holding the presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2019 and the situation of the Romanian community in Italy and the Italian community in Romania. According to a press statement released by the Chamber of Deputies, Dragnea asked the Italian Government to support the 1.2-million-strong Romanian community, showing that it has an important role and actively contributes to the economic development their host country.Salvini agreed on the proposal, voicing full support for Romanian families who are integrated with and respected by the Italian society.Dragnea and Salvini reviewed the status of bilateral economic and cultural relations, amidst the current topics debated at a European level.Talks highlighted a common perspective on topics on the European public agenda, such as the future of the EU, the Multiannual Financial Framework, cohesion policy, the Common Agricultural Policy, the internal market or the enlargement of the EU. There were also some convergence points on migration in terms of co-operation with countries of origin and with third countries to combat the root causes of migration.Dragnea mentioned that the programme of the Romanian presidency of the Council of the European Union will have the citizen at the forefront. "Our efforts will be focused on the advancement of legislative and non-legislative files that can bring tangible results to European citizens, thus leading to a stronger, more democratic and closer union with its citizens. Romania's programme will focus on four pillars: convergence, security, common values and Europe's global outlook," said Dragnea. Agerpres Flash Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was "planned." "All information and evidence revealed till now have showed that Khashoggi was a victim of a brutal killing," Erdogan said at the ruling Justice and Development Party's parliamentary group meeting. The murder was "planned" days in advance according to a "roadmap" set up by Saudis, he noted. Saudi teams made explorations in the forest near Istanbul and the northwestern province of Yalova before murdering Khashoggi, according to the Turkish president. "Saudi consulate cameras were removed, all footage was deleted from hard drives. Camera footage shows that Khashoggi did not leave the consulate," he said. The body of Khashoggi has not been found yet. Turkey demands Saudi Arabia reveal the identity of the "local cooperator" who purportedly took the body, Erdogan stated. During his speech, Erdogan said that the Saudi government formally admitted the killing of Khashoggi 17 days after his murder. "The murder took place inside the Saudi consulate but it should not be forgotten that it took place on Turkish soil. The Vienna Convention does not allow the investigation of such murders to be prevented by diplomatic immunity," Erdogan said, adding that he also expects the convention to be reviewed after this incident. Erdogan described the killing of Khashoggi as "a political murder," adding that a neutral and fair committee should be established to conduct the investigation. He also expressed confidence that Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is cooperating with the investigation, stressing that he doesn't doubt the king's sincerity. The Turkish leader called on the Saudi leadership to allow 18 suspects detained there in this case to be tried in Istanbul. Khashoggi, journalist and columnist for The Washington Post, has been missing since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. A joint Turkish-Saudi team completed an investigation into the case on Thursday after searching the residence of the consul general as well as the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. The kingdom claimed early Saturday that Khashoggi died in a brawl in its consulate, but did not give any explanation on the cause of his death. Flash China and India pledged on Tuesday to strengthen bilateral cooperation especially in the areas of law enforcement and security. While meeting with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhao Kezhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is willing to work with China to maintain strategic communication, enhance political mutual trust, strengthen pragmatic cooperation in various fields such as law enforcement and security, and promote the development of India-China relations to a higher level. For his part, Zhao said the historic informal summit between the leaders of the two countries in April in Wuhan gave a strong impetus to the development of China-India relations. The Chinese minister said that under the guidance of the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries, China and India should enhance strategic mutual trust, promote all-round cooperation, deepen pragmatic cooperation on law enforcement and security particularly on counter-terrorism and combating separatist forces and transnational crimes so as to further closer the development partnership between the two countries. During his visit to India, Zhao also met with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and co-chaired the first high-level meeting between China and India on law enforcement and security with Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The two sides also signed a cooperation agreement on law enforcement and security. Realists point out that Khashoggis alive dismemberment and killing is still just one dead journalist; that such events are not exceptional and that states seldom change policy for the sake of one death, however gruesome its commission. All true. But it is also true that an isolated event can catch the moment; Can strike just at the instant when inflection is poised to turn; When a single additional, undifferentiated, snowflake can touch off a huge slide whose mass is entirely disproportionate to the single grain that triggers it. Was Khashoggis killing just such a trigger? Quite possibly yes because there are several unstable accumulations of political mass in the region where even a small event might set off a significant slide. These dynamics constitute a complex nexus of shifting dynamics. Khashoggis literal bodily dismemberment is somehow also an allegory for the larger regional dynamics grinding away. Khashoggi an early member of the Muslim Brotherhood, and considered as their icon was, we are told, literally, gruesomely dismembered. Symbolically, his end will be viewed in the region, at least as the still live body of the MB, spread prone on the desk, being diced into bits by Saudi apparatchiks recalling almost precisely the Gulfs campaign to crush the Brotherhood, and to extinguish it from the region. The symbolism is all the more poignant as Khashoggi symbolised too, in a personal way, that ambiguous tentacle stretching between bin Ladens Al-Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood although later Khashoggi was to reserve his estimation of bin Laden. (Khashoggi joined the MB at about the same time as bin Laden; traveled extensively with the al-Qaeda leader in Afghanistan; and wrote one of the first profiles of him for a Saudi magazine in 1988 (see Peter Bergens The Osama bin Laden I Know). The primary point of inflection on which the world has rightly seized, however, is the potential that President Trump will be grudgingly cornered, by the slow drip, drip, feed of the evidence into a redress of the USSaudi relationship for the first time since 1948. And, as part of this, reluctantly cornered to concede that Mohammed bin Salman is not the reliable foundation from which the main elements of US foreign policy all branch out: Iran regime change, putting a lid on the price of oil as Iran falls under further sanctions, selling US weapons, and handing Israel its deal of the century). Of course, no one knows what might come next in Saudi Arabia, were MbS to be sidelined as heir presumptive. There are rumblings from within the al-Saud family clearly audible. Will Trump actually make such determination? He will do everything to avoid it. However, a critical overhang of US Congressional and Beltway opinion has been souring on the Saudi relationship for a long while: incrementally, since 9/11, and the catastrophe that is Yemen, has added mass to that overhang of discontent and unease about the merit of the US tight hug of MbS. Few in DC, believe that Trumps claim of a $110 billion potential in arms sales is anything other than bluster: a dressing up of existing sales, already in the pipeline from Obama days, puffed out with a few (non-binding) letters of intent. And the US today is no longer dependent on a secure supply of Saudi oil. Inevitably then, the downside to the relationship is becoming starker (and darker). And with the public plainly more cognizant of the horrors that constitutes Wahhabi brutal jihadism (i.e. in Syria), as well as the slow dawning that reform in Saudi is not what reform connotes, elsewhere. Is Khashoggis murder then that last grain that will set off the precipitous slide? If Senator Lindsay Graham can be considered the canary in the mineshaft, then yes: This guy [MbS], has got to go, Graham insists. And here the other symbolism arising from Khashoggis killing points to a different point of inflection: His dismemberment occurred in Turkey, just as he was about to marry into the AKP Establishment (his fiancees uncle was an AKP founder). Khashoggi was also a friend of President Erdogan. This grisly event has allowed Erdogan to leverage Turkeys situation immeasurably (especially when it occurred in parallel to the Turkish courts release of US Pastor Brunson). Trump, greeting Brunson at the White House, admitted to a Damascene conversion: he now viewed Turkey very favourably, the President claimed. Erdogan will leverage this advantage fully, to prise the US away from the Kurds in eastern Syria, and to strengthen his hand in playing Washington off, against Moscow. Erdogan plainly has loftier ambitions. He is using this Khashoggi leverage now to pitch for the leadership of the Islamic world, no less hoping to snatch it away from Saudi Arabia. After the defeat of the Wahhabis in Syria, Erdogan senses that Sunni Islam is on the cusp: He is brazenly using Ottomanesque language and imagery to assert this prior claim; and op-ed pieces in the Turkish press are adding to this:the demand for Saudi Arabia to give up its Wahhabi hegemony over the holy sites of Mecca and Medina. This represents another key potential tipping point: Saudi Arabias position is slipping: It has been always a marginal state politically, but the kingdom compensated for this, through cheque-book politics, and its credentialisation as Keeper of the Holy Sites. But with the excesses of ISIS alienating Americans and Europeans, the Gulf States turned to a narrative of calling for moderation and of endorsing war on theocracy, rather than risk outright condemnation of jihadi violence: A stance unacceptable to their own Puritan clerics. (The point here, was that whilst the War on Theocracy could be understood as an explicit commitment to fighting ISIS, rhetorically, it more conveniently served to equate Iran, Hezbollah and the Muslim Brotherhood as being indistinguishable from ISIS). This is the highly contrived narrative into which Trump unreservedly has bought. The moderation meme however, compelled a concerted, if confused, attempt at the distancing of Gulf monarchies from Islamic Statehood. But, as noted by Ahmad Dailami, the monarchical nationalism that MbS used to distance the kingdom from its own Islamic puritanism was neither replaced with an alternative creed, nor with true secularism. Khashoggi is hailed in the West as a liberal, favouring democratic reform, but in fact, he was a staunch supporter of the monarchical system (of which MbS is the effective head). He contended however, that all these monarchies were reformable. Only the secular republics, he suggested (such as Iraq, Syria and Libya) were unreformable, and required to be overthrown. Where he fell out with MbS therefore, was that he favoured not a turn to secularism or western-style liberalism, but a reforming Islamisation of Arab politics along Muslim Brotherhood lines just like Erdogan, in fact. So, here is the second potential tipping point: Will Erdogans so-far successful leveraging of the Khashoggi murder also succeed in drawing in its wake, an inversion of US support away from the Gulf back toward the Turkish Muslim Brotherhood model? The US has oscillated (often quite violently), over the years, between supporting the MB as the catalyst of change in the ME, only to swing back to the Saudi intelligence services ability to field kick-ass jihadists as the better recipe for quick regime change. Trump hinted at just such a possible shift with his favourable comments on Turkey when receiving Pastor Brunson: "This is a splendid step to have a major and special kind of relationship with Turkey. Our thoughts on Turkey today are much different than what yesterday. I guess we have a chance to be much closer with Turkey, to have much, much closer relations. Establishing good ties with President Erdogan is gaining significance." And what constitutes a possible third latent point of inflection? Well, Israel of course. The former US Ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, writes: The grisly hit-job on Khashoggi has implications far beyond its exposure of the Saudi Crown Prince as brutal and reckless. In Jerusalem and D.C., theyre mourning their whole strategic concept for the Mideast not least, for countering IranThe shocking brutality of Jamal Khashoggis abduction and murder by Saudi security forces cannot be papered over, no matter how implausibly it is dressed up, as an interrogation gone wrong or the work of rogue actors. But its implications go deeper than the tragedy visited upon Khashoggis family and fiancee. It raises fundamental questions for the United States and Israel about their whole strategic concept in the Middle Eastthe Khashoggi murder, beyond obliterating red lines of immorality, also points to the fundamental unreliability of Saudi Arabia under MBS as a strategic partner. What happened in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul echoes words once used to describe Napoleons elimination of an opponent: "Its worse than a crime. Its a mistake." One might add, a strategic mistake. In fact, it opens a potential inflection point of great consequence. Israel has either lost, or had its air superiority over Syria and the northern arc of the Middle East, greatly circumscribed. Israel depended on this air superiority. But in the wake of Russias loss of an Ilyushin Il-20 aircraft and its 15 airmen over Syria on 17 September, Russia has installed a formidable air and electronic defence umbrella across much of the northern tier of the Middle East. Consequently, the strategic balance in the Middle East hangs precariously in the balance. The pendulum of power has swung northwards: It wont be easy for Israel to navigate these waters, as the Washington foreign policy establishment has quickly splintered into anti-Iran and anti-Saudi camps For Israelis, [it may be that] the biggest blow in the fallout of Khashoggis murder [is that] MBS, in his obsession with silencing his critics, has actually undermined the attempt to build an international consensus to pressure Iran, US Ambassador Shapiro concludes. Israel now has a number of alternatives: press Trump to intervene with Putin in order to have him walk-back the S-300 SAM deployment in Syria; challenge the Russian air defences directly, or, acquiesce to a new regional strategic balance. How Trump finally decides to handle the Khashoggi killing to fudge it, or not may well determine which of these options Israel and the region as a whole ultimately will elect to follow. Photo: caasimada.net One of the motives behind the US withdrawal from the INF Treaty is its desire to acquire first-strike capability against Russia from Europe, while keeping intact its strategic nuclear arsenal. Another motivation is the need to keep China, Americas fiercest geopolitical challenger, in its crosshairs by forcing it to alter its foreign, defense, and trade policies in order to tip the balance in Washingtons favor. The capability to knock out key infrastructure sites with precision intermediate-range strikes deep inside China, not just in the coastal provinces, is one way to make Beijing more tractable on key issues and force a rollback of its global influence. In April, Adm. Harry Harris, the commander of US Pacific Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the US should renegotiate the INF Treaty to better compete with China. The admiral knew what he was talking about. China has developed the DF-26 aircraft carrier-killer ballistic missile that has now rendered the old US strategy ineffective. Zachary Keck of the National Interest believes the DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missile could stop the US Navy in its tracks without firing a shot. That threat has to be countered and one way to do it is by knocking it out with land-based, highly accurate missiles. Such systems are cheaper than aircraft carriers and can do the job without exposing thousands of servicemen to the missile threat if used for a first strike. China has been testing a new nuclear-capable, air-launched ballistic missile constructed on the basis of the DF-21 that will help that country improve its warfighting capabilities. Beijing also boasts land-based mobile missile systems (LBMMS) with DF-10 cruise missiles that have a maximum range of 1,500 to 2,000 km. China has to defend itself, and fielding these systems is the only way that it can counteract Americas huge sea, space, and air advantages. Actually, the process of encircling China with intermediate missiles is going to kick off with the deployment of the Aegis Ashore ballistic missile-defense (BMD) systems Japan has decided to buy. The batteries will be installed in the prefectures of Akita and Yamaguchi. Using the MK-41 launcher, the Aegis Ashore can fire intermediate-range Tomahawk missiles. The deal is a blatant violation of the INF Treaty that Washington accuses Moscow of not complying with. After a long period of indecision, the US approved the sale of military equipment to Taiwan in September, drawing Chinas ire. Last summer, the State Department requested that US Marines be sent to Taiwan under the pretext of safeguarding Americas de facto embassy there. National Security Adviser John Bolton is known for his support of the idea of stationing US troops on Taiwanese soil. Bolton wants to see the China policy revisited. He argues that Taiwan is closer to the Chinese mainland and the disputed islands in the South China Sea than either Okinawa or Guam giving US forces greater flexibility for rapid deployment throughout the region should the need arise. If the ongoing escalation continues, the US could wind up deploying intermediate-range missiles on that friendly island. Other targets include North Korea and the Russian Far East, especially the Vilyuchinsk naval base on the Kamchatka Peninsula that is home to a fleet of ballistic missile submarines. Locating and destroying mobile land-based missiles, either from the air or from the ground, is an extremely challenging mission. Fast-flying ballistic delivery technology and stealthy cruise missiles are effective against a wide variety of targets, even if sophisticated air defenses are in place to protect them. The states in the region that are unfriendly to the United States would see their biggest military advantage erode away. Intermediate-range weapons can accomplish the same missions as strategic weapons. With the high-precision technology the US possesses today, even conventional missiles could inflict damage comparable to that of nuclear strikes. Its ground-based assets boast large magazines and can have numerous reloads at the ready. In theory, the US could impose an arms-control agreement with China on its own terms, using theater weapons as its negotiating leverage. All the countries unfriendly to the US, such as China and North Korea, as well as Russias Far East area, will be within the range of fast-hitting, hard to counter, intermediate-range missile systems. Moreover, with the arms race escalating in the Asia Pacific region, the US could involve itself in some lucrative deals selling conventional intermediate-range missile systems to the countries in that area, such as Japan. A conventional version of some of these weapons will be in high demand, bringing in substantial profits and spurring US economic growth. So, the US is encouraging an arms race in the Asia Pacific region. It has adopted a policy of encirclement with its potential enemies in the crosshairs of its intermediate-range weapons. It will have the option of destroying key sites with conventional warheads. This policy will inevitably force Russia and China closer together. The militarization of the region will further accelerate. Those targeted by the US will be incentivized to develop weapons systems that can reach the continental US. No one will win and everyone will lose. There is still time to reverse the US decision to leave the INF Treaty. Imran Khan, the newly elected prime minister of Pakistan, has proved himself very much a tool of the Pakistani military. Khan openly and enthusiastically supports the Islamic terrorist violence in Indian Kashmir and denies any Pakistani responsibility for it. The Pakistani military can now do whatever they like without any risk of criticism from Pakistani politicians. The new head of the ISI is noted for his enthusiastic support for Islamic radicalism and the use of Islamic terrorism against India. There is a dark side to all of this, even for the Pakistanis. Indian leaders are running out of options and are seriously talking of raids and air strikes against Islamic terrorist facilities just across the border in Pakistani Kashmir. If that happens Pakistan says it will also escalate and that it the direction this is headed. Pakistan And the Undeclared Two-Front War Pakistan also carries out even more undeclared military and terrorist operations against Afghanistan. Opposing Pakistani meddling in Afghan affairs is a popular issue among most Afghans and a growing number of Afghan leaders are calling for a declaration of war against Pakistan. Such a status has existed, in practice but unofficially, for years but Afghanistan refused to accept that reality and tried to reason with Pakistan and that has never worked. This shift in attitude, and openly discussing it, is more acceptable now because Pakistan has lost much of the support it once had in the American military and State Department (the diplomats). The Pakistani military has stopped trying to pretend and interfered decisively in the recent Pakistani elections to get a government elected that does what the generals want. The Americans have cut all military and economic aid. Pakistan was hoping the Chinese would replace the American economic and military aid but that is not working out. The Chinese dont give aid, they provide loans which they insist be repaid. In 2023 Pakistan has to start making payments on multi-billion dollar Chinese construction loans. This is a problem as Pakistan goes to the IMF (International Monetary Fund) for the 13th time to obtain billions in loans to avoid economic collapse. The main cause of these frequent appeals to the IMF are by now widely accepted; the Pakistani military gets too much of the government budget. The American decision to cut military aid to Pakistan is a big deal because over the last decade that aid has accounted for nearly 20 percent of the Pakistani defense budget. The U.S. aid has declined since 2010 (when it was $2 billion) but was still significant because the current annual Pakistani defense budget is nearly $9 billion. So an extra billion or so from the Americans makes a difference. While Pakistan can turn to China or Russia for all its weapons needs it wont have access to the best nor will it get any gifts. China and Russia expect to be paid for military goods. Meanwhile, the Pakistani Army gets 47 percent of the defense budget, the Air Force 20 percent and the Navy 11 percent. Pakistan talks about the Indian Threat and in terms of numbers, there is one because India spends nearly $60 billion a year on defense, the fifth largest defense budget on the planet (behind the United States, China, Russia and Saudi Arabia). Pakistan barely makes the top 20. Indian spending is 3.3 percent of GDP while Pakistan is 2.7 percent. In 2016 Pakistan boosted defense spending 15 percent but was unable to sustain that growth rate. For the last five years, Pakistan has, on average, increased its defense spending about 10 percent a year. Neighboring India spends more than five times as much. Chinas defense spending ($215 billion) is the largest in the region and second largest in the world. Defense spending in South Asia has risen nearly 50 percent since 2001. The large portion of Pakistani government spending going to the military is under growing criticism inside Pakistan, mainly because Pakistan lags way behind India and China when it comes to spending on education, infrastructure and public health. The Pakistani government tries to justify the high defense spending by pointing out that since 2011 Pakistan has suffered $57 billion in economic losses because of Islamic terrorism. That is tragic but the neighbors (and the United States) point out that those losses are largely because Pakistan has supported Islamic terrorists since the 1970s and continues to do so even though many Islamic terror groups have declared war on Pakistan. The IMF is well aware of all this and Pakistani Finance Ministry officials cannot expect much help (unless you count the usual threats) from the military in persuading the IMF to look the other way and bail out the profligate Pakistani military once more. The Pakistani military is particularly unhelpful when it is pointed out that substantial Pakistani economic opportunities have been banned by the military for no good reason. Case in point is allowing free trade with India and Indian access, via Pakistan, to Afghanistan and Central Asia. The access fees would generate huge income for Pakistan but the Pakistani generals will not allow it because the main justification for the huge Pakistani military budget is the imaginary Indian threat. Pakistani support for Islamic terrorist violence in Afghanistan is why the Afghan economy is in trouble and Afghans are increasingly hostile to their eastern neighbor. One reason Western troops are tolerated in Afghanistan, which has, for thousands of years been hostile to foreigners, is because the Westerners and Afghans are both eager to shut down the drug trade and keep the Pakistanis out. The Afghan prime minister is demanding that his newly elected Pakistani counterpart do something about what is happening Afghanistan. So far the official Pakistani response is; not our fault. Pakistani prime minister Imran Kahn is more concerned with nations considered more important to Pakistan, like Saudi Arabia and China. To Pakistanis, Afghanistan is more than of a potential problem than anything else. But to Afghanistan, and most of the world community, the biggest problem in Afghanistan is not the Taliban or the drug gangs, but Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban is divided over the issue of being controlled by Pakistan and being held responsible for the growing number of Afghan drug addicts. Then there is the role of Pakistan in sustaining the chaos Afghanistan has suffered since the late 1970s (when Russian backed Afghan communists tried to start a revolution). The communists were followed by a Russian invasion, drug gangs, an Islamic revolution, civil war and Pakistan seeking to take control in the 1990s with their Taliban movement. Pakistan did serve as a base for millions of Afghan refugees and thousands of Afghan rebels during the 1980s but that led to Pakistan believing it could continue to support violence in Afghanistan if it was deemed to be serving Pakistani interests. The Pakistani created and supported Taliban had control of Afghanistan (or at least most of it) from the late 1990s until 2001. That led to the American invasion and Pakistan continuing to support the drug gangs and Taliban while assisting the U.S. in its war on terror. Many Americans want to just leave. The problem is just getting out leaves Afghanistan at the mercy of Pakistan, Iran and Russia, as well as all the drug gangs, Islamic terror groups and numerous Afghans who oppose the drugs and all the outside interference. The drugs and Islamic terrorism will still be major exports. The West can leave Afghanistan but the ills of Afghanistan wont leave the West and that is just fine with Pakistan. A growing number of Afghan Taliban leaders want peace and an end to being manipulated by the Pakistanis. Despite that, the senior Afghan Taliban leader and the Pakistani generals are not inclined to consider peace talks because of all that money from the drug gangs as well as the ability to control (or at least disrupt) Afghanistan. The U.S. recently repeated its accusation that Pakistan had done nothing about the Pakistan sanctuary for the Afghan Taliban, the Haqqani Network and several other Islamic terror groups that do the bidding of the Pakistani military. Afghans note that the economic growth experienced after 2001 slowed down considerably after NATO withdrew most of its forces in 2014. The Taliban failed, as they long claimed they could, take control of the country after the foreign troops left. The rural population suffered the most after 2014 because thats where the Taliban had the easiest time disrupting local security. After 2014 the majority (over 60 percent) of Afghans lost ground economically. Even the urban population, which tended to continue to see economic growth, were dismayed at the increasing control Pakistan was achieving via their proxies (Taliban and drug gangs). Despite growing international condemnation for this Pakistan maintained good relations with China, Iran and Saudi Arabia and got away with it. China India reports that so far this year border violations by Chinese troops are down 20 percent compared to 2017. But that still means there were 137 illegal border incursions by Chinese troops so far in 2018. In September China agreed to establish multiple hotlines along their mutual border and also between the defense ministries of both nations. This revives previous efforts to establish a hotline. In 2016 China and India have worked out and agreed to details of a hotline for commanders on both sides of the LAC (Line of Actual Control). Also known as the MacCartney-MacDonald Line the LAC is the unofficial border between India and China. The LAC is 4,057 kilometers long and is found in the Indian States of Ladakh, Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal, and Arunachal. On the Chinese side it is mostly Tibet. China claims much territory that is now considered part of India. There have been hundreds of armed confrontations over the last few years as one side or the other accuses foreign troops of crossing the LAC. The agreement fell apart when India went ahead, despite Chinese protests, and expanded its military ties with the United States. As India achieves a higher GDP growth rate than China and will soon have more people than China it has become popular for Indians to seek other comparisons. That does not work out well. India is playing catch-up with China when it comes to explosive economic growth and India has several serious shortcomings that China is much less burdened with. For one thing, the Indian workforce is less educated than the Chinese. This is due to the rampant corruption throughout Indian public education. China, in comparison, has far higher standards in public education. While China has problems with corruption the problem is much more severe for India, especially in the government. This means key decisions (like military procurement and educational or other reforms) are delayed for years, or decades, because of corruption and political deal-making. Its a cultural thing and India will have to work hard to become competitive with China. On a practical level, Indian military capabilities are inferior to the Chinese because of the corruption and government sloth. For example, the Indian military cannot get needed new weapons or essential support to keep existing one operational. Efforts to improve roads and other infrastructure in border areas claimed by China are way behind schedule because the government delays and procrastination. These are not new problems but have been around for centuries. China overcame them and if India does not China will always have the upper hand in tech, economy and military power. American Sanctions In 2017 the United States created CAATSA (Countering Americas Adversaries through Sanctions Act) which made it difficult, and in some cases impossible, for Russia to get paid for weapons exports or Iran (since May 2018) for its oil exports. India, which has been improving diplomatic and military relations with the United States is potentially subject to the full force of CAATSA as it tries to carry out major ship and air defense purchases from Russia and continue import large quantities of oil from Iran. India hopes to get an exemption on all or some of these purchases. India and Russia have already agreed to pay for the ships and air defense purchases without using dollars. India would pay in its currency (the rupee) and Russia could use the rupee to buy goods from India. However, full use of CAATSA seeks to prohibit even that and given the control the Americans exercise on the global banking system going full CAATSA would be a major problem for Russia and India. India is in the process of trying to buy four more Talwar frigates from Russia (for $2.2 billion) and five batteries of S-400 SAM systems (for $5.4 billion). These transactions reflect two problems India is having with military procurement. The first is that India felt it could be capable of building all its own warships by now, as well as modern air defense systems. That turned out not to be the case. While two of these Talwars will be built in India the first two will come from Russia and there will be substantial purchases of Russian shipbuilding technology to enable India to build the other two Talwars. The two Russian built Talwars already exist as Admiral Grigorivich class frigates. These are the Russian versions of the Talwars with some differences in weapons and electronics (that can easily be changed). Russia has not put these two ships into service because they do not have their turbine engines, which are manufactured in Ukraine. After Russian invaded Ukraine in 2014 Russia was unable to get military equipment it had on order with Ukraine. But India can buy the turbines and has made arrangements to do so and have them installed. There is already a problem with building more nuclear subs in India. India discovered with its first locally built nuclear sub (Arihant) that Indian shipbuilders were not really ready to build more nuclear subs without substantial technology transfer. Details of these deals are still being worked out. Meanwhile, India has twelve more nuclear submarines it is ready to build in India, but not with the current state of Indian nuclear sub construction capabilities. Maoist Twilight Indian security officials now believe that the Maoist (leftist rebels in eastern India) problem will be largely gone in three years or so. In other words, by the early 2020s. The current numbers bear this out. So far this year 131 Maoists have been killed, nearly 1,300 arrested and sixty have surrendered. An unknown number of Maoists simply deserted and new recruits are harder to come by. But, as the old saying goes, the enemy has a vote. Maoist leaders see the same trend but are scrambling to find ways to halt the decline. Maoist rebels in eastern India continue to lose ground, personnel and purpose. There are a growing number of senior leaders who are either tired of decades of violence and no progress or because of disagreements over strategy. Maoist leaders have tried to keep this internal crises secret but that proved impossible. There were similar problems all the way down, through middle management to most Maoist fighters who had been at it for a few years. All noted the stalemate and growing hostility from the rural people Maoists claim to serve. In 2017, for the first time since 2008, there were fewer (about 800) than a thousand violent incidents caused by the communist rebels. This is another aftereffect of the growing loss of support. For example, until 2008 Indias Maoist rebels were protected because most ruling government coalitions included Indian communists. But after 2008 that was no longer the case, largely because communism had been declining as a political force within India and had reached the point where this particular bit of parliamentary maneuvering no longer worked. A powerful Indian Communist Party was critical for the Maoists, because for decades this very legitimate and very popular political party, and some leftist allies, had forced the government to use restraint in dealing with Maoist violence. This enabled the Maoists to spread, and become an even bigger threat. After 2008 the government went to war with the Maoist rebels and has been winning. The growing realization by Maoist leaders that there is no practical way to reverse this trend is seen, by the Maoist leadership, as more likely to destroy the Maoist movements than the relentless government paramilitary offensive. Maoist leaders also realize that many of their armed followers are turning to banditry and are seen by rural people as gangsters rather than revolutionaries. October 18, 2018: Pakistan is expelling 18 foreign (mostly British) NGOs providing about 11 million Pakistanis with educational services (especially for girls), job training, emergency relief and medical care. This will shut down projects costing about $130 million and employing 1,100 Pakistanis. The military accuses foreign NGOs in general of engaging in espionage (not likely) and (more likely) revealing facts about military misbehavior that military leaders would rather be kept secret. Previous elected governments had resisted these military demands but the new government is pretty much controlled by the military and does what the generals want. October 17, 2018: In southwest Pakistan (Baluchistan) Iranian Jaish al Adl Baluchi rebels from Pakistan (where these rebels often establish bases) crossed the border into Iran and kidnapped 14 Iranian police manning a border post. Apparently, those at the border post were unconscious after eating a meal containing drugged food. Jaish al Adl took credit for the operation and said it was in retaliation for Iranian attacks on Iranian Baluchis (who are Sunni Moslems). There was also the recent (late September) border clash in which a Jaish al Adl leader was killed. Iran has urged Pakistan to find the missing Iranian border guards as they are believed to be in a Jaish al Adl facility in Pakistan. Jaish al Adl has been around since 2012 and is the successor to Jundallah and perpetuates Iranian Sunni Baluchi resistance to Iranian Shia rule. The Iranian and Pakistani Baluchis have family, tribal and ideological links and that makes it easier for an Iranian Baluchi Islamic terror group to establish and sustain bases in Pakistan. This is a constant source of friction between Iran and Pakistan because the Iranians could shut down groups like Jaish al Adl were it not for the Pakistani sanctuaries. Pakistan is unable to suppress its own Baluchi Islamic terrorist and separatist groups. October 14, 2018: In southwest Pakistan (Baluchistan) Afghan troops fired on Pakistanis building the new border fence about 60 kilometers from the Chaman border crossing. In response, Pakistan closed the Chaman border crossing for several hours. The Chaman crossing is on the main road between Quetta (capital of Baluchistan) and the capital of Kandahar province in Afghanistan. Afghanistan and Pakistan dont agree on exactly where the border is and that becomes a problem when one side builds a border fence. October 9, 2018: Pakistan is no longer participating in the anti-piracy patrol off Somalia. The reason is the American refusal to pay for the fuel the Pakistani warships use while on patrol duty. That money was considered part of what the U.S. paid Pakistan to participate in counter-terror operations. All that aid has been cut because Pakistan refuses to halt support for Islamic terrorists who operate in Afghanistan, India and other nations in the region. October 7, 2018: China has agreed to sell Pakistan 48 Wing Loong 2 UAVs for somewhere between $100 million and $200 million. These are similar to the American MQ-9 Reaper but somewhat smaller. The Chinese UAV uses Chinese equivalents of the Hellfire missile for combat missions. Pakistan has been operating a few smaller Wing Loong 1 UAVs since 2015. These are similar to the American MQ-1 Predator. Negotiations are underway for most of these UAVs to be assembled in Pakistan. This is the largest export sale for this UAV since it was first offered in 2016/ October 4, 2018: Pakistan agreed to provide counter-terrorism, communications, intelligence and logistics training for Nigerian forces. This includes Pakistan assisting in the recruiting and training of a Nigerian special forces battalion. October 1, 2018: In northwest Pakistan (North Waziristan) a group of Pakistani Taliban gunmen crossed the border from Afghanistan and attacked a Pakistani border post. The attack was repulsed and seven of the Islamic terrorists killed and three wounded. September 30, 2018: In northwest India, a Pakistani helicopter strayed across the border for two or three minutes and then turned back to Pakistan as Indian troops opened fire with heavy machine-gun and two jet fighters were ordered aloft to intercept. September 27, 2018: In southwest Pakistan (Baluchistan) IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps) troops across the border in Iran (Saravan) ambushed a group of Iranian Baluchi rebels entering Iran from Pakistan (where these rebels often establish bases). Four of the rebels were killed and two wounded (and captured). One of the dead was a known leader of rebel group Jaish al-Adl. Several other rebels escaped the ambush and fled back into Pakistan. Innovative risk-based planning and engagement for natural hazards, by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, was named overall winner in The Commonwealth Association of Planners inaugural Awards for Outstanding Planning Achievement in the Commonwealth. While CAP has existed for more than 40 years and represents more than 40,000 planners and allied professionals, the awards themselves are new. The CAP Awards for Outstanding Planning Achievement in the Commonwealth champion the very best examples of planning practice in the Commonwealth. It aims to share outstanding planning practice, demonstrate the role of planners and planning in creating resilient and sustainable communities and promote planning as a tool to improve societal well-being. The inaugural awards attracted entries from across the Commonwealth, which were then whittled down to a shortlist of eight entries (five of these from New Zealand). The Bay of Plenty project was announced the overall winner. The project is a risk-based approach for managing natural hazards in the Bay of Plenty. Its development incorporated evolving national guidance and innovative community engagement, and also addressed the needs of stakeholders. The CAP judges praised the entrys thorough and innovative approach and its recognition of diversity, engagement and the need for simplicity. They also noted the relevance of the project in the context of climate change, hazards and other resilience challenges across the Commonwealth. Great planning skills were displayed and their story was well told, they say. Another New Zealand project was also recognised and awarded one of two commendations at the CAP awards. The Te Tai Tokerau Papakainga Toolkit project is a guidance tool to help Maori land owners navigate the planning process when doing papakainga housing developments on ancestral land. This project was a collaboration between Barker and Associates, the Far North District Council, Kaipara District Council, Northland Regional Council and Whangarei District Council. The Bay of Plenty project had earlier won the New Zealand Planning Institutes 2017 Best Practice Award for District or Regional Plans, while the Toolkit project won a 2018 best practice award for non-statutory planning. We are very pleased to have two local planning projects receive such high international recognition, says chief executive of the New Zealand Planning Institute David Curtis. Its a great vote of confidence in the work being done here and sets an example to other planners throughout New Zealand. This is especially important as it was the first time the awards have been made. The bar has been set, and it is very high. Bay of Plenty You will be operating the Roller and also required to help out the team hands on. You will be working near Bayfair for a... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz Today we are expecting morning cloud clearing to a fine day. Also a light wind and sea breezes. Its a three-clothing layer day today with a high of 21 and an overnight low of 10 degrees. Humidity is 81 per cent. Low tide is at 1.20pm and high tide at 7.30 pm.(Tay Street times). Theres a sea swell of 0.2m and the water temperature is 16 degrees. Sunset today is at 7.36pm. If youre going fishing, the next best fish bite time is between 11.30am and 1.30pm. In NZ history on this day in 1913 violence flared on Wellington wharves. Violent clashes between unionised waterside workers and non-union labour erupted two days after Wellingtons wharfies held a stopwork meeting in support of striking shipwrights. In world history on this day in 1648 the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia ended the German Thirty Years War. In 1836 the match was patented. In 1861 Western Union completed the first transcontinental telegraph line, putting the Pony Express out of business. In 1897 the first comic strip appeared in the Sunday colour supplement of the New York Journal called the Yellow Kid. In 1901 Annie Edson Taylor, 63, was the first woman to go safely over Niagara Falls in a barrel. She made the attempt for the cash award offered, which she put toward the loan on her Texas ranch. In 1916 Henry Ford awarded equal pay to women. In 1929 Black Thursday took place - the first day of the stock market crash which began the Great Depression. In 1934 Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, called Mahatma or Great Soul, resigned from Congress in India. In 1938 the Fair Labor Standards Act became law, establishing the 40-hour work week. In 1945 the United Nations came into existence with the ratification of its charter by the first 29 nations. In 1973 the Yom Kippur War ended. In 2003 the supersonic Concorde jet made its last commercial passenger flight from New York Citys John F. Kennedy International Airport to Londons Heathrow Airport, traveling at twice the speed of sound. In 2008 many stock exchanges worldwide suffered the steepest declines in their histories; the day became known as Bloody Friday. Today is the birthday of Sarah Josepha Hale. Born in 1788 Sarah was a magazine editor and poet whose book Poems for Our Children included Mary Had a Little Lamb which were the first words to be recorded in sound. She once said "It requires but a few threads of hope, for the heart that is skilled in the secret, to weave a web of happiness." To get involved in activities and events, please check out the What's on page on the SunLive website. Have a great day! SODUS, N.Y. -- Wayne County Sheriff's Office deputies have released the names of two people who were fatally shot Monday afternoon in the village of Sodus. Joshua Niles, 28, and Amber Washburn, 24, both of 29 Carlton St., were killed, deputies said. The shooter has not been located. Deputies searched for the suspect through the night and are continuing to look for the shooter. The sheriff's office does not believe murders were a random act, deputies said. "We believe these people were targeted and the general public is not at risk," according to a sheriff's office news release. Sodus schools are closed for the day, "not because there was any sort of threat but to just take every precaution possible," deputies said. The sheriff's office said it will not release specific details about the incident, which may be important to the case, but did acknowledge that there are children in the family and they are being cared for by relatives. The sheriff's office continues to follow leads and tips and hopes to allow residents in the Sodus and East Williamson community to assume a relatively normal routine by later this morning or early afternoon, deputies said. The sheriff's office encourages the public to remain vigilant for unusual activity or something that does not seem normal. Syracuse, N.Y. - John Stage is high on the hog: As of last Thursday, the co-founder of Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is now the majority shareholder of the restaurant chain. "I basically bought back Dinosaur," he said this morning, sitting in the original spot where Dinosaur Bar-B-Que Express opened 30 years ago. "I am the controlling shareholder of Dinosaur." The change means he's ended a nearly decade-long partnership with Soros Strategic Partners, which includes the billionaire investor George Soros. Stage said the parting was mutual. "They were looking to exit," Stage said. "And I did not want to see this go to anyone else." Stage said he now owns 55 to 56 percent of the Dinosaur, a regional barbecue joint that's grown from a express takeout spot in Syracuse to include eight restaurants, a line of bottled products and a cookbook. Stage isn't the sole owner. Fresh Hospitality, a Southern company with investments in regional chains such as Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint, 55 South and Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe, now owns 30 percent of the Dinosaur, Stage said. Long-time local investors remain as partners, including I. Stephen Davis whose company makes Gianelli sausage and Andrew Boucounis, who owns Andy's Produce. Nancy and Larry Luckwaldt also still own a small piece of the Dino pie, Stage said. The eight managing partners at each restaurant also have a stake in the location they oversee, he said. "The Soros guys have been very gracious in this turnover," Stage said. "They made things easy." Now Stage is in charge of a business that has 900 workers. He's bringing all the Dinosaur back-office operations back to Syracuse. "It's liberating," he said. "I can't tell you how happy I am about this." The deal closed on Thursday - 30 years and one week after Stage and Mike Rotella first opened the Dinosaur at 246 W. Willow St. in Syracuse on Oct. 11, 1988. They were high school dropouts, in their late 20s, who'd built up a reputation cooking at motorcycle events. "The first two years, they were pretty rough," Stage said in an interview earlier this year. "We barely paid ourselves. But we never starved. We always had food." In those first years, they learned more about smoking meat and developing sauces. In 1991, they expanded into what's now the bar area. Three years later, the Dinosaur started bottling sauces. The restaurant expanded into Rochester in 1998, and a cookbook followed. Today, Dinosaur barbecue is sold at the Buffalo Bills' New Era Field. In Syracuse, it's become one of the best-known spots in the city, with frequent plugs by ESPN before or after Syracuse University games and even visits by a past president. Rotella is no longer a partner, Stage said today, but the two are still friendly. Stage declined today to say how much the transaction cost or how he put together equity to buy out the Soros group. But he didn't hold back on his enthusiasm when talking about bringing the Dinosaur - the majority ownership and all of its corporate staff - back to Syracuse. "It's actually thrilling," Stage said today. "It's been a hell of a 10 years." Stage said the partnership with the Soroses began in 2008. It became public soon after; at one point some of the Soros family names were on the liquor license for the Dinosaur's Harlem restaurant. Stage declined today to relive that financial decision in detail. It came about, in part, after early Dinosaur investors Larry and Nancy Luckwaldt sold many of their shares to the Soroses. He did say that a decade ago he was looking to expand the Dinosaur brand. But he hadn't planned on expanding so rapidly. Seven Dinosaur restaurants opened from 2010 to 2015. Two have closed: Chicago in 2016 and Baltimore in 2018. (The eight restaurants are in Syracuse, Rochester, Troy, Buffalo, Harlem, Brooklyn, Newark, N.J., and Stamford, Conn.) He also hadn't anticipated the criticism he received after partnering with Soros, a political activist who frequently supports Democratic and progressive causes. "It was a very polarizing decision," he said, adding that he still has never met George Soros. The pushback came at a time when the Internet - with customer-based platforms like Yelp and Instagram - gave customers more space to publicly review and lambast restaurants. "It was the first time to get slaughtered on the Internet," Stage said. "It stung like hell. But I've got a really thick skin." In the end, Stage said, the partnership with the Soroses didn't hurt sales or drive staff away. But with a minority stake in the business, he was no longer able to call all the shots. He said today he felt like he was working in limbo. That feeling began to change in 2016, when he and Paul Messina opened Apizza Regionale, a wood-fired pizza restaurant across the street from the original Dinosaur in Syracuse. Apizza has a smaller footprint than some of the Dinosaur spots he was opening in larger cities. At Apizza, Messina and Stage had more autonomy to make decisions - from food vendors to menu choices. "It rekindled my love for the restaurant business," he said. "It became fun again." Going forward, Stage said he's not planning any major changes for the Dinosaur chain. Instead, he's planning to regroup. He's hired a chief operating officer, Mike Nugent from the Rochester area, who will handle day-to-day operations. Stage said he still oversees the operations as an advisor. He splits his time between New York City and Syracuse - and he recently found a new apartment in Syracuse. Customers may start to see a few "tweaks" in coming months, but he didn't offer any hints. "The plan for Dinosaur is to look internally," he said. "I want to put everything into the restaurants." Years of declining milk prices and heightened dairy farm foreclosures have left New York's agricultural industry at a crossroads between product demand and economic profitability. But with the arrival of industrial hemp as a prospective state commodity, New York farmers are finding new friends in high places. When SUNY Morrisville's Jennifer Gilbert Jenkins was first approached by entrepreneurs interested in growing industrial hemp under New York State's new research pilot program three years ago, she anticipated it would be a minor side project to her career based in soil chemistry. But after stepping foot in her first industrial hemp field, there was no turning back. "This isn't just for some wacko hippies," she said. PHOTOS: All about industrial hemp in New York State 12 Gallery: PHOTOS: All about industrial hemp in New York State SUNY Morrisville was the first academic institution to take part in Gov. Andrew Cuomo's 2015 Industrial Hemp Agricultural Research Pilot program, volunteering as the experimental guinea pigs in an industry that has since taken the state by storm. Under the first iteration of the pilot program, private institutions had to partner with academic institutions to conduct research. JD Farms, an organic farm located in Eaton, collaborated with SUNY Morrisville to plant the first batch of hemp in 2016, marking the first time New York would see a hemp harvest in more than 80 years. In 2016, only 30 acres of New York's farmland was dedicated to growing hemp. Roughly 3,500 acres have been set aside for industrial hemp research in 2018 alone. For state farmers who have been struggling due to declines in the dairy industry, hemp has proven itself to be a viable contender for the state's evolving agricultural landscape. Daniel Dolgin, co-owner of JD Farms, said he and his business partner, Mark Justh, first became interested in the pilot program due to the explosive nature of hemp's imports market share. A 2016 report conducted by Vote Hemp and Hemp Business Journal estimated $688 million in annual retail sales of hemp products. "When the bill came out establishing the research pilot program, we had thought that hemp was a really interesting crop, and that it could really be something that farmers could use in Upstate New York," Dolgin said. "We wanted to kind of be a flagbearer for the industry." Former President Barack Obama defined industrial hemp as a distinct crop from marijuana in the 2014 U.S. Farm Bill, authorizing higher education institutions and state agricultural departments to give the green light to "regulate and conduct research and pilot programs." But with its classification as a Schedule 1 drug still in effect, the path toward cultivating industrial hemp hasn't been an easy one. Because of its label as a Schedule 1 narcotic, Dolgin said getting the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) permit required for planting the first crop was the biggest hurdle he and Justh faced. "We had to have an armed guard present while we planted them, to make sure no seed went missing," Dolgin said. "Looking back, it's sort of ridiculous when you think about how there's no THC and it's actually a very harmless crop." Thank you Mother Nature for the bountiful hemp harvest. And @gianfortefarm for running your big green machine as always. Look for product launches featuring these very seeds over @eatonhemp #EatonHemp #JDFarms #OrganicHemp #Organic #Hemp #HempHarvest2018 #Harvest #Superfoods #SuperSeeds Posted by JD Farms on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 Despite its relationship with marijuana, industrial hemp contains less than 0.3% of THC, the psychoactive compound responsible for marijuana's distinct high. But its connection to marijuana has long overshadowed the potential advantages of the crop, making its pathway to legalization an uphill battle. "There's just a lot of misperceptions and confusion about what the difference is in terms of hemp and marijuana, and I think because of that, the benefits of hemp have really gotten buried," Dolgin said. "We compare it to eating a poppy seed bagel -- you're not going to test positive for opiates if you eat a poppy seed bagel." Hemp has long been regarded as a superfood in the natural health community, noted for its protein content, omega-3 and 6 fatty acids and high levels of fiber and magnesium. From food products to textiles and biofuel, industrial hemp has proven its versatility across industries. "I am not one of those people who think hemp is a lifesaver and is the end-all, be-all of crops," Gilbert Jenkins said. "But I think as we move forward, we need to diversify our crop rotations, and this is a really nice option for bringing economic prosperity." Nearly three harvest seasons later, Cuomo's vision for hemp has helped take New York farmers to unchartered territory, advancing market research and demand in ways unprecedented. But the stigma of its relationship to marijuana has limited its expansion from reaching its full potential. "At the federal level, it is classified as marijuana," Gilbert Jenkins said. "We have an attorney general right now who is just set on not seeing science, and not understanding that there is a difference between these plants and not understanding that what he's doing is actually hurting our economy." Good morning, Mustang Nation! We visited the test plots for industrial hemp this morning, and things are coming along... Posted by SUNY Morrisville on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 While U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has upheld the strict prohibition of hemp as a classified drug, some conservative politicians are beginning to see the potential impact hemp products could have on a stagnant sector of the national economy. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) introduced new legislation in April that would declassify non-psychoactive cannabis varieties -- more commonly referred to as hemp -- from the Controlled Substances Act. The legislative proposal comes as part of McConnell's Hemp Farming Act of 2018, which would remove barriers placed on banking access and water rights in addition to legalizing the crop. For Upstate New York farmers, the prospect of hemp's legalization would provide an opportunity to revamp an agriculture industry devastated by sharp declines in dairy production. The number of dairy farms in New York has decreased by 27% in the last decade, with no end in sight. A combination of global overproduction of milk and increasing demand for non-dairy alternatives have crippled farmers whose livelihoods are often built on familial farms, passed down between generations. For many red-blooded farmers living in America's heartlands, agribusinesses are not just a means of putting food on the table. The legacy of farming runs through their veins, and the devastation happening within the industry is just as much a personal blow as it is a financial one. Milk is currently the state's number one commodity, but farmers will have to offer some flexibility in their crop rotations to turn a profit. "The dairy industry is really in trouble, and so, one of the things that I find really important is finding value-added products," Gilbert Jenkins said. "I am not an et. al scientist, I am not a dairy farmer, but I know about the crops that they grow. Having an opportunity to grow a crop -- even on just a portion of the acres -- that could bring in new income." Dolgin said his farm's experimentation with industrial hemp has allowed it to pursue a new variety of hemp-based food products, lending way to the launch of their organic snack brand, Eaton Hemp, this fall. Dolgin said hemp's legalization could be the seed planted that revitalizes the future of New York's agricultural landscape. "Federal legislation will certainly spur demand and interest, and you will start to see hemp being grown on more of a mass scale," Dolgin said. "I think you'll hopefully start to see it compete with soy and corn, and that's when you know it's truly hit the big time. I think it will move to becoming a true agricultural commodity." North Syracuse, N.Y. - Last year, Stan Munro and his wife built a school bus on their lawn and filled it with skeletons. The year before they had a pirate ship. Before that, a dragon skeleton. This year, they had been planning to do a Dracula castle. But the lawn on Sandra Drive has a few skeletons, including one that's getting dialysis. And there's an apology for such a small display. Munro explained the situation in a Facebook post: "Our Halloween Lawn this year states simply: "We're sorry our display is so small this year, but we've been running around with our heads cut off.." (skeletons doing chores with their head's off--not a bad joke--just a bit too real... We were planning to do a HUGE Dracula's Castle!!, but unfortunately, Suzi's 7.5-year double-transplant has run its course, and we are... currently accepting prayers (in lieu of tricks or treats)... Sorry so serious, but we're a little scared this year, and we prefer to fight fear with humor... And with your prayers, we'll be back BIGGER THAN EVER Next Year!!! Thank you! God Bless!...vote." Suzi is Suzi Campanaro, Munro's wife. Munro is the Toothpick Man, who has built everything from Fenway Park to the Hungarian Parliament out of toothpicks. His toothpick displays have traveled the world and are currently on display at the MOST. In nearly every one those crazy, intricate sculptures, built on a scale that's 164th of reality, is a nod to Munro's wife. He always tucks her name, "Suzi", somewhere in the design. You can see it here, in front peak of the Hungarian Parliament. A toothpick version of the Hungarian Parliament building, built by Toothpick Man Stan Munro, has his wife's name cut out of the front. Suzi is gravely ill and the couple is not putting on a massive Halloween lawn display for the first time in more than a decade. Munro said Campanaro, who had a liver-kidney transplant a little more than seven years ago, will be having heart surgery soon. And she needs another kidney transplant. "We are very grateful for everyone's prayers and kind words," Munro said. "And we plan on having the biggest lawn display every next year!" Marnie Eisenstadt is an enterprise reporter who writes about people, life and culture in Central New York. Have an idea or question? Contact her anytime: email | twitter | Facebook | 315-470-2246 Post-congressional debate panel with Chris Baker Live video: Join syracuse.coms Chris Baker and a couple members of the local political community as they analyze the congressional debate. Posted by syracuse.com on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 The two candidates for New York's 24th Congressional District will participate in a live debate sponsored by syracuse.com and The Post-Standard at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 24. The event will be live-streamed on Syracuse.com and Facebook Live from the news outlet's Merchants Commons headquarters. The hourlong debate will be moderated by Marie Morelli, editorial/opinion leader for syracuse.com, and Chris Baker, public policy reporter. The candidates are U.S. Rep. John Katko, running for re-election as a Republican, and Dana Balter, running as a Democrat. The candidates will answer questions from 7 to 8 p.m. The live event concludes with debate analysis by a panel. Democrat Michael Greene was appointed in January to fill a vacancy on the Syracuse Common Council. Now he's running to retain his seat. In his short time on the council, Greene has been an advocate for changes to the police contract to bring down personnel and overtime costs, a pilot project to clear high-traffic sidewalks of snow, legislation expanding the availability of food trucks, and changes to zoning law that make the city friendlier to pedestrians and bicyclists. We believe Greene has earned his spot on the council. The editorial board endorses him over Green Party candidate Frank Cetera, a small business development counselor, and Republican Norm Snyder, an entrepreneur. Both ran unsuccessfully for at-large seats last year. Greene works in property management, and has a background in economic development and labor relations. He wants to focus on fighting poverty through improving housing stability in the city and building up business corridors on South Avenue, James Street and North Salina Street. He voted for a law that mandates rental inspections every three years. Greene said the council's next priority should be tackling the lead problem in the city's aging housing stock. He supports expanding citywide the Walsh administration's pilot project to clear sidewalks in winter. The challenge will be paying for it; the city may have to tax property owners based on their sidewalk frontage, Greene said. Cetera offers a vision of radical transparency in city government. He would shift resources from policing to mental health and drug treatment. He supports a $15 "living wage," and promotes employee ownership of companies to let workers share the wealth they are creating. Cetera also favors boosting city finances by enacting an income tax on people who work in the city. We fear that would drive even more employers to leave Syracuse, further eroding the tax base. Snyder's argument for electing a Republican is to point to the condition of the city under Democrats - impoverished, crime-ridden and a difficult place to do business. He would hire more police officers, in addition to the class Mayor Ben Walsh just hired, because people are afraid and police don't always come when called. Compared to the other candidates, Snyder's platform is light on policy and specifics. Ten months ago, Greene was a long shot to be appointed to the council, but he aced the job interview by presenting a stack of ideas to make Syracuse better. Let's see what more he can do. Why we endorse The purpose of an editorial endorsement is to provide a thoughtful assessment of the choices voters face in an election. We offer editorial endorsements to stimulate the public conversation and promote civic engagement. Voting is a right and an obligation of citizenship. That part is up to you. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6. Syracuse.com editorials Editorials represent the collective opinion of the Advance Media New York editorial board. Our opinions are independent of news coverage. Read our Members of the editorial board are Tim Kennedy, Jason Murray and Marie Morelli. To respond to this editorial: Post a comment below, or submit a letter or commentary to . Read our If you have questions about the Opinions & Editorials section, contact Marie Morelli, editorial/opinion leader, at The last time Will Barclay faced a challenger for his seat in the Assembly was in 2008, when he soundly defeated Democrat Jerome Burns. Barclay, R- Pulaski, is being challenged by Gail Tosh, a Democrat. Tosh, 50, a political newcomer, says she has the skills and knowledge to hold office. Barclay, who will turn 50 in January, was elected to the Assembly in 2002. In 2007, he ran for Senate, losing to Daniel Aubertine. A partner in the Barclay Damon law firm, Barclay comes from a political family. His father, H. Douglas Barclay, was a longtime senator and former ambassador to El Salvador. Barclay, who is on the Energy, Insurance, Judiciary, Rules and Ways and Means committees, also is the deputy minority leader of the Assembly. Barclay is a graduate of St. Lawrence University and Syracuse University College of Law. He lives in Pulaski. He and his wife, Margaret, have two sons. Tosh, a Jamesville-DeWitt High School graduate who now lives in Lysander, graduated from Empire State College, with a bacholor's degree in social theory, social structure and change, and a concentration in leadership. A whole languages specialist, she also is a chicken farmer. Tosh ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Lysander Town Board in 2017. She and her wife, Jennifer Lawrence, have two children. Republicans have an advantage in the 120th Assembly District with 35,642 enrolled voters vs. 19,825 Democrats. There are 17,416 people not enrolled in a party. The district covers most Oswego County and parts of northern Onondaga County and southern Jefferson County. Barclay has $57,410.17 in campaign contributions in 2018, while Tosh has $5,598.13 in campaign contributions for the same time period, according to the New York State Board of Elections. Why are you running for office? Gail Tosh: "I want to make sure there is someone between us and our federal government - and that's state government,'' she said. For example, Tosh said New York state passed the marriage equality law before the federal government. "It's important to have gay and lesbian leaders to run interference between what the federal government might do and what is actually right,'' she said. Tosh said she's "nervous about the tack the federal government is taking," and as an Assembly member she'd watch out for that, she said. Will Barclay: Barclay said he first ran for the job because he has a long history here and he wants to ensure there are opportunities for his children and other young people who want to stay here. "This job is a great challenge, and I want to continue on,'' he said. The area's economy remains "the biggest struggle in upstate NY," and Barclay said he wants to keep doing what he can to help boost it. What do you see as the biggest issue in your district? Tosh: The high cost of health insurance and health care. Tosh said she supports the New York Health Act, which would establish a universal single payer health plan that would provide comprehensive health coverage for all state residents. The New York Health Act also will help small businesses, she said. She said as an Assembly member, she would actively work to get the act passed by the state Senate and become law. Tosh said lack of meaningful employment, the state of education and property taxes are other areas that need to be addressed. "We need to bring jobs back, and we need to do that through more education, adult education in science, technology, engineering and math; and more vocational training,'' she said. She also advocates for improving the state's infrastructure which would help create jobs. Barclay: The biggest issue in the district is the economy, Barclay said. "We can't seem to get the recovery the rest of the country has, and we continue to struggle with the cost of doing business here and the the higher taxes, plus onerous regulations,'' he said. What can be done to spur the local economy? Tosh: "Small businesses are under attack,'' she said. "We need to make it easier for them to stay afloat. They are the engine of our economy." Tosh suggests the government loosen its regulations on small businesses so they can flourish. Barclay: "There is a war on small businesses,'' Barclay said. "It's death by 1,000 cuts." Policies such as paid family leave seem like a great idea in a vacuum, he said, but when a small business is looking at 12 weeks paid leave for an employer it can put a big strain on it. "We have to push back on some of these mandates,'' he said. What tax policies would you change? Tosh: Property taxes - and what goes on with your money when it gets to Albany. There also has to be more transparency, she said. She also believes the federal government's new tax plan hurts the middle class, and wants to work to change that. Barclay: Property taxes. He said there is an inequitable school aid formula where the wealthier districts get state aid and the poorer district don't, and that needs to be changed. He also supports a proposed bill that would support a phased-in state takeover of Medicaid. Republican Chele Farley criticized U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand for taking a stand Monday on the redevelopment of Interstate 81, saying the senator had no business interfering in a community decision. "I saw that the senator came out basically for the community grid," Farley said. "I frankly think that it is up to the community to determine what they think is best." Farley, an investment banker from Manhattan, made her comments during a telephone interview with the editorial board of syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Earlier in the day, Gillibrand came out in favor of building a street-level community grid to replace the 1.4-mile viaduct that carries Interstate 81 through downtown Syracuse. The New York Democrat had previously declined to take a position on any of the options to redevelop the elevated highway. Those options include a tunnel and rebuilding the viaduct along its existing route. Farley said she won't offer an opinion on any of the options. "I think it's a little offensive for me to make a decision for Syracuse," Farley said. "Let Syracuse decide, but then it's my job to get the money and bring it back so the project could get funded quickly and it could happen." The federal government typically pays 80 percent of the cost of interstate highway projects. Farley, 51, won the GOP nomination for the Senate race in March. She is trying to become the first Republican to win a statewide election in New York since George Pataki was elected to a third term as governor in 2002. Farley and Gillibrand, 51, of Brunswick in Rensselaer County, will participate in one debate before the Nov. 6 election. They agreed Sunday to debate for 30 minutes at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the WABC studios in Manhattan. Other ABC affiliates in the state will have the option of airing the program. Gillibrand on Friday declined to take part in an hour-long debate planned at Skidmore College. She cited a labor dispute involving the parent company of Spectrum News and NY1, which had planned to air the event. Contact Mark Weiner: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A group of district attorneys are suing over New York state's new, first-in-the-nation prosecutor conduct commission. The District Attorneys Association of the State of New York and two individual DAs filed a complaint in Albany Supreme Court last week. They are seeking to block the creation of the commission. Gov. Andrew Cuomo in August signed a bill into law establishing the first commission in the country to investigate claims of prosecutorial misconduct. The bill was sponsored by Sen. John DeFrancisco, the retiring 26-year senator who represents parts of Syracuse and Central New York. It sets up an 11-member panel to reviews claims against district attorneys and their assistants. The panel would recommend discipline, including removal, to the governor, who already has the power to dismiss district attorneys. Critics, including from the DA's group DAASNY have lamented the bill for months, calling it unconstitutional. DAASNY lobbied against the bill up until its signing. Their latest legal challenge alleges the commission violates separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches, according to a report by The New York Law Journal. The bill gives members of the Legislature and judiciary the ability to appoint members to the commission. DAASNY is asking the court for a preliminary injunction to prohibit the Legislature from establishing the commission, according to a copy of the 27-page complaint obtained by the NY Law Journal. Cuomo, upon signing the bill, promised to address certain concerns among critics through an amendment during the Legislature's next session. Cuomo spokesman Tyrone Stevens told the NYLJ the governor's office was confident it could surmount the lawsuit. "We believe in a fair and equal justice system that place no one above the law and ensures officers of the court are held accountable to upholding this fundamental standard," Stevens said. Public Affairs Reporter Julie McMahon covers courts, government and other issues affecting taxpayers. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992 What channel is the gubernatorial debate on in New York? Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican challenger Marc Molinaro will face off tonight (Tuesday, Oct. 23) in their only debate for the N.Y. governor's race. The Associated Press reports Cuomo, a Democrat seeking a third term, agreed to a one-on-event with the Dutchess County executive after weeks of uncertainty. The event will be taped this afternoon at WCBS-TV studios in New York City and broadcast at 7 p.m. on WCBS, and mostly on CBS affiliates across the rest of the Empire State. The debate will air at 7 p.m. on the following TV channels in Upstate New York: Syracuse: WSTQ (CW6) Buffalo: WIVB (News 4/CBS) Albany: WCWN (CW15) Rochester: WROC (News 8/CBS) Utica: Livestream only at Binghamton: WBNG (12 News/CBS) Watertown: WWNY (7 News/CBS) Elmira: WENY (News 36/CBS) Some TV stations will livestream the debate in addition to airing it on television. In the Syracuse area, CNY Central will air the debate on its CW6 channel as well as its website and Facebook page. Cuomo has held a strong lead in the polls throughout his reelection campaign, including over Democratic primary challenger Cynthia Nixon. In a Siena College poll earlier this month, Cuomo held a 50-28 lead over Molinaro in a six-person field; Nixon had 10 percent as a Working Families Party candidate, the other three had combined support of four percent, and eight percent were still undecided. Nixon debated Cuomo in August before losing the Democratic primary race last month. Third party candidates, including Nixon, Libertarian Larry Sharpe, Green Party nominee Howie Hawkins and Independent Stephanie Miner, will not be a part of Tuesday's debate. They're not expected to debate Cuomo before next month's election. Hawkins, who placed third in the 2016 election, called Cuomo "cowardly" for refusing to debate him and made his point by recently debating a man dressed as a chicken. Molinaro had frequently challenged Cuomo to a debate, and Cuomo finally agreed on Saturday. Molinaro told the AP that one debate is insufficient to cover issues for Upstate New York voters; he wants at least two more, held in Buffalo and the Southern Tier. "As usual, the forgotten upstate New Yorker is getting screwed by Andrew Cuomo," Molinaro said. Tuesday's showdown is expected to be the only gubernatorial debate in New York before the 2018 general election on Nov. 6. According to The New York Times, the event will be moderated by WCBS reporter Marcia Kramer and WCBS Radio reporter Rich Lamb. There will be no opening or closing statements, and both candidates will be seated. NEW ORLEANS - An oil spill that has been quietly leaking millions of barrels into the Gulf of Mexico has gone unplugged for so long that it now verges on becoming one of the worst offshore disasters in U.S. history. Between 300 and 700 barrels of oil per day have been spewing from a site 12 miles off the Louisiana coast since 2004, when an oil-production platform owned by Taylor Energy sank in a mudslide triggered by Hurricane Ivan. Many of the wells have not been capped, and federal officials estimate that the spill could continue through this century. With no fix in sight, the Taylor offshore spill is threatening to overtake BP's Deepwater Horizon disaster as the largest ever. As oil continues to spoil the Gulf, the Trump administration is proposing the largest expansion of leases for the oil and gas industry, with the potential to open nearly the entire outer continental shelf to offshore drilling. That includes the Atlantic coast, where drilling hasn't happened in more than a century and where hurricanes hit with double the regularity of the Gulf. Expansion plans come despite fears that the offshore oil industry is poorly regulated and that the planet needs to decrease fossil fuels to combat climate change, as well as the knowledge that 14 years after Ivan took down Taylor's platform, the broken wells are releasing so much oil that researchers needed respirators to study the damage. "I don't think people know that we have this ocean in the United States that's filled with industry," said Scott Eustis, an ecologist for the Gulf Restoration Network, as his six-seat plane circled the spill site on a flyover last summer. On the horizon, a forest of oil platforms rose up from the Gulf's waters, and all that is left of the doomed Taylor platform are rainbow-colored oil slicks that are often visible for miles. He cannot imagine similar development in the Atlantic, where the majority of coastal state governors, lawmakers, attorneys general and residents have aligned against the administration's proposal. The Taylor Energy spill is largely unknown outside Louisiana because of the company's effort to keep it secret in the hopes of protecting its reputation and proprietary information about its operations, according to a lawsuit that eventually forced the company to reveal its cleanup plan. The spill was hidden for six years before environmental watchdog groups stumbled on oil slicks while monitoring the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster a few miles north of the Taylor site in 2010. The Interior Department is fighting an effort by Taylor Energy to walk away from the disaster. The company sued Interior in federal court, seeking the return of about $450 million left in a trust it established with the government to fund its work to recover part of the wreckage and locate wells buried under 100 feet of muck. Taylor Energy declined to comment. The company has argued that there's no evidence to prove any of the wells are leaking. Last month, the Justice Department submitted an independent analysis showing that the spill was much larger than the one-to-55 barrels per day that the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center (NRC) claimed, using data supplied by the oil company. The author of the analysis, Oscar Garcia-Pineda, a geoscience consultant who specializes in remote sensing of oil spills, said there were several instances when the NRC reported low estimates on the same days he was finding heavy layers of oil in the field. "There is abundant evidence that supports the fact that these reports from NRC are incorrect," Garcia-Pineda wrote. Later he said: "My conclusion is that NRC reports are not reliable." In an era of climate change and warmer open waters, the storms are becoming more frequent and violent. Starting with Ivan in 2004, several hurricanes battered or destroyed more than 150 platforms in just four years. On average, 330,000 gallons of crude are spilled each year in Louisiana from offshore platforms and onshore oil tanks, according to a state agency that monitors them. The Gulf is one of the richest and most productive oil and gas regions in the world, expected to yield more than 600 million barrels this year alone, nearly 20 percent of the total U.S. oil production. Another 40 billion barrels rest underground, waiting to be recovered, government analysts say. About 2,000 platforms stand in the waters off the Bayou State. Nearly 2,000 others are off the coasts of its neighbors, Texas and Mississippi. On top of that are nearly 50,000 miles of active and inactive pipelines carrying oil and minerals to the shore. And the costs are high. For every 1,000 wells in state and federal waters, there's an average of 20 uncontrolled releases of oil - or blowouts - every year. A fire erupts offshore every three days, on average, and hundreds of workers are injured annually. BP has paid or set aside $66 billion for fines, legal settlements and cleanup of the 168 million-gallon spill - a sum that the oil giant could, painfully, afford. But many companies with Gulf leases and drilling operations are small, financially at-risk and hard-pressed to pay for an accident approaching that scale. One of them was Taylor Energy. - - - Taylor Energy was a giant in New Orleans. Owned by Patrick Taylor, a magnate and philanthropist who launched an ambitious college scholarship program for low-income students, it was once the only individually owned company to explore for and produce oil in the Gulf of Mexico, according to his namesake foundation. Taylor made what was arguably his most ambitious transaction in 1995, when he took over an oil-production platform once operated by BP. Standing in more than 450 feet of water, it was about 40 stories tall. Its legs were pile-driven into the muddy ocean floor and funnels were attached to 28 drilled oil wells. At its peak, the oil company helped make Taylor and his wife, Phyllis, the richest couple in the Big Easy. That investment was obliterated on Sept. 15, 2004, when Hurricane Ivan unleashed 145 mph winds and waves that topped 70 feet as it roared into the Gulf. Deep underwater, the Category 4 storm shook loose tons of mud and buckled the platform. The avalanche sank the colossal structure and knocked it "170 meters down slope of its original location," researcher Sarah Josephine Harrison wrote in a postmortem of the incident. More than 620 barrels of crude oil stacked on its deck came tumbling down with it. The sleeves that conducted oil from its wells were mangled and ripped away. A mixture of steel and leaking oil was buried in 150 feet of mud. Less than two months after the storm, Patrick F. Taylor died of a heart infection at 67, leaving a fortune for philanthropy and a massive cleanup bill. Taylor Energy reported the spill to the Coast Guard, which monitored the site for more than half a decade without making the public fully aware of the mess it was seeing. Four years after the leak started, in July 2008, the Coast Guard informed the company that the spill had been deemed "a continuous, unsecured crude oil discharge" that posed "a significant threat to the environment," according to a lawsuit between Taylor Energy and its insurer. Taylor Energy made a deal with federal officials to establish a $666 million trust to stop the spill. It would be a delicate, risky operation. Taylor and the contractors it hired were asked to somehow locate wells in a nearly impenetrable grave of mud and debris, then cap them. Failing that, it could create a device to contain the leak. But they were forbidden from boring or drilling through the muck for fear that they would strike a pipe or well, risking the kind of catastrophe on the scale of the BP disaster a few miles south. That precaution slowed the pace of the salvage operation. "We had no idea that any of that was going on," said Marylee Orr, executive director of the Louisiana Environmental Action Network. Taylor Energy spent a fortune to pluck the deck of the platform from the ocean and plug about a third of the wells. It built a kind of shield to keep the crude from rising. But no matter what it did, the oil kept leaking. - - - In 2010, six years after the oil leak started, scientists studying the BP spill realized something was amiss with the oil slicks they were seeing. "We were flying to monitor the BP disaster and we kept seeing these slicks, but they were nowhere near the BP spill," said Cynthia Sarthou, executive director of the Gulf Restoration Network, which monitors the water from boats and planes. Satellite images confirmed the oddity. "It was there all the time, longer than the BP spill," said John Amos, founder and president of Sky Truth, a nonprofit organization that tracks pollution. Under the Oil Pollution Act, companies are obligated to report hazardous spills to the NRC, which maintains a database of chemical pollution. No law compels the companies or the federal government to raise public awareness, but the Clean Water Act clearly calls for citizen involvement. Environmentalists took Taylor Energy to court. In their lawsuit, the conservationists called the agreement between Taylor Energy and the federal government a secret deal "that was inconsistent with national policy." That policy, they argued, was made clear in the Clean Water Act, which mandates "public participation in the . . . enforcement of any regulation." Citizen participation, the act says, "shall be provided for, encouraged and assisted." Taylor Energy and the Coast Guard - which is part of a Unified Command of federal agencies that includes the Interior Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency - did not live up to the policy. In fact, the public wasn't made aware of the spill even after a private firm tested fish in the area and submitted an assessment to Taylor Energy in 2009 that said "there is an acceptable risk to humans if fish from the . . . area are consumed." "Taylor has failed to provide the public with information regarding the pace and extent of the oil leaks and Taylor's efforts to control the leaks," the lawsuit said. It would take another three years before the government revealed an even deeper truth. Taylor Energy had been playing down the severity of the spill. An Associated Press investigation in 2015 determined that it was about 20 times worse than the company had reported. Taylor Energy had argued that the leak was two gallons per day; the Coast Guard finally said it was 84 gallons or more, and was almost certainly coming from any of 16 wells. "There's a fine for not reporting, but none for underreporting," Amos said. "If it's only three gallons a day, who cares, that's a trivial problem." - - - Nearly a decade after the oil platform went down, the government determined that the actual level of oil leaking into the Gulf was between one and 55 barrels per day. Now, the new estimate dwarfs that: up to 700 barrels per day. Each barrel contains 42 gallons. Despite that finding, NOAA is still in the early stages of a resource assessment of marine life that could explain the impact of the Taylor Energy spill, and is more than three years behind a deadline to issue a biological determination of the BP spill's impact on marine life. In July, Earthjustice, a nonprofit legal organization that represents conservation groups, sued NOAA for failing to produce a timely study. Like Eustis, Amos said Atlantic coast residents should be wary. But in that region, where beaches and tourism enrich nearly every state, distrust over offshore leasing and drilling is bipartisan. Governors, state lawmakers and attorneys general lashed out at the administration's proposal. New Jersey passed a law that forbids oil and infrastructure in state waters three miles from shore, crippling any effort to run pipelines from platforms to the shore. Other states passed similar laws. In the Carolinas, where Hurricane Florence's winds topped 150 mph and produced a monster 83-foot wave as it neared landfall, governors who represent both political parties implored Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to rethink the plan. Meanwhile, in the Gulf, Taylor Energy was down to a single employee - its president, William Pecue. At a 2016 public forum in Baton Rouge, Pecue made the case for allowing the company to walk away from its obligation to clean up the mess. Taylor Energy had been sold to a joint venture of South Korean companies in 2008, the same year it started the $666 million trust. A third of the money had been spent on cleanup, and only a third of the leaking wells had been fixed. But Pecue wanted to recover $450 million, arguing the spill could not be contained. "I can affirmatively say that we do believe this was an act of God under the legal definition," Pecue said. In other words, Taylor Energy had no control over the hurricane. But Ivan was no freak storm. It was one of more than 600 that have been tracked in the Gulf since records were kept in the mid-1800s, according to NOAA. Fourteen years after the Taylor spill, and 10 years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster, the federal government still doesn't know the spills' full impact on marine life. And there is no economic analysis showing the value of the oil flowing into the sea and potential royalties lost to taxpayers. Activists also want an analysis to determine if oil is ruining marshland and making its way to beaches. "Even though oil did not reach a lot of these beaches [during the BP spill], the fact that the public heard about it, it killed the beach economy for quite some time," Sarthou said. "You don't want to go to a beach with tar balls or oil washing up." At the time, Sarthou was unaware that Garcia-Pineda was conducting a study in the Gulf that would show the spill was far worse than imagined - up to 10 times worse than what the federal government was reporting. As the saga in the Gulf plays out, wary officials on the Atlantic coast are anxiously watching President Donald Trump's proposal to offer federal offshore leases. It would take at least a decade for Atlantic drilling to start. The industry would first want to conduct seismic testing to determine the amount of oil and gas in the ground. Depending on the results, companies would bid for the leases. Interior has yet to approve seismic testing, which some studies say harms marine life, including large mammals such as dolphins and whales. Oil and gas representatives say energy development off that coast could provide South Carolina with $2.7 billion in annual economic growth, 35,000 jobs and potentially lower heating costs for residents struggling to pay their bills. During a federal informational hearing in South Carolina to explain the Trump administration's plan in February, Mark Harmon, the director of a state unit of the American Petroleum Institute, stressed that point. "Ultimately, it means the potential for jobs and reinvestment in the community," he said. Once the oil industry gains a foothold in a region, it's game over, said Chris Eaton, an Earthjustice attorney. "A major part of the economy starts to change" as jobs with pay approaching $100,000 transform a tourism market to oil. "If it gets going, that train isn't going to stop," he said. "Let's talk about what's happening in the Gulf before we move into the Atlantic." Dover, N.J. -- A fire in the business district of a town in New Jersey caused multiple buildings to collapse on Monday. The fire broke out at about 3:30 p.m. at a three-story structure in Dover, New Jersey, about 40 miles outside New York City, according to WABC in New York. The building included retail space on the first floor and apartments on the upper floors. The fire quickly spread to other buildings, WABC said. Over a dozen fire departments responded to the blaze, according to The Associated Press. At least four buildings partially collapsed. Over 200 firefighters were involved in the response, according to NBC New York. The fire burned for hours because it was fed by natural gas lines, according to NBC. The gas to the area was eventually turned off. No injuries were reported. The cause of the blaze has not been determined, NBC said. At least six businesses were destroyed by the fire and 80 people were displaced, according to WABC. Firefighters were able to get the blaze under control Monday evening, although firefighters were still at the scene addressing hot spots on Tuesday morning. Dover Mayor James Dodd told NBC the town was in the middle of redeveloping its downtown area. "It's very, very difficult," he said, according to WABC. "It's very unfortunate. It's devastating to the people that are losing their homes, that's our concern, and our local businesses, and we're going to do everything we can to help those people who were displaced." Officials believe the fire began in the basement of a restaurant. Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598 airguitar BHPian Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 414 Thanked: 720 Times re: Dussehra in a village - Kulasekharapatnam, TN Tiruchendur needs no introduction ( Kulasekarapatnam doesn't either for many ). It was decided that we need to spend 2 full days at Kulasekarapatnam. Add to it, 1 day for each of the legs of the journey, so 4 days was a bare-minimum. Taking family along was out of question, what with young kids and a tough environment to manage them in. So, a friend and I set out. Skoda Fabia was the ride. About 1700 kms over 4 days, most of it over the first and the last day was the plan. Day 1 Bangalore to Tiruchendur was the plan. But that's easy. Didnt' want to miss out on a number of things we could do the same day en route to Tiruchendur. As long as we got to Tiruchendur by 7 PM, we were fine. Start at 5.15 AM. Breakfast at Saravana Bhavan, Krishnagiri after the Chennai-Salem fork. This is a regular place for us. No more stoppage until just before Kovilapatti for a coffee. The plan was to utilize some time to visit some historical places in Tuticorin Dist. First was Ettaiyapuram. Known for multiple famous people - Subramanya Bharathi, the greate Tamil poet and reformer; Muthuswamy Dikshitar, the famous poet and classical composer; Ettappa, the regional naik that ratted on Veerapandiya Kattabomman to the British. The first place was Ettaiyapuram Palace where Ettappa lived. Currently it is the property of the zamindar descendants of Ettappa. The place is not inhabited now ( well, only by an ostentation of peacocks), it's also quite a bit dilapidated. It's a private property that you are not supposed to trespass. You can ask for the permission at the gate and you may get ( or you may not ). We decided against asking, but the palace is supposed to have some most beautiful murals. The Ettaiyapuram palace and it's current inhabitants (backside. The main entrance is on the other side ) Because Ettappa ratted on Kattabomman, even today in Tamil, we colloquially refer to people that rat on others as Ettappa.Next up was Sri Subramanya Bharathi's home. The great Tamil poet. His house has been converted into a museum and the street is called Bharathi Street. This is where he was born ( for reference, there is also another Bharatiyar house in Triplicane, Chennai where he lived for a few years - that is also worth visiting ). Some pictures. The street where his house is The house itself The place where he was born inside the house The next stop was the Kali temple that he so frequently refers to in his songs, as short drive from there The next stop was the Bharatiyar memorial close by The next stop was the Muthuswamy Dikshitar memorial next to the bus stand. Famous classical composer. The gates were closed, but you can talk to a telephone booth guy opposite the memorial to open it - he manages it. With that, we were done with Ettaiyapuram. The next stop was the historic town of Panchalankurichi, the birth place of the famous, brave king, Veerapandia Kattabomman who fought the British for the fact that they asked him to pay taxes ( and he didn't think the East India Company had any right on it ). Somewhere in between on the highway near Kurukkusalai is the Retta Panamaram - the dual palm tree set. Back to Kattabomman : Through various interesting sequences he was finally captured and hung ( more on that later ) to death. His fort was razed. A few years later, his brother built a new fort at the same place in flat 5 days, which was again razed down by the East India Company officials. Worse, Castor and Kalli plant seeds were sown ( these grow fast and thick and in the absence of machinery it will be impossible to remove them ) so as to prevent another fort from coming up in the place. This town is called 'Veeram Velanja Mannu' or the place where bravery was born. There is a memorial at this place now ( where the original fort once stood ). There is also the Jakkamma temple which was the deity of the king. The entry fee to the memorial is a paltry Rs.2 for adults. Inside are paintings that tell us the story of the great king and his eventual fate. A guide will narrate the story to you. Indian History is full of such Ettappas that helped defeat such Kattabommans. As you exit Panchalankurichi, there is a colony for descendants of the great king - they live there. The next stop was Ottapidaram, where the famous freedom fighter VO Chidambaram Pillai's house exists. It's a museum now. Thanks so far reading through some pieces of the history of TN and India. If you are not enthused, I don't blame you. My travel companion didn't either. But it's part of the story. If you are interested, there is a graveyard between Panchalankurichi and Ottapidaram ( 2 kms from Panchalankurichi ) where there exists a tomb of Kattabomman's dead soldiers. It's a spooky place ( used by citizens of the villages for burial ) - so your call to visit. From here, we head to Kurukkusalai, a point on Madurai - Tuticorin highway to travel towards Tuticorin. Uneventful, except for the huge salt-pans. Then the hustle and bustle of old Tuticorin. And then the port area of Tuticorin which is very clean as is typical of Defence/Port establishments. A quick stop over at the Harbour beach. By then we had seen our fair share of 'dressed up' people - dressed up as Kali, as beggars, as parrots etc. The last stop was at Vadakku Authoor, a place where the Tamiraparani river flows. And it was the Tamiraparani Mahapushkaram, an event that happens once in 144 years. So we had to visit. It was sunset at the time we reached and it made for a good picture. There was very little crowd as compared to other Pushkaram sites in Tirunelveli. Post that we headed to Tiruchendur. The bus-stand here is called Bhagat Singh Bus-stand, which I thought was a little unusual for a far flung town. But then again, this is India, we respect all those that ever stood up for India. We plonked at Alakan Residency which is close to the temple. It was around 5.30 PM. Good location, decent hotel, especially for 2 friends. If you prefer something grand, go for Udhayam. I would myself opt for Udhayam if I go with family. Felt like we had seen quite a bit in 12 hours. Total distance traveled that day was 715 kms. Given that the next day was Navami, we didn't want to take a chance with the crowd at the temple. We visited the temple the same evening and had the darshan. The temple has Veerapandia Kattabomman's artifacts ( the murthys he did puja etc) - don't miss this. His death-will stated that these valuable things should be donated to the temple. The utsava murthy of lord subramanya and the natarajar statue were taken away by the Dutch on their ship at one point in time - the ship however was faced with various perils that made the Dutch abandon the murthys mid-sea, which was later retrieved by a local leader and reinstalled. To this day, you can see the cheeks of the bronze idol corroded due to it's time in the sea. The one other thing to not miss in the temple is the "Mani mandapam", a little bellhouse with a huge bell just adjoining the temple. During the time of Kattabomman, there were many such bellhouses from Tiruchendur to Panchalankurichi. They served the purpose of being a rest house and a signal point ( bell rings ). Most of them have been lost due to road widening ( talk about us Indians and our respect towards our own heritage ). The only other bellhouse (other than the one at the temple ) is somewhere in Vadakku Authoor ( between Tuticorin and Tiruchendur ). I spent some fruitless minutes trying to locate it/speaking to elders of the village - but no sign of it. Pls someone let me know if you know about it. After a good dinner at Ramesh Iyer hotel near the temple and some quiet moments at the temple seashore and a Jigarthanda later, we were back in the hotel and slept like logs. PS : For those that are interested in more history, there is a place called Maniyachi near Kovilpatti, again known for freed movement.. Lookup 'Vanchinathan'. PPS : Mods let the posts be here, don't move it to the assembly line. For logical end/starts of posts, I'll write a new post, though I can edit the previous one at this point. We first heard of the grand celebrations at Kulasekarapatnam in 2011. For whatever reason, it took a long 7 years for a visit to materialize. It has to be done during the Dussehra. The last 2-3 days. Tiruchendur is the nearest town with good facilities.Tiruchendur needs no introduction ( Kulasekarapatnam doesn't either for many). It was decided that we need to spend 2 full days at Kulasekarapatnam. Add to it, 1 day for each of the legs of the journey, so 4 days was a bare-minimum. Taking family along was out of question, what with young kids and a tough environment to manage them in. So, a friend and I set out. Skoda Fabia was the ride. About 1700 kms over 4 days, most of it over the first and the last day was the plan.Bangalore to Tiruchendur was the plan. But that's easy. Didnt' want to miss out on a number of things we could do the same day en route to Tiruchendur. As long as we got to Tiruchendur by 7 PM, we were fine. Start at 5.15 AM. Breakfast at Saravana Bhavan, Krishnagiri after the Chennai-Salem fork. This is a regular place for us. No more stoppage until just before Kovilapatti for a coffee. The plan was to utilize some time to visit some historical places in Tuticorin Dist. First was Ettaiyapuram. Known for multiple famous people - Subramanya Bharathi, the greate Tamil poet and reformer; Muthuswamy Dikshitar, the famous poet and classical composer; Ettappa, the regional naik that ratted on Veerapandiya Kattabomman to the British.The first place was Ettaiyapuram Palace where Ettappa lived. Currently it is the property of the zamindar descendants of Ettappa. The place is not inhabited now ( well, only by an ostentation of peacocks), it's also quite a bit dilapidated. It's a private property that you are not supposed to trespass. You can ask for the permission at the gate and you may get ( or you may not ). We decided against asking, but the palace is supposed to have some most beautiful murals.The Ettaiyapuram palace and it's current inhabitants (backside. The main entrance is on the other side )Because Ettappa ratted on Kattabomman, even today in Tamil, we colloquially refer to people that rat on others as Ettappa.Next up was Sri Subramanya Bharathi's home. The great Tamil poet. His house has been converted into a museum and the street is called Bharathi Street. This is where he was born ( for reference, there is also another Bharatiyar house in Triplicane, Chennai where he lived for a few years - that is also worth visiting ). Some pictures.The street where his house isThe house itselfThe place where he was born inside the houseThe next stop was the Kali temple that he so frequently refers to in his songs, as short drive from thereThe next stop was the Bharatiyar memorial close byThe next stop was the Muthuswamy Dikshitar memorial next to the bus stand. Famous classical composer. The gates were closed, but you can talk to a telephone booth guy opposite the memorial to open it - he manages it.With that, we were done with Ettaiyapuram. The next stop was the historic town of Panchalankurichi, the birth place of the famous, brave king, Veerapandia Kattabomman who fought the British for the fact that they asked him to pay taxes ( and he didn't think the East India Company had any right on it ).Somewhere in between on the highway near Kurukkusalai is the Retta Panamaram - the dual palm tree set.Back to Kattabomman : Through various interesting sequences he was finally captured and hung ( more on that later ) to death. His fort was razed. A few years later, his brother built a new fort at the same place in flat 5 days, which was again razed down by the East India Company officials. Worse, Castor and Kalli plant seeds were sown ( these grow fast and thick and in the absence of machinery it will be impossible to remove them ) so as to prevent another fort from coming up in the place. This town is called 'Veeram Velanja Mannu' or the place where bravery was born.There is a memorial at this place now ( where the original fort once stood ). There is also the Jakkamma temple which was the deity of the king. The entry fee to the memorial is a paltry Rs.2 for adults. Inside are paintings that tell us the story of the great king and his eventual fate. A guide will narrate the story to you.Indian History is full of such Ettappas that helped defeat such Kattabommans. As you exit Panchalankurichi, there is a colony for descendants of the great king - they live there. The next stop was Ottapidaram, where the famous freedom fighter VO Chidambaram Pillai's house exists. It's a museum now.Thanks so far reading through some pieces of the history of TN and India. If you are not enthused, I don't blame you. My travel companion didn't either. But it's part of the story. If you are interested, there is a graveyard between Panchalankurichi and Ottapidaram ( 2 kms from Panchalankurichi ) where there exists a tomb of Kattabomman's dead soldiers. It's a spooky place ( used by citizens of the villages for burial ) - so your call to visit. From here, we head to Kurukkusalai, a point on Madurai - Tuticorin highway to travel towards Tuticorin. Uneventful, except for the huge salt-pans. Then the hustle and bustle of old Tuticorin. And then the port area of Tuticorin which is very clean as is typical of Defence/Port establishments. A quick stop over at the Harbour beach.By then we had seen our fair share of 'dressed up' people - dressed up as Kali, as beggars, as parrots etc. The last stop was at Vadakku Authoor, a place where the Tamiraparani river flows. And it was the Tamiraparani Mahapushkaram, an event that happens once in 144 years. So we had to visit. It was sunset at the time we reached and it made for a good picture. There was very little crowd as compared to other Pushkaram sites in Tirunelveli.Post that we headed to Tiruchendur. The bus-stand here is called Bhagat Singh Bus-stand, which I thought was a little unusual for a far flung town. But then again, this is India, we respect all those that ever stood up for India. We plonked at Alakan Residency which is close to the temple. It was around 5.30 PM. Good location, decent hotel, especially for 2 friends. If you prefer something grand, go for Udhayam. I would myself opt for Udhayam if I go with family. Felt like we had seen quite a bit in 12 hours. Total distance traveled that day was 715 kms.Given that the next day was Navami, we didn't want to take a chance with the crowd at the temple. We visited the temple the same evening and had the darshan. The temple has Veerapandia Kattabomman's artifacts ( the murthys he did puja etc) - don't miss this. His death-will stated that these valuable things should be donated to the temple. The utsava murthy of lord subramanya and the natarajar statue were taken away by the Dutch on their ship at one point in time - the ship however was faced with various perils that made the Dutch abandon the murthys mid-sea, which was later retrieved by a local leader and reinstalled. To this day, you can see the cheeks of the bronze idol corroded due to it's time in the sea.The one other thing to not miss in the temple is the "Mani mandapam", a little bellhouse with a huge bell just adjoining the temple. During the time of Kattabomman, there were many such bellhouses from Tiruchendur to Panchalankurichi. They served the purpose of being a rest house and a signal point ( bell rings ). Most of them have been lost due to road widening ( talk about us Indians and our respect towards our own heritage ). The only other bellhouse (other than the one at the temple ) is somewhere in Vadakku Authoor ( between Tuticorin and Tiruchendur ). I spent some fruitless minutes trying to locate it/speaking to elders of the village - but no sign of it. Pls someone let me know if you know about it.After a good dinner at Ramesh Iyer hotel near the temple and some quiet moments at the temple seashore and a Jigarthanda later, we were back in the hotel and slept like logs.PS : For those that are interested in more history, there is a place called Maniyachi near Kovilpatti, again known for freed movement.. Lookup 'Vanchinathan'.PPS : Mods let the posts be here, don't move it to the assembly line. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by airguitar : 23rd October 2018 at 00:15 . Its not printed in big letters on the box, but many of the latest smart home gadgets require a monthly subscription to unlock all their features. It might only be a few dollars a month, but over the life of a product it can easily double the purchase price. I can be particularly onerous if youre paying subscription fees for more than device. Consider the $199 Ring Video Doorbell 2. Live video is free, but if you want to review what happened earlier, it will cost $30 per year, or an additional $150 over five years. The popular Nest cameras also livestream for free, but youll only get still images of suspicious activity unless you pay $50 per year for Nest Aware. Over five years that adds $250 to the $200 price tag of a Nest Cam Outdoor. Buying a smart home device that operates well without a monthly subscription fee could save you a lot of money over the years. Heres our pick of the best smart home gadgets that dont require a monthly subscription to do something useful. Some of the products do have a subscription tier, but we judge the free option to have enough features to be useful. We arent including smart home products like smart assistants or robot vacuum cleaners that are subscription-free anyway. Best subscription-free video doorbell August Doorbell Cam Pro 2 Read TechHive's review MSRP $199.99 See it The August Doorbell Cam Pro 2 provides a sharp, clear picture of what's happening on your doorstep, with two-way audio via your smartphone. Subscription fees, on the other hand, are high side compared to the competitors such as Ring (and Skybell has no subscription fees at all). In a world of subscription doorbells, the second-generation August Doorbell Cam Pro offers 24 hours of video storage before your clips are deleted. So if you dont get to alerts immediately, you still have a whole day to review any recordings. Detection is by infrared, not the more complex video motion detection, but this video doorbell does a decent job of triggering when it detects movement in front of your door. The field of view isnt the widest, and it sometimes struggles when there is a large difference in contrast between the person at your door and the sky behind them. This isnt ideal, but video doorbells with better images all have subscription charges. One of the best features is hindsight, which buffers a few seconds of video, so youll get to see what happened just before the recording was triggered. Best subscription-free indoor security camera The handy Arlo Pro 2 camera is a breeze to install, and it comes with seven days of cloud recordings for up to five cameras for no charge. Thats enough time for you to check out anything that triggers the cameras. If you want to keep the video longer, you can download to a PC or smartphone. Paid subscription plans start at $3 per camera per month and bring artificial intelligence to bear that can suppress animal movement and alert only on the presenced of humans. The subscription also lets you define motion zones to ignore certain areas, but you can probably get away without these features in the name of saving money. The Arlo Pro 2 is waterproof and can also be used outdoors, although it lacks a built-in light. Arlo sells an outdoor light that links to the camera, but we prefer the Netatmo Presence (see below) for outdoor use. Do consider the Arlo Pro 2 (or the LTE-based Arlo Go) for outdoor use, however, if youll use indoor models. That way everything will be in one app. Best subscription-free outdoor security camera The Netatmo Presence is dominated by a floodlight that produces 1,000 lumens of brightness, equivalent to a 120-watt halogen lamp according to Netatmo. That means it plays well in the daytime and at night, when the motion-triggered light is supplemented by infrared night vision. The camera isnt as cheap as some of its competitors, but youll end up paying less over time because there are no subscription fees. Instead of storing video in the cloud, it records to an SD card embedded in the unit itself. The fixture remains connected to Wi-Fi, allowing for control from Netatmos security app. You can livestream video from the camera, and you can also access recorded clips directly from the SD card, though the quality of those clips is highly dependent on the uplink speed of your broadband connection. Best subscription-free smart home system Samsungs SmartThings hub does a great job of tying together lots of smart home gadgets thanks to its broad compatibility. The box doesnt look glamorous, but it connects to your router via an ethernet cable, and it has onboard radios for Z-Wave and ZigBee devices (the new version supports Bluetooth, too). Those protocols cover a broad range of gadgets, including Philips Hue, LIFX, and Sylvania smart bulbs; GE, Leviton, and Lutron lighting controls; Ring video doorbells, Netgear Arlo home security cameras; Ecobee and Honeywell smart thermostats; Kwikset, Schlage, and Yale smart door locks; Bose smart speakers; and lots more. A smartphone app acts as the control interface, and you can also program routines, such as having your lights come on gradually in the morning to gently wake you up. Best subscription-free home security system Ring Alarm Read TechHive's review MSRP $199.00 See it Ring Alarm is a spectacular DIY home security system with the potential to be much more, but dont buy one if what youre really looking for is a smart home solution. Ring is one of the newest entries into the smart-home alarm sector, but its debut Ring Alarm is impressive. The base station and sensors are cheaper than the competition, and it will trigger, alarm, and send notifications to your phone without a subscription plan. Its also a breeze to install, so you shouldnt need to pay anyone to install it for you. If you want professional monitoring that will dispatch the police in the event of a break-ina service that no company offers for freeRing charges just $10 per month or $100 per year. And that includes cloud storage for any Ring security cameras and video doorbells you might have. Best subscription-free home weather station This home weather station costs less than competing weather stations, and we found its sensors performed above our expectations, matching a more expensive competitor and coming close to a nearby National Weather Service station. The Ambient Weather WS2902 comes with a LCD display unit for inside the house that displays an array of data in different colors. A smartphone app is also available, and it can be hooked up to Amazon Alexa- or Google Assistant-powered smart speakers, as IFTTT, for smart home integration. Louisianas lawmakers have traveled the country to meet with colleagues and attend conferences since their legislative sessions ended, trips that have cost taxpayers nearly $120,000. Twenty-four of 105 House members and 17 of 39 senators attended events in a dozen states, including Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Florida and Nevada. Lawmakers went to gatherings of the Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.; the Southern States Energy Board in Biloxi, Mississippi; the National Conference of Insurance Legislators in Salt Lake City, Utah; the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in Boston; and the Council of State Governments in Kentucky, among others. Data provided to The Associated Press by the Legislature showed the trips cost the House nearly $58,000 and the Senate just under $60,000 for expenses like airfare, hotel rooms, taxi fare, meals, registration fees, parking charges and the daily per diem paid to lawmakers for attending work-related meetings. The most popular events to attend for Louisianas lawmakers were the annual gatherings of the Southern Legislative Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, and the National Conference of State Legislatures in Los Angeles. That California trip was also among the most expensive for lawmakers, because of the cross-country travel. Before ramming the Sunshine Bridge with a barge crane Oct. 12 and shuttering the 1-mile long span, Marquette Transportation vessels had smashed into, collided with or brushed up against bridges at least 32 times across the United States since Jan. 1, 2013. And yet a U.S. Coast Guard database shows no referral for sanctions against the company, suggesting the company has yet to pay a dime in penalties for collisions over the past 5 years. "Based on it saying 'no recorded data,' I would say that's an absolutely fair statement to make," said Lt. John Robertson, executive officer for the Coast Guard's Marine Safety Unit in Baton Rouge. +9 Ain't no sunshine when the bridge is closed: Barge-mounted crane hits span, disrupts commuters DONALDSONVILLE Louisiana highway officials closed a major route over the Mississippi River on Friday, and said it would remain shuttered ind Some of the Marquette accidents since 2013 caused significant damage while many others left only scratches on bridge piers or vessels, according to the database of Coast Guard investigative reports. None involved fatalities or enough damage to prompt the agency's most serious level of investigation, but a handful had damage in the hundreds of thousands of dollars to bridges, vessels and cargo that prompted a serious probe, known as an informal investigation. The Coast Guard licenses maritime pilots and oversees the nation's navigable waterways. The Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the most recent crash. Robertson said that without a thorough review of each case file, he couldn't say with 100 percent certainty that every Marquette case ended with no penalty, but he offered no reason to believe the agency website was not accurate. After an initial statement pledging to work with authorities, Marquette officials had not provided answers to calls and emails seeking comment. It said Monday afternoon it was working on a possible response. Ascension Parish Council Chairman Bill Dawson, who spent decades working in industry and as a consultant, said he has learned that allowing smaller industrial incidents to go by without sanction can eventually lead to much bigger problems and even fatalities. Can't see video below? Click here. "You can't say it's OK to have one or two little incidences because that will escalate, and I think that's the same thing here, is that we stood around apparently and we let these ... smaller incidences happen. We turned our head undoubtedly, and now we're staring at something that's affecting people's livelihoods," said Dawson, whose district includes both sides of the Mississippi River, including parts of Donaldsonville linked to more populous eastern Ascension by the bridge, which is in St. James Parish. Highway officials shut down the Sunshine Bridge after the pilot of the Kristin Alexis inexplicably moved a crane barge up the Mississippi River with the boom extended. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has said there could be up to $5 million worth of damage, not counting the impact on commerce on both sides of the Mississippi River. 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 In addition the incidents since 2013, another Marquette vessel hit the Sunshine Bridge more than a decade ago, court filings show. In February 2006, the Marquette vessel Alix Anne Eckstein hit a bridge support pier in the Mississippi River and caused $2.1 million in damage to the bridge, according to state highway records filed in a subsequent lawsuit over the crash. If it chooses, the Coast Guard can suspend or revoke pilots' licenses, but the Coast Guard investigative reports available online do not identify the pilots involved in the Marquette incidents, citing privacy limitations. A separate Coast Guard page identifies pilots who have been sanctioned but does not say which company they work for. The Coast Guard has not identified the pilot involved the Sunshine Bridge collision. +2 Sunshine Bridge repairs could take 'months rather than days,' reopening ferry not an option GONZALES Louisiana highway officials said Monday that the Sunshine Bridge over the Mississippi River won't reopen any time soon after it was The recent bridge collision extensively damaged metal support beams more than 100 feet in the air and forced the closure of the more than 20,000-vehicle-per-day bridge for months until the beams are repaired, state highway officials have said. DOTD officials have said that contractor Coastal Bridge began mobilizing for the repair job this past weekend, bringing in materials and a crane barge to build a platform for the work. They added that the design of the repair and the work timeline were being finalized. Under the Coast Guard's marine safety investigations manual, the estimated damage to the bridge alone could give rise to a more serious probe into a bridge collision than Marquette has seen since 2013, known as a "formal investigation." Under Coast Guard rules, some of those proceedings can be public. A Coast Guard spokesman wasn't immediately able to speak Monday to the category of investigation in place for the Sunshine Bridge collision in light of DOTD's $4 million to $5 million damage estimate released Friday. In the February 2006 Marquette collision, the tugboat Eckstein was pushing 28 loaded barges downstream when they were caught by currents and hit the bridge, setting 13 barges loose, according to a Coast Guard report. Though the incident led to no injuries and the loose barges were corralled, the crash smashed large wooden protective fenders built around the bridge pier above and below the water line, the lawsuit alleges. It's not clear what action the Coast Guard may have taken in that case. In February 2007, the DOTD sued Marquette and the pilot of the vessel over the collision to recover the state agency's costs for the repair. The parties and insurers settled out of court in mid-2013, court papers filed in St. James Parish say. For each of the Marquette incidents since January 2013, the enforcement website describes Coast Guard referrals for possible sanctions using the term "no recorded data." The first batch of legal medical marijuana in Louisiana won't be on the shelves until January at the earliest, two months later than hoped, with the state agriculture department having to take on product testing after an unsuccessful effort to find an independent lab to do the work. GB Sciences, which was hired by LSU to be one of the state's two sanctioned growers of marijuana, expects it will provide samples of the drug to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry for testing around Nov. 1. The first round of testing will take four to six weeks, said department spokeswoman Veronica Mosgrove. Then, the department will test the final product to ensure the formulation in the bottles matches what is on the label. That second round of testing will take a shorter amount of time, but Mosgrove said it is not yet clear exactly how long. Im anticipating we wont see a product available until January, said John Davis, president of GB Sciences Louisiana. Mosgrove added the agency is on the "same page" with the company's timeline, as long as all regulatory requirements are met. Louisiana's first medical marijuana growth starts next week, but months to go until drugs available While Louisianas first batch of medical marijuana is expected to begin growing next week with product available as early as November, it may GB Sciences had initially planned to have the product available in September, but pushed that date back to mid-November over what it called regulatory delays. The state's marijuana program has been in the works for years, but the process began in earnest over the past year or so, when LSU and Southern picked their respective growing partners, the state pharmacy board licensed nine marijuana pharmacies throughout the state and several dozen doctors signed up to "recommend" the drug. Advocates have raised the possibility of bottlenecks when the product does hit the shelves, specifically because so few doctors have signed up to recommend it. State medical regulators loosened rules on physicians earlier this year in an effort to ease that fear. Most of the pharmacies said they will be ready to open by January or earlier. The New Orleans pharmacy license is being contested in court by another applicant, and a hearing in the case is scheduled for late November. The agriculture department, which is tasked with regulating the growing operations, has had trouble finding an independent testing lab in Louisiana that can test the products for heavy metals, pesticides and other materials. A request for proposals issued earlier this year did not attract any suitable applicants. The department told The Advocate in August it would likely do the testing itself, something that would require a change to its rules. The agency told LSU and GB Sciences this week it will issue an emergency rule allowing it to do the testing, and will be ready to test the product when GB Sciences provides it. Meanwhile, the department is awaiting responses from another request for proposals that it issued in September to find an independent lab. Proposals are due Thursday, Mosgrove 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 LDAF lab is ready to start testing whenever we get a product," Mosgrove said. Lafayette's first medical marijuana clinic to open in October As Louisiana moves toward a November harvest of the first legal batch of medical marijuana, a Lafayette doctor is opening Acadiana's first med "It's a new product, that's why it's going to take four to six weeks," Mosgrove said, adding it will eventually speed up. The department is using an existing testing facility it normally uses to test soil, fertilizer, water and other agricultural products. GB Sciences and the LSU AgCenter met with Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain on Monday to hash out regulatory issues and "open up lines of communication," Davis said. "The idea was to open up communication, share info, develop a game plan, because the community does not need us to have these starts and stops," Davis said. "Our theme was we need to work together in the best interest of the patients." GB Sciences also wants to make sure the supply chain is not disrupted, Davis said, and ensure there is another batch of products ready to fill the shelves on the heels of the first batch. He also said regulatory delays could lead to higher prices for the drug. Southern University's growing partner, Advanced Biomedics, is lagging far behind LSU's operation. Davis said he hopes to get the GB Science's "phase one" up and running by Jan. 1. The company is currently producing the first batch of products in an "exterior pod" designed to get products on the shelves quickly pending approval for its main facility. The company's growing operation is in a former Pepsi distribution center off Highland Road in south Baton Rouge. The phase one operations will take up much of the facility, and the company has plans for an eventual phase two expansion. Mosgrove said the company submitted a suitability application, but it came back from State Police with "deficiencies." Once those are corrected, Louisiana State Police will conduct a background check, and once the applicants pass, the company will be able to move into its facility. Rusted oil pipeline in the Bayou Gentilly oil field has been abandoned, according to lawyers representing Plaquemines Parish in their lawsuit against oil and gas companies. Smaller retailers are concerned they will no longer be able to compete with the big three retailers if the government sets a low electricity default price. The government announced on Tuesday it would work with the Australian Energy Regulator to develop a new standard power price for millions of consumers, against which all future market offers can be compared, to lower electricity bills. Minister for Energy Angus Taylor and Prime Minister Scott Morrison are pushing for a new default electricity price against which all contracts will be measured. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The energy industry has previously backed the notion of a basic standing offer, but is concerned over a potential low price cap, which would harm smaller retailers more than the big three: AGL, Origin and EnergyAustralia. Australian Energy Council chief executive Sarah McNamara recently said increased regulation would hit second-tier retailers the hardest. Victoria has unveiled the largest battery in the state, one of two designed to keep the lights on ahead of another high-demand summer. The Ballarat Energy Storage System (BESS) is a 30-megawatt lithium-ion battery capable of powering more than 20,000 homes for an hour and is the equivalent of around 6000 household batteries. The Ballarat battery is the largest single battery storage installation in Victoria. Credit:AusNet Services The BESS will be able to respond to changing grid needs within milliseconds and will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support critical peak demand, the Victorian government said. The battery was built by Fluence, is owned by network company AusNet Services, and is located at Warrenheip, in Ballarat. It will be operated by EnergyAustralia. Louis CK took a career hiatus of just over a year. Don Burke endured some uncomfortable media interviews and is no longer able to host his own show on TV. Chris Brown served six months community service then went on to top Billboard charts, win a Grammy, receive another felony assault conviction and release five new albums. Bill O'Reilly maintained a highly lucrative career for decades before being fired. Brett Kavanaugh has a life-long appointment to the US Supreme Court. Donald Trump is the President of the United States. This list could go on and on and on. None of these men have been deprived of their liberty. None of them are facing a huge power imbalance that threatens their freedom. Their accusers are backed by social media not the power of the state. The principles that rightly underpin the criminal justice system do not apply here. The standard of proof in civil trials is much lower than in criminal court because civil cases are between people, not between the state and an individual. The power imbalance is not as high and the consequences of getting it wrong are not as severe. Where criminal cases have to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, civil suits only need to prove their case on the balance of probabilities. The burden of proof is still on the accuser, but the standard of proof is lower. Loading Legal principles do not have to be enforced outside a courtroom but, even if they did, the standard of proof between two individuals is: who do we believe on the balance of probabilities? Even if there are doubts, who is more likely to be telling the truth? What are the consequences for being wrong? Might a sexual predator continue to hold a lucrative position of power and acclaim? Is that a worse outcome than a man wrongfully accused having to take a year away from a global career? Who suffers more, a man wrongfully accused or a woman wrongfully disbelieved? Its an impossible question to answer, which is why we apply the best judgement we can at the time. Knowing that we might be wrong sometimes and the consequences will be unfair, but doing nothing is not an option. Motorists will face delays heading to the city from Gunghalin this weekend, as work continues on the second stage of the Gundaroo Drive duplication. The westbound lane between Nudurr Drive and Abena Avenue will be closed from 9.30 am on Friday, October 26, until 6 am on Monday, October 29. Map of road closures for stage two works on Gundaroo Drive duplication. During the closure, motorists travelling into the city will be detoured through Crace via Chance Street and Abena Avenue. Bus stop 5052 will be shut during the three-day road closure, with Transport Canberra advising passengers to instead use stop number 6335, on Abena Avenue. A NSW private school will employ House Mothers to watch over male boarders after a dormitory mistress was convicted of having sex with five boys. The former Armidale School staff member, 25, was last month sentenced to a two-year suspended jail term for having sex with students as young as 15 over several months. The scandal sparked an outcry from the parents of the boys, who claimed the school breached its duty of care towards their sons and allowed a toxic culture to develop in its boarding houses. In a recent letter, headmaster Murray Guest acknowledged some of the school's shortcomings and revealed new measures against future abuse, including the introduction of ''House Mothers'' in the four boys' boarding houses. "The role of House Mother is to work in a supportive pastoral role for students, rather than a supervisory or disciplinary one, and provides an additional regular presence that offers students a different opportunity to voice concerns," Mr Guest said. Patricia O'Donnell was one of Melbourne's most treasured restaurateurs, cultural patrons and stylists. Her influence on many aspects of our cultural life was profound. She helped shape Melbourne's cultural landscape through formal positions of leadership at institutions including as a member of the State Library Board of Victoria, and a director of the Abbotsford Convent Foundation and the Australian Art Orchestra. Patricia O'Donnell However, her most dazzling work was behind the scenes, quietly planting great ideas and allowing others to take the credit. Conversely, nobody knew better than Patricia how to elegantly kill a bad idea with no loss of face for its creator. Mentoring and volunteering were etched into her daily routine. If a person's merit is judged by what is given back to the community, Patricia stands high on the podium. Taiwans top diplomat says Australia and other Western countries are increasingly looking to learn from the islands long history with Chinese Communist Party-linked influence and interference as anxiety about similar activities grows across the democratic world. In an exclusive interview with Fairfax Media, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said democracies should boost co-operation to combat Beijings tactics and argued Asian countries had a stake in protecting Taiwan because its fall would start a domino effect that would see them "taken down by China one by one". As China ramps up efforts to isolate the self-governed island of 23 million citizens from the international community and push it towards accepting unification with the mainland, Dr Wu said the CCP had long sought to influence and divide Taiwanese people using "sharp power" and observed Australia now appeared to be dealing with similar activities. Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu. Credit:AP "I think Taiwan and Australia can exchange with each other, to learn the experience from each other so we can deal with Chinese influencing campaigns in a co-ordinated way," Dr Wu said, noting the Australian government's recent crackdown on foreign interference and influence. While the legislation is federal, it is up to the provinces to regulate their own retail markets. All scrambled to create rules for allocating licenses and the number and location of retail outlets. Law enforcement agencies struggled to define and figure out how to measure impairment. Some illicit-era growers, sellers and buyers lamented the impending corporatisation of the industry and the loss of counter-cultural identity. Medical associations urged a legal age as high as 25 out of concern for the impact of cannabis on the developing brain. The law says 18. It's high time. My home and native land, Canada, just legalised pot, making good on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's 2015 campaign promise. Pot became legal in Canada the day after Queensland's parliament voted to legalise abortion. Depending on your political bent, Canada is typically a half-generation or so ahead of Australia on the path to enlightenment or perdition (see also: same sex marriage). Will Australia follow the lead of its northern hemisphere doppelganger? This is a political and practical, not a moral, question. For better or worse, most of the world condones the production, sale and consumption of mind-altering substances. If legalisation is primarily a moral matter, there are only two principled and coherent policy options. One is to ban them all, out-Calvinizing even 1550 Geneva, where you could at least drink at bible readings. In non-totalitarian states, such a policy lacks only the faintest hope of approval. At the other end of the spectrum is blanket legalisation, on libertarian grounds. Individuals, not the state, have the right to choose how to alter their mental states. To make all substances legal need not mean equal access and identical regulation, just as some medical drugs can be sold in convenience stores while others require a prescription filled by a pharmacist. The laissez-faire option is as morally consistent as its opposite, and has the same non-existent chance of seeing the light of day. So governments have to pick and choose which substances to legalise and which to proscribe. There is no bill of rights that entitles substances to equitable treatment before the law. Alcohol is legal pretty much everywhere despite its massively documented ill-effects on health and the economy. In Canada alcohol causes more hospitalisations than heart disease and is implicated in a huge proportion of vehicular deaths. Too often it is a catalyst for bad decision-making and rueful behaviour. Canada, which has allowed medical marijuana for almost two decades, has legalised the drug for recreational use. Credit:Bloomberg As a Canadian Senate report found in 2002, there is no evidence that cannabis is nearly as harmful. Moreover it is widely prescribed for medical use. Alcohol unleashes aggression and fuels violence; cannabis chills. Like every other substance, it can turn on its users and destroy lives. But there are no overdosed stoners on the stretchers next to the alarming numbers of opioid casualties. Forced to choose which substance to legalise with the goal of minimising harm, a sensible government should choose weed over booze. It is convention, not evidence, that stands logic on its head. Drug dealers would be held responsible for any deaths they cause at music festivals and could face up to 25 years in jail, under new plans which the NSW government says will boost safety and save lives. Following a month-long investigation by an expert panel sparked by the deaths of two young people at Defqon.1, Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Tuesday announced she had accepted in-principle its seven recommendations. She said the government would introduce a new offence for those who supply illegal drugs for profit and cause someone to die. "The Attorney-General and the police force will be working together ... we envisage it will be anywhere between grievous bodily harm, which is 10 years [maximum in prison], and manslaughter, which is 25 years [maximum in prison], so somewhere in that range," Ms Berejiklian said. A sixth person has been charged over the shooting murder of a Sydney teenager which was allegedly financed and organised as a revenge attack by the family of another teenage murder victim. Mohamed Abu-Mahmoud was arrested on arrival from the USA at Sydney International Airport early on Tuesday morning, over the role he allegedly played in the shooting of 15-year-old Brayden as he slept in his bed on Good Friday last year. Mr Abu-Mahmoud, 54, was the father of 18-year-old TAFE student Adam Abu-Mahmoud, who died after he was stabbed in a street corner confrontation in Panania in 2016 with Brayden's brother Joshua Dillon, 18, and two others. Premier Daniel Andrews has come under fire for marching through the streets of Melbourne with militant union leaders. The Premier was one of an estimated 160,000 people, mostly union members, who marched in the CBD on Tuesday against low wage rises and called for changes to Australias industrial relations system. Premier Daniel Andrews leads the Melbourne rally with nurses' union leader Lisa Fitzpatrick, Luke Hilakari from Trades Hall and ACTU secretary Sally McManus. Credit:Justin McManus Speaking before the rally, Mr Andrews had said that the protest was for workers and ordinary families but shadow attorney-general John Pesutto claimed it was for militant unionists and that the Premier should not have attended. Daniel Andrews is supposed to be the Premier, hes not supposed to be some protester or activist campaigning on the streets, Mr Pesutto said. More than 1000 hospital support workers would be trained to protect themselves from violent and aggressive patients under a re-elected Labor government. Premier Daniel Andrews and Health Minister Jill Hennessy were at the Austin Hospital in Heidelberg on Tuesday morning to announce $3.45 million in funding to train non-clinical health workers in avoiding violence and aggression and to give them new job skills. More staff will get training in ways to deal with violence. Credit:Jay Cronan Labor says 1000 staff, including ward clerks, front-of-house staff in emergency rooms and allied health workers will be sent on three-day training courses to learn how to protect themselves and others. The safety of health workers has been in the spotlight since the death of surgeon Patrick Pritzwald-Stegmann after an alleged assault at Box Hill Hospital in 2017 and the controversy surrounding the sentencing of two women convicted of a vicious attack on a paramedic the previous year in Reservoir. The Victorian Labor Party will consider fully deregulating the state's sex industry if re-elected to office in November. The Victorian government already licenses brothels and prostitution out-call agencies in the state, but Labor will consider relaxing things further to, apparently, create a regulation-free environment for all sex entrepreneurs. The proposal is a gift to organised crime, and will be welcomed by pimps, brokers and others making a business out of selling people for sex. An art exhibition by Victorian sex workers highlights International Sex Worker Rights Day. Credit:Joe Armao The proposal arises from Minister Martin Foley's collaboration over the past few years with groups receiving government funding for health initiatives supporting the state's sex industry. One nice touch is that you can access your smart home controls via the touchscreen without making a sound. This is more practical late at night than asking Google Assistant to turn off the lights and having her shout "Okay, turning off your lights". While you can curb the volume in the evenings, Google Assistant really needs a family-friendly "don't talk back" mode at bed time. Should something go bump in the night, another use for that screen is that you can ask to see the live view from your Nest security cameras, although chances are your smartphone is probably within reach. Entertain me The Home Hub can access the same streaming audio services as any Home speaker, but it doesn't stack up well as a music player in the living area and is even outgunned by the cheaper $199 Google Home which is louder and packs more bass. To be fair, the Home Hub actually offers more balanced sound, as the standard Home speaker can sound a little flat. The Home Hub is fine for background music or listening to spoken word content like podcasts and internet radio. Alternatively you can connect it to a better speaker via Bluetooth. The smart screen doesn't have built-in subscription video or catch up services. You can access YouTube by voice but the results are hit and miss. Sometimes it favours YouTube Premium videos and partner content like news, when you clearly asked for something else (like your own tech news podcast). Loading Thankfully you can stream Chromecast audio and video from your handheld devices, drawing on a wide range of services, with disappointing exceptions of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. There's probably a much more versatile video player in your pocket. The biggest omission is the lack of a front camera for making video calls, although you can still make voice calls to handheld gadgets via Google Duo, and see the video feed from the other end if there is one. Once again, sitting on the couch to make video calls from your phone is perhaps more convenient than standing around in the kitchen. Cooking up a storm Of course you're unlikely to stand around in the kitchen making video calls or watching movies. Perhaps the best use in the kitchen is taking you through recipes step by step, then keeping you entertained while you wait for your cake to rise. Simply say "Okay Google, show me chocolate cake recipes" and choose from the options. It certainly helps to have the instructions on the screen rather than trying to keep up with each spoken step. Your music keeps playing, although flicking between the recipe and streaming video is cumbersome. A bigger frustration is that you need to preface every little request with "Okay Google", so even simple things like moving to the next step of a recipe quickly become tedious. Amazon's Alexa feels much more natural to interact with for long exchanges, such as working through recipes, as you don't need to keep saying her name. Another frustration when cooking with any smart screen is that you need to place it so you can see it while standing at the stove, which means you probably can't see it elsewhere in the room, limiting the screen's usefulness depending on the layout of your kitchen. One of the problems with smart screens is they are still trying to be a music-friendly smart speaker. This means they require a base to house the speaker and thus need to sit on a flat surface like a benchtop. Google Home Hub can display YouTube videos and step-by-step recipes. It will be interesting to see whether smart screen makers eventually embrace a flat, tablet-style design which can be mounted on a wall or the front of the fridge where you'd have a better view of it from around the room. Picture perfect When you leave your Home Hub to its own devices for a few minutes you can choose to have it switch off the screen, display a clock face, show artwork from Google or begin scrolling through your Google Photos library. For some homes, the Home Hub will be worth the money as a photo frame alone, intelligently plucking images from your photo library using live albums and facial recognition. You can even ask to see your photos of certain people, places and times, which takes the photo frame concept to a whole new level. As a photo frame it offers a bright, vibrant image and fantastic horizontal and vertical viewing angles, plus it does a decent job of dealing with screen glare except in the most garish of lighting conditions. The slideshow relies on simple cross-fades between photos, rather than more elaborate effects which can be distracting when you catch the movement out of the corner of your eye. Home Hub pulls images automatically from the user's online collection when it's not in use. That said, some people might find 7 inches is a bit small for viewing your photos from across the room. By default it's not quite bright enough, so you'll want to adjust the Ambient EQ auto-brightness settings in the Google Home smartphone app. While you're there, consider killing the Colour Matching option which adjusts the colour temperature to suit the lighting conditions and makes your photos look terrible by tainting the whites. The idea is to make it look more like a photograph printed on paper, but it won't be to everyone's liking. Keep an eye on the time In photo frame mode, the Home Hub automatically shuts off the screen when the room goes dark to save power at night. Alternatively you can set it to switch to a dim clock face, meaning the Home Hub could find a place on your bedside table. Loading The alarm clock is quite flexible, with the ability to create multiple one-off or recurring alarms for every day, weekdays, weekends or specific days. There's a big onscreen Snooze button accompanied by a small Stop button, for those days when you need a few more minutes in bed. Thankfully you can set the alarm/timer volume separately to the music volume, but you're missing out on the ability to be woken with music (a feature that only works in the US). Frustratingly, there's no way to toggle the alarms on/off like on smartphone, so on your rostered day off you need to cancel your weekday alarm completely. Surprisingly, the Home Hub also lacks the option to wake you gently by becoming slower brighter, as a Google Pixel smartphone can do with the new Pixel Stand. So what's the verdict? If you already have a home full of smart speakers then you'll need to find a good use for a smart screen, considering that a cheaper Google Home can answer all your questions while doing a better job of filling the room with music. The kitchen bench and bedside tables seem the most practical places for a Google Home Hub, plus it makes for a pretty good photo frame; assuming you can see if from around the room. Rather than try to carve out a space within a tech-savvy home, the Home Hub is perhaps better suited as a starter smart device for older friends and relatives. Istanbul: Turkish investigators have found two suitcases and other items in a Saudi consulate car in Istanbul, as part of the investigation into the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, broadcaster CNN Turk reports. It was not immediately clear whether any of the items belonged to Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and Saudi national who disappeared after visiting the consulate in Istanbul. Turkish police crime scene investigators, looking for possible clues into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, work in an underground car park, where authorities Monday found a vehicle belonging to the Saudi consulate, in Istanbul. Credit:AP Reports in British, Chinese and Russian media on Tuesday, all citing anonymous sources, claimed parts of Khashoggi's body have been located at the Saudi consulate. A Reuters witness said a Saudi team accompanied the Turkish investigators as they carried out the search in a car park where the vehicle was found in Istanbul's Sultangazi district on Monday. Khashoggi's death loomed large over the start of the event, known as the Future Investment Initiative, which came as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Saudi officials murdered Khashoggi in their Istanbul consulate after plotting his death for days. The Turkish leader demanded the kingdom reveal the identities of all involved in the killing, regardless of rank. Saudi Arabia, which for weeks maintained Khashoggi had left the consulate, on Saturday acknowledged he was killed there in a "fistfight". Turkish media and officials say a 15-member Saudi team was flown in to kill Khashoggi. They say the team cut off his fingers before killing and dismembering the 59-year-old Washington Post columnist, who had written critically about the Crown Prince. Crown Prince Mohammed has come under mounting pressure, with critics suspecting he ordered the high-profile operation or at least knew about it. Saudi authorities say they have arrested suspects and dismissed senior officials, but the crown prince has thus far escaped blame. At the opening of the conference, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih described the journalist's killing as "abhorrent". Some of the forum's keynote speakers and numerous Western executives and officials had cancelled plans to attend over Khashoggi's October 2 slaying. Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, smiles as he attends the Future Investment Initiative conference. Credit:AP "As we all know, these are difficult days for us in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," al-Falih said in a speech to attendees seated in the forum's ornate hall. "Nobody in the kingdom can justify it or explain it. From the leadership on down, we're very upset at what has happened," he added, referring to Khashoggi's slaying. The forum is the brainchild of Crown Prince Mohammed and is aimed at drawing more foreign investment into the kingdom to help create desperately needed jobs for millions of young Saudis entering the workforce in the coming years. Despite the absence of key executives and speakers from the United States and other Western partners, some $US50 billion ($70 billion) in deals were signed on Tuesday at the forum, with Russian and Asian businesses and officials eager to do business with the kingdom. "Those partners who are here with us today to continue that journey with us are certainly going to look back and find out... how committed the kingdom is to its partners that stay the course," al-Falih said, just moments before several deals were inked on stage. The forum last year grabbed headlines when Crown Prince Mohammed wowed the crowd of global business titans with pledges to lead the ultraconservative kingdom toward "moderate Islam". He also announced plans to build a $US500 billion futuristic city in the desert. At the time, Crown Prince Mohammed spoke on stage alongside Stephen Schwarzman of US private equity firm Blackstone. Loading Schwarzman is among those who've backed out of attending this year. Others include US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who met with Crown Prince Mohammed separately before the forum, according to Saudi state television. Among its many investments domestically and abroad, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, which the Crown Prince oversees, has invested $US20 billion in a US-focused infrastructure fund with Blackstone. The Public Investment Fund has also invested $US3.5 billion in ride-sharing firm Uber, whose chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi also backed out of attending this year's forum. Lubna Olayan, a Saudi businesswoman moderating the forum's first session on Tuesday, opened with remarks about Khashoggi. Loading "As we gather here in Riyadh this morning, it is natural that our thoughts tend to focus on recent events surrounding the death of Jamal Khashoggi - a writer, a journalist and a Saudi journalist known to many of us," she said. "May he rest in peace." She added that such "terrible acts... are alien to our culture and DNA". Some in the crowd applauded her remarks. Directors of the Saudi, Russian and United Arab Emirates' sovereign wealth funds took part in the opening panel. Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan headlined another session, with Jordan's King Abdullah II expected to speak at the forum on Wednesday. The almost certain extrajudicial execution by Saudi Arabia of a journalist has rendered the oil-rich kingdom a pariah state, just as it was seeking to be accepted and respected as an emerging member of the international community. Governments, investors and businesses are rightly registering their disgust at the arrogance and immorality that appear to be behind the slaying in Saudi Arabias Turkish consulate of Jamal Khashoggi. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman: Pariah, not progressive. Credit:AP Saudi Arabias 33-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose close associates have been linked to the violent killing of the 59-year-old Saudi journalist, is reportedly confounded by the global opprobrium. His apparent resentment that anyone might find fault with such a blatant crime suggests he has made a serious miscalculation. Enevate Secures Funding from LG Chem to Accelerate Fast Charge Li-Ion Battery Technology Development for Electric Vehicles IRVINE, Calif.--Enevate Corporation, an advanced lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology company, announced that LG Chem, a leading high volume battery manufacturer in South Korea, has participated in Enevates recent funding. This investment is a nod to the viability of Enevates technology which could enable Electric Vehicles (EVs) to charge in the same time as gas cars without compromise. Enevates HD-Energy Technology for EVs allows Li-ion batteries to be charged to 75 percent capacity in five minutes, while also providing higher energy densities than available for todays current long-range EVs. They can also safely charge and discharge down to -40C and capture more energy during regenerative braking, extending their range in cold climates. The strategic investment from LG Chem indicates the significance of our technology because it could directly address consumer concerns with EVs, such as charge time and range anxiety, cost, and safety, says Robert A. Rango, Enevates President and CEO. We look forward to our strategic partnerships with companies such as LG Chem to commercialize advanced batteries that will accelerate the adoption of EVs worldwide. Enevate offers a complete HD-Energy Technology and licensing package to rapidly enable global EV automotive and EV battery manufacturers to quickly achieve production volume and drive adoption of next-generation features that take EVs to the next level. About Enevate Enevate Corporation, with global headquarters in California, USA, develops and licenses advanced silicon-dominant Li-ion battery technology that revolutionizes the electric vehicle (EV) market by breaking down barriers to EV adoption. Enevate's pioneering work on silicon-dominant anodes and cells has resulted in its breakthrough HD-Energy Technology featuring extreme fast charging with uncompromised high energy density, excellent low-temperature operation for cold climates, low cost, and safety advantages over conventional graphite Li-ion batteries. Investors include Mission Ventures, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Tsing Capital, Infinite Potential Technologies, Presidio Ventures a Sumitomo Corporation company, CEC Capital, Samsung, Lenovo, and LG Chem. Enevate, the Enevate logo, HD-Energy, and eBoost are registered trademarks of the Enevate Corporation. To learn more about, or to license, Enevates industry-defining battery technology, visit www.enevate.com. The Impact of Self-Driving Cars on Roadway Safety a Hot Topic at Velodyne Lidars Inaugural World Safety Summit on Autonomous Technology Former FAA deputy director and NTSB chairman, Christopher A. Hart, among the speakers sharing expertise and lessons learned from aviation and other industries committed to embracing the evolution of automation Velodyne Lidar, Inc., the inventor and leader of the lidar sensor industry for autonomous vehicles (AV), recently convened a host of business, government, public safety and community leaders to explore the use of AV technology in a global effort to advance roadway safety. The inaugural World Safety Summit on Autonomous Technology, conducted last week at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara, provided a unique forum for frank and open discussions regarding the ways in which autonomous technology can be responsibly deployed to significantly increase safety on roadways. Former MythBusters host and executive producer, Jamie Hyneman, emceed the summit. As a lifelong inventor and scientist himself, Hyneman challenged industry leaders and officials to prioritize the autonomous revolution and realize its tremendous potential to save lives. Christopher A. Hart, former deputy director with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and former chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), drew on his experience overseeing public safety in transportation systems. He addressed the myriad challengesand opportunitiesautonomous vehicles face as they are introduced on public roads. Recounting the aviation industrys history of safety improvements, he advised that many of the same lessons should be applied to the development and implementation of vehicles that are becoming increasingly automated. The aviation industry experienced early setbacks. Then, airline leaders began to realize that they needed to come together, share information and make important steps toward improving public safety, he said. Collaboration was key for the airlines success. That same collaboration among the leaders in autonomy is also the key for its success. Autonomy needs to be human-centric. Harts message combined a prudent sense of caution with an enthusiasm for reducing the 40,000 U.S. roadway deaths that occur annually. Oliver Cameron, co-founder and CEO of Voyage, described his AV philosophy as being centered on sharing. Voyages autonomous shuttles currently provide mobility at senior communities. He also credits Velodyne Lidar for the companys success and innovation. We believe lidar is the backbone of self-driving cars, especially in the way it shows depth, he said. No other sensor exists that can accomplish this. Marta Hall, Velodyne Lidar president, called for the use of clear language when discussing autonomy. Would you drive across a bridge that was almost built? she questioned. Additionally, while Driver Assist systems are being marketed as almost autonomous, Hall believes that greater transparency must be instilled now to clear up public confusion. Mircea Gradu, president of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International) and Velodyne Lidar senior vice president of validation, supports that call for transparency. For example, he said, companies could provide test results through a neutral third party. One option is to explore ways to generate reports through SAE and consumer organizations to provide consumers fact-based AV information. The summits second keynote, from MADD CEO, Vicki Knox, focused on the need to leverage AV in efforts to lessen the number of roadway deaths. The organization sees the advanced safety opportunities provided by autonomous technology as a breakthrough that will help save lives. Knox asked government regulators to encourage advancements in the technology and cooperate with industry innovators to move it forward. At MADD, we represent the WHY when it comes to the need for safer transportation, she said. Technology developers and autonomous car companies are creating the HOW. MADD, in partnership with Velodyne Lidar, recently launched a co-branded website to educate the public about the benefits of fully autonomous vehicle technology, particularly in preventing impaired driving. Jane, a Velodyne Story was also created to highlight the benefits that safe autonomy can provide families. In the story, Jane celebrates her 21st birthday by attending a concert with friendsonly to fall asleep behind the wheel after its over. Thankfully, lidar technologywhich isnt reliant on Jane to navigate safelyensures her safe return home to her parents. Additional content modules on the site include Lidar 101, a video explaining how lidar sensor technology is an essential component of self-driving vehicles. The summit included two panel discussions, addressing Responsible Autonomous Deployment and Defining Full Autonomy and its Necessary Technologies. Speakers included: Anne S. Ferro, President and CEO of the American Association of Motor Vehicles Alex Epstein, Director, Transportation Safety, National Safety Council Vicki Knox, CEO of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Mircea Gradu, President of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International) Paul Konasewich, Director of Business Development, Paccar Trucking Oliver Cameron, CEO, Voyage Motors Dr. Myra Blanco, Director, Center for Public Policy at VA Tech Transportation Institute Bobby Hambrick, CEO, Autonomous Stuff Anand Gopalan, CTO, Velodyne Lidar Frank Mancheca, Chief Product Officer, SAE International Yaoming Shen, Sr. Optical Engineer, Baidu Steve Levine, Editor, Future and Axios and Christoph Sapet, CEO, NAVYA Faye Francy, Executive Director, Automotive Information Sharing and Analysis Center Ceto Ortiz, Commander, San Jose California Highway Patrol David Strickland, Partner, Venable LLP and former NHTSA administrator Ray Mandli, Founder and President, Mandli Communications, Inc. AV companies NAVYA and Autonomous Stuff offered rides in fully autonomous vehicles to attendees in the Levis Stadium parking lot. Both NAVYA and Voyage are currently operating autonomous public transportation in California, Florida and Paris, France. Also present at the summit were university students participating in the AutoDrive Challenge sponsored by SAE International, General Motors and Velodyne Lidar, Inc. AutoDrive tasks teams from eight universities to develop a Level 4 autonomous vehicle in three years. The competition is entering its second year. Adam El-Masri and Robert Adragna, members of the University of Toronto AutoDrive team, presented to the summit audience their passion for the project and their vision of the social implications of increasingly autonomous transportation. About Velodyne Lidar, Inc. Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Silicon Valley, Velodyne is a technology company known worldwide for its real-time 3D lidar computing and software platforms. The company evolved after founder David Hall invented the HDL-64 Solid-State Hybrid lidar sensor in 2005. Since then, Velodyne Lidar, Inc. emerged as the unmatched market leader of real-time 3D vision systems used in a variety of commercial applications including autonomous vehicles, vehicle safety systems, mobile mapping, aerial mapping, and security. Its products range from the high-performance, surround view Ultra-Puck VLP-32, classic HDL-32/64 and cost-effective VLP-16, the new VLS-128, to the upcoming, hidden Velarray. Velodynes rich suite of perception software and algorithms are the key enablers of its perception systems. Velodyne supports customers from offices in San Jose, Detroit, Frankfurt, and Beijing. For more information, visit http://www.velodynelidar.com. Photo: Courtesy of Madison Mills. Long before #MeToo took over the internet, Tarana Burke was using those words to help victims of sexual violence. From 1998 to 2015, she ran healing circles in Philadelphia and Alabama, where shed begin by sharing her experience as a survivor and invite others to join in. In October of 2017, women all over the world adopted her tagline and flooded social media to share their stories of sexual assault and harassment. Tarana Burkes community-based approach to healing had started a global movement. But in the months since Burkes unifying language caught hold, the architect of #MeToo talked with the Cut about coming to feel that the movement has lost its way. What actually happened on October 15 [2017] was people raised their hands to say, Me too, Burke said in the video interview below. They opened up and said, Yeah this happened to me. And it was millions of people from all walks of life, every stripe, and I really feel like those people still have their hands up. Burke says that in the year since the movement began, shes observed an unwavering obsession with the perpetrators a cyclical circus of accusations, culpability, and indiscretions. In part, Burke blames the media for latching onto every salacious detail in stories from #MeToo survivors. She also blames a culture thats prone to fixate on high drama. But nevertheless, Burke has a strategy to correct the course of the movement she conceived of so many years ago, a three-part plan shes been working to launch alongside the one-year anniversary of the viral moment. What #MeToo allowed people to do was create community with these shared experiences, Burke said. You have a built-in group of people who automatically gets you, who automatically believes you, who automatically wants to hear you. Thats the wildfire of it. Burke says the movement is actually working when the public understands that there is no expected narrative, standard perpetrator and victim, or archetypical story of abuse. We are working diligently so that the popular narrative about #MeToo shifts from what it is, Burke said. We have to shift the narrative that its a gender war, that its anti-male, that its men against women, that its only for a certain type of person that its for white, cisgender, heterosexual, famous women. That has to shift. And I think that it is shifting, I really do. But thats a part of our work, too. Burke says she also wants to shift the focus back to survivors. At the end of the day, there is a body of work that were building to help those people who have their hands raised. And Im proud of that. The work itself is threefold and starts with a recently launched website, metoomvmt.org, which lists resources for survivors of sexual violence and their allies. When the site launches, phase two will involve survivor leadership-training programs to teach trainees to start their own survivor-support programs. Finally, Burke hopes to institutionalize the healing circles that she began running more than a decade ago. As the one-year anniversary passes, Burke is hopeful, but she says shes not delusional. I do think that in the next decade we can shift through this work, she said. We can shift how we talk about it, we can shift how we respond to it, we can shift how the culture understands it because its going to make a difference in the number of sexual assaults that we see. Its going to make a difference in the way people respond to survivors of sexual violence, and that difference is really everything. Over the weekend, the 24-year-old Saturday Night Live star made his first appearance after the breakup. Well, as you could tell, I dont want to be here. Theres a lot going on, Davidson said to the crowd. Does anybody have any open rooms? Looking for a roommate? Davidson moved into Grandes US$16 million apartment in New York City while they were together. During his set, Davidson also made a joke about covering all the tattoos hes gotten dedicated to Ariana. Um, Ive been covering a bunch of tattoos, thats fun, Davidson told the crowd. Im f**king 0 for 2 in the tattoo [department]. Yeah, Im afraid to get my mom tattooed on me because shed leave, thats how bad it is. 3.4 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Oklahoma Near Texas Border Top video shows earthquake-proof bed A 3.4 magnitude earthquake shook southern Oklahoma on Oct. 23, near the Texas border. The quake hit about 6 miles south of Wilson, Oklahoma, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Several hours later, a 2.5-magnitude earthquake struck in Blanchard, Oklahoma. There were no reports of damage or injuries. On the USGS website, a number of people felt both earthquakes. Several days ago, a 4.0 magnitude earthquake shook the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles. The quake hit on Oct. 20, about 9 miles north-northeast of Amarillo, the USGS said. There were no reports of injuries or damage. Thousands of earthquakes have been noted in Oklahoma in recent years. In November 2011, a 5.6 magnitude earthquake struck around Prague, and an earthquake in September 2016, which was also a 5.6 on the Richter scale, hit near Oklahoma City. Large Earthquakes Strike Off West Coast On Oct. 22, several significant earthquakes were recorded off the coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The strongest quake was registered as a 6.8-magnitude on the Richter scale, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The National Tsunami Warning Center wrote that a tsunami in the area is not expected, AP reported. Geophysicist Amy Vaughan told The Associated Press that there may have been some other aftershocks. Vaughan says the quakes were felt onshore. No injuries were reported, she said. Did you enjoy this article? Continue to read more stories here. 6 Shot Leaving Funeral for Slain Rapper in Chicago At least six people were shot as they left the funeral service for a Chicago rapper who had been shot and killed earlier this month. Police said that there were no fatalities. The shooting on Oct. 22 outside a church in Burnside, Chicago, was described by the pastor as pandemonium. People were emerging from Bethlehem Star Church at around 12:40 p.m. following the funeral of a local rapper Vantrease Criss, who is also known as Dooskie The Man, who was killed on Oct. 9. As they left the church and got into their cars, eyewitnesses reported multiple shots. The Fire Department was called because a bullet had hit a gas line. Pastor Roosevelt Watkins told ABC7 he was at the back of the church when the shooting began. It was pandemonium. People ducking under cars, running for their lives, for safety, running back inside of the church, trying to get out of harms way, he said. Sounded Like Canon Fire Ruth Rivera, who lives nearby, told ABC7 it sounded like at least 40-50 gunshots from our backyard. And we came right away, there was gun shellings back here, there was blood on the floor. Right away the ambulance and the police came, immediately. One man who heard the shooting from inside his home told The Sun Times the shooting was rapid fire at first, then sounded like cannon fire. The man, who asked to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, has lived within a block of the church for more than 15 years. Early reports indicate the shooting allegedly occurred outside of a funeral home as the services ended and people were getting in their cars, said a statement from the Police Department. A Task Force For Funeral Shootings While victims are still reporting to area hospitals, Chicago Police have not reported any fatalities in connection with the funeral shooting at 92nd and Cottage Grove, said a police department statement on Twitter at around 3 p.m on Oct 22. Detectives are on scene, interviewing individuals, canvassing for video and working on victim profiles. The most seriously wounded victim was shot in the head, but was able to speak to authorities while being treated, according to ABC7. He was also a rapper. Criss, was shot in the head on South Michigan Avenue on Oct. 9, according to the Sun Times. The 25-year-old was pronounced dead at a local hospital half an hour later. A woman who was caught in the foot by a bullet in that shooting said that the bullets may have come from a passing vehicle. A local task force was recently created to tackle the growing problem of shootings at funerals: Cook County Funeral and Cemetery Violence Task Force. It includes members of the Cook County Sheriffs Department, Chicago Police, the states attorneys office, and various owners of cemeteries and funeral homes. An Aston Martin logo is pictured during the 88th Geneva International Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, Mar. 6, 2018. (Reuters/Denis Balibouse) Aston Martin Considers Flying in Components, Changing Ports to Handle Brexit LONDONAston Martin is considering flying in car components and moving more parts through UK ports other than Dover to avoid possible border friction after Britain leaves the European Union, its boss told Reuters. Chief Executive Andy Palmer said changing to alternative ports or flying in parts would add costs compared to sticking with Dover, where there are concerns among firms that the port may not be able to cope with new customs checks after Brexit. London and Brussels hope to reach an agreement soon on Britains exit from the EU. The automotive sector, however, is worried that if there is a hard Brexit or no Brexit deal port and motorway snarl-ups could disrupt production, affecting the movement of thousands of components and vehicles to and from the continent every day. With just over five months until Brexit day, carmakers have triggered contingency plans such as moving shutdown periods, certifying models abroad and redrawing production schedules. At stake is Britains car industry, which employs roughly 850,000 people and is one of its few manufacturing success stories since the 1980s. Aston, which this month became the first British carmaker in decades to list on the London Stock Exchange, predominately uses Dover for moving components. The European-sourced parts, which include the engine and the gearbox as a complete assembly, come back in from Europe so an alternative port is one way, predominately for lorries, and then reserving space on aircrafts for one-off shipping, Palmer told Reuters. You can get a few days of engines and gearboxes relatively easily into the cargo decks of a plane so whilst its relatively expensive that is probably our primary backup, he said, adding the company only did so in an emergency at present. Coventry and Birmingham airport, near the firms central English Gaydon plant, and the port of Sunderland are among the locations the firm is considering for such contingencies. Better than Not Making Cars With Britain due to leave the European Union on Mar. 29, Palmer said the plan would have to be approved by the board by the end of the year, in an example of decisions executives are needing to take without clarity on what Brexit will mean. There is undoubtedly a cost associated with it, but its cheaper than not building cars, he said. I simply work to the worst and hope for the best. After earlier this year switching its car approvals from Britains vehicle agency to Spains due to uncertainty over the validity of such licenses, Palmer said its crossover DBX will also be approved there. Youre forced to make a change, he told Reuters. Once you set in place a process, you tend to stick with that process because it works. The United States is also due to overtake Britain in 2018 as the firms single biggest country market as the firm continues a strategy to mitigate Brexit risk with a U.S. sales drive, reducing its reliance on the EU. Prime Minister Theresa May on Oct. 19 sought to reassure business leaders that the EU was still committed to a deal this autumn, which would avoid disruption next year. Britains biggest carmaker Jaguar Land Rover has warned that the wrong Brexit deal could cost the firm 1.2 billion pounds ($1.6 billion) per year with the firms boss saying he still did not know whether his plants could still operate. Despite the Brexit uncertainty, Aston successfully floated earlier this month but its share price has since fallen by over 20 percent. Palmer said most shareholders knew the firm would deliver long-term value as it rolls out a series of new models. When we made the pitch to investors, I think almost all understood that this is basically a long-term story and it is all about value creation and thats what we are going to deliver, he said. By Costas Pitas Smurf characters displayed at the Smurf Experience exhibition in Brussels, Belgium, marking the 60th anniversary of the creation of the Smurfs by cartoonist Peyo, on June 21, 2018. (Alexandros Michailidis/Shuterstock) Belgians Celebrate 60th Anniversary of Creation of Smurfs BRUSSELSBelgians werent feeling blue on Oct. 23 as they held a series of Happy Smurfday celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the popular cartoon sons and daughters. Legendary comic book characters the Smurfs are marking six decades of entertaining generations of children with tales of bravery, exploration, and adventurebut not without controversy. To celebrate the anniversary, authorities in Brussels have turned the town blue. A special Smurf Experience has been laid on at the Brussels Expo park, where visitors can explore a real-life Smurf village. Meanwhile, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel was on hand at a popular city center hotel to officially unveil a Smurf-themed fresco, which has been painted onto the roof of a bar at the hotel. Like all Belgians, I grew up with the cartoons of Peyo, Michel said, referring to Belgian comic artist behind the series, Pierre Culliford. Happy 60th birthday to the Smurfs! Even the countrys national airline is getting involved, with Brussels Airlines painting one of its jets with the comic books main characters, including Smurfette as captain and Papa Smurf as her co-pilot. The iconic characters who are blue, wear white peaked caps, and are famously three apples tall, first appeared on Oct. 23, 1958, as minor characters in a Belgian cartoon strip. In the 60 years since they have become a billion-dollar success story, acquiring their own comic books and starring in a classic kids TV series, three films, and a franchise of video games. The intrepid blue explorers show no signs of letting up with a revamped TV series, due to come out in 2021, already in the works in which the Smurf village will be made into a 3-D wonderworld. The Smurfs were the brainchild of Culliford, who dreamed up an imaginary universe of more than 100 characters, each named after their own personality trait. Peyo once revealed that he came up with the name for his cartoon creatures at dinner when he momentarily forgot the word for salt and asked a friend to pass the schtroumpfthe Belgian name for the Smurfs. His fellow diner jokingly replied, Heres the schtroumpfwhen you are done schtroumpfing, schtroumpf it back, prompting the pair to spend the rest of that weekend speaking in schtroumpf language. He was obsessed by the characters because he wanted to control everything, his daughter Veronique Culliford, who now controls the brand, told the German news agency DPA. However, for all the innocent joy the Smurfs have brought children, some adults have observed a darker side to the comics with critics accusing the series of subliminally promoting communism, racism, anti-Semitism, and the belief that women have to have an ideal look and shape. Observers have long suggested that Papa Smurf, with his broad bushy white beard, closely resembles the father of socialism Karl Marx, whilst the Smurf economy largely takes the form of a cooperative. Others point to the first comic albumDe Zwarte Smurfenas a clear example of racism. In it, one of the Smurfs is bitten by an insect and turns black, at which point he starts talking gibberish and trying to bite the others. The cartoon was only released in the United States as recently as 2010 and the color of the cannibal Smurf was changed to purple by the publishers to avoid misunderstandings about the message. Meanwhile, the French sociologist Antoine Bueno has suggested that such stereotyping also extends to Jews, pointing to the main villain of the series, Gargamel, who has black eyebrows, a hooked nose, and a love of gold. There have also been criticisms of the character Smurfetteone of the only female Smurfswho started off as a villainous character with stringy hair and ugly eyelashes before being transformed by plastic Smurfery into a blonde bombshell, at which point the Smurfs accepted and loved her. However, despite such controversies, the cartoons remain enduringly popular with audiences worldwide, with the series chalking up global retail sales of $1.5 billion a year. Bolton Firm on Exit From Arms Treaty After Meeting With Putin National security adviser John Bolton remains firm that the United States will withdraw from a Cold War-era nuclear arms treaty with Russia, he told reporters shortly after a 90-minute meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Oct. 23. Washington has not filed a formal notice to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty, but will do so in due course, Bolton said in Moscow. President Donald Trump announced on Oct. 20, shortly before Bolton arrived in Moscow, that the United States will be withdrawing from the treaty. President Ronald Reagan and Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev signed the treaty in 1987, agreeing to destroy all ground-launched short- and mid-range ballistic missiles and banning these weapons use and possession. Washington has repeatedly accused Moscow of violating the treaty since 2013; Kremlin denies those claims. In addition to Russian violations, the United States is concerned about the substantial strides in the development of intermediate-range missiles made by China, Iran, and North Korea, Bolton noted. One-third to one-half of Chinas ballistic missile arsenal would violate the INF if Beijing was bound by the treaty, according to a U.S. assessment. Theres a new strategic reality out there. This is a Cold War, bilateral ballistic missile-related treaty in a multipolar ballistic missile world, Bolton said. This is something that concerns the Russians very substantially and we talked about that. Trump also brought up China in his comments about withdrawal from the INF, hinting that the United States may seek an expanded treaty that included three or more nations. According to Bolton, Washingtons attempts to bring other parties into the INF date back to 2003. They all failed, Bolton said. The State Department faulted Russia for violating the INF in six of its annual compliance reports. The United States, with NATOs backing, asserts that Moscows deployment of the SSC-8 ground-launched cruise-missile system violated the treaty. Russia remained silent on the issue for years, only to acknowledge the existence of the missile system, while demanding that the United States produce evidence it violates the pact. It is the American position that Russia is in violation, Bolton said. It is Russias position theyre not in violation. So one has to ask: How do you ask the Russians to come back into compliance with obligations they dont think theyre violating? Bolton cautioned about taking for granted the media narrative that withdrawal from the INF would trigger an arms race, referencing Washingtons previous exit from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty with Moscow. Bolton said media around the world seemed to have a button on their keyboard qualifying the ABM treaty as the cornerstone of international stability every time it was mentioned. It was not true then. It will not be true now, with the withdrawal from this treaty, Bolton said. Washingtons current position, given Russias violation of the INF, is that the United States is the only nation restricted by the treaty. Asked what practical actions the withdrawal will lead to, Bolton said the focus is on addressing Russias violation. Its a position Russia doesnt agree with, which we feel very strongly about and was a major factor in our decision to withdraw, he said. Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, speaking to reporters following the talks, sounded a conciliatory note, saying that Moscow views Boltons visit as a sign Washington wants to continue the dialogue on the issue. He said Moscow wants the same thing. Bolton and Putin came to a preliminary agreement that the U.S. and Russian leaders will have a bilateral meeting in Paris on Nov. 11, on the sidelines of events to commemorate the end of World War One. Prior to Boltons meeting with Putin, China issued a statement calling on the United States to stay in the treaty. If I were living in Beijing Id probably think the same thing, but Im not, Bolton said. Beijing has developed eight unique operational nuclear-capable missile systems with effective ranges between 300 and 3,400 miles, which are prohibited under the INF treaty, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The national security adviser didnt provide an official timeline for the withdrawal, but referenced the process for pulling out of ABM as a rough guideline. Bolton informed Russia of the withdrawal in September 2001; President George Bush filed a formal notice in December 2001; and the United States officially exited the treaty six months later, in June 2002. Trump is exiting the INF at a time of increased tensions with Russia. In response to Moscows malign activity around the world and in the United States, the White House has issued several rounds of sanctions, closed a Russian consulate, and expelled dozens of Russian intelligence officers. In opening remarks at his meeting with Bolton, Putin referred to the U.S. coat of arms to describe, from his perspective, the state of affairs between the Kremlin and the White House. We barely respond to any of your steps but they keep on coming, Putin told Bolton. On the coat of the arms of the United States, theres an eagle holding 13 arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other. My question is whether your eagle has gobbled up all the olives, leaving only the arrows, Putin said, drawing a laugh from Bolton. Bolton, who told Putin he hoped to be able to address some of Putins concerns about the troubled state of U.S.Russia relations, said that he had not brought any olives. Reuters contributed to this report. Boulder Thrown Through Window of House Majority Leaders Office, Suspects Sought A boulder was thrown through a window at one of House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthys (R-Calif.) offices and hes hoping people can help identify the suspects. McCarthy posted three pictures on Instagram that showed two men near his Bakersfield office, and a fourth that showed the boulder inside the office after the men hurled it through the window, as well as broken glass. Does anyone know these two guys? They threw a boulder thru [sic] our office window and took office equipment. The pictures show one man wearing a cap, a black shirt, blue and black shorts, and a pink backpack. The other wears jeans and a grey long-sleeve shirt. Besides being targeted this week, an event that featured McCarthy in August was disrupted by a group that chanted no justice, no peace. McCarthy is a close ally of President Donald Trump and recently introduced the Build the Wall, Enforce the Law Act of 2018, which targets funding for the wall the president wants to be built on the border of the United States and Mexico, as well as support for law enforcement. This bill combats sanctuary cities, transnational gangs like MS-13, human trafficking, and deadly drugs like fentanyl. It supports federal law enforcement like ICE. And it fully funds the Wall by appropriating the full amount requested by President Trump for its construction, bringing the total amount of funding to $25 billion, McCarthy said in a statement. McCarthy, the second-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives, is expected to run for speaker if Republicans maintain control of Congress, as current Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) is retiring. Pattern Continues A pattern of violence and threats against Republicans and those who support them shows no sign of stopping, with multiple incidents happening every week. On Oct. 19, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was yelled at while eating at a restaurant in Kentucky with his wife, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. That same day, a New York man was arrested and charged with threatening two U.S. Senators because of their confirmation votes for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Sources told the New York Post the Senators were Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Susan Collins (R-Maine). Also that day, it emerged that a restaurant owner in Tennessee was sent death threats after renting a room to Re. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). On Oct. 16, a Democratic operative was arrested for allegedly assaulting a Republican campaign manager in Nevada. And on Oct. 15, Collins received a letter at her house that purportedly contained the poison ricin. From NTD.tv Li Yong, director general of the U.N. Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), participates in a UNIDO event in Lima, Peru, on Dec. 2, 2013. (Cris Bouroncle/AFP/Getty Images) Brazils Possible Exit from China-Controlled UN Agency May Prompt Others to Exit, Sources Say Western countries concerned UNIDO being used by Beijing to promote its One Belt, One Road initiative; Brazil representative denies Brazil leaving UNIDO Brazil may hold the Chinese regime at arms length if leading presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro, an outspoken critic of Beijing, is elected next week, though a senior Brazilian diplomat has denied persistent speculation that his government may withdraw imminently from the China-controlled United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). European Union diplomats based in Vienna had speculated that Brazil, which has been cutting back on commitments to international organizations, would leave UNIDO imminently with a debt. Andre Joao Rypl, Brazils diplomat in charge of the UNIDO portfolio, has strongly denied that Brazil plans to leave UNIDO, however, and has insisted that Brazil has more or less settled its debt. Over the last year and a half, we made payments in excess of 23 million Euro and have settled much of our debt, he said in an email. We now owe only a small residual amount corresponding to a fraction of the 2017 contribution (approx. 1 million Euro). The 2018 contribution (together with this 2017 residue) should be paid by late December. According to Brazilian law, any contribution is only due by the last working day in the year, so we are not in arrears for the 2018 fees. The ambassador added that Brazil remains active in UNIDO, pointing out that for example next November, we will hold a seminar on Diplomacy and Technology in Brasilia with a keynote speaker from UNIDO. Nevertheless, many Western countries are concerned UNIDO is being used by Beijing to promote its dubious development policies such as its One Belt, One Road initiative (OBOR) globally. Should Bolsonaro win, Brazil might review its policy on UNIDO as well as wider policy issues with China, an important trading partner, the sources in Vienna say. Bolsonaro has portrayed China, its largest trading partner, as a predator seeking to control key sectors of Brazils economy. China is playing hell with UNIDO and is openly using it to implement OBOR worldwide, one senior Vienna-based EU source said, speaking on condition of anonymity. China formally disclosed its OBOR in 2013, revealing an ambitious scheme to link China by sea and land to more than 60 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa. Li Yong, a former Chinese vice minister in Chinas finance ministry, has been director general of UNIDO from 2013 and is due to remain atop the agency until December 2021. In September 2017, UNIDO played host to an international conference in Vienna on OBOR, together with the Finance Centre for South-South Cooperation, which is headed by a former top Chinese banking official, Cai Esheng. Senior U.N. officials, including Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, repeatedly have depicted the OBOR as a crucial pillar in a U.N.-sponsored plan to slash global poverty by 2030. The Chinese initiative, Guterres said in a speech before the OBOR in Beijing in May 2017, holds immense potential and promises greater market access for countries yearning to become more integrated with the global economy. But Beijing faces burgeoning criticism for placing unsustainable debt burdens on impoverished nations and fueling concern that the OBOR program is a trojan horse for projecting Chinas economic and military interests, and that the program has become ensnared in widespread corruption. Government officials in Kyrgyzstan were charged with colluding with Chinese contractors to embezzle OBOR funds by massively overpricing project costs; two former prime ministers were arrested on graft charges. In Sri Lanka, the Hambantota port was the brainchild of then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa. While the island was isolated internationally after a harsh military crackdown on separatist Tamil Tigers, involving massive human-rights abuses, Rajapaksa approached China for loans. Vast sums of money reportedly flowed from the Chineses port construction fund to Rajapaksas election campaign, foreign media reported. In spite of Chinese support he lost, however. Questions have also been raised about Chinese investment allegedly encouraging corruption in Pakistan, Malaysia, and the Maldives. Malaysias longstanding rule by the National Front coalition ended this year. Malaysias new government reviewed what it sees as the one-sided OBOR deals signed by the previous administration and has canceled several contracts. Such stupidity has never been seen before in the history of Malaysia, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said. In addition to UNIDO, Chinese control of the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) has played a major role in promoting OBOR. Since 2007, China has held the top position in the DESA, which previously was seen as a U.N. backwater holding conferences and drawing up economic case studies for underdeveloped states. The current head of US DESA is the former Chinese Ambassador to the U.N., Liu Zhenmin. In 2016, Helen Clark of New Zealand, then head of the U.N. Development Program (UNDP), signed the first memorandum of understanding with China, promising cooperation on the OBOR. Clark was fighting a campaign to become the U.N. secretary-general and was seeking Chinas support in the vote, Foreign Policy reported. However, she strongly denies supporting OBOR to further her ambition to head the U.N. Former U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned in March that Chinese predatory loan practices were encouraging dependency in African nations and undercut their sovereignty. EU officials and European leaders also have voiced concern about the geopolitical consequences of jacked-up Chinese investment in southern Europe. The United States withdrew from UNIDO, effective in 1996. Britain withdrew from UNIDO in 2012 after its 2011 Multilateral Aid Review concluded that there was no evidence of UNIDO having a significant impact on global poverty, and that it was beset by a wide range of organizational weaknesses including limited transparency, weak results reporting, and weak financial management, and that it was duplicative of other U.N. organizations. U.N. watchers see the Chinese promotion of its interests through UNIDO and UN DESA as part of a wider hijacking by Beijing of U.N. and other international agencies, underlined by Interpols refusal to allow Taiwan to attend a conference in Dubai in November, and blocking of the island from participating at a recent U.N. International Civil Aviation Organization assembly meeting. A spokesperson for UNIDO said in an email to The Epoch Times that there is no controversy surrounding the leadership of the organization, and that UNIDO promotes the interests of all of its 168 member states equally. UNIDO is working with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as we also promote win-win cooperation, prosperity, and inclusiveness to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and 2030 Agenda, said Ravindra Wickremasinghe. The Director General believes that The Belt and Road Initiative, with its emphasis on inclusive partnership and cooperation, can serve as an effective tool for the advancement of the 2030 Agenda, he added. This report was updated on Oct. 26 with comments from Brazilian representative Andre Joao Rypl and UNIDO to reflect that Brazil has not made any announcements that it is leaving UNIDO, and that Brazil has paid 23 million euros to settle its debt. The Epoch Times regrets the omission. Calls Grow for Ottawa to Shut out Huawei From Canadas 5G Technology Calls in security circles for Canada to prevent Chinese telecom giant Huawei from getting involved in 5G network technology have increased, with current American officials and former Canadian security officials weighing in. Peter MacKay, a former Canadian minister of defence, said during CTVs Question Period that China is known to be constantly hacking our system, and Canada should be concerned about the cyber threat posed by Huawei. It isnt the traditional threat that many people think about, where its coming across the border, through the air, or through the water, but this cyber threat affects our critical infrastructure, MacKay said. It also threatens future technology. We have to be concerned and protect ourselves. The 5G network is the next evolution in wireless technology. Both Australia and the United States have already banned Huawei from working on their 5G networks. Richard Fadden, the former head of the Canadian Intelligence Security Service, also advised in the same CTV program that Canada should stay away from Huawei. I think the risk is too great, he said. Theres a lot at stake and we should say no. Earlier this month, American Senators Marco Rubio (Republican) and Mark Warner (Democrat), both members of the U.S. Senate select committee on intelligence, wrote in a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Canada should ban Huawei from its 5G networks. We write with grave concerns about the possibility that Canada might include Huawei Technologies or any other Chinese state-directed telecommunications company in its fifth-generation (5G) telecommunications network infrastructure, the senators wrote in a letter first obtained by the Globe and Mail. As you are aware, Huawei is not a normal private-sector company. There is ample evidence to suggest that no major Chinese company is independent of the Chinese government and Communist Partyand Huawei, which Chinas government and military tout as a national champion, is no exception. This is not the first time American politicians have publicly voiced concern about Canadas dealings with China in recent years. Last year, the head of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee urged Canada to be more vigilant as Ottawa gave approval for a Chinese company to buy Vancouver-based Norsat International Inc., a company that sells satellite technology to the U.S. military and NATO. Members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which includes Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, have also reportedly warned Canada about the risks of Huawei. Trudeau has said he will consult Canadian public servants, and will not let politics slip into his governments decision on Huaweis involvement in 5G networks. Its very easy in discussions like this to let politics slip into decisions and positioning like that, and as Ive been saying for more than three years, we try to base our decisions on evidence and data. And that means listening to the experts and trusting them, he told the Globe. The Liberal government also faced demands to shut out Huawei from the next generation of wireless technology from the opposition Conservative Party during the parliamentary session on Oct. 15. It is very clear now that Huawei is a threat to our national telecommunications infrastructure, Pierre Paul-Hus, the Conservatives public safety and emergency preparedness critic, said in Parliament. The United States and Australia have banned this company from their territory and two senior senators, representing the two political parties of the U.S. Senate, have written to the prime minister to try to make him understand the importance of this threat. Will the prime minister give the order today to ban Huawei? In response, David Lametti, parliamentary secretary to Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains, said we have procedures in place with our security agencies to conduct reviews in such circumstances. We will rely on the opinions of our security agencies and experts. Huawei was founded by a retired officer in the Peoples Liberation Army of China. Heads of six major U.S. intelligence agencies, including the CIA, FBI, and NSA, warned last February that Americans should not buy phones made by Huawei and the other Chinese telecom giant, ZTE. Former heads of CSIS, including Fadden, have also warned about the threats posed by Huawei to Canadas national security. Cruz Gets Boost From Trump at Massive Texas Rally HOUSTONOne of the nations most-watched U.S. Senate racesbetween Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and opponent Rep. Beto ORourke (D-Texas)just drew even more attention as President Donald Trump headed to the Lone Star State to speak at a campaign-style rally. The Toyota Center effortlessly filled up its 18,000-seat capacity, and a further 10,000 to 15,000 supporters watched from outside on digital screens. Earlier, Trumps 2020 reelection campaign said more than 100,000 Texans registered to attend the event. Trump held the massive rally to invigorate Republicans to vote for Cruza former political foeas the midterms loom just 15 days away. Early voting has begun in Texas and the president hopes to keep and perhaps expand the GOPs current 5149 advantage in the chamber. If ORourke wins the seat, it would give Democrats a higher chance of gaining control of the Senatethe race has gained more national attention than normal Texas campaigns, in part because its one of the most expensive Senate races this year. ORourke raised $38.1 million for his campaign in the third quarter, a record for the largest Senate fundraising quarter ever, according to his campaign. Meanwhile, Cruz has gained $12 million over the past three months. Cruz Leads Polls But a financial war chest alone doesnt guarantee a win. Multiple polls place Cruz ahead by an average of 7 points, including a CNN poll that had Cruz leading with 52 percent support against ORourkes 45 percent, and a New York Times/Siena College poll that placed Cruz at 51 percent to ORourkes 43 percent. In a rare campaign appearance, Eric Trump and his wife, Lara, appeared onstage to show their support, before Cruz or the president spoke. We are driving the Democrats absolutely nuts. They are watching this enthusiasm and they just dont know what to do anymore. We have an economy the likes of which we havent seen before, Eric Trump told the crowd. The rally comes at a time where Republican enthusiasm is up nationally, just weeks after the bitter confirmation battle over new Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Lara Trump, in reference to the crowd numbers, said, This is how President Donald Trump stays president for four more years. In the 2016 presidential election, Trump won Texas by 9 percentage points over Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton. Brad Parscale, Trumps 2020 reelection campaign manager, also made a short appearance on stage before Cruz took the spotlight. God bless Texas and God bless President Donald Trump were Cruzs first words to the crowd. During the rally, Cruz embraced one of Trumps new catchphrases, #JobsNotMobs! We are living in extraordinary times. Do we embrace jobs or give in to mobs? Weve had a couple of debates, with as clear as distinction that anyone can hope for, Cruz said. Throughout his remarks, Cruz frequently touted his work with the president on tax breaks and derided his opponents stance on wanting to increase taxes. Beto ORourke wants higher taxes. Beto voted against the tax cut. He voted repeatedly in favor of higher property taxes. In El Paso, he even voted for something called a rain tax. Here in Texas, we celebrate when it rains, we dont tax you for it, Cruz said. He also mentioned unemployment, saying the levels in Texas are at their lowest in 49 years, while unemployment among African-Americans, Hispanics, and Asian-Americans is at historic low levels. For Texans, the Second Amendment is always on the menu. Cruz is a strong supporter of gun rights, while ORourke stands for gun control. Cruz told the crowd that after seeing a Twitter post in February about ORourkes F rating by the National Rifle Association, Cruz promptly retweeted ORourkes comment. Cruz talked about his efforts in getting judges nominated, building the border wall, opposing sanctuary cities, and, at one point, criticized his opponent for calling for the impeachment of the president. Days ago, ORourke said that he would vote to impeach Trump. This is Houston, this is Texas. We want jobs, we want freedom, we want opportunity and we are delivering on all of those, Cruz told the crowd. Im going to make a prediction. In 2020, Trump is overwhelmingly going to be reelected to be president of the United States. ORourke will also be rallying voters and making stops around Houston, Spring, Pasadena, Missouri City, and Rosenberg, before he heads to central Texas. Meanwhile, his campaign was recently sued for allegedly sending constituents unsolicited text messagesa violation of the law. The class-action lawsuit was filed on Oct. 19 in the Northern District of Texas Court. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act bars the use of automatic telephone equipment to send texts or calls to a persons cell phone without their permission. While some reports speculate that ORourke may be eyeing a 2020 run for the White House, he responded at a CNN Town Hall last week that its a definitive no. Trump, the last to speak at the rally, said Cruz has helped him carry out his agenda. He said the GOP is working toward adding a new round of tax cuts next week. Ted is leading the charge in Congress for more tax cuts. We are going to put a 10 percent tax cut for middle-income families, we are going to put that in next week, Trump said. Nobody has helped me more with your tax cuts, your regulation including our military and vets than Senator Ted Cruz. He defended your jobs. He defended your borders. He defends your family, he defends your faith, and, with other Republicans, we defend your freedom. As a caravan of people from the Central American countries of Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala continues to approach the United States, Trump said Oct. 22 that he will reduce or stop aid to those nations for their failure to stop their citizens from entering illegally. Trump also cast blame on the Democrats. You know how the caravan started? I think the Democrats have something to do with it. They made a big mistake. That is an assault on our country, he said. We need a wall built fast. We have to protect our borders. Meanwhile, Republican Greg Abbott is seeking reelection as governor of Texas. He will face Democrat candidate Lupe Valdez in the upcoming midterms. Trump called Abbott the greatest guy and said he did a fantastic job under the pressure of the hurricane that recently hit Texas. Trump hit back against a purported blue wave, a scenario in which Democrats would win enough races to swing control of at least one branch of Congress in the coming midterms, which he said has dissipated. He closed his remarks with a call to action. In America, we dont worship government, we worship God. These are the values that united people all across the great state of Texas. In this election, you can send a message to the radical Democrats: Dont mess with Texas. French Education Minister and Youth Affairs Jean-Michel Blanquer addresses media about a video of a teenager in a Paris suburb threatening his teacher with a fake gun at the Ministry of National Education in Paris, on Oct. 21, 2018. (Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty Images) French Teen Who Brandished Fake Gun on Teacher Has Been Charged A French teen was charged with aggravated violence after a video was released showing him pointing a fake gun at a teachers head, prosecutors said on Oct. 21. The scene took place on Oct. 18 at Edouard-Branly High School in Creteil, a southeastern suburb of Paris. The 16-year-old says in the video in French, while aiming the fake gun at the female teacher: Youve marked me as absent. Mark me as present. Le Parisien reported that the teen was reacting to the teacher having marked him as absent when he was late for class. The teacher appears unperturbed by the disturbing gesture and proceeds to face her laptop, ignoring the student. There is also a student who is seen in the video making a rude hand gesture behind the teachers back. The video of the incident was first uploaded to social media on Oct. 18 by a high school classmate, according to BBC. Ahahaha jsui dans un lycee de fou barjoo pic.twitter.com/twDgwR1Unc Fernando (@DjeffChap) October 19, 2018 On Oct. 19, the teacher filed a police report over the incident. The teen later turned himself over to police on the same day, accompanied by his father. The teen told police that it was meant as a joke, according to AFP. He was held in police custody for 48 hours before being released with charges that included threatening a teacher and bringing a weaponeven a fake oneto school, France Inter reported. The student who had made the rude hand gesture was also arrested but soon released. One teacher who has been at the school for the past 25 years told Le Monde that this incident is not usual and that students are taught communication skills and respect. French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on Oct. 20 in a Twitter post that to threaten a teacher is unacceptable. Macron said he has since ordered his ministers to prevent future similar incidents. On Oct. 21, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner and Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer announced in a joint statement that they would hold a meeting next week to discuss how to prevent school violence in low-income suburbs. A customer walks out of a Toys r Us store with 'closing down sale' signs in the windows in south London on Feb. 9, 2018. (Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images) Hasbro Results Dented by Lingering Toys R Us Woes, Shares Drop Toymaker Hasbro Inc. missed analysts expectations for quarterly revenue and profit on Oct. 22, as the demise of major retail partner Toys R Us hurt sales in Europe and the United States, sending its shares down as much as 8 percent. The company and rival Mattel Inc. have scrambled to find new avenues to sell their products following the sudden collapse of Toys R Us, once the worlds largest standalone toy retailer, a year ago. As we go into 2019, we certainly believe well continue to make up for the Toys R Us difference, Chief Executive Officer Brian Goldner said on a post-earnings call. Our goal in holiday 2018 is not to necessarily make up the Toys R Us difference this year. Investor expectations were high going into the third quarter after Goldner and Wall Street analysts hinted the company may mitigate some of the impact from the toy retailers bankruptcy in the second half of the year. But Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based Hasbro reported a 7 percent drop in quarterly sales in the United States and Canada to $924.2 million, due to the loss of Toys R Us revenue and an inability to meet shipping demands of other retailers. Hasbro and Mattel are retooling their supply chains to target more retailers since the collapse of Toy R Us, but volumes remain still below levels before the toy retailers bankruptcy filing. Traditional toymakers have also been rattled in recent years by thousands of manufacturers selling on Amazon.com and other e-commerce sites, as well as kids preferring electronic games over physical toys. The drop in Hasbros international sales was much steeper, down 24 percent, pressured by changing consumer shopping trends and a stronger dollar. International revenues were the biggest surprise, B Riley analyst Susan Anderson said. Sales in Hasbros partner brands that include tie-ups with Marvel and Disney also fell 37 percent in the three months ended Sept. 30, partly due to the absence of a major movie release in the quarter. The company also said on Oct. 22 it was restructuring its business, which would lead to severance charges of $50 million to $60 million in the current quarter. Hasbro did not disclose the number of layoffs, but told Reuters last week that it would be a single-digit percentage of its global workforce. The company had more than 5,000 employees as of Dec. 31. Excluding certain items, Hasbro earned $1.93 per share, missing expectation of $2.23, according to Refinitiv estimates. Revenue also fell short of expectations. Hasbro shares were down nearly 5 percent at $93.41 in late-morning trade, while those of Mattel were down 2 percent. By Aishwarya Venugopal How Gothic Architecture Lost Its Lofty Image If you want foreboding old buildings that dark lords and werewolves are bound to frequent, look no further than Britains enviable Gothic architecture. From Strawberry Hill in London with its twisting corridors and glaring pinnacles, to ruined abbeys, and cathedrals such as St. Andrews and Jedburgh, darkness seems to thrive in these placesthe perfect location for a Halloween party if youre lucky enough to be invited. What is often not appreciated is that this style had two distinct periods of glory, with a long time out of favor in between. And its not just their tall spires and endless corridors and gargoyles that brought these structures supernatural associations. The dark reputation they gained in their wilderness years helped, too. Gothic was in its pomp in medieval and Tudor Britain. Famous examples include Salisbury Cathedral in southern England, Caernarfon Castle in Wales, and Melrose Castle and Brodie Castle in Scotland. The style was used by church, state, and universities, Oxford and Cambridge especially. It was certainly not associated with terror in this periodmore with the potential perils of sin and purgatory, or the rigors of academia. Gothic waned in the 17th century, replaced by the round-arched and rationalized style of classicism. Imported from the continent and inspired by ancient Greece and Rome, the new style came to prominence in London public and private works such as the Banqueting House at Whitehall, and the Queens House in Greenwich. Classicism continued to spread in the 18th century, while Gothic came to be seen as barbaric. It was intentionally connected with the Goths by critics who favored Greek and Roman architecture. These included the Renaissance artists Raphael and Vasari, Georgian intellectuals such as John Evelyn, and architects like Isaac Ware. (Ware would later introduce certain Gothic elements into his work.) These people often argued that when the Goths sacked Rome in the fifth century, they destroyed proper classical architecture and introduced a backward, coarse styleGothicin its place. In the first half of the 18th century in particular, almost all the major architects promoted classicism. As the Scottish minister and writer Alexander Gerard put it in 1759: The profusion of ornament, bestowed on the parts, in Gothic structures, may please one who has not acquired enlargement of mind where refinement is wanting, taste must be coarse and vulgar. Worse still in those days, Gothic was associated with the Catholics. Catholicism in the 1700s was viewed with suspicion and concern, thanks partly to the Jacobite risings. Both were considered a threat to the Hanoverian and classical order, never mind that the great medieval abbeys spared destruction in the Reformation had been put into the service of the Protestant church. Torchbearers Gothic was not cast aside entirely, however. One leading enthusiast was writer and historian Horace Walpole, the youngest son of Sir Robert, Britains first prime minister. In 1748, he redeveloped Strawberry Hill, a collection of 17th-century tenement houses in London, which are now known as the most important mid-Georgian example of Gothic Revival. Walpoles choices were rooted in a love of medieval architecture and genealogy. He presented his project as realizing the castle of his ancestors, painting their coats of arms on the walls of the houses armory, for example. Gothics grim associations meanwhile found an outlet in its other notable form in Georgian Britain, the Gothic novel. Horace Walpole was again a pioneer. The Castle of Otranto (1764) tells of incest, brutality, and deceit and is set within what we can only interpret as a Gothic structure. Subsequent authors from Ann Radcliffe to Bram Stoker also located terrifying scenes and ghastly encounters in and around such buildings. The form became so popular that an anonymous letter published in The Spirit of the Public Journals for 1797 proposed a satirical formula for writing a Gothic novel. It highlights the centrality of Gothic structures to the genre: Take An old castle, half of it ruinous. A long gallery, with a great many doors, some secret ones. Three murdered bodies, quite fresh. As many skeletons, in chests and presses. An old woman hanging by the neck; with her throat cut. Assassins and desperadoes quant suff. Noise, whispers, and groans, threescore at least. The Second Coming Then in the 19th century, Gothic made a stylistic comeback. This was helped by antiquaries in the mid-Georgian period who had studied Gothic works and treated them as part of Britains architectural heritage. By the time the Palace of Westminster was almost completely destroyed by fire in 1834, fashions had come full circle. For a competition to commission a new building, the brief said it had to be either Gothic or Elizabethan. It had to preserve those venerable and beautiful remains of [Gothic] antiquity, the cloisters and the Crypt of St. Stephens Chapel. One supporter argued: Gothic is eminently English in every respect It is the architecture of our history and our romance. Our kings of old held court in Gothic structures. Dissenting voices such as the scientist and thinker W.R. Hamilton believed this revival may possibly throw us back to the Middle Ages, but for the next few decades they were ignored. Gothic revivalism went hand in hand with top-hatted Victorians and their fixations with death and religion. We can still see the results in the likes of monuments to Prince Albert in London, and Sir Walter Scott in Edinburgh, Scotland. When Gothic fell out of favor a second time in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, it was because of the availability of new materials such as glass and steeland new priorities, such as functionality. Suggestions of Gothic barbarism and un-Britishness were left in the past. Ominous turrets and groaning archways may sometimes seem best suited to the sets of Dracula movies, but these glorious structures will always have a treasured place in British heritage. Peter Lindfield is a Leverhulme Early Career Research Fellow at Manchester Metropolitan University in Manchester, England. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Hurricane Willa at Category 4 Strength, Expected to Slam Mexico Very Soon: NOAA Update Top video shows Hurricane Michael rocking cruise ship Hurricane Willa is slated to pass over Las Islas Marias, Mexico, very soon, said the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) in its most recent update on Oct. 23. Willa is a Category 4 hurricane with 130 mph winds, the NHC said. Its slated to bring life-threatening conditions in only a few hours, the agency warned. Hurricane-force winds, heavy rain, and storm surge are expected in west-central Mexico. The storm is only about 55 miles west-southwest of Las Islas Marias and 150 miles south-southwest of Mazatlan, Mexico, and it is moving north at 5 mph. A hurricane warning is in effect for San Blas to Mazatlan, including Las Islas Marias. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Playa Perula to San Blas and north of Mazatlan to Bahia Tempehuaya. Interests elsewhere along the coasts of west-central and southwestern mainland Mexico should monitor the progress of Willa, said the NHC. Talk about rapid intensification! In the last 24 hours (see animation), the max sustained winds of #Hurricane #Willa have increased from 100 MPH (155 KM/H) to a whopping 160 MPH (260 KM/H)! Central pressure has dropped from 975 MB (28.80") to 925 MB (27.32"). (@NOAA GOES-East) pic.twitter.com/qBcoL7p1QO NASA SPoRT (@NASA_SPoRT) October 22, 2018 The NHC added: A turn toward the north- northeast is expected later this morning, followed by a faster motion toward the northeast by this evening. On the forecast track, the center of Willa will move near or over Las Islas Marias later this morning and afternoon, and make landfall within the hurricane warning area along the west-central coast of mainland Mexico late this afternoon or this evening. Meanwhile, the extremely dangerous storm will gradually weaken, it is expected to be a dangerous major hurricane when it reaches the coast of Mexico. Rapid weakening is expected after landfall tonight and continuing into Wednesday, the agency said. Hurricane conditions are expected on Las Islas Maria later in the day and within the hurricane warning area along the coast of mainland Mexico starting in the afternoon, the NHC added. Willa is expected to produce storm total rainfall accumulations of 6 to 12 inches, with local amounts to 18 inches, across portions of western Jalisco, western Nayarit, southern Sinaloa, and far southern Durango in Mexico, the NHC said, adding that landslides and flash flooding are likely. Vicente Elsewhere in the tropics, post-tropical cyclone Vicente continued to weaken, according to the NHC. The system is expected to weaken inland and dissipate over the next few days. Vicente is moving toward the north-northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue today. On the forecast track, the center of Vicente is expected to move inland over the Mexican state of Michoacan later today. Satellite-derived wind data indicate that maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Vicente is expected to dissipate later today or tonight after it has moved inland over Mexico, according to a discussion of the storm. Hurricane Michael Death Toll Officials on Oct. 22, said that at least 39 people have been confirmed dead after Hurricane Michael hit about two weeks ago. The Associated Press reported that 29 of those deaths occurred in Florida, namely along the Florida Panhandle. The latest update adds four deaths from the hardest-hit coastal Bay County, Florida, bringing the total there to 19, AP reported. Did you enjoy this article? Continue to read more stories here. Hurricane Willa Threatening Mazatlan Resort Area, Forces Thousands to Evacuate Hurricane Willa remains a Category 3 storm with 120 mph winds and is nearing the central coast of Mexico. The storm is forecast to hit near the resort area of Mazatlan. Officials said they evacuated 4,250 people in coastal towns and set up about 60 shelters ahead of the storm, according to The Associated Press on Oct. 23. The federal government issued a decree of extraordinary emergency for 19 municipalities in Nayarit and Sinaloa states. A hurricane warning is in effect for San Blas to Mazatlan, including Las Islas Marias. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Playa Perula to San Blas and north of Mazatlan to Bahia Tempehuaya. Interests elsewhere along the coasts of west-central and southwestern mainland Mexico should monitor the progress of Willa, said the NHC. According to the agency: A faster motion toward the northeast is expected tonight. On the forecast track, the center of Willa will approach the coast of west-central Mexico this afternoon, and make landfall within the hurricane warning area along the west-central coast of mainland Mexico early this evening. Talk about rapid intensification! In the last 24 hours (see animation), the max sustained winds of #Hurricane #Willa have increased from 100 MPH (155 KM/H) to a whopping 160 MPH (260 KM/H)! Central pressure has dropped from 975 MB (28.80") to 925 MB (27.32"). (@NOAA GOES-East) pic.twitter.com/qBcoL7p1QO NASA SPoRT (@NASA_SPoRT) October 22, 2018 While Willa remains a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, little change in strength is expected before Willa reaches the coast of Mexico. Rapid weakening is expected after landfall and Willa is expected to dissipate over northern Mexico on Wednesday, officials said. Willa is slated to produce total rainfall accumulations of 6 to 12 inches and may produce local amounts to 18 inches, the NHC said, adding that landslides and flash flooding are likely. Bob Swanson, who is from Saskatchewan, Canada, and lives in Mazatlan, said he filled his home fuel tank and gassed up his car. I come from a country where we have hurricanes and vicious storms, so Im kind of waiting with bated breath, he told AP. The NHC, in a discussion, issued several warnings: There is life-threatening storm surge occurring along the coasts of the Isla Marias as well as along the coast of southern Sinaloa and Nayarit states. Meanwhile, life-threatening hurricane-force winds are slated to reach the coast of west-central Mexico within the hurricane warning area within the next several hours. Also also, heavy rains from the storm will produce life-threatening flash flooding and landslides over much of southwestern and west-central Mexico. Vicente Elsewhere in the tropics, post-tropical cyclone Vicente continued to weaken, according to the NHC. The system is expected to weaken inland and dissipate over the next few days. Mexican officials said that heavy rains from Vicente caused deadly flooding and mudslides in southern and southwestern Mexico, leaving at least 11 people dead, according to AP. A children's playground now occupies part of the site of the former mother-and-baby home run by the Bon Secours nuns in Tuam, western Ireland, on March 7, 2017. (Reuters/Peter Nicholls Ireland to Exhume Babies Mass Grave to Provide Proper Burial DUBLINIrelands government on Oct. 23 approved the exhumation and reburial of the decades-old remains of hundreds of babies left in unmarked graves at the site of a former church-run home for unwed mothers in the western town of Tuam. Findings last year by an official inquiry that significant quantities of remains were stored in underground chambers horrified Ireland, reviving anguish over how women and children were once treated at state-backed Catholic institutions. Almost 800 children could be interred in the grounds, according to a local researcher who first brought the issue to light in 2014 by comparing the number of death certificates issued to recorded burials at the site. The infant mortality rate at Church-run institutions was significantly higher than in wider Irish society at that time, with death certificates mostly blaming infections like measles, gastroenteritis, bronchitis, tuberculosis, and pneumonia. Relatives have alleged the babies were mistreated because they were born to unmarried women. Every effort will be made to locate and recover all juvenile remains from the site, Childrens Minister Katherine Zappone told a news conference, saying the testimonies of relatives who had lost relatives at the home will live with her forever. I am committed to ensuring that all the children interred at this site can have a dignified and respectful burial. Run by nuns from the Bon Secours order, the home operated from 1925 to 1961 and was demolished in the 1970s. Remains dated from between 35 fetal weeks and 3 years of age were found at the site, which is now an estate of low-rise, modest homes. Give Them a Proper Christian Burial Earlier this month, Peter Mulryan, a man in his 70s who lived in the home until he was 4, said he believes his sister may lie buried among the bones of babies and toddlers. Ive a sister in that septic tank in Tuam and I want her, and the rest, out of there for a proper DNA test and to be handed back to their siblings, said Mulryan. We want to give them the proper Christian burial they were denied. Kevin Higgins, a lawyer who has acted on Peter Mulryans behalf, called for an inquest and post-mortems to determine how the children in the Tuam home died. The government has set its face against an inquest into the cause of death of each individual child. They do not want the truth to emerge. From those remains, there will be evidence, even now, of maltreatment and neglect, Higgins said. The Churchs prestige and authority have been greatly diminished over the past three decades by a series of scandals over pedophile priests, abuse at Magdalene laundries, forced adoptions of illegitimate babies, and other painful issues. During Pope Franciss recent visit to Ireland, where he begged forgiveness for the multitude of abuses suffered at the hand of the church, he was handed a letter by Zappone calling for a substantial contribution to the cost of action at the site. She said on Oct. 23 that the Vatican had not yet responded but that the Bon Secours order had offered a voluntary contribution of $2.9 million toward the costs. Described as a chamber of horrors last year by then prime minister Enda Kenny, excavating the site would not be easy, Zaponne said, first requiring legislation and then a phased approach that she was unable to put a timeline on. She also said that Ireland must prepare itself for further truths to come to the fore next year when a wider inquiry into the so-called mother-and-baby homes reports on institutions where tens of thousands of unmarried pregnant women, including rape victims, were sent to give birth. By Padraic Halpin Is California Key to Democrats Hope to Take the House? There was a time when people said, So goes California, so goes the nation. In the 2018 midterm elections, as many as 10 California House seats are drawing the attention ofand large donations fromDemocrats in their quest to regain control of the House. How those California races conclude may well decide which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives. Although there are 435 House seats, realistically, fewer than 60 are in play in most midterm elections. Some believe that many seats are in play in the 2018 midterm elections. To gain control of the House, the Democrats need to flip 23 of those seatsa number that represents the average loss for the presidents party in that presidents first midterm election. National politics is a major determinative of the outcomes of congressional races. Indeed, only once in the television erai.e., since President Dwight D. Eisenhowers election in 1952has the presidents party not lost seats in the first midterm elections. That was in 2002, when President George W. Bushs Republican Party picked up eight seats in the wake of 9/11 and its unifying effect on the electorate. The unique nature of that 2002 unity likely, hopefully, wont be repeatable for any party. Indeed, America has been in what I have termed the Divided Era since the mid-1990s, with partisanship steadily on the rise. In 2010, President Barack Obamas Democratic Party went on to lose 63 seats in his midterm election. At the time, his approval rating, in the month before the election, was at 47 percent, according to Rasmussen Reports. During the two years prior to the 2010 midterms, bitterly at times, the Congress split along party lines in significant part because of the legislative agenda of the Democrats, which included the big spending stimulus package and Obamacare. Obama did not court Republican voters, and the weak economyweak in part because of his policies of Obamaalso hurt the Democrats midterm efforts. Rasmussen Reports has President Donald Trumps approval ratings touching 51 percent several times during October. Trump, it could be argued, also hasnt directly courted voters from the other party. However, the booming economy is helping Republicans where it hurt the Obama Democrats in 2010. Indeed, as Steve Liesman pointed out in his CNBC article, Dont expect a big Democratic wave this fall, a new CNBC poll says, a recent CNBC All-America Economic Survey found that 48 percent of the public is optimistic about the current economy and optimistic it will get better, the highest level in the polls 11-year history and more than double the 20 percent registered in the December 2016 survey. The poll, conducted Oct. 4th through the 7th, shows 83 percent of Republicans are optimistic but also 22 percent of Democrats and 40 percent of Independent voters, Liesman writes. That indicator makes it likely that this November, the Trump Republicans will do significantly better than the Obama Democrats did in November 2010. All of which bring us to California. Of those House seats in play this year, the year started out with as many as ten of them in play in Californiaor more than one-third of the seats the Democrats need to flip the House. Keep in mind that California has 53 House seatsjust under 1 in 8 of all House seats. Although the number of California seats in play appears to be winding down to much fewer than 10, as of the date of this article, the outcome for those seats is still in doubt. Top of the Ticket So, will Democrat control of the House be won in California? To answer that question, we need to keep in mind that California has been moving steadily left since the early 1990s, if not before. The last time California voted for a Republican President was in 1988. Since then, changing immigration policies, along with many right-of-center voters leaving California for red states, has resulted in Democrats dominating statewide electionsincluding every U.S. Senate election since 1992 and currently every statewide office. Consistent with this history, as of the June 2018 primary, Republican registration has slipped to 25.1 percent in the statetrailing not only the Democrats (at 43.4 percent) but also voters with no party affiliation (at 25.5 percent). All of that sounds daunting for Republicans. However, the House seats in play are not in districts with 25 percent Republican voter registration numbers. Moreover, the recent Democrat success statewide could lead to Democrat voter complacency. At the top of the ticket, under Californias top-two format (where the top two primary finishers regardless of party face off in the fall), there are two Democrats running for the 2018 U.S. Senate seat. The experts believe that incumbent Diane Feinstein is expected to win that seat easily. The voters think so, too. With respect to the governors race, the Republican John Cox is polling closer than the last Republican candidate and far less than the 19 percent Democrat registration advantage. That could be an indication that Democrat voters in the state also seem complacent in their belief that Gavin Newsom is a shoe-in. The complacency among Democrat voters for those top-of-the-ticket races could result in lower vote totals statewide and therefore diminished Democrat votes in the House races in play. Beyond that, Republican voters are motivated to vote for Prop 6 this year. That proposition seeks to repeal a recent gas tax increase voted by the legislature. A recent Survey USA poll showed that proposition winning handily. That increased motivation could help Republicans in the House races in playespecially in Southern California, where long commutes place a premium on gas-price politics. Fundraising As for the particular races, what isnt in doubt is that the Democrat candidates have out-fundraised their Republican counterparts in the 10 most competitive California House races. That performance follows a nationwide trend in which Democrat House candidates outraised Republicans House candidatesby over $300 million. However, candidate fundraising does not tell the whole story. The Republican National Committee has raised far more than the Democrat National and outside groups are playing a major role. For instance, in the all-important race for the 10th Congressional Districta district Hillary Clinton won against Trump by 3 percentnearly $5 million will be spent by Republican-affiliated groups to retain the seat held by Republican incumbent Jeff Denham. That stands in contrast to opponent Josh Harder, a junior college teacher, outraising Denham $3.5 million to $630,000 in the last quarter. Voter registration favors Democrats in the district, 37.6 percent to 34.4 percent, and a September poll showed Harder up over Denham, although Republican polling shows otherwise. On the other hand, the race to replace Republican Congressman Darrell Issa for the 49th Congressional District, presents a different scenario. Voter registration favors Republicans, 35.7 percent to 31 percent, but in 2016, the incumbent Issa squeaked out a less than 1 percent victory. Although the Republican Diane Harkey has a solid record on which to run, her political novice of an opponent Mike Levin is benefiting from outside donations from the likes of Michael Bloomberg. Bloomberg is said to have given over $2 million to defeat the likes of Harkey in his personal attempt to undermine President Trump and have the Democrats take the House. Bloomberg wants to run for President in 2020 as a Democrat and must believe a Democrat House, and spending money on Democrats, will help him in that quest. The polls in the HarkeyLevin race are favoring Levin as of the date of this article. Tight Races Of the remaining seats, the 4th and 22nd districts, seats held by Republican incumbents McClintock and Nunes, they are listed by most pollsters as likely GOP victories. The race for the 21st district, featuring Republican incumbent David Valadao, is also a likely Republican victory because he is a well-regarded local farmer in the district. Also, there has been a lack of outside funding by Democrats, in the race, even though the Democrats hold a 43.8 percent to 27.5 percent registration advantage. Embattled Republican Incumbent Duncan Hunter likely will win as well in the 50th district with a Republican registration advantage of 41 percent to 27.9 percent. That leaves four Republicansincumbent Steve Knight (25th district), Young Kim (39th district), incumbent Mimi Walters (45th district), and incumbent Dana Rohrabacher (48th district)all of whom are in tight races. Republican insiders believe all will win despite trailing in fundraising. That belief is based in part on the hard-left leanings of their opponents and the tightening national generic congressional ballot. All in all, as the November midterms approach, there is little doubt all eyes will be on California in the determination of who wins control of the House. Certain national trends favor Republicans, others do not. As a result, like many other races in the country, several California races remain too close to call. Thomas Del Beccaro is the author of The Divided Era and former chairman of the California Republican Party. Correction: A previous version of this article misspelled the name of Mike Levin, who is running for Californias 49th Congressional District. The Epoch Times regrets the mistake. John Cox: California Is Ready for a Change Californias race for a new governor is in its final stretch, and Republican candidate John Cox is feeling positive. I feel great, Cox emailed The Epoch Times. As I travel throughout the state, I hear from Californians forgotten by the political class that they are ready for a change. Polls from a variety of sources have shown wildly different numbers on the states governor campaign. On Oct. 17, the Los Angeles Times and University of Southern CaliforniaDornsife published survey results showing 54 percent of California likely voters preferred Democrat Gavin Newsom, while 31 percent supported Cox. However, a survey of California voters by the Independent Voter Network found 48 percent supported Newsom and 44 percent favored Cox, indicating the race could be much closer than it might seem. Newsom is the current lieutenant governor of California, and Cox said his opponent has not dealt with the states highest poverty rate in the nation or its lagging schools. California ranks 26th out of 50 on U.S. Newss Best States ranking for education, and it ranks 50th for quality of life. Cox, a businessman, has placed much of his campaigns focus on decreasing the cost of living for ordinary Californians. I hear from families who are struggling with skyrocketing costs in California and are forced to choose between paying their rent, putting gas in their car, or buying groceries for their family. Its time for a governor who will focus on these issues, he said. According to a study by the California Legislative Analysts Office, more people are moving out of California than are moving into the state, and its been that way for years. For seven years as Lieutenant Governor, Gavin Newsom did nothing to take on the privileged class of lobbyists, politicians, and insiders who have rigged the system to their advantage. I vow that, as your Governor, I will take on the special interests, said Cox. Cox and Newsom, the final two candidates who won the state primary in June, met for their only debate on KQED, a San Francisco public radio station, on Oct. 8. Both candidates said they agreed the state needs more affordable housing, but they disagreed on how to provide it. We need to address the high cost of housing and lack of supply, said Cox to The Epoch Times. The current rules have made housing unaffordable, which means it doesnt work. Its simpleif something doesnt work, it needs to change. California is facing a shortfall of about 3 million homes, according to 2018 Chapman University Center for Demographics and Policy study. Cox wants to replace the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of 1970, which allows people to file lawsuits accusing any type of project of inadequate environmental evaluation. A 2018 study published in the Hastings Environmental Law Journal, called California Environmental Quality Act Lawsuits and Californias Housing Crisis, found that litigation under CEQA is worsening the states housing crisis. The status quo created by CEQAs litigation rules is morally and environmentally unconscionable, read the study. The housing crisis, and the suffering of too many Californians, are more important than the special interest campaign contributor defenders of the status quo. Cox wants to replace CEQA with a greatly streamlined set of sensible reforms to allow homebuilders to more easily start building affordable new homes. He said this would also boost construction and other industry jobs. In contrast, Newsoms plan to increase affordable housing included advocating for the $4 billion statewide housing bond on the November ballot and promising a continuation of tax credits. Cox said he also hoped Californians would support Proposition 6 in November to repeal the states gas tax passed by the legislature in 2017, to help reduce residents tax burden by hundreds of dollars a year. A woman leaves the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offices in New York on Aug. 15, 2012. (Reuters/Keith Bedford) Justice Department Wants Ruling on DACA in Supreme Courts Current Term The Department of Justice said it will ask the Supreme Court to intervene if an appellate court has not ruled by Oct. 31 on whether the Trump administration can end protections for Dreamers who are young immigrants in the country illegally. In an Oct. 17 letter to the clerk of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, a Justice Department lawyer Mark Stern said the action would be necessary to give the litigation a chance of being heard by the Supreme Court in its current term, which ends in June. The case at issue was brought by the University of California and others challenging the administrations decision to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The program was adopted by the Obama administration in 2012 and has allowed 700,000 young immigrants to remain and work in the United States, although they do not have legal status. A federal district court in California issued a nationwide injunction requiring the government to continue the program and process renewals for existing participants until a final ruling was made in the case. The government maintains DACA is not legal and has sanctioned an ongoing violation of federal law by its participants. It appealed the injunction to the 9th Circuit, which heard arguments in the case on May 15 but has not yet issued a ruling. If this courts decision is not issued promptly, said the letter, the Supreme Court would not be able to review the decision in the ordinary course until next term at the earliest. It would be unusual for the Supreme Court to weigh in before the appeals court has ruled. In February, the Supreme Court declined to grant a previous petition asking it to review the lower courts decision before the appeals court ruled. The administrations decision to end DACA was protested by some immigration advocates, business groups, colleges, and religious leaders, and subsequently challenged in the courts. Other cases both challenging and supporting the governments decision to end DACA are also working their way through the courts, making it almost certain that the Supreme Court will eventually decide the issue, unless Congress acts first. In Texas, a lawsuit by more than half a dozen states is challenging the overall legality of DACA. The states pushed for a final ruling in September, paving the way for an appeal. Earlier this year, Congress tried and failed to pass legislation legalizing Dreamers. Lawmakers may get another shot at the issue after the Nov. 6 congressional election. Congress will have to consider spending proposals, and some leading lawmakers have suggested that funds for a wall along the border with Mexico could be passed in conjunction with wider immigration reform. President Donald Trump blamed Democrats unwillingness to negotiate for Congress failure on immigration reform. If the Democrats would stop being obstructionists and come together, we could write up and agree to new immigration laws in less than one hour, Trump said in an Oct. 20 tweet, calling on Democrat leaders Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to come to the table. Democrats, however, are unlikely to give Trump a chance to strike another policy win before the midterms. By Tom Hals. Epoch Times staff member Petr Svab contributed to this report. The growing crisis could cause lasting harm to people, communities, and economies worldwide, according the Lancet Commission report by 28 global specialists in psychiatry, public health, and neuroscience, as well as mental-health patients and advocacy groups, said. While some of the costs will be the direct expenditures on health care and medicines or other therapies, most are indirect in the form of loss of productivity, and spending on social welfare, education, and law and order, Vikram Patel, the reports co-lead author, said. The wide-ranging report, released Oct. 9, didnt give a breakdown of the potential $16 trillion economic impacts estimated by 2030. The situation is extremely bleak, Patel, a professor at Harvard Medical School, told reporters. He said the burden of mental illness has risen dramatically worldwide in the past 25 years, partly due to aging societies and more children surviving into adolescence, yet no country is investing enough to tackle the problem. No other health condition in humankind has been neglected as much as mental health has, Patel said. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 300 million people worldwide have depression and 50 million have dementia. Schizophrenia is estimated to affect 23 million people, and bipolar disorder around 60 million. The Lancet report found that in many countries, people with common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia routinely suffer gross human-rights violationsincluding shackling, torture, and imprisonment. Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of the Lancet medical journal, which commissioned the report, said it highlighted the shameful and shocking treatment of people with mental ill-health around the world. The report calls for a human rights-based approach to ensure that people with mental health conditions are not denied fundamental human rights, including access to employment, education, and other core life experiences. It also recommends a wholesale shift to community-based care for mental-health patients, with psychosocial treatments such as talking therapies being offered not just by medical professionals, but also by community health workers, peers, teachers, and the clergy. The report was published ahead of a first global ministerial mental-health summit in London this week. By Kate Kelland Microplastics Found in Human Feces for the First Time LONDONScientists have found tiny pieces of plastic in human stool for the first time, suggesting they may now be embedded in the food chain. Although the study was small, with just eight participants from Europe, Russia, and Japan, all of their samples were found to contain microplastics. The results surprised the researchers from the Medical University of Vienna and the Environment Agency Austria, who recorded nine different types of plastic in the samples. The most common were polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate. Twenty microplastic particles were found in every 10 grams of stool, indicating that humans are most likely ingesting them through food. None of the participants in the study were vegetarians and six of them ate fish. In diaries kept by the participants the week before submitting a sample, researchers found they were all exposed to plastic-wrapped food or drinks in plastic bottles. The implications for our understanding of gastrointestinal diseases is significant, lead researcher Dr. Philipp Schwabl said, although he stressed larger-scale research is needed. This is the first study of its kind and confirms what we have long suspected, that plastics ultimately reach the human gut. Of particular concern is what this means to us, and especially patients with gastrointestinal diseases, Schwabl said in a statement. While the highest plastic concentrations in animal studies have been found in the gut, the smallest microplastic particles are capable of entering the bloodstream, lymphatic system and may even reach the liver. Impact on Immunity Scientists still dont know the effects of microplastics on the human body, but the researchers think they may affect the digestive systems immunity to disease, or encourage the transmission of toxic chemicals. Now that we have first evidence for microplastics inside humans, we need further research to understand what this means for human health, Schwabl said. Microplastics are defined as any piece of plastic less than 5 millimeters (0.2 inches) in size; they are produced in various industries but the fragments also can be formed by the weathering of plastic products in the environment. Scientists have found that microplastics act like a sponge and absorb other chemical pollution already found in the water, such as DDT, a pesticide linked to reproductive system damage that was banned in the United States 40 years ago, but is still used in some countries, such as China. Its estimated that 2 percent to 5 percent of all plastics produced end up in the oceans. Once there, the plastic is eaten by sea animals and enter the food chain. Significant amounts of microplastics have been found in tuna, lobster, and shrimp, scientists said. Its now virtually impossible to remove these plastics from the food chain, but many governments are seeking to limit plastic use by consumers or the production of microplastics themselves. Earlier this year, the European Parliament approved an EU-wide ban on microplastics in cosmetics, which followed U.S. legislation signed in 2015 by then-President Barack Obama banning their use in cosmetics. In addition, many U.S. cities are moving to ban plastic straws and single-use items such as cotton swabs and drink stirrers, which can break down into microplastics. Some microplastics are small enough that they could be inhaled in the air we breathe, according to Frank Kelly, a British environmental health professor. However, professor Alistair Boxall from the UKs University of York, said he isnt worried by the new study. Microplastics have been found in tap water, bottled water, fish, and mussel tissue and even in beer, he told the Independent. We will also be exposed to particles from house dust, food packaging materials, and the use of plastic bottles. Its therefore inevitable that at least some of these things will get into our lungs and digestive systems. Did you enjoy this article? Continue to read more stories here. Murdered Utah U Student on Phone With Mom When Abducted A University of Utah student was apparently abducted by an older ex-boyfriend while she was talking to her mother on the phone. Her body was found a few hours later. Lauren McCluskey, 21, was found dead in her car outside the Medical Plaza dorms on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Monday night, Oct. 22. #BREAKING: The victim in last night's deadly shooting @UUtah has been identified as Lauren McCluskey. U of U President Ruth Watkins described her as a "highly regarded member of the universitys track and field team and an outstanding scholar, a senior majoring in communication." pic.twitter.com/GU4hKRBE5l Holly Menino (@KUTVHolly) October 23, 2018 She was apparently murdered by Melvin Rowland, a man she had dated briefly. Rowland was a convicted sex offender who had lied to McCluskey about his name, his age, and his past. Her alleged killers body was found a few hours later in a local church, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot. Heart-Rending Phone Call The McCluskeys posted a statement on Twitter describing their daughter and the incident that ended her life. The statement says McCluskey dated Rowland for about a month, then tried to break up with him when she learned about his criminal history. Rowland had borrowed her car; McCluskey had University Police escort her while she retrieved it, on Oct. 10. Apparently Rowland and some of his friends began harassing McCluskey by phone, so she blocked his and their numbers. She then reported this harassment to the University Police. UPDATE: Melvin Rowland found dead overnight of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a local church. He's the suspect in the University of Utah shooting. Records indicate he was a registered sex offender. Right photo is most recent. @KSL5TV #KSLtv pic.twitter.com/hLLqqthbXX Andrew Wittenberg (@KSLAndrew) October 23, 2018 According to the statement, McCluskey was on the phone with her mother shortly before 9 p.m. on the night of Oct. 22 when her mother heard her yell, No, no, no! Her mother thought she might have been in a car wreck. She told her husband call 911 while she stayed on the line, hoping to hear from her daughter. Several minutes later, an unknown lady picked up the phone as said that all of Laurens things were lying on the ground, but Lauren was not around. McCluskeys body was found in a car parked near the Medical Plaza Towers dorms a few hours later. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lauren's family and friends. pic.twitter.com/H5q3EKqYUo Mark Harlan (@MarkHarlan_AD) October 23, 2018 McCluskey had come to U of U from Pullman, Washington, where she first established herself as an outstanding student and athlete. She graduated with honors, while also setting a state record in the high jump and a school record in the 100-meter hurdles. According to the family statement, McCluskey attended Capital Church in Salt Lake City. She loved to sing, the statement said, and had both strength and determination. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed, it continued. Convicted Sex Offender Rowland was a 37-year-old registered sex offender who had been convicted of trying to lure a minor into a sexual situation and attempted forcible sex abuse in 2004. Rowland served nine years in prison before being released in September 2013, according to the Utah Department of Corrections. Rowland had lied about his name, age, and past to McCluskey, who was only 21. Apparently the two met near the start of the fall semester, but when someone told McCluskey about Rowlands past, she stopped seeing him. The two were involved for about a month. Police received reports of a possible abduction on campus around 8:20 p.m. Students called in reports of possible gunshots around 9 p.m. Police got a description of a suspect, a black man about 6 feet, 3 inches tall, 250 pounds, wearing a gray beanie cap, black pants, and a white hooded sweatshirt the Salt Lake Tribune reported. Utah Police Lt. Brian Wahlin told USA Today that the police received a tip about the whereabouts of the suspect, which the university had identified as Melvin Rowland. Police located Rowland and chased him into the Trinity AME Church, according to the Tribune. Rowland broke down the back door to the church and made his way to the pastors study, where he shot himself with the same gun he had used to kill McCluskey. From NTD.tv Non-Tobacco Hookah Bar Owners Say They Face Closure Under New Smoking Laws NEW YORKA new regulation comes into effect at midnight on Oct. 22, banning New York restaurants and bars from serving non-tobacco hookah without a permit. Dozens of bar owners that offer the water pipes gathered on the steps of New York City Hall on Oct. 22 to ask officials to give them more time to apply for permits. They want to renegotiate the rules, which they say are unfair and will cause many businesses to close. Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a bill in October last year that adds non-tobacco hookahs to the citys Smoke-Free Air Acta law that protects New Yorkers from the harmful effects of smoking and secondhand smoke. Smoke from both tobacco-burning and non-tobacco hookahs contains dangerous chemicals such as emissions from burning charcoal. Eligibility The main criterion that makes businesses eligible for the new permit is that they must have consistently earned at least half of their revenue from the on-site sale of non-tobacco smoking products since Oct. 16, 2017. The application period was from April 16 to Oct. 22 this year. Elvis Silverio, president of the New York Latino Restaurant, Bar and Lounge Owners Association, said at the press conference that hundreds of minority-owned and small businesses cannot meet the main requirement as it is written. The association, which organized the event, represents over 400 restaurants and bars citywide. We are here to make a point and take it across the city to understand that we are here to stay in business, Silverio said. He said businesses are willing to comply as long as regulations are fair, but hundreds of small businesses that do not qualify for a permit are expected to close. Pushing [small businesses] to remove non-tobacco hookah products from menus, so that only a handful of establishments can monetize from an entire market, is not a fair competition practice, Silverio said in a press release. Leo Ramirez, owner of Parrilla Latina Steakhouse in the Bronx, echoed Silverio, saying the regulation will reduce the amount of revenue these businesses will earn. If you take 15 or 20 percent of the money that the business make weekly, its going to be a problem, he said. In response, the New York Health Department said in a statement to The Epoch Times that the hookah establishments have had six months to apply for the new permit. The Health Department has done extensive outreach to bars and restaurants to inform them of the permit, including, most recently, an information session with the Latino Restaurant Bar and Lounge Owners Association [on Oct. 18], the statement said. The department said they had sent notices to more than 400 establishments and had tried to reach business owners through ads, information sessions, and social media. So far, 170 establishments have applied for the permit. The new regulations also ban new hookah bars from opening, while requiring existing establishments to obtain a permit, post warning signs, and raise the minimum age to buy hookah from 18 to 21. Bars will lose their permit if found serving tobacco hookahs. The department says it has caught many non-tobacco hookah bars in the past serving tobacco products. Hookahs are water pipes used to smoke flavored tobacco or herbs. The tobacco and smoke from the hookah can contain toxic agents known to cause lung, bladder, and oral cancers as well as clog the arteries and cause heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The health department said that even without tobacco, smoke from hookah can increase the risk of heart and lung disease, cancer and early death, both for smokers and nonsmokers who breathe in secondhand smoke. Mike Pence: Honduras President Says Migrant Caravan Is Funded by Venezuela "Organized by leftist groups in Honduras, financed by Venezuela" Vice President Mike Pence said that Venezuela may be funding the migrant caravan heading towards the U.S.-Mexico border. I spoke to President Hernandez of Honduras. He told me that the caravan thats now making its way through Mexico headed for the southern border was organized by leftist organizations and financed by Venezuela, Pence said in a video alongside President Donald Trump on Oct. 23. What the President [of] Honduras told me, [this] was organized by leftist groups in Honduras, financed by Venezuela, and sent north to challenge our sovereignty and challenge our border, Pence also told The Washington Post, which uploaded a live video of his statements to one of its reporters. In the clip, Pence said he held discussions with Guatemalan president Jimmy Morales and Mexican officials about the caravan, which is believed to be 7,200-strong. Meanwhile, the vice president defended President Donald Trumps statement that people from the Middle East make up part of the caravan. Its inconceivable that there are not people of Middle Eastern descent in a crowd of more than 7,000 people advancing toward our border, Pence said. In the last fiscal year, we apprehended more than 10 terrorists or suspected terrorists per day at our southern border from countries that are referred to in the lexicon as other than Mexicothat means from the Middle East region. Honduran authorities say that at least two men have died so far on Mexican roads during the advance of the caravan. One of the men fell off a truck in Mexico, and the other died trying to get onto a truck in Guatemala, authorities said, according to Reuters. The caravan, according to the news agency, is about 1,110 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. .In addition to stopping all payments to these countries, which seem to have almost no control over their population, I must, in the strongest of terms, ask Mexico to stop this onslaught and if unable to do so I will call up the U.S. Military and CLOSE OUR SOUTHERN BORDER!.. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 18, 2018 President Donald Trump tweeted on Oct. 18 that hes going to stop aid to El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala due to those countries not stopping the caravan and seem to have almost no control over their population. He added: I must, in the strongest of terms, ask Mexico to stop this onslaught and if unable to do so I will call up the U.S. Military and CLOSE OUR SOUTHERN BORDER!. Did you enjoy this article? Continue to read more stories here. Photo Emerges Showing Georgias Democrat Governor Nominee Burning State Flag A picture emerged late Oct. 22 showing Stacey Abrams, the Democrat gubernatorial candidate for Georgia, burning the states flag during a protest. Abrams admitted to burning the flag on the steps of the states Capitol in June 1992. She was a freshman at Atlantas Spelman College at the time of the protest, which organizers described as protesting to overcome racially divisive issues. The photo was published by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Were going to send Georgias racist past up in Flames, another student at the protest then told the outlet. Today we fight fire with fire. Burn, baby, burn! Abrams campaign sent a statement to the New York Times defending the flag burning. During Stacey Abrams college years, Georgia was at a crossroads, struggling with how to overcome racially divisive issues, including symbols of the Confederacy, the sharpest of which was the inclusion of the Confederate emblem in the Georgia state flag, the statement read. This conversation was sweeping across Georgia as numerous organizations, prominent leaders, and students engaged in the ultimately successful effort to change the flag. Georgias previous flag included Confederate battle flag symbols, as it was one of the Confederate states before the Civil War. The state adopted a new flag without the symbols in 2003. Abrams opponent Brian Kemp didnt respond to the news but has sought to portray Abrams as too extreme for Georgia, noting that Abrams headlined an event in 2011 for the Democratic Socialists of America. The pair is scheduled to debate on Oct. 23. Confederate Symbols Abrams has advocated for removing a massive cliff-side carving on Stone Mountain, near Atlanta, that ranks as the largest Confederate monument in the nation. My belief is the state should never fund monuments to domestic terrorism. They have to be put in context, she told the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. Abrams said in a series of tweets in 2017 that Confederate monuments belong in museums where we can study and reflect on that terrible history, not in places of honor across our state. But others have defended the memorial, such as current Governor Nathan Deal. Stone Mountain is set up and preserved by state law as a Confederate memorial. In fact, the law that changed the state flag expressly prohibited any changes at Stone Mountain Park. Many on both sides of the argument have said that these Confederate symbols belong in places where we view historical artifacts, such as museums, Deals office said in a statement sent to Fox 5. In Georgia, where these symbols are no longer on our state flag or on Capitol grounds, Stone Mountain serves that purpose. Experts told the broadcaster it would cost millions of dollars to alter or move the carving. Abrams suggested the funds could be crowdsourced. Kemp said in a statement that he would protect Stone Mountain and historical monuments in Georgia from the radical left. We should learn from the pastnot attempt to re-write it, he added. From NTD.tv Did you enjoy this article? Continue to read more stories here. Saudi Arabia Must Face Some Retribution for Khashoggis Death, Trump Says President Donald Trump said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia must face repercussions for the death of the Saudi media figure Jamal Khashoggi. There has to be some kind of retribution, Trump told media in the White House on Oct. 23, while saying hell listen to a congressional recommendation on how to respond. Khashoggi disappeared on Oct. 2, after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain documents for his upcoming marriage. Saudi authorities acknowledged he was killed inside the consulate. Trumps comments came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said earlier that day that people behind the killing must be brought to account. In a speech to parliament about the case, Erdogan also alleged the killing was premeditated, although he didnt blame any Saudi official specifically. Trump said he would reserve further comment until after he is briefed by U.S. investigators, most of whom should be back in the United States by Oct. 24, he said. Erdogan said Turkey wouldnt complete its investigation into Khashoggis death until all questions were answered. He said the whereabouts of Khashoggis body are unknown, and he demanded Saudi Arabia reveal the identity of a local cooperator who purportedly took the body. Intelligence and security institutions have evidence showing the murder was planned. Pinning such a case on some security and intelligence members will not satisfy us or the international community, he said. The Saudi administration has taken an important step by admitting to the murder. From now on, we expect them to uncover all those responsible for this matter from top to bottom and make them face the necessary punishment, he said. From the person who gave the order, to the person who carried it out, they must all be brought to account. A Saudi cabinet meeting, chaired by King Salman, said Riyadh vowed to hold to account those responsible for the killing and those who failed in their duties, whoever they are. Erdogans speech coincided with the opening in Riyadh of an investment conference that was boycotted by some Western political and business figures because of Khashoggis death. Still, the kingdom signed $50 billion worth of deals at the event. Khashoggi was a familiar face on political talk shows on Arab satellite television networks. He was writing columns for The Washington Post for about a year after his high-level connections in the Saudi kingdom went sour and he exiled himself to the United States. The Saudi de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has been leading a reform effort in the country, marked by strengthening ties with the United States and Israel, and the buildup of military defenses against Iran. Hes also cracked down on Muslim Brotherhood associates, which has drawn criticism from its supporters, including Khashoggi. Khashoggi said he joined the Muslim Brotherhood in his youth while studying at Indiana State University. He advocated for the Muslim Brotherhood as recently as this summer, in a Washington Post column. Canada, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, among other nations, consider the Muslim Brotherhood to be a terrorist group. President Donald Trump has been critical of the group in the past, while Erdogan has defended it. Saudi Version Saudi Arabia first denied knowledge of Khashoggis disappearance. On Oct. 20, it said that Khashoggi, 59, was killed in a fight in the consulate. A Saudi official later said that 15 Saudi nationals sent to Turkey to confront Khashoggi had threatened him with being drugged and kidnapped, and then killed him in a chokehold when he resisted. The kingdom made 18 arrests in the case and fired five top officials, as well as a number of lower officials. It stated the perpetrators attempted to cover up their crime. Turkey Version Erdogan said three Saudi operatives arrived in Istanbul the day before Khashoggis killing on what he believed was a reconnaissance mission. The next day, 15 people came to the consulate, including security, intelligence, and forensic experts, while consulate personnel were given the day off. On the day that Khashoggi arrived for his appointment and was later killed, the hard disk in the consulates camera system was removed, Erdogan said. Erdogan wants Saudi Arabia to send the suspects to Turkey for trial. US Response Trump has been measured in his response, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. On Oct. 22, he said he wasnt satisfied with the Saudi explanation of the incident. Trump previously said that he would consider sanctions or other means to penalize Saudi Arabia, but wouldnt want to cancel the $450 billion in investments and purchases the kingdom promised the United States. Trump also said the Saudis are an ally and a needed counterbalance to Iran. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Oct. 23 the United States has identified some of the Saudi government and security officials it believes were involved in Khashoggis murder and would take appropriate actions including revoking U.S. visas. The administration is also looking into possible sanctions under the Magnitsky Act, which targets individuals involved in human rights abuses. These penalties will not be the last word on this matter from the United States, Pompeo said. We will continue to explore additional measures to hold those responsible accountable. Khashoggi Khashoggi was the nephew of Adnan Khashoggi, a Saudi billionaire arms dealer involved in the IranContra scandal. Jamal Khashoggi has been called a journalist in the media, but the last time he was a reporter was in the 1990s. On several occasions, he interviewed Osama bin Laden, who was organizing and funding the Mujahideen fight against the Soviets in Afghanistan in the 1980s. After bin Laden founded the terrorist al-Qaeda group, Khashoggi said he tried to dissuade him from violence. Since 1999, Khashoggi worked in various media leadership positions, including deputy editor-in-chief at Arab News and editor-in-chief at Al-Watan. He was fired from Al-Watan in 2003, rehired in 2007, and fired again in 2010both times for transgressions against media censorship in Saudi Arabia by Khashoggis subordinates. He was close to and worked for Prince Turki al-Faisal, the former head of Saudi intelligence, and his brother, Prince Khalid al-Faisal, the chairman of Al-Watan. In 2010, Khashoggi was picked by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal to head the princes satellite channel Al-Arab. At the time, it was becoming clear that Alwaleed would be passed over for succession to the throne, much to the displeasure of his father, Talal bin Abdulaziz. Talal was known as The Red Princesupporter of the Islamist ideology advocated by the Muslim Brotherhood that mixes socialism with the religion of Islam. Al-Arabs launch was postponed multiple times and finally went on air in Bahrain in 2015, only to close down less than a day later, after airing an interview with a member of Bahrains opposition. Alwaleed was detained alongside some 200 other princes and high-level officials in November 2017. The group was arrested as part of a large-scale anti-corruption purge that targeted anti-Semitic and anti-American clerics, authorized by the Saudi king and carried out by the Crown Prince. During his interrogation, Alwaleed may have been hung upside down and beaten, the Daily Mail reported. Alwaleed was jailed in January on graft charges, but has since been released, after reaching a settlement with the Saudi authorities. Reuters contributed to this report. Correction: A previous version of this article misstated who was known as The Red Prince. The moniker refers to Talal bin Abdulaziz. The Epoch Times regrets the error. Sears Chairman Lampert Seeks Partner for Bankruptcy Financing Sources Sears Holdings Corp. Chairman Eddie Lampert is in discussions with at least one potential partner to contribute to a $300 million bankruptcy loan the U.S. retailer is seeking, people familiar with the matter said on Oct. 21. Lamperts hedge fund, ESL Investments Inc., has held discussions with Cyrus Capital Partners LP, an investment firm that holds some of Sears existing debt, about sharing the burden of funding portions of the $300 million loan, which would be separate from another $300 million bankruptcy loan that Sears banks have offered to provide, the sources said. The sources asked not to be identified because the deliberations are confidential. A Sears spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on Oct. 21. Sears survival will depend on the willingness of creditors and suppliers to keep the company afloat. Strong sales in the end-of-year holiday season will be key in determining that, putting pressure on the department store operator to secure enough financing to remain operational until then. Through his hedge fund, Lampert has invested billions of dollars in Sears since he created it in its current form in 2005 through a merger with peer Kmart. As a result, he is the department store operators largest shareholder and creditor. The bankruptcy loan from the banks, including Bank of America Corp., Wells Fargo & Co., and Citigroup Inc., falls first in line for repayment in the Sears bankruptcy case, while the $300 million loan that Sears is seeking from lenders including ESL would be repaid afterwards. Some people representing Sears while it navigates bankruptcy have also privately suggested to Lampert that he should seek to replace the $300 million loan from the banks with his own financing, some of the sources said. This would mean that Lampert would potentially be contributing to bankruptcy loans totaling $600 million, the sources said. Such a move would potentially consolidate Sears obligations during bankruptcy proceedings, and give Lampert more control over the companys court case since he would essentially be the main so-called debtor-in-possession lender, the sources said. As it stands now, Sears is contemplating having two such loans. However, it isnt clear whether Lampert can or is willing to provide financing to repay the banks lending Sears money in bankruptcy, the sources said. Lampert could demur on the idea and remain focused on contributing to the $300 million loan Sears wants that would be subordinated in repayment to the banks, the sources said. The sources cautioned that negotiations between Sears, Lampert, and other potential sources of bankruptcy financing remained fluid and might not result in a deal. Sears filed for bankruptcy protection in White Plains, New York on Oct. 15 with a plan to close about 142 of its 700 stores by year-end and sell up to 400 of its best-performing stores in an auction in January to a buyer that will keep them operational. Lampert stepped down as Sears CEO following the bankruptcy filing, and is planning to bid for the stores that go up for sale. Sears, which has close to 70,000 employees, has not turned a profit since 2011. It struggled with competition from e-commerce firms such as Amazon.com Inc., as well as brick-and-mortar retailers such as Walmart Inc. The company listed $6.9 billion in assets and $11.3 billion in liabilities in documents filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York. A court hearing finalizing bankruptcy financing for Sears is expected during the week of Oct. 29. By Mike Spector & Jessica DiNapoli Spurred By Convenience, Millennials Often Spurn The Family Doctor Model Trading a primary care physician for urgent care clinics can have dangerous consequences, warn experts Calvin Brown doesnt have a primary care doctorand the migratory 23-year-old doesnt want one. Since his graduation last year from the University of San Diego, Brown has held a series of jobs that have taken him to several California cities. As a young person in a nomadic state, Brown said he prefers finding a walk-in clinic on the rare occasions when hes sick. The whole going to the doctor phenomenon is something thats fading away from our generation, said Brown, who now lives in Daly City outside San Francisco. It means getting in a car [and] going to a waiting room. In his view, urgent care, which costs him about $40 per visit, is more convenient. Like speed dating, he said. Services are rendered in a quick manner. Browns views appear to be shared by many millennials, the 83 million Americans born between 1981 and 1996 who constitute the nations largest generation. Their preferencesfor convenience, fast service, connectivity, and price transparencyare upending the time-honored model of office-based primary care. Many young adults are turning to a fast-growing constellation of alternatives: retail clinics carved out of drugstores or big-box retail outlets, free-standing urgent care centers that tout evening and weekend hours, and online telemedicine sites that offer virtual visits without having to leave home. Unlike doctors offices, where charges are often opaque and disclosed only after services are rendered, many clinics and telemedicine sites post their prices. A national poll of 1,200 randomly selected adults conducted in July by the Kaiser Family Foundation for this story found that 26 percent said they did not have a primary care provider. There was a pronounced difference among age groups: 45 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds had no primary care provider, compared with 28 percent of those 30 to 49, 18 percent of those 50 to 64 and 12 percentage 65 and older. (Kaiser Health News is an editorially independent program of the foundation.) A 2017 survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, a Washington-based think tank, and Greenwald and Associates yielded similar results: 33 percent of millennials did not have a regular doctor, compared with 15 percent of those age 50 to 64. There is a generational shift, said Dr. Ateev Mehrotra, an internist and associate professor in the Department of Health Care Policy at Harvard Medical School. These trends are more evident among millennials, but not unique to them. I think peoples expectations have changed. Convenience [is prized] in almost every aspect of our lives, from shopping to online banking. So is speed. Younger patients, Mehrotra noted, are unwilling to wait a few days to see a doctor for an acute problem, a situation that used to be routine. Now, Mehrotra said, people say, Thats crazy, why would I wait that long? Until recently, the after-hours alternative to a doctors office for treatment of a strep throat or other acute problem was a hospital emergency room, which usually meant a long wait and a big bill. Luring Millennials For decades, primary care physicians have been the doctors with whom patients had the closest relationship, a bond that can last years. An internist, family physician, geriatrician, or general practitioner traditionally served as a trusted adviser who coordinated care, ordered tests, helped sort out treatment options, and made referrals to specialists. But some experts warn that moving away from a one-on-one relationship may be driving up costs and worsening the problem of fragmented or unnecessary care, including the misuse of antibiotics. A recent report in JAMA Internal Medicine found that nearly half of patients who sought treatment at an urgent care clinic for a cold, the flu, or a similar respiratory ailment left with an unnecessary and potentially harmful prescription for antibiotics, compared with 17 percent of those seen in a doctors office. Antibiotics are useless against viruses and may expose patients to severe side effects with just a single dose. Ive seen many people who go to five different places to be treated for a UTI [urinary tract infection] who dont have a UTI, said Dr. Janis Orlowski, a nephrologist who is chief health care officer at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Thats where I see the problem of not having some kind of continuous care. We all need care that is coordinated and longitudinal, said Dr. Michael Munger, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, who practices in Overland Park, Kansas. Regardless of how healthy you are, you need someone who knows you. The best time to find that person, Munger and others say, is before a health crisis, not during one. And that may mean waiting weeks. A 2017 survey by physician search firm Merritt Hawkins found that the average wait time for a new-patient appointment with a primary care doctor in 15 large metropolitan areas is 24 days, up from 18.5 days in 2014. Wait times for new patients may reflect a shortage of primary care physicians, according to the AAMC, or a maldistribution of doctors, other experts argue. Meanwhile, primary care alternatives have exploded. There are now more than 2,700 retail clinics in the United States, most in the South and Midwest, according to Rand Corp. researchers. Connecting With Care To attract and retain patients, especially young adults, primary care practices are embracing new ways of doing business. Many are hiring additional physicians and nurse practitioners to see patients more quickly. They have rolled outpatient portals and other digital tools that enable people to communicate with their doctors and make appointments via their smartphones. Some are exploring the use of video visits. Mott Blair, a family physician in Wallace, North Carolina, a rural community 35 miles north of Wilmington, said he and his partners have made changes to accommodate millennials, who make up a third of their practice. We do far more messaging and interaction through electronic interface, he said. I think millennials expect that kind of connectivity. Blair said his practice has also added same-day appointments. Although walk-in clinics may be fine as an option for some illnesses, few are equipped to provide holistic care, offer knowledgeable referrals to specialists, or help patients decide whether they really need, say, knee surgery, he noted. Primary care doctors treat the whole patient. Were tracking things like: Did you get your mammogram? Flu shot? Pap smear? Eye exam? Dr. Nitin Damle, an internist and past president of the American College of Physicians, said that young people develop diabetes, hypertension, and other problems that require more than one visit. We know who the best and most appropriate specialists in the area are, said Damle, an associate clinical professor of medicine at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. We know who to go to for asthma, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease. Marquenttha Purvis, 38, said her primary care doctor was instrumental in helping arrange treatment for her stage 2 breast cancer last year. It was important because I wouldnt have been able to get the care I needed said Purvis, who lives in Richmond, Virginia. Sometimes the fragmented care that can result from not having a doctor has serious consequences. Orlowski cites the case of a relative, a 40-year-old corporate executive with excellent medical insurance. The man had always been healthy and didnt think he needed a primary care physician. Between treating himself and then going to outpatient clinics, he spent nearly a year battling a sore throat that turned out to be advanced throat cancer, she said. For patients without symptoms or a chronic condition such as asthma or high blood pressure, a yearly visit to a primary care doctor may not be necessary. Experts no longer recommend the once-sacrosanct annual physical for people of all ages. Not all access has to be with you sitting on an exam table, Munger said. And I may not need to see you more than every three years. But I should be that first point of contact. Convenience Is Paramount Caitlin Jozefcyk, 30, a high school history teacher in Sparta, New Jersey, uses urgent care when shes sick. She dumped her primary care doctor seven years ago because getting an appointment was so difficult and he routinely ran 45 minutes behind schedule. During her recent pregnancy, she saw her obstetrician. Jozefcyk knows shes not building a relationship with a physicianshe sees different doctors at the centerbut really likes the convenience and extended hours. Digital access is also important to her. I can make appointments directly through an app, and prescriptions are sent directly to the pharmacy, she said. After years of going to an urgent care center or, when necessary, an emergency room, Jessica Luoma, 29, a stay-at-home mother in San Francisco, recently decided to find a primary care doctor. Im very healthy, very active, said Luoma, who has been treated for a kidney infection and a miscarriage. Luoma said her husband pushed her to find a doctor after the insurance offered by his new employer kicked in. Hes a little more safety first than me, she said. I figured, Why not?just in case. Sandra G. Boodman is a reporter for Kaiser Health News (KHN) which is a national health policy news service. Student, 13, Stabs Teacher During Class in Georgia A 13-year-old boy stabbed his teacher with a butcher knife at a middle school in Georgia on Oct. 22, the principal confirmed in media reports. The alleged incident began when the student reportedly called the teacher over and then struck her in the chest area, the schools principal, Ryan Queen, told parents, ABC News reported. Police say a student called a teacher over between classes and stabbed him. https://t.co/QLbVofXgwS WTHR.com (@WTHRcom) October 23, 2018 The student was then taken into custody in a language arts classroom at Trickum Middle School, Gwinnett County Public Schools spokeswoman Sloan Roach said. The knife, which was 8 inches long, was located in the teens backpack, according to reports. I need to share with you a serious incident that occurred at school this afternoon. A student has been taken into custody after stabbing one of our teachers during a class. This occurred in an 8th-grade language arts classroom. The student was immediately apprehended and all other students are safe. The teacher has been transported to an area hospital, but was conscious and talking to first responders, said officials in a statement to WSB-TV. They added: Again, all students and teachers are safe. We anticipate dismissing as usual. I will communicate more as additional information becomes available. On Tuesday, Oct. 23, students and teachers returned to Trickum Middle School, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Administrators tried to make it as normal a school day as possible, but there was an increased police presence, officials told AJC. We have never had a situation like this at our school and I know we are all concerned about this, Queen said in a letter to parents. The fact that one of our Trickum Middle family was hurt at the hands of a student is very upsetting. He added: I ask that you keep our teacher who was injured in your thoughts and prayers. In addition, we know this has touched our entire communityfrom our teachers who comforted our injured teacher and our other teachers who are concerned about their friend and co-worker to our students who may be anxious about this situation and parents who have understandable concerns. A spokesperson for the district told AJC that the student, who was not named, will face charges of aggravated assault, possession of a weapon on school grounds, and possession of a knife during the commission of a felony. The school will also The student was transported to Gwinnett Countys Youth Detention Center, according to the AJC report. Its not clear if he will be charged as an adult. The teacher was conscious and was speaking to first responders while she was being taken to the hospital, Queen said. The school was placed on lockdown over the incident, but it was lifted at around 3:30 p.m. ET. Gwinnett County is located northeast of Atlanta. Silhouettes of laptop users next to a screen projection of binary code are seen in this picture illustration taken on March 28, 2018. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters) Supermicro to Review Hardware for Malicious Chips Computer hardware maker Supermicro said on Oct. 22 it would review its motherboards for any proof of malicious chips as alleged in a recent media report. Despite the lack of any proof that a malicious hardware chip exists, we are undertaking a complicated and time-consuming review to further address the article, the server and storage manufacturer said in a letter to its customers, dated Oct. 18. Shares of the San Jose, California-based company rose 4.3 percent to $14.70 on Monday. A Bloomberg report on Oct. 4 cited 17 unidentified sources from intelligence agencies and businesses that claimed Chinese spies had placed computer chips inside equipment used by about 30 companies, including Apple and Amazon.com and multiple U.S. government agencies, which would give Beijing secret access to internal networks. Bloomberg reported that the malicious chips were planted by a unit of the Chinese military into servers manufactured by Supermicro. The operation is thought to have been targeting valuable commercial secrets and government networks, the news agency said. Supermicro denied the allegations made in the report. The company said the design complexity makes it practically impossible to insert a functional, unauthorized component onto a motherboard without it being caught by the checks in its manufacturing and assembly process. It is entirely plausible that a malicious chip can be placed on a motherboard but it will be at a very high cost, and the risk of detection increases with every such chip in the field, said Jake Williams, a former National Security Agency analyst and founder of the cyber security firm Rendition Infosec. This technique would only be used for high value targets that couldnt be easily compromised via another attack vector, Williams said. The Bloomberg report also said Apple in 2015 had found malicious chips on Supermicro motherboards. It also said that Amazon uncovered such chips the same year while examining servers made by Elemental Technologies, which Amazon eventually acquired. Amazon reported the matter to U.S. authorities, who determined that the chips allowed attackers to create a stealth doorway into networks using those servers, according to the Bloomberg report. Both Apple and Amazon have denied the allegations. Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook told online news website BuzzFeed on Oct. 19 that Bloomberg should retract the story. Amazon Web Services CEO Andy Jassy also joined Cook in asking Bloomberg to retract the report. Bloomberg had previously said it stood by its report and was confident of its reporting, which was conducted for more than a year. Security experts as well as the U.S. and U.K. authorities have said they had no knowledge of the attacks. The Bloomberg report comes amid increased concerns over foreign intelligence agencies infiltrating U.S. and other companies via so-called supply chain attacks, particularly from China where multiple global tech firms outsource their manufacturing. The U.S. government on Oct. 3 warned that a hacking group widely known as cloudhopper, which Western cybersecurity firms have linked to the Chinese government, has launched attacks on technology service providers in a campaign to steal data from their clients. The warning came after experts with two prominent U.S. cybersecurity companies warned that Chinese hacking activity has surged amid the escalating trade war between Washington and Beijing. By Sonam Rai, Jack Stubbs & Sweta Singh Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Cable-Access TV Case That May Affect Social-Media Giants The Supreme Court has decided to review a New York case that could conceivably give Americans an opportunity to shape online content, as well as put a foot in the door to mount court challenges against censorship-prone social-media companies on grounds of free speech. The case comes as activist complaints of harassment and viewpoint-based discrimination against companies such as Twitter, Facebook, and Google continue to grow. Conservatives, in particular, say that the social-media giants have been especially resolute in their determination to crack down on their political expression after Democrat Hillary Clinton, whom they strongly favored, was unexpectedly defeated by Republican Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. Facebook and Twitter have seized upon claims of Russian meddling in the U.S. electoral process to justify curtailing free expression and have reportedly purged and undermined the pages and accounts of those who support the president. Denied Access The case itself doesnt arise from the world of social media. Two content producers, DeeDee Halleck and poet Jesus Melendez, say that the public-access TV network Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) suspended them for criticizing the network. According to MNN, Melendez and Halleck featured themselves in a video that included harassing and threatening language directed toward MNN staff during a long diatribe. The video titled The 1% Visit El Barrio showed Melendez outside of one of MNNs properties saying: Our people, our people, people of color, are in control of this building and I have to wait until they are fired, or they retire, or someone kills them so that I can come and have access to the facility here. Halleck, co-founder of Paper Tiger Television and Deep Dish Satellite Network, is a left-wing academic and activist. In arguing that the Supreme Court ought to take the case, MNN said the high court could use the case to come out with a perhaps definitive policy governing how social-media companies regulate content on their platforms. The New York-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled in favor of Halleck and Melendez, finding that the public-access channel on which they appeared is the electronic version of the public square. The employees of [MNN] are not interlopers in a public forum; they are exercising precisely the authority to administer such a forum conferred on them by a senior municipal official, U.S. Circuit Judge Jon Newman wrote. Members of the Supreme Court voted at their private conference Oct. 12 to review the case. This was the first such conference that new Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh participated in. Public Forums Amy Howe at SCOTUSblog described the case, an appeal from the Feb. 9 decision by the Second Circuit, known as Manhattan Community Access Corp. v. Halleck, as relatively low-profile but potentially significant, because it implicates the free-speech guarantees of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In the matter before the high court, the Second Circuit determined that the private operator of MNN, a public-access cable television network of seven channels in New York City that doesnt receive government funding, was a state actor. In this context, a state actor is someone or something capable of being sued for infringements of the First Amendment because it is acting on behalf of a government. MNN exists because of a New York regulation that forces cable-TV networks with 36 or more channels to provide at least one full-time activated channel for public-access use. Such a channel or channel must be open to the public on a first-come, first-served, non-discriminatory basis. According to court documents filed, Howe writes, the Second Circuits ruling not only threatens the viability of public-access channel operators around the country, but it also raises a broader question: whether private property can be a public forum, a place traditionally open for public speech and debate, where the protections of the First Amendment are the strongest. This is important, according to a friend-of-the-court filing by Chicago Access Corporation, a foundation that runs public-access TV channels in that city, because courts are increasingly being asked to consider whether privately owned internet platforms like Twitter and Facebook can ever be public forums. Oral arguments in the case havent yet been scheduled. United States Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross greets other cabinet members at the East Room of the White House in Washington, on Oct. 12, 2017. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times) Supreme Court Says Commerce Secretary Cant Be Questioned in Census Lawsuit The Supreme Court blocked a district court judges order that forced Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to testify in a lawsuit challenging a new question on the 2020 census, which asks people whether they are U.S. citizens. The top court on Oct. 23 issued a stay of the order issued Sept. 21 by U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman in Manhattan. Ross is unlikely to testify as a result of the decision. The justices gave the Justice Department (DOJ), which is representing the U.S. government, until Oct. 29, to appeal Furmans other orders, which compel top DOJ official John Gore to face questioning by lawyers and force the government to hand over more documents. The data from the census affects the distribution of congressional seats and government aid. Ross announced the addition of the citizenship question in March. Every census from 1790 to 1950 asked the citizenship question. The Census Bureau already asks the citizenship question on several of its largest population surveys, which are used to estimate unemployment, poverty rates, wages, and health insurance coverage. In issuing an order for Ross to appear for deposition, Furman has argued that Ross had acted in bad faith in adding the question, citing as evidence the fact that Ross was predisposed to add the question before assuming office, that the DOJs desire for a review stemmed from Rosss comments, that Ross overruled his staff, and that he declined additional testing of the question. Justice Neil Gorsuch, in an opinion on the order (pdf), said the evidence presented was insufficient. Leveling an extraordinary claim of bad faith against a coordinate branch of government requires an extraordinary justification. But theres nothing unusual about a new cabinet secretary coming to office inclined to favor a different policy direction, soliciting support from other agencies to bolster his views, disagreeing with staff, or cutting through red tape. In March, the White House defended Rosss decision to add the citizenship question, saying that having accurate data is important. The lawsuit challenging the citizenship question argues that illegal aliens will fear participating in the survey, which would disproportionally affect the population counts in Democratic-leaning states. Proponents of the question argue that aliens who are in the country illegally should not be counted to determine congressional districts and the distribution of federal aid. The census case draws out the stance of Supreme Court justices on what Attorney General Jeff Sessions describes as judicial encroachment, a term he defines as an overreach by the courts allowing unprecedented reviews of governmental operations. Conservative Justices Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas said they would have issued a complete stay. Sessions cited the census lawsuit as an example of encroachment in a speech on Oct. 15. The attorney general said that the court wants to examine Rosss motives, while the real issue before the court is if the census question is either legal or illegal. The words on the page dont have a motive; they are either permitted or they are not, Sessions said. But the judge has decided to hold a trial over the inner-workings of a Cabinet Secretarys mind. The U.S. Constitution mandates a census every 10 years. It is used in the allocation of seats in Congress, the drawing of political boundaries, and the distribution of billions of dollars in federal funds. A citizenship question has not appeared on the census form since 1950. The lawsuit, spearheaded by state and local Democratic officials, was filed in April in federal court in New York. It is consolidated with another suit by several immigrant rights groups accusing the government of discrimination against non-white immigrants in violation of the Constitutions guarantee of equal protection under the law. The trial is scheduled for Nov. 5. Reuters contributed to this report. Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen speaks during National Day celebrations in front of the Presidential Palace in Taipei on Oct.10, 2018. (Billy H.C. Kwok/Getty Images) Taiwan Warns of Chinas Meddling Ahead of Islands Upcoming Elections With local elections in Taiwan just a month away, the self-ruled island is being confronted with the problem of election meddling by Beijing. Leu Weng-jong, director general of the investigation bureau of Taiwans Ministry of Justice, said his department has gathered intelligence on about 33 cases of Beijing assisting Taiwanese political candidates who are running for election, according to Taiwans Central News Agency. The seats up for election include local mayors, county magistrates, legislators, as well as village and township-level public offices. While testifying before Taiwans parliamentknown as the Legislative Yuanat an Oct. 22 hearing, Leu explained that the islands existing laws governing political donations and relations between Taiwan and China prevent mainland Chinese citizens or organizations from donating to Taiwans political candidates. He added that most of the known cases involve Beijing circumventing the laws by either paying for politicians constituents to travel to Chinaall expenses paid, or giving indirect political donations. One example of an indirect political donation is Beijing making payments to Taiwanese businessmen working in China, who then steer the money to political candidates. Another common tactic by Beijing is using Taiwanese political groups that advocate friendly ties with China to sway public opinion in favor of pro-Beijing political candidates. Leu added that four cases have already been sent to local prosecutors in Taipei and three counties: Changhua, Yunlin, and Pingtung. When questioned by legislator William Tseng about whether the intelligence collected shows involvement by any Beijing government agency or institute, Liu responded, You can say that. At the hearing, legislator Lu Shyh-fang pointed out that as of Oct. 22, there have been 1,628 cases of bribery related to the upcoming election cycle alone, citing data from the Ministry of Justice. Lu added that it would be difficult to determine if any of these cases are connected to Beijing. Taiwans Premier William Laiwho heads the state cabinetconfirmed Leus remarks, while speaking at the Legislative Yuan on Oct. 23. He said that Beijing is using money to influence Taiwans upcoming elections, according to Taiwanese daily newspaper the Liberty Times. After Chinas civil war in 1949, members of the Kuomintang retreated to Taiwan following a defeat by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Since then, mainland China has been under authoritarian, one-party rule, while the island of Taiwan has transitioned into a full-fledged democracy with its first direct presidential election held in 1996. Relations between the two are fraught, as Beijing considers Taiwan a renegade province that must be reunited with the mainland one day, with military force if necessary. The ultimate goal for Chinas meddling in Taiwans elections is to have pro-Beijing candidates win elections. Once these candidates become public officials, Beijing believes they are more likely to follow its agendasuch as pushing for more cross-strait economic and cultural cooperationsand avoid political troubles such as advocating for Taiwans formal independence. Claims of election meddling in Taiwan comes at a time when China has been called out for attempting to influence the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, in a speech at the Hudson Institute think tank on Oct. 4, said that, China has initiated an unprecedented effort to influence American public opinion, the 2018 elections, and the environment leading into the 2020 presidential elections. He added, To put it bluntly, President Trumps leadership is working, and China wants a different American president. But Chinas interests in Taiwan go far beyond just election meddling. Leu, in an exclusive interview with the Liberty Times published on Oct. 22, said that the bureau has investigated a total of 52 spy cases involving China in the past five years. Leu explained that they involved Chinese spies operating in Taiwan; Taiwan citizens who have been recruited by Beijing; or mainland Chinese coming to Taiwan for the purposes of developing groups friendly to Beijing. One particular case, Leu said, involved a retired Taiwanese military official who worked in the Ministry of National Defenses communications office, Bian Peng. In May, Peng was charged with violating Taiwans national security act; the prosecutor in New Taipei City said he allegedly provided Taiwans military information to the Chinese military. After being recruited by a Chinese military official surnamed Wang in 2015, Peng arranged a meeting in China later that year between Chinese military officials and a fellow retired Taiwanese air force official surnamed Fan. During the meeting, Chinese officials asked Fan about how Taiwans air force is set up, including information about the time it would take for Taiwanese fighter jets to refuel and rearm. Fan didnt share the information and instead tipped off Taiwans Ministry of National Defense about Peng upon returning to Taiwan. Under orders from Chinas military officials, Peng also downloaded military reports compiled by Taiwans Ministry of National Defense, and handed the reports to Chinese officials. Joshua and David (from the Nine Heroes Tapestries), circa 1405. Wool warp, wool wefts, 14 feet by 20 feet 10 inches. Munsey Fund, 1932; gift of John D. Rockefeller Jr., 1947; gift of George A. Douglass, 1947. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York) Tapestries: The Golden Ages Golden Art Form One Northern European art form helped shape the Renaissance and spirit of Europe When you think of the Renaissance, you likely first think of Michelangelo or da Vinci, perhaps the Golden Ratio, and one city in particularFlorence. But what you may not know is that artisans to the north were in many ways setting a standard that their Southern European brethren would covet and emulate. There is a whole aesthetic in [Northern Europe] which is perceived as the epitome of good taste, princely elegance, a royal style that is setting the trend, said Metropolitan Museum of Art curator Elizabeth Cleland by phone. The reason for the Norths influence on the South can be pinpointed to one particular luxurious art form. In the 15th and 16th century, [tapestries] were the most treasured of art objects, Cleland says. Great Italian art collectors like the Medici, Frances Dukes of Burgundy and later Louis XIV, the Spanish Habsburgs, and English monarchs were all looking north of the Alps [as] the ones who are laying the trail of taste. Cleland is currently hosting a three-part talk on Oct. 11, 18, and 25 at The Met on the traditional history of European tapestry, from the Middle Ages to modern day. The first talk was titled Medieval to Renaissance: Magic, myths, moralities, and mille-fleurs, exploring the era of the art forms pinnacle. I would say Brussels in the 16th century is the absolute epitome of the art, Cleland says. She admits, however, that some historians believe that top distinction belongs to tapestries made by Louis XIV a century later, when he established the Royal Manufactory of the Gobelins. But there is agreement that tapestries shaped the entire Golden Age and, consequently, Europe and the Western world for centuries to come. The reasons for this art forms greatness is multifaceted, with layers of richnessfrom its expensive, shimmering materials and surface beauty, to a divine message and essence hoping to align a ruler and his domain with a heavenly one. Otherworldly Art In the 15th and 16th centuries in Northern Europe, wall paintings, stained-glass windows, and tapestries were the media for large-scale figurative art meant to beautify both the inner and outer worlds of the ruling class. The appeal of a lot of figurative sacred art throughout Europe, not just tapestries but across different media, is the spiritual advantage of owning representations of the deity and the Holy Family and the saints, Cleland says. The opportunity to contemplate them, to think about the biblical narrative, to pray to them on a daily basis there was a widely held belief that that would actually help pave the way to heaven. Tapestries, however, had certain practical advantages that made them even more valuable. Firstly, in the chilly North, tapestries would block the drafts and cold blowing through the castles, insulating them. The Northern European city of Brussels was the epicenter of tapestry-making in the 15th and 16th centuries. The city even had a dedicated tapestry-weavers guild, which set strict guidelines for working hours and quality standards. A great irony was that Italian tastemakers like Federico da Montefeltro, the Duke of Urbino, so beloved this Northern art form that he ignored its insulating properties, which actually made life more uncomfortable in the warmer South. In fact, da Montefeltronicknamed the Light of Italy for his cultural contributions during the Renaissanceeven brought Flemish weavers down to his homeland and set up mini-workshops to produce tapestries in Italy. Another intrinsic virtue of tapestries was that they could be rolled up and transported, allowing royalty to take their favorite allegorical art with them, as they often moved and dwelt in different castles. Beyond these functional advantages, the sumptuous materials and virtuosity of craftsmanship made tapestries the paragon of luxury, displaying the wealth and power of the ruler and empire. The raw materials were expensive, such as wool, silk, and threads wrapped in silver and gold. These precious metal-wrapped threads would literally shimmer and dance in the candlelight, coming alive, and exuding an almost unimaginable beauty. This confluence of artisanal virtuosity, otherworldly beauty, and sacredness inspires Cleland. Shes eternally grateful for The Mets permanent tapestry collection, which she describes as the best on this side of the Atlantic, definitely. While Cleland loves them all, shes particularly fond of one jewel-like tapestry, only about 20 inches by 18 inches. During the 15th and 16th centuries, it was common for many devotional pieces to be smaller-sized. Her reaction to the piece may even be similar to how these precious works were viewed hundreds of years ago. It is the most arresting little object. Its a half-length of Jesus as a baby wearing a shift, but hes looking right out at you, she says of the small devotional tapestry called The Christ Child Pressing the Wine of the Eucharist. He is locking eyes with you as he is squeezing a bunch of grapes above a chalice. The original owner would have understood this as an allegory showing how he would be shedding his blood to save mankind as the redeemer. His fate is predestined. Even though hes a baby, he knows whats going to happen. Masterpieces of European Tapestry: Medieval to ModernSeries in three talks: Medieval to Renaissance: Magic, myths, moralities, and mille-fleurs was held on Oct. 11; Baroque to Rococo: From the Sun Kings grand histories to Bouchers pastoral idylls will be held on Oct. 18; and Arts and Crafts to Fiber Arts: William Morris, Anni Albers, and the modern dilemma will be held on Oct. 25. J.H. White is an arts, culture, and mens fashion journalist living in New York. The Chinese Communist Party Infiltrates Major International Organizations The world has begun to observe how Chinas influence has grown in the international community. This was prompted by recent news of Interpols ex-chief Meng Hongwei who was taken down by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and is under investigation for graft and political disloyalty. Meng was also Chinas vice minister of public security. Like Meng, members of the CCP have infiltrated various international organizations, particularly the World Trade Organization (WTO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Health Organization (WHO), UNESCO and other prominent global agencies. They use their influence through these agencies to promote the CCPs agenda. The Complex Relationship Between the CCP and the WTO The World Trade Organization (WTO), the worlds largest economic and trade organization, has significantly helped Chinas economy grow. But the CCP has taken advantage of the preferential treatment from the WTO and does not abide by the rules of international trade. The U.S.-China trade war is pushing the WTO to the forefront. In March, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) filed a request to take action at the WTO to address Chinas unfair trade practices that go against the rules of the WTO. President Trump posted a tweet (on his Twitter account) in April: China, which is a great economic power, is considered a Developing Nation within the World Trade Organization. They therefore get tremendous perks and advantages, especially over the U.S. Does anybody think this is fair. We were badly represented. The WTO is unfair to U.S. The WTO does not provide any definitions and rules for a developing nation, so a country can simply declare itself as one. China has taken advantage of this self-declare policy, a loophole, and identifies itself as a developing nation. So it is difficult to convince other countries that CCP is not playing by the rules. Chinas total import and export volume has increased to $4.1 trillion in 2017 from $509.8 billion in 2001 when it joined the WTO. Since 2009, Chinas exports have been the worlds number one. In the past five years, except in 2016, Chinas total import and export volumes have also ranked first in the world. It is truly the worlds largest trading nation. Moreover, in recent years, Chinas GDP has also ranked among the top-middle income countries. However, the WTO seems to have trouble dealing with such a special member like China. In July, after the WTO reviewed the complaint by the U.S. against China over unfair trade practices, it created a report that partly affirmed the CCPs trade policy and made an appeal to China to make improvements in its trade practices. Without specific punishment, the CCP does not feel obligated to follow the rules of the WTO which has also been lenient in the past. For example, The New York Times reported in March 2014 that the U.S., European Union and Japan filed a case in 2012 against China for restricting the exports of rare earth elements and metals used in manufacturing and technology. The WTO did not require China to pay a fine but only requested it to stop the violation. Because of its soft stance on China, the WTO has shielded the CCP which allowed it to manipulate and violate international trade rules. The Influence of the CCP on the WTO While the CCP has rapidly increased its global trade status after joining the WTO, it has gradually increased its influence on the organization. In 2013, China became the worlds number one trading nation for the first time. Roberto Azevedo, a Brazilian diplomat supported by the CCP, was elected as the Deputy Director-General in the same year. Roberto Azevedo appointed Yi Xiaozhun, deputy minister of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, as the Deputy Director-General of the WTO in 2013. According to the WTO website, Deputy Director-General Yi is in charge of market access, service trade, economic research, as well as intellectual property, government procurement and competition. The United States accused the CCP of unfair trade practices the theft of intellectual property rights, government procurement and restrictions on competition. Moreover, after the United States criticized the CCPs unfair trade practices and the negative impact it has on the U.S. economy and employment, Yi said, at the Sixth World Business Leaders Conference held in China last May, that trade was not the main cause of unemployment in the country. In addition, the CCPs unfair trade practices have mostly benefited the CCPs elite and dignitariesthey control Chinas economy. The real victims are the Chinese people who do not reap the same benefits as their leaders. Among the forty-five commitments made by the CCP to join the WTO, the CCP only implements one of the seven economic policies promised, one of the four intellectual property commitments, seven of the twelve trade commitments, and fourteen of the twenty-two service trade commitments, with a total of twenty-three commitments implemented. In addition, what the CCP violates are key commitments that affect the vital interests of foreign investors and the Chinese people, such as forcing foreign companies to transfer technology, network blockades, restrictions on imports and various non-tariff barriers. The CCP and International Monetary Fund (IMF) With the strengthening of Chinas economy after joining the WTO, the CCP began to seek greater power in important international organizations, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (World Bank), the two most important financial institutions in the world. The IMF, created in 1945 and consisting of 189 countries, works to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade. In 2011, IMF Managing Director and Madame Chairman, Christine Lagarde, appointed Zhu Min, a Deputy Governor of the Peoples Bank of China, as the fourth Deputy Managing Director. It elevated Chinas position in the IMF. After Zhu became deputy managing director, he promoted the yuan to be included in the Special Drawing Rights (SDR) in 2015. Chinas SDR quota share rose to 6.41 percent today from 3.99 percent in 2011 and the voting share rose from 2.4 percent to 6.09 percent, second only to the U.S. and Japan. The SDR, created by the IMF in 1969, are supplementary foreign-exchange reserve assets defined and maintained by the IMF. Although its not real currency, the CCP has been pursuing an increase in SDR quotas and voting rights to enhance the international status of the yuan and the CCPs influence. In August 2016, Zhang Tao, the deputy governor of the Peoples Bank of China succeeded Zhu and became the Deputy Managing Director of the IMF. Zhang is also a member of the CCP. As the U.S.-China trade war escalates, Zhang blames the United States and has repeatedly called on Washington to support the CCP. In April 2018, Zhang said Washingtons top priority for the global economy is to eliminate trade protectionism. On Oct. 10, Zhang told Chinas state-run media, CCTV, that the biggest uncertainty in the current global economy is the trade dispute provoked by the United States. The CCP and the World Bank The World Bank, an international financial institution that provides loans to countries for capital projects, plays an important role in the rise of the CCP. From 2008 to September 2012, Lin Yifu, director of the China Center for Economic Research at Peking University, became the senior vice president of the World Bank. The World Bank upgraded China to the third largest shareholder of the World Bank in 2010, second only to the United States and Japan. In January 2016, the World Bank appointed Shaolin Yang, the official of Chinas Ministry of Finance, as Chief Administrative Officer and Managing Director at The World Bank Group. As of April 2018, the World Bank had loaned China more than $60.495 billion. President Trump has said several times that the World Bank has granted excessive loans to China. In 2017, Chinas direct foreign investment was more than $120 billion, ranking the third in the world. In the past 10 years, Chinas foreign investment has grown at an average annual rate of 27.2 percent, ranking one of the largest foreign investment countries. However, World Bank President Kim Yong said in April that the World Bank would scale back loans to China but it would boost its shareholding (more voting rights) through increased capital lending approved by bank members. The CCPs influence has grown in the World Bank. The CCP and World Health Organization (WHO) The CCP has been seeking greater power in the United Nations and its related agencies. In 2006, a former Chinese official was elected as the Director-General of The WHO. The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health, and has 194 member states. In 2006, the CCP bribed African countries to elect Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun, former Director of Health in Hong Kong, as the Director-General of the World Health Organization delegating China from 2006 to 2017. Chan was criticized of extravagant spending when she served as the WHOs director-general. Despite WHOs lack of funding, the senior executives of the WHO spent $200 million every year for business trips, far exceeding the expenses for major health projects, such as AIDS. Chan constantly supported the CCP while she was the Director-General of the WHO as her position was bought by the CCP. In 2013, the CCP concealed the outbreak of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus in China, causing the epidemic to spread rapidly. But Chan openly praised and thanked the CCP for its prompt response and treatment of the epidemic during the World Health Assembly in May 2013. At the international organ transplant conference held in Beijing in 2016, Chan sang the praises of the CCPs so-called organ transplant reform. The conference was held around the time the international community condemned the CCPs large-scale organ harvesting crimes, particularly on Falun Gong practitioners. An independent investigation led by two Canadian human rights lawyers published an updated report in 2016 about the organ harvesting which was first discovered in 2006, and the role of the CCP in ordering the systematic killing of prisoners of conscience for their organs. The CCP and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), a specialized agency in the UN system, promotes and accelerates industrial development in developing countries, and has more than 170 member states. In June 2013, the UNIDO elected Li Yong, the former Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Finance of China, as the seventh Director-General. In November 2017, Li was re-elected. Li, a member of the CCP, said during an interview by Chinas state-run media in April that UNIDO had strengthened its cooperation with the CCP and organized activities for the One Belt, One Road project (OBOR, also known as Belt and Road). Since 2013, China has launched OBOR construction projects across more than 60 countries, seeking a network of land and sea links with Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. The United States has criticized OBOR projects, warning that the loans could turn into debt traps for poor countries unable to pay the money back. Li also supported the CCPs Made in China 2025 strategy. The strategy, unveiled by Chinas State Council in 2015, is at the core of Chinas efforts to move up the value chain and achieve Chinese leader Xi Jinpings vision of turning the country into a global superpower by 2050. It would allow China to catch up with rivals in sectors including robotics, aerospace, clean-energy cars, and advanced basic materials. Under the plan, Beijing wants Chinese suppliers to capture 70 percent of market share by 2025 for basic core components and important basic materials in strategic industries. Such a large-scale plan to dominate global supply chains has alarmed the U.S. administration, which targeted Made in China 2025 as evidence that Beijing has systematically stolen intellectual property (IP) for its own interests by guiding Chinese firms to acquire American tech firms; forcing U.S. businesses to transfer technology in exchange for access to the Chinese market; and other schemes. In an email correspondence, a spokesperson for UNIDO told The Epoch Times that UNIDO promotes the interest of all of its 168 member states equally. The Director General believes that The Belt and Road Initiative, with its emphasis on inclusive partnership and cooperation, can serve as an effective tool for the advancement of the 2030 Agenda, said UNIDO spokesperson Ravindra Wickremasinghe. The CCP and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), is an agency of the UN that is responsible for coordinating telecommunication operations and services throughout the world. In October 2014, Zhao Houlin, Chinas former official of Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, was elected as the Secretary-General of ITU. He is the first Chinese national to hold the title in the agencys 150-year history. Zhao stated several times that he hopes that Chinese companies will actively participate in making international telecommunication standards so they can take the initiative in future market competition. The CCP and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), is an agency of the UN that is responsible for codifying the principles and techniques of international air navigation, with 192 member states. In March 2015, the ICAO elected Liu Fang, Chinas civil aviation official, as the Secretary-General. Liu is the first woman and the first Chinese national to hold this position. She was re-elected as Secretary-General in March this year. The CCP and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. The agency settles legal disputes between member states and comprises a panel of 15 judges elected by the General Assembly and Security Council for nine-year terms. In 2010, Xue Hanqin, an official of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was elected as a judge of the the ICJ, succeeding the Chinese national judge, Shi Jiuyong, and becoming the first Chinese female judge of the agency. The CCIP and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional financial development bank in the Asia Pacific region with 67 members. In 2013, the CCP arranged Zhang Wencai, an official of Chinas Ministry of Finance, to serve as the vice president of ADB. In August 2018, Zhang said in an interview with Chinas state-run media Xinhua News Agency, that the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative had received wide support from the international community. The next step of the ADBs major work is to promote the OBOR. In 2014-2015, the CCP initiated and established the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and appointed Jin Liqun, chairman of China International Capital Corporation, as the first president of the AIIB. In addition to the international organizations already mentioned, there are more CCP representatives who have held significant positions in other prominent international organizations. CCP Officials in Other International Organizations UNESCO is a specialized agency of the United Nations whose purpose is to promote peace and security through education, science and culture across the globe. It has 195 member states. In 2013, Hao Ping, Vice Minister of Education of the CCP, was elected as the President of the UN General Assembly for a two-year term. This is the first time in UNESCOs history that a representative of China was elected as the chairman. UNESCO has the three core leaders: the President of the General Assembly, the President of the Executive Board and the Director General. In 2005, Zhang Xinsheng, then Vice Minister of Education, was elected as the President of the UNESCO Executive Board. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an important global non-governmental organization which develops and publishes a wide range of standards in technical and non-technical fields, and facilitates world trade by providing common standards between countries. In September 2013, Zhang Xiaogang, Secretary of the Party Committee and general manager of Anshan Iron and Steel Group Co. was elected as the chairman of the ISO. He was the first Chinese national to be elected as the agencys chairman, serving from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017. In 2010, Li Ruigang, then the director of Shanghai Radio and Television, was appointed as the first Chinese director by WPP Group, one of the worlds largest advertising and communication service groups. Although the CCP representatives have already occupied high-level positions in an increasing number of international organizations, the CCPs trapping of Interpols ex-chief Meng Hongwei will undoubtedly make international organizations more cautious about choosing leadership candidates recommended by the CCP in the future. Which international organization is willing to have the next Meng Hongwei? Several news agencies such as Bloomberg, The New York Times, and the Voice of Germany have published articles about the hidden dangers that Chinese officials may face in international affairs. By He Jian. The views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Toronto Mayor John Tory acknowledges supporters after he was re-elected in the Ontario municipal election in Toronto, on Oct. 22, 2018. (The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn) Tory Cruises to Victory in Toronto Mayor Election Technical issues force extension of voting for many Ontario municipalities Toronto Mayor John Tory easily won reelection on Oct. 22 after a spirited campaign marked by unprecedented interference from the provincial government, while dozens of Ontario communities were forced to extend voting due to widespread technical difficulties. Tory took 63 percent of the vote while his main rival, former chief city planner Jennifer Keesmaat, took 24 percent giving the incumbent mayor a far more significant victory than when he was first elected four years ago. Thats quite an evening isnt it, Tory, 64, joked in his victory speech, calling his mandate historic. I want to acknowledge Jennifer Keesmaat, who brought ideas forward which Im sure well discuss in the coming days. In all, voters in more than 400 communities across Ontario cast ballots for their next municipal government after campaigns that saw everything from legal battles to electoral reform. Residents in 51 municipalities experienced voting delays, according to the company providing online vote tabulation services. For some residents, voting was to continue on Oct. 23 after online systems suffered technical problems. Communities in Grey and Bruce counties, the Muskoka region, Bradford West Gwillimbury, the City of Waterloo, and Greater Sudbury all offered a second day of voting, along with five municipalities in eastern Ontario. The provinces most highprofile race, however, proceeded smoothly, with few surprises. Keesmaat, who had criticized Tory as weak and unwilling to stand up for Toronto after Premier Doug Ford slashed the size of the citys council midrace, was gracious in defeat. Mr. Tory has worked hard his whole life in political office, and Im sure that our mayor will return to office determined to make his time there count, she said in her concession speech. Four years ago, Tory took only 40 percent of the popular vote when he edged out Ford, who finished in second place with 33 percent. Since then, Tory has positioned himself as a steady, experienced leader who could work with all levels of government. Myer Siemiatycki, a professor of politics at Ryerson University, called Torys win decisive, saying he had only one real challenger this time as opposed to two in 2014. The rightofcentre Tory, however, will have to do more to win council to his side now, Siemiatycki said. This council will have a lot more opposition voices, as it were, to the mayor than the last council did, Siemiatycki said. It will be an interesting four years aheadit will test Mayor Torys conciliatory abilities and talents, which are there but didnt reach across the aisle in his first term. Preliminary voter turnout in Toronto was pegged at 47 percent, compared to 54 percent in 2014. Comeback In Brampton, northwest of Toronto, ousted Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown made good on his political comeback. Brown edged out incumbent Linda Jeffrey for mayor. He had been forced to step down from his post as leader of the provincial party in January amid sexual misconduct allegations he denies. My party is the people of Brampton and I want results, Brown said in a victory speech that made no reference to his previous troubles. Brampton is going to be the envy of Ontario. Brown was not the only former provincial legislator to relaunch a political career mere months after being swept from power. In Thunder Bay, former municipal affairs minister Bill Mauro won a tight mayoral race after current Mayor Keith Hobbs, caught up in extortion and obstructionofjustice charges, announced he would not seek reelection. Former provincial transportation minister Kathryn McGarry succeeded in her bid to become mayor of Cambridge, handily defeating the previous incumbent. Also, former Liberal Speaker Steve Peters succeeded in his bid to secure a council seat in St. Thomas, where previous Conservative MP Joe Preston was elected mayor. Jim Bradley and Dipika Damerla, former provincial cabinet ministers who lost their seats in June, were elected to municipal council positions in St. Catharines and Mississauga respectively. At least one scandalplagued local leader went down to defeat. WhitchurchStouffville Mayor Justin Altmann was investigated by the towns integrity commissioner after reports of a policestyle photo gallery on his washroom wall containing images of residents, journalists, and politicians. Council docked him six months pay and barred him from entering his office other than to collect mail or attend meetings. Many other incumbents fared better, including the longestserving municipal leader in the province. Gord Krantz, 81, was reelected as mayor of Milton, a post hes held since 1980. Other returning incumbents included Jim Watson of Ottawa, Drew Dilkens of Windsor, Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger, and Jim Diodati of Niagara Falls. In Toronto, some candidates with last names that carried a degree of political cachet were able to clinch victory on council. Mike Layton, son of late federal NDP leader Jack Layton, was reelected in his downtown riding. Michael Ford, nephew of Ontarios premier, won his northwest Toronto ward in the heart of socalled Ford Nation. For the communities where voting was to continue, Dominion Voting, a provider of online tabulation services, offered an apology, blaming technical issues on an unnamed Toronto provider. Dominion said the issue was resolved after about 90 minutes, but many voters still had problems. At no time was the integrity of the system at risk of compromise, or in any way insecure, it said in a statement. Results were also slow in coming from London, Ont., the only Canadian municipality to use ranked ballots in a local election. The system allows voters to choose three candidates in order of preference. Cambridge and Kingston were considering whether to adopt the system for the municipal election in 2022. According to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, 6,645 candidates ran in local council races, with 9.2 million people eligible to vote. A Toyota Project Portal hydrogen fuel cell electric semi-truck is shown during an event in San Francisco, Calif., U.S., Sept. 13, 2018. (Reuters/Stephen Lam) Truck Makers Rev up for Rollout of Electric Big Rigs DETROITTesla Inc. Chief Executive Elon Musk put electric heavy commercial trucks on the map in November 2017 when he unveiled the companys futuristic, battery-powered Semi, booked hundreds of orders and said he would start delivering the vehicles by 2019. Now, it looks like 2020 could be the big year for electric big rigs. Incumbent truck makers are accelerating their electric truck projects toward launches that year, while Musk told investors in June production of the eye-catching Semi freight hauler should begin basically (in the) first half of 2020 instead of 2019. Driven by regulatory pressure to cut diesel pollution, commercial truck makers have made a flurry of fresh announcements to deliver battery electric or hydrogen-fueled vehicles. They have landed orders from big fleet operators such as Walmart Inc., United Parcel Service Inc., and Anheuser Busch Inbev NV. The challenge is gauging how big the market for electric commercial trucks will be, especially outside of China. The limited range of most first-generation electric or hydrogen commercial trucks and a lack of charging infrastructure threaten to limit sales to short-haul operations. Over the last 12 months, North American diesel and so-called semi truck orders totaled 497,000 units. Toyota Motor Corp.s experience at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach illustrates the potential, and the problems for clean truck technology. The first of Toyotas working hydrogen fuel-cell trucks was designed with a 200-mile range for daily operations and has already logged more than 10,000 miles running short routes around the ports. The newer second iteration has a 300-mile range but that is still well short of the 1,000 miles or more diesel trucks can run between refueling stops. Toyota has not provided a production timeline, but executive program manager Chris Rovik said so far we feel confident the technology is absolutely applicable to this type of use case. Chicken and Egg Problem Fueling infrastructure is a major headache for electric and hydrogen trucks. Hyundai Motor Co. commercial vehicle director Mark Freymueller describes a chicken-and-egg problem: Trucking companies are reluctant to buy trucks without fueling stations, but fuel station operators will not install them without trucking customers. Battery electric trucks can take hours to recharge and charging stations are scarce in most U.S. states. Hydrogen trucks can be refueled in about the same time as a diesel truckbut hydrogen refueling stations are even rarer, with most concentrated in California. Fueling infrastructure is a very important first step, said Chris Cannon, chief sustainability officer for the Port of Los Angeles. The trucks may work great, but if they cant get any fuel they cant operate. Last month, the California Air Resources Board announced $41 million in grants to the port toward building 10 new hydrogen fuel-cell electric trucks to be developed by Toyota and Paccar Inc. unit Kenworth. The grant will also partly-fund two new hydrogen fuel stations to be built by Royal Dutch Shell Plc. Most manufacturers see short-haul routes such as drayage services to or from ports or rail yards as likely first adopters of electric or hydrogen trucks. We think the first applications are going to be shorter haul, said Denny Mooney, Navistar International Corp.s vice president of engineering. Were going to start out where the business makes sense. Tesla customers like Deutsche Post unit DHL, which has ordered 10 Semis, say they could save tens of thousands of dollars on maintenance and fuel annually. CEO Musk says the Semis range could hit 600 miles. But a spokesperson said running uphill with air conditioning on or running other appliances would cut that range. Many modern 18-wheelers contain televisions, fridges, and other appliances. Package delivery giant UPS has pre-ordered 125 Tesla Semis and will use them on daily routes hauling packages between hubs and on UPS Freight routes between businessesmostly shorter routes. In many ways we are ideally suited to be an early adopter of this technology because we dont have much long-haul business, said UPS spokesman Glenn Zaccara. Tesla is working with potential customers including UPS, Pepsico and Anheuser-Busch to build charging stations at their facilities. Nikola Motor Co., a startup offering a fuel cell truck, has ambitious multibillion-dollar plans to build 700 U.S. hydrogen fueling stations over the next decade, starting along the major routes of Anheuser-Busch, which has ordered up to 800 trucks, says CEO Trevor Milton. Nikola has secured funding for those stations, he said. By Nick Carey A still image taken from CCTV video and obtained by TRT World claims to show Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, highlighted in a red circle by the source, as he arrives at Saudi Arabia's Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on Oct. 2, 2018. (Courtesy TRT World/Handout via Reuters) Trump Remains Unsatisfied With Saudi Accounts on Killed Journalist WASHINGTON/ISTANBULPresident Donald Trump said on Oct. 22 he was still not satisfied with what he has heard from Saudi Arabia about the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but did not want to lose investment from Riyadh. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdoms de facto ruler, disappeared three weeks ago after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain documents for his upcoming marriage. Riyadh initially denied knowledge of his fate before saying he was killed in a fight in the consulate, a reaction greeted skeptically by several Western governments, straining relations with the worlds biggest oil exporter. I am not satisfied with what Ive heard, Trump told reporters at the White House and later added: I dont want to lose all that investment thats been made in our country. But were going to get to the bottom of it. The kingdom promised the United States $450 billion in purchases and investments, Trump said, which includes a $110 billion arms contract. Trump previously indicated that he would consider sanctions or other means to penalize Saudi Arabia, but wouldnt want to cancel the investments and purchases. He also pointed out the Saudis are a great ally to the United States and a needed counterbalance to Iran. On Oct. 22, Trump said he spoke with the crown prince and that there are Americans in Saudi Arabia and U.S. intelligence officers in Turkey working on the Khashoggi case who are returning Oct. 22 night or the morning after. Were going to know a lot over the next two days about the Saudi situation, Trump said. Its a very sad thing. Turkish officials suspect Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate by Saudi agents and his body cut up. Turkish sources say authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the murder of the 59-year-old. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has said he will release information about the investigation in a speech on Oct. 23. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir called the death a grave mistake on Oct. 21 and said the crown prince was not responsible. Saudi Arabia made 18 arrests in the case and fired five top officials as well as a number of lower officials. Trump called the arrests a good first step on Oct. 19. Riyadhs latest account of the incident details how a team of 15 Saudi nationals sent to confront Khashoggi had threatened him with being drugged and kidnapped and killed him in a chokehold when he resisted. The suspects then tried to cover up the crime. Germany, Britain, and France pressed Saudi Arabia to provide facts to back up its explanation of a fight that allegedly led to Khashoggis death. Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany would not export arms to Saudi Arabia while the current uncertainty over Khashoggis fate persisted. The World Is Watching Earlier on Oct. 22, Trumps son-in-law, White House adviser Jared Kushner, said he had urged Saudi Arabias crown prince to be transparent about Khashoggi and told him the world is watching Riyadhs account of the journalists disappearance. Kushner has cultivated a personal relationship with Prince Mohammed and urged Trump to act with caution to avoid upsetting a critical strategic and economic relationship, a senior administration official said. In an interview with CNN on Oct. 22, Kushner said he had told the crown prince: Just to be transparent, to be fully transparent. The world is watching. This is a very, very serious accusation and a very serious situation. Asked how the prince responded, Kushner said: Well see. By Gina Cherelus. Epoch Times staff member Petr Svab contributed to this report. Trump Warns Middle Easterners and Criminals Are Part of Migrant Caravan President Donald Trump warned that there are terrorists and other criminals embedded in the thousands-strong migrant caravan currently in Mexico headed to the United States. In a tweet on Oct. 22, Trump said that criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in the caravan. I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Emergency. Must change laws! he added. Univision correspondent Francisco Santa Anna reported on Oct. 19, that people from Bangladesh were found inside the caravan and were detained in an immigration facility after attempting to join the migrants who crossed from Guatemala into Mexico. Yesterday when we were traveling through Guatemala, we noticed people from El Salvador and even people from Bangladesh, Santa Anna reported. Can you imagine what they had to do to get here? They infiltrated themselves in this caravan and tried to cross with the crowd. That would have benefited them greatly. The borders in Central America arent as strong as the ones in North America, making it possible for people to cross easily from country to country, he added. Bangladesh is a known hotspot for terrorism, dozens of natives have fought for the terror group ISIS, and the country is home to more than 141 million Muslims. Guatemalan intelligence discovered people from India, Bangladesh, Africa had also joined in with the caravan -I bumped into a number of young MS 13 gang members. @JudicialWatch Chris Farrell and Guatemalan Secretary of Strategic Intelligence Mario Duarte on the border w/ me pic.twitter.com/qFkRUuXEiv Sara A. Carter (@SaraCarterDC) October 22, 2018 A Judicial Watch staffer embedded in the caravan also reported that Bangladeshi natives were part of the caravan, along with natives from a number of other countries nowhere near Central America, including Congo, Sri Lanka, and Angola, according to Tom Fitton, the groups head. The caravan turned back at the Honduran border included Haiti, Congo, Sri Lanka, Angola, Cameroon, and Bangladesh: report from @JudicialWatch team https://t.co/n6l5ClzF9Q Tom Fitton (@TomFitton) October 22, 2018 Sara Carter, a Fox News contributor who has also been traveling with the caravan, said that Guatemalan intelligence discovered people from India, Bangladesh, and Africa in the Caravan. I bumped into a number of young MS 13 gang members, she added, referring to the notorious gang that almost exclusively recruits from among newly arrived migrants to the United States. Trumps statement on criminals being part of the caravan is easily verified, as dozens of the migrants in the caravan have admitted to being deported previously. Entering the country illegally for the first time is a misdemeanor, while entering illegally after having been deported is a felony crime. In addition, most of the migrants illegally entered Mexico from Guatemala, ignoring requests from Mexican authorities to proceed according to Mexican law. Read More Cruz Gets Boost From Trump at Massive Texas Rally Not Unusual Officials said its not unusual for Middle Easterners to attempt to illegally enter the United States. It is not unusual to see people from Middle Eastern countries or other areas of the world pop up and attempt to cross our borders, Jonathan Hoffman, a Homeland Security official, told reporters in a conference call on Monday. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders, said that the administration has evidence of Middle Easterners and criminals in the caravan. We know this is a continuing problem, she told reporters. The Department of Homeland Security said that in the fiscal year 2018, border patrol apprehended 17,256 known criminals as well as 1,109 gang members. In addition, 3,028 aliens from countries such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Somalia were stopped from entering the country. The department also stated on its website that it refuses entry to seven known or suspected terrorists every day. Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said at a recent conference that included U.S. Vice Preside Mike Pence that his administration has captured around 100 ISIS terrorists. Many migrants either start their journeys from Guatemala or pass through the country on their way north. Some of the terrorists were Syrians caught with falsified documents. There have also been cases in the past that have involved terrorists or people from countries linked to terrorism. For instance, in 2011, three Pakistani citizens pleaded guilty to trying to smuggle a member of the Taliban from Pakistan to the United States via Ecuador. And a House Committee on Homeland Security report released in 2006 said that members of the Hezbollah terrorist group entered the United States by crossing the border illegally sometime before 2005, reported Fox News. President Donald Tump at a Make America Great Again rally in Houston, Texas, on Oct. 22, 2018. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) We Need a Wall At a rally in Houston, on Monday, Trump said the Democrats are to blame for the caravan. You know how the caravan started? I think the Democrats have something to do with it. They made a big mistake. That is an assault on our country, he said. We need a wall built fast. We have to protect our borders. Carter reported that caravan members told her the caravan was organized but wouldnt disclose which group or persons organized it. An organizer with Pueblo Sin Fronteras, a group that organized a caravan earlier this year, has been traveling with the current caravan, reported the Associated Press, and another organizer, Denis Omar Contreras, was reported by La Jornada as one of those responsible for organizing the caravan. From NTD.tv Did you enjoy this article? Continue to read more stories here. Virginia Resident Feels Beijings Unfriendly Attention WASHINGTONMany in the United States may have recently heard about the influence operations and spying by the Chinese communist regime in America and other countries. Angela Wang, a 69-year-old resident of Virginia, has not only heard about these, but also experienced them firsthand. Wang migrated to the United States from Tianjin City in China in 1998, after she met and married an American citizen. When she came to the United States, she had been on long-term sickness leave from her job due to her poor health. Several years later, she officially retired from her workplace, No. 78 Middle School in Hebei District, Tianjin City, where she had worked for 20 years as an English teacher. Since retiring, she had been receiving her pensionuntil about two years ago, that is. At the end of 2016, Wang was suddenly told that her pension was suspended due to her involvement in anti-(Communist) Party and anti-China activities in the United States. A local police officer in Tianjin City, whose surname was Dong, told Wang several times that if she stopped practicing Falun Gong, This issue could be easily resolved. Falun Gong Falun Gong is an ancient Chinese discipline for mental, physical, and spiritual improvement based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. It was first introduced to the public in China in 1992. Since then, it has spread all around the world. The official website FalunDafa.org lists local contacts in 82 countries. The practices main book, Zhuan Falun, has been translated into 41 languages. After supporting the practice for seven years due to its benefits for public health, the communist regime in China began an overwhelming suppression of Falun Gong in 1999, citing the practices popularity. According to the Falun Dafa Information Center, millions of practitioners have been detained in jails, labor camps, and brainwashing centers; 4,258 deaths due to torture and abuse can be confirmed, although the actual number is believed to be much higher, due to the difficulty of getting information out of China. An unknown but large number of Falun Gong practitioners have been killed on demand so that their organs could be sold to domestic patients and international organ tourists. Researchers have classified the forced organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners as a cold genocide. Wang said that she began practicing Falun Gong in 2004, six years after she left China, after having battled severe health problems, including stomach cancer, for many years. She doesnt know how the authorities in China became aware of the fact that she practiced Falun Gong in the United States. During 2006 to 2011, I had been going to the Falun Gong practice site in front of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington to demonstrate Falun Gong exercises and to clarify the truth about Falun Gong to Chinese tourists who were deceived by the Chinese Communist Partys lies about Falun Gong, Wang said. When I first went there, fellow Falun Gong practitioners told me that people hired by the Chinese Embassy would usually come to take photos of us and collect our information. But I didnt pay much attention. I thought to myself, Why should I care, as I am a U.S. citizen already? Wang says the communist regime in China not only suspended her pension, but also has harassed and threatened her relatives in China. My only remaining direct relatives in China now are my brother, sister, nephews, and nieces. The communist officials have given pressure to them all. My brother and sister were actually forced to call me and record the telephone conversation to show to the authorities that they carried out their task of trying to convince me to stop being involved in Falun Gong activities, Wang said. In February, Chinese officials from the workplace level, city level, and district level all went to Wangs sisters home to again pressure her about Wangs beliefs. This is very annoying. I dont know how many communist spies there are in the United States. I only know that the CCP is very evil and is capable of anything, she said. I am very much worried for my familys safety in China. I hope the U. S. government can do something to stop this evil. Klan wives: Its an intriguing topic. So much so that Jacqui Hubbard, the intrepid artistic director at Ivoryton Playhouse, chose to produce the new play The Queens of the Golden Mask. Its not a topic in the old summer theaters comfort zone; Ivorytons last three offerings were musicals Grease, A Chorus Line and Once. Writer/actor Carole Lockwood submitted the play to a womens playwright festival, but it had two acts so it didnt fit that festival, Hubbard said in a phone chat the other day. But I read it and I was intrigued by it, and I kept it on my desk for a year, she said. ... And it was still on my desk when Charlottesville happened. So Hubbard picked it up again, brought it to her board because she felt strongly it should be done, and it will be staged Oct 30 to Nov. 18. Look, I dont often do plays and I certainly dont often do drama because its very hard to sell, Hubbard said. Set in summer 1961 in Celestial, Alabama, the play begins in the kitchen of the Sage household where the matriarch, Ida, has gathered friends to meet the new girl in town Rose from Ohio. Will she fit in with the ladies of Celestial who bake pies, sell Avon products and belong to the Ku Klux Klan? Based on the experiences in the autobiographical book Long Time Coming: An Insiders Story of the Birmingham Church Bombing that Rocked the World, which is about a woman inside a racist and violent world, Queens of the Golden Mask is full of girl talk, everyday life and... danger. In Klan families, women were subservient and men beat their wives in order to sustain white male supremacy, said Hubbard. Women were partners in the goal of maintaining white supremacy but there were some who put their lives on the line to challenge that way of life. Its really about peer pressure and normalizing hate, said Hubbard. What happens when ... people in the community are not bad people, but their belief system is messed up? It couldnt be more relevant; it just couldnt. Hubbard said based on early rehearsals, Its been a real adventure to dig into this because its hard for the actors, too. They have to take on characters that they have to know and love. I call it a cross between Steel Magnolias and Mississippi Burning. These are women youd meet in the grocery store warm, friendly and funny. They just happen to have a belief system that is alien to what a lot of the rest of us believe in, Hubbard said. In other words, its complicated on the inside of such groups, where evil lurks in the ordinary backdrops of normal-looking lives. More Information Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main St., Ivoryton. Oct. 30-Nov. 18, $55 for adults; $50 for seniors; $25 for students and $20 for children. 860-767-7318. Ivorytonplayhouse.org See More Collapse There are no lynchings in the play; instead its about what happens to women born in the Klan who turn against that life and break their blood oath of loyalty. In real life, that led to women who were murdered but their deaths were registered as suicides or accidents, Hubbard said. She said its not a political play during this fractious time. Its not... were not talking about politics. Were talking about people and peoples prejudices, she said, adding the topic will spur conversation. Wednesday and Thursday night well be having talkbacks after the shows, and also Im doing some shows for schools, which I think is important. Hubbard said the Southern Poverty Law Center, which lists hate crimes and groups in the country, reports a rise in hate crimes in schools spread by social media but fed by old and new prejudices. Hubbard said the playwright has been tweaking the play, which was written in 2008, but theres no sort-of sly nods to whats going on now. Its very much of its time, but even then it cant help reflect whats going on (now). Today there are more than 900 hate groups listed in this country, Hubbard said, and the Klan is your grandfathers hate group because the younger ones arent into robes. But theres a big increase in womens hate groups, who also share recipes and child-care tips a homey community bound by hate and prejudice. jamarante@nhregister.com; @Joeammo on Twitter Cindy Ording / Contributed photo Some 300 years ago, two rapscallions, Archer and Aimwell, headed out on an adventure in the English countryside. They were on the hunt for some wealthy heiresses to wed, hoping such an affiliation would lead to lives of luxury. In the process, they come across characters that make their journey a bit more interesting, including highwaymen, saucy servers and aristocratic ladies. Its all in the tale, The Beaux Stratagem, which kicks off the Town Players of New Canaans 72nd season. WESTPORT Last year, Greg Kraut ran for the Representative Town Meeting for the first time and earned more votes than any other RTM candidate from his district in Greens Farms. Now Kraut, who moved to Westport from Scarsdale, N.Y., in 2016, is setting his sights even higher: representative for the 136th General Assembly. Kraut, 42, changed his voter registration from unaffiliated to Republican in April in order to earn the Republican nomination, but vows he will bring a nonpartisan outlook to Hartford armed with his self-produced state economic recovery plan. Included in Krauts 21-point plan is a proposal to sell state-owned properties and rent them back as the tenant, a strategy known as sale-leasebacks that Kraut says can generate $1 billion in new revenue. Creative policies can help fix the states revenue gap without the need to increase taxes, said Kraut, who answered questions for his plans in office should he be elected. What are your top three legislative priorities? 1. Improve our transportation infrastructure. I am a commuter, and I have seen our commute getting longer every year. Transportation has been ignored for far too long here in Connecticut, which remains a roadblock to economic recovery. We need to prioritize capital projects that have the greatest likelihood of producing economic growth. 2. We need to prepare our residents for jobs for the future and keep our students. We have chronically underfunded public education and we need to rapidly commit to establishing science, technology, engineering, and math destinations. The state is one of two states where jobs placed in STEM fields have declined. Connecticuts workforce is further shrinking as the population ages and outmigration rises. Student loan forgiveness is a must and we can tie it to residency to positively affect GDP and further entice millennials. 3. We need to lower taxes. We must exempt social security and pension benefits from state tax. Gift and estate taxes puts the state at a substantial competitive disadvantage in return for small dollars raised and should be repealed. These taxes and our high cost of living are key factors for seniors migrating and businesses leaving. In 2011 and 2015, the income tax rate increased, and by 2016 several high-profile corporations such as General Electric and Aetna announced decisions to move theyre headquarters out of the state. What experiences qualify you to represent the 136th Assembly District? Now more than ever, we need financial and business expertise in Hartford. Ive spent 20 years in real estate management and helped advise major corporations on where to relocate. I have launched three successful companies, helped create hundreds of jobs, and developed and implemented complex financial plans. Further, my experiences as a Metro-North commuter, a father of two young sons and a member of Westports Representative Town Meeting have taught me that to protect Westports future, we must change the way that Hartford is managed. I will lead without a partisan agenda. My work with individuals on both sides of the aisle has generated results. Ive been active in gun control, womens health issues and the environment, and Im also a proponent of fiscal responsibility. What is the biggest challenge facing the state and how do you plan to help fix it? We need to immediately focus on paying down state debts and unfunded pension liabilities. Our unfunded pension liabilities cannibalize the state budget and cause state employees to fear for their futures. I have proposed a three-year economic recovery plan. One specific idea is to monetize state-owned commercial properties. Selling government-owned commercial office space and leasing back what is needed is a time-tested way to raise revenue and has been employed by the federal government and many states for decades. Under current financial conditions, it makes more sense than raising money by more borrowing or raising taxes. Does Westport have a good relationship with the state government in Hartford? If no, what steps, if any, should be taken to improve town-state ties? It is increasingly becoming a one-way street as we are seeing less and less, and at the same time we are saddled with more and more unfunded mandates and higher taxes. We watch as the state bonds $155 million for a new train line from Hartford to Springfield funding that would have covered necessary repairs and upgrades to the Metro-North New Haven line and helped to improve commute times in Fairfield County. Westport is in desperate need for better representation at the state level. What political issue are you most passionate about? Aside from restoring our economy, I am passionate about social issues. Schools are the backbone of a town, and directly impact property values and migration to or from the area. We need to restore state funding so that our schools continue to thrive and so that our youth get the education that we have come to expect in Westport. I also want to make sure that we have sensible gun reform measures in place to protect our families and us. Finally, I believe strongly in a womans right to choose and want to make sure these rights are protected going forward. svaughan@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2638; @SophieCVaughan1 WESTPORT A seasoned state representative, Democrat Jonathan Steinberg ascended to the state assemblys 136th district seat, which includes most of Westport in 2010. A lifelong Westporter, Steinberg said he understands Westport values and can leverage his leadership positions in the statehouse to benefit residents better than his novice opponent. As chair of the states Pension Sustainability Commission, Steinberg, a self-proclaimed moderate, said he will solve the states unfunded pension liabilities through a plan to donate state real estate assets as an in-kind contribution to its pension funds. At the Chamber of Commerce debate last week, Steinberg, 62, said transportation infrastructure investment is his No. 1 priority and if re-elected, hell push to institute tolls to fund improvements to the states crumbling trains, bridges and roads. What are your top three legislative priorities? 1. Establishing a sustainable state budget by addressing the unfunded pension liability (which Im doing now with the Pension Sustainability Commission) and reforming union compensation through a shared risk model. 2. Prioritizing transportation infrastructure investment by supporting the Transportation Lock Box (on the ballot in November), focusing on replacing the ancient railroad bridges (the only way train speeds will increase) and congestion-pricing tolls to capture revenues from out-of-state drivers and truckers so we can fix deteriorating roads and bridges. 3. Creating lots of new, good-paying jobs by supporting growth industry sectors in which Connecticut is already a leader like bioscience and green technology; aligning education/training programs to prepare young people for the jobs that are currently available, and creating urban enterprise zones with mass transit, housing and amenities attractive to young people and which leverage new federal grants. What experiences qualify you to represent the 136th Assembly District? Growing up in Westport and coming back with my family has given me strong sense of Westporters values and priorities. Twenty-plus years as a marketing executive, working for companies large and small, have helped me understand how businesses thrive and how to keep them nimble and competitive. Seven years on the RTM, three as deputy moderator, have given me the opportunity to work with others to address the towns issues and prepared me to represent Westport in the General Assembly. Four terms in the Legislature, with increasing leadership responsibilities, have taught me the intricacies of the legislative process, provided opportunities to build relationships with colleagues from both sides of the aisle and critical stakeholders, and allowed me to champion successful legislation on gun reform, health care, the environment and the budget. What is the biggest challenge facing the state? The biggest challenge facing the state has to be the continued budget deficits, resulting from huge unfunded pension liabilities caused by decades of egregious negligence by both parties. Im at the forefront of addressing the problem, without raising taxes or slashing spending, through my work as chair of the Pension Sustainability Commission. Its work is dedicated to pursuing a plan which will generate new revenues from underutilized state real estate and dedicate those proceeds to the pensions themselves, thus reducing the impact of current liabilities on the budget. Its practical, legal and other states are watching Connecticut with interest. Does Westport have a good relationship with the state government in Hartford? Jonathan Steinberg Greg Kraut See More Collapse Westports relationship with Hartford is fine, but could always be improved. Fairfield County legislators from both parties need to work more collaboratively to advocate for issues like transportation investment and affordable housing reform in Hartford. Westport also benefits from my growing influence as an experienced and respected legislator and my leadership of the Moderates Caucus, which played a crucial role in recent bipartisan budget deals and killing bad budgets. My opponent plans to continue commuting to NYC the opposite direction of Hartford. Working full time out of state is completely inconsistent with the work commitment necessary to fulfill ones obligations as a state representative. I treat this elected position with the seriousness it deserves as a full-time job. What political issue are you most passionate about? First and foremost is budget reform, because its the one thing which will encourage people to move to or stay in Connecticut with their families and businesses. Thats why I spend so much time in Hartford working on it. But I also care deeply about protecting the people of Connecticut through quality, affordable health care, sensible gun reforms, rational environmental policy and social justice for all. For two decades Steve Davis has made it his life's work to save the Florida Everglades. Davis, a wetland ecologist with the Everglades Foundation, has been part of a push to restore millions of acres of marsh grasses and mangroves to their natural state. The effort, comprised of nearly six-dozen projects carrying an estimated price tag of $16 billion, is one of the largest environmental restorations ever undertaken. The plan was approved by Congress in 2000. But work has moved in fits and starts -- more than $2 billion has been spent so far -- and Davis was anxious last week to see if Hurricane Irma's lashing winds and surging seas had setback what progress there has been. So he talked a pilot into taking him up to survey the damage. "The smell of decay was noticeable from our altitude," Davis said in an interview. Extensive batches of sea grass, crucial for sustaining water quality and habitat for fish, could be seen dead and floating on the water. Mangrove trees were defoliated, the wind having stripped their leaves off. Still, not all the news is bad. The massive amount of rain water from the storm now flowing through the area could be helping flush saltwater from the area's sensitive estuaries. Previous storms, such as Hurricane Wilma in 2005, deposited nutrient-rich soil. "I think there is potentially good from this," Davis said. Home to the elusive Florida panther, crocodiles, manatees and the state's iconic pink flamingos, the Everglades make up much of Florida's southern tip and is a World Heritage Site. Decades of development and farming have put the so-called River of Grass at risk. Climate change has raised the ocean's waters, threatening it with the seeping influx of salt water and leading to higher storm surges. Since Irma swung up through the Florida Keys and the state's western coast, federal officials have struggled to access the 1.5 million acre Everglades National Park and assess the damage. Power and internet outages and trees blocking the main access road kept the park closed and largely cut off. Employees inside couldn't even be contacted for days. "The storm has passed and we are currently assessing damage to the park," an alert on the National Park Service's website said. "It is not safe for re-entry at this time." The park service said storm surges of nearly nine feet hit the park. At Key Largo, there is extensive debris scattered throughout Florida Bay. "Numerous vessels are grounded or have been pushed into mangroves, causing severe damage," the park service said. Park workers had succeeded in opening one lane of the main road to the headquarters, allowing heavy equipment access to start their work inside. "My sense is there is definitely damage," said Diana Umpierre, a representative for the Sierra Club's Everglades Restoration Campaign. A friend told her that nests and eggs of several species of endangered turtles were washed away. Storm surges could have pushed in too much saltwater and eroded soil -- a valuable commodity when fighting sea level rise, said Evelyn Gaiser, an ecologist at Florida International University. Anxiety also remains about the swollen Lake Okeechobee to the park's north, and whether the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will release water from it. "Those discharges will be polluted water and they will have detrimental effects on the ecosystem," said John Adornato, senior regional director at the National Parks Conservation Association's Sun Coast Regional Office. The park's birds and animals have weathered hurricanes before using survival mechanisms like hunkering down in trees, low lying areas or other natural shelters, said Nicholas G. Aumen, a regional science adviser for the U.S. Geological Survey, who runs an Everglades restoration program. Some animals will likely perish, but the impact is not likely to be catastrophic, he said. "The first thing to remember is that hurricanes are a natural part of the landscape down here," he said in a phone interview. Even before Irma, the Everglades' once-pristine wetlands and mangroves had been fighting for survival, beset by development and farming that starved the wetlands of freshwater and inundated it with damaging phosphorous run off from the fertilizer used by the hundreds of thousands of acres of surrounding sugarcane farms. In the face of those threats, Congress passed legislation in 2000 that created a plan made up of 68 different projects, pledging help to restore, preserve and protect the region. Projected to last 35 years, the nation's largest hydrological restoration plan included the erection of flood-control walls keep the park's urban boundaries from flooding and the construction of a massive canal to restore freshwater flows to the Florida Bay. "We could have done a lot by now but we are still fussing with it," said Harold Wanless, a University of Miami expert on sea-level rise. "By the time they figure it out they won't have much Everglades left." The projects have been slow going amid environmental litigation, land-use squabbles and perpetual study. Congressional gridlock has played a role as well. The 2000 legislation only authorized funding for a portion of the projects. A report issued earlier this year by the National Academy of Sciences found that the pace of funding remains slower than expected and the cost of the projects are greater than initially estimated, meaning the efforts could take 60 years, not 35. "What I hope is that this expedites these projects," Adornato said of the storm. As of now, Davis says he is cautiously optimistic that Irma's damage has been manageable. But he plans to keep his eye on things. "The Everglades has experienced these types of disturbances in the past and recovered," he said. "In addition to being a beautiful landscape, it's also a formidable defense." NORWALK Three days before Election Day, the Norwalk Town Clerks Office will hold special weekend hours to issue absentee to those residents wholl be unable to make it to their polling places. In addition to its regular weekday hours, the office will be open Saturday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., to accommodate residents who meet the legal requirements for voting by absentee ballot. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6. I encourage all Norwalk residents to cast a ballot on November 6. For those who will not be able to make it to the polls there is still time to request an absentee ballot, Mayor Harry W. Rilling said in the statement released by his office Tuesday. Participating in democracy is a right that separates our great country from many others. Please let your voice be heard on Election Day. Applications for absentee ballots may be requested by mail, telephone phone, in person at the Town Clerks Office, or online from the Connecticut Secretary of the States Office at https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Election-Services/Voter-Information/Absentee-Voting. The applications are available in English and Spanish. Absentee ballots are for voters who cannot make it to their polling place on Election for any of the following reasons: they are actively serving in the armed forces; they will be out of town during all voting hours; they are ill or have a physical disability; their religious beliefs prevent them from performing secular activity on that day; or they are working as an election official at a polling place other than their own during all voting hours. Persons who cast absentee ballots without meeting any of the above criteria are subject to civil and criminal penalties. As of Tuesday afternoon, well over a thousand absentee ballots had been issued to Norwalk residents, according to Town Clerk Richard A. McQuaid. Were very busy with them. This is the most absentee ballots weve issued in the seven years Ive been here, McQuaid said. Were up around 1,200 already. Voters who incur an illness or physical disability within six days of an election may apply for an Emergency Absentee Ballot. They will be able to designate someone to deliver the ballot to them and return it to the Town Clerks Office. If someone has a permanent disability, he or she may be eligible to apply for a permanent absentee ballot. The Norwalk Town Clerks office is located in Room 102 of City Hall, 125 East Ave. The offices regular hours are Monday to Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Update: According to court records, the case against Garnet Palermo was dismissed. NORWALK Seven women are facing prostitution charges after city police teamed up with state and federal authorities as a part of a prostitution sting operation. Norwalk police teamed up with Connecticut State Police and Homeland Securitys Human Trafficking Unit in an effort to crack down on prostitution in Norwalk. As a part of the operation, undercover officers contacted women via backpage.com, a website where people can find everything from lawn care to escort services. Authorities believed that the site was being used as a means of prostitution. Officers made contact with seven different women through the site and organized meetings at a hotel in Norwalk. Police said that upon arriving, the women negotiated their prices, explained their services and began to undress, which is when police would storm the room and place the women under arrest. Katherine Newsome, Cristiane Teixeira, Nailah Sheppard, Garnet Palermo and Stephanie Bernier were each charged with prostitution. Michelle Durrett and Felicia Brown were charged with two counts of prostitution each. In addition to the prostitution rap, Newsome was also charged with possession of narcotics and possession of less than a half-ounce of marijuana after police found 2.8 grams of marijuana, methamphetamine and $863 of ill-gotten gains in her possession. Newsome was held on a $1,500 bond and is expected in court on April 13. The rest of the women were released with a summons to appear in court. Teixeira, Sheppard, Palermo and Brenier are set to appear in court on April 13. Durrett and Brown are expected in court on April 17. It was not immediately clear if any of the women had attorneys. ptomlinson@hearstmediact.com; 203-354-1046; Twitter: @Tomlinson_PE Poland's ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party is facing its most difficult moment since winning the 2015 general election: The party's dogfight with the European Union over judicial reforms appears to be making voters queasy, especially in bigger cities, and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, the nationalists' great political hope, lacks the electoral and negotiating golden touch PiS needs despite his successful economic policies. On Sunday, PiS won in regional elections, but by a narrower margin than polls predicted. Anything less than a 10 percentage point margin over the liberal opposition, the Civic Coalition, would have been a disappointing result, and PiS was held to an advantage of about 7 percentage points, winning less than a third of the votes and falling short of its 2015 general election result nationwide. The surprise first-round defeat of Patryk Jaki in Warsaw's mayoral election at the hands of liberal candidate Rafal Trzaskowski, who's already being described as a potential liberal frontrunner in future elections, left an especially bitter taste. Even though PiS has improved its representation in local councils, which distribute much of the all-important EU subsidies, it doesn't have the coalition-building potential of its only slightly weaker rivals. And it needs bigger gains if it is to reproduce the success of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party and reshape Polish politics in its own image. The election followed a decision last Friday by the European Court of Justice, the EU's top court, which ordered Poland to suspend a cut to the retirement age of Supreme Court judges from 70 to 65, a key part of the judiciary reform PiS is trying to push through. Its numerous opponents among Polish judges have argued that the reform amounts to a political hijacking of the country's judiciary and a purge of judges who aren't loyal to the ruling party. PiS officials have described the reform as an attempt to make judges more accountable and get rid of those among them who took part in the persecution of dissidents under the Communist regime. Morawiecki, a former investment banker who had ably run the government's economic part, was appointed prime minister to run a charm offensive in Europe without giving up on the substance of the party's Orban-style reforms. It hasn't worked; the European Commission wouldn't play along, starting a rule of law infringement procedure against Poland and, finally, going to court. Friday's preliminary ruling tells Poland not to retire any judges nor appoint any replacements until the ECJ makes a final ruling in the case. Though PiS officials have argued, rather weakly, that the decision has been made without anyone listening to their arguments, Poland's Supreme Court President Malgorzata Gersdorf, herself affected by the new retirement age law, instructed the other judges sent home by the PiS - about 40 percent of the court's members - to return to work. On Monday, the first of them did, with the government powerless to prevent it. Poland is not just the biggest net recipient of EU funds, it's also a country with a high level of support for EU membership. According to the latest Eurobarometer survey, 46 percent of Poles trust the EU and 41 percent don't; at the same time, only 28 percent trust the national government while 65 percent don't. For PiS, inability to resolve a conflict with the EU destroys the political capital it earns from a buoyant economy, on track to show 4.7 percent growth this year with record low unemployment and robust wage growth. Failure to get the EU's approval for the judiciary reform almost certainly hurt Morawiecki as the face of the party in the election campaign that ended on Sunday. So did a report that the current prime minister was secretly recorded while still working for Bank Santander, making disparaging comments about "greedy" "Americans, Jews, Germans, Anglos and Swiss" in the finance industry and at the same time describing himself as a liberal aligned with establishment figures such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel. PiS faces tough choices now. Escalating its confrontation with the EU and refusing to recognize the preliminary ECJ decisions could result in hefty fines for the government at a time when it must maintain high social spending in order not to lose political momentum. As it is, reports of delayed compensation payments to farmers hit by a drought may have contributed to an unexpectedly high result of one of the opposition parties in the regional election. Pulling back from the escalation and accepting what are likely to be substantial changes to the judiciary reform would mean a major loss of face with the party's nationalist base. Both would hurt Morawiecki's standing as a possible successor to PiS's leader, Jaroslaw Kaczynski. Poland often has been lumped with Hungary as another front-runner of the nationalist, illiberal trend in Europe. Yet it's a bigger country that's more important to the EU, it has more competitive politics and a lively independent media. A political force can win ground with some populist give-aways, but Poland won't easily be dominated by one party, even a popular and successful one. That ought to be a source of comfort to its partners in Europe. --- 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. EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School Special Education Teacher Susan Converse has been named the Teacher of The Year by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Converse created the Tiger Den, a coffee shop in the EHS commons, that is operated by her Functional Life Skills students under Converses guidance. The ISBE named Converse as the 2019 Illinois Teacher of the Year at its annual Those Who Excel/Illinois Teacher of the Year banquet in Normal on Oct. 20. At the event, the ISBE honored 214 other classroom teachers, educational leaders and support personnel, but Converse won the prestigious Teacher of the Year award. The Edwardsville District 7 Board of Education honored Converse Monday night during its general meeting. It was a total shock, Converse told the board about being named Teacher of The Year. Im so honored to have been selected. But I want to recognize the real reason I was selected. It has nothing to do with me individually. But I want all my students to stand up. About a dozen of Converses students and their parents had attended the meeting to support and honor her. This is an incredible district, Converse added. And I am so proud that we are going to be getting more attention for all the wonderful things that we do. Ive never worked anywhere else. Ive never wanted to work anywhere else because this is home, and Im proud to be a part of this organization. So, I hope I make you proud. Edwardsville District 7 Board President Monica Laurent noted that this was a big honor. Its a big honor for obviously Mrs. Converse, she said. Its a big honor for our school district. Its a big honor for our community. Its an honor for the state of Illinois and public education because you represent all of what is good and what is right in public education thats your spirit of your students. Laurent noted that some of the board members were at the Saturday evening awards presentation. When Susan was announced, she got up and she talked about her students right away, Laurent emphasized. I know you touched all the hearts of all the people in that building because you represent, again, why we are all here. Laurent also explained the very difficult process involved in applying for the Those Who Excel awards and the prestige of being named a top 10 finalist. That in itself is a huge honor, Laurent stressed. She then read a few of the statements in nomination letters written for Converse by colleagues, administrators and students. Her enthusiasm and energy throughout the day is contagious. Mrs. Converse is an educator who believes in her ability not only to teach but to impact the lives of her students, EHS Principal Dennis Cramsey wrote. Special education coordinator Cindy Steele wrote that, The Tiger Den is a student coffee house that is more popular among students and community members than the nearby Starbucks. A Special Education Teacher at EHS noted that over the years, Susan has impacted the lives of many. The students enrolled in Functional Life Skills leave high school with skills that can allow them to lead more independent lives. An ISBE press release about Converses award noted a couple other statements from nomination letters such as one from Caleb Cames, an EHS student. Mrs. Converse has always believed in me even when I did not believe in myself, Carnes said. Mrs. Converse is truly the reason I am the person I am today. She has dedicated her life to helping students achieve their highest potential. She sees bigger things for her students and spends each day reminding her students to see the same, said Denise Olson Byrd, whose son looks forward to school each day because of Converse. The night of awards presentation, Laurent noted that when Converse read these personal letters that she stated that the award didnt matter, but that the letters were her award in education. We know that youve not only helped your students, Laurent added, but the impact goes further than that because youve created a climate and a culture of inclusion and have helped to change the positive atmosphere at the high school. I share the belief that teachers have a critical role in preparing students to become responsible and positive contributors to our community as citizens, consumers, employees, and employers, Converse said. All students need encouragement, some pushing, and teachers who believe in them. I believe in my students, and I let them know it. As the 2019 Illinois Teacher of the Year, Converse will have an opportunity to share her knowledge and expertise with an even larger audience. Converse will be available beginning in the spring of 2019 to speak at teaching workshops, education conferences, and community meetings. Converse will represent Illinois at the NASA Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala., and the National Teacher of the Year program sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers. District 7 also had a few other recognitions at the banquet. District 7 Board Member Jill Bertels received the Award of Excellence as well as Leah Gibbs, who works in food service at Goshen Elementary. Dr. Tanya Patton, Cassens Elementary Principal, and Megan Hewlett, School Psychologist, both received the Award of Merit. In addition, the School Lunch Debt Team, a group of District 7 volunteers dedicated to raising funds to cover unpaid lunch bills, received the Award of Excellence. They won an excellence award which is really hard to do. There are over 850 districts in the state of Illinois, Edwardsville District 7 Superintendent Lynda Andre noted. They received excellence, and we are really happy for all the things that they do for us. EDWARDSVILLE House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., will meet with employees and tour World Wide Technology in Edwardsville today. Ryan, along with Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Bunker Hill, will highlight tax reform and job creation, according to an advisory issued by Davis' office. The advisory does not indicate that any part of the visit will be open to the public. Ryan is stumping for Davis in a closely contested mid-term election battle with Democratic challenger Betsy Dirksen Londrigan for a critical 13th Congressional U.S. House seat. It will be the fourth time in recent campaigning that a top Republican has visited the district in support of Davis. This summer, President Donald Trump held a rally at Granite City U.S. Steel. Just weeks later, the presidents daughter/advisor Ivanka Trump co-hosted a workforce roundtable with Davis at Lewis & Clark Community College. Last week, Vice President Mike Pence appeared at fundraisers for Davis in Springfield and Belleville. Animal lovers seek action against alleged kitten killer BANGKOK: Animal rights groups and livestock officials yesterday (Oct 22) asked Bangkok police for advice on taking legal action against a woman DJ accused of killing an adopted kitten for bitcoins on a fetish website. Tuesday 23 October 2018, 09:43AM Peeraboon Charoenwai of Watchdog Thailand, an animal rights group, talks to the media before a meeting with the Metropolitan Police Bureau chief about the DJ accused of killing a kitten. Photo: Apichart Jinakul Peeraboon Chareonwai, the president of Watchdog Thailand, and officials of the Livestock Development Department met Maj Gen Thiti Saengsawang, acting chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, to discuss prosecuting the 30-year-old woman for animal cruelty. The move came after Isaraporn Samutklalin registered a complaint with Phetkasem Police accusing the DJ of brutally killing a month-old cat she had only recently adopted. Another woman filed a similar complaint involving two cats she had given to the DJ. Ms Israporn had earlier posted on social media that she suspected the DJ had killed a young kitten put out for adoption by her sister, a veterinarian, during a livestream on a dark web site in exchange for anonymous electronic cash. A search of the DJs condominium by authorities uncovered no incriminating evidence and the DJ denied the accusation. She said the young cat had wandered away and was killed by a car. She produced its dead body. But the vets of Watchdog Thailand said a necropsy showed it had not been hit and killed by a car. There is an indication the kitten received a hard blow to its right forehead, blood was clotted inside and there is a skull fracture. But that blow was not hard enough to push its eyeballs out, as we frequently see happens in animals hit by cars, Watchdog announced on its Facebook account on Saturday (Oct 20). Mr Peeraboon said before the meeting yesterday that information about the pets adopted by the DJ, and the accounts of the complainants, would be given to police, in the hope it would be enough for investigators to open a case. Read original story here. Extortion suspect arrested BANGKOK: Police have arrested a Taiwanese man accused of making death threats against a Taiwanese businessman and posting obscene images on the WeChat app in a bid to extort more than B10 million from him, Pol Maj Gen Surachate Hakparn, acting commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, said yesterday (Oct 22). Tuesday 23 October 2018, 09:18AM Investigators question foreign suspects including two Guinean men (far and second left) in connection with an online romance scam which allegedly fooled female victims in several provinces out of more than B1.8mn. Photo: Pawat Laopaisarntaksin He said the suspect, identified as Simon Jiang, 58, was apprehended on Saturday (Oct 20) after the Criminal Court approved a police request for an arrest warrant for him on a charge of defamation and extortion. Maj Gen Surachate said the suspect entered Thailand using an Indonesian passport. Investigators found the man was the leader of a human trafficking gang which was also involved in fraud and the forgery of travel documents. The investigation was expanded and it was discovered that there were also other gang members overseas, he said, adding that such criminal activities tarnish the countrys reputation. Maj Gen Surachate also announced the arrest of two Guinean men in connection with an online romance scam which allegedly cheated female victims in several provinces out of more than B1.82mn. The two suspects identified as Felix Mario, 37 and Gomis Christiano, 31, belonged to a gang operating in Africa, Maj Gen Surachate said. Police also seized a notebook computer, mobile phones and phone bills as evidence. The suspects had fooled women on Facebook into transferring money to the gangs bank account and they received about 3-5% of the money they had cheated as a reward, he said. Their victims included women in Chanthaburi, Uthai Thani, Khon Kaen, Loei, Krabi, Surat Thani and Surin. They were initially charged with overstaying their visas while investigators put together a fraud case against them, Maj Gen Surachate said. Read original story here. Fire rages near Phuket Provincial Hospital PHUKET: Two men have been taken in for questioning for a fire at a construction site in Rassada that blazed high into the sky near the Phuket Provincial Hospital yesterday evening (Oct 22). Safetypolice By Eakkapop Thongtub Tuesday 23 October 2018, 09:43AM Phuket Provincial Police were notified of the fire, at a construction site in Soi Hatchananivait 2/14, located behind the Phuket Provincial Hospital, at 6:30pm. Six fire engines deployed by Phuket City Municipality were soon at the scene. The fire fighters took about an hour to extinguish the blaze, though pipes made from heavy rubber used for installing drainage systems that had caught fire made it difficult for the firefighters to put out the fire. Lt Col Sakchai Chunyong of the Phuket City Police explained that the site was used as a depot for construction materials, including the flammable rubber piping. Officers had taken two men at the scene into custody as witnesses said they saw the two men run away from the scene after the fire started, Col Sakchai said. However, Col Sakchai made no assertions that the men were suspected of arson at this stage. Police are still trying to determine the true cause of the fire., he said. The cost of the damage caused by the fire has yet to be estimated, he added. GoAir predicts huge shift in Phuket tourism baseline PHUKET: The recent launch of the first-ever direct flights from India to Phuket is only the beginning, says GoAirs Managing Director Jeh Wadia. The airline has placed an order for 164 planes and have taken delivery so far of 41. Our plans for Phuket and the region are big, Mr Wadia says. tourismeconomicstransport By The Phuket News Tuesday 23 October 2018, 01:00PM Royal Phuket Marina Chairman Gulu Lalvani (right) with GoAir Managing Director Jeh Wadia after GoAir commenced their first direct flights to Phuket. Photo: Supplied Meanwhile, Royal Phuket Marina Chairman Gulu Lalvani notes that he would not be surprised if tourist arrivals from India to Phuket outnumber Chinese tourists within three years. Phuket is our first international route. Our inaugural flight landed on the island on October 11 and the level of interest from Indian travellers has been excellent, Mr Wadia said in a release issued yesterday (Oct 22). Thanks to Gulu Lalvani, who convinced me to open-up Phuket to the Indian market, we are making Phuket our Thailand hub. We already have routes from Mumbai and Delhi to Phuket, and by the end of next year we will increase this to 10 cities flying direct to Phuket, he added. India is a country of more than 1.3 billion people with a rapidly growing appetite for international travel, said the release. World Bank data shows that almost 22 million Indians travelled overseas in 2017 while the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) predicts that India will account for 50mn outbound tourists by 2020, it added. That these figures look set to more than double in three years is no surprise, noted Mr Lalvani. I have been looking at India for a number of years and India holds great potential for Phuket. Indians are already familiar with Thailand, but never before have there been direct flights into Phuket, he said. Having worked closely with GoAir and highlighting Phuket's potential to them, I am very excited to see Jeh Wadia and his team have invested in Phuket and think this is the beginning of great things for the island. The start of direct flights to Phuket could not have come at a better time for the island. Opening up Phuket to the second largest country in the world, will help to soften the impact declining arrivals from China, the release explained. Of note, major tour operators based in Bangkok only yesterday were calling for the Thai government to do more to alleviate the impact of falling inbound tourism numbers from Mainland China. (See story here.) The upside for Phuket is clear and the potential is limitless, noted Mr Lalvani. These direct three-to-four flights from India will benefit Phuket's economy immensely. As well as bringing more lucrative Indian weddings to Phuket, their average holiday spend is high. Typically May and June have the lowest hotel occupancy in Phuket, yet this is the school holiday period in India and a time when many Indians travel. GoAirs direct flights will help to provide a big boost to the islands tourism businesses during this period, he added. India has the highest level of pollution in the world today and once Indian travellers realise they can go non-stop to the paradise island of Phuket, I wouldn't be surprised to see Indian arrivals out number Chinese arrivals within three years, Mr Lalvani suggested. Owned by Waida Group, one of Indias oldest conglomerates established in 1736, GoAir is a leading LCC in India and was recently reported to be the fastest growing airline in the world by Routes Online. We will also soon be flying into Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok. Thailand is a big part of our international expansion, it is a destination popular with Indian travellers and Phuket is at the heart of that, explained Mr Wadia. Ninety percent of our fleet are new and within six months this will be 100%. We placed an order for 164 planes and have taken delivery so far of 41. Our plans for Phuket and the region are big, he said. New Phuket Administrative Court to clear backlog of 200 cases PHUKET: The first priority for the new Phuket Administrative Court will be to clear more than 200 cases currently in backlog, the regional Administrative Court chief has said. By Tanyaluk Sakoot Tuesday 23 October 2018, 05:55PM The court, located near the Region 8 Police headquarters in Tha Chatchai, at the northern end of the island, officially opened yesterday morning (Oct 22). Supreme Administrative Court President Piya Patangta led the official grand opening activities, joined by Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana and Somyot Vatanapirom, who as the Chief of Nakhon Sri Thammarat Administrative Court is currently also the Chief of the Phuket Administrative Court. Monks invited to the occasion conducted for prayers and a blessing ceremony. Mr Somyot explained, The number of cases being heard by the Administrative Court is increasing. This (new court) we will help us to work faster. Forty cases that were being heard in Nakhon Sri Thammarat (the regional Administrative Court) have already been transferred to be heard at Phuket Administrative Court. Also, another 200 cases scheduled to be heard at the Nakhon Sri Thammarat Administrative Court will be transferred to be heard in Phuket. This will allow Administrative Court to be able to clear our backlog of cases, he said. As defined by the Administrative Court of Thailand itself, the Administrative Court is the principle agency of the country having competence to try and adjudicate administrative cases. Administrative cases refer to disputes between a private individual and an administrative agency or a State official, or to a dispute between an administrative agency and a State official themselves. The nature of such cases necessarily involves the exercise of administrative power, neglect of official duties or an unreasonable delay in the performance of duties, an administrative tort or other liabilities incurred by an administrative agency or State official in relation to an administrative contract, the judicial organisation explains on its website. (See here.) Now open, the Administrative Court of Phuket has jurisdiction in administrative cases throughout Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi and Ranong. In the five years from 2014 to August 2018, the Administrative Court in Nakhon Sri Thammarat heard a total of 867 cases from Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi and Ranong, Mr Somyot explained. Of those, 291 cases were from Phuket, 367 cases were from Krabi, 147 were from Phang Nga and 62 were from Ranong, he added. Among the 867 cases from the Andaman region from 2014-2018, the top three forms of disputes comprised 293 cases involving property being returned to its rightful owner (whether to a person or to the State), 189 cases involving building control and environmental issues, and 122 cases involving the offering of and bidding for official government contracts, Mr Somyot noted. The top five ministries involved in these cases are the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Transport, he said. The Phuket Administrative Court, officially located at 33/3 Moo 5, Mai Khao, is situated on 26 rai in Mai Khao. This is to provide better access to people in Phang Nga, Ranong and Krabi, instead of having the court located further south on the island, Mr Somyot explained. The four-storey court building provides 14,200 square metres of useable space, including the court rooms, negotiation chambers, witness interview rooms, a legal library, a meeting hall and even cells for detaining suspects. The facility also includes an 82-car parking lot. Winter Wonderland to honor Gordy Osthus this year, opens Nov. 26 This year, the Watertown Optimist Club dedicates the Winter Wonderland in honor of the man who helped create it - Gordon "Gordy" Osthus. FRANCONIA Its not just happening in far away places; its right here. Let me tell you, your neighborhoods are being impacted by this heroin and opioid epidemic, Souderton Borough Police Chief James Leary said at a Community Efforts to Protect Our Children From the Risk of Substance Use town hall meeting Oct. 17 at Indian Crest Middle School. Several examples of recent cases, all except one of which happened within seven blocks of the school at the intersection of Franconia, Souderton and Telford, drove home the point. The first started with a three-vehicle accident four blocks from the school caused by a woman highly intoxicated on drugs, Leary said. Fortunately, there were only minor injuries, but there was a lot of property damage, he said. A few days later, the police were called to a home two blocks from the school and less than 300 feet from Learys own home where they found the same woman. She was unconscious and unresponsive by virtue of a heroin overdose, Leary said. You know who called the police? Her 8-year-old child, Leary said. Her 8-year old-child found mom with a syringe, unresponsive and unconscious. Another horror story happened a block and a half from the school, he said. This one involved a mother and father in their late 20s or early 30s with a school-age child, a toddler and an infant, he said. All in the living room together enjoying a family night at home except that mom and dad were intoxicated to the point of unconsciousness and to no response, Leary said. The point being, he said, they were using heroin in the presence of their three children. In both those cases, the people who overdosed were taken for medical treatment, but did not need to be revived with Narcan, he said. In another case, this one two blocks from the school, at the beautiful home of a responsible, church-going family, emergency responders were called for an overdose by a daughter in her 20s, he said. She was literally seconds away from death, Leary said. She was less than a minute from being forever gone. She was already not breathing. She was already blue, he said. She would have died in less than one minute had she not been administered Narcan. Seven blocks away, in another good neighborhood, there was another call. I know mom and dad, Leary said. Theyre hard-working, great people. This call was for a 25-year-old son who overdosed at the home. Mom found him and it took two doses of Narcan to bring him back to respiration, Leary said. He was totally unconscious, totally unresponsive. The next case happened in a private neighborhood four blocks from the school, although investigators dont know why the young man and woman were in the neighborhood, Leary said. The young man lived near, but not in the neighborhood, he said. The young woman was an amazing child, amazing teenager, amazing woman, he said. And then at 19 she hooked up with some people who did not have her best interests at heart, and at 19 she became a user, Leary said, and at 21 we found her dead in the back yard of a house four blocks that way. Within weeks of her death, the young man was found in a drainage culvert behind Walmart in Hilltown, Leary said. Hed been dead for three days of heroin, Leary said. The Hilltown death was the only one of the cases being described that happened more than seven blocks from the school, but was still relatively close, he said. The final one Leary outlined happened five blocks from the school and involved a 34-year-old man in his apartment with his 30-month-old daughter. He overdosed and died and lay there in the same room with that baby several hours until the police were summoned to check the well-being and the police and EMTs that responded found a man who had obviously been deceased for several hours, Leary said, and walking around that man was a 30-month-old baby. People in local towns dont have to be fearful of crime, he said. Absolutely, your streets are safe, Leary said, but said behind the scenes, we have an undercurrent society that is killing themselves and diminishing our entire society. The town hall was presented by the Indian Valley Character Counts! Coalition, Sellersville Pharmacy, Souderton Borough Police Department and Penn Foundation. The Character Counts! Coalition got engaged with the opioid crisis a decade ago, Christopher Hey, Souderton Area School Districts assistant superintendent and director of human resources and the president of the Indian Valley Character Counts! Coalition, said. Weve been working on it over 10 years because we unfortunately back then lost two recent graduates to opiate overdoses and since then theres been even more, Hey said. The groups goals include delaying when people start to use substances because science shows that the older a person is when they begin trying drugs, alcohol or smoking, the less likely they are to become addicted, he said. If you can get the brain through adolescence without being washed in those chemicals, its got a much better chance of being protected later in life from addiction, Hey said. In the 1990s, opioids were routinely prescribed as painkillers, Nina Drinnan, a certified registered nurse practitioner at Penn Foundation, said. There are now guidelines in place reducing the amount of opioids being prescribed, along with other efforts to fight the epidemic, but the number of people dying from overdoses continues to increase, she said. Last year, there were 72,000 overdose deaths in the country, she said. Although most people think drug dealers are responsible, the sad fact is most people start opioids from friends and family, Drinnan said. Addiction is a disease, and so, just like any other disease, the sooner you would catch it, the more likely you would have a cure, she said. Addressing this problem in high school certainly is better than addressing it at my age. People can recover from addiction, though, she said. She encouraged people to use as few opioids as possible and to get rid of any left over ones that are not needed. Right now, the United States is about 5 percent of the worlds population, yet we consume about 99 percent of the worlds opioids. Thats crazy, Rob Frankil, a pharmacist and the owner of Sellersville Pharmacy, said. He encouraged people to lock up their medications, and, like Drinnan, said to take any that arent needed to the drug take back boxes at local police stations. As an example of why medications should be locked up, he used the illustration of a party with young people who, while using the bathroom, check out the medicine cabinet. If Grandmas pain killer is there for her arthritis, believe me, they will take some, he said. I guarantee you. Anyone can go into a pharmacy and purchase Narcan simply by asking for it, he said, encouraging people to do so. Getting Narcan is a way that all of us can help save someones life, Frankil said. Grab a box. Hang onto it. Give it out to your friends and family. Hey said the schools have Narcan. Fortunately, we havent had to use it yet, but its there in case of emergency, he said. There hasnt been a problem with drugs like heroin and fentanyl in the Souderton schools, he said, although some students do use marijuana or other drugs and later move on to harder drugs. Too often, students dont think drugs are unsafe, he said. Legalizing marijuana, as Canada just did, adds to that perception, he said. Those kinds of trends worldwide are really telling kids that some drugs just arent that unsafe, he said. For some good news, Hey pointed to the Character Counts! Coalitions latest student support card, which is based on surveys of students. Two-thirds to 3/4 of our kids graduate high school without ever getting drunk or high, he said. There are some problems out there. We dont want a single kid engaging in smoking and drinking alcohol or drug use at all. None. Ones too many, Hey said, but were doing pretty well for the most part. We can do better and thats why Im glad youre here tonight to learn some more about how. Leary encouraged those in attendance to take back the streets by doing things like sitting on the porch and taking walks in the community. Youre in a safe community; but if you dont keep it safe, it wont be, he said. DonnaLea Pyrz, one of the longtime leaders of the Indian Valley Character Counts! Coalition, said she never expected to be impacted by the opioid and heroin epidemic, but has been. Its important for everyone in this room to remember that even though you think youre not going to be affected, you probably are, she said. Estee Lauder Companies Inc. has dealt another blow to the founder of Deciem, weeks after the cosmetics Goliath orchestrated his removal from the Toronto-based beauty brand he built. Ontario Superior Court of Justice judge Michael Penny granted an application from New York-based Estee Lauder on Friday, preventing Deciem founder Brandon Truaxe from contacting or visiting any directors or employees of the beauty brands investor Estee Lauder Companies Inc. The order also bars Truaxe from entering any Estee Lauder office and requires him to stay at least 300 metres from the residence of Estee Lauder executive Leonard Lauder and Andrew Ross, Estee Lauders representative on the Deciem board of directors. Truaxe did not appear in court or send a lawyer to act on his behalf. The court order is the latest in a string of troubles that have befallen Truaxe and Deciem since early October, when Truaxe took to Instagram to announce Deciem operations would be shutting down until further notice and allude to criminal misconduct at the company. The closure, in addition to hundreds of outrageous, disturbing, defamatory, and/or offensive posts, were enough to prompt Estee Lauder to convince a judge to remove Truaxe from his executive roles at Deciem, prevent him from issuing statements or circulating media on Deciems social media accounts and keep him from communicating with Deciem employees all on an interim basis. The order installed Nicola Kilner at the helm of Deciem and triggered the reopening of stores. Read more: Skin care company Deciem to close all stores following founders Instagram post Estee Lauder sues founder of Toronto-based skin care company Deciem following his sudden closure of business Everything you need to know about the possible Deciem shutdown Estee Lauder owns a one-third stake in Deciem. Estee Lauders most recent court application reveals it sought its no-contact order after Truaxe sent a profane email to Lauder and Ross last Thursday, telling them he would soon be in their hometown and predicting the demise of Estee Lauder and the Lauder family. I am confident that you know the world will have never seen a downfall greater than that of the fraudulent empire ELC, the Lauder family and those related have built, he said, in the email. Estee Lauders application included a copy of a cease-and-desist letter it sent to Truaxe, noting that his missive was the latest in a string of harassing and menacing communications Truaxe made to Ross, Lauder and others. Estee Lauder confirmed in an emailed statement to The Canadian Press that it had commenced legal action against Truaxe. Were strongly committed to Deciem, Nicola Kilner and the entire team as they continue to run their business and provide consumers with the products that they know and love, the statement said. Truaxe has not responded to The Canadian Presss multiple requests for comment. Penny, who presided over the case, called Truaxes email highly offensive and called his behaviour bizarre and reckless. Penny urged Truaxe to retain counsel at the earliest opportunity. Since Penny ruled in the case, Truaxe has taken to Instagram to post a handful of missives, including copies of Estee Lauders application, photos of Snickers chocolate bars, messages to U.S. President Donald Trump and comments about Lauder, Estee Lauder and Deciem. In the posts, he purports to be staying at the Trump Tower in New York, not far from Estee Lauders offices. NEW YORKLong before marijuana showed up in fancy dispensaries, the weed market mostly consisted of young guys who love to get high. So it stands to reason that early purveyors of legal weed mostly emphasized the potency of their products and leaned heavily on stoner culture, including Instagram images of scantily clad women and giant plumes of smoke. It was Duck Dynasty meets Wu-Tang meets a lot of misogyny, says Adrian Sedlin, the chief executive officer of Canndescent, which became Californias top-selling weed brand last year. Now that marijuana is legal for adult use in nine states including the massive California market, cannabis purveyors are keen to push beyond the core demographic of stoner bros. Women have become one the fastest-growing customer segments whether its moms trading in their chardonnay for a vape pen or yoga acolytes seeking out weed-infused pain relievers. Female consumers still account for only about 31 per cent of the U.S. market, according to Headset, which studies the cannabis market. By contrast, alcohol consumption is much closer to an even split between women and men. Hoping to get more women into its stores, Canndescent is tailoring its products and marketing to them. For us, it was about taking it out of that counterculture visual and putting an inspirational lifestyle behind it, Sedlin says. Rather than use strain names like Durban Poison and Green Crack, Sedlins products are named to reflect an intended effect: Calm promises restful sleep or relief from aches; Connect is for smokers who want to hang out with friends or get intimate. We made a decision that potency wasnt going to the headline, Sedlin says. You shouldnt need a PhD in weed science to make a basic purchase. Some women are drawn to beauty and wellness products infused with cannabidiol, an ingredient in marijuana that doesnt get you high. Those who want to get stoned, lean toward edibles and vape pens, which are more discreet than joints and make it easier to control the dose. Theyre not necessarily looking to get inebriated and they dont want to stink like a skunk because they just smoked weed, says Linda Gilbert, managing director of consumer insights at BDS Analytics, which tracks the marijuana market. Its more about taking the edge off their pain or anxiety. As the industry expands to more states and starts to mature in markets that have already legalized marijuana, more brands are directly targeting women. Prohbtd, a Los Angeles-based cannabis branding and content company, has found that women consume more edibles (cereal bars, cookies, gummies) than men, often for help with sleep. The company has a cooking show called Pot Pie hosted by a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef that airs online and has proven popular with female cannabis users, according to Drake Sutton-Shearer, the chief executive officer. Kate Miller, one of the founders of a female-oriented online zine called Miss Grass, realized about 10 years ago that the cannabis market was missing a big opportunity with women. As a student at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, she took a part-time job at a weed dispensary, back when pot was legal medically and regulations were so lax that almost anyone could get a medical card. It was all for stoner bros, she says. It really didnt match up with how my friends and I were using cannabis. Miss Grass, which is backed by the rapper Snoop Dogg, recently hosted a yoga event in New York co-sponsored by Beats by Dre, the headphone brand owned by Apple Inc. Miss Grass positions itself as a lifestyle brand, and is meant to be an entry point for women new to cannabis, and curious about how it might fit into their lives. After weed was legalized in Canada last week, the magazine ran a feature on places to eat, drink, work out and shop in Toronto. Another recent story discussed how the infusion of cannabis into beauty products could help end prohibition in the U.S. Miss Grass has also published a guide for making CBD cocktails. For women who equate weed with a glass of wine, Aspen, Colorado-based Toast is pitching a line of premium low-dose joints, called slices, aimed directly at drinkers. Toast Gold is supposed to deliver the same buzz as a glass of champagne; Toast Reserve is supposed to mimic the effect of a Scotch. The company is using marijuana with more CBD than is typical with the idea that more and more consumers are interested in casual relaxation, rather than the intense high that can come from smoking a large joint. Toast isnt cheap: A box of 10 joints sells for upwards of $70 (U.S.). We saw a stoner world we could disrupt, says Chris Burggraeve, a former Anheuser-Busch chief marketing officer who helped found the company. THC has been all the rage in stoner circles, but were trying to bring in a new customer. Meanwhile, CBD, touted as a pain reliever and stress reducer, is finding its way into everything from face creams and baked goods to cocktails and sports drinks. Green Growth Brands, an Ohio company backed by the Schottenstein family of DSW and Value City fame, is preparing to launch a line of CBD body lotion called Seventh Sense at a female-oriented retail chain it would rather not identify. Peter Horvath, a veteran of Victorias Secret and American Eagle Outfitters who runs Green Growth, says he expects the new products to expand to thousands of stores across the U.S. and appeal to men and women. For men, the beauty products will be something they find in their girlfriends shower, Horvath says. If you appeal to women, everyone will want it. Its exactly the opposite of what the industry is now. CALGARYPremier Rachel Notley addressed concerns over the steep price differential between Canadian and U.S. oil with a familiar solution Monday more pipelines. The best and the only long-term solution to the price gap is building new pipelines, Notley told reporters in downtown Calgary. In the meantime, however, we need to take a close look at the tools available to us to close the differential where its feasible. The premier met with oil-and-gas industry leaders shortly before the press conference to talk about building investor confidence in Canada, as well as Bill C-69. The bill still under consideration by the Senate would replace the National Energy Board and create a new Impact Assessment Agency, changing how major resource projects are reviewed. Notley is sending Alberta Environment Minister Shannon Phillips to Ottawa within the week to push federal officials to make changes to the bill. Bill C-69 proposes an unclear, unpredictable, and uncertain regulatory regime that will harm investor confidence, Notley said. The steep discount of Western Canadian Select compared to West Texas Intermediate an American crude oil has been blamed in part on the lack of Canadian oil infrastructure. As of 1 p.m. on Monday, WCS was trading at around $17 a barrel, while a barrel of WTI was closer to $70. Read more: Kinder Morgan CEO says theres a sellers market for its Canadian assets Opinion | David Olive: Is there a recovery in store for Canadas oilpatch? Opinion | Thomas Walkom: Refining bitumen in Canada is Trudeaus pipeline solution Albertas NDP government has expressed frustration at the oil price differential. Matt Dykstra, a government spokesperson, called it an absurd high, costing Albertas economy millions of dollars every day in a recent response to StarMetro. And United Conservative Party Leader Jason Kenney called the price differential the biggest price discount in the history of Canadian energy during a speech to the Canadian Club of Calgary last week. The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, a lobby group representing the Canadian oil-and-gas industry, has warned that existing infrastructure, such as the original Trans Mountain pipeline, is close to capacity. Global investment in oil and gas development is growing substantially right now, but in Canada, were continuing to decline our investment, said Tim McMillan, CAPPs president and CEO, in an interview with StarMetro in August. We have global markets we cant tap into because we cant get the infrastructure built in a timely fashion. But with the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project on hold thanks to a Federal Court of Appeal ruling in August, and several years to go before LNG Canadas liquified natural gas facility is expected to be up and running in British Columbia, it could be some time before Alberta oil and gas reaches Asia. Increasing railways capacity to ship oil around the country might make for a short-term solution, Notley suggested. She said that Alberta cant sustain the current price differential its oil industry is facing, and increased rail capacity would provide immediate relief. Her government will present Ottawa with different options to do this. We must find a way to build our takeaway capacity, Notley said. We need more cars. We need to order more locomotives in order to get more cars onto rail. Notley said that she still believes pipelines are the safest and most efficient means of transporting oil, but that increasing transport by rail might be necessary to make up for revenue lost from an inability to build more pipelines. I dont believe it is the best outcome. But at the same time, a $45 per barrel differential steals tens of millions of dollars a day out of the pockets of Canadians and redirects them south of the border. And that too is profoundly unwise, Notley said. Notley also said that using more rail resources to move oil wouldnt supplant transportation of grain. Selling Alberta oil to Asian countries hungry for fuel, particularly China and India, is a strategy endorsed by both Notleys government and the Canadian oil-and-gas industry at large. The United States is the single largest buyer of Canadas oil exports by far around 99 per cent in 2017, according to Natural Resources Canada. Infrastructure and Bill C-69 aside, Notley also called for the federal government to step away from environmentally assessing in situ oil projects and pipelines that cross provincial lines, because the Alberta government already handles it. In addition, Alberta expects an explicit assurance that the government of Canada recognizes the primary role of provinces over managing natural resources, she said. Read more about: CALGARYA new study co-authored by a University of Calgary professor estimates that only about 10 per cent of Lyme disease cases in Canada are detected. Ralph Hawkins, a clinical associate professor at U of Cs Cumming School of Medicine and a co-author of this report, said that lab testing for Lyme disease in Canada isnt foolproof, and recommended that patients feeling symptoms of the tick-borne disease who receive a negative test shouldnt assume this means they dont have it. All of the public health officials acknowledge that under-detection is virtually certain. I mean, thats not a surprise, Hawkins said. But the magnitude of how under-detected it was hadnt been described in Canada. Hawkins said the 90 per cent rate for undiagnosed cases is their most conservative estimate. Common symptoms of Lyme disease can include a fever, rash, chills, muscle and joint aches, as well as a headache and fatigue. If left unchecked, severe cases of Lyme disease can include heart disorders, arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, and facial paralysis. Hawkins and his research partner, Mount Allison University biology professor Vett Lloyd, wanted to investigate why the number of patients referred to their clinical practices to evaluate and treat for Lyme disease was so out of proportion with the official public reports about the diseases prevalence in Canada. The study showed that diagnosing Lyme disease by blood testing has proven to be unreliable, as lab test kits in Canada arent sensitive enough to recognize all the various strains of Lyme disease. Hawkins said that hes had tick-bite patients who test positive for Lyme disease according to tests done outside Alberta, but screen negative for the disease when the tests are done in the province. He said that public health officials have long said that the risk of actually contracting Lyme disease in Alberta is so rare that it shouldnt be a great worry for Albertans. But Hawkins study found that under-detection of Lyme disease is a bigger problem in provinces with the lowest reported numbers of the disease, such as Saskatchewan and Alberta. The question of biology is clear, Hawkins said. We have the ticks in Alberta, we have the germ in Alberta, we have people getting tick bites in Alberta and, undoubtedly, we have people getting Lyme disease in Alberta. Between 1991 and 2017, Alberta Health has reported just 100 cases of Lyme disease, all of which were acquired while travelling outside the province. In 2017, 12 cases of the disease were reported in the province. Alberta Health spokesperson Rob Gereghty said the provinces efforts now are on improving educational tools for health-care professionals and enhancing surveillance of the disease. He added that a test which can detect the disease bacteria in the early stages of illness would help detect more cases. DNA-based tests can do this for many other diseases and this may be the future for Lyme disease, Gereghty said. However, the Lyme disease bacteria is hard to find in conventional blood specimens, such as a blood sample. University of Alberta entomologist Janet Sperling said the problem in provinces like Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, which experience more cases of Lyme disease, isnt the same as Alberta. But while the rate of under-reporting varies between provinces, this report shows its still a problem that exists across the country and one that concerns patients. Sperling also said what concerns doctors about Lyme disease reporting is a worry about over-diagnosing from patients who think they have Lyme disease because of experiences with similar symptoms from a different ailment. The doctors are terrified people are going to be treated for Lyme disease who dont really have Lyme disease, Sperling said. Thats a valid concern, but certainly this paper has shown, pretty convincingly, that under-reporting is a big problem. And I can say from the point of view of a patient, under-reporting is far more of a concern. Sperling recommended if people are bitten by a tick, to keep the tick, put it in a bag and write the date of the bite on the bag before tossing it in the freezer. Then if in a month or a year you suspect youre sick with Lyme disease symptoms, you can give that tick to doctors for testing. Read more about: MASKWACIS, ALTA.A suspect has been treated for non-life-threatening injuries after being shot during a confrontation with police in central Alberta. RCMP say two officers responded just after midnight on Monday to a complaint of shots being fired on the Samson First Nation reserve south of Edmonton. RCMP say the two Mounties were searching on foot when there was a confrontation with two suspects and a police weapon was discharged. The injured suspect was taken to an Edmonton medical facility for treatment and the second suspect was found unharmed. RCMP say no officers were hurt and there was no concern for public safety. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, which investigates serious police actions, has been directed to look into what happened. Read more about: EDMONTONMembers of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers walked off the job early Monday, stopping the flow of mail for 24 hours in four cities across the country including Edmonton, Victoria, Windsor, and Halifax. The bargaining process between the union and Canada Post has been going on for 10 months. The Crown corporation has announced that its offer includes job security, as well as better wages and benefits, although the union doesnt believe it goes far enough. Its time for Canada Post to come back and really look at the big issues on the table, Nancy Dodsworth, president of the Edmonton local for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, told StarMetro. We want safe work, we want to end precarious work, and we also want to have equality. The union, which represents about 50,000 employees 2,000 who work in Edmonton and surrounding communities is calling for an end to forced overtime and overburdening, as well as better health and safety measures. Dodsworth added that carriers, including those working rural and suburban routes, are having trouble completing their work in an eight-hour day. According to the union, suburban and rural carriers, of which two-thirds are women, make about 25 per cent less an hour compared to urban carriers and receive fewer benefits. The strike is also affecting offices in more than just Albertas capital, Dodsworth said. About 75 affiliate offices in the province including Camrose, Jasper, Wainwright, Edson, Hinton, and more have members who belong to the Edmonton local. The union said that it opted for rotating strikes to minimize the disruption for customers. With service in these cities resuming Tuesday, the mail will still be arriving, but later than expected. We really hesitated about going out on strike. Its never anything that we want to do, Dodsworth said. We want to negotiate a contract, and we are still looking for that from Canada Post. In an email statement supplied to StarMetro, Canada Post said it continues to operate across the country, accepting and delivering mail and parcels in all other locations. We have also addressed many of the concerns raised by the union and offered to work together constructively to find solutions, the statement read. Those include working together to address employee workload concerns caused by parcel growth, additional financial services and going beyond pay equity for rural and suburban employees by extending job security and moving to one uniform. On Monday morning, Janis Irwin, Alberta NDP candidate for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood, posted a picture on social media showing the provinces Labour Minister Christina Gray supporting picketers outside a Canada Post processing facility in Edmonton. Grays presence prompted criticism from members of the United Conservative Party, who said the move reflected poor judgment on both the ministers and governments part. The Canada Post strike will negatively affect Albertans both individuals and businesses, UCP labour critic Grant Hunter tweeted in response. Strange that Albertas Labour Minister & the Premiers Director of Stakeholder Relations are seemingly taking sides in a federal public-sector strike, UCP Leader Jason Kenney added. Premier Rachel Notley said the strike is Ottawas concern, and that the ministers support would have been inappropriate if the labour dispute were a provincial matter. Its absolutely, completely under the jurisdiction of the federal government, Notley said in Calgary. Our government supports working people generally, she added. Thats not particularly new. A spokesperson for the premiers office said, The hope of the provincial government is that this is resolved soon. The next wave of cities to see strikes is expected to be announced later on Monday. Updates on the rotating strike can be found on the Canada Post website and Twitter account. With files from The Canadian Press Read more about: The sweet aroma of fermented dough is unmistakable as it wafts through the quiet laneway near the Danforth leading to a bakery with no sign or markings on the door. Inside husband-and-wife Mike Woldetsadik and Nardos Teklegiorgis Kullubi are honouring a tradition that has been alive for thousands of years. Injera, perhaps the most well-known food of Ethiopia, is a fluffy, wonderfully sour bread made from teff flour thats as synonymous with Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine as the baguette is to the French or sushi is to the Japanese. Its a simple batter thats fermented, then cooked on a griddle, called a mitad, like a crepe. No rolling, kneading, shaping or slicing is necessary. Injera starts with teff, a grass that grows in western Eritrea and Sudan and the highlands of Ethiopia, according to Mesob Across America: Ethiopian Food in the USA, a book on Ethiopian restaurants in America. Scholars believed that the people there may have cultivated teff more than 5,000 years ago and historical digs found early examples of mitads around 500 to 600 AD. Injera is a household staple in Ethiopian households, served on large sharing platters and topped with wat (meat and vegetable stews) or ripped into pieces and stir-fried to make a breakfast dish called fir-fir. Every home knows how to make it, and we helped out as kids. Good injera is when you can see the eyes. The more, the better and spongier it is. Small eyes are perfect, says Teklegiorgis, referring to the little air holes that dot the flatbread as an indicator of well-made injera. Teklegiorgis and her husband moved to Toronto from Addis Ababa, Ethiopias capital, in 2003 and took over the injera-making business from a previous owner in 2007. Every morning around 6 a.m., the couple fires-up the gas-powered mitads. The fermented batter is ladled on to the mitad and cooked for two to three minutes before theyre lifted off to cool before being packaged. Depending on the number of orders from local restaurants and grocery stores, the two make about 300 injera before Woldetsadik gets into his car to deliver the freshly made injera to restaurants and stores such as African Palace at Bloor St. W. and Ossington Ave, Rendez-Vous at Danforth and Monarch Park Ave. and Ethiopian House at Yonge St. and Irwin Ave. Their injera is also sold at grocers such as Harar Grocery at Bloor St. W. and Lansdowne Ave., Ossington Mini Mart at Bloor St. W. and Ossington Ave., and Mister Greek Meat Market at Danforth and Jones Aves. For Christmas, they will make about 2,000 pieces of injera. Enat Gulelat, owner of Enat Buna breakfast and lunch spot in Moss Park, has been getting her injera from Woldetsadik and Teklegiorgis for years. Gulelat remembers helping her family make injera as a child in the eastern Ethiopian city of Dire Dawa. Back then, electricity wasnt available in every household so the injera was cooked in a large pan over a wooden fire. As a child, wed put sugar on it while its hot and wed eat it. We made sure we behaved really well that day so that wed be able to have it as a treat, she says. Ive seen people that cannot go without injera for a day because they dont feel full or satisfied without it. She explained that injera also happens to tick all the boxes of current western food trends. The bread is vegan since many Ethiopians abstain from consuming animal products as part of their Orthodox Christian faith. Those with celiac disease or are going gluten free would also have no problem with injera as long as it is made with pure teff. Still, injera has seen a few variations as the Ethiopian diaspora expanded and dining habits changed over the years. Theres a difference between the injera here in North America and in Ethiopia, says Harry Kloman, a journalism instructor at the University of Pittsburg who fell in love with Ethiopian food after having it for the first time in 2000 and since then started an Ethiopian food blog and wrote the aforementioned Mesob Across America. In Ethiopia, they make them larger, about 15 to 20 inches in diameter. In America, its 12 to 15 inches. Second, its thinner and much tangier, the flavour is more prominent, says Kloman. What were eating in North America is diaspora injera. Decades and decades ago, restaurants had to improvise because they didnt have teff or a mitad to cook the injera on. In the 70s when the first Ethiopian places in the states opened they used Bisquick and it became thicker. While traditionally injera is made only from teff flour, importing it is expensive, so its not uncommon for injera makers in North America to use a blend of flours. Woldetsadik and Teklegiorgiss regular injera recipe is a mixture of teff, barley and wheat flours, but they will make pure teff injera for a small surcharge if a client requests it. Gulelat gets a small batch of pure teff injera from Ethiopia three times a week, for which she pays a premium at $6 for just three pieces. She saves those for diners who request a gluten free meal. She agrees with Kloman that injera from Ethiopia tends to be larger, thinner and has a much more intense sour flavour than the locally made ones. Theres no official reason for the difference in taste, but Gulelat says the popular belief is that the water in Ethiopia is different and affects the fermentation process. Kullubi Food and Spice (unrelated to Woldetsadik and Teklegiorgis business) in Cabbagetown sells both local and Ethiopian-made injera. How injera is served has also changed over the years, says professor James McCann of Boston University, who teaches African food history and is the author of Stirring the Pot: A History of African Cuisine. Injera is usually served whole on a large platter and topped with wat as part of a communal dining experience as diners tear off a piece of injera and wat and sometimes, feed each other as a sign of endearment or hospitality, a practice called gorsha. If I go to a friends house in Addis Ababa, theyll slice the injera into strips and roll it into bandages. I would call it an urban affectation, but now its now more common everywhere, he said. Gulelat also serves injera in small rolls at her restaurant, unless a diner asks for it in a platter format. For her, its a way to reduce food waste. Theres a lot of wastage at the end because the sauce can make the injera soggy and people may not eat the last bits, she says. So I put the wat on the plate and the injera on the side so theyll eat more. Gorsha also isnt as popular here. Over here, if someone touches your food you throw it away. Over there (in Ethiopia), there are no leftovers. Injera has seen a few other changes as cooks tried to put fusion spins on injera, says McCann, though it hasnt quite taken off on a larger level yet. Famed Ethiopian-born and Swedish-raised chef Marcus Samuelsson has an injera recipe that adds yogurt and club soda to the batter to bypass the fermentation process. McCann also tried an injera bread pudding topped with blueberries and ice cream at Chicagos Ras Dashen restaurant. Gulelat played around with injera rolled with chocolate and bananas as a way to incorporate sweets into a cuisine that traditionally doesnt have desserts. But when asked if Teklegiorgis and Woldetsadik would ever consider experimenting with their injera, be it making a chocolate version or adding another flavour, both quickly shook their heads. We never thought about it, says Teklegiorgis. We like tradition. The National Energy Board says it will consider a jurisdictional challenge of a pipeline approval that is a key component in a recently sanctioned $40-billion liquefied natural gas export facility in British Columbia. The federal regulator says it will accept submissions until next Monday from challenger Mike Sawyer, the provincial and federal governments, and other parties on whether the 670-kilometre pipeline should be considered a federal project. If it is, it will require National Energy Board approval to proceed, making approval of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline Ltd. project from the British Columbia Oil and Gas Commission insufficient. LNG Canada announced earlier this month that it was going ahead with a plant in Kitimat on B.C.s coast with the pipeline delivering natural gas from the northeast corner of the province. The energy board says Sawyers jurisdictional challenge was received in July, comment was then provided by Coastal (a subsidiary of TransCanada Corp.), and Sawyer was allowed to reply. It says Sawyer argues that because TransCanada operates the pipeline and the connected Nova Gas Transmission Ltd. system together, they are in fact a single federal undertaking. In reply, according to the NEB, Coastal accuses Sawyer of pursuing a vexatious litigation designed to frustrate upstream natural gas development in B.C., further charging its not a coincidence that his complaint was made as the project was finally proceeding, not years ago when it was approved. LNG Canadas five partners Royal Dutch Shell, Mitsubishi Corp., Malaysian-owned Petronas, PetroChina Co. and Korean Gas Corp. had delayed the final investment decision on the project in 2016, citing a drop in natural gas prices. Sawyer could not be reached for comment, but his lawyer said the boards decision is a major step forward. Theres a real kind of rule of law issue here as to whether a pipeline like this really is in federal jurisdiction under the constitution versus whether its under provincial jurisdiction, said Bill Andrews. He said Sawyer pursued similar legal avenues against the former Pacific Northwest LNG project near Prince Rupert, which was shelved last year by Malaysian state-owned energy giant Petronas. His case ended when the project was stopped, said Andrews. Coastal GasLink Pipeline, LNG Canada and the provincial Energy Ministry could not immediately be reached for comment. Read more about: OTTAWAThe controversy surrounding Canadas $15-billion deal to sell armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia got deeper on Tuesday, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed that taxpayers would pay significant financial penalties if the contract was cancelled. The comment came as the federal government faced new calls to scrap the agreement, billed as the largest arms deal in Canadian history, because of the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Saudi government has denied murdering Khashoggi in Turkey earlier this month, but Canada and other countries say Riyadhs explanation lacks credibility and called for a detailed investigation. Trudeau echoed those doubts during a news conference in Toronto on Tuesday, saying the brutal murder of a journalist on foreign soil is something that is extremely preoccupying to Canadians, to Canada and to many of our allies around the world. Yet the prime minister, whose government was already locked in a diplomatic spat with Saudi Arabia even before Khashoggis death, indicated the federal government was reluctant to cancel the arms deal because Canadians would end up bearing up the brunt of the cost. One of the issues we are faced with is a contract that was signed by the previous government that makes it extremely difficult for us to withdraw from that contract without significant financial penalties on Canadians, Trudeau said in response to a reporters question. Read more: Turkish president says Saudis plotted writers killing for days Canada condemns killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi We are working very hard and looking at our options, because as we said, this situation, if indeed the stories that are widely being reported turn out to the case, then Canadians expect us to act. The prime minister did not put a price tag on the potential penalties during the news conference to announce more details of his governments federal carbon tax, but suggested earlier in the day that it would be $1 billion or more. It also wasnt immediately clear who would actually receive the money: Saudi Arabia or General Dynamics Land Systems, whose plant in London, Ont., is building the light-armoured vehicles, or LAVs. The Prime Ministers Office referred questions to Global Affairs Canada, where a spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland declined to comment because of commercial confidentiality. Opposition parties have been calling on the government to take a firm stand on Saudi Arabia, though they have been divided on the best approach. While the NDP wants to the arms deal cancelled, Conservative leader Andrew Scheer sidestepped questions Tuesday about scrapping the contract and instead urged the government to wean Canada off Saudi oil imports. Human-rights groups and others critical of the deal renewed their calls for the government to pull back the curtain on the agreement, which has remained largely shrouded in secrecy since it was signed by the Harper Conservatives in 2014 and subsequently upheld by the Trudeau Liberals. However, Trudeau indicated in an interview with the CBC on Tuesday morning that the terms of the difficult contract prevented the government from speaking at length about the deal, which was facilitated by the Canadian Commercial Corporation. The corporation also negotiated a secret deal to sell military helicopters to the Philippines last year, which was later scuttled over concerns the aircraft could be used to commit human-rights violations. University of Montreal law professor Daniel Turp, who is trying to challenge the Saudi deal in court on the basis that it violates Canadas human-rights obligations, said there was something very unhealthy that this is a Crown corporation that is hiding information from the public. The reported presence of financial penalties for cancelling the deal was also seen as confirmation of long-standing suspicions that the government had put commercial interests ahead of human rights when it came to the contract and set a troubling precedent. Ottawas logic that Canada is contractually bound by the agreement constitutes a troubling slippery slope and sends a clear message to Saudi Arabia that it can get away with virtually any behaviour however gruesome and criminal and still count on a constant flow of Canadian arms, said Cesar Jaramillo, executive director of Project Ploughshares. Alex Neve, secretary general of Amnesty International Canada, said the prime ministers revelation underscores the importance of considering human-rights before approving the sale of arms to countries like Saudi Arabia. When human rights considerations are given short shrift at the outset in approving arms deals with countries that have notorious human rights records, he said, the implications are not only the very real risk of contributing to the commission of war crimes and other serious rights violations, but also that it may cost a great deal of money to make things right later on. Read more about: The jockeying for votes has already begun on Torontos new city council as old and new colleagues look to form alliances in a much smaller arena. On Tuesday, 32-year-old Councillor Brad Bradfords phone was ringing off the hook just hours after he pulled off one of the narrowest victories of Monday nights election. As one of four new faces on a 25-member council, he is now in the unique position of helping to decide the balance of power in Canadas largest city. But as he fields calls from new colleagues and constituents, the rookie BeachesEast York councillor made clear on day one that hell gladly hear anyone out, as Mayor John Tory tries to build a majority of right-leaning, largely suburban support for the next four years. Im not such a hard-line ideologue that I cant listen to feedback and adjust a position accordingly, Bradford said in an interview. I think good ideas can come from the left and the right. It doesnt really matter where they come from we just have to move them forward. As of Tuesday, it is up to Tory and those elected to a leaner council thanks to Premier Doug Fords mid-campaign interference to sort out the new world order in a system where there are no official political parties and the mayor counts as only one vote. Those who will be pushing the buttons say there are lots of votes that are expected to be close. Looking at previous vote records and past allegiances on council, it appears there are 10 very reliable votes for Tory, including his own, and seven stalwart progressives. The rest are somewhere in the middle veteran and second-term councillors who lean either centre-left or centre-right, and newcomers like Bradford who have yet to be tested in the council chamber. Though Tory strongly endorsed Bradford and Torys team went door to door to help him land a slim victory with a margin of just 288 votes Bradford said he believes his team worked incredibly hard, responding meaningfully to voters in the closing week of the campaign. He resisted the suggestion that hell be an automatic member of Team Tory. I would say that Im here to represent the residents of BeachesEast York Thats what Im going down to city hall to do. Jennifer McKelvie, who will represent the ScarboroughRouge Park ward, said she considers herself a political moderate who wants to focus on collaboration with her community. She supports a three-stop Scarborough subway, which remains a contentious issue returning early for debate this term, but promised shell be looking at the evidence. I am excited to work with (Tory), she said, noting she did not seek an endorsement from the mayor but wont be trying to create unnecessary battles. Through my community work in the past weve had good relationships, she said. Cynthia Lai won the open race in Scarborough North, and was endorsed by Scarborough Councillor Jim Karygiannis and provincial Minister of Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho, a former councillor in the area. She described her political leanings as centre-right and her role on council as an independent who plans to fight for Scarborough alongside councillors like Karygiannis and McKelvie. Mike Colle, newly elected in Eglinton-Lawrence after voters chose to bounce one-term councillor and staunch Tory supporter Christin Carmichael Greb, says he is beholden to no one but his community. I will work with the mayor on the big issues I want to make this council work for sure but I dont owe anybody anything, said Colle, a former Liberal MPP who just barely lost his provincial seat when former premier Kathleen Wynne and the Liberals were swept out of Queens Park by Fords PC party. Im not going to be an automatic vote, thats for sure, he said. On the Scarborough subway, for example, Colle said he wants to look at the details closely. All of the confusing rhetoric surrounding that issue, he said, has been like the Tower of Babel. Colle also noted he is a longtime friend of Josh Matlow, who has been chiefly critical of Torys ongoing support of the subway and who was elected in TorontoSt. Pauls after Tory endorsed his challenger, veteran councillor Joe Mihevc. For his part, Matlow who has never been part of the lefts unofficial caucus or a member of Torys inner circle says he wont oppose the mayor just because Tory fought to unseat him. I believe my role is to work with the mayor on issues were in agreement on, Matlow said. But I also strongly believe that I should be independent and speak out if I see a decision made based on anything other than the facts and where money is spent wisely, because thats part of my job. Scarborough-Agincourt councillor Karygiannis, who has not always seen eye to eye with Tory, is taking a different tack. Ive reached out to Tory, the Tory campaign, and I said we are meeting. Thats where I stand, he said. I am individual who likes to work with people but I can also be very destructive. He promised to raise hell about his preference to extend the Sheppard subway in Scarborough. Sheppard subway you work with me. You give it to me. Or else I will not be very happy and you wont find me in your corner, he said. I will be in another corner. If I can win against Norm Kelly, guess what I can do against others? But hey, Im looking to work with people. Read more about: Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger rode a set of steel wheels to another term Monday, railroading a challenger opposed to the citys $1 billion light rail transit line in one of many races across Ontario. Boosted by an endorsement from New Democrat Leader and Hamilton Centre MPP Andrea Horwath, Eisenbergers campaign pushed for the completion of a 14-kilometre LRT from McMaster University through downtown to the east end. His closest challenger, chartered accountant and Liberal organizer Vito Sgro, had tried to persuade voters that the transit line, funded by the province, would be the biggest mistake the city of Hamilton will ever make. About $100 million has already been spent on the project, which Sgro wanted to scrap and use the remaining budget for bus rapid transit and fixing other infrastructure throughout the city. He maintained the LRTs five-year construction period would create chaos. Read more: John Tory wins second term as Toronto mayor Opinion | Christopher Hume: Toronto votes for bland, boring and timid Despite Fords last-minute council cut, Toronto election officials pull off vote with few miscues But the fate of the line, for which 45 properties have already been purchased with residents and businesses relocated, could depend on Hamiltons 15-member council. In Ottawa, long-time Mayor Jim Watson easily staved off a challenge from former city councillor Clive Doucet. Watson, the second, most-powerful mayor in the province after Torontos John Tory, romped to a landslide victory with 71 per cent of the vote to earn a third term. Thank you Ottawa for your vote of confidence. I am humbled and privileged to have the opportunity to serve you once again, tweeted the former provincial Liberal cabinet minister. Voters in London, however, went to bed with no idea who their new mayor will be. The city was using a ranked ballot for the first time and results were incomplete, as officials had warned. First choices were not expected until the wee hours of Tuesday and its possible voters will not learn the final outcome until Wednesday. Matt Brown decided not to seek re-election as mayor. We will only be counting the first choice votes tonight, the city said in a tweet late Monday. In Niagara Falls, incumbent Jim Diodati fought off a challenge from Kim Craitor, a former Liberal MPP for the honeymoon city who quit Queens Park in 2013 citing mental exhaustion and won a seat on city council the following year. Diodati has pledged to press Premier Doug Ford to keep the previous governments commitment to have daily GO train service to Niagara Falls in 2023. Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley scored a tenth term, doubling his closest opponent, despite human resources investigations two years ago that found he bullied and harassed staff members at city hall. In Thunder Bay, where incumbent Keith Hobbs did not seek re-election after being charged with extortion and obstructing justice, former Liberal cabinet minister Bill Mauro won a narrow victory over Frank Pullia. Mayors winning re-election included Jeff Lehman in Barrie, Barry Vrbanovic in Kitchener, Bryan Paterson in Kingston and Drew Dilkins of Windsor, who beat back a challenge from former chamber of commerce CEO Matt Marchand. Dilkins had worked with Detroit on a joint bid for Amazon.coms second North American headquarters, and got a boost recently when Detroit billionaire Dan Gilbert of Quicken Loans announced he would build a tech centre in Windsor, rehabbing a vacant downtown building formerly home to a seafood restaurant. Not every city was blessed with a smooth election as municipalities moved to online and telephone voting faced glitches, leaving candidates in limbo and citizens pining for the old days of paper ballots. In Sudbury, for example, city staff blamed server troubles and extended voting until 8 p.m.Tuesday. Due to province-wide issues with the election server we will be extending voting period to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow, Oct. 23, the city tweeted. Residents can still vote online on a computer, tablet or iPhone. Mayoral candidate Cody Cacciotti issued a statement calling the Sudbury situation a fiasco. In Waterloo Region, voters will have to wait until at least Tuesday for an official result for regional chair in the race between Jay Aissa, Jan DAilly, Rob Deutschmann, and Karen Redman due to online voting problems. In Peterborough, incumbent Daryl Bennett, mayor since 2010, was crushed by challenger Diane Therrien, a city councillor, who took 69 per cent of the vote to his 31 per cent. Five-term Brantford Mayor Chris Friel was defeated by lawyer Kevin Davis, a former city councillor who garnered 53 per cent of the vote. Robert Benzie is the Star's Queen's Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie Read more about: Vaughans municipal 2018 election was a night for the incumbents with every ward being claimed by the person in power the previous term. Maurizio Bevilacqua won the mayoral race by a huge margin, seizing nearly 71 per cent of the vote, according to unofficial results, to beat Frank Miele and Savino Quatela. Bevilacqua, who clinched his third term as mayor, named a raft of issues he expects will define the next four years, including transit, the environment, economic development and housing. About more specific and pressing issues like marijuana, he said although he doesnt think people should be allowed to smoke marijuana in public he doesnt want to make any decisions before an upcoming staff report and public consultation on the issue. Its about consulting with people. ...Its about what people can tolerate, he said. On the issue of the targeted murders in Vaughan, he reiterated his comments calling the city one of the safest places to live. Resources are being deployed by local, national and international police authorities, he said. Theres a lot being done, people feel safe in our community. The fight for three regional council seats involved some new faces in a tight four-way race that saw Mario Ferri, Gino Rosati and former mayor Linda Jackson claim victory, beating out challengers Eliana Di Biase, Richard Lorello, Fred Winegust, Sunder Singh, Jacob Joel Ginsberg, Frank Scarlato, Mubarak Ahmed and Skanda Singarajah. Ferri, who garnered 23,323 votes and retains his post as deputy mayor, said hes excited with his victory citing traffic, keeping taxes low and providing housing options in Vaughan as the three top concerns for the next council. My plan is to widen roads and to make sure there are places for young people to live in Vaughan, he said. The regional council race drew particular interest due to some of the candidates ties to past politicians and, in Jacksons case, her own past in power. Di Biases husband, Michael, served on council for decades including a stint as mayor from 2002 to 2006. Linda Jackson defeated him in 2006 by just 90 votes. Linda Jacksons mother, Lorna, was a long-serving mayor of Vaughan, holding the post for seven terms, until her passing in 2002. For his part Michael Di Biase resigned after the citys integrity commissioner alleged that he sexually harassed a Vaughan employee. Di Biase has repeatedly denied the allegations. He was also reprimanded by council for allegedly using his influence to help a developer. In Ward 1, incumbent Marilyn Iafrate claimed nearly 55 per cent of the vote in defeating competitors CarmineTucci, Vince Scaramuzzi, Fitz-Roy Gordon, John Santoro and Millad Hamidkohzad. In Ward 2, long-time councillor Tony Carella took 33 per cent of the vote to beat Adriano Volpentesta, Nick Pinto, Simone Barbieri, Carrie Liddy, Mario Di Nardo and Nicole Elfar-Troiano. Ward 3 saw Rosanna DeFrancesca with more than 61 per cent of the vote easily beat out Mark Pulciani, Victor Lacaria, Tony Lorini, John Yusufi, Slava Gravets and Tom Takacs. Sandra Yeung Racco, who garnered just shy of 50 per cent of the vote, defeated her challengers in Ward 4 Styles Q. Weinberg and Furio Liberatore. Ward 5 saw Alan Shefman took 55.54 per cent of the vote to defeat Allan Goldstein. Voter turnout was 27 per cent, down from 30.28 per cent in 2014 and 40.55 per cent in 2010. Reacting to that, Bevilacqua said although it indicates people are satisfied with the job council is doing, he also noted people around the world are dying to have the right to vote in elections like we can in Canada. Earlier in the evening voters questioned said the biggest issue facing Vaughan in 2018 is traffic Gerry Malisani, from Maple, said Vaughan is so congested people are beginning to avoid the city so they dont get trapped in the traffic. It should take me four minutes to get to Hwy. 400 from my house on Keele, he said, it usually takes 20 minutes and can take 45 minutes sometimes. Malisani said he chose to vote for the councillors who replied to his email inquiring what their plan is to fix traffic in Vaughan. He would like to see bridges built in order to ease congestion, including over the rail lines and on Kirby Road between Dufferin and Keele streets. Sajila Nudrat, a Vaughan student, said it can take her between two and two and a half hours to drive from her home to York University, a drive that should take about 45 minutes. We cant sit idly by and wait, if you want a voice, you have to vote, she said. RELATED More GTA election coverage on Thestar.com Read more about: The leadership of the Ontario Medical Association has voted in favour of a recommendation to narrow the large gaps between what different medical specialties are paid. At a special meeting on Sunday, the 200-plus members of the OMAs governing council endorsed a proposal to more fairly distribute funding from the provincial government to 35 medical specialties. The endorsed recommendation would see that new funding from the province for doctors goes to 28 of the 35 specialties considered by the OMA to be underpaid. They include psychiatrists, family doctors, infectious disease specialists, geriatricians and pediatricians. As well, the recommendation could result in pay cuts to the four top-paid specialties, considered overpaid. Those are radiologists, ophthalmologists, cardiologists and gastroenterologists. The money from the high-paid specialties would then be redistributed to the 28 lower paid ones. The OMA released a statement on Monday, announcing the outcome of the meeting: Council, the representatives of physicians across Ontario, voted to adopt an allocation-then-redistribution mechanism. The OMA did not release the vote results but numerous sources said the recommendation was handily endorsed. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they have not been authorized by the OMA to speak to the media. Some of the higher paid specialists, opposed to having their pay cut, have threatened to break away from the OMA. Its unclear how big this movement is or where it is headed. One specialist from this faction has claimed an official from Premier Doug Fords office, who recently met with a number of doctors in this group, was receptive to what they had to say. But the premiers office later disputed that. The OMA statement alluded to the tensions between the high- and low-paid specialties: Council debated ... at length. It was a tough conversation redistribution is not ideal and it was a tough decision. The outcome of the vote is not binding. Rather, it will be presented to an arbitration board charged with resolving a four-year-old contract dispute between the province and OMA. Binding arbitration resumed Monday after attempts by the new Progressive Conservative government to achieve a negotiated settlement failed. The conflict had been at the arbitration stage prior to the June provincial election, but the Conservatives announced within days of their victory that they wanted to take it back to the bargaining table. The Ford government recently appointed Robert Reynolds, a former labour negotiator with the City of Toronto, to lead its talks with the doctors. The province is not offering as much new money as the doctors are seeking. It currently pays physicians about $12 billion annually, or about 10 per cent of the entire provincial budget. The OMA is seeking redress for pay freezes and cuts unilaterally imposed by the province in recent years. The arbitration board is charged with determining how much more the province should pay Ontarios approximately 30,000 doctors who bill OHIP, including part-timers. As well, it must also determine how the pot of money is to be divvied up among the 35 specialty groups. Restoring fairness to the compensation system is a process known as achieving relativity. But progress on this has been glacial, despite repeated efforts over the decades. The highest billing specialties are overpaid to the tune of 52 per cent and the lowest billing ones are underpaid to the tune of 30 per cent, according to the OMAs Relativity Advisory Committee. The OMA struck the committee earlier this year to come up with ideas on how to make headway on relativity. Doctors on the OMAs governing council approved the strategy proposed by the committee at Sundays meeting. The OMA, in its statement, said: Any new monies awarded by arbitration will first be divvied up according to relativity, and then if relativity had not been achieved, money could be moved from high-ranking (specialty groups) to low-ranking (specialty groups) to a max of 1 per cent per year. The recommendation also calls for payment top-ups of up to 4 per cent annually for 28 underpaid specialty groups. The redistribution would take place over 11 years. At the end of this time, inequities would be significantly reduced, but still not eliminated. The highest billers would still be overpaid by 10 per cent and the lowest billers underpaid by the same amount. Its accepted that some physicians should be paid more than others. Doctors who deserve higher wages include those who have spent more years in training, do more complex and intense work, have higher overhead costs and work longer hours. But its also recognized that the existing system of compensating physicians is unfair. Disparities have grown over the decades, fuelled in large measure by improved technology, much of which is funded by taxpayers. These technological advances have mostly benefited proceduralists such as radiologists, ophthalmologists and cardiologists. Because they are paid per procedure for example, per diagnostic test or operation these specialists are able to work faster and bill OHIP more. Those physicians who have not benefited as much are known as cognitive specialists. They include infectious disease specialists, pediatricians, psychiatrists and geriatricians. They also include family doctors (who are not formally considered specialists.) These doctors use their experience, learning and interpretative skills to determine diagnoses and provide treatment advice. After 23 years, Giorgio Mammoliti has lost his spot on Toronto city council. Ironically, Premier Doug Fords council cutting plan that Mammoliti enthusiastically and unequivocally supported contributed to his undoing. He was defeated by rival incumbent Anthony Perruzza, who ran against Mammoliti after their old North York wards were combined under the 25-ward system. One of the longest-serving and most controversial Toronto politicians, Mammoliti has always been one to offer attention grabbing proposals in the early 2000s he pushed for a street to be named Mammoliti Way, a council meeting to be held at the zoo and a curfew to be placed on children. All were unsuccessful. When asked to comment on his loss Monday night, Mammoliti said, Nah, not to the Toronto Star. You guys have been horrible to me over the last 28 years. My quote to the Toronto Star is you should be ashamed of yourselves. In years past, Mammoliti successfully got the city to implement a poop patrol that saw special squads catching non-scooping dog owners and slapping them with fines. He once loaned out cat traps to constituents and went to Cameroon for a bush meat conference while Toronto Zoo board chair. Animals are a recurring theme in Mammolitis career. One of his biggest accomplishments was bringing two pandas to the zoo, he told the Star in August. In an impassioned speech in support of Torontos 2000 Olympic bid, Mammoliti said: Stop riding the miserable old donkey of doom and gloom and get on the strong, muscular thoroughbred horse of hope. He voted against banning shark fin soup. Read more: Anthony Perruzza defeats Giorio Mammoliti in Ward 7, Humber River-Black Creek John Tory wins second term as Toronto mayor Despite Fords last-minute council cut, Toronto election officials pull off vote with few miscues Consistently inconsistent, the decidedly conservative Mammoliti was a union leader in the 1980s and then began a political career as an NDP backbencher in 1990. He was elected as councillor in 1995. Years later he said he was sick and tired of hearing from the communists. In 1996, when city hall heard rumours the province was considering forcing amalgamation on Toronto and the neighbouring municipalities, Mammoliti worried change was happening too fast. If the premier decides he wants to pull a rabbit out of the hat, then change will come undemocratically without public input. That will hurt taxpayers in the long run, Mammoliti said at the time. Fast forward more than two decades, and Mammoliti quickly pledged his allegiance to Premier Fords surprise council cuts in the middle of the election. I think its wonderful news, he said in July. Mammoliti famously tore off his shirt in council chambers to protest a proposed a nude beach in 1999. He warned councillors of the bare breast craze in 1997, claiming a court decision that allowed women to go shirtless in public would lead to men fondling breasts at bus stops and the looming possibility of an informal kiss on the breast. His apparent fear of nudity did not stop him from spending a council lunch break in a dark Etobicoke strip club with councillors Frank Di Giorgio and Cesar Palacio in 2009 for an industry facility tour. (They said they didnt watch the performances.) Mammoliti also proposed a regulated brothel-filled red light district for Toronto Islands in 2011. TOP STORIES. IN YOUR INBOX: For the days top news from the Stars award-winning journalists, sign up for our daily headlines newsletter. An ally of mayor Rob Ford, Mammoliti was emboldened in that era, charging taxpayers $25,000 to renovate his constituency office, calling Parkdale a pedophile district and claiming his phone was tampered with by former city hall employees. He also underwent brain surgery in 2013. In 2014, he pleaded guilty to overspending in the 2010 Toronto election, a violation of the Municipal Elections Act. Council also stripped him of three months of wages after he made $80,000 from an improper fundraiser. Twice Mammoliti called for the army to rid Torontos neighbourhoods of gangs and drug dealers, most recently in 2015. He said homeless shelters should be shut down and homeless people should be forced off the street against their will. This election campaign, Mammoliti referred to some residents living in Toronto Community Housing as cockroaches and last week posted to Facebook that Black candidates would perpetuate poverty and segregation if elected. From his Twitter account a tweet read, ... Social housing at Jane an Finch has been our incubator for most of our social issues, segregation has made 5 generations of children angry. No wonder they are killing themselves. Read more: For up-to-the-minute results, visit the Stars municipal election page. The Toronto District School Board is poised for a major turnover following Mondays elections because about half of its trustees are newly-elected. Change can be positive, said Robin Pilkey, chair of the TDSB. Four years ago there was significant change on the board and the TDSB hit the re-set button. Today, the board has greater integrity and accountability in governance and a sharper more united focus in improving student achievement for all students. I hope that, together with the many fresh faces on the board, we can continue to build on this work, says Pilkey, who was re-elected as trustee in Ward 7. The fresh faces include Dan MacLean (Ward 2), Patrick Nunziata (Ward 3), Christopher Mammoliti (Ward 4), Stephanie Donaldson (Ward 9), Rachel Chernos Lin (Ward 11), James Li (Ward 13), Trixie Doyle (Ward 14), Michelle Aarts (Ward 16), Zakir Patel (Ward 19), Yalini Rajakulasingam (Ward 21) and Anu Sriskandarajah (Ward 22). I am very excited, said Aarts. I really want to get in and make a difference (at) the board. I want to see a board that operates well, is accountable to teachers and its families in how it delivers education. The turnover in Canadas largest board was largely because about half of the trustees on the 22-member board including longtime trustees Gerri Gershon and Sheila Cary-Meagher did not seek re-election. Read more: Tory expected to have slim majority of allies on slimmed-down city council Opinion | Edward Keenan: Toronto voters give John Tory second chance to build a legacy Opinion | Christopher Hume: Toronto votes for bland, boring and timid Incumbents Alexandra Lulka (Ward5), Chris Tonks (Ward 6), Shelley Laskin (Ward 8), Chris Moise (Ward 10), Alexander Brown (Ward 12), Jennifer Story (Ward 15), David Smith (Ward 17), Parthi Kandavel (Ward 18) and Manna Wong (Ward 20) were re-elected. Former mayor Rob Fords friend and occasional driver Alexander (Sandro) Lisi, who was part of a police investigation into Ford, ran in Ward 1. In that race, which had no incumbent, Harpreet Gill won. In a major upset at the Toronto Catholic District School Board, trustee and chair Barbara Poplawski (Ward 10) was defeated by Daniel Di Giorgio. Other incumbents who lost were Sal Piccininni (Ward 3), who was defeated by Ida Li Preti, and Ann Andrachuk (Ward 4), who was defeated by Teresa Lubinski. At the Catholic board, which has 12 trustees, incumbents such as Joseph Martino (Ward 1), Maria Rizzo (Ward 5), Frank DAmico (Ward 6), Mike Del Grande (Ward 7), Garry Tanuan (Ward 8), Angela Kennedy (Ward 11) and Nancy Crawford (Ward 12) were re-elected. I am surrounded by parents, teachers and families that supported me throughout this election campaign, said Rizzo. I am blessed to have had them, and I am honoured to be the school trustee for the next four years. My priorities are to put children before politics and to help all parents. St. Thomas More is the patron saint of politicians. He was praying for all of us. TCDSB races without an incumbent saw newcomers Norm Di Pasquale (Ward 9) and Markus de Domenico (Ward 2) elected. At the Durham District School Board, trustee Michael Barrett, the boards chair and trustee for the City of Oshawa was re-elected. The role of trustee will be a difficult one as we move through a redirection and a new government, said Barrett. We have only begun to see the changes and public education is an institution that needs careful attention. At the Peel District School Board, Janet McDougald, retired after three decades as a trustee (Wards 1 and 7 in Mississauga) and 20 years as board chair. At time of publication, John Marchant was leading the race to replace her as trustee. At the York Region District School Board, votes were also still being tabulated at time of publication. Trustee Anna DeBartolo (Ward 1 & 2 Vaughan), was in the lead. Meanwhile, YRDSB trustee Linda Aversa (Ward 3 & 4 Vaughan) was trailing Elizabeth Sinclair in a tight race. Cathy Abraham, president of the Ontario Public School Boards Association is looking forward to working with the 317 trustees elected to its member boards, 77 of whom were acclaimed. Public schools are at the heart of their communities, says Abraham. They connect students, parents, teachers, school staff, citizens and locally elected school board trustees together in support of a common goal building bright futures for students. This is why its so important for voters to help shape societys future and vote for school board trustees. Read more: For up-to-the-minute results, visit the Stars municipal election page. Mayor John Tory will have a slim majority on a new council now broken into 25 wards with a majority of conservative voices elected in mostly suburban wards. He will be forced to carry out another four-year mandate one with an agenda that was not clearly defined by this campaign with a balance of power that hinges on less than a handful of votes. Fourteen votes are now needed on the total 26-seat council to win a vote (all votes lose on a tie). Tory and right-leaning councillors appear to have enough votes in a bloc that includes several wild cards. That includes Brad Bradford, the city hall bureaucrat who just sneaked past former New Democrat MP Matthew Kellway to win by just 288 votes. His victory came after a strong endorsement from Tory that may have made the difference in that race. Bradford has said he doesnt have any clear political stripes. The election follows one of the most tumultuous campaigns in the citys history as a result of the interference from Premier Doug Ford on the final day of nominations in July, when the province cut the size of council nearly in half. In the end, the race wasnt close for Josh Matlow, who, like 21 other council hopefuls across the city, battled a fellow incumbent in his case for the TorontoSt. Pauls seat in the heart of the city. Read more: John Tory wins second term as Toronto mayor Winners and losers: Patrick Brown defeats Linda Jeffrey to become mayor of Brampton; Mammoliti, Kelly ousted on Toronto council Toronto District School Board poised for major turnover We have a common foe and that is a dishonest populist who is the premier of Ontario, who disregarded our local democracy (and) was willing to ignore our charter rights to settle scores, an elated Matlow told a crowd of supporters at a midtown gastro-pub after a heated race that saw Tory unsuccessfully back Matlows challenger Joe Mihevc late in the campaign. Neither Joe or I would have wanted to find ourselves in this situation, Matlow said. Now that Tory is headed back to the mayors chair after railing against left-wing, radical candidates and their ideas, his earlier promise to work closer with those representatives largely in downtown areas will be put to the test. The election with fewer wards has left Tory with just half of the councillors he previously appointed to his 13-member executive committee. Those re-elected include deputy mayor Denzil Minnan-Wong (Don Valley East) and Michael Thompson (Scarborough Centre). This was a nastier campaign than I had expected, but our campaign took the high road and I think at the end we had quite a convincing victory, Minnan-Wong said. He beat out former Liberal MPP David Caplan, who was backed by ex-premier Kathleen Wynne and what Minnan-Wong called the Liberal machine. Executive member James Pasternak won out over longtime progressive Maria Augimeri in York Centre, securing another safe vote for Tory on most issues. This was not the election that the people wanted, Augimeri said, referring to the council cuts. Ive done this job as a sort of religion. For me its been a calling. On the progressive bench, veterans such as Gord Perks (ParkdaleHigh Park) and Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre) were easily returned to their seats, as was Joe Cressy (SpadinaFort York). As in TorontoSt.Pauls, two like-minded councillors went head to head in Toronto-Danforth, with Paula Fletcher besting Mary Fragedakis for the seat. The election also spelled the end to Giorgio Mammolitis long city hall career, with Anthony Perruzza taking over in Humber RiverBlack Creek. Over, too, was Norm Kellys decades-long stint as a Scarborough councillor, as he was beat by rookie Jim Karygiannis, previously the MP for the Scarborough-Agincourt area. Neethan Shan, who had won a byelection in February 2017, was toppled by newcomer Jennifer McKelvie in ScarboroughRouge Park by a difference of just 154 votes the closest margin of any race. Christin Carmichael Greb, also a first-term councillor and supporter of the mayor, lost in Eglinton-Lawrence to former Liberal MPP Mike Colle also a former city councillor, and the father of outgoing councillor Josh Colle. Cynthia Lai will be another new face on council in Scarborough North. She was endorsed by Progressive Conservative MPP and former councillor Raymond Cho. She served on the Toronto Real Estate Board and the citys committee of adjustment, but has yet to put her politics on display. Though Ana Bailao (Davenport) is considered a progressive voice, she is a go-to member of Torys team, and her support for the initiatives of her downtown colleagues is uncertain after her re-election. Scarborough-Guildwood winner Paul Ainslie, who was named to Torys executive at the beginning of the last term, has differed with the mayor on several big issues, including the Scarborough subway and the rebuilding of the eastern Gardiner Expressway. The Scarborough subway will be back up for debate early in the new term. There are few on council now who supported the premiers last-minute election interference. Yet they will all be forced to grapple with a significant restructuring of council and how it does business, including the community councils that deal with daily constituent issues like parking pads and tree removals. Read more: For up-to-the-minute results, visit the Stars municipal election page With files from Emily Mathieu, Betsy Powell and Jacques Gallant Read more about: BARRON, WIS.Hundreds of volunteers in rows walked through swamps, cornfields and woods on Tuesday in search of clues that might lead investigators to a 13-year-old Wisconsin girl whose parents were killed and who is believed to have been abducted. People from in and around the Closs familys hometown of Barron and as far away as the Minneapolis area, about 80 miles (130 kilometres) to the southwest, heeded the call for up to 2,000 volunteers to assist in the expanded search for clues into Jayme Closs disappearance. Hundreds showed up, though authorities didnt immediately provide an exact number. After being instructed to proceed slowly and to yell Stop! if they see anything and to wait for the authorities to come check it out, volunteers fanned out in lines through marshes, wooded areas and fields. Video posted on Twitter by a KMSP-TV reporter showed searchers walking in a grid pattern, using the sticks to bat down tall grass and vegetation. Reporters tracking various search groups tweeted that volunteers were told to look for anything that could be a clue, such as a cellphone, piece of clothing or gun. Jayme Closs has been missing since sheriffs deputies responding to a 911 call early on the morning of Oct. 15 found the door to her familys home near Barron kicked in and her parents, James and Denise Closs, dead inside. Investigators believe Jayme was abducted and ruled her out as a suspect on the investigations first day. A ground search involving 100 volunteers last Thursday yielded nothing, but Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said Monday that some of the roughly 1,200 tips investigators had received led to the decision to resume the ground search, though he didnt elaborate. Authorities mapped the area by helicopter in preparation for Tuesdays search. Weve determined wed like to search a bigger search area based on information our investigators have collected, Fitzgerald said. These tips have led us to this. Joe Scheu, a retiree from the nearby village of Haugen, said he was taking part in Tuesdays search because he has a 13-year-old granddaughter and he wanted to help out. He said the violence in the case is terrible and that he feels sorry for Jayme. Jill Robinson, who lives about 60 miles (100 kilometres) south in Eleva, drove to Barron with a friend to join the search. I guess Im not doing anything different than I would hope someone would do if it was one of my loved ones in this situation right now, said Robinson, 48. I just think anytime it hits close to home like this, it just makes you think it could be you or one of our loved ones. Investigators are searching for two cars a red or orange Dodge Challenger and a black Ford Edge or black Acura MDX that may have been near the Closs familys home on the night of the attack, Fitzgerald said. He didnt have information about the cars license plates. Relatives plan to hold a funeral for James and Denise Closs on Saturday at 1 p.m. at St. Peters Catholic Church in Cameron, a village next to Barron. The funeral will be preceded by an 11 a.m. visitation. SALT LAKE CITYA University of Utah student and track athlete who was shot and killed on campus by a former boyfriend had filed a police complaint against him after she learned he was a sex offender and broke off the relationship, authorities said Tuesday. Investigators had been working to build a case after receiving the report from 21-year-old Lauren McCluskey, a senior from Pullman, Washington, university police chief Dale Brophy said. He declined to disclose further details on the report. The victims mother, Jill McCluskey, said her daughter had filed a harassment complaint after breaking up with 37-year-old Melvin Rowland. Lauren McCluskey had dated Rowland for about a month then ended the relationship on Oct. 9 when she learned he had lied about his age, name and criminal history, Jill McCluskey said in a statement. It wasnt clear how the two met. Jill McCluskey said she had been talking on the phone with her daughter as she returned from a night class and heard her yell, No, no, no! A few minutes later, a woman picked up the phone and said all of Lauren McCluskeys belongings were on the ground. I thought she might have been in a car accident, Jill McCluskey said. That was the last I heard from her. Rowland spent nearly a decade in prison after pleading guilty to trying to lure an underage girl online and attempted sex abuse charges, according to court records. He was charged with two separate crimes in September 2003, said Paul Amann, the prosecutor on the case. Rowland had been caught in an online sex crimes sting when a police officer posed as a 13-year-old girl. After he was charged, a woman came forward to report he had sexually assaulted her after a separate online meeting a few days earlier. He was just out of control. He had no self-control, Amann said Tuesday. Rowland pleaded guilty to enticing a minor over the internet and attempted forcible sex abuse in an agreement with prosecutors, records show. His defence attorney did not immediately return a call Tuesday seeking comment. Rowland was released from prison in 2012 after serving eight years and has twice been sent back from halfway houses after violating his parole, Utah prison spokeswoman Kaitlin Felsted said. He was most recently paroled in April and was living on his own. Rowland was prohibited from owning a gun on parole and it was unclear how he obtained one. Lauren McCluskey was found shot in a car Monday night near on-campus student housing. Rowland killed himself overnight at a church when police tracked him down after linking him to the killing through a description, clothing and evidence at the scene, authorities said. Pastor Daryell Jackson said Rowland broke in the back door of the church that he didnt attend and holed up in an office. Initial reports of the shooting sparked panic on the Salt Lake City campus. University officials ordered students to stay in place for about three hours as they searched for the gunman. University of Utah student Jonas Woychick said he was playing pool when he got a message about an on-campus shooter. He and eight other students waited in a bathroom for two hours until they learned it was safe. I didnt know if this shooter was going for other people, or if he was just targeting one person, said Woychick, who is from Boise, Idaho. Lauren McCluskey was majoring in communication and was excited to graduate next spring, said her mother, a professor at Washington State University, adding that her daughter was a Washington state high jump champion in high school and loved to sing. University President Ruth Watkins said classes were cancelled Tuesday and a vigil would be held Wednesday night. As a campus community, we share grief over this tragic loss of life, Watkins said in a statement. Athletics Director Mark Harlan said counsellors and psychologists were available to support McCluskeys teammates, coaches and friends. He said she was a proud Ute and an outstanding student-athlete. This isnt right, Harlan said. I dont really have any words. My heart goes out to her family. ... When something like this happens, it defies any logic, any reason. RAMALLAH, PALESTINIAN TERRITORY Security forces of the rival Palestinian governments routinely use torture and arbitrary arrests, among other tactics, to quash dissent by peaceful activists and political opponents, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Tuesday. The charges came in a new report released by the New York-based watchdog, following a two-year investigation that included interviews with nearly 150 people, many of them ex-detainees. It accused both the Western-backed Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and the Islamic militant Hamas in Gaza of using machineries of repression to stifle criticism. Human Rights Watch also said the systematic use of torture could amount to a crime against humanity under the United Nations Convention against Torture, and called on countries that provide funding to Palestinian law enforcement to suspend their assistance. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas government joined the convention after Palestine was accepted as a non-member state at the U.N. Palestinian authorities have gained only limited power in the West Bank and Gaza, but yet, where they have autonomy, they have developed parallel police states, said Tom Porteous, deputy program director at Human Rights Watch. Calls by Palestinian officials to safeguard Palestinian rights ring hollow as they crush dissent. According to HRW, the Palestinian leaderships in the West Bank and Gaza engage in similar tactics, in most cases without holding anyone to account. Read more: U.S. downgrades Jerusalem diplomatic mission to Palestinians Among the alleged abuses: whipping peoples feet, forcing detainees into painful stress positions, hoisting up peoples arms behind their backs with rope and coercing suspects into granting access to their mobile phones and social media accounts. The groups director for Israel and the Palestinian territories, Omar Shakir, told a news conference that the Palestinian Authority detained 220 Palestinians without charge or trial for their social media posts, including 65 university students and two journalists. He claimed Hamas authorities in Gaza have detained over 45 people for their social media activity. These numbers do not speak to the scale which both authorities have gone to in order to shut down dissent, Shakir said. Both Hamas and the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority denied the accusations. The two Palestinian factions split in 2007 after Hamas violently seized the Gaza Strip from forces loyal to Abbas. For more than a decade, Hamas has maintained an iron grip on power and suppressed any signs of public dissent, including street protests and on social media. Despite having Western backing, Abbas has also silenced dissent in the areas of the West Bank he administers under past agreements with Israel. Last year, he clamped down on social media and news websites with a vaguely worded decree that critics say allows his government to jail anyone on charges of harming national unity or the social fabric. Abbas security forces also work closely with Israel to keep Hamas in check in the West Bank. Critics accuse Israel of holding Palestinian detainees without charge for extended periods and also of torture. Mohammed Khatib, a 20-year-old law student and activist with Hamas student branch in the West Bank, told The Associated Press he was arrested last month and held for 19 days at an intelligence centre in Ramallah. He said he was forced to stand for hours at a time and hung by his handcuffed hands to a door for 15 minutes, a stress position meant to cause pain but leave no sign of injury. This is not only a violation of human rights, it is a violation of human dignity, a violation of basic morals, he said, adding that he believed the aim was to intimidate him. HRWs report also highlights other tactics used to silence Palestinian dissent and punish activists, among them the seizing of phones, leaving investigations and charges open, and coercing detainees to promise to stop any further criticism. In Gaza, Taghreed Abu Teer, a 47-year-old journalist, told the AP that she was held by Hamas authorities for 11 days and interrogated under humiliating circumstances for her activities with the rival Fatah movement. She said she was kept in a dark cell for days at a time and forced to stand for lengthy periods. Although she was not physically beaten, she said she could hear the screams of men being tortured nearby, and that at one point, a man with a whip threatened to beat her as well. More than a year and a half later, she still cries when she recalls the unforgettable experience. As long as I was in the cell, I was wondering what had caused me to end up here, she said. She spoke at a relatives home so her six children would not hear about the ordeal. Abu Teer said interrogators threatened to charge her with collaboration with Israel, widely feared as a stigma, and that most of the questions focused on a three-day trip she made to the West Bank, where she met senior Fatah officials and briefed them about the situation in Gaza. She said interrogators accused her of inciting the Palestinian Authority to make financial cuts and other punitive measures against Gaza, a tactic meant to squeeze Hamas. She denied all the allegations, saying she had only led protests and lobbied for ending the Hamas-Fatah split. While she was never charged, Hamas officers advised her to be quiet and focus on her home and family, which I considered a veiled threat rather than advice, she added. Human Rights Watch also said it has encouraged the International Criminal Court to open an investigation into both Israeli and Palestinian conduct in the Palestinian territories. It called on both Palestinian governments to pledge to stop carrying out arbitrary arrests, end torture and hold credible investigations into allegations of misconduct. In a rare step, the report also called on countries that provide security assistance to withhold aid until concrete steps are taken to end the practices. Among the aid is millions of dollars for the West Bank security forces from the U.S., which has continued its support even after slashing hundreds of millions of dollars in other assistance to the Palestinians. The report said Hamas receives assistance from Iran, Qatar and Turkey. Adnan Damiri, spokesman for the Palestinian security forces in the West Bank, denied any allegation of systematic torture and said authorities investigate claims and punish perpetrators. These testimonies are not accurate. They are testimonies of political activists who belong to political parties with political agendas, and of course they will put any blame they can on the Palestinian Authority, he told the Associated Press. In Gaza, Hamas denied arresting critics or opponents on political grounds. Faraj al-Ghoul, a Hamas lawmaker, said the report was unfair, and that Human Rights Watch was welcome to inspect the groups prisons. SUVA, FIJIThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex were greeted by hundreds of flag-waving well-wishers on Tuesday after arriving in Fiji for a three-day visit as part of their tour of the South Pacific. Schoolchildren in uniform and people of all ages lined the streets and waved both British Union Jack and Fijian flags as Prince Harry and Meghans motorcade drove past. The couple arrived from Australia, where Meghan, who is four months pregnant, had her schedule reduced in recent days after a hectic start to their 16-day trip across four countries. Meghan has not announced any plans to reduce her schedule in Fiji. After stepping off the plane, Meghan needed to hold her cream-coloured hat to prevent it from being blown away as Harry inspected a guard of honour. There was a light drizzle and an official held an umbrella above Meghans head. The couple was scheduled to attend an official welcome ceremony at Suvas Albert Park that will mirror one attended by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh in 1953. It was to involve traditional elements of Fijian culture, including dances and a kava ceremony. Members of the public are invited and 15,000 are expected to attend. The couple was scheduled to attend a reception and state dinner Tuesday evening hosted by Fijian President Jioji Konrote. Home to just over 900,000 people, Fiji is a former British colony that became independent in 1970 and later became a republic. Fiji remains a part of the Commonwealth group of countries and is a popular destination for tourists thanks to its warm climate and beaches. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant women not travel to a number of countries including Fiji and Tonga because of the presence of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which can cause severe birth defects. There is no vaccine for Zika, and the CDC says the best way to avoid infection for those who must travel is to take extra precautions to prevent mosquito bites. The couple is scheduled to visit Tonga on Thursday before returning to Sydney on Friday night for the final days of the Invictus Games, Harrys brainchild and the focus of their tour. The couple will then finish their tour with a four-day visit to New Zealand. Read more about: U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday sharply intensified a Republican campaign to frame the midterm elections as a battle over immigration and race, issuing a dark and factually baseless warning that unknown Middle Easterners were marching toward the U.S. border with Mexico. The unsubstantiated charge marked an escalation of Trumps efforts to stoke fears about foreigners and crime before the Nov. 6 vote, as he did to great effect in the presidential race. Trump and other Republicans are insistently seeking to tie Democrats to unfettered immigration and violent crime, and in some instances this summer and fall they have attacked minority candidates in nakedly racial terms. Trump is now railing daily in speeches and on Twitter against the migrant caravan moving north through Central America, and on Monday called it a national emergency. The caravan has dominated conservative talk radio and Fox News, where there has also been loose speculation about a link to terrorism. The apparently groundless inclusion of unknown Middle Easterners to the caravan echoes Trumps long-standing practice of amplifying fears about Islamic militants on the campaign trail. That is an assault on our country and in that caravan you have some very bad people, and we cant let that happen to our country, the president said at a rally in Houston on Monday night. Trump suggested without any proof that the opposition was involved in instigating the caravan. I think the Democrats had something to do with it, he said. In targeting the caravan, the president appears determined to end the election season with a cultural fight over national identity rather than the issues that party leaders initially wanted to run on, like tax cuts or the economy. But Trump has not been alone in seeking to divide the electorate along racial lines this fall: As the congressional elections have approached, a number of Republican candidates and political committees have delivered messages plainly aimed at stoking cultural anxiety among white voters and even appealing to overt racism. Read more: Thousands of migrants continue to move toward the U.S. Over 7k-strong, migrant caravan pushes on; still far from U.S. Ill walk in my broken shoes: Mom, daughter and millions of others flee Venezuela In upstate New York, Republican political groups have aired ads branding a Democratic congressional candidate, Antonio Delgado, who is black, as a big-city rapper and accusing him of seeking to give government handouts to food-stamp recipients. In Dallas, a political committee aligned with Trump, America First Action, has disseminated an online ad branding Colin Allred, a black civil rights lawyer, as hostile to gun rights accompanied by the image of a white woman with a dark-skinned hand smothering her mouth. Two House Republicans, Chris Collins of New York and Duncan Hunter of California, who have been indicted on charges of corruption, have aired ads widely denounced as racist. Hunter has branded his Democratic opponent, Ammar Campa-Najjar, who is Arab-American, a security risk, while Collins has run an ad showing his Democratic challenger, Nate McMurray, who is white, speaking Korean, insinuating that he favours Asian economic interests over those of the United States. And in a debate in Florida on Sunday, Andrew Gillum, the Democratic mayor of Tallahassee who could become the states first black governor, criticized his Republican opponent, Ron DeSantis, for attempting to draw all the attention he can to the colour of my skin. DeSantis and his associates have been rebuked repeatedly for racially incendiary comments: In August, DeSantis said Florida should not monkey this up by electing Gillum a comment he described as a normal figure of speech and one of his chief surrogates nicknamed the Democrat Andrew Kill-em, purportedly alluding to Tallahassees crime rate. Most pervasive have been broad and largely false claims that Democrats support an open borders immigration policy that would lead to a vast influx of violent crime. Republicans have deployed that charge in countless elections, and are now linking mainstream Democrats who support immigration reforms to far-left activists who favour abolishing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Republicans are also accusing Democrats, without evidence, of going soft on MS-13, a Latin American gang that Trump regularly depicts as a national menace. The approach taken by Trump and like-minded Republicans contrasts starkly with the way Democrats have campaigned in 2018, and with how Republican congressional leaders had originally vowed to approach the mid-terms. Democratic candidates have tended to downplay immigration as a theme, focusing instead on a small number of kitchen-table issues, chiefly health care. After a campaign stop in Florida on Monday, Joe Biden, the former vice president who is mulling a run for the presidency in 2020, criticized Trumps ferocity on the migrant issue. The caravan is 2,000 miles away. Hes making it sound like theyre breaking through the border. This is hysteria on his part. Let it calm down, Biden said. When asked whether Republicans were trying to win the mid-terms with racial appeals, Biden shot back, They are because thats who they are. Republicans have often reached for divisive racial and cultural issues when the political tide has appeared to be against them, branding Democratic candidates in a series of off-season elections as soft on immigration and crime. A study published last week by the Wesleyan Media Project found that health care was the dominant subject in 2018 campaign advertising, but that about an eighth of Republican campaign commercials also discussed immigration more than double the share for Democratic ads. Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker and occasional Trump adviser, said immigration could be a more potent issue than the economy. The caravan is an existential moment, he said. Citing polls showing a strong majority of the country opposes illegal immigration, Gingrich argued, Thats a lot bigger margin than youre going to get in the near future on Trumps economic policy. Ali Noorani, head of the National Immigration Forum, a non-partisan advocacy group that favours comprehensive immigration reform, said there was little surprise that Trump would ultimately steer Republicans this way, rather than focusing on economic themes. We fully expected the president to place a big bet on an anti-immigrant message as we got closer and closer to the mid-terms, Noorani said. If theres a surprise, its that hes not talking about Kavanaugh or the economy as much as I expected. But Noorani said Republicans face a trade-off: Is that going to be a message that turns off independent voters? Much of the harshest advertising around immigration and race has come in conservative-leaning, relatively homogeneous districts where Republican incumbents are gravely endangered. For lawmakers like Collins and Rep. John Faso of New York, who faces Delgado, the most likely chance for re-election depends on the strong support of conservative whites. Delgado said in an interview Monday that he did not believe voters would accept what he described as Republicans grotesque misrepresentation of his biography and beliefs. He acknowledged that the crude negativity of the attacks came as a shock. I didnt expect this, Delgado said. I think this is divisive, and this is ugly, and I think it has no place in our politics. Polls suggest close races in the districts held by Faso and Collins, as well as the Dallas-area seat where Allred is running against Rep. Pete Sessions. But it is not clear how Trump-style rhetoric about immigration and race might be received across the wider expanse of the midterm map, which covers affluent suburban districts, diverse cities and rural areas with important Latino communities all areas that have tended to reject Trumps harsh nationalism. While opposition to illegal immigration runs strong, a poll published Sunday by NBC News and The Wall Street Journal found voters trusted Democrats slightly more than Republicans on the overall immigration issue. The caravan a group estimated to comprise some 7,000 people making its way through Mexico is the latest focal point for Trump and his ideological allies. The story has permeated conservative media in recent days, amplified by figures like Rush Limbaugh and Pat Buchanan, and a long lineup of Fox News personalities. Some conservative outlets, like WND.com, which regularly peddle conspiracy theories, have pushed false claims that the caravan includes Islamic terrorists and suggested again, baselessly that liberal investor George Soros might be financing the expedition. Trump and other Republicans hope that the image of thousands of migrants seeking to enter the country will further energize his political base, which is predominantly made up of lower-income white voters who are generally suspicious of immigration. Steve Bannon, the immigration hard-liner who advised Trump in the White House, said Republicans were nationalizing the midterm election around themes that electrify the right. Bannon likened it to the end of the 2016 election, when Trump came alive in the last few weeks of that campaign, and closed hard. Right now, Bannon said, Trumps grassroots base is united and on fire. There is precedent for red-state voters rewarding Republicans for racially inflammatory rhetoric, including in the 2014 midterm elections. But last year, voters in Virginia handed Republicans a punishing defeat after their nominee for governor, Ed Gillespie, spent much of his campaign linking Democrats to MS-13 and lenient immigration policies. Justin Fairfax, Virginias lieutenant governor, who won a landslide victory in 2017 to become the states second-ever black constitutional officer, said Republicans there had attempted to walk a very dark political road, as Trump is doing now. Americans are rejecting that dark vision, said Fairfax, a Democrat, adding, What we showed in Virginia is, not only would they lose, but they would lose in historic proportions. In Nevada on Monday, former president Barack Obama alluded at an early-voting rally to the Republican campaign, telling Democrats that the GOP would be trying to appeal to tribe and pit one group against the other over the next two weeks. But there was little expectation among voters there that Trump might change course. It was in the same state last week, after all, that Trump claimed falsely that there had been riots against illegal immigration in California. This is what they do, said Reese Williams, a 49-year-old veteran, of Trumps party. These are the cards they pull all the time. But Trumps dystopian imagery has clearly left an impression with some. Carol Shields, 75, a Republican in northern Minnesota, said she was afraid that migrant gangs could take over peoples summer lake homes in the state. Whats to stop them? said Shields, a retired accountant. We have a lot of people who live on lakes in the summer and winter someplace else. When they come back in the spring, their house would be occupied. Read more about: BUFFALO, N.Y. When thousands of others fled the struggling Rust Belt city of Buffalo, New York, refugees poured in to fill the void and invigorate the economy. Blighted blocks were tidied up by new arrivals from Iraq. Shops selling Ethiopian cuisine opened, and employers snapped up workers from Myanmar and South Sudan. More than 12,000 refugees arrived in the area in 10 years, helping stymie decades of dizzying population loss. But as the Trump administration throttles the flow of refugees into the United States and the president increases his anti-immigration rhetoric ahead of the midterm elections, Buffalo and other cities that rely on the new arrivals are beginning to feel the pinch. The number of refugees coming into Buffalo now is stalled and that hurts not only my business, but other businesses in town, said Larry Christ, chief operating officer of lighting manufacturer LiteLab, where six languages are spoken on the assembly floor. Like a car, you need gas to fuel movement forward. Big, burgeoning cities like San Diego and Dallas accept more refugees, but their arrival can resonate more in smaller, shrinking cities like Buffalo and Syracuse. Buffalo, an old steel and shipping hub, had been locked in a long, losing struggle to keep people from leaving for places with less snow and more jobs. Enter refugees and immigrants. Read more: Canada officials deem U.S. a safe country for asylum seekers after internal review Refugees relocated with the help of four separate agencies settle into empty homes and fill jobs at hotels, restaurants and factories. Buffalo, which had lost more than half its population since its postwar peak of around 580,000, is now hovering close to 260,000 people. We buy a house that is very old, so we get it cheaper in this way, said Nadeen Yousef, who fled from Iraq with her husband and four children in 2006. And we fix it every year. Yousef spoke from her booth at the West Side Bazaar, a retail space that was packed on a recent day with a lunchtime crowd buying halal food, bubble tea and dim sum served by refugee operators. The bazaar serves as an incubator for refugee and immigrant entrepreneurs, some of whom open their own shops selling food from Laos or clothes from Africa. Yousef comes in after her 5 a.m. shift at a supermarket bakery to spend the afternoon selling handcrafted macrame products and international clothes. The refugee reduction comes as some 7,200 Central American migrants in Mexico continue their trek toward the U.S. border. U.S. President Donald Trump has seized on the moment to renewed Twitter attacks against Democrats on for what he has called pathetic immigration laws. Trump last year cited national security in slashing the annual cap on refugee arrivals to the U.S. from 110,000 to a historically low 45,000. Only 22,491 refugees entered the country last year amid a tougher review process. The effect in the Buffalo region has been dramatic. A metropolitan area that welcomed 1,934 refugees two years ago took in 686 last year and is on track to receive fewer than 450 people this year, according to an analysis of refugee placement data by the Fiscal Policy Institute. Arrivals could dip more this coming year now that the Trump administration lowered the refugee cap again for this budget year, to 30,000. Refugees can cost money for localities in the short term, though theres research showing they pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits over years. Some local politicians have criticized refugees cost and the potential security risk of hosting people from Syria. But support for refugees is broad in Buffalo, a Democrat-dominated city. The Buffalo metropolitan areas growth rate has lagged behind the national average. But more single-family homes are selling for more money compared to earlier this decade. There are multiple reasons for the uptick, but many see refugees as a crucial cog for growth. We need this influx of refugees or we just become a flat economy again, said Democratic state Assemblyman Sean Ryan. The agencies in Buffalo help refugees learn English, find housing and land jobs. At the International Institute of Buffalo, Caitlin Monan recently prepped a room full of recent arrivals for questions they might face during job interviews. She handed out a worksheet that listed such questions as: Tell me about yourself? Do you have transportation? These are questions that every single interviewer will ask, Monan told the class. These are good to practice. Employers like Christ at Litelab and Avanti Advanced Manufacturing owner Jim Wei say theyve had success with the refugees they hired. Christ recalled one applicant who was so committed, he biked to a job interview in snowy February. And more than a quarter of the high-end lighting companys 153 employees are refugees. Litelab assembly floor worker Majid Al Iessa once helped the U.S. army in Iraq before fleeing the war-torn country. Now his two children are in school, and he has a home in the suburbs. I like Buffalo, he said, then laughs. Just the snow is too hard. Wei and Christ, who volunteers as chairman of the board of the International Institute, are among city employers having a tougher time filling jobs. Landlord Michael Maywalt, who credits refugees with helping renew the citys Black Rock neighbourhood, is noticing fewer refugee families seeking to rent his properties. Christ is still filling jobs, and Maywalt is still renting apartments. But theres a palpable sense of concern among refugee advocates about the sustainability of Buffalos modest resurgence. What I worry about is, said International Institute executive director Eva Hassett, Where are the people who are going to take the jobs, start the businesses and buy the houses? Read more about: ANKARA, TURKEYSaudi Arabia must identify those who ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and turn over the suspects for trial, the Turkish president said Tuesday in remarks that carefully ratcheted up pressure on a country that is a source of investment for Turkey, but also a rival for influence in the Middle East. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a sharp rebuttal of Saudi Arabias widely criticized account that the writer for The Washington Post died accidentally in a brawl, saying Saudi officials had planned the killing for days. Some analysts believe Turkey is also calculating whether it can capitalize on outrage over the killing to extract political capital from the worlds largest oil exporter without alienating it altogether. Addressing ruling party lawmakers in parliament, Erdogan used the word murder 15 times to describe Khashoggis death after the writer entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 for paperwork related to his marriage plans. Erdogan also cast Turkey in the role of global statesman, echoing calls for full Saudi accountability from Western allies whose relationships with the Turkish government have often been edgy in the past. To blame such an incident on a handful of security and intelligence members would not satisfy us or the international community, he said. Earlier, Turkeys foreign minister said it would co-operate with any international or UN probe into the killing, a nod to transparency that only seemed to accentuate an emerging pariah status for Saudi Arabia. Read more: Jamal Khashoggi spent the last year of his life looking over his shoulder Canada condemns killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi Changing course, Donald Trump accuses Saudis of deception in killing of Jamal Khashoggi UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stood by his earlier call for an independent and transparent investigation, said Farhan Haq, a deputy spokesman for the world body. Haq reiterated that Guterres can initiate a probe if key parties request it or if there is a legislative mandate from a UN body. Turkey is playing the long game. And todays speech is part of a very careful in my opinion escalation strategy, said Ahmet Kasim Han, an international relations analyst at Altinbas University in Istanbul. Turkish authorities seem to be concentrated on turning this into a multilateral issue because they dont want to be left alone with Saudi Arabia on all of this, he said. Maha Yahya, director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, speculated that Saudi Arabia could now be vulnerable to pressure, including from the U.S., to end a boycott of Turkey-backed Qatar. As far as Erdogan is concerned, he will use this incident to try and get as much mileage and concessions out of it, to the advantage of Turkey, as he possibly can, Yahya said. Erdogan focused on the investigation in his speech, saying he wants the 18 suspects detained by Saudi Arabia in the killing to face trial in Turkish courts, a demand the kingdom will probably resist. Saudi Arabia has said it will punish those involved and has described the suspects as rogue operators, even though officials linked to Saudi Arabias assertive Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have been implicated. Although he didnt mention Prince Mohammed, Erdogan likely knows that the kingdoms major decisions always require the approval of those at the top of the ruling Al Saud family. As of now, we expect of them to openly bring to light those responsible from the highest ranked to the lowest and to bring them to justice, the Turkish president said. Han, the Istanbul analyst, said Erdogan is moving cautiously, wary that Prince Mohammed might stay in control despite the scandal or could succumb to pressure over the Khashoggi killing and relinquish power. The latter outcome would benefit Turkey because the crown prince is consciously and continuously pursuing strategies that work against Turkey, Han said. Modern tensions between the two countries date to the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011. Turkey supported some political Islamists who rose to power, but Saudi Arabia and its ally, the United Arab Emirates, viewed the Pan-Arab Sunni movement as a threat to their hereditarily ruled nations. Another opportunity emerging from the fallout over Khashoggis death could be an improvement in ties with the U.S. after Washington imposed sanctions on Ankara over the jailing of a U.S. pastor, said Marc Pierini, a former European Union diplomat to Turkey. At an event hosted by The Washington Post, U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence said Khashoggis death was a brutal murder and will not go without an American response. He declined to say whether he had seen any intelligence linking the crown prince to the killing, noting that CIA Director Gina Haspel was in Turkey, and added: I know that when the CIA director returns, she will be briefing the president, myself and our entire team on what the Turks have assembled. U.S. President Donald Trump has said hes not satisfied with the explanations hes heard from Saudi Arabia, seen as a key ally in U.S. efforts to isolate Iran. The foreign ministers of the G7 group of nations said Saudi Arabia should conduct a credible investigation, in full collaboration with the Turkish authorities. Confirming reports and leaks from anonymous officials in past days, Erdogan said 15 Saudi officials arrived in Istanbul shortly before Khashoggis death and that a man, apparently dressed in the writers clothes, acted as a possible decoy by walking out of the consulate on the day of the disappearance. Why did these 15 people all with links to the event gather in Istanbul on the day of the murder? We are seeking answers. Who did these people get their orders from to go there? We are seeking answers, Erdogan said. When the murder is so clear, why were so many inconsistent statements made? Why is the body of a person who has officially been accepted as killed still not around? Turkish investigators, meanwhile, inspected a car belonging to the consulate and found three suitcases, a laptop computer and clothes inside, state television TRT reported. Authorities discovered the car at an underground garage on Monday. In Riyadh on Tuesday, King Salman and Prince Mohammed received Khashoggis son, Salah, and his brother, Sahel, at the Yamama Palace, where the royals expressed their condolences. A friend of the Khashoggi family told The Associated Press that Salah has been under a travel ban since last year. The individual spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing reprisal. At a Cabinet meeting, King Salman again stressed those responsible for Khashoggis slaying would be held accountable, according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency. Also Tuesday, the crown prince attended an investment forum alongside King Abdullah II of Jordan. Prince Mohammed sat in on an afternoon session and looked at some promotional booths outside the main hall as an excited crowd of mostly young Saudi men recorded the encounter on their phones. Many Western executives and officials skipped the conference because of the killing. At its opening, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih described Khashoggis slaying as abhorrent. As we all know, these are difficult days for us in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he said. Nobody in the kingdom can justify it or explain it. From the leadership on down, were very upset of what has happened. Read more about: WASHINGTON The United States Cyber Command is targeting individual Russian operatives to try to deter them from spreading disinformation to interfere in elections, telling them that U.S. operatives have identified them and are tracking their work, according to officials briefed on the operation. The campaign, which includes missions undertaken in recent days, is the first known overseas cyberoperation to protect U.S. elections, including the November mid-terms. The operations come as the Justice Department outlined Friday a campaign of information warfare by Russians aimed at influencing the midterm elections, highlighting the broad threat the U.S. government sees from Moscows influence campaign. Defence officials would not say how many individuals they were targeting, and they would not describe the methods that Cyber Command has used to send the direct messages to the operatives behind the influence campaigns. It is not clear if the information was delivered in an email, a chat or some other electronic intervention. Senior defence officials said they were not directly threatening the operatives. Still, former officials said anyone singled out would know, based on the U.S. governments actions against other Russian operatives, that they could be indicted or targeted with sanctions. Even the unstated threat of sanctions could help deter some Russians from participating in covert disinformation campaigns, said Andrea Kendall-Taylor, a former intelligence official now with the Center for a New American Security. This would be a way to generate leverage that can change behaviour, she said. Read more: Canada works with allies to combat foreign election interference The Cyber Command operations appear relatively measured, especially in comparison with the increasingly elaborate and sophisticated efforts by Russia to use disinformation to sow dissent in the United States. But the U.S. campaign undertaken in response to Russias information offensive is limited in large part to keep Moscow from escalating in response by taking down the power grid or conducting some other reprisal that could trigger a bigger clash between great powers. Compared with traditional armed conflict, the rules of cyberwarfare are not well-defined. Cyber Command was founded in 2009 to defend military networks, but has also developed offensive capabilities. The command shares a headquarters and leadership with the National Security Agency (NSA), which collects electronic and signals intelligence. A joint Cyber Command-NSA team has been working on the effort to identify and deter foreign influence campaigns. U.S. officials also said the campaign is one aspect of a broader effort, which includes purges by social media companies of fake accounts that spread propaganda, to fight Russian intrusion in democratic elections. Cyber Command has also sent teams to Europe to shore up the defences of U.S. allies and partners so they can combat Russian intrusions on their own government networks, according to defence officials. U.S. intelligence officials have concluded that Russia is unlikely to try to hack into voting machines or directly manipulate voting results this year. On Friday, the director of national intelligence said that state and local governments have reported attempted intrusions into their networks, but that foreign governments have not penetrated voting systems. But Russian efforts to sway public opinion by spreading false information have continued, and officials said those efforts are becoming more refined, targeting specific groups of Americans. Almost all of the Russian disinformation efforts, according to current and former officials, are aimed at sowing dissent, polarizing the political parties and setting the stage for the 2020 presidential election. The defence officials would not identify their targets. But other officials said some of the targets were involved in previous Russian efforts to spread disinformation in the United States and Europe, including the 2016 presidential election. The new U.S. campaign, according to these officials, is aimed at both oligarch-funded hacking groups and Russian intelligence operatives who are part of Moscows disinformation campaign. It is not clear whether Cyber Commands effort is also aimed at halting Russian operatives charged with hacking political entities. Others said the U.S. government must be ready to go further cutting off the Russians ability to spread propaganda. It is very important to identify the source and essentially be able to neutralize that source, said Laura Rosenberger, the director of the Alliance for Securing Democracy and a former Obama administration official. These are networks that operate. The more we can identify the key nodes in those networks and remove them by taking them offline is really how we will get at this problem in a systemic way and not play whack-a-mole. Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, the head of Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, hinted at the new cyberoperations this month as he noted that U.S. adversaries are looking to really take us on below that level of armed conflict by sowing distrust in society and attempt to disrupt our elections. This is what great power competition looks like today, and its what we will look at as we look to the future, he said during a panel discussion in Washington. Cyber Command has a relatively short history of overseas operations against adversaries, but it did conduct missions aimed at curtailing the ability of the Islamic State to spread propaganda and recruit online. Those operations, which included efforts to freeze computers, yielded mixed results. Assessing the effectiveness of U.S. cyberoperations at this point is difficult. The director of national intelligence, Dan Coats, is expected to complete a review after the November midterm elections. But some U.S. officials said they believed the initial operations had at least partly diminished the effectiveness of Moscows election manipulation effort. Similarly, British officials also said they had seen less activity by Russian propagandists than expected after their identification of the Russian intelligence agents behind the poisoning in the spring of a former Russian spy and the Dutch authorities detailing this month of a failed Russian cyberattack on the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Outside experts believe that a major reason Russian social media trolls are less effective is aggressive work by technology companies. Twitter and Facebook purges of Russian-created or controlled accounts have reduced the effectiveness of Moscows propaganda, said Ben Nimmo, an expert on Russias online misinformation efforts at the Atlantic Councils Digital Forensic Research Lab. Some U.S. officials have said they were frustrated by what they viewed as President Donald Trumps timidity at taking on the Russians involved in election meddling. Trump has frequently wavered about whether he believes the Russians interfered in the 2016 elections to help his bid for the presidency. But officials said broad agreement existed throughout the rest of the government that the Russian interference campaign was ongoing and required a more muscular response to deter further meddling. With the new campaign, U.S. officials said, they are trying to hamper Russia from meddling in the 2018 vote and deter future efforts. Cyber Commands new operations reflect a push by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to expand the Pentagons role countering Russian hackers threatening U.S. and its allies. In the White House, John R. Bolton, the national security adviser, has also been pushing to speed up approval for election defence operations. Bolton announced new cyberwarfare authorities last month, but the White House provided few details. Under the new guidelines, Trump has handed off approval for certain actions to the National Security Council, secretary of defence or head of Cyber Command, depending on the operation. In the final months of the Obama administration, as details of Russias interference in the 2016 election were uncovered, officials privately pushed Cyber Command and the National Security Agency to create options to respond. Cyber Command and the NSA were hesitant to offer options, a former official said, out of concern that if they tried to directly deter Moscows activities, Russian operatives would learn too much about Americas espionage techniques, among the governments most closely held secrets. Since taking the helm of Cyber Command and the NSA in May, Nakasone has said he has the authority to act against adversaries threatening U.S. elections. Inside both the command and the agency, he has pushed to develop new options to deter interference. U.S. officials say the Russian effort to destabilize the U.S. elections is closely tied to Moscows work in Europe. The criminal complaint unsealed Friday showed that Elena Alekseevna Khusyaynova, the St. Petersburg accountant involved in the disinformation campaign in the United States, was also active in Europe, including in Ukraine, considered the focus of Moscows efforts to weaken its neighbours and the West. Cyber Command has also sent teams to Ukraine, Macedonia and Montenegro to build up defences against Russian hackers intent on penetrating government networks on its doorstep in Eastern Europe. Read more about: In the aftermath of the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, rage is building. Tremors are being felt everywhere, including in the White House. The situation is unprecedented and Riyadh knows it. Consequently, Saudi Arabia is changing its tune. The Saudis initially said that Khashoggi left the consulate in Istanbul after his meeting there. Then Donald Trump introduced the idea that rogue elements were responsible for his disappearance. Now Riyadh has conceded that Khashoggi, the fierce critic of Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, was killed inside the consulate. Before changing its story, however, Riyadh made another blunder. It threatened to use oil as a weapon. It said that if the Saudis were sanctioned for Khashoggis death, Riyadh would retaliate with even stronger ones. That was enough to send ripples of concern around the globe. The kingdom also affirms that if it receives any action, it will respond with greater action and that the kingdoms economy has an influential and vital role in the global economy, the Saudi Press Agency said, quoting a government source. Market anxieties were further exacerbated by an opinion piece by Turki Al-Dakhil, the head of the state-owned Al-Arabiya news network. In the piece, Al-Dakhil talked about using oil as a weapon and said that imposing sanctions on the worlds largest oil exporter could spark a global economic disaster. Al-Dakhil cautioned the Trump administration that if it took action against Riyadh, the United States would stab its own economy to death. It would lead to Saudi Arabias failure to commit to producing 7.5 million barrels, Al-Dakhil said. If the price of oil reaching $80 (U.S.) angered President Trump, no one should rule out the price jumping to $100, or $200, or even double that figure. Is Saudi Arabia really positioned to carry out such a threat? Can Riyadh still use oil as a weapon to counter the global outcry? Can it even afford to do so? The answer is a big no! Strategically, such a move would unravel decades of the Saudis hard work making the world believe oil is an economic commodity and not a strategic weapon. Economically, such a move is simply untenable. The rush from camel to Cadillac has taken its toll. Saudi Arabia needs plenty of petrodollars. Gone are the days when the late King Faisal had the audacity to tell Henry Kissinger, If we are pushed to the wall, we would burn our (oil) wells and go back to tents. No more. Saudis can no longer go back to tents. Riyadh is currently running a deficit budget. Despite some plugging, even in 2018, Riyadh is expected to register a deficit of 195 billion riyals ($52 billion). Riyadh is now one of the biggest emerging-market debt issuers since it started borrowing internationally in 2016. From a peak of $737 billion in August 2014, current Saudi foreign exchange reserves have dwindled, hovering around $506 billion. The war on Yemen, initiated in March 2015, as soon as MBS had emerged on the scene, is extracting a price of its own. The cost of war to Saudi Arabia is somewhere around $100 to $200 billion per year. Other estimates are higher. Despite this, in order to obtain political support in concerned capitals, Riyadh appears to be on a spending spree. Under MBS, it has signed defence contracts worth hundreds of billions of dollars with major western powers. In one of the biggest single arms deals in U.S. history, contracts worth $110 billion were signed between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia last year. According to some reports, the deal was expected to exceed $350 billion over the next 10 years. Riyadh has also signed defence contracts worth more than $100 billion with the United Kingdom. Under the Vision 2030 program launched by MBS, Saudi Arabia has also inked memorandums of understanding worth hundreds of billions of dollars with high-tech global companies. Managing these outflows are simply not possible without the inflow of abundant petrodollars, make the Saudi threat an empty one. For Saudi Arabia to stop selling crude and live without the inflow of petrodollars, even for a few months, is implausible, improbable and inconceivable. Rashid Husain Syed is a Toronto-based political and energy analyst with insight into the Middle East. Read more about: Its possible easy, even to pick apart the Trudeau governments new plan to tax carbon emissions in provinces that refuse to do the job themselves. Many environmentalists will point out that it isnt ambitious enough to go very far toward fighting the effects of climate change, and they will be right. Others will argue that the governments plan to refund the cost of the tax to people in the four affected provinces next spring is a politically motivated move in an election year. They may be right, as well. But quibbles aside, the Liberal government is firmly on the right side of what is shaping up to be one of the main issues in next falls election, perhaps the defining issue. The Trudeau plan isnt a comprehensive solution to tackling climate change; in fact, no one ever pretended it was. And no doubt political calculations are involved in softening the impact on voters by making sure the average family actually comes out ahead when it receives a rebate next spring through the income tax system. We doubt many will be shocked at the idea that politicians take the political angles into account. But if it takes some political finagling to make it work, that will be a small price to pay to see a price put on carbon right across Canada. The evidence, and simple logic, are overwhelming that putting a price on something incents people and businesses to produce less of it. Imposing a price on carbon emissions, even a relatively low one to start with, is the smartest and most efficient way to reduce emissions. Economists from both right and left agree on that. It would have been far preferable for the provinces to devise their own plans and avoid turning this issue into a federal-provincial confrontation. And when the Trudeau Liberals first brought up the idea it looked as though almost all provinces, with the exception of Saskatchewan, would go along. That changed when the Ford Conservatives were elected in Ontario and dumped the provinces cap-and-trade program. Manitoba and New Brunswick have turned against carbon pricing, too, and Alberta will join the conservative pack if its NDP government goes down to defeat next year, as is likely. But awkward as it may be, the federal government is right to persist even if it means a fight. Climate change is too important an issue to let opposition from conservative-led governments stall action entirely. The latest of many reminders on that front came just a couple of weeks ago, when the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned in a comprehensive new assessment that the world has only about a dozen more years to stop global warming from becoming a catastrophe. In the face of this, what do the conservative opponents of carbon pricing and the Trudeau governments rebate program propose? In a word, nothing. When the Ford government axed Ontarios cap-and-trade regime, it failed to come up with anything to replace it. Instead, Premier Doug Ford started crusading across the country against the job-killing carbon tax. He has a slogan, not a climate plan. Federal Conservative leader Andrew Scheer has nothing more to offer. He promises his party will come up with a climate plan before the next election. In the meantime, hes content to join the conservative common front railing against taxes and Trudeau. Its the opposite of leadership on this crucial issue. Even with the federal carbon tax, starting at $20 a tonne next year and rising to $50 by 2022, Canada risks falling short of its targets on climate change, by the governments own admission. Carbon pricing in the way the government has chosen to do it is a timid first step. But if the government gives up even that in the face of opposition, it has no hope at all of making progress. It has chosen to stand and fight on this issue, and it is right to do so. Read more about: Justin Trudeau effectively kicked off the 2019 federal election campaign Tuesday with a you-cant-lose carbon tax pledge to voters in Ontario. Whether the prime ministers so-called federal government backstop plan will sufficiently reduce climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions is another question. But at least we now know how the governing Liberals hope to frame next Octobers federal election. As Trudeau explained in a CBC Radio interview Tuesday, he plans to take on the Conservative movement of Ontario Premier Doug Ford and federal Tory Leader Andrew Scheer by instituting a combination of carbon taxes and rebates that will somehow end up leaving more money in the hands of average families than it removes. Its not exactly a sleight of hand. But its close. The political problem facing the Liberals is that their signature promise of 2015 fighting climate change through the imposition of a price on carbon is in danger of coming undone. Saskatchewan was never on side. Now it has been joined by Ontario, Manitoba and New Brunswick. The recalcitrant provinces have been unable or unwilling to come up with their own carbon tax plans. And so Ottawa has responded, as it said it would, by imposing its own tax on the foursome. On Tuesday, in Toronto, Trudeau explained how the new tax would work. First, it wont be called a tax. It will be labelled instead a price on pollution. Second, it will be offset by plenty of goodies. Big emitters like cement and fertilizer producers that face international competition will be given a special break. So, too, will greenhouse operators. Farmers and fishermen will be completely exempted from the tax, as will those living in remote communities who depend on diesel-fired electricity generation. Everyone else will face a higher tax on fuel, including gasoline, natural gas and home heating oil. Ontarians will pay four cents a litre more for gasoline next year, rising to 11 cents by 2022. Those who heat their homes with light fuel oil will see the price rise by five cents a litre next year, rising to 13 cents by 2022. Yet, miraculously, most will get all of this money back, in some cases even before they spend it. Thats because Ottawa will mail out rebates (called incentive payments by the Liberals) to anyone in the four hold-out provinces who files an income tax return. In Ontario, the feds reckon, an average household will spend $244 more on fuel but get $300 back in rebates. Residents who live in small and rural communities will get 10 per cent more. Oh, yes. As well, 10 per cent of the carbon tax revenue raised will go to universities, hospitals, schools and small businesses to help them adapt. In short, the Liberals say, its a great deal. A tax to fight climate change is levied. But almost no one pays it. In fact (in the first year, at least) most Ontarians get more back from the new tax than they pay. Take that, Doug Ford. Eat your heart out, Andrew Scheer. As with most miracles, however, there are problems. One is that, for the arithmetic to work out, someone has to pay. The government doesnt say who that will be. But its a good bet that the politically important constituency of suburban commuters will be net losers. Another is that its not clear how effective the proposed combination of taxes and subsidies will be in creating incentives for people to use less energy. Would you drive less if you knew youd receive a cheque to cover any extra fuel costs incurred? Finally, theres the real problem: Even with a fully functioning carbon tax, the Liberal government is nowhere near meeting the targets it set for itself in the 2015 climate summit. Politically, Trudeaus everybody-wins carbon tax may end up spiking the guns of his Conservative adversaries. But will it address climate change in any real way? Im not sure it will. Walkom is a Toronto-based columnist covering politics. Follow him on Twitter: Thomasis a Toronto-based columnist covering politics. Follow him on Twitter: @tomwalkom Read more about: OTTAWAForeign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland is denying concerns that the new continental free trade deal gives Washington more freedom to impose tariffs on the grounds of national security, like the ones slapped on Canadian exports of steel and aluminum. On Monday, Canadas and Mexicos foreign ministers could not say when those tariffs would be lifted. Id love them to be lifted today, Freeland said. She has repeatedly insisted American tariffs are illegal and unjustified, and warranted Canadas retaliation: counter-tariffs worth $16 billion on American goods, ranging from ketchup and Kentucky bourbon to U.S. steel and aluminum. There is nothing at all stopping any of us from lifting these tariffsthis afternoon, said Freeland. That is what we are communicating very directly to our U.S. partners. Mexicos incoming foreign minister Marcelo Ebrard appeared more realistic about when tariffs might be withdrawn. I think the time that might occur is when the agreement is signed, he said. U.S. lawmakers say they wont vote on the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement until 2019 after mid-term elections are over. But trade experts caution that the new deal actually contains looser language that would allow the U.S. to slap on future tariffs using the same national security argument. International trade lawyer Lawrence Herman said in a recent interview that while the new deal maintains stability and certainty of rules in many areas, there are some rollbacks. Among them, he listed auto rules of origin that have changed significantly; a portion of the heavily regulated Canadian agriculture sector has been opened up to American imports; Canada agreed to a 16-year review or expiry clause; agreed to advise in advance the United States of any trade negotiations with China, and we havent fully eliminated the national security surcharges that the U.S. imposes. Herman said in fact the U.S. has a broader right to apply national security measures under this agreement than they have under the NAFTA. The text of the old NAFTA was aligned with language under the WTO (World Trade Organization) and GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) which says countries can take national security measures in time of war or other emergency in international relations, said Herman. That was a fairly limited exemption, he said. Trump has said I dont care what the GATT or the WTO or the NAFTA say; Im going to use these national security measures as I wish. Herman said the new agreement actually contains a more liberal exemption, because the reference to national security measures to be taken in time of war or other emergency has been eliminated. So each government can take steps in its own national security interests as it sees fit. He suggests it was the kind of concession that had to be made to secure a deal. We had to give up something. Look, we were dealing with a very difficult, aggressive, unfair negotiator. Theres no question that the United States negotiated in bad faith in my view. He pointed to Trumps threats of action, threats of surcharges, threats of withdrawal, negotiating a deal with Mexico in a tripartite arrangement, negotiating behind Canadas back with Mexico and springing a deal on Canada a month before an agreement was to be tabled. This is not a hugely successful outcome but its a good outcome under the circumstances. Freeland flatly denied any concerns Monday. Asked at a news conference whether the looser language in the deal and the continuation of the American tariffs would allow future use of such tariffs as a trade weapon, Freeland was blunt: No I dont think we have. I agree, said Ebrard. Canada has challenged the tariffs before WTO and NAFTA panels, and is resisting American pressure to agree to quotas on its imports in exchange for removal of the surcharges. Much of the official Oppositions and public skepticism about the new deal is grounded in the fact that the U.S. continues to impose its steel and aluminum tariffs on foreign imports from Canada and Mexico that first took effect in June. Ebrard said the incoming Mexican government, which takes power Dec. 1, will nevertheless support the deal, now being reviewed by the Mexican Congress, despite its own reservations about it. We believe that it is not the very best agreement but we do need to support the advances that have been made, Ebrard told reporters. We believe it is worth supporting the agreement looking to the future of all three countries. Read more about: OTTAWAPrime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested Monday his government is looking at freezing export permits to Saudi Arabia as pressure mounted on the Canadian government to follow Germanys lead and suspend arms sales in the wake of the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Kashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Turkey. In the Commons, the NDP pressed Trudeau to act as evidence mounts of the Saudi regimes culpability not only in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but also in the dire conditions facing citizens in war-torn Yemen. New Democrat foreign affairs critics Helene Laverdiere said Saudi Arabia leads a military coalition accused of war crimes in Yemen where 12 million people could starve to death. They are one of the worlds worst human rights offenders. So can the government stop the double-speak and stop arming rogue nations like Saudi Arabia? Trudeau, who met with senior ministers Monday to discuss the Khashoggi case, said his government was working with its G7 allies to coordinate an appropriate response to Khashoggis death. We condemn the horrible murder of Jamal Khashoggi, Trudeau told the Commons, adding we are deeply concerned about reports on the participation of Saudi forces. We strongly demand and expect that Canadian exports are used in a way that fully respects human rights. Thats why our government is committed to a stronger and more rigourous arms export system and to the Arms Trade Treaty. We have also frozen export permits before when we have concerns about their potential misuse and we will not hesitate to do so again. Trudeaus Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland told reporters that Canada views the Saudi regimes explanations of circumstances around Khashoggis death as not consistent, not coherent and not credible. However, when reporters asked if she is now considering a review of Canadas sale of light armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia, Freeland dodged a direct answer, saying it is important for G7 allies to coordinate a response. There are very important questions about the entire relationship with Saudi Arabia that need to be asked, said Freeland. She said the ministerial meeting Trudeau convened Monday was a very important part of that conversation inside our government and we are having these serious conversations with our partners and allies. We are working together to press for a transparent and credible investigation and we are very clear that there must be an accounting for this murder; those responsible must be brought to justice and must face the consequences, Freeland said, standing next to Mexicos incoming foreign affairs minister. Canada is very mindful of the fact that this murder occurred in Turkey and its very important for Turkey to be a part of the conversation. However, cancelling Canadas 14-year deal to export military transport vehicles that was signed in 2014 between Saudi Arabia and Canada under the previous Conservative government could prove politically difficult and costly. As the Star first reported in 2016, Ottawa would have to pay a multibillion dollar penalty up to the full value of the $15 billion contract by some estimates if it cancels the contract to export light armoured vehicles to a country it has regarded as a Middle Eastern ally. Ottawa concluded earlier this year that there was no evidence any LAVs already sold to the Saudis were used against civilians, however it moved to tighten its ability to scrutinize the use of such exports. Conservative justice critic Tony Clement says Canada should invoke the new Magnitsky Act to sanction those responsible for the killing of Khashoggi. Clement says Saudi Arabia has already identified some individuals who were partially responsible for Khashoggis death, adding that the Magnitsky law is a next step the government should consider. This may be a prime case for applying the Magnitsky law, Clement told reporters Monday morning. Canada passed a law last year called the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, known as the Magnitsky Act, which gives the government the authority to freeze Canadian assets of foreign individuals who are found to have violated human rights. With a file from the Canadian Press Read more about: OTTAWACanadians arent happy about the revised trade deal with the United States and Mexico with many disappointed about the outcome and thinking that Washington got the upper hand, a new poll reveals. Forty-five per cent say they are disappointed or very disappointed with the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, compared to 34 per cent who say they are pleased or very pleased, according to the survey done by the Angus Reid Institute. This has not necessarily been the slam dunk political winner for Justin Trudeau, Shachi Kurl, the institutes executive director, said Monday. There is a feeling of ambivalence and brooding about this deal and there is a strong feeling of being absolutely bruised by people who are supposed to be our best friends, she said, referring to contentious negotiations with the Americans. Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland have touted the new pact meant to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement as profoundly beneficial. In the new deal, Canada was able to preserve the dispute mechanism that it had claimed was a deal-breaker. And it kept Canadian access to the North American automobile market. But it was forced to make concessions on dairy, opening up a portion of the Canadian market to American producers. As well, the conclusion of trade talks did not end the steel and aluminum trade war between Canada and the U.S. The poll suggests that Canadians arent sold on the outcome, a view that might prove troublesome for the federal Liberals and their efforts to sell the agreement as a good one for Canadian workers and the country's economy. The online survey of 1,500 Canadians was done Oct. 11-17, just after the deal was concluded. A sample of this size would carry a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, according to the institute. It shows that 50 per cent of Canadians think the negotiating team was too soft and gave up too much in order to seal the deal. Thirty-nine per cent thought the Canadians struck the right balance while 11 per cent believed Canadians were too tough and hurt the deal with a failure to compromise. Not surprisingly, some results cut along party lines the majority of Conservatives (54 per cent) and New Democrats (52 per cent) voice disappointment compared to just 33 per cent of Liberal supporters. Opinions also vary across the country. Quebecers are the most disappointed, at 58 per cent, followed by 50 per cent in Saskatchewan. Ontario is about evenly split with 39 per cent saying they are pleased and 40 per cent saying they are disappointed. Asked whether the new deal would be better for Canada than no deal at all, opinion split three ways 35 per cent said it was better than nothing, 34 per cent said it will be worse and 31 per cent predicted it will be about the same. The public concerns play into criticism voiced by political opponents that the Liberal government didnt get the best deal possible. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer has claimed that he could have gotten a better deal from the Trump White House. And Ontario Premier Doug Ford has called on Ottawa to compensate industries that were thrown under the bus in the deal. The poll also reveals that Donald Trump's bruising rhetoric and threats against Canada during the negotiations has left its mark Canadian views about the U.S. are at their lowest ebb in decades. For the first time in 40 years, the number of Canadians who say they have a favourable view of the U.S. has dropped before 50 per cent, down 13 points from 2016. Until now the previous low was 59 per cent, in 2005, in the aftermath of President George W. Bushs controversial decision to go to war in Iraq. Driving that view is the very negative opinion that 49 per cent of Canadians hold about Trump, who has been critical of Canada and the prime minister over the course of the talks. Trump branded Trudeau as dishonest and weak after Junes G7 summit in Quebec. The presidents senior economic advisers then piled on with their own unprecedented attack on the prime minister, calling him amateurish and sophomoric. Tonda MacCharles is an Ottawa-based reporter covering federal politics. Follow her on Twitter: @tondamacc Read more about: VANCOUVERFollowing the results of Saturdays tight and tense civic election, Vancouverites took to social media to voice concerns over a lack of diversity at city hall, often under the hashtag #VancouverSoWhite. City council is, in fact, so white. While electing eight women including two incumbents was celebrated as historic, many questioned why there were no members of racialized groups such as Chinese-Canadians or South Asians. No candidates from the aforementioned groups with the exception of incoming Green Party of Vancouver councillor Pete Fry made it to city hall. This is a tough conversation that Vancouver needs to have, according to Kevin Huang, executive director at the Hua Foundation, a youth-driven non-profit working to bring together cultural heritage and social change. In a region that is so diverse, both historically and in modern times, where is that representation and why is that happening? he questioned in a phone interview. When people dont see themselves within elected officials or positions of power, of course, they disengage. While the word diversity is frequently thrown around in politics, Huang said, progressives havent been great about speaking directly to race. Instead, words such as multiculturalism mask the uncomfortable and challenging conversations around white privilege. Read more: With population boom, Vancouvers downtown and east-side voters could sway municipal election results Foreign-buyer-focused Vancouver party faces racist threats and attracts controversy of its own Bernier far-right party a nightmare scenario for Tories across Canada, warns Stockwell Day The fear is that there is still xenophobia. People might not think of it as these terms because theyre defined as egregious acts, he said. That undertone we really need to unsurface. Theres also a danger in treating ethnic groups as monoliths. Even within the Chinese-Canadian community, theres major fractures in waves of migrations, geopolitical differences and lifestyle, he explained. We really need to tackle that challenge both within our own communities but also, broadly speaking, within the city as a whole. According to Statistics Canada 2016 census data, roughly 1.2 million Metro Vancouverites identify as a visible minority. This number does not account for First Nations, Metis or Inuit persons. But the problem of racial equity is not solved simply by representation, Huang added. How do we tackle power bases to give up positions of power, so that other people can have the opportunity to learn? he asked. Its not just about bringing non-whites in, its about what we can do as individuals to make room, including taking a step back. Its very hard for people of colour to thrive within current systems because theyre tokenized, he explained. Huang said these candidates are often relegated to background positions, while having to adopt specific values for the party base. Still, Huang was shocked that neither OneCitys Brandon Yan or Green Party of Vancouvers David Wong were elected, despite their strong party alliances and popularity. For him, that indicates trouble. But given the overwhelming number of choices, voters likely turned to familiar parties or names to find refuge, according to Jagdeesh Mann, media professional and editor of the South Asian Post, a Vancouver-based publication. As a result, this is definitely the whitest council since 1986, he said in a phone interview. I am OK with the best candidates winning. But on the other hand, we live in a series of communities that patchwork together like a jigsaw, and you want those voices. Its important to create channels to other communities, who may have different ideas around transit, zoning and housing. For instance, Mann said, an obvious example is multi-generational homes for extended family networks. The question then becomes: is it prejudice that keeps diverse candidates off council? Its more complex than that, he said. We tend to think the experiences we come across in our echo chambers represent reality, and its not always the case. He said that choice paralysis, voter turnout, voter demographics and voting along culturally comfortable lines all played their part in the recent election. And these structural issues merit a closer look. Unlike federal and provincial politics where theres enough electoral muscle to win a nomination, the same becomes impossible at a municipal level because of the ethnic silos positioned across the city. Thats why Mann supports moving toward a ward system, where cities are divided into neighbourhoods with an individual council candidate representative. Former city councillor Ellen Woodsworth agrees. She is the founder and chair of Women Transforming Cities, which first launched in the 2014 election to urge parties to prioritize gender equality. If youre not in a party, you cant get elected, she explained. We are one of the few cities in North America that doesnt have a ward system. Without it, you cannot get known. A city this large only mobilizes a small proportion of the population to vote. That means roughly half the population is not represented equitably, she noted. Their Hot Pink Paper campaign called for a council with 50 per cent female candidates and for all parties to put a gendered and intersectional lens to their platforms, policies and budgets. Mayor-elect Kennedy Stewart, along with all of the councillors, represent parties that committed to several of the Hot Pink Paper issues, she said. While Woodsworth applauded eight of the 10 councillors being women, she said the big heartbreak is the lack of diversity, noting that given Vancouvers demographic makeup, there should be someone of Asian descent and someone of Indigenous heritage on council. What Ive heard is that many women are deciding not to run because of social media We are busy surviving and dealing with the repercussions of gender or race, let alone stepping into a public arena where we will be subject to even more racism, sexism or xenophobia, she said. Its a serious political situation. Correction October 23, 2018: This article was edited from a previous version that said there were no LGBTQ candidates on Vancouver city council. In fact, newly-elected council member Rebecca Bligh is married to her wife Laura. Read more about: VANCOUVERA drivers licence belonging to Ashley Simpson, who vanished two years ago near Salmon Arm, B.C., has been found 1,200 kilometres north at a remote truckers lodge on the Alaska Highway, StarMetro has learned. The discovery is the first piece of physical evidence connected to the St. Catharines, Ont., woman since she disappeared in April 2016, but it hasnt shed much light on what happened to her. How the licence surfaced so far from where Simpson disappeared remains a mystery. The ID was found Oct. 9 inside the tank of a sewage vacuum truck used by the Sasquatch Crossing Lodge in Pink Mountain, B.C. The motel and work camp caters to truck drivers, roughnecks and other oil-and-gas workers on the Alaska Highway, about two hours northwest of Fort St. John. Simpson is one of five women, featured in a joint Toronto Star/StarMetro investigation published Oct. 3, who disappeared in B.C.s north Okanagan Valley during a roughly two-year period. Police believe Simpson and at least two others met with foul play. Only one of those women 18-year-old Traci Genereaux has been found. Her body was discovered in October 2017 on a farm outside Salmon Arm following an intensive police search. No one has yet been charged in connection with her death or the disappearances of any of the other women. Canada-wide, there are approximately 7,000 cases where a person has been missing for at least three months. The majority of those cases go back decades, the earliest of which dates from around 1914, according to the RCMP. But even in the past 10 years alone, about 1,800 people across the country have gone missing and remained missing. Read more: Their daughters vanished and parents say police stopped looking. Now desperate families are searching on their own Human remains found on B.C. farm identified as missing woman B.C. mom erects billboards to help find daughter, missing for 25 years Nearly a quarter of those cases are from B.C. Adjusted for population, B.C.s missing persons rate is twice the national average and almost five times higher than Canadas most populous province, Ontario. Simpson, 32, lived and worked at the Sasquatch Crossing and its sister motel The Buffalo Inn for three seasons, working in the kitchens and managing reservations. She had travelled from Ontario to the northern B.C. work camps with her father Jon, who worked as a cook. In February 2016, she left the highway workers community with her boyfriend Derek Favell, who worked at a nearby Pink Mountain business. They moved south to Salmon Arm, where the pair lived in a trailer until she vanished on April 27, 2016. Simpsons Ontario drivers licence was found during a routine cleaning of the truck, according to staff at the lodge who did not provide their names. The truck is used to collect human waste from the work camp. RCMP have interviewed the maintenance worker who found the licence, according to staff at the lodge. RCMP spokesman Cpl. Dan Moskaluk confirmed the licence was found but did not provide any other details. A manager at Sasquatch Crossing sent a photo of the ID to Simpsons mother, Cindy Simpson, and placed the licence in the mail. Cindy Simpson said the manager told her in a Facebook message on Oct. 9 that maintenance staff had just found the ID while cleaning the truck. How it would end up in the tank is strange, the manager wrote, according to Cindy Simpson. Simpsons family was surprised to learn the licence was found at Pink Mountain, considering she vanished across the province in Salmon Arm. Family members who Simpson was in regular contact with said she never mentioned she had lost her licence and that she never got a licence in B.C. Reached by phone from a freighter ship near Baie Comeau, Quebec a week after the discovery, Cindy Simpson said that, based on the condition of the ID in the photo, she doesnt believe it could have been in sewage since her daughter disappeared. Had it have been sitting there for two and a half years in human waste, it wouldnt be in the condition that its in, she said. StarMetro and St. Catharines Standard reporters have seen the same photo. It shows an Ontario drivers licence that appears to be in good condition, with no discoloration or obvious damage. Nobody knows how it got there. Thats the big question, Cindy Simpson said. Its unclear how often the truck in question is serviced. Staff at the Sasquatch Crossing told the Standard that the septic tanks at the lodge have been emptied by vacuum trucks twice since the ID was found. Simpson did not return to northern B.C. after she left with Favell in February 2016. A 2017 investigation by the St. Catharines Standard found that Favell and Simpson often fought while in Salmon Arm. The couple were unemployed and lived in Favells Dutchmen trailer on the property of one of his friends. Family and friends described their relationship as mutually abusive. She sent family in Ontario pictures of bruises on her arms. Those same family members say she put out cigarettes on Favells arms. She was last seen on April 27, 2016, when Simpson, Favell and a friend visited Margaret Falls, hiking through dense forest to the waterfall north of Salmon Arm across Shuswap Lake. The couple fought for the entire trip. The friend dropped them off at the trailer, where they were still arguing. Two days later, Favell sent text messages to Simpsons family in Ontario, asking whether they had heard from her. He said she packed a pink suitcase and left on foot in the night. After Simpson vanished, Favell left Salmon Arm. His Facebook page says he lives in Fort St. John. He did not respond to an interview request for this story. Prior to her disappearance, Simpsons family pleaded with her to return to Ontario. They said she had tentative plans to come home but insisted she wouldnt leave until Favell gave her money she says he owed her. Her mother said that if Simpson had lost her licence, she would have mentioned it. She would have told me. She would have needed her ID because of her plan to fly home, Cindy said. However, Sasquatch Crossing owner Melody Magaton said she thinks Simpson lost her licence years ago when she worked on Pink Mountain. There could be any number of explanations for the drivers licence turning up after all this time, Cindy said, but she thinks the one that makes the most sense is that someone had it until very recently. I dont know how I feel about it, Cindy said of the discovery. Has it changed my thoughts on where I think her remains are? No, I still believe that she is somewhere in the Okanagan. But more than two years on, not knowing continues to take its toll, Cindy said. Her birthday is next month. I wont be home, but I know its having a big impact on the family, too. Read more about: VANCOUVERIndigenous leaders, environmentalists and federal members of Parliament say the National Energy Board is repeating the same flawed process that resulted in its approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion being rejected by the Federal Court of Appeal. Speaking in Vancouver on Tuesday, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, said the Trans Mountain project has been a real stinker from the very beginning. The NEBs second crack at the project review, ordered by the courts, has done nothing to change his perspective. We intend to continue this battle no matter what it takes, he said. This is about the future of our grandchildren. His message came the same day that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced plans to move forward with a carbon tax in the four provinces to opposed the measure next year. While the federal government has repeatedly said it would meet its climate goals even with the pipeline expansion, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May said thats like digging a hole and trying to escape it at the same time. Eugene Kung, a staff lawyer with West Coast Environmental Law, said there may be a number of grounds on which to challenge the latest federal review of the controversial pipeline, including the short timelines for consultation and expert input and the limited geographic scope of the marine shipping impact assessment. In August, three Federal Court of Appeal judges unanimously ruled that Ottawas attempts to consult First Nations during the review process of the Trans Mountain expansion were flawed and called ignoring oil tanker risks an unjustified failure. The 1,100-km pipeline expansion is expected to triple the flow of diluted bitumen through the pipeline and increase oil tanker traffic to the Westridge Marine Terminal sevenfold. The court quashed the projects go-ahead until the NEB conducts further environmental assessment and a new consultation process. Minutes after the ruling, an overwhelming 99 per cent of Kinder Morgan shareholders voted to finalize the sale of the $7.4-billion project to Canada. In response, the federal government said it would re-initiate consultations with affected Indigenous communities and directed the NEB to reconsider its recommendation to approve the pipeline, this time taking into account the increase in marine shipping. The government gave the board 155 days to report back. In a statement, a spokesperson for the board, James Stevenson, said the NEB is confident it can complete a thorough review of the marine shipping impacts within the timeline set out by the federal government. Stevenson explained that the board has limited its assessment of marine shipping to 12 nautical miles: the territorial sea zone, as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, where Canada has full sovereignty. Whether that is the minimum or not, I think the point is we have to stop aiming for the minimum, said Kung. He wants the board to expand the assessment to 200 nautical miles from the coast, the area included in Canadas exclusive economic zone, where the government still has jurisdiction to protect the marine environment. Alongside the review of marine shipping impacts, the federal government was ordered to redo consultations with affected Indigenous nations. In a statement to StarMetro, Vanessa Adams, a spokesperson for Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi, said the minister has begun meeting and speaking with Indigenous leaders and will continue to engage with them. This project will benefit all Canadians, and we will take the time so that we can move forward in the right way, she said, adding that no relationship is more important to our government than the one with Indigenous Peoples. Squamish Nation councillor Khelsilem, however, said that by putting time limits on the consultation redo the government is not upholding its promise for reconciliation. We want a fair process, he said. But theres a major problem going forward: both the government and those opposed to the project are entrenched in their positions. While the federal government has reiterated its intention to see the pipeline expansion built, Grand Chief Phillip told reporters Monday that, in short, there is no process that could convince him to support the pipeline. Environmental lawyer Kung added that the project would be rejected if a wholesome process was undertaken that considered both the up- and downstream impacts, the recent warnings from the UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and respected Indigenous rights. Perrin Grauer is a Vancouver-based reporter covering Canadas cannabis economy. Follow him on Twitter: perringrauer Read more about: EDWARDSVILLE Betsy Dirksen Londrigan made it clear to her supporters Tuesday that she is against any cuts to Social Security. Speaking on the same day her opponent, Republican U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, was in town to tour World Wide Technologies with U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, Londrigan conducted a press conference at 921 South Arbor Vitae, above Peel in Edwardsville. Londrigan, a Democrat, is facing Davis, the incumbent, in the race for U.S. House seat in Illinois 13th District. In interviews last week with both Bloomberg and Reuters, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stated that entitlements were adding to the national debt and need to be adjusted demographically in the future. Londrigan said that Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid have been paid for by their current and future recipients and should not be touched. I believe that these are earned benefits that you have paid into them, she said. That they are yours. And I stand against any cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Londrigan said that Americans have paid into social welfare accounts for years with the expectation that they should receive their benefits. Fundamentally, its the right thing to do. For people who have paid into this, to reap what they have sown, Londrigan said. And those benefit payments, she said, arent astronomical amounts. Lets talk about what Social Security does for people. We arent talking about people living high on the hog off their Social Security, she said. They average around $1,300 a month. Last year, 2017 alone, Social Security kept 27 million people out of poverty. Taking a not on my watch stand, Londrigan said voters have a choice on Nov. 6. They can vote for a Congressman who is a loyal foot soldier to his party that wants to cut Social Security and Medicare, she said. Or they can vote for somebody that is going to stand up and protect our Social Security and Medicare benefits. Ashley Phelps, a spokesperson for Davis, said Social Security is in jeopardy if no adjustments are made. Its unfortunate Londrigan continues to try to scare seniors by lying. No one is trying to reduce Social Security and Medicare benefits for seniors, but Congressman Davis is working to ensure these programs are around for future generations, Phelps wrote in an email. If nothing is done, Social Security is projected to become insolvent by 2034 and Medicare by 2026. Phelps went on to state that Davis has tried to close loopholes in the system. Congressman Davis voted for a plan in 2015 that is saving $198 billion by closing loopholes within these programs and requiring medical reviews for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) to cut down on fraud, Phelps wrote. The bottomline is Londrigan doesnt have a plan to protect these programs from insolvency. EDWARDSVILLE County officials will meet to find approximately $78,000 in savings from the latest county budget proposal, and the Finance and Government Operations Committee is expected to take a final vote Wednesday. The committee spent about three hours paring down approximately $448,000 from the general fund budget, which pays for most of the day-to-day expenses. That amount is the difference between last years tax levy and the proposed levy for next year. The committee also wants at least a plan to fix an anticipated shortfall in funds for social security payments, which could exhaust those funds reserves in a few years. The total budget is expected to be approximately $140 million. Of that, about $48.7 million is in general fund expenses, about $64.15 million in special revenue spending, and $8.9 million in capital improvements. Several committee members objected to the tax levy increase, which amounts to about a 1.5 percent increase over the current levy. I dont want any increase, Committee member David Michael, R-Highland, said. Agreeing with him were Tom McRae, R-Bethalto, and Phil Chapman, R-Highland. I thought these were some of the things we were going to do differently, McRae said. My vote would be a zero percent (increase) on the levy. The committee, along with Board Member Michael Parkinson, D-Granite City, who attended, then started looking at individual items to cut. First considered were several new positions. Eventually they agreed to cut one new court security and two facilities maintenance positions requested. Also cut was an unfilled position in the IT department, along with some of that departments travel budget. They were eventually able to get down to a $78,000 difference. A number of possibilities were considered, including cuts to the Madison County Historical Museum, which is already being cut; additional county-wide cuts in travel; and some specific positions. Committee Chair Lisa Ciampoli, R-Collinsville, eventually agreed to have County Administrator Doug Hulme to form a committee including Ciampoli, Hulme, Auditor Rick Faccin and a few others to come up with the final budget cuts. The committee will meet again at 4 p.m. Wednesday. That time was chosen to give the county time to put up the officials notice in time to comply with the Illinois Open Meetings Act. There is some urgency to final approval of the budget, which takes effect Dec. 1. It must be available for inspection for 15 days before the full County Board votes on it. That meeting is set for 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, the day before Thanksgiving. There was some talk at the Finance Committee meeting about changing the date, but no formal recommendation was made. Reach reporter Scott Cousins at 618-208-6447. The Republican-sponsored tax bill, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump, made our nations rich even richer but continues to impoverish our nation. Trump and the Republicans claimed that these tax cuts would pay for themselves by generating additional revenue, which is the traditional argument for what is known as trickle-down economics. Just as Democrats and most economists predicted, however, Trumps tax cuts are making our nations deficit spiral out of control. The Office of Management and Budget reported in July that it was forced to revise its forecasts from earlier this year to account for nearly $1 trillion of additional debt over the next decade. In other words, Trumps tax cuts for the wealthy will cost our nation an average of $100 billion in deficits annually. Will the Republicans who control both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives now rethink their commitment to trickle-down economics and ask the wealthy to shoulder a greater share of our nations tax burden? Heavens, no! The wealthy comprise the very bedrock of the GOP. Rich Americans finance the campaigns of Republican politicians, who know that they must keep our nations millionaires and billionaires happy in order to ensure a steady flow of dollars into their campaign coffers. American plutocrats love trickle-down economics because it works so well for them. The Republican politicians who depend on the wealthy to finance their campaigns arent about to state the truth about trickle-down economics: namely, that it benefits only the wealthy, while destroying our nation. Instead, the GOP will insist that if the deficit is skyrocketing, it cant possibly be the fault of Republicans and their tax policy. Someone else is surely to blame. Republican politicians blame you, middle class Americans, so youd better prepare yourselves for some hard times. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell recently stated that he intends to address the deficit by slashing what he calls entitlement programs. After conceding that he finds the deficit very disturbing, the Kentuckian claimed its driven by the three big entitlement programs that are very popular: Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid. Did you catch that? Our out-of-control deficit has absolutely nothing to do with Trumps tax cuts that put more money in the pockets of the wealthy. Its all your fault, middle-class Americans, because of your enrollment in Social Security and Medicare, which McConnell refers to as entitlement programs. McConnell would love to destroy these entitlement programs but, to date, hasnt been able to do so. Theres been a bipartisan reluctance to tackle entitlement changes because of the popularity of those programs, he told Bloomberg News. He then reassured trickle-down enthusiasts by saying, Hopefully at some point here well get serious about this. The Republicans will certainly get serious about this if they retain control of the House and Senate after next months elections. And make no mistake the mega-rich who benefited most from Trumps tax cuts are donating big bucks to GOP candidates to make certain that Republicans remain a majority in Congress. According to Robert Reich, casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, whose company received a $700 million windfall from Trumps tax cuts, has donated $50 million to superpacs aligned with you guessed it! Mitch McConnell. From the perspective of the super-rich, it just makes good sense. Republican politicians did them a favor by passing tax cuts that will put more money in their pockets. The best way to say Thank you! is by making hefty campaign contributions, which also serve to grease the wheels for possible future tax cuts for the rich. Do you wish to keep your Medicare and Social Security safe from the Republican chopping block? Then vote Democratic next month. Yes, it really is that simple. John J. Dunphy is the author of From Christmas to Twelfth Night in Southern Illinois and Abolitionism and the Civil War in Southwestern Illinois. He owns The Second Reading Book Shop in Alton. To the editor: Ive been imprisoned since age 14 in 1995. Being a murderer, Ive earned it. Im serving 58 years 17 years at the rate of 50 percent for good behavior for a total of 37 years, which will make me 52 before my release. I thank God the judge used his discretion to consider my youth and inexperience, reducing my adult term. Of course, Im not the poster child for stiff penalties or compassionate consideration. The Illinois Department of Corrections has a plethora of sentence packages for its children tried as adults, ranging from decades on end to natural life, mostly for the disadvantaged minority (meaning black and poor), all wrapped up in the optimistic expectation that well survive the years at the cheapest storage rate possible before our release back into society as senior citizens, or our burial on boot hill. With rare if any exceptions, were sentenced like adults, warehoused like adults, and then discharged like adults, minus adult experiences, adult social skills or adult job skills. Few people are bold enough to fight the trend or even frown in their direction. Populace and politicians alike are keen to protest children smoking, drinking, voting, paying taxes, joining a war effort, being labor abused, sex abused or even psychologically abused, but we can sentence them like adults, imprison them like adults, and then see them neglected by adults who deem them adult-like in culpability. In most states, especially Illinois, the young offender cant even appeal to adults for a reduced sentence through good conduct, parole or an act of God. Its not politically correct to suggest a second chance is possible for violent offenders, even first-time offenders, even children. In Illinois theyve relentlessly shut down profitable industries, programs, volunteer work, nonprofit donations and every incentive for being a model prisoner. Although Ive been incarcerated since 1995 without gang affiliation, without discipline, for over 15 years, Ive yet to be taught a single trade skill, or even how to type, with the waiting lists for such few courses growing longer than the line to a Star Wars premiere and often just as fantastic a disappointment. Only a true saint would suggest that a crime is less evil when performed by a child, no matter his inexperience, and the victims are certainly no less burdened by sorrow or pain; there is no recompense on this earth for our crimes. Yet, most of us will still be released, apart from sentiment, opinion or truth, so shouldnt an accounting be had in regards to the age of youthful offenders and the length of their identification as just another IDOC number? Shouldnt someone compute the difference between adult terms and juvenile terms, compounded by a criminal past, or the lack thereof? Shouldnt someone calculate the statistics proving that long-term sentences dont work, rehabilitation does, and that children grow up to become different people with an exhibition of good behavior when given the chance? Ill be the poster child for that. Jon R. Morgan K60696 Shawnee Correctional Center Vienna The author was 14 when he fatally shot his grandparents in Lincoln in April 1995. He claimed physical and emotional abuse during the time he lived with them and was convicted of first- and second-degree murder. Wagagai Limited is aDutch owned floriculture company located in Entebbe .It propagates premiumplant cuttings for export to international markets. Growing on 36 hectares andemploying 2000+ employees. Wagagai Ltd is seeking a committed, honest andservice oriented Purchase Officer who can lead a team of 4 staff to manageoperations in the purchase section under Finance and Accounts Department. The Germans knew her as Nora Baker. The French knew her as Jeanne-Marie Renier. Britain's secret World War II organisation, Special Operations Executive, knew her as Madeleine. The world today knows her as Noor Inayat Khanfirst woman wireless operator to infiltrate Nazi-occupied France in 1943. She was just 29 then, and was killed by the Gestapo (Nazi Germany's secret police force) a year later. Noor has suddenly appeared on trending searches after Congress leader Shashi Tharoor reposted a change.org petition pushing for Noor to be featured on the new British 50-pound note. The petition, started by Zehra Zaidi from the UK, has more than 13,000 signatures already (including historian Dan Snow, and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi). According to the bio on the website, Noor was Britains first Muslim war heroine, and deserves recognition for her courage and bravery. She has now been added to the prospective list of faces to be added to the new note that is being designed to be released in the aftermath of Brexit. The note is set to be issued in plastic, somewhere around 2020. Want to see an Indian woman, a war hero, on the new British 50 note? Sign this petition! https://t.co/L0JVlXQjH6. Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 21, 2018 Born to an Indian father and American mother, Noor was raised in Britain and France. Her father was the famed Inayat Khan Rehmat Khan Pathan, founder of the Sufi Order in the West. Khan was also a direct descendent of Tipu Sultan. He was known for his universal Sufi teachings of love and harmony, which undoubtedly had an influence on his children as well. Interestingly, her name of Nora Baker came from her mother, who was born Ora Ray Baker and later changed her name to Ameena Begum after converting to Islam. Her brothers Hidayat and Vilayat were also Sufi leaders and influencers. Noor lived a peaceful life till 1939, even publishing a childrens book inspired by the Jataka Tales. It was in 1940 that, despite respecting her fathers pacifist ideas, Noor joined the fight against Nazism. In her words, I wish some Indians would win high military distinction in this war. If one or two could do something in the Allied service which was very brave and which everybody admired it would help to make a bridge between the English people and the Indians. This rather far-sighted desire did come true for her, but she could not live to see it. Though her superiors had a rather poor opinion of her abilities to hold up under duress, her commitment to the cause made her a natural option when female couriers began to be promoted as wireless operators. Their job would be to maintain the communications link between activities in the field and the operations centre in England. They had to carry around bulky equipment, be ready with cover stories, disguise aerials as washing lines (Raazi flashbacks, anyone?), and be under constant risk of detection. In fact, the life expectancy for radio operators in 1943 was a mere six weeks in the field. Braving these terrible odds, Noor continued her work, refusing to abandon her post even when offered a way out. She was later captured after a betrayal, and taken to Germany. During the ten months of solitary confinement spent in shackles, reports state that she refused to betray any information to her captors, even under extreme mental devastation. Frustrated at her refusal to comply, the Germans transferred her to Dachau, where she was killed. If accounts are to be relied on, her last word was Liberte. In April this year, reports suggested Radhika Apte will be essaying Noor in a yet untitled World War II Hollywood drama, along with Stana Katic and Sarah Megan Thomas. Hopefully this new interest surrounding her will ensure that the name of Noor Inayat Khan soars above the footnotes of history to a more prominent positionsay, on a bank note? The adage that failures can teach many lessons seems quite... Located on the Silk Route, Ladakh, once a majestic region of great strategic importance, has been reduced to a tourist destination in recent decades. Adventure seekers use Ladakh to feed their animal spirit by riding all the way to Khardung La and taking photographs. Others see the place as a platform for their YouTube videos with titles such as My solo trip to Ladakh. However, with mass tourism, local people are facing a threat to their fragile ecology with tourists zooming past on their Royal Enfields, leaving a cloud of smoke behind. In 2005, officials unveiled the Ladakh 2025 vision document that sought to make the region the countrys best model of hill area development in a challenging environment. Ladakhis couldn't be criticised if they thought they could look forward to a bright future when Thupstan Chhewang of the BJP won the constituency in 2014. But the land of high passes has received step-motherly treatment at the hands of politicians of all hues and it seems this oft-ignored region of Jammu and Kashmir is tired of broken promises. The recent rout of the BJP in the civic polls in Ladakh has made a pointLadakh cannot be ignored. In Ladakh, the BJP failed to win a single ward as the Congress won all 13 seats in municipal committees of Leh and six in Kargil. Seven wards in the region went to independent candidates. In the assembly elections of 2014, the Congress had won the three seats of Leh, Kargil and Nubra. The fourth seat of Zanskar was won by an independent candidate. The fact that the BJP grew stronger in Kashmir but lost in Ladakh is troubling for the party. Senior BJP leader Ashok Koul was set to leave for Leh on Monday for a brainstorming session. The Congress's gain in Ladakh is an indication that regaining the parliamentary seat in the region will not be an easy task for the BJP. The promises made The BJP, in its manifesto in 2014, promised to support Union Territory status for Ladakh, one of the long-standing demands of Ladakhis. The BJP was pitching its win in Ladakh mainly on this point and it was made clear by a speech by Nitin Gadkari ahead of the 2014 polls. No doubt, the demand goes back to 1947, but it doesn't have uniform popular support. The demand for UT status surfaced from the perception that Ladakh is a Buddhist-dominated region. Because of the insurgency in the Kashmir valley, Ladakh has had to suffer. There is a perception Ladakh is usually denied rights and discriminated against compared with the regions of Jammu and Kashmir. The fact, however, is different. Ladakh has an almost equal percentage of Buddhists and Muslims. The UT status demand was linked to the Buddhist community and thus lacks consensus and popular support. A mere inclusion of this demand in a political campaign is not enough to sustain a majority vote. The BJP also promised that it would strive for inclusion of the Bhoti language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, but this hasnt been done until now. Representatives of the Ladakh Buddhist Association reiterated this demand with Governor Satya Pal Malik on his maiden visit to Leh. Another significant issue for the people of Ladakh is the construction of the Nimmoo-Padum-Darcha road, the early completion of which was promised by the BJP. The only way to reach Zanskar from Leh is via Kargil, a total distance of 470km. In winters, when the road is closed, locals are forced to trek through the frozen Zanskar river, which can often be life-threatening. In such adverse conditions, a road from Nimmoo to Padum is a basic demand for the people. As per the BRO website, 105.30km of road has been developed. The road is expected to be fully functional by 2021. Other promises made were opening of a Central university in Leh with medical and engineering colleges and opening of KailashMansarovar Road via Demchok for pilgrimage and tourism. For the Kailash-Mansarovar yatra, there are two main routes for Indian pilgrims. One route passes through Nathu La in Sikkim located at Indo-China border, which was closed last year in the wake of Doklam issue. The other route is through Lipulekh pass in Uttarakhand, which is prone to landslides. However, the shortest and safest route is via Demchok in Ladakh, which has been a site of Chinese intrusions. After the Doklam standoff in 2017, Chinese troops again transgressed over 500m in Demchok in August this year. Without an effective China policy, the government cannot ensure safe passage to the pilgrims via this route. The BJP manifesto also promised special employment packages, mobile phone connectivity in all rural areas and border villages of Ladakh and increased flight frequency to Leh. On October 5, a delegation headed by Omar Abdullah met Malik and briefed him about the issues faced by people of Ladakh due to poor mobile and internet connectivity and high airfare during winters. It seems that the political parties have to go a long way to win the trust of people of Ladakh and turn the Ladakh 2025 Vision document into a reality. And the BJP may be the latest to pay a price for failing to fulfil promises. Addressing MPs from his ruling party, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was planned days in advance. He claimed to have evidence of the savage and premeditated murder that took place in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Rubbishing Saudi Arabia's claims that Khashoggi's death was accidental result of a discussion that went awry, the president said: "We have very strong leads that this was not accidental, but that it was planned." He observed that the cameras were removed before Khashoggi's arrival. Erdogan said that Saudi Arabia gave permission for Turkish security to search its consulate in Istanbul only after media attention. Erdogan has demanded that Saudi Arabia provide answers as to where Khashoggi's body was disposed and who ordered the hit. He called for suspects of the murder to be tried in Istanbul. While not releasing any detail of the evidence gathered about the killing, the president confirmed that 18 people had been arrested in the kingdom in relation to the case. Giving the timeline of the day Khashoggi was killed, he said that a group of 15 people arrived separately in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul before Khashoggi entered at 1.08pm. When his fiancee became fearful that something had happened to him, she alerted the police. The president began his speech by offering his "sincere apologies" to Jamal Khashoggi's family, fiancee and the people of Saudi Arabia. He made no mention of any audio or video recordings mentioned in media reports in the days following the journalist's disappearance. Erdogan did not mention Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who some US lawmakers suspect ordered the killing. But he said Turkey would not complete its investigation into Khashoggi's death until all questions were answered. Earlier media reports suggested that Turkish officials suspected Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the consulate by Saudi agents. Turkish sources had said that authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the killing of the 59-year-old. Riyadh had initially denied knowledge of the killing, claiming Khashoggi left via the back door of the consulate, before saying he was killed in a fight in the consulate. This reaction was greeted sceptically by several governments, straining relations with the world's biggest oil exporter. Bhubaneswar, Oct 23 (PTI) Union Minister Anant Geete Tuesday proposed a machine tools hub in Odisha as the state has emerged as an ideal place for setting up of steel industries. The Union Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Minister said this while addressing a conclave on capital goods for steel sector here. "Our ministry has helped in building a machine tools hub in Karnataka at an investment of Rs 500 crore and I propose a similar facility in Odisha if the state government provides support," Geete said. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was also present on the dais. Geete said the proposed machine tools hub in an industrial park would be second in the country if materialised. It would also generate lot of employment for the youths, he said. Geete said he made this offer to Odisha because the state has been contributing to the steel sector in the country. Presently, Odisha produces one-third of the total steel produced in the country and it will continue to do so when the target is fixed to produce 300 million tonnes of steel by 2030-31, he said. Geete said the investors who are coming to set up manufacturing units in capital goods for the steel sector may take help of the proposed machine tool hub to be set up in Odisha. Stating that his ministry too has some responsibility to fulfil the dreams of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make In India mission, Geete said the different manufacturing units can come up in the machine tools hub which can help growth of steel sector in the state of Odisha. Geete also said that his ministry has meanwhile framed a capital goods manufacturing sector policy. "There was no such policy earlier in the country," he said. The Union minister said the Indian manufacturing companies have the capability to manufacture all non-proprietary items and the government is committed to facilitate technological tie-ups between domestic capital goods (CG) producers and their foreign counterparts for capacity building. In his address, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, said that Odisha has mega steel projects besides small and medium steel mills which also contribute significantly to the states overall steel production. The government believes that Odisha has the potential to produce nearly 100 million tonnes of the total 300 MT output targeted by 2030-31 as the state is home to sizeable mineral resource base, he said. Pradhan welcomed the proposal by Geete to set up a machine tools park in Odisha. Union Steel secretary Binoy Kumar said it is in the interest of stakeholders that the capital goods industry should be strengthened so that competition increases, and this helps in reducing the capital cost of projects. "Today, the imported plants may come at a lower cost but this is more often than not followed by their high priced maintenance contracts and spares. By local manufacturing, the maintenance of plant and machinery can also be done economically," Kumar said. Special Secretary and Financial Advisor, Union Steel Ministry, Saraswati Prasad, wished that the fruitful deliberations in the conclave would serve as a road map to cement the ties between CG players and steel makers. PTI AAM RG MKJ (Eds: Updating with Saudi crown prince attending conference) Riyadh, Oct 23 (AFP) Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince Tuesday attended a glitzy investment forum boycotted by a host of global business leaders, as the petro-state admitted it is facing a "crisis" after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sat in the audience on the opening day of the three-day Future Investment Initiative (FII), which was meant to project the historically insular Gulf kingdom as a lucrative business destination and set the stage for new ventures and multi-billion dollar contracts. The conference, nicknamed "Davos in the desert", has been overshadowed by the outcry over the murder of Khashoggi inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul on October 2, with a string of leading international investors pulling out over the case. But Saudi organisers sought to portray it was business as usual, announcing 12 "mega deals" worth more than $50 billion in oil, gas, infrastructure and other sectors. They sought to rally around Prince Mohammed, the king's powerful son whose reform credentials have been tarnished by the scandal despite repeated denials he had any involvement in the killing, as he made an appearance. But Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih acknowledged "these are difficult days". "We are going through a crisis," Falih said in his speech. Falih said the murder of Khashoggi was regrettable, adding that "nobody in the kingdom can justify it". In further efforts to diffuse the crisis, Saudi Arabia's cabinet said separately that his killers would be held accountable "no matter who they may be". The comments came as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded to know who gave the order for Khashoggi's killing in his country and the whereabouts of the slain journalist's corpse. The Riyadh conference opened amid tight security at Riyadh's Ritz-Carlton hotel, with Russian Direct Investment Fund chief Kirill Dmitriyev and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan headlining. Falih heaped praise on the CEO of French energy giant Total, Patrick Pouyanne, for standing by Saudi Arabia in this difficult period. "We see what partnership means when you have difficult times," Pouyanne responded as he shared the stage with Falih. "This is when you really strengthen a partnership." Dozens of delegates walked a red carpet into the vast conference venue at the Ritz-Carlton, with a cathedral-like lobby, frescoed ceilings and glittering chandeliers. But as the day progressed, the crowds thinned in the main auditorium, and organisers frequently changed the agenda of the event in a sign speakers were dropping out. SoftBank Group's chief executive Masayoshi Son -- who maintains close relations with the crown prince -- cancelled his speech, Bloomberg reported. A long list of investors and international policymakers have already declined to show up in Riyadh in apparent protest against the Khashoggi killing. Siemens chief executive Joe Kaeser, corporate chiefs from JP Morgan, Ford and Uber, and media powerhouses like CNN and the Financial Times all scrapped plans to attend. Ministers from Britain and France and the United States, which have huge defence deals at stake with Saudi Arabia, have stayed away. A wider Western boycott of the conference suggests rising political risks in Saudi Arabia that could hit foreign direct investment, which already plunged to a 14-year low last year, according to a UN body. And in a fresh setback, the forum's website went down on Monday after an apparent cyberattack. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. It was back up with reduced content as the conference progressed. This year's conference contrasts with last year's inaugural FII -- a star-studded event at which Prince Mohammed was lionised as a visionary by speakers. But many Western firms have too much at stake to abandon the Arab world's biggest economy, and some have decided to send lower-level executives. "The West is still interested in the business opportunity that Saudi offers," Tony Chan, president of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, who attended the forum. "The no-shows have to be reconciled with that fact. As business shifts from West to East, those companies have to find a balance between maintaining a good PR image and their business considerations." Companies from China and Russia have shown little interest in withdrawing from the event, an organiser said. "The high profile withdrawal of so many American CEOs from the conference certainly presents opportunities for Asian and Russian companies to make a splash," Ellen Wald, author of the book "Saudi Inc.", told AFP. The crown prince, widely known by his initials MBS, faces what the risk consultancy Eurasia Group has called "an acute public relations crisis" over Khashoggi's murder. (AFP) PMS PMS (Eds: Disclaimer: The following press release comes to you under an arrangement with NewsVoir. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.) From collaborating with governments to working closely with communities and institutions the letter brings to life how these come together to deliver solutions to Indias myriad developmental challenges New Delhi, Delhi, India (NewsVoir) The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today released its annual India Country Office (ICO) Letter 2018 highlighting the theme of Celebrating Partnerships. The ICO letter, an annual feature at the Gates Foundation India office, demonstrates the foundations commitment to collaborations with key stakeholders across various sectors to leverage their unique strengths, in order to deliver solutions to address some of Indias most pressing health and development challenges. The letter provides specific examples of such collaborative efforts and illustrates how this approach has helped solve problems, ranging from issues such as vaccination to maternal, newborn and child care to local level sensitization of farmers. The foundations operating approach is based on collaborations and, at every stage, informed by a broad group of experts inside and outside the foundation, community leaders, government officials, civil society leaders and advocates. Nachiket Mor, Country Director, India, referred to the need for collaboration and working together towards shared goals, Working with local and global experts and stakeholders in the eco-system allows us to draw on the unique talents, resources and know-how of industry, academia and the public sector, to better serve the most vulnerable communities. The experience of working with the Bihar Government is a stellar example of collaboration which is outlined in the letter. The foundation worked closely with the state government and CARE to help test new techniques and technologies to improve healthcare delivery service quality. These investments in innovative methods and tools have since been expanded, from a pilot in eight districts, to all across the state, with the objective of strengthening the underlying health system. Such a two-pronged approach that adds a layer of technical solution to a strong health delivery platform would help Bihar meet its development goals, while becoming a template for other states to learn from and emulate. The foundation has already done a substantial body of work in collaborating with bio-technology and pharmaceutical companies in India to develop affordable vaccines that protect children from deadly diseases such as pneumonia, cholera and enteric fever. The association with Serum Institute, Pune, resulted in the development of the MenAfrivac a vaccine which was used to wipe out the dreaded Menangitis a virus from sub-Saharan Africa. The foundation is now working closely with the institute to develop a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. It is also supporting organizations such as BioE and Bharat Biotech, in the development of lifesaving vaccines. The foundation collaborates with the private sector to create demonstrable public-private partnership models for delivery of health services, which could be adopted by the Government of India at scale. Another key area of the foundations efforts has been with communities - as they are the most important change agents in the country. The work of Project Concern International (PCI) is commendable in this context. They ran a pilot in 2012 focused on sanitation, nutrition and hygiene, and demonstrated how healthy behaviors could be adopted even when unhealthy behaviors are ingrained as social and cultural norms. Digital Green is another example of how a community-based approach can be used successfully to yield positive outcomes. Digital Green ushered in a highly successful model where 11,000 extension agents used 4000 videos in 18 Indian languages to provide instructions to 1.3 million smallholder farmers leading to improved practices and better yields. Given the depth, scale and scope of the developmental challenges facing the country, the Gates Foundation believes that it is critical to build institutional strength that can create and develop technical expertise and an eco-system that enable innovations. In this context, it is important to mention the foundations work with the WASH Institute. With this collaboration, the foundation is increasingly changing the sanitation paradigm from high cost old technology-led sewer systems to lesser expensive, innovative sanitation technologies and solutions. The Sunidhi toilet is one such innovative example. There is no dearth of innovation or capital today, but it is important to bring all of that together in a collaborative framework with multiple actors to ensure the most effective interventions are incentivized to benefit the marginalized and the vulnerable. About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people-especially those with the fewest resources-have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Sue Desmond-Hellmann and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. PWR PWR Mumbai, Oct 23 (PTI) The Maharashtra Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Tuesday gave its nod to form the state housing development corporation to boost the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Minister for Housing Prakash Mehta said the corporation will boost PM housing scheme as well as speed up mega housing projects. "The government has aim to complete five lakh houses for economically backward classes and low and medium income group beneficiaries through MahaHousing. It will be affordable housing," the minister said. Maharashtra has set a target to complete 19.40 lakh houses under the PM Awas Yojna by the end of 2022. The Centre has given its permission to build such houses in cities across the state, he said. The project will be implemented through public-private partnership as well as a joint venture scheme. But to implement the scheme in a time-bound manner, there is need to form separate agency other than Maharashtra Housing and Development Authority and that is why the decision to form MahaHousing was taken, Mehta said. The chief minister will be the chairman of the corporation whereas the housing minister will be the additional president. The term of the corporation will be till the year 2022 or till the PM Awas Yojana target is achieved. The corporation will raise funds from Mhada, Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA), ShivShahi Punarvasan Prakalp (SPPL) and through investment from other agencies. The option to raise funds from market, banks will also be open, the minister said. PTI MM RSY DPB United Nations, Oct 23 (PTI) Soulful music from the strings of the sarod will reverberate in the iconic General Assembly hall on Wednesday as maestro Amjad Ali Khan pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi at an annual concert, with the UN chief Antonio Guterres underscoring that the message of non-violence "can change history." The Permanent Mission of India to the UN is hosting the UN Day Concert 2018, which will feature performance by the sarod maestro and his sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash along with the Refugee Orchestra Project conducted by Lidiya Yankovskaya at the General Assembly hall at the world body's headquarters. The concert's theme this year is 'Traditions of Peace and Non-violence.' Expressing his gratitude to the Permanent Mission of India to the UN for sponsoring this year's UN Day Concert, Guterres said in his message that this year's concert theme of Traditions of Peace and Non-violence is one that holds special meaning to him, particularly after his visit to India earlier this month. "The United Nations Day Concert is an annual opportunity to come together to reaffirm and rejuvenate the UN's message of hope, tolerance and solidarity - values that have guided us for the past 73 years," Guterres said. The UN Chief said Gandhi, who dedicated his life to non-violence, would have been "heartened" too see that India is sponsoring a night of peace at the UN. During his visit to Gandhi's memorial, Guterres said he was reminded once again how "non-violence can change history." "As conflicts rage around the world, let us call, together, for justice, equality and dignity for all. Let us cooperate across borders to defend human rights, pursue sustainable development and advance peace. A better future is always possible if we work hand-in-hand to make it happen," Guterres said. India had last hosted the UN Day Concert in 1966 when the legendary M S Subbulakshmi had performed in the General Assembly and enthralled a world audience with her soulful rendition of the 'Maithreem Bhajatha.' Over the years, individual countries have hosted UN Day Concerts with performances by renowned artists, musicians and troupes. The UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the UN officially came into being. October 24 has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly recommended that the day be observed by Member States as a public holiday. On the eve of the concert, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin tweeted, "Promoting Peace & Non-Violence. Sarod Maestro @AAKSarod to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi @UN Day Concert. #Gandhi150." As India marks the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in 2019, several special commemorative events have been planned across nations to honour Gandhi's legacy and message of peace and non-violence. PTI YAS AMS AKJ AMS AMS Mumbai, Oct 23 (PTI) Actor Kalki Koechlin says #MeToo movement could lead to "collateral damage" but it is an absolute necessity to sanitise working spaces. The #MeToo movement has rocked the film industry with several names such as Nana Patekar, Alok Nath, Sajid Khan, Vikas Bahl and Mukesh Chabbra, among others being called out for their behaviour and alleged sexual harassment of their female colleagues. "A lot of people are collateral damage. One of my films is not in MAMI while another project is on hold. These are the things we have to accept... But it's a necessary thing right now. Things need to be fine tuned and changed and if it makes us more sensitive then it's good," Kalki told PTI. The actor's close friends and associate -- Vikramaditya Motwane and Anurag Kashyap -- have been accused of inaction; an allegation which they strictly deny, when an employee of their now dissolved production house Phantom Films spoke about sexual harassment by Bahl. Kalki, however, refrained from commenting on specific cases. "I don't think I can comment on other people. I don't know the details of the cases, so it's not my place to make a comment," she said. When asked if dissociating from people who have been called out for their behaviour is the way forward, Kalki said it's a "tricky question." "Each case and each crime is different. Someone who has raped and molested will have a much more severe punishment but someone who has sent texts and harassed someone sexually through text messages... Each crime has a different punishment. "It's very important that the due process, the investigation is allowed to happen by agencies. They need to be allowed to do their jobs and find out what is the deserving punishment for each case." Kalki said the the current mood of the film industry is of introspection with the aim to create a safer place for women to work. "All of us are introspecting. The result is only going to be a cleaner, safer environment at work. It's a time to introspect and think how can we implement those things. I'm doing a play and my director sent me a contract on sexual harassment. "So developments like these are good. It means we will be sensitised, how to behave, if we are feeling uncomfortable, we would know who to complain to, what to do and all of that. It's a productive time in terms of the change," she added. Kalki will next be seen on Eros Now's web series "Smoke". The crime-thriller premiered at MIPCOM, Cannes under the 'Made in India' category. The 11-episode series will stream from October 26. PTI JUR KKP RB BK BK Mumbai, Oct 23 (PTI) Netflix Tuesday confirmed the streaming giant will continue its association with Vikramaditya Motwane, Anurag Kashyap and writer Varun Grover for the second season of "Sacred Games". The streaming giant in a statement, said they carried out an independent investigation and are satisfied with the results. Kashyap and Motwane, who co-directed the hit series, have been under fire for their alleged inaction in the sexual harassment allegations against former Phantom Films partner Vikas Bahl by an employee, a charge they both have denied. The production house was dissolved last month after allegations resurfaced against Bahl in the wake of #MeToo movement in India. The case dates back to an incident that took place in Goa in 2015. Whereas, Grover was anonymously accused of sexual harassment, a claim he has categorically denied. In multiple statements, he has said that while he supports the movement, he wants to clear his name for his mental health. There has been no response from the anonymous account after he asked for closure. "After an independent investigation, the results helped inform Netflixs decision to continue with Vikramaditya Motwane and Anurag Kashyap on season 2 of Sacred Games," Netflix said. "Netflix will continue to work with Varun Grover on season 2 of Sacred Games," it further said. The company said it will collaborate with its production partners "to ensure and maintain a safe and respectful working environment". PTI BK RDS BK BK Moscow, Oct 23 (AP) US President Donald Trump's national security adviser struck a conciliatory note Tuesday in talks in Moscow, just days after Trump vowed to pull out of a key arms control treaty with Russia. John Bolton landed in Moscow on Monday less than 48 hours after Trump said that Russia violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and warned that the US would begin developing such weapons unless Russia and China agree not to possess or develop them. China wasn't a party to the pact that was signed in 1987 by US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev that prohibits the US and Russia from possessing, producing or test-flying ground-launched nuclear cruise and ballistic missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres (300 to 3,400 miles). Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Tuesday lauded Bolton for his two-day visit and said "even small steps will benefit our relations and help restore trust" between the two countries. He also said Russia and the US should build up on their cooperation in Syria which helped to prevent major incidents in the sky or on the ground. But Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, told reporters that right now "there are no prospects for a new deal" to replace the INF treaty and that this is a "dangerous position" to give it up without an alternative in sight. Bolton, who met Security Council chairman Nikolai Patrushev on Monday, is expected to meet Putin later on Tuesday. He told Shoigu that he was in Moscow to work on Trump's commitment to improve security cooperation with Russia. "We certainly share your view that the US-Russian discussions with respect to Syria have been useful, productive and professional, and we hope we can extend those conversations through a number of other ways that you mentioned, and even more," he said. In televised comments, neither Bolton nor Shoigu mentioned Trump's announcement on the INF treaty. In an interview with the Ekho Moskvy Russian radio station on Monday, Bolton made it clear that Washington has made up its mind about leaving the treaty. "If Russia says it's not violating the INF treaty, what are they going to do to change their behaviour to comply?" he said. When signed in 1987, the treaty was lauded as a major safeguard for global security since with no shorter-range missiles in use, the nuclear superpowers would in theory have more time for decision-making if faced with a nuclear attack. The European Union warned Trump of a potential impact on European security if he decided to go ahead and leave the INF treaty. An EU statement on Monday described the pact as an essential cornerstone of Europe's security structure, adding, "the world doesn't need a new arms race that would benefit no one and on the contrary, would bring even more instability." Separately, Bolton told Ekho Moskvy that he raised the issue of Russian meddling in the US elections in talks with Patrushev on Monday. He said that he did not believe the meddling had any effect in the US 2016 election, though the accusations created "enormous distrust of Russia". (AP) SCY SCY New Delhi, Oct 23 (PTI) Following are the top foreign stories at 1700 hours: FGN26 CHINA-INDIA-AZHAR China still elusive on backing India's request on listing Azhar as global terrorist Beijing: China on Tuesday made it clear that there is no change in its position on India's request to list Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN and said it will decide on the issue on the "merits of the matter". By K J M Varma FGN23 CHINA-INDIA-SECURITY Security pact with India provides institutional guarantee to combat trans- border crimes: China Beijing: China on Tuesday said its first internal security cooperation agreement with India will provide institutional guarantee to combat trans-border crimes, but did not indicate any change in its stance on blocking India's efforts to list Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. By K J M Varma FGN29 US-TCS-2NDLD H1B India's TCS among top 10 firms to get foreign labour certification for H-1B visas Washington: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is the only Indian company among the top 10 firms to get foreign labour certification for the H-1B visas for the fiscal year 2018 by receiving over 20,000 such certifications, according to official data in which Ernst & Young was ranked No 1. By Lalit K Jha FGN21 CHINA-2NDLD SEA BRIDGE China's president inaugurates world's longest bridge connecting Hong Kong with mainland Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday officially opened the world's longest sea bridge linking Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China, significantly cutting the travel time from between the three territories from three hours to just 30 minutes. By K J M Varma FGN28 TURKEY-PREZ-LD KHASHOGGI Turkish president: Saudis plotted writer's killing for days Ankara: Saudi officials murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi in their Istanbul consulate after plotting his death for days, Turkey's president said Tuesday, contradicting Saudi Arabia's explanation that the writer was accidentally killed. (AP) FGN18 KHAOSHOGGI-2NDLD TRUMP Khashoggi's death was 'a plot gone awry': Trump Washington: US President Donald Trump has said he believes the death of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was the result of a "plot gone awry", but does not want to scrap the USD 110 billion mega arms deal with Riyadh over the issue. By Lalit K Jha FGN4 TRUMP-NUCLEAR ARSENAL US will increase nuclear arsenal if others do not 'come to their senses': Trump Washington: President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will increase its nuclear arsenal until other nations "come to their senses", days after he said the US would pull out of a Cold war era arms control treaty with Russia. By Lalit K Jha FGN30 CHINA-FILMS-AAMIR China keen to cooperate with India in making films Beijing: China is keen to strengthen cultural exchanges and cooperation with India in making and sharing excellent films, said a top official of the ruling Communist Party's information department and the country's film regulator as he met Bollywood actor Aamir Khan. PTI PMS PMS Riyadh/Islamabad, Oct 23 (PTI) Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that he would once again extend a hand of friendship to India after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as he believed New Delhi rebuffed his offer of talks because Pakistan is an issue in the elections in the neighbouring country. Speaking at the high-profile Future Investment Initiative forum in Riyadh, Khan said Pakistan wants "peace with all our neighbours particularly India and Afghanistan for regional peace and stability." "Peace with India would help the two countries to divert their resources towards human development instead of indulging in arms race," Khan was quoted as saying by state-run Radio Pakistan. Similarly, peace in Afghanistan would help Pakistan to have an easy access to the Central Asian states for bilateral economic and trade activities, he said. Khan said he had extended a hand of friendship to India, which rebuffed the move. After assuming power in August, Khan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting a meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers on the margins of the UN General Assembly in September. India accepted the proposal but, within hours of its acceptance, terrorists killed three policemen in Jammu and Kashmir, prompting New Delhi to cancel the foreign ministers' meeting on the sidelines of the UNGA. "He (Khan) attributed this (cancellation) to anti-Pakistan rhetoric raking in votes in India," the Express Tribune newspaper reported, citing the prime minister. Prime Minister Khan said he would try once again following the conclusion of the general elections in India. The general elections are due to be held in India next year. The ties between the two countries had strained after the terror attacks by Pakistan-based groups in 2016 and India's surgical strikes inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In his victory speech after the July elections, Khan expressed his willingness to improve Pakistan's ties with India and said that his government would like the leaders of the two sides to resolve all disputes, including the core issue of Kashmir, through talks. Speaking at the summit, which is the brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to attract foreign investment into the kingdom, Khan said that his government is approaching the IMF and the friendly countries to seek loans to plug the financial gap. The three-day summit, nicknamed "Davos in the desert", has been overshadowed by raging global outrage over the murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Several investors and international figureheads have cancelled their plans to attend the summit in an apparent protest against the killing of Khashoggi. International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin have also pulled out. Khan, who attended the summit, is visiting close ally Saudi Arabia for the second time since assuming power in August. PTI ZH AKJ ZH ZH Ankara, Oct 23 (AFP) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said that the "savage murder" of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was meticulously planned, demanding that all those linked to the killing face punishment. Erdogan had promised that his speech in Ankara would give the "naked truth" about the killing and he gave a host of new details while still saying Turkey wanted answers to key questions, including who gave the orders. Hours before Erdogan delivered his speech to ruling party lawmakers in Ankara, a major Saudi investment forum opened in Riyadh under the heavy shadow of the murder after key delegates pulled out. The murder of the Washington Post contributor has severely dented the international reputation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has spearheaded a reform drive in the kingdom. With international pressure mounting, Saudi Arabia's cabinet on Tuesday said it would hold accountable all those behind the murder "no matter who they may be". Erdogan outlined the steps taken by what he said was a 15 person team who came from Riyadh planning to kill Khashoggi, including carrying out reconnaissance outside Istanbul and then deactivating security cameras at the consulate. He said that 18 suspects already detained by Saudi Arabia should be extradited to Istanbul to face trial over the killing and called for an investigation into those who have "even the slightest link" to the "savage murder". But Erdogan did not confirm or even mention some of the most striking claims that appeared in the Turkish press over the last days, notably that Khashoggi's body was cut up into multiple pieces or that there is an audio recording of the murder. The president himself admitted that several questions remain unanswered. "These (15) people, from whom did they get orders and came there? We are seeking answers," he asked. Taking aim at the inconsistent position of Riyadh in the days after the murder he added: "Why when the murder was clear, why were so many inconsistent statements made?" Erdogan did not mention Prince Mohammed by name in the speech. But he said he was confident of the full cooperation of his father Saudi King Salman in the probe and vowed full retribution for all the guilty. "The conscience of humanity will only be satisfied when those who ordered (the murder) and those who carried it out answer for their actions." He said no Saudi linked to the murder should enjoy diplomatic immunity as set out by the Vienna Convention. "The Vienna Convention and other international regulations don't allow for a savage murder to be protected from investigation by diplomatic immunity." Erdogan's statements still appeared to contradict the version of Saudi Arabia, which only confirmed the killing more than two weeks after the event and indicated he was killed in a brawl at the consulate. But Jana Jabbour, a professor at Sciences Po university in Paris, told AFP that Erdogan could have chosen much sharper rhetoric against Riyadh, indicating the two nations were talking behind the scenes. "Erdogan's very moderate speech shows that a deal has been reached," she told AFP. The killing has alarmed even Saudi Arabia's staunchest Western allies who are also key weapons suppliers of the kingdom. US President Donald Trump said he was "not satisfied" with Riyadh's explanations. CIA Director Gina Haspel, meanwhile, headed for Turkey, although details of her trip were not immediately clear. A former royal family insider turned critic of the Saudi crown prince, Khashoggi, 59, disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to collect a document for his upcoming marriage. The case has shone the spotlight on the crown prince, who was credited with reforms, including giving women the right to drive, but is now accused of having ordered Khashoggi's murder -- a claim Riyadh denies. The timing of the controversy could not be worse for Prince Mohammed as a key investment summit, dubbed "Davos in the desert", began in Riyadh, overshadowed by big name cancellations. Dozens of executives, including from banks Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, ride-hailing app Uber and Western officials such as International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde have pulled out of the three-day Future Investment Initiative (FII). French energy giant Total's head Patrick Pouyanne and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan however were attending. Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih admitted: "We are going through a crisis." Despite also pulling out of the summit, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin met the crown prince behind closed doors for bilateral talks in Riyadh. Speaking in Jakarta, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said procedures would be put in place to "ensure that something like this can never happen again". The whereabouts of Khashoggi's corpse is still unknown. Turkish police have found an abandoned car belonging to the Saudi consulate in an underground car park in the Sultangazi district of Istanbul and are awaiting Saudi permission to search it. CNN broadcast images apparently showing a Saudi official playing a body double for Khashoggi, wearing the journalist's clothes, exiting the consulate. (AFP) ZH ZH New Delhi, Oct 23 (PTI) Following are the top foreign stories at 2000 hours: FGN33 INDOPAK-KHAN I'll once again extend hand of friendship to India after 2019 elections : Imran Khan Riyadh/Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that he would once again extend a hand of friendship to India after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as he believed New Delhi rebuffed his offer of talks because Pakistan is an issue in the elections in the neighbouring country. FGN39 TURKEY-PREZ-2NDLD KHASHOGGI Erdogan demands punishment for all behind 'planned Khashoggi murder' Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said that the "savage murder" of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was meticulously planned, demanding that all those linked to the killing face punishment. (AFP) FGN34 CHINA-INDIA-LD AZHAR China still elusive on backing India's request on listing Azhar as global terrorist Beijing: China on Tuesday made it clear that there is no change in its position on India's request to list Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN and said it will decide on the issue on the "merits of the matter". By K J M Varma FGN23 CHINA-INDIA-SECURITY Security pact with India provides institutional guarantee to combat trans- border crimes: China Beijing: China on Tuesday said its first internal security cooperation agreement with India will provide institutional guarantee to combat trans-border crimes, but did not indicate any change in its stance on blocking India's efforts to list Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. By K J M Varma FGN29 US-TCS-2NDLD H1B India's TCS among top 10 firms to get foreign labour certification for H-1B visas Washington: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is the only Indian company among the top 10 firms to get foreign labour certification for the H-1B visas for the fiscal year 2018 by receiving over 20,000 such certifications, according to official data in which Ernst & Young was ranked No 1. By Lalit K Jha FGN21 CHINA-2NDLD SEA BRIDGE China's president inaugurates world's longest bridge connecting Hong Kong with mainland Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday officially opened the world's longest sea bridge linking Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China, significantly cutting the travel time from between the three territories from three hours to just 30 minutes. By K J M Varma FGN35 SAUDI-3RDLD SUMMIT Saudi investment forum opens under haze of Khashoggi's death Riyadh: A high-profile economic forum in Saudi Arabia began on Tuesday in Riyadh, the kingdom's first major event on the world stage since the killing of writer Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. (AP) FGN4 TRUMP-NUCLEAR ARSENAL US will increase nuclear arsenal if others do not 'come to their senses': Trump Washington: President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will increase its nuclear arsenal until other nations "come to their senses", days after he said the US would pull out of a Cold war era arms control treaty with Russia. By Lalit K Jha FGN30 CHINA-FILMS-AAMIR China keen to cooperate with India in making films Beijing: China is keen to strengthen cultural exchanges and cooperation with India in making and sharing excellent films, said a top official of the ruling Communist Party's information department and the country's film regulator as he met Bollywood actor Aamir Khan. PTI PMS PMS Ankara, Oct 23 (AFP) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said that the "savage murder" of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was meticulously planned, demanding that all those linked to the killing face punishment. Erdogan had promised that his speech in Ankara would give the "naked truth" about the killing and he gave a host of new details. But he still acknowledged Turkey wanted answers to key questions, including who gave the orders. His revelations of careful planning contradicted Saudi insistences of an operation gone wrong. Vice President Mike Pence vowed that the United States would "demand answers" from Riyadh. The murder of the Washington Post contributor has severely dented the international reputation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has spearheaded a reform drive in the kingdom. The killing overshadowed a major investment forum in Riyadh that also opened on Tuesday. Erdogan outlined the steps taken by what he said was a 15 person team who came from Riyadh planning to kill Khashoggi, including carrying out reconnaissance outside Istanbul and then deactivating security cameras at the consulate. He said that 18 suspects already detained by Saudi Arabia should be extradited to Istanbul to face trial over the killing and called for an investigation into those who have "even the slightest link" to the "savage murder". But Erdogan did not confirm or even mention some of the most striking claims that appeared in the Turkish press over the last days, notably that Khashoggi's body was cut up into multiple pieces or that there is an audio recording of the murder. The president himself admitted that several questions remain unanswered. "These (15) people, from whom did they get orders? ... We are seeking answers," he asked. Taking aim at the inconsistent position of Riyadh in the days after the murder Erdogan added: "Why when the murder was clear, why were so many inconsistent statements made?" Erdogan did not mention Prince Mohammed by name in the speech. But he said he was confident of the full cooperation of his father Saudi King Salman in the probe and vowed full retribution for all those guilty of the "savage murder". "The conscience of humanity will only be satisfied when those who ordered (the murder) and those who carried it out answer for their actions." Erdogan confirmed that a Saudi official played the role of body double for Khashoggi, wearing his clothes in a bid to show that the journalist had left the consulate. The whereabouts of Khashoggi's corpse is still unknown. Turkish police were searching an abandoned car belonging to the Saudi consulate in an underground car park in the Sultangazi district of Istanbul. Jana Jabbour, a professor at Sciences Po university in Paris, told AFP that Erdogan could have chosen much sharper rhetoric against Riyadh, indicating that the two nations were talking behind the scenes. "Erdogan's very moderate speech shows that a deal has been reached," she told AFP. Yet the killing has alarmed even Saudi Arabia's staunchest Western allies, who are also key weapons suppliers to the kingdom. "The word from President Erdogan this morning that this brutal murder was premeditated, pre-planned days in advance flies in the face of earlier assertions that had been made by the Saudi regime," US Vice President Mike Pence told an event at The Washington Post. CIA Director Gina Haspel, meanwhile, headed for Turkey, although details of her trip were not immediately clear. In London, a Downing Street spokesman said Erdogan's statement showed that "there are many questions which only the Saudis have the answers to." A former royal family insider turned critic of the Saudi crown prince, Khashoggi, 59, disappeared after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to collect a document for his upcoming marriage. The case has shone the spotlight on the crown prince, who was credited with reforms, including giving women the right to drive, but is now accused of having ordered Khashoggi's murder -- a claim Riyadh denies. The key investment summit, dubbed "Davos in the desert", began in Riyadh on Tuesday, overshadowed by big name cancellations. Dozens of executives, including from banks Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan and ride-hailing app Uber pulled out of the three-day Future Investment Initiative (FII). French energy giant Total's head Patrick Pouyanne, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Jordan's King Abdullah attended however. And in a rare public appearance since the crisis began, Crown Prince Mohammed was seen in the audience. Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told delegates: "We are going through a crisis." King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed met with Khashoggi family members in Riyadh while Erdogan also telephoned the family to assure them the crime would be solved. (AFP) PMS PMS Moscow, Oct 23 (AFP) Donald Trump wishes to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin when the two visit Paris on November 11 for World War I commemorations, the US president's National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Tuesday. "I think President Trump will look forward to seeing you in Paris on the sidelines of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Armistice," Bolton told Putin in televised remarks as the two met for talks in Moscow. Putin said: "It would be useful to continue a direct dialogue with the president of the United States... for example in Paris, if the American side is interested." Both leaders will be in Paris for the November 11 World War I commemorations, which 60 heads of state and government are expected to attend. Trump and Putin held their first bilateral summit in Helsinki in July, after which the US president came under strong criticism at home for adopting a very conciliatory tone with his Russian counterpart. Bolton met Monday with several senior Russian officials before his talks with Putin. His visit comes after Trump announced that the United States would pull out of the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed by president Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader. (AFP) MRJ MRJ Moscow, Oct 24 (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin poked fun at the official seal of the United States while hosting US President Donald Trump's national security adviser, saying he wondered if the American eagle had plucked all the olives from the branch in its talon. While sitting down with John Bolton at the Kremlin, Putin Tuesday mentioned Trump's stated intent to pull the US out of a pivotal arms control treaty. He said Moscow also was aware of Washington's doubts about extending another landmark nuclear treaty and its plans to deploy elements of missile defense in space. The Russian leader then referred to the Great Seal of the United States, which includes a bald eagle holding a bundle of 13 arrows in one talon and an olive branch with 13 olives in another. "I have a question: Has your eagle picked all the olives and only has arrows left?" Putin asked with a laugh. But while underlining the differences between Russia and the US, Putin also emphasized the need to maintain a dialogue, saying he would be ready to meet with Trump in Paris during centenary commemorations next month marking the end of World War I. Putin said his last meeting with Trump in Helsinki in July was useful despite their tough discussion, adding that he would be open to meet with Trump in France "if the U.S. side is interested in such contacts." Bolton responded that Trump would look forward to seeing Putin in Paris on the sideline of events marking 100 years since Armistice Day, which is Nov. 11. "Despite our differences which exist because of our different national interests, it's still important to work in areas where there is a possibility of mutual cooperation," Bolton said. Bolton's Kremlin meeting with Putin followed two days of talks with top Russian foreign policy and security officials. "Hopefully, I will have some answers for you," he said. "But I didn't bring any more olives." "That's what I thought," Putin quipped. The Russian leader further demonstrated his knowledge of US symbols, citing the motto written on the scroll the eagle holds in its beak - "Out of Many, One" - as reflecting the need to find common ground despite various viewpoints. Putin and Bolton laughed as they exchanged the quips at the start of the meeting, setting an easy tone ahead of what was expected to be a tense discussion given Trump's weekend statement about abandoning the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Speaking at a news conference after the talks with Putin, Bolton emphasized that the US has been confident that Russia has violated the treaty by testing and deploying a ground-based cruise missile. He said that the US hasn't yet filed a formal notice of withdrawal from the pact and emphasized that the threat isn't the prospective US pullout from the pact but "the threat is the Russian missiles already deployed." He also pointed at China's massive intermediate-range capability as another key concern. "The treaty was outmoded, being violated and being ignored by other countries," Bolton said. "Under that view, exactly one country was constrained by the INF Treaty - the United States." He scoffed at critics' claims that the US pullout would be destabilizing, pointing at the US pullback from another Cold War-era arms control pact - the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty that was described as a cornerstone of strategic stability. "It wasn't true then, and it will not be true now with the withdrawal from this treaty," he said. He voiced skepticism that the treaty could be salvaged by forcing Russia to comply, pointing at Moscow's denials. "One has to ask how you convince the Russians to come back into compliance with obligations they don't think they are violating," he said. Earlier Tuesday, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trump took "a dangerous position" by deciding to abandon an existing nuclear weapons treaty with Russia without offering anything to replace it. "Right now, we don't have any prospects whatsoever for a new deal," Peskov said. "It's important to figure out if it's possible or not." The treaty was signed by US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. It prohibited the US and Russia from possessing, producing or test-flying ground-launched nuclear cruise and ballistic missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometers (300 to 3,400 miles). China was not a party to the original agreement, and Trump argued that it should be included in the treaty. Other Russian officials also emphasized the need for dialogue in their meetings with Bolton. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu lauded Bolton for making a two-day visit and said that "even small steps will benefit our relations and help restore trust" between the two countries. He added that Russia and the US should build up their cooperation in Syria that helped to prevent major incidents in the sky or on the ground. Bolton told Shoigu he was in Moscow to work on Trump's commitment to improve security cooperation with Russia. (AP) ANB ANB Washington, Oct 24 (AFP) US President Donald Trump has charged that the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul had given rise to "one of the worst cover-ups" in history. "They had a very bad original concept. It was carried out poorly and the cover-up was one of the worst cover-ups in the history of cover-ups," Trump declared Tuesday in the Oval Office. (AFP) ANB ANB \R Washington, Oct 24 (AFP) The United States has announced that it was revoking visas of Saudi officials involved in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in the toughest action to date against its longtime ally. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday the United States has "identified at least some of the individuals" behind the death of the Washington Post opinion writer in Saudi Arabia's Istanbul consulate. "We are taking appropriate action which includes revoking visas, entering visa lookouts and other measures," Pompeo told reporters. Visa "lookouts" mean that suspects would be marked as inadmissible when trying to enter the United States. "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 accountable," Pompeo said. "We are making very clear that the United States does not tolerate this kind of action to silence Mr. Khashoggi, a journalist, through violence," he said. The top US diplomat declined to specify the number of Saudis affected but said they came from "the intelligence services, the royal court, the foreign ministry and other Saudi ministries." Pompeo said the United States was also looking into whether to take action under a law named after Sergei Magnitsky, the anti-corruption accountant who died in Russian custody, that would impose financial sanctions on individuals behind Khashoggi's death. US lawmakers have been pressing President Donald Trump's administration to take tough action, with several mentioning the Magnitsky Act. Pompeo reiterated that the United States still considered Saudi Arabia an ally, saying he and Trump were "not happy" to move against the kingdom. (AFP) ANB ANB Washington, Oct 24 (AFP) US President Donald Trump has charged that a Saudi operation to kill journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Riyadh's consulate in Istanbul had given rise to "one of the worst cover-ups" in history. "They had a very bad original concept. It was carried out poorly and the cover-up was one of the worst in the history of cover-ups," Trump declared Tuesday in the Oval Office. "Bad deal, should have never been thought of. Somebody really messed up. And they had the worst cover-up ever," he added. "Because whoever thought of that idea, I think is in big trouble. And they should be in big trouble. Okay?" After more than two weeks of near silence, Saudi Arabia admitted Saturday that Khashoggi, 59, was killed in its Istanbul consulate on October 2, in what it said was an operation gone wrong. But Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan charged Tuesday that Khashoggi was targeted in a meticulously planned killing -- and demanded that 18 suspects detained by Saudi Arabia be extradited to Istanbul to face trial. Asked about Erdogan's call for those behind Khashoggi's "savage murder" to face punishment, Trump said the Turkish president had been "pretty rough on Saudi Arabia." But when questioned about whether he believes the Saudi account of events leading up to Khashoggi's death, Trump replied, "I want to see the facts first" -- while reiterating Riyadh's importance as a US ally in the Middle East. "Look, Saudi Arabia has been a really great ally. They've been one of the biggest investors, maybe the biggest investor, in our country," he said. A former royal family insider turned critic of the Saudi crown prince, Khashoggi disappeared after he entered the consulate to collect a document for his upcoming marriage. The murder of the Washington Post contributor has severely dented the international reputation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The killing also overshadowed a major investment forum that opened in Riyadh Tuesday. (AFP) ANB ANB ANB Moscow, Oct 23 (AFP) US National Security Advisor John Bolton on Tuesday praised "productive" talks with President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials during a two-day trip to Moscow. "I had a series of very comprehensive and productive discussions," he told a press conference after the visit in the wake of US President Donald Trump's announcement he would pull out of a nuclear arms treaty with Russia. A 90-minute meeting with Putin touched on the conflict in Syria and election meddling as well as Trump's decision on the arms treaty, Bolton said. "We discussed our continuing concern with Russian meddling in elections and why it was particularly harmful for Russian-American relations without producing anything in return," he said. "We had lengthy conversations about arms control issues, the new strategic landscape and the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) treaty." Bolton earlier said Trump wished to meet Putin when the two visit Paris on November 11 for World War I commemorations. During the press conference he said arrangements were being made for that meeting. (AFP) MRJ MRJ Ankara, Oct 23 (AFP) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday the "savage murder" of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was meticulously planned, and demanded that all those linked to the killing face punishment. Erdogan, who had promised that his speech to lawmakers in Ankara would reveal the "naked truth" about the killing, did provide a host of new details. But the president acknowledged Turkey was still searching for answers to key questions, including who gave the order. After more than two weeks of near silence, Saudi Arabia on Saturday admitted that Khashoggi, 59, was killed in its Istanbul consulate. A former royal family insider turned critic of the Saudi crown prince, Khashoggi disappeared after he entered the consulate on October 2 to collect a document for his upcoming marriage. Erdogan's revelations of careful planning contradicted the Saudi version of an operation gone wrong. Vice President Mike Pence vowed Tuesday the United States would "demand answers" from Riyadh. The murder of the Washington Post contributor has severely dented the international reputation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The killing also overshadowed a major investment forum that opened in Riyadh Tuesday. G7 foreign ministers meeting in London condemned, in a joint statement, the killing of Khashoggi and said Saudi Arabia's explanations leave "many questions unanswered". Erdogan outlined the steps taken by what he said was a 15-person team that came from Riyadh planning to kill Khashoggi, including carrying out reconnaissance outside Istanbul and deactivating security cameras at the consulate. He said that 18 suspects detained by Saudi Arabia should be extradited to Istanbul to face trial over the killing and called for an investigation into those with "even the slightest link" to the case. But the Turkish leader did not mention some of the most striking claims that appeared in the Turkish press in recent days, notably that Khashoggi's body was cut up into multiple pieces, and that there is an audio recording of the murder. Erdogan did confirm that a Saudi official played the role of body double for Khashoggi, wearing the journalists clothes upon leaving the consulate, pretending to be him. The whereabouts of Khashoggi's corpse remain unknown. Turkish police were searching an abandoned car belonging to the Saudi consulate in an underground car park in the Sultangazi district of Istanbul. Erdogan did not mention Prince Mohammed by name. But he said he was confident of the full cooperation of his father, Saudi King Salman in the probe and vowed full retribution for all those guilty of the "savage murder". Jana Jabbour, a professor at Sciences Po university in Paris, told AFP the fact Erdogan did not opt for sharper rhetoric against Riyadh suggested the two nations were talking behind the scenes. "Erdogan's very moderate speech shows that a deal has been reached," she told AFP. Yet the killing has alarmed even Saudi Arabia's staunchest Western allies, who are also key weapons suppliers to the kingdom. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Tuesday he likely will not cancel a 2014 blockbuster sale of armoured personnel carriers to Saudi Arabia, arguing the contract was signed by the previous government and "that makes it extremely difficult for us to withdraw from" without incurring "exorbitant penalties". CIA Director Gina Haspel, meanwhile, headed for Turkey although details of her trip were not immediately clear. In London, a Downing Street spokesman said Erdogan's statement showed "there are many questions which only the Saudis have the answers to." The Danish foreign ministry said it had summoned the Saudi ambassador in Copenhagen over the Khashoggi case. The murder has shone the spotlight on the Saudi crown prince, who was credited with a reform drive in the kingdom - including giving women the right to drive - but is now accused of having ordering Khashoggi's killing. Riyadh denies this. A key investment summit, dubbed "Davos in the desert", kicked off in Riyadh on Tuesday, overshadowed by big name cancellations. Dozens of executives, including from banks Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan and ride-hailing app Uber pulled out of the three-day Future Investment Initiative (FII). In a rare public appearance since the crisis began, Crown Prince Mohammed smiled and took selfies with delegates. Saudi organisers sought to portray it was business as usual, announcing 12 "mega deals" worth more than $50 billion in oil, gas, infrastructure and other sectors. But Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih acknowledged "we are going through a crisis". King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed met with Khashoggi family members in Riyadh while Erdogan telephoned the family to assure them the crime would be solved. (AFP) MRJ MRJ Gandhidham (Guj), Oct 23 (PTI) Five Pakistani nationals were caught by the BSF from Indian territorial waters in the Arabian Sea, an official said Tuesday. The group was apprehended from the creek area near border pillar number G-33 close to the India-Pakistan maritime border Monday night, said the official. A search operation has been launched by the Border Security Force (BSF) to trace the boat on which they may have entered Indian waters, he said. The men were Tuesday handed over to the Narayan Sarovar police station, which is carrying out further investigation, he added. Other details will be revealed only after the joint interrogation by security agencies, he said. PTI COR KA PD RSY RHL Kolkata, Oct 23 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday blamed the Railways of negligence and callousness over the stampede on a foot overbridge at Santragachi station, in which two persons died. Banerjee, who visited the station after the incident, said there should be more internal coordination to prevent such situation. "I feel there is a gap in coordination and Railways should look into it, they should have given some time gap between the arrival of two trains when the passengers have to change platforms," she said. "Such situations occur due to negligence and callousness, Railways should act in a more responsible way," Banerjee, who is a former Railway minister, said adding such situation do not occur if precautions are taken in advance. Noting that "safety and security cannot be compromised," Banerjee said that Railways did not seek any help from the state government during the festive season for crowd management. Separately in a Tweet, she said "another unfortunate incident on railways today. Sadly, too many such tragedies are happening like this even during festive season, including Amritsar." "Railways are the lifeline of our nation. Safety of rail passengers must be taken care of at all times," she said. Banerjee, who went to the station from a Durga Puja immersion carnival in the city, said that the state government will hold an administrative inquiry. She went to the state-run Howrah General Hospital from the station. "Railways must take proper care of safety and security of passengers; they should hold an investigation into the incident," Banerjee told newspersons at the hospital. Referring to the Amritsar incident, she said "the Railways must be more careful and cannot shirk its responsibility." Banerjee announced a compensation of Rs five lakh to the kin of each of the deceased and Rs one lakh each to the injured from the state government. PTI AMR ASG RG ZMN New Delhi, Oct 23 ( PTI) Attacking the NDA government's alleged anti-farmer agricultural policy, the Congress on Tuesday said it would waive all farm loans if the party came to power at the Centre in 2019. Party chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala claimed the government had waived loans of industrialists worth crores but didn't have the money to write off the loans of farmers. He was addressing the All India Kishan Khet Mazdoor Congress' 'Jawab Do, Hisab Do' rally held here. "If the Congress assumes power at the Centre then our first major work will be to waive farmers' loan. (Party president) Rahul Gandhi has already announced this," Surjewala said. "Every 24 hours, twelve farmers commit suicide across the country. The Modi government is responsible for this plight of farmers," he said. Alleging the present government was a friend of capitalists and the rich, he said farmers' distress had increased in the 53 months of BJP's rule across the country. "The MSP of paddy is Rs 1700 per quintal but farmers sell this in the market at Rs 1250 to 1300 per quintal. Farmers are compelled to sell their products for much lower than the production cost.The rising price of diesel also adds to it," Surjewala alleged. Former Uttarkhand chief minister Harish Rawat claimed that due to the wrong agricultural policy of the government, farmers across the country had suffered and there was agricultural distress. "Anyone visiting mandis will realise the loss suffered by farmers. They have no proper price in market for their products," Rawat said and appealed to farmers to oppose the BJP tooth and nail in the next Lok Sabha elections. UP Congress chief Raj Babbar said sugarcane farmers were the worst affected due to the government's policies. Congress' farmer leader Nana Patole claimed that the loan waiver announcement by the BJP government in Maharashtra was a hoax. PTI DMB ASG AAR AAR Srinagar, Oct 23 (PTI) The Centre is ready to hold talks with anyone including Pakistan but terror and dialogue can never go together, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said here Tuesday. Singh, who met representatives of various political parties in Srinagar, said he has appealed to all of them to participate in the upcoming panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir. "Biggest of problems can be faced and issues resolved through democratic means. Many problems of Jammu and Kashmir can also be addressed through democracy. I appeal to people of the state to take part in this festival of democracy," he said at a press conference here. Singh said those who do not believe in democracy can never be well-wishers of people. The National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party had boycotted the the recent urban bodies election in Jammu and Kashmir. Singh told reporters that as far as talks are concerned, the government has no problem in holding dialogue with anyone. "At least, they should see that Pakistan is sponsoring terrorism in India and promoting terrorism also. Give us this much of assurance that there will not be any such attempt by Pakistan. Terror and dialogue both can never go together," he said. Asked if there was any initiative to hold talks with separatists, Singh said the government will talk to anyone who is willing to enter dialogue. PTI MIJ RT RT New Delhi, Oct 23 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate is investigating "public officials" for suspected bribery of about Rs 140 crore in connection with the Rs 8,100-crore alleged bank loan fraud involving a Gujarat-based firm, the agency said Tuesday. The agency said the investigation in this aspect is under process as it filed a fresh charge sheet in the case of Vadodara-based Sterling Biotech group before a special court here. The central agency said its probe in the case has "revealed that the loan funds were diverted for non-mandated purposes to shell companies and were withdrawn as cash. "Cash to the tune of Rs 140 crore was withdrawn from shell companies and were used for the personal purposes of the promoters which also includes bribing of public officials," the ED said in a statement. The ED and the CBI are already probing the role of three senior Income Tax Department officers in this case after diary notings purportedly referring to their names were seized and the name of few more government officials is under the scanner, a senior official said. The name of CBI Special Director Rakesh Asthana, currently embroiled in a tussle with his Director Alok Verma, has also been linked in this case after diary notings with initials "RA" were seized. Asthana has, however, not been named by either the ED or CBI in their respective FIRs filed in this case. The ED Tuesday filed a voluminous charge sheet, also called prosecution complaint, and named the main promoters of the firm Nitin Sandesara, his brother Chetan Sandesara and a few of their family members. A total of 191 accused, 7 individuals and 184 companies, has been named in the charge sheet filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The others include Sterling Biotech Director Rajbhushan Dixit, CA Hemant Hathi, Chetan Sandesara's wife Dipti, Delhi-based businessman Gagan Dhawan and Hitesh Patel. The agency said it will soon initiate action under the newly enacted Fugitive Economic Offenders Act against the Sandesaras and others. "The companies include Sterling Biotech Ltd, PMT Machines Limited, Sterling SEZ and Infra Ltd, Sterling Port Limited, Sterling Oil Resources Limited and 179 shell companies," the agency said. The ED alleged that the Sandesaras "hatched a criminal conspiracy for dishonestly cheating banks and manipulated figures in the balance sheets of their flagship companies and induced banks to sanction higher loans." "After obtaining loans, they diverted the loans to non-mandated purposes through a web of shell companies. Thus, the loan funds were diverted layered and laundered by the promoters for their personal purposes. The total amount of loan fraud as on date is Rs 8,100 crore and it pertains to domestic as well as offshore branches of Indian banks," it said. The ED said Sandesaras used the names of their employees and allegedly floated 249 shell firms or dummy companies. "All these shell companies were controlled, managed and beneficially owned by the promoters and were actually used in the process of money laundering," it said. It alleged that the businessmen brothers, who are now absconding and said to be based abroad, "created a web of corporate and accounting structure abroad" and 100 such entities were floated in the UAE, the US, the UK, British Virgin Islands, Mauritius, Barbados and Nigeria among others. "It is revealed during probe that the funds were rotated through various structures and ultimately carried to Nigeria to finance their (Sandesara's) oil business," the ED said. The agency has arrested four people in this case till now-- Dhawan, Dixit, ex-Director of Andhra Bank Anup Garg and an alleged aiade of Dhawan, Ranjeet Malik. Assets to the tune of Rs 4,710 crore have been attached by the ED in this case till now even as the agency said it has seized Rs 15 lakh documents as part of its probe. PTI NES NES TIR TIR New Delhi, Oct 23 (PTI) A "Mushaira" based on the theme of Mahatma Gandhi's teachings will be held in Mumbai Friday as part of a series of such Urdu poetry symposiums being organised by the Ministry of Minority Affairs to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation. Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao will inaugurate the "Mushaira" in the presence of Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, a statement issued by the ministry said. The first Urdu poetry symposium in the series was organised in New Delhi on October 6. Besides spreading the message and principles of Mahatma Gandhi, these programmes would also strengthen the bonds of social harmony and brotherhood, Naqvi was quoted as saying in the statement. The "Mushaira" will be held at the Rangsharda Auditorium in Bandra West from 4 pm onwards on October 26. Famous Urdu poets such as Wasim Barelvi, Manzar Bhopali, Mansoor Usmani, Popular Merathi, among others, will take part in the event. Writer-musician Yogesh will preside over the "Mushaira" and actor-director-producer Annu Kapoor will speak on the purpose of the event. PTI ASK RC (Eds: Adding inputs and combining related stories) New Delhi, Oct 23 (PTI) Delhi's air quality continued to be in the 'poor' category Tuesday, with the Environment minister directing all officers and agencies to be in "war mode" to combat air pollution. As parts of the Bhalswa landfill site continued to smoulder, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation announced a slew of measures that it will take for remediation of the over 60-metre high dump. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Tuesday ruled that people in the country can burst firecrackers from 8 PM to 10 PM only on Diwali and other festivals, permitting the sale and manufacture of low emission "green" firecrackers countrywide. Environment and health experts welcomed the order, with some describing it as a "spectacular" decision, while others saying it was time the society celebrated festive occasions "more responsibly". The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded the city's overall AQI at 254 in the evening. An AQI (air quality index) between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'. The air quality in the national capital had shown signs of improvement Monday as it moved from 'very poor' to 'poor' category, but experts said it could deteriorate in the coming days due to toxic air coming out of a fire at the Bhalswa landfill site. The fire had been raging at the Bhalswa landfill site since October 20, raising concerns about the air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR) further deteriorating. The fire was extinguished last evening. A senior DFS official, however, Tuesday said parts of the dump site continued to smoulder. In Delhi, the Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) also reported an AQI in the 'poor' category. Faridabad, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad recorded AQI in the 'poor' category while Gurgaon's AQI stood in 'very poor' category. Meanwhile, Environment minister Imran Hussain held a multi-stakeholder review meet for effectively checking air pollution. "The environment minister directed all officers and agencies to be in war mode to combat air pollution," the Environment department said in a statement. He reviewed action plan of various stakeholders for implementing the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) mandated by the Supreme Court for combatting and mitigating air pollution in Delhi. "The meeting was attended by the chief secretary, commissioners of the north, south and east corporations, chairman of New Delhi Municipal Council, secretary (environment), secretary (transport & power), special secretary (industries), chief engineer (PWD) along with other senior officers," it said in a statement. Meanwhile, North Delhi Mayor Adesh Gupta and Municipal Commissioner Madhup Vyas visited the Bhalswa landfill site Tuesday, with the civic body announcing a slew of measures that it will take for its remediation, even as parts of the over 60 meter-high garbage dump continued to smoulder, officials said. "Three immediate major decisions were taken, which included reinforcement of the barbed wire, deployment of a police team to restrict entry of ragpickers and night vigil by the staff stationed at the site," a senior NDMC official in the Engineering department told PTI. The mayor also decided that a "global tender" would soon be invited for remediation of the Bhalswa landfill site, the official said. "The Bhalswa landfill site is spread over 70 acres, rising 62 meters. About 2,000 metric tonne of garbage is being dumped on it on a daily basis and currently it has 80 lakh metric tonne of garbage," the mayor was quoted as saying in an NDMC statement. On Sunday, the air quality index (AQI) had oscillated between 'poor' and 'very poor' categories and Moday had improved to 'poor' while on Saturday, a haze had engulfed the national capital and the worst air quality of this season was recorded at 324. Anumita Roy Chowdhury of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) Monday said as winter approaches toxic air emanating out of such landfill fires is likely to affect the air quality. "If the wind speed is lower and the temperature dips, the polluted air coming out of landfill fires will get trapped, which would severely affect the air quality," she said. The Supreme Court-appointed Environment Protection Control Authority (EPCA) had last week held a meeting with officials of Punjab, Haryana governments and the Delhi government to discuss the pollution situation in the national capital. PTI KND TDS KJ New Delhi, Oct 23 (PTI) While the Supreme Court order allowing sale of firecrackers, though with caveats, this Diwali came as a breather to businessmen, who had to shut shop after the ban last year, some remain concerned if the sale over the next 15 days would be profitable. Sitting in her thinly crowded store in Sadar Bazar, Himani Srivastava of Royal Fireworks told PTI the sales so far have been low, perhaps because many potential buyers would have anticipated the blanket ban would continue this year too. "Although there is no ban this year, we are worried as we don't know what to do with our old stock now, as these wouldn't be up to the regulations (to be able to follow the court-mandated caveats). Diwali is still 15 days away but we can't get new supplies by then. Let's see what happens," she said. The Supreme Court order permitted "green" firecrackers and fixed a two-hour time period, from 8pm to 10pm, for bursting them on Diwali and other festivals. The permissible limit of sound and smoke of crackers will be approved by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), the court said. Despite a number of conditions prescribed by the Court, Satish Manocha of SM Trading Company in Model Basti is hopeful for a better season as "at least there is no ban this year". "We are relieved, as last year they had completely banned the sale. Now our aim is to clear our stock that couldn't be sold last Diwali. We will obviously run the business as the Supreme Court has directed, we are yet to receive clear instruction so everything will be decided after that," Manocha, who has been in the fireworks business for last 20 years, said. Worried about a probable repetition of the ban, Abhishek Sehgal of GSP Fireworks in Ramnagar also did not order a fresh stock this year and is relying on last year's. Having faced a "normal sale" so far, they expect it to get better near Diwali. "We hope people will follow the Court's instructions and the sale would get better. It is also a relief that no temporary licences has been issued this year, otherwise small seasonal shops take away our business," Sehgal said. He added that now that there is a clarity about the sale, they will order new items according to demand. While Sehgals are hopeful for a better season, especially given the non-issuance of temporary licences, Manocha, who is primarily focused on wholesale, feels let down as there wouldn't be many large purchases. "The business so far is not very good. Dussehra went well, but without temporary licensees we are not hoping for a great sale during Diwali," he said. PTI MAH TRS TIR TIR New Delhi, Oct 23 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed controversial Uttar Pradesh politician D P Yadav, convicted in a murder case and now on interim bail on medical grounds, to go back to Dehradun jail on November 16 to serve the remainder of his life sentence. Yadav was awarded life imprisonment by a CBI court in Dehradun in 2015 for his role in the murder of Mahendra Singh Bhati, an MLA from Ghaziabad's Dadri area. The lawmaker was shot dead at Dadri railway crossing in December 1992. A bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice S K Kaul took note of the recent medical report of Yashoda Superspeciality Hospital at Ghaziabad that Yadav had undergone a spinal surgery on October 19 and was likely to be released from the hospital on November 3. The court took note of the report and directed that Yadav can remain with his family for two weeks and then will have to go back to the jail to serve the remainder of the sentence. It also disposed of Yadav's appeal which was filed challenging the Uttarakhand High Court's order declining his plea for interim bail to undergo the surgery. Earlier, the apex court was apprised by the hospital that Yadav would undergo spinal surgery and would be kept in the hospital for sometime. The bench had then directed the hospital to furnish a fresh report on October 22 and fixed the matter for hearing Tuesday. 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, 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 the CBI court in Dehradun in 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. PTI SJK ABA MNL RKS ZMN Jaipur, Oct 23 (PTI) An elderly man died allegedly after being thrashed by three policemen here, officials said Tuesday. The deceased, Vaidyanath Chaudhary, had gone to a police station Monday to get his son's bike released that the police had seized. But, as per his family members, he was beaten up by few policemen and thrown outside the police station. He died at hospital while undergoing treatment, police said. They said that Chaudhary's son Rakesh was stopped by a police team for not wearing helmet on Monday. His bike was seized and parents were asked to present vehicle registration papers at the police station, they said, adding that Chaudhary, upon reaching the police station, reportedly protested against the police for beating his son. After the death of Chaudhary, his agitated family members staged a protest at the police station, demanding action against the police. "Three policemen have been sent to police lines following a complaint that they brutally thrashed Chaudhary. A probe has been initiated against two sub-inspectors and a constable in this matter," Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Ashok Gupta said. He denied the allegations of Chaudhary's death in the police custody. PTI AG MAZ DPB A new government scheme has been launched to tackle modern slavery and abuse taking place at thousands of hand car washes in the UK. The Responsible Car Wash Scheme will recognise businesses that operate legally, hire and treat their employees fairly, and protect the environment, according to police, industry players and government agencies which together developed the initiative. It comes following various reports and cases of Eastern European workers being exploited and enslaved at unregulated hand car was sites up and down the country. Crackdown on car wash businesses: Motorists are being urged to only use hand car wash sites that have the approval of a new Government scheme that assures workers are not slaves or being exploited It's estimated that thousands of workers at Britain's 20,000 car washes are slaves. They are predominantly men who have been lured to the UK with the promise of employment but then trapped in debt bondage, forced to work in unsafe conditions, stripped of their documents and subjected to threats, abuse and violence. 'We have seen numerous problems across this industry, from modern day slavery, debt bondage, failure to pay proper wages,' said Darryl Dixon, head of strategy at the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, Britain's anti-slavery body. 'This scheme is a big step forward to address these issues.' According to a recent report by Nottingham University and the Office of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, workers at hand car washes are victims of exploitation because, until now, no system to register and license firms has been in place to regulate activity. Police and state officials are ramping up investigations but say the crime is hard to crack with countless car washes thought to be flouting laws, most victims too scared to speak out, and the cash-squeezed British public seeking ever cheaper services. 'Victims do not always recognise or accept themselves as such... this can make prosecutions under the Modern Slavery Act extremely difficult,' Phil Brewer, head of the Metropolitan Police's anti-slavery unit, told Reuters. Car washes are the top concern for people who call Britain's anti-slavery helpline, with at least 2,000 suspected victims identified in nearly two years, according to the charity Unseen. There are some 20,000 hand car wash sites up and down the country. The sector is believed to be a hotbed for slavery and abuse, predominantly of Eastern European men who have been lured to the UK under false promises regarding employment Yet encouraging the public to spot slavery at car washes is only relevant in a few cases where abuse is visible, said Caroline Robinson, head of Focus on Labour Exploitation. 'Instead of placing the focus on shoppers to spot slavery, the government must properly fund the authorities whose job it is to protect our workforce,' the charity's director added. The car wash scheme, which is also being supported by Unseen and five major supermarkets, is being piloted next month and will see participating sites verified by audits and spot-checks. At least 136,000 modern slaves reside in Britain, according to the Global Slavery Index by rights group Walk Free Foundation - 10 times the latest government estimate put forward in 2013. Hailed as a global leader in the anti-slavery drive, Britain said in July it would review its landmark 2015 law amid criticism that it is not being used fully to jail traffickers, help victims, or drive companies to spot and stop forced labour. Ann Summers tycoon Jacqueline Gold Saucy Ann Summers tycoon Jacqueline Gold, creator of the 'Rampant Rabbit', is this Sunday's Desert Island Discs castaway. Will the luxury item she chooses be suitable for the morning airwaves? All I know is Ms Gold, 58, is a canny broad who rarely lets a promotional opportunity go begging. Nationwide boss Joe Garner claims he is not motivated by money. He opines: 'Money as an incentive narrows focus.' Quite so. Yet Joe, 48 not one of finance's swashbucklers still negotiated a 2.3 million pay package last year, which many regard as OTT for a modest mutual. His 217,000 worth of perks is more than some FTSE 100 banking chiefs get. Were obituaries of billionaire Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who died last week aged 65, portraying him as a modest and mild-mannered sort of fellow, entirely on the money? Former Barclays director Baroness Wheatcroft recalls an Australian nanny who left her employ to work on Allen's yacht Meduse, and was instructed to scrub the decks with a toothbrush. France's President Macron has suspended French dignitaries from visiting Saudi Arabia following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but the countries remain hugger-mugger business-wise. The Saudi-French business council held its 40th session in Paris last week, where plans were announced for France to become the Kingdom's biggest investor. The council is chaired by Dr Mohammed Bin Laden, father of the late global terror mastermind, and erstwhile habitue of London's clubland, Osama. Look out! The self-aggrandising World Economic Forum is unhappy about descriptions of this week's controversial investment conference in Riyadh as 'Davos in the Desert'. WEF has issued a statement saying use of the term 'Davos' for any event other than its own annual meeting in the Swiss town is confusing, and will use 'all means' to protect it. I fear this may be one of those absurd press releases which should never have been allowed to leave the printer. Question of the day came from CNN's Van Jones, who asked Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's senior adviser (and son-in-law): 'So, how did you get this job?' Ivan Glasenberg, the boss of Glencore Glencore's boss will step down from the top job in three to five years. Ivan Glasenberg has said he will quit the Switzerland-headquartered commodities trader and miner by 2023 and has begun training a number of people as potential successors. The 61-year-old, who was born in South Africa and is also a champion race-walker, joined Glencore in 1984 and was named chief executive in 2002. He is the second biggest shareholder in London-listed Glencore, holding 8.56 per cent. A spokesman for Glencore declined to comment. Prosecutors are seeking fresh fraud charges against Barclays over a controversial fundraising in Qatar Prosecutors are seeking fresh fraud charges against Barclays over a controversial fundraising in Qatar. The lender has been accused of breaking the law over a 2.3 billion rescue by the Qataris in 2008, which allowed it to avoid a Government bailout during the financial crisis. Barclays was previously due to go on trial in January, but the charges were dismissed by the High Court. But the Serious Fraud Office is seeking to reinstate them and is making its case at the High Court this week. Four former bosses including ex-chief executive John Varley are already due to go on trial. Londons leading FTSE 100 share index slid sharply to a six-month low today as spooked investors around the world sold off shares. The coincidence of a number of major troubles around the world is driving investors to get out of risky assets, and the blue-chip index closed down 1.2 per cent at 6,955 - a mark it has not seen since March - but had been as low as 6,928 at one point. A potential economic crisis in Europe stemming from the clash between the Italian government and the EU over Italys public spending plans is one key driver, with the EU today rejecting Italy's latest proposal. The German stock market was showing a hefty 1.9 per cent drop, and Paris 1.4 per cent. The FTSE 100 index slid sharply to six-month lows today as investors were spooked by a number of different troubles around the world. Potential economic fallout generated by the alleged murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi authorities is another big concern. These two developments add to the long-running concerns over the possible escalation of a trade war between Donald Trumps America, China and others. The little brother of the FTSE 100, the FTSE 250 index was even further adrift, falling more than 2 per cent to 18,359 as of late afternoon. The pound was relatively unmoved however, up 0.1 per cent today to $1.298. 'Certainly, there is a generally risk-off tone in the markets and a lot going on lots of uncertainty on several fronts,' noted Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com. 'Geopolitical concerns around Saudi Arabia maybe matter, while we are still dealing with the aftermath of the bond shake out that sparked the initial selloff this month.' 'Italy is also weighing on European equities which are at 2-yr lows. The Dax is off 2.5 per cent and the FTSE 100 down around 1.5 per cent. 'A horrible day for European equities and the weakness following through from the US has not helped with indices close to their lows of the day in afternoon trading,' he added. 'The Eurozone found no way to staunch its bleeding as Tuesday went on; in fact, with the European Commission confirming it was rejecting Italys budget giving the country 3 weeks for a rewrite the regions wounds only deepened, said Connor Campbell, an analyst at Spreadex. A potential economic crisis in Europe stemming from the clash between the Italian government and the EU is one key driver of today's sell-off. 'While the FTSE MIB shed 1 per cent, it was its peers that suffered the most, with the CAC and DAX down 1.9 per cent and 2.4 per cent respectively. That sharp drop left the German index the wrong side of 11250, a level not seen in just shy of 2 years.' David Madden, market analyst at CMC Markets UK also chimed in: 'Continued uncertainty over Italy along with geopolitical tensions have sent stocks tumbling.' 'The EU Commission have rejected Italys budget proposal, and the administration in Rome will be required to resubmit their proposal in a number of weeks. Italys Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte already stated there is no plan B.' 'This has worried investors as they are afraid it could spark another round of the eurozone debt crisis. The US-China trade dispute rumbles on, and that is also playing into the sour sentiment, Madden added. House sales in central London have dived to a record low as buyers are put off by sky-high stamp duty. Just 70 properties are being sold each week in the heart of the capital, according to analysis by investment firm London Central Portfolio down 16.8 per cent on a year earlier. There are now fewer homes selling than at the height of the financial crisis in 2009. House sales in central London have dived to a record low as buyers are put off by sky-high stamp duty Experts blamed steep hikes to stamp duty for putting off buyers, who are unwilling to fork out hundreds of thousands of pounds in tax. It is feared the slowdown will cause problems for the whole market. If families at the top of the ladder are unable to move because of the tax, then people further down cannot climb up a rung. Ultimately it means there are fewer homes on the market for first-time buyers. Naomi Heaton, chief executive of LCP, said a rumoured tax on foreign property owners could make the problem even worse. 'This does not seem to be the right message for the Government to be sending to the outside world with Brexit looming,' she said. Defying Brexit fears Average property prices have risen by 9 per cent since the Brexit vote defying gloomy forecasts during the Project Fear campaign. The Treasury warned before the European Union referendum that prices would be 18 per cent lower after a vote to Leave. Dubbed the Dossier Of Doom, Treasury officials also claimed that demand for housing would drop because lending costs would rise. But a study by estate agent Haart found that, instead, average prices are up 9pc. Paul Smith, chief executive of Haart, said: 'EU or no EU, the need to move home will always be there.' 'It flies in the face of the 'open for business' slogan the Prime Minister previously used at the G20 summit in 2016.' The average property price in Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea stands at 1.9 million, up 4.9 per cent on a year earlier. But there were just 3,606 houses sold in the 12 months to September 30, or 70 a week. This is lower than the depths plumbed in 2009, when 3,704 properties were sold. The figure of 70 a week is down 45 per cent on 2014 when the market was booming. But the then-chancellor George Osborne hiked stamp duty on expensive properties, pushing up the cost for anyone buying a house worth more than 937,500. While those buying a 275,000 house saw their stamp duty fall by 4,500 to 3,750, the levy on a 1.5 million property jumped by 18,750 to 93,750. Two more energy suppliers, Neon Reef and Social Energy Supply, collapsed yesterday taking the total number of failed providers since September to 24. It means 2million domestic customers have lost their supplier in just three months. As a result, they, and millions more, face far higher prices with bills likely to increase by hundreds of pounds. It comes as inflation reached its highest level in nearly a decade with the CPI rate spiking to 4.2 per cent in October as a result of supply chain chaos, labour shortages and surges in energy costs. It's bad news for consumers as energy costs show no sign of slowing down with UK gas prices jumping 17 per cent today, with households being warned to brace for soaring bills. There has been extra concern after a German energy regulator suspended approval for a pipeline that would carry Russian gas directly across the Baltic to Germany and wider Europe. Wholesale prices subsequently shot up across Europe amid worries Russia will not increase deliveries of gas via alternative routes if the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is blocked. TORONTO, October 23, 2018 Thomson Reuters today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Integration Point, an international leader in global trade management (GTM) operations. The completion of the acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Recent debate over trade agreements like TPP, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and Brexit illustrate the complexity of multilateral trade and the related compliance requirements our customers face, said Jim Smith, president and chief executive officer, Thomson Reuters. This acquisition will further strengthen our offerings in the high-growth global trade management space and support our leading position at the intersection of regulation and commerce. Following the sale of a 55 percent interest in its Financial & Risk division, Thomson Reuters is focused on supporting its core offerings in the legal, tax, regulatory and media markets. This acquisition complements the companys ONESOURCE global tax compliance operations and expands its commitment to software and cloud-based offerings. Integration Points technology platform will allow Thomson Reuters to provide a single, scalable GTM platform and serve customers with an enhanced trade-management solution. This year has been a record-breaking year for Integration Point across many fronts, said Tom Barnes, CEO, Integration Point. As I look toward the future, Im excited about the opportunities that will be created for our customers and for our team when combining Integration Points global platform and trade-compliance expertise with the Thomson Reuters brand, resources and global footprint. Barnes will provide transitional support to Thomson Reuters for an interim period following the close of the deal. Robert Bahash, head of business development for the Corporates customer market for Thomson Reuters, will lead the transition and operations of the business following the close. Integration Point Integration Point offers a comprehensive suite of global trade management products encompassing almost all industries, geographies and trade programs. By delivering visibility and localized knowledge for more than 200 countries and territories on a single web-based platform, Integration Point enables companies to achieve global compliance while maximizing supply chain savings. Integration Point provides solutions for import/export management, product classification, free trade agreement qualification, export screening, drawback, foreign-trade zones, supply chain security and post-entry validation. Thomson Reuters Thomson Reuters is the worlds leading provider of news and information-based tools to professionals. Our worldwide network of journalists and specialist editors keep customers up to speed on global developments, with a particular focus on legal, regulatory and tax changes. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges. For more information on Thomson Reuters, visit tr.com and for the latest world news, reuters.com. CONTACT MEDIA David Crundwell Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs +1 416 649 9904 david.crundwell@tr.com INVESTORS Frank J. Golden Senior Vice President, Investor Relations +1 646 223 5288 frank.golden@tr.com A key factor driving this growth is the increased demand for legal advice resulting from the uncertainty created by the Brexit referendum and the UKs likely departure from the EU. There is likely to be a further rise in demand generated by potential regulatory changes and the need to re-write contracts. Outlook on Brexit amongst legal professionals remains pessimistic Despite legal services turnover usually outpacing real UK GDP growth, and the Brexit effect somewhat supports this gain, the outlook among legal professionals on the impact of Brexit remains pessimistic. The report found 63% of respondents agreed Brexit represented more of a threat than an opportunity in the short-term. Jim Leason, vice president of Market Development and Strategy, UK & Ireland, for the Legal business of Thomson Reuters, said The UK legal services sector has performed well partly because of the legal challenges Brexit presents but this could change as negotiations reach crunch time. Over half of the survey respondents suggested they were not well prepared to counter threats related to Brexit, such as the erosion of Londons status as a financial center or impediments created to the cross-border supply of legal services. Pessimism among legal professionals could stem from fears over the possible consequences of a no-deal Brexit. The UK legal services sectors turnover could be 2.1% smaller by 2025 if no agreement is reached in negotiations this is the equivalent of 840m in real terms. If this occurred, it would also reflect a sector with 2.1% fewer people employed, which equates to 7,400 people. Output and employment in 2025 in the downside (no deal) scenario iShares MSCI France ETF's stock was trading at $25.23 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, EWQ shares have increased by 58.9% and is now trading at $40.08. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19.